ABSTRACTS
Xavier Adams - see Russell et al. “Fuel The Vikings” (session 1) JD Adams - see Russell et al. “Fuel The Vikings” (session 1) Zamora Adrian - “Body-worn cameras used in court rooms“ (poster session II) This paper will discuss how the rise of body-worn cameras has had a big impact on police officers, the public, and jurors in courtrooms. The use of body-worn cameras helps the court by providing audio and real-time footage of the event. We’ll explore whether it gives judges and juries a clear understanding of what took place during the event. Based on research and surveys of police officers, information was gathered to determine whether camera footage helps determine guilt or innocence, and to explore whether it’s beneficial for police officers to wear body- worn cameras that provide audio and capture real-life events, which can have consequences and limitations for police officers. Many factors can influence the evidence, such as camera angles and the officer’s movement, which might be too much to capture the entirety of the incident. Examining the effect of the footage and its role in the judges’ decisions, and how the footage may influence the case. Eva Agcaoili - “The Trees Speak To Me” (session 22) Purple Patch Editor’s Choice Award Winner Candice Alabi - see Muller et al. “Student Mental Health Outreach” (session 17) Waheeb Ali - see Muller et al. “Student Mental Health Outreach” (session 17) Our project focuses on evaluating mental health awareness among college students at Missouri Valley and finding ways to improve support and reduce the stigma of asking for help. Our project is to better understand how students view mental health and find better ways to reach out to them. This will also give students an opportunity to share their own input on changes that could be made on campus. Iusif Alizada - “Artificial Intelligence: Learning Without Understanding” (session 23) The rise of artificial intelligence has changed how many people think about technology. Many people assume that AI is capable of thinking, analyzing, and understanding information in the same way humans do. However, this is not true. AI is based on mathematical formulas, probability, and pattern recognition, which allow it to identify statistical patterns in large datasets. In this project, I will analyze and explain how AI generates answers that often appear similar to human reasoning and how machines reduce the chance of incorrect outputs through mathematical optimization. I will also explain why AI can sometimes produce convincing answers that have little connection to reality, leading to errors such as hallucinations, flawed logic, and inconsistent responses. Using real-world examples, this presentation will also demonstrate how AI can greatly simplify tasks that previously required professional skills. Overall, the goal of this project is to challenge common assumptions about artificial intelligence and provide a clearer understanding of both its capabilities and its limitations.
Alayna Allen - “Biochemical Crosstalk: Microbial Metabolites and Host Metabolic Regulation” (session 7) The gut microbiome is a fundamental driver of host health, but the precise signaling mechanisms linking microbial activity to metabolic disease are not fully understood. Microbial metabolites are investigated as signaling molecules in host metabolism. This analysis includes enzymatic pathways, including succinate-to-propionate and butyryl-CoA:acetate CoA-transferase. The activity of these enzymes determine metabolite ratios. Research explores molecular docking of short-chain fatty acids at GPR41/43 receptors to trigger GLP- 1 release, where tryptophan-derived indole-3-propionic acid activates the AhR/mTORC1 axis to suppress gluconeogenesis. Furthermore, the Trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) pathway is linked to cardiovascular risk via NF-κB and IP3-mediated calcium signaling. These mechanisms represent critical targets for specific metabolite-based therapeutics, including precision postbiotics, GPCR agonists for Type 2 diabetes, and CutC enzyme inhibitors to prevent atherosclerosis. Mystyque Anderson - “Beyond Physical Performance: Analyzing Mental Health Challenges & Well-being in College Athletes” (poster session II) Specific psychological issues that collegiate athletes encounter are often forgotten by the demands of mental toughness, perseverance, and performance. This study examines the primary factors impacting problems with mental health in collegiate athletes, emphasizing athletic sense of self, expectations of performance, support from institutions, and the stigma surrounding treatment. The study indicates that being overly attached to athletic performance may negatively impact self- esteem, particularly during injury, poor performance, or role transitions. Physical problems, like not being able to get mental health resources for specific sports or having trouble with their schedule, make it even harder for an athlete to get help. To build on what we currently know, this study uses a survey that is given to student-athletes at Missouri Valley College. The study evaluates participants’ mental health experiences, understanding and utilization of resources, perceptions of support from coaches and staff, and views towards receiving psychological assistance. It is suggested that elevated performance pressure, increased sports identity, and restricted access to specialized resources will correlate with adverse mental health consequences. The results are meant to help with future research that asks for more mental health support in college sports. The study emphasizes the significance for tailored psychological therapies, greater consciousness, and more beneficial team settings to improve athlete wellness and athletic performance. Mystyque Anderson, Jozelynn Bostick, Ashton Boyer, Alexis Eddy, Keyonie Gaddy, Jayden Joseph, Owen Kiso - ART 334 Ceramics II Pottery Sale (visual art session) ART 334: Ceramics II will be hosting a pottery sale during the visual art session of the Spring 2026 Symposium. All money raised from the sale will be donated to the Community Food Pantry of Marshall as part of the service learning requirement for Ceramics II. Pottery is intrinsically connected to serving food so we thought it appropriate to connect our service learning to the Community Food Pantry that serves food to elderly, veterans, and other individuals and families in need. In addition to the
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