with being online. This project explores the importance of cybersecurity awareness among college students and provides simple strategies to stay safe in the digital environment. The presentation will discuss common threats such as phishing, identity theft, and weak passwords, and demonstrate how small changes in behavior, like enabling two-factor authentication or using secure Wi-Fi networks, can protect personal information. By highlighting real-world examples and practical solutions, this project aims to educate students about protecting their data and encourage responsible online habits. The goal is to promote a safer digital campus community through awareness and proactive security practices. Xhuliano Marku - “The Evolution of Economic Thought: Major Schools and Their Modern Influence” (Session 22) For my Honors Contract in Development in Economic Thought with Professor Ponton, I will conduct a research project exploring the evolution of major economic schools and their lasting influence on modern economics. My main source will be the class textbook, which I will study, summarizing each chapter and identifying the key principles, thinkers, and contributions of every major school of economic thought, from the earliest ideas to the most recent developments. This project will analyze how each school emerged in response to the historical, social, and political context of its time. Some of the Schools and thinkers I will examine are The Classical School and Adam Smith, the Neoclassical School, David Ricardo, John Stuart Mill, Socialism, and others. I will show how the Schools interacted, conflicted, and evolved over time. The goal of this research is to understand how past economic theories continue to shape today’s global and U.S. economic policies. I want to show that in economics, ideas don’t disappear; they transform. The present economic framework is built on the foundations of earlier theories, and our political and economic leaders continue to draw on lessons from the past when forming new economic policies. Luyando Masocha, Jadwin Farington, Abraham Preston, & Naomi Rodriguez - “The Sweet Chemistry of Love: Understanding Esters, Aromas, and Attraction” (Session 6) Why does a rose smell romantic? Why do bananas, strawberries, and perfumes each carry their own chemistry of attraction? This presentation explores the world of esters, the organic compounds responsible for many of the scents and flavors we associate with love, food, and memory. By connecting fundamental concepts such as functional groups and esterification, we uncover how everyday molecules shape human experiences. From the fruity fragrance of isoamyl acetate (“banana oil”) to the chemistry behind pheromones and perfumes, this presentation links molecular structure to sensory perception. We’ll also peek into green chemistry’s modern push for bio- based, sustainable fragrances, showing how organic synthesis can be environmentally mindful and emotionally meaningful. By the end, you’ll see that chemistry isn’t just about reactions — it’s about how molecules create the invisible chemistry of connection. Luyando Masocha - “Modern Day Molly Malone” (Session 11) This presentation examines the intersectional experiences of Black women in professional societal environments through the metaphor of Dublin’s Molly Malone statue. Drawing on Kimberlé Crenshaw’s intersectionality framework, the analysis explores how Black women face compounded vulnerabilities at
the intersection of race and gender, creating systemic patterns of silencing and objectification. The presentation traces historical roots through the harmful Jezebel stereotype and examines how these legacies manifest in contemporary workplace dynamics. Key themes include the dismissive counter-narratives Black women encounter when reporting harm, the stark double standards in credibility between Black and white women’s experiences, and the weaponization of the “Strong Black Woman” myth to deny vulnerability and compassion. In addition to calling for structural change that acknowledges Black women’s intrinsic worth and demands ( i.e., safety, respect, and dignity) in professional and social settings, the presentation questions the minimization of Black women’s contributions to stereotypes. Ultimately, it advocates for breaking the silence that perpetuates these injustices. Luyando Masocha, “C. diff: When Good Bacteria Go Bad — The War Inside the Gut” (Poster Session 3) Clostridioides difficile , or C. diff, is a bacterium that can seriously disrupt the natural balance of bacteria in the human gut. Though first discovered in 1935, it wasn’t identified as a major cause of illness until the 1970s. Most C. diff infections happen after someone takes antibiotics, which kill off helpful gut bacteria and allow C. diff to grow out of control. The bacteria spread through contact with contaminated surfaces, especially in hospitals, where their spores can survive for months. Symptoms usually begin 2–3 days after exposure and include watery diarrhea, stomach pain, and fever. Severe cases can lead to serious complications like colitis and toxic megacolon, and can be fatal, especially for older adults and people with weakened immune systems. People can get C. diff more than once because the spores are tough to eliminate. Treatment options include antibiotics like vancomycin or fidaxomicin, and in some cases, fecal microbiota transplantation to restore healthy gut bacteria. Each year in the U.S., C. diff causes over 450,000 infections and 20,000 deaths. This demonstrates how changes to our microbiome—such as those caused by antibiotics—can turn a harmless organism into a dangerous threat. Allison McAlpin - “Developing a Discharge Checklist to Decrease COPD Recidivism” (Session 10) Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) exacerbations are the third leading cause of 30-day hospital readmissions, demonstrating how important it is to find a solution to these readmissions. Research shows that 30-day readmission rates can be improved if hospitals implement detailed patient discharge planning and education. Readmissions cost approximately $15,200 per patient, and there are approximately 78,000 COPD readmissions each year, bringing the estimated yearly cost of readmissions to $1.1 billion. This project develops a comprehensive disease-specific discharge checklist for nursing staff to complete that starts while the patient is in the hospital and follows the patient after discharge. It is hoped that developing a document to streamline the discharge process will decrease the 30-day readmission rates among this population. Amaiya McClinton - “Athlete’s Foot: Prevention and Treatment” (Poster Session I) This poster will inform and spread awareness to people about the infectious fungal disease named “Athlete’s Foot.” It will highlight the history of the disease, cause, prevention, treatment, and how to recognize this disease through symptoms. Athlete’s foot or tinea pedis is a very common fungal disease that affects
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