2025 IU Southeast Student Conference

Permanent link for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/2022/33537

Research and creative works from students who participated in the 2025 Annual IU Southeast Student Conference, which took place April 23-25, 2025.

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Now showing 1 - 20 of 25

Financial Stress and Financial Literacy: Gender and College Status
(2025-04) Dial, Mackenzie; Malone, Jaelynn
This study aimed to examine various demographic factors affecting both financial stress and financial literacy in students and non-students. Sixty-nine participants were recruited using convenient sampling. Financial stress was assessed using a modified Financial Distress Scale and a modified Financial Literacy Survey. Participants filled out a 26-item questionnaire. One of two hypotheses was supported, with women having higher financial stress than men. However, higher educational status was not found to correlate with greater levels of financial literacy.
Cash or Freedom: The Impact of Bail on Prisoners' Lives
(2025-04) Salehi, Noureddin (Javid)
"Cash Bail or Freedom" examines the impact of bail on prisoners' lives. It explores how the bail system puts low-income individuals under pressure; those with financial means can pay bail and be released, while low-income individuals are forced to remain in jail. This situation exacerbates social and economic inequality and negatively affects the lives of prisoners.
The Influence Of Parental Money Management On The Development Of Financial Literacy Skills In Children
(2025-04) Haefling, Samantha
Have you ever wondered how your parents’ money management affected yours? This research project aims to explore how parental money management influences financial literacy skills in children. In addition to a review of selected scholarly literature, an original survey was conducted to measure the impacts of parental money management on children’s financial literacy skills. Preliminary findings show that parental money management has both positive and negative impacts. For instance, good parental money management modeling leads to good financial literacy in their children, and vice versa.
Exploring GI Symptoms in Young Adults and their Affinity Towards Fad Diets: A Multifaceted Study
(2025-04) Bifone, Jacob
GI symptoms are highly prevalent in the United States, specifically in young adults. Up to 65% of adults aged 18-25 experience symptoms of gastrointestinal disorders on a weekly basis. Many factors contribute to this including diet and personal beliefs associated with symptoms. To find relief, many people eliminate foods that cause symptoms. Some turn to fad diets. These can vary in their effectiveness, but they are often advertised online. A specific fad diet, the Animal-based diet, has been pushed to popularity by Dr. Paul Saladino, encouraging people to only eat animal products and fruit. This study aims to give a well-rounded knowledge of GI symptoms, their associated causes, and diet as a way to deal with symptoms. This information is used to analyze Saladino’s nutritional claims and how they challenge standard recommendations for eating. Methods include a review of literature in academic journals and medical websites as well as analysis of popular media.
Bad Boys Finish First: A Psychoanalysis of the Appeal of Bad Boy Characters to the Female Audience
(2025-04) Lazrovitch, Blade
In modern romance, the bad boy character has taken the hearts of the female audience. As this archetype becomes more popular, it raises curiosity about the origin of this character and its allure. This research examines the historical origins of the bad boy character, how it has evolved to its current form, and the appeal to female audiences using a psychoanalytical lens. Three modern bad boy characters from popular books and movies are analyzed to determine how they fit the bad boy character type and how their behavior and actions charm women in the story and in real life.
The Race Against Time - Sepsis Protocol
(2025-04) Ang, Natalie
Sepsis, the leading cause of death in hospitals nationwide, presents a significant challenge in healthcare settings.8, 10 Recent data from an academic regional hospital revealed 42 cases of mortality out of 264 septic patients, with a 0% compliance rate in using the sepsis bundle in the Trauma ICU. A positive correlation between low compliance and lack of nursing knowledge regarding sepsis bundle timeframe was identified. In response, an educational initiative was implemented by a senior IUS nursing student to improve compliance rates. This poster will present the education plan, assessment of prior knowledge, learning materials, and evaluation of results.
The Relationship Between Stress, Anxiety, Depression, and Sleep Problems
(2025-04) McCarty, Hayden
Quality of sleep can be seen in almost every aspect of life. There are also many contributing factors to the quality of sleep, such as stress, anxiety, depression, etc. This current study will examine the relationship between these variables and determine if one variable has a stronger effect on sleep than the others. Data will be collected through a self-report online survey distributed through Qualtrics. Results showed that stress, anxiety, and depression all positively correlated with sleep problems. However, upon further analysis, depression had the highest correlation with sleep problems when compared to anxiety and stress. These findings demonstrate the adverse effects of stress, anxiety, and depression on sleep. However, this study sheds light on how severe sleep can be affected by depression. Not obtaining intervention for either sleep or depressive symptoms may have long-lasting effects on the other. Implications for this research and future research possibilities are also discussed.
Analyzing Referendum Success in Hoosier Communities
(2025-04) Dishno, Gabrielle; Doré, Shelby; Medina, Veronica (Faculty Sponsor)
In 2019, the Washington Community Schools Corporation in Daviess County, Indiana, proposed a capital improvement referendum that failed by 61.3% percent of votes. This study analyzes social media and local news framing of the referendum. Based upon a literature review of public opinion and voting behavior frameworks, we identify strategies that could increase public support for future referendums. The project, conducted in collaboration with the IU Center for Rural Engagement’s Sustaining Hoosier Communities Initiative, aims to provide relevant recommendations to improve community engagement and enhance the effectiveness of messaging in future referendum campaigns.
Discovering Yucky: Annotating its Genome and Finding Gene Function
(2025-04) Sanders, Mackenzie; Kaiser, Maddie
A bacteriophage named Yucky was discovered in the fall semester and selected for genome annotation for the Spring semester. Various computer programs were used to aid in the annotation and function assignment of Yucky’s genome: DNA Master, Phamerator, Starterator, NCBI BLAST, PhagesDB, HHPred, and DeepTMHMM. With these programs, as well as careful analysis and reasoning, key questions “Is it a gene?,” “Where does it start?,” and “What is its function?” were answered. Genome annotation helps identify unknown gene functions in bacteriophages and contributes to our understanding of bacteriophages.
Effects of Mutant KRASG12C on Chemotherapeutic Resistance in Lung Cancer
(2025-04) Richmer, Kelsea; Wallen, Margaret (Faculty Sponsor)
The oncogene KRAS, a small GTPase, is a known cancer driver gene in human lung tumors. Mutations result in contitutive activation and excessive cell growth, leading to disease progression. Using lipsomal transfection, KRASG12C was introduced into human lung cancer cell lines. Western blot was used to confirm overexpression of exogenous KRASG12C from endogenous KRAS within the cell lines. Once transient expression was established, cell lines were challenged with Paclitaxel, a common chemotherapeutic drug, and cell viability was assessed. Survival of parental cell lines was compared to those overexpressing KRASG12C to determine the role of this mutation in paclitaxel sensitivity.
Developing Undergraduate Research Expertise Through Project-Based Learning in Substance Abuse Disorder
(2025-04) Scott, Hannah; Fry, Mellisa (Faculty Sponsor)
IUS's Applied Research and Education Center (AREC) uses project-based learning to build students' employable skillsets through collaboration on issue-driven evaluation and consulting work for local client organizations. In this poster, I highlight my work at AREC as a student research assistant on projects for Scott County's CEASe and the IU Grand Challenges Long-Term Recovery study, two key initiatives addressing substance use prevention and recovery. I address quantitative and qualitative research skills gained from my role in managing pre-/post-test data to evaluate the efficacy of CEASe programs and in transcribing, coding, and selecting key participant quotes from Grand Challenge focus group interviews.
Identification and Characterization of the YPL150W Gene Function in Saccharomyces Cerevisiae
(2025-04) Elliott, Wade; Setterdahl, Aaron (Faculty Sponsor)
This project aims to characterize the function of the unannotated gene YPL150W in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Although the yeast genome is fully sequenced, approximately 30% of its genes lack functional annotation. YPL150W, located on chromosome XVI, is conserved in organisms such as Homo sapiens, Danio rerio, and Mus musculus, suggesting a conserved biological role. Bioinformatic analysis using the NCBI Conserved Domain Database reveals significant sequence similarity between YPL150W and known serine/threonine kinases, indicating potential enzymatic activity involving phosphorylation of hydroxyl-containing residues. Preliminary evidence suggests YPL150W encodes a nonspecific serine/threonine kinase, though experimental validation is required. Characterizing YPL150W will advance our understanding of conserved eukaryotic signaling pathways and may have implications for both basic biology and industrial applications.
Why Malaria Struggles with Sickle Cell: A Computational Study
(2025-04) Reddy, Sahith; Abdulrehman, Ibrahim
It is known that individuals with sickle cell anemia exhibit resistance to malaria but the molecular mechanism behind this protection is not fully understood. One factor is the interaction between malaria enzymes i.e., plasmepsin II and IV, and hemoglobin. This study examines how these enzymes bind to normal and sickle hemoglobin using docking simulations to analyze binding sites, binding affinities, amino acid interactions, and structural stability. Results suggest that sickle cell hemoglobin disrupts plasmepsin binding, hindering the parasite’s ability to degrade hemoglobin. Unlike genetic approaches, this study focuses on direct biochemical interactions, providing insights for antimalarial-drug development.
Political Ideology Morality Interests and Willingness to Interact Research Paper
(2025-04) Parr, Jackson
Studies have shown that political ideology is often misunderstood and categorized into simplistic ideas. Morality is intricately connected with political ideology in the sense that it contains a vast array of views. Simplistic views promote division, when in reality, there are more experiences, values, and interests that unite, rather than divide us. Investigating ways people draw upon to find commonality is critical both for researchers and those desiring to forge bonds among individuals. It was hypothesized that participants with different political ideologies would score differently on moral stances, liberals would score higher on moral stances relating to the well-being of individuals, conservatives would have different scores across the five foundations of morality, participants would be more willing to interact with profiles that disclosed their interests rather than a moral stance, and that participants would be more willing to interact with someone of a similar political ideology as themselves. Participants (N=55) volunteered to take a survey through Qualtrics; they disclosed demographic information, political ideology, moral stances, interests, and willingness to interact. All hypotheses were partially or fully supported. Results showed that participants with different political ideologies score differently on moral stances. Results also showed participants were more willing to interact with someone who shared their interests rather than a moral stance. These results highlight differences based on political ideology and moral values, while pinpointing similarities based on shared characteristics (Interests, moral stances). These results provide hope for fostering future relationships based on commonality that lead to respect of opposing ideologies.
Political Ideology, Morality, Interests, and Willingness to Interact
(2025-04) Parr, Jackson
This project investigated associations between political ideology(liberal, conservative) and morality (values innately and socially constructed as right or wrong), and how political ideology, morality, and interests(music, traveling, etc.) influence willingness to interact. It is predicted that participants with different political ideologies will rate moral concepts (Harm, Fairness, Loyalty, Authority, Purity) differently and that there will be differences in willingness to interact when interests, compared to when moral stances, are communicated. Data are collected via an online Qualtrics survey. Results are expected to support the idea that people can be willing to communicate despite conflicting interests and moral standards.
Underneath the White Coat: An Analysis of the Life of a Physician
(2025-04) Roy, Andrew J.
How does one become a doctor, and what is quality of life like for a physician post-education?
Perceptions and Preferences in Primary Care Providers: Public Understanding of Physician (MD) vs. Physician Associate (PA) Roles
(2025-04) Lim, Srey
This study examines public preference for physicians (MDs) versus physician associates (PAs) in primary care and assesses confidence in identifying their scope of practice. Participants indicate their preferred provider and evaluate statements about each profession’s responsibilities. The research explores whether individuals are more confident and accurate in identifying MDs’ scope of practice and how education level influences provider preference and confidence. Findings will offer insight into public perceptions of MDs and PAs, contributing to healthcare education and informed patient decision-making.
A Community-Engaged Study of Washington Community Schools
(2025-04) Anderson, Kasady
As part of the IU Center for Rural Engagement’s Sustaining Hoosier Communities initiative, students in the Senior Seminar in Sociology conducted a community-engaged capstone project in collaboration with Washington Community Schools (WCS), Daviess County, IN, to identify potential avenues for increasing voters’ support for a possible future referendum to allow WSC to address the additional need for space. With a classmate, I analyzed news and social media coverage of WCS’s 2019 $38M construction referendum, which was opposed by 61.3% of voters. This poster highlights findings from our analysis and reflection on my experience working on an allocative community identified project.
Effects of p53R248W on Proliferation and Chemoresistance of Human Lung Cancer
(2025-04) Mukerji, Jit
As a commonly mutated gene in human cancers, TP53 is a key target for cancer therapies. A single mutation can have variable cancer-promoting effects depending on other mutations present within the tumor. Currently available cell systems fail to accurately represent the complexity and heterogeneity of mutations present in clinically isolated tumors. In the present study, liposome-mediated transfection of mutant p53R248W into p53-null H1299 human lung cancer cells was used to manufacture a system that more accurately represents patient tumors. This system can be used to better understand the contribution of this mutation to lung tumor progression and resistance to treatment.
Is Hollywood Trending towards Gender Parity in Movie Creation and Presentation?
(2025-04) Jaglowicz, Ray
This study focused on the behind-the-scenes composition of the moviemaking process using the 150 top-grossing animated films from 1991-2023. Hollywood has relied on male hegemony to maintain a status quo on-screen and off-screen. However, male and female insiders of the industry have decried this practice in recent history. This study focused on the behind-the-scenes composition of the moviemaking process, as well as the outcomes that appear on-screen. Lastly, this study analyzed how gross income was affected. In addition to analyzing movies year-by-year, the analysis was conducted decade-by-decade to determine trends since year-by-year analysis might not produce noticeable differences.

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