Within the last decade, the entirety of society has seen a growing acknowledgement of the importance and subsequent lack of cultural equity in all areas of life. Nowhere is this more illustrated than in the not-for-profit arts sector. This case study of a local performing arts organization, the Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra, examines how principles of […]
B10: Behavioral Effects of N,N,N-Trimethyltryptamine and Possible Receptor Mechanisms
In the McMurray Lab, we study the behavioral and molecular effects of hallucinogenic drugs on serotonergic systems, namely the 5-HT2a receptor. Common antipsychotic drugs and hallucinogens used for mental health treatment are known to bind to the 5-HT2a receptor, and activation of this receptor is believed to lead to a downstream improvement of behavioral and […]
B09: Indicators of Hepatic and Renal Health after Psychedelic Treatment in Rats
Clinical trials on the use of psilocybin (PSL) to treat depression are promising, but still in preliminary stages. Additionionally, they are confounded by the presence of hallucinations, which may not be necessary for its clinical effectiveness, but create challenges when designing experiments. Results from our lab have also indicated potential antidepressant efficacy for a number […]
B07: Choice Modeling Framework: Snack Food Decisions Among College Students
Humans face many choices in healthy living with food choices being vital in a healthy diet. Decision makers must consider a variety of attributes and options when deciding. We investigated college students’ preferences for 16 common snack foods; the snacks ranged in health, taste, convivence, familiarity, and satiation. We looked at two 50/50 “grab bag” […]
B06: The Effects of Involvement on Student Success and Feelings of Belonging at Miami
The study we conducted observes the correlation between engagement in Student Activities, and Academic Success. We did this study as part of the Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences scholars program (HASS), which focuses on exposure to Undergraduate Research. We gathered data on the different social, academic, religious, and hobby organizations that students are involved in, […]
B05: The Impact of Belonging to Minority-Based Organizations on Minority Stress Experiences in College
Minoritized students are exposed to additional unique stressors due to the systematic devaluation of their identities in the broader climate. Indeed, students holding minoritized identities (vs. those who do not) report higher levels of mental health concerns. Institutions of higher education often provide a range of resources to support students in their individual growth. One […]
B03: Connecting Marginalized Communities to Amenities: Evaluating Lake Shore Drive Crossings on the South Side of Chicago
The South Side of Chicago has long been the site of systemic disinvestment and larger populations of color than both the broader city of Chicago and the Chicago metropolitan area. The South Side of the city is separated from the shore of Lake Michigan and its amenities by a substantial linear geographic barrier- Lake Shore […]
B02: Improving Predictive Power with Pre-Tuned Principal Component Regression: A Case Study
Linear regression is a commonly used approach to discovering associations between variables in various fields. Least squares method is a prominent approach to estimating unknown regression coefficients, with ordinary least square (OLS) estimates being the best linear unbiased estimate (BLUE). The existence of the inverse of the gram matrix in OLS is essential for obtaining […]
B08: Effects of GASP-1 Protein on Binge-like and Aversion Resistant Drinking in C57 Mice
In the RAD lab, I currently work as an Undergraduate Research Assistant, where we look at the neural pathways involved in addiction. In this study, we look at the effects of knocking out a gene found in the X chromosome in female and male rodents. Previous studies have shown that female rodents drink more alcohol […]