Student Research Symposium Program Fall 2025

exchange rates between currencies is elemental. And because it is so tricky to understand what drives the value of a currency, we are explaning it based on the recent development of the Dollar. Kelsey Laird - “Alpha-Gal Syndrome” (Session 13) My research is on Alpha-Gal Syndrome. This is a tick-borne syndrome caused by being bitten by a lone star tick. It is common in the central and southern states of America. Alpha- Gal Syndrome is an allergic reaction to a sugar molecule called galactose. It is found in the meat and products of most mammals, such as beef, pork, venison, and lamb. Symptoms usually appear 8 hours after eating red meat, which is why it is so hard to identify. Most food allergies are directly after eating, not in this case. Symptoms include hives, rash, swelling of the lips, face, tongue, and throat. Stomach cramps, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. Difficulty breathing or a sudden drop in blood pressure. Anaphylaxis is common with this syndrome, which is why all patients are prescribed an EpiPen. Along with the meat, most mammal by-products are unsafe for people who have Alpha-Gal Syndrome. Gelatin, tallow, lard, and even dairy products will cause the same reaction. There is no cure for Alpha-Gal Syndrome, but the allergy can fade over time, especially if following a strict diet. There are other treatments available to maintain it, such as acupressure therapy and antihistamine medications, but these aren’t promised to work like a cure. Alpha-Gal Syndrome was discovered in 2002 by Thomas Platte Mills. The number of cases has grown tremendously, reaching about 450,000 cases in the United States since 2010. The people who are most likely to get Alpha-Gal Syndrome are those who spend a lot of time outdoors. There isn’t any age that is more prone to it, just people who hunt, fish, farm, ranch, and do all of the things outdoors. Brandy Lake - “Fertility Treatments and Female Cancers” (Session 19) Infertility is a condition that seems to garner more and more attention as years progress. It affects couples not just physiologically, but fertility treatments can be financially and emotionally burdensome. On top of these stressors, it has been medically thought that fertility treatments may increase the risk of female cancers. This systematic review attempts to analyze the research question: in infertile women, what is the effect of fertility treatments on female cancers (ovarian cancer, uterine cancer, cervical cancer, and breast cancer) compared to infertile women that are not undergoing fertility treatments? Database searches were utilized to find appropriate research articles for the review. Out of twenty-eight articles, ten were in this paper. The overall systematic review resulted in finding that there is no increased incidence of female cancers in women that have undergone fertility treatments. These studies are limited due to the newness of these treatments and the limited evidence-based research. In conclusion, this systematic review found that fertility treatments do not seem to increase the risk of female cancers, but that the underlying cause of infertility (i.e., endometriosis or PCOS) may increase the risk of female cancers. Carlie Lamparter - “Body-Worn Cameras” (Poster Session III) This study examines the impact of body-worn cameras (BWCs) on police officers’ behavior during interactions with the public. Drawing on quantitative data from departmental reports and qualitative analyses of recorded encounters, the research investigates whether BWCs influence officers’ use of force,

adherence to procedural justice, and levels of professionalism in community interactions. The findings suggest that the presence of BWCs is associated with a measurable reduction in complaints against officers and incidents involving the use of force, though the magnitude of these effects varies across jurisdictions and enforcement contexts. Interviews with officers further reveal mixed perceptions of BWCs—while many view them as tools for accountability and protection against false allegations, others express concerns about privacy and increased scrutiny. Overall, the study concludes that BWCs can promote greater transparency and behavioral self-regulation among officers, but their effectiveness depends on implementation policies, departmental culture, and the degree of public trust. Luis Lara-Hernandez - “The Impact of ADHD on Learning and Behavior in Elementary Classrooms” (Poster Session III) Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) commonly affects many children in their early life stages and elementary school years. ADHD makes it hard for students to focus, behave, and perform on par with other students who don’t have ADHD. My research poster will explain the symptoms of ADHD and how they impact a student’s success and behavior in the elementary classroom. By synthesizing past research and teachers’ observations, my project shows that challenges that require students to focus can lead to lower success rates in math and reading. The research also shows that when teachers take notice of student needs, they can adapt their teaching style to help students with ADHD to make the learning environment/ experience better for them. It’s important to acknowledge how behavior and learning are connected in the elementary classroom and how they can improve learning environments, be more effective, and overall have better outcomes for students who have ADHD. Angelica Mancilla - “The Power of Diversity: A Lesson From Nature to Democracy” (Session 3) In this project, I will aim to create an analogy between diversity in nature to cognitive diversity in a democracy. Exploring how nature relies on variation among species to maintain balance and adaptability. I will demonstrate that diversity plays a crucial role in both ecosystems and society. Explaining how, in biology, having a diverse population leads to a better chance to the survival of the species, more efficient problem solving, resistance to disease, environmental changes, and a balanced ecosystem. And making a comparison to how cognitive diversity is valuable for a successful democratic system, since having a variety of voices and interests gives the system more flexibility to adapt to modern challenges, prevents dominance of a single viewpoint, better solutions and increased involvement from the citizens. Understanding this analogy will encourage societies to view diversity not as a challenge but as a source of strength, essential for a healthy and sustainable democratic system. Angelica Mancilla - see Meghan Ansani, “Interactive Session: Poverty and Economic Insecurity” Luiz Marinelo & Jose Neto, “The Importance of Cybersecurity Awareness for College Students” (Poster Session II) In today’s digital world, college students rely heavily on technology for communication, learning, and entertainment. However, many are unaware of the everyday risks that come

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