2025 Honors College Research Symposium

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  Book of Abstracts: 2025 Honors College Research Symposium

  Honors College, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University

  This booklet contains the collection of research abstracts presented at the 2025 Honors College Research Symposium, held on April 17, 2025, at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. The symposium highlights original undergraduate research across disciplines including science, engineering, humanities, health, education, business, and agriculture. The publication documents the scholarly contributions of Honors students through both oral and poster presentations.

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  Analyzing Healthcare Provider Availability and Chronic Disease Prevalence in Rural Areas

  Avani Cavin and Laquanda Leaven Johnson Ph.D.

  Rural community residents face significant healthcare disparities, particularly in chronic diseases like obesity and diabetes. Limited healthcare provider availability may contribute to these health challenges, potentially exacerbating poor health outcomes. This study analyzes healthcare provider availability and its relationship to chronic disease prevalence in rural vs. urban North Carolina and Alabama counties. Using data from outpatient facilities and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), this research examines disparities in healthcare provider density, diabetes rates, and obesity prevalence. Results show rural counties have lower provider availability per 10,000 residents and higher chronic disease rates. Diabetes prevalence is 11.1% in rural vs. 10.2% in urban areas, with greater variability in rural regions. Obesity follows a similar trend, with rural prevalence at 35.2% vs. 32.5% in urban areas. Alabama shows comparable disparities, with even higher obesity rates. Provider availability further underscores these gaps. Rural provider density is 0.00096 per 10,000 residents vs. 0.00289 in urban areas. This pattern persists in Alabama. This highlights the urgency of addressing healthcare access gaps. Future research will explore HIV and overdose rates, along with age distribution, unemployment, income, and broadband usage to understand socioeconomic influences on chronic disease. This study aims to inform policy discussions on improving healthcare access in underserved rural communities..

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  Awareness of Diet and Disease Among African American Women

  Destyni Seberry and Kalynda C. Smith Ph.D.

  Chronic diseases such as heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, and cancer are closely linked to diet. However, many individuals rely on familial teachings rather than formal nutritional education, shaping their health perceptions and dietary behaviors. Understanding how Gen Z African American female college students perceive these links is crucial for developing effective health interventions that address cultural and generational influences. This study investigates how health messaging on social media influences the behaviors of African American women. This poster explores how Gen Z African American female college students understand the relationship between diet and chronic disease, the sources of their nutritional knowledge, and the challenges faced in adopting healthier eating habits. A qualitative research approach was employed, using semi-structured interviews to examine participants’ awareness of diet-related health risks, sources of information, and behavioral adaptations. Data were analyzed thematically to identify key patterns in their perceptions, attitudes, and decision-making processes regarding nutrition and health. Participants identified family health history, media, healthcare professionals, and personal experiences as primary sources of dietary information. While some actively attempted to adopt healthier eating habits, others struggled to overcome generational dietary patterns. Emotional, financial, and cultural ties to traditional foods posed significant barriers to sustained change, often reinforcing unhealthy habits. Findings highlight the need to enhance nutritional education beyond familial teachings and develop targeted interventions supporting sustainable, health-conscious decisions. Breaking unhealthy generational patterns requires culturally relevant strategies integrating scientific knowledge and community support systems to promote long-term dietary improvements.

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  Beauty versus Health: African American Generation Z Women Social Media Habits

  Kaylee Harper and Kalynda Smith Ph.D.

  Over time, Black beauty standards have been ignored by mainstream culture. Movements within the Black community have highlighted these ideals, continuing online as Black Generation Z (Gen Z)women use social media to celebrate their appearances. Current research explores how socialmedia impacts health-related behaviors but does not fully study the unique experiences of young Black women. The overall study aimed to understand how social media influences and contributes to health behaviors of Black Gen Z women. This specific presentation prioritizes both beauty and health behaviors impacted by social media. The sample included 35 Black women aged 18 to 25 years old from a large-scale Historically Black University. During interviews, participants were questioned on their social media consumption and how it impacts appearance and health conversations. While the broader study focused on health, the results illustrated Black Gen Z women seek more beauty-based content than health-based content on social media which highlights desired body types, clothing, make-up, hair, and nail styles. However, the participants still view nutrition and fitness content on social media platforms. The findings suggest that participants engaged in more appearance-based behaviors rather than health-based behaviors after viewing social media content. When participating in health behaviors, participants focused on actions that enhance or maintain their appearance. In future research, beauty messaging likely can be a powerful tool to disseminate health information which can subsequently decrease the rising rates of obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease observed within Black women.

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  Black EpiSTEMologies: Advancing Racial Equity for Black Students in STEM

  Joanna Ali, Loydmilla dosReis, Arielle King, Kenya Freeman, Amaya Jeffers, and Ivor Daly

  In the current climate of increasing anti-Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies, the educational landscape for Black students, particularly in STEM fields, faces significant threats. This research, grounded in qualitative data from focus groups with 75 Black undergraduate STEM students provides insights into how Black students persist despite systemic barriers within STEM spaces. To analyze the experiences of Black undergraduate STEM students, we employed a latent, inductive thematic analysis to uncover systemic barriers embedded in their narratives. Grounded in a theoretical framework that centers Black epistemologies, Intersectionality, BlackCrit, and Afrocentric and Diasporic thinking, our work challenges reductive approaches to understanding Black student experiences. These frameworks affirm the value of Black ways of knowing and being, providing a foundation for addressing systemic inequities and fostering the imagination, ingenuity, and inspired inquiry needed in Black education spaces. Our findings reveal that Black students navigate oppressive policies by drawing strength from critical support networks, a sense of belonging, family, purpose, and faith. These factors serve as counter-narratives to deficit-oriented discourses, highlighting the resilience and agency of Black students in STEM. Using our theoretical framework, we interpret these findings to emphasize the importance of creating Black Education Spaces that affirm Black identities and provide the cultural, emotional, and intellectual support necessary for Black students to thrive. This study not only informs our understanding of Black STEM students’ persistence but also guides the development of strategies to support Black students in K-12 and beyond.

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  Broken Foundation: Generational Trauma and Systemic Neglect in Black Families

  James C. Toon Jr.

  This research examines the generational cycles of instability within Black families, mainly focusing on children who lack a stable support system. Many Black children grow up in environments where one or both parents are absent due to incarceration, substance abuse, or domestic instability. Often, caregiving responsibilities fall to grandparents who have faced similar hardships, perpetuating a cycle of trauma. This study explores how these patterns contribute to childhood exposure to drugs, crime, and systemic neglect. A key aspect of this research is adultification bias, where Black children, especially Black girls, are perceived as more mature than their white counterparts. This bias results in harsher treatment, reduced empathy, and fewer necessary interventions. Additionally, this study examines the harmful stereotyping of Black youth as combative or inherently “grown” when engaging in survival-based behaviors, leading to institutional neglect. Another critical component is the failure of child welfare systems, particularly the reintroduction of predators and sex offenders into the homes of vulnerable children. This study aims to advocate for policy reforms prioritizing Black children’s safety and well-being by exposing these systemic shortcomings. Using qualitative and quantitative research methods, this study incorporates interviews, case studies, and statistical analysis to examine child welfare practices, incarceration rates, and socioeconomic impacts. The findings will illuminate the underlying causes of generational trauma, challenge harmful societal biases, and propose community-based solutions to disrupt these cycles. Ultimately, this research seeks to inform policy and promote systemic change to create safer, more supportive environments for Black youth.

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  Crisis Communication Role in Influencing Student Perceptions of Safety on Campus

  Madison Solomon, Jyanne Guide, and Bryce Graham

  Crisis communication plays a crucial role in shaping student perceptions of safety. Universities across the nation have leveraged new digital communications to alert students in times of emergency, but there are persistent concerns about the timeliness and clarity of these messages, and discrepancies in crime reports. Previous research suggests that delayed and cryptic messages stimulate anxiety, while clear and timely communications foster trust. Building on previous research, we propose a study that inspects the influence of campus safety communication, especially the frequency, channel, and clarity of messages, on students’ perception of safety on North Carolina A&T’s campus. By using archival data, we will examine the number of emergency alerts sent each month and the reported crimes on campus to study how closely they align. Next, we will conduct a survey among A&T students to gauge their engagement with campus safety communication, whether digital or in-person, their perceptions of safety on campus, and their levels of trust in the university. Through this approach, we hope to discover whether more frequent messages through various channels correlates with heightened levels of trust and perceived levels of safety. Our findings from this research will offer new insights for the best practices for emergency and crisis communications and increasing student trust in our university’s safety measures. Our results will provide practical guidance for designing strategies for improving safety communication to cultivate an informed and secure student body.

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  Development of CRISPR-Integrated Amplification-by-Polymerization for Detection of Salmonella

  Mekeeda Judah, Korin Murray, Deshae McCoy, Peng He, Tom Kasputis, Juhong Chen, and Mac Michael Rubio

  Salmonella is listed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as one of the most common foodborne pathogens and it is a bacterium to trigger symptomatic infections with experiencing diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps. Genomic DNA from Salmonella as a target analyte can be used for assay development, verification, and validation in monitoring Salmonella contamination to secure food and food supply chain safety. The technology of Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR) is a gene editing tool acting as precise molecular scissors to cut a target sequence. He et al. developed an “Amplification-by-Polymerization (AbP)” in biosensing technique based on effective mass growth upon biomolecular recognition using reversible-deactivation radical polymerization reactions and successfully demonstrated direct visualization of DNA, protein, and other biomarkers via AbP processes. This interdisciplinary collaborative research is aimed at developing a novel CRISPR-integrated Amplification-by-Polymerization method to detect Salmonella for human health and food safety protection in a CRISPR-Cas12a and biosensing-based, rapid, sensitive, label-free, PCR-free, and detector-free fashion.

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  Development of CRISPR-Integrated Amplification-by-Polymerization for Detection of Salmonella

  Korin Murray, Makeeda Judah, Daeshe’ McCoy, Daniel Boamah, Tom Kasputis, Juhong Chen Ph.D., and Peng He

  Salmonella is listed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as one of the most common foodborne pathogens and it is a bacterium to trigger symptomatic infections with experiencing diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps. Genomic DNA from Salmonella as a target analyte can be used for assay development, verification, and validation in monitoring Salmonella contamination to secure food and food supply chain safety. The technology of Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR) is a gene editing tool acting as precise molecular scissors to cut a target sequence. He et al. developed an “Amplification-by-Polymerization (AbP)” in biosensing technique based on effective mass growth upon biomolecular recognition using reversible-deactivation radical polymerization reactions and successfully demonstrated direct visualization of DNA, protein, and other biomarkers via AbP processes. This interdisciplinary collaborative research is aimed at developing a novel CRISPR-integrated Amplification-by-Polymerization method to detect Salmonella for human health and food safety protection in a CRISPR-Cas12a and biosensing-based, rapid, sensitive, label-free, PCR-free, and detector-free fashion.

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  Differential Expression of MMTV Gene Sequences in Tumors of European and African Ancestry

  Danielle Warner, Kristen Ellis, Perpetua Muganda, and Christopher Doss

  The Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) phenotype constitutes a group of the most heterogeneous tumors. These tumors are clinically aggressive with poor survival rates, lack targeted therapy, tend to be resistant to chemotherapy, and have a high risk of relapse. They account for 15-25% of the breast cancer cases in tumors of African ancestry, resulting in a 40% higher mortality rate. Mouse Mammary Tumor Virus (MMTV) is a retrovirus known to induce mammary tumors in mice by integrating its genetic material into the host genome. In some studies, MMTV-like sequences have been detected in human breast cancer tissues, including TNBC. The differential expression of MMTV genes across diverse ethnic groups could provide insight into the pathogenesis and health disparities associated with TNBC. Utilizing the Galaxy platform for genomic analysis, we could visualize and quantify gene expression in the two groups. We found the differential expression of MMTV (gag, env and sag) genes in TNBC of EA and AA. Expression of the MMTV genes was observed in hotspots. The main gag gene hotspot was predominant in 80% of tumors of African ancestry, as compared to 60% of tumors of European ancestry. The primary env gene was predominant in 60% of the tumors of African ancestry, as compared to 20% of the tumors of European. The primary sag gene hotspot was predominant in 60% of African ancestry tumors, as compared to 20% of European ancestry tumors. It is possible that differentially expressed MMTV genes play a role in pathogenesis and health disparities associated with TNBC.

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  Digital Science Notebooks and Their Role in Measuring Metacognitive Skills of Elementary School Students

  Zenai Randle

  As the United States strives to remain competitive in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), a higher emphasis is being placed on equipping students with strong critical thinking skills and the ability to translate content-knowledge into innovative solutions. In science education, where inquiry and problem solving are foundational, metacognitive thinking plays a crucial role in bridging the gap between theoretical concepts and practical application. Students who develop strong metacognitive skills can better navigate scientific principles, critically evaluate their understanding, and refine their approaches to experimentation and analysis. Given the significance of these skills, it’s essential to explore effective strategies that enhance students’ metacognitive processes, ensuring they engage deeply with scientific learning. One approach is the use of digital science lab notebooks, which provide a platform for recording scientific observations and encourage students to reflect on their thought processes. My research question, “How well do digital science lab notebooks measure a student’s metacognitive skills in comparison to other methods of assessment in elementary school?” investigates whether these digital tools foster a deeper understanding of scientific concepts. Using multimodal discourse analysis, I will analyze students' responses in their Arduino Digital Science Notebooks to determine if they promote metacognitive processing. The study examines two fifth grade classes, a sample size of approximately 20 students, who will take pre- and post- assessments to measure content knowledge and complete metacognitive awareness surveys. While results are preliminary, I predict that digital lab notebooks will enhance students’ metacognitive skills by promoting reflection and active engagement.

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  Disparities in Delivery of Hypofractionated Radiotherapy in Underserved Populations

  Joshua Sokeye, Brock O'Neil, Nicole Murray, Joshua Horns, Jonathan Chipman, and Gita Suneja

  Cancer is the second leading cause of mortality in the United States and it is estimated that 50% of all people diagnosed with cancer require radiotherapy as part of their treatment. Shorter radiation courses, or hypofractionation, use larger doses per fraction, reducing the overall duration of a radiotherapy course. In this study, we investigate whether there are currently disparities in hypofractionation delivery to underserved populations that would influence withholding novel payment policies catered to supporting these patients. We hypothesize that cancer patients from racially and ethnically minoritized, rural, and low socioeconomic backgrounds are less likely to receive hypofractionated radiotherapy than other populations. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) claims data from 2016-2018 was used for patients treated with radiotherapy for any of 14 cancers included in a proposed novel payment model, the Radiation Oncology Model. Models were then created from the 14 cancer types we analyzed over 4 exposure levels. We found that minority and low socioeconomic status (SES) patients were just as likely to receive hypofractionated radiotherapy across most cancer types, compared to high socioeconomic status patients. These findings suggest an urgent need for value-based payment models like the Radiation Oncology Model, which incentivizes hypofractionation. Limitations of the study were that the study had a retrospective nature with a focus on the data and models occurring before 2018. Future studies should look into the potential faults in the current fee-for-service (FFS) payment model.

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  Economic and Environmental Factors Influencing Double Cropping Acreage in North Carolina

  Walter Hand III and Lyubov Kurkalova Ph.D.

  Double cropping—the practice of growing two crops sequentially on the same plot within a single growing season—can enhance land productivity, increase food supply, and improve economic returns for farmers. Understanding the key drivers of double cropping, such as crop prices and climate conditions, is essential for optimizing agricultural strategies. This study examines the economic and environmental factors influencing double cropping acreage in North Carolina, with a focus on soybean prices and dryness levels. Using the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) USDA Cropland Data Layer (CDL), statistical models were developed to assess the significance of soybean prices and dryness levels on double cropping acreage. The results indicate that, collectively, soybean prices and dryness levels significantly influence double cropping acreage. However, an overly dry summer and land dryness alone do not have a statistically significant effect. By analyzing statewide trends, this study enhances the understanding of how farmers respond to market conditions and climate variability. These findings provide valuable insights for policymakers and agricultural stakeholders to support decision-making that optimizes farm productivity and sustainability.

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  Examining the Involvement of Yap in N-Glycan Branching Mediated NSPC Fate Bias

  Tyra Dennis, Laura Tennis, and Lisa Flanagan Ph.D.

  NSPCs are multipotent and give rise to the three main cell types in the brain: astrocytes, neurons, and oligodendrocytes. These cells come together to form the complex circuits and structures that make us who we are. Previous work in the Flanagan lab found that the sugar GlcNAc affects the fate of neural stem cells. How GlcNAc regulates NSPC fate remains unknown. However, recent work has shown that GlcNAc treatment appears to promote nuclear localization of Yap, indicating that Yap might be involved in how GlcNAc affects NSPCs fate bias. To assess our research question, we knocked down Yap in mouse NSPCs using siRNA. Immunocytochemistry was then used to identify our cells of interest by staining for known markers of mature neurons. Using fluorescence microscopy we were able to visualize and magnify our stained cells. After completing neuron quantifications, we found no clear effect of Yap siRNA treatment on neurogenesis with or without GlcNAc treatment. We noted interesting neuronal morphologies in Yap siRNA and GlcNAc-treated samples. Regenerative stem cell therapies offer promise as they can be applied to ameliorate deficiencies caused by traumatic brain injury, stroke or neurodegeneration. However, current Neural Stem and Progenitor Cells or NSPCs transplantation therapies would be more efficacious if they were optimized to allow for controlled fate bias of transplanted NSPCs, as different diseases require different compositions of the transplanted NSPC pools. Throughout this project, I explored whether the transcriptional protein Yap is involved in how the sugar GlcNAc affects NSPCs fate bias. Results from this project will contribute significantly to our understanding of NSPC differentiation and brain development and may yield novel targets for improving NSPC transplantation therapies.

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  Exploring Black Women’s Perceptions of the Body Positivity Movement

  Zakiyah Tafari-Thompson and Kalynda Smith Ph.D.

  The Body Positivity movement was created to encourage self-acceptance and inclusivity across all body types, encouraging individuals to embrace their bodies regardless of shape, size, color, gender, or ability. Black women, in particular, have been drawn to this movement, often through the influence of celebrities. The overall study aimed to understand how social media influences and contributes to health behaviors of African American Gen Z women. This current presentation aims to understand Black women’s perceptions of the Body Positivity movement. Participants included 35 African American women, ages 18 to 25, attending a historically Black university. Interviews examined participants’ recognition of body positivity posts, demographics of the creators behind these posts, and the impact of these posts on Black Gen Z women. While most participants were aware of the Body Positivity movement, many noted that its creators are not always Black women, contradicting the movement’s commitment to inclusivity and reducing its impact on their demographic. Participants also questioned the underlying messages conveyed in these posts. The findings highlight a lack of representation of Black women within the Body Positivity movement, raising questions about its continued relevance among Black Gen Z women. A limitation of this presentation is the sample size, as all participants were from a singular HBCU. Future research should include Black women from multiple HBCUs and predominantly white institutions to explore varying experiences. Overall, these findings suggest a need for more inclusive representation and meaningful engagement within the Body Positivity movement.

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  Fresh Food Markets Combats High Food Insecurities in Southeastern Region

  Chinyere Iheme and Shona D. Morgan Ph.D.

  This research project investigates food insecurity, defined as the lack of consistent access to sufficient, nutritious food. Food insecurity remains a significant issue across the southeastern region of the U.S. and the country at large. Studies show that food insecurity rates in some southeastern states exceed the national average, highlighting disparities in access to fresh, nutritious food. Fresh Food Markets (FFMs) serve as a potential solution to improve food access; however, their functionality and efficiency face key operational challenges. This study focuses on data collection issues, accessibility limitations, and logistical inefficiencies that impact the effectiveness of FFMs. In this study we analyze the demographic composition and travel patterns of individuals who visit FFMs in the southeastern U.S. to understand how effectively these markets serve local communities. We collect data through surveys conducted with FFM visitors. The data includes household characteristics, income ranges, and market locations. Using Tableau, we visualize the geographic distribution of FFMs and their visitors. We estimate travel distances using general location references such as intersections and landmarks. Household and travel distance data reveal demographic and accessibility differences among FFM locations. Location_1 has a higher concentration of multi-generational households, while Location_2 serves more families with children. The median travel distances ranged from 2.7 to 5.6 miles, suggesting variable accessibility across sites. This study underscores the importance of tailored strategies in FFMs placement and transportation. It also reveals a need for improved data systems and future study will explore tech-based solutions to increase access and efficiency.

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  Health Social Media’s Influence on Gen Z African American Women

  Aniyah Hamlin and Kalynda C. Smith Ph.D.

  Social media platforms often serve as sources of community and culturally relevant health information, providing accessibility to healthy lifestyle choices. This study explored the health and fitness messages that Generation Z (Gen Z), African American female college students encounter on social media, aiming to understand how these messages influence health behaviors and can inform culturally tailored health interventions. Data collection occurred in two phases, the first involved interviews with 35 participants about their perceptions of health messages on social media, while phase 2 investigated 19 participants' eating and fitness habits. All participants attended a large historically Black university. Qualitative analysis revealed three recurring themes: fitspiration, exercise, and nutrition awareness. The fitspiration theme highlighted motivational content promoting fitness and body positivity linked to specific health goals, while exercise involved actual engagement in physical activity. Nutrition awareness explored the influence of social media trends on dietary choices and nutritional knowledge. The findings suggest that social media provides health information to Gen Z African American women, particularly when they actively seek it out. However, it remains unclear whether the sporadic nature of health information encountered casually can have a long-term impact on health behaviors. Limitations of the study include the sample of college students, which may affect their engagement with social media and response to health-related messages. Future phases of the study will include quantitative data collection to assess whether social media messages lead to changes in health behaviors.

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  Hip Mobility in an African American Population in a Collegiate Setting

  Christian Smith and Portia Williams

  Hip mobility is physiologically defined as the hip joints’ ability to go through the various ranges of motion available at the joint. The objective of this study was to compare goniometric measurements of the dominant hip ranges of motion (ROM) in an African American collegiate setting. The total combined sample of the study was n = 78, which comprised 24 males and 54 females. The times of day were also taken to understand if that impacted the dominant-side hip range of motion. Active ROM were measured for the dominant hip using a manual goniometer. A Pearson r correlation was used to compare time of day and gender. This study showed a statistically significant moderate correlation between time of day and hip flexion in females and time of day and hip extension in males. The results present some evidence that gender and time of day can have some effect on the dominant hip ROM. Future studies can explore muscle performance in patients with balance deficits in the older populations. More studies can also be done to test if hip flexion and extension, along with abduction, adduction, internal rotation, and external rotation influence sports injuries. Sports injuries are the types of injuries that most commonly occur during sports or exercise, usually occurring in the athletic population.

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  Improving Stability of Scramjet Combustion via Hydrogen Fuel Injection

  Anaya Brown and Wesley Harris

  Supersonic combustion ramjets, also known as scramjets, are a variation of jet engines designed to efficiently operate at speeds around Mach 5 and above. These engines produce great amounts of thrust, however the amount of turbulent energy involved in the combustion process could be inhibiting the engines fullest potential. It is already proven that hydrogen is the optimal fuel for scramjet combustion, with it producing the right amount of thrust while having minimal ignition requirements. However, hydrogens' high reactivity produces instability within the combustion chamber, seen as turbulent waves and excessive hot spots up to 3000 K. Using reduced order modeling, reactions were observed with varying air speeds from Mach 1 to 3. Simulations in Ansys Fluent showed that despite there not being drastic increases in temperature, vorticity and instability rose significantly with an increase in Mach number. Turbulence kinetic energy also increased as Mach number increased, however the paths and reactions stayed fairly the same with only a bit of expansion. As expected, the intensity of the turbulence kinetic energy is highest right at the injection point due to the immediate reaction between air and the liquid hydrogen.

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  Investigating The Cell Killing Mechanism During dGTP Starvation

  Faith C. Dee, Niketa Bhawsinghka, and Roel M. Schaaper

  E.coli possess a unique enzyme, deoxyguanosine triphosphohydrolase (dGTPase) whichhydrolyzes dGTP into deoxyguanosine (dG) and triphosphate. This enzyme, a homologue of human SAMHD1, is thought to play a role in DNA fidelity because the deletion of its encoding gene, dgt, has a mutator effect. Interestingly, a mutant dGTPase enzyme (M9) was found to be more active than the wild-type enzyme and when M9 overexpression was induced in E. coli strain BL21-AI, a few hours post-induction severe cell death was observed. We hypothesize that overexpression of M9 results in dGTP starvation, which decreases the intracellular dGTP concentration. To investigate this toxic effect, cells were stained with DNA specific fluorescent dyes, DAPI and Hoechst, and visualized using confocal microscopy. Results indicate induced cells exhibited increased size and reduced DNA compaction. The nucleoid of the cell was compromised, and cells lost their DNA. TUNEL assays showed an increase of DNA breaks in induced cells. Overall, results suggest that induction of M9 leads to DNA degradation and loss of integrity potentially contributing to cell death. Understanding this mechanism could aid in advancing our knowledge on the impacts of mutations on genome fidelity and could also be exploited for an antibiotic alternative in the context of rising antibiotic resistance. Further investigation is required to understand how induced dGTP starvation results in cell death.

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  Investigating the Role of Moringa oleifera in NF-kB Inhibition in T Cells

  Hayla Scott, Joshua Hayes, Tahani Alamin, and Radiah C. Minor

  Nuclear Factor of kappa B (NF-κB) is implicated in many diseases and is a target for therapeutic interventions. Many anti-inflammatory pharmacological drugs are derived from plants. Moringa oleifera or the “miracle tree” has health benefits. Moringa extracts have been shown to inhibit inflammatory responses in macrophages through a mechanism involving NF-κB. Moringa also impacts T cell function, but whether it inhibits NF-κB activation in T cells is unknown. Our lab is interested in characterizing the impact of Moringa oleifera on T cells. To specifically investigate the impact of Moringa on NF-κB activation in T cells, we will culture Jurkat E6.1 T cells [5x10 6 cells/ml] in complete RPMI pre-treated with ethanolic Moringa extracts (MOE) [0%, 0.5%, 1%, 2.5%, and 5% w/v] for 1 hour. Cells will be stimulated with anti-CD3 and CD28 [1 mg/ml] for 15, 30, and 60 min. Nuclear and cytosolic extracts will be assayed by Western blotting to assess NF-κB activation. Data from this study will contribute to gaps in knowledge related to how Moringa impacts the function of T cells, key component of the adaptive immune responses; ultimately contributing to the growing knowledge of how Moringa oleifera serves as a promising therapeutic alternative.

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  Investigation of the Diverse Factors That Shape One's Digital Identity

  Skye Williams and Brandis Phillips Ph.D.

  This study examines the validity of digital native and digital immigrant labels by analyzing factors that shape digital identity, including socioeconomic status, ethnicity, financial motivations, and job requirements. We explore how technology integration varies across generations and how access to advanced technology impacts individuals. Our research investigates whether people primarily use their mobile devices for entertainment, skill development, or work-related purposes. We first launched a pilot survey after IRB approval to collect data. Participants uploaded screenshots of their weekly screen time reports to Qualtrics, capturing average screen time, time spent on different app categories (e.g., Social, Utilities, Entertainment, Finance, Games), and their most frequently used apps. Pilot findings indicate that participants averaged 7–8 hours of screen time per week, with social media apps such as TikTok and Instagram accounting for the highest usage, while utilities like Calendar and Mail had the lowest. We anticipate age demographics will influence app usage, with individuals under 30 primarily engaging with entertainment apps and those over 40 prioritizing work-related functions. Screen time and app usage are expected to fluctuate between weekdays and weekends, with productivity apps more active during the week. Some participants over 30 were unfamiliar with screen tracking, highlighting a potential gap in digital awareness. These findings emphasize how individuals prioritize mobile device usage, demonstrating the centrality of leisure and quick interactions in digital behavior. Understanding these patterns contributes to digital literacy discussions and informs conversations on technology’s role in education, work, and personal development.

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  Molecular Level Understanding of Epitope Binding Mimicry Leading to Onset of Type 1 Diabetes (T1D)

  Joshua Wilkins, Julio C. Facelli, Ryan Gardner, Sejal Mistry, and Ramkiran Gouripeddi

  Molecular mimicry, where foreign and self-peptides contain similar epitopes, can induce autoimmune responses. Identifying potential molecular mimics and studying their properties is key to understanding the onset of autoimmune diseases such as type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). Previous work identified pairs of infectious epitopes (EINF) and T1DM epitopes (ET1D) that demonstrated sequence homology; however, structural homology was not considered. Correlating sequence homology with structural properties is important for streamlining translational investigation of potential molecular mimics. This work compares sequence homology with structural homology by calculating the structures and electrostatic potentials of 35 pairs of epitopes identified in previous work. For each epitope pair, the root mean square deviation (RMSD) was calculated between their predicted structures, and their electrostatic potentials were compared. Structures were predicted using AlphaFold and I-TASSER. A structural match of EINF and ET1D pairs was considered successful if the RMSD was < 1.5 Å. AlphaFold found a 76.5% success rate and I-TASSER 82.35%. Of the pairs that could not be structurally matched (< 3 residues aligned), AlphaFold found four unique pairs, and I-TASSER two. Both agreed on four structurally unmatched pairs. Despite structural differences, these four EINF/ET1D pairs show similar electrostatic distributions, indicating they may still bind to the same protein targets, major histocompatibility complex molecules, for T1DM. These findings suggest that searching for epitope pairs using sequence homology, a much less computationally demanding approach, leads to strong candidates for further study.

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  Navigating Nutrition: Exploring Dietary Management and Nutrition Awareness Among Generation Z African American Women

  Ashara Perry and Kalynda Smith Ph.D.

  Dietary management and awareness plays a crucial role in one’s overall health and well-being, although individuals often struggle with maintaining healthy eating habits despite their awareness of nutritional guidelines. This is especially true for African American women who are at risk for type II diabetes and cardiovascular disease. This study aims to gain a deeper understanding of young women’s confidence in dietary management and their knowledge of nutrition. While participants demonstrate confidence in selecting healthy foods, they may lack in-depth knowledge of specific nutrients, which could influence the overall quality of their dietary choices. The study utilizes qualitative data from a sample of 19 Generation Z African American HBCU college students who provided insights into their eating habits, food choices, and nutritional knowledge. Findings indicate that most participants feel confident in their ability to choose healthy foods, but lack the extensive knowledge regarding dietary fats and nutrition to support their healthy habits. A common theme is an emphasis on moderation and making healthier substitutions among those who are motivated to make changes. However, participants also express challenges in maintaining consistent healthy habits. While participants demonstrate a strong awareness of healthy food choices, gaps in their nutritional knowledge highlight the need for further education. This suggests that while general dietary management skills are present, deeper understanding of specific nutrients could enhance long-term dietary decision-making. Addressing these gaps through targeted nutritional education could improve not only food selection but also the overall quality and balance of participants' diets.

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  Optimizing Focused Ultrasound-Based Deep Penetrating Acoustic Volumetric Printing for Minimally Invasive Bone Reconstruction

  Iylan Howson and Muna Aryal Ph.D.

  Deep Penetrating Acoustic Volumetric Printing (DAVP) is a groundbreaking technology that addresses the limitations of material choices, build sizes, and penetration depths found in light-based volumetric printing. By integrating focused ultrasound (FUS) with a viscoelastic sono-ink, DAVP allows for noninvasive, precise control of material solidification through localized heating and polymerization. Our project seeks to optimize a multicomponent sono-ink formula for minimally invasive bone reconstruction, ensuring safety and functionality within FDA MI and TI index levels of 2 and 6, respectively. We will evaluate the use of a 1.5 MHz FUS for in-vitro bone defect treatment, utilizing a sono-ink composed of poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate, agar microparticles, poly(N-isopropylmethacrylamide), APS, and hydroxyapatite nanocomposites. This formulation mimics the physical properties of natural cartilage and will be tested for its mechanical and thermal effects to ensure safe acoustic absorption and solidification. The goal is to demonstrate that the sono-ink can seamlessly bond with native tissue, establishing DAVP's potential for tissue reconstruction and regeneration. Our results will provide the foundation for FDA-approved, minimally invasive DAVP treatments for bone reconstruction, with broader applications in chemotherapy drug delivery and Left Atrial Appendage(LAA) closure, benefiting populations such as children, the elderly, soldiers, and astronauts.