ASUReS – College of Arts & Sciences Undergraduate Research Symposium 2025: Abstracts

April 2, 2025 by ljudy

A Celebration of Research and Creativity by College of Arts & Sciences Undergraduates

When: April 9, 2025

Time: 8:10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Where: Third/Fourth Floor, Ayres Hall

Abstracts by Lead Presenter’s Last Name

Language Attitudes Towards Appalachian, African American, and New Orleans Englishes at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Co-Presenters: Izzy Alexander (English), Leighanne Higgins (Linguistics)
Faculty Mentor: Hooman Saeli
Abstract: Izzy Alexander, Leighanne Higgins

In a classroom project, students at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville self-reported their language attitudes on three dialects of Southeast English (Appalachian, African American, and New Orleans) in this direct approach study. Anonymous questionnaires were electronically distributed via Qualtrics to non-linguistic students, sourced through convenience sampling. We utilized 33 complete responses. This questionnaire was developed using templates from two language attitude studies: Bayard et al. (2001) and Saeli (2018). We utilized the open-ended survey questions on participants’ language attitudes from Bayard et al. (2001), and the Likert scale from Saeli (2018). Participants shared their associations with each dialect, including words, phrases, sounds, grammatical patterns, or pop culture references. Participants then completed three modified Likert scales, rating a hypothetical speaker of each dialect on Intelligence, Social Status, Friendliness, Trustworthiness, and Perseverance. Keywords from open-ended responses were sorted into four categories: Language, Culture, Place, and Food. Participants responded with the most detail for Appalachian English, identifying linguistic patterns consistent with a “Southern drawl,” such as vowel lengthening, G-dropping, tautologies, double negatives, and contractions. From the Likert scales, participants indicated relatively average scores (at/above: mean of 3) for most factors linked to each dialect, with the most divergence in means in Appalachian English. For Appalachian English, means ranged from 2.94 (Social Status) to 4.30 (Friendliness). Means also indicated a clear status/solidarity split (when status and solidarity as factors work inversely). Participants rated hypothetical speakers of all three dialects with a stronger sense of solidarity and a weaker sense of status.

Standardization of the Differentiation of THP-1 Monocytes into Macrophages

Presenter: Abigail Allen (Microbiology & Spanish)
Faculty Mentor: Timothy Sparer

Macrophages play a crucial role in the immune system, defending against pathogens and facilitating tissue repair following infection. Derived from monocytes, the lifecycle and functions of macrophages are central to many research studies on both health and diseases. Macrophages can be differentiated into an inflammatory phenotype (M1) or an anti-inflammatory phenotype (M2) depending on cytokine exposure. The THP-1 monocyte cell line, an immortalized source of monocytes, is widely used to study macrophage differentiation in vitro because they provide an abundance of cells for downstream applications and a uniform source of macrophages when compared with primary cells. However, the differentiation protocol for converting THP-1 monocytes into macrophages is highly variable across different studies. This research aims to standardize the differentiation process, developing a reliable and reproducible protocol. Herein, we investigated the effects of varying concentrations and exposure times of PMA, stimuli (IL-4, LPS, IFN-γ) and rest periods prior to stimulation. RTPCR was used to assess macrophage differentiation and M1/M2 skewing. Our findings demonstrate that PMA at a concentration of 200 ng/μL effectively differentiates THP-1 monocytes into macrophages. In the future, we plan to further explore the skewing of M1 and M2 macrophages through chemokine exposure and rest period variations.

“The Man Who Never Knew”: The Life, Crime, and Trial of Halder Perry

Presenter: Gracie Amburn (History)
Faculty Mentor: Chris Magra

In December of 1918, 2nd Lieutenant Halder Perry shot and killed his commanding officer; six years later, he made the bold claim that he “never knew it was wrong to kill” due to his upbringing in the Mountain South. Appalachian histories have historically been severely overlooked, misunderstood, and oversimplified. Far too often, academics fail to address, recognize, and credit the various contextual factors that influence rural stories and individuals. In a similar light, regional histories are frequently treated as a monolith, ignoring the vast diversity and complexity within the region. The life, crime, and trial of Halder Earl Perry illustrate the critical importance of nuance in telling rural histories, particularly those rooted in Appalachia. Using primary research to paint a narrative on Perry’s life and additional secondary research to contextualize it, this thesis aims to combat simplistic narratives and explore a multidimensional approach to understanding both this history and others like it. By examining Perry’s story alongside secondary contexts, this case demonstrates how simplistic narratives distort the realities of rural life, reinforce harmful stereotypes, and overlook the complex interplay of social, cultural, and economic forces that shape individual behavior in marginalized communities.

Framing Tragedy: Constructions of School Shootings in Conservative Media

Presenter: Brett Asbury (Sociology)
Faculty Mentor: Lois Presser

When a school shooting has taken place, the moral lines would seem to be clear between bad shooters and innocents. But school shootings have become a useful foil for politicking around ‘what ails us’. These strategies can undermine the informational function of the media, instead functioning ideologically in the service of political division and advantage. This project examines conservative media commentary from 2015 to the present on school shooting incidents to better understand how the media politicizes such events. I consider how National Review, which calls itself “America’s premier destination for conservative analysis,” covers school shootings at Santa Fe High School, Sandy Hook Elementary School, Robb Elementary School, and Parkland High School. Specifically, in news reports, opinion pieces and editorials, I analyze the discursive strategies used to reconstruct the problem of violence. The National Review uses presupposition, narrative reversal, and inevitabilization to promote conservative ideology in the wake of school shootings.

I wear socks in the shower…I’m just joking…or am I? Meta Irony and Internet Radicalization

Presenter: Will Ashack (Psychology)
Faculty Mentor: Michael Olson

Radicalization is rampant within online culture. Many factors may contribute to this, including anonymity, easy access to hate groups, and misinformation. However, there has been little research on how online communication contributes to radicalization. In internet humor, we observe a new form of irony, meta-irony. Paralleling Schrodinger’s Cat, meta-irony is indistinguishable as either sincere or ironic until the listener asks, and is used online in the context of disparaging humor and promoting extremist ideologies. There is a sense of “getting away” with the joke without negative social consequences. This research investigates whether exposure to extreme speech becomes normalized when communicated under the guise of meta-irony. We also test whether repeated exposure to meta-irony affects perceived sincerity and one’s own beliefs. Within the topic of women’s suffrage, participants view a reddit thread titled “r/Womenssufferage.” Participants see either zero, one, ten, or twenty meta-ironic statements that state an offensive comment against suffrage, with a sub-comment calling them out, only to be replied to with, “it’s just a joke.” We expect to find that increased exposure to meta-ironic statements will decrease perceived sincerity of the statement and increase normalization of the extreme position, and may lead to belief change in the direction of the meta-ironic comment. Specifically, in conditions with higher amounts of meta-irony, we expect participants to perceive meta-ironic statements as disparaging humor rather than sincere. We expect that belief change will occur parabolically, where too little or too much meta-irony will not elicit the necessary conditions to create belief change.

Displaced Lepton Analysis Reinterpretation

Presenter: Jordan Ashley (Physics)
Faculty Mentor: Tova Holmes
Abstract: Alaa Abdelhamid, Alaa Abdelhamid, Jordan Ashley

In support of efforts to fill gaps in our understanding of fundamental physics, the ATLAS experiment conducted a search for long-lived supersymmetric partners to the Standard Model leptons (sleptons) resulting in the exclusion of key signal models. This analysis seeks to reinterpret these results to place limits on other models, focusing on R-parity violating decay modes of the slepton. We will accomplish this via Monte Carlo event generation and a specialized analysis workflow, leveraging high-throughput computing to efficiently process datasets. By validating and extending the ATLAS publication’s limits on where Beyond the Standard Model (BSM) physics may be found, this work will inform future searches and detector designs aimed at probing new physics.

Leopoldstadt: Tom Stoppard’s Exploration of Resilience Found within Identity

Presenter: Jessica Baker (English)
Faculty Mentor: Rob Stillman

Tom Stoppard’s 2020 play Leopoldstadt dramatizes a struggle of Jewish identity and culture through a historical lens, focusing on two upper-middle class assimilated Jewish families, the Jacoboviczes and Merzes. The plot follows the two families through a timeline spanning roughly 56 years, with deliberately selected moments – 1899, 1901, 1924, 1938, and 1955 – guiding the story. This timeline represents Jewish communities in Vienna’s Ringstrasse through the rapid emergence of antisemitism in Europe. Although the title suggests otherwise, this play is not set in the historic ghetto of Leopoldstadt. In fact, audiences never follow the two families to Leopoldstadt during the play – there are only passing mentions of the ghetto. In regard to Stoppard’s own personal re-connection to his Jewishness, his parents were of the Czechoslovakian Jewish community before escaping in 1942 to India, then moving to England four years later. Why does Stoppard give his play such a title, and why does a man of his Czech decent choose to chronicle the experience of Jewish Austrian families instead? Since antisemitism affected many Jewish communities of varying economic statuses across Europe, why does Stoppard choose to highlight an upper-middle class family in a wealthier central neighborhood, rather than focus on families of a lower status, especially those who lived in the historic ghettos scattered across Europe? All of these are necessary questions to understand Stoppard’s motivation for writing Leopoldstadt.

Peeling Back the Layers of Poly(vinyl) Chloride and Polyethylene Compatibilization

Presenter: Sarah Barber (Chemistry)
Faculty Mentor: Mark Dadmun
Abstract: Authors: Sarah Barber, Bailey Eberle, Zach Wood, Tyeshia Sapp, Dr. Mark Dadmun, Dr. Megan Fieser

Poly(vinyl) chloride (PVC) is the third most abundant plastic, yet it remains one of the most difficult plastics to recycle and reprocess. Fuel pyrolysis of PVC can release toxic hydrochloric gases, while mechanical recycling creates materials with poor physical properties due to phase separation. This study explores the potential of compatibilizers, a multiblock copolymer created from waste PVC, to enhance the mechanical recycling of amorphous PVC blended with semicrystalline polyolefin elastomers (POE). We evaluate the adhesion strength of the PVC/POE interface when compatibilized with hydrodechlorinated poly(vinyl) chloride (d-PVC) copolymers and compare this behavior to structurally similar and industrially available chlorinated polyethylene (c-PE). Despite the immiscible nature of PVC and POE, the compatibilizer exhibits a significant improvement in adhesion strength with a maximum interfacial force (Ga) of 6,289 J/m2. Notably, the d-PVC copolymers outperform industry analogs, highlighting the importance of the copolymer’s molecular design. It appears a more blocky polymer backbone facilitates homogeneity across the polymer-polymer interface and allows for greater chain stitching. Further analysis using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) underscores the co-crystallization mechanisms governing these strong interactions. Our findings demonstrate the feasibility to recycle PVC with PVC-c-PE compatibilizers derived from waste streams as a promising recycling strategy towards a truly circular plastic economy.

Mary of Egypt in Medieval Manuscripts: Understanding Contradictory Roles of Female Sainthood in the Late Antique Christian World

Presenter: Juliet Barton (Art History)
Faculty Mentor: Christina Shepardson

Early Christian texts often depict the ancient world of Christianity as heavily dominated by men. However, the discussion of female ascetics as exceptionally reverent individuals complicates this viewpoint. Narratives of female Christian ascetics, despite elevating women, still other them from the higher religious sphere of men, both reinforcing and challenging ancient gender roles. One notable female ascetic is Mary of Egypt, known for her conversion from a life of licentiousness to a deeply religious existence played out in the Judean desert for the last decades of her life during the early 5th century. Mary’s story represents both hyper-feminine desire and virtuously masculine asceticism and restraint on the same body, creating a complex view of sainthood and holiness. Mary’s masculine traits show that women may even surpass the male monk’s piety, which relates to Judith Butler’s ideas of becoming the gender which one performs. As such, Mary of Egypt remains a popular figure of artistic depictions for hundreds of years to come. Sonia Velázquez’s Promiscuous Grace investigates this very topic, exploring how Mary’s depictions spanning centuries play between feminine beauty and extreme emaciation to depict the convoluted role of beauty in the so-called “holy harlot.” While Velázquez centers on how Mary represents ideals of beauty in various forms, this presentation will argue that Mary’s depictions in medieval manuscripts, through their various contradictory elements, underscore the dual role of the ascetic female body, not only as a means of empowerment for ancient women through adoption of ascetic and thus masculine lifestyles, but also a tool of shame for male-dominated early Christian monastic communities by showing such a virtuous masculine harlot. Mary as a religious figure shows how, even when she adopts a masculinizing lifestyle, hyper-feminizing characteristics can work to further accentuate her holiness.

Tracing Domestic Practices Through Ceramic Analysis at Coan Hall

Presenter: Zoe Bear (Anthropology)
Faculty Mentor: Barbara Heath

Ceramics found at archaeological sites can reveal an abundance of information about those who lived, worked, and interacted with one another in the past. At Coan Hall, a 17th century colonial plantation site in Northumberland County, Virginia, there is a large ceramic assemblage that has the potential to reflect what domestic practices were occurring among those who lived there. This research project aims to fill the gap in understanding of the ceramic assemblage at Coan Hall by analyzing, dating, and cataloging the ceramic forms present at a specific area of Coan Hall known as Site 3. The methods employed so far in this research include recording information about each sherd, cataloging each sherd in a database, and mending sherds together when possible. Current work includes conducting a Minimum Vessel Count to determine the number of unique vessels at the site, and determining the significance of the distribution of different vessel types and forms across stratigraphic layers. Current findings include multiple Coarse Earthenware vessels of both European and Indigenous origin, including milk pans, cooking vessels, and storage containers, as well as a variety of Coarse Earthenware, Refined Earthenware, and Stoneware tablewares of varying decoration and origin. Further analysis will aim to determine the significance of this ceramic presence and distribution, with the goal of revealing details about how individuals were using ceramics at the site and what domestic activity can be reflected through the ceramic assemblage.

Adverse childhood experiences among arrested youth: Are protective factors enough?

Co-Presenters: Anna M. Best (Psychology), Bella C King (Psychology)
Faculty Mentor: Cynthia Navarro Flores
Abstract: Anna M. Best, Bella C. King, Jacqueline Kibler, Jimena Mendoza, Shari C. Linares, Alejandro L. Vázquez, and Cynthia M. Navarro Flores

Exposure to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) is associated with criminal justice involvement among youth, with strong social support and engagement in prosocial activities being potential protective factors. This study examined associations between ACEs and arrest, and the potential moderating effects of social support and positive activity engagement. Data were from 657 youths from the Longitudinal Studies on Child Abuse and Neglect. Pairwise comparisons suggest that ACEs exposure was significantly higher among arrested youth (p < .001). Lower adult support and activity scores were associated with arrest, although not significantly (p = .07). A logistic regression model found that each ACE’s exposure increased the odds of arrest by 28.3%. Main effects and interactions of social support and activities were not statistically significant. Similar to prior research, cumulative adversity increases the chances of youth involvement in the juvenile justice system. However, social support and activities did not mitigate the risk of arrest associated with ACEs exposure as suggested by previous studies. Findings suggest that individual-level factors such as positive childhood experiences (e.g., social support, positive activities) might not reduce criminal involvement in youth who experienced ACEs, but rather systemic-level interventions may be needed to decrease delinquent behavior among youth.

Artificial Fixation Points in Reading- Are They Generalizable?

Presenter: Ali Bhimani (Neuroscience & Psychology)
Faculty Mentor: Caglar Tas

We previously showed that including artificial fixation points (AFPs) help readers by decreasing reading speed and increasing reading comprehension (Bhimani & Tas, VSS 2024). In our previous study, AFPs were implemented in texts based on eye data collected during normal reading: We changed the font color of the first half of highly-fixated words to red, thus ideally cueing participants to the most efficient areas to fixate during reading. Texts that were altered with AFPs resulted in faster reading times and higher reading comprehension than texts that were not altered. In the present study, we tested the effectiveness and generalizability of AFPs. Experiment 1 used font color changes as in our previous study, but instead of modifying highly-fixated words, we changed the font color of the first half of randomly chosen words. If AFPs merely increased intrinsic motivation, rather than aiding reading, we should find similar accuracy and reading speed improvements as in the previous study. Experiment 2 used a different AFP manipulation, boldness, to test its generalizability. As in the previous study, we put AFPs on highly-fixated words. In both experiments, AFPs significantly decreased accuracy and slowed down reading speed (all ps <.001), suggesting that while text altering can benefit reading speed and improve reading comprehension, the type of AFPs used and whether they align with normal reading behavior is an important factor in their effectiveness.

Noise representations in microbial time series data

Presenter: Megan Borgognoni (Mathematics)
Faculty Mentor: Ioannis Sgouralis
Abstract: Co-author: Ioannis Sgouralis

Microbial growth curves are essential to understand the dynamics of microbial populations, which is critical in the fields of biotechnology, medicine, ecology, and environmental science. Growth curves measure the stages of microbial development over time which provides information on replication rates, carrying capacity, and the effects of various conditions on the enhancement or suppression of cell growth. Mathematical modeling translates these biological processes into quantitative descriptions, allowing for principled data analysis and precise predictions. My project aims to develop a probabilistic model of cell growth in a batch culture experiment predicting behavior consistent with empirical data showing increased biological noise at intermediate cell densities. A secondary aim of my project is the development of mathematical formulas for the cell density under batch culture conditions appropriate for rigorous data assimilation and analysis of raw experimental data. In this way, I develop new methods to represent biological information and facilitate the application of advanced parameter estimation techniques for microbiology research.

Gravitational Waves as a Probe of Core Collapse Supernova Progenitor Structure

Presenter: Elle Brinkman (Physics)
Faculty Mentor: Anthony Mezzacappa

Core collapse supernovae (CCSNe), the explosive deaths of massive stars, are the source of many important elements in the universe, including elements essential for life. Our aim is to use gravitational waves (GWs) to investigate supernovae in order to understand these phenomena more completely. GWs are unique in that they allow us to look deep inside the star throughout the process of explosion, providing singular insight into the CCSN event. Our project focuses on how the magnitude and pattern of GWs from CCSNe can reveal the internal structure of massive stars before they explode. Using the state-of-the-art CHIMERA CCSN simulation code, we extracted gravitational waves from the collapse and explosion of two stars with nearly identical masses, but with wildly different internal structures. We found that their GW signatures vary enough for the differences to be potentially observable. Our work shows that GWs, along with photons and neutrinos, can be used to determine properties of a massive star from its death in a supernova.

Southern Perspectives on Italian Fascism, 1922-1939

Presenter: Tristan Brown (History & English)
Faculty Mentor: Tore Olsson

Following Benito Mussolini’s rise to power in 1922, his new style of governing Italy would be discussed in multiple forums of thought in the United States. My research aims to examine southern perspectives on Mussolini and Fascism through exploring various periodicals and congressional records from the South during the inter-war years. Through a survey of these papers and records, the portrayal of Fascism before WWII allows for a more multifaceted view of the South to become apparent. Viewpoints toward Fascism and Mussolini that were published in southern papers were written by white people and Black people, included both sympathies and hostilities, and also included commentary on Italy’s invasion of Ethiopia and the role Italian Fascists played in the Spanish revolution. I argue that the ways in which American southerners thought about Italian Fascism in the interwar years (ranging from 1922-1939) encapsulated diverse perspectives which defined the region but differed from mainstream US narratives at the time.

Brilliant men and women: How gender-based exemplars of brilliance shape norm beliefs

Presenter: Clara Bunnell (Psychology)
Faculty Mentor: Sarah Lamer

Every day, patterns in our environment influence our beliefs and prejudices without our conscious awareness. For example, men are implicitly associated with brilliance more than women (Storage et al., 2020) and may be more frequently depicted as intelligent. Seeing this stereotypic representation of brilliant men could reinforce the norm that people believe men are more competent than women. To assess how gender stereotypical/counter-stereotypical representations of brilliance impact norms, we developed an experimental manipulation that varied whether people were exposed to the prevalent pattern (i.e., more exemplars of brilliant men) or a reverse pattern (i.e., more exemplars of brilliant women). This manipulation mimicked an online discussion post in which participants read fictitious posts from previous participants describing someone they found impressive and accomplished. We predict that exposure to gender-stereotypical (vs. counter-stereotypical) representations of brilliance will lead people to endorse traditional norms, believing that people think men are more brilliant than women. This project provides insight into how depictions of women and men affect our beliefs about gender and competence and how the frequency of gender-based exemplars of brilliance impacts our norm beliefs.

Second Language Acquisition Research Proposal: Study Abroad

Co-Presenters: Christina Burbar (Linguistics), Leighanne Higgins (Linguistics), Noel Jordan (Linguistics), Isabel Barrett (Linguistics), Aiden Lee (Linguistics)
Faculty Mentor: Rima Elabdali
Abstract: Christina Burbar, Leighanne Higgins, Noel JOrdan, Isabel Barrett, Aiden Lee

Interest in college study abroad and its effects on second language (L2) development has increased. Existing research highlights the advantages of studying abroad for language proficiency, cultural adaptation, and career opportunities, but also underscores structural barriers. The majority of students who participate in study abroad are white, middle-class, female students who are studying in the humanities. However, there are disagreements over whether study abroad serves as a tool for equalizing educational opportunities or reinforcing existing inequalities. The current study seeks to further understand these factors by interviewing students at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Five students identifying with underrepresented groups will be interviewed about their linguistic and sociocultural experiences while abroad. Drawing on various theoretical insights from Bourdieu’s Cultural Capital and Habitus (1977) and Vygotsky’s Sociocultural Theory (1978), we predict the interviews will spotlight marginalized experiences and converge factors such as gender, race, identity, socioeconomic status, and motivations, demonstrating the interplay of these characteristics. We hypothesize that poor experiences relating to those aspects will negatively impact their L2 development and comprehension. The results will highlight the importance of accessibility while providing insight into cultivating equitable study-abroad experiences.

Characterizing the Mechanism of Primary Cilia Disassembly Following Kinesin-2 Inhibition

Presenter: Madison Scott Burke (Biochemistry & Cellular and Molecular Biology)
Faculty Mentor: Martin Engelke
Abstract: Lindsey Margewich, Madison Scott Burke, Martin F. Engelke

Primary cilia, hair-like microtubule appendages, are essential in many aspects of cellular function, particularly cell signaling. Understanding primary cilia assembly and disassembly is vital as malfunctions in these processes are linked to ciliopathies, a group of human diseases with symptoms including infertility, obesity, and abnormal development. Kinesin-2, a heterotrimeric motor protein comprised of motor-domain containing subunits KIF3A and KIF3B and the associated protein KAP3, facilitates intraflagellar transport (IFT) of cargo. Kinesin-2 is required to maintain primary cilia, however, the mechanism of disassembly following IFT inhibition is unknown. We aim to characterize the mechanism of primary cilia disassembly following kinesin-2 inhibition. To this end, we engineered a 3T3 cell line that stably expresses inhibitable kinesin-2 and SSTR3-mStayGold, a ciliary membrane marker. Using this cell line, we inhibit the motor, stop IFT, and perform time-course experiments to observe cilia disassembly in both fixed and live cells. Preliminary data from these experiments show complete cilia disassembly after IFT inhibition and cilia loss by both shrinking and shedding. In future work, we hope to uncover proteins involved in the disassembly mechanism. Understanding the mechanisms behind cilia loss may inform future therapies for ciliopathies.

Investigating the Impacts of Acetaminophen on Blow Fly Development

Co-Presenters: Eliana Busch-Hébert (Anthropology), Marilee Crabtree (Animal Science)
Faculty Mentor: Charity Owings
Abstract: Eliana Busch-Hébert, Marilee Crabtree

Blow flies are some of the most forensically important insects due to their ability to locate and breed in decomposing remains. As such, their development patterns are useful in estimating the period from death to discovery. Though illicit drugs are known to impact fly physiology, it is unclear if common over-the-counter medications have similar effects. Therefore, this study investigates the impact of acetaminophen, a widely-available analgesic drug, on the growth of the black blow fly, Phormia regina (Meigen), a common and abundant blow fly in the US. Fly larvae will be reared on lean pork muscle blended with either water (i.e., negative control) or three dosages of acetaminophen solution representing recommended doses and overdose concentrations in adults. Larval replicates will be maintained in an incubator at 25°C, 50% RH, and 12:12 L:D. Data generated will include survivorship, developmental duration, mass, and sex ratios. Future research may explore the effects of environmental variables such as temperature, feeding density, and container size. This experiment will provide insight into how acetaminophen influences developmental biology in a model species of forensic entomology and will contribute to a broader discussion of the impact of toxicological variables on death investigations.

Relic DNA Removal Impacts Forensic Microbiome Diversity

Presenter: Emily Cantrell (Microbiology)
Faculty Mentor: Zach Burcham

The forensic microbiome is important for postmortem interval estimation and trace evidence analysis models, however, these tools have a margin of error. For these tools to be credible, microbiome samples collected as part of the forensic investigation must accurately represent the microbial community. Microbiome samples include microbial DNA, non-microbial DNA, and relic DNA. Relic DNA is free DNA that persists in the environment from dead cells, which may affect calculations of microbiome diversity. We hypothesize that relic DNA in forensic microbiome samples negatively impacts the accuracy of forensic microbiome tools. This study aims to determine the extent that relic DNA impacts environmental trace evidence analysis. To test this, we simulated trace evidence and source samples using soil collected from various locations around UTK’s campus. Soil was collected on cotton t-shirts, shoes, and cotton swabs. The samples were processed as paired replicates to create a treatment (i.e., relic-DNA-removed) group and a control group. The treatment samples were processed using benzonase to digest extracellular DNA. Remaining DNA was extracted and processed for 16S rRNA sequencing. The sequencing data was analyzed using QIIME2 with the SILVA database. Initial results show that sample location was the largest driver of microbiome composition, but both the sample type and removal of relic DNA significantly impacted microbiome community diversity. Further, statistical results show that interactions between the treatment group and sample location significantly affected richness, but did not have a significant effect on phylogenetic diversity or evenness.

Incentive Contrast Effects on Assessing Replenishment Rate in Bumblebees

Presenter: Campbelle Caudle (Ecology and Evolutionary Biology)
Faculty Mentor: Claire Hemingway

Models of animal decision-making typically assume that animals evaluate options based on objective payoffs. Humans and other animals, however, often evaluate options relative to previous experience or other options available. This can lead to incentive contrast effects, when reward values vary depending on recent experience. For instance, if an individual encounters a series of highly rewarding options, they may perceive a medium-quality option as low quality, but if that same option was encountered after a series of low-quality options, it would be perceived as high quality. This form of evaluation may be particularly relevant for generalist animals, such as bumblebees, where an individual can visit thousands of flowers daily that vary in nectar quality and quantity. Previous studies have found that bumblebees show incentive contrast effects when assessing nectar concentration, however, it’s unclear how bees assess other aspects of nectar quality. Here, we asked whether bees used the same form of reference-based evaluation to assess replenishment rate of nectar. We manipulated bee expectations of reward rate by training bees to highly rewarding (high rate) flower types and then downshifting nectar rates and measuring disruptions in behavior. If bees evaluate replenishment rate relative to recent experience with similar flower types, we expect bees to switch to novel flowers sooner when highly rewarding flowers downshift in reward value. Because flowers vary within and between species in their nectar rewards, comparative evaluation may help bees optimize their foraging behavior by using past experience to inform expectations about the availability of rewards in the future.

An Exploration of Foreign Language Education for Deaf and Hard of Hearing College Students

Co-Presenters: Solomon Davis (English), Karina Dale (English), Maxwell Edmonds (Studio Art)
Faculty Mentor: Rima Elabdali
Abstract: Soloman Davis, Maxwell Edmonds, Tayah Savage, Karina Dale

This study investigates the challenges Deaf and hard of hearing (DHH) students face in foreign language education and explores effective teaching strategies to support their learning. Previous research related to this topic points to several major barriers, which include a lack of accessible resources, insufficient instructor training, inflexible curricula, and inadequate support for students. The data used for the study will be collected through a combination of literature review and 1:1 qualitative interviews with five DHH students who have taken foreign language courses. Student interviews will consist of in-person meetings with questions pertaining to opinions on the ability of instructors to teach the DHH, effectiveness of curriculum, availability of resources, as well as other obstacles they may have faced in these courses. These interviews offer personal insight into some of these obstacles, allowing for a deeper and more nuanced contextualization of DHH language acquisition experiences. This study will attempt to provide a more comprehensive understanding of some of the obstacles these students encounter, and to better understand the methods and materials that best guide language development for the Deaf and hard of hearing. In addition, this study strives to bridge the informational gap concerning effective foreign language curriculums that can be implemented for DHH students, a gap left agape due to lack of research. Through a synthesis of both related research and student experiences, this study attempts to foster a more inclusive and effective foreign language learning environment for DHH students in higher education.

Investigating an Abnormal Pubertal and Estrus Cycling Phenotype in a Rett Syndrome Mouse Model

Presenter: Lily Demilio (Biochemistry & Cellular and Molecular Biology)
Faculty Mentor: Billy Lau

Atypical pubertal development and dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea, and cleanliness concerns are observed at higher incidences in individuals with Rett syndrome compared to the typically developing population (Humphrey et al., 2021; Killian et al., 2014), yet the underlying neurobiological mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, we examine the relationship between Methyl CpG binding protein 2 (MECP2) mutation, estrous cycling normalcy, and pubertal trajectories in MECP2-heterozygous and wild-type mice. Vaginal cells were collected via water lavage, in which a small amount of Milli-Q water was inserted and removed from the mouse’s vagina using a glass pipet. This samples were then dried, stained with 0.1% neutral red, and imaged using a Keyence digital microscope (20x, BF). Cell composition of the sample was then used to categorize the images into the corresponding Estrus phase (proestrus, estrus, metestrus, or diestrus). Results showed that there is no significant difference in average cycle duration or proportion of time spent in each phase between WT and Het mice at first estrus, 6 weeks, or 12 weeks. This indicates that pubertal progression and most cycling parameters remain comparable to typical development, suggesting compensatory mechanisms downstream of initial delays. These findings resonate with human studies documenting heterogeneous reproductive phenotypes in Rett syndrome (Humphrey et al., 2021; Killian et al., 2014) and foreground the complex interplay between neuroendocrine regulation and epigenetic factors such as MECP2. Future work will focus on dissecting the subtle influence of maternal experience on these circuits to further clarify the impact experience might have on pubertal trajectories in Het and WT mice.

Hand-to-mouth touches in very preterm infants

Co-Presenters: Cassidy DerAsadourian (Neuroscience), Gabriella Palermo
Faculty Mentor: Daniela Corbetta
Abstract: Cassidy DerAsadourian, Gabriella Palermo, Olivia Fleenor

Hand-to-mouth touches are some of the earliest behaviors that infants produce pre- and post-natally. These touches may be important for the development of motor skills such as reaching. Premature infants are at a greater risk for delays in motor development. Prior research has shown that spontaneous hand-to-mouth touches in 2-month, full-term infants occur at relatively low rates compared to later months. In addition, some studies suggest that full-term infants open their mouths prior to hand-to-mouth touches. However, the rate of hand-to-mouth touches and corresponding mouth behaviors for preterm infants in the first two postnatal months have yet to be investigated. The purpose of this study is to determine if preterm infants produce different rates of hand-to-mouth touches than their full-term counterparts and if they open their mouth prior to hand-mouth contact. To address this, we used an available dataset of very preterm and full-term infants observed in supine for 3-minute intervals

Diana and the leges Juliae in Ovid’s Metamorphoses

Presenter: Harley Diamond (Art & Classics)
Faculty Mentor: Jessica Westerhold

Augustus introduced the leges Juliae, passed in 18-17 BCE. Augustus wanted a return to the ancient domestic virtues of Rome’s past which meant creating legal rewards for marrying and having multiple children as well as punishing women for committing adultery. For many, these laws created a sense of heightened scrutiny. Women especially would have felt the impact of these laws, because their financial independence now relied upon producing enough legitimate children. A couple of decades after the passage of the leges Juliae, Ovid tells the myth of Diana and Actaeon (Met.3.138-255) in which Diana, isolated and avoiding the attention of men, is protective of her virgin status to the point of victimizing Actaeon, a young man. Ovid’s Diana, in her extreme defensiveness, seems to be reacting to this social shift when women might have felt they had more reason to protect themselves. This paper will begin by exploring the context of the passage of the leges Juliae as an attempt to restore the mos maiorum by Augustus and his advisors. It will then go into the social repercussions of the leges Juliae in the decades between its passage and Ovid’s poem to investigate the new expectations of women’s sexuality. The paper will conclude by examining Ovid’s representation of Diana as model of femininity in a time when women’s sexuality would have felt especially policed.

Investigating Foreign Language Anxiety among college students

Co-Presenters: Jonah Dittes (German & Linguistics), Isaiah Hicks (Linguistics), Bridget Keefe (Linguistics), Cady Sandifer (Linguistics), Dejah Wright (English)
Faculty Mentor: Rima Elabdali
Abstract: Jonah Dittes, Isaiah Hicks, Bridget Keefe, Cady Sandifer, Dejah Wright

Foreign language anxiety (FLA) is a significant psychological factor affecting college students’ language learning experiences. Previous research has shown that FLA negatively impacts students’ confidence, participation, and proficiency. It has also been found that multilingual students may experience reduced anxiety and increased enjoyment in language learning. Additionally, the classroom environment plays a crucial role in shaping anxiety levels, with online and traditional settings influencing students differently. This study investigates the experiences of five college students regarding language anxiety in foreign language classrooms. Through interviews, we explore how FLA affects their motivation, academic performance, and engagement. The study also examines the role of instructional strategies in either mitigating or exacerbating anxiety. The current research contributes to the ongoing discussion on language acquisition and language anxiety by providing firsthand insights from students, highlighting their personal struggles and coping mechanisms. Understanding these experiences can help educators develop more effective strategies to foster confidence and engagement in language learning, ultimately improving student outcomes in higher education.

Do symmetrical and asymmetrical objects influence looking and reaching patterns in 9-month-old infants?

Co-Presenters: Lily Fairbank (Neuroscience), Samantha Pinto (Neuroscience)
Faculty Mentor: Daniella Corbetta
Abstract: Lily Fairbank, Samantha Pinto

The way infants interact with objects provides critical insights into early perceptual and motor development. Examining patterns in visual attention, fixation, and reaching behaviors can reveal how infants process and respond to different object features. This contributes to our understanding of motor development. Preliminary results have shown that infants demonstrate prolonged fixations at the center of symmetrical objects compared to asymmetrical objects. These differences suggest that these varied durations in fixations may be driven by the object characteristics, which in turn, may influence reaching preferences. The present study examines visually guided reaching in 9-months-old infants. We utilized eye-tracking technology to identify fixation points on target objects and coded where they looked and where they made hand contact with the object. In this work, we present preliminary analyses on a subset of 9-months-old infants as they interacted with four different objects, some symmetrical and some asymmetrical.

Investigating the Functional Role of FliC1A, FliC1B, and FliC2 flagellins in the A. brasilense Polar Flagellum Structure and Function

Presenter: Anila Fariab (Microbiology)
Faculty Mentor: Gladys Alexandre

Azospirillum brasiliense is a nitrogen-fixing rhizobacterium that is vital in promoting plant growth. The bacterium does this through its capacity to swim and adhere to plant roots—processes suggested to be facilitated by the bacterial flagellum, a structure composed of flagellin proteins. While the functions of flagella in bacterial motility and root colonization have been studied, the specific contributions of individual flagellins, such as FliC1A, FliC1B, and FliC2, remain a mystery. This study aims to characterize the functional properties of FliC1A, FliC1B, and FliC2 in A. brasilense by investigating how their absence affects flagellar structure and function. Flagellin knockout mutants, ΔfliC1A, ΔfliC1B, and ΔfliC2 respectively, were compared to the wild-type strain in swimming behavioral assays, growth curves, silver staining, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Analysis of silver staining revealed that FliC1A is most likely the major flagellin in the polar flagellum. TEM imaging provided further evidence for FliC1A’s role, as ΔfliC1A is shown not to form a filament. In addition, TEM reveals alternative structures in ΔfliC1B and ΔfliC2. Swimming behavioral assays revealed motility defects in ΔfliC1A and ΔfliC1B, whereas growth curves showed consistent growth rates across all strains. Investigating the role of these flagellins in flagellar function will enhance our understanding of how A. brasilense navigates its environment and provide new insights into bacterial motility, biofilm formation, and overall plant growth.

Beyond Trauma Exposure: The Potential Impact of Perceived Social Rejection on the Mental Health of SGM Youth

Co-Presenters: Jacob Finch (Psychology), Quinn Summey (Psychology), Mackenna Berryhill (Psychology)
Faculty Mentor: Lucybel Mendez
Abstract: Jacob Finch, Grace Parker, Quinn Summey, Mackenna Berryhill, Lucybel Mendez

According to the minority stress model, perceived social rejection due to a sexual and gender minority (SGM) identity, which could be assessed as low social support, may be responsible for worse mental health (MH) among SGM individuals relative to non-SGM individuals. Extensive research has provided evidence for the link between perceived social rejection and poor MH among SGM youth. However, these studies have not accounted for the extensive trauma exposure (TE) experienced by SGM individuals, which is a robust precursor to MH problems. Thus, the distinct impact of perceived social rejection on MH for SGM youth remains unclear. This study leveraged self-report data from 670 SGM youth and examined the role of low social support (conceptualized as perceived social rejection) above and beyond TE on MH outcomes (psychological distress, alcohol and substance use, and suicide behavior). Results of hierarchical logistic regressions revealed that low social support was not related to MH problems above and beyond the significant effects of TE. Rather than suggesting that perceived social rejection is not a salient factor for MH, these findings underscore the importance of considering MH outcomes among SGM youth from a trauma-focused perspective, and the need to refine measures of perceived social rejection.

Investigating the Effects of Social Defeat Stress and Androgen Receptor Expression on Testosterone Concentration

Presenter: Alex Gillespie (Neuroscience)
Faculty Mentor: Matthew Cooper

Exposure to social stress can result in increased levels of fear and anxiety. Achieving a dominant social status can promote stress resilience compared to achieving a subordinate status. We demonstrated that dominant male hamsters show a reduction in defeat-induced social avoidance and increased androgen receptor (AR) expression in the posterior medial amygdala (MeP) compared to subordinates. These findings suggest that AR may modulate neural activity in the MeP and influence status-dependent changes in stress-related behaviors. To investigate this, animals received stereotaxic surgery with bilateral MeP infusion of a short hairpin adeno-associated virus (AAV-AR-shRNA) to knockdown AR or a non-functional scrambled virus (AAV-SCRM-shRNA). Animals received AR-shRNA or SCRM-shRNA infusion into the MeP prior to social defeat stress and were tested for anxiety-like behavior. Immunohistochemistry was performed on tissue samples to confirm AR knockdown. We found that AR knockdown in the MeP increased anxiety-like behavior following social defeat stress, although it did not alter aggression prior to social defeat. We are currently testing whether MeP AR knockdown alters plasma testosterone concentrations following social interactions. This work provides insight into how AR expression within the MeP can promote resistance to social defeat stress and may be an important protective factor against stress-related psychopathologies

Transcriptional Control of GSR-Dependent Gene Expression in Azospirillum brasilense

Presenter: Christa Glanzer (Biochemistry & Cellular and Molecular Biology)
Faculty Mentor: Gladys Alexandre
Abstract: Christa Glanzer, Hahley Wiltse, Gladys Alexandre

Bacteria encounter a variety of environmental stressors, requiring adaptive mechanisms to ensure survival. The general stress response (GSR) pathways in Azospirillum brasilense remains largely unexplored. This study aims to characterize the bacterium’s transcriptional activity by identifying and assessing potential gene candidates that serve as indicators of GSR activation. Initial selection of the strains were guided by RNA sequencing data, which revealed their downregulation in the rpoE6::km mutant with possible linkage to glycosylation stress. To quantify reference expression levels, gene transcription was assessed in the Sp7G wild type. GSR mutants were then used as a preliminary model of study to examine stress pathways and potential upregulation of GSR. It was hypothesized that selected GSR genes would exhibit significant changes in transcriptional activity compared to the wild type, serving as effective transcription markers for GSR activation. Findings from this study provides possible insight into the regulatory role of GSR mutants in the stress response of Azospirillum brasilense, helping to unravel the complex GSR pathway of the microorganism.

Large-sample exploration of infant vocabulary development: Over a decade of data in review

Presenter: Greta Goss (College Scholars Program)
Faculty Mentor: Jessica Hay

The MacArthur-Bates Communicative Development Inventory (CDI) is a parent report instrument used to assess receptive and expressive vocabulary size in infants and toddlers. From 2012-2024, our lab has collected data on 2,713 typically developing 8- to 30-month-old, monolingual, English-learning infants (1,349 females, 1,364 males) using the long- and short-form CDIs collected via Qualtrics, paper, or webCDI. Percentile scores were calculated by comparing each subject’s raw score to population-based normative data for age and sex (Marchman et al., 2023). Our sample performed in the 39th percentile for receptive vocabulary at 8-16 months (n=1,423) and the 37th percentile for expressive vocabulary at 9-30 months (n=2,202). While initial analyses show no overall significant sex differences in receptive and expressive vocabulary percentile scores, preliminary results suggest that between 24-30 months, males are more prone to developmental language delays than females. Ongoing analyses investigate sex differences at different ages that mark language-related developmental milestones. Our data also suggest a negative relationship between vocabulary scores and test year, possibly reflecting the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on language development. Interpretations of these findings and potential sex differences at specific language milestones will be discussed.

Blood and Guts: the fighting surgeons and the quest for legitimacy

Presenter: Etienne Grobbelaar (History)
Faculty Mentor: Guy Sechrist

During the 17th and 18th centuries, the evolving nature of land and naval warfare made surgeons a vital presence on the battlefield due to the escalating complexity and severity of wounds. Military service provided surgeons with invaluable experience and training that allowed them to excel in private practice, which allowed them to perfect their craft and improve the legitimacy of their profession. When analyzing surgical history in France and Great Britain, the rise in the surgical profession’s legitimacy coincides with an increased relevance on the battlefield and the high seas. The formalization of surgical education during the 17th and 18th centuries, alongside improved instrumentation, would further push surgery towards the highly specialized field that we see today. The culmination of legitimization, which can be seen in the improvement of their professional and social standing, would lead to their ultimate recognition as a field of medicine during the early 19th century, with their battlefield legacy still being visible in modern militaries.

Editing Gender: Discussions of Satire and Propriety in the Letters and Novels of Elizabeth Inchbald and Maria Edgeworth

Presenter: Autumn Hall (English & Political Science)
Faculty Mentor: Hilary Havens

Elizabeth Inchbald and Maria Edgeworth were two of the most influential female authors of the Romantic period. While it is known that the Edgeworth family and Inchbald exchanged letters related to literature and politics, the personal relationship between Maria and Elizabeth has remained largely unexplored. My research is the first study that explores their epistolary connection. By focusing Inchbald and Edgeworth’s engagement with and editing of each other’s literary works, we can better understand the ways gender norms are presented in their novels. Although both authors use satire to critique the constraints imposed on women, their stances on proper female behavior diverge on the basis of propriety. By looking at the ideological tensions that they express in their respective novels, I identify the ways in which Edgeworth and Inchbald’s Belinda (1801) and A Simple Story (1791), as well as their unpublished letters, reflect, communicate, and challenge the gender dynamics of the Romantic era.

The Perfect Storm: Preventing School Shootings through Programs Promoting School Climate Reform

Presenter: Grace Hardin (College Scholars Program)
Faculty Mentor: Jon Ring

This project examines school shootings prevention methods focused on common characteristics among school shooters, namely the characteristics that pertain to school climate (bullying, mental health, and social-emotional skills). With the hypothesis that research-based programs surrounding these topics will improve school climate and student experience, these programs will simultaneously work to prevent the development of characteristics associated with school shootings. Via literature review, the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program and Second Step program have been identified as decreasing the prevalence of bullying and mental illness, especially when supported by school mental health resources such as counselors and social workers, through improving peer and student-teacher relationships, increasing social-emotional competencies, decreasing aggression, and decreasing the likelihood of students bringing weapons to school.

High School to NCAA: Predicting Freshman Impact in College Basketball with Machine Learning

Presenter: Timothy Held (Business Analytics & Data Science)
Faculty Mentor: Adam Spannbauer

The transfer portal, elimination of scholarship limits, and policy changes to NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness), and revenue-sharing have required college coaching staffs to shift their operations akin to a professional sports team: balancing performance optimization with budget and resource constraints. Inspired by NBA-level analytics, we developed a machine learning model to predict a freshman’s contribution at the Power 5 level. (teams at Tennessee’s level). We compiled four years of game-level statistics from high school summer leagues and college basketball and calculated over 60 advanced metrics, culminating in Wins Above Replacement Player (WARP). WARP is a comprehensive measure of a player’s impact related to a “replacement-level player”. We trained a machine learning model to estimate a player’s freshman-year WARP from their high school summer statistics. These predictions were merged with recruiting rankings and information from recruiting industry leader 247Sports and deployed on a roster-management platform for coaches. This predictive model serves as a valuable tool for the University of Tennessee’s college basketball coaches to analytically evaluate high school players, make critical decisions in the roster management process, and navigate a chaotic and constantly evolving recruiting and performance environment.

Deciphering the effect of short-term fasting on the antibacterial capacity of neutrophils during infection

Presenter: Helene Hoover (Microbiology)
Faculty Mentor: Tim Sparer
Abstract: Helene A. Hoover, Morgan Lynn Hetzel, Dyanna Jimenez, Callista P. Reber, Eden G. TenBarge, Ashley D. Wise-Mitchell, Tim E. Sparer*, Andrew J. Monteith*
*Contributed equally

Fasting prior to surgical operations is necessary to prevent complications such as aspiration while under general anesthesia. However, fasting also skews metabolite availability, which may place additional burdens on the immune system and render the host more susceptible to nosocomial infections. Glucose is readily depleted in the fasted state and serves as the primary carbon source for neutrophils, the first line of defence against invading pathogens. We hypothesize that decreased glucose availability in fasting individuals metabolically impairs neutrophils and prevents the antimicrobial processes required to protect the host from infection. Herein, we identify that neutrophils isolated from fasting hosts have decreased glycolytic and mitochondrial metabolic capacity compared to postprandial. Furthermore, in response to Staphylococcus aureus, fasted neutrophils fail to elicit oxidative stress or release extracellular traps to the same magnitude as postprandial. Fasted neutrophils remained impaired even when exposed to glucose ex vivo, indicating functional changes in neutrophils that render them less capable of combatting infection. Taken together, our findings underscore the critical impact of fasting on neutrophil function, suggesting that preoperative fasting protocols may need to be reevaluated to better support immune function and reduce the risk of postoperative infections.

The effects of developmental stress on the density of perineuronal nets and GAD67 neurons in the basolateral and central amygdala of Sprague Dawley rats

Presenter: Madeline Jones (Neuroscience); Alyssa Whaley (Neuroscience)
Faculty Mentor: Kalynn Schulz
Abstract: Madeline Jones, *Alyssa Whaley, Marcia Chavez, Kalynn Schulz

Stress during critical periods of brain development can negatively affect mental health outcomes in adulthood. Previously, we demonstrated that both prenatal and adolescent stress have sex- and gonadal steroid-specific effects on fear conditioning behavior in adulthood. Although we did not detect differences in freezing behavior between animals stressed prenatally or during adolescence, it is plausible that stress differentially affects brain development based on stress timing. One possible mechanism by which stress may affect fear conditioning memory are perineuronal nets (PNNs), which are regulators of synaptic plasticity and important for fear memory retention. This study analyzes the effects and interactions of prenatal and adolescent stress on the density of PNNs and inhibitory glutamic acid decarboxylase 67 (GAD67) neurons in the basolateral amygdala (BLA) and central amygdala (CeA). We predict that both males and females that have been developmentally stressed will have more PNNs on GAD67 cells, which would indicate a decrease in neuroplasticity in the BLA and CeA. To test this prediction, we processed tissue for immunofluorescence of PNNs and GAD67 cells, imaged the brains, and then traced and counted the PNNs and GAD67 cells in each region. Data analysis is ongoing, and the results will be presented at EURēCA.

Swearing Across Centuries: A Corpus-Based Study of Profanity Usage in English

Presenter: Noel Jordan (Linguistics)
Faculty Mentor: Maria Gallmeier

The development and use of profanity have long intrigued linguists, however less attention has been paid to effects of overarching historical influences. Motivated by this research gap, this study examined the five most common cuss words in the English language – fuck, shit, bitch, damn, and hell – and analyzed how the usage and meanings have evolved since their earliest appearance, how discourse on religion, law, and politics have shaped their perception, and how literature and media have influenced their normalization or taboo status. A diachronic semantic change analysis was performed using the Oxford English Dictionary and Merriam-Webster Dictionary to trace each word’s first appearance, definitional changes, and grammatical shifts. Google NGrams was used to graph frequency over a given English corpora from 1500 to 2022. The results showed significant fluctuation in occurrence and overall trends of amelioration due to shifting cultural norms and attitudes. During the 15th to 17th centuries, religion held strong societal power, giving profanity spiritual connotations. Invention of the printing press introduced new aspects of language contact and regulation. The internet’s emergence in the late 20th and early 21st centuries introduced new forms of expression and prompted new censorship efforts, leading to increased linguistic creativity to avoid restrictions. Cultural shifts in the 21st century fueled discussions on political correctness, leading to the re-evaluation of once-common terms for their impact on marginalized groups while simultaneously bringing previously informal language to a national discourse. This study contributes to fields of historical and corpus linguistics, while leaving potential for sociolinguistic exploration.

Invisible barriers and lasting scars for racially/ethnically minoritized youth: The role of structural inequities in adverse childhood experiences exposure risk

Co-Presenters: Bella C. King (Psychology), Anna M. Best (Psychology)
Faculty Mentor: Alejandro Vazquez
Abstract: Bella C. King, Anna M. Best, Jacqueline Kibler, Shari C. Linares, Cynthia M. Navarro Flores, Alejandro L. Vázquez

Previous research has shown there are racial/ethnic disparities in exposure to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) that can affect youth’s physical and mental well-being. Systemic factors including economic inequities, educational disparities, and racialized policies may increase exposure to ACEs among youth of color relative to White youth. This study explored the connections between state-level inequality and exposure to ACEs that differed by race/ethnicity (n = 46,395; National Survey on Children’s Health). Multilevel model analyses found that as state-level opportunity (i.e., education, healthcare, economic, community), youth’s exposure to ACEs decreased significantly for White youth but not Black and Hispanic youth who, on average, experienced more ACEs relative to White youth. Our results align with previous research demonstrating the historical and institutional effects of discrimination shape disparities in access to quality education, healthcare, economic, and community resources. Our findings suggest systemic exclusion of these youths from macro-level protective factors (e.g., increasing opportunities) that highlight the need for targeted interventions to decrease racial/ethnic disparities in exposure to ACEs. Addressing these disparities will require multidisciplinary teams with targeted policies that address systemic discrimination.

Sacred Remains: Islamic Mortuary Practices, Theological Conceptions of the Body, and Ethical Considerations for Bioarchaeologists

Presenter: Becca Klinger (Religious Studies)
Faculty Mentor: Manuela Ceballos

This project aims to explore how Islamic theological beliefs about the body, death, and the afterlife influence mortuary practices and burial traditions. Bioarchaeology, as the study of human remains in their archaeological context, provides a unique lens to understand these religious practices while also navigating ethical and sociopolitical challenges. Islamic burial customs emphasize bodily sanctity, ritual purity, and social responsibilities toward the dead, which in turn shape burial treatment, cemetery preservation, and responses to excavation. However, the study of Islamic mortuary sites often intersects with secular governance, heritage management, and debates over the ethical handling of human remains. This research addresses how bioarchaeologists can develop culturally sensitive methodologies that align with Islamic principles while engaging with historical, textual, and material evidence. Through an interdisciplinary approach, including bioarchaeological analysis, historical research, and case studies of contested Islamic burial sites, this study will investigate the tensions between religious traditions and secular scientific inquiry. The project aims to contribute to ethical frameworks for studying Islamic burials, advance knowledge of Islamic mortuary practices through archaeological evidence, and engage in broader discussions on the relationship between religion, science, and ethics. By bridging bioarchaeology and Islamic studies, this research will provide critical insights into the ethical and cultural dimensions of interpreting Islamic burials in both historical and contemporary contexts.

When Gaze is Under Our Control: Sexual Objectification Behavior Across Contexts

Presenter: Myrsine Kostoulas (Psychology)
Faculty Mentor: Sarah Lamer
Abstract: Darla Bonagura, Sarah Lamer

People tend to sexually objectify women, but there is little research investigating under which contexts this is more or less likely to occur. Certain contexts may cue when it is appropriate or not to objectify women (e.g., dating apps vs. workplaces). Therefore, we conducted this study both in lab and online to examine how context may shape objectification. We first created a manipulation that would cause men to sexually objectify women. Participants watched clips from eight music videos of women artists that either contained sexual content (i.e., objectification condition) or no sexual content (i.e., control condition). Next, we collected eye-tracking data from participants while they viewed full-body images of women. Then, participants made ratings about the targets and responded to objectification questionnaires. We were interested in how much participants visually attended to women’s faces vs. bodies. We found that online participants in the objectification condition looked at bodies more than faces than in the control, and we found the reverse for in-lab participants. These results indicate that there may be cognitive factors underlying the process of objectification. Men participating remotely may have objectified women under automatic processing while in person participants operated under controlled processing to avoid objectification.

The Role of Telomere-Binding Proteins in Regulating Programmed DNA Elimination

Co-Presenters: Hannah Lam (Biochemistry & Cellular and Molecular Biology), Daniella Morales (Neuroscience)
Faculty Mentor: Jianbin Wang
Abstract: Hannah Lam, Daniella Morales, Tom Dockendorff, Prabal Maharjan, Jianbin Wang

Genome integrity is essential for an organism’s survival and inheritance of traits. In most organisms, genetic information remains constant. However, in some organisms, specific sections of the genome are lost during the transition from germline to somatic cells in early embryogenesis. This phenomenon is known as Programmed DNA Elimination (PDE). One notable organism where this event occurs is the nematode, Oscheius tipulae. Currently, the molecular mechanisms behind PDE remain largely unknown in metazoa. In O. tipulae, double-stranded breaks (DSB) occur at the Sequence for Elimination (SFE), a sequence near the end of the chromosome that may prime for telomere addition upon breaks. The DSBs occur in multiple locations within the SFE and are healed by telomere addition. In C. elegans, specialized telomeric proteins TEBP-1 and TEBP-2 bind to the double-strand telomeric sequence and maintain the telomere. We hypothesize that the O. tipulae TEBP-1/2 orthologs interact with the SFE motif and recruit the machinery required for telomere addition to DSBs during PDE. Here, we investigate the role of TEBP-1/2 orthologs in PDE by creating mutants that lack these proteins via CRISPR-Cas9. Our research will provide insight into how O.tipulae has evolved to solve the chromosome end protection problem.

Perceptions of Unstaffed Harm Reduction Services in Rural East Tennessee

Presenter: Lucy Langley (College Scholars Program)
Faculty Mentor: Laurie Meschke
Abstract: Lucy Langley, Su Chen Tan, Laurie Meschke

In 2022, 3,073 people died of opioid overdose in Tennessee; 46% occurred in East Tennessee. Naloxone, a non-prescription opioid antagonist, reverses opioid overdose by outcompeting receptors. Increased naloxone units and training may reduce overdose deaths, with rural communities facing greater distribution challenges than urban counterparts. Harm reduction vending machines (HRVMs) are an unstaffed tool to distribute naloxone and/or other overdose prevention resources. HRVMs may reach people underserved by harm reduction or public health organizations. Yet, rural communities remain relatively understudied. To develop an effective HRVM implementation plan, in collaboration with Live Free (Claiborne County harm reduction service), we assessed HRVM potential in rural east Tennessee. Interviews with rural east Tennessee residents who inject drugs were conducted in July of 2024. Interviews with harm reduction staff were completed in January and February of 2025. Analysis is ongoing. Interviews asked participants their experience, knowledge, placement, inventory of HRVMs. All supported HRVMs in their community. Both populations suggested HRVM inventory mirror harm reduction programs. Approved placements included medical, municipal, and resource hubs. Unfavorable placements included locations near youth or law enforcement. Faith-based placements were contentious, yet many supported recovery-friendly churches. Staff and residents offer valuable insight into HRVM implementation in rural communities.

Systems of Intuition: The Development of a Creative Lexicon

Presenter: Roarke Lanning (Architecture)
Faculty Mentor: Thomas Stanley

This thesis explores the Contemporary Creative Conscious as a cyclical process driven by an insatiable pursuit of understanding. It examines how creative thought emerges through the synthesis of artistic and architectural influences, intuition, and the act of drawing. Through this study, a structured system of compositional standards emerges, deviating from traditional graphic norms to establish new formal tools for multi-media drawings, collages, and artworks. By employing a character-driven narrative, this research further externalizes authorship into a conceptual framework of rules and procedures. Constraints guide transformations documented through descriptive geometry, iterative compositions, and layered mappings of thought. The resulting methodology manifests in manuals, handbooks, and a vocabulary index, culminating in a grand, multi-layered drawing that merges precision with ambiguity, structure with instinct. At its core, this investigation seeks to rationalize the absurd, mediate chaos and order, and nurture generative thinking, ultimately offering a blueprint for the continuous evolution of creative consciousness.

Predicting the Fate of Cells Using Cell Morphometric Analysis

Presenter: Kirin Loughrey (Biomedical Engineering)
Faculty Mentor: Madhu Dhar
Abstract: Kirin Loughrey, Emine Berfu Ozmen, David Keffer, Madhu Dhar

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can differentiate into various cell types. During differentiation, they change their morphology which is strongly related to their function. Consequently, studying their morphology can help in understanding the fate and function of the cells used in regenerative therapies. Previous studies have indicated that morphological changes can be observed by analyzing the expression of cytoskeletal proteins, such as F-actin. In this study, we are examining the differentiation of rabbit tendon-derived MSCs (RtMSCs) into tendon cells (tenocytes) by demonstrating their morphological changes with F-actin at various time points: 1 to 96 hours. While F-actin expression with immunofluorescence allows for subjective observation, we aim to determine the changes quantitatively through analytical tools. We hypothesized that the morphology of tenocytes will differ directionally from that of RtMSCs analyzed using quantitative image analysis. RtMSCs were successfully differentiated into tenocytes using TGFβ3. The cells were fixed and analyzed using immunofluorescence. FIJI (image J) was utilized to determine the orientation and degree of directionality of the images. It was subjectively observed that tenocytes have different, elongated structures compared to RtMSCs (control). Thus, their morphologies were detected by directionality analyses. The control and differentiated groups separated in the directionality peaks and amplitudes, proving the morphological change in the differentiated group starting at 48 hours and progressing through 96 hours, suggesting significant changes during this time. We have developed a quantitative method for cell morphometric analysis that is essential for understanding cell response, role, and function when combined with biomaterials in regenerative medicine

Mapping Home: Exploring Community, Power, and Story in Inskip through GIS and Photography

Co-Presenters: Jennifer Martinez Mendez (Geography & Sustainability), Ellie Kate Bernstein (Geography & Sustainability)
Faculty Mentor: Solange Muñoz
Abstract: Ellie Bernstein, Jennifer Martinez Mendez

Our interdisciplinary research explores the social, spatial, and environmental landscape of Inskip, a North Knoxville neighborhood with the city’s highest eviction rate. Through a collaborative effort with our community partners – SOCM and Cattywampus – we combine resource and asset mapping, environmental data collection, photography, and storytelling to better understand Inskip’s community structure and vulnerabilities. Our mapping work identifies core features such as apartment complexes, businesses, abandoned lots, public spaces, transportation, and pedestrian safety hazards, creating a resource for community use. Concurrently, we conduct photography walks and interviews with residents to document everyday life, spaces of gathering, and personal narratives that reveal challenges and strengths within the neighborhood. By interweaving GIS mapping, environmental analysis, and the arts, we hope to identify both Inskip’s assets and its unmet needs, allowing us to critically reflect on the role of community, the resources necessary for well-being, how to identify what is lacking, and finally, what defines a ‘complete’ neighborhood.

Dimensions of Solidarity: A Concept Analysis of Mutual Aid

Presenter: Owen May (Sociology)
Faculty Mentor: Meghan Conley

Mutual aid has existed as a political practice for centuries. However, recent events such as the COVID-19 pandemic have brought newfound attention to mutual aid as a survival strategy, a resistance tactic, and an area of academic research. In light of this renewed interest in mutual aid, it would be worthwhile to examine how mutual aid organizations understand their work. I plan to conduct a concept analysis of mutual aid, examining how mutual aid organizations define the work that they are engaged in. I will utilize nursing scholar Beth L. Rodgers’ method of Evolutionary Concept Analysis (ECA), in which the researcher examines the use of a term to explore how it is defined in specific contexts. I plan to look at how these organizations define mutual aid, what services they provide for their communities, what objectives they intend to achieve with their work, and how they discuss the philosophical, ethical, and strategic dimensions of their work. To do this, I will draw a sample of online communications of mutual aid organizations from Mutual Aid Hub, a collaborative online directory of mutual aid organizations in the United States and Canada.

The Affects of Postural Changes on Arch Index

Presenter: T. Cole McFarland (Anthropology & Biochemistry & Cellular and Molecular Biology)
Faculty Mentor: Steven Lautzenheiser
Abstract: T. Cole McFarland, Ashe L. Gooden, Steven G. Lautzenheiser

Humans modify locomotor patterns in response to a change in substrate and external factors. Utilized by military, marching bands, and drill teams, in-line marching allows for smooth yet quick movements while maintaining an isolated upper body. Characterized by vertical posture and lower steps, this movement allows individuals to appear uniform to their group. It is not understood how postural changes affect foot shape, specifically the longitudinal arch. Footprint shape can be used to understand how foot shape changes while walking. Arch index (AI), a proxy for arch height, quantifies the amount of sole-to-substrate contact in the midfoot relative to the entire foot. Twenty members (ages 18-23) of University of Tennessee’s marching band participated in this study. Mass, stature, leg lengths, foot lengths, and navicular heights were measured for each individual. Unshod footprints were captured of each participant during quiet double (DS) and single stance (SS) and walking at their comfortable walking velocity. Each trial was repeated utilizing the in-line marching technique. AI for each footprint was calculated using ImageJ. Normality was assessed with the Shapiro-Wilks W test and Wilcoxon sign rank tests were used to detect differences between static and dynamic conditions. Individuals’ velocity was consistent between normal and marching dynamic conditions (p=0.5). Comparison across normal and marching conditions of DS and dynamic footprints showed statistical differences (all p’s<0.05). These findings suggest a correlation between postural changes and the arch height. Furthermore, the findings indicate plasticity of the arch depending on the locomotive pattern.

Lawless Seas: The Role of Inadequate State Capacity in Enabling Maritime Crime

Presenter: Andrea Medina (Political Science)
Faculty Mentor: Brandon Prins

Maritime piracy remains a considerable threat to global trade and overseas security. This study examines the impact of government capacity and economic insecurity in preventing modern-day commerce raiding. We examine these relationships by examining maritime pirate attacks during 2021 and 2022. Geo-coded data are retrieved from the International Maritime Bureau (IMB), Anti-shipping Activity Messages (ASAM), International Maritime Organization (IMO) and imported into Q-GIS software to analyze both spatial and temporal trends. The study finds that countries in Indo-Pacific region with low state capacity are at higher risk of enduring pirate attacks due to public corruption and insufficient regulatory infrastructure. Poverty and joblessness also associate with maritime crime. Attacks are likely carried out at night and pirates most likely target either cargo vessels or fuel container ships. International collaboration and communication would certainly help address maritime crime, but efforts to reduce government corruption and extreme poverty would likely have even stronger effects. Strengthening security in these vulnerable regions is essential for protecting global trade, ensuring safety, and stability.

Investigating the Role of Superoxide Dismutase in Group B Streptococcus Vaginal Colonization

Presenter: Ryan Mesler (Biochemistry & Cellular and Molecular Biology)
Faculty Mentor: Lindsey Burcham

Streptococcus agalactiae (or Group B Streptococcus, GBS) is a Gram-positive, opportunistic pathogen that is known to asymptomatically colonize the gastrointestinal and vaginal tracts, and is known to cause adverse infection-induced pregnancy outcomes worldwide. To successfully colonize the host, GBS utilizes the enzyme superoxide dismutase (SOD) to overcome ROS stress produced by the host immune system. In the context of GBS colonization in the vaginal tract, the role of SodA is understudied. Our previous research has revealed reduced growth, adhesion, and invasion of a sodA transposon mutant strain compared to our wild type (WT) strain. A mouse infection revealed both a decrease in colonization of sodA compared to WT and a potential interrelationship between Enterococcus spp. and GBS presence in the vaginal tract. We have also performed activity assays on purified SodA protein, which demonstrated the high levels of activity of the enzyme. Current studies are seeking to investigate the binding affinity of SodA for manganese and iron through isothermal calorimetry, as well as quantifying SodA activity within both mutant and WT strains. Findings from this study shed light on the importance of SodA in GBS pathogenicity, laying the framework to better understand the mechanisms GBS employs to persist within the host.

Borrowed Scenery, Shared Spaces: Shakkei and the Harmony of Urban Kyoto

Presenter: Emma Miller (Political Science & Language and World Business)
Faculty Mentor: Kathy Wheeler

The Japanese concept of shakkei, or borrowed scenery, creates moments of suspended tranquility, offering relief from the stress of dense urban environments. As a design (principle) principle, shakkei integrates natural and built elements, blurring the boundaries between foreground and background to foster a unified visual experience. This study examines how shakkei shapes public spaces, spatial perception, and psychological well-being in urban settings. Through literary analysis and on-site research in Kyoto, I trace shakkei’s various applications from classical Japanese gardens to modern urban policy. I then situate shakkei within the prospect-refuge theory, which explains human preference for environments balancing openness and enclosure. Finally, I apply this lens to an on-site study of three key urban spaces in Kyoto: (1) streetscapes, (2) green spaces, including traditional gardens, and (3) social places, defined as small-scale built environments. Research reveals that shakkei functions along a spectrum between intentional design and organic sociological development to create restorative environments, facilitating the coexistence of intimacy and public life. The coexistence of nature and design enables privacy within shared urban settings. Amidst global urbanization, shakkei offers a valuable framework for designing public spaces, promoting well-being, bridging historical principles with contemporary urban needs, and underscoring the significance of third places beyond home and work.

The Sixth Finger: An analysis of simulated omnipotence in the urban environment

Presenter: Sydney Morris (Architecture)
Faculty Mentor: Mark Stanley

As technology advances further into the physical realm, it strays further from something we currently understand and becomes something entirely different – simulated omnipotence. The Sixth Finger is a term which refers to the unintended impacts and consequences of simulated omnipotence within the urban environment, and will focus on investigating this phenomenon within the context of Old City. This thesis will study five sites whose programs center around five sectors; transportation, environment, threat response, livability, and workforce. Through the use of character studies, these urban sites will be examined in terms of social and ethical impact. By showing this exaggerated future of simulated omnipotence within a typical city such as Knoxville, we can begin to see the implications of this type of technology on a larger scale, generating a better understanding of what this future holds on a social and moral level.

Impact of Chronic Stress on Gut Dysbiosis and Academic Performance in Adolescents: Exploring the Brain-Gut-Immune Axis

Co-Presenters: Samuel Murphy (Biochemistry & Cellular and Molecular Biology), Andy Wattanaskolpant (Nursing)
Faculty Mentor: Ji Yoo
Abstract: Samuel Murphy, Andy Wattanaskolpant

Adolescence is a critical period for both psychological and physiological development, during which stress significantly influences health outcomes. Exposure to stress during this stage may impact academic performance by disrupting neuroendocrine function and the gut microbiome (gut dysbiosis), potentially leading to systemic inflammation. The gut- brain axis plays a crucial role in this process, as stress can contribute to gut dysbiosis, immune dysregulation, and altered neurochemical signaling. Despite growing evidence of this connection, the precise mechanisms linking chronic stress, gut dysbiosis, and psychological health in adolescents remain poorly understood. In this study, we review published literature and provide insights into the possible mechanisms by which stress during adolescence contributes to gut dysbiosis, which, in turn, negatively impacts academic outcomes. Our findings highlight the significance of stress during this developmental period as a key factor in the dysregulation of both immune function and increased gut dysbiosis. This review emphasizes the combined impact of stress on neuroendocrine, immune, and gut health, revealing an integrated pathway through which chronic stress affects adolescent well-being and educational performance. These findings suggest that mitigating chronic stress in teenagers could help reduce long-term health risks associated with gut-brain disruptions.

HpaB expression in the bacterium Xenorhabdus griffiniae impacts developmental and behavioral phenotypes in Steinernema hermaphroditum nematodes

Presenter: Tyler Myers (Microbiology & Meuroscience)
Faculty Mentor: Heidi Goodrich-Blair
Abstract: Tyler Myers, Jennifer Heppert, Heidi Goodrich-Blair

Nematodes provide effective experimental models for unraveling molecular bases of widespread animal-microbe interactions, or symbioses, including how bacterial products impact animal development and behavior. Steinernema nematodes engage in specific symbioses with Xenorhabdus bacteria that promote an insect-infecting lifestyle, in which the bacteria serve as a food source and insect pathogen and the nematodes transport bacteria between insect prey. While previous investigations have established mechanisms by which the bacteria colonize nematodes for transport between insect hosts, fewer have sought to understand direct physiological impacts of the bacteria on their nematode host. Following the creation of X. griffiniae strains in which the genes encoding HpaB, an upstream enzyme of the homoprotocatechuate pathway, and the stress-response regulator RpoS are controlled by arabinose-inducible promoters, we demonstrate negative correlation between rpoS and hpaB expression and both egg-laying behavior in sexually mature S. hermaphroditum nematodes as well as adult nematode length. In contrast, both hpaB and rpoS are necessary for X. griffiniae to colonize the non-feeding stage of the nematode that will migrate between insect prey. These data highlight an inverse impact of bacteria on the divergent host pathways of development and infection. Since hpaB widely persists in genomes across bacterial phyla, these data suggest that HpaB may play a critical role in regulating interactions between bacteria and animals that are engaged in symbiosis with each other. Moreover, considering implications of human microbiota on numerous diseases, unraveling symbiosis-driving mechanisms of HpaB may provide avenues for harnessing the microbiome to improve human health from a non-pharmaceutical approach.

Investing the Conformational Dynamics of the Gɑs Subunit of G proteins using Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer

Presenter: Ria Naidoo (Neuroscience)
Faculty Mentor: Rajan Lamicchane

G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) mediate cellular responses to extracellular signals through the activation of heterotrimeric G-proteins, which consist of the α, β, and γ subunits. The Gα subunit, specifically the Gαs isoform (Gαs), plays a key role in stimulating adenylyl cyclase, leading to the production of cyclic AMP (cAMP) and the regulation of various physiological processes. Despite extensive research into GPCR signaling, the dynamic behavior of Gαs during activation and deactivation remains obscure. We used single-molecule fluorescence microscopy and Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) to investigate the conformational changes and interactions of Gαs in vitro. Understanding these dynamics provides crucial insights into GPCR signaling mechanisms and may inform the development of targeted therapeutics for diseases associated with dysregulated Gαs activity, including certain cancers.

Child’s Play

Presenter: Lou Nguyen (Studio Art)
Faculty Mentor: Koichi Yamamoto

My research in the art making process is based on reclaiming lost childhood. As the oldest child of immigrant parents, I was expected to take care of my family, earning my rigid work ethic. However, in exchange, I was unable to enjoy my youth. Now I am reclaiming that past life through my art. Through “playing” with different media, such as printmaking, drawing, and crocheting, I reference and transform childhood characters. It is important for me to adapt characters in examples of transformation and relatable challenges. Through my process, it gives me the ability to play and be carefree without constraints. Using pop culture figures and tying them to parts of my identity allows my inner child to be recognized and valued.

Metabolic Labeling of Phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) Lipids using Synthetic Clickable Probe Analogs of Ethanolamine

Presenter: Lynn Nguyen (Chemistry)
Faculty Mentor: Michael Best
Abstract: Lynn Nguyen, Rob Maraski, Jinchao Lou, and Michael D. Best

Phospholipids are not only the major component of the membrane but also implicated in detecting human diseases such as cancer. PE lipid, a part of phospholipids, plays essential roles in the biological processes contributing to cellular signaling and membrane dynamics. To have a more advanced understanding of PE lipid’s functions and distribution, we developed the labeling technique using a clickable probe. We first designed our azide probes and fed them to the cell, which created the attachment to our lipid in the yeast cell. We then ensure the desired product via click chemistry reaction before testing. Our study combines fluorescence microscopy data, thin-layer chromatography (TLC) technique, and mass spectrometry analysis to have multiple insights into the probe’s performance and ability. We successfully observed the tagged products in live cells during fluorescence microscopy. Although in the TLC result PE did not show up very bright, it still shows that our method successfully labeled PE lipids in live cells and can be used to track their distribution and behavior. The future application of this labeling technique holds a significant role in cell research and innovation. In vivo studies, this technique will provide a deeper insight into lipids in complex biological systems.

Examining the Association Between Socioeconomic Stress and Diabetic Foot Ulcer Severity in East Tennessee

Co-Presenters: Presley Nichols (Neuroscience), Dimara Carberry-Beattie (Psychology), and Diana Richards (Psychology)
Faculty Mentor: Patricia Robertson
Abstract: Dimara Carberry-Beattie, Presley Nichols, Diana Richards

Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) are common complications of Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, highly susceptible to infection and potentially leading to amputation. The Wound, Ischemia, and foot Infection (WIfI) criteria is a classification system that assesses wound severity, the necessity for revascularization, and the risk of amputation. This study examines the impact of socioeconomic variables, particularly employment status and insurance status, on DFU wound severity (i.e. WIfI scores). Our analysis of employment status and insurance status in relation to WIfI criteria at the latest hospital visit in DFU patients reveals that individuals who are unemployed and without insurance have a significantly higher WIfI criteria score (Stage three-four: high-very high risk) compared to other individuals. Further investigation into the influence of household environment (community average income, distance from the hospital) on DFU severity will provide profound insights. Confirming the socioeconomic impact on DFU severity underscores the vitalness of focused preventative and supplemental care.

Unraveling Belowground Disruption: Assessing Stability of Plant-Mycorrhizal Fungal Networks in the Presence of an Allelopathic Invader

Presenter: Sean O’Gorman (Ecology and Evolutionary Biology)
Faculty Mentor: Stephanie Kivlin

Invasive plant species are disrupting ecological communities worldwide. Nowhere is this disruption more important than belowground where invasive plants are severing connections among native plants and their ubiquitous mycorrhizal fungal symbionts, largely undetected. The fate of plant-mycorrhizal fungal interactions in the context of global changes such as invasive plants, can be predicted by the stability of the native plant and microbial community. One way to assess this stability is by using a Network-based computational approach, specifically the bipartite package, allowing us to better visualize and quantify relationships. We assayed plant-mycorrhizal fungal networks in experimental plots that were invaded by Alliaria petiolata, commonly known as garlic mustard. We compared plots where A. petiolata has been weeded since 2006 and those where A. petiolata was still present. We assayed the following network parameters: linkage density, Shannon diversity, web asymmetry, and interaction evenness, that are indicative of network stability. We found that plant-fungal networks in invaded plots were unexpectedly more stable than weeded plots indicating that the effects of garlic mustard invasion will be difficult to reverse. Additionally, native plants varied in their response to garlic mustard invasion, with some plant species becoming disassociated more than others from the plant-mycorrhizal network. Restoration efforts should focus on rescuing the most vulnerable plants in the network, providing a pathway for reversing the effects of plant invasion on the whole plant community.

Uncovering Gene-Specific Deviations in Codon Usage Bias and Translational Efficiency Using the Ribosome Overhead Cost Model

Presenter: Mia Papazian (The Biology of Global Health)
Faculty Mentor: Michael Gilchrist

Protein translation is one of the largest energetic costs faced by the cell. The genetic code is degenerate, meaning that most amino acids (18 out of 20) can be encoded by multiple synonymous codons. Codon usage bias (CUB) is the deviation from uniform usage of synonymous codons and reflects the combined effects of mutation bias and selection for efficient protein translation. The standard model of codon usage bias evolution assumes that, for any given gene, the observed pattern of CUB is primarily driven by a combination of mutation bias and selection for translational efficiency, although additional forces may also contribute. This study aims to identify genes that deviate from the assumptions of the Ribosome Overhead Cost (ROC) model of codon usage using the AnaCoDa R package. The ROC model is based on the idea that the efficiency and accuracy of translation are influenced by synonymous codon choice, which in turn affects the overall fitness of an organism. Specifically, the ROC model posits that increasing efficiency occurs by reducing ribosome pausing during protein translation, although other factors, such as ensuring proper protein folding, can also improve translation efficiency. Building on Gilchrist et al. (2015), which demonstrated that the ROC model can estimate codon-specific mutation biases, translational inefficiencies, and gene expression levels from codon usage alone, I applied this model to estimate mutation and selection parameters for a set of protein-coding genes. Genes that do not fit the standard model are identified by employing log likelihood functions to quantitatively assess the fit between the observed codon usage patterns and those predicted by the ROC model. Such deviant genes may have undergone recent horizontal gene transfer, which would violate the assumption that CUB reflects an evolutionary equilibrium, or they may be expressed in atypical environmental conditions that shift the relative efficiency of one codon over another. Additionally, some sequences may be under selection for ribosome pausing to facilitate proper protein folding. By identifying these genes, we can explore factors beyond standard mutation bias and selection for translational efficiency. This research provides insights into genome evolution and may inform us of improvements to the ROC model that could potentially predict gene expression values more efficiently, along with improving our understanding of the factors affecting the efficiency of protein translation and how that varies between genes.

From Signals to Seeds: The Molecular Mechanisms Behind Ovule Formation in Arabidopsis thaliana

Presenter: Christina Pierce (Biochemistry & Cellular and Molecular Biology)
Faculty Mentor: Elena Shpak
Abstract: Christina Elaine Pierce, Calen Seth Paleologos

Ovule initiation is a vital step in the reproductive cycle of Arabidopsis Thaliana that determines the total number of seeds a plant can produce. The EPIDERMAL PATTERNING FACTOR-LIKE (EPFL) ligands have shown to play a crucial role in regulating cell proliferation in a developing ovule in the boundary and founder cell regions. This study investigates the interactions of EPFLs with DORNROSCHEN (DRN), CUP-SHAPED COTYLEDON (CUC), BRASSINOSTEROID-INSENSITIVE1-associated receptor kinase (BZR1-1D) transcription factors in ovule initiation. Higher-order mutants of drn, cucs, and bzr1-1D genotypes were produced in the epfl 1,2 background. The inflorescences of mutants were stained using aniline blue to show different meiotic stages under ultraviolet light. This method allows the measurement of ovule height within a similar time period for consistent cell proliferation data. The results from our data support that there are similar synergistic interactions in cuc 2,3 and bzr-1D within the epfl 1,2 background affecting the regulation of ovule height and number. Additionally, there are synergistic interactions between epfl 1,2 and drn in ovule funiculus height resulting in a partial recovery compared to the epfl 1,2 mutant. These findings contribute to molecular mechanisms in ovule growth which have broader applications in agriculture.

Gentum Perfidium and the Politics of God’s Wrath in the Carolingian Empire

Presenter: Jase Pipes (History)
Faculty Mentor: Matthew Gillis

This thesis examples the role of “gentum perfidium,” those considered unbelievers or pagans by the Western Catholic Church, in the politics of Carolingian Francia from the time of Charles “Martel” to Charles “the Bald.” The goals of the paper are to understand the poetics of “negligence” and “imperium” in politics through Frankish perspectives on unbelievers, and the effects of military conflict with them, as well as understanding how religio-political worldview of the Franks affected their perceptions of unbelievers and vice versa. The most extensively used primary sources are contemporary annals, although biographies, letters, and other written sources are utilized. Secondary sources are used for background information regarding diplomacy, politics, warfare, etc. as well as for key arguments within the historiography of the period which my thesis builds upon. The paper aims to help tie together scholarship on the politics of religion in Carolingian Francia and scholarship regarding interactions between Franks and other people groups.

Identifying Provenance of Animals in Ancient Religious Rituals: Isotopic Evidence from the Mediterranean

Presenter: Gabby Puckett (Anthropology & Religious Studies)
Faculty Mentor: Anneke Janzen

This paper explores the application of isotopic analysis to determine the geographic origins and movement of animals used in ancient Mediterranean religious rituals. By analyzing stable isotopes of strontium, oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon in faunal remains, the studies used examine the mobility, trade networks, and dietary practices associated with sacrificial animals. Isotopic evidence has shown that animals involved in rituals, such as donkeys, goats, and sheep, were often sourced from diverse regions, indicating significant trade and cultural exchange across the Mediterranean. Strontium isotopes, in particular, provide insights into the origins of livestock, revealing long-distance movements that enhanced the symbolic value of sacrificial offerings. Oxygen isotopes reveal seasonal herding patterns, while nitrogen and carbon isotopes offer information on the specific diets of these animals, often suggesting controlled feeding practices for those destined for ritual use. This isotopic data challenges traditional assumptions by highlighting the role of animals in connecting distant regions through religious and economic networks. Furthermore, the combination of these isotopic techniques allows for a more comprehensive understanding of the complex relationships between ancient societies, their environments, and the symbolic significance of animals in religious practices. Techniques used in the field are always evolving, with the introduction of new strontium isoscapes and consequently new avenues for identifying food mobility in unique contexts. Overall, the study demonstrates the power of isotopic analysis in uncovering the mobility, trade, and ritualistic significance of animals in the ancient Mediterranean, providing new perspectives on cultural and religious interactions.

Interactions Between Second and Heritage Language Speakers in World Language University Classrooms

Co-Presenters: Jos Ramos (Linguistics), Daniel Blackston (Mathematics), Finn Church (Linguistics), Ava Reed (Language and World Business)
Faculty Mentor: Rima Elabdali
Abstract: Jos Ramos, Daniel Blackston, Finn Church, Ava Reed, Ana Tamayo

In recent years there has been an increased research focus on the interactions between heritage language learners (HLLs) and second language learners (L2Ls) in university level world language classrooms (i.e. mixed classrooms). The existing research generally focused on students’ perceptions of these mixed classrooms as well as pedagogical approaches. Findings suggest that L2Ls benefit more linguistically in mixed classrooms while HLLs are often placed in the linguistic expert role limiting their access to feedback and instruction. However, most of the research has been conducted in mixed classrooms for Spanish learners. The present research seeks to extend the existing knowledge by interviewing students of different world languages (Chinese, German, Japanese and Spanish). The current study will draw on one-hour long interviews with three HLLs and two L2Ls exploring their perception of classroom dynamics, motivations for language learning and the efficacy of pedagogical approaches used within the classroom. We anticipate that students’ experiences in mixed classrooms will be affected by widely held beliefs about language (language ideologies) for example L2Ls embracing a commodified view of language which differs from that of HLLs who joined these classrooms to connect with their cultural background. We also expect that social identity categories such as race and economic status will affect students’ experiences in these classrooms. This study will serve to inform pedagogical approaches in mixed classrooms.

Telehealth harm reduction services for opioid use disorder treatment: an evidential review

Presenter: Kirby Renalds (Public Health)
Faculty Mentor: Julie Grubaugh

Introduction: Telehealth harm reducation services experienced a boom in availability during and following the COVID-19 pandemic as a result of relaxed buprenorphine treatment regulations. Telehealth modalities are adopted to expand the reach of harm reduction services and assist in mitigating negative health outcomes related to substance use. This review examines the feasibility and acceptability of telehealth harm reducation services. Methods: Searches for relevant literature were conducted through PubMed and the Harm Reduction Journal. 69 articles were viewed, 38 of which were relevant and were screened in depth. Results: Patients and providers deemed telehealth to be generally feasible and acceptable. Telehealth harm reduction services facilitated access to care for individuals experiencing barriers to in-person treatment, such as issues with transportation, geographic inaccessibility, and psychological barriers. Additionally, harm reduction services based inside syringe service programs mitigated stigma through connecting patients with compassionate staff, and telehealth services allowed providers to monitor and check in on individuals who would otherwise be using alone. Telehealth services also created barriers, namely for individuals without access to technology or who lack technological literacy. Many participants and providers stressed that compassionate care was less feasible through telehealth. Telehealth had the potential to provide or reduce privacy for participants. Conclusions: A hybrid approach in which patients can choose their preferred treatment modality would be most beneficial. Further studies should examine or contribute to the research on vulnerable populations who use drugs, such as transgender and gender-nonconforming individuals, indigenous individuals, and individuals engaged in sex work.

High Precision Intensity Analysis and Deadtime Corrections in GP-SANS

Presenter: Jimmy Rogers (Physics)
Faculty Mentor: Yuri Kamyshkov

This research focuses on determining neutron beam intensity along the CG-2 beamline at the High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). Accurate intensity characterization is essential for our experiment investigating neutron oscillations into a sterile “mirror neutron” state, a proposed dark matter candidate. Challenges in this analysis included Bragg scattering, detector activation, and deadtime effects, which can distort intensity measurements. To address these issues, neutron beam monitors at different locations were used alongside McStas simulations to model intensity transmission. Count rates from the GP-SANS detector provide spatially resolved data on neutron intensity, which is corrected for experimental artifacts. I have developed Python and C++ routines to extract and refine this data, ensuring high-precision corrections. Preliminary results indicate measurable deadtime effects impacting intensity accuracy, necessitating careful correction. By finalizing intensity determination, we enable a high precision analysis of neutron oscillation probabilities under a variable magnetic field. If observed, this effect would provide evidence for the mirror neutron hypothesis and contribute to our understanding of dark matter and matter-antimatter asymmetry. If no signal is found, our work will establish improved constraints on the oscillation parameter space. Beyond its implications for fundamental physics, this study refines data correction techniques crucial for neutron experiments requiring precise intensity measurements. Because most users of the CG-2 beamline are more interested in the spatial distribution of the beam than its precise intensity, this work has uncovered intriguing gaps in knowledge of the instrument.

Utility of semi-quantitative histopathology for post-mortem diagnosis of burn injuries

Presenter: Meghan Scott (College Scholars Program)
Faculty Mentor: Joanne Devlin

Dermatopathology is a challenging part of autopsy, yet it is imperative for the external examination of a decedent. Confounding variables in the accurate determination of the cause of cutaneous injuries post-mortem are decomposition, environmental damage, and biological variation. Histological examination of the skin can be an advantageous tool for the pathologist, especially regarding non-kinetic injuries, such as burns, as opposed to injuries caused by moving projectiles which often cause more distinct morphological changes. However, histological examination relies on subjective qualitative analysis and description of the tissues, which is a time-consuming and laborious task. To meet a growing need for rapid and accurate autopsy results under the constraints imposed by physician and funding shortages, semi-quantitative analysis through histological scoring is practical. Thus, this study aims to create histological scores for the diagnosis of thermal, electrical and chemical burn wounds and evaluate their utility in cases complicated by sample degradation. Semi-quantitative scores will be developed using micrographs of cutaneous burn injuries in autopsy case reports gathered from peer-reviewed journals. Cell counts and tissue measurements will be taken manually and confirmed for accuracy using QuPath software. Public policy and bioethical considerations of this study’s applications in forensic and military pathology will be discussed.

Impact of the Nuclear Equation of State on Detected Core-Collapse Supernova Neutrinos in the DUNE Neutrino Detector

Presenter: Evan Semenak (Physics)
Faculty Mentor: Anthony Mezzacappa

Core-collapse supernovae are some of the most powerful and influential phenomena in the Universe. They produce heavy elements, gravitational waves, and scatter 10⁵⁸ neutrinos throughout the Universe. Physical observations of neutrinos and gravitational waves from supernovae are largely limited to Galactic events, which only occur 1-2 times per century. Thus, simulations of core-collapse supernovae are vital to understanding the fundamental processes involved in the explosion and preparing for future detections. Neutrino emission is particularly important, neutrinos carry away over 99% of the supernova’s energy and allow us to ‘see’ into the deepest regions of the star. With the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE) slated to begin taking data in 2028, our simulations will be of great utility for identifying supernovae and further analyzing results. By comparing detection data with simulation data, we will learn much about the inner workings of core-collapse supernovae and, more generally, nuclear/neutrino physics. We present on predicted neutrino detections based on a suite of CHIMERA core-collapse supernova simulations that differ only by the so-called “nuclear equation of state”. Specifically, we used data from seven simulations from the CHIMERA E-series. Running the simulation data through the neutrino-detection-community-developed SNOwGLoBES software allowed us to simulate the detection signals on Earth. Specifically, we learned that the detection of neutrinos from the next Galactic event in existing or planned detectors will, unfortunately, not be able to discern between the seven different nuclear equations of state currently used by the core-collapse supernova modeling community. This is an important finding, as neutrino detection was hoped to be a means to probe the physics of high-density nuclear matter.

From the Aegean to Alaska: Art, Identity, and the Fluidity of Indigeneity

Presenter: Evan Shannon (Classics & Religious Studies)
Faculty Mentor: Erin Darby
Abstract: This presentation is accompanied with a piece of artwork linked here

The Greek term αὐτόχθων (“autochthon”), meaning “of the earth itself,” closely parallels the modern concept of indigeneity, though it also aligns with the English phrase “time immemorial.” Both terms convey a deep-rooted connection between a people and their land. This artwork explores this shared connection between two seafaring cultures: the Minoans of Crete and the Tlingit of southeastern Alaska. Both peoples have long relied on the ocean for sustenance, identity, and artistic expression. The Minoans’ marine-style pottery and the Tlingit’s reverence for sea creatures, such as the salmon, reflect their intertwined relationships with the sea. Historically, “time immemorial” and autochthony have been used as legal and political concepts rather than cultural ones, often diminishing Indigenous oral histories. Ancient Athenians mythologized their autochthony, tying it to their political identity, much like how colonization has distanced Indigenous peoples from their histories. This artwork reclaims these terms as cultural identifiers, embodied in two ceramic vessels: one inspired by a Mycenaean copy of a Minoan marine-style pot featuring a Tlingit salmon motif, and the other modeled after a Minoan octopus flask with a Tlingit octopus design. Beyond artistic synthesis, this piece acknowledges inter-Indigenous cultural exchange, drawing inspiration from Tlingit-Hawaiian collaborations in canoe-making. As an Indigenous scholar, I assert that our cultures are not relics of the past but vibrant and enduring. This work challenges narratives of cultural extinction, affirming that Indigenous identity and artistry continue to thrive.

Castration and the Warrior’s Reminiscence: Germanic Warrior Culture in the Scandinavian Invasion of England

Presenter: Jason Shipman (English)
Faculty Mentor: Scott MacKenzie

This study investigates the Germanic warrior culture of the Anglo-Saxons, its degradation after their invasion of England, and its reintroduction during the invasion of the Scandinavian Great Army in the 9th and 10th centuries. The Catholic church served as a pacifying force on the Anglo-Saxons. First, its insistence on peace between Christian nations led to a decline in warfare between the English kingdoms and, by extension, Germanic warrior spirit. Second, its introduction of divine kingship did away with local warrior kings in favor of consolidated imperial kingship. The arrival of the Viking Great Army in 865 countered this shift, reminding the Anglo-Saxons of their heritage and inspiring them to reclaim their warlike tendencies. Leaders like Alfred, Byrhtnoth, and Athelstan demonstrated the return of the warrior ethos through their military prowess and warrior spirit, and the adoption of Viking culture such as the Danelaw indicated the permeation of Scandinavian influence through England. Mirroring this, the Vikings adopted more “English” characteristics like imperial kingship and worship of the Catholic church. These changes had the same effect as on the Anglo-Saxons, dismantling the warrior kings that ruled to that point and discouraging warfare with Christian nations. Both cultures regressed to the mean of their tenants, leading to a resurgence in Germanic warrior ethos in England and the pacification of the Vikings.

Tracking Visual Cues: Understanding Design Student’s Perceptions of a Space

Presenter: Abbie Simon (Interior Architecture)
Faculty Mentor: Milagros Zingoni Phielipp

The human eye is the primary receptor for all perceptions related to the design of a space. Using this information to the field’s advantage, design professionals can identify the human’s understanding of a space through the occupant’s visual cues and perception. This research explores design students’ ability to identify the environmental settings that contribute to the attribute of wellness using eye tracking. Prior eye-tracking research analyzing the effects of interior design on wellness has been performed by the University of Economics and Innovations in Lublin, Poland, led by Wioletta Tuszyńska-Bogucka. Based on Ulrich’s theory of supportive design and Malin’s healing environment, participants’ reactions to interior scenes were measured. This pilot study analyzed design and non-design major students’ visual perceptions of wellness through two-dimensional images of spaces. Twelve first-year students voluntarily participated, measuring every eye fixation and time allotted. After viewing each scene, participants were asked to rate the scene on a five-point Likert scale according to how well the scene promoted wellness and provide an explanation of the rating. The data was then visualized and studied with corresponding fixation and heat maps. Among the findings, design students tended to gauge the entirety of the scene rather than the non-design students that focused on the center horizons of the scene. Both groups spent a large amount of time in the center of the scene and then diverted to mainly people, foliage, windows, and signage in the scene. This study can lead to further research on design students’ perceptions.

Retail Theft Prosecutions and Community Impacts in Sullivan County, TN

Co-Presenters: Ellie Smith (Sociology), Dylan Hamilton (Sociology), Lili Dase (Sociology)
Faculty Mentor: Wendy Bach
Abstract: Undergraduate students: Ellie Smith, Dylan Hamilton, Lili Dase, Robin Rickard

Law/graduate students (involved with the project but not with our ASUReS work): Lucy Potter, Amy Anstey, Jared Shelton, Nicholas Slusher, Tiffaney Kyle

Retail theft has traditionally been prosecuted under the Tennessee Code Annotated as theft of property under $1,000 or shoplifting. When someone is accused of shoplifting at Walmart, they are issued a trespass form, banning them from any Walmart property. If they are accused of shoplifting from Walmart again, they can be charged with trespassing. In 2015, the Tennessee Supreme Court ruled that the burglary statute could also be applied to anyone accused of shoplifting while trespassing at Walmart. Burglary is a class D felony with the potential for a 12 year prison sentence. Our study surrounds these prosecutions in Sullivan County, TN, and is ongoing under the Appalachian Justice Research Center in partnership with Community Defense of East Tennessee. After analyzing 119 Walmart retail theft cases from Kingsport, TN, we found that most charged persons were deemed indigent, the most frequently prosecuted group were women aged 35-49, and the median merchandise value of items in each case was $92.84 compared to the median total fees and costs assessed per case of $588. These findings and our interviews of law enforcement, public defenders, and prosecutors, expose the criminalization of poverty in Tennessee. We find that the burglary statute is being used to threaten charged persons into pleading guilty, and that costs and community harms from these prosecutions are substantial.

Actin Bundling and Organization in Nicotiana benthamiana

Presenter: Kylie Smith (Biochemistry & Cellular and Molecular Biology)
Faculty Mentor: Andreas Nebenführ

This research project investigates actin filament bundling and organization in Nicotiana benthamiana plants, aiming to visualize and quantify changes by changes in organelle motility, as well as actin bundling constructs. It is hypothesized that speeding up organelles – which are carried by myosin – affects actin networks, but also that specific actin organization affects myosin movement, creating a feedback loop. This project seeks to provide preliminary data for a future grant proposal investigating this question. First, mitochondrial boosters, that speed up mitochondria, were made with fluorescent marker proteins to visualize their colocalization with mitochondria. Then, through confocal fluorescence microscopy, images of actin networks, boosters, and actin bundling constructs were taken and analyzed. It was shown that the booster/anchor and Villin constructs localize accurately and are precise tools for cell modification. Preliminary findings suggest that faster organelle speeds may lead to brighter, more linear actin networks. Additionally, actin bundling constructs such as Villin-4 similarly affect the actin networks, while control cells exhibit fine meshwork patterns. These results contribute to the limited existing data we have about how organelle movements and actin filaments are interconnected. The tools from this project provide a framework for future research exploring myosin involvement in the feedback loop.

Not Just Staffage: Women and Water in the Works of Hubert Robert

Presenter: Laura Smith (Art History & French)
Faculty Mentor: Suzanne Wright

The paper offers a new interpretation of works by the French Enlightenment painter Hubert Robert. As the works of Hubert often feature human figures and water features, the motifs of water and human figures—particularly women—provided lenses through which to study Robert’s paintings. The study of figures prompted an evaluation of literature concerning Robert’s use of human figures. The study of water as a relevant motif introduced connections to Renaissance garden design, the architectural history of Rome, and the socio-cultural context of washerwomen in the 18th century. To best apply the literary, art historical, and historical research elicited by the study of figures and water as artistic themes, the paper examines a selection of Robert’s paintings which prominently feature such contents. Literature on Renaissance garden design established that playfulness characterized contemporary ideation of water. The significance of Rome’s urban design, of washerwomen as figures associated with fountains, and of washerwomen in contemporary media evidenced sexual and moralizing tones intended by the evocation of washerwomen/laundress figures. Literature on Robert’s use of figures offered the basis for proposing that Robert used human figures as intentional elements of composition. As illustrated through formal analysis and critical evaluation of a selection of Robert’s works, washerwomen’s significance as female representations of the working class and immorality introduces elements of moralizing narrative and class distinction, respectively, in the selected Robert paintings. At their most modest, such arguments ultimately establish that Robert’s human figures, even pre-revolution, contributed to the narrative significance of his compositions.

Role of Intercellular Adhesion Molecule 1 in Group B Streptococcus-Induced Host Immune Response

Presenter: Natalie Smith (The Biology of Global Health)
Faculty Mentor: Lindsey Burcham

Streptococcus agalactiae (Group B Streptococcus, GBS) is an opportunistic pathogen associated with the respiratory, genital, and gastrointestinal tracts. Further, GBS vaginal colonization and intrauterine infection are associated with the onset of preterm birth. Elevated levels of soluble ICAM-1, a human cell-surface glycoprotein responsible for regulating leukocyte recruitment, have also been positively associated with preterm birth. We aim to better characterize the role of ICAM-1 in the host immune response to GBS infection as it relates to vaginal colonization. Preliminary luminex cytokine array data identified an increased expression of ICAM-1 in vaginal tissues of mice colonized with GBS compared to naïve controls. To determine the impact of GBS colonization on human ICAM-1, we challenged human vaginal epithelial (VK2) cells with GBS. Following incubation, RNA was extracted, converted to cDNA, and RT-qPCR was performed to assess ICAM-1 expression by ∆∆CT analysis with gapdH serving as an internal housekeeping control in infected versus uninfected control cells. To explore this interaction in vivo, we compared mice treated with anti-ICAM-1 antibody to those treated with an anti-IgG control and inoculated with GBS. Four days post-colonization, we harvested vaginal, cervical, and uterine tissues and compared bacterial burden across treatment groups. We observed that GBS infection alone, independent of capsular serotype, is sufficient to induce ICAM-1 expression in human cells in vitro. Additionally, in vivo ICAM-1 antibody blocking revealed decreased GBS colonization of vaginal and cervical tissue in anti-ICAM-1 mice compared to the control group. These findings suggest that expression of ICAM-1 may impact immune cell infiltrate and impact barrier integrity in the reproductive tract, and indicate a need for further research into the role of ICAM-1 in the host immune response to GBS colonization during pregnancy and the inflammatory response associated with preterm birth.

Identifying Misidentifications: Fordisc 3.1 Application to Korean Crania

Presenter: Addison Springer (Anthropology)
Faculty Mentor: Yangseung Jeong

In forensic investigations, determining the population affinity of an unknown victim significantly enhances the likelihood of identification. Fordisc (Jantz and Ousley 2005), a software program based on craniometric data and discriminant function analysis, is one of the most widely used methods used for estimating population affinity among forensic anthropologists. Fordisc is known for its high accuracy. However, this accuracy is reliable only when the case belongs to one of the eight populations incorporated in the program. If a case originates from a population not included in Fordisc, the software will still classify it into one of the incorporated populations, resulting in a 100% misclassification. Therefore, forensic anthropologists must exercise caution when interpreting Fordisc results, particularly in cases where the population affinity is uncertain. This study aims to identify patterns in Fordisc outputs when cranial measurements are from a population not incorporated in the software, the Korean population. If discernable patterns emerge, forensic anthropologists will be able to recognize and mitigate the risk of misleading conclusions. The craniometric data of 365 forensic cases (219 males and 146 females) were provided by the National Forensic Service in South Korea for this study. The data will be analyzed in Fordisc following standard protocols (Jantz and Ousley 2005). We hypothesize that the Korean data will yield indecisive results with low posterior probabilities or typicalities. Also, we anticipate that the data will affiliate with Japanese or Chinese crania due to the close geographic relationship among these populations. Statistical analyses will be conducted on the typicalities and posterior probabilities to identify potential patterns in the outputs. By recognizing the possibility of misleading results, this study aims to help forensic anthropologists reduce the risk of misclassification in biological profiling, ultimately, contributing to more accurate identification of unknown victims.

The Roles of Mother-Daughter Relationships and Religiosity in Sexual Risk Perception Among Latina Adolescents

Co-Presenters: Ana M. Subtirelu (Psychology), Reagan G. Burleson (Psychology)
Faculty Mentor: Lucybel Mendez
Abstract: Ana M. Subtirelu, Saúl Padilla, Reagan G. Burleson, Lucybel Mendez

Latina adolescents may have difficulty with sexual risk perception, which may explain the higher rates of sexually transmitted infections and lower levels of condom usage among these girls relative to other youth. Although researchers have investigated factors related to risky sexual behavior among Latina adolescents, little is known about the factors influencing their sexual risk perception. Recent research among the broader Latinx youth population found that familism was associated with fewer sexual partners, and religiosity could delay the initiation of sexual behavior. Accordingly, specific family relationships and religiosity may also be key factors in the sexual risk perception of Latina adolescents. To this end, the present study examined the relations among relationship closeness with mothers, religiosity, and sexual risk perceptions among Latina adolescents using self-report data from the Add Health study (n = 243). Results from a multiple regression indicated that relationship closeness with mothers (B = .09, p = .446) and religiosity (B = .30, p = .442) were not significantly related to sexual risk perceptions among Latina adolescents. Although contrary to the previous literature highlighting the protective role of familism and religiosity against risky sexual behaviors in Latina adolescents, these results suggest that other factors may play a more important role in shaping sexual risk perceptions in this population.

The Parasitic Turnpike System in Tennessee 1830-1845

Presenter: Wolfgang Sulk (History)
Faculty Mentor: Michael Woods

By 1830, Middle Tennessee was the dominant part of the state and it has long been assumed that this is for geographic reasons. Eastern Tennessee lay secluded in the Appalachian Mountains and Western Tennessee was still a frontier. However, it was also in part due to political meddling radiating from Nashville that kept these two regions under its heel. The American System was proposed in 1816, a series of state and federally funded internal improvements within the United States. With it came enthusiasm for the construction of turnpikes. However, once the turnpike system reached Tennessee in the 1830s there already were better methods of transportation available, such as the canal and railroad. The turnpike system was kept afloat in the state by politically influential central Tennesseans as these roads meant that commerce would flow through Nashville, even as turnpike companies struggled to break even. Leading these companies were former Nashville based state and federal politicians, and laws were passed making it so that turnpikes would receive more funding than any other infrastructure project. The turnpike system in Tennessee was parasitic in nature as it leached away taxpayer money and offered little in return to the average Tennessean.

Viral Threads: Unraveling the Transmission of Heritable Symbionts in Insects

Presenter: Vanesa Torres (Microbiology)
Faculty Mentor: Heidi Goodrich-Blair

A vital driver of insect evolution involves interactions with heritable microbes, yet research on the dynamics of insect-virus interactions remains limited. Aphids are significant agricultural pests and provide a valuable model for studying bacterial symbiosis. Viruses in the Iflaviridae family, which includes the genus Iflavirus, are particularly interesting due to their ability to infect several insects. In this study, we explored the transmission dynamics of heritable iflaviruses among aphids. To do this, we used polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect specific viral species across various hosts. In the field, we found four Iflavirus species infecting several aphid species at moderate frequencies. In the lab, we established that these viral infections are transmitted vertically from females to their progeny at high rates for multiple generations. Lastly, we investigated the tissue distribution of viral infection using quantitative PCR (qPCR) and immunohistochemistry. We found that Iflaviruses localized in aphid fat bodies, embryos, and bacteriocytes. These results suggest a possible common route for vertical transmission among symbiotic microorganisms. Our research deepens the understanding of insect-microbe interactions and offers potential insights into the development of biocontrol strategies for managing agricultural pests.

Ketamine’s Effects on Perineuronal Nets and Parvalbumin Cells in the Medial Preoptic Nuclei and Medial Amygdalas of Adult Male Syrian Hamsters

Presenter: Sophia Vetter-Ryan (Neuroscience & Psychology)
Faculty Mentor: Kalynn Schulz
Abstract: Sophia Vetter-Ryan, Nancy Dillman, Arthur Castaneda, Kalynn Schulz

Adolescence is a sensitive period for testosterone-dependent organization of male reproductive behavior. The mechanisms by which the nervous system regulates the timing of neural testosterone sensitivity is currently unknown. However, increases in perineuronal nets (PNNs), extracellular matrix structures that limit plasticity by limiting new neuronal synaptic connections, may serve as markers for the closure of sensitive developmental periods. Scientific advancement in our understanding of how PNNs mediate neuroplasticity requires validation of new research tools, and there currently are limited ways to alter PNNs in the brain. While ketamine has been shown effective in mice for the degradation of PNNs within brain regions associated with other behavioral systems, the present study’s goal is to validate ketamine’s effectiveness as an approach to degrading PNNs in the reproductive brain regions of Syrian hamsters. Therefore, the overall goal of our research is to determine whether PNN degradation via ketamine administration in adulthood is capable of changing markers of neuronal plasticity in reproductive regions of the brain. The methods include two main groups of hamsters. The test group received anesthetic doses of ketamine injection and the control group was given saline injections. Using immunohistochemical analyses of both groups, we have measured changes to PNNs within the Medial Preoptic Nucleus (MPN) and the Medial Amygdala (MeA), areas critical for reproductive behaviors in males. The resulting data will be presented.

The Mu-Opioid Receptor Retains Its Activation Dynamics in Aqueous Environments

Presenter: Calixte Walls (Chemistry)
Faculty Mentor: Rajan Lamichhane
Abstract: Calixte Walls, Eugene Agyemang (Graduate Mentor), Rajan Lamichhane (Faculty Mentor)

The μ-opioid receptor (μOR) is a G Protein-Coupled Receptor (GPCR) that acts as the main target for prescribed and recreational opioids. It consists of seven alpha-helical transmembrane (TM) domains linked by intracellular and extracellular loops, as well as an extracellular N-terminal domain and intracellular C-terminal domain essential for binding small molecules. Despite their pain-relieving benefits, opioids can lead to side effects like respiratory depression and addiction. This study aims to understand the structural flexibility and activation mechanism of μOR. We examined the effect of ligands on the activation and stability of μOR using a water-soluble opioid receptor variant. We observed the impact of different opioid ligands on the receptor’s stability by monitoring the unfolding of μOR‘s tertiary structure as a function of temperature using a fluorescent probe. Our findings indicate that the binding of activating ligands DAMGO and BMS-986122 increases receptor stability. Additionally, Single-molecule Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (smFRET) was used to visualize TM helix movements in the presence of G protein. Our results indicate that G protein further stabilizes the receptor in a more active state. These initial findings represent the first step in developing platforms for rapidly screening opioid ligands to determine their effect on receptor activation.

Exploring the Connection Between Space and Perceptions of Race

Presenter: Barrett Welchons (Psychology)
Faculty Mentor: Sarah Lamer

A person’s vertical and horizontal position in space can impact how they are perceived. Individuals who are placed vertically higher in space are perceived as more powerful than those who are lower, and individuals who are placed leftward in space are perceived as more agentic (Lakens, 2011; Maass, 2009). However, the literature thus far has failed to address the conflation of dimensions like agency, dominance, status, power, and physical size. To address this, we assessed how vertical and horizontal locations distort perceived race, since racial groups are stereotyped to differing degrees. For example, Black individuals are stereotyped as physically dominant but lower in status, agency, and power, whereas Asian individuals are stereotyped as less physically dominant but higher in status, agency, and power (Petsko, 2019; Wilson, 2017; Yoo, 2010). We morphed faces from Asian to Black, subtly varying their racial prototypicality. In 144 trials, participants saw two horizontally or vertically stacked faces for 500ms, indicating which face looked more Asian (or Black, depending on condition). Consistent with the hypothesis that horizontal locations distort perceived race, faces in leftward locations were perceived as more Asian. However, the leftward perceptual bias for Asian faces disappeared among participants who endorsed the belief that Black women and men were highly agentic, dominant, or powerful. No effects emerged on vertical trials, supporting theories framing horizontality and verticality as distinct in social cognition. Together, these data support the theory that horizontality is associated with concepts of agency, dominance, and power, but not status or size.

Roosevelt’s Economist: New Deal Policy and Rexford Tugwell

Presenter: Eljiah Welton (Economics & History)
Faculty Mentor: Brandon Winford

As the Roosevelt Administration entered the White House in 1933, they were greeted with a grave economic challenge. Unemployment had peaked at more than 25% and deflation was causing widespread harm. In response, Franklin Roosevelt exercised great executive energy, enacting a regime of “bold and persistent experimentation” in public policy, as he had vowed to do in a 1932 speech. The “New Deal” was not entirely the brainchild of Roosevelt, but a patchwork of advice from his many advisors. Many of these advisors were drawn from academia, especially the burgeoning social sciences. In this paper, I investigate the relationship between the discipline of economics in the early 20th century and the policies enacted as a part of the New Deal, through the lens of Rexford Tugwell, a University of Columbia Economist and member of the Brains Trust.

Visualization of Chromosome Breakage Regions During Nematode Programmed DNA Elimination

Presenter: Abigail West (Biochemistry & Cellular and Molecular Biology)
Faculty Mentor: Jianbin Wang
Abstract: Abigail West, Brandon Estrem, Ryan Simmons, Jianbin Wang

Programmed DNA Elimination (PDE) eliminates DNA during the development of certain organisms and goes against the genome constancy rule. In nematodes, PDE requires DNA double-stranded breaks to occur, but the mechanisms for the selection of chromosome breakage regions (CBRs) and the generation of breaks remain largely unknown. Recent Hi-C data in the parasitic nematode Ascaris suggests that 3D genome organization may play a role in CBR recognition. CBRs were observed to interact with each other at the time of PDE. However, our Hi-C data indicates the frequency of the CBR interactions is low, and the locations, kinetics, and exact timing of these interactions are unclear. DNA fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) is a microscopy technique used to visualize specific DNA sequences at single-cell resolution. This project aims to utilize DNA FISH to simultaneously visualize and assess genome interactions across all 99 CBRs in Ascaris. This will complement our Hi-C data and provide single-cell data to validate and expand our Hi-C observations. CBRs identified from genomic data are being amplified through PCR and confirmed via gel electrophoresis. Validated CBRs will be fluorescently labeled using nick translation DNA labeling and FISH. This will enable us to visualize the CBR interactions through confocal microscopy. We expect multiple CBR interactions will produce signals over the background, allowing us to identify their nuclear locations during PDE on a single-cell level. Our results will reveal how these interactions may be related to the mechanism of PDE and the generation of CBRs. If successful, additional cellular markers can be added to the imaging to further understand the dynamics of these interactions. Overall, this project will add to our understanding of the cellular location of DNA double-stranded breaks, which could lead to a better understanding of the overall mechanisms behind PDE.

Data Analysis of Dark Matter Mirror Neutron Search Experiment

Presenter: Nathan Whittington (Physics & Mathematics)
Faculty Mentor: Yuri Kamyshkov

Mirror matter has been proposed as a potential explanation for dark matter, with neutron-mirror neutron (n→n′) oscillations providing a possible signature of its existence. To search for this effect, we conducted an experiment using a cold neutron beam and the GP-SANS instrument at the High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The experiment aims to observe these oscillations within a specific dark matter model in which neutrons and mirror neutrons have a slightly different mass (∆m). Under this hypothesis, a magnetic field can compensate for this effect otherwise forbidden by ∆m. In our configuration, a cadmium absorber is placed between two 25-Gauss magnets. Ordinary neutrons are blocked by the cadmium, while mirror neutrons—which do not interact with normal matter—pass through, traverse the second magnetic field, and regenerate into detectable neutrons. Given the low probability of oscillation, careful distinction between signal and background was essential. Preliminary analysis yields an effect probability of (0.059 ± 1.36)10^-12 per neutron, establishing a limit for probability of this ∆m-model to be <2.7×10^-12 per neutron with 95% confidence. Our further experiments at HFIR will explore alternative models of n→n′ oscillations.

The Importance of Carrier Pigeons to the British Military during World War II

Presenter: Caroline Workman (History)
Faculty Mentor: Margaret Anderson

Carrier pigeons have fascinated people with their ability to deliver messages over very long distances. These birds are specially trained to return home and have provided substantial assistance in communication even before the invention of modern technologies. Scholars discussing the use of animals in warfare during World War II often focus on their roles, the ethical implications, and the impact of these practices on the animals themselves. The discussion spans various disciplines, including military history, animal studies, ethics, and cultural studies. The use of animals in WWII remains a multidisciplinary topic, shedding light on human-animal relationships, the limits of technological progress, and the ethical dimensions of warfare. Since the ancient world and throughout the World Wars, carrier pigeons were used as reliable carriers of important messages sent as quickly as possible. Their loyalty to the task at hand and immense capability with navigation turned them into unsung heroes in the communication of people, and to bridge gaps between people in need. Carrier pigeons were an important resource to the British military during World War II because of their purpose of carrying messages and critical intel to and from England. Examining their place in collective memory illuminates the broader cultural, ethical, and historical narratives surrounding their service in one of history’s most defining conflicts.

Do cyanobacteria universally produce microcystin as a response to oxidative stress?

Presenter: Gracie Wren (Microbiology)
Faculty Mentor: Steven Wilhelm

Microcystis aeruginosa is a bloom-forming cyanobacterium known for producing the potent hepatotoxin microcystin, originally known as fast death factor. During in vitro experiments, one lab strain of M. aeruginosa displayed increased toxin production when grown at suboptimal cool temperatures. The phrase “cool-temperature toxin phenotype” has been used to describe this response. This raises the question, “Does the cool-temperature phenotype apply broadly to toxin-producing strains of M. aeruginosa?” It is hypothesized that in across 20 + strains of M. aeruginosa, there will be a greater concentration of microcystin in cultures grown in cold temperatures compared to warm temperatures. Evaluate this, batch culture experiments are being grown at 19° or 26° C using 20+ different strains of M. aeruginosa. Toxin samples are being collected during the mid-log phase, which is determined using preliminary growth curves for each strain generated under the respective conditions. Additionally, the average cell diameter and the cell count will be measured at the time of toxin sampling to calculate microcystin concentration per cell. Toxin samples will be collected, immediately frozen, and later analyzed. Differences in toxin concentration of each strain under each temperature condition will be assessed using t-tests. It is anticipated that there will be a significantly greater microcystin concentration per cell in samples grown under cool conditions, when compared to ideal control temperatures. If supported by the data, this would suggest that toxin phenotype is widespread in the M. aeruginosa Species. This would allow for a greater insight into the physiological nature of the cool temperature phenotype and the response of M. aeruginosa to oxidative stress adaptation.

Phenobarbital for Alcohol Withdrawal: Impact on ED Return Rates and Hospital Admission

Presenter: Noah Yates (Neuroscience)
Faculty Mentor: Blake Briggs
Abstract: Blake Briggs, M.D., Noah Yates, Aastha Oza, David Cline, M.D.

Background: Alcohol withdrawal syndrome is a potentially life-threatening condition often treated with benzodiazepines, which carry risks such as respiratory depression. Phenobarbital, an older barbiturate, has a prolonged half-life that may reduce withdrawal symptoms and treatment escalation. Few studies have assessed outcomes for ED patients treated for alcohol withdrawal and discharged. Our primary outcome was the need for hospital admission based on treatments (benzodiazepines, phenobarbital, or both). Secondary outcomes included ED length of stay, return to the ED within 72 hours, and hospital admission within 30 days. Methods: This retrospective cohort study was conducted at a single academic center from January 1, 2020, to December 31, 2023. Patient visits were identified using an alcohol withdrawal order set. Patients were grouped by treatment: phenobarbital-only, benzodiazepines-only, and combination therapy. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and Kruskal-Wallis tests. Results: Among 408 alcohol withdrawal visits, 152 patients (37.3%) were discharged home. Of the treatment groups, 183 received phenobarbital, 84 received benzodiazepines, and 141 received both. Admission rates were lower in the phenobarbital-only group (50.3%) compared to benzodiazepines-only (81%) and combination (68.1%). Phenobarbital use was independently associated with a lower likelihood of hospital admission (odds ratio = 0.3253). Median ED length of stay was shortest for the phenobarbital-only group (6.2 hours, P = 0.0108). Conclusion: Phenobarbital use for alcohol withdrawal in the ED was associated with lower hospital admission.

Knoxville Eviction Defense Project

Presenter: Abby Zehnpfennig (Political Science)
Faculty Mentor: Stephanie Pierce

Each year in the United States, some 3.6 million residential eviction cases are filed annually, putting at least 6 percent of the nation’s rental households at risk of eviction each year (Garnham et al., 2022). Forced residential eviction has been linked to a host of individual- and neighborhood-level consequences, including homelessness (Collinson & Reed, 2018); financial strain (Humphries et al., 2018), job and wage loss (Desmond & Gershenson, 2016), poor health outcomes (Vásquez-Vera et al., 2017); and reduced civic participation (Slee & Desmond, 2021). Further reflecting a history of discriminatory policies that have made it more difficult for households of color to become homeowners, this paper aims to prevent evictions by introducing legal representation for tenants facing eviction. Providing tenants representation prevents unfair and predatory landlord practices, and reduces the cost burden on the county by preventing eviction consequences (homelessness).

Nationally, there is a push to expand access to legal counsel for tenants, as evictions have become more widespread and disparities in legal representation in eviction courts have gained popular attention. Stout, a global advisory firm, conducted cost-benefit analyses on the impact or potential impact of establishing a right-to-counsel for tenants in over 14 states (Stout, 2024). The goal of the analyses is to compare the cost of providing access to legal counsel for tenants at risk of eviction to the benefits to the government. The benefits of avoiding negative outcomes tenants often experience post-eviction include: homelessness and associated costs, temporary housing, missing work or school, and foster care. (Stout 2024). Preventing evictions could mitigate these outcomes, but the disparities between landlord and tenant are stark, as tenants are placed at an extreme disadvantage. Even if the litigants can overcome procedural hurdles, they fall short due to the lack of experience and understanding that experienced litigants have. “Advocates have argued that representation is necessary both to provide due process to tenants facing eviction and to enforce tenants’ statutory and common-law rights, such as the right to a habitable dwelling, which find redress primarily through the court system” (Ellen, 2020). Lawyers can be quite effective at helping tenants remain in their homes, by “challenging procedural defects in eviction proceedings, asserting relevant counterclaims, and negotiating with landlords’ attorneys over rent abatements and repayment of arrears” (Ellen, 2020). In October 2023, Knox County partenered with Legal Aid of East Tennessee (LAET) to expand access to legal counsel for tenants facing eviction. Using funds from the federal Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) program—originally authorized as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act of 2020—LAET will offer legal counsel to income-eligible tenants at various stages of the eviction process. LAET expects they will have sufficient funding to fully meet the demand for legal services, which will result in a dramatic increase in legal access for Knox County’s low-income tenants. Due to the nature of the funding, the program will last only eighteen months. This study primarily focuses on the Knox County Eviction Defense Program, which expands access to legal representation among low- and moderate-income tenants residing in the Knox County area through May 2025. Knox County allotted $1.5 million in funding Fall of 2023 and contracted with Legal Aid of East Tennessee (LAET) to hire three new attorneys—doubling the number of attorneys dedicated to housing cases—and additional paralegals to provide legal services beginning in November 2023. Local service providers refer tenants to the program and tenants may also apply online or over the phone. Preliminary data from the Knox County Courts reveals that, like many cities, the majority of landlords who file for eviction have legal representation. Court records show that plaintiffs were represented in 85% of those cases. We estimate that less than 15% of defendants were represented prior to the launch of the right-to-counsel program. We expect the results to suggest the continuation of the Eviction Defense Program.