Undergraduate Research Posters

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  Molecular Mechanisms of the DYRK1A-regulated DNA Repair

  Polina Bukina and Varsha Ananthapadmanabhan

  Molecular Mechanisms of the DYRK1A-regulated DNA Repair

  Polina Bukina, Dept. of Biology, with Dr. Sarah Golding, Dept. of Biology

  The functions of human Dual-specificity tyrosine (Y)-Regulated Kinase 1A, or DYRK1A, include cell cycle control and differentiation. DYRK1A is required for assembly of the DREAM complex and repression of the cell cycle-dependent genes, such as BRCA1 and RAD51, in quiescence. Our lab previously reported that overexpression of DYRK1A inhibits the accumulation of a DNA repair protein 53BP1, at the DNA double-stranded breaks (DSB). Accumulation of 53BP1 is attributed to repair by non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) over homologous recombination (HRR). The function of 53BP1 is opposed by RNF169, a ubiquitin-binding protein that also accumulates at the DSB sites and promotes HRR. It was found that DYRK1A interacts with RNF169 to regulate the displacement of 53BP1 from the DSB sites. This study focuses on RNF169 in order to understand the role of DYRK1A in DNA damage response. We used the Multi-Dimensional Protein Identification Technology (MudPIT) proteomic analysis to identify RNF169-interacting proteins. Human cancer U-2 OS cells stably expressing HA-tagged RNF169, as well as control cells were used for immunoprecipitation. The samples were sent to Stowers Institute for Medical Research for MudPIT proteomic analysis. In order to understand the regulation of DNA repair by DYRK1A, the RNA sequencing dataset was analyzed as part of other studies in the lab. The expression of the mRNA for repair factors RAD51 and BRCA1 was found to be regulated by DYRK1A. To determine the significance of this finding, an experiment was designed to assess BRCA1 and RAD51 protein levels in the normal U-2 OS cells and in the cells lacking DYRK1A (U-2 OS DYRK1A knockout cells) after inducing DNA damage by gamma irradiation. It was found that the levels of RAD51, BRCA1 and 53BP1 levels were increased with DYRK1A KO. These results were consistent with the finding that DNA repair efficiency is increased with DYRK1A KO. Further studies can help to understand if these effects are mediated by DYRK1A-regulated DREAM complex.

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  Basalt Leaching in Rapa Nui (Easter Island) Rock Gardens Favours Agricultural Surplus Production

  Elisabeth Burns

  Basalt Leaching in Rapa Nui (Easter Island) Rock Gardens Favours Agricultural Surplus Production

  Elisabeth Burns, Depts. of Anthropology and Gender, Sexuality, & Women’s Studies, with Dr. Christopher Stevenson, Dept. of Anthropology

  In an effort to provide evidential support for the process of basaltic mineral dissolution replenishing soil fertility and enabling productive plant growth in Rapa Nui rock gardens, a simulated leaching experiment was conducted to determine the elemental release rates from the basalt matrix, and the availability of these elements for plant absorption. The dissolution experiment modeled Rapa Nui soil conditions and rainwater with a pH of 6.3. Basalt leaching was accelerated at elevated temperatures (50-90°C) for 44.8 days. The results indicated that calcium and magnesium were preferentially leached even with a short-term exposure. These data support an earlier observation of calcium enhancement in rock gardens above levels of natural fertility in non-garden soils. Ultimately, it is of interest to determine if soil nutrient enrichment through basalt leaching was enough to increase crop surplus and facilitate the construction of megalithic architecture.

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  Role of Self-Worth Contingencies on Sleep Quality Due to Discrimination and Depressive Symptoms

  Victoria Cambar, Ruth Laryea, Bianca Owens, and Chelsie Dunn

  Role of Self-Worth Contingencies on Sleep Quality Due to Discrimination and Depressive Symptoms

  Victoria Cambar, Depts. of Psychology and Criminal Justice, Ruth Laryea, and Bianca Owens and Chelsie Dunn, Dept. of Psychology Graduate Students, with Dr. Kristina Hood, Dept. of Psychology

  Scholars have well documented the association on discrimination experiences, negative implications for both physical and psychological symptoms (Gee et al., 2007; Williams et al., 2008). According to Stone and Carlisle (2018), the experience of racial discrimination at the workplace may increase the likelihood of negative emotions and sadness. In addition, the occurrence of perceived discrimination experienced by African American undergrad students in college settings has been associated with psychological and emotional problems including depression (Chao, Mallinckrodt, & Wei, 2012). Subtle forms of discrimination in both the school and the workplace are predictors of negative physical health conditions like low energy levels and fatigue (Nadal et al., 2017). A notable variable that may play an influential role in the relationship between discrimination and depressive symptoms is one’s self-worth; but more specifically their self-worth contingencies. Such that, self-worth may also play a role in the link between discrimination and depression. Orth and Robins (2013) suggest that individuals with low self-esteem/worth are more likely to feel sad, lonely, and dejected. Contingent self-worth, the fluctuation of one’s self-worth in response to positive or negative experiences including the perceived approval or lack thereof of peers, has also shown to be a vulnerability factor for depression and depressive symptoms (Crocker & Knight, 2005; Crocker et al., 2003). According to Zahn and colleagues (2015) low self-worth and feelings of worthlessness, often appear to occur consistently with lack of energy. Therefore, the present study sought to examine the moderating role of contingent self-worth (i.e., others’ approval) on the link between experiences of discrimination at work or school and depressive symptoms after controlling for age, frequency of gendered racial discriminatory experiences, and gendered racial socializations. The current study consisted of 206 Black/African American women between the ages of 18 and 55 (M=33.24, SD=8.46). Majority of the sample was employed (97%) and about 30% were enrolled in a two- or four-year university. Participants were recruited from Amazon Mechanical Turk and completed questions assessing their sleep quality due to discrimination, depressive symptoms (i.e., energy and emotion levels), and self-worth contingencies (i.e., self-worth based on others’ approval).

  The moderation model was assessed via the PROCESS macro (Hayes, 2017) within SPSS v.26 using 5,000 bootstrapped samples. Moderation analysis revealed a statistically significant interaction between sleep quality due to discrimination and others’ approval-contingent self-worth on depressive symptoms (i.e., energy and emotions), b=-.07,SE=.04, 95% CI [-.14, -.01], p=.04. To interpret the statistically significant moderation effect, we used Hayes’s PROCESS v.3 (2017) Johnson-Neyman and bootstrap analysis. Findings revealed that others’ approval-contingent self-worth is a significant moderator of the link between sleep quality due to discrimination and depressive symptoms at higher levels of self-worth contingencies only (b=-.20,SE=.07, 95% CI [-.33, -.06], p=.00). More specifically, among those who higher self-worth contingencies, those who reported poor sleep quality due to discrimination reported greater depressive symptoms compared to those with better sleep quality. Findings could potentially enhance existing mental health interventions by increasing awareness of how discriminatory events impact sleep quality and depressive symptoms.

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  Phenotypic Expression of Two Candidate Genes of Nonsyndromic Craniosynostosis in Danio rerio

  Annemarie Carver

  Phenotypic Expression of Two Candidate Genes of Nonsyndromic Craniosynostosis in Danio rerio

  Annemarie Carver, Dept. of Biology with Dr. Rita Shiang, Dept. of Human and Molecular Genetics

  Craniosynostosis, the premature fusion of cranial sutures, can be either syndromic or nonsyndromic. The majority of cases are nonsyndromic, the causes of which are rarely known. Craniosynostosis is relatively common and occurs in about 1 in every 2,000 babies. Bambia is suspected to cause craniosynostosis as a predicted deleterious stabilizing variant has been identified in affected individuals within one family, though when normally or under expressed no phenotypic differences are observed. Slc30a9, a gene involved in zinc transport within cells,is also suspected to cause craniosynostosis as a predicted pathogenic variant was also identified in the same family, the variant is predicted to replace a leucine with proline. It is hypothesized that when the gene bambiais overexpressed or the null slc30a9 mutant gene is present in Danio rerio, phenotypic characteristics of craniosynostosis will be observed when compared to wildtype animals. The purpose of this study is to determine whether a phenotypic difference occurs in the development of the skull when the gene bambia is overexpressed or when slc30a9 is mutated in D. rerio, zebrafish. Wholemount in situ hybridization and observation of 8 weeks of skull development of zebrafish were performed to test this hypothesis. The results of this study could be used to identify causes for nonsyndromic craniosynostosis and help to learn more about the condition.

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  The Role of Gendered Racial Microaggressions on African American Women's Sleep Quality

  Shanya Chandel, Ashlynn Bell, and Chelsie Dunn

  The Role of Gendered Racial Microaggressions on African American Women's Sleep Quality

  Shanya Chandel, Depts. of Psychology and Human Resource Management, and Ashlynn Bell and Chelsie Dunn, Dept. of Psychology Graduate Students, with Dr. Kristina Hood, Dept. of Psychology

  African American women are often subjected to oppressive and marginalizing commentary directed toward various facet of their being. This subtle yet harmful oppressive commentary is commonly referred to as silencing and marginalizing gendered racial microaggressions (Lewis & Neville, 2015). These types of microaggressions can be expressed by silencing, meaning taking away the voices of others. Microaggressions can also be used to marginalize individuals in regard to physical appearance, stereotypes about behavior, and even sexually objectifying messages. While the deleterious effects (e.g., mental health, sleep quality) of the more overt workplace and academic discrimination have been previously established; little is known about the subtle, pervasive forms of discrimination (Whitaker, 2019). It is important to explore one’s sleep quality as adequate sleep allows for critical cognition, or the ability to think clearly, be alert, and sustain attention (Worley, 2018) – aspects essential for good workplace and academic performance. Previous work has established the link between discriminatory experiences and the sleep quality of African American adults (Fuller-Rowell et al., 2017; Owens et al., 2017). Additionally, frequent exposure to microaggressions can impact African American women’s bodily functioning, such as their sleep quality (Lewis, Williams, Peppers & Gadson, 2017). However, little to no research has examined the potential effects of silencing and marginalizing experiences on African American women, who experience a unique combination of racism and sexism in the workplace, school, or other professional settings. The present study sought to examine the moderating role of frequency of silencing and marginalizing gendered racial microaggressions (GRM) on the link between GRM stress appraisal and sleep quality due to discriminatory events after controlling for gendered racial socialization, sleep patterns, silencing behaviors, ethnic identity, and self-worth contingencies. The current study consisted of 229 Black/African American women between the ages of 18 and 55 (M=33.30,SD=8.49). Majority of the sample was employed (87%) and about 27% were enrolled in a two- or four-year university. Participants were recruited from Amazon Mechanical Turk and completed questions assessing their sleep quality due to discrimination, stress appraisal and experiences of GRM, ethnic identity, self-worth contingencies, and demographics.

  The moderation model was assessed via the PROCESS macro (Hayes, 2018) within SPSS v.26 using 5,000 bootstrapped samples. Moderation analysis revealed a statistically significant interaction between GRM frequency and stress appraisal on sleep quality due to discrimination, b=.05, SE=.02, 95% CI [.00, .10], p=.05. To interpret the statistically significant moderation effect, we used Hayes’s PROCESS v.3 (2017) Johnson-Neyman and bootstrap analysis. Findings revealed that GRM frequency is a significant moderator of the link between GRM stress appraisal and sleep quality due to discrimination at both higher (b=.25, SE=.05, 95% CI [.14, .36], p=.00) and lower (b=.12, SE=.05, 95% CI [.02, .23], p=.02) frequencies. More specifically, among those who higher frequency of GRM events, those who reported greater stress appraisal of GRM events reported poor sleep quality due to discrimination compared to those with lower stress appraisal. This positive relationship was also true for those who reported lower frequency of GRM events. Findings could potentially enhance existing mental health interventions by increasing awareness of how silencing and marginalizing experiences at work or school impact sleep quality among African American women.

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  GABRA2 and Alcohol Dependence in College-Aged Students

  Abaiz Chaudhri

  GABRA2 and Alcohol Dependence in College-aged Students

  Abaiz Chaudhri, Depts. of Biology and Chemistry, with Dr. Amy Adkins and Dr. Sally Kuo, Dept. of Psychology

  Problematic alcohol use and associated consequences is a major problem in college-aged students. These outcomes, and alcohol dependence (uncontrolled alcohol consumption despite consequences), are complex and influenced by genetics and environmental factors, and the interplay between both. Variants in the gene GABRA2 have been shown to be associated with alcohol dependence in adolescents and older adults, yet the association is not studied nearly enough in the college-aged population, a high-risk period for the development of alcohol-related problems. The hypothesis of this study is that GABRA2 is associated with alcohol dependence in college-aged students of European and African ancestry. The data was obtained from Spit4Science, where surveys were given to college students and saliva samples were collected and DNA extracted. The results indicate that the 8 genetic variants studied showed no significant association between GABRA2 and alcohol dependence in either ancestry. Our results suggest that further research needs to be conducted, either on the same or different genetic variants to see whether there may still be an association. This study adds a primary look at GABRA2 as it relates to alcohol dependence within a college-aged sample.

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  Victim Silencing, Sexual Violence Culture, Social Healing: Inherited Collective Trauma of World War II South Korean Military "Comfort Women"

  MiJin Cho

  Victim Silencing, Sexual Violence Culture, Social Healing: Inherited Collective Trauma of World War II South Korean Military "Comfort Women"

  MiJin Cho, Depts. of Psychology and English, with Prof. Mary Boyes, VCU Honors College

  The unresolved reconciliation process for WWII South Korean military “comfort women” presents a case of nationally inherited collective trauma, in which South Koreans far removed in time and space from the historical tragedy feel its implications and obligations for reparations and social healing. In examining the South Korean comfort women redress movement and systemic concealment of WWII military sexual slavery, this study investigates a pattern of victim silencing, characterized by institutional patriarchy and ineffective government involvement, from 1945 to 2019. Following the South Korean government’s formal rejection of the 2015 agreement with Japan regarding a final and irreversible conclusion to the comfort women issue, South Korean and international women’s rights organizations have openly addressed a need for new reconciliation efforts with Japan; however, the current stance of the South Korean government, under President Moon Jae-in, remains hesitant to seek a renegotiation. Based on the effective methods of democratic reparations from South Africa, Germany, and the United States, this study proposes a new victim-centered approach to the reconciliation of collective trauma through the role of the South Korean government. The new approach encompasses the following: (1) organizing an official collection of victim testimonies, (2) fostering government relationships with women’s rights organizations, and (3) instating sexual violence education in university settings in order to facilitate long-term social healing.

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  The Relationship Between Enslaved Individuals And Plantation Architecture In 18th And 19th Century Virginia

  Emma Clark

  The Relationship Between Enslaved Individuals And Plantation Architecture In 18th And 19th Century Virginia

  Emma Clark, Depts. of History and Anthropology, with Dr. Bernard K. Means, Dept. of Anthropology

  Enslaved labor built the physical environment of 18th and 19th century plantations from slave quarters to plantation houses. These built environments were designed in a way to showcase the stratification between enslavers and the enslaved. An analysis of plantation archaeology on three significant Virginian plantations can reveal two aspects of the relationship between enslaved individuals and plantation architecture. First, it can reveal the physical process of construction (brickmaking, building development). Second, it can reveal the impact of these structures on African American identity (representing their status in society, social grouping). This analysis further highlights the lives of individuals forgotten in the shadow of Virginia’s remembered.

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  Static Degradation of Electrospun Polycaprolactone Scaffolds

  Emily Clement, Connor Donlan, Same Cole, Sarah K. Saunders, and Johanna Bracamonte

  Static Degradation of Electrospun Polycaprolactone Scaffolds

  Emily Clement, Depts. of Biomedical Engineering and Electrical Engineering, Connor Donlan, Sam Cole, Sarah K. Saunders, and Johana Bracamonte, with Dr. Joao Soares, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering

  Introduction: Engineered tissue vascular grafts (ETVGs), composed of cells seeded on a biodegradable scaffold, can be used to replace non-functional blood vessels. The scaffold acts as a replacement for the extracellular matrix, providing structural support to the developing tissue. A common biodegradable scaffold material is polycaprolactone (PCL). The main degradation mechanism of PCL is hydrolysis, which can be catalyzed by the use of NaOH solutions. Acceleration techniques must be employed to obtain information about the degradation in shorter observation times. In this study, we will compare the effect of degradation on physical and mechanical properties from samples degraded in PBS solutions (that mimics the pH of biological environments), and alkaline NaOH solutions. We hypothesize that the accelerated degradation profiles can be correlated to degradation profiles under in vivo like conditions. Methods: This study focuses on PCL (PCL 80,000 g/mol) 3mm electrospun scaffolds. Accelerated conditions were produced by submerging the scaffolds in increased NaOH solutions. The weight loss, elastic modulus, and microstructure of the scaffolds were assessed after vacuum drying at 0, 7, 14, 21, and 42 days. Phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) solution was used to replicate physiological-like pH conditions. This group was tested for elastic modulus, weight loss, and thickness at 0, 3, and 6 months. Results: The rate of change in mass, fiber orientation, and mechanical stiffness increased as the alkalinity of the liquid media increased to pH 12.45. Changes in the mechanical properties of the scaffolds became noticeable after 3 weeks of degradation. A decrease in mass stiffness was observed following a steep decrease in mass. At 6 weeks of degradation, the samples experienced a 20% decrease from the original mass and a 50% drop in membrane stiffness. The scaffolds swelled shortly after degradation began, but the swelling decreased as the mass decreased. In the non-accelerated degradation group, the scaffolds exhibited an average mass loss of 10 +/- 7% with no significant changes to mechanical properties. The scaffold thickness swelled to 40 +/- 20%, aligning with our previous works that showed scaffold swelling decreases at a larger pH. Conclusions: If the degradation of PCL scaffolds in physiological pH conditions follows the same trend as those in accelerated conditions, a stage of pronounced decrease in mass will be accompanied by a significant decrease in membrane stiffness and porosity. We hypothesize that the accelerated and non-accelerated degradation profiles are equivalent, meaning accelerated degradation can be used as a base to predict a scaffold’s behavior in physiological conditions.

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  Chemical Composition of Airborne PM10 Particles from the Salton Sea Playa: Development and Severity of Asthma in Children under 14 in Imperial County

  Maggie Colangelo and Mary Boyes

  Chemical Composition of Airborne PM10 Particles from the Salton Sea Playa: Development and Severity of Asthma in Children under 14 in Imperial County

  Maggie Colangelo, Depts. of Communication Arts and Environmental Studies, with Prof. Mary Boyes, VCU Honors College

  I was prompted to begin this paper after reading about a water transfer agreement which will significantly reduce the water levels of the Salton Sea beginning in January 2018. Concerns over the impact this change would have on local air quality and how air quality changes would affect respiratory health, particularly in children were present in the community. I chose to investigate the validity of these concerns. The recession of the Salton Sea will expose large areas of playa, or lakebed, that has been significantly polluted by the agricultural runoff that feeds the Salton Sea. In order to determine the impact this change may have on the air quality of nearby Imperial Valley and what effect airborne pollutants could have on local respiratory health, I studied journals concerning the predicted levels of dust from the exposed playa. Another important aspect of the dust emitted from the playa is the particle mass PM10, which several journals connected to a decrease in childhood respiratory health. I also explored journals which connected persistent organic pollutants which are commonly used in agriculture to respiratory distress and the development of asthma. I focused on journals which studied the levels of the same pollutants in the Salton Sea sediment as well. From my research, I found that the composition, as well as the particle mass of the dust emitted by Salton Sea playa will have a significant negative impact on the respiratory health and development of asthma in Imperial Valley children. Furthermore, the levels of dust emitted by the Salton Sea are expected to increase dramatically as the sea recedes. Continued research and studies should be conducted on the exact composition of airborne pollutants produced by the sea, and their specific impact on childhood respiratory health and asthma development.

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  Gender and Ethnic Differences in Sound Tolerance

  Nicole Concepcion and Rachel Wallace

  Gender and Ethnic Differences in Sound Tolerance

  Nicole Concepcion, Depts. of Psychology, Social Work, and Human Resource Management, and Rachel Wallace, M.S., Dept. of Psychology Graduate Student, with Dr. Scott Vrana, Dept. of Psychology

  Misophonia, hyperacusis, and tinnitus are related to decreased sound tolerance (DST). Misophonia is characterized as strong aversive reactions to specific sounds. Hyperacusis is a heightened sensitivity to certain sounds below the loudness sensitivity levels. Tinnitus is a condition that includes continuous ringing or buzzing in the ears. Current research has shown that misophonia symptoms have many commonalities with psychiatric diagnoses and these symptoms result in substantial functional disability and lower quality of life. In the growing literature, there are some questions that need to be answered. The questions sought to be answered in this study are: what is the prevalence of the DST conditions? Are there any significant ethnic and gender differences for those who endorse misophonia, hyperacusis, or tinnitus? Can these differences be corroborated by current health items, like anxiety? To answer these questions, a large scale survey (n= 1,200) was examined by conducting chi-square, independent samples t-test, and ANOVA analyses. The findings indicate there were significant gender and racial differences among hyperacusis and misophonia. Women reported more negative responses towards misophonia and hyperacusis. This is consistent with the past findings that women report higher anxiety. White participants endorsed all DST conditions more than any other group. These findings promote further research.

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  Economical Custom-Made 3D BioPrinter

  Lucas Craft

  Economical Custom-Made 3D BioPrinter

  Lucas Craft, Depts. of Electrical and Computer Engineering & Physics, with Dr. Daeha Joung, Dept. of Physics

  Bioprinters are used to extrude biomaterials that contain living cells to develop synthetic organ and tissue models. Being able to 3D bioprint these models allows us to build the small intricate structures that mimic complicated living organs. As of now, the technology is expensive, with the average bioprinter exceeding ten thousand dollars. The high price often makes this tool a high-risk investment for many biomedical companies and researchers who may want to use this technology for research. Fortunately, the components that make a bioprinter could become inexpensive, especially with the open-source environment 3D printers have become. Altering the firmware and mechanics of a 3D printer can be relatively simple. To make a cost-effective bioprinter, inexpensive 3D printer parts can be used to make the system necessary for bioprinting. For this system, a one-hundred-dollar 3D printer (Fused Deposition Modeling based) is used for the XYZ movement and machine control from the included motherboard. A holder was designed for two pipettes to replace the plastic extruder the inexpensive printer came with. The biomaterials (including cells and hydrogels) are extruded out of the pipettes using air pressure from an air compressor and controlled using thirty-dollar solenoids. To incorporate the pneumatic system with the 3D printer, the open-source firmware Marlin was altered to use a header file (.h file) called Baricuda, which was designed for extruding chocolate for elaborate candy sculptures. Baricuda is used for the extruding system of a bioprinter using air pressure control to push biomaterials through a pipette for extrusion. Another critical aspect of a bioprinter is maintaining the viability of the living cells, which needs to be at average body temperature (37 ℃). For this, an insulation chamber will be made to completely contain the 3D printer so that the heat from the bedplate is used to warm the whole system’s environment. A thermistor mounted at the top of the printer will be used to ensure the temperature is maintained. Overall, the cost for a bioprinter like this will be less than one-thousand-dollars, depending on the type of air compressor. Air compressor cost aside, the printer costs approximately three-hundred-dollars, making it far cheaper than the ones on the market today.

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  A Comparison of PTSD, AUD, and MDD Symptom Patterns in Different Trauma Types

  Elizabeth Crump

  A Comparison of PTSD, AUD, and MDD Symptom Patterns in Different Trauma Types

  Elizabeth Crump, Depts. of Biology and Sociology, with Dr. Kaitlin Bountress, Virginia Institute of Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics

  About 66% of college students have been exposed to a traumatic event (Read et al., 2011). Research thus far suggests that interpersonal trauma (IPT; e.g., physical or sexual abuse or assault) is linked to higher risk of developing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), variability in PTSD symptom cluster presentation, and comorbidities with substance use compared to accidental trauma (e.g., natural disaster, motor vehicle accident; Kessler et al. 1995; Kelley et al., 2009; Kilpatrick et al. 2000). There is little research investigating the role of trauma type in the expression of symptoms related to PTSD (both overall severity and symptom cluster presentation), Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD), and Major Depression (MD) in a representative college population. The first aim of this study was to investigate the relation between trauma type (interpersonal and accidental trauma) and PTSD, AUD, and MD symptoms as well as PTSD symptom cluster presentation (avoidance, arousal, negative thoughts and emotions, and reexperiencing). We also sought to test in an exploratory manner whether there was an association between these symptoms and increased trauma type count (i.e., experiencing both IPT and accidental trauma). Results found that those with IPT exposure experienced the highest rate of all symptom outcomes (excluding MD symptoms and PTSD reexperiencing) and had significantly greater symptom severity as compared to the group with both IPT and accidental exposure. The findings suggest that greater intervention measures should be focused on those who experience IPT trauma due to the greater vulnerability to PTSD, Alcohol Use, and Depressive symptoms.

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  Resilience in Relation to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Coping Behaviors in Combat-exposed Veterans

  Abigale Dagher

  Resilience in Relation to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Coping Behaviors in Combat-exposed Veterans

  Abigale Dagher, Dept. of Psychology, with Dr. Christina Sheerin, Dept. of Psychology and Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, and Dr. Ananda Amstadter, Dept. of Psychology and Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics

  Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric disorder that can occur following a traumatic experience. Many veterans who are exposed to combat develop PTSD, yet many also show resilience following these stressors. Resilience can be defined as adaptive functioning in the face of stress or trauma. PTSD is often associated with less resilience while coping skills often increase resilience outcomes. However, it is less known whether the relationship is different across the different clusters of PTSD symptoms and different types of coping behaviors, which can be adaptive (e.g., social support) or maladaptive (e.g., drug use). Thus, this study aimed to investigate in a combat trauma-exposed veteran population 1) whether there was a difference in resilience scores as a function of PTSD status, 2) whether there was a different association with resilience by PTSD symptom cluster total severity score, and 3) which types of coping behaviors were more strongly related to resilience above and beyond PTSD symptoms. It was hypothesized that combat trauma-exposed veterans without PTSD would have greater resilience scores than those with PTSD, that the avoidance symptom cluster would be the strongest predictor of lower resilience in the veterans who have PTSD, and that coping subscales would be associated with higher resilience above and beyond PTSD status, but some coping subscales would be more strongly related to resilience than others. Following informed consent, participants (N=226, Mean age=30.48, 90.3% Male) were interviewed with a structured clinical interview (Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-IV; CAPS-IV) and then completed a large battery of self-report assessment measures, including the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC) and the Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced (COPE). A t-test analysis was run to determine if there is a difference between trauma-exposed veterans with and without PTSD. Those with PTSD had a significantly lower resilience score (M=30.16, SD=6.96) compared to those without PTSD (M=32.68, SD=4.54), t(174)=2.91, p=.004. Next, a regression analysis was run with each symptom cluster total score predicting resilience total score. Avoidance symptoms significantly predicted lower resilience, β=-.296, t=-2.397, p=.019, but not re-experiencing β=-.056, t=-.426, p=.672 or arousal symptoms β=.022, t=-.173, p=.863. Finally, significant COPE subscales from correlation analyses were included as predictors of resilience, covarying for total PTSD symptoms. Of the 14 coping skills examined, Positive reinterpretation and growth, Active coping, Turning to religion, and Acceptance were associated with greater resilience scores whereas Behavioral disengagement, and Focus on and venting of emotions were negatively associated with resilience scores (all ps < .01). In conclusion, all hypotheses were supported. Combat exposed veterans with PTSD had lower resilience scores than those without PTSD. Likewise, avoidance behaviors predicted higher resilience compared to the other symptom clusters, perhaps given the importance of avoidance for impacting daily functioning and maintaining symptoms. Finally, coping subscales were variably associated with resilience, suggesting that not all coping approaches are necessarily beneficial. Limitations of the study included self-report bias, little variability in resilience measure, and limited generalizability given the restricted sample demographics.

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  Vicarious Trauma Exposure and Its Effects on Mental Health among Adolescents and Adults: A Narrative Research Review

  Harrison Davis, Angel Whitfield, Sydney Judge, Bailee Beverly, Jenna Minter, Eryn DeLaney, and Chloe Walker

  Vicarious Trauma Exposure and Its Effects on Mental Health among Adolescents and Adults: A Narrative Research Review

  Harris Davis, Dept. of Psychology, Angel Whitfield, Sydney Judge, Bailee Beverly, Jenna Minter, Harrison Davis, and Eryn DeLaney and Chloe Walker, Dept. of Psychology Graduate Students, with Dr. Chelsea Williams, Dept. of Psychology

  A narrative research review was conducted to examine studies that have tested the relation between vicarious trauma (i.e., witnessing abuse of others; Trautmann, S., Reineboth, M., Trikojat, K., Richter, J., Hagenaars, M. A., Kanske, P., & Schäfer, J. (2018). and mental health in adolescents and young adults. Using psycinfo to find research conducted to date, this review indicated that there are various types of trauma that adolescents might be exposed to (e.g., domestic abuse, emotional abuse, and physical abuse) and various forms of mental health issues (e.g., post traumatic stress disorder, depression, and anxiety) that might result from such trauma. (Erolin, K. S., Wieling, E., & Parra, R. E. A. (2014)., , Stowkowy, J., Goldstein, B. I., MacQueen, G., Wang, J., Kennedy, S. H., Bray, S., Lebel, C., & Addington, J. (2020). Findings from this review also suggest that there is a relation between varying types of traumatic exposure and several types of depressive symptoms (Monfort, E., Afzali M. H. (2015), Merza, K., Papp, G., & Szabó, I. K. (2015) and that there are more studies on adults than on adolescents. These effects will be discussed. Gaps in the literature will be referenced and potential future research directions will be acknowledged. In conclusion, this narrative research review emphasizes the importance of knowing the effects of vicarious trauma on adolescents and adults for preventative purposes.

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  WHAM: Wellness, Happiness, and Mindfulness: A Pilot Class at Open High School for the Translational Application of Well-being Education

  Emaan Dawood and Moorin Khan

  WHAM: Wellness, Happiness, and Mindfulness: A Pilot Class at Open High School for the Translational Application of Well-being Education

  Emaan Dawood, Depts. of Biology, Chemistry, & Spanish, and Moorin Khan, with Dr. Christy Tyndall, VCU Honors College

  The education of student well-being is desired as evidence-based positive psychology principles explain how humans can better succeed in life despite surmounting obstacles. Based on a VCU honors class titled “Flourishing,” which educates incoming freshmen about the science of health and wellness, a similar pilot class titled “WHAM: Wellness, Happiness, and Mindfulness,” implemented at Open High School, targets younger students. The goals for WHAM are to encourage high school students to build resilience through obstacles, develop strategies to promote well-being, and increase overall life satisfaction. An additional goal of the course is to learn more about which well-being principles are most helpful for high school students and why. The curriculum of WHAM was created with a focus on positive psychology principles and strategies that enhance well-being. Each class begins with discussion of a specific principle followed by an applied in-class activity of that principle. Covered principles included mindfulness, gratitude, stress and time management, physical health, meaning and engagement, relationships, and accomplishments. From student feedback and discussions, our pilot class has informally revealed that practicing well-being activities amongst high school-aged students promotes their relaxation and appreciation, indicating that the course effectively increases awareness of well-being practices. Therefore, our goal for the next session of WHAM will be to provide objective and formalized measurements of student well-being pre and post completion of the class. Measurements will be determined from surveys of evidence-based literature assessing different areas of well-being. The results will reveal how much students benefit from well-being education, help improve teaching methods, and provide insight for such a course being a standard in student education.

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  Using Asset Mapping to Identify Health Needs of a Latinx Population in Rural Virginia

  Sara Debab

  Using Asset Mapping to Identify Health Needs of a Latinx Population in Rural Virginia

  Sara Debab, Interdisciplinary Science, with Dina Tamar Garcia, Health Behavior & Policy, VCU School of Medicine

  According to the Virginia Department of Health, the Commonwealth’s Latinx population sees worse health outcomes compared to other ethnic groups in the state. Latinx living in rural areas of the state are of particular concern due to federally-recognized physician shortages and various social determinants that exacerbate the situation. We studied Galax, Virginia, a rural city in southwest Virginia that is more than 14% Latinx, a rarity in the Appalachian region. With the city ranking 130th out of 134 cities and counties in the state for health outcomes, an inquiry focused on identifying the health needs of Latinx in Galax was necessary to expand upon very limited data. Asset mapping was conducted to identify available resources that play a factor in the health of residents. Navigating and observing the city through walking and windshield tours allowed us to determine what resources and assets exist in the community that currently address health issues. Through this process we obtained various tangible sources of information that served to assist us in different ways: apart from deriving names of important contacts to conduct key informant interviews with, we obtained various tangible sources of information about available services by numerous government and private organizations. Consequently, we successfully identified the key community organizations and leaders to seek valuable insights from in future key informant interviews.

  Our ability to obtain updated and accurate assessments of available resources is evidence of the success of employing asset-mapping methods to identify health needs.

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  Assessing Sexual Differences with the Decision to Remain a Virgin

  Jessica Del Rossi

  Assessing Sexual Differences with the Decision to Remain a Virgin

  Jessica Del Rossi, Depts. of Biology and Sociology, with Dr. Claire Kimberly, Dept. of Internal Medicine, VCU School of Medicine

  In the transition to adulthood, the loss of virginity can be seen as an important step in personal development. The first sexual experience someone encounters is often memorable with a positive or negative interaction impacting sexual satisfaction and sexual communication in the future. People have different definitions of virginity which can lead to miscommunication in personal relationships, research and/or a therapy setting. People may remain a virgin till marriage due to religious convictions and gender differences. Data was collected from 531 adults through Qualtrics and included questions about demographics, definition of virginity, and sexual satisfaction/communication. Respondents included 62.9% of the people thought at one point in their life they would remain a virgin until marriage while 36.9% reported that they did not. Average responses for sexual communication and satisfaction were reviewed by whether or not the individual decided at some point to be a virgin and demographics. Notable gender differences were found with men who decided not to be a virgin at one point in their life having higher sexual communication when compared to women who had decided not to remain a virgin. However, women who decided to be a virgin at one point had higher sexual satisfaction later on when compared to men and women who did not decide to be a virgin at one point in their lives. In regards to interest in religion, people that stated that religion was unimportant and had not decided to be a virgin had higher sexual satisfaction later on then people who thought religion was important and had decided to be a virgin. The results have the potential to help people in research, education, and therapy. Specifically, it can supplement the knowledge about gender differences and religion when it comes to virginity loss and how it might impact current relationships.

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  The Impact of Acculturation on Help-Seeking and Mental Health Among Refugees in Minnesota

  Analynne Escobar

  The Impact of Acculturation on Help-Seeking and Mental Health Among Refugees in Minnesota

  Analynne Escobar, Depts. of Social Work and Psychology, with Dr. Hyojin Im, School of Social Work

  This study looks at how acculturation affects mental health and help seeking attitudes among refugees in Minnesota. There is a need to address high levels of acculturative stress, mental health, and a lack of trust with human services for this population. Secondary data was utilized from the University of Minnesota Survey of Housing Questionnaire, with those identifying as Librarian, Oromo, Karen, Hmong, and Somali, for this study. A Pearson’s Correlation test was used to measure the relationship between acculturation and mental health and an independent sample t-test was used to measure the mean difference between those who responded yes and those who responded no to language being a barrier to help seeking attitudes. There was a positive correlation between anxiety/ depression and acculturation (the longer a person stays in the U.S.). Language barrier was also a predictor of the lack to seek help from social service providers.

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  Advertising and Consumer Behaviors: Evaluating Microinfluencers on Social Media

  Julianne Eubanks

  Advertising and Consumer Behaviors: Evaluating Microinfluencers on Social Media

  Julianne Eubanks, Dept. of Psychology, with Dr. Jennifer Joy-Gaba, Dept. of Psychology

  In advertising, social media networks such as Instagram have become opportunities for brands to advertise their products. Celebrities, with their millions of followers, often serve as brand ambassadors. As well, smaller accounts with more niche, engaged followings referred to in this study as “micro-influencers” also endorse products. The current study aims to determine if participants will (1) perceive micro-influencers as more trustworthy and authentic than name-brand celebrities and if participants will (2) be more likely to purchase a product when advertised by a micro-influencer. Participants viewed advertisements posted by celebrities and micro-influencers. Participants then rated each image for 1) how trustworthy and likable the influencer/celebrity appears, 2) how often the influencer/celebrity uses the product and 3) how likely the participants are to buy the product. We hypothesized that participants will rate the micro-influencers as more trustworthy and authentic than celebrities; as a result, we hypothesized that participants will be more likely to want to purchase the products advertised by micro-influencers.

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  The Effect of Education on Knowledge of Dental Care and Hygiene in Adults

  Jenifer Euceda Nunez and Tatiana Kohlmann

  The Effect of Education on Knowledge of Dental Care and Hygiene in Adults

  Jenifer Euceda Nunez, Dept. of Homeland Security, with Dr. Sarah Raskin, L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs

  Introduction: Dental care and hygiene are a common worry and often overlooked by adults. It is paid less attention to due to dental problems not occurring as often as other medical conditions and simply not having the sufficient knowledge. Individuals’ lack of knowledge on dental care and hygiene may reflect other educational gaps. This study assessed the relationship between educational attainment and knowledge of oral health among a sample of low-income immigrants served at a free clinic in Richmond, Virginia. Methods: Patients from Crossover HealthCare Ministry clinics were recruited to complete a survey about their oral health experiences, quality of life, and knowledge, such as names of certain areas in the mouth, and what factors can cause certain diseases. Oral health knowledge was assessed using the Comprehensive Measure of Oral Health Knowledge, a 25-question instrument that has been validated in English and Spanish. The research team entered study data into a secure online research survey system, REDCap; data was analyzed using SAS. Participant recruitment and data collection are still ongoing. Initial analysis focuses on descriptive statistics using means (M)/standard deviations (SDs) or frequencies/relative frequencies to assess differences in oral health knowledge across educational attainment, using t-tests for continuous variables and chi square test for categorical variables. Results: We expect to see more incorrect answers from the CMOHK in individuals with lower levels of educational background. Conclusions: This study aids in understanding educational impact on dental care. If lower educational levels are associated with lower oral health knowledge as measured by incorrect answers they will have on the CMOHK, intervention for this group would be salient.

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  Owner-Intruder Contests with Information Asymmetry

  Faheem Farooq, Jay Bisen, Manaeil Hasan, and Akhil Patel

  Owner-Intruder Contests with Information Asymmetry

  Faheem Farooq, Depts. of Biology and Chemistry, Jay Bisen, Manaeil Hasan, and Akhil Patel, with Dr. Jan Rychtar, Dept. of Mathematics and Discrete Mathematics, and Dr. Dewey T. Taylor, Dept. of Mathematics and Discrete Mathematics

  We consider kleptoparasitic interactions between two individuals - Owner and Intruder - and model the situation as a sequential game in an extensive form. Owner is in a possession of a valuable resource when it spots Intruder. Owner has to decide whether to defend the resource; if the Owner defends, the Intruder has to decide whether to fight with the Owner. The individuals may value the resource differently and we distinguish three information cases: (a) both individuals know resource values to both of them, (b) individuals know only their own valuation, (c) individuals do not know the value at all. We solve the game in all three cases. We find that it is typically beneficial for the individuals to know as much information as possible. However, we identify several scenarios where knowing less seems better. We also show that an individual may or may not benefit from their opponent knowing less. Finally, we consider the same kind of interactions but with the reversed order of decisions. We find that typically the individual initiating the interaction has an advantage. However, when individuals know only their own valuation and not the valuations to their opponents, it is sometimes better when the opponent initiates.

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  Physiology as a Mechanism Driving Early Fitness Responses in Cornus Florida

  Brendan Finnie and Jane Remfert

  Physiology as a Mechanism Driving Early Fitness Responses in Cornus Florida

  Brendan Finnie, Depts. of Biology and Chemistry, and Jane L. Remfert, Graduate Student in Integrative Life Sciences, with Dr. Rodney Dyer, VCU Center for Environmental Studies

  Urban encroachment into natural ecosystems can increase the chances cultivar gene escape from the urban environment into natural populations. Cultivar Cornus Florida, flowering dogwood, has been artificially selected for traits like larger floral displays, tolerance of high sunlight, and resistance to disease and occurs in close proximity to native populations. A common garden experiment was established to compare relative performance of cultivar and native seedlings in native shade conditions by measuring proxies for fitness. Additionally, physiological measurements were taken as a potential mechanism driving early differential fitness responses of seedlings. Light saturated photosynthesis was measured using a Li-Cor 6400 Portable Photosynthesis System, additionally, proxies for fitness like leaf area, height, stem diameter, and above and below ground biomass were collected. Image J was used to calculate leaf area from digital photos and linear mixed effects models were used to determine differences in plant traits between cultivar and native seedlings. Plant traits including above and below ground biomass were significantly larger in cultivar C. florida seedlings (AGB P = 0.019, BGB P = 0.005). There was a significant difference in leaf area (cm) from the leaf base to tip between cultivar and native seedlings (P < 0.001) but no significant differences were found in mean light saturated photosynthesis between native and cultivar C. florida seedlings (P = 0.792). The lack of differences in photosynthetic rate between native and cultivar C. florida seedlings does not support a physiological mechanism driving differential early fitness response. Differences in early fitness response indicate that cultivar C. florida can outperform native seedlings in a shaded understory environment. Thus, it is possible that cultivar genes that escape from urban areas could establish in native populations.

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  Bullet Wound Amputation

  Laura Flaherty

  Bullet Wound Amputation

  Laura Flaherty, Depts. of Anthropology and History, with Dr. Bernard Means, Dept. of Anthropology

  "The limbs of soldiers are in as much danger from the ardor of young surgeons as from the missiles of the enemy."

  -Surgeon Julian John Chisholm, 1864

  Civil War medicine was highly dependent on the profession and education of those practicing medicine on the battlefield. Throughout the states that were involved with the war are burial grounds of soldiers or partial remains post amputation. Are there indicators of differing probabilities of survival of amputees at field hospitals or (traditional) established hospitals? Were soldiers more likely to live through amputations only to later die from infection? The factors under consideration are: capabilities of surgeons and staff at the types of treatment locations, hygiene, infection, available treatment material, potential transfers from field to established hospitals, treatments, and the later disposal of limbs.

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  Figuring Out the Aztecs

  Milla Gardiola

  Figuring Out the Aztecs

  Milla Gardioloa, Dept. of Sociology, with Dr. Bernard Means, Dept. of Anthropology

  This project looks at various Mesoamerican artwork with a strong focus on Aztec figurines and sculptures. I take a closer look at the meaning behind the figurines and their importance to Aztec cultures. With religion being an important aspect in Mesoamerican culture, I explore a few Aztec deities and explain who they are and how they are worshiped in their everyday life. There is also a section of this project dedicated to modern figurines and sculptures with the intention to show the relation between the past and modern cultures.