ABSTRACTS
Xavier Adams - “Are NFL Running Backs Replaceable?” (Poster Session II) This project is based on the question of whether NFL running backs are truly replaceable by examining the statistical impact of the league’s number one leading rushers from the past five years. This research project will focus on analyzing the performance of the top running backs and comparing their contributions to the overall offensive output of their respective teams. Key statistics such as each running back’s rushing/receiving yards and touchdowns, as well as their yards per carry, and their impact on team success will be evaluated and printed down. The goal of my project is to determine if the production of these elite running backs significantly affects their team’s performance, or if their contributions can be replicated by other players. This research will shed light on the evolving role and value of running backs in today’s NFL offenses and whether investing in high-profile running backs is a sound strategy for team success. Eva Agcaoili, DeRel Morris, & Toni Randle - “Who Said it First?: A Podcast Examining the Etymology of American Slang and the Politics of Semantic Drift” (Poster Session III) With popular social media platforms such as X and TikTok, American English slang has become widely accessible. Words such as “gyatt,” “finna,” and “rizz” have permeated Gen Z’s vocabulary. With their seemingly stealthy integration into mainstream media and language, the loss of the etymology behind the words has allowed for semantic drifting. In this podcast, we explore the etymology behind popular slang words that have been co-opted by modern media trends and discuss the impact of the popularization of words rooted in cultural vernacular. Through discussion, we identify key modern slang terms popularized by social media, discuss linguistic theory and how/why their meanings have shifted, and aim to uncover their history to undo the process of semantic bleaching. Eva Agcaoili - “From Polarization to Proximity: The Importance of Local Community in American Democracy” (Session 3) In a recent poll from Politico, 59% of Americans said that political polarization is “much” or “somewhat” worse than it was 5 years ago. From the 2024 revival of the Make America Great Again campaign, through a global pandemic, accusations of stolen elections, and an insurrection in America’s Capitol, the politics of American Democracy have become increasingly volatile. Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) stated in Politico’s article, “We have a crisis of connection and meaning in this country, and Trump is a symptom, not the cause, of that crisis”. In this presentation, I explore how the elevated emphasis on national politics has increased the political divide in America’s two-party system and how a shift to local and community action might begin to reduce polarization and repair the divide. Eva Agcaoili - “Ethnography as Counter-Data in the Academy: The Politics of Women of Color’s Lived Experience in Collegiate Debate” (Session 18) In this presentation, I continue to explore the critical gap in literature on the lived experience of women of color in collegiate debate. Using data collected from ethnographic interviews, I use the methods of reciprocal ethnography and counter-storytelling
to answer the research question: How does autoethnographic and ethnographic research contribute to the deconstruction of white structures of communication in Academia? I analyze the narratives of women of color’s time in collegiate debate to map out themes of epistemic violence, desire and belonging, and colonization, and use these stories as counter-data to resist the traditionally white methods of research. Using theories of Pinayism and Critical Whiteness Studies as a lens, I argue that a process of internal and external decolonization can occur through telling and amplifying the counter-narratives of black and brown women’s experiences in academia. Ivan Alexander Aires Soria - “Role of Community Policing in Crime Prevention” (Poster Session III) The project addresses how community policing can help to ward off crime within urban areas. Compared to the old system of reactive policing, community policing focuses on active interaction based on trust, communication, and cooperation between the police and the population. The study focuses on how such alliances can lower crime rates, instill confidence within the population, and enhance community security. Using the data provided by the National Institute of Justice and the literature available on the topic, it was found that community policing enhanced the level of cooperation between citizens and police, lowered the fear of crime, and decreased crime against people. The research finds out that community policing is a good model for creating safer and more integrated urban communities because it promotes collective responsibility and problem-solving. Alayna Allen - “Scanning Electron Microscopy: Bridging Fundamental Principles and Cutting-Edge Materials Analysis” (Session 1) Scanning Electron Microscopy serves as a premier surface- sensitive analytical platform utilizing focused electron beam illumination to yield sub-nanometer resolution imaging of specimen topography and composition. The technique provides quantitative and qualitative assessment of surface microstructure, textural properties, and elemental distribution across hierarchical length scales. This exposition addresses the theoretical underpinnings of SEM analysis, including thermionic and field emission electron source characteristics, elastic and inelastic scattering processes governing electron-specimen interactions, and signal transduction mechanisms for image reconstruction. It will also highlight key applications of SEM in analytical chemistry, such as materials characterization, failure analysis, and biological imaging. This technology continues to push research forward and improve how we study and design new materials. Alayna Allen - “Malaria: The Mosquito-Borne Killer” (Session 5) Malaria, caused by the parasite Plasmodium, is a protozoal disease transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected female Anopheles mosquito. Malaria remains a major global health problem, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions. Symptoms include fever, fatigue, and chills. In severe cases, malaria can also lead to anemia or organ failure. Each year, malaria causes approximately 600,000 deaths, mostly consisting of children under five in sub-Saharan Africa. Malaria’s treatment involves artemisinin-based combination therapies, while prevention focuses
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