Student Research Symposium Program Fall 2025

child has of contracting one of the many vaccine-preventable diseases, however if we continue on this trajectory our country will be vulnerable to previously eradicated diseases. In conclusion, the CDCs childhood vaccination schedule is proven to be effective and effective. Vaccines are essential to the health of the American population. In order to reinstate compliance of vaccinations, healthcare providers must regain the trust of American parents to work together to protect this new generation. Lauryn Pycke - “Form and Expression- A Ceramic Flower Box” (Session 15) Form and Expression—Flower Ceramic Box My ceramic piece was created using different techniques called “slab” and “coiling” to explore different artistic forms, textures, and balance. This box is decorated with a twisted vine on each side, with small leaves added in to create depth and movement to my overall design. Each of the pieces was carefully carved and shaped as well as attached to create harmony between my structure and decoration. Throughout my project, I focused on personal creativity as well as combining technical skills learned in class. Working with the clay, especially when twisting the vines required patience and attention to detail to ensure that my piece was clean with a cohesive form. This process taught me the importance of planning out projects, problem-solving when things do not go the correct way, and craftsmanship when bringing an artistic vision to life. Overall, this project allowed me to grow and improve my ceramic techniques while also deepening my understanding of how form, texture and design work together to create a piece of meaningful art. This project of mine is my favorite piece that I have created. Ethan Quarchioni - “Complicating Wakanda: A Critical Response to Afrofuturist Readings of Black Panther” (Poster Session II) This paper is a response to the claim in “Afrofuturism in Black Panther : Gender, Identity, and the Remaking of Blackness” that Black Panther is a radical Pan-African text and a total utopian place of Black freedom. Although the article focuses on the Afrofuturist paradigm of the film and its empowering impact on the Black audience, this essay questions this interpretation, by claiming that the storyline of the movie makes the concept of liberation and worldly Black identity complicated. By studying several critical moments and characters, such as the criticism of the isolationism of Wakanda by Erik Killmonger, his decisions of power and morality, and the portrayal of Wakanda in a Western superhero movie, the paper will show that the film has conflict between power, responsibility, and culture representation. This essay identifies such ambiguities to suggest an alternative reading this film in which the ambitions of Afrofuturism are discerned but its assertion of radical utopia are challenged. In the end, this reaction is part of larger scholarly debates about Afrofuturism, Black identity and cultural production and demonstrates that Black Panther offers imaginative possibilities but is also a revelation of the difficulties and boundaries of its vision of Black freedom. Ethan Quarchioni - “The Impact of Democracy on Contemporary Film: Censorship and Political Narratives” (Poster Session II) This paper analyzes the impact that democratic values have on the filmmaking process through things like censorship, political messages, and ideological framing. Although democracy

encourages artistic expression and free speech, film industries usually echo some political interests and ideas which are led by the culture and media control. This will examine how filmmakers work with these forces, for example, how they strike a balance between their artistic freedom as well as dealing with social pressure and institutional pressures. Additionally, looking over recent examples within Hollywood and international cinema, the paper goes over how democracy does influence the amplification or suppression of particular narratives, especially ones that concern national identity or social justice. Bringing together both perspectives of politics and filmmaking, it’s possible to see the contradiction that the influence of democracy has on the art. As the same system, which guarantees the freedom of expression, can also direct cinematic narratives in a more ideological way. Aaralynn Ranck - “Tuberculosis and Its Effects on the Body” (Poster Session I) This poster presentation will focus on the bacteria that Tuberculosis originates from, along with how TB affects the human body and transmission from person to person. It will also touch on the ways that Tuberculosis can be treated. Tuberculosis is primarily caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis , which affects the lungs and several other parts of the body. Tuberculosis is an airborne pathogen that can be transmitted between people through coughing, sneezing, or even talking. Tuberculosis has many symptoms that can all be extremely harmful to the body. The most well known being weight loss and coughing up blood. This presentation is going to shed some light on Tuberculosis and how we can move forward with research on the disease. Frank Reaves - “RSV” (Poster Session III) RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) is an infectious disease that infects the nose, lungs, and throat. The typical populations affected are babies, elderly adults, and those with weakened immune systems. It is usually a mild virus but it can also lead to hospitalizations, diseases, and even death in some cases. RSV continues to bear a significant burden on the global healthcare system due to its seasonal outbreaks, despite decades of research. The research used to develop this poster aims to examine the current risks, prevention methods, clinical data, and public health reports related to current RSV trends. Pertinent research highlights the importance of public awareness, early diagnosis, successes and limitations of new interventions, and access to preventative measures. With RSV resurfacing annually, it is important to understand its patterns of evolution and transmission. Expanding the coverage of vaccination is critical to reducing RSV’s continuing impact on the global healthcare system. Erika Rehmer - “The Power of Mobility: Unlocking Potential” (Session 7) The Power of Mobility: Unlocking Potential will explain the importance of mobility and touch on how to apply this knowledge in our daily lives. This specific topic was inspired by my personal experiences as a dancer, as well as by others’ experiences around me. Being an athlete brings many opportunities for success, but it also brings many opportunities for injury, and understanding what role mobility plays in our lives will help reduce the risk of certain injuries. Different tactics used to increase mobility will be explored and even demonstrated throughout this piece. This presentation will focus on the exact definition of mobility and helpful ways to improve

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