Breakout Session I

Session 1-A

Plasma MicroRNA Profiling useful for early detection of Congestive Heart Failure
Inderjyot Bharath, South Florida State College

Plasma MicroRNA Profiling useful for early detection of Congestive Heart Failure Mitral valve disease (MVD) is the most common heart disease in dogs, accounting for nearly 75% of all dogs with heart disease. Therefore, it is imperative to identify the causes and underlying mechanisms associated with canine MVD to more efficiently treat these patients at the earliest detectable stage. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) Furthermore, if miRNAs prove to be a useful biomarker of heart disease.

The Effects of Platelet-Rich Plasma on Traumatic Brain Injuries and Neurite Outgrowth
Aly Smith, South Florida State College

Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) is a regenerative medicine that is used to treat athletic injuries such as athletic tears and breaks. PRP is made by taking the patients blood and spinning it down to isolate the plasma. The plasma is then injected back into the area of concern. Concussions are a common sporting injury and tends to take injuries out of the game. My research will be a proof of theory to see if PRP can bring down the swelling of the axons. I will also examine expression of growth factor receptor genes that might be unregulated, such as Activin Receptor-Like Kinase 1 (ALK-1), Endoglin, and Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor 1 (FGFR) by Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR). If my theory is proven correct and PRP does bring the swelling down then my next research project will be finding a way to distribute the PRP to the brain.

Session 1-B

American Nations in American Elections
Colin Pelletier, Jacksonville University

Colin Woodward divides the US into 11 distinct “nations” based on socio-cultural factors examined in his book, American Nations. My project utilizes the results of all presidential, senatorial, and gubernatorial elections from 2008-2020 for all counties of the continental US to determine if the resulting political regions correspond with Woodward's Nations. It was found that they do roughly match, with interesting variations in different parts of the country and for different types of elections.

The American Eugenics Movement: Our Nation's Silenced Past
Eric Gosling, Hillsborough Community College

This presentation is a historical look at the evolution of Eugenics in America. This work covers a range of topics beginning in the 1900s that include Eugenics in American institutions, law, the American family, two world wars, and then concludes in modern-day American society. This research aims to un-silence a part of our nation’s past so it can be taken into consideration as we move forward into the future of modern genetics with CRISPR technology.

The Impact of the Spanish American War on Puerto Rico’s Future
Natalia Caldero, Hillsborough Community College

The Spanish American War, a conflict between Spain and the United States, led to the independence of various territories under Spanish rule. Even though Puerto Rico suffered endless years of Spanish Rule, it held valuable potential due to its strategic location for trade and military establishment. Eventually, Puerto Rico would be considered a territory from the United States with a commonwealth supporting its government and citizens.

Session 1-C

The Emotional Effects of Music
Jean Saintgeorges, Broward College

The research serves to understand the emotional effect of music. The study provides evidence to the various emotions that are shown when people listen to music and serves to understand if music can help humans’ productivity throughout the day. The researcher uses a case study method, in which six participants were randomly selected to be interviewed. The findings from the interview show that all participants expressed some similar and some different feelings while listening to music.

Music Integrated Through STEAM for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Robyn Soronow, Florida Gulf Coast University

This presentation will propose and explain a music integration through STEAM education program, for students with ASD. It will discuss common strengths and needs of students with ASD, relating how STEAM education and music can potentially benefit them. The presentation will cover recommendations for successful implementation of a musical STEAM program (including discussions of how suggested programing might affect other social/behavioral goals, evidence-based ASD practice, and integration in the student's IEP).

Arts and Facts: Building a Learning Community to Address Social and Environmental Issues Through Art and Anthropology
Benjamin Augustyn, Claudia Scalise, Miami Dade College

This presentation describes the process of building a learning community among honors college students in art appreciation and anthropology at a large, two-year public institution. While covering each discipline’s course materials in full, students develop a capstone art project that addresses social and environmental issues. The assignment design, learning outcomes, and the challenges of building community during the pandemic will be discussed while showcasing the student projects from their final exhibit and presentations.

Session 1-D

Eating Disorders During the Coronavirus Pandemic: Why Recovery Became Harder and Relapse Became Easier
Clio Chazan-Gabbard, University of North Florida

COVID-19 uprooted everyone’s lives, yet certain demographics of people, such as individuals living with mental health issues, have been hit harder than others. While rates and severity of anxiety and depression surge, fewer people are discussing the rapid rise of eating disorders. For individuals with pre-existing eating disorders, lockdowns decreased recovery motivation, increased symptoms, and worsened comorbid disorders due to decreases in social support, changes to routines, and changes to therapeutic services.

Addressing Identity Contingencies of LGBTQ+ Students in Higher Education
Celia Roberts, Palm Beach State College

Colleges have long been places for social activism, especially for the LGBTQ+ community. However, LGBTQ+ students still experience challenges that are detrimental to their safety and performance on college campuses. This project reviews collegiate LGBTQ+ history, examines the identity contingencies that LGBTQ+ students experience, and suggests solutions to benefit LGBTQ+ students in higher education. These solutions will not only benefit academic institutions but the affects from these changes will surpass these institutions and impact society.

Have Political Tensions Affected Individual Intolerance of the COVID-19 Pandemic?
Renee Sealy, Florida Atlantic University

In late 2019, COVID-19 spread rampantly throughout various countries. The US tasked political leaders with imposing laws that mitigate the spread of the disease in their respective states. As a politically divided nation, Democratic and Republicans have openly voiced their differences regarding vaccinations, mask mandates, and plans to mitigate the spread of the disease. I will explore how these debates directly affected citizens' individual intolerance of COVID-19.