Spring 2022 Virtual Undergraduate Research Exhibition
The Virtual Undergraduate Research Exhibition, presented by the Office of Undergraduate Research, is an online variation of our biannual, in-person event in which students showcase original research, scholarly projects, and creative works. Instead of students coming to campus to display their research posters and give presentations, the EFSC community and the general public are invited to view this term's student research submissions below.
The Effect of Salinity on Bioluminescence of Ctenophores
Student Researcher: Nashlyn Santiago
Mentor: Dr. Ashley Spring
Abstract: Ctenophores use bioluminescence to escape predation by startling the predator with light. Will water salinity changes affect the bioluminescence of ctenophores? Salinities of near-shore marine environments, including the Indian River Lagoon along the east coast of Florida, continue to decrease with freshwater runoff from land because of anthropogenic alterations to land. The hypothesis of this study is that lower salinities will reduce the bioluminescent intensity of the ctenophore Mnemiopsis leidyi.
Using seine nets, Mnemiopsis leidyi were collected from the Indian River Lagoon and transferred to buckets with salinities of low (0.0 ppt), medium (9.1 ppt), and high (18.0 ppt), and the bioluminescent intensities were measured (n=3). Mnemiopsis leidyi produced significantly higher bioluminescent intensities in the high salinity level, indicating that ctenophores may be directly affected by decreased salinities in near-shore areas.
The Antibacterial Effects of Bacillus Subtilis on Pseudomonas Aeruginosa and Streptococcus Pyogenes
Student Researcher: Lena Stevens
Mentor: Dr. Ashley Spring
Abstract: As the bacteria that inhibit the oral cavity can significantly influence oral health, this study aimed to investigate if Bacillus subtilis (Gram-positive bacteria) prevents the growth of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Streptococcus pyogenes (Gram-negative bacteria). This study postulated that Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Streptococcus pyogenes will have significantly lower growth when exposed to Bacillus subtilis.
The antibacterial effects of B. subtilis were investigated using nutrient and blood agar in petri dishes containing B. subtilis, P. aeruginosa, and S. pyogenes. The dishes were exposed to bacteria through paper disks soaked in bacteria; the results of this study do not support the hypothesis. There was significantly higher bacterial growth of P. aeruginosa and S. pyogenes when exposed to B. subtilis. The results of this study suggest that the use of B. subtilis as an antibacterial agent is not effective against P. aeruginosa and S. pyogenes.
Influence of Temperature on the Intensity of Bioluminescence of Ctenophores
Student Researcher: Julianna DaSilva
Mentor: Dr. Ashley Spring
Through the use of varying water temperatures (17.3˚C ± 1˚C, 23.8˚C ± 1˚C, and 30.6˚C ± 1˚C), the results of this study support the hypothesis when measured under 30.6˚C, producing a significantly higher intensity. The results of this study show the possible maximum intensity of bioluminescence that had shown the most preferred environmental factor of water temperature for ctenophores.
Spectrometric Investigation of Plant-Based Pancrelipase for Pancreatic Insufficiency
Student Researcher: Brittany Lowe
Mentor: Dr. Ashley Spring
Abstract: Pancreatic insufficiency is a major issue for patients with cystic fibrosis, requiring the use of supplemental pancreatic enzymes to combat malnourishment and illnesses caused by malnourishment (Singh & Schwarzenburg, 2017). The purpose of this study is to test the hypothesis that plant-based enzymes (bromelain, oat lipase, oat amylase, and mango amylase) will have significantly higher or comparable amounts of digested protein, fat, and carbohydrates compared to CF-prescribed pancreatic enzymes. Using Bradford reagent, iodine, Benedict's reagent, and Rhodamine, the amount of digested proteins, fats, and carbohydrates after adding the control and plant-based enzymes were analyzed through spectrophotometry. The results of this study indicate that the plant-based enzymes all had significantly higher amounts of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates digested when compared to the prescribed pancreatic enzymes (Rx). As opposed to current supplemental pancreatic enzymes derived from pig intestines, the plant-based enzymes have additional properties that could be of great interest to the cystic fibrosis community. Bromelain's protein digestion has an alkalizing effect (further aiding digestion and absorption in the duodenum in cystic fibrosis patients), the mango amylase has shown antidiabetic properties comparable to Metformin, and oat lipase has been shown to be an efficient source of lipase in the cystic fibrosis community through other scientific literature.
Finding Balance: Maintaining Professionalism During Stressful Cases
Student Researcher: Savannah Bernard
Mentor: Dr. Harry Holdorf
All medical students have the desire to help people. As future healthcare workers, they are more prone to feeling deeply for patients who feel pain or that something is wrong in their bodies. They gain a greater understanding of disease processes as they advance in their training. The knowledge of why patients feel pain or a level of discomfort increases the stress they put on themselves to find the cause of the issue(s). First responders (police, firefighters, etc.) have training that prepares them for the traumatic cases they may come across. This type of training is not offered to allied health professionals. This brought up the question: How can allied health students maintain their composure and professionalism during emotionally stressful cases? This project highlights different cases that sonography students may encounter and action plans for how they can learn to prepare themselves for emotionally taxing cases. These plans are beneficial to prospective allied health students in educational programs, as well as to professionals out in the field.