Fair Participants - Fall 2026

The bi-annual Undergraduate Research and Creative Expression Fair gives undergraduates from across the University the opportunity to exhibit posters and research projects in all academic majors and fields.

The Fall 2026 Undergraduate Research and Creative Expression Fair will take place Wednesday, October 28, 2026, from 5 to 7 p.m., in the Connolly Ballroom, Alumni Hall.

Note: students can receive Outside the Classroom Curriculum (OCC) credit for attending this event.

Fall 2026 Presenters and Projects

Pitt undergraduates were invited to submit poster abstracts for the Spring  Undergraduate Research and Creative Expression Fair. While poster presentations are most common, projects presented in formats other than a poster are also included as part of the fair.

Following is a list of students participating in the fall event and their projects.They are arranged by poster presentations first, followed by PowerPoint presentations.

Info Format: 
Student Name - Project Title
Inside the dropdown: School: Major / Affiliations / Year / Research Program / Faculty/Staff Mentor / Title and Description

Posters

Lydia Aluko - Poster #1 - Computationally Investigating HLA-B*52 Mediated Molecular Mimicry Between Mycobacterial and Human Heat Shock Proteins in Takayasu’s Arteritis
 

Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences: Computational Biology 
Affiliation with Frederick Honors College and Provost Scholars
Third Year
Faculty Mentor: Mert Gur

Computationally Investigating HLA-B*52 Mediated Molecular Mimicry Between Mycobacterial and Human Heat Shock Proteins in Takayasu’s Arteritis 

Takayasu’s arteritis (TA) is a chronic large-vessel vasculitis characterized by inflammation of the aorta and its major branches and is strongly associated with the human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-B*52 allele. While studies suggest a link between Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) exposure and TA, the molecular basis of the proposed cross-reactive autoimmunity remains unresolved. Mycobacterial heat-shock protein 65 (mHSP65) shares substantial sequence similarity with human heat-shock protein 60 (hHSP60), raising the possibility that homologous microbial and self-derived peptides may drive molecular mimicry, a process wherein a foreign antigen structurally resembles a host antigen closely enough to trigger a cross-reactive T-cell response. We use a computational pipeline to characterize how homologous 9-mer peptides from both mHSP65 and hHSP60 are stabilized and positioned within the HLA-B*52 peptide-binding groove. Using all-atom molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, we evaluate the structural stability and conformational fluctuations of these peptide-HLA complexes, as well as peptide depth within the binding groove. By comparing these dynamics with those of peptide complexes containing the structurally similar, Behçet’s disease-associated HLA-B*51 allele, this study examines how minor binding-pocket differences influence peptide conformation and stability, providing a molecular framework for investigating the proposed mimicry in TA.

Aadi Balsaraf - Poster #2 - Engineering VHH-Based Antibody-Drug Conjugates for Targeted Cancer Therapy

School of Pharmacy: Pharmacy
Affiliation with Global Experiences Office
Third Year
Research Program: DIS: Study Abroad
Faculty Mentor: n/a

Engineering VHH-Based Antibody-Drug Conjugates for Targeted Cancer Therapy

Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) have emerged as a significant advancement in targeted cancer therapy; however, their substantial molecular size, limited penetrative capacity within dense solid tumors, and structural complexity continue to constrain therapeutic efficacy. Single-domain antibodies (VHHs, or nanobodies) have consequently gained increasing attention as alternative targeting scaffolds owing to their compact molecular architecture, high intrinsic stability, and strong antigen-binding specificity. Despite their therapeutic promise, the development and validation of functional tumor-targeting VHH platforms remain essential for the advancement of next-generation targeted therapeutics. Given the widespread overexpression of the target antigen across numerous solid malignancies and its comparatively restricted expression in normal tissues, we investigated this target as a candidate antigen for nanobody-based therapeutic targeting. Using recombinant expression strategies, we generated and evaluated a target-specific VHH construct and assessed its production and antigen-binding functionality. Our findings by ELISA further demonstrated the specific binding of the expressed VHH to the target antigen with minimal nonspecific background signal, confirming retention of antigen recognition capability following expression. Collectively, these findings support the feasibility of utilizing target-specific VHHs as modular targeting scaffolds for future nanobody-based drug conjugates and intracellular delivery systems, while further underscoring the broader potential of single-domain antibody platforms to overcome key limitations associated with conventional antibody-based therapeutics and improve targeting precision in oncology.

Arushi Bansal - Poster #3 - “The System is Broken”: Qualitative themes of health insurance depictions on The Pitt

School of Public Health: Public Health
Affiliation with Frederick Honors College
Third Year
Faculty Mentor: Beth Hoffman, PhD, MPH

“The System is Broken”: Qualitative themes of health insurance depictions on The Pitt

Background: In January 2026, Season 2 of the HBO Max medical drama The Pitt introduced a storyline following Orlando Diaz, a Hispanic patient with substantial medical debt and diabetes complications stemming from lack of health insurance. Building on prior research showing that The Pitt viewers discuss public health content online, this study characterized discussions of health insurance on the social media platform Reddit throughout the season.

Methods: Using RStudio package RedditExtractOR, we extracted posts and comments (hereafter ""posts”) weekly from the r/ThePittTVShow subreddit as each Season 2 episode aired. Posts were coded for relevance to medicine and public health by human coders and Claude (Anthropic). We then used R to filter posts corresponding to weeks the Orlando Diaz storyline aired for keywords related to race, personal experience, and health insurance. Flagged posts were reviewed qualitatively.

Results: Five qualitative themes emerged: (1) rationing healthcare due to costs, including delaying or avoiding care; (2) medical debt, where one user noted that “66.5% of U.S. bankruptcies are health related”; (3) the coverage gap Medicaid eligibility and private insurance affordability; (4) harm caused by insurance company denials; and (5) international viewers comparing the storyline to their own countries’ healthcare systems.

Conclusion: Reddit discussions following The Pitt’s Orlando Diaz storyline suggest it inspired discussions about real-life experiences with the U.S. healthcare system and international viewer commentary. These findings highlight the potential for medical dramas to encourage education and informed discussion around structural inequities in insurance and care access.

Rachana Bhattacharya - Poster #4 - Double Emulsion Encapsulation Prolongs TIMP-3 Release from Vaginal Extracellular Matrix Microspheres

Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences: Neuroscience
Affiliation with Frederick Honors College
Third Year
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Amanda Artsen

Double Emulsion Encapsulation Prolongs TIMP-3 Release from Vaginal Extracellular Matrix Microspheres

Introduction: Pelvic organ prolapse affects up to 50% of women over 50. Polypropylene mesh reduces recurrence but can cause inflammation, tissue degradation, pain, and exposure. Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-3 (TIMP-3) inhibits matrix metalloproteinases involved in extracellular matrix degradation and may improve mesh integration. Vaginal extracellular matrix (vECM) microspheres enable local TIMP-3 delivery, but rapid release limits sustained delivery. We hypothesized that double emulsion encapsulation would reduce burst release and prolong delivery compared with single emulsion.

Methods: TIMP-3-loaded vECM microspheres were fabricated using double emulsion and characterized by microscopy. Microspheres were incubated in phosphate-buffered saline at 37°C with mild agitation for six weeks. TIMP-3 release was quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and compared with a previously developed single-emulsion method.

Results: Single emulsion released nearly all TIMP-3 within one hour. Double emulsion yielded cumulative release of approximately 10.5% at one hour, 37.6% at three hours, 63.4% at six hours, and 82.5% at 12 hours. Release reached 89.7% at two weeks, 95.9% at four weeks, and approximately 100% at six weeks. Cumulative release differed significantly between methods at intermediate timepoints (p<0.01).

Conclusion: Double emulsion reduced initial burst release and prolonged TIMP-3 release, supporting our hypothesis. Most TIMP-3 was released within 12 hours, with additional release through six weeks. This approach warrants further investigation to limit extracellular matrix degradation and improve tissue integration in pelvic organ prolapse repair.

Zach-Elie Boko - Poster #5 - Autonomous Rover Mapping and Sensor Failure Recovery Using Computer Vision and SLAM

Swanson School of Engineering: Mechanical Engineering
Affiliation with TRIO McNair
Fourth Year
Research Program: SHREC
Faculty Mentor: Gretok Evans

Autonomous Rover Mapping and Sensor Failure Recovery Using Computer Vision and SLAM

This research focuses on developing an autonomous rover capable of spatial mapping, environmental perception, and navigation in unknown environments. The system combines YOLOv8 object detection and segmentation with Visual Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM) to identify objects, estimate the rover’s position, and construct a map of its surroundings. Initial work includes testing a pretrained YOLOv8 model on diverse terrain images and exploring datasets such as KITTI and Argoverse for autonomous navigation research. The project is progressing toward integrating cameras, sensors, and software with a 3D-printed rover. A central research objective is to investigate whether the rover can autonomously return to its starting point if its cameras or perception sensors fail during operation. The proposed approach involves recording the rover’s trajectory and evaluating recovery methods that use stored motion information and any remaining sources of localization data. Ultimately, this research aims to improve the reliability and resilience of autonomous robotic navigation in unfamiliar environments.

Nora Burns - Poster #6 - Impacts of Dietary Nitrate Supplementation on Ambulatory Blood Pressure  

School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences: Nutrition Science
Affiliation with Frederick Honors College
Fourth Year
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Benjamin DH Gordon

Impacts of Dietary Nitrate Supplementation on Ambulatory Blood Pressure  

Background: Hypertension is a leading modifiable risk factor for all-cause mortality, yet pharmaceutical treatment may not be accessible or effective for everyone. Nitric oxide (NO) is a potent vasodilator, but individuals with hypertension often have impaired endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) function, limiting NO production. Dietary nitrate, such as from beetroot juice (BRJ), produces NO independently of eNOS via the nitrate-nitrite-NO pathway and may reduce blood pressure (BP).  

Methods: Ten participants completed a crossover-controlled trial investigating the acute effects of isometric handgrip exercise and BRJ supplementation on post-exercise BP. During the second session (SHAM handgrip protocol), participants consumed two 70 mL Beet It Sport Nitrate bottles (400 mg of dietary nitrate each). Ambulatory BP over the following 24 hours was compared with baseline readings.  

Results: Paired t-tests showed no significant change in systolic or diastolic BP after BRJ supplementation. A regression, including all participants, found that baseline BP did not predict the magnitude of reduction following dietary nitrate supplementation (slope 0.09, p = 0.739). However, with the exclusion of one outlier, participants with higher baseline BP experienced greater reductions in 24-hour ambulatory systolic BP following BRJ supplementation (slope 0.41, p = 0.012).

Conclusions: Dietary nitrate supplementation did not significantly change ambulatory BP overall. An exploratory analysis suggested higher baseline BP was associated with greater reductions in 24-hour systolic BP following dietary nitrate intake, but this depended on excluding an outlier. Dietary nitrate may be more effective for individuals with higher BP, but larger follow-up studies are needed to confirm this. 

Brianna Campagna - Poster #7 - Ergonomic Adaptation: Selecting the Right Computer Mouse for Physical Disabilities

School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences: Rehabilitation Science
Fourth Year
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Elizabeth Pitts

Ergonomic Adaptation: Selecting the Right Computer Mouse for Physical Disabilities

In schools and office jobs, using computer mice is inevitable. Computer mice were originally designed to make computers more accessible to a broader audience, but they overlooked accessibility for people with physical disabilities. My research finds that different adaptive computer mice are beneficial to a wide range of demographics. This research explores the history of the computer mouse and identifies which contemporary mouse types best suit people with physical restrictions. In the future, this research will reduce the stress a computer mouse may cause for individuals with physical disabilities. 

Emily Campos - Poster #8 - Three-dimensional characterization of myelin ultrastructure in postmortem human cortex using FIB-SEM  

Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences: Neuroscience
Third Year
Research Program: Translational Neuroscience Program
Faculty Mentors: Jill Glausier, Jenesis Kozel, Matthew Maier

Three-dimensional characterization of myelin ultrastructure in postmortem human cortex using FIB-SEM  

Introduction: The dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) integrates information across distributed circuits to support executive function. Communication across circuits is facilitated by myelin, a multilayered sheath that insulates axons. Myelin structure influences the speed and reliability of signal conduction, which is coupled to energy supplied by local mitochondria. Focused ion beam-scanning electron microscopy (FIB-SEM) permits the visualization of myelin, axons, and mitochondria, allowing quantification of the structural features that influence conduction at a high resolution and in three-dimensions (3D).  However, whether these structure-function relationships are preserved in postmortem human DLPFC is unclear. To begin this investigation, FIB-SEM was used to reconstruct and quantify myelin, axon, and mitochondrial ultrastructure in postmortem human DLPFC.

Methods: Human DLPFC grey matter of a decedent with no clinical brain-related disorders was imaged using a Helios 5 CX FIBSEM with a 20nm3 isotropic voxel size (Total volume = 12.2*103mm3). Myelin sheaths were segmented and reconstructed in 3D. A subset (n=5) was randomly selected for expanded analysis, which included reconstruction of the central axon and their mitochondria. From this, g-ratio (the ratio of the axon diameter to the diameter of the total myelinated fiber), mitochondrial number and volume, and decompaction data were obtained. These measures are indicators of conduction efficiency, energetic capacity, and overall sheath health, respectively.  

Results: Myelin comprised 150um3 of DLPFC volume across 36 individually segmented myelin sheaths. Expanded analysis (n=5) revealed a mean g-ratio of 0.42nm (standard deviation of 0.016), indicating thicker myelin relative to axon size. Each axon (n=5) contained 1-2 mitochondria, for a total of 7, with an average volume of 0.22um3. Moderate decompaction (20-33% slices with fraying) was present in four sheaths, whereas one sheath was intact throughout the entire volume.  

Conclusion: FIBSEM offers high-resolution imaging that allows neuronal ultrastructure to be quantitatively and qualitatively studied to better understand the human brain. This lays the groundwork for looking at differences across diseases.  

Siheng Chao - Poster #9 - Inference of Cell Type-Specific eQTLs from Bulk Tissue Data

Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences: Double Major in Statistics (DSAS) and Natural Sciences (CGS)
Affiliation with Frederick Honors College
Fourth Year
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Chris McKennan

Inference of Cell Type-Specific eQTLs from Bulk Tissue Data

Expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs) are genetic variants whose genotypes are associated with gene expression levels and are critical for understanding how genetic variation contributes to phenotypic variation. eQTLs are typically identified using gene expression measurements from bulk tissues, which are comprised of heterogeneous populations of cell types. Consequently, eQTL estimates from bulk tissue data do not capture the effects of genetic variants on gene expression within individual cell types. Instead, they represent average effects across the constituent cell types. Given the substantial differences in cellular function, distinguishing these cell type-specific effects is essential for understanding how genetic variation influences cellular function.

To address this challenge, we developed a novel statistical method for identifying cell type-specific eQTLs from bulk tissue data. We demonstrate the utility of our approach by leveraging data from the Vanderbilt cohort of the CANOE study to identify cell type-specific eQTLs in the placenta. Compared with existing methods, our approach produces estimates that closely resemble those obtained from single-cell RNA sequencing studies. We further demonstrate the performance of our method through extensive simulations.

Truc Chu - Poster #10 - Structural Parameters as Predictors of Galaxy Quenching up to z ∼ 4 Using the JWST UNCOVER and MINERVA Survey

Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences: Astronomy and Physics
Affiliation with NASA Pennsylvania Space Grant Consortium Research Internship    
Fifth Year
Research Program: NASA Pennsylvania Space Grant Consortium Research Internship
Faculty Mentor: Rachel Bezanson

Structural Parameters as Predictors of Galaxy Quenching up to z ∼ 4 Using the JWST UNCOVER and MINERVA Survey

This study investigates the relationship between specific star formation rate (sSFR) and galaxy internal structure across a broad range of redshifts (0 > z > 4) using the observational sample from the Ultradeep NIRSpec and NIRCam ObserVations before the Epoch of Reionization (UNCOVER)survey of galaxy cluster Abell 2744 (z = 0.308), which is a JWST Treasury Program. Previous large galaxy surveys suggest a quenching process in galaxies, based on the observed bimodality in the galaxy population: elliptical galaxies exhibit little to no star formation, whereas blue spiral galaxies display ongoing star formation. Although specific evolution processes that lead to the two distinct populations are ambiguous, previous studies have found correlations between galaxy structure and star formation activity. The UNCOVER survey provides catalogs of galaxy physical properties and morphologies derived with the Prospector Bayesian inference framework. Using these catalogs, we were able to infer physical properties such as surface stellar mass density, central stellar density, Sersic index, and stellar mass of the galaxies in Abell 2744 up to z ∼ 4 and investigate their relationships with specific star formation rate (sSFR). We then analyze which parameter best shows the separation between the two galaxy populations, i.e., which best predicts quiescence. Results show that structural densities perform better at separating the two populations with a clear quiescent threshold than S´ersic index and stellar mass at z < 3. For z ≥ 4, no parameter correlates well with quiescence. We conclude that central structural densities play a large role in regulating star formation.

Jack Cignetti - Poster #11 - Ecological Validity of the AMPD Conceptualization of Psychopathy:  Testing the Psychopathy Specifier within Daily Life

Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences: Psychology
Affiliation with Frederick Honors College        
Fourth Year
Faculty Mentor: Colin Vize

Ecological Validity of the AMPD Conceptualization of Psychopathy:  Testing the Psychopathy Specifier within Daily Life

Psychopathy is a multidimensional personality disorder encompassing disinhibition, antagonism, and boldness. However, boldness has been the subject of debate regarding its importance to the disorder, including its more recent representation as the "psychopathy specifier" in the Alternative Model of Personality Disorders (AMPD). To date, prior research examining the relations of psychopathy domains to theoretically important outcomes has relied almost exclusively on cross-sectional data. The present study used ecological momentary assessment (EMA) to examine how AMPD antagonism, disinhibition, and the psychopathy specifier relate to affective and interpersonal functioning in daily life. A community sample of adults (N = 297) completed baseline trait assessments used to score the AMPD psychopathy domains and then a 14- to 21-day EMA protocol assessing negative affect (nervousness, shame/guilt, anger/frustration) and momentary interpersonal stressors. Results showed that antagonism and disinhibition were generally related to all forms of negative affect. In contrast, the psychopathy specifier generally showed a consistently negative pattern with the same outcomes, predicting lower negative affect both within and outside stressful situations, as well as lower odds of reporting momentary stressors. These findings replicate and extend evidence that boldness-related traits appear to relate to adaptive functioning in daily life, raise questions about the utility of total psychopathy composite scores, and underscore the value of EMA designs for clarifying the nomological network of the AMPD psychopathy specifier.

Aliya Delnore - Poster #12 - Task Instructions for Linguistic Judgments of Stigmatized Speech

Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences: Linguistics
Affiliation with Frederick Honors College
Third Year
Faculty Mentor: Phillip Rogers

Task Instructions for Linguistic Judgments of Stigmatized Speech

Linguistic judgment experiments have long been administered inconsistently, in that instructions will sometimes solicit judgments as to the "quality" of stimuli, sometimes as to their "probability", and so on. It has previously been demonstrated that these differences in task instructions can manifest in different patterns of responses. Particularly, it has been demonstrated in data from German and Dutch that prescriptive grammars distort naïve speakers' judgments of non-standard or disfavored speech varieties inconsistently depending on how the judgment is solicited. I present new data from French and English adding to this picture, replicating this earlier finding at a larger scale than previously demonstrated as well as showing its consistency across education, age, race, and literacy levels. I also demonstrate an interaction between stimulus modality (written versus oral) and task instructions in the French data. These results expand our understanding of the judgment task and have implications for future best practice in grammatical research.

Brenna Doty - Poster #13 - Perceived Value Similarity and Romantic Relationship Quality

Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences: Psychology
Fourth Year
Faculty Mentor: Joel Le Forestier

Perceived Value Similarity and Romantic Relationship Quality

Perceived similarity between romantic partners is related to higher relationship quality. This is particularly true for similarity in personal values. But is similarity in all types of values equally important? This study will assess the relationships between perceived similarity in 10 value domains and romantic relationship quality. For this cross-sectional study, we will recruit 415 participants in romantic relationships from an undergraduate subject pool. Participants will report on their values for 10 domains from the Portrait Values Questionnaire (i.e. conformity, tradition, benevolence, universalism, self-direction, stimulation, hedonism, achievement, power, and security), their perceptions of their partner’s endorsement of those values, and their relationship quality, measured using the Couples Satisfaction Index. We will test associations between perceived value similarity and relationship quality for each domain and whether the magnitude of these relationships is affected by value importance to the participant. We predict that perceived value similarity will be positively related to relationship quality in general, but we do not have domain-specific predictions.

Claire Ellsworth - Poster #15 - Comparative Histopathological Features of SEPN1-Related Multiminicore Disease and DNM2-Related Centronuclear Myopathy​​ 

Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences: English Literature
Second Year
Additional Presenters: Ruari Maguire (rising junior at Binghamton University and is a coauthor on the poster)
Faculty Mentor: Alan Beggs    

Comparative Histopathological Features of SEPN1-Related Multiminicore Disease and DNM2-Related Centronuclear Myopathy​​    

Congenital myopathies are rare genetic neuromuscular disorders characterized by muscle weakness, hypotonia, and structural abnormalities within skeletal muscle. Because clinical features often overlap across genetic subtypes, distinguishing these disorders based on symptoms alone can be challenging. This comparative case study examined skeletal muscle histopathology in two genetically confirmed congenital myopathies: SEPN1-related multiminicore disease and DNM2-related centronuclear myopathy (CNM). Clinical histories were retrospectively reviewed for age at onset, disease progression, complications, and ambulatory status. Archived muscle biopsy sections were examined using a Keyence BZ-X810 digital microscope. H&E and oxidative enzyme stains, including NADH, SDH, and COX, were used to evaluate disease-associated morphology. The SEPN1-related biopsy demonstrated multifocal, irregular reductions in oxidative enzyme activity across COX, NADH, and SDH staining, producing a multiminicore pattern. In contrast, the DNM2-related biopsy showed marked fiber-size variation and prominent centrally positioned myonuclei on H&E, while NADH staining revealed radial sarcoplasmic strands extending toward the fiber periphery. These findings demonstrate distinct histopathologic features in these two congenital myopathies. Identifying multifocal oxidative defects in SEPN1-related disease versus centralized nuclei and radial sarcoplasmic organization in DNM2-related CNM can strengthen clinicopathologic interpretation and support more precise disease classification.​

Evan Enwright - Poster #16 - Mapping Quasar Accretion Disks via Dual-band Photometry at Allegheny Observatory

Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences: Physics and Astronomy
Fourth Year
Research Program: NASA Pennsylvania Space Grant Consortium 
Faculty Mentor: Dr. David Turnshek

Mapping Quasar Accretion Disks via Dual-band Photometry at Allegheny Observatory

As matter falls towards a supermassive black hole, it feeds the accretion disk (AD), causing mass to orbit at higher speeds closer to the black hole. This material in turn heats up and emits light at higher frequencies due to blackbody radiation. These “bluer” regions will experience changes in accretion rate, and therefore brightness, with an observational time delay compared to the outer regions. Over the last year and a half we have been using the 24” Keeler Telescope at the Allegheny Observatory to detect and measure a discernible time lag using filters g’ (410-540nm) and r’ (540 700nm) during one of these accretion events, on a time scale smaller than has been conventionally observed before. If we can observationally constrain the AD size scale, it will allow better models of quasar ADs to be constructed and give us more insight into the structure and behavior of black holes and their ADs.

Ella Esteban - Poster #17 - Impact of Donor Variability on Proliferation and Differentiation of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Swanson School of Engineering: Bioengineering
Fourth Year
Research Program: Lehigh University's STEM-SI Program
Faculty Mentor: Tomas Gonzalez-Fernandez

Impact of Donor Variability on Proliferation and Differentiation of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Musculoskeletal injuries remain a major global health burden, driving continued interest in regenerative therapies to restore damaged tissue. Human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) are widely used in such therapies due to their capacity to differentiate into bone, fat, and cartilage lineages. However, donor-to-donor variability is a common but often overlooked factor that can influence hMSC proliferation and differentiation, potentially limiting the consistency and effectiveness of therapeutic applications. This study evaluated donor variability in hMSCs by comparing cell doubling times and adipogenic differentiation across four donors. hMSCs were expanded in T-225 flasks (Day 0), and proliferation was assessed using the alamarBlue assay to calculate doubling time. At Day 7, cells were induced toward the adipogenic lineage using a standard adipogenic differentiation medium, and adipogenic potential was quantified at Day 21 via Oil Red O staining and absorbance ratios. Results showed measurable variability across donors. Donors 1 and 2 exhibited shorter doubling times, indicating higher proliferative capacity, compared to the female donors. Donor 3 showed both a relatively short doubling time and the highest adipogenic potential, as confirmed by staining and dye quantification. Notably, the three Hispanic/Latinx donors displayed diverse proliferative and differentiation behaviors, suggesting that age and sex may also contribute to variability beyond ethnicity alone. These findings demonstrate that donor characteristics meaningfully influence hMSC behavior, underscoring the need to account for donor variability in therapeutic design. Future work should expand the donor pool to include a larger, more diverse population and assess osteogenic and chondrogenic potential to help fully characterize donor-dependent differences in hMSC differentiation capacity.

Gianna Falciani - Poster #18 - Prefrontal Cortex Basket Cells in Ethanol Seeking and Consummatory Behaviors

Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences: Neuroscience and Psychology
Affiliation with Frederick Honors College
Third Year
Faculty Mentor: Max Joffe

Prefrontal Cortex Basket Cells in Ethanol Seeking and Consummatory Behaviors

Binge drinking is a major risk factor for Alcohol Use Disorder, affecting roughly 20% of the U.S. population. Despite its prevalence, treatment options remain limited. Parvalbumin- and cholecystokinin-expressing interneurons (PV- and CCK-INs) are two distinct basket cell populations in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) that may contribute to ethanol-related behaviors. PV-INs have established roles in binge drinking, but involvement of CCK-INs is less understood. The current study utilizes in vivo fiber photometry to record calcium activity from PFC PV- and CCK-INs during free-access operant drinking. PVCre and CCKCre mice expressing GCaMP6s underwent a behavioral paradigm consisting of eight daily one-hour sessions of 20% ethanol access, followed by three to four days of extinction with water, and a final session with 3% sucrose. Photometry recordings revealed intake-dependent changes in PV-IN activity. In high-intake mice, an anticipatory increase in PV-IN activity occurred before each licking bout, and a pronounced suppression occurred during ethanol consumption. This suppression weakened following extinction and re-emerged during sucrose consumption. Mice with lower ethanol intake did not show these trends, suggesting PV-IN dynamics reflect motivation and consumption level. CCK-IN activity showed an anticipatory decrease in signal followed by suppression during licking. Given that PV-INs synapse onto and inhibit CCK-INs, the increase in PV-IN activity during ethanol anticipation may suppress CCK-INs, highlighting the need for further studies examining PV-CCK circuit interactions rather than each interneuron class separately. Findings reveal real-time changes in PFC basket cell activity during binge drinking and underscore the importance of PFC interneuron circuitry in ethanol consumption.

Simon Fisher - Poster #19 - Spatial Disparities in Vaccine Series Completion in Cambodia: Assessing the Impact of Migration

School of Public Health: Public Health
Affiliation with Frederick Honors College
Fourth Year
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Haley Grant

Spatial Disparities in Vaccine Series Completion in Cambodia: Assessing the Impact of Migration

Multi-dose vaccine coverage has dropped in Cambodia despite successes in mass COVID-19 immunization. Internal migration has been identified as a key indicator of pediatric coverage, though it remains understudied. Although spatial modeling has been utilized to identify coverage gaps, migration has not been used as a model-enhancing covariate.

Using Cambodian Demographic Health Surveys data from 2021, under vaccinated proportions were estimated using combined integrated nested Laplace approximation and stochastic partial differential equation methods in R. Recent migration and travel time were included as covariates, with travel time estimated using WHO AccessMod software respectively. Counts were estimated by multiplying proportions and population maps.

Undercoverage for all four final-dose antigens (measles-rubella, polio, pneumococcal conjugate, pentavalent) was highest in rural northeastern districts (45-64%) and lowest in densely populated agricultural districts in the northwest (3-21%). Estimated incomplete series counts were highest in populous districts around Phnom Penh (1,866-4,321 children) and lowest in sparsely populated rural districts (80-181 children), despite lower coverage. Weighted correlations between observed and fitted values ranged from 0.70-0.81, indicating solid model performance. Density plots of credible intervals showed that including migration did not improve estimates; migration coefficients were statistically insignificant across models, although intervals were narrowest for MR2 estimation.

Although migration was not an informative covariate, the model effectively identified areas with low-coverage. These methods can be used for targeted vaccine planning to address geographic disparities. Limitations include the estimated migration variable, although other covariates of elevation and travel time were significant. Future research should examine additional predictors of spatial coverage to enhance estimates.

Yadira Garcia Galindo - Poster #20 - The role of splicing factors, snr-4, and Lsm-4, in age-related reproductive decline

College of General Studies: Health Service
Affiliation with TRIO McNair
Fourth Year
Faculty Mentor: Arjumand Ghazi

The role of splicing factors, snr-4, and Lsm-4, in age-related reproductive decline

Splicing dysfunction is emerging as a hallmark of reproductive aging. A PhD student in the Ghazi Lab previously identified 824 germline genes that showed age-dependent differential expression, with 580 downregulated with reproductive aging and fewer than 10 associated with alternative splicing. Further, mutations that removed function from the alternative splicing regulator tcer-1 accelerated reproductive decline.

The finding that tcer-1 removal led to diminished reproductive function motivated this project. Building on this discovery, we hypothesized that induced dysfunction of core splicing genes, snr-4, snr-6, and Lsm-4, would accelerate the onset of reproductive decline and amplify the effects of reproductive aging.

Preliminary data suggest that both genetic deletion of these factors in mutants and whole-body knockdown of these splicing factors severely decrease or eliminate live progeny production, reproductive span, and overall reproductive health in snr-6 knockout and knockdown of snr-4, and Lsm-4. 

Patty Gbor - Poster #21 - Integration of Non-Symbolic and Symbolic Numbers in Preschoolers

Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences: Psychology
Affiliation with TRIO McNair
Fourth Year
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Melissa Libertus

Integration of Non-Symbolic and Symbolic Numbers in Preschoolers

Humans process numbers through two systems: the Approximate Number System (ANS), an intuitive, non-symbolic sense for estimating quantities, and the Exact Number System, which relies on symbols like number-words and Arabic numerals. Research is split on whether these systems interact (Integration Theory) or operate independently (Estrangement Theory). Findings also vary by age. Adults show estrangement linked to stronger math performance, while 8-10 year olds show mixed results. Preschoolers (ages 4-5) remain understudied. This study asks whether preschoolers show different integration patterns depending on the task, and whether integration predicts formal math skills. Preschoolers from the Pittsburgh area (target N=45) will complete a number-symbol discrimination task and a number comparison task, followed by the TEMA-3 to measure early math ability. This study aims to fill the developmental gap between adult and school-age findings and will help clarify how non-symbolic and symbolic number systems connect during early childhood.

Abigail Goncher - Poster #22 - Evaluating Limitations of the Bone-Specific Physical Activity Questionnaire: Activity Coverage, Exercise Intensity, and Estimated Effective Load 

School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences: Nutrition Sciences
Affiliation with Frederick Honors College
Fourth Year
Additional Presenters: Alexa Barzi, College of General Studies: Natural Sciences, Affiliation with TRIO SSS and Provost Scholars
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Pouneh Fazeli MD, MPH 

Evaluating Limitations of the Bone-Specific Physical Activity Questionnaire: Activity Coverage, Exercise Intensity, and Estimated Effective Load 

The Bone-Specific Physical Activity Questionnaire (BPAQ; Weeks & Beck, 2008) estimates lifetime bone-loading exposure (BLE), or the mechanical forces experienced by bone during physical activity, influencing bone mineral density (BMD). Unlike traditional physical activity measures, the BPAQ accounts for the magnitude and frequency of mechanical loading associated with activities. Although BPAQ scores have demonstrated associations with measures of bone strength, our research involving adolescents with type 1 diabetes (T1D) has identified methodological limitations that may affect its accuracy.  

Identified limitations include incomplete activity coverage, reliance on standardized effective load ratings regardless of individual exercise intensity, and susceptibility to recall and reporting bias. Additionally, effective load ratings for certain activities are estimated using comparable movements rather than direct ground reaction force measurements.

The BPAQ requires participants to recall lifetime physical activities. In our adolescent population, participants frequently require prompting from researchers or assistance from parents to recall childhood activities. This raises concerns about recall accuracy, particularly in adult populations where more time has elapsed since childhood.

Furthermore, the BPAQ emphasizes activity frequency without accounting for individual variations in intensity or session duration, despite evidence that loading intensity influences BMD. Consequently, individuals participating in the same activity at different intensities may receive similar scores despite differences in mechanical loading. Estimated effective load ratings may introduce inaccuracies by overestimating or underestimating forces.  

Collectively, these limitations highlight opportunities to refine BPAQ scoring methods to better capture individual differences in BLE and improve the assessment of physical activity's relationship with bone health.

Valentina Gulino - Poster #23 - Vitamin B6 as a Potential Modulator of Muscle Aging: Experimental Studies and Future Directions

School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences: Rehabilitation Sciences
Fourth Year
Research Program: Bethel Musculoskeletal Research Center
Faculty Mentor: Bridget M Deasy

Vitamin B6 as a Potential Modulator of Muscle Aging: Experimental Studies and Future Directions

Age-related loss of muscle mass and strength (sarcopenia) affects an estimated 5-13% of people aged 60-70 and 11-50% of those aged 80 or older, increasing the risk of falls, fractures, and frailty . Muscle stem cells (satellite cells) maintain and repair skeletal muscle but their number and function decline with age, impairing regeneration [ref needed]. Vitamin B6 is a water-soluble vitamin whose active form, pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP), is a coenzyme in many metabolic reactions and also has antioxidant properties. Skeletal muscle holds an estimated 75-80% of total body vitamin B6, mostly as PLP bound to glycogen phosphorylase, yet the role of B6 in muscle aging is not well defined.

Observational studies in older adults link lower vitamin B6 status with reduced lean mass, slower gait speed, and poorer physical performance, and higher vitamin B6 intake with lower risk of sarcopenia and frailty [see comment]. In mice, vitamin B6 deficiency reduces satellite cell number and function, and B6 combined with nicotinamide enhances muscle stem cell expansion and regeneration during aging. In healthy young men, vitamin B6 and nicotinamide co-supplementation improved muscle repair after exercise-induced damage. Proposed mechanisms include support of amino acid and energy metabolism , reduction of oxidative stress, and modulation of inflammatory signaling.

Most human evidence is correlational, key interventional data combine vitamin B6 with nicotinamide, and trials in older adults are limited. The direct effects of vitamin B6 on aged human muscle cells have not been examined. Addressing these gaps will clarify whether vitamin B6 is a modifiable factor in muscle aging and could inform nutritional strategies to preserve regeneration, mobility, and independence in older adults.

Gella Hample - Poster #26 - The Impact of an Exercise Oncology Program On Healthcare Utilization in Adults With Gastrointestinal Cancer

Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences: Biological Sciences and Social Work
Affiliation with Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR)
Second Year
Faculty Mentor: Melanie Potiaumpai

The Impact of an Exercise Oncology Program On Healthcare Utilization in Adults With Gastrointestinal Cancer

INTRODUCTION/BACKGROUND: During active infusion therapy for gastrointestinal cancers, treatment-related toxicities such as neuropathy, neutropenia, gastrointestinal distress, and fatigue may reduce functionality and quality of life, and lead to severe symptom burden requiring unplanned healthcare intervention. Exercise has been shown to help reduce adverse events during chemotherapy and contribute to better functionality. 

PURPOSE: This study examined the effect of a telehealth supervised home exercise program (HEP) on treatment tolerance in older adults with gastrointestinal cancer receiving active infusion therapy. 

METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of older adults who were enrolled in the UPMC Moving Through Cancer Program. Patients who completed the telehealth HEP were matched to adults who declined participation in the HEP based on age, cancer subtype, cancer stage, sex, and race. Data from 44 patients (72 ± 7.0 yrs; 45.5% female; 88.1% Caucasian) with various Gastrointestinal Cancers (31.8% colon) were analyzed.  Healthcare utilization was abstracted from the electronic health record (i.e. Emergency Department visits, unplanned hospitalizations, rehabilitation referrals, treatment changes, Palliative Care contacts, and death). 

RESULTS: Participants were enrolled in the HEP for approximately 11.76 weeks. In the HEP group, 18% of adults were hospitalized during treatment compared to 41% of those who did not exercise. For those who were hospitalized, the hospital length of stay was shorter in the exercise group compared to non-exercisers (3.2 vs 26.8 days). Those who did not exercise during chemotherapy also visited the Emergency Department more frequently, with 36% requiring at least one visit, versus 27% in the HEP. Rehabilitative service referrals were more common in non-exercisers (27%) compared to HEP (4.5%). There were no referrals made to Palliative Care among the participants, but 41% of those who declined were provided with a referral. CONCLUSION: Participants of the HEP had significantly less encounters with the healthcare system during the course of the program compared to those who declined. Overall, the exercise group experienced less toxicities associated with chemotherapy, with remarkable differences in referral rates and unplanned hospitalizations.

Emily Hegedus - Poster #27 - Advertising the Writing Center and Exploring Reputation and Intention

Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences: Public and Professional Writing
Fourth Year
Faculty Mentor: n/a

Advertising the Writing Center and Exploring Reputation and Intention

Existing Writing Center scholarship largely examines what happens inside the Center, leaving the question of how Centers are perceived and represented externally mostly unaccounted for. My research interrogates how a Writing Center's advertising directly shapes its reputation and, in turn, determines whether students choose to seek out its services. This work also explores concerns around how the Writing Center and its values are perceived by outside figures, such as professors, and how this can also act as a form of unaffiliated advertising. Using the University of Pittsburgh Writing Center's Instagram presence and website language as one example, this paper acknowledges the strengths, while also highlighting the limitations of social media as a primary advertising tool. Social media offers a wider reaching method of communication, its heavy reliance on infographic style, text heavy posts can fail to convey the collaborative nature of the Center and may inadvertently betray the values of the Writing Center and reinforce misconceptions about who the Center is for. A survey of first year composition students at the University of Pittsburgh and its findings that most students felt they had a positive experience with the Writing Center suggests that replicating these experiences outside of the Center would be an ideal way to accurately advertise the Center and its services. This paper argues that in classroom visits, though more resource dependent, provide a direct personal connection that social media cannot replicate on its own. A hybrid approach allows the Center to advocate for itself as a welcoming environment and effective tool directly to students, while still leaving the opportunity to use more accessible social media advertising strategies.

Ian Herzog-Pohl - Poster #28 - Using CADD to Discover Pseudomonas aeruginosa Biofilm Inhibitors

Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences: Computational Biology
Affiliation with Frederick Honors College
Fourth Year
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Jacob Durrant

Using CADD to Discover Pseudomonas aeruginosa Biofilm Inhibitors

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a major cause of chronic infections in immuno-compromised individuals and device-associated infections due to their ability to form bacterial colonies called biofilms. These biofilms allow for evasion of antibiotic action as antibiotics can not target individual cells in a condensed bacterial environment and as resistance factors are shared amongst bacteria in the colony. P. aeruginosa biofilms are organized with a variety of extracellular molecules, and one major structural component is a functional amyloid called FapC. Our goal was to use structure-based computational methods to predict small-molecule drugs that inhibit the formation of these amyloid structures, therefore inhibiting biofilm formation allowing effective targeting of  P. aeruginosa biofilm associated infections by antibiotics. Starting with a diverse set of molecules and a cryo-EM structure of the FapC fibril, we used molecular docking to predict small molecules binding to FapC and associated binding affinities. We then took the most successful molecules and some previously experimentally validated molecules and ran a pharmacophore search to try and improve these initial hits. Overall, we found 40 potential inhibitors which can be used in combination with antibiotics to target biofilm associated infections.

Laura Irwin - Poster #29 - Flourishing in the Community

School of Social Work: Social Work
Affiliation with Frederick Honors College
Fourth Year
Research Program: BASW Research Class
Additional Presenters: Erica O'Hare, Marly Rohrer, Onyinye Ogbuachi, Nicholas Efran, Autumn Germick, Annalise Gray, Maya Patterson, Carola Petrucci; all fourth-year
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Daniel HJ Lee

Flourishing in the Community: Exploring How Human and Social Service Organizations Support Community Well-Being

Flourishing is a multidimensional concept that extends beyond the absence of illness and includes physical and mental health, relationships, meaning and purpose, and other aspects of well-being. Human and social service organizations play an important role in creating conditions that may support the flourishing of individuals, families, and communities.

Flourishing in the Community is an undergraduate social work research project examining how human and social service organizations understand and support flourishing within the communities they serve. The project focuses on School of Social Work practicum sites providing human and social services in Allegheny County. Working in small research teams, students identify a population or social issue relevant to their practicum settings and develop research questions related to flourishing and community well-being.

Students review relevant literature, conceptualize and operationalize key constructs, and develop a research design to explore their questions. As part of the research design process, students develop surveys and/or semi-structured interview guides intended for staff members at participating practicum agencies. These instruments explore organizational perspectives on community strengths, needs, resources, barriers, and factors that may promote or hinder flourishing among the populations they serve.

The project provides undergraduate social work students with hands-on experience translating research concepts into feasible community-based research designs while strengthening connections between social work research, practice, and community well-being.

Nat Kallet - Poster #30 - Hand Grip Devices to Increase Inclusivity in Sports and Recreation Activities 

Swanson School of Engineering: Mechanical Engineering
Fourth Year
Research Program: ASPIRE Program at HERL
Faculty Mentor: Jonathan Duvall

Hand Grip Devices to Increase Inclusivity in Sports and Recreation Activities 

There is currently a gap in the development of assistive tech in sports in recreation, despite its positive impact on quality of life and health. To combat this, this project aimed to develop multiple low-cost easy to assemble devices made from readily available parts such that people with disabilities would be able to construct them at home. The scope of the devices in this project focused on grip strength, to aid in playing pool and table tennis with minimal gripping force. These devices are made from 3D printed parts, bolts, and Velcro straps. Each device has an open source document containing instructions for assembly and where to obtain parts on the University of Illinois' website. The final constructed device assists people with joint pain, spinal cord injuries, or other disabilities affecting grip strength to participate in sports and recreation.

Shivani Kandula - Poster #31 - Distinct Effects of FUS, MATR3, and C9orf72 G4C2 Repeat Expansion on Motor Function and Survival in Drosophila ALS Models

College of General Studies: Natural Sciences
Third Year
Research Program: Pitt PRAM Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship
Faculty Mentor: Udai Pandey

Distinct Effects of FUS, MATR3, and C9orf72 G4C2 Repeat Expansion on Motor Function and Survival in Drosophila ALS Models

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a rare, progressive neurodegenerative disease characterized by degeneration of upper and lower motor neurons, leading to motor dysfunction, paralysis, and respiratory failure. Approximately 10% of ALS cases are familial, caused by inherited mutations. Although more than 40 genes have been linked to ALS, mutations in FUS and MATR3, and hexanucleotide repeat expansions in C9orf72, are among the most well-characterized. FUS and MATR3 encode RNA-binding proteins regulating RNA metabolism, while the G4C2 repeat expansion in C9orf72 drives pathogenesis through RNA foci formation and toxic dipeptide repeat proteins, disrupting RNA homeostasis. We investigated the effects of ALS-associated FUS, MATR3, and G4C2 repeat expansion on motor function and survival using Drosophila expressing wild-type or mutant human transgenes. The Gene Switch system, induced by RU486, enabled temporal control of transgene expression in adults; flies were treated with 5mM or 10mM RU486 to assess dose-dependent effects. Phenotypes were assessed via survival and motor function assays. ALS-associated transgene expression produced distinct effects on motor performance and lifespan. FUS and G4C2-36 repeat expansion caused the strongest, most significant declines in motor velocity relative to controls. Survival similarly declined progressively across models, with FUS and G4C2 repeat expression producing the most pronounced reductions. Western blot analysis confirmed human FUS expression in Drosophila. These findings demonstrate that ALS-associated genetic factors produce distinct but progressive impairments in survival and motor function, supporting the use of these Drosophila models to investigate ALS mechanisms and therapeutic strategies.

Aaryan Karthikeyan - Poster #32 - Combined expression of somatostatin and cerebellin4 marks a population of interneurons in the CA3 hippocampus

Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences: Neuroscience and Philosophy
Affiliation with Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR)
Third Year
Faculty Mentor: Simon Chamberland

Combined expression of somatostatin and cerebellin4 marks a population of interneurons in the CA3 hippocampus

The hippocampus is involved in episodic memory. This is enabled by computations performed by circuits of excitatory cells and inhibitory interneurons. However, inhibitory interneurons are highly heterogeneous, and new genetic targeting strategies are required to selectively and specifically target functionally homogeneous subpopulations. We developed a novel intersectional transgenic mouse line (Sst-FlpO;;Cbln4-Cre) hypothesized to provide access to a subpopulation of inhibitory neurons. Mice were bred with transgenic reporter lines to express genetically encoded fluorescent reporters or optogenetic actuators. Sst;;Cbln4-INs were visually targeted for whole-cell patch-clamp recordings and filled with biocytin for anatomical reconstruction. 

First, labelling of Sst;;Cbln4 INs using a genetically encoded fluorescent reporter revealed a subpopulation of interneurons restricted to the CA3 hippocampal region. Second, single cell anatomical reconstruction revealed axonal projections confined to the dendritic layers. Third, whole-cell patch-clamp electrophysiology revealed that these interneurons show a fast-spiking firing pattern and most enter a depolarisation block. Fourth, optogenetic circuit mapping in the CA3 hippocampus revealed that Sst;;Cbln4-INs primarily target pyramidal cells. 

Together, these data indicate that the Sst;;Cbln4 intersection selectively and specifically marks a subpopulation of understudied hippocampal inhibitory neurons. We see a possible long-range axonal projection from these cells, based on our observations that axonal branches are myelinated, some axons enter the fimbria, and the medial septum contains a large density of target axons. Thus, we hypothesise that Sst;;Cbln4 INs contribute to hippocampal-septal communication, a vital circuit for encoding of episodic and spatial memories. 

Paul Kokoska - Poster #33 - A Comparative Timeline Between the French and Haitian Revolutions 1789-1804

History 
Affiliation with Frederick Honors College
Second Year
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Pilar Herr

A Comparative Timeline Between the French and Haitian Revolutions 1789-1804

Many historians, often due to methodological restrictions, do not employ comparative evidence that may greatly influence their conclusions. This is apparent in studies of both the French and Haitian revolutions. The two occurred simultaneously and provided mutual ramifications for their respective revolutionary struggles; despite their intersections, studies of the French revolution do not always weigh the occurrences on the island colony into their research; this is likewise for the Haitian revolution, though to a lesser degree. To better analyze the two revolutions, it may be better to conceive them in conjunction. As a part of my BPhil research, I have created a comparative timeline between the French and Haitian Revolutions from the years 1789-1804 to better visualize the two as a continuing revolution. With this timeline I am claiming that the two revolutions are more intricately tied than previous historians have given them credit for.

Pari Lakhia - Poster #34 - Effectiveness of a Mindfulness Intervention on Sustained Attention

Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences: Psychology and Neuroscience
Fourth Year    
Faculty Mentor: Danella Hafeman    

Effectiveness of a Mindfulness Intervention on Sustained Attention    

Adolescents at familial risk of bipolar disorder are susceptible to reduced executive functions like sustained attention. A mindfulness intervention has been supported by the literature to improve sustained attention. Sustained attention is usually measured by the SART (Sustained Attention to Response Task), and commission errors and reaction time variability are accurate measures of SART performance. After an 8-week mindfulness intervention, there was a weak intervention effect (p<0.1) for commission error in the random SART (p=0.0503) and reaction time variability in the random SART (p=0.0618). No interaction effect was seen in commission error and reaction time variability in the fixed SART. This may suggest that the cognitive resources required to complete the random SART may improve most with the mindfulness intervention. 

David Lenard - Poster #35 - Programming the Yolk Sac to Shape Neural Morphogenesis in Human Embryoids

Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences: Molecular Biology
Fourth Year
Faculty Mentor: Mo Ebrahimkhani    

Programming the Yolk Sac to Shape Neural Morphogenesis in Human Embryoids    

How much of neural development is programmed outside the neural tissue itself? In the developing embryo, neural morphogenesis unfolds through coordinated interactions with surrounding embryonic and extraembryonic tissues. Yet many neural organoid and assembloid strategies rely on exogenous patterning cues that replace these interactions while suppressing alternative lineages. This raises a fundamental question for synthetic developmental biology: can genetic programming of one tissue reshape the architecture and identity of another?

Here, we use heX-embryoids, a human model in which yolk sac-like and epiblast-derived tissues develop together, to investigate how extraembryonic programs influence neural morphogenesis. By varying GATA6 expression in yolk sac-like tissue, we observe the emergence of distinct neural architectures alongside cell populations corresponding to forebrain, neural crest, and cranial placodal identities. Neural organization, tissue architecture, and lumen formation vary with the composition of surrounding yolk sac-like tissues, linking specific extraembryonic populations to discrete ectodermal outcomes.

This coordinated development provides an experimental framework to explore how starting cell number, geometry, and cell positioning influence subsequent tissue formation. Because yolk sac-like populations persist alongside developing neural structures, heX-embryoids also offer an opportunity to investigate interactions between emerging neural tissues and yolk sac-derived immune populations, including macrophages and microglial progenitors.

Together, these findings position the extraembryonic environment as a programmable participant in neural morphogenesis. By reconstructing neural–extraembryonic co-development, heX-embryoids provide a platform to uncover how tissues coordinate their development—and how engineering one developmental compartment can reshape another.

Kate Leshniowsky - Poster #36 - AI-Assisted Content Coding: Case Study of Relevance Coding with The Pitt Reddit Data

School of Public Health: Public Health 
Fourth Year
Faculty Mentor: Beth Hoffman

AI-Assisted Content Coding: Case Study of Relevance Coding with The Pitt Reddit Data    

Background: Social media platforms such as Reddit provide large amounts of publicly available data that can be used to examine discussions surrounding medicine and public health. However, the volume of social media content creates challenges for efficiently identifying relevant posts and comments using human coders. This study examined the feasibility of integrating human coding with AI to identify content relevant to medicine and public health within a large Reddit dataset.

Methods: Using the RedditExtractOR package in RStudio, we collected 99,651 posts and comments (hereafter referred to as posts) from the r/ThePittTVShow subreddit. Posts were extracted weekly as new Season 2 episodes of The Pitt aired. A subset of 500 posts from each week’s dataset were human double-coded for relevance to medicine or public health. The remaining posts were coded using Claude (Anthropic) with a standardized prompt referencing human-coded posts as established coding criteria. Human coders reviewed the AI output for accuracy.

Results: Claude coded posts in batches of 500. Research assistants found the process simple, with no major technical errors. Claude maintained high agreement with human coders, although review identified several instances in which Claude incorrectly coded posts as not relevant, likely because it missed contextual information that human coders could identify. No instances were identified in which Claude incorrectly coded a post as relevant. Claude also generated summaries of discussions within each batch that aligned with human coder observations.

Conclusion: Combining human and Claude coding allowed a large volume of Reddit content to be efficiently screened for relevance to medicine and public health. Future research should examine the optimal amount of human coding needed to establish criteria and support accurate AI-assisted classification, as well as whether Claude can reliably perform more complex qualitative coding.

Kaitlyn Limbaugh - Poster #37 - Diffuse and Overlapping Projections from Auditory Cortex to Superior Colliculus for Sound Localization in C57 and CBA Mice

Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences: Neuroscience
Fourth Year
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Ross S. Williamson    

Diffuse and Overlapping Projections from Auditory Cortex to Superior Colliculus for Sound Localization in C57 and CBA Mice

Sound localization in natural environments is a complex system of multi-sensory integration. The auditory cortex (ACtx) has not been shown to have an organized map of auditory space, so we look to other brain regions to which the ACtx projects to. The superior colliculus (SC) is established as a hub for sensory-guided orienting behaviors. Therefore, ACtx→SC projections are well suited to convey signals to the organized map in SC.

Head/body movements are important for sampling the auditory environment and help improve localization accuracy. In a freely moving sound localization task, both C57 and CBA strains of mouse can learn the task to an expert level using these movements, but we are unsure if the circuits by which they complete the task are the same because these animals have been shown to have different spatial responses in the SC. This motivates the hypothesis that their anatomical organization might be different. Our hypothesis is that the ACtx→SC projections overlap and diverge from the ACtx to diffuse locations in the SC, which would allow for a more complete response to stimulus information.

To answer this question, we injected three retrograde tracers (CTB-488, 555, and 647) at three rostral, middle, and caudal stereotaxic coordinates of the SC and observed the labeling of the ACtx. Preliminary results suggest that in both CBA and C57 mice, inputs to subdivisions of SC are spatially overlapping in ACtx and some individual cells diverge and project to multiple areas.

These findings help to support our hypothesis of spatially non-specific projections of ACtx to SC on the rostro-caudal axis. ACtx projects information across this axis, which helps to support the idea that these signals are more general for orienting rather than specific to a location or sound. These findings will also help to further investigate the processes of naturalistic, freely moving sound localization behaviors across different animals.

Siming Lin - Poster #38 - Identifying enteric pathogen exposures to infants living in low- and middle-income countries

Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences: Applied Statistics            
BS/MA Student    
Research Program: Iowa Summer Institute in Biostatistics
Faculty Mentor: Daniel Sewell    

Identifying enteric pathogen exposures to infants living in low- and middle-income countries    

Diarrhea is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity among infants in low- and middle-income countries. Infant exposure to enteric pathogens through soil remains high, despite investments into local health systems. Our project aimed to explore if children are exposed to Salmonella, Shigella, and E. coli, and how likely they are to be exposed to multiple of those pathogens. We analyzed data collected from soil samples in two Kenyan cities as a part of the broader PATHOME study (Baker et al., 2023). We created a spatial logistic regression model in a Bayesian framework to predict pathogen presence at geographic locations where infants interacted with soil. This was made possible through the use of geotrackers and structured observations, which recorded the time and place of specific infant behaviors (Busienei et al., 2024). Our model predicted the probability of an infant’s exposure to Salmonella and/or Shigella within a 10-hour period, comparing across cities and socioeconomic statuses. We found that on average, infants encounter at least one of the pathogens when interacting with soil and that the odds of exposure to a pathogen are higher in low-income areas than middle-income areas. Our results provide awareness to local health departments about the prevalence of enteric pathogens, allowing caregivers to make informed protective decisions for the wellbeing of their infants.

Henry Liu - Poster #39 - Characterization of Disrupted Flow on Membrane-Anchored Streptavidin

Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences: Biochemistry and Physics
Third Year
Research Program: Lehigh Physics REU    
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Aurelia Honerkamp-Smith

Characterization of Disrupted Flow on Membrane-Anchored Streptavidin    

It is well known that mammalian endothelial cells have the ability to sense and respond to flow. This response is involved in the release of NO, which regulates vasodilation, neurotransmission, control of metabolic function, and inflammation. However, the precise mechanism for this process remains unknown; past results from our group suggest the formation of protein gradients by flow-induced forces may be responsible. We have previously shown loosely bound membrane proteins are sensitive to femtonewton-level hydrodynamic forces present in blood vessels, producing gradients in response to flow (2). We can observe the same phenomena in living cells. However, cellular measurements of hydrodynamic area, the area of the protein exposed to fluid flow, are smaller than predicted values (4), even proteins whose membrane-associated structures are well known. We hypothesize this discrepancy is due to the glycocalyx, a mesh of glycolipids and glycoproteins surrounding the cell. To improve our artificial model, then, we must reproduce the shielding effects of the glycocalyx. To this end, we utilize polyethylene glycol (PEG), a simple polymer which can be embedded in lipid membranes, mimicking the disruptions to fluid flow created by the glycocalyx. The question we want to answer is: Can PEG reproduce hydrodynamic shielding observed in cells on artificial membranes?

Kate McManus - Poster #40 - Isolation and characterization of novel Klebsiella pneumoniae-targeting bacteriophages

Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences: Microbiology and International Studies
Affiliation with Frederick Honors College
Fourth Year
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Daria Van Tyne

Isolation and characterization of novel Klebsiella pneumoniae-targeting bacteriophages    

Due to the rapid increase of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, bacteriophages (phages) are currently being explored as alternative therapeutics to treat multidrug-resistant infections. As bacteria-targeting viruses, an advantage of phage therapy is its host range specificity, which relies on the bacterial surface receptor phages use to infect. However, this high specificity complicates phage therapy against Klebsiella pneumoniae infections. K. pneumoniae, a gram-negative bacterium, is a leading cause of multidrug-resistant infections in hospitalized patients. As many K. pneumoniae infections are resistant to last-resort antibiotics including carbapenems, phage therapy is an attractive alternative therapeutic method. Most K. pneumoniae-targeting phages have been reported to use the capsule as their target receptor. However, the highly diverse nature of capsules across K. pneumoniae complicates the use of phage for therapy. Additionally, bacteria can develop resistance to phages, which has previously been associated with decreased virulence, but the mechanism behind this tradeoff remains poorly understood. The aim of this project is to isolate novel K. pneumoniae-targeting phages and evaluate their host range specificity to increase the number of available K. pneumoniae-targeting phages in our library. At the same time, the mechanisms and collateral effects of phage resistance will also be investigated through the isolation of phage-resistant mutants. Preliminary screening from wastewater yielded one new phage, which was a jumbo phage with a genome greater than 250kb. 

Ava Millard - Poster #41 - Greater ADHD symptoms are associated with more problematic sleep among preschool-aged children​

Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences: Psychology and Studio Arts
Fourth Year
Faculty Mentor: Heather Joseph    

Greater ADHD symptoms are associated with more problematic sleep among preschool-aged children​    

Objective: ADHD is highly heritable, and individuals with ADHD have elevated rates of sleep problems across the lifespan. Less is known about how parental ADHD symptoms may be related to children’s sleep. This analysis examined whether household chaos and child ADHD symptoms at the preschool-age help explain the relationship between parental ADHD symptoms and child sleep problems.

Design: The sample included 128 parent-preschool-aged dyads. Parents completed measures on their own ADHD symptoms (BAARS-IV), household chaos (CHAOS), their child’s ADHD symptoms (ADHDRS-P), and their child’s sleep problems (CSHQ). A serial mediation model was tested controlling for parent gender, education, child sex, child race/ethnicity, and child age. 

Results: Higher parental ADHD symptoms were associated with greater household chaos. Parental ADHD symptoms and household chaos were associated with greater child ADHD symptoms. Child ADHD symptoms were also associated with more sleep problems. The full indirect pathway from parental ADHD symptoms to household chaos, child ADHD symptoms, and then child sleep problems were significant. Household chaos alone did not significantly mediate the relationship between parental ADHD symptoms and child sleep. 

Conclusions: Household chaos may matter for child sleep in families with ADHD symptoms, but mainly due to the child's own ADHD symptoms. The findings deepen our understanding of how parental ADHD symptoms are connected to sleep difficulties in preschool-age children.

Danny Miller - Poster #42 - Behavioral Interference and Mitigation Strategies During Intraoperative Cognitive Mapping in Awake Craniotomy

Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences: Computational Biology
Affiliation with Frederick Honors College
Fourth Year
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Natalie Sherry

Behavioral Interference and Mitigation Strategies During Intraoperative Cognitive Mapping in Awake Craniotomy

INTRODUCTION: Awake craniotomy with intraoperative mapping (IOM) seeks to maximize brain tumor resection, but the efficacy of this approach necessitates sustained patient engagement to adequately localize function. Varying types of behavioral interference can negatively affect the integrity of IOM, but these phenomena are poorly characterized in the literature. The goal of this study is to develop an initial classification framework for behavioral disruptions and to identify associated mitigation strategies.

METHODS: Retrospective mixed-methods analysis was conducted on intraoperative video/audio recordings from 39 asleep–awake–asleep craniotomies for tumor resection near eloquent cortex. Patients (mean age 46.6±16.3 years; 62% male; 90% right-handed; 77% left hemisphere tumors) were preoperatively deemed appropriate for awake mapping. Thematic analysis (n=4) was conducted to identify behavioral interference factors and mitigation strategies. Mapping success (completed vs not completed) was used as a procedural outcome, and Fisher’s exact tests examined associations with behavioral interference types.

RESULTS: Five types of behavioral interference were identified: disrupted task engagement (87.2%), speech/language errors (71.8%), behavioral/emotional dysregulation (66.7%), sensoriperceptual interference (59.0%), and seizure-like activity (23.1%). Most patients required ≥1 mitigation strategy (82.1%), and 46.2% required ≥3 strategies. Prompting/cueing was consistently applied across all behavioral interference types, representing a near-universal intervention. Mapping was successfully completed in 75.8% of awake cases; IOM failure was associated only with baseline speech/language errors (p=0.04).

CONCLUSIONS: IOM is affected by a multitude of behavioral and physiological disruptions. Identifying interference patterns and associated mitigation strategies provides an initial framework to optimize patient engagement and outcomes.

Killian Moreau - Poster #43 - Zinc Entry into Mouse Sperm is Concentration-Responsive and pH Sensitive

Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences: Biological Sciences
Affiliation with TRIO McNair, Frederick Honors College
Fifth Year
Research Program: McNair Scholars Summer Research Institute
Faculty Mentor: Anne Carlson    

Zinc Entry into Mouse Sperm is Concentration-Responsive and pH Sensitive     

Zinc is the most abundant trace element in the human body, and seminal fluid contains roughly 250 times more zinc than any other bodily fluid, at concentrations of approximately 1–3 mM. During mating, sperm are exposed to this zinc-enriched environment, and zinc is understood to be an important regulator of the fertilization process once it enters the sperm cell. However, how zinc enters sperm remains incompletely understood. To investigate this entry process, we monitored real-time zinc uptake using fluorometry on sperm loaded with FluoZin-3 AM as an intracellular zinc indicator, in a fluorescence plate reader assay. Mature mouse sperm were isolated from the cauda epididymis and vas deferens and exposed to a range of zinc concentrations spanning the physiological seminal fluid levels, alongside negative and positive controls (chelator TPEN and ionophore zinc pyrithione, respectively). Zinc entry into the sperm cell was concentration-dependent but saturable, with fluorescence plateauing at higher concentrations. This pattern points to active regulation of intracellular zinc rather than passive accumulation. Testing across a pH range of 6.5 to 8.5 showed reduced zinc entry at acidic extracellular pH and increased entry at alkaline pH. This pH dependence is consistent with a role for histidine residues, which coordinate zinc binding in ZIP (SLC39A) transporters and whose protonation state is pH-sensitive near physiological pH, leading us to hypothesize that a ZIP transporter facilitates zinc entry. in line with a role for the protonation state of the transporter. These results identify zinc entry as a concentration-responsive, pH-sensitive process under active cellular control. Future experiments will directly test this hypothesis and characterize the transporter's role in fertilization. 

Polly Naneva - Poster #44 - Characterizing and Modeling of Neural Population Activity in Bottom-up Engineered Neurite Networks

School of Computing and Information: Computer Science, DNID
Affiliation with Frederick Honors College
Second Year
Research Program: Montana State University REU
Faculty Mentor: Anja Kunze

Characterizing and Modeling of Neural Population Activity in Bottom-up Engineered Neurite Networks

Understanding how neurons communicate within geometrically defined circuits is central to uncovering how network architecture shapes neuronal function. Dissociated neuronal cultures are a common model system but typically form homogeneous networks with limited diversity, lacking the structured connectivity of in-vivo cortical circuits. Recently, it has been shown that topological patterning using microembossed agarose can reintroduce structured ensemble dynamics otherwise absent in dissociated cultures. Dissociated rat cortical neurons were constrained into defined five-microwell circuits connected by microchannels, producing varied connectivity topologies. Calcium imaging of these patterned circuits revealed that each pattern produced distinct and structured activity. Building on this, we aimed to develop a computational model that incorporates these topological constraints to better understand how circuit architecture influences the formation of synchronous calcium spiking. We constructed a pipeline integrating the Auryn spiking neural network simulator with the Lütcke calcium forward model, allowing us to control circuit connectivity, replicate each topology, and generate the resulting synthetic calcium signals. The model reproduced key features of the experimentally observed activity and indicated that circuit topology modulates the rate of synchronous calcium events.

Sai Narla - Poster #45 - Referral Patterns and Telehealth Utilization in Neuropsychological Services Across Rural, Suburban, and Urban Communities

Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences: Neuroscience
Third Year
Additional Presenter: Anna Getz, First Year
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Glen Getz    

Referral Patterns and Telehealth Utilization in Neuropsychological Services Across Rural, Suburban, and Urban Communities     

Neuropsychology is a field that examines the relationship between brain function and behavior through the assessment of cognitive, emotional, and behavioral abilities. Healthcare equity and access to neuropsychological services may be influenced by distance, town type, median household income, referral source, and telehealth utilization. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, inter-organizational practice in neuropsychology supports the utilization of video-based assessment (Bilder et al, 2020). However, it is unclear as to who utilizes telehealth options in neuropsychology. This study examines referral patterns to a neuropsychology clinic in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Specifically, it evaluates whether healthcare access and telehealth utilization differs across rural, suburban, and urban communities.  Referral data from June 2025 through May 2026 was obtained and analyzed for 292 referrals. Of the 292 referrals, 155 (53.1%) originated from urban communities, 117 (40.1%) from suburban communities, and only 20 (6.8%) from rural communities. Despite their substantially lower representation among referrals, rural referrals demonstrated a telehealth utilization rate of 30.0%, compared to 41.9% among urban referrals and 25.6% among suburban referrals. These patterns support that rural patients utilized telehealth at a rate comparable to suburban and urban patients. This supports despite the barriers that often exist in rural and urban communities for mental health care and assessment, including for neuropsychological assessment, such as available providers, distance to travel, means for transportation, and cost of travel, could be mitigated through telehealth measures. Further research is needed to understand which specific factors in the referral process contribute to the low number of referrals for people living in rural communities.

Allison Naydan - Poster #46 - Hydroponics for Sustainability: A Cost-Benefit Analysis

Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences: Economics
Affiliation with Frederick Honors College
Second Year
Research Program:Martison Applied Projects: Sustainable food production and distribution through hydroponic research
Faculty Mentor: Joaquin Rodriguez Alonso    

Hydroponics for Sustainability: A Cost-Benefit Analysis    

Food insecurity is a rampant problem throughout the United States. In fact, according to Map the Meal Gap (2024), every county/district faces food insecurity. One approach towards mitigating this complex problem is to examine the affordability of food. Specifically, food affordability can be examined through the costs that accumulate throughout the stages in food chains as an approach to examine the inefficiencies at each step. This project aims to examine the inefficiencies associated with production through analyzing the costs associated with hydroponics, a farming method that offers cost minimization by producing high yields while using significantly fewer resources than standard farming. By applying data collected from Pitt’s hydroponics system and market reports, this project models the theoretical costs a large-scale hydroponics system could incur and the potential profitability of a system in Pittsburgh. The model ultimately suggests that aspects of hydroponics greatly minimize standard costs and suggests that this system could lower food insecurity. However, this model excludes high costs such as labor and start-up costs, which are common barriers that could dampen the observed benefit. To remedy this, future research could integrate the data collected in this model with the other stages of the food chain. This would assess the viability of hydroponics in terms of a market rather than through an isolated perspective. Additionally, through this assessment, hydroponics could be compared with standard farming to more definitively determine which system better supports sustainability and the minimization of food insecurity. 

Ivan Ng - Poster #47 - In Situ Visualization of Mitochondrial Complex V in Postmortem Human and Mouse Brain Tissue by Cryo-Electron Tomography and Subtomogram Averaging

Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences: Neuroscience
Second Year
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Jill Glausier

In Situ Visualization of Mitochondrial Complex V in Postmortem Human and Mouse Brain Tissue by Cryo-Electron Tomography and Subtomogram Averaging    

The brain is among the most energetically demanding organs in the body, and in neurons, nearly all this energy supports cell-cell communication, including action potential generation and synaptic transmission. This energy is produced almost entirely by mitochondria through oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS), which depends on the electron transport chain (ETC), a series of protein complexes (Complexes I–V) embedded in the inner mitochondrial membrane. Their coordinated activity generates the proton motive force that drives ATP synthase (Complex V) to synthesize ATP. However, the structural basis of Complex V dysfunction in brain disorders remains poorly understood. Here, we used cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET) to visualize Complex V directly in postmortem human and mouse brain tissue. Cryo-ET images frozen-hydrated cellular structures at the nanometer scale by capturing a series of 2D images at fixed angular increments from −60° to 60°, which are then reconstructed into a 3D volume. Tomographic data were processed in RELION, a software package developed by STFC-UKRI, to perform subtomogram averaging (STA), a method that aligns and averages many subvolumes of the same structure to improve signal-to-noise. Unlike conventional STA, which is typically applied to purified protein preparations imaged at ~1 Å, we intentionally imaged at a lower resolution to preserve the surrounding cellular structures, allowing us to localize Complex V within its native subcellular compartment. We successfully collected tilt series and generated tomograms from mitochondria within neuronal compartments, including axonal boutons, in both mouse and human brain tissue. Within these tomograms, we identified putative Complex V particles by their characteristic "lollipop-like" nanostructure, manually picked them, and subjected them to STA. This yielded a preliminary 3D reconstruction of Complex V, revealing a smooth, blob-like density. These findings demonstrate the feasibility of cryo-ET for resolving intact nanostructures, such as Complex V, within their native tissue environment, establishing a foundation for investigating Complex V structural abnormalities in diseases.

Sumana Nori - Poster #48 - Impact of Social Determinants of Health on Longitudinal Swallowing Outcomes in Head and Neck Cancer

School of Public Health: Public Health
Affiliation with Frederick Honors College
Third Year
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Marci Nilsen

Impact of Social Determinants of Health on Longitudinal Swallowing Outcomes in Head and Neck Cancer    

Objectives: To evaluate the association between socioeconomic factors, health literacy, and longitudinal swallowing
outcomes among patients undergoing treatment for head and neck cancer.

Methods: Secondary analysis of a prospective longitudinal cohort study with swallowing assessments at baseline, 1
month, and 6 months following radiation therapy. Outcomes included FEES-DIGEST, FOIS, and EAT-10.
Mixed-effects regression models were adjusted for age, sex, radiation duration, treatment type, tumor
stage, radiation dose, and time. False discovery rate correction was performed.

Results: Higher BRIEF health literacy scores were associated with improved swallowing outcomes, including
higher FOIS scores and lower EAT-10 scores. Difficulty paying for basic needs was associated with
poorer swallowing-related outcomes, while occupation category was associated with functional oral
intake. After false discovery rate correction, occupation remained significant for FOIS outcomes, whereas
BRIEF health literacy and financial hardship remained significant for EAT-10 outcomes.

Conclusion: Socioeconomic disadvantage and limited health literacy were associated with poorer swallowing-related
outcomes following head and neck cancer treatment, supporting the importance of incorporating social
determinants of health into dysphagia management and survivorship care.

Keywords: Head and Neck Neoplasms; Dysphagia; Health Literacy; Social Determinants of Health; Survivorship

Level of Evidence: 4

Ashley Or - Poster #50 - Investigating maternal postpartum depression and ADHD on early neurobehavior development in neonates

Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences: Neuroscience, Biological Sciences
Third Year
Research Program: ABC Lab
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Heather M. Joseph

Investigating maternal postpartum depression and ADHD on early neurobehavior development in neonates​    

Postpartum depression (PPD) is a pregnancy outcome that negatively impacts maternal-infant attachment behaviors 
and thus may influence neonatal neurodevelopment. Because mothers with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder 
(ADHD) are more likely to experience PPD, children born to a mother with ADHD may be at risk for altered neonatal 
neurodevelopment. This study examines the association between PPD symptoms in mothers with and without ADHD 
and early neurodevelopmental outcomes. Seventy-eight mothers (n=21 with ADHD) reported their PPD symptoms at 
three timepoints (prenatal, neonatal, infant) using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), and the 
NeoNatal Neurobehavioral Scale (NNNS-II) was used to assess neonatal neurodevelopment. Mothers with ADHD 
reported greater PPD symptoms than mothers without ADHD at all timepoints. Greater depressive symptoms, but not 
maternal ADHD status, was associated with lower arousal-reactivity scores in neonates. Further analyses on lower 
infant arousal-reactivity linked to hinger maternal depressive symptoms could indicate an infant behavioral adaptation 
to a less responsive environment. From these results, exploring the reciprocal associations of maternal PPD and lower 
arousal-reactivity in neonates could lead to further associations with negative behavioral outcomes later in childhood. 

Kate Parker - Poster #51 - Sex Differences of Immune Response in a Preclinical Model of Depression

Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences: Psychology
Affiliation with TRIO McNair, Frederick Honors College, Provost Scholars, Kessler Scholars
Fourth Year
Research Program: TRIO McNair SRI    
Faculty Mentor: Marianne Seney

Sex Differences of Immune Response in a Preclinical Model of Depression    

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a stress-related psychiatric condition with significant clinical sex differences. Women are around twice as likely as men to be diagnosed with MDD, more likely to experience comorbidity of depression and anxiety, and more likely to experience hypersomnia and weight gain, to name a few. Additionally, preclinical mouse models of MDD show cellular sex differences in how the immune system reacts to stress. Despite this, many previous studies have used only male rodents. This project addresses this gap by investigating how microglia, the brain’s immune cells, contribute to sex-specific vulnerability to stress. We hypothesized that microglia cause increased stress susceptibility in the female mouse model and that depleting them would improve behavioral outcomes. Using a subchronic variable stress (SCVS) paradigm, which induces depressive-like behavior selectively in female mice, we tested this hypothesis by pharmacologically depleting microglia from the brain. Mice were assessed on three behavioral tests to evaluate anxiety and depressive-like behaviors. Preliminary results show effective microglia depletion and possible sex-specific effects on behavior.

Anuj Peri - Poster #52 - Healthy Aging in Homewood: Staying Connected to the Community

Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences: Molecular Biology & Sociology
Affiliation with Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR), Frederick Honors College
Fourth Year
Research Program: Summer Undergraduate Research Awards (SURA - Dietrich) & Community-Engaged Research Fellowship (CERF - FHC)
Additional Presenter: Ron Idoko 
Faculty Mentor: Quinton Cotton    

Healthy Aging in Homewood: Staying Connected to the Community     

As Pittsburgh’s population continues to age, strengthening community resources that support healthy aging and aging in place is increasingly important. This project examined social participation among older adults in Homewood, a historically marginalized Pittsburgh neighborhood where the Community Engagement Center (CEC) provides resources, programming, and opportunities for community connection. Grounded in a healthy aging framework, the study sought to identify factors that support or hinder meaningful social engagement and to better understand how the CEC could strengthen its services for older adults.

Naturalistic field observations were conducted during five sessions at the Homewood CEC to examine resident interactions, entry behaviors, program awareness, and information-seeking patterns. Observed characteristics included approximate age group, solo versus group entry, first actions upon entering, apparent purpose of visits, familiarity with the environment, and whether sought resources were available. Structured field memos documented contextual details and emerging themes, while observational data were converted into quantitative variables to support descriptive analysis.

Findings identified patterns in resident engagement and opportunities to improve programming and communication strategies. Project outcomes included a presentation for CEC staff and a narrative summary of findings. This work contributes to efforts to strengthen aging-in-place supports in Homewood and inform future programming across Pittsburgh’s Community Engagement Centers.

Izzi Petrilla - Poster #53 - Investigating the effects of Δ9-THC on reward motivation seeking behavior

Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences: Neuroscience
Affiliation with Frederick Honors College
Fourth Year
Co-author: Teneisha Myers
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Mary Torregrossa     

Investigating the effects of Δ9-THC on reward motivation seeking behavior

Introduction: Cannabis is the most widely used illicit substance in the United States. While some individuals have positive experiences, there is the risk of negative consequences such as cognitive impairments. Previous work in the lab has found that a high dose of THC (3mg/kg) prior to a working memory task leads to a subset of responders and nonresponders in a rodent model. The responders continued to meet the inclusionary criteria on the task, while nonresponders had a reduction in motivation to respond. From here, we wanted to further explore the effect of THC on motivational seeking behavior. Developing a better understanding on the effects of THC on motivation can allow for better individual choices regarding cannabis use.

Methods: 6 male and 6 female Sprague Dawley rats first trained on a sucrose self-administration task.
Rats learned to nose poke into the active ports to receive a sucrose pellet. They trained for 5 days on FR1 schedule of reinforcement and 5 days of FR3. Then rats either received a 3 mg/kg dose of THC or vehicle and performed a Progressive Ratio Task in order to explore motivation seeking, where the number of active nose pokes required for reward increased after each reinforcer.

Results: A 2-way ANOVA revealed an effect of THC on breakpoint ratio (p = 0.0052) and number of reinforcers (p = 0.0180) during the Progressive Ratio testing, driven by the males.

Conclusion: Overall, THC led to fewer reinforcers and a decrease in motivation in males. A future direction was seeing if THC has an effect on locomotor activity. To test this, rats received either 3 mg/kg THC or vehicle and then performed an Open Field Test. Analysis is currently ongoing.

Anya Pillai - Poster #54 - Lysosomal Gene Ncoa7 Deficiency Leads to High Mortality and Worsened Stroke Damage

Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences: Neuroscience
Affiliation with Frederick Honors College        
Second Year                
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Dandan Sun    

Lysosomal Gene Ncoa7 Deficiency Leads to High Mortality and Worsened Stroke Damage     

Introduction: Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) use single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with deficiency in Nuclear Receptor Coactivator 7 (NCOA7) are associated with pulmonary arterial hypertension. NCOA7 binding and modulation of V-ATPase assembly and activity regulate endolysosomal acidification, a process critical for lysosomal function and cellular waste processing. In this study, we sought to evaluate the post-stroke outcomes in Ncoa7-deficient mice by quantifying neuroinflammation, white matter damage, and lysosomal dysfunction. 

Methods: Adult wild-type (WT) and Ncoa7 knockout (Ncoa7 -KO) mice (male and female) on a C57BL/6J background were subjected to transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) to model ischemic stroke. Post-stroke neurological deficits and brain pathology were evaluated using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and immunofluorescence staining.

Results: T2-weighted MRI and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) analysis displayed worsened infarction and edema in Ncoa7 KO stroke mice than in WT stroke mice. Behavioral and motor assessments showed higher neurological deficits in Ncoa7 KO stroke mice. Immunohistochemical staining revealed earlier onset and more robust astrogliosis in Ncoa7 KO stroke mice than in WT mice. A significant reduction in lysosomal LAMP1 expression was detected in both neurons and oligodendrocytes. This LAMP1 reduction in oligodendrocytes is associated with an increased pool of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells and impaired maturation.

Conclusion: Ncoa7-deficient brains showed impaired white matter integrity in both stroke and non-stroke brains, likely due to dysfunctional oligodendrocyte maturation and lysosomal activity. These findings support further research into NCOA7 as a keystone in maintaining lysosomal function and white matter integrity after stroke. 

Walid Ahmad Rahim - Poster #55 - Trauma Surgery - 30 Day Mortality Rate

Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences: Pre-Med Neuroscience
Affiliation with Dr. Billar's Lab, Trauma Surgery
Second Year
Research Program: Trauma Surgery
Additional Presenters: Veena Mahalingam, Second Year; Quinn Wilkins, Second Year
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Upendra Kar    

Trauma Surgery - 30 Day Mortality Rate     

A reliable prediction of recovery after trauma, as early as possible, could well impact recovery prioritization in a meaningful way. In our previous study, we found that cytokines alone could predict 30-day mortality (LASSO logistic regression, AUC=0.61); we left it open to see if other biological layers would have any independent predictive signal.

We solved the patient ID linkage problem for three different omics platforms and analysed the data for 151 patients for proteomics, 194 patients for metabolomics and 369 patients for cytokines at the moment of admission. Initially, all three layers were promising with 821 of 1316 proteins identified in the differential expression test, 177 of 891 metabolites, and 1 out of 21 cytokines related to patient outcome. However, further analysis revealed that the outcome groups were not equally injured to start with, they had substantial differences in terms of both their ISS and their admission for TBI. After we statistically subtracted that out, the proteomic and cytokine signals were essentially gone, meaning that they mostly were reflective of the extent of the patient's injuries, rather than recovery.

Metabolomics had other insights. The number of metabolites that remained significant after adjustment (81%) was 144 of the 177 original ones; the most consistent group was markers of energy metabolism (N-acetylaspartate, malate, succinate, fumarate). With these validated metabolites alone, an XGBoost model achieved a test AUC of 0.88 (95% CI: 0.76–0.97) which is a significant improvement from our baseline. In particular, simple clinical parameters performed close to chance, and inclusion in the metabolomics model did not add meaningful information to the model.

These findings suggest that the admission metabolome is the most promising layer to pursue in order to predict recovery from real injury, without proteins or cytokines.

Liliia Revkova - Poster #56 - Effects of Vitamin B6 Supplementation on Human Skeletal Muscle Stem Cell Proliferation and Survival

College of General Studies: Natural Sciences
Affiliation with Bethel Musculoskeletal Research Center (BMRC)
Fourth Year
Additional Presenters: Dr. Bridget Deasy, Dr. Olena Abakumova, Jacob Harris 
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Bridget Deasy     

Effects of Vitamin B6 Supplementation on Human Skeletal Muscle Stem Cell Proliferation and Survival    

Introduction: Skeletal muscle stem cells (MuSCs) are essential for tissue maintenance and repair, and culture conditions can strongly influence their survival and proliferation. Vitamin B6 is involved in cellular metabolism and may protect cells from reactive oxygen species (ROS), but its effects on human MuSC behavior in vitro remain unclear. This project investigates whether vitamin B6 supplementation improves the attachment, survival, and expansion of human MuSCs and whether responses differ by donor sex.

Methods: Human male- and female-derived MuSC cultures were plated and maintained under control conditions or in media supplemented with different concentrations of vitamin B6. Cultures were monitored using light microscopy, cell counting, and image-based comparisons to evaluate cell attachment, morphology, and cell number. In parallel experiments, vitamin B6-supplemented and untreated cultures were exposed to oxidative stress to evaluate cell proliferation and cell death.

Results: Preliminary observations indicate that vitamin B6 supplementation has sex-specific effects on human MuSC proliferation. B6-supplemented male-derived cultures demonstrated higher cell numbers than untreated controls, whereas B6-supplemented female-derived cultures showed lower cell numbers than their corresponding controls. Under oxidative stress conditions, vitamin B6 supplementation was associated with increased cell proliferation and reduced cell death compared with untreated controls. Some cultures contained substantial numbers of floating cells, indicating cell loss and highlighting the need to optimize plating density and culture conditions.

Conclusions: These preliminary findings indicate that the effects of vitamin B6 on human MuSC proliferation may differ by donor sex. Vitamin B6 may also promote cell survival and proliferation under oxidative stress conditions, suggesting a potential protective effect against ROS. Further experiments are needed to confirm these findings, evaluate their reproducibility, and determine whether vitamin B6 influences MuSC differentiation and the expression of skeletal muscle markers.

Andrea Rivera Franqui - Poster #​57 - Trafficking Economy, an Afghanistan Case Study

Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences: Political Science & History
Affiliation with TRIO McNair, Frederick Honors College
Fifth Year
Research Program: McNair
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Sell

Trafficking Economy, an Afghanistan Case Study    

Following the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021, Afghanistan’s economic collapse and the rollback of women’s rights have created conditions in which human trafficking increasingly thrives. This project is a qualitative, desk-based synthesis of secondary sources, including peer-reviewed articles, UNICEF and UN Women reports, books, and civil-society submissions. Findings were grouped thematically by root cause and by form of exploitation. Four drivers of vulnerability emerge: economic collapse, women’s exclusion from work, a growing informal economy, and displacement. These conditions expose women, girls, boys, men, and whole families to forced and child marriage, bacha bazi, child soldier recruitment, bonded labor, and debt bondage, often through deceptive cross-border recruitment. The review concludes that trafficking in Afghanistan is not random criminality but the predictable result of engineered scarcity, with the harshest consequences falling on children and women. Because primary data from inside Afghanistan is scarce, the figures should be read as indicative rather than definitive.

Arrison Roberson  - Poster #58 - Reclaiming the 4th Trimester

Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences: Biological sciences
Fourth Year
Research Program: n/a - independent study      
Faculty Mentor: n/a  - independent study

Reclaiming the 4th Trimester    

Modern obstetrics has brought incredible safety advancements but routine medical treatments often leaves out the natural biological processes of childbirth and postpartum recovery. The ""4th trimester"" the 12 weeks right after delivery requires massive physical, hormonal, and emotional adjustment. Yet once a baby is born systemic care often shifts entirely to the infant leaving the mother’s recovery secondary. This review explores how honoring natural birth mechanics, neuroendocrine feedback loops, and individual, faith informed support can dramatically improve 4th trimester maternal health. From a biomechanical standpoint upright and squatting postures open the pelvic outlet compared to lying flat, helping ease delivery and reduce physical trauma. Biological pathways also rely on unhindered oxytocin and prolactin release during physiological labor and immediate skin to skin contact, which speeds uterine recovery, supports lactation, and builds strong maternal bonding. Beyond physical mechanisms true care requires honoring the mother holistically. 

Integrating patient centered support including diverse faith traditions, personal belief systems, and cultural rest practices creates a critical buffer against postpartum depression and emotional isolation.

By connecting evolutionary biology, biomechanics, and holistic care, this project advocates for an OB/GYN approach that trusts women's bodies, respects diverse personal values, and redefines postpartum maternal care.

Jess Rondinella - Poster #59 - Evaluation of Ambient Ionization Mass Spectrometry Against LC-MS/MS for High-Throughput Metabolomics Workflows

Swanson School of Engineering: Bioengineering
Affiliation with Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR), Frederick Honors College
Third Year
Faculty Mentor: Qihao Wu

Evaluation of Ambient Ionization Mass Spectrometry Against LC-MS/MS for High-Throughput Metabolomics Workflows    

Gut bacteria chemically modify many orally administered drugs, generating metabolites with altered bioactivity and contributing to variability in drug response. Assigning these transformations to specific strains and communities requires screening many drug–organism combinations, but LC-MS/MS demands extraction, chromatographic separation, and long acquisition times, limiting throughput and potential for clinical use. Ambient ionization mass spectrometry (AIMS) enables direct analysis of biological samples with minimal preparation. This project aims to develop and optimize a rapid plate-based AIMS workflow for screening gut microbial drug metabolism, benchmarked against LC-MS/MS. Model drugs are incubated anaerobically in 96-well format in RCM with a defined 30-strain human gut community. Culture aliquots are sampled across a time course and analyzed directly by AIMS, with matched aliquots run by LC-MS/MS as a benchmark. Because chromatographic separation is omitted, mass resolving power and collision energy are the primary parameters optimized for distinguishing closely related transformation products. In preliminary work, AIMS detected expected iloperidone transformation products directly from undiluted culture, indicating that the source tolerates this matrix. We are now assessing agreement with LC-MS/MS in detection and relative quantification of parent drugs and metabolites, and quantifying the reduction in per-sample handling time. An optimized workflow would support preliminary screening of microbial drug metabolism across strain panels and defined communities, with LC-MS/MS retained for confirmation. Pairing rapid metabolite profiling with microbiome-focused analysis is a step toward more accessible tools for characterizing drug biotransformation products and their bioactivities, and toward eventually screening patient gut microbiota for xenobiotic metabolism relevant to clinical outcomes.

Oliver Rosen - Poster #60 - Regulating a Regulator: Translational Regulation of MBD2 via G-Quadruplexes in 5'-UTR

Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences: Biochemistry and English Writing    
Affiliation with Frederick Honors College, Duquesne NURE Program
Fourth Year
Research Program: Duquesne Neuroscience Undergraduate Research Experience (NURE)
Faculty Mentor: Dr. David Heisler

Regulating a Regulator: Translational Regulation of MBD2 via G-Quadruplexes in 5'-UTR    

Regulating a Regulator: Translational Regulation of MBD2 via G-Quadruplex in 5’-UTR 
Rosen, Oliver S., McCann, Morgan E., Seyfarth, Mia C., Smith, Brianne, Mihailescu, Mihaela-Rita, Heisler, David B.
Neuroscience Undergraduate Research Experience (NURE), Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA 

Dysregulation of DNA-methylation protein MBD2 expression is associated with a myriad of diseases, including neurodegeneration, chronic inflammation, and cancer. Therefore, finding ways to control the expression of MBD2 is needed. Previous work from our groups found that a G-quadruplex (GQ) in the 5’-untranslated region (5’-UTR) of the MBD2 gene is responsible for suppressing expression by inhibiting protein translation. However, direct evidence of this translational regulation has not been shown. Here, we designed a dual luminescence-based reporter assay to assess the impact of the GQ on protein expression. We cloned the wild type and mutant 5’-UTR of MBD2 in front of the Firefly luciferase gene in a plasmid that allows for in vitro transcription (IVT). As controls, we also cloned Firefly without a 5’-UTR and the Renilla luciferase gene as an internal control. Using IVT of these genes, we generated mRNA that was then transfected in A549 epithelial cells to compare protein expression. Optimization of mRNA production and conditions for transfecting cells is ongoing. If successful, this assay will demonstrate that the RNA GQ has a direct role in regulating MBD2 protein levels, allowing it to serve as a potential therapeutic target.

Delaney Ross - Poster #61 - Characterization of the MOC2-Fluc Cell Line

Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences: Neuroscience
Affiliation with Frederick Honors College
Fourth Year
Faculty Mentor: Nicole Scheff

Characterization of the MOC2-Fluc Cell Line    

Mouse oral cancer cell line 2 (MOC2) is a highly immunosuppressive, fast-growing oral squamous cell carcinoma cell line commonly used in oral cancer/cancer neuroscience research. However, tracking metastasis using the MOC2 cell line is extremely challenging due to difficulty distinguishing metastasized cells from regular cells. To evaluate how nerve signaling impacts the metastatic potential of oral cancer, we acquired a bioluminescent-tagged MOC2 cell line (MOC2-Fluc), detectable in tissue by bioluminescence and flow cytometry. Because we depend on well-characterized molecular properties of parental MOC2, we must ensure that the MOC2-Fluc bioluminescent tag does not alter these intrinsic attributes before incorporating it into our research. We used quantitative PCR to compare MOC2-Fluc with the parental MOC2 to determine whether the tag altered the characterized properties. To assess in vivo growth, we inoculated 2 groups of 5 mice in the tongue with MOC2 and MOC2-Fluc and measured oral tumor volume every 3 days until post-inoculation day (PID) 12. We also recorded mouse weights to assess changes. qPCR revealed differences in growth factors (Ngf, Bdnf), CGRP receptor (Calcrl, Ramp1), and beta-adrenergic receptor (Adrab2) expression. MOC2-Fluc tumors completely regressed by PID 12 (14.56 +/- 3.04mm3), whereas parental MOC2 tumors grew at expected rates (182.08 +/- 23.32 mm3). MOC2-Fluc mice gradually gained weight (4.92% +/- 1.29% increase), whereas parental MOC2 mice rapidly lost weight (24.03% +/- 1.98% decrease). The complete regression and differential gene expression of MOC2-Fluc tumors suggests that the bioluminescent tag changes the cell line’s immunogenicity or otherwise alters its interactions with the host immune system. Our findings indicate that MOC2-Fluc is not a direct substitute for MOC2, and further research is required to determine if this new cell line can be used to study nerve signaling in metastasis.

Wunmi Salami - Poster #62 - Detecting Blacktopped Counterfeit ICs via LIBS Compositional Analysis and Machine Learning

Swanson School of Engineering: Computer Engineering
Affiliation with TRIO McNair, Frederick Honors College
Fifth Year
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Mai Abdelhakim

Detecting Blacktopped Counterfeit ICs via LIBS Compositional Analysis and Machine Learning    

Counterfeit integrated circuits (ICs) pose a growing threat to reliability, safety, and security across medical, aerospace, and defense systems. Blacktopping is a major counterfeit threat in which used chips are re-coated and remarked to appear new; it is particularly difficult to detect because the blacktop coating mimics authentic IC packaging. 
Existing detection methods based on physical inspection, electrical testing, or spectroscopic characterization are limited by the requirement for costly infrastructure or golden reference samples. This work presents a pipeline for detecting blacktopped counterfeit ICs using Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) as a minimally destructive elemental profiling tool. Through combined surface and depth-layer analysis, we find that a measurement's composition relative to other measurements on the same chip is substantially more discriminative than its raw composition alone. We analyzed authentic and blacktopped samples across multiple surface regions, including Plain Surface, Text, and Indent, and through successive laser bursts at randomized locations for depth profiling. Machine learning classifiers are trained on the extracted elemental features to distinguish authentic from counterfeit ICs.

Abby Santora - Poster #63 - Targeted Modulation of Neuroinflammation to Improve Outcomes after Nerve Injury

Swanson School of Engineering: Bioengineering
Affiliation with Frederick Honors College    
Third Year
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Kacey Marra    

Targeted Modulation of Neuroinflammation to Improve Outcomes after Nerve Injury

INTRODUCTION
Peripheral nerve injuries (PNIs) cause severe motor, sensory, and chronic pain deficits. Current systemic treatments have limited efficacy and adverse effects, creating a need for therapies that relieve pain and promote regeneration. Biodegradable polycaprolactone (PCL) nerve conduits embedded with ibuprofen-loaded poly(lactic acid) (PLA) microspheres were developed. Ibuprofen inhibits COX-1/COX-2 to downregulate TNF-α and IL-1β, and blocks RhoA to overcome axon growth inhibitors like myelin and chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans. The system delivers controlled, localized release at the lesion to reduce neuroinflammation, relieve pain, and accelerate regeneration.

METHODS
Ibuprofen-loaded PLA single-walled microspheres (SWMS) were made by oil-in-water solvent evaporation at low (10 µg/mL), medium (25 µg/mL), and high (50 µg/mL) dosage targets. PLA and ibuprofen in 5 mL methylene chloride (DCM) were emulsified into 200 mL aqueous PVA/triacetin and stirred (30 min covered, 3 hr uncovered), then centrifuged (3,000 rpm), washed three times with ddH₂O, and vacuum-dried for 24 hr.

Size and morphology were assessed by 10x brightfield microscopy (FIJI; n > 100 per batch) and SEM (Figure 1). Encapsulation efficiency (EE) was determined via a methanol calibration curve (0.010–1.0 mg/mL, R² > 0.99) at 264 nm (NanoDrop). SWMS (10 mg) were dissolved in DCM (0.5 mL)/methanol (9.5 mL), sonicated, vortexed, and centrifuged (10,000 × g, 10 min); supernatant absorbance gave drug mass, EE, and drug loading (DL).

The 10 µg/mL formulation was tested for release in triplicate over 8 weeks in PBS (pH 7.4) at 37°C, with aliquots analyzed by NanoDrop.

RESULTS
Diameters averaged 30–40 µm. Mean EE was 80.45%; DL was 7.01% (w/w). Release (Figure 2) was 2.2–3.8 µg at 1 hour and 11.2–13.0 µg by day 7, then continuous diffusion to 17.7–20.0 µg by day 56.

DISCUSSION
PCL conduits with ibuprofen-loaded SWMS provide structural and therapeutic support. The Week 1 burst (~20–30%) may suppress acute TNF-α and IL-1β surges, followed by sustained diffusion (Weeks 2–8). Localized delivery avoids systemic toxicity while reducing neuroinflammation and inhibiting RhoA to promote neurite outgrowth.

emma santore - Poster #64 - Somali Civil War, Integration, and Political Violence in Minneapolis

Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences: Public Policy
Third Year
Faculty Mentor: Luke Condra

Somali Civil War, Integration, and Political Violence in Minneapolis    

This project examines how experiences of the Somali Civil War may influence vulnerability to political and community violence among Somali Americans in Minneapolis. Although the Civil War produced widespread violence, displacement, and institutional disruption, it should not be treated as a direct cause of violence in the United States. Instead, this project argues that post-migration integration moderates the relationship between exposure to conflict and later vulnerability to violence.

Drawing on Michael Walzer’s Just and Unjust Wars and Rik Peels and Lorne L. Dawson’s discussion of insurgent collective action, this analysis explores how exposure to violence, weakened social bonds, economic marginalization, discrimination, and social exclusion may contribute to alienation. It also considers how these experiences could affect subsequent generations. However, these outcomes are not inevitable. Strong community networks, educational and employment opportunities, civic participation, and institutional connections can provide alternative sources of belonging and discourage participation in violence.

The project advances three hypotheses: greater exposure to the Civil War is associated with greater integration difficulties; integration difficulties are associated with increased social and political alienation; and strong social, economic, educational, and civic integration weakens the relationship between conflict exposure and violence. Alternative explanations, including poverty, neighborhood violence, and socioeconomic inequality, are also considered.

Ultimately, this project emphasizes integration as both an explanatory mechanism and a potential policy solution. It recommends culturally responsive youth mentorship, educational and employment assistance, civic engagement, and partnerships between Somali-led organizations and local government to strengthen community belonging and reduce vulnerability to violence without treating Somali Americans as inherently threatening.

Arushi Savkar - Poster #65 - BODIPY staining of lipid droplets in the lungs of macaques infected with highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses

Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences: Biological Sciences
Fourth Year
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Douglas Reed    

BODIPY staining of lipid droplets in the lungs of macaques infected with highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses

There is considerable concern that highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses could evolve and become the next pandemic with considerable loss of life. The ongoing panzootic of H5N1 in avian species and more recently dairy cattle in the United States has heightened those concerns. The Reed lab has developed a nonhuman primate model of the severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) triggered by inhalation of H5N1 and H7N9. Previous data found that H5N1 infection triggers a strong inflammatory cytokine response, a loss of alveolar macrophages, and an influx of activated macrophages into the lungs of macaques that develop severe disease. A recent paper from another group reported upregulation of Oleoyl-ACP hydrolase (OLAH) in humans with severe ARDS triggered by COVID-19 or H7N9 influenza viruses. Upregulation of OLAH can be visualized using BODIPY 493/503 which binds to free lipids and lipid droplets contained within cells. Lipid droplets in cells have been associated with inflammatory responses to pathogens and as sites of virus replication. Preliminary studies in our lab have found BODIPY 493/503 fluorescence staining in the lungs of macaques that succumbed to ARDS triggered by H5N1 or H7N9. We are now seeking to identify the cell types expressing these lipid droplets and whether BODIPY staining is found in virus-infected cells. Understanding the host response to infection in severe ARDS triggered by avian influenza viruses may suggest new modalities for treating these infections.

Lily Shaw - Poster #66 - Encouraging Extremism: How X and Meta Foster Echo Chambers and Political Threats

Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences: Public and Professional Writing
Third Year

Encouraging Extremism: How X and Meta Foster Echo Chambers and Political Threats    

Since the 2016 election, as polarization between political parties has increased, there has also been an increase in the number of explicit threats being made to elected officials. Many of these threats come from social media platforms like X and Meta. As these apps continue to loosen restrictions for their users under the guise of free speech, cases of threats increase as a result. These corporations are responsible for the conversations that occur on their platforms, and through the systematic creation of echo chambers and a lack of consequences, they allow threats to spread. The effects of these cases include representatives being afraid to vote in certain ways, out of fear of what may happen to their families, and individuals who are otherwise capable choosing not to run for re-election. Democracy in the United States is not functioning as it should, due partly to these companies rolling back previous policies to allow harmful and dangerous rhetoric to continue. 

Amethaa Shetty Udhayakumar - Poster #67 - Testing AAV Serotypes for Therapeutic Gene Delivery to Adult Mouse Cochlea 

Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences: Neuroscience
Fourth Year
Faculty Mentor: Christopher Cunningham     

Testing AAV Serotypes for Therapeutic Gene Delivery to Adult Mouse Cochlea    

Hearing loss is prevalent and can permanently impair communication and quality of life, yet current treatments compensate for lost hearing rather than address its causes. Congenital hearing loss affects 1 in 500 children, mostly due to DNA mutations. Gene therapy could prevent or restore hearing, but an effective therapeutic window must be identified to maximize delivery to affected cells while preserving auditory function. Most hearing loss involve dysfunction of mechanically-sensitive cochlear hair cells. Inner hair cells (IHCs) transmit auditory signals to the brain, while outer hair cells (OHCs) amplify cochlear responses. Adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors deliver therapeutic genes, with serotype influencing cellular targeting and promoters controlling expression. We tested two AAV serotypes for delivery of the deafness-linked gene Tomt in adult mice. Wild-type mice were treated at four weeks by posterior semicircular canal injection of AAV2 or PHP.eB vectors driving hair cell-specific expression of green fluorescent protein (GFP) or Tomt. We performed auditory brainstem response (ABR) analysis followed by cochlear dissection, immunostaining, and confocal microscopy to assess transduction efficiency and hair cell survival. PHP.eB-GFP primarily transduced IHCs, whereas AAV2-GFP transduced both IHCs and OHCs. Neither AAV caused toxicity. AAV2-Tomt also transduced IHCs and OHCs but caused IHC loss, while PHP.eB-Tomt transduced IHCs and few OHCs without IHC toxicity. In profoundly deaf Tomt knockout mice, neither vector restored ABR function. These findings highlight the need for specific hearing loss gene therapies that balance hair cell transduction against toxicity, helping define a therapeutic window for hearing restoration.

Matthew Shi - Poster #68 - Investigating the Effects of BPC-157 on Primary Human Chondrocyte Proliferation, Migration, and Oxidative Stress Response In Vitro

School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences: Rehabilitation Science
Affiliation with Frederick Honors College
Fourth Year
Faculty Mentor: Bridget Deasy    

Investigating the Effects of BPC-157 on Primary Human Chondrocyte Proliferation, Migration, and Oxidative Stress Response In Vitro    

Cartilage degeneration is a leading cause of disability in aging adults, progressing from chronic pain to functional decline and eventual joint replacement. Articular cartilage has minimal capacity for self-repair due to its avascular nature. BPC-157, a pentadecapeptide derived from human gastric juice, has shown regenerative effects across musculoskeletal tissues in animal models, including accelerated tendon healing linked to VEGFR2-mediated angiogenesis. However, its direct effects on chondrocytes, the cells responsible for maintaining cartilage, remain largely uncharacterized. This project investigated whether BPC-157 promotes proliferation of primary human chondrocytes and protects them against H2O2-induced oxidative stress. Primary human chondrocytes were treated with 0.1, 1.0, or 10 µg/mL BPC-157 and monitored via live-cell imaging over 144 hours, with outcomes including proliferation, cell division time, mitotic fraction, migration velocity, and survival under H2O2 challenge. BPC-157 significantly increased chondrocyte proliferation in a concentration-dependent manner compared to control (p<0.05), with no corresponding change in cell division time, suggesting the increase reflects protection from cell death rather than faster division. Mitotic fraction rose at 0.1 to 1.0 µg/mL with no added benefit at 10 µg/mL, and migration velocity trended upward with treatment. BPC-157 also moderately attenuated H2O2-induced reductions in proliferation in a dose-dependent manner, most notably at 1.0 µg/mL, though this finding is preliminary. Together, these results suggest BPC-157 supports chondrocyte survival and cellular behaviors relevant to cartilage maintenance, warranting further investigation into its mechanisms and translation to more physiologically relevant tissue models.

Arshia Sista - Poster #69 - Development of the RECI Collaboratory to Combat Systemic Racism and Promote Social Change on a Global Scale

Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences: Neuroscience
Affiliation with Frederick Honors College
Fourth Year
Research Program: Social Change Martinson Applied Projects
Additional Presenters:    Anuj Peri, Fourth Year; Malia Mack, Fourth Year; Cameron Jones, Second Year; Katya Surendran, Second Year; Imaan Abdulhaqq, First Year; Linden Corbett, Second Year; Arathena Mccormick, First Year; Daniela Pluke Santos, Second Year; Suresh Venkataraman, Second Year; Tracy Wang, Third Year; Morgan Hammond, Third Year
Faculty Mentor: Ron Idoko    

Development of the RECI Collaboratory to Combat Systemic Racism and Promote Social Change on a Global Scale    

The Racial Equity Consciousness Institute (RECI) Collaboratory seeks to combat the public health crisis of systemic racism by creating an accessible, centralized platform for racial equity resources. Developed in collaboration with the United Nations Permanent Forum on People of African Descent, the Collaboratory responds to persistent inequities embedded across social systems, including education, healthcare, housing, criminal justice, and current issues. The project’s primary purpose is to advance positive social change on racial equity by connecting previous research in the field with future initiatives.

This year, the Social Change MAP team is focusing on translating these resources into accessible formats – articles, blogs, surveys, op-eds, explainers, and reflection galleries. Our next goal is to showcase the platform globally. All materials on the platform are categorized and aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, ensuring consistency with internationally recognized equity benchmarks.

Alexander Soumilas - Poster #70 - VestAid Background Settings Are Minimally Changed by Therapists; Simpler Backgrounds Trend Toward Better DHI Outcomes

School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences: Rehabilitation Science
Affiliation with Frederick Honors College, BPhil
Fourth Year
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Susan L Whitney    

VestAid Background Settings Are Minimally Changed by Therapists; Simpler Backgrounds Trend Toward Better DHI Outcomes     

Purpose/Hypothesis: Little is known about how physical therapists (PTs) alter visual background complexity in vestibular rehabilitation. The VestAid tablet allows PTs to adjust four visual background parameters for their patients: color, pattern, and optokinetic direction and speed. The purpose of this study was to characterize how seven physical therapists utilized these settings across a six-week home-based rehabilitation program and to examine whether the degree of background setting variation was associated with patient Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) improvement. We hypothesized that greater background complexity variation would be associated with greater DHI improvement.

Number of Subjects: 24 patients (mean age 35.0 years; 13M/11F; 71% concussion/TBI; 29% vestibular diagnosis) treated by 7 PTs across 6 outpatient clinics.

Materials and Methods: In this feasibility study, patients completed a six-week vestibular home-based exercise program using the VestAid tablet, with weekly in-person clinic visits where the DHI was completed to track progress. Over the six-week period, 4,967 device-recorded sessions were analyzed. Background utilization was characterized for each PT across six variables: proportion of sessions using a non-white background color, number of distinct colors used, proportion of sessions using a non-plain pattern, number of distinct patterns used, and proportion of sessions using a moving direction and speed. The seven PTs were divided into High Background Changers (HBC; n=3) or Low Background Changers (LBC; n=4) based on how many exercise variables the PTs changed over the six-week period. DHI improvement (baseline to final week) was compared between patient groups using the Mann-Whitney U. The Pearson r correlation examined associations between individual background dimensions and DHI change.

Results: Increased background complexity correlated with smaller DHI improvement across all six dimensions (ρ = −0.63 to −0.81). Background settings were largely unchanged across the study; 73% of sessions had static backgrounds prescribed and 57% used a white background. Three of 7 PTs used white, static backgrounds for 98% or more of their sessions; no other PT exceeded 55%. HBC patients (n=12) and LBC patients (n=12) had equivalent baseline DHI scores (M=41±28 vs. M=41±22.0; p=0.91). LBC patients showed a trend toward greater DHI improvement (19±15 vs. 12±19 pts; Mann-Whitney U=40.0, p=0.067, d=0.41), with 50% achieving the DHI MCID (≥18 pts) vs. 25% of HBC patients. These group differences occurred despite equivalent baseline severity. 

Conclusion: VestAid background complexity settings were minimally varied and showed no independent association with DHI improvement. The trend favoring simpler background programming requires additional study. In conclusion, visual background complexity did not drive DHI outcomes in home-based vestibular rehabilitation.

Clinical Relevance: Progressing tablet-based vestibular exercise by increasing background complexity may not result in better patient outcomes in individuals with concussion/TBI and vestibular disorders.

Anjali Srinivasan - Poster #71 - Objective Quantification of Nystagmus Across Gaze Positions Using Infrared Eye Tracking

Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences: Computational Biology
Third Year
Faculty Mentor: Patrick Mayo    

Objective Quantification of Nystagmus Across Gaze Positions Using Infrared Eye Tracking    

Nystagmus is an involuntary, rhythmic oscillation of the eyes that can arise when brain circuits responsible for maintaining gaze become unstable. Nystagmus can impair vision by causing oscillopsia, the sensation that one’s surroundings are shaking. For diagnosis, clinicians typically rely on qualitative observation to assess the severity and progression of nystagmus and its response to treatment. To improve diagnosis and the treatment evaluation, we developed a more accurate, quantitative method for measuring nystagmus in the clinic. In collaboration with neuro-ophthalmologist Dr. George Park at the UPMC Mercy Vision Institute, we developed a custom clinical testing system using a high-precision infrared eye tracker and MATLAB/Psychtoolbox software. Because nystagmus can vary with gaze direction and patients may have difficulty maintaining fixation, the test uses a nine-point fixation paradigm spanning the center, four sides, and four corners of the visual field. Patients generally complete at least 90 trials, and the data are collected in about 15 minutes during their clinical visit. Using preliminary recordings from a small cohort of patients, we generated a clinical report incorporating several eye-movement metrics, such as average vertical and horizontal eye movement frequency (Hz) and amplitude (degrees) at each fixation position. These metrics will be used by clinicians to provide a comprehensive, objective assessment of each patient’s nystagmus. Using this system over repeated clinical visits, we expect to provide an effective method for tracking disease progression and responses to drug treatment. Future work will incorporate different types of eye movements and more varied stimuli tailored to specific forms of nystagmus, with the goal of expanding the clinical test to other patient populations at the Vision Institute.

Morgan Steinberg - Poster #72 - Global Coding of Maternal and Paternal Supportive and Activation Parenting in Preschool-Aged Children at Risk for ADHD

Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences: Psychology
Affiliation with Frederick Honors College
Fourth Year
Research Program: Attention, Hyperactivity, and Early Neurodevelopment Study (AtHENS)    
Faculty Mentor: Heather Joseph     

Global Coding of Maternal and Paternal Supportive and Activation Parenting in Preschool-Aged Children at Risk for ADHD    

The goal of this project is to assess observed supportive and activation parenting using two global coding systems to better understand how parents interact with children, and how these interactions affect kids who do and do not have elevated risk for ADHD. Supportive parenting was originally developed in research on mothers and promotes emotional safety via responsive care of children. Activation parenting was developed in research on fathers and highlights interactions that stimulate and challenge children. Although these parenting behaviors were developed with one type of parent in mind, mothers and fathers both engage in supportive and activation parenting. A coding team composed of a post-doctoral fellow and two University of Pittsburgh students coded three tasks completed by preschool-aged children and their primary caregiver: puzzle, free play, and clean-up. While watching the videos, coders entered their notes into a Qualitrics survey, gave ratings for each global code for each individual task, and an overall (average) score for each coding category. During my training, I learned that the best way to code these videos was to watch each video a total of three times. During my first two watches of each video, I wrote down all my notes and gave initial codes for each category. My third and final time viewing each video was dedicated to simply observing and ensuring that I agreed with the original coding scores I gave each video. After watching and coding ten practice videos, I achieved reliability and started coding independently. Over the past several weeks, the coding team for this project has coded a total of 29 videos. This project is ongoing, and the coding team will continue to watch and analyze videos, and eventually report our findings concerning supportive and activation parenting with preschool-aged children at risk for ADHD. These codes will also be used in longitudinal analyses to examine parenting behavior as a predictor of change in ADHD symptom trajectories as children become school-age, a period when ADHD is most commonly diagnosed.

Caleb Sun - Poster #73 - Through the Looking Glass: The Evolving Role of Microscopy in Modern Scientific Progress

Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences: Biochemistry
Fourth Year
Faculty Mentor: Elizabeth Pitts    

Through the Looking Glass: The Evolving Role of Microscopy in Modern Scientific Progress     

Microscopes have been instrumental in becoming the foundation of many scientific subfields and other technological innovations. Its usage has advanced many areas of science and knowledge and created many opportunities for future research. However, its birth has since been nearly half a millennium ago. As scientific technologies continue to advance, questions arise regarding whether microscopes remain significant drivers of scientific progress or have become primarily established research tools. The argument now lies not in what new discoveries can arise from microscopes, but if they have become obsolete in the modern scientific world. By examining scientific advancements over the past century, this study traces key historical milestones to evaluate the degree to which microscopic tools have directly spurred major scientific breakthroughs. The purpose of this study is to first determine the major innovations microscope has spurred and second to determine whether its effect on scientific progression has been diminished in recent times.

To evaluate these potential trends, this study examines major scientific discoveries and technological advancements over the past century to evaluate the contributions of microscopy to scientific progress. Current studies have shown that although its usage have diminished, it has not been completely obsolete because its use is integrated fundamentally and that academia has shifted its focus towards maximizing the discoveries with the current technologies currently. In other words, there is no strong demand for creating more advanced technologies before researching the problems the stand currently. Ultimately, this study will consider what other scientific challenges remain and if advancing microscopic technology can assist in finding solutions.

Saket Suresh - Poster #74 - Cognitive and Behavioral Changes Following MDMA Use: A Neuropsychological Case Study

Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences: Neuroscience
Third Year
Faculty Mentor: Glen Getz    

Cognitive and Behavioral Changes Following MDMA Use: A Neuropsychological Case Study    

MDMA is a synthetic psychoactive drug that acts as both a stimulant and hallucinogen, altering mood and perception by increasing serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. It is not commonly used in psychiatric practice and remains highly restricted due to risks including elevated heart rate, psychological distress, and potential for abuse or misuse. However, Mitchell et al. (2023) demonstrated that MDMA-assisted therapy can help patients process severe trauma by reducing fear and increasing emotional openness. The impact of MDMA on cognitive functioning remains unclear. This case study examines cognitive and self-perceived cognitive functioning in a woman who utilized MDMA to treat trauma-related symptoms. Performance on several standardized cognitive measures, including the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale and Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, improved between initial testing in late 2024 and follow-up testing in mid-2026. Working memory increased from 86 to 89, while executive functioning, measured through Trail Making, increased from a T-score of 22 to 49. Wisconsin Card Sorting Test performance also improved, with categories completed increasing from 2 to 4 and correct answers from 41 to 53. Similarly, she reported improved executive functioning on the FrSBe, with post-TS scores showing reduced, though still elevated, frontal-system behavioral difficulties. Overall, despite MDMA’s serious risks, this case provides further support for its potential to improve emotional and cognitive functioning. Further research is needed to examine these effects in larger groups and their clinical implications.

Rayyan Syed - Poster #75 - Senescent Macrophage-to-Fibroblast Crosstalk Induces Cardiac Fibrosis

College of General Studies: Natural Sciences
Affiliation with Frederick Honors College
Third Year
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Partha Dutta, DVM, PhD   

Senescent Macrophage-to-Fibroblast Crosstalk Induces Cardiac Fibrosis    

Myocardial infarction (MI) affects ~800,000 Americans annually, with 25% experiencing recurrent events. Poor post-MI cardiac repair, largely by fibrosis, compounds the outcome of the disease by increasing the risk of heart failure. Fibrosis arises from macrophage-fibroblast crosstalk, in which macrophage-derived growth factors and cytokines signal to fibroblasts, coordinating debris clearance and scar formation. Our lab has identified a senescent-like subset of cardiac macrophages in a mouse MI model. In-silico analysis identified 84 macrophage-fibroblast signaling pathways: five of them were unique to sham-operated hearts, 17 were specific to 28-day post-MI hearts, and 62 were shared between the groups. To understand MI-driven signaling in macrophage-to-fibroblast crosstalk, we focused on the 17 MI-driven pathways. From these, we investigated the top five signaling networks ranked by the highest macrophage-to-fibroblast interaction scores: TWEAK, SCF, VCAM, TRAIL, and IL-1B. We validated these ligands in-vitro by isolating C57BL/6 mouse cardiac fibroblasts and treating them with corresponding recombinant ligands secreted by senescent cardiac macrophages. Fibrotic genes linked to fibroblast activation, proliferation, scar formation, and remodeling (Col1a, Col2a, Tgfb2, Sparc, Fibronectin, Mki67, Mmp2, Mmp9, Mmp13) were quantified by qPCR. We also performed immunofluorescence microscopy for Vimentin, α-SMA, and Mki67. All five ligands significantly increased Mki67 and Col1a expression in fibroblasts. Pathway-specific effects included increased Col2a (VCAM, IL-1β), Sparc (TRAIL, IL-1β), Mmp9 (TWEAK), Mmp13 (SCF, IL-1β), and Mmp2 (SCF), and decreased Fn1 (SCF, TWEAK). Confocal imaging corroborated these transcriptional changes in fibroblast activation and proliferation. While these relationships require further mechanistic validation, they highlight candidate therapeutic targets for limiting excessive fibrosis and promoting cardiac repair after MI, potentially reducing risk of heart failure.

Meg Thondaiman - Poster #76 - Real-Time Electrochemical Quantification for Smart Wound Monitoring

Swanson School of Engineering: Biomedical Engineering    
Affiliation with TRIO McNair, Frederick Honors College, Provost Scholars
Third Year
Research Program: McNair Summer Research Institute
Mentor: Dr. Pejman Ghelich, Post-Doctoral Researcher
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Tracy (Xinyan) Cui    

Real-Time Electrochemical Quantification for Smart Wound Monitoring    

Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) is a key reactive oxygen species involved in multiple stages of skin wound healing, where tightly regulated concentrations contribute to cell signaling, immune cell recruitment, angiogenesis, and tissue regeneration. Dysregulated H₂O₂ levels have been associated with impaired healing and chronic wound formation. Continuous monitoring of H₂O₂ therefore represents a promising strategy for assessing wound status and enabling responsive therapeutic interventions. A major challenge is processing and interpreting electrochemical sensing data in real time.

Here, we present a graphical user interface (GUI) designed to automate the analysis of electrochemical H₂O₂ measurements and facilitate future closed-loop wound monitoring applications. Electrochemical detection generates raw amperometric current-time data that require post-processing before biologically meaningful information can be extracted. Calibration curves were established using a CHI electrochemical workstation by introducing known H₂O₂ concentrations and recording current responses from platinum electrodes coated with poly(m-phenylenediamine) (mPD), a permselective layer used to enhance sensor selectivity. The resulting calibration relationships were integrated into the GUI to convert sensor currents into H₂O₂ concentration-dependent outputs. The interface combines signal visualization, calibration, and percent-change readouts, reducing the need for manual post-processing.

The GUI provides a foundation for future threshold-based control algorithms that could trigger therapeutic stimulation or drug delivery in response to predefined biomarker levels. This work represents a step toward smart closed-loop wound management systems that integrate real-time biomarker monitoring with responsive therapeutic intervention.

Anusha Thoudoju - Poster #77 - Dietary Phosphate in Processed Foods: Implications for Bone and Dental Health

Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences: Biological sciences
Third Year
Research Program: Craniofacial and Regenerative Dental Sciences     
Faculty Mentor: Dobrawa Napierala     

Dietary Phosphate in Processed Foods: Implications for Bone and Dental Health    

Excess dietary phosphate is increasingly relevant to modern American diets due to widespread use of phosphate containing food additives. Phosphate is essential for hydroxyapatite formation and mineralization of skeletal and dental tissues, but elevated intake is associated with increased bone remodeling and reduced bone quality. Inorganic phosphate also acts as a signaling molecule regulating mineralization. Since many mineralized tissues differ in cellular composition and function, their responses to excess phosphate may differ. This study compared skeletal and dental tissues in mice fed a normal phosphate diet (NPD) or high phosphate diet (HPD), focusing on morphology and inflammation.

Wild-type male and female mice were maintained on NPD or HPD for 2 or 4 weeks (8–10 mice/group). H&E stained sections were evaluated for tissue degeneration, inflammation, and structural alterations. Skeletal analysis examined knee articular cartilage, while craniofacial analysis examined mineralized tissues surrounding the molars.

Qualitative analysis identified morphological differences between dietary groups. A subset of HPD mice showed reduced articular cartilage thickness, surface integrity and decreased cellular organization. HPD samples also showed differences in alveolar bone structure, tissue cell organization, and decreased periodontal cellularity. Findings varied between specimens and are being evaluated by sex and exposure duration.

These findings suggest elevated phosphate may alter skeletal and craniofacial tissue morphology and potentially contribute to cartilage degeneration and osteoarthritis-like changes. Future quantitative, cartilage-specific, and immunohistochemical analyses will be performed to evaluate markers of inflammation in response to HPD and clarify the extent of phosphate induced change in skeletal and dental tissues.

Vishaka Vaidyanathan - Poster #78 - A Quantitative Framework Reveals Depth- and Region- Dependent Collagen Waviness in the Tree Shrew Optic Nerve Head

Swanson School of Engineering: Bioengineering
Affiliation with Frederick Honors College
Second Year
Faculty Mentor: Ian A. Sigal    

A Quantitative Framework Reveals Depth- and Region- Dependent Collagen Waviness in the Tree Shrew Optic Nerve Head    

Collagen crimp determines the nonlinear load-bearing behavior of soft tissues, including those of the optic nerve head (ONH) in the back of the eye. This behavior is critical to the role of these tissues protecting the neural tissues necessary for vision. Our goal was to determine if crimp varies through depth and between three tissue regions: lamina cribrosa (LC), peripapillary sclera (PPS) and central retinal vessel (CRV). We quantified crimp with waviness, defined as the circular standard deviation of local collagen orientation.

Polarized light microscopy images of coronal ONH sections from 13 tree shrew eyes (normal-young, aged, experimentally myopic, and contralateral controls) were analyzed across LC depth. Section position was normalized within each eye from 0 (posterior) to 1 (anterior). Linear mixed-effects models estimated posterior-anterior gradients allowing region-specific depth slopes. Aging/young and paired myopia/control groups were analyzed separately, then a pooled sensitivity analysis.

Waviness increased significantly from posterior to anterior in all groups (+16.9%; p<0.001): 17.8% (p=0.004) in aging/young and 15.9% (p=0.022) in myopic/control. Depth gradients differed by region (p=0.033): +29.4% waviness in the LC (p<0.001), +18.7% in the PPS (p=0.006), and +4.2% in the CRV (p=0.486). Gradients did not differ between myopic and control eyes (p=0.211) or across groups (p=0.132).

Results revealed a reproducible depth-dependent collagen waviness gradient in the LC and PPS. Similar effect sizes suggest a general anatomical pattern rather than a group-specific effect, potentially reflecting regional differences in crimp reserve and fiber recruitment. Limitations include normalized section positions rather than absolute physical depth and small samples.

Christopher Valdez - Poster #79 - A Transpose of Historical Documents to Modern Addresses with Applications to the Distribution of Federally-Insured Mortgages

Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences: Applied Math and Economics    
Affiliation with TRIO McNair, Frederick Honors College, Provost Scholars, Kessler Scholars
Fourth Year
Research Program: McNair Summer Research Institute
Faculty Mentor: Professor Omer Ali    

A Transpose of Historical Documents to Modern Addresses with Applications to the Distribution of Federally-Insured Mortgages    

Cities in the United States have dealt with prevailing income inequality among racial minorities. We use methods of mapping historical mortgage documents to modern-day addresses using REGRID data to investigate the distribution of Federally-Insured mortgages in two major counties: Hennepin and Summit.

Gavin Valentino - Poster #80 - Sustainable Food Production through Aeroponics

Swanson School of Engineering: Mechanical Engineering
Affiliation with Frederick Honors College
Third Year
Research Program: Martinson Applied Projects
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Joaquin Rodriguez Alonso    

Sustainable Food Production through Aeroponics    

The second and sixth goals of the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals consist of achieving zero hunger and improving access to clean water and sanitation, respectively, by 2030. With the agricultural sector being the largest consumer of freshwater while also using that water the least efficiently, improving how agriculture uses its water could work towards both of those goals. Aeroponics is a relatively new agricultural method in which a plant's roots are suspended in air and sprayed with a nutrient-rich mist. Their typically closed-loop systems have been seen to substantially reduce water usage compared to conventional growing methods while facilitating faster growing cycles due to the roots' increased oxygen exposure. This project aims to design, construct, and test a small-scale aeroponics system. Programmed timing and duration of the misting, as well as temperature and humidity sensors, will be used to monitor and control the system. This will be used to investigate the water usage of an aeroponics system and its effects on lettuce through various stages of growth, and to improve the system as those effects are studied. The purpose of this project is to see how water usage can be optimized without reducing the output quantity or quality of the lettuce, focusing on misting frequency and duration.

Sophia Wang - Poster #82 - Spatial Regulation of Intraflagellar Transport at the Flagellar Base of Trypanosoma brucei

Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences: Molecular Biology    
Affiliation with Friends of McNair, TRIO SSS, Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR), Frederick Honors College
Second Year    
Research Program: SURA
Faculty Mentor: Stella Sun    

Spatial Regulation of Intraflagellar Transport at the Flagellar Base of Trypanosoma brucei    

Cilia and flagella are hair-like structures found across all forms of eukaryotic life, carrying out essential sensory functions in humans and motility in parasites. The intraflagellar transport system (IFT), a bidirectional cargo-trafficking system, is responsible for the assembly and maintenance of these structures. Disruptions in IFT underlie ciliopathies, a class of human genetic diseases, yet how IFT trains are initiated and spatially regulated at the flagellar base remains poorly understood. Trypanosoma Brucei is a parasitic organism responsible for the African Sleeping Disease, a fatal neurological illness in Sub-Saharan Africa, affecting communities that have limited access to healthcare. This organism is a powerful model for studying flagellar biology because it has a single, essential flagellum. At the base of this flagellum lies the membrane necklace, a specialized structure at the transition zone whose positioning may regulate where IFT trains dock and enter. Previous work from the Sun Laboratory suggests that necklace positioning is dynamic rather than fixed. This project uses cryo-electron tomography to compare necklace positioning, IFT docking site distribution, and docked train morphology between control and necklace-regulator-disrupted T. brucei cell lines. These findings will inform both ciliopathy research and the development of parasite-specific drug targets for a neglected tropical disease that disproportionately affects underserved communities.

Usman Warraich - Poster #83 - Astrocyte NBCe1 loss preserves perivascular AQP4 polarization following ischemic injury

Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences: Biological Sciences
Third Year
Faculty Mentor: Gulnaz Begum    

Astrocyte NBCe1 loss preserves perivascular AQP4 polarization following ischemic injury    

Astrocytic perivascular end feet play an important role in maintaining brain homeostasis at the neurovascular interface. Aquaporin-4 (AQP4), a transmembrane water channel, is highly concentrated at these endfeet and is critical for brain water homeostasis. AQP4 is anchored at perivascular endfeet by the dystrophin associated protein complex (DAPC), composed of α-syntrophin, dystrophin and dystroglycans. Ischemic stroke injury disrupts the perivascular AQP4 localization leading to blood-brain barrier (BBB) dysfunction and brain edema; however, the mechanisms driving this loss of polarization remain unclear. Here, we investigated whether astrocytic Na+/HCO3- co-transporter NBCe1 contributes to DAPC-AQP4 disruption and AQP4 depolarization following ischemic injury. We utilized tamoxifen inducible Gfap-CreERT2+/- ; Nbce1f/f (Nbce1 cKO) mice to selectively delete Nbce1 in GFAP expressing reactive astrocytes. Ischemic stroke was induced by transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) followed by reperfusion. WT stroke brains exhibited marked loss of perivascular AQP4 polarization in the ischemic hemisphere, whereas Nbce1 cKO mice showed preserved AQP4 polarization at astrocytic endfeet. In addition, α-syntrophin immunostaining demonstrated preserved expression and coverage of lectin-positive vessels in Nbce1 cKO compared with WT ischemic brains, suggesting that astrocytic NBCe1 contributes to stroke-induced disruption of perivascular AQP4 organization through alterations in DAPC. To further investigate the cellular response in vitro, immortalized human astrocyte cultures (hTERT) were subjected to ischemic injury by oxygen-glucose deprivation followed by reoxygenation (OGD/REOX). OGD/REOX increased NBCe1, AQP4 and GFAP protein expression, while reducing α-syntrophin and dystrophin expression. Together, these findings suggest that ischemic injury disrupts DAPC–AQP4 organization at astrocytic perivascular endfeet. Preservation of both AQP4 and α-syntrophin localization following astrocytic Nbce1 deletion supports a role for NBCe1 in regulating perivascular endfoot organization after ischemic stroke.

Joleen Wong - Poster #84 - What Medicine Doesn’t Teach: Reddit Viewers of The Pitt on the Hidden Curriculum of Residency

College of General Studies: Natural Sciences
Third Year
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Beth Hoffman

What Medicine Doesn’t Teach: Reddit Viewers of The Pitt on the Hidden Curriculum of Residency    

Background: The hidden curriculum of medical residency—informal norms and evaluations not formally taught—is linked to burnout, empathy erosion, and gender/race disparities in evaluation. Mistreatment of residents remains prevalent, yet hidden curriculum is rarely discussed beyond training. Building on prior work showing The Pitt viewers discuss medical content online, this study aimed to answer the following research question: “what themes related to the hidden curriculum around residency are present in viewer discussions on The Pitt TV show subreddit?” 

Methods: Using RStudio Package RedditExtractOR, we extracted weekly posts from r/ThePittTVShow throughout Season 2. Human coders and Claude (Anthropic) coded posts for medical/public health relevance. Following this, we submitted all relevant posts from across the 15 episodes to Claude with an example document and prompt to find themes in a similar fashion given the research question. We reviewed Claude’s output for themes, grouping similar themes together.  

Results: Five themes emerged: (1) implicit archetypes sorting trainees by gender, race, and disposition, where one user observed “the old white men have permanent jobs” while “younger women of color are being replaced”; (2) attending physician mentorship styles from scarcity-mindset criticism to supportive teaching; (3) documentation burden as a covert core competency of residency; (4) mistakes and accountability with unequal consequences (“a firing offense…and a felony” met with rehab-and return) mapping onto seniority, gender, and race; and (5) systemic failures interpreted by individual trainees as personal failings. 

Conclusion: Reddit discussions frame The Pitt as a public space where the hidden curriculum of residency is named, debated, and recognized as familiar by clinicians and trainees. These findings emphasize the power of medical dramas to showcase implicit norms of medical training to broader audiences and prompt reflection on residency culture.

Emma Wu - Poster #85 - Hormonal Regulation of Auditory Perception and Learning

Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences: Neuroscience and Psychology    
Affiliation with Frederick Honors College        
Third Year    
Research Program: Undergraduate Research Program in Neural Computation     
Faculty Mentor: Michele Insanally    

Hormonal Regulation of Auditory Perception and Learning    

It has been known for decades that estrogen has neuroprotective effects on hearing and neuromodulatory effects in cognition. However, the neural basis of these effects on cognitive processes is still unclear. Mouse models were developed using ovariectomized female mice, which were injected daily with estrogen (E2) or vehicular control (OVX). We expected E2 mice would demonstrate accelerated learning and heightened stimuli discrimination compared to OVX on a behavioral learning paradigm. Therefore, we trained mice on a 2-Alternative Forced Choice task to evaluate decision-making with binary auditory stimuli. Mice learned to differentiate high and low tones and correctly lick the tone-associated lickport to obtain water rewards. Interestingly, although estrogen did not appear to influence stimuli discrimination, E2 mice performed with higher accuracy and less bias compared to OVX mice, specifically during periods of task acquisition. These results show estrogen may be primarily implicated in learning processes. To further study this effect, we trained mice on a reversal learning task, employing task rule switching to study flexible learning. One monoport dispensed water rewards during target tones and withheld them during non-target tones. Once mice learned the task, the task rules were reversed so non-target tones were then associated with rewards, leading to remapping of stimulus-reward associations. OVX mice demonstrated diminished task acquisition during post-reversal learning compared to pre-reversal. The results from both behavioral paradigms may indicate that estrogen specifically modulates flexible auditory learning.

Trisha Yachamaneni - Poster #86 - Role of the Lysosomal GPCR GPR155 in Regulating Cholesterol Efflux Genes in Macrophages Under Metabolic Stress

Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences: Neuroscience
Fourth Year
Faculty Mentor: Niranjana Natarajan

Role of the Lysosomal GPCR GPR155 in Regulating Cholesterol Efflux Genes in Macrophages Under Metabolic Stress    

Inflammation plays an important role in the pathology of cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of adult mortality. Macrophage phenotype is determined in part by G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) expression. GPR155, specifically, was identified in heart failure myeloid cells through analyses of open-source datasets. Unlike the typical GPCR, GPR155 is located on the lysosome surface and signals through the mTORC1 pathway.

I treated human monocyte-derived macrophages (HMDMs) with conditions that mimic metabolic stress, using high-glucose media, palmitate, and interferon-gamma, following GPR155 silencing with siRNA. I then ran qPCR to measure gene expression in order to assess whether GPR155 impacts inflammatory responses and cholesterol efflux. As the function of macrophages is tied to lysosomal function, the buildup of lipids in atherosclerosis causes macrophages to transition into foam cells. These foam cells are inflammatory and promote atherosclerosis progression, with increased lipid droplet formation and reduced cholesterol efflux through ABCA1 and ABCG1. Metabolic stress mimics this lipid-rich, pro-inflammatory environment and allows for an understanding of how GPR155 impacts cholesterol efflux and, in turn, the progression of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. With GPR155 silencing, ABCA1 expression was increased relative to control siRNA under high glucose (p<0.0001) and combined metabolic stress (p=0.0020), while ABCG1 expression was unchanged. The data also showed that GPR155 silencing reduced the chemokines CCL5 and CCL7 (p≤0.0015), and in combined stress conditions, IL-1B (p=0.0430). Suggesting that GPR155 regulates both cholesterol efflux and inflammatory gene expression, which may contribute to foam cell formation and potentially impact CVD progression.

Dhruv Yelisetti - Poster #87 - Investigating the Impact of BRCA1/2 Deficiency on the Single-Cell Landscape of ER+ Breast Tumors

Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences: Biological Sciences
Affiliation with Frederick Honors College
Third Year
Faculty Mentor: Dana Pueschl    

Investigating the Impact of BRCA1/2 Deficiency on the Single-Cell Landscape of ER+ Breast Tumors    

Most breast cancers have functional estrogen receptors (ER+), a subtype that often slips under the body’s immune radar and sees minimal benefit from immunotherapy. Inherited BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations, the most well known breast cancer risk genes, may critically change how the immune system responds. Yet, current methods average immune signals across whole tissues and fail to identify the entire immune composition and miss spatial data. This work used a high-plex imaging approach to measure 43 proteins in every single cell of both tumor and adjacent healthy breast tissue for 135 patients across U.S. and international sites. A full pipeline from tissue preparation through imaging, cell identification, and quality control was built and validated to complete this approach and yield two key findings. Firstly, BRCA1 tumors contain a larger share of cytotoxic (CD8+) T cells, immune cells that directly kill cancer, than BRCA tumors (29.8% vs 24.3%,p=.016). Second, tumors displayed 2.5 times the immune infiltration seen in healthy tissue (~20% vs. ~8%, p<.0001) across all 9 patients with paired samples. Together, these results indicated that inheritable genotypes shape the composition of immune responses while tumors themselves impact the scale of response. This distinction may assist in predicting immunotherapy responses based on BRCA carrier status and guide further immunological research. Future work includes measuring T cell exhaustion vs. activation in responses, DNA damage vs. repair in tumor cells, and adding non-carrier patients to enable three way analyses.

Zechariah Ziegenfus - Poster #88 - Annealing Microdiamonds to Increase Nitrogen-Vacancy Density

School of Computing and Information: Physics and Quantum Computing
Fourth Year                
Faculty Mentor: Gurudev Dutt

Annealing Microdiamonds to Increase Nitrogen-Vacancy Density    

Nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers are atomic-scale defects in diamond where a nitrogen atom sits beside a missing carbon atom. They are a rapidly advancing solid-state spin system for quantum sensing: they glow red under green (532 nm) light and that glow can respond to tiny magnetic fields. Commercial high-pressure high-temperature (HPHT) microdiamonds contain substitutional nitrogen, but few NV centers due to the lack of vacancies (missing carbon atoms). Here we investigate how nitrogen can be converted to NV centers through high-temperature vacuum annealing in micron-sized diamond powder. Annealing allows the vacancies to migrate through the sample until they are captured by a nitrogen atom. Samples were annealed at 800 °C under ~5 × 10-6 Torr. Micro-Raman and photoluminescence spectroscopy with green excitation were used to track NV formation. To compare particles of different size and focal depth, we use a self-normalizing metric: the integrated NV emission sideband (1500–6500 cm⁻¹) divided by the area of the intrinsic diamond Raman line at 1332 cm⁻¹. Since both signals come from the same measurement, this also cancels differences in laser power and collection efficiency. Preliminary measurements show a clear increase in this ratio after annealing relative to unannealed material, consistent with enhanced NV formation.These results establish a baseline for planned electron irradiation and EPR/UV-VIS measurements to quantify nitrogen-to-NV conversion. NV-rich microdiamonds are promising for biological imaging, nanoscale temperature and magnetic field sensing inside living cells, and fundamental tests of quantum mechanics using levitated particles.

Kristin Zielke - Poster #89 - Characterization of Unique PF4+ Macrophages in the Early-Stage Ischemic Brain

Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences: Neuroscience
Fourth Year
Faculty Mentor: Xiaoming Hu    

Characterization of Unique PF4+ Macrophages in the Early-Stage Ischemic Brain    

Ischemic stroke is known to trigger a complex immune response within the brain. Infiltrating macrophages exert a variety of crucial functions in different stages of stroke. Defining the precise identity of beneficial macrophages may inspire new therapeutic strategies for stroke. Our recent single-cell RNA sequencing identified unique PF4+ macrophages early after stroke. This study characterized this unique stroke-associated macrophage population during the early phase of stroke. Ischemic stroke was induced in PF4-tdtomato male mouse through transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO). Staining for PF4, IBA1, P2RY12, and CD206 were used to specifically characterize the macrophage populations. Morphological analyses were completed to characterize and compare phenotypes across PF4+/Iba1+ and PF4-/Iba1+ cells. The numbers of PF4+Iba1+ and PF4+Arg1+ microglia/macrophages increased 5 days after tMCAO and was downregulated 14 days after stroke. These cells minimally express CD206 and P2RY12. Morphologically, PF4+/Iba1+ cells possessed shorter, less complex branches with increased circularity and smaller soma size than PF4-/Iba1+ cells. PF4+ macrophages are a distinct, early-phase macrophage population found in the brain following ischemic stroke. The expression of Arg1 supports the possibility of anti-inflammatory properties that could potentially be targeted for future immunotherapies. 

Varsha Ayyala - Poster #90 - Loss of Mitochondrial Adenine Nucleotide Translocase 2 (ANT2) Impairs Alveolar Epithelial Cell Differentiation

Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences: Biological Sciences
Affiliation with Frederick Honors College
Second Year
Faculty Mentor: Corrine Kliment    

Loss of Mitochondrial Adenine Nucleotide Translocase 2 (ANT2) Impairs Alveolar Epithelial Cell Differentiation     

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a progressive lung disease characterized by airway obstruction, chronic inflammation, and alveolar tissue destruction. Alveolar epithelial type 2 cells (ATII) differentiate into alveolar type 1 (ATI) cells during turnover and after injury for oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange. In COPD, the inability of ATIIs to repair the epithelium contributes to emphysema. The loss of ANT2, a mitochondrial ADP/ATP transporter, can contribute to impaired mitochondrial function. To determine the impact of the loss of ANT2 on the differentiation of ATII to ATI cells, we isolated primary mouse ATII cells from WT and Ant2 KO mice and quantified immunofluorescence staining of Surfactant Protein C (SPC) (ATII), Podoplanin (ATI), and Keratin 8 (Krt8+) (transitional cells) during differentiation from Day 3 to Day 7. The Ant2 KO cells had reduced cell counts compared to the WT group at both time points, suggesting the impaired cell survival due to the loss of ANT2. Krt8+ expression decreased from Day 3 to Day 7 in WT cells but increased in Ant2 KO cells, suggesting that the Ant2 KO cells remain in a transitional epithelial cell state rather than differentiating into ATI cells to conserve energy. We also found an increase in the gene expression of S100a6, which is expressed in Krt8+ transitional alveolar cells, in Ant2KO cells compared to WT cells indicating delayed differentiation. These results suggest that ANT2 is important to AT2 cell differentiation and may be a potential target to improve epithelial repair and alveolar regeneration in COPD.

Conor Goldrick - Poster #91 - When Athletic Identity Outruns Confidence: A Proposed Pre-Registered Study of Endurance Performance

Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences: Psychology
Second Year    
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Leo Schumann    

When Athletic Identity Outruns Confidence: A Proposed Pre-Registered Study of Endurance Performance    

Athletes who place great importance on their athletic identity but feel less competent may be vulnerable to identity threat in competitive settings, potentially affecting performance. Early studies of endurance athletes support this, but the effect remains uncertain because of small samples, unequal distribution of conditions across races, and reliance on a single difference score. This project tests the hypothesis in a larger sample, with interventions randomly assigned within each race. We test whether the relationship between athletic identity importance and perceived competence predicts finishing performance, and whether brief identity interventions moderate this relationship. We hypothesize that athletes who place high importance on their athletic identity but feel less competent will perform worse, particularly in the control condition.

Before the race, participants rate the importance of being athletic and their athletic competence, then complete a control task or one of two brief interventions. The main outcome is finish time, standardized within each race. Importance and competence are modeled with polynomial regression, with the difference score reported for comparison with earlier results.

The research assumes that in the control condition, a greater difference will be associated with slower finish times, while interventions will attenuate that relationship. If the predicted relationship is not observed, the findings will clarify the robustness of the previously reported effect and whether it generalizes to a larger sample and a design that addresses limitations of the earlier research. In either case, the results will help to determine under what conditions the identity threat effect occurs and for whom.

Jannet Trabelsi - Poster #92 - Toward Double Electron-Electron Resonance Sensing with a Single NV Center in Diamond

Swanson School of Engineering; Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences: Engineering, Physics
Fourth Year
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Gurudev Dutt

Toward Double Electron-Electron Resonance Sensing with a Single NV Center in Diamond    

The nitrogen-vacancy (NV) center in diamond is an atomic-scale defect whose electron spin can be optically initialized and read out at room temperature and coherently controlled with microwaves, making it a sensitive probe of magnetic fields at the nanoscale. Double electron-electron resonance (DEER) extends this sensing to nearby electron spins that cannot be detected optically. The NV serves as an observer spin in a spin-echo sequence while a second microwave pulse flips a neighboring target spin, and the dipolar coupling between the two shifts the phase of the NV’s echo, revealing the target’s presence and distance. As the foundation for single-NV DEER, we have characterized and calibrated a single NV center. Pulsed optically detected magnetic resonance (ODMR) identified the NV’s spin transition frequency, and Rabi oscillation measurements calibrated the microwave π and π/2 pulses. Hahn-echo measurements characterized the spin’s coherence time (T₂ ≈ 15 μs) and revealed periodic collapses and revivals of the echo caused by precession of the surrounding ¹³C nuclear spin bath. These revivals identify the evolution times at which DEER can be performed without losing signal to the nuclear bath. Our next step is to add a pump pulse resonant with nearby electron spins and measure the resulting change in the NV echo, with the goal of detecting and characterizing electron spins near the NV.

Emma Camps - Poster #93 - Maternal and Child Health Storylines on TV: How can qualitative comment analysis reveal viewer perception of realism and influence of medical plotlines in entertainment media?

School of Public Health: Public Health    
Academic Year: 4+1 accelerated program        
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Grace Drnach-Bonaventura

Maternal and Child Health Storylines on TV: How can qualitative comment analysis reveal viewer perception of realism and influence of medical plotlines in entertainment media?  

Recent scripted television shows have featured maternal and child health (MCH) storylines, including depictions of abortion and miscarriage. These storylines allow exploration of how viewers perceive the realism of on-screen MCH experiences. Because MCH care varies and these topics are stigmatized, viewers’ reactions and judgments of realism may differ. We compare two studies of MCH storylines: Abortion plotlines on fictional television programs (Study A) and an in-progress study of the miscarriage storyline in Season 1 of The Pitt (Study B).

Ian Watson - Poster #94 - Regional analysis of presynaptic dopaminergic markers across the human striatum

Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences: Neuroscience
Fourth Year
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Jill Glausier    

Regional analysis of presynaptic dopaminergic markers across the human striatum    

The striatum is the primary recipient of dopaminergic inputs in the human brain. The dorsal striatum, caudate and putamen, supports decision-making and habit-formation. The ventral striatum, nucleus accumbens, supports motivation and reward. Dopamine release decreases from dorsal to ventral, but whether this gradient reflects regional differences in innervation, synthesis or vesicular packaging of dopamine is unknown. We quantified dopamine bouton density and the abundance of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2), which mediate dopamine synthesis and vesicular packaging, respectively, in the human striatum. 

Bryan Calderon - Poster #95 - Supportive Faculty Relationships as a Mediator of the Association Between Minority Status Stress and Perceptions of the University Environment    

Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences, School of Education: Psychology, Teacher Education
Affiliation with Kessler Scholars, TRIO McNair Scholars    
Third Year

Supportive Faculty Relationships as a Mediator of the Association Between Minority Status Stress and Perceptions of the University Environment    

Racial and ethnic minority college students frequently encounter Minority Status Stress through discrimination, marginalization, and race-related challenges within academic settings. Prior research has linked Minority Status Stress to worse psychological well-being, lower academic satisfaction, and less favorable perceptions of campus climate and university environments. At the same time, supportive student-faculty interactions have been associated with greater academic engagement, belonging, and student success. However, limited research has examined whether student-faculty interactions help explain the relationship between Minority Status Stress and perceptions of the university environment. The present study will examine these relationships among Black, Latinx, and Asian college students using data collected at a large public university. Participants completed measures assessing Minority Status Stress, perceptions of the university environment, and the quality of their interactions with professors in both academic and interpersonal settings. Correlational analyses will examine relationships among the study variables, and additional analyses will test whether supportive interactions with professors help explain the link between Minority Status Stress and students' perceptions of the university environment. Based on previous research, higher levels of Minority Status Stress are expected to be associated with less favorable perceptions of the university environment. Positive student-faculty interactions are expected to explain part of this relationship, such that students who report more supportive interactions with professors may perceive their university environment more positively, even when they experience higher levels of Minority Status Stress. Findings may contribute to a better understanding of how faculty relationships shape the experiences of racial and ethnic minority students and may inform efforts to create more supportive and inclusive higher education environments.

PowerPoint Presentations

McKenna Kerns - Feasibility of a Sensor-Integrated Ankle-Foot Orthosis with Real-Time Auditory Feedback: A Study on the Technology Breakdown

Swanson School of Engineering: Bioengineering
Affiliation with Frederick Honors College
Third Year
Faculty Mentor: Goeren Fiedler    

Feasibility of a Sensor-Integrated Ankle-Foot Orthosis with Real-Time Auditory Feedback: A Study on the Technology Breakdown    

Introduction: Accurately measuring patient adherence to prescribed orthotic wear time is difficult because it relies on subjective self-reports, with up to 80% of patients reported as nonadherent. Ankle-foot orthotics (AFOs) improve gait, balance, and quality of life, but adherence remains limited by social stigma, discomfort, and improper fit. Sensor-based monitoring can provide passive wear data, but often lacks real-time feedback, a gap identified in a 2023 systematic review by Devanand and Kedgeley. This study evaluated the feasibility of a custom sensor-integrated AFO that can detect prescribed wear and provide real-time auditory feedback. Specifically, the study evaluated sensor consistency and the capability of multisensor integration to improve wear-wear detection precision.

Methods: A prototype AFO incorporated a heel force sensor, a strap latch microswitch, and a temperature sensor at the back of the calf, connected to an Arduino microcontroller and a piezoelectric speaker. A temperature-sensor experiment was conducted across five trials at three ambient temperatures (5.5°C, 20°C, and 27°C) and during direct calf contact. Force sensor readings were evaluated across body positions and incremental loading from 15 to 150 pounds.

Results: This multisensor circuit successfully detected worn versus non-worn status. Temperature sensing was limited by ambient fluctuations near the 3°C detection threshold at 27°C. The force sensor reliably detected pressure during standing and walking but produced near-zero values during sedentary positions, supporting a minimum two-sensor model. 

Discussion: The results informed replacing the temperature sensor with a capacitive proximity sensor and proved the feasibility of this model.

Divya Tase - One Word Workshop

Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences: Biology and Public Health
Research Program: C4C Unleashed Wonder Grant    

One Word Workshop    

Wonder: a quiet feeling of surprise and admiration, sparked by something beautiful or unexpected. With C4C’s support, I will create One Word, a multimedia documentary exploring the human side of street medicine with Street Medicine @ Pitt and ayu: Narrative Medicine Journal. Ayu hosts workshops where students discuss poetry and prose inspired by street medicine. Street Medicine is a model of care focused on “going to the people,” providing resources directly to people experiencing homelessness. Narrative street medicine uses writing, reflection, and storytelling to honor the humanity of both providers and patients; they inspire wonder and curiosity in medicine.  

One Word begins with workshops in which participants choose a single word significant to their experience in street medicine. The wonder is in the words that spark personal stories, which are then transformed into visual artwork. Each piece interprets the participant’s chosen word. Both the written narratives and resulting artworks will be displayed in a digital archive, accompanied by audio and video interviews. The film component documents this creative journey, bringing together the artwork (as a visual aid) and the stories behind it into a short documentary.