The coronavirus SARS-CoV-2–more commonly known as COVID-19-is a viral pathogen first introduced to the United States in 2020. COVID-19 is a highly infectious disease that attacks the respiratory system along with other organ systems. Due to the high mortality and morbidity rates associated with the virus, understanding and discovering a successful vaccine, and attention to […]
C55-P: Alcohol Behaviors Relating to Environmental Factors, Drinking Games, and Comfort Among College Students
In the United States, drinking alcohol is a threat to college students’ health. Several factors predict problematic alcohol consumption including participation in drinking games (i.e., a way to socialize while consuming alcohol in a competitive manner). The participation of college students in drinking games at house parties may be increasing due to the COVID-19 pandemic. […]
C46-P: Cytokine Storm and Blood Clotting Among Coronavirus Patients
This group project was an assignment for the BIO 203 W Introduction to cell Biology course. Different groups were tasked with obtaining information about body systems affected by the SARS-CoV2 virus that causes COVID-19. Our group investigated the onset of a cytokine storm in the body which contributes to blood clots. Due to the emphasis […]
C51-P: Systolic Blood Pressure and Other Potential Variables as Indicators of Gait Speed in Older Adults
BACKGROUND:Â Aging is associated with the decline in physical function and mobility, including usual gait speed. Decreasing gait speed is associated with increased mortality, morbidity rates, as well loss of independence. Thus, identifying predictors for declining gait speed is of clinical importance. Interestingly, previous literature has reported an association between declining rates of gait speeds and […]
C53-P: Associations Among Prescription Medication Use, Depressive Symptoms, and Physical Activity in Older Adults
Prescription medication use and polypharmacy (use of multiple medications to treat one ailment) have nearly doubled over the past two decades. Literature indicates that individuals who are depressed spend more time participating in sedentary behavior and individuals with polypharmacy are at higher risk of becoming depressed. Studies examining the relationship between the three variables (prescription […]
C54-P: Risky Behaviors and Drinking Habits Among ROTC Students, Student-Athletes, and Students with Merit Scholarships
Binge drinking (a male drinking 5 or more drinks in one setting and a female drinking 4 or more drinks in one setting) has become very common in young adults that go to a 4-year college. Binge drinking is linked to higher levels of injuries, sexual and physical assaults, higher criminal activity, unprotected sex, missing […]
C47-P: Production and Purification of Savinase Protease from B. subtilis
Protease enzymes are widely utilizing in industry in laundry detergents to break down proteinaceous stains as well in pharmaceutical and food industries. A particular serine protease called Savinase shows promise for usage in high pH detergent solutions due to its broad substrate specificity. In this study we aim to produce and characterize recombinant Savinase made […]
C48-P: Distinguishing Between Cellular Respiration and Oxidative Stress Using Autofluorescence Spectroscopy in a Tissue-like Background
My project involves using laser autofluorescence spectroscopy paired with spectral phasor analysis, a biophysical technique, to distinguish metabolic changes in yeast cells. I have specifically focused on measuring changes associated with reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH), which are metabolic cofactors associated with cellular respiration and oxidative stress, respectively. Their […]
C49-P: The Nature of Disaster: The Effects of Natural Disasters on Climate-Related Behavior Depends on Individuals and Political Beliefs
Sustainability psychology focuses on the determinants of pro-environmental behaviors, attitudes, and beliefs. An important question is how emotions and morality lead to behavioral outcomes, as it provides insights on how to best promote pro-environmental behaviors. In this study, we focus on how exposure to awe-inducing stimuli and an individual’s moral ideology influences pro-environmental behavioral outcomes; […]
C50-P: Associations Among Diet and/or Exercise Intervention on Cardiometabolic Risk Factors
Cardiometabolic risk refers to a set of risk factors that increase the likelihood of experiencing vascular events or developing diabetes. Risk factors (CRFs) include but are not limited to hypertension, dyslipidemia, smoking, obesity, inflammatory profile, and ethnicity. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of diet and/or exercise intervention on cardiometabolic risk […]