This biannual event, held during the spring and fall semesters, is hosted by the Office of the Provost in collaboration with the Student Success Hub and is open to the public.
The Fall 2025 Undergraduate Research and Creative Expression Fair is scheduled for Tuesday, October 14, 2025, 5-7 p.m., in the Connolly Ballroom at Alumni Hall.
Note: students can receive Outside the Classroom Curriculum (OCC) credit for attending this event.
Fall 2025 Presenters and Projects
Pitt undergraduates were invited to submit poster abstracts for the Fall 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 and projects featured in the fall event.
Posters
Info Format:
Poster # - Student Name - Project Title
Inside the dropdown: School: Major / Faculty/Staff Mentor / Title and Description
- 1 - Tanner Falkler - Investigating the Effect of The Amyloid Precursor Protein (APP) Processing on Tau Aggregation in Alzheimer’s Disease (AD)
Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences: Biochemistry
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Amantha Thathiah
Investigating the Effect of The Amyloid Precursor Protein (APP) Processing on Tau Aggregation in Alzheimer’s Disease (AD)
Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is characterized by an abnormally high accumulation of amyloid-β (Aβ) plaques and neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs). Aβ production is derived from the sequential cleavage of the amyloid precursor protein (APP), which is expressed to a greater extent in neurons containing NFTs. NFTs are composed of aggregates of hyperphosphorylated tau. AD can be classified as two major subtypes: familial AD (fAD), caused by heritable autosomal dominant mutation(s) in AD-relevant genes (e.g., APP); and sporadic AD (sAD), in which onset of symptoms is correlated with, but not caused by, various elusive risk factors (e.g., APOE). One such mutation in APP is a double point mutation (KM670/671NL), termed Swedish APP (APPswe) mutation, which increases Aβ peptide secretion. APP’s role in the pathophysiology of AD is crucial, however the direct effect of APP processing on tau pathology remains unclear.
We investigated the involvement of wild-type, human APP (APPwt) and APPswe in tau aggregation using HEK293 cells over-expressing APPwt, APPswe, and a novel, light-inducible optogenetic system of tau aggregation (optoTAU). We utilized biochemical and immunocytochemical analyses of total tau and APP to visualize and quantify the effect of APP processing on tau pathogenesis.
According to preliminary results, we expect to see increased tau aggregation within cells expressing APPswe compared to cells expressing APPwt.
Increased tau aggregation in cells expressing APPswe may imply increased APP processing as a mediator of tau aggregation. Future studies will elucidate its role in tau pathogenesis by exploring its effects on tau phosphorylation.- 2 - Emma Bocquillon - Defining conserved mechanisms of toxicity for glycolytic inhibition
Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences: Biochemistry
Faculty Mentor: Allyson F. O'Donnell
Defining conserved mechanisms of toxicity for glycolytic inhibition
Many studies have demonstrated that cancer cells undergo a metabolic shift in which they increase glucose uptake and favor anaerobic glycolysis even under aerobic conditions. This phenomenon, known as the Warburg Effect, increases cancer cells’ dependence on glucose for ATP production, making glycolytic inhibitors promising anti-cancer therapeutics. For decades, glycolytic inhibitors have been used in treatments and clinical trials; however, cells often develop resistance for reasons that remain unclear.
Our research in the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae defined the cytotoxic mechanism and resistance pathway for 2-deoxyglucose (2DG), a toxic analog of glucose. This study investigates whether resistance mechanisms established for 2DG are conserved across other glycolytic inhibitors, including 3PO, 3-BrPA, and PFK158.
Sensitivity assays were conducted to determine IC50 values, enabling further evaluation of drug effects in comparison to 2DG in yeast strains presenting as sensitive or resistant to 2DG. Growth analyses showed that 3PO and 3-BrPA, exhibit mechanisms of action similar to 2DG. In addition, I examined the localization of the yeast glucose transporter, Hxt3, tagged with green fluorescent protein (GFP), in cells treated with 2DG, 3PO, 3-BrPA, or PFK158. Nearly all 2DG resistant mutants isolated from our past studies stabilized glucose transporters, at the plasma membrane (PM) in response to 2DG. A similar response was observed in yeast treated with 3PO; 2DG sensitive and wild-type cells rapidly endocytosed Hxt3, whereas 2DG-resistant cells retained Hxt3 at the PM.
These results demonstrate a conserved mode of resistance between 2DG and 3PO and suggest parallels with other glycolytic inhibitors.- 3 - Henry Liu - Investigating the Role of C Terminal Domains in Selective Lipid Transport by LYVAC
Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences: Biochemistry and Physics
Faculty Mentor: Jay (Xiaojun) Tan
Investigating the Role of C Terminal Domains in Selective Lipid Transport by LYVAC
Lysosomes are important organelles in cellular growth, metabolism, and stress response. During lysosomal dysfunction in neurodegenerative disorders, lysosomal storage disorders, and other pathophysiological processes, lysosomes have been observed to enlarge into vacuole-like structures, a process known as lysosomal vacuolation. LYVAC (lysosomal vacuolator) was recently discovered to mediate this process through the transport of membrane lipids unidirectionally from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) to the lysosome, without the use of ATP.
The molecular mechanism of how LYVAC is able to achieve specific, unidirectional transport from the ER to the lysosome is still poorly understood. We hypothesized that two C-terminal domains, a histidine repeat and an alpha helix linker, interact with the ER membrane, and are responsible for the disruption and loading of membrane lipids, as well as the selective orientation of the protein between the ER and lysosome.
Utilizing both in vivo cellular imaging and in vitro fluorescence-based lipid transfer assays, we demonstrated that the process of selective lysosomal vacuolation does not depend on these domains, as originally thought. This result, combined with follow-up cryo-electron microscopy to fully elucidate LYVAC's structure, may assist in eventually fully understanding this novel form of lipid transport, providing key insights into intracellular lipid transport and cellular immune and stress response.- 4 - Gunes Cinemre - Visualizing Myoblast Fusion: Insights into Pre-Fusion Dynamics and Membrane Timing
Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences: Biochemistry
Faculty Mentor: Bridget M. Deasy
Visualizing Myoblast Fusion: Insights into Pre-Fusion Dynamics and Membrane Timing
Myoblast fusion is an important step of myotube formation and myogenesis in skeletal muscles. Myoblasts result from the proliferation and differentiation of activated muscle stem cells. They fuse into myotubes in vitro or multinucleated muscle fibers in vivo through tightly controlled processes involving cell-to-cell interactions, proteins, and cell migration during embryonic development. Similar processes have been documented during muscle repair after injuries.
Live cell imaging allows a more challenging but precise way to investigate the detailed mechanisms of myoblast fusion. Imaging systems show the fusion of myoblasts from various animals, such as Drosophila, zebrafish, and mice in vitro, while other methods confirm in vivo fusion. The signaling pathways that modulate myoblast fusion can improve understanding of myogenesis, dynamic microenvironment cues, and muscle biology under normal and disease conditions. New imaging applications allow a deeper understanding of myogenesis, which may lead to more effective cell therapy for various myopathies and potential use in other biological systems.
Here, we provide a literature review of results detailing critical myoblast fusion steps and evaluate the most recent live-cell imaging techniques used to study myotube formation. We will also present our recent findings characterizing mouse and human myoblast fusion to form myotubes.- 5 - Satyaj Bhargava - Medial Axis Parameterization for Neurovascular Biomarkers in Alzheimer’s Disease
Swanson School of Engineering: Bioengineering
Faculty Mentors: George Stetten, Howard Aizenstein, Minjie Wu
Medial Axis Parameterization for Neurovascular Biomarkers in Alzheimer’s Disease
Segmenting vasculature from 3D MRI images remains one of the leading ways to obtain morphological data to conduct vasculature studies for Alzheimer’s disease. The medial axis, or “skeleton” of segmented vascular structures is commonly used in parameterizing vessel diameter and curvature. This is typically done by finding ridges in the Danielson distance transform or by applying a grassfire erosion technique on a completed segmentation. Common difficulties with these methods include unstable branch points and major shifts in the skeleton due to minor errors in the segmentation, such missing pixels or protruding spicules.
We propose a statistical approach, robust to minor segmentation errors and branch point instability, for parameterizing vessels by modeling them as small ellipsoidal pixel sets. Starting from a seed pixel, neighboring pixels are iteratively accreted toward the set’s center of mass, which converges to the medial manifold when bounded by vessel walls. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) monitors when the set ceases to be spherical and becomes elongated, at which point the center of mass defines a medial axis point and PCA yields the local vessel diameter and orientation. The process repeats with new seed points along the vessel to generate a statistically informed, smooth medial axis. Branch points in vasculature are resolved with Gaussian mixture models, treating each branch as a distinct ellipsoidal population. The method remains robust to noise, spicules, and holes.
We demonstrate results obtaining key vessel metrics of 3D brain vasculature, thereby enabling the study of Alzheimer’s disease-related vascular changes.- 6 - Haley Chung - Donor keratinocytes, leukocytes, and endothelium release graft-derived extracellular vesicles that mediate transplant rejection
Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences: Biological Sciences
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Adrian Morelli
Donor keratinocytes, leukocytes, and endothelium release graft-derived extracellular vesicles that mediate transplant rejection
Acute rejection remains a serious risk, days to months post-transplant, despite treatment with immunosuppressants. The dogma once held that antigen-presenting leukocytes migrate from the transplanted donor graft to the recipient lymphoid tissues, where they initiate the B cell anti-donor immune response. However, recent studies prove that donor antigens are instead released cell-free from the graft via small extracellular vesicles (EVs). These donor EVs are a crucial source of donor antigen that stimulates acute rejection.
We aim to identify the cellular source(s) of donor EVs in order to reveal potential therapeutic targets for donor antigen minimization. To accomplish this, we created three mouse model groups with red EV expression targeted to donor leukocytes, keratinocytes, or endothelial cells. We then performed allogeneic transplants on recipient mice using skin from our three donor groups and extracted the brachial lymph node for 2-photon microscopy on POD2.
We found that EVs sourced from donor keratinocytes had the highest colocalization with subcapsular sinus macrophages and follicular dendritic cells, significantly higher than negative control colocalization. This was contrary to our hypothesis that donor leukocytes would be the largest EV contributor due to the previous dogma. Leukocyte and endothelium EVs additionally had significant colocalization with recipient cells.
Our results suggest that donor keratinocytes, leukocytes, and endothelial cells may be effective targets for pharmacological inhibition of graft EVs. The inhibition of donor antigen through graft EVs may be a powerful means to reduce acute transplant rejection.- 7 - Lucia Liu - Influence of Agricultural Land Use on Antimicrobial Peptide Quantities in Amphibians
Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences: Biological Sciences
Faculty Mentor: Cori Zawacki
Influence of Agricultural Land Use on Antimicrobial Peptide Quantities in Amphibians
Amphibians use antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) secreted from their skin as a key defense against pathogens. However, AMP production is metabolically costly and may be suppressed under environmental stress, such as that caused by agricultural land use. This study tests whether agricultural intensity is associated with reduced AMP expression in green frogs (Lithobates clamitans).
We collected frogs from six ponds along a gradient of agricultural land cover (0–60%) and extracted AMPs following gland stimulation. Peptide concentration was quantified using a colorimetric assay. We examined the relationship between AMP yield, frog body mass, and agricultural land use.
Results showed no statistically significant correlation between AMP yield and agricultural land cover. Total AMP quantity did not increase significantly with body mass (R² = 0.032, p = 0.225), and standardized AMP yield per gram of mass showed a weak negative trend (R² = 0.057, p = 0.048), suggesting larger frogs may produce relatively fewer AMPs per unit body mass. Leech presence and injury status did not account for variation in AMP yield.
Limitations include sampling only 6 of 16 intended ponds and unmeasured variables such as species, infection, and environmental conditions. Future work will focus on characterizing AMP composition and testing for associations between AMP levels and infection by Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis.- 8 - Olivia Pelcher - Investigating PDGFR signaling dependency in ZFTA-RELA fusion supratentorial ependymoma
Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences: Biological Sciences
Faculty Mentor: Antony Michealraj
Investigating PDGFR signaling dependency in ZFTA-RELA fusion supratentorial ependymoma
Ependymomas are rare, treatment-resistant pediatric brain tumors that remain poorly understood and lack effective therapies. In supratentorial ependymomas (ST-EPN), a common oncogenic driver is the ZFTA-RELA fusion, which promotes tumorigenesis through aberrant transcriptional regulation and signaling.
Using patient-derived and syngeneic mouse models, we found that PDGFRA and PDGFRB are differentially expressed in ST-EPN compared to other ependymoma subgroups and normal neural stem cells. Isogenic neural stem cell models harboring ZFTA-RELA fusion confirmed that PDGFRA and PDGFRB expression is fusion-dependent. Functionally, PDGF-BB, the activating ligand for both PDGFRA and PDGFRB. markedly increased ST-EPN proliferation and stemness, whereas pharmacologic inhibition of these receptors with selective small molecule CP-673451 profoundly reduced proliferation in ST-EPN, but not in controls.
These findings suggest that ZFTA-RELA driven ependymomas depend on PDGFR signaling for oncogenic growth, and that targeting this pathway with brain-penetrant small molecules holds strong therapeutic potential.
Leveraging these insights, we are systematically mapping the downstream PDGFR signaling network using genetic perturbation and phosphoproteomics in disease models of ST-EPN. In parallel, we are assessing whether PDGFR inhibitors can extend survival in preclinical models, paving the way for rational, mechanism based therapeutic strategies for children with these otherwise treatment resistant tumors.- 9 - Dhruv Yelisetti - When Immunity Turns Against the Heart: A Single-Cell Transcriptomic Investigation of Immune Dysregulation in HFpEF
Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences: Biological Sciences
Faculty Mentor: Niranjana Natarajan
When Immunity Turns Against the Heart: A Single-Cell Transcriptomic Investigation of Immune Dysregulation in HFpEF
Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is responsible for nearly half of heart failure cases today, yet it remains one of the most elusive, underdeveloped therapies for cardiovascular disease (Filipp et al., 2024). HFpEF is different from conventional heart failure; although patients present with diastolic dysfunction due to a preserved ejection fraction, it is not a contracting problem that plagues these patients but rather debilitating symptoms stemming from systemic inflammation, microvascular injury, and tissue fibrosis (Chen et al., 2024; Moskalik et al., 2022). As the problem continues to spread in the elderly, comorbid population, the definitive cellular and molecular underpinnings are still an enigma.
Recently, however, researchers have started to implicate immune cells in the etiology of the disease, especially the cardiac macrophage population, operating as mediators of inflammation and maladaptive remodeling in HFpEF. Therefore, deciphering how these immune cells dysregulate could open the window for therapeutic opportunities.
This project used publicly available scRNA-seq data to assess whether HFpEF-specific gene expression patterns exist. Specifically, it reanalyzed scRNA-seq studies generated with HFpEF populations and control populations through a custom-built bioinformatics pipeline in RStudio (uses R coding language). Critical continuing work includes distinguishing genes that are dysregulated uniquely in HFpEF, as opposed to genes altered through other pathological means associated with comorbidity (metabolic stress or hypertensive stress). Ultimately, the goal is to assess whether unique gene expression characteristics emerge that can 1) be therapeutically targeted and/or 2) serve as new HFpEF biomarkers in future diagnoses.- 10 - Eda Kurtsoy - Combined targeting of synthetic lethal partners in RB1-deficient cancer cells
Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences: Biological Sciences
Faculty Mentor: Andrey Parkhitko
Combined targeting of synthetic lethal partners in RB1-deficient cancer cells
RB1 is a tumor suppressor gene that is frequently mutated in various tumors and one of the most prevalent tumor suppressor genes driving metastasis. One therapeutic strategy for treating cancers with inactivated RB1 involves synthetic lethality (SL). A pair of genes can be defined as synthetically lethal when perturbation of either gene alone is not lethal but simultaneous perturbation of both becomes lethal.
A genetic screen was performed for SL partners of Rb in the Drosophila eye and the validity of the identified targets was confirmed in human cancer cell lines and patient tumor samples. Furthermore, these SL interactions are preserved in the presence of additional oncogenic alterations (activation of Ras and loss of Pten). It is unlikely that monotherapy will be effective for eradication of RB1-mutated tumors, thus a combined targeting of two SL partners from different pathways is proposed for a synergistic effect.
We perform testing on five pairs of isogenic cancer cell lines (prostate, lung, breast cancer), where RB1 is knocked out or downregulated. Our testing encompasses a library of 125 drugs against either SL partners or associated pathways. We screened drugs independently for selectivity against RB1-deficient cells, and identified potential candidates, some of which are FDA approved.
The drug candidates will be further tested in pairwise combinations. For the best combinations, we will dissect the downstream mechanism responsible for increased selectivity. We aim to identify the most effective pair of FDA-approved drugs that selectively kills RB1-deficient cancers.- 11 - Mora Ghattes - Evaluation of a Proliferator-Activated Receptor Delta (PPARδ) Agonist as a Therapy to Improve Mitochondria Energy in Glycogen Storage Disease III
Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences: Biology
Faculty Mentors: Bianca Seminotti, Jerry Vockley
Evaluation of a Proliferator-Activated Receptor Delta (PPARδ) Agonist as a Therapy to Improve Mitochondria Energy in Glycogen Storage Disease III
Glycogen storage disease III (GSDIII) is caused by mutations in the AGL gene, which encodes isoforms of the glycogen debranching enzyme required for glycogen breakdown. GSDIII manifests with symptoms of hypoglycemia, hyperlipidemia, hepatomegaly, hypotonia, and myopathy. Current therapy included frequent feedings, high protein and fat intake, and cornstarch to improve fasting. Proliferator-activated receptors delta (PPARδ) agonists regulate transcription of mitochondrial energy metabolism. PPARδ agonists have been tested as a therapy for inherited metabolic disorders as they promote mitochondrial biogenesis.
I hypothesize that Mavodelpar (PPARδ agonist) will enhance mitochondrial function GSDIII cells and improve their bioenergetics. Fibroblasts from GSDIII patients and healthy individuals were treated with 200µM Bezafibrate (pan-PPAR agonist) and 30nM and 120nM Mavodelpar for 48 hours without glucose, forcing reliance on fatty acids for energy. Mitochondrial function was evaluated through the oxygen consumption rate (OCR), which is measured using a Seahorse Bioanalyzer Cell Mito Stress Test (MST). MST measures basal respiration, maximal respiration, ATP-linked respiration, and spare reserve capacity. Basal respiration, maximal respiration, and spare reserve capacity were significantly increased with 200µM bezafibrate and 30nM Mavodelpar compared to the untreated cells. Compared to untreated GSDIII cells, 30nM Mavodelpar treatment resulted in a 25% OCR increase. There was a 15% increase in OCR in the control cells relative to the 30nM Mavodelpar treatment.
Results with 120nM of Mavodelpar were more variable.
Additional cellular energy production in patients could provide clinical benefits to GSDIII patients. Future experiments in other tissues and a GSDIII mouse model will evaluate this hypothesis.- 12 - Paige Walsh - Rurality as an Effect Modifier: A Collaborative Cares Intervention for Depression
Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences: Biology and Psychology
Faculty Mentor: Jennifer Steel
Rurality as an Effect Modifier: A Collaborative Cares Intervention for Depression
Background: According to the Census Bureau, urban clusters or urbanized areas are defined by population density, as well as other measures of dense development. Areas that do not fit into either of these categories are considered as rural, making up about 19.3 percent of communities. The aim of this study was to determine if rurality influences treatment efficacy of the CARES stepped collaborative care intervention.
Methods: Interim subgroup analysis was performed, comparing 35 patients from rural communities and 93 patients from urban communities. Rurality was determined using the Rural Urban Continuum Code (RUCA codes=4-9), while urbanicity included using RUCA codes=1-3.
Results: The changes observed in patients from rural communities were not clinically significant for depression (CCI mean=-0.214 vs SOC mean= 2.33; p=0.280); while for urban patients, clinically significant changes were observed with regard to reducing depressive symptoms (CCI mean= -4.278 vs SOC mean= 0.712; p=0.014). Qualitative interviews with therapists who delivered the collaborative care intervention reported that the CBT approach was not empathetic to common stressors experienced by those in rural communities. Consequently, PST (problem–solving therapy) was recommended for patients in rural communities.
Conclusion: The team’s collaborative care effort was effective in reducing a symptom cluster of depression, pain, and fatigue in urban communities. However, adapting the collaborative care approach to maximize treatment efficacy for those in rural communities is recommended, as it would reduce the rural disparities in the treatment of depression in patients with comorbid cancer.- 13 - Divya Tase - EGFL6 Promotes Earlier Initiation and Aggressive Progression in Ovarian Cancer
School of Public Health: Biology and Public Health
Faculty Mentor: Ronald Buckanovich
EGFL6 Promotes Earlier Initiation and Aggressive Progression in Ovarian Cancer
High-grade serous carcinoma (HGSC), the most common and lethal ovarian cancer subtype, arises from the fallopian tube epithelium (FTE) rather than the ovary. Cancer is believed to arise in a population of stem-like cancer initiating cells (CIC) that can rapidly metastasize. Epidermal growth factor-like domain multiple-6 (EGFL6) protein is a known regulator of stem-like cells in development and is expressed in ovarian cancer precursors increasing with evolution into invasive cancer. In established cancers, EGFL6 increases cancer proliferation creating an immunosuppressive microenvironment.
To determine EGFL6’s role in HGSC development, we used the BPRN genetically engineered mouse model (GEMM) of ovarian cancer with mutated tumor suppressor genes: BRCA1, PTEN, RB1, and NF (BPRNE variant included inducible EGFL6 expression). This model is known to induce HGSC precursors (serous tubal intraepithelial carcinomas–STIC) to metastatic HGSC. Using immunofluorescence for CCND1 we observed that induction of EGFL6 resulted in more and earlier precancerous STIC lesions compared to BPRN. At 6 months, BPRN mice had 60% no lesions and 40% STIC, while BPRNE had STIC (50%) or carcinoma (50%). By 9 months, 40% of BPRN remained lesion-free compared to none in BPRNE, with the latter showing more carcinoma (40% vs. 20%). At 12 months, 40% of BPRN remained lesion-free, but all BPRNE had progressed to carcinoma. IF revealed EGFL6 expression was associated with reduced CD3⁺ T-cell infiltration.
These observations suggest EGFL6 is a driver of ovarian cancer initiation and associated with an immunosuppressive, aggressive and metastatic tumor phenotype indicating EGFL6 could be an important therapeutic target.- 14 - Xinning (Jasmine) Ma - Exploring impac of a consortia of human microbiota on melanoma cancer development
Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences: Computational Biology
Faculty Mentor: Marlies Meisel
Exploring impac of a consortia of human microbiota on melanoma cancer development
Melanoma is an aggressive type of skin cancer with poor outcomes once it reaches advanced stages. Recent studies suggest that gut bacteria can influence tumor growth and the effectiveness of treatment, but the role of individual species is not fully understood.
In this study, we examined four gut bacterial strains—Anaerostipescaccae, Roseburia intestinalis, Clostridium hathewayi, and Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum—in a subcutaneous B16-F10 melanoma mouse model. Mice were given bacteria through gavage, and tumor development and survival were tracked. Bacterial growth curves and colony count showed strain-specific differences, which were used to prepare accurate doses for in vivo work.
Among the tested species, R. intestinalishad the strongest effect, slowing tumor growth and improving survival compared with controls. A. caccae did not significantly change tumor growth or survival, though some mice developed enlarged spleens, suggesting possible immune changes. C. hathewayi caused a modest increase in tumor growth but did not extend survival. B. pesudocatenlatum did not significantly change tumor growth or survival.
These results show that not all gut bacteria influence tumors in the same way, and that R. intestinalismay be a promising candidate for future microbiome-based approaches to cancer treatment.- 15 - Paroma Banerjee - Development of an Ex Vivo Live Cell Imaging Platform to Detect T cell Allogeneic Reactivity in Transplant Recipients
Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences: Computational Biology
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Geoffrey Camirand
Development of an Ex Vivo Live Cell Imaging Platform to Detect T cell Allogeneic Reactivity in Transplant Recipients
A key current deficit in the field of transplantation is the unavailability of reliable and rapid assays to monitor low grade T Cell mediated rejection (TCMR) in organ transplant recipients. TCMR occurs in a significant fraction of human and non-human primate (NHP) recipients despite sustained standard of care immunosuppression.
Thus, we sought to develop an ex vivo live cell imaging platform to detect alloantigen reactive T cells using NHP as an experimenting approach. To do so, NHP spleen slices were co-seeded with fluorescently labeled T cells from either the same (syngeneic) or distinct (allogeneic) genetic backgrounds, and time-lapse imaged in a heated fluidic chamber using multiphoton microscopy. Our results demonstrate that allogeneic T cells, which recognize splenic cells as foreign, exhibited significantly slower dynamics (travelling speed, travelled distance) and increased confinements, compared to syngeneic T cells.
In addition, using a calcium reporter dye pre-loaded into T cells, allogeneic T cells demonstrated a significant increase in intracellular calcium concentrations compared to syngeneic T cells, suggesting that allogeneic T cells are being activated through their T cell receptors and are recognizing foreign antigens expressed on splenic cells.
Taken together, we have established a live cell imaging platform that successfully differentiates alloantigen reactive from non-reactive T cells that can be setup and analyzed rapidly. Further development of this platform would allow for rapid detection of alloantigen reactive T cells from PBMCs of transplant recipients and of ongoing TCMR.- 16 - Justine Denby - Unraveling the Evolutionary Dynamics of Reproductive Gene Evolution in Mammals
Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences: Computational Biology
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Nathan Clark
Unraveling the Evolutionary Dynamics of Reproductive Gene Evolution in Mammals
Reproduction is fundamental to evolutionary fitness, where fitness is defined by the passing of genetic material onto the next generation. Therefore, studying reproduction helps us understand how evolutionary forces lead to rapid evolution. Mammalian mating systems impose selective pressures on reproductive strategies that shape the evolution of reproductive traits.
In many species, females often pursue multiple-male mating, which forces evolutionary adaptations to increase reproductive success. This creates sperm competition, which is central to understanding selective pressures acting on male reproductive success. Genome-wide comparisons show that reproductive proteins, including those involved in sperm function and fertilization, have some of the highest levels of evolutionary divergence. Genetic diversity is pivotal for determining an organism's fitness. This suggests that mating behaviors play a crucial role in the rapid evolution of reproductive genes.
We aimed to answer if accelerated molecular evolutionary rates were associated with high sperm competition across mammals, yet our results showed the opposite. In our research, we quantified sperm competition with relative testes size, which is the ratio of the individual's testes size to their body. We used the program RERconverge, which correlates trait data to the relative evolutionary rates of genes across a phylogenetic tree, to identify genes associated with the trait. We see mammals like rodents and primates with lower sperm competition having accelerated evolutionary rates, instead of the expected.
Our research provides better understanding of the molecular evolution of these key proteins and their role in shaping mammalian reproduction, an essential part of evolutionary fitness.- 17 - Averil Ludwick, Eliza Lichtman - Investigating Growth Abnormalities and Horizontal Gene Transfer in Legionella pneumophila During Host Adaption
Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences: Computational Biology, Biological Sciences
Faculty Mentors: Mische Holland, Dr. Tera Levin
Investigating Growth Abnormalities and Horizontal Gene Transfer in Legionella pneumophila During Host Adaption
Legionella pneumophila (Lp) is a bacterium that primarily evolves through horizontal gene transfer (HGT), acquiring genetic material from the environment and integrating it into its genome. Among the bacterial factors influenced by HGT are effector proteins, which Lp injects into host cells to manipulate cellular processes. One such effector, MavN, plays a key role in this adaptation as it sequesters iron and antagonizes host nutritional immunity.
To investigate the evolutionary dynamics of MavN, we used amoebae as a model system to impose selective pressures and monitor HGT over time. Our findings show that MavN allele acquisition occurs at different rates depending on host immune conditions. Further comparative analysis of ancestral and evolved strains revealed abnormal growth of the CTL3 strain. Despite differences in intracellular growth, the CTL3 strain failed to grow extracellularly in both LoFlo and amoebae-conditioned LoFlo medium, indicating that CTL3’s increased growth was not due to novel interactions with environmental conditions.
These results highlight the interplay of host environment and bacterial gene exchange in shaping MavN uptake and associated Lp evolution. Future work will employ refined DNA barcodes to quantify HGT dynamics and explore how multiple HGT and mutation events interact within reservoir bacterial populations.- 18 - Wunmi Salami - Enhancing Community-Centered Voice Assistance for African American Older Adults
School of Computing and Information: Computer Engineering
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Erin Walker
Enhancing Community-Centered Voice Assistance for African American Older Adults
This project explores the development of a community-centered voice assistant system for African American older adults through the integration of custom Alexa and ChatGPT APIs.
The research began with the recognition that technology was never designed with this population in mind. Work conducted at the Thelma Lovett YMCA over the past two years has led to a focused interest in voice assistants, which—among available technologies—show promise in better addressing their needs. This system leverages an Alexa device to support a hybrid conversational interface that routes queries between Alexa’s native capabilities and ChatGPT’s language model via custom backend integration.
The assistant is iteratively improved based on direct community input, with an emphasis on improving usability, comprehension, and trust. The result is a platform that expands Alexa’s default functionality through ChatGPT while aligning with the lived experiences and preferences of its intended users. This research demonstrates the potential of large language models and voice platforms to be adapted for community-responsive use cases and contributes to ongoing efforts in human-computer interaction.- 19 - Michelle Hong - Metacognition in Student Revision: The Role of Feedback Alignment and Perceived Improvement
School of Computing and Information: Computer Science
Faculty Mentor: Diane Litman
Metacognition in Student Revision: The Role of Feedback Alignment and Perceived Improvement
Effective revision in response to feedback is essential for student writing success. This study examined eRevise+RF (Revision Feedback), an enhanced automated writing evaluation (AWE) system that provides targeted feedback on student revisions.
Data came from the second deployment of eRevise+RF, focusing on revisions between students’ second and third drafts of argumentative essays about space exploration. Students responded to the prompt: “Did the author convince you that space exploration leads to long-term benefits that justify the cost?” The analysis centered on alignment—the agreement between computer-generated revision patterns and human feedback. Writing improvement was measured using three indicators: Type-Token Ratio (TTR), Number of Pieces of Evidence (NPE), and Specificity (SPC). Changes in these measures between Draft 2 and Draft 3 were compared with students’ self-reported understanding of feedback collected through a Day 2 survey.
A key finding was that students’ perceived improvement often did not match measurable improvement. Many equated effortful revision with progress, even when TTR, NPE, or SPC showed little change. This mismatch suggests that revision quantity alone does not guarantee higher writing quality. Moreover, alignment between computer and human feedback did not consistently predict improvement, raising questions about what factors most strongly drive meaningful revisions.
These results highlight the importance of metacognitive scaffolding to help students interpret and apply feedback more effectively. By fostering accurate self-assessment, educators and AWE systems like eRevise+RF may better support revisions that lead to genuine gains in writing quality.- 20 - Shanker Pillai - Applying Responsible Data Science Practices: Carnegie Hero Fund Commission
School of Computing and Information: Computer Science, Computational Biology
Staff Mentor: Kendra Oliver
Applying Responsible Data Science Practices: Carnegie Hero Fund Commission
With a growing sense of partisanship and lack of an overall human community in society today, we are constantly subjected to information that has us see others in a more negative light. The Carnegie Hero Fund Commission (CHFC) has spent over a century aiming to change that by recognizing and supporting those who perform acts of heroism in civilian life in the US and Canada.
CHFC has amassed a vast and unique dataset documenting extraordinary acts of altruism. Unfortunately, incomplete digitization makes it challenging for researchers, educators, and the public to engage meaningfully with the stories of heroes. Without a data platform that balances responsible data practices with storytelling, accessibility, and research utility, CHFC risks underutilizing its powerful archive.
As a student worker with Responsible Data Science @ Pitt (RDS@Pitt) who are now working closely with CHFC, I wish to use my Data Science skills gained through the University of Pittsburgh to help CHFC in its mission. CHFC's data is largely on aging and misused platforms such as Microsoft Access and Kaseware. Assisting in cleaning the large and somewhat messy data currently collected is one important part. Modernizing CHFC's archives by migrating databases to modern platforms that are more accessible to readers and researchers will be the next goal.
Finally, developing a new and redesigned Hero Data Portal will integrate CHFC’s core values of altruism, interdisciplinary community, peace, and empathy while ensuring responsible data sharing and fostering broader engagement across research, education, and public audiences to inspire and broaden our understanding of heroism.- 21 - César Guerra-Solano - Toward Understanding Instability of Implicit Persona-Driven Generations in Large Language Models
School of Computing and Information: Computer Science, Computational Biology
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Xiang Lorraine Li
Toward Understanding Instability of Implicit Persona-Driven Generations in Large Language Models
Persona-driven generations (PDGs) have seen prolific use in research and industry applications — here, a large language model (LLM) takes the role of a “persona” (like “a high school student”) while completing some task. Explicit PDGs express persona through free-form text and are often used in generation-heavy settings, such as chatbot or dialogue systems. Implicit PDGs, in contrast, express persona in non-dialogue-heavy outputs, and are oftentimes used in low-generation settings, such as multiple-choice test-taking, where LLMs roleplaying as students can help gauge student performance on an exam.
As PDGs are used across a variety of domains, including high-stakes domains like medicine, evaluating their stability and consistency is critical. While past work has focused on evaluating these aspects of explicit PDGs, implicit PDGs are often overlooked, despite their high usage. Additionally, past work finds that these implicit persona-driven generations can be heavily biased and unpredictable, further motivating deeper investigation. Here, we work to address this gap, seeking to quantify and understand the instability of LLM implicit PDGs.
We develop three metrics specific to a persona-driven setting, evaluating three distinct dimensions of instability. We find that, not only are LLM PDGs more sensitive to variations in specific experimental setting parameters, but that parameter settings interact to contribute to overall instability. We additionally find that this instability varies based on the question domain, with certain question subjects leading to greater instability. Finally, we investigate the use of dynamic mitigation strategies to increase the stability and consistency of implicit PDGs.- 22 - Emily Durning, Ariana Villa, Zhuoran Wang - Framework Increasing Responsible GenAI use at Pitt
School of Computing and Information: Data Science
Staff Mentor: Kendra Oliver
Framework Increasing Responsible GenAI Use at Pitt
A paradigm shift to the use of artificial intelligence has made its way into every field within academia and industry. Within the academic setting, this shift has been met with apprehension by faculty and staff, while students seem to be at the forefront of this adoption. This hesitancy by professors has resulted in a lack of practical regulation of AI use and a lack of transparency between professors and students.
Through the Responsible Data Science Fellowship, we have created a living framework to be used by any individual within the university to ensure that they are using AI in an ethical and responsible manner, while still leveraging the power of these tools. A large focus of this framework is on creating a specialized AI use clause for a class syllabus. Tailoring these policies to individual class needs will instill responsible use practices in students and equip them with skills that are rapidly becoming necessary for entry level positions postgrad. Our framework itself is split up into eight principles: student learning, academic integrity, intellectual property, privacy and security, bias, transparency, accountability, and sustainability.
In all contexts, we provide users with reflection questions that can be used to hold themselves accountable throughout the process of using various AI models. As a living document, this framework will be adapted as the scope of AI tools changes.- 23 - Caleb Finamore - ConCReTE Curriculum: Connecting Context and Data for Building Responsible Data Science Skills
Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences: DNID and Music Composition
Staff Mentor: Kendra Oliver
ConCReTE Curriculum: Connecting Context and Data for Building Responsible Data Science Skills
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh’s Responsible Data Science (RDS) Initiative, with support from the RK Mellon Foundation, sought to address a core challenge: how to teach responsible data science that extends beyond technical proficiency to include values, context, and decision-making. Traditional curricula emphasize technical skills and processes such as CRISP-DM, yet often underrepresent the social and contextual dimensions necessary for trustworthy data practices.
Through industry engagement, advisory board consultation, and a gap analysis, the ConCReTE (Context-Centered Responsible Data Science Training and Exploration) Curriculum identified key misalignments between current offerings and the skills required for digital leadership—such as equity, beneficence, and transparency in applied, academic, and policy settings. To address this, ConCReTE designers developed two core products: the Context + Dataset (C+DS) Library and Responsible Data Science Opportunities (RDSOs). C+DS materials pair datasets with rich contextual narratives, while RDSOs embed decision points that allow learners to practice aligning data practices with stakeholder values and social outcomes. These tools were refined through iterative design–test–revise cycles and organized into a growing library that faculty can integrate into coursework and capstone experiences, including modules within the University of Pittsburgh’s Master of Data Science program.
Initial findings suggest that this product could be used to strengthen learners’ capacity for informed decision-making, cultivate digital leadership, and bridge the gap between technical competence and responsible practice within corporate cultures. Further deployment and study will be necessary to evaluate long-term impact on learner outcomes and industry alignment.- 24 - Sam Hickman - Defense conferred by trichomes differs in effectiveness against different types of herbivory in Medicago lupulina
Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences: Ecology & evolution
Faculty Mentor: Corlett Wood
Defense conferred by trichomes differs in effectiveness against different types of herbivory in Medicago lupulina
Many plant defense traits are general and protect against herbivory from a range of antagonists. Trichomes, defensive hairs occurring on the plant surface, are one such trait. However, not all herbivores are interchangeable; insect herbivores fall into several distinct feeding categories, including leaf-chewing and piercing-sucking.
We tested whether trichomes are equally effective against these two types of herbivory in Medicago lupulina, a wide-spread wild legume. We used lab-based choice assays to test the preference of two different types of insects, aphids and earwigs, which we selected to represent piercing-sucking and leaf-chewing herbivory, respectively.
We also observed and analyzed patterns of herbivory in a large field experiment by tracking the presence of aphids and holes left by leaf-chewers. We found that trichomes did not deter aphids nor earwigs in the lab-based choice assay. However, in the field experiment, trichomes affected aphids and leaf-chewers differently; we found that leaf-chewers were more deterred by trichomes than aphids. Overall, this tells us that trichomes are a more effective deterrent against leaf-chewers than against piercing-sucking insects. Earwigs, though, eat other insects as well as plants, which indicates that omnivorous leaf-chewers are undeterred by trichomes.
Understanding the exact types of herbivores that trichomes are effective against allows us to infer how the composition of insects in a given environment could exert selective pressure on plants to influence the evolution of trichomes. In addition, this understanding sheds light on how naturally occurring plant defenses, like trichomes, might be utilized for agricultural pest control.- 25 - Zoe Bergschneider - Ownership Systems In Informal Markets and Weak-State Structures
Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences: Economics, Politics & Philosophy
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Ilia Murtazashvili
Ownership Systems In Informal Markets and Weak-State Structures
This project investigates the nature of property rights in informal urban settlements, focusing on how ownership is established, transferred, and protected outside state-recognized legal systems. Building on Hernando de Soto’s theory of “dead capital,” it examines how assets held informally—such as dwellings, land, and small businesses—represent substantial but underutilized wealth. De Soto argues that the absence of formal property regimes prevents such assets from being leveraged for credit, contracts, or investment, thereby limiting economic mobility. However, ethnographic, and comparative research reveals that informal settlements are not devoid of order. Rather, they are governed by intricate systems of legitimacy, negotiation, and enforcement.
Within these contexts, property ownership is often secured through squatting, incremental construction, community recognition, or political patronage. Transactions may be validated by receipts, witnesses, or local leaders, while disputes are mediated through neighborhood associations, chiefs, gangs, or elders. These practices demonstrate that informal property rights function through hybrid governance arrangements, blending market activity, customary authority, and political networks.
The project argues that informal property cannot be dismissed as disorder or illegal. Instead, it constitutes a parallel system of economic and social organization that both enables survival and constrains upward mobility. Recognizing the embedded logic of these arrangements is essential for understanding urban poverty and for designing policy interventions. Efforts to formalize property must engage with existing informal institutions; otherwise, they risk destabilizing fragile systems of legitimacy and exacerbating exclusion among the urban poor.- 26 - Tracy Wang - Research on the literary image and significance of matriarchal deities in Tujia mythology and religious beliefs
Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences: English Literature, Economic
Faculty Mentor:
Research on the literary image and significance of matriarchal deities in Tujia mythology and religious beliefs
The Tujia minority, the ethnic minority I belong to, are one of China's 55 ethnic minorities, accounting for less than 9% of the country's total population. The Tujia people have a history of matriarchal society, revering animals, totems, and deities, most of whom are female. These deities have distinct functions, not limited to the common roles of reproduction and procreation, but also including creation, prosperity, and protection. These functions, which are of utmost importance, are typically associated with male deities in other religious mythologies. However, the ability of female deities to create is unique across all religious cultures.
My research is a thesis focusing on the historical and cultural influence of Tujia matriarchal deities (and other significant female figures), their roles in literary and mythological works, and whether they fundamentally differ from other deities. I also use my passion and skill for music creation to composed a song for this purpose, telling the story of the Xilankapu goddess (Xilankapu is a type of Tujia embroidery, also named after a young woman named Xilan, who was bold in pursuing love, brave, and kind but was forced to death by her tribe. The song describes her as a woman with skillful hands, creativity, and the courage to love and sing). I hope to perform this song alongside my poster and thesis. In my eyes, what belongs to the ethnic group belongs to the world. I long to convey these precious cultures.- 27 - Julianna Sergi - Relearning Wonder
Swanson School of Engineering: Environmental Engineering
Faculty Mentor:
Relearning Wonder
Relearning Wonder is an ongoing creative project aimed to rekindle awe and creativity in a world overwhelmed by crisis, fatigue, overstimulation, and a culture of constant productivity. This project began with a summer long journey of personal exploration, creative learning, and meaningful conversations and interviews. These experiences were captured in a short film journal that will be released on YouTube this fall. Additionally Relearning Wonder has launched as a social movement encouraging others to reconnect with wonder in their everyday lives. #rewonder- 28 - Mitchell Mondschein - Adania Shibli and Basel Adra: The Case of Palestinian Identity Within Germany’s Memory Culture
Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences: German, Neuroscience
Faculty Mentor: Lucas Riddle
Adania Shibli and Basel Adra: The Case of Palestinian Identity Within Germany’s Memory Culture
Understanding Germany’s relationship to Palestine involves considering historical ideologies and events within the cultural and political sphere. Germany’s Staatraison (reason of state) to provide Israel security following the Holocaust has contributed to the silencing of Palestinians in Germany through policies that influence Germany’s social and cultural landscape.
Within Germany’s institutionalized memory culture, Palestinian existence becomes inherently political and is pushed out of German institutions. Examples of this silencing include the disinvitation of Adania Shibli from the Frankfurt Book Fair in 2023 after winning the LiBeraturpreis for her novel Minor Detail and the criticism levied by German politicians against the documentary No Other Land by Palestinian filmmaker Basel Adra and Israeli journalist Yuval Abraham following its premiere at the Berlin Film Festival in 2024.
Through a cinema vérité approach, Adra’s documentary forces Germans to see the world Palestinians are living in and invites viewers to make connections. In doing so, the documentary offers a counterpoint to the narrative that German politicians attempt to enforce through political means. Shibli’s novel explores themes of recognition and transgression of one’s boundaries in pursuit of knowledge. These themes invite Germans to move beyond their comfort zone on the topic. The struggle for recognition uncovered in these works can be found in Germany’s complex relationship vis-à-vis Palestine and Palestinian voices.
My presentation intends to demonstrate how these works, which expose the violence against and silencing of Palestinians, reveal an irony: when placed within Germany’s memory culture, the silencing and erasure of these voices are only deepened.- 29 - Katie Voigt - Responsible Use of AI in Communications and Marketing at RDS@Pitt
School of Business: Marketing
Staff Mentor: Kendra Oliver
Responsible Use of AI in Communications and Marketing at RDS@Pitt
Artificial intelligence tools can support communications and marketing to advance the mission of Responsible Data Science at Pitt (RDS@Pitt). AI-assisted content creation and digital storytelling can help share insights from research on teaching and learning responsible data science skills, ensuring findings reach both academic and public audiences. Communication efforts also strengthen broader goals, such as connecting with partners outside Pitt and building collaboration across schools and departments. Marketing strategies can highlight partnerships, attract participants, and inform funding conversations, all while reinforcing trust in RDS@Pitt’s commitment to responsible practices.
The challenge lies in applying these tools responsibly. RDS@Pitt defines Responsible Data Science, including AI, as aligning the planning, development, and use of data-based tools with the values of communities and organizations to empower positive outcomes and mitigate harms. This means communication should strengthen outreach, improve accessibility, and create momentum around key priorities. For example, audience analytics and targeted engagement can support outreach and accessibility, while tailored campaigns can raise awareness of offerings. At the same time, messaging must remain authentic, inclusive, and aligned with fairness and transparency.
By positioning AI as a supportive tool that complements human judgment, RDS@Pitt can model responsible integration of technology in higher education. This ensures that communication and marketing efforts both reflect and advance the initiative’s priorities while staying grounded in authenticity, accountability, and ethical impact.- 30 - Amelia Morrison - Optimizing Porosity as a Function of Powder Morphology in Binder-Jet Printed Copper Filters
Swanson School of Engineering: Materials Science and Engineering
Faculty Mentors: Dr. Markus Chmielus, Pierangeli Rodriguez De Vecchis
Optimizing Porosity as a Function of Powder Morphology in Binder-Jet Printed Copper Filters
Copper has been shown to have very strong antimicrobial properties. As filters and foams, copper could have the potential to be used as reusable and cleanable filters in clinical and industrial settings.
Due to its density compared to traditional filter materials, complex filter geometries with high surface areas are required for air filtration, making additive manufacturing an ideal route for producing highly porous copper filters. However, additive manufacturing methods often struggle to achieve high porosity without unwanted heat-induced deformation.
This study explores the potential of optimizing sintered porosity of binder-jet printed copper filters as a function of powder morphology. Copper filters using powders with varying sphericities are characterized, binder-jet printed, sintered, and analyzed through both calculated porosity and image analysis. It is determined that decreased sphericity in copper powder leads to increased porosity in binder-jet printed copper filters due to reduced green density and packing fraction, with a change in morphology increasing sintered porosity by up to 24.2%.- 31 - Sarah Ali - Development of a Mitochondrial Trifunctional Protein Deficiency SH-SY5Y Neuronal Cell Model
Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences: Microbiology
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Robert Nicholls
Development of a Mitochondrial Trifunctional Protein Deficiency SH-SY5Y Neuronal Cell Model
Mitochondrial Trifunctional Protein (TFP) is essential for energy production via fatty acid oxidation. The TFP enzyme is encoded by two genes (HADHA and HADHB), for which mutations in either result in Trifunctional Protein Deficiency (TFPD). TFPD is rare, with fewer than 100 cases reported, but characterized by severe metabolic complications during physiological stress, including acute hypoglycemia, rhabdomyolysis, cardiomyopathy, progressive peripheral neuropathy, and retinal degeneration.
Previously, TFPD was studied using human fibroblast cell lines. However, due to the neurogenic phenotype of the disease, we developed a human neuronal cell model to better understand specific metabolic abnormalities in TFPD and as an in-vitro model for testing disease biomarkers following gene therapy. We used the SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cell line, derived from the SK-N-SH line, and included studies after differentiation with retinoic acid (RA) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF).
Genome editing was performed using vectors expressing Cas9-2A-EGFP and two CRISPR sgRNAs targeting exon 6 of HADHA and the HADHA/HADHB bidirectional promoter. PCR of genomic DNA across the sgRNA target sites confirmed the absence of SNPs that could interfere with targeting. SH-SY5Y cells were transfected and monitored for EGFP fluorescence. Genomic DNA was isolated and fragments detecting mutations were identified using deletion-PCR and inversion-PCR, followed by gel purification and Sanger sequencing. RNA was harvested and assessed using RT-PCR of neuronal marker genes, HADHA, and HADHB.
Future work will involve clonal isolation of edited SH-SY5Y lines to establish stable TFPD neuronal models to evaluate therapeutic efficacy of multicistronic AAV constructs expressing HADHA and HADHB.- 32 - Ashka Patel - Dissecting the Role of Apa Antibody-Mediated in Mtb Restriction
Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences: Microbiology
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Patricia Grace
Dissecting the Role of Apa Antibody-Mediated in Mtb Restriction
Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) is the causative agent of tuberculosis (TB). It is estimated to infect one-quarter of the global population. Currently, the only licensed vaccine is Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG), provides limited protection in childhood, which wanes into adulthood. This highlights a pressing need for improved interventions.
Antibodies targeting the Mtb surface protein Apa have shown protective effects in mice, but the mechanisms of infection control remain unclear. This project investigates how monoclonal antibodies bind to Apa epitopes and influences mycobacterial growth. Using the REFORM (Rationally Engineered and Functionally Optimized Monoclonal) approach and Golden Gate cloning, 16 unique Apa-binding antibodies will be assembled, expressed in mammalian cells, and tested via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs).
Confirmed antibodies will then be evaluated for their ability to restrict the growth of Mtb. Results from this study will provide a foundation for improved TB vaccines and immunotherapies.- 33 - Aashika Bhat - Unraveling Telomere Dynamics: Investigating Genetic Mechanisms in Cancer and Telomere-Related Diseases
Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences: Molecular Biology
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Jonathan Alder
Unraveling Telomere Dynamics: Investigating Genetic Mechanisms in Cancer and Telomere-Related Diseases
This project investigates a novel approach to lengthen telomeres in patients with short-telomere-mediated disease. Our approach focuses on the telomere-binding proteins TPP1 and POT1, which protect telomeres at the terminal ends of chromosomes and regulate telomere lengthening. We identified several mutations in these genes in patients with short telomeres and hypothesized that they represent somatic genetic rescue, a process where non-inherited somatic mutations counteract harmful inherited germline mutations.
We will use CRISPR-Cas9 base-editing to alter the expression or function of these proteins and observe their individual and combined effects on telomere length. We will assess genome stability to test if these alterations can be used to extend telomeres in humans safely. Importantly, we will test if editing POT1 and TPP1 can immortalize somatic cells in a telomerase-dependent fashion.
These insights could advance therapeutic approaches for telomere-shortening diseases and further our understanding of the mechanisms that regulate cell mortality.- 34 - Mirae Choe - Human lysosomal acid lipase (hLAL) rescues immunity deficits of C. elegans lipl-1 lipase mutants
Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences: Molecular Biology
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Arjumand Ghazi
Human lysosomal acid lipase (hLAL) rescues immunity deficits of C. elegans lipl-1 lipase mutants
While Caenorhabditis elegans, a hermaphroditic nematode, has been long used in genetic studies due to it sharing a large fraction of its genes with humans , the invertebrate organism also displays some clear differences compared to humans. This project aims to assess the functional homology between a C. elegans lysosomal acid lipase, LIPL-1, and the human lysosomal acid lipase (hLAL) it is orthologous to.
These lipases, responding to various stressors and environmental factors, control the lipid allocation between reproductive organs and soma to modulate immune function. Specifically, LIPL-1 promotes immune resilience of mutants for the anti-immunity factor, TCER-1. The enhanced resistance of tcer-1 mutants to the human opportunistic pathogen, Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain PA14 (PA14) is abrogated in the absence of lipl-1.
Here, we introduced the hLAL gene into different C. elegans genetic backgrounds and assessed the impact on PA14 resistance. We found that hLAL completely rescues the PA14-resistance of tcer-1;lipl-1 double mutants to tcer-1 levels. Importantly, broadly expressing hLAL in normal, wild-type C. elegans significantly enhanced their survival upon PA14 infection.
These discoveries suggest a functional, immunity-promoting conservation between worm LIPL-1 and human LAL, which is implicated in multiple human diseases, and underscores the relevance of the worm model to understand hLAL biology.- 35 - Solange "Soli" Mamet - In vivo Analysis of Alternative Splicing Using Fluorescent Reporters in C. elegans
Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences: Molecular Biology
Faculty Mentor: Arjumand Ghazi
In vivo Analysis of Alternative Splicing Using Fluorescent Reporters in C. elegans
During infection, organisms often suppress reproduction to redirect energy toward immune defense, highlighting a critical trade-off between these life-sustaining processes. The Ghazi lab previously identified TCER-1, the C. elegans ortholog of human TCERG1, as a critical regulator of this balance, promoting optimal coordination between immune response and reproductive fitness. RNAseq analysis performed in WT and tcer-1 mutants identified that TCER-1 regulates alternative splicing of Exon 7 of dagl-2, a gene that encodes the C. elegans ortholog of human diglyceride lipase enzymes, DAGL A/B. DAGL-2/DAGLA/B are primary enzymes responsible for production of 2- Arachidonyl Glycerol, the most abundant endocannabinoid in mammals with critical roles in immunity and reproduction.
To assess the in vivo patterns of dagl-2 exon 7 (Ex7) splicing, we created a transgenic strain expressing tagged mini-transgenes that produce fluorescent reporters revealing inclusion (GFP, green) or exclusion (RFP, red) of Ex7. We used this splicing reporter strain to understand the tissue-specific alternative splicing of Ex7 in WT strain under normal conditions and upon infection.
In this project, we aimed to understand how Ex7 splicing is impacted by TCER-1 in normal and/or infected animals. To this end, we set up a genetic cross to introduce the dagl-2 splicing reporter from the wild-type genetic background into the tcer-1 mutant background.
To assess the broader impact of TCER-1 on alternative splicing, we also performed a similar genetic cross to introduce a similar two-mini-transgene-based general splicing reporter from the wild-type into the tcer-1 mutant background . We confirmed the generated strains by fluorescent microscopy and genotyping by PCR.- 36 - Theresa Chiu, Tobi Onilari - Characterization of 46 Curtobacteriophages
Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences: Molecular Biology
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Graham Hatfull
Characterization of 46 Curtobacteriophages
We present the characterization of 46 bacteriophages that infect Curtobacterium flaccumfaciens NRRL B-729 and C. flaccumfaciens NRRL B-59340. Curtobacterium species are Gram-positive bacteria that play a complex ecological role. The genus contains phytopathogenic strains, the most notable of which being the pathovar (pv.), C. flaccumfaciens pv. flaccumfaciens, which causes bacterial wilt and tan spot in dry beans., Given the economic impact of these bacteria, bacteriophages are a promising method of biocontrol. Bacteriophages are viruses that infect bacteria, and they have mosaic genomes that are the result of horizontal gene transfer. To date, only five sequenced
Curtobacteriophages have been reported in the literature, including one which has shown biocontrol potential. Using methods of phage isolation, purification, amplification, and DNA extraction, we have successfully sequenced 46 novel Curtobacteriophages. Most interesting, 11of the Curtobacteriophages we describe genomically cluster with phages that infect species belonging to Arthrobacter and Microbacterium. We characterize phage morphotype by electron microscopy, restriction modification digests of the genomic DNA, host range infection assays, and comparative genomics to visualize the evolutionary relationships of these phages.- 37 - Gabriella Papillo - TFAM regulates nuclear-mitochondrial complex dissociation and integrated stress response signaling in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences: Molecular Biology
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Corrine Kliment
TFAM regulates nuclear-mitochondrial complex dissociation and integrated stress response signaling in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), commonly caused by smoking, is characterized by airway thickening, chronic inflammation, and alveolar destruction (emphysema) that results in obstruction of airflow into the lungs and shortness of breath. Mitochondrial dysfunction and abnormal stress responses are thought to be involved in the underlying disease pathogenesis.
Our study aims to determine the role that a key mitochondrial transcription factor, TFAM, plays in the integrated stress response (ISR) in lung epithelium of individuals with COPD. We utilized single-cell RNA sequencing data from human lung; non-smokers compared to patients with very severe COPD (who underwent lung transplantation). We found that expression of TFAM, a mitochondrial genome regulator, was decreased while mitochondrial respiratory complex genes were dysregulated. Using siRNA knockdown of TFAM in mouse alveolar epithelial cells (MLE12), we found that a reduction in TFAM caused an increase in mitochondrial complex genes, mt-ATP6 and mt-ND5, compared to control cells. Phosphorylation of eif2-alpha was also increased, indicating ISR activation with loss of TFAM.
Our data suggest that the downregulation of TFAM caused by cigarette smoke exposure increases mitochondrial gene expression and induces the ISR pathway in COPD. TFAM may therefore be a potential therapeutic target for mitochondrial control in the lung epithelium.- 38 - Anuj Peri - Exploring the Molecular Basis of Lysohormesis
Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences: Molecular Biology & Sociology
Faculty Mentor: Jay Tan
Exploring the Molecular Basis of Lysohormesis
Aging is marked by the gradual decline of cellular homeostasis, driven in part by impaired lysosomal quality control. The lysosome serves as a central hub for degradation, recycling, and stress adaptation, yet its contribution to aging remains underexplored. Recent work has proposed the concept of lysohormesis — where mild lysosomal stress activates adaptive responses that improve long-term resilience. Here, we investigated the role of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70), a stress-induced molecular chaperone, in lysohormesis.
Using mammalian cell lines, we found that lysosomes became more resistant to membrane damage following pretreatment with lysosomal stress-inducing small molecules, including trehalose, a known autophagy inducer and neuroprotective compound with therapeutic efficacy in multiple neurodegeneration models. Immunofluorescence imaging of Galectin-3 puncta, a marker of lysosomal damage, was used to quantify damage following treatment with the lysosomotropic agent LLOME. Trehalose pretreatment increased HSP70 puncta at the lysosome and decreased Galectin-3–positive foci after LLOME exposure, suggesting lysosomes acquired resistance to subsequent stress. These findings support a model in which hormetic compounds prime lysosomes for membrane repair by enhancing recruitment of chaperones and stress-response proteins.
Ongoing experiments using knockout models of autophagy- and lipid-trafficking–related genes aim to define the molecular pathways underlying lysohormesis. Together, our findings provide evidence that lysosomal hormesis improves cellular stress resilience and identify HSP70 recruitment as a protective mechanism. This work highlights lysohormesis as a promising strategy to promote healthy aging and mitigate age-related decline.- 39 - Bill Dong - Mapping Corticothalamic Circuits to Define Motor Thalamus Using Transgenic Mice
Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences: Neuroscience
Faculty Mentor: Bryan M Hooks
Mapping Corticothalamic Circuits to Define Motor Thalamus Using Transgenic Mice
Effective motor control relies on precise interactions between cortical and thalamic circuits, yet the organizational principles underlying these pathways remain poorly defined. Here, we investigated corticothalamic (CT) and pyramidal tract (PT) neurons using transgenic mouse models, viral tracing, and high-resolution whole-brain imaging.
We performed stereotaxic injections of fluorescently labeled viral vectors into frontal, motor, and somatosensory cortical regions, followed by vibratome sectioning and computational 3D reconstruction of projection maps. Comparative analyses of NTSR1-Cre mice, selectively labeling Layer 6 CT neurons, and Sim1-Cre mice, labeling Layer 5 PT neurons, revealed strikingly distinct connectivity patterns: CT neurons primarily targeted first-order thalamic nuclei, whereas PT neurons projected more broadly to higher-order thalamic nuclei and brainstem regions.
These findings provide key insights into layer-specific contributions to thalamic processing and motor control. By establishing a comprehensive projection framework, this work lays the foundation for developing targeted neuromodulation strategies and advancing future applications in brain-computer interfaces and therapeutic interventions for neurological disorders.- 40 - Iraa Kalambur - Investigating the Role of Non-Canonical SUMF1 in Neuronal Development and Alzheimer’s Disease Psychosis using iPS derived neurons
Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences: Neuroscience
Faculty Mentor: Robert Sweet
Investigating the Role of Non-Canonical SUMF1 in Neuronal Development and Alzheimer’s Disease Psychosis using iPS derived neurons
In Alzheimer's disease (AD), genetic factors play a crucial role in the development of psychotic symptoms (delusions and hallucinations), as demonstrated by recent Genome-Wide Association Studies linking an alternate (non-canonical) transcript of sulfatase modifying factor 1 (SUMF1) to AD with psychosis. Mutations impairing the function of canonical SUMF1 cause multiple sulfatase deficiency, a lysosomal storage disorder associated with neurodegeneration in childhood. The role of non-canonical SUMF1 in the brain and in the pathogenesis of psychosis in AD patients remains unexplored.
To investigate the function of the non-canonical SUMF1 transcript, antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) were designed and screened in HEK293T cells. Lipofection-based delivery of ASOs identified three optimized candidates that achieved ~80% knockdown efficiency of the non-canonical transcript. In the present study, we apply this methodology to two-month-old mature neurons derived from iPS cells. Following 72 hours of ASO incubation, RNA and protein samples were harvested. RNA analyses using qRT-PCR confirmed ~50% knockdown of non-canonical SUMF1 in neurons.
Establishing reliable partial knockdown in neurons provides a platform to investigate the functional consequences of reduced non-canonical SUMF1 expression. Additionally, we will assess how knockdown at different stages of neuronal maturation affects neuronal morphology and developmental trajectories. These studies will advance understanding of the role of non-canonical SUMF1 in neuronal biology and may uncover novel mechanisms contributing to psychosis in AD.- 41 - Tiya Patel - Structure and function of back-projecting hippocampal inhibitory neurons
Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences: Neuroscience
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Simon Chamberland
Structure and function of back-projecting hippocampal inhibitory neurons
The hippocampus is involved in memory formation and spatial navigation. Information flow in the hippocampus is often pictured as unidirectional, following the axonal arrangements of excitatory neurons from the dentate gyrus to the cornu amoni regions (CA3, CA2, CA1). Recent studies have found that electrical activity in the hippocampus can propagate backwards, yet the physical neuronal mechanisms allowing retrograde signaling remains misunderstood.
Through our study, we discovered a subpopulation of CA1 inhibitory interneurons marked by the expression of the genes Sst and Tac1 that selectively back projects their axons back to the CA2 region. We performed targeted whole-cell patch clamp recordings on CA1 Sst;;Tac1-INs in acute hippocampal slices, selectively visualizing these cells made fluorescent in triple transgenic mouse model Sst-FlpO;;Tac1-Cre;;Ai65. Neurons were filled with biocytin for post hoc anatomical reconstruction and neuronal anatomy tracing. CA2-projecting cells demonstrated a fast-spiking firing pattern upon membrane depolarization. Compared to local CA1-projecting cells, CA2-projecting INs exhibited greater input resistance, suggesting greater excitability.
This project will contribute to understanding a novel population of neurons and provide insight into how disruption of these circuits can lead to neurological conditions.- 42 - Alaina Buerger - Feasibility of a working memory task in male and female rats
Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences: Neuroscience
Faculty Mentor: Shinnyi Chou
Feasibility of a working memory task in male and female rats
This project was completed and will be (if accepted) presented in collaboration with two other Pitt students: Abigail Obeng and Hruthika Lingutla.
Working memory is the temporary storage and manipulation of information necessary for decision-making and is essential for daily functioning. However, it is often impaired in psychiatric disorders. Establishing rodent models to study this process provides insight into underlying neural mechanisms and the development of psychopathology.
This study evaluated the feasibility of training male and female rats on a delayed-match-to-sample (DMTS) task to assess working memory. Rats were first trained to respond to illuminated apertures under a fixed ratio-one schedule for sucrose reinforcement. They were then tested on memory delays ranging from 0 to 24 seconds, requiring recall of the correct location of the illuminated aperture. Results showed that females acquired the task more slowly than males, but both sexes ultimately performed comparably on working memory trials.
These findings demonstrate that both male and female rats can successfully acquire the DMTS task, supporting its use as a tool to investigate the neural basis of working memory. This model provides a foundation for examining factors that alter memory function. Continuation of this research will examine the effects of THC on working memory.- 43 - Noor Ahmed - VGF Promotes Quiescence-driven Chemoresistance in Ovarian Cancer
Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences: Neuroscience
Faculty Mentor: Ronald Buckanovich
VGF Promotes Quiescence-Driven Chemoresistance in Ovarian Cancer
Ovarian cancer (OvCa) is a deadly malignancy. While most OvCa patients initially respond to chemotherapy, 70-80% will relapse. This suggests that some OvCa cells are either inherently chemoresistant or rapidly acquire chemoresistance.
One poorly understood mechanism of chemotherapy resistance is cellular quiescence. Quiescent cells can transiently exit the cell cycle and stop proliferating, thus evading chemotherapies which primarily target rapidly proliferating cells. Quiescent OvCa (qOvCa) can subsequently re-enter the cell cycle, initiating tumor recurrence. Identifying drivers of chemoresistance in qOvCa can help develop targeted therapeutics to improve patient outcomes.
To better understand quiescent cells, we characterize proteins specifically secreted by qOvCa. We found that VGF nerve growth factor inducible (VGF) is preferentially secreted by qOvCa. VGF is post-translationally processed into multiple biologically active peptides. Investigating the role of VGF in chemoresistance, treatment of OvCa cell lines with recombinant VGF (N-terminal 180 amino acids) significantly (i) led to a 2-fold decrease in cell proliferation with no change in apoptosis (ii) increased the percentage of cells in G0 by 2.5-fold, and strikingly (iii) resulted in a ~10-fold increase in viability with exposure to high dose chemotherapy. In contrast, C-terminal VGF fragments showed no effect.
These findings identify the N-terminal VGF fragment as a driver of quiescence and chemoresistance in OvCa, highlighting VGF as a potential therapeutic target. Future work will define the portion of VGF required for chemotherapy resistance and develop therapeutic approaches to neutralize VGF’s effects.- 44 - Anousha Jaie - Reduction in Active Zone Density is Associated with Neurotransmission Decline at Aged Neuromuscular Junctions
Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences: Neuroscience
Faculty Mentor: Stephen Meriney
Reduction in Active Zone Density is Associated with Neurotransmission Decline at Aged Neuromuscular Junctions
Aging has been shown to affect both the structure and function of the neuromuscular junction (NMJ). In our previous study, we documented a biphasic change (first an increase followed by a decrease) in neurotransmission over the aging time course at male mouse NMJs.
To link the decline in neurotransmission to potential causes, we have been investigating structural changes at aged NMJs. One of the crucial presynaptic structures related to neurotransmission is the active zone, at which the vesicles are released. In this study, we explored changes in active zone (AZ) density as a potential mechanism behind the reduction in presynaptic neurotransmitter release in the later stages of aging.
We found that AZ density significantly decreased in NMJs at 30 months, compared to 4- and 26-month-old mice.- 45 - Rhea Chakradeo - Identifying High-Efficacy Drug Combinations in RB1-Deficient Cancer Models
Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences: Neuroscience
Faculty Mentor: Anna Kalmykov
Identifying High-Efficacy Drug Combinations in RB1-Deficient Cancer Models
RB1 is a tumor suppressor gene frequently mutated to become inactive in retinoblastomas, small cell lung cancers, breast cancers, prostate cancers, and osteosarcomas. No therapeutic approaches targeting defects in RB1 have been identified, representing a critical knowledge gap and the need for alternative strategies.
Synthetic lethality (SL), where perturbation of either gene alone is not lethal but simultaneous perturbation of both is, offers a viable approach. We performed a genetic screen for SL partners of Rb in the Drosophila eye and confirmed targets in human cancer cell lines and patient tumor samples. Several drugs against these targets selectively killed RB1-deficient cells, and these interactions were preserved even with strong oncogenic alterations. Using CRISPR/Cas9, we created and validated five pairs of isogenic cancer cell lines with independent RB1 knockouts. In parallel, we targeted prostate (PC3), lung (PC9), and osteosarcoma (U2OS) cell lines using two distinct knockouts (Sg1 and Sg2) to establish robust RB1-deficient models.
A library of 125 small molecules against SL partners and pathways was identified and independently screened, including prominent candidates Thapsigargin, Paclitaxel, and more. Strikingly, even extremely small dilutions (<1 μL) of these drugs showed high efficacy and selectivity against RB1-deficient cells and isogenic knockouts.
We plan to test pairwise combinations in isogenic RB1 cell lines and determine whether increased selectivity arises from apoptosis, senescence, necroptosis, or decreased proliferation. This research will help identify the most effective drug pairs that selectively kill cells with RB1 deficiency, advancing personalized therapies for RB1-mutated cancers.- 46 - Lochan Karthikeyan - Salivary microRNAs as Biomarkers for Concussion Diagnosis and Prognosis in Adolescents
Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences: Neuroscience
Faculty Mentor: Amelia Versace
Salivary microRNAs as Biomarkers for Concussion Diagnosis and Prognosis in Adolescents
Background: Concussion is common in adolescents, particularly in sports, with the highest prevalence in this group (Bryan et al., 2016). While most recover within weeks, some experience prolonged symptoms that interfere with school, social life, and physical activities. Clinicians currently lack biomarkers to reliably predict recovery. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), small non-coding RNAs involved in gene regulation, have emerged as promising candidates for detecting brain injury and tracking recovery (Qin et al., 2018).
Objective: This study investigated whether specific salivary miRNAs can distinguish concussed adolescents from controls and predict post-concussive symptoms.
Methods: Saliva samples were collected from 58 concussed adolescents (mean age = 15.4 ± 1.6 years; 25 females) and 35 age- and sex-matched controls. Expression of 798 miRNAs was quantified using nSolver’s neurodegenerative panel. Feature selection identified miRNAs that best distinguished concussion cases from controls, and linear regression tested associations with symptoms at 3 weeks.
Results: Three miRNAs were significantly upregulated in concussed participants: hsa_miR_26a_5p (F=8.0, P=0.006), hsa_miR_4286 (F=7.2, P=0.009), and hsa_miR_16_5p (F=7.0, P=0.010). Higher hsa_miR_4286 levels predicted fewer symptoms at 3 weeks (β = −0.04, P=0.002).
Conclusions: Select salivary miRNAs may hold promise as clinically feasible biomarkers to identify concussion and predict faster symptom resolution in adolescents. These findings align with prior plasma and serum studies identifying miRNA biomarkers across TBI severities (Qin et al., 2018; Bhomia et al., 2016). Larger longitudinal studies are needed to validate these candidates and assess their clinical utility for both identification and prognosis of concussion.- 47 - Maia Gravina - Calcium entry through a single channel calcium controls each transmitter release event at mouse neuromuscular synapses
Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences: Neuroscience
Faculty Mentor: Stephen Meriney
Calcium entry through a single channel calcium controls each transmitter release event at mouse neuromuscular synapses
The neuromuscular junction (NMJ) is a highly reliable synapse where motor neurons communicate with skeletal muscle. The arrival of action potentials at the motor neuron terminal opens presynaptic voltage–gated calcium channels, triggering the release of Acetylcholine (Ach) and causing muscle contraction. It is unknown how many calcium channels must open to allow the release of each single vesicle of ACh, but this information could prove vital to our understanding of how communication at the NMJ is controlled and influence our strategies to treat diseases associated with its malfunction.
To answer this question, we took advantage of our prior knowledge of the relationship between calcium and transmitter release to probe how that relationship changes when calcium entry is reduced at the motor nerve terminal. When the concentration of calcium entry is reduced, there is a non-linear (4th order when plotted on a log scale) relationship between calcium and transmitter release. However, if only one open calcium channel were present at each release site, blocking that channel would eliminate the participation of that release site completely, and not result in a partial reduction in the calcium concentration at that release site. We utilized calcium imaging and intracellular muscle cell electrophysiology to examine how the relationship between presynaptic calcium influx and ACh release changed after pharmacologically blocking various percentages of calcium channels.
Our findings show a first order relationship between calcium and transmitter release, indicating that each active zone is controlled by only one open calcium channel. These data have broad implications for plasticity at this synapse and for the pathophysiology of neuromuscular diseases.- 48 - Chris Wood - Detection of Injury Biomarkers in Sweat of Collegiate Athletes Pre- and Post-Football Season: A Pilot Study
Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences: Neuroscience
Faculty Mentor: Ava Puccio
Detection of Injury Biomarkers in Sweat of Collegiate Athletes Pre- and Post-Football Season: A Pilot Study
A record number of students are participating in NCAA championship sports and an estimated 150 million youths in the United States have played football. With contact sport participation increasing, the sports medicine community recognizes concussion and traumatic brain injury (TBI) as a major public health concern.
While biomarkers are typically analyzed through blood, sweat serves as a potential non-invasive source for the detection of protein biomarkers for return to play. A previous pilot study indicated a significant relationship between the detection of protein biomarkers of brain injury in sweat and a history of TBI in athletes before and after a football season, suggesting sweat as a viable biofluid for TBI biomarker analysis.
This pilot study explores this relationship further within players from the 2024 football season. The participants were from an NCAA Division III college under an IRB approved protocol (N= 36 pre-season, N = 34 post-season). At both time points a non-invasive sweat patch was applied for approximately 24 hours, and physical activity assessments were conducted with collection of demographic data and injury history.
Statistical analyses will be conducted, comparing pre-season and post-season athlete TBI history and demographics. The goal of this is to compare the participants from the 2023 to the 2024 season to make predictions about future analyses, such as sweat biomarker values. Replication of previous research is crucial to validating our previous hypothesis and the potential use of sweat biomarkers for young athletes in the future.- 49 - Lia Cohen - Exploring the High Acuity Area During Chick Retinal Development: Focusing on Retinal Ganglion Cells
Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences: Neuroscience
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Susana da Silva
Exploring the High Acuity Area During Chick Retinal Development: Focusing on Retinal Ganglion Cells
The high acuity area (HAA) is a highly specialized neuroretina region responsible for both high resolution and color vision. The HAA provides the gift of sharp vision to some animals, including humans, due to its unique anatomical features. These include, but are not limited to, the absence of rod photoreceptors and a high density of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs).
The human fovea is considered a highly sophisticated HAA. My work in the da Silva lab aims to uncover the cellular and molecular mechanisms regulating the development of the HAA, which remain largely unknown. Due to the presence of an HAA and exceptional embryonic accessibility, the chick retina serves as an excellent model for studying HAA development.
Using immunohistochemistry and reconstruction-based imaging techniques on flat–mount embryonic chick retinas and cryo-sectioned heads, my work is focused on characterizing the RGC population by applying previously unreported antibodies throughout embryonic development.- 50 - Sarayu Alluri - Ultra-high Field Quantitative Imaging of Hippocampal Myelin Development in the Adolescent Period
Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences: Neuroscience
Faculty Mentor: Beatriz Luna
Ultra-high Field Quantitative Imaging of Hippocampal Myelin Development in the Adolescent Period
Background: The hippocampus is a stress-vulnerable brain region critical for learning and environmental adaptation. Although developmental changes in hippocampal volume have been reported early in life, less is known about how hippocampal myelination evolves across youth. Characterizing these patterns is important for identifying windows of hippocampal plasticity and vulnerability. We hypothesized that hippocampal myelin content would increase with age during late childhood, adolescence, and early adulthood, reflecting protracted myelination.
Methods: We analyzed 265 MP2RAGE-derived R1 myelin maps acquired longitudinally at 7T from N = 163 participants (ages 9–33 years; 80 female). Left and right hippocampi were segmented using longitudinal FreeSurfer and hippocampal R1 was extracted. A multi-step quality-control (QC) pipeline combined visual inspection of raw T1w images and segmentation boundaries—to detect motion, poor reconstruction, or mislabeling—with hippocampal R1 outlier detection (±4 SD). Linear regression tested the effect of age on hippocampal R1, adjusting for sex.
Results: Seventeen of 265 scans (6.4%) failed QC and were excluded from analysis. Mean hippocampal R1 values were 0.593 (left) and 0.592 (right), with low variability (SD = 0.0138) and no outliers beyond ±4 SD. Regression confirmed significant positive associations between age and hippocampal R1 (left: t = 7.012, p = 7.97e-11; right: t = 7.819, p = 8.31e-13), with comparable slopes across hemispheres.
Conclusions: The hippocampus exhibits protracted myelination through adolescence and early adulthood. Future analyses will incorporate the Area Deprivation Index and stress measures (e.g., cortisol) to examine how environmental and socioeconomic factors interact with age to influence hippocampal myelination.- 51 - Lakshanya Rajaganapathi - CASC15 Long Non-Coding RNA Regulates Smooth Muscle Cell Phenotype and Vascular Remodeling
Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences: Neuroscience and Sociology
Faculty Mentor: Delphine Gomez
CASC15 Long Non-Coding RNA Regulates Smooth Muscle Cell Phenotype and Vascular Remodeling
Background: Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are critical regulators of gene expression, influencing chromatin architecture and RNA processing. In vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs), lncRNAs modulate contractility and phenotypic plasticity during vascular injury. CASC15 (Cancer Susceptibility 15 lncRNA), previously associated with cancer cell proliferation and apoptosis, remains unexplored in vascular biology. Preliminary data suggest CASC15 modulates growth factor–driven cell cycle progression, whereas its suppression induces hypertrophy, senescence, and DNA damage.
Objective: To characterize growth factor–mediated regulation of CASC15 transcript variants and assess isoform-specific effects on SMC morphology.
Methods: Transcriptomic profiling revealed CASC15 enrichment in SMCs across vascular beds. Functional studies utilized antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) targeting short (sCASC15) and long (lCASC15) isoforms, and overexpression via pcDNA3.1. A CASC15 knockout (KO) mouse model was developed, and in vivo knockdown was achieved through lentiviral delivery post-carotid ligation. SMCs were treated with vehicles, PDGF-BB, or AngII. CASC15 expression was quantified by qPCR; morphological changes were assessed via imaging and proliferation assays.
Results: AngII reduced CASC15 expression in vitro and in vivo. CASC15 knockdown replicated AngII effects, inducing hypertrophy, G2/M arrest, polyploidy, and organelle disorganization. Overexpression promoted SMC proliferation and migration while mitigating AngII-induced hypertrophy. CASC15 deletion led to spontaneous aortic hypertrophy and increased resistance artery constriction. Lentiviral knockdown impaired SMC proliferation and migration. AngII regulates both isoforms; sCASC15 affects proliferation and hypertrophy, while lCASC15’s role is still being defined.
Conclusion: CASC15 is a key regulator of SMC morphology and vascular remodeling. Isoform-specific modulation may offer therapeutic potential for vascular disease.- 52 - Alexandra McPike - Bisphenol S Exposure as a Primary Predictor of Glycemic Control in Individuals with Type 2 Diabetes
School of Nursing: Nursing
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Julia M. Dos Santos
Bisphenol S Exposure as a Primary Predictor of Glycemic Control in Individuals with Type 2 Diabetes
Bisphenol A (BPA) and Bisphenol S (BPS) are endocrine-disrupting chemicals in food and beverage packaging, and consumer products. Ultra-processed foods, often packaged and more affordable than fresh alternatives, are exposure sources, particularly for lower socioeconomic status individuals. High exposure to BPA/S has been linked to metabolic disease. Our previous research identified a positive association between BPS exposure and glycated hemoglobin (A1C) levels in individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D). This study evaluated whether other variables—age, income, race, BMI, & medication adherence—are stronger predictors of A1C compared to BPS.
Plasma samples were obtained from 106 male and 152 female participants enrolled in a RCT, “Investigating Medication Adherence Intervention in Patients with T2D.” BPA/S concentrations were measured using ELISA assays and analyzed alongside A1C levels and metformin adherence via Electronic Drug Exposure Monitor (eDEM; AARDEX Ltd). Area Deprivation Index (ADI) was determined using participants’ zip codes and public data. Independent t-tests were used for sex-based comparisons. Associations were assessed using Kendall’s Tau-b, followed by multivariate regression in SPSS.
BPS levels were positively associated with A1C in males (r = 0.165) and negatively correlated with ADI (r = -0.133). ADI was negatively associated with medication adherence. Males showed slightly lower adherence than females (82.0% vs. 85.5%). In multivariate regression adjusted for sex and adherence, BPS remained a significant predictor of A1C (β = 0.17, p = 0.04).
BPS exposure remains a significant predictor of A1C in individuals with T2D, underscoring the public health impact of environmental exposures on chronic disease management.- 53 - Andrew Wright - Examining the Impact of Common Storage Methods on Cell Viability and Bacterial Growth in Human Milk
School of Nursing: Nursing
Faculty Mentor: Julia M. dos Santos
Examining the Impact of Common Storage Methods on Cell Viability and Bacterial Growth in Human Milk
Background: Human milk (HM) provides optimal nutrition and is the first exposure to bioactive elements supporting infant growth, development, and immune defense. HM contains leukocytes, epithelial, and stem cells that may be absorbed through the infant gastrointestinal tract and incorporated into organ systems. HM is often expressed and stored, however these conditions may influence cell viability and bacterial growth. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of short storage techniques on HM cell viability and bacterial growth.
Methods: Pump-expressed HM was divided into three groups: room temperature (20°C), refrigerated (4°C), and frozen (-20°C), each stored for 2 hours. Samples were then processed for cell viability and bacterial growth. Cells were isolated by centrifugation, stained with trypan blue, and counted using a Hemocytometer. For bacterial growth, 1 ml HM was serially diluted (1/10–1/10,000), spread on agar, and incubated at 34°C for 24 hours. Colony forming units (CFUs) were recorded by standard plate counts.
Results: Live cells outnumbered dead cells under all conditions. Room temperature storage maintained the highest live cell percentage (70 ± 1%), compared to refrigerated (57 ± 2%) and frozen (45%). Bacterial growth in HM kept at room temperature for 2 hours was not greater than refrigerated HM.
Conclusion: Room temperature storage of HM for 2 hours preserves more viable cells without increasing bacterial growth, supporting its use as the optimal short-term storage condition.- 54 - Yubin Cho - PAUSE: Acronym for Improving Emotional Intelligence in Undergraduate Nursing Students and Nurses
School of Nursing: Nursing
Faculty Mentor: Karen Coyne
PAUSE: Acronym for Improving Emotional Intelligence in Undergraduate Nursing Students and Nurses
How can we improve patient care outcomes by identifying the struggle of one’s own beliefs, values, and implicit bias? Schierholz et al (2020) recommended education for nurses to examine their own biases and the implications for nursing care and patient outcomes.
The use of acronyms in education is not new, and evidence suggests that it decreases time spent learning and improves performance (Radovic et al, 2019). Dr. Karen Coyne developed an acronym to address bias before providing patient care, thus enhancing the patient-nurse relationship. The acronym PAUSE stands for P-pause before the encounter, A-assess and acknowledge your own values, beliefs, and biases, U-understand the medical condition, S-see the patient as an individual, and E-encounter with empathy.
This poster will explore the concept and theory of an acronym to improve the EI of nursing students and nurses.- 55 - Aadi Balsaraf - CYP2E1 Overexpression in BCR-ABL Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Identifies a Potential Therapeutic Target
School of Pharmacy: Pharmacy
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Christian A. Fernandez
CYP2E1 Overexpression in BCR-ABL Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Identifies a Potential Therapeutic Target
Targeted therapies offer an advantage over conventional chemotherapy by enabling personalized strategies that exploit metabolic vulnerabilities in cancer. Cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes, key regulators of xenobiotic metabolism, are increasingly linked to tumor biology. Among them, CYP2E1 is notable for its ability to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) and modulate cellular stress, with dysregulation implicated in carcinogenesis and drug-induced liver injury. Notably, induction of CYP2E1 sensitizes hepatocytes to lipotoxicity through ROS-mediated mechanisms; however, its role in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) remains unclear.
Motivated by TCGA data demonstrating an upregulation of CYP2E1 in acute myeloid leukemia, we evaluated CYP2E1 expression in 300 pediatric ALL patients by RNA-seq. Our results demonstrate that CYP2E1 is overexpressed in a subset of patients harboring the BCR-ABL translocation. We validated our clinical RNA-seq results using ALL models, with SUP-B15 (BCR-ABL positive) cells having higher CYP2E1 expression relative to controls.
Ongoing studies are investigating whether pharmacological inhibition of CYP2E1 can suppress proliferation in leukemia cells, potentially establishing CYP2E1 inhibitors as novel therapeutic options in BCR-ABL ALL, which is associated with unfavorable prognosis.- 56 - Amy Aguillon - From Data Collection to Program Direction: Shaping Latinx Studies at Pitt
Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences: Philosophy and Business Analytics
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Belkys Torres
From Data Collection to Program Direction: Shaping Latinx Studies at Pitt
This research project conducts external benchmarking across U.S. higher education institutions with high research activity (R1 designation) to examine how undergraduate Latinx Studies programs, if offered, are structured, situated, directed, administered, and supported. The study aims to generate actionable insights to inform the development of a Latinx Studies program at a predominantly white institution such as the University of Pittsburgh.- 57 - Kyle Mo - Pitt-CoRTEx: Cosmic Ray Detector Designed for Educational Outreach
Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences: Physics
Faculty Mentor: Pranava Teja Surukuchi
Pitt-CoRTEx: Cosmic Ray Detector Designed for Educational Outreach
Cosmic rays are phenomenon where radiation from astronomical sources reaches Earth’s atmosphere, creating a scattering of particles. The most abundant charged particles that reach the surface of the Earth are muons, with about 1 per square centimeter every minute. Pitt-CoRTEx (Cosmic Ray Tracker Experiment) aims to detect these muons by exploiting modern detector technology such as plastic scintillators, silicon photomultipliers (SiPMs), and wavelength shifting optical fibers.
When the muon enters one of these scintillators, light gets emitted. This light is then captured by the optical fiber, which both guides the light toward a SiPM for a measurable signal and shifts the wavelength to where the SiPM is most sensitive. Additionally, each of our detectors also has educational LED displays to showcase the track of the muon as it passes.
Leveraging this technology enables us to create modular and portable detectors which can be used in conjunction with other copies for a high variety of shapes and purposes. Unlike gas or liquid based detectors, this also creates a low-maintenance, easy to start, and expandable detector system which shows the constant stream of particles constantly raining down.
Currently, we are near final production of our prototype 3x3x3 detector, Mini-CoRTEx, and starting production for a full 8x8x8 detector.- 58 - Katie Borsh - Characterizing Exoplanets by Variable Star Light Curves using the Transit Method
Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences: Physics
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Michael Wood-Vasey
Characterizing Exoplanets by Variable Star Light Curves using the Transit Method
My research involves observing potential exoplanet transits (as detected by the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS)) using the Allegheny Observatory’s 24” PlaneWave CDK telescope. With the data from each observation, I plot a light curve to determine whether a target is indeed an exoplanet transit. If it is, I then make calculations to determine characteristics of the exoplanet and its orbit using measurements from the light curve.
During my research period, I observed 12 potential transits and plotted their light curves using AstroImageJ, an image-processing and analysis software. No potential targets that I observed yielded light curves that indicate transits, but with the data I collected and plots I made, I will be able to contribute to the negation of these targets as exoplanet transits in the Tess Follow-Up Program (TFOP).- 59 - Megan Gibbons - Methods for Seismic Wave Identification and Analysis in the CUORE Detector
Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences: Physics
Faculty Mentor: Pranava Teja Surukuchi
Methods for Seismic Wave Identification and Analysis in the CUORE Detector
The Cryogenic Underground Observatory for Rare Events (CUORE) experiment is located at the Gran Sasso National Laboratory in Italy with the primary goal to search for a hypothesized neutrinoless double beta decay (0νββ) in tellurium-130. Using 988 tellurium dioxide (TeO₂) bolometers cooled to 10 mK, the detector measures energy through minute temperature changes from particle interactions. However, the highly sensitive bolometers are also susceptible to seismic activity, including earthquakes. While these earthquakes can limit experimental exposure, they can provide useful timing information.
This presentation will cover potential ways to identify and analyze the appearance of seismic waves from earthquakes on the bolometer’s voltage readings.- 60 - Evan Enwright - Mapping Quasar Accretion Disks Via Dual-band Photometry at Allegheny Observatory
Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences: Physics and Astronomy
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Turnshek
Mapping Quasar Accretion Disks Via Dual-band Photometry at Allegheny Observatory
As matter falls towards the event horizon of a supermassive black hole, it feeds the accretion disk(AD), causing mass to orbit at higher speeds as it gets closer to the black hole. This material will, in turn, heat up to higher temperatures and emit light at higher frequencies according to Wien’s Law via blackbody radiation. These “bluer” regions will experience changes in accretion rate (and therefore brightness) with an observable time delay compared to the outer regions.
Over the past 10 months, we have been using the 24” Keeler Telescope at the Allegheny Observatory, looking 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 using these time lags, it will allow better models of quasar ADs to be constructed.- 61 - CJ Wrightson - Surveying Pitt's Advising Coordination Project Phase A: Understanding Student and Staff Feedback
Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences: Psychology
Staff Mentor: Dr. April Belback
Surveying Pitt's Advising Coordination Project Phase A: Understanding Student and Staff Feedback
The University of Pittsburgh recently concluded the first phase of an advising redesign initiative, “The Undergraduate Academic Advising Coordination Project.” By conducting a literature review on relevant advising research, two surveys—one for students, and another for leadership and staff—were created. These surveys were sent to both populations, respectively, and served as a vehicle for feedback on current advising expectations as well as to provide an outlet for input from those who were involved in the first phase of the project.
The purpose of this presentation is to discuss the reflection and preliminary analysis process of both surveys. Both quantitative and qualitative data will be utilized to make improvements to ensure a streamlined process as we launch into the next phase of the project.- 62 - Yufan Wang - Associations Between Daily Academic Stress, Objective and Subjective Socioeconomic Status, and Depressive Symptoms in Adolescent Girls
Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences: Psychology
Staff Mentor: Dr. Silk
Associations Between Daily Academic Stress, Objective and Subjective Socioeconomic Status, and Depressive Symptoms in Adolescent Girls: An Ecological Momentary Assessment Study
Academic stress is cited as a major stressor for adolescents and is linked to greater depressive symptoms, particularly for adolescent girls (Steare et al., 2023). Socioeconomic status (SES) is an established risk factor for adverse mental health outcomes, including depression. However, few studies have examined the role of SES in the link between academic stress and depressive symptoms, despite socioeconomic differences in educational experiences, attainment, and overall stress (Destin et al., 2019).
The present study investigated average levels of daily experiences of academic stress and its longitudinal links with depressive symptoms. Further, we assessed the role of subjective social status and household income, as proxies for SES, in moderating these links. 144 adolescents assigned-female-at-birth (Mage = 15.32, SDage = 1.49) reported that academic stress was a frequent source of stress as they reported experiencing academic stress in 28% of the survey responses. Results indicate that higher levels of academic stress did not significantly predict depressive symptoms (r(68) = .22, p = 0.07). There were no significant interactions found between academic stress and objective SES or subjective SES (r(68) = .11, p = 0.35); r(68) = .16, p = .18).
This project contributes to our understanding of contemporary youths’ mental health as there is a critical need to clarify risk factors that contribute to adolescent depression to inform prevention and intervention efforts. We discuss potential explanations for these findings, including the utility of examining between-person versus within-person associations to understand the mechanisms by which academic stress influences adolescents’ wellbeing.- 63 - Hanna Enos - Describing Parental Money Talk During Pretend Grocery Shopping with Toddlers and Preschoolers
Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences: Psychology
Faculty Mentor: Melissa Libertus
Describing Parental Money Talk During Pretend Grocery Shopping with Toddlers and Preschoolers
By the time children enter kindergarten, they already show significant individual differences in their math skills. Children from higher socioeconomic status (SES) backgrounds tend to perform significantly better in math than their peers from lower SES backgrounds. Prior research has shown that the early home learning environment is vital to the development of children’s math skills, but it is unclear if and how the home learning environment contributes to SES-based differences in math skills.
The current study described how parents of toddlers and preschoolers talked about money during pretend grocery shopping and examined potential age- and SES-related differences in parental money talk. Data came from an ongoing longitudinal study in which parents and their toddler (n = 301) or preschooler (n = 299) were filmed in their homes playing with pretend grocery store toys. Conversations were coded for all instances of utterances related to money talk (e.g., “Can I have five dollars?”, “I need change.”).
There were no differences in the frequencies of money talk of toddler and preschooler parents. However, parents of older preschoolers tended to use more total money talk and money talk in the absence of number talk than parents of younger preschoolers. There were no relations between toddler and preschooler parents’ money talk and parental educational attainment and family income-to-needs ratio.
Understanding children’s exposure to conversations about money can inform our understanding of the opportunities young children experience to learn math. This knowledge can guide educational policy and early math intervention programs.- 64 - Maia Getz - Results of the WAIS-IV in a Clinical Sample of Nonbinary vs Cisgender Groups Diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences: Psychology
Faculty Mentor:
Results of the WAIS-IV in a Clinical Sample of Nonbinary vs Cisgender Groups Diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Objective: In order to address the notable lack of research surrounding the nonbinary population and norms in the field of Neuropsychological testing, this study examined cognitive results across a sample of nonbinary and cisgender individuals.
Method: Data was obtained from a previously collected sample of patients (ages 18-42) who underwent a clinical neuropsychological evaluation between 2020-2025. All participants were 18 years or older at the time of testing and diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. The raw scores of specific subtests of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, Fourth Edition were compared in a One-Way ANOVA test among three groups: nonbinary, cisgender men, and cisgender women. Follow-up t-tests were conducted to examine individual group differences of significant results.
Results: The data was analyzed using Welch’s One-Way ANOVA comparison of raw scores and found significant differences in the Visual Puzzles (F=6.839, p=0.002) and Information (F= 7.337, p=0.001) subtests. Additional Independent T-Tests were conducted to further inspect significant results found in the ANOVA. There were meaningful differences in the Visual Puzzles (t=3.668, p= <0.001) and Information (t= 3.576, p= <0.001) subtests when nonbinary results were compared to cisgender women, and no significant results when nonbinary raw scores were compared to those of cisgender men.
Conclusion: These results signify the need for new nonbinary normative data existing in areas of neuropsychological evaluations, and encourage future research to expand in this area of study to better understand how the socialization of gender may impact levels of intelligence.- 65 - Anisha Virmani - Implementation of Brain Vessel Segmentation Algorithm for Research in Alzheimer’s Disease
Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences: Psychology
Faculty Mentor: Dr. George Stetten
Implementation of Brain Vessel Segmentation Algorithm for Research in Alzheimer’s Disease
The Circle of Willis is a vital structure of connected blood vessels in the brain responsible for supplying blood throughout the entire cerebrum. Its circular anatomical structure ensures continuous blood flow in case of blockages or damage to any one of the 3 blood vessels carrying blood up from the heart (internal carotid arteries and basilar artery). Research has shown that individuals with Alzheimer’s disease often present structural and functional abnormalities in the Circle of Willis. However, proper tools to examine these abnormalities are not yet fully developed with both speed and accuracy.
To address this gap, we propose the use of a brain segmentation algorithm, optimized for efficiency and accuracy, to examine the structural changes in the Circle of Willis in individuals with Alzheimer's disease. We developed and currently use an algorithm that leverages groups of homogeneous pixels, called variance wells (vWells), and other statistical methods to segment vasculature from 3D MRI brain scans. Existing segmentation tools for the Circle of Willis typically take about 20-40 hours of manual segmentation per scan, whereas our semiautomatic algorithm takes about 1-2 hours per scan. Our group segmented 83 brain scans from 46 patients with Alzheimer's disease.
Through the use of this segmentation algorithm, we have retrieved preliminary data on the length, diameter, and curvature of vessels from the scans. By comparing these metrics longitudinally, we hope to gain insight into how changes in the precise morphology of the Circle of Willis over time contribute to the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.- 66 - Noah Weissman - Early Reports on a Hybrid Type I Effectiveness-Implementation Trial of CARES
Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences: Psychology
Faculty Mentor: Jennifer Steel
Early Reports on a Hybrid Type I Effectiveness-Implementation Trial of CARES
CARES is an integrated screening and stepped collaborative care intervention delivered using telemedicine. Currently, the CARES hybrid Type I effectiveness-implementation cluster randomized trial is in the early stages of conducting baseline interviews with participants. Measured outcomes include quality of life, as well as physical and mental symptoms such as depression, anxiety, fatigue, and pain. In addition, the barriers to and facilitators of implementation are measured using the RE-AIM framework.
Over 150 provider-clinics have agreed to participate in the trial. In the first 2 months since trial commencement (August 8, 2025-September 22, 2025), 18 clinics screened patients using Epic and automatically referred patients for consent for treatment. As of September 22, 2025, approximately 500 patients were screened and a total of 230 patients reported clinical levels of one or more symptoms. A total of 38.2% reported clinical levels of depression, 60.5% of pain, 54.6% of fatigue, and 32.3% of anxiety. A total of 7.56% of patients reported “thoughts of being better off dead or hurting themselves in some way.” A total of 18 health care professionals including front desk staff, surgeons, and administrators have completed the implementation survey. Patients who reported potential suicidal or self-harm ideation were transferred to speak to our off-site therapists via teletherapy.
We managed to record a large amount of self-reported pain and fatigue based on screening. Going forward, we expect results to continue in this direction as we add more participants with different diagnoses and treatments and proceed with interviews.- 67 - Sunny Bruno - The Impact of Parent-Child Interaction on Children’s Future Math Skills
Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences: Psychology
Faculty Mentor: Melissa Libertus
The Impact of Parent-Child Interaction on Children’s Future Math Skills
Early parent-child interactions may play a critical role in shaping children’s later academic outcomes, particularly in mathematics. The current longitudinal study examines how the type of language parents use with their young children, specifically effort-based versus ability-based statements, relates to the development of math skills and mindsets over time.
Drawing from naturalistic observations during home visits with children aged 6-7, interactions are coded for statement type (effort vs ability), valence, and target. Standardized math and reading assessments, executive functioning assessments, interviews measuring the child’s math identity and mindset, and parent surveys are also completed during home visits.
By focusing on language that reflects either a growth (effort) or fixed (ability) mindset, this research aims to clarify the link between early feedback and later math self-efficacy. Preliminary coding and analysis are underway, with future implications for early education and parenting interventions that foster resilience and achievement in mathematic domains.- 68 - Daisy Smith - Mindfulness Based Training for Cardiovascular Health
Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences: Psychology
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Thomas Kamarck
Mindfulness Based Training for Cardiovascular Health
Chronic psychological stress is now widely seen as a possible factor in the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Those who show excessive cardiovascular reactivity to stress—larger spikes in blood pressure—face higher risks. Previous studies showing these connections are strictly correlational. In contrast, the randomized controlled trial we conducted is designed to test whether reducing stress and stress reactivity through a mindfulness intervention can lead to improvements in stress-related physiological responses, allowing causal conclusions.
I worked in the Behavioral Medicine Research Group, headed by Dr. Thomas Kamarck, running a study to examine the feasibility of a smartphone-based mindfulness intervention for reducing stress and stress reactivity in older adults at risk for CVD. Participants were randomized to an intervention or control group and were followed 3 months post treatment. Ambulatory monitoring assessments were administered to determine whether the intervention produces reductions in daily life stress exposures and reductions in responses to stress in the natural environment.
In this presentation, I will describe the challenges that we faced in carrying out a randomized clinical trial in Health Psychology, future directions for the study, and possible applications of this research to my own future career interests in the field of school psychology.- 69 - Paige Harris - Hiring and Harnessing the Power of Neurodiverse Employees
Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences: Psychology, Business Analytics, HR Management (Dual-Degree Program)
Faculty Mentor: Frits K. Pil PhD
Hiring and Harnessing the Power of Neurodiverse Employees
Neurodiversity" refers to the natural variation in the neurological development of human brains and includes conditions such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), ADHD, and other cognitive differences.
Historically these individuals have been discriminated against in the workspace, as employers are often unsure how to fairly treat candidates during the hiring and training process. This discrimination has resulted in a loss of human capital, and potential boost is productivity (Sumner & Brown, 2015). However, recent research shows that it might be advantageous for companies to hire neurodiverse employees, harnessing their unique talents, leading many large firms to develop specialized programs for these individuals.
This project includes a deep dive into the companies that hire primarily neurodiverse employees and their different hiring processes.- 70 - Arushi Bansal - ATP-citrate lyase deficiency suppresses type I interferon response by upregulating KDM6a in macrophages
School of Public Health: Public Health
Faculty Mentors: Dr. Partha Dutta, Dr. Khadeja-tul Kubra
ATP-citrate lyase deficiency suppresses type I interferon response by upregulating KDM6a in macrophages
ATP citrate lyase (Acly) is a key metabolic enzyme synthesizing acetyl-CoA as the precursor of cholesterol and fatty acids. This enzyme is well known for its role in histone acetylation and transcription factor activation. Myeloid Acly deficiency decreases atherosclerotic plaque vulnerability by increased fibrous cap thickness and collagen content. The histone demethylase KDM6a regulates gene expression by removing methyl groups from histone proteins, affecting chromatin accessibility and transcriptional activity. Hematopoietic KDM6a deficiency exacerbates inflammatory responses and hinders recovery of left ventricular function following myocardial infarction (MI). Understanding the interplay between ACLY and the epigenetic modifications mediated by KDM6a offers valuable insights into their roles in disease pathogenesis.
In our study, we observed that the plaque size and necrotic core area significantly decreased in LysMcre/+ Aclyfl/fl mice relative to the control group. Moreover, ACLY inhibition and silencing in BMDM resulted in reduced expression of Il6 and Cxcl10, the cytokines regulated by STING and drive atherogenesis. Congruently, Acly deficient aortic macrophages significantly decreased the expression of phospho-STING, which drives the type I interferon response. Ingenuity Pathway Analysis of the differentially expressed genes between LysMcre/+ Aclyfl/fl and LysM+/+ Aclyfl/fl atherosclerotic macrophages identified KDM6a as a significant upstream regulator.
Confocal microscopy confirmed the upregulation of KDM6a in Acly-deficient atherosclerotic macrophages. In line with this finding, we observed that Kdm6a silencing reversed Acly deficiency-mediated suppression of the IFN gamma-stimulated genes. Acly deficiency decreases inflammation. The lack of Acly increased Kdm6a expression, which blocks the STING-IFN type I pathway to suppress inflammatory cytokine production.- 71 - Aditi Kapoor - Endometriosis and Epidemiology: Identifying Diagnostic Trends and Risk Factors
School of Public Health: Public Health
Faculty Mentor: David Vorp
Endometriosis and Epidemiology: Identifying Diagnostic Trends and Risk Factors
Endometriosis is a gynecologic disease that may lead to severe pain and debilitating long-term consequences, including infertility. Timely diagnosis and treatment can help prevent the progression of endometriosis, however the majority of patients experience heavy delays in diagnosis, leading to worsened symptoms and poorer quality of life. Currently, the gold standard for diagnosing endometriosis is laparoscopic surgery, however, incorporating non-invasive measures prior to this can help make diagnosis more efficient and accessible.
Epidemiological studies have previously been conducted to assess the incidence and prevalence of endometriosis, and an extended approach can be adopted to analyze the underlying trends among symptomatic patients. This will in turn help identify potential risk factors which can lead to early detection of endometriosis. The Visual Analog Scale (VAS) is a survey administered to patients, which assesses pain across various categories. The VAS scores for both endometriotic and non-endometriotic patients were compared pre- and post-operatively, in order to analyze the impact of endometriosis-related pain on the patients’ quality of life. The most significant result was for dysmenorrhea, or menstrual pain: non-endometriotic patients experienced a significant reduction in pain post-operatively compared to endometriotic patients.
Another key aspect of this analysis is identifying changes in risk due to the presence of comorbid conditions in patients, along with controlling for factors including birth control and estrogen exposure. The former was conducted through relative risk calculations; the highest positive associations were found for cardiovascular disease, kidney stones, diabetes and Crohn’s disease. After further analysis and supplementing with other metrics assessing additional aspects of quality of life, this data can further be used in conjunction with machine learning techniques, to develop a non-invasive diagnostic tool to further address diagnostic challenges.- 72 - Matthew Shi - Kaempferol Mitigates Microgravity-Induced Knee Cartilage Degeneration by Targeting NOX4-Mediated Mitochondrial Dysfunction
School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences: Rehabilitation Science
Faculty Mentor: Hang Lin
Kaempferol Mitigates Microgravity-Induced Knee Cartilage Degeneration by Targeting NOX4-Mediated Mitochondrial Dysfunction
Extended durations of space travel pose major risks for human health and detrimental risks to the musculoskeletal system. While skeletal muscle and bone have been studied extensively under microgravity, very little information is known about the effects of microgravity on knee joint cartilage. This study aims to investigate how spaceflight and simulated microgravity affect knee articular cartilage, including alterations in mitochondrial function and potential countermeasures.
In both in vivo (spaceflight-exposed mice) and in vitro (rotary cell culture system) models of microgravity, exposure to microgravity contributed to cartilage degeneration. Furthermore, RNA sequencing and metabolic organoid profiling suggested mitochondrial dysfunction as a shared response. This study investigated the potential of Kaempferol, a natural flavonoid that has been shown to regulate mitochondrial homeostasis, as a countermeasure. Under simulated microgravity, Kaempferol treatment was able to partially restore the level of collagen type II and glycosaminoglycan in chondrocytes, regulate inflammation, and improve mitochondrial function. Using transcriptomic and molecular docking, NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX4), a mitochondrial oxidase that generates ROS, was found as the main mediator of microgravity-mediated cartilage damage and a direct target of Kaempferol.
Functional experiments demonstrated that Kaempferol binds to and inhibits NOX4 and reduces oxidative stress and degenerative responses in chondrocytes. In vivo, Kaempferol treatment of the simulated spaceflight mice dramatically decreased cartilage damage and preserved the mitochondrial population. Taken together, our results demonstrated that NOX4-mediated mitochondrial dysfunction is a primary driver of microgravity-induced cartilage damage, and Kaempferol may have promise in mitigating knee cartilage damage in astronauts.- 73 - Julie Elbaum - Exploring the Prevalence of Anosognosia and its Relationship with Age in the Post Stroke Neglect Population
School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences: Rehabilitation Science
Faculty Mentor: Emily Grattan
Exploring the Prevalence of Anosognosia and its Relationship with Age in the Post Stroke Neglect Population
Anosognosia and unilateral neglect (neglect)are common impairments after stroke. Individuals with anosognosia lack awareness of their deficits and individuals with neglect fail to recognize the contralesional side of space. Both of these impairments can impede rehabilitation progress and are associated with disability. Although it is understood these impairments often co-occur, the prevalence of anosognosia among individuals with chronic neglect (≥6 months post-stroke) is unclear, especially when examining neglect subtypes (i.e., personal, extra-personal. The relationship between age and anosognosia is also unclear.
Examining these relationships is imperative to identify who may be at greater risk for disability and to inform rehabilitation.The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence of anosognosia and the relationship between age and anosognosia among individuals with chronic neglect, using a relatively large heterogenous sample. We hypothesized there would be a moderate positive correlation (rs=0.5) between age and anosognosia, since age-related changes in the brain may impede neuroplasticity.
We conducted a secondary analysis (n=104) using data from two cross-sectional neglect studies. We calculated the percentage of individuals with neglect who demonstrated anosognosia by comparing Catherine Bergego Scale (CBS) participant and assessor ratings (item level scores and total scores). In addition, we calculated the Spearman’s rank correlation between age and anosognosia scores.
Overall, more participants (93.4%)reported impairment than assessors (87.5%), which indicates a low overall prevalence of anosognosia. However, 7% of participants demonstrated anosognosia on the gaze and navigation(i.e., extra-personal neglect)items respectively. Age and anosognosia had a small, positive correlation (rs=0.369). Since there was a low prevalence of anosognosia in the sample, findings suggest that individuals with neglect may be reliable reporters of impairment in the chronic stage of stroke recovery. Future research should examine predictors of anosognosia in this stage of recovery.
Presentations
Info Format:
Presentation # - Student Name - Project Title
Inside the dropdown: School: Major / Faculty/Staff Mentor / Title and Description
- 1 - Gina Mastele - Potentially Polluting Wrecks: Environmental Assessment
Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences: Anthropology
Faculty Mentors: Jennifer Muller, Blair Atcheson
Potentially Polluting Wrecks: Environmental Assessment
Ships that sank while they carried petroleum-based substances within their cargoes or fuel oil tanks represent a significant environmental hazard. The Naval History and Heritage Command’s (NHHC) Underwater Archaeology Branch sought out to understand the shipwrecks that pose the highest pollution risk.
At NHHC’s headquarters, this study evaluated the relative risk posed by more than 1,300 potentially polluting shipwrecks around the globe. Historical and geospatial data was utilized in RStudio to create a syntax capable of automatically designating risk values to a wide range of potentially polluting shipwrecks. Risk values were assigned based on a shipwreck’s corrosion potential, exposure to weather and human activity, fuel and unexploded ordnance capacity, wreck depth, and proximity to marine resources. The risk values were combined to produce a total risk score that could rank each of the United States Navy’s sunken military ships based on the risk they pose to the environment.- 2 - Caleb Finamore - An Audoughbiography: Narrative in J. Dilla’s Donuts
Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences: DNID and Music Composition
Faculty Mentor: Jay Arms
An Audoughbiography: Narrative in J. Dilla’s Donuts
The term “storyteller” in Western popular music is one traditionally associated with lyricism. This association, however, discards the possibility that storytelling can still occur in the absence of lyrics. Donuts, the seminal hip-hop instrumental record composed by producer James Dewitt Yancey in the weeks leading up to his death, challenges this notion, redefining existing perceptions of storytelling in music through Yancey’s approach to hip-hop production.
Despite its complete omission of recorded lyrics, Donuts tells tales of both autobiography and requiem, recontextualizing a diverse body of instrumental and vocal samples to lay bare the producer professionally known as J Dilla’s life and reflect on his impending passing. Existing studies of music quotation and hip-hop sampling inform this essay, both in articles which seek to historicize and catalogue these practices as well as theoretical discussions surrounding their inherent, intangible “magic” (Exarchos, 2019). Furthermore, this essay also draws from studies of temporality in hip-hop, technical aspects of hip-hop production, and a biography of Yancey.
This essay examines how Dilla infuses narrative into Donuts. I begin by proposing the album’s narrative as one shaped through three distinct yet coexisting perspectives: affirmation of Dilla’s skills and career, reflection on Dilla’s personal life, and escape from Dilla’s illness and impending death. From there, I analyze Dilla’s production techniques, examining specific instances across the record before demonstrating the synthesis of all three perspectives within the structure of the album which makes up Donuts' comprehensive retelling of the producer’s life and death.- 3 - Trenton Wood - A War on Slavery: A Discussion of How Northern Abolitionists Changed the Public Mind
Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences: History
Faculty Mentor: Dr. William Campbell
A War on Slavery: A Discussion of How Northern Abolitionists Changed the Public Mind
This project is the first part of a larger work that explores the roots of the Civil Rights movement with a focus on the United States Colored Troops (USCT) and their actions in the American Civil War. This first section uses an adapted Social Problems Framework, from Joel Best, to analyze how Northern Black Intellectuals and Abolitionists moved toward the political center in an attempt to garner support for emancipation. The framework primarily focuses on the newspaper media in an attempt to see how close abolitionist Media were to the mainstream, which dictated the reach of their message. The history fits into the framework with an overall goal of explaining how, in such a short time, new radical ideas like emancipation were accepted by the American mind.- 4 - Jacklyn Wyszynski - CACE Study: Harnessing User-Input Data to Investigate Student Generative AI Usage
Swanson School of Engineering: Industrial Engineering
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Matthew Barry
CACE Study: Harnessing User-Input Data to Investigate Student Generative AI Usage
Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) is a machine learning model capable of creating content using algorithms that mimic human learning and decision-making processes. OpenAI’s ChatGPT is one of the most popular publicly available GenAI platforms; since its release, other operating systems and internet browsers have likewise developed their own GenAI platforms (e.g., Google’s Gemini, Microsoft’s Copilot, etc.). This technology’s widespread usage has raised questions regarding its educational implications.
This study investigated how students use GenAI in an introductory Statics and Mechanics of Materials course, with particular emphasis on one AI chatbot, Top Hat ACE. The course utilized a digital interactive textbook hosted on Top Hat, "Statics and Mechanics of Materials: An Example-based Approach." ACE is embedded within the course book and can reply conversationally to user inputs. Additionally, ACE is trained using instructor-provided content within the Top Hat book, thus providing more accurate replies to student input.
Student inputs to ACE were recorded, timestamped, and anonymized. Findings reveal that students most often engaged in solution-seeking behavior outside of available office hours, with a peak in dishonest usage occurring between midnight and 2:00 am. Students scarcely used ACE for purely solution-seeking when in-person help was readily accessible.
Statistical testing on mean correctness-to-attempt ratios reveals that usage of Top Hat ACE does not lead to a significant increase in academic performance on low-stakes assignments. These findings pave the way for future investigation and implementation of AI software tools in the engineering classroom.- 5 - Josephine Isenberg - Early life stress impacts on amygdala development and social interactions
Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences: Neuroscience
Faculty Mentor: Shawn Sorrells
Early life stress impacts on amygdala development and social interactions
The amygdala is a brain region important for social and emotional learning which undergoes significant maturation during adolescence. This stage is important for development and refinement of social behaviors and is vulnerable to environmental stressors. The relationship of early-life stressors to the formation and maturation of social circuits in the amygdala is not well understood.
Mouse amygdala neurons mature primarily during adolescent ages; we hypothesize early-life stressors lead to alterations in social behavior. To test this hypothesis, we induced stressors known to mimic fractured parental care during early-life. We recorded thirty-minute videos of mice in an open field test with a littermate weekly from postnatal day 14 to 60 and used software to quantify their interactions compared to an unstressed control group. We also compared indicators of neuronal maturation in the amygdala between control and stressed mice.
Our behavioral analysis showed that the number of interactions between mice increased significantly with age regardless of condition, but was lower in older mice who experienced early-life stress. This altered social behavior correlates with results from immunohistochemistry, which show that neurons in the amygdala of stressed mice retain more markers of immaturity than control mice.
From these data, it is possible that the mice that experienced early-life stress interact differently in social contexts than the control mice. These data also suggest that the amygdala matures more slowly in stressed mice. It is therefore possible that aberrant social behaviors observed in neuropsychiatric disorders may be impacted by neural development of the amygdala.- 6 - Henryque Diehl - Contextual novelty is necessary for recruitment of CP-AMPARs underlying cue-drug associative memories
Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences: Neuroscience
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Oliver Schlüter
Contextual novelty is necessary for recruitment of CP-AMPARs underlying cue-drug associative memories
The occurrence of relapses to drug use, even after years of successful rehabilitation, stands as one of the greatest challenges in treating substance use disorders. Relapses are often triggered by re-exposure to drug-associated cues or the drug itself, posing the question of the neural mechanisms underlying this vulnerability.
Previous studies in rodents have shown that cue-drug memories are enhanced through the recruitment of Ca+2-permeable AMPA receptors (CP-AMPARs) in nucleus accumbens (NAc) medium spiny neurons, typically emerging after prolonged withdrawal from drug-conditioned training. However, the specific contextual conditions that govern CP-AMPAR acquisition remain unclear.
To examine how environmental features influence drug memories, we compared three contextual settings in mice – the conditioned place preference (CPP), open field (OF), and home cage (HC) – using the synthetic opioid fentanyl as a model drug. CP-AMPAR accumulation in the NAc was observed in the CPP and OF groups, whereas no receptor alterations were detected in the HC group. Moreover, the CPP and OF groups produced comparable increases in CP-AMPAR levels, and CPP mice presented heightened fentanyl-seeking behavior.
These findings suggest that the presence of contextual novelty was sufficient to drive synaptic CP-AMPAR expression after drug conditioning, enabling the establishment of neural substrates that mediate relapse vulnerability. The prevention of contextual novelties during medical treatments with opioids may therefore represent a candidate therapeutical approach to reduce relapse risk by limiting the engagement of these critical cellular mechanisms.- 7 - Stephanie Yau - Visualizing Choral Music and the Sensory Experience
Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences: Neuroscience and Psychology
Faculty Mentor: Susan Rice
Visualizing Choral Music and the Sensory Experience
The mind-body problem of philosophy looks to the connection between the physical body and the immaterial mind, a connection shown within the neurological phenomenon of synesthesia, a condition where stimulation of one sense involuntarily triggers another due to cross-activation of sensory pathways. Music, similarly, transcends language and provides vivid imagery, mirroring symptoms of synesthesia.
Drawing from my experience in the Heinz Chapel Choir, I created three mixed-media visual pieces inspired by choral works I have performed. Through fiber arts, painting, and layered textures, I captured the emotional and structural essence of music, allowing audiences to experience it in a new way.
This project has culminated into an installation where viewers can engage with both the visual works and the choral pieces that inspired them, fostering deeper artistic connection.- 8 - Madeline Hervey - A Listening Session in Communities to Enhance Resilience and Healthspan
School of Nursing: Nursing
Faculty Mentor: Rose Constantino
A Listening Session in Communities to Enhance Resilience and Healthspan
Background: There are five vital signs that healthcare providers assess: body temperature, pulse, respiration, blood pressure, and pain. Normal levels for the five vital signs are published by the American Heart Association and other specialty organizations. We are suggesting a sixth vital sign: Resilience. Resilience is the ability of the immune system to respond to attacks and defend effectively against infections and inflammatory stressors, and psychological resilience is the capacity to resist, adapt, recover, thrive, and grow from a challenge or a stressor.
Purpose: The purpose of this presentation is to suggest that resilience become the sixth vital sign by conceptualizing, contextualizing, and operationalizing all six vital signs.
Methods: The first five vital signs will be reviewed. We suggest measuring resilience subjectively and objectively. Subjectively, use a 5-item guided interview revised from the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CDRC), a scale of 10 items. To measure resilience objectively, we suggest using Immune Resilience (IR) levels, the level of resilience to preserve and/or rapidly restore immune resilience functions that promote disease resistance and control inflammation and other inflammatory stress.
Outcomes: IR deregulation is potentially reversible by decreasing inflammatory stress. Gene expression signatures track longevity-associated immunocompetence and mortality- or entropy-associated inflammation. IR metrics and mechanisms have utility in understanding vital signs and biomarkers for measuring immune health and improving health outcomes.- 9 - Shravani Chellapilla - Sleep in Preschool-Aged Children at Risk of Childhood ADHD
Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences: Psychology
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Heather Joseph
Sleep in Preschool-Aged Children at Risk of Childhood ADHD
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a highly prevalent disorder in young children with lifelong implications hindering future success. Studies show that sleep may be a modifiable variable for early intervention for preschool-aged children at risk of developing ADHD.
I aim to characterize sleep problems to identify common sleep issues among children at risk of being diagnosed with ADHD. I am also interested in comparing actigraphy and parent-reported sleep diary which are two different methods of collecting sleep data. This will allow us to determine which method is feasible for sleep data collection in a younger population. With such information, we can conduct further studies regarding sleep patterns and specific intervention methods to reduce the symptoms of childhood ADHD.
This project will allow me to learn how to clean and score actigraphy data and gain knowledge on pediatric sleep problems, which will help me in my future career as a clinical psychologist.- 10 - Alastair Watt - Thymidine Rescue of ATRi-Induced DNA Damage at Telomeres
Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences: Biochemstry
Faculty Mentors: Dr. Samantha Sanford, Dr. Patricia Opresko
Thymidine Rescue of ATRi-Induced DNA Damage at Telomeres
Telomere maintenance at chromosome ends is essential for cancer cell growth. Telomerase, active in 90% of cancers, extends telomeres using nucleotides, which can make it sensitive to nucleotide pool imbalances. These mutagenic nucleotide imbalances can be caused by cancers or induced by chemotherapeutics. While inhibitors of the critical DNA damage response kinase ATR are in clinical trials to sensitize tumors to genotoxic therapies, the ATRi Ceralasertib(AZD6738) alters nucleotide metabolism and increases deoxyuridine(dU) in the genome which leads to DNA replication errors. Supplementing with thymidine(dT), but not other deoxyribonucleosides, can rescue ATRi-induced dU contamination and cancer cell death.
To determine whether ATR inhibition disrupts telomere length homeostasis, HeLa LT cells were treated chronically for 7 days with low doses(0.2, 0.4, 0.8UM) of AZD6738 with and without thymidine. Metaphase chromosome spreads were conducted to determine if the treatment caused telomere aberrations and decreased telomere length. Cells were arrested in metaphase with colcemid, swollen in hypotonic KCL, and fixed. The cell suspension was dropped onto slides to disperse chromosomes for analysis. Slides were hybridized with telomere specific fluorescent probes, allowing telomeric defects to be visualized.
Quantitative TeloFISH on metaphase chromosomes revealed a dramatic reduction in telomere signal intensity. After one week, HeLa LT exhibited increased telomere fragility with ATRi, but thymidine partially rescued this fragility. Signal-free chromosome ends increased in HeLa LT cells at the higher 0.8uM dose.
This data suggests that ATRi impairs telomere maintenance by inducing dU incorporation at telomeres, leading to telomere shortening and increased telomere defects in telomerase-positive cancer cells, and that thymidine can partially rescue these effects.- 11 - Omar Al-bataineh - The Effect of Microplastics on Macrophage Function and Ant-Tumor Immunity
Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences: Neuroscience
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Adam Soloff
The Effect of Microplastics on Macrophage Function and Ant-Tumor Immunity
Microplastics can have toxic effects when inhaled from the environment. The effect of microplastics on pulmonary immunity is unexplored. Macrophages are essential to maintain lung homeostasis, with the role of phagocytosis of apoptotic cells in the lungs. Alveolar macrophages are linked with multiple pulmonary diseases when their function is hindered.
Due to the influx of microplastic exposure in the world today, we investigated the effects of microplastics on macrophage function and anti-tumor immunity. We co-cultured RAW 264.7 macrophages with fluorescent polystyrene microplastics of varying sizes and concentrations, finding that a medium bead-to-cell ratio (5:1) resulted in the most effective macrophage phagocytosis of microplastics. Then, we used flow cytometry to analyze the effects of the microplastics on the macrophages’ ability to phagocytose fluorescent green zymosan particles, a component of the yeast cell wall. Compared to macrophages with no microplastic exposure, microplastics significantly inhibited phagocytosis of zymosan green particles (p value = 0.0002) with 10 micrometer microplastics exhibiting the largest inhibition (65% vs 5% uptake, p < 0.0001).
To revert microplastic-induced dysfunction, we then introduced the drug AICar in three concentrations to the macrophages prior to 0.1 micrometer microplastic exposure. Here, pre-treatment with AICar was able to increase macrophage phagocytosis of zymosan following microplastic exposures, but more experiments are needed to confirm these results. In the future, we plan on continuing to evaluate the relationship between microplastic exposure and chronic lung illnesses/cancer and how to reverse these effects.- 12 - Sasmitha Rajesh - Global Trends in Dementia Care Costs and Rates
School of Nursing: Nursing
Faculty Mentor: Coco Dong
Global Trends in Dementia Care Costs and Rates
Background: By 2030, over 1 billion people globally will be over 65. Dementia spending, now $263 billion, is projected to reach $1.6 trillion by 2050, highlighting the need to track spending changes relative to GDP for healthcare policy planning.
Methods: Global dementia spending data were sourced from Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation. We used direct computation to analyze the relative dementia-related change of community-based care rate (CBC), facility-based care rate (NHBC), Community based care unit cost (CBCUC), Nursing home-based care unit cost (NHBCUC), and attributable dementia spending (ADP) from 2000 to 2019 through 195 countries. Relative change was calculated by the 2000–2019 value difference over the 2000 value.
Results: Myanmar had the largest CBC increase (75.0%), CBCUC (1.63), and NHBCUC (1.81). Equatorial Guinea showed the largest NHBC rise (63.2%), and South Korea showed most increase in
ADC (9.05).
Discussion: Drastic relative changes of global dementia care rate and cost, either increasing or decreasing, were observed for certain countries, with comparison to themselves twenty years ago. Syria and Japan are the two countries whose spending on dementia care is by proportion growing faster than the country’s overall economic growth. Future steps will be made to identify growth pattern by each country.- 13 - Tanvi Akunuri - Predicting Chemotherapy-Induced Cognitive Impairment in Cancer Patients
School of Public Health: Public Health
Faculty Mentor:
Predicting Chemotherapy-Induced Cognitive Impairment in Cancer Patients: An Approach using Synthetic Patient Data and Deep Learning Models
Cancer patients are often given chemotherapy to mitigate and eliminate cancer, yet the treatments often result in cognitive impairment, thus impeding quality of life of these patients. While cognitive decline is not commonly tracked during treatment, patient electronic health records (EHRs) contain an abundance of unstructured information collected during the patients’ lifetime, providing an indirect inference mechanism through which the level of cognitive decline can be detected.
Through literature reviews, various comorbidities were identified to commonly occur in breast cancer patients who undergo chemotherapy as well as those that contribute to cognitive decline in general. Realistic synthetic EHRs were generated to simulate the comorbidities and symptoms of cognitive impairment for 2000 patients undergoing chemotherapy. Using this synthetic data, a Feed-Forward Neural Network was trained to detect the possible occurrence of cognitive decline when certain comorbidities occur, within a given time frame. The model was trained with data of 1600 patients and tested and validated with the remaining 400 patients.
The resulting model demonstrates both statistical and clinical significance in predicting the timing of cognitive decline after the onset of a comorbidity. The model demonstrates strong predictive reliability (p < 0.001, R² = 0.977) despite a slight but significant under-prediction bias that has negligible clinical impact due to its small effect size.
- 14 - Alina Sharifi - Optimizing Skin Regeneration in Diabetic C. Elegans: A Comparative Study of Solution Efficacy
School of Public Health: Public Health
Faculty Mentor: Alexis Patanarut
Optimizing Skin Regeneration in Diabetic C. Elegans: A Comparative Study of Solution Efficacy
Delayed skin regeneration is a major complication of diabetes, increasing the risk of chronic wounds, infections, and long-term tissue damage. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of three topical treatments: Bacitracin Zinc + Neomycin, Petroleum Jelly + Neomycin, and Vitamin B6 + Magnesium Glycinate, in promoting cuticle regeneration in Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) under varying glycemic conditions.
Hyperglycemia was induced using 0mM, 50mM, and 100mM glucose environments to stimulate non-diabetic, slightly diabetic, and highly diabetic states, respectively. Wounds were created using standardized puncture techniques, and healing was monitored through wound closure, survival rates, and composite regeneration index. The results demonstrated a clear inverse relationship between glucose concentration and regenerative efficiency. Bacitracin + Neomycin achieved the highest regeneration index under normoglycemic conditions, while Vitamin B6 + Magnesium Glycinate outperformed other treatments in the 100mM glucose group, suggesting a metabolic advantage under stress.
Statistical analysis using two-way ANOVA confirmed a significant interaction between glucose levels and treatment type (p < 0.01). The findings support the potential of nutrient-enhanced therapies in mitigating hyperglycemia-induced impairments and highlight C. elegans as a valid translational model for diabetic wound healing research.
This study contributes to the search for low-cost, accessible interventions to support tissue repair in diabetic individuals.- 15 - Alaina Wenitsky and Abigail Obeng and Hruthika Lingulta and Neil Anand - Solar Hydroponic Integration
Swanson School of Engineering: Chemical Engineering
Faculty Mentor: Joaquín Rodríguez
Solar Hydroponic Integration
The project investigates the integration of solar energy with hydroponic units to optimize energy efficiency and sustainability in modern agriculture. By measuring the energy consumption of 2 hydroponic units under varying light, pump, and nutrient delivery cycles, the research quantifies baseline energy demands.
A research and educational solar unit was deployed and tested, incorporating a very small photovoltaic panel with dielectric lighting, enabling partial to full autonomy from grid electricity. Data collected over four weeks revealed that solar energy could supply up to 2.5 amps for a 30-square-inch solar panel. The energy loss from the lighting system was also recorded, and the difference between energy generated by the photovoltaic cell and energy lost via lighting was determined to be net positive, ranging from +0.5V to +1.2V for the minuscule solar unit.
This experimental design reveals how solar panels have true feasibility for integration with hydroponic systems. By combining real-time energy monitoring with plant growth metrics, the study provides a quantitative framework for designing scalable, solar-powered hydroponic systems.
This research demonstrates a pathway toward fully sustainable vertical agriculture solutions and establishes a hypothetical baseline for an energy-efficient system design, with potential applications in urban farming and modern agriculture.- 16 - Neil Anand - Aeroponic Vitality
Swanson School of Engineering: Chemical Engineering
Faculty Mentor: Joaquín Rodríguez
Aeroponic Vitality
This project examines aeroponic post-germination growth, aiming to maximize growth rates and plant productivity without reliance on soil or traditional growth media. Using rockwool plugs for initial germination, seedlings are transitioned to an aeroponic chamber where nutrient misting frequency, droplet size, and nutrient concentration are varied via a timer.
Studies have demonstrated that aeroponic systems can achieve higher growth rates exceeding 30% compared to traditional farming methods, with significant reductions in water and nutrient usage. Quantitative analyses indicate that aeroponic systems utilize approximately 90% less water than conventional farming, with some systems achieving water use efficiencies up to 19.6 grams of biomass per liter of water, compared to 5.6 grams per liter in traditional methods. Additionally, aeroponic cultivation has been shown to accelerate crop growth, with certain crops reaching maturity in half the time required by soil-based agriculture. Root development in aeroponic systems is notably enhanced, exhibiting increased root biomass and surface area, which can lead to improved nutrient absorption and less exposure to deadly pathogens.
These advancements present significant implications for sustainable agriculture, particularly in regions with limited water resources or oxygen-rich land. This study aims to further quantify the performance of aeroponic systems across various plant species, providing empirical data to implement feasible and resource-efficient agricultural practices.