Fall 2024 Exhibition: Book of Abstracts
The Undergraduate Research Exhibition, presented by the Office of Undergraduate Research, is a biannual, in-person event in which students showcase original research, scholarly projects, and creative works. Following the event, the Â鶹ÊÓƵ community and the general public can view projects via this online archive.
Seven students took part in the Fall 2024 event on November 20, 2024. .
Scroll to view all projects or use the alphabetical list of links by student researcher last name to view their project topic, abstract, poster, and/or creative work. Click on an image to display the larger version.
Exploring Student Experiences with the Tutoring Services at Eastern Florida State College’s Melbourne Campus: A Qualitative Study
Student Researcher: William Fleckenstein
Mentor: Gary Hrezo
Abstract: This study explores student engagement with Â鶹ÊÓƵ's (Â鶹ÊÓƵ) tutoring services to address the significant gap in formal research on academic support. Eight students from the Academic Success Center participated in semi-structured interviews comprising 10-12 open-ended questions to share their experiences. Analysis of the transcripts revealed that students are generally satisfied with tutoring sessions, valuing tutors who encourage critical thinking and create a comfortable environment for asking questions. However, participants expressed a need for increased availability of math tutors during peak times and highlighted minor confusion regarding the TracCloud scheduling feature. These findings suggest that enhancing tutor availability and providing clearer guidance on scheduling tools could improve student satisfaction. By addressing these areas, Â鶹ÊÓƵ can enhance the overall effectiveness of its tutoring services.
Program to Promote Self-Efficacy and Self-Confidence for College Students
Student Researcher: Chloé Poirier
Mentor: Robert Caruso
Abstract: Self-efficacy and self-confidence is a crucial part of a student's well-being. Our previous study provided an initial baseline assessment of the levels of self-efficacy in Â鶹ÊÓƵ students. Students were randomly selected to participate in the study, completely voluntary, and asked to answer 9 questions taken from the social, emotional, and academic self-efficacy questionnaire. Our findings showed that in comparison to academic and social self-efficacy, there were prominent levels of uncertainty in relation to emotional self-efficacy. Additional research was then taken to determine categories for self-efficacy. These findings led us to the development of a self-efficacy workshop that aim to improve students levels of self-efficacy and self-confidence. Students will be equipped with the knowledge to identify and conquer areas in which they desire higher levels of self-efficacy.
Vitamins B1, B6, and D3 Levels in Shelter Pets; Improving Pet Adoption Success by Connecting Behavior to Nutritional Needs
Student Researcher: JoSea Scalzi
Mentor: Ashley Spring
Abstract: Nearly a million lost, abandoned, and homeless cats and dogs are killed each year at animal shelters in the United States. Common reasons reported for pets arriving at a shelter include behavior problems, such as aggression, fear, and anxiety. This research proposes that shelter animals displaying negatively perceived behaviors (anxiety, aggression, and other reactive responses) are deficient in key dietary vitamins of B1, B6, and/or D3. These vitamin levels are being measured in hair samples from 15 cats and 15 dogs collected by petting (a non-invasive and non-stressful method) and analyzed with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and High Pressure Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Results are predicted to support the hypothesis that animals with the lowest levels of B1, B6 and D3 were correlated with observed negative behaviors. Supplementation with deficient vitamins may improve behavior and success rates of adoption and rehoming.
Can We Cure Ice Cream Pains?
Student Researchers: Cassalynn Staats and Joseph Adely
Mentor: Jim Yount
Abstract: Lactose intolerance, the inability to digest lactose due to lactase enzyme deficiency, affects a significant portion of the global population. While short-term treatments are available, the long-term impact of lactose intolerance and its treatment strategies on mouse small intestine epithelial cells remains underexplored. This study aims to provide insights into the efficacy of the treatment method through the quantitative analysis of the production of lactase enzymes before and after treatment. This study will be using media collected from mouse cell culture to perform a quantitative analysis of lactase enzyme activity before and after treatment. This study treats 3 cultures with a novel gene therapy using the Adeno-associated viruses (AAVs) as the vector. This gene therapy has been reported to increase lactase production to lactose-tolerant levels for at least a month. Three days after treatment, the culture media will be observed daily for one week to quantify the lactase enzyme activity through an enzymatic assay. We anticipate a sudden increase in lactase production after initial treatment. To quantify the change we intend to use Matched-Pair analysis. After this pilot study, we intend to follow up with a long-term study on the effects of the lactase treatment on the mouse cells and the rate at which the cells return to baseline.
Observing OTC NSAID Toxicological Induction of Reversible Infertility in C. elegans
Utilizing Sperm Velocity and Reversal Frequency to Calculate Recovery Percentage
Student Researchers: Emma Turner and Twisha Bhattacharyya
Mentor: Eyualem Abebe
Abstract: Approximately 30 million people consume OTC NSAIDs on a daily basis, NSAIDs themselves comprising 60% of the analgesic market. However, chronic consumption of NSAIDs are associated with a multitude of detrimental effects, including renal, gastrointestinal, and cardiovascular deterioration. However, the reproductive effects of NSAIDs remain minimally researched with few studies published on its adverse effects. Specifically, however, one topic of research concerning OTC NSAIDs’ effects on the reproductive system involves the phenomena of reversible infertility.
Few studies have specifically focused on NSAID-induced reversible infertility and few solutions guaranteeing majority functionality of the reproductive system, especially in women. However, an identified unconventional F-series PG synthesis has been analyzed where these unorthodox PGs are associated with spermatogenesis functionality within C. elegans. This novel PG pathway is also abundant in mouse and human ovarian follicular fluid. Thus, a correlation with unconventional COX-independent pathways in C. elegans and mammals will assist the research community in developing a broader understanding of the overall effects of NSAID induced reversible infertility.
The results of the experiment will show that if P1 generation male Caenorhabditis elegans are exposed to a fixed concentration of ibuprofen within a closed environment, then the sperm velocity of the male C. elegans observed in mating with hermaphrodites will decline, the reversal frequency will increase with escalated observations in chaos, and there will be an increased recovery percent change after 48 hours of exposure to NSAIDs than compared to that of 24 and 0 hours of exposure to NSAIDs.
Visit the Undergraduate Research Exhibition main page for information about the next event.