| 1 |
Estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer accounts for approximately 70% of breast cancer cases. Of these patients, most respond to endocrine therapies designed to specifically target the estrogen receptor; however, some develop a resistance to endocrine therapy following metastatic spread. The underlying mechanisms driving endocrine resistance are currently unknown; however, metastasizing cancer cells are suspected to be exposed to biochemical and biophysical cues that alter their phenotype. One such biophysical force is fluid shear stress (FSS), which prior studies have suggested enhances proliferation and induces a pro-survival phenotype at the metastatic site. Previous approaches to study the effects of FSS on cancer cells rely on the two-dimensional (2D) culture of cells and interrogation directly after FSS exposure, which does not adequately recapitulate the three-dimensional (3D) growth and cell-to-cell interactions of the tumor microenvironment (TME) or allow for the long-term effects of FSS to be studied. The goal of this study is to develop a modular microfluidic platform capable of first exposing cancer cells to well-defined magnitudes of FSS and then growing the cells as 3D spheroids in an array of ~400 circular traps to determine the long-term effect of FSS on metastatic cancer. Initial efforts have focused on the optimization of the microfluidic approach, including (i) the incorporation of a thiol-acrylate (TA) hydrogel scaffold to support 3D growth and (ii) adjusting flowrates of the aqueous and oil phase to ensure proper cell encapsulation. 3D spheroids were cultured for three and seven days followed by terminal immunostaining for the proliferative marker Ki67. Both the sheared and non-sheared cohorts were successfully cultured across biological replicates resulting in viable cells after seven days of culture. |
1 |
A Microscale Approach to Study the Effects of Fluid Shear Stress on Metastatic ER+ Breast Cancer Grown as 3D spheroids |
Karina Chun - Chemical Engineeringkchun Holly McGee - Chemical Engineeringhpmcgee Erica Wood - Chemical Engineeringerica6 |
Adam Melvin - Chemical and Biomolecular Engineeringmelvina Braulio Ortega Quesada - Chemical and Biomolecular Engineeringbraulio |
| 4 |
Non-technical skills (NTS) in surgery are defined as a set of cognitive and social skills that are related to technical skills, which are fundamental for safe and effective surgery. These skills typically consist of constructs such as teamwork and communication and are important due to their association with patient safety and surgical outcomes, especially in robotic surgery, where there is typically physical separation between the surgeon and team. There has been growing attention to assessing these skills; however, current assessment tools are performed through expert or self-rating, which are resource-intensive and subject to observational bias. Thus, research is needed to understand objective measures of NTS, and how they align with expert ratings and self-ratings of communication in surgery. Surgical team members' NTS was captured through discourse-based communication analysis (objective measures), standard NTS assessments (expert rating), and post-surgery self-rating surveys of perceived communication during three live robotic-assisted surgeries. Two coders analyzed audio recordings of the surgeries for frequency of communication types (callout, check-beck, closed loop) and content (question, feedback, etc.), and a standard NTS assessment was completed by a trained expert rater. The most common coding of communication was a call-out, which represents the initiation of a conversation. Further, a preliminary negative association between NTS scores and the number of closed-loop communication was found, which highlights that objective communication metrics can help inform NTS. Self-assessments reportedthat team members believed that communication had no effect on teamwork, while experts rated breakdowns in team communication, which aligned with the findings of incomplete closed-loop communications. These preliminary findings will improve the understanding of communication and NTS in robotic surgery for better patient safety and overall team performance. |
4 |
Closing the Loop: Exploring Communication and Nontechnical Skills in Robotic Surgery |
Ella Cheney - General Engineeringcheney2 Lauren Knipschild - Industrial Engineeringlknipsc |
Jackie Cha - Industrial Engineeringjackie |
| 6 |
Designing with Docs is a Creative Inquiry that lets students work first-hand with clinicians and doctors. The opportunity to collaborate in the design of medical devices both inspires the clinicians and motivates the students. Joining forces helps strengthen communication, creativity, and problem-solving skills. This CI is unique because the doctors see the medical needs, while the students see the engineering aspect, leading to cooperation and successful designing of next-generation biomedical devices. In this CI, we are working with the inventors of Dru Feeding System to create a vented baby bottle design. Many baby bottles lack an adequate venting system, forcing the baby to suck with more pressure to achieve the same amount of flow. This can lead to gas bubbles, colic, and refusal of the bottle. Our project goal is to determine the pressure buildup inside the bottle and relate it to the size of the Teflon ring needed to create an effectively vented baby bottle. We plan to find a way to separate the Teflon ring, making the cleaning process easier and allowing the Teflon size to be changed with the baby's development. Vented baby bottles on the market now are unfavorable because they are hard to clean and manage. Our design hopes to be successful for baby feeding and friendly for parent use. |
6 |
Designing With Docs |
Ashton Jenkins - Biomedical Engineeringarjnkns Eryn Robertson - Biomedical Engineeringerynr Alex Blackston - Biomedical Engineeringblacks3 |
John Desjardins - Bioengineeringjdesjar |
| 7 |
Did you know that 2% of the babies born in the USA are in vitro fertilization (IVF) babies? That embryo transfer is a big part of the cattle industry and most of the transferred embryos are in vitro produced? And that IVF is a critical component of endangered-species preservation programs? Semen analysis is a routine procedure as it is used as both a diagnostic tool and a processing step for further Assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs). In collaboration with the Fertility Center of the Carolinas, we are evaluating the effect of different human spermatozoa preparation techniques and devices on semen sample concentration and motility, spermatozoa DNA fragmentation, and the presence of reactive oxygen species. In vitroembryo production has become the most common method of production for transferable bovine embryos globally. However, thein vitromaturation of bovine oocytes yields lower blastocyst quality than theirin vivomatured counterparts. Photobiomodulation enhances cellular metabolic activity through activation of the mitochondrial respiratory chain, and has the potential to modify the cell metabolome. Our research indicates that photobiomodulation of bovine oocytes and embryos significantly improves energy production and embryonic development and quality. Photobiomodulation treatment appears to be safe and is a promising candidate for improving the bovinein vitroproduction system. Conservation strategies are necessary for maintaining viable populations of wild felids. There are many challenges to natural breeding in dwindling populations. Inbreeding, incompatibility between individuals, subfertility, and physical distance between breeding zones are some examples of the difficulties that these populations face in which ARTs can help. We are using the domestic cat as a model to improve wild-felid ARTs. |
7 |
In Vitro Fertilization in Different Species |
Laykin Gainey - Animal and Veterinary Sciencelgainey Taylor Gambardella - Biological Sciencestgambar Victoria Mueller - Animal and Veterinary Sciencevmuelle Saige Summersett - Animal and Veterinary Sciencesaiges Isabella Vogler - Animal and Veterinary Scienceivogler |
Matt Hersom - Animal and Veterinary Sciencesmhersom Celina Checura - Bioengineeringcchecur |
| 9 |
Clemson Public Art is a Creative Inquiry two course sequence which works to establish a new paradigm for the implementation of Site-Specific Public Artwork that capitalizes on a cross-disciplinary and inclusive approach and that is predominately student driven. "By students, for students" differentiates our approach from other public art projects at most educational institutions. Students provide the leadership role while functioning as arts administrators working to establish the direction and support for public art by engaging with a client, a unit engaged in new construction on campus, and our immediate community of students, faculty, and staff, the public, and the SC state arts commission. Our end goal is to fully examine and research the nature of Site-Specific Public Art providing critically considered and appropriate artwork for new campus projects. |
9 |
Clemson Public Art |
Harrison Brown - Agribusinessthbrown Joscelynne Clark - Visual Artsjoscelc Adrian Conte - Visual Artsarconte Delaney Gingrich - Language and International Businessdgingri Anna Hafner - Architectureakhafne Jessica Keary - Psychologyjkeary Brooke Williams - Architecturebw9 Mary Benjamin - Architecturemkbenja Jamie Fetzer - Architecturejcfetze Lana J Machione - Parks, Recreation & Tourism Managementlmachio Emma Molthen - Communicationemolthe Ellie Tucker - Visual Artsetucke4 Danett Vargas Sanchez - Artdvargas |
Joey Manson V - Artjv |
| 11 |
Images from modern light microscopes are typically acquired using a digital camera or other digital detector. To successfully use light microscopes, researchers need to develop a working understanding of disciplines such as optical physics, computer science, biology, and immunology. Additionally, a grasp of ethical decision-making practices is essential to ensure responsible research conduct. This includes using experimental controls, acknowledging technical limitations, and properly handling imaging metadata. In microscopy, these ethical decision-making practices may be hidden. Since anyone can walk away with a picture, the researcher may not explicitly consider how these technical considerations inform ethical and responsible data collection. This project investigates the ethical constructs graduate students perceive as crucial in developing self-efficacy, comfort, and confidence when using microscopes for research. Our multidisciplinary team interviewed science and engineering graduate students from across the United States, who use microscopy to research a variety of topics. Our goal was to explore the ethical challenges and perspectives they face. Interview questions were designed to encourage free discussion of participants' experiences with microscopy ethics and were revised based on details and relevance of participant responses. This dynamic interview protocol allowed for flexibility and the ability to track and follow emerging themes. The findings will contribute to developing best practices for digital imaging ethics in microscopy, fostering responsible research practices in the microscopy community. |
11 |
Exploring Ethical Decision Making Perspectives of Graduate Students Using Light Microscopy for Research |
Karthik Beeraka - Financial Managementkbeerak Brianna Breckenridge - Biological Sciencesbbrecke Whitney Delva - Biological Scienceswdelva Megan Elguicze - Biological Sciencesmelguic Ava Giese - Biological Sciencesagiese Isabella Sanchez - Anthropologymisanch Kaitlynn Singletary - Biological Scienceskesingl Rosalia Stagnitta - Psychologyrstagni Alexandra Harding - Experiential Educationahardi4 Holly White - Experiential Educationhwhite9 |
Matthew Boyer - Engineering and Science Educationdmboyer Rhonda Powell - Engineering and Science Educationrhondar |
| 13 |
This project creates low-cost, high-quality medical devices for the developing world. Project design materials are readily available to ensure that our designs are repairable, affordable, and can be produced in the location that needs them.Multiple novel projects have been generated from collaboration to address issues faced in Tanzania and low-resource areas in South Carolina. The group is focusing on the development of low-cost devices such as a pulse oximeter that alleviates skin color bias, a postpartum hemorrhage kit with naturally sourced local materials, and a sweat patch for post-natural disaster emergency response teams. The team is also working on the development of low-cost biosensors for applications related to the detection/sensing of antibiotics, heavy metal ions, and other analytes in fluids, as well as tuberculosis and antiretroviral drug resistance in HIV/AIDs patients. This project collaborates with Arusha Technical College (ATC) to foster a cross-cultural exchange of scientific ideas between Clemson and ATC. Through this collaboration, Clemson students strengthen their research through a deeper understanding of diverse environments and approaches. Research support for this project has been provided by Clemson CI program: Dr. Delphine Dean & Multiscale Bioelectromechanics Lab, Dr. Melina Harman, Dr. John DesJardins, along with collaboration from Arusha Technical College. |
13 |
Designing Medical Technology for the Developing World |
Simon Ciprari - Biomedical Engineeringsciprar Elizabeth Crapps - Biological Sciencesecrapps Katharine Greene - Biomedical Engineeringkjgreen Nolan Haley - Biomedical Engineeringnshaley Elizabeth Hause - Biomedical Engineeringehause Rachel Hillman - Biomedical Engineeringrchillm Benjamin Pearce - General Engineeringbwpearc Ashka Raval - Biochemistryaraval Anthony Ritz - Biomedical Engineeringaaritz Will Wangard - Biomedical Engineeringwwangar |
Delphine Dean - Bioengineeringfinou Jeremiah Carpenter - Industrial Engineeringjcarpe4 John Desjardins - Bioengineeringjdesjar Melinda Harman - Bioengineeringharman2 Diego Nigoa - Bioengineeringdiegon |
| 14 |
Contemporary Art & Practice CI students will explore historical and theoretical issues to gain critical perspectives on Art, visit and study current exhibitions in galleries in museums in New York City, gain professional experience, intern in the Lee Gallery, and share their studio research in an exhibition in the Lee Gallery. |
14 |
Contemporary Art and Practice |
Adrian Conte - Visual Artsarconte Bruno Digennaro - Artbdigenn Jada Garrick - Visual Artsgarric4 Sarah Malphrus - Artsmalphr Andrew Mount - Artabmount |
Joey Manson V - Artjv |
| 16 |
Robot networks have become increasingly important due to their wide applications in disciplines as diverse as computer science, robotics, biology, and automatic control. This creative inquiry deals with tools, methods, and algorithms for understanding and designing networked robotic systems. The objectives of these projects are to equip students with the following abilities: to rigorously describe and analyze networked robots (autonomous cars) in various application areas; to develop new algorithms for networked robots and autonomous cars; to perform basic research for networked robots and autonomous cars, including writing a research paper as a final project report. |
16 |
Robot Networks |
Aden Casselman - Electrical Engineeringcasselm SrikarNag Nallam - Computer Engineeringsnallam Jada Hall - Computer Sciencejhall23 Michael Conte - Computer Engineeringconte3 Alec Chalfant - Electrical Engineeringcchalfa |
Yongqiang Wang - Electrical and Computer Engineeringyongqiw |
| 17 |
Host Associated (HA) microbiota vary with a number of factors, including body site,host species, andhost environment. In some hostspecies, gut microbiota alsovary with hostsex. This has been shown in some but not alllizard species. Further, it is unclear whether HA microbiota atother lizardbody sites, for example lizard skin, exhibit dependence on hostsex. We compare male and female gut and skin microbiota in several whiptail lizard species (Aspidoscelisspp.) to determine whether there is any systematic difference in microbiota richness and composition based on sex.This is important because it helps to inform everything from sex differences in susceptibility to disease to vertical transmission of HA microbiota to offspring. |
17 |
The Effects of Sex on Whiptail (Aspidoscelis spp.) Microbiota |
Charlie Bogdanski - Biochemistrycdbogda Luis Garcia - Wildlife and Fisheries Biologylgarci5 Tiereney Gibbs - Biological Sciencestiereng Madison Pelkey - Wildlife and Fisheries Biologymlpelke |
Sharon Bewick - Biological Sciencessbewick Benjamin Camper - Biological Sciencesbcamper Drew Kanes - Forestry and Environmental Conservationakanes |
| 18 |
Tapping intothe passion and creativity of current Tiger Band members with computer science experience, we are creating a virtual reality environment to display 360 videos, host interactive experiences related to Tiger Band, and deliver interactive educational elements designed for students of all ages. Students in this CI are learning about and using Unity, 3D modeling software, and 360 video editing software to create this environment. This semester, students have been creating a basic UI to transport users into the main scene and modeling and creating the Tiger Band Practice Field as the main environment to house all the elements. This application (once all phases are completed) is designed to be used for recruiting and retention of future Tiger Band members, connecting with alumni and friends of the band, developing relationships with potential donors and sponsors, and enriching music education in classrooms across the state. |
18 |
Building a Virtual Reality Environment for Tiger Band |
Madison Browning - Computer Sciencemtb9 Kegan Catoe - Computer Sciencekeganc |
Tim Hurlburt - Performing Artsthurlbu Kristopher Kohm - School of Computingkckohm |
| 23 |
Road ecology is the study of how traffic and roads affect the environment and the surrounding wildlife community. Wildlife crossing structures like culverts and bridges help to mitigate the negative impacts wildlife face by providing a way for animals to move across a road safely. Understanding the circumstances in which an animal might use a crossing structure is essential for managers trying to conserve species, as well as protect human lives and property. Our goal is to understand how the time of day affects when white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) visit wildlife crossing structures. We predict that there will be higher white-tailed deer activity during the nighttime compared to the daytime due to reduced vehicle activity at night. We will use wildlife detections from camera traps from 8 structure locations on three highways in the Southern Blue Ridge Mountains from May 2024 to January 2025. We will perform a t-test using Excel to compare white-tailed deer activity at the road crossings between day and night. We expect to find a statistically significant higher activity level of white-tailed deer at crossing structures at night. Our results will inform better management of wildlife crossing structures in order to increase animal usage of these structures while decreasing wildlife mortality risk from highway crossings. |
23 |
Day or Night, Deer Take Flight: Comparing Road Crossing Activity at Different Times |
Jack Kunisch - Wildlife and Fisheries Biologyjkunisc Chelsea Martin - Environmental and Natural Resourcescmart33 Leah Roberts - Environmental and Natural Resourceslrober7 |
David Jachowski - Forestry and Environmental Conservationdjachow Chloe Horton - Forestry and Environmental Conservationchorto8 Katelyn Steen - Forestry and Environmental Conservationksteen |
| 24 |
As our medical knowledge expands, there has been a shift toward innovating new and novel ways to apply techniques developed in materials science and engineering to medicine and health care. One of these techniques that has shifted from industrial to biomedical use has been the fabrication and modification of nanoparticles. Engineers have found that many nanoparticles, once used for industrial reactions, are also incredibly useful in specific cancer treatments or as vessels for drug delivery. It has been found that nanoparticles consisting of iron oxide are especially good at fulfilling this role. Our experiment explores the fabrication, modification, and potential applications of iron oxide nanorings. These rings are fabricated through a hydrothermal synthesis that produces iron oxide nanorings in the hematite state of α-Fe203. We then reduce these rings to the state of Magnetite (Fe304), which allows the rings to be magnetically manipulable. This is done through a chemical reduction of FeCl2 and NaOH mixed at 60 degrees Celsius. Upon successful reduction, the nanorings are verified through an Electron Microscope, and properties are studied. Due to existing FDA approval, these nanoparticles are incredibly useful tools for onsite drug delivery or targeted cancer treatments. We aim to learn more about this relatively new class of nanoparticles by studying their magnetic, chemical, and physical properties. |
24 |
Synthesis and Fabrication of Iron Oxide Nanorings |
Aidan Patterson - Mechanical Engineeringapttrs |
Thompson Mefford - Materials Science and Engineeringmefford |
| 25 |
Child marriage within the United States remains an underlying issue, often overshadowed by other concerns put into the media. Despite the federal government's lack of protective measures on the children within their country, legal loopholes within state laws can actively allow minors to be married, frequently due to the structure of emancipation through marriage. This research helps indicate the relationship between state-level emancipation laws and child marriage rates, analyzing whether these laws inadvertently contribute to the issues behind child marriage. Using data created by the Clemson CI: Laws & Vows: Early Childhood Marriage, we will address state marriage laws and emancipation policies. This paper addresses the critical question: Do the laws on the emancipation of minors through marriage affect child marriage rates and marriage laws developed by individual states or lack thereof? This research aims to provide a deeper understanding of how marriage exceptions can impact the amount of children being married off in the states. We will be addressing whether these laws inadvertently create the exploitation of minors. It can also be seen that the research is trying to identify where the United States government can correct and regulate these marriages. Key variables analyzed within this research will include the legal marriage age, parental and judicial exceptions, and the emancipation laws in individual states or lack of. While developing a dataset that states with less or no restrictive laws regarding marriage and emancipation contribute to higher rates of child marriage, highlighting the urgent need for legislative reform at both the state and federal levels. |
25 |
How do Emancipation Laws Correlate to Child Marriage in the United States? |
Alexis Nigro - Political Sciencenigro |
Tara Trask - Political Sciencettrask |
| 27 |
Decision-making is a ubiquitous cognitive process that individuals engage in constantly--some decisions are inconsequential while others can have drastic implications. Identifying ways to improve decision-making has potential to have lasting positive effects. One potential approach is deep breathing interventions. While such interventions have shown promise for improving aspects of cognition, like working memory, few studies have examined the effect of deep breathing on decision-making performance. This study aims to examine the effect of a brief deep breathing intervention on performance on the Iowa Gambling Task (IGT), a reward-based decision-making task. Potential moderating variables such as stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms were also explored.College student participants(n=216) wererandomized into either adeep breathing intervention group or a mind wandering control group. Participants completedpreliminary demographics andstate andtrait surveys, the assigned manipulation, and then the IGT. The results demonstrated that high levels of perceived stress are associated with poorer performance on the IGT the control condition, while individuals who completed the breathing intervention experienced reduced effects of perceived stress, which resulted in greater IGT performance. Furthermore, a brief deep breathing intervention decreases stress and arousal levels from baseline to post-manipulation, indicating that this intervention can temporarily lower levels of stress and arousal. This research is the first of its kind to assess the impact of deep breathing on stress, arousal, mood, and decision-making. Therefore, this study can aid individuals in stressful situations to ease their stress and arousal while helping the decision-making ability of individuals who suffer from high perceived stress. |
27 |
A Computational Modeling Approach to Brief Slow-Paced Breathing and Mental Health Moderators of Decision-Making under Uncertainty in College Students |
Maggie Rosinski - Psychologymrosins Michael Spinelli - Psychologymrspine June Pilcher - Psychologyjpilche Madelyn Brancato - Experiential Educationmgbranc |
Kaileigh Byrne - Psychologykaileib |
| 28 |
This was a replication study ofthe relationship between sleeping positions in the first six months of lifeand childhoodautism severity. Parents of children with autism completed a survey on their child's sleeping positions as infants and their child's currentautism severity.No association was found between sleep position and symptom severity. This studyhighlights the importance of replication in our science. |
28 |
Autism Symptoms and Sleep: A Replication Study |
Ally Buch - Psychologyabuch Faith Chaveriat - Psychologyfchaver Bailey Hendrix - Psychologycbhendr Rylee Holt - Biological Sciencesrnholt Maggie Rosinski - Psychologymrosins |
Jennifer Grandits - Psychologyjbgrand |
| 30 |
The Circuit Cellar project is conducted in ECEntials design space. This project is designed to be open to students of all experience levels. Students are provided with an opportunity to focus on hands-on skills that are not usually covered by traditional instruction and laboratories. Such topics include electronic design, soldering, PCB design, 3D printing, and state of the art electronic design methodologies. Students will showcase general projects carried out in this CI, as well as more detailed technical projects related to electronic design. |
30 |
Circuit Cellar and Design ECEntials |
Ella Reece - General Engineeringenreece Adelaide Rogers - General Engineeringajroger Tolga Bilgis - General Engineeringtolgab Afif Uddin - General Engineeringauddin Caleb Briggs - Electrical Engineeringcbriggs Ignacio Carmichael - Computer Engineeringignacic Christian Lawrence - Electrical Engineeringcjlawre Manuel Mata-Rivera - Electrical Engineeringmatariv Piniel Abera - Computer Engineeringpabera Kayla Brown - Electrical Engineeringkvb Dante Cappellini - Electrical Engineeringdacappe Christopher Davis - Electrical Engineeringcjd8 Bruno Digennaro - Artbdigenn Kayla Hughes - Electrical Engineeringkhughe4 Camren Khoury - Computer Engineeringcamrenk Cameron Nowell - Electrical Engineeringcnowell John Sellars - Electrical Engineeringjmsella Andrew Ko - Electrical Engineeringanko Sam Langenfeld - Electrical Engineeringsblange Michael Ni - Electrical Engineeringmini Omar Abdel Azim - General Engineeringabdelaz Alby Schirippa - General Engineeringaschiri |
Hassan Raza - Electrical and Computer Engineeringhraza William Reid - Electrical and Computer Engineeringbreid |
| 32 |
Wildfires have a significant effect on the soil microbiome. However, carbon utilization and post-fire succession are not very well understood. Black carbon is generally defined as a polycondensed aromatic carbon compound emitted by incomplete combustion of biomass and fossil fuels. Additionally, it is a recalcitrant source of carbon whose usability has not been researched in-depth. In this study, microbial diversity and carbon use in pre- and post-fire soil samples from the Clemson Experimental Forest and Savannah River Site near Aiken, SC is examined through the use of enrichment media with a variety of carbon sources, including black carbon, naphthalene, citrate, and combinations of them. After three rounds of enrichment, colony isolation, genetic sequencing, and substrate utilization assays, a multitude of species with black carbon metabolism capabilities were identified. Those identified include thirteen Paenibacillus species, two Bacillus species, and several other bacterial genera. Notably, spore-formers such as Paenibacillus dominated the post-fire samples, likely due to their spore-forming capabilities and production of enzymes that degrade complex carbon compounds such as lignin. The results demonstrate that there are soil microbes that are not only able to survive wildfire conditions but also effectively metabolize black carbon, suggesting that black carbon plays a key role in ecosystem recovery and carbon cycling following wildfires and similar fire-related events. Based on these results, we speculate that spore formers and/or thermophiles such as Paenibacillus may have acquired the ability to metabolize black carbon to better survive during and after such fire events. |
32 |
How Wildfires Impact Microbial Diversity and the Microbial Capability to Metabolize Wildfire-Derived Black Carbon and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons |
Lily Addicott - Microbiologyladdico Amanda Castelano - Microbiologyamcaste Will Leonard - Microbiologywcleona Sophia Tedesco - Microbiologysmtedes Sam Ohanesian - Microbiologywohanes |
Dinuka Lakmali Jayasuriya Patabandige - Biological Sciencesdjayasu Barbara Campbell - Biological Sciencesbcampb7 |
| 33 |
This research project, sponsored by Titan Farms and mentored by Deloitte consultants, addresses the critical challenge of preventative maintenance in agricultural operations. Titan Farms has faced significant operational disruptions due to inefficiencies in tracking and managing inventory parts necessary for machine repairs, particularly during their brief production season. The prolonged downtime not only affects productivity but also leads to substantial financial losses. Our team utilized a methodical approach involving the creation of evaluation scorecards and conducting comprehensive demos with potential Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) solution providers. The criteria for these evaluations included software capabilities, ease of implementation, and cost-effectiveness. These methods provided a structured way to assess the suitability of each solution for addressing the specific needs of Titan Farms. The results from our evaluations indicate that multiple ERP and EAM solutions meet the requirements of Titan Farms, offering robust functionalities that can significantly enhance operational efficiencies. Implementing these solutions is anticipated to reduce machine downtime, foster better interdepartmental communication, and establish a unified platform for data management. In conclusion, the adoption of ERP or EAM systems at Titan Farms promises not only to mitigate the current challenges but also to revolutionize their maintenance operations. While some resistance to change is expected among employees, the long-term benefits of improved efficiency and reduced production losses are substantial. This project exemplifies how targeted technological interventions can transform the operational landscape of agricultural businesses. |
33 |
Titan Farms Clemson Consulting Project |
Marah Hanson - Managementmarahh Matthew Polak - Financial Managementmjpolak Lucas Martin - Managementldm4 Samuel Wienstroer - Experiential Educationswienst Macie Tanaka - Managementmtanaka Ava Ambrose - Financial Managementalambro Kelsey Corrigan - Communicationkcorrig Benjamin Conner - Mechanical Engineeringbconne5 James King - Managementjfk Nick Sherrer - Financial Managementnsherre |
Dirk Roskam - Department of Managementdroskam |
| 34 |
As vehicles become more connected and autonomous, ensuring the security and privacy of their systems is increasingly vital. This research, conducted by a team of students, examines vulnerabilities across multiple layers of modern automotive technology including data privacy, system integrity, and adversarial threats that could compromise safety and trust. One group focuses on consumer awareness of data collection in Android Automotive OS (AAOS), revealing significant gaps in understanding privacy policies, regulatory protections, and user control, highlighting the need for greater transparency. Another team investigates night vision cameras in autonomous vehicles, demonstrating how adversarial lighting conditions can manipulate object detection, creating safety hazards. To enhance in-vehicle communication security, students explore embedding Message Authentication Codes (MACs) into unused CAN frame transmission time, improving data integrity without affecting system performance. Additionally, research into Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG) in vision-language models (VLMs) examines adversarial vulnerabilities that could compromise autonomous decision-making. By addressing these interconnected challenges through collaborative efforts, this student-led research advances the development of more resilient, transparent, and secure automotive technologies, ensuring both user trust and system reliability in the evolving landscape of intelligent vehicles. |
34 |
Security and Privacy Challenges in Modern Automotive Systems |
Demir Bucukoglu - Computer Sciencedbucuko Max Engelhorn - Computer Sciencemengelh Roman Gilliatt - Computer Information Systemsrjgilli Milka Ndubuisi - Computer Sciencebogumin Lilah Smith - Computer Sciencelilahs Julia Thompson - Computer Information Systemsjnt3 James Underwood - Computer Engineeringunderw4 Sophia Voulgaris - Electrical Engineeringsvoulga Caden Allen - Computer Sciencecaden3 Ashton McEntarffer - Computer Scienceamcenta John Shelley - General Engineeringjshell2 Michael Steiger - Computer Sciencemsteige Siddharth Thumsi - Computer Sciencesthumsi James Tribble - Computer Sciencejjtribb |
Mert Pese - School of Computingmpese |
| 36 |
The two most severe marine heat waves recorded in U.S. waters occurred in 2014 and 2023. We evaluated the impact of these marine heat waves on substrate composition at 29 reefs located along an environmental gradient (nearshore, mid-channel, offshore) in the middle Florida Keys. Analysis of annual census data (2012-2024) found that all environmental gradients had a net increase in algae cover and decrease in coral cover over time. Offshore reefs had the most substantial changes in algae (increase from 45-61%) and soft coral (decrease from 25-3%), while mid-channel reefs had the most substantial change in hard coral (decrease from 20-4%). Trends were most significant in post-heat wave years. Next, we conducted a case study of the 2014 heat wave for two adjacent Cheeca Rocks reefs with different sanctuary regulations: a Sanctuary Preservation Area (SPA) and a non-SPA. While hard coral increased 4.5% at the SPA reef between 2012 and 2016 (Manzello et al. 2018), it decreased 9.4% at the non-SPA reef. Future research will investigate the correlation between management gradients and coral resiliency. This projectimproves our understanding of the impacts of climate change on coral reef habitat diversity, health, and resiliency. This information is critical for developing conservation and habitat restoration strategies for the future preservation of coral reefs in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Our research was sponsored by the Clemson University Creative Inquiry program and the National Science Foundation. |
36 |
Coral vs. Algae: A Marine Turf War |
Alexandra Vallone - Animal and Veterinary Scienceavallon |
Sarah Rider - Biological Sciencessprider |
| 37 |
Intervertebral discs (IVDs) are gelatinous substances in between vertebrae that absorb the shock caused by everyday movements. Once damaged, they have limited healing potential, this causes lasting pains to those who suffer from IVD degeneration. Due to this, people often take time off work until treatment, including complete removal/ replacing the discs or treating the symptoms, is received. These treatments are slow to take effect, causing many economic consequences from employees not working. The goal of this study is to assess if various scaffoldings are promising for IVD regeneration. The body is incapable of regenerating IVD, making this approach ideal for preserving tissue properties. Moreover, reducing recovery time quickens recuperation and eases economic burden. To experiment the regeneration of IVD tissue, this research involves decellularizing IVDs harvested from bovine tails. These tissue samples will be used as a scaffold for adipose stem cell implantation and differentiation into native IVD cells. To establish the decellularization process, DNA purification and quantification steps are taken. To verify proper cell differentiation and tissue properties, histology and mechanical testing will be conducted. To confirm decellularization, a standard curve was created using the untreated samples and compared to the treated samples. This comparison has promising results for the study, revealing there was a noticeably less amount of DNA within the treated samples, while also revealing changes that could be made within the procedure. Successful tissue decellularization is vital for creating a scaffold, free from host rejection. Steps are being taken in the right direction to achieve the desired goals of this research. |
37 |
DNA Quantification in Decellularized Intervertebral Discs for Tissue Engineering Scaffolds |
Claudia Baicu - Biomedical Engineeringbaicu Emily Bush - Biomedical Engineeringejbush Kira Dannaker - Biomedical Engineeringkdannak Destiny Drain - Biomedical Engineeringddrain Madison French - Biomedical Engineeringmlfrenc Kaitlyn Kopp - Biomedical Engineeringkekopp Aidan Limpic - Biomedical Engineeringalimpic Katie Randa - Biological Scienceskranda |
Jiro Nagatomi - Bioengineeringjnagato |
| 38 |
Computer-aided detection (CAD) systems play a crucial role in modern cancer screenings, helping radiologists make more accurate classifications. Little research has explored how these CAD systems interact with advanced imaging techniques, such as digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT). Additionally, very little research has explored how including alternate classifications, such as the Breast Imaging Reporting and Database System (BI-RADS), may help radiologists make better and more consistent decisions. Thus, this study compared participants' cancer detection using a variety of CAD systems. Participants were randomly assigned to one of the following CAD aids: analog CAD (aCAD), original BI-RADS CAD (Sabo, 2024; oBI-RADS), oBI-RADS with aCAD, a novel BI-RADS CAD (nBI-RADS), or nBI-RADS with aCAD. Participants then searched pseudo-DBT images for signs of cancer with and without the assistance of their assigned CAD aid. We also assessed participants' general propensity to trust automation, their perceived workload while completing the task, and how usable/trustworthy they perceived their assigned CAD system to be. Results indicated that the CAD systems broadly improved cancer detection, but no significant differences were found between the CAD aids in accuracy, workload, usability, or trust. Our findings support the continued use of CAD systems during cancer screenings with DBT imaging. However, our results suggest that BI-RADS information may need to be incorporated into a different method to elicit performance benefits. |
38 |
Initial Explorations of Applying Human Factors Principles to a BI-RADS CAD System |
Rowan Cunningham - Psychologycraftoc Presley Hackney Pitts - Psychologypresleh Adalyn Jensen - Psychologyapjense Liv Rashkin - Psychologyorashki |
Katie Sabo - Psychologysabo2 Dawn Sarno - Psychologydmsarno |
| 39 |
TikTok, a popular short-form video-sharing platform, has rapidly gained global popularity, particularly among emerging adults aged 18-30. Additionally, TikTok's creation has spurred the development of other short-form video apps, of which the research remains limited. Concerns have emerged regarding the harmful impacts of short-form video apps on user well-being. Specifically, there is discourse surrounding TikTok's potential influence on body image and eating pathology. We developed a rapid review that aimed to synthesize empirical evidence on the relationship between TikTok use and body-image-related constructs, including body dissatisfaction, appearance comparison, and other eating disorder psychopathology among emerging adults in order to determine what is already known and where there is a literature gap. A search was conducted across multiple databases (PubMed, PsycINFO, MEDLINE, Web of Science, Google Scholar) from 2018-2024. Studies were included if they examined TikTok's impact on body image and eating pathology using quantitative methods among emerging adults. Ultimately, 15 studies met our inclusion criteria and were included in this rapid review. Despite methodological differences between studies, a consistent theme emerged from our results: TikTok usage significantly affects body image perceptions, appearance comparisons, and eating behaviors, often to the detriment of users' mental and physical health. These findings highlight the significance of TikTok on the body image perceptions and eating behaviors of its users within emerging adults. Implications for future research include the need for more diverse and longitudinal studies to explore casual relationships and identify effective interventions to mitigate potential harm associated with the use of TikTok and other prominent short-form video apps |
39 |
TikTok's Influence on Body Image and Disordered Eating among Emerging Adults: A Rapid Review |
Julia Jamieson - Psychologyjwjamie Charlotte Loa-Saldana - Psychologycloasal |
Brooke L Bennett - Psychologyblbenne Alexis Lamere - Psychologyalamere |
| 41 |
Our research aims to further understand the intricate relationships existing between personality traits, moral foundations, political orientation, and opinions on Nazi policies, drawing from a Southeastern American sample - a population that is relatively unexplored in personality research. We hypothesize that the personality trait of Orderliness will enhance the relationship between the binding moral foundations (loyalty, authority, and purity) and support of Nazi policies, whereas the trait of Openness will attenuate this relationship. To study this relationship, we will conduct a self-report correlational study to determine how these variables interact. We will be combining a Big Five personality scale (Deyoung et al., 2007) with measures of Conservatism/Liberalism (Everett, 2013) and Moral foundations (Atari et al., 2023). Additionally, we will be using a measure on opinions of Nazi policies that our team has created, as one does not exist in current literature. We are in the final stages of testing this scale, and while we do not have the final results of our research yet, we believe that this project will highlight our hypothesized relationships and will provide new information that could better personality research as a whole. Our research seeks to examine personality and moral reasoning differences across varying political beliefs, and with the inclusion of opinions on Nazi policies as a factor, which is additionally under-researched in the field of personality science, we aim to contribute to the broader understanding of political polarization within the US. |
41 |
Personality, Moral Foundations, Opinions on Nazi Policies, and 2024 Voting Behavior |
Alex Matthews - Psychologyarmatth Kayla Rowell - Psychologykrowell |
Ben Cotterill - Psychologybfcotte |
| 42 |
Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD) causes lameness and loss of use in horses. Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is a possible prevention or treatment of DJD due to its anti-inflammatory properties. Previously, dietary supplementation of CLA decreased inflammation and passed into the synovial membrane and joint tissues. Therefore, to investigate if CLA supplementation could improve stride length and decrease pain behaviors in horses diagnosed with clinical DJD, 14 horses were randomly assigned to two treatment groups: CLA (n = 7) or soybean oil (SO, n = 7) control at an inclusion rate of 3.3% of the concentrated grain diet for 112 days. We hypothesized that CLA supplementation would improve stride length and reduce pain behaviors in horses with DJD. Stride lengths were analyzed using video recordings evaluated with Kinovea (v. 2023.1). No significant difference in stride length between the treatment groups (P > 0.05) existed, though a time effect was observed (P = 0.0013), likely due to improvements of initial routine riding. The effect of CLA supplementation on pain behaviors associated with DJD was evaluated using the Ridden Horse Pain Ethogram (RHpE) to quantify pain-related behaviors during riding sessions, which were recorded and analyzed using Behavior Observation Research Interactive Software (BORIS, v. 9.0.6). No differences existed between CLA and CON for pain behavior (P = 0.9897); therefore, observed pain behaviors may be due to other factors. This study highlights the complex nature related to dietary interventions like CLA for equine pain and DJD management. |
42 |
Conjugated Linoleic Acid Supplementation Effects on Degenerative Joint Disease in Horses |
Kailyn Loveira - Animal and Veterinary Sciencekloveir Kaitlyn McDonagh - Animal and Veterinary Sciencekemcdng Blaine Noland - Animal and Veterinary Sciencebnoland Ella Savage - Animal and Veterinary Scienceemsavag Lauren Wiggins - Animal and Veterinary Sciencelawiggi Georgia Carson - Animal and Veterinary Scienceghcarso Kaycee Grindstaff - Animal and Veterinary Sciencekayceeg Taylor Owens - Animal and Veterinary Sciencetowens2 Emily Brown - Animal and Veterinary Scienceeab8 Sofia Salvino - Animal and Veterinary Sciencessalvin Langley Vernon - Animal and Veterinary Sciencelanglev |
Erika Hwang - Animal and Veterinary Scienceserikaj Kristine Vernon - Animal and Veterinary Scienceskvernon |
| 43 |
This research investigates the feasibility of establishing a joint-venture fishing lodge in partnership with a local village in the Fijian islands. The project aims to integrate sustainable tourism with community development by structuring the lodge as a social enterprise. Key areas of research included business models, insurance, pricing strategies, and the legal framework governing such ventures in Fiji. Field research was conducted through two visits to Fiji, during which I engaged directly with local chiefs, government officials, lawyers, and community members to understand cultural, legal, and economic considerations. The business plan emphasizes sustainable fishing practices, including fish tagging for conservation, and aims to create long-term benefits for the village through employment, infrastructure, and eco-tourism initiatives. The findings suggest that a culturally aligned and legally compliant approach can lead to a successful and mutually beneficial venture. This research highlights the potential of community-driven tourism to foster economic and environmental sustainability. |
43 |
Entrepreneurial and Joint-Venture Pathways in the Fijian Islands |
Liam Beauregard - Managementlbeaure |
Dirk Roskam - Department of Managementdroskam |
| 44 |
How do the complications that come with resettling impact refugees' abilities to become part of the communities they relocate into? How can these complications be ameliorated or minimized by hosting community residents? One way to better understand and address or respond to obstacles faced by resettled refugees is through community support and engagement. Our Creative Inquiry project focuses on the exploration of refugee migration and resettlement as part of the launching of the Every Campus a Refuge at Clemson refugee welcome initiative. By fostering welcoming environments and providing avenues for social interaction, communities can help the refugees we work with feel valued and included. To better understand the experiences and conditions of refugee migration and resettlement, we have studied the work of involved writers, artists, and scholars to learn about international migration. We have also worked hard to contextualize our own migration stories to cultivate empathy and cultural responsiveness. Along with studies, our efforts extend beyond mere awareness to tangible action, engaging in activities such as ESOL, tutoring, childcare assistance, and cultural orientations for families. These initiatives aim not only to address immediate needs but also to empower refugees to navigate their new environment and build fulfilling lives. ECAR at Clemson also engages with community partners, especially the local refugee resettlement agency. We have found a complex relationship between refugee resettlement in the United States and struggles for freedom, equity, and justice more broadly. Our poster presentation will share how colleges and universities across the country are playing key roles in refugee support while presenting significant experiential learning opportunities for students and faculty. |
44 |
Every Campus a Refuge at Clemson |
Sara Alkelani - Experiential Educationsalkela Tulsi Patel - PhilosophyTpatel3 Briggs Murray - Englishbriggsm Elizabeth Perkins - Language and International Businesseaperki |
Michael LeMahieu - Englishmlemahi |
| 45 |
This research will present new theoretical and psychological factors to explain and predict worker attitudes and stress about the adoption of automated technologies in their organizations. Automated technologies (e.g., algorithms, AI, robots) are being adopted into workplaces at a rapid pace. Although these technologies will alter the tasks performed in many roles, human workers will still be needed to perform job roles. Yet, workers present ambivalent reactions, from excitement to fear, about these technologies, making it important to understand factors promoting readiness. Our research focuses onresearch questions: (1)How do organizational contextual resources influence workers' readiness to embrace automation? (2)Which workers view automation as a stressor, and what supportive factors may mitigate stress? To this end, we model contextual resources (e.g., organizational justice, supervisor and peer support) and individual difference traits (e.g., approach and avoidance motivation) as predictors of stress and willingness to work withautomated technologies. This research has practical implications for organizations seeking guidance on effectively adopting automation, reducing worker concerns, and fostering more positive attitudes toward technological advancements. This research has been approved by the Clemson Institutional Review Board. We will becollecting surveydata from 600 employees who reside in the United States and work at least 20 hours a week. Data will be collected via the participant recruitment site Prolific and via online surveys. |
45 |
Organizational Resources and Individual Traits Driving Worker Stress and Willingness to Work with Automated Technologies |
Charlie Clark - Psychologyceclrk Conner Dinsmore - Economicscdinsmo Piper Embrey - Psychologypembrey Sophia Martin - Psychologysrm7 Caitlin Raye - Psychologycraye Reynolds Tiller - Psychologyartille Spencer Waterbury - Psychologyswaterb Clayton Weaver - Psychologyctweave |
Jenna Van Fossen - Psychologyjvanfos |
| 46 |
Clemson undergraduate students learned skills related to acting as an attorney and as a witness in mock trial competitions under the auspices of the American Mock Trial Association. In attorney preparation, students attended presentations by, presented for, and received feedback from visiting judges and attorneys. In witness preparation, students attended presentations by theater faculty. Selected students represented Clemson at an invitational mock trial tournament in Atlanta, where they placed second out of thirteen teams, and at a regional mock trial tournament in Columbia, where they placed in the top half of teams competing. |
46 |
Experiential Learning Through Mock Trial Preparation and Competition |
Haleigh Gartner - Packaging Sciencehgartne Kaden Liles - Economicskliles James Schvaneveldt - Computer Sciencejschvan |
Cary Kaye - Philosophy and Religioncbkaye |
| 47 |
Students learn appellate litigation skills, including reading Supreme Court and other cases, writing an appellate brief, and giving oral argument. Working in teams of two, they prepare to represent Clemson in tournaments of the American Moot Court Association (AMCA). In 2024-2025 a Clemson team advanced to the pre-nationals of the AMCA in the oral argument competitionand another team won eighth place among briefs for the respondent in the national brief-writing competition. |
47 |
Moot Court |
Alejandra Carranza-Lima - Environmental and Natural Resourcesamcarra Montana Mawhinney - Sociologymomawhi Olivia Oefinger - Economicsooefing Ariana Pensy - Sports Communicationapensy Aubrie Thomas - Criminal Justiceaubriet Dante' Winfield - Psychologydwinfie |
Cary Kaye - Philosophy and Religioncbkaye |
| 48 |
The global prevalence of patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is increasing annually. Although joint replacements are widely successful, there is a small percentage that require surgical removal from the patient due to patient demographics, surgical factors, or biomaterial conditions. The Orthopedic Implant Retrieval Program (CU-REPRO) includes an archive of over 800 surgically removed joint replacements collected from hospitals across South Carolina and facilitates analysis of trends in joint replacement and implant design. Three key projects were pursued that address TKA patient outcomes and assess implant functionality. Project 1 explored pathology records and surgically removed implants from a cohort of 15 patients and compared the treatment cascade after long-stem TKA revision. Using a detailed case study of three patients with metallosis and corrosion complicating patient treatment, Project 1 explains how cobalt chromium and titanium material interactions can worsen histological response. Project 2 reflects the relationships between implant design and market-driven demands utilizing 11 Stryker TKA implants in the CU-REPRO repository. Project 2 presents how advancements in implant fit and durability demonstrate evolving market trends and technological progress that offers better longevity, patient comfort, and restored knee function. Project 3 utilizes finite element analysis to compare stress distributions within two bore-cone junction orientations of the tibial component of a modular design. Project 3 demonstrates how each tibial component experienced different stress distributions and magnitudes under physiological loading conditions. In summary, CU-REPRO pursues hypothesis-driven research and analysis of trends in demographic data and implant design to ultimately improve patient outcomes. |
48 |
Orthopedic Implant Retrieval Program (CU-REPRO) |
Zach Goetz - Health Sciencezgoetz Carys Rudell - Biomedical Engineeringcrudell Inigo Sanchez - Health Scienceinigos Taylor Squiers - Biochemistrytsquier Chris Valdin - Biomedical Engineeringcvaldin Devan Taylor - Biomedical Engineeringdevant |
Melinda Harman - Bioengineeringharman2 |
| 50 |
This CI team investigated the use of different sanitizing methods in the production of fruit flavored beer using muscadine grapes to prevent the growth of spoilage organisms after production. This will allow the use of locally/regionally grown produce in these beers for small and local microbreweries. Three commonly used sanitizing agents were used in the following protocol. A 12-gallon fruit beer base was brewed using 15 pounds of 2-row barley, 4 pounds of white wheat malt, 1 pound of flaked oats, and ½ pounds of acidulated malt to an original gravity of 1.050 g/ml. The beer was mashed at 66.7°C (152°F) for 60 minutes and then boiled for 60 minutes. One ounce of Magnum hops with 12% alpha acid content was added to generate 19.2 IBUs in the beer. The beer was then chilled and separated into 3-gallon portions in 4 cylindroconical fermenters. 11.5g of Safale US-05 ale yeast was added to each beer. Primary fermentation was completed in 8 days with an average final gravity of 1.014 g/ml. To evaluate the efficacy of sanitizers on spoilage microorganisms the following protocol was followed: 1.5 pounds of muscadine grapes (previously frozen) treated with either untreated or were treated with peracetic acid (60ppm), chlorine (50ppm), or potassium metabisulfite (50ppm) then were added to the beer. Secondary fermentation was allowed to progress for 10 days and then beer sample were analyzed using Hybriscan Beer D kits. Hybriscan Beer D kits utilize DNA methodology to identify and estimate the population of spoilage bacteria associated with beer. Sampling of the stored beer is still ongoing. However, initial results indicate peraectic acid is the most effective sanitizer tested. Control (untreated): 3672 cfu/10uL, chlorine: 3797 cfu/10uL, peracetic acid: 2847 cfu/10uL, potassium metabisulfite: 3331 cfu/10uL. |
50 |
Sanitizing Agents to Reduce Spoilage of Fruit-Infused Beer |
Kara Boulware - Food Science and Human Nutritionknboulw Mackenzie Cardis - Food Science and Human Nutritionmcardis Patrick Clark - Food Science and Human Nutritionpclark4 Sydney DiPietro - Biological Sciencessmdipie Farrah El Kachbendi - Food Science and Human Nutritionfelkach Reid Ferguson - Food Science and Human Nutritionjrf2 Madison Francis - Food Science and Human Nutritionmgfranc Alex Gillespie - Food Science and Human Nutritioneagille Marissa Iannone - Food Science and Human Nutritionmarissi Mary Jones - Food Science and Human Nutritionmkjns Krystle Lacey - Food Science and Human Nutritionkrystll Rett Lewis - Food Science and Human Nutritionjel6 Cooper Moore - Food Science and Human Nutritioncdmr Madeline Porras - Food Science and Human Nutritionmporras Tristan Sliney - Food Science and Human Nutritiontsliney Leslie Staniar - Food Science and Human Nutritionlstania |
Paul Dawson - Food, Nutrition, and Packaging Sciencespdawson Alex Thompson - Food, Nutrition, and Packaging Sciencesart6 |
| 51 |
The prevalence of diabetes has risen significantly over time in the United States, with an estimated prevalence of 11.5% in 2021. A major complication, experienced by approximately 33% of diabetics is ulceration of the foot. This is the breakdown of the skin and tissue underneath, typically due to high pressure areas. In the worst-case scenario, these foot ulcers can lead to lower extremity amputation or death. Diabetic foot orthoses worn in the shoe are currently used to redistribute plantar pressure away from ulcerated or at-risk regions of the foot. The goal of this project is to understand how a diabetic foot ulcer affects the pressure distribution across the bottom of the foot, which is crucial for providing effective offloading and healing. Long term goals include 3D printing a custom orthoses while the patient is being seen by the doctor, allowing them to have an orthoses fit to their needs, as plantar pressure needs change constantly. Current efforts include clinical visits to collect pressure data on participants with diabetic foot ulcers using the Tekscan F-Scan system and optimizing the data collection protocol. Future efforts will focus on analyzing the collected clinical data and creating a protocol for the addition of the Tekscan I-Scan system to get even more precise pressure data. |
51 |
Design and Evaluation of Orthopaedic Devices |
Anna Boone - Biomedical Engineeringacboone Isabella DeAngelo - Biomedical Engineeringideange Noelle Pall - Biomedical Engineeringnpall Hannah Ullinger - Biomedical Engineeringhulling Isabella Adams - Biomedical Engineeringiadams2 Lucas Oria - Biomedical Engineeringlgoria |
John Desjardins - Bioengineeringjdesjar |
| 52 |
The MUSC Global Surgery Program researches and collaborates with hospitals in low and middle-incomecountries (LMICs) in an effort to improve medical standards in said areas.Surgeons in these areas have identified key issues in reprocessing and space constraints in mobile clinics. Surgeons have sought out the engineering skillsets employed by students to help address these issues identified through innovative solutions.The group performed fundamental research and developed skills through guest lectures in order to perform needs finding, which led to three different projects. DesignAScope was the development of a novel modular endoscope, similar to the design of a pipette tip, specifically for LMIC areas.ReScoping was the development of a more efficient reprocessing system for surgical equipment in LMICs. CentORandes Optimizationwas the implementation of space-efficient solutions for mobile surgery clinics through collaboration with the Cinterandes Foundation in Ecuador.We are in the early stages of device and solution development, leading to proof-of-concept designs. In partnership with relevant stakeholders, the group is developing procedures to validate these designs before moving forward with the design process. Clemson University CI Program has provided research support for this project: Dr. Delphine Dean (PI) & Multiscale Bioelectromechanics Lab, Dr. Melinda Harman (Co-PI), Dr. Mike Mallah (Global Surgery Program Director), Dr. Hari Babu (Tanzanian Clinician), along with collaboration from the MUSC Global Surgery Program. |
52 |
Engineering Innovations for Global Surgery: Clemson-MUSC Collaborative Creative Inquiry |
Kelly Campbell - Biomedical Engineeringkbc3 Red Cofield - Biomedical Engineeringawcofie Isabella DeAngelo - Biomedical Engineeringideange Sydney Demers - Biomedical Engineeringsldemer Catalina Infante - Biomedical Engineeringcatalii Ella Mahaffey - Biomedical Engineeringecmahaf Maddison Maurio - Biomedical Engineeringmmaurio Abigail Pickrel - Biomedical Engineeringapickre Jeremiah Carpenter - Bioengineeringjcarpe4 Diego Nigoa - Bioengineeringdiegon Elizabeth Hause - Biomedical Engineeringehause Simon Ciprari - Biomedical Engineeringsciprar Siddhesh Sunil Amberkar - Mechanical Engineeringsamberk |
Delphine Dean - Bioengineeringfinou Azrin Jamison - Bioengineeringazrinj |
| 53 |
This poster describes the iterative development of an ongoing research study examining the experiences of neurodivergent learners at Clemson. Following the initial survey conducted in Fall 2023, we undertook a series of evidence-based revisions to refine the survey's design, content, and distribution strategy. We informed these updates through preliminary data analysis, participant feedback, and researcher reflections on emergent themes. Key modifications include restructuring the survey to align more closely with targeted research objectives and expanding its scope to explore critical topics. In addition to revising question topics, we optimized the survey structure to enhance clarity, minimize participant fatigue, and capture a more nuanced understanding of the academic and social experiences of neurodivergent students. We introduced new questions to examine discipline-specific challenges, accommodation strategies, and factors influencing academic success to facilitate a comparative analysis of different majors. We also refined our survey distribution strategy to improve participation and data quality. Lessons learned from the initial round of data collection informed a more targeted outreach approach, leveraging collaborations with student organizations, academic departments, and campus disability support services. Expanding distribution channels through institutional emails, social media, and QR-coded signage has increased accessibility and response rates.This poster will present findings from the updated survey, including preliminary results from newly introduced topics, and discuss the next steps for developing interview protocols and interventions to foster a more inclusive and supportive learning environment in higher education. |
53 |
Enhancing Survey Design and Implementation to Investigate the Experiences of Neurodivergent Learners |
Theodore Arden - Sociologypwapole Kylie Avitabile - Biological Scienceskavitab Braelyn Banning - Biological Sciencesbbannin Alec Bauer - Biological Sciencesabauer2 Jacqueline Duteau - Psychologyjduteau London Hoxworth - Health Sciencelhoxwor Jay Moody - Secondary Educationjnmoody Mackenzie Tetreault - Psychologymftetre Leila Williams - Psychologyleila Paige Winkler - Biological Scienceswinkle5 |
Matthew Boyer - Engineering and Science Educationdmboyer |
| 54 |
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a common sexually transmitted infection that causes cancer. Despite the existence of a safe and effective vaccination, HPV vaccination rates remain far below recommended levels. Behavioral economics (BE) provides a framework for assessing vaccine uptake and acceptance. This study used a BE task to explore college students' willingness to obtain the HPV vaccine. Undergraduate students (N=107) completed a health questionnaire to assess HPV vaccine-related knowledge and vaccination status. Participants then completed the Vaccine Use Assessment, a BE task which asked students to indicate their likelihood of receiving the HPV vaccine if it reduced the chance of contracting HPV by different percentage levels ranging from 0% to 100%. Overall, 91.7% (n=99) indicated they had heard of HPV, and 89.8% (n=97) stated they knew about the HPV vaccine. A total of 59.8% (n=64) claimed to have initiated HPV vaccination, and 49.1% (n=53) indicated they were fully vaccinated or up-to-date. 93.5% (n=100) indicated they would "Definitely get the vaccine" if the HPV vaccine guaranteed a 100% reduction in the chance of HPV contraction. The number claiming they would receive the vaccine decreased steadily as the percentage in HPV reduction decreased, and at 0% reduction, only 2.8% (n=3) stated they would definitely receive the vaccine. Our findings confirm the low uptake of the HPV vaccine in the college student population, as the majority knew about the vaccine, but only 59.8% had initiated vaccination. Additionally, 93.5% indicated they would get vaccinated if guaranteed a 100% reduction in HPV contraction. Because the HPV vaccine has been proven to have high efficacy, these findings highlight the need to counter misinformation among college students, as this could remove a barrier to vaccination. |
54 |
Behavioral Economic Methods to Inform Human Papillomavirus Vaccination Among Young Adults |
Clayton Mullis - Psychologyacmulli |
Anna Baker - Psychologyabake26 Irene Pericot Valverde - Psychologyiperico |
| 55 |
This semester while doing research under Dr. Hu, I have been focusing on Chinese Foreign Policy in relation to the United States. While doing research, I found that the Chinese economy, and US-China relations affect South Carolina greatly. Researching these topics has led me to get a better understanding of the S.C.-China economic relations in their entirety. This research has changed my perspective on how the local economy could be affected by big power politics around the world. |
55 |
Chinese Foreign Policy and its relation to the United States |
Ella Pilkenton - Political Scienceepilken |
Xiaobo Hu - Political Sciencexhu |
| 58 |
Polymersomes (PS) are a promising drug delivery system due to their tunable membrane properties, high colloidal stability, and ability to encapsulate hydrophilic and hydrophobic drugs. These self-assembling nanoscale vesicles offer a platform for versatile therapeutic applications. Despite their potential, a barrier to their clinical use is the formation of the protein corona - a layer of adsorbed proteins on the surface of nanoparticles upon exposure to biological fluids. The protein corona composition determines PS interactions with biological systems but is highly dynamic and influenced by PS size, surface properties, and incubation conditions. Protein adsorption on the PS surface is inevitable, and due to its large impact on biological fate, researchers are exploring methods to engineer the protein corona to optimize therapeutic efficacy. We are investigating the effects of various ionic environments on the protein corona composition of PEG-b-PLA PS in bovine and human serum. We have used chaotropic salts Na+> Ca2+> Mg2+ in order of Hofmeister Series strength to enable specific protein binding. Through mass spectroscopy, we have identified that incubation with divalent chaotropic cations leads to significant changes in the protein corona composition. Specifically, we see a decrease in albumin adsorption and an increase in novel proteins within the corona. The addition of Ca2+ dramatically changes the top 20 most abundant proteins due to the prevalence of Ca2+-binding proteins in serum. Early work using human serum indicates similar findings. By analyzing how ionic strength and composition influence corona formation, we aim to identify key parameters for tailoring protein-nanoparticle interactions. This work advances knowledge of corona dynamics and lays the groundwork for designing PS that can be individualized for patients. |
58 |
Investigating the Impact of Chaotropic Salts on Protein Corona Formation on Polyethylene (PEG)-b-polylactic acid (PLA) Polymersomes |
Ashley Blake - Chemical Engineeringablake4 Grace Witt - Biomedical Engineeringgwitt |
Jessica Larsen - Chemical and Biomolecular Engineeringlarsenj |
| 59 |
Environmental pollution into freshwater ecosystems via pharmaceutical waste is a wildlife concern. Progesterone, an endocrine disruptor, is a prevalent hormone found in waste. Understanding progesterone signaling can provide insight for how endocrine disrupting chemicals can affect animal development or humans in utero. We hypothesized that exposure of fish embryos to increased progesterone would cause malformation of the facial skeleton. We also hypothesize that males would have a more pronounced appearance as a result of progesterone treatment than females. This project tested cichlid embryos of three species to see how sensitivities vary with genetic variation: Pseudotropheus livingstonii, Aulocara baenschi, and Tropheops sp. 'red fin.' embryos were dosed daily with progesterone from when developmental precursors for the face began migrating to when essential craniofacial structures have formed. After the exposure period had concluded, tails from the fish were used for genotyping sex, and heads were stained and imaged for computational analysis of face shape. This process was repeated for at least three trials. So far, the Pseudotropheus livingstonii embryos have not shown significant facial differences between treatment groups or sexes. Continued research will test different levels of progesterone and additional species. This work can determine where the most significant developmental changes occur and if environmental progesterone exposure raises serious developmental concerns. This work was supported by Creative Inquiry and NIH-P20GM121342. |
59 |
The Effects of Progesterone Exposure on Embryonic Craniofacial Development Using Cichlid Fish Species |
Katie Cross - Biochemistrykacross |
Kara E Powder - Biological Scienceskpowder |
| 60 |
Although smoking prevalence has declined in the U.S., rates remain high among individuals with opioid use disorder (OUD), with 84-94% smoking combustible cigarettes (CCs). CC use increases the risk of relapse and premature mortality, highlighting the need for harm reduction strategies. E-cigarettes (ECs) offer a potentially less harmful alternative, as they lack tar and carbon monoxide. Using a Cigarette Purchase Task (CPT) and an E-Cigarette Purchase Task (ECPT), this study examined whether CC and EC demand changed during an EC switching study and assessed ECs as CC substitutes via a cross-commodity purchase task. This secondary analysis of the ERASER study included 30 CC smokers with OUD on buprenorphine. Participants completed CPT at baseline, end of treatment (EOT), and 1-month follow-up (FU), along with ECPT and cross-commodity tasks at EOT and 1-month FU. Results: Cross-price elasticity was positive at EOT (0.06) and 1-month FU (0.16, p<.001). Repeated-measures ANOVA showed a significant effect of visit on CC demand intensity, decreasing from baseline (19.7 ± 10.4) to EOT (12.2 ± 11.0) and 1-month FU (11.9 ± 11.0). EC demand remained stable across time points. Discussion: Results suggest that ECs serve as substitutes for CCs among smokers with OUD, potentially reducing tobacco-related harm. Demand stability indicates sustained EC use, suggesting minimal risk of returning to CCs post-switch. While promising, longitudinal studies are needed to assess long-term health effects. Limitations include small sample size and short follow-up duration. |
60 |
Behavioral Economic Substitution Between Conventional Cigarettes and E-Cigarettes Among Smokers with Opioid Use Disorder: A Secondary Analysis of the ERASER Study |
Makenzie Bodkin - Health Sciencemgbodki Daniel Bunch - Psychologydbunch Cooper Garner - Psychologycpgarne Kaitlyn Martin - Psychologykkm4 Jenna Montalbano - Psychologyjvmonta Clayton Mullis - Psychologyacmulli Amarie Thompson - Psychologyamariet Leila Williams - Psychologyleila |
Irene Pericot Valverde - Psychologyiperico Moonseong Heo - Public Health Sciencesmheo |
| 61 |
The Chapman lab investigates bone fusion in animal models' axial skeleton and long leg bones, including juvenile chickens, mice, and the jerboa - a bipedal rodent. Birds and jerboa have multiple fusions to strengthen the spine, whereas mice only fuse two sacral vertebrae. The epiphyseal (growth) plate is a cartilaginous region located at the ends of long bones. It plays a crucial role in bone elongation during development and eventually ossifies, leading to the cessation of growth. However, the presence and behavior of epiphyseal plates vary among species. Chickens lack epiphyseal plates entirely. Mice possess them but do not fuse them, whereas jerboa have epiphyseal plates that do fuse, making these three model organisms ideal for studying the mechanics and molecular genetics of bone fusion events. However, due to the size of juvenile animals, conventional imaging techniques such as microscopy, X-rays, and standard photography do not have sufficient resolution. To address this, we employ micro-computed tomography (microCT) combined with Horos, a free, open-source analytical medical imaging viewer which enables advanced image analysis. MicroCT scans at 10-micron resolution provide sufficiently detailed structural data. Scans are imported into Horos, allowing for 3D reconstruction, image segmentation and false color enhancement, enabling effective visualization and analysis of bone fusion events. By integrating microCT imaging with Horos, we successfully visualize and compare bone fusion patterns, providing insights into normal and pathogenic skeletal development across multiple species. |
61 |
Visualizing Small Animal Model Skeletons using MicroCT and Horos |
Eric Cooper - Anthropologyec5 Isaac Danois - Biological Sciencesidanois Eva Marquez - Microbiologyehmarqu |
Susan Chapman - Biological Sciencesschapm2 |
| 62 |
Trypanosoma brucei,the causative agent of Human African Trypanosomiasis, is a single-celled eukaryotic parasite that harbors unique metabolic organelles called glycosomes. Glycosomes are peroxisome-like structures that house metabolic pathways such as glycolysis, gluconeogenesis, purine and pyrimidine biosynthesis, among other pathways. Traditionally, these organelles are hard to visualize due to their small size. However, with the use of ultrastructure expansion microscopy (U-ExM), we are able to more easily visualize and quantify these organelles in the procyclic form of the parasite. U-ExM allows for the isotropic expansion of the cells, providing, on average, four times increased expansion of the parasites. Here, we used a combination of U-ExM and high-resolution imaging techniques, including confocal microscopy with lightning deconvolution to achieve maximum resolution. The images were then analyzed through the program ImageJ with an enhanced Fiji plug-in, an open-source tool for quantification and digital analysis of microscopic images. The program was used to render stacks of expanded cell images to quantify glycosomes in a three-dimensional manner. An average count of 115 ± 26.2 glycosomes were found per expanded procyclic form ofT. brucei.Limitations in visualization and image analysis have not previously allowed for this precise level of quantification. Ultimately, the combination of the laboratory technique with open-source software will contribute to the advancement of both basic and applied research in cellular biology. |
62 |
Expanding our View: Quantifying Glycosomes in Trypanosoma brucei |
Catherine Alexander - Biomedical Engineeringcdalexa Summer Dawson - Biological Sciencessldawso Jada Goff - Biomedical Engineeringjngoff Jessica Kicza - Biomedical Engineeringjkicza Violet Lorei - Biological Sciencesvlorei Hanle Moon - Biological Scienceshmoon Emma Weeks - Language and International Healthemweeks Katherine Massie - Health Sciencekmassie Herb Kneeland - Health Sciencehkneela Meredith Morris - Genetics and Biochemistrymmorri3 Rhonda Powell - Engineering and Science Educationrhondar |
Heidi Anderson - Genetics and Biochemistryheidid |
| 63 |
Question & Motivation: This project examines how place-based outdoor education can enhance student engagement and learning in higher education. It aims to integrate experiential learning to deepen understanding and foster critical thinking. Methods: Our creative inquiry "Place-Based and Outdoor Education" incorporated: (1) Outdoor learning modules on and around campus, (2) reflective journals for student insights, and (3) collaborative projects showcasing place-based learning. Results: Students demonstrate increased engagement and a stronger connection to learning. Reflections and projects show improved synthesis of concepts and appreciation for place-based education. Conclusion: Integrating "place" enriches learning experiences. Future work will refine curriculum, expand partnerships, and assess long-term outcomes. |
63 |
A Case for Place: Infusing Place-Based Pedagogies Into Higher Education |
Liza Cawley - Elementary Educationlcawley Amanda Degnan - Elementary Educationadegnan Reagan Nohrenberg - Elementary Educationrnohren Coker Berry Streett - Early Childhood Educationcokers |
Steph Dean - Teaching and Learningsndean Verdah Rehan - Education and Human Developmentvrehan |
| 65 |
Chemical engineering applies chemistry, physics, and mathematics principles to design, develop, and optimize efficient processes for producing and transporting materials. Each spring, universities host student conferences for the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE), inviting students to compete in the ChemE Car Competition. Before the competition, students design and build a mini car powered and stopped by chemical reactions. During the competition, students optimize reactions to make the car travel a specific distance while carrying a load. This newly started Creative Inquiry project focuses on constructing a ChemE Car to learn about chemical engineering fundamentals and their integration with mechanical and automotive engineering. The spring 2025 semester focused on developing a plan for the car's reactions, designing a circuit board to make the car move successfully, and selecting construction materials for the Spring 2026 AIChE Conference. The current plan is to construct a lithium-ion battery to power the car and use an iodine clock reaction to stop it. The car's structural components will be 3D printed. To ensure safety, the team will use a glovebox to handle the lithium-ion battery, conduct reactions on a lab bench and in a fume hood, and ensure an eyewash station and safety shower are available. Next semester, the team will construct the car and conduct experiments to analyze reaction rates and conditions required for specific distances and loads. Thus, developing the ChemE Car applies classroom knowledge to real-world chemical engineering challenges, demonstrating practical application in the car's design and operation. |
65 |
Designing and Building a Chemically Powered Mini Car |
Ryland Carney - General Engineeringrylandc Ella Humphrey - General Engineeringejhumph Kai Lemieux - General Engineeringkjlemie Caroline Nutter - Chemical Engineeringcnutter Charles Ross - General Engineeringcmrss Morgan Vafiadis - General Engineeringmvafiad Julia Jacques - Chemical Engineeringjmjacqu Emma Grady - Chemical Engineeringemgrady |
Christopher Norfolk - Chemical and Biomolecular Engineeringcnorfol Adam Melvin - Chemical and Biomolecular Engineeringmelvina |
| 66 |
Many students gain or lose interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) around the time they are in middle school. In order to encourage a long-lasting interest in the field, BeakerBox aims to keep science engaging and immersive for 6th-8th grade students. Our curriculum team designs grade-appropriate activities that are integrated with state and national learning standards on topics like evolution, genetics, and ecosystems. Our volunteer team works to distribute these materials to classrooms around the state and get involved with the community. Since this CI started in August 2023, the BeakerBox volunteer team has distributed boxes to 20% of counties in South Carolina, impacting 8,000 total middle school students in 142 classrooms. Beyond the classroom, we have served the broader community (over 2,650 people) at events such as the iMAGINE STEAM festival, Be a Tiger Field Day, and STEM nights at local elementary schools. For example, this year our team went to Clemson Elementary where we combined hands-on learning and question-based activities. Students played a game from our adaptation box that explores the relationship between bird beak shapes and their food sources. The students also observed various animal skulls to provoke questions about how and why they looked different. At these events, BeakerBox Outreach members serve as ambassadors to the larger community working to promote science literacy. BeakerBox's ultimate goal is to promote understanding and a long-lasting appreciation for STEM across South Carolina. |
66 |
BeakerBox: Bringing Life Science Outreach to South Carolina Middle Schools and Communities |
Brooke Carlton - Microbiologymbcarlt Kate Miller - Geneticskgm8 Julia Thielen - Biological Sciencesjthiele Austin Veldekens - Biological Sciencesacvelde Lucille Watson - Food Science and Human Nutritionlwatso5 |
Kara E Powder - Biological Scienceskpowder |
| 67 |
Robocasting is the process of printing with pastes to form an additively manufactured structure. Common materials that are printed with robocasting are ceramic slurries, clays, and composite pastes. Here, we present the robocasting of a water-based composite paste featuring tungsten oxide nanoparticles and a mixture of biopolymers. Tungsten oxide is used here as a precursor to tungsten carbide. The goal is to obtain tungsten carbide lattices after reacting the tungsten reduced from the oxide with the carbon originating from the heat treatment of the biopolymers. The entire process thus looks as follows: prepare a composite paste, robocast desired lattices, dry the printed lattices, heat treat lattices, and conduct their mechanical and electrical testing. Here, we report on the robocasting process only and the characterization of important parameters in the additive manufacture of triangular lattices. We chose to focus on triangular lattices because they incorporate and allow us to test basic features, including parallel lines and intersecting lines of several angles. The paste to be used for robocasting is a water-based mixture of chitin from shrimp, iota-carrageenan from seaweed, and tungsten oxide nanoparticles. Robocasting with this paste creates structures that gradually shrink as they dehydrate. Work is presented in the characterization of the printing process itself, as well as the shrinkage that results from dehydration. The electrical properties and mechanical load of these samples were also measured. By optimizing the structural material properties and characterizing the structures of these lattices, we aim to enable the creation of sustainable, architected, electrically conductive structures able to be used as structural components in applications such as catalysis and energy. |
67 |
Characterization of Triangular Tungsten Carbide Lattices Material Properties and Structural Changes in Manufacturing With Sustainable Materials |
Irtija Nazim - Mechanical Engineeringinazim Payton Baggott - Mechanical Engineeringpbaggot Manasi Shah - Mechanical Engineeringmanasis Jacob Gasque - Mechanical Engineeringjagasqu |
Rodrigo Martinez-Duarte - Mechanical Engineeringrodrigm |
| 68 |
Our current understanding of why users fall for phishing remains quite poor, with inconsistent predictors of susceptibility (e.g., Greitzer et al., 2021; Kumaraguru et al., 2007; Sarno & Neider, 2021; Vishwanath et al., 2018) and ineffective training methodologies (e.g., Ferguson, 2005; Kumaraguru et al., 2007; Mayhorn & Nyeste, 2012). One explanation for the state of the literature is the relatively atheoretical methods that researchers employ to generate stimuli. Unlike the processes involved in psychometrics and rigorous scale development (Embretson & Reise, 2000; Reise & Waller, 2009), researchers typically utilize email sets without considering their validity or reliability. As such, a robust and reliable email set must be developed and validated before researchers can fully understand why users fall for phishing and how to develop training methodologies that meaningfully improve detection. To address this problem, we collected a corpus of real phishing emails (and legitimate counterparts) and conducted various psychometric analyses (e.g., factor analysis and item response theory) to develop an optimized item set. We recruited 350 participants from Prolific.co to classify a set of 50 emails (50% legitimate, 50% phishing) as legitimate or not legitimate. From this, we were able to narrow our original set of 50 emails down to a final set of 16 emails for the ImPAWster database. We also examined how performance on this final set of emails related to various demographic variables (e.g., age, gender) and cognitive reflection (i.e., CRT). Our next step will be to evaluate how our ImPAWster email set predicts phishing vulnerability to a novel set of emails and other for of deception, like phishing text messages. This project was supported by the Clemson University Creative Inquiry program. |
68 |
Developing the ImPAWster Deception Database |
Phoebe Covode - Psychologypcovode Stephanie Gillis - Psychologysvgilli Meghan Shank - Psychologymashank Gracen Landry - Psychologygracenl Preethika Yetukuri - Mathematical Sciencespyetuku |
Dawn Sarno - Psychologydmsarno Jinan Allan - Psychologyjinana |
| 70 |
In the US, more than 40% of adults are obese, with the highest prevalence seen in adults 40-59 (46.4%), followed by those 20-39 (35.5%). Similar rates are seen in men and women, with slightly higher rates in women. In 23 states, more than 1 in 3 adults is obese - SC is one of those states. Overweight precedes obesity (BMI of 30 or greater). According to the NIH, about 1 in 3 adults are overweight (30.7%, 2017-2018 data). How does one combat the disease of obesity or the precursor of overweight? While new medications are being developed and prescribed to help alleviate these obesity and overweight statistics, it is becoming increasingly evident that medications alone will not provide the results desired. Lifestyle and behavior modification is needed. Our CI team is exploring four main ideas to promote and then sustain dietary changes to improve body weight: 1) using the MyPlate as an educational tool, 2) increasing foods cooked in the home, combined with less eating out, 3) incentivizing consistent, healthy choices, and involving the family. For each, solutions/strategies to implement the objectives, identification of targeted education methods, and methods to measure the effectiveness of the intervention were devised. Strategies identified to promote physical activity and exercise in an effort to combat overweight and obesity, include 1) incorporate fitness into your daily life, 2) join a fitness group or program, 3) find new hobbies that involve movement, and 4) plan physical activity/exercise into your schedule. For each of these strategies, targeted solutions along with educational and evaluation methods were also included. These efforts are ongoing to help others balance and bloom and follow their path to healthy living. |
70 |
Balance and Bloom: Your Path to Healthy Living |
Kaylee DaSilva - Food Science and Human Nutritionkrdasil Delana Miller - Food Science and Human Nutritiondelana Samantha Kinard - Food Science and Human Nutritionsakinar Liliana Flores - Food Science and Human Nutritionlflore2 Cole Feroleto - Food Science and Human Nutritioncferole Parker Dietz - Food Science and Human Nutritionpdietz Gina Dean - Food Science and Human Nutritiongdean2 Erin Irons - Food Science and Human Nutritioneirons Audrey Childers - Food Science and Human Nutritionamchild Caroline Barnes - Food Science and Human Nutritioncbarne9 |
Vivian Haley-Zitlin - Food, Nutrition, and Packaging Sciencesvivianh |
| 71 |
This project creates low-cost, high-quality medical devices for the developing world. Project design materials are readily available to ensure that our designs are repairable, affordable, and can be produced in the location that needs them.From collaboration, multiple novel projects have been generated to address issues faced in Tanzania and low-resource areas in South Carolina. The group is focusing on the development of low-cost devices such as a chemical test kit for determining falsified drugs, a transtibial orthotic, an educational training kit for awareness on hearing health, and a diabetic foot ulcer early identification and prevention device. This project collaborates with Arusha Technical College (ATC) to foster a cross-cultural exchange of scientific ideas between Clemson and ATC. Through this collaboration, Clemson students strengthen their research through a deeper understanding of diverse environments and approaches. Research support for this project has been provided by Clemson CI program: Dr. Delphine Dean & Multiscale Bioelectromechanics Lab, Dr. Melina Harman, Dr. John DesJardins, along with collaboration from Arusha Technical College. |
71 |
Collaborative Biomedical Engineering Design Between Clemson and Arusha Technical College |
Jade Bowers - Biomedical Engineeringjade8 McKenzie Bradley - Biomedical Engineeringmbradl4 Jonathan Dunphy - Biomedical Engineeringjdunphy Eliza Haines - Biomedical Engineeringehaines Olivia Laukat - Biomedical Engineeringolaukat Ty McKelvey - Biomedical Engineeringtemckel Morgan Mitchell - Biomedical Engineeringmnmitch Jack Moran - Biomedical Engineeringjmoran5 William Pautler - Biomedical Engineeringwpautle Nina Pietila - Biomedical Engineeringnpietil |
Delphine Dean - Bioengineeringfinou Jeremiah Carpenter - Industrial Engineeringjcarpe4 John Desjardins - Bioengineeringjdesjar Melinda Harman - Bioengineeringharman2 Diego Nigoa - Bioengineeringdiegon |
| 73 |
Mycofabrication is the process of using fungi to create biodegradable materials. Mycofabricated materials are typically composites made with mycelium (fungal threads) and organic substrates where the mycelium functions as a natural adhesive to bind the organic materials. Ideally these composites may replace those containing non-biodegradable materials such as plastics. Research on mycofabrication has utilized plant-based substrates for use in textiles, packaging, and construction. The goal of our research is to investigate the effectiveness of mycofabricated panels for sound dampening in indoor settings. These panels can potentially replace traditional acoustic panels, which are often made from synthetic, manufactured materials and may off-gas harmful compounds. The fungal species Fomes fomentarius, Ganoderma lucidum, and Trametes versicolor were found to be suitable for creating panels, based on growth trials in culture. These species are being used individually to inoculate mixtures of hemp, water, and flour and formed into panels, allowed to colonize, and then baked to stop fungal growth. Once the panels are complete, acoustic absorption and transmission loss are being tested with a low-cost impedance tube created for this study, and measurements are made with a smart phone and app. Creating acoustic panels from fungal-based composites promotes sustainability, as their production utilizes a plant that is efficient at capturing carbon dioxide and minimizes their carbon footprint, while also being low cost and compostable. |
73 |
Mycofabrication of Acoustic Panels: Testing Fungal Species for Maximum Sound Absorption and Ideal Panel Characteristics |
Logan Baker - Biological Sciencesleb5 Bre Garcia - Microbiologybgarci2 Rachal Lin - Biological Sciencesrachall Lauren Livingston - Microbiologyllivin3 Zoe Marquez de la Plata - Plant and Environmental Scienceszamarqu Danett Vargas Sanchez - Artdvargas |
Julia Kerrigan - Plant and Environmental Sciencesjkerrig |
| 76 |
Self-esteem is feelings of self-liking and self-worth (Zeigler-Hill, 2006), which develop primarily in early childhood (Coopersmith, 1967). High-quality children's literature can be a valuable tool for fostering positive self-esteem. We identified picture books that support self-esteem development and evaluated them using Kiefer's (2018) checklist for evaluating fictional children's literature. Our evaluation focused on literary elements, including plot, setting, theme, characterization, style, and point of view. Based on this evaluation, we selected ten high-quality picture books to feature in our book review column, shared with teachers across South Carolina. Each review summarizes the story and provides a rationale for its use with young children. By recommending these books to teachers and encouraging meaningful discussions with young readers, we aim to influence children's self-esteem and overall sense of self-worth. |
76 |
Uniquely You: A Review of Picture Books that Foster Self-Esteem in Young Children |
Kaelin Anthony - Early Childhood Educationkaelina Suzanne Barakat - Early Childhood Educationsbaraka Amelia Bromham - Elementary Educationabromha Mya Molina - Early Childhood Educationmlmolin Gabrielle Trowbridge - Early Childhood Educationgtrowbr |
Koti Hubbard - Teaching and Learningkotih Jill Shelnut - Teaching and Learningjshelnu |
| 78 |
Substance use among college students is a public health concern linked to risky sexual behaviors and unintended pregnancies. The reversal of Roe v. Wade has led several states, including South Carolina, to criminalize abortion after a detectable fetal heartbeat, raising concerns about reproductive health. This study examines the relationship between alcohol and drug use and condom delay discounting (DD) under two hypothetical scenarios: one where abortion remains legal and another where it is prohibited. Sexually active college students (n=196, Age=20.7 ± 2.4, 70% women) completed an in-person laboratory session assessing condom DD (sex without a condom now vs. sex with a condom after a delay) under legal and illegal abortion conditions. Baseline assessments included socio-demographics, 30-day substance use, the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), and the Sexual Risk Survey. Participants reported an average of 5.4 (±6.8) lifetime sex partners, with 17.9% and 54.1% using drugs or alcohol before sex, respectively. Greater alcohol, cigarette, e-cigarette, and cannabis use in the past 30 days correlated with higher condom DD and increased odds of unprotected sex across conditions (p≤.04 to .001). Higher AUDIT scores were associated with greater condom DD and unprotected sex (p≤.04 to .008). Any substance use vs. no use was linked to greater condom DD in both conditions (p<.05). Findings highlight a strong association between sexual risk behaviors and recent alcohol and drug use, regardless of abortion legality. Given South Carolina's large college student population, these results underscore the need for interventions addressing substance use and sexual risk behaviors in this demographic. |
78 |
Associations Across Condom Delay Discounting and Alcohol and Drug Use |
Amarie Thompson - Psychologyamariet |
Irene Pericot Valverde - Psychologyiperico |
| 79 |
Camelina sativa, an oilseed crop known for its advantageous agricultural traits, produces seeds with approximately 30% protein and 40% oil, of which 90% consists of unsaturated fatty acids. FUSCA 3 (FUS3) is a key transcription factor of seed development. While this gene has been studied in Arabidopsis, its function is unknown in Camelina. In this study, both overexpression and down regulation experiments will be carried out. The spatiotemporal role of FUS3 in wild-type lines revealed that the expression is present in immature and mature seeds. Notably, the RNAi-knockdown led to a reduction in FUS3 gene expression across all lines. Phenotypically, the individual seed weight had a decrease between the control and transgenic lines. With one gram of seeds used, the oil yield was about 40% for all lines. However, more seeds were needed to accomplish the one gram measurement for transgenic lines. This shows that the seed storage product experiences a decrease with the down regulation. |
79 |
Characterization of the FUS3 Factor in Camelina sativa Seed Development |
Sydney Greer - Biochemistrysagreer |
Haiying Liang - Genetics and Biochemistryhliang |
| 80 |
An online survey of college students was conducted to determine their satisfaction with the availability and quality of food on and around campus. Previous research has shown that food availability and options affect overall student satisfaction. From our current survey, results found that 23 % of respondents were not satisfied with the nutritional information and guidance provided by campus dining services. Only 14% of respondents were satisfied with the pricing of campus meals and 21% were satisfied with the quality and taste of campus dining. Approximately 95% of students felt that diet affected their academic performance while 32% felt they could not afford nutritious meals while in college. Finally, 50% of respondents disagreed with the statement that students with different income levels had the same access to the same selection of foods. |
80 |
College Student Eating Satisfaction |
Jessica Bascio - Food Science and Human Nutritionjmbasci Sophie Bigonette - Food Science and Human Nutritionsbigone Campbell Delaney - Food Science and Human Nutritioncdelan2 Grace Elsesser - Food Science and Human Nutritiongelsess Gabriella Gambino - Food Science and Human Nutritionggambin Emslie Guion - Food Science and Human Nutritioneguion Brooke Legatt - Food Science and Human Nutritionblegatt Sarah Trunkle - Food Science and Human Nutritionstrunkl Jane Upmeyer - Food Science and Human Nutritionjupmeye Kayla Willis - Food Science and Human Nutritionkwill23 |
Paul Dawson - Food, Nutrition, and Packaging Sciencespdawson |
| 81 |
Entamoeba histolytica is a food/water-borne pathogen thatcauses dysentery in approximately 100 million people each year. This parasite exists in two forms: the infective cyst and the growing amoeba. Cysts are ingested and convert to the amoeba form in the small intestine. These amoebae then colonize the large intestine and can cause symptomatic disease. A portion of amoebae convert back to the cyst form for dissemination to the environment, even as the infection persists. We are studying how this conversion between the amoeba and cyst form is regulated and the changes in genetic programming that occur, particularly early on in this process known as encystation. We are examining expression of different genes that may play a role in this process to determine whether they are upregulated at the beginning of encystation, as would be expected. We are using gene silencing to turn off expression of these genes and will ascertain whether the amoebae are still able to encyst. We are also using a bioinformatics approach to identify potential regulatory sites for genes that are upregulated in encystation. |
81 |
Regulation of Encystation in the Human Pathogen Entamoeba histolytica |
Kate Audrey Ellis - Geneticskellis4 Ryan Smith - Geneticsras8 Katherine Nguyen - Biochemistryknguye5 Deena Warid - Biochemistrydwarid |
Cheryl Ingram-Smith - Genetics and Biochemistrycheryli |
| 82 |
Sea beans (family Fabaceae) are well known for their buoyant seeds and ability to disperse across coastal environments. However, their germination and growth can vary significantly depending on the substrate in which they are cultivated. This study aims to assess the effects of different growing media on the germination rate, biomass accumulation, and overall health of sea bean seedlings. The experiment involves testing sea bean germination in a range of substrates, including peat, soil, sand, pebbles, and Rockwool (a hydroponic medium), as well as various combinations of these materials. Seeds were sown in each substrate, and water with a salinity of 12 parts per thousand (ppt) was added at regular intervals. To maintain consistent moisture levels while preventing waterlogging, the trays were flushed with saline water every two hours, allowing excess water to drain. Throughout the study, students will monitor and record the number of successfully germinated seedlings, as well as measure plant growth and biomass accumulation in each substrate type. By analyzing the results, this research will provide insights into the most suitable substrate conditions for sea bean cultivation. The findings will contribute valuable knowledge to ecological restoration and conservation efforts, particularly in coastal and estuarine environments where sea beans play a role in habitat stabilization and biodiversity support. |
82 |
Sea Bean (Fabaceae) Germination and Growth Across Different Substrates |
Nicole Krause - Packaging Sciencenekraus Megan Tamakloe - Animal and Veterinary Sciencemtamakl |
Lance Beecher - Cooperative Extension Serviceslbeeche |
| 83 |
This study investigates how job characteristics, like job type and hours worked, influence turnover intentions across demographic groups, given that turnover intentions are strong predictors of actual turnover and significant organizational costs (Hom et al., 2017). We hypothesize that employees in more complex jobs or those working longer hours will have higher turnover intentions, moderated by gender and education level. A correlational study was conducted with 560 participants, all over 18 and working at least 30 hours per week, who completed a 122-item survey. Participants provided answers to a survey through Qualtrics Survey Platform in March of 2024. All variables were measured at one time. To measure turnover intentions, participants completed the Turnover Intentions survey (Bluedorn, 1982). Hours worked was self reported and job type was measured through O*NET. Pearson correlations showed that hours worked negatively correlated with turnover intentions, while job zone was positively correlated with hours worked but not turnover intentions. Multiple regression analysis found hours worked as a significant predictor of turnover intentions, explaining 1% of the variance. A second model with gender, race, and education level revealed race and gender as significant predictors. Independent samples t-tests revealed higher turnover intentions in females, and a post hoc ANOVA showed that Black participants reported higher turnover intentions than White participants. Although the regression models explained only a small portion of the variance, the findings highlight the importance of job characteristics and demographics in turnover decisions, offering valuable insights for organizations aiming to improve retention by considering both job demands and the demographic diversity of their workforce. |
83 |
Don’t Quit Your Day Job (Or Do): The Job Traits That Make Employees Leave |
Grace Boni - Psychologygboni Emmie Borleis - Health Scienceeborlei Phoebe Covode - Psychologypcovode Shelby Downer - Health Sciencesdowner Chandler Leineweber - Health Sciencecleinew |
Meredith Pool - Psychologymjpool |
| 86 |
Complaining is ubiquitous in everyday life. Despite this fact, the majority of research on the topic has examined retail or consumer complaining. To expand research on everyday complaining, two studies were conducted. Using the online crowd-sourced platform Prolific, 215 respondents in Study 1 and 238 in Study 2 completed a survey on Qualtrics. The survey in Study 1 examined respondents' experiences with both everyday and retail complaining. The Study 2 survey focused solely on everyday complaining, and included individual difference predictors of complaining propensity. Participants engaged in everyday complaining more frequently than retail complaining. Across studies, individuals perceived that they complained less frequently than others and perceived their own complaints more positively than others. Motives for engaging in complaining were both instrumental and expressive, but motives for not complaining reflected more self-presentational concerns. For both everyday and retail complaining, people engaged in more indirect than direct complaining. Complaining propensity correlated positively with private self-consciousness, chance locus of control, and neuroticism. Negative relationships were observed with internal locus of control, mindfulness, agreeableness, and optimism. Implications of the results for relationships and industry are discussed. This research was supported by Clemson University Creative Inquiry. |
86 |
Whining, Griping, and Complaining: Everyday Complaining Versus Retail Complaining |
Camelia Williams - Psychologycameliw Francie Coleman - Psychologyfacolem Emma Aurilio - Psychologyeaurili Elizabeth Bouknight - Psychologyboukni4 Savannah Diggett - Psychologysdigget Grace Drolet - Psychologygdrolet Caroline Greco - Psychologycrgreco Olivia Palmieri - Biochemistryopalmie Willow Stewart - Psychologywillows |
Robin Kowalski - Psychologyrkowals |
| 87 |
Halogen bonds are versatile intermolecular interactions that can lead to the assembly of interesting combinations of molecules such as cocrystals or deep eutectic solvents (DESs). We are interested in systems where small changes in the nature of the halogen bonding interactions lead to significant changes in physical properties, including the state of matter. Herein, we systematically examine the 3-Iodopyridine and its interactions with various organoiodines. The cocrystal systems present a rich system for crystal engineering since both I--N and I--I interactions may be operable. A new deep eutectic solvent based on halogen bonding interactions between 3-Iodopyridine and 1,2-diiodotetrafluorobenzene is a rare example of a DES enabled by halogen bonding between neutral species. |
87 |
Versatile Halogen Bonds in Iodopyridine-Organoiodine Cocrystals and Deep Eutectic Solvents |
Meridee Ritzer - Chemistrymritzer Madhushi Bandara - ChemistryMbandar |
William Pennington - Chemistrybillp Colin McMillen - Chemistrycmcmill |
| 88 |
This research explores how inlays made of different materials can help reduce pressure hot spots within a transtibial prosthetic. The goal is to enhance comfort for prosthetic users without compromising stability. A residual limb will be created using the correct orientation of bones based on literature, x-rays, and silicone with a similar hardness to that of the skin around the leg. This silicone will be measured and tested with a durometer. Then, each inlay will be placed in the prosthetics, and a load will be applied in both the heel strike and toe off positions. The pressure in these areas will then be recorded with the use of Tek Scan sensors. This will be compared to a control group, where the inlay material will match that of the rest of the prosthetic. The pressure data will then be analyzed to determine if there is a statistical difference in reducing pressure with inlays, and which inlay material does that most effectively. |
88 |
Materials Exploration in Orthotics and Prosthetics |
Riley Bendure - Health Sciencerbendur Elizabeth Hopkins - Biomedical Engineeringeahopki Paige Yurchak - Biomedical Engineeringpyurcha Cierra Knight - Biomedical EngineeringCierrak Gabriella Mascioli - General Engineeringgmascio |
John Desjardins - Bioengineeringjdesjar |
| 90 |
Autonomous vehicles rely on on-board perception systems for safe terrain navigation which becomes exceedingly important in rural areas. The aim of this study is to explore the effect compressed training images have on the performance of deep learning segmentation architectures and determine if lossy compression is a practical solution for providing real-time transfer speed for autonomous vehicle perception systems. To test the performance of compression on deep learning we apply ZFP, JPEG, and SZ3 to EfficientViT and UNet and rank test accuracy. As a result, this study found JPEG to achieve the highest compression ratio of 144.49x-- at JPEG quality level 0; while also achieving the fastest transfer speed of the compressors used on the Nvidia Xavier Edge Device. Furthermore, JPEG achieved the highest mIoU accuracy for both architectures tested in comparison to SZ3 and ZFP. Of the two deep learning architectures tested, EfficientViT outperforms U-Net for all lossy compressors at all levels of compression. EfficientViT achieves a peak mIoU of 95.5% at a JPEG quality level of 70. While U-Net peaks with an mIoU of 90.683% at a JPEG quality of 40.This study advances autonomous vehicle development in two ways. First, it demonstrates that JPEG compression outperforms specialized scientific compressors (SZ3/ZFP) for off-road RGB perception systems. Second, it validates EfficeintViT's effectiveness for resource-constrained autonomous navigation. These findings benefit autonomous vehicle engineers implementing perception systems, computer vision researchers working on embedded applications, and industry teams deploying off-road autonomous navigation solutions. |
90 |
Real-Time Inference for Unmanned Ground Vehicles Using Lossy Compression and Deep Learning |
Gavyn Mathes - Computer Engineeringgmathes Ethan Marquez - Computer Sciencemarque6 |
Melissa Smith - Electrical and Computer Engineeringsmithmc Max Faykus - Electrical and Computer Engineeringmfaykus |
| 93 |
Breast cancer remains a leading cause of cancer-related mortality, with HER2-positive (HER2+) breast cancer representing an aggressive subtype characterized by rapid proliferation and resistance to conventional therapies. While genetic mutations often drive oncogenic transformation, accumulating evidence suggests that the tumor microenvironment can influence cancer cell behavior. Prior studies have demonstrated that mammary epithelial cells (MECs) can induce phenotypic redirection of HER2+ breast cancer cells, leading to a loss of tumorigenic capacity and a shift toward a non-tumorigenic epithelial profile. However,the molecular mechanisms governing this redirection remain unclear.Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are emerging as key mediators of intercellular communication, facilitating the transfer of bioactive molecules, including microRNAs (miRNAs), between cells. Given their ability to regulate gene expression post-transcriptionally,we hypothesize that EV-derived miRNAs play a pivotal role in cancer cell redirection.To investigate this, we performed high-throughput next-generation RNA sequencing on EVs isolated from MECs, HER2+ breast cancer cells, and MEC:HER2+ co-cultures.Pathway enrichment analysis using DAVID identified key Gene Ontology terms, biological pathways, and functional clusters affected by differentially expressed miRNAs. TargetScan miRNA target prediction further revealed specific mRNA targets associated with epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and oncogenic signaling. Notably, members of the hsa-let-7 family, known for their tumor-suppressive roles, were highly expressed in MEC-derived EVs, along with hsa-let-7c-5p, hsa-miR-184, and hsa-miR-1-3p. These findings suggest that specific miRNAs carried by EVs may act as molecular switches driving cancer cell reprogramming. |
93 |
Extracellular Vesicles (EVs) Derived From Normal Epithelial Cells Play a Pivotal Role in Mediating the Suppression of Tumorigenicity of Cancer Cells |
Olivia Jones - Biomedical Engineeringoxjones |
Brian Booth - Bioengineeringbrbooth |
| 94 |
Kratom, Mitragyna speciosa, is a legally sold substance that, in a low dose, acts as a stimulant and, in higher doses, is a partial mu-receptor agonist with opioid-like effects. Kratom is used for a variety of symptoms, such as anxiety, depression, pain relief, and, in some cases, as an opioid substitute. In rural areas, addiction recovery programs are often inaccessible, creating a disparity in services for the population. Therefore, it is crucial to understand what other substances may be promoted in those regions as a treatment substitute. This exploratory comparative study describes the availability of kratom, comparing rural and urban regions across South Carolina, United States, in which sales of kratom are unrestricted. The study also describes the types and forms of kratom being sold and the type of retail businesses that are the point of sale for kratom. An online search of the 46 counties of South Carolina was conducted to determine the locations where kratom is sold. Data were collected regarding the census categorization of the cities where kratom is available (i.e., urban or rural), the type of businesses, the precise kratom formulations sold, and the concentration of sales by region. Descriptive and Chi-square analyses were performed. The findings support that kratom is available in both urban and rural areas. A further comparison of locations of recovery services and the availability of kratom was performed, indicating thatkratom is available in rural areas with no recovery services. Healthcare professionals need to have knowledge of legal psychoactive substances such as kratom and the availability of these substances for self-medication or as an opioid substitute. Kratom and other legal psychoactive substances should be considered in understanding the full story of substance use by individuals. |
94 |
Mapping of Kratom Availability: Comparison of Rural and Urban Access |
Yashraj Jani - Biological Sciencesyjani Katie Mack - Geneticsknmack Sara Conkling - Health Sciencesjconkl Annabella Jones - Biological Sciencesannabe9 Camryn Snyder - Biological Sciencescjsnyde Heidi Wendowski - Biological Scienceshwendow Lauren Marinaro - Health Sciencelmmarin Emma Moyer - Biological Sciencesemoyer Grace O'Hara - Nursinggeohara Megan Beitel - Health Sciencembeitel Christopher Coughlin - Biological Sciencescjcough Sophia Martin - Biological Sciencessmrtn |
Mary Wright - School of Nursingmewrig Kim A Pickett - School of Nursingkpicket |
| 97 |
Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular parasite that infects humans and other warm-blooded animals. A third of the world's population experience toxoplasmosis, or infection caused by T. gondii, during their lifetime. Healthy individuals experiencing toxoplasmosis may be asymptomatic. However, toxoplasmosis in immunocompromised individuals could result in severe symptoms and can even be fatal. Although there are some therapeutic options for treating acute toxoplasmosis, such as pyrimethamine and sulfadiazine, their strong side effects limit their usage in certain populations. Therefore, the development of novel antibiotics specifically targeting T. gondii would greatly improve treatment effectiveness for toxoplasmosis. By mining the genome of Toxoplasma, the parasites encode three orthologs of multidrug resistance proteins, named TgMDR1A, TgMDR1B, and TgMDR2. Their names are derived from the annotation of their orthologs that are involved in drug resistance in other organisms. The native roles of these proteins in parasite infection remain unknown. Previous work showed that all three TgMDRs are mainly located in a plant-like vacuolar compartment (PLVAC) in the parasites, a lysosome-equivalent organelle, indicating that they may mediate the transport of small solutes across the PLVAC membrane. Previously, I used a CRISPR-based strategy to create a mutant strain of T. gondii lacking TgMDR2. Along with the previously generated mutants losing TgMDR1A, TgMDR1B, TgMDR1A and TgMDR1B, and all three orthologs, we analyze their intracellular proliferation using a series of luciferase-based growth assays. Additionally, we analyze the viability of each mutant strain using plaque assays. |
97 |
Insights Into the Roles of Multidrug Resistance Proteins (MDRs) in Toxoplasma gondii, a Protozoan Human Pathogen |
Kate Morris - Biological Scienceskemorri |
Zhicheng Dou - Biological Scienceszdou |
| 99 |
Trypanosoma brucei, the causative agent of African sleeping sickness, relies on glycolysis for energy conversion and survival while it infects the mammalian host bloodstream. Two important enzymes in these pathways are enolase (ENO), which can convert 2-phosphoglycerate (2-PG) into phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP), and glycerol kinase (GK), which catalyzes the production of glycerol-3-phosphate from glycerol for use in the pathway. Because both enzymes are central to carbon metabolism, they could be promising targets for glycolytic inhibitors. Here, we used an endogenous tagging system to generate transgenic procyclic T. brucei lines that express tagged ENO or GK expressed at levels consistent with the authentic proteins. Preliminary analyses confirm successful tagging of both proteins, and ongoing work is examining the response of expression levels to different culture environments (e.g., glucose depletion or glycerol supplementation). Results of these studies will guide our understanding of the roles of these proteins in parasite development and may prove useful in developing more effective treatments. |
99 |
Targeting Trypanosoma brucei carbon metabolism to identify new antiparasitic compounds |
Helen Larkin - Biochemistrylarkin8 |
James Morris - Genetics and Biochemistryjmorri2 |
| 101 |
Access to clean water remains a critical challenge for rural communities in Rwanda, including Kagarama, where 1,500 residents rely on an unprotected spring as their primary water source. Contamination from nearby roads, households, and livestock has resulted in unsafe drinking water, with testing confirming the presence of E. coli and coliform bacteria. To address this issue, Clemson University's Engineers Without Borders (EWB) chapter conducted an assessment trip to evaluate water quality and community needs. Based on collected data, the team is designing a spring protection system to prevent contamination and is preparing for its implementation this summer. Additionally, the project includes an evaluation of water storage options for G.S. Musave, a local school serving 3,600 students, where limited clean water access impacts student health and sanitation. This initiative aims to provide sustainable, low-maintenance solutions to improve water security and public health, demonstrating the impact of engineering-driven community partnerships. |
101 |
Engineers Without Borders: Water Infrastructure in Kagarama, Rwanda |
Parker Allen - General Engineeringpwa Rocco Cavalier - Mechanical Engineeringrcavali Caroline Coffey - General Engineeringcecoffe Grayson Craig - Biological Sciencesgcraig5 Sia Dighade - General Engineeringsdighad Simon Draper - Mechanical Engineeringssdrape Carter Duffie - Civil Engineeringclduffi Grant Dunham - Biomedical Engineeringgkdunha Mitchell Esbenshade - Biomedical Engineeringmesbens Ben Fields - Industrial Engineeringbsfield Colleen Flood - Computer Sciencecbflood Mark Grichenko - Electrical Engineeringgrichen Matthew Heup - Mechanical Engineeringmheup Caleb Hunt - Mechanical Engineeringchunt9 Julian Jenkins - Industrial Engineeringjajenki David Konikov - General Engineeringdkoniko Cameron Limbaugh - Mechanical Engineeringclimbau Luke Mersch - General Engineeringlmersch Myles Nelson - Mechanical Engineeringmanelso Regan O'Neill - Mechanical Engineeringregano Georgia O'Sullivan - Environmental Engineeringgeorgio Mira Patel - General Engineeringmtpatel Dhey Patel - General Engineeringdhyeyap Jack Raciti - General Engineeringjraciti William Ramsey - Mechanical Engineeringwhramse Wyatt Rowe - General Engineeringwrowe Alex Sell - Chemical Engineeringasell Robert Stevenson - General Engineeringrlsteve Josh Taylor - Biomedical Engineeringjtayl25 Avery Wilson - Civil Engineeringawils42 Ahnnalise Wolf - Environmental Engineeringahnnalw Kenzi Wright - Mechanical Engineeringmakenz9 |
Mark Schlautman - Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciencesmschlau Chris Mabey - School of ME and AuEcmabey Jerry Wylie - Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciencesjawylie |
| 102 |
Advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) offer significant benefits by helping drivers maintain proper lane positioning and consistent speed. However, these technologies also carry a risk of overreliance when drivers overestimate system capabilities or downplay system limitations. One promising countermeasure is the implementation of driver monitoring systems (DMS), which help maintain driver engagement in the driving task. This study used a driving simulator to compare two different DMS approaches--one focusing on hands-on-wheel monitoring and the other on eyes-on-road monitoring--by examining participants' subjective preferences and objective performance. Subjective measures included the Driver Monitoring System Driver Experience scale (Souders & Agrawal, 2025), Trust in Automated Systems Scale (Jian & Bisantz, 2001), and Driver Acceptability of DMS scale. This results of this investigation have important implications for the design and implementation of DMS, demonstrating how specific monitoring approaches can mitigate overreliance on ADAS and ultimately promote safer driving behaviors. |
102 |
Hands On, Eyes On: Comparing Driver Monitoring Approaches for Minimizing ADAS Overreliance |
Ryan Storts - Mechanical Engineeringrstorts Jake Barz - Computer Sciencejbarz Charlie Clark - Psychologyceclrk Rowan Cunningham - Psychologycraftoc Angileah Prescott - Computer Scienceangilep Aidan Stoeffler - Computer Scienceastoeff |
Dustin Souders - Psychologydjsoude Shubham Agrawal - Psychologyagrawa3 Ethan Butler - Psychologyebutle4 Tyler Riley - Psychologytriley2 |
| 105 |
Mental Health disorders and crisis have been growing at alarming rates across the nation. It was found that one in three young adults will experience a mental health disorder each year. According to the NCAA, 7-10% of student athletes attempt or contemplate suicide. Out of those, only 10% will seek mental health support.We are providing mental health trainings across the country to better equip communities to recognize and work towards decreasing these statistics. Through our creative inquiry, we have been able to provide trainings and collect data from the participants. Participants reported increased confidence in recognizing mental health signs and symptoms and providing mental health first aid, according to our post-presentation surveys. Our research findings indicate the significant impact of the mental health trainings. |
105 |
Mental Health in Sports: Raising Awareness and Providing Training |
Abigail Flanigan - Health Scienceaflanig Abigail Hartwell - Political Scienceahartwe Ashley Kahler - Health Scienceaekahle Carter Lane - Psychologycclane Jacob Little - Biological Sciencesjbl8 Emma Makin - Sports Communicationemakin Meredith Montgomery - Parks, Recreation & Tourism Managementmjmontg Grace Packee - Biological Sciencesgpackee Isabella Rawl - Health Scienceirawl Lindsey Schmidt - Elementary Educationlschmi5 Kassie Skinner - Health Sciencekassie |
Skye Arthur-Banning - Parks, Recreation and Tourism Managementsarthur |
| 106 |
Through Clemson University's Creative Inquiry program, students participate in NASA's Micro-g NExT Challenge, guided by Dr. Redmond. The research initiative tasks undergraduate students with designing, building, and testing a tool or device based on current space exploration challenges relating to the Artemis Generation's goals to establisha sustainable human presence on the Moon and beyond. The 2025 challenges focus on lunar extravehicular activity (EVA) operations, EVA operations for missions to the International Space Station (ISS), and Orion crew safety. Clemson participated in the first challenge to collect the top 1-5 mm of lunar regolith, while capturing the grain orientation of the surface particles. The challenge spans over the Fall and Spring semester of the school year, divided into two phases. Teams brainstorm, research, and design from August to October, submitting a proposal to explain the design. If selected, from December to June,teams prototype, iterate, and manufacture their device to undergo testing at NASA's Neutral Buoyancy Lab (NBL) in Houston, TX. Clemson's team was one of the 18 teams nationally selected for phase two. Testing is scheduled for June 1-4, 2025, where astronauts will test each device according to operational directions supplied by the respective teams. Based on the feedback given, teams submit a final report summarizing their work and findings from Houston. The overall goal of the Micro-g NExT Challenge is to provide undergraduate students with an opportunity to apply the engineering design process to a relevant problem identified by NASA. |
106 |
Clemson University's 2025 Micro-g NExT Design Project |
Matthew Smith - Mechanical Engineeringmsmit66 Joseph Ardelt - Mechanical Engineeringjardelt Harrison Pinkston - Mechanical Engineeringhpinkst Ethan Toole - Mechanical Engineeringetoole Preethika Yetukuri - Mathematical Sciencespyetuku Cameron Drolet - Mechanical Engineeringcpdrole Jenna Sigel - Mechanical Engineeringjsigel Clay Simpson - Mechanical Engineeringcjsimps Justin Weber - Mechanical Engineeringjweber2 David DeCriscio - Mechanical Engineeringddecris |
Laura Redmond - Civil Engineeringlmredmo Jenna Spangler - Mechanical Engineeringspangl3 |
| 107 |
The Impact Performance of Sports Protective Equipment CI investigates biomechanical impact research from multiple perspectives, including Hybrid III dummy viability, cadaveric comparisons in concussive research, and rib deflection in commotio cordis. Within this initiative, our project focuses on cadaveric impact testing to quantify the forces contributing to concussions within the skull. While Hybrid III dummies provide kinematic data, they lack anatomical accuracy due to the absence of a brain component. Since concussions stem from brain mechanics and deformation, post-mortem human surrogates (PMHS) are critical when quantifying biomechanical factors. However, PMHS testing presents challenges in availability, cost, and variability. To refine testing methodologies, we conducted preliminary impact testing using ovine (sheep) specimens, which serve as anatomical surrogates due to their similar head and neck structure in terms of the spine and vasculature. A custom fixture was developed to support inverted specimen orientation, which optimizes fluid perfusion for physiological accuracy. Using a Cadex Linear Impact Testing Machine and an instrumented mouthguard, we conducted ten bare-head impacts at 5.0 m/s and measured maximum resultant angular velocity, linear acceleration, and rotational acceleration using MATLAB analysis. Initial results demonstrated consistent data across repeated impacts, validating the specimen preparation and methodology. This repeatability strengthens our approach for future cadaveric studies by mitigating variability concerns and refining measurement techniques. By establishing baseline data with ovine models, this project advances biomechanical impact research, ultimately enhancing the accuracy of quantifying concussion factors. |
107 |
Impact Performance of Sports Protective Equipment |
Avery Brown - General Engineeringabrow55 Claire Coppage - General Engineeringccoppag Jake Curtis - General Engineeringjcurti5 Benjamin Mccall - Biomedical Engineeringbomccal Erin Meinecke - Biomedical Engineeringemeinec William Schwartz - Biomedical Engineeringwcschwa Abbie Underwood - Biomedical Engineeringabbieu Isabella Adams - Biomedical Engineeringiadams2 Madysn Cardinal - Bioengineeringmcardin Zachary Dolan - Bioengineeringzdolan Bianca Henline - Bioengineeringbhenlin |
Greg Batt - Food, Nutrition, and Packaging Sciencesgbatt John Desjardins - Bioengineeringjdesjar Anthony Marino - Bioengineeringamarin2 |
| 108 |
Our project, Clemson University's Inclusive Excellence in Science and Technology (CU INVESTors), works to increase access of K-12 middle school-aged children to science-based experiences with the goal of building enthusiasm for science and appreciation for the role of science in their daily lives. We are currently working with three area schools: McCants Middle School, Berea Middle School, and Glenview Middle School. We coordinate topics with K-12 teachers to include experiments that reinforce concepts and science standards learned in the classroom. In September, we visited McCants Middle School (9 classes with 218 students), where we discussed polymer chemistry and made slime. In October, we visited Berea Middle School and covered topics related to Energy. In January, we again visited Berea (12 classes) and did exercises involving food webs. In February, we visited Glenview Middle School (10 classes with 219 students) and covered cell structure. We currently assess effectiveness via real-time online surveys such as KAHOOT™. Our goal is to expand this evaluation process to measure impact and design more meaningful activities. We are identifying tangible metrics to quantify the students' knowledge of science content, enthusiasm for science, and appreciation of how science impacts their everyday lives. Identifying factors that influence outreach impact is important to improving our effectiveness. |
108 |
CU INVESTors Study Into the Effect of Targeted Intervention and Self-Reported Interest in STEM Subjects |
Thori Filipiak - Geneticstfilipi Caleb Johnson - Biochemistrycsj6 Mia McCoyd - Geneticsmmccoyd Berkeley Cannon - Biochemistrybrcanno Emma Varn - Biochemistryervarn |
Meredith Morris - Genetics and Biochemistrymmorri3 |
| 109 |
Reminiscence of past memories can result ina range of both positive and negative emotions, with some feeling overwhelmed and others experiencing joy. The purpose of this study was to assess whether viewing newly digitized images of one's personal past influences physical and psychological markers of stress, social bonding, and overall well-being. We predict that viewing personal images will result in (a) increased endogenous oxytocin levels, leading to enhanced feelings of emotional bonding and well-being; (b) decreased cortisol levels, leading to reduced stress; (c) decreased physiological reactivity, promoting a relaxed, calm state, and (d) enhanced self-reported positive mood and well-being.Using a within-subjects design, 30 participants aged 55 - 80 were recruited to complete two study sessions: one in which they viewed non-personalized, neutral images and a second in which they viewed personalized images of their past. At each session, participants completed survey measures and saliva samples and had their heart rate and galvanic skin response measured to assess physiological reactivity. Data collection is ongoing, and four participants have completed both study sessions so far. |
109 |
The Effect of Personal Memory on Cortisol, Oxytocin, and Well-Being |
Abigail Emsley - Language and International Healthaemsley Alexandra Ercolino - Health Scienceaercoli Will Stephens - Psychologywws |
Kaileigh Byrne - Psychologykaileib |
| 112 |
Mental health challenges among nursing students are a growing concern, with high rates of stress, anxiety, and depression. These factors can hurt academic performance, clinical decision-making, and overall well-being. This study seeks to support the mental health of nursing students through a comprehensive approach that includes survey administration, student interviews, and the implementation of an evidence-based intervention. The goal of this research is to provide academic and emotional support to nursing students by incorporating mental health initiatives into their academic program, a program known for high-pressure clinical environments and academic and emotional stressors. Our primary evidence-based intervention is the introduction of meditation rooms with iPads featuring a relaxing video accessible to nursing students weekly to support stress reduction and mental health among undergraduate nursing students. To assess the effectiveness of this intervention, we used a pre- and post-test design, including self-administered surveys measuring students' stress levels before and after using the meditation rooms. A qualitative design was used to conduct interviews with undergraduate nursing students and Clemson University mental health staff to explore their experiences, concerns, and perceptions of campus mental health resources, including the impact Hurricane Helene had on student's mental health. |
112 |
Improving Nursing Student Mental Health |
Katie Johnson - Nursingkjj3 Maggie Childers - Nursingmchild3 Caroline Clapacs - Nursingcclapac Mia Licari - Nursingmlicari Hannah Roark - Nursinghmroark Romina Shayan - Nursingrshayan Kristina Elizabeth Stein - Nursingkestein Emily Thurman - Nursingevthurm Cora Beth Brooks - Nursingcora2 Samantha Luhn - Nursingsrluhn Makenna Miller - Nursingmakenn4 Hannah Myers - Health Sciencehgmyers |
Charlotte Branyon - School of Nursingcbranyo Kendra Allison - School of Nursingkendraa Lindsey Garrard - School of Nursingmontjo2 |
| 113 |
Habitat degradation from urban development poses a major threat to box turtles and many other wildlife species. Eastern box turtles (Terrapene carolina carolina) are a vulnerable species due to anthropogenic pressures, such as increasing land use change throughout their range. As the physical buffers between humans and wildlife decrease, human-turtle interactions may increase. Thus, it is important to assess how the public perceives turtles for future conservation outreach efforts. The goal of our project is to survey local student and trail-user populations to gauge awareness and attitudes towards Eastern box turtles. We will table at two separate locations, one on Clemson University campus and the other at a Clemson Experimental Forest outreach event attended by forest-users. We will have engagement incentives to encourage table visitors to participate in brief, anonymous questionnaires. We predict that forest-users will be more aware of common box turtle facts and will have more experience interacting with box turtles. The results of this project will inform future species conservation outreach efforts by gauging the perception of different human populations. The project may also inform researchers of the benefits of involving a variety of individuals with different interests in wildlife conservation efforts. |
113 |
Experiences of Two Different Populations of Eastern Box Turtles in Clemson |
Ashley Adams - Environmental and Natural Resourcesandms Nicholas D'Onofrio - Wildlife and Fisheries Biologyndonofr Olivia Johnson - Environmental and Natural Resourcesojjohns Jason Rehrig - Environmental and Natural Resourcesjrehrig Joseph Romano - Wildlife and Fisheries Biologyromano8 Daylee Vaughn-Gilreath - Environmental and Natural Resourcesaddisov Macey Wyman - Wildlife and Fisheries Biologymswyman |
Kyle Barrett - Forestry and Environmental Conservationrbarre2 Hannah Meredith - Forestry and Environmental Conservationhmered2 |
| 114 |
The Changing Dynamics of China's Development Creative Inquiry explores China's evolving role in economic, scientific, and particularly political spheres. Students research topics of their choosing, allowing them to delve into aspects of China's development that align with their individual interests. This year, students have been investigating China's economic policies, industrial innovation, technological advancements, infrastructure projects, environmental initiatives, financial markets, and expanding global influence which impact how China operates internally and how the world views them. While students conduct independent research via literature review, they actively share insights with peers and engage in discussions with Professor Hu to gain a broader understanding of China's development across multiple fields and stay up to date on ongoing events in China and around the world. We use our findings to ask informative questions to China scholars during our trip to Washington, D.C. |
114 |
Changing Dynamics of China's Development |
John Elliott - Economicsjje Zach Lander - Political Sciencezlander Peter Mclean - Sports Communicationpjmclea Tulsi Patel - Philosophytpatel3 Elizabeth Perkins - Language and International Businesseaperki Ralston Smith - Pre-Businessralstos |
Xiaobo Hu - Political Sciencexhu |
| 115 |
With over 10,000 dams throughout the state, the hydrology of South Carolina rivers has been greatly affected by development. These changes to the landscape have disturbed the local species, with some requiring restoration due to severe habitat alteration. The Rocky Shoals Spider Lily, Hymenocallis coronaria, is an aquatic lily that was placed under consideration for protection by the Endangered Species Act due to its declining population throughout its native southeast range. Hymenocallis coronaria can serve as a charismatic indicator species for overall stream health in the southeast US. The Catawba Riverkeeper Foundation partnered with Clemson University to establish a population of H. coronaria in the Long Reach Bypass, a section of the Catawba River downstream from Fishing Creek Dam. In summer 2024, approximately 1,800 seeds and seedlings were planted on four experimental plots throughout the site. The seeds were obtained from Landsford Canal State Park, which contains the world's largest H. coronaria population about fourteen miles upstream from the Long Reach Bypass. Establishment rates were considerably lower than in a similar study, with flow rate and disturbance likely being the limiting factor to establishment success. We examined the differences in flow rate, substrate type, and depth that may have affected the success of establishment in the Long Reach Bypass. |
115 |
Restoration Effort in the Long Reach Bypass: Establishing Hymenocallis coronaria in Disturbed Stream Reaches |
Ollie Hartung - Environmental and Natural Resourcesohartun Peyton Hughey - Wildlife and Fisheries Biologyprh |
Althea Hagan - Forestry and Environmental Conservationshotali |
| 116 |
In the Spotlight is a twice-per-semester podcast run by students in the Clemson Honors College that seeks to provide information on physical and mental wellbeing for college students. Past episode topics have included burnout, belonging, and financial responsibility. This poster seeks to demonstrate the research process for a typical podcast episode, using the example of our latest episode on sleep. We will summarize the collection and discussion of prior research on the subject, as well as our process for script-writing and podcast recording. We also will discuss the results of an informal survey conducted with members of the Clemson Honors College on their sleep habits. Finally, we will analyze listener data to demonstrate the importance of these resources for college students. |
116 |
In the Spotlight: A Podcast by Students, for Students by C.C.A.R.E. Special Research Group |
Owen Eastman - Historyoeastma Kaelyn Gannon - Communicationkaelyng Christian Ihekweazu - Computer Sciencecihekwe Mohamed Ismail - Biomedical Engineeringmismail Deena Warid - Biochemistrydwarid |
Sherece Smith - National Scholarssherecs |
| 117 |
The tumor secretome contains thousands of cytokines, growth factors, hormones, and metabolites that govern cellular behavior. Studies have suggested that cell-to-cell communication between breast cancer cells and neighboring immune and stromal cells can drive metastasis and drug resistance in the tumor microenvironment. The most common approach to co-culturing two different cell types is the Transwell Assay, consisting of an insert with a polycarbonate membrane that is placed in a 12-well plate to culture cells in the wells (bottom chamber) and on the membrane (top chamber). The Transwell insert is limited due to the porosity of the membrane resulting in (1) cellular infiltration from the top chamber to the bottom chamber, (2) an inability to collect cells from the top chamber, and (3) an inability to obtain sufficient cellular yields of DNA or protein for post experimental analysis using PCR. This work describes an alternative, 3D-printed approach, using a hydrogel membrane to separate the two chambers while still allowing for mass transfer. Single culture controls (MDA-MB-231s) were performed to validate that growth rates in either chamber were not altered due to the insert. Initial experimentation used the insert to co-culture triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells (MDA-MB-231s) with immune cells (monocytes, THP-1) in both 6-well plates (compatible with fluorometry) and 10 cm dishes (compatible with PCR and Western blot). Terminal immunostaining of the monocytes revealed that co-culture with TNBC cells resulted in their differentiation into an M2 (or pro-cancer) phenotype. Future work will use the insert to co-culture MDA-MB-231 cells and adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) - whose function is altered in the process, making them important in studying drug resistance - to provide a physiologically relevant means to drug discovery for TNBC. |
117 |
Elucidating Cell-to-Cell Communication Between Cancer, Stromal, and Immune Cells Using a 3D-Printed Insert |
Ava LiVigni - Microbiologyalivign Lily Harshaw - Biochemistrylharsha |
Adam Melvin - Chemical and Biomolecular Engineeringmelvina Riley Osbourn - Chemical and Biomolecular Engineeringrosbour |
| 120 |
Helicase, Lymphoid-Specific (HELLs), is an ATP-dependent chromatin remodeler involved in maintaining genome stability. Homologous recombination is a DNA repair pathway that helps preserve genome integrity by repairing DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs). Defects in HR can lead to genome destabilization, cancer, and cell death. Recent studies suggest that HELLs protein is involved in homologous recombination. However, the role of HELLs in HR is not well understood. Additionally, HELLS is known to have the ability to bind DNA. Our project aim is to identify the residues in HELLS that are important for binding DNA by mutational analysis of six potential sites. The results of these experiments should elucidate which of these sites contribute to the DNA binding activity of HELLS. Furthermore, the results of these studies will provide valuable information about the role of the DNA binding activity of HELLS in maintaining genome stability. Overall, determining the role of these potential DNA-binding regions in HELLS will help us understand their impact on homologous recombination (HR) and DNA repair. |
120 |
Identifying DNA-Binding Sites in HELLS: Impact on Homologous Recombination |
Lily Acker - Geneticslmacker |
Michael Sehorn - Genetics and Biochemistrymsehorn |
| 122 |
Features of social media platforms can influence credibility judgments and online behaviors. One such feature is engagement metrics, or the number of likes, shares, and comments a post received. Engagement metrics can trigger the bandwagon effect, where individuals adopt a belief or behavior based on perceived popularity. Posts with high engagement may appear more credible and encourage further interaction (e.g., liking or sharing), potentially reducing critical evaluation and increasing susceptibility to misinformation. How do individual differences such as political beliefs, numeracy, digital literacy, and science reasoning moderate this effect? A 2x--2 within-subjects study was conducted with approximately 300 participants to examine the impact of source credibility (credible vs. questionable sources) and engagement levels (high vs. low) on credibility perceptions and online behaviors (e.g., sharing and clicking). Participants viewed 12 fabricated X/Twitter posts featuring headlines about vaccines (i.e., HPV, COVID-19). Half of the headlines came from credible sources (e.g., NIH), while the other half came from questionable news outlets (e.g., 2020conservative.com). Half of the posts contained low engagement (likes and shares between 0-100), while the other half contained high engagement (10k-100k). Consistent with prior research, we hypothesized that high-engagement posts appear more credible, even when the source was questionable. However, participants with more cognitive skills (e.g. numeracy, digital literacy, and science literacy) exhibit greater resistance to the bandwagon effect. Our discussion will focus on the implications of how features of social media platforms shape information dissemination and public understanding of risk. This project was supported by the Clemson University Creative Inquiry program. |
122 |
Likes and Shares: The Impact of Social Media Metrics on Credibility Perceptions and Engagement |
Jennifer Anasky - Geneticsjanasky Gabriella Bobalik - Psychologygbobali Allison Dierks - Economicsadierks Michael Ellis - Computer Sciencemje2 Raina Palevich - Psychologyapalevi Cora Pannier - Psychologycpannie |
Jinan Allan - Psychologyjinana Alantis Baldwin - Psychologyalantib |
| 123 |
Genetic diseases impose a significant global burden, yet most treatments manage symptoms rather than targeting the underlying cause. Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats-associated protein 9 (CRISPR-Cas9) enables precise gene editing, but efficient, non-viral delivery remains a major challenge. This study investigates polyethylene glycol-b-polylactic-co-glycolic acid (PEG-PLGA) polymersomes as a self-assembling nanoparticles for encapsulating and delivering Cas9 ribonucleoprotein (RNP) to facilitate gene knockdown across the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Polymersomes were synthesized via film rehydration and filtration, characterized by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The polymersomes encapsulated Cas9 RNP during the self-assembly step while spinning on ice to preserve protein stability. Human embryonic kidney cells, HEK293-GFP cells, which express a green fluorescent protein (GFP), were treated with increasing RNP concentrations to assess gene editing efficiency. Electroporation confirmed the effectiveness of the RNP complex. Gene editing was measured using fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry, showing 64% knockdown after 72 hours. DLS analysis confirmed polymersome size at 84.35 nm ± 9.63 nm with a PDI of 0.19 ± 0.03. Bicinchoninic acid (BCA) assays determined an average encapsulation efficiency of 5μg ± 1μg Cas9. Cas9-loaded polymersomes exhibited no cytotoxicity in HEK293-GFP cells. In conclusion, the Cas9 RNP elicits gene knockdown and can be encapsulated in PEG-PLGA polymersomes for delivery. Future work will focus on assessing polymersome-mediated endosomal escape and conducting in vivo studies in Zebrafish to confirm GFP knockdown. Acknowledgments: Work was supported by NIH Center for Biomedical Excellence (COBRE) P20GM139769 |
123 |
PEG-PLGA Polymersomes for CRISPR-Cas9 Delivery and Gene Knockdown in HEK293-GFP Cells |
Caroline Argenti - Biochemistryctargen Allison Garmon - Geneticsargarmo Ava McKee - Biochemistryamckee3 Quintin Martin - General Engineeringqmartin |
Jessica Larsen - Chemical and Biomolecular Engineeringlarsenj |
| 124 |
Accurate detection of waterfowl is essential for monitoring populations and informing conservation management. Drone technology offers an efficient and non-invasive method for waterfowl surveys, but the effectiveness of thermal and color imagery for detecting waterfowl remains understudied. This study compares detection probabilities between thermal and color imagery, assesses bird count differences, and evaluates the potential benefits of integrating thermal imagery into aerial waterfowl surveys. Using a DJI Mavic 3T enterprise drone equipped with dual cameras, we collected 300 images (150 thermal and 150 color) from a managed antebellum rice field impoundment. Six independent observers manually counted waterfowl in a randomized set of images using the DotDotGoose object counting tool, with each observer analyzing 25 thermal and 25 color images. Thermal imagery consistently detected higher numbers of waterfowl with 3,478 waterfowl counted compared to 2,865 from color images. A paired t-test indicated a statistically significant difference in detection (p < 0.0051), suggesting thermal imagery is more effective in dense vegetation, camouflage background color or low-light conditions where birds are less visible in color images. However thermal imaging has challenges when birds are clustered together. These findings highlight thermal imagery in drone surveys enhancing detection accuracy and minimizing undercounting. This study provides valuable insights for wildlife managers, aiding in accurate population assessments and technological monitoring strategies. |
124 |
Evaluating Waterfowl Detection Probability Using Thermal and Color Drone Imagery from Antebellum Rice Fields of Coastal South Carolina, USA |
Benjamin Bledsoe - Environmental and Natural Resourcesbbledso Connor Geelhoed - Wildlife and Fisheries Biologycgeelho Hannah Kern - Environmental and Natural Resourceshmkern Ty Massey - Environmental and Natural Resourcestym Reid Mckellar - Wildlife and Fisheries Biologymckell3 Aubrey Myers - Environmental and Natural Resourcesahmyers Jordan O'Donnell - Environmental and Natural Resourcesjtodonn Jill Spalt - Environmental and Natural Resourcesjspalt |
Crystal Anderson - Forestry and Environmental Conservationcrhode2 James Anderson - Forestry and Environmental Conservationjta6 Akshitkumar Suthar - Forestry and Environmental Conservationasuthar |
| 128 |
Incorporating human factors into medical device design is a key factor for assuring device safety and effectiveness in the intended use environment. Our goal is to introduce and apply human factors techniques through analysis of medical device designs and examination of their intended use and use environments. Our specific objective in the CI for this project was to identify and evaluate ways to use computer vision to track clinicians' hand movements as they open medical device packaging. Tracking hand movements while opening packages can be used to identify the proximity of hands to a sterile instrument, which can be useful for estimating potential contamination risks. This can also be used to identify the strategies and movements associated handling medical devices to evaluate safety and ergonomic risks. We developed and validated a method to assess hand motions. To accomplish this goal, two motion-capture systems were used to evaluate known translations of a 3D hand model and define a measurement volume. One system was a Polaris Vicra, which was designed to be able to track objects using traditional motion capture techniques involving markers and multiple cameras/sensors. Our test system was a single-camera system that utilized video and image processing in Python. Six repeated experimental trials were conducted with 6 participants moving the hand model. The data was recorded and statistically compared between the two systems and individuals collecting the data. The results provide preliminary insight into variations in recorded measurements and facilitate comparisons between the two systems. Future work will expand our tests to define the effective limits on the camera systems and will expand the work to actual hand tracking during the opening of medical supplies and equipment. |
128 |
Human Factors in Medical Device Reprocessing |
Adam Clinemyer - Biomedical Engineeringaclinem Morrison Creech - Biomedical Engineeringcmcreec Abby Cicone - Industrial Engineeringcicone Julian Cole - Industrial Engineeringjcole6 Haley Harkins - Industrial Engineeringhlharki Cole Kirby - Industrial Engineeringcjkirby Gavin Morgan - Industrial Engineeringgjmorga |
Melinda Harman - Bioengineeringharman2 David Neyens - Industrial Engineeringdneyens |
| 130 |
Microplastic (MP) pollution is a growing environmental and public health concern that is currently understudied in freshwater ecosystems. Urban watersheds are particularly susceptible to MP pollution, which can accumulate over time in streambed sediment. Despite mounting evidence of widespread MP contamination globally, much remains unknown about the abundance, distribution, and spread of MPs in a given watershed. Therefore, to determine the extent of MPs in streams near Clemson, SC, we aim to quantify MP type and color deposited in sediments in both an urban and rural stream. In addition, we will examine benthic macroinvertebrates from each stream to ascertain if they are consuming MPs, which would indicate that MPs are entering the food web. Sediment and macroinvertebrate samples were collected from each site. In the lab, a combination of wet peroxide oxidation and density separation methods were used prior to vacuum filtration and visual inspection under a dissecting microscope. We predict that proportional amounts of MPs will be present in freshwater sediments and the inhabiting benthic macroinvertebrates, as these organisms likely ingest MPs, and that the MP content will be higher in the urban stream in comparison to the rural stream. The results can serve as an indicator of MP contamination in freshwater biota and their environment in the Upstate of South Carolina. Ultimately, these findings will serve as a starting point for further investigation in under-researched regions in the rural Southeast. |
130 |
Microplastics in Macroinvertebrates: An Analysis of Microplastics in Freshwater Ecosystems in Upstate South Carolina |
Eli Carner - Biological Sciencesecarner Kyra Greco - Biological Scienceskagreco Matthew Guareschi - Biological Sciencesmeguare Andrew Peterson - Biological Sciencesarp8 Sophie Waugh - Experiential Educationslwaugh |
Cassandra May - Biological Sciencescmay3 |
| 132 |
Nanotechnology is the art, science, and engineering of designing materials at the atomic and molecular scale. In this CI, students explore various applications of nanotechnology. Students will present their findings on how nanotechnology is impacting the areas of quantum computing, classical computing, the environment, food, and textiles. |
132 |
Nanotechnology: Nanotechnology for Emerging Applications |
Jon Hawkins - General Engineeringjehawki Afif Uddin - General Engineeringauddin |
Hassan Raza - Electrical and Computer Engineeringhraza |
| 136 |
Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a hospital-associated infection affecting 5-40% of intubated patients. It significantly increases hospital stay duration, with an estimated additional cost of $47,238 per patient, and raises mortality rates by 14% compared to the average intensive care unit (ICU) patient. Despite its prevalence, VAP diagnosis remains challenging due to vague and time-consuming criteria, which typically include clinical suspicion, bedside examination, radiographic imaging, and microbiologic analysis. Current diagnostic methods, such as semi-quantitative cultures of lower respiratory tract secretions, often take 18-24 hours--and if treatment is delayed, it can lead to a 34% increase in mortality when compared to early intervention.To address this issue, we are developing X-ray Visualized Implanted Sensors (X-VIS), a non-invasive approach for infection detection. These sensors utilize pH-sensitive hydrogels that change size in response to local pH changes, causing movement of radio-dense markers visible on X-ray imaging. This semester, our team has collaborated with faculty and clinicians to design pH-monitoring systems for endotracheal and chest tubes, with the goal of improving timely infection detection.Our work has included literature reviews on clinical needs, infection prevalence, and current treatment protocols. Conceptual sketches have progressed to CAD designs and 3D-printed prototypes, which integrate with existing medical devices. Additionally, we have optimized the pH-sensitive hydrogels for enhanced durability and responsiveness.By integrating real-time, passive infection monitoring with routine X-ray imaging, these sensors have the potential to improve early VAP detection, reduce diagnostic delays, and ultimately enhance patient outcomes. |
136 |
pH Sensors for Implant Infection Detection |
Amelia Cavin - Biomedical Engineeringacavin Olivia Costello - Biomedical Engineeringocostel Will Hardy - Biomedical Engineeringhardy8 Joshua Morton - Biomedical Engineeringjwmorto Enoch Orozco - Biomedical Engineeringeorozco Nicole Cerrito - Biochemistryncerrit Samantha McDonnell - Biochemistrymcdonn8 Grayson Sandidge - Biomedical Engineeringgsandid |
John Desjardins - Bioengineeringjdesjar Jeffrey Anker - Chemistryjanker |
| 137 |
Effective course design plays a critical role in shaping student engagement, comprehension, and academic success.The study investigated the impact of revisions to the AVS 4150 syllabus after the instructor attended the Inclusive Course Design Institute (ICDI) hosted by the Clemson University Office of Teaching Effectiveness and Innovation. The changes aimed to enhance student understanding of course expectations andtheir development of a global perspective in the context of AVS 4150. Through a structured interview,undergraduate participants in the major who have not previously taken the course reviewed both the original and revised syllabi and provided feedback on syllabus clarity, course expectations, and context for the development of a global perspective. The revised syllabus post-ICDI incorporated clearer learning objectives, structured course navigation, and explicit connections to global challenges, fostering more transparent communication of course goals. Comparative analysis of participant responses identified key themes related to syllabus structure, student expectations, and perceived accessibility of course content. Findings suggest that a clear syllabus improved students' grasp of their responsibilities in the course and how global challenges relate to AVS. This research underscores the importance of intentional course design and educational development, demonstrating how the instructor's participation in ICDI led to a more transparent, structured syllabus that improved student understanding of course expectations and provided clearer context for engaging with global challenges. |
137 |
The Impact of Instructor Participation in an Inclusive Course Design Institute on Student Understanding of Course Expectations |
Rachel Rushing - Animal and Veterinary Sciencerrushin |
Becky Tugman - Public Health Sciencesbtugman Claire Dancz - Engineering and Science Educationcdancz Jim Strickland - Animal and Veterinary Sciencesjrstric |
| 139 |
Individuals who are highly physically active are more likely to have greater self-esteem, better body image, and increased physical activity self-efficacy. Currently, the average PE program provides less than 12% of the recommended daily amount of physical activity, with adolescent girls being the least active. Additionally, 80% of adolescents ages 12-17 do not meet physical activity guidelines, with girls pointing to such variables as time, safety, and environments as barriers to participation (Duffey et al., 2021). Therefore, there is a need for programs that provide opportunities for adolescent girls to be physically active and to develop their sense of self-efficacy and body image. Women who participate in recreation report becoming empowered to engage in a wider variety of activities (McNiel, Harris, Fondren 2012). However, despite efforts to increase physical activity among adolescents, it remains an ongoing challenge. The purpose of this research is to understand how participating in Finding Your Voice may influence body esteem and physical activity self-efficacy as potential precursors to increased activity. Previous year's data suggest this camp positively impacts those who attend; however, since the camp will be held April 4th-6th, data analysis for 2025 is ongoing. |
139 |
Finding Your Voice |
Kiki Abbott - Psychologyklabbot Riley Alexander - Nursingralexa9 Kaleigh Bosak - Civil Engineeringkbosak Caroline Brinson - Parks, Recreation & Tourism Managementbrinso5 Taylor Bynum - Psychologytrbynum Emily Davidson - Psychologyedavid4 Katie Davis - Nursingkgd2 Abigail Flynn - Biochemistryaflynn8 Olivia Forti - Biological Sciencesoforti Kate Harris - Financial Managementkbh2 Avorie Heaps - Political Scienceaheaps Maggie Lubel - Pre-Businessmlubel Brenna Schriver - Political Sciencebschriv Tayloir Wiley - Animal and Veterinary Sciencetayloiw |
Denise Anderson - Parks, Recreation and Tourism Managementdander2 |
| 140 |
With the modernization of AI in our day-to-day lives, it is becoming increasingly crucial to learn more about how it can be used to increase our productivity and understanding of our environment. This project consisted of implementing machine learning and data science into the field of material science to develop a method of finding relationships between numerous elements and materials. For this group, we focus on high entropy alloys and their properties. To do this, our team is developing a website that compiles existing data, and with the help of machine learning, we can predict the properties of any combination of elements. Acquiring data for high entropy alloys involves searching for peer-reviewed papers using scholarly search engines, downloading them, organizing them into categories based on content, and extracting data from tables within the papers. Advancing into prompt engineering has been a focal point of this project, creating multiple personal GPTs to assist in analyzing the papers and even extracting from them. Strides are being made toward analyzing data from figures using similar machine-learning techniques. |
140 |
Data Science for Next-Generation Materials Design |
Eric Barr - Mechanical Engineeringembarr |
Dilpuneet Aidhy - Materials Science and Engineeringdaidhy |
| 143 |
Exertional heat illness (EHI) is a condition that occurs when the body is exposed to high temperatures, and is exacerbated by physical activity. While EHI comes in many forms, heatstroke is the most severe. Classical heatstroke is a condition caused by the overheating of the body, resulting in an increasing core body temperature to 40 degrees Celsius (104 F) or higher, tiredness, confusion, headache, cramps, and elevated breathing or heart rate. Exertional heat stroke, a more extreme form of classical heatstroke, can cause excessive sweating and paleness, leading to swelling, permanent damage to vital organs, and, if left untreated, death. EHIs are among the top 3 causes of death in athletes. A risk that is 11 times greater for American football players in high school sports and affects every 41.9 out of 10,000 collegiate football players. EHI can be prevented by taking frequent breaks, remaining hydrated, allowing time to acclimate in high temperatures, and wearing loose-fitting clothes. Despite these preventative measures, EHI can still occur, making it crucial to recognize early signs of heat stroke before it develops into more severe conditions. To address this, we created a device for football players that tracks heart rate and detects sweat levels to detect early symptoms of heatstroke without interfering with the movement or performance of the players. We did so by connecting an Arduino to a galvanic skin response sensor and a heart rate monitor and attached them to the inside of a football glove. We validated our device's accuracy by comparing its data with a smartwatch heart rate monitor and a sweat patch and found our device consistently provides reliable readings. |
143 |
Development of an Early Detection and Prevention Device for Heat Illness in Athletes |
Aaron Anderson - General Engineeringaca9 Ashwini Elwin - General Engineeringaelwin Sinceare Jackson - General Engineeringsinceaj Tray Mazyck - General Engineeringdtmazyc Reese Price - General Engineeringarprc |
Angela Alexander - Bioengineeringangelaa Delphine Dean - Bioengineeringfinou Jordon Gilmore - Bioengineeringjagilmo Tyler Harvey - Bioengineeringtgharve Sydney Savage - Bioengineeringsavage7 |
| 144 |
Genome stability is crucial for preventing mutations that lead to cancer and other diseases. Homologous recombination (HR) is a key DNA repair pathway that fixes double-strand breaks (DSBs) caused by replication errors, radiation, or chemical mutagens. During HR, repair proteins process the DSB ends, facilitating homology search and strand invasion to form a displacement loop (D-loop), where new DNA synthesis restores genomic integrity. Single-stranded DNA-binding proteins (SSBs) play an essential role in stabilizing intermediates during HR. hSSB1 and hSSB2 are two such SSBs implicated in DNA repair, but their precise functions remain unclear. Loss of hSSB1 in mice results in embryonic lethality, highlighting its critical role in genome maintenance. Additionally, hSSB1 has been linked to stalled replication fork repair and 8-oxo-guanine base excision repair. However, the distinct and overlapping functions of hSSB1 and hSSB2 in HR are not entirely understood. This project investigates the biochemical properties of hSSB1 and hSSB2, including their roles in DNA binding, oligomerization, and post-translational modifications. By characterizing these properties, we aim to clarify their contributions to HR and broader genome stability mechanisms. This research provides insight into fundamental DNA repair processes and may inform future therapeutic strategies for genomic instability-associated diseases. |
144 |
Human Single-Stranded Binding Proteins in DNA Repair |
Ian Howe - General Engineeringiphowe Hope Kotary - Biochemistryhkotary Stephanie Toft - Geneticsstoft Charlie Bogdanski - Biochemistrycdbogda Peyton Deets - Biochemistrypdeets Ava McKee - Biochemistryamckee3 |
Michael Sehorn - Genetics and Biochemistrymsehorn |
| 145 |
Coral reefs are highly biodiverse and ecologically valuable ecosystems, yet they are threatened due to global climate change. Cryptofauna are a diverse community of organisms that live in concealed microhabitats, and they play key roles in maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem functioning on coral reefs. As reefs degrade, the transition from live coral to coral rubble creates complex microhabitats utilized by cryptofauna; however, the complexity of this microhabitat is highly variable. In this study, we investigate how microhabitat complexity within coral rubble impacts resident marine cryptofauna. We quantified rubble morphology by measuring the number of branches, length and width, and total area in forty rubble trays across ten sites in the Middle Florida Keys. Rubble morphology was then related to the size-class distribution of resident cryptofauna. These results will provide a deeper understanding of how cryptofauna diversity and productivity are impacted by reef degradation. |
145 |
Life Beneath Rubble: The Cryptofauna Puzzle |
Tess Abrams - Biological Sciencestcabram Amanda Kellerhals - Biological Scienceskellerh Sophie Dzieciolowski - Animal and Veterinary Sciencesdzieci Abigail Cumbee - Wildlife and Fisheries Biologyaecumbe Anna Marie Metzger - Biological Sciencesammetzg |
Michael Childress - Biological Sciencesmchildr Luke Stoeber - Biological Scienceslstoebe |
| 147 |
Transposable elements (TEs) are highly repetitive, mobile genetic elements that allow DNA sequences to change position in the genome. The ongoing insertion of TEs results inthe accumulation of repetitive sequences, whichincreases the risk of non-homologous recombination and genomic instability. Both insertions and genomic rearrangements can causegenetic diseases. While TEs act throughout the genome, they impose a greater risk in regions of medically relevant genes where mutations can be pathogenic. STAG1, which encodes Stromal Antigen 1, is among these medically relevant genes. This alternative subunit of cohesin is vital for chromosomal organization, especially in segregation and condensation. Mutations in STAG1 are related to many genetic disorders, including Cornelia de Lange Syndrome, neurodevelopmental disorders, craniofacial abnormalities, and increased risk of various cancers. This study aims to identify patterns of alternative splicing and TEs in STAG1, and how they may contribute to human disease. Novel and unique RNA transcripts (isoforms) were extracted from long-read RNAseq data of 31 human samples using in silico techniques. Isoforms were then analyzed in the Integrative Genomics Viewer for splicing patterns and intersected with TE annotations generated byRepeatMasker. Single base insertions, and intron retention events were observed in the samples. These events were prominent in the N-terminus of STAG1, which is especially crucial for STAG1's role in early development and rRNA production. Mutations in the N-terminus can be more detrimental by activating typically repressed regions and altering the binding capability of the N-terminus, leading to phenotypes seen in many cancers. Further analysis of this region may allow for phenotypic impacts to be better predicted, especially for STAG1 variants that have not been previously described. |
147 |
Medical Relevance of Transposable Elements and Aalternative Splicing in STAG1 |
Katie Barfield - Geneticskbarfie Gianni Martino - Biomedical Data Science and Informaticsgiannim Mark Loftus - Genetics and Biochemistryloftus |
Miriam Konkel - Genetics and Biochemistrymkonkel |
| 148 |
Pathological neuroinflammation causes ongoing neurodegeneration, disrupts neuronal function, and exacerbates neurological disease. Microglia, the neurological immune cells, play a critical role in neuroinflammation by secreting proinflammatory mediators. Currently, there are no effective treatments to alleviate neuroinflammation and it is urgent to identify therapeutic compounds that target inflammatory microglia. To investigate the potential of compounds in reducing neurological inflammatory responses, we established an in vitro model of neuroinflammation using primary glia and microglia cell cultures. Computational integration of transcriptomic signatures of persistent inflammatory microglia with a database of small molecule compounds identified AZD-7762 as a promising microglia-targeted anti-inflammatory agent. To verify this in vitro, we stimulated microglia cells with proinflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL1-β, and then exposed the cells to different concentrations of AZD-7762. We evaluated the effects of the compound by analyzing cell density, gene expression, protein intensity and secretion, and cell viability. To visualize the cultures, we fixed cells and performed immunocytochemistry using primary antibodies to identify microglia (Iba1). Inflammatory proteins were measured in cell supernatants by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and nitric oxide using the Griess reagent. Gene expression was quantified using RT-qPCR and cell viability using MTS. Our data validates the use of primary microglia cultures to model neuroinflammation and as a platform to screen therapeutic compounds. Moreover, our experiments confirm the potential of AZD-7762 in modulating the inflammatory state of microglia. Future studies will expand our functional analysis of the effects of AZD-7762, and compare the administration of the compound in bulk or loaded into cell-targeted drug delivery vehicles. |
148 |
Investigating the Effects of AZD-7762 as an Inhibitor of Persistent Microglia Inflammation |
Chloe Izant - Biomedical Engineeringcizant Rachal Lin - Biological Sciencesrachall Kylie Avitabile - Biological Scienceskavitab Betsy Diaz - Biological Sciencesbetsabd Angelina Nguyen - Biomedical Engineeringan6 |
Susana Ribeiro Cerqueira - Bioengineeringscerque |
| 149 |
CU Insights partnered with the South Carolina Children's Theatre (SCCT) this past semester to map the customer journey and analyze engagement. Findings highlight SCCT's strong community presence, cyclical consumer journey, and opportunities to enhance engagement through increased volunteer involvement and intentional programming. These insights will guide SCCT's marketing strategies to strengthen audience connection and outreach within the community. |
149 |
Mapping a Consumer Journey for the South Carolina Children's Theatre |
Eliza Connolly - Marketingejconno Genevieve DePole - Marketinggdepole Hailey Herzog - Marketinghherzog Michael Killian - Managementkillia2 |
Anastasia Thyroff - Department of Marketingthyroff |
| 153 |
The Coeur d'Alene Indian Tribe, or Schitsu'umsh, in the tribe's respected native language, meaning "Those who were found here" or "The discovered people," in Northern Idaho has lost 65% of its wetlands due to non-Indigenous settlements since the 1800s, which has impacted native and culturally significant wildlife population's ability to survive.Investigating how animal populations respond to stream/wetland restorations is the primary focus of this project. Using wildlife camera data collection, a non-invasive method that captures wildlife movement and density over a set period, we will compare sites that are disturbed and invaded and treatment sites that are also invaded but have been treated to assess the effect of habitat restoration on wildlife communities. Preliminary analysis of game camera data indicates there may be more individuals at sites where invasive species have been removed. Large herbaceous mammals are the main wildlife seen at the sites. We hypothesize that the site where invasive species have been treated will have more wildlife inhabiting the site due to the increased habitat and forage. Additionally, we aim to identify which species groups will experience the greatest population increase, hypothesizing that large herbivorous mammals will benefit the most due to increased vegetation availability. The overall goal of this study is to enhance our understanding of how habitat restoration impacts local wildlife communities, ultimately to advance conservation and management practices. |
153 |
Monitoring Wildlife Species Reemergence in the Coeur d’Alene Reservation of Northern Idaho: How Wetland Restoration Provides Refuge for Wildlife |
Caleb Browning - Environmental and Natural Resourcescsbrwnn Ollie Hartung - Environmental and Natural Resourcesohartun Hollis Holmes - Environmental and Natural Resourceshholme2 Elizabeth Murray - Environmental and Natural Resourcesemurr22 Grace Nammouz - Environmental and Natural Resourcesgnammou Ashlie Parham - Environmental and Natural Resourcesashliep Dylan Tomchik - Forest Resource Managementmtomchi Abby Whitaker - Environmental and Natural Resourcesmwhita2 Charlie Kloppenburg - Wildlife and Fisheries Biologyckloppe |
Althea Hagan - Forestry and Environmental Conservationshotali |
| 154 |
American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis) are long-lived top predators with high site fidelity. Known as generalists, the study of alligator diet is localized and lacks cross-state and regional study. Though alligators are considered opportunistic and generalist in their diet, habitat type, prey availability, and body size can drive varying levels of individual dietary specialists among individual alligators and populations. As part of a larger project exploring regional alligator diet and contaminants of emerging concern, we collected and analyzed stomach contents from whole stomachs collected from hunter-harvested alligators in South Carolina and Louisiana. Our objective of this project is to analyze alligator diet and to determine individual specialization of alligators within and between the states and explore possible correlations. Dietary constituents from alligator stomachs were broadly: vegetation, crustacean, reptile, fish, mammal, insect, and parasite. Non-target diet items such as metals or plastics were recorded but not included in our analyses. Each diet item was identified to the lowest taxonomic level, categorized, counted, and weighed. We then analyzed these data to calculate the Index of Relative Importance of dietary constituents among alligators and between the states. We will calculate Roughgarden indices for our diet data and compare individual specialization indices among alligators within both states and between South Carolina and Louisiana. The overall project will provide insight into the regional alligator diet and explore trends in diet, specialization, and parasitism between alligators in Louisiana and South Carolina. |
154 |
Exploration of Diet and Specialization of American Alligators in Louisiana and South Carolina |
Colin Baker - Wildlife and Fisheries Biologycmbkr Kelsey Bradford - Wildlife and Fisheries Biologykcbradf Anna Rivers Chobot - Wildlife and Fisheries Biologyachobot James Collins - Forest Resource Managementjcc7 Sophia Corey - Wildlife and Fisheries Biologysncorey Julia Creswell - Chemical Engineeringjccresw John Enderlin - Environmental and Natural Resourcesjenderl Audrey Fleming - Biological Sciencesaeflemi Addison Foster - Environmental and Natural Resourcesajf2 Rowan Luksic - Wildlife and Fisheries Biologyrluksic Mitchell Romano - Biological Sciencesromano7 Sophie Stoddard - Environmental and Natural Resourcessbstodd |
Miriam Boucher - Forestry and Environmental Conservationmnbouch James Anderson - Forestry and Environmental Conservationjta6 |
| 155 |
American Black Bears (Ursus americanus) in South Carolina have had two distinct populations: one in the southern Blue Ridge Mountains and a second in the northeastern coastal plains. With statewide population estimates increasing from 97 in 1998 to 412 in 2013, black bears have become more widely distributed nationwide. Increases in a dominant species, such as bears, often lead to competition as ecological niches overlap. Black bears are classified as opportunistic feeders, along with coyotes (Canis latrans), wild hogs (Sus scrofa), and raccoons (Procyon lotor). Given the potential for high niche overlap, we aimed to assess the frequency of coyotes, wild hogs, and raccoons across 71 camera sites in the southern Blue Ridge Mountains in relation to black bear activity. We used linear regression and activity density plots to test our main hypothesis. We hypothesized that black bear activity will negatively affect coyote detections in an area, potentially due to avoidance behaviors. Additionally, we examined the possibility that black bears avoid wild pigs, potentially due to the pigs' aggressive behavior when in danger. Lastly, we examined possible multi-species interactions, where raccoon detections increase due to fewer coyote appearances caused by black bear presence. Overall, our aim was to identify the individual relationships between black bears, hogs, coyotes, and raccoons, as well as how they interact together in their shared environments. |
155 |
The Interactions Between American Black Bears (Ursus americanus) and Wild Hogs (Sus scrofa), Coyotes (Canis latrans), and Raccoons (Procyon lotor) |
Mia Cobb - Wildlife and Fisheries Biologymjcobb Regan Kelly - Wildlife and Fisheries Biologyrekelly Trey Maranto - Wildlife and Fisheries Biologytmarant Laci Mercer - Wildlife and Fisheries Biologylmmerce Indira Robertson-Cleland - Wildlife and Fisheries Biologyindirar Jonathan Wang - Environmental and Natural Resourcesjdwang |
David Jachowski - Forestry and Environmental Conservationdjachow John Nettles - Forestry and Environmental Conservationnettle2 |
| 157 |
Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) accounts for over 5% of US hospital admissions, andAUD-related disorders have the 5th highest 30-day readmission rate (23%) of all medical conditions. Patients hospitalized with medical complications from Alcohol Use Disorder, including withdrawal, pancreatitis, cirrhosis, and acute kidney injuries,tend to have long-term,severe AUD. As part of a large randomized controlled trial, this study reports the baseline characteristics of this population. Ninety-five participants were recruited from Greenville Memorial, Oconee Memorial, and Baptist Easley Hospitalsover a ten-month period. The majority (n=60) were male, Caucasian (76%)with an average age of 48.4 years. 99% of participants that they grew up with a parent or guardian who struggled with alcohol problems, 75% reported being a current or former smoker, average years of having an AUD was 16 years, 56% reported attending a 30-day or longer rehabilitation program in the past, over 80% reported feelings of moderate to severe anxiety in the past two weeks, and over 75% reported feelings of moderate to severe depression in the past two weeks, 55% reported having been diagnosed with comorbid Major Depressive Disorder, Anxiety Disorder, or PTSD. Additional patient characteristics and the importance of these characteristics in developing effective interventions for this population will be discussed. |
157 |
Characterizing Patients Hospitalized With Medical Complications From Alcohol Use Disorder |
Annika Asuncion - Psychologyaasunci Daley Barrett - Psychologydbarre2 Madison Litton - Biological Sciencesmlitton Liv Patterson - Psychologyofpatte Ellie Pickrell - Health Scienceepickre Josephine Pittman - Psychologyjpittm2 Lillian Mooney - Psychologylpmoone Ava Blomgren - Microbiologyablomgr |
Kaileigh Byrne - Psychologykaileib Irene Pericot Valverde - Psychologyiperico |
| 158 |
The advancement of technology within the soccer industry has been transforming how coaches and athletes prepare for training and competition. Specifically, Virtual Reality (VR) has been proposed as a method to train cognitive function and decision-making skills in soccer without the biomechanical and physiological workload of traditional on-field practices. The purpose of this project is to assess the efficacy of one such training tool, BeYourBest, and compare it to a traditional on-field training drill. Our study recruits members of Clemson's Varsity, Paralympic, and Club Soccer teams to participate in a VR training drill as well as an on-field drill, both of which aim to train the cognitive skill of field scanning. We assess the impact of both drills on cognitive function by monitoring the brain activity of each player using Electroencephalography (EEG) and also qualitatively assess their experiences through a survey and guided interview. In parallel, select players participate in a two-week training program with repeated exposures to either the VR tool or on-field drill, with similar quantitative and qualitative assessments as well as an overall assessment of their improvement in field scanning during competition, measured by scanning rate and pass success rate from games played before and after the study. Data collection and processing are ongoing, but preliminary results show that VR training tools are a promising replacement for traditional on-field training drills in a soccer context and may be applicable in other sports contexts. This research is an important step in assessing the current state of the art of VR as a training tool in sports and may help guide the next generation of this technology to be more effective at increasing human performance. This work is sponsored by the Robert H. Brooks Sports Science Institute and the Creative Inquiry program at Clemson University. |
158 |
Comparison of Virtual Reality and On-field Training Drills for the Development of Cognitive Skills in Collegiate Soccer Players |
Chileshe Chitulangoma - Mechanical Engineeringcchitul Samuel Feemster - Biomedical Engineeringsfeemst Evan Fitch - Biomedical Engineeringefitch Tejdeep Uckoo - Computer Sciencetuckoo |
Felipe Bertazzo Tobar - Parks, Recreation and Tourism Managementftobar Tyler Harvey - Bioengineeringtgharve |
| 159 |
The oceans are in trouble and they need our help. That is where the Something Very Fishy creative inquiry team takes its cue. We seek to raise awareness of NOAA's seven ocean literacy principles through fun, hands-on activities for kids young and old. Through the power of storytelling and role playing our creative inquiry team members dress like marine animals, veterinarians, coral biologists, park rangers, and SCUBA divers to spread the message that we all have a role to play in saving our ocean. We engage children by introducing them to live marine animals and the world of underwater exploration through virtual reality experiences. We conduct research on the efficacy and impact of our programs through a novel and creative program assessment involving pictures of what the ocean looks like as drawn by our program participants. The differences between pre-program and post-program drawings give us insights into how a child's view of the ocean has changed by their participation in a Something Very Fishy event. This work has been generously supported by grants from SC Sea Grant, SC Space Grant, SC Arts Commission and the Clemson Creative Inquiry program. |
159 |
Something Very Fishy : Marine Science Outreach for Everyone |
Addison Chiodo - Biological Sciencesanchiod Kaitlyn Cockrell - Wildlife and Fisheries Biologykcockre Nick Herden - Biological Sciencesnherden Thomas Looper - Biological Scienceslooper4 Carley Mann - Biological Sciencescfmann Jordan O'Donnell - Environmental and Natural Resourcesjtodonn Christina Perez - Biological Sciencesnormap Mansi Pitalia - Biological Sciencesmpitali Jenna Santa Lucia - Biological Sciencesjsantal Reese Stoney - Biological Sciencesrtstone Benjamin Tran - Biological Sciencesbbtran Elizabeth Wright - Biological Sciencesefwrigh Lauren Chapple - Political Sciencelchappl Harrison Hamilton - Biological Scienceshahamil Claire Hayes - Biological Scienceschys Collin Revercomb - Biological Sciencescreverc Katie Welch - Environmental and Natural Resourceskwelch3 Amber Williams - Biological Sciencesapwllms |
Michael Childress - Biological Sciencesmchildr |
| 160 |
Among breast cancers, Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) is considered one of the most aggressive as it spreads quickly, has high rates of metastasis, and recurrence. Additionally, TNBC is difficult to diagnose in its early stages because of its appearance in younger populations, its ability to mimic benign entities when screened via ultrasound, and its rapid proliferation. As TNBC lacks many crucial receptors used in diagnosis and treatment, it is difficult to detect and treat. The progression of the TNBC monitoring stage is currently limited to serum antigen markers that lack both precision and accuracy. An alternative biomarker that may assist in diagnosis, progression monitoring, and guide therapeutic treatments is the use of regulatory RNA known as long non-coding RNA (lncRNA). Mutated regulatory elements can affect the specialized and differentially expressed genes within the cell and cause a cascade of genome instability and tumorigenesis. Specifically, research has shown that the lncRNA H19 is ectopically expressed in TNBC. To begin our laboratory research, we designed plasmids containing isoforms of H19 (T1 and T3) in pET-3b. After transformation, the presence of our insert was then confirmed with qualitative PCR (qPCR) on our extracted plasmids. Following the qPCR, the plasmids were linearized, purified, and used for in vitro transcription (IVT). IVT produced synthetic lncRNA that can be used in experimentation to characterize the isoforms and the feasibility of using them for earlier detection of TNBC. Experiments planned include transfecting breast tissue cells and examining via flow cytometry for the rise of stemness factors and also visualizing the RNA's secondary structure using Atomic Force Microscopy to elucidate if the structure influences function in the genome. |
160 |
Characterization of Long Non-Coding RNA (lncRNA) in Tumorigenesis of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) |
Logan Dowling - Biochemistryladowli Bridget Kollman - Biomedical Engineeringbkollma Rachel Sepaniak - Biomedical Engineeringrsepani |
Madison Sexton - Bioengineeringmmsexto Delphine Dean - Bioengineeringfinou Congyue Peng - Bioengineeringcongyup Abigail Smith - Bioengineeringasmit68 |
| 161 |
The goal of this project was to submit a new product to the Eggcelerator LabNew Product Development Competition. The competition criteria were that the product must contain eggs or egg products and be made with 5% liquid whole egg by weight or 3% liquid yolk. Two products were developed. One submission was Chila Chips, a one-of-a-kind egg-based chip inspired by the bold and vibrant flavors of the traditional Mexican dish, chilaquiles, with a blend of tomato, lime, chili, and cilantro. Chila Chips met innovation criteria, containing 8% liquid whole egg by formula weight. To determine shelf-life, the water activity (0.135) was measured. Shelf life is around 2-3 months, after which the quality will diminish. A sensory panel was administered to gauge consumer acceptance. Chila Chips are packed with a fiesta of flavor in every bite, as well as gluten-free, making them a snack everyone can enjoy. The second submission was Sweet Puff Pancake, a frozen gluten-free breakfast item. These pancakes use beaten egg whites to create a tall, fluffy structure, egg yolks for added protein and smooth texture, gluten-free flour to appeal to a wider range of consumers, and sweet potatoes for extra sweetness and nutritional value. After cooking, the pancakes are cooled, sealed in plastic bags, and can be stored in a freezer for 6 to 9 months. For consumption, the pancakes are reheated using a microwave oven. The use of sweet potato and gluten-free flour makes customers more inclined to buy these frozen waffles over other competitors such as Eggoand Kodiak. A nutrition analysis found this product to be a good source of vitamin A and protein. A sensory panel was administered to assess appearance, smell, taste, and likelihood of purchasing. The Sweet Puff Pancakes present a unique and gluten-free alternative to traditional frozen breakfast options. |
161 |
Eggcelerator Lab New Product Development Competition |
Alana Buckner - Food Science and Human Nutritionasbuckn Madelyn Dewan - Food Science and Human Nutritionmdewan Emily Evans - Food Science and Human Nutritionegevans Krystle Lacey - Food Science and Human Nutritionkrystll Sarah Mastowski - Food Science and Human Nutritionsmastow Nandana Panoli - Food Science and Human Nutritionnpanoli |
Carol Hegler - Food, Nutrition, and Packaging Sciencescarol |
| 162 |
The efficient operation of emergency services vehicles (ESVs) is crucial for timely response to medical and other emergencies. Traditional method (i.e., lights and siren) to alert nearby drivers falls short in ensuring the safety of all road users and the efficiency of ESV operations, as they may go unnoticed or create confusion about the ESV's directional location. In 2021, there were 198 fatalities resulting from accidents involving ESVs, with more than half of the victims being non-ESV occupants. Recent technologies (e.g., HAAS Alerts) provide real-time notifications about approaching ESVs through vehicle dashboards and smartphones. However, they have two key limitations: (1) not all vehicles are equipped with such technology, and retrofitting them can be expensive, and (2) information provided through head-down displays (HDD) such as vehicle dashboards and smartphones have been linked to increased driver distraction and reduced safety. This study aims to address these challenges by exploring the potential of wearable devices, such as smartwatches, to send notifications about approaching ESVs. Specifically, we will compare four ESV alert conditions in a driving simulator study: traditional lights and siren, vehicle dashboard HDD, haptic-visual alert on a smartwatch, and audio-visual alert on a smartwatch. Performance measures will include driving performance (e.g., reaction time, acceleration), drivers' situation awareness, user experience, and the efficiency of ESV operations (e.g., delay). We hypothesize that smartwatches will be more effective in alerting drivers and improve their interactions with ESVs, and that haptic-visual feedback will be the most effective notification method. Our team is currently setting up the driving simulator experiment, and we expect to collect human subjects data early next semester. |
162 |
Enhancing Driver Awareness of Emergency Service Vehicles Using Smartwatch-Based Notification System |
Owen Merwarth - Computer Scienceomerwar Himanshu Pallath - Computer Sciencehpallat Janki Patel - Computer Sciencejhpatel Megh Patel - Health Sciencemeghp Jacob Viehe - Computer Sciencejviehe |
Shubham Agrawal - Psychologyagrawa3 Dustin Souders - Psychologydjsoude |
| 166 |
Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of the death yearly. Mitochondria play a crucial role for energy production in the heart, where approximately 95% of ATP is generated through mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS). Mitochondrial dysfunction leads to cardiac defects. Here we utilize human stem cells to generate 2D-monolayer cardiomyocytes and 3D-cardiac organoids, to understand cardiovascular toxicology from chemical exposure, as well as mitochondrial energy production. Based on this, we developed a novel a non-invasive and real-time approach to evaluate mitochondrial function in the differentiated cardiomyocytes. We also apply interdisciplinary approaches to evaluate the effects of drug exposure on mitochondrial biogenesis and function in the differentiated 2D- and 3D-cardiac models. The outcomes of this study will carry substantial implications for enhancing therapeutic interventions and advancing human health. |
166 |
Using Human Stem Cells to Understand Cardiovascular Toxicology and Mitochondrial Disfunction |
Soren Spina - Biochemistrysorens |
Qing Liu - Biological Sciencesqliu4 Cameron Brown - Biological Sciencescbrow37 Xiao Li - Biological Sciencesxl2 |
| 167 |
Fungal infections account for over 1.5 million deaths annually, yet the most recent antifungal drugs were developed more than fifty years ago. The basidiomycete Cryptococcus neoformans accounts for 19% of all AIDS-related deaths worldwide. The Smith lab is focused on acetate and glucose metabolism, both of which are essential for full virulence of Cryptococcus. Hexokinase, the initial step of glycolysis, is critical for persistence of C. neoformans in the central nervous system of the host, but the rest of glycolysis is unexplored. We are investigating phosphofructokinase (PFK), which catalyzes the first committed step, and enolase (ENO), which catalyzes the penultimate step and has been an anticancer target. We have demonstrated that a PFK mutant displays reduced production of melanin, a key Cryptococcus virulence factor that protects against immune defense mechanisms. While creating an ENO mutant, we have shown that baicalein, an ENO inhibitor, significantly limits the growth of C. neoformans and is being examined in combination with other FDA-approved drugs. Lung macrophages, the first line of host defense against infection, provide a glucose-poor environment, and nonpreferred carbon sources such as acetate are important early in establishment of a pulmonary infection. We have demonstrated that the carrier carnitine is essential for growth on acetate in C. neoformans, and that gene deletion mutants of the carnitine biosynthesis pathway produce less melanin and display reduced virulence in a nonvertebrate model of pathogenesis. As the host may be a source of carnitine, we are utilizing toxic compounds to identify and characterize carnitine transporters in C. neoformans. By understanding how metabolic pathways contribute to the fitness and pathogenicity of fungi, we hope to identify new targets for antifungal therapies. |
167 |
Glucose and Acetate Metabolism in the Pathogenesis of Cryptococcus neoformans |
Dylan Carroll - Geneticsdpcarro Morgan Kuess - Biochemistrymkuess Jennifer Covel - Geneticsjcovel Samaha Duffy - Biochemistryduffy6 |
Kerry Smith - Genetics and Biochemistrykssmith |
| 168 |
Previous research shows that knowing one's role is very important in the performance of a small group. Therefore, role clarification (verbally defining and clearly understanding team member roles/responsibilities), is important to teamwork. This study explores the impact of role clarification on task-specific self-efficacy (SE) and collective efficacy (CE) within teams. SE refers to one's belief that they can achieve a task. CE refers to a shared belief that the team can perform effectively. We hypothesized that individuals who engaged in more role clarification would have more task-specific SE over time, and teams who engaged in more role clarification would have more CE over time. Data for this study was collected from the TEAMS paradigm, where participants were assigned specific roles in a simulated military-like mission. Audio transcripts for mission pre-briefs were coded to obtain role clarification rates at individual and team levels. Task-specific SE, as well as CE, were assessed through pre-mission surveys. The relationships between role clarification and SE and CE will be analyzed via regression. We expect that higher role clarification frequencies will predict higher SE and CE. These findings could have significant implications for improving team performance in high-risk, high-stress teams. Thus, structured pre-briefs and clear communication strategies may enhance SE and CE and, in turn, team performance. |
168 |
Mission Confidence: How Role Clarification Shapes Individual and Team Efficacy |
Taylor Billman - Biological Sciencestbillma Elizabeth Coyle - Psychologyeacoyle Emma Knight - Psychologyeeknigh Austin Roberts - Psychologyajr4 Elina Schmidt - Psychologyelinas |
Marissa Shuffler Porter - Psychologymshuffl Marlee Johnson - Psychologymarleej Aleksander Roehl - Psychologyacroehl |
| 170 |
Different social media platforms have become the main source for spreading different scientific knowledge and dental health trends. Unfortunately, a multitude of this information has been found to be misleading, something the general population has trouble detecting. One recent trend that has been picking up traction is the focus on 'silver fillings' in your mouth leading to a multitude of health effects. The web-scraping tool Apify was used to obtain different short videos under hashtags relating to mercury and amalgam on platforms including Instagram and TikTok. These videos were analyzed for misinformation and different views of the public's eye on amalgam/mercury fillings. The videos included people overexpressing the effects of mercury, personal experiences of removing amalgam fillings, or false claims against amalgam fillings. While there are two different sides regarding the application, removal, and health effects of silver fillings, many professionals encourage you to keep your silver fillings in as long as they are not providing any harm to your tooth as they are still perfectly safe. |
170 |
Are Silver Dental Fillings Toxic? Analysis of Common Misconceptions on Social Media |
Taylor Little - Biological Sciencestdlittl |
Elliot Ennis - Chemistryege |
| 171 |
Brain Tips is dedicated to bringing the latest scientific research to students, faculty, and the community through engaging social media posts on Instagram and Facebook. Each team member chooses a day of the week to post. Students summarize a series of articles from cutting-edge psychology research to form concise, easy-to-understand content. The weekly research topics include a range of psychological disorders, exercise, nutrition, studying strategies, stress management, and more. These social media summaries aim to improve student life holistically by allowing students to work in changing unconscious behaviors and unhealthy habits. Some recent topics include the benefits of journaling, the effects of caffeine on the brain, and the impacts of minimalism on mental health. Team members also work as student editors for Wikipedia, completing the necessary training to be in this role. Each student selects one or two articles related to psychology, and they work to improve these articles using the latest research in psychology. Articles are improved by adding new research, reorganizing ambiguous data, and updating statistics to keep Wikipedia accurate. Some of the most recent articles include health psychology, motor speech disorders, secure attachment, and problem gambling. Brain Tips engages in outreach through social media and email campaigns to various educators throughout the state. Brain Tips aims to communicate psychology research through engaging social media posts to improve student life and community wellness, ultimately leading to a healthier and happier Clemson community. |
171 |
Brain Tips: Communicating Science Through Social Media |
Lauren Johns - Psychologyllj2 Will Jones - Psychologywej Lulu Hottinger - Psychologychottin Kenna Quattro - Biological Scienceskquattr |
June Pilcher - Psychologyjpilche |
| 172 |
We are developing a rapid screening test that can detect the presence and concentration of SARS-CoV-2 in a patient's saliva using buoyant and magnetic microbeads. These microbeads are functionalized with antibodies targeting and binding to the SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein in a patient's saliva, forming buoyant-and-magnetic (BAM) complexes. The BAM complex consists of a buoyant microbead and a magnetic microbead bound to a single viral protein through antibodies. The naked eye can see these BAM complexes, but video analysis through MATLAB has allowed us to track the individual motion of the individual BAM complexes. We are currently optimizing the assay by creating ways to separate the beads by size, analyzing the effects of bead size on assay performance and reproducibility, and analyzing the binding probability altered through the various bead sizes. We are designing and 3D-printing stands to allow us to conduct multiple trials in parallel. Once optimized, this test has many applications within the mobile integrated healthcare (MIH) field. Within the MIH field, this test can deliver on-site results within 15 minutes without any complex equipment, providing a robust and quickly executable point-of-care test for COVID-19. |
172 |
Portable and Ultrasensitive Buoyant-Analyte-Magnetic (BAM) Assays for On-Site Diagnostics |
Jade Johnson - Chemistryjade9 |
Jeffrey Anker - Chemistryjanker |
| 173 |
We will present findings that are the product of student support of local hospitals in the development of their IRS-required Community Health Needs Assessments and their related Community Health Improvement Plans. Our creative inquiry team worked with Bon Secours, St. Francis Health System, and AnMed Health System for this project. Students engaged in broad community health research, focus groups with the community and health partners, and facilitated community services planning and priority setting. Students designed a survey to be sent out in local communities in order to gauge many health and lifestyle behaviors and then analyzed these findings in order to help guide local hospital systems in community needs. Additionally, findings were compared to data drawn from reputable databases. Findings include a major priority of mental health needs in Anderson, Pickens, and Greenville counties. Additionally, chronic conditions, substance abuse, social determinants of health, Hispanic health, and healthcare system quality were identified as top priorities through analysis of both focus group responses, survey responses, and data collected. These priorities will be used to guide local hospital systems in health improvement plans in order to serve the needs of the community. |
173 |
Local Hospital Community Needs Assessments and Community Health Improvement Planning |
Savannah Fly - Health Sciencesgfly Caroline Howard - Health Sciencechowar7 Ivan Huerta - Health Scienceihuerta McLean Mims - Health Sciencemcleanm Bazmi Momin - Biological Sciencesbmomin Caroline Russell - Health Sciencecer9 Abigail Shuman - Health Scienceashuman Blakely Valentine - Health Sciencembvalen |
Shannon Owen - Public Health Sciencesssowen |
| 175 |
The use of 3D printers is increasing across campuses, but these devices generate and disperse ultrafine particles. Ultrafine particles (approximately <100 nm) generated by 3D printing processes exhibit a Stokes number much less than unity (Stk≪1) under typical airflow conditions. This results from their small diameter, low inertia, and strong coupling with the surrounding fluid. Because of this experience, they have the potential to infiltrate the respiratory system, thereby inducing potential health complications. Commercial options are available for purchase. However, they are often only compatible with one type of printer, often only offer carbon and HEPA filters, can be prohibitively expensive, and are advertised for a single printer system and not for multi-printer systems such as what the Clemson Makerspace houses. The primary objective of our research is to devise a cost-efficient system to capture ultrafine particles during the 3D printing process for a network of printers. With Clemson's priority in student safety, this team is also interested in determining whether HEPA filters sufficiently capture ultrafine particles or if ULPA filters would be best suited for this task. Our investigations reveal that a promising approach for the Clemson Makerspace may be to design an enclosure for the 3D printer with a custom filtration system. Clemson University's Occupational and Environmental Safety group will be contacted for a benchmark study as well as a study to determine the effectiveness of the final design. |
175 |
Enhancing Makerspace Safety: Capturing Ultrafine Particle Emissions from 3D Printers |
Drew Fryman - General Engineeringafryman Nyric Timmons - Mechanical Engineeringntimmon Justin Campbell - Mechanical Engineeringjpc6 Margaret Dee - Mechanical Engineeringmedee Drew Sanders - Mechanical Engineeringaws8 |
Todd Schweisinger - Mechanical Engineeringtodds Daniel Wilson - School of ME and AuEdwilso9 |
| 177 |
There are often limited resources for learning challenging concepts in higher education due to inaccessibility and lack of creativity. One of the fundamental concepts in biochemistry is learning the structure and abbreviations of amino acids, the building blocks of proteins. Inspired by the popular New York Times word game, our Creative Inquiry developed a tool that bridges the gap between interactive learning and gamification. Using our program, Aminole, students are given a way to improve their understanding of amino acids in a fun and effective way. In the future, the goal is to provide a widely available resource for college students to learn rigorous biochemistry topics easily. |
177 |
Aminole: A Wordle-Inspired Biochemistry Learning Tool |
Cooper Gill - Health Scienceccgill Sydney Kaminsky - Biomedical Engineeringsakamin Davis Katz - Computer Sciencedbkatz Janie Mcdonald - Biological Sciencesjmcdon8 Jaiden Poole - Biological Sciencesjaidenp Deena Warid - Experiential Educationdwarid |
Heidi Anderson - Genetics and Biochemistryheidid |
| 179 |
Hand sanitizers are widely used as a first line of defense against bacterial transmission. To be effective, they must demonstrate strong antimicrobial efficacy, rapid kill-time, and shelf-life stability. Initial evidence suggests that the active ingredient used may serve as a natural alternative for topical antimicrobial formulations. This study aims to evaluate the shelf-life efficacy of a novel hand sanitizer based on natural ingredients. To achieve this, the ASTM E2315-23 time-kill protocol was employed. Prior to testing, an experiment was conducted to determine the optimal neutralizer ratio for complete antimicrobial inactivation. A 30-day accelerated shelf-life test was then performed using heat as an accelerant. Antimicrobial efficacy against Staphylococcus aureus was assessed at 10 time points. Upon completion, further testing will evaluate the formulation's efficacy against additional bacterial strains. In conclusion, this research seeks to test the shelf-life efficacy of a novel natural-based antimicrobial against S. aureus, gaining insight into its potential use in hand sanitizers. |
179 |
Long-Term Efficacy Testing of a Novel Disinfectant |
Matthias Bettger - Biomedical Engineeringmbettge Kyle Reich - Biomedical Engineeringreich Nathan Zurawski - Biomedical Engineeringnzuraws |
Alexey Vertegel - Bioengineeringvertege |
| 184 |
Advocacy is at the forefront of nursing care. Implicit biases, also known as unconscious biases or IB, lead to subtle nuances that cause negative interactions with already stigmatized patient groups (Schultz & Baker, 2017). In conducting the study with prelicensure nursing students, the hope is to expand the knowledge of future nurses before they enter the world of healthcare. In starting this education early, a proactive approach is being taken to help mitigate the negative impacts implicit biases may have on patient care. The purpose of this study is to raise freshmen nursing students' awareness about implicit bias; understand the role of self-reflection as a method for understanding one's own biases; and assess freshmen nursing students' thoughts and feelings about implicit bias and nursing student-patient relationships before and after they take an Implicit Association Test (IAT) and attend an Implicit Bias education session. Following IRB approval, the information about the study was presented in the NURS 1020 Nursing Success Skills class. Participants completed the "Best Intentions Student Questionnaire 1", Project Implicit's Race IAT, attended an implicit bias educational session led by Jenn Beatty, and the "Best Intentions Student Questionnaire 2".Responses from the Best Intentions 1 and 2 Questionnairefrom2021-2024 have been analyzed after separating the different demographics and comparing their pre and post assessment replies. Overall, the education session increasedstudents'understanding of what implicit bias is and how to recognize their own implicit bias. |
184 |
Investigating the Role of the Nurse Advocate in Addressing Implicit Bias |
Julia Caggiano - Nursingjcaggia Andie Kelley - Nursingandiek Isabella Masters - Nursingimaster David Middleton - Nursingdmiddl2 Brooke Fontana - Biological Sciencesbfontan Gabrielle McCoskey - Nursinggmccosk Emilee Green - Nursingehgreen Lauren Nobles - Nursinglnobles |
Janice Lanham - School of Nursingjanicel Margaret Wetsel - School of Nursingmwetsel |
| 185 |
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a rare grade IV glioma tumor that affects the central nervous system. Current treatment methods include tumor resection, chemotherapy, and radiation, all resulting in low prognosis. As new therapeutics are being developed, the cellular model by which they are tested should reflect the in vivo tumor environment for better translatability. Three-dimensional models, such as spheroids, can better mimic the GBM tumor environment, unlike the traditional two-dimensional cell models. This study aims to characterize in vitro models for GBM treatments using U87MG spheroids and compare the gene expression of both two-dimensional and three-dimensional models. Gene and protein expression assays were used to compare the expressions of genes overly expressed in glioblastoma for both 2D cells and 3D spheroids. Apoptosis (cell death) quantification was also used to further characterize the differing layers of U87MG spheroids. Future studies include further spheroid characterization and gene expression analysis in 2D and 3D models. Following characterization, U87MG spheroids will be used as an improved in vitro model to investigate a new treatment for GBM, novel co-loaded hydrogels for combination treatment. |
185 |
The Characterization of Three-Dimensional Spheroids for Glioblastoma In Vitro Modeling |
Aaron Anderson - General Engineeringaca9 |
Angela Alexander - Bioengineeringangelaa Jessie Boulos - Bioengineeringjboulos |
| 186 |
Is standing up to others subjectively different than compromising with them? 1160 participants taking an online measure of personal strengths, the Values in Action scale, answered questions about a time they stood up to, and about a time they compromised with, others who held strongly different beliefs about how the world should be or how a specific situation should be handled. They were then asked numerous follow-up questions about each action, including how courageous the action was, the goals of the action, and the risks of the action. Overall, standing up was rated as more courageous than compromise, but some individual and situational differences modified this relationship. This study was supported by Clemson Creative Inquiry and a grant in kind from the VIA Institute. Challenging around is a new concept of organizational conflict where one challenges those at the same level internally (e.g., co-worker) or externally (e.g., client), posing a risk to themselves or others. The focus of our creative inquiry is exploring the relationship between whether a person is challenged externally or internally within the organization and the type of risk taken (e.g., physical, professional, or personal). This study was conducted through an online survey of 165 workers who were asked relevant questions such as the circumstances of the organizational conflict, the risks involved, and the outcome, and it categorized them into their respective climates. Data coding is currently ongoing. Our research was aided by the Clemson University Creative Inquiry Program. |
186 |
Two Studies on Interpersonal Courage |
Ethan Callahan - Psychologyeacalla Staci Eudy - Biological Sciencessjeudy Stephanie Gillis - Psychologysvgilli Lauren Huser - Psychologylhuser Patricio Muraira Davila - Psychologypmurair |
Cynthia Pury - Psychologycpury |
| 187 |
The present work aims to investigate user preferences towards gamification in a cyber-security training scenario. Previous research has shown the effectiveness of gamification elements in increasing user satisfaction and learning in training environments. However, the current scope has failed to demonstrate such effects. Here, 175 participants were presented with multiple gamification elements and styles and were then asked to provide feedback on their preference toward each. Specific game components included storylines, character art styles, achievements, leaderboards, and ranks. User responses were then analyzed using multiple methods, including traditional coder-based review, simplified text-based processing, as well as modern artificial intelligence (AI) natural language processing (NLP) models. Results from these methods were then compared with one another to ultimately inform and improve upon such game elements in future study designs. Additionally, this research has broad implications for future research analyzing open-ended response data. The results highlight the utility of each text interpretation method as well as their inherent limitations. |
187 |
User Perceptions of Gamification: A Comparative Analysis of Text Responses |
Virginia Chapman - Psychologyvlchapm Sophia Dombrowski - Psychologysfdombr Madeleine Doniel - Psychologymdoniel Alyssa Lorenzi - Psychologyaploren Angileah Prescott - Computer Scienceangilep |
William Volante - Psychologywvolant Dawn Sarno - Psychologydmsarno |
| 191 |
Metastatic breast cancer has been shown to be more aggressive and drug resistant when compared to the primary site; however, it is unclear what factors drive this pro-survival phenotype at the secondary site. A key step in metastasis is when circulating tumor cells (CTCs) intravasate into the vasculature and extravasate at a distal location to form secondary tumors. When traversing, CTCs are exposed to fluid shear stress (FSS), the force acting on the cell parallel to the endothelium. Previous studies have shown exposure to FSS induces proliferation of breast cancer cells, so it was hypothesized that exposure FSS can induce a pro-survival phenotype of enhanced migratory capabilities during the final stages of metastasis. This study aimed to develop a modular microfluidic approach to expose triple negative breast cancer cells to FSS and study their one-dimensional (1D) migration. 1D migration was selected as recent studies have shown the underlying mechanisms driving cell migration are more similar between 1D and 3D migration when compared to 2D migration. The cells were first sheared in a 1 m long serpentine channel that was paired with a migratory microfluidic device containing 7 µm channels for 1D migration. Cellular migration was tracked and analyzed for distance, speed, and displacement between sheared and non-sheared cohorts. Results showed nonsignificant differences between the two populations prompting an aggregation of data based on displacement. Sheared cells showed a significant increase in distance and speed in high and intermediately displaced sub-populations. Angle directionality analysis showed increased directional purpose in sheared cells. This approach provided new insights into the role of FSS on 1D migration of TNBC, suggesting that FSS exposure enhances the migratory behavior of subpopulations of metastasizing cancer cells. |
191 |
A Microscale Approach to Investigate How Exposure to Fluid Shear Stress Enhances the 1D Migration of Cancer Cells |
Katie Cancro - Microbiologykcancro Katherine Finkel - Biological Scienceskgfinke |
Braulio Ortega Quesada - Chemical and Biomolecular Engineeringbraulio Adam Melvin - Chemical and Biomolecular Engineeringmelvina |
| 192 |
Herpetofauna (amphibians and reptiles) are among the most imperiled vertebrate taxa on Earth. The southeastern United States represents high levels of biodiversity in both of these groups across a wide variety of habitats. Among other threats, vulnerability to climate change and habitat loss and degradation pose significant threats to herpetofauna populations at global, regional, and local scales, including the southeast. Therefore, it is paramount that we understand the factors influencing herpetofauna diversity in different habitats, specifically in relation to temporal and rapidly changing environmental variables. This project aims to assess the differences in herpetofauna diversity, in terms of species richness, between two key habitat types in the southeastern coastal plain, and to evaluate and compare the extent to which four environmental variables (temperature, precipitation, Julian date, and degree-days) affect diversity. To measure herpetofauna diversity, we used a suite of field-sampling techniques including visual encounter surveys, auditory surveys, camera trapping, and other active and passive trapping techniques. We used a t-test to determine whether there was a statistically significant difference in species richness between bottomland hardwood swamps and upland habitat such as scrubland and longleaf pine savanna. We then used Generalized Linear Mixed Modeling (GLMM) to evaluate the effects of our environmental variables on herpetofauna species richness in both habitats. |
192 |
From Swamps to Uplands: How Temperature and Time Influence Herpetofauna Diversity in Two Coastal Plain Habitats |
Destiny Aiken - Environmental and Natural Resourcesdaaiken Nathaniel Battaglia - Wildlife and Fisheries Biologynbattag Aubrie Hartley - Wildlife and Fisheries Biologyaubrieh Alice Lay - Biological Scienceslay4 Maddy Nealey - Animal and Veterinary Sciencemnealey Caleb Shindledecker - Environmental and Natural Resourcescshindl Joseph Tobon - Wildlife and Fisheries Biologyjtobon |
Erin Buchholtz - Forestry and Environmental Conservationekbuchh Samantha Smith - Forestry and Environmental Conservationsns4 Ty Tobias - Forestry and Environmental Conservationttobias |
| 194 |
This study examines membership trends and visitation patterns at The Children's Museum of the Upstate (TCMU) through a full statistical analysis of geographic origins, membership records, and visitation trends. Through the integration of time-oriented data and visitor demographics, the research is capable of identifying the peak attendance periods and discovers connections between museum visits and membership engagement. Findings offer a data-driven approachto perfect staffing levels, certifying that the allocation of human resource resources aligns with the seasonal fluctuations in visitor demand. In addition, geospatial analysis of visitor origin data shows the museum's larger role in regional tourism. This reveals how local and outside visitors contribute to the broader economic impact of TCMU, which supports strategic choices focused on intensifying tourism initiatives and community outreach.The study implements statistical and geospatial mapping techniques to uncover trends, but also to support operational planning by the museum and bolster grant applications. With evidence of TCMU's impact on local tourism and economic development, the museum is capable of receiving more funding from upstate counties and cities. These discoveries enable TCMU to also refine service delivery, target marketing efforts, and secure more funding by demonstrating the key role the museum plays as a cultural and educational asset in the region. This integrated analysis approach positions TCMU to optimize visitor experience and organizational stability through informed decisions regarding resource management and staff distribution. |
194 |
Leveraging Data for Growth: A Comprehensive Study of Membership, Visitation, and Economic Impact at The Children's Museum of the Upstate. |
Nadia Chestnut - Data Sciencenchestn Juliette Fernicola - Mathematical Sciencesjfernic Adam Gibson - Data Scienceapg5 |
Ellen Breazel - School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciencesehepfer |
| 195 |
In cells, biopolymer filaments form assemblies that assist cell processes like shape regulation and motility. One type of biopolymer filament is actin, which self-assembles in the cell. Protein cross-linkers bind to actin and create bundles and networks. There is recent evidence that protein condensates, which are liquid-like protein droplets, may interact with actin filaments to create bundles. Here, we show experimental evidence that protein condensates induced bundling of actin filaments. First, we use confocal fluorescence microscopy to image the actin-condensate bundles. We quantitatively analyze the bundle thickness using ImageJ and fitting the data to a Gaussian form. This research contributes to understanding the microstructure of condensate bundled actin filaments, informing broader investigations into condensate-induced assembly formation of cytoskeletal filaments. We wish to thank the Clemson Creative Inquiry program and the Weirich Lab for their support throughout the duration of this project. |
195 |
Protein Condensate Induced Bundling of Biopolymer Filaments |
Olivia Laukat - Biomedical Engineeringolaukat Carolyn Feigeles - Materials Science and Engineeringcafeige Adam Puchalski - Materials Science and Engineeringapuchal Artis Brasovs - Materials Science and Engineeringabrasov Konstantin Kornev - Materials Science and Engineeringkkornev |
Kimberly Weirich - Materials Science and Engineeringweirich |
| 197 |
At the International Student Cluster Competition (SCC) at SC24, our team was tasked with building a supercomputer that performed scientific applications within the power budget. The competition enhances students' knowledge of high-performance computing architectures, programming methods, and performance measurement. During the Fall 2024 semester, we rigorously prepared for the 72-hour competition by running and optimizing atmospheric, scientific, and mathematical applications and placed 7th globally. We worked with Palmetto resources to thoroughly understand our applications. We then built a small-scale cluster with hardware from vendor partners. We configured our cluster's settings and installed software applications, and we benchmarked our cluster's performance. We managed and tracked hardware utilization to remain within the competition's power budget. We successfully implemented parallel computing techniques to run scientific applications efficiently. Team members have utilized their experience from this competition to launch research projects in high-performance computing. Students networked with HPC professionals to secure full-time positions and internships. Team members are eager to advance our cluster applications and mentor new CI students this coming semester. Clemson University is acknowledged for the generous allotment of Palmetto compute. DELL Technologies is acknowledged for their support in the development of our cluster. This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. SHF-1943114 and OAC-2204011. |
197 |
To Atlanta and Beyond: A Report on Our Successes at Supercomputing 2024 |
Ainara Garcia - Computer Engineeringainarag Chloe Crozier - Computer Sciencecscrozi Marcus McAbee - Computer Engineeringmemcabe Samuel Quan - Computer Engineeringshquan Benjamin Schlueter - Computer Engineeringbschlue Kristen Guernsey - Computer Engineeringkguerns |
Jon Calhoun - Electrical and Computer Engineeringjonccal Scott Groel - Research Computing and Datasgroel |
| 203 |
In-situ resource utilization is a critical component of NASA's current and future Lunar exploration missions. The overarching goal of this CI project is to advance our understanding of the Lunar regolith and explore innovative technologies to utilize them as in situ resources for infrastructure development on the lunar surface. This year's focus is on the characterization of selected Lunar regolith simulant (LRS) and the creation and characterization of icy regolith samples. The team conducted particle size analysis and shear strength tests on LRS. A new test plan was developed and implemented to create icy lunar regolith samples in cryogenic conditions, and preliminary strength tests were conducted. Finally, the team tested the hypothesis that the dielectric permittivity of ice and regolith can be used to distinguish and quantify the amount of water ice in icy regolith samples. Findings from this CI project advance our understanding of lunar regolith and icy lunar regolith. Characterization data from this CI will be used in future model and proposal development. |
203 |
Characterization of Lunar Regolith and Icy Lunar Regolith for In Situ Resource Utilization |
Clay Simpson - Mechanical Engineeringcjsimps Sam Steinmetz - Civil Engineeringssteinm Apurva Mitta - Mechanical Engineeringapurvam Madison Pirog - General Engineeringmpirog Luke Manolescu - Civil Engineeringlmanole |
Qiushi Chen - Civil Engineeringqiushi Jesus Badal - Civil Engineeringjesusb |
| 205 |
This study investigates microbial contamination on bar countertops, specifically targeting bacterial loads in high-traffic environments. Using standardized sampling techniques, countertops from ten local bars were swabbed weekly for six weeks. Bacterial counts for aerobic bacteria, Staphylococcus spp., and yeasts/molds were determined, with results showing varied contamination levels across bars. Factors influencing contamination, such as surface material, temperature, moisture, and hygiene practices, were also considered. Aerobic bacteria, Staph and yeasts/molds were recovered from all locations, with some bar surfaces having over 4 logs of bacteria per cm2. Staph and yeast/molds were recovered at a level of over 3 logs per cm2 at some locations. The study highlights the significant role of bar counter surfaces as reservoirs for harmful bacteria, emphasizing the need for regular cleaning, proper food handling, and staff hygiene protocols to reduce microbial risks in bars. |
205 |
The Presence of Bacteria, Yeast, and Mold on Bar Countertops in Local College Bars |
Sophie Bigonette - Food Science and Human Nutritionsbigone Julia Bradford - Food Science and Human Nutritionjkbradf Stephen Crumley - Food Science and Human Nutritionscrumle Farrah El Kachbendi - Food Science and Human Nutritionfelkach Marlaina Martucci - Food Science and Human Nutritionmmartuc Joel McCurdy - Food Science and Human Nutritionjcmccur Bryce Morris - Food Science and Human Nutritionbryce8 Marissa Rincon - Food Science and Human Nutritionmrincon Keegan Vittum - Food Science and Human Nutritionkvittum Alexa Wilberding - Food Science and Human Nutritionawilber Ahmet Buyukyavuz - Food, Nutrition, and Packaging Sciencesabuyuky |
Paul Dawson - Food, Nutrition, and Packaging Sciencespdawson |
| 206 |
EMPOWERS (Evaluating Mentoring Practices for Optimal Work-Life Balance in Education and Research in STEM Graduate Studies) is a program designed to train faculty advisors and graduate student mentors in evidence-based, holistic mentoring practices. This approach integrates bilateral career development and psychosocial support, fostering strong mentor-mentee relationships and promoting both personal and professional growth. Recognizing the critical role of mental health and inclusion in STEM graduate success, EMPOWERS addresses the gap in faculty and graduate mentoring through targeted training modules, as many faculty lack expertise in holistic mentorship and mentees often struggle to approach advisors. EMPOWERS mentor training, executed by Clemson's Graduate Center for Transformational Mentorship (GCTM), offers faculty and graduate development sessions, awarding digital badges for course completion. These sessions have engaged faculty across multiple STEM disciplines at Clemson. By equipping mentors with research-driven strategies, EMPOWERS fosters an inclusive mentorship model that normalizes conversations about mental health and work-life balance. This strengthens graduate student advocacy for well-being and enhances retention and success. Insights from ongoing surveys and interviews will continue to refine holistic mentoring practices, further supporting professional and personal growth in STEM graduate education. |
206 |
Advancing Mentorship Excellence in Graduate STEM Education: EMPOWERing Faculty and Graduate Students to Strengthen Mentorship Success |
Adelyn Dwyer - Economicsadelynd Kassidy Maron - Geneticskassidm Lily Fender - Experiential Educationlgfende |
Randi Sims - Biological Sciencesrsims Karen High - Engineering and Science Educationkhigh Sofia Brewer - Engineering and Science Educationsbrewe2 |
| 207 |
The Oyster Reef Restoration Creative Inquiry aims to optimize oyster spat attachment onto various materials and designs. We are investigating low-cost methods and sustainable material options. The overall goal is to work to prevent erosion of coastal areas, reduce saltwater retention, and improvethe ecological diversity of estuaries. |
207 |
Oyster Reef Restoration |
Rani Hameid - Biosystems Engineeringranih Audrey Hegedus - Biosystems Engineeringahegedu Victoria Langlo - Biosystems Engineeringvlanglo Maria Miller - Biosystems Engineeringmmill64 Riley O'Bleness - Biosystems Engineeringroblene Danielle Pacheco - Biosystems Engineeringdjpache Rebekha Patel - Biosystems Engineeringrebekhp Owen Rogers - Biosystems Engineeringogroger Madison Shaw - Biosystems Engineeringmlshw Isabella Tumey - Landscape Architectureitumey Avery Yorston - Environmental Engineeringayorsto |
Caye Drapcho - Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciencescdrapch |
| 208 |
The amount of college students facing food insecurity is rising in the United States, with estimates that 12.7% to 89.6% of college students experience food insecurity (Z. Richards et al., 2023). Growing food insecurity results in increased reliance on food pantries (Hudak et al., 2022). While college food pantries support food-insecure students, there is concern about whether their food is nutritionally adequate. Research has shown that these students consume healthy foods less frequently than their food-secure peers (O. Celik et al., 2023). Specifically, one study found that after assessing the stock at the campus pantry, the recommended daily intake could not be met for a single food group. Only 15% of the recommended daily intake could be met for protein if one shop solely at the pantry (E. Frymark et al., 2020). While this information is beneficial, the nutritional value of food offered at campus pantries would still constitute a gap in the literature due to the lack of research. This study aims to add to the literature by analyzing the nutritional value of food at a college pantry in a rural college community. Using a mixed-methods approach, we will simulate selecting the allotted number of pantry items at Clemson University's Paw Pantry. Subsequently, we will measure the specific nutrient content of the items as well as determine the overall nutritional balance of these foods. Inadequate amounts of protein, fiber, and essential micronutrients were observed in comparison to recommended dietary allowances (NIH, 2005). Additionally, excessive quantities of sodium and sugar were noted. Researchers, campus administrators, and other institutions can use the study's findings to identify potential gaps in pantry users' nutritional intake to improve nutritional support for students and promote the donation of healthy foods to campus food pantries. |
208 |
A Mixed-Method Exploration into the Nutritional Value of College Campus Food Pantry Items |
Erin Billington - Food Science and Human Nutritionelbilli Abigail Bright - Food Science and Human Nutritionaebrigh Alejandra Carranza-Lima - Environmental and Natural Resourcesamcarra Miranda Felt - Food Science and Human Nutritionmjfelt Luke Fillmore - Food Science and Human Nutritionlfillmo Kate Murphy - Food Science and Human Nutritionkamrphy Kate Schrecker - Food Science and Human Nutritionnschrec |
Sheliah G Durham - Teaching and Learningsdurham Jennifer Kornell - Teaching and Learningjakorne |
| 210 |
Steel Bridge team is a program where students collaborate to create a scale-model steel bridge for the Annual Student Steel Bridge Competition. Students are challenged to develop professional and hands-on skills by working through the whole Project Process. This includes making designs in AutoCAD, creating budget plans for the materials, learning how to fabricate the bridge, and building it themselves. |
210 |
Steel Bridge Team |
Wade Alley - General Engineeringwalley Haynes White - Civil Engineeringhmw5 Ebony-Serene Abdul-Rahman - Civil Engineeringeabdulr Kwasi Boyd - General Engineeringkwasib Daniel Flores Hernandez - Civil Engineeringdaflore Genevieve Harris - Civil Engineeringgdharri Olivia Ruscitto - Civil Engineeringoruscit |
Weichiang Pang - Civil Engineeringwpang |
| 212 |
Environmental DNA and RNA are increasingly used to monitor biological impacts on air and water quality. Recent advances in sampling allow new opportunities to study airborne microorganisms more effectively and conveniently. In this CI project, we filtered microbes (bacteria and fungi) from air using existing technology to collect duplicate samples along a 4-km predetermined route in Clemson, SC in Fall 2024 to explore microbial composition and diversity. We extracted DNA from the samples for metagenomic shotgun sequencing. Combined sequence and environmental metadata were analyzed and visualized in Namco Microbiome Explorer. The results identified diverse bacterial and fungal taxa present in the air, particularly on clear days, including decomposers, commensals, and animal and plant pathogens, providing insight into the invisible airborne microbiome. This study reveals the importance of continued air sequencing to monitor microbial communities and their impacts on the environment. |
212 |
What's in the air that we can't see? |
Isabella Andrews - Biochemistryira Kaylee Board - Biochemistrykeboard Gabbie Gardiner - Biochemistryggardin Alexandra Harrington - Biochemistryafh Kate McCarthy - Geneticskimccar Caroline Munter - Environmental and Natural Resourcescmunter Lauren Poyck - Geneticslpoyck |
Kimberly Kanapeckas Metris - Genetics and Biochemistrykmetris |
| 213 |
The Global Public Policy Institute states that there were 336 chemical attacks by the Syrian Arab Republic between 2012 and 2019. According to a 2013 Human Rights Watch Report, opposition-controlled Ghouta was targeted in a chemical weapons attack. Human Rights Watch investigations found that the alleged rockets used in the attack were likely produced by the Syrian Arab Republic, and the chemical used in attacks was the nerve agent Sarin. The estimated death toll of the attack in Ghouta was a staggering 1400, mostly women and children. Immediately following the August 2013 chemical weapon attack in Ghouta, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) came to an agreement on Resolution 2118. Per the resolution, the Syrian Arab Republic is required to destroy its entire supply of chemical weapons under the direct supervision of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW). The international community should want to place emphasis that due to the Syrian Arab Republic's numerous violations of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), it will be eligible for scrutiny under Articles XII and XIV of the convention. Victims of these attacks urge member states to enhance collaboration with states belonging to the OPCW-EC to go against Syria and their consistent abuse of chemical weapons. |
213 |
Address the Concerns Regarding the Syrian Chemical Weapons Progran |
Jack Kinder - Sociologyjkkinde |
Xiaobo Hu - Political Sciencexhu |
| 214 |
Predatory publishers prioritize financial gain over scientific integrity. They exploit researchers by sending multiple emails inviting paper submissions for deceptive journals that falsely claim high impact factors, reputable Editorial Board members, and expert peer reviewers. This practice undermines public trust in science and damages the reputation of researchers. Aims of our Fall semester project were to reproduce a previously published machine learning (ML) model [1] for predatory journal detection using a newly created dataset. Aims of our Spring semester project were to improve the ML model and increase accuracy. A new dataset was created using known legitimate journals from the Directory of Open Access Journals and known predatory journals from Cabell's Predatory Reports. We implemented two different ML methods with neural networks. The main difference between these two methods lay in how to obtain the vector representation for each journal: i) using the data preprocessing methods described in ref [1] ii) using some existing embedding models from natural language processing area. In addition, with the rapid development of large language models (LLMs), we tested some open-source LLMs to directly predict whether each journal in the dataset was legitimate or predatory. Fall semester findings indicated that the previously published ML model was reproducible using the new dataset. However the best accuracy was around 70%, less than that reported in the previous publication. Improvements made in Spring semester resulted in an accuracy of over 90%. Findings from the current study could be used to help future Clemson researchers more quickly detect and avoid predatory journals. |
214 |
AI vs. Predatory Journals: The Battle for Academic Integrity |
Andrew Bratton - Computer Scienceatbratt Marshall Turbes - Computer Sciencemturbes Ella Wadleigh - Computer Scienceewadlei Nadia Chestnut - Data Sciencenchestn Ryon Peddapalli - Computer Sciencerpeddap |
Karen Burton - University Librarieskbburto Jeryl Jones - Animal and Veterinary Sciencesjerylj Fanchen Meng - Watt Family Innovation Centerfanchem Ruoyu Yang - Watt Family Innovation Centerruoyuy |
| 216 |
Research shows that facial cosmetics enhance attractiveness and can positively impact social perception (Van Leeuwen et al., 2016). Prior studies suggest that women who wear makeup are often seen as more professional and competent, improving their chances in job applications (Tommerup & Furnham, 2019). However, these benefits are not equally experienced across racial groups, as racial biases affect how appearance influences evaluations (Harris & Rivera, 2008).This study aims to examine these dynamics further, particularly how makeup impacts workplace perceptions across different racial backgrounds. We will be distributing a survey using AI-generated headshots of women from different racial backgrounds (White, Black, Asian) with 3 different levels of makeup (none, light, heavy) to assess their perceived competence, attractiveness, and hireability. Data collection is currently in progress. |
216 |
Beauty and Bias: Exploring the Role of Makeup in Perceived Hireability |
Maria Del Mastro - Psychologymdelmas Daniella Delgado - Psychologydadelga Lauren Desing - Psychologyldesing Emily Ippolito - Psychologyecippol Mark Richter - Psychologymlricht Meghan Shank - Psychologymashank Jonelle Treusch - Psychologyjtreusc |
Allison Traylor - Psychologyamtrayl Lizzie Bell - Psychologylizzieb Gabrielle Rufrano - Psychologygrufran |
| 218 |
This is an interdisciplinary project that seeks to bring awareness of mass incarceration while contributing to transformative efforts to end it. Students research aspects of the US correctional system, receive input, and exchange ideas with incarcerated students. We partner with Perry Correctional Institution, Phillips State Prison, and Greenville Detention Center to offer educational opportunities to students in both cohorts. Students read and reflect upon the personal experiences of incarcerated individuals through the genre of prison literature. Independent research focuses on critical issues within the prison system, such as maternal healthcare. Students examine the quality of care for incarcerated pregnant women and post-childbirth support. Students also apply the biopsychosocial model to identify risk factors for incarceration. Other areas of study include disease prevention, evaluating prison hygiene, medication access, and COVID-19 protocols, as well as assessing the availability and ethicality of mental health treatment. Additionally, students investigate overcrowding in pretrial detention centers and its implications. Other potential avenues include community education through hosting campus-wide events such as presentations and guest speakers. |
218 |
Humanities Prison Initiative |
Maddalyn Knaack - Communicationmaddalk Averi Brice - Landscape Architectureaverib Brett Porter - Englishbporte6 Kristie Alianiello - Honors Programskaliani |
Nancy Paxton-Wilson - Interdisciplinary Studies Departmentnpaxton |
| 219 |
Early identification requires quick testing for a pathogen of interest in a multitude of potential high-risk sites. This project will focus on the development of panels suited to detect prevalent infectious disease, expanding from CoV SC2 (SARS-CoV-2) and further testing other pathogens such as H5N1 (avian influenza), MPOX (monkeypox), Influenza A (InfA), Influenza B (InfB), Pepper Mild Mottle Virus (PMMV), and Respiratory Syncytial Virus A-B (RSV A-B) using wastewater samples from South Carolina. For wastewater research, we utilize (droplet digital PCR) ddPCR. This reaction utilizes the oil droplet technique to accurately quantify copies of the target sequence in a sample. ddPCR is a technique that consists of three main machines. The first machine utilizes the sample prepared with the control and experimental pathogens to generate oil droplets, and each droplet contains a copy of the target sequence. The second machine performs the PCR amplification following specific thermal cycles. The last machine reads and analyzes the results from the droplets; it does so by detecting fluorescence in the droplets that contain the pathogenic strand, giving a quantification of the number of pathogens identified in a specific wastewater sample. The results of this research have detected some positive viruses in the wastewater samples. Our lab values preventative research and the testing of wastewater-based samples is advantageous for detection of infectious diseases and the prevention of future outbreaks. |
219 |
Identifying Key Pathogens in Wastewater Samples |
Sofia Bufano - Biochemistrysbufano Ellison Fleming - Biochemistryebflemi Connor McClain - Biomedical Engineeringcmccla2 |
Aya Naser - Bioengineeringanaser Delphine Dean - Bioengineeringfinou Congyue Peng - Bioengineeringcongyup |
| 220 |
The majority of women in substance use treatment have a history of interpersonal violence, specifically sexual violence (SV) and intimate partner violence (IPV), placing them at high risk for revictimization and substance use relapse. We conducted a single-arm pilot trial of The Healthy Relationships and Interpersonal Violence Education (THRIVE) program, aimed at reducing risk and increasing protective behaviors to prevent SV and IPV for women in substance use treatment. We recruited 92 participants from two substance use treatment sites: the Phoenix Center (residential) and Prisma Health Addiction Medicine Clinic (outpatient). Participants completed self-report questionnaires at baseline, post-test, and one-month follow-up on SV/IPV knowledge, attitudes, and behavioral intentions. We employed a repeated measures ANOVA to assess main effects, as well as moderating effects of study site on outcomes from baseline to one month. Results showed significant main effects, indicating increased resistance behaviors [F(2,102)=11.32, p=<.001], reduced barriers to resistance [F(2,104)=4.12, p=.019], and improved knowledge of consent [F(2,104)=4.74, p=.011]. Interaction terms were not significant, indicating no differences between residential vs. outpatient study sites. Overall, THRIVE demonstrates the potential to lessen the risk of SV and IPV revictimization, and to improve the use of protective behaviors for women in a variety of substance use treatment settings. |
220 |
Residential and Outpatient Comparison of Study Site and Time Outcomes from THRIVE: An Interpersonal Violence Prevention Program for Women in Substance Use Treatment |
Caroline Greco - Psychologycrgreco Meghan Shank - Psychologymashank Allison Smith - Psychologyasmit57 Lauren Smalls - Psychologyltsmall Madelyn Brancato - Experiential Educationmgbranc |
Irene Pericot Valverde - Psychologyiperico Heidi Zinzow - Psychologyhzinzow |
| 221 |
Insectivorous bats are predators that are crucial in regulating insect populations in various ecosystems. Bats play an important role in pest predation that is beneficial to natural ecosystems as well as human activities. The insect orders most commonly consumed by southeastern bat species are Coleoptera, Diptera, Lepidoptera, Hymenoptera, and Hemiptera (Whitby et al., 2020). While bats are known to be generalists, there are significant differences in the consumption of insect orders based on foraging strategies and habitat between species (Maslo, 2025). The objective of this study was to determine how the abundance of insect orders affects the activity of bat species. Bat activity was quantified by counting the number of bat calls detected using acoustic detectors that were placed at the edge and interior of 29 fields throughout the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area in Tennessee and Kentucky from May to August 2024. Insect abundance was measured by collecting nocturnal insects at each of the sites using flight intercept traps, sorting the insects by order, and counting the number of insects in each order. The Pearson correlation coefficient was applied to the data to determine the correlation between bat activity and insect order abundance. A preliminary analysis conducted on insect data revealed no significant relationship between insect order abundance and bat activity. These findings contribute to the understanding of interactions between insectivorous bats and their prey, providing insight into bat foraging behavior that helps inform conservation efforts. |
221 |
Impact of Insect Order Abundance on Species Specific Bat Activity |
Aubrie Hartley - Wildlife and Fisheries Biologyaubrieh Taylor Henry - Biological Sciencesahenry5 Anna Johnson - Environmental and Natural Resourcesajohn79 Isabella Marrone - Environmental and Natural Resourcesimarron Elizabeth McNulty - Biological Sciencesermcnul Fern Michael - Environmental and Natural Resourcestmicha2 |
Caroline Abramowitz - Forestry and Environmental Conservationcabramo |
| 222 |
The students of the Design Justice Elective have been questioning accessibility in the built environment. From access to spaces to access to information. Teams of 2-3 students have focused on different aspects within South Carolina. They have studied access to food, health, education and transportation, among other topics. How are architects' designs influenced by these systems? How much is the architecture in the state responsible for accessibility? |
222 |
Inclusive Design Access |
Jenna McCoy - Architecturejamccy Spencer Nelson - Architectureshn2 Kirkland Potteiger - Architecturekpottei Emily Screws - Architectureegscrew Kelsey Simmons - Architectureksimmo8 |
Clarissa Mendez - School of Architecturecmendez |
| 223 |
Punishment and sentencing affect the criminal behaviors of juveniles throughout the world. Is this a United States phenomenon, or do these effects also hold the same weight across several countries? Thus, how do prison sentences for drug crimes affect the universal response to self-reporting drug use and conviction of those found in violation of the laws? This quantitative study can assist in understanding the impact of punishment and crime regarding the number of juvenile convictions in systems with juvenile legislatures. Using EU and UN legislation and humanitarian efforts along with domestic criminal justice laws as background, insight into the impact of domestic laws on these self-reporting juveniles will be provided.This is the first comparative quantitative study on the capabilities of punishment and sentencing in relation to the conviction of individuals found violating the laws in countries that self-report juvenile drug use. This study utilizes self-coded data from various countries across the globe with clear punishment and sentencing for juvenile drug use to analyze the connection between self-reported data and conviction. The study compares the laws globally and analyzes the percentage of self-reporting drug crimes to the number of convictions that ensued. |
223 |
The Effects of Drug Sentencing on Self-Reporting and Convictions in Juveniles |
India Adams - Political Scienceindiaa Melissa Berkowitz - Political Sciencemberkow Madison Jones - Criminal Justicembj6 |
Tara Trask - Political Sciencettrask |
| 226 |
Global energy demands are increasing, and carbon neutrality initiatives are attempting to combat environmental harm from carbon-based energy generation. As such, nuclear power, as a clean and efficient source of energy, has received considerable attention. However, radioactive waste products from nuclear energy can have serious environmental and health consequences. Radioiodine, specifically I-129, is a major by-product of nuclear fission and nuclear fuel reprocessing. This iodine isotope is a particular issue due to its long half-life and ability to rapidly spread through atmospheric and aqueous systems. Therefore, developing new methods to capture radioiodine out of the environment is crucial for nuclear waste remediation. Sulfur- and selenium-containing N-heterocycles have been found to strongly interact with iodine through halogen bonding, making these compounds potential candidates for sequestering radioiodine. This work focuses on the capacity of 1,3-dibenzylimidazolethione (DBIT) and 1,3-dibenzylimidazoleselone (DBISe) to capture iodine. Both solid DBIT and DBISe have been found tobe effectivein aqueous and atmospheric conditions, and work is underway to further characterize their binding abilities by determining maximal iodine binding and reversibility. Preliminary results show promising iodine capture abilities for these compounds with multiple equivalents being sequestered with slow release. As such, future investigations could have a significant impact on developing new systems to remove radioiodine from the environment. |
226 |
Thione and Selone N-heterocycles as Potential Radioactive Iodine Sequestering Agents |
Louis Fisher - Health Sciencelmfishe Abigail Mcnamee - ChemistryAmcname William T Pennington Jr - ChemistryBillp Colin McMillen - ChemistryCmcmill |
Julia Brumaghim - Chemistrybrumagh |
| 232 |
Springtails (Collembola) are an important group of detritivores that aid in nutrient cycling. In forests dead wood forms a unique habitat, hosting a diverse fauna. The Jones Center at Ichauway (Baker Co., Georgia) supports a longleaf pine ecosystem, most of which is burnt every other year. Fine (~2.5 cm diameter) and Very Fine (less than 2.5 cm) woody debris was collected under pine and oak in regularly burned and rarely/never burned areas. The material was placed in emergence chambers and specimens were collected one month later.Specimens were identified to suborder: Symphypleona, Poduromorpha, and Entomobryamorpha, with Entomobryamorpha separated into families, Entomobryidae, Isotomidae, and Tomoceridae. Non-burned fine woody debris hosted the highest number of specimens, followed by non-burned very fine debris. Both burned groups presented the least amount of specimens overall. In general, all samples, regardless of group, demonstrated a dominance of Isotomidae (Entomobryamorpha), followed by Poduromorpha. The least abundant group found in all samples was Tomoceridae (Entomobryamopha). However, statistical analyses deem these results insignificant. More work on identifying these specimens has the potential to revolutionize the way we think about decomposers, and the sustainability of burned areas. |
232 |
Collembola in Fine Woody Debris in Burned and Unburned Pine Forest |
Kailyn Shealy - Biological Sciencesknsheal |
Michael Ferro - Plant and Environmental Sciencesmferro |
| 233 |
Antibiotic resistance has become a rising threat to global public health. As modern medicine develops, the bacterial illnesses and infections that it hopes to fight have adapted simultaneously. There are many different sources for fighting bacterial infections, but over two-thirds of these antibiotics come from the soil. Our soil can be a source of new antibiotic development to combat antibiotic resistance. Twelve soil samples were collected from the Anderson, Clemson, Pendelton, and Seneca areas during September and October 2024. Traditional culture method was used to isolate bacteria from the samples. Based on the colony morphology, Gram stain result, and catalase production, 20 unique colonies were identified. These colonies were tested for their antibiotic characteristics against several tester strains using a zone of inhibition assay. Next, an ethyl acetate-based extraction was performed from each isolate. The crude extracts were tested for antibiotic properties using the ZOI assay and analyzed using thin-layer chromatography. Overall, nine isolates were confirmed to produce antimicrobial substances, and their identities were determined by 16S rRNA sequencing. One sample that presented a strong ZOI against many tester strains was of the Burkholderia genus, which has been linked to being a potential novel antibiotic producer, highlighting the importance of this study. With observed antimicrobial properties found, our research indicates the potential for further development of antibiotics from our community. |
233 |
Digging for Antibiotics: Exploring Soil Microorganisms |
Emily Bechtoldt - Prepharmacyebechto Harrison Hamilton - Biological Scienceshahamil Moira Kellaher - Biological Sciencesmkellah Paige Magill - Biological Sciencespmagill |
Min Cao - Biological Sciencesmcao |
| 234 |
The use and application of different sources of organic matter, like composted green or agricultural waste and mulch in soil amendments, play an important role in enhancing the soil physico-chemical properties, thus influencing plant growth and resource utilization. This study investigates the impact of compost applications on soil moisture retention and nutrient use efficiency in bell pepper (Capsicum annuum) grown under controlled conditions in a greenhouse. Specifically, this study assesses the effect of10 tons/acre compost rate on weekly changes in soil volumetric water content when bell peppers are irrigated under two different irrigation regimes (well-watered or deficit irrigation) and leaf concentration of nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium. |
234 |
Effects of Compost Application on Moisture Retention and Nutrient Uptake Efficiency in Bell Pepper (Capsicum annuum) |
Bradley Boone - Plant and Environmental Scienceswbboone Annabelle Horton - Horticultureahorto7 |
Juan Carlos Melgar Jimenez - Plant and Environmental Sciencesjmelgar Ayodeji Peter Idowu - Plant and Environmental Sciencesaidowu |
| 236 |
Breast cancer remains one of the most lethal cancers worldwide, with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) being the most aggressive and difficult to treat. The Global Cancer Research Lab is investigating novel methods to address breast cancer incidence using in vivo and in vitro models, as well as creating a statewide outreach program to raise awareness for breast cancer. In vivo models have the potential to powerfully replicate the human response to cancer metastasis at the cellular level. More specifically, Danio rerio (zebrafish) have proven to accurately reflect cancer growth, giving researchers an idea of how TNBC governs bodily responses. Through the manipulation of cell ancestry, we will compare cancer metastasis across cancer cell lines and non-tumorous cell lines - noting how cell proliferation and tumorigenesis develops throughout the organism. The lab has investigated in vitro TNBC cells to study the extracellular environment in both 2D and 3D cultures. In addition to these cell culture methods, we are also manipulating factors that will potentially inhibit or halt cancer growth within the tumor microenvironment, including oxygen levels and densities. Through in vitro studies, we can gain insight regarding the cellular migration, proliferation, and invasion of highly aggressive breast cancer. In order to raise awareness of breast cancer and inspire youth to become involved in STEM within higher academia, Dunn Lab has branched out to create a STEM-focused camp. The OYSTER (Outdoor Youth Science Training and Engineering Research) camp focuses on placing Title IX junior high students in an interactive environment in order to inspire a STEM identity, build connections with peers and university students, and create advocates for health and well-being within their home communities. |
236 |
Novel Methods to Address Breast Cancer |
Arden Dailida - Criminal Justiceadailid Marshall Geier - Biomedical Engineeringmgeier Hope Mitchell - Biomedical Engineeringhmitch2 Cam Stetson - Biochemistrycstetso Grayson Whitten - General Engineeringjgwhitt |
Heather Dunn - Bioengineeringwalkerd |
| 238 |
Euglena is a genus of single-celled flagellated microorganisms with plant and animal characteristics, often found in freshwater. One of the plant characteristics is the light reaction of photosynthesis, where electrons are excited. Taking advantage of this excitation is a goal of this project to create a solar battery from photosynthetic material. Investigation of various culturing techniques will be discussed. We realize this protocol has educational potential; therefore, cost-effective measures are currently being explored and will be discussed. |
238 |
Small Cells, Big Potential: Exploring Euglena Cultivation Techniques |
Adriana Hernandez Morales - Biological Sciencesaaherna Mary Rawlinson - Biological Sciencesmcrawli Sophie Moschgat - Geneticssmoschg |
Todd Lyda - Genetics and Biochemistrylyda |
| 240 |
What are fans' expectations of athletes, coaches, teams, and game outcomes? Additionally, what are the sources and compositionof these expectations? The purpose of this study was to better understand the nature of fans' expectations. The researcherscollected datafrom 465 fans with tickets to Clemson University sporting events. Fans were asked about their expectations for the home team, coaches,individual players, andthe game outcome. Qualitative analyses revealed that fans formed their expectations on three bases: norms, knowledge, and emotions. Norms refer to external standards governing behavior at sporting events. For example, it is normal for fans to expect their team to play with maximum effort.Results also indicated that fans differed regardingthespecificity oftheir expectations, with some expectations being broad and general while others being narrow and targeted. For example, one fan expected an individual player to exceed a particular statistic, while other fans had a generalexpectation forallathletes to play well.In conclusion, we learned that fan expectations differed according to the expectation target, source, and specificity. We suspectthat these expectations influence fan behavior, which may subsequently impact sporting outcomes. |
240 |
What Do Fans Really Want? Breaking Down the Structure of Expectations in Sports. |
Kristie Alianiello - Psychologykaliani Allison Baumann - Psychologycbauman Daniel Bunch - Psychologydbunch Alyssa Colannino - Psychologyaacolan Camille Desjardins - Psychologycdesjar Hagan Johnson - Microbiologyhaganj EJ Lundy - Psychologyelundy Jakyla Mayes - Psychologyjakylam Chelsea McQuarrie - Psychologycmcquar Matt Pitts - Psychologymbpitts Austin Roberts - Psychologyajr4 Kendall Somma - Psychologyksomma Jett Waldrop - Managementkjwaldr |
Eric McKibben - Psychologymckibbe |
| 241 |
As generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) rapidly integrates into various domains, understanding the factors influencing its adoption or avoidance is critical. This study examines the interplay between AI literacy, technology readiness, and individual attitudes toward GenAI, focusing on behavioral intentions and perceptions of its broader societal impacts. Using a survey-based approach, we assess respondents' technology readiness, AI literacy levels, and trust in GenAI while exploring concerns related to privacy attitudes, and modern trends toward disinformation, deskilling, social disconnection, and dehumanization. By using the evaluative space grid or unipolar scales, the study accounts for ambivalence and indifference in subjective satisfaction judgments about GenAI. The findings untangle the relationships between an individual's feelings toward technology generally (technology readiness), their knowledge of AI (AI literacy), their attitudes toward AI,and their trust in and usage of GenAI tools. The insights gained may inform AI education initiatives, policy development, and the design of AI systems that align with user needs and societal expectations. |
241 |
Adoption or Avoidance? The Impact of AI Literacy and Readiness on Generative AI Use |
Michael Ellis - Computer Sciencemje2 Ibrahim Khan - Accountingibrahik Amber Taylor - Psychologyant6 |
Dustin Souders - Psychologydjsoude |
| 242 |
Branchiobdellidans, or crayfish worms, can act as an ectosymbiont or an ectoparasite by cleaning crayfish at low infections, but damaging crayfish at high infections. As branchiobdellidan transmission is caused through contact between crayfish, crayfish personality (i.e., individual differences in behavior consistent across time and contexts) could affect individual transmission rates. For example, bolder crayfish individuals may risk greater rates of branchiobdellidan infection, as they would have greater chances to encounter other individuals. Therefore, our objective of this study is to determine whether personality traits of crayfish correlate to branchiobdellidan infection. Specifically, we hypothesized that more active, bold, and aggressive crayfish will have higher abundances of branchiobdellidans. Currently, we are measuring personality traits of Appalachian brook crayfish (Cambarus bartonii) from the Clemson Experimental Forest through a series of lab behavioral trials, then comparing that to their individual branchiobdellidan infection. We are performing behavioral trials on each crayfish to measure movement in a familiar environment (activity), behavior under risk (boldness), and behavior during antagonistic interactions (aggression). After trials are complete, we then remove and quantify branchiobdellidans from each crayfish with a mild salt bath. We will quantify personalities using principal components analyses and compare personality to branchiobdellidan infection using correlation analyses and linear models. Our research is potentially important as it will help us better understand parasite transmission dynamics of an ecologically dominant species. |
242 |
Determining the Role of Individual Variation in Crayfish Behavior on Ectosymbiont Abundance |
Asher Conrey - Environmental and Natural Resourcesaconrey Q Kelley - Wildlife and Fisheries Biologymckeowk CJ Lindler - Wildlife and Fisheries Biologycjlindl Avery Spagnolo - Environmental and Natural Resourcesarspagn Julian Wall - Wildlife and Fisheries Biologyjcwall |
Daniel Knapp - Forestry and Environmental Conservationddknapp Cathy Jachowski - Forestry and Environmental Conservationcjachow |
| 243 |
Hellbenders (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis), are large aquatic salamanders found in clear, cold, mountain streams in the eastern U.S.. Flooding from Tropical Storm Fred in August 2021 affected several hellbender streams in North Carolina, including a long-term study site. Since hellbender size increases with age, analyzing size class structure can reveal key drivers of population change. My objective was to investigate if the hellbender population of the long-term study site has maintained the same size class distribution over 20+ years (2003-2024). My null hypothesis was that size class distributions were similar throughout the years. Alternatively, I tested the hypothesis that flooding increased juvenile mortality, leading to a geriatric population dominated by older, larger individuals. I used a combination of historic and recent survey data and organized hellbender records into three distinct time periods based on the date of capture: referred to as 'historic ' (2003-2005), 'recent pre-storm' (fall 2020-summer 2021), and 'recent post-storm' (fall 2023). I created size class (mm) distributions for each time period, and compared them with the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test to assess their similarity. I found no difference between historic and pre-storm size class distributions (D=0.062, p=0.695) or between pre-storm and post-storm distributions (D=0.047, p=0.776). In summary, I found no support for the hypothesis that the population has become geriatric. This suggests that the adult population in this stream has remained resilient to flooding over the last 20+ years. Since my study began, this population has experienced another flood event (Hurricane Helene), so my next steps will be to compare size class distributions 'pre' and 'post-Hurricane Helene'. |
243 |
Effects of Tropical Storm Fred on Hellbender Size Class Distribution in a North Carolina Stream |
Sarah Ebenhack - Biological Sciencessebenha |
Cathy Jachowski - Forestry and Environmental Conservationcjachow |
| 244 |
Infectious disease is a major public health problem, especially in the growing immunocompromised population. Understanding the innate immune system in these patients will allow for better treatment. Cyclooxygenase-prostaglandin signaling has been identified as a key mechanism to coordinate immune responses and promote host survival through pro- or anti-inflammatory signals that regulate phagocyte recruitment and function. Prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthases (PTGSs), or cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes, produce prostaglandins. But, it is still unknown how prostaglandin production is regulated and what cells respond to these molecules. To investigate these questions, we are developing CRISPR mutants of these genes in zebrafish. CRISPR mutations in PTGS genes - ptgs1, ptgs2a/b - were characterized by DNA isolation through fin clipping, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and restriction enzyme digests to detect changes in the recognition sequence introduced by the genetic mutations. Next, we investigate how PTGS gene mutations affect mRNA expression of the mutated gene and related isoforms. Larval progeny of heterozygous mutants were isolated for RNA extraction to synthesize cDNA for real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) to determine if loss-of-function mutations affect mRNA expression levels and result in compensation through upregulation of another gene. This study provides insight into the regulation of PTGS gene expression and establishes mutant lines for further research of PTGS gene function and phagocyte recruitment and function in response to infection. |
244 |
Exploring regulation of Cyclooxygenase Gene Isoforms in Mutant Zebrafish |
Claire Willems - Biological Sciencescpwille |
Emily E Rosowski - Biological Scienceserosows |
| 247 |
HzNV-2 is a sexually- and congenitally-transmitted, large dsDNA virus in the family Nudiviridae in the Class Naldaviricetes. HzNV-2's definitive host is the pest moth Helicoverpa zea, which readily hybridizes with the invasive congener H. armigera, and economic forecasting predicts that this will result in greater than $80B annual costs to worldwide agriculture. Consequently, novel control means are needed. Interestingly, HzNV-2 infection causes sterility in some infected H. zea in lab trials and also infects H. armigera, making understanding of virus ecology and pathology in both hosts imperative. Undergraduate researchers in the Turnbull lab are playing key roles in investigating numerous facets of HzNV-2 virology. Ongoing projects described here include a longitudinal study of prevalence and sterility rates of HzNV-2 in field sampled H. zea; testing ability of HzNV-2 to orally infect; characterization of cytopathic effects associated with infection; morphological analysis of virus effects on developing gonads; bioinformatic testing of putative entry proteins; and expression analysis of candidate regulators of virus replication. We find that HzNV-2 is highly prevalent but that sterility rates are low, begging the question of whether field infections are largely asymptomatic, or whether they exhibit additional pathologies. Further, HzNV-2 maintains a reduced oral infectivity, supporting that the virus may be a useful model to interrogate mechanisms of virus host and tissue shifting, particularly in light of recent examples more directly impacting humans such as SARS-CoV2 and avian influenza. These results and future studies will provide fascinating insights into and application of virus evolution and techniques. |
247 |
Basic and Applied Virology of HzNV-2 |
Theodore Athanas - Biochemistrytathana Madeline Bryan - Microbiologymgb8 Rachel Choe - Psychologyrchoe Brianna Hatfield - Microbiologybhatfie Eleanor King - Microbiologyeking7 Jessica Ni - Health Scienceni2 Gabe Schlise - Biochemistrygschlis |
Matt Turnbull - Biological Sciencesturnbul JABEZ BATTU - Biological Sciencesjbattu Md Naim Uddin - Biological Sciencesmdnaimu Alexis Yoh - Biological Sciencesayoh |
| 249 |
Understanding the dynamics and demographics of ecological populations plays an important role in allowing us to understand the health of our ecosystems, as well as allowing us to understand the impacts of disturbances, such as hurricanes or climate warming, on our ecosystems. Despite the importance of understanding ecological populations, crayfish population dynamics and demographics are heavily understudied, especially given their importance to fisheries and making up a large portion of freshwater invertebrate biomass in freshwater systems. To further our understanding of these important organisms' population dynamics and demographics, we conducted a field survey across three different streams found within the Clemson Experimental Forest. Additionally, during the period of our field study, we experienced a hurricane allowing us to extrapolate about potential impacts the hurricane had on these populations. To conduct this study, we set out five crayfish traps baited with cat food across 120 meters of three different local streams. Each week we visited the streams to check the traps, and we measured and identified each crayfish to the species level. In addition, we also took measures of abiotic factors such as temperature, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, pH, and flow. Preliminary results of our study show that the three streams significantly differed in temperature and flow, as well as significantly differing in the number and species composition of crayfish. Comparisons before and after the hurricane showcase the same species being present but differences in the abundance of species. The results of this study will not only provide important information about crayfish populations in general, but provide important information for conservation and restoration efforts. |
249 |
Crayfish Populations Across Three Streams: A Comparative Study |
Caroline Cate - Biological Sciencesclcate Collin Revercomb - Biological Sciencescreverc William Vuong - Biological Scienceswvuong |
Tara Cronin - Biological Sciencestjcroni Michael Childress - Biological Sciencesmchildr |
| 250 |
The recent expansion of data provisioning tools has led to a global interest in digital twins (DTs), defined as an evolving virtual representation synchronized with data streams from a real-world entity. Application and utilization of these systems remains largely unexplored. The objective of this project is to document the development of a bespoke, narrow-scoped DT for a tracked robotic vehicle embodying dynamic and geometric models combined with data streams sourced from the vehicle proper. The DT is created using a variety of engineering platforms suited for simulations and data analytics, including many provided by Siemens. The results are intended to show the effectiveness of different tools in developing DTs, demonstrate applications of vehicular DTs at various levels of modeling fidelity, and detail integration methods for the software platforms used. Current work demonstrates the integration of macro-scaled models with similarly scaled data streams. By documenting the DT development, this project can both demonstrate the validity of DT heuristics while contributing to further development of DT best practices. Immediate results involve the construction of dynamic and geometric models connected to the physical system by robust data streams. This research is sponsored by the Clemson Creative Inquiry program and run under the governance of the Product Lifecycle Management Center at Clemson University. |
250 |
Development of Mechanisms Supporting Digital Twins in a Model-Based Engineering Ecosystem |
William Ainsworth - General Engineeringwainswo Alex Carmack - Mechanical Engineeringcarmack Jake Czwakiel - General Engineeringjczwaki Brady Davis - General Engineeringbjd3 Liam Foley - Mechanical Engineeringljfoley Davis Graham - Mechanical Engineeringdhg Peter Hoang - General Engineeringphoang Aidan Koehler - Mechanical Engineeringaekoehl William Peterson - Mechanical Engineeringwkpeter Nick Welborn - General Engineeringnawelbo Brady Bostic - Mechanical Engineeringbtbosti Abigail Evans - Chemical Engineeringaee2 Jonathan Tran - Automotive Engineeringjhtran Max Zyblewski - Mechanical Engineeringmzyblew Brent Rice - Mechanical Engineeringkrice5 |
John Wagner - Mechanical Engineeringjwagner Gregory Mocko - Mechanical Engineeringgmocko John Morris - Mechanical Engineeringjhmrrs |
| 253 |
Racial inequality in and from education systems illustrates teachers' critical role in disrupting inequity and promoting equitable outcomes for all students, especially those who have been historically marginalized (Mills & Ballantyne, 2016). In response to the need for teachers who have the knowledge and skills to recognize and redress issues of race, racial literacy is one skill that teacher educators have sought to develop with preservice teachers (PSTs) during their teacher preparation program (Rogers & Mosley, 2006; Sealey-Ruiz, 2013; Skerrett, 2011). Racial literacy is briefly defined as "a skill and practice in which individuals probe the existence of racism and examine the effects of race and institutionalized systems on their experiences and representation in US society" (Sealey-Ruiz, 2013, p. 386). The purpose of this study, sponsored by Clemson Creative Inquiry, is to understand how PSTs develop racial literacy in the context of a year-long book club with inclusive young adult literature. To investigate racial literacy development in this context, a participatory design-based approach was used to understand how the book club inhibits or enhances PSTs' racial literacy. Our research team is engaging in constant comparative analysis (Charmaz, 2014; Thomas, 2021) with data collected during the study, testing the racial literacy development framework (Sealey-Ruiz, 2020) and determining themes that illuminate the experience of the team (Schubotz, 2020). While data analysis is ongoing this semester, we anticipate sharing emerging themes and findings during the FoCI event. This research provides insights into the racial literacy development process and conditions that enhance or inhibit its development, which is valuable for all educators interested in building antiracist, antibias cultural competence across professions. |
253 |
Fostering Racial Literacy: A Book Club for Critical Discussions on Race with Young Adult Literature |
Toni Bosman - Elementary Educationtbosman Mikie Brown - Secondary Educationmbrow23 Karlee Burdette - Elementary Educationkarleeb Hannah Gurley - Secondary Educationhjgurle Anna Howe - Secondary Educationaehowe Madelyn Hurley - Early Childhood Educationhurley3 Taylor Marks - Secondary Educationtmmarks Chloe Mccoy - Englishcamccoy |
Katie McGee - Education and Human Developmentkmmcgee |
| 255 |
The project was conducted by subjecting trails of Solenopsis invicta (Buren, 1972) to varying heat levels. When heat was inflected onto the ant trail at ~52℃ the ants stop trailing underneath the heat lamp. The trail behavior was affected when the temperatures reached ~52℃ and was completely interrupted at ~57℃ and higher. This suggests that as global temperatures increase, feeding and trailing habits of S. invicta will be affected and potentially interrupted. |
255 |
Solenopsis invicta Trailing habits and the Effects of an Increase of Temperature |
Hudson Holmes - Agribusinesshudsonh Charles Horn - Biological Scienceschhorn |
John Morse - Plant and Environmental Sciencesjmorse |
| 257 |
Although the general eye structure across fishes is remarkably similar, there is notable variation in eye size, shape, and position on the head among species. Estimating the scaling relationships between these eye traits and fish size can reveal the relative importance of the visual system, which is likely influenced by each species' ecology (e.g., water depth, diet, habitat complexity) and evolutionary history. Using statistical models that account for the relatedness between over 100 species, we examine how eye anatomy changes with head size and then assess the influence of ecology and evolutionary history on relative eye investment. We quantified eye anatomy using eight linear measurements taken from museum specimens and gathered seven ecological factors from public databases and published literature. Besides eye shape and the angle between the mouth and eye, preliminary results showed that eye anatomy was strongly associated with head size. Ecology had a small but adaptive influence, whereas ancestry had a strong signal on relative eye size. This research highlights the role fish size plays in the evolution of eye anatomy, offering new insights into the influence of ecological and ancestral constraints in visual specialization. Funding for this project has been provided by Clemson University Creative Inquiry + Undergraduate Research and the National Science Foundation. |
257 |
The Influence of Ecology and Evolutionary History on Eye and Body Scaling in Fishes |
Grace Seyle - Biological Sciencesgeseyle Jessica Stepp - Biological Sciencesjrstepp |
Sam Price - Biological Sciencessprice6 Mason Thurman - Biological Sciencesmathurm |
| 260 |
Invasive wild hogs (Sus scrofa) pose significant ecological and economic threats in South Carolina, particularly within the Clemson Experimental Forest (CEF). Understanding how different variables influence wild hog activity is essential for developing management strategies to mitigate these wild hogs' detrimental effects. However, we do not know what factors influence the local wild hog presence and activity. Therefore, this study seeks to answer the question, how do environmental aspects drive seasonal wild hog activity in the Clemson Experimental Forest? This study will investigate the various factors by analyzing camera trap data, allowing insights into the seasonal patterns of wild hog presences and their behaviors.We used data from approximately 35 camera traps deployed in 2023, 2024, and 2025 in the CEF. These cameras were unbaited and used motion sensor and IR flash to capture images of wildlife. We then identified all the images based on species, and analyzed numbers of wild hogs as a function of factors such as month, season, temperature, lunar phase, and habitat type. Our expected results will be seasonal frequency maps, and graphs of hog presence differentiated by environmental factors over time. By further understanding these seasonal factors that wild hogs have adapted to, managers have another aspect to strategize with in order to manage wild hog populations more efficiently. This also allows managers the opportunity to predict the activity and behavior of wild hogs, and increase the mitigation efforts of the wild hogs' invasive effects on the land. |
260 |
How is Wild Pig Presence Impacted by Changing Seasonal Factors in the Clemson Experimental Forest? |
Marissa Canberg - Wildlife and Fisheries Biologymcanber Timothy Carroll - Wildlife and Fisheries Biologytacarro Emily Hall - Wildlife and Fisheries Biologyerh2 Connor Hatchett - Wildlife and Fisheries Biologychatch2 Anna Johnson - Environmental and Natural Resourcesajohn79 Morgan Matney - Wildlife and Fisheries Biologymematne Robert O'Dell - Environmental and Natural Resourcesrmodell Will Stone - Forest Resource Managementwhstone Marrissa Weingartner - Wildlife and Fisheries Biologymarrisw |
Erin Buchholtz - Forestry and Environmental Conservationekbuchh |
| 261 |
We present two novel improv forms: the Et Al and the Lewin. Both are based in psychological theories of how humans understand and move through the world. The Et Al is based on spreading activation, a cognitive psychological theory explaining how thinking about concepts leads to closer and more remote associates. The Lewin is based in Lewin's equation B = f(p, e), aclassic explanation of the relative contributions of the person (P) and the environment (E) to behavior (B). We will present both forms as a brief show at 11:15. |
261 |
The Et Al and the Lewin: Two Improv Forms Based in Psychology |
Thomas Gilbert - Chemical Engineeringtgilbe2 Ellie Magaldi - Animal and Veterinary Scienceemagald Bryson Sanders - Graphic Communicationsbsande7 Stephen Sartor - Electrical Engineeringssartor Katelynn Hughes - Mechanical Engineeringkhughe3 |
Cynthia Pury - Psychologycpury |
| 263 |
Hawkmoth antennae have unique vibrational properties. To study these vibrational properties on live insects, the CI groupseeks to create a method of oscillating hawkmoth antennae using electromagnetic coils. These two coils are positioned across from each other and controlled by a Labview program. An antenna with an attached magnetic probe at the tip will be placed between these two coils so that we can actuate it. The group is working on designing and fabricating this magnetic vibrational stage. In this poster, we will report the results of the calibration of this stage.A magnetometer was used to find the strength of the magnetic field produced by the coils as both a function of distance and time. Some results on resonance properties of hawkmoth antennae will be shown. These results were collected using a wind tunnel attached to the subwoofer. High-speed filming allowed us to evaluate the resonance properties of antennae. These results are used for reference in the current design of magnetic stage. |
263 |
Magnetic Actuation of Hawkmoth Antennae |
Isaac Palmer - Electrical Engineeringilpalme |
Konstantin Kornev - Materials Science and Engineeringkkornev |
| 264 |
State-of-the-art powered exoskeletons are mainly composed of rigid components. In this project we propose the design of a novel cable-driven ankle exoskeleton to improve mobility for individuals with walking impairments by providing adaptive ankle flexion assistance. By taking a previous exoskeleton design by Humotech - relying on bulky analog components and rigid aluminum frames, limiting adaptability and increasing weight - and reverse-engineering its mechanical structure and electrical control architecture to develop a novel system that replaces analog controls with a lighter and faster digital control system, this system enables real-time adjustments through constant feedback loops, ensuring a responsive and customizable user experience. This approach introduces a novel electronic architecture featuring a Raspberry Pi-controlled system that operates two brushless DC (BLDC) motors with Bowden cable actuation. The new design reduces the device's weight from 35 to 12 lbs. by utilizing lightweight materials such as aluminum 6061 and ABS plastic. Structural integrity is optimized through finite element analysis (FEA), distributing stress away from critical mounting points. The system is benchmarked against existing solutions, demonstrating user comfort, energy efficiency, and system integration improvements. This research contributes to advancing wearable robotics, aligning with ongoing efforts in assistive mobility technology. |
264 |
Developing a Novel Cable Driven Ankle Exoskeleton for Human Assistance |
Thomas Holliday - Mechanical Engineeringtnholli Tapp Rhoads - Mechanical Engineeringjtrhoad Anh Doan - Mechanical Engineeringanhd Harrison Pinkston - Mechanical Engineeringhpinkst Thomas Temple - Mechanical Engineeringtdtempl |
Ge Lv - Mechanical Engineeringglv Miao Yu - Mechanical Engineeringmyu2 |
| 265 |
Thirty-eight million Americans have diabetes. Prediabetes numbers are > 2.5X higher - 98 million adults have prediabetes. In SC, about 13.3% of adults have diabetes and 34.9% have prediabetes. The cost of diabetes is staggering, >$413B for diabetes (2022) in the US, and $5.89B (2017) in SC. Strategies to address this serious health concern is vital. Our Team Targeted Approach is to divide the problem into 3 facets 1) diet, 2) physical activity/exercise, and 3) other. Our CI team of 10 individuals separated into 3 groups after working on solutions for the global problem individually. Each group undertook one topic and was charged with identifying four important objectives to assist individuals with type 2 diabetes or at risk for diabetes, and how to meet these objectives. The Diet Group decided upon 1) increasing water intake, 2) eliminating/reducing added sugars/processed foods, 3) increasing dietary fiber, and 4) portion control. The Physical Activity Group focus is 1) move more, sit less. 2) low intensity workouts, 3) high intensity workouts, and 4) non-exercise activity thermogenesis (NEAT). The Other Ways (beyond diet and exercise) Group chose 1) medications (and monitoring), 2) routine appointments, 3) stress management, and 4) earlier screenings for those wanting to make improvements in their diabetes risk factors. Currently, the added dimensions, for each objective, of providing solutions/strategies to address the topic, effective education of the solutions and measurement of the effectiveness of the intervention for identified populations is underway. Our goal is to be able to provide evidence-based guidelines and solutions for this at-risk population. |
265 |
Diabetes Programming for Lifestyle Interventions - A Team Targeted Approach |
Ella Banks - Food Science and Human Nutritionebanks2 Anna Blackston - Food Science and Human Nutritionblacks4 Kaylee DaSilva - Food Science and Human Nutritionkrdasil Emilie Finley - Food Science and Human Nutritioneefinle Emma Gildea - Food Science and Human Nutritionegildea Ainsley Harman - Food Science and Human Nutritionagharma Ellie Kinard - Food Science and Human Nutritionaekinar Abby Kizer - Food Science and Human Nutritionakizer Lindsay Kron - Food Science and Human Nutritionlkron Gracie Mcdaniel - Agribusinesskgmcdan |
Vivian Haley-Zitlin - Food, Nutrition, and Packaging Sciencesvivianh |
| 266 |
Cell penetrating peptides, or CPPs, are an ideal method to deliver cargoes such as drugs or nanoparticles to intact cells without disrupting the plasma membrane. CPPs are short sequences that are rich in positively charged amino acids that allow for electrostatic interactions between negatively charged head groups of the phospholipid membrane and the cationic peptide leading to the association of the peptide to the cell surface. The cellular uptake mechanism could be vastly different due to a wide variety of CPP structures and chemical and physical properties. The focus of this study is to provide new insight on the uptake mechanism in structured vs. unstructured CPPs using select inhibitors of endocytosis pathways such as energy dependence, caveolae-mediated endocytosis, and macropinocytosis. The uptake of an unstructured CPP (polyarginine) was enhanced when cells were treated with an inhibitor of the caveolae-mediated pathway. In contrast, the uptake of a structured CPP containing a β-hairpin sequence motif was impaired by inhibition of the caveolae-mediated pathway and an energy dependent pathway. Enhanced or diminished CPP uptake using these inhibitors was only observed at 37°C and not at 4°C further supporting endocytosis as one mechanism of uptake. Taken together, these findings suggest that the structured CPP could potentially be utilizing two types of mechanisms to get into the cell. Ongoing work is focusing on the role of energy dependence on structured CPPs by incubating cells with or without serum and looking at combinatorial effects of using two inhibitors at the same time to evaluate synergistic effects. These findings will continue to provide new insight on how aspects of CPPs can alter their uptake which will translate to their ability to deliver select cargoes to intact cells. |
266 |
Comparison of Structured vs. Unstructured Cell Penetrating Peptides (CPP) Uptake by Multiple Endocytosis Pathways |
Jessica Olerud - Biological Sciencesjolerud Allison Donohue - Biochemistryamdonoh Margaret Zendzian - Biological Sciencesmzendzi |
Adam Melvin - Chemical and Biomolecular Engineeringmelvina |
| 269 |
The human gut microbiota is a complex ecosystem that contains a diverse range of bacteria, including Lachnospiraceae, a bacterial family frequently associated with health. However, little is known about how these species are sustained in the gut. Our lab has previously isolated Lachnospiraceae species from human feces for investigating microbial interactions. We also aimed to optimize isolation of mouse Lachnospiraceae to understand host-specific adaptation. We tested 9 mouse cecal and 7 fecal samples on 6 rich or simple media types supplemented with additional factors including mucin, rumen, or antibiotics. Samples were streaked onto agar or broth media, and single colonies were picked based on unique colony morphology and streaked to purity. We recovered 580 isolates, of which 391 strains were sequenced for the full-length 16S rRNA gene to determine identity. We identified 17 different bacterial families, and 50 unique species in total. However, only two colonies representing one unique Lachnospiraceae species (Clostridium symbiosum) were identified, isolated from Brain Heart Infusion (BHI). To better understand the optimal growth conditions for Lachnospiraceae to improve targeted isolation of mouse-adapted Lachnospiraceae, we conducted growth assays of C. symbiosum on different media: basal media + amino acids (BMAA), and basal media + casamino acids (BMCA) with and without glucose. We observed that both strains of C. symbiosum grew better in BMCA with glucose. Going forward, we will use 16S rRNA gene-based Illumina sequencing to identify all the species growing in the different media broths containing additional Lachnospiraceae and other carbohydrates for optimal growth of mouse-adapted Lachnospiraceae species. Optimizing growth conditions for particular species would increase our ability to target species in future isolations. |
269 |
Optimizing Isolation and Growth Conditions for Lachnospiraceae Species from the Mouse Gut Microbiota |
Sara Reed - Biological Sciencesscr6 Kailey Reagan - Microbiologykreagan |
Anna Seekatz - Biological Sciencesaseekat |
| 270 |
Crape myrtles are ubiquitous in southern urban landscapes and are of great economic importance to the horticulture industry. In 2004, the invasive insect pest, the crape myrtle bark scale (Acanthococcus lagerstroemiae, CMBS), was discovered infesting crape myrtle trees in Richardson, Texas. Since then, CMBS has spread to at least 15 additional states throughout the southeast, including South Carolina. CMBS can negatively impact crape myrtles by facilitating the growth of black sooty mold, which can lead to aesthetic decline and, in extreme cases, plant mortality. In their native range, CMBS can have 2-4 overlapping generations per year, but the life cycle in their introduced range is not fully understood. This study investigates seasonal patterns and activity peaks of CMBS populations in Clemson, South Carolina. To monitor CMBS populations, we placed double sided tape on crape myrtles that were changed approximately every 14 days to identify CMBS activity across different seasons. Our findings suggest there is a relationship between scale activity and season, with activity peaks for crawlers in June and October. These results can help inform management strategies by identifying periods where crawlers are the most active. |
270 |
Seasonal Population Patterns of Crape Myrtle Bark Scale (Acanthococcus lagerstroemiae) in Clemson, SC |
Adam Diemer - Biological Sciencesamdieme Anna Johnson - Environmental and Natural Resourcesajohn79 |
Samantha Kennett - Forestry and Environmental Conservationskenne7 David Coyle - Forestry and Environmental Conservationdcoyle |
| 272 |
Hear stories about visitors dying at Fort Hill, families buried with their pets, and the origins of Clemson University. Our CI team will present on the histories and families of St. Paul's Episcopal Church through the lens of its cemetery. Our work includes mapping the churchyard, conducting genealogy research, restoring and preserving headstones, and producing an interactive digital collection to highlight the church's connections and influence in upstate South Carolina. |
272 |
Grave Expectations: Histories and Memories of St. Paul's Community |
Claire Winter Carruthers - Historycarrut2 Andrew Evans - Historyawevans Patrick Higgins - Historypahiggi Kailey Laurinaitis - Historyklaurin Payton Pennington - Anthropologyppennin Hanna Taylor - Historyhtaylo5 |
Spencer W. Roberts - Interdisciplinary Studies Departmentswr3 |
| 273 |
The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear is one of the most prevalent knee injuries in sports medicine, particularly in high-demand sports requiring rapid directional changes. This is devastating for patients due to the extended recovery period of 9-12 months and the heightened risk of re-injury. Addressing these challenges, our research focuses on engineering a synthetic ACL with biomechanical properties that closely mimic native ligaments' mechanics, thereby enhancing durability under athletic stress. Our approach aims to eliminate the need for grafts traditionally used in ACL reconstruction. Eliminating the need for a graft reduces the invasiveness of the surgery and minimizes the time under anesthesia for the patient. Furthermore, using an artificial ACL streamlines the surgical workflow by negating the need for intraoperative tendon harvesting and preparation. To achieve that, we employed a 3-pronged approach to evaluate the synthesized artificial ACL efficacy. The initial phase involves an in-depth evaluation of the components, structural integrity, and mechanical properties of a native healthy ACL. Leveraging the insights gained, an artificial ACL model will be constructed in SolidWorks. Finite element analysis would be used to predict the biomechanical performance of the artificial tendon. Upon computational optimization, a physical prototype will be fabricated using the 3D printing technique. Successful implementation of this project is expected to offer substantial benefits to surgeons and patients alike. Overall, our project aims to offer a synthetic ACL replacement that reduces surgical complexity and accelerates recovery time. |
273 |
Integrating Biomechanical Mimicry in 3D-Printed Scaffolds for Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction |
AJ Johnson - Mechanical Engineeringaojohns Kiley Basik - Mechanical Engineeringkfbasik Andrew Charlette - Mechanical Engineeringalcharl Lauren Isaac - Mechanical Engineeringlisaac Sanaa Lemmon - Mechanical Engineeringsrlemmo Michael Conte - Computer Engineeringconte3 Will Davis - Mechanical Engineeringwhd |
Lihua Lou - School of ME and AuEllou |
| 275 |
Decades of fire suppression and Ponderosa Pine (Pinus ponderosa, Douglas) encroachment have led to a buildup of fuels across the Bull Mountains of Montana. In 2020, the Bobcat fire, burning more than 30,000 acres of land near Roundup, MT, increased the need to mitigate wildfire risk through treatment methods like timber thinning. Low-intensity burning reduces canopy cover, improves nutrient cycling, and removes excess woody fuel. This promotes the growth of ruderal species, nitrogen-fixers, and forage of higher protein content. This project aims to assess how wildfires impact forage quality and plant diversity. The purpose of this study is to contribute to long-term monitoring of the effects of wildfire and timber thinning on forage quality in Ponderosa Pine-dominated forests. Our study utilizes a 2x2 factorial design between wildfire and timber-thinning. In June 2024, we collected forage samples and identified plant species using a Modified Whitaker Plot. Through a linear model and ANOVA analysis, we used multiple forage quality measurements to assess the quality of available forage. Furthermore, we found a significant effect of both burning and timber thinning on crude protein content. Meanwhile, only burning statistically significantly impacted Neutral Detergent Fiber (NDF) and lignin content, and Acid Detergent Fiber (ADF) was not significantly altered by burning or thinning. Additionally, we found that wildfire and timber thinning affected plant diversity. |
275 |
Wildfire and Timber-Thinning Effects on Forage Quality and Plant Diversity in Central Montana |
Emory Beer - Animal and Veterinary Scienceebeer Kaelyn King - Environmental and Natural Resourceskaelynk Adam Neal - Wildlife and Fisheries Biologyamneal Kacey Nicosia - Environmental and Natural Resourcesknicosi |
David Jachowski - Forestry and Environmental Conservationdjachow |
| 276 |
Insulator-based dielectrophoresis (iDEP) has emerged as a powerful technique for the manipulation of micro- and nano-sized particles, enabling precise control over their motion and separation in microfluidic systems. This study investigates the AC iDEP separation of 100 nm and 500 nm nanoparticles in a ratchet microchannel, where their behavior is influenced by ionic concentration of buffer, AC field amplitude, and frequency. At low buffer concentrations (0.01-0.1 mM), an effective separation is observed, with faster-moving 100 nm particles effectively focusing into a narrow stream along the channel's centerline, while slower-moving 500 nm particles experience trapping near the constrictions (ratchet tips), a behavior attributed to their surface charge. With increasing the buffer concentration to 1 mM, 500 nm particles transition toward centerline focusing, whereas 100 nm particles disperse throughout the channel, diminishing separation efficiency. The distinct focusing behavior of the two particle sizes underscore the critical influence of buffer concentration on separation effectiveness. We also investigate how the variation of AC field amplitude and frequency affects the separation of nanoparticles within the channel. |
276 |
AC Electrokinetic Separation of Nanoparticles in a Ratchet Microchannel |
Megan Hardwick - Biomedical Engineeringmmhardw Aidan Patterson - Mechanical Engineeringapttrs |
Xiangchun Xuan - Mechanical Engineeringxcxuan |
| 277 |
Many students gain or lose interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) around the time they are in middle school (6th-8th grade). BeakerBox encourages science education through fun and engaging activities to promote interest in STEM learning. Our team focuses on illustrating real-world phenomena by constructing grade-appropriate activities. We are currently working on two activities to teach concepts about ecosystems to 7th graders. The first demonstrates resource competition by using colored beads that represent different necessities such as water or food. The second activity illustrates energy flow in food chains through a card game like "Go-Fish" and shows how human-generated pollution and invasive species disrupt that flow. All of our activities are designed to meet specific South Carolina and national STEM standards and include full lesson plans for teachers. The lessons incorporate the three-dimensional (3D) model of learning, which combines disciplinary core ideas with crosscutting concepts and science and engineering practices to improve science competence. The boxes we create are actively being distributed to middle school students across South Carolina through the BeakerBox volunteer CI section. BeakerBox's ultimate goal is to promote the understanding of concepts, science literacy, and excitement about STEM in middle school students. |
277 |
BeakerBox: Developing Interactive Activity Boxes to Teach Life Sciences in South Carolina Middle Schools |
Miriam Dixon - Biological Sciencesmsdixon Nathan Garrick - Biological Sciencesngarric Emma Huston - Biological Sciencesehuston Taylor Weathers - Geneticstoweath Althea Roy - Teaching and Learningalthear Meredith Schwendemann - Teaching and Learningmlschwe |
Kara E Powder - Biological Scienceskpowder |
| 282 |
The Job Demands-Resources Theory (JDR Theory) suggests burnout arises due to an imbalance between the demands of a job and the resources available to cope to those demands (1) Burnout in the healthcare industry is the largest obstacle faced by our healthcare workers in the United States. Burnout and stress are extremely prevalent among healthcare professionals and is one of the most discussed topics in the healthcare industry (2). The rates of burnout vary greatly among different medical specialties. But, is burnout discussed in a meaningful way or just on the surface? This research was conducted to discuss just how devastating the effects of burnout can be on our healthcare providers. Additionally, this research is supported by the JDR Theory by diving deeper into the causes of burnout. The following data and statistics are provided from PRISMA Health Update (SC) via bi-monthly surveys. These surveys discuss healthcare workers' anecdotes and feelings about working in the healthcare industry in the state of South Carolina. When further analyzing the surveys, the goal is to provide these healthcare workers with strategies to actively show resilience in order to regain passion for their profession and provide adequate healthcare to their patients. What we hope to accomplish in the future of our research is to provide awareness to future medical students and professionals on effective ways to manage stress and burnout. |
282 |
Unmasking Burnout: The Healthcare Crisis |
Sydney Billman - Biological Sciencessbillma Harry Kish - Biological Scienceshkish Anthoula Paloubis - Biological Sciencesapaloub |
Marissa Shuffler Porter - Psychologymshuffl Alyssa Davenport - Psychologyadaven4 Tiffany Merucci - Psychologytmerucc Madison B Washam - Psychologymwasham |
| 286 |
Digital image correlation (DIC) is an experimental technique for measuring surface deformation of a test specimen. DIC requires the application of a speckle pattern onto a test specimen. This speckle pattern is broken into subsets by the DIC software and the deformation of the pattern is used to obtain the strain of the test specimen. To ensure that the software is capable of doing this, the speckle pattern must be distinguishable and have high contrast with the specimen surface. Speckle patterns are typically made by airbrushing black ink onto the specimen, but the use of black ink is not feasible for carbon fiber specimens that have a black surface due to the lack of contrast. Airbrushing is also not the best method for applying a speckle pattern, as it can create too much noise in the pattern and is not consistent across multiple samples. To solve this issue, micro speckle stamps coated with fluorescent ink are being investigated to determine if they can provide a visible, low noise, and repeatable speckle pattern onto black carbon fiber samples. These stamps contain uniform features of either square, triangular, or circular shape with sizes ranging from 25 to 50 microns. Coating of the stamp is done via flooding the stamp with fluorescent ink and spin coating the stamp at 1800 rpm for a specific amount of time. After spin coating the stamp, the stamp is placed onto a carbon fiber specimen to transfer the inked micro speckle pattern. The quality of the stamped micro speckle pattern depends heavily upon the surface preparation of the stamp as well as the spin time used to coat the stamp. Testing includes changing these variables and viewing the produced micro speckle pattern to determine the optimal method for obtaining a pattern with high contrast that can successfully be used for DIC. |
286 |
Micro Speckle Stamping with Fluorescent Ink for Carbon Fiber DIC |
Johnathan Clemons - Mechanical Engineeringjcclemo Ben Saad - Chemical Engineeringmsaad Patrick Black - Mechanical Engineeringpblack4 |
Garrett Pataky - Mechanical Engineeringgpataky Andrew Cannon - Chemical and Biomolecular Engineeringahcanno |
| 289 |
Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death in the U.S., driving an urgent demand for highly skilled cardiac surgeons. Among the essential skills required for proficient cardiac surgery, precision in suturing is critical, as even minor errors can have a detrimental effect on patient outcomes. To address this need, our research team has developed an advanced cardiac surgery simulator designed for training in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and mitral valve repair (MVR). This innovative system combines 3D-printed components, silicone tissue replicas, and Google MediaPipe's hand-tracking technology to provide an affordable, reusable, and highly realistic platform for analyzing live suturing techniques. Our simulator assesses surgical skill by comparing hand positioning data of experienced surgeons to novices during standardized suturing tasks. We expect to identify statistically significant differences in performance, validating the simulator's ability to distinguish expertise. Additionally, we anticipate measurable improvements among novices after repeated practice, tracked through accuracy metrics and performance analytics. By providing personalized feedback in an immersive setting, this simulator enhances cardiac surgical education. Our planned multi-institutional data collection will contribute to a reference database of expert technique with the potential to improve training, refine surgical skills, and address the growing need for proficient cardiovascular surgeons. We would like to thank Sojourn MedTech, LLC. for their support. |
289 |
Design and Feasibility of Cardiovascular Surgery Training Simulator |
Riley Conan - Biomedical Engineeringrconan Sara Cooper - Biomedical Engineeringsecoope Ethan Fernandez - Biomedical Engineeringejferna Leah Rachels - Biomedical Engineeringlrachel Shreya Thiagu - Biomedical Engineeringsthiagu |
Ravikiran Singapogu - Bioengineeringjoseph |
| 290 |
Salinity is a major abiotic stress affecting vegetable production worldwide, especially in arid and semi-arid regions where saline irrigation water is common. Excess salt disrupts plant water uptake, reducing growth and yield. Different vegetables vary in salt tolerance, with halophytic crops like beets and spinach being more resistant than salt-sensitive species like lettuce and beans. This study utilized a hydroponic system based on the nutrient film technique (NFT) to assess salt tolerance in vegetables. The system circulated a saline nutrient solution (12 ppt) around plant roots. The tested vegetables included Red Russian kale, collard greens, green kale, and romaine lettuce. Growth, appearance, and taste were evaluated to determine the effects of salinity. |
290 |
Salt Tolerance of Vegetables in a Hydroponic System |
Ava Albino - Food Science and Human Nutritionaalbino Jordan Thornton - Environmental and Natural Resourcesjcthorn |
Lance Beecher - Cooperative Extension Serviceslbeeche |
| 293 |
Team coordination is essential to teamwork in all contexts (Gorman, 2014). While previous research focuses on how teams coordinate through communication (e.g.,Ilgen et al., 2005), less is known about how teams coordinate when communication is hindered. To this end, we aim to develop and validate an initial taxonomy of team spatial coordination (TSC) to characterize patterns of team movement in physical space. Two research questions were examined: (1) What patterns of movement do teams exact as they coordinate to accomplish tasks in physical space? (2) How do these patterns of movement relate to performance?To address these questions, we first coded video recordings of professional and college hockey games to extract team patterns of movement in this context. We then adapted a pre-existing taxonomy of group movement to reflect patterns of movement in the context of hockey teams. Third, we iteratively defined each pattern and are currently coding additional team video recordings for patterns to evaluate interrater reliability. Finally, we will analyze the relationships of each movement with performance outcomes. In doing so, we have developed a taxonomy of TSC and are working toward validation of that taxonomy. Theoretically, this will contribute to our knowledge of team coordination in physical space. Practically, this taxonomy can be used to optimize TSC through training and education and can be adapted for use in other high-performance contexts. |
293 |
The Power of Position: Developing and Validating a Taxonomy of Team Spatial Coordination |
Kyle Owens - Psychologykowens4 Abby Szlosek - Sports Communicationaszlose Joey Wintz - Psychologyjawintz |
Marissa Shuffler Porter - Psychologymshuffl Marlee Johnson - Psychologymarleej Ally Wentworth - Psychologyanwentw |
| 294 |
Severe intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration results in significant pain and disability globally. Tissue engineering approaches using cells and scaffolds to build and regenerate an intact intervertebral disc represents an up-coming approach to address IVD degeneration. However, the complex structure of the IVD is hard to emulate. The goal of this project is to develop a scaffold that exhibits the complexities of the native, intact IVD using a top-down approach. More specifically, it is hypothesized that decellularization (i.e. removal of cells and DNA) of animal IVDs that have a similar structure and biochemistry to human IVDs can be used to create a complex acellular scaffold for IVD tissue engineering. Towards this goal, it is important to establish baseline measures of IVD DNA content that will be used to determine if successful decellularization can be achieved. This is the focus of the work herein. Briefly, samples of bovine tail IVDs were obtained from a local abattoir. IVDs were dissected and sectioned into different IVD regions and adjacent vertebral bodies. Small specimens were obtained from each region and dry weights were determined prior to determining DNA content via the AccuClear dS Quantification Kit and Agarose Gel electrophoresis. Initial results demonstrate DNA content throughout the IVD with differences comparing between different regions and vertebral body bone. The next steps include developing and testing different decellularization methods, which will be evaluated by their ability to significantly reduce the DNA content in the IVD tissues. In conclusion, methods for evaluating the DNA content of IVD tissues have been developed to assess decellularization efficacy of top-down methods for producing complex IVD scaffolds for tissue engineering. |
294 |
Towards the Decellularization of An Intact Intervertebral Disc Xenograft |
Madison Chisolm - General Engineeringmlchiso Lily Fender - Biomedical Engineeringlgfende Nicholas Kirby - Biomedical Engineeringnmkirby Maddison Maurio - Biomedical Engineeringmmaurio Sawyer Newton - Biomedical Engineeringsjnewto Nathan Zurawski - Biomedical Engineeringnzuraws |
Jiro Nagatomi - Bioengineeringjnagato Jeremy Mercuri - Bioengineeringjmercur Collin Vogel - Bioengineeringcollinv |
| 295 |
As the prevalence of teams increases across industries, so do the interdisciplinary teamwork skills needed to be successful. A common challenge facing many teams today is conflict - though not inherently bad, it can be destructive to both individuals and teams when members lack the knowledge and skills to manage issues constructively. As such, this research aims to equip graduate students with the necessary skills to address conflict both now and in the future through constructive controversy. To achieve this, a three phase approach has been implemented to develop a conflict management training and evaluate its effectiveness. Phase 1) conduct a training needs analysis (TNA) to identify gaps in the GRAs and faculty's knowledge, skills, and abilities in conflict management. Phase 2) based on TNA results develop a day-long training leveraging the science of conflict management, constructive controversy and team development interventions. Phase 3) training evaluation. The project team is currently in the midst of phase 2 as both a pilot and principle session have been completed; subsequent virtual sessions to complete phase 2 are ongoing, and phase 3 will follow. |
295 |
TRIAGE: Techniques for Resolving Intragroup Conflict to Advance Graduate Education |
Millie Gilbreath - Psychologyagilbre Nicola Levine - Psychologynclevin Kailee Lollis - Mathematical Scienceskaileel |
Marissa Shuffler Porter - Psychologymshuffl Kyle Christenson - Psychologykmc9 Aleksander Roehl - Psychologyacroehl Allison Traylor - Psychologyamtrayl Ally Wentworth - Psychologyanwentw |
| 296 |
In 2023, a record-breaking marine heatwave in the Middle Florida Keys gravely affected the coral reef habitat. To determine if this event altered community functioning, reef fish trophic dynamics were investigated across space and time. During the summers of 2022, 2023, and 2024, videos were taken along a 50-meter transect at 15 reef sites along a natural environmental gradient ranging from shallow, nearshore reefs to deeper, offshore reefs. Video analysis was performed to count fish and categorize them into functional groups based on their feeding patterns. Our team found that regional differences were a stronger driver of fish trophic dynamic alterations than yearly differences. Additionally, we found that fish in higher functional groups significantly decreased in abundance during the heatwave and on offshore reefs in comparison to lower groups. These results suggest that there may be a shortening of the food chain if top predator populations continue to decline with climate change. |
296 |
Warmer Waters, Shorter Chains: Investigating Reef Fish Trophic Dynamics |
Amber Fox - Wildlife and Fisheries Biologyanf3 Emma Rawls - Animal and Veterinary Scienceemrawls Neil Parikh - Biochemistrynparikh Adelaide Thomas - Environmental and Natural Resourcesadelait |
Camille White - Biological Sciencescwhit35 Michael Childress - Biological Sciencesmchildr |
| 297 |
Animals that inhabit high-risk habitats often exhibit morphological and behavioral adaptations to contend with environmental inconsistencies. In arboreal (tree-based) habitats, such adaptations can include corrective behaviors, such as modification of body-limb angles, to avoid being perturbed. This study evaluated the shifts in body-limb angles of three arboreal lizards resisting unexpected arboreal perturbations. Animals were placed on a custom-made laterally sliding perch apparatus, with non-toxic, high-contrast paint applied consistent with body and limb landmarks across species. Effects of different body configurations on restabilization were evaluated by comparing center of mass (CoM) displacement and limb and body-tail angles during perturbations. Gastropholis prasina, a sprawling, prehensile-tailed species, showed significantly larger CoM displacement compared to upright, prehensile-tailed Chamaeleo calyptratus and sprawling, non-prehensile Anolis equestris, with Chamaeleo and Anolis using different kinematics to resist toppling. These data indicate a range of kinematic behaviors employed by arboreal lizards to ensure stability. |
297 |
Effect of Body Configuration on Perturbation Resistance Across Lizard Species |
Amanda Kellerhals - Biological Scienceskellerh Savannah Swisher - Biological Sciencessrswish |
Richard Blob - Biological Sciencesrblob David Munteanu - Biological Sciencesvmuntea |
| 300 |
The Clemson Experimental Forest is an 18,400-acre multi-use forest adjacent to Clemson University. It is a managed forest, used for teaching and research, as well as many different recreational pursuits on the over 90 miles of trails. The history of the forest as part of the university started in the 1930s as a New Deal effort to alleviate poverty and restore soil and wildlife to the upstate of SC. As such, today in the forest, one will find signs and community interface projects from many different eras and from different groups. This research examines all signage we found in the forest in 2024-early 2025. Signs were put in a spreadsheet and coded for purpose and message as well as mapped spatially. We also analyzed structures and messaging for accuracy and state of disrepair. We worked to develop the messages the signage in the forest and at trailheads currently delivers to people engaged with the forest in a variety of ways. Our analysis was and is focused on the gap between what is understood and interpreted from what is intended. We will collaborate with current Clemson Experimental Forest leadership to share our results as well as present them to experts. The Clemson Experimental Forest is similar to many natural areas where signs are added, like geologic layers over time, each with a different purpose. The next layers get added, and the old remain, almost unseen by those interacting with the place regularly. Seeing the area with new eyes, one often sees, as in the case of the Clemson Experimental Forest, a disjointed message, confusing and lacking the understanding of the unique story of place, why the place is special and a way for each person to think about the place in context, not only from the way they will interface with the area. |
300 |
Dialogue of Place: Understanding Communication of and With the Clemson Experimental Forest Through Signs and Physical Elements on the Landscape |
Kathleen Blondeau - Parks, Recreation & Tourism Managementkblonde Alyssa Fenton - Parks, Recreation & Tourism Managementakfento Elijah Patrick - Parks, Recreation & Tourism Managementerpatri Tillman Thompson - Forest Resource Managementtillmat Jonah Holbrooks - Parks, Recreation & Tourism Managementjrholbr Robert Martin - Performing Artsrhm3 Amber Williams - Parks, Recreation & Tourism Managementawill57 Alex Jones - Parks, Recreation & Tourism Managementjjone65 |
Elizabeth Baldwin - Parks, Recreation and Tourism Managementebaldwn |
| 302 |
Understanding the early life stages of fishes is essential for effective conservation and management, as these critical and vulnerable stages significantly influence survival and recruitment. Accurate assessment of early life history traits and patterns requires efficient sampling methods tailored to the unique challenges of capturing larval fishes. Sampling gear often differs in efficiency depending on habitat type, environmental conditions, and species-specific traits such as size, life history strategies, developmental stages, and sensory biases. In this study, we compared the effectiveness of three passive sampling methods--ichthyoplankton bongo nets, benthic sleds, and light traps--for collecting freshwater larval fishes in a regulated temperate river. Sampling devices were deployed across diverse river habitats, with environmental variables recorded at each deployment site. Collected larvae were identified to the lowest possible taxonomic level. The objectives of this study are to: 1) Identify which gear type captures the greatest richness, abundance, and diversity of larval fishes. 2) Assess whether habitat type influences the effectiveness of each sampling gear in a regulated river. 3) Investigate the relationship between environmental variables and gear performance in larval fish collection. These findings aim to inform best practices for larval fish sampling in regulated river systems, enhancing data quality for conservation and management efforts. |
302 |
Comparative Assessment of Three Gear Types for Larval Fish Collection |
Reece Jackson - Wildlife and Fisheries Biologycrj9 Rachael Larson - Environmental and Natural Resourcesrelarso Madison Niles - Wildlife and Fisheries Biologymbniles |
Luke Bower - Forestry and Environmental Conservationlmbower |
| 303 |
Studies have shown a potential link between various Bacteroides species in the human gut and chronic diseases such as type 1 diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, and colorectal cancer. Bacteroides use a unique starch utilization system (SUS) to break down carbohydrates, which our previous work has demonstrated can be targeted and manipulated. Based on these and other findings, our lab is investigating whether controlling carbohydrate utilization impacts particular virulence factors for Bacteroides fragilis. By manipulating the environment of B. fragilis through exposure to various types of carbohydrates with or without inhibition of the SUS, we hope to better understand how the SUS can impact the effectiveness of beta-lactam antibiotics, specifically ampicillin and penicillin. Select strains of B. fragilis also contain genes that code for the production of enterotoxins that have the potential to cause damage to the colon. Research also suggests that biofilm formation is necessary for successful colonization of B. fragilis in the gut. Our preliminary data suggests that carbohydrate exposure impacts the response of the bacteria to beta-lactam antibiotics. In regards to biofilm formation, optimal conditions were determined to be 1% bovine bile in brain-heart infusion (BHI) media. In previous semesters, qualitative data was obtained using catheter tubing stained with safranin, and it was determined that enterotoxigenic B. fragilis had significant biofilm growth. Now, the focus is quantifying its growth and biofilm formation in BHI and minimal media. Our future plans include understanding the impact of carbohydrate utilization on antibiotic resistance, biofilm formation and persistence, and enterotoxin gene expression. |
303 |
Dietary Impact on Bacteroides Virulence Factors |
Will Garrett - Microbiologybwgarre Tate Gee - Microbiologytatumg Hannah Jones - Microbiologyhkjones Allison Netterville - Microbiologyanetter Natalie Shurtleff - Health Sciencenshurtl Jordyn Nahum - Biological Sciencesjnahum Alexys King - Chemistryalexysk |
Kristi Whitehead - Biological Scienceskwhiteh Daniel Whitehead - Chemistrydwhiteh |
| 304 |
Probiotics are microbes thought to benefit human health, but many questions remain about their mechanisms. Lactobacillus reuteri, a common lactic acid bacterium (LAB) and probiotic, influences the human gastrointestinal tract (GI) by modifying host bile acids and interacting with dietary components. While these functions may benefit the host, they could also pose risks, such as increasing the risk of colon cancer. Our lab investigates the activities of bile acid modification and carbohydrate interactions in probiotic L. reuteri. Using anaerobic and aerobic growth curves, we analyzed how these organisms multiply in the presence of bile and how pH influences this process. Under acidic conditions, strains of L. reuteri that deconjugate bile acids grew better than mutants lacking this ability, though growth decreased in the presence of bile. We are also investigating how LAB utilizes artificial sweeteners (AS) as sugar substitutes. While AS may not directly impact blood sugar, evidence suggests they can alter gut microbial populations. Since most LABs rely on simple sugars as their primary carbon source, we examined how AS impacts L. reuteri growth. Our findings showed probiotic strains of L. reuteri grew in glucose but not aspartame (a common AS), suggesting they lack the enzymes needed to metabolize it. This highlights the potential for AS to selectively influence the growth of certain microbial species. Overall, understanding when, why, and how Lactobacillus modify bile acids and use carbohydrates could have significant implications for GI health. |
304 |
Gut Check: How Probiotic Lactobacillus Interacts with Bile Acids and Artificial Sweeteners |
Ava Blomgren - Microbiologyablomgr Brooke Carlton - Microbiologymbcarlt Alyssa Colannino - Psychologyaacolan Josie Simonson - Microbiologyjsimon3 Lindsey Cobb - Microbiologylbcobb Anvita Pudipeddi - Microbiologyanvitap Emma Kenneweg - Microbiologyekennew Alexis Farell - Biological Sciencesafarell Caroline Floyd - Biological Sciencescsfloyd |
Kristi Whitehead - Biological Scienceskwhiteh |
| 305 |
Welcome to Tiger Pen Pals, where Clemson preservice teachers are matched with 25 second-grade Bahamian students on the island of Nassau as long-distance, international Pen Pals for the academic year.These preservice teachers set out to determine how to build authentic relationships with students and teachers, motivated by the intention to learn more about international education. In this Creative Inquiry (CI), Clemson students also examine educational and literacy practices in the Bahamas and investigate societal issues as they explore several elements vital to Clemson Elevate: amplify students' academic success through experiential learning (Learn & Thrive), address societal and global needs and foster innovative partnerships (Investigate & Innovate), and transform lives in and beyond our state (Build People & Communities). At the end of the academic year, Clemson preservice teachers will travel to the Bahamas. During their visit, these Clemson students will have the opportunity to experience international education first-hand while observing in Bahamian Primary Schools. |
305 |
Tiger Pen Pals |
Josie Blanchard - Early Childhood Educationjlblanc Lindsey Greene - Early Childhood Educationlgreen4 Emma Helwig - Early Childhood Educationejhelwi Lauren Highsmith - Early Childhood Educationlehighs Ava Leone - Early Childhood Educationaleone Madalynn Long - Early Childhood Educationmnl Eden Manning - Early Childhood Educationermanni Briley Miles - Early Childhood Educationbrileym Lainie Noda - Early Childhood Educationlnoda Sarah Beth Patterson - Early Childhood Educationspatte9 Ashley Sell - Early Childhood Educationamsell Jayden Sims - Early Childhood Educationjsims7 Niyah Smith - Early Childhood Educationaniyah2 Emme Stith - Early Childhood Educationmmstith Coker Berry Streett - Early Childhood Educationcokers |
Jill Shelnut - Teaching and Learningjshelnu Koti Hubbard - Teaching and Learningkotih |
| 306 |
With the increase of worldwide life expectancy, the number of patients with age-related neurodegenerative disease is increasing, causing an increase in the need for caregivers. Caregivers of these patients experience regular physical, psychological, emotional, and financial stress that altogether creates what is known as "caregiver burden." This study aims to locate gaps in current stress-relieving intervention methods for these caretakers in order to fill them in the future. The hypotheses for this study are that caregiver distress and emotional well-being are influenced by the number of caregiver hours per day, and caregivers who utilize external support report better emotional well-being and mental health compared to those who do not use outside support. Through analyzing scholarly articles to pinpoint certain caregivers' needs, the research team was then able to create a cross-sectional descriptive study for further description of the challenges experienced by caregivers. A Qualtrics survey was utilized to gather relative data and measures regarding backgrounds, duties, support networks, and well-being of recruited caregivers. Currently, this study is ongoing and is in the process of gathering and organizing data for better understanding of where the intervention gaps are more prominent. Future directions of our study will be to understand why these intervention methods continue to fail at offering stress relief for caregivers in different settings and suggest how to combat these gaps with solutions that can be implemented. |
306 |
Balancing Burdens: The Impact of Caregiving and Emotional Well-Being |
Maggie Berry - Psychologymebrry Charly Carter - Health Sciencecharly2 Matthew Caymol - Psychologymcaymol Grace Dyenson - Psychologygdyenso Ann Flake - Psychologyaflake Madison Polidan - Biochemistrympolida Athena Protonentis - Philosophyaproton Clara Thompson - Biological Sciencesclarat Ashton Wilson - Psychologyawils34 |
Anna Baker - Psychologyabake26 Loren Myers - Psychologylorenm |
| 307 |
Efficiently transitioning patients from the emergency department (ED) to inpatient units is a critical challenge in the US, often contributing to ED overcrowding. Early prediction of patients' admission likelihood and the demand for inpatient units enables hospital managers to apply proper capacity management strategies before actual changes in demand happen. Our developed machine learning (ML) model incorporates clinical, demographic, and visit-related information, as well as unstructured triage notes. This model serves as a decision support tool to provide the inpatient unit managers with near real-time predictions of their unit's demand when the patients are still in the early stages of their caregiving process in the ED. The study proves that predicting the likelihood of admitting patients to inpatient units will help identify the system's changing status and make proactive decisions before any surge in demand happens. Such a responsive decision-making approach can improve healthcare systems' operational efficiency and capacities. |
307 |
Developing Models to Enable Proactive Decision-Making and Short-Term Capacity Management in the ED |
Thomas Ross - Managementtaross |
Farzad Zeinali - Bioengineeringfzeinal |
| 308 |
Mesopredators (medium-sized predators) are mid-trophic level species that occupy similar niches in the systems they inhabit. In the southeast, native mesopredators include bobcats (Lynx rufus), raccoons (Procyon lotor), and Virginia opossums (Didelphis virginiana). In recent decades, coyotes (Canis latrans) have expanded their range into the southeastern US and biologists are interested in understanding whether or not they will detrimentally affect native mesopredators. On Kiawah Island, bobcats are already facing challenges as humans add homes and other developments to the island, so we chose to look at spatial and temporal habits of both species on the island between 2022 and 2024. We used data from 50 camera traps across the island and analyzed camera trap photos using Timelapse2. We looked at frequency of occurrence of each species across key habitat types and hypothesized that, due to their similar niches, coyotes and bobcats would avoid each other spatially or temporally. We predict that coyotes will use shrub thicket habitats more frequently than bobcats (potentially pushing them out of those habitats). In contrast, if bobcats and coyotes do not partition habitats, we predict that coyotes will shift their activity times to be more nocturnal and bobcats will remain diurnal or crepuscular. Our analysis will inform conservation implications for bobcats in the face of coyote expansion into the Southeast. |
308 |
Carnivore Clash: A Comparison of Spatial and Temporal Activity of Coyotes and Bobcats on Kiawah Island, South Carolina |
Tuanminh Bui - Wildlife and Fisheries Biologytuanmib Brynn Del Priore - Animal and Veterinary Sciencehdelpri McClendon Geddings - Environmental and Natural Resourcesmccleng Austyn Harris - Wildlife and Fisheries Biologyaustynh Katie Skufca - Biological Scienceskskufca Jonathan Wang - Environmental and Natural Resourcesjdwang Stephen Harris - Forestry and Environmental Conservationsh2 |
David Jachowski - Forestry and Environmental Conservationdjachow Meghan Keating - Forestry and Environmental Conservationmpkeati |
| 309 |
China's foreign policy has become a central force in global affairs, and its evolving influence has shaped global power structures. Our research team studies the strategies, actions, and impacts of China's Foreign Policy in different world regions. While researching, we have gained an understanding of China's foreign policy decisions as we access various news sources on current events. Our team members can focus research on topics and events that are most relevant and compelling. Collaboration between each student within the research team is key to the creative Inquiry as we present their research and compare their findings to the group. The exchange of ideas allows our team to evaluate the broader implications of China's foreign policy on international relations. Through the research and collaborative analysis of global affairs, we develop a well-rounded understanding of China's foreign policies. |
309 |
Creative Inquiry on China's Foreign Policy |
Jane Ready - Political Sciencejeready |
Xiaobo Hu - Political Sciencexhu |
| 311 |
Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a hereditary disorder characterized by elevated LDL cholesterol levels and an early onset of cardiovascular disease. FH is caused by loss-of-function mutations in the LDLR, which encodes for the cell surface receptor protein that enables the uptake and catabolism of LDL cholesterol. Current treatment options are inadequate for patients homozygous for LDLR mutations. A novel therapeutic approach involves ex vivo gene editing in hepatocytes isolated from the patient's resected liver, followed by transplantation back into the patient to engraft and repopulate the liver with healthy hepatocytes. This study has multiple aims. Previous work validated the successful engraftment of gene-edited hepatocytes in the liver using transient acetaminophen administration. Gene editing was mediated by CRISPR-Cas9 targeting Cypor to make hepatocytes resistant to acetaminophen toxicity, providing a selective expansion advantage. The liver enzyme alanine aminotransferase (ALT) was monitored to evaluate liver damage and serve as a marker for selection in vivo. A fluorescent LDL labeling protocol was developed to assess hepatic LDL uptake in Ldlr-/- mice to further validate efficacy in graft recipients. LDL was conjugated to ATTO 700 dye, purified, and administered via intravenous injection. Hepatic fluorescence was then tracked using IVIS imaging. Finally, AAVs were explored as an alternative delivery method for comparison to non-viral delivery of CRISPR-Cas. Plasmids encoding a split-intein spCas9 system were constructed to enable efficient packaging into AAVs. Further studies will develop transduction protocols and transplantation procedures. Work in the Cottle Lab is supported by grants to RNC: AASLD (2021000920), ASGCT (2022000099), and the NIH (1R56HL168093-01 and 1R01HL168093-01A1). |
311 |
Cell-Based Genome Editing for the Treatment of Familial Hypercholesterolemia |
Albash Khan - Biochemistryalbashk Ryan Mehlem - Biochemistryrmehlem Drew Boysia - Biomedical Engineeringaboysia Sacha Estel - Geneticssestel Havah Oswald - Biomedical Engineeringhoswald Carly Radomski - Geneticscradoms |
Renee Cottle - Bioengineeringrcottle |
| 313 |
The purpose of our projects was to focus on the fire adaptability of select pine species by (1) assessing the long-term development and self-thinning of shortleaf pines following topkill by wildfire in a mixed pine-hardwood forest, and (2) assessing seedling growth of fire-adapted pines from around the world through the use of greenhouse measurements to compare how fire adaptations develop in seedlings of species outside the southern US. Our first experiment used the Clemson Experimental Forest as a study area, and our methods included measuring the self-thinning, diameter, and overall height growth of sprouts 11 years after the fire. The second project involved measuring pine seedlings of different species from North America, Central America, and Asia in terms of apical height, stem height, root collar diameter, and live crown ratio to compare fire adaptive characteristics with two southern US species. We found that shortleaf pine was the largest and most abundant species in the regenerating stand. Our greenhouse measurements found that South Florida slash pine had the highest average apical height, Michoacan pine had the highest average stem height, and Sumatran pine had the highest average root collar diameter. The resprouting of shortleaf pine post-fire and seedling development of these species demonstrates their ability to survive in the presence of fire successfully. This information will allow land managers to better understand how these species respond to fire. |
313 |
Fire adaptations of Pinus Species From the Southeastern US and Around the World: Field and Greenhouse Experimentation |
Thomas Neeser - Environmental and Natural Resourcestneeser |
Gaofeng Wang - Forestry and Environmental Conservationgwang Ryan Bohannon - Forestry and Environmental Conservationgbohann Trisha Markus - Forestry and Environmental Conservationtmarkus Htet Lin Naing - Forestry and Environmental Conservationhnaing |
| 314 |
Our project observes the effects of low-dose radiation on breast cancer, colon cancer, and 3T3 cells as a baseline model. Once the cells are cultured, we use our novel irradiator to administer varying doses of low-dose radiation over various hours. Once they have been irritated, they are put through a PCR in order to determine if there is gene expression.Our latest project, which is coming to a close, is focused on HAOSC, Ubiqutiin, collagen one, and the gene expression related to radiation dose rates. The method we use to calculate this is the Pffafl method. As for the results, we found a down regulation in collagen with a steady up regulation in smooth muscle actin for higher-dose radiation. As for a lower dose of radiation, there is down regulation in both collagen and smooth muscle actin, and then there is a sharp uptick after 48 hours.Currently, we have been culturing the cells with the intention of observing the mitoquinone.We are going to be observing the changes in reactive oxygen species and how mitoquinone affects how they accumulate. |
314 |
MitoZap: Characterizing the Effects of Low-Dose Radiation on Various Cell Types and Mitochondria |
Ryan Damon - Biomedical Engineeringrdamon Margaret Gossett - Biomedical Engineeringmagosse Amy Jordan - Biomedical Engineeringamjorda Isabella Kerr - Biomedical Engineeringirkerr Ranitha Kumarasinghe - General Engineeringranithk Isabelle Martinez - Microbiologyimarti3 Mary Rogers - Biochemistrymrroger Jasmine Tran - Biological Sciencestran9 |
Delphine Dean - Bioengineeringfinou Endre Takacs - Physics and Astronomyetakacs |
| 316 |
IEEE robotics team will present research and development related to an autonomous robot to collect and transport material in open spaces and caves. Our team has developed a robot from grounds-up that can track and overcome numerous challenges by employing autonomous navigation, computer vision and novel sensors to collect valuable materials, like Geodinium and Nebulite. The robot further sorts these materials into cosmic shipping containers and brings them to the rendezvous pad communicated from the telemetry enabled by computer vision. |
316 |
Design and Implementation of an Autonomous Robot |
Isabella Corbit - Mechanical Engineeringicorbit Jacob Reese Daniel - Computer Engineeringjrdnl Aileen Roorda - General Engineeringaroorda Matt Esposito - Computer Engineeringmjespos Marvin Diaz Lopez - Computer Engineeringmdiazlo Marcelle Gregory - Computer Engineeringmarcelg Connor Belli - Computer Engineeringcbelli Caleb Briggs - Electrical Engineeringcbriggs Cole Kitchen - Computer Engineeringcakitch Shannon Leong - International Exchangesleong Cameron Nowell - Electrical Engineeringcnowell Le Xuan Enya Ong - International Exchangelexuano Eli Savage - Computer Engineeringesavag2 Alvi Topuzi - Electrical Engineeringatopuzi Rodney Williams - Electrical Engineeringrodney4 David Bootle - Electrical Engineeringdbootle |
William Reid - Electrical and Computer Engineeringbreid Hassan Raza - Electrical and Computer Engineeringhraza |
| 2 |
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2 |
Anthropogenic Development and Rodent Communities: Assessing the Impact on Predator Exposure and Rodenticide Risk (CSRF) |
Alisa Armstrong - Environmental and Natural Resourcesalisaa |
Meghan Keating - Forestry and Environmental Conservationmpkeati David Jachowski - Forestry and Environmental Conservationdjachow |
| 3 |
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3 |
Compostable Materials and Soil Health: In-Vessel and Home Composting Pilot (CSRF) |
MacKenzie Kelley - Packaging Sciencembk |
R. Andrew Hurley - Food, Nutrition, and Packaging Sciencesruperth James Sternberg - Food, Nutrition, and Packaging Sciencessternbe |
| 8 |
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8 |
The Effects of Conjugated Linoleic Acid Supplementation on Stride Length in Horses with Degenerative Joint Disease (CSRF) |
Langley Vernon - Animal and Veterinary Sciencelanglev |
Erika Hwang - Animal and Veterinary Scienceserikaj Kristine Vernon - Animal and Veterinary Scienceskvernon |
| 10 |
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10 |
Analysis of Bee Venom Therapy on TikTok (CSRF) |
Danielle Haigler - Geneticsdchaigl |
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| 12 |
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12 |
Histological Analysis of Sheep Placental Development (CSRF) |
Blake Smith - Animal and Veterinary Sciencebas5 Aliute-Nkoyo Udoka - Animal and Veterinary Scienceaudoka Hailey Stroble - Animal and Veterinary Sciencehstrobl Rachel Rushing - Animal and Veterinary Sciencerrushin |
|
| 15 |
|
15 |
Monitoring Birds Using In Person Counts and Acoustic Recorders in the Clemson Experimental Forest (CSRF) |
Jeyda Bolukbasi - Environmental and Natural Resourcesjbolukb Percival Marshall - Wildlife and Fisheries Biologypercivm Marisa Zimmerman - Wildlife and Fisheries Biologymarisaz |
Jared Elmore - Forestry and Environmental Conservationjaelmor |
| 19 |
|
19 |
The Effect of the Media on Fluoride and Toothpaste Additives (CSRF) |
Rachel Anderson - Biological Sciencesrna2 |
|
| 20 |
|
20 |
Using Values-Centric Approach of Expectancy-Value Theory to Explore Ethical-Decision Making Behaviors of Graduate Students Who Use Microscopes for Research (CSRF) |
Whitney Delva - Biological Scienceswdelva |
Rhonda Powell - Engineering and Science Educationrhondar Matthew Boyer - Engineering and Science Educationdmboyer |
| 21 |
|
21 |
Game On: How Unified Sports Boost Social Skills in Youth with Intellectual Disabilities (CSRF) |
Alexis Phillips - Parks, Recreation & Tourism Managementadp5 Chandler Jordan - Parks, Recreation & Tourism Managementcejorda Sarah Shawver - Parks, Recreation & Tourism Managementseshawv |
Em V Adams - Parks, Recreation and Tourism Managementemiliea |
| 22 |
|
22 |
Beauty is in the AI of the beholder: Viewing AI-Generated Content Negatively Impacts Body Dissatisfaction (CSRF) |
Ellena Wood - Psychologyellenaw Evan Wright - Sociologyejwrigh |
Alexis Lamere - Dean-Behavioral, Social & Health Sciencesalamere Brooke L Bennett - Psychologyblbenne |
| 26 |
|
26 |
Expert vs. Novice Surgeons: Unveiling the Gaps in Decision-Making During Simulated Surgical Tasks (CSRF) |
Ashley Maharaj - Industrial Engineeringmahara2 |
|
| 29 |
|
29 |
CANdy: Transient Upsampling to Secure the Controller Area Network (CSRF) |
Caden Allen - Computer Sciencecaden3 Sophia Voulgaris - Electrical Engineeringsvoulga |
Yu Wei Liu - School of Computingyuwei |
| 31 |
|
31 |
Data Privacy in Modern Vehicles: Analyzing User Awareness and Understanding in Android Automotive (CSRF) |
Julia Thompson - Computer Information Systemsjnt3 Grace Johnson - Computer Sciencegjohns6 |
Mert Pese - School of ComputingMpese |
| 35 |
|
35 |
Through the Eyes of a Surgeon: Exploring Cognitive Load Differences in Minimally Invasive Surgery Between Experts and Novices Through Eye-Tracking (CSRF) |
Vone' Whaley - Industrial EngineeringVonew |
|
| 40 |
|
40 |
Analysis of Ashwagandha Supplement Content Within Social Media (CSRF) |
Skylar Cadwallader - Psychologyscadwal |
Elliot Ennis - Chemistryege |
| 49 |
|
49 |
Human Dimensions: A Waterfowl Hunter Satisfaction Survey of Oconee, Pickens, Anderson, and Greenville Counties (CSRF) |
Benjamin Bledsoe - Environmental and Natural Resourcesbbledso Connor Geelhoed - Wildlife and Fisheries Biologycgeelho Hannah Kern - Environmental and Natural Resourceshmkern Ty Massey - Environmental and Natural Resourcestym Reid Mckellar - Wildlife and Fisheries Biologymckell3 Aubrey Myers - Environmental and Natural Resourcesahmyers Jordan O'Donnell - Environmental and Natural Resourcesjtodonn Jill Spalt - Environmental and Natural Resourcesjspalt |
Akshitkumar Suthar - Forestry and Environmental Conservationasuthar Crystal Anderson - Forestry and Environmental Conservationcrhode2 James Anderson - Forestry and Environmental Conservationjta6 |
| 56 |
|
56 |
The Effects of Urbanization on the American Black Bear Ecology and Management (CSRF) |
Lauren Lusk - Wildlife and Fisheries BiologyLdlusk Rachael Larson - Environmental and Natural Resourcesrelarso Austin Hauck - Environmental and Natural Resourcesarhauck Avery Harbaugh - Wildlife and Fisheries Biologyaharbau Jake Williams - Environmental and Natural Resourcesjwill72 Katharine Martin - Wildlife and Fisheries Biologykathar5 |
David Jachowski - Forestry and Environmental Conservationdjachow John Nettles - Forestry and Environmental Conservationnettle2 |
| 57 |
|
57 |
Chlorophyll Water and TikTok: Examining the Spread of Misinformation in the Age of Social Media (CSRF) |
Hayley Campbell - Biological Scienceshecampb |
Elliot Ennis - Chemistryege |
| 64 |
|
64 |
Analyzing Microplastic Abundance Around a Wastewater Treatment Plant in Clemson, SC (CSRF) |
Makenzie Evans - Environmental Engineeringmakenze Steven Joseph - Microbiologysajosep |
Cassandra May - Biological Sciencescmay3 |
| 69 |
|
69 |
Development of a Flow-Free Microfluidic Gradient Generator to Study Algal Chemotaxis (CSRF) |
Caroline Nutter - Chemical Engineeringcnutter Katherine Brennan - General Engineeringkzbrenn |
Riley Osbourn - Chemical and Biomolecular Engineeringrosbour Adam Melvin - Chemical and Biomolecular Engineeringmelvina |
| 72 |
|
72 |
Graduate Student Perceptions of Ethical Decision-making in Light Microscopy as Viewed Through the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology Model (CSRF) |
Karthik Beeraka - Financial Managementkbeerak Brianna Breckenridge - Biological Sciencesbbrecke |
Rhonda Powell - Engineering and Science Educationrhondar Matthew Boyer - Engineering and Science Educationdmboyer |
| 74 |
|
74 |
Outreach Activities to Improve the Visibility of Mycology in South Carolina: Developing a K-12 Curriculum (CSRF) |
Danett Vargas Sanchez - Artdvargas Logan Baker - Biological Sciencesleb5 Lauren Livingston - Microbiologyllivin3 Zoe Marquez de la Plata - Plant and Environmental Scienceszamarqu Bre Garcia - Microbiologybgarci2 Rachal Lin - Biological Sciencesrachall |
Julia Kerrigan - Plant and Environmental Sciencesjkerrig |
| 75 |
|
75 |
Small Cells, Big Potential: Power in a Tiny Package: Harnessing Euglena for Renewable Energy With Gel Electrophoresis (CSRF) |
Daniel Voloshyn - Biochemistrydvolosh Harry Kish - Biological Scienceshkish Madelyn Smith - Geneticsmsmit84 |
Todd Lyda - Genetics and Biochemistrylyda |
| 77 |
|
77 |
Using Social Cognitive Theory to Explore Ethical Decision-Making Behaviors of Graduate Students Who Use Microscopy for Research (CSRF) |
Ava Giese - Biological Sciencesagiese Kaitlynn Singletary - Biological Scienceskesingl Rosalia Stagnitta - Psychologyrstagni |
Rhonda Powell - Engineering and Science Educationrhondar Matthew Boyer - Engineering and Science Educationdmboyer |
| 84 |
|
84 |
Reinforcement Learning for Human-Imperceptible Physical Attacks on Vision Systems (CSRF) |
James Tribble - Computer Sciencejjtribb |
Amir Salarpour - School of Computingasalarp |
| 85 |
|
85 |
Sustainability at Work: A Buffer for Burnout in High Stress Environments (CSRF) |
Kaitlyn Martin - Psychologykkm4 Alexa Hackmann - Psychologyanhackm Kelsey Ransom - Psychologykeranso Olivia Wilson - Psychologyomwilso |
Meredith Pool - Psychologymjpool |
| 89 |
|
89 |
Development and Optimization of a Modular Microfluidic Device to Study the Effects of Deformation on Metastatic Breast Cancer (CSRF) |
Addison Vondersaar - Biochemistryvonders Scott Woodyard - Chemical Engineeringswoodya Julia Jacques - Chemical Engineeringjmjacqu |
Braulio Ortega Quesada - Chemical and Biomolecular Engineeringbraulio Adam Melvin - Chemical and Biomolecular Engineeringmelvina |
| 91 |
|
91 |
Using a Peptide Delivery System for CRISPR Gene-Editing (CSRF) |
Santiago Rivero - Biochemistryrivero2 Jennifer Singleton - Biomedical Engineeringjhsingl Alyson Schwartz - Biomedical Engineeringanschwa |
Joey Lavalla - Bioengineeringjvlaval Angela Alexander - Bioengineeringangelaa |
| 92 |
|
92 |
The Impact of Increased Salt Levels on Vegetable Growth and Quality (CSRF) |
Anna Johnson - Environmental and Natural Resourcesajohn79 Samantha Cabiness - Environmental and Natural Resourcessmcabin Carson Wargo - Plant and Environmental Sciencescdwargo Timothy O'Leary - Wildlife and Fisheries Biologyoleary4 |
Lance Beecher - Cooperative Extension Serviceslbeeche |
| 95 |
|
95 |
Reddit Reactions to the Alabama Supreme Court Ruling on Frozen Embryos as 'Unborn Children' (CSRF) |
Clara Thompson - Biological Sciencesclarat Jordan Signorelli - Psychologysignor3 Anna Baker - Psychologyabake26 |
Anna Baker - Psychologyabake26 |
| 96 |
|
96 |
The Misconceptions of Veterinary Medicine With an Emphasis in Flea and Tick Prevention (CSRF) |
Sidney Turner - Animal and Veterinary Sciencesst4 |
Elliot Ennis - Chemistryege |
| 98 |
|
98 |
Immunological Misconceptions Regarding the MTHFR Gene and Development of Allergic Disease (CSRF) |
Macy Rietz - Geneticsmrietz |
Elliot Ennis - Chemistryege Alex Feltus - Genetics and Biochemistryffeltus |
| 100 |
|
100 |
Adversarial Occlusion Attack on Autonomous Driving Systems via Vision Language Models (CSRF) |
Ashton McEntarffer - Computer Scienceamcenta Max Engelhorn - Computer Sciencemengelh |
Pedram MohajerAnsari - School of Computingpmohaje |
| 103 |
|
103 |
Unethical Psychological Treatment in Correctional Facilities: Disparities, Harmful Effects, and Potential Solutions (CSRF) |
Sophie Roehrborn - Psychologysroehrb Ansley Welch - Psychologyawelch6 Kelsi Jenkins - Psychologykjenki3 |
|
| 104 |
|
104 |
12CO Ro-vibrational Spectroscopy of AB Aurigae: A Case Study for Planet-Disk Interaction Theory (CSRF) |
Janus Kozdon - Physicsjkozdon Cory Padgett - Physicscpadge4 |
Jeffrey Fung - Physics and Astronomyfung Sean Brittain - Physics and Astronomysbritt |
| 110 |
|
110 |
Relationship Between AMPK Signaling and Mitochondrial Dynamics in Cardiac Differentiation (CSRF) |
Jenna Mennona - Biological Sciencesjmennon |
Qing Liu - Biological Sciencesqliu4 |
| 111 |
|
111 |
From Innovators to Laggards: Why Are Marketing Students Frightened of AI Influence? (CSRF) |
Alyssa Neff - Marketinganneff |
Mike Giebelhausen - Department of Marketingmgiebel |
| 118 |
|
118 |
Enterococcus faecalis Inhibits Clostridium innocuum In Vitro Under Multiple Conditions (CSRF) |
Kristen Gulbrandsen - Biochemistrykgulbra |
Anna Seekatz - Biological Sciencesaseekat |
| 119 |
|
119 |
The Maternal Healthcare System in Prisons (CSRF) |
Salma Solis Solis - Philosophysalmas Camryn Goulet - Criminal Justicecgoulet Delaney Baldauf - Psychologydbaldau Maddie O'Neill - Economicsmhoneil |
|
| 121 |
|
121 |
Hellbender Habitat Use: Examining Sex-Based and Seasonal Variations (CSRF) |
Mitchell Romano - Biological Sciencesromano7 Marrissa Weingartner - Wildlife and Fisheries Biologymarrisw |
Cathy Jachowski - Forestry and Environmental Conservationcjachow |
| 125 |
|
125 |
The Impact of Tank Mixing Iron Fertilizers with Insecticide on Their Effectiveness and Crop Outcomes (CSRF) |
Arshdeep Kaur - Plant and Environmental Sciencesarshdek |
Bhupinder Singh Jatana - Plant and Environmental SciencesBjatana |
| 126 |
|
126 |
Co-Culture Between ER+ Breast Cancer and Bacteria Using a 3D Printed Insert to Recreate the Tumor Microbiome (CSRF) |
Addison Schaaf - Biochemistryaschaaf Krista Surprenant - Microbiologyksurpre |
Riley Osbourn - Chemical and Biomolecular Engineeringrosbour Adam Melvin - Chemical and Biomolecular Engineeringmelvina |
| 127 |
|
127 |
Enhancing Mineralization Pattern of Organic Nutrient Sources Through Natural Amendments (CSRF) |
Ashok Sah - Plant and Environmental Sciencesasah |
Bhupinder Singh Jatana - Plant and Environmental Sciencesbjatana |
| 129 |
|
129 |
Investigating the Anticancer Efficacy of a Locally Administered Hydrogel for Controlled Release of TMZ and siRNA to Treat Glioblastoma (CSRF) |
Daphne Gomez Escudero - Biomedical Engineeringdgomeze Kay Russi - Biomedical Engineeringkerussi Emalee Mann - Bioengineeringemaleem Aaron Anderson - General Engineeringaca9 |
Angela Alexander - Bioengineeringangelaa Jessie Boulos - Bioengineeringjboulos |
| 131 |
|
131 |
Faculty, Staff, and Administrator Experiences Supporting Neurodivergent and Neurotypical Learners in Higher Education (CSRF) |
|
Matthew Boyer - Engineering and Science EducationDmboyer |
| 133 |
|
133 |
Oral Mucosal Pathogen Identification: Links Between Periodontitis and Pulpits Pathogens and Respiratory Infections (CSRF) |
Ryan Campbell - Computer Sciencermc2 Connor McClain - Biomedical Engineeringcmccla2 Ellison Fleming - Biochemistryebflemi |
Congyue Peng - Bioengineeringcongyup Delphine Dean - Bioengineeringfinou Rooksana Noorai - Genetics and Biochemistryrooksan Christopher Parkinson - Biological Sciencesviper |
| 134 |
|
134 |
The Effects of the Implementation of Domestic Legislation on Child Welfare Across Societies: An Analysis of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CSRF) |
Kira McMann - Criminal Justicekamcman |
|
| 135 |
|
135 |
Using Experiences-Centric Approach of Expectancy-Value Theory to Explore Ethical-Decision Making Behaviors of Graduate Students Who Use Microscopes for Research (CSRF) |
Maria Sanchez Bedoya - Anthropologymisanch |
Rhonda Powell - Engineering and Science Educationrhondar Matthew Boyer - Engineering and Science Educationdmboyer |
| 138 |
|
138 |
Analysis of #LiverDetox on Instagram Reels (CSRF) |
Susan Livesay - Chemistryselives |
Elliot Ennis - Chemistryege |
| 141 |
|
141 |
Investigation on the Role of Hemp Extracts on the Enzymatic Activity of Members of the Ubiquitin-Proteasome System (UPS) (CSRF) |
Sophia LiVigni - Biochemistryslivign Jovanna Castillo - Biochemistryjovannc |
Adam Melvin - Chemical and Biomolecular Engineeringmelvina Anna Chadwick - Chemical and Biomolecular Engineeringacchadw |
| 142 |
|
142 |
Adversarial Attacks on Autonomous Vehicles (CSRF) |
Roman Gilliatt - Computer Information Systemsrjgilli |
|
| 146 |
|
146 |
Cell viability of Cleavable Tandem Peptides in 2D and 3D Ovarian Cancer Cells (CSRF) |
Ruxi Xia - Biochemistryruxix Aditi Das - General Engineeringdas5 |
Angela Alexander - Bioengineeringangelaa Anna Kaminski - Bioengineeringaskamin |
| 150 |
|
150 |
Picture Perfect: The Relationship Between Photo Editing Behaviors, Self-esteem, and Body Dissatisfaction (CSRF) |
Lauren Chisarik - Psychologylchisar Isabella Eckert - Psychologyieckert Amy Harris - Psychologyapharri Caitlin McKenna - Food Science and Human Nutritioncmcken6 Alexandria Palevich - Psychologyapalevi |
Brooke L Bennett - Psychologyblbenne |
| 151 |
|
151 |
Greed in the Gut: The Impact of Viral Vet Trends in a One Health World (CSRF) |
Bella Grana - Animal and Veterinary Scienceigrana |
Elliot Ennis - Chemistryege |
| 152 |
|
152 |
Social Media's Impact on the Misinformation on Ozempic (CSRF) |
Emmy Korman - Economicsekorman |
Elliot Ennis - Chemistryege |
| 156 |
|
156 |
Analysis of the Misinformation of #Krat0m on TikTok (CSRF) |
Heidi Wendowski - Biological Scienceshwendow |
Elliot Ennis - Chemistryege |
| 163 |
|
163 |
Estimating Economic Value of Alternative Residential Wastewater Management in South Carolina (CSRF) |
Gabriel Venturini - Agricultural and Applied Economicsventuri |
|
| 164 |
|
164 |
Lemme Product Misinformation Across Social Media Platforms (CSRF) |
Ashley Tofield - Biological Sciencesatofiel |
Elliot Ennis - Chemistryege |
| 165 |
|
165 |
Medical Misinformation: Vaccinations (CSRF) |
Kristen Dutkin - Biological Scienceskdutkin Haley Schmaltz - Biological Scienceshschmal |
Elliot Ennis - Chemistryege |
| 169 |
|
169 |
A Microscale Approach to Alucidate Paracrine Signaling Driving Cell-to-Cell Communication in the Microbiome (CSRF) |
Zoe Swatland - Biochemistryzswatla Abigail Pickrel - Biomedical Engineeringapickre |
Adam Melvin - Chemical and Biomolecular Engineeringmelvina Riley Osbourn - Chemical and Biomolecular Engineeringrosbour |
| 174 |
|
174 |
Cross-Interaction With Amyloid-β Drives Pathogenic Structural Transformation Within the Amyloidogenic Core Region of TDP-43 (CSRF) |
Adam Gatch - Biochemistryagatch |
Feng Ding - Physics and Astronomyfding |
| 176 |
|
176 |
Examining Collagen Morphology in TNBC Across Ancestry Groups (CSRF) |
Alannah Akins - Biomedical Engineeringakins Kylie King - Bioengineeringkyliek Matt Harrington - Bioengineeringmdh2 Tong Ye - Bioengineeringye7 |
Heather Dunn - Bioengineeringwalkerd Zhi Gao - Bioengineeringzgao |
| 178 |
|
178 |
Fluid Shear Thinning Effects on Electrokinetic Instabilities for Enhanced Microfluidic Mixing (CSRF) |
Nicole Miller - Industrial Engineeringnicole4 Yu-Hsiang Lee - Mechanical Engineeringyuhsial |
Joy Islam - Mechanical Engineeringmdmaini Matin Tabarhoseini - Mechanical Engineeringstabarh Xiangchun Xuan - Mechanical Engineeringxcxuan |
| 180 |
|
180 |
Nutrition Misinformation in the Media: The Candida Diet (CSRF) |
Jillian Fahey - Food Science and Human NutritionJafahey |
Elliot Ennis - Chemistryege |
| 181 |
|
181 |
Optimization of a Five-Channel Microfluidic Device to Elucidate Dynamic Changes in the Cellular Secretome (CSRF) |
Isabella Adams - Biomedical Engineeringiadams2 Violet Lorei - Biological Sciencesvlorei |
Riley Osbourn - Chemical and Biomolecular Engineeringrosbour Adam Melvin - Chemical and Biomolecular Engineeringmelvina |
| 182 |
|
182 |
Social Media Misinformation on mRNA Vaccines (CSRF) |
Angelica Shcherenkov - Biological Sciencesashcher |
Elliot Ennis - Chemistryege |
| 183 |
|
183 |
Sweet Deception: Separating Fact From Fiction Regarding Sugar Detoxes in the Media (CSRF) |
Emily Mitchell - Food Science and Human Nutritionelm9 Maya Matincheck - Biological Sciencesmmatinc |
|
| 188 |
|
188 |
Using Goals-Centric Approach of Expectancy-Value Theory to Explore Ethical-Decision Making Behaviors of Graduate Students Who Use Microscopes for Research (CSRF) |
Megan Elguicze - Biological Sciencesmelguic |
Rhonda Powell - Engineering and Science Educationrhondar Matthew Boyer - Engineering and Science Educationdmboyer |
| 189 |
|
189 |
A Multidisciplinary, Case Study-Based Approach to Teaching the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (CSRF) |
Allison Bellaire - Health Scienceabellai |
Becky Tugman - Public Health Sciencesbtugman Jim Strickland - Animal and Veterinary Sciencesjrstric |
| 190 |
|
190 |
Development of a 3D-Printed Millifluidic Device to Study How Bacteria Alters the 3D Migration of Breast Cancer Cells (CSRF) |
Riley Collins - Biomedical Engineeringrcolli6 Kathleen Doran - Biochemistrykrdoran Claire Sitarski - General Engineeringcsitars |
Adam Melvin - Chemical and Biomolecular Engineeringmelvina |
| 193 |
|
193 |
Examining Demographic Differences for Informational and Patient-Provider Communication Preferences (CSRF) |
Leigh Brown - Biochemistryleigh7 Jordan Signorelli - Psychologysignor3 |
Anna Baker - Psychologyabake26 |
| 196 |
|
196 |
Temperature-Driven Azole Resistance in Aspergillus fumigatus: The Role of lncRNA afu-182 in Fungal Drug Tolerance (CSRF) |
Ryan Mehlem - Biochemistryrmehlem Dharani Kunireddi - Microbiologydkunire Elizabeth Czarniecki - Microbiologyeczarni |
Nava Poudyal - Biological Sciencesnpoudya Sourabh Dhingra - Biological Sciencessdhingr |
| 198 |
|
198 |
Insights Into the Molecular Phylogeny of Selachii Using the Mitochondrial Protein Coding Genes of 139 Chondrichthyans (CSRF) |
Katie Skufca - Biological Scienceskskufca |
Juan Baeza Migueles - Biological Sciencesjbaezam |
| 199 |
|
199 |
Monitoring of Variation in Surface and Sub-Surface Temperatures in a Bioretention Cell During Storm Events With High-Frequency Temperature Sensors (CSRF) |
Jack Cuneo - Biosystems Engineeringjcuneo Allison Curl - Biosystems Engineeringaecurl |
Debabrata Sahoo - Agricultural Sciencesdsahoo William Bolger - Campus Utilitieswbolger |
| 200 |
|
200 |
Navigating Online Learning: Experiences of Neurodivergent Students (CSRF) |
Alec Bauer - Biological Sciencesabauer2 |
|
| 201 |
|
201 |
Quantifying Microplastic Particles in Stone Cases of Pycnopsyche gentilis Over 62 Years (CSRF) |
Rachel Barney - Animal and Veterinary Sciencerbarney |
John Morse - Plant and Environmental Sciencesjmorse |
| 202 |
|
202 |
AthenaGuard: An Open-Source Security Monitoring Framework for Cluster Computing Environments (CSRF) |
Chloe Crozier - Computer Sciencecscrozi |
Jon Calhoun - Electrical and Computer Engineeringjonccal Scott Groel - CCIT Research Supportsgroel Mark K Smotherman - School of Computingmark |
| 204 |
|
204 |
Demonstrating Attacks on RAG-VLM for Autonomous Driving (CSRF) |
Ashton McEntarffer - Computer Scienceamcenta Sai Siddharth Thumsi - Computer Sciencesthumsi |
Pedram MohajerAnsari - School of Computingpmohaje |
| 209 |
|
209 |
Battery Workforce Challenge (CSRF) |
Venkata Yagna Griddaluru - Electrical Engineeringv Saroj Paudel - Automotive Engineeringsarojp Sawyer Thompson - Electrical Engineeringsawyert Carter Moody - Electrical Engineeringclmoody Faith Aiken - Electrical Engineeringfaiken Todd Funk - Electrical Engineeringtfunk Daniel Ponseti - Electrical Engineeringdponset William Stairley - Electrical Engineeringwstairl Avery Brocket - Electrical Engineeringakbrock Nick Minieri - Electrical Engineeringnminier Comfort Samuel - Electrical Engineeringcomfors Andrew Lambrecht - Industrial Engineeringalambre |
Jiangfeng Zhang - School of ME and AuEjiangfz Rajendra Singh - Electrical and Computer Engineeringsrajend |
| 211 |
|
211 |
Air Microbiome Shifts Following Natural Disaster Hurricane Helene (CSRF) |
Isabella Andrews - Biochemistryira Kaylee Board - Biochemistrykeboard Gabriella Gardiner - Biochemistryggardin Alexandra Harrington - Biochemistryafh Kate McCarthy - Geneticskimccar Caroline Munter - Environmental and Natural Resourcescmunter Lauren Poyck - Geneticslpoyck |
Kimberly Kanapeckas Metris - Genetics and Biochemistrykmetris |
| 215 |
|
215 |
Performing Genetic Differential Analysis to Identify Biomakers of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (CSRF) |
Nolan Miller - Computer Sciencengmille Gaura Sinha - Bioengineeringgsinha Madison Sexton - Bioengineeringmmsexto Mya Beasley - Bioengineeringmebeasl Abigail Smith - Bioengineeringasmit68 |
Congyue Peng - Bioengineeringcongyup Delphine Dean - Bioengineeringfinou Liangjiang Wang - Genetics and Biochemistryliangjw |
| 217 |
|
217 |
Estimating Capitalized Agricultural Land Value by Irrigation and Heterogenous Aquifer Management (CSRF) |
Sarah Eberhart - Agricultural and Applied Economicsseberha |
|
| 224 |
|
224 |
The Rate of Physical Abnormalities Over Time in Eastern and Ozark Hellbender Salamanders from Missouri (CSRF) |
Emma Gaunt - Environmental and Natural Resourceseggaunt Claire McDonald - Englishcmcdon7 |
Cathy Jachowski - Forestry and Environmental Conservationcjachow |
| 225 |
|
225 |
Secure Communication in Automotive Ethernet Networks (CSRF) |
James Underwood - Computer Engineeringunderw4 Michael Steiger - Computer Sciencemsteige Benjamin McDonnough - Computer Sciencemcdonn7 |
Jan De Voor - School of Computingjdevoor Levent Celik - School of Computinglcelik |
| 227 |
|
227 |
Visitor Preferences and Trends at South Carolina Ag + Art Tour (CSRF) |
Micah Shetterly - Agribusinessmshette |
Michael Vassalos - Agricultural Sciencesmvassal Will Culler - Extension Agribusiness Teamwculler |
| 228 |
|
228 |
Analysis of Hydroxyapatite and Fluoride-Related Content on TikTok, an Exploratory Study (CSRF) |
Reema Krishniah - Economicsreemak |
|
| 229 |
|
229 |
Analyzing Privacy Implications of Data Collection in Android Automotive Operating Systems (CSRF) |
Milka Ndubuisi - Computer Sciencebogumin |
Yu Wei Liu - School of Computingyuwei Bulut Gozubuyuk - School of Computingbgozubu |
| 230 |
|
230 |
The Effects of Conjugated Linoleic Acid Supplementation on Pain Behavior of the Ridden Horse (CSRF) |
Emily Brown - Animal and Veterinary Scienceeab8 |
Erika Hwang - Animal and Veterinary Scienceserikaj Kristine Vernon - Animal and Veterinary Scienceskvernon |
| 231 |
|
231 |
Assessing the Impact of States’ Coronavirus Policies on National Park Visitation (CSRF) |
Samuel Brandes - Environmental and Natural Resourcessbbrand |
|
| 235 |
|
235 |
Euglena as a Bioenergy Source: Enhancing Chlorophyll Extraction with Isopropyl Alcohol (CSRF) |
Zyel Bernabe - Biological SciencesZbernab Tsaddiyq Morbeth - Biological Sciencestmorbet Thomas DeNicola - Geneticstadenic |
|
| 237 |
|
237 |
The Impact of Parental Detainment on Children in the United States (CSRF) |
Cally DeMoura - Psychologycdemour Catherine Murphy - Political Sciencecmurp24 Riley Stokes - Political Sciencerjstoke |
Nancy Paxton-Wilson - Englishnpaxton |
| 239 |
|
239 |
The Effects of Fescue Toxicosis and its Mitigation on Fetal Brain Development in Sheep (CSRF) |
Sidney Turner - Animal and Veterinary Sciencesst4 |
Susan Duckett - Animal and Veterinary Sciencessducket Aliute-Nkoyo Udoka - Animal and Veterinary Sciencesaudoka |
| 245 |
|
245 |
The Overcrowding of Pre-trial Detention (CSRF) |
Emily Buchholz - Psychologyebuchho Grace Gstell - Communicationggstell Ellis Luttrell - Philosophycluttre Riley McGoldrick - Psychologyrmcgold Hannah Smith - Englishhps3 |
|
| 246 |
|
246 |
3D Co-Culture of ER+ Breast Cancer and Monocytes to Elucidate How Cellular Crosstalk Alters Macrophage Differentiation and Endocrine Resistance (CSRF) |
Ariana Steinbrueck - Biomedical Engineeringamstein |
Adam Melvin - Chemical and Biomolecular EngineeringMelvina Braulio Ortega Quesada - Chemical and Biomolecular EngineeringBraulio |
| 248 |
|
248 |
Characterizing Social Media Misinformation Regarding ADHD Solutions to Assess Impact on Medical and Parenting Decisions (CSRF) |
Amanda Robinovitz - Animal and Veterinary Sciencearobino |
Elliot Ennis - Chemistryege |
| 251 |
|
251 |
Do Hellbenders in Better Condition Always Go Big When They’re Going Home? (CSRF) |
Sofia Amster - Environmental and Natural Resourcessamster Sophia Downs - Animal and Veterinary Sciencesadowns Spencer Williams - Wildlife and Fisheries Biologysaw8 |
Ben Dalton - Forestry and Environmental Conservationbddalto Cathy Jachowski - Forestry and Environmental Conservationcjachow |
| 252 |
|
252 |
Life After Suicide (CSRF) |
Caroline Greco - Psychologycrgreco Francie Coleman - Psychologyfacolem Willow Stewart - Psychologywillows Emma Aurilio - Psychologyeaurili Grace Drolet - Psychologygdrolet Elizabeth Bouknight - Psychologyboukni4 Sydney Lavin - Psychologyslavin Olivia Palmieri - Biochemistryopalmie Cora Dodson - Psychologycorad Hailey Carroll - Psychologyhcarro2 |
Robin Kowalski - Psychologyrkowals |
| 254 |
|
254 |
Single Cell Measurement of DUB Activity in Multiple Myeloma to Identify Drug Resistant Subpopulations Based on Enzyme Activity (CSRF) |
Riley Debock - Biological Sciencesrdebock James Marturano - Biochemistryjtmartu Campbell Dauksza - Biochemistrycdauksz |
Anna Chadwick - Chemical and Biomolecular Engineeringacchadw Adam Melvin - Chemical and Biomolecular Engineeringmelvina |
| 256 |
|
256 |
The Dynamic Relationship Between Crayfish Species and Their Symbionts (CSRF) |
Sabrina Fernandez - Chemistrysferna3 Megan Taylor - Animal and Veterinary Sciencemnt4 Ellie Smith - Environmental and Natural Resourcesecs7 |
Tara Cronin - Biological Sciencestjcroni Michael Childress - Biological Sciencesmchildr |
| 258 |
|
258 |
Choroid Plexus Epithelial Cells Generate Large Apical Extracellular Particles (CSRF) |
Erin Batchelor - Biological Sciencesekbatch Luke Fisher - Biochemistryljfishe |
David Feliciano - Biological Sciencesdfelici |
| 259 |
|
259 |
Family Medicine Meets the Emergency Department: How Co-Location Reshapes Patient Flow and Acuity Mix (CSRF) |
Thomas Ross - Managementtaross |
Benjamin Grant - Department of Managementbngrant |
| 262 |
|
262 |
Inadequate Healthcare and the Spread of Disease in Southeast Prisons (CSRF) |
Maggie Stack - Criminal Justicemgstack Felicia Collea - Criminal Justicefcollea Montana Mawhinney - Sociologymomawhi Asheton Holden - Englishamholde |
|
| 267 |
|
267 |
Canning Quality of Organic Dry Pea (Pisum sativum L.) Advanced Breeding Lines Adapted to South Carolina (CSRF) |
Charles Kresser - Plant and Environmental Sciencescdkress |
Sakila Chamodi Senarathne - Plant and Environmental Sciencesgsenara Amod Madurapperumage - Plant and Environmental Sciencesmudayan Scott Whiteside - Food, Nutrition, and Packaging Scienceswwhtsd Pushparajah Thavarajah - Plant and Environmental Sciencespthavar Dil Thavarajah - Plant and Environmental Sciencesdthavar |
| 268 |
|
268 |
Expanding AI Applications: Machine Learning for Glycosome Quantification in Trypanosoma brucei (CSRF) |
Catherine Alexander - Biomedical Engineeringcdalexa Katherine Massie - Health Sciencekmassie Herb Kneeland - Health Sciencehkneela Hanle Moon - Biological Scienceshmoon Jessica Kicza - Biomedical Engineeringjkicza Violet Lorei - Biological Sciencesvlorei Emma Weeks - Language and International Healthemweeks |
Meredith Morris - Genetics and Biochemistrymmorri3 Rhonda Powell - Engineering and Science Educationrhondar Heidi Anderson - Genetics and Biochemistryheidid |
| 271 |
|
271 |
Small Cells, Big Potential: Illuminating the Propagation of Euglena (CSRF) |
Rebekha Patel - Biosystems Engineeringrebekhp Nicholas Hyder - Geneticsnhyder |
|
| 274 |
|
274 |
Understanding Nutrient Dynamics of Peach Trees During Leaf Senescence (CSRF) |
Victoria Harrison - Plant and Environmental Sciencesvaharri |
Juan Carlos Melgar Jimenez - Plant and Environmental Sciencesjmelgar |
| 278 |
|
278 |
Crayfish Behavior Responses to Temperature Variations (CSRF) |
Jeyda Bolukbasi - Environmental and Natural Resourcesjbolukb Paige Little - Biological Sciencespmlittl Mary Stewart - Biological Sciencesmks9 |
Tara Cronin - Biological Sciencestjcroni Michael Childress - Biological Sciencesmchildr |
| 279 |
|
279 |
Carotenoid Knowledge as a Catalyst for Healthier Eating Habits in College Students (CSRF) |
Kamryn Gray - Food Science and Human Nutritionkamryng |
Vivian Haley-Zitlin - Food, Nutrition, and Packaging Sciencesvivianh |
| 280 |
|
280 |
Developing a Deoxyribose Assay for Electron Beam Ion Trap Compatibility and Radioprotectant Screening (CSRF) |
Kyle Bristow - Chemistrykbristo Addison Hamrick - Biomedical Engineeringhamric7 |
Julia Brumaghim - Chemistrybrumagh |
| 281 |
|
281 |
Enhancing Upland Cotton Fiber Quality: The Role of Gene X in Fiber Fineness (CSRF) |
Jacob Johnson - Plant and Environmental Sciencesjjohn69 |
Christopher Saski - Plant and Environmental Sciencessaski Shalini Priya Etukuri - Plant and Environmental Sciencessetukur Foster Kangben - Plant and Environmental Sciencesfkangbe FNU Sonika - Plant and Environmental Sciencessonikak Zhigang Li - Plant and Environmental Scienceszhiganl Trevor Rife - Plant and Environmental Sciencestwrife Chaney Courtney - Plant and Environmental Sciencesccourtn |
| 283 |
|
283 |
Green Superfood Powders on TikTok (CSRF) |
Anna Millen - Food Science and Human Nutritionmillen |
Elliot Ennis - Chemistryege |
| 284 |
|
284 |
High Throughput Phenotyping Platform for Nutritional Traits in Pulse Crops: A Cloud Computing Approach (CSRF) |
Ethan Marquez - Computer Sciencemarque6 Adam Niemczura - Computer Scienceaniemcz |
Amod Madurapperumage - Plant and Environmental Sciencesmudayan |
| 285 |
|
285 |
Isolation and Characterization of Lactobacillus From Various Fermented Foods (CSRF) |
Bre Garcia - Microbiologybgarci2 Amber Williams - Biological Sciencesapwllms |
Kristi Whitehead - Biological Scienceskwhiteh |
| 287 |
|
287 |
Microplastic Abundance in the Water Systems of Clemson University (CSRF) |
Andrew Peterson - Biological Sciencesarp8 Jared Bischoff - Biological Sciencesjcbisch |
Cassandra May - Biological Sciencescmay3 |
| 288 |
|
288 |
Milk Conjugated Linoleic Acid Concentrations in Broodmares: A Pilot Study (CSRF) |
Sofia Salvino - Animal and Veterinary ScienceSsalvin |
Kristine Vernon - Animal and Veterinary SciencesKvernon Erika Hwang - Animal and Veterinary SciencesErikaj |
| 291 |
|
291 |
The Characterization of a Targeting Peptide for HER2+ Breast Cancer (CSRF) |
Natalia Landry - Biomedical Engineeringnlandry Morgan Stevens - Biomedical Engineeringmsteve8 |
Tristan Dover - Biological Sciencestristad |
| 292 |
|
292 |
The Effect of SMN1 Transfection on Gene Expression in Dental Pulp Stem Cells (CSRF) |
Christopher Solorza - Biomedical Engineeringcsolorz Alex McIntosh - Geneticsanmcint Ella Grace Lyon - Biological Scienceseglyon |
Madison Sexton - Bioengineeringmmsexto Congyue Peng - Bioengineeringcongyup |
| 298 |
|
298 |
Zooming In: Unlocking Genetic Transformation and Regeneration in Cotton Stem Cells With Super-Resolution Microscopy (CSRF) |
Conner Rhoden - Plant and Environmental Sciencescwrhode |
FNU Sonika - Plant and Environmental Sciencessonikak Christopher Saski - Plant and Environmental Sciencessaski |
| 299 |
|
299 |
Improving Access to CT Scanning When Considering Hospital-Wide Competing Requests (CSRF) |
Ariane Chanda - Health Sciencearianec Brooklyn Brown - Health Sciencebrookl3 Isabelle Dunn - Language and International Healthidunn Ranitha Kumarasinghe - General Engineeringranithk Rachael Neill - Industrial Engineeringrlneill Amy Maffei - Industrial Engineeringamaffei Ellie Mashkevich - Industrial Engineeringemashke Ella Cheney - General Engineeringcheney2 |
Kevin Taaffe - Industrial Engineeringtaaffe |
| 301 |
|
301 |
Debunking Fear Mongering Tactics and Health Claims on TikTok (CSRF) |
Ashley Verdonk - Food Science and Human Nutritionarverdo |
Elliot Ennis - Chemistryege |
| 310 |
|
310 |
Synthesis of Thione and Selone N-Heterocycles as Antioxidants to Prevent Oxidative DNA Damage (CSRF) |
Kaylee Board - Biochemistrykeboard |
Abigail Mcnamee - Chemistryamcname Julia Brumaghim - Chemistrybrumagh |
| 312 |
|
312 |
Small Cells, Big Potential: Optimizing Chlorophyll Density for Maximum Output (CSRF) |
Aliya Abdelwahab - Biological Sciencesaabdelw Kylie Wilson - Geneticskwils23 Soren Spina - Biochemistrysorens |
Todd Lyda - Genetics and Biochemistrylyda |
| 315 |
|
315 |
Retrospective Comparison of Robotic Versus Open Suture Rectopexy (CSRF) |
Ryan Mehlem - Biochemistryrmehlem |
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