Poster Session 2

*in order by board number

1. UV-treatment of contaminants of emerging concern in wastewater

Chole Tolle
Oklahoma State University

The widespread use of macrolide antibiotics has resulted in their frequent detection in aquatic environments, where they contribute to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and pose risks to aquatic ecosystems. Advanced oxidation processes (AOPs), particularly ultraviolet (UV)/hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) treatment, have shown promise for degrading these persistent contaminants through the production of highly reactive hydroxyl radicals (•OH). However, naturally occurring inorganic ions such as nitrate, bicarbonate, and chloride can influence the efficiency of these oxidation processes.

This study investigates the degradation of azithromycin during UV/H₂O₂ treatment and evaluates how common water constituents affect degradation efficiency. Batch experiments are conducted in a UV photoreactor using buffered solutions containing azithromycin under varying H₂O₂ concentrations and pH conditions. Additional experiments examine the effects of environmentally relevant concentrations of nitrate, bicarbonate, and chloride. Samples are analyzed using liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS), and degradation kinetics are evaluated using pseudo-first-order rate constants.

Preliminary results demonstrate that direct UV photolysis results in limited azithromycin degradation, while the addition of H₂O₂ significantly enhances removal through hydroxyl radical generation. Previous experiments showed that increasing H₂O₂ concentration increased degradation rates, with the greatest removal observed under alkaline conditions (pH 10). Ongoing experiments are expected to demonstrate that bicarbonate and chloride reduce degradation efficiency by scavenging hydroxyl radicals, while nitrate may either promote or inhibit degradation depending on its concentration through additional photochemical reactions.

This research improves the understanding of how water chemistry influences UV/H₂O₂ treatment of antibiotic contaminants. The findings will provide valuable insight for optimizing advanced oxidation processes used in wastewater treatment and water reuse applications, ultimately supporting efforts to reduce the environmental persistence of pharmaceutical pollutants and limit the spread of antibiotic resistance.

2. Effects of Beneficial Microorganisms on Phytochemical Enhancement in Medicinal Plants

Mozan Hassan
Lamar University

Medicinal plants are valued for their phytochemical constituents that contribute to human health, and beneficial microorganisms have emerged as sustainable tools for enhancing both plant growth and phytochemical production. This study evaluated the effects of four beneficial microorganisms, such as Trichoderma afroharzianum, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas fluorescens, and Variovorax paradoxus, on the growth, physiological performance, and phytochemical characteristics of hibiscus (Hibiscus spp.) under greenhouse conditions. Plant growth was assessed using shoot height, stem diameter, and shoot fresh weight, while physiological and biochemical responses were determined through leaf chlorophyll score, iron concentration, total flavonoid content, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging activity. Beneficial microbial inoculation significantly improved most measured traits compared with the uninoculated control. Among the tested microorganisms, Variovorax paradoxus consistently produced the greatest enhancements, resulting in the highest shoot biomass, chlorophyll score, stem diameter, leaf iron accumulation, flavonoid concentration, and antioxidant (ROS scavenging) activity. Pseudomonas fluorescens also improved several growth and physiological traits, whereas Trichoderma afroharzianum and Bacillus subtilis produced moderate but positive effects. Overall, the results demonstrate that beneficial microorganisms can simultaneously enhance plant growth, nutrient acquisition, and the accumulation of health-promoting phytochemicals in hibiscus. These findings highlight the potential of microbial inoculants, particularly Variovorax paradoxus, as sustainable biostimulants for improving the medicinal quality and productivity of hibiscus or other medicinal plants.

3. Bridging the Gap: Tuning HOMO-LUMO Levels in Novel Organic Semiconductors

Sofia Markham
Wesleyan University

Organic semiconductors (OSCs) are promising alternatives to silicon-based materials relevant to electronic and optoelectronic applications due to their flexibility, charge-transport properties, and low-cost manufacturing. Further, device-relevant properties, such as light absorption, depend largely on structural motifs, which can be readily tuned at the molecular level via chemical synthesis. Inspired by benzenetetramine (BTA), a highly functional and widely utilized organic unit, this project explores the design, optimization, and synthesis of benzene- and pyrene-based organic molecules. Namely, we tune the HOMO–LUMO gap, an essential parameter governing charge-transport behavior and air stability, and seek to improve solubility through substituent modifications featuring tosyl-protected amines, nitro groups, and π-extended pyrene backbones. These reactions often required air-free conditions, followed by careful workups, purifications, and spectroscopic and chromatographic analysis. Challenges included low yields, difficult purifications, and ambiguous proton NMR spectra, highlighting the synthetic complexity of these target molecules. While synthesis and characterization are still in progress, these modifications show promise for creating novel modular units in larger organic scaffolds with improved properties.

4. Structural and Thermodynamic Characterization of Ametantrone-AP Site DNA Conjugates

Feyza Horuz
Vanderbilt University

DNA alkylation at N7-dG generates apurinic/apyrimidinic (AP) sites, which equilibrate between α and β anomers via a transient aldehyde intermediate. Ametantrone (AMT), 1,4-bis[2-(2-hydroxyethylamino)ethylamino]anthracene-9,10-dione, a chemotherapeutic DNA intercalator and topoisomerase II inhibitor used to treat lung carcinoma and leukemia, forms conjugates with these AP sites. Its secondary amines react with the aldehyde intermediate to form a reversible Schiff base, which may be reduced to isolate a stable AMT-AP conjugate. This study aims to structurally characterize the AMT-AP conjugate and its effect on DNA duplex thermodynamics. We synthesized the AMT-AP conjugate, purifying it by reverse-phase HPLC, desalting, and hydroxyapatite chromatography, and confirmed successful synthesis by MALDI mass spectrometry. We examined the thermodynamic stability and structural changes of the AMT-AP conjugate relative to the analogous mitoxantrone-AP (MTX-AP) conjugate and the unmodified duplex. Preliminary melting temperature (Tm) data revealed that the AMT-AP duplex had a Tm of 40°C, compared to 47°C for the MTX-AP duplex and 52°C for the unmodified duplex, indicating that AMT conjugation is more thermodynamically destabilizing than MTX conjugation. To investigate the structural basis for this destabilization, we performed 2D COSY and NOESY NMR spectroscopy on the AMT-AP duplex across a range of temperatures (278–298 K). This analysis suggests that AMT conjugation substantially disrupts duplex structure, with distortion increasing as the temperature rises. These findings offer insight into the structural and thermodynamic components of AMT conjugation to an AP site.

5. Investigating a Novel Drug Target in HPV E6-Driven Cancer Cell Survival

Andrew Hoang
University of Oklahoma

Cervical cancer, driven by high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV), remains a leading cause of cancer-related death among women worldwide. Each year, more than 600,000 women are diagnosed, and nearly 300,000 die from the disease. Current treatments rely on surgery and chemoradiation, which are not selective for HPV-infected cells, often cause significant toxicity, and are less effective in advanced disease stages. These limitations highlight the urgent need for therapies that specifically target HPV-infected cancer cells while sparing healthy cells. HPV oncogenes E6 and E7 are the primary drivers of HPV-associated cancers. E6 promotes cancer cell survival by blocking programmed cell death (apoptosis). Identifying the molecular mechanisms enabling E6-mediated cell survival is essential for developing selective therapeutic strategies. Our lab previously developed a Drosophila (fruit fly) model of HPV E6 oncogene expression and demonstrated that E6's pro-survival function is evolutionarily conserved. Using this model and the powerful genetic tools available in Drosophila, including large-scale genetic screening, we identified a target in the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) whose reduction disrupts the pro-survival activity of E6 and triggers cell death. In our studies, we seek to evaluate the therapeutic potential of the identified target to eliminate HPV-infected cancer cells. We have demonstrated that the reduction of the target disrupts the pro-survival effect and leads to cell death in HPV-positive cervical cancer cells and Drosophila. These studies have the potential to provide important insights into how HPV-driven cancer cells survive and assess the target's potential as a selective therapeutic to eliminate HPV-infected cancer cells.

6. Analyzing the Strengths and Weaknesses of AI Learning Models in Robotics

Reidar Runstrom
The College of St. Scholastica

In the last 15 years, robotics research has moved from rigid, preprogrammed automations to adaptive, data-driven training models. About 10 years ago, Reinforcement Learning (RL) was introduced with deep neural networks for training the rigid models on specific tasks. In the last 5 years, end-to-end neural network models like Action Chunking with Transformers (ACT) and Vision Language Action (VLA) have allowed for training general-purpose actions. Currently, no singular AI model excels in everything on its own. This research aims to better understand the misconceptions, strengths, and weaknesses of different AI learning models, including VLA, ACT, and RL models. To evaluate the success of each AI model, a SO-101 robot arm was trained to follow simple instructions utilizing VLA, ACT, and RL models. Success in each model's training is determined by the time it takes the robotic arm to complete the task and its ability to successfully grab and place the object in the designated location. Literature indicates that ACT models excel in memory for long tasks and chunking information together; VLAs excel in understanding and generalizing tasks; and RL optimizes behavior such as the arm's movement. Future research could combine the three methods to provide a better assessment of the robot arm's performance, allowing researchers to identify how different control strategies influence accuracy, efficiency, and usability.

7. Using Benthic Foraminifera Assemblages Across the Mission-Aransas National Estuarine Research Reserve to Track Environmental Stress Response

Monet Tabhan
Trinity University

The series of bays along Port Aransas within the Mission-Aransas National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR) experience a range of environmental conditions in response to anthropogenic and climatic perturbations. A group of microorganisms that are present in these aquatic environments, benthic foraminifera, are at the base of marine ecosystems and their community assemblages can indicate ecosystem health and stress. Our research focuses on how small scale ecosystem changes reflect broader environmental resilience across periods of climatic and anthropogenic influence. We expect to see changes in foraminiferal assemblages and sediment characteristics in relation to hydrologic variables. Field work was conducted in the Mission-Aransas NERR and three types of data were collected from a series of locations spanning the terrestrial to marine gradient; water quality, sediment cores, and grab samples. The sediment samples were sieved through mesh filters to isolate 150-250 micrometer particles, which were viewed under a stereoscope in order to quantify sediment components and identify foraminiferal species. Preliminary findings reveal an increase in foraminifera species diversity, algal particles, microplastics, and quartz grains towards the top of the core. Grab samples from various locations and depths across the NERR highlight a range in the abundance of foraminifera, though further investigation is needed to examine the relationship of surface assemblages to hydrologic variables.

8. Effect of Caffeic Acid Pretreatment on H2O2-Induced Oxidative Stress in Rat Astrocytes

Katelyn Tabor
Eastern Kentucky University

Astrocytes play a large role in maintaining homeostasis, supporting neurons in the central nervous system, and regulating the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Excessive ROS accumulation can lead to oxidative stress, which largely contributes to cellular dysfunction and is seen in many neurological disorders. This study investigated whether caffeic acid (CA), a polyphenolic antioxidant, could reduce hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced oxidative stress in rat cortical astrocytes when used as a pretreatment. Lonza cryopreserved rat astrocytes were pretreated with 1mM caffeic acid solution for 46 hours, followed by exposure to 100uM H2O2 for 18 hours. ROS levels were measured using dichlorofluorescein (DCF) and experimental treatment groups were compared using Student's t-tests. Astrocytes treated with H2O2 alone and DMSO alone showed significantly different ROS levels when compared to the control group. However, caffeic acid pretreatment did not show a statistically significant difference in ROS levels compared to H2O2 exposure alone. Although a slight decrease in ROS was observed in the CA + H2O2 treatment group when compared to the H2O2-only group, this was not statistically significant. The findings of the experiment do not support a significant neuroprotective effect of caffeic acid pretreatment against H2O2-induced oxidative stress under the experimental conditions used. Future studies should investigate the effects of different caffeic acid concentrations, solvent effects, and improved oxidative stress models to better examine the antioxidant capacity and activity of caffeic acid in astrocytes.

9. Toxicity Assessment of drinking water in Colonias using transgenic medaka

Evelyn Contreras
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi

Residents living in colonias have historically faced higher rates of disease susceptibility compared to those living within city limits, due to inadequate wastewater infrastructure and poor quality of life. Reported health problems include hepatitis A, tuberculosis, and gastroenteritis. This especially has repercussions towards children, who experience slower growth developments. While this issue remains known, there has not been any prior toxicity assessment of drinking water of colonias in the Corpus Christi, Texas region. The aim of the study is to use transgenic Japanese medaka (Orzias latipes) to assess developmental impacts of well water from colonias. Mortality rate, heartrate, and thymus development using the recombinant activating gene 1 (Rag1) transgenic line will be measured in embryos exposed from 0 days post fertilization to hatching. Preliminary data indicate increased mortality, reduction in heartrate, and a modified Rag1 expression for specific water samples. The results from this study will be used to better understand the health impacts of water consumed in the local area and provide a measure to inform about disease susceptibility of children living in colonias.

10. Analyzing photosynthetic efficiency recovery responses in nine Caribbean coral species following thermal stress exposure

Jaden Riojas
Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi

The Gulf of America (hereafter referred to as Gulf) and the greater Caribbean Sea have the fourth-largest coral reef area globally and support ocean health, biodiversity, food security, coastal protection, and economic stability. But coral bleaching has become an increasing threat to coral reef resilience and sustainability. The world's fourth mass coral bleaching event was confirmed to have begun in early 2023 and ended in mid-2025. This mass bleaching event, and others before it, have resulted in a major decline in hard coral cover in the Gulf and Caribbean. However, not all coral taxa are equally susceptible to bleaching. Differences in heat resistance and recovery responses have been documented in situ. Understanding these differences can be vital in future conservation and restoration efforts of Caribbean coral reefs. In this study, nine dominant reef-building species of Caribbean coral (Pseudodiploria clivosa, Pseudodiploria strigosa, Diploria labryformis, Colpophyllia natans, Orbicella faveolata, Orbicella annularis, Orbicella franksi, Montastraea cavernosa, and Porites astreoides), each with four to six genotypes and six to seven fragments, were analyzed for the recovery of their photosynthetic efficiency following heat exposure to compare interspecific and intraspecific responses. Coral fragments were randomly distributed among five mesocosms where water temperature was gradually increased by 0.5°C each day until they reached 32°C and then held at 32ºC until all fragments were pulled from the experiment. Photosynthetic efficiency (Fv/FM) was measured using a Diving-PAM II (Walz, Germany) before bleaching, after bleaching, and periodically during the recovery process.

11. Improving Micro Rain Radar Rain Rate Retrieval in Different Precipitation Regimes Using AI Methods

Jasmine Trevino
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi

This study aims to improve rain rate estimates from Micro Rain Radar (MRR) observations across various precipitation regimes using Artificial Intelligence (AI). The datasets include rain rate observations from a Parsivel Disdrometer as ground target observations, alongside reflectivity and velocity profile observations from an MRR-Pro at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. Precipitation events from 2023 to 2025 are classified by weather regimes, such as warm rain, thunderstorms, cold fronts, drizzle, light/moderate rain, heavy rain, and tropical storms. AI models are trained and tested using all regimes of precipitation events. The model's performances are evaluated well with increased coefficient of determination and mean absolute error between retrieved rain rate and that observed from the disdrometer across different types of precipitation regimes. Of the machine learning methods that are tested, XGBoost slightly outperformed Random Forest when predicting rain rates across different types of precipitation, although some limitations remain in extreme rainfall conditions where K-band radar reflectivity measurements may saturate due to Mie scattering from large rain drops. These results show the potential of AI-driven approaches for enhancing radar-based precipitation estimation. Future work will expand this approach to model raindrop size distribution (DSD), using the disdrometer as ground target observations and MRR profiles as predictors.

12. [DOCUMENT NOT PROVIDED]

Emmanuel Reyes
[University not stated in document]

[No document was uploaded for this author — entry could not be compiled.]

13. Natural Product Extracts for Antimicrobial Photodynamic Therapy

Kim Luu
University of Texas at Arlington

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing global health challenge that reduces the effectiveness of conventional antibiotics and increases the need for alternative antimicrobial strategies. This project investigates readily available North Texas plants as sources of natural photosensitizers for antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT), a light-activated treatment that generates reactive oxygen species to kill microorganisms through multiple mechanisms, reducing the likelihood of resistance. Plant extracts containing light-responsive compounds, including emodin-like anthraquinones, will be prepared and evaluated for their antibacterial activity against drug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus under both dark and illuminated conditions. We hypothesize that selected extracts will demonstrate significant photoactivated antibacterial activity while exhibiting minimal toxicity in the absence of light. By identifying effective plant-derived photosensitizers from locally sourced species, this work aims to advance the development of sustainable, low-cost antimicrobial therapies and contribute to new approaches for combating antibiotic-resistant infections.

14. Characterizing the Effects of Suramin and Melatonin on Metabolism and Gene Expression During Activin-Induced Dorsal Mesoderm Development in Xenopus laevis Animal Caps.

Lenorah Chinedu
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater

Embryonic development depends on the coordination of changes in gene expression and metabolic activity. We hypothesize that circadian clock components act as coordinators during dorsal mesoderm induction and specification. Activin reliably induces dorsal mesoderm in Xenopus laevis animal caps and the transcription factor MyoD serves as a marker of skeletal muscle differentiation within this tissue. Circadian clock regulation of NAD+ production in adults has been shown to regulate sirtuin activity. Sirtuins are deacetylases that regulate gene expression by deacetylating histones and transcription factors. They can also regulate proteins involved in glycolysis, the tricarboxylic acid cycle, and the electron transport chain.

Suramin is a sirtuin inhibitor that suppresses mesoderm induction and dorsal marker gene expression; whereas melatonin activates sirtuin activity and enhances developmental processes through its effects on mitochondrial function and oxidative metabolism. The purpose of this study was to characterize how suramin and melatonin influence activin-induced dorsal mesoderm development by measuring three outcomes: metabolic activity through oxygen consumption rate (OCR) and reducing potential, gene expression through a MyoD luciferase reporter assay and qPCR, and developmental phenotype through scoring of animal cap elongation. Xenopus laevis embryos were collected, staged, and sorted. Afterward, animal caps were dissected and treated with activin alone, activin plus suramin, or activin plus melatonin. Preliminary findings from our laboratory show that suramin suppresses MyoD expression and increases reducing potential but does not affect nocturnin expression, whereas melatonin does not suppress MyoD expression but enhances Nocturnin expression and promotes animal cap elongation. This summer, my work has focused primarily on optimizing oxygen consumption rate (OCR) measurements to characterize the effects of suramin and melatonin during activin-induced dorsal mesoderm differentiation. The results of this study may help clarify the metabolites that are present and influence epigenetic gene expression during dorsal mesoderm specification and differentiation.

15. Dual Network Biopolymer Hydrogel Biophysics

Anabelle Rocha
UT San Antonio

Successful tissue regeneration requires a balance between cellular behavior and matrix dynamics. Researchers have investigated many biomaterials for an optimal matrix, such as ceramics and hydrogels. Interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs), such as collagen:fibrin blend hydrogels (col:fib), are a combination of polymer networks that are independent but entangled by crosslinking. As they are IPNs, col:fib blends results in unique mechanical properties based on concentration and/or blend ratio. Such properties may result in changes in micro-porous structures or viscoelastic properties, allowing for interesting biomedical applications. The objective of this study is to evaluate the changes in mechanical properties when collagen concentration is altered in a 50:50 col:fib blend. Col:fib hydrogel blends were formed at collagen concentrations of 2 and 4 mg/mL, and a fibrinogen concentration of 20 mg/mL at a volume ratio of 50:50. Hydrogels were crosslinking at 37C for 30-45 minutes. Hydrogels were dried using an Automated Critical Point Dryer (Leica Microsystems) and coated with Ag-Pd a sputter coater (Cressington Scientific Instruments). Samples were imaged with a SEM (Carl Zeiss Corporation) at varying magnifications. Following hydrogel fabrication, samples were vacuum dried overnight and weighed the next day. Dried samples were then hydrated with PBS and weighed again. The swelling ratio (Qm) was calculated using Qm = Ms/Md, where Ms is the hydrogel mass after swelling, and Md is the dry hydrogel mass. Testing is still ongoing for this project. This study will help researchers understand the impact of varying collagen concentration on hydrogel morphology and swelling.

16. Collection of Computationally Generated Tetrapeptide Conformers and Analysis of Conformational Space Availability

Julian Romero-Moreno
University of Texas at San Antonio

Peptide catalysts are highly modular, repeatable organic tools that can greatly aid industrial synthesis, medicinal chemistry, and materials science. Short oligopeptides can be designed with similar binding site functionality to large, 100+ residue proteins, while avoiding the synthetic complexity of those full structures, making them much easier to synthesize and use. Our study aims to investigate the conformational space available to multiple example tetrapeptides and the dihedral angles, notable bond angles, and hydrogen bonding patterns that arise from the given example tetrapeptide formations. Using the computational chemistry program CREST, we aim to perform conformational searches of multiple peptide formations and analyze the resulting conformers. Angle comparisons, hydrogen bond pattern ranking, and dimensionality reducing clustering will be performed on these data. From preliminary analysis, certain amino acids combinations have already been identified with a more confined conformational space that could enable better prediction of bonding structures for catalyst design. Understanding the internal patterns and conformer shapes of oligopeptides will allow scientists to better design peptide catalysts in the future and engage in better data analysis on the large amounts of formations that are available to such customizable organic catalysts.

17. An Integrated Command-Line Pipeline for Decontaminating Algal High-Fidelity Sequence Reads: A Comparative Evaluation Against Blobtools

Kortez Strickland
Florida International University

Algal high-fidelity sequencing datasets often contain bacterial and fungal deoxyribonucleic acid that can fragment assemblies and reduce downstream accuracy. This study tests the hypothesis that an automated command-line decontamination pipeline can reduce execution time and peak memory use relative to Blobtools without lowering genome completeness. The pipeline integrates sourmash for taxonomic identification, reference-genome retrieval, minimap2 for alignment, SAMtools and SeqKit for contaminant-read removal, hifiasm for assembly, and Benchmarking Universal Single-Copy Orthologs for quality assessment. It is designed for Florida International University's high-performance computing environment and uses scheduled parallel jobs for reproducible processing. The implemented ten-stage workflow identifies contaminants, filters high-confidence matches, constructs a contaminant reference, separates contaminated reads, assembles cleaned reads, and generates a summary of contamination, assembly statistics, and completeness. Quantitative benchmarking against Blobtools is ongoing, so final execution-time, memory, and completeness values are not yet available. The completed workflow provides a reproducible framework for controlled comparison using identical algal datasets and hardware allocations. Results from this comparison will determine whether specialized command-line automation offers a faster, lower-memory alternative while preserving biologically important algal sequence. This approach could expand access to high-quality genome assembly for laboratories with limited computational resources.

18. Evaluating Molecular Markers for Fusarium Wilt Resistance and Plant Architecture to Develop Improved Vintage Tomato Varieties

Abigail Miller
West Virginia State University

Tomatoes rank among one of the most economically important food crops worldwide. However, vintage varieties do not possess the general resistances, or a shorter architecture found in current varieties, making growing them problematic. This research was to determine if markers for these genes could be used to improve vintage tomato varieties. Three markers for the I gene controlling Fusarium wilt resistance, a soil borne fungal disease, were trialed. The brachytic (br) gene, which promotes shortened internodes to reduce plant architecture, tested two markers from the literature. DNA was extracted using a modified CTAB extraction protocol from several vintage varieties and the donor. Marker specific primers along with Taq DNA Polymerase and DNA were used to create the amplicons. PCR conditions were poorly documented; thus, amplicons were generated using a range of annealing temperatures based on the primers' melting temperatures. Gel electrophoresis confirmed expected amplicon sizes, and optimal annealing temperatures were selected. All amplicons were digested with marker-specific restriction enzymes, and the fragment sizes were analyzed by electrophoresis to verify banding profiles based on the literature. Only one br marker showed variation between the donor and vintage varieties, but more work is needed to verify its use in the breeding program. One marker for I had the expected band sizes for the donor and most of the vintage varieties. This marker was used on BC2 breeding lines for one vintage variety and the resistant marker genotype correlated with the SNP marker for I developed by the University of Florida.

19. Transition Metal Nanomaterials for Industrial Wastewater Dye Remediation via Green Synthesis

Samuel Sanabria
Texas A&M University-Kingsville

Contamination by synthetic dyes from the textile, printing, cosmetics, food, and manufacturing industries is a major issue for both the environment and people due to their toxic nature. Many conventional technologies used to treat wastewater are limited by high treatment costs, partial contaminant removal, or the generation of secondary waste. This research will focus on the synthesis of silver, cobalt, and zinc nanoparticles through green tea extract as a reducing, stabilizing agent and the evaluation of the efficiency of their application for the removal of Alizarin Yellow, Allura Red, Crystal Violet, Indigo Carmine, and Methylene Blue from the aqueous medium. Nanoparticles will be synthesized using green chemistry technology and analyzed in batch adsorption tests at various pH values and temperatures. Concentrations of the dyes before and after the treatment process will be analyzed using UV-Visible spectroscopy with calibration curves being established using the Beer-Lambert Law. Efficiency of dye removal will be evaluated based on the influence of nanoparticle composition, pH value, and temperature. It is expected that nanoparticles will demonstrate good efficiency in dye removal and some disparities in efficiency among nanoparticle types and dyes.

20. Classroom Activities and Off-Task Behavior in Preschool Children

Auria Pointer
Oklahoma State University

Off-task behavior, defined as time spent on activities unrelated to the instructional task or learning materials being used, has been a long-term challenge for early childhood educators for decades. Previous research examining elementary school children found that instructional formats were related to on- and off-task behavior, but this study has not been replicated in over a decade. It is not known if these same findings apply to preschool children, whose executive function skills are still developing. The current study adapts the methodological framework of a large-scale study conducted by Godwin et al. (2016) into a small-scale study conducted with three to five preschool children recruited from Oklahoma State University's Celo L. Craig Child Development Lab. Observation data will be recorded using a paper-based checklist documenting on- and off-task behavior across different instructional formats, including whole-group, small-group, individual-led, and gross motor activities. Data will be analyzed using descriptive statistics, displayed in line graphs, and examined using a Chi-Square Test of Independence to determine whether there is a correlation between instructional format and off-task behavior. Findings are expected to provide updated, developmentally appropriate evidence on attention allocation to guide educators in designing effective preschool classrooms and to address a gap in research on attention and engagement in early childhood settings.

21. External and Environmental factors, and their effects on progress in therapy

Zach Stein
Emporia State University

Pediatric patients with developmental disabilities are a very diverse population and often require individualized therapy approaches. Instead of using a one-size-fits-all method, these children typically benefit from a combination of therapies, including occupational, physical, speech, and behavioral interventions. Because of this, therapy needs to be adapted to fit each child's specific needs, strengths, and environment. Studies show that the use of individualized, family-centered, and multidisciplinary approaches leads to improvements in functional skills, communication, and participation in daily activities. Early and targeted interventions have also been linked to better long-term outcomes. The purpose of this study is to gain knowledge and understanding about different roadblocks when it comes to therapy progression (Low Socioeconomic status, Language barriers, etc.). This research includes 9 open ended questions about what therapist feel are the biggest and most prevalent external and environmental factors when it comes to progression in therapy. Although all of the answers have not yet been received, the answers that have been received are similar to what I thought would be said. Preliminary findings suggest that therapists believe the most difficult barriers include limited time for therapy and limited access to resources. This research will offer a better understanding of how professionals from different therapy settings choose and adapt interventions for both specific diagnoses and individual patients. This study aims to strengthen my understanding of effective, personalized care in pediatric therapy.

22. Interpersonal Functioning and Sleep Health: Exploring the Moderating Role of Parental Education and Family Income

Sean Mejia
Wesleyan University

Attending university is an important part of the emerging adulthood years (Arnett, 2000), with opportunities for new life experiences, interpersonal relationships, and health behaviors that may set the trajectory for long-term well-being. Healthy, positive interpersonal relationships are critical correlates of physical and mental health and have also been specifically linked to better sleep behaviors among adults and college students (Cohen, 2004; Tavernier & Willoughby, 2015). Other studies have reported that low socio-economic status (SES) is a risk factor for poor sleep (Jehan et al., 2018). However, these studies have often been conducted with older adult samples and have focused on marital status as an index of interpersonal relationships. The main goal of the study was to examine whether parental education and family income moderate the cross-sectional associations between 3 indices of interpersonal functioning (i.e., attachment style, romantic relationship attitudes, and loneliness) and subjective sleep health among university-attending emerging adults. Results of 4 separate regression analyses (N = 223) across 4 different SES groups ('low parental education', 'high parental education', 'low family income', and 'high family income) showed a significant negative association between loneliness and sleep health (p = .021), but only among those from low parental education backgrounds. Romantic relationship attitudes and secure attachment were unrelated to sleep health. Students from low parental education backgrounds may lack the coping resources to help them effectively navigate interpersonal challenges at university and may benefit from additional targeted programs that promote social support and a sense of belonging.

23. Little Engineers, Big Minds: Examining children's interest, stereotypes and competence in Engineering across development

Andrea Alvarado
Trinity University

This study, in collaboration with Dr. Emma Treadway from the Department of Engineering at Trinity University, asks whether patterns beyond adolescence originate to children's ideas about gendered competence in Engineering, their competence and interest in Engineering, and measured competence and interest in an Engineering task. Childhood perceptions of competence and interest shape STEM identity and engagement, though effects on Engineering are understudied. Our current research questions are: Do children's views of their competence and interest in Engineering differ by gender and/or shift with age? Are these views consistent with their actual competence and interest in Engineering measured through an Engineering task? Do parental influences correlate with children's perceptions of competence and interest? We predict that children's reports about girls' or boys' interest or competence in Engineering will be more stereotypical than reports of self-perceptions. We also predict the task will reveal individual differences, and a diverse sample could show differences in parent STEM attitudes and children's STEM identity. Participants answer one of two orders of a survey assessing interest and competence, but differ in reporting stereotypes of their same or opposite gender. They then engage in a boat-building task; testing their boat's effectiveness provides a measure of their actual interest and competence. Parents complete a questionnaire assessing attitudes toward STEM. Preliminary results suggest that there are no significant gender differences in actual interest and competence in the boat task. Parents report that STEM is important and promoted for their children, and no significant gender differences have been found. Analyses of the children's reported interests, competence, and stereotypes, are ongoing.

24. Prospective Health Impacts of Chronic Binge Eating Disorder in Older Women Living with Food Insecurity (PROSPERA)

Emily de los Santos Mejia
Trinity University

This project (PROSPERA) aims to better understand how a lack of access to food, including healthy foods, as well as eating patterns such as binge eating disorder (BED: i.e., eating large amounts of food in one sitting), can affect mental and physical health in women over the age of 50. BED is most commonly thought to be associated with white, young, affluent women. Secondary to this stereotype, older women and those with low income are underrepresented in studies investigating BED, even though evidence suggests BED is common in older women and in women living with food insecurity (FI). This research project is in partnership with the ReACH Center at the UT Health Science Center at San Antonio and the San Antonio Food Bank (SAFB). The knowledge gained from this longitudinal study will inform the development of future programs to support these underrepresented women and close the gap in knowledge about the health impacts of BED on older women living with FI. Participants are recruited by distributing study flyers at the SAFB and in surrounding areas (community centers). Participants are screened and scheduled for an appointment to assess their physical (e.g., blood pressure, Cholesterol, Weight, Height) and mental (e.g., depression) health, which is reassessed annually in person during the 2-year study timeframe. Between in-person appointments, participants are called every 3 months to ask about health changes. Data collection is still ongoing. Currently, 151 participants (N = 151) aged 50-82 years, most of whom identify as Hispanic/Latina, are enrolled in the study.

25. More Than Romance: Why Friendships Matter Too

Griselda Infante
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi

Emerging adulthood is a developmental period where friendships and romantic relationships become important sources of support (Oldeman et al. 2023). Although previous research has shown that parental attachment influences later relationships, most studies have focused on romantic relationships rather than friendships. This study examined whether familial attachment was associated with emotional intimacy (Sternberg, 1988), trust (Larzelre & Hutson, 1980), conversation (Ritchie and Fitzpatrick, 1990), and conformity (Horstman 2018) in both friendships and romantic relationships among emerging adults. It was hypothesized that individuals with lower familial attachment anxiety and avoidance would report greater emotional intimacy, trust, and conversation, as well as lower conformity orientation, in romantic relationships and close friendships. Students (N=158; Mage= 19.88; SD= 1.58) from a regional MSI/HSI-institution, completed an online survey. Correlations were conducted to examine the associations between the variables, and a reduced p-value of ≤.01 was used to determine significance given the number of analyses conducted. The results showed that there were no significant associations between familial attachment and romantic or friendship relationship quality. However, individuals with insecure attachments with both romantic and close friends consistently indicated a reduced emotional intimacy and ability to engage in wide conversational topics. These findings support that individuals can have differing attachments in different types of relationships (Fraley and Davis, 1997), and the importance of evaluating domain-specific attachments. Future research should examine if familial attachment contributes at all to romantic and friendship functioning via regressions, and consider additional facets of relationship satisfaction and communication patterns.

26. The Influence of Family Achievement Guilt on College Persistence Among Hispanic Early College High School Graduates

Jacqueline Gloria
Our Lady of the Lake University

Family Achievement Guilt refers to the emotional distress students experience when navigating postsecondary environments that differ from their family's background. This includes feeling guilty for having opportunities their families did not have, experiencing physical and emotional distance, feeling pressure to compensate for family sacrifices, or perceiving their educational pursuits as selfish. This study explores the influence of family achievement guilt on college persistence among Hispanic Early College High School (ECHS) graduates, examining how this guilt acts as both a barrier and a source of motivation in the pursuit of a bachelor's degree. The ECHS model allows underrepresented communities to earn an associate degree while completing their high school diploma, which inherently shapes student motivation toward postsecondary education. Using an explanatory sequential mixed methods design, data was collected through a Qualtrics survey and semi-structured interviews. While empirical results are pending, quantitative data will be analyzed using SPSS for t-test analysis to examine whether varying degrees of family achievement guilt significantly predict persistence, and qualitative data will undergo thematic analysis. It is anticipated that the quantitative survey data will reveal a significant difference in family achievement guilt scores between students currently enrolled in college and those who are not, while qualitative interviews will illustrate how participants describe this emotional distress as both an acute stressor and a core motivator influencing their persistence or departure.

27. Food Insecurity and Body Image in Hispanic/Latina College Women

Sofia Santacruz
Our Lady of the Lake University

Food insecurity is a common issue among college students and can affect mental health, stress, and daily routines. Body image is also shaped by family, culture, and comments about weight, appearance, and eating habits. However, little research has examined how these experiences intersect among Hispanic/Latina college women. This qualitative phenomenological study explores how Hispanic/Latina college women at a small university in Texas who have experienced food insecurity describe culturally specific body image labels and how these experiences have influenced their perceptions of themselves over time. Data were collected through one-on-one, semi-structured interviews and are being analyzed using phenomenological methods to identify common themes across participants' lived experiences. Preliminary findings suggest that family comments, culturally specific body image labels, and food insecurity interact in ways that influence body image, self-perception, and relationships with food. These findings provide insight into how cultural and financial factors shape body image experiences among Hispanic/Latina college women. Future directions include expanding the study to a larger sample size and exploring different regions in Texas to see how these cultural pressures vary by location.

28. The Role of Mindfulness in Student Mind-Wandering and Academic Function

Allisandria Randle
University of Texas at Arlington

This study investigated the relationship between practicing mindfulness-based exercises and sustaining attention among college students. Researchers surveyed students at the University of Texas at Arlington and measured their attentional capabilities using the Sustained Attention Response Task (SART), then participants were assessed on their trait mindfulness (MAAS), mind-wandering (MWQ), stress (PSS), anxiety (GAD-7), and rumination levels (RRS). Participants were then categorized as having either higher levels than average or lower levels than average, and brought in to do mindfulness-based exercises, such as tai chi or yoga, then had an MRI session to see if there was a significant difference in changes in the brain. This study hypothesized that there would be a significant difference in attentional abilities between the group with higher scores than average and the group with lower scores on average after utilizing mindfulness-based exercises and the MRI session. Other research studies have also shown a significant reduction in stress, anxiety, and an increase in overall student function after implementing mindfulness-based exercising for extended periods of time. Mindfulness is considered a highly effective practice, and the results of this paper can provide a new way of coping with academic stress to promote student focus, academic function, and overall wellbeing for students.

29. Associations Between Perceived Parenting, Attachment Styles, and Affective Cognition Under Social/Emotional Feedback

Melissa Spahovic
University of Texas at Arlington

This study plans to investigate whether perceptions of childhood parenting are associated with adult attachment styles, specifically the dimensions of attachment anxiety, avoidance, and security. Attachment theory proposes that early interactions with caregivers influence the development of attachment orientations. Perceived parenting can be examined using the Parental Bonding Instrument (PBI), which focuses on two specific parental behaviors: care and overprotection. Previous research using the PBI has specifically focused on maternal and paternal bonding; however, less is known about these associations beyond biological mother and father caregivers, despite the growing diversity of family structures. Therefore, this study plans to update the PBI to include more diverse family structures by allowing participants to report on the caregiver(s) who had the most influential role in their childhood until age 16. This may include caregivers such as single parents, foster, adopted, grandparents, and LGBTQ+ family structures. University of Texas at Arlington students, faculty, and staff will complete assessments of adult attachment (ECR-R) and perceived parenting (PBI). This study hypothesizes that those who report experiencing higher parental overprotection and lower care during childhood will exhibit greater attachment anxiety and avoidance, whereas those who report experiencing higher parental care and lower overprotection will exhibit less attachment anxiety, avoidance, and more secure attachment patterns, regardless of caregiver type.

30. Perceived Community Belonging and Mental Health Outcomes Among LGBTQIA+ Adults

Tabitha Gier
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater

Mental health remains an important concern for LGBTQIA+ adults, especially in relation to depression, anxiety, psychological distress, and social isolation. Although previous research has examined LGBTQIA+ mental health disparities, more attention is needed on the protective role of perceived community belonging and the conditions that make community support meaningful. Understanding this topic is important because LGBTQIA+ adults may experience belonging through chosen family, Pride events, campus programs, online spaces, affirming faith communities, and LGBTQIA+ organizations. The purpose of this study is to examine how perceived community belonging influences mental health outcomes among LGBTQIA+ adults. This study uses a literature review with thematic content analysis. Peer-reviewed scholarly articles were reviewed and analyzed for major themes, patterns, contradictions, and gaps related to LGBTQIA+ community connectedness, affirming spaces, minority stress, and mental health. Findings suggest that perceived community belonging is often associated with stronger mental health outcomes, including lower depression, lower anxiety, reduced psychological distress, and greater well-being. However, findings also suggest that LGBTQIA+ community spaces are not automatically protective for all individuals. Community belonging appears most helpful when spaces are inclusive, affirming, emotionally safe, and supportive of people's full identities. Overall, this research shows that belonging can really matter for LGBTQIA+ mental health, but only when the community feels safe, affirming, and supportive. Future research should further examine how different forms of community support affect diverse and multiply marginalized LGBTQIA+ adults.

31. Growing up Overparented: Racial Differences in Independence and Psychological Well-Being Among Young Adults

Shatyra Porter
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater

This study examines how childhood overparenting affects young adults' independence and psychological well-being and whether these relationships differ across racial groups. Although previous research has examined helicopter parenting and psychological outcomes, less is known about the influence of cultural and racial differences or whether primary and secondary caregivers have different effects. The purpose of this quantitative correlational study is to examine the relationship between childhood overparenting, independence, and psychological well-being among young adults aged 18–25. Participants completed paper-based questionnaires, including the Helicopter Parenting Instrument (HPI), the Index of Autonomous Functioning, the Psychological Well-Being Scale, and demographic questions. The HPI was modified to obtain separate ratings for primary and secondary parent figures. Participants were recruited through campus flyers, social media, and word of mouth, and informed consent was obtained before data collection. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics. Descriptive statistics summarized participant characteristics, and multiple linear regression analyses examined relationships among overparenting, independence, and psychological well-being while testing whether racial group and parent source moderated these relationships. It is expected that higher levels of childhood overparenting will be associated with lower levels of independence and differences in psychological well-being. Greater independence is expected to be associated with higher psychological well-being during emerging adulthood. Findings may improve understanding of how parenting experiences influence young adults' adjustment while highlighting the importance of fostering healthy autonomy. Future research should further examine the role of cultural values and racial differences in these relationships to support the development of culturally responsive interventions for young adults and their families.

32. Carrion-Associated Invertebrate Communities at Mountain Lion Kill Sites in Northern New Mexico: A Pilot Study

Lauren Guzman
University of Texas at San Antonio

Large carnivores influence ecosystems not only through predation but also through the generation of carrion resources that support diverse scavenger, decomposer, and detritivore communities. While mountain lion (Puma concolor) kill sites have been studied for their effects on vertebrate scavengers, decomposition, and nutrient cycling, comparatively little is known about the carrion-associated invertebrate communities in southwestern ecosystems. We hypothesized that systematic sampling of mountain lion kill sites would document diverse carrion-associated invertebrate assemblages and provide a preliminary taxonomic baseline. Kill sites were identified using GPS cluster locations from GPS-collared mountain lions as part of a larger carnivore research project. Invertebrates were collected from three mountain lion kill sites in northern New Mexico. Specimens were collected from external and internal carcass surfaces, as well as underlying vegetation and soil, using hand collection and forceps. Temperature, humidity, and barometric pressure were recorded, and qualitative observations of site characteristics were documented. Preliminary observations revealed diverse carrion-associated invertebrate assemblages, particularly beetles. The specimen collection will contribute to a preliminary taxonomic baseline and support future DNA barcoding and genetic analyses. This pilot study demonstrates the feasibility of investigating invertebrate biodiversity at mountain lion kill sites and provides a foundation for future research examining how apex predators indirectly influence invertebrate communities and ecosystem processes.

33. Opportunities to increase HPV vaccine uptake during Mpox vaccination: A cross-sectional survey among sexual minority males in Bexar County, Texas

Elsa Olegwe
The University of Texas at San Antonio

Background & study objective: Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines are safe and effective, but uptake remains suboptimal among sexual minority males in Texas. Recommending HPV vaccination during Mpox vaccination encounters could increase HPV uptake. However, evidence on the potential impact of such integrated vaccination strategies is limited. In response, this study aimed to estimate the proportion of Mpox vaccine-eligible, sexual minority men 18-45 years old who were vaccinated for Mpox but not HPV.

Methods: In 2025, we conducted an online cross-sectional Qualtrics survey in Bexar County, Texas that enrolled adults who met US CDC criteria for Mpox vaccination eligibility. Recruitment occurred through online social networking apps, HIV service organizations, and snowball sampling. Cross-tabulation descriptive statistics were calculated with Stata 18.

Results: Among 97 eligible respondents 19.6% (19/97) were 18-25 years old and 80.4% (78/97) were 26-45 years old; 32.0% (31/97) were living with HIV. Among the 21.1% (4/19) of participants 18-25 years old who were vaccinated for Mpox, 25.0% (1/4) had never been vaccinated for HPV. Among the 42.3% (33/78) of participants 26-45 years old who were vaccinated for Mpox, 45.5% (15/33) had never been vaccinated for HPV.

Conclusion: In Bexar County, a substantial proportion of sexual minority males 18-45 years old vaccinated for Mpox have not been vaccinated for HPV. This finding highlights a potential opportunity for integrated HPV/Mpox vaccine delivery in Bexar County. Coordinated promotion of HPV and Mpox vaccination-particularly through co-located or partnered clinics-could augment HPV vaccination rates and thereby reduce incidence of HPV-related conditions.

34. Prevalence of Elevated Autism and ADHD Traits Among Students at Four-Year Universities: A Research Proposal

Christopher Sauceda
University of Texas at San Antonio

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are among the most prevalent neurodevelopmental disorders and can significantly influence students' academic performance, executive functioning, and overall college experience. Although research examining neurodivergent students in higher education has increased, relatively little is known about the prevalence of elevated autism and ADHD traits among students attending four-year universities. Existing studies have primarily focused on children, clinical populations, or students with documented diagnoses, leaving a gap in understanding the broader population of students who may exhibit elevated traits identified through validated screening measures. The purpose of this proposed study is to estimate the prevalence of elevated autism and ADHD traits among undergraduate students attending a large public university and a private university. Using validated screening instruments, the study will examine the proportion of students who exhibit elevated autism and ADHD traits and explore self-reported diagnostic history to better understand what may be occurring in higher education. This research seeks to expand current prevalence literature by comparing two distinct university settings and by focusing on elevated traits rather than confirmed clinical diagnoses. Findings from this study may contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of neurodiversity within higher education and provide evidence to inform future research, institutional planning, and student support initiatives. Improving knowledge of the prevalence of elevated autism and ADHD traits among university students, this research has the potential to support the development of more inclusive educational environments.

35. Are local outreach programs effective in serving minority populations?

Naiya Subero
Florida International University

As technology changes and develops, we have new and developing outreach programs for children. Are these programs effective in bridging the gap in the educational system for underserved communities? The research is especially important for the local Miami-Dade and Broward County area as we are a multi-cultural community where outreach that connects can look different depending on cultures. The research method will be a literature-based review informed by mentor Dr. Debra Mayes Pane who runs the E-SToPP program, working directly with local communities in the Miami-Dade and Broward County. The research conducted by Dr. Pane will be reviewed with modern research on communal outreach. In-person outreach programs are more effective in connecting with students than online services. The future directions will inform how we can use previous research and modern research within the new digital age to better reach the minority communities in the county.

36. Childhood Trauma and Adolescent Behavioral Health

Francesca Saint Louis
Florida International University

This Research explores if childhood exposure to domestic violence correlates with adolescent internalizing and externalizing issues. Both internalizing and externalizing problems would be expected to be elevated in teens who witnessed domestic violence as children, compared to those who did not leverage findings from the long term ACE project, this project investigates the connection between exposure to domestic violence and adolescent behavioral health. Internalizing problems include symptoms such as anxiety and depression, while externalizing problems include behaviors such as rulebreaking and aggression. Through no results as yet, this study will contribute to this literature in specifying which ACE relates to adolescent mental health and behavior. These results may inform future work on trauma-related risk during adolescence and youth behavioral health outcomes more generally.

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38. Institutional Sustainability and Student Success: A Qualitative Case Study of First-Generation College Students' Motivation and Persistence at a South Texas Institution

Brigitte Acevedo
Texas A&M University-Kingsville

This qualitative case study investigates the relationship between institutional sustainability and student success within a bounded system by examining the perspectives of first-generation college students at a South Texas institution of higher education. First-generation college students represent a substantial population within higher education institutions; however, despite increasing enrollment, many continue to experience academic, social, and structural challenges that negatively affect persistence and degree attainment. The purpose of this qualitative case study is to explore how first-generation college students at a South Texas institution navigate access to higher education, understand the motivational factors that influence their persistence, and examine how institutional practices shape their educational experiences through a business lens focused on institutional sustainability, student retention, and long-term student success. This research employed questionnaires to capture the experiences and perspectives of first-generation college students. Thematic analysis was employed to identify patterns and themes within participant responses. The results from this study will contribute to literature and practice in terms of uncovering critical factors that determine persistence and institutional performance. Thus, this study will adopt a business-oriented approach focused on providing tangible recommendations to higher education administrators for enhancing student success, improving student retention, and supporting institutional sustainability. By aligning student experiences and persistence with the strategic objectives of higher education organizations, this study takes a holistic approach to examining how institutions can strengthen both student outcomes and long-term organizational effectiveness.

39. Family, Peer, and Academic Risk Factors of Adult Substance Use: A Survey Study

Kirsten De la Rosa
Texas A&M University-Kingsville

Substance use remains a major public health concern in the United States, with many patterns of use originating during childhood and adolescence. The present study examines how family environment, peer influence, and academic experiences during development are associated with adult substance use behaviors. Using a cross-sectional survey design, adults aged 18 years and older will report on their childhood and adolescent experiences as well as their current substance use history. The purpose of this study is to identify key developmental risk factors associated with later substance use in adulthood. The survey assesses family stability and support, exposure to substance use in the home, peer substance use and pressure, academic performance, school connectedness, and impulsivity-related traits. Participants also report lifetime and recent substance use behaviors. It is hypothesized that lower family support, higher exposure to peer substance use, and greater academic stress will be associated with higher levels of adult substance use. Additionally, lower school connectedness and higher impulsivity are expected to predict increased substance use risk. Peer influence is expected to be the strongest predictor among the developmental categories examined. Data will be collected using a survey to examine relationships among variables. Findings from this study may contribute to prevention efforts by identifying early-life risk factors that can be targeted in school and family-based interventions. Understanding developmental risk factors of substance use may improve early identification and reduce long-term substance related harm.

40. [DOCUMENT NOT PROVIDED]

Ayna Arif
[University not stated in document]

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41. Measuring Self-Concept and Its Relationship with Math Avoidance and Math Anxiety Among Secondary and Post-Secondary Students

Anthony Nguyen
Wesleyan University

Self-concept - one's perception of themself - and its interplay with math avoidance - one's tendency to avoid doing math-related activity - and math anxiety - one's fear/stress while doing/thinking about math - have been relatively underrepresented in modern research. This exploratory study consisted of the construction and administration of a survey instrument that uses 5-point Likert scales to measure math avoidance, math self-concept, and math anxiety in secondary and post-secondary students. After administering the survey with a convenience sample of 46 high school and college students (aged 18-22), the survey proved to be an internally consistent tool, showing excellent reliability in measuring self-concept (α = .841) and math anxiety (α = .805) and moderate reliability in math avoidance (α = .632). The findings of this exploratory study showed that self-concept plays a significant role in predicting math anxiety (b = -.295) and math avoidance (b = -.3325). After controlling for self-concept, math anxiety lost significance (p = .242) in predicting math avoidance. This suggests that a student's perception of themself is associated with their engagement in and stress levels relating to math-based activities and that self-concept may play a more central role over math anxiety in predicting math avoidance.

42. From Necessities to Nightlife: Historical Mapping of the St. Mary's Strip

Sophia Gonzales
Trinity University

Today the St. Mary's Strip is well known for being a famous music corridor in San Antonio, but what did the street look like before the entertainment developments? As a part of the St. Mary's History Project, my project will focus on creating a digital map that traces changes of the businesses and residences along the St. Mary's Strip. Using the city directories, we created a database of the businesses and residences along the St. Mary's Strip between 1950 and 2000. Local newspapers such as the San Antonio Express, San Antonio Light, and Trinitonian were then used to fill any gaps. This information has been organized into a StoryMap project using Knightlabs to create an accessible public history resource. Each map marker includes a short description of the businesses and links to newspaper clippings collected. Preliminary results show that earlier businesses along the St. Mary's Strip included hardware stores, barbershops, laundromats, ice houses, service stations, grocery stores, and other establishments that catered to the daily needs of local residents. By contrast, businesses in the 1980-1990s reflected an emphasis on entertainment and nightlife with venues like the White Rabbit, Playa Santa Maria, The Mix, Joeys, and more.

43. Bread, Bodies, and Borrowed Beliefs: Is the Regulation of Food a Technology for Directing both the Body and its Sense of Historical Consciousness?

Lisa Zealey
University of Texas at Arlington

This project examines how the regulation of bread in Israel has functioned as a technology for shaping both bodily experience and historical consciousness. Using ethnographic analysis, it traces how state narratives, children's educational materials, and food policy helped turn bread into a symbol of national belonging. The study argues that bread isn't a neutral staple but rather a political object through which cultural narratives have been normalized in everyday life. The biological component argues that food regulation and inequality can become embodied through diet, scarcity, and long-term effects through bodily experience. The example of pita is particularly useful because it shows how a shared regional food can be folded into competing claims of authenticity and ownership, even though its history spans multiple nations. The main finding contends that food regulation did more than control access to calories: it helped shape what people are compelled to remember, value, and accept as common sense. Future research should compare bread in other countries to see how similar processes of identity-making and exclusion operate in different contexts.

44. Cybersecurity Awareness Levels among Minority-Owned Small Businesses: Obstacles and Opportunities

Omarian Hughes
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater

Small businesses are among the most frequent targets of cyberattacks, yet minority-owned small businesses face an even steeper challenge. They deal with the same growing threats while carrying heavier financial and structural burdens than their counterparts. The central problems this research addresses are that minority small business owners may not be fully aware of the ongoing cyber risks targeting them, and even when they are, real barriers stand in the way of delaying responses. This study asks two questions: Are minority small business owners aware of the most common cyberattacks? And what is preventing them from protecting their businesses? This research matters because minority-owned businesses are a vital part of the American economy, and a single cyberattack can shut down an organization permanently. Using a survey-based design methodology, data were collected directly from minority small business owners to measure their awareness levels and identify the obstacles they face. Early findings suggest that limited budgets, lack of cybersecurity training, unequal access to capital, and low awareness of free government resources are the biggest barriers. These results point to a clear need for targeted outreach, affordable training programs, and policy changes that account for the unique challenges faced by minority business owners. Future research should increase the sample size and explore community-based solutions to close this gap.

45. Making it Out: Geographic and Social Departure as a Condition of Black Success in American Film Narratives

Terri Alise Mims
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater

American film frequently portrays Black success through narratives of geographic and social departure, in which Black protagonists leave their families, hometowns, or predominantly Black communities to achieve upward mobility. Although narratives of Black success frequently involve geographic and social departure, existing scholarship has not conceptualized departure as a unifying ideological framework. This study asks: To what extent do film representations of Black success rely on narratives of geographic and social departure from predominantly Black communities? It synthesizes scholarship on Black media representation, Black geographies and migration, and respectability politics to examine how these perspectives collectively shape representations of Black achievement. Using a qualitative design, the study will recruit 10–20 Black young adults, ages 18–25, through social media to participate in a focus group screening of a film in which a Black protagonist's success is tied to leaving home or community. This case provides a focused context for examining a broader narrative found across American film. Focus groups will capture participants' interpretations, while Critical Discourse Analysis will examine how meanings of success, mobility, and belonging are constructed in discussion. The study anticipates participants will identify tensions between upward mobility and community belonging while recognizing departure as a recurring narrative of Black success. By conceptualizing departure as a unified ideological framework, this study extends scholarship on Black media representation and offers a framework for examining how film constructs cultural understandings of Black achievement, mobility, and belonging.

46. Safe Housing As a Path to Stability For Systematically Marginalized Teen Moms

Taveon Thompson
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater

Safe and supportive housing provides more than shelter, it creates stability that can improve educational, economic, and health outcomes for young mothers and their children. Although previous research has documented the challenges associated with teen pregnancy and the benefits of supportive housing programs, limited research has explored how supportive housing shapes the lived experiences and perceived opportunities of systemically marginalized teen mothers during pregnancy and early parenthood. Understanding these experiences is important because housing instability often intersects with broader systemic barriers that affect long-term success. The purpose of this qualitative study is to explore how access to supportive housing influences the experiences and perceived opportunities of systemically marginalized teen mothers. This solution-based research will also inform the development of a community initiative that aims to provide supportive apartment-style housing and services for young mothers. This study will utilize a qualitative research design by examining existing literature and conducting structured interviews with two participants whose experiences reflect differing levels of access to supportive housing. Interview responses and literature will be analyzed to identify common themes related to housing stability, access to resources, and opportunity. The findings are expected to provide insight into the role supportive housing plays in promoting stability and expanding opportunities for systemically marginalized teen mothers. Future research will build upon this study by conducting a larger body of interviews to further examine the relationship between supportive housing and positive outcomes.

47. International Interventions

Susana Pulido Figueira
The University of Texas at San Antonio

Since the end of the Cold War, international interventions in civil wars and authoritarian crises have produced strikingly inconsistent results: some have ended mass atrocities and enabled durable political transitions, while others have prolonged violence or left fragile states no more stable than before. This paper asks why some interventions succeed while others fail, arguing that the answer depends on the interaction between two factors rather than either alone. Specifically, it hypothesizes that the effect of intervention type, military versus non-military, unilateral versus multilaterally authorized, on outcome is conditional on conflict severity: non-military, multilaterally authorized interventions are expected to produce more successful outcomes primarily under conditions of low-to-moderate severity, while under conditions of extreme severity, intervention type is expected to matter less, since urgency overrides the type of intervention used. Drawing on liberal institutionalism and constructivism, this paper proposes a focused comparison across post-Cold War interventions to test that interaction and applies it in preliminary form to NATO's 1999 intervention in Kosovo, coding intervention type and conflict severity across the mission's distinct phases. The case offers preliminary support for the hypothesis: intervention type mattered comparatively less during the acute, high-severity crisis phase than during the lower-severity, multilateral consolidation phase that followed. The paper concludes by outlining a comparative case set, including East Timor, Libya, Syria, and the UN mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo, selected to vary deliberately across both intervention type and severity, needed to test whether this interaction holds beyond a single case.

48. Alterations in perineuronal net and microglia plasticity is associated with alcohol use disorder susceptibility

Ava Heydat
Baylor University

Alcohol use disorders (AUD) is a pervasive issue affecting about 400 million people worldwide, necessitating a better understanding of its neurobiology. Furthermore, understanding the neural mechanisms of individual variation in AUD susceptibility is vital for improving and creating new treatment options. In this study, heterogeneous stock rat brains were acquired from the Alcohol Biobank at the University of California San Diego to assess neuroplastic adaptations associated with high versus low AUD vulnerability. We examined differences in two markers of synaptic plasticity, perineuronal nets (PNNs) and microglia, following abstinence and context reinstatement in brain regions that contribute to drug seeking behavior (prelimbic cortex, PrL; infralimbic cortex, IL; ventral pallidum, VP). PNNs are a network of proteins within the extracellular matrix that wrap around the somas and proximal dendrites of neurons acting to stabilize existing connections by restricting plasticity. Results show alcohol experience enhances PNN density in the PrL and IL, however, VP density decreases following context reinstatement only in vulnerable AUD rats. Microglia, the primary macrophages in the central nervous system, can affect synaptic plasticity when in a reactive state. Findings indicate alcohol experience decreases microglial branching in the PrL, with analyses currently underway for context reinstatement. Together, these findings suggest PNN and microglia neuroplasticity are affected by alcohol and likely contribute to ongoing consumption. Notably, VP plasticity appears to be uniquely contributing to drug seeking in vulnerable AUD rats. Overall, these results indicate changes in non-neuronal regulators of synaptic plasticity contribute to AUD.

49. The Homeschool Experience

Dymaia Hadnot
Lamar University

Statement of the Problem: What do homeschoolers actually do all day? There is little academic knowledge about how homeschoolers are educated and how they fare after entering higher education. This research is a step in bridging that gap.

Research question: How do homeschool graduates feel about their education?

Why is this research critical? To give those who are curious about homeschool a fuller view of the life of homeschool. And inform using real experiences instead of statistics and stereotypes.

Method: A qualitative, semi-structured interview method was used as the research design. The data is stored in a secure, password protected file, seen only by the researcher and her mentor. Confidentiality is maintained by the use of pseudonyms.

Procedures: IRB approval was obtained from the university for the study. A recruitment flyer was posted on social media platforms, forwarded to others through snowball recruitment and personal contacts. Demographic data was collected thorough the interviews.

Data Analysis: Qualitative design is used following a thematic analysis (Braun & Clarke, 2006). To avoid including unconscious preconceptions, the bracketing method of writing memos is used (Tufford & Newman, 2010).

Results: Preliminary analysis found the following themes: education, homeschooling's positives, homeschooling's negatives, curriculum, social disadvantages, conventional education disadvantages, conventional education advantages, and educational outlook among others.

Future Directions: Themes will be continually defined until the final results are reached. This research will be written up for the McNair conference and possible publication.

50. Exploring Mother–Daughter Relationships and Their Influence on Young Adult Women's Emotional Well-Being

Nevaeh Kennedy
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater

Mother–daughter relationships significantly influence emotional development, identity formation, and coping across the lifespan. This study examines the proposition that the quality of young adult women's relationships with their mothers, including communication patterns and emotional support, influences their emotional well-being and coping strategies. Although previous research has explored intergenerational trauma and family experiences, limited research has focused on how young adult daughters interpret and describe the impact of maternal relationships on their emotional development. This study will utilize a mixed-methods survey design incorporating quantitative Likert-scale questions and qualitative open-ended responses. Participants will reflect on their relationships with their mothers, communication experiences, perceived emotional support, coping behaviors, and family patterns. Quantitative responses will be analyzed through descriptive statistics, while qualitative responses will be examined for recurring themes. Expected results suggest that young women who perceive their mother–daughter relationships as supportive and emotionally connected will report stronger emotional well-being and healthier coping strategies. Participants may also identify communication styles and emotional patterns passed across generations. This research contributes to understanding intergenerational trauma by centering young adult daughters' experiences and identifying factors that promote resilience and healthier family relationships. Future research should examine how culture, family structure, and social support influence intergenerational emotional patterns.