The Russian invasion of Ukraine has revealed an apparent disunity in Europe. This was evident during a June 2022 study abroad program in Lithuania, where Ukrainian flags and “Slava Ukraini” were everywhere, compared to Germany where only a single Ukrainian flag was seen. Lithuanian politicians and advisors would constantly bring up the conflict and their […]
B13: Effects of Morphine Withdrawal on FMOR Mice
Due to problems caused by the opioid crisis in the United States, it is necessary to find solutions for both prevention and treatment of opioid abuse. This study looks at manipulation of the FoxP2 gene in regards to changes in withdrawal symptoms with the opiate morphine. This was done by removing the mu-opioid receptors from […]
B12: How Difficulty With Accessing Healthy Foods in Shelters Contributes to Diabetes Among Homeless Adults
As the homeless population continues to increase, it is important that we pay attention to how people are being affected by certain illnesses, such as diabetes. During my time volunteering at the Refuge of Hope shelter for homeless men in Canton, Ohio, it was very apparent that the homeless population is getting hit hard by […]
B11: Sense of Belonging in Undergraduate Students at Miami
This study, conducted by the HASS scholars program, focuses on students’ sense of belonging in university throughout four years. To understand what affects this, we broke it down into possible factors. We sent a survey with our questions through social media to students at Miami University of Oxford, Ohio and received 50 responses. The survey […]
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 […]