Brown, Logan
Huynh, Van |
Morris, Sheena |
Policy-Related Factors Affecting Nurse Anesthetists’ Practice Locations in Non-Surgical Pain Management
View Full Text
Abstract Text
This cross-sectional quantitative study examines how specific policy-related factors, such as physician supervision requirements, opt-out status, and fluoroscopy utilization, influence the practice location choices of NSPM CRNAs in the United States. An online survey was distributed through emails and various social media platforms to NSPM-certified CRNAs (NSPM-C, n = 208) and CRNAs enrolled in NSPM fellowship programs (NSPM-F, n = 33). A total of 66 responses were received, yielding a response rate of 27.4%. This included 52 responses from NSPM-C CRNAs and 14 from NSPM-F CRNAs. Most NSPM-C CRNAs
currently practicing pain management and NSPM-F CRNAs indicated they are less likely to practice in states requiring physician supervision, lacking opt-out status, or prohibiting fluoroscopy use. These participants also concurred that they would be more likely to practice in states that do not mandate physician supervision and states with opt-out status. Other factors affecting location preferences were reported to be prescriptive authority and reimbursement or compensation issues. For NSPM-C CRNAs who have ceased practicing pain management, the majority cited non-opt-out status, mandatory physician supervision, and the prohibition of fluoroscopy as key policy-related reasons for discontinuing their practice. Lastly, the study
yielded a geographical distribution of NSPM CRNAs’ current and future practice locations. The findings indicate that state policies significantly influence NSPM CRNAs’ practice locations.
This study provides valuable insights for policymakers aiming to expand NSPM services by highlighting the need for regulatory reforms that support CRNA autonomy and scope of practice at local, state, and national levels.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 44
|
| Brown, Courtney |
Piccolo, Carmen |
Pseudoaneurysm formation in the setting of segmental arterial mediolysis (SAM) with arterial embolization and angioplasty: a case report
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Segmental arterial mediolysis (SAM) is a rare noninflammatory disease process that leads to disruption of the arterial media. Identifying a clinical diagnosis of SAM is based upon holistic interpretation of patient history, presentation, and CT angiography. This presentation demonstrates the diagnosis and treatment of a 39-year-old female presenting with epigastric abdominal pain secondary to SAM, and consequent pseudoaneurysm formation in the celiac artery. The patient underwent extensive arterial embolization of the splenic and left gastric arteries with angioplasty of the hepatic and celiac arteries. In this case, surgical intervention was a beneficial treatment when paired with antiplatelet therapy.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 119
|
McElhenny, Toyanna
Allison, Yuliia |
Gutshall, Catherine |
RISE: Resilience in SRNA Education
View Full Text
Abstract Text
The Resilience in SRNA Education (RISE) project was a quasi-experimental, longitudinal, mixed-methods study investigating the impact of resilience education on stress and resilience among student registered nurse anesthetists (SRNAs) at the University of South Carolina. A total of 54 (n) SRNAs completed RN Personal Resilience Enhancement Plan (RN P.R.E.P.), an evidence-based 12-module resilience course. Quantitative outcomes were evaluated with pretest-posttest measures of stress and resilience using validated instruments, Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale-10 and Perceived Stress Scale. RN P.R.E.P. positively impacted resilience and stress as evidenced by statistically significant changes (p-values < .001) in resilience scores (pretest mean of 27 increased to 31 post-course) and perceived stress scores (pretest mean of 19 decreased to 14 post-course). Qualitative feedback further supported that RN P.R.E.P. positively influenced stress perception and learner self-efficacy. The majority of students recommended this program to future cohorts, further supporting the meaningfulness of this project. Adverse stress is a known problem among SRNAs, leading to burnout and other poor outcomes. Our data supports that resilience education increases personal resilience and self-efficacy while decreasing perceived stress, mitigating the risk of burnout. The outcomes of this project imply that resilience education can be an essential intervention to incorporate in nurse anesthesia curriculum to combat stress and burnout experienced by SRNAs and should be further evaluated across larger populations of students. Anesthesia is a burnout-prone profession. The benefits of resilience education should also be explored among anesthesia clinicians in the practice setting.
Keywords: student registered nurse anesthetists, stress, burnout, resilience, protective factors
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 45
|
Beasley, Nicole
Richardson, Madeline |
Leblanc, Kevin
Morris, Sheena
Eginton, Elise
Cole, Allison |
Increasing Understanding of Preoperative Ultrasound for Fluid Assessment
View Full Text
Abstract Text
This project focuses on education for nurse anesthetists on Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) for a preoperative cardiovascular assessment and evaluates the effectiveness of an educational presentation. The primary objective of this educational project is to provide current evidence on the effectiveness of cardiovascular POCUS on Inferior Vena Cava (IVC) measurements to reduce the prevalence of intraoperative hypotension due to hypovolemia. The goal is not to replace traditional methods of clinical assessment, but rather to encourage the utilization of current POCUS resources. Using a descriptive study model, a pre-survey was conducted at the beginning of the presentation that assessed the CRNA's awareness and knowledge of POCUS use, the accessibility of POCUS, how often each CRNA used ultrasound, and how often they used it for goal-based treatments. Based on the results of the study from a post-survey, there was a clear need for increased education on using POCUS for fluid volume status assessment. For future studies, it would be beneficial to explore the reasons why POCUS was not feasible, as this study could shed light on the challenges and limitations that may prevent the use of POCUS and provide insight into how these issues could be addressed in the future.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 46
|
| Nussbaum, Bryce |
Peryshkov, Dmitry |
Redox-Active Carboranyl Diphosphine as an Electron and Proton Transfer Agent
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Transition metal catalysis is critical for the majority of chemical manufacturing processes, resulting in a multi-billion dollar industry. Specifically, the oxidative addition and reductive elimination of small molecules about the transition metal centers drive the catalytic cycles. However, toxicity and low natural abundance of transition metals have prompted a shift to nonmetal analogs. In this work, we report the first example of proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) with a zwitterionic nido-carboranyl diphosphonium. This main-group reagent efficiently transfers two electrons and two protons to quinones, yielding the corresponding hydroquinones and regenerating a neutral closo-carboranyl diphosphine. As we have previously reported the conversion of our closo-carboranyl diphosphine into the zwitterionic nido- derivative upon reaction with main group hydrides, this work represents the complete synthetic cycle for the metal-free reduction of quinones, with the redox-active carboranyl diphosphine scaffold acting as a mediator. Based on pKa determination, electrochemical studies, and kinetic isotope effect determination, our proposed mechanism involves electron transfer from the nido- cluster to the quinone coupled with the delivery of protons from the phosphonium arms. Thus, we have successfully established a metal-free reductive elimination pathway, which highlights the potential for carborane-based catalysts as a greener alternative to transition metals.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 21
|
Benham Cummings, Casey
Myers, Mercedis |
LeBlanc, Kevin |
Gastric POCUS Nurse Anesthesia Education Program Integration
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Introduction: This project evaluates the impact of audiovisual education followed by hands-on practice on the competence and confidence of student registered nurse anesthetists (SRNAs) using point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) for preoperative gastric volume assessment.
Methods: Thirty-seven first-year SRNAs received asynchronous gastric POCUS training, with seventeen participating in an additional in-person review and hands-on practice.
Data Collection: Five-point Likert scale pre-tests and post-tests gathered feedback, facilitated by Survey Monkey.
Results and Data Analysis: Post-training, 82% felt confident in performing gastric POCUS assessments, and 100% believed the instruction positively impacted their education, supporting standardized POCUS education integration.
Discussion and Conclusion: Integrating POCUS into SRNA education is beneficial. Early integration with audiovisual and hands-on sessions is recommended. Further research is needed to assess long-term impacts.
Keywords: gastric point-of-care ultrasound, gastric volume assessment, ultrasound education, nurse anesthesia education
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 47
|
Morgan, Emily
Clevenger, Michaela |
Gutshall, Catherine |
Burnout and Turnover Intention in Nurse Anesthesia Program Faculty
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Burnout and turnover intention are prevalent in both the healthcare and education sectors. Despite this prevalence, little research has been conducted regarding these phenomena within nurse anesthesia program faculty. This project utilized a 14-item REDCap survey to investigate burnout and its potential relationship to turnover intention among nurse anesthesia faculty within the United States. The survey focused on demographics, faculty role(s) and employment, clinical responsibilities, burnout, and turnover intention. Of the 102 survey respondents, 61.8% endorsed burnout and 71.6% reported feeling overwhelmed by their faculty responsibilities. The groups of respondents with the highest percentage of burnout were program directors, full-time employees, males, 41-50 years old, those who are employed by integrated programs, and those who practice clinically in addition to having faculty roles. Regarding turnover intent, 29.4% of surveyed faculty do not see themselves in a faculty role in five years and 13.7% of respondents are actively planning to vacate their position. Of those actively planning to vacate, 78.6% reported feelings of burnout, though only 21% listed burnout as their primary reason. As the need for Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) grows, the nurse anesthesia profession must address burnout and retention within its faculty cohort.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 48
|
Morton, Corie
Lareche, Marvell |
LeBlanc, Kevin |
Education of Anesthesia Providers About Preoperative Carbohydrate Loading in all Surgical Populations
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) principles and protocols are gaining popularity in the
anesthesia and surgical community due to the positive implications for patients and lower costs to
facilities. The researchers used Pubmed Database to conduct a literature review returning multiple
studies, all describing the benefits of preoperative carbohydrate loading in various surgical
populations. This study looked at the impact of educating anesthesia providers at a Level I
academic hospital on the current literature of patients consuming a carbohydrate beverage up to
two hours before surgery. The study hypothesized that educating providers on preoperative
carbohydrates would increase their awareness and willingness to implement practice changes. The
study methods included an education session delivered via PowerPoint to 36 anesthesia providers;
pre-surveys and post-surveys were collected via REDcap anonymously. The goal was to increase
provider knowledge and increase the likelihood of adopting or implementing the updated literature
into practice. Lastly, the results confirmed the hypothesis of the study; the education session
increased anesthesia providers’ likeliness to implement practice change in accordance with current
practice recommendations. This study indicates that educating anesthesia providers on current
practice recommendations, supported by the literature, increases endorsement of practice change.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 49
|
Drees, Leslie
McBride, Morgan |
Rhea, Catherine |
Optimizing Clear Liquid Fasting Times in the Infant Surgical Population
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Background: Prolonged clear liquid fasting times (CLFTs) in infants can lead to perioperative complications such as dehydration and hypoglycemia. This study aims to assess the impact of an educational intervention on certified registered nurse anesthetists' (CRNAs) perceptions of reduced CLFTs for pediatric patients at a freestanding pediatric hospital.
Methods: A comprehensive literature review was conducted focusing on the impact of preoperative fasting times on pediatric patients. Studies investigating the duration of fasting, its physiological impacts, and outcomes related to anesthesia were included, with a refined focus on infants. The intervention included reviewing current CLFT policies, developing educational materials, and presenting these to CRNAs. A one-group pretest-posttest design was employed. A five-question pretest established the baseline awareness of optimizing CLFTs and willingness to adopt improved protocols. After an educational presentation, a posttest measured changes in their views.
Results: Twenty-four CRNAs completed both pretest and posttest surveys. Significant improvements (p<0.05) were observed in three out of five survey questions. Post-intervention, more participants recognized the need to address prolonged fasting times and supported policies requiring administration of clear liquids two hours before surgery. There was limited change in participants' likelihood of cancelling or delaying surgery due to prolonged fasting times.
Conclusion: The educational intervention significantly improved CRNAs' perceptions in key areas, such as recognizing the necessity of addressing prolonged CLFTs and supporting optimized policies. The findings suggest that further education could improve anesthesia providers’ perceptions of CLFTs and the impact of prolonged fasting times on perioperative complications. Future research should explore the effects of delaying or cancelling surgeries for prolonged fasting and assess perioperative outcomes through randomized controlled trials and retrospective studies.
Keywords: Clear liquid fasting times, infants, pediatric anesthesia, perioperative complications, CRNAs, patient safety, quality improvement
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 50
|
| Lee, Pamela |
Bulusu, Subrahmanyam |
Sea Salinity Variability in the Gulf of Mexico during Flood and Drought Years
View Full Text
Abstract Text
The Loop Current System (LCS) is a persistent flow that moves water in, around, and out
of the Gulf of Mexico (GoM). Saline waters enter the GoM through the Yucatan Channel, while
freshwater is deposited from the Mississippi-Atchafalaya River System (MARS). The interaction
between the LCS and freshwater input from the Mississippi-Alabama-Florida (MAFLA) shelf is
investigated during flood and drought years. This work is based on monthly averages over 14 years
and focuses specifically on flood and drought years. In flood years, it is determined that the
freshwater induces a retraction of the Loop Current (LC). In contrast, during drought years, it is
observed that the Loop Current (LC) extends far North and allows saline waters to intrude into the
Mississippi River. The relative impacts of river discharge are further quantified using a stepwise
linear regression model. It is concluded that the basin-wide sea surface salinity (SSS) depends
significantly on the discharge from the Atchafalaya River when leading by four months.
Furthermore, it is determined that the significant interannual salinity variability in the GoM is
found to rely on a combination of river discharge magnitude and timing relative to the positioning
of the LCS. These findings conclude that freshwater input variability during flood and drought
years can affect the state of the LCS, further enhancing or dampening the expected salinity patterns
in the Gulf of Mexico.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 37
|
| Goswami, Nandana |
Dragovic, Besim |
Decoding Neoarchean Tectonics: Insights from the Pikwitonei Granulite Domain
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Archean cratons are tectonically stable areas preserved in the Earth’s crust that hold potential clues to understand the tectonic mechanisms that took place on early Earth. However, interpreting these clues presents potential challenges due to the extensive modification of the cratonic rocks over billions of years of post-orogenic processes. The Pikwitonei granulite domain (PGD), located in Manitoba, Canada in the northwestern part of the Superior Craton is a seemingly intact high-temperature Archean metamorphic terrane showing limited retrogression. It is therefore an optimal locality to assess the tectonometamorphic evolution of the northwestern Superior craton. In this work we have selected a mafic granulite from the Partridge Crop Lake area in western PGD, since this one of the areas which, according to previous literature, should record the highest temperatures in the PGD. Petrographic studies reveal that the samples preserve peak assemblages equilibrated both at hand specimen as well as microscopic scales. Our primary objective is to constrain the prograde metamorphic path of the area as pressure-temperature pathways are unique to specific tectonic settings and hence, may help us infer the tectonic mechanism that led to the stabilization of this domain. To do this, we have applied thermodynamic models along with Ti-in-amphibole thermometry to constrain the peak metamorphic conditions. Minimal presence of recrystallized melt is observed in the mafic granulite indicating changes to the bulk composition through melt removal. To account for the melt loss, we apply a stepwise down-temperature melt-reintegration approach at constant pressure to model the bulk composition before melt loss occurred. We then use that bulk composition to model the peak temperature and pressure of the granulite facies metamorphism in these samples. The modeling results imply a peak temperature of over 950 degrees Celsius and a peak pressure range of 0.75 to 0.85 Gpa. The cause for such ultra-high temperature metamorphism during the Archean has been attributed to factors such as, higher mean mantle temperature, thinner crustal thickness, more radioactive heat production in the crust and possible early earth orogenic processes.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 47
|
| Vaughn, Carter |
López-Rodríguez, Mercedes |
“...And Beyond”: The Experience of Food Disability in Cookbooks
View Full Text
Abstract Text
This work analyzes Alana Schreiber’s cookbook Deliciously Digestible: Recipes for Gastroparesis and Beyond as a subversive place for the reformulation and renegotiation of food spaces, both personal and communal. The author engages with studies that advocate the use of cookbooks as proponents of social change and highlight both a social and medical model of disability in her analysis of Schreiber’s cookbook. The work itself, among other forms of activist cooking and food discourse, relays a desire to engage disabled communities and lived experiences in the production and distribution of literature surrounding food practices, as well as a rethinking of what constitutes normative meal structure and organization.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 92
|
| Karbowniczak, Ryan |
Karakchi, Rasha |
Towards High-Speed Acceleration Engine for Efficient Cyberattack Detection
View Full Text
Abstract Text
The rapid increase in symbolic data has underscored the significance of pattern matching and regular expression processing. While nondeterministic finite automata (NFA) are commonly used for these tasks, they are limited to detecting matches without determining the optimal one. This research expands on the NAPOLY pattern-matching accelerator by introducing NAPOLY+, which adds registers to each processing element to store variables like scores, weights, or edge costs. This enhancement allows NAPOLY+ to identify the highest score corresponding to the best match in sequence alignment tasks through the new-added arithmetic unit in each processor element. The design was evaluated against the original NAPOLY, with results showing that NAPOLY+ offers superior functionality and improved performance in identifying the best match.
The design was implemented and tested on Zynq 102 and Zynq 104 FPGA devices, with performance metrics compared across array sizes from 1K to 64K processing elements. The results showed that memory usage increased proportionally with array size with Fmax decreasing as the array size grew on both platforms. The reported findings focus specifically on the core array, excluding the impact of buffers and DRAMs.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 98
|
| Lalani, Sehar |
Phelps, Kenneth |
Stronger Together?: A Qualitative Investigation of Group Fitness and Mental Health Among Recreational Athletes
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Physical activity has been accepted as treatment for mild-to-moderate depression and anxiety (Searle et al., 2011). Despite the extensive evidence encouraging exercise, specific guidelines for physical activity in relation to mental health have yet to be established. With the societal increase in loneliness, group fitness is particularly of interest due to the addition of social interaction with exercise. While quantitative data highlights the unique advantages of group fitness, limited research has been published exploring the qualitative experiences of people engaged in group fitness. The purpose of this qualitative study is to discover and describe common experiences of recreational athletes participating in group fitness classes. The study investigates the impact group exercise has on their mental health, wellbeing, and quality of life.
This study included twenty-one recreational athletes, defined by individuals 18 years of age or older who participated in physical activity for a minimum of 150 minutes per week. The participants exercised in a group fitness setting within the last 6 months for at least 6 consecutive months. The study excluded individuals whose compensation is impacted by their athletic performance, including fitness coaches, trainers, or instructors. After informed consent was obtained, interviews were recorded on Microsoft Teams—a software which transcribed the narratives. Two providers reviewed the transcriptions to extract significant statements, meanings statements, and thematic clusters.
Analysis of the data revealed common themes including accountability and consistency, supportive environment, communal encouragement, comparison and competitiveness, remedy for isolation and loneliness, psychological enhancement, trickle down effects (including nutritional choices, energy, sleep, presentness, and improved relationships), structured programing, guidance on technique, health transformation, and opportunity costs. This study highlights the overwhelmingly positive impact of group fitness on mental health and quality of life by enhancing social connectedness, confidence, motivation, consistency, and overall well-being. These findings lay the groundwork for future research with a larger sample size, diverse demographics, and various forms of physical activity to develop more comprehensive insights. A deeper understanding could guide behavioral intervention recommendations for the treatment of anxiety and
depression for specific populations.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 190
|
Tran, Vivian
Haase, Hansel |
Modi, Nikunjkumar |
“The Pregnancy Test is Lying:
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Both pseudocyesis and delusion of pregnancy are so rare that most information on them is found within case reports. Considering the similar presentation and risk factors of both conditions, careful analysis of a patient’s medical history, social determinants of health and cultural factors, and early concern of an underlying psychiatric illness is crucial in accurate diagnosis and providing appropriate psychiatric treatment. This case study explores the characteristics of delusion of pregnancy and treatment response with Abilify. The patient of this study is a 41-year-old female with no diagnosed history of psychiatric illness who frequented the ED and her OBGYN with complaints of pregnancy symptoms. Each time, she was discharged after receiving a negative pregnancy test, only to come back within a few weeks with similar complaints. This cycle continued for 4 years until the patient was admitted to a psychiatric inpatient facility for evaluation. Without proper treatment during her repetitive ED visits, the patient’s condition progressively worsened throughout the years, and she experienced increased financial strain, unnecessary suffering, and psychological distress. Considering the patient’s significant history and frequency of medical visits for pregnancy-related concerns, involving psychiatry much sooner should have been a priority as it would have both benefited the patient’s outcome and reduced hospital resource use.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 134
|
| Westbrook, Nikki |
Jones, Ashley |
EAP Services Utilization: A Quantitative Study into the Use of Employee Assistance Program Services During Residency Training
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Authors: Nikki Westbrook, MD, Ashley Jones, MD, and Deborah Hurley, PhD, MSPH
Introduction: Burnout is common among residents, and many hospitals offer Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) to support employee mental health. Traditional EAPs may serve as a universally adaptable resource to better support residents by reducing resident burnout. This survey-based study examines residents' knowledge of and use of their local EAP, clarifies perceived barriers to accessing EAP, and assesses their attitudes towards proposed solutions to promote resident EAP utilization.
Methods: This study surveyed Prisma Health resident physicians between post-graduate years one and five of non-fellowship residency programs between January 2024 and April 2024. The residents received the survey link via email from their Residency Program Administrator.
Results: Of approximately 600 eligible residents, 66 participated. Among respondents, 83.3% had received helpful EAP information, 69.7% knew how to contact EAP, and 45.5% had accessed the EAP website. 90.3% of respondents were likely to contact EAP if recommended by their program director, and 87.1% would if recommended by a peer. Only 33% had contacted EAP during residency; of those, 77.3% attended at least one appointment, and 82.4% found the services helpful. The primary barriers to EAP access included time constraints (57.4%), confidentiality concerns (30.6%), and fears of reporting to boards (16.1%). Regarding interventions to improve EAP access, 96.7% supported virtual appointments, 86.2% favored in-person visits, 75.9% supported quarterly EAP counselor-led discussions during protected time, and 65.5% favored having their first EAP appointment scheduled during intern year by their residency program.
Conclusion: Residents who were informed about EAP, knew how to access it, and used the website were more likely to engage with the service. Residents agreed that a Program Director or peer recommendation would increase the likelihood of contacting EAP. To improve EAP engagement, residency programs should consider addressing barriers including time constraints and confidentiality concerns by offering flexible EAP appointment options (both virtual and in-person), integrating structured EAP support into protected time, routinely providing EAP contact information, and residency programs proactively scheduling initial EAP appointments during intern year.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 153
|
McGarr, Lindsey
Kunkel, Julianne |
Morris, Sheena |
A New Approach to Mentorship: Clinical-Based Informational Videos
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Student Registered Nurse Anesthetists (SRNAs) in a doctoral-level anesthesia program experience moderate to high levels of stress and anxiety, which can hinder their academic and clinical performance. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of clinical-based informational videos as a mentorship tool on reducing stress and anxiety among first-year SRNAs beginning clinical rotations. A quasi-experimental, one control group post-test design was utilized with a sample size of 37 first-year SRNAs. Results showed that 89% of participants experienced anxiety, and 95% experienced stress prior to clinical rotations. Following the intervention, nearly 84% of students reported reduced anxiety, and 81% reported reduced stress. These findings highlight the potential for integrating clinical-based informational videos into mentorship programs within doctoral-level anesthesia curricula to facilitate the transition from didactic to clinical education.
Keywords: SRNA, mentorship, videos, anesthesia, clinical
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 51
|
Westby, BSN, SRNA, Hannah
Ruiz, BSN, SRNA, Elizabeth |
Iszard, DNAP, CRNA, Marcia |
Empowering SRNAs for the Future: Educational Strategies to Integrate Opioid-Free Anesthesia Techniques into Clinical Practice
View Full Text
Abstract Text
This project investigated whether the use of a non-traditional education modality, such as a podcast episode, could improve the knowledge and comfort level of student registered nurse anesthetists (SRNAs) in incorporating opioid-free anesthesia (OFA) techniques into clinical practice. The literature review revealed that podcasting can improve access and engagement when used as an adjunct to traditional education methods. There was also evidence that supported the safety and effectiveness of OFA in the clinical setting. Unfortunately, there was very little research available about actual OFA education in nurse anesthesia programs. To further evaluate the role a podcast may have in education, a 33-minute podcast episode was created in collaboration with OFA expert, Tom Baribeault, DNP, CRNA, to deliver information about OFA techniques. The podcast was distributed to SRNAs nationwide and utilized a pretest/posttest quasi-experimental design to assess the effectiveness of podcasting as an education modality. More than 90% of SRNAs who participated in the study reported that podcasting was an effective modality to enhance anesthesia education. SRNAs reported a 41% increase in comfort level in both formulating and executing an OFA plan in the clinical setting after listening to the podcast episode. SRNAs also indicated that they want to utilize podcasting in their education. Therefore, we believe this project opens the door for future research about utilizing podcasts to enhance nurse anesthesia education.
Keywords: education, podcast, podcasting, adult learning, audiovisual media, students, opioid free, opioid free anesthesia, opioid sparing, multimodal pain management, multimodal anesthesia, anesthesia techniques, patient outcomes, anesthetic technique, nurse anesthesia, nurse, anesthesia, opioid crisis, opioid alternatives, student registered nurse anesthetists (SRNAs)
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 52
|
Vojcek, Casey
Brazzell, Lucille |
Jelson-Swain, Laura
Cho, Bridget |
The Effect of an Acute Mindfulness Session on Emotion Regulation and Theta Power in Parents
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Parenting is rewarding but stressful, often compounded by emotional dysregulation that hinders sensitive parent-child interactions (Deater-Deckard, 2008). Positive parent-child relationships promote developmental benefits (DeVore & Ginsberg, 2005), highlighting the need for strategies that enhance emotion regulation (ER) in parents. ER, the ability to manage negative emotions, is critical for adaptive parenting (Havighurst & Kehoe, 2017). Mindfulness, which fosters present-moment awareness and reduces emotional reactivity, shows promise for improving ER (Pepping et al., 2013).
While research links mindfulness to ER, most studies rely on trait-based correlations or long-term interventions, offering little insight into its immediate effects on parents (Turpyn et al., 2021). Electroencephalography (EEG) provides a non-invasive method to examine neural changes during ER tasks. Frontal theta oscillations (4–8 Hz), linked to cognitive control and ER (Ertl et al., 2013), increase during both mindfulness and ER tasks (Lomas et al., 2015), suggesting their potential as a biomarker for mindfulness-based parenting interventions.
This study examines whether a single mindfulness session enhances ER and theta activity in parents. Participants will complete an ER task using a between-groups design while EEG captures real-time brain activity. Findings could advance mindfulness interventions to support effective parenting.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 163
|
| Gregory, Christina |
Bulusu, Subra |
Estimation of Freshwater Content Trends in the Beaufort Gyre using Satellite derived Salinity and Ocean Models
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Freshwater has accumulated significantly in the Arctic Ocean in recent decades. Sea ice melt, river runoff, wind, and precipitation minus evaporation are the primary processes controlling freshwater accumulation. In this study, we analyze salinity variations and freshwater content trends in the Beaufort Gyre (BG) region of the Arctic Ocean. We use satellite observations from the NASA Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) and ESA Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity (SMOS) satellites in addition to Arctic Ocean models: EN4, ORAS5, GLORYS12, and NEMO. The Arctic experienced aberrant years of high sea ice extent in 2017/2018/2021 and low sea ice extent in 2016/2020. Using the salinity data, the freshwater (FW) flux was calculated. We find that in 2021, there was a maximum FW flux magnitude of 500 m2/s and an anomalously low salinity between 20-24 PSU. Freshwater content (FWC) is an important constituent of the BG and was calculated for all models. The increasing FWC in the BG has regional and global implications, yet it is not well understood. This study will further improve the knowledge of how the increasing FW flux affects the strength and movement of the BG.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 39
|
| O'Rourke, Stephen |
Chen, Hexin |
Investigating the Immunomodulatory Effects of CDK8/19 Inhibitor SNX631 in HER2+ Breast Cancer Models
View Full Text
Abstract Text
HER2-positive breast cancer (BC) remains challenging due to resistance to targeted therapies. CDK8 and CDK19, transcription-associated cyclin-dependent kinases (tCDKs), regulate oncogenic transcription and immune modulation. Their inhibition may reshape the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) by inducing M1 macrophage (MΦ) polarization. We hypothesize that SNX631, a CDK8/19 inhibitor, promotes pro-inflammatory M1 macrophage reprogramming via mitochondrial-lysosomal metabolic adaptation. In murine bone marrow–derived and human THP-1 macrophages, SNX631 increased M1-like markers, e.g. IL-6 and IL-12β, while reducing M2 markers. Metabolically, SNX631 enhanced HIF1α-driven glycolysis, iNOS/ROS, and p-STAT1, while reducing COX IV and p-STAT3/6, maintaining mitochondrial function (MitoTracker fluorescence). Cytochrome c remained sequestered, preserving mitochondrial integrity despite oxidative stress (H₂DCFDA detection). SNX631 also induced lysosomal stress and impaired autophagic flux, shown by p62 accumulation, reduced Beclin-1, and increased Lysotracker fluorescence, reflecting lysosomal expansion but diminished degradative capacity—hallmarks of M1 macrophages. These findings were validated in RAW264.7 macrophages and HER2+ BC models, where SNX631 promoted macrophage infiltration and an anti-tumor cytokine profile. Thus, SNX631 may downstream reprogram MΦ metabolism via HIF1α-driven glycolysis, mitochondrial adaptation, and lysosomal dysfunction, and may offer a strategy to overcome resistance in HER2+ BC.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 1
|
| AVULA, SRAVANTHI |
PATEL, REKHA |
Molecular mechanisms in dystonia, a movement disorder caused by mutations in the Prkra gene, reveal overactive integrated stress response (ISR) pathway.
View Full Text
Abstract Text
DYT-PRKRA (DYT16) is a rare autosomal recessive movement disorder caused by mutations in the PRKRA gene, which encodes PACT, a protein activator of interferon-induced protein kinase (PKR). Our previous research identified that the P222L mutation results in increased PKR activation and dysregulation of the integrated stress response (ISR). Under cellular stress, such as endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, PACT activates PKR, leading to eIF2α phosphorylation, a key event in ISR activation. While transient eIF2α phosphorylation promotes adaptive gene expression and recovery, prolonged activation triggers pro-apoptotic pathways, contributing to DYT16 pathology.
This study investigates the effects of the P222L mutation in lymphoblast cells from DYT16 patients to characterize the molecular mechanisms. Building on prior findings of enhanced PKR activation, we analyzed ISR dysregulation by assessing ATF4 and CHOP induction and apoptosis. Lymphoblast cells from a wild-type family member and a DYT16 patient with the P222L mutation were treated with tunicamycin to induce ER stress. Western blotting was used to assess ISR markers, including phosphorylated PKR, eIF2α, ATF4, CHOP, and cleaved PARP. We also examined the P222L mutation’s effect on the upstream ISR regulator PERK and its interaction with PACT.
Our data show that lymphoblast cells with the P222L mutation exhibit increased PKR activation and ISR signaling following ER stress, as evidenced by elevated cleaved PARP levels, indicating heightened apoptosis. Elevated eIF2α phosphorylation in these cells correlates with increased ATF4 and CHOP expression, underscoring its role in mediating both protective and maladaptive responses. Notably, upstream components of the ISR pathway, such as PERK and its interaction with PACT, remain unaffected, suggesting that the mutation specifically enhances ISR signaling downstream of PKR. Additionally, PERK signaling does not modulate the P222L mutation’s ability to activate PKR, indicating that the mutation specifically disrupts PKR and ISR regulation.
These findings offer critical insight into the molecular mechanisms of DYT-PRKRA and underscore the importance of eIF2α phosphorylation in balancing cellular adaptation and apoptosis following ER stress. Targeting the PACT-PKR interaction, modulating eIF2α phosphorylation, or inhibiting downstream pro-apoptotic pathways may provide therapeutic avenues to mitigate neurodegeneration in DYT-PRKRA patients.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 1
|
| Romero, Liza |
Cook, Thomas |
Rapidly Changing Distribution of Allopathic Versus Osteopathic Applicants Matching into Emergency Medicine
View Full Text
Abstract Text
INTRODUCTION
Emergency Medicine (EM) experienced dramatic change in the results of the National Residency Matching Program (NRMP) over the last three years (2022 through 2024). This study investigates the changing distribution of matched applicants from allopathic (MD) versus osteopathic (DO) medical schools.
METHODS
NRMP match reports from 2008 through 2024 were reviewed for the following information:
• Total number of applicants
• Number of MD and DO applicants
• Number of matched MD and DO applicants
This data was analyzed to look for trends regarding the distribution of matched MD to DO applicants.
RESULTS
From 2008 through 2017, the percentage of matched applicants from DO medical schools ranged from 10% to 14%. In 2018, this percentage jumped to 24% and continued to increase annually to 36% in 2024. Thus, from 2008 through 2024, there was over a 3-fold increase in matched osteopathic applicants. DO medical students comprise 28% of all medical students in the United States. However, by 2027, nearly four in ten graduates from EM training programs will be DO graduates.
CONCLUSION
There is substantial growth in the percentage of DO physicians in the EM workforce. In addition, the educational background of emergency medicine applicants is rapidly changing, and this shift carries significant recruiting implications for EM residency programs.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 154
|
| Vogel, Olivia Margaret |
Goldberg, Kelly |
Tracing Justice: A Deep Dive into Civil Asset Forfeiture and Crime in South Carolina
View Full Text
Abstract Text
In Spring 2024, I collaborated with Graduate student Jeff Trowbridge on his dissertation, “A Review of Civil Asset Forfeiture in South Carolina,” where I contribute my skills in data collection and organization by analyzing civil forfeiture cases within the South Carolina Crime Public Index database. My specific role was utilizing the South Carolina Crime Public Index database to gather civil forfeiture cases and their respective documents, organizing each case with a monthly naming system, and then matching the civil forfeiture case to its distinct criminal case by comparing dates from the documents within the civil forfeiture case. While I have taken University of South Carolina’s Research Methods in Criminal Justice course, I volunteered to research with Trowbridge to enhance my inquiry and organizational skills as well as to gain experience within the criminal justice scope. I learned many professional skills such as communication, how to navigate the South Carolina Crime Public Index database, how to rea
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 251
|
| Shah, Pratik |
Izquierdo, Manuel |
Employing Ultrasound to Guide OMT of the Spine: A Case Series
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Context
Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT) is when a physician finds and treats somatic dysfunction via manipulation. A somatic dysfunction is the altered function of the body system which includes skeletal and myofascial structures, and their related vascular, lymphatic and neural elements. When evaluating the spine, we most often rely on asymmetry to help determine if somatic dysfunction is present.
Objectives
Asymmetry may be difficult to assess when patients have significant adiposity or musculature surrounding the spine so we use ultrasound to gain objective evidence of somatic dysfunction which can determine treatment.
Methods
We first identified the center of their spinous processes and placed them at the centerline from our ultrasound using a linear probe with depths ranging from 4-8 cm depending on the patient’s body habitus. Then, we identified the lamina. We then measured the distance from the body surface wall to the lamina. Transverse processes are more lateral and sometimes it is difficult to get both in the same view. Thus, the laminae were preferentially used to assess rotational components. The presence of a somatic dysfunction was determined if tissue texture changes were palpated, in addition to a difference in lamina depth of > 2 mm between the right and left.
Results
In our case series, we describe four patient scenarios in which ultrasound was employed to help diagnose and confirm somatic dysfunctions. Post-manipulation ultrasound noted improvement in the dysfunctional components noted on initial examination. Thus, we think it is reasonable to consider ultrasound as an adjunctive tool for assessment of somatic dysfunction in those patients where a diagnosis is questionable. In medicine, having more data points is helpful, especially in challenging patient scenarios.
Conclusions
In this paper, we present four cases where ultrasound was used in combination with traditional palpation methods, offering objective support for the diagnosis and management of somatic dysfunctions. These cases highlight how ultrasound can serve as a valuable complement to physical examination, particularly in scenarios where physical examination alone may be limited. This case series highlights the fact that ultrasound is a reasonable adjunct to help diagnose, guide treatment, and document improvement in somatic dysfunction.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 144
|
| Huggins, Parker |
Sahin, Alphan |
Noncoherent OFDM using Asymmetric Binary Modulation on Conjugate-Reciprocal Zeros
View Full Text
Abstract Text
This work proposes a non-coherent orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) framework based on a novel asymmetric binary modulation on conjugate-reciprocal zeros (A-BMOCZ) constellation. By breaking the symmetry of the conventional BMOCZ zero constellation, we introduce an inverse discrete Fourier transform (IDFT)-based direct zero-testing (DiZeT) decoder for A-BMOCZ, which enables reliable decoding in the presence of an arbitrary phase rotation of the received zeros. Furthermore, we comprehensively analyze the integration of A-BMOCZ with OFDM, proposing methods for packet synchronization, subcarrier mapping, and peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR) reduction. Through numerical simulations in fading channels with timing and carrier frequency offsets at the receiver, we show that coded A-BMOCZ outperforms BMOCZ implemented with an affine cyclically permutable code (ACPC). Finally, we validate the proposed A-BMOCZ-based OFDM framework using software-defined radio (SDR) experiments, demonstrating the efficacy of our synchronization and decoding algorithms in real-world wireless channels.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 91
|
| Bronson, Charity |
Gutshall, Catherine |
Improving SRNA Confidence Through Home-Based Cricothyrotomy Simulation
View Full Text
Abstract Text
The “cannot intubate, cannot ventilate” (CICV) scenario has significant and potentially
catastrophic consequences; however, the infrequency of CICV events results in a lack of
exposure to such situations among anesthesia providers, creating hesitancy to perform
emergency airway procedures. The literature supports a direct relationship between provider
confidence and their willingness to perform complex skills, such as cricothyrotomy. Simulation
offers a viable means for achieving confidence and proficiency. In addition, the utilization of
home-based, self-regulated simulation (HSRS) facilitates self-paced interval training, multiple
practice attempts, greater skill retention, and requires fewer resources compared to traditional,
centralized, instructor-regulated simulation (CIRS). The current study provided SRNAs with
take-home, surgical cricothyrotomy kits and instructions, allowing for multiple interval practice
attempts.
The goal of the study was to test the effectiveness of HSRS in improving cricothyrotomy skill
confidence and familiarity with the management of CICV events. A one-group pretest-posttest
study design was used, and changes in confidence, familiarity with CICV event management,
and kit usefulness were assessed. Survey results revealed that participants felt increased
confidence in cricothyrotomy performance in the simulation setting. Additionally, most
participants rated the kits as useful in building confidence and understanding the cricothyrotomy
procedure. Larger studies in the future are warranted to confirm the effectiveness of take-home
kits in increasing surgical cricothyrotomy confidence among SRNAs and certified anesthesia
providers. Bridging the gap in training accessibility will ensure readiness for rare but critical
scenarios in the operating room.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 53
|
| Martin, Ansley |
Riccardi, Nicholas
Bonhila, Leonardo
Rorden, Chris
Fridriksson, Julius
Den Ouden, Dirk |
Harnessing Regional Brain Age to Predict Aphasia Outcomes
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Background
Language is a cornerstone of cognition, aiding communication and complex thought. Aphasia is a language impairment commonly caused by stroke, severely affecting quality of life. Emerging evidence suggests that health of surviving brain tissue is important for post-stroke language-related outcomes. Brain age is a novel in vivo neuroimaging biomarker of brain health, but its potential for understanding clinical outcomes in aphasia is largely unexplored.
Methods
T1-weighted MR images were analyzed with VolBrain’s BrainStructureAges to estimate brain ages for 66 regions. Regional brain age gaps (regiBAG) were calculated as the difference between estimated and chronological ages. An exploratory factor analysis was conducted on the regiBAG correlation matrices from the unlesioned right hemisphere. The 4 identified regiBAG factors, reflecting various brain-aging patterns, were used in a stepwise linear regression model to predict Western Aphasia Battery (WAB) and Philidelphia Naming Task (PNT) scores at baseline and 6-months. Neuroimaging and behavioral data were available for 188 people. All stepwise models included lesion volume, days post-stroke, sex, and age.
Results
A model including lesion volume, age, and Factors 1 & 3 significantly predicted WAB scores (F(4,183)=35.24, p<.001, adj. R2=.423). Baseline PNT was significantly predicted by lesion volume, age, and Factors 1 & 3 (F(4,139)=14.924, p<.001, adj. R2=.280) and 6-month PNT by days post-stroke and Factor 4 (F(2,123)=6.761, p=.002, adj. R2=.084).
Conclusion
Regional brain age patterns are easily attainable and effectively predict aphasia outcomes, making it a powerful tool.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 132
|
| Lanning, Rachael |
Goldberg, Kelly
Fisher, Chelsea |
ALKALINE-GLAZED STONEWARE DISTRIBUTION IN SOUTH CAROLINA: AN INSIGHT INTO 19TH CENTURY AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY AND THE LANDRUM-STORK KILN SITE IN COLUMBIA
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Alkaline-glazed stoneware is quintessential to archaeology in the state of South Carolina. Stemming from a new pottery industry in Edgefield, South Carolina, potters created the utilitarian ware all across the state. By 1832, Dr. Abner Landrum from Edgefield established a pottery in Columbia, in Forest Acres, which persisted as a brickyard into the 20th century. Nearby, the land that is now Sesquicentennial State Park operated as a plantation, and then a tenant farming site after the Civil War. Archaeological excavations over the past three years at Sesquicentennial State Park yielded sherds of alkaline-glazed stoneware. Being in such close proximity to the Landrum-Stork Pottery, the individuals living on the land that is today Sesquicentennial State Park either sourced their pottery from Edgefield, or from the local pottery in Forest Acres. This project employs spatial, visual, and X-Ray Fluorescence analysis to determine historic economic patterns within 19th century African American communities.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 1
|
| Mohammadi, Tannaz |
Ely, Bert |
The Isolation and Characterization of Novel Caulobacter and Non-Caulobacter Lysogenic Bacteria from Soil and the Discovery of Broad-Host-Range Phages Infecting Multiple Genera
View Full Text
Abstract Text
To explore the impact of microbial interactions on the diversity and functional roles of bacterial communities within the rhizosphere, we isolated 21 bacterial strains from soil samples collected near Rocky Branch Creek on the University of South Carolina campus. Using 16S rDNA sequencing, we identified seven of the 21 strains as belonging to the genus Caulobacter. To further analyze these Caulobacter strains, we employed PCR primers specifically designed to amplify the dnaK gene from the Caulobacter crescentus CB15 strain. The amplified products were sequenced using the Sanger method, revealing that four of the strains were closely related to Caulobacter rhizosphaerae, while the remaining three were most similar to Caulobacter vibrioides. Other isolates included two Sphingomonas strains, two Acidovorax strains, one Variovorax strain, two Xanthomonas strains, one Brevundimonas strain, two Pseudomonas strains, one Bacillus strain, one Chromobacterium strain, one Lysobacter strain, and one Rhizobium strain.
Our results have shown that a high percentage of the soil strains that we sampled are lysogenic bacteria. Mitomycin C treatment revealed that 15 of the 21 strains harbored 18 inducible prophages including six from Caulobacter strains, and 12 from various non-Caulobacter strains. We tested the remaining six bacterial strains against all twenty-one of the bacterial strains isolated in this study and five of the six strains, Sphingomonas strain, Pseudomonas strain, Brevundimonas strain, and Caulobacter rhizosphaerae strains were able to lyse other bacterial strains. Only one of the strains, RBW11 showed no infectivity towards any of the tested strains, suggesting that it may be a non-lysogenic bacterium.
To characterize the host range of the newly discovered bacteriophages, we tested their infectivity against all bacterial strains isolated in this study. These phages were capable of infecting not only Caulobacter laboratory strains but also to recently isolated soil Caulobacter strains, which were closely related to C. rhizosphaerae and C. vibrioides. Interestingly, the phages demonstrated infectivity beyond Caulobacter strains, targeting non-Caulobacter genera such as Sphingomonas frigidaeris and Acidovorax strains. This broad host range demonstrates the dynamic nature of bacteriophage-host interactions in the rhizosphere, highlighting their potential role in shaping microbial community structure and mediating interspecies interactions.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 48
|
| McElveen, Mary |
Cuturic, Miroslav |
Levocarnitine Improves Heat Stress Survival in Caenorhabditis Elegans Model of Polyglutamine Disorders.
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Background: Carnitine is a crucial fatty acid transporter and modulator of mitochondrial function. In our previous studies we identified a high prevalence (25%) of carnitine deficiency in Huntington’s disease (HD) patients. However, the specific role of carnitine in HD remains unclear.
Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of levocarnitine on heat stress survival in a Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) model of polyglutamine disorders.
Methods: We utilized C. elegans strains N2, AM101, and WLZ3, representing wild type, polyglutamine disorders model (40 CAG repeats), and Parkinson’s disease (PD) model, respectively. Worms were incubated at 20°C in nematode growth medium agar, with L- carnitine solutions of 200 μM and 20 mM added to the food source, while control groups received no L-carnitine. Each strain and concentration group consisted of 30-40 age- synchronized worms. The worms were exposed daily to 35°C for 3 hours and scored for survival until all had perished.
Results: Survival under repetitive heat stress was significantly shorter in the polyglutamine strain compared to the wild type and PD model controls. The addition of 200 μM and 20 mM levocarnitine significantly improved survival in the polyglutamine strain (p = 0.0092 and 0.0011, Cohen’s d effect size = 0.58 and 0.80, respectively). No significant survival benefit was observed for levocarnitine in the wild type and PD model strains.
Conclusions: Levocarnitine significantly enhances heat stress tolerance in C. elegans model of polyglutamine disorders, indicating potential beneficial utility for Huntington’s disease. Further research is needed to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of this phenomenon.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 191
|
| Carpenter, Sheldon |
Carpenter, Sheldon |
Incident Predictors of Oropharyngeal Cancers: An Analysis of the SEER Database
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Oral Cavity and Pharyngeal Cancer is a serious yet manageable group of cancers that have been rising in incidence throughout the late 20th and 21st century. The most well-known risk factors for these cancers includes cigarette and alcohol use, immunosuppression and varying viral infections correlated to specific cancer subsites. While young adult Americans are typically not associated with increased risk of cancer, they are the demographic experiencing the highest increase in incidence rates for these cancers. The NCCR SEER database was accessed and identified patients diagnosed with Oral cavity and pharyngeal cancer and categorized by demographic, subtype, and Incidence trends. A thorough literature review of known and theorized risk factors for Oropharyngeal cancer development was then conducted and contrasted with their compatibility to observed trends in the changing incidence of respective cancer subtypes, identifying unique outlier trends as potential candidates for further research.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 167
|
| Munoz-Jeon, Ariadna Julia |
Mousseau, Timothy |
May the Best Deer Win: Exploring Herbivore Distribution and Interactions Through Motion-Activated Remote Cameras in Chernobyl
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Previous studies suggest that the radiation disaster at Chernobyl dramatically impacted animal behavior, distribution, and abundance. This study aims to document the changes in abundance of the three species of deer in Chernobyl: red deer, roe deer, and moose (Cervus elaphus, Caprolus capreolus, and Alces alces). We will review quantities of the species in the exclusion zone and their distribution using motion-activated camera images. This data is extracted from a massive database collected over a seven-year time span for 50-70 cameras dispersed throughout the exclusion zone. The analysis of population distribution in the zone will provide a description of the seasonal and annual changes in deer species and whether their distribution is affected by radiation levels.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 96
|
| Weyer-Nichols, Chloe |
Nagarkatti, Mitzi
Nagarkatti, Prakash |
Transcriptomic Insights into Superantigen-Induced Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Pathogenesis in Susceptible and Resistant Mouse Strains.
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) is a severe condition affecting approximately 200,000 Americans annually with a mortality rate of 25-40%. ARDS has diverse etiologies, including bacterial, fungal, and viral infections. The S. aureus-produced superantigen, Staphylococcal Enterotoxin B (SEB), induces ARDS by activating up to 30% of the naïve T cell pool through non-specific cross-linkages of MHC II, TCR, CD28, and B7 at the T cell-APC interface. The use of SEB to induce ARDS is a conventional murine model. We have observed that C3H-HeJ (C3H) mouse strains are significantly more susceptible to SEB-induced ARDS-mediated lethality than C57BL-6J (BL6) strains. Therefore, the goal of this study was to identify the cellular and transcriptomic characteristics of C3H mice leading to their propensity to develop SEB-induced ARDS when compared to BL6 mice. To this end, C3H and BL6 mice were intranasally instilled with 5μg SEB followed by intraperitoneal injection of 2μg SEB 2 hours later. Lung function was measured throughout the study period using whole body plethysmography. Pulmonary immune cells were isolated and analyzed using spectral flow cytometry and single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq). Pulmonary function tests demonstrated increased bronchoconstriction and decreased breaths per minute in C3H mice following SEB exposure but not in BL6-SEB mice. Flow cytometry revealed that C3H-SEB mice experienced significant expansion of TCR Vβ8+T cells, which are the canonical mediators of this superantigen-driven inflammatory response. Incidentally, C3H-SEB mice were the only group that experienced significant neutrophilic infiltration to the lung, which was confirmed by scRNA-seq. Further, scRNA-seq also revealed that C3H-SEB mice had increased infiltrating, but not resident, macrophages. Genes linked to leukocyte chemotaxis, inflammation, and bacterial response were also increased in C3H-SEB mice. Finally, scRNA-seq confirmed that C3H mice, but not BL6 mice, experience significant macrophage-mediated CD86 signaling, which is integral to SEB-mediated T cell activation. These data demonstrate that C3H mice, but not BL6 mice, experience marked infiltration and signaling of antigen-presenting cells for SEB-induced T cell activation, and that CD86 signaling may play a role in inducing the differential response between mouse strains.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 2
|
| Gillooly, Elizabeth |
Schatz, Jeffrey |
SYSTEMIC INFLAMMATION AND NEUROCOGNITIVE DEFICITS IN SCHOOL-AGE CHILDREN WITH SICKLE CELL DISEASE
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Sickle cell disease (SCD) causes inflammation that contributes to poor clinical outcomes, including cerebrovascular disease (CVD). CVD can take several forms in SCD, including neurocognitive deficits without visible cerebral infarction. The role of chronic inflammation in cognitive development in SCD has received little attention to-date. We aimed to study novel markers of systemic inflammation: neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and the systemic inflammation index (SII) to describe developmental trends and relationships to cognitive outcomes in SCD at early elementary school-age. Sixty-one children with SCD and no history of stroke were identified who completed an early elementary school age cognitive screening. Biological variables, including absolute neutrophil, lymphocyte, platelet counts, reticulocyte percentage, and hemoglobin levels were collected from routine blood lab data to assess chronic inflammation and anemia severity. Values from routine blood draws were examined over three years prior to screening. Cognitive measures included tests of processing speed, visual motor, language, and early academic skills. Seven children were excluded due to lack of biological variables (final sample: n = 55 children; mean age = 6.4 ± 0.5 years; 60% male; 81.8% severe SCD genotypes). Slope values indicated that SII levels increased with older age. There was an inverse relationship between hemoglobin and SII [r= -.32, p=.02]. Significant differences emerged in levels of SII for severe (M = 534.28, SD = 290.4) versus moderate (M = 309.35, SD = 143.74; t(53)=2.37, p=.02] genotypes, but not for NLR or PLR. T-tests revealed no significant differences in NLR, PLR, or SII values with cognitive test scores or between positive and negative overall screenings. Observed effect sizes were small. SII appeared to have the most validity evidence as a marker of chronic inflammation in SCD; however, there were no observed relationships between chronic inflammation and neurocognitive performance in this age range.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 89
|
| Strom, Natalie |
Simoska, Olja |
Electrochemical Deposition of Silver Nanoparticles on Carbon Ultramicroelectrode Arrays
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Electrodes functionalized with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) offer significant potential in electrochemical energy storage, electrocatalysis, and electrochemical sensing. Among various nanoparticle synthesis techniques, electrochemical deposition provides key advantages, enabling precise control over experimental parameters to produce sub-50 nm particles with narrow size distributions. Herein, we present the electrodeposition of AgNPs onto carbon ultramicroelectrode arrays (CUAs), focusing on the influence of deposition potential, time, and silver ion concentration on nanoparticle formation. Our data based on scanning microscopy revealed that more reductive potentials (i.e., –0.6 V vs. SCE reference electrode) led to formation of smaller AgNPs. Unlike previous studies on planar macro-meter sized carbon electrodes that employed high millimolar concentrations of silver ions, and longer deposition times, our results demonstrate that lower Ag+ concentrations (50–100 µM) and shorter deposition times (15–30 s) are sufficient to achieve optimal AgNP formation on CUAs. These findings are ascribed to the enhanced mass transfer facilitated by the radial diffusion dynamics unique to the array-based geometry and nanometer-size areas of the ultramicroelectrode platform. The deposited silver was determined to be 1100 ± 200 nmol cm-2, and the AgNP-modified CUA electrodes exhibited strong electrocatalytic performance for the hydrogen peroxide reduction. As such, our results underscore the importance of methodically characterizing AgNPs electrodeposition parameters on novel electrode surfaces.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 69
|
| Waters, A. Lauren |
Schatz, Jeffrey
Gillooly, Elizabeth |
Neurodevelopmental Screening in Preschoolers with Sickle Cell Disease: Predicting School Age Cognitive Outcomes
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Introduction:
Children with sickle cell disease (SCD) are at risk for developmental delays and neurocognitive difficulties, but data is limited on how early developmental delay relates to later neurocognitive deficits. The present study aimed to evaluate how preschool-aged developmental screening outcomes predict cognitive performance longitudinally, with the expectation that positive screenings would predict delays in neurocognitive measures sensitive to SCD-related deficits.
Methods:
Data were obtained from a developmental screening program offered within a pediatric SCD clinic between 2009-2016. 26 youth were identified with caregiver-completed Ages and Stages Questionnaires 2nd Edition (ASQ-2) at age four (M=4.45, SD=0.35) and 6-year-old cognitive testing (M=6.58, SD=0.35). The cognitive battery included seven tests from the Beery Developmental Test of Visual-Motor Integration, 5th edition (Beery VMI), Test of Language Development-Primary: Third Edition (TOLD-P:3), and the Woodcock Johnson Tests of Cognitive Abilities and Achievement, 3rd Edition (WJ-III), previously shown to detect SCD-related deficits. Results of the ASQ-2 were dichotomized into positive and negative developmental screening groups per standard ASQ-2 methods. Independent samples t-tests assessed mean differences between the four-year-old screening groups in cognitive testing results as six-year-olds.
Results:
The positive screening group (n = 12) scored significantly lower than the negative group (n = 14) on the TOLD-P:3 subtests Grammatical Understanding (t(24) = 1.79, p = 0.04, d = 0.70) and Word Discrimination (t(24) = 2.47, p = .01, d = 0.97), and the WJ-III subtests Letter Word Identification (t(24) = 2.30, p = .02, d = 0.91) and Applied Problems (t(24) = 2.17, p = 0.02, d = 0.85). No significant mean differences in performance were found on the remaining tests.
Conclusions:
Positive developmental screenings in four-year-olds were predictive of delays in phonological processing, syntactical comprehension, and academic skills in early elementary school. These findings support the utility of the ASQ in preschoolers with SCD to identify elevated neurodevelopmental risk.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 89
|
| Stokes, Makayla |
Placek, Matthew |
Media Effects on Political Confidence in Autocratic Regimes
View Full Text
Abstract Text
In established autocracies, political control and support are integral to maintaining the regime. In an effort to maintain control, autocracies use media as a tool to persuade and manipulate public opinion in a favorable light. Negative media messages are not tolerated as it threatens the legitimacy and continuation of the regime. The purpose of this study is to empirically evaluate the effects of social media and online news consumption on support for political institutions and overall satisfaction. This study uses hierarchical linear modeling to analyze data from the World Values Survey to test the hypothesis that social media and online media consumption will negatively impact support for the regime. The results demonstrate that digital media viewership produces negative effects on regime support. In contrast, traditional media shows mixed effects on regime support, with television producing the most consistent support for the regime. Traditional media remains under strict regime control, allowing only positive assessments of government actions and results. The results of this study could allow for a broader understanding of how media can undermine the authority of autocratic regimes as democratic messages are seen. The effects of the expansion of the internet and social media in these countries could threaten the legitimacy and control that has been maintained through state-owned and censored media.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 1
|
| Fakhre Yaseri, Amirhossein |
Perumal, Nandita
Griffin, Spring
Talasila, Neharika
Lar Too, Nyaw
Delgado, Jessica |
Biomarkers of Early Onset and Severity of Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy: An Umbrella Review
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Introduction: Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) are a leading cause of maternal mortality globally; however, the pathophysiology of HDP remains unclear. We conducted an umbrella review to collate the evidence on the biomarkers associated with the early onset and severity of HDP.
Methods: A PRISMA-guided search was conducted in PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, and Web of Science up to April 2024 without language restrictions. Systematic reviews and/or meta-analyses of associations between any biomarkers in pregnancy and risk of any HDP were included. Studies that focused exclusively on interventions, imaging markers alone, diagnostic accuracy of biomarkers, or genetic markers were excluded from this analysis. Study quality was evaluated using AMSTAR 2 and the review protocol was registered in the PROSPERO (ID: CRD42024515952).
Results: Of the 3,154 titles and abstracts screened, 72 reviews were included. The majority of the reviews (65/72) focused on preeclampsia (PE). Case-control studies were most common (60/72 reviews), followed by cohort studies (40/72). Studies from Europe and Central Asia were most represented across reviews (43/72), followed by studies from East Asia and Pacific (included in 38/72 reviews) and from North America. Few reviews included primary studies from South Asia (23/72), Latin America and the Caribbean (15/72), and Sub-Saharan Africa (12/72). Only 12/72 reviews (17%) examined associations between biomarkers of early-onset and/or severe PE. There was substantial heterogeneity in definitions of early onset PE (ranging from: <18, 18-25, and <34 weeks, or first or second trimesters). Angiogenic biomarkers (e.g., pregnancy-associated plasma protein A, soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1, placental protein 13, soluble endoglin, and placental growth factor) were consistently associated with early-onset PE. Whereas inflammatory markers (e.g., malondialdehyde, nitric oxide, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-6, and chemerin) and markers of oxidative stress (e.g., malondialdehyde, nitric oxide, glutathione peroxidase, catalase, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte, and platelet-to-lymphocyte) were most consistently associated with severe PE across reviews.
Conclusion: Despite substantial evidence on the associations between biomarkers and incidence of HDP, there is limited evidence of these associations to discern early-onset and severity of disease to support clinical decision-making. Further evidence in diverse populations, particularly from Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, and South Asia, are needed.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 85
|
| Shametaj, Yvone |
Goble, Michael |
Concealed by Complexity: A Case of Metastatic Bladder Cancer in a Patient with Concurrent Renal and Ureteral Pathologies
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Introduction: Urothelial cell carcinoma is the most common type of bladder cancer and the second most common urological malignancy in developed nations. Metastatic urothelial carcinoma can often present with non-specific symptoms misattributed to pre-existing conditions, potentially delaying diagnosis and treatment. This case highlights the challenges in diagnosing metastatic bladder cancer in a patient with significant renal and ureteral pathology, underscoring the importance of thorough evaluation despite a complex clinical history.
Case: A 57-year-old male with a history of chronic left-sided hydronephrosis secondary to stone in the ureteropelvic junction and stage II chronic kidney disease presented to the emergency department with worsening left sided back and flank pain. No imaging was obtained as the patient had a CT abdomen/pelvis done two months prior showing previously documented chronic hydronephrosis without acute findings. He followed up with orthopedics and underwent MRI showing a L1 vertebral fracture and a retroperitoneal mass posterior to the left psoas muscle.
Biopsy of the psoas mass confirmed metastatic squamous cell carcinoma with unclear source. Cancer Type testing identified UC with squamous differentiation, ultimately diagnosed as stage IV. The diagnosis had been obscured by his chronic renal issues, a CT scan without acute abnormality two months prior to presentation, and nonspecific symptoms. Due to the advanced staging at time of diagnosis, palliative radiation and chemotherapy were offered and the patient died within six months of diagnosis.
Discussion: This case emphasizes the diagnostic challenges in patients with complex, chronic renal and urologic issues, where symptoms of metastatic disease may be misattributed to pre-existing or more common conditions like kidney stones, hydronephrosis, or musculoskeletal pain. In this case, persistent low back and flank pain were initially attributed to renal and musculoskeletal causes, leading to delays in diagnosing metastatic cancer.
Conclusion: Metastatic urothelial carcinoma can present with symptoms that mimic chronic, benign urologic conditions, leading to potential delays in diagnosis. This case emphasizes the importance of maintaining a high index of suspicion for malignancy, even in patients with complex and longstanding renal pathologies. Prompt and thorough investigation, including advanced imaging and biopsy, is crucial in ensuring timely diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 127
|
Zavell, Joe
Schnell, Erin |
Moran, Michael |
Dinosaurs, Sir Richard Owen, Urine tracts, and Hydrodynamics.
View Full Text
Abstract Text
INTRODUCTION: Dinosaurs were not new to science, when famed surgeon/anatomist Sir Richard Owen named them in 1842. Owen’s star has declined in the modern era, eclipsed and erased by Charles Darwin and his bulldog, Thomas Henry Huxley. But another less known anatomist also is linked to dinosaurs and their excreta, William Buckland. Urology by definition is interested in the study of urine, and no more fascinating topic should be dinosaur pee. METHODS: All published writings on or about the early dinosaur investigations were reviewed, with particular attention to Sir Richard Owen’s contributions and controversies. In addition, any papers relating to modern studies of trace fossils and urine tracts of dinosaurs were sought and read. How did this escape the clever mind of Frank Hinman, Jr.? RESULTS: In 1999 Frank Hinman, Jr lovingly produced a classic in urology, The Art and Science of Piddling. It is a must read for all historically-minded urologists. Sadly, he mentions nothing about the voiding habits of dinosaurs though he did also produce a major scientific contribution to micturition in his 1971 book entitled Hydrodynamics of Micturition. CONCLUSIONS: There are now well over 40 specimens of dinosaurian urine tracks, and since modern birds are derivatives, it should come as no surprise that primitive ratite birds void similarly to dinosaurs. Their urine is probably similar as well as were their kidneys. Frank Hinman, Jr. would be righteously proud of these accomplishments. In fact, both his 1971 serious treatise as well as his 1999 more humorous versions would have celebrated these discoveries. Frank had a truly universal intellect that would have taken this data into his own omnivorous collections of facts about voiding.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 145
|
| Melnik, Ehud |
Robinson, Hailey
Silver, Marie |
Shaping The First-Year Experience: My Journey as a Resident Assistant
View Full Text
Abstract Text
When I first arrived at the University of South Carolina in Fall 2022, I envisioned a college experience centered on meaningful connections, leadership, and community impact. In December 2022, I applied and was accepted as a Resident Assistant with University Housing. This role has profoundly shaped my time at USC, enabling me to support fellow students while developing invaluable skills. Serving as an RA also solidified my GLD pathway in Professional and Civic Engagement and inspired me to pursue a career in Higher Education and Student Affairs, where I can continue fostering student success.
As an RA in Columbia Hall, I’ve had the privilege of supporting 25-50 residents each academic year. My responsibilities include administrative duties, supervising residents, and creating a vibrant community through monthly events, weekly office hours, and personalized touches like bulletin boards and hallway decorations. At the core of my role is helping students feel at home and find their place on campus, ensuring they build relationships and engage fully with campus life. Becoming an RA stemmed from my desire to enhance the first-year experience for new students, a goal supported by encouragement from peers and family. My participation in University 101, USC’s signature course for new students, was instrumental in preparing me for this role. The course taught me the importance of self-reflection, communication, and relationship-building—skills I’ve since applied to create an inclusive and supportive environment for my residents.
This experience has been transformative, both for me and those I’ve served. It has taught me the value of leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving, especially in high-pressure situations. More importantly, I’ve learned that small gestures, like a kind word or a shared moment, can have a lasting impact on others’ lives. Being an RA allowed me to step outside my comfort zone, build lasting connections, and make a tangible difference in the lives of first-year students. It has shown me the power of community and the importance of creating spaces where everyone feels they belong. As I move forward, I carry these lessons and memories, ready to continue shaping student experiences and fostering lifelong connections.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 307
|
| GENG, YUWEI |
Wang, Zhu
Ju, Lili |
Data-Driven Reduced-Order Models for Port-Hamiltonian Systems with Operator Inference
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Hamiltonian operator inference has been developed in [Sharma, H., Wang, Z., Kramer, B., Physica D: Nonlinear Phenomena, 431, p.133122, 2022] to learn structure-preserving reduced-order models (ROMs) for Hamiltonian systems. The method constructs a low-dimensional model using only data and knowledge of the functional form of the Hamiltonian. The resulting ROMs preserve the intrinsic structure of the system, ensuring that the mechanical and physical properties of the system are maintained. In this work, we extend this approach to port-Hamiltonian systems, which generalize Hamiltonian systems by including energy dissipation, external input, and output. Based on snapshots of the system's state and output, together with the information about the functional form of the Hamiltonian, reduced operators are inferred through optimization and are then used to construct data-driven ROMs. To further alleviate the complexity of evaluating nonlinear terms in the ROMs, a hyper-reduction method via discrete empirical interpolation is applied. Accordingly, we derive error estimates for the ROM approximations of the state and output. Finally, we demonstrate the structure preservation, as well as the accuracy of the proposed port-Hamiltonian operator inference framework, through numerical experiments on a linear mass-spring-damper problem and a nonlinear Toda lattice problem.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 29
|
| Jackson, Jennie |
Gower, Michael |
Development of Zirconium-binding microparticles for use in small animal PET imaging
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Facilitated drug transport to target organs, tissues or cells serves to increase therapeutic effectiveness and reduce unintended, often harmful off-target side effects. Our team has developed a poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLG) microparticle drug delivery system, which targets macrophages in vivo and modulates their function. Macrophages play a large inflammatory role in many disease processes including diabetes, hypertension, and coronary artery disease making them an ideal target for drug therapy. In this study, we intend to inject our particles intraperitoneally in mice and evaluate which tissues our particles localize to using Positron Emission Tomography (PET).
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 184
|
| McGuinness, Ariana |
Hiott, Ambra |
How We Can Transend the Traditional Barriers of International Healthcare
View Full Text
Abstract Text
In UNIV 290 – International Healthcare, we sought to learn the native language and culture of the people we would soon treat in Guatemala. This was not only my first time learning Spanish but also my first experience working as a medical assistant. The unfamiliarity of the trip initially felt daunting.
One of the most impactful lessons from class was on transcending barriers in international healthcare. I learned about the complexities of treating patients in a vastly different culture and how to bridge that gap. My wonderful and adventurous professor, Dr. Hickey, stressed the importance of a kind smile, attentive listening, and meaningful eye contact. I was skeptical that these simple actions could make a difference—until I treated my first patient.
She spoke Kaqchikel, creating a language barrier between us, yet our connection was undeniable. We communicated through eye contact, and after building rapport, I took some time to converse with her through an interpreter about lighter topics. We connected in a way that words could not explain. After I completed her treatment, she held my hand and said, “Maltyox mi’alaxel.” The translator let out a small gasp and explained that it meant, Thank you, my daughter—a deeply meaningful honor in Kaqchikel culture.
The most important lesson I took from this trip and class was that medicine and human connection transcend language and cultural barriers. Since then, I have participated in another medical service trip to Costa Rica and now work at a predominantly Spanish-speaking clinic in Columbia. I continue to apply the unspoken connections and experiences from that trip in my everyday life
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 214
|
Imlach, Charlotte
Hall, Taylor |
Srinivasan, Shilpa |
Less is More: Exploring the link between polypharmacy and cognitive impairment in older adults, with deprescribing as a possible solution – a literature review and case discussion.
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Background: Polypharmacy is commonly defined as the concomitant use of five or more medications1,2. In older adults, it has been found to be closely related to adverse drug events, falls, functional decline, cognitive impairment, and death1,2. A recent meta-analysis demonstrated that the risk of cognitive impairment is significantly increased in older adults with polypharmacy1. The generally accepted treatment for polypharmacy is deprescribing, although few studies have assessed the effects of deprescribing on specific clinical outcomes. This literature review aims to summarize the current evidence regarding the association between polypharmacy and cognitive impairment, as well as the role of deprescribing as a treatment strategy. A clinical vignette involving a 72-year-old female presenting for neuropsychiatric assessment with a complaint of “memory concerns” will be reviewed to highlight the key topics of polypharmacy in older adults with cognitive impairment.
Methods: A review of existing literature was conducted on December 9th, 2024, using PubMed database that included meta-analyses and systematic reviews published from 2014 to 2024. PRISMA reporting guidelines were referenced during literature review.
Results: Based on review of selected literature, the risk of cognitive impairment was found to be significantly increased in older adults with polypharmacy1. The prevalence of polypharmacy was discovered to be 62% in older adults. Patients older than 65 with cognitive impairment or dementia were found to be at increased risk of polypharmacy1,6. One meta-analysis demonstrated a strong association between polypharmacy and Parkinson’s disease (OR 1.94, 95% CI: 1.26-2.62, p<0.001)2. In one meta-analysis, patients in deprescribing groups had improvement in mental status using the Mini Mental State Examination (p<0.0001); improvements were found within 3 months of deprescribing in 83% of patients and persisted for >2 years in 68% of patients8. Another meta-analysis found that comprehensive medication review may reduce all-cause mortality (OR 0.74, 95% CI: 0.58-0.95) 3.
Conclusion: In summation, there is evidence to support a strong association between cognitive impairment and polypharmacy. Deprescribing shows promise but requires further investigation to determine its efficacy as a primary intervention for cognitive outcomes.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 136
|
| Parker, Molly |
Liese, Angela |
Mental Health and Diabetes Care Among People Experiencing Food Insecurity
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Objectives: Food insecurity (FI) exacerbates the challenges of managing mental and physical health in individuals living with chronic diseases, such as diabetes. This study investigates the mental health concerns of young adults with youth-onset diabetes experiencing FI.
Methods: Thematic analysis was completed on nine interviews conducted from April to December 2024 with six participants from the ongoing SEARCH Food Security (SFS) 2 study. All participants (4 – Type 1 diabetes, 2 – Type 2 diabetes; 3 – SC, 2 – CO, 1 – WA) had experienced household FI and noted current FI through a recent questionnaire as part of the SFS 2 study.
Results: Participants described diabetes as being a very “isolating” and demanding disease tied to long-term struggles with loneliness, anxiety, and other mental health conditions. The additional burdens of FI also intensify the stress, anxiety, and depression faced by participants. Participants with FI endure immense stress when prioritizing how to spend money on food versus medical supplies. Feeling stressed and overwhelmed was mentioned to cause spiked blood glucose levels. One participant with Type 2 diabetes added that poor mental health leads to “comfort eating” and placing less attention on physical activity. Participants shared that utilization of mental health resources allowed them “more capacity” for their diabetes, specifically describing how therapy has allowed them to improve their diabetes management through building a healthier mindset surrounding this disease.
Conclusions: This study emphasized the mental health hardships of FI individuals living with diabetes. Mental health support is crucial for proper diabetes management among individuals experiencing FI.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 139
|
| Kaur, Sirlin |
Appel, Joanna |
The Impact of Racial Bias Discussions on Medical Students' Educational Experiences and Perceptions of Patient Care: A Cultural Humility Perspective
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Author: Sirlin Kaur
Co-author: Joanna Appel
Mentor: Joanna Appel
Project Title: The Impact of Racial Bias Discussions on Medical Students' Educational Experiences and Perceptions of Patient Care: A Cultural Humility Perspective
Project Type: Qualitative Educational Research
Introduction: This study examines the impact of discussions on racial bias and racial equity on medical students' personal experiences, perceptions of race in healthcare, and approaches to patient care.
Method: The study design involved semi-structured interviews with first-year medical students who completed a reading assignment of Dorothy Roberts' "Fatal Invention" and participated in small-group discussions during orientation. These activities provided a platform for students to engage deeply with the material and reflect on their own biases, enhancing their educational experiences and informing their future approaches to patient care.
Results: Utilizing the Cultural Humility Framework, we explore how these educational activities fostered self-reflection, awareness of power imbalances, and institutional accountability, ultimately shaping students' readiness to provide equitable and inclusive patient care. Student responses illuminated their ever-evolving perspectives on the issue of racial bias in medicine and how that affects their interactions with patients as medical students and future physicians. The impact of the study was summarized into 5 categories including personal experience with racial bias, experiences in medical school, perceptions of race and racial bias, perceptions of the impact of race on healthcare, and approach to patient care. Each category was then contextualized within the Cultural Humility framework.
Conclusion: Our findings underscore the importance of incorporating racial bias education into medical curricula to prepare future healthcare providers to recognize and address biases, thereby improving patient outcomes and fostering trust within minority communities. Medical students should be encouraged to engage in continuous, lifelong self-reflection to challenge their own biases and assumptions with the support of academic institutions to foster this goal and promote equity and inclusion.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 111
|
Richardson, Chandler
Costa, Drew |
Battle, Sean |
PULLING DOUBLE TIME ON THE SECRETION LINE: DUAL ALDOSTERONE AND CORTISOL SECRETING UNILATERAL ADENOMA
View Full Text
Abstract Text
36 y/o African American female with a past medical history of class III obesity with a BMI >50, motor vehicle accident, moderate hyperlipidemia, and hypertension with a family history of hypertension and heart attack in her father before the age of 40 years old who presented to the clinic with resistant hypertension. She was initially found to be hypertensive during pregnancy concerning preeclampsia and treated with nifedipine starting 7 years prior. Following her pregnancy and over the next 6 years, she was continued on blood pressure medicines including hydralazine, metoprolol, labetalol, HCTZ, and amlodipine. Upon presentation to the clinic at age 35 she was on amlodipine and HCTZ at maximum dosage with blood pressures remaining uncontrolled. Concern for secondary hypertension was raised and a renin-aldosterone ratio was ordered. Labs returned with a ratio of >50, plasma metanephrines were negative, and a CT scan of the abdomen showed a 2.1 cm left adrenal mass measuring 40-75 Hounsfield units. She was sent to interventional radiology for adrenal venous sampling with continuous cosyntropin infusion, which showed a positive lateralization and selectivity index for the left adrenal mass. It also showed a left adrenal cortisol secretion 10X greater than peripheral secretion during sampling which raised concern for unilateral concomitant Cushing's and Conn syndrome. She was counseled on surgical management which she was amenable to, but before scheduling surgery, she is going to undergo an Endocrinology evaluation for their recommendations for management. This case is interesting because of the rarity of having a dual hormone-secreting adrenal mass. It is also a good example of why it is important to always investigate the cause of a condition and not just treat the symptoms.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 137
|
| Rother, Yvette |
Flory, Kate |
ADHD and Suicide in Adolescents: A Systematic Review of Moderators and Mediators
View Full Text
Abstract Text
In the United States, suicide is the second leading cause of death for those aged 10-14 and the third for those aged 15-24. Adolescents with ADHD are at an increased risk for suicide compared to adolescents without ADHD. However, the mechanisms and the strength of the relation between ADHD and suicide are unclear and need further investigation. Our systematic review aimed to examine the literature to determine whether there is a direct association between ADHD and suicidality in adolescents, and which factors moderate or mediate this relation. A systematic literature search, adhering to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, was carried out on December 20th, 2024. Relevant publications were identified via electronic searches of PsycInfo and Web of Science databases. Studies were included if they assessed ADHD, suicidality, and at least one additional construct analyzed as a moderator or mediator. Studies had to include participants with a mean age between 10 and 19 years. The literature search yielded 405 articles, with 28 included in the final study selection. ADHD emerged as an independent risk factor for suicide among adolescents. Various constructs, including psychological, demographic, family, peer and social, subjective well-being, and trauma and adversity factors, served as moderators or mediators to varying degrees. The significant mediating and moderating factors identified in our review can inform adolescent suicide prevention efforts by highlighting the importance of addressing specific risk factors. Further research is needed to examine understudied factors, with particular emphasis on strengths-based factors to improve well-being.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 91
|
| Nease, Elizabeth |
Corbett, Cynthia
Armstrong, Stephanie
Wang, Kesheng
Casey, Kathleen |
Belongingness, Self-Efficacy, and Clinical Learning Support as Predictors of Senior Nursing Student Practice Readiness: A Structural Equation Model Analysis
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Aims: This study aims to explore the relationships between belongingness, self-efficacy, clinical learning support, and readiness for practice, testing the hypothesized relationships among these variables.
Background: Bullying and incivility in nursing education, particularly during clinical experiences, negatively impact student learning and practice readiness. The synergistic practice readiness model, grounded in Bandura’s social cognitive and self-efficacy theories, seeks to define the dynamics in the clinical learning environment that are important to enhancing students’ practice readiness.
Design: A quantitative, descriptive study was conducted, utilizing an online survey with a convenience sample of 251 nursing students during their clinical practicum experiences from nursing programs across the United States.
Methods: The study employed several scales, including the Belongingness in Clinical Education, Connectedness Scale, Placement Evaluation Tool, Learning Support Scale, General Self-efficacy Scale, and the Casey Fink Readiness for Professional Nursing Practice Survey. Descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation, multiple linear regression (MLR), and structural equation modeling (SEM) were used for data analysis.
Results: Belongingness, self-efficacy, clinical learning support, and readiness for practice were significantly correlated (p<0.001). MLR showed that self-efficacy and clinical learning support were significantly associated with readiness for practice. SEM analysis revealed that belongingness directly influences self-efficacy and learning support, which in turn directly effects practice readiness. Self-efficacy also mediated the relationship between learning support and practice readiness. The model estimated 50.7% of the variance in student nurses’ readiness for professional practice during their senior practicum experience.
Conclusions: The findings underscore the importance of enhancing self-efficacy and fostering a culture of belonging through academic activities and clinical partnerships to improve nursing students' readiness for practice. The proposed model provides a foundation for enhancing the clinical learning environment.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 53
|
| Rygel, Katelyn |
Welshhans, Kristy |
Altered adhesions and local translation in Down syndrome hiPSC-derived cortical neurons
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Down syndrome is a neurodevelopmental disorder resulting from the triplication of human chromosome 21. One ubiquitous phenotype of Down syndrome is intellectual disability, which results, in part, from altered neuronal connectivity. During development, neuronal growth cones sense and respond to guidance cues to reach their synaptic targets and form this neuronal connectivity. Two mechanisms that regulate this process are local translation and adhesion. Prior work suggests that local translation may occur at adhesion sites, thus connecting these two processes. To better understand how neuronal connectivity is altered in Down syndrome, we used human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived cortical neurons from apparently healthy individuals and individuals with Down syndrome and examined changes in local translation and adhesion. We first examined cell morphology and found the length of the longest neurite is decreased in Down syndrome hiPSC-derived cortical neurons. Using an axon guidance assay with the attractive guidance cue, netrin-1, growth cone turning is lost in Down syndrome neurons. Two adhesion proteins, talin and RACK1, are significantly increased under basal conditions in Down syndrome neurons but not altered under guidance cue stimulated conditions. However, adhesion proteins paxillin and vinculin are not altered in Down syndrome neurons under basal or stimulated conditions. Finally, a puromycin assay was performed to examine locally translated proteins, and local translation is decreased in growth cones of Down syndrome neurons at basal conditions. This work shows that neuronal morphology and axon guidance are altered in Down syndrome hiPSC-derived cortical neurons. Additionally, these results suggest that dysregulated local translation may be a more significant contributor than adhesion to the neuronal connectivity changes in Down syndrome. However, further work is needed to identify the population of mRNAs whose local translation is decreased in Down syndrome and how that contributes to altered axon growth and guidance in this condition.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 3
|
| Kirkise, Nikita |
Welshhans, Kristy |
Laminin and BDNF Synergistically Stimulate Local Translation in Axonal Growth Cones
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Accurate neural wiring in the developing brain is mediated by growth cones, which are the pathfinding tips of growing axons that respond to environmental cues to find their synaptic partners. Environmental cues stimulate the local translation of mRNAs, such as beta-actin, within growth cones to regulate axon guidance. Although it is well-established that neurotrophic factors, such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), stimulate local translation, the contribution of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins, such as laminins, to this process is poorly understood. Our lab has previously shown that point contacts, which are growth cone adhesions that link the ECM to the intracellular cytoskeleton, are a preferred site for beta-actin mRNA local translation. Thus, we hypothesized that laminin may stimulate local translation in axonal growth cones. Embryonic day 17 mouse cortical neurons were acutely stimulated with laminin 111 +/- BDNF by bath application and used in (1) an O-propargyl puromycin (OPP) assay to label all nascent protein synthesis and (2) a puromycin-proximity ligation assay to label only newly translated beta-actin. Stimulation with laminin 111 and BDNF together significantly increases local translation compared to either laminin 111 or BDNF alone. Laminin 111 and BDNF stimulation also increases axon length and point contact density. Interestingly, BDNF stimulation alone significantly increases beta-actin local translation, suggesting that laminin 111 signaling may not be needed for beta-actin local translation. However, there are multiple laminin isoforms with unique temporal and spatial distributions. Thus, we repeated the OPP assay using BDNF and either Laminin 111, 511, 211, or 221. Neurons cultured on laminins 211 and 221 together with BDNF show a remarkable decrease in local translation compared to the other isoforms. Thus, these results indicate that laminin 111 and BDNF synergistically increase local translation, but other laminin isoforms decrease local translation, thereby differentially impacting axon growth and guidance during development.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 92
|
| Loftus, Caroline |
Elya, Marwan
Chokshi, Brinda |
An Unusual Presentation of a Rare Syndrome: Parsonage Turner Syndrome
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Introduction
Parsonage Turner Syndrome (PTS) is a rare inflammatory disorder of the brachial plexus, with a prevalence of 1/1000 and an incidence of 1.64 cases per 100,000 person-years. PTS is more common in males and can be hereditary or idiopathic. Idiopathic PTS is often linked to infection, vaccination, trauma, or mechanical overuse, with an average age of onset around 40 years. This report describes a rare case of idiopathic, bilateral PTS in a 64-year-old female.
Case Presentation
A 64-year-old female with a history of hypertension presented with sudden, severe, intermittent midline neck pain radiating to both hands, without recent trauma, vaccination, or illness. Despite multimodal pain management, her symptoms persisted. A CT angiogram of the head and neck showed no acute findings, and she was discharged with oxycodone for pain relief. However, her pain persisted, and she developed sudden bilateral upper extremity weakness. An MRI of the cervical spine without contrast revealed no significant abnormalities. Three months later, a CTA of the brain and neck showed chronic microvascular ischemic changes. An electromyogram (EMG) revealed positive sharp waves and fibrillation potentials. These findings, along with the patient’s history and symptom progression, led to a diagnosis of PTS.
Discussion
PTS commonly presents with acute, severe pain in the shoulders, upper arms, neck, and scapula, often progressing to weakness. Pain can last up to 8 weeks, followed by weakness in the affected nerves. Bilateral presentation is rare, occurring in only 34% of cases. The condition typically affects the C5-C7 distribution, and sensory deficits are present in 78% of cases. MRI findings are usually normal in the early stages, with T1 linear hyperintensities developing in the chronic phase due to fatty muscle infiltration. EMG conducted 3 weeks after symptom onset reveals signs of chronic denervation and reinnervation. Idiopathic PTS is believed to involve breakdown of the blood-nerve barrier, allowing antibody-mediated damage to the brachial plexus. Early intervention focuses on limb immobilization, and the prognosis is generally favorable, with 90% of patients returning to baseline function within 3 years. We emphasize a high degree of suspicion for PTS in patients with similar presentations.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 142
|
| Pham, Kylie |
Torres-McGehee, Toni
Uriegas, Nancy
Moore, Kenya
Emerson, Dawn |
Examination of Energy Availability and Sleep Quality Among Physically Active ROTC Females
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Low energy availability (LEA) from insufficient post-exercise energy can impair physiological functions like sleep quality, affecting recovery and cognitive performance essential for military readiness. Key micronutrients (magnesium, zinc, vitamin B6, iron) support sleep regulation.
PURPOSE
This study investigates the relationship between EA, micronutrient intake, and sleep quality in physically active ROTC females.
METHODS:
A cross-sectional design in a free-living environment was used to assess EA and sleep quality among physically active female ROTC cadets (n=16, age:18±26 years, height: 152.3±175.5 cm, weight: 48.90±81.90 kg). Participants completed a demographic survey, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and height, weight, body composition were recorded. Exercise energy expenditure (EEE) and total daily energy expenditure (TDEE) were measured over 7 consecutive days using Polar Ignite watches. Dietary intake (DI) was self-reported via a food log. LEA was defined as < 30 kcal/kg of fat-free mass (FFM) per day. Descriptive statistics summarized demographic and EA variables. Crosstabulations and chi-square tests evaluated the relationship between LEA and sleep quality.
RESULTS:
Female ROTC cadets displayed both LEA risk and poor sleep quality (68.8%; n=11). Macronutrient analysis revealed 62.5% (n=10) failed to meet protein recommendations, 93.8% (n=15) had inadequate carbohydrate intake, 75% (n=12) with excessive fat (>35%), and 93.8% (n=15) saturated fat consumption (>10%). Micronutrient deficiencies revealed that 93.8% (n=15) of cadets were lacking zinc and iron recommendations, 81.3% (n=13) deficient in vitamin B6, and all cadets (100%, n=16) lacking magnesium. Among those at risk for LEA, 81.8% (n=9/11) also had poor sleep and low zinc levels; 81.8% (n=9/11) did not meet iron and magnesium requirements; and 77.8% (n=7/9) of cadets with both LEA and poor sleep lacked vitamin B6.
CONCLUSIONS:
These findings indicate that while LEA alone may not significantly affect sleep quality, micronutrient deficiencies are linked to poorer sleep in ROTC female cadets, underscoring the need for adequate micronutrient intake to support sleep and recovery.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 140
|
| Broughton, Philip |
Schmitz, Tyler
Marston, Geoffrey
Judkins, Benjamin
Drosback, Michelle
Adams, Kyle |
Treating Shoulder Adhesive Capsulitis with Large Volume Hydrodilatation
View Full Text
Abstract Text
INTRODUCTION:
Adhesive capsulitis (AC) commonly known as “frozen shoulder”, is characterized by fibrosis and contracture of the glenohumeral joint capsule, leading to progressive stiffness, pain, and limited range of motion (ROM) across multiple planes which is used to confirm diagnosis. While corticosteroid injections, physiotherapy and hydrodilatation are common treatments, no consensus exists regarding the most effective approach. This study aimed to assess patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) and ROM for patients undergoing our novel large-volume hydrodilatation protocol.
METHODS:
Seventy-one patients diagnosed with AC underwent a novel ultrasound-guided large-volume glenohumeral joint hydrodilatation protocol, including an ultrasound-guided suprascapular nerve block at the suprascapular notch of the scapula prior to the procedure. The hydrodilatation included 9cc 1% lidocaine and 1cc triamcinolone, followed by the injection of up to 110cc sterile saline. Immediately post-procedure, patients performed two sets of 10 forward wall crawls and held a 1-minute external rotation doorway stretch for two repetitions in the clinic, with outpatient physical therapy was prescribed as well. ROM was measured immediately pre-procedure, post-procedure, and at the final clinic follow-up. PROMs were assessed 6+ months following hydrodilatation using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) for pain, the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI), and the Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation (SANE). Any further treatments that patients required were also recorded.
RESULTS:
There were 47 female and 24 male patients included. Average pre-procedure forward flexion was 107°, which increased to 156° immediately post-procedure (p<0.01), and remained at 153° (n=45) at follow-up (p<0.01). External rotation pre-procedure ROM was 31°, increasing to 68° (p<0.01) immediately post-procedure, and 63° (n=34) at follow-up (p<0.01). Abduction demonstrated pre-procedure ROM of 84°, immediate post-procedure ROM of 120° (p<0.01), and a final follow-up ROM of 101° (n=30) (p<0.01). Average fluid volume of hydrodilatation was 70cc (range 40-110). 35 patients completed 6+ months PROMs (average=15 months). The average NRS was 2, SPADI 14.6, and SANE 85.3 compared to the contralateral shoulder SANE of 95.
CONCLUSION:
Our novel ultrasound-guided hydrodilatation procedure for AC resulted in significant improvements in ROM and satisfactory 6+ month PROMs. These findings suggest that it could be an effective lasting alternative or adjunct to traditional treatments.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 185
|
| Hamlin, Madison |
Hancock, Nathan |
Developing Hyperactive mPing-based Tags for Targeted Insertion
View Full Text
Abstract Text
DNA transposons utilize a “cut and paste” mechanism to jump in and out of the genome. A member of the class II PIF/Harbinger superfamily, mPing is a small 430 bp transposon that is highly active in some rice cultivars. Pairing this activity with Cas9 allows for mPing to be inserted into specific genome locations. This provides a mechanism to place specific genetic cargos in locations that modify gene expression and function. The Hancock lab previously discovered a hyperactive (hp) version of the mPing transposon by altering bases near the 3’ end. This project aims to test if the use of hp mPing will improve the efficiency of targeted insertion. We created hp versions of mPing carrying various cargos including constitutive, heat responsive, and seed-specific promoters, and the BAR herbicide resistance gene. The transposition frequency of the control and hp versions were tested in a yeast transposition assay. The results showed that all hp versions exhibited higher excision frequency compared to the control, indicating the 3’ alterations from hp mPing are beneficial, regardless of the cargo. Binary plasmids suitable for testing targeted insertion of hp mPing-based cargos are being made and will be transformed into Arabidopsis. The frequency of excision and targeted insertion of these elements will be measured by PCR. These experiments will allow us to determine if the hp version of mPing facilitates targeted insertion.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 123
|
| Moran, Olivia |
Olatosi, Banky |
Long term effects and potential barriers of long-acting cabotegravir
View Full Text
Abstract Text
A milestone in recent HIV treatment advancements was the FDA's 2021 approval of the long-acting antiretroviral cabotegravir (LA-ARV). The initial promise suggested it would be a game-changer since this injectable therapy offers a significant benefit by removing the necessity for daily medication. Studies found LA-ARV to be safe, well-tolerated, and effective for persons with HIV (PWH); despite its promise to address the adherence challenge for PWH, implementation questions and barriers to uptake remain. These questions/barriers must be addressed to achieve the goals set in 2019 by the US government of reducing new HIV infections by 90%.
We reviewed the literature to outline questions and barriers and offer solutions. Since the introduction of LA-ARV, cases of antiretroviral resistance and injection site irritation have increased, leading to dropouts. Adoption among PWH with a fear of needles has been restricted, and the need for larger gauge needles due to adipose tissue in obese PWH has heightened this fear and further decreased adoption. Also, getting an injection might require PWH to visit an infusion center, creating an extra hurdle in accessing care. PWH who use drugs (who could benefit the most) are often screened as ineligible to receive injectable treatments. Other side effects include weight gain.
As with any HIV treatment, social determinants of health, stigma, and variable access are structural barriers impacting uptake. The treatment and prophylactic potential of LA-ARV will be maximized once these questions and barriers are addressed. This necessitates input from providers and PWH for potential equitable solutions.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 135
|
| Nag, Ritwik |
Mandal, Krishna |
High-resolution real-time brain imaging system using novel CdZnTeSe semiconductor detector arrays
View Full Text
Abstract Text
In this study, we investigate the performance of Cd1-xZnxTe1-ySey (CZTS) detectors, a promising wide bandgap high-resolution semiconductor radiation detector, focusing on the impact of charge trapping centers such as impurities and intrinsic defects displayed by the crystals grown using various methods such as travelling heater method (THM), and vertical gradient freeze (VGF). Planar detectors fabricated from the as-grown crystal exhibit remarkably high bulk resistivity (~10^10 Ω-cm). Notably, they demonstrate a high electron mobility-lifetime (μτ) product and an electron mobility of record-high value of 1245 cm²/V·s in CZTS. Photoinduced current transient spectroscopy (PICTS) analysis reveals that trap concentration and capture cross-sections play a pivotal role in defining the contrasting charge transport properties observed in the CZTS detectors. Correlation studies using 662-keV gamma photons emphasize the influence of hole trapping.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 38
|
| Goodman, Macie |
Yunusa, Ismaeel |
Pharmacists Impact on Uptake and Adherence to Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP): Systematic Review
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Background: Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) medication therapy can prevent human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) among patients who are at risk due to reasons such as injection drug use and sexual activities with multiple partners. Pharmacists are accessible providers and can assist in the uptake and adherence of HIV PrEP in the community setting, eliminating barriers to the prevention of HIV.1
Objective: To determine the most effective modalities for pharmacists to increase adherence and uptake of human immunodeficiency virus PrEP.
Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted using PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science from January 1st, 2013, to October 5th, 2023. Inclusion criteria consisted of original research studies with a pharmacist intervention, related to HIV and PrEP. Studies were imported into Nested Knowledge for review.
Results: Eight studies were eligible for inclusion. Five were cohort studies, two were cross-sectional studies, and one was a mixed methods evaluation. Collaborative practice agreements (CPA) with licensed providers help pharmacists increase adherence and uptake of PrEP. In one study, pharmacists with a CPA were allowed to initiate PrEP and increase uptake in vulnerable populations. Education of pharmacists and the community about pharmacists’ involvement with HIV services can increase patient adherence and uptake of PrEP. In one study providers and patients were unaware of pharmacist-led PrEP management. Multiple studies reported that training pharmacists assisted with patient education and PrEP uptake.
Conclusion: Pharmacists are an underutilized resource in PrEP. They can increase adherence and uptake of PrEP through receiving and giving education and working with providers through CPAs.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 54
|
| Bald, Jacqueline |
Joseph, Lesley |
Removal of Lithium from Contaminated Water Sources Using Low-Cost Waste Organic Materials
View Full Text
Abstract Text
This research investigates using low-cost waste materials like banana, orange, lemon, and mango peels to remove lithium from contaminated water. It analyzes adsorption capacity, kinetics, and optimal conditions for lithium removal, comparing their effectiveness against other heavy metals and contaminants. The study aims to identify effective materials, contributing to solutions for mitigating the environmental impact of lithium-ion battery production and disposal.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 92
|
| Garcia-Sanchez, Jeffrey |
Nagarkatti, Mitzi
Nagarkatti, Prakash |
I3C, an AhR ligand, attenuates colitis through regulation of innate immune cells in the colon and inducing immunosuppressive Myeloid-derived suppressor cells
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease characterized by a persistent autoinflammatory state in the colon. Up to 3.9 million people in the United States today are affected by inflammatory bowel disease. Recent studies have shown that indole-3-carbinol (I3C) is a potent compound that can alleviate colitis symptoms. As a ligand for the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), I3C plays a key role by regulating Th22 cells, which helps reverse dysbiosis. However, the effects of this AhR ligand on myeloid populations in the context of colitis are not well understood. This study investigated the impact of I3C on classical innate immune cells, including macrophages, neutrophils, and dendritic cells. Colitis was induced in C57BL/6 mice using dextran sodium sulfate (DSS), and the mice were treated with either vehicle or 45 mg/kg of I3C administered intraperitoneally every other day for 9 days. Mice were euthanized on day 10, after DSS administration was stopped on day 7, once colitis was established. Macroscopic data indicated that I3C treatment resulted in significantly less colon shrinkage and weight loss, as well as improved colonoscopy results, suggesting a reduced colitis phenotype. Histological analysis of colonic tissue corroborated these findings, revealing less tissue degradation typically associated with colitis. Notably, I3C treatment led to a marked decrease in the overall myeloid cell population compared to the colitis phenotype, including reductions in neutrophils, macrophages, intestinal dendritic cells, and ILC3s. However, I3C treatment led to an increase in Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) that are highly immunosuppressive. These results suggest that I3C treatment, and the consequent activation of AhR, has the potential to dampen the innate immune responses in colitis (Supported by NIH grants P20GM103641, P30GM154631, R01ES030144, and R01AI160896 to PSN and MN).
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 17
|
| Stewart, Skylar |
Hosseini, Seyyedamirhossein |
Electroreduction of Nitroarenes at Deeply Reductive Potentials
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Derivatized nitroarenes, such as ortho-nitrobenzealdehyde (o-NBA), have been considered pivotal starting materials for pharmaceutical applications. In case of o-NBA, both the aldehyde and nitro groups can undergo simultaneous reduction, reacting together in an intramolecular cyclization reaction to form a new fused five-membered ring. However, a significant challenge in synthetic chemistry is attaining the ability to selectively reduce the nitro group to amine without the reduction of aldehyde. One approach to controlling this selectivity is employing electrochemical methods, where degree of reactivity can be modulated by changing a myriad of parameters, such as solvent and the supporting electrolyte. Herein, the electroorganic reduction of o-NBA was conducted at a deeply reductive potential of -1.8 V vs. Ag/AgCl, utilizing tetrabutylammonium tetrafluoroborate (TBABF₄) and lithium perchlorate (LiClO₄) as supporting electrolytes in N,N’-dimethylformamide (DMF) solvent. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) was used to understand the reduction properties of o-NBA within the corresponding solutions. The CVs for each supporting electrolyte had a different amount of cathodic peaks, TBABF₄ showed three while LiClO₄ showed one before a proton donor was added. Controlled potential electrolysis was conducted within a divided electrolysis cell with 0.5 mM supporting electrolyte, 5 mM o-NBA, and 50 mM phenol to drive the reaction. The results of controlled potential electrolysis was identified through the use of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, and liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LCMS). The main product of TBABF₄ was seen to be benzoxazole, consistent with previous experiments. However, LiClO₄ produced a new product that was identified as 2-aminobenzaldehyde. The findings show that the choice of supporting electrolyte affects the reduction pathway and therefore the product distribution.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 52
|
| Hu, Shan |
Wang, Qian |
Cyclopropanol - A Caged Dual-Functional Warhead for Selective Electrochemical Bioconjugation
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Bioorthogonal reactions are powerful tools for studying and manipulating biological systems, yet achieving precise spatial and temporal control remains a major challenge. Here, we introduce cyclopropanol (CPol) as a compact, energy-loaded warhead that remains inert under physiological conditions and is selectively activated by mild electrochemical stimuli. This strategy generates reactive β-haloketone moieties in situ, enabling dual-function bioconjugation for cellular labeling and proteomic analysis. Upon oxidative ring opening, CPol preferentially modifies carboxylic acid-containing residues, such as glutamate and aspartate, rather than the expected tyrosine or tryptophan. The electrochemical activation of CPol is biocompatible in living systems, enabling direct protein labeling, real-time visualization with a fluorogenic CPol probe, and selective targeting of membrane-associated and cytoplasmic proteins with a choline-derived probe through integration into cellular phosphatidylcholine metabolism. Coupling bioorthogonality with electrochemical control, this approach enables precise protein profiling, live-cell imaging, and
broader applications in chemical biology.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 22
|
| Zaw, Thelma |
Ellermann, Melissa |
Assessing the Probiotic Potential of Alistipes and Odoribacter Against Crohn’s Disease
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Crohn’s Disease (CD) is a chronic inflammatory condition affecting the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Although the exact causes of CD remain unclear, evidence suggests that genetics, behavioral factors, and disruptions in the composition of the gut microbiota can play a role in its progression. Dysbiosis, otherwise known as an imbalanced gut microbiome, is frequently linked to increased inflammation and disease severity in CD patients. The gut microbiome is a complex community of microorganisms that reside in the GI tract and play important roles in influencing the host’s digestive and immune health. Among these microorganisms are bacteria that can promote gut health by modulating the immune system, supporting anti-inflammatory responses, and maintaining the structure of the gut lining. In this study, we explored the probiotic potential of two gut bacterial genera, Alistipes and Odoribacter, in reducing inflammation in a mouse model of CD. Using IL-10 KO mice, which are genetically prone to developing intestinal inflammation, we conducted histopathological analysis to compare inflammation in mice treated with Alistipes or Odoribacter versus untreated controls. Inflammation was assessed by measuring crypt hyperplasia, goblet cell loss, and the presence of abscesses, ulcers, and edema along the colon. Mice colonized with Alistipes exhibited reduced goblet cell loss in the proximal colon with histology scores trending toward decreased inflammation in the distal colon. A significant reduction in gross pathology and composite histology scores was observed in the Alistipes group, as well as decreased ileum thickness. In contrast, Odoribacter showed minimal effects on inflammation reduction compared to untreated controls. These findings suggest that Alistipes reduces inflammation in a CD mouse model, and could serve as a probiotic to modulate the gut microbiome. However, further research is required to understand its mechanisms and evaluate its potential role in future therapeutic applications for CD.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 54
|
| Moses, Amanda |
Kettler, Andrew |
The Cotton South and Public Health: Embodied Legacies of Slavery, Mill Towns, and the Working Class in South Carolina
View Full Text
Abstract Text
This research project aims to explore the intertwined histories of cotton production and public health in South Carolina from its colonial roots to the 20th century. By examining the historical context of cotton slavery following the invention of the cotton gin, the project will uncover how these labor practices have contributed to contemporary issues in healthcare, environmental decline, and the role of racism and classism in Southern life. Through extensive primary and secondary source research, including the Federal Writers Project interviews with former slaves, this study seeks to reveal the often-silenced stories of enslaved cotton workers and their health conditions. Key questions addressed include the impact of the cotton gin on slavery, the health consequences for enslaved individuals, and the subsequent influence on later cotton workers in diverse Southern settings. This investigation will not only highlight the social dynamics of cotton, health, and labor but will also provide insights into the economic and global trade repercussions of cotton production, linking these historical legacies to current public health issues in South Carolina. The project's findings aim to contribute to a deeper understanding of the systemic inequities shaped by historical labor practices and their lingering effects on public health and environmental conditions in the region. The overarching goal is to inform contemporary discussions on healthcare and social justice by connecting past and present legacies of labor and health in South Carolina's cotton history.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 2
|
| Helms, Henry |
Ridpath, Veronica |
A Rare Case of Syndrome of Irreversible Lithium-Effectuated Neurotoxicity (SILENT) Presenting with Stroke-like Symptoms
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Lithium is a lifesaving medication and the gold standard for management of bipolar disorder. It has a narrow therapeutic index, making toxicity an important clinical concern. This case reports a 70-year-old female patient with bipolar disorder who presented to the emergency department with stroke-like symptoms. Imaging results were negative for large vessel occlusion or acute brain injury. Further investigation revealed a lithium level of 1.6 mmol/L, confirming lithium toxicity. Patient had previously been maintained on the same dose of lithium for over twelve years with regular monitoring, yet had never had a level above 0.8 prior to acute toxicity. Contributing factors included dehydration, a history of type 2 diabetes, and the development of an acute kidney injury which likely impaired the excretion of lithium. Even with discontinuation, she continued to have symptoms of apathy and ataxia consistent with Syndrome of Irreversible Lithium-Effectuated Neurotoxicity (SILENT). This case underscores the importance of considering lithium toxicity in patients presenting with stroke-like symptoms, particularly those currently taking lithium and with predisposing factors such as renal impairment, diabetes, and advanced age. Prompt recognition and appropriate management of lithium toxicity can prevent potentially severe complications.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 146
|
| Robinson, Jessica |
Pou, Jay |
The Impact of Greek Life Beyond the First Four Years
View Full Text
Abstract Text
My time spent as an executive board member in Greek life taught me lessons way beyond how to make friends. Skills such as budgeting, meeting management, conflict resolution, and staying calm in a crisis were skills I cultivated not only for the moment, but also for the rest of my life. During my time on Alpha Gamma Delta’s executive council I learned more about myself, my strengths, and my weaknesses that I ever thought possible. Each role changed my perspective on what it means to be a leader and that serving others is simultaneously the best and worst job in the world. The lessons I have gained from these experiences far outnumber ones I learned in the classroom and the tangible life skills are something I will carry with me through the next decades. Most people think being in Greek Life is only about socializing but the impact leadership in one of these organizations had on my college experience is unmatched by any job, test, or course that I have encountered. The biggest lesson I learned was that the key to success is time management and communication. Always start with these foundational steps and success is inevitable. Overall, during my three years of executive council experience I was able to cultivate amazing relationships, gain valuable life skills, and grow as an individual more than I ever thought possible. Greek Life leadership is a defining portion of my college experience and I will forever be grateful for the lessons I learned and the knowledge passed down from previous generations.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 308
|
| Woodall, Eloise |
Kubickova, Marketa |
Merci, Paris!
View Full Text
Abstract Text
As a student at the Darla Moore School of Business, I had the unique opportunity to spend a year abroad in France through the Responsible International Leadership Cohort (RIL). There, I immersed in the French language, culture, and business practices through case competitions, volunteer experience in a French kitchen and understanding French law in an International Business law course. Sophomore year was transformative for me as I moved across the ocean to live in the heart of Paris. I had the ability to travel extensively throughout France and Europe and engaged with native French and francophone speakers, honing my language skills and preparing for a future international career. Being an international business and supply chain major, I gained valuable insights into efficient supply chain practices in France. Comparing these methods to the UofSC curriculum allowed me to reflect on my own experiences and knowledge. One of the most valuable lessons I learned during my time abroad was how to be comfortable when faced with uncertainty. This experience forced me to navigate cultural differences, work around challenges like train strikes, and develop my language skills. Growing out of my shell during my time abroad built confidence in my ability to communicate effectively in French, understand differing cultures and adapt quickly to changes.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 206
|
| Hutz, Emma |
Klusek, Jessica
Friedman, Laura |
Narrative Skills of Women with the FMR1 Premutation
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Fragile X syndrome is characterized by an excess of 200+ CGG repeats on the FMR1 gene and is the leading inherited cause of intellectual disability. This genetic mutation is passed on by mothers, who are FMR1 premutation carriers (55-200 repeats). The FMR1 premutation can lead to language differences in female carriers; however, knowledge of the extent of language impairment remains limited. By using main concept analysis of the Cinderella narrative, which has been frequently used in other language-affected populations, this study examined the language skills of women with the FMR1 premutation. Main concept analysis quantifies the amount and accuracy of the essential story elements, or gist, a speaker relays. (Richardson, 2021).
Of the 159 language samples, 89 were collected from mothers with the FMR1 premutation. The remaining 70 samples were control participants who were mothers of children who did not have any developmental disabilities. Groups were matched based on demographic information. Ages ranged from 26 to 73 (M=48); groups were similar on age (p=.299). Groups were also similar on education (p=.106). All mothers were asked to retell the Cinderella story after looking through the picture book. Samples were transcribed and coded for main concept production of 34 concepts (e.g., Cinderella losing her glass slipper) using a published coding system. Each concept was assigned a score for accuracy and completeness as well as a score for correct sequencing.
Participants in the control group produced more main concepts (M=71.20, SD=14.62, range: 35-94) compared to the premutation group (M=61.56, SD=18.42, range:18-95). Participants in the control group also had higher sequencing scores (M=66.60, SD=12.75, range: 35-86) compared to the premutation group (M=58.25, SD=16.54, 19-89). An independent samples t-test revealed significant difference between groups (t (157) = 3.78, p < .001). These findings indicate women with the FMR1 premutation have more difficulty accurately and completely telling a narrative. While further investigation is needed to understand how related factors impact the narrative skills of female carriers (e.g., working memory or grammar skills), this study provides a basis of information for future research initiatives and contributes to our understanding of difficulties faced by some FMR1 premutation carriers.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 141
|
| Brown, Kaitlyn |
Hiott, Ambra |
Not All Language is Spoken
View Full Text
Abstract Text
I took a Latin dance class while studying abroad in Madrid. I got to see how it explores the communicative power and cultural aspects of dance as a universal language. Dance has been an important form of expression for centuries, enabling people to display their emotions as well as show off their cultural history. In my Latin dance course, I learned salsa, merengue, and flamenco, each having their own Latin history. These dance styles are more than just movement and they have the opportunity to tell complete stories and convey the emotions of the dancers’ stories they want to tell.
I danced competitively for six years, so I saw this class as an opportunity to explore a new way of expressing myself. Throughout my experience I connected these styles to language and how much these showcase Latin heritage. Flamenco really stood out to me as a blend of singing and dance that comes with so much emotion and power in order to tell stories if love, loss, and connection. Seeing live flamenco shows in Spain deepened my appreciation for how dance can become a beautiful story and history telling technique.
At the end of the course, our final recital brought together students, friends, and families to show them what we had been working on all semester and tell the stories of Latin heritage and language with a modern spin on it. The experience of performing these traditional Latin dances with modern interpretations was so rewarding. We got to tell the stories of these dances as well as let ourselves bring in our own emotions and expression breathing new life into dances so fundamental in Latin history. This class taught me that dance can be so much more than movement and how connecting to to personally as well as the history behind it allows for people to feel what the dancer feels. Just like language dance tells stories and stories have to come with a history.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 215
|
| Holden, Sara |
Adlof, Suzanne
Mitchell, Alexis |
Language and Reading Impairments: Developing Case Study Profiles to Explain a Systematic Review
View Full Text
Abstract Text
I will continue to assist with a systematic review of research on reading outcomes of children with developmental language disorder (DLD). This research examines whether the proportion of children with DLD who are found to have word reading problems differs in studies that recruit from clinical caseloads vs from community samples. To better understand the practical implications of the findings from the systematic review, I will be developing case studies of four children with DLD, including two whose parents expressed concern/awareness of their difficulties at the time of recruitment, and two who were recruited from school screenings and whose parents report no prior concerns about language or reading. In each pair, one child will have strong word reading abilities and one child will have weak word reading abilities. These case studies provide concrete examples of how DLD is sometimes invisible and of the relationship between language and reading development.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 118
|
| Molina, Jonathan |
Laca, Kristine |
Shaping Excellence and Embracing Adversity: Leadership, Challenges, and the Road to Commissioning in AFROTC
View Full Text
Abstract Text
The mission of Air Force ROTC (AFROTC) is to “Develop Air Force and Space Force Leaders of Character Whom We Expect to Fight and Win Our Nation’s Wars.” As the largest and oldest source of commissioned officers for the Air Force, AFROTC plays a crucial role in recruiting, educating, and commissioning officer candidates through academic education, Field Training, and Officer Development programs that align with Air Force and Space Force requirements. At Detachment 775, the Air Force ROTC Detachment at the University of South Carolina, we embrace a “safe-to-fail” training environment that fosters growth and leadership. This 3-4 year program is an ongoing journey of character development, consistently challenging cadets to step outside their comfort zones. It is designed to prepare us for the real Air Force, also known as the “Big Blue,” and the expectations placed on Airmen who serve as officers. From joining the program later than most as an AS250, which I will discuss more in my presentation, to eventually serving as the Cadet Wing Commander, essentially the president of our organization, I worked ambitiously to achieve excellence in academics, physical fitness, and social leadership while honing my leadership skills. In May 2025, I will be commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Air Force. Until then, AFROTC has taught me to think critically to solve organizational problems, to act proactively, and to lead from the front. I currently focus on guiding our Cadet Wing toward a brighter future. Then, after May 2025, I look forward to focusing on the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead in Big Blue, where I will continue to develop my leadership and inspire others to execute my vision for a better tomorrow. Please join me in my presentation, where I will reflect on the adversities that have marked my journey over the last three years. I will share how my experience in AFROTC has shaped my character and prepared me for this new and exciting chapter of my life of serving in the Big Blue.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 312
|
| Carter, Taylor |
|
Effect of Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol Administration on Hematopoietic Stem Cell Differentiation
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), a phytocannabinoid from the Cannabis plant, is known to have immunomodulatory effects. While its impact on the mature immune system and its ability to suppress inflammatory diseases is well established, there’s less understanding of whether THC affects hematopoietic stem cells and their differentiation. Recently, we demonstrated that THC blocked the differentiation of bone marrow stem cells into CD45 + CD11b + F4/80+ macrophages.
In this study, we injected daily, 7-week-old C57BL/6 mice with 30 mg/kg of THC intraperitoneally for 10 days to study the effect on hematopoiesis. Bone marrow was collected from the femurs of both legs for analysis. We performed single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) on the samples and analyzed the data with the Seurat R package.
The scRNA-seq analysis showed that THC treatment led to an increase in maturing B cells, maturing neutrophils, and CD8+ T cells, while immature B cell numbers decreased. We also saw a reduction in the expression of interferon-related and MHC-I genes in the THC-treated group. Analysis with the CellChat package in R showed decreased signaling for thrombospondin, 2-AG, ApoE, and midkine in the THC-treated group, while histamine signaling was increased. To confirm these population changes at the protein level, we used spectral flow cytometry, which showed an increase in maturing B cells (CD45+CD19+CD79b+MHCII+) and CD8+ T cells (CD45+CD3+CD8+). Notably, total and live cell counts were similar between the THC and control (VEH) groups.
Our results suggest that THC is not myelotoxic but pushes bone marrow B cell populations toward maturity and also boosts CD8+ T cell populations (Supported by NIH grants P20GM103641, P30GM154631, R01ES030144, and R01AI160896 to PSN and MN).
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 201
|
| Fatima, Ridha |
LaVoie, Holly |
Effects of MMP14 Overexpression on Extracellular Matrix Markers of Pregnant and Postpartum Mouse Left Ventricles
View Full Text
Abstract Text
The heart enlarges during pregnancy to adjust for increased blood volume. In post-partum cardiomyopathy, the heart fails to return to original size following delivery. Matrix-metalloproteinase 14 (MMP14) contributes to cardiac remodeling by cleaving extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins surrounding blood vessels and cardiomyocytes. We aimed to evaluate effects of human MMP14 transgene (hMMP14) expression in mouse fibroblasts on left ventricle (LV) ECM mRNAs and proteins during and after pregnancy. Wildtype and hMMP14 mouse LV tissues were isolated at pregnancy day 17 (ed17), postpartum day 49 (ppd49), and from age-matched virgins (virgin-17 or virgin-49). Real-time PCR (n=6-8 mice/group) was performed with cDNA and Col1a1, Col1a2, Col3a1, Mmp2, Mmp9, Tgfb1, Bsg, Timps1-4, Postn and Pappa primers, and Rplp0 for normalization. Western Blots (n=3 mice/group) evaluated isoforms of Collagens I and III 100-200 kDa using COL1A1 and COL3A1 and PAPPA antibodies with normalization for tubulin. Data were analyzed by Two-way ANOVA and by Sidak’s (for genotype) or Tukey’s (for reproductive status within genotype) post-hoc test; P<0.05 was significant. Results showed that compared to wildtypes, Col1a1 mRNA displayed lower levels in hMMP14 ppd49 mice. COL1A1 isoforms (120-160 kDa) were lower in ed17 wildtype mice than wildtype ppd49 and virgin-49 mice. In ppd49, LV Timp3 and Timp4 mRNA were decreased in hMMP14 compared to wildtypes. Within hMMP14 mice, LV Timp4 mRNA levels were higher in late pregnancy compared to virgin-49 and ppd49. There was a significant main effect of genotype on Mmp9. There were also significant main effects found for reproductive status and genotype for Pappa mRNA. No significant differences were found for Timp1, Timp2, Cola1a2, Col3a1, Tgfb1, Bsg, Postn or Mmp2 LV mRNA or COL3A1 protein. Ultimately, reproductive status and/or genotype altered the expression of Timp3, Timp4, Mmp9 and Pappa mRNA levels. Although genotype-related differences in collagen proteins were not observed, late pregnancy showed lower new collagen synthesis suggesting controlled remodeling in both genotypes. Supported by Magellan & SCHC Research, SC INBRE P20GM103499 and USC ASPIRE-I awards.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 31
|
| Ruiz, Daniel |
Blumer, Mary |
Diagnosis and Management of Anti-GBM Disease and its Treatment Complications
View Full Text
Abstract Text
A 27-year-old male with a history of tobacco and substance use disorder presented with three weeks of progressive lower extremity edema, nausea, vomiting, dark-colored urine, dyspnea on exertion, and chest pain following smoke inhalation. Labs showed an anti-GBM IgG of 5.0, and imaging revealed bilateral airspace disease concerning for alveolar hemorrhage, moderate pleural effusions, and renal ultrasound findings suggestive of medical renal disease. Renal biopsy confirmed diffuse crescentic glomerulonephritis, establishing the diagnosis of anti-GBM disease. He was started on high-dose methylprednisolone and plasmapheresis, leading to improvement in antibody levels and renal function. Cyclophosphamide was initiated but discontinued after eight days due to significant unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia. His course was further complicated by a drug reaction to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, requiring a switch to atovaquone. On hospital day 11, he developed right-sided jaw pain and swelling, and imaging revealed an odontogenic infection with a subperiosteal abscess, requiring IV antibiotics, incision and drainage, and tooth extraction. Plasmapheresis was discontinued after 16 days, and rituximab was introduced as an alternative immunosuppressive strategy. He was discharged on prednisone and atovaquone, with outpatient rituximab infusions planned. This case highlights the complexity of managing anti-GBM disease in a young patient with significant pulmonary involvement and multiple treatment-related complications. His tobacco use may have contributed to disease onset, as studies link hydrocarbon exposure to anti-GBM disease. The case underscores the importance of early recognition, aggressive immunosuppression, and careful management of complications, particularly in patients with risk factors for disease recurrence and infections. Individualized treatment and close monitoring are crucial in managing anti-GBM disease in high-risk patients.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 125
|
Lutz, Brendan
Borglum, Kristina |
Hassinger, Stanley |
Comparing Lecture-Based vs. Unannounced Simulation Training for Teaching Wilderness Rescue of Lost Hikers
View Full Text
Abstract Text
This study explores the effectiveness of two distinct teaching methods, lecture-based instruction and unannounced simulation training, on teaching wilderness rescue techniques for lost hikers. As wilderness rescue scenarios require rapid decision-making and practical skills, it is crucial to determine which teaching approach most effectively prepares students for real-world situations. We compared the outcomes of both training methods by assessing participants' knowledge retention, skill application, and performance under pressure. The group was put through both the lecture-based instruction and the unannounced simulation with assessments after each. Results indicate that simulation training, particularly when unannounced, enhanced participants' ability to think critically and apply skills under pressure, while lecture-based instruction offered a solid foundation of knowledge. These findings suggest that incorporating unannounced simulation into wilderness rescue training may be more beneficial for preparing responders for high-stakes, dynamic rescue environments.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 112
|
| Jimison, Clayton |
Kubickova, Marketa |
Health Communication, Healthier Patients
View Full Text
Abstract Text
During my time as an EMT with Fairfield County EMS, I became deeply embedded in a community that I noticed was struggling to access care. After all, the only county hospital has only closed a few years prior to my arrival. It was both eye-opening and disheartening to see firsthand that the healthcare disparities I had learned about in class were a daily reality for many citizens in my home state, South Carolina. Serving in these underserved areas sparked a passion for improving healthcare accessibility in communities with scarce medical resources. As I responded to 911 calls, I saw how limited access to care and distance to healthcare facilities and providers affected patient outcomes firsthand, reinforcing my desire to drive systemic improvements in rural EMS services.
At Fairfield County EMS, I gained clinical experience and realized how crucial effective communication and cultural competence are in ensuring patients understand their conditions and treatments. My experience there, combined with the public health knowledge I have gained from my studies, has helped me understand the intersectionality of clinical practice and community health. By integrating public health principles into my work, I have learned how to address the unique needs of underserved populations, particularly in rural settings.
This work has solidified my commitment to advocating for better support and funding for rural EMS systems, with a long-term goal of becoming an Emergency Medical Services Medical Director. In this role, I hope to influence policies that will improve healthcare access and outcomes for vulnerable communities, ensuring that everyone, regardless of location, has access to the care they need.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 283
|
Garrison, Veronica
Hudgens, Rui |
Lozorak, Caitlin
Gainey, Andrew |
Evaluating Acetazolamide Dosing Strategies for Metabolic Alkalosis in Mechanically Ventilated PICU Patients
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Metabolic alkalosis is a frequent acid-base disturbance encountered in critically ill pediatric patients. For mechanically ventilated patients, metabolic alkalosis is believed to depress respiratory drive which may lead to prolonged mechanical ventilation. In critically ill patients, acetazolamide is used to treat metabolic alkalosis through serum bicarbonate excretion. While previous studies have evaluated the impact of acetazolamide in pediatric patients, minimal data exists on the optimal dosing, frequency, or duration of therapy. Therefore, this study aimed to compare acetazolamide dosing strategies for the treatment of metabolic alkalosis in mechanically ventilated pediatric ICU patients.
This retrospective cohort study included patients less than eighteen years of age admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit at Prisma Health Children’s Hospital - Midlands between March 2021 and August 2024. To be included in this study, patients must have received acetazolamide intravenously for the treatment of metabolic alkalosis, defined as a serum bicarbonate greater than 26mmol/L, and mechanically intubated. Patients with comorbidities such as heart failure, post-cardiac surgery, primary renal or endocrine disorders causing metabolic acidosis, or diagnosed with acute kidney injury were excluded. Patients on chronic diuretic therapy or other chronic agents used to treat metabolic acidosis prior to admission were also excluded. The primary objective of this study was to compare the change in serum bicarbonate levels from baseline to 24 hours after initiation of intravenous (IV) acetazolamide dosed at frequencies of every 6 -, every 8- and every 12 hours. Secondary outcomes included change in serum bicarbonate 48-hours after IV acetazolamide initiation, change in pH and pCO2 levels at 24- and 48-hours, impact of acute concurrent diuretic use, and differences in time to extubation between dosing groups. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize patient demographics. An analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to evaluate mean differences in serum bicarbonate levels from baseline to 24 hours for the three dosing regimens. Statistical significance was based on resulting p-values (<0.05).
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 174
|
| Homoky, Henry |
Bowes, Devin |
The Use of Wastewater-Based Epidemiology To Assess the Statewide Smoking Status in South Carolina
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) has recently become a popular tool used to monitor and assess drug usage at population level. Studying cigarette usage throughout South Carolina is an important issue as the state has a higher smoking percent usage (17.6%) than the United States average (16.0%), per the CDC. Long-term cigarette smoking has been proven to increase the rate of cancer appearance throughout the body, but especially in the lungs. According to the South Carolina Department of Public Health, South Carolina ranks 16th nationally for lung cancer incidence. By analyzing the rates of smoking in South Carolina, the data found can be used to spread public awareness of the scope of the issue as well as to encourage new strategies for promoting smoking cessation. In this project, WBE will be implemented as proof-of-concept to estimate the tobacco usage of populations in comparison to conventional methods in 10 counties throughout the state of South Carolina (Five counties with the highest and five with the lowest smoking rates by population percentage). Samples will be collected from each county bi-weekly during the months of June and July 2025 and analyzed for different tobacco specific nitrosamines as well as nicotine metabolites (n=40 samples total). The analysis will be conducted using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). We anticipate that the use of WBE will serve as a comprehensive and minimally invasive method to objectively assess the smoking status of populations throughout South Carolina. Use of this method may encourage targeted and effective public health strategies and interventions to promote healthier societies.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 132
|
| Pinkerman, Kayla |
Meek, Scott
McDonald, Jordan |
Is Physiological Feedback Impacted by the Perceived Gender of the Presenter?
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Electroencephalogram (EEG) research has previously demonstrated that the type of feedback individuals receive can impact their neurological responses by creating either a positive or negative waveform/amplitude. These responses to certain cognitive tasks are referred to as Event-Related Potentials (ERPs) and when people receive negative feedback it produces Feedback-Related Negativity (FRN). FRNs are typically observed around 200-400ms after feedback is presented. This study specifically investigates FRN responses as they relate to a feedback presenter’s gender. There is limited research on FRN responses and even less that investigate FRNs as they relate to gender.
The current study seeks to explore how neurological response is influenced by the perceived gender of the presenter of feedback utilizing an EEG and a pattern recognition task. Participants are presented with a pattern of nine randomized letters. Participants are then shown a slide with two letters where the participant is asked to recall which of the two was presented in the previous pattern using a response input device. To guarantee events lead to a FRN response, 64 of the 200 questions lack a correct option, resulting in an incorrect feedback slide for either response. The feedback screens vary across blocks, with two blocks consisting of female photos and two with male photos. If the participant correctly identifies the letter from the presented pattern, the photo will be of the male or female smiling. If the participant incorrectly identifies the letter, the photo will be of the male or female frowning.
Participants are equipped with a 64-channel hydrocel EEG while completing the task to measure scalp related potentials associated with feedback. Preliminary results indicate an anticipated increase in negative amplitude for feedback screens showing a male compared to a female. The valance of the feedback does not have a significant effect on the FRN response.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 178
|
| Froedge, Ella |
Keane-Dawes, Antony |
Growing Through Service: My Journey of Community Impact in South Carolina Public Schools
View Full Text
Abstract Text
In my experience of community service, I have learned both personal and professional skills that have guided my college career and will continue to lead me into my future as I continue to serve my community around me. A large part of who I am is found in my ability to serve other people. Whether it be though donations, acts of service, or kind words, I have always loved the opportunity to serve others. As I entered into my college years, I knew I would be given new opportunities to serve. A new city, with new people, meant newer and bigger chances for me to serve the world around me every single day. The experience that has provided me with the most life change though is my mentorship at a local middle school here in Columbia. After being placed as a leader in a school in the local area, I have been
gifted the opportunity to guide middle school girls through the difficulties of life as a pre-teen. My experiences working with and leading these girls brings me so much joy every single day. I have the special gift to get to do life alongside each one of them and become an instrumental part of their journey as they go through a
conglomeration of hardships, new beginnings, and joy. They have showed me what it truly means to serve humbly and gracious and to lead with an open heart and mind. I have no doubt they will continue to impact me in so many ways that will only grow my heart for service, and as I watch they undertake projects of their own, I can only hope they will continue to see the good of serving their own community as well.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 190
|
| Mathis, Sydney |
Moniz, Ruth I.
Weist, Mark |
The Relationship between Adverse Childhood Experiences and Coping Competence in Young Adulthood.
View Full Text
Abstract Text
The long-term impacts of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) on health and well-being later in life is now well established. Although previous research indicates the long-term effects of ACEs on adult mental health, information regarding how these individuals perceive stress in adulthood following adversity is unknown. The current study used two questionnaires to examine ACEs and coping competence in young adults (N=106). Data regarding ACEs and coping competence were evaluated using a Pearson correlation. In addition, moderation effects were tested with Process Macro 4.3v. The results indicated ACEs have a negative association with coping competence. Individuals who reported ACEs showed less coping competence than individuals who reported no ACEs. Furthermore, having seen a mental health provider did not have a significant moderation effect on coping competence. Targeted research and interventions should be tailored to understand the nature of coping competence within those who have experienced ACEs.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 171
|
| Bakhdoud, Ayah |
Reinhart, Sara |
Struggle for access to healthcare
View Full Text
Abstract Text
In the summer after my freshman year, I began working at Laxer Long and Savage, specialists in pediatric dentists and orthodontics. This was my first experience seeing healthcare from the doctor's perspective rather than as a patient. From a healthcare perspective, I was not aware of how many people struggled to access healthcare and how it affected their oral health. Working in the clinic, I saw many differences in individuals who were dentally insured and those who were not. Patients who were self-pay tend to have far poorer oral health and didn’t attend their normally scheduled oral exams. These patients had intense decay on their teeth and needed restorative care that equated to thousands of dollars. It was hard to see the distress these patients faced, as they knew they were unable to afford the healthcare they needed. This sparked a new interest for me in public health dentistry. Public health dentistry is a specialized branch of dentistry focused on promoting oral health and preventing dental diseases at the community and population levels rather than treating individual patients. It combines aspects of dentistry, public health, and social work to improve access to oral healthcare and reduce health disparities. In my Social 304 class, we learned about the challenges faced by families of poorer communities who had difficulty accessing healthcare. I saw this comparison of social classes at my own job when I joined the orthodontics team during the summer of my junior year. Laxer Long and Savage have 2 locations in North Carolina. After joining the ortho team, I was assigned to the second location, a town with a predominantly lower-income population. I quickly noticed significant differences between the two locations. Many patients lacked dental insurance or relied on Medicaid, and overall, oral hygiene was noticeably poorer. Witnessing these disparities in healthcare was upsetting, but it also fueled my motivation to help bridge the gap in access to dental care for underserved communities
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 275
|
| Gladziszewski, Emma |
Reinhardt, Sara |
Minis with USC Dance Marathon
View Full Text
Abstract Text
My college experience has been enhanced tremendously by Dance Marathon. As a freshman I went as a hero and immediately fell in love with the enthusiasm and dedication to service. Throughout my years I have moved around in positions in this organization and found my voice as a leader. I am currently serving as the Mini Marathons Director as a Part of the Board of Directors. I have been able to spread awareness about Children’s Miracle Network to the larger Columbia Community and inspired the next generation of leaders in this organization who are currently in K-12 schools in the area. There is nothing more than joy that I experience with the people who I have been able to surround myself with in this org and motivate me daily to reach for the stars and be my best. I hope to take my passion for service and community I have seen and learned here into my career and be able to give back. I can not be more proud to be a part of something so much larger than myself. Growing up I always have been a part of service based organizations which allow me to give back but it wasn’t until college and joining Dance Marathon that I felt how real my contributions were. I feel so grateful to have been able to experience this and interact with the miracle families directly impacted by the children’s hospital. I will continue to support the individuals in this organization and the cause after graduating and hope they continue to break down barriers in the world of children’s health.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 291
|
| Harris, Gabriel |
Reinhardt, Sara |
Interagency Collaboration
View Full Text
Abstract Text
During the summer of 2024 I had the privilege of interning for the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS). Specifically, I provided programmatic support for the DDSN & Youth Waiver Services Section within the Bureau of Policy, which provides various services for medically complex children (MCC) and individuals with intellectual disabilities/related disabilities (ID/RD) through Medicaid waiver programs. For the services provided to the ID/RD population, SCDHHS also contracts with and provides oversight for the South Carolina Department of Disabilities and Special Needs (SCDDSN). One task I worked on during my internship was to review and edit an annual review of SCDDSN, which included required and recommended actions for process improvement. The relationship between SCDHHS and SCDDSN is collaborative, since both agencies strive to improve the lives of those they serve. Effective communication is essential for the success of this relationship, something I learned about in great detail in my SPCH 140: Public Communication class. One important concept is the interactive model of communication, which describes how all senders of messages are also receivers, and all receivers are senders, so both are constantly encoding and decoding information. I witnessed firsthand the meetings and discussions between SCDHHS and SCDDSN, where both agencies attempted to communicate their needs while also being mindful of each other’s needs. There are some things which each agency may not want to do but are required to from the agreed upon contract. I learned an important lesson about responsibility and accountability, specifically in terms of living up to your word. In their agreement, these agencies are giving each other their word, but they are also giving the people of South Carolina their word. I will strive to move forward in my personal and professional life with the knowledge and hope that my actions and promises will have a positive impact on a large number of people.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 267
|
| Yarusinsky, Brandon |
Reinhardt, Sara |
Share One Love - Healing Through Sport
View Full Text
Abstract Text
During my sophomore year, I began my journey with Share One Love. Founded by Jordan Thomas, SOL is a nonprofit organization that supports marginalized youth in the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice (SCDJJ). Jordan’s main programming is going into DJJ’s facilities and connecting with the youth through sport. I was skeptical at first, as there is a stigma around the prison system and delinquents. I didn’t fully believe these things, but they were in the back of my mind going in.
My first time with Jordan was admittedly scary. We went through security checks and barbed wire fencing, escorted by two corrections officers, to a field to meet the youth. They didn’t look like me, talk like me, or have the same background and culture as me. I was incredibly nervous, vulnerable being the “odd one out”, and thought I would fail to make the slightest impact on these kids.
All of that changed when I removed my ego. I accepted that I am vastly different from these kids and didn’t try to change that. I stayed true to myself, which allowed me to make genuine connections with the youth and earn their trust. As I continued to go back with Jordan, I got more and more comfortable with them. My initial expectations were very wrong. The kids in the facilities are exactly that…kids; kids like me who just want to have fun and get out of their stressful lives for a few moments.
I fell in love with the youth and the mission so much that I co-founded the student chapter of SOL on campus. Now 2.5 years later, Jordan, my Vice President, and I lead over 30 volunteers and 50 youth every week to play games inside DJJ. We will continue to grow this into something bigger than us; not only will individual lives change but eventually legislation will be influenced. SOL has also taught me to treat everyone with compassion and free from judgment, and that no matter the differences, anyone with a heart can make an impact on the world.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 220
|
| Polinsky, Alexander |
Reinhardt, Sara |
Connect Through Positive Leisure Activities for Youth (PLAY)
View Full Text
Abstract Text
During my time at the University of South Carolina I've had the opportunity to work as a research assistant participating in interventive psychology research. I originally found the research via a friend who had participated in the program the year prior and was returning for a second year. She had told me about what they were studying, and I thought it sounded interesting. I started this research in the fall of 2023 and continued through the remained of the 2023/2024 school year. While helping with the research I learned much about how research can impact the target population while collecting data for the future. Driven by this opportunity to help others, I created lesson plans and executed comprehensive health teachings to promote the development of long term health awareness. By employing the learning and memory techniques I learned in the classroom in a hands-on manner I was able to witness the children learning and applying the information that was taught to them. I believe that this early intervention for children can greatly improve their well-being as they continue to develop. This experience has led me to greatly appreciate interventive research and I aim in the future to apply the insights that I learned while facilitating these lesson plans not only in my daily life but to spread the information to others. I will look to participate in facilitating more research that looks to positively impact the awareness young children have on their health and well-being regardless of their backgrounds
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 268
|
| McAdams, Madelyn |
Reinhardt, Sara |
Beyond Borders: How Study Abroad Redefined My Perspective
View Full Text
Abstract Text
When I reached the official halfway point of my college experience, I was standing alone in front of La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Spain. That moment marked the farthest I had ever stepped outside my comfort zone. During that summer, I had the opportunity to study abroad in the beautiful city of Barcelona. Here, I took a course on International Marketing & Business surrounded by 14 students from around the world. Being the only student in my class not just from USC, but from the entire US, challenged me to stretch outside my comfort zone, build a global network of friends, and gain a deeper understanding of the world we live in.
Everyday our classroom buzzed with discussions about our cultural differences. We exchanged questions about everything—school, friends, holidays, governments, trends, food, music, and more; learning along the way that (of course) growing up in six separate countries meant we had a significant number of differences.
What I found to be the most beautiful element of this experience, however, was that for every difference we discussed, we’d identify even more similarities. Through laughter, shared stories, and moments of vulnerability, I realized that while our backgrounds varied, our shared aspirations, dreams, and struggles united us in ways far beyond geographic boundaries. Some human experiences are absolutely universal, and my time in Barcelona reminded me of the remarkable truth that connections of the heart transcend every border and culture.
I carry this trip with me in everything I do. It shaped the way I approached the remainder of my college journey and will continue to influence how I navigate my professional life. As I look toward the future, I’ll pursue environments that challenge me, surround myself with people who bring diverse perspectives, and create spaces that bring people together. Whether it’s pursuing an MBA, building a career in marketing, or exploring opportunities in hospitality and tourism, I know the lessons I learned in Spain will guide me.
Studying abroad didn’t just change the way I see the world—it changed the way I see myself in it.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 198
|
| Fowler, Kyra |
Reinhardt, Sara |
Fostering a Sense of Community at Carolina through Alumni Engagement
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Serving as the Student Alumni Association President has provided me such an unique opportunity to bridge the gap between current students and alumni and to foster a lifelong sense of school pride and connection. This leadership role truly enhanced my college experience by allowing me to develop and lead initiatives that involved networking opportunities, organizing events, and upholding our school traditions. Through this role I built valuable skills in leadership, communication, and event planning while creating lasting relationships with peers and alumni. The impact of serving as the student alumni association president extends beyond personal growth, as it strengthens campus culture, encourages student engagement, and provides a deeper sense of belonging within the university community. By creating meaningful opportunities for students to interact with alumni, I saw the impact of being able to help build career pathways, instill pride in the institution, and reinforce a supportive network that extends beyond graduation. The experiences I gained from serving as president not only prepared me for future leadership roles but also allowed me to leave a lasting legacy on campus by fostering a strong and engaged alumni community.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 322
|
| Wilson, Mary Brooks |
Hiott, Ambra |
Bad Dancing Changes Lives
View Full Text
Abstract Text
This presentation includes the emphasis of community service through the lens of leading a student-run nonprofit organization, USC Dance Marathon (USCDM). This organization fully supports and funds initiatives of Prisma Health Children’s Hospital in the Midlands and is a unifying movement to improve children’s health. Through USCDM’s objectives of year-long fundraising, hosting events on and off campus, and fostering community partnerships, I have grown in servant leadership. The combined knowledge I gained from my Public Health classes and extracurricular activities have emphasized that communication and community are crucial to nonprofit management. My journey to becoming President put all the pieces together and solidified my future goal of becoming a speech-language pathologist. My future steps will be guided by the lesson I learned in this organization that Bad Dancing Changes Lives.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 191
|
| Hudson, Hadley |
Barlow, Rachel |
Management of Osteoporosis in a Young Adult
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Osteoporosis is a major health issue that typically affects post-menopausal women. It less commonly presents in young adults. When this occurs, it is very important to determine the cause. In terms of treatment, bisphosphonates are the first line therapeutic choice for postmenopausal women at high risk of fracture but come with side effects. Thus, it is important to reassess fracture risk after patient has been on bisphosphonates for 3-5 years. If there is a low to moderate fracture risk as determined by a stable DEXA and normal bone turnover markers, then a “bisphosphonate holiday” can be prescribed. For those with a high fracture risk, anabolic therapy such as teriparatide or abaloparatide can be used.
This is a case of a 19-year-old female with past medical history of spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy who presented with a left femur fracture. Shortly after, a DEXA scan confirmed osteoporosis with Z score of femur at -15.9. Because there are no clear guidelines for the management of osteoporosis in young adults, treatment posed a challenge. This patient received six bisphosphonate infusions over the span of four years. Repeat DEXA scans showed and unchanged Z score with normal bone turnover markers. Anabolic therapy was not used due to the patient’s young age.
The most likely predisposing factor in this case was likely immobilization, but a complete workup including genetic testing is in progress. Secondary causes are also important to rule out by analysing the following labs: alkaline phosphatase, phosphorus, magnesium, vitamin D, parathyroid hormone, and thyroid hormone. This patient had normal menstrual cycles after menarche, and she was not taking medications that could attribute to secondary osteoporosis. Furthermore, this atypical case of osteoporosis in a young adult is an important and ongoing investigation to serve as the stepping stone into the cause and management of osteoporosis in young adults.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 138
|
| Langston, Zachary |
Adams, Kyle |
Does Intravenous Tranexamic Acid (TXA) Administered at Time of Hospital Admission Reduce Blood Transfusion Rates in Geriatric Extracapsular Hip Fracture Patients
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Introduction:
Geriatric hip fractures often require blood transfusions, which has been linked to increased complications. Tranexamic acid (TXA) has been shown to have a positive effect on hip fractures, with the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS) recommending its use; however, optimal dosing and timing has not been delineated in the literature. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of an early TXA administration protocol on transfusion rates in extracapsular geriatric hip fracture patients.
Methods:
All patients >65 years old who underwent intramedullary nailing for a fragility intertrochanteric hip fracture (AO/OTA 31A) between 2021-2023 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were stratified into two groups: 1) Patients who received 1g IV TXA at the time of admission, followed by 1g TXA three hours later and 2) Patients who received no TXA. Based on protocol, transfusion occurred if hemoglobin was less than 7g/dL. Exclusion criteria consisted of patients with femoral neck fractures, pathologic hip fractures, presenting hemoglobin level less than 7.0 g/dL, and concomitant injuries that may affect blood loss. The primary outcome was allogenic blood transfusion rates. Patient demographics, hemoglobin levels, blood transfusion volume, and 90-day post-operative thromboembolic events were also recorded.
Results:
Among 168 patients, 102 were in the TXA group and 66 in the non-TXA group. There was no significant difference in allogenic transfusion rates between the TXA group (25.5%) and the non-TXA group (33.3%) (p=0.27). There were no differences in patient age, gender, hemoglobin levels at time of admission, or mean blood transfusion volume (p>0.05). The mean lowest post-operative hemoglobin levels were 8.5 (±1.6) in the TXA group and 8.3 (±1.7) in the non-TXA group (p=0.42). Four patients in the TXA group (3.9%) experienced thromboembolic events versus three patients (4.5%) in the non-TXA group (p=1).
Conclusion:
Early administration of TXA at hospital admission does not significantly reduce allogenic blood transfusion rates in geriatric hip fracture patients. Early TXA administration may not adequately address hidden blood loss, possibly due to high comorbidity burden, pre-existing anemia, and delayed surgery. Further research is necessary to explore alternative strategies for managing early blood loss and optimizing outcomes in this population.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 192
|
| Scharneck, Cailyn |
hiott, Ambra |
Growing in Leadership and Faith
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Student organizations are a huge part of campus life. They provide
friendships, knowledge, service, leadership experiences, and more. My
favorite part of my undergraduate years at the University of South Carolina
has been my time in Delight Ministries, where I ultimately became the team
director. Starting as a nervous member and making my way to the highest
position, I feel joy as I look back at my time and the people I have met. I was
able to grow in my leadership and interpersonal skills immensely. I learned
how to solve problems quickly and diligently, interact with different girls in
the chapter, and communicate in a way that touches all the girls’ hearts. In
my presentation, I will discuss some of the different insights that have
shaped who I am and how I will grow as a leader with my faith in Christ
always showing through in all I do.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 297
|
| Silvaggio, Emily |
Kozlik, Lauren |
Full Circle: My Journey to Working in Sports
View Full Text
Abstract Text
For the past two and a half years, I have worked as an equipment manager for South Carolina Football and have recently transitioned over to an administrative and operations intern role. Throughout both of my internships, I am able to set up practice, help with drills, organize equipment and some administrative duties as well for our head football coach. Sports was always something that I knew I wanted to work in because it combined many parts of my mission and vision for my life into one place. It is an aspect of life that brings together many people of different backgrounds. Sports was the part of life that I looked forward to always, no matter whether I was playing them myself or going to be a spectator at a game. At the beginning of my college career, I was not sure where I wanted to complete my major required internships but I discovered where my passion comes from for wanting to work in sports and received the opportunity to work for the team that I had been a fan of ever since I was a little girl. The summer after my sophomore year I became the first female equipment intern the team had accepted in 20 years. The reason I wanted to work in sports in the first place is so I can show younger girls that working in this realm is not only possible, but it is a place where you can thrive. I have learned in my Sport & Entertainment classes what characteristics it takes to work in sports and be a leader, whether that be as a coach or staff member. The experience that I have had over the past two and a half years has made me grow personally and professionally and has played a major role in the parts of my life that mean the most to me and keep me going every day. Working with Gamecock Football even gave me the experience and the confidence to go work Super Bowl LVIII last year and that is something I will forever cherish.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 259
|
| Marudamuthu, Amarnath Satheesh |
|
Indole-3-Carbinol ameliorates SEB-induced acute respiratory distress syndrome in mice by AhR-mediated production of anti-microbial peptides
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Background and Purpose: Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a rapid progressive form of respiratory failure that occurs when an excessive inflammatory response occurs following the underlying damage of the epithelial cell barriers. Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) plays a significant role in the development of ARDS, particularly in the context of environmental pollutant exposure. SEB can trigger a strong immune response that can lead to lung inflammation and damage. Our studies are aimed at determining whether AhR ligation leads to amelioration of ALI/ARDS by producing antimicrobial peptides (AMPs).
Methods: To investigate the potential role of AhR in regulation of the anti-microbial peptides, - and -Defensin 1 in ARDS, we employed indole-3-carbinol (I3C), an Ahr agonist and ingredient found in cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower in SEB-induced ARDS model. Whole-body plethysmography (WBP) was used to analyse the lung functions. Proinflammatory cytokines and histology were used to assess the severity of lung inflammation. Molecular assays including RNA sequencing (RNASeq), chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP), luciferase reporter activity, Western blotting, quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and immunohistochemistry were used to assess underlying mechanisms.
Results: Our analysis found that I3C was effective in treating ARDS as determined by whole-body plethysmography (WBP) which showed improvement in Breaths per minute, Index of constriction, Enhanced Pause, Minute volume and Tidal volume. Further, this improvement was accompanied by a decrease in inflammation as measured by lower levels of inflammatory cytokines in the serum (TNF-, IFN-, IL-6, and IL-2). RNASeq analysis demonstrated that I3C significantly boosted the mRNA levels of AhR and antimicrobial peptides such as - and β-defensin1 in alveolar epithelial cells, when compared to mice treated with vehicle (control) or SEB. Using luciferase reporter and ChIP assays, we identified that activation of dioxin response element (DRE)-3 in the promoter of AhR was critical in upregulation of -defensin 1 expression whereas DRE-1 and -2 were important for β-defensin 1. Further, AhR ligands failed to induce defensins and protect mice from ARDS when blocking AhR using AhR antagonist CH223191.
Conclusion: Our findings indicate that I3C protects against SEB-mediated lung damage via AhR-regulated antimicrobial peptide expression.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 202
|
| Akter, Fahmida |
Larson, Leila
Frongillo, Edward |
Impact of Prenatal Cash Transfers and Nutrition Intervention on Perinatal Maternal Attachment in Bangladesh
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Objective
Household and psychosocial conditions (e.g., food security, family relationship, maternal stress) can shape perinatal attachment, which is essential for children's cognitive and socio-emotional development. This study tested whether adding fortified foods or top-up cash to the Bangladesh government's standard Mother and Child Benefit Programme (MCBP), which targets critical drivers of attachment, improves maternal-fetal and maternal-infant attachment.
Methods
This cluster-randomized trial was conducted in six rural subdistricts in Bangladesh. We recruited 4,620 pregnant women in their second trimester who were MCBP-eligible (e.g., aged 20-35 y, from a poor household, and in their first or second pregnancy). The 144 study clusters (ward groups) were randomly assigned to one of three study arms: 1) Standard MCBP (~7.40 USD monthly cash transfer and nutrition education), 2) Standard MCBP + top-up cash of ~9.25 USD (during pregnancy), or 3) Standard MCBP + fortified foods (during pregnancy). Data were collected at the second pregnancy trimester (study enrolment), at the third trimester, and at two months postpartum. Maternal-fetal attachment was assessed in the third trimester using Prenatal Attachment Inventory. Maternal-infant attachment was assessed at two months postpartum using Postpartum Bonding Questionnaire. Intervention impact was estimated as the difference in mean scores between arms using cluster-adjusted mixed-effects regression. All analyses were intent to treat.
Results
At enrolment, socioeconomic and demographic characteristics were similar among study arms. In the third trimester, no differences in maternal-fetal attachment were found across arms. At two months postpartum, maternal-infant attachment was better in women who received food transfers during pregnancy than women in the standard MCBP arm (geometric mean ratio:1.35, 95% CI: 1.07-1.71, p=0.01). Intervention effects from food transfers were observed for each subscale of maternal-infant attachment, e.g., impaired bonding, infant-focused anxiety, and rejection. No effect occurred in the top-up cash arm.
Conclusions
Fortified foods with a base cash transfer during pregnancy can improve maternal-infant attachment. The lack of effect in the top-up cash arm could be related to cash being used by others and for purposes unrelated to maternal and infant health, warranting further research.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 69
|
| Yu, Louis |
Guimaraes, Edena |
Bridging Primary Care and Community Health: A Multi-faceted Approach to Hypertension Control Through Screening, Treatment Protocols and Produce Access Initiatives
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Background:
Prisma Health is South Carolina's largest healthcare organization. It sets clinical quality goals based on insurance contracts and community needs. Hypertension is a key focus for Primary Care Departments. The Prisma Health Family Medicine Center has focused on controlling hypertension for the past two years in an underserved, high-minority urban area with high rates of vascular disease.
Methods:
Using the American Heart Association’s MAP model (Measure Accurately, Act Rapidly, and Partner with Patients), we employed a driver diagram to identify interventions for better blood pressure control (below 140/90). Interventions included: (M) – nurses averaging three blood pressure readings if the initial was above 139/89; (A) – implementing a pharmacotherapy guideline for uncontrolled blood pressure; (P) – enrolling food-insecure or low-income patients in a produce voucher program. Monthly reports tracked progress: (M) – rate of repeated elevated blood pressures; (A) – blood pressure control rate at six weeks; (P) – number of enrolled patients and redeemed vouchers.
Results:
Compared to other Prisma Health primary care offices, at the end of 2 years, our office ranked in the top quartile for confirming elevated blood pressures and achieving target blood pressures within six weeks. The Food Voucher program served over 900 patients, with 2,483 vouchers redeemed. Our hypertension control rate has improved from 61.4% to 71.14%.
Conclusions:
In the context of a primary care residency clinic, in an urban underserved community, controlling hypertension at a practice level requires a multiprong approach. This approach needs to address physician and nurse inertia as well as patient social needs.
Public Health Implications
Chronic disease interventions are most effective when involving nurses, physicians, and patients. Protocols standardize hypertension control and address unconscious bias. Patient engagement improves with community partner connections. As value-based payments grow, healthcare systems must extend efforts beyond clinic walls
Data Source Utilized
Clinic aggregated data from the medical record, Epic. Food Insecurity Grant database.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 68
|
| Karmiel, Keren |
Hiott, Ambra |
Reflections on Leadership, History, and Perspective
View Full Text
Abstract Text
As a Political Science major, I have explored how historical context shapes leadership and our understanding of ourselves and others. In POLI 391 with Dr. Josef Olmert, I studied Middle Eastern political transformations and examined how historical forces influence governance and identity. A key assignment on post-Soviet Jewish migration to Israel connected political trends to my own family's experience, sharpening my research and analytical skills while deepening my awareness of how personal histories intersect with broader global narratives.
These insights shaped my role as a University 101 peer leader, where I encouraged students to explore different perspectives and reflect on their own backgrounds. Through discussions on current issues and a class trip to USC’s International Festival, students engaged with diverse viewpoints, gaining a deeper understanding of both themselves and others.
This experience reinforced my belief that leadership is about intellectual growth, self-awareness, and understanding how history informs our perspectives and interactions. My presentation will illustrate how my academic training has shaped my approach to leadership, emphasizing the importance of historical context in shaping individual and societal viewpoints.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 298
|
| Kartik, Janhvi |
Porcu, Alessandra |
Sex-Specific Effects of Chronic Light Cycle Disruption in the Medial Amygdala during Adolescence
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Light serves as a sensory stimulus that exerts profound influences on both brain circuits and behaviors. Chronic exposure to altered light environment has been linked to various health problems, including emotional disorders. The medial amygdala (MeA) is a sexually dimorphic
region regulating social behavior and directly receives light information from the retina. However, our understanding of sex differences in the light-induced response within the MeA remains elusive. In our study, we investigated sex-specific effects of chronic light cycle disruption in adolescent mice, focusing on social behavior and neuronal responses in the medial amygdala and target regions. To this aim, we implemented a recently developed light paradigm to mimic the light exposure patterns commonly observed in human adolescents. The model involved a prolonged light phase of 19 hours per day, with light exposure occurring during the biological night phase of the mice for 5 days per week. Adolescent mice, post-natal day 30, were exposed to either control conditions (12 hours of darkness and 12 hours of light) or light cycle disruption (LCD) (19 hours of LED light with a blue wavelength) for four weeks. Mice were tested for social behaviors while measuring MeA neuronal activity using fiber photometry. Brains were then processed to perform RNAscope and immunofluorescence analysis. We found that male adolescent mice exposed to LCD exhibited a reduction in social interactions compared to the control group and female mice. Fiber photometry analysis revealed an increase in somatostatin (SST) neuronal activity in the MeA during social interaction in male mice exposed to LCD compared to control. Sex-hormone receptor analysis showed a significant decrease in estrogen receptor expression in SST neurons in the MeA of male mice exposed to LCD. Using a viral tracing approach, we found that SST neurons in the MeA project to the Bed Nucleus of the Stria Terminalis (BNST), a brain region regulating social behavior. Moreover, we found a decrease in the activation of corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) neurons in the BNST following LCD exposure in male mice. Taken together, our data suggests the presence of sex-specific response to altered light environment regulating social behavior during adolescence.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 23
|
Goltermann-Hall, Danielle
Dickerson, Maggie |
Scott, A. Miles |
Improving breast cancer screening rates by targeting barriers to care
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Purpose: Breast cancer is the second most common cause of cancer related death in women. The 5-year relative survival rate in women diagnosed with localized breast cancer is 99% and drops to 31% in distant staged breast cancer, emphasizing the importance and significance of early detection.1 This work in progress will help to further investigate and target social determinants of health (SDOH) with a goal of increasing the breast cancer screenings in our population. Methods: Patients included in this project will be from our family medicine residency clinic in Columbia, SC who are due for a mammogram according to ACOG guidelines and will exclude patients with a history of abnormal mammogram or patients with a current or previous diagnosis of breast cancer. Demographic factors including age, race, ethnicity, zip code, insurance status and type as well as identified difficulty with or poor access to transportation via self-reported SDOH questionnaire will be collected within this patient population and compared to our general clinic population. Preliminary/Anticipated Results: We have identified 1,102 patients who are overdue for their breast cancer screening based on our study criteria. Our demographic and SDOH data have been organized and given to our data research analyst. On initial analysis of this group, 37% are at least at moderate risk for financial resource strain and approximately 17% have poor access to transportation. We hypothesize that breast cancer screening completion rates are negatively impacted by certain SDOH factors, specifically poor access to transportation. Conclusion: Ultimately, we hope the information gained from this study could allow us to better target various barriers to breast cancer screening to improve completion rates for populations at high risk of healthcare disparities which could help expand on services that provide mammography to patients in our community.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 168
|
| Satterfield, Anna |
Epps, Lauren |
Managing Student Exceptionalities
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Last summer, I worked as a counselor at a summer camp called Camp Smiles in Myrtle Beach. This summer camp is special, as it is specifically designed for children with disabilities. The camp accommodates a wide range of disabilities, predominately Down Syndrome and Cerebral Palsy. Camp Smiles is an inclusive place with the purpose of providing an engaging summer camp experience for children who may not normally get the opportunity to participate. Surrounded by local Special Education teachers and other professionals, parents feel safe bringing their children to camp knowing they will be in a fun and secure environment. At training, we received profiles of each camper, including their typical behavior, routine, triggers, medical needs, and other need-to-know information so that we could prepare for the first day of camp. Camp runs from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Thursday for a month during the summer and consists of four rotations: movement, art, music, and literacy. I worked in literacy, where we read stories with the kids and did activities related to language recognition and writing. Beyond that, I fed and changed kids, sat with those who required supervision and stimulation, helped them engage in activities, and dealt with health emergencies on occasion, all while providing kids with a memorable camp experience. As an individual entering the education field, I wanted to gain experience working with children of different abilities and play a part in giving them the summer they deserve. I learned more than I ever could have imagined. I learned about how various disabilities impact children’s day-to-day lives, as well as their families, how to accommodate certain needs, and the importance of not allowing an individual’s disability to define them. If people take anything away from my project, let it be that children with disabilities are capable, and it is crucial that we provide them with the support necessary to thrive.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 267
|
| Bumbrey, Kennedy |
Easley, Elizabeth
Sellhorst, Sarah |
Associations Among Moderate to Vigorous Physical Activity, Handgrip Strength, and Fat Free Mass Index
View Full Text
Abstract Text
BACKGROUND: Fat free mass index (FFMI) has been proposed as an accurate measure of body composition to be used as a standard for muscle mass. Influences in determining muscle mass are a person’s physical activity levels and their overall body strength. The purpose of this study was to determine if associations exist among moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA), handgrip strength, and FFMI in female NJCAA athletes. METHODS: Thirteen female NJCAA student athletes from a rural 2-year commuter campus were recruited to participate in this study. Anthropometric measures (height, weight, circumferences) were recorded, and handgrip strength was assessed (Jamar dynamometer). Tetrapolar Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (RJL Systems Quantum X) was used to assess body composition. Participants were asked to wear a GT3X ActiGraph accelerometer during waking hours for 7 days, excluding sleeping, swimming, or bathing. Pearson r correlational analyses were used to determine possible associations among MVPA, handgrip strength, and FFMI. Significance was set at p<0.05. RESULTS: A correlational analysis was performed between FFMI, MVPA, and handgrip strength. No statistically significant correlation was found between handgrip strength and FFMI, r(12)=0.111, p=0.718 or between FFMI and MVPA, r(12)=0.514, p=0.072. DISCUSSION: A moderately strong relationship between FFMI and MVPA, although not significant, was found in this population. The data showed that while the minimums for MVPA were met, the minimum standard for a recommended FFMI were not met. This indicates that college age women, athletic or not, would benefit from higher levels of strength training. Previous studies have reported no relationship between FFMI and MVPA in non-athletic adult women. However, our lack of significance between these two variables is most likely due to a relatively small sample size.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 119
|
| Cuddy, Annabel |
Easley, Elizabeth
Sellhorst, Sarah |
Seasonal Variation in Female Collegiate Athletes with Physical and Sedentary Activity
View Full Text
Abstract Text
BACKGROUND: Physical activity (PA) is generally accepted to improve cardiovascular health. One measure of PA is how many steps are taken per day, with 8,000-10,000 steps/day being the goal and less than 5000 steps/day being considered sedentary. Sedentary behavior (SB) can increase the likelihood of risks and have negative impacts on overall health. The purpose of this study was to examine differences in daily average steps and measured sedentary time in NJCAA female student-athletes during the competitive season and off-season. METHODS: Ten NJCAA female student-athletes at a two-year university participated in this study during the competitive season and off-season. The student-athletes wore a GT3X ActiGraph accelerometer for seven days. Steps and measured SB were averaged to give a daily value. Paired t-tests were used to determine if differences existed between the competitive season and off-season. The level of significance was set at p<0.05. RESULTS: There was a significant difference in the average steps between the competitive season (8085.63 ± 2142.09), and off-season (6371.96 ± 1867.16), p =0.011. No significant difference was found in measured SB between the competitive season and the off-season (535.11 ± 89.4 min/day vs. 504.59 ± 114.14 min/day) p=0.360. CONCLUSIONS: Although average daily steps were lower in off-season compared to competitive season, both averages were above the sedentary cut-off value. There was very little difference in measured SB between the two seasons. Previous studies support these findings by demonstrating that individuals who are considered active can also have high amounts of SB. Due to the preliminary nature of this multi-year investigation, the primary limitation of this study is the relatively small sample size. This should serve as a reminder for athletes to remain physically active to reap the health benefits during the off-season.
Supported by the Research and Productive Scholarship Grant
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 104
|
| Saxon, James |
DeLaurier, April |
Determining the Role of tbx5a and tbx5B in Development of Zebrafish
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Holt-Oram syndrome is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by anterior appendage, cardiac, and ocular deformities. The syndrome is caused by a mutation in the tbx5 gene in humans. Zebrafish have two copies of the gene, tbx5a and tbx5b genes. Both tbx5a and tbx5b function in the development of the embryonic eye, pectoral fins, and heart of zebrafish. Zebrafish have been chosen to study this disorder for several studies due to zebrafish mutant similarities to the human Holt-Oram syndrome, as well as easy embryo accessibility.
The goal of this study is to determine whether tbx5b has a distinct function in zebrafish tissue development compared to tbx5a.
We genotyped each fish using tbx5b Sfol RE digest PCR strategy with CNH. A tbx5a heterozygous tbx5b homozygous mutant female was breed with a tbx5a heterozygous tbx5b heterozygous male. We then scored the offspring for phenotype and are currently genotyping each fish. 39 adult fish have been sorted into 8 tanks by genotype. Skeletal preparation genotyping results so far (tbx5a/tbx5b): WT/Het (n=10), WT/Mut (n=10), Het/Het (n=1), and Mut/Het (n=4).
Four phenotypes have been observed so far, one of which being wild type. One phenotype has slight edema and the loss of pectoral fins. The next phenotype did not lose their pectoral fins but has severe edema and small cartilage. The final phenotype has extremely severe edema, small cartilage, and the loss of pectoral fins. Further genotyping is needed before a conclusion can be made.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 210
|
| Rudisell, Emily |
Brackett, Emily
Ellison, Carrie
Suber, Devon |
Opioid Prescribing Habits in a High-Risk Patient Population
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Background: Pain-related hospital admissions are prevalent in the United States, and in 2016, the CDC released guidelines to assist clinicians with opioid prescribing at discharge. Patients aged ≥ 65 years are particularly vulnerable to inadequate pain control and adverse effects, including dizziness, drowsiness, and constipation. The presence of non-opioid alternatives on the BEERs list further complicates pain management. The CDC recommends the lowest effective opioid dose, with reassessment for doses >50 morphine milliequivalents per day. Prisma Health lacks a discharge opioid protocol, prompting this study to evaluate prescribing patterns in opioid-naïve geriatric patients.
Methods: This retrospective cohort study included patients aged ≥65 years admitted to Prisma Health Richland between January 1, 2024, and August 1, 2024. Eligibility required inpatient admission and an inpatient order for at least 1 opioid for ≥24 hours. The primary objective was to quantify morphine milliequivalents (MMEs) prescribed at discharge. Secondary objectives included comparing inpatient opioid use with discharge regimens, identifying overdose risk factors based on high-risk medications and conditions, evaluating prescribing patterns by provider group, assessing length of therapy, 30-day readmission for opioid adverse reactions, as well as the impact of discharge disposition on MMEs. Statistical analysis will involve one-sample t-tests, Wilcoxon signed-rank tests, paired t-tests, chi-square, and Fisher’s exact tests.
Results: In progress
Conclusion: In progress
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 151
|
| Pray, Kayla |
Baliko, Beverly
Dawson, Robin |
Efficacy Of, and Barriers To, Treatment Options for PANS/PANDAS
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Background: PANS/PANDAS are pediatric autoimmune disorders that cause an acute-onset of OCD-like symptoms and/or severe restricted eating, as well as anxiety, irritation, deterioration of fine motor skills, hyperactivity, and other psychiatric symptoms. An estimated 1-2% of the pediatric population is affected. Currently, there is little research published on the treatment options for PANS/PANDAS and there is no evidence-based consensus on the best treatment option.
Purpose: This study aimed to discover the efficacy of, and barriers to, available treatment options for PANS/PANDAS.
Methods: A convenience sample of individuals diagnosed with PANS/PANDAS or their parent/caregiver was recruited anonymously through Facebook support groups. Participants completed an 18-item researcher-developed survey via REDCap© and optional open-ended responses to allow elaboration. Items included non-identifying demographic information and questions related to diagnosis, treatment, co-occurring disorders, and barriers to care. Descriptive data were obtained using REDCap© and narrative responses were categorized and analyzed in the context of the descriptive findings.
Results: There were a total of 90 responses. The majority of participants utilized antibiotics or NSAIDs as their primary treatment option. However, many participants were interested in trying IVIG or homeopathy. The most common challenges to finding care were a lack of psychiatric providers in a participant’s area, a lack of provider knowledge about PANS/PANDAS, and a lack of financial means to access treatment. Both rural and urban responders stated similar challenges to finding treatment. However, rural residents in this sample experienced fewer delays in diagnosis and treatment initiation.
Conclusions/Implications: More research is needed to establish an evidence base related to prevalence, diagnosis, and treatment of PANS/PANDAS, with a goal of future inclusion in the DSM. Content related to PANS/PANDAS should be incorporated in healthcare provider programs to raise awareness of these disorders and facilitate timely diagnosis and treatment.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 133
|
| Alberts, Halley |
Brown, Heather |
Barriers to Routine Use of Fascia Iliaca Blocks for Pain Management: A Comparison Between a Resource-Rich and a Resource-Limited Setting
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Background:
Parenteral pain medications are the primary treatment for pain in the emergency department (ED), but they carry disadvantages such as respiratory depression, over-sedation, drug interactions, and risk of addiction. Ultrasound-guided regional nerve blocks (UGRNBs), specifically the fascia iliaca (FI) block for proximal femur fractures, offer a safe and effective alternative. This study examines barriers to routinely implementing FI blocks for proximal femur fractures at two tertiary care centers with differing resources.
Methods:
Thirty-nine emergency medicine residents at a high-resource US tertiary care center and 25 residents from various specialties (including EM, anesthesia, surgery, orthopedics, family medicine, radiology, and internal medicine) at a resource-constrained center in Malawi received training in UGRNBs, with an emphasis on FI blocks. Twelve months after the training, participants completed a survey—electronically at the US site and via paper in Malawi—that combined yes/no, open-ended, and 5-point Likert scale questions.
Results:
Survey response rates were 87% (34/39) in the US and 28% (7/25) in Malawi. Nearly all participants agreed that FI blocks were useful and improved patient care (median rating: 4/5). A majority felt confident performing the procedure (68% of US residents and 100% of Malawian residents). Despite this confidence, most had not performed an FI block in the preceding year (62% in the US and 57% in Malawi). US residents reported that they “rarely” considered but did not perform an FI block (median response: 2), whereas Malawian residents reported “sometimes” (median response: 3). For US residents, the primary reason for not performing a block was that patients’ pain was already well-controlled (27%), followed by time restrictions (19%) and patient comorbidities (19%). Malawian residents equally cited time restraints, equipment unavailability, and lack of supervision (each 33%) as barriers.
Conclusion:
Although FI blocks are recognized as useful and are performed with confidence, their infrequent use suggests that specific, tailored approaches are needed to overcome local barriers. Time constraints, resource limitations, and procedural prioritization issues may hinder the adoption of UGRNBs as a primary pain management modality in the ED.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 152
|
| Sharma, Shreya |
Duncan, Alexander |
Amitsur Subgroup of Fano threefolds
View Full Text
Abstract Text
The Amitsur subgroup of a smooth Fano G-variety measures the obstruction to G-linearization of line bundles on it. It is an equivariant birational invariant. The Amitsur subgroup of such varieties has been studied in cases of dimensions 1 and 2 in algebraically closed setting. A natural next step is to classify it for Fano varieties of dimension 3. In this poster presentation, we discuss the background for the problem and the recently made progress on Amitsur subgroup of smooth Fano threefolds.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 19
|
| Quigley, Gianna |
Toll, Kathy |
Predicting the population genetic structure of monkeyflower populations across an environmental gradient.
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Mimulus guttatus (syn. Erythranthe guttata) is a species of the yellow monkeyflower found along the West Coast of North America. Populations of coastal Mimulus guttatus have been observed to exhibit drastically different phenotypes from their protected counterparts. The coastal ecotype, thought to be exposed to increased salt spray, shows a significant reduction in height compared to protected populations. This phenotypic difference is observed among subpopulations across both similar and varying latitudes. While this is thought to be a result of local adaption, there is an ongoing analysis of the evolutionary forces contributing to this differentiation. We aim to test whether this divergence is driven by decreased gene flow, allowing populations to differentiate through genetic drift and selection. The null hypothesis states that these populations are experiencing regular gene flow, leading to genetic homogenization. To gain insight into the ecological interactions occurring among these subpopulations of monkey flowers, we performed a series of DNA extractions to conduct genotypic analyses. This genotypic data will allow us to apply allele frequency models, such as the fixation index (Fst), which measures genetic differentiation between populations. A high Fst value indicates limited gene flow and high differentiation. To reject the null hypothesis, we expect to observe a high FST value. This research will help us understand the role of gene flow, selection, and genetic drift in shaping the ecological and evolutionary dynamics of Mimulus guttatus populations.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 107
|
| Krompecher, Annie |
Dunn, Brianne
Blake, Elizabeth |
Evaluating Interprofessional Education Practices at USC: A Comprehensive Assessment Using the IPEC Institutional Assessment Instrument
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Objective: To evaluate the implementation and effectiveness of interprofessional education (IPE) practices at the University of South Carolina (USC) using the IPEC Institutional Assessment Instrument, with particular focus on institutional infrastructure, faculty engagement, and programmatic outcomes.
Methods: A survey incorporating the IPEC Institutional Assessment Instrument was distributed to faculty, staff and administrators across health science programs at USC. The survey included quantitative Likert-scale questions and qualitative open-ended responses addressing organizational structure, leadership commitment, resource allocation, faculty development, and curriculum integration.
Results: Analysis of responses (n=35) revealed that while most respondents (81.1%) were actively involved in IPE activities, significant variability existed in understanding of institutional structure, with 31.4% agreeing USC had a formal IPE organization, while 34.3% disagreed and 34.3% were unsure. Most faculty (62.9-77.1%) reported limited engagement in IPE research, presentations, and publications. Areas demonstrating strength included commitment to IPE competencies development (42.9%) and variety of IPE activities (57.2% reporting moderate to large extent). Faculty identified challenges in budget management, with 66.7% indicating insufficient centralized financial support for IPE initiatives. Additionally, only 20.6% agreed that formal teaching evaluations existed for IPE facilitation. Notably, 68.6% of respondents indicated moderate to large extent of commitment to advancing interprofessional collaboration in USCs mission and goals, though implementation varied across programs.
Conclusions: These findings provide evidence-based direction for strengthening USCs IPE infrastructure, guiding strategic planning, and enhancing curricular integration. Priority areas for improvement include establishing clearer organizational structure, increasing dedicated resources, expanding faculty development opportunities, and creating comprehensive approaches to IPE implementation across health professions programs.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 55
|
| Bostick, Charlotte |
DeWeil, David |
Achieving student success by ensuring basic needs are met
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Serving as a volunteer with the Gamecock CommUnity Shop placed value on my time as a Gamecock. Transitioning from a Unity Pal to a member of the Executive Board, being both the Volunteer Coordinator and Executive Director, has allowed me to be a vocal advocate for USC’s basic needs resource. As Executive Director, I leverage partnerships with both on- and off-campus resources, facilitate meetings amongst volunteers and our executive board, and picking up donations to restock our shelves. I initially got involved with the Unity Shop thanks to my roommate who was actively a Unity Pal. I realized that this would a great chance for me to give back to the community that had given so much to me, and provide me with a different perspective of my student experience. Through this experience, I have learned about the systemic issues regarding basic need insecurity, as well as beginnings of solutions to them. Before my time with the CommUnity Shop, I was aware that basic need insecurity was a problem, however I didn’t know the extent to which it can affect individuals. I realized that without having basic needs met, students cannot be successful students. I understand now that there is more to achieving student success than just studying hard, rather all students must feel safe and secure in which the environment they are living and learning in. It is important that community members, including members of the Gamecock Community, are aware of how they can help one another succeed. As I look forward into a career of Human Resources, I am able to apply the knowledge I’ve learned from the past three years with the Unity Shop, as well as my public health background. I am able to understand the needs of employees, and know what they need to succeed in the workplace. The skills I’ve learned from this experience will translate into the beginnings of a successful career and life.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 212
|
| Korunova, Elizaveta |
Shtutman, Michael |
Single-particle tracking provides new insight in structure of mammalian stress granules
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Stress granules (SGs) are non-membrane-bound assemblies of RNA and proteins crucial for stress responses. They form in reaction to stressors such as temperature fluctuations, oxidative stress, endoplasmic reticulum stress, and nutrient deprivation. Impairments in SG formation are observed in cancer, neurodegeneration, and chronic stress conditions. However, describing SGs' physical properties is challenging due to their dynamic nature. To locally characterize the structure of SGs and analyze their influence on the cellular environment from the perspective of macromolecules, we applied a novel tool, 40-nm Genetically Encoded Nanoparticles (GEMs), developed by Delarue et al. (2018), for single-particle tracking (SPT) in mammalian U2OS sarcoma cells. Firstly, we characterized the microrheological properties of the cytoplasm in U2OS cells expressing GEMs by extracting diffusion coefficients and types of motion. We found that GEMs exhibited movement close to Brownian, which is consistent with other studies on U2OS cells using GEMs. This indicates that the cytoskeleton of U2OS cells creates a larger mesh for 40-nm macromolecules compared to other mammalian cell lines. Secondly, using U2OS cells expressing the core component of stress granules, G3BP1, bound to the mCherry fluorescent protein, and GEMs, we performed live imaging both before and after SG formation to collect ultra-fast SPT data using resonance confocal scanning mode based on low-noise SilVIR photodetectors. Higher spatial resolution imaging was achieved through TrueSight super-resolution technology. As a result, we found GEMs intercalating into SGs. Moreover, the extraction of diffusion coefficients from SPT data revealed that while SG formation decreases the diffusion of GEMs, GEMs exhibited two types of behavior near stress granules: a) bouncing on the boundaries of SGs and b) entering SGs and moving inside with the possibility of exiting. In summary, these data suggest that SGs form a heterogeneous mesh through which macromolecules up to 40 nm in size can diffuse. This raises interesting questions about how SG formation changes the diffusivity of macromolecules of different sizes around and inside SGs and affects enzymatic reaction rates in SGs, such as RNA modification.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 4
|
| Capell, William |
Tori, Marco
Humphrey, Mark |
HIV PrEP Awareness and Barriers to Uptake: Insights from College Campuses Across South Carolina, 2024
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Introduction:
Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) prevents HIV infection, but use remains low in the Southern US, especially in young adults and racial/ethnic minorities where HIV incidence is disproportionately high. These factors position college students as a key group for HIV prevention. Our study explores PrEP awareness, uptake, and HIV infection risk among students attending free HIV testing events at South Carolina college campuses.
Methods:
We administered a 17-item survey at twenty higher education campuses, including all eight Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). We analyzed responses descriptively to understand participant demographics, HIV risk behaviors, perceived risk, PrEP awareness, barriers to uptake, service delivery preferences, and prior PrEP use.
Results:
We received 174 survey responses. Approximately 65% of respondents were women, 81% were aged 18-22, 71% were Black/African American, and 72% identified as heterosexual. 50% of respondents had prior knowledge of PrEP, most commonly from friends or social networks (29%), medical providers (24%), and school (22%), yet only 2% reported current use. Most respondents perceived themselves at “no” or “low risk” for HIV infection, including 86% of those with inconsistent condom use and 80% of those with a recent sexually transmitted infection (STI). The most frequently cited barriers to PrEP use were low perceived risk (70%), lack of knowledge (62%), uncertainty about how or where to get PrEP (35%), and cost concerns (27%). Participants most often selected primary care providers (48%) or university health centers (39%) for initial PrEP services. Non-heterosexual men had higher PrEP awareness (92% vs. 47%) and uptake (10% vs. 2%) compared to their peers, however overall risk perception and use remained low in this group.
Conclusions:
We identified low PrEP awareness and use among college students engaging with HIV testing events. Several barriers contributed to low uptake, including misaligned perception of HIV risk with behaviors. Although non-heterosexual men had greater PrEP awareness than their peers, uptake remained low, reinforcing the need for targeted interventions for this high-priority group. These findings highlight key opportunities to integrate PrEP education and services into trusted healthcare settings, such as primary care providers and university health centers.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 160
|
| Vignieri, Emily |
Ellermann, Melissa |
Exploring how the Transcriptional Factor FadR regulates Flagellar Function in Adherent Invasive Escherichia coli (AIEC)
View Full Text
Abstract Text
AIEC are gut opportunistic pathogens associated with Crohn’s Disease. One important factor that contributes to AIEC mucosal colonization and virulence is their flagellum, which facilitates movement through mucus and adherence to epithelial cells. Previous work in our lab identified FadR as a putative regulator of flagellar motility and virulence in AIEC. FadR is a lipid-responsive transcription factor that regulates fatty acid metabolism, but has no established role in flagellar regulation in E. coli. Nonetheless, we found that deletion of fadR significantly decreased motility in AIEC. Moreover, fadR deficiency attenuated AIEC gut colonization in a mouse model of Crohn’s disease, which corresponded with decreased inflammation. To establish how FadR regulates flagellar function, we first determined whether flagella-associated genes are transcriptionally dysregulated in the fadR-deficient mutant. Flagellar biosynthesis and motility are regulated by a complex hierarchal cascade of genes: Class I genes include master flagellar transcriptional regulator FlhDC. Class II genes encode structural and assembly proteins for the hook-basal body of the flagellum motor. Class III genes encode structural components of flagella and regulate flagellar function. Despite its reduced motility, Class I and II genes (flhD, fliA, flgM, ycgR, flgB) were significantly upregulated in the fadR-deficient mutant compared to the parental strain. Notably, expression of fliA, which encodes sigma factor 28 specific for flagellar-related genes, was increased 15-fold in the fadR-deficient mutant. Deletion of FlgM, an anti-sigma factor that inhibits FliA-dependent activation of Class II and III genes, restored motility to parental levels in the fadR-deficient mutant, suggesting that the flagellum apparatus is functional in this mutant. Together, our findings suggest that FadR may repress inhibitory signals within the flagellar regulatory cascade to enhance motility in AIEC. Overall, this work seeks to broaden our understanding regarding how metabolic regulators influence flagellar function to impact AIEC mucosal colonization and virulence in the gut.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 2
|
| Stovall, Jordan |
Gaffney, Mary |
Parental Awareness of Signs and Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder in Adolesence
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Bipolar disorder is a mental health disability which causes major alterations in a person’s mood, attentiveness and overall stamina regarding day-to-day activities (National Institute of Mental Health, 2024). When a person with bipolar disorders daily functioning is disrupted, it is referred to as a mood episode. When a mood episode is transpiring, intense swings from extreme mania to severe depression occur. Bipolar disorder greatly affects an individual’s relationship with others as it disrupts the established flow of daily life, leaving those afflicted distressed and in dismay (American Psyciatric Association, 2024). Although it is unclear as to why, 65.3 percent of people with bipolar display the first signs of the disease before the age of 18, however treatment is not usually sought out until much later in life (Liu et al., 2022). The average age for an individual to be diagnosed with bipolar disorder is 25, with symptoms occurring as early as 13 years of age. Bipolar disorder in teens is often commonly misdiagnosed or prematurely diagnosed as anxiety, depression or in extreme cases, borderline personality disorder (Ponte, 2022). The primary objective of this research is to evaluate the level of parental awareness of the signs and symptoms of bipolar disorder in adolescents. Parents will be recruited from "Grown and Flown Parents," a Facebook group for over 290,000 parents of children who have left the home for college. A Microsoft Forms survey will be posted on the group page for parents to voluntarily complete. The survey will include scenarios that could be considered normal teenage behavior, bipolar disorder behavior, or behaviors associated with other mental health disorders. Data collected from this survey will be used to identify parental knowledge gaps that could support targeted education to facilitate earlier detection and treatment of bipolar disorder.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 148
|
| Kennedy, Jonathan |
Moran, Michael |
Thomas Addison and Teaching of Adrenal Gland Function
View Full Text
Abstract Text
INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Thomas Addison (1793-1860) is one of those immortals of medical history that sadly gets lost in the modern era. His contributions to our understanding of the adrenal glands were titanic. In 1849 he reported a strange cluster of symptoms with profound changes in skin pigmentation.
METHODS: A review of all writings by and about Thomas Addison were sought. We were interested in his work on the adrenal glands, which he called suprarenal capsules. All biographical materials were likewise sought and read.
RESULTS: Eustachius first described the adrenal glands in 1563, and Cuvier recognized that the gland is easily divided into a cortex and medulla in 1800. Thomas Addison first gleaned of the function of the adrenal glands when he described in methodical detail cases with hyperpigmentation and death associated with disease of both glands in 1849. In 1855 Addison published his classical work, “On the Constitutional and Local Effects of Disease of the Suprarenal Capsule.” This landmark paper, renowned for its clarity and observational rigor, detailed eleven cases where he identified pathological changes in the suprarenal glands.
CONCLUSIONS: Thomas Addison's contributions to medicine, particularly his pioneering work on adrenal insufficiency, have left an indelible mark on the field. He adored the medical students at Guy’s Hospital and was a devoted internist. Although the precise function of the adrenal gland was not known to him, Addison recognized its importance and its association with hyperpigmentation. Armand Trousseau (1801-1867) called the syndrome Addison’s Disease in 1856. Addison broke down in 1860 and retired to Brighton. There he tragically committed suicide by jumping off a ledge, fracturing his skull. Despite the personal struggles and criticisms, he faced during his lifetime, Addison's meticulous research and keen observational skills paved the way for future advancements in understanding adrenal diseases and anemia. Addison’s legacy is a testament to his dedication and perseverance, and his name endures in the annals of medicine as a symbol of the relentless pursuit of knowledge in the face of adversity.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 113
|
| Shablenko, Volodymyr |
Bazaliy, Yaroslaw |
Magnetization dynamics due to spin-transfer torque in half-metallic multilayers
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Study of spin-transfer torque in half-metallic interface showed significantly different out-of-plane torque compared to traditional ferromagnetic exchange. These effects lead to dramatic changes in magnetization dynamics of the system. In this work we study the behavior of magnetization of half-metallic multilayers using Landau-Lifshitz-Gilbert-Slonczewski equation. The combination of anisotropy with out-of-plane torque and Gilbert’s damping with in-plane spin transfer torque affects precession and switching of magnetization of the system.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 31
|
| Felipe, Ariana |
Kozlik, Lauren |
The Impact of Mentorship Through the MAPP Program
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Mentorship serves as an important method for developing both personal and professional skills while promoting leadership qualities and community participation alongside with accountability. Through my work as a MAPP (Multicultural Assistance Peer Program) mentor I supported first-year students from underrepresented backgrounds to help them adjust to college life. I provided academic resources and emotional support combined with guidance to mentees which helped them feel connected and empowered in their new environment at the University of South Carolina. Weekly/biweekly check-ins allowed me to support my mentees in their academic goal setting while helping them find campus resources and build effective time management practices. I led group and individual discussions on cultural identity, networking and career development topics while building an inclusive and supportive community. In addition to their academic and professional advancement I promoted personal development by building resilience and confidence while teaching adaptability. My leadership abilities benefited greatly from this experience, which improved my ability to communicate effectively while strengthening my problem-solving skills and emotional intelligence. My mentorship approach evolved to meet each mentee's specific requirements which enabled me to provide them with tailored guidance that was both personal and impactful. My understanding of the difficulties encountered by first-semester students in higher education strengthened my dedication to promoting advocacy and inclusivity. Serving as a MAPP mentor proved to me how vital mentorship is in building student success and a sense of belonging. The experience enhanced my personal and professional development and prepared me with essential skills for upcoming leadership positions. This mentoring position enabled me to support students through their academic paths while expanding my knowledge about how mentorship drives transformative empowerment.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 292
|
| Wayne, Rachel |
Mustain, William |
Design and Analysis of a Selective Osmosis Driven Seawater Electrolyzer for Sustainable Hydrogen Production
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Today, hydrogen is used in a number of industries that are important for economic prosperity, including manufacturing, chemical production, and agriculture. It is produced primarily via steam reforming of methane, which is very energy intensive and consumes a valuable natural resource, natural gas. An alternative, environmentally friendly approach is to produce the hydrogen using renewable electricity through a process known as water electrolysis. The molecular ratio of water and hydrogen requires 9 kg of water to produce 1 kg of hydrogen, which can be a burden on the limited fresh water available in some parts of the nation and the world for residential and agricultural use. Seawater is abundant and a much better water source; however, the direct oxidation of seawater is affected by halogenated competitive reactions, alkaline earth deposition, and electrode corrosion – limiting the electrolyzer's long-time durability and increasing the hydrogen costs. Current techniques focused on designing corrosion resistant electrodes and electrolyte engineering are still far from practical applications. Therefore, this project sought to overcome the issues of direct seawater oxidation through the design of an osmotically driven seawater electrolyzer cell (ODEC). The proposed design operates on the principle of placing concentrated potassium hydroxide (KOH) and seawater (NaCl) on opposite sides of a membrane to create a vapor pressure difference that allows fresh water to transport without the need of external energy. The successful operating principles of the ODEC were demonstrated with membranes of various thicknesses and physical properties. The water and ion flux were both tested and the cell performance was quantified.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 65
|
Deese, Sarai
Roger, Zoe |
Edmunds, Sarah
Wedderburn, Quentin |
Mixed Method Assessment of Proximal Implementation Outcomes across Service Settings for Caregiver Implemented Reciprocal Imitation Training (CI-RIT)
View Full Text
Abstract Text
IDEA Part C requires early interventionists (EIs) to use evidence-based interventions (EBIs) with families of developmentally delayed birth-to-3-year-olds, including autistic children, in “natural” environments (i.e., home or daycare). Whether an EBI is perceived as feasible, acceptable, and appropriate (FAA) may affect its system-wide implementation and ultimately, child outcomes (Proctor et al., 2011).
South Carolina EIs received training in an EBI called Caregiver-Implemented Reciprocal Imitation Training (CI-RIT) that targets social communication. Because CI-RIT is parent-mediated, delivery in community-based settings (e.g. daycares) could introduce unexpected barriers.
Despite seeing about 1/3 of their caseload in out-of-home settings (M=27.240%, SD=19.591), providers’ perceptions of CI-RIT’s FAA did not vary by the proportion of their caseloads they served in daycares vs. homes (Wedderburn et al., 2024). It is unclear whether these perceptions remained stable after further use of the intervention.
This study builds on prior quantitative findings and qualitatively examines providers’ perspectives on CI-RIT FAA depending on caseload characteristics and provider experiences after time spent using CI-RIT.
We employed a convergent mixed methods analytic approach (qual–quant) by combining quantitative pre- and post-survey data (n=44) from CI-RIT training with qualitative interviews (n=5) collected 4-7 months later to explore the relationships between FAA and service settings. A rapid coding analysis process was used to create a data matrix of quotes about this relationship. Thematic analysis of overall and subthemes were extracted deductively. Themes were compared with quantitative ratings of FAA to assess how overarching opinions on FAA may have changed over time and with use of CI-RIT.
While initial perceptions of CI-RIT were positive across settings, our findings several months later revealed emerging challenges in non-home environments regarding fidelity, balancing priorities among multiple children, children with multiple developmental concerns, and caregivers being hesitant/unwilling to participate actively in sessions. Despite this, CI-RIT continued to be perceived as an effective intervention for teaching imitation skills. Future implementation of CI-RIT should provide enhanced support, clarified caregiver roles, adaptation options to involve other children, and an evaluation process for caregiver engagement. Addressing these barriers may further enhance the effectiveness of CI-RIT to benefit all children.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 155
|
| Shah, Nupur |
Derrick, Maureen |
Bridging Technology and Business: Insights from My Consulting Internship
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Over the summer, I worked as a Cloud & Digital intern in the Salesforce practice of PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC). PwC is one of the big four accounting and consulting firms. The Salesforce practice implements digital solutions backed by the Salesforce software to solve technical problems related to the workflow of different organizations. I and my project team performed workflow automation for a Fortune 500 apparel & footwear brand. I received hands-on experience of the project management lifecycle and a deeper understanding of crucial concepts of the Agile methodology. I utilized my knowledge of different technological tools and business case concepts during the job such as Smartsheets, JIRA, Confluence, etc which are commonly used in the Project management industry. In addition to this, I witnessed the proposal creation of the project, the design phase and the planning of the build. Throughout the process, I had the opportunity to collaborate with the client, on-shore & off-shore project team and other stakeholders. I developed a persona metrics which defined the role responsibilities of different professionals of the client company and an access control document by gathering user requirements with my on-shore(US based) team. We passed on the requirements to the off-shore development team. As an Information Technology major and Business Administration minor, I closely worked on the PwC professional framework by using my technical and business acumen in the job and creating meaningful relationships with professionals around the globe through multiple coffee chats and networking opportunities during this internship. I also faced some professionally growing challenges like the ambiguity and scope creep of the consulting world which could be dealt with a constantly learning attitude and absorbing the knowledge around us as a sponge. This internship gave me lifelong learnings and showed me a clear path for my career being in the Consulting industry upon graduation, which has been helpful in my pathway to Graduation with Leadership Distinction in Professional and Civic Engagement.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 268
|
| Bhan, Ashita |
Porcu, Alessandra |
Exposure to chronic light cycle disruption impairs memory and hippocampus in adolescent mice.
View Full Text
Abstract Text
More than 80% of the global population experiences light-polluted skies, with China, India, and the United States ranking among the top three affected countries. Recent studies have linked these altered light environments to increased cognitive impairments in both adolescents and adults. The hippocampus, particularly the dentate gyrus (DG), plays a pivotal role in memory and also serves as a subordinate circadian oscillator. Over 10% of genes and proteins in this region exhibit circadian fluctuations and are associated with changes in synaptic and neuronal excitability. However, the impact of altered light environments of the DG during adolescence remains largely unexplored. To start addressing this gap, we exposed adolescent mice to either a light cycle disruption (LCD) paradigm involving 19 hours of light and 5 hours of darkness (19L:5D) for 5 days, followed by 12 hours of light and 12 hours of darkness (12L:12D) for 2 days, over a 4-week period or to a control condition of consistent 12L:12D for 7 days. In this model, adolescent mice were exposed to LED light during the dark phase, thereby extending light exposure for 5 out of 7 days. Subsequently, mice underwent novel-object recognition (NOR) test, and their brains were processed for circadian rhythms analysis and neurogenesis. We found that mice exposed to LCD exhibited reduced exploration time with the novel object and increased exploration time with the familiar object compared to the control group. Furthermore, we observed a phase advance in neuronal activity rhythms within the granule layer of the DG, along with changes in doublecortin expression, a marker for neurogenesis, indicating neuronal network alterations induced by aberrant light exposure. Given that G-protein coupled inwardly rectifying (GIRK) regulates neuronal activity rhythm in the DG, we also analyzed GIRK expression patterns at 4 different time points in mice exposed to LCD and control condition. Our data suggests that LCD may impair memory through alterations in neuronal physiology and activity in the DG. Further exploration of the molecular mechanisms regulating memory deficits induced by aberrant light exposure holds promising avenues for developing targeted interventions to mitigate the cognitive impairments associated with disrupted light environments.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 3
|
| Chaudhry, Eman |
Morris, Caleb |
Supplementing Knowledge as a Supplemental Instruction Leader
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Supplemental Instruction (SI) gives students the resources to practice what they learned in their classes. The ultimate goal is for them to develop study strategies that they will carry with them for the rest of their college careers. I have been an SI leader since my sophomore year, leading three weekly sessions to tutor students in general chemistry. When I first attended USC, I had heard horror stories about students who had failed certain subjects their freshman year, chemistry being one of them. My first chemistry exam was coming up, so I started attending the SI sessions to help prepare. The concepts that had previously eluded me were starting to make sense, and I felt prepared to take my first exam. To my excitement, I made 100%, which I could not have done without the support I received. I wanted to help out students like my SI leader helped me, so I signed up to be one. Being an SI leader has improved my communication and public speaking skills, especially when breaking down complex concepts into easier-to-understand ideas. I also learned to adapt to different students’ learning styles and ensure they understood the material, which helped me to become more confident. I am excited to continue using my skills after I graduate, especially when it comes to collaborating with others and presenting my ideas.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 320
|
| Katragadda, Mounica |
Mann, Emily
Broussard, Kathleen |
Shifting Signals: Parental Influences on Contraceptive Autonomy among Adolescents in the Southern United States
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Research on contraceptive coercion among adolescent and young adult (AYA) women in the United States focuses primarily on clinicians and male sexual partners. Less recognized is how parents may limit their daughters’ autonomy to decide when and if to initiate or discontinue prescription-based contraception and to use their preferred method. This study used thematic content analysis of interviews conducted with 46 AYA women regarding their parents’ efforts to control their contraceptive decision-making and use. Our analysis revealed that participants’ parents constrained their contraceptive autonomy in two ways: either by instructing them to not use prescription contraception or by pressuring them to use certain prescription contraceptive methods. Parents who tried to prohibit their daughters’ prescription contraceptive use appeared to be influenced by misinformation about hormonal contraception and stigma surrounding adolescent sexual activity. Parents who sought to require that their daughters to use prescription contraception did so upon learning their daughters were sexually active and/or recognizing their daughters were transitioning to legal adulthood and about to begin university. In some cases, parents who initially forbade their daughters from using prescription contraception later pressured them to initiate use. While all but one participant had used at least one method of prescription contraception, some had limited autonomy over deciding when to initiate use and which method to use. The study findings indicate that efforts to enhance AYA women’s contraceptive autonomy should consider how parents support or constrain the sexual and reproductive health and well-being of their daughters.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 155
|
| Jackson, Natalie |
Patel, Rekha
Simon, Tricia |
Effect of Antipsychotic Drugs on the Integrated Stress Response (ISR) as Possible Cause of Drug-induced Dystonia
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Dystonia is a neurological movement disorder characterized by involuntary, sustained, and often painful muscle contractions. It can be classified into three main types: primary dystonia, which occurs due to a genetic cause, secondary dystonia, arising from brain injury, medication side effects, or neurological conditions, and pseudodystonia, which mimics dystonia symptoms without a neurological source. Our lab has extensively studied DYT-PRKRA, a primary dystonia caused by a mutation in the PRKRA gene that encodes the protein PACT. PACT is an upstream activator of PKR, a kinase in the integrated stress response (ISR) pathway that is active at high levels in DYT-PRKRA. ISR kinases are activated by stress signals such as viral infection, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, amino acid deprivation, or heme deprivation. These kinases then phosphorylate eIF2⍺, leading to a halt in global protein synthesis and the upregulation of ATF4 synthesis, a transcription factor that guides the cell through the stress response. My hypothesis is that antipsychotic medications, commonly used for treating psychiatric disorders, also activate the ISR, potentially triggering a neuronal dysfunction like in DYT-PRKRA. We investigated several antipsychotics' effects on ISR activation in human lymphoblasts and N2A neuroblastoma cells, focusing on eIF2α phosphorylation. In lymphoblasts, antipsychotics did not induce the ISR. However, all 8 antipsychotics (Aripiprazole, Sertraline, Paroxetine, Fluvoxamine, Trazodone, Haloperidol, Nefazodone, and Olanzapine) augmented ISR kinetics and strength induced by ER stressor tunicamycin, prolonging stress signaling and apoptosis, as shown by upregulation of ATF4, as well as ATF4’s pro-apoptotic target CHOP. Luteolin, a flavonoid that dissociates PACT-PKR interaction, reduced ISR-induced apoptosis, suggesting a therapeutic potential. In N2A cells, all 8 antipsychotics induced a dose-dependent ISR response which could be inhibited using inhibitors of protein kinases involved in ISR. ISR modulatory drugs influenced neurite extension, underscoring the pathway’s role in neuronal function. These findings suggest targeting the ISR with compounds like luteolin may mitigate antipsychotic induced dystonia while preserving neuronal homeostasis.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 47
|
Ervin, Lauren
Arnel, Madison |
Elya, Marwan |
Unmasking Pseudo-TMA with the Clue of Hyperpigmentation: A Case Report
View Full Text
Abstract Text
We present an atypical case of severe vitamin B12 deficiency in a 64-year-old African American female who presented with hyperpigmentation and initial findings consistent with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), a prototype thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA). A 64-year-old African American female with a past medical history significant for one episode of postoperative anemia requiring transfusion presented to the emergency department with generalized fatigue, headache, blurred vision, and progressive bilateral hand discoloration. Initially, the patient was thought to have thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura with hemolytic anemia given elevated LDH, total bilirubin, mild transaminitis, marked thrombocytopenia, and schistocytes present on blood smear. The blood smear also revealed myelophthisic changes and one large band cell, prompting vitamin B12 deficiency consideration. The patient’s vitamin B12 level was undetectable, further confirming severe deficiency. This case highlights the importance of excluding severe vitamin B12 deficiency when a patient presents with TMA symptoms and skin hyperpigmentation as early treatment may offset permanent disability or unnecessary treatments.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 136
|
| Miller, Logan |
Matthews, Sarah |
Welcoming Vulnerability in Leadership Roles
View Full Text
Abstract Text
During the summer of 2023, I served as an Extended Mentor in the Pillars for Carolina program on campus. I became interested in applying for the program after I found myself wanting to become more connected to campus and looking for a community within the larger Gamecock family. I wanted to give back to a place that has felt like home away from home since the very beginning. As an Extended Mentor, I was given the opportunity to do that, specifically through investing in incoming USC students who participated in the program. As an Extended Mentor, I was tasked with being a part of our group effort to cultivate the welcoming environment that we know Carolina to be. During the experience, we not only bond with our “family groups” given to us at the beginning of the week, but we teach them the ins and outs of being a Gamecock. These things can involve pointing out various classroom buildings or even teaching them our Saturday football traditions; and this is extremely helpful as it prepares participants to transition to campus in the fall, introducing them to a personal, supportive community of leaders and fellow incoming students. Through multiple weeks of training and putting what I learned into practice during my Pillars week, my leadership skills developed considerably. More specifically, I learned that making room for vulnerability is important to be an effective leader.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 321
|
| Alewine, Teleah |
Harris, Eboni |
Promoting Health Literacy Through Evidence-Based Practices
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Background:
Health literacy plays a vital role in patient outcomes. With the use of intake and social determinates of health assessments along with spending time with a patient, the nurse can tailor health literacy teaching to a patient’s needs. When taking a comprehensive approach, effective teaching can occur and patient needs such as financial stability, access, safety, emotional support, and environment can be positively impacted.
Purpose/Objectives:
The purpose of this research is to provide insight on how the nurse’s role as an educator can lead to positive outcomes for patients. The objectives of this research are to review evidence-based practices related to health literacy education and how it relates to short- and long-term patient success.
Methods:
The literature reviewed were 12 peer-reviewed articles published within the last 5 years found on medical research databases. The searches included “nurse role in health literacy”, “health literacy related to patient outcomes”, and “evidence-based practice for patient education”.
Results/Conclusion:
Based on this review, health literacy and education should start at the first interaction with a patient. There are several strategies nurses may use that are evidence-based to assist in tailoring the education for a patient. By using these, patients may experience improved quality of life and health outcomes.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 56
|
| Reviel, Sarah |
Bonilha, Heather |
Voice Outcomes following Radiotherapy for Early-Stage Laryngeal Cancer: A Systematic Review
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Purpose: Laryngeal cancer is one of the most frequent malignancies of the head and neck with dysphonia as a typical symptom prior to and after radiotherapy. It is a common assumption that dysphonia following radiation therapy for early stage laryngeal cancer is transient and will resolve with the resolution of acute radiation-induced effects; however, in our experience many patients experience persistent voice problems. The aim of this systematic literature review was to summarize characteristics of voice quality after radiotherapy for persons with early-stage laryngeal cancer to recognize how voice outcomes present across acute, subacute, chronic periods following RT, to determine if there is evidence for dysphonia continuing after the acute stage, and provide information to allow clinicians to prepare for the diagnosis and management of these patients. Methods: A literature search was conducted using three electronic databases: PubMed, Embase, and CINAHL. A similar strategy was used in all three databases to highlight the concepts of “radiotherapy” and “voice disorders” guided by Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement standards. Voice outcomes measures evaluated were subgrouped into temporal relationship from radiotherapy – acute, subacute, chronic and analyzed accordingly. Results: Forty-eight articles met inclusion criteria that reported voice outcomes results from Tis-T2 patients that underwent radiotherapy. Acutely, as expected, dysphonia was present across multiple modalities of voice evaluation. However, contrary to previous literature suggesting that dysphonia in this population is transient and improves over time, our findings indicate otherwise. In the subacute and chronic stages post-RT 85% (39/46) of studies, in at least one measure, revealed persistent dysphonia. Conclusion: Across all post-RT stages, wide standard deviations in voice outcome measures were reported suggesting that a subset of patients experience persistent dysphonia ranging from mild to severe after radiotherapy for early-stage laryngeal cancer indicating the need for routine voice screenings in this population.
Keywords: Voice, dysphonia, radiotherapy, rehabilitation, voice disorders, speech-pathology
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 5
|
| Vlattas, Gabriella |
Torres-Mcgehee, Toni |
Examination of the relationship between sleep quality and nutritional intake in college aged runners.
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Research on sleep quality in active populations has primarily addressed performance and recovery, with limited focus on its link to nutritional intake, especially energy availability and micronutrients, among college-age runners.
PURPOSE: To determine the relationship between sleep duration and quality and micronutrient (Vitamin B1, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12, Iron, Magnesium, Potassium, and Zinc) status in competitive college aged runners.
METHODS: Competitive college-aged runners (n=17; age: 19.4±1 years) participated in a free-living study (females: n=10, weight: 58±7.9 kg, height: 162.2±5.8 cm; males: n=7, weight: 68.1±5.5, height: 180.4±6.6 cm). Participants completed a demographic survey and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Height, weight, body composition, resting metabolic rate were measured. Exercise energy expenditure (EEE) and total daily energy expenditure (TDEE) were tracked over 7 days with Polar Ignite watches. Dietary intake (DI) was self-reported through food logs. Low energy availability (LEA) was defined as < 30 kcal/kg FFM per day. Descriptive statistics summarized demographics, micronutrient intake, and energy availability variables, while crosstabulations and chi-square tests assessed the relationship between LEA, micronutrients, and sleep quality.
RESULTS: Overall, 58.8% (n=10/17) of all runners presented with LEA and 52.9% (n=9/17) indicated poor sleep on the PSQI. Of those with LEA, 40% (n=4/10) indicated poor sleep. Nutrient deficiencies were identified among participants with poor sleep patterns. Among participants with poor sleep, micronutrient deficiencies were common. Specifically, 33.3% (n=3/9) were below normal for vitamins B1 and B6, 66.7% (n=6/9) for vitamin B12, and 55.6% (n=5/9) for iron. Magnesium and zinc deficiencies were particularly high, with 88.9% (n=8/9) and 77.8% (n=7/9) of participants, respectively, below normal.
CONCLUSIONS: Over half of the college-age distance runners in this sample exhibited LEA, poor sleep and low micronutrient status. These results suggest potential links between these nutrient deficiencies and poor sleep quality. Future research should explore additional influences on sleep quality in this population.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 57
|
| Vo, Dan Thy |
Sayers, Christina |
Growing Beyond Borders: A Journey of Resilience and Self-Discovery at USC
View Full Text
Abstract Text
My ePortfolio captures a journey that was taken through personal growth and resilience at the University of South Carolina, in which I went from being a purely academic focus to one that is more holistic in approach to education and career development. As an international student from Vietnam in the Global Learning Pathway, I began this journey in my first semester at UNIV 150: The International Student in the University I, which immensely encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone. Events at the university and participation in various clubs, like the Society of Supply Chain Operations Excellence, along with serving in the role of Supplemental Instruction Leader for Math 122, helped me establish a connection, build confidence, and establish leadership skills.
The purpose was wider preparation for personal and professional life, especially in the case of an international student. At Direct ChassisLink Inc., I was presented with many opportunities to work as a mentor to peers, leader in academic sessions, and professional development, which complemented my course work in MGSC 485: Business Process Management. Through this experience, I applied key insights, such as "Dress the Part, Act the Part," where I learned how to create a good first impression and be successful in professional environments.
Every step in the journey that I have been through has taught me new things each and every day, one of them being that success is not solely about academic performance; it is how you live life and embrace growth opportunities while presenting a strong sense of resilience. This experience gave me the skill sets to be confident to step into the professional world.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 237
|
| Ye, Qianli |
Booze, Rosemarie
Shtutman, Michael
Hailong, Li
Mactutus, Charles
Korunova, Elizaveta
Sikirzhytski, Aliaksandra |
EcoHIV shifts dendritic branching in pyramidal neurons
View Full Text
Abstract Text
HIV-1-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) is a clinically significant complication of HIV infection. We found that HIV infection upregulated the microglia-specific gene, aconitate decarboxylase 1 (Acod1). Acod1 can produce itaconate, an anti-inflammatory factor protecting macrophages from infection-triggered death. Our preliminary results showed that the permeable modified derivatives of itaconate - dimethyl itaconate (DMI) and 4-octyl-itaconate (4-OI) protect primary neurons from the toxicity of HIV-Tat. However, the exact role of Acod1 and its product in protecting neurons from HIV remains unclear. In a previous study, we found EcoHIV infection significantly altered pyramidal neuron morphology in medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). Here, we knocked out the Acod1 gene to investigate its effects on pyramidal neuron morphology after HIV infection. Acod1-/- and wild-type C57BL/6 mice were injected retro-orbitally with or without EcoHIV and sacrificed two weeks later. Ballistic labeling was used to visualize pyramidal neurons in the mPFC. Neurolucida 360 was utilized to perform Sholl analysis. Presently, EcoHIV significantly altered intersections in both wild-type and Acod1-/- mice (Regression fit, R2s >0.95, F(4, 39)=15.7, p≤0.001). Specifically, EcoHIV caused a shift in the distribution of dendritic branching from more proximal to more distal locations. However, Acod1 knock out did not affect intersections in control or EcoHIV injected mice (Regression fit, R2s >0.94, F(4,39)=0.47, p>0.10).
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 6
|
| Pruitt, Matthew |
Liese, Angela |
“Experiences with Hospital Visits and Diabetes Management among Young Adults with Diabetes: A Mixed-Methods Analysis”
View Full Text
Abstract Text
AUTHORS Matthew Pruitt, Megan E. Austin MPH, PhD-C, Emmanuel Julceus MD, MPH, Angela D. Liese MPH, PhD, Traci A. Bekelman PhD, MPH, Molly Parker, Jay Mendoza MD, Lisa Knight MD, Rachel E. Davis PhD, MPH
Objective: In healthcare settings, patient’s diabetes-related routines can be disrupted. This study describes frequency of hospitalizations and emergency department (ED) visits and experiences of diabetes management in hospital settings among young adults.
Methods: Frequency of ED visits and hospitalizations over the preceding year was obtained from 143 participants in an online survey. Thematic analysis was conducted with interviews from a subset of 8 participants who mentioned hospital visits during an interview (Type 1-n=7, Type 2-n=1; n=4 ED visits within 12 months prior to survey completion, n=2 became hospitalizations).
Results: Among survey participants, 25.2% visited the ED and 14.0% were hospitalized in the past year. Of the 8 participants interviewed, many struggled to eat in the hospital, leading to lower blood glucose (BG) levels than “normal”. Reasons provided forthis included feeling unable to eat because of consistent interaction with healthcare professionals or testing, and the food offered was inconsistent with nutritional needs. Some believed timing of insulin administration relative to food intake led to hypoglycemia. After returning home, one participant said it took roughly 4 days to return to “normal”.
Conclusion: This study emphasized self-reported frequency that this subset of adults with diabetes utilized the ED or required hospitalization. Additionally, it highlights that nutritional patterns and medication administration schedules of patients in hospitals may vary from their routine, sometimes leading to hypoglycemia and disruptions to diabetes management post-hospital. Close monitoring of food intake and timing of insulin administrations is important in patients with diabetes to reduce the risk of BG abnormalities.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 140
|
| Dubberly, Mackenzie |
Brown, Michelle
Woods, Savannah |
Investigating the Impact of Trauma on Adolescents' Biological Stress Regulation
View Full Text
Abstract Text
The parasympathetic nervous system (PSNS) is known to be responsible for recovery following activation of the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) in response to stress (McLaughlin et al., 2013). One way of measuring the PSNS is respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA), a non-invasive measure of the PSNS’s control over heart rate through an electrocardiogram (ECG; McLaughlin et al., 2013). Higher baseline RSA and moderate decreases in RSA in response to stress indicate positive socioemotional regulation and is associated with better behavioral regulation and health outcomes (Porges, 2007). Dependent upon an individual’s reaction to traumatic stress, a variety of emotional, physical, and neurological responses and alterations can occur, which emphasizes the importance of investigating stress response for adolescents, who are in a critical period of development, particularly those who have experienced trauma (Eckes & Radunovich, 2007).
This study investigated the impact of adolescents’ trauma, as measured by self and parent report, on adolescents’ RSA before, during, and after a laboratory stressor task.
The main participants were adolescents aged 13-17 years (N=40; M=15.07; SD=1.47) and their parents (N=40). Adolescent participants completed the UCLA screener for adolescents and their parents who completed the Parent UCLA screener. Majority of participants were White or European American (52.5%), followed by Black, African, African American (32.5%). Adolescent participants (M=3.62; SD= 3.85) and their parents (M= 3.60; SD=1.47) reported similar trauma experiences and frequency of experiences for the adolescents.
It was found that neither the parent nor adolescent’s report of trauma predicted any RSA values. There was no main effect of number of traumas adolescent reported on RSA values (βs =-0.03 - 0.21, ps =0.24 - 0.88) or on number of traumas parent reported on RSA values (βs =-0.16 – 0.07, ps = 0.36 – 0.82).
Future research should investigate the impact on duration and frequency of experiencing the traumatic events. Another implication for future research should be the variation in the type of trauma experienced (e.g., community violence, sexual abuse, domestic abuse) and period of development in which the traumatic experiences occurred (e.g., toddler years).
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 192
|
| Casey, Lauren |
Derrick, Maureen |
Loving, Leading, Lasting with Alpha Gam
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Being a member of the Alpha Gamma Delta Sorority has left an incredible impact on my life. Our motto—“Loving, Leading, Lasting”—perfectly sums up my experience. I’ve found lifelong friends who push me to be my best, and I’ve grown tremendously as a leader through roles like Vice President of Property, Director of Ritual, and Director of Senior Engagement, as well as serving on multiple committees. These friendships and leadership skills will stay with me forever. My first role was by far my biggest and most difficult, yet the most rewarding. Just three weeks after being initiated, I was elected to the Executive Council as Vice President of Property. In this position, I served as the liaison between members, parents, executive council, International Headquarters (IHQ), the house mom and the chefs and was tasked with creating a positive and welcoming environment for members. I planned fun events and meals at the house, helped live-in members with conflicts, conducted room safety inspections with the office of Fraternity and Sorority life, created meal plans with (IHQ) and our chefs, collected lease agreements for live-in members and so much more!. All of these tasks pushed me but allowed me to further develop skills including communication, problem-solving and integrity. A huge part of my growth came from the support and mentorship of those around me. Our house mom, Marlys, and our chefs, Ryan and Damian, became my family away from home, always offering guidance, encouragement, and plenty of laughs. My advisors, including Alison, provided invaluable leadership insight, helping me handle tough situations with confidence and professionalism. Their support shaped me into the leader I am today. Beyond the challenges, I loved the opportunity to create a fun and inclusive space. Whether it was planning events at the house or working with the chefs to ensure meals were enjoyable and accommodating, I took pride in making Alpha Gam home. My presentation will dive further into my experiences in Alpha Gamma Delta and explain how they have shaped me into the compassionate and strong leader I am today.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 304
|
| Wagner, Grace |
Osbaldiston, Richard |
The Effect of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy on Patients with PTSD.
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) involves placing a patient in a pressurized chamber enriched with oxygen. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a psychological condition characterized by flashbacks, panic attacks, anxiety, and depression, and it is commonly observed among military personnel, first responders, and individuals who have experienced traumatic events. HBOT has been utilized in various medical settings—such as for concussions and traumatic brain injuries—and is now being explored as a treatment for PTSD symptoms.
Our meta-analysis aimed to answer the question, “How effective is HBOT for clients with PTSD?” We conducted a systematic search of PsycINFO, MedLine, CINAHL, and Google Scholar, and reviewed reference lists to identify relevant studies. Ten published studies employing repeated measures designs comparing HBOT to placebo or sham treatments were included, with a total of 438 participants. The net weighted average effect size (Cohen’s d) was -0.71, indicating a large therapeutic effect.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 156
|
| Keating, Sydney |
Jackson, Benjamin
Gonzalez, Tyler |
Strength and Gait Outcomes in Open Haglund's and Percutaneous Zadek Osteotomy for Insertional Achilles Tendinopathy
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Introduction: Insertional Achilles Tendinopathy (IAT) can be surgically treated using both the established open Achilles tendon-splitting approach and the newer percutaneous Zadek osteotomy. While previous studies have compared patient-reported outcomes and radiographic findings between these procedures, data on strength and gait mechanics remain limited. This study aims to compare post-operative strength and gait parameters between the operative and non-operative limbs of each surgery.
Methods: This prospective study included patients who underwent unilateral percutaneous Zadek osteotomy or open Haglund’s resection and were ³1-year post-operation. Patients were invited to participate by phone. Exclusion criteria included significant post-operative complications, a history of other midfoot or hindfoot surgeries, recent (<6 months) lower extremity surgery, or established neuromuscular conditions. Patients were tested on static plantarflexion and dorsiflexion strength, both seated (knee at 90°) and supine (knee at 180°) to capture the effect of surgery on both the soleus and gastrocnemius. Standing strength was further evaluated by unilateral and bilateral calf raises performed on 1 or 2 pressure plates, respectively. Finally, patients ambulated at a self-selected pace, and the ground reaction forces at toe-off were captured via pressure plates. Both vertical and anterior ground reaction forces were captured, the latter depicting forward propulsion. Each patient’s non-operative limb served as the control. The statistician and researchers conducting patient trials were blinded to the patient’s operative side and surgical procedure.
Results: Twenty-one patients were analyzed (8 Zadek, 13 Haglund’s), with similar demographics (Table 1). Strength measurements were reported in raw pounds of force (lbf) and as a body weight percentage (%BW), while ground reaction forces were presented as %BW. The mean values for operative and non-operative limbs were calculated, and the difference of means were compared within each surgical group. The only statistically significant difference was the decrease in vertical ground reaction force (VGRF) during unilateral calf raises in the operative limb of the open Haglund’s group (p=0.03; Table 2).
Conclusion: There was one statistically significant decrease in strength amongst Open Haglunds resection and none in percutaneous Zadek Osteotomy patients. These findings suggest that both procedures are viable options for managing insertional Achilles tendinopathy.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 193
|
DuBose, Margaret
Willis, Kara |
Sigfus, Kristinsson |
Aphasia: Video Series
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Our project, “What is Aphasia: Video Series,” conducted at the Center for the Study of Aphasia Recovery (C-STAR), focuses on spreading awareness of aphasia. Aphasia is not an uncommon disorder yet the general public is commonly unaware of what it is. Aphasia occurs after someone has a stroke, affecting their language comprehension and language fluency. We interview individuals with aphasia and create videos to share their personal stories, including their challenges, accomplishments, as well as any advice they may have for other individuals first diagnosed with aphasia.
A big question many patients have when first diagnosed is ‘what is the cure and when will I recover and speak fluently again?’ The main goal of our project is to spread awareness of aphasia throughout the community and lead those in need to resources that may answer the questions they have. Here we are able to showcase the various forms of aphasia during the videos. Oftentimes when interviewing individuals with aphasia, they have expressed the importance of specific tools that have increased their abilities to communicate. For example, some patients have carried writing utensils with them as well as notebooks with helpful vocabulary for their everyday communication. Patients' families and loved ones play a big role in the recovery process as well. There are not many resources available related to aphasia, this leads to confusion and patients feeling lost in terms of where to go for resources and assistance.
Aphasia is a heterogeneous disorder that looks different in each individual depending on the extent of their lesion damage. Our project showcases the individual's brain scans and how different forms of aphasia affect someone’s ability to communicate. We recently started incorporating patients' brain scans into our videos, so viewers can see speech production in comparison to specific damage locations. We often see patients able to comprehend what’s being said to them but struggle producing a response, while others speak better but are slower at comprehension and understanding. We are eager to continue spreading the word about aphasia, while offering advice and resources to those newly diagnosed who are feeling lost.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 120
|
| Farrell, Brian |
Dunn, Matthew |
Dehumanizing for Dollars: How Modern Businesses Have Lost Their Soul
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Rapid technological expansion has allowed major companies across several industries to take a giant leap in terms of understanding how to reach customers and drive sales. The access to a once unimaginable amount of data, along with the psychological insights provided in recent decades have allowed several corporations to grow to a level rivaling Rockefeller. Add that to the growing focus on shareholder profits above all else in many businesses and it creates a dry barren landscape where nothing meaningful or creative can properly grow. This new numbers-first approach to business leaves many spiritually unfulfilled or economically unstable.
I have observed the shift of architecture and logos beaming with colors and layered with artistic care be torn down and be rebuilt into colorless homogenized sterile things that suffocate the imagination. While I had always had an underlying sense that the shops around me were changing for the worse, I never could pinpoint exactly why, until my internship at Kohl’s. I was an assistant store manager at Kohls in the summer of 2024. My responsibilities included managing the shoe department, assisting in managing day-to-day store operations and analyzing store data in decision making to drive sales. I am very grateful for my internship at Kohl’s. I worked with some kind people who are intelligent hard workers, but the overall business style with the overly bureaucratic approach gave me much more precise insight on why so many societal centerpieces have lost their charm. I will detail why this summer job became the catalyst for the cementation of my pathway to law school.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 235
|
| Canan, Natalie |
Morris, Caleb |
Finding My Voice: Public Speaking, Leadership, and Growth as an Ambassador
View Full Text
Abstract Text
The Arnold School of Public Health (ASPH) Ambassador Program at the University of South Carolina provides current students with opportunities to represent the school, engage with prospective students, and support admissions-related events. As an ambassador for three years and now a lead ambassador, I have participated in various events, including Admitted Student Days, Fall and Spring Open Houses and Top Scholar Weekends. My responsibilities included delivering presentations to prospective students and their families, answering questions about the ASPH experience, and providing insight into the academic and student life opportunities at USC. I chose to become an ambassador because I wanted to contribute to the welcoming and
supportive environment that first drew me to the Arnold School. Through this role, I strengthened my ability to disseminate accurate information, think critically on the spot, and communicate confidently with diverse audiences. Beyond the technical skills, this experience
helped me grow as a leader and build meaningful connections within a close-knit community at USC. This experience has profoundly shaped my confidence and leadership abilities. I have learned how to think quickly and articulate responses in high-pressure situations, skills that will be essential in my future career in healthcare. Additionally, presenting to large audiences and interacting with diverse groups has strengthened my ability to communicate complex ideas effectively. Effective communication and adaptability are critical in any profession, and my time as an ambassador has reinforced the importance of fostering connections and creating an inclusive, welcoming environment. Looking ahead, I plan to apply these skills in my future
career in medicine, where clear communication and professionalism are key to patient care. The ambassador program has prepared me to confidently interact with patients, colleagues, and the broader healthcare community, reinforcing my commitment to leadership and service.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 309
|
| Lewis, Kaitlyn |
Sayers, Christina |
Building Connections, Creating Impact
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Throughout my journey in Sport and Entertainment Management at the University of South Carolina, I've cultivated skills and insights that will propel me toward a career in fundraising and event management. My academic and extracurricular experiences have led to three key insights that reflect my growth and commitment. These ideas are that: Talking works wonders in the professional world, It’s not only who you know, it’s who knows you, and Nothing will ever go exactly as planned.
First, the power of communication became evident early on. My coursework in public speaking and hands-on roles, such as Philanthropy Director of Phi Mu, taught me that effective dialogue and persuasive speaking are crucial in engaging others in a cause. At events like Bonnamu, where I raised over $12,000 for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals, I leveraged these skills to inspire large audiences to contribute, emphasizing the impact of active communication in driving support and fundraising outcomes.
Second, I discovered that success in professional growth relies not only on connections but on being remembered. Through a practicum with the Carolina Rugby Foundation and attending the RAISE! Conference on a travel scholarship, I learned that lasting impressions pave the way for future opportunities. Building relationships helped me secure partnerships and engage with industry leaders, reinforcing the importance of a strong personal reputation for long-term career development.
Lastly, I realized that adaptability is essential in event management, where plans often shift unexpectedly. Organizing the Carolina Rugby Hall of Fame event required resilience and quick problem-solving, skills that have been further developed through my leadership roles with USC Dance Marathon. These experiences taught me that embracing uncertainty and maintaining flexibility are vital to navigating the dynamic landscape of event planning.
These insights collectively highlight my preparedness for a career focused on fundraising and events. By mastering communication, building a memorable presence, and staying adaptable, I am confident in my ability to make meaningful contributions in the field of philanthropic development.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 310
|
| Hughes, Joshua |
Reynolds, Alexandria
Walther, Sam
Batterson, Kate
Stripling, Emily
Oliver, Michael |
Do Women Need More Sleep Than Men? A Study on Gender Differences in College Student Sleep and Mental Health
View Full Text
Abstract Text
College students in general tend to have poor sleep quality and face stressors that impact their sleep and mental health. Further, women may have a greater sleep need compared to their male counterparts. The purpose of this study was to investigate sleep, mental health, and gender factors in college students via objective and subjective data collection.
Participants included 32 (male=16) full-time undergraduate students enrolled in a Psychology of Sleep course. Participants wore a Philips Respironics Actiwatch Spectrum device during one week of typical sleep. After one week, participants completed an online survey that consisted of a series of questionnaires that examined demographics, depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms (Depression Anxiety Stress Scale, DASS-21), sleepiness (Epworth Sleepiness Scale, ESS), fatigue (Multidimensional Assessment of Fatigue, MAF), and sleep quality and duration (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, PSQI).
Preliminary data comparison tests were conducted. There were gender differences in sleep duration (Mfemale=7.31h, Mmale=6.47h; p=.011), but no differences in sleep efficiency (Mfemale=84.57% vs Mmale=82.66%), wake after sleep onset (Mfemale=55.88 min vs Mmale=49.84 min), or number of awakenings (Mfemale=26.35 vs Mmale=25.89). There were no significant differences in sleep quality (PSQI), although the scores did represent poor quality (Mfemale=7.50 vs Mmale=6.13). Results showed that women experienced significantly greater sleepiness (Mfemale=9.88 vs Mmale=5.94; p=.033), and approaching significance in terms of greater fatigue (Mfemale=20.22 vs Mmale=13.89; p=.056) compared to men. There were no significant gender differences in depressive symptoms (Mfemale=6.31 vs Mmale=5.31), but women experienced greater anxiety (Mfemale=8.81 vs Mmale=3.69; p=.017) and stress (Mfemale=13.44 vs Mmale=6.38; p=.018) symptoms.
Preliminary results showed that the female college students taking the sleep course were obtaining significantly more sleep than men, with similar quality and efficiency. However, their increased sleepiness, fatigue, anxiety, and stress symptoms indicated that they were experiencing a more negative impact compared to men. It is likely that women generally have a greater sleep need compared to men, however, simply increasing sleep duration is likely not the answer. This study was limited by observational data collection, and further study is warranted to determine causal relationships and future intervention plans to improve sleep in women.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 147
|
| Camilon, Terence James |
Chetta, Katherine |
Donor human milk storage time and gastrointestinal morbidities in preterm infants: A case-control study
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Introduction/Background: When a mother’s milk is unavailable for a hospitalized preterm infant, donor human milk is substituted. There is a lack of clinical research regarding the effects of milk storage on preterm outcomes. Milk storage leads to a loss of lactoferrin, more lipid degradation, and decreased antioxidant capacity which may increase the risk of preterm gastrointestinal-related morbidities. No studies have investigated if the storage time of donor milk impacts the risk of necrotizing enterocolitis or spontaneous perforation in preterm infants.
Objectives: To determine the association (or lack thereof) between donor human milk storage time and the risk of two gastrointestinal morbidities: NEC or SIP. Infants who were diagnosed with NEC/SIP were hypothesized to have received donor human milk with a longer storage time than infants without disease.
Methods: A two-year prospective single institution cohort study was conducted. Between February 2022 and January 2024, very low birth weight infants (<1500 gm) and infants with necrotizing enterocolitis were enrolled. Patients were excluded if meeting pre-defined criteria. Enteral feeding reports were recorded from Timeless Medical Systems and verified using Epic™ electronic medical record. Cox proportion hazards, multivariable logistic regression, chi-square tests, and student t-tests were used as appropriate.
Results: Of 264 included infants, 36 (13.6%) patients were diagnosed with either SIP (n=8) or NEC (n=28), and 228 made up the control group. The mean milk storage time was 246.9 ± 23.1 days, the mean gestational age was 28.4 3.0 weeks, the mean birthweight was 1043 312 grams, and 48% were female. Donor milk storage duration was significantly higher in patients who developed the SIP/NEC group in both adjusted and unadjusted models (p < 0.001). The adjusted hazard ratio in the final modeling increased by 4.2% [CI 2.1-6.2%] for every day of storage.
Conclusion: The study’s findings suggest that a relationship exists between the storage duration of donor milk and the risk of SIP or NEC. The effects of human milk storage may be an additional risk factor for these diseases.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 175
|
| Gibson, Bailey |
Shaffer, Mark
Coleman, Grace |
Barriers to Breast Cancer Screening in a Rural SC Family Medicine Practice
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Breast cancer screening is critical for early detection and improving health outcomes, yet rural communities face numerous barriers that result in low participation rates. This study serves to identify barriers to breast cancer screening in the rural population surrounding the Prisma Health Winnsboro Family Medicine Clinic by examining logistical, psychological, cultural, social, and systemic factors. Our quality improvement survey assesses key barriers and perceptions in patients who are eligible for breast cancer screening. Outcome measures include perceived importance of breast cancer screening, barriers to scheduling a mammogram, impact of transportation on screening, impact of fear, stress, or discomfort on screening, patient identified barriers, and percentage of patients who express consent for assistance in scheduling a mammogram. The results of our study provide insight into the unique barriers to breast cancer screening faced by our local community. This information will assist in the development of actionable strategies for improving breast cancer screening rates, reducing disparities, and promoting equitable healthcare access in rural communities.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 175
|
Young, Krista
Hallock, Laura |
Gray, Margaret |
Vitamin D Supplementation Prescribing for Newborns: A QI Project to Improve Resident Physician Efficacy in Proper Prescribing
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Introduction: The newborn visit can oftentimes be overwhelming with reviewing health information and answering parents' questions. It is understandable that an aspect such as vitamin D supplementation prescription status may be lost if not involved into the appointment in a systematic way.
Aim: To increase resident physician awareness in reviewing, documenting, and prescribing vitamin D supplementation at the newborn visit encounter by at least 75% by February 2024.
Methods: We implemented reminders that would prompt fellow residents at our outpatient center (CHOC) to inquire about vitamin D supplementation prescription status regularly at all newborn follow-up appointments. PDSA #1: included ‘inquiring about vitamin D supplementation prescription status’ onto prominently displayed posters in resident work room at CHOC about what must be discussed during the newborn follow-up appointment. PDSA #2 included creating ‘dot phrases’ in Epic, which would make documentation over vitamin D status easier, and prompt physicians into answering if their patient ultimately required a new prescription for vitamin D supplementation. We evaluated the interventions with use of surveys completed on Google Forms by the residents to inquire about efficacy with each PDSA cycle, compared to a control survey performed prior to initiation of interventions.
Results: In comparison to control survey, residents who reported in a survey that they inquired about vitamin D supplementation with families “all of the time” increased by 90.6%. 91.7% of surveyed residents stated they inquired about vitamin D supplementation either “most of the time” or “all of the time” in our final survey.
In comparison to the control survey, residents who reported that they documented vitamin D supplementation with families “all of the time” increased by 66.6%. 100% of surveyed residents stated they documented vitamin D supplementation either “most of the time” or “all of the time” in our final survey.
Conclusions: We successfully increased resident physician awareness in reviewing, documenting, and prescribing vitamin supplementation at the newborn visit encounter by substantial margin. While we did not meet our goal of increasing documentation by 75%, our co-residents reported a 90.6% increase in inquiry regarding vitamin D status at newborn follow up appointments.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 155
|
| Ohmann, Hunter |
Meyer-Gutbrod, Erin
Sefah-Twerefour, Amadi Afua |
The Right Whale: Tracking Media Coverage for Policy Change
View Full Text
Abstract Text
The North Atlantic right whale, with fewer than 350 individuals remaining, faces severe threats from fishing gear entanglements and vessel strikes. Since 2015, the population has declined, leading NOAA to declare an Unusual Mortality Event in 2017. Climate change has altered prey distribution, forcing migration shifts northward and increasing harmful encounters. These changes hinder protective measures. Updated policies are crucial to reducing entanglements and strikes while promoting births. Public awareness drives conservation efforts, with media coverage shaping policy. To explore this, articles from 2001, 2011, and 2021 referencing right whales were analyzed using LexisNexis and R. Results show reporting differences between Canada and the U.S. The U.S. leads in births, policy, research, sightings, and strikes, while Canada leads in entanglements, outreach, and undetermined deaths. Fatalities from entanglements and strikes are only reported in South Carolina and Florida, with South Carolina showing more fatalities but no conservation policies. Coordinated responses from both nations are essential to protect reproductive females and calves. Despite ongoing tensions, timely policy action is critical to preventing extinction.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 115
|
| Lantz, Stephanie |
Herbert-Harris, Eboni |
Pediatric Pain Management
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Background:
For pediatric patients, pain management is especially complex and consequential, due to varying cognitive and physical development, along with heightened concerns from their loved ones. Administering pain medications is complicated and possibly risky, so we must always have safety guiding our actions when working to manage pain. For pain not managed by drugs, or when medications are not the safest option, we must be diligent in using non-pharmacologic methods. Applications in pediatric settings need to be evaluated for efficacy.
Purpose:
The purpose of this review is to identify and evaluate the effectiveness of a variety of non-pharmacologic pain management interventions in pediatric populations.
Methods:
A literature review was conducted using PubMed and Google Scholar. Search terms included but were not limited to “pediatric pain management” and “non-pharmacologic pain management AND pediatric”. Literature from the past 10 years was considered, and research was filtered to include peer-reviewed resources only.
Results/Conclusion:
Based on the literature studied in this review, it can be concluded that non-pharmacological interventions can be highly effective and reducing and managing pain in pediatric patients. However, the effectiveness of interventions depends on whether or not interventions are age-appropriate and/or developmentally appropriate, evidence-based, and individualized to the patient. Pediatric patients can benefit from further studies of multimodal non-pharmacologic intervention, such as music therapy or distraction, in order to achieve the most pain relief.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 58
|
DeLoach, Elise
Martinez, Christina |
Harris, Eboni |
Synergizing Nursing Workflows with AI: Enhancing Safety, Efficiency, and Patient Care
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Background
Integrating AI into healthcare is a controversial topic as it is often stigmatized and misunderstood as a tool for replacing human experience. AI instead offers a unique solution to the challenges of higher patient loads, medication administration safety, and workflow optimization, specifically in higher acuity units like med-surg. AI-enabled systems can alleviate many nursing burdens by optimizing staffing models, ensuring equitable workload distribution, and reducing burnout and errors.
Purpose
The purpose of this review is to research how AI can potentially improve nursing workflows with focus on the following:
1. Reduction of medication administration errors.
2. Staffing optimization & workload balance.
3. Clinical-decision support.
4. Addressing ethical considerations.
Methods
The University of South Carolina’s Libraries system was searched using keywords such as “AI in nursing,” and “AI for patient safety.” Peer-reviewed articles from 2020 forward were filtered, with four being selected for relevance.
Results
The results of the review conclude AI systems with the right implementation reduce errors, improve staffing efficiency, and enhance patient safety. Facilitation and utilization of AI is not meant to justify high nurse-to-patient ratios but to instead stress the importance in mitigating risks and reinforcing safety nets.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 59
|
| Shanks, Alexandria |
Porcu, Alessandra |
Effect of Photoperiod on Astrocytes in the Suprachiasmatic Nucleus
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Astrocytes are widely expressed in the nervous system, where they regulate neuronal activity and neuroplasticity. Astrocytes control circadian timekeeping in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) via glutamatergic signaling. Changes in astrocyte number have been previously observed in the hippocampus after long photoperiod exposure, suggesting that an alteration in astrocytes might be an additional homeostatic response to seasonal changes in the light environment. However, whether photoperiod alters astrocyte numbers and functions in the SCN remains unknown. To start addressing this gap in the knowledge, we exposed adult mice to 2 weeks of long photoperiod (19hrs of light and 5hrs of darkness, 19L:5D) or short photoperiod (5L:19D). We first assessed the effect of long and short photoperiods on SCN astrocytes numbers by analyzing the expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), a structural protein of astrocytes. The anterior-posterior (AP)
axis quantification revealed that the number of SCN GFAP–immunoreactive cells was greater in long versus short photoperiods within the medial region of the SCN. Astrocytes regulate the clearance of extracellular glutamate through glutamate transporters (EAAT1 and EAAT2). Therefore, we tested whether photoperiod altered astrocyte function by quantifying the expression of EAAT1 and EAAT2 after photoperiod exposure. Using in situ hybridization assay, we found increased Eaat1 and Eaat2 expression in the SCN of adult mice after long photoperiod exposure. The effects of light on the mammalian circadian system are achieved mostly through retina derived glutamate release in the SCN, and the ionotropic-NMDA receptor (NMDAr) expressed in the SCN neurons is considered a key player in the light entrainment process. Therefore, we also analyzed the expression of NMDAr in the SCN neurons in response to photoperiod and found increased NMDAr subunit Grin2b in the SCN of mice exposed to a long photoperiod. Altogether, these data suggest that astrocyte organization and their extracellular glutamate regulation may represent a previously unidentified adaptation of the SCN regulating seasonal plasticity.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 4
|
| Bookbinder, Morgan |
DeWeil, David |
Beyond the Books: Empowering Students Through Peer Tutoring
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Serving as a Peer Tutor for the Student Success Center has been one of the most informative and transformative experiences of my academic journey. Over the past two years, I have worked with students individually and in groups to foster their critical-thinking skills, self-confidence, and self-efficacy in their approach to learning. Coming from a family of teachers, I have always valued the process of learning, but becoming a tutor opened my eyes to how deeply personal and varied each student’s learning journey is. It has been a humbling experience to witness the challenges students face and to recognize that academic struggles are rarely just about intelligence or effort - they are often shaped by confidence, past experiences, and access to support. Just as health outcomes are shaped by access to care, education, and support systems, a student's ability to succeed is often determined by more than just their capabilities. This perspective has reshaped my approach to tutoring, pushing me to be more patient, adaptable, and empathetic in addressing student’s unique needs. By recognizing and addressing these individual learning barriers, I have learned how to empower students beyond just academic success to help them build confidence, self-efficacy, and problem-solving skills that extend far beyond the classroom.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 284
|
Godbee, Caleb
Morales, Samantha |
Faucher, Gregory
Krohn, Claire
Adams, Kyle
Brignull, Calleigh
Russel, Michael |
IMPACT OF HBA1C ON COST-EFFECTIVENESS OF TRIGGER FINGER MANAGEMENT OPTIONS
View Full Text
Abstract Text
INTRODUCTION: Stenosing tenosynovitis, typically managed nonoperatively via corticosteroid injection, is a common condition involving the inflammation and subsequent triggering of the flexor sheath, A1 pulley, and volar plate. Patients with diabetes mellitus are known to have a higher prevalence, and lower success rates with non-operative treatment at higher A1c levels. The purpose of this study is to assess the impact of A1c levels on 1) efficacy of corticosteroid injections 2) cost-effectiveness of trigger finger (TF) treatment algorithms in diabetic patients. Data will be used to evaluate the most cost-effective treatment algorithms based on A1c level.
METHODS: 18+ year old diabetic patients who received 1 corticosteroid injection(s), or surgery, for TF were identified via CPT code query. Patients were included if A1c labs were available within 6 months of initial treatment. Patient demographics, treatment data, and A1c levels were recorded. Logistic regression was used to model the effect of A1c on TF injection success rates. A one-way sensitivity/threshold analysis was implemented to assess the cost-effectiveness of each treatment option based on Medicare reimbursement rates.
RESULTS: Of 144 patients, 92 (63.9%) had success with injections alone, while 52 (36.1%) eventually required surgery. Those who required surgery had higher average A1c levels (8.1 vs 7.5, p=0.05). For each one unit increase in A1c, odds of injection success decreased by 20%. Cost-effectiveness analysis revealed that immediate in-clinic TF release was more cost-effective than one injection followed by release in the operating room (OR) when A1c was >10.08, than 2 injections followed by in-clinic release when A1c was >9.69, and than 2 injections followed by release in OR when A1c was >6.61.
DISCUSSION: These results affirm that in diabetic patients, increased HbA1c levels are associated with reduced TF injection success. Additionally, at clinically feasible A1c levels, immediate TF release in the OR at our institution was never more cost-effective than any of the other evaluated treatment algorithms. Further, our study suggests specific A1c thresholds at which it may be more cost-effective for patients to receive immediate in-clinic TF release as opposed to steroid injection(s).
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 186
|
| Harris, Karah |
Matthews, Sarah |
The Importance of Preventative Healthcare and Social Determinants in Positive Health Outcomes
View Full Text
Abstract Text
During Spring Break 2023 and 2024, I traveled to Guatemala for medical mission trips through the Association of Pre-Physician Assistant Students (APPAS) as a volunteer and group leader. During both trips, we provided free medical care to underserved communities in rural and urban areas. I set my sights on these trips because I wanted to better understand how the environment and unique circumstances impact health globally. As a prospective physician assistant, I not only wanted to broaden my skill set but also learn about how health disparities can cause negative health outcomes. While in Guatemala, I learned how to manually measure vital signs, present patient cases to supervising physicians, provide health education in both Spanish and English, and triage patients seeking care. I also worked as a group leader to direct other volunteers on clinic operations and patient care, while also problem-solving when needed.
In addition to broadening my skillset, this experience was significant. It changed my perspective on healthcare, as I was able to observe first-hand how impactful the Social Determinants of Health and levels of prevention are on health outcomes. I interacted with patients who had never seen a physician in their lives for preventative care and who were so grateful for any amount of care they received, even if it was something as simple as a multivitamin. Families walked and waited at the clinic for hours for the chance to receive medical care. Before this experience, I was naive to the extent to which communities abroad and locally are exposed to factors in their environment that can cause negative health outcomes like housing insecurity, food insecurity, lack of insurance, and poor health literacy.
From these experiences, I realized that the best way to impact health is to consider how a patient’s environmental and social context may impede their ability to have positive health outcomes and access preventative care. In the future, I will use this idea to not only address medical complaints but also provide resources and advocacy to shift health outcomes in a more positive direction as a physician assistant.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 192
|
| Ferreira, Grace |
Morris, Caleb |
Welcome to Hannah's House
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Hannah’s House is a local women’s shelter that provides a welcoming environment and plentiful resources for any woman who needs it. This large, beautifully designed home features bedrooms, recreational areas, a well-stocked pantry and kitchen, and a basement boutique for residents to grab any type of clothing they need. I have volunteered at Hannah’s House throughout my time in Columbia, performing any task that was needed. Whether I was sorting donations, cleaning, or simply engaging with residents and their children, I was able to observe the impact that this organization has on the community. The director has ensured that every resource the residents could need is available, and that no one is turned away at the door. I knew that this was a place I wanted to assist in any way I could because it was clear that this house was not only providing a haven for women who needed it most, but that so much love went into its mission. As a nursing student, I was able to observe the different struggles that people may be facing in their lives that impact their health. This experience has taught me to consider each future patient’s environmental factors when planning interventions to improve their health outcomes, and to educate myself on community resources available for patients.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 193
|
| Colt, Charlotte |
Ricker, Erin |
Venous Thromboembolism Prevention in the Critically Ill: A QI project to improve competence in documenting and ordering VTE prophylaxis
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Introduction: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) in children can be a severe disease with many subsequent complications. However, VTE prophylaxis is infrequently used in critically ill children even those at high risk of thrombosis where consensus guidelines recommend thromboprophylaxis.
Objective: This quality improvement project aims to improve the utilization and accuracy of VTE risk assessment and prophylaxis choice for patients admitted specifically to the PICU by 10% in 2 months.
Methods: This was a retrospective quality-improvement project performed at a single children’s hospital. The PDSA cycle intervention included creating a smartphrase that populated a drop-down menu allowing the resident to select the VTE risk assessment and choice of prophylaxis. Pre-intervention and post-intervention data sets contained the patients 12 years and older admitted to the PICU over a period of 16 weeks and 8 weeks, respectively. These encounters were evaluated by retrospective chart review for VTE risk level charted, risk level correct, intervention charted, intervention correct, which risk factors were present, contraindications to thromboprophylaxis and admission diagnosis.
Results: There were 132 patients included in the pre-intervention data and 63 in the post-intervention group. In the pre-intervention group, 5.3% of the time documentation included VTE risk level and 100% were assessed correctly. VTE intervention was documented in this group in 8.3% of patients and of those, 91% were correct. When analyzing the post-intervention data, risk level accuracy decreased to 50%; however, the number of charts that documented risk level was more than twice that of the pre-intervention group. Additionally, the absolute number of patients documented correctly was greater post-intervention when compared to the first group.
Discussion: Although this PDSA cycle did not meet the project aim, this opened to the door to several potential areas in which providers can continue to grow and work towards providing better care for this particular patient population.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 169
|
| Spires, Breyonna |
Boggs, Carol
Stokes, Blair |
Does Elevation Affect Fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase Variation Among Colias meadii Populations?
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Glycolysis is a highly conserved cellular pathway that produces energy in the form of ATP for use in many diverse metabolic processes. Some carbon compounds are shunted from the glycolytic pathway to gluconeogenesis, where the regulatory enzyme fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase (FBPase) converts incoming carbon compounds into carbohydrate storage. I studied genetic diversity in FBPase in Colias meadii, which is a butterfly species found across mountainous habitats in western North America. I hypothesize that environmental stress increases at higher elevations, and this increase in selection pressures will cause a decrease in haplotype diversity between populations. Preliminary data suggested a linear relationship between haplotype and elevation in the central rockies of Colorado, but there were an insufficient number of samples. I collected samples from two additional populations and determined their haplotype frequencies by Sanger Sequencing for FBPase. The results of this analysis are being used to determine if environmental stress associated with elevation is a selective pressure shaping haplotype frequencies in this butterfly. These results will lay the groundwork for interpreting the significance of elevation on butterfly populations, and has implications on how these effects will fluctuate over time.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 90
|
| Hudspeth, Lauren |
Ballou, Julia |
Inclusive Summer Camps: Bridging the Gap.
View Full Text
Abstract Text
During the summer, I worked as a camp counselor for Camp Rise Above (CRA), a summer camp for children with disabilities and major health conditions. I had worked with students with disabilities before in an academic setting, but this was my first time helping them in a more holistic environment. Camp Rise Above provided all the background needed for these children to have fun – golf carts for fatigue, beach wheelchairs, noise canceling headphones – but it was my job to make sure the campers actually got to enjoy themselves. I faced many challenges and tough choices throughout camp, but for every difficult moment, there was an equally wonderful one where I got to see my campers shine. I got to work on many important skills for my future job as a speech language pathologist, such as conflict resolution/de-escalation, active listening, and promoting independence in daily living. Even when I was exhausted, I always knew it was worth it when I saw my campers succeed. For many of them, camp was the one week a year where they weren’t “the kid with the disability”. Being a part of the Camp Rise Above community affirmed my love for supporting the disability community, and also gave me the skills I needed to pursue my current job as a CarolinaLIFE Living & Learning Coach. In my presentation, I will specifically highlight how inclusive summer camps such as CRA provide meaningful experiences to children with disabilities, who are often left out of the fundamental camp experience.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 285
|
| Mayson, Trado |
Gower, Michael
Colonna, Nicholas
Joe, Dana |
Developing a mouse model of repetitive, mild traumatic brain injury
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is any brain injury that occurs resulting from a blow or strike to the head. These injuries can be categorized widely, falling anywhere between mild brain injury to fatal (Kane, 2012). Severity aside, TBI can have detrimental and long-lasting effects including headaches, memory deficits, behavior, and loss of consciousness (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, 2020). The increasing prevalence of TBI highlights the need for further investigation, as it can be considered a chronic condition rather than solely an acute injury. (Center for Disease Control & Prevention, 2019). It is important to explore more in-depth insight into this matter because this will aid in prevention and management of TBI. The aim of the current study is to develop a concussion model that aids in studying repetitive, mild TBI (rmTBI), which is when there has been a recurrence of mild brain injury in one individual. Developing an adequate model for administering a mild concussion is essential to study rmTBI because researchers need to know whether the brain injury experienced is mild and not severe or life-threatening. To achieve this, we developed a mouse model in which subjects underwent a series of concussion administration trials over several weeks. Mice were anesthetized and underwent the head strike protocol. Righting reflex time was recorded along with behavior immediately after the head strike. The mice brains were harvested, and histopathology was observed using FD NeuroSilver and Luxol Fast Blue staining. Preliminary data from these trials indicate that the concussion model successfully produced mild injury. A repetitive, mild traumatic brain injury model was established. This advancement will provide support in conducting further research regarding prevention and management solutions for individuals affected by rmTBI.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 104
|
| Bernstein, Jenna |
Derrick, Maureen |
Experiential Learning in the College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Freshman year I came to the University of South Carolina excited to pursue a degree in Sport and Entertainment Management. I grew up surrounded by the industry and was looking forward to diving into a field I was so passionate about. Little did I know how much this program truly had to offer, and that I would become an ambassador by the end of my freshman year. Throughout my first year I gained work experience at prestigious sporting events such as The Masters golf tournament and joined major-specific organizations. I also developed exponentially as a young professional through coursework opportunities including resume building and networking practice. The gratitude I felt for everything I was presented with was so great that I desperately wanted to give back to the program. When applications for the ambassador program “HRSM Leaders” came out I thought this was the perfect opportunity. Being selected after a three-part interview process was an honor in itself, but getting to work with this program has been truly special. I’ve had the opportunity to work Admitted Students Days over the past two years. This experience has been remarkable by getting to share with prospective students and their families everything I love about a program that has given me so much. I took the passion I had for an industry that thrives off of creating experiences for others and applied it to the program that taught me everything I know. I have gained confidence in myself both personally and professionally that I am eternally grateful for. I truly believe I would not be the same person I am today if I did not choose the College of Hospitality, Retail, and Sport Management.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 286
|
| Seney, Allison |
Ray, Donna
Corason, Alex |
Putting the Docere back in Doctor
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Background:
Senior residents play a key role in directing the development of patient-care skills in new physicians, yet many lack experience in being a teacher. While structured teaching courses may be impractical in the medical school curriculum, opportunities to build teaching skills are valuable to medical students who will eventually be responsible for educating future generations of physicians. The MEDtorship program at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine Columbia offers an opportunity to develop these skills, allowing medical students to provide academic support to school age children. At its conception, the program was content with simply bringing the student pairs together and leaving the tutors to provide academic support in whatever way they saw fit. The objective of our project is to develop a structured tutoring format to improve the MEDtorship experience for the tutors and maximize the benefit to the students.
Methods:
MEDtorship pairs medical student volunteers with local elementary school students for weekly tutoring sessions. To address the deficit in skill and enthusiasm, we implemented multiple interventions to improve the tutoring experience, taking inspiration from the iTEACH “Learning Model” developed by Dr. Donna Ray, derived from the Stanford Faculty Development Center Framework. These interventions include providing a “Tutor Guide” and implementing a goal-tracking system, where tutors set, record, and update academic goals using a "Goal Tracker" kept in the student's binder. The impact on tutor experience will be assessed by a retrospective pre-post survey of the tutors. Additionally, the goal tracking sheets will be used to view the progress of each student throughout the semester.
Conclusion:
Results are pending the cessation of the semester when surveys will be sent to tutors and student goal sheets will be reviewed.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 117
|
| Franklin, Morgan |
Spence, Gina |
Fulfilling my Secret Fate
View Full Text
Abstract Text
My freshman year of college I was given the name "Secret Fate" which means that I was given the prophecy that I'd be great one day. This was shocking to me because I was just a shy, country girl trying to get in and out of the university. Never in a million years did I think I’d be the great leader I am today, serving as president of the sorority chapter I once admired, chartering and serving as the Vice President for another organization on campus, working two jobs where I set the example for new employees and always bring new ideas, and working as a children’s church teacher. Through my years here I've gone through ups and downs to find a way to fulfill my secret fate. I have strengthened my professional and civic engagement skills by using the Psychology material learned in the classroom in my outside the classroom experiences. I consider these experiences as “practice” for the real world, learning to use what I learn in the classroom in my personal and professional life now will help me post graduation in my career. I’ve learned how to handle difficult tasks like having a heavy work and life load, conflict resolutions, and lack of resources. These are issues I’ve faced as a college student, but I’m certain I will also face them in my post-graduation life. If there were three pieces of advice I’d give to my freshman self they’d be to have some sort of “family” on campus because it’s important for development, understand that when conflict occurs individuals are attacking the problem and not you, and take things one day at a time, your older self will thank you.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 311
|
Barnes, Kerrington
Padro-Frazier, Daneshka |
Herbert Harris, Eboni
Bartmess, Marissa |
Evidence-Based Practices for Sleep Promotion in Hospital Patients
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Background:
Hospitalized patients frequently experience sleep disturbances due to environmental noise, clinical interventions, and medical conditions. Poor sleep quality correlates with adverse outcomes, including delayed recovery, increased pain, and higher stress. Nurses play a crucial role in implementing proven methods to promote sleep and recovery.
Purpose:
This evidence review identifies and evaluates effective, evidence-based strategies to promote sleep in hospitalized patients. It examines non-pharmacological interventions, their impact on patient outcomes, and ways to implement these nursing practices for better health.
Methods:
A literature search using PubMed, PMC, and Wiley Online Library identified 32 articles published from 2015–2024, including systematic reviews, randomized controlled trials, and observational studies. Search terms included "hospitalized patients," "sleep promotion," "non-pharmacological interventions," and "nursing strategies."
Results:
Findings indicate multimodal interventions improve sleep quality, including relaxation therapy, noise reduction, light therapy, and structured sleep hygiene protocols. Nurse-led initiatives, patient education, and bedtime routines further enhance sleep. More research should focus on standardizing these practices in hospital care models to optimize recovery and satisfaction.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 71
|
| Fingerhut, Allyson |
Reinhardt, Sara |
My Journey Exploring Spain
View Full Text
Abstract Text
I had the opportunity to study abroad in Spain and that experience enhanced my understanding of perspectives, language, and culture. I was able to be fully immersed in this brand-new culture, that I had never been to before, all by myself, thousands of miles from anyone I knew. I was definitely scared but my desire to discover what life was like in Spain was much stronger. I had the chance to live as a local would. I got to immerse myself in their daily routines, some I loved, and others weren’t for me. For example, the daily siestas, these are when everything closes in Spain from about 1 PM to 3PM and people nap or spend time with loved ones. I loved this idea because it allowed me to take a daily break which is something I feel that many people in America forget to do, and looking back, this really helped my mental health and decreased my stress levels. One aspect of the Spanish culture that wasn’t for me were the late dinners. People in Spain would eat dinner at 10 PM and that was challenging to adapt to because where I am from we would eat dinner around 5:30 PM. An example of something they did in Spain that I was neutral towards was the transportation. I took the metro absolutely everywhere in my five months living in Spain. It took time to get used to, like so many things do, but once I was acclimated, I was unstoppable. My time in Spain really strengthened my ability to adapt and increased my sense of independence. During my time here I developed a strong sense of appreciation for their culture. This amazing opportunity to study abroad strengthened my entire sense of self and the world around me, I gained confidence to thrive in the unknown and trusting that I will find my way. And I did. I wouldn’t be as determined as I am now for my future aspirations if it wasn’t for my time abroad. I am forever grateful to Spain for gifting me that remarkable experience.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 238
|
Gatte, Samantha
Mueller, Erica |
Herbert Harris, Eboni |
Fall Prevention in Inpatient Settings: Protecting Older Adults Through Evidence-Based Strategies
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Background
Elderly patients are at higher risk for falls in healthcare settings. Complications from falls can increase morbidity and mortality in older adults and lead to extended hospital stays.
Purpose
Nurses and the inpatient multidisciplinary team play a key role in fall prevention through thorough risk assessments, interventions, and collaborative interactions with their patients. We researched fall prevention measures in older adults in the inpatient setting to see if current protocols are sufficient or if they need adjustment.
Methods
During our literature search, we used an advanced search on CINAHL that included the terms fall prevention, elderly, and hospital to find articles that were specific to our research and were published within the last 5 years. We looked at fifteen articles and read the abstracts to narrow it down to five articles that focused on successful fall prevention measures through evidence based practices.
Results
A key strategy in preventing falls during a patient’s hospital stay is to conduct a fall risk screening. Additionally, including the patient in our fall prevention plans is critical to ensure that they understand how to maintain their safety throughout their stay. Given the numerous responsibilities that nurses hold, it is important to include the entire multidisciplinary team in fall prevention strategies to avoid patient injury.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 61
|
| Johnson, William |
Wellman, Denise |
Community, Culture, and Care: Volunteering for Social Change in Rome
View Full Text
Abstract Text
During my study abroad experience in Rome, Italy, I volunteered with Tuttoblue Arte e Sociale, a nonprofit dedicated to humanitarian aid and social inclusion. My role involved supporting community-based initiatives that assisted marginalized populations, particularly by providing food to underprivileged people. I sought out this experience to gain firsthand insight into how grassroots organizations address social inequalities on a global scale. As a future healthcare professional, I wanted to understand the role of community-driven efforts in supporting underserved populations and fostering social change.
I worked alongside Italian volunteers to organize outreach efforts that provided aid to vulnerable individuals. Through hands-on engagement, I contributed to initiatives aimed at strengthening social support systems and ensuring marginalized groups received necessary assistance. I discovered that systemic inequalities and food insecurity are universal challenges affecting communities worldwide. Just as in the U.S., marginalized populations in Italy often rely on nonprofits like Tuttoblue Arte e Sociale when government assistance is insufficient. I saw how community-driven initiatives play an essential role in addressing social disparities, reinforcing the importance of local advocacy and intervention.
This experience deepened my understanding of global social challenges and the power of grassroots organizations in creating change. It reinforced my belief that supporting underserved communities requires a multifaceted approach that extends beyond institutional aid. As I pursue a career in healthcare, I will integrate this global perspective, ensuring that community engagement and advocacy remain central to my work in improving public health.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 244
|
| Caldrello, Jenna |
Pou, Jay |
Studying Abroad in Florence: Exploring My Roots and Expanding My Perspective
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Last spring, I studied abroad in Florence, Italy for 11 weeks through the SAI program. Ever since I can remember, Italy has been my dream place to visit. My family has always traveled, but I had never been out of the country before. When I discovered the opportunity to study abroad in Florence, I knew I had no choice but to go. My family has strong Italian roots, so I was most excited to feel connected to my ancestors and immerse myself in Italian culture.
The courses I took abroad at the Florence University of the Arts were Florentine Art Walks, Florentine Literary Walks, Hospitality Marketing, and Food, Culture, and Society. Through these classes, I was able to expand my global perspective and gain insights that benefit my future career in marketing/sales. Navigating a new city, overcoming language barriers, and embracing cultural differences were all big challenges for me, but having the opportunity to live in Italy was a life changing experience. I explored Florence’s historical landmarks on my own and through classes, like the Duomo and the Ponte Vecchio, and also traveled to many other European cities. I connected with locals, my professors, and new friends while observing and embracing cultural differences.
Studying abroad deepened my appreciation for cultural diversity and enhanced my problem solving and communication skills. Living in a foreign country challenged me to step outside my comfort zone, elevating my confidence in unfamiliar environments. Although I was beyond nervous before going, it was all worth it because I gained a stronger sense of independence and self reliance, which will be valuable in both my personal and professional life.
Studying abroad enriched my education and allowed me to apply concepts from my coursework in a real world setting. By experiencing different consumer behaviors firsthand, I developed a better understanding of international markets. This experience strengthened my passion for travel and global branding/marketing, and I hope to apply these insights as I pursue a career in the industry.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 199
|
| LeBarron, Christopher |
Hosseini, Seyyedamirhossein |
Mechanistic Insights on Hydride Formation via Nickel(II) Salen Electrocatalyst
View Full Text
Abstract Text
In electrochemical reactions, the role of the solvent-supporting electrolyte (SSE) as a key parameter in directing the reaction pathway and influencing product distribution has not been studied in detail. The lack of such a systematic study stems from the absence of a multicomponent and integrated analytical and electroanalytical platform that enables the decomposition of multicomponent electrochemical reactions into elementary steps, facilitating the accurate identification of molecular species as well as the rate of each elementary step. Herein, we report the development of an electroanalytical measurement method based on cyclic voltammetry (CV), numerical simulation using COMSOL, and gas chromatography to systematically study the role of SSE in the electrochemical hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) as a model system. This platform was developed through the investigation of H₂ evolution via the electrocatalytic cycle between nickel(II) salen and the proton donor hexafluoro-2-propanol (HFIP) in a dimethylformamide (DMF) solvent with tetrabutylammonium tetrafluoroborate (TBABF₄) as the SSE. Our results show that nickel(II) salen undergoes a reversible one-electron reduction/oxidation in the absence of HFIP. However, upon the addition of HFIP, the cathodic peak increases while the anodic peak height decreases, which is consistent with the establishment of electrocatalytic HER. Moreover, GC measurement from the headspace of an electrolysis cell containing nickel(II) salen and an excess of HFIP showed hydrogen gas is evolving through the electrolysis. These results together confirm the establishment of electrocatalytic HER using nickel(II) salen as the mediator for H2 formation. Moreover, additional CV measurements indicated that when acetonitrile (ACN) is used instead of DMF and LiClO₄ instead of TBABF₄, a lower concentration of HFIP is required to produce the same electrocatalytic response toward HER. These studies collectively indicate that SSE drastically impacts the rate and pathway of HER. Moving forward, we plan to incorporate our CV measurement and couple these measurements with scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) to investigate electrocatalytic HER and study impact of SSE on the reaction rate and mechanism.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 45
|
| Nissim, Dominique |
Raunikar, Mary |
From Incarceration to Education: How Higher Education Transforms Lives and Prevents Criminal Behavior
View Full Text
Abstract Text
This presentation will explore the critical role of higher education within the criminal justice field, combining my career interests and academic background. It will examine how academic initiatives at postsecondary institutions, such as colleges and universities, can prevent individuals from entering the criminal justice system and aid in their successful reintegration into society. By analyzing programs designed to support at-risk individuals and those who have been incarcerated, the presentation will highlight the transformative power of education in redirecting lives and promoting positive social change. Drawing on my leadership experiences in higher education, I will demonstrate how academic engagement fosters personal growth and reduces the likelihood of criminal behavior. In addition, I will apply theories and data from my criminal justice coursework to illustrate the connection between higher education and criminal justice outcomes. This analysis will emphasize how educational opportunities serve as key interventions in breaking the cycle of crime and recidivism. The presentation aims to bridge the gap between these two fields, showcasing the tangible impact that higher education can have on individuals' lives, both in preventing criminal involvement and assisting with their reintegration into society. By integrating both practical leadership experience and academic theory, I hope to provide a comprehensive understanding of how these sectors intersect and the potential they hold for fostering long-term societal change.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 259
|
Nyanankpe, Saydah
Wiltshire, MiLana |
Harris, Eboni
Bartmess, Marissa |
Investigating Cardiovascular Risks of E-cigarette/Vaping Use Amongst Youths
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Background/ Significance: Electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) usage is rapidly increasing among youth despite the lack of information regarding the implications and ramifications of it. They were found to be attractive due to the different flavors and intriguing devices.
Purpose/ Objective: To investigate the cardiovascular effects of e-cigarette usage among children and adolescents.
Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted using the CINAHL Ultimate database with keywords including “vaping or electronic cigarettes or e-cigarettes,” “cardiovascular disease,” and “youth or adolescents or young people or teens or young adults.” Inclusion criteria included studies published within the last 10 years. Exclusion criteria included articles that were not full-text, peer-reviewed, or presented in English.
Results: From the literature review, it was found that there are acute and chronic cardiovascular risks associated with the use of e-cigarettes and vaping. It was also found that there is an increased usage amongst adolescents. There was also a lower perceived risk of cardiovascular harm amongst the youth.
Conclusion/ Implications: More research is needed to determine the safety and health risks associated with e-cigarettes/vaping among children and adolescents. These potential cardiovascular risks have long-term implications on the health and well-being of youths.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 62
|
| ISLAM, MD MOINUL |
Greytak, Andrew B |
Probing Surface Chemistry of CdSe Magic-Sized Nanocrystals
View Full Text
Abstract Text
This poster describes our recent efforts to unravel the ligand exchange dynamics of phosphonic and phosphinic acid ligands on the surfaces of atomically precise “magic-sized” semiconducting nanocrystals (MSNCs) via isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Being highly precise in their structure, MSNC-based semiconducting compounds are increasingly sought as nucleating scaffolds and single source precursors for synthesizing highly uniform nanocrystals (NCs). Their extreme surface-area-to-volume ratio makes understanding and characterizing their surface chemistry crucial for engineering them for specific uses, while also allowing for predictive modeling of the behavior of larger or less precisely-controlled NCs. Historically, strongly coordinating phosphorus-based acids are very crucial in making anisotropic NCs. Hence, understanding the binding thermodynamics of phosphorus-based ligands to the NC surface plays a vital role in advancing control of the resulting NC shape as well as their photophysical properties. In this study, the surface chemistry of a series of non-stoichiometric zinc blende CdSe MSNCs are investigated by measuring the displacement of native oleate ligands with more strongly binding alkyl phosphonic acids and phosphinic acids. A combination of 1H NMR and ITC elucidates the exchange reaction mechanisms, while also highlighting insights from the systematic structural variation of the phosphonic and phosphinic acid ligands. The findings from this fundamental study advance the understanding of CdSe MSNC surface chemistry and provide strategies for studying site-specific and size-dependent surface interactions on nanocrystals.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 23
|
| Strock, Lauren |
Zelmer, Derek |
Evaluating the Potential for Pyrantel Pamoate Resistant Strains of the Canine Hookworm, Ancylostoma Caninum in the Central Savannah River Area (Csra)
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Ancylostoma caninum, is a common intestinal nematode infecting dogs in the southern United States, with infections ranging from mild to severe. Pyrantel pamoate is a popular anthelmintic treatment used by many veterinarians across the U.S., but its widespread use has raised concern regarding the development of resistance. Multi-drug-resistant (MDR) strains of A. caninum have been identified in the U.S., and have also been detected in Canada as the result of the transport of dogs across the border. Analysis of serial fecal samples from weaned puppies dewormed with pyrantel pamoate was used to determine if pyrantel pamoate resistant strains of A. caninum are present in the Central Savannah River Area. A modified McMaster technique was used to perform a fecal egg count reduction assay to detect resistance and evaluate the effectiveness of pyrantel pamoate treatment. Thus far, evidence of both pyrantel resistant and MDR strains has been detected in both breeder populations, and household pets. The results of this research will contribute to a better understanding of the geographic extent of anthelmintic resistance in A. caninum. Additionally, this may provide valuable information to veterinarians and pet owners that will aid in the development of effective treatment and prevention strategies.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 97
|
| RIVERA, JACQUELINE |
Herbert, Eboni |
DEI in Nursing and Improved Patient Outcomes
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Background: DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) in nursing is critical to reducing healthcare inequities. Diversity in the nursing workforce promotes culturally sensitive care, improved communication, and improved patient safety and outcomes. Patients from underrepresented groups are more likely to trust and cooperate with treatment adherence with nurses who share similar cultural beliefs or speak the same language.
Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine the significance of DEI and best practices to improve the recruitment of underrepresented minorities in training programs and leadership positions.
Methods: An electronic literature search was conducted between January 2020 and January 2025. Google Scholar and Pub Med were used to search keywords “DEI,” “patient outcomes,” “nursing leadership,” “health inequities,” and “equity training.” Four peer-reviewed published journals were used.
Conclusions: The main findings for best practices in DEI included incorporating DEI into an institution’s mission statement, addressing DEI topics in curricula, having a DEI strategic plan, developing education, recruiting underrepresented minority nursing faculty and leadership, developing data-based interventions, imparting policy change, partnering in outreach, targeting impact on hiring committees, and providing mentorship. Research strongly indicates that DEI policy must be upheld to advocate for social justice and promote health equity for those providing and receiving care.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 72
|
| Hill, Lauren |
Defossez, Christopher |
A Meme is Worth A Thousand Words: Exploring the Connection Between Internet Behavior and Social Engagement
View Full Text
Abstract Text
In this correlational study, we examined the experiences of those who create, view and share internet memes, paying close attention to the potential psychological and interpersonal impact caused by this activity. To do this we first created a 20 item 5 point Likert Scale to assess for internet behavior and social engagement. Our research collected and analyzed survey data (n=395) from a random sample of online respondents, and used Pearson’s r to identify inter-item correlations. Strong and statistically significant correlations were found between items pertaining to meme source and sharing behavior, as well as meme sharing behavior and motivation. These data suggest that people who create memes feel more strongly about social issues and view memes as a channel to influence discourse on those issues. Additionally, data revealed that there is a small, but significant subset of the population who endorsed getting their knowledge of current events primarily from a single source of internet memes. These respondents were also most likely to respond that they share memes “to convince others of an argument.” We will discuss the implications of these findings and correlations on our poster presentation.
Our study indicates that it has become important to view the creation and distribution of online content not simply as a fringe process, but as foundational to the creation and maintenance of social groups outside as well as inside online spaces. Our research helps to understand the intent, motivation, and level of awareness with which internet memes are created and shared in various online communities.
Prior research has already drawn comparisons between the effects of meme dissemination and propaganda campaigns before the digital age (see Nieubuurt, 2021) and our research continues to bring clarity to the impacts of this phenomenon in the faster paced and more polarized internet era.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 3
|
| Rogers, Keira |
Tandon, Keah |
Rx for Success: How Peer Leadership Prepared Me for Patient Care
View Full Text
Abstract Text
During my senior year, I was granted the opportunity to serve as a University 101 Peer Leader. This role was a transformative experience that allowed me to develop leadership skills while supporting first-year students in their transition to college. University 101 is designed to aid students in building a strong foundation for academic success, personal growth, and campus
engagement. As a Peer Leader, I co-facilitated lessons and led discussions and activities that fostered individuality. My role allowed me to mentor a class of 20 students while also providing them with valuable resources and personal insights into the University of South Carolina.
My motivation for becoming a Peer Leader stemmed from my own positive experience in University 101 when I was a freshman. I recognized the value of having a mentor who provided guidance and reassurance and wanted to offer that same support to my own cohort of students. Throughout the semester, I worked closely with my co-instructor to ensure that the needs of the
students were met both academically and personally.
Facilitating lessons has significantly enhanced my leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills. I gained the experience of fostering meaningful connections while learning how to adapt to the challenges of various learning styles simultaneously addressing
concerns with empathy. The most rewarding aspect of this experience was witnessing my students’ growth and confidence flourish throughout the semester.
The significance of this experience extends beyond personal growth. Peer leadership plays a crucial role in student retention and success by fostering a sense of belonging. I hope my experience encourages others to take on mentorship roles and contribute to a supportive learning environment.
I plan to apply the skills I gained as a Peer Leader to my future career in healthcare. Effective communication, mentorship, and leadership are essential in patient care, and this experience has reinforced my ability to guide and support others. I aim to continue engaging in leadership opportunities that allow me to positively impact my community.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 315
|
Bickley, Cameron
Bowen, Makayla |
Harris, Eboni
Bartmess, Marissa |
Effectiveness of Nurse-Led Interventions of CAUTIs in ICU Settings
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Background
Within the intensive care unit (ICU), Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) are one of the most common hospital-associated infections due to patients' heightened risk of prolonged catheterization, invasive procedures, and compromised immune function. CAUTIs contribute to extended hospital stays, heightened healthcare costs, and increased morbidity and mortality rates. Nurse-led interventions have shown promise through evidence-based interventions at decreasing and preventing CAUTIs within the hospital setting.
Purpose
This study examines the effects of nursing-led interventions in reducing CAUTIs in an ICU setting by using bundles, daily assessments, and patient education.
Methods
A comprehensive search of the effectiveness of nurse-led interventions of CAUTIs in ICU settings was conducted. A search on the PubMed database started with keywords such as “nurse”, “interventions”, “catheter-associated urinary tract infections”, and “ICU”. It yielded 48 results from 1990 to 2025, so research was narrowed to the last 5 years, and 15 results were obtained. Two articles were chosen from this database.
Results
Studies found that nurse-led interventions effectively reduced CAUTIs using a multidisciplinary approach of bundles for appropriate indications and care, daily assessment for site infections and possible removal, and educating patients and their families on catheter use.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 63
|
| Poer, Katherine |
DeWeil, David |
Expanding Sustainability Through Outreach: A Leadership Journey
View Full Text
Abstract Text
One of the most impactful experiences of my college career has been my role as the Project Coordinator of Campus Outreach for Sustainable Carolina. In this position, I have helped shape the team’s purpose by leaning into its supportive role within Sustainable Carolina, which features five other teams. By leveraging social media, outreach events, and presentations, I have worked to increase awareness and engagement, demonstrating the relevance of sustainability in all aspects of life. This experience has strengthened my communication, problem-solving, and leadership skills, while also teaching me to trust my intuition. When I first joined Sustainable Carolina, I just wanted to be more active in sustainability on campus, but this community and this position, in addition to my coursework in Sustainability in Business, was transformative to my future goals and aspirations. Moving forward, I hope to apply these lessons in a career focused on sustainability in business, where I can drive strategic initiatives that balance environmental responsibility with economic success. In this presentation, I hope to speak to my experience and encourage others to follow their passions, as it may lead toward a transformation of their own.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 305
|
| Johnson, Madeline |
Spencer, Gina |
Interning at the Department of Justice's Office of Legal Education
View Full Text
Abstract Text
I am a student intern for the Department of Justice’s Office of Legal Education on the Criminal and National Security Team in Columbia, SC. The team consists of 11 individuals. The primary purpose of the OLE is to train DOJ personnel and provide courses to keep them up to date on skills.
As a prelaw student, this internship has given me a background on what it is like to be a lawyer, gain valuable insight into what I want to do in the future and learn how to excel in a professional environment. I have several responsibilities such as reviewing course materials, creating an instructor information spreadsheet, and creating a quarterly newsletter. In this position, I also designed a thank-you letter template that has been implemented as standard practice and is sent to every instructor who participates in an OLE course. I knew that I wanted to pursue a career in the legal field, and the Office of Legal Education seemed like a great way to dive into different opportunities in the legal field.
I learned valuable information while in this position. I learned how to effectively communicate ideas with co-workers, and how to present ideas to supervisors. After being in this position for two years, I can confidently voice my thoughts and adapt my communication to my audience. In many classes, you must present ideas to peers and professors. In Journalism 533, my group was tasked with creating and implementing problem-solving skills for a company with a previous public relations flaw. While doing this project, I had to work with a group to communicate my ideas and thoughts about how to tackle the project. The skills I learned at my internship helped me effectively communicate with my peers and present our project to the professor.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 269
|
Parker, Jazlyn
Weaver, Katherine |
Herbert-Harris, Eboni |
Updates on NICU Patients’ Pain
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Title: Updates on NICU Patients’ Pain
Authors: Jazlyn Parker and Katherine Weaver
Abstract:
Background/Significance:
Before the 1980s, in healthcare settings, pain was not considered during care or procedures for the neonatal population. In the present day, research has shown that the neonatal population indeed experiences pain at the level that adults experience pain, if not more, due to hypersensitive reactions related to an immature immune system.
Purpose/Objectives:
This project addresses and identifies new procedures and pain management strategies for nurses to be educated on and implement/identify within the NICU.
Methods:
The keywords used during the search were NICU, Nursing, Pain Scales, and Current Standards. Seven hundred and ninety-seven results were yielded from these keywords in PubMed and Elsevier databases, and approximately six articles that were related to these keywords were reviewed. The search was refined to 2018-2024, published within the US in English; peer-reviewed articles, meta-analyses, and full-length texts were included.
Results/Conclusion:
Nurses implementing accurate pain assessments in the neonatal population is essential because of the high prevalence rates of pain experiences among NICU patients. Despite the number of neonatal assessment tools, these assessments have no gold standards, causing inconsistency among nurses, providers, and documented pain. A goal moving forward is the re-education of hospital staff of NICU patients to address, identify, and rate neonates' pain.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 73
|
| Owens, Katherine |
Lipinoga, Meghan |
Translating Sustainability Management Principles into Real-World Corporate Action
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Sustainability is most effective when integrated into an organization’s core management systems rather than treated as an afterthought. My Sustainability Management and Leadership course with Dr. Tameria Warren has provided a foundation in sustainability frameworks like ISO 14001, emphasizing leadership’s role in sustainable development and the need for clear, measurable sustainability metrics. In my role as a Sustainability Intern at MITRE, I am applying these principles firsthand by assisting in the implementation of the Sustainability Management Plan, tracking greenhouse gas emissions, and supporting employee-led Green Teams.
Additionally, my leadership on the Green Certification Team with Sustainable Carolina has given me experience consulting with organizations to make events and offices more sustainable. I have applied this approach at MITRE by developing an event planning template to help Green Teams organize sustainability initiatives like Earth Day events. My experience with Green Certifying events has allowed me to bring practical recommendations, such as reducing physical waste, incorporating composting and recycling stations, and minimizing unnecessary energy consumption.
My coursework has reinforced how integrated management systems align sustainability with operational efficiency, using real-life case studies of military bases and corporate programs. At MITRE, I have worked within the GHG Protocol framework to measure and manage emissions from utilities across U.S. office locations, ensuring sustainability goals are backed by data-driven metrics. Beyond technical work, I have coordinated engagement initiatives, such as Earth/Arbor Day and Bike to Work Day, to encourage employees to adopt sustainable practices.
This experience has reinforced that sustainability management is not just about setting ambitious targets—it is about ensuring that goals are realistic, measurable, and effectively integrated into operations. My coursework provided the theoretical foundation, while my internship and leadership in Sustainable Carolina have allowed me to apply these concepts in both corporate and university settings. Moving forward, I will continue bridging academic learning with real-world application to drive meaningful sustainability initiatives.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 260
|
| Cunningham, Nicholas |
DeWeil, David |
My College Ambassador Experience
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Over the past two years, I have been a college ambassador for the Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing. As an ambassador, I gave tours to prospective students looking to apply to the University of South Carolina and was in the process of deciding whether our college would be the best fit for them. I became an ambassador because I wanted to push myself in a direction that I had never gone before. As I did not think of myself as a strong public speaker but was willing to learn if I were taught about what it took to do the job. I learned that I do have what it takes to be an informative speaker and impact others with what I say. This also made me realize that I have a passion and enthusiasm for talking about what interests me within a college environment and about my experiences while at the university. I learned that public speaking is an art that each person must put their own creativity into to perfect. There is no “one size fits all” with speaking and because of this I was able to build not only confidence but stop depending on structure when it comes to presenting. Now as I begin my career in engineering, I can use the skills I have learned to clearly present information to employers and the public. From being a college ambassador, I was able to get a mentor that then led to an internship with Carolina Transportation Engineers and Associates that eventually led to a job with their engineering firm.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 252
|
| Bogar, Brenden |
Hancock, Nathan |
Developing an Arabidopsis Thaliana Transposition Assay for ZMAR20
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Transpositional elements are sequences of DNA that utilize a cut-and-paste mechanism to migrate from one place to another in the genome. Previously, the Hancock lab showed that Zmar20, a transposable element from maize, can transpose in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Using this yeast transposition assay, they were able to show that the addition of a nuclear localization signal (NLS) to the C-terminal of the Zmar20 transposase protein increased the rate of transposition. This project aims to evaluate if Zmar20 has the ability to transpose in Arabidopsis thaliana. We hypothesize that the addition of the C-term NLS will also result in increased transposition in Arabidopsis. We constructed three plasmids for this experiment: The first had a nonautonomous Zmar20NA element inserted directly upstream of a GFP gene. The other two were plant expression plasmids encoding Zmar20 transposase, with and without the C-term NLS. After sequence confirmation, these constructs were transformed into GV3101 agrobacterium and introduced into Arabidopsis using the floral dip method. Transgenic plants will be selected based on herbicide resistance and screened for GFP expression under a fluorescence microscope to compare transposition efficiency. We anticipate that transposition will result in GFP expression in Arabidopsis, with the C-term NLS construct displaying more GFP expressing sectors. Establishing this transposition assay will enable further optimization of Zmar20 transposition and its potential development as a genomic editing tool.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 124
|
| Nardone, Nicole |
Herbert Harris, Eboni
Bartmess, Marissa |
Exploring the Efficacy of Distraction Techniques Among the Pediatric Population
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Background/ Significance
In the hospital environment, procedures and treatment plans can cause high levels of pain, anxiety, and fear among the pediatric population. Distraction techniques, such as rotatable wooden toys and toy wristbands, are implemented to increase pediatric patients’ feelings of relaxation and safety.
Purpose/ Objectives
This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of distraction techniques among the pediatric population. Objectives include examining recently published research studeis to determine efficacy of distraction techniques among the pediatric population.
Methods
Google Scholar was used to conduct a comprehensive literature review. Keywords including “peds” and “distraction techniques” were searched, within a custom range of publications from 2019 to today. Results were populated from nursing journals; three articles were chosen to conduct the review.
Results/ Conclusion
A study conducted by Wu et al. (2022), reported that, despite the distraction technique used, anxiety levels were decreased when implemented. Two other studies, one by Shen et al. (2023) and another by Arikan & Esenay (2020), concluded that active techniques were more effective than passive techniques. The common conclusion was that preoperative distraction techniques can significantly alleviate high levels of pain, anxiety, and fear among the pediatric population. Future research should explore what specific technique is most efficient overall.
References
Arikan, A., & Esenay, F.I. (2020). Active and Passive Distraction Interventions in a Pediatric Emergency Department to Reduce the Pain and Anxiety During Venous Blood Sampling: A Randomized Clinical Trial. Journal of Emergency Nursing, 46(6), 779-790. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0099176720301537
Shen, T., Wang, X., Xue, Q., & Chen, D. (2023). Active versus passive distraction for reducing procedural pain and anxiety in children: a meta-analysis and systematic review. Italian Journal of Pediatrics, 49(109). https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13052-023-01518-4
Wu, J., Yan, J., Zhang, L., Chen, J., Cheng, Y., Wang, Y., Zhu, M., Cheng, L., & Zhang, L. (2022). The effectiveness of distraction as preoperative anxiety management technique in pediatric patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. International Journal of Nursing Studies,130. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S002074892200061X
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 64
|
| Sikoryak, Julianna |
Morris, Caleb |
Advocating for our Students through the Student Advisory Board
View Full Text
Abstract Text
The University of South Carolina is constantly looking for ways to grow and improve the numerous Colleges and departments on campus. As a student in the College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management, I had the honor of serving on the Student Advisory Board within the Retail department. The Student Advisory Board is made up of a group of fourteen students who consistently uphold the standards of the Retail department. The board is responsible for upholding and progressing the mission of the Department of Retailing, while also creating
opportunities for students to advance in their academic and professional career. While we serve under our Department Chairman and executives, we also work closely with our Executive Board,
which is made up of twelve industry professionals and leaders. The Student Advisory Board is an impactful way for us to advocate for our peers and connect with our department’s executives and advisors. I also had the privilege of serving as the Student Engagement Committee Chairman, where I was responsible for leading three other board members to create events and opportunities for all our students. Some of these events include a Peer Mentorship Program, department focused networking events, and career building opportunities. Through numerous networking
opportunities, weekly meetings, and department lead events, I have had the opportunity to grow and further develop my leadership and communication skills. This experience taught me the importance of becoming involved and working to improve the academic opportunities for
students. The Student Advisory Board is continuing to plan / host events, while also creating new and exciting opportunities for students in the upcoming semesters. We are also hoping to increase the Board’s presence and inform students on the amazing opportunities that follow
when you are a student in the Department of Retailing at the University of South Carolina.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 312
|
| Sikirzhytskaya, Maryia |
Speiser, Daniel |
Assessing Color Vision Capabilities in the Atlantic Mud Crab Panopeus Herbstii Using Cardiac Response
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Many animals interpret the wavelengths of light reflected by or transmitted through an object – colloquially known as color – by comparing the visual input received by separate photoreceptors in their eyes. Color vision can be a useful modality for crustaceans in shallow aquatic environments, where they may not be able to rely on achromatic cues to detect predators, prey, and conspecifics due to disruptions from the flicker of the water. Researchers use avoidance responses, like freezing or fleeing from threatening visual stimuli, to test for color vision in crustaceans. Looming threat responses are relevant to benthic crabs because predators typically approach them from above. If behavioral evidence of stimulus perception is insufficient, cardiac responses can be used as a reliable and measurable assessment. My experiment implements an innovative approach based on integrating looming stimuli with heart rate measurements to ask whether the Atlantic mud crab Panopeus herbstii has color vision. At least 20 crabs are tested with multiple randomized stimuli by being connected to QRE1113 cardiac sensors. These stimuli are created such that the colors are equally bright to the crabs, prompting them to utilize chromatic contrast rather than achromatic contrast to detect them, ensuring a response is due to a perceived color difference and not due to brightness. Chromatic stimuli include green-blue/blue-green looms for the treatment and green-green/blue-blue looms for negative control. Achromatic stimuli of black-white/white-black looms act as positive controls. Crabs are placed into a darkened chamber with an overhead computer screen and allowed to acclimate. Open Broadcaster Software (OBS) is used to simultaneously capture the visual stimuli being displayed, behavioral responses, and heart rate responses. Data is analyzed using R and software packages in Python to compare responses between experimental and control stimuli to assess for statistically significant differences. These methods address the role of mud crab color vision in tidal creeks with visibility challenges from fluctuating water conditions such as turbidity, pH, and temperature. The presence of color vision may aid in exploring the role of sensory experiences in mate selection and species recognition, allowing for a greater understanding of aquatic social dynamics.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 108
|
| Burnett, Daniel |
Pittman, Douglas |
RAD51D Variant Interaction with Nuclear Paraspeckles: Insights into DNA Damage Response Mechanisms
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Homologous recombination (HR) is a critical pathway for DNA repair and genomic stability. The RAD51 protein family (RAD51, RAD51B, RAD51C, RAD51D, XRCC2, and XRCC3) is a central component of HR machinery, with RAD51D exhibiting an unusually high number of mRNA splice variants. This suggests that alternative splicing of RAD51D may play a regulatory role in HR. In mice, seven alternative RAD51D transcripts have been identified, with functional characterization showing varying resistance to the DNA interstrand crosslinking agent Mitomycin C. Paraspeckles are nuclear organelles composed primarily of three central proteins - SFPQ, NONO, and PSPC1 – oriented around the long non-coding RNA NEAT1. Believed to play a role in nuclear retention of hyper-edited mRNA transcripts, their expansive functions within the cell remain incompletely understood. Emerging evidence suggests paraspeckles may contribute to HR-mediated DNA double-strand break repair. Therefore, this project is analyzing the interaction profile between SFPQ, NONO, and PSPC1 with RAD51D and RAD51D splice and truncation variants using the yeast-2-hybrid (Y2H) system. Each of these genes and their isoforms were cloned into pGBK (Gal4 DNA binding domain) and pGAD (Gal4 Activation domain) vectors. Co-transformations of competent yeast cells were performed, and single colony transformants organized onto a central plate. This main plate was replica plated onto selective media, where any growth indicates protein interaction because of the activation of reporter genes. Quantitative interaction analysis is being performed using ortho-Nitrophenyl-β-galactosidase (ONPG) assays, where reporter gene-mediated β-galactosidase activity produces a measurable yellow pigment. Preliminary findings reveal potential interactions between RAD51D variants and paraspeckle proteins, suggesting a role in modulating HR. It has been proposed that RAD51D splice variants may influence HR by sequestering key repair proteins into inactive complexes, a mechanism that could extend to interactions with paraspeckle proteins. These results provide new insights into the regulatory dynamics of HR and the potential crosstalk between RAD51D variants and nuclear paraspeckles in DNA damage response.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 24
|
| Proce, Hannah |
Kozlik, Lauren |
Leading While Learning: How I Guided Myself and Others
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Throughout high school, free time was a mystery to me, but staying busy kept me on track. When I came to the University of South Carolina, that did not change, and I am grateful for how my connections and experiences have shaped me.
Leadership has always been something I aspired to. From the moment I stepped onto the University of South Carolina’s campus, I sought involvement in organizations I was passionate about. If you had told me I would become president of a 400-person sorority as a sophomore, I would not have believed you. I did achieve this accomplishment, and I am incredibly grateful for the experience. At the time, I was already Chi Omega’s house manager, Marketing Co-Director for Relay For Life, an intern for Gamecock Hockey Marketing, and pledging Phi Chi Theta, my business fraternity. Taking on the presidency role in Chi Omega was daunting, and I knew I had to earn respect, maintain composure, and always represent Chi Omega. Excelling in this role strengthened my ability to make quick, confident decisions while balancing poise and empathy.
Following that experience, I served as Professionalism Director for Phi Chi Theta for two semesters. During this time, I assisted members in refining their résumés, cover letters, and LinkedIn profiles. I also organized workshops on interviewing and business etiquette and invited professionals to chapter meetings to speak on various industries. Lastly, I became Director of Marketing and Events for Gamecock Hockey, a role that allowed me to embrace my creativity. Procuring sponsorships and hosting events sharpened my attention to detail and reinforced my confidence in executing responsibilities.
I owe so much of who I am to these positions. I also owe so much to the incredible people that have guided me through these positions. Leading, while learning, has been an invaluable journey for me, as it has made my time at the University of South Carolina truly unforgettable.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 299
|
| Wood, Leah |
Hung, Peiyin |
Sociodemographic Variations in Perinatal Telehealth Uptake, Prenatal Care Access, and Care Continuity in the United States
View Full Text
Abstract Text
The United States is amidst a maternal health crisis with persistent geographic and sociodemographic disparities facing rural women and women of color. Timely prenatal care access is crucial in ensuring maternal and infant health for birthing people as it allows pregnancy risk and family history to be accurately assessed, ultimately guiding the development of an optimal prenatal care plan. Telehealth - healthcare delivery via synchronous video or audio telecommunication or asynchronous modality via phone or online patient portal – was expected to mitigate disparities in access to prenatal care. While research shows that telehealth improves prenatal care support, its impact on the timeliness, frequency, and continuity of prenatal care remains unclear. Using national electronic health records within the National Clinical Cohort Collaborative (N3C), this retrospective study examines the trends of prenatal care initiation timing and visit frequency as well as the association between telehealth uptake and these prenatal care patterns, overall and by residence location, race, and ethnicity among pregnant women aged 15-50 who gave birth between 1/1/2019 and 12/31/2023. Initial data collections shows that overall, pregnant women in the study had a median of prenatal care initiation in the 10th gestational week (IQR: 7.7-17.7 weeks) and 14 prenatal visits (Interquartile Range [IQR]: 6-21). Among women who gave birth in and after March 2020, those with prenatal telehealth use had more visits (median [IQR]: 15[9-23]) and earlier care initiation (median [IQR]: 9.4 [7-13.5]) than those without telehealth use (13 [6-21] visits and 10.5 [7.8-18.5] gestational week). Further analyses will be conducted using Chi-square tests or Fisher’s exact tests to compare maternal characteristics by telehealth uptake and prenatal care continuity, and Kaplan-Meir survival curves to examine differences in days from pregnancy conception to the first prenatal care visit by prenatal telehealth uptake across subgroups. Regression analysis for timing and frequency across subgroups will be conducted using Cox Proportional Hazards Model and a negative binomial model, respectively. While this study is ongoing, it hopes to address an important issue in maternal care – leveraging technology to improve prenatal care, specifically the timeliness and frequency in order to improve outcomes and reduce inequities.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 125
|
| Cross, Lydia |
Ballou, Julia |
Artificial Intelligence and Bias
View Full Text
Abstract Text
In my E-Business class at ESSEC in France, I was introduced to artificial intelligence as a software that makes fast, objective decisions that will revolutionize life as we know it. It is trained on existing data from a firm’s databases, the internet, and other sources to learn from this information and find patterns that may be more time consuming and less intuitive for human beings. It was revealed to me in my academic and beyond the classroom experiences however, that we may not be able to control the patterns AI may replicate, and it can work against our interests. I furthered my understanding of this idea beyond the classroom at a Science and Society conference, analyzing Microsoft's DEI initiatives and how they perform relative to their competitors. In both these experiences, I found that AI is not a perfect tool, and can reinforce preexisting biases. I learned the importance of auditing and a holistic approach to corporate culture, as there are barriers to entry for many individuals in the workforce.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 221
|
| Stivers, Halle |
Hiott, Ambra |
Health is More than Just Healthcare
View Full Text
Abstract Text
During the summer of 2023, I volunteered at the Hope Health Clinic in Louisville, Kentucky. The Hope Health Clinic is a member of the National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics, ensuring the medically underserved have access to affordable and quality healthcare. I was a patient rooming volunteer, and my role included bringing patients back to the rooms, taking their vitals, and asking them a series of health screening questions. I accepted this volunteer opportunity at the clinic to fulfill the requirements for graduate school. As a pre-physician assistant student, there is pressure to accumulate as many patient care, volunteer, and shadowing hours as possible. My experience at the Hope Health Clinic turned out to be much more impactful on my personal and professional growth than I expected. I learned many clinical skills along with the importance of affordable and accessible healthcare. Many of the patients at the clinic were facing negative health outcomes due to a variety of factors including their race, family network, and economic and cultural policies and conditions. Through volunteering at the clinic, I made a change in healthcare accessibility in my community. My summer at the Hope Health Clinic reaffirmed my decision to pursue a career in healthcare and inspired me to continue to be part of the change to provide healthcare as a basic right. I look back on my experience with a deep sense of gratification, and I hope to continue to find fulfillment in each of my future endeavors as I did in this one.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 213
|
McPherson, Sarah
Rosier, Hannah |
Herbert Harris, Eboni |
Medication Errors of Nurses in the Emergency Department
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Background/Significance
Medication errors in the emergency department are a significant threat to patient safety.
Due to the fast-paced environment, nurses are at a higher risk for medication errors.
Understanding the factors contributing to medication errors is crucial for maintaining
patient care.
Purpose/Objectives
This study aims to investigate the causes, frequency, and types of medication errors
performed by nurses in the ED. It also seeks to identify potential solutions and
strategies for decreasing these nursing errors and improving patient outcomes.
Methods
A literature review was conducted to explore the importance, causes, and impact of
medication errors by nurses in the ED. The literature search included sites like PubMed
with the search period covering studies published from 2010 to 2024. Search terms
included "medication errors," "nurses," "emergency department," and "patient safety." To
narrow the search, filters were applied to include only peer-reviewed articles written in
English. We identified seven potential articles from our comprehensive search that may
be of use for our research.
Results/Conclusions
The results indicate that medication errors in the ED are most related to incorrect
dosages and incorrect administration. Contributing factors include high workloads,
inadequate staffing, and bad communication among coworkers. Acknowledging these
issues through training can decrease medication errors.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 65
|
| Simpson, Addisen |
Raynor, Phyllis |
Exploring the World of Travel Nurses During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Descriptive Study
View Full Text
Abstract Text
This thesis project aimed to explore how Personal Protective equipment (PPE) and shift length affected travel nurses’ burnout, stress, and lateral violence during the peak of COVID-19 (March 2020 – December 2020). Although travel nursing was in large demand during this time, there is little research on the experiences of travel nurses during the pandemic. The increased number of patients diagnosed with COVID-19 in high-risk clinical settings caused an increased demand for travel nurses to fill the shortage of nurses all around the world (McLernon, 2020). This project used a cross-sectional quantitative approach and collected data through a REDCap survey. Preliminary findings support that lack of personal protective equipment and longer shift lengths may have contributed to an increase in travel nurses’ burnout, stress, and lateral violence. These variables are critical to research since they have a direct impact on nurses’ health and well-being as well as patient outcomes and quality of care. Further research should be conducted on travel nurses and their experiences during the pandemic.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 133
|
| Kearse, Avery |
Barideaux, Kenneth |
Speak Up or Stay Silent? How Gender and Abuse Type Shape College Students’ Reactions to Intimate Partner Violence
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a prevalent issue that greatly affects college students in the United States. Research shows that young adults are susceptible to IPV due to a lack of commitment and relationship instability between partners. The main goal of the current study was to investigate the factors that contribute to college students’ perceptions of IPV. Specifically, we wanted to determine whether the type of abuse (verbal vs. physical) and gender of both the perpetrator and the victim impacts perception of abuse severity. The second goal was to investigate how college students may respond to situations of IPV. While many students may choose not to intervene due to a diffusion of responsibility, it remains unclear whether this reluctance varies based on the type of abuse and the gender involved. Ninety-six college students participated in the current study. They were asked to read one of four scenarios, concerning physical or verbal abuse, where the victim and perpetrators’ gender was manipulated. Participants were then asked to rate the seriousness of the abused described in the scenario, the victim’s responsibility, whether they would ignore the situation, and if they would encourage the victim to seek help. It was hypothesized that participants would rate the IPV as more serious when the victim was a female, and the perpetrator was a male. It was also hypothesized that physical abuse would be rated as more serious than verbal abuse. Findings may ultimately help researchers in the development of more effective prevention and intervention strategies as it relates to different types of abuse.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 193
|
| Huynh Dam, Kim Tuyen |
Kiaris, Hippokratis |
Parental relatedness as a modifier of epigenetic aging
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Lifespan is regulated by a combination of environmental and genetic factors. By analyzing the breeding records of closed Peromyscus colonies in combination with epigenetic predictors of lifespan we show that parental relatedness positively impacts lifespan expectancy. Conversely, we also describe relatedness-associated methylation signatures that predict parental relatedness.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 5
|
| Demsie, Hermella |
Ellermann, Melissa |
Maintenance of Antibiotic Resistance Genes in the Gut Microbiome: A qPCR-based Approach for Detecting ARG-positive Escherichia coli
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Selective pressures from antibiotics drive the maintenance of antibiotic resistance genes (ARG) in bacteria, which encode proteins that counteract the effects of antibiotics. ARGs can be transferred between bacterial cells, reducing antibiotic efficacy and posing a growing public health challenge. Although these genes often impose an energetic cost on bacteria, which should theoretically confer a fitness disadvantage in the absence of antibiotics, little is known about the impact of ARG carriage on the growth of bacteria in complex environments such as the gut microbiome without antibiotic selection. To address this gap, molecular qPCR-based approaches were developed to directly quantify antibiotic resistant and sensitive bacteria in complex communities. First, antibiotic-resistant E. coli strains were constructed by replacing an intergenic region in the sensitive parental strain with genes that confer resistance to either chloramphenicol or kanamycin. This allowed for the design of strain-specific primers that either target the unique sequence retained only in the sensitive strain, or the ARGs added to the resistance strains. The specificity of the primers was tested in pure cultures, in vitro mixed cultures, and fecal samples from mice without E. coli in their microbiome, which served as a negative control to confirm the absence of nonspecific amplification of DNA from other bacteria in the microbiome. Initial validation using gel-based methods confirmed selective amplification of the target strains. qPCR analysis further verified that the primers accurately detected and quantified the relative abundances of target strains without cross-reactivity. With this method validated, it is now being applied to fecal samples from mice colonized with both antibiotic resistant and sensitive E. coli in the inflamed and non-inflamed gut to quantify colonization ratios in these contexts. Overall, this newly developed approach will allow us to investigate how ARGs are maintained in the gut microbiome in the absence of antibiotic selection.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 61
|
McGrath, Jenna
Stevens, Stephanie |
Gainey, Chris
Privette, Troy
Patel, Tarak
Thoppil, Julia |
Increasing the Use of HEART Score for Risk Stratification of Patients with Chest Pain in the Emergency Department
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Background: Chest pain is one of the most common chief complaints in the emergency department, accounting for more than 7 billion visits annually. Emergency department providers need to be able to risk stratify these patients and give them an appropriate disposition, whether they are low risk and can follow up with cardiology in the outpatient setting or intermediate/high risk and require more immediate cardiology evaluation and/or intervention. HEART score is a well-studied clinical tool that helps predict 6-week risk of a Major Adverse Cardiac Event (MACE) in patients with chest pain. It incorporates 5 variables (History, EKG, Age, Risk factors, and initial Troponin) with possible scores of 0, 1, or 2 in each category to stratify adult patients with symptoms suggestive of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) into either low (0-3), moderate (4-6), or high (>6) risk groups. This tool translates what can be a long or complicated history and exam into a comprehensible 0-10 scale that can be used in conjunction with clinical judgement to help guide management and improve outcomes.
Objective: The aim of this study is to increase compliance of HEART Score usage to >80% for patients presenting to the Richland ED with chest pain by June 30, 2025.
Methods: Baseline data for HEART Score compliance at the Richland ED was collected from July 2023 to April 2024. PDSA cycle 1 focused on provider education. Our first intervention was a lecture given to ED providers on 4/24/2024 which outlined how and when to use HEART score, and its benefits in risk stratification and clinical decision making for patients with undifferentiated chest pain suggestive of ACS. Data after this intervention was collected from May 2024 to August 2024. Our second intervention involved placing flyers with similar information about using HEART Score around the ED on 9/5/2024. Data after this intervention was collected from September 2024 through December 2024.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 170
|
| Stewart, Zoe |
Wallace, Paige |
Modern Maternity and The Digital Space
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Modern maternity is undoubtedly anchored to digital sphere. Mothers today use a variety of digital tools and applications to enhance their experiences, and maternal narratives about fertility, conception, pregnancy, and miscarriage. In fact, some of the earliest digital writing was concerned with the maternal. Scholars like May Friedman examined early digital writing, and she argued that the mamasphere was a gynocentric space that acted in opposition to totalizing images of motherhood. However, recent
scholarship explores parental exploitation and monetization of children on social media. This project will present a rhetorical analysis of mom-influencers on platforms like Instagram in order to analyze shifts in the
mamasphere from digital maternal archives largely used to empower and educate women in collective sphere to exploitative and harmful practices.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 8
|
| Swager, Emily |
Patel, Rehka
Parise, Sanjana |
PKR activation in response to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress contributes to pathogenesis in a plethora of diseases, including several neurodegenerative diseases such as dystonia, Huntington's, and Alzheimer's disease. Disruption of ER homeostasis is sensed by ER resident protein kinase, PERK. PERK phosphorylates the subunit of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2 (eIF2α) which prevents translation initiation, thereby decreasing general protein synthesis while upregulating the expression of select genes (e.g. ATF4) to promote recovery. PKR is another eIF2⍺ kinase but is usually characterized as responding to viral infection. Unlike PERK, which is a pro-survival kinase, PKR is associated with activation of apoptosis pathways. Our lab has shown that PKR is also activated in response to ER stress by its protein activator PACT via a direct interaction. While PACT phosphorylation is essential for PACT-PKR association and PKR activation, the kinase responsible for phosphorylation of PACT under ER stress conditions is unknown. I hypothesized that PERK phosphorylates PACT, which then associates with to activate PKR. Using western blot analyses, I compared PERK and PKR activation in PERK, PKR, and PACT knockout mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) and wild-type MEFs after ER stress. PERK and PACT deficient cells failed to activate PKR, and showed delayed ATF4 induction, indicating that they are both essential for PKR activation to mount a timely and robust stress response. This suggests that PKR is activated in a PERK dependent manner and PACT may be a direct substrate of PERK. Using in vitro PERK kinase assays with purified recombinant catalytic domain of PERK and recombinant PACT protein as a substrate, we confirmed this. Additionally, a direct interaction of PACT with PERK using coimmunoprecipitation analysis proved PERK’s interaction with PACT and its essential role in activating PKR after ER stress. Finally, QRT-PCR analysis showed that PKR activation is essential for upregulation of ATF4 dependent transcription after ER stress. Our results establish a novel regulatory step in the ER stress response pathway and identify new targets for therapeutic interventions for diseases associated with chronic ER stress.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 18
|
| Johnson, Susanna |
Matthews, Sarah |
Use Sales Skills to Elevate Your Everyday Life
View Full Text
Abstract Text
In a sales career or training, you’ll learn various techniques designed to handle objections and navigate conversations effectively. However, these methods aren’t just valuable in sales—they can be incredibly useful in everyday life. One particularly powerful approach is the Feel-Felt-Found technique, which helps acknowledge concerns, build rapport, and offer solutions in a way that fosters trust and understanding.
This method follows a structured approach:
• Feel – Recognize and validate the other person’s emotions or concerns.
• Felt – Relate to their experience by sharing a similar situation you or someone else has encountered.
• Found – Offer a positive resolution based on what you discovered in your own experience.
I have used this technique in multiple sales, work, and life circumstances. For example, at my serving job at Colas Restaurant that I've had for about 2.5 years now, I use it to sell more drinks, higher priced items, and specials.
If a customer were hesitant about ordering another cocktail before their entree arrived, but I knew I could push the sale, I could say this:
"I understand your hesitation. Many of our guests have felt unsure about ordering another drink before their meal arrives. They’ve found, though, that enjoying a cocktail before the entrée enhances their dining experience, and since our bartenders craft each drink with balance in mind, they rarely find it too overwhelming before their meal."
By doing this, I was able to make an addition sale, and those additional sales add up over the course of the night.
By incorporating the Feel-Felt-Found method into daily interactions, you can diffuse tension, build stronger connections, and encourage open, constructive conversations. Whether you’re making a sale, guiding a friend, or navigating a difficult discussion, this technique creates a foundation of empathy, understanding, and problem-solving.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 261
|
| Harpen, Danielle |
Challagundla, Sankeerth
McBride, Avery |
Improving Knowledge Gaps on CGRP Antagonists and Enhancing Contraceptive Counseling Skills Among Neurology and OB/GYN Residents: An Educational Intervention Study
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Background
Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) inhibitors are widely used for both migraine prevention and acute treatment by blocking CGRP or its receptor to reduce migraine frequency, severity, and duration. Preventive agents include injectables like Aimovig, Emgality, Ajovy, and the infusion Vyepti, while oral options like Nurtec, Ubrelvy, and Qulipta are used for acute relief, with some approved for prevention.
Because migraines disproportionately affect women of childbearing age, counseling on the reproductive risks of CGRP inhibitors is critical. These medications may disrupt pregnancy-related vascular changes, potentially increasing the risks of fetal growth restriction, miscarriage, and preeclampsia. However, data on their safety in pregnancy are limited.
Providers must understand the pharmacokinetics of these drugs to guide patients appropriately. Injectable and infusion CGRP inhibitors have long half-lives (27–31 days), necessitating discontinuation at least six months before conception. In contrast, oral agents with shorter half-lives (6–11 hours) typically require only 2–3 days of discontinuation. Given these differences, individualized counseling and clear documentation are essential.
Improving provider knowledge and standardizing counseling can enhance patient safety, support informed decision-making, and ensure care aligns with best practices.
Purpose/Objectives
This quality improvement project evaluates the knowledge gap among OB/GYN and Neurology residents regarding the reproductive risks of CGRP inhibitors in women of childbearing age, with a focus on potential outcomes such as fetal growth restriction, miscarriage, and preeclampsia. It identifies deficiencies in current counseling practices and highlights the need for standardized counseling protocols to ensure consistent patient education. This project also proposes an educational intervention aimed at improving resident knowledge, specifically emphasizing the importance of recognizing CGRP inhibitors—both preventive and acute agents—and understanding their varying pharmacokinetics and potential risks during pregnancy. Additionally, it underscores the critical role of thorough documentation of counseling discussions in the medical record. By integrating these strategies into routine clinical care, resident physicians can offer more comprehensive reproductive counseling, promoting safer outcomes for patients.
Methods
The study began with an extensive literature review of available data on CGRP inhibitors and their potential risks during pregnancy. Based on this review, we created a targeted educational PowerPoint presentation for OB/GYN and Neurology residents. The presentation covered the mechanism of action of CGRP inhibitors, their pharmacokinetics, indications for both preventive and acute migraine management, and the current understanding of reproductive risks. Additionally, we provided evidence-based recommendations regarding when to discontinue these medications prior to conception, contraception options during treatment, and standardized counseling strategies. The session concluded by emphasizing the importance of documenting counseling discussions in the medical record to ensure continuity of care and informed decision-making. To evaluate resident knowledge and identify potential gaps, pre- and post-session surveys were administered. Data from these surveys will be analyzed using statistical methods to determine the effectiveness of the intervention.
Results/Conclusion
The implementation and results of this study are still pending, but we anticipate that the educational sessions and standardized counseling guidelines will significantly improve residents' knowledge of migraine medication risks and contraception counseling. A statistical analysis of pre- and post-survey responses will be conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention. We expect that through structured education, standardized counseling practices, and improved communication and medication reconciliation, resident knowledge will be enhanced, ultimately improving the quality and consistency of patient counseling in both OB/GYN and Neurology residency programs.
Citations
1. Edvinsson L, Haanes KA, Warfvinge K, Krause DN. CGRP as the target of new migraine therapies — successful translation from bench to clinic. Nat Rev Neurol. 2018;14(6):338-350. doi:10.1038/s41582-018-0003-1
2. Cohen, Fred et al. Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide (CGRP)-Targeted Monoclonal Antibodies and Antagonists in Migraine: Current Evidence and Rationale. BioDrugs : clinical immunotherapeutics, biopharmaceuticals and gene therapy vol. 36,3 (2022): 341-358. doi:10.1007/s40259-022-00530-0
3. Burch RC, Buse DC, Lipton RB. Migraine: epidemiology, burden, and comorbidity. Neurol Clin. 2019;37(4):631-649. doi:10.1016/j.ncl.2019.06.001
4. Noseda, Roberta et al. Safety profile of monoclonal antibodies targeting the calcitonin gene-related peptide system in pregnancy: Updated analysis in VigiBase. Cephalalgia : an international journal of headache vol. 43,4 (2023): 3331024231158083. doi:10.1177/03331024231158083
5. Aimovig® (erenumab-aooe) injection [prescribing information]. Thousand Oaks, CA: Amgen Inc.; Revised June 2023. https://www.pi.amgen.com/~/media/amgen/repositorysites/pi-amgen-com/aimovig/aimovig_pi_hcp_english.pdf
6. Emgality® (galcanezumab-gnlm) injection [prescribing information]. Indianapolis, IN: Eli Lilly and Company; Revised March 2023. https://pi.lilly.com/us/emgality-uspi.pdf
7. Ajovy® (fremanezumab-vfrm) injection [prescribing information]. Parsippany, NJ: Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc.; Revised March 2023. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2018/761089s000lbl.pdf
8. Vyepti® (eptinezumab-jjmr) injection [prescribing information]. Deerfield, IL: Lundbeck Seattle BioPharmaceuticals, Inc.; Revised February 2023. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2020/761119s000lbl.pdf
9. Nurtec® ODT (rimegepant) tablet [prescribing information]. New Haven, CT: Biohaven Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; Revised June 2023. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2023/212728s010lbl.pdf
10. Ubrelvy® (ubrogepant) tablet [prescribing information]. Madison, NJ: Allergan USA, Inc.; Revised January 2020. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2019/211765s000lbl.pdf
11. Qulipta® (atogepant) tablet [prescribing information]. North Chicago, IL: AbbVie Inc.; Revised September 2021. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2021/215203s000lbl.pdf
12. Robertson CE, Ailani J, Charleston L 4th, et al. The American Headache Society Consensus Statement: Update on integrating new migraine treatments into clinical practice. Headache. 2021;61(7):1021-1039. doi:10.1111/head.14153
13. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2020). Clinical pharmacology guidance for industry: Clinical pharmacology considerations for the development of oligonucleotide therapeutics. Retrieved from https://www.fda.gov/media/101130/download
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 118
|
| Hammons, Sarah |
Shinkareva, Svetlana |
From Triggers to Trends: Misophonia Severity and Its Psychological Associations
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Misophonia is a disorder of decreased tolerance to specific sounds or stimuli associated with those sounds, often triggering anger, irritation, disgust, and anxiety. Because triggers evoke such strong affective reactions, behavioral reactions often co-occur. These varying behavioral reactions, both in type and severity, overlap with those seen in individuals with anxiety or obsessive-compulsive disorder—negative reactions are triggered by specific stimuli and associated levels of distress. As part of a larger study investigating the physiological and neurological response to triggers, self-report measures from 35 participants were collected to assess psychological symptoms using the Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90), and to assess the presence and severity of misophonia using both the Duke Vanderbilt Misophonia Screening Questionnaire (DVMSQ) and the Selective Sound Sensitivity Syndrome Scale (S-Five). We investigated the correlation between the SCL-90 scores on anxious or obsessive-compulsive tendencies and misophonia severity. The S-Five provides five subscales: internalizing, externalizing, outburst, threat, and impact. There was no significant relationship found between misophonia severity and anxious or obsessive-compulsive tendencies. While not hypothesized, we found positive correlation between impact, threat, and externalizing subscales with SCL-90 symptoms hostility and psychoticism. The triggers reported as part of the DVMSQ varied across participants with some commonalities. The most common trigger sounds among people with misophonia were orofacial movement-related sounds (e.g. chewing, sniffling, coughing) followed by repeated sounds (e.g. tapping, clicking, typing, beeping) and mechanical sounds (e.g. chalk, metal, Styrofoam). Relating the self-report data from DVMSQ, S-Five, and SCL-90 allows us to compare the commonality of trigger sounds of participants with clinical misophonia severity, helping establish a more informed ordinal list of common triggers.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 194
|
| Stienes, Ava |
Newman-Norlund, Roger |
The A-Eye Study: Utilizing AI to derive OCTA parameters from OCT imaging
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) and Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography (OCTA) techniques are pivotal in assessing retinal layers and microvasculature. Parameters from these scans have had proven associations with neurocognitive disorders such as mild cognitive impairment, dementia, and stroke risk. However, manual segmentation and quantification of OCTA metrics is time consuming and subjective. Recent advances in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning have fostered the development of algorithms capable of automatically extracting these data. This study evaluates the feasibility of using, and reliability of measurements generated by, two freely and publicly available AI-based systems—RMHAS and Lirot.ai, both of which convert OCT fundus images into pertinent OCTA measures. Based on the fact that it is newer and uses a more sophisticated AI approach, we hypothesized that scores generated by Lirot.ai would be reliable across measurements of the same individual. In order to evaluate this hypothesis, we used an Optos Monaco scanner to obtain 10 scans from the left and right eyes of four individual participants (AS, SNN, RNN, NS). We then ran conformed versions of these images (Lirot.ai = 1426 pixels x1424 pixels, RMHAS = 3997 pixels x 3989 pixels) through the automated Lirot.ai (23 parameters) and RMHAS (11 parameters) pipelines respectively. Coefficients of Variation (CV) were utilized to assess variability of parameters including fractal dimension, CRVE, CRAE, and tortuosity, within each participant for each eye across repeated tests. Lirot.ai yielded more measures with consistency, as shown by lower CV values–in particular, tortuosity index and fractal dimensions of both veins and arteries, which are known to be related to cardiovascular and cognitive risk factors (CV<5%). These data provide evidence that Lirot.ai is a reliable machine-learning algorithm for semi-automatic extraction of relevant retinal imaging metrics for future planned analyses.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 148
|
| Tiller, Caroline |
Shimpalee, Sirivatch
Meekins, Benjamin |
Direct Seawater Electrolysis
View Full Text
Abstract Text
The process of seawater electrolysis involves the splitting of seawater into hydrogen and oxygen, chlorine, or other species. The hydrogen produced via electrolysis can be used immediately for combustion or in a fuel cell, can be compressed and stored for later use, or can be reacted with nitrogen to form ammonia for long-term storage. For this project, we are testing several variables to see how they affect the performance of the saltwater electrolyzer. Polybenzimidazole (PBI) membranes will be used to determine how the polymer architecture and resulting physical and chemical properties affect electrolyzer performance. We will also examine membrane conductivity with or without an acid dopant. Operational parameters such as electrolyzer temperature, flow rate of simulated seawater, and use of air vs. nitrogen as cathode gas feed will be manipulated to better understand how they dictate electrolyzer performance.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 99
|
| Oister, Abigale |
Tandon, Keah |
Immersing Myself in Thai Culture and Shifting my Perspective on Travel
View Full Text
Abstract Text
During my junior year spring semester, I was inspired by friends studying abroad to step out of my comfort zone and do the same. Though a full semester abroad was not an option, I took advantage of the University of South Carolina’s May-Mester program. Wanting to step out of my comfort zone, I chose to study in a region I had never previously considered, Asia. My desire to experience a culture vastly different from the United States led me to enroll in The Business and Culture of Thailand course, which gave me the opportunity to visit Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Phuket.
Over two weeks, I gained valuable insights into Thailand’s economy by engaging with Thai business leaders, local universities, and cultural representatives. I observed how Eastern and Western influences merge to create a unique business environment and explored the significant role of tourism in shaping the modern Thai economy. The most profound impact of this experience was realizing how diverse global perspectives truly are. From daily customs to values like hospitality, Thailand offered a vastly different way of life compared to the United States. Viewing this journey as a learning experience broadened my perspective on travel. Moving forward, I intend to approach all future travels—both international and domestic—as opportunities to immerse myself in new cultures and ways of living.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 228
|
| Wiliams, Noah |
Derrick, Maureen |
Learning from “the worst of the worst”
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Last summer, I had the opportunity to work for Justice 360, a non-profit law firm located in Columbia, South Carolina that offers legal representation to individuals who are facing the death penalty, or juveniles facing sentences of over thirty years. My entire life I have wanted to be a lawyer, and so having the opportunity to work at a law firm that was doing such impactful work was one that I was very excited for. During my internship, I did social media investigations, attended court hearings, and summarized trial transcripts. I thoroughly enjoyed working on all of these different tasks. However what I enjoyed the most and what was the most impactful thing that I did during my internship was visit the clients on death row. Most people think of inmates on death row as “the worst of the worst” because of their crimes. However, the clients I interacted with refused to let their crimes define them. They were the nicest, and most caring individuals I have ever met. During our conversations, I often forgot that I was in a prison, and felt like I was talking to someone I had known my entire life. For them, it would be easy to be sad all the time or to act like the monsters people labeled them as. Instead, they spoke about their hopes and the love they still held for their families on the outside as well as the family they had created within the prison. I witnessed the human side of the criminal justice system that is so often overshadowed by the severity of their crimes. This experience helped me to realize the complexity of the justice system, and the individuals within it. It was a humbling experience that taught me about empathy, patience, and the importance of giving people a voice, even when society has deemed them unworthy of one. This experience not only confirmed that I wanted to be a lawyer. But it showed me that law is not just about winning cases, it’s about understanding people, their stories, and their rights to a fair chance.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 269
|
| Kothari, Ria |
Li, Jie
Pulliam, Conor |
Development of a Heterologous Overexpression System for the Antibacterial Investigation of Trilenodin, a Novel Lasso Peptide
View Full Text
Abstract Text
With the increasing resistance of bacteria to current therapeutics, there is an urgent need to identify novel compounds to target these infections. Natural products, compounds from natural sources like bacteria, are a primary source for novel drug candidates. An emerging class of natural products with therapeutic potential are lasso peptides due to their potent activity against bacteria and the stability of their characteristic lasso fold, which allows lasso peptides to resist denaturation by denaturing agents. A lasso peptide named trilenodin had been bioinformatically identified in Paenibacillus taiwanensis DSM18679. To identify the antibacterial activity of trilenodin, we created a heterologous overexpression system in Bacillus subtilis 168 to isolate high quantities of trilenodin for investigation. This system was created by transforming trilenodin’s biosynthetic gene cluster into B. subtilis 168 using an integrative plasmid that integrates into the genome of the cells. The integrative plasmid contained an IPTG-inducible promoter to increase the expression of the BGC compared to its initial expression level. The integrative plasmid also contained a ribosome binding site upstream of the BGC to help recruit the ribosome to transcribe the BGC, increasing trilenodin production. We extracted trilenodin from these cells using butanol and purified it using C18 column chromatography. We identified trilenodin in the C18 fractions using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LCMS). The results of the LCMS analysis indicated that the heterologous overexpression system produced significantly higher quantities of trilenodin compared to the native strain. These results suggest that an inducible promoter and an upstream ribosome binding site can increase the effectiveness of a heterologous overexpression system. We then purified the C18 fractions containing trilenodin using high-performance liquid chromatography to isolate the produced trilenodin for bioactivity assays. We determined the antibacterial activity of trilenodin against various pathogenic bacterial strains using disk diffusion assays. The results of the disk diffusion assays indicated that trilenodin has strong activity against several gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. The identified antibacterial activity suggests that trilenodin may have therapeutic potential and warrants further investigation. Future studies should identify additional bioactivity of trilenodin and determine its mechanism of action to increase understanding of its therapeutic potential.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 46
|
| Pitre, Michael |
Sarzynski, Mark |
The Effects of Exercise Training on Predicted 10-Year ASCVD Risk Across the STRRIDE Exercise Interventions
View Full Text
Abstract Text
BACKGROUND: The pooled cohort equations (PCE) estimate sex- and race-specific 10-year atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk using information on age, systolic blood pressure, HDL-C, total cholesterol, hypertension treatment, and diabetes and smoking status. Although exercise training has been shown to have a dose-response effect on cardiovascular risk factors, the effects of exercise dose or mode on predicted ASCVD risk has not been well studied. METHODS: Data from three STRRIDE (Studies of Targeted Risk Reduction Interventions through Defined Exercise) exercise trials that differed in exercise amount, intensity, or mode were analyzed. STRRIDE-1 and 2 participants were overweight individuals with mild dyslipidemia that completed 8 months of the following interventions: STRRIDE-1 (n=235) – CONTROL; low-amount, moderate-intensity (LOW/MOD); low-amount, vigorous-intensity (LOW/VIG); or high-amount, vigorous-intensity (HIGH/VIG); STRRIDE-2 (n=79) – aerobic training (AT), resistance training (RT), or combined (AT+RT) exercise training. STRRIDE-PD (n=153) participants were individuals with pre-diabetes who completed one of four exercise interventions for 6 months: (1) LOW/MOD; (2) HIGH/MOD; (3) HIGH/VIG; or (4) LOW/MOD + Diet. 10-year ASCVD risk was calculated using PCEs at baseline and after training. Paired t-tests within each group were performed to assess the effects of exercise training on risk, and between-group differences in ASCVD risk change were tested using general linear models. Significance was defined as p<0.05. RESULTS: At baseline, mean 10-yr ASCVD risk was 4.2%, 3.95%, and 7.06% in STRRIDE-1, STRRIDE-2, and STRRIDE-PD, respectively. An increase in age only over the intervention periods would significantly increase 10-year risk across all groups (p<0.0001). When age was held constant, exercise training significantly decreased 10-year risk in STRRIDE-1 HIGH/VIG (-0.39%), STRRIDE-2 AT+RT (-0.26%), STRRIDE-PD LOW/MOD + Diet (-0.79%), and STRRIDE-PD HIGH/VIG (-0.85%). The true change in 10-yr risk, including changes in both age and traits, significantly decreased only in STRRIDE 1 HIGH/VIG (-0.24%). CONCLUSIONS: Although ASCVD risk continuously increases with age, our results suggest that a variety of exercise interventions can negate this effect. Importantly, a combination of high-amount and high-intensity exercise training may decrease ASCVD risk even further for overweight and mildly dyslipidemic individuals.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 134
|
| Tracy, Bridget |
DeWeil, David |
Cultivating Community within the Capstone Scholars Program: Leaving a Legacy Through Tomorrow’s Leaders
View Full Text
Abstract Text
At the core of the Capstone Scholars Program lies community. A two-year, invitational program, Capstone welcomes its scholars into a tight-knit support system. Hailing from Richmond, Virginia, I embarked on my journey at the University of South Carolina in a sea of unfamiliar faces. However, immersing myself in the Capstone program gave me a strong sense of belonging. Through its exclusive service, leadership and professional engagement opportunities, Capstone encourages students to put the skills acquired within an academic setting into practice beyond the classroom. Recognizing the doors the program opened for me, I sought to give back to Capstone and enhance scholars’ experience. Working alongside the program’s faculty and staff, I developed a robust Ambassador team to represent Capstone in a front-facing capacity. After leading widespread recruitment efforts, I brought together a group of 18 passionate second-year scholars whom I would soon lead during my third year at USC. Implementing a structured system of operations, which I developed after researching similar initiatives, I guide the group in promoting the program to prospective students and their families as well as educating the internal community about the resources offered. In doing so, Ambassadors directly interact with 1,400 first-year scholars to assist them in unlocking their purpose at USC. They embody the core values of reflection, continuous improvement, advocacy, connection and community. Ambassadors offer mentorship and act as vital liaisons between scholars and program leads, allowing for continuous improvement. Through my time as the head Ambassador, I came to understand that when you are consistent in your actions, you build connections that evolve into a stable and long-lasting community built on trust. Consistency, connection and community represent pillars of effective leadership. Whether through attention to detail, fostering trust within organizations or maintaining high standards of service, establishing credibility and building strong internal networks brings together the next generation of leaders and fosters stewardship within Capstone. While working toward my master’s degree, I intend to serve as a graduate assistant within the program, where I will continue to work alongside the Ambassador team to strengthen the fabric of the Capstone community.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 329
|
| Carty, Mikayla |
Ellermann, Melissa |
Uncovering Alternate Metabolic Functions of the Lipid Metabolism Enzyme FadE in Gut Escherichia coli
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Metabolic enzyme function plays a critical role in niche colonization and maintenance for bacteria within the gut microbiome. While long chain fatty acids (LCFA) are not hypothesized to be the preferred energy source for Enterobacteriaceae in the gut, this bacterial family has retained the enzymes required for beta-oxidation of LCFAs. In contrast, beta-oxidation genes are not encoded by other gut bacterial families, suggesting that evolutionary pressures have favored the selection of Enterobacteriaceae that have retained this metabolic function. Recent work from our lab showed that encoding beta-oxidation enzymes enhances the competitive fitness of Escherichia coli, an Enterobacteriaceae commonly present in the gut. Beta-oxidation genes are also transcriptionally active in E. coli within the murine gut. This led us to investigate the nutrient conditions in which beta-oxidation genes confer a competitive fitness advantage in gut E. coli using a phenotypic screen. We performed competitive growth experiments with 96 different sole carbon sources to compare the relative growth of a beta-oxidation (fadE)-deficient mutant compared to its parental strain (WT). The fadE mutant was outcompeted by WT when grown with 12 of the 96 carbon sources. Among these carbon sources, three are LCFAs as expected. Additional carbon sources included glucose, melibiose, gluconate, and glucose-1-phosphate. Notably, the catabolism of all these carbon sources intersect with glycolysis. Our results with glucose were validated by performing growth curves with the individual strains and by genetic complementation of the fadE mutant. Together, our results suggest that FadE may confer a competitive advantage for E. coli while performing specific metabolic functions such as glycolysis, which could explain the retention of this enzyme among gut Enterobacteriaceae. Future work aims to uncover the mechanisms by which FadE activity contributes to the metabolism of non-lipid carbon sources in E. coli.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 7
|
Litzenberger, Stephanie
Spates, Micheal |
Go, Christian
Myslinski, Joe
Hurley, Deborah
Reparaz, Laura |
Retinal Blood Flow as a Surrogate for Cerebral Perfusion in Trauma Patients: A Pilot Study
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Objective: This study explores the feasibility of using fundoscopic imaging to assess retinal blood flow (RBF) as a potential surrogate for cerebral perfusion in trauma patients. It also examines the correlation between RBF and 30-day mortality and neurological outcomes.
Methods: A prospective pilot study was conducted on intubated trauma patients (≥18 years) upon arrival at the emergency department (ED). Fundoscopic images were captured within 60 minutes using the Volk Pictor Plus without dilation. Emergency physicians performed initial RBF assessments, followed by a blinded secondary review by ophthalmologists. Patients were categorized based on RBF status (normal, absent, or indeterminate).
Results: Among 12 patients, 66% mortality was observed, with gunshot wounds (33%) and motor vehicle collisions (25%) being primary causes. When RBF was determined as present in the ED, ophthalmologists and ED physicians had a 100% agreement (6/6 cases). Only one patient had no RBF by both the emergency physician and blinded ophthalmologists, and this patient died. However, four patients with positive RBF died, while the absence of RBF was not universally predictive of mortality.
Discussion & Conclusion: Fundoscopic imaging during trauma resuscitation is feasible and may provide insights into cerebral perfusion. However, challenges include image quality, camera usability, and potential confounders such as resuscitation interventions. While the absence of RBF may indicate worse outcomes, it is not a definitive prognostic marker. Further research is needed to refine imaging protocols, integrate advanced technology, and validate the role of fundoscopy as a real-time trauma assessment tool.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 194
|
| Lee, Isaac |
Rhodes, Morgan
Derrick, Caroline |
Analysis of a Hepatitis C telehealth service to improve access to care
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) continues to be one of the most common bloodborne pathogens within the US. Historically, diagnosing and treating HCV included a large laboratory testing burden with medication having significant side effects, all while having a low rate of sustained virologic response(SVR). However, HCV treatment has improved and simplified over the last decade through the introduction of direct-acting antivirals (DAA), making these therapies accessible to be prescribed by primary care clinicians. Despite these improvements, in 2022, there were an estimated 242,000 deaths worldwide from HCV, mostly from cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma and about 1 million new infections. One of the main reasons HCV goes untreated is poor access to treatment. The Southeast Viral Hepatitis Interactive Case Conference(SVICC) was started in 2015 to empower primary care providers to provide specialized care to those living in rural areas without access to HCV care. Primary care clinicians submit de-identified patients to infectious disease, hepatology, and gastroenterology specialists who review the case and provide recommendations on the patients’ care. We set to analyze the patient case submissions by outlining patient and provider demographics to gain insight about the impact of the consultation on primary care clinicians and patient access to HCV care.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 176
|
| Wosje, Jenna |
Morris, Caleb |
Learning While Leading: The Impact of My University 101 Peer Leader Experience
View Full Text
Abstract Text
The University 101 program is vital for promoting the transfer of first year students from high school to college life which is successfully achieved through the role of a Peer Leader within the classroom. As a University 101 Peer Leader, I was responsible for creating and facilitating lesson plans and teaching alongside an advisor as their co-instructor. Peer Leaders serve as a role model as well as instructor for the students in their classroom. When I took University 101, my Peer Leader made such a positive impact on me and allowed for my transition into college to be so much easier which inspired me to become a Peer Leader. I wanted to be able to be a positive mentor and resource for the students I would be teaching to help ease their transition into college life while also creating a fun and safe environment within the classroom. During my time as a Peer Leader, I learned great leadership, communication, and organizational skills. I was able to become more comfortable in a leadership position and the difficulties that come with it which has had a positive impact on my confidence. The Peer Leader experience is not only impactful for the students taking University 101, but also for the Peer Leaders. Working with students to create a positive first year experience allows Peer Leaders to learn incredible interpersonal and leadership skills along with so many others that will set me up for success in my future career.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 313
|
| Johnstone, Rudolph |
Bonilha, Leonardo
Rangus, Ida |
White Matter Hyperintensities Mediate the Negative Impact of HbA1c Levels on Cognition
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Although type 2 diabetes has been associated with impaired cognitive function, the underlying mechanisms supporting this connection remain unclear. Given that type 2 diabetes is associated with cerebrovascular disease and white matter hyperintensities (WMHs), we hypothesized that elevated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels would be associated with lower (worse) Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) scores, and that WMH load would mediate this relationship. We quantified WMH load using the Fazekas scale and conducted a statistical mediation analysis with HbA1c as the independent variable, WMH load as the mediator, and MoCA scores as the outcome variable. WMHs partially mediated the relationship between HbA1c levels and MoCA scores (p = 0.0012), accounting for approximately 15.55% of the total effect. This study suggests that a mechanism linking lower cognition to type 2 diabetes is the effect of HbA1c on cerebrovascular disease and WMHs.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 105
|
| Reta, Madison |
Harris, Eboni |
Hypnotherapy to manage labor and delivery pain
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Significance-
Pain management during labor and delivery remains a significant concern for expectant mothers and healthcare providers. Hypnotherapy, a non-pharmacological technique, has gained attention as an alternative approach to traditional pain relief methods. Hypnotherapy can potentially positively impact patient outcomes during labor and delivery.
Purpose-
To evaluate the effectiveness of hypnosis as a pain relief method during labor.
Methods-
Literature from PubMed and Cochrane, including randomized controlled trials, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and personal accounts, was analyzed. Keywords like “childbirth,” “delivery,” and “hypnosis” were used to find articles published between 1969 and 2022. The results are based on two reviewed articles.
Results-
Hypnotherapy can reduce the perception of labor pain, decrease the need for medical analgesia, and shorten labor duration. It is shown to reduce anxiety and fear, which can contribute to pain perception and labor complications. While the effectiveness of hypnotherapy varies among individuals, and further studies are needed to establish standardized protocols and evaluate long-term outcomes. Hypnotherapy could become a part of comprehensive maternity care, offering women a greater sense of control and a more positive childbirth experience.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 66
|
Zhao, Xuzhuo
Utaka, Edith |
Blake, Christine |
PPD and Healthcare Providers: Identifying Gaps in Screening for PPD
View Full Text
Abstract Text
ABSTRACT
Background: Postpartum depression (PPD) affects approximately 1 in 7 women globally, yet nearly 50% of cases go undiagnosed.
Objective: This study aimed to explore healthcare providers’ perspectives on PPD screening to identify gaps and inform strategies for improved PPD diagnosis.
Method: Using a grounded theory and systems theory approach, semi-structured interviews were conducted with six OBGYNs in the PRISMA healthcare system. Participants’ perspectives on screening practices, institutional challenges, and patient-level barriers were analyzed through open, axial, and selective coding using NVivo 14 software.
Result: Emergent themes were categorized into institutional, provider, and patient-level domains, forming the basis for a conceptual model. Providers highlighted insurance limitations, inconsistent referral processes, productivity constraints, knowledge gaps, and the absence of standardized protocols as challenges to effective PPD screening and diagnosis. The findings underscore the need for systemic reforms to enhance PPD screening.
Conclusion: Gaps in PPD screening are influenced by institutional, provider, and patient-level factors. Addressing these gaps requires systemic policy reforms, targeted provider training, and strategies to reduce patient barriers.
Keywords: Postpartum depression, PPD screening, OBGYNs, PPD diagnosis, Edinburgh screening tool.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 74
|
Palmer, Katherine
Sabatina, Danielle |
Shinkareva, Svetlana
Oh, Sewon |
Audio Equalization of Misophonia Stimuli
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Misophonia is a disorder characterized by intense emotional, physiological, or behavioral responses to specific auditory triggers, estimated to impact up to 20% of the population (Swedo, et. Al; Wu et al., 2014). Common triggers are often repetitive noises like chewing or pen-clicking that cause extreme negative emotions like anxiety or anger in an individual. Most research has focused on the auditory component of Misophonia triggers; however, the visual components may also play a significant role in the triggers. Few resources are available for stimuli containing both audio and visual components that can be used to trigger misophonic reactions, a necessary tool in order to further study this condition. While small auditory databases such as the Free Open-Access Misophonia Stimuli Database (Orloff et al., 2023) exist, there is a lack of video stimuli with matching auditory and visual components. The Affect and Cognition lab at the USC has created a large database of 1,300 5-second stimuli based on the triggers reported by participants. These misophonia triggers are organized into 12 categories based on the Duke-Vanderbilt Misophonia Screening Questionnaire, [i.e. Eating or Drinking Sounds] (Williams et al., 2022). Each stimulus has consistent formatting (640x480 aspect ratio, .mp4 format, and monaural channel audio). The goal of this project was to standardize these stimuli for public distribution by focusing on audio quality. For this project, audio quality was controlled by combining the audio into a single channel (i.e. mono), reducing noise, and normalizing the loudness of the auditory components of the stimuli in the misophonia trigger database. Noise reduction was done in Python to control background noise and better enhance target sound quality. The audio normalization of this audio-visual stimuli database will increase its efficacy as a resource for future misophonia research, which is critical for deepening our knowledge of this disorder. This misophonia trigger database project is a valuable tool for researchers and contributes to the understanding of Misophonia triggers. We aim to make this resource available to the public to expand research of Misophonia and ultimately increase its understanding.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 149
|
| Eyman, Linda |
Harris, Eboni
Bartmess, Marissa |
Use of Light Therapy to Decrease Sleepiness in Nightshift Nurses and Risk of Adverse Patient Events
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Background/Significance:
Night shift has been linked to poor sleeping habits and increased sleepiness for
nurses leading to a myriad of cognitive dysfunctions including attention span, decision-
making capabilities, and task switching (Imes et al., 2023). These declines impact patient
care by increasing the risk of adverse events and medication errors (Imes et al., 2023). Use
of light therapy may increase alertness and decrease sleepiness in night shift nurses to
mitigate these cognitive impacts (Querstret et al., 2020).
Purpose/Objectives:
To evaluate whether use of light therapy for night shift nurses decreases sleepiness
by affecting alertness and regulation of circadian rhythms.
Methods:
A search was done using the PubMed database with search terms of “nursing,”
“night shift,” “light therapy,” and “patient safety.” Publish times for article inclusion were
kept within the past 5 years with 3 systematic reviews chosen for further review.
Results/Conclusion:
Reviews revealed that light therapy provided beneficial effects by increasing
alertness and amount of sleep during the day (Aemmi et al., 2020). Querstret et al. (2020)
also suggest increased work satisfaction and decreased insomnia as a result. Further
research is needed to generalize relationships across populations and analyze potential
safety issues from long-term light therapy (Aemmi et al., 2020).
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 67
|
| Gonzalez, Jennifer |
Hancock, C. Nathan |
Addition of a Nuclear Localization Signal to OSMAR14 Transposase to Increase Stowaway 14t32 Transposition
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Transposable elements (TEs) are DNA sequences that can move from one area in the genome to another. This proposal focuses on Class II TEs that are mobilized by transposase proteins. These elements are abundant in plants, especially miniature inverted-repeat transposable elements (MITEs). MITEs are non-autonomous, meaning they don’t encode transposase, but are mobilized by transposase from an autonomous element. The Tourist-like and Stowaway-like elements are the most abundant MITEs in plants and insert near genes, so they are good candidates for genome modification tools. Previous experiments showed that the Mariner 14 (OsMar14) transposase can mobilize the Stowaway 14T32 MITE in yeast. Our goal is to increase Stowaway 14T32-T7 transposition and we hypothesized that increasing the amount of protein present in the nucleus will facilitate transposition complex formation. We predict that adding nuclear localization signals (NLS) to the OsMar14 transposase would increase the transposition frequency in yeast. To make the necessary constructs, we performed BP clonase reactions with pDONR.and high fidelity PCR products contained the desired NLS on either the N or C-terminal of the transposase gene. We then used an LR clonase reaction to move the confirmed sequcnes to pAG425 yeast expression plasmids. These constructs were tested with a yeast transposition assay to determine the effect of addition of the NLS sequences. If we are able to achieve higher transposition then we can improve the efficiency of Stowaway 14T32-T7 in genome modification.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 109
|
| Schacht, Lance |
Bailey, Pamela
Patel, Janu
Dash, Sangita
Teddor, Mallory |
Unveiling the Risk: Identifying Patient-Specific Factors in Blood Culture Contamination
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Introduction
Blood culture contamination is a significant issue in hospitals, with a recommended target of <3% contamination rate. Our healthcare system experienced contamination rates exceeding 3% in some units, prompting a quality improvement initiative. We aimed to explore whether certain patient populations are more prone to blood culture contamination.
Methods
We retrospectively reviewed a random sample of patients from four hospitals in the Midlands region of South Carolina who had blood cultures drawn in the Emergency Department (ED) during August and September 2024. We excluded patients under 18, duplicate blood cultures, and those with incomplete data. Blood cultures were classified as contaminated (false positive), true positive, or true negative after clinical review using the National Healthcare Safety Network commensals list and agreement between two clinicians. Statistical comparisons between false positives and true positives/negatives were performed using chi-square or t-tests with a significance level of 0.05.
Results
Of 243 patients reviewed, 97 (39.9%) had contaminated blood cultures. The laboratory report for the same period showed a contamination rate of 4.63%. Patients with contaminated cultures were older (62.7 vs. 55.7 years, p=0.0082), and there was a significant racial difference in contamination rates (p=0.0069), though no gender difference. BMI did not differ between groups (p=0.08). Higher Charlson Comorbidity Scores were also associated with contamination (p<0.005). No significant differences were found in housing status, injection drug use, bedbound status, contractures, or recent medical contact. Additionally, there was no difference in contamination based on the time of culture collection.
Conclusions
The traditional metric for blood culture contamination is inadequate for understanding patient-specific contamination risks. Older patients, Black patients, and those with multiple comorbid conditions are more likely to have contaminated cultures. Other social determinants of health did not contribute to contamination rates in our EDs.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 176
|
| Ciolino, Michael |
Wickersham, Karen
Kubas, Janet |
Investigating Undergraduate Self-Medicating Behaviors
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Self-medication, the use of over-the-counter (OTC) medications without professional oversight, is a common practice among undergraduate students but is highly under-researched. This study explores self-medication behaviors in this population, focusing on specific impacts these habits can have on undergraduates’ health literacy. Despite their high level of autonomy, undergraduates often lack experience in independent health management, which may contribute to inappropriate OTC medication use. Using a qualitative descriptive approach, semi-structured interviews were conducted with nine undergraduate students at the University of South Carolina. Participants were recruited using snowball sampling and campus advertisements. Interviews focused on medication choices, decision-making processes, and sources of health information. Thematic analysis, guided by the Health Literacy Skills Framework, is being used to identify patterns in self-medicating behaviors and potential impacts on health literacy. Preliminary findings suggest that students frequently rely on parent recommendations and past experiences rather than healthcare professionals for guidance. Commonly used OTC medications include analgesics and sedative antihistamines. While some students demonstrate awareness of proper use, there are equally as many students who describe misconceptions and misuse of OTC medications. The influence of freshmen year, academic stress, and conflicting information on self-medicating practices has also emerged as a key theme. This research highlights the need for health literacy interventions to ensure safe and informed OTC medication use among undergraduates. Results from this study represent a first step in creating a knowledge base from which adaptations could be made to current pre-college resources to better prepare new undergraduates on effective self-medicating behaviors.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 156
|
| Sims, Lydia |
Meyer-Gutbrod, Erin |
Copepod Population and Temperature Differences in sub-regions of the Gulf of Maine
View Full Text
Abstract Text
The Northwest Atlantic is a very biodiverse region that is determined by unique physical dynamics. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is dedicated to regularly sampling the planktonic population through The Ecosystem Monitoring (EcoMon) program in many sub-regions of the Gulf of Maine (GOM) and Georges Bank. These sub-regions are often seasonal hot spots for right whale foraging. Right whales are endangered baleen whales, that spend much of their time foraging in the GOM for their zooplankton prey, especially the copepod species Calanus finmarchicus. C. finmarchicus is a large subarctic species that is advected into the GOM along the Scotian Shelf. Recent warming of the GOM and shifting circulatory patterns impacting advective supply has resulted in a suspected decrease in C. finmarchicus. One potential mechanism behind recent fluctuations in C. finmarchicus abundance is the encroaching presence of the Gulf Stream that brings warm, salty, nutrient-deficient waters. The Gulf Stream puts pressure on the Labrador Current and exerts control over the relative contribution of Labrador Subarctic slope water compared to Atlantic temperate slope water entering the Northeast channel of the GOM. Water column temperatures and sea surface height in the Northeast channel and on the Scotian shelf may provide valuable indicators for predicting circulation and advective patterns into the GOM that alter C. finmarchicus supply. This study analyzes EcoMon zooplankton sampling effort and examines the seasonal and interannual relationship of copepod abundance with surface and bottom temperature of each GOM sub-region. The lagged relationship between the temperature and sea surface height of the Northeast Channel and the Labrador Current, and sub-regions temperature and zooplankton abundance are investigated. This research serves as a preliminary investigation into using spatially and temporally restricted oceanographic indices to assess foraging habitat quality for the critically endangered and highly managed North Atlantic right whale.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 41
|
| Williams, Kaylee |
Bhere, Deepak
Gourishetti, Karthik
Davis, Isaiah |
Novel Biological Therapies for In Vitro Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Introduction: In the United States, pancreatic cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths, with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) accounting for 80% of such tumors. At diagnosis, 51% of pancreatic cancers are already metastasized, contributing to poor prognosis and a reported 5-year survival rate of 10%. Current treatment includes chemotherapy and/or radiation. Owing to the complexity of the malignancy, surgery is often not possible. Targeted combination therapies could serve as a promising potential treatment. Exosomes are extracellular vesicles used to deliver microRNA (miR) to treat cancer. miRs are small, minimally-toxic, non-coding RNA that can affect the transcription of specific genes in tumors, silencing oncogenic genes and enhancing expression of tumor suppressor genes. miR-7 is a tumor suppressor that is often downregulated in PDAC, contributing to its poor prognosis. Oncolytic viruses (OVs) are naturally occurring or genetically modified viruses that target tumor cells, cause tumor cell lysis, and activate the immune system. Oncolytic herpes simplex virus (oHSV) can replicate within PDAC tumor cells and cause lysis without affecting healthy cells. oHSV tumor infection will also activate innate and adaptive immune responses, further contributing to tumor reduction. The aim of this study is to explore PDAC cell viability after a combination approach of increasing miR-7 levels and oHSV treatment.
Methods: Human adipose stem cells (ADSC) were transduced with miR-7 plasmid and cultured in exosome-depleted FBS. The miR-7-enriched exosomes were then isolated, purified, quantified, and characterized to be used for subsequent studies. Human and murine PDAC cells in vitro were treated with miR-7-enriched exosomes and oHSV to determine the combination treatment’s impact on cell viability.
Results: Preliminary findings show that increasing miR-7 expression in PDAC cells alongside oHSV treatment significantly impacts cell viability in vitro.
Conclusion: Enriching PDAC cells with miR-7 and treating the same cells with oHSV has shown to greatly affect cell viability. After confirmation, this method could lead to the development of more effective treatment strategies for patients with PDAC.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 192
|
| Bojappa, Kavan |
Lee, Junsoo |
Lyapunov-Based Particle Swarm Optimization for Multi-Agent Rendezvous
View Full Text
Abstract Text
We will test the ability of the Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) to solve the rendezvous problem. PSO is a Swarm Intelligence algorithm which is inspired by the behavior of birds in a flock. It provides a simple and low cost methodology to control a distributed system, which is a system that does not have a central agent coordinating it. The rendezvous problem is a problem in which some number of agents randomly scattered in an unknown environment are tasked with meeting at a single point. This will be tested using a simulation platform we developed on MATLAB. Various algorithms and methodologies will be tested and compared analytically to determine the best performance in different environments. Notably, we will focus on our Lyapunov-based PSO, which provides a Lyapunov stable rendezvous method through the PSO algorithm.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 100
|
| Hamid, Shazia |
Wang, Yang |
Integrating Digital Multimodal Reading Assessments for Social Justice in EFL Classes: A Case Study in Saudi Arabia
View Full Text
Abstract Text
This study explores the integration of digital multimodal reading assessments in English as a Foreign Language (EFL) classrooms in Saudi Arabia, emphasizing their role in fostering social justice. Traditional assessments often reinforce educational inequities by privileging monomodal literacy practices, limiting diverse learners' opportunities for meaningful engagement (Randolph & Johnson, 2017). Grounded in socio-cultural theories, critical pedagogy, and multimodal literacy frameworks (Darvin, 2015; Serafini, 2015), this research redefines literacy as a dynamic, multimodal process that better aligns with 21st-century learning needs.
Employing a qualitative research design, this study investigates the perceptions of 40 Arabic-speaking female undergraduate students regarding multimodal reading assignments. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and surveys, analyzed using thematic coding and multimodal analysis techniques (Flewitt & Korkiakangas, 2019). Participants, drawn from a preparatory-year program at a Saudi public college, engaged in multimodal reading projects incorporating visual, auditory, and digital elements to facilitate deeper comprehension and self-expression.
Findings reveal that digital multimodal assessments enhance student engagement, cater to diverse learning styles, and promote critical literacy skills (Mills & Unsworth, 2017). Participants reported increased motivation and confidence in expressing their interpretations of texts through multimodal compositions, challenging traditional, text-centric assessment norms. Moreover, the study highlights how multimodal assessments provide equitable learning opportunities for marginalized students, particularly those who struggle with conventional literacy assessments (Grapin, 2019).
This research contributes to the growing discourse on inclusive assessment practices in EFL education by advocating for pedagogical shifts that embrace multimodal literacy. It offers practical insights for educators, curriculum designers, and policymakers seeking to implement equitable assessment strategies that recognize diverse learners' strengths and cultural identities. By integrating digital multimodal assessments, language classrooms can become spaces for social justice, fostering more inclusive, student-centered learning environments.
This presentation will engage educators, researchers, and policymakers in discussions on how digital multimodal assessments can reshape literacy instruction, empowering students through diverse meaning-making practices and advancing equity in language education.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 97
|
Petee, Hayden
Tussey, Dave |
Dawson, Robert |
Graduate Students’ Perception of Using ChatGPT in Counseling and Mental Health: The Benefits and Challenges
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Artificial intelligence (AI) has significant potential to transform healthcare, particularly in the mental health field. AI, which involves the simulation of human intelligence by machines or systems (Xu et al., 2021), has shown promise in raising awareness, assisting with diagnoses, and supporting interventions for various mental health disorders, including mood disorders, autism spectrum disorder, and schizophrenia (Thakkar et al., 2024). However, views on AI's effectiveness, reliability, and ethical implications vary widely among healthcare professionals and the general public.
Our study aimed to assess graduate students' perceptions of AI as an effective tool in psychotherapy and its application within counseling and mental health. We found positive correlations between AI usage and the enhancement of key macro counseling skills, such as summarizing, reflecting, questioning, paraphrasing, and empathic listening. These findings suggest that AI could significantly benefit counselor education by helping to develop these essential skills. Furthermore, respondents expressed strong support for integrating AI into the educational process, underscoring its potential to enhance skill development and learning.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 68
|
| Walther, Sam |
Pocivavsek, Ana
Wright, Courtney |
Sleep Quality Across Adolescence in Rats
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Introduction: Sleep is an essential homeostatic process for health and cognitive functioning. Poor sleep is a common symptom of patients with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) that can increase symptom severity and worsen disease progression. The etiology behind sleep disturbances in NDDs remains unknown. This project aims to understand how sleep-wake patterns develop in adolescent Wister rats. This critical foundational knowledge will allow future studies to methodically investigate how neurobiological insults contribute to sleep dysfunction and NDDs.
Methods: We performed survival surgeries on male Wister rats (N=4), implanting radio telemetry devices to record EEG/EMG polysomnography and determine sleep vigilance states. We acquired 24-hour sleep recordings weekly from mid-adolescence to young adulthood (postnatal day (PD) 42 - PD 56). Recordings were manually scored in 10-second epochs to determine vigilance states (non-REM [non-rapid eye movement sleep], REM [rapid eye movement sleep], and wakefulness).
Results: Importantly, we confirmed significant daily variation in sleep/wake patterns. Male rats spent more time asleep in the lights on phase (rest period) and awake in the dark phase (active period) across all postnatal days (main effect of light phase; P<0.001 [wake], P<0.001 [non-REM]; P<0.05 [REM]). Notably, sleep/wake cycles significantly matured across development, as wake and total sleep duration showed significant PD x light phase interactions (P<0.05). With increasing age, rats spent more time asleep in the lights on phase and awake in the dark phase.
Conclusions: We observed significant alterations in sleep/wake patterns across development in male rats that align with human sleep maturational patterns. This is important because it supports the translational relevance of our rodent model to investigate sleep across adolescent development. Future studies using rats will mechanistically investigate how prenatal insults linked to NDDs, like elevated tryptophan metabolism via the kynurenine pathway, contribute to developmental sleep disturbances. The ultimate goal of our translational studies is to investigate novel treatments for sleep disturbances in patients with NDDs.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 17
|
| Manyin, Mackenzie |
Ballou, Julia
Dunn, Matthew |
The differences in exercise science technology between the United States and Australia.
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Exercise science is a prevalent topic of study across many countries. It includes careers such as research technicians, physical/ occupational therapists and athletic trainers. In May, I had the privilege of traveling abroad to Australia through the Sports Travel Academy. The purpose was to learn more about professional development and the technological advances in exercise and sport science in Australia. While there, I visited the AFL Suns learning about what it takes to be a High Performance Professional and hear from the NBL Cairns Taipans staff including Dr. Joshua Guy about the scientific disciplines of strength and conditioning, biomechanics, psychology, physiology, and nutrition. I was also able to learn about the importance of sports science and sports scientists in high performance sports from Stephanie Shirley with the NBL Cairns Taipans. Having the opportunity to hear from so many different presenters with different perspectives, was an unbelievable opportunity, but specifically hearing from Stephanie Shirley about her research is what made the difference in the thinking process and the technology in Australia from the United States so apparent. Her presentation highlighted the use of the Catapult systems that detect the movement of induvial athletes within training. Using this technology, she was able to measure specified variables within volume and intensity of training sessions for the athletes. With this data she received, she was able to minimize the risk of injury, suggest load periodization buildout to maximize drill selections, and predict data trends of possible injury and positive outcomes. One other major thing this technology was able to help her with was live tracking the athletes during their training sessions. All this Catapult technology that she was using is very advanced compared to the United States. Scientific technology such as this is not used here, but absolutely should be. Many professional sports teams as well as college teams would benefit from technology like this to always keep their players at their strongest and healthiest because they know the way the athlete’s bodies are reacting and performing in real time.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 216
|
| Potter, Hannah |
Nodelman, Elizabeth |
Provider attitudes toward the use of quick response codes as a means to increase patient education
View Full Text
Abstract Text
The current generations of patients are becoming increasingly engaged with their smartphones at almost every office visit. However, oftentimes a 15 min office visit is not an adequate amount of time to allow a patient to fully understand her diagnosis and/or treatment plan. A vast amount of online educational resources exist, but patients often don’t know where to start or which sources to trust. QR (Quick Response) codes are an innovative way to utilize our patients’ access to smartphones while introducing them to reputable online health information, educational resources, and community resources that are available to them. In this quality improvement project, we created a comprehensive list of QR codes with links to patient education in a wide range of obstetric and gynecologic conditions. These codes were made available to providers. After two years, providers were surveyed on how often they utilized QR codes as a way to increase patient education. Overwhelmingly, our surveys showed that providers increased their utilization of QR codes as a means for education and felt it was a useful additional tool to help patients understand their diagnosis or medical plan.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 119
|
| Rasool, Chaudhry Nicolas |
Pocivavsek, Ana
Milosavljevic, Snezana |
Cholinergic neuronal activation with advanced age and sleep loss: A role for kynurenic acid in the basal forebrain
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Sleep is an important physiological process in mammalian daily life to maintain metabolic balance and health. Sleep disturbances become more common with aging and may adversely affect cognitive function and contribute to the development of neuropsychiatric disorders. Sleep loss can be modeled by sleep deprivation (SleepDep) in rodents. The basal forebrain (BF) modulates the sleep/wake cycle via the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, but, with aging, density of acetylcholine neurons in the BF decreases. The kynurenine pathway of tryptophan degradation has been implicated in regulation of the sleep/wake cycle through the metabolite kynurenic acid (KYNA). KYNA, synthesized by kynurenine aminotransferase II (KAT II), is an endogenous antagonist of α7 nicotinic acetylcholine (a7nACh) and N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) receptors. KYNA levels in the brain are elevated with sleep disturbances and with age. We hypothesize that the BF cholinergic neuronal modulation may play a mechanistic role in which KYNA may contribute towards age-associated sleep deficits. Separate cohorts of young (3-4 months; N=22 male, N=20 female) and old (22-24 months, N=21 male, N=28 female) Fischer 344/Brown Norway F1 hybrid rats received either ad libitum sleep or underwent SleepDep from the onset of the light phase, Zeitgeber time (ZT) 0, through ZT6. To inhibit KYNA synthesis, rats were treated with KAT-II inhibitor (PF-04859989, 30mg/kg s.c.) or vehicle at ZT0. Animals were euthanized at ZT6, and brain tissue was collected and fixed for immunohistochemistry (IHC) analysis. Activation of acetylcholine neurons was determined through double-labeled IHC. Data were analyzed as a percentage of co-localization, a visible overlap between two labels, within the BF: i) cFos, marker of early neuronal activation, and ii) choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), enzyme that synthesizes acetylcholine. IHC was performed using peroxidase-activated diaminobenzidine (DAB) reaction for ChAT and nickel-based DAB reaction for cFos. Across all experimental groups, approximately 22% of neurons showed ChAT and cFos co-localization within the BF and continued analysis will reveal the dynamics between the BF cholinergic system and KYNA in the regulation of the sleep/wake cycle with aging.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 6
|
| Kinder, Caroline |
Caulder, Celeste |
Evaluating Co-Curricular Involvement on Academic Performance among Doctor of Pharmacy Candidates
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Research-in-progress
Background:
A student’s success in a professional pharmacy degree program is multi-factorial. They often involve themselves in co-curricular activities to become a well-rounded individual which sets themselves up for successful on time graduation and beyond. The current literature shows intrinsic and extrinsic factors that determine students' motivation to participate in co-curricular activities. Inadequate evidence exists in the pharmacy education literature that describes the impact of co-curricular involvement on pharmacy students’ academic performance in the professional degree program. The 2025 Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education standards suggests that co-curricular experiences are to be provided to advance the professional experience of the students. Minimal data exists that links the right amount of co-curricular participation for pharmacy student success. This study evaluates pharmacy student participation in co-curricular activities and their success in pharmacy school as determined by their grade point average (GPA).
Methods:
This is a retrospective study that will look at data collected on any full-time pharmacy student from August 2021 to May 2024 enrolled in the Personal and Professional Development (PPD) course sequence. Students must have completed at least one co-curricular activity to be included. Students will be excluded from the study if they are part-time, not taking a full course load for their respective professional year, and/or not involved in at least one co-curricular activity. Students must complete a questionnaire that documents their co-curricular involvement and reflection for the semester in the PPD course. Data collection will include responses to the course questionnaires, first attempt at each course, overall professional school GPA by semester and end of each professional year, number of deficiencies per semester and academic year, and on- time matriculation rate. Success will be measured by GPA and evaluated against co-curricular activities. All didactic classwork completed during the Fall and Spring Semester for each professional year will be used in the GPA calculation. No repeat attempts at removing course deficiencies will be used in calculating overall GPA by semester and end of each professional year standing. A statistical analysis will be conducted to assess if students involved in more than one co-curricular activity have better-defined outcomes.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 120
|
Owens, Emory
Schreiber, Quinn |
Vieyra, Michelle
Godfrey, Alyssa |
USC Aiken Bluebird Trail 2025 Update
View Full Text
Abstract Text
In 2022 students at the University of South Carolina Aiken, in collaboration with the South Carolina Bluebird Society, established 31 nestboxes on campus. This supports efforts to conserve and protect the Eastern Bluebird, which experienced a devastating crash in population through the early 1900s. Nestbox monitoring includes looking at the effects of box placement, temperature, and predation on nesting success with the goal of making recommendations for optimizing the use of nestboxes for species restoration. Over the last three years of monitoring, 249 young have successfully fledged from these nestboxes. However, of the eggs laid, fewer than 50% result in successful fledging. While many of the unhatched eggs found in the boxes were not fertile, predation rates account for a large number of lost eggs and young. The group received a Magellan Sholars Grant to purchase 12 trail cameras to more closely monitor predation in the 2025 nesting season. Predation will be the focus of study for the 2025 season.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 110
|
| Russo, Tyler |
Vitzilaios, Nikolaos |
Real-Time UAV Tracking: A Comparative Study of YOLOv8 with Object Tracking Algorithms
View Full Text
Abstract Text
The use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) has increased rapidly, leading to an effort to accurately and efficiently track UAVs. Many existing approaches utilize YOLO, a state-of-the-art object detection model, in conjunction with object tracking algorithms to detect and follow UAVs in real-time. However, these systems typically focus on a single method, without considering alternative tracking methods. In this paper, we present an experimental comparison of multiple object tracking algorithms integrated with YOLOv8, offering a comprehensive evaluation of their performance in UAV tracking scenarios. First, the model size was optimized to determine the best balance between speed and accuracy. Then, various tracking methods are tested to determine the most effective combination. The YOLOv8 model combined with a Kernelized Correlation Filter outperformed various other trackers in varying environmental scenarios, with a combined success rate and a tracking accuracy of 0.8041. This approach was further implemented in real-time on a Jetson Orion Nano GPU, utilizing a pan-tilt gimbal and an Intel RealSense D435i camera. Running at 20 FPS, the system demonstrated robustness and stability during motion and various environmental scenarios, highlighting its potential for integration into applications such as ground-based UAV surveillance.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 93
|
| Duong, Daniel |
Jin, Rongying
Rajbanshi, Abhinna
Shelton, William
Graf, David |
Effect of Non-stoichiometry on the Superconductivity in PdTe
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Transition metal chalcogenides are known to exhibit exciting physical properties such as unconventional superconductivity and unusual magnetism. Previously, we found stoichiometric PdTe to display unconventional superconducting properties below Tc ~ 4.5 K. One way to further probe the superconducting mechanism is to vary the stoichiometry and observe how the system responds. We have successfully synthesized Pd1+xTe with various x values. Correspondingly, the superconducting transition temperature Tc increases with increasing x. As the Debye temperature obtained from the specific heat remains relatively constant, the variation of Tc cannot be understood in the framework of BCS theory when the variation of the density of states and electron-phonon coupling are considered. Especially, the Hall coefficient switches the sign from negative for x < 0 to positive for x > 0. This strongly suggests the change of the electronic structure upon the introduction of excess Pd.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 32
|
Inusah, Abdul-Hanan
Huang, Cuihong |
Li, Xiaoming |
Exploring HIV Healthcare Providers’ Perceptions of PrEP Use among MSM in South Carolina
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Background: Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) has been recognized as an effective intervention for preventing HIV transmission, particularly among high-risk populations like men who have sex with men (MSM). However, its utilization remains suboptimal, particularly in the southern U.S., which has a high incidence of new HIV diagnoses. This study seeks to explore factors influencing PrEP initiation and adherence among MSM from healthcare providers’ perspectives in South Carolina (SC).
Methods: A qualitative study involving 8 healthcare providers and HIV researchers was conducted between October and November 2024 in SC. Using purposeful sampling, participants were recruited from local healthcare and academic institutions. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect participants’ demographics, their perspectives about factors influencing MSM initiation and adherence to PrEP as well as strategies to improve PrEP usage that have been done and are expected to do. A thematic analysis including inductive and deductive coding approaches was conducted using NVivo software.
Results: The study identified several key factors influencing PrEP initiation and adherence among MSM. In the initiation stage of PrEP usage, MSM with better socioeconomic status (SES), and heightened awareness of HIV risk were more likely to initiate PrEP. Barriers to initiation included stigma, cost, and logistical challenges, particularly in rural areas. For the adherence stage, individual factors such as financial constraints, struggling with daily oral medication adherence, side-effect concerns and mistrust in healthcare organizations, and community-level factors like stigma as well as institutional factors (e.g., delay in stocking up PrEP) may hinder adhering to PrEP use. Providers highlighted the importance of healthcare provider education, peer advocacy, and reducing stigma as essential for improving both initiation and adherence. Structural factors, such as the availability of injectable PrEP and financial support for uninsured individuals, were also critical in both stages.
Conclusion: PrEP initiation and adherence among MSM in SC are influenced by a complex interplay of individual, community, institutional, and structural factors. The study underscores the need for multi-level interventions that target barriers at all levels, therefore, reducing HIV-related disparities and improving PrEP uptake among marginalized populations, particularly for MSM, in this region.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 69
|
| Lamar, Christina |
Frost, Dan |
Teen Tremors: Investigating Urban Seismology at a Local High School in South Carolina
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Urban seismology is an emerging field that offers valuable insights into unconventional sources of seismic signals and enhances seismic data collection by characterizing noise. These findings have potential applications in seismic risk management, traffic monitoring, civil engineering, and the conservation of historic buildings. The primary objective of this study is to determine whether a seismic node can detect seismic activity associated with cultural events at a local high school in South Carolina. Throughout the study, we assessed which signals can be measured, the sensitivity of the geophone to cultural activities, and the suitability of the geophone's deployment. Additionally, we aimed to investigate whether the seismic node can capture signals from the Elgin Swarm in South Carolina. This project seeks to introduce high school students to the field of seismology, many of whom might not otherwise be exposed to this area of study, potentially inspiring future interest in pursuing a degree in geoscience.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 91
|
| Piroli, Maria Virginia |
Pocivavsek, Ana |
Brain-specific elevations in kynurenic acid reduce REM and NREM sleep duration in rats
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Individuals with neurocognitive disorders experience sleep disturbances. Kynurenic acid (KYNA), a tryptophan metabolite of the kynurenine pathway, is implicated in the pathophysiology of these disorders. Modest increases in KYNA result in altered sleep-wake behavior (Pocivavsek et al. Sleep 2017). The lateral hypothalamus (LH) is implicated in sleep-wake behaviors through arousal-promoting orexinergic neurons. Systemic kynurenine administration, the precursor of KYNA, increases activation of orexinergic LH neurons.
To assess a dose response elevation of KYNA (0µM, 1µM, 3µM, 10µM) in the brain, rats were cannulated targeting the lateral ventricle and implanted with devices to record electroencephalogram and electromyogram. After one week, a within animal design was employed to intracerebroventricularly infuse each dose of KYNA at Zeitgeber time (ZT) 0 across different days. Vigilance states—wake, rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, and non-REM (NREM) sleep—were classified. To evaluate region-specific increases in KYNA, an astrocyte targeting (GFAP promoter), adeno-associated virus (AAV) was bilaterally injected into the LH of rats. This AAV, tagged with mCherry, contained the gene for kynurenine aminotransferase II (KATII), the enzyme which converts kynurenine to KYNA. After 21 days, microdialysis was performed to evaluate extracellular LH KYNA. After basal evaluation, rats received a kynurenine injection (25mg/kg, IP). KYNA synthesis was evaluated via high-performance liquid chromatography. Immunofluorescent histological analysis verified viral expression within the LH. Vigilance state durations were evaluated from ZT0-4 and we determined a dose-dependent impact of KYNA on sleep duration. The impact of KYNA on sleep-wake behavior was transient, such that 10µM KYNA increased wake duration, and reduced REM and NREM sleep duration between ZT0-2 and returned to basal levels (vehicle) between ZT2-4. We found that mCherry tagged virus was localized with GFAP indicating that the virus targeted astrocytes. Rats injected with the KATII overexpression virus produced a greater amount of KYNA at baseline and after kynurenine challenge. Our findings support the hypothesis that brain-specific elevations in KYNA disrupt sleep underscoring the role of the kynurenine pathway, a pharmacologically targetable metabolic pathway, in regulating sleep behavior. Future studies will evaluate the impact of chronic elevations in KYNA within the LH on sleep behavior.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 8
|
| Burns, Sam |
Hancock, Nathan |
Assembly and Comparative Analysis of Sabal palmetto Genomes
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Sabal palmetto is native to the southeastern United States, Cuba, and the Bahamas, yet its genomic diversity and population structure remain largely uncharacterized. Our study builds on previous genome assembly efforts by identifying the diversity present in 20 additional Sabal palmetto samples collected from Aiken, SC. Based on discussions with nursery owners, we predict that a substantial portion of our samples likely originated from Florida nurseries. Our methodology began with the optimization of DNA purification protocols. Comparative tests of bead mill and mortar-and-pestle methods determined that the latter produced higher-quality DNA from leaf tissue. Genomic DNA from the 20 samples was sequenced using Illumina technology and compared with the reference to detect genetic variations. The bioinformatics pipeline includes several steps: first, raw reads are aligned to the Sabal palmetto draft reference genome using the Burrows-Wheeler Aligner (BWA). Next, alignment files are processed with Picard tools to mark duplicates and ensure data quality. Following these quality control steps, variant calling is performed using the Genome Analysis Toolkit (GATK). The next phase involves using PLINK to compute pairwise identity-by-descent (IBD) and relatedness coefficients, allowing us to assess kinship and population structure within our sample set. Our work emphasizes the application of standard genomic pipelines for gene discovery and variant characterization in an under-studied plant species. The integration of these bioinformatics techniques, which parallels our previous research on the dwarf soybean phenotype, strengthens our capacity for genetic analysis. Future work will focus on completing gene annotation and analyzing identified variants to elucidate their functional roles.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 209
|
| Burns, James |
Hancock, Nathan |
Genetic Analysis of Sequence Polymorphisms by Bulk Segregant Analysis
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Glycine max, commonly known as soybean, is an important crop producing about 40% of the world's edible vegetable oil and protein meal. Soybeans require low amounts of chemically fixed nitrogen and as a result, have lower production and energy costs than most crops. One of the goals of the Hancock laboratory is to identify genes important for soybean growth. To accomplish this, mutagenized soybean populations are screened for abnormal growth.
We performed genetic analysis on an F2 population segregating for a dwarf phenotype, which indicated that the phenotype was recessive. The goal of this project is to analyze the variants segregating in the F2 plants to identify which mutation is causing the dwarf trait. F2 seeds and controls were planted in the field and heights were determined throughout the growing season. DNA was extracted using the CTAB method, grinding via bead mill, chloroform for phase separation, isopropanol for precipitation, and washed with ethanol. The DNA was quantified, diluted, and analyzed using genotyping primers targeting identified mutations. This project has enabled me to learn about genetics in a way that prepares me for a career in agricultural genetics.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 116
|
| Bradley, Gracie |
Tandon, Keah |
Lessons I Taught, Lessons I Learned
View Full Text
Abstract Text
An 8th grade internship in a middle school classroom, why traditionally we reflect on what the pros and cons of each lesson plan and our day-to-day classroom experiences, I have used my time in writing my portfolio for Graduation with Leadership Distinction in Professional and Civic Engagement to reflect on the lesson I learned throughout this internship. In the overlap of my studies this internship provided me first hand experience to learn about the impact of connections in the classroom, providing low stakes opportunities for students to excel in math and life, and teaching critical thinking skills that supports them personally and academically. Beyond just the lessons I have learned from my students I was provided many opportunities to attend professional development meetings and daily events that further expanded my growth on academic and educational approaches. This experience taught me more about just delivering lessons but truly waking up a generation to excel in the classroom and life. This experience has sparked my passion for education and excited me for my role in my coming profession. Finally, these months at a local middle school have taught me more than I could ever teach the students in the classroom of room 911.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 236
|
| Sails-Dunbar, Tremaine |
Whiting, Serita |
Bundling the Homeless in Cages: A Quantitative Examination of Homelessness and Criminal Arrest
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Homelessness throughout the US has increased by roughly 12% between 2022-2023. The Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Point-in-Time count indicated that America's homeless population was trending near 700,000 in 2023. Furthermore, over 20% of individuals reported they were homeless for the first time between 2019-2023. Since 2016, reports of overall homelessness, unsheltered homelessness, and chronic homelessness have increased each year. Since the 1990s states have incorporated ‘private home practice’ laws that make it a crime to sleep, drink, and urinate in public spaces. The relationship between homelessness and criminal arrest is rarely discussed in homelessness literature. Utilizing the Survey of Prisons Inmates, this study will highlight the extent to which homelessness impacts criminal arrests and examine similarities and differences among demographics of homelessness and criminal arrest. This study will answer the following research questions: To what extent does homelessness impact criminal arrest? To what extent do homelessness and criminal arrests impact African Americans? To what extent are there differences or similarities among gender, homelessness, and criminal arrest? We will provide recommendations for future research based on our findings.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 70
|
| White, Hayden |
Haldeman, Matthew |
Qualifications for Direct Admissions
View Full Text
Abstract Text
One of the core dilemmas between inpatient and outpatient services is when to transition from one to the other. “Clinical judgement” has been the phrase thrown into the discourse to justify direct versus indirect admission to the hospital. But what does this actually mean? In a landscape fraught with varying definitions around every corner, this project’s purpose is to identify a set of guidelines to assist providers in determining the type of patient that warrants a direct admission. To establish this guideline, family medicine residents and faculty filled out a questionnaire assessing practice cases to determine if they met criteria for direct admission. The questionnaire also addressed the level of confidence the residents and faculty felt before and after intervention. The intervention was creating baseline guidelines that were presented to residents and faculty as well as placed in clearly visible locations within the inpatient and outpatient settings. The number of direct admissions to the family medicine inpatient service were monitored for three months before and after the intervention. While the final quantitative and qualitative data are still being gathered, preliminary analysis shows no significant change in the number of direct admissions. This, however, does not indicate if these cases were more or less appropriate given guideline implementation. Strengths of our project include the close collaboration with inpatient and outpatient teams, reinforcing efficient communication and participation. Weaknesses include the low number of direct admissions to the inpatient service at baseline, as well as the close proximity of the emergency department to the outpatient clinic, which equated to a more efficient transition between these two entities. This project is designed to establish criteria for appropriate direct admissions, standards which have largely been ignored in the medical literature, and which will ensure that all patients receive timely, appropriate medical care while avoiding unnecessary costs like emergency department visits.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 121
|
| Rashidian, Caleb |
Schnee, Amanda |
The Use of Prolonged Antibiotic Treatment in Complicated Urinary Tract Infections: A Retrospective Chart Review
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are one of the most common bacterial infections, leading to substantial healthcare costs and a growing risk of antibiotic resistance. When deemed to be complicated, these UTI are often treated with prolonged antibiotic durations and are associated with increased cost to patient and length of hospital stay. Traditionally, complicated UTIs (cUTIs) have been treated with a prolonged course of antibiotics out of fear for antimicrobial failure, recurrence or chronification, and more severe outcomes or sequalae. However, recent evidence suggests that shorter courses may be equally efficacious, offering a potential strategy for reducing the negative impacts of prolonged antibiotic use such as raised concerns for increased risk of antimicrobial resistance when antibiotic resistance is deemed a top ten public health threat. This retrospective study compared short and long antibiotic durations in male patients admitted to the inpatient setting with cUTIs to determine efficacy and complication differences. We hypothesized that a shorter duration of antibiotic therapy would achieve similar clinical cure rates, while reducing adverse effects and contributing to more sustainable antibiotic practices. Our findings indicate that short antibiotic regimens are non-inferior to prolonged regimens, offering similar clinical outcomes, rates of adverse events, and rates of recurrence. Our findings also demonstrate that prolonged antibiotic regimens are associated with potential increased risk of antimicrobial resistance. These results have significant implications for both clinical practice and antibiotic stewardship.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 193
|
| Matsuo, Celica |
Tandon, Keah |
Fostering Growth Through Early Intervention
View Full Text
Abstract Text
This past summer, I had the privilege of interning with the Bridge’s Preschool Program at The Therapy Place. This establishment includes a center for children with disabilities within the Bridge’s Preschool, the Bridge’s Academy, and a therapeutic clinic offering various pediatric therapies, including occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech therapy. As an intern, I served as a teaching aide for all the preschoolers in the Bridge’s program and worked one-on-one with many of the children. I had the opportunity to plan activities tailored to each child's specific needs and support their physical and cognitive development. Through both classroom interactions and shadowing therapy sessions, I built meaningful connections with the children and witnessed their progress firsthand. As a psychology major at The University of South Carolina and an aspiring pediatric occupational therapist, this experience allowed me to see the tangible impact of early intervention. It also solidified my passion for my future career by showing me how special the connection with a child can be and how fulfilling it is to support their development in every possible way. Watching the preschoolers achieve significant milestones in just two short months was one of the most rewarding and enriching experiences I have ever had. I hope to continue my education in this field by engaging in more experiences like this one and observing the perseverance through the power of occupational therapy.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 276
|
| Reed, Erin |
Crocker, Holly |
The Social and Political Implications of Eleanor Cobham’s Trial and its Effects on William Shakespeare’s Henry VI: Part II
View Full Text
Abstract Text
This research project examines the social and political implications of Eleanor Cobham’s public humiliation in 1441 and how they manifest in Shakespeare’s depiction of Cobham in Henry VI: Part II. After hiring three clergymen and a reputed witch to read King Henry’s horoscope, she was accused of witchcraft, forced to perform public penance, and exiled to the Isle of Man. Her fate constitutes another instance in a long line of witchcraft allegations thrown at powerful women, in which the accusations contain ulterior social and political motives. Beyond these initial motives, I noted an exceptional sense of theatricality in most fictional depictions of Eleanor Cobham, Duchess of Gloucester. In poems such as Lament of the Duchess of Gloucester and A Complaint for my Lady of Gloucester and Holland, authors present Eleanor Cobham as incredibly aware of the motives behind her exile and its public nature. Her knowledge of her role in the public sphere that is the English court constitutes a sort of theatricality that mirrors a rise in anti-Catholic sentiment following the reign of King Henry VIII. Following my research, I posit that Shakespeare’s depiction of Eleanor Cobham in Henry VI: Part II presents a response to antitheatricality – or a dislike of the performative – taking a central political and theological role in 16th century England. Many analyses of Eleanor Cobham in Henry VI: Part II treat her solely as an overly ambitious woman spurned for her overstepping of social bounds. Similarly, many interpretations offer an inaccurate and ambiguous grouping of antitheatricality and witchcraft. I believe unique insight regarding Eleanor Cobham as a moral center of Henry VI: Part II can be gained by viewing her as a theatrical figure and her public humiliation as an equally antitheatrical response.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 4
|
| Martin, Brooke |
Morris, Caleb |
Leading and Lifelong Learning
View Full Text
Abstract Text
As the Vice President of Academic Achievement for Zeta Tau Alpha, I worked to redefine how success and academics in Greek life are perceived, both within my chapter and beyond. In this role, I was responsible for fostering academic success and providing support to chapter members by managing academic statuses, implementing initiatives that promoted accountability and encouragement, and offering stress-relief events to support mental well-being.
Motivated by my own recruitment experience--where I initially judged chapters based on their GPA rankings rather than my personal connections--I hoped to reshape perceptions on the role of academics in Greek life. I implemented structured study time with designated quiet time in the house, organized workshops and mentorship programs, provided incentives for academic success, and created a textbook library for chapter members.
This experience taught me the value of adaptability, support, and perspective. I transformed a role often viewed as punitive into one that empowered members to reach their goals. I learned that true success, academic and otherwise, is not solely defined by numbers, and that leadership is about support and encouragement, not authority. Seeing firsthand how a strong support system impacts success reinforced my passion for mentorship and appreciation for lifelong learning.
As I prepare for graduation and my pursuit of medical school, I will carry the lessons this role taught me--offering mentorship and support however I can. But more importantly, I will continue to challenge misconceptions, using them as opportunities to create meaningful change. Remembering always that true growth comes from an openness to learn from anyone, at any time, in any role--while the greatest hinderance to success is a closed mind.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 313
|
| Lutz, Hanna |
Lee, Junsoo |
Realizing Digital Finite Time Control by Implicit Discretization
View Full Text
Abstract Text
The concepts of asymptotic and exponential stability in dynamical systems theory imply that system trajectories converge to a desired state over an infinite time horizon. However, in applications like mission planning, smart manufacturing, and resource allocation, the control objective must be achieved within a finite time window with minimal error rather than over an infinite horizon. Finite-time control ensures convergence to the desired state within a predefined time frame while maintaining stability and minimizing error. Sliding mode control (SMC) is one of the control methods used to achieve FTC. SMC guides the system onto a sliding surface, allowing robustness even with disturbances. While rigorous analysis of finite-time control using sliding mode controllers and Lyapunov theory has been extensively studied, a significant gap remains in bridging continuous-time and discrete-time finite-time control. When converting a system to discrete-time, however, some of the benefits of FTC are lost, leading to what is known as the chattering effect and it can even destabilize the system. To mitigate the effect of chattering on discrete-time systems, implicit discretization methods can be used. Implicit discretization methods align more closely with the system’s inherent dynamics, enabling smoother and more stable convergence.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 83
|
| Fournier, Jesse |
Gower, Michael
Krusen, Kelsey
Cheung, Candice
Atube, Kidochukwu |
Local injection of particles for retinoic acid drug delivery improves muscle structure and modulates inflammation in mice recovering from cast immobilization
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Introduction: Muscle atrophy occurs from disuse, aging, or illness and leads to lower strength and increased mortality and is characterized by a decrease in fiber cross-sectional area (CSA) and protein synthesis. All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) is an active form of vitamin A that has been established to influence muscle regeneration but degrades easily. By encapsulating ATRA in poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLG), stability and potency are maintained.
It has been shown that muscle atrophy in mouse hindlimb casting models resembles atrophy in humans. It’s hypothesized that injection of ATRA microparticles post-casting will increase myofiber CSA via activation of the AKT-4eBP1-mTOR pathway, a signaling pathway that promotes protein synthesis and myofiber growth by regulating the activity of mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR).
Methods: Male C57BL6 mice (16-weeks old) were casted with both ankles in plantar flexion for 10 days to induce gastrocnemius and soleus atrophy. Following casting, mice were randomly assigned to treatment groups: 90ng, 30ng, or 9ng of ATRA or saline. Mice recovered for 3 or 7 days before euthanasia. Following euthanasia, the left hindlimb muscles were embedded in OCT for histology and the right hindlimb muscles were flash frozen for other measurements.
Immunofluorescence microscopy for laminin was used to quantify fiber CSA. The total protein concentration within mouse gastrocnemius homogenate was determined via Bicinchoninic (BCA) assay. Western blot analysis assessed protein synthesis markers, with equal protein amounts run on SDS-PAGE and transferred onto nitrocellulose membrane. Rabbit antibodies were used to detect p-AKT, AKT, p-4eBP1, 4eBP1, p-mTOR, and mTOR proteins. Goat anti-rabbit secondary antibodies were used with chemiluminescence to visualize protein bands, and the resulting bands indicate the presence and relative abundance of target proteins.
Results: The casting model was successful in inducing atrophy indicated by myofiber CSA. Additionally, the CSA increased after treatment with 90ng of ATRA. Western blot analysis showed no difference in the activation of indexes of protein synthesis (p-AKT/AKT, p-4eBP1/4eBP1, and p-mTOR/mTOR) at the 3-day and 7-day timepoints.
Conclusion: There is an increase in CSA of myofibers after treatment with 90ng of ATRA, indicating ATRA may be beneficial for treating muscle atrophy.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 187
|
| Rolf, Alexandra |
Sayers, Christina |
My Experience Paging At The South Carolina State House
View Full Text
Abstract Text
My experience at the South Carolina State House, not only enhanced my education in political science, but also stepped me up with connections and experiences that will benefit me in my future careers and ventures. Through sitting in on Legislative Session and Committee Meetings, I was able to get a grasp for the process of writing and debating a bill before it comes into law. I was also able to gain valuable experiences through assisting with office tasks, meeting people from across the state, and developing my professional and leadership skills. However, through all the lessons and experiences, the most important was learning how powerful bipartisan legislation is. In a time of political division and discourse, writing and passing bills that can be agreed upon by both parties, helps everyone in the state, and unites parties together. It was through this experience that I made the decision to continue my education and attend law school next year. I hope to continue growing my knowledge of the law, and experiences as a political activist.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 243
|
| Horn, Ainsley |
Spence, Gina |
How Networking Sparks Success
View Full Text
Abstract Text
The summer after my sophomore year at the University of South Carolina, I participated in the required 295 Internship class for SPTE students. This class's main purpose is to provide hands-on experience and networking opportunities in the sport and entertainment industry. I interned as a Sponsorship and Sales Intern at Peak Sports MGMT, a third-party company that manages ticket sales and sponsorships for Wofford College's athletic department in Spartanburg, South Carolina. This experience was made possible by my prerequisite 195 class, where I researched potential careers within the industry and became aware of my options and opportunities. The class also emphasized the importance of networking, which I realized early on would be crucial for my career. Thanks to my involvement in Sigma Psi Mu, professional business fraternity, and my connections, specifically, Benton Synder, I was able to secure this internship and see firsthand how valuable networking is, and how it can determine success in this field. During the internship, I was fully immersed in sponsorship sales, where I formulated presentations, scheduled and attended meetings with potential sponsors, assisted in reaching investment goals, and helped plan biannual hospitality events. With all of this being said, the most defining moment was playing a key role in securing a three-year, $30,000 sponsorship deal with a local orthodontist. From this experience, I gained invaluable knowledge in sponsorship sales, event planning, and client relations, but most importantly, networking. I learned the importance of teamwork, how to professionally engage with clients, and how to navigate a real-world professional environment. The internship reinforced the idea that "networking is your net worth," as my success was largely due to the relationships I had previously built. This hands-on and beyond the classroom experience directly relates to my coursework, particularly the networking skills and industry knowledge I gained in my SPTE classes (especially SPTE 195), which helped me succeed in this internship. It gave me a clear understanding of the sports industry, provided insight into my potential career path, and highlighted key skills I need to succeed in this field. Networking continues to spark success for me, even today.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 237
|
| Davis, Jonathan |
Evans, Colin |
Transforming Growth Factors in Venous Thrombus Formation and Resolution
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) are vascular occlusive disorders categorized under the term venous thromboembolism (VTE). VTE affects approximately 900,000 people per year in the USA alone. Understanding of the multifaceted process of DVT has improved in recent years and current DVT treatments reduce thrombus propagation, but they also increase bleeding risk and fail to accelerate natural venous thrombus resolution. Multiple inflammatory cytokines regulate the development and subsequent resolution of DVT. One family of cytokines involved in DVT and venous thrombus resolution is the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) family. A comprehensive understanding of the control of venous thrombus formation and resolution by the TGF-β family could lead to the development of novel treatments for DVT that target one or more of the TGF-β isoforms. The aim of this review is to describe studies of the roles of the TGF-β isoforms in venous thrombus formation and resolution, and to highlight opportunities for future research. TGF-β isoforms include TGF-β1, TGF-β2, and TGF-β3. TGF-β1 has a well characterized role in the positive regulation of venous thrombus formation and the negative regulation of venous thrombus resolution. Further research is necessary, however, to understand the potential roles of TGF-β2 and TGF-β3 in venous thrombus formation and resolution. Given that TGF-β1 expression increases during venous thrombosis and that inhibition or knockdown of TGF-β1 reduces thrombus burden, TGF-β1 represents a potential diagnostic marker for DVT and a putative target for therapies that aim to prevent or treat DVT.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 110
|
| Stokes, Will |
Arp Adams, Swann
M Montgomery, Kara |
Examining Racial Disparities in Cancer Incidence and Mortality across South Carolina Regions
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Purpose: The last major cancer mortality-to-incidence ratio (MIR) research in South Carolina was done in 2009. This research seeks to provide updated data to compare South Carolina and its regions to national MIRs for the most common cancer types.
Methods: State and national incidence and mortality data were collected from the South Carolina Central Cancer Registry (SCCCR), and the National Cancer Institute's Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results Program (SEER). SC data was collected across each of the state’s 4 major geographic regions as described by the Department of Public Health (DPH): Lowcountry, Midlands, Pee Dee, and Upstate. MIRs (mortality rate/incidence rate) were calculated for all cancer sites, cervical, colon, female breast, lung and bronchus, oral cancers, and prostate cancers from the years 2016-2021, excluding 2020. The MIR was categorized with each level representing a 10% increase from the previous level using the white SEER MIR for comparison.
Results: Major racial disparities in MIR were found in SC, with the largest discrepancies seen in cervical, colon, and prostate cancers. For cervical cancer in particular, each SC region had a lower white MIR than SEER, but black women in the Pee Dee Region had a 99.8% increase from the white SEER ratio. With prostate cancer, each SC region was ranked in category 5 for black MIRs. White colon cancer MIRs ranked in category 2 across the state, but for black MIR, two regions ranked in category 5.
Conclusions: Our work provides an important 10-year update to a previously published cancer MIR evaluation of SC. These results highlight the poor cancer outcomes in the state compared to the national trends and the larger magnitude of cancer disparities at SC’s regional levels. This research has important implications for SC by pinpointing where public health interventions are most needed. By prioritizing areas and cancer sites with the largest disparities, we can ensure better cancer prevention efforts and equity for SC’s minority populations.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 111
|
| Patel, Shiv |
Bhere, Deepak |
Combinational Therapies for Pediatric Brain Tumors
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Pediatric glioblastoma, the highest grade of gliomas according to WHO, has an incidence rate of 0.85-1.78 per 100,000 people with a dismal median survival of 13-73 months post-diagnosis and a 5-year survival rate of less than 20%. Due to the prevalent complexities in standard treatment options and the disease itself, combined with an overall lack of research on pediatric high-grade gliomas (pHGGs), the prognosis remains poor. Within the past two decades, oncolytic viruses (OVs) have emerged as a promising antitumor immunotherapy. Unfortunately, previous studies have shown limited efficacy in monotherapy approaches and modern research has shifted more towards combinatorial multimodalities. One such candidate for combinational therapies is Resveratrol (RSV). RSV, a polyphenolic compound found in nature, has been extensively studied in cancer treatment, including adult GBM trials, due to its noteworthy pro-apoptotic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-proliferative properties. Its ability to easily cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) further indicates its potential in glioma therapies. In this study, we examined the combinatorial approach of hrR3, a type-1 oncolytic herpes simplex virus, enhanced by RSV treatment on pGBM cell lines. pGBM cell viability was assessed via sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay at 24-, 48-, and 72-hours post-infection preceded by RSV pretreatment. Western Blot analysis was also conducted to further determine the underlying mechanism of these treatments. Results indicated enhanced oncolysis in pGBM cells via 24-hour RSV pretreatment through various apoptotic and caspase-mediated pathways.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 24
|
| Bellofatto, Kayla |
Morris, Caleb |
Cleared for Takeoff and Navigating the Skies of Market Research
View Full Text
Abstract Text
The summer before my senior year I accepted an internship as a Marketing Intern at Greenville–Spartanburg International Airport. The main goal of this internship was to develop a survey to create marketing personas and assess passengers purchasing habits. We met Human Resources, Marketing, and Concessions to determine what each team wanted to gain from our survey. We included questions from each team to help them gain market research through our surveys. As a marketing major, this internship provided me with hands on experience of survey creation, market research, and analysis and presentation of results. I learned how to create survey questions and pick which scales to use, and greatly improved my knowledge of excel and how to analyze hundreds of data rows of data. This impacted me by showing me market research and data analysis is something to be so afraid of and correlated directly with my Principles of Marketing Research course I took the following semester. This internship greatly prepared me for any marketing research I must conduct in the future. Getting out of your comfort zone and surveying people to learn more about your company can provide great insight on where you are succeeding, and where you need to improve. I hope to be able to conduct more advanced market research in the future to learn more about different companies.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 244
|
| Wright, Michael |
Jackson, James
Kung, Justin |
Predictors of Vitamin D Deficiency in a Pediatric Orthopaedic Operative Cohort in South Carolina
View Full Text
Abstract Text
INTRODUCTION: Vitamin D is an essential component of normal musculoskeletal development. Recent studies have highlighted the potential health benefits of vitamin D supplementation, including improved bone health, reduced fracture risk, protection from autoimmune disease, and decreased cancer risk. Despite these benefits, pediatric Vitamin D deficiency remains a significant concern. The objective of this study was to investigate predictors of Vitamin D levels in an operative pediatric population.
METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted to identify pediatric patients at a single institution who underwent surgical intervention and received preoperative 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) testing between January 2021 to May 2024. Demographic and clinical data were collected through chart review. Home addresses were used to calculate Area Deprivation Index (ADI), a validated composite measure of socioeconomic status developed by the U.S. Health Resources & Services Administration. Associations with Vitamin D level were assessed using bivariate and multivariate analyses.
RESULTS: This study included 593 participants (median age: 13 years; 52.7% male; and 55.6% white, 32.5% African-American). Vitamin D deficiency (<20 ng/mL) was observed in 36% of patients. Bivariate analysis showed that National ADI, State ADI, African-American race, and body mass index (BMI) were significantly associated with Vitamin D deficiency. Biological sex and presence of a fracture were not associated with Vitamin D deficiency. Multivariate analysis identified BMI as the strongest predictor of Vitamin D deficiency, followed by African-American race and State ADI.
DISCUSSION and CONCLUSION: Vitamin D deficiency was prevalent in over one-third of this pediatric orthopaedic cohort despite residing in a region with year-round UV radiation. Screening efforts that incorporate ADI, BMI, and racial background may help identify at-risk children and guide targeted interventions to improve Vitamin D status in the pediatric population.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 111
|
Bell, Kyra
Cesar, Jennifer |
Herbert-Harris, Eboni |
The Influence of Nurses' Implicit Racial Bias on Black Maternal Mortality
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Background/Significance: Black women in the U.S. face three to four times the risk of
pregnancy
-related death compared to White women. Implicit racial bias among nurses
contributes to disparities in maternal outcomes, affecting clinical decisions, patient-provider
communication, and care quality. Addressing this bias is crucial for improving maternal health
equity.
Purpose/Objectives: This evidence-based review examines how nurses' implicit racial bias
contributes to Black maternal mortality disparities. Objectives include (1) synthesizing research
on bias in nursing and its impact on Black maternal health, (2) evaluating interventions to reduce
bias, and (3) proposing strategies to improve maternal outcomes.
Methods: A literature search was conducted in CINAHL, PubMed, PsycINFO, and SCOPUS
using terms like "implicit bias," "racial disparities," "maternal mortality," and "nurses." Only
U.S.
-based studies from the past five years were included, analyzing bias and its impact on
maternal health. A total of seven studies were reviewed and analyzed.
Results/Conclusion: Nurses' implicit bias negatively affects perinatal care by influencing
decisions and reducing patient-centered communication. While bias training and mindfulness
interventions show promise, further research is needed to implement effective strategies for
improving Black maternal health. Addressing bias through systemic changes is essential to
reducing maternal mortality disparities.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 54
|
Mahesh, Boomika
Aquino, Brittney |
Osbaldiston, Richard |
Meditation and Telomere Length: A Meta-Analysis of Protective Role in Cellular Aging
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Abstract:
Meditation is known to have psychological benefits that affect aging, like mental health, cognitive function, and stress management. But its impact on the physiological effects of aging is less clear. One physiological variable that is associated with aging is telomere length. Telomeres are DNA sequences that cap the ends of chromosomes, and longer telomeres are associated with healthier aging. This meta-analysis examines how mediation affects telomere length by reviewing 10 studies from Google Scholar and PubMed. The effect size of Cohen’s d was calculated for each study to standardize the effects. The weighted average Cohen’s d for telomere length was 0.08, showing a weak relationship. The study’s results suggest a slight indication of the impact of meditation on telomere length; further research would help explore factors like duration and frequency of meditation, different types of meditation, and individual differences in cellular aging.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 170
|
| Bolton, Garret |
Ballou, Julia |
Game Day and Beyond: My Experience with the New York Yankees and the Pinstripe Bowl
View Full Text
Abstract Text
During my senior year winter break, I had the opportunity to intern with the New York Yankees at the Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl. The Pinstripe Bowl, an annual college football bowl game held at Yankee Stadium, showcased the University of Nebraska and Boston College in its 14th game. During my two weeks I worked across New York City including the Bronx and Midtown. Leading up to the game the Yankees organized events for players, coaches, and families, including the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, a visit to the 9/11 Memoria & Museum, and the ringing of the New York Stock Exchange Opening Bell. I assisted with assembling all the gifts for the players and coaches, escorting the team to each event, and setting up the team areas at each hotel. On game day, I escorted the team bands onto the field for the National Anthem and halftime performance. Following the matchup, I assisted with the presentation of the George M. Steinbrenner Trophy on the field. I felt very grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with a world-renowned organization and to contribute to the success of such a high-profile event. I learned how much preparation is crucial to the success of events, however one cannot prepare for everything. Adaptability was an important skill I was able to work on during the internship. This experience connected directly with my Sport and Entertainment Management degree. During my undergrade studies, I have taken multiple event and venue management courses that teach you about everything needed to put on the event. Now I was able to see everything and work hands-on. This event salified my passion for helping put on large events and wanting to work in event management.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 275
|
| Le, Thien |
Dubinsky, Stanley
Crews, James |
The Wordification™ Project, A Dialect-Enhanced Spelling Instruction Platform
View Full Text
Abstract Text
In the U.S., less than one-third of K-8 students are proficient readers. While improved spelling skills help to improve reading, quality spelling instruction is not always available. Some spelling instruction is still memory-based, and this does not work for many students. Teachers have difficulty providing individualized instruction to those who need the most help, and private tutoring is extremely expensive. Also, many students speak different dialects or are non-native speakers, and it can make spelling harder when words sound very different from how they are written.
Wordification is an online learning tool designed to provide students with individualized, interactive spelling instruction. They learn as they play. It also includes dialect enhancements, so that students can hear words in a voice that sounds familiar and receive instruction targeting errors they are likely to make. This helps them make better connections between pronunciation and spelling.
When fully developed teachers will be able to use Wordification in their classes, and students will be able to use it by themselves on their own time. The application will monitor students’ skills and provide instruction based on what they need. It will be easy to use, affordable, and particularly useful in under-resourced schools. Wordification will thus provide reading and spelling help to the students who need it most.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 5
|
| Killian, Samantha |
Deweil, David |
Engineering and Project Management in Construction
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Over the last two summers, I worked as a project engineer intern with PC Construction Company in Charlotte, NC, on an expansion/improvements project for one of Charlotte Water’s wastewater treatment plants. In my position as a project engineer, I managed project documents, participated in meetings with the project team, owners, and subcontractors, and supervised crews working on site. This internship provided me with an opportunity to gain practical experience as an engineer and apply what I have learned from my classes to real-world situations. This experience gave me a better understanding of life as an engineer and allowed me to evaluate and discern my future career goals. I learned to be more confident in my abilities when putting my knowledge and skills into practice and how to effectively communicate with individuals from varying backgrounds. I had the opportunity to learn from experienced engineers, managers, and executives, who encouraged me to seek new challenges, pushing me to think more critically and become exceedingly resourceful. It was surprising how open members of the project team were and how accessible information was to me, which continued to motivate me to utilize the resources that were available and take advantage of every opportunity that was presented. Additionally, I learned important lessons in planning projects and building a positive and safety oriented culture among those working on the project. Looking forward to a career in the automotive and motorsport industries, I know that these are skills I will be able to use to achieve success within my chosen profession.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 253
|
| Caldwell, Lane |
Fraley, Amy |
The Return-to-Play Time for an Overhead Athlete After Ulnar Collateral Ligament Repair with Internal Brace Augmentation: A Critically Appraised Topic
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) injuries are common in overhead throwing athletes due to repeated stress on the ligament with the biomechanical demands. Treatment options include surgical repair methods, such as UCL reconstruction surgery, and non-surgical more conservative options, including therapeutic modalities and rehabilitation exercises. Internal brace augmentation is a new surgical technique performed by repairing the ligament, adding suture anchors, and attaching collagen-dipped fiber tape for support. Therefore, what is the return-to-play time for an overhead athlete with a UCL tear that was repaired with the internal brace augmentation technique? A search was completed using the Sage Journals database in October of 2024 with search terms: “UCL repair or reconstruction in overhead athletes return to play.” Inclusion criteria consisted of studies (in English) completed within 10 years (2014-2024), overhead athletes with a UCL tear repaired with an internal brace, and outcomes measures of return-to-play (RTP) time. Studies were excluded if they were case studies or meta-analyses by design, used cadavers as the population, and only included the reconstruction surgical method. The search yielded 95 results and 92 were excluded due to inclusion and exclusion criteria. The remaining 3 studies were appraised using the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational studies in Epidemiology scale to evaluate for threats to validity. Rothermich et al. received a 22/22, and both Dugas et al. and O’Connell et al. received scores of 21/22 due to not giving unadjusted estimates and precision. All 3 studies showed that the average RTP time after ulnar collateral ligament repair with an internal brace was within 6.7 and 7.4 months depending on the person and the sport. The RTP timelines are meaningful results since each study had at least 92% of participants follow-up with their return-to-play times. A strength of recommendation Level B is given for the effect that the internal brace repair method has on return-to-play time, based on patient-oriented evidence and consistent findings from the cohort studies appraised. Additional research is needed to determine if the internal brace technique is the best overall treatment method to produce the fastest return-to-play time.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 142
|
| Han, Tia |
Peng, Nick |
Flow Cytometric Enumeration of Oceanic Fungi and Bacteria
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Fungi and Bacteria abundance is a key indicator of the health and diversity of an ecosystem. Although microbes like bacteria and fungi are invisible to the naked eye, they are everywhere and are essential in all ecosystems. In the ocean, they contribute to nutrient cycling, organic matter decomposition, and the marine food web, supporting the survival of countless organisms. Because of these critical functions, monitoring fungi and bacteria populations provides valuable insights into aquatic ecosystems' overall health, stability, and biodiversity. Understanding these microbial dynamics can also help predict ocean conditions and ecological balance changes. To assess the microbial life in two specific environments, we conducted fungi and bacteria counts for the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre (NPSG) and the Eastern Tropical South Pacific (ETSP) ocean waters. We collected and analyzed data using two methods to determine microbial abundance at varying depths in these regions. This research is necessary because few studies look at fungi and bacteria populations in ocean waters simultaneously, even though they play many critical roles. For the NSPG counts, we used flow cytometry with fluorescent dyes to quantify fungi and bacteria. This technique allowed us to analyze cells in the water samples by measuring their fluorescent signals, enabling us to differentiate between bacteria and fungi populations. We examined the resulting signals to interpret this data and successfully identified bacteria and fungi in all collected samples. For the ETSP data, we used fluorescent microscopy to directly view ocean water samples and manually count fungi and bacteria. In both methods, fluorescent dyes bound to DNA or fungal cell walls helped differentiate bacteria, fungi, and non-living debris, ensuring accurate identification. Combining these approaches gave us a comprehensive understanding of microbial abundance and distribution in these distinct marine environments.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 111
|
| Morgan Smith, Kaylee Fetter |
Herbert Harris, Eboni
Bartmess, Marissa |
Prevention of ICU Delirium: Pharmacological and Non Pharmacological Nursing Interventions
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Delirium is a high incidence issue across patients in many critical care settings, however there is a lack of standard treatment protocols to treat this issue. Intensive care unit (ICU) delirium is associated with higher mortality rates, new/worsened cognitive deficits, longer hospital stays,
and increased health costs. Use of standardized interventions can help reduce ICU delirium rates. The purpose of this evidence review is to determine efficient standardized methods, including both pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions, to prevent ICU delirium, and
therefore reduce hospital strain and improve patient cognition outcomes. Five articles from PubMed were gathered for this evidence review using the keywords, “ICU delirium” and “nursing interventions”. All articles were published within the last 10 years and were research-based studies, including a randomized controlled trial, two integrative reviews, a network meta-analysis, and a scoping review. The only database searched was PubMed. Studies showed that combined use of pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions can help treat and reduce rates of delirium in ICU patients. The next steps should be to conduct more research in order to determine and implement standardized interventions to best prevent and reduce delirium in critical care settings.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 76
|
| Lycan, Reese |
Simoska, Olja |
The Impact of Carbon Sources on Phenazine-Mediated EET in Pseudomonas Aeruginosa
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Microbial infections remain the leading cause for high morbidity and mortality rates globally. While approximately thousands of human pathogens have been identified, most healthcare-associated infections are caused by only a few opportunistic pathogens, which are associated with increased antibiotic and antimicrobial resistance. Among these, Pseudomonas aeruginosa accounts for approximately 80% of nosocomial infections. During early infection stages, P. aeruginosa produces redox-active, nitrogen-containing molecules known as phenazines, which participate in extracellular electron transfer (EET) by acting as electron shuttles. Phenazine-1-carboxylic acid (PCA) is a key phenazine in P. aeruginosa, serving as a precursor for all other phenazines in its biosynthetic pathway. Although previous studies have explored EET mechanisms involving endogenous phenazines secreted from P. aeruginosa, the influence of different carbon substrates on phenazine-mediated electron transfer and phenazine metabolism remain poorly understood. To address this gap, we present electrochemical data on how different carbon sources, including glucose, acetate, malate, succinate, lactate, and citrate, affect EET rates between PCA and P. aeruginosa. Using cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry, we electrochemically evaluated the relationship between carbon metabolism and EET activity, focusing on the impact of substrate type and concentration on electrical current generation. Our findings reveal significant variability in EET activity based on carbon source utilization and phenazine availability. As such, our results provide critical insights into the metabolic control of phenazine-based electron transfer in P. aeruginosa, with broad implications for understanding pathogen persistence and redox biology in infection environments.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 47
|
Hasan, Hala
Arnipalli, Kalyani |
Lindsey, Sara |
Contraceptive Toolkit: A Quality Improvement Measure to Enhance Contraceptive Counseling in the Outpatient Setting.
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Background: The adolescent well-visit provides a unique personalized and confidential setting to discuss abstinence and contraceptive counseling. To help standardize this practice, the AAP issued a new policy statement in 2020.
Objective: We aim to quantify the frequency and documentation of contraceptive counseling, and to increase this value by 80% in the adolescent well-visits at the Prisma Children’s Outpatient Center (CHOC).
Methods: Two 30-minute presentations were conducted during the first and second PDSA cycles. The presentations included data from the AAP and ACOG guidelines on contraceptive counseling. A toolkit was created to help providers facilitate contraceptive counseling to patients in the exam room. Surveys were conducted to assess provider knowledge and confidence. Documentation of contraceptive counseling from patient encounters was gathered before and after the interventions.
Results: There was a 26% and a 34% increase in pre-and post-intervention Likert Scores in the first and second PDSA cycles, respectively. There was a 22% and a 35.7% increase in pre-and post-intervention Knowledge-Based Question Scores in the first and second PDSA cycles, respectively. There was a 200% increase and 217% increase in documentation of contraceptive counseling after the first and second PDSA cycles, respectively.
Conclusion: The use of informative presentations and visual aids improved provider confidence, knowledge, and documentation of contraceptive education in a Children’s Outpatient Center.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 156
|
| Kalaga, Pranav |
Ray, Swapan |
Spinal Cord Injury Triggers Mental Health Disorders via Gut Microbiome Changes and NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Spinal cord injury (SCI) initiates a cascade of secondary complications that significantly impact the well-being of the affected individuals. Among these, gut dysbiosis (GD, an alteration in composition of gut microbiome) and activation of the NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome have emerged as critical factors contributing to development of mental health disorders post SCI. Following SCI, the delicate balance of the gut microbiome is disrupted, leading to GD. This imbalance significantly alters production of microbial metabolites, such as short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and neurotransmitters that are vital for maintaining mental health. SCFAs, which have anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties, are diminished due to GD. Similarly, the altered production of neurotransmitters, including serotonin and dopamine, can directly influence mood regulation and cognitive processes, creating a vulnerability to mental health disorders like depression and anxiety. Furthermore, SCI triggers an increased presence and activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome, a key component of the innate immune system. Activation of NLRP3 inflammasome plays a pivotal role in the maturation and release of pro-inflammatory cytokines like interleukin-1beta (IL-1β), IL-18, and IL-6. These cytokines can cross the blood-brain barrier and contribute to neuroinflammation, a critical factor in the pathogenesis of various mental health disorders. Fecal microbiome transplants (FMT) offer a potential avenue for restoring the balance in gut microbiome, promoting metabolite production. Phytochemicals have demonstrated anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties, potentially mitigating NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Melatonin also exhibits anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, making it a promising candidate for reducing neuroinflammation and improving mental health outcomes. Besides, artificial intelligence (AI) presents a transformative opportunity to enhance diagnosis and treatment of mental health disorders in SCI patients. AI models are being developed to analyze gut microbiome data, identify patterns associated with GD, and predict the efficacy of FMT. While these applications are promising, further research is crucial to validate the efficacy and safety of AI-driven approaches in clinical settings. We recently reported various deleterious consequences of SCI in developing mental health disorders via GD and NLRP3 inflammasome activation, and discussed molecular mechanisms, potential treatments, and role of AI in managing problems post SCI (Brain Sciences 2025, 15:197).
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 18
|
White, Andrew
Ghazi, Usman |
Bartmess, Melissa |
The Impact of Transformational Leadership on Nurse Retention in Acute Care Settings
View Full Text
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 71
|
| Varanasi, Sreeja |
Goodman, Christopher
Ray, Donna |
Praxis in Social Medicine (PRISM): A Reproducible Model for Experiential Learning of Social Determinants of Health (SDOH)
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Purpose:
The social determinants of health (SDOH) are increasingly incorporated into medical school curricula in the US, but experiential learning is uncommon and community impact is unclear. For medical educators, the challenge of achieving best practices in teaching the SDOH is to simultaneously create experiential learning cross-linked with curricular goals while building mutually beneficial community relationships. Service learning as an established pedagogy is a potential framework for SDOH training.
Methods:
In 2021, we designed a learning collaborative called Praxis in Social Medicine (PRISM) to address interest in SDOH education. SOM students are connected with non-profit organizations for two purposes: (1) to enhance service learning while cross-linking SDOH and (2) to improve relationships with community partners. For students, the PRISM model involves community work, reflection exercises, modular lecture content, group discussions, and presentations at university-wide research symposiums. For community partners, PRISM fosters bidirectional communication and ensures attainment of mutual goals.
Results:
Since inception, PRISM has involved 54 student participants and currently includes 10 teams and 8 linked community organizations. The model has been improved iteratively through cross-linking required course material, refining learning objectives, and navigating continuity of community-based efforts. Students report high value in linking SDOH with service learning and positive impacts on professional development. Community partners note improved relationships with their students and the school itself. Notable team achievements include addressing food insecurity, improvement of social needs screening, and developing a better tool for detection of intimate partner violence.
Conclusion:
The PRISM model has been effective at transforming student volunteer activity into experiential learning in SDOH. Participating individuals and community partners are learning together how to achieve mutual educational and community health goals. The PRISM model can be easily adapted for other health professions and institutions, serving as a reproducible model for likeminded individuals to grow engagement and integrate curricular requirements.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 114
|
Chapman, Hayley
Ellis, Kathryn |
Harris, Eboni |
Nurse Role in Preventing VAP in Critical Care Settings
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Background/Significance:
Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia (VAP) is a significant complication that can occur in patients undergoing mechanical ventilation in critical care settings, and nurses play a crucial role in preventing it. Not only does VAP negatively affect patient health, but it also increases healthcare costs and prolongs hospital stays.
Purpose/Objective:
This study aims to examine nursing interventions that reduce the occurrence of VAP and improve patient outcomes. By investigating the effectiveness of current EBP, areas of improvement can be identified to reduce the incidence of VAP in critical care settings.
Methods:
A comprehensive literature review was conducted using the University of South Carolina Library Database, including PubMed, Nursing and Allied Health, and Scopus. Studies were found using the key words “ventilator-associated pneumonia”, “prevention”, “nursing”, “critical care”, “mechanical ventilation”, and “patient safety”. Filters were applied to narrow the search to include peer-reviewed, full-text articles published between 2019-2025. Using these criteria, fifteen articles were reviewed, and seven potential articles have been selected for continued research.
Results/Conclusion:
Adherence to EBP protocol, including oral care, head-of-bed elevation, sedation vacations, and sterile ventilator care, is critical in preventing VAP. Through care bundles, promotion of EBP, and assessing barriers to nurse compliance, current research indicates that the incidence of VAP would decline.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 72
|
| Neary, Brynn |
Hiott, Ambra |
Pursuing a career in holistic health with the Institute for Integrative Nutrition
View Full Text
Abstract Text
From July 2022 to July 2023 I completed a health coaching certification from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition (IIN). Over the course of the year, I was exposed to a comprehensive curriculum in nutrition and holistic health supplemented with effective coaching techniques and business development skills. The Health Coach Training Program (HCTP) aims to equip individuals with the skills to guide clients toward healthier lifestyles and promote health and well-being. I have always had a passion for nutrition, however, this program was different than anything else I’ve learned. It emphasized that nutrition cannot be looked at in isolation. The main idea was that coaches must look at health through a holistic lens, considering more than just diet or exercise. Relationships, environments, and social support are also crucial. The course consisted of 40 modules- mostly lectures on different health-related topics as well as a few interactive experiences. I was required to complete six practice coaching sessions with family and friends to reinforce what I had learned. I was also required to complete a final project of my choice where I created social media accounts sharing healthy recipes and lifestyle tips. I also had weekly check-in sessions with a mentor and other students which gave me the opportunity to speak with like-minded people of all ages from around the world, all from my college apartment. This course allowed me to explore my passion for health as more than a hobby and led me to declare a major in Public Health at USC. It also gave me a deeper understanding of what I was learning within my degree. Ultimately, my experience with IIN’s HCTP has empowered me to pursue a career in health coaching, enabling me to inspire others on their wellness journeys. After graduation I plan to pursue further education to become a certified Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioner.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 260
|
| Khodab, Allen |
Clyburn-Ipock, Virginia
Thomas, Mattie Jo |
Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Base of Tongue in Patient With Subsequent Diagnosis of ATM Gene Mutation: A Case Report and Review of Literature
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Head and neck cancers comprise about 3% of all malignancies in the U.S.While radiation therapy is a cornerstone of treatment, it carries significant toxicities due to cellular damage and proximity to vital structures including radiation dermatitis, odynophagia, dysphagia, and fibrosis. Predicting risk is challenging due to multifactorial causes, although certain genetic mutations heighten susceptibility. Here, we present a 71-year-old male with base-of-tongue squamous cell carcinoma who developed complete esophageal obstruction in a low-dose region following definitive chemoradiation. Further evaluation revealed an ATM mutation.
A 71-year-old male presented with a one-month history of a painful right neck mass. Workup revealed a p16-positive poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue base with right upper cervical lymph node involvement. He underwent definitive radiotherapy with IMRT and daily image guidance, delivering 70 Gy in 35 fractions to the primary lesion and involved lymph nodes, while elective lymph nodes received 56 Gy.
Due to difficulty meeting nutritional needs, a PEG tube was placed three weeks into radiation. He remained PEG-dependent after completion of therapy. Seven months later, endoscopy revealed complete upper esophageal obstruction. He underwent multiple esophageal dilations which ultimately improved stenosis, allowing successful passage and weight stabilization.
Follow-up showed improved swallowing with adequate weight gain. Around the same time, he was diagnosed with renal cell carcinoma and prostate cancer. Given these findings, genetic testing was performed, which ultimately revealed an ATM mutation.
Although the esophagus is at risk during head and neck irradiation, fewer than 2% of patients receiving ≤50 Gy develop radiation-induced strictures. Esophagitis is typically self-limited, and strictures often resolve with dilation. However, our patient developed a severe esophageal stricture post-chemoradiation, exceeding expected toxicity for the given dose. This case is among the few linking an ATM gene mutation to severe radiation complications, highlighting the increased radiosensitivity in ATM-mutated patients. Given the limited literature on this association, further research is needed to clarify its role in radiation toxicity. This case underscores the importance of recognizing genetic predispositions to severe radiation side effects. As radiation therapy remains a key treatment, balancing risks and benefits is essential in personalized patient care.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 128
|
| Coviak, Leah |
Morris, Caleb |
The RA-Volving Door: Transforming Student Lives & Self-Growth as an RA
View Full Text
Abstract Text
As a Resident Assistant (RA), my journey began in my second semester as a freshman due to financial necessity. Over time, this role evolved into a passion for supporting students and enhancing their college experience. I served as a mentor, connecting students to vital services and resources, planning and promoting events to foster a sense of community, managing emergencies with care, and striving to be an approachable role model.
As a first-generation college student, I faced challenges despite the support of my RA. She helped lighten my burden, and I aspired to ensure that others wouldn't have to fend for themselves. My goal was to provide support while encouraging self-advocacy both in college and beyond.
Through this role, I learned to navigate bureaucratic systems, teach students self-advocacy, uphold professional standards, network, create solutions, budget, plan activities, and manage emergencies. This experience has profoundly shaped my college journey, providing mentors, friends, job experience, and personal growth. Working as an RA, while challenging, is immensely rewarding. It alleviates financial burdens, hones skills for the workforce, allows you to witness student development, and offers insights into the workings of college departments.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 322
|
Cox, Michael
MacLeod, Ian |
Nolting, Laura |
Emergency Department Utilization of Transesophageal Echocardiogram During Cardiac Arrest: Assessing Barriers to Use
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Intra-resuscitative transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) has become increasingly utilized in the emergency department (ED) given benefits including: monitoring compressions, visualizing the heart, easier identification of abnormalities, and rapid identification of return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) compared to transthoracic echocardiography (TTE). However, the use of TEE in the ED has limitations. This project aims to determine barriers to TEE use.
Survey data consisting of Likert scale questions collected from Prisma EM residents inquired about factors regarding TEE use during cardiac arrest. The target population included resident physicians caring for a patient who was in cardiac arrest in the Richland ED, at least 18 years old, and full code.
Surveys (n=47) were collected during a 14 month period of which 20 used the TEE and 27 did not. The majority of the residents were PGY-3 residents (64%). Outcomes of the resuscitation did not show a significant increase in ROSC for those in which the TEE was used (50%) versus without TEE use (48%). Storage location was a primary barrier to TEE use, as location was not listed by anyone who used TEE. Storage location was listed as a barrier by 6 residents (22%) that did not use TEE with an additional 10 residents (37%) responding “neutral”. Those using TEE were able to find the correct views (68%), often changing how they managed the code (70%) without feeling like it delayed patient care (0%). Many residents stated that centralizing the location of the TEE may increase their use.
While many studies outline the positive impact of TEE use on patient care, use of TEE has been hindered by several barriers, most commonly, the storage location. Survey responses collected expressed positive impacts that TEE use had; however, over half of the survey responses stated that they did not use TEE for various reasons including location, confidence, set-up, and need for additional training. Future goals of this project will focus on addressing barriers to improve confidence, frequency of use, and patient outcomes.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 194
|
| Scott, Hannah |
Sarmukadam, Kimaya
Hogan, Abigail |
Reliability of Parent-Reported Anxiety Measures for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Fragile X Syndrome
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by impairments in social communication, and the presence of restricted and repetitive behaviors. Fragile X syndrome (FXS), the most common cause of ASD and intellectual disability, is an X-linked dominant disorder. Anxiety, characterized by excessive and consistent worry or fear, is a prevalent co-occurring condition in children with ASD and children with FXS, with nearly 40% to 80% experiencing clinically elevated symptoms or at least one anxiety disorder, respectively. Accurate assessment of anxiety in these populations is critical for early intervention and support.
Due to potential difficulties with introspection and communication in children with ASD and FXS, they may be limited in their ability to self-report anxiety. Additionally, because clinical assessments can be time-consuming, parent-informant questionnaires are the most frequent method for measuring anxiety in this population. While parent questionnaires provide insight into childhood anxiety, their reliability remains largely unexplored. Understanding the consistency of parent ratings over time and potential biases in reporting is essential for ensuring the accuracy and potential uses of these assessments.
The present study will aim to evaluate the inter- and intra-rater reliability of parent-reported anxiety measures in 47 children with ASD, 38 children with FXS, and 28 neurotypical children. Measures utilized in this study will include the Preschool Anxiety Scale, Revised (PAS-R), Anxiety, Depression, and Mood Scale (ADAMS), and the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) across three time points in the preschool period. Additionally, the research will examine whether responses from parents of children with ASD or FXS differ from those of neurotypical children.
Findings from this study will help improve early detection and intervention strategies for children with ASD and FXS. By evaluating the reliability and validity of parent-reported data, this study will aim to help inform clinicians and researchers on best practices for assessing anxiety in children with ASD and Fragile X Syndrome, ultimately enhancing mental health outcomes for children with these disorders.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 157
|
Simons, Gwen
Patel, Prisha |
Bradshaw, Jessica
Federico, Alexis
O'Hare, Caitlin |
Exploring the Relationship Between Joint Engagement and Child's Attention to Caregiver in Children with an Elevated Likelihood for Neurodevelopmental Disorders
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Recent studies estimate that about 1 in 36 children are diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in the United States (Maenner et al, 2020). Children with ASD have shown lower tendencies to engage in joint engagement (JE) with a caregiver (Nystrom et al, 2019). JE is defined as shared attention to an object in an infant-caregiver dyad. Children who spend more time in JE are more willing to engage in social exchange through play with their partners. This in turn leads to an increase in social communication and language development, as they are more willing to attend to their partners' communication. Reduced social attention is hypothesized to negatively affect skills such as language development (Bottema-Beutel et al., 2014). Starting at 12 months, typically developing children display sensitivity and attention to their caregivers, while achievement of this milestone is thought to be delayed or reduced in children with ASD (Dawson et al, 2004). Previous studies have explored JE differences between children with and without ASD. However, few studies have investigated how JE may support infants’ future attention to their caregiver. We will measure these two factors by rating a 7 minute play interaction, where there is a 5 minute play period (phase 1) where the dyad interacts, and a 2 minute period where the caregiver ignores the child (phase 2). We will explore the relationship between JE in Phase 1 and a child's attention to their caregiver in Phase 2. We will analyze how familial likelihood status affects the relationship between JE and how much attention infants pay to their caregiver. We hypothesize that greater quantity and quality of JE in phase 1 will be related to higher levels of attention to caregivers in phase 2 of the play interaction. Results of this study will provide meaningful implications regarding potential early developmental differences in children with elevated likelihoods of neurodevelopmental disorders, contributing to the evolving narrative of early screening and intervention programs for families.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 171
|
| O'Donnell, Kailee |
Ryker, Katherine |
Multicultural Collaboration in Consulting
View Full Text
Abstract Text
In each country I studied abroad in (Germany, Singapore, and Brazil), I had a management consulting course paired with a real-world project. These courses were crucial in building my understanding of how to develop a professional slide deck, analyze various databases, research new industries, and manage a large consulting project in a timely manner. I also learned how to work most efficiently in teams by delegating work but maintaining a holistic view. After spending a few weeks learning more about how a consulting project should work, I felt confident going into my real-world projects.
These courses adequately prepared me in many ways. My team understood what was expected of us and came to each client meeting with a professional slide deck of our updates and latest findings. We also knew which databases to go to when we needed certain data and learned how to quickly pick up the lingo of a new industry. However, there were some challenges within these projects that I hadn’t anticipated. I quickly found that there were some communication roadblocks within my team, which consisted of students from the United States, Germany, France, and Brazil. For example, during my first project in Germany, I learned that the German students were often very direct and openly gave feedback to others and were very open to receiving feedback in return. In contrast, the Brazilians were often more indirect and very careful to save face for their peers, and expected the same from their teammates.
I quickly took on a facilitator role, making sure everyone felt heard, providing a balance of positive and negative feedback, and helped serve as a mediator in any conflicts that arose. As the project progressed, we all learned to understand each other better and collaborate in a thoughtful way, and ended up presenting one of the top-ranking presentations for that semester.
In this presentation, I will share case studies from three countries, focusing on the styles of collaboration common to each in a business setting and how understanding these differences can benefit students pursuing global management consulting.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 200
|
Mathews, Wesley
Barreau, Pierre |
Harris, Herbert |
Prevention and Management of Psychosis/Delirium in the ICU
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Background/Significance
Clinicians have seen an increase in delirium or psychosis in the intensive care unit. As of now they do not have a definite answer to the causes. The signs and symptoms of delirium/psychosis are anxiety, confusion, hallucinations, rambling speech, mood swings, restlessness, agitation, withdrawal and lethargy. Based on studies, these symptoms are side effects of how care is being delivered to the patients, including the type of medications used, and lack of communication amongst the care team.
Purpose/Objectives
Our project goal is to answer the following questions: What steps are necessary to prevent delirium? What are the best treatments for delirium in ICU patients?
Methods
For this study research was done on PubMed. The search for articles included ICU delirium as keywords. Articles were chosen based on the years between 2020-2025 and the articles were peer reviewed. There were 123 articles in total.
Results/Conclusion
The findings were articles about patients suffering from delirium in the ICU. Next steps for this study will be to determine the best action for care for these patients and to determine the safest ways to help prevent and treat psychosis/delirium in the ICU.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 73
|
| Warner, Madeleine |
Harris, Eboni
Bartmess, Marissa |
The Nurses’ Role in Ensuring Continuity of Care for Patients Transitioning from Pediatric to Adult Care.
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Abstract
Background/Significance
When transitioning from pediatric to adult care, patients may encounter gaps in care that can increase their risks of poor outcomes, hospitalizations, and difficulties with treatment adherence. This is particularly critical for medically complex patients. Healthcare transition programs have been developed to facilitate a successful transition by providing patients with information, guidance, and resources. Understanding the nurse’s role in this process is essential for developing effective strategies to enhance transitional care and reduce healthcare disparities.
Purpose/Objectives
The purpose of this evidence review is to identify
1. The nurses’ role in the transition of care for patients going from pediatric to adult care
2. Educational opportunities to enhance the nurse’s ability to coordinate the transition of care
Methods
The terms used to assess the literature in the PubMed database included “nursing and transitioning pediatric to adult care.” The search was limited to 2020-2025, and number of articles reviewed was 52, which were narrowed down to 6. The articles chosen focused on pediatrics as the population of interest. Five of the studies were analyses of surveys, and one was a systematic literature review.
Results/Conclusion
Pediatric patients do not receive transition care often enough. This is directly linked to a lack of education and training in healthcare transitions. Nurses can play a crucial role in healthcare transition programs by offering additional education and training.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 74
|
| Phillips, Meredith |
Prest, Phillip
Watson, Christopher |
Root Cause Analysis of Unplanned Visits to the Operating Room Following Trauma Admissions at Prisma Health Richland Hospital in 2024
View Full Text
Abstract Text
The Trauma Quality Programs of the American College of Surgeons defines unplanned visits to the operating room as a patient having an unplanned operative procedure or a patient returning to the operating room after initial operative management which must have occurred the same hospital admission. A total of 80 unplanned visits to the operating room following a trauma admission were identified in 2024 at Prisma Health Richland Hospital via the Trauma Quality Programs. The goal of our project was to identify the most common reasons for the unplanned visits to the operating room occurring at Prisma Health Richland Hospital and improve outcomes among patients to prevent future unplanned visits to the operating room after trauma admissions in 2025. Our research found that the major causes of unplanned visits to the operating room following trauma admissions were neurological changes, multiple body system complications, bleeding, vascular damage, orthopedic complications, and infection. Moving forward, our research team will aim to discover why these categories of complications are the highest and will work to implement processes at Prisma Health Richland to decrease these numbers in 2025.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 167
|
| Harrison, Abigail |
Nodelman, Matthew |
Utility in Messaging Patients Regarding Advanced Care Planning at Annual Wellness Visits
View Full Text
Abstract Text
INTRODUCTION: More than 66 million patients are due annually for their Annual Wellness Visit (AWV), which includes discussions on advanced care planning (ACP). For many, this is the only opportunity to address these critical topics. Yet, many patients lack ACP. This study aims to quantify the population without ACP, identify barriers, and increase ACP documentation rates.
METHODS: This observational, cross-sectional study at the Family Medicine Center (Columbia, SC) ran from July 2024 - February 2025, targeting 300 Medicare patients aged 65+ with active MyChart accounts. Patients without ACP documentation received standardized MyChart messages outlining AWVs and ACP. Afterwards, data was collected on the number of patients with ACP after receiving this message. T-tests and chi-square analysis were used to compare demographic data.
RESULTS: A random sample of 300 patients included 185 females (61%) and 115 males (38%). In women, 46 had some form of ACP and were excluded. Similarly, 26 men were excluded. In women, 76 (51.7%) did not read the message despite having an active MyChart account, in men 51 (57.3%). Age did not predict message viewing in women (p = 0.929) or men (p = 0.576). Race did not significantly affect message viewing in women (p=0.110). White men were significantly more likely to view the message than African American men (p= 0.00028). African American men had significantly lower message viewing rates than African American women (p=0.00038). There were no patients with new ACP after receiving a MyChart message.
DISCUSSION: Although no new ACP documentation was created, over half of the study population did not read the message which may indicate patients are less likely to read provider messages than previously considered. African American men were also the least likely to view the message, suggesting a need for targeted outreach strategies.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 168
|
| Domingo, Julio |
Found, Jill
Donaldson, Bobby |
Preserving the Narrative: Black Rap and Black Student Life during the Early Years of Integration at USC
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Black Rap was a student publication created by the Association of Afro-American Students at the University of South Carolina in 1968 to “provide a liaison between Black students and the community and to serve as a medium for the expression of student thought.” Emerging at a time when Black students at USC and across the country demanded respect and representation in all aspects of student life, Black Rap became a platform for expression, dissemination, and a call for unity. It provided space for Black students and the local community to engage with issues that shaped their experiences and fight for meaningful change. This project examines the publication’s content and situating them within the broader context of Black student life during the early years of integration at USC and the Black campus movement. By highlighting the significance of Black Rap, this project underscores the need for continuing research, archival preservation, and digitization of this and other Black student publications.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 15
|
| O'Hare, Caitlin |
Federico, Alexis
Bradshaw, Jessica |
The Role of Caregiver Behavior in Joint Engagement for Infants with Varied Likelihood for Neurodevelopmental Disorders
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Joint engagement is defined as shared attention to objects and events with a social partner (Adamson et al., 2013). JE emerges around 12 months of age for infants with neurotypical development (Bakeman & Adamson, 1984) and fosters cognitive, social, and language development in infants with neurotypical and neurodiverse development (Adamson et al., 2013). 12-month-old infants with ASD spend similar time in JE compared to neurotypical peers, although greater variability of time spent in JE was observed (Roemer, Kushner, & Iverson, 2021). This variability suggests additional research is necessary to understand JE for 12-month-olds with ASD.
Previous research has found caregiver responsiveness and directiveness is related to time spent in JE for toddlers with ASD (Patterson et al., 2013). While the role of caregiver behavior in promoting and sustaining JE has been explored for children 24 months and older, less is known for 12-month-old infants. Since JE is emerging at 12 months, exploring the role of caregivers in JE during this time contributes to our understanding and offers potential areas for early intervention. Additionally, no work presently has been completed to explore JE for infants with an elevated likelihood for other neurodevelopmental disorders, like Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
As such, this study seeks to 1) characterize JE for infants with a low likelihood (LL), elevated likelihood for ASD (EL-ASD; indicated by a full biological sibling with ASD), or elevated likelihood for ADHD (EL-ADHD; indicated by an immediate family member with ADHD), and 2) explore the relationship between caregiver behaviors (following in, communicative temptations, and language facilitation) and quantity and quality of JE. Video recordings of 5 minutes of free play between infant-caregiver dyads will be used to examine JE and caregiver behaviors. JE and caregiver behaviors will be quantified using the Joint Engagement Rating Inventory (JERI). We hypothesize that increased caregiver behaviors will be associated with increased quantity and quality of JE for all infants, with a stronger relationship observed for EL-ASD and EL-ADHD infants. Results of this study will reveal associations between caregiver behaviors and JE that may influence intervention efforts for infants with neurodevelopmental disorders.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 164
|
Holmes, Ricky
Tempel, Garrett |
Herbet-Harris, Eboni
Bartmess, Marissa |
Strengthening the Nursing Workforce: Recruitment and Retention
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Title: Strengthening the Nursing Workforce: Recruitment and Retention
Reviewers: Ricky Holmes, Garrett Tempel
Background/Significance: Nursing recruitment and retention has a major impact on patient care, hospital structure, and the healthcare system. On average 23% of new nurse graduates leave their first job within a year (Wiley, n.d.). This directly impacts patient care and hospital efficiency by the constant turnover and training that new nurses are required to go through.
Purpose/Objectives: This study aims to find interventions to increase the retention rate of new nurses and look at ways to recruit nurses into the field. By analyzing staffing patterns in different studies and incentives to help this critical issue.
Methods: Google Scholar was utilized to find relevant literature on our topic, using search terms such as “nursing leadership”, “retention”, and “recruitment”. The search was filtered to include articles published between 2019-2025, peer-reviewed articles, and only in English. Two articles were selected for this review, sourced from journals including Nurse Leader and The Journal of Nursing Management.
Results/Conclusion: The Prospective Staffing Model focused on managing staffing patterns. A total of 388 nurses were hired, leading to an increase in retention by 286 days and a reduction in turnover to 17.6%. A CGFNS survey found that 94% of 1356 Filipino migrant nurses were registered nurses, which could incentivize hiring experienced migrant workers. The next steps incorporate utilizing foreign workers to expand the recruitment and retention of registered nurses.
References:
Author links open overlay panelFranklin A. Shaffer EdD, & AbstractThe global demand for nurses was both proven and exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. With global migration on the rise. (2022, February 17). International nurse recruitment beyond the COVID-19 pandemic: Considerations for the nursing workforce leader. Nurse Leader. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1541461221002706?casa_token=NtumVomJv58AAAAA%3AkbKlksbtHa38iHWmJykpmh-m0qYIbLaMp8Vv6r_SKUjhZGRXFxJUXYn0tSoGcIznSBETu3tDBU4
Wiley Online Library | Scientific Research Articles, journals, ... (n.d.). https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jonm.12276
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 75
|
| Beall, Adam |
Novack, Joseph
Orcutt, Gunnar
Tribble, James |
A Deep Space in a Tight Spot: A Rare Case of Pancreatic Hiatal Hernia
View Full Text
Abstract Text
A hiatal hernia is described as a protrusion of abdominal contents through the esophageal hiatus and into the posterior mediastinum. While hiatal hernias involving the stomach are relatively common, transhiatal herniation of other abdominal organs is more unusual, and herniation of retroperitoneal organs such as the pancreas is relatively rare with only twenty-nine cases reported in the literature. Herniation of the pancreas may occur without symptoms for some patients, however, in many it is associated with kinking of the biliary and pancreatic ductal system. This manifests as obstructive symptoms such as jaundice from bile stasis within the common bile duct when the pancreatic head is herniated into the mediastinum, or as acute pancreatitis from pancreatic duct outflow obstruction when any portion of the pancreas is involved in the hernia. Management of large paraesophageal hiatal hernias can be particularly challenging in patients with prior abdominal surgery, and may become more complex in the future with the increasing popularity of foregut weight-loss surgery. Bariatric surgeries are not only some of the fastest-growing elective general surgical procedures, but also due to the widespread predominance of metabolic syndromes have reached only one percent of eligible individuals in the United States. We present the unusual case of a large type four paraesophageal hiatal hernia containing retroperitoneal fat and pancreatic body in a 60-year-old female with an extensive past bariatric and surgical history including gastric band placement and removal, sleeve gastrectomy, sleeve conversion to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, removal of gastric pouch and conversion to esophagojejunostomy due to recalcitrant ulcer disease, and open hiatal hernia repair with biologic mesh. The patient presented initially after an episode of acute pancreatitis without obvious etiology at which time the body of her pancreas was noted on imaging to have herniated into her posterior mediastinum. She was ultimately managed with laparoscopic hiatal hernia repair and hybrid mesh placement, which she has tolerated without major complications to date. Surgical planning, pitfalls, and post-operative management are discussed.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 143
|
| Ballantyne, Hannah |
Matthews, Sarah |
Redefining Disabilities: A Life-Changing Experience at Camp Burnt Gin
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Camp Burnt Gin is an overnight summer camp for kids, teens, and young adults with chronic illnesses and physical disabilities located in Sumter, South Carolina. The mission of this camp is to enhance the lives of people with disabilities by providing a traditional camp experience focused on fostering community, independence, and improving self-esteem. At camp, we created a fun and safe environment for our campers to flourish and be themselves. In the summers of 2023 and 2024, I served as an Activity Specialist for science and nature. In this role, I planned and implemented accessible, engaging lessons. I also became my campers primary caretaker, leader, and friend for a week. I learned so much about myself, developed the skills necessary to become an Occupational Therapist, and most importantly, shifted my perspective and redefined my idea of what a disability is. Camp Burnt Gin became my second home and I carry the values, memories, and relationships built with me everyday.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 251
|
| Nugent, Darby |
Harris, Eboni |
Procalcitonin-Guided Antibiotic Therapy in Patients with Sepsis: A Review of Current Literature
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Background/Significance:
Sepsis is a life-threatening condition requiring early detection and treatment. Procalcitonin (PCT) is an inflammatory biomarker with high specificity for bacterial infections that has emerged as a reliable tool to guide antibiotic initiation, de-escalation, and discontinuation. PCT-based protocols help reduce unnecessary antibiotic use, hospital length of stay, and antimicrobial resistance risks, making it essential for antimicrobial stewardship. However, variability in protocols, provider adherence, and knowledge gaps challenge implementation.
Purpose/Objectives:
This study evaluates the impact of PCT-guided antibiotic therapy on antibiotic initiation, de-escalation, and discontinuation in septic patients. Additionally, it examines the role of nurses in implementing PCT-based protocols in critically ill patients.
Methods:
Relevant literature from the past ten years was identified from PubMed using the following keywords: “procalcitonin-guided therapy,” “PCT,” “antibiotic management,” “antimicrobial stewardship,” and “sepsis.” Following further screening for relevance, 37 articles were chosen for inclusion.
Results/Conclusion
Preliminary results from the included articles show that PCT-guided therapy reduced the duration of antibiotics and LOS patients with sepsis without impacting mortality rates (Papp, et. al, 2023). However, the nurse’s role in PCT-guided therapy is poorly defined which could contribute to variability in adherence. The majority of studies indicate the need for further research on how to optimize PCT use.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 76
|
| Imanpour, Nasrin |
Wang, Song
Das, Amitava |
AI-Generated Image Detection
View Full Text
Abstract Text
he proliferation of AI-based image generation techniques,
coupled with their increasing accessibility, has raised signif-
icant concerns about the potential misuse of these images
for spreading misinformation. We argue that
a comprehensive reevaluation of these methods is necessary.
To address this gap, we introduce the Visual Counter Turing
Test (VCT2), a benchmark comprising approximately 130K
images generated by state-of-the-art text-to-image models
(Stable Diffusion 2.1, Stable Diffusion XL, Stable Diffusion
3, DALL-E 3, and Midjourney 6). VCT2 includes two sets of
prompts sourced from New York Times Twitter posts and MS
COCO dataset captions. We evaluate the performance of the
aforementioned AGID techniques on the VCT2 benchmark,
highlighting their ineffectiveness in detecting AI-generated
images. As generative AI models continue to advance, the
need for a quantifiable framework to evaluate them becomes
∗These authors contributed equally to this work.
increasingly critical. To address this gap, we introduce the
Visual AI Index (VAI ), which assesses generated images
from various visual perspectives, including texture complex-
ity and object coherence, setting a new standard for evaluat-
ing image-generative AI models.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 30
|
| Patak, Ava |
Damon, Dorlisa |
Growing as I Go: Adapting to Cultural Norms through Travel Experiences
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Since the beginning of my college career, studying abroad was always a goal of mine. Traveling has been a vital part of my life, and a significant portion of my personal development can be attributed to my opportunities to adapt to diverse cultures through valuable experiences. I chose to study abroad through the Institute for American Universities compared to other programs. This program offered more immersive experiences that I believed could assist me in both personal and professional development. Studying abroad in Barcelona, Spain was a 4-month growing experience that allowed me to adopt new approaches to a healthy lifestyle, develop an understanding of cultural differences in business practices, and gain more appreciation for rich cultural norms. Through exploration of ten different countries, various cities, and learning from a new perspective I developed skills that have made me a strong-minded individual. I continue to carry these experiences, and they will allow me to have a strong influence on others in my personal life as well as be a successful leader in the workplace.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 218
|
| Amezcua Reyes, Luz |
Morris, Caleb |
Sevilla Experiences: From Flamenco to Top Connections
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Ever since I was little a girl I’ve always been interested in learning about different
countries and travelling around the world. Which led me to major as international studies major
so I can be a diplomat and focused on crime, culture, peace, and business. Therefore coming to
the university of south Carolina I decided to study abroad in Sevilla because they offer me
classes on the international level for example they had international trade, international
marketing and they also have ones like EU migration and my favorite flamenco. But they also
had other good ones. I believe that to be a good global leader and work on diplomacy one must
immerse themselves into other countries, cultures, and international relations. In Sevilla I did
that. I immerse myself into their culture by taking flamenco classes and staying with a host
family and took classes like EU migration to learn abi0ut their current issues and also took
classes about the economy because I want to be able to have different perspectives. Coming back
from Spain I know that I am much better prepared.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 229
|
Hyduke, Noah
Patel, Khushboo |
Phelps, Kenneth |
Walking in Their Shoes: Exploring the Role of Theory of Mind in Psychosis Risk for Youth
View Full Text
Abstract Text
BACKGROUND:
Theory of Mind (ToM) refers to the ability to understand that others possess unique thoughts and beliefs. Researchers have explored ToM’s relationship to various neuropsychiatric disorders, including autism, depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. Individuals with schizophrenia often experience impairments in social interactions due to compromised ToM, causing misinterpretation of intentions, contributing to some of the positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia. Most researchers have identified a significant relationship between social cognition deficits and schizophrenia. However, research on this relationship in youth is limited.
OBJECTIVE:
To summarize existing literature on the relationship between ToM and psychosis in children and adolescents.
METHODS:
The review included articles published between January 1, 2000, and December 31, 2024, identified using the PubMed search query: ("theory of mind") AND (psychosis OR hallucinations) AND (youth OR adolescents OR children). Of 164 articles identified, 22 met inclusion criteria, including meta-analyses, randomized controlled trials, review articles, and systematic reviews. Exclusion criteria included studies on adults or conditions unrelated to psychosis. After full-text review, five studies were included, with one additional study found via citation searching, totaling six articles.
RESULTS:
Most studies found an association between ToM impairment and youth at-risk of psychosis or presenting with psychotic symptoms. Improvement in mentalizing abilities could help reduce the risk of delusion formation in children showing early signs of psychosis. However, one case-control study did not support ToM as a vulnerability factor, finding no association between ToM deficits in early adolescence and later psychotic experiences.
CONCLUSION:
If ToM impairment is associated with future development of psychosis, early identification and intervention in youth can help reduce the disease burden. Future research should investigate other aspects of social cognition, such as emotion recognition, which may precede ToM deficits and better predict psychosis. This could explain the contradictory evidence of the role of ToM in psychosis.
A decline in social functioning in psychotic disorders affects communication and problem-solving skills, impacting vocational outcomes and quality of life. Therapies, such as Mentalization-based Therapy and Integrated Neurocognitive Therapy, show promise in enhancing social cognition in psychosis. Pharmacological treatments, including intranasal oxytocin and vasopressin, may also improve social cognition, thought further research is needed.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 177
|
| Caudillo, Yair |
Fadel, Jim
Frick, Marla |
The Impact of Orexin/Hypocretin Modulation on Microglial Morphology in the Basal Forebrain of Young and Aged Rats
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Microglia, the resident immune cells of the central nervous system, undergo morphological changes in response to inflammation, shifting from a surveillant state to an activated phenotype. Orexin/hypocretin, a neuropeptide expressed in the lateral hypothalamus (LH), has been implicated in neuroimmune modulation, but its role in microglial morphology remains unclear. Orexin neurons project heavily to the basal forebrain(BF), a region where neuroinflammation drives dysfunction in age-related cognitive decline. This study investigated the effects of orexin modulation on microglial morphology in the BF of young and aged rats using Sholl analysis of Iba-1-labeled microglia. Young rats received lentiviral preproorexin antisense In the LH to decrease orexin expression and mimic age-related orexin decline, and aged rats received lentiviral preproorexin sense to increase orexin expression. After 3 weeks, rats received a system injection of an inflammatory stimulus (lipopolysaccharide; LPS) followed 6 hours later by euthanasia. Following labeling of microglia using an Iba-1 antibody, basal forebrain microglia were 3D reconstructed and Sholl analysis was conducted to investigate morphological changes. We hypothesized that orexin modulation would disrupt microglial complexity in the basal forebrain.
In young control rats, there was a trend for LPS to reduce microglial complexity. Orexin downregulation in young rats led to a significant reduction in microglial intersections/radius compared to control saline, suggesting an activated microglial phenotype. Interestingly, following orexin downregulation, LPS had no additional effect on microglial morphology, indicating an impaired neuroimmune response. Sex differences were observed, with young females displaying reduced dendritic complexity compared to males, suggesting a heightened basal inflammatory state.
In aged rats, microglia exhibited a primed phenotype, showing significantly reduced complexity compared to young rats. Notably, neither orexin downregulation nor LPS altered microglial morphology in aged rats, indicating a loss of microglial plasticity and immune responsiveness with age. These findings suggest that orexin signaling plays a crucial role in maintaining microglial adaptability and that its loss contributes to age-related neuroimmune dysfunction. The inability of aged microglia to further respond to immune challenges highlights potential limitations in immune adaptability with aging. Future studies will examine cytokine profiles and orexin receptor expression to further elucidate these mechanisms.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 39
|
| Muraleedharan, Ahalya |
Vento, Peter |
Regional Assessment of Forebrain Activation Following Optogenetic Stimulation of the Rostromedial Tegmental Nucleus
View Full Text
Abstract Text
The rostromedial tegmental nucleus (RMTg) is critical for encoding and appropriately responding to aversive environmental stimuli, and in turn the RMTg sends dense inhibitory axonal projections to midbrain dopamine neurons. It is well known that dopamine has key roles in mediating voluntary movement and associative learning, and stimulation of the RMTg has been shown to robustly inhibit dopamine neurons in the ventral tegmental area (VTA). While VTA dopamine neurons project widely across the brain, it is unclear how the RMTg modulates activity in downstream regions that receive input from the VTA, particularly forebrain regions known to mediate reward seeking and decision-making. To test this, we used optogenetics to stimulate RMTg axon terminals in the VTA and then performed immunofluorescence staining on postmortem tissue for cFos, a marker of neuronal activation. Preliminary data show that activity in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) and prefrontal cortex (PFC) was significantly increased after optogenetic stimulation. Upon further analysis of subregions within these nuclei, we found that activation was significantly increased in both the NAc core and shell subregions, while PFC activity was primarily driven by the prelimbic region, as activity in the infralimbic region was not significantly altered by RMTg-VTA stimulation. These findings reveal the prelimbic PFC and NAc, regardless of subregion, are likely integrators of the effects of RMTg influences on VTA dopamine, and future studies are necessary to uncover the roles these divergent pathways play in cognition and behavior.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 172
|
| Schaefer, Abigail |
Derrick, Maureen |
Empowered and Strong: Finding Your Voice as a Female in a Male-Dominated Organization
View Full Text
Abstract Text
During my four years as a student at the University of South Carolina, I have been a member of the Air Force ROTC program. This program has created the foundation for my future service as a Force Support Officer in the United States Air Force. More than just a career, this program has provided me with a newfound understanding of leadership, a community of individuals with a passion and dedication to serving our Nation, and a strong sense of confidence that I can achieve my most challenging goals through hard-work, a resilient mindset, and discipline in my actions. Through tailored academic courses focusing on both tactical and strategic leadership and first-hand beyond the classroom experience during weekly training sessions and leadership laboratories, Air Force ROTC provided me with a unique opportunity to establish and facilitate my own leadership style. Through the help of inspiring instructors and personal mentors, I have been able to identify my own set of core values and unique strengths that have formulated my perspective as a leader. However, this did not come easily. As one of the few females in a male-dominated program, I had the unexpected challenge of not always feeling as “capable” or “strong” as my male counter-parts. In the early years of my time in the ROTC Program, I had an underlying feeling of needing to prove myself as a leader, often conforming to different leadership styles that did not always align with my personal values or strengths. Fortunately, I had inspiring female military leaders and mentors who have shown me how femininity can be a strength and have instilled the idea that the best leaders are those who have the integrity to stay true to themselves and their values. Through their positive example, I was empowered to find my voice as a leader and truly grasp my individual strengths. As I approach my future career leading airmen in the United States Air Force, it is my goal to instill these same ideas in the young women I lead and work to empower them and myself from the inside out.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 299
|
| Doughty, Charlyn |
Bartmess, Marrissa |
The impact of transformational nursing leadership: A look at how nursing leadership impacts job satisfaction, burnout, and patient outcomes.
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Background:
Throughout nursing school, we have often heard that a nurse will always have a job. However, today’s healthcare organizations are experiencing extreme pressures to hire and retain nurses willing to face considerable workplace stress. The nursing shortage directly affects work-life balance and job performance, which impacts the quality of patient care. Burnout for new graduate nurses is also high(Dwyer et. al., 2019), contributing to turnover rates and job dissatisfaction.
Effective nursing leadership plays a critical role in shaping the work environment, reducing burnout, and job satisfaction. Servant leadership styles have been associated with improved nurse retention, better patient outcomes, and a positive workplace culture. Understanding the role of nursing leadership in lessening burnout and enhancing job satisfaction is essential for addressing current workforce challenges and ensuring high-quality patient care.
Purpose:
The study examines how nursing leadership influences job satisfaction, burnout, and patient outcomes by analyzing relevant literature.
Methods:
A comprehensive literature search was done using Google Scholar, the University of South Carolina Library, and PubMed databases. Search terms included “nursing leadership,” “leadership and nurse burnout,” “nurse leadership and patient outcomes,” and “nurse burnout”. Search stayed within the years 2019-1025. Three articles were selected for analysis.
Conclusion:
Servant leadership decreases burnout and increases job satisfaction. Increased job satisfaction improves performance and lowers turnover. Both direct and indirect nursing leadership styles can improve nursing performance and workplace morale. Further research is needed to explore the long-term effects of leadership styles on retention and patient care. Understanding leadership’s role is vital to addressing workplace challenges and improving healthcare outcomes.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 77
|
| Evans, Josh |
Dubinsky, Stanley |
Lost in Translation: Indigenous Latin American Migrants in a Spanglish World
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Although the United States was built on the contributions of immigrants, modern-day immigration policies are highly exclusive and notoriously slow. In recent years, this has led to an increased focus on researching immigration and the experiences of migrants. However, indigenous Latin American migrants remain largely overlooked in these discussions, deepening the hardships they face. These individuals, while originating from Latin America, often do not speak Spanish, which perpetuates systemic sources of conflict, both in their home countries and during their migration journeys. Languages such as Náhuatl, Maya, Quechua, Guarani, and Aymara—spoken by many indigenous migrants—are often excluded from mainstream translation services and support systems. My research will explore the extent to which indigenous Latin American migrants are more likely to leave their countries of origin, the mistreatment they endure during their journey, and the exclusion they experience in the communities they ultimately reside. While it is already difficult for Spanish-speaking migrants to navigate and integrate into new societies, these challenges are even more pronounced for indigenous Latin American migrants who lack fluency in both Spanish and English. Without access to adequate translators, they are often unable to advocate for themselves or communicate effectively within their communities. In addition, their physical features make them more susceptible to profiling, harassment, and wrongful detention, reinforcing harmful stereotypes about what it means to be “illegal” or a “criminal.”
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 2
|
| Dreyer, Katherine |
Bartmess, Marissa
Harris, Eboni |
Burnout to Better Care: Nursing to Staff Ratios on Healthcare Outcomes - An Evidence Based Review
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Background/Significance
Patient
-to-nurse ratios significantly impact patient safety, care quality, and nurse well-being.
High ratios are linked to negative patient outcomes, increased nurse burnout, and lower job
satisfaction. Optimizing staffing models is crucial to improving healthcare systems and ensuring
quality care.
Purpose/Objectives
This evidence review aims to evaluate the impact of patient-to-nurse ratios on patient safety,
nurse job satisfaction, and healthcare outcomes. The objectives include assessing the relationship
between staffing ratios and patient care, identifying the effects on nurse workload and burnout,
and recommending best practices for staffing optimization.
Methods (Literature Search Methods)
A systematic literature search was conducted using the USC Library database, including
PubMed, CINAHL, and Google Scholar. Keywords such as ‘patient-to-nurse ratios’, ‘nurse
staffing’, and ‘patient safety’ were used to identify studies published between 2021 and 2025.
Filters for peer-reviewed articles and English-language publications were applied. A total of 30
articles from nursing, medical, and healthcare management journals were reviewed for relevance.
Results/Conclusion
Preliminary findings suggest lower patient-to-nurse ratios improve patient safety, nurse job
satisfaction, and reduce burnout. Optimal staffing is critical for quality care and nurse retention.
Policy revisions are needed to enforce regulated staffing models. Further research is required to
refine staffing guidelines.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 78
|
| Alex, Ashley |
Lucas, Alexandria
Curtis, Alec |
Abstract: Minocycline-Induced Hyperpigmentation in a Patient with Rheumatoid Arthritis and Diabetes
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Minocycline, a tetracycline antibiotic, is used off-label in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) due to its immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects. This medication is associated with a myriad of adverse effects including gastrointestinal adverse effects, dizziness, rash, headaches and rarely hyperpigmentation of the skin, gingiva, teeth, bones, eyes, thyroid gland and other organs. The incidence of this rare adverse effect depends on the total cumulative dose exposure. We present a case of an 80-year-old male patient with a history of insulin-dependent type 2 diabetes, hypothyroidism and rheumatoid arthritis, who developed symptoms of minocycline-induced hyperpigmentation while on a regimen of Minocycline HCL (100 mg capsule BID on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday) for RA diagnosed in 1998.
The patient initially presented in December 2021 for a diabetic eye exam, where he was found to have mild nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) bilaterally and bilateral scleral thinning. No significant changes were noted regarding the minocycline regimen at that time, with plans to control his diabetes and closely monitor his scleral thinning. However, in July 2023, during a follow-up visit to the ophthalmology clinic, the patient reported blurred vision, decreased vision, and floaters. Examination revealed mild NPDR, scattered peripheral dot-blot hemorrhages and significant scleral hyperpigmentation bilaterally.
Minocycline is known to cause pigmentation disorders, particularly in areas of chronic inflammation, and is more common in diabetics. In this patient, who had significant scleral thinning from RA and underlying diabetes, the development of minocycline-induced hyperpigmentation was not unexpected. Therefore, minocycline should be used cautiously in individuals with additional risk factors, such as diabetes and older age. This case underscores the importance of recognizing potential adverse effects of long-term minocycline therapy in the management of RA, particularly when patients present with ocular changes or hyperpigmentation. Close monitoring and early intervention are essential for managing these side effects in vulnerable populations.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 139
|
| Sosa Perez, Leslish |
Miller, Sarah |
Sparking curiosity: My Journey as a STEM Ambassador
View Full Text
Abstract Text
As a STEM Ambassador, I had the opportunity to engage with elementary and middle school students, sparking curiosity and enthusiasm for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). My role involved leading outreach programs designed to inspire interest in STEM disciplines through interactive lessons and hands-on activities. Working alongside teachers at local schools, I developed and presented educational sessions that were both engaging and informative. As a Biomedical Engineering student, I leveraged my background to relate STEM concepts to real-world applications, aiming to inspire the next generation of innovators. This experience not only enhanced my communication and teaching skills but also deepened my commitment to community engagement.
My motivation for becoming a STEM Ambassador stems from a deep belief in the power of education to change lives. I am passionate about inspiring young minds, especially those from disadvantaged communities, to pursue STEM careers. By offering hands-on learning opportunities, I aim to bridge the gap in access to educational resources, helping students realize their full potential. My hope is to create pathways that allow them to succeed and thrive in the world of STEM.
This experience has taught me that the right support in education can truly transform a child's future. Although I may not reach every student, it’s rewarding to witness the spark in those I connect with. Seeing their curiosity ignite has reinforced my passion to continue sharing my knowledge and inspiring the next generation, one student at a time.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 245
|
Ponder, Katie
Dameron, Bryson |
Lownes, Steve |
Live Translation of Multiplayer Videogames
View Full Text
Abstract Text
The QSMP, a private server created by the Mexican, bilingual YouTuber Quackity, was built on the base game Minecraft with added modifications to expand access for those of different linguistic backgrounds to work together to complete missions. Created in 2023, Quackity brought together other content creators from English, French, Portuguese and Spanish communities to play and solve challenges in this digital space to create content and to test his modifications. In the summer of 2024, we began to research this phenomenon to better describe the process of multilingual play and to understand its potential applicability to other spaces. While this was our original intention, we discovered it was difficult to fully develop a working model to describe this application. Therefore, we began to look into differing ideas about how linguistic differences could be overcome in digital and real-world spaces. Katie analyzed articles and videos through a linguistic and 2nd language acquisition lens, emphasizing the importance of language and cultural learning. Bryson explored the use of music in videogames to communicate general ideas or themes relevant to the corresponding characters, events, and locations. In addition, Bryson examined the use of pings, chevrons, and other symbology in competitive shooter games; and he looked at how non-verbal communication does not always suffice and where language is a must for communication. Through our study, we concluded that describing and applying the content creation happening on the QSMP server was more difficult than we had originally thought because of various factors including language breakdown when the modification did not work, issues related to translation within the modification, and the desire/career orientation that the content-creators had in playing the game. Areas that were explored were digital 3rd spaces, areas in which cultural background were not necessarily relevant, the need for a mutual interest in communication, and the need for some understanding of language and culture to fully bridge linguistic gaps.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 16
|
| Ortegae, Samantha |
De Backer, Wout |
Implementing Trauma-Informed Practices to Address Sexual Violence on the USC Campus
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Throughout my studies, I’ve gained valuable insights into how the criminal justice system addresses sexual violence, but it wasn’t until I participated in the Trauma-Informed Investigative Response to Victims of Domestic and Sexual Violence training that I truly began to understand how essential it is to approach these cases with empathy and sensitivity. Offered by the South Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, this training highlighted the emotional and psychological impact of trauma on survivors and how this affects their involvement in the legal process.
This experience also helped me connect my academic learning, including theories like functionalism, to real-world issues. Functionalism shows how societal norms and power structures contribute to sexual violence, influencing attitudes and behaviors that perpetuate harm. By understanding how these societal factors play out on campus, I believe I can help develop strategies to address and potentially lower the rates of sexual assault at USC.
By applying trauma-informed approaches and the principles of functionalism, my goal is to create a safer and more supportive environment on campus. This includes not only responding to incidents of sexual assault with care and understanding but also addressing the underlying societal and cultural factors that contribute to such violence. I am committed to using this knowledge to raise awareness, advocate for systemic changes, and work towards reducing the prevalence of sexual assault on the USC campus.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 222
|
| Johnston, Curran |
Foster, Dan |
Pharmacological Potentiation of M4 Muscarinic Acetylcholine Receptors Suppresses Repetitive Grooming in SAPAP3 KO Mice
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Repetitive Behaviors (RBs) are a common symptom of autism spectrum disorders. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) have been shown to help with RBs in some patients. However, there is conflicting evidence on SSRI’s efficacy in treating RBs, and side effects frequently temper the benefits, highlighting an opportunity for novel therapeutic strategies.
SAPAP3 knockout (KO) mice exhibit excessive and repetitive grooming even after developing grooming-induced lesions. Treatment with the SSRI fluoxetine has been shown to decrease the excess grooming in these mice, suggesting that these mice provide a validated model to study the physiology of RBs. The muscarinic acetylcholine 4 receptor subtype (M4) is highly expressed in the striatum, a brain region known of action selection. Here, we utilized a combination of hand-scoring and the machine-learning algorithm Motion Sequencing (MoSeq) to test the hypothesis that activation of M4 receptors reduces repetitive grooming in SAPAP3 KO mice at doses that have little effect on other behaviors.
We recorded SAPAP3 KO mice and WT littermates every 48 hours for 30 minutes each session. Treatments consisted of receiving an IP injection of vehicle or M4 PAM VU0467154 (VU’154) at dosages previously observed to be associated with behavioral effects (0.1, 0.3, 1, or 3 mg/kg). All videos were then processed with MoSeq and manually scored by trained and blinded observers. MoSeq analysis of SAPAP3 KO behavior showed increased grooming behavior, decreased locomotion and rearing, and increased inactivity in KO animals. In the M4 PAM-treated KO animals, grooming was significantly reduced at 0.3 mg/kg. M4 PAM-mediated reductions in non-grooming, active behaviors were significantly reduced at 3mg/kg, suggesting different mechanisms of action for M4-mediated reductions in grooming vs locomotion and other behaviors. Collectively, these studies provide key insights into the ability of M4 receptors to modulate repetitive grooming in SAPAP 3 KO mice.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 19
|
| Moseley, Logan |
Cai, Chao
Knudsen, Sophia |
Antibiotic Prescribing Trends by Provider Specialty and Drug Class Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic (2013-2022)
View Full Text
Abstract Text
The COVID-19 pandemic put a burden on the healthcare system and affected many aspects, like antibiotic prescribing. Antibiotic prescribing is one aspect that should be subject to scrutiny, especially within the older population who have an increased risk of infection and higher rates of antibiotic use compared to the general population.
This study aims to analyze antibiotic prescribing trends within Medicare Part D beneficiaries by provider specialty and drug class from 2013-2022.
The study is a cross-sectional, descriptive study in which Medicare Part D Public Use Files (PUFs) are used and analyzed, provided by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS). These PUFs contain prescriber information based on region, drug, and specialty from 2013-2022. The data set was analyzed by SAS and R which were used to process and visualize variables like provider specialty percentage and frequency of antibiotic drug and class. These variables were represented in figures to highlight overall trends.
The antibiotic claims per 1,000 Medicare beneficiaries stayed consistently above 1,000, decreasing slightly until 2020 when it dropped to 850 and stayed consistent, increasing to 930 during 2022. The most frequently used antibiotic classes were penicillins, cephalosporins, and macrolides. Among specialties, dentistry (20%), nurse practitioner (15%), family practice (12%), internal medicine (11%), and physician’s assistant (10%) form the top 68% of prescribers. Mid-level practitioners (nurse practitioners, physician’s assistants) have had an increasing prevalence among prescribers and are the top prescribers since 2018, previously being dentistry.
The continual decrease in claims per beneficiary from 2013-2019 might indicate stronger adherence to prescribing guidelines, however, decreased claims during the years 2020 and 2021 indicate a significant impact from the COVID-19 pandemic, likely from reduced visits to health care systems, greater attention to sanitary efforts, and drug shortages. Antibiotic class data, before and during the pandemic, shows which drugs have been overprescribed in response to infectious disease concerns. Providers also have a key role in preventing the overprescription of antibiotics, especially among the older generations. This study will help inform future research on the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and provide insight for future prescribing guidelines among Medicare beneficiaries.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 141
|
| Austin, Catherine |
Bhere, Deepak
Gourishetti, Karthik |
Novel Therapy Validation for Glioblastoma
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Introduction: Glioblastoma (GBM) is a highly aggressive form of malignant brain cancer which accounts for approximately 14.2% of all brain tumors. Current therapy options for glioblastoma include surgery/resection, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. Unfortunately, even with these treatment options, the prognosis remains poor with an estimated survival time of 15 months. MicroRNAs (miR) are small, non-coding RNA segments that regulate gene expression via binding to untranslated regions of messenger RNA and are dysregulated in different cancers. Exosomes are extracellular vesicles that are released from cells and are involved in intercellular communication and can be excellent delivery vehicles for miR. The advantages of stem cell-derived exosomes as a delivery system include evading the immune system and targeting specific cells. Our studies evaluate the potential of miR-124 and miR-7 loaded into stem cell-derived exosomes as a combinatorial approach to target GBM.
Methods: Adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) were transfected with a liposomal transfection reagent, jetOPTIMUS®, to deliver miR-124 and miR-7 plasmids into the cells. The transfected ADSCs were then cultured in exosome depleted FBS containing medium for 48 hours to allow for the expression of the miRNAs. Total Exosome Isolation Reagent was used to isolate exosomes from the culture medium. Exosome characterization was completed using PCR techniques to confirm the presence of miR-124 and miR-7. These exosomes were then used to treat patient-derived glioblastoma cells and murine glioblastoma cells in vitro. Cell viability was measured using a cell proliferation assay and the effect of exosomes on the targeted pathways (EGFR and apoptosis) were also analyzed using a western blot.
Results: The combination of miR-124 and miR-7 in stem cell-derived exosomes further enhanced their therapeutic potential by targeting multiple pathways involved in GBM growth and progression. Our data indicates that delivery of miR-124 and miR-7 using these exosomes in vitro in patient-derived GBM cells and murine GBM cells resulted in cell proliferation inhibition by modulating the EGFR signaling and apoptotic pathways.
Conclusion: Our research supports that stem cell-derived exosomes loaded with miR-124 and miR-7 may be a promising approach for treating glioblastoma, overcoming current obstacles and limitations to traditional treatments.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 195
|
| Patel, Tejas |
Ostermann, Jan |
Synthesizing evidence of polypharmacy and adverse events among patients living with HIV
View Full Text
Abstract Text
As our population is aging, many of our normal physiological functions tend to decline and we often need medications to sustain longevity. This is the same for HIV patients too, as many of them are living past their initial diagnosis of HIV, they are subject to taking multiple medications for physiological functions on top of the several medications for managing HIV. With so many medications to take, these patients are subject to numerous adverse drug events including drug-drug interactions. This study aims to identify adverse drug events (ADEs) among people with HIV (PWH) with polypharmacy and the combinations of drugs (including prescribed, over the counter, alternative medications, and substances) that cause the adverse drug events. A literature review of PubMed and Embase was conducted in June 2024 with search terms describing HIV, polypharmacy, and adverse drug events combined for the search. Duplicate and non-English records, as well as irrelevant records (i.e., records that did not fit the scope of the study), were removed and remaining records underwent full text review. 35 were included in study. Across the records included, ADEs that had the highest prevalence were: Decreased drug metabolism, Increased drug excretion, Increased frailty, Delirium, and Depression. The majority of the studies (n=31) identified a non-ARV (anti-retroviral) as the causative agent for the ADE, while 12 studies stated an anti-retroviral as the causative agent for the ADE. Given the amount of cases each of these studies have identified, it is suggestive to observe the potential disparities between the ADEs recorded in the electronic health record and what patients actually endure on these multi-drug regimens.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 153
|
| Booth, Matthew |
Vraciu, Adela |
On the Weak Lefschetz Property for Ideals Generated by Powers of General Linear Forms
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Let $\mathbb{F}$ be a field of characteristic $0$. Take the polynomial ring $P=\mathbb{F}[x_1,\dots,x_n]$, and let $I=(\ell_{1}^{a},\dots,\ell_{n+1}^{a})$ be an ideal generated by general linear forms raised to a uniform power $a$. It was conjectured in 2011 that the algebra $R:=P/I$ does not enjoy the \textit{Weak Lefschetz Property (WLP)} if the number of variables $n$ is sufficiently large. Following incremental progress on this conjecture, a 2023 result of Boij \& Lundqvist completely classified when the WLP holds for such algebras in terms of $n$ and $a$. We say that WLP \textit{fails in degree $d$} if the map $\times L:R_{d-1}\rightarrow R_{d}$ does not have maximal rank for a general linear form $L$. The results of Boij \& Lundqvist (along with earlier partial classifications) show failure of surjectivity in a certain degree, but this requires $\dim_{\mathbb{F}}(R_{d-1})\geq\dim_{\mathbb{F}}(R_{d})$. A clear necessary condition for WLP to hold in any algebra is that the Hilbert function of that algebra be unimodal, so failure of surjectivity may not detect the earliest degree where WLP fails. Of course, unimodality means that examining WLP in earlier degrees requires checking injectivity of multiplication by a general linear form, and that is the central theme of this talk. For $R=P/I$ as above, we show that multiplication by a general linear form is injective at a fixed degree $d$ provided $n$ is sufficiently large in comparison. This is joint work with Pankaj Singh and Adela Vraciu.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 33
|
| Akers, Kelsey |
Damon, Dorlisa |
The World is a Classroom: Education Through Travel
View Full Text
Abstract Text
In May 2023, I traveled abroad through the Darla Moore School of Business at USC. My
classmates and I traveled to Belgium and France, studying business opportunities in the
European market. We explored various local and international companies and political
institutions, including Microsoft, UPS, the European Parliament, the United Nations Environment
Programme, as well as participated in various cultural activities. Studying abroad gave me the
chance to see how business works outside of the U.S. and experience different cultures
firsthand. I learned about key differences in regulations, sustainability efforts, and consumer
behavior compared to the U.S. One of the biggest takeaways was seeing how companies adapt
to globalization and change customer expectations. Talking with professionals and seeing
businesses in action helped me connect what I've learned in class to the real world. The impact
of my experience extends beyond academics, influencing my perspective on international
business and the importance of cultural awareness. It also made me more confident in pursuing
opportunities that go beyond what I originally thought possible. Studying abroad challenged me
to step out of my comfort zone, and it’s something that will shape how I approach my career
moving forward.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 217
|
| Kalu, Alexis |
Ray, Swapan |
Specific flavonoids for targeting gut dysbiosis and molecular mechanisms of pathogenesis to prevent neurodegeneration in Parkinson's disease
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Parkinson’s disease (PD) represents a devastating neurodegenerative condition characterized by progressive loss of dopamine-producing (dopaminergic) neurons within the substantia nigra, a movement control center among the midbrain. This degeneration of dopaminergic neurons leads to dopamine deficiency, which results in a cascade of debilitating motor impairments, including tremors, rigidity, bradykinesia, and postural instability. In addition to motor symptoms, individuals with PD experience non-motor symptoms, such as cognitive decline, sleep disturbances, and mood disorders, ultimately culminating in a state of complete debilitation. As an age-related disease, the prevalence of PD has steadily increased, underscoring an urgent need for effective therapeutic interventions. Consequently, research efforts have intensified to identify novel treatments capable of slowing or preventing the progression of PD. Currently, an intriguing area of investigation is the role of gut microbiota disturbances in the pathogenesis of PD. Studies have revealed that an imbalance in the gut microbiota, commonly referred to as gut dysbiosis, contributes to the primary etiological factors associated with PD. This emerging understanding has prompted a shift in PD treatment, expanding beyond traditional synthetic pharmaceutical compounds to explore the therapeutic potential of plant-derived polyphenolic compounds, specifically flavonoids. Flavonoids, renowned for their potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, have the capacity to ameliorate gut dysbiosis and promote a state of homeostasis. Given their long history as medicinal agents, flavonoids are now being investigated as promising therapeutic candidates for attenuating various pathological states observed in PD, both through direct and indirect mechanisms. We have delved into finding the potential therapeutic applications of three specific flavonoids, epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), quercetin, and kaempferol in PD. Through review of current literature, we have found intricate mechanisms through which these powerful flavonoids are able to prevent gut dysbiosis, mitigate neuroinflammation, and modulate other molecular pathways implicated in PD pathogenesis and progression. However, there are challenges associated with their real-world application, including bioavailability and potential drug interactions. Strategies to overcome these obstacles are crucial for translating these promising flavonoids into effective therapies. We recently reported the potentials of EGCG, quercetin, and kaempferol in preventing gut dysbiosis, neuroinflammation, and neurodegeneration in PD (Brain Sciences, 2025, 15:1440).
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 104
|
| Wright, Courtney |
Pocivavsek, Ana |
Elevated embryonic kynurenine (EKyn) exposure impacts sleep, inflammation, and tryptophan metabolism during postnatal development
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Tryptophan metabolism via the kynurenine pathway and enhanced kynurenic acid (KYNA) occurs from prenatal insults linked to neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs). KYNA antagonizes 7nACh and NMDA receptors, is elevated in the brain of patients with NDDs, and is postulated to impact sleep and arousal. Rats exposed to elevated embryonic KYNA express sex-specific sleep and behavioral disturbances during young adulthood. We sought to elucidate the postnatal developmental time course of sleep dysfunction in these offspring to understand how this prenatal exposure may contribute to sleep endophenotypes.
To model elevated embryonic KYNA that occurs from prenatal insults, we employed the embryonic kynurenine (EKyn) paradigm, wherein pregnant Wistar rat dams are fed a control diet (ECon) or a diet laced with kynurenine (100 mg/day), the direct KYNA bio-precursor from embryonic day (ED) 15 to ED 22. We assessed sleep-wake patterns of EKyn and ECon offspring across development (N=4 per group), as poor adolescent sleep often precedes and contributes to adult behavioral disturbances by recording 24-h of uninterrupted basal sleep weekly from postnatal day (PD) 28 to PD 56. Since brain KYNA levels are not basally elevated until adulthood (PD 56) in EKyn offspring, we followed each baseline sleep recording day with an acute sleep deprivation (SleepDep) challenge and studied sleep recovery. We also evaluated the biochemical SleepDep response (cytokines and kynurenine pathway metabolism) in separate animals (N=5-11 per group).
In young adulthood (PD 56), EKyn offspring exhibit reduced REM sleep in the light phase (P<0.05). At this age, EKyn offspring struggled to consolidate wake and NREM sleep in the dark phase (PD 56; P<0.05). EKyn offspring had impairments in sleep recovery in adolescence (PD 42) and young adulthood (PD 56). Biochemically, in pre-pubertal (PD 28) offspring, SleepDep significantly increased plasma kynurenine (P<0.05) and cytokines (IL-10 and IL-18) in EKyn females (P<0.01) compared to controls but no significant differences were found in males.
Our findings report, for the first time, developmental changes to sleep patterns in offspring exposed to elevated KYNA in utero. Future studies will assess novel pharmacological tools to reduce KYNA across neurodevelopment and improve sleep.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 21
|
Hitchcock, Logan
Hollingsworth, Luke |
Vaughan, Andrew |
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) Screening Initiative in Primary Care
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Currently, the USPSTF recommends one-time Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) screening for any male patient aged 65-75 who has ever smoked. Ultrasound is preferred over CT or other imaging modalities due to cost and accessibility. Primary care physician-performed ultrasound examinations have been shown to effectively screen for AAA while reducing referral barriers to care.
With this project, we aim to increase AAA screening among the Prisma Health Family Medicine Clinic patient population. EMR-generated patient reports identified patients aged 65-75 who smoked and are overdue for AAA screening. The primary outcome measure is the total number of patients screened at our center in order to reduce the risk of AAA rupture and associated morbidity and mortality. Patients were contacted via electronic messaging, phone calls, and/or letters. Trained project personnel provided information about the project, explained the purpose and procedures, and invited patients to call the clinic to schedule an appointment. Participants who agreed to participate in the project underwent AAA screening using ultrasound imaging at the Family Medicine Center. The original selection criteria generated a list of 98 patients with an open care gap indicating a need for AAA screening with 71 eligible patients after exclusions were applied. Of the total eligible patients (N=71), 19 were screened (26.76%) within the project window. Of those who were successfully scheduled, 82.61% were ultimately screened. And of the 19 screened patients, 6 required follow-up imaging, of which 3 were normal and 3 are still pending.
Our study showed that targeted outreach proved a useful clinical tool to increase screening rates, though rates were lower than expected. Based on our data, the biggest hurdle for primary care providers to overcome is the initial steps of contact and scheduling given the high rate of screening once scheduled. Potential limitations of our project include small sample size, relatively short project duration, and limited access to patient records. Should this project be replicated, a major improvement may include providing scheduling abilities to the outreach team to streamline the scheduling process.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 159
|
| Harris, Cearra |
Cooke, Nicole |
Healing Histories: Implementing Trauma-Informed Care Practices in Libraries to Support Resilience and Recovery
View Full Text
Abstract Text
This dissertation investigated the impact of public library closure on the Edgewood community in Columbia, South Carolina, an area with a rich history and significant ties to the two nearby historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Benedict College and Allen University. It explores the intergenerational effects of historical trauma through the lens of collective memory, as documented in oral histories from community members and public library staff. The research aims to understand the implications of the library's absence in a marginalized community context, emphasizing how such closures can exacerbate existing vulnerabilities. Through oral histories, questionnaires, and interviews, the findings reveal that historical experiences of trauma significantly shape the present realities of these communities. This suggests that a more profound comprehension of this trauma is essential for effectively serving them. The analysis shows the importance of trauma-informed library services as a transformative approach that addresses the specific needs of marginalized groups and fosters inclusivity and equity. In conclusion, this research provides crucial insights into the legacy of historical trauma within marginalized communities. It offers actionable recommendations for public libraries seeking to improve outreach, programming, and collection development. By implementing trauma-informed practices, libraries can play a vital role in creating supportive environments that uplift residents of Edgewood and similar communities nationwide, promoting a more equitable future.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 98
|
| Randolph, Griffin |
Burkart, Sarah |
Unstructured Summertime Activities among Preschoolers: An Analysis of Time-Use and Childcare Accessibility
View Full Text
Abstract Text
PURPOSE: Research suggests that children’s health behaviors decline during the summer; little is known why. Therefore, understanding children’s activities and whereabouts during the summer may help identify avenues for intervention. This study examines how preschoolers spend their time outside the home during the summer months and the accessibility and affordability of summer childcare programs for parents.
METHODS: Participants included parents of preschool children ages 3-5 (n=34; 55.9% female; 50% White; 5.4±0.3 years) in an observational cohort study. Parents self-reported their hours worked, children’s time in summer childcare, and completed daily diaries to report their children’s activities outside the home (e.g., errands with parents, sporting events, birthday parties) during the summer.
RESULTS: This time-use analysis consisted of 213 days of parent-reported daily diaries for children’s summer activities, with parents completing an average of 5.0±0.4 daily diaries out of 7 possible days. The majority (86.8%) of waking hours during the summer were spent at home. When children did leave home, they accompanied parents on errands on 15.5% of the days (on days reported avg. 106.7±134.9 min/d), engaged in other activities (e.g., birthday parties, baseball games, doctor appointments) on 11.7% of days (174±128.6 min/d), and visited someone else’s home on 8.5% of days (314±262 min/d). Children were only in summer childcare on 4.7% of the days (508±35.2 min/d). Parents reported not working on 65.7% of the days (n=134) during the summer. On the days parents did report working, they spent an average of 441±142.7 min/d at work. Additionally, 46.9% of parents (n=15) agreed they had options for childcare and 46.9% of parents (n=15) reported that the cost of summer childcare was difficult to afford.
CONCLUSION: Based on our findings, preschoolers spend most of their time at home and not in external structured environments during the summer. Parents assume significant responsibility and provide essential care for their children. The lack of structured environments and affordable childcare during the summer may pose challenges for many parents. Finding affordable summer programs may help support health-focused interventions in preventing weight gain and obesity risk among preschoolers.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 55
|
| Giridhar, Tanvi |
Hogan, Abigail
Sarmukadam, Kimaya |
The Relationship Between Socioeconomic Factors and IQ in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder (NDD) with symptoms visible as early as infancy or early childhood. ASD is primarily characterized by deficits in restricted and repetitive behaviors, and social communication skills (Denisova & Lin, 2023). Socioeconomic factors may also play a role in the IQ of a child. Common indicators of socioeconomic status (SES) such as household income and parental education show a strong positive correlation with child development (Durkin et al., 2010). While there are studies on the positive correlations between high socioeconomic status and the prevalence of ASD, there are limited studies on how socioeconomic status affects the IQ of children with ASD. This study with 54 children with ASD and 38 neurotypical children aims to investigate whether there are correlations between socioeconomic factors and IQ and whether this relationship is similar or different between the two groups. The specific socioeconomic factors that will be utilized are household income and maternal education. Cognitive ability will be analyzed through the Differential Ability Scales-II (DAS-II), a cognitive test tailored to accommodate developmental delays. The DAS-II measures verbal, nonverbal reasoning, and spatial ability. I hypothesize that children who come from families with a household income of less than $25,000 and a maternal education of less than high school will have lower IQ scores in comparison to children who have a household income higher than $25,000 and a maternal education of higher than high school. Children with ASD will generally have lower IQs than typically developing children while controlling for socioeconomic factors. Understanding the relationship between socioeconomic factors and IQ could help improve accessibility and reduce costs of ASD intervention techniques, ensuring that SES does not limit a child’s development.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 149
|
| Joyner, Daniel |
Foster, Daniel |
Pharmacological Modulation of Muscarinic M4 Receptors Reduces Striatal Spontaneous Acetylcholine Release with Little to No Effect on Dopamine in Vivo
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Schizophrenia is a debilitating psychiatric disorder characterized by three symptom clusters: positive, negative, and cognitive symptoms. The dopamine (DA) hypothesis of schizophrenia posits that hyperactivity in DA neurotransmission, particularly in the dorsal striatum, underly many of these symptoms. Given this, until recently, every antipsychotic medication on the market targeted dopamine D2 receptors. However, D2 antagonists are fraught with side effects and target primarily positive symptoms, doing little for, or even exacerbating other symptoms, thus highlighting a dire need for novel therapeutic strategies.
Muscarinic acetylcholine receptors have been increasingly studied for their antipsychotic potential. Recently, the first muscarinic-targeting therapy was approved for treatment of schizophrenia. However, aside from determining that muscarinic M4 receptors largely mediate antipsychotic efficacy, the mechanisms whereby these drugs modulate schizophrenia-relevant circuitry in vivo remain unclear.
Given the hyperdopaminergic state of the dorsal striatum in schizophrenia, and the high concentration of M4 receptors there, we set out to monitor striatal neurotransmitter release in the presence of the M4 positive allosteric modulator VU0467154 (VU’154). We utilized fiber photometry and fluorescent sensor proteins for DA and acetylcholine (ACh) to study neurotransmission with high temporal resolution in awake-behaving mice.
Treatment with VU’154 induced a dose-dependent reduction in spontaneous ACh release event amplitudes with little effect on event frequency. However, we observed no VU’154-mediated effect on optogenetically-evoked ACh release, indicating that M4 receptors alter cholinergic interneuron excitability rather than release probability. Surprisingly, we observed no significant M4 PAM-induced effects on spontaneous DA release, nor on optogenetically-induced DA release. Given these results, and the fact that previous M4 PAM studies were performed under hyperdopaminergic conditions, we hypothesize that M4-mediated regulation of DA in vivo may be homeostatic, inhibiting DA further as DA levels increase. To investigate this, ongoing studies are utilizing a stimulant-induced excess of DA, assessing the ability of VU’154 to alter DA levels when co-administered with amphetamine.
Through these studies, we will rigorously assess the physiological effects of M4 receptor activation on schizophrenia-relevant brain circuits in vivo, thus providing a better understanding of this novel class of pharmacotherapeutics to help determine the mechanisms whereby muscarinic receptors mediate antipsychotic-like efficacy.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 27
|
Kane, Bailey
Markwell, Emma |
Mack, Zach
Sharko, Amanda
Broude, Eugenia |
Investigating the Mechanism of CDK8/19 in Overcoming Palbociclib Resistance In Vivo
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer is the most common subtype, accounting for approximately 70% of all breast cancer cases. While endocrine therapies have significantly improved outcomes, resistance to treatment remains a major challenge, driving the need for additional targeted therapies. Despite the effectiveness of CDK4/6 inhibitors like Palbociclib (Ibrance®), resistance remains a major obstacle. Approved by the FDA in February 2015 for ER-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer, Palbociclib targets the CDK4/6-Cyclin D complex, which normally phosphorylates and inactivates the Retinoblastoma (Rb) protein. This inactivation releases the transcription factor E2F, driving cell cycle progression from G1 to S phase and fueling uncontrolled cancer growth. By inhibiting CDK4/6, Palbociclib aims to arrest cells in G1, theoretically leading to cell death. However, our lab and others have found that cancer cells can rapidly adapt, limiting the long-term efficacy of CDK4/6 inhibition.
To combat Palbociclib resistance, Dr. Broude’s lab is testing the combination of Palbociclib with the CDK8/19 inhibitor SNX631-6. CDK8/19, together with Cyclin C, form the kinase module of the Mediator complex. This complex orchestrates RNA Pol II-driven transcriptional changes in response to new stimuli, including the transcriptional reprogramming events associated with adaptation to anticancer drugs like Palbociclib. Preliminary in vitro and in vivo studies have shown that treating MCF-7 ER-positive breast cancer cells with a combination of Palbociclib and SNX631-6 suppressed tumor growth compared to either drug alone. The precise mechanism of action for this synergistic combination is currently being investigated.
This project investigates the mechanism by which SNX631-6 prevents Palbociclib resistance. To uncover its effects, we analyzed excised MCF-7 tumors from our most recent in vivo study using RNA sequencing and Western blotting. These analyses identified key gene and protein expression patterns associated with resistance prevention. Notably, SNX631-6 appears to prevent Palbociclib-induced overexpression of CDK6 while modulating the Interferon-alpha and -gamma pathways, which are activated in Palbociclib-treated tumors. These findings suggest key mechanisms through which SNX631-6 enhances the efficacy of CDK4/6 inhibition.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 40
|
Patel, Dev
Spencer, Ethan |
Bhere, Deepak |
Organoids as key in vitro model systems for screening novel cancer therapeutics
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Glioblastoma (GBM), a cancer of the glial cells in the brain, is an incredibly aggressive form of cancer with a median survival rate of fifteen to eighteen months from diagnosis. Most pre-clinical models use traditional, two-dimensional, monolayer cell cultures. However, these monolayer cultures lack the appropriate characteristics to mimic tissues. Organoids are three-dimensional cell cultures which help replicate the structural interconnectedness of real tissues. Unlike monolayer cell cultures, organoids contain an extracellular matrix. This preserves tissue architecture and phenotype; therefore, organoids offer an added advantage over monolayer cultures which often undergoes genetic drift from long-term passaging and notably lack the complex cell-to-cell interactions necessary to model progressive disease states.
Organoids are used in various contexts across medical research, including models of various organ systems: such as the brain, liver, and alimentary canal. Organoids derived from patient samples or engineered cell lines can provide a platform for understanding drug responses, mechanisms and tumor biology. Organoids also accelerate high-throughput screening by allowing researchers to rapidly test large libraries of drugs and identify potential therapeutics with characteristics like clinical studies. Therefore, organoids serve as an important pre-clinical model. Generating multiple organoids from a single patient sample can open the possibility for screening multiple potential drug candidates and offer personalized treatment strategies. Our laboratory cultures two organoid variants of LN-229 GBM cell line, one of which has been genetically engineered to express a fluorescent marker. These fluorescent organoids allow us to visualize tumoral growth and therapeutic responses in real time with fluorescent microscopy.
In summary, our organoid research offers an innovative path for therapeutics development and high-throughput modeling in glioblastoma research, which bridges the gap between two-dimensional in vitro cultures, and complex in vivo models. The organoids also provide better insight into overcoming therapeutic resistance in glioblastoma patients, as well as personalized medicine. Our research on glioblastoma organoids has potential to test for effective, targeted therapies for GBM.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 62
|
| Halder, Urmi |
|
Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol abrogates neurodegeneration by regulating microbial dysbiosis in transgenic mice expressing gp120 of HIV-1
View Full Text
Abstract Text
AIDS patients develop HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND), believed to result from neuroinflammation. In this study, we examined the effect of Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in HIV gp120 transgenic (Tg) mice and the possible role of the microbiome in causing neurogenesis. For this purpose, wild-type (WT) and gp120Tg mice were treated with either vehicle or THC, and brains were examined for neurogenesis. In gp120 Tg mice, THC treatment reduced reactive gliosis by downregulating the synthesis of gp120 and overexpression of gfap. scRNA sequencing of brain-derived cells demonstrated changes in the microglial subsets, and T cells, with gp120Tg mice expressing low levels of CCR5+ cells, which increased following THC treatment. Treatment of gp120Tg mice with THC led to cAMP-dependent increase in PKA expression. The gut microbiome in gp120Tg mice showed microbial dysbiosis with an increase in pro-inflammatory microbiota while THC-treatment reversed gut dysbiosis. When C57BL/6 wt germ-free (B6gf) mice were transplanted with fecal microbiota from gp120Tg mice, they showed neuronal injury by elevating number of CD4+ T cells producing IL-17A and IFN-γ. Our findings demonstrate the critical role of THC in regulating gut microbial dysbiosis and attenuation of neuroinflammation through the gut-brain axis in gp120 Tg mice.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 203
|
| Lunt, Julia |
Cull, John
Helmken, John Cord |
Hernia rate after damage control laparotomy, a retrospective review
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Background:
Damage control laparotomy (DCL) has become a critical tool in trauma surgery and its popularity in emergency general surgery is increasing as well. While potentially lifesaving, the long-term repercussions of damage control laparotomy are not well understood. Specifically, the rate of hernia formation after damage control laparotomy is poorly described in the literature. The purpose of this study is to evaluate incisional hernia rates after damage control laparotomy.
Methods:
We conducted a single-center retrospective review of 262 patients who underwent damage control laparotomy from 2016 to 2019. Follow-up was conducted either in person or by phone. Only patients with follow-up for at least one year after damage control laparotomy were included in our analysis for hernia formation. The presence of a hernia was determined by documented physical exam or with imaging.
Results:
56.3% of patients in this study developed a hernia after damage control laparotomy. In addition to data on hernia rates, we collected data on the core outcomes proposed by Byerly et al. Our results for these outcomes are as follows: fascial closure at index hospitalization, 84.0%; days to fascial closure, average 4.2 days, median 2 days; abdominal complications, 26.7%; enterocutaneous fistula, 6.5%, reoperation after fascial closure 15.5%; secondary intra-abdominal sepsis, 14.5%; in-hospital mortality, 23.7%; 30-day mortality, 24.4%, and functional outcome at 12 months, mean HerQLes score 68.5,median 79.2. Our data on hernia rates highlight the need for further study and development of techniques to reduce hernia formation after DCL.
Conclusions:
By reporting data on core outcomes, this study not only provides important insight into hernia rates after damage control laparotomy but also provides necessary data for use in future systematic review or meta-analysis on outcomes after damage control laparotomy.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 160
|
| Hardy, Hannah |
Corbett, Cynthia
Donelle, Lorie
Ekenedo, Theresa |
Community Based Needs Assessment in Low-Resourced Older Adult Communities
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Economically disadvantaged, racially diverse older adults who live independently face unique health and social challenges that are not well understood. Needs assessments are a strategy used to assess the specific needs of communities or populations to promote more effective resource allocation, including designing tailored services to meet community needs. The purpose of this study was to assess the needs of older adults residing in four senior independent living communities in Charleston, South Carolina, using the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Determinants of Health framework to identify the needs of the community from the perspective of those who live and work in the community. As a first step in the needs assessment, older adults from four affordable housing communities participated in semi-structured focus group interviews. Audio recordings of each focus group interview were transcribed. Transcribed data, supplemented by field notes, were analyzed through reflexive thematic analysis using the method published by Braun and Clarke. Older adults’ positive perceptions of community attributes included the condition of apartments and the care and concern of employees. The most prominent concern was the cost of housing, as rent prices are raised annually, contributing to financial stress and worry as to how to afford other necessities such as food and utilities. Other areas of need included the lack of transportation, the inconsistency of social programs and services among the communities, and food insecurity.
The next steps in this ongoing study are to interview community staff members and to develop a quantitative survey that will be completed by older adults in each community. The WHO framework will be used to structure the reported findings and prioritize the next steps for programs and services to enhance these older adults' health and well-being.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 162
|
| Rooney, Patrick |
Stubblefield, Brittany |
From Devastation to Action: How Hurricane Helene Inspired My Mission to Help
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Over the course of my life, I was raised and fostered on my own a desire to help those in need both within and outside of my community. When Hurricane Helene hit the southeastern US, the devastation was unparalleled. As an officer in the mountaineering and whitewater rafting club, we travel to North Carolina frequently to go camping and hiking, so when we heard about the devastation to a place beloved by us, we knew we needed to help. This first led us to partnering with a nonprofit, Green Democracy, to make a day trip to assist with the distribution of supplies from non-affected areas to areas that had some storm damage. Afterwards, we signed up to spend the day building a kitchen in Asheville. So I led a group of students up to help build this kitchen. As we set up this kitchen in the parking lot of a church, a familiar feeling began to emerge: the job was not done, and people needed my help. So that day, I returned to Columbia with the group and quickly packed a bag, drove back up that night, and proceeded to help plan and coordinate the distribution of around 12,000 meals in the next three days to some of the most hard-hit areas. Following this unexpected extended trip.After this trip I began using connections I had made to plan for another group of students to go to one of the most devastated areas by the hurricane, Pensacola NC. For the rest of the semester, I continued to frequent Pensacola, NC, bringing dozens of students up and completing thousands of hours of community service at a place that almost became a second home, Camp Miller, a relief camp where I was able to assist with activities including restoring access to people's home, helping those who lost almost everything salvage what they could and overall through leading students to do all we can to give people the assistance they deserve. This desire to help resulted in me leading fellow students to help those in their most fantastic time of need.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 223
|
| Gibson, Makayla |
Rorden, Christopher |
Beyond the Cortex: Cerebellar Contributions to Apraxia of Speech in Stroke Survivors
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Introduction
Apraxia of Speech (AOS) is a motor speech disorder affecting speech planning and coordination, commonly co-occurring with aphasia following left hemisphere stroke. While traditionally attributed to cortical damage, the cerebellum's contribution to AOS remains underexplored. This study examined the relationship between regional cerebellar gray matter volume and AOS severity in individuals with chronic left hemisphere stroke and aphasia (N =142).
Methods
Participants from the Aphasia Recovery Cohort underwent structural MRI scanning and AOS assessment using the Apraxia of Speech Rating Scale. Cerebellar gray matter volumes were quantified from high-resolution T1-weighted images using Matlab, SPM, the Cat12 toolbox, and SUIT cerebellar atlas, then adjusted for total intracranial volume. Multiple linear regression models and Spearman’s partial correlations examined associations between cerebellar volumes and AOS severity, controlling for lesion volume, time post-stroke, and age.
Results
Results revealed significant negative correlations between AOS severity and gray matter volume in specific cerebellar regions. Overall, right cerebellar volume demonstrated stronger predictive value (R²=.116, β=-0.258, p<.001) than left cerebellar volume (R²=.080, β=-0.172, p=.031). Within the right cerebellum, lobule V emerged as the strongest predictor, explaining an additional 11.3% of variance in AOS severity beyond other covariates (R²=.167, β=-0.346, p<.001). Right lobule VI (R²=.130, β=-0.290, p<.001) and vermis VIIb (R²=.117, β=-0.262, p<.001) were also significant predictors of AOS severity. Parallel analyses using dysarthria severity showed far weaker associations with cerebellar volume, suggesting the observed relationships were not merely consequences of crossed cerebellar diaschisis following stroke.
Discussion
These findings provide novel evidence that cerebellar integrity, particularly in right cerebellar regions, plays an important role in speech motor planning following left hemisphere stroke. This enhances our comprehension of the neural bases of AOS, and highlights the potential for cerebellar-targeted interventions in speech rehabilitation and expanding therapeutic approaches beyond traditional neocortical models.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 86
|
| Shaw, Jaylin |
Miller, Sarah |
Community Service: It’s more than a free T-Shirt
View Full Text
Abstract Text
During the summer of 2024 I had the opportunity to work with various organizations
through community service. I spent over 50 hours working with the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Augusta, where I was able to positively impact the lives of at-risk youth. The overall goal of the Boys and Girls Club organization is to help young people reach their full potential by providing a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment where kids and teens can learn, have fun, and develop a sense of belonging. As a social work major at USC Salkehatchie, this opportunity provided me with firsthand experience working with youth coming from troubled backgrounds. I had the opportunity to teach the kids lifelong skills, as well as give them peace during some difficult times. I engaged with the children through multiple activities that taught them effective communication skills, self-love, teamwork, and perseverance. Being able to positively influence the next generation gives hope that my job won’t be as necessary in the future. These simple life skills are building blocks to broader skills such as independence, problem solving, building healthy relationships, etc. I also had the opportunity to do community outreach and provide the less fortunate with some of the necessary resources to allow their day-to-day lives to be a little easier. My volunteer work was not specific to one group. I volunteered at a mental health conference, I volunteered with various sports organizations, churches, and schools. Participating in these events not only fulfills my passion for helping others but also gives me a sense of joy knowing that I can serve people in multiple ways- which is more important than a t-shirt.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 194
|
| Adebajo, Korebami |
Downey, Austin |
Impact of Charging Rate and State of Charge on Electeric Aircraft Battery Degradation Using a Multi-Domain Model
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Electrifying transportation is an increasingly important initiative among governments and companies seeking alternatives to carbon-intensive vehicles. As the demand for electric vehicles in the automotive industry rises, other sectors, such as aerospace, are also exploring electric applications. However, relying on batteries as the primary power source presents several challenges, including high costs, limited availability of raw materials, and safety concerns. Additionally, inconsistent battery use can lead to varying rates of battery degradation, creating further difficulties.
This study aims to understand battery degradation in electric aircraft when subjected to different charging parameters through multi-domain modeling. The long-term goal is to facilitate the commercialization of electric aircraft by making them more economically viable while considering real-world constraints. We developed a multi-domain model in the MATLAB-Simscape environment to simulate different flight profiles and track battery degradation in terms of battery capacity.
To analyze battery behavior under various conditions, we examined several flight routes characterized by distinct load profiles with varying charging parameters. The analysis focused on a battery pack composed of Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt cells with a capacity of 260 Ah at 418 V, resulting in a nominal pack capacity of 109 kWh. We evaluated the effects of battery degradation across three flight routes in the southeastern United States under two charging rates: 1.5C and 2C. The results indicate that charging at 1.5C causes significantly less degradation than charging at 2C. Furthermore, starting flights with an initial state of charge of 80% rather than 100% further reduced battery degradation across all flight routes.
Variations in flight route length were found to have minimal effect on degradation. By incorporating battery degradation considerations into route planning, this study offers pathways to enhance the sustainability and economic viability of electric aviation. This suggests that careful selection of battery charging parameters can help mitigate some of the current limitations faced by electric aircraft.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 66
|
| Scruggs, Cayden |
Dallas, Tad |
Automated Yeast Colony Detection and Classification Using Machine Learning
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Yeast works as a tool for modeling ecological phenomena in a lab environment. In this project, genetically altered yeast displaying multiple colors are being used to show the growth and change over time of different populations. Data collection on this study however requires a great deal of manual labor in identifying, classifying, and counting the different colonies of yeast. To aid in the overall ecological study, we have trained a machine learning algorithm to automatically detect, classify, and count yeast colonies of different lineages when given a series of images of the petri dishes said colonies are growing on. This model aims to expedite the labor-intensive process of manually identifying and classifying yeast colonies, allowing researchers to focus more on data analysis and ecological interpretations. Our model shows promise in accurately detecting and classifying yeast colonies, providing a valuable tool for future ecological studies utilizing yeast colonies as a model system.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 98
|
| Wickberg, Ava |
Spence, Gina |
Engineering a Legacy: Leading MCEC’s Ambassador Program to New Heights
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Since January 2022, I’ve served as an Ambassador for the Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing, and this year have assumed the role as Head Ambassador. I have the privilege of representing over 3,800 students in engineering and computing fields with a mission to drive innovation and industry collaboration. In this role, I lead daily campus tours, spearhead recruitment initiatives, and engage with prospective students, donors, and business partners. A crucial piece of my role is overseeing the onboarding and training of new ambassadors to ensure they effectively convey MCEC’s vision. I have been able to elevate the MCEC student ambassador program through leading recruiting efforts, resulting in a 36% increase in retention and acquisition. Sharing my USC experience with other students, while encouraging them to pursue careers in engineering and computing, has been instrumental in leaving a legacy here at Carolina.
Fueled by my passion for biomedical engineering and encouragement from MCEC mentors, I took on this position to merge my academic interests with meaningful outreach. Through educating prospective students and refining our training programs, I elevate the college’s reputation and provide crucial information about our degree programs. I grow my professional and personal network within the college each day by giving tours. My passion for building relationships and engaging with clients, honed through my pursuit of a consulting career, seamlessly blends the problem-solving aspects of engineering with the client-focused nature of this path. Through this experience, I’ve seen firsthand how effective communication can enhance MCEC’s standing—attracting talent, strengthening industry ties, and fostering donor support—while personally gaining a deeper appreciation for interdisciplinary collaboration. This concept was explored in both my Anatomy and Physiology (BMEN 345) and Professional Development and Ethics in Biomedical Engineering (BMEN 303) coursework. These courses enriched my ability to articulate MCEC’s value, as each provided unique opportunities to educate myself on different industries and their intersections with Biomedical Engineering. My efforts have contributed to a stronger, more connected MCEC community, reinforcing my leadership abilities and commitment to its growth, all while highlighting how academic foundations can translate into tangible institutional progress.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 246
|
| Patla, Erin |
Spence, Gina |
Cross-Cultural Exploration: Gaining Knowledge Through Global Experiences
View Full Text
Abstract Text
I am one of the few people who can fortunately say I was able to have my junior year spring semester, be filled with the incredible opportunity to study abroad at the Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona in Barcelona. Study abroad taught me that by learning to immerse myself in the culture, adapt to scenarios, and learn through living, I can tackle even the most unknown circumstances that may come about. Knowing that this experience would be new was something that I expected. But changing my cultural experience for the better is something I didn’t think I would ever be so thankful for.
While in Barcelona, in addition to fully immersing myself in the culture, I took intracultural communication classes, cooking and dancing classes, while also teaching the English language to third graders. These opportunities grew my academic experience and gave me a deeper understanding to the culture that I was now a part of.
During these four months I was able to travel to nearly 13 different cities and learn how everyone was so different, yet so similar. By seeing the stunning landscape of Interlaken, to the amazing architecture in Budapest, there was room to grow and learn in every city. These beautiful views were breath taking, but while traveling, I learned more about myself than I ever thought I could. When experiencing difficulties abroad it can be hard to manage and persevere to push through. But with these setbacks, I learned that with determination, confidence, and focus, even the most overwhelming situations can be achievable.
Living in Barcelona is something that I would recommend to anyone who is able to. You can learn how to navigate a foreign scenario, master public transportation, and even give back to the community through sharing your culture. Looking back on the experience, I have the pictures and journal to share, but I will truly always remember how my time abroad shaped me into the person I am today. Study abroad taught me the importance of cultural exploration.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 222
|
| Lin, Christina |
Sanasi-Bhola, Kamla |
The Impact of Polypharmacy in HIV Care: Evaluating Discrepancies Between EHR-Documented Medications and Patient-Reported Use in an Outpatient Immunology Clinic
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Introduction: Addressing the needs of aging patients with HIV (PWH) extends beyond the virus itself to include managing concurrent health conditions which often leads to polypharmacy – usually defined as the simultaneous use of 5 or more medications. This presents distinct challenges, including an increased potential for drug interactions in PWH. Currently, there exists a dearth of evidence-based guidelines for managing polypharmacy in PWH, exacerbated by underreporting of over-the-counter (OTC) medications and substance use in electronic health records (EHRs). An accurate medication list documented in the EHR, which should include not only prescription medications but also over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, complementary alternative medicines (CAM), and other substances is important for decision making and ultimately patient outcomes.
Purpose: To evaluate the discrepancies between EHR-documented data and updated patient self-reports regarding the use of prescription and non-prescription products in a subset of patients.
Methods: This retrospective, observational cohort study will utilize data from the patient EHRs to conduct a chart review of 50 patients by authorized members of the research team. REDcap, a secure web application, and Microsoft Excel will be used to collect and store data. Patient were included in the study if they met the inclusion criteria: 1) at least 18 years of age, 2) HIV diagnosis, and 3) patient at Prisma Health Immunology Center in Columbia, SC, and 4) receiving a medication reconciliation as part of the clinician’s standard patient care practice. The data will be fully de-identified for analysis using descriptive statistics. Data collected includes three domains: patient demographics, medications details, and ADE-related factors. This study was approved by the institutional review board.
Results: Ongoing data collection.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 161
|
| Scott, LaPortia |
Hogan, Abigail |
Longitudinal Analysis of Anxiety-Related Behaviors in Children with Neurodevelopmental Disorders
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Anxiety is a mental disorder characterized by excessive and persistent worry that often cannot be mitigated. Anxiety disorders take many forms, including social anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, specific phobias, and generalized anxiety disorder. In children with neurodevelopmental disorders such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), anxiety is one of the most common co-occurring disorders. Untreated anxiety can cause great debilitation in daily life, making it hard for individuals to succeed in the workplace, social environments, and interpersonal relationships. Cascading influences of persistent anxiety include a weakened immune system and cardiovascular issues, making it a social, psychological, and physical risk. Individuals with ASD are prone to many other psychological and physical health issues, making the co-occurrence of anxiety-related health conditions more pervasive and debilitating compared to typically developing individuals. With substantial evidence demonstrating a strong link between ASD and anxiety, research is emerging on how fear is expressed in early childhood. Focusing on how different indicators of fear (e.g., facial expression of fear, verbal expression of fear) change over time may help improve early identification of anxiety in ASD, resulting in early intervention to increase the quality of life and minimize debilitation. The current study analyzed anxiety-related behaviors longitudinally in children from pre-school age to school-age to focus on how aging impacts fear responses in children when exposed to anxiety-provoking scenarios. The Modified Anxiety Dimensional Observation Schedule (M-Anx-DOS) assessment tool was used to investigate fear expressions from the Spider, Auditory Startle, Mystery Jar, and Maternal Separation presses. The global composite values of each participant were compared between two age points to determine (a) if the difference in overall fear expression is statistically significant as children age. More specifically, postural, facial, and verbal fear values from the two age points were compared to determine if (b) specific fear arousal expressions change with age. The study included 10 children with ASD and 8 typically developing (TD) children. The two age points of the participants were 3.04-7.75 years and 8.94-14.63 years.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 163
|
| Moore, Lucy |
Rauniker, Mary |
Living is Learning: Adapting to the world around me.
View Full Text
Abstract Text
During the spring semester of my junior year, I had the incredible opportunity to study abroad in Florence, Italy, at Florence University of the Arts. From a young age, I was drawn to adventure and travel. This passion started during summers at camp in North Carolina and further fueled by Outward Bound trips in Yellowstone and Hawaii, where I earned my PADI scuba certification. Knowing that studying abroad was a goal from the moment I entered college, I worked diligently to maintain the necessary qualifications and GPA to make my dream of studying in Europe a reality.
While in Florence, I immersed myself in a diverse range of courses. In addition to journalism classes relevant to my advertising major, I explored Italian culture through classes focusing on food, fashion, and wine. These experiences enriched my academic journey and provided a deeper understanding of the Italian Culture surrounding me.
During my 15 weeks in Europe, I traveled to over 10 countries, including Italy, the United Kingdom, France, Norway, Spain, Ireland, Switzerland, Monaco, the Netherlands, Greece, and Portugal. These experiences taught me more about myself and the world than I ever thought possible. My time abroad reshaped my perception of education, revealing that learning extends beyond traditional classrooms. It showed me that living and engaging with the world is the most valuable form of education.
Although the idea of living in Europe seems glamorous, it came with its share of challenges. Navigating foreign countries, mastering train stations, and ordering coffee in Italian were all experiences that pushed me out of my comfort zone. These moments taught me adaptability and resilience, helping me learn how to thrive in unfamiliar environments.
Reflecting on my journey, I realize that my passion for travel has always been about more than just exploration. It has been driven by a desire to learn through experiences rather than textbooks. USC provided me with foundational knowledge, but studying abroad taught me that the most profound learning comes from living. Florence showed me that living is learning.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 239
|
| Soykan, Anna |
Matthews, Sarah |
Steering the Course: Leadership Lessons from Captaining the Gamecock Sailing Club
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Sailing has been a passion of mine since I was a kid. This motivated me to join the Gamecock Sailing Club and the dinghy race team my first year of college. I quickly became highly involved with the team, traveling every other weekend to race. Just a couple short months into my involvement, the captain of the team asked if I wanted to co-captain the following year and then eventually become captain. This gave me the opportunity to give back to the club that was such a large part of my college experience. This role was a huge undertaking, as I became a liaison between the university, the team of 15, and the Intercollegiate Sailing Association (ICSA), in order to plan regattas and coordinate logistics to get the team to regattas. It was a lot more than I thought I was going to do. However, this position allowed me to push myself and forced me to learn to work with others and organize myself. I learned how to make myself successful through organization, time management and communication. For example, I created a scheduling system that allows the entire team to update their availability. I also created a transition document with help from the prior captain. It includes tools for being successful, like ways to communicate with the team, planning logistics for travel and keeping relations between the university and partners, as well as other systems, contacts, and ideas used for running the team. This document will help the next captain transition into the role. In conclusion, one of the most valuable lessons I learned from this experience was the importance of proactive communication and organization when leading a team. Moving forward, I will apply these skills beyond graduation by embracing leadership opportunities that require effective planning and collaboration.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 300
|
| Barry, Madison |
Fairman, Ciaran
Sayers, Christina |
The Role of Exercise Intervention in Combatting Cancer Treatment Side-Effects
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Although it is widely known that exercise interventions improve healing and physical and emotional well-being from cancer treatment side effects, this concept is not a typical aspect of cancer care. In 2021, Dr. Ciaran Fairman, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Exercise Science at the University of South Carolina, established the Exercise Oncology Lab (EXSC ONC lab). This lab is dedicated to studying the impact of exercise, nutrition, and psychology in combatting the side effects of cancer before, during, and after treatment. Through this lab, individuals participate in studies at Prisma Health, where they receive an individualized exercise program delivered by research assistants who specialize in working with cancer individuals. The program consists of two to three workout sessions per week for eight weeks, in which they are paired with a lab member to work one-on-one for the entirety of the study. Multiple variables are assessed before and after the program, such as elements of physical health, views on exercise itself, views on the program, and quality of life/subjective measures. Additionally, participants are asked to return for follow-ups 3, 6, and 12 months post-program completion. The Exercise Oncology Lab is primarily split into two studies as of now: Prisma Health and the R21 study. The primary purpose of these studies is to look at how resistance training can affect the participant’s universal health, physical function, and quality of life while also establishing feasibility. This means that the lab keeps track of the numbers of mail letters sent to the community, people that were interested in the intervention, went through with the protocol, and adhered to the supplements and exercise. Establishing feasibility with this smaller population will be used to establish feasibility with a larger population. All of this together is aimed at identifying ways to make the program more sustainable and accessible to those in need while also showing the large necessity for regular resistance training in combatting the many unwanted physical and mental side effects that result from cancer and its treatments.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 142
|
| Turpeau, Brooke |
Gupta, Abhi
Khan, Mohammad |
Dental Caries as an Etiology of Periorbital Cellulitis and Cavernous Sinus Thrombosis
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Background
Venous drainage of the dentition and the orbits ultimately joins the cavernous sinus with the rest of the cerebral venous system, providing intracranial access to infectious emboli. Here, we present a case of intracranial infection and ventriculitis secondary to infection of the mouth and orbit.
Presentation/Workup
A 47y Male presented to an outside facility with altered mental status and fever after several weeks of nonspecific symptoms of malaise. There was significant bilateral chemosis and discharge of the eyelids suspicious for periorbital cellulitis, and CT Orbits demonstrated bilateral increased caliber of the superior ophthalmic veins indicating secondary superior ophthalmic vein thrombosis. CT head/neck demonstrated infectious/inflammatory changes of parapharyngeal fat and masticator space with a R-sided mass. Given this and the patient’s extensive periodontal disease along the right mandible, an odontogenic infection was the likely source. They were transferred to our facility for ophthalmologic workup and intubation/ICU care for declining mental status.
Hospital Course
Upon arrival, the patient underwent an emergent extraction of six total teeth, and antibiotics were initiated for infection source control. CT Venogram after arrival demonstrated increased caliber of ophthalmic veins, bilateral cerebellar infarcts, evidence of ventriculitis and meningitis, and intracranial abscesses likely secondary to septic emboli from orbital infection. Cultures of the blood, eye discharge, and dental abscesses were sent and empiric antibiotic therapy was initiated. Ophthalmology and Infectious Disease were consulted for oversight of orbital infection management, and neurosurgery placed an intraventricular drain catheter for CSF collection/analysis and ICP monitoring in the context of ventriculitis. They were subsequently transferred to the neurosurgical ICU for management of neurological recovery. CSF cultures ultimately grew Streptococcus Anginosus, which is associated with odontogenic infections, especially dental abscesses.
Conclusion
Infections of the oropharynx can rapidly progress into neurological emergencies due to the shared facial and cerebral venous drainage that allows infection to bypass the blood-brain barrier. Timely management of these infections is critical in preventing the progression to potentially-devastating neurological consequences (e.g.,encephalopathy) and the acquisition of long-term sequelae.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 144
|
Kammerer, Abigail
Greene, Patricia |
Weeda, Erin |
Geographic Distribution of Sites used for Landmark Studies of Kidney Transplant Immunosuppression
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Study sites are frequently chosen based on the resources an institution has available, rather than to enhance the generalizability of the study. To better understand generalizability of kidney transplant studies, we sought to describe the geographic distribution of sites used for landmark studies of kidney transplant immunosuppression. Studies cited by consensus recommendations for use of maintenance immunosuppression in solid organ transplantation were systematically screened for inclusion. Studies were limited to those that were evaluating kidney transplant recipients and had one or more United States (US) site. Locations of each US study site were collected. Data were compared to 2022 CDC data on mortality rates for end stage renal disease (ESRD). A total of 482 location data points were included in the final data. The states with the highest number of studies included California (67), Texas (34), New York (32), Ohio (29), and Florida (24). After plotting this data against the ESRD rates for each state, it was found that there was no meaningful correlation between number of studies and ESRD rates. The number of studies used in landmark analyses of immunosuppressants in kidney transplant differed across states and did not correlate with state-level ESRD rates. Our findings suggest the generalizability of the literature may vary by geographic location in the US.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 162
|
| Hemsey, Sophia |
Matthews, Sarah |
How Perfecting Public Speaking Can Improve Your Life
View Full Text
Abstract Text
I find it interesting when people ask, "What is your biggest fear?" As a child, I would say that the common fears would be death, spiders, kidnapping, and shark attacks. Yes, these are reasonable concerns, but what really bothers me as an adult is that I share this concern with 25% of Americans: Public speaking.
The first semester of my sophomore year I was enrolled in speech class. This class taught me so much more than I ever could have imagined.
That same semester I rushed the Alpha Kappa Psi professional business fraternity. This organization prides itself on personal and professional development, while nurturing their core values: brotherhood, integrity, unity, service, and knowledge.
The rush process was not easy to say the least, with each night highlighting a different task that required preparation, time, and confidence. The first go round, I made it through the entire week of rush, which is what made not getting a bid even harder.
When I finally shifted that sulking and sadness into drive to get into this fraternity that’s where I began to thrive.
So, when I went out to rush again the next semester I knew how to succeed. I applied the lessons I learned in Speech 140 to successfully share myself with the brotherhood. On the last Friday of rush, I got the call that I was selected to join the fraternity! I successfully sold myself and my passion to this brotherhood of like-minded people, which created pride and excitement.
I learned how to be confident from this entire process. It demonstrated to me the power of confidence and the need of perseverance in pursuing your goals. When I look forward to post-grad life, I will be taking these tools with me to help me succeed in any meeting, pitch, or conference. Public speaking is not just a tool, its essential to get to where you want to go.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 301
|
| Behling, Jeffrey |
Webb, Clinton
Priviero, Fernanda
Rodrigues, Rinaldo |
Cell-free mtDNA exposure induces vascular dysfunction via inflammasome activation
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Introduction: Immune system activation has been shown to play an important role in the pathogenesis of hypertension and substantial evidence has been highlighting the importance of inflammasomes in vascular disease progression. This study hypothesized that cell-free mtDNA activates NLRP3 and AIM2 inflammasomes, triggering gasdermin-D (GSDMD) pore formation and vascular dysfunction.
Materials and Methods: First, mtDNA was isolated from C57BL/6 mouse livers using a commercial kit. Endothelial cells from C57BL/6 mice were cultured and treated with mtDNA (4 μg/μL) for 24 hours before protein expression analysis via western blot. Male C57BL/6 mice were then sacrificed, and the aorta and mesenteric resistance arteries (MRAs) were collected, cleaned, and mounted on pin (aorta) and wire (MRA) myographs. Vascular function was assessed using phenylephrine (PE, 10 μM) and acetylcholine (ACh, 10 μM) following a 1-hour incubation in Krebs solution with mtDNA (4 μg/μL) or control (Krebs only). Concentration-response and relaxation-response curves were generated for PE (1 nM–30 μM) and ACh (1 nM–30 μM). Nonlinear regressions determined maximal response (Emax) and half-maximal effective concentration (EC50). Statistical significance was assessed using two-way mixed ANOVA with a Bonferroni post-test, and Student’s t-test for Emax and EC50 comparisons.
Results: Protein expression analysis revealed increased expression of NLRP3, AIM2, and GSDMD in endothelial cells treated with mtDNA, suggesting inflammasome activation. Functional vascular assessments using myography demonstrated a significant increase in maximal contractile response to PE (Emax, p < 0.05) and a marked impairment in endothelium-dependent relaxation (EC50, p < 0.01) in aortic samples exposed to mtDNA. Similarly, in MRAs, mtDNA exposure significantly enhanced the contractile response to PE (Emax, p < 0.01) without affecting endothelium-dependent relaxation. These findings indicate that mtDNA-induced inflammasome activation may contribute to vascular dysfunction by promoting vasoconstriction and impairing endothelial function.
Conclusion: Overall, these findings suggest that cell-free mtDNA activates the inflammasome pathway, contributing to endothelial and vascular dysfunction. However, further investigation is required to quantify inflammasome activation and downstream cytokine release to clarify their specific roles in vascular pathology and disease progression.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 103
|
| Archambault, Mary |
Ellermann, Melissa
Mitchell, Mary |
Evaluating How Endocannabinoids Alter the Fecal and Ileal Microbiomes
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Crohn’s Disease (CD) is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that can affect all areas of the gastrointestinal tract. In the US, the prevalence of IBD is rising, with approximately 2.8 million patients diagnosed, resulting in an estimated $8.5 billion in healthcare costs. IBD is linked to microbial dysbiosis, a disruption in the balance between the host and its microbiome, which can worsen disease. The endocannabinoid system plays a crucial role in maintaining gut homeostasis by regulating gut and immune functions, making it a potential therapeutic target for CD. The endocannabinoid 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) can signal via the cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2. Monoacylglycerol lipase (Magl) degrades 2-AG to terminate signaling. Previous 16S rRNA sequencing data from our lab showed that 2-AG signaling via the CB1 receptor significantly changes microbiome composition in the feces. Therefore, the goal of my project was to confirm these findings using targeted quantitative PCR, and to determine if similar changes occur in the ileal microbiome. Treatment groups included: vehicle controls, a Magl inhibitor group to increase tissue concentrations of 2-AG, a group treated with Magl inhibitor and a CB1 antagonist to determine if microbiome changes are CB1-dependent, and a group treated with Magl inhibitor and a CB2 antagonist to determine if results are CB2-dependent. Mice lacking the CB1 receptor were also included. Feces and ileal contents of mice were collected one day post-treatment. DNA from intestinal contents were isolated for quantitative PCR with primers specific to each microbe of interest. In the feces, Enterobacteriaceae and Enterococcus levels were significantly increased following increased 2-AG in a CB1-dependent manner. In the ileum, gut microbes Clostridiales (including Lachnospiraceae) and Lactobacillales decreased significantly following increased 2-AG and Turicibacter and Enterobacteriaceae significantly increased. These results demonstrate that CB1 signaling impacts the relative abundances of important gut bacteria that are thought to maintain or disrupt microbial homeostasis in CD in the colonic and ileal regions. Future directions include investigating whether microbial alterations in the ileal microbiome are CB1-dependent similar to the fecal microbiome.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 31
|
| Campbell, Celia |
Lara-Castro, Cristina |
Assessing Perioperative Establishment of a “Fast Recovery Track
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Introduction: In diabetic patients with foot ulcers, it is estimated that up to 57% of these people will have to undergo amputation of their lower digits or limbs. Within this patient population, it has been observed that their glucose levels widely vary because of an NPO diet before surgery. It is believed that this could subsequently affect their recovery. Therefore, our hypothesis is that limiting NPO length and giving these patients a clear liquid diet up to two hours before surgery may be beneficial in their recovery time and process.
Methods: The first part of this project was a retrospective analysis on patients that came in for amputation due to diabetes between October of 2022 and February of 2023. All patients were admitted to Parkridge Hospital during this specific timeframe for non-emergent orthopedic surgery. Their basic vitals, BMP, electrolyte levels, and comorbidities were tracked and organized. NPO status was also recorded by looking at when NPO orders were placed and lifted. Diet orders were also used as a marker for when patients were allowed to start eating after surgery. This data will be used to implement a protocol for perioperative management of these patients in a future second part of this project (designing a clear-liquid diet for these patients in the future).
Results: Forty-three patients were enrolled in this study (26 males, 17 females). They were picked based on their diagnosis and subsequent amputation. The majority of patients only needed one amputation, but five patients did require either a new amputation or further cleaning/amputation of a pre-existing wound. Common risk factors included hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and smoking status. The average time a patient was NPO was for 15 hours with a standard deviation of 4.7. The average hospital length stay was 12 days with a standard deviation of 11.7.
Conclusion: Based on the data collected, limiting NPO length by implementing a clear liquid diet pre-operatively may be beneficial for patients who have diabetes undergoing amputation by reducing their hospital stay and hopefully improving recovery outcomes.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 161
|
| Boyle, Connor |
Newman-Norlund, Roger |
Exploring the Relationship Between Stroke Risk and Premature White Matter Aging: A Novel Biomarker - ABC@USC
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Stroke remains a leading cause of death and disability worldwide, necessitating improved predictive methods to identify at-risk individuals and enable early intervention. Traditional risk assessment models, such as the Framingham Stroke Risk Profile Score (FSRPS), provide moderate accuracy but could be enhanced with the addition of novel biomarkers. Recent advances in neuroimaging have introduced regional brain age as an innovative marker to assess premature aging in specific brain regions. Given the well-documented association between white matter health and stroke risk, this study explored the relationship between premature white matter aging and stroke risk using a large cross-sectional neuroimaging dataset from the Aging Brain Cohort (ABC) lab at the University of South Carolina. We analyzed data from 102 individuals aged 40 and older, correlating white matter brain age gap (WMBAG) with FSRPS while controlling for age, sex, and race. White matter brain age was calculated using T1-weighted MRI scans processed through the volBrain regional brain age pipeline. Results demonstrated a statistically significant positive correlation between WMBAG and FSRPS (Spearman's rho = 0.215, p = 0.016), indicating that greater premature white matter aging was associated with higher stroke risk. Exploratory regional analyses further revealed significant correlations between FSRPS and both cerebral and cerebellar white matter aging, with cerebellar regions showing slightly stronger associations. These findings suggest that premature white matter aging may serve as a valuable biomarker for stroke risk in conjunction with more classic cardiovascular health measures, potentially improving existing assessment tools. Future research should explore WMBAG as a predictive measure for stroke prevention and recovery, examining whether targeted interventions can mitigate premature white matter aging. This study highlights the importance of integrating neuroimaging biomarkers into stroke risk assessment, paving the way for enhanced precision medicine approaches in cerebrovascular health.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 172
|
| Quiroz, Beatrice |
Starrett, Angela
Dmitrieva, Svetlana |
Teacher mobility: Do reasons for leaving contribute to different mobility decisions?
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Teacher mobility is an understudied factor in teacher shortages. Understanding teachers’ reasons for different mobility decisions (i.e., leaving the profession or moving to another school district) can inform policies to increase retention. This study used a subset of teacher data from a statewide exit survey collected from educators in South Carolina who left their positions at the end of the 2023-24 school year. The survey allowed exiting teachers to indicate the relative importance of different reasons for their mobility decisions from several categories, including personal reasons, job resources, job demands, and policy reasons. A logistic model analysis revealed that differences in teachers’ perceptions of personal reasons, reasons associated with job resources and demands, and policy reasons were associated with different mobility decisions. This model was statistically significantly better than the baseline at explaining mobility decisions [χ2(11)=130.421; p < 0.001]. A one-unit increase in the perceived importance of personal reasons was associated with a 0.51 factor decrease in the odds that a teacher left the profession. In other words, teachers were more likely to move to a different district than leave the profession entirely if they perceived the importance of personal reasons as higher. Similarly, teachers were more likely to move to a different district if they had higher perceptions of reasons associated with resources (OR = 0.48). This may indicate their motivation to seek better supports in other schools. A higher perception of reasons related to job demands, on the other hand, led to a higher likelihood of teachers leaving the profession entirely (OR = 1.48). Lastly, a one-unit increase in the perceived importance of policy reasons was associated with a 1.43 factor increase in the odds that a teacher left the profession. Thus, teachers were more likely to leave rather than move to a different district if they perceived the importance of leaving due to demands and policy reasons as higher. These results suggest the need to address aspects of working conditions that impact retention, namely those that involve job demands and policy circumstances.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 99
|
| Gaudin, Alexandra |
Norton, Duncan |
Getting to Know You, Improving Resident Physician Continuity Care of Patients in the Outpatient Setting
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Patients and their families tend to feel more comfortable knowing they have a physician who is familiar with them. Priority should be placed on scheduling patients with their primary care physician (PCP) in order to establish a consistent patient-physician relationship which has shown to improve outcomes1. The physician can build rapport and address concerns with the patient and family as the patient is seen for well and acute visits. Therefore, within the patient-physician relationship consideration must be given when creating methods to deliver certain improvement outcomes in preventive health maintenance and acute care utilization, which has been shown to improve with continuity of care2. Unmet medical needs also increase when the health care provider changes frequently2. Private clinics, both subspecialty and primary care, tend to prioritize continuity because the provider typically is more efficient and has more successful patient encounters. Patients often are more likely to voice satisfaction with the care provided if it is consistent. The interventions of this project were assessed qualitatively by surveys and quantitatively by comparing the EMR clinic schedule with the continuity logs maintained in the clinic office.
This project overall was helpful in identifying an area that needs improvement in the clinic, but the intervention utilized was only minimally useful.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 157
|
| Schmidt, Robert |
Sayers, Christina |
Designing My Future: From Engineering Principles to IT Solutions
View Full Text
Abstract Text
My academic journey began with structured calculations and infrastructure design, but as I progressed in civil engineering, I learned that my passion lay elsewhere. Transferring to the Integrated Information Technology (IIT) major was the defining moment that allowed me to transition to digital solution mindsets for network, security, and project management. By leveraging my engineering foundation, I adapted to the ever-changing field of IT, where precision, adaptability, and continuous improvement stand just as critical as they are in building design.
I developed my technical expertise through cybersecurity, cloud infrastructure, and Agile project management courses while refining my ability to navigate complex challenges. In my Capstone and Project management course, I applied Agile and methodologies to real-world projects, learning how iterative development drives innovation. I reinforced these concepts during my internship as a Disaster Recovery Technician. I was allowed to optimize workflows, build detailed disaster recovery plans, and configure cloud environments using Virtual Protection Groups (VPGs) for disaster failovers. Additionally, I took a deep dive into cybersecurity concepts while exploring the ethics and issues of AI during my student research at the Office of Naval Research (ONR).
Beyond the technical skills, my professional courses and experience as an IT Intern with Diversified Coating Systems gave me the confidence to combine business and technology. As I proceed to graduate with Leadership Distinction in Professional and Civic Engagement, I reflect on my journey which has transformed my skills and approach to solving problems within a business. By integrating what I learned in engineering in IT, I feel prepared to take on new challenges in the world of IT to build cutting-edge business and technical solutions.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 270
|
| khoshhal mollasaraei, zeinab |
Matchin, William |
Development of a Sentence Production Test Using Animated Stimuli for Aphasia Assessment
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Sentence production deficits pose a significant challenge for individuals with aphasia, as communication primarily occurs at the sentence level. Effective treatment requires identifying specific breakdowns in sentence production, which can occur at various stages, including message formulation, lexical retrieval, syntactic encoding, or articulatory planning. However, current assessment methods have notable limitations. Spontaneous speech tasks, such as story retelling, allow individuals to avoid complex structures, making it difficult to determine the underlying causes of errors. Conversely, constrained tasks, such as single-picture descriptions, often rely on metalinguistic prompts (e.g., arrows), introducing cognitive demands that may obscure true deficits.
This study introduces a novel animated sentence production test designed to systematically assess sentence construction by progressing from object and action naming to active and passive sentence formation using consistent lexical items. The test aims to identify breakdown points in sentence production while minimizing extralinguistic prompts, allowing for a clearer assessment of grammatical deficits. Additionally, it incorporates comprehension and repetition tasks for failed items, providing further diagnostic insight. The use of animated scenes enhances ecological validity, particularly for action naming. This preliminary study presents pilot data from eight healthy individuals and one person with aphasia, offering initial insights into the test's feasibility and potential clinical applications.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 56
|
| Cannistraci, Sarena |
Spence, Gina |
Creating a Sense of Community within the Classroom
View Full Text
Abstract Text
During my 2023 and 2024 fall semester I held the position of a University 101 Peer Leader. A University 101 Peer leader is a student mentor that assists the professor in teaching U101. A Peer Leader is a more approachable and familiar resource for students compared to the teacher in the classroom. When I started at USC in the fall of 2021, I did not know anyone or anything about the university. Because of how lost I felt, I decided to apply to be a Peer Leader so future students would have an easier transition than I did. In my role as a Peer Leader I prioritized fostering a sense of community in our classroom to make students feel more comfortable, as well as educating them on daily life on and off campus. We were able to create a comfortable environment by having daily check-ins, allowing students to share what was going on in their personal lives with the class, group projects, out of the classroom activities, and one-on-one check-ins. Creating a sense of community allowed students to feel more comfortable making friends, speaking to mentors and professors, and utilizing USC resources. While this role allowed me to be a helpful resource to my students, it also taught me how to use leadership skills to foster a sense of community among a group of strangers. These skills will be extremely influential in my upcoming career in the corporate world.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 314
|
| Winburn, Haley |
Li, Yangmei |
Design, Synthesis, and Identification of Novel Imidazothiazoles as Dual Inhibitors Targeting Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) and Tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase (TDO)
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Tryptophan (Trp) metabolism and kynurenine (Kyn) pathway abnormalities are associated with many pathological conditions such as inflammation, cancer, depression, chronic/neuropathic pain, neurodegeneration, HIV immune dysfunction, etc. The initial and rate-limiting step of the Kyn pathway is to transform Trp to N-formylkynurenine (NFK) through IDOs and TDO, followed by de-formylation of NFK to Kyn. IDO1 is highly expressed/activated in various types of tumor cells and the immune cells in tumor microenvironment; the elevated Kyn/Trp ratio is also detected in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from patients with neuroinflammation, who suffer from depression, chronic pain, and neurodegenerative diseases. Inhibiting the activities of IDO and/or TDO is therefore a potential strategy for the development of therapeutic agents for these diseases. To develop efficacious IDO and/or TDO inhibitors, we have designed and synthesized the novel compounds constituted of imidazothiazole and urea motifs. These compounds have been tested for their inhibitory activity against IDO1 and TDO using cellular based enzymatic activity assays. The results show that most of the compounds exhibited potent IDO1 inhibitory activity in cellular assay with an IC50 value lower than 5 μM, as well as moderately potent TDO inhibition with an IC50 value in the range of 10-20 μM. Thus, a novel scaffold exhibiting potent IDO1 inhibition as well as moderate TDO inhibition has been identified.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 55
|
| Thada, Shruthi |
|
Mast cells play a critical role in the induction of myeloid-derived suppressor cells by AhR ligands
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Background and Purpose: Under inflammatory conditions, suppressor immune cells are induced which migrate to the affected areas. It has been noted that transient activation of Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) with specific ligands also leads to a significant increase in highly immunosuppressive myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs). However, the mechanisms driving the induction and migration of these suppressor cells are not clear.
Methods: C57BL/6 mice, mast cell-deficient mice, and AhR-conditional KO mice were injected intraperitoneally with 2,3,7,8 -Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD, 10 μg/kg), 6-Formylindolo(3,2-b) carbazole (FICZ, 50 μg/kg), Indole-3-carbinol (I3C, 40mg/kg), or the vehicle, Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). Peritoneal exudate cells (PEC) were isolated for flow cytometric analysis, RT-PCR, and ScRNA sequencing.
Results: TCDD and FICZ but not I3C, induced high levels of MDSCs at the site of administration. Polymorphonuclear (PMN) MDSCs (CD45+, CD11b+, Gr-1+, Ly-6G+) were significantly upregulated in mice treated with TCDD and FICZ when compared to vehicle. The induction of MDSCs was significantly downregulated in mast cell-deficient and AhR-KO mice. Also, blocking CXCR2, a chemokine receptor, inhibited the induction of MDSCs. ScRNAseq of mouse PEC showed that TCDD suppressed the mature myeloid and lymphocyte cell population. Moreover, majority of differentially expressed genes (DEG), that were downregulated in TCDD-treated mice belonged to B cell clusters, indicating that TCDD induces the production of MDSCs by suppressing the lymphoid cell development. Other DEG such as Hif1a, S100a9, Il1b, Csf3r, Retnlg, Pf4 were significantly upregulated in MDSC clusters. Pathway analysis indicated that these genes play a key role in neutrophil chemotaxis and myeloid leukocyte migration, suggesting their involvement in the migration and suppressor activity of MDSCs.
Conclusion: Activation of AhR by high affinity ligands (TCDD, FICZ) led to massive induction of MDSCs bypassing the normal hematopoiesis process. The recruitment of MDSCs, at least in part, was regulated by the mast cells. Additionally, AhR activation led to the induction of CXC chemokines facilitating the migration of the MDSCs as well as acquiring the suppressor phenotypic characteristics (This work was supported in part by NIH grants R01ES030144, P01AT003961, P20GM103641, and R01AI123947, R01AI160896).
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 202
|
| Gmitro, Kaitlyn |
Fairey, Jessica |
DESIGNING A GENETICS-BASED BIBLIOTHERAPY MODEL FOR CHILDREN WITH INBORN ERRORS OF METABOLISM
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Bibliotherapy is a psychotherapy technique utilized to teach individuals about concepts through the use of literature and the arts. The primary aim of this research was to examine how a bibliotherapy model could be applied to improve diet and treatment adherence for people affected with Inborn Errors of Metabolism. Prior to this research, no paper has proposed a tailored bibliotherapy approach for genetic conditions. Through analysis of the caregiver-child relationship and disclosure process and the perceived support needs of both caregivers and providers caring for children with IEMS, our goal was to propose a bibliotherapy model to improve adherence and understanding in late elementary-aged children between the ages of 6 and 10. Twenty-two individuals were interviewed through a semi-structured, virtual interview approach. Of the twenty-two participants, five were affected adults, five were caregivers to those with an IEM, four were caregivers and affected adults, and two were providers serving those with IEMs. Thematic analysis was conducted on the interview transcripts; five themes emerged. These themes included discussion of 1) barriers to compliance, treatment, and/or care plan, 2) compliance, 3) resources and support, 4) difficult topics to discuss with children, teens, and adults, and 5) the psychological impact. By conducting this research, we have identified the desired concepts and information to be included in a bibliotherapy model for parents and their children with IEMs.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 57
|
| Dietrich, Abagail |
Weik, Terrance |
Archaeologies of Dispossession: An Analysis of Levi Colbert Prairie and the Relationships Between Native Chickasaw, Enslaved Africans, and Europeans
View Full Text
Abstract Text
It is well known that the lives and relationships of Indigenous Americans changed once Europeans and enslaved Africans landed in the Americas. To expand on this notion of change, Levi Colbert Prairie – a Mississippi farmstead of prominent Chickasaw leader Levi Colbert – is analyzed through a political and social framework. By looking at these relationships through the lens of critical race theory, we can develop a deeper understanding of the built environments, social spaces, and material adaptations of the Chickasaw as they were pushed out of Mississippi, and, in turn, their connections with the enslaved Africans who worked on the land. Stratigraphic examination of artifacts from LCP may lend insight into how these landscapes were altered in the face of changing social and economic positions, and the historic dispossession of these groups.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 9
|
| Chugh, Sarah |
Wood, Susan
Smiley, Cora |
Neuropeptide S Receptor Antagonism Heightens Stress-Related Hypervigilance in Female Rats
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Women undergo physiological changes throughout puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause which leave them vulnerable to a number of disorders including depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder. Compared to their male counterparts, women are twice as likely to experience one of these stress-related conditions in their lifetime, yet they are often grossly underrepresented in clinical trials investigating treatments for these disorders. Recent studies have identified the neuropeptide S (NPS) system as a key mechanism underlying stress-induced anxiety-related behavior, particularly in female rats. This previous research emphasizes the interaction between biological sex and the NPS system, with data suggesting that NPS receptor (NPSR) agonists have anxiolytic effects in non-stressed mice, influenced by the estrus cycle phase. However, the role of the NPS system in response to stress has not been thoroughly studied. The present study employed a strong social stressor, witness defeat stress (WS), in female rats administered the NPSR antagonist RTI-434 (10 mg/kg) 15 minutes prior to each five daily WS or non-stress control. Subsequent behavioral assessments were conducted to evaluate the rats' responses during exposure to WS-associated environmental cues and context (CXT), as well as their acoustic startle responses (ASR) in a drug-free state to assess the long-term behavioral effects of NPSR antagonism during stress exposure. Female rats exposed to WS exhibited anxiety-like behavior both during stress and in the subsequent behavioral assessments while antagonism of the NPSR (via RTI-434) during WS exposure led to an exacerbated stress response in these rats. Another key finding was that rats treated with RTI-434 also displayed an increase in ASR, surpassing both control rats and those exposed to WS with the vehicle treatment. Overall, these heightened stress responses suggest a sensitization related to NPSR antagonism during WS exposure. Further analysis of brain tissue from these rats is underway to pinpoint the specific areas in the brain where RTI-434 acts to drive these hypervigilant behaviors. Overall, these results highlight NPSR as a promising pharmacological target for addressing hypervigilant anxiety symptoms, particularly in females who exhibit heightened susceptibility to stress-related disorders, thereby offering potential therapeutic avenues.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 63
|
| Pantsari, Ansley |
Moran, Michael
Khodab, Allen |
“Prevention is Better than Cure”- Erasmus of Rotterdam and Colic.
View Full Text
Abstract Text
INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: The old adage that “Prevention is better than cure” comes to us from Desiderius Erasmus (c1466-1536), as do so many modern terms. Erasmus was a genius of the early Renaissance and resoundingly a proponent of education, peace, tolerance and professionalism.
METHODS: A review of all writings by and about Erasmus of Rotterdam were pursued and studied. Specifically searched were biographies and articles regarding his own medical maladies and suffering--especially regarding his kidney stones.
RESULTS: Desiderius Erasmus has been considered a genius of the Renaissance and a sufferer from both kidney stones and gout. He met and communicated with many physicians and developed his own theories about causation of stones and treatment of colic. Erasmus coined many phrases commonly employed in everyday use, such as Pandora’s box. However, his “prevention is better than cure” is most apt, since this most certainly failed in his own lifetime of suffering with renal colic.
CONCLUSIONS: Almost everyone politically enshrined in Erasmus’ lifetime wanted to attract the scholar to their control. He was determined to go solo, and he never was financially secure--he took the peripatetic pathway to constant movement from town-to-town and country to country. He was always attracted by scholars and printers, hence his great fondness for Sir Thomas More. He did see the famed physician, Paracelsus when he was junior physician and teaching in Basel at age 33. We do not know if he was prescribed the famed liquor alkahest.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 115
|
| Stiglbauer, Ada |
Keane-Dawes, Antony |
Leading with Purpose: Building Connections and Creating Impact
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Throughout my undergraduate journey at the Darla Moore School of Business, one of the most transformative beyond-the-classroom experiences has been my involvement with Young Life, where I have served as a leader, mentor, and community builder for high school students. This role challenged me to step outside my comfort zone, develop meaningful relationships, and foster an environment where students feel seen, valued, and encouraged.
Through Young Life, I have honed my leadership and communication skills by planning and facilitating weekly club meetings, organizing community outreach events, and mentoring students in both group and one-on-one settings. This experience has taught me the importance of authentic connection and servant leadership, shaping my ability to engage with diverse audiences and adapt to dynamic situations. It also reinforced my belief in the power of storytelling—whether in sharing personal experiences, crafting messages that resonate, or inspiring others to take action.
My presentation at Discover USC explores the concept of Meaningful Impact—how intentional relationship-building and service can create lasting, positive change. Young Life has not only shaped my leadership style but has also influenced my aspirations in marketing and economic development, where fostering genuine connections and understanding community needs are essential for success.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 293
|
| Eliasof, Abbe |
Li, Yangmei |
Conformational Plasticity Helps CycloAnt to Penetrate Blood-Brain Barrier to Produce Safe Analgesia Mediated by Opioid Receptors
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Current prescription pain medications are primarily morphinan-based opioid alkaloids which produce efficacious analgesia mediated by selective activation of the mu-opioid receptor (MOR). Unfortunately, they are associated with harmful side effects including respiratory depression, tolerance, dependence and abuse. In the endogenous opioid system, endogenous opioid peptides work together to alleviate pain without producing adverse effects, which differs dramatically from the small-molecule opioid pain medications. Owing to their unique physiochemical properties, peptides may provide some advantages over small molecules in the context of safe and anon=addictive opioid analgesia. To develop peptides as safe opioid analgesics, we have designed and synthesized a mixture-based cyclic pentapeptide library containing a total of 24,624 pentapeptides. Phenotypic screening and deconvolution of the library using a 55 °C warm-water tail-withdrawal assay identified a novel cyclic peptide Tyr-[D-Lys-Dap(Ant)-Thr-Gly] (CycloAnt) which acts as a MOR agonist/DOR antagonist in mice and produces CNS-mediated antinociception 4-fold more potent than morphine without significant side effects compared to morphine. It permeated the brain with a brain -to-blood-ratio of 1:7.3 (11.5%). Conformational plasticity study shows CycloAnt behaves as a chameleonic peptide, adopting an open conformation in water and a closed conformation with all amide NH’s locked in intramolecular hydrogen bonding in the less polar solvent DMSO. This chameleonic property may help it to permeate the BBB.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 22
|
| Gourville, Jordan |
Lipnoga, Megan |
How GIS and Environmental Planning Shape Disaster Response
View Full Text
Abstract Text
While taking Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GEOG363), I developed a deeper understanding of how GIS plays a critical role in decision-making, particularly in human safety and environmental planning. GIS is more than a mapping tool—it is a method for analyzing spatial relationships, tracking environmental changes, and improving resource management. Learning to use ArcGIS Pro and ArcGIS Online expanded my perspective on how technology enhances public safety and sustainability efforts.
This knowledge was reinforced during my time as a Hurricane Planning & GIS Intern with the South Carolina Emergency Management Division. I worked with state partners to modernize the Hurricane Evacuation Plan for South Carolina, providing critical guidance to citizens during emergencies. Analyzing thousands of behavioral survey responses and using GIS platforms to model potential hurricane impacts, I saw firsthand how spatial data informs life-saving decisions. Additionally, I created detailed storm surge, population demographic, and evacuation zone maps, ensuring communities had essential information to prepare for disasters.
One of the most eye-opening aspects of my internship was seeing how GIS enables proactive disaster planning. I created storm surge maps for each coastal county, allowing planners to develop evacuation strategies before hurricanes hit. By analyzing historical data and predicting flood risks, emergency teams can allocate resources efficiently, reducing property damage and saving lives.
Beyond emergency response, GIS has far-reaching applications in environmental consulting, a field I am strongly considering. GIS allows professionals to assess environmental risks, develop sustainable land-use plans, and monitor ecosystem changes. Whether tracking deforestation, mapping wetlands, or designing resilient urban landscapes, GIS provides the insights needed to balance development with environmental responsibility. My coursework and internship reinforced that GIS is not just a technical skill, it is a bridge between data and action in solving real-world challenges.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 284
|
| Stephens, Ava |
Mellichamp, Michelle
Ellis, Pamela |
A College Experience Should Build Character and Confidence
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Being in a new environment with new people is always nerve-wracking, especially freshman year of college. I was your typical “only being on campus when I had class” and “would only speak when spoken to” student. That all changed going into my sophomore year when I became involved with two campus offices.
Going into summer, I worked for the Switchboard position in the Dean’s Office at the University of South Carolina Lancaster. The Switchboard position requires me to be friendly, flexible, and ready to face anything. I answer the campus phone and transfer the individual to whomever they need to speak with. I also organize outgoing and incoming mail to the school. Working in the Dean’s Office allows me to work hand in hand with the campus Dean and help in any way I can. This position allowed me to also work in the Academic and Student Affairs Office as a student worker. This position is very similar to an office receptionist. I was required to answer phone calls, answer questions, schedule academic appointments for students, and run errands.
Being a student worker in these two departments helped me learn life skills. Always showing up to work with a smile on your face has a huge impact on your day and your communication with others. This promotes a positive environment and allows everyone to feel supported and heard. I also learned that being afraid should not hold you back but make you more ambitious. If I never had interviewed for a student worker position, then I never would have felt comfortable and social while being on campus. I can relate virtue ethics with my positions in both departments. Virtue Ethics is spotlighting a role of character and virtue in moral philosophy rather than acting to bring about good consequences. Being a student worker on campus during college has encouraged me to be a positive and outspoken individual. I can say with confidence that these opportunities truly shaped me into a team player and a great employee.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 252
|
Sheth, Karina
Kaszuba, Kay |
Norozi, Mojtaba
Hogan, Abigail |
Baseline Heart Activity Differences in Autistic Children, Children with Fragile X Syndrome, and Neurotypical Peers
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by communication difficulties and restrictive and repetitive behaviors (1). It is estimated that 1 in 36 children have been diagnosed with ASD in the United States with the average age of diagnosis ranging from 38 to 120 months (2,3). Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) is a monogenic condition, linked to a mutation on FMR1 gene on the X chromosome, characterized by intellectual disability and behavioral issues (4). It is estimated to affect approximately 1 in 7,000 males and 1 in 11,000 females (4). The autonomic nervous system (ANS) plays a role in emotion regulation in stressful or challenging situations by balancing the sympathetic nervous and parasympathetic nervous systems (5). Previous studies indicated ANS dysfunction in autistic individuals and individuals with FXS, highlighting overall hyperarousal in these populations (6,7). Heart activity, as a physiological indicator of the ANS, is associated with psychological conditions, such as anxiety disorders (6). However, much remains to be understood about heart activity in both autistic children and children with FXS. Early identification of physiological differences in these populations may lead to early interventions, potentially improving behavioral and communication outcomes later in life. Therefore, the current study aims to explore potential differences in baseline heart activity among autistic children, children with FXS, and neurotypical children.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 143
|
| Hanson, Andrew |
Knight, Travis |
Radiation Shielding Modeling and Analysis of a Wireless Sensor for Spent Nuclear Fuel Storage
View Full Text
Abstract Text
The focus of this project was to evaluate the survivability of a wireless sensor in the high-radiation environment of spent nuclear fuel (SNF) storage. This study was part of a larger effort in collaboration with Westinghouse Electric Company (WEC), the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), and the University of South Carolina (USC) to implement wireless sensors in dry cask storage without introducing penetrations that could lead to the escape of fission products. These sensors are intended to monitor the internal environment within the cask, providing critical data on conditions such as temperature and pressure, which are important to understanding the risks and quality of the canister. It is therefore necessary to take into consideration the impact that radiating particles like neutrons and gamma rays have on the instrumentation. Radiation shielding analysis was performed using the MCNP (Monte Carlo N-Particle) transport code to ensure the reliability of such a sensor within a canister radiation environment. This code is used for simulating the behavior of particles, such as neutrons and photons as they interact with matter. The sensor was modeled and an irradiated environment was simulated to determine the amount of radiation dose imparted to the sensor’s internal components. Various shielding methods were evaluated to determine the optimal solution to prevent the sensor from failing due to radiation damage. The shielding effectiveness was benchmarked against irradiation testing data provided by WEC to verify that the proposed designs would mitigate radiation damage and maintain reliability over long-term deployment. It was discovered that a sheath of tungsten carbide proved to be the best candidate for reducing the dosage received by the sensor. This information supports the deployment of wireless sensors in these long-term storage environments, furthering a physical understanding of the array of spent fuel assemblies as well as improving safety by minimizing risk of exposure.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 73
|
| Jerzmanowski, Jakub |
Valafar, Homayoun
Raynor, Phyllis |
Medication Taking Gesture Detection with Accelerometer Data from Smartwatch in Long Time Bouts
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Medication adherence is critical for individuals in long-term substance use disorder treatment, particularly pregnant women with opioid use disorder (OUD). Self-reporting is often unreliable, creating challenges for clinicians optimizing medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD). This study explores the use of deep learning and wearable accelerometer data from smartwatches to detect medication-taking gestures in real-world settings. Building on prior research that achieved an 81% F1 score in distinguishing liquid and sublingual MOUD intake, we aim to refine the model's accuracy and extend detection to long-duration activity monitoring. By embedding short medication-taking gestures into day-long activity data, we will train and evaluate models to recognize MOUD intake within daily contexts. This research has the potential to enhance patient engagement, improve clinician decision-making, and contribute to the broader field of sensor-based health monitoring.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 84
|
| Nasiri, Neekan |
Newman-Norlund, Roger |
Asymmetrical Involvement of the Dorsal Lateral Prefrontal Cortex in Depression
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Depression is a significant public health concern, particularly in South Carolina. Understanding the neurobiological underpinnings of depression is essential for developing more targeted and effective interventions for this debilitating disorder. The dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), particularly in the left hemisphere, plays a crucial role in mood regulation and cognitive control and has been implicated in the pathophysiology of depression. In the current study, we evaluated the relationship between cortical thickness (a reliable biomarker for brain health) in the DLPFC and depressive symptoms in a healthy sample of 30 elderly women recruited as part of the Aging Brain Cohort (ABC@USC) Study at the University of South Carolina. Depressive symptoms were measured using the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) scale. MRI metrics of cortical thickness were calculated based on T1w brain scans obtained from each participant using a 3T Prisma Fit MRI Scanner located at the McCausland Center for Brain Imaging. Specifically, cortical thickness measurements for left and right DLPFC were computed using the volBrain parcellation algorithm (volbrain.net). Surprisingly, Spearman's rank correlation coefficient analysis revealed a significant correlation between depressive symptoms and cortical thickness in the right, but not left, DLPFC (Spearman's rho = -0.45, p < 0.05), indicating that greater depressive symptoms were associated with cortical thinning of the right DLPFC. This unexpected result highlights the complex relationship between depression and brain health. The observed asymmetry may reflect underlying differences in the functional specialization of the left and right DLPFC in emotion regulation and cognitive control processes. Alternatively, it may indicate a compensatory mechanism, whereby the right DLPFC undergoes greater cortical thinning in response to changes in the left DLPFC. Understanding the neurobiological mechanisms of depressive symptomology in preclinical cases is crucial for developing more targeted preventative interventions for depression that take into account the asymmetrical involvement of the DLPFC. Future research should further investigate the role of cortical thickness in the development and progression of depression across time.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 144
|
| Baus, Kristina |
Nolan, Melissa
Meyer, Madeleine |
The Role of Secondary Tick Vectors in the Evolution of Rickettsia parkeri in South Carolina
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Tickborne diseases pose a significant and growing public health challenge in the United States of America, accounting for up to 95% of all reported vector-borne disease cases annually. Among these, Rickettsia parkeri, a spotted fever group rickettsiosis, has emerged as a key concern, with the Gulf Coast tick (Amblyomma maculatum) recognized as the primary vector. However, recent studies suggest that the lone star tick (Amblyomma americanum), may also serve as a secondary vector, potentially influencing the pathogen’s evolution, selection pressure, and transmission dynamics. Therefore, the primary objective of this research study is to investigate the role secondary tick vectors play in the genomic evolution of the bacteria R. parkeri.
This study analyzed previously collected tick samples from various public health regions, focusing on the presence of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within key intergenic regions of R. parkeri. Overall, a total of 76 A. maculatum and 18 A. americanum ticks were screened for R. parkeri using qPCR, with confirmation through Illumina amplicon sequencing and target enrichment methods. This approach validated the presence of R. parkeri in both species while also enabling the analysis of genetic diversity between strains. Similarly, phylogenetic analysis provided key insights into the evolutionary divergence between strains found in both primary and secondary vectors, addressing a critical gap in understanding pathogen evolution, vector competence, and transmission potential.
By elucidating the role of the secondary vector, A. americanum in changing R. parker ecology, this research will contribute to broader epidemiological frameworks for tickborne disease surveillance and control. These findings may have significant implications for vector management strategies and public health interventions, particularly as climate and environmental factors drive shifts in tick populations and pathogen distribution. As R. parkeri continues to expand beyond its historically endemic regions, understanding secondary vectors' contributions to its evolution is crucial in mitigating future outbreaks and refining predictive disease models.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 158
|
| Morehouse, Casey |
Tribble, James |
A Rare Spotlight on Primary Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Breast
View Full Text
Abstract Text
A 66 year old female presented to the general surgery clinic for evaluation of a rapidly enlarging left breast mass following acute trauma to the area several months prior. The patient had originally been evaluated by the gynecologist who had ordered a diagnostic mammogram and ultrasound showing a BIRADS 4C mass in the left breast. Of note, there was no axillary adenopathy clinically or radiographically. The following core needle biopsy demonstrated squamous cell carcinoma of the breast and the included hormone receptor testing was negative. She was presented at a multidisciplinary tumor board and a PET CT was recommended. This demonstrated no other primary or metastatic disease. The patient was classified with metaplastic triple negative clinical stage IIB disease (cT2N0M0) and neoadjuvant KEYNOTE therapy was initiated. After long discussion in clinic, she opted for bilateral mastectomy and sentinel lymph node biopsy. The patient’s final pathology demonstrated well-differentiated primary squamous cell carcinoma breast measuring 6 x 6 x 5cm with negative margins. The three lymph nodes obtained were negative for disease. The patient was re-classified as pT3N0M0 (stage IIB disease). Given the rarity of the diagnosis, the specimen has been sent to Duke Cancer Institute, NCCN Member Institute, for pathologic confirmation.
Discussion:
Primary SCC of the breast is a rare entity encompassing less than 1% of all breast cancers. It is considered an aggressive subtype of breast cancer with poor prognosis. As with most rare pathologies, there is scarce literature surrounding primary SCC of the breast and little is known about how to manage this disease. We hope our case, which demonstrates an unusual presentation of primary SCC of the breast, will add to the existing literature and broaden the differential for practitioners who regularly evaluate breast masses.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 129
|
| Amin, Bhavya Roopalkumar |
Wang, Xuewen |
Effects of Cumulative Sleep Restriction and Recovery on Physical Function Parameters: Study Design
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Background:
Sleep has been identified as a significant factor influencing the quality of life, even when diet, stress, and exercise are typically managed. Sleep significantly impacts quality of life, influencing physical functioning and cognitive abilities. Partial sleep deprivation can lead to decreased alertness and increased fatigue. However, the cumulative sleep restriction on physical performance remains unclear. It is also unknown whether recovery sleep following sleep restriction can “recover” physical performance. This study aims to explore how cumulative partial sleep deprivation and subsequent recovery affect physical performance.
Methods:
A sample of healthy participants (n=20) aged 18-35 years will be recruited. They must self-report regular sleep patterns without diagnosed sleep disorders. The study follows a three-phase protocol:
- Phase 1 (baseline): Participants will undergo physical function tests after three nights of normal sleep (> 7 hours per night).
- Phase 2 (sleep restriction): Participants will be instructed to reduce 90 minutes of sleep from their baseline level per night for five consecutive nights. Physical function assessments will be conducted after three and after five nights of restricted sleep.
- Phase 3 (recovery sleep): Participants will be allowed to sleep freely for two days. A final physical function assessment will take place at the end of this phase to determine if physical function has been restored.
Throughout the study, participants will wear an ActiGraph device to track their sleep patterns and will complete daily sleep logs and questionnaires assessing their subjective sleepiness.
Physical function assessments will include:
Aerobic capacity: VO2 Max;
Functional test: stair climb test, Time up and Go test, 6 Minute Walk Test;
Balance and Flexibility: single leg stance & Sit reach test;
Strength: squat test and handgrip strength; and Wingate (anaerobic test), choice reaction time test and T- test (agility and co-ordination).
Power estimation: Assuming a correlation of 0.65 among repeated measures, the sample size of 20 allows to detect a difference between two conditions of medium effect size with 72% power at a significance level of 0.05.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 79
|
Schar, Braden
Turnley, Katherine |
Jackson III, Benjamin |
The Effects of Distance, Race, Socioeconomic Status, and Insurance Coverage on Patient Compliance with Outpatient Physical Therapy Following ACL Reconstructive Surgery
View Full Text
Abstract Text
The aim of this study is to identify and evaluate disparities with respect to ACL reconstructive surgery with subsequent physical therapy participation in regards to race, socioeconomic status, and proximity to clinics. There is evidence of disparities with ACL injury, treatment, and outcomes of athletes, however, our study will focus on disparities within postoperative patients within the Prisma healthcare system. This retrospective study will analyze pooled data from Prisma health from February 1, 2021, through December 31, 2022. A hypothesis will be constructed aimed at identifying disparities in relation to participation in physical therapy. Odds ratio analysis will be utilized to test the hypothesis controlling for confounding variables in respect to each disparity measured.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 183
|
| Bryson, Lewandoski |
Rhodes, Morgan
Bean, Lawrence |
Evaluation and Analysis of a Professional Continuous Glucose Monitoring Program at a Family Medicine Clinic
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Approximately 11.3% of the U.S. population has diabetes. Continuous glucose monitor (CGM) systems help manage diabetes and provide more efficient and less demanding monitoring. CGM's provide real-time tissue glucose levels along with CGM-specific data that can be utilized to create individualized treatment plans to achieve better glycemic control. Evidence on the effectiveness of an interprofessional experience on educating family medicine residents on how to utilize and interpret CGM's is lacking. An interdisciplinary CGM clinic that consists of CGM placement and interpretation visits was started at a Family Medicine Clinic (FMC) in February 2022 by pharmacists with family medicine residents as well as medical students integrated into it. This study aims to assess the clinical, education, and financial impact of a CGM service on patients and learners.
The study is a single-center, retrospective, cohort study. Participants included CGM clinic patients between February 2022 and December 2024 as well as the clinic's family medicine residents. Patients were excluded if they did not attend the CGM interpretation visit. Statistical analysis was achieved using descriptive statistics, Chi-squared, or Fisher's exact for continuous or categorical data as appropriate.
Between the first 2 rounds of data collection, the average A1c reduction was comparable between the 2 groups at 1.3% and 1.4%, respectively. Additionally, there was a statistically significant increase in diabetes preventative care/screenings compared to baseline.
After patient's were seen in the interdisciplinary CGM clinic, patients continued to experience an average reduction in their A1c of 1.4%, which is comparable to being on metformin (monotherapy), GLP-1 agonists. Compared to the initial data collection period, the average A1c reduction was the same, indicating consistency and reliability of the intervention throughout the years. When it came to preventative screenings, there was a statistically significant increase after participating in the CGM clinic. This has a meaningful impact on our community because of the zip code's high prevalence of diabetes and associated complications compared to the nation.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 163
|
| Freeman, Andrew |
Sides, Andrew
Elliott, Samuel
Mason, Ashley |
ASYMPTOMATIC PARATHYROID CARCINOMA: A RARE CASE.
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Parathyroid carcinoma is an extremely uncommon endocrine malignancy, with reported cases only being in the hundreds. Furthermore, patients who present asymptomatically only make up 2-30% of these cases. In this case, a 61 year old African American female with no routine care presented to the ED with a chief complaint of right knee pain. Routine metabolic panel at admission revealed significant hypercalcemia, with further investigation uncovering unquantifiably elevated parathyroid hormone levels. Subsequent imaging was supportive of a large parathyroid carcinoma. Her initial stabilizing treatment consisted of IV calcitonin, PO cinacalcet, and maintenance IVF. Definitive treatment with right thyroid lobectomy with parathyroidectomy was achieved on day 8 of admission. Patient had postoperative renal dysfunction that required extended LOS, and she was discharged on day 17 of admission. Our case highlights the importance of a broad differential and thorough work up of unexplained hypercalcemia. While the pathology is exceedingly rare, it is readily identifiable with proper evaluation, leading us to consider how various social determinants of health may affect detection of this malignancy.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 130
|
| Ledford, Emma |
Lipinoga, Meghan |
Digital Dentistry
View Full Text
Abstract Text
As I progressed through my academic journey, I discovered that my passion for dentistry is deeply rooted in scientific curiosity and a genuine desire to help others. My degree in biomedical engineering has provided me with a solid foundation in engineering principles and their applications to dental tools and equipment. This became particularly evident during my second semester of senior year when I had the opportunity to take a course titled Modeling and Simulation of Biomedical Systems (BMEN 411). This class focused on modeling and designing human anatomy to create prosthetics. I learned to use a modeling software called CREO Parametric, which enabled me to 3D print my designs. I learned about the importance of integration of biomedical engineering principles with dental practice and the importance of proper equipment and workflow in dental care. Working with 3D modeling software in class and applying that knowledge at Hillcrest Dental Office has deepened my understanding of digital dentistry and its real-world applications. Modeling a tapered molar implant has shaped my approach to patient care by integrating cutting-edge technology, enhancing patient outcomes, and equipping me with essential skills—such as advanced diagnostic abilities, improved dexterity, and effective problem-solving—that I will continue to refine in dental school as I prepare to contribute to the rapidly evolving field of digital dentistry.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 285
|
| Blake, Chesley |
Pittman, Douglas |
Discovering Drug-Like Compounds by Targeting Protein Interactions Using a Yeast-3-Hybrid System
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Traditional drug therapies often target a limited number of conserved sites, such as ATP-binding regions. However, the use of these sites often leads to off-target toxicity in both malignant and normal cells, limiting therapeutic specificity. Current research on non-ATP inhibitors can identify more effective drug targets that promote selective apoptosis, specifically in cancer cells. This study is using yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) as a model system to investigate protein interactions and design specific peptides with the intention to disrupt interactions specific to cancer cells. The objective of this project is to detect interactions between retinoblastoma (RB1) and human Cyclin A (CCNA2) in Yeast-2-Hybrid (Y2H) and Yeast-3-Hybrid (Y3H) systems. CCNA2 and RB1 were cloned into two different expression vectors, pGBK and pGAD. Once the CCNA2-RB1 interaction is detected using the activation of reporter genes in a Y2H system, a third plasmid that encodes for the amino acid sequence HAKRRLIF will be introduced. This peptide sequence was previously demonstrated to disrupt the CCNA2-RB1 interaction in vitro, so the expectation is that it will disrupt the protein-protein interaction in the Y3H system as well. Following this proof of principle, an oligo/peptide library will be generated to develop a high-throughput screen for disruption of any combination of protein interactions. Promising candidates will be converted into peptide-mimetic compounds. Then, the inhibitory drug-like compounds will be optimized into pharmaceutically relevant compounds using REPLACE (Replacement with Partial Ligand Alternatives through Computational Enrichment) technology. Using the Y3H system, drug-like compounds can be developed with the ability to disrupt protein interactions specific to cancer cells.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 32
|
| Wade, Dallas |
O'Reilly, Christian
Anis, Sabah |
Effects of Tiered Noise Reduction Techniques on Contour Detection
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Rodent ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) offer critical insights into communication, behavior, and neurological preclinical research. However, automated detection remains challenging due to high variability in call structure and background noise. ContourUSV is a software designed at our lab to automate this process. This study aims to enhance the performance of this system by adding to its USV detection pipeline a robust denoising step relying on single signal unmixing techniques (e.g., Non-Negative Matrix Factorization, Independant Component Analysis) followed by adaptive thresholding of the spectrogram.
The signal unmixing algorithms are applied directly to unprocessed spectrograms, enabling unsupervised feature extraction and denoising without the need for predefined filters. We hope this method will enhance signal separation, preserving subtle call features while reducing environmental noise. To further refine detection, we implement adaptive thresholding techniques, optimizing binarization to improve segment accuracy. Although the process to integrate signal unmixing is ongoing, preliminary results for adding adaptive thresholding increased the f1 score of ContourUSV from .39 to .60 on the USVSEG Gerbil dataset, from 25 to .51 on the USVSEG mouse_C57BL dataset, and from .24 to .38 on the USVSEG Mouse_B6Pup dataset. Adaptive thresholding showed an average increase of precision by .25 and recall by .13 across the above datasets. The adaptive thresholding method also maintained an f1 score of .97 when ran on the USVSEG Rat_Distressed Dataset.
Our study hopes to demonstrate that the integration of signal unmixing and adaptive thresholding to the preprocessing improves USV differentiation, especially in recordings with high noise levels. Our preliminary results show adaptive thresholding refines call detection by dynamically adjusting to frequency and amplitude variations within the data, reducing false positives and missed detections. Collectively, these improvements are expected to enhance the scalability, robustness, and accuracy of USV analysis, positioning ContourUSV as a more powerful tool for behavioral neuroscience research. In future work, we will complete our analysis of denoising through signal unmixing and benchmark its effect of USV detection.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 74
|
| Galley, Cameron |
Mann, Emily |
Prenatal Testing: Perceptions of Risk among Nulliparous Women of Advanced Maternal Age
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Objectives: Since the 1970s, age 35 has been designated as the cut-point for categorizing advanced maternal age (AMA) as a risk factor for genetic anomalies in pregnancy. In recent years, biomedical advances in prenatal testing have transformed the landscape of options for pregnant AMA women. This study examined how women who had their first birth at AMA rationalized the decision whether to utilize prenatal testing, including non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) and diagnostic testing (i.e., chorionic villus sampling [CVS] and amniocentesis).
Study design: This qualitative study involved individual interviews with 43 mothers who had a first birth at age 35 or older. The semi-structured interviews explored their experiences with pregnancy, including prenatal care and decision-making about testing options. We thematically analyzed the data using a combination of deductive and inductive approaches.
Results: Participants typically utilized screening testing (i.e., NIPT) but not diagnostic testing (i.e., amniocentesis and CVS) during the first trimester of pregnancy. While most participants completed NIPT, some participants who achieved pregnancy via in vitro fertilization (IVF) opted out because of prior preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) for aneuploidy. Participants primarily rejected diagnostic testing because they felt confident in the NIPT results and/or PGT results and feared the possibility of miscarriage associated with diagnostic testing.
Conclusion: Technological advancements in prenatal testing as well as PGT among IVF users are reshaping how pregnant AMA patients perceive risk, which in turn influences their decision-making about testing during pregnancy. Understanding how pregnant AMA patients make decisions based on their perceptions of reproductive risk and related factors will aid medical professionals, including clinicians and genetic counselors, in providing person-centered care that is sensitive to patient autonomy.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 7
|
| Kondrikova, Marina |
Hudac, Caitlin
Cramer-Benjamin, Sophie
Cheever, Ashlan |
Determining the Ability of a Novel Emotion Regulation Paradigm to Elicit Regulatory Strategies and Behaviors in Children with Neurodevelopmental Delay
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Marina Kondrikova, Sophie Cramer-Benjamin, Ashlan C., Caitlin Hudac
Undergraduate University of South Carolina
Disruptive mutations in the SETBP1 gene are associated with developmental delays, intellectual disability (ID), autism, motor apraxia of speech, ADHD and have reported difficulties with emotion regulation (ER; Morgan, 2021; Oyler et al., 2024) There are currently no existing paradigms designed to measure brain responses during emotional regulation for people with speech delays and/or intellectual disability. We created a paradigm to elicit frustration in this sample while recording electroencephalography (EEG), modified from existing work with autistic children (Day, 2022 et al.). The purpose of this ongoing study is to examine the validity and acceptability of the paradigm in its ability to elicit frustration while not [maintaining the capacity to measure emotion regulation] participants. In this paradigm participants played with a preferred toy for one minute (block 1), then the toy was withdrawn for one minute (block 2) and given back for another minute (block 3). Instances of social and [non-social] behaviors in 5 second intervals were coded to empirically determine if this task successfully induced regulatory behaviors in this population. We plan to compare the number of behaviors in block one (playing with the toy) to block two (toy removed, still face). We predict that participants will show more counts of frustration in block two compared to block one. We hope these findings in this study will be important to better understanding these populations that have few studies that work well specifically with non-speaking populations.
References
Day , T., Mazefsky, C., & Wetherby, A. (2022). Characterizing difficulties with emotion regulation in toddlers with autism spectrum disorder. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Morgan A, Srivastava S, Duis J, et al. SETBP1 Haploinsufficiency Disorder. 2021 Nov 18 [Updated 2024 May 9]. In: Adam MP, Feldman J, Mirzaa GM, et al., editors. GeneReviews® [Internet]. Seattle (WA): University of Washington, Seattle; 1993-2025. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK575336/
Oyler HO, Hudac CM, Chung WK, Green Synder L, Robertson S, Srivastava S, Geye T. SETBP1 haploinsufficiency and related disorders clinical and neurobehavioral phenotype study. Clin Genet. 2024 Oct;106(4):448-461. doi: 10.1111/cge.14579. Epub 2024 Jun 26. PMID: 38923504.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 179
|
| Brooks, Courtney |
Mann, Emily |
Clinician Perspectives on the Risks Associated with Advanced Maternal Age among Pregnant Nulliparous Women in the United States
View Full Text
Abstract Text
The United States is experiencing a demographic transition toward older motherhood. Biomedicine classifies pregnancies among all women of advanced maternal age (AMA) as high-risk; however, women having first births at AMA are more likely to experience protective social factors, which can reduce the risk of risks. This study, which is drawn from a larger research project on the biomedicalization of advanced maternal age, uses interviews with 12 clinicians who provide obstetric care to pregnant women of AMA to explore how they perceive and medically manage risk in this patient population. Thematic analysis reveals that clinicians make substantive distinctions about the risk profiles of their pregnant AMA patients based on whether they are age 35 to 39 or age 40 and older, have good baseline health, and are having a first birth. Clinicians were more likely to recommend induction of labor at 39 weeks’ gestation to mitigate stillbirth risk among patients age 40 and over but some sought to provide person-centered care that prioritized patient autonomy despite the possibility of selected adverse birth outcomes. Our findings suggest that there is inconsistency in how clinicians communicate with their patients about AMA risk vis-à-vis clinical guidance and that clinical guidance regarding the age 35 cut-point for classifying pregnancies at advanced maternal age as high-risk could benefit from revision.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 164
|
| White, Caitlyn |
Wilson, Marlene
Ford-Kaigler, Kris |
Individual Differences in the Effects of a Muscarinic Antagonist on Cued Fear Recall and Fear Extinction
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Caitlyn White, Kris F. Kaigler, Marlene A. Wilson
Department of Pharmacology, Physiology & Neuroscience, University of South Carolina School of Medicine-Columbia
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is characterized by an inability to extinguish fear after experiencing a traumatic event. The cholinergic system shows increased activity during fear learning and extinction, suggesting a role for cholinergic transmission in PTSD. Our lab has previously found that rats can be divided into extinction resistant (ER) and extinction competent (EC) phenotypes, with ER representing a PTSD-like phenotype. While women are more likely to develop PTSD, there is limited literature on the cholinergic system and recall of cued fear or extinction in female rats. This study tested the hypothesis that like males, ER and EC female rats differ in cholinergic tone during extinction learning. In order to investigate these sex differences, female rats were first conditioned with three tone-shock pairings. Rats were given the muscarinic antagonist scopolamine (1.0 mg/kg, i.p.) or vehicle (saline) 30 minutes prior to assessing cued fear recall and extinction learning with twenty tone (cue) presentations. Based on freezing during the last ten tones of extinction learning, rats were divided into EC and ER groups. Rats treated with scopolamine were found to have decreased freezing compared to the control (vehicle treated) group (P=0.001) during cued fear recall and extinction learning, suggesting scopolamine reduced cued fear recall. Extinction Competent rats also showed lower freezing compared to the ER group (P=0.0010). EC rats treated with scopolamine showed significantly lower freezing than ER scopolamine rats (P=0.0002), or either vehicle group, during the first five tone presentations. After extinction recall testing, rats were euthanized and plasma acetylcholinesterase activity was assayed, although activity did not differ between extinction phenotypes or between drug treatment groups. These results suggest that female rats showed decreased recall of cued fear when treated with scopolamine. This effect was greater in the EC group compared to the ER group, suggesting that cholinergic tone may differ between ER and EC phenotypes.
[Support: VA Merit I01BX001374 (MAW); Mini-Magellan Grant and SC Honors College Research Grant (CW)]
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 33
|
| Meneilly, Kaylin |
Spence, Gina |
Learning New Skills Abroad
View Full Text
Abstract Text
During the spring break of my freshman year, my fellow volunteers and I set up a clinic in Guatemala with the purpose of providing free healthcare to Guatemalan citizens. Our work in the clinic involved taking patients’ medical histories and vital signs, performing physical exams, and communicating with doctors to come up with diagnoses and treatment plans. As a public health major at the University of South Carolina and a future healthcare worker, my volunteer trip provided me with my first direct patient care experience. This experience allowed me to achieve professional and academic goals that I had set for myself. Throughout my experience in the Guatemalan clinic, I learned how to think critically, put cultural competency at the forefront of my medical knowledge, and communicate effectively. My presentation will discuss the insights I gained through this experience and how they have helped me through the rest of my time at the University of South Carolina and as a future anesthesiologist assistant.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 229
|
| Martin, Claire |
Spence, Gina |
My Two-Week Journey Through Belgium and France: Cultural Immersion, Culinary Exploration, and Global Perspectives
View Full Text
Abstract Text
My journey through Brussels, Antwerp, and Paris was not just an academic experience. It was an immersive journey that broadened my understanding of the economic impact of global markets. As an international business major, this trip bolstered my coursework through providing an intimate look into the interconnectedness of commerce, culture, and consumer behavior. This trip transformed my perspective and deepened my appreciation for global market strategies. The insights gained will shape my future as an international business professional.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 230
|
| Wenzel, William |
Le, Helen |
From Peer to Leader: Key Lessons Learned During My Time in Student Government
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Throughout my time in college, I've had many opportunities to learn and find engagement on campus, but none that have taught me more than my time in student government. Joining late my sophomore year, I found myself eager to find an opportunity that would help me grow into a stronger leader and speaker. That leap--running for student senate—led me to eventually joining and becoming Chair of the finance committee, where I've since assisted in the allocation of roughly $500,000 to various student organizations.
I have grown more confident in presenting information to my peers as I drafted countless bills to allocate that money. I created a subcommittee tasked with the rewriting of the codes to facilitate better student understanding and eliminate unnecessary processes.
I have made some of my strongest connections within my time in student government and have made countless efforts to continue my legacy for future leaders. This opportunity has taught me what it means to lead a group of my peers, and to create sustainable change where it matters most. I have met strong people that have taught me that the key to communication as a leader is to create a space where those around you feel comfortable and included. This experience has given me a space to learn how to be more confident in myself, in leading others, and expressing disagreement that will carry forward strongly in both my personal and professional lives.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 302
|
Slobodin, Jolie
Kraus, Emily |
Will, Elizabeth |
Age Equivalent Score Comparison for the Bayley and Mullen Protocols in Developmental Assessments
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Developmental assessments are critical for identifying delays in early childhood, particularly for children with neurodevelopmental concerns. The Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development (Bayley) and the Mullen Scales of Early Learning (Mullen) are two widely used measures for assessing cognitive and developmental progress in children. While both scales are designed to measure similar domains of development, there is limited research comparing the age equivalent scores derived from these two protocols. This study aims to explore the relationship between the age equivalent scores from the Bayley and Mullen protocols to evaluate their consistency and predictive validity in assessing developmental delays. The purpose of this study is to compare the age equivalent scores obtained from the Bayley and Mullen protocols administered to the same children. We hypothesize that while both scales will provide comparable results, there may be slight differences in the developmental age equivalent scores, reflecting unique characteristics of each measure. Participants for this study include children either 9 months or 12 months old, depending on the available data, who have been assessed using both the Bayley and Mullen protocols as part of ongoing research in the Developmental Dynamics Lab. Age-equivalent scores from corresponding domains of each measure will be extracted and compared for each child. Statistical analyses will include paired t-tests to determine the significance of differences between the two scales and Pearson correlation coefficients to examine the degree of agreement between the scores of the two assessments. Findings from this study will contribute to understanding the comparability of the Bayley and Mullen protocols, particularly in early developmental assessments. Identifying significant differences in age-equivalent scores could have implications for clinical and research applications, emphasizing the need for consistency in developmental evaluation tools. Future research could explore the clinical implications of score discrepancies, particularly in identifying early developmental delays. The results of this study may also inform best practices for selecting the appropriate assessment tool based on the developmental needs of children.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 150
|
| Wirth, Tatiana |
Goodman, Christopher
Castles, Hannah
Feldman, Susan |
Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Colitis - A Case Report
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Introduction:
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) are useful in treating many different types of cancers by blocking inhibitory signals on T cells promoting their activation. However, T cells can attack not only cancerous cells but also healthy tissues causing inflammatory toxicities in multiple organs including the colon. Pembrolizumab (Keytruda) is the most prescribed ICI in the US. We present a case report of colitis after pembrolizumab use and review salient features of ICI colitis.
Case Presentation:
74-year-old female with history of small cell lung cancer and recent diagnosis of diverticulitis requiring a diverting loop colostomy presented with one week of abdominal pain, three days of vomiting, and one day of increased ostomy output. She was hypotensive, tachycardic, and work-up revealed leukocytosis. CT abdomen and pelvis demonstrated sigmoid diverticulosis with prominent wall thickening and adjacent fluid. C. difficile was negative. Intravenous fluids and broad spectrum antibiotics were initiated to treat presumed sepsis secondary to diverticulitis. Of note, the patient was first diagnosed with complicated sigmoid diverticulitis in September 2024, three months after initiation of pembrolizumab. Pembrolizumab was discontinued for several months, but it was restarted about two weeks prior to admission. When symptoms persisted despite antibiotic treatment, we began treatment for ICI colitis with a high dose steroid. The patient’s symptoms resolved quickly after steroid initiation, and she was discharged with a steroid taper and scheduled follow-up with oncology to discuss next steps for her cancer treatment.
Discussion:
It is important to be aware that ICIs such as pembrolizumab (Keytruda) can cause organ inflammation including colitis. The presence of diverticulosis in this case may have led to anchoring on diverticulitis as the diagnosis rather than ICI colitis with her first illness episode. ICI-related adverse events can occur within days to months of initiating treatment with an average onset of 40 days. The decision to reintroduce ICI therapy after an adverse event is individualized requiring a multidisciplinary approach. The complexity of possible organ toxicity associated with ICIs requires clinicians to maintain a broad differential and avoid anchoring bias.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 131
|
| Hotchkin, Madysen |
Reagan, Lawrence |
Medical Students Making Change: A diabetes reduction initiative in South Carolina
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Introduction
Medical Students Making Change (MSMC), led by students at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine Columbia (USCSOM) in collaboration with free medical clinics, aims to improve diabetic control in South Carolina where approximately 13.2% of the adult population has diabetes. The zip code adjacent to USCSOM’s teaching hospital has one of the highest rates (9.96 per 10,000) of diabetic amputations in the US. Seeing patients struggle to get their diabetes under control led medical students to start MSMC. This project aims to promote Type 2 Diabetes (T2DM) prevention strategies within underserved areas.
Methods
Medical student volunteers review HbA1cs from the clinics, contact eligible patients, and enroll those meeting inclusion criteria (adults ≥18 years old, diagnosed with T2DM or pre-diabetes based on HbA1c, and access to a phone). Biweekly counseling calls between volunteers and patients focus on assessing goals related to diet, exercise, sleep and hydration, as well as addressing barriers. Patients follow-up at the clinic to measure HbA1c every 3 months. Patients who meet the criteria for continuous glucose monitoring are offered a CGM and followed by the clinic endocrinologist.
Results
Of patients enrolled (n=71), the average initial HbA1c value was 9.63%. With our lifestyle and educational strategies, HbA1c levels decreased by an average of 0.64% (p=0.2230 with 95% CI -0.427 to 1.705). Average blood glucose decreased from 154 mg/dL to 148 mg/dL in patients utilizing the CGM (p=0.2361 with 95% CI -7.21 to 19.71).
Conclusion
This project is unique in multiple facets and strives to reduce the gap in diabetic care for uninsured patients. It promotes longitudinal relationships assisting patients with the time, education, and resources needed to manage their diabetes. Additionally, we train future physicians in South Carolina in the skill of motivational interviewing and breadth of appropriate diabetic management. These promising data indicate that patient education and access to resources can improve T2DM management in underserved areas.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 177
|
| Marion, Erin |
Martin, Pamela |
Do Not Ask To Touch My Hair: The Rooted and Resilience Project Investigating and Illuminating Hair Discrimination Utilizing Various Recruitment Strategies for Black Males
View Full Text
Abstract Text
When researching a specific group of people, it is essential to inform the participants of the research and involve them in all aspects to provide fairness and mutual agreement within the research process. Additionally, a diverse sample of participants is crucial to represent communities and avoid misrepresentation and monolithic viewpoints accurately. To prevent false representations in research, my research team and I utilized a community-based participatory research approach to identify the best recruitment strategies to research Black populations, specifically on Black males. Finding the best recruitment strategies to reach various Black populations has allowed us to investigate and bring awareness about hair discrimination among Black males to the Black male audience of eighteen and older. Although all Black/African Americans are prone to being affected by hair discrimination, our research solely wanted to focus on a Black male perspective because hair discrimination is always viewed more towards Black females and not Black males, when Black males are just as susceptible to hair discrimination as well. The importance behind investigating hair discrimination is vital due to large numbers of Black/African Americans being denied jobs and suspended from school due to the texture and style of their hair being in dreads, locs, twists, afro, and braids. The best recruitment strategies we utilized to recruit Black males eighteen and older are social media, Black organizations across campus, partnering with HBCUs across South Carolina, barbershops, recruitment flyers, and spoken word events. Overall, this study aims to prevent misrepresentations of Black populations by utilizing community-based participatory approaches to develop a diverse set of culturally and contextually sensitive recruitment strategies to prevent any recurrence of historical difficulties that Black/African Americans have experienced in the past with such infamous cases such as the surgical experiments on enslaved people by J. Marion Sims, The Tuskegee Syphilis study on African American men, Henrietta Lacks, and many more. Therefore, community-based participatory research allowed for equitable methods to engage many recruiters, establish trust within the participants' communities, and engage and inform Black males about the effects of hair discrimination.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 179
|
| Uwaleme, Elizabeth |
Dickens, Kristen |
A Quality Improvement Initiative to Enhance Pain Knowledge, Assessment, and Documentation in Pre- and Post-Pain Medication Administration
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Introduction
Pain is a complex experience influenced by sensory, emotional, cognitive, and environmental factors. Effective pain management is crucial for both patient well-being and meeting institutional standards. Nurses play a central role in assessing, documenting, and managing pain. However, gaps in pain knowledge, assessment, and documentation practices can hinder optimal care. Despite standards from organizations like the Joint Commission, which emphasize timely pain assessment and reassessment, challenges remain in ensuring comprehensive and accurate documentation of pain interventions. This quality improvement initiative aims to identify the challenges nurses face with appropriate pain reassessment. By improving nurse’s understanding of evidence-based pain assessment tools and ensuring accurate, timely documentation, this initiative seeks to optimize patient care, support individualized treatment plans, and improve patient satisfaction.
Methods/Results
Our root cause analysis identified barriers to completing post-pain medication assessments through interviews with nursing staff on a medical surgical unit. A major barrier was a lack of knowledge about the process, with varying reports of the time allotted for pain reassessment. Another common theme was the absence of reminders in the electronic medical record (EMR). Additionally, since pain control regimens can vary widely between providers, nurses often have to spend extra time clarifying pain management orders and expectations between different healthcare professionals.
Discussion
Our analysis uncovered multiple system-level barriers to completing post-medication assessments. A reeducation program focusing on the policies and process for completing the assessments could reduce confusion and improve nursing compliance. Enhancing training on the impact of the assessment on patient outcomes and using the charge nurse to reinforce this importance during shifts may also be effective. Utilizing technology, such as implementing reminder systems in the EMR, could help nurses overcome time constraints and multi-tasking. Lastly, implementing an interdisciplinary approach to pain management plans could reduce confusion in expectations. While pain is a highly individualized experience and pain management should reflect that, having providers outline a pain management plan for patients at the beginning of each hospitalization would improve upon these assessments.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 77
|
| Beilharz, Stella |
Reisman, David |
Identifying Cellular Proteins That Bind to a Novel Long Non-Coded RNA That Contribute to Uncontrolled Leukemic Cell Division
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a form of cancer originating in the bone marrow that is characterized by genetic alterations that disrupt myeloid differentiation, leading to an accumulation of undifferentiated proliferative cells. Recent research suggests long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) contribute to this differentiation blockade. Our previous research identified one such lncRNA, lncRNAp53int1, as playing a potential role in AML pathogenesis. Although the gene encoding this RNA is located in the 1st intron of the p53 tumor suppressor gene, its regulatory relationship with the p53 tumor suppressor gene is not established. However, enhanced expression of lncRNAp53int1 is observed in leukemia cells, where it appears to support unchecked cellular proliferation by inhibiting differentiation. Our current research aims to elucidate the function of lncRNAp53int1 by identifying specific protein interactions that contribute to its activity. RNA-protein-pull down assays were used to identify and isolate the potential protein or proteins being recruited by lncRNAp53int1 and these proteins where further characterized by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and ultimately mass spectrometry. By characterizing these protein interactions, we seek to uncover mechanisms by which lncRNAp53int1 contributes to AML progression, with the goal of identifying potential therapeutic targets. This study has significant implications for AML treatment, as understanding lncRNAp53int1’s role may provide insights into novel differentiation therapies. Given the high mortality rate of AML, research into targeted interventions is crucial.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 38
|
| Stoll, Jacob |
Huang, Chin-Tser |
Enabling Veterans Through Blockchain: How to Improve the VA Disability Claim System
View Full Text
Abstract Text
The claim system of the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) is often criticized for inefficiency and a lack of transparency. In this project, we address these issues by developing a proof-of-concept permissioned blockchain system and a digital ledger of transactions shared between authorized peers in the blockchain network using the Hyperledger Fabric framework. This system establishes secure collaboration by giving controlled access to relevant parties such as veterans, the VA, and healthcare providers. Smart contracts are deployed on the blockchain network to provide each party with their relevant step within the claims process. Private data collections for user data, such as healthcare information, are implemented to ensure that only authorized parties can access sensitive information. This system handles small-scale operations efficiently and can smoothly scale for larger workloads. This proof-of-concept demonstrates benefits such as improvements to overhead, transparency, and data integrity. Our results represent a promising step towards addressing the current claim system’s problems and serve as a starting point for further development of efficient and reliable claim handling through blockchain.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 85
|
| Frick, Marla |
Fadel, Jim
Reagan, Lawrence |
Orexin/Hypocretin Modulation of Cholinergic Signaling within the Prefrontal Cortex in Response to an Immune Challenge
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Background
The basal forebrain cholinergic hypothesis (BFCS) describes the degeneration of cholinergic neurons in Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) that is correlated with disease pathology and severity. There has been limited progress in understanding of the vulnerability of this system, suggesting that there are other factors at play, such as altered afferent regulation. We have previously shown that the orexin/hypocretin system modulates cholinergic signaling and neuroinflammation in key regions implicated in AD, such as the BF, hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex (PFC). Therefore, we hypothesize that orexin downregulation will impair cholinergic response in the PFC following an immune challenge.
Methods
Young female rats received bilateral LH injections of control lentivirus or lentiviral-preproorexin antisense and a microdialysis guide cannula was placed into the PFC. Three weeks later, animals received a 1mg/kg intraperitoneal injection of lipopolysaccharide to induce an immune response. In-vivo microdialysis with a food-paired stimulus was performed and brain dialysates were measured for acetylcholine using high-performance liquid chromatography.
Results
We hypothesize that cholinergic response in the PFC of control females will be significantly increased following a food-paired stimulus, as we have previously shown in the insular cortex. This effect will be disrupted following orexin downregulation and LPS injection when compared to control females.
Conclusion
Orexin modulates neuroinflammation and cholinergic function in the PFC of female rats. Specifically, downregulation of orexin impairs the appropriate neuroimmune and neurochemical responses in the PFC to an immune challenge. Thus, the well-documented age- and AD-associated reduction of orexin signaling may be linked to BFCS degeneration via neuroinflammatory mechanisms.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 8
|
| Funderburk, Jarred |
Taheri Qazvini, Nader |
Exploring Dual Assembly Mechanisms in Colloidal Gels with Spherical and Discotic Building Blocks for Enhanced 3D Printability
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Colloidal gels, a class of soft materials formed by the assembly of nano- or microscale particles, have garnered significant interest in biomedical applications due to their tunable mechanical properties and ability to mimic extracellular matrices. This study aims to develop and characterize a novel class of colloidal gel systems based on the assembly of spherical gelatin nanoparticles (GNPs) and two-dimensional Laponite nanosheets for potential use as 3D bioprinting inks and drug delivery platforms. Two colloidal gel systems are investigated: (1) GNPs interacting with Laponite via charge-driven assembly and (2) methacrylate-functionalized GNPs (GNP-MA) interacting with Laponite, combining both charge-driven interactions and UV-induced covalent crosslinking. We hypothesize that the additional crosslinking in the GNP-MA system will enhance gel stability and mechanical tunability. GNPs are synthesized by producing high-molecular-weight gelatin using a two-step desolvation method, followed by various precipitation and desolvation steps in water and acetone, and cross-linking with glutaraldehyde. GNP-MA is prepared by reacting GNPs with methacrylic anhydride in various buffer systems. The two colloidal gel systems are formed by mixing GNPs or GNP-MA with Laponite, with UV-crosslinking applied to GNP-MA gels in the presence of a photoinitiator. Characterization includes dynamic light scattering and scanning electron microscopy for size and morphology analysis, surface charge measurements for zeta potential determination across pH conditions, and Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy to assess the degree of methacrylation. Rheological properties, including mechanical strength and elastic modulus, are evaluated using a Discovery Hybrid Rheometer, while printability is assessed through shear-thinning behavior in an extrustion-based 3D printing system. Ongoing experiments will determine how the introduction of UV-crosslinkable GNP-MA affects the viscoelastic and rheological properties of these hybrid colloidal gels, with implications for enhanced 3D bioprinting fidelity and cell viability. Additionally, the shear-thinning and self-healing characteristics of these gels position them as promising candidates for controlled drug delivery applications, potentially improving therapeutic efficacy and patient outcomes.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 94
|
| Russell, Michael |
Chetta, Matthew
Rodriguez, Gabrielle
Xavier, Brandon
Jhin, Lauren |
Healing Both Ways: Medical Missions and Reducing Surgeon Burnout
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Introduction: The demand for accessible, safe and affordable surgical care is increasing worldwide. However, medical missions face criticism for quality concerns and voluntourism. Meanwhile, physician burnout is rising, yet little research explores whether missions can both serve patients and reinvigorate physicians. This study examines surgical attending physicians’ perspectives on the lasting impact of medical mission participation, with a focus on its role in mitigating burnout.
Method: A 15-item online questionnaire was designed to assess physicians' perspectives on humanitarian missions. The survey elicited information regarding physician demographics, trip details, funding, and the influence of the trip on them and the community. This questionnaire was distributed to the surgical attendings at Prisma Health Upstate hospitals in the United States during the 2023/2024 academic year.
Results: Of 42 respondents, 71% had participated in an international mission, while 29% had not. Among participants, 30% agreed that this experience influenced their decision to pursue surgery, while 44% decided beforehand. Most respondents reported trips lasting 7 to 10 days (41%), while 30% took trips exceeding 11 days. When asked about the impact of surgical missions on physician reinvigoration, the response was overwhelmingly positive with 79% agreeing or strongly agreeing that medical missions reinvigorated them as surgeons.
Conclusion: Surgical attendings perceive medical missions as reinvigorating. These trips provide mutual benefits to the physicians and the communities they serve. Further research is needed to explore the long-term effects of these experiences and how structured mission programs can be optimized to support both global health initiatives and physician well-being.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 178
|
Melton, Paula
Greene, Tessa |
Ruppel, Joshua |
Synthesis of Glycoconjugated A3B Phthalocyanines for Photodynamic Therapy Applications
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) is a type of phototherapy that has found possible applications as cancer treatment, antimicrobial, and anti-viral. PDT utilizes a light-activated molecule, typically referred to as a photosensitizer, which is responsible for generating the cytotoxic species that lead to the desired biological activity. Common photosensitizers consist of porphyrins and chlorins; however, phthalocyanines present promise as a photosensitizer due to their ability to absorb light at a clinically relevant wavelength, allowing for deeper penetration into tissues. Throughout our research, we have explored various methods of making monofunctionalized glycoconjugated phthalocyanines, with one route proving to be more effective. In this route, a mono-alkynylated phthalocyanine is created through a mixed condensation reaction using a mixture of two phthalonitriles. The resulting statistical mixture of products creates a significant challenge in the purification and characterization of the products. However, utilizing automated flash chromatography, we have been able to purify the resulting mixture of phthalocyanines (A4, A3B, A2B2, AB3, B4) and isolate the desired A3B symmetry which represents the mono-alkynylated phthalocyanine suitable for glycoconjugation. Using this alkyne group, glycoconjugation was performed through a copper-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition or ‘click’ reaction. This has resulted in a small library of glycoconjugated phthalocyanines with various carbohydrates including N-Acetylglucosamine, N-Acetylgalactosamine, and lactose. This work was supported by funding through SC INBRE/NIH (P20GM103499-20) and an NIH R15 award (1R15GM148916-01).
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 70
|
| Burnette, Sofi |
Spence, Gina |
How Intentional Communication Fosters a Positive Organizational Culture
View Full Text
Abstract Text
This abstract focuses on the role communication can play in any organizational environment (whether it be work or personal). I emphasize how positive dynamics, accountability, mentorship, structure, and incorporating feedback can lead to productive, efficient environments.
My specific examples will focus on my internship at BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina, my presidential role in Omega Phi Alpha National Service Sorority, and my mentorship as a University 101 peer leader. I will use these experiences to highlight a direct correlation between facilitation and leadership with intentional communication.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 271
|
| Eckenrode, John |
Ray, Donna |
Planning Ahead: Enhancing Education and Access to Advanced Directives in Columbia, SC
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Advanced directives are essential for ensuring individuals receive medical care aligned with their wishes, yet many older adults lack awareness of or access to these resources. The 2019 South Carolina Palliative Care and Quality of Life Study Committee Report highlights the need for improved education, accessibility, and clarity regarding advance care planning. This project aims to address these gaps by educating older adults in Columbia, SC, on the importance of advanced directives and providing accessible resources to support informed healthcare decision-making. As part of the March Seabrook Leadership Program, I developed an educational initiative in collaboration with The FriendShip, a local organization supporting older adults in healthy aging. The project includes an interactive presentation and informational flyers with guidance on completing advanced directives. Additionally, I have engaged with the South Carolina Department of Aging to ensure alignment with broader palliative care efforts. Future plans involve expanding the initiative by integrating the Geriatrics Club at the USC School of Medicine, creating a sustainable, student-led outreach program. The project also includes a future goal of hosting a signing day for advanced directives, partnering with lawyers and law students to assist clients in completing and signing their documents in one location. Moving forward, the project will focus on expanding partnerships and contributing to statewide education initiatives on advance care planning. By promoting education, accessibility, and engagement, this project supports statewide efforts to improve advance care planning, and through ongoing community collaboration and medical student involvement, it has the potential to create lasting improvements in how older adults approach healthcare planning in Columbia, SC.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 147
|
| Heywood, Ashley |
Smith, Stuart
Castles, Hannah
Virk, Hibah
Alex, Ashley |
Diagnosing Sepsis in the Rare Condition of Felty Syndrome
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Felty syndrome is a rare condition in a subset of seropositive rheumatoid arthritis patients characterized by neutropenia and splenomegaly. 1-3% of patients with rheumatoid arthritis will develop Felty syndrome. These patients are predisposed to severe, recurrent infections increasing morbidity and mortality. The purpose of this case report is to highlight the difficulty of recognizing sepsis in Felty syndrome and emphasize the importance of prompt diagnosis.
70-year-old male with history of seropositive rheumatoid arthritis and Felty syndrome presented with diarrhea, syncope, shortness of breath on exertion and subjective weakness. The patient’s medications included methotrexate and prednisone. Vitals were within normal limits. On physical exam lungs sounds were clear and abdomen was soft, non-tender with normoactive bowel sounds. White blood cell count was 4.3 K/cmm, procalcitonin was 13.35 ng/mL, quantitative C-reactive protein was unremarkable, lactic acid was 1.5 mmol/L, ALT was 246 U/L, AST was 122 U/L and alkaline phosphatase was 233 U/L. Total bilirubin was 5 mg/dL, and total protein was 7.6 g/dL with albumin of 3.4 g/dL. CT abdomen/pelvis revealed a 6 mm calculus at the distal common bile duct and chronic splenomegaly. Vancomycin and Zosyn were initiated to treat presumed sepsis secondary to biliary tract infection. Blood cultures were significant for E. coli and antibiotic treatment was changed to Ceftriaxone. GI was consulted; ERCP revealed a stricture at the GE junction with two stones extracted from the common bile duct after biliary sphincterotomy. Surgery was consulted and cholecystectomy was performed. Patient symptomatically improved and was discharged on antibiotics.
Initially, diagnosing sepsis in this patient was challenging as he did not have a leukocytosis or fever but rather presented with non-specific symptoms. Patients with Felty syndrome are often on immunosuppressive therapy, as was our patient, which blunts the inflammatory response used to diagnose sepsis. Additionally, infection can be mistaken for an autoimmune disease flare. These factors can delay diagnosis affecting time to antibiotics. Early administration of antibiotics is crucial in improving outcomes in sepsis. Therefore, it is important to have a low threshold to consider sepsis in patients with Felty syndrome even without all the characteristic findings.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 126
|
| Cushman, Kathryn |
Adlof, Suzanne
Bryant Berrier, Taylor |
Exploring Co-Occurring DLD and ADHD and Its Impact on Negative Emotion Frequency and Word Learning: A Comparative Study
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Developmental language disorder (DLD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects the learning, understanding, and use of spoken language. It can co-occur with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), another neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by inattention and/or impulsivity and hyperactivity. Both DLD and ADHD are associated with negative impacts on academic performance and emotion regulation. It is possible that having both disorders increases a) difficulties with emotion regulation, and/or b) challenges with spoken language learning. Thus, the current study evaluated whether children with DLD, children with ADHD, and children with both DLD & ADHD differ in their expression of negative emotions during a difficult word learning paradigm. It also examined differences in their learning of the taught words and the correlations between the number of expressed negative emotions and word learning for each group. Second-grade children with ADHD, DLD, or both ADHD & DLD were taught 8 pseudowords via recorded oral instruction with spaced retrieval practice opportunities. Children were asked to name and identify the taught words, and feedback was provided for each response. Videos of the participants completing the word learning instruction were coded for behaviors such as negative emotion ventilations and self-criticisms to obtain frequency of negative emotion behaviors. Children’s recall of the taught words was assessed immediately post-test with a naming task. There was no significant difference in number of negative emotions between children with DLD, ADHD, and ADHD+DLD, but there was a significant difference in recall between children with ADHD and DLD+ADHD: Children with DLD+ADHD had lower recall than children with ADHD. The DLD group did not differ from either of the other two groups. Within all three groups, there were no significant correlations between the number of negative emotions and word learning performance (all p > .29). It was surprising that there was a group difference for word learning but not for number of negative emotion displays during word learning. It is possible that learning from spaced retrieval practice is emotionally challenging for all children. Implications for clinicians working with individuals with ADHD and/or DLD will be discussed.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 112
|
| Miller, Brandon |
Tandon, Keah |
Streamlining Success: Project Management and Its Benefits for Information Technology
View Full Text
Abstract Text
When we think management, we typically envision it in a very literal sense. Most people would think of a series of managers and employees all either working or directing others to a specific goal. Prior to beginning my coursework at the University of South Carolina I had never heard of project management. Project managers must coordinate employees, stakeholders, vendors, and resources in a way that ensures goals are met on time. In the field of information technology, good project management practices are vital to the operations of an organization. During my time as an intern for the South Carolina Legislative Services agency, I was given multiple opportunities to act in a project management role. On a specific occasion, I coordinated with our technology infrastructure team to implement a new environmental monitoring system for our data center. This opportunity allowed me to apply some of the project management principles I have learned while a student at USC. This experience was impactful to me for two reasons, first, it was the first time at any job where management trusted me to "make a call" on what the best system for a given purpose was. Second, it allowed me to help my team restore a vital technological system that had been down for years. To have this level of trust placed in me not only allowed me to demonstrate my abilities, but it also allowed me to feel valued as a member of the team. This experience showed me that I wasn't just being treated as an intern, but as a valuable member of a team. My key takeaway from this opportunity was how important it is to collaborate and work towards a common goal, and how good it can feel to be a part of something bigger than yourself. So far, the implementation process has been a resounding success, I look forward to continue to work towards its completion and I am thankful to have such a successful outcome to show my dedication and ability both to LSA and the project management profession.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 290
|
| Roberts, Samuel |
Downey, Austin |
Discrete Element Modeling of Additively Manufactured Particle Dampers with Variable Particle Packing Density
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Laser powder bed fusion additive manufacturing presents not only a unique method of fabricating mechanical components but also integrating particle dampers into said components. Furthermore, previous research has shown that altering the particle packing density of these dampers by indenting the damper pocket can change its damping qualities. Making use of this, however, would cost manufacturers significant sums to test different particle packing densities and their qualities for each part with an integrated damper. An alternative method of observing particle packing density effects is using the discrete element method. Doing so presents a more efficient method of testing particle dampers with varied packing densities while also providing more insight into the behavior of the dampers and the particles contained within. In this study, the discrete element method is used to simulate altering the particle packing densities of small-scale particle dampers. This is done by generating a normal damper pocket, then generating a sphere that is moved partially into the pocket to compress the particles within, emulating the process of indenting the damper. As the simulated dampers oscillate, positional data is tracked and compared against experimentally gathered data. This research finds that the discrete element method is effective in observing similar trends to those of real-world particle dampers with altered particle packing density via indentation.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 86
|
| Williams, Abigail |
Poulain, Fabienne |
Role of UNC5 Receptors in Development of Visual System in Vivo
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Precise wiring of neural circuits is critical for proper development and function of the central nervous system. In the visual system, dorsal and ventral retinal ganglion cells extend their axons toward the visual processing center known as the optic tectum in non-mammalian vertebrates. During development, some dorsal retinal axons initially misroute along the dorsal branch of the optic tract but will selectively and locally degenerate later in development. Previous work by the Poulain Lab has shown that trans-axonal signaling can initiate pruning of these missorted axons in the optic tract. Key players in this signaling mechanism include the proteins Glypican-3 and Teneurin-3 located at the surface of ventral retinal axons that signal to Latrophilin-3 located at the surface of dorsal retinal axons. It remains unknown, however, if other receptors at the surface of axons are also contributing to the pruning of missorted dorsal axons. We hypothesize that receptors that may play a role are Unc5s. Unc5d has been shown to interact in trans with Glypican-3 in mice, suggesting it might participate in the trans-axonal signaling that instructs axonal pruning. Unc5d has also been shown to interact with Latrophilin-3 and FLRT3 in synaptic formation and transmission. In zebrafish, Unc5b and Unc5c are two Unc5 family receptors highly expressed in the nervous system. Using in-situ hybridization, I analyzed the expression of unc5b and unc5c in the retina at several timepoints, and found that unc5b was expressed in the dorsal retina at 24, 48, and 72 hours post-fertilization. I then performed lipophilic dye injections in the retina of unc5b mutants and wild-type siblings at 4 days post-fertilization to label dorsal retinal axons, and imaged dorsal axons along the optic tract to analyze the presence of potential pruning defects. Preliminary data suggest that Unc5b may be dispensable for axonal pruning. Future work will explore whether Unc5s play earlier roles in the development of the visual system.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 19
|
| Wijesooriya, Akshani Anjula |
Wang, Qian
Hu, Shan
Myers, Jeffery
Jongkhumkrong, Jinnawat
Yan, Diqi
Cotham, William E. |
Synthesis and metabolic incorporation of cyclopropanol derivatized sphingosines
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Disruptions in sphingolipid regulation are associated with various life-threatening diseases, including cancer, and neurodegeneration. Sphingolipid metabolites offer a promising foundation for developing novel therapeutics, making it critically important to develop tools for analyzing sphingolipid metabolism to advance our understanding and treatment of these serious conditions. In this context, researchers are developing engineered lipids with bioorthogonal tags such as azide, alkyne, and diazirine, and utilizing bioorthogonal chemistry methods to precisely localize and track these minimally modified lipid probes within cells. To find a tag that is small, stable under physical conditions, and reactive under specific conditions, a novel engineered sphingosine containing a cyclopropanol (CPol) has been developed. The CPol modified sphingosine can be opened selectively to form β-functionalized sphingosine ketones under electrochemical conditions that have gained significant attention for offering controlled, selective, mild, and environmentally friendly reactions. This resulting ketone can react with specific partners, enabling its use in biological applications. To investigate the movement of sphingosine in the cell sphingosine analog was incorporated into live cells by metabolic pathway, following by the cell labeling by fluorescent dye. Furthermore, this β-functionalized ketone can act as an electrophilic center for surrounding proteins to interact with sphingolipids, aiding in the investigation of sphingolipid mechanisms. Hence, this study provides valuable insights into sphingolipid-related disease mechanisms and paves the way for innovative therapeutic approaches in sphingolipid research.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 34
|
| Ferguson, Cassie |
Bookstaver, Brandon
Sheveland, Colter
Al-Mansi, Sarah
Gainey, Andrew
Jozefczyk, Caroline
Al-Hasan, Majdi |
Comparison of Rapid Diagnostic Tests on Antibiotic Use in Gram-negative Bloodstream Infections within an Academic Health-system
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Background: Gram-negative bloodstream infections (GNBSIs) lead to significant morbidity and mortality. Technologic advances in rapid diagnostic tests for pathogen identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) have enhanced the ability for clinicians to more promptly initiate patients on stewardship-conscience and appropriate antimicrobial therapy compared with traditional culture and susceptibility methodologies. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial stewardship program benefit of the addition of the Accelerate Pheno® (AP) system for rapid phenotypic AST with an existing blood culture identification multiplex polymerase chain reaction (BCID2®)/Vitek 2®/ matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time (MALDI) workflow. Methods: An IRB-exempt, multi-centered, retrospective, pre-/post-cohort study was conducted in adult patients hospitalized with aerobic GNBSIs at one of four Prisma Health – Midlands major acute care facilities. Notable exclusions were patients with polymicrobial GNBSIs, those who left against medical advice, transferred to an outside facility, discharged home, or died prior to receipt of antibiotic therapy initiation or blood culture identification results. Baseline characteristics and endpoints were manually collected using a pre-specified REDCap form. The primary endpoint of the time to first appropriate streamlined therapy (FAST) was evaluated in the AP group from August 5, 2022 to October 31, 2022 and in the post-AP group from May 1, 2024 to July 31, 2024. Key secondary endpoints included discordances between AP-determined and BCID2®- or MALDI-determined pathogen identification, discordances between AP-determined and Vitek 2®-determined AST results, and time to de-escalation off carbapenems, anti-pseudomonal beta-lactams, and Gram-negative combination therapy. Results: In Progress Conclusions: In Progress
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 196
|
| Zhang, Guyin |
Shi, Dexin |
Comparing Likert and Slider Response Formats in Clinical Assessment: Evidence from Measuring Depression Symptoms using CES-D 8
View Full Text
Abstract Text
This study compared various response formats in fitting confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) models. Participants responded to the 8-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D 8) across five different response formats in a within-subjects experimental design: the Likert-type scale, three types of slider response formats, and a number-entry response format. We compared the different response formats based on item-level scores, factor structure and psychometric properties of the scale, mean comparisons across groups, and individuals’ sum scores. Similar results were observed across the response formats with respect to factor structure, measurement invariance, reliability, and validity of test scores. However, inconsistent results were found regarding group mean comparisons across groups. Individuals’ item scores and sum scores also varied across different response formats, as did participants’ subjective evaluations of response formats in terms of perceived accuracy, enjoyment, difficulty, and mental exhaustion. Based on study findings, we provide recommendations and discuss implications for researchers designing and conducting clinical assessments.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 91
|
| Contrucci, Sophie |
Goldberg, Kelly |
Leadership in Action: My Role in Shaping First-Year Experiences through University 101
View Full Text
Abstract Text
During my Fall 2023 and 2024 semesters, I had the immense privilege of being a peer leader for University 101 at the University of South Carolina. This course is a major factor in why the University consistently wins the #1 first-year experience from U.S. News and World Report in their annual undergraduate rankings, and I have gotten to see first-hand how this class positively impacts students. Over the course of each semester, I co-instructed a group of 20 freshmen and aided them in their transition to college life at the university. We went over important topics like advising, time management, employability, and involvement, but also more personal and intimate topics like personal values, identity and assumptions and wellness. Throughout my time as a peer leader, I grew immensely in my leadership abilities. I became more comfortable as a public speaker by leading discussions and keeping students engaged, I strengthened my interpersonal and problem-solving skills, and I grew in my confidence and administrative abilities. Throughout each semester, my co-instructor and I met weekly to strategically tailor classes to the needs of our students. Throughout this process I created a close relationship with my co-instructor who has now turned into a mentor for me and has been a fantastic example of a leader. She has taught me how to provide guidance, perspective, support, and encouragement to our students. My experience as a peer leader has been the most rewarding thing I have done as a student at USC and I will take what I have learned with me far into my future.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 307
|
| Titus, Ryan |
Sen, Souvik
Sur, Sanjib
Gu, Zhuangzhuang
Regmi, Hem
Tavasoli, Reza |
A Novel Approach of Monitoring Stroke Recovery: Contactless Sensor for Gait Speed and Fugl-Meyer Action Duration Estimation
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Objectives: Gait speed and motor deficits are significant determinants of functional stroke recovery, dependence, and disability in stroke survivors. Traditional assessments rely on in-person evaluations by healthcare providers. This study aimed to assess the accuracy of a contactless sensor in estimating gait speed and Fugl-Meyer (FM) action duration.
Methods: A contactless sensor with a processing unit was designed to estimate gait speed and FM action duration. It transmits low-power radio-frequency signals (similar frequency used in 5G smartphones) and analyzes body reflections from the subject’s body. An algorithm extracts 3D body structures, through spatial and temporal frequencies, to isolate walking periods, and calculates gait speed from time and distance. For FM actions, the algorithm identifies limb movements and extracts segments with the highest feature template matching. The sensor's measurements were compared to standard manual assessments.
Results: Ten stroke survivors (mean age 62.4 ± 11.8 years) with self-selected gait speeds of 0.18–0.85 m/s and ten control subjects (mean age 31.6 ± 17.7 years) with speeds of 0.80–1.31 m/s were evaluated. The sensor correlated highly with manual gait speed measurements in stroke survivors (R = 0.99, error mean ± SD: 0.03 ± 0.02 m/s) but showed moderate correlation in controls (R = 0.68, error mean ± SD: 0.14 ± 0.10 m/s). It was most accurate for low-to-moderate gait speeds (0.18–0.85 m/s). For FM assessments, the sensor accurately estimated lower-extremity action duration (mean errors: 0.60 s for stroke survivors, 0.53 s for controls). Upper-extremity estimates were less precise but remained less than 2.21 s (stroke survivors) and 1.89 s (controls).
Conclusions: The contactless sensor demonstrated high accuracy in gait speed estimation and promising performance in FM action duration assessment, particularly for lower extremities. This technology could enable remote, automated stroke recovery monitoring in diverse settings, including home/health care facilities, helping identify rehabilitation needs and improve patient outcomes.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 171
|
| Rajbanshi, Abhinna |
Jin, Rongying
Duong, Daniel
A. Shelton, Williams |
Intrinsic Ferromagnetism in MnBi2Te4 Stabilized by Magnetic Field
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Naturally grown MnBi2Te4 is a layered antiferromagnetic (AFM) topological insulator with the transition temperature TN ≈ 25 K. However, its intrinsic AFM order restricts the realization of exotic quantum phenomena such as quantum anomalous Hall effect (QAHE), which is essential for quantum devices. Here, we report the effect of magnetic field to the magnetism in MnBi2Te4 by annealing as-grown MnBi2Te4 or growing MnBi2Te4 single crystals in the presence of a magnetic field. We observe that annealing as-grown MnBi2Te4 single crystals at 600 K and under 10 T for 24 hours induces ferromagnetic (FM) like feature below T* ≈ 15 K. On the other hand, growing MnBi2Te4 single crystals under 9 T stabilizes the FM ground state with the Curie temperature TC ≈ 25 K. We demonstrate magnetic field is a powerful sample environment for establishing a desired magnetic ground state.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 24
|
| Arnold, (Katherine) Isabelle |
Damon, Dorlisa |
Learning Teamwork and Risk Management in the Workplace
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Participating in jobs and internships during undergraduate study promotes confidence, mastery of new skills, and the building of valuable professional relationships. Gaining experience in fields that I was unfamiliar with pushed me out of my comfort zone and taught me new ways in which my academic background can contribute to my career success. With the opportunities that have been available to me through the University of South Carolina, I am able to combine within the classroom content and my professional experiences to build a skillset that will help me on my journey into the workforce after graduation. I have learned the importance of risk management and emergency preparedness as well as how to effectively work in a team. Knowing how to identify risks, educate others on risk factors, and use teamwork to accomplish goals in a professional setting is essential to success. Through my experiences here at USC, I have developed lifelong skills that will make me an asset to any professional pathway I choose because teamwork and risk assessment are always vital to any industry.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 276
|
| Perry, Sierra |
Lipinoga, Meghan |
Cultural Exchange Through Play: Bridging Connections Beyond Language
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Cultural exchange is most effective when it is interactive and participatory. Through my Japanese Popular Culture course, I explored how everyday activities reflect deeper cultural values. My PowerPoint on “Why Fruits Are Popular in Japan” highlighted how fruit represents prestige and tradition, showing that even simple customs carry cultural significance.
Beyond the classroom, I participated in the Expo Club Global Festival, where I planned and led interactive activities for international students. My photos and Instagram posts document how I taught Heads Up, a game relying on gestures rather than language. Despite language barriers, students connected through laughter and play, reinforcing the idea that play is a universal language. As noted in my artifact, the festival allowed students to actively engage rather than just observe, deepening cross-cultural connections.
These experiences relate to cultural hybridity, the idea that cultures evolve through interaction. Just as Japanese pop culture blends tradition and global trends, the Expo Club event combined diverse cultural elements. A key challenge in cross-cultural interactions is overcoming language barriers and hesitation, which can make engagement feel surface-level. However, as my artifacts illustrate, everyday activities like games and food create natural opportunities for deeper cultural exchange.
Findings suggest that interactive engagement fosters meaningful connections. Rather than just studying culture, participating in shared experiences—whether through play, food, or entertainment—enhances global learning. Culture isn’t just something to observe; it’s something we actively shape and share.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 207
|
| Jones, Jordan |
Brown, Thomas |
James S. Verner
View Full Text
Abstract Text
This senior honors thesis illuminates the social and cultural history of Columbia in the 1920s by examining the life and work of James Spencer Verner (1877-1933), a lawyer who wrote short stories and plays. Family connections situated Verner in an intellectual environment from an early age. He received an undergraduate degree at USC in 1896 and followed his father into a career in law. Verner served as the recorder of the city of Columbia and was elected to the South Carolina House of Representatives from Richland County. In addition to his professional roles, he was also a leading figure in the Quill Club, a literary society founded in 1922. In his short stories and plays, Verner wrote about crimes and prosecutions focusing on topical issues of the 1920s, including the legal complications of ending a South Carolina marriage when the state was the only one in the country that did not permit divorce under any circumstances.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 17
|
| Dixon, Ryan |
Matchin, William |
Disambiguating Semantic Processing and Executive Function in Post-Stroke Aphasia
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Semantic processing, the ability to access or apply conceptual knowledge, can be impaired in neuropsychological populations and is commonly assessed with standard non-linguistic picture verification measures such as the Pyramids and Palm Trees Test (PPT) and Kissing and Dancing Test (KDT). However, prior research suggests these measures have substantial executive function demands. We aimed to assess this claim in 79 post-stroke aphasia patients. First, we assessed whether the PPT and KDT have significant convergent validity with semantic processing as assessed through the Western Aphasia Battery (WAB) comprehension subscore and the Northwestern Assessment of Verbs and Sentences (NAVS) verb and sentence comprehension tests, including the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS) matrices test as a control for executive function demands. Second, we assessed whether these measures predict damage to areas widely implicated in conceptual-semantic processing. The results revealed that the PPT and KDT significantly correlated with performance on the WAB-R and NAVS comprehension measures, but this relationship disappeared when WAIS matrices was included as a covariate, suggesting the convergent validity of the PPT and KDT may be driven by a shared executive function component. After controlling for multiple comparisons, the PPT only significantly related to damage to the posterior cingulate gyrus and the KDT did not significantly relate to damage to any semantics-related brain regions, unlike the linguistic comprehension measures which significantly related to several of these regions. These results indicate that the PPT and KDT may have limited utility in assessing conceptual-semantic deficits in left hemisphere chronic stroke survivors.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 113
|
| McGregor, Linden |
Outten, Caryn
Warahena Liyanage Dona, Shashini |
Expression and Purification of the S. Pombe Iron Repressor Fep1 for Structure/Function Analysis
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Iron homeostasis is necessary to maintain sufficient, non-toxic iron levels in almost all living organisms. Iron plays an essential role in many biochemical pathways, but excess iron can lead to the production of damaging reactive oxygen species. The model yeast S. pombe maintains iron homeostasis via two iron-responsive transcriptional repressors, Php4 and Fep1 (1). Both proteins have close homologues in human fungal pathogens, thus S. pombe provides an effective model for understanding essential iron homeostasis pathways that may be targeted for the development of antifungal compounds. Fep1 is a GATA-type Zn-finger protein that downregulates iron import during iron sufficiency to avoid iron overload (2). Our lab has shown that binding of a [2Fe-2S] cluster regulates the DNA-binding activity of Fep1, and that the Fe-S cluster trafficking proteins Grx4 and Fra2 facilitate removal of the cluster from Fep1 during iron deficiency (3). However, the structure of Fep1 has not been experimentally determined. In order to produce a protein suitable for structural determination, we aimed to generate and purify a truncated version of Fep1 using site-directed mutagenesis and recombinant protein expression and purification. This truncated version is a portion of the DNA-binding domain (amino acids 1-110) that includes zinc finger 1 and the cysteine-rich region hypothesized to bind iron and interact with Grx4. We have successfully generated the Fep1(1-110) plasmid and expressed the truncated Fep1 protein in E. coli. Following purification via E. coli cell lysis, sonication, and column chromatography, the circular dichroism spectrum of the sample suggests binding of a [2Fe-2S] cluster, as hypothesized. The purified protein will be used for crystallization trials to obtain the 3D structure and visualize the metal-binding sites. Our future studies will focus on measuring the DNA-binding properties of this construct, evaluating its interaction with Grx4-Fra2, and characterizing the metal-binding sites by UV-visible absorption, circular dichroism, and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopies.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 76
|
| Hunter, Mali |
De Backer, Wout |
Shaping the Future of Sustainability
View Full Text
Abstract Text
I am an International Business and Marketing major at Darla Moore School of Business. My beyond the classroom experience is Sustainability in Germany. I was in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany and it was a faculty-led experience. I visited Leipzig, Berlin, and Droyßig where I had a host family. I was able to practice and improve my German speaking skills whilst learning more about the sustainable systems that Germany has in place. My task in this experience was to get a documented journal of each day’s experience. This ranged from going to a vocational secondary school focusing on sustainability, UNESCO sites, and visiting companies to learn more about their energy system and practices, such as CropEnergies Bioethanol, Fraunhofer CBT, and Enercon. I went abroad to Germany because I wanted to learn more about the systems that Germans had in place compared to the United States. I had an interest in a career focusing on sustainability in the automotive industry. I was able to learn about wind energy, a big renewable source in Germany. Additionally, how sustainability was incorporated into art, family practices, and innovation in Germany. My beyond the classroom experience helped me better understand concepts on international business and social responsibility that I had covered in my IBUS 310 course. Additionally, my Green Scholars course from my freshman year of college prepared me for this experience as we analyzed different ways we could improve the campus’s sustainable initiatives. Overall, I was able to learn about the individual and corporate role of sustainability and how we can better make an impact on the world.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 245
|
| Honeycutt, Cassie |
Damon, Dorlisa |
Bridging Gaps: Strategic Outreach for Families Experiencing Homelessness Under the McKinney-Vento Act
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Families experiencing homelessness often struggle to access the educational support guaranteed to them under the McKinney-Vento Act, largely due to awareness gaps and communication barriers. This project explores the effectiveness of strategic outreach and stakeholder engagement in improving resource accessibility for these families. The primary research question examines how targeted communication strategies impact awareness, engagement, and utilization of McKinney-Vento services among professionals and the community. The purpose of this study is to assess and enhance outreach methods used to connect educators and community partners with essential resources. The methodology involves implementing a multi-channel communication strategy, including digital engagement, stakeholder collaboration, and direct outreach. Data is analyzed through engagement metrics, training participation rates, and qualitative feedback from educators and service providers.Preliminary results indicate that strategic communication improves awareness and participation in McKinney-Vento programs. Training sessions led to an increase in liaison participation, digital outreach increased family engagement over six months, and strengthened community partnerships improved service utilization rates. These findings demonstrate that data-driven outreach strategies effectively bridge awareness gaps and ensure families receive the educational support they need. This study underscores the importance of effective messaging, community collaboration, and advocacy-driven outreach in supporting vulnerable student populations.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 6
|
| Cota, Riley |
Decker, Lindsay |
Support Networks Among African American Women: A Descriptive Study from the TEAM-PA Trial
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Background: In the United States, African American (AA) women have disproportionately higher rates of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and obesity, yet they remain underrepresented in health promotion research.1 AA women also report lower rates of physical activity (PA), which contributes to chronic health conditions and shorter life expectancies. AA women report strong familial and community ties, which make up their social support networks. Social networks have a significant influence on AA women’s health behaviors, and thus it is important to understand how different characteristics (e.g., age) within social networks relate to PA among AA women.2
Purpose: Together Everyone Achieves More Physical Activity (TEAM-PA) is a randomized controlled trial testing the efficacy of a group-based intervention for increasing PA among AA women. The present study uses baseline data from the TEAM-PA trial to identify key characteristics of support networks among insufficiently active AA women.
Methods: Using a self-report survey, participants identified 3-5 people in their personal network who could support them in increasing their daily PA. Participants provided information related to their support persons’ ages, relationship, physical proximity, and perceived PA level. Additionally, PA data was collected through 7-day accelerometry wear.
Results: 95 participants responded to the survey, resulting in 359 support people identified. The most prominent type of relationship represented within participants’ support networks included a family member (33.7%), friend (25.3%), or child (22.6%). The age of their support network members varied with 20.1% over the age of 65, 18.7% being 35-44 years old, and 17.5% being 55-64 years old. Bivariate correlations revealed that the only characteristic that was significantly related to PA was age, such that having older individuals within one’s support network (over the age of 65) was associated with lower daily minutes of PA (r = -.24, p < .05).
Discussion: While the information collected on support networks provides valuable preliminary insight into the role of age among support networks and PA, more research is needed to examine the long-term impact of support networks on PA levels and health behaviors among AA women.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 126
|
| Caudle, Wesley |
Cui, Shari
Kung, Justin |
Outcomes of Cervical Laminoplasty in Cervical Myelopathy: A One-Year Retrospective Analysis of PROMIS Scores and Patient Satisfaction
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Background: Cervical myelopathy is a degenerative condition that compresses the spinal cord, often leading to motor and sensory deficits. While laminectomy and fusion is the traditional surgical approach, cervical laminoplasty offers a non-fusion alternative that aims to preserve cervical mobility. Despite its use, there is a lack of studies investigating PROMIS scores after cervical laminoplasty. This study aims to evaluate the outcomes of cervical laminoplasty by comparing preoperative and one-year postoperative PROMIS scores along with the patient’s improvement and satisfaction following surgery.
Methods: A retrospective query was performed to identify patients who underwent elective cervical laminoplasty at a single academic institution. Twenty-five patients with cervical myelopathy underwent laminoplasty and were surveyed via telephone before surgery and at one-year postoperatively. PROMIS domains scores for Global Health Physical (GHP), Global Health Mental (GHM), Pain Interference (PI), Physical Function (PF), and Depression (D) were collected. Patients also reported their subjective improvement and satisfaction postoperatively using a Likert scale questionnaire.
Results: Mean preoperative versus postoperative scores were: GHP (33 vs. 38), GHM (44 vs. 43), PI (70 vs. 59), PF (32 vs. 38), and D (52 vs. 52). Overall, 72% of patients perceived improvement, and 80% were satisfied with the procedure.
Conclusion: Cervical laminoplasty appears to reduce pain interference and improve physical function in patients with cervical myelopathy, with most reporting postoperative improvement and satisfaction. These findings suggest that cervical laminoplasty may be a useful surgical alternative for patients suffering from cervical myelopathy. Larger studies with extended follow-up are warranted to confirm these findings.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 184
|
| Gayle, Brandi |
Le, Helen |
Undergraduate Engagement in Healthcare
View Full Text
Abstract Text
For the past year I have been employed as a physical therapy technician at Drayer Physical Therapy in Forest Acres, SC. In this position I have had the opportunity to assist physical therapists in patient care duties such as preparing equipment for use, setting up patients for workouts, and walking up to 10 patients a day through their planned exercises for hour-long sessions. Daily I get to observe diverse treatment modalities such as manual massage therapy, joint mobilization, electrical stimulation therapy, electronic ultrasound, cupping, heat and ice treatments. I also have learned how to complete office clerical duties such as checking patients in and out of appointments, collecting payments with and without insurance, scheduling patient appointments, and answering clinic phone calls and emails. As an exercise science major this employment has allowed me to gain immense hands-on experience on what day-to-day life looks like as a clinician whose focus is on exercise as rehabilitation and injury treatment and prevention. The curriculum I have learned over the past four years shows up daily in my job as a technician, and has allowed me to prepare myself to become a successful future healthcare provider. My presentation will overview the insights I have acquired through my experiences within the classroom and in the clinic, and how they have set me up for success in attending physical therapy school and pursuing my dream career.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 253
|
| Stoltz, Rebecca |
Walsh, John
Desai, Miraj
Ventresca, Heidi
Kung, Justin |
Outcomes Associated with Double-Screw Fixation of Scaphoid Fractures and Nonunions: A Systematic Review
View Full Text
Abstract Text
INTRODUCTION: Scaphoid fractures are common orthopedic injuries that can result in malunion, nonunion, avascular necrosis, and accelerated wrist degeneration if a displaced fracture goes unnoticed. Recent biomechanical studies suggest that double-screw fixation offers advantages over single-screw methods in stability and rotational stress. However, this method is largely understudied, especially in the United States. This study aims to review the literature and report outcomes for scaphoid fractures treated with double screw fixation.
METHODS: A systematic review was performed using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. PubMed and Embase were queried to find all articles related to double screw fixation of scaphoid fractures and nonunions. Surgical technique and approach were collected along with patient demographics and outcomes. Outcomes included union rate and time, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) pain score, grip strength, Mayo Wrist Score (MWS), range of motion (ROM), and Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation (PRWE) scores.
RESULTS: Based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, 11 studies from 7 countries reporting on 222 scaphoids were included. The predominant surgical technique was open reduction and internal fixation with a volar approach. All studies reported union rates, resulting in bony union of 220 out of 222 scaphoids, or a total rate of 99.1%. Average reported union times ranged from 8 weeks to 5 months. Seven studies included VAS scores and MWS with post-operative averages ranging from 0.23 to 3 and 79 to 93.89, respectively. Six studies reported ROM, five reported grip strength, and four reported PRWE.
CONCLUSION: The double screw fixation method for scaphoid fractures and nonunions is an understudied topic that resulted in high union rates and favorable patient outcomes. Further high-quality study is necessary to determine complications as well as superiority or inferiority to other methods of fixation.
Study Level of Evidence
Level IV
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 188
|
| Lunt, Annabelle |
Ahuja, Divya |
Implementation of Links to Care Food Insecurity and Transportation Decision Trees to Improve SDOH Screening and Patient Access to Community Resources
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Background/Aim
Medical Students Making Change (MSMC) is a student-led organization that works with the Free Medical Clinic in Columbia, SC to identify and counsel uninsured patients diagnosed with or at high risk for diabetes. In Richland County, approximately one in ten people are uninsured. These patients are vulnerable to the negative impacts of Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) which can contribute to higher rates of diabetes, increased disease mortality, and higher rates of severe diabetic complications. Through SDOH screening, MSMC can identify many of these patients with barriers to care and proper resources. This information is both shared with Free Medical Clinic clinicians and used by our volunteers to directly connect patients with valuable community resources. By identifying SDOH-related needs and providing a structured framework to link patients with appropriate support, MSMC aims to prevent diabetes in at-risk individuals and improve health outcomes for those already diagnosed.
Methods
MSMC volunteers currently use a five-question screening tool covering food insecurity, barriers to exercise, transportation, and housing insecurity. While this tool has greatly enhanced our ability to identify patients’ specific barriers, many volunteers are unsure of how to provide resources. To enhance this process, we have partnered with the student organization, Links to Care, to integrate their SDOH decision trees focused on transportation and food insecurity. These tools will help our volunteers guide patients toward the most appropriate resources. Additionally, this partnership will allow our screening tool to provide more valuable input on most needed resources for decision trees in progress.
Discussion
Implementation of the SDOH decision trees is ongoing. Once volunteers are trained, we anticipate improved identification of barriers to care, enhanced data collection on patient needs, and more effective patient referrals to essential resources for diabetes management. Training volunteers to use decision trees will provide a structured framework for identifying patient needs and navigating available resources. These tools will clarify eligibility, streamline access to assistance, and ensure patients understand the necessary steps to secure support. By integrating this approach, MSMC aims to improve resource accessibility and overall patient outcomes.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 169
|
| Larson, Isabella |
Kubickova, Marketa |
Event Management in the Entertainment Industry: Aligning Classroom Knowledge and Practical Application
View Full Text
Abstract Text
In the spring semester of 2024, I began my internship with Something Borrowed LLC, an event rental company that specializes in corporate events, weddings, and festivals. As part of my role, I was tasked to assist with the logistics, management, and execution of the St. Patrick’s Day festival in Five Points, Columbia, SC. My first experience with a large-scale event, the festival provided a unique, behind-the-scenes perspective on event operations / coordination and combined many of the elements of event management covered in my undergraduate coursework. In preparation ahead of the festival, I was involved in many aspects of development including logistics meetings, inventory procurement and management, and more. Being so involved with the process allowed me to see the true nature and attention to detail needed to organize and execute large events, something I had previously only theorized in my courses. The final push for the event was the actual assembly of the event and, working with a small group of volunteers through the night, prepared all five of the patron access points, ensuring each was safely assembled and ready for the morning. Having later that same day attended the same festival as a patron and witnessing first-hand the payoff of weeks of hard work, seeing the festival’s smooth operation was immensely rewarding. My experience interning with Something Borrowed has instilled in me the importance of combining course knowledge with hands-on learning, in order to be truly immersed in the industry. This internship has provided me with so much industry knowledge, growth, and personal development, while reinforcing my passion for event management and intensifying my desire to work in the entertainment industry.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 262
|
| Williams, Angelica |
Found, Jill |
From Columbia to the World: The Legacy of C.A. Johnson High School's Academic and Musical Excellence
View Full Text
Abstract Text
This poster will use yearbooks, newsletters, and awards from the 1950s - 1970s to create a picture of the phenomenal academic environment of C.A. Johnson High School, and the numerous successful students that once walked its halls. I will also reflect on the course offerings, diverse staffing, and extracurricular activities that all worked together to make this historically Black high school so successful. Further, this poster will specifically highlight how Black high schools like C.A. Johnson not only prepared students for local and national endeavors, but also pushed them in the direction of international achievement. In order to demonstrate this, I will spend the majority of this poster discussing C.A. Johnson’s music teacher, Mrs. Margaret Alice Thornton and her mentorship of Louis-Edward Smart, a renowned bass singer who went on to have a successful music career in several different countries before coming back home to perform right here in Columbia, SC. His numerous letters to Mrs. Thornton demonstrate that she had a profound impact on the trajectory of his life, and that C.A. Johnson played a key role in preparing him for a successful career.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 100
|
| McDaniel, Erin |
Lacey, Mia |
Advocating for a Healthier Community, One Patient at a Time
View Full Text
Abstract Text
In my first semester of college, I joined Relay For Life as a member of the Cancer Advocacy committee. I had never heard of the organization, but after speaking with the representatives at the organization fair, I felt it aligned with my passions and values very well. Relay For Life is the American Cancer Society’s college fundraising branch, and the organization allowed for ample opportunities to engage with the community, get involved in the world of cancer awareness, and raise funds for cancer research, support, and prevention. As I went through the year on the Cancer Advocacy committee, I saw such passion behind each person in the organization, and knew I wanted it to be a bigger part of my life. The next year, I became the Fundraising chair, a position I held for two years, and I am currently a Senior Advisor for the Fundraising committee. The role of fundraising chair was life-changing. It taught me to be a leader, organizational skills, and a genuine appreciation for each person I worked with throughout my experience in Relay For Life. During my sophomore year, I decided to involve myself in the cancer community even more, joining a research lab titled the Exercise Oncology Lab. In this lab, we worked with members of the Columbia community, providing exercise interventions to cancer patients and survivors to improve quality of life. This experience only deepened my passion for the field, allowing me to connect with each patient I worked with. I learned how to adapt to changing situations, as well as maintaining optimism in the face of failure. My experiences serving in the USC/Columbia community have made me into a more well-rounded leader, student, researcher, and activist, and each lesson learned through these experiences will continue to cause me to grow throughout the rest of my life and career.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 214
|
| Phillips, Catherine |
Watson, Michael |
Leading with Empathy: My Experience as a Panhellenic Recruitment Counselor
View Full Text
Abstract Text
In August 2023, I had the opportunity to serve as a Recruitment Counselor, or "Pi Chi," for the University of South Carolina College Panhellenic Association. This role was not only deeply rewarding but also an incredible experience in professional development and civic engagement. As a Pi Chi, I guided a group of 27 freshmen women through USC’s largest Panhellenic sorority recruitment to date. Working closely with the Panhellenic Executive Board and utilizing the "Pi-Chi Handbooks," I navigated the challenges of leading and mentoring first-year students as they adjusted to the recruitment process and college life.
One of the biggest lessons I learned in this role was the importance of effective communication. At the start of recruitment, I struggled to captivate and maintain my group's attention, as they were overwhelmed with nerves and uncertainty. However, after reflecting on my own experience going through sorority recruitment two years prior, I shifted my approach. I put myself in their shoes and spoke to them with empathy, understanding their emotions and concerns. This change in perspective immediately improved my ability to connect with them, making them more engaged and open to asking questions.
Through this experience, I gained valuable leadership, mentorship, and public speaking skills. I learned how to adapt my communication style to different audiences and create an environment where individuals felt supported and confident in their decisions. Serving as a Pi Chi reinforced my passion for guiding others and provided me with skills that will benefit me in future professional and leadership roles.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 323
|
| Anderson, Gracie |
Kates, Patrick
Hamlyn, Penny
Hicks, Mark
Lee, Andrew |
Automated Optimization of Resin Selection, Wash Parameters, and Elution Parameters for Protein A-Based Purifications
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Protein A affinity chromatography is widely used for purifying Fc-domain molecules like monoclonal antibodies (mAb), bispecific antibodies (bsAb), and fusion proteins. Optimizing downstream steps such as resin choice, wash steps, and elution pH can enhance yields, reduce host cell protein (HCP) contamination, and minimize product aggregates and fragments. This study demonstrates rapid screening of various resins, wash buffers, and elution buffers using an automated liquid handler (Hamilton Microlab STAR) with loosely packed resin beds (IMCStips). Three mAbs and one bsAb were purified from cell cultures using four resins, eight wash conditions, and eight elution parameters. To verify that dispersive solid phase extraction behaved similarly to traditional column-based methods, each resin was used to bind polyclonal human IgG, and binding capacities were compared to manufacturer binding capacity values. Each of the four analytes was then purified using the four resins and either eight unique wash conditions previously shown to affect HCP clearance or eight different elution conditions. Products were analyzed for yield, monomer fraction, HCP content, and purity. The final test combined three optimal wash and two elution conditions to select parameters that maximize HCP clearance and reduce aggregation while maintaining yields. Ideal resin, wash buffer, and elution conditions were identified for each analyte, with the least stable analyte showing the greatest variability among resins and the elution parameter showing the greatest impact on yield and monomer percentage. Moreover, NaCl-based wash conditions, as well as those containing a denaturant, showed the greatest HCP clearance across the resins tested. Demonstrated is a rapid, automated means for identifying key, bespoke parameters for downstream purification of Fc-domain containing molecules.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 53
|
| Gan, Jianyu |
Chen, Hui |
Proteomic Analysis Reveals Spatial Asynchrony of RNA Modifications in Early Embryogenesis
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Early embryogenesis requires a transition of the developmental control from the maternal to zygotic program. This transition includes both the maternal factor clearance and the zygotic genome activation (ZGA), which are essential for early embryonic cell fate specification and cell type diversification. However, the mechanisms of maternal-to-zygotic transition (MZT) in time and space is not fully understood. We previously established a model using the Xenopus early embryo to reveal a spatiotemporally gradual pattern of ZGA; nevertheless, how this pattern is regulated is still unknown. We hypothesize that regionally enriched factors mediate the spatial asynchrony of ZGA. To test this hypothesis, we performed proteomics on regions dissected from early Xenopus embryos, including the animal pole (AP) and the vegetal pole (VP) where the ZGA initiates early and late, respectively. By analyzing the Gene Ontology (GO) terms, we found that the AP is enriched with proteins participating in the RNA splicing and processing, while the VP is enriched in fatty acid metabolic process, suggesting potential roles of these molecules may contribute to the spatially distinct onset of ZGA. Strikingly, RNA epigenetics modifiers, including the N6-methyladenosine (m6A) writer METTL16 and readers YTHDF1/2, are significantly enriched in the AP. Previous research reported that m6A contribute to maternal mRNA clearance and nascent RNA stabilization. Our data indicate a potential key role of m6A in regulating early ZGA in the AP. To corroborate the findings of proteomic analysis, we performed Western blot analysis on the expression of m6A modifiers in the regions of embryos. Indeed, we found YTHDF2 is higher at the AP than at the VP when ZGA occurs, consistent with the proteomic data. We are currently working on the Nanopore direct RNA sequencing to detect the m6A modification, as well as other RNA modifications, in different regions of early embryos. Overall, our study provides novel insights into RNA epigenetic regulation of the early embryonic genome, and our findings have general implications in understanding the principles of early embryo development, potentiating novel strategies for treatments of developmental disorders.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 9
|
| Powell, Carra |
McCallum, Brown James
Czyzewski, Patryk |
Fast and Ferocious - Necrotizing, hemorrhagic pancreatitis managed medically, a case report
View Full Text
Abstract Text
42-year-old male presented with two days of epigastric pain, anorexia, nausea and vomiting. He reported constipation, denied fever, chills, dyspnea, urinary complaints. He had been increasing alcohol intake to 2-3 drinks daily for several months. On admission labs revealed a lipase of 557, Na 127, ALT 80, AST 156, and triglycerides 3458. Imaging was indicative of acute pancreatitis without pseudocyst, with heterogeneous appearance to head and uncinate process with extensive surrounding peripancreatic soft tissue stranding involving the entire pancreas. His liver was notably enlarged, measuring 23.5 cm with severe steatosis. No cholecystitis, no cholelithiasis. There was also noted peripancreatic fluid extending inferiorly predominantly along the right paracolic gutter into the pelvis without discrete rim-enhancing fluid collections to suggest abscess.
The patient was placed on bowel rest with significant improvement in symptoms. Clear liquids were trialed, however he developed recurrent and worsening symptoms with significant tachycardia, hypocalcemia requiring repletion, acute anemia requiring transfusion, and significant diffuse abdominal distention and tenderness to palpation without rebound tenderness. NG tube was placed for decompression. Imaging was repeated with evidence of a worsening retroperitoneal fluid collection concerning for hemorrhage vs abscess. A RLQ drain was placed which resulted with aseptic cultures, however he had been on antibiotics prophylactically. The fluid was also notable for significant blood. He underwent MRCP with evidence of necrotizing hemorrhagic pancreatitis. Due to the patient’s inability to tolerate PO for an extended period the patient ultimately had a post-pyloric small-bore catheter placed for enteral nutrition. When the RLQ drain stopped draining significantly (<30mL), it was removed. The patient’s exam improved, and he was again trialed on clear liquids which he now tolerated. His acute blood loss anemia stabilized, no longer requiring transfusions. His diet was slowly advanced and once he tolerated low fat diet the small-bore catheter was removed. He was transitioned to the floor and ultimately discharged home.
This case brings attention to the acuity of what appears to be simple pancreatitis on initial exam and initial imaging and the risk of progression to life threatening necrotizing or hemorrhagic pancreatitis.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 148
|
| Holler, Owings |
Deweil, David |
A different stage for policy and debate: My time serving as a Young Adult Advisory Delegate
View Full Text
Abstract Text
During the summer of 2024, I had the distinct honor of serving as the Young Adult Advisory Delegate for the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (PCUSA). I represented South Carolina during the two week long conference where legislation ruling the national church was discussed, debated, and voted on. I was able to serve on the Ordination committee where we met every day for a week before going to Salt Lake City, Utah for the plenary session. I have always been an active member in the Presbyterian church, at home and serving as the UKIRK co-president on USC's campus. This opportunity was not only exciting, but it was a way to combine my passion for politics with my involvement in the church. I learned how difficult it can be to represent an entire body of people with sometimes drastically different opinions than myself. It was a real life application of the lessons I learned from my Congress and the Presidency class here at South Carolina. I really enjoyed the policy aspect of the experience. It was fascinating to be included in the process knowing it held so much weight. I had the experience in my class but it was all just for the simulation, this actually mattered.
I learned that politics can be handled with grace and love in a debate setting, something that was more rare to see during my time working in the South Carolina House of Representatives. I saw first hand people acknowledging and respecting other opinions that disagree with them. I also was able to be reminded to fully research and try to understand all sides before coming to an opinion. It was incredibly challenging to vote on some of the legislation knowing it may hurt certain groups of people. I will carry all of these lessons I learned into my future career in law.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 270
|
| Bulman, Hailey |
Hiott, Ambra |
Applying What I Learned, My Summer at Textron
View Full Text
Abstract Text
During the summer of 2024 I participated in Textron’s 10-week Leadership Development Intern Program. Textron is a global leader in technology and manufacturing. I spent the summer at Textron Systems in Hunt Valley, Maryland, and I had the privilege of working with the Air Systems team where they specialize in creating unmanned drones for the military.
I worked on the program finance team as a financial analyst where I worked closely with program managers and engineers who were developing new, innovative drone systems. As a financial analyst, I was responsible for helping these teams better understand how the program was performing financially. This work consisted of reviewing actual results, updating forecasts, preparing project expenditure reports, and creating new ad-hoc analyses. This experience exposed me to new software that I might use in the future and provided me with an opportunity to learn about the unique accounting requirements associated with government contracting.
Along with creating financial reports for program leaders, we also completed a group case study. This case study required my team of six interns from various Textron units to conduct a make or buy analysis for a part required to manufacture a newly designed Bell helicopter. This assignment provided a great opportunity to collaborate with other interns and learn from corporate leaders how analyses are performed, and business decisions are made.
As a Finance major, USC provided me with the base knowledge in areas like accounting, operations management and financial analysis that helped make me a successful intern. However, applying these skills during my internship helped me better understand their application in the real world. At Textron I was exposed to large complex sets of data, gained industry knowledge, and learned how to work effectively with team members with different backgrounds and skill sets, such as program engineers. I learned how effective communication and collaboration with people of different skills and responsibilities is critical for overall program and company success. Working together makes us more effective, yielding better results for the company, our customers, and society.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 254
|
Miller, Sienna
Eslami, Arshia |
McQuail, Joseph
Vento, Peter |
Increased Mixing Costs in Older Rats During Task Switching
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Human neuropsychological studies have shown consistent age-related declines in cognitive processes that underlie the ability to switch between tasks. However, there is a lack of experimental paradigms using animal models to investigate these phenomena. In this study, we introduce a dual-task paradigm incorporating match-to-sample and non-match-to-sample operant tasks to assess task-switching costs in male and female F344 rats of different ages (4-10 months for younger rats, and 12+ months for older rats). Rats were trained to sample a pre-selected lever, and after a delay of up to 24 seconds, their memory of the sampled lever was tested during a choice phase. In the single-task condition, rats selected the same lever as the sample ('match-to-sample'). In the dual-task condition, cue-lights prompted rats to either repeat the same response or switch to a non-matching response strategy ('non-match-to-sample'). Older rats performed comparably to younger rats in the matching-only condition but showed decreased accuracy in the dual-task condition, particularly on non-matching trials after longer delays. Subsequent tests ruled out impairments in rule learning, reversal learning, or set-shifting, suggesting specific deficits in task-switching abilities. Task-switching deficits are measured by two main costs. Switching costs reflect the additional cognitive effort required when switching between tasks, calculated by comparing performance on trials that involve a task switch versus those that do not. Mixing costs capture the performance decline when tasks are mixed within a block of trials, reflecting the cognitive load of managing multiple task rules simultaneously. Our analysis revealed that while switching costs were similar across age groups, older rats exhibited significantly higher mixing costs, indicating greater difficulty when tasks were interspersed in a block, especially with longer delays. These mixing costs were calculated trial-by-trial, separate from the overall performance deficits observed in older rats. These findings parallel those observed in aging humans, suggesting the utility of this behavioral paradigm and animal model investigate the mechanistic basis for age-related task-switching deficits.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 32
|
| Adkins, Kaitlyn |
Sayers, Christina |
Progressing from Competency to Proficiency as a Nurse
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Upon completing my junior year of nursing school at the University of South Carolina, I was hired to work as a Nurse Extern at Piedmont Medical Center in Rock Hill, SC. Working as a Nurse Extern allowed me to work alongside Registered Nurses in various departments throughout the hospital, while also gaining first-hand experience working with a diverse patient population and improving upon my patient care skills. My everyday tasks in this role included providing basic patient care, assisting with patient’s activities of daily living, and observing nurses as they administered medications, performed procedures, and provided patient education. As a nursing major, this experience was invaluable to the development of my nursing skills by allowing me to put into practice all the knowledge I had gained in the classroom. The time I spent in the classroom provided me with the foundation of knowledge required to be a safe and competent nurse. But my time in the hospital provided me with a real-world setting in which I could apply that knowledge to different patient situations and learn to adapt my care accordingly. I was also given the opportunity to build upon my communication and critical thinking skills, which are essential in becoming a proficient nurse. I am thankful that this opportunity helped me grow as a nursing student and will have a long-lasting impact on the type of nurse I will be upon graduation.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 247
|
| Foster, Merritt |
Meyer, Chase |
Ballots, Bench, and Bureaucracy: The Impact of Senatorial Elections and Partisanship on Judicial Decision Making, Post-Reconstruction to Progressive Era in the Regional South.
View Full Text
Abstract Text
From the post-Reconstruction era to the Progressive era (1886-1930), senatorial elections shaped both federal and state decision-making, whether policy or judicial related, in the United States. This study examines the regional partisan dynamics emerging and enduring during this period, highlighting the dominance of Southern Democrats in South-often fractured by radical factions- and the stronghold of the Republican Party in the North; these divides significantly influenced the legislative and judicial priorities and appointments during this period, reinforcing sectionalization of political identities. The ratification of the Seventeenth Amendment, shifting the selection of United States senators from direct to popular elections, altered the composition of the Senate, but also disrupted political patronage systems previously allowing dominate state parties to control appointments. This amendment allowed contemporary avenues for intra-party contestation and realignment. This research illuminates the extent to which senatorial elections, in the South, influenced broader governance structures and partisan dynamics, tracing electoral mechanisms and subsequent behaviors of these bodies; shifts in the electoral process reshaped the balance of power between branches, ultimately shaping the landscape of American legal and policy development during this transformation period in United States Southern history.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 18
|
| Hammersmith, Avery |
Love, Bryan |
Evaluating the Regional and Provider Specialty Trends of Eluxadoline in Medicare Populations with Irritable Bowel Syndrome from 2016-2022
View Full Text
Abstract Text
This study examines regional and provider specialty trends in Eluxadoline prescriptions for Medicare patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) from 2016-2022. With IBS increasingly affecting older adults, understanding prescribing patterns can highlight treatment access, potential gaps in care, and provider preferences. The findings may help improve treatment strategies and healthcare policies for elderly IBS patients.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 151
|
| Davenport, Kayla |
Liese, Angela
Austin, Megan
Julceus, Emmanuel
Davis, Rachel
Bekelman, Traci |
Prevalence and Lived Experience of Mental Health Concerns in Diabetes Care
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Objectives: Mental health challenges are common among individuals with diabetes. However, mental health often receives less attention compared to other aspects of routine diabetes care. This study explores the prevalence of mental health concerns and perceptions of mental health resources among individuals with youth-onset diabetes.
Methods: A quantitative analysis was conducted using survey data from the ongoing SEARCH Food Security Cohort Study 2, which included 89 young adults (YA) (66 with Type 1, 23 with Type 2 diabetes, all participants were food-secure) from Colorado, South Carolina, and Washington. Mental health symptoms were ascertained using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale. A thematic analysis of qualitative interviews from a subset of 9 participants provided additional insights into experiences with diabetes and mental healthcare needs.
Results: Among YA with diabetes, 29.2% reported moderate to severe anxiety, and 62.9% reported symptoms of depression. The 9 interviewed participants recounted various impacts of diabetes-related stressors on their mental health that were compounded by a lack of resources to address these challenges. Specific stressors included the daily responsibilities of managing a chronic condition, the financial burdens of diabetes care, and the lifelong nature of a chronic condition.
Conclusions: The frequency of anxiety and depression among individuals with diabetes and the experiences of a subset of these participants suggests that there are unmet needs for mental healthcare in routine diabetes management. Future efforts should focus on comprehensive care models that prioritize mental health screening and support for individuals with diabetes.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 165
|
| Cubero, Isaac |
Miller, Sarah |
From Costa Rica to a World of Opportunities
View Full Text
Abstract Text
I have always wanted to come to America to study and play sports, and receiving a basketball scholarship to attend USC Salkehatchie was both a blessing and a dream come true. This opportunity has allowed me to pursue my passion for basketball while also opening the door to a whole new world of learning and personal growth. Coming from Costa Rica, a beautiful but small country, I was used to a culture where family and a comfortable lifestyle are prioritized over personal ambition. However, moving to the United States exposed me to a highly competitive and success-driven environment. This cultural shift challenged me to step out of my comfort zone and embrace new opportunities for growth. For example, learning to balance academics and athletics in a fast-paced environment has improved my time management and discipline. Additionally, engaging with people from different backgrounds has broadened my understanding of global perspectives. Through my learning in college, I have explored how history is taught differently across cultures. Comparing Costa Rican and American perspectives on events such as colonialism and migration has helped me see how historical narratives shape national identities. Courses like History have provided me with analytical tools to critically evaluate different viewpoints.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 201
|
| Lavallee, Lauren |
Fu, Xiaoxue |
The Effect of Attention and Motor Abilities on Word Learning Through Coordinated Visual Attention
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Preterm infants (PTs) are at a high risk for neurocognitive impairments, which presents a significant public health concern. We introduce a study protocol that examines whether disruptions in attention and motor abilities in PTs change the way PTs created their own opportunities for language learning via coordinated visual attention. Infants and their parents visited our laboratory twice. During their first visit at 12 months old, infant attention functions are assessed using screen-based eye-tracking tasks. Infants’ gross motor and fine motor skills are assessed using a standardized clinical assessment, which contributed to the results seen for joint attention. At the 18-month visit, infant-parent coordinated visual attention is recorded using a head-mounted mobile eye-tracker during a free-play session. In the free-play session, infants and parents play together a set of novel toys with the pseudo names assigned to the toys. Infants are then tested on their ability to learn the names of the novel toys. If full term infants, compared to PTs, exhibit better attention and motor skills at 12-months, and better coordinated visual attention and word-learning at 18-months, this suggests that attention and motor skills pave the way for the establishment of coordinated visual attention, which enables word learning. We expect that full-term infants will outperform PTs in tasks of attention, motor abilities, and word learning.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 150
|
| Snyder, Malaika |
Matthews, Sarah |
Adapting Abroad: Overcoming Challenges and Embracing Cultural Learning in Spain
View Full Text
Abstract Text
When I entered college, I knew studying abroad was a priority for me. Given my prior interest in Spanish and it being my minor, I determined that a Maymester program in Cádiz, Spain, was perfect. Cádiz, located along the southern coast of Spain in the region of Andalusia, is the oldest city in the country with a rich historical heritage. I first took a flight to Madrid, then a train to Seville, and finally a bus to Cádiz. For four weeks, I lived with a host family and exclusively spoke Spanish. In addition to taking culture and grammar courses at the University of Cádiz, I also completed a study abroad course with a USC professor. Each class was conducted entirely in Spanish. As part of the program, we participated in excursions to Seville, Granada, Bolonia, Tarifa, and Morocco. I also took a solo trip to the Netherlands, which further broadened my cultural exposure. During my time in Spain, I was surprised by the lack of racial diversity, which piqued my interest in immigration patterns from Africa and Central America. This curiosity led me to an opportunity to meet with the mayor of Cádiz to discuss Spain’s immigration policies and political climate. Additionally, I engaged with immigrants from Peru and El Salvador. While my time abroad was transformative, it was not without its challenges. I experienced homesickness, loneliness, and culture shock. However, I learned to reframe my perspective and adapt to unfamiliar situations. One of my goals was to engage deeply with Spanish-speaking individuals and cultures outside of my own, and this program provided exactly that. As a result of this beyond-the-classroom experience, I have strengthened my Spanish language proficiency and developed greater confidence in my ability to navigate uncertain situations. Furthermore, my study abroad experience provided context for topics discussed in my Spanish 305 course, such as immigration factors, the differences between U.S. and Spanish immigration policies, and cultural aspects of Hispanic and Latino communities. This experience helped me enhance my linguistic skills and gain a better understanding of global migration and cultural integration.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 230
|
| Davis, Katherine |
Matthews, Sarah |
From Teammate to Leader: My Journey as President of USC Women’s Club Soccer
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Since my freshman year at the University of South Carolina, I have been a proud member of the USC Women’s Club Soccer team. Watching and learning from the former presidents and upperclassmen inspired me to pursue a leadership role in the club that held the most meaning to me and aligned with my passions. Serving as the team’s president allowed me to contribute to the sport I love while representing my university in a meaningful way.
In this role, I gained invaluable experience managing administrative duties, navigating between the club office to meet university requirements, and ensuring that the 35 members of the team were engaged and satisfied with their experience. Balancing the needs of the team while meeting organizational expectations challenged me to develop my leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills. I worked to create an environment where teammates not only grew as athletes but also as students and individuals, fostering a supportive culture that prioritized mutual respect and personal development.
Being the president of USC Women’s Club Soccer has been the most rewarding experience of my undergraduate career. It gave me the opportunity to represent my school, build relationships, and lead a team united in its commitment to becoming better teammates, students, and people. This role reinforced the value of dedication, teamwork, and adaptability—lessons I will carry with me far beyond the field.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 254
|
| Fattizzi, Anthony |
Smith, Deanna
Ventrone, Anne
Matoo, Samaneh |
Deciphering the Cellular Roles of LIS1 in the Mature Nervous System
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Lissencephaly is a rare neurological disorder affecting 1 in 100,000 births each year. This devastating developmental disorder, caused by heterozygous mutations in the LIS1 gene, results in abnormal brain development. Complete LIS1 loss is embryonically lethal. Lissencephaly patients have reduced gyri, abnormal neuronal positioning and decreased number of neurons. Children have cognitive and motor deficiencies, and seizures that lead to early death. Lissencephaly-causing LIS1 mutations impair interkinetic nuclear oscillation, mitotic spindle orientation and nuclear envelope breakdown. Defective regulation of spindle orientation leads to premature differentiation and a depletion of the cell pool. The cellular abnormalities in the developing brain have been linked to LIS1’s role as a regulator of the microtubule motor, cytoplasmic dynein. Dynein is a processive motor that is responsible for retrograde axonal transport. We have shown that overexpression of LIS1 increases retrograde axonal transport, and blocking LIS1 function drastically reduces both anterograde and retrograde axonal transport. LIS1's role in axonal transport in fully developed neurons is likely important throughout the human lifespan. However, LIS1’s role beyond development has been minimally explored. Therefore, we wanted to explore the role of LIS1 in the mature nervous system. We bypassed disruptions to development by inducing LIS1 depletion in young adult mice (2 months old), specifically in projection neurons and astrocytes separately. Neuron specific LIS1 depletion caused the rapid onset of severe neurological deficits and death. LIS1 loss show signs of axonal degeneration. Astrocyte specific LIS1 depletion did not cause degeneration, but may cause reactive astrogliosis and behaviors linked to OCD, anxiety and autism. These studies suggest that LIS1-related defects in mature neurons and astrocytes could contribute to lissencephaly, and potentially to other neurological disorders. LIS1 loss in neurons may be implicated in neurodegenerative diseases as well.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 34
|
| Billings, Abigail |
Sayers, Christina |
Education Abroad: Media as a Conduit of a Global Mindset
View Full Text
Abstract Text
I spent the fall of my junior year studying abroad at Richmond American University in London, England. While it wasn’t my first time going abroad or even studying abroad, it was the longest period of time I had ever spent in another country. I was, of course, excited to take on the role of a “Londoner”, but what I was most excited about was experiencing the world from a global perspective, one different from what I’ve known in the U.S.. From the first day I sat down in my courses, less than 10 miles away from the center of London, I began to recognize key elements of my studies at USC, such as the transnational flows of media from FAMS308: Global Media Industries, how cultures and communities react in times of distress from CPLT303: Great Books of the Eastern world, and the global spread of language from ENGL439: Teaching English Abroad.
The one entity that I’ve found to be present in all aspects of my global learning journey is the impact of media on developing an open perspective of the world. We sometimes forget that media isn’t just something on a screen. It can be a book, a song, a speech; media is meant to spread a message across groups of people. In everything I’ve experienced through both my within the classroom experiences and my beyond the classroom ones, I found media is a limitless way to spread cultural and global information across borders. Even while abroad, I was able to pair my experienced knowledge with what I learned in class, comparing perspectives and stories to create a worldly perspective that allows me to see the bigger picture and impact within everything I do. Since returning to USC, I’ve found myself gravitating towards areas of study that continue to challenge and engage my global thinking skills, and I don’t plan on limiting my studies as a lifelong learner.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 202
|
| Mattia, Victoria |
Spinale, Francis |
The Myocardial Inflammasome and Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Background: Heart failure (HF) is a leading cause of hospitalization and death, with the number of cases projected to exceed 10 million by 2030. An important cause of HF is that of left ventricular (LV) pump failure, termed HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), and is primarily caused by ischemic heart disease, such as myocardial infarction (MI). Recently, innate immune activation, specifically the inflammasome NOD-like receptor protein 3(NOD-, LRR- and pyrin domain-containing protein 3,NLRP-3) has been identified in HFrEF. However, the relationship between LV structure, function and upstream inflammatory signaling pathways to that of NLRP-3 induction with the development of HFrEF remains unknown. Using a large animal model of MI and HFrEF, the study tested the hypothesis that NLRP-3 activation occurs, and more importantly is associated with shifts in cytokine signaling and fibroblast phenotype.
Methods and Results: MI was induced in pigs (25kg, n=10) and additional pigs served as referent controls (n=10). At 28 days post-MI, the HFrEF phenotype was observed with a reduced EF (43±4 vs 64±3%, p=<0.05). NLRP-3 expression (PCR) increased by over 60-fold with HFrEF, and caspase-1 activity, and index of NPRP-3 activation, increased by over 2-fold (both, p<0.05). A downstream proinflammatory/profibrotic cytokine, induced by NLRP-3, IL-18, increased by over 15-fold (p<0.05). Using a fibroblast PCR array, these changes in NLRP-3 expression/activation was associated with a shift in fibroblast phenotype to a more proliferative/degradative profile. Finally, in LV fibroblast cultures (n=3) induction of NLRP-3 could be induced by the signaling molecule, transforming growth factor- β (TGF-β) which is known to be expressed in MI and HFrEF.
Conclusions: While exogenous inflammatory pathways have been identified post-MI, this is the first study to directly quantify and integrate inflammasome expression/activation (NLRP-3); with the development of HFrEF. Since IL-18 is released by NLRP-3 and is a potent signal for TGF-β, this study uncovered a potent positive feedback loop of NLRP-3 induction. Interruption of this NLRP-3/IL-18/TGF-β axis holds a novel therapeutic direction for HFrEF.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 112
|
| Belue, Samuel |
Ballou, Julia |
Making an Impact Through Serving Others
View Full Text
Abstract Text
During my time at the University of South Carolina, I have had the pleasure of serving as a Resident Assistant (RA) for University Housing for four consecutive years. Through this role I was tasked with upholding an unwavering commitment to providing the best on-campus experience for students of all ages. As an RA I have been expected to uphold university policy and conduct myself in a way that allows me to be not only a role model for my residents, but also a resource for them to overcome any academic, emotional, or other struggles that come their way.
Common tasks within the role were things such as event planning, conflict mediation, promoting building safety and cleanliness, attending workshops, as well as contributing to RA training procedures. RAs are at the heart of any on-campus community and truly know what it means to know, connect, and empower the students of our community. Living among them on the floor allows you to connect with them in a way that no other University affiliate can.
When I first applied to be an RA, I knew that I wanted to get involved on campus and contribute to our community, hoping I would leave the University a better place than I found it. I did not realize at the time just how significant the RA role was going to be in allowing me to reach my goal. The defining moment that happens for me every year is at the end, when I get to see just how far my residents have come. Seeing them grow and chase their dreams is a sight like no other, and an even more humbling experience is knowing that I contributed to that. Knowing that I have been able to generate an impact on so many lives through fostering my connections with them has given me a sense of fulfillment. What I want others to learn from my experience is that even if you doubt your purpose or significance, you have the power to impact others’ lives
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 287
|
| Unger, Christian |
|
Cannabis Improves Metabolic Dysfunction and Macrophage Profile in Obese Mice without Promoting Weight Loss
View Full Text
Abstract Text
OBJECTIVE: To determine the benefits of cannabis on metabolic dysfunction and immune dysregulation in obesity. BACKGROUND: Given their remarkable chemical diversity, natural products are considered a rich reservoir of bioactive compounds with therapeutic potential in the realm of obesity-associated cancers. In parallel with the recent movement to ease restrictions on cannabis use, there has been interest in its potential to treat various diseases including metabolic disorders. RESEARCH QUESTION: To examine the effects of the cannabis plant with high cannabidiol (CBD) content or high Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content on the perturbations associated with obesity with a particular focus on macrophage signatures. DESIGN: Following 16 weeks on a high fat diet, obese mice were randomized into three groups: placebo cannabis, high CBD cannabis, high THC cannabis. A lean group of mice was included as a comparison and received placebo cannabis. METHODS AND APPROACH: Anthropometric measures, Homeostasis Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR), metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), and adipose and liver tissue immune signatures were assessed. RESULTS: Obesity increased HOMA-IR and MASH score, which were mitigated by CBD and THC. We documented an increase in infiltrating monocytes, macrophages, and specifically M1 macrophages in adipose tissue and liver with obesity, all of which were rescued by CBD and THC. Importantly, these effects occurred independent of any weight loss or changes to food intake. CONCLUSION: Despite the legal issues surrounding cannabis, it may be, and in particular CBD which lacks psychoactive effects, a viable therapy to target macrophages to improve metabolic health with obesity, and by extension, decrease cancer risk. RELEVANCE TO CONSORTIUM: These findings suggest that components of the cannabis plant may be harnessed for potential therapeutic value to decrease risk of obesity-associated cancers.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 204
|
| Muhammad, Aaron |
Found, Jill |
Richard Samuel Roberts Photograph Digitization Project
View Full Text
Abstract Text
This poster will explore the work of Richard Samuel Roberts, an African American photographer based in South Carolina in the 1920s and 1930s. Taken from his portrait studio in downtown Columbia, the images featured in this poster come from Roberts’ collection of over 3,000 glass plate negatives that have since been digitized through a collaborative effort by the Center for Civil Rights History and Research and the University of South Carolina’s Digital Collections Library. The digitization process involves first scanning each glass plate negative using a flatbed scanner or camera and following up by providing descriptive information for the images. Lastly, the images are uploaded into the University of South Carolina’s Digital Collections Library database. This poster will also showcase the process by which the collection has been digitized. Lastly, this poster will highlight the artistic and cultural significance of these photographs, as they give viewers a close look at Black life in Columbia during the 1920’s and 1930’s.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 9
|
| Brown, Julia |
Reid, Cameron |
Changing Carolina Peer Leaders Mentor: Leveling Up Through Leadership
View Full Text
Abstract Text
As a Changing Carolina Peer Leaders (CCPL) mentor, I had the opportunity to guide a new peer member in making the most of their first year on campus. My role is to help them navigate opportunities within CCPL, explore their interests, and get more involved in ways that will benefit them. I chose to become a mentor because I had a CCPL mentor during my sophomore year when I struggled to balance school, work, and club engagements. My mentor provided valuable support by connecting me to tutoring resources and helping me develop time management strategies. Wanting to give back, I signed up through an interest form during my senior year to make the most of my final year as a member and offer the same support to a new mentee. So far, I’ve found that mentoring requires significant effort. Balancing my own schedule while also assisting my mentee can be challenging, but I use my past struggles as learning experiences to help ease their academic stress. Ultimately, I genuinely want my mentee to succeed academically and within the club, and I hope our work together helps them develop a deeper connection to USC. For me, this experience has truly prepared me for my future career endeavors. It has strengthened my ability to manage time, collaborate with others, and lead effectively.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 323
|
| Westbrook, Abigail |
Damon, Dorlisa |
The Importance of Community Service with and for Historically Vulnerable Groups
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Reflecting on my college experience, I primarily recall the moments I spent cultivating relationships with individuals in and around my community. Whether as a YoungLife leader working with students at Crayton Middle School, serving as a University101 Peer Leader for first-year college students, promoting a welcoming community on the Horizon Retreat Executive board, or working for the betterment of our schools in the School Behavioral Health Team research lab, my four years have been geared toward others. My occupational goal is to become a psychologist and work with underresourced and marginalized groups such as children or unhoused populations, and my experience working within the community has only further perpetuated this ambition. No one wants to specialize in middle schoolers’ needs because it is a messy age group, and no one wants to work with severe mental health because it is uncharted territory. This is precisely why we need people in these roles dedicated to the well-being of historically overlooked and marginalized groups. While I had been serving in my role as a YoungLife leader before my time as an undergraduate researcher, being exposed to such populations encouraged me to lean into my role further in hopes of one day stepping into the role of a medical professional able to personally assist individuals in such facilities full-time. Ultimately, my experiences working with and for adolescents, college students, and vulnerable groups have transformed my outlook on life. I aim to continue giving back to my community throughout my occupational journey and the duration of my life.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 215
|
| Berry, Sarah |
Matthews, Sarah |
How Planning Sorority Recruitment Changed My Life
View Full Text
Abstract Text
From November 2023 until November 2024, I served as the Vice President of Recruitment on the College Panhellenic Executive Board. This board serves as the governing body of all 13 Panhellenic sororities at USC. Ever since Freshman year when I went through recruitment, I have loved the experience and wanted to give back to it. I applied for this position with the sole purpose to contribute to the betterment of sorority recruitment. In the VP of Recruitment role, I was in charge of planning and executing sorority recruitment, the recruitment counselor training program, a recruitment staff, and managed a 600,000 dollar budget. This position was extremely challenging but very rewarding. I would spend hours every week going to meetings, talking to sponsors, speaking with our 13 chapters, and working with potential new members. From these tasks, I was able to help over 2000 new members find a home in the Panhellenic community here at USC and execute the largest recruitment in USC history! I learned the importance of developing time management skills, the proper ways to communicate with sponsorships and brands, how to lead a large group with fairness and kindness, and that delegation is an important skill for strong leaders to have. Learning the importance of these skills was necessary for the execution of my role. I will carry these skills beyond the VPR role into the professional setting where I will have a true understanding of their importance. I will always cherish this opportunity as life changing for me because I truly feel like there is nothing I can't do if I put my mind to it!! This sense of confidence will help push me to be the best version of myself in my plans to attend graduate school and a professional career beyond that.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 303
|
| Wellons, Eden |
Roberts, Jane
Arnold, Holley |
Cardiac Autonomic Measures of Frustration in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder Compared to Siblings and Neurotypical Children
View Full Text
Abstract Text
The autonomic nervous system (ANS) is responsible for involuntary functioning. ANS dysfunction is correlated with difficulty regulating emotional responses, often observed in neurodevelopmental disorders like autism spectrum disorder (ASD; Wall & Roberts, 2023). This is indexed by respiratory sinus arrhythmia and inter-beat interval, measures of parasympathetic and combined parasympathetic and sympathetic functioning, respectively (Porges et al., 1996). Typically, children with ASD recover slower after a stressful stimulus (Zantinge et al., 2017).
In this study, the heart rate variability of 46 ASD children, 27 siblings without ASD (ASIBs), and 37 neurotypical (NT) children between 36-72 months during a frustration task was investigated. We hypothesized that the ASD group would recover slower than the NT group, and ASIB physiology would behave similarly to the ASD group. However, groups did not significantly differ, indicating similar physiological responses to this task. ASIB physiology has been studied to a much smaller extent than that of children with a full ASD diagnosis, but this field has the potential to greatly advance translational research on ASD biomarkers and early intervention (Szatmari et al., 2016). Understanding the biological mechanisms contributing to the emotional characteristics often observed in ASD and other neurodevelopmental disorders is critical for developing compassionate therapies.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 180
|
| Blakeman, Zoe |
Hiott, Ambra |
Comprehensive Nourishment in Collegiate Athletes
View Full Text
Abstract Text
During my undergraduate career, I worked as an intern for the University of South Carolina Olympic Sports Nutrition team. The Olympic Sports Nutrition program oversees nearly 500 student athletes, primarily located at the Dodie Anderson Enrichment Center. These athletes compete in the SEC conference where competition is fierce and proper fueling is imperative. The program helps athletes achieve optimal performance using individualized meal plans, as well as hosting team talks and one-on-one sessions with Registered Dietitians. I decided to pursue this internship because I have always been passionate about holistic approaches to improving health and quality of life, namely diet and exercise. As an intern, I helped with several behind-the-scenes tasks, such as restocking fueling stations, taking inventory, and distribution of supplements. More importantly, I gained hands-on experience with nutrition-based research and education. A key issue we investigated was relative energy deficiency in sport (RED-S). This is a condition that occurs when athletes have an insufficient energy intake, which does not support the demands of their training. Many athletes were unaware of how to properly fuel their bodies for competition, thus emphasizing the importance of proper assessment and intervention strategies. I helped develop new strategies to deliver information to groups of athletes in a way that was both effective and tailored to their specific needs. As a Public Health major, this experience helped me apply in-class concepts, namely the implementation of nutritional interventions and efficacy of population-focused programs. I gained insight into the linkage between diet and athletic performance, injury prevention, and overall well-being. As I look back on my experience, I am able to recognize that health and nutrition are largely diverse concepts. Although I do not see myself going into the field of athletic dietetics, I have a deepened understanding of why a "One-Size-Fits-All-Approach" is incompatible in the field of nutrition, and healthcare as a whole.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 286
|
| Nicolosi, Isabella |
Damon, Dorlisa |
Leading Peers with Confidence
View Full Text
Abstract Text
During my junior and senior year at the University of South Carolina, I decided to become a University 101 Peer Leader, and had the opportunity to directly mentor two separate classes of first year-students, guiding a total of 40 students through their first year of college. In this role, I facilitated classroom discussions, provided academic support, and worked to create a strong sense of community within the classroom. I collaborated with faculty to uphold the university’s representation as the nation’s number one first-year experience, ensuring that students had a smooth transition to university life. I was given the opportunity to support students emotionally, socially, and academically, offering guidance on everything from personal well-being to time management. As I moved through this role, I quickly learned that confidence is essential when leading groups of peers. Leading with confidence not only helped me build trust among students, but also set a positive example and empowered me to communicate with clarity and impact. This experience highlighted how effective leadership can create an environment where others feel supported and motivated. The leadership skills I have gained from this experience have prepared me to take on future leadership or management roles in my career. I have learned how to navigate group dynamics, offer constructive feedback, and remain resilient when challenges arise. I will continue to foster my personal growth by using this confidence to embrace new challenges, whether that be in my professional or personal life.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 300
|
| Senter, Caroline |
Ballou, Julia |
South Carolina Department of Environmental Services
View Full Text
Abstract Text
In the spring of my senior year, I had the privilege to work with the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services as an environmental intern. In this internship, I was able to dabble in a variety of sectors that the department manages, like learning more about the legislation involved, understanding budgets, and field experience. I attended meetings about beach advisories, updated standard operating procedures, and even went out into the field to test private wells for PFAS (synthetic ‘forever chemicals’ that can increase the risk of cancer). I was working with my fellow interns, but also interacting with a variety of department heads.
I was interested in this position because I wanted to learn more about the different paths you could take within the environmental field, specifically the governmental side. Since high school, I knew I wanted to focus my career around the environment because I was passionate about it, but I lacked a specific career. So I used this internship to learn more about the daily activities associated with the department, and how to improve my leadership/workplace skills through working throughout the department. Since I am minoring in environmental studies, a lot of the classes I have taken have prepared me on how to assess and discuss the data presented within the department. Also, my philosophy major helped me develop interpersonal problem-solving skills, which assisted me when collaborating on projects. This internship helped me better understand the concepts of environmentalism and collaboration because I was able to put the principles I had learned into practice. The real world experience solidified my previous learning into actual skills.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 277
|
| Alberto, Kye |
Miller, Sarah |
Lost in Translation? Not Anymore!
View Full Text
Abstract Text
I have had the amazing opportunity to learn Spanish while attending USC Salkehatchie in Walterboro, South Carolina, which has improved my academic experience and changed my viewpoint as an international student from Melbourne, Australia. My cultural awareness has grown in a unique triangle from Australia to the United States and then to Costa Rica. I've been forced to step outside of my comfort zone, and I've made unexpected connections with people while learning a new language abroad.
One of the most defining moments of my language journey was my trip to Costa Rica, where I had the chance to engage with native Spanish speakers in real-world settings. Stepping into a country where Spanish was the primary language forced me to apply what I had learned in class, challenging me to adapt my speech, think on my feet, and initiate conversations rather than passively observing. Communicating with locals gave me a newfound confidence in my ability to understand and respond in Spanish, even if I wasn’t perfect. These small but meaningful exchanges reinforced how language is more than just words—it’s a bridge between cultures, allowing for deeper human connection.
I actively engaged in class discussions to increase my fluency in Spanish, employing strategies like word-switching and brief conversation practice. My main project was studying various Spanish-speaking nations and investigating how language reflects cultural values and historical contexts. My respect for the diversity within the Spanish-speaking community has grown because of this research, which also made it clearer to me how language influences communication and identity globally. This experience reflects my Australian childhood, adapting to the different lifestyle of the U.S. while studying, and learning Spanish, all of which have taught me valuable cultural differences.
Above all, academics—learning Spanish has formed my ability to adapt to different environments and to acknowledge cultural diversity with open-minded acceptance. It has increased my confidence in unfamiliar spaces and fostered a sense of belonging in a global community. I've learned from this experience that language is about more than just talking; it's about connecting, comprehending, and appreciating the world more broadly.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 203
|
| Phelps, Avery |
Roberts, Jane
Hamrick, Lisa |
Association of Early Communication and Later Anxiety in Children with an FMR1 Gene Mutation.
View Full Text
Abstract Text
The FMR1 gene is important for cognitive development, and mutations in the FMR1 gene can lead to fragile X-associated conditions. These mutations present on a spectrum. Fragile X syndrome (FXS) occurs when there are >200 CGG repeats in the FMR1 gene, while the fragile X premutation (FXpm) occurs when there are between 55 and 200 CGG repeats. Children with FXS typically experience developmental delays, including social communication delays. While early development in children with FXpm is not well studied, they may also exhibit subtle developmental and communication delays. Both individuals with the FXS and FXpm are also at an elevated likelihood of anxiety, with prevalence rates of 51% and 70% respectively. Previous studies have found that communication delays in neurodiverse individuals are associated with higher anxiety. However, there are no known studies that relate the FMR1 mutation with an association between early communication and later anxiety. This study aims to (1) evaluate differences in communication skill at 24 months of age between children with FXS, FXpm, and NT children, and (2) examine the relationship between communication skills at 24 months of age to anxiety levels at 60 months of age for all groups. We will assess receptive and expressive communication skills using the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales Interview-Second Edition and anxiety levels using the total anxiety raw score from the Spence Preschool Anxiety Scale-Revised. We will use a one-way ANOVA to investigate group differences in 24-month receptive and expressive v-scale scores. Individuals with FXS are expected to have lower communication skills than the other two groups. We will then conduct a linear regression to examine the relationship between 24-month receptive and expressive v-scale scores and 60-month total anxiety. For the FXS and FXpm groups, it is predicted that the early communication skill deficits will be associated with higher anxiety scores and the FXS group will have a stronger association between communication skills and 60-month anxiety. This study hopes to further research comparing early development in individuals with FXS and FXpm and how communication skills may contribute to the development of anxiety.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 157
|
| Pitts, Timothy |
Aibinder, William |
The Effect of Resilience on Outcomes Following Shoulder Surgery: A Systematic Review
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Purpose
The purpose of this systematic review was to determine whether or not resilience is predictive of clinical outcome measures following orthopaedic shoulder surgery.
Methods
A comprehensive search of Pubmed, Medline, Embase, and Scopus was performed on June 9th, 2024 in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines to find studies that evaluated the influence of resilience on clinical outcome measures following shoulder surgery.
Results
Nine studies were found that met the inclusion criteria, with a total of 1,154 patients (mean age 61.6 years) and minimum follow-up ranging from 6 months to 2 years. Six studies evaluated arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (ARCR), two evaluated anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty (aTSA), and one evaluated reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (rTSA). Three resilience scales were used in the identified studies, the Brief Resilience Scale (BRS), CD-RISC 10, and LOT-R scale, with the BRS being the most popular as it was used in seven of the nine studies. A multitude of clinical outcome measures were used to evaluate postoperative function with the most common being the American Society of Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) shoulder score and the Single Alpha-Numeric Evaluation (SANE) score. While resilience was found to be statistically significant to clinical outcome measures in some studies, these relationships were not consistently reported between all of the studies included in this systematic review.
Conclusion
Patient resilience has been shown to correlate with clinical outcome measures following shoulder surgery, but it’s been relatively inconsistent as to which clinical outcome measures it correlates with. The variability in strategies to measure resilience may lead to the inconsistent results seen in the literature. A more consistent approach to measuring resilience and clinical outcome measures is needed to establish the relationship between resilience and clinical outcome measures because of the promises improving patient resilience holds in improving outcomes following shoulder surgery.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 162
|
| Ortega, Syann |
Osbaldiston, Richard |
The Neurobiological Impact of Eating Disorders: Anorexia vs. Bulimia
View Full Text
Abstract Text
This systematic review examines neuroimaging studies to identify brain regions affected in individuals with anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. In Anorexia, significant reductions in grey matter volumes have been observed, particularly in the frontal lobe and left insula, regions associated with emotion regulation, impulse control, and social interactions. Additionally, both left and right thalami are significantly smaller in patients with acute anorexia compared to healthy controls, highlighting the thalamus's role in neural circuitry related to eating behavior. In Bulimia, functional activity disruptions have been identified in frontal circuits, including the right inferolateral and dorsolateral prefrontal cortices, as well as the putamen, affecting self-regulatory capacities. Moreover, structural changes in white-matter connections across prefrontal control, mesocorticolimbic reward, somatosensory, and visuospatial pathways have been reported, suggesting widespread neural network alterations. Collectively, these findings underscore the involvement of specific brain regions in the pathophysiology of Anorexia and Bulima, offering insights into potential targets for therapeutic interventions.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 195
|
| Trapnell, Emma |
Ballou, Julia |
How Shadowing Shaped my Future in Dentistry
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Shadowing is a crucial experience that allows anyone to truly see if they have an interest in that specific field, especially for pre-health students. Across two summers, I was able to shadow in both a dentist office, Crown Point Dentistry in Charlotte, NC, and orthodontist office, Reynold’s Orthodontics in Fort Mill, SC. This experience allowed me to see the day-to-day life of both a dentist and an orthodontist, the behind the scenes of an office, and to start developing great patient care. More specifically, I assisted with cleaning and learning about proper sterilization which permitted me to start getting familiar with the tools I will be dealing with in the future and was even able to obtain hands on experience with working on a patient. This entailed I completed the rinse and suction portion of a procedure. Shadowing let me gain experience in the dental industry, gave me two mentors, and even has me excited about my future career. Through shadowing, I learned how to interact with patients in a positive way and ideas I want to implement into my future practice. I want to have a practice where one feels like they are appreciated and respected, while understanding everyone comes from different background. Leading with empathy ensures that no one feels as if they are being taken advantage of when in a vulnerable state of asking and/or receiving the help and care that they need. Overall, shadowing is an importance experience that I believe everyone should complete as you learn from those who came before you and have experience in your future career.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 278
|
| Salvatore, Sophia |
Driver, Morgan |
Newborn Screening for X-Linked Adrenoleukodystrophy: Experiences, Perspectives, and Future Directions for Genetic Counseling
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Since the addition of X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (X-ALD) to newborn screening (NBS), research from state NBS programs have highlighted unique complexities associated with screening for this condition. However, there is a notable lack of research investigating how these challenges impact providers, such as genetic counselors, involved in care of infants with positive NBS results for X-ALD. This exploratory study aimed to understand the experiences of genetic counselors providing follow-up care for infants with positive NBS results for X-ALD, assess the complexities associated with NBS for X-ALD, identify potential gaps in genetic counseling practices, and describe the subsequent impact on patient care. A mixed-methods approach was utilized, incorporating an initial survey and optional semi-structured interviews with genetic counselors who had seen a minimum of five infants with positive NBS results for X-ALD in the last two years. A total of 21 survey responses underwent descriptive statistical analysis and 11 interviews were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. The following five key perspectives emerged from the data: (1) perceptions surrounding the addition of X-ALD to NBS, (2) complexities in genetic testing and diagnosis of X-ALD after NBS, (3) psychosocial considerations regarding diagnosis of X-ALD after NBS, (4) perspectives on follow-up for affected infants and families, and (5) broader implications for the future of NBS. Findings highlighted the complexities of counseling families due to the broad clinical spectrum of X-ALD, a high volume of cascade testing for at-risk family members, and frequent identification of female infants with limited guidance on future disease manifestation. Participants emphasized a need for long-term follow-up strategies, enhanced multidisciplinary collaboration, and increased involvement of genetic counselors in NBS policy. As NBS continues to expand, this study provides critical insights into the evolving role of genetic counselors and the necessity of refining long term follow-up to ensure equitable and effective patient care.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 10
|
| Wheeler, Margo |
Foster, Dan
Joyner, Daniel
Johnston, Curran |
The Effects of Acute Restraint Stress and M4 PAM Treatment on Stereotyped Behaviors
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Stereotyped behaviors, defined as repetitive, seemingly purposeless motor movements are present in multiple neuropsychiatric disorders, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and schizophrenia. These behaviors are recognized as a sign of anxiety and stress, especially in wild-type animal models. However, the exact relationship between stress and stereotyped behaviors remains unknown. Antipsychotic medications targeting dopamine receptors are shown to reduce these behaviors and are prescribed off-label to treat OCD and ASD. Unfortunately, existing antipsychotics have limited efficacy and significant negative side-effects. New medications targeting muscarinic acetylcholine receptors may provide more comprehensive symptom relief. Mice with the SAPAP3 gene knockout exhibit stereotyped self-grooming which is reduced when treated with a M4-specific drug. In this thesis, the effects of acute restraint stress on stereotyped self-grooming and M4 PAM efficacy were examined in the SAPAP3 KO model as well as wild-type littermates.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 25
|
| Petoskey, Ashton |
Derrick, Maureen |
Interning with H.B. Fuller to Glue My Academic & Professional Life Together
View Full Text
Abstract Text
During the summer of 2024, I worked with HB Fuller, a global leading innovator for polymer-based products such as sealants, coatings, and adhesives. This company connected me with professional insights of assisting customers in electronics, consumable hygienic products, medical, packaging, and construction industries, both abroad and here at home in South Carolina. Working with talented minds in these fields cultivated my skills in the professional realm and prepared me to return for my senior year. As a chemistry major at the University of South Carolina, my internship provided me with first-hand experience in self-driven project research for product development. My skill set was cultivated for specialization in material sciences, and I was offered opportunities for pioneering synthesis of potential new products and components. Specifically, I worked on products involving polymerization, which is a known reaction in organic chemistry, by creating a long chain of repeating a single unit that offers new properties to a strong material like the varying plastics used in common household goods. Our chemistry department here has a plethora of bright minds studying similar subjects, such as the Stefik group, which this internship gave me the experience to join confidently. I was introduced to the bright new world of the materials industry and given the skills to make the glue that holds the world together. Through this experience, I hope to continue my research and personal mission of making new types of environmentally friendly and industry-relevant polymers.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 271
|
Rychener, Carlynn
Keen, Hannah |
Richardson, Susan
Jaynes, Erin Katie |
Alternative Sources of DBP Formation: Examining DBP Formation Potential of Pressure Washing
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Drinking water disinfection is one of the greatest public health advances in recent history; however, the drinking water disinfection process brought about a new health issue: disinfection by-products, also known as DBPs. DBPs occur when disinfectants, such as chlorine and chloramine, react with natural organic matter, anthropogenic contaminants, and bromide and iodide that are present in source water used for drinking water, such as rivers, lakes, and groundwater. Over 600 DBPs have been reported in the literature, and known health effects can include cytotoxicity, mutagenicity, carcinogenicity, and reproductive/developmental effects. A novel pathway for DBP formation is pressure washing. Many pressure-washing solutions use bleach and surfactants, which can react with both each other and the organic matter such as the mold and mildew that is cleaned from building exteriors. The final destination for pressure washing runoff is often storm drains leading to rivers, lakes, and groundwater eventually leading to drinking water sources, posing a concern for increased DBP formation. In this study, pressure-washing runoff samples were collected, as well as the tap water and pressure-washing concentrate used by the pressure washers. Samples were incubated at both 0 and 24 hours. After incubation, samples were extracted by liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) and the extracts were analyzed by gas chromatography tandem mass spectrometry to quantify 65 regulated and priority unregulated DBPs. It is anticipated that after incubating the samples for 24 hours, more DBPs will have formed than in the initial sample because there will have been more time for reactions to occur. It is also expected that trihalomethanes (THMs) and haloacetic acids (HAAs) will make up the majority of DBPs, as these classes are typically the most dominant in chlorinated drinking waters.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 58
|
| Loveland, Delayna |
Golonka, Annette |
Microbiology Lab: Working Behind the Scenes
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Biology was always one of my favorite subjects and a big reason that I decided to enroll back into college after five years off. My love of the labs for Biology 101 and how much I adored my professor pushed me into asking about a position as the lab assistant and was hired starting the following semester. Working in the Microbiology lab at the University of South Carolina under Dr. Golonka as the lab assistant. This lab is a specialized to study microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi and has sterile environments and a safety hood. This is an experience I will keep close to my heart for the rest of my life. As the lab assistant I help set up labs with professor’s instructions by putting together baskets filled with stains to stain the microbes, set out any materials needed such as inoculation loops for students to use to culture, and place out media that the students will use to culture their bacteria. I also assist with culturing microbes both for students to use during lab and for stock plates to ensure we have live bacteria, mix and pour media, including Tryptic Soy Agar plates which are the most commonly used media in the lab, all while maintaining a sterile environment. I assist in problem-solving experiments when there are complications with an experiment in lab that did not have the results that were expected, organize microscope specimen slides, take inventory of the media, ingredients used to make media, and supplies; and maintain the necessary amounts of media needed in the lab.
With the experience working in the lab making media and learning how to culture really showed me how much I enjoy doing lab work and knowing that is what I am meant to do with pharmacy. My future plans will be to get through Pharmacy School, graduating in 2030 and pursuing nuclear pharmacy where I plan to work in a lab creating and synthesizing medications for people or testing new medications on bacteria and cultures taken.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 261
|
| Goss, Kailin |
Derrick, Maureen |
Finding Home Abroad: My Journey of Resilience, Growth, and Belonging
View Full Text
Abstract Text
During the spring semester of my junior year, I studied abroad at the University of Leeds Business School in Leeds, England, through the Global Exchange Program. For as long as I can remember, I had always dreamed of studying abroad and was so excited when I came to the University of South Carolina and realized that this dream could become a reality. I lived in Leeds for almost half a year and traveled to many different cities and countries as well as immersed myself in different cultures. Leeds became a second home and the people that I met became a lifelong family. A piece of me and who I am is forever tied to Leeds England the same way that I carry a piece of it with me everywhere that I go. However, this journey didn’t begin as expected, but is the reason that this was one of my most transformative experiences. Shortly after I arrived in England, I fell extremely ill for over two weeks. Being sick in an unfamiliar country, trying to navigate a new environment alone, and feeling overwhelmingly disconnected from everything I had planned for took a toll on me both physically and emotionally. My condition only worsened over the course of the two weeks to the point where I almost had to go back home. I was devastated that this dream I had spent so long planning and anticipating was crumbling right before my eyes. The excitement, the hard work, the time and financial investment poured into this journey was slipping away before it even began. However, despite these challenges, I refused to give up and I learned to navigate uncertainty, persevere through hardship, and find strength even when all hope was lost. Overcoming this experience shaped me in ways that I never expected and it taught me that even in the toughest hours, to keep pushing forward. My resilience in this situation is what saved my life. This study abroad experience was more than just an academic one, but it was also a lesson in adaptability, and personal growth.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 246
|
| Bush, Karcin |
Therrell, Amanda |
Self-development Through International Study
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Prior to coming to the University of South Carolina, I had never been out of the country. Over the course of my time as a student, I have had the unique experience of participating in two study abroad trips. In May of 2023, I completed a Maymester abroad to Thailand through the business school and I studied abroad again in Seville, Spain for the Spring 2024 semester. I elected to study abroad because I have always been interested in other cultures and as a business student, it became apparent how important it is to have a global mindset. I also viewed studying abroad as a way to push myself outside of my comfort zone and further my personal development.
My study abroad experiences were both extremely enriching and I feel like two of the best decisions I have made for myself. My trip to Thailand was a study of the culture and business in Thailand and included a blend of cultural activities and business visits over the course of a few weeks. My semester in Seville entailed me attending a local university where I took classes on international business and Spanish culture and history. During my semester in Seville, I lived with a host family and had the privilege of experiencing cultural and religious events.
Looking back, I feel like I have exceeded my initial goal of self-development. Through studying abroad, learning in the classroom, and working professionally, I have become more culturally competent and gained business acumen with an international focus. I have gained insight into being culturally tolerant, addressing a global audience, and the implications of having a globalized economy. Additionally, I have gained unforgettable experiences and the ability to navigate unfamiliar situations with confidence. I understand more about people and have gained connections with individuals across the globe. I now understand much more about the global economy through firsthand exposure and I believe I will be a better business professional. Finally, I have become more confident in myself and my ability to achieve success personally and professionally.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 223
|
| Hande, Olivia |
Flory, Kate |
Quality of Close Relationships as a Moderator for Emotion Regulation in College Students with ADHD
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is often accompanied by impairments in emotion regulation (ER). ER is conceptualized by one’s ability to identify and understand emotional states, accept their emotions, adapt to stressful environments, and modify emotional states to engage in goal-directed behavior. ER is particularly important for young adults (ages 18-25) during this critical point as they enter a more stressful and autonomous part of their lives. As young adults with ADHD are at a particular risk for deficits in ER, it is important to understand how to foster these skills among this population. Previous research indicates that social support and psychological security promote the ability to regulate emotions in times of stress and change. The current study examines whether the quality of close social networks, assessed by the degree of mutual trust, quality of communication, and degree to which anger and alienation exists in the relationship, moderates ER reported by college students with ADHD. We predict that students will report higher ER when secure attachment is present within their relationships. The study utilizes data from the multisite U-LEARN study, distributed to ____ students across ____ universities in the United States. The online survey measures that will be evaluated assessed ADHD symptomatology, emotion regulation skills, and quality of relationships among family and peers. Relationship quality was measured by attachment scales assessing trust, communication, and closeness. Bivariate correlations will be assessed and linear regressions with interaction terms will be fit to evaluate the associations between ADHD and relationship quality in predicting ER. This study is important because it provides insight into how to promote better ER among college students with ADHD. The quality of close relationships may promote goal-directed behavior, self-inhibition, and emotional understanding among college students with ADHD. As such, interventions should include both students with ADHD and members of their close relationships.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 173
|
| Thomson, Mac |
Kodumuri, Nishanth
VerKuilen, Haley |
TRANSCRANIAL DIRECT CURRENT STIMULATION FOR MOTOR RECOVERY IN ACUTE STROKE PATIENTS WITH CORTICAL AND SUBCORTICAL INFARCTS: A PILOT RANDOMIZED, DOUBLE BLINDED, SHAM CONTROLLED STUDY (MOTORCAR): Phase II Safety and Feasibility Study
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Background: Stroke is a major cause of disability worldwide, with a need for rehabilitation advancements in post stroke care to improve patients’ motor function and Activities of Daily Living (ADL). Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation (NIBS) is a newer strategy for treating various neurological disorders by augmenting neuronal plasticity, with Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) emerging as a safe technique that has evidence of aiding neurological recovery. In this study, stroke patients are randomized into treatment or sham stimulation groups to evaluate the application of cerebellar tDCS in motor recovery for acute stroke patients. The aim is to investigate the modulatory effect of cerebellar tDCS as a new anatomical target to understand the connection between cerebellar stimulation and neuronal injury response.
Objective: The primary objective is to evaluate motor outcomes in acute stroke patients undergoing tDCS compared to sham treatment. The secondary objective is to determine the feasibility of cerebellar tDCS in acute stroke rehabilitation. The study will enroll 10 patients, monitoring adverse events and evaluating motor function through Fugl-Meyer, Berg Balance, postural assessment stroke scale, ABC assessment, mRS, and stroke impact scale scores.
Methods: This is a randomized, double blinded, sham controlled study to be conducted at Prisma Health Richland and Baptist Hospital. Soterix tDCS mini-CT equipment is used to generate randomized intervention and sham stimulation after patient consent. 2 mA current is delivered with rubber electrodes for 20 minutes daily for 3-7 days, alongside routine rehabilitation. Characteristics will be recorded like stroke impact scores, NIHSS, and interventions received, etc.
Results: The primary outcome is to investigate the feasibility of enrolling 10 patients. To date, 5 patients have completed follow-up, while 5 were lost to follow-up. No adverse events have been reported.
Discussion: While previous research has shown tDCS can reduce interhemispheric imbalances and promote neuronal plasticity, negative results were observed in patients with severe motor deficits. This study includes mild to moderate deficit patients and targets the cerebellum to compare the effects of cerebellar versus cortical stimulation on motor recovery. This study presents a novel approach to tDCS in motor recovery that could lead to a larger Phase III trial.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 195
|
| Beall, Benjamin |
Taheri-Qazvini, Nader |
Optimized Gelatin Methacrylate Synthesis via Advanced pH Control for Superior Crosslinking Efficiency
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Gelatin methacrylate (GelMA) is one of the most promising materials for synthetic tissue construction. GelMA is synthesized by reacting amine groups on gelatin with methacrylic anhydride in a high pH environment (approximately 9), which is slightly above the isoelectric point of Type A gelatin (7-9 for 300g bloom gelatin) to facilitate deprotonation of amine groups. During synthesis, methacrylic anhydride gradually acidifies the solution, potentially interfering with reaction kinetics and gelatin structure. GelMA is primarily composed of gelatin, which is hydrolyzed collagen, making it highly biocompatible. The methacrylation of gelatin introduces photocrosslinkable groups that enable UV-initiated polymerization, transforming the material into a hydrogel with tunable viscoelastic properties while preserving the biological functionality of native gelatin. Furthermore, GelMA displays excellent cell adhesion properties due to the presence of RGD motifs on the gelatin backbone. Current common methods for GelMA synthesis utilize carbonate-bicarbonate (CBC) buffer or phosphate-buffered saline (PBS). Both methods present significant limitations: in PBS, the reaction pH drops considerably over time, while in CBC buffer, dissociation products increase acidity in the reaction media and interfere with the crosslinking ability of the gel, resulting in lower storage modulus.
In this study, we compare a novel proprietary buffer system with enhanced pH stability to both PBS and CBC buffered solutions under comparable conditions and synthesis methods. Our proprietary buffer system provides superior kinetic control and pH stability during the reaction, even when scaled to twice the initial reaction size. GelMA synthesized using our novel buffer system demonstrated significantly better storage and loss modulus compared to CBC and PBS buffers, without significant deviation in the degree of substitution (as verified by NMR). Additionally, our novel method indicated higher triple helix formation via circular dichroism analysis. This study demonstrates that our buffer system represents an optimal approach for producing high-strength GelMA synthetic tissue scaffolds with enhanced mechanical properties and consistent quality across different production scales.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 101
|
| Savarese, Catherine |
Keane-Dawes, Antony |
Delta Zeta Presidency: Leading with Purpose
View Full Text
Abstract Text
As President of the Beta Delta Chapter of Delta Zeta at the University of South Carolina in 2024, I worked to strengthen our chapter’s leadership and engagement in both our chapter and our collegiate community. Through innovative recruitment strategies focused on fostering interpersonal relationships, we achieved record-breaking new member intake, ultimately becoming the largest Delta Zeta chapter in the nation. Our commitment to empowering each of our members to be successful within our chapter and beyond is reflected in our increased chapter retention numbers and our improvements in recruitment performance this year. As President I also worked to restructure our executive board to better reflect the needs of our growing chapter, changes that took effect for this 2025 Executive Board. In this year our chapter also piloted our new fall philanthropy event, Battle of the Paddles, with the intent of bringing together our college community and giving back to our national philanthropy, the American Society for Deaf Children. Our chapter’s success was recognized at USC, where we were honored with the Chapter of the Year award for Fraternity and Sorority Life. These accomplishments reflect our commitment to excellence, sisterhood, and sustained growth within the Greek community.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 308
|
| Barnhardt, Dillon |
Kozlik, Lauren |
Cybersecurity Analyst experience at USC
View Full Text
Abstract Text
During my junior year of college, I was fortunate enough to be given the opportunity to work for the Security Operations Center at the University of South Carolina – Columbia. This was an exciting opportunity since I was able to apply the information that I have learned in my Integrated Information Technology program and certifications such as CompTIA Security+ and CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst. In the Security Operations Center, I was brought on as a Cybersecurity Analyst and was responsible for triage, detection of threats, and incident response. Within my role, I have been able to connect the theoretical aspect of my academic learning to real-life scenarios. I have learned throughout this experience in the Security Operations Center how important it is to maintain relationships with coworkers and other departments to have an effective team as a university to keep students and faculty's online presence safe, as well as the importance of always striving to learn new technology and recognize attacks that are occurring in our daily lives.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 255
|
Magnan, Elle
Geith, Julia |
Pizzuti, Adam
Lyons, John Paul |
Analyzing Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) Utilization in Family Medicine Clinics
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Introduction:
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is characterized by insulin resistance or deficiency. A common tool used in caring for DM patients is continuous glucose monitoring devices (CGMs). Previous studies have shown that CGM use improves glycemic control compared to blood glucose meters. This study aims to analyze the utilization of CGMs in the primary care setting to reduce DM patients’ A1c.
Methods:
A retrospective chart review was conducted on patients with DM, primarily T2DM, at three Prisma Health family medicine clinics in the Midlands. A clinical pharmacist co-manages patients via primary care provider referral. Primary outcomes were the use of CGM and secondary outcomes included different barriers to CGM use. Data collection included patient demographics, insurance type, initial and most recent A1cs, use of CGMs and type, DM regimen, and medication compliance. The inclusion criteria included patients having at least 3 months of follow-up with repeat A1c. The exclusion criteria were patients who were non-compliant with follow-up or had inadequate follow-up time.
Results/Discussion:
Out of the 82 patients screened from April 2024 to January 2025, 56 patients were included in the study. Among these, 36 (64.3%) used CGMs. The median A1c of patients before being followed by the pharmacist was 8.7% in the CGM patients and 10.5% in the non-CGM patients. At the time of data collection, the median A1c for the CGM group was 7.3% ± 1.6 while the non-CGM group’s median A1c was 7.9% ± 1.9. Initial median A1c was lower in the Freestyle Libre group at 8.6% compared to the Dexcom users whose median A1c was 9.8%. The current median A1c for both groups of CGM users were 7.3% and 7.4%, respectively. CGM users had slightly lower initial A1c but were consistently closer to goal A1c of 7%. Potential barriers to CGM use include insurance coverage, physical discomfort, and social factors. Limitations of this study include the length and variation of DM regimen, and the accuracy of medication compliance assessment. These findings show the benefit of utilizing CGM to aid DM management and explore options to optimize utilization. Future studies should continue to investigate barriers of CGM use.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 164
|
| Benjamin, Katherine |
Keane-dawes, Antony |
Learning Patient Care: Insights from CNA training and Clinical Experiences
View Full Text
Abstract Text
During my time in the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) course and working at Lexington Medical Center, I gained invaluable hands-on experience that has deepened my understanding of patient care and the importance of communication in healthcare settings. The CNA course provided me with the foundational technical skills necessary for working with patients like assisting with daily activities and monitoring vital signs. However, my time working at Lexington Medical Center brought these skills to life by adding an emotional dimension to patient interactions. Through direct contact with patients and healthcare professionals, I learned how to balance the technical aspects of care with empathy and understanding. This experience also allowed me to see the importance of clear communication when providing quality care. There are many challenges and rewards of working in a fast-paced medical environment. Overall, this experience has not only improved my clinical abilities, but it has deepened my understanding of patient needs, helping me grow professionally and personally.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 287
|
| Hunter, Julia |
Ried, Cameron |
Building Global Resilience: Lessons from a Year Abroad
View Full Text
Abstract Text
In the spring of my sophomore year, I embarked on a one-year study abroad program at
ESSEC Business School in Cergy, France, as part of the Responsible International
Leadership (RIL) cohort. Studying abroad had always been a dream of mine—France had
been my ultimate goal since I started learning French in kindergarten. I pursued this
opportunity because of my long-standing passion for global learning, rooted in my early
French studies, and my desire for personal and academic growth through international
experiences. Throughout the year, I traveled to over 15 countries, immersing myself in
diverse cultures and connecting with people from various backgrounds. My focus was on
developing cross-cultural communication skills, improving my fluency in French, and
testing my adaptability in unfamiliar environments. I accomplished this through language
immersion, academic coursework, and real-world experiences that required problem-
solving and resilience. I applied for the program before my freshman year and was
accepted into the Responsible International Leadership (RIL) cohort. I discovered that I am
highly adaptable, resilient, and capable of communicating eƯectively even without a
shared language. My ability to connect with others across cultural and linguistic barriers
strengthened my interpersonal skills and built my confidence in unfamiliar situations. Now,
I don’t fear the unknown. I’ve learned that I can talk to anyone, find common ground, and
figure things out no matter what the challenge.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 204
|
| Wills, Caitlin |
DeWeil, David |
Using the Power of Creativity to Make an Impact.
View Full Text
Abstract Text
USC Dance Marathon is the largest student run philanthropic organization in the state of South Carolina. Having the opportunity to serve on the Board of Directors for this organization has been one of the most impactful experiences from my time at the university. Serving as the Director of Merchandise has allowed me to combine two of my passions: creativity and service. In my role of Merch Director, I oversee the entire production process when it comes to making a piece of merch; from conceptualizing, to designing, to ordering, and lastly selling. Beyond my job as director, I am also expected to be an active member of the organization as a whole. This includes attending table shifts, fundraising for the local children’s hospital, and attending our 14 hour main event in February. Serving on BOD has allowed me to grow my leadership skills in ways that I didnt even know were possible. It has greatly enhanced my communication skills and ability to step out of my comfort zone. Although I am not sure what the future has in store for me yet, the one thing that I am sure about is that I want to find a career that can combine my passion for creativity and service. Having the opportunity to serve others within the community is something I didn’t know I would become so passionate about. Choosing the Professional and Civic Engagement pathway allows for me to highlight and give greater insight on the power of service and what it means to me.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 309
|
| Schwartz, Annabel |
Goldberg, Kelly |
Bridging Cultures Through Language: Teaching English in Barcelona
View Full Text
Abstract Text
During my Spring semester abroad in Barcelona, I volunteered through the SAI program to teach English at a local primary school. With ten years of Spanish study, I sought to immerse myself in a Spanish-speaking environment with a rich culture and history, and Barcelona was the perfect fit. Teaching reinforced my belief that language is not just for communication but a gateway to cultural understanding. I led small group exercises, collaborated with teachers on larger group activities, and created interactive lessons to enhance students' English.
This experience gave me deep insights into economic, social, and cultural differences, as well as shared connections, like the importance of family, kindness, and community. Through conversations with students, I gained a better understanding of their traditions and daily lives. Many students were not native to Barcelona or Spain, exposing me to a rich mix of cultural perspectives. One student from Pakistan shared insights into Muslim traditions, such as Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr, giving me a glimpse into their culture. Observing student interactions also highlighted the socio-economic diversity in Barcelona, broadening my understanding of the city’s diverse cultures.
Overall, this experience deepened my appreciation for the importance of cross-cultural communication in our globalized world. Recognizing and valuing cultural differences helps form stronger relationships and improves communication. Although I volunteered to teach in Barcelona, I walked away having learned much more—gaining skills and insights that will continue to influence my perspective on language, culture, and global citizenship.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 219
|
| Parker, Mackenzie |
Matthews, Sarah |
“Office of Undergraduate Admissions, How Can I Help You?”
View Full Text
Abstract Text
In Fall 2023, I started my on-campus job within the Office of Undergraduate Admissions as an Admissions Call Center Representative. I heard about this position the previous spring semester through several girls in my sorority who worked in the call center, but were graduating. I applied and interviewed in the spring semester and was hired to start the following fall semester. At this time, I had found my passion and figured out that I wanted to pursue a career in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, and thought this job would provide me a great foundation as a future counselor. My main role as an Admissions Call Center (ACC) Representative is to answer incoming phone calls. These phone calls can be prospective students, their parents, high school guidance counselors, or even current USC students calling. The majority of phone calls we get are about student’s applications, application requirements, decisions, merit-based scholarships, and general questions about our university. Other tasks associated with my role include answering emails, noting inquiries about the university, working admissions events like Admitted Students Day or Carolina Preview, and attending several training sessions each semester. As time went on in the first semester of my new job, I began to love the people I was working with and continued to grow in confidence with each phone call. With a job like this, every call is a different scenario and a different person behind the phone. I learned to never be on autopilot, as everyone’s situation and needs are different. Working in the ACC for over a year and a half and now holding a leadership position has taught me the importance of interpersonal communication skills. This can look like repeating information back to the caller to make sure you are hearing them correctly, staying silent and not interrupting the caller when they are explaining their situation, and by being patient if the caller is going through a tough time. These are skills that every counselor should have in their toolbox as they promote open communication and help build rapport.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 277
|
| Guttman, Annie |
Walsh, John |
To Suspend or Not To Suspend: A Prospective Study
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Thumb carpometacarpal (CMC) arthritis is prevalent with a multitude of different non-operative and operative treatments. A common procedure for thumb CMC arthritis is a trapeziectomy with suspensionplasty. Currently however, there is no gold standard technique for suspensionplasty. Traditionally, it has been performed with tendon interposition or suture button techniques. An all-suture suspensionplasty is a newer technique and thus there is insufficient data regarding its clinical results. Our study aims to investigate the outcomes of patients who undergo primary surgical treatment for thumb CMC joint arthritis with trapeziectomy with an all-suture suspensionplasty. We believe our techniques for trapeziectomy with an all-suture suspensionplasty at our institution will be effective in the treatment of thumb CMC arthritis, with notable improvement in patient QuickDASH scores as our primary outcome, as well as improvement in VAS pain scores, and range of motion.
This is a prospective study with data collection occurring pre-operatively, and post-operatively at the 2-week, 6-week, 12-week, 6-month and 1-year marks. Data collection includes QuickDASH, VAS pain scores, and range of motion using standardized Kapandji score. Patients were divided into two groups based on their surgeon’s suspensionplasty technique. Group 1 received the Arthrex Fiberlock Implant System. Group 2 received the Arthrex Hand/Wrist Ligament Augmentation Repair Kit. Patient charts were followed for return-to-work time and any post-operative complications.
Data analysis was done with the Wilcoxon signed rank test and Kruskal-Wallis test. There is a significant difference between all-participant pre-operative and post-operative VAS pain scores, at every follow-up (6.82 vs 4.026, 2.75, 1.69). We found no significant difference when comparing each study group based on their surgeon’s implant/technique.
The all-suture suspensionplasty technique is relatively new and thus lacks sufficient data regarding its success or comparison between different all-suture techniques. Our study found significant improvement in QuickDASH, VAS pain scores and range of motion when comparing collective patient data. We found no significant difference between patient data when divided into groups based on our two surgeon’s techniques. Further analysis is warranted for long term follow up and comparison between all-suture techniques and the more traditional techniques including tendon interposition and suture button techniques.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 189
|
Guidici, Meghan
Abell, Jillian |
Burgess, Lana |
Addressing and Amending Conundrums within Collections Management at McKissick Museum
View Full Text
Abstract Text
As part of preparing McKissick Museum for its upcoming reaccreditation in 2026, a thorough inventory was conducted in the summer of 2024 of its extensive collections. McKissick’s collections of over 100,000 objects provides access for research and public appreciation for historical objects. Despite an inventory being conducted, many issues and discrepancies had been discovered, such as objects missing identification numbers and online records missing photographs. Our primary responsibilities are to update object records through McKissick Museum’s collections management system (CMS), PastPerfect, as well as take photos of objects, and digitize records from the 2024 inventory project. By continuing to digitize, photograph, and assign new object numbers, McKissick will be able to properly account for all objects through an online database, which is crucial for reaccreditation. The project also provides each member of this project team with new skills, as well as furthering their experience within the museum profession.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 10
|
Mandel, Tyler
Conley, Nya |
Blackburn, Melanie |
Breaking the Floodgates: Rethinking IV Fluid Overutilization
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Background: Hurricane Helene created a shortage of IVFs. Baxter reserved fluids for children’s hospitals, so effects from the shortage were less impactful. This project stemmed from the shortage and aimed to reinforce the reduction of IVFs and encourage oral rehydration therapy. The project was conducted at Prisma Health Children’s Hospital - Midlands on the CH3 and CH4 floors. Data from April 2024 to October 2024 demonstrated that 64% of and 80% of CH3 and CH4 patients, respectively, received IVFs. Following Hurricane Helene, data from October 1, 2024 through December 13, 2024 demonstrated that 42% and 45% of CH3 and CH4 patients, respectively, received IVFs.
AIM Statement: By April 1, 2025, the proportion of children admitted to Prisma Health Children's Hospital CH3 and CH4 receiving IVF rehydration therapy will decrease by 10%.
Methods: PDSA 1 included educational sessions with the resident physicians and the nursing staff, discussing the project goals and literature review. PDSA 2 included creating a dehydration assessment tool to guide the clinical decision-making of IVFs or ORT. PDSA 3 included the creation of a parent education flyer about ORT, while reinforcing education sessions and the dehydration assessment tool.
Results: PDSA 1 results demonstrated that 43% and 49% of CH3 and CH4 patients, respectively, received IVFs. PDSA 2 results demonstrated that 49% of CH3 and CH4 patients received IVFs. PDSA 3 results are pending.
Conclusion: The project was conducted to decrease IVF use and promote ORT. Baseline data showed 64% and 80% of CH3 and CH4 patients received IVFs, dropping to 42% and 45% post-hurricane. Results from the PDSA cycles did not demonstrate a 10% reduction in IVF use. However, utilization remained below 50% throughout the project. The reduction in IVF use was initially a result of the shortage, however, the reserve for children’s hospitals lessened the impact of the shortage. Therefore, it is likely that a combination of the hurricane and the project resulted in decreased IVF use and allowed the decreased use to remain consistent throughout the project. Long-term data collection may reveal further IVF reduction as more residents utilize the ORT education and assessment tools.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 178
|
| Moreno, Emanuel |
Burgess, Lana |
Addressing and Amending Conundrums within Collections Management at McKissick Museum
View Full Text
Abstract Text
As part of preparing McKissick Museum for its upcoming reaccreditation in 2026, a thorough inventory was conducted in the summer of 2024 of its extensive collections. McKissick’s collections of over 100,000 objects provides access for research and public appreciation for historical objects. Despite an inventory being conducted, many issues and discrepancies had been discovered, such as objects missing identification numbers and online records missing photographs. Our primary responsibilities are to update object records through McKissick Museum’s collections management system (CMS), PastPerfect, as well as take photos of objects, and digitize records from the 2024 inventory project. By continuing to digitize, photograph, and assign new object numbers, McKissick will be able to properly account for all objects through an online database, which is crucial for reaccreditation. The project also provides each member of this project team with new skills, as well as furthering their experience within the museum profession.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 10
|
| Tilton, Natalie |
Ballou, Julia |
Marketing in Aerospace: Bridging Creativity and Industry
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Marketing may not be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about aerospace, but my experience with Aerospace Marketing Lab (AML) has shown me just how vital strategic communication is within technical industries. I began as a marketing intern over the summer and transitioned into the role of marketing associate once the school year began. In this position, I applied my advertising and design skills to support AML, the Jeff Pino Foundation (JPF), and a variety of other clients.
AML specializes in branding and digital marketing for the aerospace, aviation, and defense industries. My responsibilities spanned multiple areas, including graphic design, copywriting, content marketing, logo design, and website development. I created promotional materials, developed digital strategies, and simplified complex marketing concepts to make them more accessible to broader audiences. Additionally, I worked closely with JPF to strengthen its visual marketing identity, attended executive board meetings, and played a role in planning its presence at the annual VERTICON conference, which I attended alongside AML and JPF in March.
One of the most impactful aspects of my experience was revitalizing previous AML content pieces. I refined and modernized the material, then designed a series of social media graphics to support its promotion. These assets became a key component of AML’s larger initiative of relaunching its social media presence. This project not only provided valuable insight into how strategic design, content development, and digital engagement work together, but also challenged me to think critically about presenting specialized information in a way that remains both accessible and credible within the industry.
I pursued the opportunity to explore marketing beyond traditional industries to push myself outside my comfort zone. I saw it as a chance to apply my education in advertising, graphic design, and leadership studies in a real-world setting. Working with AML has broadened my perspective on marketing’s role in specialized fields and solidified my passion for creative problem-solving. Moving forward, I hope to continue exploring how marketing can bridge the gap between innovation and audience engagement, proving that creativity and strategy are just as essential as technical expertise.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 256
|
Jacobsen, Christian
Patel, Abhi |
Bhere, Deepak |
Exosome Mediated Therapeutic Approaches for Anti-Cancer Therapeutics
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Exosomes, small membrane-bound particles secreted by cells, have emerged as a promising avenue for cancer treatment due to their ability to facilitate intercellular communication and carry genetic constituents. Our research investigates the potential of adult mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-derived exosomes to deliver microRNAs (miRNA) for targeted therapy in glioblastoma (GBM) and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Both GBM and PDAC are aggressive tumor forms that often resist or are not affected by traditional treatments, leading to poor patient outcomes. We specifically focus on MSC-derived exosomes enriched with miR-124 and miR-7, which have been shown to regulate critical pathways involved in tumor growth and survival.
In our approach, human MSCs are genetically modified to express target miR plasmids, subsequently cultivated in an exosome-depleted medium to optimize exosome production. The resulting miRNA-enriched exosomes are isolated and characterized for their cargo. We assess their therapeutic efficacy through a series of experiments such as the sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay to determine cell viability at 24-, 48-, and 72-hour time points. Additionally, bicinchonic acid (BCA) analysis and Western blot data are employed to quantify detection and localization of apoptotic activity facilitated by the miR-124 and mir-7 treatment groups.
Our findings indicate that MSC-derived exosomes significantly facilitate the delivery of therapeutic miRNAs, resulting in reduced cell viability and altered apoptotic signaling pathways. Additionally, we hope to utilize animal models to evaluate the in vivo therapeutic potential of these exosomes. Preliminary results demonstrate that miRNA modulation via MSC-derived exosomes can effectively inhibit tumor cell proliferation and induce apoptosis by targeting multiple oncogenic pathways. Overall, our research underscores the promise of MSC-derived exosomes as a versatile and efficient delivery system for miRNA-based therapies in treating challenging cancers such as GBM and PDAC.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 10
|
| Benson, Jessica |
Ballou, Julia |
Working at the Student Success Center
View Full Text
Abstract Text
The Student Success Center is a resource center offered by the University of South Carolina that allows the students to have free access to tutoring services, success consultations, financial literacy resources, workshops and more to every student enrolled. I decided to work as a Peer Consultant for the Student Success Center because I enjoy working with and advocating for other students. Peer Consultants act as mentors by holding success consultations for students struggling with adjusting to the University, time management or study habits. Being at such a large University, I meet with a range of students who all come from different backgrounds. Each student comes to the consultation with a unique set of circumstances and I work to help these students come up with a plan of action that could help them. Working with freshmen to seniors to transfer students to first generation students has allowed me to greatly enhance my problem-solving skills.
Working as a Peer Consultant has transformed my leadership skills and allowed me to create an environment that fosters student engagement, academic success, and personal growth. I have been able to support a variety of students by giving them campus resources, study strategies and organizational skills as they navigate their way around such a large University. This was one of my favorite experiences during my undergraduate career as it was impactful and rewarding. My presentation will discuss the insights that I gained from being a Peer Consultant and how it helped to further develop my leadership skills.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 310
|
| Niamira, Darya |
Enos, Reilly
Hope, Trey |
Skeletal Muscle Androgen Receptor (AR) Overexpression Signaling Impacts Metabolic Outcomes in Female Mice
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Introduction: Androgens are essential for regulating muscle mass, strength, and metabolic function in humans. Reduced androgen levels are associated with muscle atrophy, decreased strength, impaired metabolic health, and more particularly, Kennedy’s Disease, where lower AR levels contribute to muscle weakness and muscle atrophy. Skeletal muscle plays a critical role in physical performance and metabolic homeostasis. The androgen receptor (AR) in skeletal muscle mediates these effects by influencing processes such as protein synthesis and glucose metabolism. Understanding how AR signaling directly impacts muscle-specific processes will help clarify its role in metabolic and physical health.
Methods: The mouse model used for this experiment is a SkM-AR mouse. This model enables an inducible and skeletal muscle specific increase in AR . This model is used to see if increased AR signaling in skeletal muscle can influence metabolic function, body composition, and whole-body insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism. Female SkM-AR and littermate control mice were given either high-fat diet (HFD) or low-fat diet (LFD) for 20 weeks while given water with doxycycline. Physical composition and metabolic function were both measured during this study to determine results.
Results: This study showed that the SkM-AR mouse model on both a LFD and a HFD had decreased muscle mass compared to the littermate control LFD and HFD mice.
Conclusion: Interestingly, AR overexpression is detrimental to muscle mass in the context of gastroc size . This is perplexing as it would be predicted that AR would enhance muscle mass. The SkM-AR model could potentially be utilized to understand the mechanism by which AR becomes detrimental to skeletal muscle growth. We can further study the combined effects of skeletal muscle androgen receptor overexpression signaling with other metabolic regulators, such as exercise, to determine if this approach can optimize metabolic outcomes in conditions like obesity.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 48
|
| Shatz, Hannah |
Reid, Cami |
Strength in Numbers: Utilizing Public Relations Techniques for USC Dance Marathon
View Full Text
Abstract Text
I joined USC Dance Marathon (USCDM) and fundraised to benefit child life at Prisma Health Children’s Hospital Midlands. My USCDM journey began after seeing so many of my friends become so passionate about the organization and hearing families speak about our positive impact on their hospital experience. USCDM funds the child life program at Prisma Health Children’s Hospital Midlands.. This includes things such as music therapy, playrooms, therapy dogs, and more. USCDM even funded a playground at the hospital. The organization came up with fundraising resources that helped take our impact to the next level. With the help of fundraising techniques such as social media posts and donor emails I learned in my JOURN 333: Public Relations for Non-Profits class, and the support of my friends, family, and entire network I was able to raise the most money in my last year in this organization. I raised over 2,500 dollars and spent most of my time in the organization doing campus outreach encouraging others to join the fight. USCDM as a whole raised over $650,000. This means that the child life program will benefit tremendously, and many families' days will be made a little brighter. I got to experience the strength in numbers and learned how much we achieve when everyone involved is united and passionate about the same cause.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 224
|
| Kelley, Peyton |
Dubinsky, Stanley
Gavin, Michael |
From Tribal Tradition to Revolution: Hassani Poetry in the Western Sahara–Morocco Conflict
View Full Text
Abstract Text
This study examines the role of Hassani poetry in the Western Sahara-Morocco conflict, highlighting its transformation from an oral tradition into a tool of resistance. Originating in the 16th century Mauritania, Hassani poetry long preserved Saharawi identity, but in the face of colonization by Morocco and exile from the western parts of the former Western Sahara, it has become a means of political mobilization and cultural survival. This research explores poetic structure, themes of nationalism and displacement, and the role of the Saharawi people in adapting poetry for contemporary struggles. By analyzing both traditional and digital poetry, this study underscores poets’ vital role in fostering resilience, sustaining identity, and challenging occupation.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 11
|
| Witt, Corbin |
Pocivavsek, Ana
Milosavljevic, Snezana |
Prenatal Choline Supplementation Rescues Learning and Memory Deficits in Mice Exposed to Elevated Kynurenic Acid during Neurodevelopment
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Gestational insults are associated with an increased risk of neurodevelopmental disorders and have lasting detrimental impacts on cognitive function. Kynurenic acid (KYNA), synthesized along a branch of the kynurenine pathway of tryptophan metabolism, is elevated in the postmortem brain tissue and cerebrospinal fluid of patients with schizophrenia, a neuropsychiatric disorder with neurodevelopmental origins. KYNA is an endogenous antagonist of alpha-7 nicotinic acetylcholine (α7nACh) and N-methyl-D-aspartic acid glutamate receptors. We utilized an embryonic kynurenine (EKyn) model in C57Bl/6J mice to mimic gestational insults wherein elevated KYNA levels during neurodevelopment impede cognitive function in adulthood (Buck et al., 2020). We hypothesize that a perinatal diet with supplemental choline, an essential nutrient and agonist of α7nACh receptors, would alleviate adverse learning outcomes in EKyn adult offspring. Dams were assigned to one of four groups from embryonic day (ED) 11 to ED18: ECon (control diet), EKyn (control diet laced with 50mg/day kynurenine), choline (5-fold higher choline content compared to control), and choline EKyn (choline diet laced with 50mg/day kynurenine). Respective control and choline diets were continued until weaning of offspring on postnatal day (PD) 21. The Barnes maze (BM) behavioral paradigm was employed to assess hippocampal-dependent learning and memory formation in adult offspring (PD56). Results show both male and female EKyn offspring exhibited longer latency to the escape box, greater distance travelled, and higher number of committed errors during the last day of learning compared to ECon. Learning performance in both sexes of choline EKyn mice was comparable to ECon counterparts, suggesting that choline supplementation mitigates the adverse learning effects observed in EKyn. However, in BM reversal learning, a prefrontal cortex-mediated trial, only female EKyn offspring displayed significant impairments. Perinatal choline diet in choline EKyn females ameliorated these negative outcomes. These findings provide novel insights into the impact of choline supplementation during the critical period of brain development to mitigate the effects of gestational KYNA elevation on learning outcomes in adult offspring. Understanding the role of choline supplementation as a potential intervention for alleviating prenatal risk factors associated with neurodevelopmental disorders may help inform future gestational treatment strategies that are naturalistic and safe.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 11
|
| King, Spencer |
Childs, Matt |
The Proliferation of Revolutionary Sentiment and the Comunero Rebellion of 1781
View Full Text
Abstract Text
The spread of liberalism and democracy within the Latin American colonies, in spite of the colonial dominance imposed by Iberian powers, has been the subject of extensive research and debate. This analysis examines the early roots of revolutionary sentiment in New Granada (present-day Colombia) during the late 18th century, prior to the rise of figures such as Simón Bolívar. In particular, the research conducted seeks to highlight the 1781 Comunero Rebellion as a pivotal moment in which revolutionary rhetoric gained a massive shift in momentum, both within New Granada and beyond. This research also seeks to challenge the dominant narrative that Latin American independence was solely the result of the contributions of 19th century leaders for independence, instead positing that the seeds of revolution had already been firmly planted decades prior. In re-evaluating these early movements, not only do we challenge this narrative, but we can come to a deeper understanding of the forces that shaped the Latin American struggle for liberation.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 11
|
| Grant, Charles |
Pocivavsek, Ana |
Brain-specific elevations of kynurenic acid reduce sleep duration in rats
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Individuals who suffer from neurocognitive disorders often suffer from sleep disturbances. Kynurenic acid (KYNA) is a tryptophan metabolite implicated in the pathophysiology of these disorders. Modest increases in KYNA, which acts as an antagonist at N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) and α7 nicotinic acetylcholine (α7nACh) receptors, result in cognitive impairments and alterations in sleep-wake behavior. Specifically, KYNA negatively impacts rapid eye-movement (REM) sleep and increases wakefulness. The goals of the present project were to determine the impact of a dose response (0 µM, 1 µM, 3 µM, 10 µM; dissolved in PBS) elevation of KYNA locally in the brain. Wistar rats (N=10 female, 7 male) were cannulated with guide targeting the lateral ventricle and simultaneously implanted with telemetry devices to record electroencephalogram (EEG) and electromyogram (EMG) polysomnography. Upon a week of recovery from surgical procedures, a within animal design employed intracerebroventricular (ICV) infusion to deliver each dose of KYNA (1 µl/min for 10 min) at Zeitgeber time (ZT) 0, the start of the light phase, to rats across different 24-hour recording days. Vigilance states were classified into wake, REM sleep and non-REM (NREM) sleep by an artificial intelligence neural network in 10 sec epochs and reviewed by an expert. We presently evaluated vigilance state durations from ZT 0-4 and found a dose-dependent impact of KYNA on sleep duration. Notably, 3 µM KYNA increased wake duration by 35.01% (P<0.01), whereas 10 µM KYNA resulted in increased wake duration by 41.91% (P<0.05), reduced REM sleep duration by 37.97% (P<0.01), reduced NREM sleep duration by 32.47% (P<0.05) between ZT 0-2 when compared to vehicle infusion. Importantly, the impact of KYNA on sleep-wake behavior was transient, as vigilance state durations returned to basal levels from ZT 2-4, which corresponds to the timeframe wherein exogenous application of KYNA was estimated from the brain. Our findings provide novel support for the hypothesis that brain-specific elevations in KYNA cause a significant decrease in NREM and REM sleep and an increase in wakefulness. Taken together, the implications of our study place further attention on the role of the kynurenine pathway, a pharmacologically targetable metabolic pathway, and KYNA in regulating sleep behavior.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 41
|
| Blocker, Alicia |
Raunikar, Mary Grace |
Harvest Hope and Gamecock CommUnity Shop
View Full Text
Abstract Text
To give back is to love one another, and to love one another is to give back. During this spring semester I have learned to meet others' needs by volunteering at the local food banks in Columbia, I have developed a deep respect for the individuals and organizations that dedicate their time to addressing basic needs in our community. As I reach my senior year I have volunteered at both Harvest Hope and the Gamecock CommUnity Shop where we focus on providing free food, clothes, and other necessities to those in need. Although my roles are different they complement each other. At Harvest Hope, I usually sort through produce, meats, and miscellaneous foods to ensure they are properly packaged and ready to deliver to our clients. At the Gamecock CommUnity Shop, I help stock canned goods, process donated clothes and shoes, and organize hygiene products ensuring that students, faculty, and staff have access to a variety of essentials to choose from. This presentation will address how these volunteer roles have not only strengthened my commitment to public health but have also given me a deeper appreciation for the importance of community-driven support in promoting health and well-being. Additionally, I have gained knowledge about the complexity of working with a team and the importance of being hands-on in addressing community needs.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 225
|
| Perkins, Madelyn |
Fairman, Ciaran |
Changes in Objectively Measured Physical Function in Individuals with Cancer
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Exercise has shown numerous benefits on various cancer health-related outcomes such as fatigue, quality of life, and physical function. However, there is a lack of effectively implemented evidence-based exercise programs catered toward individuals with cancer. The primary aim of this study was to examine the effectiveness of an exercise program on physical function in individuals who have or had cancer. This research includes an eight-week exercise program, in which participants engage in a combination of resistance and aerobic exercise twice a week. At the one week, four week, and eight week mark, assessments were administered that quantitatively assess physical function. This includes the Short Physical Performance Battery Protocol (sPPB), a framework used to assess lower body function by focusing on balance (tandem and semi tandem), gait speed (4-meter walk test in m/s), and chair stand (5 times repeated chair stand). Each test produces a raw score, which combines for a total sPPB score ranging from 0-12 (higher scores indicate higher functioning). The effectiveness of the resistance training program was examined using a T-test, determining if there was a statistically significant difference between sPPB scores at week one and week eight of the eight-week resistance training program. During the eight-week program, 16 individuals ages 36-85 (M = 57.93, SD = 12.77) participated in the sixteen workouts. Cancer diagnoses included breast (11), colorectal (3), lung (1), and prostate (1), ranging from stage 1(9), 2 (3), and 3 (4). A paired sample t-test revealed a significant increase in average sPPB scores from pre-intervention (M = 9.66, SD = 3.06) to post-intervention (M = 10.73, SD = 1.60), p = 0.04. As the undergraduate researcher, my role included planning and executing the eight-week exercise program, conducting the assessments, including the sPPB, and analyzing the results from all participants in the summer 2024 wave. From the results of the t-test, it can be concluded, the Short Physical Performance Battery Protocol (sPPB) demonstrated statistical significance between week one and week eight score, supporting the hypothesis resistance training for individuals with cancer improves physical function.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 166
|
| Wagner, Levi |
Stone, Joshua
Caillier, Jasmine |
Effects of salinity and temperature on the life history of the cannonball jellyfish, Stomolophus meleagris
View Full Text
Abstract Text
The cannonball jellyfish Stomolophus meleagris is one of the most abundant species in the South Atlantic Bight (SAB; coastal Carolinas and Georgia) of the Southeastern United States. These jellyfish hold significant ecological and economical importance, serving as a major food source for many ocean vertebrates and representing a valuable US export in the commercial fishery industry. Despite their abundance, very little is known about how this species is responding to climate change, particularly in their early life history stage as polyps. Given the increasing impacts of climate change, it is crucial that we investigate how changing environmental conditions impact the survival and asexual reproduction of these polyps. This information will allow us to understand and predict future population dynamics. This study aims to determine the optimal range(s) of temperature and salinity values that result in the highest rate of S. meleagris polyp survival and reproduction. Observations of polyp asexual reproduction and survival rates will be recorded across nine different salinity and temperature combinations. Data collection will span for a total of 60 days, providing insight into the optimal environmental conditions that drive polyp reproduction and survival. The results from this experiment will address a critical knowledge gap in understanding where these polyps reside in the wild (by testing their preferred salinity) and what time(s) of year they are reproducing (by testing their preferred temperature). I will present this background, experimental design, and preliminary results from the polyp experiments.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 83
|
| Quartaro, Elise |
McQuail, Joseph |
Differential Effects of Chronic Stress on Working Memory Performance and Locus Coeruleus Neurons in Aging Rats
View Full Text
Abstract Text
The locus coeruleus (LC) is a brainstem region rich in norepinephrine (NE)-containing neurons, which play a critical role in regulating arousal, alertness, and attention. The density of LC-NE neurons has been positively correlated with working memory performance. Stress increases norepinephrine transmission, and while excessive norepinephrine can impair working memory, moderate increases may enhance performance. Age-related degeneration of the locus coeruleus can reduce norepinephrine transmission, leading to declines in working memory. Based on this, we hypothesized that chronic variable stress would affect working memory performance and induce changes in LC-NE neurons in an age-dependent manner. To test this hypothesis, we exposed male and female Fischer 344 rats (6 and 24 months of age) to chronic variable stress. The stressors included twice-daily exposure to a forced swim (15°C or 25°C), bobcat or coyote urine, cage flooding, or 1-hour physical restraint. Working memory was assessed using a delayed match-to-sample task, with performance measured as the percentage of correct trials. We observed that chronic stress improved choice accuracy in aged male rats but had no effect on aged females. Following behavioral testing, brain tissue was collected from all rats. The brainstem was sectioned, and LC-NE neurons were identified using antibodies against tyrosine hydroxylase (TH). TH-positive neurons were visualized using microscopy and manually counted. Preliminary results suggest that stressed rats exhibited fewer or less dense TH+ cells compared to unstressed rats. However, there were no significant differences between age groups or biological sexes. Further experiments will be needed to explore potential interactions between these factors, as suggested by our behavioral results. These findings support our hypothesis that chronic stress differentially affects working memory across the lifespan, with alterations in LC-NE neurons. Ongoing work will investigate whether stress-related changes in the locus coeruleus are associated with neuronal activation, neurodegeneration, or inflammation, using c-Fos, NeuN, and Iba+ staining techniques.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 49
|
| Fitzsimons, Emma |
Matthews, Sarah |
Leading with Purpose
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Freshman year I joined a service organization, Dream Outside the Box, which works with the local YMCA to target schools in “dream deserts.” Every Friday since joining, I go to a local elementary school to spend time with students, engaging them in creative activities that educate them on different career paths. Four years later, I’ve watched as four-year-olds became fourth graders, and dreams to become superheroes and princesses evolved to scientists and doctors. This organization allowed me to contribute to something much bigger during my time at the University of South Carolina. As years passed, my role within this organization transformed. I was elected treasurer, so my responsibilities as a member grew. Beyond supervising our finances, I became a leader within the club and supervised other volunteers in coordinating and planning weekly events, serving as a direct contact for questions and assistance. Through this experience, I learned the importance of servant leadership, developed critical thinking skills to tackle complex problems, engage with diverse individuals, and communicate clearly and effectively. My presentation will discuss key insights from my experience volunteering with Dream Outside the Box and the impact they have had on developing me into a principled business leader.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 304
|
| Rushton, Isabella |
Shimizu, Linda |
Exploring Kinetic Trapping and the Self-Assembly of m-Terphenyl Bis-Urea Macrocycles
View Full Text
Abstract Text
The novel m-terphenyl bis-urea macrocycle demonstrates kinetically controlled aggregation behavior due to its kinetically metastable states. The macrocycle is concentration dependent and was studied in water/THF systems to analyze the self-assembly through several measurements of temperature-dependent UV-Vis spectroscopy. The spectroscopy showed cooperative nucleation-growth mechanism, indicated by a shift in λmax to longer wavelengths upon cooling. Additionally, morphological studies such as DLS, AFM, and SEM demonstrated fibrous aggregate formation. A difference between the ΔH values during cooling, compared to van′t Hoff analysis and alignment of heating ΔH, reinforced the assumption of different kinetic states. Finally, spontaneous nucleation retardation, resulting from monomer trapping, led to lag times of up to 50 minutes under specific conditions. The results of these experiments advance our understanding of supramolecular dynamics, exploring various ON-pathway mechanisms, and advancing tunable supramolecular materials.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 71
|
| Hein, Henry |
Webb, Clinton
Rodrigues dos Passos, Rinaldo |
Cell-free mitochondrial DNA exposure induces endothelial and erectile dysfunction via inflammasome activation
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Introduction: Hypertension, inflammation and erectile dysfunction (ED) are closely linked, with inflammasomes playing a role by driving innate immune responses that contribute to ED development. Our research hypothesized that cell-free mtDNA activates NLRP3 and AIM2 inflammasomes, triggering gasdermin-D (GSDMD) pore formation promoting endothelial and ED.
Materials and Methods: C57BL/6 mice livers were collected and mtDNA was isolated. Endothelial cells from C57BL/6 mice were cultured and treated with mtDNA (4 μg/μL) for 24 hours before protein expression analysis via western blot. Male C57BL/6 mice were then sacrificed, and pudendal arteries and corpus cavernosum were collected and mounted on wire and strip myographs, respectively. Functionality was assessed using phenylephrine (PE, 10 μM) and acetylcholine (ACh, 10 μM) following a 1-hour incubation in Krebs solution with mtDNA (4 μg/μL) or control (Krebs only). Concentration-response and relaxation-response curves were generated for PE (1 nM–30 μM) and ACh (1 nM–30 μM). Nonlinear regressions determined maximal response (Emax) and half-maximal effective concentration (EC50). Statistical significance was assessed using two-way mixed ANOVA with a Bonferroni post-test, and Student’s t-test for Emax and EC50 comparisons.
Results: Protein expression analysis demonstrated elevated levels of NLRP3, AIM2, and GSDMD in mtDNA-treated endothelial cells, indicating activation of inflammasomes. When pudendal arteries were exposed to mtDNA, a significant reduction in phenylephrine (PE)-induced contraction was observed (Emax, p < 0.01), with no notable changes in endothelium-dependent relaxation curves. Conversely, exposure to mtDNA resulted in a significant increase in the contractile response of the corpus cavernosa to PE (Emax, p < 0.01). Interestingly, mtDNA exposure also enhanced corpus cavernosa endothelium-dependent relaxation to ACh, though no significant differences were observed between relaxation curves. Furthermore, electrical field stimulation revealed a significant increase in corpus cavernosa relaxation at low frequency following mtDNA exposure (p < 0.01).
Conclusion:
In conclusion, these data suggest that mtDNA exposure activates inflammasomes in endothelial cells, influencing vascular and cavernosal function in a tissue-dependent manner. This is evidenced by reduced contraction in pudendal arteries and increased contractility in the corpus cavernosa, along with enhanced endothelium-dependent relaxation. These findings suggest that mtDNA-induced inflammasome activation may contribute to endothelial dysfunction and ED.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 113
|
| Cuddy, Tess |
Schryer, Asheley |
Beyond the Job: Growth, Leadership, and Workplace Dynamics at The Shore Club
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Over the past 2 ½ years, while working 20+ hours a week, I advanced through multiple roles at a local country club in Tega Cay known as The Shore Club—from host to event staff, food runner, expeditor, barback, and eventually server. Each position pushed me to develop new skills beyond its core responsibilities. At first, I stepped into these roles with the simple goal of performing well and supporting the team, but through hands-on learning in a fast-paced environment, I became a key team member. I was relied upon to lead events, anticipate bartenders’ and guests’ needs, and train new employees.
While this recognition came with gradual raises and positive feedback, it also presented challenges. As I took on greater responsibilities, I experienced the pressure of high expectations, often managing multiple roles at once or stepping in during understaffed shifts. These experiences taught me the importance of communication, teamwork, and problem-solving under pressure. I also learned to set boundaries and recognize that being an effective leader means knowing when to delegate rather than taking on everything myself.
My time at The Shore Club reinforced my strong work ethic and commitment to self-improvement, which I plan to carry into future professional settings. This mindset led me to temporarily step away to gain experience in a corporate restaurant as a ToGo server and later a server, where I adapted to a more structured work environment with standardized procedures—a contrast to The Shore Club’s independently owned, smaller team, which had more flexibility and direct communication. My decision to prioritize long-term growth over immediate financial gain, even with a small pay cut, reflects my ongoing drive for learning and self-development. Moving forward, I aim to continue seeking new challenges while staying grounded in the lessons learned from past experiences.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 278
|
| Ferdausi, Mst Jannatul |
Campbell, Andrew P.
Guo, Jiawei
Chen, Boshi
Giurgiutiu, Victor
Yu, Lingyu
Wang, Yi |
Toward using ultrasonic waves for structural health monitoring and defect detection
View Full Text
Abstract Text
The use of ultrasonic guided waves in plate-like structures has attracted significant research attention in the past couple of decades. Guided waves are known for their sensitivity to structural and geometrical conditions on the surface and across the thickness. Our research has shown the excitation and sensing of ultrasonic guided waves in plate structures through the use of piezoelectric actuators and the wavefield acquisition with scanning laser Doppler vibrometer. The system allows for waves being measured at a selected location, or as wave propagation with regards to spatial location as one dimensional or two dimensional wavefield data. The wave motion is acquired as either the out of plane velocity or displacement on the structural surface. In addition to wave propagation, we have shown that the detailed interactions with a local structural discontinuity such as a hole can be measured for structural condition evaluation.
To develop a good understanding of the wave propagation mechanisms as well as to predict the wave-defect interactions, simulation of guided waves in plate has been performed. Our study investigates the simulation of 1D guided waves in thin metallic plates, named Lamb waves focused on the pristine condition. Lamb waves consisting of both symmetric and anti-symmetric modes are modeled with analytical method and implemented through MATLAB tool. The model shows its sensitivity to structural parameters. Particular attention is given to the wave characteristics that can be derived from the simulation data, such as velocity and attenuation. This work creates a foundation for understanding wave propagation in structures to guide or validate experimental work. The current research efforts are focused on developing the analytical model for wave interactions with notch type defects and developing subsequent wave analysis methods to identify the discontinuity specific wave propagation characteristics for applications to structural health monitoring and damage detection.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 31
|
| Zieman, Meagan |
Gottesman, Carmela |
Effects of Head Position on Attention Distribution in Scenes
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Attention plays an important role in our interaction with the work around us. Much of the research on attention uses abstract, impoverished stimuli. So, how is attention distributed in real world scenes and what influences this? Does the presence of people, their heads or bodies, cue attention to different parts of the scene? Prior research showed that gaze and head position affect attention. However, when the whole torso as well as the head is shown in the stimulus, the body positioning seems to override any effects of the gaze direction. Is it the size of the head compared to the body in the pictures space that makes a difference? It is hypothesized that a large head lacking a body will affect attention distribution where the head, with the body visible, did not. This was tested by editing the stimuli used in a previously run experiment so that the subject viewed large, disembodied heads with a cross on either side. Their task was to locate the cross as quickly and accurately as possible and their reaction time was measured in milliseconds. The results show a tendency for faster reaction times when the head was in profile position and the cross was in line of sight. This suggests that gaze is more important when the head fills a larger part of the visual field.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 173
|
| Lee, Kallie |
Ballou, Julia |
Undergraduate Research Focused on Anthropogenic Impacts on Drinking Water
View Full Text
Abstract Text
The past year I have been an undergraduate research assistant under Dr. Susan Richardson. I have focused on anthropogenic impacts on drinking water in an environmental analytical chemistry lab. This past fall I had the opportunity to be involved in the experimental design of a project and lead the formation of a detailed grant proposal. The project, Mapping Unknown Volatile PFAS and Other Contaminants in South Carolina Waters with GC-MS, involves a non-target GC-MS approach to identify volatile PFAS and other contaminants in South Carolina waters. To our knowledge, this type of approach has not yet been conducted in South Carolina. I have spent a lot of time learning about the logistics of the experimental design, researching literature pertaining to the experimental design, and researching spectra for the contaminants I will be looking for. Samples will be taken from waters throughout the state, they will be filtered and extracted by solid-phase extraction, analyzed by low and high resolution GC-MS, and the data will be analyzed using the NIST library and suspect screening. We anticipate finding short-chained volatile PFAS that we suspected and other volatile contaminants from our analysis. My experience in undergraduate research has been one of my most meaningful experiences. It has increased my knowledge of what it means to conduct research, allowed me to practice and learn about common laboratory techniques and contaminants related to drinking water, and overall increased my confidence in the lab. It has inspired me to pursue a career in chemistry where I can contribute to my community or to the environment through my work.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 279
|
| Brock, Sydney |
Keane-Dawes, Antony |
Sustainability at Sea: A Global Learning Experience
View Full Text
Abstract Text
During the summer of 2023, I participated in a Sea|mester voyage, an immersive global learning experience that took me to six countries from the British Virgin Islands to Antigua. Over the course of 20 days, I lived and worked aboard an 88-foot double-masted schooner alongside 15 other college students, navigating the challenges of life at sea while developing critical seamanship skills. During this voyage, I earned an advanced SCUBA certification and gained firsthand experience in sustainable living practices. Adapting to life on a sailboat required me to confront my own resource consumption, as I quickly learned to live without air conditioning or cell service and with extremely limited access to freshwater and refrigeration. As an environmental science major, I was able to take these constraints, coupled with exposure to environmental challenges faced by Caribbean communities, and use them to deepen my understanding of my own carbon footprint and the global implications of resource conservation. This experience built upon the academic foundation I had gained in my Next Energy course on campus, an engineering class focused on renewable energy, energy consumption, and sustainability. Concepts I had studied in the classroom—such as energy efficiency, off-grid living, and resource scarcity—became tangible realities at sea, reinforcing the importance of sustainable solutions in everyday life. Beyond the technical skills and practical applications I acquired, this experience tested my resilience and determination in ways I had never encountered before. Facing both physical and emotional challenges, I discovered that I am capable of overcoming difficult situations through perseverance and adaptability. This voyage not only expanded my global perspective but also reinforced my commitment to environmental responsibility and sustainable living.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 208
|
Mina, Anna
Ataei, Suzi |
Humphrey, Mark |
Improving the Quality of Prenatal Care in a Family Medicine Residency Program
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Inadequate prenatal care is linked to negative pregnancy outcomes, including increased infant and maternal mortality. The Prisma Health Family Medicine Residency provides prenatal care to underserved populations, including the Hispanic community in Columbia and Winnsboro, SC. In 2021, 74.3% of pregnant women in SC received adequate prenatal care, with the lowest rates among Hispanic mothers (63.1%). A Quality Improvement initiative led by PGY1 Family Medicine Residents aims to address this disparity by enhancing the quality of prenatal care through both group and traditional prenatal visit models.
Initial assessments revealed significant gaps in early initiation of care, third trimester syphilis screenings, genetic testing, RSV vaccine administration, and postpartum follow-up. These gaps were addressed through several PDSA cycles by standardizing note templates and implementing Best Practice Advisories in the EMR, ensuring the sustainability of these practices. The interventions discussed were led by first-year residents and integrated into daily patient care using powerful health system tools such as the EMR.
Post-intervention, comparing 3rd trimester RPR and Pap smears to baseline data at the beginning of the PDSA cycle showed a 28.33% increase in Pap smears and a 50% increase in RPR screenings.
This project underscores the significance and creativity of intern involvement in quality improvement initiatives, establishing a foundation for systems-thinking from the start of residency. Continuous updates to standardized note templates and checklists used in prenatal care to incorporate smart phrases that reflect current standards of care have led to a reduction in care gaps and improvements in patient care.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 172
|
| Kaminsky, Ella |
Stubblefield, Brittany |
Global Growth: Studying Abroad in Barcelona
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Studying abroad in Barcelona was an eye-opening experience that pushed me beyond my comfort zone and helped me develop the skills necessary for leadership in a globalized world. I chose to study abroad because I wanted to immerse myself in a new culture, challenge myself in unfamiliar situations, and gain a deeper understanding of international perspectives. Living in Spain for four months, I had the opportunity to engage with diverse communities, navigate everyday challenges in a different language, and adapt to a completely new way of life.
Throughout my time abroad, I faced situations that required flexibility, problem-solving, and independence. Whether it was navigating Barcelona’s public transportation system, communicating in Spanish, or building connections with people from different backgrounds, each experience helped me become more confident and adaptable. I learned how to embrace uncertainty, approach new experiences with an open mind, and appreciate the nuances of different cultures.
Looking back, this experience had a profound impact on me. Meaningful growth happens when we embrace the unknown and seek out new perspectives. This experience has not only reinforced my passion for global studies but also shaped the way I think about leadership. I believe this experience ultimately inspired me to pursue a Leadership Distinction in Global Studies upon my graduation this May. What I’ve learned from studying abroad has shaped my GLD pathway and allowed me to appreciate it from a new, reflective perspective.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 240
|
| Ramamurthy, Rithi |
Hung, Peiyin |
Factors for Perinatal Telehealth Uptake in the United States
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Objective: Telehealth has become a popular form of healthcare uptake during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aims to understand multifaceted factors at individual-, provider-, community-, and system/policy-levels for perinatal telehealth uptake.
Methods: We conducted a scoping review on telehealth use for perinatal care by searching relevant records published during September 23, 1998- July 1st, 2024, from the PubMed Library. The review focused on audio and video telehealth modalities, excluding literature specifically on asynchronous modalities. Literature was included in all perinatal stages including abortion services, prenatal, and postpartum. From the 6030 initially identified articles, the final sample included 25 articles. The articles were analyzed for factors related to audio- or video telehealth uptake for perinatal care, and the identified factors were subsequently categorized into contextual/predisposing factors, enabling factors, and need-based factors, three groups of factors, according to Andersen’s Healthcare Utilization Model.
Results: Across the papers, prenatal telehealth use ranged from 9% (before pandemic)-60% during pandemic, and telehealth uptake for pregnant women was as low as 15%. For perinatal telehealth uptake, predisposing factors include demographic characteristics such as age, race, or residence location. Contextual factors are travel burdens to a maternal provider and infrastructure for access to virtual healthcare at a community level (e.g., broadband, telecommunication devices ownership). Enabling factors include socioeconomic status (income level, access to reliable transportation, work life) and insurance coverage, and provider supply that affect a patient’s ability to connect with their provider. Need-based factors include the comorbidities and other health conditions that might increase the need for care, including pregnancy complications, postpartum depression, or gestational diabetes.
Conclusion: This study highlights barriers and facilitators driving the current underuse of telehealth uptake for perinatal care in the United States. Efforts to integrate telehealth into perinatal care services should address these multilevel factors, particularly providing easy to use platforms for all age demographics, and resources such as Wi-Fi and data for underserved populations. This includes broadband service infrastructure and any devices that patients might require. Providing telehealth as an option for patients with greater travel burdens and with higher risk pregnancy can be especially helpful.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 134
|
| Caillaud, Julien |
Sayers, Christina |
Cultural Intelligence in Action
View Full Text
Abstract Text
During 2023, I studied abroad at ESSEC (École Supérieure des Sciences Economiques et Commerciales) Business school as part of the Responsible International Leadership Cohort. As a French-American who frequently traveled between the two countries but had never lived in France, this program was the perfect opportunity to immerse myself in the culture while deepening my interest in international business. At ESSEC, I refined my French skills, particularly my writing, which lagged behind my speaking and reading, and gained firsthand experience of what it truly means to live in a foreign country. While I was abroad, I volunteered at what was essentially a homeless community called Emmaüs in Caneças, Portugal. Being in an unfamiliar country that speaks an unfamiliar language for so long was eye opening. I experienced cultural diversity as well as economic diversity while being able to help those in need. The volunteer experience combined with my experiences while backpacking throughout Europe gave me a new appreciation for the world and other cultures. I feel inspired to learn more about people and how their cultures affect their upbringing and way of life. I have also decided to try and learn Portuguese as I fell in love with the language during my time there. This year abroad reaffirmed my passion for international experiences and strengthened my commitment to applying the global business skills I’ve been developing over the past four years. It reinforced my desire to live and work abroad, fully engaging with the international business landscape.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 247
|
| Hudson, Dylan |
Weaver, Glenn
White, James |
Assessing Garmin’s Accuracy in Classifying Walking, Running, and Biking in Children
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Accurate classification of physical activity type (e.g., walking, running, biking) could improve estimates of children’s physical activity energy expenditure. Garmin, a consumer wearable device, includes built-in activity recognition features (i.e., Garmin Move IQ) that can identify familiar motion patterns in exercise such as walking, running, and outdoor biking that last for at least 10 continuous minutes. However, few, if any, studies have evaluated the accuracy of the Garmin Move IQ automatic detection algorithm among children. Thus, this study aims to determine how well Garmin can detect walking, running and biking and duration compared to direct observation in children. Thirty-Three children (8-12 years, 51.5% male, 78.8% White) completed a 60-minute protocol consisting of six, 10-minute activities. The protocol included walking, running [run 10 meters following the sound of an audio recording], and biking activities, each separated by a seated rest activity. These activities were directly observed by trained research assistants, and each child wore a Garmin Vivoactive 4S on their non-dominant wrist. Activity type and duration data were exported from Fitabase. Garmin’s accuracy for detecting each activity type compared to direct observation was calculated. The mean absolute error (MAE) and mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) were calculated to evaluate the agreement of the estimated duration compared to the actual duration for each activity. Garmin accurately identified biking 79.5%, running 2.8%, and walking 41.0% of the time. Biking was misclassified 20.5% and walking was misclassified 57.1% as inactivity, while running was misclassified as walking (48.8%) and inactivity (48.4%). Mean absolute errors ranged from 2.6 minutes (biking) to 14.2 minutes (walking). The lowest estimation error was during biking (25.0%) while walking had the highest error (206.3%). These results suggest Garmin can detect biking with reasonable accuracy, but it struggles with detecting walking and running in children. Future research could explore Garmin Move IQ’s performance for detecting biking and duration in free-living children. Future studies should also explore the factors that contribute to the accurate detection of running and walking and duration from Garmin Move IQ in children.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 167
|
| Avila, Dinorah |
Tandon, Keah |
From Brazil, with Love: My Gamecock Journey
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Growing up, my father encouraged me to question everything and put myself in new situations every day. He fueled my dreams of wanting to study abroad and experience college in a different country. I chose to study in the United States because I wanted to experience somewhere that would not be too far away from home while also being different enough than what I’m used to. To be a successful businesswoman I knew that I needed to expose myself to new concepts and environments so I could excel in my future job. In Brazil, college is strictly focused on academics and students spend most of their college careers studying and learning material that is not catered to their specific paths. However, in the United States going to college is not only about excelling academically but also creating a curriculum for yourself that includes experiential learning through different pathways. Through the University of South Carolina, I was able to take part in so many different opportunities through leadership and student work, something that I wouldn’t have had at home. I joined my sorority Alpha Gamma Delta and served as the Vice President of Finance for one year and gained unimaginable experience on managing large scale finances as well as creating true friendship bonds with my sisters. I had the opportunity to work for two on-campus offices, University 101 Programs and the Student Success Center, which support students during their first years of college through peer leadership and academic success. Through these roles, I learned the importance of communication in building trust and guidance through teamwork. Living independently came with its own set of challenges, but it also allowed me to grow tremendously as a young adult. As I reflect on my four years at the University of South Carolina, I can confidently say that this journey has been one of the most challenging yet rewarding experiences of my life. The invaluable opportunities USC has provided, both academically and personally, have broadened my perspective and further inspired me to explore my next steps as a professional abroad.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 291
|
| Foster, Brooke |
Tandon, Keah |
Health Education for the Students, by the Students: The Power of Peer Leadership
View Full Text
Abstract Text
One of the biggest influences on my academic and professional journey has been my time with Changing Carolina Peer Leaders (CCPL). CCPL is a peer education program focused on making our campus a healthier place—whether through mental health awareness, sexual health education, holistic wellness, or promoting healthy relationships. It gave me a space to not only educate others but also grow as a leader and advocate for student health.
As a peer leader, I played an active role in organizing presentations, planning events, and collaborating with other campus organizations. I took on even more responsibility by serving on the executive board both years, first as the Multicultural Outreach Chair and then as Vice President. My role as Outreach Chair allowed me to connect with underrepresented students, making sure they had access to health resources tailored to their needs. As VP, I focused on recruitment efforts, especially encouraging more male students to get involved in health promotion—a demographic that often lacks representation in these spaces.
What drew me to CCPL was its sense of community. The organization emphasized that to truly help others, we had to take care of ourselves first. The support from both peers and professional staff created an environment where we could openly discuss important but sometimes uncomfortable topics, like sexual health, mental wellness, and substance use. I knew these conversations were essential, and being part of a team that made this information accessible to students was incredibly fulfilling.
Through CCPL, I gained a deeper understanding of health education, peer leadership, and community engagement. I also developed key skills in leadership, event planning, and public speaking—experiences that will shape my future career. Most importantly, I saw firsthand how student-led initiatives can make a real impact.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 316
|
| Davis, Tatum |
Tandon, Keah |
Shaping Health: Lessons from the Operating Room
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Through my time at USC, I learned that a person's background and environment significantly shape their life, particularly their health and decision-making. My experience shadowing cardiovascular perfusionists has solidified this idea, showing how factors like upbringing and past experiences influence individuals' responses to medical care. As I shadowed cardiovascular perfusionists, I observed how patients past medical encounters and cultural backgrounds affected their willingness to undergo surgery and follow health recommendations These experiences demonstrated how a person’s environment, culture, and past trauma can influence their decisions regarding healthcare.
I was motivated to engage in this activity because of my desire to understand the deeper connections between a person’s background and their health, as well as to gain a firsthand look at the role of healthcare professionals in shaping patient outcomes. Through my sociology course (SOCY 101), I learned about the impact of various social factors on behavior, and shadowing the cardiovascular perfusionists gave me a practical way to observe these lessons in action.
This experience taught me the importance of understanding and empathizing with patients’ unique circumstances. As a future healthcare provider, I realized that it is my responsibility not to judge, but to listen and support patients in ways that respect their backgrounds and experiences. I also learned how essential it is to consider a patient’s entire history, including their cultural and socio-economic context, when making medical decisions.
The significance of this experience lies in its ability to bridge the gap between theory and practice. It highlighted the importance of taking a holistic approach to healthcare—one that considers the person as a whole rather than just focusing on medical symptoms. I hope others learn that healthcare goes beyond prescriptions and surgeries; it involves understanding and addressing the complexities of a patient’s life. Moving forward, I plan to continue learning about the intersection of sociology and healthcare and apply this knowledge in my future medical career to provide more compassionate and comprehensive care.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 292
|
| Fernandez Gamboa, America |
Cooper, Dan
Saini, Subina |
Cultivating Resilience in Black and Latiné Families with the ROOTS Lab
View Full Text
Abstract Text
The Resilience-Oriented Outcomes and Techniques for Stronger Families, also known as the ROOTS Lab, examines the feasibility of a culturally responsive parenting program. Its primary goal is to evaluate whether providing parenting support that emphasizes ethnic-racial socialization and healthy lifestyle behaviors can enhance social-emotional functioning and promote healthy lifestyle habits among Black and Latiné children aged 3 to 6. Additionally, the project aims to assess parents’ satisfaction and engagement with the program, to apply for a larger study to assess the intervention's impact more thoroughly. In the ROOTS Lab, I contributed by being a point-person for the Spanish-speaking Latiné families. My job was to stay in communication with the participants by making screening calls, sending weekly reminders, answering questions, and mailing out supplies for the participants and their families. Currently, I am working on learning how to conduct post-assessment qualitative interviews. I chose to participate in the lab because of its focus on developing culturally responsive parenting programs where families teach children about the values, traditions, and practices of their ethnic-racial groups. While this is ongoing research, we do not have all the available data but limited quantitative results. However, we have received positive feedback from participants in the intervention group. We have seen parents grow tremendously in their parenting approaches and they have expressed improvements in their children as well. Along with seeing improvements in families, I have seen improvements in myself. I have built confidence in conducting calls and teaching incoming lab members. The ROOTS Lab has also expanded my knowledge of prevention science, which was discussed in a course I took at the University of South Carolina titled PSYC526: Preventing Psychological Problems in Children and Youth, The work that I have done has given me the drive to work in the Latinx community in the future to improve their wellness, whether that be social, emotional, or health.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 174
|
| Manne, Isabel |
Kozlik, Lauren |
How Peer Leadership Goes Beyond Just the First-Year Experience
View Full Text
Abstract Text
The University of South Carolina’s University 101 Program is nationally ranked as one of the top first-year experience programs in the United States. I have had the privilege of serving as a University 101 Peer Leader for two consecutive fall semesters. In this role, I facilitated
classroom discussions on various topics such as substance use safety, academic success, and off-campus housing. Touching on my own experiences, I was able to relate to the class socially,
academically, and personally. Through my role, I was able to encourage my students to become actively involved on campus and lead by example, sharing my many involvements and upcoming events they may enjoy. I also held one-on-one check-in meetings to see how each student was
adjusting to both college life and campus. Watching the success of my students/peers and how they came into their own over a singular semester is always a rewarding experience and the connections I formed with each of them I will cherish forever. Being a University 101 Peer
Leader has taught me more about myself and my institution. I have been able to foster and promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and education through the powers of collaboration and communication. I was able to adjust accordingly to whatever obstacles were thrown my way in
this position, communicate appropriately to plan and facilitate lesson plans, and serve as a resource and source of support for new members of the Gamecock community. University 101 Programs has without a shadow of a doubt, been one of, if not the most rewarding professional experiences I have been a part of.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 324
|
| Crowder, Sydney |
Klusek, Jessica
Friedman, Laura |
Exploring the Impact of Low Social Support on Cognitive Decline in Middle-Aged Mothers of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Middle-aged mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) face unique psychosocial stressors that may contribute to accelerated cognitive decline. This study explores the role of low social support as a risk factor for cognitive impairment in this population. Prior research suggests that language-based assessments can serve as early indicators of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or atypical aging.
The present study included 25 mothers of children with ASD and 30 control mothers of typically developing children. All mothers were between the ages of 55–75, and groups were similar on age (p=.163), race (p=.687), and education (p=.756). Participants completed the NIH Toolbox Social Relationship Scales. Mothers also completed the Memory Functioning Questionnaire, which assesses everyday remembering and forgetting. Finally, participants provided a Cinderella narrative, which was elicited after they looked through a Cinderella picture book. Their narratives were analyzed for main concept production and sequencing ability. While no significant differences emerged in objective measures of main concept production (p=.489) and sequencing (p=.372) between the groups, mothers of children with ASD reported significantly greater concerns about their memory (p=.030). These findings suggest a disconnect between self-perceived cognitive decline and language-based indicators. Additionally, we did not find a relationship between social support and main concept production (p=.898), sequencing (p=.925), or self-reported memory (p=.247) within the mothers of children with ASD. Future research should further explore how other social and emotional factors, such as loneliness, depression, or poor sleep quality contribute to cognitive aging in this population.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 127
|
| Patel, Mitesh |
Welshhans, Kristy |
Focal Adhesions and Cellular Morphology in Down Syndrome Fibroblasts
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Down syndrome (DS), a neurodevelopmental disorder caused by an extra copy of chromosome 21, is associated with intellectual disability, improper tissue development, and latent wound healing. This study employs fibroblasts, specialized connective tissue cells, to gain knowledge about the cellular and molecular mechanisms that may contribute to these phenotypes in DS. Previous studies in the lab have demonstrated altered morphology and motility in DS fibroblast cell lines. Here, we build on this research by examining focal adhesions, which play a crucial role in tissue development and wound healing by regulating cellular adhesion, migration, and mechanotransduction. Focal adhesions are multiprotein complexes mediating integrin-based cell adhesion between the extracellular matrix and the intracellular actin cytoskeleton. First, we analyzed whether the length-to-width ratio of fibroblasts obtained from a two-year-old individual with Down syndrome differed from age and sex matched control fibroblast cell lines. However, we did not observe a significant difference in the length-to-width ratio in DS. We were surprised by this result because we had previously identified changes in cell morphology and motility in other Down syndrome fibroblast cell lines. Taken together with previous work from the lab, this study suggests that there may be inter-individual variability in cellular morphology in DS. Next, we used immunocytochemistry to assess the protein expression of paxillin and vinculin, but again, we did not observe a significant difference in DS fibroblasts as compared to the control fibroblast cell lines. The expression of these proteins was analyzed in the entire fibroblast. However, the dynamic focal adhesions that regulate cellular motility are localized within the leading edge of these cells. Therefore, we are currently examining whether the expression of vinculin is altered in the leading edge of DS fibroblasts. Additionally, we are investigating whether beta-actin protein at the leading edge of fibroblasts is altered in DS, as vinculin is directly connected to the actin cytoskeleton in focal adhesions to regulate cell motility. Overall, this study will improve our understanding of whether focal adhesions are dysregulated in DS fibroblasts and contribute to the phenotypes of this disorder.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 33
|
| Moore, Madeleine |
Ballou, Julia |
Summer Abroad in Botswana
View Full Text
Abstract Text
During the summer of 2023, I studied abroad for 8 weeks in Gaborone, Botswana, through the CIEE Community Public Health Trip. This experience combined classroom learning with practical application in the community, which gave me a new perspective on healthcare in a global context. One of the main activities I participated in was shadowing in clinics in multiple areas of Botswana, gaining insight into the healthcare system through the doctors and patient experience. To further my global education, I visited the local village of Moghonye, where I interacted with the village leaders, the school children, and the village residents to broaden my understanding of the infrastructure and differences between urban and rural areas. Over the 8 weeks, I engaged in multiple sectors like language, religion and beliefs, government system, and economy of Botswana, which allowed me to understand population health and society in Botswana fully.
As a biology major and pre-med student, health has always been an integral part of my studies, which has furthered my passion for learning about global health. This trip presented itself to me during an AED meeting from a fellow member. Studying abroad for a full semester didn’t seem possible in my schedule, so I was motivated to apply and spend the summer learning about healthcare in Botswana. Some of the main lessons I learned are how important patient-care interaction is in providing adequate care and how healthcare systems can differ based on a global population's needs and access to resources. Not only did I expand my knowledge of health, but I saw firsthand the importance of culture and how it shapes a community and the way of life in groups of people. My time in Botswana impacted me significantly by cementing my passion for medicine and motivated me to come back and serve as a healthcare worker globally. The community of Botswana also taught me a lot about myself and the importance of learning and connecting with others globally, and I want to share this appreciation I found of Botswana with others.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 220
|
| Brew, Jessica |
Pellegrini, Christine
Jamieson, Scott |
Physician Recommendations of Physical Activity for Individuals with Arthritis: Differences in Demographic Characteristics, Physical Activity, and Physical Function
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Introduction: Lack of physician recommendations have been reported to be a barrier to physical activity. However, limited research exists about the prevalence of physician recommendations for individuals with arthritis, and their demographic profile. This study examined the prevalence of physicians recommending physical activity and if there were differences in demographics, physical activity, and physical function based on provider recommendations.
Methods: Participants from a walking study, at least 18 years old with a diagnosis of arthritis were included. Demographic information and the thirty-second chair stand and six-minute walk physical function tests were completed at the baseline visit. Participants wore an ActiGraph GT9x Link accelerometer for 7 days following the visit to measure moderate-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and steps/day. Independent t-tests for continuous variables and chi-square tests for categorical variables were completed to examine differences in demographic characteristics, physical activity, and physical function based on if participants received recommendations from physicians for physical activity. Demographic groups were defined by race (black or non-black) and income (<$19,320-$39,750, $39,751-$60,180, $60,181-$80,610, $80,611- >$101,040).
Results: A total of 267 participants were included in the analysis (64.2 ± 9.3 years, 91.8% female, 59.9% Black, 60.7% diagnosis of osteoarthritis). A total of 76.2% received a physician recommendation for physical activity. No significant differences were found for prevalence of physician recommendations between racial or income groups. No significant differences were found MVPA (44.68 ± 64.6 vs 60.35 ± 78.9), steps per day (4007.4 ± 2255.7 vs 4198.4± 2180.5), 30-second chair stand or 6-minute walk test based on receiving a physician recommendation.
Conclusion: There was no difference in prevalence of physician recommendations for adults with arthritis based on race or income levels. There was also no difference between physical activity or physical function levels based on receiving a recommendation. Further research can be conducted to enhance the effectiveness of physician recommendations in improving physical activity levels of individuals with arthritis such as potentially discussing appropriate exercises for arthritis and overcoming barriers to physical activity.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 145
|
| Griffith, Payton |
Mancik, Ashley
Plakas, Christina |
Corruption Within Georgia Prisons
View Full Text
Abstract Text
This presentation examines evidence collected pertaining to corruption and abuse of the criminal justice system in the state of Georgia that has allowed for the continual decline of Georgia state prisons. Through a combination of case studies,historical investigation,and qualitative research, this study aims to highlight the systemic failures of the correctional institutions throughout Georgia. In addition, this presentation looks to offer suggestions for reformation and policy changes that will improve the quality of state prisons.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 19
|
| Cirillo, Lindley |
Harrington, Shana |
An Examination of Referral Trends for Outpatient Rehabilitation PT/OT in Adults with Cancer
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Currently, there are over 20 million Americans survivors of cancer (CA) in the United States with the number projected to increase to 30 million by 2040. Rehabilitation can minimize the side effects associated with CA and CA treatment and improve function and quality of life. A recent study found that only 1–2% of adults with CA are referred for outpatient physical therapy. The objective of this study was to describe involved body regions, patient reported outcomes (PROs), and utilization among patients that sought outpatient physical and occupational therapy (PT/OT) services and reported a current or recent (<1 year) CA diagnosis to better understand current trends in referrals and PT/OT services for oncology patients in the US. Patient episodes (N=10,012; January 2021 - September 2024) associated with a current or recent CA diagnosis were derived from a large patient outcomes registry. Sex, weight, age, body region, general health (VR12: mental and physical component score [MCS and PCS]), body region-specific PROs (standardized in direction and range [0-100]), and attended visits were available for all episodes. Microsoft Excel was used to calculate means, standard deviations, and frequencies. Patients were older (65.9±14.1), mostly female (60%), and overweight (BMI 28.9±14.2). Episodes were primarily non-surgical (83%) and related to conditions of the lower back (24%), shoulder (17%), knee (16%), neck (10%), and hip (10%). Initial disability was moderate per initial PRO (52.5±21.5) and VR12 PCS (32.5±10.0) but mental health was good (VR12 MCS 49.2±11.6). Patients attended 11.6±9.9 visits and achieved 12.4±16.5 point change for non-surgical episodes and 24.4±20.4 point change following surgery. This study highlights good clinical outcomes and normal outpatient PT/OT utilization for adults with CA in the United States. While the study cannot speak to the functional impairments of those that did not seek outpatient PT/OT services, these results suggest that patients with cancer respond well to PT/OT services and more than 1-2% of patients with CA would likely benefit. Future efforts should focus on increasing awareness among healthcare providers, improving referrals, and ensuring that adults with CA receive rehabilitation to enhance their function and quality of life.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 135
|
| Thaggard, Grace |
Shustova, Natalia |
A Change of Pace: Approaching Gas-Phase Behavior in the Solid State through Photochromic Metal-Organic Frameworks
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Design of stimuli-responsive materials for next-generation optoelectronics and secure data storage relies on the fundamental concept of rapid transitions between discrete states possessing different properties. Previously, the applicability of commonly used classes of photochromic compounds for device development was restricted due to relatively slow transition kinetics in solution or in bulk solids. Herein, we report a multivariate strategy based on photochromic spiropyran and spirooxazine derivatives, coordinatively integrated in the confined space of a solid-state matrix, a metal-organic framework (MOF), resulting in the fastest photoresponse reported for any solid-state material to date. We first demonstrate how designing a solvent-free environment around spiropyran derivatives anchored in the MOF pores effectively eliminates the solvent-photoswitch electrostatic interactions that hinder photoisomerization in solution, resulting in the highest switching rate reported for a spiropyran derivative in solution or in the solid state. We then extend the strategy of engineering the molecular environment to promote rate enhancement toward spirooxazine derivatives. The photoisomerization rate for the developed spirooxazine-based material was estimated to be 126 s−1, surpassing any literature reports to the best of our knowledge. Finally, we develop a correlation between switching kinetics and framework topology, the nature of the organic linkers, and presence/absence of organic solvents within the MOF pores using a series of isoreticular frameworks. Overall, the presented approach allows for tailoring the isomerization kinetics of photochromic molecules in the solid state over a range of four orders of magnitude – an unprecedented span that provides a pathway for addressing challenges associated with the response rate and photoisomerization, which are key criteria in stimuli-responsive material development.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 25
|
| Morton, Zane |
Carter, Sarah |
The Over staturation of the photography market
View Full Text
Abstract Text
My research is finding the reason why photography has such a over saturated market. The photography industry has become increasingly competitive and crowded, making it difficult for photographers to stand out, gain consistent clients, and establish long term success.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 200
|
| Barnwell, Spencer |
Emerson, Dawn |
Core Temperature and Influencing Factors Among Historically Black College and University Marching Band Artists
View Full Text
Abstract Text
The growing research on exertional heat illness risk among college marching band (MB) artists has focused on predominately white institutions. Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) have different performance styles, often incorporating more dance and accentuated movements, which may increase physical demands.
Purpose: To examine core body temperature (Tc) and influencing factors among HBCU MB artists.
Methods: This was a descriptive study using a convenient sample of MB artists (n=10; 5 males, 3 females, 1 intersex; age=19.5±1.6 years, height=175.0±8.8 cm, weight=93.6±23.8 kg, body surface area=2.1±0.2 m2). We measured Tc using ingestible thermistors during 3 rehearsals and 1 performance day. Wet-bulb globe temperature (WBGT) was measured using the Kestrel 3000HS. To characterize hydration status, we measured weight and urine. We calculated percent body mass loss (%BM) from weight before and after rehearsal/performance. First morning urine samples were collected on 7 days and measured for urine specific gravity (Usg). We used questionnaires to inquire about medical history and sleep. Means and standard deviations were calculated for all outcomes variables. Pearson correlations were used to determine associations between mean and maximum Tc to descriptive variables.
Results: Mean rehearsal Tc=100.3±0.1°F and performance=99.3±0.3°F. Among all artists, maximum Tc=101.7°F and occurred during rehearsal. For rehearsals, mean WBGT=54.7±2.8°F, maximum WBGT=75.6°F, and duration=132.0±24.3 minutes. During the performance mean WBGT=79.2±1.3°F, maximum WBGT=88.3°F, and duration=86 minutes. Mean Usg=1.023±0.006, range=1.008-1.036. Mean %BM for performance day =0.23±0.45 kg and rehearsal =-0.43±0.44 kg. Maximum Tc was moderately correlated with Usg (r2=.558, p=.007). Average Tc was moderately correlated with activity duration (r2=.558, p=0.007) and sleep (r2=.446, p=0.043). Maximum and average Tc were not influenced by pre-existing medical conditions, taking medications or supplements, or having a current illness.
Conclusion: Tc among HBCU MB artists was similar to what has been demonstrated among other college MB artists. Because Tc was moderately correlated with activity duration and Usg, MB directors should consider frequent rest and hydration breaks, especially during longer rehearsals to help reduce heat illness risk. Sports medicine personnel continue to expand into performing arts settings and should consider policies to improve health and wellness of HBCU MB artists.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 128
|
| Thompson, Grace |
Ballou, Jordan |
Exploring the Impact of Pharmacy Education on Pharmacy Residents' Confidence & Knowledge of Gender-Affirming Hormone Therapy
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact that pharmacy school education on gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT) has on the confidence and knowledge of PGY1 and PGY2 pharmacy residents at ASHP-accredited or candidate pharmacy residency programs across the United States regarding GAHT for transgender and gender diverse (TGD) individuals.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted through an online REDCap survey, which was reviewed and approved by the Institutional Review Board at the University of South Carolina. A survey link was emailed to residency program directors (RPDs) or program contacts of ASHP-accredited or candidate PGY1, PGY2, or PGY1/2 pharmacy residency programs across the United States. The survey collected de-identified demographic information alongside pharmacy school education level and residency experience regarding GAHT and TGD patients. The survey also assessed confidence and knowledge regarding counseling and making recommendations on GAHT for TGD patients. Survey items were designed by conducting a review of the literature to identify key concepts for pharmacists related to the care of TGD patients. Participants had the option to be entered into a drawing for one of eight gift cards upon survey completion.
Results: Of the 4907 pharmacy residency program positions filled per ASHP, 308 residents completed the entire survey, yielding a 6.3% response rate. Most respondents were PGY1 residents (64.3%) who identified as female (81.5%) and heterosexual (82.8%). Seventy percent of residents reported receiving education on GAHT in pharmacy school, whether required or elective. Outside of pharmacy school, 60.7% of residents reported gaining experience regarding TGD patients or GAHT during residency. The mean confidence score was 8.8 (SD ± 3.7) out of 20, and the mean number of knowledge questions correct was 6 (SD ±1.9) out of 10. Pharmacy school education significantly contributed to a higher total confidence score (p < 0.001).
Conclusion: The majority of survey respondents reported receiving either formal or elective education on GAHT during pharmacy school. This education significantly impacts the perceived confidence of pharmacy residents on counseling and making recommendations for GAHT.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 116
|
| Worthy, Mikiyah |
Carter, Sarah |
Seeking Therapy; Addressing the Stigma
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Listing the benefits of therapy on individuals and their mental health, regardless of A diagnosis or symptoms of mental illness being present. Furthermore, highlighting and addressing the reasons people avoid or resent seeking therapy.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 201
|
| Nix, Claudia |
Keane-Dawes, Antony |
Embracing Uncomfortable Growth: My Internship Experience with FC Cincinnati and Lessons Learned from SPTE 590
View Full Text
Abstract Text
During the summer of my junior year, I had the opportunity to intern with the Event Operations department for the Major League Soccer team FC Cincinnati. My experience here was incredible, as I was able to take the knowledge I had acquired from industry professionals in SPTE 590: From the President’s Desk. For this class, we spoke with a different professional who worked in the sports industry, learned about how they got to where they were, and received their tips to thriving in this industry. While at FC Cincinnati, where I learned how to assist guests during a match, and about match presentation. As a result of this class, I learned the skills of networking, how to deal with failure, and understanding how growth is uncomfortable but necessary, and apply these lessons to gain the most experience out of my internship. Being able to learn from this experience affirmed my belief that sport is a unifying front for this country, that it connects people to a larger community than themselves. When I began the process of looking at Graduating with Leadership Distinction for Professional and Civic Engagement, I wanted to talk about my experience with uncomfortable growth. This was one of the hardest summers I’ve had in college because I was so far away from my family that I really struggled with feeling connected. However, the fact that almost every single industry professional had told me that they felt uncomfortable at some point and it pushed them to grow and helped them become more confident made me push through the uncertainty.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 288
|
| Scott, Anna |
Carter, Sarah |
Causes and Considerations of PT Burnout
View Full Text
Abstract Text
My research presentation will be about PT burnout. Burnout in the physical therapy profession is a growing concern in the healthcare industry, driven by high caseloads, time pressures, emotional exhaustion, and physical strain. Physical therapists often face difficult schedules with little time for breaks, leading to stress and fatigue. The emotional damage of working with patients in pain or dealing with chronic conditions can also contribute to compassion fatigue, while the physical demands of the job—such as long hours on their feet and manual therapy—can lead to musculoskeletal injuries.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 202
|
| Littlejohn, Zahmariya |
Carter, Sarah |
Through the Eyes of the Mistreated: Maternal Health Disparities Among Women
View Full Text
Abstract Text
This research highlights the field of Obstetrics and Gynecology, but in a deeper meaning. One very controversial topic within the OB/GYN field is Maternal health Disparities, OB/GYNs witness firsthand the impact of systemic inequalities in healthcare. Addressing these disparities requires navigating complex social, economic, and political factors, which can be challenging and controversial. This specific controversy is so important and can be used to raise awareness for women who have not been treated properly solely because of their skin color.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 203
|
| Gleason, Kamryn |
Potts, Jay |
Gut Microbiome Dynamics in Heart Failure and the Therapeutic Potential of NMEG-CGRP
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Heart Failure (HF) is increasingly acknowledged as a multisystem disease, frequently linked to gut dysbiosis; however, its precise effects on gut microbial composition remains insufficiently understood. This study investigated longitudinal gut microbiome alterations in a murine HF model induced by transverse aortic constriction (TAC) and examined the therapeutic effects of NMEG-CGRP. TAC was employed as a well-established model to mimic pressure overload-induced cardiac dysfunction, replicating key pathophysiological features of HF. Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), a neuropeptide with potent vasodilatory and cardioprotective properties, has shown promise in mitigating HF progression. However, its clinical application is limited by rapid degradation and poor bioavailability. To overcome these limitations, NMEG-CGRP, a modified CGRP analog with enhanced stability and prolonged activity, was utilized to assess its potential therapeutic role in preserving cardiac and gut homeostasis. Mice were allocated into four groups—SHAM, SHAM + CGRP, TAC, and TAC + CGRP—with fecal samples collected at seven-day intervals throughout the study.
Microbial community dynamics were characterized using 16S rRNA gene sequencing to assess compositional shifts and intergroup differences. Simultaneously, histological and structural analyses—including elastin tortuosity, fibrosis extent, and ventricular-to-cavity (V/C) ratios—were performed to evaluate correlations between microbial alterations and cardiac remodeling. NMEG-CGRP was further investigated to elucidate its therapeutic mechanisms in modulating HF-associated microbial shifts relative to established HF therapeutics.
Alpha diversity and beta diversity analyses revealed significant microbiome alterations associated with HF progression. TAC-induced HF leads to a decline in microbial diversity, a hallmark of gut dysbiosis, accompanied by alterations in inflammatory pathways and microbial short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production. NMEG CGRP partially mitigated these effects, preserving microbial diversity and modulating community structure over time. Further analysis demonstrated significant correlations between microbiome composition and cardiac remodeling metrics, suggesting a potential gut-heart axis influenced by HF pathophysiology and vasodilatory intervention.
These findings provide novel insights into the relationship between gut microbiota and cardiac remodeling, reinforcing gut dysbiosis as a consequence of HF that exacerbates disease progression through inflammatory and metabolic disruptions. Future studies are warranted to elucidate mechanistic links between gut microbial shifts, host metabolic pathways, and cardiac function in HF progression and treatment response.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 32
|
| Root, Grace |
Carter, Sarah |
Silent Struggles: Addressing Violence in the Nursing Profession
View Full Text
Abstract Text
This research is Violence in nursing is a pervasive and alarming issue that impacts healthcare workers worldwide. Nurses working in high-stress environments like emergency rooms or psychiatric wards are particularly vulnerable. The contributing factors to violence include patient conditions such as mental health disorders, overcrowded or understaffed hospitals, and a lack of proper support systems.The effects of violence on nurses are severe, leading to physical injuries, emotional trauma, burnout, job dissatisfaction, and ultimately, a decline in the quality of care.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 204
|
| pruitt, kara |
Carter, Sarah |
The impacts of climate change on the color of the oceans
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Climate change is causing shifts in oceanic ecosystems and physical properties, leading to noticeable changes in the color of the oceans. Pollution plays a big role on what color that our oceans are and how that affects the cleanliness. It is going to address how the color of the oceans affects the sea life in the oceans.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 205
|
| Umasankar, Jyoshikka |
Newman-Norlund, Roger |
Hypertension Mediates the Effects of age on White Matter Hyperintensities and Cognitive Decline in Acute Stroke Patients
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Hypertension, a condition where the force of blood against the artery walls is consistently too high, is a major risk factor for stroke and neurodegenerative conditions, contributing to cerebrovascular damage and the development of white matter hyperintensities (WMH)—MRI-detectable lesions linked to cognitive decline and vascular dementia. Chronic hypertension induces vascular remodeling, endothelial dysfunction, and arterial stiffness, all of which impair cerebral blood flow regulation and increase the risk of stroke and stroke-related complications. Critically, WMH burden has been associated with cardiovascular risk factors, including hypertension and poor blood pressure management, independent of age, indicating that WMH progression is a partially preventable pathology influenced by modifiable risk factors. The overall goal of this study was to better understand the relationship between age, blood flow dynamics and WMH burden in individuals with acute stroke. Using data from the Stroke Outcomes Optimization Project, which collected MRI scans as well as Get with the Guidelines (GTWG) demographic and behavioral data from 555 individuals admitted to the Prisma Health-Upstate medical center between 2019 and 2020, we examined the association between WMH load and various brain, health and demographic variables. A mediation analysis indicated that, even after controlling for relevant confounds (race, sex, lesion size, IVTPA, cholesterol, prior stroke history, BMI, and atrial fibrillation) age had a significant direct effect on WMH burden (z = 6.89, p < .001) and that there was a significant mediating (indirect) effect of hypertension on this relationship (z = 2.17, p < .001). A similar mediation model, revealed a significant mediating effect of diastolic blood pressure on the relationship between age and WMH load was also significant (p = -1.99, p < .05). These findings underscore the importance of hypertension and systolic BP as modifiable factors in WMH progression, emphasizing their potential as targets for early intervention to mitigate cerebrovascular and cognitive decline. Future interventions could focus on the benefits of comprehensive hypertension management in reducing WMH load in acute stroke, and longitudinal analyses of our dataset have the potential to provide even deeper insights into the temporal dynamics hypertension/BP and WMH preceding stroke.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 165
|
| Wright, Nataleigh |
Carter, Sarah |
The impact that high-cost prescription medications have on pharmacist
View Full Text
Abstract Text
The high-cost of prescription medications in the U.S is a big issue in our society right now, and most people cannot afford high-cost medications in today's economy. Pharmacist are put in a bind with this situation, because they know that they cannot change the price of the medications to make them more accessible. Although they know how important it is for their patients to take their prescribed medications. What are the pharmacist supposed to do to help their patients? This research poster will show the impacts of changing prescriptions on relationships between patients and pharmacists.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 206
|
| Wade, Saidah |
Hung, Peiyin |
Exploring State-Level Variations in Maternal Telehealth Policies in The United States
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Background: With the growing population of women and children, the demand of available telehealth technologies is essential. Having access to meet with your provider at any geographical location is important and should be advocated for in every state (K; [2]). Telehealth technologies have demonstrated beneficial to maternal populations. Allowing patients to communicate with their providers remotely using a variety of technologies such as video calling, remote monitoring and electronic consultations is not only convenient, but more accessible for maternal patients, especially postpartum individuals who balance between prior births and current newborns (Tozour, et.al [3]).
Study Objectives: This study aims to synthesize the literature on state-level telehealth policies on maternal health outcomes. The goal is to identify the best practices and policy recommendations to improve maternal health outcomes through telehealth.
Materials and Methods:
There continues to be a struggle for maternal women to find accessible, remote healthcare services. And even more, there is a deficiency in the number of studies regarding maternal telehealth policies and health outcomes. This study involves cleaning, managing, and analyzing large electronic health records datasets, to understand how telehealth interventions influence maternal health. The goal is to identify the best practices and policy recommendations to improve maternal health outcomes through telehealth.
We will build a collection of academic literature to identify maternal health telehealth policies across states and use literature review research methods to reveal new findings. We will examine the findings via state telehealth policies, reimbursement of audio/phone services, and interstate physician licensures to improve healthcare access, determine lower costs and provide convenient care options.
Results: Since 2013, many states have begun providing reimbursement for at least one of the 5 policies, the expansion has been gradual but remained steady since 2020. The most drastic increase was audio-only telehealth reimbursement, from 0 states in 2013-2023 to 47 states after 2020, the COVID 19 year. The number of states that implemented telehealth reimbursement for remote-patient monitoring increased from 6 states in 2013 to 38 states in 2023. There has been a huge increase in the number of states that have implemented more than 1 policy.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 146
|
Mahoney, Audrey
Stone, Leah |
McQuail, Joseph
Eslami, Arshia
Dufala, Haley
Vento, Peter |
Reverse Translation of Dual-Task Methods from Human Research to Rodents for Alzheimer’s Disease and Aging
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Task switching, or performing two or more discrete tasks concurrently, engages executive functions, including working memory, cognitive flexibility, and inhibitory control. As individuals age, this ability declines, particularly in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Dual-task paradigms assess the ability to perform two tasks simultaneously and are widely used in human research to evaluate the cognitive and neural costs of aging and AD. However, these paradigms have not been adapted for rodent models, limiting the ability to examine experimental effects and neural mechanisms in closely controlled animal models of aging and AD. In a dual-task setting, two types of costs can be assessed: switching cost, which compares performance when a task is repeated versus when it is switched within a block, isolating local effects, and mixing cost, which compares performance on repeated trials within a dual-task block to repetitions performed in a single-task block, revealing global impacts on performance. This study aims to design and validate a dual-task protocol for rats that calculates switching and mixing costs using methods employed in human studies, and to examine cognitive mechanisms underlying task switching that decline with age or AD. We hypothesized that the switching and mixing costs observed in rats would mirror those seen in humans, demonstrating the translatability of the dual-task paradigm to animal research. To test this, we trained male and female F344 rats at 4 months (young) and 22 months (aged), as well as TgF344-AD (Tg) rats, on a dual-task protocol consisting of three blocks: a matching block, a non-matching block, and an inter-mixed block of matching and non-matching trials. Once proficient, rats progressed to advanced protocols assessing working memory, prospective vs. retrospective memory, inhibitory control, and cognitive control. Our results show that rats successfully acquired the dual-task, demonstrating stable performance within their age groups, with differences between young and old rats, as well as wild-type (WT) and Tg rats. By assessing working memory, inhibitory control, and cognitive flexibility, these dual-task protocols bridge the gap between human and animal research, providing a framework for exploring executive function deficits in aging and AD.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 56
|
| Cannon, Brice |
Winkelmann, Zachary
Ballesteros, Rahmeil |
Athletic Training Students’ Knowledge and Skills Related to Managing Drug Overdose
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Context: Recently, the athletic training (AT) profession added curricular content standards specific to drug overdose (DO) management. There is a gap in the literature regarding pedagogy best practices for this skill. This study aims to examine AT students’ knowledge and skills in the management of a patient experiencing a DO. Method: We used a mixed-methods, crossover (3 periods, 3 interventions) study observing the DO management skills of professional athletic training students. In total, 27 AT students (age=23±1y) enrolled in a professional postbaccalaureate AT program completed the learning experience which included a knowledge assessment (pre, post, final exam), lecture, simulation-based learning (part-task trainer, high-fidelity manikin experience, and a standardized patient (SP) encounter) with skill assessment (manikin, SP encounter, final exam), and a written reflection. Participants were randomly assigned into three groups based on order of simulation experiences. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics with non-parametric comparisons of knowledge and skills. Results: On the knowledge assessment, the overall scores significantly improved (p≤0.001) over time from baseline (pre=21.93±5.39), following the intervention (post=26.22±5.71), and at the final exam (final=26.70±3.98). The average group score on the SP encounter was a 10.11±1.89/14. We identified a statistically significant difference (p≤0.001) in the SP encounter performance between the simulation group order whereby those in Group B who completed the part-task trainer followed by the SP encounter (mean=11.66±0.50) had higher scores than those in Group A (mean=9.66±1.32) or Group C (mean=9.00±2.29). On the final exam, the individual learners scored, on average, 12.51±0.70 out of 13 suggesting that learners retained skills independent of the group work. Based on the written reflections, participants indicated the lecture was engaging and contained helpful information to manage a DO. Participants expressed that the SP encounter was the preferred simulation method among the learners, despite the stress it induced, as it provided them with the most realistic scenario. Conclusion: We identified that AT students improved their knowledge long-term and sustained their DO management skills following a structured learning experience. The data suggest that simulation-based learning for DO should include the use of a part-task trainer for skill practice followed by a SP encounter.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 114
|
| Jamieson, Alexa |
Stone, Joshua |
Advancing Methodology for Sampling and Analyzing Planktonic Rhizaria
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Rhizaria are an immensely diverse super-group of eukaryotic, single-celled protists inhabiting varying ecosystems worldwide. Despite the broad distribution and abundance, little is known about the ecological impacts of planktonic Rhizaria to biogeochemical processes and nutrient budgets in the open ocean. This is likely a result of difficulty in sampling, quantifying, and preserving their fragile bodies. The mineral-bearing shells of Rhizaria can be comprised of calcium carbonate, strontium sulfate, or silica, and Rhizaria may contribute greatly to the flux of these elements to the deep sea through sinking of their bodies. My project aims to investigate the role of Rhizaria in elemental cycling in the ocean using new sampling technologies such as benchtop and in situ imaging of live Rhizaria. Samples were collected in the Sargasso Sea in conjunction with the Bermuda Atlantic Time Series (BATS) research expeditions and analyzed to create biomass-to-biovolume ratios. Ratios will be compared to previous/current estimates to identify gaps and misjudgments in currently accessible Rhizaria literature. Additionally, varying measurement technique’s accuracy will be assessed alongside elemental compositions (Sr, Ca, Ba, Si) obtained through USC’s Center for Elemental Mass Spectrometry.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 42
|
| Jannusch, Taylor |
Singh, Narendra |
Role of aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) activation in the regulation of microRNA in the mouse thymus
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a ligand-activated transcription factor involved in immune regulation in response to environmental toxins such as 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). Recent research has highlighted the role of AhR in biological processes such as immune function, inflammation, cancer development, and cell differentiation through miRNA-related epigenetic mechanisms. In this study, we investigated the effect of four AhR ligands such as TCDD, resveratrol (RES), indole-3-carbinol (I3C), and 6-formylindolo[3,2-b]carbazole (FICZ) on miRNA expression in the thymus of adult C57BL/6 mice. Female mice were treated either with vehicle (VEH), TCDD (10 µg/kg), RES (100 mg/kg), I3C (50 mg/kg), or FICZ (50 µg/kg). On day 3, the mice were euthanized, and thymic cells were harvested for RNA extraction and miRNA arrays. Of 1117 miRNAs analyzed across all groups, 135 miRNAs were downregulated and 147 miRNAs were upregulated in AhR ligand-treated groups when compared to VEH. Differential expression analysis revealed 16 upregulated microRNAs, including mmu-let-7f-2, mmu-mir-127, mmu-mir-142a, mmu-mir-144, mmu-mir-15b, mmu-mir-26a-2, mmu-mir-297a-2, mmu-mir-29b-1, mmu-mir-374b, mmu-mir-449a, mmu-mir-465a, mmu-mir-465b-1, mmu-mir-466a, mmu-mir-467b, mmu-mir-470, and mmu-mir-7077, and 3 downregulated miRNAs, including mmu-mir-365-1, mmu-mir-202, and mmu-mir-6970, common to all AhR ligand-treated groups. These findings suggest a potential role for AhR signaling in miRNA-mediated immune regulation, which provides insight into molecular mechanisms underlying AhR's immunomodulatory effects. This work was supported in part by NIH grants R01AI160896, R01ES030144, R01AI123947, R01AI129788, P01AT003961, P20 GM103641, P30GM154631.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 35
|
| Maldeni Kankanamalage, Buddhima K. P. |
Shustova, Natalia B. |
Catalytically Active Site Mapping Realized through Energy Transfer Modeling
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Heterogeneous catalysts are widely used in the chemical industry due to their high efficiency, recyclability, and resistance to contaminants, which aligns with the demands of a sustainable chemical industry. One strategy to achieve the mentioned benefits of heterogeneous catalysis is homogeneous-to-heterogeneous catalyst “conversion” through utilizing a host-guest system, where the molecular catalyst is encapsulated within a host material. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have gained attention in this area due to their modularity, versatile methods for introducing catalytic sites, and selective pore size capabilities. In this study, we demonstrated resonance energy transfer (RET) as a convenient method for mapping catalytically active sites which can be used to trace active site migration upon exposure of the material to reaction conditions at the molecular level in host-guest catalyst systems. To complement the quantitative assessment of guest distribution by RET studies, we used confocal fluorescence microscopy imaging to obtain visual insights into the distribution pattern of guest molecules. Our studies revealed rhodamine-6G (R6G) dye molecules used as a model system to mimic the electronic and steric constraints of targeted catalysts, were located closer to the MOF surface. We correlate our observations to evaluate the active sites with two distinct catalysts integrated into different frameworks with different pore sizes and use reduction of carbon dioxide and ring-closing metathesis reactions as a tool to evaluate catalytic site evolution. Overall, this work showcases that the encapsulated guest molecules are largely distributed near the surface of the MOF, which is advantageous for host-guest catalysis as it is less likely to result in active sites being unavailable due to limited mass transport through the bulk of the material. The acquired fundamental knowledge relative to catalyst distribution within a MOF matrix would allow us to engineer hybrid systems with enhanced catalytic activity.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 26
|
| McKissick, Jaiya |
Carter, Sarah |
Animal Testing: The research method that steals lives
View Full Text
Abstract Text
This research focuses on the act of Animal Testing and the ethicality of the practice. My research is a combination of identifying which animals are most often used and why, what benefits stem from animal testing. In addition, I share how animal testing has changed and evolved over time. I will share data I collected from surveys and interviews in addition to a review of literature.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 207
|
| Prime, Zaire |
Roberts, Jane
Hantman, Rachel |
The Characterization of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactive Disorder Symptoms in Children with Fragile X Syndrome and Non-Syndromic Autism Spectrum Disorder
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is a neurogenetic condition that affects 1 in 7,000 males and 1 in 11,000 females (CDC, 2024) and is the leading genetic contributor to intellectual disability (Crawford et al., 2020). Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by difficulties with social interactions and repetitive behaviors or interests (American Psychiatric Association, 2013) that impacts 4% of males and 1% of females (Maenner et al., 2023). Both ASD and FXS are associated with an elevated likelihood of having attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD); approximately 54-59% of males with FXS also have ADHD (Sullivan et al., 2006), while around 28% of children with non-syndromic ASD (nsASD) also have ADHD (Simonoff et al., 2008). However, the specific ADHD symptoms that each group experiences are not well understood. Mothers of 4–10-year-olds with FXS reported more hyperactive behaviors than children with nsASD (Thurman et al., 2014), but information is lacking regarding inattention specifically and in younger children generally. Understanding the specific symptoms that arise within each condition can assist in developing therapeutic interventions that more effectively address specific needs that children with nsASD and FXS may have. This study will assess if there are differences between the ADHD symptoms experienced by children with FXS and with nsASD. We hypothesize that the children with FXS will display more hyperactive symptoms than those who have nsASD. The study will use the Preschool Age Psychiatric Assessment (PAPA; Egger et al., 1999), a parent-response interview-based assessment, to gather information about the hyperactive and inattentive symptoms of children ages 3-7 (mean = 4.66 years) with FXS (n = 88) and nsASD (n = 85) to ascertain ADHD symptoms. A chi-square test will be used to determine whether there are differences in the proportions of symptoms per group. The results of this study will help illustrate the nuances between FXS and nsASD in terms of the hyperactive/inattentive behaviors that are present. The implications of our findings are that each disorder likely interacts with ADHD in unique ways. Understanding these interactions can lead to the development of better treatments for children with complex psychiatric profiles.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 196
|
| Armon, Henley |
Harrison, Carol
Lautzenheiser, Mandy |
Achilli v. Newman, British Attitudes Towards Anti-Catholicism and Sexual Violence in the Nineteenth Century
View Full Text
Abstract Text
In 1852, famous Catholic convert John Henry Newman was entangled in a libel suit against anti-Catholic lecturer and Protestant convert Giovanni Giacinto Achilli. Achilli initiated the suit after Newman published a series of lectures that accused Achilli of 23 offenses, which included 10 instances of rape and other charges that implicated Achilli’s character—being defrocked, adultery, and the deprivation of his professorship. Newman did not appear in court; instead, his case relied heavily on how believable his witnesses were, as the majority of Newman’s witnesses were Achilli’s alleged female victims. This task was difficult as Newman’s case depended on a jury that had strong prejudices against Catholics and women. This case allowed me to understand more about British attitudes towards sexual assault and Catholicism in the Victorian era. This case has been researched, but I viewed the case through a feminist lens that took careful consideration of Achilli’s victims and was critical of Newman’s usage of them as witnesses. I utilized secondary literature on British rape trials of the 19th century which demonstrated clear prejudice against women as victims of sexual violence—with Achilli v. Newman resembling such cases. My research also revealed the modern-day implications of cases of habitual offenders of sexual assault in the Catholic Church. I compared the current clerical abuse crisis and argued that my research was a historical approach to the abuse crisis that leading commentators on the clerical abuse crisis called for. These leading commentators assert that the abuse crisis is a global phenomenon that affects all churches. The Achilli case assists in affirming this idea—Achilli was an example of the church’s negligence with Newman being directly complicit in exacerbating his abuse and the victims’ trauma. This experience has improved my writing as a future historian and has allowed me to uplift previously ignored voices—which was why I began this project. More work could be accomplished in this field, whether in the analysis of Achilli v. Newman or in the search for like cases that could result in the uplifting of more voices.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 12
|
| Kallis, Emily |
Irvin, Matthew |
Executive Function and Emotional Regulation Training for Children in Rural Areas or of Low Socioeconomic Status
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Children who live in rural areas are at risk for difficulties with executive function (EF) and emotional regulation (ER), often due in part to lower socioeconomic status (Lawson et al., 2018; Obradovic et al., 2022; Ross et al., 2022). Difficulties in ER and EF are associated with a variety of mental health and developmental diagnoses (Cromer et al. 20204; Milona & Sesso, 2024), and there is a higher prevalence of mental, behavioral, and developmental disorders among children in rural areas compared to urban areas (Robinson et al., 2017). Thus, there may be a link between challenges in EF and ER among rural children and their well-being. The connections discussed above also make EF and ER potential intervention targets.
Intervention programs that train EF and address their role in ER have been found to improve both (Costescu et al., 2024; Cromer et al., 2024; Sasser et al., 2017; & Wagner et al., 2019). These intervention programs could be particularly useful to children in rural areas or of lower socioeconomic status who are at risk of EF and ER difficulties.
This literature review discusses school-based intervention programs targeting EF and ER for children in rural schools or children who are of lower socioeconomic status and the effectiveness of these programs. Included studies describe trainings that address both EF and ER skills, with either at least half of the participants being from rural schools or including an analysis including socioeconomic status.
Findings from this literature review indicate that school-based trainings targeting ER and EF can improve both abilities for children living in rural areas or of low socioeconomic status, shown by decreased social and emotional difficulties, less hyperactivity, and improvements in working memory, inhibition, and attention shifting (Costescu et al., 2024; Cromer et al., 2024; Sasser et al., 2017; Wagner et al., 2019). Future research could investigate the interactions of low socioeconomic status and residence in rural areas to understand how these factors interact to impact training effectiveness.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 78
|
| Strock, Olivia |
Velazquez, Kandy |
Identification of Non-Sedative Herbal Formulas for Chronic Pain Management
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Chronic pain is a debilitating condition that significantly reduces the quality of life (QOL). Individuals suffering from chronic pain often find it challenging to carry out daily activities, lack the energy to engage in once-enjoyable tasks, experience decreased work productivity, struggle to maintain relationships, and face increased social isolation and sleep disturbances, among other issues. According to the CDC, an estimated 51 million adults in the United States experience chronic pain in 2021, with 17 million enduring high-impact chronic pain that severely restricts daily activities. In light of the opioid epidemic, both patients and scientists are seeking alternative, non-opioid pain relief options. Our long-term goal is to develop a treatment for chronic pain that is safe, effective, affordable, and both non-sedative and non-addictive. In previous research, we demonstrated that Ojeok-san, a formula containing seventeen herbal plants, can alleviate pain-like behaviors in mice without causing addiction. However, Ojeok-san does have sedative effects, which may aid sleep but could impair daily functioning. We hypothesize that the sedative effects are primarily due to two components: Ephedrae herba and Cnidium officinale Makino, both known for their muscle relaxant properties. To identify an herbal formula that retains analgesic effects without sedation, we selected six herbal formulas similar to Ojeok-san, with some containing either Ephedrae herba or Cnidium officinale, while others containing neither. Using an animal model of acute colitis to induce pain (nociception), we administered these formulas (Blind Bloodbath, Hyangsa Pyeongyusan, Pingyusan, Uiintang, Hyangsa Army, Peony Licorice Soup) to assess mechanical sensitivity and neuromuscular activity. Ojeok-san was used as a positive control, and a vehicle/placebo (water) was used as a negative control. Our findings revealed that Pingyusan, Uiintang, Peony Licorice Soup, and Ojeok-san all reduced pain-like behaviors, while only Ojeok-san caused a reduction in neuromuscular function. Therefore, we identify three potential herbal formulas that alleviate mechanical sensitivity without inducing sedation. Further studies are required to confirm the efficacy of these formulas in reducing chronic pain and to elucidate the mechanism by which they exert their analgesic effects.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 105
|
| Rude, Alexis |
Roberts, Jane
Arnold, Holley |
Relationship Between Heart Rate Variability and ADHD Symptoms in Children with Fragile X Syndrome
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is an X-linked dominant genetic disorder. It is associated with intellectual disabilities and an elevated likelihood of co-occurring mental health conditions, such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD; Bailey et al., 2008). ADHD is a neuropsychiatric disorder that is usually diagnosed during childhood and is associated with inattention, hyperactivity, impulsivity, behavioral disinhibition, and deficiency in self-regulating emotions (Rukmani et al., 2016). Children with FXS have higher heart rates and lower respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) which is a measure of heart rate variability (Hogan et al., 2021). RSA can be used to study autonomic functioning. Higher RSA indicates better adaptability to the environment and possible stressors (Porges et al., 1994). A study found that lower RSA was related to ASD symptoms in children with FXS, but little research has investigated how RSA is associated with ADHD symptoms (Hogan et al., 2021). In the present study, we addressed the following research questions: (1) Do children with FXS exhibit significant differences in ADHD symptoms and baseline RSA compared to neurotypical (NT) controls? (2) Is RSA related to ADHD symptoms in children with FXS and NT controls? Participants included 3–8-year-olds with FXS (n = 47) and NT controls (n = 33). Baseline RSA was measured using a task in which the children watched a short video while wearing an ECG monitor. ADHD symptoms were assessed using the Preschool Age Psychiatric Assessment (PAPA), which is a semi-structured parent interview. The results showed that children with FXS exhibited more mean inattention and hyperactivity symptoms and lower mean RSA values compared to NT controls. In this study, RSA was not significantly related to inattentive or hyperactive ADHD symptoms in children with FXS and NT controls. More research is needed to look for underlying physiological mechanisms that can help identify comorbidities in FXS. Early diagnosis of ADHD in children with FXS is imperative for finding treatments and interventions to alleviate the symptoms of these co-occurring conditions.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 166
|
| Srivastava, Paras |
Shimizu, Linda |
Applications of a bromo-phenylethynylene bis-urea macrocycle in facilitating photoreactions
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Bis-urea macrocycles have previously been synthesized and observed to self-assemble into crystalline structures through hydrogen bonding of the urea groups. These structures can be columnar with accessible channels, allowing for host-guest encapsulation and reactions within the crystals 1, which has been shown to alter the reaction rates, specificity, and physical properties 2. The Shimizu group has previously utilized macrocycle 1 as a nanoreactor to study the photodimerization reactions of coumarins and chromones 3,4. Herein, we aim to synthesize and obtain the crystalline structure of the brominated macrocycle 2 and utilize it to observe the effects of the exterior bromide groups on its utility as a nanoreactor. To address this, macrocycle 2 was synthesized following the Dynamic Covalent Chemistry (DCC) strategy, which involves the reaction of diisocyanates and hindered diamines to afford bis-urea macrocycles in good yield. Current crystallization techniques being examined include slow cooling and vapor diffusion to obtain crystals suitable for X-ray diffraction studies. Guest loading will then be examined by computations and experiments. Photodimerization reactions will then be probed by absorption and emission spectroscopy, SCXRD, Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), and 1H NMR spectroscopy. This study will aim to contribute towards the discovery of functional materials for the synthesis of useful photoproducts that are challenging to synthesize.
References
(1) Shimizu, L. S.; Salpage, S. R.; Korous, A. Acc. Chem. Res. 2014, 47 (7), 2116–2127.
(2) Grommet, A. B.; Feller, M.; Klajn, R. Nat. Nanotechnol. 2020, 15 (4), 256–271.
(3) Dawn, S.; Salpage, S. R.; Koscher, B. A.; Bick, A.; Wibowo, A. C.; Pellechia, P. J.; Shimizu, L. S. J. Phys. Chem. A 2014, 118 (45), 10563–10574.
(4) Salpage, S. R.; Donevant, L. S.; Smith, M. D.; Bick, A.; Shimizu, L. S. J. Photochem. Photobiol. Chem. 2016, 315, 14–24.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 77
|
Holden, Annamarie
Bailey, Amaya |
Will, Elizabeth |
Comparison of motor skills and sustained attention in ADHD symptomatology in children with Down syndrome
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Down syndrome is a neurogenetic condition most commonly caused by an extra copy of chromosome 21 and is typically associated with impairments to a child’s motor, communication, and language skills (Visootsak, et. al., 2012). The percentage of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is estimated to be as high as 20-44% in children who have been diagnosed with Down syndrome, yet previous research has not investigated early correlates of attention difficulties in DS (Esbensen, et. al., 2022). Early evidence suggests that motor and attentional difficulties often co-occur in neurotypical children (Esbensen, et. al., 2022). The purpose of the study will be to examine patterns of association between motor skills and emergent attention in 12-month-old children with DS. Participants will include thirty-five 12-month-old infants with DS. Measures will include the Rothbart Infant Behavior Questionnaire (IBQ) Temperament Scale (Rothbart IBQ; Gartstein & Rothbart, 1981), specifically analyzing the “Duration of Orienting” subscale, and the gross motor, fine motor, and perception-action integration scales of the Early Motor Questionnaire (EMQ; Libertus & Landa, 2013). Associations between motor and attention abilities will be tested using pearson bivariate correlations. Study outcomes will yield insight into the developmental complexities in DS by detailing aspects of early development that may influence one another.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 135
|
| Hamilton, Brittany |
Carter, Sarah |
Controversial Art in Education: The Cultural Impact in Classrooms
View Full Text
Abstract Text
My research addresses how many people in society deem political and social artworks as “controversial”. Controversial artworks can be seen as art pieces that demonstrate political and social topics that are present in this day and age. Therefore, this stems the argument if these art pieces should be taught and discussed openly in a school setting. To further be knowledgeable on this topic, an investigation on controversial artists throughout history and the pieces they created during their livelihood that sparked conversations as to why they are deemed to be controversial is necessary to understand why many of these art pieces aren't discussed. Scouting out public art school curriculums to investigate if certain states nationwide are teaching on art works that are controversial can be beneficial to compare how art curriculums differ state to state. Leading to a greater inspection on different cultural settings in varying classrooms. To further expand this research, I collected data by distributing a survey, and uploading it on social media where varying individuals could respond. Being able to gain different perspectives from diverse audiences who can share their different experiences in the art classroom and their personal beliefs on controversial art and its impacts is beneficial for those seeking knowledge on how art influences culture in an educational environment.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 208
|
| Fishel, Katelyn |
Broude, Eugenia
Sharko, Amanda |
Modulating Resistance to Paclitaxel in Triple Negative Breast Cancer Through CDK 8/19 Inhibition
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Triple-negative breast cancers (TNBC) are an extremely aggressive form of breast cancer that are very likely to metastasize. These cancers lack targeted therapies so our options for treating patients with TNBC are limited. Paclitaxel is a chemotherapeutic drug that serves as a first-line therapy for a multitude of cancer types. In breast cancers, this medication is used specifically for aggressive and metastatic disease states. Unfortunately, there is a high frequency of resistance to paclitaxel.
Within this project, we are examining how inhibition of transcriptional kinases may modulate this resistance.
Cyclin-dependent kinases 8 and 19 (CDK 8/19) are two kinases that function as part of Mediator complex. Unlike more well known CDKs, they are active in transcriptional reprogramming rather than mediating the cell cycle. Utilizing pharmacological inhibitors of CDK 8/19, this study is assessing the effect of CDK 8/19 inhibition on the prevention of adaptation to the cytotoxic effects of paclitaxel, as well as its ability to restore the sensitivity of resistant cells. Previous work from our lab has shown that inhibition of CDK8/19 potentiates targeted therapies for other breast cancer subtypes.
This project began with the development of a protocol to generate a resistant line of MDA-MB-231 cells, a TNBC cell line which is a widely used and generally well-accepted line of TNBCs.
We are using an alternating treatment and release protocol in which we treat the cells for 7 days and then allow them to grow without drug for 7 days. We developed this protocol in response to previous experiments where continuously treated cells seemed to be adapting to Paclitaxel but also showed significantly diminished growth rates and morphology suggestive of a quiescence or senescence phenotype.
Once adaptation to paclitaxel has been confirmed through comparative cell viability assays, we will examine the molecular and cellular changes associated with paclitaxel resistance and the role of CDK8/19 in these changes.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 44
|
| Anderson, Anthony |
Gibson, Kelly |
A Multi Proxy Perspective on Abrupt Climate Change in the Tropics during Early MIS 3 from the Cariaco Basin
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Marine Isotope State 3 (MIS 3) was a period of pronounced abrupt climate variability, marked by Dansgaard-Oeschger (D/O) cycles characterized by sharp temperature increases and gradual cooling phases in the high latitude Northen Hemisphere. Similar-scale changes are observed in records of hydrographic, hydrologic, and oceanic change in records worldwide, suggesting global connections/feedbacks for D/O cycles. Despite this, the exact mechanism by which D/O cycles are initiated remains unresolved. Previous research has shown that the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), an equatorial belt where the trade winds meet and promote strong convection, responded dynamically to D/O oscillations, shifting latitudinally in concert with temperature changes and sea ice extent in the North Atlantic. The Cariaco Basin, located off the northern coast of Venezuela, provides an exceptional natural archive for investigating these climate shifts. At 10°N, it is sensitive to the ITCZ’s migration, which drives changes in precipitation, fluvial sedimentation, upwelling, productivity, and biogenic sedimentation. Its anoxic deep waters preserve high-resolution (multi-decadal), laminated sediment records that capture these changing marine and terrestrial climate signals with amazing fidelity.
Here we show new records of sea surface hydrography, terrigenous input, and productivity for the interval spanning Interstadial 15 (~56,000-53,000 years ago), at the onset of MIS 3. For surface hydrography, we use the δ¹⁸O of Globigerinoides ruber, a planktic foraminifera which is found in high abundance at our site. Changes in weight %Fe and sediment color reflect terrigenous input, while changes in weight %TOC (total organic carbon), sediment color, and weight % Mo are indicative of productivity, biogenic sedimentation, and anoxia respectively. This robust, multi-proxy investigation into records that respond to ITCZ positioning during the earliest D/O cycles provides insight into the forcing mechanisms and feedbacks during early MIS 3. Our preliminary data indicate that some proxies (e.g. δ¹⁸O) change in concert with high latitude variability, while others (e.g. %TOC) are more disparate, indicating an important role for boundary conditions in early MIS 3. Fully understanding boundary conditions for rapid climate change can help us better predict the response of the tropics in our current changing climate regime.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 84
|
| Liu, Evan |
Kubinak, Jason
Oskeritzian, Carole
Ball, Ryan |
Investigating Immune Dynamics in Dermatitis: A Spectral Flow Cytometry Approach
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Barrier tissues directly interface with the environment and include mucosa and skin. The skin is the largest organ in the human body and contains many types of immune cells necessary for ensuring barrier integrity and tissue healing after trauma. Like all other tissues, the immune landscape of the skin is unique and complex. Flow cytometry is a classic biomedical technique for analyzing immune cell phenotypes and the recent development of spectral flow cytometry has significantly expanded the number of phenotypes that can be simultaneously characterized. Spectral flow cytometry is an important technical advance because it measures light across the visible/invisible light spectrum allowing investigators to record data on more cellular parameters at one time. In contrast, classic flow cytometry systems rely on detection of fluorescence within defined wavelength ranges. For the past year, I have worked in the Kubinak lab (lab specialized in flow cytometry) along with the Oskeritzian lab (experts in skin immunology) to assist in the development of a novel assay to characterize immune cell heterogeneity in mouse skin using spectral flow cytometry. To develop our assay, we had access to the current state-of-the-art in spectral flow cytometry, the BD FACSDiscover S8 Cell Sorter, located at the UofSC School of Medicine. Here, I present the methodology we have developed to perform this assay including a detailed description of cell isolation, staining, and analysis methods. Using 36 different cell surface markers, we show that our assay allows for the enumeration of 22 different cell subsets. Furthermore, to demonstrate the utility of this assay we applied it to a mouse model of dermatitis. Results from our experiments demonstrate that dermatitis induces quantifiable changes in the abundance of specific skin immune cell subsets over time. Additionally, by incorporating the use of control mice and normal-adjacent tissues derived from dermatitis mice, we are able to demonstrate that normal-adjacent tissue is a more suitable control that eliminates the number of mice necessary for experiments. Our assay represents the most comprehensive flow-based analysis of skin immunity described to date that will facilitate investigations of this critical barrier tissue in health and disease.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 42
|
| Goedken, Mia |
Walters, Wendell |
Reconstructing NOₓ Emissions and Chemistry: Insights from a Wyoming Ice Core
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Nitrogen oxides (NOₓ = NO + NO₂) are important trace gases that influence air quality and regulate the levels of the atmosphere's oxidants, which act as the atmosphere's 'detergents', enabling it to cleanse itself of pollutants and greenhouse gases. Uncertainties remain about the role of NOₓ in regulating atmospheric composition and climate in response to natural climate shifts and human activities. Ice cores are a powerful paleoatmospheric chemistry tool to evaluate past natural and anthropogenic events that have shaped atmospheric NOₓ emissions and chemistry. This project aims to quantify shifts in NOₓ emissions and chemistry in the mid-latitudes from an ice core extracted from a Wyoming glacier by measuring the concentrations and the nitrogen and oxygen isotope compositions of nitrate extracted from the ice core.
Before analyzing the ice core, a technique to concentrate NO₃⁻ in dilute solutions while preserving its isotope compositions needed to be developed. We tested various NO3- concentration techniques including boiling, vacuum concentration and anion exchange resins. We found that the anion exchange resins were the most suitable option to maximize percent recovery (103% ± 7.8%; n=20); however, it required a laminar flow hood to prevent air-borne contamination. Preliminary isotope data suggested that concentration via boiling led to significant isotope fractionation, as did vacuum concentration for acidic solutions. We will soon measure the isotope composition from the anion resin tests. Overall, our method development is expected to transform our ability to conduct trace level analysis in pristine ice core samples, significantly expanding our ability to take ice core nitrate measurements.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 72
|
| Rhule, Carter |
Stratmann, Johannes
Negi, Harshita
Levy, Andrew
Melendez, Justin
Tomlin, Fallon
Del Priore, Ethan |
Insights into Plant Defense Mechanisms Through EMS Mutant Screening for GLV Perception
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Green leaf volatiles (GLVs) are volatile organic compounds emitted by plants in response to damage, acting as chemical signals that activate defense responses in neighboring plants. While GLVs play a critical role in plant communication and defense, the molecular mechanisms underlying their perception remain poorly understood. This research aims to identify Arabidopsis thaliana mutants with altered responses to GLVs by screening an ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS)-mutagenized population. Using a large-scale genetic screening approach, we expose seedlings to (Z)-3-hexenol (HOL), a GLV known to inhibit root growth, and assess their physiological responses. Mutants that exhibit reduced or no inhibition of root growth in response HOL are potentially insensitive to GLVs. Alternatively, plants with uninhibited root growth may be false-positives that harbor mutations involved in root growth, causing their roots to be longer than wild-type plants regardless of the presence of GLVs. Insensitive plants will be grown to produce seeds for further analysis, confirming GLV insensitivity and eliminating false-positives via comparison to wild-type plants in the presence and absence of HOL. Currently, over 5000 mutagenized seedlings have been screened, with approximately 0.65% of plants exhibiting uninhibited root growth in the presence of GLVs. After confirming GLV-insensitive mutants in a second round of root growth assays, we will also assess GLV insensitivity at the level of signal transduction using MAPK phosphorylation assays. This is followed by genetic sequencing of plants that are confirmed to have heritable reduced inhibition. The sequencing results will be analyzed to identify genes that carry EMS-induced mutations. Such genes are likely to be involved in GLV perception and signal transduction. By uncovering key genetic components involved in GLV response, this study enhances our understanding of plant defense mechanisms and provides insights into potential agricultural applications, such as developing crops with improved resistance to herbivory and environmental stress. This research contributes to the broader field of plant molecular biology and sustainable agriculture by identifying genetic factors that regulate plant-environment interactions.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 117
|
| Rachmiel, Morgan |
Klusek, Jessica
Koenig, Christina |
Fragile X Premutation Carriers: Medication Use and Associated Conditions
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Fragile X premutation carriers (55–200 CGG repeats in the FMR1 gene) are at risk for a range of associated conditions, including neuropsychiatric disorders, fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome, and fragile X-associated primary ovarian insufficiency. This study aims to compare prescription medication use among fragile X premutation carrier mothers and control mothers, mothers with neurotypical kids and no family history of fragile X, to better understand the burden of disease associated with the FMR1 premutation genotype. A sample of 41 women with the fragile X premutation (mean age=63.26 years, range=55-74) and 29 control mothers (mean age=64.70 years, range=55-74) were assessed for self-reported medication use across multiple symptom categories, including mental health, cardiovascular, endocrine, and hormone therapies. Chi-square tests were used to examine differences in medication usage patterns between groups. The results showed that premutation carriers had slightly higher but non-significant use of antidepressants, anti anxiety, stimulants, and atypical antipsychotics medications compared to control mothers. No significant differences were found in the use of cardiovascular medications, blood thinners, anti-diabetic medications, or hormone therapy. However, thyroid medication use was significantly lower in premutation carriers compared to control mothers (p = 0.025), representing the only statistically significant difference between groups. Overall, total medication use did not differ significantly between the groups (p = 0.931). These findings suggest that, aside from thyroid medication, fragile X premutation carriers and control mothers have similar medication usage patterns. While premutation carriers showed trends toward higher mental health medication use, these differences were not statistically significant.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 152
|
Zadeh, Ahva
Wilson, Shane |
Brown, Heather |
Improving Recognition and Treatment Initiation for Opioid Use Disorder in the Emergency Department
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Opioid use disorder (OUD) is now a well-recognized phenomenon, and it is one frequently encountered in the Emergency Department (ED) where OUD may present as an acute overdose, opioid withdrawal, or an unrelated medical condition. Emergency physicians (EPs) play a critical role in identifying and initiating treatment for OUD, yet gaps in knowledge and perceived barriers can hinder optimal care. This quality improvement initiative aimed to assess the effects of implementing a continuing medical education (CME) module and ED-specific protocol on EPs’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding OUD management.
An anonymous survey was distributed to EPs across all four Prisma Midlands EDs and compared to a similar pre-implementation survey performed in 2022. There were a total of 33 respondents (22% response rate; 15 residents, 18 attendings). Of these, 16 (48%) completed the CME modules. The majority of respondents (78%) felt comfortable diagnosing OUD (increased from 56%) and 85% were comfortable screening for OUD (increased from 58%). Significant increases were noted in comfort initiating buprenorphine in the ED with 72% agreeing compared to only 36% pre-implementation, and 60% felt comfortable with home induction compared to 19% previously. In the past six months, 57% had prescribed buprenorphine at discharge (increased from 14%), while 33% had still never used it for OUD withdrawal treatment. Additionally, 97% were comfortable prescribing naloxone, yet 78% incorrectly believed Narcan is free at area pharmacies with a prescription.
Identified barriers included concerns about lack of follow-up (70%), prescription non-adherence (42%), cost of buprenorphine (36%), and limited time to establish a therapeutic relationship in the ED (36%). These findings highlight both progress and ongoing challenges in OUD care. By integrating targeted education and a standardized treatment protocol, this initiative aims to bridge knowledge gaps, improve prescribing confidence, and address systemic barriers to evidence-based OUD management in the ED.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 185
|
| Pender, Savannah |
Kubinak, Jason
Peacock, Tori |
Exploring the Therapeutic Potential of Carnivorous Plants
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Carnivorous plants, such as Old World pitcher plants of the genus Nepenthes, obtain essential nutrients through the digestion of insect prey (Adamec, 1997). To date, studies regarding the therapeutic potential of Nepenthes digestive enzymes have focused on their unique proteases. I have spent the past year developing an in vitro test of Nepenthes lipase activity. To do this, we developed a custom colorimetric ‘acidic lipase assay’ that tests the ability of known/unknown lipases to cleave p-nitrophenyl palmitate. Cleavage of p-nitrophenyl palmitate causes an absorbance peak at 410 nm and was quantified using an absorbance plate reader. Nepenthes lipase activity was tested across a range of pH (3, 4.5, and 8) and compared to the activity of porcine pancreatic lipase and human gastric lipase. With this assay in hand, we first wanted to use it to test the lipase activity in crude digestive fluids obtained from a range of Nepenthes species. Results from these experiments indicate that lipase activity could be detected in all Nepenthes species tested. The second question we wanted to address using this assay was to determine if Nepenthes lipases had a broader pH activity range than gastric and pancreatic lipases. Results from our experiments support this hypothesis by demonstrating that Nepenthes lipases could operate from an acidic pH (pH=3) to neutral pH (pH=8) range. Finally, we wanted to address whether oral treatment with crude pitcher fluid was able to increase fat absorption in the gut of mice. To do this we fasted mice for 4 hours, orally gavaged them with concentrated proteins isolated from a single Nepenthes strain (N.x.ventrata), and collected blood to measure serum triglycerides and jejunal tissues to perform Oil-O Red staining to visualize lipid absorption. Results from these experiments support that Nepenthes lipases increase lipid absorption in the mouse. Collectively, we have shown that Nepenthes lipases are active across a broader physiological range of pHs in the digestive tract and that they can increase the absorption of dietary lipids. These findings support Nepenthes lipases as potential therapies for the treatment of metabolic diseases associated with fat malabsorption.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 26
|
| Rivera, Angel |
Flory, Kate |
Exploring whether individuals who identify as sexual and/or gender minorities and have elevated ADHD symptoms report more adverse childhood experiences
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Many individuals with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) report experiencing higher rates of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), which can contribute to negative outcomes such as emotional dysregulation. Similarly, individuals who identify as sexual and/or gender minorities (SGM) often face increased stressors, including discrimination, stigma, and self-perception challenges. Existing literature has not thoroughly examined whether individuals with ADHD who also identify as SGM experience higher rates of ACEs compared to their cisgender heterosexual counterparts with ADHD. Additionally, individuals identifying as SGM are historically an understudied population due to past and current hostile sociopolitical climates. This study examines the relation between ADHD symptoms, SGM identity, and ACEs in a college student population. Participants (N = 5,102 , M age = 19.5) from the multisite Undergraduate Learning, Emotion, and Attention Research Network (U-LEARN) study across seven U.S. universities completed a DSM-5-based ADHD symptom checklist, the 10-item ACEs questionnaire, and a demographic survey assessing sexual orientation and gender identity. All questionnaires were completed using Qualtrics, a secure online survey platform. A one-way ANOVA will be conducted to examine differences in ACEs scores across groups based on ADHD symptoms endorsed and SGM status. We hypothesize that individuals with more ADHD symptoms who identify as SGM will report higher ACE scores compared to participants with high and low levels of ADHD symptoms who identify as cisgender heterosexual. Findings from this study may help to fill important research gaps identified related to SGM and ADHD. Additionally, these results could inform future research on the interplay between identity, symptom severity, and mental health outcomes in adulthood.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 180
|
| Rossini, Ava |
Lautzenheiser, Mandy |
Implementing Accessibility Practices with USC Press
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Last semester, while interning at USC Press, I—along with two other interns—was tasked with writing the alternative text for three working manuscripts. Alternative text is a written description of an image's contents that helps people with visual impairments conceptualize it. It is different from a caption in that it leaves out any context that explains the circumstances in which the image was captured. It simply describes what the image looks like. I was given this job because the press wanted to make its digital content more accessible, and this project ensured that people with visual impairments had access to the same information as everyone else. This task was important because alternative text promotes inclusivity and equal opportunities for all, which every institution should strive to achieve. After choosing one of the manuscripts, I asked myself the same question for each image that appeared: what do I see in the simplest terms? If I saw a man sitting on a white bench next to a river, that is precisely what I wrote down. It didn't matter who the man was or what the river was called because that is not relevant to alternative text. This task proved to be more difficult than I expected, as it required me to switch gears in my brain from writing subjectively, which is what I did in most of my English classes, to writing objectively—in other words, explaining what I saw, not what I knew. At first, it was tempting to look up the image’s context and sprinkle it into my description, but I had to resist doing that. I had never written alternative text before, so it was a new concept for me, but it helped me refine my descriptive writing and attention to detail in the end. I am honored to have participated in this project because I had a hand in helping someone with visual impairments enjoy a book as well as anybody else. I will carry this knowledge with me and openly advocate for it in any publishing role I might obtain in the future.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 262
|
Shive, Lucy
Elya, Rita |
Chen, Hui |
Role and Mechanism of Mitochondria During Early Embryonic Development
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Mitochondria are essential to embryonic development; they are critical to energy production, but they also produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) which are detrimental to the developing embryo. Despite their importance, little is known about how mitochondria regulate early embryogenesis. In this study, we utilize Xenopus laevis embryos to dissect the molecular mechanisms underlying mitochondria-regulated early embryonic development. To test which specific mitochondrial pathways contribute to early embryonic development, we incubate or microinject embryos with specific mitochondrial inhibitors, including that for the complex I (Rotenone), complex II (Malonate), complex III (Antimycin A), complex IV (KCN), and complex V (DCCD), and monitor the developmental phenotypes within 2 days post-fertilization. Prior research has shown that mitochondrial Complex I inhibitors lead to developmental differences in zebrafish but may be beneficial in decreasing harmful ROS in oocytes. We expect that increased Complex I suppression will decrease ROS production, thereby advancing embryonic development. Our study will reveal novel insights into the role and mechanisms of mitochondria in regulating early development, which has potential implications in understanding the molecular basis of developmental defects resulting from metabolic dysregulation.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 20
|
| Martin, Rebekah |
Chen, Mengqian
Roninson, Igor |
CDK8/19-Targeting PROTACs Prevent Resistance and Enhance Long-Term Treatment Efficacy in AML
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Aggressive leukemias, including acute myeloid leukemia (AML), remain a challenging disease due to the lack of curative therapies. AML rapidly develops resistance to both conventional and targeted treatments. Recently, the transcription-regulating Mediator kinases CDK8 and CDK19 have emerged as therapeutic targets in AML, with CDK8/19 kinase inhibitors now in clinical trials for leukemia. However, preliminary studies from our lab indicate that leukemia cells can develop resistance to these inhibitors both in vitro and in vivo. We cultured the widely used AML cell line MV4-11 in the presence of a potent CDK8/19 inhibitor BI1347 and obtained BI1347-resistant derivatives very rapidly, within six weeks. Strikingly, these resistant cells not only lost sensitivity to various CDK8/19 inhibitors but also exhibited enhanced growth at intermediate inhibitor concentrations. Western blot analysis revealed elevated expression of CDK8, CDK19, and their cyclin partner CCNC in CDK8/19 kinase inhibitor-resistant cells. To test whether abolishing this CDK8/19 upregulation could prevent the development of resistance, we used a CDK8/19-degrading PROteolysis-TArgeting Chimera (PROTAC), SNX7886, developed in our lab, and compared its long-term efficacy against that of BI1347 in MV4-11 cells.
We found that SNX7886 induced sustained growth inhibition without triggering the resistance phenotype observed with CDK8/19 kinase inhibitors. Moreover, long-term treatment comparisons (CDK8/19-PROTAC vs CDK8/19 inhibitor) across multiple leukemia cell lines showed that CDK8/19-PROTACs were more potent than CDK8/19 inhibitors in nearly half of the tested lines. Notably, in NOMO1 AML cells, CDK8/19-PROTAC treatment led to complete growth arrest, with no surviving cells upon prolonged exposure. Currently, we are employing a multiomic approach to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying CDK8/19i resistance in AML and determine how CDK8/19-targeting PROTACs overcome this resistance. These findings highlight the potential of PROTAC-based strategies as a promising therapeutic avenue for AML.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 21
|
| Finley, Johnathan |
Wilson, Kiesha
Oxendine, Stacey |
Immunomodulatory Effects of Irish Sea Moss.
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Introduction: Irish sea moss (ISM) has been used for medicinal purposes for centuries and has become a popular supplement because it is believed to have immunomodulatory properties. One active component of ISM thought to contribute immunomodulatory effects is carrageenan. Carrageenan is a sulphated polysaccharide that has been shown to demonstrate immune stimulating, antioxidant, anticoagulant, antitumoral, and antiviral properties. This study aims to investigate the immunomodulatory effects of ISM, particularly its bioactive compound Carrageenan. To investigate this, we will use staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB) as a pro-inflammatory compound to activate immune cells and examine the impact of ISM. SEB is an exotoxin produced by staphylococcus aureus that has a potent ability to induce release of proinflammatory cytokines. We hypothesize that ISM via the carrageenan compound will illicit an anti-inflammatory response leading to a decrease in inflammatory cytokine production.
Methods: Mice spleens were harvested and the splenocytes were isolated and cultured overnight at 37 degrees Celsius in 5% CO2. We used 3 biological replicates and plated in 8 wells. We had 8 groups that included: VEH, 0.5 µM ISM, 1.0 µM ISM, 2.0 µM ISM, SEB + VEH, SEB + 0.5 µM ISM, SEB + 1.0 µM ISM, and SEB + 2.0 µM ISM. After a 24-hour incubation, cells were treated with each compound and allowed to incubate for 24 hours before collecting samples for downstream analysis. Supernatants were preserved for evaluation of cytokine expression via ELISA, RNA was extracted, and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was performed to detect and quantify RNA from immunomodulatory genes. We quantified the following genes: TNFa, IL-1B, IL-6, IL-10, ISG15, CCR2, and STAT3. Additionally, experiments were performed to examine changes in immune cell populations via flow cytometry. A one-way ANOVA test was performed on each data set to determine the statistical relationship between each sample.
Results: While the qPCR results showed a trend towards an anti-inflammatory response associated with 2.0 µM ISM, many of our markers illustrated no statistically significant fold. Results from ELISA and flow cytometry are being gathered.
Conclusion: There is evidence that Irish sea moss produces some immunomodulatory effects that could promote an anti-inflammatory response.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 114
|
| Catanzaro, Shannon |
Emerson, Dawn
Torres-McGehee, Toni |
Pre-Activity Characteristics of Historically Black College and University Marching Band Artists
View Full Text
Abstract Text
To inform specific health and wellness policies for marching band (MB) artists, sports medicine and MB personnel must understand what some of the health risks are among this population. Most research has focused on predominately white institutions, but MB artists at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) may have some unique risk factors. The purpose of the study was to examine medical history, and pre-activity sleep, hydration, and medication use among HBCU MB artists. This was a descriptive study using a convenient sample (n=20; 14 males, 5 females, 1 intersex; age=19.5±1.6years, height=172.3 ± 9.3cm, weight=91.3 ± 29.1kg). A baseline questionnaire assessed pre-existing medical conditions, medication and supplement use, and demographics. Prior to each rehearsal/performance, participants completed a pre-activity questionnaire to characterize their sleep the night before, medication and supplement use, and whether they were currently experiencing any illness symptoms (e.g., cough, headache, congestion). Participants’ hydration status was characterized by morning urine samples for 7 days. Urine specific gravity (USG) was measured using a refractometer and categorized as either euhydrated (<1.026) or hypohydrated. Frequencies, means, and standard deviations were calculated for all outcome variables. When examining USG, 8 participants were classified as euhydrated for every day they provided, 11 were hypohydrated on at least 1 day, 4 were hypohydrated at least half the days, and 1 was hypohydrated every day. Throughout the 4 days, participants reported below average sleep 28.6% of the time, typically described as <5 hours of sleep that night. Regarding illness, 17.1% of the time participants reported symptoms, most associated with a cold. Four reported taking medication throughout the 4 days. Of these, two were regularly taking prescription medication for non-cardiac conditions. One reported illness symptoms on all 4 days; this individual was also hypohydrated most days, taking prescription medications to manage anxiety, and was diagnosed with a cardiac condition. These findings suggest HBCU MB artists have underlying health conditions and factors that may increase their risk for medical events during MB activities. Sports medicine and MB personnel should consider implementing pre-participation screening to identify at-risk individuals and consider educational opportunities to improve artists’ health and wellness.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 159
|
Faircloth, Madelyn
Evans, Vanessa |
Fu, Xiaoxue
Nelson, Kendall |
Attention Patterns Linked to Risk for Anxiety in Young Children: An In-depth Eye-tracking Investigation
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Introduction: Behavioral inhibition (BI) is an early-emerging temperamental trait that is characterized by increased hypervigilance toward novelty and social reticence in childhood, and is a well-established risk factor for social difficulties and anxiety disorders later in development. However, many children with high BI levels do not experience these emerging difficulties, suggesting a more complex interaction between temperament and cognitive functions that contributes to this developmental trajectory. Affect-biased attention, or the automatic attention bias toward threatening stimuli, arises early in development, and can have a pervasive effect on a child’s behavior and socioemotional outcomes. Executive attention greatly contributes to self-regulation and functions to voluntarily manage focus and suppress automatic responses based on the demands of a current task. This study investigates how multiple attention functions interact to influence the risk of anxiety problems in young children. Additionally, we investigate whether higher BI levels, a temperamental risk marker for anxiety, are related to affect-biased attention to angry faces only in children with poorer executive attention.
Methods: Participants aged 4- to 7-years were recruited and their parents were asked to complete the Behavioral Inhibition Questionnaire (BIQ) to assess the child’s BI. These participants completed a battery of computer tasks that measured affect-biased attention and executive attention—the Emotional Overlap task (EO) and the Attention Network Task (ANT), respectively—while their eye movements were monitored using screen-based eye-tracking technology.
Expected Results: It is hypothesized that higher levels of BI will be associated with greater affect-biased attention towards angry/threatening stimuli; and executive attention will moderate this link between BI and affect-biased attention. That is, this trend of high BI levels corresponding with high affect-biased attention will be observed in children with poor executive attention, but not in children with high executive attention. There currently exists a wide body of research that primarily investigates affect-biased attention and its impact on psychopathology. However, the results of this study will provide a developmental basis for future longitudinal studies to explore BI’s role in impacting affective and non-affective attention processes to contribute to the emergence and maintenance of anxiety during development.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 167
|
| Cochcroft, Collin |
Regan, Elizabeth |
Using an Adaptive Rower for People Using Power Wheelchairs to Improve Cardiovascular Fitness
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Background: Approximately 65 million worldwide rely on wheelchairs for transportation. Relying on a powered wheelchair significantly increases the risk of sedentary behavior and chronic health conditions. Physical activity (PA) can provide various health benefits for individuals with physical disabilities. A novel piece of exercise equipment, the Adaptive Rower (AROW), is a modified Concept 2 Rower compatible with most manual and power wheelchairs. A recent study of manual wheelchair users with spinal cord injury found when comparing the AROW to an arm crank ergometer, participants reached higher exercise intensity and enjoyment when using the AROW.
The purpose of the current study is to examine the impact of regular use of the AROW on participant cardiovascular fitness and perception of mobility.
Methods: The study is an 8-week case series, aiming for seven to ten participants. Inclusion criteria are adult power wheelchair users who can perform rowing motion with or without grip aids. During the initial visit, participants will perform pre-program measures: Six Minute Arm Test (6MAT) (endurance), the Spinal Cord Injury Functional Index (SCI-FI) basic mobility and wheelchair sub-scales (mobility). Over the 8-week period, participants will exercise twice per week, with two additional visits allotted to fulfill the 12-visit dosage. Participants will exercise at a moderate-to-vigorous pace with a 3:1-minute work-rest interval. Session data includes heart rate, rate of perceived exertion, total time, average power output and total distance. After completing the 12 visits, participants will return for final evaluation, completing the same outcomes measures. Data analysis will examine individual changes pre-post intervention. Exploratory group changes in the 6MAT and SCI-FI will be evaluated with t-test and effect sizes calculated.
Preliminary Results: Preliminary results for two participants demonstrate potential for positive effects on cardiovascular fitness for power wheelchair users. Both participants, one diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and the other with a cervical spinal cord injury and stroke, improved mean RPM, speed, and total distance in the post-intervention 6MAT compared to baseline. Participant mobility surveys showed mixed results. Further data collection is needed to fully determine the impact of the AROW on cardiovascular fitness for power wheelchair users.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 105
|
| Warner, Lauren |
Shimizu, Linda
Samant, Vaibhavi |
Optimization of NSC11150 Synthesis: Improving Yield and Purity Through Alternative Reduction Methods
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Lymphocyte antigen 6K (LY6K) is highly expressed in various cancers, including triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Small molecule NSC11150, included as an anticancer agent in the National Cancer Institute (NCI) has demonstrated potential as a LY6K signaling inhibitor [1]. The synthesis consists of two steps. The first step involves a palladium-catalyzed coupling reaction carried out in an inert atmosphere using palladium(II) chloride (PdCl₂), sodium carbonate (Na₂CO₃), lithium chloride (LiCl), and dimethylformamide (DMF) as the solvent resulting in a 45% yield with 99.3% purity. The second and final step is a reduction reaction that eliminates the carbonyl group. Previously, this reduction was carried out using sodium borohydride (NaBH₄) and trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) in tetrahydrofuran (THF) under inert conditions, resulting in a 45% yield with 96.52% purity. Our goal is to improve the yield and achieve >99% purity required for biological studies [2]. We are currently assessing recrystallization conditions as well as alternative reduction methods such as Huang-Minlon Reduction and Lewis-acid promoted hydrosilylation. The Huang-Minlon modification of the Wolff-Kishner reaction involves refluxing the carbonyl compound with 85% hydrazine hydrate and sodium hydroxide in ethylene glycol, potentially improving both yield and purity [3]. Another approach, Lewis acid-promoted hydrosilylation, utilizes triethylsilane (Et₃SiH), boron trifluoride etherate (BF₃OEt₂), and acetonitrile (MeCN) in 1,2-dichloroethane (ClCH₂CH₂Cl) [4]. These alternative methods aim to optimize NSC11150 synthesis by maximizing yield and purity, which are crucial for further studies on its potential as a LY6K inhibitor.
References
1. Selvanesan, B. C., et al (2023). Lymphocyte antigen 6K signaling to Aurora kinase promotes advancement of the cell cycle and the growth of cancer cells, which is inhibited by LY6K-NSC243928 interaction. Cancer Letters, 558(0304–3835), 216094
2. Goodlett, D. W. (2021). Functional Supramolecular Materials and the Design and Synthesis of Triple Negative Breast Cancer Pharmaceuticals. (Doctoral dissertation).
3. Huang-Minlon. A Simple Modification of the Wolff-Kishner Reduction; Journal of the American Chemical Society, 1946, 68(12), 2487. DOI: 10.1021/ja01216a013.
4. Lerner, L. M.; Meyers, A. I. Silane Reductions in Acidic Media VIII. Boron Trifluoride Catalyzed Reduction of Aldehydes and Ketones by Triethylsilane; Tetrahedron Letters, 1973, 14(34), 3167–3170. DOI: 10.1016/S0040-4039(01)87340-2.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 59
|
| Gushue, Virginia |
Turner, Carrie |
Inside the Newsroom: My Experience as an Ainsley Scholar in NYC
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Being selected as an Ainsley Scholar was an incredible honor that provided me with an unforgettable opportunity to tour network news stations in New York City. This experience offered an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at some of the most influential newsrooms in the country, including Good Morning America, Fox & Friends, Today, and CBS News. Meeting accomplished USC alumni and seasoned journalists was both inspiring and enlightening as I prepare to enter the industry. The most memorable moments were receiving invaluable advice from industry leaders such as Eva Pilgrim at Good Morning America, Ainsley Earhardt at Fox & Friends, and Allen Devlin at CBS News. Each of them shared insights into their career paths, emphasizing perseverance, adaptability, and the importance of storytelling. Their words reinforced my passion for broadcast journalism and gave me a clearer vision of what it takes to succeed in the field. Meeting my professional heroes in a newsroom setting was deeply fulfilling as a student journalist. Witnessing firsthand the energy, teamwork, and dedication behind live broadcasts solidified my ambition to pursue a career in television news. Among the many pieces of wisdom shared, one that resonated deeply was Robin Roberts’ advice: "Dream big, focus small." This simple yet powerful advice serves as a guiding principle as I transition into the workforce, reminding me to set ambitious goals while remaining dedicated to the daily work that leads to success. The Ainsley Scholars experience was more than just a tour it was a transformative opportunity to connect with professionals, gain industry insights, and reaffirm my aspirations in journalism. As I embark on my career, I carry with me the inspiration and lessons from this trip, motivated to contribute to the ever-evolving world of broadcast news.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 293
|
| Rajesh Kannan, Pranesh |
Newman-Norlund, Roger |
Optimization of Multimodal MRI-Based Prediction of MoCA Scores Using Stability Selection
View Full Text
Abstract Text
The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) is widely recognized as a robust tool for the detection of cognitive decline, serving as an integral marker for the early diagnosis of neurodegenerative conditions. Given its profound role in clinical settings, elucidating the brain biomarkers that correlate with MoCA scores is crucial for advancing our understanding of cognitive impairment and enhancing predictive models of cognitive health. In this study, we applied stability selection, detailed in the StabilitySelection package (https://github.com/alexteghipco/StabilitySelection), to data from the Aging Brain Cohort (ABC@USC) repository to identify reliable neuroimaging biomarkers across diverse MRI modalities, capable of accurately predicting MoCA total scores, as well as subscores (visuospatial, executive, attention, language, delayed recall, orientation). Initial stability selection models used regional metrics from each MRI modality to predict cognition. Diffusion weighted imaging metrics included regional fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD), volumetric metrics included cortical thickness (CT) and gray matter volume (GMV), fMRI data included regional resting state partial amplitude low frequency (PALF) data as well as regional brain activity elicited by listening to English speech, and overall brain health data included regional brain age gap (rBAG). The relationship between MoCA and MoCA subscores for each modality is scrutinized independently to determine stable features significantly correlated with the overall MoCA scores. Following the identification of these stable features, we integrated them into an omnibus model and used machine learning techniques to predict MoCA scores comprehensively. Our study plans to highlight the efficacy of a new nested technique using stability selection in managing high-dimensional datasets, as well as its potential to refine the accuracy of cognitive assessment score prediction. By pinpointing the neuroimaging features that consistently impact MoCA scores, our research contributes to the broader goal of developing targeted interventions and personalized treatment plans, thereby mitigating the progression of cognitive decline. This work paves the way for clinical applications where predictive models could be crucial for the early diagnosis and management of cognitive impairments.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 158
|
| Lucas, Jack |
Ramasamy, Poornema |
Pyoderma Gangrenosum or not: A Case Series Reviewing the Potential Intersection of Venous Stasis or Lymphedema Ulcers and an Undefined Pyoderma like Entity
View Full Text
Abstract Text
The development of venous leg ulcers (VLUs) is a complex process, primarily driven by chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), which leads to microcirculatory damage and eventual ulceration. The potential intersection between these chronic ulcers and the pathological features of pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) creates a novel diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. This case series reports experiences with patients diagnosed with VLUs, attributed to venous stasis or lymphedema, and their sudden wound deterioration, with PG-like pathophysiology and presentation. These abrupt wound transitions were characterized by intense pain, wound deterioration, failure to respond to standard wound care, and significant morbidity. It is hypothesized that these symptoms result from an autoinflammatory response, contributing to the refractory nature of these wounds when managed with conventional wound care treatments like debridement, compression therapy, and antibiotics. Additionally, the observed efficacy of biologic treatments in these patients supports the possibility of an underlying autoinflammatory etiology similar to PG. However, these patients’ wound presentations lacked several defining characteristics of PG, including predisposing conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), classic histological markers, and many diagnostic criteria outlined by Su et al.’s “Criteria for Ulcerative Pyoderma Gangrenosum,” the Delphi consensus, and the PARACELSUS score. Consequently, a definitive diagnosis remained elusive due to the unique combination of wound presentation and response to immunosuppressive therapy. A retrospective case series study is proposed to elucidate experiences with this potentially novel wound pathology in four patients who initially presented with VLUs but had a sudden ulcer progression consistent with PG or a similar undefined autoimmune response. The goal is to bring awareness to this potentially undefined complication of venous leg ulcers to reduce the diagnostic timeline, facilitate the initiation of effective treatments, and encourage other clinicians to report similar cases—all in hopes of reducing patient morbidity, suffering, and healthcare costs.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 120
|
| Pallapothu, Sriya |
Newman-Norlund, Roger |
Association Between Cardiovascular Risk, Regional Brain Age Gap, and Cognition in Healthy Adults
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Background: Cardiovascular (CV) risk factors are known to adversely affect global brain health, accelerating both neurodegeneration and cognitive decline. In this study, we examined the relationship between cardiovascular risk (QRISK3), brain health as measured by the brain age gap (BAG), and cognition (MoCA scores). By including regional, in addition to the whole-brain age gap, we aimed to identify spatially distinct patterns of brain aging that are linked to CV risk and cognition, thereby offering a more precise framework for evaluating potential mechanistic pathways of aging and decline.
Methods: High-resolution T1w MRI scans from 191 participants (25-79 years) were used to calculate global and regional BAGs using volBrain, an online automated and validated volumetric brain analysis pipeline. The QRISK3 calculator was used to capture CV risk burden, producing three metrics of CV risk — QRISK3, Relative Risk, and Healthy Heart Age. The Heart Age Gap (HAG) was calculated from participants’ Healthy Heart Age, and the MoCA was administered to assess cognitive function. An exploratory factor analysis was performed and identified four spatial patterns of accelerated brain aging, and Spearman’s correlations assessed the relationship between these four factors, CV risk metrics, and BAG.
Results: QRISK3, Relative Risk, and HAG were significantly correlated with global BAG (p’s < 0.05), independently of age. QRISK3 scores were associated with greater regional BAG in cognition-related brain areas, including the thalamus, medial-frontal cortex, and anterior/middle cingulate cortex (r = 0.15, p = 0.022), as well as with lower MoCA subscores in the memory, attention, and visuospatial domains. Relative Risk and HAG were associated with the regional BAG scores of all four factors, as well as with the MoCA memory index.
Conclusions: These results suggest that specific brain regions and cognitive domains may be disproportionately affected by CV risk factors, possibly due to a high metabolic demand and reliance on blood supply from cerebral small vessels. Ultimately, these findings highlight the importance of incorporating cardiovascular metrics in neurodegenerative risk assessments. Future studies should explore vascular contributions to regional brain aging and cognitive decline to improve preventative and therapeutic strategies.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 181
|
| Coppage, Kate |
Goodman, Christopher
Halbach, Allyson
Klein, Kathryn
Corason, Alex |
Standardizing Physician Recruitment at the Good Samaritan Clinic
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Effective physician recruitment is essential to ensuring the sustainability and success of free medical clinics. The Good Samaritan Clinic, a free medical clinic in Columbia, relies on informal, ad hoc recruitment among clinician volunteers. The clinic currently does not have a process for recruitment, and often the volunteer pool is not sufficient to meet demand. The Medical Spanish Club at the USC School of Medicine partners with Good Samaritan Clinic, and in recent years, that relationship has included working on mutually identified improvement goals.The clinic leadership and USC students identified an opportunity to develop standardized recruitment protocols that can be applied not only to GSC, but to any medical clinic that relies on volunteer-based physician staffing. We know there are clinicians that desire to serve their community. Thus, we intend to develop a process that reaches these clinicians and invites them to volunteer at GSC which can be implemented year after year.
To standardize recruitment efforts, the clinic must identify its network of clinicians and clinician organizations. Part of that process involves knowing who to contact, how to contact them, what information is needed and the ideal frequency of contact. Accessing these networks and identifying their “gatekeepers”- those who hold leadership roles and can distribute information to the group of physicians - is underway and we will report on progress to-date. It is imperative that updated contact information of current participants is maintained.
By establishing clear procedures and practices that can be replicated by anyone directing or volunteering at the clinic, GSC will be positioned to expand recruitment efforts and streamline communication with potential volunteers. In the future, we hope that this standardized process for physician outreach will serve as a framework that can be universally adopted by other free clinics who rely on volunteers to provide healthcare to communities in need.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 170
|
Droege, Shelby
McWatters, Brittany |
Blackburn, Melanie |
Fun in the Sun: A Quality Improvement Project to Improve Sun and Water Safety Education in Well Child Visits
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Introduction: While warm weather typically leads to children spending more time outdoors, it is the role of the pediatrician not only to provide education on the risks of sun exposure and water accidents but to counsel on risk mitigation and safety efforts.
Project Aim: The goal of this project was to provider sun and water safety education by the incorporation of specific discussion points directly into well child visit note templates widely used by providers in the Children’s Hospital Outpatient Center (CHOC) in addition to the provision of an informational brochure for patients and their families. The specific aim was to achieve 70% consistently documented discussion of sun and water safety from November 2023 to April 2024.
Methods: Two PDSA cycles were conducted and slight alterations made to the discussion points embedded into the note template based on provider feedback from survey data collected between PDSA cycles. Using manual data collection, the percent usage of the discussion points was tracked across different seasons in each PDSA cycle.
Results: In PDSA 1, the discussion points were used in 52% of the sampled well child visits and in 80% of the well child visits in PDSA 2.
Conclusions: We successfully achieved 70% usage of the sun and water safety discussion points in well visits for children ages 6 months to 18 years by the completion of PDSA cycle 2. Although there was increased documentation of discussion of sun and water safety in well child visits by the end of PDSA 2, it is possible that the results are artificially inflated due to the collection of data from warmer months out of the year as compared with PDSA 1. Regardless of temporality, sun and water safety remain of vital importance when conducting all well child visits in order to reduce associated morbidity and mortality with water-related accidents and cumulative sun exposure within the pediatric population.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 182
|
| Lee, Addison |
Lautzenheiser, Mandy |
More than Just Medicaid: What My Internship in the Bureau of Quality Taught Me About SCDHHS
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Over the summer of 2023 I completed an internship program at the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) in the Bureau of Quality (BoQ). I had the privilege of exploring all that the bureau had to offer by engaging with each department through meetings and special projects, attending collaborative summits, and through assisting the Bureau Chief Jordan Desai. I was exposed to QTIP, a BoQ-led program, working with pediatricians around SC to improve children’s health around the state, while helping prepare for their Summer Learning collaborative focusing on combating sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) through Safe Sleep practices. I learned about BabyNet, a part-C funded program that helps families and their children adjust to and plan for life with disabilities and how to set their children up for success in the early stages of life (ages 0-3 years). And I got to sit in various high-level meetings where I learned about how the shift in focus to quality of care is impacting the agency and its Managed Care Organizations through monetary measures, and how these tactics will positively impact the marginalized populations who are served by Medicaid.
As a public health major at USC, my internship within the BoQ gave me a new perspective to the creative solutions South Carolina’s government is using to combat negative health outcomes seen in the Medicaid population. I want others to know about the various programs SCDHHS offers to help support its beneficiaries, like the ones I worked with during my internship, because I believe they’re unique ways to get involved helping some of our most vulnerable populations in SC.
It’s opened my eyes to how interventions are created to impact public health in SC, and even opened a door to my future career with the agency. This summer I was hired as a BoQ Program Assistant furthering my involvement at the agency, and have delved into work with QTIP and the Quality Metrics department, which has led to a future full-time employment opportunity when I graduate in May.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 263
|
| Verderame, Amy |
Lautzenheiser, Mandy |
The Importance of a Global Perspective
View Full Text
Abstract Text
During Spring 2024, I studied abroad at Universitat de Vic in Barcelona, Spain, concentrating on coursework in Luxury and Global Marketing. Studying abroad had always been a goal of mine due to the opportunity to expand both my personal and professional skill set. With a major in Marketing and Economics and a minor in Retailing, I chose Universitat de Vic for its course offerings aligned with my interests, including Global and Luxury Marketing. I believe that maintaining a diverse global perspective is essential in navigating my career, and my time abroad was crucial in developing this skill.
While in Barcelona, I taught English at a local elementary school, an experience that broadened my worldview and deepened my ability to communicate with those from different communities. My five months in Spain provided personal and professional growth, leading to a deeper sense of understanding and appreciation for the cultures of the world. From a marketing perspective, I wanted to learn how to utilize this cultural understanding to foster stronger business connections, and appeal to target markets. I observed how differently the people of Spain approach their purchasing decisions and participated in field trips during my Luxury Marketing class, where I learned how brands craft their global image. One particularly impactful experience was visiting Bagués, a Spanish jeweler known for its handcrafted luxury pieces. I learned that each piece is tailored to an individual client, requiring months of craftsmanship and personalization. This customization allows Bagués to connect with its global clientele on a deeper level, adapting to customers’ backgrounds and preferences to create the perfect product for each customer. Seeing this in practice reinforced the importance of a diverse cultural understanding in marketing to a global consumer base.
My time abroad gave me much more than I expected both personally and professionally, providing me with a deeper perspective on global marketing strategies and strengthening my ability to adapt to different audiences. As I approach the next stage of my career, I will carry this knowledge with me, ensuring that I approach every marketing strategy with a well-rounded, culturally aware perspective.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 209
|
| Crouse, Sidney |
Desai, Rutvik |
A Taxonomic Approach to Categorization of Abstract and Concrete Concepts
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Large language models like ChatGPT utilize word embeddings for natural language processing, and traditionally, these embeddings prioritize associative relationships (e.g., cherry-strawberry). However, a taxonomic approach emphasizes conceptual interchangeability (e.g., cherry-blossom) and may more accurately represent human semantic processing. While categorizing concrete terms is relatively straightforward due to their tangibility, the taxonomic categorization of abstract terms is less clear. This research investigates whether a taxonomic approach reveals distinct clustering patterns between abstract and concrete concepts. We used 300-dimentional vectors that represent concepts in a manner that emphasizes taxonomic, but not associative, relationships. Using concreteness scores from Brysbaert et al. (2014), 30,000 words were categorized into concrete, ambiguous, and abstract groups. Hierarchical clustering was performed on abstract and concrete groups, and the resulting clusters were analyzed based on average within-cluster cosine similarity. We identified 329 clusters for concrete (divided across 13 levels) and 314 clusters for abstract words (divided across 16 levels). A group’s cosine similarity indicates how tightly packed the cluster is by comparing each word in a cluster to an average “centroid” word. Although the overall hierarchical structures were similar between abstract and concrete clusters, differences emerged in the cluster densities between abstract and concrete categories. Abstract clusters had higher cosine similarities than concrete clusters on average, meaning that abstract words tend to be more densely packed than concrete words. Additionally, concrete clusters had higher cosine similarities when they had fewer words per cluster or terminated earlier in the hierarchy. On the other hand, there was no correlation between cluster size, hierarchy level, and cosine similarity for abstract clusters. Ultimately, these clusters will be used in a primed lexical decision task to determine if abstract categories exhibit a similar priming effect to concrete categories, and to identify the neural basis of concepts. This is the most comprehensive taxonomic categorization for abstract concepts to date, which may provide insight into the organization of concepts within the mental lexicon.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 168
|
| Lucas, Bennett |
Vacca, Dominic
Huber, Michael |
Exploring Etiologies of Acute Encephalopathy
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Exploring Etiologies of Acute Encephalopathy: A Case of Altered Mental Status
Background:
Altered mental status (AMS) is a frequent reason for emergency department visits, necessitating a systematic approach to identify life-threatening and reversible causes. Acute encephalopathy is often a diagnosis of exclusion, with potential etiologies including metabolic, toxic, infectious, and structural abnormalities.
Case Presentation:
We report the case of a 73-year-old female with a history of hypertension, hyperlipidemia, coronary artery disease, COPD, and prior stroke, who presented with AMS. Two months prior, she underwent ORIF for a right tibial fracture, complicated by postoperative cellulitis treated with cefepime. She left rehabilitation against medical advice, failing to complete her antibiotic regimen. Upon presentation, she was disoriented, experiencing auditory and visual hallucinations, yet afebrile and hemodynamically stable. Initial workup, including head CT, CBC, CMP, UA, and urine drug screen, was unremarkable. Despite cefepime reinitiation and psychiatric consultation, her symptoms persisted. EEG ruled out seizures, and MRI showed no acute pathology. The patient's condition gradually improved with scheduled trazodone and melatonin, suggesting delirium as the likely cause.
Discussion:
This case underscores the diagnostic challenges in AMS, particularly in patients with complex medical histories and incomplete collateral information. The absence of metabolic, toxic, or structural abnormalities pointed to delirium as the most probable etiology. While the exact trigger remains unclear, resolution with sleep regulation highlights the importance of non-pharmacologic interventions in AMS management.
Conclusion:
AMS requires a broad differential diagnosis and a structured approach to exclude emergent conditions. This case emphasizes the role of delirium in AMS and the significance of sleep hygiene in management.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 140
|
| Hager, Madeline |
Reid, Cami |
The Road to Macy’s: Behind-the-Scenes Storytelling Through Digital Media
View Full Text
Abstract Text
As a student in the music industry studies program at the University of South Carolina, I was asked to document the journey of the Carolina Band on their journey to perform in the 2024 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade. The Road to Macy’s was the social media campaign I created to tell the band’s story and shine light on the work they put to support the athletic teams and promote school spirit. This campaign not only grew publicity for the School of Music programs and the Carolina Band, but it also allowed parents and peers see the behind the scenes of the parade. For this project, I used storytelling and design skills learned through my Journalism courses to create video interviews, interactive reels, and social media posts. I documented everything from the band’s journey to football games promoting the parade, then finally to New York for the big week where they walked on 34th Street and appeared on the Today Show. I learned the importance of working in different fast paced environments and got to see how professional live event management and media figures and run their production. This experience also allowed me to grow closer to members of the Carolina Band, and I learned how much supporting the school through music means to them. These close relationships allowed me to capture the genuine perspective of a band member. Walking in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade with the Carolina Band was a once in a lifetime experience and gave me exclusive professional content that will be beneficial to show future employers to showcase my editing, photo, video, and social media skills. This also helped me make notable connections with media professionals and the Carolina Band members which I will carry into my future career.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 279
|
| Apostolico, Paige |
Ballou, Julia |
Leading With a Purpose to Empower Others
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Throughout the entirety of my four years at the University of South Carolina I have been committed to a student organization called USC Dance Marathon. I joined this organization for its philanthropy of fundraising for the local children’s hospital. I began as a staff member, served as a sophomore director, and have been a Vice President on the executive board for the past two years. Each year I grew within the organization, growing my roles and responsibilities, and learning firsthand how to best lead with others. It is through multiple classes that I have taken at USC that have also enhanced my leadership skills and understanding of others on a fundamental basis. The students I’ve worked beside all share a similar passion for changing kids’ health, but it is the skills of the leadership board that bring out the best in the current and future leaders of USC Dance Marathon, to which can be spread into our community. I will be presenting on how I’ve had the opportunity to be a leader myself, but also the opportunity to facilitate leadership in others through my beyond the classroom experience and my education here at USC.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 288
|
Staub, Matthew
Boscia, Joseph |
DePriest, Jack |
Reducing unnecessary routine imaging in the ICU setting
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Background:
In many critical care units, the ordering of daily chest x-rays in mechanically ventilated patients has long been standard practice. This is despite many studies having demonstrated that the utilization of daily chest x-rays does not show a clinical benefit when compared to ordering imaging strictly on an as needed basis. Additionally, the ordering of daily chest x-rays without direct clinical indications presents its own potential morbidity concerns. These include increased radiation exposure, potential for device malposition during manipulation of the patient, and increased costs to patients and the hospital. The widespread adoption of electronic medical records (EMR) further facilitates the ordering of daily chest x-rays, particularly through the introduction of order sets. We performed a quality improvement cycle to investigate the use of daily chest x-rays in our MICU and the role of order sets in this practice.
Methods:
Data regarding the use of daily “while intubated” chest x-ray order sets was collected retrospectively over a 6 month period. This review was IRB exempt.
Results:
Thirty-one mechanically ventilated Medical ICU patients had at least 1 “while intubated” daily CXR. The mean number of daily x-rays was 4, with a median of 3 and a range of 1-16. We reviewed the daily notes for the patient who received 16 automatic daily x-rays during their ICU admission. In the 32 notes reviewed (16 attending, 16 resident), only 3 mentioned the x-ray results. No note indicated a change in management guided by the x-ray results. Three notes indicated a continuation of care (diuresis) related to the x-ray findings. With an average pre-insurance chest patient charge of $1800 per x-ray, this represented an approximate charge of $28,800 to the patient for non-diagnostic, routine imaging.
Conclusion:
Based on initial analysis, daily chest x-ray orders do not appear to significantly affect management when compared to as needed orders. Additionally, removal of routine daily chest x-ray orders in favor of ordering based on clinical suspicion offers a safe and viable opportunity to improve patient management and lower healthcare associated costs.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 186
|
| Kaufmann, Cecily |
Battle, Sarah
Grice, Emma |
CD4 Absolute Decline in Acute Retroviral Syndrome Without Corresponding CD4% Decrease: A Retrospective Analysis
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Introduction
Acute Retroviral Syndrome (ARS) represents the symptomatic phase of early Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection within weeks of viral acquisition. In contrast, Non-Acute Retroviral Syndrome (N-ARS) describes individuals who acquired HIV months or years prior to diagnosis. A major consequence of HIV is progression to Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS), traditionally defined as a CD4 absolute <200 cells/mm³. However, CD4% <14% is also a marker of severe immune compromise. This study retrospectively analyzed CD4 absolute and CD4% values in newly diagnosed individuals to assess immune response patterns in ARS versus N-ARS.
Methods
We reviewed EMR records of individuals newly diagnosed with HIV in the South Carolina Midlands between 2022 and 2023. Patients with acute HIV symptoms or a positive viral load but a negative antibody test were classified as ARS. All others were categorized as N-ARS. Descriptive statistics compared initial CD4 absolute and CD4% results.
Results
Among 127 individuals diagnosed with HIV, ten met criteria for ARS. At diagnosis, surprisingly the average CD4 absolute count was significantly lower in ARS patients (146 cells/mm³; range: 65–298) than in N-ARS patients (269 cells/mm³; range: 35–955). However, CD4% remained higher in ARS patients (27%) than in N-ARS patients (18.37%). Most notably, no ARS patients had both CD4 absolute <200 and CD4% <14%, whereas 27% of N-ARS patients met both criteria for true immunosuppression status and AIDS. Despite the significant CD4 absolute decline, only one ARS patient had an opportunistic infection (OI) at diagnosis, which was thrush. Only two of ten ARS patients started OI prophylaxis, and none developed later OIs. Additionally, CD4 absolute recovered rapidly after starting HIV treatment. While previous studies show CD4 absolute declines in acute HIV, this study demonstrates it can drop significantly—even below 200.
Conclusions
Despite a significant drop in CD4 absolute with ARS, patients maintained an acceptable CD4%, suggesting relative immune preservation in the setting of acute HIV. No ARS patients developed later OIs, raising questions about the necessity of routine OI prophylaxis solely based on CD4 absolute. Future research should explore CD4% as the true marker for immune competence in early HIV.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 154
|
| Ward, Madison |
Yang, Chih-Hsiang |
Mindful Walking Program Improves Mental Processing Speed Among Older African American Adults at-risk for Dementia
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Background: Participating in a mindful walking program may be linked to lessening cognitive decline and sharpening processing speed. Mobile-based cognitive assessment, such as the Symbol Search test, has been used to test the time-sensitive changes in mental processing speed in response to physical activity interventions.
Objectives: This study is designed to test the associations between participating in a mindful walking program and the changes in mental processing speed using a smartphone among older adults at-risk for dementia.
Methods: Forty-eight older African American adults aged 60 years or older with at least one dementia risk factor (i.e., family history of Alzheimer’s or dementia, worsening condition or memory loss, BMI greater than 25, or less than 150 minutes of exercise each week) were randomly assigned to either the mindful walking group or the control group. Regardless of group, four ecological measurement assessments (EMAs) are completed throughout the study: 4-day EMA before walking sessions, 14-day EMA after 12 weeks, 4-day EMA after 18 weeks, and 4-days during week 25. For every EMA, there are smartphone surveys, smartphone brain games, and ActivPAL wearing. There is a self-initiated morning survey with brain games including symbol match, color shapes, and dot memory. Symbol match provides two mah-jongg tiles and asks which one matches one of the three mah-jongg tiles above. Throughout the day, there are four beeped surveys followed by the brain games. The response time for selecting the symbol match was averaged across each EMA per participant.
Results: Participants’ overall processing speed were improved at EMA 4 compared to EMA 1. 33 participants saw a decrease in response time, while 15 did not. Of those 33, their response times increased on average of 770.3 ms.
Conclusion: While there is currently no cure for dementia, preventive approaches such as mindful walking may be promising to combat brain diseases. Future large-scale experimental studies will help determine if engaging in regular mindful walking may help at-risk older adults sustain cognition or slow cognitive decline.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 129
|
| Overstreet, Kathryn |
Turner, Carrie |
From Blueprints to Build Sites: Engineering Lessons from the Field
View Full Text
Abstract Text
My internship reinforced the importance of leadership, adaptability, and technical knowledge in civil engineering. It provided a strong foundation for my future studies and career by equipping me with practical skills and insights that extend beyond the classroom.
During my internship at Clayco, a leading general contractor, I worked as a project engineering intern to bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world construction management. My goal was to gain hands-on experience in project coordination, safety, and quality control while developing essential professional skills.
I contributed to various aspects of construction management, including leading safety meetings, managing submittals, coordinating schedules, and participating in problem-solving discussions with subcontractors. Additionally, I was responsible for tracking progress on interior finishes, conducting architectural walks, and assisting with quality control measures such as concrete testing. These tasks required the use of industry-standard software to organize documents and communicate effectively with the project team.
Through this experience, I gained a deeper understanding of construction processes, scheduling challenges, and the importance of proactive communication in keeping projects on track. I developed confidence in public speaking by leading meetings, improved my problem-solving skills by addressing design and weather-related delays, and enhanced my ability to collaborate with diverse teams.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 238
|
| Tucker, Sonali |
Wilson, Dawn
White, Taylor
Carlin, Gracie
Eichler, Emerson
Eubanks, Brayden
Grieco, Alexandra |
Ecological Predictors of Daily Dietary Intake in Black Adolescents in the Families Improving Together (FIT) for Weight Loss Trial
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Healthful eating habits (i.e., increased fruit and vegetable and decreased junk food and sugar-sweetened beverage consumption) are important for preventing chronic disease risk (e.g. obesity, type II diabetes) and improving overall health in Black adolescents. This study examines the intrapersonal, interpersonal, and macrolevel factors that are associated with daily dietary intake in Black adolescents with overweight and obesity. Baseline data was used from 241 Black parent-adolescent dyads who participated in the Families Improving Together (FIT) for Weight Loss trial (Adolescent: Mage=12.8 years, SD=1.8; 63% female; MBMI%=96.6, SD=4.3). Intrapersonal factors included adolescent-reported dietary motivation. Interpersonal factors included adolescent-reported social support for diet from friends and family. Macrolevel factors included adolescent-reported access of unhealthy and healthy foods in the home. Dietary outcomes included adolescent-reported daily intake of fruit and vegetables, sweet tea, soda, and junk food using validated surveys. Child age, child sex, and parent yearly income were included as covariates in all regression models. Separate linear regressions revealed several associations between ecological factors and daily food intake. Greater access to healthy foods (β=0.32, SE=0.13, p<0.05) and unhealthy foods (β=0.30, SE=0.13, p<0.05) were associated with increased daily fruit and vegetable intake. Greater access to unhealthy foods was associated with increased daily junk food intake (β=0.76, SE=0.09, p<.001), whereas increased self-reported dietary motivation was associated with decreased daily junk food intake (β=-0.24, SE=0.09, p<.05). Greater access to unhealthy foods was associated with increased daily sweet tea consumption (β=0.29, SE=0.09, p<.01). Finally, greater access to unhealthy foods (β=0.49, SE=0.09, p<.001) and lower parental yearly income (β=-0.09, SE=0.04, p<.05) was associated with increased daily soda consumption. These findings shed light on the intrapersonal, interpersonal, and macrosystem level factors that are associated with dietary intake among Black adolescents. These findings suggest that access to healthy foods is associated with healthier dietary intake, while restricting access to unhealthy foods and increased motivation towards healthier eating were associated with reductions in unhealthy eating among Black adolescents. These findings may inform future health promotion programs across various ecological levels of dietary behaviors in Black youth.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 175
|
| McCaffrey, Ella |
Lacey, Mia |
Learning About Accessibility and Barriers to Healthy Living While Abroad
View Full Text
Abstract Text
During the spring semester of my sophomore year, I studied abroad in Barcelona, Spain and attended the Universitat de Autònoma de Barcelona. While abroad I took multiple classes, got to meet many locals, and was fully immersed in Barcelona’s culture. Through this experience, I noticed several lifestyle differences between Spain and the United States, including access to quality food, exercise, and healthcare. As a public health major, I learned about the significance of these differences in many of my classes, such as my PUBH 302: Introduction to Public Health class and extracurricular activities. They taught me that living a healthy lifestyle is crucial for preventing chronic disease, improving mental health, and living longer. This made me realize how important having access to healthy food, proper physical activity and quality healthcare is and how it is often lacking across the US and especially in Columbia, SC. My experiences also taught me that it doesn’t have to be this way and there are changes we can make to improve the overall quality of life for a lot of people. By increasing people’s education, accessibility, and support from their community, we can give people the tools they need to live a healthy lifestyle. I want to use the knowledge I learned from my time in Barcelona as well as information learned from PUBH 302 and other classes to help increase the quality of life for people throughout Columbia, SC and beyond.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 210
|
| Byrne, Kaitlyn |
Spence, Gina |
Victim Advocacy: Breaking the Silence
View Full Text
Abstract Text
In the summer of 2022, I worked as a Community Educator and Victim Advocate at Pickens County Advocacy Center, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting survivors of sexual assault. In this role, I was responsible for the “Raise the Bar” initiative, which partnered with Clemson bars and restaurants in the Upstate to implement training on preventing drug-facilitated assaults. I also managed public education efforts on mental health, Title IX rights, and safety in nightlife and rideshare settings. Additionally, I became a certified Victim Advocate, which trains advocates to respond to emergency room calls by providing immediate support to survivors. My passion for advocacy was inspired by my mother, who has spent her career fighting for victims of sexual assault and human trafficking. Her stories exposed me to the harsh realities of these crimes and made me question why these issues remain so hidden. When the chance emerged to engage in this work firsthand, I immediately knew I was not going to miss out on this opportunity. Working directly with survivors and their stories enhanced my awareness of the complex factors that contribute to sexual violence. Through this experience, I learned educating individuals, businesses, and communities on these issues is essential to breaking the silence. Conversations about consent, sexual violence, and bystander intervention need to start earlier and be stressed more heavily on college campuses, in workplaces, and within local communities. This experience transformed my perspective, showing me that making a difference in this field requires education, confrontation, and action. By addressing these issues openly, we can break the barriers that keep survivors silent and build a society that works to help prevent these crimes from continuing. This experience not only strengthened my ability to ask deeper, more critical questions but also elevated my emotional intelligence, preparing me with the confidence to continue this work in the future.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 280
|
| Helvie, Ryne |
Byrd-Fort, Valerie |
Embracing Global Connections
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Spending six months in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and a summer semester in Italy allowed me to experience the power of cultural immersion firsthand. As a double major in Mass Communications and Retailing, I pursued these experiences to expand my global perspective and improve my language skills. I hadn’t expected how deeply these experiences would shape my perspectives and ability to navigate new environments, engage with different communities, and develop a strong sense of adaptability.
In Argentina, I became involved in local organizations and social spaces, embracing the daily challenges of communicating in a language I was still learning. Through intercultural exchange events and community groups, I was outside my comfort zone and learned to navigate with patience and confidence. Living in Buenos Aires was more than studying—it was about embracing the city’s rhythm, understanding its people, and seeing the world through a new lens.
My time in Italy inspired my semester in Argentina and motivated me to pursue growth in adaptability and cultural awareness. Experiencing two distinct cultures during my academic journey enabled me to recognize the nuances of communication, tradition, and community engagement. From Argentina's vast landscape and rich culture to Italy's historic sites and famed cuisine, each experience deepened my appreciation for global perspectives and cross-cultural connections.
These experiences have had a lasting impact on my personal and academic journey. They have strengthened my resilience, curiosity, and willingness to embrace the unfamiliar. Returning from my studies abroad, I feel more confident engaging with diverse communities and applying a global mindset to everything I do. In future travels, professional opportunities, goals, or everyday interactions, I carry with me the new perspective gained in cultural understanding, multilingual communication, and the value of stepping beyond my comfort zone.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 231
|
| Thomassian, Shant |
Rhodes, Morgan |
Impact of Insurance Status on Health Outcomes in Hypertensive and Diabetic Patients at a Community Health Center
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Hypertension and diabetes are two of the most prevalent chronic diseases in the United States, significantly contributing to morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. Despite advances in treatment, disparities in health outcomes persist, with insurance status being a key determinant of healthcare access, medication adherence, and overall disease management. This study investigates the impact of insurance status on clinical outcomes in patients with hypertension and diabetes at the 3209 Colonial Drive Family Medicine Center, which serves a disproportionately underinsured and uninsured population.
This prospective observational cohort study will enroll 100 adult patients diagnosed with hypertension and/or diabetes. Data collection includes retrospective chart reviews, patient surveys, and longitudinal follow-up assessments over 12 months. Clinical outcomes of interest include blood pressure control, glycemic control (HbA1c levels), medication adherence, frequency of hospitalizations and emergency department visits, and incidence of diabetes- and hypertension-related complications. Additionally, socioeconomic variables such as income, education, transportation access, and health literacy will be analyzed to assess their influence on health disparities.
We anticipate that patients with limited or no insurance coverage will exhibit poorer health outcomes due to reduced access to healthcare services and barriers to medication adherence. Specifically, uninsured and underinsured individuals may have higher HbA1c levels and uncontrolled blood pressure, leading to an increased incidence of cardiovascular events, renal complications, and other comorbidities. Additionally, we expect a higher frequency of hospitalizations and emergency department visits in uninsured individuals due to delayed care-seeking behaviors and limited access to preventive healthcare services. Socioeconomic barriers such as transportation difficulties, financial insecurity, and low health literacy are likely to further exacerbate these disparities, making disease management more challenging.
This study aims to provide empirical evidence to inform healthcare policies and targeted interventions to mitigate healthcare disparities among hypertensive and diabetic patients. By identifying barriers faced by uninsured and underinsured individuals, we aim to support the development of interventions that enhance chronic disease management, reduce preventable complications, and improve overall health outcomes in vulnerable communities. The findings will contribute to discussions on healthcare equity and may inform policy changes that improve access to essential medical care for underserved populations.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 182
|
| Colbert, Mariah |
Ballou, Julia |
Malbec, Mate, and Mastering Global Learning
View Full Text
Abstract Text
My Graduation with Leadership Distinction in Global Learning project is shaped by my immersive experiences that extend beyond the classroom. As an International Business major, I am required to spend a semester abroad to learn a new language through immersion and gain cultural competency. I was selected to study abroad in Buenos Aires, Argentina at La Universidad Torcuato Di Tella.
I took an immersive culture and language that was offered to exchange students during the month of February before classes started in March, and I learned an enormous amount about Argentine food, culture, architecture, traditions, monuments, and most importantly, experienced a heavy amount of language immersion because the class was taught entirely in Spanish.
As intense as the class was, I learned even more things outside of the classroom by taking the buses to different neighborhoods to see famous monuments and tourist destinations. I tried as many Argentine dishes as I could, with my favorite being Milanesa, which is a thin steak, breaded and fried, served with potatoes and lemon. I am also a very big fan of Malbec wine and Mate when I get to share it with other Argentines, despite the amount of time it took me to enjoy the taste and not just the experience. I was also in a class with students from all around the world, allowing me to learn about other countries by hanging out with my classmates.
I have always wanted to study abroad, but I don’t think I would have gone for an entire semester if it was not required for my degree because I would have been too scared to have a language barrier. After my amazing experience, I wish I could spend every semester abroad. I strengthened my Spanish proficiency by taking a university course and exploring the city daily while adapting to the new environment. I navigated cultural differences and understood how to live in a different country academically within the classroom, and through experiencing public transportation, sport events, and living with a host mom.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 232
|
Pienkos, Michael
McPartland, Caitlin |
Biswas, Saptarshi
Johnson, Sarah |
Critical Insights: Occult Post-Operative CT Findings in Emergent Trauma Cases Following Exploratory Laparotomy
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Objective: The aim of this research is to determine if there is a significant number of occult injuries reported by postoperative CT scans after emergent surgical exploration, differences in re-explorations (damage control), non-therapeutic interventions, and time to re-exploration. A secondary objective of this research is to explore the incidence of negative emergent surgical explorations and negative CT findings.
Methods: An eight-year retrospective chart review assessed occult traumatic injuries at an ACS verified Level I trauma center (January 1, 2016 to December 1, 2023). Inclusion of patients in this study required each be over 17 years of age, receive an emergent exploratory laparotomy, undergo a post-operative CT, and receive that CT within 72 hours of surgery. Descriptive statistics evaluated patient characteristics who had immediate CT post-operatively.
Results: A total of 372 patients underwent emergent laparotomy for blunt and penetrating injuries. Of those queried, 101 (27%) met all inclusion criteria and experienced a traumatic injury requiring emergent laparotomy followed by post-operative CT scan to identify occult injury. Patients with abdominopelvic trauma were most likely to be diagnosed with occult injury post-operatively. On average, patients were Caucasian (59.4%), male (76.2%), and averaged 38.1 years of age. The majority (95%) were Level I activations with penetrating injuries (59%), namely from firearms (39.6%). Blunt trauma occurred in 41 (40.6%) patients. Occult injury was often an orthopedic extremity injury requiring further treatment. 90 (89.1%) patients survived and many (36.6%) were routinely discharged home.
Conclusion: This study's findings support the hypothesis that a significant number of occult injuries are reported by postoperative CT scans following emergent surgical exploration. The data demonstrate that over half of the cases had some form of occult injury, with nearly 30% of these requiring further surgical intervention. The high prevalence of orthopedic injuries and the significant incidence of occult injuries associated with GSWs highlight specific areas where postoperative CT scans are particularly beneficial. This research aids in process improvement with new established post-operative CT imaging protocols after all emergent exploratory laparotomy in the trauma population. It is envisioned that follow-up studies will use expanded timeframes and larger patient samples.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 145
|
| Witt, Laura |
Nolan, Melissa |
Investigating Methods to Accelerate Preventative Screening for Diabetes in High-Risk Rural Residents in South Carolina
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Type II diabetes mellitus prevalence rates over the last twenty years in South Carolina have increased steadily by 2.5% year after year. Diabetes poses a significant threat, especially to high-risk populations, such as rural communities. Community health workers, telehealthcare, and at-home screenings are effective tools in connecting with rural, underserved populations, as is elucidated in this study. This study compared two experimental groups: the assisted group, which was assigned a community health worker and a telehealth appointment, and the unassisted group, which received neither. Both groups completed the Kiss and Tell test, which analyzed salivary glucose levels to assess one’s risk of diabetes. Surveys taken by participants examined health history, healthcare barriers, and test acceptability. A multivariate logistic regression was conducted, and trends were analyzed through STATA. Findings from this study will provide guidance to public health officials in reaching rural populations by bridging gaps in access and screening.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 136
|
Pienkos, Liliana
Yao, Katherine |
Amrol, Jennifer |
Improving Identification and Management of Pediatric Hypertension
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Introduction: In 2017, the American Academy of Pediatrics published updated guidelines regarding blood pressure (BP) measurement and follow-up in children ages three and up. The 2022 Prisma Health Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) recognized under- or inappropriate screening for pediatric hypertension as an area of improvement. In response to the CHNA findings, the Prisma Health Children's Hospital–Midlands Outpatient Center (Prisma Health CHOC) quality improvement team proposed that workflow and educational improvements would increase guideline adherence. A Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycle was established with a goal of 80% of patients undergoing appropriate screening.
Methods: From late May to early June 2024, 40 wellness visit records for patients three or more years old were queried as a baseline. The percentage of BPs checked, and percentage checked correctly (right arm used, sitting position, etc.) were recorded. For patients with elevated BP, the number of repeated measurements was noted, as well as the presence of a follow-up plan if BPs were consistently elevated. A series of improvements were initiated by June 24, including seats with armrests for arm elevation, automatic BP cuffs placed only on the right side, and an informational lecture for resident physicians. A new set of 47 wellness visits from June 24th to July 5th were analyzed for the same data values as the baseline analysis.
Results: The percentage of BPs checked at wellness visits remained consistent, both at baseline and through the PDSA cycle, ranging from 89.3% (n=40) to 100% (n=47). Correct measurement of BP was 15% (n=40) at baseline and 97.5% (n=46) by the cycle’s completion. Although BPs were not repeated strictly according to the pediatric hypertension guidelines, elevated BPs rechecked at least once increased from 23% (n=13) to 75% (n=4). Overall, follow-up initiatives improved from 9% (n=11) to 50% (n=4).
Conclusion: Resident education and workflow improvements demonstrated a significant increase in appropriate BP measurement technique at Prisma Health CHOC, with the percentage of BPs checked correctly exceeding the 80% goal. However, future PDSA cycles should focus on improving repetition of BP measurements and adherence of follow-up plans to the 2017 guidelines.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 179
|
| Bryant, Abbey-Grace |
Turner, Carrie |
Empowering Talent Retention through Civic-Driven Professional Development: My Experience in Campus Leaders
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Youth professional development programs, such as Campus Leaders, foster talent retention by connecting students with opportunities that develop both personal and professional skills. Designed for local college upperclassmen by the Columbia Chamber of Commerce, Campus Leaders exposed me to the professional landscape of Columbia, strengthening my appreciation for living and working in the Midlands after graduation. Through participation in interest events at locations like the Columbia Museum of Art and Elevate Midlands, the program encouraged networking and relationship-building, both of which proved invaluable to my development. As a student with an unconventional career path, I struggled to find opportunities aligned with my needs until a professor recommended the program for its diverse learning opportunities and civic leadership focus. This experience empowered me to step out of my comfort zone, forge professional relationships, and advocate for my ideas. As someone who once avoided social situations, my time in Campus Leaders helped me find my voice and build confidence. Civic-driven professional development opportunities are crucial for retaining talent in a community, as they provide students with role models and a roadmap to success. By investing in the development of residents, communities demonstrate a long-term commitment to their growth, fostering passion for local improvement and a desire to stay and contribute.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 317
|
| Ibrahim, Ahmed |
Cooke, Anna
Bookstaver, Nicole
Wilson, Brenae
Hetherington, Victoria
Rasmussen, Molly |
Impact of Ambulatory Care Pharmacy Interns on Pharmacists’ Workflow in the Primary Care Setting
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Utilization of pharmacists in primary care has grown in recent years, with data showing clear improvements in both clinical and economic outcomes. Pharmacists offer various services in the ambulatory care setting, including chronic disease state management, improvement of quality metrics, and medication access assistance. Health systems have begun to embed pharmacy interns into these clinics to perform more technical tasks, freeing up time for pharmacists to perform their more complex clinical responsibilities. This project was designed to analyze the impact of ambulatory care pharmacy interns in primary care clinics on pharmacists’ workflow and discover the interns' perspectives of their role.
A survey was shared with all pharmacists embedded in primary care clinics within the regional health system. Survey questions, including a variety of Likert scale questions, were asked to recognize individual services performed by the interns and how these interns have affected pharmacists’ workflow. Pharmacists were also asked to share anecdotes on the impact their intern has made within their individual clinic, whether positive or negative. Within the electronic health record, ambulatory care pharmacists document each individual service they perform. Hours worked by each pharmacy intern, pulled from a time-keeping database, was analyzed to correlate the amount of time spent on technical tasks with the amount of time saved for pharmacists to perform their clinical responsibilities.
Nine of the 17 primary care clinics with embedded pharmacists had ambulatory care intern coverage with one of the three interns. When asked to respond to the statement “Overall, I have had increased time in my day-to-day workflow for clinical responsibilities with the utilization of the pharmacy intern,” five pharmacists answered, “strongly agree,” three answered “somewhat agree,” and one answered “neither agree nor disagree.” Similar responses were reported when asked about each individual duty the intern performs. We estimated 2,318 hours saved by utilizing the pharmacy interns from July 2023 to September 2024. Overall, the ambulatory care pharmacy interns at Prisma Health Richland have allowed pharmacists in the primary care setting more time to dedicate to their clinical responsibilities, and both pharmacists and interns think positively about the internship program.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 158
|
| Stuhlreyer, Madge |
Driver, Morgan |
An Exploratory Study of Disclosure of X-linked Conditions between Mothers and Daughters
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Carriers of X-linked conditions, both asymptomatic and symptomatic, face unique challenges regarding their experiences navigating the healthcare system and understanding implications of their carrier status. Studies show that mothers are known to be the main communicators of genetic information within their families, but in families affected with X-linked conditions, communication between mothers and daughters are hindered by factors such as lack of knowledge about the condition and reproductive implications, lack of emotional support, anxiety, and uncertainty about how to initiate these conversations. The purpose of this study was to explore the motivations behind mothers' decisions to initiate conversations with their daughters, identify current facilitators and barriers to these discussions, and provide suggestions for future resource development. We surveyed mothers with daughters at risk or known to be carriers of X-linked conditions and conducted virtual semi-structured interviews with selected mother-daughter pairs. Participants were recruited online through social media groups, email groups, and X-linked condition advocacy groups. Ninety-two survey responses were included in the data analysis, and seven interviews were conducted. Thirteen X-linked conditions were represented in the data. Participants identified the most difficult topics to discuss with their daughters were life expectancy, reproductive risks, symptomatic carrier risks, and reproductive options. About 60% of participants felt comfortable and prepared for these conversations. Many expressed a need for additional resources, including accessible information about medical and reproductive implications of being a carrier, support groups for both mothers and young carriers, mental health resources, information about reproductive options, and practical guides informed by lived experiences. The helpfulness of genetic counselors and healthcare providers in supporting these conversations was found to be variable among participants. The study highlights gaps in current support systems and offers recommendations for future resource development to better serve the needs of mothers and daughters in the X-linked condition community. Understanding the needs of this community can also help inform education and resources aimed to better equip healthcare providers with the ability to support carriers as they navigate conversations with their relatives about the condition in their family.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 58
|
| Chappell, Izybel |
West, Delia |
Does A Digital Weight Loss Program Prevent Holiday Weight Gain?
View Full Text
Abstract Text
INTRODUCTION: The holiday season (Thanksgiving to New Year) often results in weight gain, which can present challenges for people enrolled in a weight loss program. Setting weight control goals and utilizing management strategies may attenuate holiday weight gain. However, little is known about the holiday goals people set. This study examines holiday weight goals, confidence in weight control, and weight changes, while exploring the influence of demographic and anthropometric factors among participants in a weight control program.
METHODS: A pre-holiday survey asked 216 participants in an obesity intervention study about their weight goals (loss, maintenance, or unsure) and confidence about achieving weight management over the 2024 holidays. Participants were emailed 7 weekly e-newsletters with holiday tips, and the number of newsletters opened was tracked. Body weight over the holidays was obtained by digital scale and weight change was calculated.
RESULTS: Participants enrolled in the program achieved a 1.23 pound reduction on average over the holidays. Most (52%) participants did not select a holiday weight goal for themselves; 34% selected weight loss and 14% weight maintenance. There were no differences in confidence in achieving weight control success over the holidays across the 3 groups. Demographic and anthropomorphic characteristics also did not differ between goal groups, nor did the number of newsletters opened. Further, many did not track their weight over the holidays (57%) so had little information to guide their progress. Weight change over the holidays was -1.26 (+4.14), -2.15 (+4.79), -0.27 (+3.78) pounds for the weight loss, maintenance and undeclared groups, respectively, with substantial standard deviations indicating marked variability. Weight change did not differ significantly across goal groups.
DISCUSSION: This observational study highlights the potential for weight loss over the holidays. Although some individuals had clear weight goals heading into the holiday season, many of them failed to make a commitment to a weight goal for themselves. Confidence in the ability to achieve success in weight management over the holidays was not strong. Although participants maintained weight stability over the holiday, explicit training in setting clear goals and weight management strategies could improve their success.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 160
|
| Merchak, Emma |
Weaver, Glenn
White, James |
Assessing Fitbits’ Accuracy in Automatically Detecting Walking, Biking, and Running Activities and Duration in Children
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Purpose: Accurate classification of physical activity (e.g., walking, running, biking) has the potential to improve estimates of physical activity energy expenditure (PAEE) from consumer wearables (e.g., Fitbits). Few, if any, studies have evaluated the accuracy of the Fitbit SmartTrack automatic activity detection algorithm among children. Thus, this study evaluates the agreement between Fitbit-derived activity classification and duration compared to direct observation to determine the potential of Fitbit devices to be used in real-world physical activity measurement of children.
Methods: Thirty-three children (mean age 10.8 +/- 1.5 years, 48.5% female, 78.8% White, mean BMI z-score 0.6 +/- 1.0) completed a protocol that lasted 60 minutes total. The protocol involved six, 10-minute activities (i.e., running [run 10 meters following the sound of an audio recording], outdoor biking, sitting, and walking) in a randomized order. Each child wore a Fitbit Sense on their non-dominant wrist, and the children’s activities and duration were recorded via direct observation by trained research assistants. The children sat for 10 minutes followed by 10 minutes of physical activity (e.g., walking). This occurred 3 times for the three different activities. Activity type and duration data were exported from Fitabase. Fitbit’s accuracy for detecting each activity type compared to direct observation was calculated and mean absolute error (MAE) and mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) were calculated to evaluate the agreement of the estimated duration compared to the actual duration for each activity.
Results: Fitbit correctly classified running 87.4% of the time but showed lower agreement for biking (61.3%) and walking (45.6%). Biking (36.2%), walking (35.7%), and running (12.6%) were misclassified as inactivity the most frequently. Mean absolute errors ranged from 3.4 minutes (biking) to 10.1 minutes (walking). The highest estimation error was during walking (MAPE=88.0%) while biking was the lowest (MAPE=30.8%).
Discussion: Findings suggest that Fitbit demonstrates reasonable accuracy for detecting running but struggles with detecting walking and biking. The observed discrepancies indicate that there are potential limitations for Fitbit’s SmartTrack algorithm in detecting walking, running, and biking activities and duration in children. Future studies could explore Fitbit SmartTrack’s accuracy in detecting running and duration in free-living children.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 115
|
| Smoak, Katherine |
Adlof, Suzanne
Mitchell, Alexis |
Classroom Noise Levels and Academic Performance
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Classrooms are often lively and noisy, which can impact students’ learning experiences. Classroom noise can include ambient noises (air conditioner, weather, etc..), other children in the classroom, and noise filters from the hallway or nearby classrooms. My goal is to explore the connection between classroom noise levels and academic performance. To do this, noise levels were measured while students completed oral language assessments in multiple 2nd grade classes. During the tasks, words and sentences were read aloud while the classroom noise levels were recorded. The results will be discussed including the range of noise levels observed in classrooms, and including tips for reducing noise in classrooms. The purpose of this research is to raise awareness about how noise can influence students’ learning outcomes and highlight underlying challenges in education environments. As a participant in the Magellan Journey, my goal was to engage in meaningful research. I will share how the Magellan program helped me complete these goals.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 106
|
| Bryant, Kate |
Croker, James Alton
Brooks, John |
Socioeconomic Influences on Initial Treatment Decisions for Newly Diagnosed Adults with Hypertension: A 2022 Patient Cohort Analysis
View Full Text
Abstract Text
This study investigates the management and control of newly diagnosed hypertension among adults in South Carolina, specifically focusing on how socioeconomic status (SES) influences physician's initial treatment decisions. Utilizing de-identified Electronic Health Record (EHR) data from PRISMA Health, we identified 132,604 patients who had at least one ambulatory visit in 2022 with recorded blood pressure and a hypertension diagnosis code. Of these, 93,488 patients had blood pressure readings signifying either Hypertension Stage 1 or Hypertension Stage 2 at their index visit. Further refinement of the cohort identified 28,969 patients who had no hypertension diagnosis in the 12 months prior. A total of 2,595 patients had at least one ambulatory visit with blood pressure recordings in the six months preceding their index visit, and 2,353 of these had mean BP levels across both visits signifying Hypertension Stage 1 or Stage 2 without hypertension crisis. Ultimately, 1,619 patients met the criteria for newly diagnosed hypertension, having no active history of an HTN diagnosis beyond 12 months prior to their index date.
This study examines how SES variables including marital status, insurance status, zip code-level, and living status influence treatment decisions. Specifically, we analyze the types and extent of antihypertensive medications prescribed at initial diagnosis and explore disparities in prescribing patterns. Additionally, we account for comorbidities to evaluate whether disadvantaged populations present with more severe disease at diagnosis. Potential barriers, such as financial constraints, limited access to care, and documentation gaps, will also be assessed.
The findings will provide insight into how SES factors contribute to disparities in newly diagnosed hypertension treatment and access. We expect to find that individuals with lower SES are less likely to receive comprehensive or aggressive initial hypertension treatment due to patient-related barriers. Additionally, we anticipate that providers may be more likely to prescribe less expensive or lower-intensity treatment to patients with financial limitations, potentially leading to disparities in hypertension management. By identifying inequities in treatment initiation, this study aims to inform targeted interventions to improve hypertension management among newly diagnosed hypertensive patients.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 137
|
| Parrott, Audrey |
Edwards, Janice |
Genetics education booklets designed for individuals with intellectual disability: assessing utility among genetic counselors and adults with intellectual disability
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Visual aid tools have been consistently suggested across literature aimed at identifying methods of improving health and genetics services for individuals with intellectual disability (ID). Aids written in plain language are suggested most often. The study intended to gain perspective from adults with ID (AWIF) and genetic counselors (GCs) on Easy Read genetics educational booklets designed for individuals with mild ID. We anticipated that GC would find the booklets to be useful and accurate and that AWID would find the booklets to be helpful to their understanding and comprehensible.
The AWID were assessed via a self-reported survey, cognitively adapted for individuals with mild ID. Participants were recruited from postsecondary education programs. The GCs were assessed through a separate survey and recruited by email and National Society of Genetic Counselors listserv. Participants were asked questions about their healthcare experiences, educational aids, and their perspectives on the utility of the booklets based on representative pages. Survey data was analyzed through descriptive statistics and chi-squared tests.
Our respondents included 17 AWID and 17 GCs who met inclusion criteria and completed the surveys. Of the AWID, 94.1% of participants responded that the booklets were easy to understand, 76.5% responded that they would like to see such booklets at a genetic counseling or health appointment, and 29.4% of respondents felt that such booklets would help them make more independent medical decisions. Of the GCs, common barriers to serving individuals with ID identified were obtaining consent or assent (76.5%) and a lack of resources accessible to individuals with ID (70.6%). After viewing representative booklet pages, 100% of GCs felt individuals with ID would be able to understand them, and 82.4% felt the booklets would help establish consent or assent when seeing patients with ID. Additionally, a significant, positive association was found between GCs who felt the pages would help establish consent or assent and who expressed interest in using the booklets (p = .011). Our results indicated that AWID and GCs find these booklets acceptable and useful educational aids for genetic counseling services. Other methods of educational aids should be explored such as computer models.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 59
|
| Caillier, Jasmine |
Stone, Joshua |
The Effect of Temperature on the Swimming Efficiency of Cannonball Jellyfish
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Jellyfish can be very abundant seasonally and are one of the most abundant pelagic animals in most marine ecosystems, including the southern US, but their long-term response to climate change is currently unresolved. Cannonball jellyfish (Stomolophus meleagris) are the most abundant and potentially most impactful jellyfish species along the South Atlantic Bight (SAB). These jellyfish make up a large portion of pelagic biomass and have high interannual variability, but it is unknown what the cause of this variability is. One perspective of high interannual variability in cannonball jellyfish medusa populations is likely due to variable environmental conditions, specifically, changes in seawater temperature. However, there have been very few studies about the effects of climate on cannonball jellyfish populations and the physiological response of cannonball jellyfish due to climate change. My project examines the response (swimming efficiency) of cannonball jellyfish across a wide range of temperatures (3-30 °C) to construct a temperature-performance curve. Cannonball jellyfish initially started at a set temperature (16°C) and were either exposed to a gradual decrease in temperature or an increase in temperature. Pulsations per minute (ppm) were recorded at every degree change. At ambient temperature, the average pulse per minute was ~ 60 ppm. At extreme warm or cold temperatures, cannonball jellyfish had very low (< 15 ppm) pulsation rates to no pulses. These results indicate that 16 to 23 °C is the ideal range of temperatures for cannonball jellyfish. Therefore, reduced pulsation can potentially affect feeding efficiency outside of this range.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 43
|
| Dooray, Danika |
Floyd, Alex |
Working for the Students: As a Student
View Full Text
Abstract Text
With my experience tutoring high school students in many different subjects and giving tours to incoming college students it helped me become the leader I am today. Both of these experiences taught me how to interact with students both younger and older than me as well as, helping work on my public speaking skills. With the additional knowledge gained from my college courses I was able to build myself up into the leader I am now. Giving me the confidence and insight I need to grow as a person and as a leader.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 294
|
| Badiger, Megha |
Shustova, Natalia
Thaggard, Grace |
Synthesis and Characterization of Photochromic Hybrid Materials
View Full Text
Abstract Text
The ability to modulate a material’s properties upon exposure to an external stimulus (e.g., light, temperature, or pressure) has profound impacts on important areas of research, including design of platforms for on-demand drug delivery, switchable catalysts, and development of new optoelectronic devices. In particular, choice of light as the external stimulus is attractive since it is noninvasive, requires no additional reagents, and could lead toward the use of solar energy to activate stimuli-responsive systems. Commonly studied photochromic molecules, including spiropyran, azobenzene, or hydrazone derivatives, exhibit significant alternation in their optical and chemical properties upon photoisomerization in solution, however challenges arise when translating solution-like behavior into a solid-state material. In particular, close molecular packing and strong intermolecular forces (e.g., hydrogen bonding or electrostatic interactions) typically result in limited switching for photochromic compounds undergoing significant geometric rearrangement upon photoisomerization. This presentation will discuss one of the promising strategies for achieving rapid photoisomerization in the solid state: integration of sterically-demanding photochromic molecules in porous supports. For example, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), which are hybrid materials composed of inorganic metal nodes connected by organic linkers, exhibit large pore dimensions allowing for unrestricted photoisomerization of integrated photochromic compounds. As a result, anchoring of spiropyran derivatives in MOFs promotes solution-like photoisomerization in a solid-state material. Synthesis and follow-up characterization of spiropyran-based MOFs by UV-vis absorbance and diffuse reflectance spectroscopies shows that the prepared hybrid materials exhibit changes in their optical and chemical properties upon exposure to light as a noninvasive stimulus. Therefore, integration of photochromic molecules in porous frameworks is an effective strategy that allows for translation of solution-like properties into a functional solid-state material.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 78
|
| Liggett, Parker |
Newman-Norlund, Roger |
Impact of Aging on Brain Language Processing and Verbal Discourse
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Introduction: Understanding the relationship between speech production and comprehension is critical for refining models of language processing and aging-related cognitive changes. Prior research suggests that these processes may share common neural substrates, including Broca’s area, supramarginal/angular gyrus, and middle/superior temporal regions, yet how this relationship evolves with age remains unclear. Investigating these changes can provide valuable insights into the neural mechanisms underlying communication across the lifespan, with implications for theoretical models of language function, practical applications for supporting communication abilities, and designing aging-related language interventions.
Methods: Study participants were 219 adults (160 female, 59 male) aged 20 to 80 years old from the University of South Carolina’s Aging Brain Cohort Study Repository. All participants completed the “Cat Rescue” discourse task, creating a narrative based on a presented visual image. Narrative transcripts were analyzed for speech production metrics, including percent correct information units, propositional density, type token ratio, and percent verbs spoken. Brain data were collected at the McCausland Center for Brain Imaging in Columbia, SC. A T1w structural scan and whole-brain BOLD fMRI assessed functional activity while participants listened to a short passage (5 min) in their native and foreign language (1 min).
Results: A significant positive Spearman correlation was found between age and BOLD signal in the left pars opercularis (Broca’s area) during listening tasks (ρ=0.169, p=0.013). Age was negatively correlated with percent correct information units during the discourse task (ρ=-0.169, p=0.009). Furthermore, a significant positive correlation exists between the percent verbs spoken during discourse and brain activity in the left posterior superior temporal gyrus (ρ=0.175, p=0.01), left supramarginal gyrus (ρ=0.146, p=0.027), left angular gyrus (ρ=0.126, p=0.049), and left middle temporal gyrus (ρ= 0.209, p=0.003).
Conclusion: Our findings suggest that while aging is associated with increased activation in Broca’s area during passive speech perception, it is also linked to a decline in producing contextually appropriate information, highlighting potential shifts in the neural efficiency of language processing with age. Additionally, increased activation of language processing areas may relate to greater use of action words, offering insights into the role of mirror neurons.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 106
|
| Aguilar-Alvarez, Ricardo |
Jasnow, Aaron |
Acetylcholine in the anterior cingulate cortex acts to specify context fear learning.
View Full Text
Abstract Text
To survive, animals must use experience to adapt flexibly to changing and uncertain conditions. Animals typically use generalization as an adaptive process to assess if new objects or situations are likely to produce the same outcome as those previously experienced. Thus, unlike a lack of discrimination, which is the failure to detect a difference between two stimuli, generalization is an active cognitive process that promotes appropriate behavioral action across contexts and stimuli (Shepard, 1987). Likewise, generalizing fear responses is evolutionarily adaptive because it supports survival by enabling animals to avoid threatening situations similar to ones experienced previously but come at the cost of missing out on food resources or access to mates. The anterior cingulate cortex (ACC, A24) is a critical node in a larger circuit that regulates behavioral adaptation, fear, and generalization to contextual cues. Current theories on the role of the ACC in context memory is that it becomes progressively more important for context retrieval as time progresses but is less important for initial encoding. In particular, the ACC and its projections to the basolateral amygdala (BLA) play a critical role in the expression of remote context fear generalization. However, our data demonstrate that the ACC regulates the expression of generalization rapidly after learning, challenging the idea that its role in context representations increases over time. This suggests the ACC encodes context or threat representations that support generalized responses, but the mechanisms are unclear. Here, we show that acetylcholine signaling in the ACC during context learning serves to restrict the encoding of generalized threat memory through the activation of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. This suggests that dysfunctional cholinergic signaling could play a role in the generalization that occurs following traumatic experiences and in poor memory specificity more broadly.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 11
|
Vidal, Lucia
Sutherland, Isabelle |
Hudac, Caitlin
Cramer-Benjamin, Sophie
Cheever, Ashlan |
Impact of SETBP1 Gene Variations on Sleep Cycles and Emotional Regulation
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Variations in the SETBP1 gene can lead to SETBP1-neurodevelopmental disorders, associated with ASD (autism spectrum disorder), intellectual disabilities, motor delays, and speech/language difficulties (Morgan, 2021). SETBP1 encodes SET binding protein 1, which regulates gene expression and plays a role in DNA replication (National Library of Medicine, 2019). Insertions or deletions affecting SETBP1 on chromosome 18 can cause loss of function in one gene copy (Morgan et al., 2021, revised 2024). Variations in the SETBP1 gene are speculated to contribute to traits like sleep disturbances, a common symptom of ASD. These disturbances may exacerbate problematic daytime behavior and are often associated with emotional reactivity. The relationship between sleep cycles and emotional reactivity becomes increasingly critical during adolescence, an essential period for social functioning. We sought to investigate these topics further and proposed that variations in SETBP1 disrupt sleep cycles and contribute to heightened emotional reactivity. We collected data from 20 individuals (male-to-female ratio 4:1), aged 5 to 21. We predicted that sleep disturbances would be highly associated with heightened emotional reactivity in the SETBP1 variation group.
We examined sleep outcomes, including what time participants regularly fell asleep, disruptions during sleep, time of wake, and alertness during the day. We also measured parent-reported emotional reactivity (e.g., mood instability, emotional outbursts, and prolonged emotional states) using the Emotion Dysregulation Inventory (EDI), a questionnaire that evaluates emotional distress and regulation difficulties through observable behaviors (Mazefsky, 2018). Although there was a general trend of emotional reactivity scores slightly increasing with more sleep problems, the relationship between the two variables was not strong enough to reliably predict one based on the other. The findings suggest that while there is a positive correlation between sleep disturbances and emotional reactivity in individuals with the SETBP1 gene variation, the relationship was found to be more insignificant than expected. We believe that these outcomes may be attributed to the limited sample size and lack of variability. Future research with a larger, more diverse sample could examine the predictability of the correlation between sleep disruption and cognitive attention, a distinct variable that could offer additional insights.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 185
|
Varanasi, Sreya
Haley, Joel |
Ray, Donna |
Food is Fun: Developing Leaders through Food Insecurity Service Learning and Leadership
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Purpose:
Food insecurity, or the lack of access to enough food that maintains a healthy lifestyle, is a major issue facing the Southeastern United States, where 1 in 5 counties experience high rates. South Carolina is no exception to this problem, recently experiencing a food insecurity rate of 14.5% (compared to the 11.2% national average), making it the 5th highest in the nation. In 2020, Richland County, where the USC School of Medicine Columbia (USCSOMC) campus is located, had over 65,000 residents, including more than 14,500 children, who faced food insecurity in 2020. These statistics are especially concerning when considering the impact that food insecurity can have on developing youth, such as increased rates of sickness, hospitalizations, childhood obesity, and attention and behavioral problems in school. Food insecurity is associated with poor dietary choices, which follow children into adulthood and increase their risk for diabetes and obesity.
Methods:
Through USCSOMC's MEDtorship organization, medical student tutors work one-on-one with academically struggling school-age children in the Columbia community. After medical student members recognized food insecurity behaviors, they developed “Food Fun Fridays” as a longitudinal solution for this pressing issue for students at high-risk of food insecurity. With the support of two grants, these monthly nutrition education workshops help students create lifelong healthy eating habits and provide nutritious foods for at-home meals. These workshops additionally provide novel leadership and teamwork opportunities for medical students, proving to be mutually beneficial for all that are involved.
Conclusion & Future Directions:
To date, we have organized 5 “Food Fun Fridays” each hosting up to 20 students, with activities ranging from planting gardens & harvesting vegetables and herbs to interactive cooking lessons alongside medical students. Prior to these workshops, parents reported concerns about their children's diet and expressed that their children had little to no interest in preparing meals with their family. Future directions for this program include collecting post-attendee & household income surveys, creating a reproducible model with a formalized, written curriculum, and developing additional leadership opportunities for medical students.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 122
|
| Daniels-Hill, Larissa |
de la Cova, Carlina |
The intersections of racialized stress: 20th-century “Black” Americans in the Hamann-Todd Osteological Collection (Preliminary Data)
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Lifelong exposure to racism, resource-deficient environments in childhood, and gender-based discrimination contribute to patterned differences in health. However, numerous approaches still isolate race as a biological and inherent fact that creates health disparities. This bioarchaeological study identifies the relationship between social identities (e.g., race, class, and gender) and resource access to interpret adult morbidity (i.e., co-occurring symptoms of illness) and mortality (i.e., population death rate) patterns among Black Americans (n = 305) housed in the Hamann-Todd Human Osteological Collection (HTH) in Cleveland, Ohio. The individuals in this sample were born during the Antebellum (1812-1861), Civil War (1861-1865), Reconstruction (1865-1877), and post-Reconstruction (1877-1900) eras in northern, midwestern, and southern states. Regional and temporal differences informed childhood nutrition access, parental labor, and housing circumstances that influenced tooth eruption. This project uses evidence of dental growth stunting caused by undernutrition or disease exposure as a proxy for early life stress (ELS). Adult experiences of health and mortality are determined by the cause(s) of death listed in death certificates, obtained from FamilySearch. This project also utilizes archival and demographic data obtained from death certificates on FamilySearch, historically black-owned newspapers, public and medical libraries, historical societies, the Cleveland City Archives, and Case Western Reserve University. These sources contextualize the perceived social environment pertaining to job, housing, and medical care access among Black American residents and highlights the role of both educational and medical institutions in determining care access. This poster highlights the second objective of this project: Compare demographic and archival data to identify trends in sex, cause of death, labor, and housing distribution. The following hypotheses will be tested: Hypothesis 1. People with job titles that indicate higher pay died at later ages than their peers. Hypothesis 2. Black American males and females exhibit similar childhood stress patterns. However, adult conditions informed by gendered labor divisions of the early 20th-century contributed to differential morbidity/mortality patterns. Hypothesis 3. The presence of more dental growth stunting corresponds with an earlier age-at-death and the development of co-morbidities. Hypothesis 4. There is a difference between the eras individuals were born and the prevalence of dental growth stunting.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 101
|
| Morrow, Zachary |
Rivera, Mariangela
Maccou, Elana |
Clear cell sarcoma of masseter: A challenging presentation
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Clear cell sarcoma is an aggressive malignant soft tissue tumor which is rarely localized to the head and neck. Consequently, there are no formal grading systems or resection guidelines for this specific malignancy. We report a 42-year-old female who presented with a right-sided buccal mass. Diagnostic certainty was challenging and required a team of pathologists with expertise in both dermatopathology and soft tissue pathology to reach a cohesive conclusion. The malignancy was originally diagnosed as clear cell carcinoma and later revised to clear cell sarcoma, neither of which have validated society treatment guidelines in the head and neck.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 127
|
| Brown, Katherine |
Turner, Carrie |
Fostering Growth and Leadership through Greek Life
View Full Text
Abstract Text
My involvement in Greek life here at the University of South Carolina has truly shaped my collegiate experience. From being a general member to serving as the Vice President of Zeta Tau Alpha, I have learned countless things about myself and about my ability to lead others. I sought to serve on our executive council to make a meaningful impact on my chapter and foster an environment focused on leadership development. Through this experience, I was able to mentor a council of over thirty women and guide them in event planning roles for the chapter. I worked closely with these members to oversee timelines, manage budgets, and ensure that all events were planned efficiently. My goal was to foster a safe space with open communication, and I helped create an environment where they felt supported and empowered in their roles. This experience not only strengthened my leadership abilities but also deepened my appreciation for engaging with others and collaborating in a professional environment. This has also inspired me to apply my sorority knowledge in a consultant role and work full time for Zeta Tau Alpha following graduation. In this position, I will be able to pursue more opportunities in professional and civic engagement than I never imagined when I first came to USC, with the invaluable support of the Greek community and the university.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 318
|
| Sakarcan, Eren |
Fulton, Jeanette |
Diffuse Intraductal Papillomatosis in a 34-Year-Old Female with Maffucci Syndrome: A Rare Case Presentation
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Purpose: We present a rare case of Maffucci syndrome in a 34-year-old female who developed multiple papillary breast lesions over eight years. This report also explores a potential pathogenic link between Maffucci syndrome and a specific subtype of papillary breast carcinoma, supported by shared genetic variants implicated in pathogenesis.
Introduction: Maffucci syndrome is a congenital, non-hereditary disorder characterized by enchondromas, hemangiomas, and skeletal deformities, typically presenting in early childhood. Since its description in 1881, fewer than 300 cases have been reported, with an estimated prevalence of <1 in 27 million. IDH1/IDH2 mutations are key drivers of Maffucci syndrome and are implicated in gliomas, chondrosarcomas, cholangiocarcinoma, and leukemia. Most relevant to this case, tall cell carcinoma with reversed polarity (TCCRP), also called solid papillary carcinoma with reversed polarity (SPCRP), is a rare papillary breast carcinoma uniquely associated with hotspot IDH2 mutations—a genetic link otherwise uncommon in breast carcinomas and Maffucci syndrome. Only one case of IDH1-mutated TCCRP/SPCRP has been reported.
Case Description: The patient is a 34-year-old female with Maffucci syndrome—diagnosed in childhood—and a history of chondrosarcomas involving the left scapula, right patella, and right proximal tibia. She first presented in April 2016 with spontaneous bloody discharge from the left nipple; imaging and excisional biopsy confirmed a benign intraductal papillary lesion without atypia. Between 2016 and 2021, serial imaging and excisions revealed recurrent, bilateral intraductal papillary lesions, all benign and without atypia. In 2022, she developed right-sided nipple discharge; biopsy again revealed a papillary lesion. In 2023, three new left-sided lesions with atypia were excised. In November 2024, mammography identified three new complex cystic/solid nodular lesions in the left lateral breast. Core biopsy confirmed benign intraductal papillomas without atypia, underscoring a persistent pattern of rapidly developing papillary neoplasms.
Conclusions and Importance: We propose a potential IDH1-/IDH2-driven link between Maffucci syndrome and multiple papillary breast neoplasia. This possible link, and the potential for papillary breast lesions with atypia to contain foci of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) or progress to invasive papillary carcinoma, raises the need for heightened surveillance in this population. We are awaiting development of malignancy to conduct genetic testing and immunohistochemistry of the breast lesions. Any variants identified will be cross-validated with the patient’s prior chondrosarcoma biopsies to assess for a shared oncogenic mechanism.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 137
|
| Wilson, Sarah |
Almor, Amit |
Partner-Specific Alignment at the Lexical and Syntactic Levels in Interactive Dialogue
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Linguistic alignment refers to the adjustment of verbal behavior wherein, over the course of a conversation, speakers produce increasingly similar verbal behavior. Previous work has shown that speakers align on their pronunciations (e.g., Pardo et al., 2017), word choices (e.g., Brennan & Clark 1996), and sentence structure choices (e.g., Branigan et al., 2000). Interestingly, while aligning on word choice has been shown repeatedly to differ depending on the current conversational partner, evidence for partner-specific alignment of sentence structure has been more equivocal. This study investigates whether partner-specific alignment will occur at both the lexical (word) and syntactic (phrase/sentence structure) levels in task-oriented dialogue.
We will report preliminary data from our study. All participants were native English speakers with no self-reported language disorders. Participants completed two rounds of a spot-the-differences task (Diapix task, Baker & Hazan, 2011; Van Engen et al., 2010), either with the same conversational partner for both rounds (same partner condition) or changing partners between rounds (different partner condition). Transcripts will be created from the recordings of the dialogue game using an automatic transcription tool (Microsoft Word), and measures of lexical and syntactic alignment will be extracted using the ALIGN library (Duran et al., 2019). Mixed regression models will be used to test the role of partner condition (same, different), round (round 1, round 2), and turn number (as a proxy for time) on alignment scores, while controlling for sex, dyad, and stimulus (Diapix picture).
The difference between partner-specific alignment at the lexical and syntactic levels has important theoretical implications: it can help distinguish between theories that attribute alignment to automatic memory mechanisms that should apply at all levels in all contexts and theories that attribute alignment at some levels to communicative goals that can be adjusted in a more controlled fashion. Partner-specific syntactic alignment might serve a communicative goal only in some conversational contexts, such as conversations in the context of joint collaborative activities.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 96
|
| Oen, Kathryn |
Waldman, Alan
DiCintio, Alannah |
Reversing the Impact of Progerin on DNA Repair Using Methylation Inhibitor UCM-13207
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome (HGPS) is a rare, fatal, autosomal dominant genetic disorder that causes rapid aging. Children born with HGPS face a life expectancy of approximately 14.5 years, on average. HGPS is caused by a point mutation in the LMNA gene. Normally, the LMNA gene produces Lamin A, an essential component in the nuclear lamina that provides structure to the nucleus. In individuals with HGPS, a point mutation alters the way in which the LMNA transcript is spliced, which produces a mutant form of lamin A called progerin that is permanently farnesylated and methylated. Low levels of progerin are observed in healthy individuals and is associated with regular aging. Previous studies from our lab and other groups have shown that progerin expression disrupts the repair of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs), causing a decrease in homologous recombination (HR). Repair by HR is an accurate templated form of repair, while non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ) is an error-prone non-templated rejoining of DNA ends that leads to a variety of mutations. There is currently only one drug that was recently approved in 2020 by the FDA as a form of treatment for HGPS, known as Zokinvy (lonafarnib), which inhibits farnesylation. However, this drug only increases patient lifespan by 2 years, thus creating need for alternative treatment options. The final step in progerin processing involves methylation, raising the possibility that methylation inhibition could mitigate its effects. This study investigates the effects of UCM-13207, a methylation inhibitor, on DNA repair pathway selection in cells over-expressing progerin. To do so we have stably transfected a DSB repair reporter substrate into the genome of normal human fibroblasts that express progerin. A DSB can be induced within the substrate contained in these cells through exogenous expression of endonuclease I-SceI, and DSB repair events occurring via either HR or are recoverable by genetic selection. We have observed that UCM-13207 treatment causes progerin cells to shift from using inaccurate NHEJ back to using HR.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 43
|
| Ostanin, Marina |
Chen, Mengqian
Roninson, Igor |
Targeting Mediator Kinases to Overcome Taxane Resistance in Castration-resistant Prostate Cancer
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) is a lethal form of prostate cancer that rapidly develops resistance to therapies, including last-resort taxane chemotherapy drugs such as paclitaxel and cabazitaxel. Elevated MYC expression in CRPC enhances stemness and tumor plasticity, contributing to taxane resistance. CDK8 and CDK19, transcription-regulating kinases of the Mediator complex, are highly expressed in metastatic CRPC and their expression correlates with poor survival. This study investigates whether targeting CDK8/19 can overcome taxane resistance in MYC-driven CRPC. Using the MYC-CaP-CR model, a murine MYC-driven prostate cancer cell line selected for growth under castrated conditions, we found that these aggressive cells exhibit only a partial response to paclitaxel and rapidly develop resistance within weeks. Notably, treatment with the selective CDK8/19 inhibitor SNX631-6, while inducing only mild growth inhibition alone, led to complete growth suppression when combined with paclitaxel, preventing the development of resistance. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockout of CDK8 or CDK19 further confirmed their essential roles in taxane resistance, as CDK8/19-deficient cells exhibited significantly reduced growth in the presence of paclitaxel compared to parental cells. These findings establish CDK8/19 as key regulators of transcriptional reprogramming and paclitaxel resistance in CRPC. Targeting these kinases could provide a promising strategy to enhance treatment efficacy in advanced CRPC.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 25
|
| Fallaw, Cade |
Moftakhar, Roham |
Categorizing Anatomical Variations in Venous Drainage through the Superficial Middle Cerebral Vein and Sphenoparietal Sinus
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Intro: The sphenoparietal sinus (SPS) is a cerebral venous structure situated within the dura mater along the posteroinferior ridge of the lesser wing of the sphenoid bone, with variable anatomical connections to adjacent structures including the superficial middle cerebral vein (SMCV) and cavernous sinus (CS). A better understanding of the physical and functional components of the SPS is warranted for neurosurgical approaches involving the skull base, and knowledge of a patient’s venous anatomy is critical to mitigate perioperative cerebrovascular complications.
Objective: To describe anatomical variations in the SMCV and SPS and show their variable venous drainage in multiple patients, for the purpose of educating skull base neurosurgeons.
Methods: This study is a retrospective review of 50 patients who underwent cerebral angiography unrelated to venous pathology; left and right cerebral hemispheres were viewed independently. CT angiograms were reviewed by a panel of one cerebrovascular and skull base neurosurgeon with five medical students. The presence or absence of the SMCV was determined via the evaluation of vessels near the Sylvian fissure, using both A/P and lateral views. Then, the SMCV’s drainage to the SPS, CS or another venous sinus was noted. The presence or absence of the SPS was identified with subsequent drainage to either the CS or “other”, referencing distal venous plexuses such as the pterygoid and basilar venous plexuses.
Results: 89 angiograms were viewed in total from 50 patients with an average age of 58.2: 45 were right hemisphere scans, 56% of patients were female, and patient ages ranged from 6-83. The SMCV is present in 84% of the angiograms and subsequently drained into the SPS in 69% of those cases. The SPS is present in 75% of the angiograms and subsequently drained into the CS in 67% of cases.
Conclusion: Within this study, a significant amount of patients (49%) didn’t follow the classic anatomical drainage from the SMCV to the SPS to the CS. Taking this into consideration, it is clear that special attention should be given to the venous anatomy at the skull base to prevent venous bleeding and postoperative complications.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 146
|
| Reichert, Anna Mary |
Lautzenheiser, Mandy |
Intentional Inclusion: The Buddy System Program as a Model for Integrated Education
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Education should be inclusive, yet many educational systems do not have the necessary integration for neurodivergent students. Inspired by my studies in developmental psychology and social justice, I co-created a Buddy System Program at the Universidad de Católica de Valencia, which pairs American study abroad students with neurodivergent students from Asindown and L’Alqueria, two schools that specialize in neurodivergent education. This program facilitates mentorship activities and structured social opportunities, creating meaningful learning experiences for all students, both neurodivergent learners and those that are not. Observing the successful integration models in Spain, they highlighted the importance of intentional programming, reinforcing that inclusion must be actively designed. Neurotypical students develop empathy, adaptability, and a deeper understanding of diverse perspectives, while neurodivergent students gain confidence, communication skills, and social connections in a supportive environment. Structured mentorship plays a significant role in this process by fostering reciprocal learning through guided activities, peer modeling, and consistent social interactions, allowing both groups to develop meaningful relationships that promote inclusivity and understanding. My experience in schools across both the U.S. and Spain, where I observed various educational structures, validated the necessity of intentional programming in education. Inclusion is not a passive process but one that must be actively implemented to ensure equity for all involved. Through my BTC experience, I want others to recognize that true inclusion goes beyond policy statements or general awareness, it requires active planning, well-defined strategies, and environments where neurodivergent students are fully integrated rather than merely accommodated. Moving forward, I plan to carry the lessons from this program into my future career in dentistry, where structured inclusion is just as essential in patient care as it is in education. My steps to do so include connecting with doctors and organizations that focus on inclusive healthcare practices and exploring how dental offices can implement patient-centered methods to better support neurodivergent individuals. I also plan to advocate for structured inclusion by continuing to follow this program and sharing insights and strategies to better support neurodivergent individuals in all areas of life.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 224
|
| Farnsworth, Reese |
Reagan, Lawrence
Grillo, Claudia
Woodruff, Jennifer
Macht, Victoria |
3-D Reconstructions of Hippocampal Neurons in a Gulf War Illness Animal Model
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Many cognitive impairments are connected to deficits in the hippocampus, which plays a critical role in learning and memory. Following the Gulf War, many veterans reported chronic symptoms, including cognitive impairments. One of the main cognitive impairments characteristic of Gulf War Illness is memory loss. These deficits were found to be linked to pyridostigmine bromide medications given to soldiers that were meant to act as a protective measure from gaseous warfare. While pyridostigmine bromide medications were meant to minimize the effects of toxins of biochemical warfare, it is clear that they are linked to neural dysregulation that has been documented in many Gulf War Veterans. This study was implicated in an animal model of Gulf War Illness where experimental rats were exposed to pyridostigmine bromide (PB) and repeated stress (RS). The goal of this current study was to examine how the effects of PB and RS in an experimental model of GWI impacted the morphologies of CA3 pyramidal neurons. This data aims to compare these structural changes in the form of dendritic complexity and arborization between control and experimental animals. Neuron summary analysis and Sholl analysis were performed with Neurolucida (MBF Bioscience). The CA3 neurons were chosen by criteria established in the Reagan Lab. My preliminary results show that the combination of RS and PB play a role in dendritic of atrophy of apical CA3 dendrites.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 39
|
| Nesmelova, Anna |
Frizzell, Norma |
Exploring the Oxidative Modification of Lysine by Urate
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Several studies have shown that low serum urate levels are associated with accelerated Parkinson’s Disease progression. Under oxidative conditions, urate is converted to a urate radical, which can continue to degrade further into potentially reactive compounds. Oxidative uratylation is the addition of urate-derived electrophiles to nucleophilic amino acid residues, which can alter protein function through modification. This modification may alternatively explain why serum urate levels are low in people with neurological diseases linked to oxidative stress. The objective of this project was to create a standard that can be used for quantitative mass spectrometry to quantify free uratylated lysine, and potentially yield a suitable antigen to generate an antibody to detect this modification. I initially completed several experiments to demonstrate that urate radicals are generated because of myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity. This was done in the presence of lysine, which has a free amino group that can react with urate species, proving that uratylation can occur. I took two approaches to generate these standards. (1) I uratylated amino groups on lysine and acetyl lysine to target the epsilon amino group of lysine. Mass spectrometry was used to determine the success of the reaction. Lysine modification yielded two products where either one or both amino groups was uratylated. Uratylation of acetylated lysine targeted only the epsilon amino group. Further hydrolysis of the acetylated lysine was performed to release free N-monouratylated lysine, and I anticipate that this free uratylated lysine can be used as a biomarker for neurological disease, possibly released from damaged uratylated proteins during turnover. (2) I also utilized purified serum albumin, a protein rich in lysine residues, and uratylated it in vitro to further assess the feasibility of quantifying this modification on peptides (vs. free lysine). Mass spectrometry was employed for proteomic analysis of the peptide modification, confirming the presence of uratylated lysine residues. This method could be adapted for use in clinical settings to monitor biomarkers for neurodegeneration, enabling earlier diagnosis and deeper insights into disease mechanisms.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 26
|
| Castles, Hannah |
Madala, Seetharamprasad
Paudyal, Sunita
Powell, Carra |
A Medical Gordian Knot: Complex case of Diffuse Alveolar Hemorrhage in Pulmonary Renal Syndrome
View Full Text
Abstract Text
53-year-old female presented with weakness, neutropenic fever, cough for 4 days. She was alert and oriented, ill-appearing, with bilateral diffuse inspiratory crackles. She was admitted for neutropenic fever and bacterial pneumonia. She had a 20-year history of sarcoidosis with cardiac involvement and possible neurosarcoidosis, treated with infliximab. She improved with a course of Vancomycin, cefepime, and azithromycin. Her course was complicated by an episode of acute encephalopathy secondary to acute hypercapnic respiratory failure requiring intubation. CXR demonstrated worsening diffuse airspace disease. CTA demonstrated bilateral consolidation with ground glass opacities with underlying mediastinal and hilar adenopathy. Bronchoscopy with BAL revealed DAH. Immunologic studies were performed with ANA 1:1280, in a homogenous pattern, SSA>8, dsDNA 1:640 titer. She developed acute hematuria, raising concern for SLE nephritis, however, the limited biopsy did not demonstrate immunofluorescence and lupus nephritis was not confirmed. Moreover, labs including complement levels, ANCA, and GBM antibody were all unremarkable. CCP/RF, antiphospholipid panel as well as CPK were in normal ranges. Normal C3/C4 levels, absent immunocomplexes on IF made the diagnosis of SLE causing her symptoms less likely. She was started on Plaquenil and pulse dose steroids for 5 days. She improved clinically and was successfully extubated. She was discharged on prednisone taper and Plaquenil.
Our patient’s DAH was multifactorial, SLE was deemed less likely given normal complement levels, and the lack of lupus nephritis on renal biopsy. Infliximab (TNF inhibitor) can cause drug induced lupus and is associated with positive ANA as well as dsDNA but typically not with positive SSA. Drug induced lupus do not usually have renal involvement. She had pneumonia on admission, and pulmonary hypertension which can also be associated with DAH. Sarcoidosis as a cause of DAH has been reported but is exceedingly rare. Her presentation was complex, and it is possible that her DAH was of multifactorial etiology. Identifying the underlying cause is crucial as disease specific treatments are available. Steroids are the main stay of treatment in patients with vasculitis. In refractory cases immunosuppressants like methotrexate or biologic agents such as rituximab can be considered.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 121
|
| Liang, Yachun |
|
Creation of PtBi2 Flakes for Optical Investigation
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Two-dimensional (2D) van der Waals topological materials have garnered increasing interest due to their layered structures and exotic properties arising from confined surface states. For example, 2D trigonal PtBi₂ has been shown linearly dependent magnetoresistance arising from a Dirac-cone-like structure and Rashba-like spin-splitting. To study the light-matter interactions, thin flake PtBi2 is preferred for easy heat dissipation. For this project, PtBi2 flakes were obtained by exfoliating single crystals. It was first transferred onto polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) stamps and examined using an optical microscope. Furthermore, it was transferred on a Si/SiO2 substrate by a dry transfer technique. We have successfully created PtBi2 flakes with the thickness ranging between 40 and 200 nm. By applying pulsed laser to the sample, we measure the optical reflectivity at room temperature, which shows clear optical resonance. Quantitative analysis suggests that the optical resonance results from the standing wave with the average velocity ~500 m/s.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 205
|
Portadin, Stella
Garcia, Sofia |
Goodrum, Nada
Nguyen, Julie |
The correlation between specific ACEs and positive parenting practices
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Parental history of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) has been associated with poor outcomes for children. ACEs are harmful or stressful events occurring in one’s life prior to the age of eighteen. Parents who experienced ACEs are also more likely to report negative parenting practices. Parenting practices may be a pathway that parents can pass on the effect of their ACEs, creating an intergenerational cycle of risk. While previous studies have explored the association between the number of ACEs and parenting, less is known about the relation between specific types of ACEs and positive parenting practices. Therefore, the goal of this study was to examine correlation between specific ACEs and positive parenting practices. Data comes from a pilot study assessing the efficacy of a preventive intervention parenting program for parents with children three to nine-years old, experiencing multiple stressors. Before receiving the intervention, 61 parents (Mage = 36.11) completed an assessment with a trained interviewer face to face, which included demographic questions, the ACE-International Questionnaire, and the Multidimensional Assessment of Parenting Scale (MAPs). Pearson correlations were performed in SPSS to examine the relation between specific types of ACEs and positive parenting practices. Findings revealed that there was no significant correlation between specific types of ACEs (e.g., physical, sexual and emotional abuse, family dysfunction, neglect by parents/caregivers, bullying, witnessing community violence, and exposure to collective violence) and positive parenting practices. Although there was not a statistically significant correlation between specific ACE types and positive parenting practices, findings can help inform early intervention programs for families. These programs could focus on bolstering positive parenting strategies for parents who experienced ACEs. Limitations to our study include a small sample size making it hard to generalize findings to the larger population. Furthermore, the majority of parents in the study are mothers, making it hard to apply to fathers’ experiences of ACEs and parenting. In the future, we would look to expand to a larger population. Future studies could also look at the impact of a preventive intervention parenting program and how it can increase positive parenting practices, mitigating the effects of ACEs.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 182
|
| Patrautanu, Joel |
Moran, Michael |
Frank Hinman, Jr. and The Art of Piddling
View Full Text
Abstract Text
INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Frank Hinman, Jr. (1915-2011) was a versatile urologist of the ‘Old Guard” of urologists who were at the forefront of innovation in their specialty. He published over 250 papers in his field, but we were specifically interested in Frank’s unique style of mixing his extensive medical knowledge with his wit in a little-known text titled “The Art and Science of Piddling.” This could be compared and contrasted to his magnum opus, “Hydrodynamics of Micturition.”
METHODS: A review of all writings by and about Frank Hinman, Jr. were pursued and studied. Specifically searched was his well-known book, The “Art and Science of Piddling” and his lengthier “Hydrodynamics of Micturition.”
RESULTS: Published in 1999, Frank’s masterpiece is filled with impish humor. Frank wrote his own reviews using fictitious reviewers such as Zeal Headstrong, astronaut and even Biblical Noah. His opening line about the voiding habits of the rhinoceros was a puzzle to be solved only by reading the whole book. The book shows the more intimate and personal side of great men in medicine through jokes and comical stories written by Hinman.
CONCLUSIONS: Frank Hinman’s legacy lives large in his written legacy as well as fond memories of those who knew this gentle giant. This book is an example of the fact that even the greatest contributors to medicine have a whimsical side that is just as impactful to future generations. Even after his formal retirement Frank would sit in his wonderful office and talk to anyone who would come his way, including the senior author of this work. His wit and humor were contagious. Following his death in 2011 he left much of his estate to the American Urological Association and much of his materials is exhibited in the Didusch Museum.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 3
|
| Brown, McKenna |
Dubinsky, Stanley |
Exploring the Legal Recognition of Sign Language Globally
View Full Text
Abstract Text
This research aims to investigate the different ways in which signed languages are recognized, supported, and protected in different parts of the world, and to what extent signing individuals must advocate through legal efforts or social pressure for their languages to be accommodated. Examining the different status of signed languages in different countries will allow for an exploration of how their legal status affects both local attitudes toward the languages themselves as well as the accommodations extended to deaf communities of signers. This presentation will seek to discern, based on the legal recognitions in place for their signed languages, to what extent and in what ways signing individuals must struggle to communicate and participate in their larger societies.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 4
|
| Sandwell, Anna |
Tandon, Keah |
More Than Mozart: Cultural Immersion in Salzburg, Austria
View Full Text
Abstract Text
The fall semester of my senior year, I was able to have the experience of a lifetime studying abroad in Salzburg, Austria. While I was there, I got to take classes on Austrian culture, art and architecture, human rights, and modernist literature. I went into this experience wanting to
make the most of every opportunity to see and learn as much as I could. I have always had a passion for travel, and I wanted to immerse myself in a portion of Europe that I didn’t know as much about to really understand new cultures and perspectives. I wanted to learn more about my own heritage as well because I recently discovered it can be traced back to regions of Upper
Austria. I visited ten other countries on either weekend or day trips and learned both about the history and cultures of all of these places. This experience changed the way that I view the world and the way I want to live my life in the future. The differences in culture and lifestyle made me want to work on slowing down more and enjoying life to the fullest. Many people
either before or after my trip had little association with Salzburg outside of Mozart or Sound of Music. I learned how much more this charming little city had to offer and became determined to share its rich history and culture with others. In addition to my growth in knowledge, my personal growth from this experience is something that I wish for everyone to experience at least once in their lives. I hope to be able to inspire others to travel responsibly and be lifelong learners.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 241
|
Urzillo, Andrew
Buckner, Leighton |
Spence, Gina |
Floasis - Redesigning Menstrual Cups
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Menstrual cups are a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to disposable menstrual products, however, complications such as discomfort, leakage, and difficulty with removal often prevent people from using the device. Users of menstrual devices may have different anatomical variations, which can contribute to complications, including pain, improper suction release, and, in some cases, the need for medical intervention. Our goal was to enhance menstrual cup functionality by improving comfort, ease of removal, and leakage prevention through innovative design. To minimize leakage, we incorporated an anti-leak interior flap which traps menstrual fluid inside the cup and prevents spills. We also integrated a T-shaped string mechanism along one side of the cup, which, when pulled, closed the top to reduce suction and increase ease of removal. In our design, we used thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), which can be engineered to have a similar rigidity to silicone, and is biocompatible. The use of TPE ensures there will not be innate immune reactions, such as rejection, in response to foreign material, as learned in BMEN 271 - Introduction to Biomaterials. By conducting a thorough failure modes and effects analysis (FMEA), we identified potential risks such as excessive friction, material stiffness, and unintended pulling of the cup. To address these concerns, we reduced the cup’s thickness for easier folding and refined the string’s geometry to prevent accidental displacement. We also completed extensive verification testing to assess tensile strength, compressive loads, capacity, pressure, and durability after repeated sterilization cycles. User and physician feedback was collected through surveys and analyzed using statistical methods such as one-way ANOVA to give us advice for subsequent prototypes. By improving the ease of removal, minimizing leakage, and increasing overall comfort, this redesigned menstrual cup has the potential to make menstrual care more accessible and appealing to both new and experienced users. Our design is a more intuitive, comfortable, and environmentally friendly menstrual cup, promoting a positive shift towards healthy and sustainable menstrual health solutions.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 67
|
| Freeman, Jay |
Murphy, Angela
Vanderveen, Brandon |
The Impact of Diet-Induced Obesity, Colorectal Cancer, and 5-Fluorouracil on Liver Histopathology and Steatohepatitis
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Obesity is associated with metabolic disturbances and impaired liver function (i.e. metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease [MASLD]). Additionally, obesity is associated with an increased risk for developing numerous cancers, including colorectal cancer (CRC). Moreover, obesity induced-metabolic dysfunction has been postulated to impact patient survival and quality of life. Chemotherapeutic 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) is a first-line treatment of colorectal cancer, which is metabolized by the liver and is known to be hepatotoxic. The study aims to examine the impact of obesity, CRC, and 5FU on liver histopathology and steatohepatitis in the context of CRC and chemotherapy. We hypothesized that obesity-induced MASH would be exacerbated by both CRC and 5-FU.To test this hypothesis, we utilized 2 preclinical models of CRC, the MC38 and C26 in mice given ad libitum access to a low fat (lean) or high fat diet (obese). Lean and obese tumor bearing mice were then given 1 (C26) or 3 (MC38) cycles of 5FU monotherapy dosed based on lean mass. Liver histopathology was performed using H&E to assess lobular inflammation, microvesicular steatosis, macrovesicular steatosis, and hypertrophy to quantify MASH.
As expected, obesity increased MASH scores with both CRC models. Obese groups in both CRC models met diagnostic criteria of MASH. Specifically, in C26, all obese tumor-bearing mice, regardless of 5FU, had increased MASH scores compared to obese control. Obese CRC+5FU showed evidence of a shift from microvesicular to macrovesicular steatosis in comparison to untreated obese CRC mice. Interestingly, untreated obese CRC mice displayed higher MASH scores compared to obese CRC+5FU. Obese MC38+5FU showed less histological evidence of inflammation compared to the untreated obese MC38 groups. In contrast, the C26 model displayed evidence of intralobular inflammation in obese C26+5FU compared to untreated obese C26 mice. While the data suggest obesity, CRC, and 5-FU impact steatosis, minimal additive effects were seen between variables. The observed differences between groups could be explained by their unique mechanism of inducing liver damage and their role in promoting an immunosuppressive microenvironment. These findings could impact future therapeutic strategies, but a larger controlled study is needed.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 107
|
Otto, Abbey
Thorman, Allison |
Barfield, Reagan
Lin, Christina
Joyner, Leigh
Royals, Carrington |
The Impact of a Pharmacist-Led Educational Intervention on Provider Confidence in Lipid Management for Patients with Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease at a Federally Qualified Health Center
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Background: Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality, with lipid management playing a critical role in secondary prevention. Well-established guidelines exist from both the American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology (AHA/ACC) and the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists/American College of Endocrinology (AACE/ACE); however, differences exist between the two in terms of risk stratification, LDL-C goals, and the role of non-statin therapies. Data from Tandem Heath reporting has shown instances of delayed optimization of lipid-lowering therapy. The purpose of this study is to evaluate provider confidence in lipid management for patients with ASCVD through the conduction of a post-educational survey.
Methods: This single-center, retrospective, post-then-pre-test survey will be conducted at Tandem Health, a federally qualified health center (FQHC) serving underserved patients. Providers at Tandem Health will complete an anonymous survey electronically, using REDCap, after the delivery of a pharmacist-led educational intervention. The survey will focus on evaluating providers’ perceived change in confidence regarding lipid management for secondary prevention. The educational intervention will take place in the format of a fifteen-minute presentation, with an additional five minutes for questions. The presentation is to occur at a mandatory provider meeting, focusing on AHA/ACC and AACE/ACE guideline-directed lipid lowering therapies and patient-specific LDL-C goals based on ASCVD risk stratification to enhance outcomes for secondary ASCVD prevention. Data collected from each survey will be analyzed using descriptive statistics. Findings of this study will utilize the results to assess the impact of the educational intervention on provider confidence levels in lipid management for patients with ASCVD.
Results: In progress
Conclusions: In progress
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 159
|
| Nguyen, Leila |
Goodman, Christopher |
Assessing Social Needs Resource Utilization at an Urban Safety Net Clinic
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Hospitals are increasingly screening for social needs and providing resources for aid. A 2023 cross-sectional study of 2858 US hospitals published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that 79.2% of hospitals report screening for at least one social determinant of health. In addition, 79.4% reported having strategies and programs to address these needs. In 2019, students at USC School of Medicine formed Links to Care, a student organization dedicated to supporting social needs screening and follow-up at primary care clinics of the USC School of Medicine and Prisma Health residency programs. The Links to Care team has developed protocols to provide additional resource support through telephone calls to patients who have screened positive for food insecurity, transportation needs, and housing issues during routine clinical visits. While these phone calls address a need for additional support in accessing social resources and patients report positive feedback, the effectiveness of the intervention remains unknown. In this study we conducted semi-structured interviews of 30 patients who received the Links to Care intervention to better understand the patient’s personal experience with resource access and use. During follow-up interviews, additional support is provided as needed, and we report on the impact of the additional phone calls in relation to the identified social need.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 172
|
| Wagner, Lauren |
Jasnow, Aaron |
Successes and failures of second-order fear conditioning in mice.
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Fear-related disorders such as anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) affect millions of Americans and involve dysfunction in fear learning mechanisms. In Pavlovian fear conditioning, subjects are presented with a neutral conditional stimulus (CS, e.g., a tone) paired with an aversive unconditional stimulus (US, e.g., a footshock). After repeated pairings, the tone predicts a threat and elicits a conditioned fear response (CR) when presented alone. In rodents, freezing is a species-specific response to threat that enables us to measure how well rodents learn the contingency between the CS and the US. This type of learning is first-order conditioning and serves the basis for our understanding of the neural mechanisms underlying fear and anxiety-related disorders in humans, as well as their treatment. However, many irrational fears in humans are formed through higher-order or second-order learning. Second-order conditioning is when a neutral cue (CS2) acquires aversive properties by its association with a previously learned first-order conditioned stimulus (CS1). Thus, the CS2 becomes an aversive stimulus despite never being paired with any US (i.e., shock). While there have been many studies of second-order conditioning in pigeons and rats, few studies have examined this type of learning in mice. In this study, we used two different mouse strains and several conditioning protocols using either light or sound as the CS to develop and validate second-order learning in mice. Examining the mechanisms of second-order conditioning can help us understand how irrational fears form in humans and can form the basis for behavioral and pharmacotherapy.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 36
|
| Cushman, Katherine |
Fraser, Brittany
Cicchillo, Michael
Dilts, Nathaniel
Levy, Christopher
Norris, Ashton
Wesley, Alena |
Navigating the Mesenteric Maze: A Stenting Success Story
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Visceral artery pseudoaneurysms (VAPAs) are rare but have a significant risk of rupture and death. A superior mesenteric artery (SMA) pseudoaneurysm is the rarest type of VAPA and most commonly results from a trauma. They pose a very high risk for life-threatening hemorrhage and mortality; thus, prompt treatment is vital in these cases. Even less commonly than an isolated SMA pseudoaneurysm is a simultaneous presentation with an arteriovenous (AV) fistula, which is a rare vascular phenomenon with limited data. Endovascular approaches to managing and treating VAPAs have an associated lower procedural morbidity and mortality and better outcomes, compared to conventional open surgery.
A 19-year-old female with unknown past medical history presented to the emergency department for a gunshot wound to the lower back that caused a grade four injury to the jejunum and a grade four injury to the pancreas. She was emergently taken for an exploratory laparotomy. Vascular surgery was consulted intraoperatively for evaluation of an SMA injury. Upon inspection of the injury, vascular surgery recommended a computed tomography (CT) angiogram postoperatively which revealed a distal SMA pseudoaneurysm with AV fistula between the SMA and superior mesenteric vein (SMV).
The SMA pseudoaneurysm with an associated SMA-SMV fistula was successfully repaired via an endovascular stent angioplasty. A left brachial cut down was used for delivery of the endovascular prosthesis. Upon deployment of the stent, a completion angiogram revealed resolution of the pseudoaneurysm, the stent in an appropriate position, and filling of the portal system by the native mesenteric system.
Our successful treatment of an SMA pseudoaneurysm complicated by an SMA-SMV fistula supports that an endovascular approach using a stent may be a safe and feasible tool for this vascular phenomenon. The literature is currently limited on this topic due to the rarity of this case’s presentation and historical use of open surgical approaches. However, with better trending outcomes and less complications, perhaps endovascular repair of both VAPAs and AV fistulas will become the gold standard treatment in the future. As surgical techniques continue to advance, we recommend continuous investigation of the advantages and long-term outcomes of endovascular stent angioplasties.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 122
|
| Moschetta, Daniella |
Turner, Carrie |
Emerging Myself into New Cultures & Experiences While Abroad
View Full Text
Abstract Text
During the 2024 Spring Semester, I studied abroad in Barcelona, Spain at Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. My goal was to immerse myself in new cultures and expand my worldview. While I studied the Spanish language for several years, my focus was not solely on language. I wanted to explore a diverse range of cultures, experience different ways of life, and broaden my understanding of the world. Barcelona, a vibrant city full of history, art, and unique traditions, became my home base as I ventured out to explore Europe. Throughout my time abroad, I traveled to ten other countries, each offering its own distinct culture, customs, and traditions. From the lively streets of Dublin to the historic landmarks of Prague and the stunning landscapes of Sicily, each destination provided valuable lessons that could never be learned in a classroom. I learned to navigate unfamiliar places, connect with people from diverse backgrounds, and adapt to new environments. All of these experiences helped to expand my views on the world. My experience abroad allowed me to gain a deeper understanding of how people think and live in different parts of the world. Traveling around Europe pushed me out of my comfort zone and helped me develop a greater appreciation for cultural diversity. I hope my experience inspires others to take risks, embrace new adventures, and explore the world beyond their comfort zones. The four months I spent in Europe were a period of growth, exploration, and understanding. My time abroad expanded my outlook on life and created memories I will cherish forever. I am excited to apply all the interpersonal skills I have learned abroad to my career, future travels, and new opportunities that challenge and foster my growth.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 225
|
| Wiggins, J'nea |
Armstrong, Alissa |
Characterizing the functional role of tissue-specific amino acid transporter expression
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Amino acid transporters (AATs) are essential for regulating cellular nutrient sensing, protein synthesis, cell signaling, and inter-organ communication. Critical for maintaining normal physiology, disruptions in these functions underlie pathophysiologies, including metabolic disorders. With chronic conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and obesity affecting a significant portion of the adult population, understanding how AATs function at the molecular level is crucial. Drosophila melanogaster, with its genetic similarities to humans, provides an ideal model to explore tissue-specific roles of AATs in nutrient sensing. Previous studies have shown that AATs such as Jhl-21 and mnd, which are orthologous to the human SLC7A5 transporter, are expressed across multiple tissues, including the head, thorax, abdomen, gut, and ovaries, while others, such as CG4991 and NAAT1, exhibit more selective expression patterns. This project aims to characterize the expression of 21 AATs in various tissues of Drosophila adults and investigate how diet-regulated tissues respond to nutrient input. Using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), tissue samples from the head, thorax, abdomen, gut, and ovary will be analyzed for AAT mRNA expression. Thus far, I have characterized transcript expressions of several AATs, Grik, Clumsy, NAAT1, Arcus, Kar, CG4991, CG13796, CG13795, CG16700, CG5535, CG4476, CG33296, and Ekar, across five different tissues. The current objective is to determine if sex-based differences in AAT expression exist. Additionally, I will examine the impact of diet on AAT expression by performing controlled feeding experiments with high-protein, protein-poor, high-sugar, and high-fat diets. Lastly, the role of each AAT transporter will be assessed by tissue-specific knockdown of individual AATs and examination of tissue function. This research will generate a comprehensive profile of AAT expression across different tissues and nutritional conditions, providing insights into how amino acid transporters contribute to cellular metabolism and organismal health.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 51
|
| Fitzpatrick, Rowdy |
Bian, Julia |
An Intraoperative Diagnosis of a Urachal Cyst with Abscess: A Case Report
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Urachal cysts are a rare finding, with incidence reported to be 1 in 5000 live births. This case report describes an unusual presentation of an infected urachal cyst in a pediatric patient presenting with generalized abdominal pain.The urachus is an embryologic structure connecting the bladder to the umbilicus in utero. This structure typically involutes around the 12th week of gestation to form the median umbilical ligament. Incomplete involution can lead to urachal remnants, such as a urachal cyst. Urachal cysts typically remain asymptomatic, however they can be at risk for developing infection or malignancy. This is a case report for a pediatric patient who was diagnosed intraoperatively with a previously unsuspected urachal cyst with abscess. Review ranged from initial negative workup by primary care to final postoperative follow up, a total of 16 days. A 5 year old male presented to the emergency department with new onset nausea and over a week of generalized abdominal pain and dysuria. Previous workup included an unremarkable urinalysis and abdominal x-ray. Physical exam was significant for left lower quadrant pain. Abdominal imaging for a possible inguinal hernia showed an ambiguous 5cm cystic structure interpreted as a possible Meckel’s diverticulum. Diagnostic laparoscopy was performed with the intention to resect the suspected Meckel diverticulum, but revealed an infected urachal cyst with the development of abscess, confirmed by histology by routine pathology exam. This case described a rare condition that is difficult to diagnose based on routine imaging and preoperative workup. Urachal cysts are uncommon findings and most cases present as asymptomatic incidental findings. Despite this, complications of a possible urachal cyst should still be considered in patients with nonspecific abdominal findings.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 141
|
| Eckenrode, Mathison |
Lee, Junsoo |
Collaborative Tethered Unmanned Aerial Vehicle
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Tethered UAV systems offer exceptional mission capabilities, characterized by flexibility and resilience. Unlike traditional tethered aircraft, such as helicopters with suspended payloads, the emergence of small and straightforward UAVs has expanded their utility across a wide range of applications. For instance, compact rotary tethered UAVs excel in challenging environments like wildfires and urban areas, where larger helicopters face limitations due to size and safety concerns. Notably, tethered UAV systems can serve as communication beacons, providing essential emergency communication services in hazardous environments. However, the unique challenges of the tethered UAV system pose complexities in developing control architectures, primarily due to its unpredictable dynamics. The cable's dynamics introduce numerous challenges, including coping with high external disturbances, managing impulsive behavior resulting from cable collisions. Additionally, the system's smaller size compared to traditional tethered aircraft necessitates a more advanced and robust control architecture.
Tethered small UAVs face significant challenges, including limited mission capabilities such as a short mission period, low payload capacity, and a lack of ground information. These challenges can be mitigated by employing supplementary ground vehicles. For instance, UAVs can facilitate payload delivery between two points in challenging ground environments, such as mountains. Additionally, the ground vehicle can serve as a battery charging station, eliminating the need for the UAV to land for recharging. In this project, our primary objective is to establish the foundation for designing a controller and decision-making framework for cooperative tethered UAV and ground vehicle systems, with a specific emphasis on quadrotor drones.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 75
|
| Junge, Erika |
Michalos, Alexis |
GLD Abstract for CCPL
View Full Text
Abstract Text
I have been a part of Changing Carolina Peer Leaders (CCPL), a healthy campus initiative organization at the University of South Carolina, since 2022. The main goal of the organization is to help USC’s students by advocating for a healthier campus through educating peers about different types of health. As an organization, we unite the Gamecock community through classroom presentations, outreach events, and collaborations with other student organizations. Once accepted into CCPL, I was able to choose between three different special primary interest groups: mental health, sex and relationships, and holistic wellness. I choose to become a part of the mental health SPIG because I believe promoting mental health is important and correlates with my psychology major. Through researching different types of mental health, working with my peers to plan, organize, and execute tabling events for students, I have seen the importance of informing students on campus resources, coping strategies, and factual health information. The moments I enjoyed the most in CCPL were attending events such as The National Eating Disorder Walk on USC’s campus or Pride Chella. The love and support given at these events not only show students that they are not alone but change their perspective from before attending the event. CCPL has been a life-changing experience that has opened my eyes to the importance of mental health stigma and awareness. After graduation, I will be attending the University of Southern California to obtain a Master’s in Teaching. As an aspiring elementary educator, the importance of mental health is something I will continue to remember as it is never too young to teach students how to deal with stressors or diagnosed mental illnesses. I am planning on using my knowledge to encourage social-emotional growth and coping strategies for students in hopes of improving their academic journeys and post-school lives.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 315
|
| Adame-Ramirez, Emely |
Yunusa, Ismaeel |
Opioid overdose risk associated with concomitant use of benzodiazepines and gabapentinoids: A metanalysis of real-world evidence
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Purpose: The concurrent use of opioids with benzodiazepines (BZDs) or gabapentinoids (GABAs) has been linked to an increased risk of opioid overdose. This meta-analysis consolidates evidence from real-world studies to quantify this risk and inform safer prescribing practices.
Methods: A structured search of PubMed and EMBASE identified observational studies on overdose risk with opioids plus BZDs or GABAs. Inclusion criteria were adults receiving opioids concurrently with BZDs or GABAs, and reporting risk estimates for overdose. Study selection and data extraction were conducted by two independent reviewers. Study quality was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. A random-effects meta-analysis pooled odds ratios (ORs) and hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Variability was assessed with Cochran’s Q and I², while sensitivity analyses examined the influence of individual studies.
Results: The analysis showed a significant increase in overdose risk among patients receiving BZD + Opioid compared to opioids alone, with elevated odds (pooled OR 2.58, 95% CI 1.57–4.26; I² = 99.2%) and hazard (pooled HR 1.56, 95% CI 1.06–2.29; I² = 98.7%). Sensitivity analyses confirmed this increased risk, with all estimates remaining significant (OR range: 1.87–3.15; HR range: 1.35–1.96). Similarly, GABA + Opioid use was associated with a higher overdose risk, with odds (pooled OR 1.39, 95% CI 1.22–1.57; I² = 18.0%) and hazard (pooled HR 2.69, 95% CI 1.47–4.92; I² = 87.0%) ratios elevated. Sensitivity analyses showed minimal changes in OR estimates (range: 1.34–1.47), while HR estimates varied (range: 2.02–3.13) but remained significant. Study quality was moderate-to-high, with median NOS scores of 8 for both cohort and case-control studies.
Conclusion: Combining opioids with BZDs or GABAs increases the risk of opioid overdose. Sensitivity analyses support the reliability of the findings, and the moderate-to-high quality of studies further strengthens the evidence. Clinicians should consider alternatives to co-prescribing opioids with BZDs/GABAs and use safety measures, such as naloxone co-prescription, when necessary. Future research should refine study methods and evaluate interventions to reduce overdose risk.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 155
|
| Virk, Hibah |
Paudyal, Sunita
Castles, Hannah |
Persistence of Imaging Findings in Asymptomatic Sarcoidosis: A Case Report
View Full Text
Abstract Text
59 year old nonsmoking AAM with multi organ sarcoidosis. His past medical history is significant for gout, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and type 2 DM. He was diagnosed with sarcoidosis in November of 2020—after he presented with an AKI/hypercalcemia. CT chest at the time demonstrated mediastinal lymphadenopathy and a RLL consolidation. PFTs were normal. AKI improved with supportive management, kidney biopsy was not done. RLL biopsy demonstrated noncaseating granulomas consistent with sarcoidosis. He was then started on prednisone, however, he continued to have symptoms of fatigue, SOB on exertion despite ongoing prednisone use. It was unclear if he had active pulmonary sarcoidosis given steroid use therefore an FDG PET was performed 2 years after the initial sarcoid diagnosis. The PET scan demonstrated a hypermetabolic right lower lobe mass or hypermetabolic mediastinal and bilateral hilar adenopathy as well as hypermetabolic retroperitoneal peripancreatic nodes. Additionally, there is diffusely heterogeneous activity within the liver—-the differential included generalized sarcoidosis as well as metastatic disease. At that time a CTA chest was obtained which demonstrated ongoing hilar lymphadenopathy with a dense RLL consolidation. He then underwent EBUS hilar lymph node biopsy which demonstrated sarcoid, but no malignancy. The FDG activity was attributed to multi system sarcoidosis including lungs, liver and lymph nodes.
He was then started on azathioprine as steroid sparing and gradually, the symptoms of fatigue and shortness of breath improved. He came off steroids and sarcoid has been stable for 2 years on azathioprine 150 mg daily. Renal as well as liver function have been within normal limits.
A subsequent chest CT in 2023 demonstrated a persistent right lower lobe consolidation even when the patient was asymptomatic. However, a later chest XR 10 months after the CT Chest did not demonstrate the consolidation. This case highlights the relatively rare manifestation of lung consolidations in sarcoidosis and how despite appropriate treatment and improvement in symptoms, consolidations can persist for a longer duration and take time to resolve with appropriate treatment of chronic inflammation and fibrosis.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 128
|
Harrison, Preston
Loftus, Gannett |
Kung, Justin |
Personalized MCID Thresholds: Addressing BMI-Related Disparities in Hip and Knee Arthroplasty Outcomes
View Full Text
Abstract Text
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will begin adjusting hospital reimbursements based on the proportion of patients achieving substantial clinical benefit after elective hip and knee arthroplasty. However, current CMS metrics do not account for differences in body mass index (BMI), potentially incentivizing BMI exclusion to maintain favorable outcome scores. This study aims to determine whether patients with higher BMI have lower minimal clinically important difference (MCID) thresholds for patient-reported outcome (PRO) scores following elective hip and knee arthroplasty. If BMI-specific MCID thresholds exist, implementing personalized thresholds may improve equity in surgical decision-making. We will conduct a retrospective analysis of patients who underwent elective hip and knee arthroplasty at Prisma Health Orthopaedic Ambulatory Clinics between March 1, 2022, and December 31, 2022. PRO scores will be assessed preoperatively as well as postoperatively, and an anchor-based methodology will be used to establish BMI-specific MCID thresholds. Identifying BMI-specific MCID thresholds may help mitigate unintended exclusion in surgical decision-making. By increasing provider awareness, refining PRO metrics, and advocating for policy adjustments, this study aims to promote equitable care practices and ensure that CMS benchmarks do not disproportionately disadvantage patients.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 163
|
| Hamp, Brooke |
Raunikar, Mary |
Exposure To Cultures & Strengthening Values
View Full Text
Abstract Text
During the spring semester of my junior year, I studied abroad in Florence, Italy at Florence University Of The Arts- The American University of Florence. I wanted to immerse myself in a different culture and experience a different pace of life. To say I did that would be an understatement. I prioritized travel as much as possible. I was able to go to 13 different countries across Europe and Africa during my time abroad and the range of cultures and people I experienced were extraordinary. One main takeaway for me was how different the lifestyles of Italians and Europeans in general live, compared to people in America. They took everything one day at a time and have a relaxed and slowed down environment. I noticed the emphasis they placed on healthy living through food and exercise. In my HPEB 300 course and other public health classes, the importance of physical activity on one’s health was stressed. In Italy, they tend to do a better job at this. Their cities are walkable, their food is healthier and lacks the preservatives that we have. I didn’t just see the effects on physical health, I also saw it on mental well-being. The work life balance is something that took me by surprise. They have long lunches and dinners, they rest, and they heavily prioritize not working all the time. I saw this lifestyle in the classes I took abroad. I had a yoga class once a week, where we took the time to exercise and relieve stress from our body. In “history of the italian renaissance”, we sometimes had walking classes outside in the city to see historical sites. Experiencing this was significant to me because it taught me to slow down, prioritize my well-being, and the importance of physical activity. These are now values I strongly believe in. Studying abroad was one of the best things I have done for my exposure to other cultures and a better understanding of the world around me. I now know just how important it can be to broaden our horizons.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 242
|
| Sharpe, Amanda |
Boltin, Nicholas
Kibler, Chris |
Emotions and Equations: An EEG Exploration of Stress-Inducing Arithmetic
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Problem-solving-induced stress can have a long-term adverse effect on an individual’s cognitive and mental health. When solving arithmetic problems, our brains analyze information in a particular way, and stress or anxiety can influence concept-driven processing. This study explores the differences in brain activity before and after being presented with arithmetic problems through electroencephalograph recordings. Mental activation is represented by changes in brain wave frequencies displayed by delta, theta, alpha, beta, and gamma waves within an EEG. The participants solved six division and modular division problems with stimulus cues between each problem. The data from each participant later underwent Fourier Transformation and analysis. Those who tend to feel stress while solving math problems exhibit more beta wave activation, whereas those who do not exhibit theta wave activation. These results demonstrate that individuals who undergo stress may have a different mental processing approach, including difficulty with top-down processing and concentrating, than their less-stressed counterparts. Understanding the influence of stress on cognitive and mental health can improve teaching, learning, and therapy techniques.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 87
|
| Manning, Kyla |
Ray, Donna
Goodman, Christopher |
Addressing Hypertension and Obesity Through Community Health Screenings: Impact and Expansion of the University of South Carolina’s Outreach Initiative
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Purpose: Nearly half of U.S. adults have hypertension, yet 1 in 4 remain unaware of their condition. Among those on antihypertensive medications, only a small percentage achieve blood pressure (BP) control. Additionally, only 1 in 4 adults engage in sufficient physical activity, increasing their risk for obesity and related conditions such as heart disease and diabetes. Community-based health screenings are essential for early detection and intervention. The Community Outreach Group (COG) at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine (UofSC SOM) is a student-led organization providing free health screenings in Columbia, SC. This study evaluates BP and BMI data from the past year to assess the prevalence of hypertension and obesity, as well as evaluating the impact of service learning on the education of medical students.
Methods: COG hosted screenings at local recreation centers, including Drew Wellness Center and Greenview Park, targeting adults in and around the 29203 zip code—an area with high rates of diabetic lower limb amputations. Screenings included BP and BMI measurements, lifestyle counseling, and collection of patient history on hypertension, diabetes, and medical management. BP and BMI values were categorized using American Heart Association (AHA) guidelines.
Results: Over the past year, COG conducted 10 screening events, evaluating 80 individuals. Of those screened, 36 (45%) had high BP, with 21 (58%) already on hypertension medications. Additionally, 60 individuals (75%) had an overweight or obese BMI (>25 kg/m²). A total of 60 participants received counseling from on-site physicians and medical students regarding the long-term health risks of hypertension and obesity, as well as strategies for risk reduction.
Conclusion: COG is committed to expanding community health screenings in Columbia. Moving forward, COG aims to establish regular screenings to enhance early disease detection and prevention. Findings highlight a need for improved awareness and management of hypertension and obesity within the community, but also the benefits of service-based learning in medical education. Medical students gain the invaluable opportunity of learning how to engage with the community outside of the classroom, bringing the pressing socio economic issues in medicine to life early in the preclinical years.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 164
|
Choi, Yumin
Mallon, Elise |
Kung, Justin |
Predicting Total Knee Arthroplasty Using PROMIS Scores
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is a common treatment for advanced knee osteoarthritis (OA), but predicting which patients will require surgery remains a challenge. The Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Instrumentations System (PROMIS) surveys evaluate multiple domains such as patients' physical function, pain interference, mobility, depression, and global health. Many studies have explored the prognostic value of preoperative PROMIS scores in determining the postoperative outcomes. However, the use of preoperative PROMIS scores as a predictor for undergoing surgery has not been explored. This study examines whether PROMIS scores at an initial clinic visit for knee arthritis can predict TKA within 18 months.
A retrospective review was conducted on all new patients with knee arthritis at a single academic institution between February 1, 2022, and June 30, 2022. Patient demographics, prior treatments, and PROMIS domain scores were collected. Patients were followed for 18 months to determine if they underwent TKA. Statistical analysis was performed to evaluate the relationship between PROMIS scores and surgical intervention. 385 patients were included, and 41 (10.6%) underwent TKA within 18 months. Patients who had surgery had statistically significantly worse PROMIS Physical Function and Mobility scores than those who did not. Patients with PROMIS Mobility scores <36 had a 17% likelihood of undergoing TKA, while 93% of those with scores ≥36 did not require surgery within 18 months. Multivariate analysis identified PROMIS Mobility and prior corticosteroid injections as independent predictors of TKA.
PROMIS scores, particularly Mobility, may help predict the need for TKA in knee arthritis patients and thus improve patient triage, surgical planning, and resource allocation. By integrating PROMIS assessments into routine clinical evaluations, healthcare providers can better identify high-risk patients and optimize surgical timing. Further research is needed to validate these findings and explore the role of PROMIS scores as a decision-making tool in orthopedic care.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 165
|
Reed, Maddy
Johnson, Kevin |
Lavigne, John
Boyt, James |
Using Synthetic Lectins to Identify Unique Glycoproteins for Improved Diagnosis of Difficult to Detect Breast Cancer
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) is a type of cancer known for its difficulty in diagnosis and treatment due to its lack of typical breast cancer biomarkers. This difficulty in diagnosing has led us to develop a method of identification between healthy and cancerous cells: Synthetic Lectin (SL) binding. SLs are artificially created peptides that can bind the unique sugar sequences bound to cell-surface proteins. This approach is important because aberrant glycosylation, or irregular sugar binding due to rapid and incorrect cell growth, is usually associated with cancer. SLs can be designed to differentiate between the natural glycosylation of normal breast cells and aberrant glycosylation of TNBC cells. To identify the selective binding though, a method of differentiation must be established. For this experiment, fluorescent brightness will be used, as SLs bound with greater concentration of glycoproteins have greater fluorescent intensity. If an established TNBC glycoprotein sample binds tightly to a certain SL, then the light intensity displayed by the complex will be larger.
However, different circumstances could lead to different glycosylation outcomes, even with the same disease. That is why two types of samples will be used, lab cultured cells and blood plasma samples. Previously isolated glycoproteins from a TNBC cell line will be used and compared with blood-based glycoproteins. With both samples of normal and TNBC cells, glycoproteins can be isolated from each and selectively bind to certain SLs, emitting different glow intensities. Depending on the intensity of light emitted by an SL, the binding of a protein to an unknown glycoprotein biomarker in TNBC cells can be observed. Based on the sequence presented by a peptide analyzer, the novel TNBC glycoprotein can be isolated and studied, providing important insights into detection and treatment of TNBC.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 73
|
| Haugh, Patrick |
Jiang, Andrew |
Beyond the Classic Signs: Cryptococcal Meningitis-IRIS with Atypical Neurological Symptoms
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Immune Reconstitution Inflammatory Syndrome (IRIS) is characterized by an excessive immune response to pre-existing opportunistic infections following increased CD4+ T-cell counts, primarily seen in HIV infected patients who begin anti-retroviral therapy (ART).
The recorded incidence is 37.7% in patients with previously diagnosed AIDs-defining illnesses, and is greater in those who have low CD4+ cell counts at the start of ART. The median timeline from ART treatment to IRIS development is variable. It can occur as early as a few days, or as late as 6 months, but is typically seen within the first 4 weeks of ART treatment. Morbidity depends on the underlying infection, however in a large international study, the mortality was notably high at 6.5%.
This case represents an atypical presentation and late onset of IRIS.
The patient was a 27-year-old male with a history of recently diagnosed AIDS, cryptococcal meningitis treated with antifungal therapy and a ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt, and latent syphilis. He presented to the emergency department (ED) with a two-week history of headache, acute, two-day-onset left lower extremity (LLE) tremor, and a violaceous rash on his neck. MRI findings were suggestive of meningitis/multifocal cerebritis with diffuse extra-axial and perivascular enhancement. Lumbar puncture (LP) results showed lymphocytosis but were not indicative of an active infection. The patient was started on high dose steroids. He showed clinical improvement during his hospital stay and was discharged on a steroid taper.
This case emphasizes the importance of a multidisciplinary approach and the necessity of thorough investigation and consideration of a broad differential diagnosis. IRIS was ultimately a diagnosis of exclusion, after ruling out obvious inciting causes, primarily VP shunt malfunction and ongoing infection. The prevalence of HIV is high, 0.8% among Medicare beneficiaries in South Carolina. Clinicians are encouraged to closely follow these patients, especially within the first six months after ART initiation, given the significant morbidity and mortality associated with IRIS.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 147
|
| McGuff, Madeline |
Wilson-King, Dawn
Quattlebaum, Mary
Carlisle, Carolina
Straley, Lacie
Schuchert, Leah |
Findings from the CARE study to Inform the LEADS Trail for Improving Resilence and Physical Activity in Black Families
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Black families experience racial stress that can contribute to poor health outcomes. Growing evidence shows the potential of cultural and family resilience resources as a protective buffer of racial stress and its impact on health-related behaviors among Black adolescents. The family and Cultural Resilience to Elevate health (CARE) feasibility program was developed as an online 5-week family-based program integrating cultural (racial socialization, racial identity, cultural assets) and family resilience (family communication) intervention components to buffer the impact of racial stress and improve physical health outcomes (physical activity, diet, family mealtime) among Black families. The purpose of the current study was to assess the feasibility and acceptability of integrating these resilience components into the CARE program to inform the implementation of a recently funded R01 randomized controlled trial Linking Exercise for Advancing Daily Stress (LEADS) Management and Resilience in Black families. Utilizing a community-based participatory approach, qualitative and quantitative data were collected from 20 overweight Black adolescent-parent dyads (adolescent: Mage=13.3±1.6; ~70% female; parent: ~90% female). Qualitative feedback included recommendations for further improvement of the program and curriculum. Themes identified from this feedback were to further discuss the impact of racism on health, emphasize perseverance as a cultural asset, and including more culturally salient coping tools. Additional suggestions included integrating content on financial literacy and physical activity videos that included more black male culture. Families provided feedback on the program overall and specific resilience intervention curriculum components with an apriori goal of > 3.5 (on a 5-pt scale). Families revealed that the sessions were interesting (adolescents 4.1±0.7; parents 4.6±0.5) and they would use the topics learned in session (adolescents 4.1±0.7; parents 4.6±0.5). Families positively endorsed enjoying learning healthy alternatives to cultural foods (adolescents 4.2±0.8; parents 4.6±0.5), cultural traditions for physical activity (adolescents 4.4±0.9; parents 4.4±0.7), spirituality as a coping tool (adolescents 4.4±1.0; parents 4.6±0.7), and creating a positive self-statement about Black identity (adolescents 3.9±1.3; parents 4.8±0.4). Overall, findings demonstrate the value of community feedback to develop salient culturally sensitive health promotion interventions in Black Families. These findings have important implications for the associated R01 LEADS trial and future resilience-based health programs.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 159
|
| Pawlowski, Lauren |
Haldeman, Matthew |
Detection of Pericardial Effusion via PoCUS for Risk Stratification in Pediatric Malnutrition: A Prospective Study in Zambia
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Pediatric severe acute malnutrition (SAM) is a prominent issue affecting 19 million children under 5 years of age worldwide- the majority of these cases being in developing, low and moderate-income countries (LMICs). Current WHO guidelines for diagnosing SAM in children 6-59 months are defined by a weight-for-height ratio at least 3 standard deviations below average, or clinical signs of bilateral pitting edema, or a measured mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) of less than 11.5cm (1)(2). Despite standing diagnostic guidelines, a critical need exists for subsequent risk stratification in predicting disease course (3). In LMICs, the usage of Point of Care Ultrasound (PoCUS) has been established as a powerful, relatively inexpensive diagnostic tool in low-resource healthcare settings (4). The goal of our study was to assess if presence of pericardial effusion -a common clinical finding in severely malnourished pediatric patients (5)- detected via PoCUS is an accurate predictor of need for hospitalization, hospital readmission, disease severity, and/or mortality in pediatric malnutrition patients in Zambia. To examine this, we recruited 225 children with a diagnosis of either MAM or SAM aged <5 years at 2 pediatric healthcare facilities in Lusaka, Zambia. Following initial malnutrition assessment per standard of care, we performed PoCUS to assess for the presence of pericardial effusion and then followed these children via chart review and a 3-month follow up visit. Statistical analysis of patient data is ongoing and will be complete by April 18th, 2025. Pending initial results, this study’s findings may have the potential to augment the current diagnostic criteria and provide additional insight into the variable presentation of moderate and severe pediatric acute malnutrition.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 156
|
| Frasch, Bryel |
Foster, Shandrea
Dobek, Whitney |
INCREASING DIVERSITY IN THE GENETIC COUNSELING PROFESSION: DETERMINING EFFECTIVE CAREER EDUCATION STRATEGIES FOR UNDERREPRESENTED YOUTH
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Genetic counseling is a well-known field that lacks diversity. It is imperative to have diversity in healthcare to improve health outcomes. Studies suggest student engagement as a way to increase diversity, as early knowledge of genetic counseling increases the likelihood of considering it as a career and this is especially true for racial or ethnic minorities. This study focused on educating underrepresented high school students about the genetic counseling career and exploring the effectiveness of two different types of education methods (video vs in-person) to give valuable information for future outreach efforts. Upward Bound and Federal TRIO Programs located in southern states were contacted to schedule a presentation about the genetic counseling career for their students. The students were given an online survey before the presentation (pre-survey) and after (post-survey) assessing their knowledge, interest, and familiarity. The post-survey also included open-ended feedback questions and asked students to rank presentation topics based on perceived value. There were 61 students eligible for analysis from the in-person data. The video data was insufficient for comparison. Descriptive and comparative statistical analyses were performed on the in-person data in excel. A regression model was applied to the data in RStudio to show whether the intervention (presentation) was significant. 81% of student participants identified as Black or African American. There was a statistically significant increase in knowledge and familiarity (p<0.001) after the presentation but not in interest (p>0.05), showing our in-person presentation was effective in two of three areas explored. Gender identity and grade level did not show significance as intervention effects. By ranking topics and answering open-ended questions, participants supplied information about the way underrepresented students wish to be educated about the genetic counseling career. We make suggestions for making future inclusive outreach efforts such as working with Upward Bound or TRIO programs, conducting an in-person presentation, giving background context about DNA and genetics, including direct experiences from genetic counselors, highlighting education requirements, using charts for explanations, highlighting updated salary information, being concise, and allowing time for questions about general genetics.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 60
|
| Hyche, Mary Hunter |
Balica, Andrian |
Healthcare Deserts of Chronic Pelvic Pain Management Centers in Women
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Chronic pelvic pain (CPP) is a common and devastating clinical finding that is often overlooked, underdiagnosed, and undertreated in the population of women. A consequence of the medical oversight could eventually lead to opioid seeking and addiction. CPP is defined as pain in the pelvic area that lasts six months or longer. CPP can be due to a variety of causes such as irritable bowel syndrome, endometriosis, interstitial cystitis, pelvic adhesions, or musculoskeletal injury. First line of treatment for CPP consists of addressing the underlying cause, followed by the treatment of neuropathic pain with a variety of pharmacological options such as tricyclic antidepressants, gabapentin, or SSRIs and not uncommonly narcotics. If the pain persists a pelvic pain management center is recommended for comprehensive care and avoidance of pharmacological interactions. Pelvic pain management center involves specific expertise in this field. One of the causes that leads to undertreatment of CPP is the lack of CPP pain management centers. A healthcare desert is when there is limited access to healthcare in the area where one lives, resulting in insufficient management of health conditions.
In Columbia, SC and especially rural South Carolina there is a need for more CPP pain management centers that provide comprehensive approaches, including pharmacological, to manage opioid usage appropriately. Addressing the CPP pain management centers deserts would lead to improved care and decreased dependence on opioids. Opioid overdose is one of the leading causes of mortality in the USA. If the healthcare desert of CPP pain management centers is not acknowledged, women can become dependent on opioids for management of their CPP leading to adverse effects, addiction, and overdoses. This paper contributes to the ongoing discussion of inadequate resourcing in treatment of CPP leading to opioid use.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 180
|
Arcement, Jake
Patel, Mitt |
Hudac, Caitlin
Wingard, Ezra
McFadden, Jackson
Nelson, Cailee |
The Influence of Anxiety on Social Preferences: Exploring Group Size and Duration Choices
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Anxiety is an evolutionary adaptation that aids humans in coping with environmental stressors (Bateson et al., 2011). Alongside survival, it is also relevant in social situations (Mermelstein, 2022). There is minimal literature on how anxiety influences social decisions related to quantity, such as time spent with others or preferred group size. We seek to understand the associations between anxiety and quantity-related social choices. To explore this relationship, we analyzed decisions made within a novel computer task and examined their connection to anxiety symptoms. We hypothesize that people with low social preference will have increased anxiety.
Adults (age 18-35, N = 34) and adolescents (age 12-17, N = 25) completed the "FortuneTeller" task, where they completed 80 decisions for hypothetical social activities that varied by group size or duration. Based on their choices, participants received a personalized “fortune” placing them into one of five social preference groups: low social preference ("Sloth"), high social preference ("Butterfly"), preference for larger groups ("Rabbit"), preference for longer durations ("Swan"), or balanced preferences ("Chameleon").
The Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), a brief and reliable self-report scale for screening and assessing the severity of generalized anxiety disorder (Spitzer et al., 2006), was used to measure anxiety levels and examine their relationship to social decision-making patterns. We will compare participants based upon their classified group via an analysis of variance (ANOVA) test to see if the means of the GAD-7 scores differed per group.
This study aims to explore how anxiety levels influence decisions about social quantity. By studying the effects of anxiety on social decisions, interventions such as therapy can be developed to improve social functioning for high anxiety individuals.
Bateson, M., Brilot, B., & Nettle, D. (2011). Anxiety: An evolutionary approach. The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 56(12), 707–715. https://doi.org/10.1177/070674371105601202
Mermelstein, J. J. (2022). The evolutionary roots of anxiety and its implications for socialization and group cohesion. Journal of Psychiatry and Psychiatric Disorders, 6, 247–252. https://doi.org/10.26502/jppd.2572-519X0168
Spitzer, R. L., Kroenke, K., Williams, J. B., & Löwe, B. (2006). A brief measure for assessing generalized anxiety disorder: the GAD-7. Archives of internal medicine, 166(10), 1092-109.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 169
|
| Yang, Xuan |
Shinkareva, Svetlana
O'Reilly, Christian |
VALENCE PROCESSING DURING NATURALISTIC NARRATIVE LISTENING
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Affective processing is essential to all aspects of human psychological functioning. A deeper understanding of its neural mechanisms could provide a conceptual foundation for current psychopathological therapies and inspire new applications. Much of existing research relies on controlled laboratory stimuli (e.g., emotion-evocative images or isolated words), leaving a gap in our understanding of affective processing in real-life contexts. Listening to narratives approximates some daily experiences and is well-suited for studying affective processing in an ecologically valid way. This study investigated the neural representation of valence when participants listened to four 13-minute narratives in an MRI scanner. A separate sample of participants rated their affective experience for each segment of these narratives on valence and arousal. We examined how valence modulates the hemodynamic response after controlling for arousal. Valence was modeled as a linear and a quadratic variable to test the Bipolarity and Valence-general hypotheses. We used Bayesian model selection to determine which of these hypotheses is the most probable. Our results supported the Bipolarity hypothesis: valence was positively correlated with activity in the bilateral amygdala, hippocampus, superior temporal gyrus, and ventromedial prefrontal cortex, and negatively correlated with activity in the middle and posterior cingulate cortices and bilateral supramarginal gyrus. This study supports the Bipolarity hypothesis and highlights the importance of using naturalistic stimuli to study affective experience.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 93
|
Anderson, Ashley
Sellers, Rachel |
Shinkareva, Svetlana V.
Yang, Xuan |
A Behavioral Coding System for Orofacial Movements in Response to Auditory, Visual, and Mental Imagery Stimuli in Misophonia
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Misophonia is a disorder that is characterized by extreme emotional and physiological reactions to certain sounds, known as triggers. While it is not an uncommon experience to have unpleasurable reactions to aversive sounds, those with misophonia experience more intense reactions to their specific triggers, such as chewing, coughing, or lip-smacking. While some studies have investigated the neurophysiological mechanisms underlying misophonia, little is known about the involuntary facial and motor reactions that accompany this condition. The goal of this project was to develop a standardized coding system to qualitatively describe behavioral features that characterize misophonic response to triggers that might otherwise be overlooked. The orofacial responses were recorded when participants, both with and without misophonia, were seeing, hearing, and thinking about trigger, aversive, and non-aversive stimuli during physiological monitoring. We first exhaustively examined any facial and motor actions observed during the video recordings, resulting in seventy unique observable actions during the 5 second stimulus presentation window. Then, we qualitatively categorized those actions as 9 higher-level behavioral features, including the change or movement in the head, face, mouth, eyebrows, eyes, body, and breath. An in-house python-based graphical user interface was developed to code the identified behavioral features for the video recordings one trial at a time. To validate this standardized system, two coders, blind to the stimuli type (trigger, aversive, or non-aversive), independently coded the features for a participant with misophonia. High inter-coder consistency was reached. For misophonia participants, triggers were clearly separated from aversive and non-aversive trials based on the identified orofacial features. This standardized coding system can be used to examine mimicry in response to orofacial movement sounds as a coping strategy in misophonia. This system can also link external behavioral responses to internal physiological changes and shed light on the understanding of the somatovisceral mechanisms underlying misophonia.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 160
|
| Bongiorno, Rhaynie |
Raunikar, Mary |
Security Automation Phishing Detection: The Development of the UISO’s Automated Phishing Detection Bot
View Full Text
Abstract Text
During my internship with the University of South Carolina’s Information Security Office, I gained the opportunity to overhaul the way the university detects phishing campaigns. Phishing is a manipulation tactic used to gain sensitive information on the internet from users. The Automated Phishing Detection Bot, also known as “phishing bot,” is a tool used by the UISO to detect harmful phishing and scam campaigns. Starting development in the Summer of 2023, the phishing bot has gone through several revisions to provide our security analyst team with the information they need tackle scams targeted at the university’s population. Through the development of Phishing Bot, I got to experience both threat analysis and security engineering in real world settings. I learned as I architected, wrote, and debugged Phishing Bot as my first professional project. I gained a better understanding of social engineering tactics and technical attack methods through analyzing real phishing emails reported by university faculty, staff, and students. I gained experience in developing in a cloud environment, Continuous Integration/Continuous Delivery (CI/CD) pipelines, and working with open-source tools and libraries. As phishing attacks become more sophisticated, Phishing Bot is continuously revised and improved. This opportunity to make a real impact on the security of the university has prepared me for the world of cyber security and security engineering, allowing me to step into my post-college career with confidence.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 281
|
| Jebackumar, Travis |
Ray, Donna
Titus, Ryan
Harrison, Preston
Manning, Kyla
Mattia, Victoria |
Unhoused, Not Unheard: Bridging Gaps in Healthcare for the Homeless
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Nearly 1,400 people in Columbia, South Carolina, are experiencing homelessness, but the crisis runs deeper than a lack of shelter.1 Over 50% of unhoused individuals struggle with mental health disorders, 35% battle substance use disorders, 28% live with chronic illnesses, and 32% have physical disabilities.2 Unfortunately, access to healthcare in Columbia remains decentralized and out of reach with patients being stigmatized. Hands for Homelessness is committed to changing that. Mayor Daniel Rickenmann has made it abundantly clear: Our city is in “crisis mode”, and urgent action is needed.1
Through a partnership with Transitions Homeless Shelter and Cooperative Health in Columbia, a group of medical students is on a mission to bridge the gaps in healthcare for the unhoused. Current efforts by student volunteers for Hands for Homelessness include listening sessions, health screening with blood pressure checks, general counseling, and referrals for health care. Through assisting with the complex paperwork needed to access free care with Cooperative Health, twenty individuals have been connected to health services. In collaboration with the USC I-CaRe team, free narcotic overdose medications (Narcan), fentanyl test strips, and hygiene kits are also offered. On average, approximately 25 people are screened at each event, enabling health conversations and demonstrating compassion for a community in need.
For many, these services are life-changing. One participant shared, “It means a lot that someone actually listens. People usually walk by like we don’t exist.” Our student volunteers have been equally impacted. One reflected, “I didn’t realize how difficult it was for people to access care until I helped fill out the forms myself.” Another added, “Healthcare should never be this hard to get.”
The AMA Code of Ethics states that physicians should work to eliminate barriers to care and promote justice in healthcare.5 Likewise, the Gold Humanism Honor Society and AOA Code of Ethics emphasize service to the underserved as a professional duty. By upholding these values, Hands for Homelessness embodies the highest ideals of medicine: compassion, advocacy, and justice. The time to act is now.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 173
|
| Ekenedo, Theresa |
Corbett, Cindy
Murillo, Crystal |
Cultural Variation on The Acceptance of Caregiver Role Among Blacks
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Background/Significance
Globally, cultural values, traditions, and beliefs influence caregiving.1 Among and within Black populations (African Americans, African immigrants, and African Caribbeans), cultural variations impact the acceptance of the caregiver role.2 These variations impact role acceptance and caregiving burden. Limited research explores how cultural differences among these subgroups shape caregiving experiences, leaving a gap in understanding that hinders the development of culturally responsive interventions.
Purpose
This study examines cultural variations in accepting the caregiver role among Blacks in the United States of America, focusing on how cultural expectations influence caregiving experiences and outcomes.
Methods:
Using the Acceptance Theory of Family Caregiving by Feliciano et al. (2022) as a guide, this mixed-methods study will combine quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews. A culturally adapted caregiver role acceptance scale (Cultural Justifications for Caregiving Scale, CJCS) will be used to measure acceptance levels across the three groups (n=120, 40 per group), and the Zarit Burden Interview-12 (ZBI-12) will be used to measure associated caregiving burden. Survey data will capture demographic, cultural, and caregiving variables, analyzed using ANOVA and regression models. Qualitative semi-structured interviews with 30 participants (10 per group) will analyze cultural norms, motivations for caregiving, and challenges, analyzed using thematic analysis.
Results:
Preliminary hypotheses suggest that African immigrants and African Caribbeans will demonstrate higher caregiver role acceptance due to strong familial and cultural obligations. African Americans will report moderate acceptance shaped by historical resilience and systemic challenges. Themes from qualitative analysis are expected to highlight shared cultural values (community support, faith) and group-specific barriers (acculturation stress for immigrants).
Conclusions/Implications:
Findings will provide insights into how cultural differences shape caregiving acceptance among Black populations, informing the development of tailored interventions. Recommendations will include culturally sensitive policies, caregiver support programs, and strategies to address group-specific challenges, ultimately enhancing caregiver well-being and care outcomes in these communities.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 79
|
| McSherry, Colin |
Azhar, Mohamad
Shazly, Tarek |
Biomechanical Analysis of Thoracic Aorta in Smooth Muscle-Specific Transforming Growth Factor Beta-2 Conditional Knockout Mice
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Transforming growth factor-beta (TGFβ) and its associated signaling pathways are the genetic basis of Loeys-Dietz Syndrome (LDS). Collectively, LDS patients with thoracic aortic dilation are prone to sudden dissection and rupture. Connective tissue in the elastic network is disrupted in LDS patients carrying TGFβ2 mutations. Additionally, vascular smooth muscle cell (SMC) dysfunction is also prevalent in LDS patients. However, the role of TGFβ2 signaling in SMC dysfunction remains unclear due to conflicting molecular findings. Our previous data showed that smooth muscle cell-specific TGFβ2 conditional knockout mice develop thoracic aortic aneurysm. In this study, we evaluate active and passive mechanical properties of the descending aorta using wire myography in TGFβ2 conditional knockout mice and wild-type controls. This information will be useful in identifying the role of TGFβ2 in smooth muscle cell contractility and ECM remodeling during aneurysm progression.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 76
|
Mathai, Yoshua
Martin, Michael |
Gupta, Abhinav
Mathai, Yoshua
Martin, Michael |
Adding vasodilators in a severe shock patient; a Peculiar Approach
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Intro: Pulmonary Hypertension occurs when there is elevated pressure in the lungs. If severe, this can propagate Right ventricular failure (RV) and cardiac shock. Pulmonary hypertension is typically treated through three different vasodilatory pathways including via nitric oxide, endothelin, or prostacyclin. By appreciating cardiopulmonary physiology, however, patients in cardiac shock may improve with these vasodilator treatments. We present the following case that demonstrates this idea.
Case: A 52-year-old female with past medical history notable for pulmonary hypertension with chronic right ventricular (RV) failure and history of methamphetamine abuse, was admitted with Right lower extremity necrotizing fasciitis and circulatory shock. The patient was urgently debrided and was started on intravenous (IV) antibiotics with pressors. A chest angiogram was also done which revealed bilateral segmental pulmonary emboli. She was then started on a heparin drip. Despite several days of broad-spectrum antibiotics and heparin, her pressor requirements significantly increased. An echo was obtained showing worsening RV systolic function compared to prior. A pulmonary arterial (PA) catheter was placed with mean PA pressures found to be consistently in the 50s mmHg. The decision was made to add and titrate intravenous epoprostenol, a prostacyclin and vasodilator, to a goal PA pressure of 20. After reaching goal, levophed requirements reduced to about half.
Discussion: This case presents an interesting progression of events which led to the deduction that her pulmonary hypertension was (or became) the primary driver of her (cardiogenic) shock. Despite using therapies that were aimed at treating the obstructive and septic components, treating her pulmonary hypertension is ultimately what provided any improvement. This patient likely had acute on chronic RV failure which may have been set off by her initial pulmonary embolus. Epoprostenol, a potent vasodilator, was then considered given its acute onset. While a vasodilator may be an unusual choice in a shock patient, this lowered the RV afterload and optimized RV function resulting in improvement in pulmonary and downstream systemic circulation, improving the shock. Hence, this case provides an example of how by understanding the physiological mechanisms, vasodilatory drugs may be a consideration rather than a contraindication in a shock patient.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 142
|
| Lee, Jongwon |
Yang, Chih-Hsiang |
Momentary Association between Affect and Domain-Specific Cognition in African American Older Adults: An Ambulatory Assessment Study
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Introduction: While Older African Americans (AAs) are at a higher risk of Alzheimer’s and related dementia than other racial groups, previous efforts to determine cognitive functioning have been primarily based on lab-based assessments, which do not sensitively reflect the daily context. Investigating the momentary association between affect and cognition using an ambulatory assessment can help overcome this limitation. By identifying these associations, researchers can develop the Just In Time Adaptive Intervention (JITAI) to sustain cognitive function in AAs. Therefore, the current study used an ambulatory assessment to investigate the momentary association between visuospatial working memory, processing speed, and positive and negative affect in AAs in a real-world setting.
Methods: Older AAs (n=97, 89% female, 68.51± 5.47 years, Montreal Cognitive Assessment=23.16± 3.60) reported momentary affect and cognition performances using 4-semi-randomly prompts with 3-hour time blocks daily for 4- consecutive days. Negative affect (i.e., anxious, depressed, and lonely) and positive affect (i.e., calm, energetic, and joyful) were measured based on items selected from the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule. The NIH-funded ambulatory cognitive assessment (i.e., Symbol Search and Dot Memory tests) measured processing speed and visuospatial working memory, respectively. Linear mixed models using a between and within-subjects analysis predicted the momentary association between each cognitive domain and negative and positive affect, controlling for age, sex, physical function, and general cognition.
Results: The compliance rate of momentary affect and cognition performance tasks was 69% (1069/1552). Experiencing less momentary negative affect than usual was related to higher visuospatial working memory (b=-0.13, p=0.03) but not to processing speed. There were no between-person differences in the association between negative affect and both cognitive domains. Positive affect was not associated with either cognitive domain at the between and within-person levels.
Conclusions: The results show that elevated momentary experiences of negative affect may impact momentary visuospatial working memory, a critical indicator of cognitive impairment leading to Alzheimer’s and related dementia. According to this study, the development of JITAI focusing on training momentary coping skills, especially for mitigating negative affect, may help sustain AAs’ cognitive function.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 81
|
| Filice, Marina |
Roberts, Jane
Arnold, Holley |
Autonomic Arousal Profiles in Children with Fragile X Syndrome: Exploring the Effects of Co-occurring ASD and ADHD
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is an X-linked genetic disorder associated with the FMR1 gene and is linked to mild to severe cognitive impairment (Bailey, 2008). Children with FXS are at an elevated risk of co-occurring conditions, such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) (Bailey, 2008). In a recent study of preschoolers with FXS, approximately 60% met the DSM-5 criteria for ASD and 20% met criteria for ADHD (Roberts, 2020). There is considerable symptom overlap between ADHD and ASD, making differential diagnosis challenging, especially in children with FXS. Despite broader studies on the co-occurrence of ADHD and ASD, limited research has focused on distinguishing their unique profiles in this population. Given the diagnostic complexity, identifying physiological markers that may serve as predictors is crucial. Both ADHD and ASD have been linked to atypical RSA patterns, suggesting that RSA may provide insight into the differentiation of these conditions within FXS. RSA reflects heart rate variability and is used as a non-invasive measure of cardiac parasympathetic activity. Prior research indicates that children with ASD tend to have lower RSA values (Barbier, 2022), while children with ADHD showed mixed findings (Bellato, 2022). RSA was measured during a baseline condition. ASD diagnostic status was evaluated using the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule-2. ADHD symptomatology and diagnostic status were assessed using the Preschool Age Psychiatric Assessment. This study explores (1) whether children with co-occurring ASD (FXS+ASD) and without ASD (FXS-nonASD) differ in ADHD symptomology and RSA, and (2) whether RSA differs among children with FXS based on ASD and/or ADHD diagnostic status. It is hypothesized that children with both FXS+ASD will show higher rates of ADHD symptomology than those with FXS-nonASD. Children with FXS+ASD are also expected to have lower RSA compared to those with FXS-nonASD. Additionally, it is hypothesized that RSA will differ based on ASD and/or ADHD diagnostic status in children with FXS. Utilizing biobehavioral markers to predict ADHD symptomology in children with FXS+ASD and FXS-nonASD could allow for differential diagnoses and contribute to personalized intervention strategies and therapies.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 151
|
| Mann, Catharine |
Flory, Kate |
Potential title: Benevolent Childhood Experiences as a Buffer for ADHD and Comorbidities in College Students
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is associated with increased rates of comorbid mental disorders such as substance use, depression, and anxiety, as well as overall impairment in functioning. These associations may be mediated by risk factors associated with ADHD, including deficits in emotion regulation and executive functioning. Further, previous research indicates that childhood adversity experienced by individuals with ADHD can further worsen comorbidities and impairment. In contrast, Benevolent Childhood Experiences (BCEs), such as high-quality relationships or consistent home environments, may serve as a protective factor, weakening the negative effects of ADHD symptoms on later development thereby improving health outcomes. However, no studies have investigated the potentially protective role of BCEs in the association between ADHD and comorbid disorders and impairment. The present study therefore seeks to determine if BCEs may be a moderator in the association between ADHD symptoms and symptoms of comorbid disorders and/or impairment among college students. Data from the multisite Undergraduate Learning, Emotion, and Attention Research Network (U-LEARN) study will be analyzed, utilizing online self-report questionnaires pertaining to BCEs, functional impairment, depression and anxiety symptoms, alcohol and marijuana consumption, and ADHD symptoms. Participants (n = 5,123) across eight US universities completed this study. To evaluate the moderating role of BCEs in these relations, we will examine bivariate correlations and fit linear regression models with interaction terms. Findings could have implications for clinical practice and community interventions and elucidate potential protective factors that may promote positive long-term well-being for individuals with ADHD.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 186
|
Ranganathan, Yashasvini
D'Agostina, Katerina |
Roberts, Jane
Hamrick, Lisa |
Examining the Relationship between Conversational Turns and Socialization Engagement among Fragile X Premutation and Neurotypical Children
View Full Text
Abstract Text
A person with the fragile X premutation (FXpm) is an individual with 55-200 CGG repeats in the FMR1 gene, which is associated with increased anxiety and social communication difficulties in adulthood. Little is known about early development for those with the FXpm, particularly in language development, which facilitates socialization of the child in their environment. One aspect of language development that is related to socialization is conversational turns, which are described as back-and-forth chatting a child does with an adult. These vocalizations are important for indicating language development on a broad scale. The relationship between language development and socialization in the FXpm will be examined in this study to indicate how socialization skills have affected their ability to engage in conversational turns.
Our study will examine the relationship between conversational turns and socialization skills among children with the FXpm and neurotypical (NT) children. We hypothesize that increased percentiles of conversational turns will be positively associated with socialization skills across both groups. We also expect to see a difference in this relationship between NT and FXpm children.
Our sample included 23 children with the FXpm and 18 NT children, aged 9 to 24 months old. We assessed conversational turns using the Language ENvironment Analysis (LENA) system, which uses a wearable recording device to measure variables related to a child's vocalizations and interactions with their environment. We assessed socialization skills using the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales (VABS) Socialization Domain score. The VABS is collected through a semi-structured interview with a child’s parent to assess their child’s adaptive skills or those used to take care of oneself and meet one’s needs on a daily basis. We will conduct a linear regression to examine the association between conversational turns and socialization scores and test significant differences in this association between FXpm and NT children. Examining FXpm socialization and conversational turns will be a novel addition to the current body of LENA and FXpm research because there has been no study performed using LENA as a method to obtain data on the FXpm population regarding their engagement in socialization.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 187
|
| Dodds, Breanna |
Spence, Gina |
Owning the Conversation: Taking the Lead in Consultative Selling
View Full Text
Abstract Text
I will be discussing my beyond-the-classroom experience as an Account Manager Intern for Gartner. Gartner is a top-performing research and consulting firm that provides actionable insights to help executives and their teams grow faster and better. I participated in a 10-week remote internship where I networked with interns across the country. During the internship, I completed over 50 shadow calls, 20 outreach emails, and researched 100 prospects for my mentor. However, my most significant achievement was performing a roleplay with my mentor, where I learned how to take control of sales conversations. The roleplay consisted of creating a sales deck, researching a CEO prospect, and tailoring my pitch to uncover the needs by asking questions. I utilized Gartner’s specific sales process and my previous sales knowledge from my intro to sales class to receive a 10/10 on my roleplay. This has led to me accepting a full-time job as an Account Manager with Gartner, where I will start in Fort Myers, Florida, in August. This experience showed me the power of practice, good communication skills, and confidence are all needed to perform well in sales.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 248
|
| Budrow, Alexa |
Therrell, Amanda |
Fostering Growth Through Peer Leadership: My Experience as a Senior Peer Leader
View Full Text
Abstract Text
In Fall 2024, I served as a Senior Peer Leader with the University of South Carolina’s University 101 Programs, co-teaching alongside Sandy Greene, the Associate Director for Peer Leadership & Partnerships. In this role, I served as a co-instructor for EDLP 520, worked closely with a classroom of 19 students, guiding and mentoring Peer Leaders as they facilitated their own U101 courses. My responsibilities included leading lessons, demonstrating sample lesson plans, and fostering a sense of community within the classroom through team-building exercises. A particularly defining moment was learning that three of my students had been selected to become Senior Peer Leaders the following year—an achievement that reinforced the impact of this experience.
My motivation for taking on this role stemmed from my deep appreciation for peer leadership and the transformative nature of U101. Teaching and mentorship became passions of mine, and I found immense fulfillment in helping first-year students navigate their transition to university life. I wanted to be the mentor I once needed, ensuring that students felt supported and empowered. Tyler Cater, my first Peer Leading co-instructor, and Sandy Greene played a crucial role in my journey, offering guidance and encouragement. Through this experience, I discovered the power of community in education. A connected and comfortable classroom environment significantly enhances learning, which I achieved through intentional activities such as check-ins, icebreakers, and group discussions. I applied the Tree Model Guide to structure my facilitation, emphasizing foundational engagement (roots), knowledge-sharing (trunk), and student growth (leaves). This framework proved invaluable, influencing not only my approach to Peer Leading but also my aspirations for the future. The impact of this role has inspired me to pursue a U201 Peer Leading position in professional development in my final semester and even consider a long-term career in education. More importantly, I hope others recognize that the principles of the Tree Model can be applied far beyond the classroom, fostering growth and community in any setting.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 319
|
| Villanueva, Hannah |
Pena, Maria
Jani, Niti
Richardson, Maredith |
Investigating the Combined Impact of Antibiotics and a High-Fat Diet on the Gut Microbiome and Incidence of Early-Onset Colorectal Cancer in a Mouse Model of CRC
View Full Text
Abstract Text
The gut microbiome is essential for immune development and metabolism, but early-life disruptions, particularly antibiotic (Abx) exposure, are linked to chronic inflammatory diseases. While Abx treat infections, they also alter the gut microbiome, especially in children. Since the 1980s, early-onset colorectal cancer (EOCRC) has risen globally, with inflammation and dysbiosis implicated in its pathogenesis. However, the impact of repeated Abx exposure and other modifiable risk factors on EOCRC risk remains unclear.
We examine whether multiple exposures to commonly prescribed pediatric antibiotics disrupt gut microbiota, promote inflammation in the distal colon, and increase EOCRC susceptibility. Our objectives are to determine if antibiotic-induced dysbiosis and inflammation by itself or in combination with other risk factors contribute to increased risk for EOCRC.
Retrospective studies link Abx exposure to microbiome disruption and inflammation, but its connection to CRC remains unclear. No preclinical studies have tested how common pediatric Abx affect EOCRC risk. Using a controlled mouse model, we examine long-term effects of early-life Abx on gut health and tumors. Prior lab studies showed repeated Abx exposure increased tumor burden in EOCRC models. We will assess the impact of Abx and high-fat diet, a modifiable risk factor, on EOCRC risk in female mice.
Three-week-old female C57BL/6 (B6) mice will be placed on either a high-fat (HFD, 45% kcal fat) or low-fat diet (LFD, 10% kcal fat) and receive three 10-day courses of amoxicillin or azithromycin at 4, 8, and 12 weeks of age. Control mice will receive water or PEG (vehicle). Two days after the last Abx treatment, all mice will receive azoxymethane (AOM) injections once a week for six weeks, to induce tumor formation. Mice will be analyzed at an intermediate timepoint (two days post-final Abx dose) to assess gut microbiota dysbiosis and colon inflammation, and at the terminal timepoint (14 weeks post-AOM treatment) to evaluate tumor burden.
We expect multiple Abx exposures and HFD to cause persistent dysbiosis, increased gut/colon inflammation, and higher tumor burden. These findings could inform public health policies on pediatric Abx use and inspire strategies to restore gut microbiome health, reducing EOCRC risk.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 27
|
| Stokes, Jack |
Mott, David
Wilber, Madison
Warren, James
Higley, Samantha
Gillenwater, Trent |
Altered Expression of Amygdala Interneurons in Fragile X Syndrome
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) is an X-linked disorder that causes behavioral and learning challenges and is the most common genetic cause of intellectual disability. FXS affects males more often and more severely than females. FXS is caused by a trinucleotide CGG repeat expansion in the promoter region of the Fragile X messenger ribonucleoprotein 1 (Fmr1) gene that results in transcriptional silencing and the absence of its encoded protein, the Fragile X messenger ribonucleoprotein (FMRP). FMRP is an mRNA-binding protein that controls the translation of a large number of RNAs that are critical for neuronal development and synaptic plasticity. Thus, while FXS is a monogenic disorder, the absence of FMRP gives rise to a host of behavioral and neurological problems. Individuals with FXS are frequently co-diagnosed with social and behavioral deficits and autism spectrum disorder (ASD), causing FXS to be the most common identifiable cause of ASD. The neurobiological mechanisms underlying these social deficits are poorly understood.
The amygdala is a brain region that is crucial for emotional memory and social behavior. Clinical research supports the involvement of the amygdala in FXS symptomatology, with FXS patients exhibiting abnormal amygdala activation while viewing fearful faces or direct gazes. Furthermore, preclinical studies of Fmr1 knockout mice identified behavioral deficits related to amygdala function. We have previously shown that distinct types of inhibitory interneurons play a critical role in regulating amygdalar excitability and emotional memory formation. Parvalbumin (PV) and somatostatin (SOM) interneurons play vital roles in regulating amygdala function where they produce perisomatic and dendritic inhibition, respectively. Whether FXS is associated with alterations in the expression of these interneuron types is not known. To test this possibility, we used confocal immunofluorescence to compare PV and SOM interneuron expression in the amygdala of control and Fmr1 knockout adult mice of both sexes. We found significant differences in the expression of both PV and SOM interneurons in male but not female mice. These findings suggest that alterations in inhibition may contribute to the more frequent and severe FXS phenotype in males. GABAergic normalization therapies may alleviate FXS social deficits.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 180
|
| Hejlik, Kassidy |
Therrell, Amanda |
Styling the West: My Transformative Internship at Boot Barn Corporate
View Full Text
Abstract Text
During the summer of 2024, I had the opportunity to intern as a Styling Intern at Boot Barn Corporate in Irvine, California. This role immersed me in the fast-paced world of retail styling, where I contributed to photoshoots, merchandising projects, and product coordination for one of the leading Western lifestyle brands. One of the most impactful experiences of my internship was traveling to Bozeman, Montana, to assist on a major brand photoshoot. This trip allowed me to gain hands-on experience in styling models, selecting wardrobe pieces, and collaborating with photographers and creative directors to bring Boot Barn’s vision to life.
Beyond the technical styling skills I developed, this internship broadened my understanding of brand storytelling, consumer engagement, and the strategic decisions that shape a company’s image. I worked closely with the creative team, learning how to curate looks that align with the brand’s identity while staying ahead of industry trends. Additionally, I gained valuable experience in organization and adaptability, as every project required attention to detail and the ability to pivot quickly in a dynamic environment.
Moving across the country from the East Coast to California for this opportunity was a transformative experience. It pushed me to step out of my comfort zone, build new relationships, and immerse myself in a completely different work culture. Living in a new city strengthened my independence and resilience, teaching me how to navigate unfamiliar settings both professionally and personally.
This internship solidified my passion for the fashion and retail industry, reaffirming my interest in styling, branding, and visual storytelling. The knowledge and confidence I gained from this experience will undoubtedly shape my career moving forward. Boot Barn provided me with the tools to excel in creative direction and styling while giving me the opportunity to see firsthand how a national retail brand executes its vision. This summer was not just about learning—it was about growing as a professional, embracing new challenges, and finding inspiration in the unexpected.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 239
|
Tofiqul, Alina
White, Sarah |
Chi-Hsiang, Yang |
The Effects of Mindful Walking on Quality of Life and Blood Pressure in African American Older Adults
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Introduction: Mindful walking, a practice combining physical activity with mindfulness techniques, has gained attention for its potential health benefits beyond traditional exercise. It may contribute to enhancements in quality of life (QoL) and significant improvements in blood pressure (BP) regulation in older adults. This relationship has not been fully studied, so this study is designed to support this literature.
Method: This study examines the impact of mindful walking on QoL and BP over six months in a group of African American older adults aged 60 or above. Sixty-three participants were randomized into two groups–engaged in structured mindful walking sessions or a waitlist control. Participants in the intervention group underwent an immediate walking intervention involving mindful walking tasks for a total of 24 sessions, two times a week, for 30 minutes each session. Participants in the delayed group began their walking sessions three months later. Changes in QoL and BP were assessed over the duration of 6 months through lab visits at baseline, week 13, week 18, and week 25. Participants' QoL was assessed using the EQ-5D questionnaire, and their BP was manually measured twice and averaged using the blood pressure monitor.
Results: Across all the study periods, the intervention group displayed lower average scores of EQ-5D scores. The intervention group had a mean score of 1.26, and the delayed group was 1.33. They also reported lower pain and discomfort levels with a mean score of 1.55 compared to the control group that had a mean score of 1.69. In addition, the intervention group also displayed lower systolic and diastolic BP rates. The average BP rate of the intervention group was 129.13/77.65, and the delayed group displayed average BP rates of 131.68/79. The biggest average difference was at week 18.
Conclusion: Our findings indicate that mindful walking practices can potentially contribute to higher quality of life and lower blood pressure, providing insights into designing early intervention strategies to sustain health and well-being. These findings highlight the potential of mindful walking as a feasible, accessible lifestyle activity for promoting healthy aging.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 153
|
| Wrightson, Jace |
Jin, Rongying |
Magnetic-Field Controlled Memristor
View Full Text
Abstract Text
We focus on switching memristors through magnetic fields. Using copper coils to generate AC magnetic fields, we explore the activation dynamics of a memristor. The experiment involves constructed and commercially available coils to optimize the induced magnetic field necessary for memristor activation. The induced voltages were measured at different distances from the coils, with input voltages ranging from 5 V to 30 V. If the required voltage to activate a memristor is accessible in the laboratory, it will potentially reduce the complexity and improve the scalability of memristive devices.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 79
|
| Jacobs, Iya |
Turner, Carrie |
Achieving Life Skills Through Coaching
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Coaching is a challenging yet immensely rewarding job that few are able to take on. As a coach, I play a significant role in the lives of my athletes, helping them grow and develop both as athletes and as individuals. I’ve dedicated three years to coaching and have poured everything I’ve learned into my athletes. My passion for coaching was inspired by the coaches that impacted my life at a young age. One special coach taught me the true meaning of being an athlete and how to use my talents for good. I aim to inspire my athletes in the same way my coach inspired me, helping them become better both on the mat and off the mat. Through coaching, I’ve developed beneficial life skills such as leadership, management, and communication. Coaching has allowed me to see the positive outcomes of my contributions to the team with victories from competitions, leadership skills from captains, and service skills through community involvement. As the head coach of two teams ranging from ages 5 to 16, I have grown in life skills hand-in-hand with my athletes. I plan to continue coaching on the side while I pursue my goals in the medical field. I will take the life skills I have learned through coaching and apply them to my future medical career.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 195
|
| Mack, Sarah |
Damon, Dorlissa |
Bridging Theory and Practice: Insights from Leadership, Education, and Health
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Leading a group of college students is a crucial learning experience that requires effective communication, ethical decision-making, and the ability to foster an environment of inclusivity—skills that were essential in my experience leading Delta Zeta’s 2024 sorority recruitment. This role challenged me to navigate how to facilitate meaningful conversations and ensure a welcoming environment for both current and potential new members. Applying academic concepts such as leading with integrity, articulating ideas clearly, and handling challenging situations with confidence has strengthened my professional skills. By applying these concepts to a real-world leadership setting, I enhanced my ability to engage with others professionally, promote transparency, and build a strong sense of community within the organization. This experience showed me the importance of ethical leadership and effective communication skills—skills that extend beyond recruitment and into broader professional and civic engagement. My presentation will discuss the insights I gained from this leadership experience and how my academic experiences have shaped me into the leader I am today.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 280
|
| Singh, Aman |
Kiaris, Hippokratis
Chavez, Bernardo |
Modulating HCCR2 and HCCR5 Expression via CCL8 in Breast Cancer Cells to Enhance Cytotoxic Peptide Targeting
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Targeted therapeutic strategies in oncology increasingly rely on the precise modulation of cell-surface receptors to improve drug delivery and treatment specificity. In breast cancers, receptors such as HCCR2 and HCCR5 are often overexpressed, suggesting that modulating their expression could enhance the effectiveness of receptor-targeted therapies. In this study, we investigated the potential of CCL8 to upregulate these receptors in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells with the long-term aim of optimizing the targeting landscape for cytotoxic peptide applications.
Our experimental design involved three groups: an untreated control and two treatment groups receiving 10 ng/μL and 100 ng/μL of CCL8, respectively. Using qPCR to quantify receptor expression, we observed a concentration-dependent effect wherein the 10 ng/μL treatment induced a significantly higher upregulation of both HCCR2 and HCCR5 compared to both the 100 ng/μL treatment and the control. This non-linear dose-response indicates that lower concentrations of CCL8 may more effectively prime cells for targeted interventions.
We hypothesized that, rather than directly targeting CCL8 or its receptors, a more effective strategy might be to exploit the downstream cellular targets influenced by CCL8 signaling—irrespective of the receptor subtype expressed. To this end, we have developed the DTCCL8 prototype, a chimeric peptide that fuses CCL8 with the cytotoxic diphtheria toxin (DT). This innovative construct is designed to selectively deliver cytotoxic effects to cells with upregulated receptor expression, thereby refining receptor-mediated targeting approaches.
The enhanced receptor expression observed in this study not only validates the modulatory role of CCL8 but also sets the stage for future evaluation of DTCCL8 as a targeted cytotoxic agent in breast cancer therapy.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 115
|
Tapita, Anika
Siciliano, Sophia |
Twiss, Jeff
Dalla Costa, Irene |
ELP3 acetyltransferase determines axonal G3BP1 acetylation levels and regulate stress granules dynamics
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Neurons in the brain and spinal cord cannot regenerate after injury, leading to permanent loss of function (Huebner & Strittmatter, 2009). Conversely, axons in peripheral nervous system (PNS) nerves can regenerate, but at a slow rate of about one inch per month in humans (Höke, 2011). Injured PNS neurons rely on axonally synthesized proteins to drive axon regeneration. Some mRNAs are stored in mature axon in stress granule (SG)-like structures with injury activating their translation. SGs are non-membrane-bound cellular compartments formed through liquid-liquid phase separation that act as storage depots for translationally-silenced mRNAs during periods of oxidative and metabolic stress (Protter & Parker, 2016). Axonal SGs regulate the translation of bound mRNAs by sequestering them from the translational machinery. After axotomy, SGs increase in the injured region and partly disassemble, releasing mRNAs that are essential for subsequent axon regeneration. The Ras GTPase-activating protein-binding protein 1 (G3BP1) is a core SG protein that plays a crucial role in assembly and disassembly of SGs. Phosphorylation of G3BP1 on Ser149 has been shown to promote SG disassembly, which in turn enhances axon regeneration (Sahoo et al., 2020). However, G3BP1 was also shown to cause SG disassembly in U2OS cells (Gal et al., 2019), but this had not been tested in neurons. Our lab has shown that axonal G3BP1 undergoes acetylation at lysine 374 (K374) after axotomy resulting in an increased axon growth in culture and regeneration in vivo by increasing axonal mRNA translation. The G3BP1 deacetylase has been experimentally identified as HDAC6 and the acetylase was reported to be p300/CBP in U2OS cells (Gal et al., 2019). We confirm HDAC6 as an axonal G3BP1 deacetylase; however, our data point to Elongator complex protein 3 (ELP3) rather than p300/CBP as the axonal G3BP1 acetyltransferase. Knocking down ELP3 decreases acetylated axonal G3BP1 levels and axon growth, with a parallel increase in axonal G3BP1 granule size and number. In addition, DRG neurons transfected with shELP3 show impeded regeneration after transfection. These data point to ELP3 as the G3BP1 acetyltransferase providing new possible target strategies to regulate SGs and enhance nerve regeneration.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 44
|
| Zottoli, Victoria |
Pena, Maria
Baird, Maredith |
Studying the impact of early life exposure to antibiotics on gut microbiome composition and its increase risk for developing early onset colorectal cancer in prenatal mice
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Early screening and healthy lifestyles have led to a decline in colorectal cancer (CRC) in people older than fifty years. However, early onset colorectal cancer (EOCRC), CRC in patients less than fifty years old, has been steadily increasing and becoming a global epidemic. It is now the leading cause of cancer deaths in males and second in females under fifty. The underlying causes as to why otherwise healthy young individuals are afflicted is poorly understood. We hypothesize that EOCRC is caused by exposure to exposomes, whose global prevalence in the environment parallels the increase in EOCRC. Among these are antibiotics. Our goal is to determine if exposure to commonly prescribed classes of pediatric antibiotics at specific developmental stages in life can increase risk for EOCRC. To test this, we defined five developmental windows of susceptibility in mice, wherein exposure to broad spectrum antibiotics typically used in infants and children, may lead to increased risk of EOCRC. These stages include: (1) prenatal, (2) perinatal (5 days old), (3) pre-puberty (2-3 weeks old), (4) puberty (5-7 weeks old), and (5) adult (12 weeks old). My project focuses on antibiotic exposure at the prenatal stage. Pregnant AJ mice will be treated with one round of amoxicillin or azithromycin for seven days with control mice receiving water (amoxicillin control) or polyethylene glycol (azithromycin control). Tumors will be induced by administration of azoxymethane, a carcinogen, by intraperitoneal injection starting at four-weeks old, once a week for six weeks. Fecal pellets will be collected at different time points to analyze changes in microbiome composition by 16sRNA sequencing. Mice will be sacrificed fourteen-weeks after AOM treatment to determine tumor burden. We predict that exposure to antibiotics at an early age alters the gut microbiome composition causing inflammation and an altered immune environment in the colon, increasing the risk for developing EOCRC. Our findings will contribute towards development of preventative measures when receiving antibiotics to reduce gut dysbiosis and colon inflammation, thereby minimizing risk of EOCRC.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 34
|
| Tomlin, Fallon |
Stratmann, Johannes
Negi, Harshita |
Testing the bioactivity of GLV-derivatives for localization of GLV receptors in Arabidopsis cells
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Green Leaf Volatiles (GLVs) are chemical compounds essential in plant communication. Plants emit these volatiles as a result of mechanical damage, herbivory, or infection. When other parts of the plant and neighboring plants perceive GLVs, they activate defense responses. Though GLVs play an important role in plant survival, it is still unknown how and where in the cell they are perceived. However, our previous studies have highlighted the similarities between GLVs and molecular patterns, which are well-characterized conserved structures that induce defense responses. Both induce inhibition of root growth and signaling pathways involving MAP kinases. Therefore, we hypothesize that GLVs are perceived like molecular patterns, i.e. via plasma membrane-bound receptor proteins.
The overall goal of this project is to identify the subcellular localization of GLV binding sites, providing insight into GLV perception. This will be done using click chemistry, where a mini-tagged GLV derivative, (Z)-3-hexenyl azidoacetate (NHAC), will be coupled with a mini-tagged fluorogenic dye that can be used to localize binding sites. The first step in this process is to ensure that NHAC is bioactive in Arabidopsis protoplasts by demonstrating similar physiological responses induced by NHAC and its GLV parent compound, (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate (HAC). The initial test of bioactivity included root growth inhibition assays in Arabidopsis seedlings. NHAC was active but HAC was inactive, so these results were inconclusive. The second method of testing bioactivity includes MAP kinase (MAPK) assays. MAPKs are signaling molecules that are phosphorylated in response to different forms of stress; MAPK assays test for this phosphorylation. These experiments were first optimized using soil grown, agar grown, and liquid grown seedlings to demonstrate the activation of MAP kinases in Arabidopsis seedlings. Next, MAPK assays were performed with Arabidopsis protoplasts to compare the phosphorylation of MAPKs when exposed to NHAC and HAC. Though we have demonstrated that HAC activates MAP kinases in seedlings, we have inconclusive results for the protoplast experiments. This research project is important in elucidating mechanisms of plant communication. Further, understanding the natural defense mechanisms of plants may help to advance sustainable agriculture and pest management.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 92
|
| Flynn, Regan |
Fort, Valerie |
Bridging Healthcare Gaps: Medical Outreach in the Dominican Republic
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Through Galen Health Fellows, I participated in a medical outreach initiative to deliver essential healthcare to underserved communities in the Dominican Republic. In partnership with the Kerolle Initiative for Community Health, we worked on service projects to improve overall health and access to care. Initially, we set up health clinics within high-poverty Dominican and Haitian communities. Families traveled multiple miles to be seen and get their children assessed and prescribed medication by a physician. These clinics took place over three consecutive days and almost seventy-five people were able to get accessible care, without worries about cost or transportation. In addition to this, educational sessions were set up within community centers that were catered to different age groups. My partner and I educated young teen girls on reproductive health and safe sexual practices. The teen pregnancy rate in these communities is staggeringly high due to a lack of education and this provided information that many of these girls were hearing for the first time. Reproductive health and safe practices are highly stigmatized, and providing this information in a safe environment allowed these young girls to ask questions and learn about safer practices and precautions. We also did a drive for menstrual products, toys for younger children, and hygiene products. This allowed the community members to come to pick up necessities for their health. In addition to the clinics and education, we assisted with a water filtration project locally and with painting houses. Throughout this experience, we stayed with locals within one of the villages and truly experienced the Dominican culture through the most genuine and hospitable families. Being a part of this service outreach program allowed me to experience the impact that disparities and lack of resources can have on international healthcare. Through this experience, I gained cultural competency while working with patients from diverse backgrounds while expanding my understanding on global health challenges and the impact of socioeconomic factors. Participating in this medical service project enhanced my clinical expertise, cultural competency, and leadership skills, while deepened my commitment to global health and patient advocacy.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 216
|
| Delacruz, Adrianna |
Flach, Alicia |
Relationship of Self-Reported Physical Activity Level, Cognition, and Quality of Life in People Living with Parkinson’s Disease
View Full Text
Abstract Text
ABSTRACT BODY: Physical activity (PA) has been shown to significantly improve motor symptoms, cognitive functioning, and psychological well-being in individuals with Parkinson’s disease (PD). People with PD (pwPD) present with motor and non-motor symptoms such as tremors, rigidity, postural instability, depression, and cognitive decline, leading to a reduced quality of life (QOL). Regular PA has been suggested to help alleviate these symptoms, which can lead to better physical functioning and, in turn, an enhanced QOL. Self-reported PA levels are a standard method of measurement in clinical studies, which provide insight into their perceived frequency, intensity, and duration of exercise. Purpose: To determine whether higher self-reported PA levels are associated with improved QOL in pwPD.
METHODS: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted to examine the relationship between self-reported PA levels, cognition and QOL in pwPD. Pearson correlation was calculated to compare correlations of self-reported physical activity, cognition, and quality of life. Because this is an early-phase cross-sectional study, no adjustments were made for multiple comparisons and an alpha level of <0.05 was used to determine significance.
RESULTS: Forty-eight people living with Parkinson’s disease were included in this study. As PA increased, quality of life was higher (r=|0.293|, p=0.024). Additionally, as cognitive function declined, participants reported lower quality of life (r=-0.362, p=0.007). There was no significant correlation between PA level and cognitive function.
CONCLUSIONS: Better QOL was seen in pwPD who engaged in regular PA, and those with higher cognitive function reported a better QOL. Self-reported PA levels remain a commonly used assessment tool, though they may be subject to biases and difficulties due to memory recall. The relationship between regular PA and QOL can be affected by the disease severity and activity type. Further research using both self-reports and objective measures of PA is essential to further the understanding of this relationship.
Clinical Relevance: Understanding the influence of self-reported PA levels on QOL can help select treatment plans tailored to the patient’s abilities and specific needs.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 143
|
| Sprague, Tyler |
Reid, Cami |
Hands-On Learning at Garnet Media Group
View Full Text
Abstract Text
In the first semester of my first year, I joined Garnet Media Group, USC’s student media organization. I joined the organization’s marketing team, where I helped to provide general marketing and public relations support to Garnet Media Group’s partner organizations. I also worked on producing two special publications each year, Best of Carolina and Carolina Insider. In addition to that, I served as an event coordinator, planning and executing engaging on-campus events. I was later hired as the Marketing Director. I managed the marketing team members in this position and led each initiative and marketing campaign. I also acted as the editor-in-chief of both special publications each year. As Marketing Director, I gained invaluable hands-on experience in a fast-paced, professional environment. This experience taught me to collaborate with diverse teams, manage projects, and execute marketing campaigns effectively. The hands-on opportunities allowed me to apply theoretical knowledge from my classes in real-world settings, such as marketing strategy, social media management, and journalistic writing. I believe that this experience will exemplify to others the value of out-of-classroom experiences and how student media at USC can prepare students for careers in the business world. The hands-on experience I gained at Garnet Media Group vastly improved my leadership and communication skills and helped me gain a deeper understanding of time management and problem-solving as I simultaneously balanced multiple projects and deadlines.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 249
|
Gullett, Lucy (Mary)
Diedhiou, Mouhamadou (Amet) |
Boston, Tisha
Bean, Lawrence |
Examining the Relationship Between Hypertension Protocol Adherence and Hypertension Control at Prisma Health
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Mary L Gullett; Mouhamadou L. Diedhiou. University of South Carolina School of Medicine Columbia. Lawrence Bean, PharmD; Tisha Boston, MD, FAAFP. Prisma Health Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, Columbia, SC.
Introduction: Approximately 1 in 3 adults in South Carolina are diagnosed with hypertension (Htn), a known risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Despite quality improvement efforts from the clinicians and staff of the Family Medicine Clinical training clinic in Columbia, Htn persists as an area of focus for improvement. In 2022, Prisma established a hypertension protocol to improve hypertension management and outcomes in clinics. The goal was to assess clinic protocol adherence and to determine if following protocol improved BP outcomes.
Methods: This was an IRB approved retrospective observational cohort study. A list was generated of patients on the Prisma Htn registry seen by family medicine between January 1st and April 1st 2024. Inclusion criteria included patients with at least one visit to FMC during this period with BP >140/90 mm Hg, and pre-existing or new-onset hypertension. Data was collected relating to specific recommendations from the Prisma Htn protocol and the treatment of Htn, including patient demographics, BP metrics, and BP related medication changes. Protocol was considered followed if: the patient had a repeat BP, a follow-up (f/u) visit was ordered and scheduled, and the physician either changed the patient’s htn medication or documented justification not to. REDCap was used for data compilation and storage. The primary outcome measure was protocol adherence. Secondary outcome measures included f/u visit attendance and BP status at f/u.
Results: Of the 800-patient list generated, 378 qualified for the study. For qualifying patients, protocol was followed in 42.9% of cases. Of those, 37% of the patients displayed controlled BP at f/u and 37% had controlled BP at f/u.
Conclusion: The best hypertensive control was noted for patients who attended a f/u visit and for whom the Htn protocol was followed at both initial and f/u visits. Further studies should explore methods to increase protocol adherence.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 166
|
| Somcheen, Ariana |
Floyd, Alex |
B.F Skinners Influence on Modern Day Coaching
View Full Text
Abstract Text
B.F. Skinner's influence on my coaching approach at Williamsburg Academy for volleyball has been incredibly impactful. Skinner's principles of operant conditioning, which focus on the effects of reinforcement and punishment on behavior, have shaped the way I interact with my athletes. By consistently applying positive reinforcement, such as giving praise or rewards for successful plays, I have noticed a significant boost in players' confidence and motivation. This supportive environment encourages them to push their limits and improve their skills. On the other hand, I have learned to use negative reinforcement and punishment sparingly and thoughtfully, ensuring that any corrections made do not undermine their self-esteem. This balanced strategy, inspired by Skinner's work, has transformed my coaching style and led to noticeable improvements in both individual performances and overall team dynamics at Williamsburg Academy.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 264
|
| Brown, Alexis |
Matesic, Lydia |
Unraveling the Protein Domains involved in the WWP1- WBP2 Interaction
View Full Text
Abstract Text
WW domain-containing protein 1 (WWP1) is a member of the C2-WW-HECT family of E3 ubiquitin ligases and has been shown to promote the post-translational modification (ubiquitination) of a multitude of substrates, particularly those containing proline-rich regions known as PY motifs. WWP1-mediated ubiquitination can influence target protein subcellular localization, stability, and/or function, thus serving an important regulatory role in homeostasis. While overexpression of WWP1 has been associated with oncogenesis and with heart failure, the molecular mechanisms by which WWP1 promotes these phenotypes remain underexplored. Therefore, to identify proteins that interact with WWP1 in the human heart, a yeast two hybrid (Y2H) screen of a human heart library was performed using WWP1 as the “bait.” Previous studies in the lab identified and validated WW-domain binding protein 2 (WBP2) as a novel WWP1 interactor. Interestingly, although the function of WBP2 in the human heart is unknown, it, like WWP1, has been shown to be overexpressed in various cancer types, suggesting that these two proteins may work synergistically. Using the Y2H system, we found that, of the three PY motifs found in the WBP2 protein, the second and third were necessary for mediating the interaction with WWP1. Thus, we hypothesized that PY2 and PY3 might be binding to one or more of the four WW domains contained in the WWP1 protein. To test this hypothesis, we are using site directed mutagenesis to create loss of function point mutations or deletions in each of the WW domains singly and in combination. After sequence confirmation, these will be co-transformed into haploid yeast cells along with either wild type WBP2 or with WBP2 containing an inactivating mutation in either PY2 or PY3. Interactions will be assessed using the expression of the Y2H reporter genes. Delineating the precise regions of WWP1 and WBP2 that mediate their interaction represents a critical first step towards designing novel anti-cancer and anti-heart failure therapeutics which prevent the amplification of the WWP1-WBP2 signaling axis during disease progression.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 28
|
| Richardson, Benjamin |
Lee, Dongkyu
El Loubani, Mohammed |
Exploring the Effects of Nickel Nanoparticles formed by in situ Exsolution on the Thermoelectric Properties of Strontium Titanate based Thin Films
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Developing superior thermoelectric (TE) materials for waste heat recovery continues to be a promising solution for transitioning to sustainable energy sources. Transition metal oxides (TMOs) are promising TE material for TE applications; however, their low power factor (PF) limits practical use in TE devices. To enhance the performance of TMOs, both electrical conductivity (σ) and thermopower (S) need to be simultaneously improved. However, owing to the inherent trade-off between S and σ that limits the maximum possible power factor (PF = S2σ), achieving TMOs with superior TE performances is challenging. Metal nanoparticle exsolution, a unique feature of TMOs has shown potential to overcome this limitation by simultaneously improving both S and σ, thus significantly boosting PF. Despite these benefits, metal exsolution typically requires post-annealing in a reducing environment at high temperatures, which can complicate the fabrication process. In this study, we develop a novel in-situ approach, employing pulsed laser deposition (PLD) to grow epitaxial Sr0.95Ti0.76Nb0.19Ni0.05O3 (STNNO) thin films while simultaneously exsolving nickel (Ni) nanoparticles. By precisely controlling the oxygen partial pressure (pO2) during PLD growth, we can control the size and density of the exsolved nanoparticles to enhance the TE properties of STNNO. Films grown under optimal pO2 conditions show a decrease in carrier concentration and an increase in carrier mobility, attributed to the energy filtering effects of the exsolved particles. Consequently, the in-situ metal exsolution results in a three orders of magnitude increase in PF compared to the as-grown sample. Our findings suggest that in-situ exsolution during deposition offers a superior distribution of nanoparticles compared to conventional post-processing sintering methods, leading to significant improvements in S and σ. This study highlights a completely new approach to metal exsolution in titanium-based perovskites, enabling tailored σ and S and improving TE conversion efficiency through altered growth conditions.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 88
|
| Dolan, Nicholas |
Frizzell, Norma
Piroli, Gerardo |
Investigating the Effect of Dimethyl Fumarate on Neurofilament Integrity
View Full Text
Abstract Text
The intermediary metabolite fumarate is recognized as an endogenous signaling mediator due to the ability to chemically modify protein cysteine residues when fumarate accumulates. This modification of protein thiols by fumarate is known as cysteine succination. Exogenously administered fumarate esters, such as dimethyl fumarate (DMF), also result in the succination of protein cysteines to mediate their effects. Fumarate esters are approved as a disease modifying therapy for multiple sclerosis (MS) as they suppress the autoimmune response, in part through succination of protein targets in the active lymphocytes driving the disease. It remains unknown which neurological targets fumarate esters modify to mediate beneficial neuroprotective effects.
The experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) murine model MS was used as a disease model to study the neurological targets of DMF mediated protein succination. We used mass spectrometry to quantify free succinated cysteines as well as identify proteins modified by DMF in vehicle and DMF treated EAE mice. Fumarate-derived modification was detected on ~30 proteins from mouse spinal cords following proteomic analysis. Robust succination was detected on alpha-internexin (AINX) at cysteine 24 (Cys24). AINX is a neurofilament protein exclusively found in the central nervous system (CNS) and was the only neurofilament protein that exhibited succination. We hypothesized that total levels of AINX might be preserved by succination in the EAE + DMF model, total AINX protein levels in spinal cord and brain stem were analyzed. The levels of another neurofilament protein, neurofilament light chain (NF-L), were also analyzed, as an alternative marker of neurofilament integrity. NF-L has emerged as a promising biomarker of axonal damage in neurodegenerative diseases, including MS. Both AINX and NF-L levels appeared to increase in EAE/Veh mice vs. Controls (detected in spinal cord and brainstem). The EAE/DMF treated mice had a consistently higher level of AINX and NF-L in comparison to the EAE/Veh mice, suggesting that DMF may maintain neurofilament protein levels, potentially contributing to its neuroprotective effects.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 35
|
Patel, Juhi
Mulera, Haley |
Goodman, Christopher
Goldsmith, Jack |
From Classroom to Community: Fixing the Recipe for Medical Nutrition Education
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Despite the well-established role of nutrition in preventative care and chronic disease management, medical school curricula often struggle to deliver comprehensive, practical nutrition education. Building on the University of South Carolina School of Medicine Columbia’s existing distributed nutrition curriculum, this project seeks to enhance community-centered nutrition education through collaborative, student-driven initiatives that can bridge institutional learning with community resources. Through student perspectives on the current curriculum, we assess existing gaps and explore potential restructuring strategies to better equip future physicians. Our research explores the evolving partnership between FoodShare SC and USCSOM, emphasizing contributions to content delivery, elective opportunities, and curriculum development through the PRISM (Praxis in Social Medicine) program. By collecting student feedback across all four years–through surveys and semi-structured interviews, we aim to assess perceived gaps in nutrition education and identify high-impact learning opportunities for students. In parallel, we investigate best practices from peer institutions and align our findings with national nutrition education competencies. This comparative approach will guide evidence-based recommendations for sustainable curriculum improvements, tailored to the needs of students and the local community. As a collaborative effort involving faculty, students, and community-facing partners, we hope to strengthen the connection between medical education and community health. Ultimately, our goal is to contribute to a dynamic, responsive curriculum that equips future physicians with the confidence and competence to integrate nutrition into clinical practice — empowering them to use food as medicine in the service of better patient outcomes and health equity.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 149
|
| RIcci, Dominick |
Reeves, Jeremy |
SCAD in Penetrating Chest Trauma
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is a cause of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Most commonly caused by intramural hematomas (IMH) of the LAD, SCAD is a dissection not caused by traumatic or iatrogenic injury. For this case, risk was likely secondary to estrogen and intense stress. Unlike atherosclerotic heart disease, SCAD is found in young women without classic risk factors. Here we present the case of a female patient with a penetrating chest wound who developed SCAD. A 25-year-old female, presented as a level 1 after a penetrating injury to the left chest. On primary survey, she was GCS15 despite BP 80/40 and diminished left sided breath sounds. A chest X-ray with a large left-sided hemothorax was treated with placement of a chest tube. E-FAST exam was negative and CTA chest, abdomen, and pelvis absent of cardiac injury showed a left lung injury with residual hemopneumothorax treated with chest tube irrigation and transfusion of two units of whole blood. EKG showed anteroseptal infarct with ST elevation and Q waves which was first attributed to demand ischemia from acute blood loss secondary to hemothorax. Index troponin was 15ng/L and LVEF on echocardiography was 55-65%. By LOS 3, troponin peaked at 3,164ng/L and repeated echocardiography showed anteroseptal akinesis with LVEF 35-40%. Left heart catheterization indicated 100% occlusion of the LAD 1.5cm distal from its origin. The patient recovered well with medical management and reports some exertional dyspnea, however denies chest pain or symptomatic hypotension. Outpatient cardiac MRI and repeat coronary angiography to evaluate viability of heart tissue are pending.SCAD is a rare cause of myocardial infarction occurring in 1%-4% of ACS cases; however, true incidence is likely underrepresented in current literature. SCAD should be considered in trauma patients with new signs of cardiac ischemia suggestive of coronary artery injury in the absence of expected pericardial effusion. Management of SCAD is different from atherosclerotic ACS and can be exacerbated by PCI. Therefore, early diagnosis, optimization with medical therapy, assessment of associated risk factors should be prioritized in these patients to reduce the risk of life threatening cardiac injury.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 123
|
| Khanna, Kashish |
Zvejnieks, Debera |
Factors Influencing Adherence to Surveillance Guidelines in Individuals with Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC)
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC) is a genetic condition that is caused by pathogenic changes in either the TSC1 or TSC2 gene and is characterized by multiple benign tumors, otherwise known as hamartomas, in various organs such as the brain, skin, lungs, and kidneys. Because of the many different clinical manifestations of TSC, extensive surveillance guidelines are recommended for individuals with TSC. Past studies have shown that there has been a gap in knowledge of these surveillance guidelines. These studies also suggest projects that measure adherence to surveillance guidelines and address specific challenges hindering surveillance guideline adherence. This study aims to identify any underlying factors contributing to surveillance adherence in individuals with TSC and their caregivers by investigating knowledge of surveillance guidelines and attitudes toward guidelines. We performed a mixed-methods study consisting of individuals with TSC, parents/caregivers of individuals with TSC, and those who had both TSC and are caregivers of someone with TSC. 129 responses from an electronic questionnaire via RedCap were used in data analysis, and 23 semi-structured video interviews were completed. Interviews and open-ended responses to our survey were analyzed by grouping them into categories based on recurring topics. The guidelines with the highest percentage of information provided by a healthcare professional were brain imaging in children (97.6%) and renal imaging in adults (93.2%), notably the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in individuals with TSC. In both adults and children, genetic testing and counseling at initial diagnosis had the lowest reported percentage (54.1% in adults, 59.1% in children). Most individuals (86.8%) believed TSC surveillance effectively managed their care. We also discussed survey factors statistically significant to adherence to the guidelines, including attending a TSC clinic, seeing a genetic counselor, and having specific clinical manifestations. While further studies are needed, the findings from this survey highlight key factors influencing adherence to TSC surveillance guidelines, which may help healthcare providers improve management strategies, communication, and awareness surrounding surveillance.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 61
|
| Woytowitz, Sophia |
Simoska, Olja
Clay, Olivia |
Electrochemical monitoring of antimicrobial impacts on virulence factor production dynamics in Pseudomonas aeruginosa
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic human pathogen responsible for a significant proportion of hospital-acquired infections, particularly in immunocompromised patients. The rise of antimicrobial-resistant P. aeruginosa infections, exacerbated by the misuse of antibiotics, presents a major clinical challenge. Previous studies have linked antibiotic resistance in P. aeruginosa to the production of phenazines, which are nitrogen-containing heterocyclic virulence metabolites involved in electron transfer and intercellular signaling. However, the impact of antibiotics on the phenazine biosynthesis dynamics of these virulence factors remains poorly understood. To address this knowledge gap, this study quantifies the effect of ciprofloxacin (CIP) on phenazine production in wild-type (PA14) and multidrug-resistant (PA2114) P. aeruginosa strains using real-time, in situ electrochemical monitoring. Square wave voltammetry was employed to track the concentrations of two phenazine metabolites, specifically pyocyanin (PYO) and 5-methylphenazine-1-carboxylic acid (5-MCA), over 48 hours at CIP doses of 0, 0.05, and 1 mg L⁻¹. Under optimal cellular growth conditions, the clinical PA2114 strain exhibited sustained PYO production, peaking at 84 ± 9 μM after 48 hours, while wild-type PA14 reached a maximum of 65 ± 3 μM at 24 hours before declining. Low-dose CIP (0.05 mg L⁻¹) slightly increased PYO levels in the clinical PA2114 (88 ± 9 μM) strain but reduced PYO in wild-type PA14 strain (54 ± 4 μM). High-dose CIP (1 mg L⁻¹) decreased PYO production in both P. aeruginosa strains, with PA2114 at 70 ± 3 μM and PA14 at 11 ± 5 μM. Additionally, shifts in 5-MCA/PYO current ratios suggest that antibiotic stress influences phenazine biosynthetic pathway dynamics. These findings highlight strain-dependent phenazine responses to antibiotic exposure, offering insights into the interplay between antibiotic resistance and virulence factor production in P. aeruginosa.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 60
|
| Williams, Jordan |
Wilson, Kiesha |
CEBPB inhibition via miRNA298-5p mediates Inflammation in ARDS
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) poses a significant risk in advanced COVID-19 and other inflammatory conditions. Characterized by damage to the pulmonary endothelium and epithelium, leading to pulmonary edema, hypoxemia, and excessive inflammation. This study investigates the therapeutic effects of cannabidiol (CBD) in reducing inflammatory responses in ARDS through miRNA-mediated pathways. The cytokine storm in severe COVID-19 can be modeled using Staphylococcus enterotoxin B (SEB). Single-cell RNAseq revealed that CBD reduced inflammatory macrophage infiltration while enhancing T regulatory (Treg) activity. Here, we explore the molecular mechanisms behind CBD’s anti-inflammatory effects, focusing on miRNA 298-5p, a key regulator of CEBPB, a transcription factor central to pro-inflammatory pathways like NF-kB and IL-6. In vivo studies showed that CBD administration (5 mg/kg) elevated miRNA 298-5p expression and inhibited CEBPB activity. This led to decreased levels of IL-6, TNF-α, and Th17 cells, while promoting Tregs and M2 macrophages that enhance tissue repair through increased IL-10 production, and dampening inflammation. In vitro experiments using miRNA mimics and inhibitors, along with CEBPB agonists and antagonists, clarified the inflammatory effects of CEBPB in splenocytes. Overall, these findings underscore CBD’s potential, via miRNA 298-5p modulation, as an effective therapeutic strategy for alleviating hyperinflammation and fostering immune resolution.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 12
|
| Persaud, Katelynn |
Hirsch, Katie |
Differences in prevalence of reporting racial/ethnic profiles between athlete and recreationally active populations in body composition research
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Background:
Race and ethnicity are determinants of body composition, which is a significant factor affecting exercise performance and overall health. It is crucial to account for race and ethnicity in studies characterizing body composition to provide valid representation of all populations. While athletes and recreationally active individuals perform on different levels, ensuring appropriate representation for both populations is important to best inform future applications.
Purpose:
To determine the difference in prevalence of reporting the racial/ethnic profiles of participants in body composition research in athlete and recreationally active populations.
Methods:
334 studies with an athlete population and 411 studies with a recreationally active population were identified from a pool of 5,406 sport science studies. Studies were deemed eligible for inclusion if they included a healthy population with a mean age ≥ 18 years and assessed body composition components such as fat mass, fat-free mass, and body mass. Included studies with participants who were collegiate or professional athletes (ATH) and studies with participants who were recreationally active and did not compete in sport (REC) were evaluated for frequency of reported race/ethnicity. Other participant characteristics including country, sex, mean age, and sport (if applicable) were also extracted.
Results:
59 ATH studies and 35 REC studies pertaining to body composition research were included. Approximately 17% (n=10) of ATH studies and 3% (n=1) of REC studies reported race/ethnicity in their participant demographics. Within the ten ATH studies, the most reported race/ethnicity was Caucasian/White (n=6), followed by Other (n=3), Asian (n=2), Black/African-American (n=2), Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (n=2), and Hispanic (n=1). The only reported race in REC was Asian (n=1).
Conclusion:
There is an overall low prevalence of reporting race/ethnicity among ATH and REC populations in body composition investigations, however studies in ATH demonstrated a higher rate of reporting these demographics. Within the few reported studies in ATH and REC, there appears to be an uneven representation of race that suggests an inaccurate generalization of body composition research findings. Future studies should aim to report race/ethnicity in participant demographics as it would allow for more accurate interpretations of the outcomes.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 130
|
Graham, Jenna
Richardson, Lena |
Armstrong, Alissa |
Examining the role of receptor tyrosine kinases in adipose and ovarian tissue function using Drosophila melanogaster
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Drosophila melanogaster (the fruit fly) is a valuable model organism used to study the molecular mechanisms that regulate inter-organ communication about diet. Nutrient-sensing pathways, such as the insulin/insulin-like growth factor (IIS) in adipocytes, play a crucial role in oogenesis by mediating signaling from adipocytes to the ovaries, supporting ovarian germline stem cell maintenance and germ cell survival. Previous studies show that multiple signaling axes downstream of the insulin receptor, a receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK), function within ovarian and fat cells to control oogenesis. Like the mammalian genome, the Drosophila genome encodes several RTKs, Alk, Btl, Egfr, Htl, Pvr, Torso, and Sev. Our goal is to determine the role of these seven RTKs in mediating fat-to-ovary communication about nutritional status and regulating oogenesis. To investigate the role of RTKs in adipocyte-controlled oogenesis, we use the Gal4/UAS/Gal80ts gene expression system for adipocyte-specific RNAi-mediated knockdown of individual RTKs. We are examining how RTK knockdown affects adipocyte cellular morphology by quantifying adipocyte and nuclear size as well as lipid droplet composition. Additionally, we are assessing how RTK knockdown in adipocytes affects oogenesis by quantifying germline stem cell maintenance, survival of the early and late germline, and ovulation. This study will enhance our understanding of the molecular mechanisms that mediate nutrient communication between fat cells and the ovary. In the future, we will determine which signaling axes function downstream of these RTKs in fat cells to control specific stages of oogenesis.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 64
|
| Thomas, Mattie Jo |
Elengickal, Joseph
Feldman, Susie
Pavy, Michael
Khodab, Allen
Wallam, Mohammad |
A Rare Case of Metastatic Melanoma to the Colon
View Full Text
Abstract Text
An 81 year old male with a past medical history of malignant melanoma (1.0 mm, pT1b, pNX) of the left lateral neck, status post surgical resection 8 years prior, presented to the hospital with symptomatic iron deficiency anemia being treated with an oral iron supplement. His symptoms began 4 months prior and included generalized abdominal discomfort, central abdominal pain exacerbated by eating, tarry stools, and ten pound weight loss. An initial CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis revealed circumferential wall thickening, concerning for malignancy. A subsequent colonoscopy identified lesions in the cecum, hepatic flexure, sigmoid colon, and rectum. The biopsy results of these lesions indicated malignant melanoma. Finally, a PET scan identified 5 separate hypermetabolic lesions in the small bowel and colon and an additional single met in the posterior mediastinum. At the time, surgical evaluation was recommended for bowel resection with diverting ostomy; however, the patient deferred due to personal life circumstances and plans to follow up in the outpatient setting. Metastasis of melanoma to the colon is a rare diagnosis with an incidence rate of only 0.18-2.1% among patients with melanoma. In patients with disseminated metastatic melanoma, autopsy studies have shown up to 60% of patients demonstrating small or large bowel metastases, suggesting an underdiagnosed site of metastasis in these patients. Additionally, metastatic melanoma accounts for only 1-3% of malignancies of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, with the small bowel being the most common site of metastasis. Oftentimes there is a considerable disease free period between the initial diagnosis of primary cutaneous melanoma and the diagnosis of GI mets. Although presentation is usually asymptomatic, when present symptoms include rectal bleeding, anemia, abdominal pain, bowel obstruction, and weight loss. In most cases diagnosis occurs post mortem. One retrospective case series study found that operative management was associated with median survival of 25 months while non-operative management had a median survival of 11 months. Overall prognosis of metastatic melanoma to the GI tract is poor with average survival rates ranging from less than 1 to 3 years depending on the study.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 132
|
Lucas, Allison
Patel, Sinaben |
Varjosaari, Sami |
Computational design of cubane-modified β-Blockers for Enhanced Binding to Human β-1 Receptor: towards Novel Therapeutics
View Full Text
Abstract Text
This research aimed to identify a potential β-blocker ligand incorporating a cubane structure. Cubane is rarely used in medicinal chemistry, but its geometric shape resembles a phenyl ring while offering a non-aromatic alternative. The three-dimensional nature of cubane could provide improved receptor binding by altering intermolecular interactions. Additionally, since cubane lacks aromaticity, it avoids issues related to double bond oxidation. Improving binding could allow for lower medication doses and potentially reduce side effects.
AutoDock Vina was used to determine binding affinity, calculating the dissociation constant (Kd), which was then converted to pKd to compare potential drug effectiveness. Structural modifications were made using the Topliss tree method to systematically analyze their impact on binding affinity. A β-blocker was modified with a trifluoromethylated cubane, producing six variants with higher pKd values, indicating stronger binding to the receptor's active site. This improvement is likely due to the trifluoromethyl cubane increasing the molecule’s lipophilicity, enhancing interactions with the binding pocket. These findings suggest that cubane could serve as a useful structural alternative in drug design.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 80
|
| Elengickal, Joseph |
Brennan, Meghan
Pollock, James |
Is This Still a Pressure Wound?: A Case of Marjolin Ulcer in a Patient with Spina Bifida and Chronic Decubitus Wounds
View Full Text
Abstract Text
A Marjolin ulcer is a rare, aggressive cutaneous malignancy arising from burns, scars, and chronic wounds. Malignant transformation is caused by repetitive ulcer formation within an inflammatory milieu. Typically, ulcers are chronic with a latency period of around 10-30 years. On rare occasions, however, acute ulcers arise with rapid malignant transformation. Early diagnosis is critical due to the ulcers' aggressive nature and high rate of recurrence.
A 38-year-old male with past medical history of Chiari III malformation and complicating T12-S5 sensory deficits, chronic hydrocephalus s/p VP shunt, and seizure disorder presented to the ED with L buttock and R hip pain. He was recently discharged from an outside hospital for the treatment of cellulitis overlying chronic decubitus ulcers and a UTI secondary to ESBL E. coli. In the day following discharge, however, he continued to have pelvic pain and experienced three episodes of non-bloody emesis. This admission, CT imaging was significant for lymphadenopathy and extensive mass-like soft tissue swelling within a chronic decubitus ulcer which extended from the R gluteal region to the R thigh. After a L gluteal abscess was discovered, the patient was taken for I&D with concomitant biopsy of this R soft tissue mass. Pathology results were suggestive of well-to-moderately differentiated squamous cell carcinoma in the setting of a chronic pressure wound, consistent with Marjolin ulcer. Of note, intraoperative cultures grew Dialister micraerophilus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Early detection is critical for Marjolin ulcers. This patient's risk factors included chronic decubitus ulcers with multiple episodes of superimposed cellulitis which led to chronic inflammation. At the time of diagnosis, the malignancy had spread to the peri-femoral soft tissue, so resection with total hip disarticulation would unfortunately involve complete removal of the lateral thigh soft tissue. This result wold be debilitating and not amenable to skin grafting. Of note, a meta-analysis of 26 studies found that cancer patients had significantly greater odds of containing D. micraerophilus in their microbiome when compared to non-cancer controls.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 138
|
| Christie, Ebony |
Tucker, Curisa
Felder, Tisha
Kaur, Amandeep
Liu, Jihong |
Birth in Black: Examining the Relationship Between Mode of Delivery and its Influence on Breastfeeding Success in Black Women
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Background. Black women have the highest cesarean delivery (c-section) rates and lowest breastfeeding rates compared to other racial groups. Cesarean delivery negatively impacts breastfeeding initiation.
Purpose: We examined racial differences in mode of delivery and its association with breastfeeding initiation and duration among Black women before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in South Carolina (SC).
Methods: We used 2017-2022 SC Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) data, restricting to women with live births (unweighted n=2,671). PRAMS data was collected ~3-4 months postpartum. We assessed ever breastfeeding (ever vs. never) and breastfeeding duration (weeks), comparing pre-COVID (2017-2019) to COVID-19 (2020-2022). Logistic and linear regression models examined associations, adjusting for sociodemographic factors. Analyses accounted for complex survey design, reporting odds ratios (OR) and 95% Confidence Intervals (CI).
Results: In our sample, 29.86% of Black women and 40.72% of those who ever breastfed reported a C-section. The adjusted odds of ever breastfeeding were slightly higher for C-section versus vaginal delivery (OR=1.06 [0.76-1.48]). Interaction testing by COVID period showed similar results (OR=1.03 [0.87-1.21]) but was not statistically significant. C-section births had lower odds of ever breastfeeding during COVID than vaginal delivery pre-COVID (OR=0.96 [0.82-1.13]).
Among Black women (n=748), C-section births had higher adjusted odds of ever breastfeeding versus vaginal delivery (OR=1.34 [0.73-2.48]). However, the interaction term showed lower odds (OR=0.88 [0.66-1.16]). Breastfeeding duration increased by 0.52 weeks for C-section versus vaginal birth (-0.24-1.27). Interaction analysis showed a 0.17-week increase during COVID-19 (-0.70-1.04). C-section had a 0.43-week increase, while vaginal delivery showed a -0.35-week decrease (-0.91-1.76).
Conclusion: While not statistically significant, Black women with C-sections had slightly higher odds of ever breastfeeding and longer breastfeeding duration than those with vaginal births, except during COVID-19, when odds were lower. This finding suggests the importance of targeted interventions to support breastfeeding.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 107
|
| Mavellia, Juliana |
Stephenson, Kathryn |
Initiating GAD-7 Screening in an Outpatient Clinic: A Quality Improvement Project
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Introduction: At the Children’s Hospital Outpatient Center at Prisma Health Midlands, initially we had not been routinely screening for anxiety. Anxiety disorders are prevalent and often underdiagnosed among adolescents. Many studies have shown that anxiety can significantly affect the well-being of adolescents and may have long-lasting effects.
Project Aim: This quality improvement project aims to implement anxiety screening using the GAD-7 in 80% of patients aged 12 to 18 years old during their yearly well-child exams at the Children’s Hospital Outpatient Center at Prisma Health Midlands over a 4-month period. A secondary goal was to ensure that those who screened positive had this addressed during the visit.
Methods: We implemented an EMR embedded GAD-7 screening tool in each of the well-child exams for adolescents aged 12 to 18 years old. Plan-do-study-act (PDSA) cycles included: PDSA #1: included manual input of the GAD-7 results and treatment plan; PDSA#2: resident physicians had no orientation on the GAD-7 prior to the start of their clinic rotation but were advised to manually input GAD-7 results in their documentation; PDSA 3: included orientation and initiation of the automatic documentation; PDSA 4: included orientation, automatic documentation, and continuation of pamphlets as a reminder for GAD-7 documentation. We evaluated the intervention by noting the percentage of encounter notes that accurately documented GAD-7 results and appropriate treatment plan for adolescent patients for each PDSA cycle.
Results: After initial education, in PDSA cycle 1, approximately 45% of adolescent well-child checks included appropriate documentation of GAD-7. During PDSA cycle 2, there was 11%. PDSA cycle 3 had 71%. PDSA cycle 4, had 81%. The percentage of encounters with a positive GAD-7 screening with no documented plan decreased in each PDSA cycle.
Conclusions: We successfully introduced GAD-7 Anxiety screening tool into adolescent well-child checks at the Children’s Hospital Outpatient Center at Prisma Health Richland and increased the recognition and treatment for those patients’ experiencing anxiety.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 183
|
| Burrell, Jennii |
Greytak, Andrew |
Catechol and nitrocatechol ligand exchange dynamics on iron oxide nanocrystal surfaces
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Colloidal magnetic nanocrystals have long been a focal point for biomedical imaging and biosensing modalities, enabled by the size-dependent magnetism of primarily metal oxide nanocrystal species such as magnetite (Fe3O4). Due to the intrinsic coating of stabilizing ligands on the surfaces of these particles, engineering the ligand chemistry for optimal aqueous stability is a major goal in the field. This is challenging due to the requirement for ligand exchange from the native hydrophobic surface coating resulting from synthesis and pH dependences of acidic ligand binding groups in water that can cause detachment from the surface. Aromatic diol binding groups, particularly ortho-diphenols such as catechols and their nitrated derivatives, have revolutionized the stabilization of iron oxide nanocrystals (IONCs) in aqueous media due to their strong binding behavior. However, the fundamental ligand exchange dynamics remain elusive, as quantitative tracking of mixed ligand populations on magnetic nanocrystals has been notoriously challenging due to the limitations of standard probe nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy typically used to measure ligand populations on non-magnetic nanocrystals. Taking advantage of the unique absorbance characteristics of several catechol and nitrocatechol-bearing ligands, the binding of these ligands are investigated with UV-vis spectroscopy to uncover fundamental differences in their binding strength and reactivity with the surface of IONCs in various aqueous conditions. Though previous literature suggests that nitrocatechol species bind more strongly with IONCs than non-nitrated catechols, our preliminary results show that this characteristic is largely dictated by the pH of the solution when the surface is pre-saturated with non-nitrated catechols. In this work, the ligand exchange dynamics of non-nitrated and nitrated o-diphenol-based ligands are probed by monitoring the extent of exchange in varying conditions to illuminate their fundamental interactions with the surfaces of IONCs and their dependences on solution conditions. The results of this work will aid in the design of efficient ligand exchange reactions for the preparation of aqueous-stable IONCs for biomedical applications and toward a fundamental understanding of their interactions with the IONC surfaces.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 35
|
| Remaili, Soraya |
Meyer-Gutbrod, Erin
Kreuser, Abigail |
Detecting North Atlantic Right Whale Vocalizations in the Southeast US Calving Grounds During the Winter Calving Season Using Bottom-Mounted Hydrophones and a Glider
View Full Text
Abstract Text
The critically endangered North Atlantic right whale (NARW) migrates seasonally from its northern foraging grounds along the east coast of North America to its southeast US calving grounds. Right whale mothers typically give birth to their calves off the coast of South Carolina, Georgia, or Florida during the winter period, between December and March. Passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) is a common method for detecting the presence of baleen whales, such as the NARW, using hydrophones to detect low-frequency calls. NARWs migrate in shallow coastal waters and tend to reduce vocalizations when a newborn calf is present, and both of these factors reduce their acoustic detectability during this migration. To inform the design of effective PAM deployment configurations in this region, three bottom-mounted, archival hydrophones were deployed at increasing depths (15.9m, 19.5m, 22m) and increasing distances off the coast of Savannah, Georgia, during the NARW calving season. A Slocum Glider equipped with a digital acoustic monitoring instrument (DMON2) to enable near real-time capability to transmit acoustic data every 4 hours via Iridium satellite communication was deployed concurrently. The glider was constrained to operate in depths greater than 10 m of water, just at the edge of the designated right whale critical habitat. A pilot glider-based PAM program was started in 2023. So far, this program has consisted of a 2-week mission in January 2023, two 4-week missions in January through March 2024, and two missions in 2025, one in January and a shorter one in February. During these missions, there were 16 possible and 3 definite right whale acoustic detections. A detection on January 20, 2024 was the first definite glider-based acoustic detection in the Southeast US, eliciting near real-time detection communication via WhaleMap, Whale Alert and Robots4Whales, as well as the Early Warning System notifications program unique to the Southeast US. These pilot missions indicate that glider-based PAM may be a useful tool in supplementing aerial-based detections of right whales in the calving ground, especially providing coverage when aerial surveillance is not feasible due to weather or other logistical constraints and filling gaps in space and time.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 125
|
Klein, Kathryn
Stalls, Kendall |
Gainey, Christopher |
Enhancing Medical Education Through Clinical Skills Simulation Events
View Full Text
Abstract Text
The Simulation and Clinical Skills Interest Group (SCSIG) is a medical school preclinical extracurricular group with 50 or more members, composed of first and second year medical students. As medical students, our exposure to clinical skills is relatively limited in the first two years of our curriculum. SCSIG’s mission is to provide these medical students with hands-on opportunities to experience and develop pertinent clinical skills using high-fidelity simulation and educational workshops in the hopes of building students’ confidence before entering clerkships and residency. This project investigates the benefits of participating in clinical skills events earlier in our medical careers, and how such exposure impacts our overall confidence going into the third year of medical school.
SCSIG hosts a wide variety of events throughout the year, including suture clinics, clinical skills labs, simulated multi-casualty disaster training, an M3 prep clinic, simulated code scenarios, as well as skills-based lectures from clinical faculty. At the beginning of the fall semester, members received a baseline survey where they were able to rank their confidence in all the clinical skills that would be covered in the upcoming events. The scale was from 1-10, with 1 indicating that they were extremely unconfident and had no experience in that area, and a 10 indicating that they were extremely confident and felt that they could complete the skill with no assistance. After each event was completed, the students who attended received a follow up survey asking them to rate their confidence levels in the event-specific skills again.
Data collection is still ongoing, and will continue throughout the 2024-25 academic year. Thus far, results indicate that students who attended SCSIG events were more confident in their ability to perform clinical skills. This has been accompanied by an overall increase in their preparedness for the third year clinical environment.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 117
|
| Sigmon, Nathan |
Scott, Anthony
Rhodes, Morgan
Nodelman, Matthew |
Establishing Diabetes Group Medical Visits in a High Risk Area
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Introduction:
Type 2 diabetes is one of the most prevalent medical conditions in South Carolina. A pilot study done at the Prisma FMC showed the effectiveness of interdisciplinary group medical visits (GMVs) led by family medicine residents in management of patient’s diabetes with an average HbA1c reduction of 1.28%. This study sought to expand upon these findings by implementing multiple changes to the original pilot study, including community connections with Your Dollar Sto’ and Drew Wellness Center, both within the 29203-zip code, and a patient-centered group visit model via Centering.
Methods:
This was a prospective cohort study approved through the Prisma Health IRB with funding from the Duke Endowment. Patients were recruited to participate in bimonthly GMVs lasting 6 months. Clinical data points (including HbA1C, weight, and blood pressure) were collected at each visit as well as 6 months pre and post attendance. Other data points included responses to focus group questions and diabetes-related screenings.
Results:
The GMV program started in July 2024. A total of 8 patients attended all or most of the visits. The average HbA1c increased by 0.51%, but there was 1 more patient compared to baseline whose HbA1c reached the system goal of <9%. There was increase in the number of patients who had received a diabetic eye exam within the past year and an improvement in blood pressure compared to baseline. Focus group responses indicated successes from this study include patient satisfaction, as well as establishing longstanding community connections.
Discussion:
While the average HbA1c increased, there was an increase in the number of patients whose HbA1c went below 9%. Despite the increase in average HbA1c, there were patients who experienced significant improvements in their diabetes control with 1 patients’ HbA1c decreasing by 6.3%. Since July 2024, 2 additional cohorts of up to 10 patients each have begun. Future plans include recruiting additional cohorts to increase the sample size to better assess the effectiveness of GMVs and analyzing the educational impact of these visits for the family medicine residents.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 165
|
| Hassan, Nudrat |
Perumal, Nandita
Avalos, Carlos |
Influence of Rurality, Racial Disparities, and Social Determinants of Health on Healthcare Access Among Women of Childbearing Aged 18-44 in South Carolina: A Cross-Sectional BRFSS Study
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Background: South Carolina (SC) faces significant healthcare disparities, particularly in rural counties, with marginalized populations experiencing lower access to essential healthcare services. Research is needed to guide public health strategies aimed at reducing these disparities.
Objective: This study examines the impact of rurality, race, and social determinants of health (SDOH) on healthcare access among individuals of reproductive age in South Carolina (SC), using data from the 2022 and 2023 South Carolina Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS).
Methods: We will analyze BRFSS data from SC residents aged 18-44 who participated in the 2022 and 2023 surveys. Rurality, the primary exposure, will be classified using the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) Urban-Rural Classification Scheme. Key healthcare access outcomes include health insurance status, access to a personal doctor, delayed care due to cost, and frequency of recent medical checkups. We will adjust for potential confounders, such as age, marital status, preexisting conditions, education, employment, and income. Bivariate analyses will be conducted using chi-square tests of independence, and logistic regression models will explore the association between rurality and healthcare access while adjusting for covariates. SDOH will be tested as an effect modifier to assess whether these social factors influence the relationship between rurality and healthcare access. SDOH will be characterized by a cumulative score based on income, education, insurance status, social support, transportation access, and housing stability, with a higher score indicating greater social disadvantage. Analyses will be conducted using SAS 9.4 to account for the SC BRFSS complex survey design.
Results: We hypothesize that living in rural counties will be associated with lower healthcare access, even after adjusting for confounders. Additionally, we hypothesize that individuals in rural counties facing adverse SDOH will have significantly lower odds of favorable healthcare access outcomes compared to urban counterparts.
Conclusion: This study will provide insights into how rurality, race, and SDOH intersect to affect healthcare access for women of reproductive age in South Carolina. Findings will inform public health interventions to improve healthcare access and reduce maternal and child health risks in rural communities.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 82
|
| van de Sandt, Julia |
Chandon Ince, Elise |
Unpacking Umbrella Labels: Why 'Sustainable' Wins Over 'Green'
View Full Text
Abstract Text
This research investigates how the umbrella labeling of environmentally friendly products as "green" versus "sustainable" influences consumer preferences. Across five studies, we demonstrate that labeling products as "sustainable" increases perceptions of durability, leading consumers to prefer these products over conventional alternatives, while the opposite is true for "green" labeled products. We further show that this effect is robust across different product categories, even under varying price conditions. These findings reveal important implications for marketers in framing their products and for policymakers in refining regulations around environmental claims, potentially curbing greenwashing practices and better guiding consumer behavior toward sustainable consumption.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 93
|
Pritchard, Kaylen
Tsakanikas, Courtney |
Gwara, Scott
Weisenburg, Michael |
"Manuscript Minutes:" Demystifying Medieval Manuscript Fragmentology through Video
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Most of the manuscripts in USC’s collection are fragments, including figural initials cut from large choirbook leaves, remnants and stubs glued into early books, or beautiful pages cut up from entire books by indifferent dealers. These and hundreds of thousands of other disjunct elements have lately become the subject of study in a new field called “Fragmentology.” Using the USC collections, we intend to explain, illustrate and publicize three questions related to this emerging discipline: 1. What social, commercial or bibliophilic motivations account for manuscript fragmentation? 2. How can lost bibliological information (e.g., size, contents, decoration) be derived from fragments? 3. How can fragments that have been dispersed be traced back to parent codices? Our primary goal is to educate undergraduates, graduate students and librarians about Fragmentology. Extending our existing “Manuscript Minutes” series, our proposed project comprises four 8-10 minute videos focusing on the aspects of Fragmentology mentioned above. We plan to make our video micro-course available for free on YouTube, where no podcasts or videos currently offer any content remotely like it. To increase the discoverability of our work, we intend to contact a network of medievalists, librarians and students who could promote our project in their online communities. A secondary goal is to spotlight the manuscript collection at USC. Our project has several outcomes. First, it has the potential to become a primary resource for students and librarians interested in medieval book culture. At this time, YouTube lacks up-to-date information on medieval manuscripts, and any existing videos rarely deliver their information in a way that would resonate with our target audience of non-specialists. As undergraduates, we intend to fill this educational gap by providing information in a more straightforward manner and by presenting manuscript studies as accessible, yet not at the expense of rigorous explanation. Furthermore, American libraries hold approximately 60,000 manuscript fragments of all kinds. Recognizing the teaching utilities of fragments represents a second impact of our videos. Our project will also publicize USC’s teaching collection of early manuscripts as well as its institutional leadership in Humanities education.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 5
|
| Roberts, Ansley |
Dobek, Whitney |
Utilizing eVisits to Increase Access to Genetic Services for the Hearing Loss Population: A Tailored Service Delivery Model
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Purpose: Patients referred for genetics services have specific barriers decreasing accessibility, such as communication difficulties, long wait times, and misconceptions about the utility of genetic testing. We assessed a new tailored service delivery model used by the Greenwood Genetic Center to evaluate patients referred for hearing loss to determine if this model increases access to genetics services for individuals with hearing loss.
Methods: Data points such as wait times, testing plan, and diagnostic yield were compiled from patient medical records. Comparison and analysis of data was completed by visit type, in-person, virtual, and electronic visits (eVisits), between October 2023 – January 2024 and October 2024 – January 2025.
Results: Time constraints led to limited data collection. Initial data showed lower wait times, higher percentage of patients with testing indicated, and higher diagnostic yield for hearing loss patients seen by eVisits.
Conclusion: Initial data collected assessing the accessibility and utility of a new tailored service delivery model for patients referred for genetics evaluations of hearing loss showed that eVisits may increase accessibility to genetic services for this patient population. Additional data collection is needed to further evaluate eVisits as a tailored service delivery model for individuals with hearing loss who are referred for a genetics evaluation.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 62
|
| Callaghan, Maureen |
Spence, Gina |
Exploring Sales Strategy and Operations at Coca-Cola Consolidated
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Coca-Cola Consolidated, the largest bottler of coke products in the United States, serves over 60 million consumers spanning 14 states, distributing more than 300 brands and flavors. This past summer, I had the opportunity to work with the company as a Sales Operations Intern in Charlotte, NC. My journey to securing this role began with networking at various career fairs during the fall of my junior year, where my involvement in the Carolina Sales Institute initially sparked my interest in a career in sales. After a five-person panel interview with some of the key players on the sales team, I accepted an offer for the internship, eager to gain hands-on experiences in a city that was brand new to me. During the summer, I worked closely with local sales representatives and account managers across both future consumption and on-premise markets. My role involved engaging directly with account operators to promote and sell in key stock keeping units (SKUs), as well as assisting with the transition to a brand-new ordering system, contributing to performance goal achievements. Additionally, I attended executive leadership meetings and calls, gaining exposure to revenue growth management, profit and loss analysis, regional sales strategies, and commercialization processes. My time at Coca-Cola Consolidated provided me with invaluable insights that deepened my understanding of how large organizations like Consolidated are able to continuously drive revenue growth and adapt to changing market conditions, all while maintaining brand integrity, which seamlessly expanded on concepts I had learned within the classroom. This experience reinforced my desire to pursue a career in the dynamic field of sales and equipped me with the necessary skills and knowledge that ultimately helped me secure the next step of my journey. Upon graduation this Spring, I will be moving to Raleigh, NC to begin a full-time position as a Sales Development Representative with Qualtrics, the industry leader in experience management.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 250
|
| Rostaghi Chalaki, Habib |
Lee, Dongkyu |
Creating Stickable Metal Oxide Thin Films for Flexible Devices
View Full Text
Abstract Text
The rapid development of two-dimensional (2D) thin films has led to significant breakthroughs in advanced energy and electronic devices. However, the practical implementation of epitaxial thin films often encounters limitations owing to substrate effects on their properties. To address this challenge, water-soluble sacrificial layers have been employed to weaken epitaxial bonds, facilitating the detachment of oxide thin films from their substrates and the formation of freestanding thin films. Wet etching with water-soluble sacrificial layers is currently the most promising method for creating high-quality freestanding oxide single crystals. Nevertheless, fabricating large-area membranes free from cracks and wrinkles remains a substantial challenge due to difficulties in managing strain in epitaxial films. In this study, we introduce a novel method to fabricate large-area freestanding metal oxide membranes without cracks and wrinkles by developing tailored supporting layers and a single polymer support layer to control strain during the growth, detachment, and transfer processes. We synthesize epitaxial La0.7Ca0.2Ni0.25Ti0.75O3 (LCNTO), SrTiO3 (STO), Sr0.95Ti0.76Ni0.05Nb0.19O3 (STNNO), and Ce0.9Gd0.1O2 (GDC) thin films with water-soluble (Sr,Ca)3Al2O6 sacrificial layers on STO substrates through pulsed laser deposition. High-resolution X-ray diffraction and reciprocal space mapping confirm the quality and strain of the films. After synthesis, all samples are coated with a single polymer support layer that facilitates their transfer to other substrates. Wet etching in deionized water dissolves the sacrificial oxide, allowing the successful fabrication of 5 x 5 mm freestanding membranes without cracks and wrinkles. Using electrical conductivity relaxation, we assess the conductivity of the films. This study not only demonstrates the potential to transfer large-area oxide films with tailored properties onto desired substrates but also establishes a fundamental relationship between strain management and the quality of freestanding membranes.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 39
|
| Fang, Angela |
Le, Helen |
Extending Cultural Competency from Classroom Discussions to Public Engagement
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Before becoming a communications intern at the Walker Institute, I went through the current website and thought about how it can be more user-friendly. Based on my experience of getting advised in my major, I understood that other students might struggle with navigating disorganized course requirements on Degree Works. With my frustration, I thought about making the process easier for Global Studies students by streamlining the course registration process and making the website simpler.
When I tell people I am a communications intern at Gambrell, they often ask me about my role. I explain that I’m involved in office work, preparing for events, and assisting my colleagues. What I find exciting is the ability to engage with my audience using multiple communication methods, whether it’s creating flyers to encourage students to attend a professor’s lecture, designing promotional materials to attract prospective students to the department’s majors, or coordinating communication between stakeholders involved in an event.
Coming into the role, I had no prior experience in designing flyers. Using what I learned in my SPCH 140 course, I analyzed my audiences and crafted messages in flyers, articles, and social media posts tailored for different groups. When redesigning the department's website, I envisioned a vibrant site where the cover photos represented the regions within the Global Studies major without risking the reinforcement of negative stereotypes.
After two years of interning with the Walker Institute, this role not only taught me different methods of communication but also how to effectively deliver messages across various mediums. Working on multiple projects, I learned to communicate efficiently with stakeholders and collaborate with colleagues who have skills that I lack. This experience has significantly strengthened my ability to adapt communication strategies based on my audience and evolving contexts, particularly political events. With other experiences such as project management, website design, and attention to detail, I will utilize these skills in my career journey—whether as a business analyst presenting data to an audience, working with customers directly, or any other sector that values good interpersonal and analytical capacities.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 263
|
| Ansani, Tremayne |
Poulain, Fabienne |
Analysis of BAI Receptor Expression in the Developing Visual System in Vivo
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Precise organization of neuronal connections during development is critical for processing information. In the visual system, retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) extend axons to their brain target, the optic tectum, where they form connections in a spatially arranged manner. The organization of retinal connections into spatial maps is essential for visual perception and is tightly regulated. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the formation and maintenance of the visual system remain largely unknown. One group of molecules with an unclear role in this process are the Brain-specific Angiogenesis Inhibitors (BAIs), a subfamily of adhesion G-protein coupled receptors. BAIs have been identified as key regulators of synaptogenesis and synaptic plasticity and have been associated with various neurological disorders. Despite these findings, little is known about the potential role of BAIs in visual system development. Therefore, this study aimed to characterize the expression of BAIs in the developing visual system of zebrafish in vivo. Four genes are known to encode BAI proteins: adgrb1a (BAI1a), adgrb1b (BAI1b), adgrb2 (BAI2), and adgrb3 ((BAI3). I first cloned the coding sequences of BAI receptors using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), digestion, ligation, and bacterial transformation. I then generated digoxigenin-labeled mRNA antisense and sense probes using PCR amplification and in vitro transcription, and used these probes for in situ hybridization on embryos fixed at 24, 48, 72, 96, and 120 hours post-fertilization (hpf). Among the four BAIs genes, adgrb2 exhibited the highest expression in the RGC layer of the retina at 96 hpf and 120 hpf, suggesting it is expressed by RGCs. To further investigate the role of BAI2, I am currently using a CRISPR-mediated mutagenesis approach to knock-down adgrb2 and assess the effects on retinotectal map development using confocal microscopy. Altogether, results from my project will clarify the roles of BAIs in neural circuit formation during development of the visual system in vertebrates.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 40
|
| Young, Anneliese |
Sims, Kerry |
Nurse and Provider Perceptions of Doulas: A Pre-Intervention Survey
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Maternal morbidity and mortality rates are rising in the United States, particularly among Black women and other racial and ethnic minorities. A study by Vedam et al in 2019 found that 28.1% of patients who gave birth in a medical facility experienced mistreatment. Providing support during labor through doula care can have significant positive impacts during pregnancy and delivery. PALS (providing active labor support) is a grant-funded initiative by The Duke Endowment that seeks to train, certify, and employ full spectrum doulas for inpatient support on a high-risk tertiary care labor and delivery unit. For this study, we aimed to ascertain pre-intervention knowledge and attitudes toward doulas prior to the start of the program.
This study surveyed 52 medical professionals in the Prisma Health Richland Hospital labor and delivery unit, including 2 midwives, 19 nurses, and 31 physicians. The survey used was adapted from a previously published study in December 2020 by the community doula network, SisterWeb. The medical professionals were asked questions regarding their prior experience and training with different kinds of doulas, as well as their opinions regarding the benefits of doula care.
Before the implementation of doula care in the labor and delivery unit, it was found that 71.2% of medical professionals surveyed strongly agreed that all pregnant patients should have access to doula care, and 86.6% either somewhat or strongly agreed that doulas can help address implicit bias and discrimination. However, 28.1% felt that having doulas present during delivery makes their jobs more difficult.
Before the intervention of the implementation of doula care in the labor and delivery unit, nearly half of the nurses and providers at Prisma Richland Hospital reported confusion regarding the different kinds of doulas and 28.8% cannot say that they feel comfortable working with a doula. Though most medical professionals agree that doulas can address bias and discrimination and help foster trust with patients, a significant portion of providers feel that working with doulas can make their job more difficult. More education and exposure to doula care is needed to ensure that doulas can be integrated into the labor team.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 181
|
| Chinta, Manasa Devi |
Lloyd, Stephen |
Integrating Multimodal AI in Clinical Decision Support System: Augmented Intelligence at the Point of Care.
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Primary care is indeed facing a significant crisis with burnout rates alarmingly high among primary care physicians (PCPs). According to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), 40% of PCPs experience burnout, significantly impacting their ability to provide care effectively. This crisis is exacerbated by the limited time PCPs have for critical tasks such as patient history taking, a fundamental component in diagnosing and understanding a patient’s condition. The increasing administrative burdens and higher patient volumes significantly restrict the time available for these essential interactions, potentially leading to overlooked symptoms and patient concerns.
Existing EHRs do not completely support these needs, as they often fail to capture the depth of data required in a usable format for AI analytics. Most decision-making data in primary care is trapped within unstructured clinical notes, which are inconsistent and not readily analyzable by current AI technologies. To address these challenges, there is a pressing need to restructure routine primary care data into a format compatible with advanced data science designs.
This project I’ve been working on proposes to develop and evaluate a prototype that integrates multimodal AI into a clinical decision support system to enhance the capabilities of physicians directly at the point of care. The system will feature a chatbot connected to a database that not only collects data but also generates concise, powerful dashboards. This innovative tool will capture clinical data directly from interactions with patients and present differential diagnoses in a graphical format, thereby improving the support for clinical decisions. By standardizing data into a multidimensional space and utilizing cutting-edge AI techniques such as machine learning and natural language processing, the system aims to streamline physicians’ workflows by reducing the workload and also enhance patient outcomes by ensuring more accurate and timely diagnoses.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 33
|
| Griffin, Spring |
Perumal, Nandita
Fakhre Yaseri, Amirhossein
Delgado, Jessica
Too, Nyaw
Talasila, Neharika |
Diagnostic accuracy of biomarkers used in the diagnosis of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy: an umbrella review
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Introduction:
Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) are conditions during pregnancy, including preeclampsia and eclampsia marked by chronic high blood pressure and kidney dysfunction and increase the risk of maternal and neonatal mortality. An umbrella review was conducted to collate the current evidence on the diagnostic accuracy of biomarkers used to diagnose HDP.
Methods: We conducted a systematic search in PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, and Web of Science (WOS) to identify systematic reviews and/or meta-analyses reporting diagnostic tests used to diagnose HDP. Study characteristics included end year of the search conducted in the review, number of databases searched, number of studies in the review, study designs, world regions of included studies, specific biomarkers studied, aim of the review, and main findings. We extracted data on metrics of diagnostic accuracy of each biomarker, including sensitivity (SE), specificity (SP), positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV). Quality assessments were conducted using the AMSTAR 2 guidance tool.
Results: Of the 3,154 titles and abstracts reviewed, 31 reviews were eligible for inclusion. All studies focused on preeclampsia or eclampsia, and reviews were most likely to include studies from Europe & Central Asia (n=14) and North America (n=11). Cross-sectional designs were the most common in the reviews (n=21). The most common diagnostic tests were urine dipstick tests and tests based on serum concentration of biomarkers. Biomarkers with reliable diagnostic results (true positives or negatives) were: placental growth factor (SE: 0.74, SP:0.78), platelet count (SE: 0.71, SP: 0.77), pregnancy associated plasma protein (SE: 0.95, SP: 0.98), placental protein 13 (SE: 0.55, PPV: 3.0, NPV: 97.4), soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1) to placental growth factor (PlGF) ratio (SE: 0.79, SP: 0.84). There were other novel biomarkers reported across reviews, but larger-scale testing is needed to further support the diagnostic accuracy of these biomarkers for HDP.
Conclusion: The findings of this study demonstrate that there are a wide range of biomarkers that have been examined for the diagnosis of HDP. Further research is needed, particularly in larger prospective studies and in more diverse populations, to validate the diagnostic accuracy of these biomarkers in routine clinical practice.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 108
|
| Coli, Nina |
Benitez-Nelson, Claudia |
Elemental Stoichiometry of Sinking Particles in the Santa Barbara Basin over the past two decades
View Full Text
Abstract Text
The Santa Barbara Basin (SBB), located off the coast of California, U.S., has long been used to study climate variability and biogeochemical cycling due to its high sedimentation rates and anoxic bottom waters. Sediment traps deployed in the SBB have provided valuable insights into the source and magnitude of sinking particle fluxes from the surface to the seafloor in response to ocean acidification, coastal upwelling, and biological community structure and production, among other processes. Each trap is suspended in the water column at 210 and 460 meters depth, approximately 100 m above the seafloor. They collect sinking particles every two weeks and have been in place since August 1993. Sediment traps are regularly analyzed in the laboratory for key constituents, including lithogenic material, calcium carbonate, biogenic silica, organic carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus. Here we analyzed over 20 years of data to elucidate monthly to interannual trends. We further pinpoint episodic events, such as fires and floods, and their potential influence on shaping sedimentation rates and biogeochemical cycling. Understanding both long-term trends and short-term disturbances in particle composition and flux is critical for evaluating climate variability and long-term environmental changes in coastal systems.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 126
|
| Schoeni, Julia |
Wardyn, Amy |
The relationship between cardiac patient beliefs and experiences with insurability and their decisions on whether or not to pursue genetic testing
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Since the enactment of the Genetic Information Non-Discrimination Act (GINA) in 2008, genetics providers have been incorporating conversations about GINA in pre-test counseling. There is currently limited evidence of the effects of personal or family histories of cardiomyopathy or aortopathy and associated genetic testing on patients seeking insurance policies not protected by GINA, including life, long term care, and disability insurance. This study aimed to determine whether individuals with a personal or family history of cardiomyopathy or aortopathy are having conversations about future insurability with their healthcare providers and how they perceive their ability to get these insurances when deciding to pursue genetic testing.
This study included an original online survey sent to individuals through various cardiomyopathy and aortopathy organizations and websites that consisted of yes or no, Likert-style items, multiple choice, and open-ended questions. A total of 108 responses were analyzed using Chi square analysis and Fisher’s exact test to investigate the relationship between factors considered prior to genetic testing and the decision to get genetic testing, and to elicit beliefs about the relationship between genetic testing and attainment of life, long term care, and disability insurance. Most participants were European/white women (82.8%, 77.8%), most had a personal or family history of cardiomyopathy (53.8%), and others had a personal or family history of aortopathy (41.7%). More participants had conversations about future insurability prior to pursuing genetic testing when they had pre-test counseling with a genetics or healthcare provider compared to when they did not have pre-test counseling with a provider (41.4%, 19.0%). Having these pre-test conversations was not statistically significant when compared to the participants’ perceived level of importance of future insurability (p = .100). The level of importance of future insurability was also not statistically significant compared to the decision to pursue genetic testing.
In their current form, conversations with genetics or other healthcare providers about the limitations of GINA do not appear to be significantly impacting patient decision-making regarding genetic testing. More data is needed to determine if genetic testing impacts individuals’ insurability to continue to better inform how healthcare providers discuss GINA.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 63
|
| Tieman, Melanie |
Newman-Norlund, Roger |
Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Their Association with White Matter Hyperintensities and Lesion Size in Acute Stroke Adults
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Introduction Cardiovascular health is pivotal in the etiology of white matter hyperintensities (WMH), with atherosclerosis linked to increased WMH burden. WMH can be categorized as deep (DWMH) and paraventricular (PVWMH) depending on their location. This study aimed to investigate the correlation between cardiovascular health and subtypes of WMH.
Methods We examined archival data from the Stroke Outcomes Optimization Project (SOOP) at Prisma Health-Upstate, collected over two years (2019-2020). After excluding individuals with subarachnoid, subdural, or intracerebral hemorrhages, those without brain MRIs, and individuals with stroke mimics or other confounding brain disorders the final sample included 1,072 participants aged 25 to 84. Cardiovascular risk (CVR) was calculated using the QRISK3 calculator, considering factors like age, sex, ethnicity, smoking status, diabetes, atrial fibrillation, antihypertensive use, height, weight, and cholesterol-to-HDL ratio. A Python script was developed to automatically scrape these scores using the online QRISK3 calculator. WMHs were segmented using the TrueNet classifier and categorized as deep or paraventricular.
Results Spearman correlations showed a significant positive correlation between total WMH load calculated 10-year risk (r = 0.163 p = 0.005). Dividing WMH into deep and periventricular types revealed that PVWMH load was more strongly correlated with CVR scores than deep WMH load (r = 0.235 p < 0.001, r = 0.112 p = 0.056 respectively). These findings suggest that the location of WMH may play a critical role in CVR assessment. To determine whether a specific periventricular region contributed more significantly to the WMH, we conducted a linear regression analysis focusing on paraventricular areas. This analysis revealed that WMH load in the left anterior corona radiata (p = 0.007) was particularly strongly correlated with CVR scores.
Conclusion Our analysis replicated prior work indicating that WMH load is associated with CVR. Our results extend this finding by showing that the relationship between CVR and WMH load is most robust when considering just PVWMH. Clinically, this distinction suggests that PVWMH may be a more sensitive marker of cerebrovascular pathology tied to CV burden, while DWMH may be more influenced by age-related microvascular changes. Future research should investigate whether CVR interventions can slow PVWMH progression.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 107
|
| McCarthy, Katherine |
Liponga, Megan |
Adapting and Innovating: Leveraging Global Perspectives for Strategic Success
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Problem-solving and adaptability are essential skills in today’s fast-paced business environment. While studying abroad, I took a course equivalent to International Marketing (IBUS 402), where I worked on a project analyzing cultural nuances in consumer behavior. My team and I developed a market entry strategy for Casa Tarradellas, a Catalonian company, emphasizing how cultural differences between Spain and the northeastern United States could impact the brand’s success. This experience strengthened my ability to think creatively and adapt strategies based on cultural context.
A year later, I applied these skills in an international case competition at the Technological University of Dublin. Competing against teams from seven countries, I collaborated with fellow students to solve complex business challenges under time constraints. Guest lectures, including insights from a senior Google strategist on AI in marketing, broadened my understanding of strategic decision-making. Our final presentation, which focused on storytelling and innovative problem-solving, led our team to win the competition.
These experiences reinforced my ability to think critically, work under pressure, and analyze challenges from multiple perspectives. As I enter the finance industry, I am confident that my adaptability, cultural awareness, and strategic mindset will allow me to approach investment decisions, risk management, and financial strategy development with a unique and competitive edge.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 211
|
| Miller, Avery |
Spence, Gina |
Driving Leadership: Insights from AMBA's Internship Experience
View Full Text
Abstract Text
As an Agent Support Intern at Association Member Benefit Advisors (AMBA) this past summer of 2024, I analyzed field agent turnover using qualitative and quantitative data. These insurance agents are crucial to the company selling insurance products, therefore went turnover is very important. This assessment led to actionable recommendations for improving AMBA’s training, support systems, and recruitment strategies, aiming to reduce turnover and increase retention.
In addition to my role as an Agent Support Intern, as it was my second summer working for the company I had the honor of taking on the Intern Ambassador role where I worked in tandem with HR to lead the internship program. I guided a team of eight interns, organizing professional development workshops, networking events, and community engagement activities. I also facilitated communication between interns, managers, and senior leadership to ensure the alignment of program goals and key deliverables, such as Monthly Business Reviews and Capstone Presentations. Through this presentation, I will share how data-driven insights can improve employee retention and effective leadership can create a more engaging and productive internship experience. My internship at AMBA provided valuable lessons that can guide students and professionals in enhancing retention strategies and leadership development in the workplace.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 272
|
| Blas, Alexis |
Fadel, Jim |
Activation of Basal Forebrain Afferents Following Systemic Inflammation
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Sepsis is a large-scale immune response typically due to an imbalance of pro- and anti-inflammatory responses due to some type of infection. Around 1.7 million adults in the United States will develop it each year, making it the leading cause of increased morbidity and mortality in hospitals. Sepsis can lead to many different symptoms, one of which is delirium. Delirium is a mental state of confusion and disorientation and involves delusions, hallucination, memory issues, and most commonly inattention. Delirium is more prevalent in older individuals which leads to further complications and a higher likelihood of development of long-term cognitive decline and dementia. There is limited information on the mechanisms of sepsis and the development of delirium, and no treatment options exist yet. It is believed that the basal forebrain cholinergic system, known to be dysfunctional in Alzheimer’s disease, is also involved in causing delirium and those cognitive effects.
This project examines neural responses to a systemic immune challenge in young and aged rats, with the goal of understanding the role of basal forebrain afferents in age-related susceptibility to sepsis-associated delirium. Young adult (2 to 4 months) and aged (22 to 26 months) male and female F344 x Brown Norway F1 hybrid rats had cholera toxin B, a retrograde neuronal tract tracer, injected into the basal forebrain region. After two weeks, they were injected with 0.1 mg/kg of either sterile saline or lipopolysaccharide, a component of gram negative bacteria that induces systemic inflammation. Two hours later, the brains were harvested and coronally sectioned (50 µm) before immunohistochemical analysis. Sections in the prefrontal cortex and hypothalamus were stained for cFos, a neuronal activation marker, and CTb to determine the proportion of activated basal forebrain afferents. The infralimbic cortex showed no significant changes, whereas the prelimbic cortex was less activated in aged animals, along with males after LPS administration. Ongoing analysis will examine the agranular insular cortex and the hypothalamus, additional sources of basal forebrain afferents that are important for cognitive and interoceptive function.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 12
|
Miller, Jessica
Blake, Lily |
Montie, Eric
Marian, Alyssa
DuBois, Isabella |
LONG-TERM PASSIVE ACOUSTICS AND VISUAL SURVEYS OF TAMANEND’S BOTTLENOSE DOLPHINS AS EVIDENCE FOR BOTTOM-UP ECOLOGY IN ESTUARIES
View Full Text
Abstract Text
One of the most long-standing questions among ecologists is whether estuaries are driven by “bottom-up” or “top-down” forces. The goal of our project was to investigate the “bottom-up hypothesis” in estuaries of Beaufort County, South Carolina. To accomplish this task, we integrated (i) primary productivity (i.e. chlorophyll a) data from NOAA National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERRS) System-Wide Monitoring Program, (ii) fisheries data from the University of South Carolina Beaufort (USCB) and South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR), (iii) Tamanend’s bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops erebennus) abundance data from the USCB survey program, and (iv) sound data from the Estuarine Soundscape Observatory Network in the Southeast (ESONS). Our specific objectives were to answer the following questions: (i) how does water temperature correlate with primary productivity (chlorophyll a); (ii) how does water temperature correlate with fish abundance; and (iii) how does water temperature correlate with dolphin abundance and vocalizations. We found that primary productivity, fish abundance, fish calling, and dolphin abundance were positively correlated with water temperature and were therefore greatest in the summer. However, we found that dolphin vocalizations were negatively correlated with water temperature and were greatest in the winter. This finding suggests that in the winter, when prey is scarce, dolphins need to vocalize more to find food. This study provides evidence for bottom-up ecology in these species and can assist in tracking the health of our local estuaries. Additionally, these findings suggest that vocalization data using passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) may not always correlate with the relative abundance of cetaceans.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 85
|
| Munyanya, Mercy |
Hollis, Fiona |
Early life stress affects brain mitochondrial function and behavior in key developmental periods of Wistar rats.
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Mercy Munyanya1, Erin Gorman-Sandler1, Gabrielle Wood1, Alaina Mullaly1, Breanna Robertson1, Benjamin Williams1, Alexia Crockett1, Jesseca Crawford1, and Fiona Hollis1,2
1Department of Pharmacology, Physiology and Neuroscience, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, SC, 29209.
2Columbia VA Healthcare System
Early Life Stress (ELS), including both prenatal and postnatal adverse experiences, disrupts normal brain development and increases the risk of neuropsychiatric disorders like anxiety and depression. Despite these long-term effects, the mechanisms connecting ELS to behavioral and health outcomes remain unclear. Mitochondria are dynamic organelles that play essential roles in cellular processes such as energy production and stress response. Thus, mitochondria are well-positioned to mediate the impact of ELS on long-term neuropsychiatric outcomes. We previously found that maternal stress during pregnancy leads to mitochondrial deficits in the postpartum brain, which are associated with reduced maternal care. We hypothesized that ELS would induce mitochondrial dysfunction in the offspring brain, linked to behaviors associated with anxiety and depression.
To test this hypothesis, we separated pregnant Wistar rats into stress and non-stress groups, subjecting the stress group to a gestational stress protocol known to induce maternal care deficits. After birth, we assessed the behavior and mitochondrial function of the offspring at neonatal, adolescent, and adult stages. Assays included behavioral testing (elevated Plus maze and Sucrose preferences test), acute challenge (forced swim test), mitochondrial respirometry and western blots. We observed that adult female ELS offspring showed reduced sucrose preference. Interestingly, in adolescence, male ELS offspring displayed more open arm entries in the Elevated Plus Maze compared to entries in adulthood, indicating an increased tendency for risk-seeking behaviors during adolescence.
Additionally, ELS altered mitochondrial respiration in adolescent females and adult males in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. We found significant sex differences in protein expression of complex 3 in the prefrontal cortex and complexes 5,3,4 and 2 of the hippocampus as well as an effect of acute challenge in adult ELS offspring. These data highlight the long-term consequences of prenatal stress on offspring brain mitochondrial function. Future directions will explore the functional role of mitochondrial activity in mediating stress-related behaviors in offspring.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 13
|
| Mozzo, Mackenzie |
Abshire, Demetrius
Centimole, Zohn |
Examining Factors Influencing Parental Preoperative Anesthesia Anxiety in Preparation for their Child’s Surgery
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Evidence suggests that approximately 74% of parents experience preoperative anxiety when their children will be undergoing surgery. Preoperative parental anxiety is not only a concern that affects parents, as it can negatively affect the emotional health of children who are undergoing surgery. There is currently a gap in the literature regarding which factors are the most associated with parental preoperative anesthesia anxiety. Identifying factors influencing parental preoperative anxiety could help inform the development of strategies that might be effective for reducing anxiety levels among parents whose children were undergoing surgery. This study aimed to identify factors that are associated with perioperative anxiety among parents whose children are scheduled for surgery. A mixed-methods study with a quantitative online survey and qualitative interview portion was utilized. For the quantitative component, the dependent variable of interest was preoperative anxiety and was assessed using the Amsterdam Preoperative Anxiety and Information Scale (APAIS). Independent variables of interest include general anxiety (measured using the 7-item General Anxiety Disorder Scale), demographic factors, and prior experiences with anesthesia. The qualitative portion consists of a semi-structured interview guide to understand factors linked to preoperative anxiety in the quantitative portion. There were a total of 516 responses to the online survey. However, the majority of responses were deemed to be fictitious entries from bots based on survey timestamps and unsuccessful phone calls to suspicious respondents. Despite this, we found that parental anesthesia anxiety was highly correlated with general anxiety and surgery anxiety among responses that were deemed legitimate. It was also found that a younger age is correlated with a higher anesthesia anxiety score. Qualitative results are currently in progress. Overall, this research showed the need for support for parents when their child will be undergoing surgery and further research in the implementation of parental preoperative anxiety support programs. Moreover, our experience with bots is consistent with experiences of others who have conducted survey-based research and demonstrates that careful attention and strategies are needed to ensure the validity of survey research.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 116
|
| Dorn, Amber |
Barron, Keith
Antonie, David |
Case Report: APML as the Underlying Cause of Pancytopenia in an 80y Female
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Background/Context:
Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia (APML) is a neoplastic proliferation of myeloid precursors within the bone marrow. Incidence of APML increases with age, plateauing at around the age of 60 and decreasing thereafter. Initial presentation often consists of DIC in the absence of sepsis/infection, severe leukocytosis, or pancytopenia. DIC and leukocytosis are representative of advanced disease and poor prognosis despite treatment with ATRA, the mainstay of chemotherapy for this disease.
Patient Presentation:
Here, we present the case of an 80 year-old female who was admitted to the inpatient internal medicine service for workup of generalized fatigue. HPI included 6 weeks of progressive dyspnea on exertion, easy fatigability, and an increased need for sleep. Relevant PMHx includes hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, CKD3a, and cardiac amyloidosis. Review of systems was positive for night sweats, chills, and generalized pruritus, but otherwise negative. Vital signs were within normal limits, and physical exam was unremarkable.
Workup:
Initial CBC demonstrated a hemoglobin of 4.2, hematocrit 12.6, white blood cells 1.2, and platelet count of 16. Coagulation studies (PT, INR, PTT) and BMP were within normal limits. Differential diagnoses included aplastic anemia, myelodysplastic syndromes, vitamin deficiencies (Folate, B12) and leukemia. Throughout her hospital course, her Hgb and platelet counts were minimally-responsive to multiple transfusions of PRBCs or PLT that were given.
Diagnosis:
Bone marrow biopsy was performed and subsequent flow cytometry revealed APML with t(15;17) APL-RARA fusion protein. As this genotype is retinoic acid-responsive, chemotherapy was immediately initiated with ATRA and close monitoring for differentiation syndrome and DIC. The remainder of this patient’s hospital course was uneventful, without emergence of differentiation syndrome or DIC, requiring only periodic transfusions to maintain Hb > 7.0 and PLT > 20. After approximately one week of continued stability, the patient was discharged home to pursue outpatient treatment with oncology.
Conclusion:
APML should be considered in the differential diagnosis in a patient with profound pancytopenia, regardless of age or presence of DIC, as demonstrated in this case report.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 133
|
| Rogers, Elizabeth |
Watson, Michael |
Medical Mission Trip to Guatemala
View Full Text
Abstract Text
The beyond-the-classroom experience I will be presenting focuses on a Medical Mission Trip to Guatemala that I had the opportunity to participate in over Spring Break. I attended this trip with ten other members of the Association of Pre-PA Students in 2023, and I am the group leader for our cohort going back to Guatemala for this year’s trip. We have coordinated with a company called Global Community Health Volunteers, which works to provide us with housing, meals, and interactive activities during our stay in Guatemala. They also work with the communities we serve to plan clinic locations and times, and recruit licensed doctors and translators to work with us in the clinics. During our time in the clinics, we are honored to help serve the medical needs of people in rural Guatemala who do not have access to readily available healthcare services. There is also a valuable educational component of the experience, as all of the participants are interested in pursuing careers as Physician Assistants. As such, our time spent in Guatemala helps us to learn more about how a clinic setting functions, how to best serve patients through our interactions with them, and also how healthcare inequalities impact underserved communities.
My motivation for getting involved in this mission trip stemmed from my interest in gaining hands-on experience with patients, practicing my Spanish skills, and adapting cultural competency in a healthcare setting. Learning how to interact with patients of different backgrounds than my own is so important for me, and should be important for anyone looking to become a healthcare provider. Having cultural competency skills is integral for building strong patient-provider relationships built on trust and respect, and my experiences in Guatemala have definitely helped me to develop those skills. The experience has also led me to recognize my passion for providing healthcare for underserved communities, especially right here in my community in South Carolina. I hope to foster this passion moving forward in my education and career.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 226
|
| Oshriyeh, Omid |
Sirakaya-Turk, Ercan |
Harmonious Flights: Exploring the Role of Music in Enhancing Airline Passenger Experiences
View Full Text
Abstract Text
The airline industry continually seeks innovative ways to enhance passenger experiences, recognizing that customer satisfaction and loyalty are pivotal for success. Among the various sensory cues that contribute to these experiences, music plays a significant yet often overlooked role. This phenomenological study investigates the intricate relationship between music and airline passenger experiences, focusing on its influence on psychological states, emotions, and circadian rhythms during flights.
Utilizing a phenomenological inquiry approach, this research delves into the subjective perspectives of passengers to uncover how music shapes their in-flight experiences. The study addresses key research questions, including passengers' perceptions of airline music, its impact on psychological well-being, the relationship between music timing and circadian rhythms, and factors influencing music preferences and emotional responses during air travel.
The research employs maximum variation sampling to select diverse airline routes, ensuring a broad range of experiences. Sixteen participants, representing various flyer frequencies, cultural orientations, and age groups, were chosen using Patton's purposeful sampling technique. Data collection methods included in-depth interviews, observations, and surveys, providing a comprehensive understanding of passengers' experiences with airline music.
Thematic analysis of the collected data revealed four main themes: enhancing flight experience through music, influence on sleep and circadian rhythms, emotional responses to music, and factors affecting music preferences. Participants consistently reported that specific music genres positively influenced their moods, particularly during boarding, creating a captivating pre-flight atmosphere. Additionally, the timing and type of music played during different flight phases significantly impacted passengers' sleep patterns and circadian rhythms.
The findings suggest that airlines can enhance passenger experiences by carefully curating music selections that cater to diverse preferences and needs. Offering a range of music options or customizable audio environments could further improve passenger satisfaction. This study underscores the importance of understanding the nuanced impact of music on airline passengers, providing valuable insights for airlines aiming to create memorable and enjoyable journeys.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 94
|
Adelson, Esther
Arnold, Virginia |
Shustova, Natalia
Thaggard, Grace |
Tunable Photoisomerization Kinetics in Photochromic Metal-Organic Frameworks
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Development of the next generation of functional materials, including ultra-efficient optoelectronics and tunable heterogeneous catalysts, relies on rapid switching between two or more distinct forms of photochromic molecules (e.g., spiropyran derivatives) in the solid state.1 Previously, the goal in the field of photochromic materials has been achieving solution-like photoisomerization kinetics in the solid state, which can be realized through integration of photochromic molecules in porous host platforms, such as metal-organic frameworks (MOFs).2 However, we present a fundamentally novel approach to surpassing solution-like photoisomerization kinetics in the solid state through strategic engineering of the MOF pore environment. Integration of spiropyran derivatives in MOFs followed by evacuation of the solvent molecules in the pores created a solvent-free environment that resulted in a breakthrough in the preconceived “speed limit” for photochromic molecules. The constructed solvent-free pore environment resulted in ~1,000-fold enhancement of the photoisomerization rate in the solid state even compared to the same spiropyran derivatives in solution, setting a record in the field of photochromic molecules. Further, we have studied the mechanism of rate enhancement through systematic analysis of three different classes of photochromic compounds (e.g., spiropyran, hydrazone, and diarylethene derivatives). The reported breakthrough in photoisomerization rate and the corresponding hybrid materials were extensively characterized using UV-vis, diffuse reflectance, and 1H NMR spectroscopies as well as powder X-ray diffraction analysis.3 These studies represent a conceptually novel approach to achieving unprecedented rapid photoisomerization in the solid state, which is required for specialized applications, including the development of artificial muscles, as well as efficient and high-speed optoelectronic devices.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 54
|
| Bird, Maranda |
Floyd, Alex |
Coaching on the Court and Teaching in a Classroom
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Using my experience of teaching a class during my EDLP course, I can compare it to coaching a club volleyball team by the way that I was able to interact with the students and athletes more affectively, as well as the mindset change from student to mentor and role model affected my mindset towards younger individuals.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 295
|
| Lee, Eugene |
Francis, Chase |
Potentiation of Nucleus Accumbens D1-MSNs using sensory stimuli
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Current pharmacological therapeutics for depression lack efficacy in a large proportion of patients. Treatment-resistant patients may opt for brain stimulation methods including non-invasive transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) of the prefrontal cortex (PFC), which shows lower activity in depressed patients. However, TMS often takes many sessions to produce a therapeutic effect. Therefore, new rapid-acting therapeutics for treatment-resistant patients are needed. The PFC excites the dopaminoceptive Nucleus Accumbens (NAc) brain region, which also shows robust decrease in depressed patients as well as in rodents. In particular, dopamine 1 receptor (D1) medium spiny projection neurons (MSNs) display reduced excitatory transmission and confer these depression-related symptoms. However, activating excitatory input to the NAc will activate both MSN subtypes, whose activity generates opposing stress-related behavioral outcomes. We recently found that a non-wavelength selective light flash delivered to the contralateral eye can selectively activates D1-MSNs as observed through an increase of GCaMP signal using fiber photometry. Surprisingly, this excitatory transient to D1-MSNs disappeared when we intraperitoneally injected the extra-synaptic N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) receptor antagonist memantine. In addition the probability of the light flash response was decreased when we intraperitoneally injected SCH23390, a D1 receptor antagonist. These results suggests excitatory input induced by light flash is through NMDAR, which plays a major role in upstate induction and long-term synaptic potentiation and may suggest a role for dopamine in the response. We predicted that this NMDAR-mediated event could open a window to induce plasticity. We optogenetically activated the PFC-NAc input while temporally pairing the stimulation with the light flash. A post-pre timing (light flash prior to PFC stimulation; 200 msec) caused an increase in PFC evoked calcium transients on D1-MSNs. We are currently testing other delays in animals that have undergone chronic stress or stress-naïve mice. In addition, we are assessing the mechanism and the role of dopamine and acetylcholine in this response. These results may provide a novel therapeutic method for enhancing excitatory transmission to NAc D1-MSNs in depressed individuals. Furthermore, this may be incorporated into current TMS methodology and may assist in maximizing therapeutic efficacy and reducing the number of treatment sessions.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 14
|
| Barnes, Alexander |
Matthews, Sarah |
Understanding Cultural Differences in New Environments
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Studying abroad in Barcelona provided me with a unique opportunity to immerse myself in the various cultures of Europe. I participated in the Global Partner Program through SAI as a student studying International Business at the Universitat Pompeu Fabra. During my time in Spain, I traveled to several cities, including Chamonix, Porto, London, Lisbon, Geneva, and Madrid, which greatly expanded my understanding of European cultural diversity.
Through my classes I explored the theoretical framework of how culture impacts societies and workplaces. During my travels in Spain and France I made valuable mistakes in my assumptions of Power Distance and Uncertainty Avoidance that inspired a new perspective on understanding culture as a whole. Utilizing Hofstede’s Dimensions, I learned from experience how to navigate these differences, adapt more effectively, and manage expectations when engaging in foreign societies.
This experience aligned closely with my academic interests in globalization and business. It also provided me with valuable interpersonal skills as well as improving my Spanish and Catalan. While close friends and relatives encouraged me to study abroad, it was a decision I felt compelled to make for myself, driven by my desire to explore the world, leave my comfort zone, and broaden my perspectives.
The lessons I gained from this experience extend beyond the classroom. It is one thing to study cultural diversity, but there is no substitute for experiencing it firsthand. I now feel better equipped to engage in global business environments and adapt to new cultural settings in the future. I strongly encourage anyone with the opportunity to spend time abroad to do so - it is an enriching experience that will help shape your worldview and career.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 233
|
| Tejera-Berrios, Diana |
Frizzell, Norma |
Exploring the beneficial effects of anaplerotic therapy in a mouse model of Leigh Syndrome
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Leigh Syndrome (LS) is a neurometabolic disease that predominantly manifests during childhood. It is characterized by nuclear or mitochondrial DNA mutations that result in impaired mitochondrial function. NADH dehydrogenase ubiquinone iron-sulfur protein 4 (NDUFS4) is one of the most common mutations of mitochondrial Complex I described in LS. The Ndufs4 knockout (KO) mouse exhibits human clinical symptoms, making this a good model for studying LS. Previously, we demonstrated that this Complex I deficit leads to impaired tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle activity, particularly the oxidative flux through the α-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase complex, resulting in reduced succinyl-CoA and protein succinylation. We hypothesized that therapeutic supplementation of this deficit would limit the neurological decline in Ndufs4 KO mice. After administering UX, an anaplerotic therapy to augment TCA cycle activity, we determined if survival and motor behavior were improved in the Ndufs4 KO vs controls. UX improved survival by ~7 days and increased the latency to fall off the rotarod, suggesting an improvement in motor coordination. Given the role of inflammation in the Ndufs4 KO brain, I optimized antibodies for both immunohistochemistry (IHC) and Western blotting to measure neuroinflammation changes particularly for TMEM119, a marker of homeostatic microglia. TMEM119 yielded positive results for microglia detection by IHC but was not detected by Western blotting. Inflammation did not change significantly in GFAP, a marker for astroglia, but it trended towards a decrease. Future directions include determination of protein succinylation levels to confirmation correction of TCA cycle deficits. Overall, the data suggests that augmenting TCA cycle function could potentially ameliorate symptoms and improve the quality of life in patients with LS.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 24
|
| White, Carmen |
Burkart, Sarah |
Perception vs Reality: A Comparison of Qualitative and Quantitative Measured Sleep Behaviors in a School-Home Sleep Intervention
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Purpose: In mixed-methods research, there is a risk of discrepancies when comparing qualitative and quantitative data; however, both forms of data are valuable in understanding participants perceived and actual changes in behavior. In a proof-of-concept sleep intervention study, we examined how parents perceived changes in sleep timing compared to objective measures. Secondarily, we examined parents’ perceived changes to bedtime activities.
Methods: Participants included parents (n=12, age= 31.9 ± 5.8 years, 97% mothers) and their children (n=13, age= 5.0 ± 0.3 years, 46% female). Before and after a 4-week sleep promotion program, children wore wrist-based accelerometers and parents completed nightly surveys reporting on bedtime, waketime, screen use, bedtime routines and activities for 7 days. Descriptive statistics (means and frequencies) were calculated for quantitative variables. Nightly surveys recorded calming bedtime activities (e.g., reading, bathing) and stimulating (e.g., screen use, outdoor play). Qualitative interviews from parents were reviewed to identify changes parents intended to make because of the program.
Results: Children wore the accelerometer for an average of 4.5 and 5.0 days at baseline and post, respectively. On average, parents completed 5.7 nightly surveys at baseline and 6.3 surveys at post. Objectively, average bedtimes were 10:03pm and 10:06pm from baseline to post, with wake times of 6:20am and 6:30am. However, parents perceived bedtimes of 8:57pm and 8:22pm and wake times of 6:42am and 6:48am at baseline and post, respectively.100% of parents reported screentime as part of their child’s bedtime routine at baseline and 72% at post. At baseline and post, stimulating bedtime activities included playing in or outdoors, screen time on handheld devices or televisions, and video gaming. Calming activities such as reading books and bathing remained constant. In interviews, parents reported that they intended to create more calming routines and reduce stimulating activities before bed, which is not supported by data in nightly surveys.
Conclusion: This study found that parents perceived earlier bedtimes and waketimes compared to objective measures. Despite intentions to reduce screen time and stimulating bedtime activities, higher occurrences were present post-intervention compared to baseline. Limitations included a small sample size and future data will be collected.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 83
|
| Goutier, Abigael |
Kozlik, Lauren |
Serving and Leading with Humanity
View Full Text
Abstract Text
During my Junior and Senior years of my undergraduate career, I participated in various volunteering and community service programs, such as the local YMCA program, ShareOneLove, Service Saturdays, and other activities, both in collaboration with and independently of University Organizations. These programs worked to benefit children both locally and abroad and have allowed me to broaden the horizons of my once limited worldview on what it truly means to “help children” and what makes somebody a skilled, likable, and competent leader. I interacted with many children, all with different ideas, views, and complex personalities, while also volunteering alongside my peers to educate and inspire them in the hopes of creating future leaders. With career aspirations to become a pediatrician, working alongside and for children in the local community has granted me invaluable experience in both better understanding, collaborating with, and guiding our future leaders. Previously, I viewed soft skills and interpersonal qualities such as empathy, sympathy, and positivity as unnecessary when setting objectives and achieving desired results. I was convinced that a leadership method consisting primarily of strong work ethics would be enough, and that simply pushing individuals to be better was sufficient in fostering a successful team, and that those who failed simply didn’t try hard enough. Through learned experiences and key insights, both inside and outside the classroom, I have been fundamentally reshaped into somebody better suited for leadership and public service, somebody compassionate, patient, and kind. I hope to use these experiences as both foundations and steppingstones as I continue to grow, not only as an individual, but as a future physician.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 217
|
| Gjerde, Delilah |
Goldberg, Kelly |
Empathy and Resilience: Advocating for Mental Health Awareness Among International Students
View Full Text
Abstract Text
During my semester abroad at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), I learned a lot about the mental health challenges that international students face. Seeing some of my peers struggle with the big changes in a new environment and culture made me realize how hard studying abroad can be. It also inspired me to want to raise awareness about the mental health needs of students in similar situations. One experience that stood out was my volunteer work as an English teacher in a local classroom. I worked with a student who had developmental delays, and the teacher’s dismissive comment, calling him “slow,” showed me how some cultures misunderstand mental disorders. This made me see how important it is to promote empathy and education about mental health, especially across different cultures. Living abroad pushed me to step out of my comfort zone, face new challenges, and become more resilient. These experiences taught me to embrace growth through discomfort and gave me a better understanding of my own strengths and limits. My time abroad not only helped me better understand other cultures but also strengthened my commitment to advocating for mental health awareness among international students. It showed me how important support systems and education are for creating a more understanding and inclusive global community.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 221
|
| Pineda, Haily |
Mills, Mary |
Insulin-like Peptide (ILP) Expression in Stomoxys calcitrans
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Stable flies (Stomoxys calcitrans) are blood-feeding pests that impact the livestock industry by biting cattle, leading to increased animal stress, reduced products, and ultimately, economic losses. Stable flies require multiple blood meals for egg production, with the blood meal inducing a complex hormonal cascade which results in the production of required yolk proteins for the developing oocyte. To develop targeted control strategies against these pests, a better understanding of stable fly egg development is needed. To fill this gap in knowledge, we aim to characterize insulin-like peptide (ILP) expression in Stomoxys. ILPs are hormone-like molecules that are produced prior to yolk protein precursors and are required for the completion of egg development in the well-studied mosquito. While recent work revealed stable fly yolk protein expression peaks at 24 h post blood meal 3-4 (hpBM3-4), the expression profile of ILPs in stable flies is unknown. It is expected that ILP expression will precede yolk protein expression, occurring 0-12 hpBM3-4, aligning with patterns observed in mosquitoes. To this end, gene expression analyses have been used to characterize ILP in Stomoxys egg development. Female stable flies were blood-fed and collected at 0-1, 6, 12, and 24 hpBM1-4, with expression profiles generated for multiple ILPs. Indeed, ILP expression is induced by blood feeding, similar to mosquitoes. These findings provide a better understanding stable fly reproductive biology, aiding in the development of population control strategies for this significant livestock pest.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 99
|
| Kinton, Madeline |
Alshareef, Ahmed
Moss, Melissa |
Investigating Material Selection for In Vitro Modeling of TBI Associated Proteinopathies
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is a major public health concern, with millions of emergency department visits in the U.S. annually. Emerging evidence links repeated TBI to neurodegenerative proteinopathies, such as the accumulation of tau and amyloid-beta, implicated in neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). Currently, knowledge gaps hinder the understanding of how TBI biomechanics contribute to these neurodegenerative proteinopathies. Our study plans to bridge these gaps by conducting in vitro stretch testing of neurons and subsequent measurements of protein aggregation. Selecting an optimal material for cell survivability represents the first step towards this eventual goal. Once an ideal material is selected, it will be subjected to stretch injury that mimics TBI mechanics at a cellular level.
A comparison was conducted between 3D PEGDA hydrogel cultures and 2D cell cultures seeded on a 50A silicon resin construct with Sylgard 527 or 184 adhesive coatings. Survivability of differentiated SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells was assessed through various assays. Colorimetric XTT assays were used to quantify cell viability and metabolic activity, while caspase assays provided insights into the activity of apoptosis linked enzymes. Each experimental and control group was measured at time points of 4 hours, 24 hours, 2 days, 3 days, 5 days, and 7 days after cell differentiation, providing data on changes in metabolic and apoptotic activity over time.
Based on a literature review, we expect that PEGDA hydrogel samples will display superior survivability due to their 3D matrix, which closely resembles the neural extracellular environment. Follow-up studies informed by these findings seek to establish relationships between TBI-induced strain and proteinopathy of tau and amyloid-beta. By selecting the material that optimizes cell adhesion and survivability, we will ensure that our in vitro testing frame replicates strain-induced cellular damage and protein accumulation post-injury, removing any confounding factors due to material incompatibility.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 41
|
| Rahman, Nazeerah |
DeLaurier, April |
Determining phenotypes associated with loss of function of rcor2 in developing zebrafish.
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Rcor2 is a gene that encodes a protein called CoRest, which is a co-repressor protein that is recruited by Rest (RE-1 silencing transcription factor) to modify chromatin landscapes and adjust gene expression through repression of mRNA transcription. By using zebrafish as our model organism, we are generating homozygous rcor2 mutants to analyze for loss-of-function phenotypes in the larval stage. By studying how loss-of-function of rcor2 affects zebrafish development, we will establish for the first time how the role of this protein in cellular processes related to patterning of the craniofacial skeleton. Methods include genotyping fish by fin clipping, Hot Shot lysis to extract DNA, PCR, gel electrophoresis on 2.5% gels, histological staining, and scoring of skeletal phenotypes under a dissection microscope. I hypothesize that rcor2 functions in the CoRest/HDAC complex to repress transcription of gene targets during development. I predict that we will see abnormal skeletal development in rcor2 mutants due to lack of function of a normal process of repression of gene transcription.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 127
|
| Rice, Monique |
Cooper, Daniel |
Skin Deep: Examining Colorism & Racism and its Role in the Development of Self-Esteem and Identity of Black Women Attending Predominantly White Institutions
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Attending a Predominantly White Institution (PWI) as a Black woman comes with unique experiences which often include feelings of isolation and not belonging. So, how does experienced colorism and racism shape and impact the development of identity and self-esteem? The intersectionality of these two concepts plays a significant role in shaping these experiences. This study is built on my previous research conducted which explored the experiences of Black women at PWIs through interviews, literature analysis, and surveys. The current stage of this research includes an almost tripled participant pool, a demographic survey for quantitative data, and refined questions to better capture concept impacts. The use of established literature is still utilized in this study. By understanding the role of these concepts in the way Black women navigate their understanding of their self-esteem and identity, this research aims to contribute a more comprehensive understanding of the intersectionality at play in these environments. will provide a more thorough understanding of the intersectionality of these concepts and the uniqueness of their experiences. Being able to understand the experiences of students, especially those who are minorities, is crucial to ensuring that they feel included, seen, and supported. The goal is for this research to be shared ideally with key stakeholders at campuses. By including both qualitative and quantitative data, this information can be used to influence, revise, and create inclusive policies not just for minority students but for PWI campus culture as a whole, leading to an equal, equitable, and inclusive campus for all.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 161
|
| Nadeau, Alyssa |
Harrison, Sayward
Miller, Sarah |
Outpatient Treatment Access for Adolescents with Opioid Use Disorder in South Carolina: Protocol for a Secret Shopper Study
View Full Text
Abstract Text
The opioid crisis in the United States (US) is now marked by dangerous, synthetic opioid use (e.g., fentanyl and its analogues). Rates of opioid use and corresponding overdose deaths remain high across the US, including in South Carolina (SC). Adolescents are also at risk for opioid misuse and opioid use disorder (OUD), yet adolescents receive Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) (i.e., the gold-standard treatment)at much lower rates than adults. Little is known about barriers that adolescents experience when trying to access outpatient treatment for OUD, including MOUD. This poster will describe the research protocol for a ‘secret shopper study’ that aims to assess the experiences of adolescents seeking care for OUD in SC to inform the development of more youth-friendly services.
In the current study, funded by a USC Magellan Grant, I will call 46 county outpatient treatment facilities posing as a 16-year-old in need of OUD treatment. I will utilize a standardized script with specific questions related to treatment options and resources. All phone calls will be recorded. A standardized checklist will be used to assess the quality of each call. Specifically, this checklist will include items related to whether accurate information was provided, appropriate referrals were made, and whether the caller was treated with respect. I will compare information provided to current state laws and policies. These calls will serve as a “quality check” to evaluate whether treatment centers provide accurate, unbiased information and effective support for young people. Results from this study will be presented in summary tables. I anticipate that treatment centers will offer varying levels of information and support to the adolescent caller. Based on prior research conducted in other states, I anticipate the adolescent caller may experience bias and stigma and/or be referred to inappropriate levels of care. These findings will have crucial implications for OUD treatment providers in SC who wish to improve their adolescent care. The current poster will describe the research methodology of the study, including details of the ‘secret shopper’ methodology and its utility in understanding and improving patient care.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 197
|
| Mulkerrin, Ronan |
Shustova, Natalia
Thaggard, Grace |
Synthesis and Characterization of Photochromic Spirooxazine-based Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs)
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Photochromic materials, which possess properties that can be tailored based on exposure to specific excitation wavelengths have potential applications as components of next-generation optoelectronics devices and sensors.1 However, relatively slow switching kinetics between isomers of commonly used classes of photochromic compounds in solution and in bulk solids severely restrict the applicability of stimuli-responsive materials for future device development.2 In this presentation, we address the challenge of slow photoisomerization kinetics not only by targeting a class of photochromic molecules that exhibit rapid switching rates, but also by strategic engineering of the environment around photochromic compounds. In particular, we investigate spirooxazine derivatives coordinatively-integrated within the confined space of a series of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), providing an understanding of how the MOF pore size and solvent environment impacts spirooxazine photoisomerization kinetics. Further, evacuation of the solvent molecules typically trapped inside MOF pores created a solvent-free environment around the integrated photochromic molecules, thereby eliminating the electrostatic interactions between photoswitches and solvent that typically limit the photoisomerization rate. As a result, we detected the fastest photoresponse reported for any solid-state material to date. The photoisomerization rate for the developed photochromic material was estimated to be 126 s−1, surpassing any literature reports to the best of our knowledge. Overall, the presented approach allows for tailoring the isomerization kinetics of photochromic molecules in the solid state over a range of four orders of magnitude, providing an avenue for addressing challenges associated with the response rate and photoisomerization, which are key criteria in stimuli-responsive material development.2
1. G. C. Thaggard, J. Haimerl, K. C. Park, J. Lim, B. K. P. Maldeni Kankanamalage, B. J. Yarbrough, G. R. Wilson, N. B. Shustova, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2022, 144, 23249.
2. G. C. Thaggard, G. R. Wilson, M. Naik, M. A. Quetel, J. Lim., B. K. P. Maldeni Kankanamalage, M. D. Smith, N. B. Shustova, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2024, 146, 31746.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 74
|
| Goodwyn, Griffin |
Reid, Cami |
Five Nights in Cleveland: My Trip to the 2024 Final Four
View Full Text
Abstract Text
During the fall semester of my freshman year, I attended the first interest meeting The Daily Gamecock hosted in Russell House. What I remember most about that meeting was learning that the newspaper sent reporters to The Final Four. Covering such a high-profile sporting event and rubbing shoulders with famous sports media personalities was an opportunity I never thought was possible, and it gave me something to strive for as I climbed up the publication's ranks. In April 2024, what initially was a dream became reality – I got to travel to Cleveland, Ohio, and tell the story of the South Carolina women’s basketball team’s first undefeated season and third national championship.
As part of this experience, I wrote six articles over my four days in Cleveland, including previews and recaps of both of South Carolina’s games and two profile pieces on members of the team who won awards. That was not the only content I produced, though. From interviews with fans to clips of players walking into the arena, I also used my phone to capture videos for The Daily Gamecock’s social media pages.
This experience resulted in long days and late nights – plus an overnight nine-hour drive back to Columbia to make sure I got back in time for my Monday classes – but it ultimately reinforced why I want to have a career in the sports media industry. Working in a high-pressure environment gave me adrenaline and a competitive drive, much like the student-athletes on the court, that helped me meet preset deadlines. It also illustrated the importance of timely communication since I had to update not only my photographer on-site, but also my editors in Columbia on my progress.
The Final Four helped me gain a greater appreciation for my JOUR 391: Sports Media and Society course, which included a lesson on women’s sports. Witnessing firsthand the growth of women’s college basketball was very rewarding, and it inspired me to center my senior thesis on the topic.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 273
|
| Khalil, Lea |
Yang, Chih-Hsiang |
Socioeconomic Status and Risk Factors of Cognitive Decline in a Study Sample of African American Older Adults
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Authors: Lea Foster Khalil, Jenna Dzwierzynski, Chathurvedi Ganguru, Chih-Hsiang Yang, PhD
Introduction:
Socioeconomic status (SES) plays a significant role on health outcomes, and cognitive decline is no exception. As individuals age, they can become more susceptible conditions such as dementia. Therefore, it is crucial to understand if different socioeconomic status (SES) is related to risk of cognitive decline. The hypothesis of this study is that older adults with lower SES face a higher quantity of risk factors than those with a higher socioeconomic status. This is a topic that has been explored in the literature, but not specifically focusing on African Americans. This study narrows this gap using the baseline data from a study sample of African American older adults.
Method:
This study summarizes data from the baseline measures from 87 participants enrolled in a mindful walking program. All participants were African American, 60 and over, and exhibited at least one of five possible dementia risk factors. Participants living with stroke, PTSD, or mood disorders were not eligible for the study. The study began March 2023, and data collection ended in February 2025. The data was evaluated through descriptive statistics that were conducted to demonstrate the distribution of each baseline measure and dementia risk factor(s).
Result:
On average, participants joined the study with two risk factors. Descriptive statistics indicates that lower annual income is not related to more dementia risk factors. The mean risk factors for all participants in 1.99, but those over $60,000 to $69,999 have the greatest mean. In this study, the statistics indicated that there was a greater mean risk factors with part-time workers, those with some college education, and an equal risk depending on if an individual lived alone or not.
Conclusion:
The findings of this baseline study indicate a low association between SES and quantity of risk factors in this study sample, but studies with a greater sample may yield stronger conclusions. Results from this mindful walking program will reveal if the risk based on demographic background could be mitigated through interventions focusing on lifestyle behavior change.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 117
|
| Tesoro, Isabella |
Gudridge, Maegan |
Leadership and Growth in South Carolina Club Gymnastics
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Club sports at the University of South Carolina are a source of community, fulfillment, and purpose for many students. Whether it's returning to a familiar sport when you’re homesick, using club sports as a way to meet new people, or exploring a new interest, club sports bring students together in an active environment that facilitates personal and professional development. I served as vice president of the South Carolina Club Gymnastics Team for the 2023-2024 season and am continuing to serve for the 2024-2025 season. In collaboration with the other executive members, I have worked to revitalize the club gymnastics team by increasing recruitment, establishing philanthropic partnerships, and implementing internal changes by revising our constitution and club policies. My involvement in the club gymnastics team and the opportunities it provided are among my proudest accomplishments from my time at USC. My presentation will highlight the personal and professional development I experienced while in my leadership position, and how the skills I’ve gained will continue to serve me in the future.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 303
|
| Collins, Mya |
Varjosaari, Sami |
ELUCIDATING THE STRUCTURE OF PINCKNEYIN
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Pinckneya bracteata (Georgia Bark or Fever Tree) has been historically associated with malaria treatment due to a hypothesized quinine-like compound, pinckneyin, first isolated in the 1880s and suggested to be a glucoside. However, the unresolved structure of pinckneyin since the 1940s has hindered efforts to assess its pharmacological activity and potential for drug development. This study aimed to characterize pinckneyin using mass spectrometry (MS), nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR), and X-ray crystallography. Pinckneyin was isolated from bark extracts using liquid-liquid extraction and chromatography. Structural characterization was performed using MS, NMR, and X-ray crystallography to define its chemical framework. Resolving pinckneyin’s structure could not only clarify P. bracteata’s historical medicinal use but also provide insights for modern drug discovery, emphasizing the relevance of traditional medicine in contemporary pharmacological research.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 61
|
| Cardenas, Alma |
Mills, Mary |
Determining the Impact of Blood Meal Size on Egg Development in Stomoxys Calcitrans
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Stomoxys calcitrans are blood feeding stable flies that have the potential to transmit vector-borne illnesses. They primarily feed from livestock and cause significant economic loss to the livestock industry due to control cost and product loss. While we know stable flies require five blood meals resulting in the expression of yolk proteins (YP) for successful egg development, the relationship between egg development and blood meal volume is still unknown. To better understand egg development to further control pest populations, this research aims to determine the effect of blood meal volume on YP expression. Recent data show YP gene expression coincides with the trophic stage of egg development, where the follicles undergo the most growth (blood meal 3 and 4; BM3-4). Interestingly, these experiments allowed stable flies to feed ad libitum to blood during each blood meal. In contrast, we limited blood meal volume to 15 µl and collected females 0-1,12, and 24 h post blood meal (hpBM) throughout BM1-5. RNA extraction and cDNA synthesis were completed for subsequent gene expression analyses of the two highest expressing YP genes using RT-qPCR. Due to the limited blood meal volume, YP expression is delayed, increasing after BM4-5. This data suggests the trophic stage of follicular development may also be shifted due to the amount of blood ingested. Furthermore, these findings suggest stable flies have molecular mechanisms to delay sequential egg development, which need further characterization to develop new control methods against these insects.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 93
|
| Rudd, Mary Elizabeth |
Keane-Dawes, Antony |
Bridging the Housing Gap: Data Science and Policy Development
View Full Text
Abstract Text
For the past year, I’ve worked as a policy research intern at the South Carolina State Housing Finance and Development Authority, also known colloquially as SC Housing. SC Housing facilitates the distribution of funds through various state and federal programs to create affordable housing opportunities all over the state, attempting to bridge the gap in affordable housing need. It is no secret that the United States is facing a housing crisis, one that is stretching the resources of every American. This crisis hasn’t avoided South Carolina. According to Census data, 51% of renters in South Carolina face a severe housing cost burden. A renting household faces a severe cost burden when over 30% of their income goes towards rent and utilities. For the median family making $68,000 a year, this means spending well over $20,000 on rent and utilities. Factoring in all other expenses, this burden stretches families' resources to their limits. My internship at SC Housing has allowed me to explore my passion for improving affordable housing outcomes and engage in policy research that truly makes a difference to families facing such high costs. The main part of my duties involved geocoding addresses of all the publicly funded affordable housing units in the state and analyzing their distribution. Specifically, I looked at Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) properties, and developed policy recommendations that would improve affordable housing access in key areas of need. I also supported legislators, creating maps of LIHTC properties in their districts to help inform them of the affordable housing need in their districts. Through this experience, I developed my data analytics and geographic information system (GIS) skills that allow me to assist in policy analysis and development, which is key to understanding how we can begin to fix the affordability crisis that affects so many people today. This experience affirmed my goals to attend graduate school for housing and community development policy, so that I may go on to serve the public in a way that will directly impact our communities and bridge the housing affordability gap in the United States.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 289
|
| Davis, Mason |
Outten, Wayne
Reasons, Dexter |
Elucidating the Protein-Protein Interaction Network of BolA in E. coli
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Iron-sulfur (Fe-S) clusters are necessary cofactors for essential cellular processes including respiration, amino acid and isoprenoid biosynthesis, and DNA repair. The storage and trafficking of Fe-S clusters is handled by several classes of proteins including monothiol glutaredoxins (Grx), and BolA-type proteins. In E. coli, the protein BolA is involved in many important cellular functions such as motility, biofilm formation, and iron metabolism as a transcriptional regulator and iron-sulfur cluster storage protein. This project will seek to understand BolA’s role in these cellular processes so it could be targeted as a method of fighting bacterial virulence. Additionally, BolA homologues are found across prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms, so discoveries in the E. coli iron homeostasis system can guide researchers in human health to a better understanding of this vital system in human cells. The purpose of this project is to elucidate a protein-protein interaction network (interactome) for BolA in vivo via biotin ligase proximity labeling and western blotting. I have expressed a fusion protein of BolA and a promiscuous biotin ligase (miniTurboID) so that any proximal proteins are covalently modified with the small molecule biotin. Covalent modification with biotin allows interacting proteins to be identified using a streptavidin immunodetection probe via western blot. To express miniTurbo-BolA, I cloned the fusion gene into the pBAD plasmid vector and transformed it into MG1655 “wild-type” E. coli. I then used in vivo assays to confirm its functionality to be like wild-type BolA. I have used this technique to study the protein-protein interactions of BolA under several conditions using western blot, and future study using mass spectroscopy will reveal the identities of the proteins which comprise the interactome of BolA.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 48
|
Blanton, Amanda
Hamilton, Maura |
Weaver-Toedtman, Kristen |
Examining the Relationship Between Physical Activity and Upper Respiratory Infections in University of South Carolina Undergraduate Students: A Longitudinal Study
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Upper respiratory infections (URIs) are the most common illnesses affecting humans (Allan and Arroll, 2014). Across a variety of populations and statistical designs, evidence suggests that regular moderate-intensity physical activity (PA) tends to lower the susceptibility for and severity of URIs. More specifically, the relationship between PA and URI symptoms follows a "J-shaped" curve such that little to no PA and extremely high PA levels increase the risk for URI symptoms (Kurowski et. al., 2022). However, little is known about the relationship between PA and URI symptoms in college students, a population in which URIs have a highly significant burden (Doyle and Cohens, 2009). In this population, URIs significantly impact beyond acute symptoms, leading to consequences such as class absences, diminished performance in assignments or exams, missed work, and withdrawal from extracurricular and social activities (Nichol et. al, 2004). To fill this research gap, this study examined the relationship between PA and URIs in college students using a longitudinal design, in which data were repeatedly collected on URI symptomology and reported PA This study was conducted at the University of South Carolina and included 75 participants over a 4-week data collection period. Participants were recruited through the College of Nursing’s departmental newsletter, and data collection was managed via REDCap. Baseline assessments included demographics, health status, and the Rapid Assessment of Physical Activity survey, with follow-up RAPA surveys administered weekly. URI symptoms were measured tri-weekly using the Wisconsin Upper Respiratory Symptom Survey-11. Data from the 75 participants is currently being analyzed, and we expect the J-shaped relationship between PA levels and URI symptoms to also be evident in this population. Those who rarely exercise and those who engage in frequent vigorous activity will have a high prevalence and severity of URI symptoms, while those engaging in regular moderate-intensity exercise will have the lowest. Findings will contribute to understanding this relationship in a high-morbidity population with limited pre-existing research, and guide PA guidelines and disease prevention in the college population.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 121
|
| Gillenwater, Trent |
Mott, David
Higley, Samantha
Warren, James
Stokes, Jack |
Real-Time Fluorescence Imaging of Neural Dynamics Using ROIs for Time-Resolved Intensity Analysis
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Optical techniques are revolutionizing our understanding of mechanisms underlying brain function and disease. These techniques use light to study neural function and are highly beneficial for studying neural circuits to explain mechanisms underlying processes such as decision-making, emotion and memory. Fluorescent sensors are being developed that can report an ever-increasing array of neural properties, including neural activity, membrane voltage, intracellular signaling and neurotransmitter levels. Combined with modern genetic approaches, these sensors can be selectively expressed in desired cell types to provide real-time information about neural activity in vivo during behavior. These techniques can use light to stimulate or inhibit neural activity to drive behavior and provide a functional readout of the role of specific neuron types. Optical techniques can also be used ex vivo to provide even higher resolution imaging of activity in neural circuits. Understanding brain function at such a detailed level is crucial to improving our understanding of the physiology and pathophysiology of the nervous system. However, implementing these techniques ex vivo can be challenging due to the high cost and complexity of the required equipment and software. The goal of this study is to develop an affordable, user-friendly system capable of performing real-time optical imaging of brain tissue using existing laboratory equipment.
Initial efforts focused on identifying software capable of real-time fluorescent analysis. We needed the capability to select specific regions of interest (ROIs) in the visual field for analysis or manipulation as a given ROI may represent a single neuron or part of a neuron. Efforts to use software from Neurophotometrics failed as it was not compatible with our existing camera. We explored alternative commercial solutions but without success. This led us to develop our own software solution using Micro Manager, an open-source platform for image acquisition, which has the advantage of compatibility with numerous cameras. Our images were then processed in ImageJ, a free, open-source program that supports ROI analysis. This software solution was tested using ex vivo mouse brain tissue expressing fluorescent reporters. In conclusion, we report an inexpensive software solution to enable real time optical imaging of ex vivo brain tissue.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 108
|
| Samaddar, Srestha |
Shtutman, Michael |
The Effect of HIV-Tat and TDP-43 on Stress Granule Dynamics and Pathology
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Abnormal responses to cellular stress are characteristic of many diseases, particularly neurodegenerative disorders. Stress granules (SGs) are dynamic aggregates of RNA and protein that form in reaction to cellular stress, playing a vital role in the regulation of RNA metabolism and translation control. Proper assembly and disassembly of SGs are crucial for maintaining cellular homeostasis. Viruses can influence the dynamics of SGs and may produce varied effects on physiological and pathological stress granules. Proteins from the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), including the Tat protein, are known to be involved in SG regulation. However, the impact of HIV-Tat on the formation of pathological SGs related to neurodegenerative diseases has not yet been explored. The RNA-binding protein TDP-43, associated with neurodegenerative diseases, can become trapped in SGs, hindering their proper disassembly and acting as a marker for impaired SG clearance. TDP-43 helps limit HIV-1 by influencing anti-HIV-1 factors and controlling the levels of key viral proteins. This research investigated the influence of HIV-Tat on the dynamics (assembly and disassembly) of control and TDP-43 enriched stress granules in U2OS cells, aiming to assess the differing sensitivity of physiological and pathological disease-associated SGs to HIV proteins. This study examined the impact of the Tat protein and viruses containing TDP-43 markers on stress granule formation during oxidative stress in U2OS cells. It was hypothesized that U2OS cells exposed to Tat protein would exhibit fewer stress granules, whereas those with TDP-43 markers would display an increased number of stress granules.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 37
|
| Garrett, Lauren |
Sadati, Monirosadat |
FTIR Characterization of Polyurethane Foam Upcycling with Degraded Lignin
View Full Text
Abstract Text
The polyurethane (PU) market spans diverse industries, including construction, automotive, electronics, and packaging. The global PU foam market is projected to reach $87.68 billion in 2025 and grow at a rate of 5.36%, reaching $113.84 billion by 2030 [1]. However, PU materials are primarily synthesized through the polyaddition reaction of diisocyanates or polyisocyanates with oligomeric hydroxyl polyols, all of which are derived from fossil fuels [2].
Our recent research has demonstrated that incorporating degraded lignin molecules—a natural biopolymer derived from wood and a by-product of the paper industry [3]—in the presence of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) can effectively degrade and upcycle PU foam into a lignin-PU bio-resin. In this study, we utilized Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) to analyze how the PEG-to-degraded-lignin ratio and PU foam dissolution time influence the molecular structure of the resulting bio-resin [4]. The objective of this FTIR characterization is to determine the structural composition of each sample, providing insights into the key parameters and conditions necessary for optimizing the material’s performance as a bio-resin.
References:
1. Mordor Intelligence. Polyurethane Market-Report, Size & Growth. Retrieved March 2025, from https://www.mordorintelligence.com/industry-reports/polyurethane-marketHaq, I., Mazumder, P., & Kalamdhad, A. S. (2020).
2. Recent advances in removal of lignin from paper industry wastewater and its industrial applications – A Review. Bioresource Technology, 312, 123636. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2020.123636.
3. Annunziata, M. G. What Is Lignin Made of? New Components Discovered! | Plant Physiology | Oxford Academic. https://academic.oup.com/plphys/article/180/3/1255/6117486 (accessed 2025-03-05).
4. Smith, B. C. Fundamentals of Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy; CRC Press, 2011.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 77
|
Weaver, Katherine
Joy, Eliza |
Harrison, Sayward |
Beyond HIV: Approaches to Improving Care Engagement for Youth Living with HIV and the Patient-Provider Relationship
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Background
Youth are at high-risk for HIV, accounting for 20% of new diagnoses in the United States in 2022. Care engagement is critical for positive HIV outcomes, including viral suppression; yet, youth living with HIV (YLHIV) have lower rates of care engagement than their adult counterparts. This study aimed to identify ways that HIV care providers and community-based organizations (CBOs) foster care engagement for YLHIV and to examine youths’ perspectives on how patient-provider relationships impact these strategies.
Methods
Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with 16 YLHIV ages 16-25 and 15 HIV care providers. Additionally, 23 staff members of HIV-focused CBOs participated in focus groups. All participants resided in South Carolina. Interviews and focus groups were recorded and transcribed verbatim. A team-based rapid qualitative analysis approach was used to analyze data, extracting relevant themes and exemplar quotes related to support, care engagement, and the patient-provider relationship for YLHIV.
Results
Providers and CBO staff reported multiple strategies to increase YLHIV care engagement, including providing transportation, utilizing an integrated care model and peer navigation, and destigmatizing HIV. Notably, most strategies addressed needs beyond clinical care, highlighting the key role of social determinants of health (SDOH) in care engagement. CBO staff emphasized empowerment approaches, while providers stressed the importance of relationships in clinic. YLHIV reported that genuine connections with providers are integral to care outcomes and appreciated when providers were nonjudgemental, provided education, and linked youth with mental health services. YLHIV also noted that the close patient-provider connections formed in pediatric HIV clinics sometimes made transitions to adult care difficult.
Conclusions
Relationships and tangible services (i.e., transportation, peer navigation) are crucial to engage and retain YLHIV in care. Providers can support YLHIV by addressing psychosocial needs and adhering to SDOH. Engagement strategies and relationship-building may be especially critical during the transition to adult care.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 94
|
| Poteat, Meherrin |
Christ, Christa |
NOT ALL STRESS IS EQUIVALENT: DIFFERENT STRESSORS IMPACT ON THE PHYSIOLOGICAL RESPONSES OF THE HEART
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Youth who experience maltreatment can develop HPA axis dysregulation, impacting one’s biological and cognitive stress response. Stress paradigms relevant to maltreated youth are limited, but evidence suggests vocal hostility may be effective. We seek to validate a vocal hostility paradigm to provide a tool for future research to better investigate the role of HPA axis dysregulation on stress response. We compared the vocal hostility (audio stress task) to other validated paradigms (Stroop Task as a cognitive stressor, dynamometer squeezing as a physical stressor, preparing to sing to an audience as a social stressor, and watching a heart surgery video followed by a math challenge as an orienting/reactivity (O-R) stressor. A total of 111 participants (Age M = 20.29, SD = 5.36; 77.5% female, 17% male, 4.5% other gender; 41.5% black, 34.2% white, 24.3% other race) were assigned to 1 of the stress conditions. Analyses revealed a stress main effect (F(2,194) = 8.46, p < 0.001), as measured by heart rate: stress was higher during the task (M = 89.26, SE = 1.33) than either prior to the task (M = 84.26, SE = 1.44; p < 0.001) or after the task (M = 83.97, SE = 1.15; p < 0.001). However, interaction results indicated (F(8,194) = 8.64, p < 0.001), this was only true for the physical stress task (prior M = 84.53, SE = 3.29; during M = 100.57, SE = 3.05; after M = 84.08, SE = 2.65) and the O-R stress task (prior M = 81.05, SE = 3.27; during M = 87.77, SE = 3.03; after M = 83.49, SE = 2.63). Although the social stress heart rate was higher during the task (M = 87.99, SE = 2.97), compared to after (M = 83.46, SE = 2.58; p = 0.012), neither was significantly different from the heart rate prior to the task (M = 85.99, SE = 3.21; p > 0.05). Future studies will need to refine the audio paradigm if it is going to be used to induce stress.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 152
|
| Wojciechowski, Milla |
D'Antonio, Edward |
Catechins from Green Tea: Discovery of Dengue Virus Type 2 NS3 Helicase Inhibitors by Compound Repurposing
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Catechins are phytochemicals found in various plants and notably in green tea. These polyphenol derivatives belong to the flavonoid family and are recognized for their antioxidant properties, which help protect cells from damage caused by free radicals. The Dengue virus (DENV) is a human pathogen harbored by the mosquito vector and is the etiological agent for Dengue fever, which is a neglected tropical disease and represents a significant global health burden. Based on estimates from the World Health Organization, approximately 100 – 400 million infections are reported annually. The virus has four distinct serotypes (DENV-1 – DENV-4), with DENV-2 being one of the most virulent. A crucial component of the DENV replication machinery is non-structural protein 3 (NS3) helicase, which unwinds viral RNA in the presence of ATP, and thus facilitating replication. Kumar and colleagues recently revealed that (–)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), one of the catechins from green tea, revealed highly effective virucidal activity against Zika virus (ZIKV). This polyphenol derivative also functioned to be a very potent ZIKV-NS3 helicase inhibitor [Kumar, D., et al. (2020) ACS Omega, 5, 11217 - 11226]. Herein, we report on a small catechin library (five compounds) that was screened against DENV-2 NS3 helicase. Our findings showcased that EGCG inhibits DENV-2 NS3 helicase through an uncompetitive mode of inhibition. Through use of Dixon plots, the inhibitory constant value was determined to be 450 nM for this catechin, indicating a very high affinity. These findings suggest that catechins may serve as effective antiviral agents against DENV-2 by targeting and hindering the function of NS3 helicase, thereby disrupting the viral replication process.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 38
|
| Badinski, Megan |
Turner, Carrie |
Empowering First-Generation Students through Mentorship and Community
View Full Text
Abstract Text
As a first-generation engineering student at the University of South Carolina, I participated in the college’s Summer Start Program, which helps first-generation engineering students navigate college life. Early in my college career, I founded First-Gen Students in the Engineering and Computing College (CECFG), a student organization dedicated to supporting first-gen students and later served as a counselor for twenty freshman engineering majors in the program’s fourth cohort. I created this student organization to provide a support system for students in a position like myself, and it is important to me to ensure they have necessary resources and like-minded peers when coming to college in a difficult major. These experiences allowed me to foster a positive environment, provide campus resources, and aid in their transition to college. These opportunities have contributed to my personal and professional growth, offering me the chance to reflect on my experiences and see the program’s impact on student success. Through both the program and the student organization, I have deepened my understanding of myself and my community while sharing knowledge to empower future engineers. Looking ahead, expanding resources for first-generation students, particularly by growing the Summer Start Program at USC, is crucial to ensuring their success by helping students gain essential knowledge they may not receive from firsthand family experience, find networking events to expand their professional connections, and ultimately find confidence and a sense of belonging with like-minded individuals who may face similar challenges.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 320
|
| Sahu, Pradeep |
Silfies, Sheri
Vendemia, Jennifer
Moore, Robert
Harrison, Adam |
Assessment of Physiological Anxiety Associated with Perceived Harmful Movements in Persons with Chronic Low Back Pain
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Anxiety or fear of pain related to movement is one characteristic commonly present in persons with chronic low back pain (cLBP). Pain related anxiety to movement is context-specific, situational, and can be difficult to measure using a self-report standardized questionnaire. The unconscious physiological responses (heart rate variability, skin conductance, and respiration) to anxiety are short-term, automatic, and require instrumented sensors to capture the reaction. Prior research has captured the immediate autonomic anxiety-related responses while a subject visualizes themselves performing potentially back harmful movements. However, limitations of prior work were a lack of context-tailored pictures and limited physiological marker capture. This study aims to address the gaps by individually tailoring context-specific pictures of perceived back harmful tasks, and measuring multiple physiological responses during a task visualization paradigm. We expect that participants with cLBP will have greater physiological response to photos of daily activities that they identify as harmful. The original photo series of potentially back harmful movement tasks was created by European researchers in 1999 and contains gender-biased activities performed by Caucasian actors. To address this limitation, we used multiple online tools to modernize the context-specificity, reduce gender bias and provide multi-racial images. In our preliminary work, four participants with cLBP and two healthy controls (HC) rated their perceived harmfulness to the modified pictures (0–100, higher more harmful). Their average score across 46 pictures was 33.3 3.8 for cLBP and 23.4 14.6 for HC. Average within subject, range was >70 points allowing identification of least and most harmful task. Collection of the physiological response to visualization of each subject’s least and most harmful daily activities will be compared to a baseline visualization of nature photos. Each phase (baseline, least, baseline, most, baseline) is 5.5 minutes with simultaneous capture of electrocardiography, respiration, and skin conductance signals. Data pipelines for down-sampling, filtering, and artifact removal are used prior to calculation of heart rate variability, skin conductance and respiratory rate parameters representing changes in sympathetic and parasympathetic responses associated with physiological anxiety. Our data collection is ongoing with planned comparison of the physiological anxiety parameters between groups.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 64
|
Greene, Cassandra
Hanson, Monyetta |
Rhodes, Morgan
Bean, Lawrence |
Lifestyle Medicine for Obesity: Evaluating Group Visits in Family Medicine
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Introduction:
Obesity, defined as a BMI greater than 30 kg/m², carries an economic burden of $173 billion annually. South Carolina has one of the highest obesity rates in the country at 36.1%. This project aimed to implement obesity group visits at the Family Medicine Center (FMC) to improve health by reducing BMI and enhancing quality of life. A significant portion of our patients struggle with obesity and associated comorbidities, and obesity group visits provide specialized care often lacking in routine appointments.
Methods:
This was a prospective pilot project approved by the Prisma Health IRB. Patients of the Prisma Health FMC that were 18-65 years with a BMI of 30 kg/m² or greater and had an obesity-related comorbidity were eligible. Visits were offered every other week for 3 months and led by family medicine residents. The program focused on the 6 pillars of Lifestyle Medicine: physical activity, stress management, social connection, avoiding risky substances, nutrition, and restorative sleep. Each session included exercise, education, group discussions, and mindfulness exercises. Weight and blood pressure were measured at each visit, and surveys on Healthy Habits and Perception of Quality of Life were administered at the first and last sessions.
Results:
The schedule and curriculum were finalized in Fall 2024. Recruitment occurred in October 2024 with the first visit in October. Five participants enrolled in the program, with two successfully completing it. One participant showed a 1.91% increase in weight, while the other showed a 1.36% increase. One participant reported a 33% improvement in quality of life. Additionally, this participant reported an improvement in healthy lifestyle changes and increased confidence in making healthy lifestyle changes.
Discussion:
Though the study was limited by a small sample size, the positive outcomes suggest that group visits, combined with education, can encourage healthier behaviors. This project helped to lay the foundation for future cohorts of obesity group visits by demonstrating its feasibility. With recent South Carolina Medicaid updates allowing GLP-1 prescriptions after multiple nutritional counseling visits, this project may enhance access, patient buy-in and long-term health outcomes.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 174
|
| Tilwani, Deepa |
O’Reilly, Christian
Shinkareva, Svetlana
Yang, Xuan |
EEG Spectral Analysis of Valence and Arousal Neural Encoding in Narrative Listening
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Emotions shape our perceptions, decision-making, and social interactions. Understanding how the brain encodes these emotions helps us decode what makes experiences pleasant, distressing, or motivating. Many psychiatric disorders, such as depression and anxiety, involve dysregulated affective processing. Studying neural encoding can improve treatments by identifying which brain circuits are involved. To achieve this, we need precise methods to capture both the spatial and temporal dynamics of affective processing. While functional magnetic resonance Imaging (fMRI) offers high spatial resolution, its temporal limitations and indirect measurement of neural activity can obscure the rapid dynamics of affective processing. In contrast, an electroencephalogram (EEG) provides better temporal resolution and a more direct index of neuronal activity. In our study, we leveraged the Aging Brain Cohort at USC and the strengths of EEG to investigate the spectral representation of affect, specifically valence and arousal, during narrative listening. By analyzing how these representations vary, we aim to uncover the fundamental principles of affective processing and how they differ across individuals. We decomposed the EEG signal into distinct frequency bands and computed correlations between subjective affective ratings and the power EEG cortical sources across participants, narrative segments, frequencies, and regions of interest. EEG source reconstruction was used to estimate cortical activity, and power spectral density (PSD) was analyzed across the canonical frequency bands (delta, theta, alpha, beta, and gamma). While our preliminary analyses did not yield statistically significant results, we identified patterns that suggest potential associations between EEG power and affective ratings in specific brain regions and frequency bands. These patterns were particularly evident in the beta (15–30 Hz) and gamma (>30 Hz) bands, with the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), superior temporal gyrus (STG), and posterior cingulate showing potential involvement. Further analysis is needed to confirm these findings and explore their implications. Future work integrating EEG with fMRI may help clarify the spatiotemporal dynamics of affect-related neural activity and its implications for neuropsychiatric research.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 43
|
Baker, Lindsey
Bray, Matheson |
D'Antonio, Edward |
Leishmaniasis Research
View Full Text
Abstract Text
CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION AND NOT FOR PUBLIC DISSIMULATION PRIOR TO PUBLICATION IN THE DISCOVER USC GUIDEBOOK
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 45
|
| Rueff, Jackson |
Wang, Xuewen
Lee, Jongwon |
The Effects of Oversleeping on Cognitive Function Among College Students
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Background: While it is considerably well-documented that sleep deprivation diminishes cognitive performance, the effects of oversleeping remain less known. Emerging evidence and studies suggest extended sleep duration can impair cognitive function, but inconsistencies are common with the findings. The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of oversleeping on cognitive function by use of a structured longitudinal approach.
Methods: Participants are monitored for the two-week duration of the study During the first week, baseline sleep duration, cognitive function and subjective well-being are recorded. In the second week, the participants are asked to extend sleep duration by approximately one hour per night. Cognitive function is assessed using remote cognitive tests administered via smartphone, twice per week, which evaluate executive function, memory, processing speed, and attention. Following this, participants complete surveys measuring their sleep quality, fatigue, and perceived cognitive efficiency.
Expected Results: We expect that extended sleep may slightly reduce cognitive function, especially in areas like processing speed and executive function. Additionally, survey responses may show mixed results – most participants will notice increased feelings of grogginess and fatigue, but some participants will feel more rested. The contrast between perceived cognitive efficiency and actual cognitive function highlights the need to better understand how oversleeping can influence brain performance and subjective well-being. The study will also explore how disruptions or shifts in the body’s internal clock can influence these effects.
Conclusion: The findings from this study will provide new insights into the correlation between extended sleep duration and cognitive function. Understanding how oversleeping influences cognition and executive function can inform future sleep recommendations and interventions, specifically for populations at risk of cognitive decline. Further research is needed to explore the long-term effects and underlying biological mechanisms of these changes.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 109
|
| Grice, Emma |
Battle, Sarah
Ahuja, Divya |
Navigating multiple positive results: A diagnostic dilemma with vision on the line
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Case Description:
A 50-year-old man was seen due to recurrent episodes of visual blurriness and painful movement to the right eye over the past year. Each episode would last about 1.5 weeks then resolved. Initial brain and orbital MRI were normal. He was diagnosed with possible optic neuritis (ON) and started on 10 mg of prednisone. 1 month later, the patient was admitted to the hospital for recurrent right eye pain. Orbital MRI now showed right eye optic nerve edema. Broad lab work-up was initiated and ruled out several possible infectious etiologies such as HIV, Lyme disease, and Syphilis. He was found to have a positive QuantiFERON blood test for Tuberculosis (TB) and a positive Toxoplasma IgG antibody level. He did not have any significant risk factors for TB and denied any associated symptoms such as night sweats or fever. Additionally, his chest x-ray and MRI brain showed no signs of active TB. He underwent a lumbar puncture, and no Tuberculosis was identified. He did endorse several risk factors for Toxoplasmosis, such as having multiple cats and kittens and hunting/skinning deer. His vision did not worsen with systemic steroids, which would be expected with Toxoplasmosis. In addition, his isolated ON without uveitis also suggested against a diagnosis of Toxoplasmosis. Both the positive QuantiFERON and Toxoplasma IgG were ultimately thought to be unrelated to his visual symptoms, and he was conclusively diagnosed with Chronic Relapsing Inflammatory Optic Neuropathy (CRION). He was started on steroid-sparing therapy; however, he was unfortunately lost to follow-up.
Discussion:
CRION is a rare autoimmune disorder characterized by painful vision loss with optic nerve edema that sporadically resolves and relapses over time. CRION’s infrequency and similarities with other optic neuropathies make it difficult to promptly diagnose and treat. This case illustrates the challenge of diagnosing CRION due to its lack of specific serologic biomarkers, need for appropriately timed MRI, and its exclusion from the several other causes of ON. Although ON from TB or Toxoplasma is possible, these positive tests presented misleading evidence in this case. Prompt diagnosis of CRION is critical for preventing permanent vision loss.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 139
|
| Bastian, Arianna |
Murphy, Angela
VanderVeen, Brandon |
Cannabinoid-Mediated Immune Cell Alterations in the Lamina Propria of Obese Mice
View Full Text
Abstract Text
This study aims to explore the effects of cannabidiol (CBD) and delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) on immune cells within the lamina propria (LP) in the context of obesity. The LP displays alterations in immune composition with obesity that can impact cancer risk. While cannabinoids exhibit immunomodulatory properties, their impact on LP immune cells during obesity is not yet understood. We investigated the impact of CBD and THC on LP immune signatures in obese mice. Female C57BL/6 mice were fed a low-fat diet (LFD) (n=10) or high-fat diet (HFD) (n=30) for 16 weeks. Mice in the HFD group were further randomized to Low CBD/Low THC cannabis (Placebo), High CBD/Low THC cannabis (CBD) or Low CBD/High THC cannabis (THC) (n=10/group), wherein treatments were given 3x/week for 4 weeks dosed at 40 mg/kg. The immune profile was determined using high-dimensional flow cytometry. CD45+ immune cells were unchanged between groups. While obesity had no effect, both CBD and THC caused a reduction of F480+ cells, a decrease of CD163-MHCII+ (M1-like macrophages), and an increase of CD163+MHCII- (M2-like macrophages). Obesity decreased CX3CR1- recruited macrophages and both CBD and THC rescued this effect. While there were no changes to CD11b+Ly6g+ neutrophils and CD3+ T-cells, CBD and THC increased CD19+B220+ B cells and NK1.1+ NK cells, which were unaffected by obesity. Finally, we show an increase in CD8+ cytotoxic T-cells with obesity, which was rescued by CBD and THC. We observed significant changes in immune signatures within the LP with obesity and cannabinoids that may be relevant to cancer risk. These findings highlight the potential therapeutic benefits of CBD and THC in treating obesity-related immune dysregulation.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 15
|
| Collins, Corey |
Sides, Andrew
Gonzalez, Nelson
Carlyle, Logan
Warner, Aidan
Jaraki, Daniel
Thomas, Mattie Jo |
Critical Care Management of an Acute Anti-IgLON5 Disease Flare
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Anti-IgLON5 disease is a rare autoimmune neurodegenerative disorder characterized by sleep disturbances, autonomic dysfunction, gait abnormalities, and progressive cognitive decline. First described in 2014, its mechanism remains largely unclear, and acute exacerbations can result in life-threatening respiratory failure. We present the case of a 71-year-old female with a history of Anti-IgLON5 disease, who arrived to the ED with symptoms of acute encephalopathy and respiratory compromise. She was found unresponsive with cyanotic extremities, and arterial blood gas analysis revealed severe hypercapnic respiratory failure. Despite prior treatment with IVIG, she had recently been switched to rituximab, which her family believed was less effective. She was intubated and admitted to the MICU, where she received IVIG and Solu-Medrol, leading to gradual clinical improvement. Following stabilization, she was successfully extubated and discharged after an 11-day hospitalization.
This case underscores the diagnostic and therapeutic challenges of Anti-IgLON5 disease, emphasizing the importance of early recognition and individualized treatment. Given the absence of a standard therapy, treatment decisions rely heavily on prior patient response and clinical judgment. Additionally, history from family members is invaluable in identifying symptom progression and guiding management, particularly when patients are cognitively impaired.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 129
|
| Gonzalez, Nelson |
Sides, Andrew
Collins, Corey
Carlyle, Logan
Jaraki, Daniel
Warner, Aidan |
West Nile Virus Meningitis in an Older Adult with Complex Comorbidities
View Full Text
Abstract Text
West Nile virus (WNV) is an arthropod-borne virus that has become a growing public health concern in North America. While most infections are asymptomatic, a small percentage develop neuroinvasive complications, including meningitis, particularly in older adults. We present the case of a 61-year-old male with a history of cerebrovascular accident, diabetes mellitus, obstructive sleep apnea, and dementia who was admitted with generalized weakness, unresponsiveness, and fever. His initial presentation included a temperature of 103.1°F, hypertension, and confusion. Reports from his spouse noted difficulty swallowing and drinking days before admission, along with morning confusion. He later reported light sensitivity, neck stiffness, and pain, raising suspicion for meningitis. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis confirmed the presence of WNV IgM, establishing the diagnosis of WNV meningitis. The patient demonstrated significant cognitive improvement with supportive care, including acetaminophen and fluids.
This case highlights the importance of maintaining a high index of suspicion for WNV meningitis in older patients presenting with fever and neurological symptoms, particularly those with multiple comorbidities. Given the potential for severe complications, early recognition and appropriate supportive management are crucial for improving outcomes.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 140
|
| Chase, Hailey |
Ballou, Julia |
From Passion to Profession: Marketing for Customer Acquisition and Retention in the Fitness Industry
View Full Text
Abstract Text
My presentation showcases how my role as a Marketing Specialist at Beats Barre Studio shaped my GLD pathway in Professional & Civic Engagement. This experience allowed me to merge my passion for fitness, mental health, and nutrition with my skills in marketing and entrepreneurship, creating a unique opportunity to apply strategic marketing principles. With a focus on customer acquisition and retention, working in a boutique fitness environment required adaptability, creativity, and a strong understanding of brand development, customer needs, and digital marketing in a competitive industry.
In this role, I gained firsthand experience in the intersection of business strategy and community impact, reinforcing the importance of authenticity and connection in marketing. Beyond executing campaigns, I played a key role in fostering relationships with clients, collaborating with business owners, and refining brand positioning to attract and retain members. These responsibilities strengthened my ability to develop marketing initiatives that not only drive business growth but also create lasting customer engagement.
Ultimately, my GLD journey in Professional & Civic Engagement highlights the value of this hands-on experience in brand management and development for customer acquisition and retention. By applying my marketing expertise in an industry aligned with my passions, I gained a deeper understanding of how strategic marketing supports both business success and community well-being. This experience has provided me with the skills and insights necessary to navigate the evolving landscape of marketing and entrepreneurship in an industry I would like to work in in the future.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 281
|
| Watson, Joshua |
Floyd, Alex |
How to Mirror Others
View Full Text
Abstract Text
During the School year, I have been working as a server at a restaurant called J’O Gradys. During my job, I have used many skills that I have learned in my Sociology 101 class to help better the experience for customers as well as myself. I was able to use Cooley’s Looking-Glass Self theory to approach customers and make it to where they would have a better experience because I would talk to them in a way that I mimic them self and talk about interests I think they would like. I found that in doing so, it almost always works in favor for you, meaning you will get a better tip
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 272
|
Pokalsky, Margaret
Wesley, Alena |
Ramasamy, Poornema |
Improving Pressure Injury Offloading Times Through Implementation of New EMR Order Sets
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Though often preventable, the incidence of pressure ulcers has not seen a decrease in decades and therefore they are a major burden to both the individual and the hospital system. Pressure ulcers, better known as bedsores, are localized skin and soft tissue injuries that form due to extended pressure, most commonly occurring over a bony prominence. According to the National Pressure Injury Advisory Panel (NPIAP) guidelines, the duration of time a patient with a pressure ulcer should remain in a specialty bed is highly dependent on individual factors, such as mobility level, skin condition, and pressure ulcer risk. In our study, we focused on patients admitted to Prisma Health Richland (PHR) hospital who either presented with or developed a pressure injury. Our aim was to ensure patients admitted to PHR found to have pressure injuries are transitioned to a pressure reducing support surface within a reasonable timeframe. Our project used data collected from previous studies performed by our interdisciplinary research group. We determined the average time a patient waits to receive a specialty bed was 7.74 hours. Then, we proposed a new process to decrease the time a patient receives a specialty bed and improve documentation of bed utilization within the EMR. In March 2024, we implemented a new Epic order set titled “specialty bed”. The new order-set documents the time a bed is ordered and delivered to a patient room, the type of pressure reducing bed requested, and reason for request within a single, easy to read page. We collected patient data from December 2024 to January 2025 to determine if the new order-set decreased the time a patient received a specialty bed. We will compare our results to the previous year’s data to determine if there was a significant decrease in specialty bed order-to-delivery time attributed to implementing the new order-set. Our results will help determine if our proposed process will decrease the overall time from initial pressure injury documentation to treatment. This project contributes to our research group’s ultimate goal of decreasing the incidence of hospital related pressure injuries.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 173
|
| Spivey, Bobby |
Elya, Marwan
Gamble, Kelly
Lail, Megan
Dierks, Maxwell
Loftis, Gannett |
Objective Criteria for Appropriate Utilization of Blood Culture in an Intensive Care Setting: A Retrospective Review
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Objective: Blood cultures are an essential tool in diagnosis of bloodstream infections. Inappropriate ordering of blood cultures has been shown to be associated with increases in: cost of hospitalization, lengths of stay, and use of intravenous antibiotics. Tools have been developed to assist clinicians in ordering blood cultures; some relying on the systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) criteria, while others have relied on objective and subjective criteria. Our aim was to evaluate the effect of a proposed objective tool to assist in ensuring that blood cultures are ordered appropriately. The primary goal of this study was to assess the effect of implementing these criteria on the bacteremia rate of blood cultures in the intensive care unit (ICU).
Methods: This was a retrospective chart review of all blood cultures collected in a 20-bed closed medical ICU in January 2024. Based on review of previous tools, we hypothesized that blood cultures would be appropriate if: ordered for surveillance; for immunocompromised patients; or if the patient meets predefined criteria. Appropriateness was defined as: one major component, one intermediate AND one minor component, or two or more minor components. These criteria components were: major – temperature >39.4 C (103 F) or suspected endocarditis; intermediate – indwelling device or central access; minor – temperature 38.3-39.3 C (101-102.9 F), SBP <90 mmHg or requiring vasopressors, WBC >18,000 or <4,000 cells/mL, platelets <150,000 cells/mL, or creatinine >2 mg/dL. Sole exclusion criterion was if the patient had blood cultures ordered within the same hospital in the previous 24 hours.
Results: The total baseline cohort included 53 blood cultures with 11 (20.8%) bacteraemic. After applying our suggested criteria, we found 71% of blood cultures drawn met the proposed criteria with bacteremia in 10 of 38 (26.3%). Both escalation and de-escalation of antibiotics remained stable between the baseline and appropriate subset.
Conclusions: Our proposed tool provides objective blood culture ordering guidance for providers while also reducing inappropriate collections in the ICU setting. More randomized controlled trials are needed to validate and generalize our findings to adopt the suggested criteria.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 166
|
| Restivo, Jessica |
Alshareef, Ahmed |
Characterizing the Relationship between Head Anthropometry and Brain Material Properties using MR Imaging and Elastography
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) risk depends on subject-specific anatomical variation, yet most computational models use the geometry of a 50th-percentile male head. There is a critical need to make more inclusive predictions of TBI that account for geometric variation for individuals with varying brain size and shape.
This study aims to advance subject-specific TBI modeling by investigating correlations between subject anthropometry (age, sex, head dimensions) and brain morphometry from magnetic resonance (MR) images [Aim 1] and between head anthropometry and brain material properties derived from MR elastography [Aim 2] using statistical models.
Neuroimaging data, including MR structural imaging and elastography, were sourced from a recently acquired open-source dataset. The cohort contained 159 subjects (76 males, 83 females), aged 14-75, with T1- and T2-weighted images and associated data (age, weight, height). A standard protocol was developed to obtain manual measurements of the head size and shape dimensions in ITK-Snap. Brain dimensions were extracted from a binary brain mask using a custom code in MATLAB R2024b, and brain volume was obtained from a deep-learning segmentation. Whole-brain MR elastography data, collected at 30, 50, and 70 Hz frequencies, was analyzed from a subset of 85 subjects (37 males, 48 females). Median and 95th-percentile material properties, including shear stiffness, damping ratio, storage modulus, and loss modulus, were extracted.
Simple linear regression indicated that head dimensions are moderate predictors of respective brain length, width, and depth (R2; 0.81, 0.65, 0.66, respectively), while stepwise linear regression lowered prediction error, modeling brain dimensions as specific combinations of head length, width or depth (p < 0.05). Analysis of the correlations between head size and the MR elastography dataset showed no significant relationship. Brain mechanical properties (shear stiffness, storage modulus, loss modulus) exhibited a significant relationship with subject age and ventricular volume (R² > 0.5). The correlation between head anthropometric measurements as a predictor of brain morphometry and material properties lays the groundwork for possible future predictive modeling for individualized risk assessment of TBIs based on easily accessible external head dimensions.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 44
|
Dawson, Rebecca
Stollberg, Leonie |
Goodrum, Nada
Butler, Lauren |
Enhancing Parental Resilience through the ImPACT Study: Insights and Improvements for Effective Parenting Interventions Among Different Stressors
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Parents exposed to major and cumulative stressors such as history of trauma, mental health challenges, substance misuse, financial strain, HIV, and racial discrimination may experience difficulty in engaging in positive parenting strategies and exacerbate their child’s health difficulties related to socioemotional outcomes, physical health, and sleep. Parent-based preventive-intervention programs have been associated with improving the parent-child relationship and child developmental outcomes. However, parents exposed to cumulative stressors may not fully benefit from these preventive-intervention programs due to the lack of emphasis on improving parent self-regulation. Thus, the current study draws on qualitative feedback interviews from the Improving health for Parents and Children Together (ImPACT) study with parents, a parent-based prevention program aimed to enhance positive parenting and parent self-regulation skills to promote child developmental outcomes in children ages 3-9. The current study explores participants’ experiences and reactions to the program through thematic analysis on qualitative feedback interviews from parents who have completed the ImPACT study. Our evaluation seeks to discover the reasons that contributed to participants’ inability to complete the prevention program and how to improve the programming to better support families with similar needs. Additionally, we aim to identify factors that supported participants’ completion of the program. In our qualitative interviews, we identified several key themes, including participants’ perceived trade-offs between the online individual format and alternative in-person or group formats, concerns regarding the cultural relevance of the videos and workbooks, and the recognition that while some strategies resonated with them, others did not. Facilitators of program completion included rapport with the parent coach, perceived relevance of the program content, and convenience of the online format. This insight will enable us to identify key barriers and facilitators to program completion, allowing for targeted adjustments in both delivery methods and content presentation to enhance participant engagement and effectiveness.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 181
|
| Baig, Nabeeha |
Dallas, Tad
Foster, Grant |
Investigating the Role of Nutrient Variability in Fungal Community Assembly
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Nutrient availability is a key driver of microbial community assembly, influencing both individual species’ growth dynamics and competitive interactions. Previous studies suggest that yeast strains exhibit differences in carrying capacity (maximum community size) across nutrient environments, yet it remains unclear whether these differences translate to predictable community dynamics. We hypothesize that monoculture growth rates and carrying capacities will correspond to total community abundance in polycultures. To test this, we assembled replicate yeast communities with different initial compositions in environments with high (100%) or low (10%) nutrient availability. We quantified community growth using spectrophotometry and assessed relative species abundances through serial dilution plating. Our results indicate that while nutrient concentration strongly affects carrying capacity, it does not consistently predict competitive outcomes in multispecies communities. Specifically, some strains maintain dominance across conditions, while others exhibit unexpected declines, suggesting that interspecific interactions and context-dependent factors contribute to community assembly. These findings highlight the limitations of predicting microbial community dynamics based solely on monoculture performance and emphasize the need for more integrative models of microbial competition.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 94
|
Vacca, Dominic
Yessin, Quin |
Madala, Seetharamprasad
Pancholi, Suchita |
Valve Under Siege: A Rare Case of E. coli Endocarditis of Mitral Valve annuloplasty ring
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Background: Prosthetic valve endocarditis (PVE) accounts for 20% of infective endocarditis (IE) cases, and occurs in 1-6% of all patients with a prosthetic valve. Here we present a rare case of Escherichia coli PVE complicated by persistent atrial fibrillation and moderate mitral regurgitation.
Case: A 64-year-old female with significant past medical history of mitral valve regurgitation status post annuloplasty with ring, paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, and type 2 diabetes mellitus presented to the ED with generalized weakness, dysuria, and unwitnessed syncope. A sepsis workup was initiated as she was febrile and hemodynamically unstable. Initial studies were notable for leukocytosis, urinalysis showed infection and abdominopelvic CT imaging ruled out pyelonephritis and reno-ureteral abnormalities. Blood and urine cultures, collected prior to empiric antibiotic administration, were positive for E. coli susceptible to ceftriaxone.
Discussion: Despite antibiotic therapy, she remained in persistent atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular response (RVR). Cardiology team recommended transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) prior to direct current cardioversion (DCCV). TEE demonstrated moderate regurgitation through the repaired mitral valve with a new vegetation on the prosthesis. DCCV was deferred due to septic embolization risk. Repeat blood cultures were negative, and the Infectious Diseases team recommended IV ceftriaxone for a 6 week duration. The patient became stable with improvement in sepsis, and was discharged with plans for outpatient DCCV.
Conclusion: E. coli is the most common organism in cases of bacteremia, but accounts for less than 1% of all cases of IE. Notably, E. coli IE has a higher in-hospital mortality rate than the typical HACEK organisms. Our patient had risk factors for E. coli IE including diabetes, female sex, a genitourinary infection, and an implanted cardiac prosthesis. This case highlights the complexity in the management of E. coli PVE, a disease with a high rate of complications and mortality.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 148
|
| Nelson, Kendall |
Fu, Xiaoxue |
The Impact of Subclinical Anxiety on Working Memory Performance in Young Adults
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Background: Executive functions (EFs) are higher-order cognitive processes essential for regulating thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Working memory (WM), a key EF component, enables individuals to retain and manipulate information for reasoning and decision-making (Baddeley, 2012). Neural evidence highlights the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) as crucial for maintaining information amid distractions, while the ventrolateral prefrontal cortex (vlPFC) supports encoding and retrieval. Research links EF deficits to heightened anxiety, as EFs facilitate emotion regulation (O’Rourke, 2020). Processing Efficiency Theory (PET) and Attentional Control Theory (ACT) propose that anxiety reduces cognitive efficiency and increases neurocognitive demands. PET specifically suggests that anxiety-related worry diminishes WM capacity, requiring compensatory cognitive resources to sustain performance (Eysenck, 1992). The study examines how subclinical trait anxiety affects neural and behavioral measures of WM.
Methods: Twenty adults (ages 18-24) participated in an ongoing study assessing trait anxiety and visual WM. Trait anxiety was measured using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (Spielberger, 1983), while visual WM capacity was assessed with the Color Change Detection (CCD) Test. In the CCD task, participants viewed a sample array of colored squares (set sizes 3-6 squares) followed by a short delay, then see a test array, where they must determine whether the arrays are the same or different in a change/no-change task condition. Functional near-Infared spectroscopy (fNIRS) recorded oxygenated (HbO) and deoxygenated (HbR) hemoglobin activations in the frontoparietal regions. After optimizing fNIRS signals, participants completed the CCD task, with behavioral responses recorded via button presses on a response box.
Expected Results: We anticipate higher peaks of HbO and lower peaks of HbR, indicating increased neural activations in frontoparietal regions with increasing WM load. Behaviorally, we expect declining accuracy and slower reaction times as memory load increases. Higher anxiety levels are hypothesized to require greater cognitive resources, reflected in increased HbO and decreased HbR, consistent with PET and ACT. However, we predict anxiety will not directly impact behavioral accuracy or response time, with its effects primarily observed in neural activity. These findings will enhance our understanding of anxiety’s role in WM performance, contributing to research on executive function under stress.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 95
|
| Lee, Jackson |
Gross, Andrew
Fakhreddin, Emami |
Fabrication and Experimental Mechanics of Hierarchical Honeycombs
View Full Text
Abstract Text
This project investigates the fabrication and mechanical testing of hierarchical honeycombs. A hierarchical honeycomb is a structure that enhances the stiffness, strength, and energy absorption compared to conventional honeycomb designs that are typically used in the aerospace industry and with additively manufactured components. This research begins with standard mechanical property testing of polymethylmethacrylate (acrylic) to feed into a computational optimization framework for hierarchical honeycomb materials. The optimized designs are then processed with custom-coded computer-aided design tools to create technical drawings, which are manufactured with the X-Tool P2 laser cutter. A study to characterize the actual size and variability of laser-cut honeycomb walls based on size and orientation has been conducted. The study indicates that a thickness of 1 mm is needed for a thickness variability of less than 10%. The accuracy of this cut leads to further optimization. Once the laser cutter manufactures the testable honeycomb samples, they are subjected to an increasing tensile force using a universal testing machine to measure their stiffness, strength, and energy absorption. Furthermore, multiple optimized designs with varying cell wall thickness, separation of length scales between hierarchical orders, and functional gradation of first-order members are tested to assess how these parameters affect the behavior of the optimized hierarchical honeycombs. Data collected from this investigation will result in more structurally efficient lightweight materials.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 78
|
| Levy, Andrew |
Murphy, Angela |
Effects of Cannabis on Adiposity and Adipose Tissue Macrophages in Mice
View Full Text
Abstract Text
In the last 50 years, the obesity epidemic has been on the rise in the United States. The increased availability of unhealthy foods (e.g., fast foods, ultra processed foods) and lack of physical activity have contributed to this epidemic. Increased obesity leads to excess adipose tissue, which can have harmful repercussions, including insulin resistance and chronic inflammation. Macrophages, specifically adipose tissue macrophages, contribute to these processes. We sought to examine the effects of the cannabis plant with high cannabidiol (CBD) content or high Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content on adiposity and adipose tissue macrophages in obese mice. After 16 weeks on a high fat diet, Obese mice were randomized into 3 groups: placebo cannabis (Placebo), high CBD cannabis (CBD), high THC cannabis (THC). A lean group was included as a comparison and received placebo cannabis (Lean). Mice received their respective treatments 3x/week for 4 weeks dosed at 40 mg/kg. To evaluate adipocyte size, over 6,000 adipocytes were assessed from a total of 40 mice. Overall adipocyte size and size distribution was quantified. To assess macrophages in adipose tissue, immunofluorescent staining was performed using F4/80 (i.e., pan macrophage marker). As expected, there was an increase in overall adipocyte size with obesity but neither CBD nor THC decreased adipocyte size. We observed a rightward shift in adipose size distribution with obesity, but no effect of CBD nor THC. Consistent with the literature, there was an increase in macrophages in adipose tissue. Excitingly, both CBD and THC mitigated this effect. Overall, these data indicate that CBD and THC do not affect adiposity, but can decrease adipose tissue macrophages. Despite not impacting adipose tissue size, cannabis components can be harnessed to target adipose tissue macrophages in obesity.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 36
|
| Blewett, Terrant |
Yang, Chih-Hsiang
Rueff, Jackson |
Impact of Walking on Physical Health Outcomes
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Physical health is vital for older adults, with walking being a common form of activity. This study aims to investigate whether 24 sessions of mindfulness walking over 12 weeks improve grip strength and gait speed in older African American adults. Grip strength is often linked to overall muscle strength and health, while gait speed reflects stability and endurance, both of which are crucial for maintaining independence and well-being. A handheld dynamometer measured both left and right grip strength. Gait speed was assessed using the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, where participants started in a seated position, walked 3 meters, returned to their seat, and repeated this three times. Measurements were taken at baseline and week 25. Participants were randomly assigned to a mindful walking group with intervention (n=36) or a control group without intervention (n=32). The intervention involved twice-weekly mindful walking for 12 weeks. In the walking group, right-hand grip strength increased from 51.25 lbs to 54.13 lbs, and left-hand strength from 48.24 lbs to 49.60 lbs, from baseline to week 25, respectively. The control group’s right-hand grip strength improved marginally from 52.55 lbs to 54.65 lbs, while the left hand increased from 47.70 lbs to 50.81 lbs, with most gains observed after baseline. Gait speed remained consistent across groups, averaging 11-12 seconds on the TUG test. These results suggest that walking interventions may not directly influence gait speed but can enhance grip strength. The intervention group’s notable increase in grip strength reinforces the idea that maintaining an active lifestyle promotes overall physical strength. However, other factors, such as changes in individual behaviors, may affect the improvement in left-hand grip strength in the control group, indicating that further research is necessary to determine if an active lifestyle contributes to increased physical strength. These findings underscore the potential benefits of structured physical activity in promoting muscular strength among older adults, even if gait speed remains unchanged.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 110
|
| Chang, Andrew |
Alshareef, Ahmed |
Super-Resolution Machine Learning for Brain Strain Prediction in Traumatic Brain Injury
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) remains a significant public health challenge, with accurate prediction of brain deformation (strain) during head impact being critical for advancing computational models and improving injury prevention strategies. Tagged magnetic resonance imaging (tMRI) provides detailed full-field strain maps but is limited to controlled, non-injurious experimental conditions. In contrast, sonomicrometry uses ultrasonic pulses between piezoelectric crystals embedded in the brain tissue to track displacements during concussive impacts. However, sonomicrometry data is sparse, capturing only discrete points rather than full-field information, which is necessary to compute strain.
This study leverages machine learning (ML) to bridge the gap between these two modalities by using down-sampled tagged MRI data to develop sparse interpolation algorithms capable of reconstructing high-resolution brain strain maps from sparse displacement data. The methodology employs 2D slices from 21 in vivo subjects' 3D tagged MRI displacement data as ground truth for training and validation. These slices are systematically down-sampled to 15 markers of random location, simulating the spatial resolution of sonomicrometry. Simulated data from computational finite element (FE) simulations are also used to supplement the experimental tMRI data in the ML model training process to ensure biomechanical accuracy and enhance generalizability across varying input conditions. Performance is evaluated through root square error (RMSE), structural similarity index (SSIM), and comparing the maximum principal strain (MPS), with additional sensitivity analyses conducted to assess how prediction accuracy depends on the spatial distribution and density of input markers.
Initial results show the model predicts full-field strain maps with good fidelity using an image super-resolution ML approach achieving SSIM values as high as 0.78. This study highlights the potential of ML to overcome limitations in current TBI experimental techniques by enabling accurate brain strain predictions from spatially sparse data. By validating this approach with tagged MRI data, it establishes a foundation for future integration with sonomicrometry, representing a significant step towards enhancing noninvasive tools for TBI research and prevention strategies.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 46
|
| Patel, Hanee Vinodkumar |
Pellegrini, Christine |
Macronutrient Intake Patterns in Adults with Total Knee Replacement: A Descriptive Study
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Introduction: Macronutrients play an essential role in recovery from major surgery. However, limited research has focused on macronutrient intake patterns of adults with Total Knee Replacement (TKR). Therefore, this study analyzed macronutrient intake in individuals with TKR and their adherence to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) nutritional guidelines.
Methods: This study used baseline data from an ongoing study examining a weight loss program in adults after TKR. Data were collected through a single 24-hour dietary recall (ASA24) administered by study staff. Descriptive statistics were used to calculate average intakes of energy (kcal/day), protein, carbohydrate, and fat (g/day). Additionally, the percentage of total energy intake per macronutrient was calculated and compared to USDA’s acceptable macronutrient distribution ranges (10%-35% kcal protein, 45%-65% kcal carbohydrate, 20%-35% kcal fat). Participants with completed dietary assessments were included.
Results: Participants (N=150, 71.3% female, 65.1 ± 8.6 years, 33.8 ± 4.4 kg/m2) had a mean daily energy intake of 1,753.2 ± 762.3 kcal with men consuming 2,054.6 ± 930.4 kcal and women 1,632.1 ± 649.8 kcal. The average intake of macronutrients for men was 84.9 ± 41.6g protein (17.7% of kcal), 213.7 ± 111.7g carbohydrates (41.9% of kcal), 85.9 ± 41.7g fat (38.1% of kcal). For women, the intake was 65.4 ± 28g protein (16.7% of kcal), 181.5 ± 88.5g carbohydrates (44.4% of kcal), 72.6 ± 39.7g fat (38.9% of kcal). In comparison to USDA guidelines, 90% of participants met the acceptable macronutrient range for protein (0.7% below, 9.3% above), while 45.3% met the guidelines for carbohydrates (50.7% below, 4.0% above) and 34.7% for fat (2.0% below, 63.3% above).
Conclusion: Among adults with TKR, most met USDA guidelines for acceptable macronutrient distribution range of protein. In contrast, fewer participants met the guidelines for carbohydrate and fat with approximately half falling below the recommended range for carbohydrate and the majority exceeding recommendations for fat. Future research should explore why protein intake is easier to maintain than other macronutrients after TKR and how it supports muscle mass and functional recovery.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 81
|
| Nguyen, Ava |
Glob, Kristina |
“Singapore’s Melting Pot of Cultures: Cross-Cultural Management”
View Full Text
Abstract Text
In Singapore, the country has four official languages, English, Singaporean Mandarin, Malay, and Tamil. Within my study abroad semester, I was immersed into the lifestyle of a cross-cultural country. With four main cultures making up the population, I participated in a consulting project with Bigbasket.com, located in India, where I got hands-on experience with how different cultures can merge together into a successful business relationship. For this abstract, I will be discussing how my Beyond the classroom experience altered my thinking about cross-cultural management, and how Singapore’s melting pot of cultures helped define it.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 234
|
| Broadwell, Rose |
Sabalowsky, Andrew
Stubblefield, Brittany |
Special Forms Capsule for Radioactive Materials
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL) supports radioactive material cleanup by shipping and containing various forms and volumes of radioactive waste. Radioactive waste is sometimes contained in very small amounts, which enables the use of a “special forms capsule.” SRNL sought a new Special Forms Capsule (SFC) design that would contain and ship radioactive material in accordance with regulations. The contents of the capsule would generate a heat load of 20 watts and must have a leak-tight seal, in accordance with ANSI N14.5 standards. The capsule’s closure method needed to be irreversible without destroying the capsule, and it had to withstand a series of durability tests. Through guidance in the senior design course, EMCH 427, the project scope, needs, and specifications were identified. The design process began by developing several prototypes and determining which best met the sponsor’s needs. The team conducted research to select the most suitable material and alloy for radioactive containment. Stainless steel was chosen for its durability, heat dissipation ability, and stability when interacting with radioactive materials. The design was created using CAD software to finalize dimensions, and a thermal analysis was performed to confirm the heat load would be sufficiently dissipated. Additionally, a manufacturing plan was made to test manufacturability of the design, and adjustments were made to optimize time and cost. Materials for manufacturing the capsule were acquired and next steps include manufacturing and finalizing the proof of concept.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 68
|
| Rometo, Olivia |
Ellermann, Melissa |
Adherent-invasive Escherichia coli exacerbates gut inflammation in a mouse model of Crohn’s disease
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Crohn's disease is an inflammatory bowel disease that impairs gut function and causes pain and malnutrition. Crohn's disease onset is caused by genetic predisposition to inflammation and environmental factors such as poor diet and overuse of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID). There are many different strains of E. coli. Some are gut commensals that live in the human digestive tract with low risk of causing infection. Adherent invasive E. coli (AIEC) are highly common in the gut microbiota of Crohn's disease patients and are characterized by their ability to express virulence factors and adhere to epithelial cells in the intestinal tract. Therefore, they can act as chronic promoters of inflammation. The goal of this project was to assess how AIEC colonization impacts gut inflammation when Crohn’s disease is induced by NSAID overuse. All mice were deficient in the Il10 gene, making them genetically susceptible to inflammation. Group one received an oral gavage of AIEC and an NSAID-supplemented diet. Group two received a saline control gavage and a NSAID-supplemented diet. Group three, the control group, received a saline gavage and a diet of normal mouse feed. At necropsy, cecum and ileum samples were taken to evaluate expression of proinflammatory markers by quantitative PCR. The genes examined were Nos2, TNF-alpha, Il12b, Lcn2, Il-17a, Il1-beta, and Il6. The expression of most inflammatory markers in the cecum increased in NSAID supplemented mice compared to controls. Nos2, Lcn2, TNF-alpha, Il12b, and Il17-alpha also showed an elevated trend in gene expression in AIEC-colonized, NSAID supplemented mice relative to NSAID supplemented mice without AIEC. Notably, Lcn2 expression was only elevated in the AIEC-colonized, NSAID supplemented mice. Results of the qPCR analysis align with gross pathology data that showed significantly increased inflammation in the cecum in AIEC colonized, NSAID supplemented mice. Ongoing studies are aimed at increasing the sample size and to evaluate gene expression in ileal samples. All together, these results suggest that AIEC colonization is associated with an increase in cecum inflammation and worsens Crohn’s disease symptoms in this mouse model.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 41
|
| Butcher, Maya |
Pellegrini, Christine
Horn, Kailyn |
The Benefits of Blood Flow Restriction Training Combined with Low-Load Resistance Training in Arthritis Treatment: A Scoping Review
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Background: Arthritis is a condition affecting millions worldwide, with osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) being the most common forms. Resistance training is a widely accepted intervention to strengthen muscles and support joint function, however, high-load resistance training may exacerbate joint pain. Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) training, which involves applying controlled vascular occlusion during low-intensity resistance exercises, has gained attention as a potential alternative to promote muscle growth and strength with minimal joint stress.
Objective: This scoping review aims to explore the benefits of BFR techniques in conjunction with low-intensity resistance training for the treatment of arthritis.
Methods: A literature search was conducted across PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase for RCTs published since 2004. Peer-reviewed studies focusing on BFR treatment for individuals with OA or RA, with a control group, were included. Exclusion criteria included joint replacements, surgical interventions, comorbidities preventing exercise, and non-English studies. After removing duplicates, 195 articles were screened by three reviewers using Covidence software. 20 studies were included and a full-text screen. 8 were included in the final data extraction.
Results: Of the 8 studies, 7 focused on OA and 1 on RA, mostly involving knee OA. The most common cuff location was the upper third of the thigh, with training protocols lasting 6-12 weeks. Studies included high or moderate-intensity control groups, with some also incorporating low-intensity groups. Results suggest that BFR training combined with low-load resistance exercises provides comparable strength gains to high-load training without increasing joint pain. Improvements were reported in muscle strength, functional mobility (e.g., TUG and TST tests), pain reduction, and increases in myogenic hormones.
Conclusion: BFR training combined with low-intensity resistance exercises is a promising intervention for arthritis patients, offering muscle strength benefits while reducing joint loading. Although some minor adverse events, such as mild knee pain, were reported, BFR was generally well-tolerated and had fewer adverse events compared to high-intensity training. Further research is needed to optimize training protocols, but BFR may offer a viable alternative for those seeking strength gains without worsening pain or joint stress.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 138
|
| Frame, Emily |
Broude, Eugenia
Sharko, Amanda |
Prevention of Taxol Resistance through CDK8/19 Inhibition in HER2-Positive Breast Cancer
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Breast cancer is the second most common cancer in women. Breast cancer diagnosis can be classified by the genes and proteins present including the HER2 gene and HER2 protein. Once HER2+ breast cancer becomes metastatic, Taxol (paclitaxel) is often used as a chemotherapeutic agent. Unfortunately, Taxol resistance is increasing in likelihood, especially with longer durations of treatment. Cyclin-Dependent Kinases (CDK) 8 and 19 are a pair of mediator kinases that regulate transcriptional reprogramming via association with Mediator complex and signal-responsive transcription factors. The goal of this project is to evaluate if the addition of CDK8/19 inhibitors can demonstrate prevention of resistance or reversal of resistance in models of HER2+ breast cancer. Using in vitro cell culture techniques, we treated cell lines with Taxol, assessed them for sensitivity via cell viability assays, and demonstrated that HER2+ cells rapidly become resistant to clinically relevant doses of Taxol. For example, in HCC1954 HER2+ breast cancer cell line, there was a significant increase in IC50 (developing resistance and surviving the treatment) after exposure to 5nM Taxol for several months. Imaging studies clearly demonstrate that the cells treated concurrently with a CDK8/19 inhibitor do not continue to grow compared to Taxol monotherapy. Concurrent treatment with CDK8/19 inhibitors also recovered some Taxol sensitivity in already Taxol-resistant cells. Using RNASeq analysis, we identified several molecular changes in adapted cells that might underlie the resistance phenotype, including upregulation of p-glycoprotein and interleukin-8. Ongoing mouse studies are exploring the benefit of CDK8/19 inhibition in vivo. Our data suggests potential clinical benefits in utilizing CDK8/19 inhibitors in combination therapy with Taxol to prevent or reverse Taxol resistance in HER2+ breast cancer.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 197
|
Melendez, Justin
Wigham, Jessica |
Stratmann, Johannes
Negi, Harshita
Levy, Andrew
Tomlin, Fallon |
Structure-Activity Analysis of Green Leaf Volatiles
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Green Leaf Volatiles (GLVs) are airborne chemicals plants release and perceive to communicate with each other. There are several GLV types, including alcohols, aldehydes, and esters. Each type is unique in length, orientation, functional group, and stereochemistry. Previous studies have identified that plants use GLVs to cue priming responses in other nearby plants, warning them of incoming dangers and engaging their defense mechanisms. This study aims to investigate the mechanisms of GLV communication to determine the unknown biological processes involved in perceiving GLVs. The future goal of this study is to identify a plant GLV receptor. A structure-activity experiment was conducted to investigate the structural components of different GLVs and identify which structures contribute to bioactivity. These structures are the most likely to interact with an unknown GLV receptor. This experiment was conducted on fatty-alcohols (FAlcs), a group of GLVs featuring an alcohol attached to a unique carbon chain. These chains could have various configurations and numbers of single or double bonds. Z-3-FAlcs were tested, each with the same orientation and double bond but different carbon chain lengths. These were selected to test the role chain length plays in GLV bioactivity. In this experiment, Arabidopsis seedlings were exposed to different doses of structurally diverse GLVs, and after several days, the length of the roots was measured. So far, fatty alcohols with eight and nine carbons have the strongest inhibitory effects on root growth at the lowest dose. Trends indicate that the longer the chain, the stronger the signal. This indicates the GLV receptors of interest likely have structures that bind the carbon chain of fatty alcohols rather than the alcohol group. A future experiment could use this information to identify receptor proteins, perhaps by exposing plant cells to a tagged FAlc and tracking its binding site to pinpoint the subcellular location of a GLV receptor. Once a GLV receptor is identified, we will be able to learn the specific mechanisms plants use to perceive a defense-response signal. In the future this information could be used to develop natural GLV-based pesticide alternatives to promote sustainable agriculture.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 128
|
| Cuervo, Isabella |
Epps, Lauren |
My Leadership Experience in Kappa Delta Chi Sorority, Inc.
View Full Text
Abstract Text
My leadership development has been profoundly shaped by my involvement with Kappa Delta Chi Sorority, Inc. (KDChi), a Latina-founded sorority under the Cultural Greek Council. Serving as President, I introduced a form of Robert’s Rules of Order, enhancing meeting efficiency and encouraging more meaningful member engagement. I also organized KDChi’s first-ever overnight retreat in Wilmington, NC, fostering sisterhood and team building. As Vice President, I prioritized the success of committee chairs by establishing biweekly meetings, goal-setting, and providing guidance in their roles. To enhance event management, I implemented an event assessment form for reflection and improvement, ensuring continued growth. Recognizing a gap in leadership continuity, I created a comprehensive transition document template to preserve critical information during position changes. These initiatives led to tangible results, including a chapter growth from 14 to 22 active members and a record-breaking 25 new members, highlighting the positive and inclusive culture we have cultivated.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 296
|
Gomez, Natalia
Levine, Sydney |
Harrison, Sayward |
A Review of State Policy on School-Based Substance Use Prevention and Intervention in the Southeast
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Recent national data shows that approximately one-third of students report use of substances (Hoots et al., 2021) and more than 80% of grade twelve students perceive alcohol and cannabis as easily accessible or available (Bouchard et al., 2016; Johnston et al., 2014). Substance use remains particularly concerning due to increased unintentional overdose deaths among youth (Friedman et al., 2022; NIDA, 2023). School-based substance use prevention and intervention programs have grown in demand in order to increase access to efficacious treatments for adolescent substance use (Das et al. 2016; Fadus et al., 2019). However, school-based services chronically struggle with low levels of treatment participation (Farhoudian et al., 2022; Dennis et al., 2014).
Under the Safe and Drug-Free Communities Act (SDFSCA) of 1994, schools were required to implement substance use prevention programming to receive federal funds (National Center for Education Statistics, 2003). As a result, public schools witnessed a proliferation of prevention programs during the years SDFSCA was active (U.S. Department of Education, 2011). Since the SDFSCA’s discontinuation in 2010, adolescent participation in school-based substance use prevention programs has declined (Lu et al., 2024). In light of these declining rates of participation and the absence of a federal mandate, there is a growing need to examine how states currently support the prevention and intervention of substance use in schools to inform future policy.
This poster will present findings from a review of state-level policy on school substance use prevention and intervention practices in 12 Southeastern states. Policies were coded for coverage of substances (e.g., alcohol, tobacco, opioids, etc.), type of activities (e.g., prevention programming, screening, referral, disciplinary action), and age/grade levels. By providing a comprehensive, comparative analysis of state-level policies, findings will highlight critical areas for alignment, enhancement, and future research.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 87
|
| Walsh, Ryan Walsh |
Meyer-Gutbrod, Erin |
Using lateral photographs of Pacific Coast Feeding Group (PCFG) gray whales to evaluate frequency of scar sources and health
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Taking lateral photographs is a common protocol among research groups for identifying and studying gray whales (Eschrichtius robustus). In this study, we evaluate lateral photographs of Pacific Coast Feeding Group (PCFG) gray whales to better understand the magnitude of threats posed to the PCFG in addition to proposing evaluations to better understand their health. Photographs of PCFG gray whales collected in northwest Washington from 2014-2020 were used to document the occurrence of scarring from entanglements, vessel strikes, and killer whale (Orcinus orca) attacks and then compared to the scarring prevalence associated with these sources for gray whales off Sakhalin Island, Russia. We found that, of the 139 PCFG whales evaluated, 11.5% had scarring from entanglements, 3.6% had scarring from vessel strikes, and 25.9% had scarring from killer whale attacks. Observed rates of scarring from entanglements for PCFG whales were less than rates observed for gray whales off Sakhalin Island, Russia, while scarring rates from vessel strikes were slightly greater for PCFG whales, but the differences were not statistically significant. The frequency of scars due to killer whale attacks on PCFG whales was significantly lower than reports for whales observed at Sakhalin Island. Estimates of anthropogenic and killer whale scarring in this study are likely biased low due to limited photographic coverage of the caudal peduncle and flukes, where scarring from entanglements and killer whale attacks are most commonly observed.
The second objective of this study is to use lateral photographs of PCFG gray whales taken between 2014 and 2024 in northwest Washington and throughout the PCFG feeding range to assess their body condition using features associated with their subcutaneous fat stores. Key features are visible in the post-cranial, scapular, and lateral flank regions for measuring gray whale health. Models will be used to compare PCFG body condition with biological and environmental parameters that may influence whale health and foraging success which will elucidate underlying factors for observed declines in PCFG population estimates and the overall health of the marine environment.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 38
|
| Parrish, Taylor |
Ballou, Julia |
Education is Everywhere
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Since beginning my academic journey at the University of South Carolina, I have had numerous experiences shaped by my desire to help others through education. The belief that education is everywhere has been evident in every internship, work experience, and leadership role I’ve held at USC. This has been particularly evident in my position as Vice President of Chapter Programming and Development for Tri Delta. In this role, I oversee three directors: risk management and wellness, academic excellence, and ceremonies and rituals. Alongside supporting these officers, my responsibilities also include creating and facilitating chapter programming initiatives, both from Tri Delta Nationals and the University, focused on topics such as safety, mental and physical health, education, and leadership/professional development.
As head of our conduct committee, I work individually with members to conduct wellness check-ins that address academic concerns, mental or physical health, or simply support for our New Members adjusting to college life. My minor in education has empowered me to implement new organizational and structural initiatives that have significantly improved communication and increased exposure for our chapter. This includes transitioning our chapter to a new communication and achievement platform, Flare, and building a chapter website designed to strengthen our alumnae network, support recruitment events, and highlight our members’ and chapter’s accomplishments in service, professional development, and academics.
Through this leadership role, I’ve further honed my educational skill set to improve chapter operations, enhance our membership experience, and increase overall efficiency through effective communication and organization. Utilizing these educational methods is crucial for success in any professional field, and I am committed to continuing their application as I pursue my degree in speech-language pathology. These methods will not only drive patient progress and treatment planning but will also be vital in fostering a workplace culture that prioritizes accessibility, clear understanding, and the availability of resources and education. Incorporating these educational practices will contribute significantly to the success of both the workplace and the outcomes for patients and coworkers.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 289
|
| Khushboo, FNU |
Vejerano, Eric P. |
Biogenic Persistent Free Radicals (BPFRs) Formation in Plant Stress Response: Challenging the ROS-Centric View
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Biogenic persistent free radicals (BPFRs) are a significant yet understudied aspect of plant stress responses, challenging the traditional reactive oxygen species (ROS)-centric view. This study investigates BPFR formation in plant leaves exposed to natural and artificial light, as well as to thermal stress, to understand their role in stress adaptation. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy was used to detect and characterize BPFRs in multiple plant species subjected to controlled stress conditions. Our findings show that plants exposed to natural sunlight had significantly higher BPFR concentrations than shaded plants, with basil exhibiting the highest levels. EPR spectral analysis revealed distinct BPFR variations across species, indicating a complex stress adaptation mechanism. Exposure to artificial light led to time-dependent increase in BPFR levels. Notably, BPFRs were also detected in shaded leaves of partially exposed plants, suggesting systemic transport or an induced stress response. To explore potential translocation pathways, BPFR levels in plant stems were analyzed, revealing an increase in exposed stems, which supports the hypothesis of vascular transport. Thermal stress at 35°C also elevated BPFR levels, though to a lesser extent than light exposure. Unlike transient ROS, BPFRs exhibit distinct kinetic stability, implying unique biological functions in oxidative stress modulation. Their persistence suggests a role in intercellular communication and long-term stress adaptation, highlighting the need to reconsider the ROS-centric stress model. By identifying BPFRs as key contributors to plant resilience, this research opens new avenues for understanding plant stress mechanisms and developing strategies to enhance crop tolerance to environmental stressors.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 49
|
| Reid, Gracie |
Johnson, Christian
Oladimeji, Rofiat |
Optimization of a Tandem Affinity Protocol for KRAS GTPase Expression and Purification for Structural and Biochemical Studies
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Small GTPases are essential regulators of intracellular signaling, molecular trafficking, and cytoskeletal organization. They function as molecular switches by cycling between active (GTP-bound) and inactive (GDP-bound) states, tightly controlling various cellular processes. Dysregulation of nucleotide cycling in small GTPases has been implicated in multiple diseases, including cancer and neurodegeneration. Understanding the structural and functional properties of these proteins requires enzyme kinetic assays and X-ray crystallography, both of which depend on generating highly pure and homogeneous protein samples. However, traditional purification workflows often require extensive processing steps that can compromise protein integrity and slow downstream analyses. To address these challenges, we are developing a tandem affinity purification strategy to accelerate the production of crystallography-grade, tag-free KRAS. Using a newly designed pET-21(+) expression vector under an IPTG-inducible T7 promoter, we express a 6xHis-MBP-KRAS fusion protein engineered for sequential purification via immobilized metal affinity chromatography (IMAC), nucleotide exchange, and Cytiva™ Protein Select (CPS) cleavage. The CPS system facilitates on-column cleavage of a unique affinity tag, allowing the direct production of high-purity, tag-free KRAS. Optimization efforts focus on protein induction conditions, buffer compositions, and purification parameters to minimize aggregation, maximize yield, and ensure reproducibility for large-scale production. Once an optimized workflow is established, functional assays such as GTP hydrolysis, nucleotide exchange, and binding studies will be performed to validate KRAS biochemical activity. This method provides a scalable and reproducible platform for the production of wild-type and mutant KRAS, with long-term applications in structural and biochemical studies of oncogenic GTPases. These findings will advance our understanding of KRAS regulation in disease and aid in the development of targeted therapeutic strategies.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 62
|
Navarro, Elianna
Guzman, Diana |
Fitton, Lisa
Briseno, Kimberly
Cranford, Avery |
Investigating Social Desirability Bias of English in Spanish-English Bilingual Kindergarten Students
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Based on qualitative observations and anecdotal evidence, our research team hypothesizes that Spanish-English bilingual kindergarten students in local schools do not feel confident or proud of their Spanish speaking skills. The present study investigates whether Spanish-English bilingual kindergarten students experience social desirability bias towards the English language because of these negative feelings. Social desirability bias is defined as a type of response bias where survey respondents have the tendency to answer questions in a manner that would be viewed favorably by others. To explore this, this study utilizes responses to the Houston Questionnaire (Houston Q) to measure children’s bilingual experience and self-perception of their own proficiency in Spanish and English (appropriate for children between the ages of 4 and 8). The Houston-Q is administered in the child’s self-identified preferred language. Using data collected from the Bilingual Reading Difficulty Identification Project, we will use generalized linear modeling approaches to evaluate the relations between the Houston-Q scores, social variables (including language of classroom instruction), and children's scores on a direct measure of Spanish proficiency and English proficiency. The results of our findings aim to shed light on the socio-cultural factors contributing to the social desirability bias experienced by bilingual students, and guide speech language pathologists, educators, and families in creating an environment where bilingual children feel successful and proud of speaking both languages. Ultimately, we hope to provide direction towards improving assessment practices, as well as supporting bilingual children’s development and experience.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 144
|
| Renshaw, Elena |
Putonti, Catherine
Dudycha, Jeff |
Examining genomic islands to trace the evolution of the urinary microbiome
View Full Text
Abstract Text
There has been a longstanding misconception that the healthy human urinary tract is sterile; however, increasing evidence demonstrates the presence of a resident urinary microbial community, or microbiota, that is influential on health. Research suggests that the urinary microbiota plays a protective role against urological symptoms. However, interactions between urinary bacterial species have yet to be fully understood. Genomic islands (GIs) are large genomic regions of bacteria that are acquired through horizontal gene transfer from other bacteria. Prior work has demonstrated that GIs can provide fitness advantages to uropathogens, and thus examining these regions may provide insight into the genetic content contributing to the microbiome of healthy and symptomatic individuals. This research project utilizes genome sequences of bacteria isolated from urine samples, which provides a representation of the bacterial diversity found within the human urinary tract. We examined 1,417 urinary microbiota genomes using two different GI prediction tools: IslandViewer 4, which uses four integrated GI prediction methods, and TreasureIsland, which is a machine-learning GI prediction tool. Of these, IslandViewer 4 successfully annotated 585 genomes for GIs while TreasureIsland annotated 1,030 genomes. Unexpectedly, the successfully annotated genomes were different across the tools. While TreasureIsland has a much higher recall, there does seem to be a significant reduction in precision, particularly for genomes that do not have phylogenetically similar relatives in the model’s training dataset. This demonstrates how existing GI prediction models falter when analyzing novel, understudied species. Further investigation of these GI sequences includes the identification of virulence factors and antibiotic resistance genes and their association with symptom status. While this analysis is ongoing, we hypothesize there will be key functions encoded by GIs that are shared within the urinary microbiome and other microbiota, and this may be seen both within and across urinary tract resident bacterial species. These findings will thus further our understanding of the urinary microbiota and bacterial interactions within the urinary tract as they relate to symptoms.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 27
|
| Reed, Lauren |
Stubblefield, Brittany |
International Law and Governance in Climate Change Mitigation
View Full Text
Abstract Text
During the Spring semester of 2024, I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to study abroad at Vrije Universiteit in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. I chose to study abroad in Northern Europe because it is one of the most advanced areas regarding climate change policy and sustainable living. This fits perfectly with my major in environmental studies and my desired career path in international governance of climate change. While studying at the university, I enrolled in a class that profoundly affected my perception of international climate change mitigation. The course was a graduate class called Climate Change Liability and was centered around the prosecution of major carbon emitters for the adverse effects of climate change on lower-income countries. Throughout the class, we studied multiple extremely recent cases, some of which were yet to be decided upon in court. The main case that we studied was Millieudefensie v. Royal Dutch Shell, a landmark case for climate change litigation that was facing a retrial in April of 2024. I spent the semester preparing for Moot Court where we would emulate the actual case. I played the role of prosecutor on the side of Millieudefensie, and in Moot Court won the case against RDS with the help of my colleagues. Climate Change Law is an intricately complicated field due to the challenge of identifying international cause-and-effect relationships which are necessary to supplement proof of damages and injunctions against the defendant. While living in The Netherlands, it was awe-inspiring to see their advanced societal developments in sustainable eco-friendly living. From their electric trams, to bikes as the main form of transportation, to green urban planning and so, so much more, I learned both inside and outside of the classroom what it means to develop a more sustainable future. I chose to study Climate Change Liability in The Netherlands so that I might bring back innovative ideas and knowledge not only from the class but also from Dutch culture to implement similar improvements towards a more sustainable future for our country.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 231
|
| Maione, Anthony |
Dallas, Tad
Ten Caten, Cleber |
Analyzing Population Variability and Extinction Time Distributions as a Function of Resources and Temperature
View Full Text
Abstract Text
This study investigates the effects of resource concentration and temperature on population variability and extinction times in experimental populations of the crustacean zooplankton Daphnia dentifera. Zooplankton grazers such as Daphnia species are essential to lake ecosystems, forming much of the base of the food web and aiding in the control of algal blooms. The primary aims of this study include understanding how resource availability is related to population stability and how this relationship is influenced by temperature. We hypothesized that population variability would increase with higher resource concentrations and warmer temperatures. To test this hypothesis, experimental populations (n=20 per treatment) were seeded with 20 individuals and provided with a gradient of food resources (5, 10, 50, 100, 500 µL of algae) under a 12:12 L:D photoperiod. These food gradients were applied to one group of D. dentifera kept in a 20ºC environment, while the other group was kept at 27ºC. This setup allows exploration of both low and potentially toxic high food concentrations. We expected a hump-shaped relationship between resource availability and population persistence. Additionally, temperature is anticipated to modulate this relationship, potentially influencing D. dentifera feeding behavior and population growth rates. Both increasing temperatures and increasing resources resulted in higher population variability, while population persistence had a hump-shaped relationship with resource concentration in both temperatures.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 118
|
| McCallister, Caroline |
Michalos, Alexis |
My Experience as An RA At USC
View Full Text
Abstract Text
My Beyond the Classroom (BTC) experiences greatly contributed to my Within the Classroom (WTC) experiences and vice versa. My most impactful BTC experience has been my role as a Resident Assistant (RA) within freshman residence halls. I was not only responsible for supporting residents on my hall but also ensuring that their transition to college life is as easy and fun as it can be. As an RA, I was expected to plan events for residents each month, create fun and helpful decorations for the hall, and ensure that my residents are supported through their academic and social experiences at USC. Through this experience, I have been able to apply my understanding of diversity and inclusion to real-life situations while assisting with issues around the hall. I also learned how I am able to make a difference in people’s lives, whether that be my residents’ or anybody else’s. Further, this role has influenced how I approach schoolwork for my classes as it forces me to keep myself on track and ensure that I am completing things when I have time rather than pushing them off until the last minute. This experience has been greatly beneficial to my growth as a person, student, and individual about to enter the world after graduation.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 314
|
| Holly, Khufu |
Gower, Michael
Cheung, Candice |
The impact of retinoic acid drug delivery on macrophage phenotype in muscle recovering from atrophy.
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Disuse-induced muscle atrophy occurs due to the loss of contractile proteins, leading to smaller and weaker fibers. Macrophages, a type of immune cell, play a key role in the recovery process by creating a local environment conducive for recovery. Gower Lab has developed a mouse model for disuse muscle atrophy in which mice's hind limbs are casted for 10 days, and a group is treated with saline and others are treated with all-trans-retinoic-acid encapsulated poly-lactide-co-glycolide particles (ATRA-PLG), which are then analyzed at 3-day and 7-recovery timepoints. Utilizing this mouse model, histological results convey that ATRA-PLG may improve recovery outcomes by increasing the cross-sectional area (CSA) of the muscle. The increased CSA of the muscle indicates regrowth of the muscle fibers and suggests a recovery of muscle functionality. However, ATRA-PLG could modulate numerous cellular and molecular functions to achieve this increase in cross-sectional area, including macrophage phenotype. Macrophages can remove cellular debris via an inflammatory response or promote regeneration of muscle tissue via an anti-inflammatory response, both of which aid in the recovery process. To investigate macrophage phenotype, the populations of macrophages in the recovering muscle were analyzed to determine if there was a greater presence of anti-inflammatory or pro-inflammatory phenotype. Key macrophage markers including CD206 (an anti-inflammatory macrophage phenotype marker), CD163 (an anti-inflammatory macrophage phenotype marker), and CD68 (a macrophage marker) were targeted using immunohistochemistry and imaged using confocal microscopy. Utilizing ImageJ, the colocalizations were flagged for individual signals of each marker and various combinations. These colocalizations were then analyzed, different macrophage phenotypes were determined, and the percentage of macrophages expressing CD206 and CD163 were assessed. At the 3-day and 7-day timepoints, there was a decrease in the proportion of inflammatory macrophages compared to saline-treated subjects. At the 3-day timepoint there was also an increase in anti-inflammatory CD206 proportion, but no effect was observed at 7-days. At 3-days there was a similar increase of anti-inflammatory CD163 proportion. Together, the data illustrates that ATRA-PLG can differentially modulate macrophage proportions throughout recovery and induce a phenotypic shift from inflammatory macrophages to those associated with resolving inflammation and muscle growth.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 95
|
| MacLean-Voltz, Josephine |
Spence, Gina |
Building a Willingness to Fail: How Studying Abroad Builds Resilience
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Stepping into the unknown is one of the most powerful ways to build resilience and adaptability. Studying abroad in Munich challenged me in ways I never expected, forcing me to navigate complex bureaucracy, cultural differences, and daily life in a foreign language, all without a safety net.
My presentation will focus on my study abroad experience and the challenges I faced, particularly residency requirements, cross-cultural communication, and traveling in unfamiliar cities. Each setback forced me to rethink my approach, turning obstacles into opportunities to learn and adapt. These struggles became the foundation of my confidence as I proved to myself that I could handle uncertainty and pressure. This mindset has already shaped my future. I recently accepted a full-time position in New York City, far from my hometown of Charlotte, where I will have opportunities to travel globally and continue embracing new challenges.
I believe more students should have experiences that push them beyond their comfort zones. Whether through studying abroad or tackling real-world challenges, developing resilience is life-changing. It not only prepares us for our careers but also teaches us how to navigate an unpredictable world with confidence.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 232
|
Beato, Victoria
Glover, Jasmine |
Truex, Nicholas |
Bacterial Toxins for Delivering Artificial Transcription Factors into Immune Cells
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Artificial transcription factors (ATFs) are gene-targeting proteins designed to recognize and control specific genes. ATFs are a promising platform for developing therapeutic proteins against infections and cancer, achieving protein delivery into mammalian cells is a major bottleneck without an effective transport system. Fortunately, nature provides a solution through harnessing a protein delivery system from Bacillus anthracis. This system consists of two nontoxic anthrax proteins: protective antigen (PA) and the N-terminal region of lethal factor (LFN). Our previous research showed that PA can efficiently delivery LFN into immune cells at extremely low (femtomolar) concentrations, but the efficiency of delivering ATF fusion proteins is unknown. Here, we develop and characterize an intracellular ATF delivery system with several LFN-ATF fusion proteins. Activity is evaluated with an ATF that recognizes the IFNG promoter gene and activates interferon-gamma expression. This research lays the foundation for efficient ATF delivery to modulate immune function, with the long-term goal of enabling the development of therapeutic ATF proteins for immunotherapies against cancer and infectious diseases.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 63
|
| Svatos, Ava |
Yang, Chih-Hsiang
Lee, Jongwon |
Daily Stressors, Sedentary Time, and Cognition in Older African American Women
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Introduction: While aging is associated with changes in cognitive and physical function, lifestyle factors such as sedentary behaviors and stress may also play a role in cognitive health. There is a disparity in women and African American individuals who experience higher levels of stress and have higher levels of inactivity, this study investigates the impacts of daily stressors on sedentary behavior and cognitive function in African American women ages 60 and above.
Methods: The data were collected from 70 African American women who were randomly assigned to either a mindful walking group or a control group. Participants were given an ActivPal monitor to track activity (sleeping, stepping, sitting, and standing time) as well as a smartphone to perform daily surveys and cognitive tasks for 7 days. Correlation analysis was used to investigate the associations of self-reported daily stressors with average sedentary time and performance on the smartphone-based short-term memory task (dot memory test).
Results: Results showed that on average, there was a strong negative correlation (r= -0.759) between the presence of stressors and average sedentary time. There was a weak correlation (r=0.036) between the presence of a stressor and the performance of the memory task. Those who were in the intervention group showed slightly higher daily stress levels (means=0.556 vs 0.5), lower average sedentary time (means=58.21% vs 59.35%), and better performance on the memory task (means=6.46 vs 4.97).
Conclusion: These findings suggest that the presence of daily stressors may lead to less sedentary time and may not impact short-term memory in older African American women. The next step of this study is to understand if specific types of stressors (e.g., work-related, social-related, household-related, financial-related) may impact daily activity and cognition. Other aspects of cognitive tests beyond short-term memory will also be included in the analysis.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 122
|
| Nguyen, Dyk Chung |
Pershin, Yuriy |
Employing FPGA for parallel execution of digital memcomputing
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Digital memcomputing (DMM) is a novel approach designed to efficiently solve certain computational optimization problems. In our work we improved the solution time by implementing digital memcomputing solver on a large scale field-programmable gate array (FPGA) board, which allowed us to compute multiple parts of the problem simultaneously rather than processing them sequentially one by one. To further improve the efficiency and simplify the calculations, we switched from floating-point-based arithmetic to fully integer-based. To test our design, we solved particularly difficult Boolean Satisfiability (SAT) instances, which are known to scale exponentially as the number of variables rises. Our results indicate that our hardware implementation significantly reduces the time to solution and reduces the scaling exponent by 1 compared to traditional software solvers operating on standard computing systems.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 29
|
| Schuster, Eli |
Alvis, Bret |
Detection of Non-Invasive Venous Waveform Pattern Signals in the Simulated Hypervolemic State
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Non-Invasive Venous Waveform Analysis (NIVA) is an emerging technique for assessing volume status through peripheral venous pulse detection. Traditional static hemodynamic monitoring often fails to capture dynamic fluid status changes, particularly in hypervolemia. This study investigates how intravascular and extravascular changes influence venous waveform patterns, hypothesizing that both factors contribute proportionally to hypervolemia-associated signals.
A benchtop model was developed to simulate venous blood flow through a synthetic vascular graft embedded in gelatin of varying densities, mimicking different tissue stiffness levels. Blood-mimicking fluid was pumped at 10 mL/s (euvolemia) and 20 mL/s (hypervolemia), while extravascular conditions were adjusted to represent normal and edematous states. A piezoelectric sensor captured waveform data, which was analyzed using fast Fourier transform (FFT) to identify frequency patterns linked to fluid status changes.
Results demonstrated that extravascular gelatin stiffness significantly affected waveform characteristics, with increased gelatin density shifting signals toward higher frequency domains. Waveform amplitudes and harmonic content varied systematically with heart rate and tissue stiffness, with stiffer extravascular conditions producing more pronounced high-frequency harmonics. Statistical analysis across 54 experimental runs confirmed these trends, revealing a significant difference in high-frequency spectral shifts between the two extravascular conditions at 10 mL/s (p < 0.05, repeated measures ANOVA). Additionally, paired t-tests confirmed consistent frequency domain alterations between euvolemic and hypervolemic states, reinforcing the model’s reliability. These findings align with prior benchtop studies, demonstrating that extravascular environmental changes influence NIVA signal profiles, further supporting NIVA’s potential as a non-invasive tool for assessing patient volume status.
Detecting hemodynamic congestion non-invasively is crucial for heart failure management, enabling early intervention to reduce hospitalizations and improve outcomes. This model provides a controlled platform for refining sensor technology, optimizing waveform interpretation, and standardizing venous waveform analysis for clinical use. Future research on NIVA will focus on integrating these findings into real-world patient monitoring to enhance bedside assessment of fluid overload and infer cardiac function in real time.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 197
|
| Gee, Gabriella |
Fitzgerald, Michael
Holley, Zachary |
Finding the Balance: Selective Non-Operative Management of Right Thoracoabdominal Firearm Injury and the Role of Transthoracic, Diagnostic VATS
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Controversy remains regarding selective management of right upper quadrant (RUQ) firearm injury. Current Eastern Association on the Surgery of Trauma (EAST) guidelines are largely conditional and attributed to a paucity of high quality studies available. Most recent recommendations include non-operative management in stable patients without peritoneal signs. While guidelines suggest diagnostic laparoscopy be strongly considered in left sided thoracoabdominal injuries, there are no clear recommendations regarding management of right sided thoracoabdominal firearm injury or a recommended approach for right sided penetrating diaphragm injuries. It has been historically difficult to repair right sided traumatic diaphragm injuries laparoscopically due to extensive mobilization of the liver required to access the injury. Adoption of robotic surgery in trauma has been slow to gain traction, but the advantages in dexterity, visualization, and shorter learning curve when compared to laparoscopic surgery are clearly evident. We present an interesting case balancing non-operative management of penetrating RUQ injury with transthoracic robotic repair of traumatic diaphragm injury.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 143
|
| Blixt, Shaelynn |
Blumer, Mary |
Improving Osteoporosis Screening in Young Postmenopausal Women at Increased Risk for Low Bone Density
View Full Text
Abstract Text
54 million people in the United States have a diagnosis of osteopenia or osteoporosis, placing them at an increased risk of fracture. Each year there are two million osteoporotic fractures which are estimated to cost the healthcare system up to 19 billion dollars annually. Bone mineral density testing is recommended by the US Preventive Services Task Force for all women 65 years old and above as well as for younger women with a fracture risk equal to that of 65-year-old white women without additional risk factors for osteoporosis. Similarly, the American College of Endocrinology states that bone mineral density testing is indicated in perimenopausal or postmenopausal women with risk factors for osteoporosis. Risk factors for osteoporosis include a history of non-traumatic fractures, glucocorticoid therapy, radiographic osteopenia, low BMI, cigarette smoking, family history of spine or hip fractures, early menopause, or conditions associated with secondary osteoporosis. Despite these recommendations, prior studies have demonstrated that bone mineral density testing screening rates remain low for women 50 years and above (21.1% for women ages 50-64 and 39.3% for women ages 65 and above). Disparities in osteoporosis screening have been noted to be even lower for minorities, patients with low socioeconomic status, and patients with lower education levels. Baseline osteoporosis screening rates were collected from an Internal Medicine Residency clinic which cares for a diverse patient population with multiple barriers to care. This demonstrated low screening rates for postmenopausal women ages 50-64. A quality improvement project was devised with the aim to improve osteoporosis screening for young, high-risk postmenopausal women. 3 Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycles were completed which included resident physician education, utilization of Epic EMR dot phrases, and targeted patient discussion. The results showed an improvement in screening rates compared to baseline, yet overall rates remain low. The low screening rates identified in our clinic population are suspected to be due in part to the demographics of our clinic population with patients having numerous comorbidities and multiple socioeconomic barriers to care. The project results highlight the ongoing need for additional interventions to reduce disparities and enhance osteoporosis screening in young postmenopausal women.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 187
|
| Willford, Garrett |
Montie, Eric
Marian, Alyssa
McClellan, Warren |
The Estuarine Soundscape Observatory Network in the Southeast (ESONS): Does Climate Variability and Noise Pollution Affect Fish Chorusing in Estuaries of South Carolina?
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Black drum (Pogonias cromis), silver perch (Bairdiella chrysoura), oyster toadfish (Opsanus tau), spotted seatrout (Cynoscion nebulosus), and red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) are among many fish species that produce sounds associated with courtship behavior and spawning in South Carolina (SC) waters. By listening to estuaries and quantifying fish sounds, we can evaluate the reproductive potential of these ecologically and economically important species from one year to the next. In this study, our objectives were to (i) investigate variability in calling timelines across estuaries in SC and (ii) evaluate the effects of climate variability and vessel noise on fish calling. As part of the Estuarine Soundscape Observatory Network in the Southeast (ESONS), we monitored biological, geophysical, and anthropogenic sounds in the May River (2013-2023), Chechessee Creek/Colleton River (2019-2023), and Charleston Harbor (2017-2023). We utilized passive acoustic recorders mounted onto instrument frames that recorded sound underwater for two minutes on the hour at eight stations. We subsampled the ESONS dataset and reviewed even hour sound (i.e., wav) files using Adobe Audition, which equated to analyzing 35,040 wav files per year. Fish calling was scored on a scale of 0 to 3 (i.e., 0 = no calls; 1 = 1 call; 2 = multiple calls; and 3 = overlapping calls or chorusing) for all species in each 2-minute sound file. Temporal synchrony of chorusing seasons was observed for these species across the sampled estuaries. Yet, variability in duration, start, and end dates was observed. We provide some evidence that climate variability and vessel noise affect fish courtship behavior. Future work will evaluate the effect of temperature anomalies on calling and report sound exposure levels (SELs) associated with vessel noise during the chorusing season for each species at each station. These data will offer insights into how climate variability and noise pollution may affect fish reproduction in SC estuaries.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 100
|
| Gladden, Emily |
Hollis, Fiona
Crockett, Alexia |
Role of FMRP in HPG Axis Function in the Aging Female Mouse
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) is the most common monogenic form of inherited intellectual disability. FXS is caused by an expansion of the trinucleotide repeat (CGG) and results in the silencing of the Fragile X Messenger Ribonucleoprotein 1 (FMR1) gene, leading to disruptions in neurodevelopment and protein translation, including mitochondrial proteins. FMR1 mutations have also been associated with Fragile X Associated Primary Ovarian Insufficiency (FXPOI) in which FMR1 premutation carriers experience a depletion in ovarian follicles, abnormal follicle function, and early formation of corpora lutea, causing loss of fertility before the age of 40. Reproductive function is initiated in the hypothalamus as part of hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis. Abnormal mitochondrial structure in the ovary has been linked to FXPOI in FXS mouse models. However, there is limited research exploring the role of brain mitochondrial function on HPG axis function and particularly in aged females. We hypothesized that aged Fmr1-KO mice would exhibit altered HPG axis function in association with mitochondrial function and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) protein expression in the hypothalamus.
To test our hypothesis, we examined 3-month and 13- to 15-month-old WT and Fmr1-KO female mice. Following euthanasia, the ovaries and hypothalamus were removed, and plasma was collected. Hypothalamic mitochondrial function was assessed using respirometry. HPG function was assessed via ovarian histology and protein expression by western blot. Our preliminary results suggest that age decreased follicle number and increased FSH expression in FXS females. Moreover, we observed a significant correlation between mitochondrial respiration and FSH in WT aged mice that was disrupted in FXS mice. Analysis of steroid hormones and corticosteroids in the plasma showed estrous stage-dependent changes. Future studies will extend this work to characterize changes in HPG axis function and reproductive hormone expression at earlier ages such as adolescence.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 65
|
Tun, Steven
Duffett, Ross |
Hoffman, Paul |
Rare Case of Minimal Change Disease in Behcet Disease
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Bechet Disease (BD) is an autoimmune vasculitis characterized by recurrent oral/genital ulcerations, vasculitis, and uveitis. Renal involvement is rare, and only a few case reports associate BD with renal pathology. Our case is a patient with BD who presented with significant scrotal and extremity edema and was later diagnosed with proteinuria due to minimal change disease. A 53-year-old AA male with BD diagnosed 8 years prior with lymphocytic vasculitis, oral/genital ulcers, and erythema nodosum. He was previously on prednisone and azathioprine but was lost to follow up for 3.5 years. Two weeks prior to presentation, he visited the ED, was diagnosed with a DVT and pancolitis and was prescribed Eliquis and antibiotics. The patient presented again to ED with groin/scrotal pain and extremity swelling and was prescribed Lasix. Of note, a CT scan at this ED visit demonstrated bilateral pleural effusions, abdominal wall anasarca, and scrotal edema. The pain and swelling worsened, so he returned to the ED. He had nephrotic range proteinuria and significant edema of lower extremities, scrotum, and genitals. Notable labs included an elevated protein/creatinine ratio and albumin of 0.8. He was diuresed and evaluated for nephrotic syndrome. His A1C, HIV, HBV, HCV, SPEP, UPEP, ANA, C3/C4, Proteinase 3-Abs Phospholipase A2 Receptor Ab, and echocardiogram were unremarkable. A renal and scrotal US only demonstrated significant edema. Nephrology was consulted and a renal biopsy was obtained. The diagnosis of minimal change disease was confirmed on pathology examination. He was prescribed prednisone 60mg daily. He improved with steroids and diuresis improved and was discharged home with plans to follow up with nephrology and rheumatology. Renal pathology associated with BD is rare. Previously reported cases demonstrate a wide variety of renal pathology associated with BD, but no renal disease is specific. To our knowledge, this is one of the only documented cases of minimal change disease associated with BD described in the literature. There is insufficient evidence to conclude why patients with BD may develop renal pathology. This case is unique and physicians need to consider renal pathology when BD patients present with uncharacteristic symptoms.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 130
|
| Sharma, Deepak |
Wu, Yanwen |
Investigation of the possible interference between the structural and magnetic contributions to SHG signals in BaMnSb2
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Second Harmonic Generation (SHG) is a powerful nonlinear optical technique highly sensitive to the underlying symmetry breakings in crystal structure and magnetic ordering in materials. In this work we perform temperature-dependence study on BaMnSb2, a semimetal reported to exhibit non-centrosymmetric orthorhombic crystal structure as well as a canted antiferromagnetic ordering (TN ~ 286K) in recent literatures. Preliminary measurements showed drastic oscillations of SHG intensity as the sample was cooled and warmed between 4K and room temperature. These oscillations are not present in x-ray diffraction, which measures structure changes, nor in magnetic susceptibility measurement, which measures magnetic ordering. Therefore, the oscillations are likely due to the interference of the structural and magnetic contributions. Careful SHG polarimetry measurements are performed at select temperatures to provide insights to why this interference effect depends on temperature.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 36
|
| Cox, Miller |
Boltin, Nicholas
Williams, Brandon |
Heart Rate Variability Integration with Advanced 3D Modeling
View Full Text
Abstract Text
An electroencephalogram (EEG) is a medical test that measures brain activity and helps diagnose conditions like acute stress disorder (ASD). According to the World Health Organization (WHO), stress is a state of worry or mental tension caused by challenging situations [1]. When someone experiences an especially traumatic, shocking, or terrifying event, their body can respond with ASD, which is a short-term condition that can develop into post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). ASD symptoms, such as anxiety, detachment, and irritability, are similar to those of PTSD [2].
Clinicians regularly face high-stress situations, putting them at greater risk of ASD. Over time, this stress can lead to burnout, which the Mayo Clinic describes as a constant state of exhaustion, fatigue, and emotional overwhelm due to ongoing workplace stress [3]. Burnout doesn’t just affect individual clinicians—it leads many to change careers or leave the medical field entirely, worsening the nationwide healthcare worker shortage. Identifying ASD early could help prevent burnout and improve clinician well-being, making real-time stress monitoring a valuable tool.
A portable, wearable EEG with built-in heart rate monitoring was developed to address this. The prototype was improved using computer-aided design (CAD) and 3D printing to incorporate the heart rate sensor into an earpiece, decreasing the weight, cost, and volume of materials by 54.5%, 85.92%, and 55.95%, respectively. These updates make the device more comfortable and discreet, allowing clinicians to wear it throughout their workday without it being intrusive.
Moving forward, we aim to downsize components further, explore biocompatible 3D-printed materials, and enhance overall ergonomics. As EEG and heart rate sensors continue to get smaller, this technology could eventually be integrated into something as subtle as a pair of glasses, offering a seamless way to monitor stress levels and support clinician well-being.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 79
|
| Kimmel, Hailey |
Spence, Gina |
Recruitment Counselor
View Full Text
Abstract Text
During the 2023 University of South Carolina Panhellenic Sorority Recruitment, I served as a Pi Chi, a recruitment counselor, leading a group of 30 young women through the entire process. I supported them emotionally and physically, ensuring their well-being and guiding them through the challenges of recruitment. Having faced my own struggles during recruitment, feeling out of place and overwhelmed, I was inspired to become a Pi Chi to offer the same comfort and support I had received. My responsibilities included managing logistics, ensuring my group was on time and in the right locations, and providing advice during difficult decision-making moments. I also focused on boosting morale, organizing cheers, and keeping spirits high during the long, demanding days. Through this role, I discovered that many of the girls shared similar feelings of uncertainty and wanted someone to talk to. I hope I made a lasting impact by offering a listening ear and support. Reflecting on my experience, I learned a great deal about myself and the power of connection. It was one of the most life-changing experiences of my life, and I am grateful for the opportunity to help others the way I was once helped.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 324
|
| Anthony, Aidan |
Colebank, Mitchel |
Computational Modeling of Mechanical and Biochemical Pathways in Brain Endothelial Cells
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Brain endothelial cells play a crucial role in regulating homeostasis by controlling blood flow through vasoconstriction and vasodilation in response to biochemical and mechanical factors. This demonstrates their importance in controlling vasoactivity and in maintaining the integrity of the blood-brain barrier. Large scale computational models of signaling pathways in endothelial cells have been created to identify potential therapeutic targets. These models have mainly focused on biochemical pathways within brain endothelial cells, where the dysregulation of these pathways may contribute to common diseases such as glioma, Alzheimer’s, and ischemic stroke. However, a limitation of these models is their exclusion of mechanical forces such as shear stress, which is a key input for endothelial cells. This project expands upon a previous mathematical model to include inputs for mechanical forces like shear stress and cell stretch. The model includes a network of nodes, constituting proteins, genes, and regulatory factors, connected via edges describing reactions between nodes. Each reaction is modeled using logic-based differential equations, and a sensitivity analysis is conducted by systematically knocking down nodes to determine which ones had significant effects on the rest of the system. This model advances towards a more complete understanding of the interplay between biochemical and mechanical pathways and their combined effect on endothelial cell signaling.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 49
|
| Strickland, Brooklyn |
Flory, Kate |
The Association between ADHD and Sleep Disturbances: Anxiety as a Potential Moderator
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder with symptoms such as inattention, hyperactivity, and/or impulsivity. People with ADHD often have psychiatric comorbidities, such as anxiety disorders (Quenneville et al., 2022). Both anxiety and ADHD are associated with major sleep disturbances (Uhde et al., 2009; Sciberras et al., 2023). Moreover, stress can increase the impact that anxiety has on sleep and increase symptoms of ADHD (Sanchez & Lavigne, 2021). Women, African Americans, Hispanic Americans, and Native Americans are just a few examples of diverse groups that often experience higher stress levels due to factors such as discrimination and stressful life conditions (Gonzales et al., 1997). However, research on how anxiety, race/ethnicity, and sex influence the relation between ADHD and sleep in college students is lacking. Therefore, this study will examine whether anxiety moderates the relation between ADHD diagnosis and sleep quality and will explore this model separately within sex and race/ethnicity groups. This study will use data collected during the Spring 2020 semester from the U-LEARN study, a multisite study assessing college students with and without ADHD. We will conduct hierarchical multiple regressions to answer our research questions. We expect to find that anxiety will moderate the relation between ADHD diagnosis and sleep quality, such that the association between ADHD and poorer sleep quality will be stronger at higher levels of anxiety. Additionally, we expect to find that White males will be the demographic with the highest sleep quality as this group tends to be diagnosed and treated more than those with minoritized racial or sex identities. The findings from this research will be significant in the development of ADHD treatment. If we learn that anxiety worsens sleep problems in individuals with ADHD, professionals can focus on treating anxiety along with ADHD to improve sleep and potentially relieve ADHD symptoms.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 174
|
| Mikes, Madeline |
Burkart, Sarah |
Ready or Not: Associations Between School-Sent Materials and Kindergarten Readiness Measures
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Background: Higher kindergarten readiness is linked to better academic and health outcomes. Children from high-income families are better prepared than those from low-income families, highlighting the need to address these inequities before kindergarten. This analysis used ECLS-K 2011 data to explore if school-provided readiness materials are associated with improved academic and social-emotional outcomes.
Methods: Respondents (n=11,556; age=33.9+0.1 years, 88% Mothers, 77% White) and children in public kindergarten from Fall 2010-Spring 2011 (age=5.6+0.0 years, 52% Male, 74% White) were included. All children had Item Response Theory (IRT) scores (estimates ability based on question difficulty) and theta scores collected from math and reading assessments at the beginning of kindergarten while parents and teachers completed the Social Rating Scale (SRS). Kindergarten readiness materials, demographic information, and covariates (e.g., diagnosed learning disability, birth order, parent marital status, and income) were collected in respondent interviews. Linear regressions were conducted using SAS 9.4 with survey procedures to assess associations between readiness materials and academic and social-emotional measures. The Benjamini-Hochberg procedure was used to correct for multiple comparisons.
Results: Small, positive associations between the number of readiness materials received and math IRT (B=0.50, 95% CI: 0.18-0.83), math theta (B=0.04, 95% CI: 0.02-0.06), reading theta (B=0.03, 95% CI: 0.01-0.05), and parent-reported self-control (B=0.02, 95% CI: 0.00-0.03) and approaches to learning (B=0.04, 95% CI: 0.02-0.05) were observed. Additionally, two types of materials targeting academic and social emotional outcomes (How to Prepare for Kindergarten (HTP) and What Topics are Covered in Kindergarten (WTC)) were associated with improved math theta (WTC: B=0.07, 95% CI: 0.02-0.13) and parent-reported self-control (HTP: B=0.04, 95% CI: 0.01-0.07) and approaches to learning (HTP: B=0.05, 95% CI: 0.02-0.08, WTC: B=0.06, 95% CI: 0.03-0.09) scores. This analysis is ongoing and additional results regarding attendance, family-school communication, and distribution of materials across income levels and Title I status will be discussed.
Conclusion: U.S. public school readiness materials show weak associations with improved academic measures. Future research is needed to analyze how quality and mode of delivery of materials affects academic and social-emotional outcomes. Ensuring schools use evidence-based approaches to school readiness materials may improve kindergarten outcomes.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 84
|
| Puttock, Lauren |
McCall, Mike
Platt, Emma |
Sex Differences in Social Communication and Restricted Repetitive Behaviors in Early Life Autism Spectrum Disorder
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a heterogeneous neurodevelopmental disorder that is diagnosed in one out of every 36 children in the United States and is characterized by deficits in social communication and an increase in restricted repetitive behaviors (RRB). Research has shown that boys and girls differ in behavioral presentation of ASD at elementary age and it is possible that this impacts diagnosis rates. Girls at elementary age with ASD have less RRB symptoms than their male counterparts, indicating a different phenotypic expression of ASD. The aim of this study is to compare behavioral characteristics of children with ASD during the second year of life to see if there is also a difference in presentation between boys and girls in this age group. The first two tests use the Communication and Symbolic Behavior Scales Developmental Profile (CSBS-DP) to evaluate social communication at 12 months and 24 months. The next assessment used is the Systematic Observation of Red Flags (SORF), which evaluates RRBs at 12 months. Finally, the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) assessment is used to measure restricted repetitive behaviors at 24 months. Each of the assessments were compared to the scores of typically developing (TD) male and female children for reference. A statistically significant difference was found in RRBs at 24 months between boys and girls with ASD, with girls demonstrating less restricted repetitive behaviors than boys. This is consistent with evaluations later in childhood. However, no significant differences in RRB scores were seen at 12 months. Because RRBs are used in the clinical assessment and diagnosis of ASD, it is imperative to define significant sex differences during infancy. Understanding these differences will help inform early diagnostic practices and increase access to early intervention.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 183
|
Kotadiya, Utkarsh
George, Timothy |
Fu, Xiaoxue |
A Developmental-friendly Sensor Localization Technique for Scalp-based Neural Measurements
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) is a noninvasive neuroimaging technique that uses scalp-placed sensors to measure cerebral hemoglobin concentration (Fu & Richards, 2021). However, making anatomical interpretations of fNIRS data remains challenging. To infer the underlying brain regions that generated the observed fNIRS signal, accurate modeling of the mapping between scalp and brain locations is required. A crucial step for localizing fNIRS signals is to collect optode locations. Traditional methods include using an electromagnetic digitizer (Polhemus, Oostenveld et al., 2019) to record optode locations one-by-one. This method is time-consuming and challenging to implement in infant and child participants. This study aims to present a child-friendly approach to record fNIRS optode locations in developmental research.
A relatively new method for localizing scalp optode locations is photogrammetry. A low-cost, out-of-the-box 3D scanner (Oostenveld et al., 2019) presents a promising tool for recording optode locations in a relatively short amount of time (5 minutes). Following fNIRS cap placement and recording, experimenters replaced the optodes with stickers. Additionally, we used stickers to mark the position of the nasion, inion, and prearticular points for later co-registration to an MRI. Following this, we asked the participant to sit still and scanned the head shape and optode positions. The resulting 3D image was processed in MATLAB, where fiducial landmarks and optode positions are mapped. Each optode location is assigned an xyz coordinate relative to the fiducial points, enabling precise localization of optodes in relation to individual anatomical landmarks.
Here, we present a developmental-friendly, non-invasive method to localize scalp optode locations. This is a critical step in a cortical localization pipeline that enables researchers to determine the brain regions that generated the recorded fNIRS signals. The approach contributes to improving accuracy and strengthening the validity of fNIRS studies in developmental populations, leading to more reliable interpretations of neural activity across different age groups and advancing our understanding of the developing brain. Beyond fNIRS, similar localization techniques could be applied to EEG/ERP research to increase the validity of developmental neuroimaging research.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 182
|
| Hannah, Catherine |
Spence, Gina |
Interning for the South Carolina Department of Admin Executive Budget Office
View Full Text
Abstract Text
This semester's internship with the State Department of Administration provided invaluable insights into state government, specifically through placements in the Executive Budget Office (EBO) and the Department of State Human Resources (DSHR). Under the mentorship of Kevin Etheridge and Kevin Paul, I gained practical knowledge and career inspiration.
My tasks were diverse and challenging. At EBO, I analyzed budget requests, identifying HR and IT components. This required meticulous review and improved my time-management skills. At DSHR, I organized twenty years' worth of teacher salary documents, highlighting the complexities of state records. Finally, I revamped the state agency flowchart for the HR website, demanding accuracy and attention to detail. These projects honed my research and organizational abilities.
The internship fostered crucial transferable skills. I enhanced my written and verbal communication, crucial for conveying complex information. I also improved my collaborative problem-solving, working effectively with various individuals. The experience emphasized the importance of concise writing and adaptability.
In future interviews, I will emphasize how these skills, coupled with my governmental exposure, demonstrate my ability to tackle challenges and collaborate effectively. I'll highlight my work ethic and the practical application of my skills across diverse fields.
Having interned in lobbying, federal, and now state government, I’ve gained a comprehensive understanding of public service. This experience solidified my interest in state-level work, particularly within the legislative branch. While I enjoyed the DSHR team, the nature of the work wasn't a long-term fit. This internship provided a valuable glimpse into state operations and equipped me with skills applicable to any career path.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 274
|
| Childress, Taylor |
Wood, Susan
Smiley, Cora |
Establishing a novel model of vicarious social stress-induced opioid preference in female rats
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Research into novel therapeutics for neuropsychiatric disorders is becoming increasingly important as the prevalence of these conditions continues to rise. Importantly, stress is a common initiating factor for numerous mental health conditions, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and substance use disorder (SUD). Given that up to 60% of people who report PTSD also have an SUD, further investigation is needed to clarify potential neural mechanisms underlying this comorbidity. Our lab and others have established that the molecular and behavioral effects of stress are found to be heightened in females and have used the ethologically relevant vicarious defeat/witness stress (WS) model to evoke this response in female rats. These experiments aimed to expand upon these findings to investigate the impact of WS and stress cue exposure on drug-seeking behavior in females. Female rats were first exposed to five days of WS or control before undergoing conditioned place preference (CPP) training to measure drug preference. On CPP test day, a subgroup of WS rats were placed into the WS context (WS CXT) for exposure to the stress cues and environment to determine if exposure to stress context exacerbated the females’ preference for oxycodone. The rats with a history of WS (WS HIST) and controls were left undisturbed before the final CPP test. Following testing, neural and peripheral tissue was collected and analyzed for various stress markers, including corticosterone (CORT), corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), and the inflammatory cytokine IL-1β. These experiments found that female rats exposed to WS CXT exhibit a significant increase in oxycodone preference and heightened CORT, CRF, and IL-1β compared to controls and WS HIST rats. Ultimately, these data demonstrate that acute stress cue exposure escalates drug seeking behavior and is associated with increased stress markers in discrete brain regions. These results support the use of this model to assess neurobiological alterations associated with stress and drug exposure in female rats with the ultimate goal of identifying novel treatment targets for PTSD and SUD in clinical populations.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 57
|
| Wang, Xiaoqin |
|
Transformation of metal oxide nanomaterials in wildland-urban interface fires causes congenital heart disease
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Wildland-urban interface (WUI) fire is a term commonly used to describe a transition zone where wildfire meets urban development. A recent tragedy due to Los Angeles (LA) California Fires (including Palisade, Eaton fires) underscores how WUI fires result in significant human deaths (approximately 24 deaths) and economic losses (estimated to exceed $150 billion). The combustion of vegetation and man-made structures within the WUI releases gases, smoke, and ash, and various contaminants. Exposure to WUI fire smoke during pregnancy has been linked to an increased risk of preterm birth, with preterm infants exhibiting more than twice the incidence of congenital heart defects (CHD) compared to full-term neonates. In this study, we examined the effects of 60 fire ash samples collected from burned sites following the 2020/25 California fires and the 2023 Maui (Hawaii) fire in Lahaina. These samples originated from vegetation, structures, and vehicles. Since abnormal cardiac cushion mesenchymal cell growth and viability contribute to cardiac cushion remodeling, septation, and single ventricle defects, we first determined the effect of WUI fire ashes on mouse embryonic cardiac cushion mesenchymal cells. Our results showed that structural and vehicle ash, which contained high concentrations of potentially toxic metals (i.e., Cu, Cr, As, Ti), significantly inhibited the growth of mouse cardiac cushion mesenchymal cells. In contrast, vegetation ash, with high concentrations of Fe and Mn but low in toxic metals, promoted cushion mesenchymal cell growth and cell viability. Our in vivo zebrafish (Denio rerio) screen further validated our findings that high concentrations of the metals Cu, Cr, As, and Ti in the form of nanoparticles in structural and vehicle ash caused cardiac malformations, pericardial and/or yolk sac edema, and altered heartbeat in zebrafish embryos. Overall, this study provides critical insights into how WUI fire ash contributes to congenital heart defects. Our findings underscore the need for improved environmental and public health strategies to mitigate the health risks associated with WUI fires. Our research is supported by funding from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (R21ES037105) and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (R41HL172481-01).
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
|
Poster: 206
|
| Calise, Gina |
Matthews, Sarah |
Building Community and Granting Wishes through Leadership in Philanthropy
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Throughout college, I've held leadership roles that have challenged me, pushed me outside my comfort zone, and allowed me to make meaningful contributions to my community. My most rewarding experience was serving as the Philanthropy Chair of Chi Omega. In this role, I coordinated large-scale fundraising events for Make-A-Wish South Carolina. This role challenged me to manage budgets, build relationships within the community, lead a team, and plan events. Success in these areas was crucial for our chapter to maximize our fundraising.
As Philanthropy Chair, I oversaw engagement for around 400 chapter members and planned two large events in 2024, totaling approximately 1,000 guests and $40,000 fundraised. When I entered this role, our chapter leadership was notified that we couldn't host our annual "War of the Wings" wing-eating competition. Though I was new to this role, it was my responsibility to quickly pivot and plan a new event to meet our fundraising goal. My team and I organized a 5K race that brought together 100 runners and 250 spectators, which we considered a success for a first-year event. In addition, I organized our annual and favored BBQ Cook-Off fundraiser, bringing together 15 campus organizations with one goal: to raise money for Make-A-Wish.
Chi Omega's support for Make-A-Wish has always been driven by the belief that granting wishes gives children with serious illnesses hope and strength to keep fighting. Under my leadership, our chapter raised enough money to fund five children's wishes in the Columbia community. In addition, providing our chapter members with the opportunity to meet these children and their families at our events made this position even more fulfilling.
Coordinating these efforts strengthened my ability to organize large-scale projects, collaborate across organizations, and adapt to challenges. More importantly, my involvement with Make-A-Wish showed me the difference philanthropy makes in people's lives. This role was one of the highlights of my time as a student, and it has deepened my commitment to service, which is a value I’ll continue to carry with me after I graduate from USC.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 305
|
| Padgett, Brooke |
Byrd-Fort, Valerie |
Insight into Criminal Law through Hands-On Experience
View Full Text
Abstract Text
During the Spring-Summer term of 2024, I had the invaluable opportunity to work as a legal intern at Li Law Firm in Columbia, SC. Under the mentorship of Attorney Victor Li and his paralegal, I immersed myself in the challenging world of criminal law. My role involved conducting in-depth research for various cases, reviewing and organizing evidence, and preparing legal documents. I had the privilege of attending trials in federal, state, and municipal courts and observing client meetings, which gave me a thorough understanding of legal processes and client interactions. This experience was essential to my professional development, significantly improving my legal knowledge and deepening my insight into the complexities of criminal law. It also enhanced my organizational abilities as I managed case details and client communications. The hands-on experience I gained at Li Law Firm has deeply contributed to my academic and professional aspirations, contributing to a potential law career and providing me with a solid foundation for future endeavors in the legal field.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 257
|
| Sides, Ashleigh |
Wellman, Denise |
Gaining Real-World Experience in Athletic Training at USC
View Full Text
Abstract Text
This past summer, I started a role with the University of South Carolina football team, specifically working with the athletic training staff. While I have been interested in athletic training since high school, this job offers me the opportunity to experience the realities of the profession, on a deeper level. My responsibilities, in this job, include setting up for practices, treating players, and assisting during both practices and games. The overall goal of the athletic training staff is to keep players healthy throughout the season and into the off season. As a public health major, this job has allowed me to apply my knowledge in a clinical setting such as athletic training. It allowed me to experience the demands that come with being an athletic trainer, particularly the long hours. Athletic trainers often work outside of a typical 9-5 schedule, so this job is teaching me how to manage my time effectively in a fast-paced environment. This experience teaches me about my capabilities and allowed me the opportunity to be around other individuals with similar goals. It also provides me with the chance to be surrounded by individuals in all stages of athletic training, from certified athletic trainers to graduate students in the athletic training program to fellow undergraduate students. Being surrounded by individuals who have completed graduate programs, those currently in a graduate program, and others who are also in the process of applying to graduate school was invaluable. I was also given the opportunity to travel with the team to Kentucky which provided me the ability to experience a new environment. The University of South Carolina is providing me with amazing opportunities to for hands-on experience. This experience makes me deeply grateful that I chose to attend a university that places an emphasis on experiential learning and preparing its students for the next steps. Following this experience, I plan to attend an athletic training graduate school program. I will pursue this while remaining in the state of South Carolina.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 240
|
McKenna, Jacob
Corrigan, Kelly |
Shelton, Stephen |
Airvo3: The Implementation of a Heated High Flow Nasal Cannula System for Management of Moderate Respiratory Distress at a High-Volume Academic Emergency Department
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Shortness of breath is a common presenting complaint to the Emergency Department (ED).1 Of patients who present to the ED in respiratory distress, 5 to 41% will go on to require intubation and mechanical ventilation depending on the severity of their symptoms at presentation.2 Heated High Flow Nasal Cannula (HHFNC) has been shown to be feasible and efficacious treatment strategy for the management of moderate respiratory distress in the ED.3,4 HHFNC has been shown to reduce intubation rates when initiated in the ED for moderate respiratory distress.5 Our project aimed to assess the feasibility and effectiveness of HHFNC in a high-volume academic emergency department. Patients were treated according to the standard of care for moderate respiratory distress with HHFNC using the Airvo3 device. Measured outcomes included vital signs and blood gas analyses pre- and post-initiation of HHFNC, the patient's disposition, and if endotracheal intubation was required for airway or ventilatory management. We reviewed 21 cases of patients placed on HHFNC for respiratory distress. Of our cohort, 0 patients were escalated to endotracheal intubation and 9 (42.8%) required ICU level care. In the patients with complete data sets for analysis (n=14), we observed a statistically significant change in respiratory rate after 2 hours on HHFNC, with an average decrease in respiratory rate by 4.36 breaths per minute (p-value = 0.004, 95% CI: -7.09, -1.62). Improvements in pH, heart rate, and oxygen saturation were observed; however, these were not statistically significant. Some limitations of our study include a small data set and inconsistent recorded data within the medical record. We believe use of the HHFNC device in our ED showed promise and benefit in patient-centered outcomes.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 150
|
| Nakhi, Sara |
Regan, Elizabeth
Carroll, Sara
Mayson, Trado |
Understanding the Association Between Preoperative Exercise Levels and Postoperative Outcomes of Mixed-Major Abdominal Surgery
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Authors:
Sara Nakhi¹, Trado Mayson², Dr. Sarah Carroll³, Dr. Elizabeth Regan⁴
¹ Integrated Information Technology, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC
² School of Medicine, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC
³ Department of Economics, Darla Moore School of Business, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC
⁴ Department of Exercise Science, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC
Introduction:
After undergoing major surgery, 7–15% of patients experience postoperative complications, with a mortality rate of up to 5% (Dencker et al., 2021). Over the past two decades, the total number of major surgeries has increased, making improving patient outcomes a critical priority for overall patient health and medical cost reduction. This study aims to explore how preoperative cardiovascular fitness, measured by the exercise vital sign (EVS), relates to postoperative outcomes in patients undergoing mixed-major abdominal surgeries, including ventral hernia repair, cholecystectomy, appendectomy, and colonic resection. We hypothesize that patients who report higher levels of preoperative cardiovascular exercise will experience fewer postoperative complications (such as hematoma, abscess, infection, and internal bleeding) and a reduced length of hospital stay compared to patients with lower levels of reported preoperative cardiovascular exercise.
Methods:
A retrospective review is being conducted using the Prisma Health System for patients who have undergone mixed-major abdominal surgeries within the past five years. Relevant CPT codes were used to identify the surgical patient population, with an expected number of records greater than 2500. Preoperative cardiovascular fitness is represented by the EVS, which is patient reported number of minutes of moderate-vigorous intensity activity in one week. Postoperative outcomes, including hematoma, abscess, infection, internal bleeding, and length of hospital stay, were identified by CPT codes. R will be used for statistical analysis to explore the association between preoperative exercise levels and postoperative complications.
Expected Results:
Data collection has been completed, and analysis is currently in progress. The findings are expected to align with current literature suggesting that exercise moderates poor outcomes. Results may also provide insight into developing preoperative physical training programs to improve patient outcomes.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 34
|
| Prine, Halle |
Yang, Chih-Hsiang
Lee, Jongwon
Horn, Kaylin
Kennerley, Clare |
Physical Activity Variability and its Relationship with Cognition in Older Adults at Risk of Developing Alzheimer’s and Related Dementias
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Maintaining cognition is crucial for preserving quality of life and disease progression in adults at risk of developing Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD). Physical activity plays an important role in maintaining cognition in this population. Emerging studies also identified that physical activity variation plays a role in regulating everyday cognitive health. Understanding the relationship between physical activity variation and cognition would lay the groundwork for exploring individual lifestyle factors that may influence proximal cognition. This study examined the relationship between cognitive function (using Montreal Cognitive Assessment; MoCA) and variability in physical activity using accelerometers in older adults.
Data was collected from 54 older adults at risk of ADRD (total of 1,105 daily activity data). Participants were eligible if they were ≥ 60 years old, had at least one ADRD risk factor (BMI ≥ 25, family history, and memory complaints), and able to walk independently. Daily physical activity outcomes measured via activPAL 4 device were Metabolic Equivalents (METs), moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA; cadence ≥ 100 steps/min), and total steps. The variations of each activity outcomes were estimated as person-level random scales across the 20 days wearing the activPAL. MoCA assessment was administered on the 21st day. Three location-scale models estimated the associations between variations of daily total steps, METS, and MVPA with MoCA score.
Our models showed that higher MoCA scores were significantly associated with lower WS variance in daily steps (Estimate = -0.033, p = 0.023), METs (Estimate = -0.073, p < 0.001), but higher variability of MVPA (Estimate = -0.082, p < 0.001) across the 20 days of activity monitoring.
The results of this study suggest that better cognitive function may link to more consistent energy expenditure and lifestyle physical activity (e.g., walking) from day to day. Better cognitive function may also promote more structured exercise among this inactive population. More future studies are needed to support these preliminary findings. Daily physical activity variability could be an intervention target aid in maintaining cognition thus preserving quality of life in older adults.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 75
|
| Turner, Ava |
Spence, Gina |
Engaging with Purpose: Empowering Women in STEM Through Leadership, Professional Development, and Civic Engagement
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Women remain underrepresented in STEM fields, facing challenges related to gender disparities, limited representation, and access to professional development opportunities. As a woman in STEM, I have sought to address these challenges through leadership, professional engagement, and civic involvement. My journey at the University of South Carolina has been shaped by a commitment to fostering inclusivity, mentorship, and career readiness for future STEM professionals.
Through my role as Recruitment and Professional Development Chair of Theta Tau, the only Co-Ed Professional Engineering Fraternity at USC, I have created initiatives to support MCEC students in career preparation, networking, and skill-building. Organizing workshops, resume reviews, and mentorship programs has allowed me to help peers navigate the transition from inside of the classroom, to the outside. Additionally, as a Peer Educator at the University of South Carolina Career Center, I have guided students in strengthening their professional presence through resume development, interview preparation, and career exploration. These experiences have reinforced my dedication to bridging the gap between education and industry, particularly for underrepresented groups in STEM.
Beyond professional development, my engagement extends to civic initiatives that promote accessibility and inclusion. My involvement in the university 101’s Peer Leadership program enabled me to mentor first-year students, helping them navigate academic and social challenges and understand how to get involved on campus to make their own difference.
Through leadership, mentorship, and community engagement, I have worked to create opportunities that empower aspiring STEM professionals, particularly women, to succeed in their careers. Applying to graduate with Leadership Distinction through the Professional and Civic Engagement pathway reflects my commitment to using my experiences to drive meaningful change. I plan to continue advocating for diversity in STEM, ensuring that future generations of women have the support and resources they need to thrive in the field.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 325
|
| Halbach, Allyson |
Norris, Ashton
Rivera, Mariangela
Yumen, Anna
Hendrix, Andrew |
Surgical Management of Recurrent Scalp Squamous Cell Carcinoma with Bony Involvement in a Malnourished Patient: A Complicated Case
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) is a malignant neoplasm of rapidly proliferating epithelial cells. CSCC of the scalp specifically makes up a large proportion of nonmelanoma skin cancers, often presenting with bony involvement and associated with poor prognosis. Increased age, ultraviolet light exposure, history of ionizing radiation, chronic scarring and immunosuppression can all present an increased risk for cSCC of the scalp. Additionally, immunocompromised patients have an increased risk of recurrence following a primary case of cSCC compared with their immunocompetent counterparts. In patients who are malnourished, defects are seen in both their innate and adaptive immune systems leading to poor prognosis, delayed wound healing and increased recurrence of malignancy. This case highlights the interplay between severe malnutrition and the surgical management of recurrent cSCC of the scalp with bony involvement in an 80-year-old male. Prior to excision of the original lesion, the patient was hospitalized for failure to thrive (FTT). A plan was devised for nutritional optimization in the days leading up to the index surgical procedure. He was discharged following the initial procedure and was readmitted multiple times for poor graft take and surgical site dehiscence. A latissimus flap was then used to reconstruct some of the scalp deformities. Following an uneventful discharge, he presented five months later with recurrence of cSCC through the flap with bony invasion. The lesion was re-excised and his postoperative course was unremarkable. He was noted to be recovering well at the most recent follow up appointment. In cases such as this one, appropriate preoperative nutritional optimization and post-discharge nutrition management are crucial to minimizing complications related to immunosuppression and malnourishment. Care teams should work with nutrition services to craft a personalized nutrition plan to promote good outcomes and prevent recurrence. There are still areas to be explored with regard to post-discharge nutritional guidelines and recurrence rates following free flap reconstruction of cSCC. We hope this case will meaningfully contribute to literature and highlights the importance of multidisciplinary approaches to managing complex cases.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 131
|
| Chatterjee-Murphy, Prapti |
Zhang, Yanan |
Differences in Neoplasm Mortality between Rural and Urban Populations in South Carolina, United States
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Background: Disparities in cancer mortality exist between rural and urban populations, with rural areas experiencing higher death rates from preventable cancers, such as those related to HPV and tobacco use. Multiple potential factors are associated with this disparity. In this study, we aim to calculate and compare the cancer-related mortality using the most recent data.
Methods: South Carolina’s mortality data for individuals aged 35 and older from 2018 to 2023 is used from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Wide-ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research (CDC WONDER) database. For each sex (female/ male), and race (White/Black) specific group, we calculated the mortality rates for urban (large/medium/small metropolitan regions)and rural (noncore/micropolitan regions) populations separately. Cancer with the highest mortality rate will be identified. The underlying cause of death from cancer is identified by the ICD-10 codes (C00-D48). Logistic regression will be fit to compare the differences of cancer mortality by residence, adjusting for age, sex, and race.
Results: The total cancer mortality rates are 357.7 per 100,000 in urban areas, and 446.8 per 100,000 in rural areas. Mortality rates in urban and rural areas are 300.6 and 367.0 per 100,000 in Black females, 324.4 and 398.0 per 100,000 in white females, 421.1 and 514.0 per 100,000 in Black males, and 419.8 and 541.8 per 100,000 in White males, respectively. Further statistical analyses are to be conducted.
Conclusion: Higher cancer mortality rate was identified in rural areas than urban areas. Further research is needed to explore the underlying causes and develop public health interventions to reduce preventable cancer deaths.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 65
|
| Elkhatib, Bashar |
Alshareef, Ahmed |
Investigating the Deformation Response in the Aging Brain: Subject-Specific Finite Element Models and Ventricular Expansion Directionality
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are a major health concern with an estimated 1.7 million cases occurring annually in the USA. TBI risk has been shown to increase with age, with adults >65 experiencing the most TBI cases. Natural changes in the aging brain such as brain atrophy and larger ventricles may affect the brain’s biomechanical response. Understanding the biomechanics of the brain under injurious conditions is important for predicting TBI risk. This study simulated the deformation response of the aging brain using subject-specific finite element (FE) models derived from a longitudinal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) dataset of healthy adults. We hypothesized that deformation (strain) would increase with age due to the elevated risk of TBI with age. FE models were generated for 39 subjects with the highest rates of atrophy (largest change in ventricle volume over time). Concussion-level kinematic boundary conditions were applied to the skull simulating rotation in the axial direction. Subjects with the greatest rates of atrophy exhibited a decrease in strain (mean –0.66% per year) over time. A sample of non-atrophy subjects (stable ventricle volume) had smaller decreases in strain and were statistically significant from the atrophy groups. The study conducted additional simulations of head impacts in the sagittal and coronal directions. The preliminary results show a trend consistent with the axial tests, however with much less of a decrease over time. These results motivate the exploration of the effects of directionality in ventricular expansion on strain magnitude and distribution over time. A future direction for this study is to develop biomechanical imaging and modeling tools integrated with machine learning to efficiently predict, prevent, and mitigate TBI risk in the aging brain.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 35
|
| Chinnasami, Nishant |
Karakchi, Rasha |
Addressing Secure Authentication Challenges in Embedded Systems
View Full Text
Abstract Text
This project implements a secure bootloader for embedded systems such as FPGA systems that verifies the authenticity of firmware using digital signatures. The bootloader ensures that only trusted and authorized firmware is executed, protecting the system from unauthorized modifications. Cryptographic techniques are utilized to validate firmware integrity, with the public keys securely stored within the FPGA's memory. This approach enhances the security of embedded systems by ensuring the authenticity of the firmware loaded during the boot process, preventing potential threats from compromised software.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 96
|
| Nampoothiry, Rohit |
McCarthy, Cameron
Bernardino de Paula, Ricardo
Townsend Jr., Paul
Willmore, Carolyn
Waigi, Emily
Wenceslau, Camilla |
Hypertension-Induced Alterations in the Retinal Microvasculature: Immunofluorescent Analysis of Pericyte Coverage and Vascular Architecture in Hypertensive Mice
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Introduction
Under the updated guidelines for high blood pressure, it is estimated that 49.64% of people in the U.S. have hypertension. A hallmark characteristic of hypertension is vascular damage, including injury to the retinal microvasculature, leading to hypertensive retinopathy (HR). While HR does not always cause immediate visual impairment, it is known to exacerbate the risk of developing diabetic retinopathy and potentially age-related macular degeneration. Therefore, it is imperative to investigate the mechanisms of HR further to inform the development of new therapies. We hypothesized that essential hypertension reduces pericyte coverage and alters the number of arterioles and venules within the retinal vasculature of mice.
Methods
To test this hypothesis, eyes were collected from male and female BPH (spontaneously hypertensive) and BPN (normotensive control) mice at two developmental stages: 6 weeks (pre-hypertensive) and 12 weeks (hypertensive). To isolate the retina, eyes were first enucleated and fixed, after which they were dissected and followed with blocking and permeabilization. Immunofluorescent staining was performed using anti-NG2 (pericytes), DLL4 (arterioles), and endomucin (venules). Images were acquired using a Leica Stellaris 5 Confocal Microscope.
Results
Upon removal of the eye from the animals, BPH mice sclera, choroid, and iris presented as white and opaque, compared to the blue tint of the BPN mice, suggesting that hypertension does have a major impact on eye morphology. While our retinal isolation and preparation techniques are optimized, challenges remain with immunofluorescent staining. Superficial and peripheral vascular structures, including arterioles, venules, and pericytes, are successfully labeled; however, deeper regions near the macula show inconsistent staining. Additionally, non-specific background fluorescence complicates image analysis. We are currently refining our staining protocols to enhance specificity and depth of visualization.
Conclusion
This research is a novel study into how hypertension specifically impacts the cells of the retinal microvasculature. Given that hypertension is a “silent killer” with potentially severe systemic consequences, including vision impairment, our findings may contribute to identifying novel prognostic markers for hypertension-induced end-organ damage. Optimizing our imaging approach will be crucial for accurately characterizing these vascular changes and advancing future therapeutic strategies.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 29
|
| Timmerman, Samantha |
Lipinoga, Meg |
The Impact of a Woman’s Voice in State Legislature
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Throughout my college career I had the opportunity to work in the South Carolina State Legislature on the senate side of the South Carolina State House. I worked as a senate page under one of the 5, and later 6, female senators out of 46 members from 2021-2024. The South Carolina State Legislator is responsible for drafting bills and amending legislation during legislative session. During my time in the State House, I worked as a senate page in the office and chamber floor capacity. The duties of a page involved running documents from the office to the senate chambers, other senators, and to legislative researchers. I filed documents, drafted up certificates and letters, and sat in on senate sessions on the chamber floor. My interest has always been as a woman in the law and government. Working in the SC State House was an opportunity to get my foot into the door for this work field especially working under a female senator. During my time as a page was the events of the overturning of Roe v. Wade. This action sets off the main debates in the state legislator for the next 3 years. The 5 lady senators became known as the “Sister Senators” whose actions sparked news throughout the state and nation. These events led to the bipartisanship of the women in the senate through strong backlash in the state while nationally being praised and awarded. I learned about the realities of gender in government during my time which I was able to be more aware of after taking Poli 352: Gender and Politics. In the class it was discussed on the relation of gender in congress and government. Through both the class and internship I learned that gender disparity still exists. Through this I witnessed the strength of the women in the senate speaking out even if others did not want to hear it. It made me more aware of the realities in the work industry and something I want to see changed through more female representation being seen in legislative branch and government as a whole.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 256
|
| Thompson, Hunter |
Valerio, Wendy |
Examining Second-Grade Music Students' Creativity and Agency during Game-Like Activities in Music Learning Centers
View Full Text
Abstract Text
The purpose of this research was to develop an understanding of my second-grade students’ creativity and agency in game-like music activities during peer-to-peer social interactions in music learning centers. The guiding research questions for this study were as follows. During music learning centers: 1) How did students create game-like music activities, 2) What types of play did they demonstrate, 3) How did they describe their experiences, and 4) What music characteristics did they demonstrate?
I collected data during three 50-minute second-grade music classes over the course of two weeks. I used the following data collection sources to achieve triangulation: video-recorded, whole class opening discussions; video- and voice-recorded, music learning centers; moderate participant observer field notes; video-recorded, whole class game demonstrations; and video-recorded, whole class closing discussions. Following my data analysis, I identified five emergent themes regarding the second-grade music students’ creativity and agency: Students created game-like music activities using a variety of organizational music structures and peer-to-peer interaction strategies; students engaged in different developmental stages of social and cognitive play; students incorporated their lived experiences into their game-like music activities; students valued their music learning center experiences for various reasons, and they transferred their game-like music activities to scenarios outside of music class; students incorporated ostinati in triple meter, rhythm patterns in duple meter, and tonal patterns in major tonality into their game-like music activities.
Through those findings, I gained insights regarding my second-grade music students’ creativity and agency. Based on those findings, I present personal pedagogical implications regarding the second-grade students’ use of organizational music structures and peer-to-peer interaction strategies, rule creation capabilities, and music vocabularies. I conclude by suggesting recommendations for future research.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 95
|
luan, Kunhui
Wu, Qiyu |
Tan, Changhui |
Critical Thresholds in Pressureless Euler-Poisson-Alignment System with Background States
View Full Text
Abstract Text
I am introducing our recent work, joint with Dr. Changhui Tan and Qiyu Wu, on pressureless Euler equations with bounded nonlocal alignment interactions and non-vanishing, variable background states. We examine the critical threshold phenomenon in this system, and we demonstrate that subcritical initial data lead to global-in-time regularity, while supercritical initial data result in finite-time singularity formation. Our analysis accommodates variable alignment forces and background states, providing a unified framework to study these phenomena.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 30
|
| Mueller, Camille |
Lautzenheiser, Mandy |
Impact of Travel on My Global Learning
View Full Text
Abstract Text
During my ten months studying abroad at the American University of Cairo, I had the wonderful opportunity to visit so many places in Egypt. I have always loved traveling and interacting with new cultures. I wanted to get to know the country and culture as much as possible during my year abroad. Because I was in Egypt for so long, I was able to go deeper than I have ever been able to before on global trips. I have never lived abroad before, and living in Cairo fueled my adventurous spirit. I went sandboarding in the desert in Fayoum and went snorkeling in some of the best diving spots in the world in the Red Sea. My time spent traveling when I was studying abroad was a time of massive growth where I enriched my understanding of learning about new cultures. I broadened my understanding of the world by fully immersing myself in a new country that is so different to the one I lived in the first 20 years of my life. This impacted my learning by exposing me to the different cultural experiences of new food, languages, and customs that are a major part of global learning. Throughout my time in Egypt, I was able to improve my Arabic speaking skills which in turn improved my communication skills in English. Experiencing new cultures pushed me beyond my boundaries of what I thought that the world was. I was challenged at every new destination to reshape in my mind what exactly Egypt meant to me. This experience shaped how I look at global travel and interacting with customs and traditions that are different from my own. My time traveling changed my global perspective and I want others to know about the benefits of having immersive travel when exploring new places. Because of my trip to Egypt, I no longer look at international travel as vacation, rather an opportunity to connect with other cultures and expand my worldview. My time studying abroad showed me what it would really be like to work internationally with my degree.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 212
|
| Wood, Gabrielle |
Hollis, Fiona
Schumpert, Charles |
Exploring epigenetic signatures of gestational stress in the prefrontal cortex of the female rodent brain
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Postpartum depression (PPD) is a challenging psychiatric disorder that affects approximately 15% of women following childbirth. PPD patients experience a range of symptoms, including anhedonia, fatigue, and anxiety, which can contribute to difficulties in bonding with and caring for offspring. Despite the significant effect of PPD on both maternal and offspring health, its underlying neurobiology remains unclear, although chronic stress is a significant risk factor.
We developed a rodent model of chronic mild gestational stress that successfully induced behavioral and molecular alterations relevant to PPD. In the early-mid postpartum period, we observed a correlation between PPD-relevant behaviors and elevated pro-inflammatory cytokine levels in the prefrontal cortex (PFC), a brain region involved in maternal care and depression. Cytokine imbalances can lead to chronic inflammation, which has been implicated in mood disorders. The biological mechanisms underlying these imbalances and their contribution to aberrant pathologies remain unclear. Epigenetic modifications, such as histone acetylation and methylation, play a crucial role in regulating the transcription of genes involved in inflammation. We hypothesized that gestational stress will alter histone modifications within the PFC in association with inflammation, contributing to the onset of PPD.
To test our hypothesis, we exposed pregnant and non-pregnant rats to our mild stress protocol. PPD-relevant behaviors were assessed across the postpartum. Animals were euthanized at either the mid- or late postpartum and the PFC dissected out and frozen. The expression of histone H3 protein, H3 acetylation, and methylation were measured via Western blot. Cytokines were quantified using the Bio-Rad BioPlex Cytokine assay in plasma. Correlations between cytokines and histone modifications were performed.
While there were no differences between groups in total Histone H3 protein levels, both stress and parity significantly decreased H3 acetylation levels in the PFC in the mid- but not late postpartum. We did not observe effects of stress or pregnancy on histone H3 methylation at either time point. Histone H3 acetylation negatively correlated with plasma IL-1 beta (a proinflammatory cytokine), suggesting a relationship between histone H3 acetylation and postpartum inflammation. Future studies that manipulate histone H3 acetylation during stress exposure are needed to determine the nature of this relationship.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 30
|
| Nellis, Joshua |
Aibinder, William
Carpenter, James |
Systematic review of shoulder arthroplasty outcomes: What sample size is meaningful?
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Background
Shoulder arthroplasty is increasingly performed for shoulder conditions such as arthritis, rotator cuff arthropathy, and traumatic injuries. Registries and other compilations of patient data provide the opportunity to detect meaningful differences in outcomes between alternative techniques and implants. A wide range of outcome measurements are reported after shoulder arthroplasty, but the sample sizes needed to identify meaningful differences has not been studied systematically. This review systematically analyzes common clinical outcomes reported for shoulder arthroplasty and reports the sample sizes necessary to confirm a clinically meaningful and statistically significant difference for these outcome measures.
Methods
A systematic review was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Included studies evaluated outcomes of anatomic or reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) with a minimum of two years of follow-up data. Outcome measures reported in three or more studies were combined to establish an overall mean and standard deviation for each measure. Using these combined measures, the sample size needed to detect clinically and statistically meaningful differences were established using published MCIDs with the assumptions of significance at α=0.05 and power at β=0.20.
Results
A total of 43 studies (29 anatomic TSA; 13 reverse TSA) met inclusion criteria, comprising of 84,503 shoulders. Outcome measures analyzed were: revision rate, range of motion (ROM), patient reported outcomes (PROs) (ASES, Constant-Murley, WOOS, DASH, SST and VAS scores), and complication rates. The sample size needed to detect meaningful differences is much lower for continuous measures (ROM and PROs) than for dichotomous outcomes (revisions and complications).
Discussion
Large patient databases provide the opportunity to improve patient outcomes based on measured evidence. However, comparative studies need to utilize appropriate outcome measures with adequate sample sizes to provide meaningful results. This review has identified the minimum sample size needed to provide clinically meaningful conclusions for various outcomes reported in studies. Binary outcomes (revision rate, complication rate) are less sensitive and require larger sample sizes, while continuous outcomes (ROM, PROs) require smaller sample sizes. This should be considered when establishing patient registries, publishing results, and analyzing studies on shoulder arthroplasty.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 188
|
| Schweitzer, Madison |
Kozlik, Lauren |
Behind the Veil: A Marketing Intern’s Experience at Kleinfeld Bridal
View Full Text
Abstract Text
During the summer of 2024, I interned with Kleinfeld Bridal as a marketing intern in New York City. Since I was little, I dreamed of working in NYC in fashion. Growing up with an affinity for love, wedding, and fashion, being able to work in a space that embodies that was incredible. Stepping into my role, I joined a team of six on the marketing/public relations team. My tasks included weekly inventory website uploads, social media management, content creation, influencer outreach, talent work, event planning, and other responsibilities. My favorite task was my managers letting me create different content for our social media channels. One TikTok I created earned 415.2K views and 15.9K likes! During event days I was tasked with execution of run of show, as well as overseeing other sales interns who would work and support us during special events. As a marketing major in the Moore School, returning after my summer internship I have noticed how much I have grown as a student and a young professional. I have used the real-world skills I have learned during my internship in classes and projects since. Having experience like this under my belt, made me so much more confident in completing my capstone project in MKTG 465: Marketing Strategy and Planning class. When my summer came to an end, my manager extended the offer to continue working in my role remotely when I returned to school. I jumped at the opportunity (literally)! I have been able to complete many projects, while different to being in store it has been a great experience. I was even offered the opportunity to return in October to attend New York Bridal Fashion Week with the team. I flew up and worked with the team on executing planning, content, videography, and day off activities at the fall Pnina Tornai bridal fashion week show. My internship experience has grown my confidence as a professional and given me many real world skills.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 265
|
| Fox, Kelly |
Bayoumi, Abdel |
Machine Learning-Based Anomaly Detection Using Space Weather Data
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Satellite health monitoring is critical for ensuring the reliability and longevity of space missions. Anomalies in satellite performance can result from a variety of factors, including environmental conditions, system failures, and external disturbances such as space weather events. This research focuses on developing a predictive model for satellite anomalies using machine learning techniques and historical space weather data. By leveraging logistic regression and random forest models, the study aims to classify and predict satellite anomalies based on severity levels, enabling proactive maintenance and risk mitigation strategies.
The dataset used in this study integrates satellite event logs with key space weather parameters, including high-energy particle flux and geomagnetic indices. A feature selection process was conducted to eliminate redundant variables, improving model efficiency. Two predictive models were developed: Model I, which provides a binary classification of anomaly occurrence, and Model II, which categorizes anomalies into four severity levels. The models were trained and validated using historical data, achieving high accuracy rates across all severity levels. However, the exceptionally high performance of Model II raises concerns about potential overfitting, necessitating further validation with unseen data.
The results of this study demonstrate the potential of predictive analytics in satellite health monitoring. By identifying patterns in space weather conditions that correlate with system anomalies, this approach can enhance decision-making for satellite operations and maintenance. Future work could focus on expanding the dataset, refining the models, and integrating real-time data streams to improve prediction robustness and reliability.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 69
|
Swiger, Karl
Abshier, Chase |
PIll, Stephan |
Rotator Cuff Repair with Patch Augmentation Improves Patient Reported Outcomes
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Background: Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (RCR) is the current gold standard for treatment of persistently symptomatic rotator cuff tears. Retear after RCR remains a significant concern despite modern techniques. Augmentation of RCR with various patches has gained wide popularity in hopes to improve outcomes, as the focus shifts towards biologic enhancements of the torn tendon.
Methods: We performed a retrospective study of patients with a minimum of pre-operative and 1-year follow-up who underwent RCR diagnosed by MRI. All procedures were done at a large academic center by fellowship-trained orthopaedic shoulder specialists who consider patch augmentation for “at risk” repairs. The use of patch is made ultimately at the time of surgery based on a constellation of patient factors, imaging findings, and intra-operative findings that the surgeon would think may lead to a higher tear rate. The primary outcome was the change from baseline to one-year American Shoulder Elbow Score (ASES) and whether these changes met minimal clinically important differences (MCID). Secondary outcomes included pain scores (VAS) and other patient reported outcomes, including (SANE, VR12 PCS, and VR12 MCS).
Results: A total of 26 patients had RCR with patch augmentation with an average age of 57.1 years. There were 15 males (58%) and 11 females (42%). Seventeen patients (65%) had small to medium tears and 9 patients (35%) had large to massive tears. Six repairs (23%) were revisions of prior repairs. At one year follow-up, 21 of 26 patients (80.8%) met MCID for ASES change score. Pain scores improved from 4.9 to 2.3 (p=0.01). All other outcomes improved: SANE 42.2 to 76.8, VR12 PCS 37.9 to 46.9, and VR12 MCS 46.9 to 52.6.
Conclusions: Patients with “at risk” rotator cuff tears can still achieve MCID at one year with RCR with patch augmentation. Further stratification is needed to determine when a patch should be used based on host factors and tear characteristics.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 190
|
| McLeod, Aaron |
Quinn, Joseph |
Cultural Schemas and the Flexible Worker Motherhood Penalty: Meanings About Mothers Who Work from Home
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Mothers who work are paid and promoted less, hired less often, and viewed as less competent and committed to their organizations compared to women who are not mothers (Correll, Benard, and Paik 2007; Ridgeway and Correll 2004). Scholars seeking to explain why the discrimination-based dimension of the motherhood penalty exists often argue that cultural meanings about the role identities of “mother” and “worker” are inherently in conflict – or that the cultural schema of “working mother” mediates the relationship between a person’s joint gender and parental status and how members of a society allocate material rewards in the workplace (Blair-Loy 2004; Ridgeway and Correll 2004; Correll, Benard, and Paik 2007). Flexible work opportunities like working from home (WFH) may weaken societal discrimination against working mothers because these opportunities can hypothetically allow them to enact behaviors that verify their conflicting maternal and occupational role identities simultaneously. On the other hand, working from home may exacerbate societal discrimination against working mothers because these opportunities can make the conflicting role enactments of mothers as workers more salient. However, empirical measures of these schemas are limited (Correll, Benard, and Paik 2007). In this paper, we measure the cultural schema of “working mother” using evaluation (a measure of goodness), potency (a measure of power), and activity (a measure of activity) (EPA) ratings collected from American cultural informants. Then, we test whether flexible work arrangements, specifically working from home, mitigates or exacerbates the penalty. Finally, we use a simulation tool called InterACT (Heise 2007) to theoretically model interactions between conventional working mothers, versus mothers who work from home, with an array of professional identities allowing us to explore how mothers who work from home may be perceived and interacted with in the workplace, compared to conventional working mothers. Mothers who work from home have lower evaluation, potency, and activity scores than “working mother”—indicating an intensified role conflict and exacerbated social discrimination.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 20
|
| Mayo, Alexis |
McNevin, Jessie |
Starting the Seeds of Leadership and Professionalism through Sustainability
View Full Text
Abstract Text
During the past couple of years, I have been a part of the Sustainable Carolina Leadership Program, which operates as the student branch of the office of Sustainability. Specifically, throughout this current school year, I have been employed in this program as a Project Coordinator for the garden division of this organization. As someone who is personally passionate about the environment and sustainability, my involvement in this organization has broadened my understanding and deepened my feelings of importance for sustainability and sustainable practice. This experience has also influenced me to pursue a career in environmental policy and advocacy after having attended law school. Both in and out of the green quad garden, I have gained many positive experiences within Sustainable Carolina concerning my professional and personal development. While my green thumb has exceptionally improved within my time at the garden, most importantly, my ability to lead a collection of garden members and volunteers has been strengthened. Additionally, through coaching and professional development workshops, I have become better prepared to take on the corporate world once I have finished my higher education. While the university offers many clubs and organizations for students to be a part of, I truly pursued the best option of the bunch as Sustainable Carolina has greatly enhanced my college experience.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 325
|
| Kasetty, Laukhika |
Schatz, Jeffrey |
Vitamin D Status and Pain Experience in Adolescents with Sickle Cell Disease
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Episodic pain is common in sickle cell disease (SCD), a genetic blood disorder causing anemia and vaso-occlusion. The frequency, severity, and impact of pain varies widely across people with SCD. Vitamin D, which has anti-inflammatory effects, may be a factor in pain variability across patients because of the important role of inflammation in pain. Published studies have established the association between Vitamin D levels and pain frequency across multiple populations, however, the primary measure of pain frequency has been hospitalizations or emergency department use for severe pain. Mild-to-moderate pain often occurs in SCD and is managed at home but is not accounted for in this prior research. The current goal is to study the association of Vitamin D and pain while using more inclusive measures of pain frequency and impact. A retrospective medical chart review on >100 patients with Sickle Cell Disease aged 12-17 that have completed a routine psychosocial screening from 2021-2024 will be conducted. The psychosocial screening collects comprehensive information about psychosocial adjustment, including pain experiences, using a series of validated parent-report and child-report measures. The pain questions are from the Pediatric Quality of Life – Sickle Cell Module and assess frequency of pain, frequency of pain medication use, self-efficacy in managing pain, and frequency of pain interfering with self-care activities. Vitamin D levels and use of Vitamin D supplements will be collected from the Electronic Medical record (EMR). Other measures will be collected from the EMR (e.g., sickle cell disease genotype, Body Mass Index (BMI), hospitalizations due to pain, medical and psychosocial treatments for pain). The relationship between pain, vitamin D, and other variables will be analyzed using regression analyses, one for each of the pain outcome questions and one for pain hospitalizations. Pain measures will be the dependent variable and Vitamin D level from the most recent blood draw will be the independent variable. Covariates will be included to help improve statistical power and assess the specificity of observed relationships. This study will add to our understanding of Vitamin D’s impact on pain in SCD by examining more inclusive measures of pain frequency and impact.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 183
|
| NeSmith, Mitchell |
Murphy, Angela
VanderVeen, Brandon |
Immune Signatures in the Lamina Propria of Obese Mice following an Anti-Inflammatory Diet
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Obesity leads to dysregulation of immune function, which can increase cancer risk. Anti-inflammatory diets have the potential to rescue immune function with obesity and consequently reduce cancer risk. This study aims to examine the effects of an anti-inflammatory diet on immune signatures in the lamina propria (LP) following chronic high-fat diet feedings in mice. Specifically, we will investigate if transitioning to an anti-inflammatory diet can improve immune signatures in the LP following chronic high-fat diet consumption. Following 36 weeks on a high-fat diet, obese female mice (>40 grams) were randomized to 1) continue on a high-fat diet (i.e. pro-inflammatory diet (PID) or switch to an iso-caloric high-fat diet that is anti-inflammatory (AID) for a period of 4 weeks. A lean group (low-fat diet) was included as a healthy control. Anthropometric measures and Homeostasis Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) were assessed to confirm an obesity phenotype. High dimensional flow cytometry was used to assess LP immune signatures. Body weight increased in both PID and AID groups consistent with elevated HOMA-IR. There was no statistical difference between PID and AID for these parameters despite an apparent decrease in HOMA-IR with AID. In the LP there was no change in CD45+ immune cells across groups. However, AID rescued the decrease in F480+ macrophages and CD8a+ cytotoxic T cells with PID. Additionally, AID suppressed the increase in CD4+ T-helper cells, NK1.1+ NK cells, and CD11c+MHCII+ dendritic cells with PID. There was no difference in CD19+B220+MHCII+ B cells nor CD11b+Ly6g+ neutrophils across groups. The data shows promise for an anti-inflammatory diet to restore immune homeostasis in the LP of obese mice. Overall, these findings suggest that an anti-inflammatory diet can reverse immune dysfunction associated with obesity that may have implications for cancer risk.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 25
|
| Kordamiri, Arshaam |
Hollis, Fiona |
Long-term effects of gestational stress on postpartum cardiovascular health in female rats
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Up to 15% of women experience postpartum cardiovascular complications, including hypertension and arrhythmias as well as peripartum cardiomyopathy, and heart failure. These cardiac issues can lead to fatigue, shortness of breath, and reduced quality of life, making daily maternal responsibilities more challenging. Furthermore, the impact of postpartum cardiac dysfunction extends beyond the mother, as cardiovascular instability can impair maternal-infant bonding and increase the risk of long-term health complications for both mother and child. Despite the severe consequences of postpartum heart disease, the underlying causes behind these conditions remain unclear. Stress is a known risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and gestation is a period of heightened vulnerability to stress. As CVD is a leading cause of maternal mortality, it is crucial to identify and mitigate factors that can enhance maternal outcomes.
Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), and troponin I are critical biomarkers of cardiac function, playing essential roles in diagnosing and monitoring cardiovascular disease. ANP and BNP are natriuretic peptides that regulate fluid balance, blood pressure, and cardiac remodeling, while troponin I serves as a highly specific marker of myocardial injury. We hypothesized that gestational stress would alter cardiovascular function and geometry, leading to increased protein expression of cardiac biomarkers in the postpartum.
To test this hypothesis, we exposed four groups of adult female rats to either 10 days of chronic gestational stress or handling (control conditions). Cardiac function was assessed on postpartum days 14 and 24 using echocardiography. Rats were euthanized 24 hours after the last echocardiography session, and the heart was dissected into the left and right atria and ventricles respectively. The tissues were weighed and then homogenized and prepared for protein analysis via western blot.
Preliminary data show that gestational stress decreased ejection fraction in the mid- but not late-postpartum. Parity alone increased stroke volume in the mid-postpartum that appeared to normalize to non-pregnant control levels in the late postpartum. Biomarker measurement and correlations are ongoing. These data highlight independent effects of stress and parity on the postpartum heart that dynamically change throughout the postpartum. Future directions will increase sample sizes and clarify effects.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 46
|
| Cardinale, Amelia |
Hollis, Fiona |
Analyzing Rodent Ultrasonic Vocalization and Mitochondrial Respiration to Investigate Prenatal Stress
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Mitochondria are cellular organelles that produce energy for the cell through oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS). Exposure to stress increases the brain's need for energy, requiring increased mitochondrial activity to meet demand. Chronic stress exposure negatively impacts mitochondrial function, which can impact health though the precise actions of this impact in early life is unclear. Rodents communicate using both verbally and through ultrasonic vocalization (USV). Low frequency USV calls indicate negative stimuli while higher frequency USV calls indicate positive stimuli. In addition to frequency, USV call duration correlates with intensity of stressful stimuli, with the average call duration being 30 to 60ms. USV patterns may also be influenced by age, sex, and social behavior, though the effect of stress is unclear. We use a rodent model of prenatal stress (chronic mild unpredictable stress; CMUS) that results in both prenatal and early postnatal stress. We hypothesized that CMUS would decrease cortex mitochondrial function in association with altered ultrasonic vocalizations.
To test our hypothesis, on postnatal day 10, pups of both sexes were individually isolated from their mother and their ultrasonic calls recorded for 3 minutes. USV pup recordings were analyzed using UltraVox Call Detection software with a call recognition template and verified manually . The total number of calls, total call duration, average call duration, mean maximum call frequency , and mean call amplitude were analyzed.
Preliminary data suggests that while USV number, total and average call durations, and call amplitude were not statistically different between groups, prenatal stress significantly decreased the maximal calling frequency in female pups. There were no significant differences in cortex respiration between groups. Interestingly, however, we observed a significant positive association between average call duration and cortex respiration specifically in females. These data suggest that female pup vocalizations are more susceptible to the effects of prenatal stress than males and highlight a potential sex-specific relationship between cortical mitochondrial function and vocalizations. Future studies will examine the functional relationship between mitochondrial function, prenatal stress, and vocalizations, as well as assess other social behaviors across development.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 28
|
| Pavlovec, Hope |
Stubblefield, Brittany |
Empowering Change: Showing That It's Cool to Care
View Full Text
Abstract Text
During my three years at University of South Carolina, I have been a dedicated and passionate member of USC Dance Marathon that has given me tight-knit community that is committed to showing everyone how cool it is to care about children’s health. USC Dance Marathon is part of the nationwide Dance Marathon program that raises funds for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals across the country. As an integral part of USC Dance Marathon, I have been a part of fundraising over $650,000 for Prisma Health Children’s Hospital-Midlands in Columbia, SC and have engaged the Columbia community to be involved in the fight to change kids’ health and changing the future. Six years ago, I joined my high school’s MiniTHON program which is the high school level of Pennsylvania State University’s THON that raises critical funds for childhood cancer. I had personal connections to families who were positively impacted by the funds we raised, and I became passionate with the movement. I knew going to college, I needed to find an organization that gave back to the community as much as THON, and I was so fortunate to have found USC Dance Marathon. Through my experience, I learned how incredible of an impact that a person can make to create a better future for our community. I learned the importance of giving back to something so much bigger than myself and to push for what I am passionate about. USC Dance Marathon taught me that no matter who you are, you can be a positive light in this world, and together, we can create a better tomorrow. Through my experience with USC Dance Marathon, I have found my passion for continuing to be a part of changing kids’ health, be involved with a nonprofit of the same cause again after college, and giving back.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 326
|
| Muhly, Autumn |
Frost, Daniel
Agrawal, Shubham
Crotwell, Philip |
Understanding Lower Mantle and Outer Core Structure- The Longer Way!
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Seismic waves can provide valuable insights about the structure of the outer core and lower mantle variations. These mantle variations are key indicators of mantle deformation and flow, with the outer core playing a critical role in mantle flow. Seismic anisotropy studies investigate directional variation in wave speed, often using SmKS waves, which propagate as P waves (K) through the outer core and reflect off the underside (m-times) core mantle boundary. The spatial resolution of detected anisotropic regions in the lowermost mantle is often limited by incomplete back azimuth coverage as a result of wave geometry and non-uniform distribution of earthquakes and receivers. To overcome this limitation we use major arc variations of SmKS compared to the traditionally used minor arc. This dataset is composed of earthquakes magnitude 5.5-7.5 with source to receiver distances of 90-160 degrees from seismic stations in Southern California. We intend to improve signal to noise ratio on major arc SmKS seismograms using the beamforming method to estimate their direction which can then be used to infer anisotropic structure of the core mantle boundary. We have preliminary results that show beamforming major arc SmKS waves are possible and directional measurements are attainable. Further work focuses on improving directional resolution to ensure robust measurements.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 50
|
Bondurant, Aubrey
Grove, Emma |
Waldman, Alan |
The Impact of Progerin on Chromosomal Break Repair
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Lamin A is a protein component of the nuclear lamina which is a protein network that plays important roles in nuclear structure and function. Progerin is an altered form of lamin A that accumulates naturally as a person ages. When excessively produced, progerin accumulation can lead to accelerated aging. Sometimes increased progerin expression is a result of a mutation in the gene encoding lamin A, and this is the case with a rare genetic disorder known as Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome (HGPS). HGPS is characterized by accelerated aging, leading to premature death typically around the age of fourteen. As progerin builds up, the cell becomes less proficient at repairing DNA damage and the genetic material becomes less stable. This indicates that progerin is linked to compromised repair of DNA, including repair of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs). We have developed a model experimental system using a mouse cell line named “NV1,” which allows us to study DNA repair within mammalian chromosomes. Our system allows us to induce a genomic DSB within a thymidine kinase gene and then recover cells that have repaired the DSB by selecting for loss of thymidine kinase gene function. To learn how progerin impacts DSB repair, we have engineered some NV1 cells to express progerin. We then compared DSB repair in cells expressing progerin versus cells not expressing progerin by analyzing repair events at the nucleotide level. In this presentation, we report an apparent increase in gene amplifications as well as larger deletions and insertions associated with DSB repair in cells expressing progerin. In future work, we hope to use our system to screen for treatments that may reverse progerin’s effects on genome maintenance.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 58
|
| Gedeon, Mallory |
Bernhart, John |
Sleep Onset Latency and Diet Quality in African American Adults: Insights from a Plant-based Nutrition Intervention
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Objectives: The Nutritious Eating with Soul (NEW Soul) program educates African American (AA) adults on adopting a culturally tailored plant-based diet. Research indicates that prolonged sleep onset latency exceeding 30 minutes is more common among AA and Hispanic/Latino individuals compared to non-Hispanic Whites. Sleep onset latency measures the time required to fall asleep each night. While dietary factors are known to influence sleep, the relationship between a plant-based diet and sleep onset latency in AAs remains understudied. This study investigates how a plant-based diet impacts diet quality and sleep onset latency in AA adults.
Methods: In 2024, NEW Soul partnered with Soca Vegan Kitchen in Augusta, GA to deliver a 3-month, 2-group randomized study for AA adults (N=50) 18-65 years old. Intervention participants attended 12 classes and received 12 plant-based meals, while control participants received only 12 plant-based meals. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) assessed self-reported sleep onset latency at baseline and 12 weeks. Diet quality was measured using the Diet ID platform to obtain a Healthy Eating Index (HEI) score. Data were collected online and analyzed using SAS v.9.4 adjusting for age, education, employment, sex, and intervention group.
Results: The average participant age was 50.2 ± 9.7 years with 40 females and 10 males. At baseline, participants reported an adjusted average sleep onset latency of 30.8 ± 3.2 minutes. At 3 months, adjusted average sleep onset latency was 26.0 ± 2.7 minutes. Adjusted sleep onset latency decreased -0.04 minutes for every 1-point increase in HEI (p=0.52). Intervention participants improved sleep onset latency 4.3 ± 6.6 minutes compared to control participants (p=0.45).
Conclusion: While not significant, findings suggest a potential association between improved diet quality and reduced sleep onset latency. These preliminary results highlight the possible influence of a culturally tailored plant-based diet on sleep patterns in AAs. Future research with larger samples, extended intervention duration, and objective sleep assessments (e.g., actigraphy) is needed to explore this relationship.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 131
|
| Snow, Colby |
Tandon, Keah |
Bridging Business and Vineyards: My Study Abroad Journey in Florence, Italy
View Full Text
Abstract Text
My study abroad journal in Florence, Italy at the Florence University of the Arts was a highly impactful experience that deepened my understanding of international business and Italian culture. This adventure provided first hand exposure to European markets, consumer behavior, and global decision-making. Through coursework, experiential learning, and cultural immersion, I gained valuable insights into international business strategy while developing a stronger appreciation for global cultures.
During my semester in Florence, I took coursework that aligned with my Finance and Marketing majors and my minor in Advertising & Public Relations. Classes such as New Product Development & Management, Introduction to Management, International Marketing, and Tuscany and Its Wines expanded my knowledge of product innovation, managerial decision-making, and the cultural significance of food and fashion in Italy. Through case studies and group presentations, I worked with students from different backgrounds to analyze local and international businesses. Beyond academics, I traveled to 11 countries, getting direct exposure to different cultures and strengthening my cross-cultural communication skills.
The reason I pursued this experience was to gain international exposure and immerse myself in a foreign culture. Having never traveled to Europe before, I was eager to immerse myself in Italian culture and better understand international business, a valuable skill in today’s business world. Studying abroad affected me in many ways, inside the classroom I learned about international business and consumer behaviors, while outside I became more adaptable, independent, and open-minded. Living in a foreign country pushed me to confidently navigate unfamiliar situations and embrace diverse perspectives.
My time in Florence helped me develop a stronger worldview, adapt better to uncomfortable situations, and deepen my knowledge of international business. As I prepare to start my career with an international company operating in over 25 countries, I look forward to getting started in global business. This experience has also led me to sharing my experience with those younger than me and encouraging them to seek study abroad experiences, emphasizing firsthand the personal and professional growth it can provide.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 227
|
| Budsberg, Addison |
Ellermann, Melissa |
The Effects of Endocannabinoid Signaling on Colon Histology in Interleukin-10 Deficient Mice
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Crohn’ s disease is an autoimmune condition characterized by chronic inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract that affects millions of people every year. The endocannabinoid system plays a role in regulating homeostasis and immune responses in the gut, consisting of the endocannabinoids 2-AG and AEA and their main receptors – CB1 and CB2. The Magl enzyme breaks down 2-AG into arachidonic acid and glycerol to regulate its levels in tissues. Therefore, a Magl inhibitor prevents the breakdown of 2-AG, resulting in its accumulation in surrounding tissue. In conjunction with CB1 and CB2 inhibitors, these drugs allow us to explore the effects of CB1 and CB2 receptor signaling on the host and the gut microbiome. Previous work in our lab revealed that in interleukin-10 deficient (IL-10 KO) mice, treatment with a Magl inhibitor results in increased Escherichia. coli in the gut microbiome in a CB1-dependent manner at 24 hours post-treatment. IL-10 KO mice lack an important anti-inflammatory hormone and therefore are highly prone to developing colitis. To expand upon this work, we investigated whether these drug treatments (vehicle, Magl inhibitor, CB1 antagonist + Magl inhibitor, CB2 antagonist + Magl inhibitor) and the resulting effects on E. coli proliferation can induce mild inflammation or other changes in tissue architecture in the colons of IL-10 KO mice. Blinded histopathology analysis was performed on Swiss-rolled middle and distal colons collected at 24 hours post-treatment. Analyses included measures of hyperplasia, goblet cell loss, and abscess build-up. Our results show that no significant tissue damage was observed in any of the treatment groups. These findings suggest that E. coli growth induced by endocannabinoid signaling does not induce overt tissue damage in the colon.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 22
|
| Sham, Sarah |
Michalos, Alexis |
Marketing Strategies for Stronger Communities
View Full Text
Abstract Text
In my Hospitality and Tourism Marketing class at the University of South Carolina, I learned that value creation is the key to an effective marketing campaign. For commercial businesses, this concept involves aligning company offerings with the consumers’ desires to foster satisfaction through a five-step process. I found this idea particularly valuable in my role as a Resident Assistant (RA), where I applied it to enhance community engagement within the residence hall. Realizing that my initial programming efforts didn’t fully address my residents’ specific needs, I used value creation to refine how I designed and marketed my events. Instead of planning events based on assumptions, I developed a customer-driven marketing approach informed by market research gathered through surveys and intentional conversations. This shift allowed me to offer better-suited events, resulting in higher attendance rates and more meaningful community engagement. Applying strategies like this will serve as a strong foundation for my future career in social work by helping me develop a client-centered approach.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 264
|
Mace, Olivia
Chan, Wae Man |
Hudac, Caitlin
Cramer-Benjamin, Sophie
Cheever, Ashlan |
Unraveling Social Responsiveness: A Comparison between SCN2A, SETBP1, and GRIN2B Pathogenetic Variants
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Pathogenetic variants to SCN2A, GRIN2B, and SETBP1 genes are linked to a range of neurodevelopmental differences, including intellectual disability (ID) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD),(Platzer et al., 2017; Platzer & Lemke, 2021; Schwarz et al., 2016; Oyler et al., 2024). Previous research has provided insight into the phenotypes of these variants, but little research has been done to evaluate the differences in social responsiveness (i.e., abilities to engage and interact with others) among individuals with mutations in these three groups. We hypothesize that individuals from each variant group, SCN2A, GRIN2B, and SETBP1, will exhibit distinct social responsiveness profiles likely due to variability in gene effects on brain development.
A total of 77 participants were included comprising three genetic groups: GRIN2B (n=18, 5 autistic), SCN2A (n=36, 20 autistic), and SETBP1 (n=23, 10 autistic). Social responsiveness was evaluated using the Social Responsiveness Scale, Second Edition (SRS-2) (Constantino & Gruber, 2012).
Using a mixed effects ANOVA, we found an overall group effect, F(2, 74)=3.89, p=0.025, suggesting that there is a significant difference in social responsiveness between groups. Fischer’s LSD post-hoc test indicated that SCN2A group had greater total problems with their social responsiveness relative to SETBP1 group (p=0.009) but no other groups differed (p>.05). A linear mixed effects model with interactions between gene group and ASD diagnosis explained 56% of the variability in SRS-2 T-score F(5, 71)=18.09, p<.0001. Autistic people in the SCN2A group had significantly higher t-scores than non-autistic people in SCN2A group, (β =-25.55, σ =5.17, t=-4.93, p<.0001). No other interactions were observed.
Our findings suggest that those with SCN2A variants showed more social difficulties compared to those with SETBP1 and GRIN2B variants, highlighting potential differences in how these gene variants influence social behavior. Additionally, we found that the relationship between social responsiveness and autism diagnosis varied across genetic groups; within the SCN2A group, there was a significant difference in SRS-2 scores between non-autistic and autistic individuals. Genetic factors are crucial in studying ASD social behavior. Future research should explore the molecular mechanisms underlying these differences to gain deeper insights into social responsiveness across different pathogenetic variant groups.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 175
|
| Seesi, Ebenezer |
Lee, Dongkyu |
Effect of Strain on the Thermoelectric Properties of Epitaxial CaMnO3 Thin Films
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Effect of Strain on the Thermoelectric Properties of Epitaxial CaMnO3 Thin Films
Ebenezer Seesi, Mohammad El Loubani, Habib Rostaghi Chalaki, Benjamin Paul Richardson, and Dongkyu Lee*
Mechanical Engineering, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
* E-mail: dongkyu@cec.sc.edu
Thermoelectric (TE) power generators have emerged as a promising sustainable energy alternative, capable of converting waste heat from power plants, industrial facilities, and automobile exhausts directly into electrical energy. The overall conversion efficiency of TE devices mainly depends on the intrinsic properties of TE materials, such as electrical conductivity (σ) and Seebeck coefficient (S). Consequently, discovering materials with superior TE properties is essential for enhancing the efficiency of TE devices. Transition metal oxides (TMOs) such as perovskite ABO3 are a promising alternative to the conventional TE materials due to their light weight, low cost, less toxic and stability at higher temperatures. However, their relatively low TE efficiency presents a significant challenge. Among the various strategies to improve the TE properties of TMOs, modulating epitaxial strain has shown its potential to alter the TE properties of TMOs. Despite its potential, limited knowledge exists on how strain influences TE properties, largely due to challenges in growing epitaxial thin films.
In this study, we use epitaxial CaMnO3 (CMO) thin films as a model system to explore the effect of strain on the TE properties of n-type TMOs. We employ pulsed laser deposition (PLD) to synthesize epitaxial thin films on various single crystalline substrates: yttria stabilized ZrO2 (YSZ), SrTiO3 (STO), (LaAlO3)0.3(Sr2TaAlO6)0.7 (LSAT), and LaAlO3 (LAO), which systematically introduce different types of strain—from compressive to tensile—into the CMO films. High resolution X-ray diffractometer (HRXRD) confirms the strain state of the CMO films. Measuring both σ and S, we establish the relationship between strain, carrier properties, and thermoelectric properties of the CMO thin films are investigated. We find that increasing compressive strain enhances the TE properties, resulting in a higher power factor. This study highlights epitaxial strain as a straightforward means to control the TE efficiency of n-type TMOs.
This research was funded by the National Science Foundation under NSF Award Number DMR-2340234.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 45
|
Magee, Matthew
Patel, MD, Prem |
Hassinger, Stanley
Patel, Tarak |
A Cut Above: Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection After Stab Wound
View Full Text
Abstract Text
A 25-year-old female without significant past medical history presented to the emergency department as a level one trauma due to a penetrating stab wound to the left anterior chest. On arrival, the patient was hypotensive and hypoxic, requiring blood products and supplemental oxygen. A bedside ultrasound with the E-FAST protocol and CT angiogram on admission showed no cardiac injury or pericardial effusion. The initial ECG revealed ST-elevations in the anterolateral leads, and the initial high sensitivity troponin level was 15 ng/L but increased to over 3000 ng/L on subsequent values. Cardiac catheterization was performed, which showed complete occlusion of the left anterior descending artery with extensive left ventricle ischemia, consistent with SCAD. After initial trauma stabilization the patient was without ongoing chest pain. Thus, the patient was treated conservatively with medical medical management. Invasive treatment strategies are limited and complicated for SCAD management, as percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) could worsen the lesion. Standard thrombolytic therapy for STEMI patients is also contraindicated in SCAD patients and in this case is complicated by risks associated with potential exacerbation of bleeding in trauma. Due to the lack of evidence suggesting pericardial trauma, it is postulated that a stress catecholamine surge from the initial trauma led to coronary artery shear stress. This case illustrates a unique presentation of SCAD in a young trauma patient. SCAD is an uncommon diagnosis in young females that requires urgent evaluation and treatment to prevent prolonged cardiac ischemia, with special attention to unique features associated with a traumatic etiology.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 151
|
| Zito, Eliz |
Davis, Christine
Schepler, Lisa
Schryer, Asheley |
Prescription for Success: A Journey of Passion and Professional Growth
View Full Text
Abstract Text
In 2019 I became a retail-certified pharmacy technician (CPhT) at the Publix Pharmacy, and that choice kickstarted my career. Pharmacy technicians are assistants to the pharmacist and with that comes many responsibilities. We count medications, manage inventory, troubleshoot insurance billing, and follow up with providers. I knew my future would be within health care because I love science and helping people. I never considered I would be interested in this line of work and thought it was an insanely rigorous career path. Pharmacy never felt like an option until I started working as a CPhT. After working for three months, I realized I found my passion. I love the knowledge that comes with this job, the fast pace, and the sense of community. At Publix, we fill outpatient prescriptions. This means we service patients outside of doctors’ offices or hospitals and do not have to stay supervised by a physician. That is the most important element of my job. We see patients every month to every three months and set that mandate of trust within the window they are at our counter. Along with the normal daily tasks we complete, we maintain patient relations to ensure patients are compliant and prioritize their health. To be compliant, the patients must take their medications correctly and consistently. Our patients must be aware of what pills they are taking as well. I pride myself on cultivating my ability to differentiate and identify most medications we have and being capable of explaining the uses. It is also imperative to help patients understand the importance of each. These reasons are why I have so much passion for my work. I strongly believe that CPhTs who share my passion, inspire our patients to care for and learn more about their conditions. This passion will guide and motivate me through graduate school, eventually becoming Dr. Eliz Zito, PharmD.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 282
|
| Poling, Samantha |
Floyd, Alex |
More than Just Books
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Common understanding of sociology is that it is the study of society and human behavior, this can be applied to understanding the dynamics of a bookstore. Interactions between customers, employees, and out community reflects various social structures and cultural trends. As a bookstore employee I have observed and participated in numerous social exchanges, examples being assisting and recommending correct books for each class, as well as creating a sense of community. Daily tasks of organizing books and checking customers out, also bringing in a positive and uplifting attitude everyday. In this way, a bookstore not only serves as a space for commerce but also for social interaction.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 266
|
| Lucas, Alexandria |
Alex, Ashley
Paudyal, Sunita |
Racial and Demographic Disparities in Dialysis Dependence and Mortality in SLE Glomerulonephritis
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) glomerulonephritis is a severe complication that damages the kidneys' glomerulus, interstitium, and tubules, impacting patients' quality of life, prognosis, and survival. It affects about 40% of SLE patients, with 4.3–10.1% progressing to end-stage renal disease (ESRD), many requiring hemodialysis. Prognosis is influenced not only by immunological and histopathological factors but also by racial and demographic factors. Studies show glomerulonephritis is more common in Africans and Hispanics than in Caucasians. A multi-ethnic US cohort found renal disease in 51% of African and 43% of Hispanic SLE patients, compared to 14% in Caucasians. This study explores demographic disparities, such as race and age, in mortality among SLE glomerulonephritis patients on hemodialysis.
The 2020 National Inpatient Sample identified 4,847 adult patients (age > 18) with SLE glomerulonephritis. Demographics, mortality, and dependence on hemodialysis were analyzed, adjusting for age, diabetes, hypertension, and amyloidosis using logistic regression. Of the total, 4,023 were female and 823 male, with an average age of 41.51. The racial breakdown was 1,041 Caucasian, 2,152 African American, and 1,174 Hispanic, with African Americans making up 45.44% of patients.
Among those admitted, 1,649 required hemodialysis, with an average age of 40.51. Of these, 1,360 were female and 289 male. The racial distribution for this group was 249 Caucasian, 865 African American, and 395 Hispanic. Overall, 2.6% of patients died during their hospital stay. A significant association was found between African American race and dependence on hemodialysis (OR 1.609, 95% CI 1.42-1.81), after adjusting for age, diabetes, hypertension, and amyloidosis.
SLE glomerulonephritis is a severe autoimmune disease with high morbidity and mortality. Previous studies have highlighted racial and socioeconomic disparities in African American patients. Our analysis shows that African Americans are significantly more likely to depend on dialysis compared to other ethnic groups.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 123
|
| DeFiori, Michael |
Gibson, Stephanie |
A Holistic Approach to Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome: Enhancing Care Through the Eat-Sleep-Console Protocol
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome (NOWS) has become a
significant concern due to the rising opioid usage (especially amongst pregnant people), leading
to increased cases of withdrawal in newborns. Recent management strategies have moved toward
a more holistic approach, notably the Eat-Sleep-Console (ESC) protocol, which focuses on
supportive care for the infant-mother dyad. This study evaluates the outcomes of transitioning
from the traditional Finnegan Neonatal Abstinence Scoring System (FNASS) to ESC for the
management of NOWS at Prisma Health Richland Hospital. The change in favor of ESC was
made in 2018 and a cohort of patients was identified managed with FNASS (pre-2018) and
managed with ESC (post-2018). Key diagnostic features included maternal opioid used, average
length of stay (ALOS), and feeding profiles. With ESC, care was emphasized on reducing
noxious stimulations, promoting breastfeeding, and fostering bonding. In this study, the ALOS
had a significant reduction with minimal opioid administered for the ESC group with no
readmission rates. These findings suggest ESC as the effective, non-pharmacological
intervention and improves the management of NOWS, enhancing patient care by reducing opioid
exposure and promoting a supportive environment.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 157
|
| Wakefield, Sarah |
Becker, Kimberly |
Research Methods in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services
View Full Text
Abstract Text
For Discover USC, I will be presenting findings from a lab I am currently involved in and have been with for the past six months. In this lab, we transcribe therapy sessions and sessions between supervisors and providers in mental health services. This is the work I am currently doing as part of the Reaching Families 2 project, however, what I will be presenting on is the results from their previous project, Reaching Families 1. Reaching Families 1 was very similar in which they gathered providers and supervisors to participate in recorded sessions that could be transcribed and studied. This is in an attempt to monitor and track the gaps that exist in the mental health care field due to lack of access, engagement, and more. For almost half a decade there has been an increase in the investment of quality of youth mental healthcare as the importance of early diagnosis and treatment continues to be more heavily emphasized. Reaching Families 1 attempts to close the gap between scientific advancements in the fields and the tactics, tools, and methods utilized in therapy sessions through the tracking of progress in clients as well as any regressions. Following every aspect of treatment is important so we as providers can see where we are falling short and in what ways we can make therapy more engaging, desirable, and efficient for the client. I will be utilizing past transcripts from the first part of Reaching Families to show not only the work we do with transcribing, but also to show how we track the progress and treatment of individuals and what we look out for in a session as either a positive or negative. We also look to see if the methods of improving mental health care that we’ve come up with are actually leading to significant improvements of the behaviors of our clients. This information together has been helping to not only create more tactical and efficient providers, but also keep clients more engaged and active in their path to treatment.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 176
|
| Goode, Emalee |
Stubblefield, Brittany |
Developing Leadership with Creativity
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Leadership within Greek Life and USC have impacted me in indescribable ways. I served as Vice President Member Experience for the Alpha Gamma Delta, where developed strong tracking of retention plans, enhanced chapter traditions, elevated our learning modules, held events for various pledge classes, and overall created intention behind Alpha Gam general member’s experience. I also served as a University 101 Peer Leader and Senior Peer Leader, where I taught a class of freshmen and a class of peer leaders, and created bonds within the classroom. I served in these roles because I am passionate about building community and connections with others. Both experiences allowed me to constantly learn and grow. I learned how to lead creatively— I developed out-of-the-box plans for building a unique Alpha Gam sisterhood and U101 classroom. While I served for Alpha Gam, I created new activities for in-chapter learning that enhanced bonds between members. I also served as an executive council member during a time of change. Our chapter went through a housing transition, which challenged my goals to be more intentional, strategized, and wholly unique. During my term, our members had more access to creating connections through events and it increased our overall retention efforts. Sisterhood Circles were created to ensure cross-pledge class mixing and created overall more connections and relationships than before. While I served as a University 101 Peer Leader, I intentionally spent time creating connections with the students through 1-on-1 meetings, Dinner Dialogues with our co-instructor, and time after every class, which built trust between myself and the students. I excitedly participated in check-in questions and created activities and discussions. This prompted them to learn about college life and allowed them to create connections within the class. At the end of both semesters I served as a U101 Peer Leader and Senior Peer Leader, I saw my impact: new lifelong friendships, emerging leaders becoming confident in their abilities, and an overall readiness to take on their time at Carolina. These experiences challenged my creativity and advanced my leadership skillset, developing me into a more well-rounded, communicative, and driven individual.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 316
|
| Cain, Ainsley |
Sutton, Lauren |
Diet Study of Pacific Halibut (Hippoglossus stenolepis) in Homer, Alaska
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Fishing of Pacific Halibut, Hippoglossus stenolepis, has long been a source of tourism and a sustainable food source within Kachemak Bay, Alaska. Many fishermen take the opportunity to open the stomachs of halibut caught to modify lures based on what is present in the stomach contents. This has created a need within the community for diet analysis that spans multiple fishing seasons. Halibut are generally known as opportunistic feeders, feeding on a variety of benthic prey. This study seeks to determine if halibut are solely opportunistic feeders or if they have a preferred prey species. Additionally, this study investigates if fish consumption by halibut varies seasonally or annually within Kachemak Bay. Halibut stomach contents were collected at Homer Harbor fish cleaning stations from personal use and charter fishermen over peak fishing season and identified to the lowest possible taxonomic level. Halibut stomachs processed from 2023 consumed a diet dominated by bony fish, such as sand lance and capelin, along with a low diversity of crab species. In 2022 and 2024, however, halibut diets were largely composed of diverse crab taxa and fewer bony fish compared to previous years. These results may indicate changes in environmental drivers creating favorable crab habitat where there weren't favorable conditions before, or shifting migratory patterns of halibut due to these conditions. Potential future research includes investigating the drivers of halibut population shifts and crab population dynamics in Kachemak Bay.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 101
|
| Brancato, Luciano |
Varjosaari, Sami
Roberts, Mark |
The Antibacterial Properties of Crude Extracts Derived from Hexastylis arifolia (Michx.) Small
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Little Brown Jug, Hexastylis arifolia, belongs to the Aristolochiaceae family and is native to the Southeastern United States. Multiple indigenous tribes have used it medicinally to treat various illnesses. This bioprospecting study tested the leaf, rhizome, and root extracts of H. arifolia to determine its antibacterial potential. A Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion protocol was used to quantify the effectiveness of extracts, and a direct autobiography assay was used to determine which extracted chemical(s) possessed antibacterial properties. Preliminary results indicate some degree of bacterial inhibition on select model gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. Once extracts containing antibacterial properties were identified, a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis was conducted to identify the phytochemicals in the extracts and the “TLC spots” from the direct bioautographies, which indicate candidate antibacterial chemicals.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 112
|
| Sikora, Anna |
McQuail, Joseph
Horovitz, David |
D-serine Contributes to NMDAR Dysfunction and Cognitive Decline in Aging
View Full Text
Abstract Text
D-serine is the primary co-agonist for synaptic NMDA receptors (NMDARs), which are critical for synaptic plasticity, learning, and memory. Aging is associated with a decrease in D-serine levels and its synthesizing enzyme, serine racemase (SR), potentially leading to NMDAR dysfunction and cognitive decline. However, no studies have directly linked changes in D-serine metabolism and signaling to age-related cognitive impairments through NMDARs. This study investigates the effects of inhibiting D-serine degradation via D-amino acid oxidase (DAO) inhibition with 3-Methylpyrazole-5-carboxylic acid (3-MPCA), a specific DAO inhibitor (DAOI), to extend D-serine availability and restore cognitive function in aged rats. We assessed spatial reference and working memory in 24-month-old F344 rats, compared to young adult (6-month-old) rats, using the Morris water maze. Aged rats were treated with escalating doses of 3-MPCA, and memory performance was evaluated. After testing, we measured ERK phosphorylation in the hippocampus (HPC) and prefrontal cortex (PFC), an indirect marker of synaptic NMDAR activation, using western blotting. Our study also examines the expression of SR and phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase (PHGDH), enzymes involved in D-serine synthesis, in the HPC and PFC of both young and aged rats, including subgroups with impaired and intact cognition. Results showed that 3-MPCA treatment significantly improved spatial working memory and increased ERK phosphorylation in the HPC and PFC of aged rats, supporting the hypothesis that extending D-serine availability enhances synaptic NMDAR signaling and mitigates memory deficits. Ongoing experiments aim to quantify how SR and PHGDH expression levels change with aging and how these changes correlate with cognitive decline. Future studies will investigate the impact of DAOI treatment on D-serine levels using high-performance liquid chromatography and compare the metabolic pathway of D-serine in aging rats to Alzheimer’s disease models. The long-term goal of this research is to identify therapeutic strategies based on D-serine metabolism that can not only restore memory function in aging but also protect against neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s by improving synaptic plasticity and neuronal health.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 23
|
| Aldridge, Luke |
King, Sarah
Morris, David |
Vietnam Veterans Oral History Project: Wartime Expectations, Realities, and Reflections
View Full Text
Abstract Text
This poster will display the preparation, methodology, and results of my Vietnam Veterans oral history project which has taken place during the fall 2024 and spring 2025 semesters. The project focuses on the disparity between Vietnam War GIs’ expectations and the realities they encountered in Vietnam. Building on existing historical scholarship, it asks, how did expectations about war, derived from the WWII generation, mass media, and boot camp training, shape the experiences of Vietnam veterans before, during, and after the war?
This academic year will see 10 veteran interviews, uploaded to a website specifically made for the project. The question list for these interviews contains over 30 questions and is inspired by recent scholarship and Vietnam veterans’ published memoirs. My poster will present preliminary findings from these interviews, as well as quotes and images, while focusing on how Vietnam-era GIs’ expectations, influenced by American culture and by the US military, shaped their responses to boot camp, to challenges in the war zone, and to postwar civilian life.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 13
|
| Horovitz, David |
McQuail, Joseph |
D-serine Contributes to NMDAR Dysfunction and Cognitive Decline in Aging
View Full Text
Abstract Text
D-serine is the primary co-agonist for synaptic NMDA receptors (NMDARs), which are critical for synaptic plasticity, learning, and memory. Aging is associated with a decrease in D-serine levels and its synthesizing enzyme, serine racemase (SR), potentially leading to NMDAR dysfunction and cognitive decline. However, no studies have directly linked changes in D-serine metabolism and signaling to age-related cognitive impairments through NMDARs. This study investigates the effects of inhibiting D-serine degradation via D-amino acid oxidase (DAO) inhibition with 3-Methylpyrazole-5-carboxylic acid (3-MPCA), a specific DAO inhibitor (DAOI), to extend D-serine availability and restore cognitive function in aged rats. We assessed spatial reference and working memory in 24-month-old F344 rats, compared to young adult (6-month-old) rats, using the Morris water maze. Aged rats were treated with escalating doses of 3-MPCA, and memory performance was evaluated. After testing, we measured ERK phosphorylation in the hippocampus (HPC) and prefrontal cortex (PFC), an indirect marker of synaptic NMDAR activation, using western blotting. Our study also examines the expression of SR and phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase (PHGDH), enzymes involved in D-serine synthesis, in the HPC and PFC of both young and aged rats, including subgroups with impaired and intact cognition. Results showed that 3-MPCA treatment significantly improved spatial working memory and increased ERK phosphorylation in the HPC and PFC of aged rats, supporting the hypothesis that extending D-serine availability enhances synaptic NMDAR signaling and mitigates memory deficits. Ongoing experiments aim to quantify how SR and PHGDH expression levels change with aging and how these changes correlate with cognitive decline. Future studies will investigate the impact of DAOI treatment on D-serine levels using high-performance liquid chromatography and compare the metabolic pathway of D-serine in aging rats to Alzheimer’s disease models. The long-term goal of this research is to identify therapeutic strategies based on D-serine metabolism that can not only restore memory function in aging but also protect against neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s by improving synaptic plasticity and neuronal health.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 13
|
| Scott, Zoe |
Childs, Matthew |
The Treatment of Enslaved and Free-Colored Populations in Colonial Brazil
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Colonial Brazil was no stranger to slave resistance, as seen in frequent rebellions and the establishment of Palmares, a large and long-lasting runaway slave society. While we can recognize the effects of the poor treatment of enslaved individuals, the details of these conditions are often overlooked. This research examines the cruel treatment of the enslaved and free-colored populations in colonial Brazil, shedding light on the systemic oppression they faced. Drawing from personal narratives, historical accounts, and scholarly sources, this research explores the hardships endured by enslaved individuals, including physical abuse, deprivation, and sexual violence. Although some enslaved individuals could buy their freedom, freedmen faced persistent discrimination that limited their economic and social opportunities. Despite their loyalty to the Crown, with many fighting in military conflicts alongside white subjects, freed people were denied the rights and privileges of full citizenship. These findings provide an understanding of the oppressive structures in colonial Brazil while explaining rebellion among the enslaved and free-colored population in colonial Brazil. This study highlights the importance of examining historical injustices to understand the root of violence and rebellion in Brazilian history.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 6
|
| Gardner, Chloe |
Chhetri, Sher
McDaniel, Sarah |
An Analysis of Type I and Type II Errors in Marascuillo Method and Z-Test
View Full Text
Abstract Text
COVID-19 created unprecedented challenges for long-term care facilities. These facilities served vulnerable residents most affected by the pandemic, including those 65 years of age and older, and those suffering from serious disabilities requiring on-site nursing care. This study uses COVID-19 data from three different types of long-term care facilities in South Carolina that reported deaths and infections from March 2020 to August 2020. A Marascuilo procedure was used to analyze differences in multiple proportions (pairwise) by comparing the different populations by facility type. In this work, we present the analysis of the Type I and Type II errors in hypothesis testing using the Marascuilo method and Z-test. When testing hypotheses, Type I and Type II errors represent the potential for incorrect conclusions, highlighting the risk of either rejecting a true null hypothesis incorrectly (Type I error) or failing to reject a false null hypothesis (Type II error). We also present the Statistical Power obtained from the data which allowed us to reject the null hypothesis correctly since it shows the probability of an error occurring in the data. These analyses could have significant implications based on the context, and since the potential for opposing conclusions exists, careful consideration of this early COVID data may offer insight into how infection and death rates trended in long-term care facilities in the early days of the pandemic.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 55
|
| Ganguru, Chathurvedi |
Yang, Chih-Hsiang |
Associations of Sedentary Activity Types on Cognition in Older African American Adults
View Full Text
Abstract Text
College of Arts and Sciences
Authors: Chathurvedi Ganguru, Lea Foster Khalil
Introduction: Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias disproportionately affect African American adults, yet research on lifestyle factors influencing their cognitive health remains limited. This study examines how different sedentary activities impact cognitive performance in African Americans aged 60 and older, providing insights for targeted interventions.
Methods: A total of 116 participants were randomly assigned to an intervention group, completing 24 mindful walking sessions over 12 weeks, or a delayed group that remained inactive. After 12 weeks, all participants wore an ActivPal monitor to track sedentary time and used smartphones for 14 days to complete ecological momentary assessments (EMA) through morning, random, and evening surveys. Cognitive performance was assessed via three smartphone-based tasks: Symbol Search, Dot Test, and Go/No-Go.
Results: The most common sedentary activities included computer use, watching TV, driving, sleeping/napping, socializing on phones, and eating. Cognitively demanding activities, such as computer use, working, reading, and driving, were linked to faster Symbol Search reaction times (M = 2190 ms, SD = 365 ms), higher Go/No-Go d-prime scores (M = 3.58, SD = 0.97), and greater Dot Memory accuracy (M = 8.84 pixels, SD = 5.20). In contrast, passive activities like watching TV and eating were associated with slower reaction times, lower Go/No-Go scores, and greater Dot Memory errors (>10 pixels), suggesting reduced cognitive efficiency. Time spent on cognitively stimulating tasks correlated positively with Dot Memory accuracy (r = 0.31, p < 0.05) and Go/No-Go scores (r = 0.34, p < 0.05), while passive screen time correlated negatively with working memory (r = -0.27, p < 0.05) and response inhibition (r = -0.29, p < 0.05).
Conclusion: Cognitively engaging sedentary activities, such as computer use, working, reading, and driving, may help preserve cognitive function and lower dementia risk among older African Americans. Given the higher prevalence of Alzheimer’s in this population, encouraging mentally stimulating activities while sedentary may be a practical strategy for cognitive health. Future research should explore the long-term effects of these behaviors on cognitive decline.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 136
|
| Shough, Julia |
Weik, Terrance |
Everyone Dies: The relationship between the enslaved, master, and death in an Antebellum era slave cemetery
View Full Text
Abstract Text
The relationship between people and death is complicated – for many, the ways in which they commemorate and bury their dead helps in understanding this relationship. Necro-geography is the study of spaces in which people bury their dead, and how this interaction effects both alive and deceased parties. In the Antebellum era, cemeteries and graveyards were heavily segregated, especially on plantation land. Enslaved and masters were not to be buried together in the 19th century. So, when an unmarked cemetery was found on old Kinsler Plantation land, it was deduced that this was the burial place of the enslaved of the Kinsler’s. This project aims to try and understand the relationship between slave, master, and death, using the Kinsler Cemetery as an example. Through theories based around necro-geography, previous research on enslaved peoples’ burial grounds, and map data collection, the theoretical approaches stated will attempt to be understood and communicated in relation to the Kinsler Cemetery. Remembrance and protection of these burial grounds is important to the national history of the United States, and in the wake of the African American Burial Grounds Preservation Act as well, researching to better understand these cultural sites is essential.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 7
|
zamorano, karla pilar
adams, ethan |
Morrison, Greg |
Crystal Growth of Oxides and Oxyfluorides Using Molten Salt Fluxes
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Molten salt flux growth is a versatile method for the growth of multiple classes of materials including oxides and fluorides.
We report on the use of mixed alkali chloride/fluorides for the synthesis of a series of pentenary and hexanary rare earth germanates and the use of lead oxide for the growth of copper doped lead apatites. Their synthesis, structures, and properties, including optical, and magnetic are presented.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 50
|
| Brennen, Hannah |
Hollis, Fiona |
Effects of gestational stress on postpartum hippocampal mitochondrial protein expression
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Stress during pregnancy is a well-documented risk factor for postpartum depression (PPD), a disorder affecting approximately 15% of new mothers. PPD can persist for up to a year post-delivery and is characterized by mood disturbances, anhedonia, impaired maternal care, and, in severe cases, suicidal ideation. Despite its prevalence, the neurobiological mechanisms underlying PPD remain poorly understood. The hippocampus (HPC), a key brain region involved in mood and cognition, undergoes structural and functional changes during the peripartum period, including reductions in volume. These adaptations are essential for maternal behavior but may also increase susceptibility to stress-related neuropsychiatric diseases. Mitochondria are responsible for cellular energy production and are critical in regulating stress responses. Therefore, disruptions to mitochondrial function could contribute to postpartum mood disturbances. We previously found that gestational stress decreases postpartum mitochondrial respiration in the prefrontal cortex; however, the effects of parity and stress on mitochondrial function in the HPC across the peripartum have yet to be explored.
We hypothesized that postpartum HPC mitochondrial respiration would positively correlate with postpartum behavior. To test this hypothesis, we divided adult female Wistar rats into four groups based on reproductive status (nulliparous or primiparous) and stress exposure (stressed or non-stressed). Stressed groups underwent chronic mild unpredictable stress for 10 days, during the late gestational period. Maternal care, anhedonia, and avoidance behavior were assessed during the early- to mid-postpartum. On postnatal day 11, mitochondrial function in the HPC was measured by high-resolution respirometry. Expression of mitochondrial proteins were quantified using western blots.
Our preliminary data suggest a trend for parity to increase postpartum HPC mitochondrial respiration in the mid- and late postpartum periods. Moreover, overall HPC respiration decreases across the postpartum. Additionally, mitochondrial respiration positively correlated with approach behavior in the Elevated Plus Maze, indicating a potential connection between mitochondrial function and postpartum behavior. Future studies will examine the role of hippocampal mitochondria as potential targets for therapeutic interventions in postpartum mental health.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 42
|
Wilson, Erin
Harshe, Gaurav |
Yao, Christina |
Beyond the Likert Scale: Concept-Mapping as a Tool for Understanding Student Worldviews
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Assessments based in the Likert-scales are useful for measuring general attitudes or trends, but they often lack depth and can oversimplify complex ideas like worldview, identity, and social justice engagement. This qualitative inquiry examines how students at the University of South Carolina (USC) construct their worldviews at the intersection of race, religious identity, and social justice. Religious diversity at USC is broad, yet interfaith engagement remains limited. Many students lack a structured space to learn about worldviews besides their own, or to practice constructively discussing their worldview with another. The Interfaith America project sought to create intentional spaces for interfaith learning and discussion through a series of biweekly speaker panels and dinner-dialogue events.
One such event in November 2024 required students to reflect on their worldview and the intersection between socially constructed identities and engagement in social justice initiatives. In lieu of the traditional post-program Likert satisfaction survey, six students submitted a concept-mapping activity. Each student used three circles to represent their racial identity, religious or non-religious identity, and social justice engagement. The degree of overlap within their diagram reflects the extent to which theses constructs overlap within each personal worldview. The arrangement and size of circles varied, indicating differences in how students perceive the relationships among their identities. These students all strongly supported social justice initiatives, as evidenced by affirmative responses to three follow-up questions: (1) Are you active in social justice initiatives? (2) Is your worldview compatible with social justice? (3) Does your worldview motivate you to engage in social justice initiatives?
Findings suggest that alternative assessments offer richer insights into the conceptualization of worldview. Unlike the pre-defined responses in a Likert-scale, the students were able to present a more nuanced depiction of their worldview. While this activity was used as a summative activity, such alternative assessments could be used as a baseline, a pre-post, or even a longitudinal measure of change. By incorporating this type of assessment, the educators can create more reflective and meaningful opportunities for students to explore the connections between race, religion, and justice in shaping their worldviews.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 98
|
| Noda, Maile |
Derrick, Maureen |
Defining my ‘Why’: Leadership Lessons from Air Force ROTC
View Full Text
Abstract Text
During my senior year in high school, I developed an interest in joining the military and discovered Air Force ROTC. I enrolled in the program at the start of my freshman year at the University of South Carolina. Air Force ROTC is a program designed to mentor and train college students to become capable officers in the Air Force and Space Force. Growing up, I always held deep respect for the military, and with uncertain career ambitions, I knew that the military would provide the stability necessary to achieve my academic, professional, and personal goals.
This program is truly one of a kind. It's demanding and not for everyone; it requires the courage to embrace being different. Some days, you question why you wake up at 0600 three times a week to march around Blatt Field for two hours in a square. It may seem pointless, but four years later, here I am—graduating in May and preparing to start my new life in Arizona for my first assignment in June. Doing everything with grace and intention has made every leadership lesson impactful. ROTC has taught me more than just discipline; it has taught me to self-reflect and ask the tough questions. We have a saying: “What’s your ‘why’?” What motivates you to become an officer in the Air Force? This is an ever-changing answer, and my ‘why’ has evolved throughout these four years.
Being surrounded by like-minded individuals has pushed me to exceed my limits and become the person I am today. I am fortunate to be surrounded by peers I admire—people whose leadership, work ethic, and commitment to the program inspire me. I began as a follower, became a leader, and now, I’m on my way to becoming an officer. Throughout the years, I’ve encountered both failure and success, which has deepened my understanding of my Captain's words: “Experience is what you get right after you need it.” It is a true privilege to have had an experience that not only taught me from my missteps but also allowed me to cultivate confidence from within.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 273
|
| Saidi, Justine |
Laca, Kristine |
A Passport to Possibility: Persuading First-Gen Students to Study Abroad
View Full Text
Abstract Text
As a first-generation college student, stepping onto the University of South Carolina’s campus was a culture shock. I was excited but in disbelief I had made it to college. In business school, study abroad was advertised everywhere. Even during orientation, they emphasized that International Business majors would spend their junior year abroad, which made me wonder, What other ways can I go abroad? In my first year, I made amazing friends in my University 101 class, and by sophomore year, we decided to study abroad together through the Darla Moore School of Business. After looking at the Maymester programs, we chose Greece. It was a popular destination, so we had to secure our spots fast. Going to Greece was one of the best decisions of my college career. It gave me clarity on what I wanted to do after graduation and helped me discover my passions. That experience pushed me to go abroad again, this time to Paris with the Opportunity Scholars Program. That trip was just as unforgettable. One of my favorites but nerve-wracking moments was when I got lost on a solo shopping trip. Luckily, I had the train app on my phone and remembered some French, so instead of panicking, I embraced the challenge. That moment made me realize how much I had grown not just as a traveler, but as an independent person. These experiences have shaped who I am today. They taught me that opportunities are endless when you take a chance on yourself and step outside your comfort zone. The world has so much to offer, and first-generation students belong in those spaces too. Take that leap especially with people and resources ready to help you, whether it's getting your passport or navigating an airport. One of my proudest moments was speaking on a panel about my study abroad experiences. Encouraging other first-gen students to take that step has become a passion of mine. If I can do it, so can you. The world is waiting, go explore it.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 235
|
Desmore, Toni
Najjar, Christian |
Averch, Timothy |
Improving Follow-Up Visit Attendance for Kidney Stone Patients
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Background: Patients presenting to the ER with kidney stones are often discharged after pain alleviation and clearance from surgical intervention. Discharge instructions include generic kidney stone education print-outs and reminders to follow up with a urologist. However, due to the at-home passage of the stone and limited understanding of potential complications, follow-up appointment attendance rates remain suboptimal.
AIM: In the next 6 months, there will be a 10% increase in urology clinic follow-ups after ER visits for kidney stones.
Methods: An infographic emphasizing the importance of attending follow-up appointments was incorporated into pre-established ER discharge paperwork. A Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycle will be conducted to evaluate the infographic's effectiveness on patient appointment attendance. Data on follow-up appointment rates will be collected and analyzed to track changes.
Projected Results: Patients will report an increased understanding of the importance of kidney stone follow-up care, including recurrence prevention and recovery promotion. There will be at least a 10% increase in follow-up appointment attendance rates at the urology clinic. Results may also reveal other patient barriers, including transportation.
Conclusion: This quality improvement initiative demonstrates the importance of effective communication in promoting continuity of care after ER visits and improving patient outcomes after symptomatic kidney stone diagnosis. Future studies should examine the impact of ER and urology clinic communication and patient accessibility to the clinic.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 82
|
| Kroll, Piper |
Swan, Suzanne |
Understanding Protection Orders: A Survey of Victim Advocates in SC
View Full Text
Abstract Text
South Carolina has one of the highest lifetime incidence rates of any form of intimate partner violence (Leemis et al., 2017). A critical remedy for victim-survivors of domestic violence is protection orders (both orders of protection and restraining orders). Despite the importance of protection orders, barriers related to the filing process hinder accessibility to some victims.
Prior research conducted by USC faculty suggests that protection order filing rates vary widely across the state, and that these variations are not fully explained by socio-economic factors (Martin & Swan, 2024). The researchers hypothesize that local factors play a role in these variations, including the practices of victim advocates. Victim advocates assist victim-survivors in the process of filing for and obtaining protection orders. Due to the nature of their work, victim advocates have valuable insight on the filing process and barriers preventing issuance.
The current study aims to address gaps in the literature regarding victim advocates and their professional experiences and perspective. The study will have a projected sample size of 5 for the pilot study and 50 for the main study. Participants will complete a survey about orders of protection and restraining orders regarding perceptions, information provision for clients, client assistance and barriers to assistance. Results from the survey will be used to identify and understand practices that impact access to protection orders in South Carolina.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 188
|
| Loftus, Finnea |
Watson, Mike |
NRF Foundation Student Program Experience
View Full Text
Abstract Text
As president of the National Retail Federation at the University of South Carolina, one of the most rewarding experiences I had was leading our trip to the 2025 NRF Foundation Student Program in New York City. During this trip, I led 20 other students as we visited different companies and retailers (Apple, Slalom, Dior, and Ralph Lauren) in New York City as well as attended the NRF Student Conference. I was able to make so many valuable connections with the students on the trip, students from other universities, and a wide variety of industry professionals. I was also able to learn about all the latest news in the retail industry. The professional development and leadership skills I developed through this experience will stay with me as I enter the workforce following graduation.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 241
|
Mote, Thrisha
Ganesh Babu, Shyam |
Pena, Maria |
Effect of Early Life Exposure to Antibiotics and High Fat Diet on the Risk of Developing Early Onset Colorectal Cancer
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer and the second leading cause of cancer deaths for both men and women in the United States. Due to increased screening and improved lifestyle factors, the rate of colon and rectal diagnosis in patients over 50 years of age has declined since the mid-1980s. In contrast, the CRC incidence in adults under 50 years old has steadily increased between 1-2% annually since the mid-1990s. Early onset colorectal cancer (EOCRC) is now the leading cause of cancer deaths in male and the second leading cause of cancer deaths in female patients under 50 years old in the United States (US). The causes and mechanisms are poorly understood. In this study, we hypothesized that exposure to antibiotics (Abx) early in life, combined with a high-fat diet, alters the gut microbiota, causing gut dysbiosis and inflammation that increases the risk of developing EOCRC. While Abx are indispensable for treating bacterial infections, they also have strong effects on the gut microbiome by altering the gut microbiota (dysbiosis) and killing healthy bacteria. This can affect the development of the immune system and lead to inflammation in the colon, which could further lead to an increased risk of EOCRC. We tested this hypothesis using mouse models of CRC. Four-week old C57Bl/6 mice were exposed to azithromycin and a high-fat diet (HFD, 45% kcal fat) or low-fat diet (LFD, 10% kcal fat), then injected with azoxymethane (AOM), a carcinogen, to induce tumor development. Control mice were treated with polyethylene glycol and HFD or LFD. Our preliminary data suggests that early Abx exposure and a high-fat diet will have significant effects on tumor burden in male B6 mice. Understanding the impact of Abx and diet on gut health and EOCRC risk may provide insights into prevention and intervention strategies.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 29
|
| Roark, Kasie |
Murphy, Angela |
Cannabis Mitigates the Increase of Infiltrating Macrophages and Alters Microglial Signatures in the Brain of Obese Mice
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Obesity-induced neuroinflammation can contribute to cognitive decline and fatigue, particularly in cancer patients. This study aims to determine the benefits of cannabis on immune cell signatures in the brains of obese mice. Myeloid-derived immune cells are known to play a key role in driving this inflammation. Natural products are rich with bioactive compounds that have potential anti-inflammatory properties. To investigate the effects of cannabis, we examined two formulations: one high in cannabidiol (CBD) and one high in Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Female C57BL/6 mice were fed either a low-fat diet (LFD, n=10) or a high-fat diet (HFD, n=30) for 16 weeks. The HFD group was further randomized into 3 treatment groups: Placebo (Low CBD/Low THC), CBD (High CBD/Low THC), and THC (Low CBD/High THC) (n=10/group). Treatments were administered 3x/week for 4 weeks dosed at 40 mg/kg. A Lean Control group received Placebo cannabis for comparison. Brain immune cell signatures were assessed using high-dimensional flow cytometry. Obesity increased the presence of activated (CD45hiCD11b+) and infiltrating (CD45hiCD11b+CX3CR1+) macrophages in the brain, both of which were mitigated by CBD and THC. Similarly, obesity increased resident (CD45intCD11b+CX3CR1-) and activated resident (CD45intCD11b+CX3CR1-MHCII+) microglia, which were both reduced with CBD and THC treatments. Despite the legal complexities surrounding cannabis, its components – particularly CBD, which lacks psychoactive effects – show promise as potential therapies for neuroinflammation. These findings suggest that cannabis-based treatments may help alleviate cognitive decline and fatigue in cancer patients, particularly those with obesity, by targeting neuroinflammatory pathways.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 14
|
| Berberich, Hannah |
Brown, Herrick
Ryker, Katherine
Bradley, Keith |
Bryophyte Species of Peachtree Rock Heritage Preserve
View Full Text
Abstract Text
The group of nonvascular plants known as bryophytes are comprised of mosses, liverworts, and hornworts. Unlike vascular plants, bryophytes lack true roots, stems, or flowers, and instead absorb water and nutrients directly. Bryophytes reproduce via spores and/or specialized vegetative structures. These plants can be characterized in the field by their small size, high desiccation tolerance, and ability to colonize narrow ecological niches. These attributes allow for bryophytes to be primary indicators of specialized habitats and therefore serve as indicators of ecosystem health and land management history. Peachtree Rock Heritage Preserve, a 430-acre nature preserve in Lexington County, South Carolina, was selected as the study site due to its unique ecological features and that it has a limited amount of bryophyte data. A sampling strategy was developed based on a vegetation map of the Preserve. Three random sample plots are being generated per ecosystem to systematically sample both bryophyte spatial diversity and habitat diversity. The survey plots will be surveyed for as many species of bryophytes within it as possible and then be identified. Following these preliminary identifications, collected specimens will then be sent to experts. A bryophyte flora of the Preserve will be compiled, based on the sampling plot data, previous reports, and data from Bryophyte Portal. Mapping of these data, including from plots and Bryophyte Portal, will give insight into the distribution of bryophytes within the Preserve based on the ecosystem map. County-level collection data will be used to supplement SC Plant Atlas data. The project will have further benefits to SCDNR and SCTNC, including data that will guide management recommendations, permanent plots that can be re-sampled to detect long-term changes, and serve as a model for sampling at other properties. It further will provide a better understanding of the bryophyte flora of South Carolina as a whole.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 51
|
| Withers, Hayden |
Grillo, Claudia |
Effect of Ginseng on obesity and neurogenesis.
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Obesity is becoming a strikingly more present problem as decades pass. Obesity, which is the accumulation of unhealthy fat levels, comes with a large number of adverse side effects, including cancer, heart disease, hypertension and neuropsychiatric disorders. Interestingly, there is a bidirectional link between obesity and depression. These conditions are both associated with a variety of biological mechanisms, including energy metabolism and immune activation. One of the lesser-studied areas is the impact that obesity and depression have on neurogenesis, the process for which new neurons are generated within the brain. Specifically, the goal of this study is determining neurogenesis in a rat model of obesity-induced depression and whether or not Panax ginseng can ameliorate the depression-like behavior and restore neuronal proliferation within the dentate gyrus. Adult male rats were divided into four experimental groups: (1) control diet + vehicle, (2) control diet + ginseng, (3) high-fat diet (HFP) + vehicle, and (4) HFD + Ginseng. To study the newly generated neurons in the hippocampus, I have performed an immunohistochemistry (IHC) doublecortin (DXC) which marks immature neurons within the dentate gyrus, representative of neurogenesis. Once I completed the analysis of the IHC for the DCX, I then completed a quantifiable analysis on these sides through the Neurolucida software. Within this software the neurons will be able to trace dendritic structures, lengths, nodes, surface areas and complexity, in order to quantify the entirety of these neurons. By quantifying the proliferation of the neurons within the dentate gyrus, my research will allow for a broader understanding of Ginseng’s role within obesity-induced depression to be identified. With a future goal in mind, this study is a steppingstone to using ginseng as a potential treatment for obesity-related neuropsychiatric disorders.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 52
|
| Sims-Peterson, Jakhia |
Lautzenheiser, Mandy |
Life Lessons Learned In Japan
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Last spring, during my junior year of college, I had the incredible opportunity to study abroad at Hitotsubashi University in Tokyo, Japan. After dedicating two and a half years to studying Japanese within my university, I felt it was only right to further immerse myself in the language and culture through my international business program. My time at Hitotsubashi was transformative, both academically and personally.
Outside the classroom, I gained firsthand experience with Japanese societal norms through interactions with my peers. I traveled across Japan, explored its rich cultural heritage, and indulged in authentic Japanese cuisine. This experience reinforced the importance of adaptability, but more specifically, the value of cross-cultural communication. Having never traveled outside the country before, navigating a society vastly different from my own was one of the greatest challenges I had ever faced. However, my ability to communicate and build relationships with people from diverse backgrounds helped me succeed abroad.
Now that I am back, I often encourage others not to let unfamiliar experiences or differing perspectives hold them back from expanding their worldview. Learning about other cultures fosters a well-rounded perspective and cultivates empathetic communication skills that might not otherwise develop. Exposure to diverse ways of thinking allows individuals to approach conversations and professional interactions with greater understanding and respect.
Looking ahead, I plan to apply the insights I gained from my Japanese business courses to bridge the gap between U.S. and Japanese companies. As I pursue a career in the accounting industry, my goal is to become an international tax attorney or accountant. This niche field plays a crucial role in helping foreign companies comply with U.S. tax laws and assisting American firms in establishing subsidiaries abroad. In the future, I want to contribute to these global business decisions, ensuring that companies successfully navigate international markets. More importantly, I aim to not only communicate professionally but also demonstrate a deep respect for cultural differences, fostering stronger business relationships between Japan and the United States.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 213
|
Rai, Megha
Renji, Pheba |
Roberts, Jane
Smith, Jenna
Dahlman, Alison |
ASSOCIATION BETWEEN Gross or fine MOTOR SKILLS AND COMMUNICATION IN INFANTS With the Fragile X PREMUTATION
View Full Text
Abstract Text
The fragile X premutation (FXpm) results from a CGG repeat expansion of 55-200 repeats in the FMR1 gene. Individuals with FXpm typically have reduced expression of FMRP, a protein important for synaptic plasticity. Adult premutation carriers exhibit greater broad autism phenotype features and lower social cognition, as well as deficits in pragmatic language and atypical social interaction (Scheider et al., 2016). Evidence also suggests that young children with the FXpm are at risk for subtle social and language difficulties (Klusek et al, 2024), necessitating the investigation of factors associated with delays in social communication. Social communication often involves coordinating motor actions such as gestures, eye gaze, and body movement. Previous research indicates a relation between motor skills and later communication outcomes as intervention techniques such as parent interaction style (Parr et al., 2015) and occupational therapy have increased muscle tone to enhance language development (Rogers, Hayden et al. 2006). Findings from previous studies including children with full mutation fragile X indicate that early motor delays may contribute to difficulties in communication and understanding non-verbal cues (Zingerevich, 2010; Moser et al., 2021). However, there is a gap in the literature investigating how early motor skills scaffold communication outcomes in infants with FXpm. Our study investigates the relation between motor skill abilities at 12 months and communication skills at both 12 and 24 months in children with FXpm. Specifically, we will examine whether early fine and gross motor skills serve as a predictor of communication skills. Motor skills will be measured using the Early Motor Questionnaire (EMQ-X) and communication skills using Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development. Using a regression model, the expected finding is that greater motor skill abilities at 12 months will be positively correlated with greater communication abilities at 12 and 24 months. Given communication delays observed in individuals with FXpm, our study aims to determine whether motor skill development may be a foundational component of communication ability in children with FXpm. These findings can lead to early intervention targeting motor skills to improve communication skills with children who have FXpm (Moser et al., 2021).
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 184
|
| Kazawic, Delaney |
Urmey, Wyatt |
2025 Targeted National Brand Campaign
View Full Text
Abstract Text
This is a professional caliber Advertising Campaign and highly researched with primary / secondary data. The full discussion topic is under Non Disclosure Agreement until April 15, but it would include a 20 minute glossy presentation. More detail could be available in Mid-April
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 12
|
| Wiznitzer, Benjamin |
Enos, Reilly
Hope, Trey |
Impact of induced deletion of adipose tissue specific macrophages on development of obesity in female mice
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Introduction:evidence suggests that the reduction of pro-inflammatory macrophages may reduce inflammation, enhance adipocyte function, and improve metabolic outcomes. The exact mechanism by which these adipocyte specific macrophages decrease overall weight gain and improve glucose metabolism is unknown. Therefore, it is critical to identify the tissues and pathways responsible for eliciting this effect to develop macrophage specific therapies related to combat obesity and metabolic dysfunction
Methods: Our lab has developed a novel induced deletion of adipose tissue specific macrophages (MAC-ARID). This mouse model permits the inducible deletion of adipose tissue specific macrophages. We used this model to determine if the deletion of adipose tissue specific macrophages could prevent or laten the development of obesity and associated metabolic dysfunction in male mice. Female wildtype littermate control and MAC-ARID mice were fed either a purified low-fat (LFD) or high-fat diet (HFD) for 20 weeks. Body composition and metabolic outcomes were assessed.
Results: The high fat diet MAC-ARID mice do not gain as much weight as their control counterparts and have improved glucose disposal from oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT).
Conclusions: Induced deletion of adipose tissue specific macrophages may be a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of obesity-associated metabolic dysregulation in females. Future studies should be undertaken to determine the molecular mechanisms by which induced deletion of adipose tissue specific macrophages improves metabolic outcomes.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 59
|
| Davenport, Harper |
Pittman, Douglas |
Determining the Role of EEF1A1 in the Context of Double-Strand Break Repair and Neurodegenerative Disorders
View Full Text
Abstract Text
EEF1A1 is a gene located on chromosome 6 that encodes the alpha subunit of the elongation factor-1 complex, which is responsible for delivering aminoacyl tRNAs to the ribosome. The alpha-1 isoform is expressed in various tissues, including the brain, lung, liver, and pancreas. Recent research in our laboratory has identified direct protein-protein interactions between EEF1A1 and key homologous recombination factors, such as RAD51C, RAD51D, and XRCC2. These proteins play critical roles in homologous recombination, contributing to the repair of DNA double-strand breaks.
In addition to its role in translation, EEF1A1 has been implicated in cellular stress responses, particularly in coupling transcription to translation during the heat shock response. Given that neurodegenerative disorders are often characterized by cellular stress and impaired DNA damage responses, EEF1A1 may serve as a potential link between DNA repair mechanisms and neurodegeneration. In the context of Parkinson's disease, research on eEF1A isoforms, particularly eEF1A1 and eEF1A2, showcases their potential in preventing dopaminergic neuronal cell death. A study using a *C. elegans* model of Parkinson's revealed that downregulation of eEF1A homologs exacerbates dopaminergic neurodegeneration when exposed to 6-OHDA, a neurotoxic compound used to induce Parkinson's-like symptoms. This suggests that eEF1A plays a protective role against toxin-induced neuronal death.
This study is employing the yeast two-hybrid (Y2H) system to further investigate the role of EEF1A1 in double-strand break repair and its interactions with key repair proteins. Understanding these molecular interactions may provide insights into the connection between DNA damage repair pathways and neurodegenerative disease progression.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 109
|
| Zheng, Qi (Mark) |
Downey, Austin |
Developmental Autonomous UAV Structural Health Monitoring Sensor Deployment System Using Machine Learning Algorithms
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Structural health monitoring (SHM) is essential for assessing infrastructure over time, yet manual sensor placement in complex environments can be challenging. UAVs offer an opportunity for fully autonomous sensor deployment, but limited spatial awareness from onboard cameras and proximity to structures create challenges. This work advances the work towards fully autonomous UAV-based sensor placement systems by employing a dual-camera approach that enhances spatial awareness using both onboard and external cameras. The onboard cameras focus on monitoring the landing zone, while the external camera provides a broader perspective, tracking the UAV’s trajectory during docking. We developed an object-tracking algorithm that enables real-time detection and tracking of the UAV and its sensor package. We developed an end-to-end deep learning controller that used visual data from the external camera to autonomously guide the UAV during docking, replicating pilot actions for full automation. The external camera, positioned to simulate a pilot's eye level, serves as a dynamic control aid, enhancing situational awareness as if an operator were remotely guiding the UAV. This setup also facilitates training a deep learning model that could eventually automate the entire docking process. The deep learning model is designed to learn from the pilot's manual inputs, replicating their actions and transitioning towards fully autonomous operations in an end-to-end machine learning format. This approach significantly advances the field of UAV-based SHM by enhancing multi-sensor fusion, leveraging real-time visual data from multiple cameras to support decision-making. Initial experiments in controlled environments demonstrated the system's ability to reliably track UAV components, with reflective markers allowing verification through a motion-tracking system. These results indicate that dual cameras and deep machine learning control can provide a robust framework for UAV docking in obstacle-laden environments, reducing human intervention while improving accuracy. This research extends to other applications, where precise autonomous UAV operations are critical.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 97
|
| Doughton, Laura |
Meyer-Gutbrod, Joshua
Sefah-Twerefour, Amadi
Meyer-Gutbrod, Erin |
Addressing the Management of the Critically Endangered North Atlantic Right Whale Through the Analysis of State and Federal Policy Proposals
View Full Text
Abstract Text
North Atlantic right whales are a critically endangered species of baleen whale facing threats from vessel strikes, fishing gear entanglement, and anthropogenic climate change. Following the declaration of an Unusual Mortality Event in 2017, there has been a push for increased conservation efforts. Policy diffusion literature suggests that a policy window opens after a focusing event occurs, like an Unusual Mortality Event, and that policy networks between states will facilitate the spread of policy. After creating a unique database of proposed policies concerning right whales from the federal government and 14 east coast states bordering the Atlantic Ocean, we find evidence of policy window opening in 2017. In some cases, these proposed policies directly aid in right whale conservation but other times the policy is more beneficial for the shipping and fishing industries negatively impacting right whales. We do not find evidence of policy diffusion between states or from states to the federal government. Instead, in a case study analysis of Massachusetts and Georgia, we find that more liberal/Democratic states propose substantive policies while conservative/Republican states propose performative policies. This suggests that under federalism, states react to policy windows in a variety of ways, informing how stakeholders should lobby for conservation policies in the future.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 102
|
| Perun, Abigail |
Raunikar, Mary Grace |
Healthcare Inequity in the United States: A Nursing Assistant’s Perspective
View Full Text
Abstract Text
An at-home nursing assistant gives a family and individuals essential support within their own homes. Generally, patients being treated/cared for are elderly, disabled, or have a chronic illness. This past summer I was a home health aide for a family in Lexington, South Carolina. I went to their house Monday-Friday 8 am-12 pm. My daily activities included waking the patient up, assisting with showering, going to the bathroom, eating, and getting in some light physical activity. I did this job to gain some perspective in my future-professional career. I am studying undergrad to apply to Physician Assistant school, and wanted to discover how patients were treated out-of-office. Through this experience I learned how inequitable our healthcare is in America. I generally had a strong belief in our healthcare system previously, which is why I wanted to become a physician. Now, I have a different perspective. I want to fight for underprivileged individuals to receive proper healthcare that will get them to the highest possible health outcomes. This means, not everyone can receive the same care and have the same outcomes. Socioeconomic status and education both play a role in determining one’s health, so by giving more support to those at a disadvantage healthcare becomes equitable to everyone. I would hope that other healthcare professionals would observe these trends and follow suit, because I believe that quality care is a basic human right. My next steps include attending PA school, and getting the opportunity to practice healthcare in equitable fashion.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 265
|
| Hammond, Lauren |
den Ouden, Dirk |
Formally Assessing Functional Communication in PWA: A Computerized Adaptive Scenario Test
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Aphasia is an acquired language disorder that affects about 30-40% of stroke survivors. Current standardized diagnostic aphasia assessments have limited focus on multimodal communication. Functional communication (FC) is referenced as successfully transmitting a message through diverse means, ranging from complete grammatical sentences to the use of appropriate gestures. This study aims to improve these assessments through the development of the Computerized Adaptive Scenario Test (CAST), a multimodal, interactive tool designed to evaluate real-life communicative abilities in PWA, which critically includes use of communicative gestures.
CAST presents real-life scenarios through visual prompts, allowing participants to use verbal, written, and gestural communication. Raw scores are assessed based upon 5 communicative components – expressive and receptive language, cognition, gestural communication, and fluency. Alongside the separate component scores, an overall score will be reported reflecting to what extent the communicative transaction was successful. To validate CAST, scores will be compared against aphasia profiles from (1) the Western Aphasia Battery (WAB-R), (2) FC performance as measured by the Communication Activities of Daily Living-3 (CADL-3), and (3) participants’ self-reported communicative ability.
Pilot testing with seven participants revealed that two PWA accurately indicated their dominant communication form. Most notably, one participant scored well above the aphasia cutoff on the WAB-R but demonstrated lower FC scores on the CAST, particularly in the areas of cognition and verbal expression. Gestures were evaluated based on their iconicity, arbitrariness, and their contribution to enhancing the overall communicative message. We found that PWA who scored higher in gestural communication achieved greater overall communication success scores. CAST offers a reliable, adaptive, and multimodal approach to assessing FC in PWA, bridging the gap between clinical assessment and real-world communication demands. We anticipate that CAST will be a highly accessible and easy-to-administer tool across healthcare settings, providing clinicians with valuable insights into treatment targets and goals.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 85
|
| Harris, Simone |
Spence, Gina |
Global Insights from Luxury Fashion in Paris and London
View Full Text
Abstract Text
My abroad experience in Paris and London, completed at the conclusion of my freshman year, allowed me to enhance and expand my retail industry oriented knowledge and embrace cultural differences that impact business relations. Throughout this abroad Maymester experience, led by instructor Deborah Brosdahl, I was given the opportunity to see luxury fashion displayed on a global spectrum. Touring luxury fashion houses such as Yves Saint Laurent, spotlighted the history and difference European fashion brings to the industry. This experience greatly enhanced my understanding of how to discuss business relations with global partners (communication), areas of focus business leaders have to be mindful of when operating, and different marketing strategies catered to varying global audiences. Because of this, I am able to bring the information I learned about communication, strategic development, and effective business strategies from this hands-on-experience into my coursework and various job fields. It also allows me to advocate for the importance of expanding past “our backyard” to further understand cultural differences to best tap into their market. This presentation will discuss my insights that helped me gain professional transferable skills from this experience along with how my understanding of European fashion hubs enhances my perspective on global business practices.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 233
|
| Hurley, Nicole |
Matthews, Sarah |
A Place to Shine
View Full Text
Abstract Text
In 2022, I began volunteering with Camp Cole, a camp for children with life challenges and/or disabilities. After volunteering regularly, I decided to work there for the summer. I was a program staffer in the summer of 2023, and it inspired me to want to work with children as a future career and provide underserved children with the resources to be a child. As a program staffer, I facilitated games, waterfront activities, which included swimming, fishing, kayaking, and paddleboarding, helped with activities at the barn, medical safety checks, lifeguarding at the pool and teaching swim lessons. Each week during the summer a different camp would come in including Camp Chemo, Camp Rise Above, Camp Impact and more. This meant that each week we got to serve a new group of campers. One week during Camp Impact which is a camp that serves children who are experiencing homelessness, I found my “why” for Camp Cole. During this week I reflected a lot back to what I had learned in my HPEB 335 class on first aid and emergency preparedness. On the first day of camp each swimmer must complete a swim test so as program staffers we can evaluate how well each camper can swim. One camper was terrified of the water, and I was able to use my communication skills I learned in class to help calm her down and make her feel comfortable in the water. From this experience, I learned how serving is more than just giving back to others it is about giving people the opportunity to try something new and encourage them throughout the process.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 196
|
| Frazier, Anne Marie |
Raunikar, Mary Grace |
Whakawhānuihia Te Tangata: My Study Abroad Experience in New Zealand and Research on Multicultural Personhood
View Full Text
Abstract Text
During Spring 2024, I studied abroad at the University of Waikato in Hamilton, New Zealand. While New Zealand has a plethora of personal as well as professional traits that drew me to study there, being both a stunning country and one of the most peaceful nations in the world, my main motivator was my internship at the Te Kotahi Research Institute. During this internship, I researched varying cultural lenses on legal personhood and how gender roles within these cultures affected perceptions of personhood. Being that I hope to pursue humanitarian aid after my studies, having a background of different understandings of legal personhood seemed a helpful tool in dissecting conflicts that arise surrounding personhood in my future career. Through both my internship and my experience studying abroad itself I received a much higher quality and more in-depth global education than I could have ever expected. Within my internship, I got to research what gender expectations and frameworks of rights and being look like in different cultural settings, including the extension of legal personhood to inanimate objects and places. Outside of my internship, I got to experience the bicultural society of New Zealand and immerse myself in both kiwi and Maori culture. I gained an international insight that I wouldn’t have encountered having stayed in South Carolina for that semester. I will carry the experiences I was lucky enough to have and the time with the vast array of people I met with me much longer than just my time in New Zealand. My four months abroad helped me gain a new perspective that I am excited to bring with me throughout the remainder of my time at university and beyond to working internationally in the future.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 248
|
| Walkup, Virginia |
Wilson, Kiesha
Staley, Shanieka
Busbee, Brandon |
Investigating the Impact of Bacteroides acidifaciens in SEB-Induced Inflammation in the Lung and Gut of Female Mice
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Background: Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) occurs when the lungs initiate an inflammatory response leading to fluid buildup and impaired gas exchange. This syndrome is common in intensive care patients and, in correlation with the COVID-19 pandemic, is associated with high mortality rates ranging from 30-40%. Epidemiological studies indicate that sex differences influence ARDS outcomes, with female patients often experiencing increased inflammatory responses but lower mortality rates than males. Staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB) is an enterotoxin produced by the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus and is a superantigen that causes severe immune activation leading to ARDS. Bacteroides acidifaciens (BA), is a commensal bacteria found in the gut of mice and humans and has been shown to induce an anti-inflammatory response in multiple disease models. Given the known sex-dependent immune responses in ARDS, this study aims to investigate the impact of BA on lung and gut inflammation in female mice. Methods: ARDS will be induced in C3H/HeJ female mice by administering SEB via 5ug intranasal and 2ug intraperitoneal injection. After exposure to the toxin, whole-body plethysmography will evaluate pulmonary function. Whole lungs, bronchial alveolar lavage fluid, blood, and stool will be assessed for downstream analysis. Flow cytometry and qPCR will be utilized to assess immune cell populations, while ELISA will assess cytokine levels. Future experiments to assess microbiome shifts will be completed by performing 16s rRNA sequencing on the colonic contents and lung tissue. Results: Preliminary data suggest that BA exposure in SEB-challenged female mice leads to worsened lung function, reduced IL-22 levels, and an increased Th17 response in the lungs, indicating a pro-inflammatory effect. These findings contrast with previous reports of BA’s anti-inflammatory properties, suggesting its effects may be sex dependent. Conclusions: These results suggest that BA may contribute to lung inflammation in SEB-induced ARDS in a sex-specific manner. While women have lower ARDS mortality rates overall, the underlying mechanisms of sex-dependent immune responses remain poorly understood. This study will further characterize the gut-lung axis in female ARDS models, explore the impact of BA on disease progression, and potentially inform the development of sex-specific therapeutic strategies for ARDS.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 15
|
| Lin, Yong-Chang |
Chahardovali, Tarlan |
Underpaid and Undervalued: A Conceptual Examination of the Wage Gap in Women’s Professional Basketball
View Full Text
Abstract Text
This conceptual study explores the persistent gender wage disparity in professional sports, with a particular focus on the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). The discussion is framed around the structural and cultural factors that contribute to the significant earning gap between male and female athletes. Rather than presenting empirical findings, this study synthesizes existing literature and theoretical perspectives to examine how economic structures, market dynamics, and cultural biases collectively shape this disparity.
The paper argues that the WNBA’s revenue-generating limitations—stemming from lower ticket sales, limited sponsorship deals, and inadequate media exposure—directly constrains players’ earnings compared to their NBA counterparts. Furthermore, imbalances in revenue-sharing frameworks and limited global market influence intensify these disparities. Additionally, sponsorship and endorsement deals disproportionately favor male athletes, reinforcing a cycle of financial underinvestment in the women’s game. Cultural perceptions surrounding women’s sport further play a crucial role in limiting audience engagement and financial growth.
While structural and cultural barriers continue to constrain WNBA players’ earning potential, recent such as enhanced marketing strategies and improved collective bargaining agreements—suggest incremental progress. This paper highlights the importance of increased financial investment, equitable revenue distribution models, and broader societal shifts in the valuation of female athletes. As such, this study contributes to ingoing discussions on gender equity in professional sports and underscores the need for systemic chance.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 96
|
| Tenebruso, Lia |
Matthews, Sarah |
Problem Solving as a Foundational Skill
View Full Text
Abstract Text
The most significant experience that I had during my time at the University of South Carolina was the opportunity to serve on the Pi Beta Phi women’s fraternity leadership team. I served on the team for two years, one as the Director of PR and Marketing and one as the Director of Social Events. In these roles, I planned and executed photoshoots and social functions. I constantly applied problem solving skills in order to put my plans into action as I discovered that there is a big difference between successfully planning and executing events for a small group of people versus a 400 person chapter. Problems, minor and major, popped up often and seemingly always during the most inopportune times. Although encountering these problems was inconvenient and sometimes difficult to navigate, I realized that without the opportunity to build and improve my problem solving skills, I would not have been able to grow as an individual nor as a leader.
One week before the first Pi Beta Phi function of the fall semester, I was notified that our original transportation plan of walking to the venue was revoked and no longer approved by our advisor. With only a week to find another option, other members on the leadership team were convinced we would have to cancel the event. However, I was determined to find a solution. After some research, I discovered providing buses for the chapter members and their guests could be a possible alternative. I messaged every bus company in the Columbia area collecting information on last minute availability, bus size, rates, and insurance. Although I found a company that fit the chapter’s needs, it only had smaller buses available for our event date. So, I worked to divide people into smaller groups to accommodate the bus size and eventually developed a new plan just in time for the event - all it took was some dedication, research, and commitment. With the skills and knowledge I have now, I feel more confident to be a leader and solve issues that are bound to appear in my future career.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 326
|
| Tran, Sarah |
Korunova, Elizaveta
Levina, Elina |
Incorporation of Molecular Cloning Simulations in Biochemistry Teaching Applications
View Full Text
Abstract Text
The goal of an undergraduate biochemistry teaching lab is to equip students with both practical skills and the conceptual understanding necessary to succeed in real-world applications in research, industry, and healthcare. To reinforce theoretical knowledge and enhance analytical and critical thinking skills, we have integrated the use of an online molecular biology tool, Benchling, into the biochemistry lab curriculum. Benchling is a widely used digital platform for designing genetic engineering experiments. Integrating a virtual molecular cloning experiment based on the Benchling platform into the curriculum will help students deepen their understanding of basic concepts and combine this knowledge with experimental design and hands-on lab work.
As a modification to the curriculum, a series of assignments using Benchling has been introduced, culminating in an independent project in which students design a virtual molecular cloning experiment for a chosen protein tagged with GFP. In this project, students collaborate to conduct virtual restriction digestions of plasmids, design primers, amplify genes of interest through PCR, and perform molecular cloning assemblies. The project also requires students to present their assemblies, highlighting potential applications and defending their research in a seminar-style presentation.
The implementation of the module required intense collaborative work among the Biochemistry Lab teaching team. It included the development of an original idea and basic protocols designed by a graduate student instructor, intensive testing of these protocols by undergraduate peer teaching assistants, comprehensive training of all team members on the new module, and ongoing management and pedagogical support from the lab coordinator.
By incorporating Benchling into the biochemistry lab curriculum, we aim to create a more engaging and effective learning experience that mirrors real-world laboratory practices. This experience provides students with practical skills that can be showcased on their CVs, ultimately preparing them for future careers in research, biotechnology, and the pharmaceutical industry.
This project has been supported by the CTE 2024 GTA teaching resource grant.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 30
|
| Lena, Cassidy |
Dobek, Whitney |
Barriers in receiving a diagnosis of Sanfilippo syndrome: Perceptions of healthcare providers and caregivers
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Background: Sanfilippo syndrome (MPS III) is a rare, degenerative condition characterized by symptoms impacting neurological functioning, behavior, and quality of life. Diagnosis is often not made until three to six years of age, but treatments can increase quality of life. The aim of this study was to identify the biggest barriers in diagnosis and the corresponding impact on patients affected. Methods: This study surveyed healthcare providers and families regarding diagnostic barriers in receiving an early diagnosis of Sanfilippo. Both surveys assessed each group’s insights into the diagnostic odyssey experienced by patients. Through quantitative and qualitative questioning, this study explored provider and family perceptions of diagnostic barriers and utilization of genetic counseling. Results: Five healthcare providers and seventeen families met inclusion criteria and participated in the study. According to family reports, time from initial symptom onset to formal diagnosis was found to be 48.8 months. Families reported provider and general lack of knowledge regarding Sanfilippo as the biggest barriers (70.6%) to receiving a timely diagnosis. All providers reported lack of access and referral wait times as the biggest barriers to receiving a timely diagnosis. Majority of respondents agreed/strongly agreed that their child’s delayed diagnosis negatively impacted their health (64.7%) and eligibility for clinical trials (58.9%). Both groups were found to strongly agree on the importance of genetic counseling and earlier referrals (spearman’s correlation p = 0.995). Discussion: Families affected by Sanfilippo syndrome and providers were surveyed on barriers to an early diagnosis of the condition. Responses emphasize the need for ongoing education surrounding Sanfilippo due to diagnostic delays and highlight the importance of genetic counselors’ role in the diagnostic odyssey. Earlier diagnosis for these patients is crucial for symptom management, clinical trial eligibility, and improvement in quality of life.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 66
|
| Halley, Mitchell |
Kulkarni, Varsha |
Chemical Abundance in the Circumgalactic Medium at Redshift 0.1 < z < 1.5
View Full Text
Abstract Text
The circumgalactic medium (CGM) can be studied in a variety of ways, including absorption spectroscopy. We report the chemical abundance of a sample of 49 absorbing galaxies between redshifts 0.1 < z < 1.5 that are illuminated by background quasars. The absorption features were detected in VLT X-SHOOTER, VLT UVES, and Keck HIRES spectrometers. We use Voigt profile fitting, photoionization corrections, and dust depletion to estimate the chemical abundance of the observed elements. We find the vast majority of abundances are sub-solar in the galaxies' interstellar and circumgalactic mediums. The results of photoionization corrections are ongoing and currently only reported for a sub-sample.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 37
|
Bowers, Benjamin
Silva, Lina |
Swan, Suzanne |
An Analysis of the Efficacy of Protective Orders and their Remedies in South Carolina
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Domestic violence in South Carolina is a rampant issue where 43.3% of women and 29.2% of men reported abuse from an intimate partner, furthermore there were 57 domestic homicides in 2021 (SCCADVASA, 2023). One such solution to this issue is a civil Order of Protection. In the state of South Carolina, victims of domestic violence are able to file for an Order of Protection, which can provide legal protection from the respondent (abuser). In our research we studied the remedies of these Orders of Protection to analyze what they do and how they can be improved. These remedies were created to create a safer environment for victims of domestic violence through preventing contact, financial stipends, and revoking access to firearms. However, the efficiency of these remedies has been questioned. We collected 3,451 filings for Orders of Protection in 2019, out of which 1,573 were granted. We analyzed the orders that were granted. In 97% of Orders of Protection that have been granted the respondent is forbidden from abusing or molesting the petitioner. Furthermore, in 94% of cases granted the respondent is forbidden to communicate with the petitioner. However, in only 5.5% percent of cases was child support granted and 0.7% was financial support granted. In 27% of cases a state firearm prohibition was enforced, meaning state police are able to confiscate firearms, whereas in 84.9% of cases the federal firearms prohibition was granted, which falls under the FBI. Beyond the remedies granted, we conducted a literature review to see if the Orders of Protection actually prevented further violence. Previous research shows that after receiving an Order of Protection, 3 in 5 women have reported continued violence from their abuser, 23% of women experienced physical violence after filing (NVAWS), 50.6% of women who were physically assaulted reported violations in their order after filing, and 69.7% of them reported being stalked (Tjaden & Thoennes, 2000). Orders of Protection have issues and are not foolproof. With enough research into these remedies, we can attempt to make a change by influencing policy makers to provide better protection for petitioners.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 7
|
| Gilliam, Taylor |
Michalos, Alexis |
Making Financial Futures Better
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Before becoming a Peer Financial Consultant at the Student Success Center, I knew I needed a credit card to build my credit, but I never got one. I was too scared of credit and interest rates, and I never pushed myself to research more on the topic. Being a consultant helped me unlearn myths about credit I learned from Dave Ramsey in high school. It taught me I can be a responsible credit card owner and not fall into the same bad habits my parents did. One of the worksheets students can do in their consultations is building and managing credit; this is something that I knew I needed but never did. Now, I know how to build and manage credit, and I can teach my students the same. Start out small and with a student card and only use it for groceries, or gas, and pay it off every month completely. This helped me when researching my own credit card and making purchases on it. I also learned about credit scores and credit bureaus which assisted me to break down complex topics and be able to understand and teach them. Being a peer financial consultant keeps me accountable to maintain good money habits and grow as a leader. I want to make financial futures better and, as a consultant, I care about teaching financial literacy. This job makes me happy when I can give knowledge about my own experiences and help other students not fall into traps and make better decisions. I am gaining skills in educating my students on how to confidently teach them the curriculum on credit. At first, I was scared to teach it because I did not have a credit card or know much about credit, but, going through the curriculum and getting a credit card, I am ready to teach what I have learned and my experience to my students, which they appreciate when learning about credit and credit cards.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 317
|
| Slinin, Eliza |
Lipinoga, Meghan |
Understanding the Relationship Between Human Anatomy and Patient Care: A Holistic Approach to Treatment
View Full Text
Abstract Text
While taking Advanced Human Anatomy with Dr. Brasington I learned about the many structures and functions of the human body, focusing not only on the heart, but on all major organ systems. Through lectures and real-life patient cases shared by Dr. Brasington, I gained an understanding of how these conditions are seen in reality, highlighting the unique perspective of each patient. These patient cases provided context beyond just learning facts, emphasizing the importance of understanding the body as a whole.
In my role as a patient care technician (PCT) at MUSC Health, I have been able to observe conditions that were discussed in my anatomy course and apply what I have learned within a hospital setting. In the medical telemetry unit I work on, I monitored patients with a wide range of cardiovascular conditions, like arrhythmias, using a 5-lead ECG system. I also saw how multiple health issues could overlap, like asthma or diabetes in patients with heart conditions. These experiences expanded my understanding of how different diseases interact and how patient care must be adapted to everyone’s needs.
By combining what I had learned in anatomy and my hands-on clinical experience, I developed a greater perspective on patient care. I was able to connect symptoms I was seeing at work, such as swelling in a patient’s legs, with a concept or condition I had learned in my anatomy course, such as congestive heart failure or kidney disease. I learned that treating a single condition without acknowledging the rest of the body is not effective - successful care requires a holistic approach, addressing all the body’s systems. This combination of anatomy and patient care has grown my understanding of healthcare, emphasizing the importance of a broader approach to treatment.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 257
|
| Ategbole, Muyiwa |
Wang, Kesheng |
Mental Health and Cancer Survivorship: Examining the Impact of Recent vs. Older Cancer Diagnoses on the Likelihood of Seeking Mental Health Treatment
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Mental health challenges are a critical aspect of cancer survivorship, yet little is known about how the timing of cancer diagnoses influences mental health treatment-seeking behavior. This study examines the relationship between recent versus older cancer diagnoses and the likelihood of seeking mental health treatment, while considering other factors such as comorbidities, sex, age, and disability status.
Using a sample of 1,948 cancer survivors, we analyzed mental health treatment prevalence and adjusted odds ratios (OR) for multiple variables. The prevalence of mental health treatment among survivors was 23.3%, with differences observed by cancer status, comorbid conditions, sex, and age group. Recent cancer survivors (diagnosed within the past year) were more likely to seek mental health treatment (27.99%) compared to those with older diagnoses (21.75%), though this difference was not statistically significant (p=0.0847).
Significant associations were found for chronic bronchitis or COPD (adjusted OR 0.454; p=0.0079), with survivors reporting these comorbidities less likely to seek mental health treatment. Furthermore, males had a higher likelihood of seeking mental health treatment than females (adjusted OR 1.636; p=0.0230). Age and WHODAS scores, indicative of disability severity, also played a role, with higher WHODAS scores correlating with a reduced likelihood of seeking mental health care (adjusted OR 0.85; p<0.0001).
These findings highlight the complex interplay between cancer history, comorbidities, and sociodemographic factors in mental health treatment-seeking behavior. Targeted interventions may be needed to address mental health care gaps, particularly for older cancer survivors, individuals with chronic health conditions, and those experiencing greater disability. Understanding these disparities is crucial for improving mental health support services within cancer survivorship care.
Keywords: cancer survivorship, mental health treatment, chronic comorbidities, sex differences, age disparities, WHODAS score.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 86
|
| Aina, Peace |
Alshareef, Ahmed |
Controlled and Repeatable Impact Device for Tagged MRI 3D Acquisition
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Controlled Impact Device for Tagged MRI 3D Acquisition
TBI is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide. In the United States alone, the CDC estimates that there were over 200,000 TBI-related hospitalizations. Detailed imaging and quantification of the brain’s biomechanical response under injurious conditions is important in developing tools to prevent and mitigate TBI. One such method of data collection is Tagged Magnetic Resonance Imaging (tMRI ). Tagged MRI allows for the non-invasive measurement of brain deformation (strain) induced by head motion. Gathering relevant tMRI data requires a head rotation device that can safely and repeatably produce head rotations (> 500 repeats for a 3D acquisition). The aim of this study is to develop an MRI-safe head rotation device with controlled impact severity and repeatability for tMRI experiments.
The device was designed, fabricated, and tested to consistently produce axial rotation of the head. The manufacturing processes included machining and 3D-printing using a variety of materials. The final material were chosen to be lightweight and rigid, and included parts made from machined Delrin, Polylactic Acid (PLA), and 3D-printed carbon fiber nylon. Simple finite element analysis was computed on key parts to guarantee strength and rigidity at loads simulative of the real-world application. Angular position was collected on a Micronor MR330 MRI-safe absolute encoder and processed in Micronor ZapView Software. The device achieves an average unassisted angular velocity of 4.60 ± 0.41 rad/s and a peak impact acceleration of 396.83 ± 16.39 rad/s². An MRI-safe pneumatic piston system is being developed to enable peak acceleration values approaching 862 rad/s², and maximum velocity upwards of 10 rad/s. MATLAB code was devised to simulate the function of the device and the impact of the piston under different patient conditions to aid in calibration. The design of the device also includes a modular head holder, which can be modified for additional directions of rotation in the future.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 102
|
| Styles, Abby |
Sweeney, Allison
Decker, Lindsay |
Relationship between prior health education knowledge and baseline physical activity level in African American women
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Introduction: African American (AA) women are at elevated risk for developing many chronic health conditions such as diabetes and heart disease1. Research has shown a positive association between physical inactivity and chronic health conditions and African Americans have been identified as the least physically active (relative to other demographic groups)3. Even though AA women are underrepresented in health education studies compared to other groups; research has shown that AA women are more likely to have less access to health education resources and less health education knowledge2.
The aims of this study are to 1) Identify the health knowledge that women had before participating in the Together Everyone Achieves More Physical Activity (TEAM-PA) trial and 2) Compare the activity levels of women in the TEAM-PA program that had high and low health education knowledge at baseline.
Methods: We looked at baseline physical activity levels (i.e. physical activity before starting with TEAM-PA) and prior health education knowledge of participants. Specific constructs of health knowledge that were assessed include, the US Physical Activity Guidelines, knowledge of the increased risk AA women face for certain health conditions, MyPlate recommendations, and knowledge of a SMART goal, which were answered on a 6-point scale. Participants completed self-report questionnaires and physical activity was measured using 7-day accelerometry wear.
Results: On average, participants (n = 45) indicated being more knowledgeable about health risks for African American women (M = 5.22, SD = 1.17) and MyPlate recommendations (M = 4.62, SD = 1.39), and less knowledgeable about the US Physical Activity Guidelines (M = 3.8, SD = 1.66) and SMART goals (M = 3.91, SD = 1.72). A median split was used to compare participants with relatively high (n = 19) versus low baseline health knowledge (n = 26).
Conclusion: Overall, women had higher than expected baseline health education knowledge. When comparing women with high and low baseline activity rates, health knowledge was also not in the direction as expected. Limitations of this study included the small sample size and larger studies are needed to determine how education and other social and behavioral factors affect activity rates.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 145
|
| Wilber, Madison |
Mott, David |
Postnatal Development of Perisomatic Inhibition in the Basolateral Amygdala
View Full Text
Abstract Text
The basolateral amygdala (BLA) is an important cortical brain structure involved in emotional processing and fear learning. Dysfunction of the BLA can lead to a variety of disorders including autism spectrum disorders, fragile X syndrome, post-traumatic stress disorder, and anxiety disorders. Neuronal inhibition by gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is essential for the proper functioning of BLA circuits. The role of inhibition in adults has been well studied but developmental changes in inhibition are not fully understood. This study focuses on two types of GABAergic inhibitory neurons, parvalbumin-expressing interneurons (PV) and cholecystokinin-expressing interneurons (CCK), the latter of which express cannabinoid type I receptors (CB1Rs) on their presynaptic terminals. PV and CCK cells create independent inhibitory networks in the BLA that modulate emotional and fear behaviors in different ways. Understanding the developmental time course of these interneuron types enhances our understanding of BLA function and has implications in neurodevelopmental disorders. Based on preliminary data, we hypothesized that PV interneurons were absent in early development and increased expression through adulthood. On the other hand, we expected CB1R containing interneurons to be more consistently expressed in development and therefore to be expressed at a higher ratio compared to PV interneurons in early postnatal mice than in adult controls. To test this hypothesis, we immunolabelled amygdala tissue from mice aged postnatal day 4 (P4), P14, and P137 (adult) for both PV and CCK (via CB1Rs). Glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD), which is expressed in all GABAergic inhibitory synapses, was used as a marker for inhibitory interneurons. Using confocal microscopy to image the immunolabelled tissue, we accepted our hypothesis as we found that PV labelling is absent during early development, with increasing expression over time. On the other hand, CB1R was present during early development with expression also increasing with time. Our results indicate that specific types of GABAergic inhibition in the BLA develop at different rates, suggesting that juvenile inhibitory circuits function differently than those of adults. Future studies will aim to expand upon this finding by employing electrophysiological techniques to examine interneuron function during development in control and fragile X mutant mice.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 66
|
| DiSantis, Carter |
Hudac, Caitlin |
Neural Efficiency Hypothesis in Motor Actions; Spectral Power During Balance Task
View Full Text
Abstract Text
This study investigated the neural efficiency hypothesis (NEH) in the domain of motor skills by comparing EEG spectral power during balance tasks between two groups: balance experts (professional ballet dancers) and novices. The NEH posits that individuals who are more adept at executing a task utilize fewer neural resources during performance, a phenomenon that is hypothesized to result from neuroanatomical structural changes stemming from extensive training. This research aims to contributed to the growing body of research about the NEH in motor skills.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 153
|
| Welch, James |
Stubblefield, Brittany |
Peer Leading by Example
View Full Text
Abstract Text
During my time as a student at the University of South Carolina I have been afforded many opportunities to help better the community and leave my mark on the school. The greatest of these opportunities has been as a Peer Leader for University 101. As a Peer Leader I was expected to model the behaviors of a successful student as well as mentor my peers and guide them through their first year away from home. It is a daunting task, being asked to illustrate how to live and carry your self to others when you yourself are just figuring it out, but I was honored by the privileged opportunity to step up to the task. Through Peer Leading I was able to improve my planning and time management skills as well as expand my network and grow socially. What I value most about my time as a Peer Leader, however, is the relationships built between me and my peers and the relationships I built with my co-teachers. Forming and maintaining a friendly and professional relationships with colleagues and mentors is a skill I was surprised to learn but welcomed nonetheless as it will be critical to my future career as an English educator. My presentation will discuss the skills I have learned and how they have prepared me to lead and teach the students who will be the future of our nation.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 321
|
| Boyd, Desmond |
Wood, Chelsea |
How has fish size changed in 3 fish species from the southeastern US from 1963-2005?
View Full Text
Abstract Text
During a parasitological study focused on the Pearl River from the Tulane University Biodiversity Research Institute (TUBRI) collection, we noticed a decline in the size of certain fish species as time progressed. So, a subsequent study focusing on fish length and weight was run in parallel by randomly selecting other jars at TUBRI for three species (Notropis atherinoides, Ictalurus punctatus, Hybognathus nuchalis) to see if the same trend could be seen. Data used from the parasitological study was trimmed due to certain fish being outside the limits of dissection due to their size being too large or small. Jars from the 1963-2005 were sampled by taking standard length (mm), total length (mm), weight (mg), and state of collection (LA, MS, AL). We then ran linear mixed effects models to assess the relationship between total length and time. The models suggested that there is a significant (p<0.05) decline in size and weight over time for Notropis atherinoides and Hybognathus nuchalis, but no significant (p>0.05) change over time for Ictalurus punctatus. Additional sampling methods may be required to keep age class constant for all of these species in future studies.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 119
|
| Garland, Sophia |
Lautzenheiser, Mandy |
Witnessing Healthcare Inequities on a Medical Mission Trip to Guatemala
View Full Text
Abstract Text
During the spring break of my junior year, I participated in a medical mission trip to Guatemala, providing healthcare services in the rural community of Chuti Estancia. My motivation to participate in this trip was to immerse myself in a new culture and directly contribute to improving healthcare access. I wanted to step outside my comfort zone and experience firsthand how medical care is delivered in underresourced communities. I was eager to learn the differences in healthcare practices and how cultural beliefs and environmental factors shape a community’s approach to health and well-being. To prepare for the clinic, we conducted house visits to inform the community about the clinic and assess their health and living conditions. Over the next 3 days, we worked in teams to record patient histories, take vitals, and assist in presenting cases to physicians and formulating diagnostic treatment plans. Through these interactions, I witnessed their living conditions and how they directly affected patient's health. I saw how restricted access to medical care leads to people not receiving routine check-ups and pushing health problems to the side until it is urgent. This experience was significant to me because I was able to observe the health of a different country, and how culture and living conditions specifically relate to their health outcomes. This impacted how I viewed health within the United States, and how it differs throughout the world. By gaining hands-on experience within the community, I saw how empathy and compassion can go a long way when serving a community. This reinforced my desire to continue serving underresourced communities and being able to continue to participate in service trips that allow me to have such a large impact on the community.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 218
|
| Wyrick, Avery |
Spence, Gina |
My Journey to French Fluency Through Volunteering
View Full Text
Abstract Text
I had been studying French almost every weekday since sixth grade. I applied to USC’s Responsible International Leadership (RIL) cohort where I would spend a year studying abroad in France. I went abroad, yet it still was not enough to become proficient in the language.
It wasn’t until I fully immersed myself by volunteering at L’Arche, a community for adults with intellectual disabilities in Aix-en-Provence, that I truly gained confidence in my French-speaking, writing, and listening skills. While I had a strong foundation from years of coursework, including Upper Intermediate French at ESSEC Business School, I never fully grasped the language until I had no choice but to use it 24/7. Through this field experience, I not only improved my French but also contributed to a meaningful cause while building connections with a community that became my home for a month.
I learned firsthand that language is more than just a tool for communication. It is a bridge to relationships and cultural understanding. Despite nearly a decade of studying French, I had struggled to hold conversations before my time at L’Arche. This experience proved that total immersion is a true catalyst to understanding a language, transforming my skills and perspective in ways that no classroom ever could alone.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 205
|
| Oduwole, Adebimpe |
Sweeney, Allison
Decker, Lindsay |
Evaluating the Relationship Between Hypertension and Exercise Group Attendance among African American Women
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Introduction: African Americans have elevated risk for high blood pressure, or hypertension(HTN), with the highest prevalence among all racial and ethnic groups in the United States being African American women (41%). Hypertension is linked to comorbidities such as myocardial infarction, stroke, and renal disease. Physical activity adherence is a strong determinant of lowered mortality for hypertensive individuals. Group-based behavioral interventions can engage African American women in greater physical activity. However,
barriers such as pre-existing health conditions, may impact participation.
Purpose: This study uses data from the ongoing Together Everyone Achieves More Physical Activity (TEAM-PA) trial, which tests the efficacy of a group-based program for increasing physical activity and cardiovascular health among African American women. We hypothesized
that African American women with HTN would better engage in health behavior change and demonstrate higher attendance compared to those without hypertension.
Methods: All participants (N = 163, 100% African American women) completed baseline blood pressure screenings using validated machines. They were randomized to a 10-week intervention or comparison group. Attendance was tracked via mandatory sign-in sheets.
Results: An ANCOVA, controlling for condition, tested whether high blood pressure was
associated with different attendance. Results showed a main effect for HTN status, F(1,160) = 5.15, p = .025, revealing participants with HTN at baseline attended more group sessions (n = 72,M = 8.65, SD = 1.31) than those with normal blood pressure (n = 91, M = 8.1, SD = 1.69).
Overall, attendance was higher in the intervention group, F(1,160) = 8.78, p < .01, but there was
no interaction between HTN status and condition.
Conclusion/Implications: Findings revealed African American women with HTN attended significantly more group sessions than those without HTN, supporting our hypothesis that women with HTN may be more motivated to engage in health behavior change. This suggests
individuals with chronic conditions may better benefit from intervention-based support. More studies are needed to determine the efficacy of programs like TEAM-PA for African American women with different chronic conditions. Findings highlight the importance of structured programs to improve physical activity and reduce HTN in this population.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 161
|
| Richter, Logan |
Stubblefield, Brittany |
Use Google Translate: We're Not All That Different
View Full Text
Abstract Text
During the spring semester of my sophomore year, I studied abroad at Florence University of the Arts in Florence, Italy. While, up until that semester, I had only been educated in French, I had a longtime desire to immerse myself in a new culture in my mission to broaden my worldview and experience more than what the United States has to offer. As an international studies major, I have maintained a strong interest in coursework that relates to the overarching political consequences and effects of countries and actors interacting on a global scale, but I have also maintained a committed interest to seeking out courses and experiences that detail the day-to-day, cultural implications of living on the ground in different societies. As an avid traveler and as someone who, hopefully, will embark upon a career that involves working with international clients, I sought out a study abroad location in which I could fully immerse myself in the discomfort of a culture with which I was unfamiliar and of a language I could not speak, so as to compare and contrast my firsthand experiences of a new way of living with the material I had learned in the classroom about international relations and the cultural nuances of different world regions. As a result of my initiative in seeking out this discomfort, not only have I initiated a period of personal growth, but I now find myself in a state of reckoning with the implications of living in the American culture, with the cultural particularities that make people across a breadth of different countries function, and with the understanding that, at the end of the day, every person is not vastly different from the other, despite the oceans that separate us. As a result, I know I can travel to any corner in the world, appreciate it for what it is, decipher and understand the reasons it is the way it is, and forge long-lasting connections with those who reside there.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 234
|
| Wilson, Sydney |
Hollis, Brian
McLaughlin, Graham |
The effects of male age and sexual maturity in Drosophila melanogaster
View Full Text
Abstract Text
In the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster, male sexual maturity influences pre- and post-copulatory competitive success. To reach optimum fitness, male fruit flies tend to mate with as many females as possible and, after mating, must succeed in sperm competition in order to fertilize more of a female’s eggs than competitor males. However, the length of time required for sexual maturation complicates this strategy. Delayed maturation may result in higher male reproductive success if older males are more sexually mature and therefore more likely to acquire matings or transfer competitive sperm. At the same time, any delays in sexual maturation may cost males reproductive opportunities. Most Drosophila research has assumed a strict binary “time at sexual maturity” for breeding flies. However, not much is known about the trajectory of male sexual maturity and fitness over the lifetime of the male. Our project will measure the variables that encapsulate male fitness components at varying stages of sexual maturity. For each round, a 3-hour mating assay was completed, where individual males were paired with virgin receptive females. Whether the flies mated was recorded during the assay, and the latency to mate and the mating duration calculated and recorded afterwards. Additionally, female age was standardized for the second and third round of the project. If younger age classes show a higher probability to mate and a lower latency to mate, this would support rapid sexual maturation in D. melanogaster. However, if older age classes show the highest measures of the fitness components, this would indicate that sexual maturity is not complete until several days after emergence. This could potentially demonstrate significant trade-offs with the progression of experimental blocks.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 113
|
| Powers, Virginia Bryce |
Wilson, Kiesha |
Investigating the Colonic Response in a Staphylococcal Enterotoxin B-Induced ARDS Mouse Model
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) is a severe inflammatory condition that is marked by oxidative stress and fluid accumulation in the lung's alveolar space and has systemic complications, including gastrointestinal dysregulation. Severe cases of ARDS can lead to hypoxia and sepsis, exacerbating multi-organ failure. Growing evidence shows a gut-lung axis, where inflammation in the lungs causes microbial dysfunction, influencing colonic integrity and leading to colon shortening. Staphylococcal Enterotoxin B (SEB) is an enterotoxin that binds directly to T cell receptors and MHC II on antigen presenting cells, triggering T-cell activation and driving sustained systemic inflammation. When ingested, this toxin leads to severe gut epithelial damage. Our study aims to investigate colonic response in SEB induced ARDS model in mice, focusing on histological changes, inflammatory mediators, microbiome alterations, and epithelial integrity. Using C3H/HeJ mice aged 8-12 weeks, 5ugs of SEB are introduced intranasally with a subsequent 2ug intraperitoneal injection. Mice are then monitored for ARDS symptoms, including weight loss, and signs of respiratory distress. Tissues are harvested for analysis 72h post-exposure to SEB. Colons are measured, and RNA is extracted to quantify the transcription of inflammatory markers (IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1β, IFN γ) and markers of epithelial integrity (tight junction genes) using qPCR. DNA from fecal matter collected from the colon and cecum is extracted and 16s sequencing is performed to compare microbial diversity between the SEB-induced ARDS mice vehicle controls. To complete immune cell profiling, colonic tissue is enzymatically digested and mechanically dissociated to obtain single-cell suspension, followed by flow cytometry analysis of immune cell markers (CD45, CD3, CD4, CD8, F4/80, Ly6G, CD11c). Expected findings highlight a potential gut-lung axis involvement in ARDS, demonstrating colonic inflammation, barrier dysfunction, and microbiome disturbances. We anticipate our findings will reveal that SEB-induced ARDS causes colon shortening, increased inflammatory cytokine gene expression, and shifts in microbial composition, favoring a pro-inflammatory environment. Flow cytometry data will illustrate the immune cells that alter colonic pathology in ARDS. Understanding the interaction between ARDS and SEB may provide insights into systemic ARDS complications and identify therapeutic targets to alleviate gut-associated effects in respiratory diseases.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 43
|
| Czyzewski, Patryk |
Powell, Carra
Hoppmann, Nicholas |
Hepatocellular Carcinoma with Hepatic Vein Invasion in a Non-cirrhotic Liver
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Background
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Over 80% of HCC develops in the setting of cirrhosis, however metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) has become the leading cause of HCC in the absence of cirrhosis. Macrovascular invasion of HCC, most commonly involving the portal vein, limits treatment options and is associated with a poor prognosis. Here we report a patient with HCC in the absence of underlying cirrhosis with hepatic vein invasion leading to secondary Budd-Chiari syndrome and ultimately liver failure.
Case Report
A 76-year-old male with metabolic syndrome presented with 2 weeks of abdominal distention. He had a history of mild liver enzymes elevations but no evidence of viral hepatitis. The physical exam demonstrated a tender, distended abdomen. Laboratory findings showed AST 63 U/L and ALT 80 U/L but were otherwise unremarkable. Computed tomography (CT) showed 3.9 cm area of multifocal enhancement of right hepatic lobe with concerning expansion to right hepatic vein. Subsequent multiphasic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a non-cirrhotic liver with a 4.1 cm multilobulated lesion. A multidisciplinary liver tumor board review recommended biopsy given the absence of cirrhosis and biopsy demonstrated HCC. Alpha-fetoprotein tumor marker was elevated at 124.7 ng/mL.
Due to vascular invasion, he was referred for oncology however returned to the emergency department within 2 weeks with abdominal pain and new onset weakness and dyspnea. His mentation remained intact, but liver enzymes doubled and INR increased to 1.5. Repeat multiphasic CT showed worsening right hepatic vein and intrahepatic IVC tumor involvement, confirming the suspicion of secondary Budd-Chiari syndrome. His case was reviewed by the regional transplant center but unfortunately no treatments options remained. He was transitioned to comfort care and expired on his fourth day of admission.
Conclusion
Though HCC classically occurs in setting of cirrhosis, MASLD is the leading cause of HCC in the absence of cirrhosis. With an increasing prevalence of MASLD, future studies are needed to identify those at greatest risk for HCC in the setting of non-cirrhotic MASLD and established HCC surveillance guidelines for this population.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 134
|
Tank, Olivia
Navale, Payal |
Armstrong, Alissa |
Using Drosophila Melanogaster as a Model to Better Understand the Underlying Causes of Dystonia, a Movement Disorder in Humans
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Dystonia, a neurological movement disorder, is characterized by involuntary muscle contractions. In humans, Dystonia 16 is caused by mutations in the gene that encodes the protein PACT, an activator of PKR, which is a protein kinase associated with the highly conserved integrated stress response. The Drosophila genome encodes an ortholog for PACT known as loquacious (loqs). We use the incredible genetic toolkit of Drosophila to better understand the cellular and molecular mechanisms that are disrupted in dystonia patients and loqs mutants. The movement phenotype observed in humans with dystonia will be corroborated in Drosophila loqs mutants by locomotion assays to measure distance and amount moved. We are using RT-PCR and whole mount immunofluorescence techniques to determine tissue-specific loqs transcript expression and cellular protein localization, respectively. For functional analysis, we use the UAS/Gal4 system to knockdown loqs specifically in neurons and measure neuronal survival, axon growth, synapse formation, etc. We hypothesize that the absence of loqs leads to neuronal cell death, defective muscle innervation, and thus defective movement action. Characterization of the loqs protein’s role in movement can then be used to develop a model for studying the movement disorder, dystonia, in humans. Expanding research on the loqs protein has the potential to inform the development of dystonia treatments and therapies designed to improve the lives of those living with this movement disorder.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 60
|
| Hensing, Andrew |
Brennan, Meghan
Stevens, Stephanie |
Angiotensin II Receptor Blocker Induced Angioedema Resulting in Permanent Tracheostomy
View Full Text
Abstract Text
This case describes a patient with angioedema associated with an angiotensin II receptor blocker, or ARB, who required a permanent tracheostomy collar. In the setting of bradykinin-mediated angioedema, the most understood etiologies include ACEi-induced and hereditary angioedema. There are limited case reports that describe ARB-induced angioedema, and the mechanism by which ARBs increase bradykinin is unclear. Extubation rates are highly variable, but permanent tracheostomy is typically reserved for patients with severe and frequently recurring episodes.
A 76 year old female presented to the emergency department for acute onset of significant tongue and lip swelling. Oxygen saturation on presentation was in the low 90’s, and edema did not improve following epinephrine and dexamethasone. She was subsequently intubated for airway protection, and video intubation revealed swelling of the glottis. History and labs were negative for hereditary angioedema including negative family history, normal C4, and mildly elevated ESR and CRP. No urticaria was present on arrival to indicate cell-mediated process. It was suspected that the angioedema was a result of the patient’s angiotensin II receptor blocker. She had been on losartan for several years which was recently switched to valsartan. Multiple units of fresh frozen plasma were administered in an attempt to decrease bradykinin. Dexamethasone was given to reduce inflammation. This combined treatment did mildly improve edema, however, the patient ultimately failed extubation twice due to stridor. She required percutaneous tracheostomy and was discharged with a tracheostomy collar to remain in place permanently.
ACE-induced angioedema is reported to be less than 0.7%. ARB-induced angioedema is even rarer and reported to be less than 0.3%. However, these risks must be weighed heavily given the gravity of acute respiratory failure associated with angioedema. This case report details a patient on valsartan presenting with symptoms consistent with angioedema. The end result unfortunately required a permanent tracheostomy collar. ACE inhibitors and ARBs are highly popular drugs, and cases such as this should prompt providers to think carefully before prescribing.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 124
|
Hersey, Janae
du Plessis, Veronica |
Wingard, Ezra
McFadden, Jackson
Nelson, Cailee
Hudac, Caitlin |
Social Quantity Preferences in Adolescence: the Correlation between the Need to Belong and Decisions in Social Quantity
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Social motivation can be described as a psychological drive for the pursuit and maintenance of social connections. The need to belong is seen as a fundamental motivation to positive interpersonal bonds. To satisfy this need, you have to have frequent interactions (Baumeister & Leary, 1995). Although there is previous literature probing social motivation and decisions, there remains a gap in the literature on how social quantity may be impacted. We sought to address this gap by analyzing quantity decisions made from a novel computerized task and relating them to self-reported social motivation ratings. We hypothesize that adolescents with higher social motivation will prefer larger social quantity options.
Adolescents (aged 12-17, N = 23) completed the “FortuneTeller” task, a decision-making exercise with 80 trials designed to assess preferences for different group sizes and durations. Within these trials, 40 questions pertained to group size decisions and 40 questions pertained to duration decisions. We were interested in looking at the proportion of large and small decisions made within each condition.
The Need to Belong Scale (NTBS) measures individual differences in the desire for acceptance and belonging (Baumeister & Leary, 1995). We sought to compare the average NTBS scores per categorized FortuneTeller group, in which the minimum NTBS score is 10, and the maximum NTBS score is 50. We will compare participants based on group size and duration preferences on the FortuneTeller task via two-way ANOVA to see if a higher need to belong correlates with larger social quantity decisions.
This study aims to explore the motivation (need to belong) behind decisions about social experiences with other adolescent peers (quantity of social connections). By studying the relationship of social motivation on social decisions, it could inform the shaping of interventions according to individual lifestyles in order to accommodate the social needs of adolescentss
Baumeister, R. F., & Leary, M. R. (2000). The need to belong: Desire for interpersonal attachments as a fundamental human motivation. In Motivational science: Social and personality perspectives. (pp. 24–49). Psychology Press.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 177
|
| Bosch, Lily |
Meyer-Gutbrod, Erin |
An Analysis of Media Coverage of North Atlantic Right Whale Mortalities, Entanglements, and Vessel Strikes
View Full Text
Abstract Text
The North Atlantic Right Whale, Eubalaena glacialis, is a critically endangered species of baleen whale native to the east coast of the United States and Canada, with fewer than 350 individuals remaining. Anthropogenic threats, including vessel strikes, entanglements, and shifting food sources due to climate change, have continued to negatively impact the species and prevent their recovery. Media coverage plays a crucial role in shaping public opinion of conservation issues, therefore influencing public policy regarding protections. This study analyzes new articles published in 2013, 2015, 2017, and 2019 alongside data from the North Atlantic Right Whale Consortium (NARWC) database to examine the relationship between media coverage and recorded right whale mortality events. It investigates the extent to which documented strikes, entanglements, and deaths are reported in the media, as well as how coverage varies across geographic regions and over time. The habitat for North Atlantic right whales extends across state and national boundaries, which influences press coverage. It also assesses whether names whales receive more extensive coverage than unnamed individuals and whether necropsy results are incorporated into follow-up reporting. Additionally, it explores how multiple mortality and entanglement events are reported, whether they are grouped together or covered individually. This research aims to understand how right whale mortalities are covered in the media and identify potential gaps in public awareness and scientific knowledge.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 114
|
| Chandler, Elizabeth |
Patten, Karen |
Google's Waymo Autonomous Vehicle
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Self-Driving Innovation: How Waymo is Shaping the Future
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 103
|
| Piscitell, Sophia |
Lautzenheiser, Mandy |
The cultural importance of work-life balance in the entertainment industry
View Full Text
Abstract Text
During the last spring semester, I was able to study abroad in Florence, Italy with the goal and interest in participating in an experiential learning opportunity. As a sport and entertainment management major at the University of South Carolina, I have spent a large portion learning about the globalization and international implications of entertainment. This experience provided me with first-hand experience to observe another country's culture. I had the opportunity to travel and take classes that would broaden my knowledge and understanding of Italian culture and specifically the differences between our cultures. I found that my human resource management course abroad offered the most insightful perspective on these differences. Within this course I was able to engage in cultural initiatives, Italian and American case studies and course projects that developed my understanding of the Italian work culture. Through immersing myself in and out of the classroom in Italian I was able to receive a well rounded perspective on the modern work life balance culture in Florence. Upon my return to the states, I took a special topics course: mental health in sport and entertainment. This course focused on analyzing different mental health techniques and implications within the entertainment industry and how it impacted industry professionals and artists. This course allowed me to view the entertainment industry through a new lens and solidified my interest in entertainment management. Through the case studies and literary analysis conducted in this course I was able to further my understanding of American work life balance culture and its flaws. I was able to connect what I had learned abroad with this course and create an analysis surrounding work life balance and how to improve its effectiveness and efficiency. Participating in this course and my study abroad experience reaffirmed my interests in the entertainment industry and developed an interest in exposing the flaws within the industries work culture in order to reshape the culture for future industry professionals.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 249
|
| Grille, Isabella |
Lacey, Mia |
Putting the “Community” in Community Service
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Choosing to rush Omega Phi Alpha National Service Sorority during my first semester at the University of South Carolina has been an incredibly impactful part of my college experience. Coming to USC, getting involved was of the utmost importance to me, especially as a first-generation student from out of state. I wanted to make a positive impact on my university community from the very beginning in any way that I could. In high school, I was unable to get as involved in community service due to limitations set during the COVID-19 pandemic. I made it my mission to find an organization that fit my passions of giving back to my community, making friendships that help to serve others, and empowering others through leadership. Omega Phi Alpha’s three cardinal principles – service, friendship, and leadership – reflect just that and have given me purpose outside of academics in college. Throughout my four years in the organization, I’ve served under three chair positions and three executive board positions. My tasks involved assisting new chairs in meeting their requirements, welcoming a new member class, and guiding new members through the membership process. Being able to tie together leadership and service has built me into the leader I am today and offered me valuable insight into how to be a mentor who not only serves members individually but also creates a tight-knit community for all. Throughout my time on the executive board, I was able to foster relationships that went on to create meaningful service projects and lifelong friendships. I’ve drawn on community-building strategies from classes such as EDLP520 and leadership insights from my overall coursework that have helped me provide valuable guidance in this role and beyond. Utilizing principles from the Tree Model of Community Building from my EDLP520 class, I was able to guide 22 new members to becoming active members of our sorority. My experiences on Omega Phi Alpha’s executive board will guide me in my journey to pursuing higher education at the graduate level and in fostering community in every leadership role I pursue down the road.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 219
|
| Mauldin, Shelby |
Dawson, Robin |
Parent’s Perception of the Stigmatization of Disability and Its Effects on the Observed Interactions Between Children with Down Syndrome and Healthcare Providers.
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Background: The proposed research aims to explore parental perceptions of communication interactions between their child with Down syndrome (DS) and their healthcare provider and experiences of stigma related to disabilities to inform the development of DS-sensitive healthcare provider communication training and practices.
Methods: Research was conducted using a concurrent mixed methods approach with quantitative and qualitative components in which participants were asked to complete a 30-minute digitally recorded, semi-structured interview as well as two reliable and valid questionnaires: Parenting Practices Questionnaire Constructs for parenting styles and the Parents’ Self-Stigma Scale (PSSS) for evaluation of stigmatization parents may experience.
Results: A total of 11 participants were successfully recruited. Inclusion criteria was attempted to be met, but with difficulties in recruiting, exceptions were made to get an adequate quantity to reach date saturation. A total of five themes emerged: the process of becoming a mother, overgeneralization/assumptions of the diagnosis, importance of good rapport building to cultivate relationships, the effects of observed interactions on parents, and the effect of self-stigma on advocation. In addition, all parents self-reported the Authoritative parenting style according to the Parenting Practice Questionnaire and average score for the following components of the Parents’ Self-Stigma Scale were as follows: Self-blame (m=10.82), Self-Shame (m=3.63), and Bad-parent (m=4.36).
Conclusion: These findings suggest that parents' perceptions of their experience receiving the diagnosis shaped their outlook on future interactions with providers. Additionally, parents who reported higher self-stigma scores tended to express greater doubt in situations requiring advocacy.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 123
|
| Whatley, Jasmine |
Banister, Carolyn |
MicroRNA stability in saliva for concussion detection
View Full Text
Abstract Text
MicroRNAs are short, non-coding sequences of RNA that regulate messenger RNA (mRNA) expression by flagging the mRNA for degradation or preservation for future translation. MicroRNAs have been identified as ideal biomarkers for assessing an organism’s physiological condition due to their stability. RNAlater has been identified to be a quality, non-toxic RNA-stabilizing agent, but further analysis can be performed to support its use in maintaining microRNA longevity. This study aims to determine the stability of salivary microRNA preserved in RNAlater over time to define optimal sample handling for future clinical trials to improve diagnostic test accuracy and reliability for concussion detection.
We collected saliva from a healthy, college-aged volunteer, which was then aliquoted and stabilized using RNAlater. Over a period of six weeks, we extracted total RNA from the samples biweekly at regular intervals, adhering to the standard operating procedures of the Direct-zol Miniprep Plus kit. The NanoDrop spectrophotometry quantified the total nucleotide concentration in the extracted total RNA sample, which ranged from 6.5 ng/ul to 313 ng/ul, supporting no correlation with concentration and time of extraction. Samples will be quantified with the Agilent Fragment Analyzer to evaluate size distribution of RNA fragments in the sample, and prepared for sequencing to verify stability of individual microRNAs present. We anticipate that future findings will identify specifically if there are selective microRNAs more prone to degradation. These results will enhance our understanding of using microRNA as a biomarker in diagnostic tests, including identifying concussed individuals.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 108
|
| Parmar, Serena |
Vento, Peter |
Wired for Choice: How Dopamine Drives Decision-Making
View Full Text
Abstract Text
From choosing an outfit to a career, weighing the costs and benefits of our decisions is an essential component of daily life; a balance that is disrupted in many psychiatric disorders including anxiety, depression, and substance use disorder. The nucleus accumbens (NAc) is a brain region known to play role in motivation and reward, where dopamine signaling is crucial for learning and decision-making. It is still unclear, however, how signaling of this multifaceted molecule in the NAc mediates complex cost-benefit decisions. To confront this issue, we administered pharmacological compounds to modulate dopamine receptors within the NAc core subregion in rats trained on a decision-making task under conditions of motivational conflict. Specifically, male and female Long Evans rats were trained to discriminate between two levers resulting in either a small food reward or a large food reward paired with foot-shock. Preliminary results indicate sex differences in how rats respond to dopamine receptor modulation. Male rats are more sensitive to D2 receptor stimulation, while D1 receptor stimulation did not influence decision-making. Female rats, on the other hand, did not exhibit changes in behavior after either D1 or D2 receptor stimulation. Ongoing research is exploring whether a mixture of dopamine receptor modulators to more closely mimic high dopaminergic states has a more robust effect on decision-making in males and females. This study will be critical towards better understanding how dopamine in the NAc drives motivation and reward seeking during cost-benefit decision making and aversive learning processes.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 189
|
| Barton, Tajanae |
Kim, Minji
Watkins, Shannon |
Let’s Disguise this Vape with Me”. Does TikTok Enforce Platform Policy about Vaping Content?
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Objectives: Exposure to e-cigarette social media content may increase vaping among young people. TikTok's policy as of February 2024 does not allow videos that contain promotion, sales, and use of tobacco products, including e-cigarettes. If TikTok is negligent in enforcing the policy, online content may normalize e-cigarette use among young people.
Methods: We conducted content and thematic analysis of e-cigarette videos from TikTok collected between November and December 2023. We collected 513 videos using relevant keywords (e.g., #vape4life, #nicfien) and surveilling the personalized feed (“For You Page”). Among them, 106 videos expressed an overall favorable portrayal of e-cigarettes. We created a codebook to categorize the videos as violating policy and no violation but still normalizing e-cigarette use. A thematic analysis was conducted to understand these videos further.
Results: Violation videos (n=99) depicted youth sharing their favorable experiences using e-cigarettes (n=16), vape consumption (n=21), marketing (n=5), disguising of products (n =2), and underage vape consumption (n=1). Seven videos with positive portrayals did not technically violate the policy. Instead, these videos had aspects that normalized e-cigarette usage as normal or socially acceptable among younger audiences.
Implications: Without stronger content moderation on TikTok, favorable e-cigarette videos may continue normalizing e-cigarette use among young people unless there is a stronger content moderation on the platform. Further analysis will examine the influence of TikTok’s new policy, updated in May 2024.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 154
|
Gurav, Eesha
Horacek, Kade |
Chen, Eliott
Bian, Julia
Pumilia, Alexandria
McCarthy, Jack |
The utility of artificial intelligence in patient education
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Introduction
One of the most important aspects of healthcare is the ability to communicate information to patients simply and efficiently. With the dramatic development and prevalence of artificial intelligence (AI), these platforms are increasingly used in practice to help provide patient education. This survey-based study aimed to evaluate two different educational flyers, one created by resident physicians and the second by AI, and to determine which flyer conveyed information to readers more effectively.
Methods
The goal of the flyers was to educate patients on two common plastic surgery procedures and their key differences. Objectives of the flyers were:
1. Describe a panniculectomy and an abdominoplasty and address the indications and technical differences between the two.
2. Describe the pros and cons for both procedures.
3. List which procedure is generally covered by insurance and which procedure is generally considered cosmetic and is paid out of pocket by the patient.
Flyer A was generated completely by AI (Chat GPT) using specific prompts created by a medical student. Flyer B was created by two plastic surgery residents. Both flyers were assessed by medical students who were unaware of which flyer was generated by AI versus the residents. The students answered a set of survey questions following review.
Results
86.7% of medical student respondents found Flyer B more patient-friendly, and 73.3% correctly identified Flyer A as the AI-generated flyer. However, the majority of respondents (56.7%) believed that Flyer A better described indications, “pros” and “cons,” and technical differences between the procedures. Flesch Reading Ease (FRE) Scores were calculated for both flyers. Both flyers were deemed “College Graduate” reading level, and Flyer B (FRE Score = 27.27) was ultimately more readable than Flyer A (FRE Score = 12.26).
Conclusion
This study demonstrates that while AI is designed to serve as a beneficial tool, the time required to generate an appropriate patient education pamphlet using this technology outweighs its benefits. Currently, AI still requires further refinement to improve its efficiency and specificity for medical application.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 181
|
| Parkinson, Adrienne |
Liu, Jihong
Zhao, Xingpei
Alston, Kimberly |
Exploring Correlates of Postpartum Care Visit Non-attendance among Low-Income Women: An Andersen Behavioral Model of Health Services Use Approach
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Timely postpartum care can lead to the detection and treatment of conditions and complications resulting in reduced maternal morbidity and mortality risks. Postpartum visit (PPV) attendance rates in the US vary from 24.9% to 96.5% with an average attendance rate of 72.1%. The prevalence of PPV non-attendance is significantly higher among Medicaid recipients compared to privately insured individuals (OR = 2.89, 95% CI 1.43, 5.82).
The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology recommends an initial PPV within 3 weeks of giving birth, with follow-up as needed, and a final comprehensive visit within 12 weeks postpartum to ensure optimal care. However, attaining optimal postpartum care is challenging in general, and even more difficult for low-income women. While previous research has identified systemic, practical, and financial issues that prevent women from attending PPVs, limited studies have examined the factors associated with PPV non-attendance, among low-income women.
Healthy Start is a federally funded program that helps underserved pregnant women and their newborns overcome barriers to accessing maternity care from pregnancy until 18 months after childbirth to improve maternal and infant health outcomes. This study will analyze data from women enrolled in the South Carolina Midlands Healthy Start Program between 2019 and 2024 (n=842). The Andersen Behavioral Model will be used to classify correlates of PPV non-attendance into predisposing (age, race/ethnicity, education, marital status, employment status), enabling (income, insurance status, partner involvement) need (number of pregnancies, birth outcome), and contextual factors (discrimination, Covid-19 period, Medicaid coverage extension period). Logistic regression models will be used to identify significant predictors of PPV non-attendance, explore the prevalence of PPV non-attendance and examine how this prevalence varies before and after the pandemic period, and the extension of the Medicaid postpartum coverage period.
The findings of this study will contribute to a better understanding of the factors that influence PPV utilization among low-income women, providing valuable insights to inform strategies to increase PPV utilization rates among low-income population in South Carolina. This manuscript will be prepared by mid-April for presentation at Discover USC if accepted.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 67
|
Udani, Yana
Sadiq, Sahifa |
Azhar, Mohamad |
Effect of alcohol on calcification of mouse valve interstitial cells
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Aortic valve calcification is a calcium mineral deposition in the heart’s aortic valves, leading to narrow valve opening, and in severe cases aortic valve stenosis. It is a marker of early-stage heart disease and often common in older age. Ethanol, when ingested, has been known to decrease vitamin D activity and induce phosphate-mediated mineralization leading to an increase in calcium absorption and mineralization. An increase in blood fat levels and fast heartbeat are common consequences, creating additional plaque deposition and higher risk of calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD). The objective of this research has been to replicate common concentrations of ethanol found in light to heavy drinkers and grow valvular interstitial cells (VICs) in these conditions plus osteogenic media to determine whether higher concentration of ethanol induces calcification. The mouse VICs grown in osteogenic media without ethanol were compared to cells treated with ethanol in osteogenic media for analysis a month after starting ethanol treatment. Cells were stained with Alizarin red dye and quantified through microscopic image analysis. We used ethanol concentrations of 0 mM (no ethanol), 10 mM, 20 mM, 49 mM, and 96 mM in our experimental protocol. A p-value of <0.05 was quantified using a t-test of VICs in untreated control plus osteogenic media, indicating an increase in calcification and when compared to 10 mM, 20 mM, 49 mM, and 96 mM ethanol plus osteogenic media a decrease was observed in the percentage of calcified area (p<0.05). Our data indicates that alcohol can significantly inhibit the development of calcification in murine valve interstitial cells. These findings will be validated in mouse model of CAVD in future studies.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 67
|
| Maddipati, Sreya |
Banister, Carolyn
Mancine, Gianna |
Investigating Hormonal Fluctuations in Saliva of Healthy, Non-Concussed College-Aged Women
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Hormones significantly control human physiological and psychological functions, resulting in changes in mood levels, energy production, metabolic activity, and immune system performance. The female hormonal cycles, unlike the daily testosterone cycles in males, fluctuate over an approximately 28-day period. This study outlines the baseline hormonal fluctuations in non-concussed college-aged women to develop methods for detecting potential endocrine disruptions following a concussion.
Estrogen and progesterone, two hormones produced in the ovaries, are known to play vital roles in sexual development, reproductive preparation, and pregnancy maintenance. The menstrual cycle's follicular phase commonly depicts a peak in estrogen levels while the luteal phase is characterized by higher progesterone levels. This research also examines testosterone and cortisol, hormones integral to muscle strength, bone density, and stress management, respectively. These hormones have been previously studied predominantly in concussed male athletes as potential biomarkers to predict recovery length.
Previous research indicates that concussions occurring during different menstrual phases result in different durations of recovery. Women who sustain injuries in the luteal phase have been shown to have a longer recovery period when compared to those in the follicular phase, but these studies did not directly assess the specifics on hormonal levels. By establishing a baseline reference for normal hormonal patterns through biweekly saliva sampling and the use of luminescence immunoassays for cortisol, testosterone, estradiol, and progesterone, this study is able to set the groundwork for future research delving into hormonal impacts of concussions. Findings indicated that Estrogen levels reach their peak in the late follicular phase while progesterone levels are shown to be elevated in the late luteal phase. Testosterone levels stayed fairly constant throughout the cycle, though cortisol levels seemed to be more affected by external/academic stressors rather than menstrual changes. These results highlight the importance of understanding baseline hormonal variations, providing valuable understanding of baseline hormonal values that can be compared to concussed women to better understand endocrine disruption in patients suffering from concussion.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 109
|
| LaFleche, Kevin |
Cryer, Michael
Antonie, David
Cooper, Cody |
Anomalous Return of the Right Superior Pulmonary Vein into the Superior Vena Cava in a Patient with Chronic Respiratory Failure
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Introduction
Partial anomalous pulmonary venous connection (PAPVC) is a rare congenital cardiovascular anomaly in which one or more (but not all) pulmonary veins drain into a systemic vein instead of the left atrium. Common variations include pulmonary veins draining into the left innominate vein (most common), SVC, coronary sinus, or azygos veins [1]. Most patients with PAPVC have an associated atrial septal defect (ASD) [1,2]. Generally, individuals with isolated PAPVC (without an ASD or other cardiac abnormalities) are asymptomatic unless there is significant left-to-right shunting because this can lead to pulmonary hypertension and/or right ventricular dilation [1,3,4]. We present a case of isolated anomalous right superior pulmonary vein (RSPV) drainage into the SVC, discovered during the evaluation of refractory hypoxemia in a patient with chronic respiratory failure.
Case Presentation
A 66-year-old female with a history of congestive heart failure, chronic respiratory failure, tracheostomy dependence, hypertension, and obstructive sleep apnea presented with worsening dyspnea and significant hypoxemia. On examination, she appeared volume overloaded with JVD, diffuse wheezes, and lower extremity edema. Initial workup with EKG and CXR revealed sinus rhythm with right axis deviation and cardiomegaly with pulmonary edema, respectively. Echocardiography revealed a severely dilated right atria and ventricle. Right heart catheterization revealed mild pulmonary hypertension with a significant right-to-left shunt. While an initial cardiac MRI did not confirm the shunt, a 3D CT heart scan identified an anomalous RSPV draining into the SVC. Given her clinical stability, she was discharged with outpatient follow-up.
Discussion
This case highlights the diagnostic challenge of PAPVR, particularly in patients with complex cardiopulmonary disease. Anomalous pulmonary venous drainage may be overlooked in standard imaging, requiring advanced multimodal evaluation. Though surgical repair is possible, conservative management was favored due to the patient's comorbidities and clinical stability.
Conclusion
Anomalous pulmonary venous return should be considered in patients with unexplained right heart enlargement and hypoxemia. Advanced imaging techniques, such as 3D CT or MRI, play a crucial role in diagnosis when echocardiography is inconclusive. This case underscores the importance of a high index of suspicion for congenital cardiovascular anomalies in patients with complex cardiopulmonary disease.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 125
|
| Wynne, Patrick |
Downey, Austin
Hagen, Erika
Armstrong, Bridget |
Methodologies for pouring PATCH silicon molds
View Full Text
Abstract Text
The PATCH device is an open-source fitness tracker that allows researchers to collect accurate data monitoring children during fitness and sleep activities. Unlike the PATCH device, current commercial devices limit researchers' access to data. This project focuses on the molds that house the circuitry and aims to find a method of pouring silicon that results in the least number of defects, such as air pockets that weaken the mold. Moreover, develop a mold that is best suited for the method of pouring, such that it is intuitive and easy to use. Current methods involve mixing silicon and immediately pouring it into molds. The proposed methods will determine if vacuuming the mixture to remove air pockets before pouring will result in a solid cure. The methods of pouring silicon will be compression molding and injection molding. Compression will involve pouring excess silicon into the cavity and pushing it into the lid, which will displace the silicon and form the desired shape. Alternatively, silicon will be injected into the mold using excess syringes to ensure the mold is filled. The changes to the molds will accommodate these methods. Expected results are that silicon poured after vacuuming and through compression molding will produce the best cures and be the most straightforward method. The results of this project will guide other researchers in the best way to produce their PATCH molds.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 80
|
| Farrar, Reed |
Arjmandi, Meisam
Ashjaei, Samin |
The Impact of Spectral Resolution on Vowel Perception: Evidence from Simulated and Actual Cochlear Implant Listeners
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Cochlear implants (CIs) are the most successful neuroprostheses, restoring hearing in over one million people with severe to profound hearing loss worldwide. CIs significantly improve speech recognition, socialization, and quality of life. However, speech recognition outcomes vary widely across CI users, with many experiencing significant difficulty understanding speech in background noise. These challenges stem largely from reduced access to spectral (frequency) information in speech, known as spectral resolution. Spectral resolution refers to the ability to distinguish speech sounds based on their frequency content, a critical skill that is degraded in CI listeners due to the limited number of electrodes and excessive interaction of electrical stimulation between adjacent CI electrodes. This study investigated the impact of spectral resolution on vowel identification using noise-vocoder-simulated CI speech. We systematically varied channel interaction (using 2 and 24 dB/Octave filter slopes in the analysis filters pf the noise-vocoder) and number of spectral channels (4 vs. 16 channels). Twenty adults with normal hearing (NH) were tested with vowel identification tasks in quiet and in noise, and their performance was compared to that of 14 actual CI users. Vowels were selected because their identification relies heavily on the ability of listeners to resolve frequency information. Results showed that vowel identification performance significantly declined with increased channel interaction (shallower filter slopes of 2 dB/Octave) and fewer spectral channels (4 channels), with channel interaction having a larger effect than the number of channels. Notably, NH listeners tested with the 24 dB/Octave slope and 16-channel condition performed similarly to actual CI users in quiet, but not in noise. These findings suggest that future CI signal processing algorithms and clinical CI programming strategies should prioritize reducing channel interaction to enhance speech recognition, particularly in challenging listening environments with background noise. We acknowledge the Magellan Scholar Fund, awarded by the Office of the Vice President for Research, to R.F. and K.M. for supporting this study.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 139
|
| Morgan, Camilla |
Greytak, Andrew
Burrell, Jennii |
Impact of purification conditions on grafting densities of magnetite nanocrystals in aqueous media
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Colloidal magnetic iron oxide nanocrystals (IONCs) have become an important material in the fields of bioimaging and biosensing due to their size-dependent magnetic properties. High-temperature synthesis in organic solvents enables formation of high quality IONCs with uniform size distributions. However, for use in biomedical applications, the initial layer of hydrophobic molecules (native ligands) must be exchanged with a hydrophilic coating that provides stability in water. For subsequent surface chemistry studies designed to optimize performance in bio-applications, the aqueous-IONCs require efficient purification from excess and loosely bound ligands, as the exchange is often performed with an excess of incoming ligand. The current methods of purification, such as membrane dialysis and magnetic separation, produce inconsistent results. Gel filtration chromatography (GFC), a method of size-exclusion chromatography, is a less aggressive method of purification than other common approaches and enhances reproducibility. Here, free ligands travel through the pores of the stationary media beads, while the large particles travel through the voids between the beads, eluting much faster. However, the conditions applied significantly impact the purification quality. Our preliminary experiments have shown that separation efficiency is dependent on pH, where higher pH leads to greater separation of particle and ligand eluent bands, which produces a better sample recovery. In this project, I am investigating the influence of media chemistry and the eluent pH in the separation of free nitrocatechol ligands from nitrocatechol-IONCs, a ligand type thought to enable highly stable IONCs for biomedical applications. The optimal conditions for GFC purification will be uncovered by employing various aqueous purification conditions (by changing elution buffer pH and stationary media) to consistently purify nitrocatechol-IONCs. This study will enable the direct comparison of different approaches to the purification of aqueous IONCs and its impact on surface chemistry, with the goal of enabling new biomedical technologies that depend on pure and highly uniform aqueous IONCs.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 75
|
| Aronoff, Samanth |
Reid, Cami |
Placing 4th Among 500+ Teams: Lessons from the National Investment Banking Competition
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Having the opportunity to partake in an experience that bridged the gap between the academic and professional world of investment banking is something I will always cherish during my time here at USC. Alongside three classmates from the Finance Scholars Program, I formed a team, "The Real USC," to compete in the National Investment Banking Competition. After hearing from prior participants about the challenge and excitement of the competition, we decided to enter, and our hard work paid off when we were invited to Vancouver, Canada, to present our strategic solutions on a global stage in front of top industry professionals.
My primary role was to synthesize our team's comprehensive financial modeling and complex solutions into a visually engaging, cohesive, persuasive presentation. My team and I dedicated months to working on financial analysis, modeling, and pitching through multiple rounds before being invited to the finals. During our time in Vancouver, I further refined my ability to convey complex financial concepts clearly and concisely to some of the most successful people in the industry. In addition to these technical skills, this experience strengthened my teamwork, professionalism, and networking skills, all of which are integral to investment banking.
Competing on this global platform allowed me to experience the rigors and rewards of a career in investment banking. It reinforced my ability to think strategically in fast-paced, high-intensity environments, collaborate effectively under pressure, and build my network from the top down. This experience bridging the classroom and professional world reaffirmed my decision to pursue the dynamic and demanding world of high finance post-graduation.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 266
|
| Crimaldi, Andrea |
Epps, Lauren |
Interning at a Law Firm
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Over the summer I interned at the Maynard Nexsen law firm as a pre-law intern and had the opportunity to work on research projects to present to the firm, attend practice groups for various types of law, and meet many prominent figures in the legal field. The main project I worked on was researching and arguing towards the banning of Tiktok in the U.S., which was sent to contacts at the state house. My goal is to go to law school after undergrad, and I learned a lot of soft skills about the legal field in general. For example, I learned the importance of compassion, integrity and comradery in a competitive, high-stakes profession like law. Every client has a name and a story, and this is THEIR case, not just one of yours. Empathy in law was a value I was also taught in my Literature and Law course I'm taking at USC. I've learned how the origins of law relate to power, violence and justice, and how context can drastically complicate the "fairness" of a trial. The class has given me the opportunity to examine law in unconventional sources, like a children's book, which has shown the importance of context, fairness, and compassion in any altercation. I am eager to learn the hard skills that come with a legal education, but I highly value the invaluable aspects of being a good lawyer I learned from this internship and my class.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 274
|
| Kistler, Samuel |
Norton, Duncan
Wesley, Alena |
Balancing Act: Unraveling Acute Cerebellitis in Pediatric Patients
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Acute cerebellitis is an acute neurological condition that is characterized by cerebellar ataxia or dysfunction. Acute cerebellitis has a unique manifestation in that it can present drastically different between individuals, especially in the pediatric population, making it difficult to differentiate from other neurological pathology. The literature on this topic in the pediatric population is limited, thus there is no current gold standard for diagnosis and treatment.
A 12-year-old boy presented with headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, ataxia, slurred speech, and emotional lability. He was in his normal state of health until 2 weeks prior with a nonspecific upper respiratory illness.
The patient’s work-up was normal, including head CT and head and spinal MRI. A lumbar puncture was significant for mild pleocytosis with 35 WBCs and an elevated total nucleated count of 35/mm3. CSF culture showed no growth, and the gram stain was negative for bacteria but did show PMNs and mononuclear cells. CSF glucose and protein were normal. Oligoclonal bands were observed in the CSF. Meningitis and Mycoplasma pneumoniae PCRs were both negative. Bartonella henselae Ab (IgG, IgM) with reflex titers was negative. Nasopharyngeal PCR respiratory pathogen panel detected no organisms. Procalcitonin was unremarkable. Contactin-associated protein-2-IgG (CASPR2-IgG) antibodies were detected at a 1:10 dilution but were undetectable at a 1:100 dilution.
Empiric IV methylprednisolone treatment led to an improvement in his speech and ataxia. The patient was sent to inpatient acute rehabilitation. There, he demonstrated improvements in speech production but continued to present with mild cognitive deficits. He was recommended to continue speech therapy upon discharge.
Given that acute cerebellitis has very heterogenous clinical presentations and outcomes, a wide variety of causes, and may present with few positive lab or imaging findings, it is difficult to diagnose, which may lead to a delay in care. Because of the lack of pertinent findings in our patient’s work-up, he went without a diagnosis and was treated based on clinical suspicion. His case is a prime example of why it is important we determine the best way to diagnose this condition in a timely manner, therefore initiating treatment early and promoting quicker recoveries.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 149
|
| Bellanger, Thomas |
Frary, Sarah Grace |
Hospitality and Harm Reduction: Results from a Qualitative Study of Food and Beverage Industry Communities' Perspectives on Substance Use and Harm Reduction
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Harm reduction (HR), is an approach to address substance misuse by prioritizing the life and wellness of the individual aiming to decrease the harmful consequences of substance misuse. Using the perspective of a community saturation model (CS), we explore how hospitality workers’ – bartenders, waitstaff, cooks, bouncers, and others- experiences with the opioid crisis and substance misuse as it is seen within this community. Implementing a public health model, such as HR, works most effectively when done in tandem with the community using their pre-existing insights and knowledge to design effective HR strategies tailored to hospitality worker’s community. Using a CS model, we identified themes and barriers associated with substance misuse in the hospitality community, whose members have seen direct impacts of the opioid crisis through their work.
Through five focus groups orchestrated by researchers, we examined themes related to the opioid crisis in the community of hospitality workers. Broad findings included 1) hospitality workers are uniquely positioned within the community, building connections with patrons and coworkers, some of whom may be at risk for polysubstance misuse. 2)Personal experiences of substance misuse involving friends, themselves, coworkers, or patrons that informed their perspective on the need for HR strategies. 3) An emphasized need for HR protocols in Columbia and South Carolina. 4) Barriers to implementation centered on lack of overdose protocols, insufficient support from management, and limited knowledge of administering Narcan (naloxone). The presentation will identify future implications and direction of this work as it relates to hospitality in South Carolina.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 176
|
| Johnson, Tempestt |
Bauer, Eurydice |
The Positive Impact of Using Young Adult Literature in the English Language Arts Classroom: Reimagining the Application of Rosenblatt’s Transactional Theory in the Classroom
View Full Text
Abstract Text
This study explored parental perspectives on incorporating Young Adult Literature (YAL) containing explicit content into high school English curricula, specifically examining responses to Chapter 2 of Angie Thomas's The Hate U Give. Through individual interviews with four parents of adolescents, the research investigated how parents respond to YAL with graphic content, how their worldviews impact their approach to literature selection for their children, and whether they adopt "story-driven" or "point-driven" reading models (Soter et al., 2010). Using Rosenblatt's (1969, 1986, & 1993) transactional theory and drawing on Soter et al.'s (2010) concept of expressive response, the study found that parents generally supported incorporating YAL into English classrooms, particularly because of its ability to generate meaningful discussions about challenging topics. Participants initially approached the text through a "story-driven" lens, making emotional connections to the content, before transitioning to a more analytical "point-driven" approach when considering YAL's broader educational value. The study revealed that parents, regardless of their backgrounds, recognized YAL's potential to develop empathy, critical thinking, and understanding of diverse perspectives among students. Even parents from conservative backgrounds demonstrated openness to incorporating controversial content when the parents could engage with the material directly. These findings suggest that involving parents in discussions about curriculum choices and providing opportunities for them to engage with YAL firsthand may help address concerns about incorporating contemporary, challenging texts into English classrooms. This research contributes to ongoing discussions about book selection, curriculum development, and the role of parental input in English Language Arts education.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 102
|
| Attaway, Jennie |
Matthews, Sarah |
A Path to Advocacy: Insights into Health Policies for Vulnerable Populations
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Throughout my academic and volunteering journey, I have developed a new understanding of how health and welfare policies and programs impact vulnerable populations, especially older adults. My eyes were first opened to vulnerable populations while interning at the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, currently known as the S.C. Department of Public Health. I was able to see first-hand what community members receive when seeking care from their local health departments and the specifics of widespread issues in South Carolina. After completing this internship, I gained more insight into different communities through my Social Welfare Policies and Programs course. This course offered a new perspective on the historical, political, and systematic factors that can shape policies and programs for vulnerable populations. Neither of these experiences gave me insight into the troubles the elderly population faces until volunteering with the Meals on Wheels program. Not only was I able to find my bearings when driving around all of Richland County for many hours each week, but I was also able to see the importance of community in the lives of seniors. Seniors are one of the populations that face feelings of loneliness and a lack of socialization due to health issues, leading me to believe that a hot meal and a smiling face can make their day. Every person I have come across is nothing short of grateful for the resources that are available to them and the community that they have access to. Meals on Wheels mainly serves older people as well as disabled adults. Many recipients cannot maintain an adequate, healthy diet due to transportation, illness, or mobility. With this, they are usually on a tight budget, making these free or low-cost meals extremely beneficial. These experiences have highlighted the need for programs and policies that address not only healthcare but also the social determinants of health for vulnerable populations. Moving forward, I am motivated to advocate for policies that address the needs of senior citizens to ensure their independence, dignity, and access to the resources they need.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 258
|
| Hamida, Hamida |
Gupta, Rohan
Weyer, Chloe
Wilson, Kiesha
Yang, Xiaoming
Nagarkatti, Prakash
Nagarkatti, Mitzi |
Single-cell transcriptomic analysis reveals mechanisms of delta-8-THC-mediated attenuation of liver inflammation in murine autoimmune hepatitis
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a type of liver inflammation in which the immune system attacks hepatocytes. Previously, we reported D8-THC effectively alleviated liver damage induced by Concanavalin A (ConA). Here, we investigated the involvement of cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2) in the suppression of AIH by D8-THC. Using CB1KO, CB2KO and CB1/CB2KO mice, we observed that D8-THC mediated its immunosuppressive effects independent of CB1 and CB2. Blocking CB receptors using CB1 antagonist (AM251) or CB2 antagonist (SR144528) did not reverse the efficacy of D8-THC to alleviate the AIH which confirmed that D8-THC was acting independent of CB receptors. scRNA-seq analyses revealed profound changes in different immune cell populations. For instance, we observed an increased proportion of CD8+ T cells, CD4+ cells, Th1/Th2 cells, cycling T cells, neutrophils, plasmacytoid DCs (pDCs), macrophages in AIH mice which were reversed following D8-THC treatment. Interestingly, D8-THC increased the proportion of Kupffer cells and CXCR3+ activated NK cells. Despite its role in differentiation of T cells, KCs contribute to hepatic immunotolerance by causing expansion of immunosuppressive regulatory T cells and secreting IL-10. Differentially expressed genes in all immune cell populations were identified and used to perform gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) that revealed suppression of adaptive immune response, T cell differentiation and selection, acute inflammatory response, response to cytokines and IL-6, cellular response to stress, NKT and leukocyte differentiation and cell migration in D8-THC treated group whereas these biological pathways were activated in diseased group. The top three types of immune cells exhibiting the highest degree of intercellular communication were found to be Kupffer cells, CD8+ cells and NK cells. In conclusion, this study provides a landscape of transcriptional changes associated with anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects of D8-THC in liver inflammation and reveals its action in cannabinoid receptors-independent manner.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 16
|
| Geils, Christian |
Sutton, Christopher
Garashchuk, Sophya
Rassolov, Vitaly |
Kolmogorov-Arnold Networks for Explainable Molecular Property Prediction
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Predicting molecular properties is crucial for materials science and drug discovery, traditionally requiring computationally expensive quantum mechanical calculations. While machine learning approaches offer faster alternatives, many function as "black boxes," providing predictions without revealing their underlying reasoning. This study investigates Kolmogorov-Arnold Networks (KANs) as a solution for explainable molecular property prediction. KANs, derived from the Kolmogorov-Arnold representation theorem, combine deep learning's expressive power with intrinsic explainability through learnable, interpretable activation functions. We apply KANs with molecular descriptors to predict key properties including solubility, toxicity, formation energy, and octanol/water distribution coefficients. Our experiments demonstrate that even a one-layer KAN outperforms linear regression in predicting aqueous solubility. We systematically compare KANs against state-of-the-art models including graph neural networks and fingerprint-based approaches across multiple datasets. Results show that KANs achieve competitive accuracy while providing valuable insights through visualization and interpretation of activation functions. In several cases, we successfully extract symbolic formulas from trained KANs, revealing simple physical relationships underlying complex molecular properties. Furthermore, we analyze the relative importance of different molecular descriptors, identifying key structural features that most significantly influence property predictions. This work challenges the assumption that chemical systems are too complex for interpretable models and demonstrates that KANs can serve as powerful tools for molecular science, balancing predictive performance with the transparency needed for high-stakes decisions in drug design and materials development.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 81
|
| Monahan, John |
Potts, Jay
Kumar, Ambrish |
Development of a Novel Therapeutic to Treat Heart Failure and the Impacts on the Gastrointestinal System.
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Introduction: Alpha-calcitonin gene related peptide (α-CGRP) is a 37-amino acid regulatory neuropeptide found in many tissues and is known to be a potent vasodilator but has a short half-life (~5.5 minutes in human plasma). Development of an α-CGRP analog that incorporates two monomers of N-methoxyethylglycine (NMEG) peptoid at the N-terminal end (NMEG-CGRP) has exhibited resistance to proteases allowing for extended availability of α-CGRP. Previous observations suggest the hypothesis that induced heart failure decreases blood flow and causes damage to the heart and gastrointestinal tract but is restored with administration of NMEG-CGRP.
Methods: Mice were divided into 4 groups of Sham, Sham+NMEG-CGRP, TAC (transverse aortic constriction), and TAC+NMEG-CGRP. Ultrasound analysis, fraction shortening, and ejection fraction served as the cardiac function parameters. Additionally, feces were collected from the mice every 7 days and underwent DNA extraction for analysis of the intestinal microbiome. After 28 days the mice were sacrificed, and the hearts and gastrointestinal tract were excised for microscopic analysis. The gastrointestinal tract was processed and imaged with EVOS and confocal fluorescence microscopy.
Results: Analyses exhibited that HF due to TAC displayed disruption of intestinal microbiome including decreased microbial diversity, but those treated with NMEG-CGRP had less disruption of their microbiome. Images of the gastrointestinal tracts were obtained with EVOS microscopy and measured using ImageJ software to obtain villi height to crypt depth ratio (Sham 2.48, Sham-CGRP 2.48, TAC 2.52, TAC-CGRP 2.76). The gastrointestinal sections were stained with various solutions to highlight the structural features of the ileum under confocal fluorescence microscopy.
Conclusion: It appears that the gastrointestinal system undergoes some degree of ischemia after undergoing TAC that disrupts the gut microbiome. The use of NMEG-CGRP in mice that received the TAC procedure saw an increase in the villi height to crypt depth ratio in the ileum, less disruption of their gastrointestinal microbial diversity, and improvements in cardiac function. This points to the use of NMEG-CGRP in heart failure to restore the structure and function of the gastrointestinal tract and mitigation of heart failure. Future studies are needed to refine dosing and explore mechanistic links between gut microbiome and HF.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 198
|
| Kohlmann, Samantha |
Outten, Franklin Wayne
Reasons, Dexter |
Investigating the Role of BolA-type Proteins in Iron Homeostasis of E. Coli
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Iron plays a crucial role in a variety of cellular processes, including gene regulation, metabolism, hormone synthesis, bioenergetics, cellular respiration, and DNA synthesis and repair. Within cells, iron is often present in the form of iron-sulfur (Fe-S) clusters – cofactors that are highly reactive and act as effective electron transfer catalysts in various biochemical pathways. Several types of proteins, such as monothiol glutaradoxin (Grx) family proteins and BolA family proteins, are involved in the storage and trafficking of Fe-S clusters. In E. coli, the only BolA family proteins are BolA and IbaG, and the only monothiol glutaredoxin is GrxD. GrxD typically forms a homodimer but can also form heterodimers with BolA or IbaG, all bridged by a [2Fe-2S] cluster. While the precise function of IbaG remains somewhat unclear, BolA is well known to play a role in E. coli cell motility, biofilm formation, and iron metabolism by acting as both a transcriptional regulator and an iron-sulfur cluster storage protein. Interestingly, IbaG in E. coli has been shown to form a heterodimer with GrxD independently of Fe-S cluster binding in vitro. This project aims to explore how BolA, IbaG, and GrxD influence the iron homeostasis of E. coli cells, with the goal of identifying characteristics of these proteins which could be generalized to their homologues in the prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms that they span, providing potentially valuable insight into human cell or plant cell phenotypes that might be more challenging to study. My investigation uses E. coli cell mutants with systematic deletions of the ibaG, bolA, and grxD genes along with Grx, BolA-family double mutants (∆grxD, ∆ibaG and ∆grxD, ∆bolA). My studies thus far have indicated a decreased labile iron pool in ibaG mutants which is made less severe when coupled with a grxD mutation which, when alone, increases the labile iron pool. Experiments are ongoing to continue research into the complex roles of each of these proteins on the iron homeostasis of E. coli.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 56
|
| Bartholomew, Vanessa |
Chen, Elliott
Jensen, Kate
Pumilia, Alex
Le, Paulina
Nam, Arthur |
Cost Effectiveness of Facial Fracture 3D Reconstructed Images
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Introduction: Advancements in X-rays and CT scans have significantly improved diagnosis of facial fractures, particularly those previously difficult to detect clinically. Introduction of three-dimensional (3D) reconstructions of facial CT scans has further enhanced fracture visualization and surgical planning. However, cost-effectiveness of 3D reconstructions compared to traditional 2D CT scans in trauma patients remains unclear. This study aims to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of 3D facial reconstructions in the context of facial trauma and determine whether the added diagnostic value justifies the increased cost.
Methods: Costs associated with 2D CT imaging and 3D reconstructions at our institution were assessed through review of standard gross charges obtained from the Prisma Health billing and coding department. Additional variables for each imaging modality were evaluated, including image slice width and radiation exposure to the patient. A literature review was conducted to examine the role of imaging in facial trauma evaluation. Practical utility of 3D reconstructions was further discussed with senior facial trauma surgeons at our institution.
Discussion: The reported gross costs for 2D CT imaging were $2,143 for maxillofacial imaging and $2,210 for head imaging. The add-on cost for post-processing 3D reconstruction was $1,210, bringing the total cost to $3,354 for maxillofacial 3D imaging and $3,420 for head 3D imaging. Slice width for 2D CT images ranged from 1-3 mm for maxillofacial imaging and 3-5 mm for head imaging. Average slice width for 3D reconstructions was 0.625 mm. Average radiation exposure for 2D CT imaging was 45 mGy for maxillofacial and 35 mGy for head scans. Notably, addition of 3D post-processing did not introduce additional radiation exposure. Complex facial fractures initially imaged with standard 2D CT scan required repeat imaging for 3D image reconstruction during surgical planning, resulting in a cost increase of more than two-fold.
Conclusion: Although 3D facial CT reconstructions incur additional costs, the advantages they offer in improved fracture visualization and surgical planning justify the expense, particularly for patients with complex fractures. While 2D imaging remains the standard first-line modality, utilizing 3D imaging at the initial evaluation is more cost-effective overall and does not result in additional radiation exposure to the patient.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 191
|
| Murchison, Asia |
Ballou, Julia |
From Student to Cadet: Navigating College as an ROTC student.
View Full Text
Abstract Text
This portfolio will explore my transition from a traditional college student to a Cadet in the Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC). I will reflect on my experiences and the challenges of integrating a completely new lifestyle—one that required me to shift my mentality and develop a heightened level of discipline. Adapting to the structure and demands of ROTC was a significant transformation, one that pushed me to grow both personally and professionally. Through this journey, I have cultivated essential skills that are shaping my future career as an Army officer.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 294
|
| Frary, Sarah Grace |
Harrod, Steven |
Development and Barriers Encountered in Designing and Implementing a CBPR-Informed Needs Assessment of Harm Reduction Efforts in Local Food and Beverage Communities
View Full Text
Abstract Text
The opioid and polysubstance use crisis presents an ongoing public health crisis to many communities in the U.S., and preserving lives affected by substance use disorders (SUDs) is of the utmost importance to local and statewide responses to the crisis. Harm Reduction (HR), an orientation toward addressing substance use focused on minimizing the negative effects of substance misuse by prioritizing the individual’s survival and reducing harm, is a preferred approach to addressing the crisis in South Carolina; the SC opioid task force emphasizes community saturation of HR resources as critical to lowering substance misuse. Translating HR efforts into local institutions poses a barrier, however, as resources have yet to adapt to hospitality communities (bartenders, cooks, waitstaff, bouncers) - communities that to a greater degree see the effects of substance misuse as compared to the general population. These communities hold important insights about how community-based HR efforts might proceed at a local level, and interventions based in the experiences of community members tend to be more sustainable and effective.
Through community-based participatory research (CBPR) informed methods, this study aimed to identify community insights through qualitative focus groups to aid development of culturally tailored interventions to promote HR within hospitality communities. Throughout the process of the study’s development and launching, cultural concerns within and around the food and beverage community presented novel challenges to academically-housed research; for example, concerns related to sharing experiences for fear of threats to employment were a barrier to recruitment, and navigating the many demands on the time of food and beverage workers was a concern for our team. At the project’s conclusion, in addition to results that may support HR efforts in Columbia and the surrounding communities, the project yielded helpful insights into how to conduct community-based research with a very specific community that has a profound connection to the issues of substance misuse and HR. This presentation will provide background on the study’s development and the challenges that arose as a result recruitment and cultural considerations and applications, to provide guidance for similarly developed projects in the future.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 88
|
| Campen, Cody |
Fillo, Jennifer |
Examining the role of sleep and emotion dysregulation in smoking quit attempts using ecological momentary assessment data
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Smoking is the number one cause of preventable death in the United States, and world-wide the behavior is responsible for over 8 million deaths per year. Not only does smoking affect the individual, but second-hand smoke is associated with 1.3 million preventable deaths per year.
Among smokers, insomnia is a well-documented problem. Studies show that smokers score worse on measures of total sleep time, sleep onset latency, sleep apneas, and movement during sleep, among others. Although insomnia leads to numerous detrimental health effects on its own, in the context of smoking, it consistently demonstrates a robust association with worse smoking cessation treatment outcomes. Given that less than one-in-ten individuals who try to quit are successful each year, it is important to identify and understand risk factors that can undermine the cessation efforts.
In order to create effective interventions addressing the roles of sleep and emotion regulation in smoking cessation, it is critical to understand the exact causal relationships among these factors. Prior studies finding relations among the three constructs have argued that sleep disturbances contribute to emotion dysregulation, which, in-turn, negatively impacts cessation outcomes (e.g., lower quit related self-efficacy, more quit-related problems). However, this prior research was cross-sectional (i.e., all variables collected at the same time), and therefore cannot speak to the temporal relationships among sleep, emotion dysregulation, and smoking.
To address this gap in the literature, we examine relations among sleep, emotional processes, and smoking variables using ecological momentary assessment data. By using daily measurements of all three constructs, collected over 21 days, findings provide stronger evidence for the exact temporal ordering of effects.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 137
|
| Neal, Tessa |
Spence, Gina |
Lowe's Inc: Gateway to Software Engineering
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Before coming to college, I had no coding experience, let alone any professional experience in a computer science related field. I went until the summer after my junior year without any professional coding experience where I found myself as a full stack software engineering intern at Lowe's Inc. From navigating a completely new environment, to networking with directors, and eventually taking on full time responsibilities, interning at Lowe's provided the best foundation I could have asked for to be successful as a software engineer post graduation.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 282
|
Eagles, Amani
Jennings, Cooper |
Kloos, Bret
Wong, Dylan
Cunningham, Harri |
Patterns of Service Utilisation In The Columbia Homeless Court
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Thousands of people in South Carolina face homelessness each year. These unhoused individuals and families are expected to engage with a variety of homeless services, including short-term, crisis shelters, case management, and long-term housing solutions. These services are thought to buffer the negative experiences of homelessness by addressing their housing, social, and health needs. The Columbia Homeless Court (CHC) is an institution which aims to address homelessness by reducing the number of charges, warrants, and penalties faced by affected people to incentivize their participation in services and to reduce barriers to housing and employment. This raises questions about the services CHC participants use more and the patterns that emerge from service use. This is important to see which services alleviate homelessness. It thus serves as a connecting function between these populations and homeless services. However, little is known about the patterns of homeless services utilization, including whether the CHC increases use. Using homeless services data collected from the HMIS, the present study aims to compare service use between the population of CHC participants and a control group selected through propensity score matching. It is expected that people who have participated in the CHC will exhibit different patterns of service use than people who have not; specifically, a trend where crisis service usage decreases in favor of long-term housing support. Additionally, various socioeconomic demographic characteristics will be analyzed to determine which factors are most correlated to service use patterns, including gender, race, age, prior living situation, income, health insurance, and current living situation. This framework will be applied to both groups, so that the differential impacts of demographic characteristics can be examined between the CHC participants and non-participants. The results of this study will provide knowledge that could inform improvements to the CHC and other homeless court systems. Knowledge of service patterns and demographic could aid in ensuring there are programs that actually address the needs of homeless populations. Little is known about the effects of homeless courts on broader homeless populations and patterns of service use, but this information is necessary to understand the barriers preventing people from existing homelessness.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 162
|
| Nestler, Hannelore |
Pittman, Doug |
Androgenic Properties and Metabolic Impact of Oral Contraceptives and Implications for Clinical Use
View Full Text
Abstract Text
The goal of this research project is to investigate the comparative effects of older and newer generations of oral contraceptives (OCs). Older generation progestins exhibit androgenic activity, acting as agonists at androgen receptors, whereas the newer progestins, such as drospirenone, nomegestrol acetate, and nestorone, demonstrate anti-androgenic properties that align more closely with natural progesterone. To explore the clinical implications of these differences, a literature review regarding the metabolic effects of androgens in females was conducted. Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a condition characterized by hyperandrogenism, frequently exhibit higher rates of insulin resistance, obesity, and unfavorable metabolic profiles. A meta-analysis comparing the effects of different progestins on lipid parameters and carbohydrate metabolism revealed that OCs containing anti-androgenic progestins are associated with more favorable metabolic outcomes, while older, androgenic progestins appear to contribute to adverse metabolic effects. Further supporting this correlation, additional studies were examined to assess whether insulin sensitivity is influenced by OCs containing lower doses of ethinyl estradiol or anti-androgenic progestins. The findings indicated that desogestrel/EE, even at low EE doses, reduces insulin sensitivity, whereas chlormadinone acetate/EE does not.
This literature evaluation emphasizes the metabolic distinctions between older and newer OCs and suggests that considering progestin androgenicity in prescribing decisions may improve patient outcomes. Additionally, the project sought to evaluate whether different generations of OCs impact withdrawal or discontinuation side effects; however, insufficient literature was available to establish a correlation. This gap highlights important areas for future research that could refine contraceptive prescribing practices.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 196
|
| Chozick, Jacob |
Yeargin, Susan
Meyer, Courtney |
PATIENT AND EVENT CHARACTERISTICS IN LEGAL CASES OF ATHLETE SUDDEN DEATH AND THEIR RELATION TO EMS ACTIVATION
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Introduction: Sport-related catastrophic injuries that occur during practice or competition can result in permanent disability or death. When the standard of care is not followed, lawsuits can be initiated. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine common variables in cases of athlete sudden death that resulted in lawsuits.
Methods: This study was a retrospective legal case review. Cases from organized team sports at the college and high school levels were included. Using fatalities reported to the National Center for Catastrophic Sport Injury Research (1982-2021), legal databases were searched for legal proceedings and documents obtained for those freely accessible. Dependent variables included athlete and case demographics. Descriptive statistics were calculated for parametric and non-parametric variables. We conducted a chi-square test of independence to determine if differences existed between independent variable levels with cross tabulations used for post hoc testing.
Results: Of 1109 athlete sudden deaths, 10.1% resulted in evidence of litigation. From the 112 cases discovered, we obtained legal documents for 65 (58.0%) cases. Athletes ranged in age from 11 to 25 with a mean of 17.1±3.0y. Most athletes were male (90.8%) at the high school (56.9%) level. Most athletes participated in football (70.8%), with the top cause of death being heat stroke (23.1%). ATs were present in 21.5% of cases and named in 13.8% of cases as defendants. EMS was called in 47.7% of cases. In cases where an AT was present, the proportion of cases where EMS was called was higher than those with unknown activation (Χ2=10.1, df=3, p=0.02). Onsite CPR administration was associated with higher EMS activation (Χ2=10.1, df=2, p<0.01).
Conclusions: The Presence of an AT was associated with a higher proportion of cases where EMS was called. The training and knowledge of ATs may have allowed for better decision-making regarding emergency transport for athletes. Similar reasons can explain the association between CPR administration and EMS activation. Those certified in CPR received instruction to call 911 immediately. These findings suggest there may be benefits in programs requiring the employment of an AT and ones mandating CPR training to all coaches and staff.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 138
|
Maccou, Elana
Levy, Christopher |
Rupp, Irena |
Complex resection of locally advanced splenic flexure colonic adenocarcinoma
View Full Text
Abstract Text
We discuss a complex excision of a locally invasive colorectal malignancy invading the diaphragm, left chest wall, and subcutaneous tissue. Our patient is a 70-year-old female with COPD, poorly controlled T2DM, minimally ambulatory due to deconditioning, and 40lbs weight loss who was diagnosed with T4bNxM0 splenic flexure microsatellite proficient adenocarcinoma with involvement of posterior chest wall. The patient was medically optimized with smoking cessation, nutrition supplementation without further weight loss, diabetic control, physical therapy participation and progression to ambulation. After multidisciplinary discussion, she was offered neoadjuvant FOLFOX (Fluorouracil, Leucovorin, Oxaliplatin) chemotherapy and underwent 4 cycles. At that time, her chest wall involvement worsened and there was evidence of tumor perforation palpable on physical exam. She was restaged and offered definitive resection.
A laparoscopic converted to open en-bloc surgical resection was performed which resulted in an extended right hemicolectomy with end ileostomy, splenectomy, repair of partial thickness diaphragm injury, partial resection of two ribs, and placement of OviTex® biologic mesh in the lateral abdominal wall. Final pathology yielded a pT3 pN0, moderately differentiated (G2) adenocarcinoma with negative margins, signs of tumor regression along with inflammation of the spleen and resected portions of the ribs. A total of 65 lymph nodes were resected without any evidence of metastasis. Her post operative course was complicated by a delayed asymptomatic pneumothorax which was managed by placement of a 28F surgical chest tube at the bedside. While her care is ongoing, she is progressing in her recovery and bound for discharge with rehabilitation support as needed.
In conclusion, determining the approach to resecting a locally advanced abdominal malignancy can be challenging especially when there is concern for involvement of the thoracic cavity; thus, leading to an increased risk of morbidity and mortality. Key tenants include consideration of neoadjuvant chemotherapy, tactical dissection, appropriate visualization of surrounding anatomy and recognizing when to convert to an open procedure for the patient’s benefit. In the hands of a skilled surgeon, complicated masses should be resected to improve a patient’s reasonable chance for response to adjuvant chemotherapy and improved quality of life.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 118
|
| Fernández, Ademar |
Frost, Dan |
Crustal Structure Underneath South Carolina Determined by Receiver Functions; Resolving the Crustal Configuration Under the Elgin–Lugoff Seismic Swarm
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Following the 27 December 2021 Mw=3.3 Elgin–Lugoff earthquake in South Carolina (SC), an earthquake swarm has been consistently occurring in the area. The origin and causes of the swarm are still under research. This research aims at analyzing the crustal structure in South Carolina from the coast to the Appalachians. We will map two perpendicular 2D profiles; first from Charleston to Lake Jocassee (~365 km), and later from Sparta to Carthage (~400 km). The second cross-section will allow us to map across the Eastern Piedmont Fault System (EPFS), which serves as a tectonic boundary between the predominantly sedimentary southeast and the northwest of SC. By using the time domain deconvolution method, we will calculate teleseismic receiver functions (RFs) for a set of 1567 Mw≥5.5 earthquakes from 2012–2024. For converting the RFs to depth, we will use a recently developed local velocity model determined by using the seismic data recorded by our SmartSolo 5Hz three-component nodes deployed between Elgin and Lugoff from October 2022 until February 2023. We will model synthetic RF stacks obtained by using the Reversible Jump Markov Chain Monte Carlo method to reduce the misfit function between the observational and synthetic data. We suggest the oceanic crust to be ~25 km thick, increasing rapidly to the northwest and reaching about ~45 km thick under Lake Jocassee. A thinning of the crust underneath the Elgin–Lugoff swarm is suggested allowing fluid migration from the upper mantle to the shallow crust, which could explain the continuous seismic activity in the zone.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 52
|
| Essex, Madison |
Pinckney, Jay
Powers, Shannon |
Effects of Temperature on Fundulus Heteroclitus Egg Development
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Fundulus Heteroclitus (Mummichogs) are a small estuarine fish that function as both predator and prey in the trophic structure of east coast tidal marshes. Due to their ecological importance as well as their resilience in low water, low oxygen, high salinity, and fluctuating temperature conditions, this species is ideal to study when considering the potential impacts of increasing water temperatures on estuary habitats and population dynamics. Although Fundulus Heteroclitus and its ability to sustain extreme conditions has been well studied in the past, little has been investigated in regards to embryonic resilience. This study investigates how increased temperature affects the growth and development of Fundulus Heteroclitus embryos over sustained periods of time. Eggs from spawned adult specimens, collected from the North Inlet Estuary in South Carolina, were observed daily over a period of 14-16 days for important development stages and hatching success under three different temperature treatments, 45 ℃, 30℃, and 25℃ (room temperature). Results of this study can help predict future changes in Fundulus Heteroclitus populations and the greater population dynamics of the North Inlet Estuary, informing conservation efforts. (Scientific Collection Permit- SC Department of Natural Resources: # ZZ1124000353, Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) Approval: # 2732-101947-102824)
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 129
|
| Grantham, Natalie |
Wyatt, Michael
McInnes, Campbell |
Targeting PLK1: Structural Insights and Drug Discovery Approaches
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1) is a critical regulator of cell cycle progression, making it a promising target for cancer therapeutics. Its kinase domain (KD) drives phosphorylation events essential for mitosis, while its polo-box domain (PBD) mediates substrate binding and localization. Although ATP-competitive inhibitors targeting the KD have shown efficacy, they often lack selectivity, leading to off-target effects. In contrast, PBD inhibitors, such as abbapolins, selectively disrupt PLK1-substrate interactions and may offer improved specificity. This study employs an integrative approach combining computational modeling, biochemical assays, and structural analysis to investigate PLK1’s conformational dynamics and guide inhibitor development. AlphaFold-based modeling is being used to explore potential dimeric and mutant structures, offering insights into allosteric regulation and resistance-associated adaptations. These models inform the rational design to optimize inhibitors (abbapolins) that target the PBD. To functionally characterize these PBD inhibitors, fluorescence polarization assays are being conducted to quantify the binding affinity of abbapolins and assess their ability to disrupt PLK1-substrate interactions. Crystallization efforts are also planned to obtain high-resolution structural insights that complement computational models. By integrating these approaches, this study aims to map PLK1’s conformational landscape and identify novel small-molecule inhibitors with enhanced selectivity and potency to contribute to the development of next-generation PLK1-targeted therapeutics.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 26
|
| Hughey, Brianna |
Reinhardt, Sara |
Elevate Your Life, One Tour at a Time: The Transformative Journey as a Unviersity Ambassador
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Over the past four years, I’ve had the privilege to serve as a University Ambassador, which allows me to give campus tours and work in the USC Visitor Center. University Ambassadors serve as the front door of the university, providing a welcoming first impression to prospective students and visitors, as well as a visualization of what life could be like as a student at the University of South Carolina.
I became a University Ambassador because I was eager to become involved on campus as a freshman. I wanted to do something that would significantly impact my life and others. The reason I still choose University Ambassadors every day is because it challenges me to be my very best every single day.
Being an ambassador has elevated my life in many ways. It has allowed me to grow professionally with various leadership opportunities. I served as a recruitment and campus visits captain, and currently, I’m serving as a Presidential Ambassador and one of two Mentor Captains. From giving tours to leading weekly meetings, it has also helped develop my communication, public speaking, adaptability, and creativity skills.
Our organization is very feedback-driven, meaning that we get feedback from visitors after every tour – positive or negative, and during the training process, feedback is given from older ambassadors. With that, our organization provides us with areas of improvement and has prepared me to receive feedback once I enter the workforce.
Being an ambassador has broadened my horizons with knowledge of USC and everyday life. Many of my college experiences, including GLD and study abroad, were introduced to me through University Ambassadors—as well as new eating habits, music, fashion, professional practices, and much more.
Lastly, my impact on prospective students and visitors is the main thing that keeps me going. There’s been many times I’ve received texts from students letting me know they chose USC because of my influence. Being an ambassador has truly paved the way for my college experience and has set the foundation for my professional career.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 318
|
| Harley, James |
Rhodes, Morgan |
From Screen to Clinic: The Impact of Short Videos on Diabetes Education
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Background
Media is a ubiquitous part of everyday life. There are many good and bad sources of information found through simple internet searches and social media platforms, particularly related to healthcare. Clinicians have the opportunity to create evidence-based media for patients that would provide accurate health information to patients, with specific attention to those with low health literacy.
Objective
This quality improvement project aimed to produce and present short format videos to patients at the Prisma Health Family Medicine Center discussing the diagnosis and management of diabetes made by their physicians.
Methodology
The project involved producing a series of videos that were one minute long, addressing common topics for diabetes management. The second part was presenting these videos to patients to assess their usefulness. Data was collected using a paper sheet with QR codes for the videos, given to patients with diabetes, with the assistance of the diabetic teaching coordinator available in our office. Videos were also sent via an electronic medical record (EMR) message to the diabetic registry with links to the videos.
Results
A total of 6 videos were created from March to December 2024. There were 10 responses to the patient survey. The more effective method for delivery to the patient was through the EMR using a registry. Overall, 70% of responders provided positive feedback about the videos. Feedback included appreciation for the videos being brief, educational, and somewhat humorous. Criticisms for the videos included notification fatigue and the lack of in-depth information, which was noted to be less beneficial for patients with longstanding disease.
Conclusions
Short format videos educating patients about common topics of a disease were generally well received and can be beneficial, especially for newly diagnosed patients or those with low healthcare literacy. Considerations must be made regarding the time required to produce the videos, which can be significant in a busy schedule. The best topics may be those that are commonly asked, and having a ready-made, reliable, and accurate resource to direct a patient to may help reinforce teaching done during a physician visit.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 124
|
| Lewis, Mya |
May, Jennifer |
Wiping Away Ageism
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Background: Ageism in healthcare is a pervasive problem that goes unnoticed. Ageism manifests through negative attitudes and stereotypes that impact the care that older adults receive. This can lead to less access to treatments, mixed diagnoses, and a lack of respect for their decision-making abilities. Over time, these issues can hurt their overall health, quality of life, and emotional well-being. Most studies on ageism in healthcare have been conducted outside the United States (U.S.), in places like the United Kingdom (UK), Australia, or Turkey. Nurses and nursing students play a crucial role in shaping older adults’ healthcare experiences. However, ageism can influence how nurses and future nurses care for older adult patients.This study aims to explore nursing students’ perceptions of caring for older adults in the healthcare environment.
Methods: To understand nursing students’ perceptions, we will start with a literature review. Majority of the review will focus on studies about ageism in healthcare, especially those about nursing students' attitudes toward older adults. Since there is limited research in the U.S., we will also consider international studies. Based on what we find, we will create a survey to assess nursing students’ attitudes, beliefs, and experiences when caring for older adults. We will use survey development tools like Qualtrics to ensure easy survey distribution and data collection. The survey will be distributed to undergraduate and graduate nursing students at the University of South Carolina to obtain a variety of perceptions.
Results: Developing the survey will involve turning our themes from our literature review into questions. These questions will help us understand how aware nursing students are of ageism, their attitudes, and how prepared they feel to provide unbiased care. The survey will also explore if they think there are gaps in their education related to caring for older adults.
Conclusion: This study aims to figure out how nursing students perceive ageism in healthcare and where education can potentially help reduce biases. What we learn could help create training programs or workshops that improve the quality of care for older adults by making healthcare more respectful and free from ageism.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 168
|
| Owens Pickle, Emily |
Nolan, Melissa
Meyer, Madeleine
Self, Stella
Dye-Braumuller, Kyndall |
Unearthing the ecological-epidemiological profile of emerging tick-borne arboviruses in South Carolina
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Tick-borne diseases pose an increasing public health threat in the United States, with Amblyomma americanum (the lone star tick) emerging as a key vector of several pathogens. Among these, Heartland virus and Bourbon virus are recently identified tick-borne pathogens with potentially severe and fatal outcomes. Lone star ticks are the most frequent biter of humans in the United States and unlike bacterial tick-borne infections, arboviral infections are not treatable with antibiotics, making early detection and surveillance critical. However, data on their prevalence and transmission dynamics remain limited. From 2023 to 2024, A. americanum ticks were collected from multiple sites in South Carolina and Virginia using standardized field surveillance methods. Following morphological identification to species, life stage, and sex, DNA extraction was performed using QIAamp 96 DNA QIAcube HT Kits (Qiagen, Hilden, Germany). Pathogen detection is being conducted via PCR using protocols described by Lambert et al. (Bourbon virus) and Aziati et al. (Heartland virus), with positive controls supplied by the CDC Arbovirus Reference Collection. Chi-square tests and multivariate logistic regression models will assess the prevalence of both viruses across collection sites, time periods, and tick characteristics (life stage and sex) and evaluate associations between tick infection status and ecological factors. Preliminary analyses will provide critical insight into the potential presence and transmission of these emerging viruses in the region. These findings will contribute to a broader understanding of tick-borne virus epidemiology and inform future public health surveillance efforts. This research is both timely and novel since the incidence of tick-borne disease in the United States continues to rise and no previous research has examined the presence or prevalence of these pathogens in this region.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 87
|
Medina, Christian
Proctor, Marceline |
Booth, Kristen |
A Digital Twin-Based Power Management Study for a DC Microgrid
View Full Text
Abstract Text
On the horizon, increases in Electric Vehicles (EVs), distributed renewable resources, and energy storage (ES) penetration will create demands and stresses for which the power grid must be prepared. A DC microgrid, consisting of an isolated grid for 10 houses in a rural community, is investigated to understand energy management using a hierarchical digital twin structure.
A digital twin-based decision maker can help allocate the shared energy based on a public goods cooperative game theory with each home represented by its energy sharing and demand preferences. The digital twin forecasts upcoming load demands and determines energy usage given forecasted weather and the current amount of stored energy. This methodology enables both consumer preference and utility management to coexist while monitoring constraints for the system. The outcomes of this effort will show both an emulated physical DC microgrid system and its digital twin developed for this scenario.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 70
|
| Okeafor, Ibitein |
Hair, Nicole
Gass, Salome
Ostermann, Jan |
Effect of ACIP Policy Recommendation for Adolescent Vaccine Bundling on HPV Vaccine Series Completion and Timeliness: An Instrumental Variable Approach
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Introduction
The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine has the most efficacy in preventing infections that cause cervical, oropharyngeal, and other cancers when administered in adolescence. It is recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) for adolescents. Yet, HPV vaccination coverage among adolescents remains suboptimal. In 2014, ACIP recommended bundling adolescent vaccines, including tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (Tdap) and HPV. However, the impact of Tdap-HPV bundling on HPV vaccine series completion and timeliness remains unclear. This study evaluates the effect of vaccine bundling on HPV vaccine completion and timeliness among adolescents.
Methods
A quasi-experimental design using the 2014 Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) policy recommendation for adolescent vaccine bundling as an instrumental variable (IV) was employed. The ACIP policy was an "external shock," creating quasi-random variation in providers' bundling behaviors, analogous to a randomized controlled trial. Data from the 2011–2022 National Immunization Survey-Teen (NIS-Teen) were analyzed for 166,458 adolescents with provider-verified vaccination records. The IV was defined as pre-policy (before 2014) or post-policy (2014 and later). Tdap-HPV bundling was coded as 1 (bundled) or 0 (unbundled). HPV series completion was defined as ≥2 doses (post-2018) or ≥3 doses (pre-2018), while HPV vaccine timeliness was defined as completion by age 13. Two-stage least squares (2SLS) regression models adjusting for socio-demographic covariates and state fixed-effects were employed.
Results
The 2014 ACIP policy increased Tdap-HPV bundling by 22.1 percentage points (pp) (95% CI: 21.2–22.9pp, p < 0.001), with a higher effect in males (28.2pp, 95%CI: 27.0-29.3pp) than females (15.7pp, 95% CI: 14.4-17.0pp). Bundling was associated with a 69.7pp increase in HPV series completion (95% CI: 67.6–71.7pp), with males (83.6pp) experiencing a stronger effect than females (43.5pp). HPV vaccine timeliness improved by 60.8pp overall (95% CI: 59.2–62.5pp), with a more significant impact in males (65.3pp, 95% CI: 63.6-68.0pp) than females (52.5pp, 95% CI: 48.9-56.0pp).
Conclusion
Policymakers and providers should prioritize vaccine bundling to improve HPV vaccination, especially among populations with historically lower vaccination rates.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 83
|
| Robertson, Haylee |
Newman-Norlund, Roger |
Fine Motor Dexterity as a Mediator of Age-Related Cognitive and Language Decline: The Role of Brain Age Gap
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Hand function and speech production rely on overlapping neural circuits, particularly those involved in fine motor coordination and motor planning, are known to decline with age. This study investigated the relationship between age, fine motor dexterity, cognition, and language function, with a novel exploration of brain age gap as a mediator in these associations. Based on prior research, we hypothesized that both cognition and language function would decline with age, and that this effect would be modulated by fine motor control and brain age gap in a population of healthy older adults. To evaluate this prediction, we examined retrospective data from participants in the Aging Brain Cohort (ABC@USC) Repository. All participants completed the NIHTB 9-Hole Pegboard Test (Peg test) to assess manual dexterity, and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) to assess global cognition and language abilities. Brain age gap, a biomarker of neurobiological aging derived from structural MRI data, was included as a mediator in the model. Pearson’s correlation analyses revealed significant associations between MoCA total score and dominant-hand pegboard dexterity (r = 0.409, p < 0.001), as well as a weaker but significant correlation with non-dominant hand dexterity (r = 0.237, p < 0.05). Mediation analyses indicated that dominant-hand dexterity significantly mediated the relationship between age and both MoCA total (z = -4.51, p < 0.001) and MoCA language scores (z = -2.05, p < 0.05). Brain age gap was found to partially mediate the relationship between age and dominant-hand dexterity (z = -3.72, p < 0.001), suggesting that accelerated brain aging contributes to declines in fine motor function, which in turn impacts cognitive and language abilities. These findings highlight the importance of fine motor control and neurobiological aging as interconnected markers of cognitive health. The observed mediation effects suggest that dexterity and brain age gap assessments could serve as early biomarkers of neurodegenerative risk, particularly for disorders where speech and motor deficits co-occur, such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease. These results provide a framework for future studies on brain aging and cognitive-motor interactions, with implications for targeted interventions preserving motor and language function in aging populations.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 190
|
| Figueroa, Layonna |
Floyd, Alex |
Student as the Manager
View Full Text
Abstract Text
In my two year at Usc Sumter I was able to take a class called EDLP. Within this EDLP class I was able to obtain information that helped contribute to me teaching a UNI101 class. I used tactics to help me plan a lesson and make the students more comfortable with me. My main Goal within this class was to show that going to class can be fun and educational. One of the Lessons that I taught was about "My 30 Values. Within this lesson students wrote down their 30 values. They were told to take some off one by one and in the end. They found out their main goal or value that meant this most to them. This lesson taught them how to manage their priorities even though they are all important.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 297
|
Dilts, Nathan
Mills, Tyler |
Graham, Camille |
A Rare Case of Carotid Artery Stenosis in a Patient with Systemic Sclerosis
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Case presentation
Introduction/Background:
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune connective tissue disease characterized by fibrosis and vasculopathy, primarily affecting small and medium-sized vessels. The exact pathophysiologic mechanism for specific vessel involvement remains unclear, but the endothelial wall damage from autoantibodies can increase the risk for atherosclerosis and vascular complications. While SSc disease sequelae such as Raynaud’s phenomenon and renal artery disease are well-documented, literature examining large-vessel involvement including carotid artery stenosis remains relatively limited. Our case report highlights a 64-year-old woman with scleroderma who developed high-grade carotid artery stenosis requiring surgical intervention despite a lack of significant traditional atherosclerotic risk factors.
Case Presentation:
A 64-year-old female with a history of diffuse scleroderma, RNA polymerase III positivity, and longstanding fibrotic myopathy was found to have asymptomatic high-grade right carotid artery stenosis (70-79%) on vascular imaging. She had been managed conservatively for several years with surveillance and medical therapy. However, with progressive stenosis and increased plaque burden, the vascular surgery team recommended a right carotid endarterectomy with bovine patch angioplasty. The procedure was performed without complications, and histopathology confirmed severe calcific atherosclerosis. Postoperatively, she recovered well, with no new neurological symptoms or signs of cerebrovascular events.
Conclusion:
This case underscores the potential for clinically significant large-vessel involvement in scleroderma, suggesting a possible link between the characteristic vascular endothelial damage and accelerated atherosclerosis. The current data regarding the prevalence of carotid stenosis in SSc is variable, with documented percentages ranging from 11.8% in Bartoli et al to 65% in Frerix et al. A more recent study involving ultrasound of a large cohort of SSc patients demonstrated carotid plaques in approximately half of the patients studied. While clinically significant carotid artery stenosis is not commonly associated with scleroderma, its presence warrants further investigation into screening and management strategies in this patient population. Early detection and appropriate intervention may help prevent long-term cerebrovascular complications.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 126
|
| Wilczynski, Stephanie |
Wilson, Kiesha
Harvey, Falicia
Meggett, Kinsey |
Understanding Needs Surrounding Wellness-Related Resources at the School of Medicine- Columbia
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Careers in the medical and biomedical fields are demanding and require significant time commitments, to studying, research, and professional development. The same applies to medical educators and staff that ensure an efficient and effective curriculum. Employee and student satisfaction is critical for recruiting and retaining quality individuals. The availability of wellbeing-focused resources has been shown to improve employee and student satisfaction and productivity. The University of South Carolina School of Medicine Columbia (SOMC) faculty, staff, and students experience differing pressures in the workplace; however, each should have access to the knowledge of resources available to them associated with fitness, mental health, and overall well-being. The SOMC houses seven graduate programs, each contributing to a diverse study body that follows different course schedules and clinical rotations and some of which are full-time working professionals. Due to the demanding nature of coursework, research commitments, and professional duties, students, faculty, and staff often struggle to prioritize their well-being. SOMC’s Student Affairs, the Student Success and Wellness Center, the Wellness Committee, and the SOMC Library offer several academic and wellness resources. While available to all faculty, staff, and students, the utilization of these resources is unknown. Increased cost of living, disrupted work-life balance, individual stressors, changes in family planning, and mental health can influence how SOMC individuals prioritize their well-being needs. To accurately address the needs of the SOMC community, the Women in Science and Medicine Committee plans to survey faculty, staff and students within SOMC. The purpose of this survey is to identify knowledge of resources at the SOMC to understand the needs of the community further. Responses from this survey will provide information about the access, knowledge, and usage of resources available. We hypothesize well-being resources are underutilized by students, faculty, and staff at the SOMC due to lack of time and knowledge of available resources. It is pertinent to evaluate how available resources are being promoted and used to establish resources around the community's needs and expand well-being resources to faculty, staff, and students.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 9
|
| Patel, Charmi |
Flory, Kate
Rother, Yvette |
Examining the impact of race/ethnicity and location on ADHD outcomes in college students
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that begins in childhood and persists into adulthood. Young adults with ADHD who pursue higher education face academic and social challenges. Studies in youth and young adult populations have shown a correlation between ADHD diagnosis and geographic location, racial/ethnic background, and provider availability in rural areas, highlighting sociodemographic disparities. However, it’s less clear how racial/ethnic background and location impact ADHD impairment and other ADHD-related outcomes (treatment, accommodations). This study examines how location (different university sites across the U.S.) and racial/ethnic background influence the rate of ADHD diagnosis and levels of impairment, treatment, and receipt of academic accommodations. Data was gathered through an online survey as part of the multisite U-LEARN study at six universities. Participants included 2,874 college students with and without ADHD (Mage = 19.3; 70.1% White; 71.3% Female; 15.3% with self-reported ADHD diagnosis). Logistic regressions will be conducted. Our preliminary analyses found that students at the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) were more likely to self-report an ADHD diagnosis compared to other sites. At UIC, it was significant that students were likely to be prescribed medication, and marginally significant at Appalachian State University. At Appalachian State University, University of Wyoming, University of South Carolina, and Syracuse University, students were significantly more likely to receive a non-medication-based treatment for their ADHD. At the University of Wyoming, a lack of accommodations or academic services for students with a qualifying diagnosis was significant. Additionally, we expect to find location differences in ADHD impairment, such that students at rural or southern sites report significantly higher levels of ADHD impairment. We also expect to find that non-White students report significantly fewer ADHD diagnoses, higher level of ADHD impairment, less engagement in treatment, and a lack of receipt of accommodations compared to White students. Understanding how race/ethnicity and location influence our examined outcomes can help tailor interventions for certain groups to provide effective treatment and care. Further research is needed to explore whether certain sociodemographic factors (minoritized racial/ethnic status, rural location) create specific challenges regarding the treatment of ADHD and available resources.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 170
|
| Madgett, Gavin |
Pinckney, Jay |
Phytoplankton group-specific and community responses to co-limiting nutrients in a managed reservoir: Lake Murray, South Carolina
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Freshwater lakes have been the concern for increasing eutrophication in their systems. We observed the concentrations of nitrate and phosphate that impact phytoplankton. Microalgal group concentrations and bioassays were found through high-performance liquid chromatography and ChemTax. These community compositions of phytoplankton were found to be 37% green algae, 27% diatoms, 20% cryptophytes, 11% cyanobacteria, and 4% dinoflagellates. Bioassays with 20 μM NaNO3 and 10 μM KH2PO4 with nitrogen and phosphorus addition were conducted monthly in the spring through the fall of 2023. Co-limitation was observed in all microalgal groups with nitrogen being the primary limiting nutrient, excluding cyanobacteria. Similar to this with cyanobacteria showed co-limitation with phosphorus being the primary limiting nutrient. Nutrient additions of nitrogen and phosphorus also concluded community change with higher results in green algae, but neither on their own showed these results. This implies that the increases of nitrogen and phosphorus loading and changes in ratios for the lake could lead to a change in phytoplankton community with a higher concentration of green algae. However, phosphorus loading relative to nitrogen could increase cyanobacteria in the community composition in the lake.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 120
|
| Hiott, Hagan |
Meyer-Gutbrod, Joshua |
Exploring the Use of Political Images to Create a Shared Southern Identity Among Candidates and Their Voters
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Polarization and increasingly nationalized politics have contributed to a warped understanding of political identity, with geographic identities increasingly being subsumed under partisan banners. However, we argue that these geographic-based identities are persistent in spite of polarization, particularly in the case of commonalities shared by Southerners and what constitutes Southern identity. To explore the competition between partisan and regional identities, we catalogued and measured campaign images, a particularly effective tool for politicians to communicate shared identities, whether authentic or not, with voters. We used Amazon ReKognition image identification tools to extract image elements from 2018 Southern state level campaign websites. Then we model the frequency of those elements, including scene identification and common objects, across candidate-level variables including gender, party, and background, as well as district level variables including age, education, income, race, and the presence of households with children. We find that Southern political candidates across party, gender, and racial lines employ similar rates of Southern identity-based images. Further, by examining the demographics of the districts, we find candidates strategically target their constituents by appealing to symbols of Southern identity. These results offer support for a distinct Southern identity that pushes back on nationalized messaging equating Southern identity with Republican identity. Further, the results contribute to our understanding of how candidates communicate through images to influence voters.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 13
|
| Begler, Morgan |
Fillo, Jennifer |
Adverse childhood experiences and risk for victimization during military service
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Military sexual trauma (MST) involves unwanted physical contact (i.e., touching, assault, rape) and verbal remarks (i.e., comments, coercion, threats) of a sexual nature experienced during military service. Whereas MST is associated with numerous negative consequences for mental health, physical health, and substance use, there is need to better understand risk factors for MST, including pre-service experiences. Sexual victimization, particularly in childhood, is one type of pre-service experience that is worth further investigation in relation to risk for MST. The experience of neglect or abuse (i.e., sexual, verbal, physical) before the age of 18, or bearing witness to these experiences in another (e.g., sibling, parent), is referred to as “adverse childhood experiences” (ACEs). Whereas the link between ACEs and sexual victimization has received significant attention in civilian populations, there is a lack of research within military populations. Understanding more about these kinds of risk factors is critical for the development and appropriate targeting of prevention and intervention strategies for reducing rates of MST. This research examined relations between ACEs and later risk for MST during military service. Data were taken from a larger longitudinal study of health among US Army Reserve and National Guard soldiers. At baseline, participants reported early life experience of ACEs (physical abuse, psychological abuse, neglect, sexual abuse, witnessing abuse). Reports of MST were aggregated across all study waves to create a single indicator of MST history (1=any, 0=none). Analyses revealed that soldiers who reported being the victim of physical or sexual abuse as a child were 2.5 times as likely to later be the victim of MST during service. Additionally, risk of MST was higher for male soldiers who experience physical abuse and female soldiers who experienced neglect. Among both males and females, witnessing physical or psychological abuse of others was associated with higher risk for later MST. Results contribute valuable information on the relations between childhood trauma on risk for sexual victimization during the course of military service in adulthood. Additionally, these findings help draw attention to the importance of considering pre-service experiences that may impact risk and responses to service-related trauma.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 124
|
| Phillips, Mollie |
Evans, Colin
Chakrabarti, Mrinmay
Herron, Ansley |
Exploring the Role of Endothelial Uqcrq in Post-Sepsis Lung Vascular Repair
View Full Text
Abstract Text
There is a lack of effective treatments for sepsis-induced acute lung injury (ALI) and its severe form, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). As a result, mortality rates remain as high as 40% in ARDS patients. ARDS is also a common consequence of severe COVID-19. Novel and effective treatments for ALI/ARDS could arise from a better understanding of the mechanisms that control ALI and subsequent vascular repair. Lung endothelial cell (EC) survival is reduced in ALI, while the vascular repair process following ALI relies upon lung EC proliferation. Our supporting data show that this innocuous level of lung capillary occlusion increases vascular repair following ALI and enhances the pulmonary expression of the key mitochondrial complex III subunit, ubiquinol-cytochrome C reductase complex III subunit VII (Uqcrq), while post-ALI vascular repair is impaired by EC-specific Uqcrq deletion. These studies gave rise to our hypothesis that EC Uqcrq promotes lung EC proliferation to enhance vascular repair after ALI. We aim to define and target Uqcrq-dependent signaling to promote EC survival and proliferation, thereby accelerating vascular repair. In Aim 1, we will determine EC UQCRQs role and mechanism in post sepsis repair using loss of function studies. In Aim 2, we will examine the translational potential of our findings by verifying the mechanisms of UQCRQ-dependent signaling in human lung ECs. Our studies will use clinically relevant mouse models of ALI/ARDS, nanoparticle-mediated EC gene editing and drug delivery, and integrated cellular and molecular analyses, to reveal and promote novel EC proliferation pathways that inhibit inflammatory lung injury. These studies could therefore reveal a new therapeutic strategy for patients with ALI/ARDS.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 28
|
| Savage, Audrey |
Bradshaw, Jessica
Platt, Emma |
Lexical Profiles Indicative of Neurodivergence In Infancy
View Full Text
Abstract Text
It has been well-established that neurodivergent infants have fewer words in their vocabularies within the second year of life (Charman, Drew, Baird, & Baird, 2003). Given that autistic individuals typically focus on systemizing (analyzing structures, rules, and system-building) more than empathizing (socializing) according to the empathizing-systemizing theory, this might be a contributing factor to how infants on the spectrum acquire language. These linguistic clues are worth paying attention to because they could potentially indicate specific divergences in communication and understanding in the mind of a neurodivergent infant. Therefore, in addition to vocabulary size, I am interested in language markers of neurodivergence in vocabulary composition like grammatical categories, so I examined the differences between lexical profiles of 18-month infants in two groups: those who would go on to receive an autism diagnosis or BAP (broader autism phenotype) categorizat ion, and those who would not, out of 35 total participants. The parts of speech I explored were common nouns, verbs, and descriptors. The descriptor category consists of adjectives, adverbs, and prepositions. I purposely excluded animal sounds, greetings, and proper nouns from the CDI because these did not fit neatly into my categories, and they operate differently in speech. Plus, animal sounds, greetings, and proper nouns are usually the earliest words acquired by all infants, neurotypical and neurodivergent alike, so by excluding them I can look at slightly more advanced language where part of speech differences start to emerge. I also examined if 18-month vocabulary characteristics were correlated to social skills at 24 months. I conducted this secondary data analysis using data from the 18-month CDI, a language questionnaire completed by parents, and the 24-month Vineland, an inventory completed by a clinician with insight from parents that measures adaptive behavior skills lik e communication and socialization. Any clues available at 18 months are invaluable to early identification because diagnosis happens around 24 months, and early intervention allows kids on the Autism spectrum and their families to get the support they need.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 154
|
| Hubbard, Kaitlen |
Metcalfe, Christi |
An Examination of the Escalation of Domestic Violence Incidents in South Carolina: A New Measurement of Escalation
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Domestic violence remains a critical issue, but research on the escalation of specific incidents is limited. Nevertheless, understanding how interpersonal and situational factors contribute to escalation within individual incidents can provide valuable insights for intervention and policy. While existing studies on escalation focus primarily on intimate partner violence and family violence, only one study directly examines the escalation of domestic violence incidents and none of them are conducted in the United States. The current dissertation seeks to fill this gap by using an exploratory sequential mixed-methods approach to analyze the escalation of domestic violence incidents in South Carolina. First, an inductive qualitative analysis is used to identify themes of escalation and de-escalation within prosecutorial case summaries. Subsequently, the qualitative findings are utilized to develop a new quantitative measure of escalation severity that identifies empirical, theoretical, and legal elements contributing to heightened incident violence and risk factors associated with that increased violence. These findings aim to improve intervention strategies, such as batterer’s treatment programs, crisis response training, and law enforcement protocols, by identifying event-related triggers that can inform best practices in managing these situations.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 99
|
| Kessler, Fiona |
Ruppel, Susan |
Personality and The Social Contagion Effect: How Memory is Influenced by Agreeableness
View Full Text
Abstract Text
When an individual recalls an event that did not occur, this is considered a false memory. A widely accepted study that transformed the literature on false memories involved examining the social nature of memory recall. Aptly named, the social contagion effect examines how the presence and influence of others’ false memories may negatively impact an individual’s ability to accurately recall an event (Roediger et. al, 2001). Researchers conducted an experiment where participants were presented with a series of scenes and then asked to recall items from each scene. To address potential confounds, researchers ensured that participants saw six images of common household scenes, all with items ranging from high to low expectancy. Participants were in one of the following conditions: isolation, with a confederate who provided false information, or with a confederate who provided only accurate information. Roediger et. al (2001) found that when the participant was with the confederate providing false information, participants’ memory of the scene was contaminated, and therefore, more likely to experience false memories.
While Roediger et. al (2001) explained the influence social settings have on memory, existing research on false memories does not account for another important variable: the personality traits exhibited by the individual. Specifically, 1) Are individuals who score higher in agreeableness more susceptible to false memories? 2) In social settings, are individuals who score higher on agreeableness more susceptible to false memories, thus reflecting the social contagion effect? In the present study, we replicated the procedures of the social contagion effect study while accounting for agreeableness as a potential variable through a version of the Big-five personality questionnaire measuring agreeableness. Eighty-nine participants with high or low agreeableness scores were randomly assigned to one of three conditions: with a confederate providing false information, with a confederate providing only correct information, or an individual with no confederate and were asked to perform a memory recall task. Ultimately, we found no support for agreeableness as a personality trait that influences one's susceptibility to the social contagion effect.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 177
|
| Cheung, Yu |
Burrow, John |
The diversity of Intimate Homicide and sentencing outcome
View Full Text
Abstract Text
“Intimate Homicide” studies have disproportionately focused on traditional romantic relationships despite the existence of other relational categories between the victim and the offender. Using such a restrictive definition can impact sentencing outcomes by altering how juries and judges perceive the severity of homicides. The current study examines how different types of intimate relationships (proximal, estranged, dating/cohabiting, and familial) impact the decision to impose life without parole (LWOP) and death sentences in first-degree murder cases in Florida. The result indicates that type of intimate relationship significantly influences LWOP and death sentences. Additionally, there is a “white, female victim effect” to the extent that homicides involving white female victims are significantly more likely to be sentenced to death. These findings have significant legal and policy implications.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 97
|
| Phillips, Sam |
Krizek, Beth |
Characterizing Interactions in the GRF-INTERACTING FACTOR Gene Family in Arabidopsis thaliana
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Specific gene families in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana play important roles in deciding the size and shape of its organs. The GRF-INTERACTING FACTOR (GIF) gene family consists of three genes, GIF1 (a.k.a. AN3), GIF2, and GIF3, and is known to promote leaf and flower growth primarily by controlling cell number. While reduced size in leaves and flowers has been documented in plants with the single mutant allele for an3, single mutants for gif2 and gif3 show less extreme changes. The severity of the growth defects in double mutants is increased, with double mutants including the an3 mutation showing the greatest change. The an3 gif2 gif3 triple mutant of Arabidopsis thaliana shows the most significant size reduction in leaves and flowers. In previous studies, the gif3 mutant allele used in the triple mutant combination is likely not a complete loss of function as some full-length gif3 transcripts are present in this mutant background. We created a new triple mutant using a different gif3 allele that was more likely to correspond to a complete loss of gene function. Presently only one triple mutant inflorescence has been recorded, and we are in the process of documenting phenotypic data from other plants as inflorescences are produced. Because the triple mutant is female sterile, we are also maintaining double mutant lines that are heterozygous for an3 and can be used in crosses to produce triple mutant progeny. Preliminary results are phenotypically similar to previous studies, with floral organs showing severe deformity and reduction in size. Floral organ identity was also affected, as the documented inflorescence does not show proper patterning and has some categorically indeterminate segments.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 86
|
| Osborne, Morgan |
Harris, Eboni
Bartmess, Marissa |
Workplace Violence on Nurses
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Workplace Violence on Nurses
By: Morgan Osborne
Introduction/Background:
Workplace violence (WPV) is a growing concern in the healthcare industry on healthcare workers, especially nurses. Nurses experience mental, physical, and verbal abuse and threats by patients, visitors, and, unfortunately, other colleagues. Furthermore, these incidents on nurses lead to a hostile work environment, negative effects on their health and well-being, and patient safety/care quality.
Purpose/Objective:
This study is aimed at the incidence rates, prevalence rates, causes, and consequences of WPV on nurses and focuses on prevention and mitigation measures to reduce these incidents from happening.
Methods:
Four peer-reviewed, scholarly, research articles were used to collect data on the number of incidents that occur on nurses and the patterns and factors that contribute to these incidents occurring. The search to find these articles was only limited to Google Scholar where articles were used from the National Library of Medicine and PubMed. These searched were also filtered to articles that were published between 2017-2025 and that were peer-reviewed.
Results/Conclusion:
It was found that WPV on nurses continues to be a major issue within the field of nursing. It was found that verbal abuse is the most common form of abuse followed by physical abuse by patients, visitors, and colleagues. Contributing factors to these incidents occurring was physical and psychological stress, staff shortages, and a decrease in security measures. Conclusively, there needs to be stronger policies and procedures against WPV, staff training, and more heavily enforced legal actions to anyone assaulting/abusing nurses.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 88
|
| Edds, Anna |
Ballou, Julia |
Empowering the Female Workforce
View Full Text
Abstract Text
As a woman in business, I am passionate about using my influence to build confidence in future female business leaders. Women in Business Council is an organization on campus designed to “Connect, Empower, and Educate” women across all majors. To gain full membership, new members are required to complete the Women in Business Internship (WIBternship) program. During my junior year, I was proud to serve on the WIBternship Committee alongside three talented women.
During my role, I collaborated in the design and delivery of professional development presentations for approximately 150 members. Topics including Networking, Professional Dress, Major Exploration, Resume Review, and LinkedIn Preparation were designed to jumpstart personal branding for members. Twice a month, the committee held in-person meetings to educate members and encourage interactive discussions. Women participating in the WIBternship program were also required to attend a mock interview to practice answering questions with “STAR” (Situation, Task, Action, Result) responses. After each interview, I provided personalized feedback to help interviewees gain confidence for future interviews with employers. The final stage of the WIBternship Program was a group Case Competition, where each participant gained collaboration, research, and problem-solving skills. Members who completed the program were awarded a certificate for their commitment to hard work and building their personal brand.
Serving on the WIBternship Committee reinforced my passion for creating impactful training and professional growth opportunities. As I prepare to graduate in May, I am excited to pursue a career in Human Resources, where I can provide resources, learning opportunities, and support to help employees reach their personal and professional goals.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 290
|
| Regmi, Paras |
Jin, Rongying |
Electrical and Magnetic Properties of UCu0.6Bi2
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Uranium-based compounds have been extensively investigated due to their unique electronic and magnetic behavior, driven by strong spin-orbit coupling (SOC) and magnetism. We investigate the electric, magnetic, and thermodynamic properties of UCu0.6Bi2, which can be considered as the insertion of Cu to UBi2. Compared to UBi2, UCu0.6Bi2 undergoes an antiferromagnetic transition at much lower temperature (TN = 53.2 K). Electrical resistivity measurements reveal a logarithmic temperature dependence in the non-metallic regime (80 K – 200 K) followed by a broad resistivity peak around 60 K, and an upturn again at the lower temperatures. The observed low-temperature behavior of resistivity and magnetic susceptibility suggests that electrical transport is strongly influenced by magnetic scattering.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 28
|
| Arnold, David |
Blenda, Anna
Edenfield, Jeffery
Martin, Julie
Harold, Shannon
Markalunas, Ella |
Analysis of Mutations in Cancer-Critical Genes and Treatment Responses in Colon Cancer
View Full Text
Abstract Text
The diversity of colon cancer treatments allows the potential personalization of regimens for patients, such as existing targeted therapies for mutations in BRAF, KRAS, and PIK3CA. While studies have analyzed patient responses to colon cancer therapies based on genetic mutations in a handful of genes, our research takes a comprehensive approach by examining the interplay between a larger set of mutated genes and treatment options. This project aims to explore the relationships between colon cancer mutations, treatment plans, and responses to determine how genetic mutations influence the outcomes to certain regimens.
Clinical data for 181 colon cancer patients was obtained from the Prisma Health Cancer Institute’s Biorepository derived from EPIC®. The mutation status of 50 cancer-critical genes was determined through multiplex PCR using Ion Ampliseq Cancer Hotspot panel v2 by Precision Genetics and USC Functional Genomics Core. Multiple rounds of treatment were subdivided, with a single data observation corresponding to the applied treatment regimen and response for each round. Data analysis was performed using Microsoft Excel to assess the frequencies of mutations and patient demographics. Additional analysis is being performed using R software to identify relationships between different treatments, mutation status, and patient outcomes.
The most frequent mutations in the colon cancer patients were TP53 (54.1%), KRAS (37.6%), APC (33.7%), KDR (29.8%), and PIK3CA (25.4%). A greater proportion of mutations in BRAF, KDR, and KRAS was observed in female patients compared to male patients. FOLFOX (fluorouracil, leucovorin, oxaplatin) alone was utilized in 23.9% of the colon cancer therapies, capecitabine in 14.9%, FOLFOX + bevacizumab in 11.7%, FOLFIRI (fluoruracil, irinotecan, leucovorin) in 7.2%, and the remaining treatment regimens being comprised of various combinations of these therapies alongside other chemotherapeutic drugs.
Our preliminary analysis shows the variety of genes mutated in the colon cancer dataset, highlighting the predominance of TP53, KRAS, and APC. This supports the frequencies of mutated genes observed in previous studies, reinforcing the dataset’s quality and potential for ongoing analysis. As we continue our research, we aim to identify correlations between mutated genes, treatments, and patient outcomes in an effort to pave the way for improving therapeutic strategies.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 158
|
| Chaluvadi, Lathika |
Absher, John |
Analyzing Mean Diffusivity and Fractional Anistrophy to Understand White Matter Integrity and Connectivity Differences Between Subtypes
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder in the US. PD motor symptoms have been classified using the Movement Disorder Society-Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS), resulting in three commonly accepted motor subtypes: tremor-dominant (TD), postural instability gait difficulty (PIGD), and akinetic-rigid (AR). Defining stable and accurate subtypes is critical, as motor subtyping informs treatment and prognosis. As the current subtyping schema is imperfect, improved, measurable pathophysiological biomarkers are needed. Prior gray matter volume (GMV) analysis, using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), has revealed an association between the Supplementary Motor Area (SMA) and motor subtypes when comparing PIGD and TD females. Investigating white matter (WM) integrity of neural circuitry involving the SMA through Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) could provide insight into the mechanisms that differentiate PD subtypes and sex-specific differences in GMV. This study aims to analyze mean diffusivity (MD) as well as Fractional Anisotropy (FA) using DTI to understand WM integrity and connectivity differences between PD motor subtypes that may contribute to classification. Sex differences in connectivity will also be examined. By comparing MD/FA values for TD vs. PIGD, we anticipate observing impaired connectivity in SMA, with increased MD/FA values for PIGD females.
Using the Parkinson’s Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI), data from 225 PD subjects with available DTI, reverse polarity DTI, MDS-UPDRS, and demographic data were retrieved. DTI studies were converted from DICOM to NIfTI using “dcm2niix” and further processed using DSI Studio batch processing tools. Studies were then evaluated for quality, top-up/eddy corrections were applied, and DTI metrics for 61 preselected WM tracts with SMA and/or motor loop involvement were extracted using DSI Studio’s “Automatic Fiber Tracking” function from the ICBM152 atlas. Using item scores from the MDS-UPDRS, motor subtypes were calculated using the established schema. Subjects with missing data were omitted. A sample size of 145 PD subjects (97 males and 48 females) and 39 tracts remained after all processing steps. Hypothesis-driven statistical analyses will be conducted to describe differences in DTI MD/FA metrics across PD motor subtypes, as well as sex differences in connectivity.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 37
|
| Youmans, Niyah |
Ballou, Julia |
Hands-On Insights from a Pediatric Dentistry Internship
View Full Text
Abstract Text
During the summer of 2023, I had the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in pediatric dentistry through my internship at Carolina Children’s Dentistry in Columbia, SC. This experience allowed me to move beyond the classroom and immerse myself in the daily operations of a dental practice. Under the guidance of Dr. Felicia L. Goins, Dr. B. Brian Han, and Dr. Varsha Kapoor, I expanded my knowledge of both clinical procedures and patient care.
As an intern, I took on responsibilities such as performing routine cleanings, ensuring proper sterilization of instruments, and shadowing physicians. Initially, I was apprehensive about performing my first cleaning, but with practice, I gained confidence and proficiency. Beyond technical skills, I learned the importance of adaptability and empathy when working with young patients, each with unique personalities and needs.
This experience reinforced my passion for pediatric dentistry and deepened my understanding of patient-centered care. I saw firsthand how modifications in communication and approach can create a more positive dental experience for children. As I aspire to attend dental school and become a pediatric dentist, I will carry forward the skills and insights gained from this internship to advocate for children’s oral health and enhance their dental visits.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 258
|
| Rodgers, Sara |
Floyd, Alex |
Made for Missions
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Edinburgh is located in the southeast part of Scotland and is the home of my Beyond the Classroom experience. During a 2-week period, I was able to serve as a valued team member and evangelist through street evangelism and service projects within local schools and community churches. Our team consisted of a group of fifteen members committed to serving the Hearlds Trust, a missions-based organization dedicated to equipping individuals to carry out the message of The Gospel. This Mission Trip was comprised of a daily street set up where we engaged with individuals walking by leading personal conversations with others. Evangelistic mission trips are an opportunity to reach people in different cultures and help them learn about faith, whether through direct teachings, acts of kindness, or community outreach and is why I first got involved in this specific Trip in 2023. I am passionate about sharing my faith and believe that when given any opportunity, it is essential to take advantage and to learn and grow in every aspect. Not only was Edinburgh an incredible opportunity to explore another culture, but it was also a remarkable way to explore the truth of Sociology. Our response to someone’s behavior in conversation is based on the meaning we attach to their actions. Reality is shaped by our perceptions, evaluations, and definitions and the ability to define social reality reflects a group’s power within a society. Understanding social roles and the way society moves and reacts is essential when practicing evangelism. Sociology has not only equipped me with the tools to better interact with new people but has also contributed to my overwhelming view of our creation. This experience is one I always look forward to sharing and why I encourage others to make the most of their mission opportunities.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 197
|
| Ossiander, Emma |
Lacey, Mia |
Guiding Gamecocks Home
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Arguably the most crucial aspect in making a college decision is the feel of a campus tour. The feeling a prospective student gets when visiting a campus plays an essential role in the college they choose. As a University Ambassador, I am fortunate enough to meet prospective Gamecocks every single week. Coming to the University of South Carolina was the best decision I’ve made in my life, and I aim to help other people make this decision. I am grateful to be one of the ninety tour guides serving in this role. I have given over eighty tours since my freshman year.
The tour certification process is long and grueling, but it prepares you for any scenario one can encounter on tour. Throughout that semester, I applied the principles I learned in SPCH 140: Public Communication as I became tour certified. A key part of being a tour guide is adapting the tour to the needs of our guests. The TEDx Talk, “Ten Ways to Have a Better Conversation,” opened my eyes as to where I was lacking in communication with others. The more I communicate with the students on my tour, the better I can serve them as their tour guide. Now, I spend ten hours weekly working in the Visitor Center and serve as the co-Captain for Professional Development and Training. This role has strengthened my communication skills as I constantly connect with campus partners and other Ambassador Captains to maximize our professional development each week.
I joined this organization to grow as a leader and improve my public speaking skills. Not only have I accomplished these, but I am more confident in networking, problem-solving, and decision-making. Each week on tour, when I encounter an obstacle on campus like construction, I solve the problem by rerouting my tour. I am comfortable speaking in front of groups of over thirty strangers now. I know I am able to succinctly communicate all the required information to them within the tour. Becoming a tour guide shaped my college experience for the better. Guiding Gamecocks home leaves me completely fulfilled.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 306
|
| Melkote Srishyla, Diksha |
O'Reilly, Christian |
COMPARING FUNCTIONAL AND EFFECTIVE BRAIN CONNECTIVITY METRICS FOR EEG
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Collaborator(s): Erik Connerty, Vignesh Narayanan
Mentor(s): Christian O’Reilly
Background: Brain connectivity measures have been used to study communication between brain regions using electroencephalography (EEG). Functional and effective connectivity estimate the synchronization and the flow of information between regions, respectively. However, findings from studies using different measures to study similar connections do not agree.
To guide the selection of functional and effective connectivity measures in future studies, we systematically compared a set of measures in the context of resting state EEG. First, four functional connectivity metrics: coherence (Coh), the imaginary part of coherence (imCoh), the corrected imaginary part of phase lagged value (ciPLV), and the debiased weighted phase-locking index (dwPLI)). Then, three effective connectivity measures: generalized partial directed coherence (gPDC), direct directed transfer function (dDTF), and pairwise spectral granger prediction (pSGP).
Methods: We compared the measures using both dynamic and non-dynamic simulated EEG models to assess their performance in the presence of three confounders: i) common input, ii) indirect connections, and iii) volume conduction. We also used experimental EEG to calculate the effect size of eyes-closed (EC) and eyes-open (EO) resting-state conditions as well as the ratio of the inter-to-intra-subject variance in connectivity estimates.
Results: Among the functional connectivity measures, findings from the simulations were inconsistent between models and, hence, not conclusive. Experimental EEG showed that ciPLV and dwPLI displayed statistically significant differences between EC and EO conditions (p<0.05), and had the largest effect sizes. However, Coh displayed the highest inter-to-intra-subject variance ratio.
Both simulated models showed that pSGP was significantly less sensitive to a common input and better distinguished direct from indirect connections (p < 0.05). dDTF displayed the highest effect size with experimental EEG, but pSGP displayed the highest inter-to-intra-subject variance ratio.
Discussion: Our findings for pSGP do not align with established evidence that dDTF has been optimized to distinguish indirect from direct connections. These conclusions need further corroboration.
Conclusion: Preliminary results suggest that pSGP should be chosen to estimate effective connectivity in resting-state EEG when it is important to distinguish direct from indirect connections or to avoid the effect of a common input.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 36
|
| Ramesh, Archana |
Hollis, Fiona |
Understanding the Impact of Gestational Stress on Postpartum Cardiovascular Health
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Amongst the many physiological changes that take place in the body during pregnancy, cardiac remodeling is one of several significant adaptations to support the increased metabolic demands of both the mother and the developing fetus. Pregnancy is considered a stress test of a woman’s heart and many mother’s struggle to keep up with these increasing demands placed on their cardiovascular system. The strain on the heart can exacerbate preexisting conditions or trigger new cardiovascular complications. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of premature death in women, yet our understanding of the mechanisms underlying risk factors for CVD are unclear. Although studies suggest an association between stress and CVD in pregnant and postpartum women, experimental research directly testing this connection is limited. We hypothesized that chronic stress exposure in pregnant females will result in markers of CVD including ANP, BNP, and Troponin I being present at higher amounts in the plasma and lower levels in the heart. To test this hypothesis, we exposed pregnant and non-pregnant female rats to chronic mild unpredictable stress (CMUS) during the last 10 days of gestation. The animals were euthanized at the mid-postpartum time point on postpartum days 11 and 12. We specifically targeted the postpartum left ventricle (LV), the thickest of the heart's chambers, as it more heavily supports systemic circulation. The left ventricle was dissected, weighed, and homogenized. Protein expression of CVD markers of cardiovascular dysfunction and disease were measured using western blots. . We found a significant decrease in BNP protein levels in the LV due to gestational stress. There were no effects of stress or pregnancy on either ANP or Troponin I levels in the LV, though sample sizes are low. Our findings thus far suggest that chronic gestational stress exerts limited effects on postpartum cardiovascular health, and highlights the gestational period as a critical period for cardiac health. Future studies will examine the same CVD markers in the plasma to determine if decreases in LV tissue result in increased release to the circulation.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 53
|
| Watson, Landon |
Burrow, John |
The Impact of Race in Strickland Claims (ineffectiveness assistance) in Death Penalty Cases in Florida
View Full Text
Abstract Text
In 1984, Strickland v Washington (466 U.S. 688, 1984) established a legal remedy for defendants who claim that the deficient performance of their attorneys prejudiced the outcome of their case (Strickland Claim). More specifically, the Court held that if a defendant established that the performance of his attorney was “objectively deficient” such that the trail outcome was impacted, then he/she could seek a remedy to correct the attorney’s errors. This research focuses on Strickland claims in death penalty cases in Florida. Using death penalty cases (N=406) from 1976 (Gregg v. Georgia, 428 U.S. 153), considered the beginning of the modern era of the death penalty, through 2022, this research examines Strickland claims that were brought by defendants where were sentenced to death in Florida. More specifically, this research examines the types of Strickland claims that are brought by death-sentenced defendants and whether race impacts the success of these claims as measured by reversal by an appellate court. The preliminary findings suggest that the race of defendants impacts the success of these claims. The legal and policy significance of these findings will be discussed.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 14
|
| Noble, Israel |
Jabbari, Esmaiel
Dash, Ricky |
Computational Modeling of 3D Structure of Apolipoproteins
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Further research into apolipoproteins has the potential to discover groundbreaking new treatment methods for cancer, cardiovascular diseases (CVD), and Alzheimer’s disease AD. Apolipoprotein variant ApoA-I holds together high density lipoproteins (HDLs), which are researched for their abilities to decrease cholesterol levels in the body and administer harsh cancer drugs for targeted release to tumors, decreasing harmful side effects. Another variant of apolipoproteins is ApoE, which has a variant (ApoE2) that decreases risk of AD and a variant (ApoE4) that increases risk of AD substantially. To compile information about apolipoproteins gathered using big data, such as the RCSB Protein Data Bank (PDB), as well as create fitted models of the apolipoproteins onto various 3d shapes that can be used to compare and evaluate them, big data about the apolipoproteins’ alpha carbon coordinates and structures was extracted from the RCSB Protein database. Matlab was then used to simulate the proteins and fit them to various 3d models that apolipoproteins may take the shape of. This data is then used to calculate various structural properties of the apolipoproteins, such as the end to end distances, the average radii of gyration, and dihedral angles measured and put into a Ramachandran plot to determine if they more closely resemble a beta sheet or an alpha helical structure. The program calculates that ApoA-I has an average dihedral angle of -0.913 degrees and an average backbone angle of 92.494 degrees, while ApoE3 has an average dihedral angle of 3.737 degrees and an average backbone angle of 97.235 degrees. While their angular conformations are very similar, the radius of gyration (Rg) of ApoA-I is roughly twice that of ApoE3, with an Rg of 38.002 relative to ApoE3’s Rg of 19.810. The average dihedral and backbone angles, along with Ramachandran plots, provide conclusive information about the secondary structure of the apolipoproteins, showing that the majority take an alpha helical structure. Modeling each structure and comparing the R^2 values of how these proteins fit various 3d shapes quantifies the folding of these proteins’ structures in a tangible way.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 104
|
| Aliste, Diana |
Kathrein, Katie |
Investigating Pathogen-Triggered Activation in ING4-Deficient HSPCs
View Full Text
Abstract Text
All immune cells originate from hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) within the bone marrow niche, where their potency and fate are tightly regulated to ensure balanced hematopoiesis. This regulation is governed by chromatin remodeling factors that modulate transcriptional programs in response to environmental cues, as required by physiological needs. One such regulator, inhibitor of growth 4 (ING4), is a histone acetyltransferase within the HBO1-HAT complex, coordinating the expression of hematopoietic transcription factors essential for HSPC homeostasis.
Previous studies using an ING4-knockout murine model revealed dysregulated cytokine transcription in bone marrow derived cells. Analysis of mRNA expression demonstrated high levels of cytokine, but serum analysis revealed no increase in cytokine proteins secreted, suggesting that an external stimulus may be required to induce their production. Since many cytokines are produced in response to pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs), exposure to PAMPs may stimulate cytokine protein production in ING4-deficient HSPCs and influence differentiation.
PAMPs are recognized by Toll-like receptors (TLRs), a class of pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) that initiate immune responses. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a bacterial endotoxin, engages TLR4 on the cell’s extracellular membrane, releasing cytokines. Meanwhile, polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid (poly I:C), a synthetic analog of double-stranded RNA, simulates viral infection by binding TLR3 on the endosome within the cell, as well as PRRs RIG-I and MDA5, stimulating interferon production. These molecules ultimately trigger pathways that induce differentiation, proliferation, and activation. HSPC homeostasis may become imbalanced due to a foreign invader such as a pathogen, triggering pathways that could skew hematopoiesis to favor one lineage over another.
To investigate ING4’s role in HSPC activity following pathogen stimulation, lineage-negative enriched BM cells from ING4-knockout and wild-type mice were cultured with LPS and poly I:C. Through culture-forming unit (CFU) assays and flow cytometry analysis, the shifting population and activity of ING4-deficient HSPCs will provide insights on key mechanisms governed by ING4 upon pathogen stimulation. Since ING4 is frequently downregulated, deleted, or mutated in malignant cancers, elucidating its role in immune regulation may offer new avenues for enhancing immunotherapies.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 16
|
Orcutt, Kayla
Edan, Annalise |
Edwards, Hollie |
Elevating Pediatric Care Through Enhancing Resident Physicians' Competence in Type 1 Diabetes Insulin Pump Management: A Quality Improvement Initiative
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Introduction: Resident physicians often have limited experience with insulin pump management, which more and more is being used as a viable alternative to manual insulin dosing in the pediatric population.
Project Aim: This resident-led quality improvement project aimed to increase the knowledge of and working confidence with managing insulin pumps for pediatric residents in the inpatient setting. Specifically, our goal was to increase these metrics by ≥50% using a brief education series.
Methods: We implemented a resident education lecture series based on established Ql best practices (using primarily the Model for Improvement QI framework as a guide). Iterative Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycles for this project were primarily built around the following teaching methods: PDSA #1 - didactic lecture; PDSA #2 - experiential learning session. We evaluated each intervention using a controlled before after study design and compared the percentage of resident physicians indicating a higher degree of knowledge of and comfortability with managing insulin pump use per our local institutional guidelines. Based on the results obtained following the didactic session in PDSA #1, the second learning session in PDSA #2 was designed to be primarily experiential rather than didactic.
Results: On average, pediatric residents demonstrated a clear and statistically significant improvement in self-assessed confidence and comfort level regarding insulin pump management between the pre-survey period and the PDSA #1 post-survey, from a mean score of 2.52 (95% Cl: 2.15-2.88) to 4.12 (95% CI: 3.87-4.37). Likewise, self-assessed confidence and comfort level with answering patient/family questions about their insulin pump during this interval increased, from a mean score of 1.88 (95% Cl: 1.55-2.21) to 4.0 (95% Cl: 3.69-4.31). There was not, however, a statistically significant difference in self-assessment scores between the PDSA #1 post-survey and PDSA #2 post-survey; mean scores for both self-assessment questions in fact decreased slightly at the end of PDSA #2.
Conclusions: While many more improvements in study design and implementation could be made, this QI project's educational series tangibly increased the knowledge base and confidence in managing insulin pump use for most resident physicians within this single-program cohort.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 116
|
| Reilly, Aidan |
Waheed, Sarah |
Muslims in the American South: An Oral History
View Full Text
Abstract Text
The American South has received scant attention in historical research pertaining to America’s Muslim populations, with most attention going to the Northern areas like New York, Chicago, and Dearborn. The American South has a rich history of Muslim communities dating back hundreds of years, before the United States even achieved nationhood. The first Muslims came to America in bondage through the port city of Charleston and have been followed by many generations of immigration from regions all over the world. This has led to the establishment of vibrant Muslim communities from Africa, South Asia, Arabia, Southeast Asia, and Turkiye, making the Muslim community in South Carolina extremely diverse in cultural background. Columbia has several mosques that reflect his diversity, the oldest of which can trace its roots to the Nation of Islam and a visit from Malcom X in the mid 20th century.
The Muslim South is a Dean’s Initiative Research and Creative Group which also works closely with the Humanities Collaborative at the University of South Carolina. Led by Dr. Sarah Waheed from the Department of History, The Muslim South has worked diligently to collect and preserve these communities’ untold histories. Through oral history documentation, this presentation will showcase the valuable untold stories of the American South’s Muslims.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 8
|
| Foreman, Emily |
Plakas, Christina |
Greek Life Involvement the Impacts on Students’ Mental Health, Academic Integrity, Alcohol Abuse, and Sexual Behaviors
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Greek organizations are becoming a growing subcommunity that provide great impacts on Undergraduate students. At the University of South Carolina, approximately 30% of students are involved in Greek life. The positive and negative impacts on mental health, academic integrity, alcohol abuse, and sexual behaviors must be examined to understand the reality of these organizations. A convenience sample was conducted to obtain general information on the experiences of students that participate in Greek life, and those who do not. This survey obtained information such as demographics, GPA, study habits, alcohol use, drug use, depression, anxiety, stress, happiness, self-esteem, and sexual habits. The purpose of this study is to review existing literature and combine it with the results from the survey to determine the various impacts on students. The results revealed notable differences in various aspects of the undergraduate experience between Greek-affiliated and non-affiliated students.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 185
|
| Bradbury, Alexia |
Vannucci, Aaron
Kuchta, Joseph |
Suzuki Cross-Coupling Reaction Conditions Optimized for a New Class of Hybrid Catalysts
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Second row transition metals in the periodic table, although rare and expensive, are commonly used in catalysis for their high stability and selective reactivity. To make these catalysts more accessible, the first row transition metal counterparts should be utilized instead, due to greater sustainability and lower costs. First row transition metals are not used frequently because they tend to be too reactive leading to catalyst decomposition and unpredictable reactivity. Thus, new strategies are needed to correct this problem and allow for the use of first row transition metals in catalysis. One such strategy is to immobilize first row transition metal catalysts to heterogeneous supports, also known as hybrid catalysts. catalyst catalyst We have discovered a new design for hybrid catalyst where the catalysts are bound to a metal oxide support through an ester linkageWith this discovery, the next objective was to find out what conditions lead to the longest catalyst lifetimes and highest percent yield for cross-coupling reactivity. Initially, the different metal oxides were of focus, as each lead to different percent yields and influence on reactivity. Through much experimentation, it was determined that ZrO2-ester lead to the most optimal performance. From here, various tweaks within the reaction were made; from varying the concentration of the reactants, whether water should be present, and how much of the catalyst should be present relative to the other reagents. In the end, we discovered the optimal conditions for this reaction and sources of error in previous reactions.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 57
|
| Chandler, Zhanae' |
Lipinoga, Meghan |
Embracing Diversity Through Cultural Exchange and Identity Exploration
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Cultural exchange fosters deeper understanding by allowing individuals to experience and engage with different perspectives firsthand. Through my coursework and study abroad experiences, I have explored how identity is shaped by cultural, social, and historical influences. In Young Adult Literature and the American Dream, I analyzed how young adults navigate diverse urban spaces and express their identities. My PowerPoint presentation on Character Modes to Uplift (WTC artifact) examined how individuals' motivations and struggles shape their paths, reinforcing the importance of understanding diverse identities in professional and personal settings. Beyond the classroom, my study abroad experiences in Ghana, Paris, and Spain (BTC experiences) provided immersive cultural engagement. In Ghana, participating in traditional dance, music, and an art class expanded my appreciation for artistic expression as a reflection of history and identity. Painting a mural at Nima 1 Basic School (BTC artifact) illustrated the power of art in bridging cultural gaps. In Paris, visiting sites connected to Josephine Baker’s legacy at Château des Milandes revealed how African Americans historically sought freedom and recognition abroad. Meanwhile, studying in Spain has given me a firsthand look at how identity is expressed in European urban spaces, further emphasizing the global nature of cultural exchange. These experiences highlight the necessity of adaptability and cultural competence—essential skills in Human Resources and strategic management. Understanding how people’s backgrounds shape their perspectives fosters inclusive workplaces and stronger teams. Just as literature and historical figures illustrate diverse identities, firsthand cultural engagement strengthens the ability to navigate global spaces. These findings suggest that meaningful cultural exchange goes beyond observation; active participation in shared experiences enhances personal growth and cross-cultural understanding, shaping more inclusive and connected communities.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 236
|
| McKinnis, Day'Lyn |
DeLaurier, April |
Determining the role of phf21aa and phf21ab in a model for Potocki-Shaffer Syndrome in Zebrafish
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Determining the role of phf21aa and phf21ab in a model for Potocki-Shaffer Syndrome in Zebrafish
Day’Lyn McKinnis (1) and April DeLaurier (1)
(1) Department of Biological, Environmental, and Earth Sciences, University of South Carolina Aiken, Aiken, South Carolina, 29801
Background: Potocki-Shaffer syndrome (PSS) in humans is a rare contiguous gene-deletion syndrome resulting in developmental defects that include intellectual disability (ID) and craniofacial anomalies (CFAs). The genes responsible for ID and CFAs were originally unknown, but PHF21A (also known as BHC80), was found to be associated with ID and CFA phenotypes (Kim et al, 2012). While humans are affected by the one PHF21A gene, zebrafish possess both phf21aa and phf21ab genes. Previously, a zebrafish model was described with knockdown of phf21ab producing abnormalities in the development of the head face and jaw (Kim et al., 2012). In our lab, we generated germline mutants for phf21aa (7bp deletion) and phf21ab (8bp deletion) using CRISPR-Cas9 technology.
Goal: Our goal is to analyze the phenotypes of mutant lines phf21aa and phf21ab to see if the fish with double mutations share similar phenotypes to PSS in humans.
Methods and Results: We genotyped adult phf21aa;ab zebrafish to reveal either the mutant, wildtype, or heterozygous genotype. Double mutants for phf21aa;ab were in-crossed generating offspring which are being analyzed using Alcian Blue and Alizarin Red staining of skeletons.
Conclusions: Analysis is underway to correlate genotypes with specific skeletal phenotypes.
Grant support: P20GM103499 (SC INBRE)
Citations
1. Kim, Hyung-Goo, et al. “Translocations Disrupting PHF21A in the Potocki-Shaffer-Syndrome Region Are Associated with Intellectual Disability and Craniofacial Anomalies.” American Journal of Human Genetics, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 13 July 2012, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3397276/.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 121
|
| Kunkel, Dylan |
Levens, Neil |
The Current State of Psychedelic Psychotherapy
View Full Text
Abstract Text
The global mental health crisis has become one of the most ubiquitous issues in our society. It is estimated that 970 million people worldwide are afflicted with a mental health disorder, anxiety and depression being the most common. The current pharmacological treatments available for depression have shown to be inadequate for most patients with remission rates of 35- 40% undergoing a minimum of 8 weeks with a moderately high dosage. As of 2024, the current anti-depressant market value in the U.S. is 17.02 billion dollars with an expected growth of 7.9% in the next 10 years. Despite this, only two depression-related novel drugs were approved in 2023. Innovation in the pharmaceutical and psychotherapy approach to treatment is imperative to lowering the prevalence of mental health disorders like depression among the population. This has led many researchers to pursue unconventional methods to improve therapeutic outcomes, one of which is psychedelic psychotherapy. This involves patients being treated with mind-altering substances in conjunction with personal therapy to overcome mental struggles. Such substances include psilocybin, LSD, Ketamine, MDMA, and DMT. These psychedelics have been used in ground-breaking clinical studies hoping to provide a new pharmacological treatment for mood disorders. In this presentation, I will address the findings of these studies and their implications for the future of psychiatric treatment.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 198
|
| Gandhi, Esha |
Shinkareva, Svetlana
Yang, Xuan
Oh, Sewon |
Methods Comparison for Collecting Subjective Valence and Arousal Judgements
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Human emotion and affect are critical for regulating behavior, guiding decision-making and facilitating social communications. In everyday language, emotion and affect are interchangeable. However, in psychology, they are conceptualized as two distinct constructs. Emotion refers to discrete, prototypical subjective experiences elicited by specific stimuli. Affect, in contrast, refers to more elementary feelings that can be described along two continuous dimensions: valence (positive-negative) and arousal (low-high). According to the circumplex model (Russell, 1980), emotion can be represented within a two-dimensional core affective space defined by valence and arousal. Although valence and arousal are conceptually interrelated, most studies measure them separately using discrete Likert scales or pictorial tools. Some studies have adopted a valence-by-arousal grid to capture simultaneous measurements, yet systematic validation is needed to ensure that the grid’s axes accurately reflect the core affective dimensions underlying discrete emotions. Furthermore, recent studies suggest that valence consists of two distinct components, affective valence, the subjective emotional experience, and semantic valence, the expectations and objective value. This study aims to validate the use of a pictorial 9x9 valence-by-arousal grid. Participants were presented with 50 mental imagery prompts and rated “how they feel about their imagery” (affective-focused) and “what they know about the prompt” (semantic-focused) using the grid. Participants also rated their experienced emotions based on 12 emotional words on a 5-point Likert scale. Twelve participants have finished the experiment while data is accumulating with ongoing data collection. Multidimensional scaling (MDS) was used to extract the primary components defined by the response profiles of the 12 discrete emotions. Our preliminary results showed that the first extracted component had a high correlation with both affective valence (r=.97, p<.001) and semantic valence (r=.96, p<.001), while the second component had a high correlation with both affective arousal (r=.84, p<.001) and semantic arousal (r=.84, p<.001). A paired t-test showed a significant difference between affective valence and semantic valence (p<.005), but not affective arousal and semantic arousal (p>.05). This study will contribute to the methodological refinement of affect measurement and provide insights into the theoretical dissociation between affect and valence.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 184
|
Barker, Nicholas
Shute, Andrew |
Clanton, Jesse
Enjamuri, Devendra |
Choledochoduodenostomy with Lumen-Apposing Metal Stent (LAMS) as a Bridge to Definitive Treatment for Obstructing Periampullary Mass
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Nicholas Barker, MS3; Andrew Shute, MD; Jesse Clanton, MD; Devendra Enjamuri, MD
Abstract
Title:
Choledochoduodenostomy with Lumen-Apposing Metal Stent (LAMS) as a Bridge to Definitive Treatment for Obstructing Periampullary Mass
Background:
Periampullary masses commonly cause biliary obstruction, leading to symptoms of jaundice and pruritus. Left untreated, biliary obstruction can progress to cholangitis and impaired liver function. Traditional management involves preoperative biliary drainage to reduce postoperative morbidity and mortality. ERCP with biliary stenting is considered first-line therapy for preoperative biliary drainage due to its minimally invasive nature, high success rate, and relatively low complication rates relative to other decompressive modalities such as Percutaneous Transhepatic Biliary Drainage (PTBD). Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Biliary Drainage (EUS-BD) is a valuable alternative when ERCP fails, providing a reasonable option for patients with biliary obstruction and an intact gallbladder.
Case Presentation:
An otherwise healthy 65-year-old male presented with abdominal pain, weight loss, and jaundice. Abdominal ultrasound revealed a 19mm common bile duct, CT demonstrated an obstructing mass near the ampulla of Vater, and total bilirubin was 9.2. Attempted ERCP was ultimately aborted due to ampullary obstruction. A choledochoduodenostomy was performed using a 10 mm AXIOS LAMS for biliary decompression. EUS-guided biopsy demonstrated poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma on pathology. Following clinical improvement, the patient underwent a pylorus-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy. Intraoperatively, the AXIOS stent was left in situ and resected with the specimen. The patient’s postoperative course was relatively uneventful.
Discussion:
Here, EUS-BD provided a minimally invasive, internal drainage solution following unsuccessful ERCP. Its usage obviated the need for PTBD, facilitated better patient comfort, preoperative optimization, and planning, and prevented delays in definitive surgical management. The LAMS established a robust anastomosis, facilitated biliary decompression preoperatively, minimized stent migration and infection risk, presented no additional intraoperative technical burden, and should not be considered a contraindication to definitive surgical resection.
Conclusion:
ERCP remains the primary modality for preoperative biliary drainage in the setting of distal malignant biliary obstruction. This case highlights the viability of choledochoduodenostomy via EUS-BD as an alternative rescue option for unsuccessful ERCP as opposed to traditional PTBD. Future investigations comparing EUS-BD with PTBD would further refine guidelines for clinical practice.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 141
|
| Jeter-Walton, ZaKyah |
Schafer, Emily |
Adverse Childhood Experiences and Young Adult Attachment: A Qualitative Study
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Research suggests adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) can lead to a variety of negative mental health outcomes in adulthood. The complex connection between ACEs and young adult attachment styles among two-year college students is significantly understudied. In this study, data was collected from ten low and middle income, rural, two-year college students between the ages of eighteen and twenty-five. The participants were asked a series of semi-structured interview questions to assess the participant’s current young adult attachment and relationships. Then the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Questionnaire was given to determine the number of ACEs each participant had experienced before the age of 18. This protocol was completed so that the researchers could look for connections between ACE score and attachment styles in young adulthood. It was hypothesized that an increased number of ACEs would correlate with more unhealthy attachment styles in young adults. ACEs are known to influence the mental health and behavior of young adults, but many college students don’t know that they may be so dramatically affected by what happened in their childhood. The main goal of this study is to determine if ACE score correlates with young adult attachment. The semi-structured interview allows participants more opportunity to share in depth information about how childhood trauma may affect their relationships/friendships. ACEs have been consistently studied in other populations, but our study will contribute to the literature by focusing on this often-overlooked group, students in rural, two-year colleges. Implications will discuss the importance of access to mental health services for those who may be in unhealthy relationships/friendships, particularly in communities with little access to professional providers. It is a necessity for two-year campuses to have resources readily available for their students.
Keywords: childhood trauma, young adult attachment, relationships, two-college students
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 191
|
| Oxendine, Stacey |
Wilson, Kiesha
Ozkeritzian, Carole
Carter, Taylor
S.Nagarkatti, Prakash
Nagarkatti, Mitzi |
Kynurenic Acid Modulates Inflammatory Responses and Disease Severity in Staphylococcal Enterotoxin B -Induced ARDS
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Background: Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) is a severe inflammatory condition marked by oxidative stress, fluid accumulation, and subsequent hypoxia, often leading to sepsis. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and elevated mortality rates (30%-50%) have intensified interest in ARDS. Recent studies performed in the serum of COVID-19 patients show increases in multiple metabolites produced in the kynurenine cascade responsible for metabolizing 90% of ingested tryptophan. The kynurenine pathway produces metabolites, including kynurenic acid (KYNA), which influences immune responses via aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) signaling. While KYNA is known for its anti-inflammatory effects, its role in ARDS is poorly understood. Employing a mouse model of Staphylococcal Enterotoxin B (SEB) induced ARDS this study aims to investigate the effects of increased levels of KYNA in ARDS. Methods: Using C3H/HeJ mice ages 8-10 weeks, giving 5 ug of SEB intranasally, and 2 hours later, 2 ug via intraperitoneal injection. We will administer KYNA at 5 mg/kg daily via intraperitoneal injection and evaluate lung function, immune cell profiles, and cytokine levels after 72 hours. Results: In vivo, we expect to see that KYNA treatment increases pulmonary function, decreases neutrophil infiltration, and increases CD4+ T cells. Our in vitro data suggest that KYNA treatment by itself causes increases in proinflammatory cytokines ( IL-1B, TNFa). However, when paired with SEB, it decreases proinflammatory cytokines (TNFa) and reduces neutrophils. KYNA also increased FoxP3+ suggesting that KYNA is promoting regulatory T cells. Conclusion: KYNA has the potential to treat the cytokine storm by dampening the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and promoting Treg proliferation. If these findings are true in our pre-clinical mouse model, it would suggest that KYNA inhibits ARDS progression, highlighting the need for further research into novel targets for therapeutic strategies for ARDS.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 18
|
| DeCola, Isabella |
Goldberg, Katherine |
Signs of Connection: Immersing in Deaf Culture at Gallaudet University
View Full Text
Abstract Text
In Summer 2023, I attended a residency program at Gallaudet University, the world’s only university for the deaf and hard of hearing, to immerse myself in ASL and Deaf culture. This experience challenges participants to communicate exclusively in ASL, deepening their understanding of Deaf identity, accessibility, and advocacy. A pivotal moment was visiting the National Deaf Life Museum on campus, where exhibits like "History Through Deaf Eyes" and "Left Behind: HIV/AIDS and the Deaf Community" revealed the systemic barriers and discrimination faced by the Deaf community. Learning about language deprivation and healthcare inaccessibility reinforced the urgency of advocacy and strengthened my commitment to social justice. At Gallaudet, the typical roles are reversed—hearing individuals unfamiliar with ASL and Deaf culture become the minority, navigating communication barriers and uncertainty. Living in a signing environment transformed how I engage with language. ASL’s reliance on facial expressions and movement allowed me to express emotions more naturally, making communication intuitive and personal. Immersing myself in Deaf culture provided firsthand insight into the community's systemic challenges and strengthened my advocacy and leadership skills. This experience reinforced that meaningful allyship requires continuous learning, cultural engagement, and action. My time at Gallaudet deepened my commitment to equitable access and inclusion while fostering greater awareness and appreciation of Deaf culture.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 226
|
| Vigliotta, Emilie |
Ballou, Julia |
Why USC? How Storytelling Guides College Decisions
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Serving as a University Ambassador for the University of South Carolina has been a privilege and the most transformative experience of my collegiate career. This role has allowed me to represent the University, share my experiences with prospective students and families, and provide the information and support to help them make an educated decision about their future. More than just an on-campus leadership opportunity, University Ambassadors taught me to thrive in public settings, communicate effectively and professionally, and form connections with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
Over the past three years, I have given 51 campus tours and impacted the college search process for 262 potential future Gamecocks, as of March 5th. At its core, this program is about service -- not just to the university, but to the students and families who place their trust in us to guide them through an important life decision. Each tour I give has the potential to shape someone’s future, and I know the impact of this program firsthand, as it was my conversation with a University Ambassador when I was in high school that encouraged me to choose USC. Understanding the weight of that responsibility has driven me to approach every interaction with care, authenticity, and a desire to leave a meaningful impression.
Over time, my role has extended beyond tours. I spent two years serving as a Campus Visit Captain, taking on greater responsibility within the program and working behind the scenes at the Visitor Center. The most rewarding part of this experience has been seeing how our work extends beyond campus, impacting families across the country and even internationally. More than anything, this experience has shown me the power of storytelling and meaningful connections.
While I don’t know the exact path my future will take, through University Ambassadors, I have gained invaluable leadership skills, strengthened my ability to adapt and connect with others, and discovered a passion for service that will guide me beyond graduation. The Professional and Civic Engagement pathway allows me to showcase this professional growth and the legacy I hope to leave at USC.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 311
|
| Brown, Kyla |
Regan, Elizabeth |
Using an Adaptive Rower for a manual wheelchair user: A case study
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Aerobic conditioning is challenging for people with spinal cord injuries (SCI) who lack volitional movement in their lower extremities, limiting options for aerobic exercise. A special type of rowing machine was created by adapting a Concept 2 commercial rower. The adaptive rower allows individuals to exercise directly from their wheelchair, without needing to transfer. We believe this type of exercise will improve the participants’ fitness and cardiovascular health over time. For this case study, we had a 38-year-old female participant who has a SCI and used a manual wheelchair. Before starting the trial, she was only lightly active, exercising about one to two times a week. This trial lasted for 12 weeks.
At the start of the trial, we used the six-minute arm test to set a baseline for the participant’s fitness level and to guide the rowing exercise plan. Using the arm bike for 6 minutes, she had an average of 79 revolutions per minute (RPM) and an average speed of 16.2 km/h.
Training was three minutes of rowing and one minute rest intervals. During the twelve weeks, she completed 5-6 intervals for 15-18 active minutes. To measure effort, we used the Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE) scale. This scale measures how difficult the exercise feels on a scale of 6 (no effort) 20 (max effort). At the beginning of the trial, her average RPE was 14.2 (moderate). By the end of the 12 weeks, her average RPE decreased to 12.16. We tracked rowing distance. In her first session, she rowed 2,660 meters. At the final session, she had improved to 3,229 meters.
We also repeated the six-minute arm test at the end of the trial. She increased her average RPM 95, and her average speed improved to 19.2 km/h. These improvements in speed and endurance, along with her lower RPE indicate that her cardiovascular health improved. Overall, the results from this trial suggest that adaptive rowing could be a great option to help people in wheelchairs improve their fitness in an accessible and inclusive way.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 105
|
| Owens, Emma |
Swan, Suzanne |
Romantic and Intimate Skills Knowledge: Understanding the Impact of Early Sexual Content Exposure on Young Adults
View Full Text
Abstract Text
The increasing accessibility of media technologies, such as smartphones and tablets, has led to private and early exposure to sexually explicit content, raising concerns about its potential impact on children and adolescents. While the average age of exposure to pornography is around 13, some studies show early exposure as early as age 5. Drawing on social learning theory, this study investigates how early exposure to pornography shapes romantic and sexual relationships in young adulthood. Current research suggests that early exposure can reinforce harmful sexual norms and lead to problematic outcomes, including increased pornography consumption, excessive seeking behaviors, and distorted gender roles. This study seeks to explore how early exposure is associated with the quality of relationships and intimacy in young adults, ages 18-25. Participants will be surveyed on their age of first exposure, relationship dynamics, sexual experiences, and attitudes toward intimacy. Data will be analyzed using measures of sexual and romantic history, relationship satisfaction, commitment, and sexual satisfaction. By understanding the long-term effects of early exposure, this study aims to provide insights into how such exposure may impact relationship and sexual health outcomes in adulthood and inform future interventions for healthier media consumption and sexual education.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 178
|
| Leon, Stephanie |
Hood, Amy |
Looking from Another Perspective: Experiences from My Work as a Student Assistant and Caregiver
View Full Text
Abstract Text
At times many of us find ourselves focused solely on our own needs. However, the world consists of more than just our own needs. When helping others, it is important to feel and understand their emotions. We cannot help others without looking at the conflict from their perspective or feeling and understanding their emotions. If we feel and understand their emotions, we can provide better care to the person in need. As a student assistant and caregiver, I have faced moments where I had to look from another perspective. When I help students and care for residents, I have learned to feel and understand their emotions
I work in the Student Disability Resource and Testing Center (SDRC) office on the USCL campus. The SDRC provides students with a space to take the foreign language and math placement tests. It also allows students with disabilities to register for accommodations that will help them navigate successfully throughout their courses. As a student assistant, I am responsible for helping to administer the foreign language and math placement tests, inform students how to sign up for accommodation, and assist the Disability Services Coordinator.
I was able to secure an interview at Lancaster Grove, an assisted living facility, through my academic advisor. I worked at Lancaster Grove from the end of May to the first week of August. During my time there, I worked in the Memory Care unit with residents who were diagnosed with Dementia.
My next steps are to graduate in the spring and begin nursing school in the fall. I will use my experiences to help me navigate through nursing school. Once I finish nursing school, I would like to work in the pediatrics unit or the emergency room unit. I plan to work as a nurse for a couple of years, then go to graduate school for a master’s degree.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 298
|
| Locasto, Kayla |
Spence, Gina |
Identity is not a simple answer.
View Full Text
Abstract Text
As similarity brings humans comfort, differences push discovery. Please check off the box that suits your racial identity below. A sentence that feels constricting and not a simple answer. I went through most of my young-adult life uneasy when it came to the question, what are you? As I grew up in Long Island surrounded by suburban; however, within my household there was a colorful mixture of various cultures. Feeling prideful of my Colombian roots which my grandparents immigrated from while also being presently connected with my American- Italian side. Should having more than one answer to the question of identity be this confusing not just to myself but to others, continually being asked what your ethnicity is when I fail to be placed in a box to an outside person.
Jumping to my junior spring semester study abroad experience I was privileged to live and study in Barcelona, Spain. Daily life filled with Catlan Spanish culture and continued weekends being in over nine-teen new cities. Repeated exposure to different countries highlighted that culture is not a box but rather knowledge. Cooking lessons on the Spanish cuisine, being welcomed into a Parisian family's home for a night, riding on the back of camels in the Sahara Desert, to taking classes in Spanish at my university. Particularly my Arte de Español class, only taught in spanish having weekly visits to monumental art museums and structures within the city. Having my eyes opened by the history and passion of art showed me the heart of Barcelona. While also having the opportunity to get to know international students and furtherly peers who were not concerned that they themselves did not fit a box but instead pushed that their identity be unique.
Travel will humble you but the knowledge that will be gained through immersion in cultures will bring clarity to who you are. I left the city of Barcelona not confused about how I shall be perceived but certain that my identity not being a simple answer is the answer.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 243
|
| Patel, Shawn |
Haldeman, Matthew
Vaughan, Andrew |
Increased Access to Point of Care Ultrasound in a Family Medicine Residency Clinic
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Ultrasound is an imaging technology using sound waves to create images of tissue. Since inception it has set itself apart from x-ray, CT, and MRI its ease of use, free of considerations such as radiation, medical devices, and complications from the imaging itself. Though originally facing problems such as image quality, and lack of features, ultrasound has continually improved since its introduction in 1983. Portable ultrasounds especially, have changed the way patients can be evaluated. The scans are completed quickly and often as an adjunct to physical exam at the time when care is given. Ultrasound used in this way is termed Point of Care Ultrasound (POCUS). Since its first use, POCUS has been utilized in a variety of settings, especially in outpatient primary care where we intend to study its use. As POCUS training becomes more prevalent, barriers and challenges to its adoption are being increasingly examined. Based on surveys of Family Medicine residency programs, it seems that the primary barriers include access to sufficiently devices, number of faculty certified in POCUS, and training to bill performed scans. In our project, we intend to address the availability of ultrasound devices by having devices present in the clinic during normal hours and making it easier to use and log these scans.
We collected the data over two 3 months periods, with one period being in the past without portable devices present in the residency clinic, and one period of three months being from November 2024 to January 2025 after devices were placed in our Family Medicine Residency clinic. Log forms were placed with devices to record date of scan, type of scan, and training level of the operator. In terms of number of scans, a noticeable increase in scans were seen with a total of 7 scans in the historical 3 month period, and 27 scans since introduction of the devices. Based on this preliminary data collected at similar times during the year, we believe this shows the ability for ultrasound to be useful in primary care, especially with its portability.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 189
|
| Williams, Kaitlyn |
DeBacker, Wout |
A Proof of Concept Testbench for Manufacturing Data Monitoring
View Full Text
Abstract Text
The advancement of Machine-to-Machine (M2M) infrastructure is essential for creating a comprehensive digital representation of manufacturing processes, enabling real-time monitoring, data collection, and system optimization. One of the first steps to establish a Machine 2 Machine (M2M) infrastructure is to create a digital representation of the manufacturing process. M2M development requires a large quantity of data to build an accurate digital depiction of any system or factory floor of machines. To support the development of M2M infrastructure, a Siemens Simatic Industrial Edge was used to connect laboratory production devices for carbon fiber filament manufacturing, and data was monitored. Outputs from production machines are read through the industrial edge, and data is sent to the Siemens Insights Hub, an online dashboard capable of displaying production metrics like temperature, tension, and rotational velocity. The insights hub is used as a large data aggregator to analyze and store real-time factory data within the AMCODE Lab. An independent proof-of-concept device was created to test the process of manufacturing monitoring, data collection, and analysis using Insights Hub. The concept device is an industrial light test bench, where the dashboard displays the status of switches (on or off), reflected by an associated light on the system. Following this implementation, the next phase involves integrating additional systems, beginning with a Thrust Stand for propulsion performance metrics. This project serves as a foundation for further system integrations, with the long-term goal of implementing M2M processes the AMCODE Research Lab.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 71
|
| Delgado, Jessica |
Reid, Cami |
The Enlightening Lesson of Being a Medical Volunteer in Costa Rica
View Full Text
Abstract Text
A medical service trip with the Global Community Health Volunteers embodies a wonderful, realistic way to uplift a community of underserved, deserving populations in a foreign country. With dedicated efforts centered in a developing country, volunteers feel as though they are taking a natural step in fueling their passion for healthcare. I spent a week in Costa Rica taking vitals, completing patient assessments, and attending informative daily seminars in a field clinic on the outskirts of Liberia. The clinic fosters the volunteer’s abilities to overcome language barriers, successfully lead direct patient interactions, and work cohesively alongside medical professionals in a demanding, stressful environment. Furthermore, patients are given the opportunity to receive medical care, obtain an accurate diagnosis, and lead a healthy life if they desire. While abroad, I was able to use the fundamental concepts learned in SPAN 360: Spanish for Healthcare Professions to support the lessons nurtured by my service work. It naturally boosted my ability to speak my native language, be adaptive to the healthcare setting, and profoundly connect with Hispanic patients, so that I can best care for others, regardless of their cultural background. Both experiences expanded my perspective on global health and enhanced my understanding of a culture unique to the U.S. Inherently, I became a better collaborator, culturally competent, and more confident in my capability to achieve my desired future in healthcare. I am passionate about uplifting underserved communities because that is the inclusive community I was graciously raised by, especially since they deserve reliable, trustworthy medical care. Being of Hispanic descent, I want to return the patience, care, and compassion I was shown growing up by promoting an autonomous quality of life throughout these communities. Thus, I was deeply motivated to dedicate some of my time, energy, and efforts to supporting Global Community Health Volunteers as a student volunteer, enabling me to do something impactful now while fueling my passion.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 250
|
| Sandoval, Dayana |
Keane-Dawes, Antony |
Diversity in Higher Education Is The Key to Social Justice
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Social justice exists as a web of challenges. There is an interconnectedness of the systems in the United States that enable the oppression and disparities in marginalized communities. When you think of justice, where does your mind go? Do you think of voting or perhaps advocacy? These are valid forms of actions toward social justice. However, these still are grounded in reliance on the systems and leaders that often do not understand our experiences. Diversity in higher education is the key to social justice because it allows individuals from marginalized communities to be the representation they want to see and create sustainable change towards social justice. With this in mind, I founded the Latino Caucus for Public Health student chapter at USC (LCPH). Our mission is to empower Latino students and allies pursuing careers in public health and/or healthcare, while building leaders and advocates for Latino public health. We are building the representation that we want to see.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 227
|
| Faust, Savannah |
LoPresti, Eric |
Comparative Analysis of Proboscis Length in Eursarca confusaria: Seasonal Morphological Variations
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Eusarca confusaria, a species in the Geometridae family, is one of many moth species that adjusts feeding habits based on seasonal variation. This study investigates the proboscis length variation in Eusarca confusaria in warmer months as opposed to colder months in an attempt to identify and explain morphological differences between individuals of different seasons. Our goal is to determine if morphological differences could be explained by availability of food sources, which affects the viability of different lengths of proboscises.
In order to obtain the data necessary to support this hypothesis, we sampled moths from eight different traps in the same location over the course of a year. The Eusarca confusaria moths were then sorted from the rest for each day that traps were checked. We then unfurled the probiscuses and captured images of them to determine their length. Sex of the individuals was accounted for, as well as the date they were caught and the location.
By measuring the proboscis length of individuals caught in traps over the span of several seasons, it is possible to determine if there is a statistically significant difference in Eusarca confusaria individuals' proboscis length between warmer and colder seasons. The outcome of our data can then be applied to our knowledge of the region’s seasonal flora to draw inferences about a possible correlation between Eusarca Confusaria’s food sources and their proboscis lengths.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 87
|
| Patacsil, Joseph |
Ho, Yen-Yi |
Differential Gene Coexpression in 16p11.2 Autism Spectrum Disorder
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that has been associated with several genetic factors. One of these factors is a mutation of the 16p11.2 region on chromosome 16, in which both a deletion and duplication have been strongly associated with ASD. KCTD13 is a gene present in the 16p11.2 gene locus that has recently been shown to influence brain development and is also associated with ASD. This study analyzes the differential gene expression and gene pathways of these different phenotypes, using data provided by Tai et al. We found that KCTD13 deletion has a significant up-regulation effect on genes and shares similar pathways to 16p11.2 duplication mutation.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 147
|
| Vancura, Gianna |
Stubblefield, Brittany |
A Path From Leadership Theory To Action
View Full Text
Abstract Text
My leadership journey at the University of South Carolina has been defined by a commitment to making a meaningful impact on campus and beyond. Through the Capstone Scholars Leadership Program (UNIV 290), I developed a foundation in leadership theory, exploring communication, decision-making, and servant leadership. This experience inspired my campus impact project, expanding greenhouse research opportunities to promote sustainability. Serving as Panhellenic Affairs Vice President in my sorority allowed me to apply these principles in practice, fostering collaboration, problem-solving, and empowerment within the Greek community. These experiences reinforced that leadership is both theoretical and action-driven, centered on ethical decision-making and creating opportunities for others. By integrating leadership into my academic, professional, and civic endeavors, I am committed to driving positive, long-term change in sustainability and beyond.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 319
|
| McFarland, Ian |
Dubinsky, Stanley |
The evolution and survival of Cajun English
View Full Text
Abstract Text
The unique history of the North American continent has allowed for any unique linguistic communities to arise in the past few centuries. Many of these have slipped away to time as the United States in particular shifted toward more generalized standards of the English language. One culture that is still fighting on, however, are the Cajuns of Southern Louisiana. Descendants of French Canadian and French emigrants, the Cajuns have developed language and customs that may appear out of place in the Deep South. Fewer communities of European descent are more secluded, exclusive, and unrecognized than the Louisiana Cajuns. Drawing on linguistic traits from African languages, English dialects of the American South, and from French and Canadian francophone traits, Cajun English is a fascinating study of linguistic development. Cajuns celebrate and take deep pride in their culture, and despite concentrated efforts to dilute them over the first half of the twentieth century, they have fought back. Challenges still threaten Cajun language culture, but can even the best efforts still make an impact?
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 21
|
| Hornung, Axel |
Hancock, Nathan |
Transposition of maize and soybean CACTA elements in Arabidopsis
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Transposable elements, also known as jumping genes, are segments of DNA that can jump out of the genome and reinsert themselves into a different position. For example, the movement of En/Spm elements alter pigment production in maize seeds, resulting in a spotted phenotype. Previous studies showed that En/Spm elements transpose in Arabidopsis thaliana, which allows for these elements to be developed into genome editing tools. The En/Spm elements are part of a larger CACTA transposon family that is broadly distributed in plants. Two CACTA elements called Tgm9 and TgmR were previously shown to be active in some soybean cultivars. The goal of this project is to test if the if these soybean CACTA elements can also transpose in Arabidopsis. To test this, we isolated genomic DNA from maize and soybean and used PCR to amplify the Spm, Tgm9, and TgmR elements. We then cloned the transposable elements into the pBin GFP reporter plasmid. We will transform the plasmids into agrobacteria and then use the floral dip method to transform the constructs into Arabidopsis. To test for transposition, we will perform PCR and florescence microscopy on the transformed Arabidopsis. If successful, we should observe GFP expression and PCR amplicons indicating excision of the elements from the reporter. This project will allow us to gain a better understanding of the transposition mechanism of CACTA elements, which will aid in the development of tools that can alter the genetic compositions of plants.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 122
|
| Coler, Emmie |
Goldberg, Kelly |
Digging Through the Past: Using Archaeological Resources to Investigate the History of Enslavement at USC
View Full Text
Abstract Text
During the spring semester of 2025, 13 Honors students at the University of South Carolina have been engaged in archaeological excavation on USC’s historic Horseshoe. The students, led by anthropology professor Dr. Kelly Goldberg and teaching assistant Caroline Hall, have established an archeological dig site in front of the McKissick Museum. This site was chosen because historical maps from Sanborn Fire Insurance company suggest that a building existed there as recently as 1884. Due to documentary records, it is believed that the structure served as a kitchen and housing space used by enslaved people to serve the President.
In order to explore this hypothesis, students have used archaeological research methods to create three trenches in the dig site, one trench each facing north, east, and west. Each trench is three meters long by one meter wide, with three one-meter by one-meter “units” within each trench. As students dig the units using shovels and trowels, each “level” of digging within the unit is recorded, with a level being either 10-20 centimeters deep (depending on the trench) or shallower if there is a natural change in the soil. For each level, students take note of the depth of the level, the color of the soil, and the artifacts found within that level. To discover artifacts, soil from each level is sifted, and any items not naturally occurring in soil are saved and labeled as being from the specific unit.
By using these strategies, students hope to find the foundation of the building believed to be a kitchen used by enslaved people. This discovery will contribute to the University’s understanding and recognition of the role that enslaved people played on the school’s campus during the mid-to-late 1800s. There are very few historical records of the specific roles and life stories of enslaved people on USC’s campus. It is believed that the class’s discovery of physical artifacts, including evidence of the building, will provide clues to the everyday activities performed by enslaved people, giving a voice to a historically underrepresented group in USC’s history.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 15
|
| Bali, Raeva |
Raunikar, Mary |
Empowering Students: Strategic Communication for Sustainability at USC
View Full Text
Abstract Text
As an Environmental Studies major, I have gained hands-on experience in strategically communicating sustainability to inspire student involvement in initiatives both on and off campus. My journey in strategic communications began during my sophomore and junior years, when I served as the student Social Media Coordinator for the School of Earth, Ocean, and Environment (SEOE) at USC. In this role, I developed partnerships with faculty and student organizations focused on sustainability and environmentalism. I explored effective social media strategies, including optimal posting times and graphics, to maximize student engagement, which helped me become more proficient in the social media landscape. As I entered my senior year, the relationship-building skills I honed as a Social Media Coordinator proved invaluable during my internship with the USC Office of Sustainability as their Undergraduate Program Assistant. Here, I was tasked with launching the Eco Ambassadors program, aimed at involving students from all majors in campus sustainability activities. The communication strategies I developed previously were crucial in this role, as I created tailored email marketing, graphic materials, and coordinated outreach efforts to ensure the program's success. Since its launch in October 2024, nearly 1,400 students have engaged in sustainability initiatives. I will have the opportunity to present on the program’s success at the 2025 Southeastern Student Sustainability Conference at Duke this April. In my presentation, I will discuss how the skills and strategies I developed in both the Social Media Coordinator and Undergraduate Program Assistant roles combined to make me a more effective communicator in raising awareness and engagement in sustainability efforts on the USC campus.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 295
|
| Veal, Carley |
Matthews, Sarah
Spencer, Gina |
Empowering Equity and Sustainability: Designing an Interactive Game for Environmental Justice
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Becoming a peer leader for the Environmental Justice (EJ) team of Sustainable Carolina was a significant highlight of my time at USC.
As someone who has spent some time searching for community and trying to define what that feels and looks like, not just in academic spaces but within the world, being part of the Environmental Justice movement was deeply fulfilling.
I connected with like-minded individuals who also wanted to be part of something impactful.
Through this experience, my understanding of community evolved. It transcended my surface level beliefs of unanimous agreement or homogenous membership and became about collective action, growth, and positive change as I was inspired and encouraged by my teammates.
With their help, I channeled this understanding into an interactive learning tool that demonstrated the importance of social empowerment, equity and inclusiveness in decision-making. Players confront the challenges of resource distribution and experience firsthand how justice and sustainability impact community well-being. The game is team based and requires negotiation between community stakeholders such as corporations, government, marginalized communities, wealthy communities, and activists.
Teams began with a designated number of resources, reflecting real-world limitations like access to capital. To mirror societal imbalances, the initial resource distribution was inefficient.
My goal was for my peers to gain a deeper understanding of the EJ movement by immersing them in decision-making scenarios that reflect real-world power dynamics and the systemic barriers communities face in achieving consensus and equitable distribution.
Future versions of the game will integrate real-world data and case studies to enhance its educational impact and applicability.
This experience showed me the value of immersive education in igniting civic participation and building empathy. It highlighted the importance of critical thinking especially in the context of resource allocation, systemic inequalities, and environmental equity. These skills will be vital in my future work, where I aim to amplify the voices of marginalized communities in policy discussions. Through this process, I strengthened my communication and advocacy skills, which will help me address issues of environmental justice and social equity in my career.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 327
|
| Hillhouse, Ronald |
Dubinsky, Stanley |
Polish and Russian speaking minorities in post-Soviet Lithuania.
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Language conflict in Lithuania is shaped by many factors including historical, political, and cultural reasons. Both Russian and Polish minorities living in Lithuania face challenges living in a new society but oftentimes for different reasons. The Lithuanian Polish minority makes up about 6.5% of the entire population, primarily residing in the Vilnius region of the country. The Polish generally have a strong cultural presence in the country, such as their own schools. Some tensions still arise due to the Lithuanian government trying to maintain Lithuania's linguistic dominance. The Polish have received government pushback for things such as using Polish street signs or the spelling of certain names. The Russian Minority makes up around 5% of the country's population and faces different issues. The Polish have historical roots in Lithuania but most of the Russians living there arrived during the Soviet era, mostly during the soviet occupation of Lithuania. Since the USSR took and lost control of Lithuania and more recently the Russians invasion of Ukraine, public and government sentiment around Russian speakers in the country has grown overwhelmingly negative. While both minorities have issues, the Poles are generally looked on more favorably while the Russians are faced with more opposition. Lithuanian policy favors assimilation of new groups which sometimes heightens cultural tensions between Lithuania and other minority groups. We will also examine the effects of the Russian-Ukrainian War on the linguistic circumstances of these Lithuanian minorities.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 14
|
Houston, Kaisha
Jimenez, Daniela |
Harris, Eboni |
Building Strength: Implementing Resilience Programs to Combat Incivility in New Graduate Nurses
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Background/Significance: Workplace incivility is a highlighted issue that impacts new graduates' nurses in a negative way. Often nurses experience burnout and bullying, increasing turnover rates developing a high chance of affecting patient care.
Purpose/Objectives: The purpose of this project is to identify how new grad nurses can utilize these resilience programs to minimize burn-out, deal with stressful situations, and cope in a better and more efficient way to also help their mental health.
Methods (Literature Search methods): We searched for peer reviewed articles in Google Scholar and PubMed. We customized the year range from 2020-2025, and advanced searched in PubMed for titles that included words such as “nursing”, “incivility”, “bullying”, and “resilience programs”. Five articles were reviewed; three cross-sectional studies, a meta-analysis, and a qualitative meta synthesis using a meta-ethnographic approach.
Results/Conclusion: According to research the most common type of workplace violence is verbal followed by psychological, physical, and sexual harassment. Low-resilient nurses tend to be younger, work rotation or night shift, have lower levels of job control and workplace justice. Experiencing higher levels of burnout, mental distress, and low quality of sleep. Implementing resilient training has been proven to enhance coping strategies while developing support groups and reducing the turnover rate.
References:
Irwin, K. M., Saathoff, A., Janz, D. A., & Long, C. (2021, January). Resiliency program for new graduate nurses: Journal for nurses in professional development. LWW. https://journals.lww.com/jnsdonline/pages/articleviewer.aspx?year=2021&issue=01000&article=00007&type=Fulltext
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 84
|
| Concepcion, Talithea |
O'Reilly, Christian |
Robust Estimation of Inter-beat interval Skewness for Autonomic Dysregulation Assessment in Noisy Neonates ECG
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Background
Measures of autonomic control derived from ECG play a critical role in understanding developmental conditions associated with autonomic dysregulation such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD). For example, the skewness of the distribution of the inter-beat intervals (IBI) may reflect underlying differences in autonomic regulation, particularly in developmental conditions like ASD. By analyzing IBI skewness derived from neonatal ECG recordings, this study aims to explore its potential as a biomarker for early ASD detection.
Objective
Accurately evaluating IBI skewness in neonatal data is crucial for its use as a biomarker for ASD. Although skewness is generally computed on long continuous segments, neonatal ECG recordings are often noisy, limiting clean data to discontinuous short segments and requiring us to average skewness estimates over multiple smaller windows. This project focuses on studying the impact of window size on skewness estimates.
Method
ECG recordings were processed to extract IBIs. A segment-based approach divided the data into windows of 1-5 minutes. Bootstrapping was used to sample IBIs iteratively. Kernel density estimation (KDE) plots were used to visualize the IBI distribution. Analysis key steps included 1) loading and cleaning ECG data, 2) dividing into manageable time intervals, 3) applying bootstrapped skewness calculations to assess skewness estimates stability across conditions, and 4) visualizing results using KDE plots to compare the effect of segment lengths on skewness estimates.
Preliminary Results
Initial observations suggest that five-minute ECG segments offer an optimal balance of data sufficiency and stability. Bootstrap skewness for segment lengths (1–5 minutes) consistently demonstrated that five-minute intervals produced more stable skewness estimates than shorter durations. Specifically, the variance of skewness for five-minute segments was around 1.2e-5, whereas it was about 7 times larger for three-minute segments (8.0e-5). Intervals of confidence (95%) for 3- and 5-minute windows did not overlap, indicating that skewness estimates are biased by the choice of window length.
Conclusion
This research aims to validate an approach to assess IBI skewness in noisy ECG recordings. In the long term, we aim to evaluate IBI skewness as a potential biomarker for the non-invasive early diagnosis of ASD detection and intervention.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 72
|
| Fletcher, Allison |
LoPresti, Eric |
Which moths are ear-resistible? Exploring the distribution & dynamics of Dicrocheles ear mites in noctuiod moths
View Full Text
Abstract Text
While moths are often regarded as features of the habitat, moths themselves serve as habitats for a variety of parasites. One noteworthy parasite of noctuoid moths are ear mites of the genus Dicrocheles, which complete their life cycle within the moths' thoracic ears. Throughout the mid-20th century, Asher Treat’s work provided unprecedented insight into these mites' natural history and prevalence in Western Massachusetts. However, no modern research has been conducted investigating the geographic distribution, prevalence, host preferences, or ecological implications of these mites. I have collected ear mite data from 10,000+ moth specimens across the LoPresti Lab, National Museum of Natural History, Carnegie Museum of Natural History, and North Carolina State University collections. To date, I have discovered over 50 new host species of Dicrocheles mites, greatly expanding the known phylogenetic host range.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 95
|
| Yu, Tiffany |
Karakchi, Rasha |
Enhancing Security and Efficiency in Computational Hardware Through Intelligent Optimization
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Modern computational hardware, including CPUs, GPUs, and AI accelerators, relies on efficient memory access for both performance and security. However, unnecessary or redundant memory accesses introduce vulnerabilities such as data leakage, side-channel attacks, and increased power consumption, compromising system efficiency. Poorly managed memory pathways create opportunities for malicious code insertion and unauthorized data extraction, while redundant accesses lead to higher latency and inefficient resource utilization. This research proposes an intelligent optimization method to eliminate unnecessary states and edges while detecting and removing malicious information before mapping onto processor elements. The effectiveness of this approach will be tested and compared against state-of-the-art designs to enhance security and optimize computational workloads.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 89
|
| Boyd, Charlotte |
Therrell, Amanda |
Making Miracles Happen: Leadership and Impact through USC Dance Marathon
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Serving as Vice President of USC Dance Marathon (USCDM) has been one of the most impactful experiences of my college career, challenging me as a leader, communicator, and advocate. Through this role, I helped drive fundraising efforts, engaged with stakeholders, and worked alongside a passionate team to support Prisma Health Children’s Hospital. More than just an event, USCDM is a year-round movement, and my experience leading it taught me the power of strategic communication, grassroots advocacy, and community-driven action.
In this presentation, I’ll share how I applied and strengthened my leadership skills—drawing from my background in strategic communication and advocacy, as well as hands-on experience leading teams in high-pressure environments. From refining messaging to mobilizing students, I learned how to effectively communicate a mission and inspire action. Managing challenges like participant retention, engagement fatigue, and event logistics also pushed me to think critically and problem-solve on the fly.
Ultimately, USCDM reinforced my passion for service and showed me how leadership is about more than just decision-making—it’s about empowering others and creating lasting impact. This experience not only shaped my time at USC but also prepared me for a future where I can continue using my skills to make a difference.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 228
|
| Francis, Kevin |
Matthews, Sarah
Churukian, Alice |
Sparking Innovation through Leadership and Public Speaking
View Full Text
Abstract Text
During my internship with BASF’s Global Digitalization department, I worked on streamlining data communication between cross-functional teams. This required me to deeply understand each team's needs while ensuring that the solution aligned with our department's IT development standards. This internship experience reinforced a key lesson from my Business Writing (ENGL 463) and Public Speaking (SPCH 140) courses at USC—persuasive communication, i.e. rhetoric, is just as crucial as technical knowledge when seeking to drive innovation. Beyond business communication, my studies in Anthropology (ANTH 102) introduced me to the concept of Cultural Relativism. In the context of Civic Engagement, learning about Cultural Relativism taught me how differing cultural perspectives shape communication and affect dialogue. I even began to notice how it shaped my dialogue with others. Learning to adjust my rhetorical approach based on my audience’s beliefs and values deepened my understanding of effective leadership and public speaking. These experiences, both within and beyond the classroom, showed me that sparking innovation requires more than technical expertise—it demands the ability to communicate ideas persuasively and with cultural awareness. Whether in business or personal interactions, strong public speaking and leadership skills allow for more effective collaboration and problem-solving. This realization has reinforced my commitment to developing clear, persuasive communication skills and a keen awareness of my audience—enabling me to confidently share ideas, collaborate with future colleagues, and drive meaningful innovation.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 296
|
| Sweatt, Leah |
Floyd, Alex |
Teaching Presentation Techniques in University 101
View Full Text
Abstract Text
In my role as a peer leader for a University 101 class, I applied the skills I developed in EDLP 520 to assist the professor and enhance student learning. EDLP 520 equipped me with essential competencies in lesson planning, student engagement, and presentation skills, which I directly implemented during a class session where I designed and taught a lesson on effective presentation techniques. This experience allowed me to bridge theory and practice, reinforcing my understanding of how to communicate effectively with students and create an interactive learning environment. Through this opportunity, I gained valuable insights into the impact of structured lesson planning and the importance of clear, confident communication in a classroom setting. This experience not only strengthened my instructive abilities but also deepened my appreciation for the role of mentorship and facilitation in student success.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 327
|
| Doering, Juliana |
Peng, Nick |
Evaluating the denitrifying capabilities of Fusarium Oxysporum in Anaerobic and Aerobic Conditions
View Full Text
Abstract Text
This experiment measured the gas production of the fungal species, Fusarium oxysporum in both anoxic and oxic conditions. Fusarium oxysporum has been found at varying depths in the water column, most notably at the top of the anoxic boundary around 140 meters deep. In low-oxygen conditions, this species is capable of denitrification and can produce nitrous oxide (N2O) which is a very potent greenhouse gas. Because of this species’ capability to convert nitrate into N 2O in low-oxygen conditions, we isolated a strain from the Eastern Tropical South Pacific (ETSP) in the oxygen-minimum zone (OMZ) to measure its production of N2O. We hypothesized there would be a significant difference in the amount of N2O production between the same species being cultivated in aerobic and anaerobic media. For all media used in this experiment, 1% yeast extract and peptone (YEP), nitrate, glucose, chloramphenicol, and a vitamin solution were included. Then, using a gas chromatograph, the headspace composition of each replicate was measured. The levels of oxygen were monitored closely to ensure that the aerobic conditions were maintained. We found that there was a large difference in N2O production between F. oxysporum cultivated under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. The anaerobic replicates produced N2O at a much faster rate whereas the aerobic replicates produced a higher volume of CO2. This is typical of the associated metabolic processes because, in the presence of oxygen, the fungi will respire CO2 whereas in anaerobic conditions, they will denitrify. N2O produced by fungi in the mixed layer can contribute to the air-sea efflux from the ocean. This leads to an overall increase in atmospheric N2O which will have a stronger greenhouse effect than other gases. The results of this experiment were mostly consistent with the initial hypothesis. The anaerobic replicates reached an N2O concentration of about 8 ppm around day 28. The aerobic replicates have only reached 2 ppm by day 22. The N2O production in the aerobic replicates was higher than anticipated. This could potentially be due to the formation of anoxic pockets in densely populated batch media.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 88
|
| Burgess, Davyia |
Garriott, Deidre |
From Peer to Peer: Unification of a College Campus through Health Education, Academic Success, and Student Assistantship
View Full Text
Abstract Text
The University of South Carolina is nothing short of large, so the connections made between students on this campus through Peer Leadership is highly essential. Peer Leadership plays a critical role in building and fostering supportive college relationships and the environment in which they lie. More specifically, delicate topics of health education and academic success make such bonds more special as they allow peers to connect on a deeper level throughout this time within their lives where transitional phrases are constantly being entered.
Through this journey, the beautiful achievements of being a guide, mentor, and assistant have shaped one’s experience in more ways than imaginable. Peer Leadership acquits a traditional student at such a large institution to develop into a role model for other bodies within the community.
Health promotion via The University of South Carolina’s Center for Health and Well-Being pushed out relevant information in regards to mental health, healthy relationships, sexual health, holistic wellness, mindfulness, and life balance within different areas of life. Healthy Campus Initiatives is the driving force behind wellness promotion! Academic success continuously develops and evolves for the student body here in Columbia, South Carolina. The Student Success Center provided endless resources and peers to educate USC students on time management, study skills, and academic resources, such as tutors and Supplemental Instructors! When it comes to utilizing students within a professional setting, assisting in one’s professional development, the University 101 Programs office is an astonishing outlet. Various projects are put together for University courses that foster specific populations, and such undergraduate student assistants are brought in to help facilitate the completion.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 328
|
| Quathamer, Peyton |
Taheri, Nader |
A novel MG-AL LDH-MXene-Lipase Hybrid for Triglyceride Biosensing
View Full Text
Abstract Text
This poster presents the development of a novel hybrid material for potential application in enzyme-based biosensors for triglyceride detection in patient samples. We have combined MXenes, transition metal carbides known for their large surface area and high electrical conductivity, with Layered Double Hydroxides (LDH), which excel in enzyme immobilization and offer anion intercalation capabilities and biocompatibility.
Two distinct hybridization methods were explored to synthesize a conductive material receptive to lipase enzyme immobilization. The in-situ synthesis approach demonstrated particularly promising results, with electron microscopy revealing LDH growth on MXene nanosheet surfaces, further confirmed by zeta potential and EDX measurements.
Preliminary measurements suggest this hybrid material may demonstrate good enzyme activity, though comprehensive testing is still ongoing. Future work will focus on evaluating the material's performance in actual biosensing applications for triglyceride detection, which could represent a significant advancement in the development of electrochemical sensing platforms for clinical diagnostic
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 90
|
| Alabdulmunim, Fahad |
Spence, Gina |
Leveraging USC’s Opportunity: My Teaching Assistant and Lab Instructor Roles at USC
View Full Text
Abstract Text
During my studies at the University of South Carolina, I had the valuable opportunity to work first as a Teaching Assistant and later as a Lab Instructor within the Electrical Engineering department. These roles significantly enhanced my ability to teach and deepened my understanding of engineering concepts.
My main focus was to develop effective teaching strategies that would make complex engineering topics clearer and more accessible to students. As a Teaching Assistant, I led discussions, created and graded assessments, and provided personalized support to students, adapting my teaching to better meet their needs. In my subsequent role as a Lab Instructor, I was involved in refining and enhancing the design of laboratory experiments. This task allowed me to apply theoretical knowledge in practical scenarios, making the learning experience more applicable and engaging.
The feedback from students was overwhelmingly positive, demonstrating enhanced comprehension and increased interest in the subject matter. My approach led to notable improvements in student engagement and academic performance. These experiences not only strengthened my teaching and leadership skills but also reaffirmed my commitment to a career that integrates technical expertise with educational responsibilities.
These roles were pivotal in advancing my professional skills and deepening my understanding of the significant impact that effective teaching has on student success. I played a crucial role in enhancing and refining existing projects, contributing substantially to their success.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 242
|
| Marchione, Alissa |
Kathrein, Katie |
TARGETED SMALL MOLECULE INHIBITORS REMEDIATE THE LOSS OF ING4 EXPRESSION IN BREAST CANCER
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Breast cancer (BC) is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in women and the most common cancer worldwide. This metastatic cancer is commonly transferred to distant organs such as the bone, liver, lung and brain; making early diagnosis of breast cancer is one of the best approaches to prevent this disease. The Inhibitor of Growth family member 4 (ING4) is a tumor suppressor that has been connected to numerous cancer-associated processes, yet the exact mechanism of action has not been fully characterized. Therefore, this study aims to assess and characterize the associated cellular processes and molecular pathways related to ING4 deficient BC. Previously, (ING4) has been shown to promote stem cell-like characteristics in malignant cells through direct interactions with the p53, Hif-1a, c-Myc, NF-kB, and mTOR pathways. Utilizing the targeted small molecules to treat ING4-deficient cancer cell line- T47D- we saw significantly reduced colony formation and cell proliferation upon treatment, and a decrease in tumor burden in zebrafish xenograft assays. The present study shows that ING4 regulates many genes involved in biological pathways and networks related to BC development and progression. Collectively, regulation of ING4 gene expression and its downstream molecules provides a novel approach in cancer treatment.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 17
|
| Ou, Junlin |
|
GPU-enabled Path Planning based on Global Evolutionary Dynamic Programming and Local Particle Swarm Optimization
View Full Text
Abstract Text
This work presents a brand-new path planning method for single or multiple mobile robot systems, which integrates the global evolutionary dynamic programming and local particle swarm optimization (PSO). At the beginning, the path planning problem is treated as a Markov decision process. Evolutionary dynamic programming (EDP) is used to generate multiple feasible initial paths, each initializing an independent PSO optimization on waypoints only near the mobile robot. All the PSOs implemented on GPU are run in parallel, further improving the speed of optimization and the quality of the path. A strategy to fully utilize the CPU and GPU resources is also presented. The proposed algorithm is then implemented on an edge computing device (Jetson AGX Orin) onboard a mobile robot (TurtleBot 3 Waffle Pi). The optimal path can be continuously generated at the rate of around 15 Hz. In addition, the proposed algorithm is successfully employed in both single-robot and two-robot systems in the dynamic environment, verifying the performance of the proposed method.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 203
|
| Southworth, Riwin |
Swails, Nahid |
Exploring a New Method to Join Shape Memory Alloy with Stainless Steel
View Full Text
Abstract Text
The primary objective of this project is to explore a new method for directly joining Nitinol (NiTi) with stainless steel (SS) using a welding process assisted by a magnetic field. We aim to understand how NiTi and SS can be more effectively joined together. We have already made some interesting discoveries and now want to investigate whether employing a magnetic field during the welding process can enhance the strength and quality of the bond between the two metals.
Our specific aim is to use the magnetic field to prevent certain particles from moving between the metals and forming weak spots, which could otherwise weaken the connection. Therefore, we plan to study how the magnetic field accomplishes this and improves the adhesion between NiTi and SS.
To achieve this objective, we will conduct a series of experiments to compare the welding of NiTi and SS with and without the influence of a magnetic field. By analyzing the results of these experiments, we hope to gain insights into how the magnetic field strengthens the bond between these materials. Ultimately, this research could lead to the development of improved techniques for creating strong and durable connections between NiTi and SS in various future applications.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 51
|
| Sturkie, Marion |
Hollis, Brian
McLaughlin, Graham |
The effect of social experience on Drosophila melanogaster mating behavior
View Full Text
Abstract Text
The social environment of animals often influences subsequent mating behavior (McGhee and Travis 2011; P. Guevara-Fiore 2011; Westerman et al. 2014). In Drosophila melanogaster, the presence of competitor males ("rivals") has been shown to modify male mating behavior, including extending mating duration, increasing sperm transfer, and enhancing net reproductive success (Bretman et al. 2009). These changes are hypothesized to represent an adaptive response to competition, as longer matings and increased sperm transfer may improve reproductive success in competitive contexts. However, it is also possible that these behavioral shifts reflect a generalized response to the presence of other individuals, rather than being specific to perceived sexual competition. To test this, we exposed males to females instead of rivals prior to measuring mating behavior. This reversal of social experience—from high competition (rivals) to high mating opportunities (females)—provides a unique opportunity to explore whether males respond specifically to competition or more broadly to social cues. Additionally, the behavioral responses of male D. melanogaster to prior exposure to females, without mating, have not been previously studied and remain unknown.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 130
|
| Humphries, Amanda |
Peryshkov, Dmitry |
Ammonia Activation by a Metal-Free Redox-Active System
View Full Text
Abstract Text
The development of new methods for the facile and efficient activation of strong bonds is an ever-growing area of research, especially in regard to activation of the N-H bonds of ammonia, which has applications in both organic synthesis and sustainability research. While metal-complexes excel at activation of polar E-H bonds, ammonia proves exceptionally challenging due to the high homolytic bond dissociation free energy of the N-H bond as well as the preference for ammonia to form Werner-type coordination complexes over activation. As a result, studies have turned to main-group systems capable of bond activation reactions. We have previously shown that our carboranyl diphosphine system is capable of the metal-free activation of main-group hydrides, alcohols, and alkynes - where cooperation between the electron-accepting cluster and electron-donating phosphines facilitated metal-like reactivity in overall oxidative addition to the system. Utilizing the same redox-active system, we were able to afford activation of ammonia with tolerance to air and water as well as subsequent oxidation via triple hydrogen atom abstraction with TEMPO. In this case, the electron-withdrawing cluster induces enhanced electrophilicity at phosphorus, affording the unique reactivity. Details of these reactions, including mechanistic insights from DFT calculations, will be discussed.
|
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 27
|
| Bonilla Villamil, Pablo |
|
Molecular and cellular adaptations to chronic light cycles disruption in the medial amygdala during adolescence
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Currently, approximately 99% of the populations in the US and Europe are affected by light pollution. Recent studies have linked altered light environments to increased anxiety and mood disorders among US adolescents. The intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs) receive and transmit light inputs to the medial amygdala (MeA), a key region regulating emotional response and anxiety behaviors. However, the molecular and cellular adaptation of MeA circuit in response to altered light environment remain unknown. To this aim, we developed a translational light cycle disruption (LCD) paradigm in which adolescent mice are exposed to 19 hours of light and 5 hours of darkness (19L:5D) for 5 days and 12 hours of light and 12 hours of darkness (12L:12D) for 2 days, over a 4-week period. In this model LED light (blue light) is turned on at the end of the active phase of the animals’ cycle, resulting in an increased exposure for 5 days of a 7-day cycle. Mice were then tested for anxiety-like behaviors and brains were processed for single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq), immunohistochemistry and RNA in situ hybridization (ISH) analyses of the MeA. Behavioral analysis revealed that adolescent mice exposed to LCD showed increased avoidance responses compared to the control group. ScRNA-seq data showed differences in cell type composition, cell-cell communication and differential expression of genes involved in neuronal activity and synaptic function. Further, RNA-ISH analysis revealed that exposure to LCD downregulated Kcnj3 (a potassium channel involved in the regulation of neuronal activity) expression specifically in the Somatostatin (SST) neurons of the MeA. We found that avoidance behavior was associated with increased cFOS expression in the MeASST neurons following LCD exposure. In addition, real-time fiber photometry recordings revealed increased MeASST neurons activity during the explorations in mice exposed to LCD compared to the control. Finally, acute chemogenetic inhibition of the MeASST neurons was sufficient to rescue the LCD-induced avoidance behavior. Our research reveals for the first time that exposure to altered light environment during pubertal development disrupts MeA network inducing anxiety-like behavior observed in adolescent mice. Hence, we suggest that chronic LCD, similar to those experienced by humans during school-days and weekends, might represent a risk factor for developing emotional disorders.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 204
|
| Petersen, Dawson |
Almor, Amit |
Grammatical Metaphor Increases AI-Animacy Perception in Online Sentence Processing
View Full Text
Abstract Text
Presentation Abstract:
Linguists argue that the subject position of transitive clauses carries proto-agentive entailments, such as causativity and animacy. Psycholinguistic research has shown that this grammatical agency influences the situation models that readers construct (e.g., assigning higher financial liability to grammatical agents). Notably, English allows this agentive subject position to be occupied by non-animates in a phenomenon known as grammatical metaphor, which is known to increase the responsibility (agency) assigned to non-animates in rating tasks. However, it is not known 1) how grammatical metaphor affects online sentence processing or 2) whether grammatical metaphor increases perception of animacy. We investigated both these questions by testing whether grammatical metaphors about AI make readers more likely to accept AIs as subjects of animate verbs using both a rating task (Ex. 1) and an eye-tracking paradigm (Ex. 2). We hypothesized that reading grammatical metaphors will increase participants’ acceptance of AIs as subjects of animate verbs in both an outcome measure (ratings) and in late eye-tracking measures which reflect semantic integration (dwell time), but not early measures which reflect lexical access (first fixation duration). We further hypothesize based on theories of anthropomorphism that participants with lower AI knowledge will be more affected by the grammatical metaphors to perceive AIs as animate.
We found that grammatical metaphor affects online sentence processing (not just offline judgments). Specifically, we found that grammatical metaphor increased perception of AI-animacy for individuals with higher anthropomorphic tendencies, in their online sentence processing but not in their offline judgments. This finding is consistent with theories of anthropomorphism which claim that anthropomorphism is a tool for thinking about the unknown; however, the fact that this effect was found only in online processing suggests that this automatic anthropomorphism can be regulated by controlled processing.
|
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 100
|