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2022 Showcase

2022 Showcase

Welcome to the Honors College Student Showcase for 2022. The 2021-2022 academic year was largely in person for most Honors scholars, allowing for a return to research labs, clinical experiences, and community internships. The Honors scholars projects featured here demonstrate the various forms of engaged learning in which Honors scholars participate each semester: research, service and civic engagement, internships, cross cultural experiences, and artistic and creative work that upholds the Honors College values of diversity, civic engagement, academic excellence, and engaged learning.

In doing so, our Honors Scholars exemplify the Profiles of Learning for Undergraduate Success — demonstrating their individual work as a Communicator, Problem Solver, Innovator, and Community Contributor. Please enjoy reading the submissions below to learn more about the work of our Honors Scholars in 2021-2022.

Yasmein Ali

Sophomore
Neuroscience

LHSI ePortfolio: Yasmein Ali
My ePortfolio contains a summary of the work I have accomplished while interning with Dr. Leslie Hulvershorn through the LHSI program. During this program I worked alongside respected professionals to analyze adolescent substance use disorders and their predictors.

Lyra Bailey

Junior
Neuroscience

Epigenetics of Alzheimer's Disease
The scientific community knows that AD (Alzheimer's Disease) is multifactorial and can be attributed to a combination of genetic and environmental factors, including epigenetic changes in the central nervous system (CNS). Ultimately, the goal is to have biomarkers and therapeutic targets for Alzheimer's, including epigenetic changes.

Ishita Bhedi

Junior
Biomedical Engineering

The role of MDMX in radiation-induced cell killing in ovarian cancer
The objective is to test whether MDMX knock out in Ovarian cancer alters radiation-induced cell killing and investigate how simultaneous inhibition of Warburg metabolism and NF Kappa B pathways increases radiation-induced cell killing after single and split doses of irradiation.

Carlos Gonzalez

Sophomore
Biology

Characterization of Glaucomatous Neurodegeneration of Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Derived Retinal Ganglion Cells With an Optineurin E50K Mutation
For this project, the degenerative effects of the glaucomatous E50K mutation in the Optineurin gene were characterized. The results were quantified and were compared to cells treated with a compound that improved neuronal length.

Holly Carver

Junior
Biology

Novel Role for Targetable Drug Encapsulated Polymer Nanocarriers for Treatment of Glioblastoma
I synthesize polymeric nanoparticles that encapsulate the oncolytic and hydrophobic drug Paclitaxel, which can be delivered past the blood brain barrier via nanocarrier and shows promise in treating the brain cancer glioblastoma. We are currently using MTT and methylene blue assays to test the nanoparticles in cell culture and determine cell viability, and we are planning on attaching the CD133 aptamer to the nanoparticles for targeted drug deliver.

Kaitlyn Colglazier

Junior
Biomedical Engineering

Identifying the Effects and Mechanisms of Heat-activated Platinated Metalloenediynes
The goal of this project was to test the cytotoxicity of anti-cancer drugs when used in combination with hyperthermia. One compound I tested showed signs of high cytotoxicity to cancer cells which we could then start testing the drug on in vivo mice models.

Alston Dsouza

Junior
Electrical Engineering

Software Development Research in Augmented Reality
Working on Software improvements for a peer-led Augmented Reality app using Unity Software, Ultimaker program.

Meagan Farmer

Senior
Nursing

An online learning experience between Kenyan and US undergraduate nursing students during the COVID-19 pandemic
The goal of this project was to identify students' perceptions on the barriers and benefits of an online cross-cultural learning environment. Students from IU and Moi University in Kenya worked together for two years to complete this project.

Anna Guinn

Sophomore
Communications and Tourism, Conventions, and Event Management

Sustainable Tourism and COVID-19
The pandemic shut down a large portion of tourism worldwide, causing many issues in this industry. Preparedness for a similar situation through careful reflection on the coronavirus and what was effective and ineffective in bringing tourism back will make it easier to handle in case there is another pandemic in the future.

Jannah Hassan

Senior
Neuroscience

Therapeutic Potential of Senolytics in the Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy
The goal of this project was to conduct a systemic literature review to explore the therapeutic potential of senolytics in the treatment of diabetic retinopathy (DR). We discovered many senolytics that have the potential to elevate the progression of DR and they are slowly but surely advancing on to clinical trials.

Erica Hathaway

Sophomore
Biology and Neuroscience

RIME: Research in Medical Education
My internship site collected survey data from family medicine residencies in Indiana and various department ACs in the IU School of Medicine to create reports. These reports are used to help improve the programs for the school and state health programs as a whole.

Brevin Horvath

Junior
Biomedical Engineering

Genotyping Spontaneous Mutations in Revertant NEAP-Deficient Plasmodium Falciparum Parasites
The goal of this research project was to determine the essentiality of a gene which is required for the malaria parasite Plasmodium Falciparum to replicate. Understanding the essential sequence that codes for this gene may reveal druggable targets for future antimalarial treatments.

Zack Jones

Sophomore
Nursing

Exploring and Comparing Needs of International and US Medical Graduates in US Health Care
The goal of this project was to develop a survey to send to practicing US physicians about their needs, both met and unmet. From the results from both international and local graduates, new ideas and programs will be thought of to help best support them in their training.

Rhea Khatra

Junior
Health Sciences

Effect of TSBS Dilutions and Curcumin on Streptococcus mutans Biofilm
We found that the combination of curcumin and TSBS demonstrated significantly reduced biofilm formation. These results indicate that an individual who is vegan and ingests lower protein with curcumin may have less S. mutans in their dental plaque and subsequently lower incidence of dental caries.

Medha Vijay Kulkarni

Junior
Computer Science

Towards Automation of Black Box Testing
Black-box testing is a software testing technique that involves testing a system with no prior knowledge of its internal workings. Although black-box testing is critical to the software engineering process, it has many limitations, such as redundant test cases, difficulty generating test cases, and tricky inputs. This project aims to provide a theoretical technique captured in a tool that automates black-box testing. By automating black-box testing, we mean to (1) assist software developers in deriving black-box test cases and (2) automate evaluating the correctness of a black-box test case without any human intervention.

Hope Leonard

Senior
Music Technology and Psychology

Til the Blue of Time
“Til the Blue of Time” is a response to James Rosenquist's piece, “Time Dust”. This acousmatic sound installation considers the relationship between what we see in Rosenquist's visual artwork and what we hear in composed sound. Curated by Farnaz Farrokhi, Graduate Fellow, Herron Galleries, Til the Blue of Time, 2022 by Hope Leonard, B.S. Music Technology, Class of 2023, is the inaugural sound work presented in Eskenazi Hall, Herron School of Art and Design.

Listen to Project

Lainy McCoy

Senior
Nursing

Treatment adherence interventions for HIV and epilepsy in sub-Saharan Africa: A scoping review
The goal of this project was to promote treatment interventions regarding both epilepsy and HIV by categorizing interventions as either non-initiation, non-persistence, or non-adherence. Through our research, we identified a significant gap in the literature regarding epilepsy treatment interventions compared to HIV, but the data gathered for HIV still maintains its value and applicability to interventions for epilepsy.

Haydah Moo

Sophomore
Biology

Internship With The Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Department
The goal of this project was to help our team better understand vaccine hesitancy. Our main groups of interest are pediatric oncology and hematology patients with a focus on the HPV vaccine.

Teryn Morgan

Junior
Biomedical Informatics

Towards Automated Prediction of Goals of Care Conversations in Clinical Notes
The overall purpose of our project is to create the training and testing dataset for a Natural Language Processing algorithm which will automatically identify clinical notes which document GOCCs between patients and their providers.  This ePortfolio documents the study's progression throughout the year and what the next steps are!

Murad Nazzal

Senior
Neuroscience

The Effects of the Age and Sex of Megakaryocyte Secreted Factors on Endothelial Cell Growth and Function
This study examined the effects of megakaryocyte conditioned media secreted from young and old, male and female mice on bone marrow endothelial cell growth and function. All conditioned media improved bone marrow endothelial cell growth and functions to an extent, with the exception of aged conditioned media inhibiting wound closure.

Jordan Nus

Sophomore
Biology

Role of MDM2 Gene on the Development and Progression of Common Cancers
The purpose of this project was to analyze common mutations of the gene MDM2 to see how tumor growth and progression is impacted within the cell. From the data obtained, it was discovered that a particular mutation of MDM2 stabilizes a specific biochemical pathway, causing cells to proliferate unregulated by the cell cycle.

Amanda Pease

Senior
Biology

The Potential of Commercial Mycorrhizal Inoculant to Reduce Drought Stress in Intercropping
The goal of this project was to observe the effects of mycorrhizal inoculant on an intercropping of corn and soybeans, compared to individual plants, during drought conditions. The mycorrhizal inoculant resulted in negative effects on the plants in intercroppings and individual plantings.

Ian Pingel

Junior
Economics and Medical Humanities

IADRC: Indiana Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center
This is a presentation that covers my internship at Indiana Alzheimer's Disease Research Center. This internship occurred through the Life Health Sciences Internship Program.

Kaylynn Popp

Junior
Exercise Science

The Prevalence of Injuries, Healthcare Interactions, and Demographics of the North American Pole Dance Fitness Community
The aim of our study was to describe the demographics of the North American pole dance fitness community, the common injuries they experience, and their interactions with healthcare professionals during diagnosis and treatment. Our findings indicate that a majority of participants have experienced at least one injury and their interactions with healthcare professionals are typically positive and professional.

Faith Prochaska

Senior
Neuroscience and Biology

Sexual Dimorphic Behavior in the Ts65Dn Mouse Model of Down Syndrome During a Time of DYRK1A Overexpression

Aditi Ravikumar

Junior
Neuroscience and Biology

Epigenetics of Alzheimer's Disease
Can epigenetic modification of DNA increase risk for Alzheimer's disease? This project summarizes literature findings about the role of Vitamin B, Vitamin C, and other environmental factors on DNA epigenetics associated with Alzheimer's disease.

Bryce Selman

Junior
Biology and Medical Humanities

Ki67 & Factor VIII Immunostaining to Evaluate Glioblastoma Multiforme Treatment Groups in Rag2 Null Rat Model
This project focused on using histological analysis to evaluate tumor growth and proliferation of a control and two treatment groups of rats with glioblastoma multiforme. From the data, assumptions were made about the efficacy of certain drug treatments for this cancer.

Arnima Singh

Sophomore
Biology

PERSEVERE Clinical Trial: Fighting Against TNBC
PERSEVERE is a clinical trial which aims to find better treatment methods for patients diagnosed with Triple Negative Breast Cancer, an aggressive form of breast cancer. The goal of this project was to educate others about PERSEVERE and clinical trials in general, to potentially recruit participants, as well as increase the public's understanding of what clinical research entails.

Katy Stewart

Sophomore
Biomedical Informatics

Quantitative Image Analysis of HER2/neu Immunohistochemistry in 166 Breast Cancer Cases using Tissue Microarrays

Melissa Thomas

Sophomore
Professional and Public Writing BA, Community Health BSPH

Success in Writing your Research Manuscript
The most important part of scientific research– beyond the data and the implications of a breakthrough finding– is disseminating your results. The goal of my project through LHSI was to operationalize my internship in manuscript writing by producing a quick, comprehensive video of the writing process for research publication for students interested in research.

Sofia Vaides

Sophomore
Neuroscience

Data Analysis suggesting a Correlation between COVID-19 and Cognitive Decline
A background in the study LEADS is given as well as an understanding of intern-related tasks. Results from data analysis are discussed, which may show a correlation between COVID-19 and Cognitive Decline.

Vivian Valadares

Sophomore
Biology

Estrogen Receptors (ER) and Progesterone Receptors (PR) Immunohistochemistry in Breast Cancer Using Tissue Microarrays with Quantitative Image Analysis
The goal of this project was to evaluate, in two distinct software, six tissue microarrays of breast cancer tissue that were stained with either ER or PR in order to find the positivity percentage for each biomarker. We found that both software showed around 37-44% in positivity of the antibodies, however, there were a higher average in positivity of ER compared to PR and a higher average in positivity of QuPath compared to Aperio.

Dru Wilkerson

Senior
Forensic and Investigative Science

Capsaicin and TRPV1 Channels in the Cardiovascular System: The Role of Inflammation
Capsaicin is responsible for the “hot” burning sensation associated with consumption of the Capsicum plants (chili peppers,) and is a small molecule that activates the Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid type 1 channel (TRPV1).This review focuses on vascular TRPV1 channels that are expressed in both vascular smooth muscle and endothelial cells and emphasizes the role of inflammation in sensitizing the TRPV1 channel to capsaicin activation.

Sarah Zetzl

Freshman
Biology

Disability Awareness Course Module for Canvas
One in every four Americans is disabled, making people with disabilities the largest minority. The goal of this project was to create a new disability awareness/inclusion Canvas page for the Biology K101 course, highlighting language and history as well as current issues within the community.

Zion Goldman

Junior
Health Sciences

Primary Open Angle Glaucoma and Intraocular Hypertension
The goal of this project was to go over what I have done in the LHSI program. I have created a powerpoint of the main projects I worked on in the past year.

Katherine LeFevre

Sophomore
Psychology

The LifeRAFT Program
The LifeRAFT program exists to reduce negative outcomes and promote positive ones in youth and adolescents. It does this by exploring how early life stress and family factors affect youth brain and behavior outcomes.

Kaneise Mitchell-Casey

Junior
Psychology

Adolescent Addiction Access Program
The goal of this project was to give an overview of the first year of progress with the Adolescent Addiction Access Program within Dr. Adams lab at the Adolescent Behavioral Research Program.

Olivia Reul

Junior
Biomedical Engineering

Examining the Impacts of Dual in vivo Axial Compressive Tibial and Ulnar Loading
The goal of this project was to find a way to reduce the number of animals required in studies in a bone research laboratory. The method we have developed is promising, but requires more research to determine how effective it is.

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