View the 2022 PAC program book here!
Seven students were selected to represent the University of Tennessee, Knoxville at the 2022 Posters at the Capitol event in Nashville.
Student: Ashlei Williams
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Maitreyi Das
Project Title: A Goldilocks Enigma: How Cells Internalize Cargo for Proper Growth
Abstract: Endocytosis is a fundamental cellular process, facilitating growth in cells for their development and survival. This complex process permits internalization of cargo/nutrients into the cell by membrane bending. Endocytic defects impair growth, cell function, and are associated with several diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular and neuronal disorders. Cargo internalization via membrane bending and pinching-off requires adequate force generated by proper organization of the actin cytoskeleton. However, it is unclear how actin is optimally organized for endocytosis. Our research shows that a highly conserved signaling protein, Cdc42, regulates endocytosis. Cdc42 is conserved from yeast to mammals; thus, we use yeast as a simpler yet relevant system to uncover how it regulates endocytosis
in real-time using live-cell microscopy. Specifically, when Cdc42 is overactive, the distribution of endocytic sites is disrupted, and endocytosis fails to internalize cargo. Additionally, when Cdc42 activity is decreased, cargo internalization takes longer. These observations indicate that there is a “Goldilocks” amount of Cdc42 activity necessary for proper endocytosis. Accordingly, we find that Cdc42 misregulation alters the recruitment and dynamics of an important motor protein, Myo1, that
promotes actin organization during endocytosis. In future work, we will determine the molecular details of how Cdc42 regulates Myo1 during endocytosis.
Student: Ashlyn Anderson
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Betsy Anderson Steeves
Project Title: Navigating Hidden Hunger: An Exploratory Analysis the Lived Experience of College Student Food Insecurity
Abstract: College students are considered a vulnerable population to food insecurity (FI), which has significant implications on academic and health outcomes. Few qualitative studies have investigated the meaning of student FI to advance policy and inform sustainable interventions. This study aims to explore the lived experience of college students by assessing the impact of FI on food decisions, perceived barriers and facilitators to food access, and the utility of on-campus interventions. Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with 30 food insecure students at a large, public land grant university in the Southeast US. Data were coded using grounded theory methodology and an inductive approach. A coding scheme of emergent themes was developed from the interviews using NVivo qualitative analysis
software. Several themes emerged: the normalization of food insecurity, comparison to other students who are perceived to be worse off, the stigma of receiving aid, and the financial burden of higher education. Students also discussed the short-term sacrifice of food for the long-term gain of a college degree and improved career outcomes. The findings are formative to improving institutional food resources to best meet the basic needs of students and evoke action at the policy level to support student food security.
Student: Brittany Okweye
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Jill Maples
Project Title: Biomarker to Predict Metabolic Dysfunction During Pregnancy
Abstract: There is much to be discovered about maternal and fetal metabolic changes during pregnancy. This leads to a need for different markers that diagnose metabolic dysregulation. Women who develop uncontrolled gestational diabetes meletus (GDM) could be at riskfor various long-term health issues like cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, and cancer. The neonate could also develop
childhood obesity due to the mother’s uncontrolled GDM. There’s a fervent need for an early approach to diagnose maternal metabolic dysfunction because it is currently diagnosed in the 3rd trimester. So, if GDM could be diagnosed and treated earlier in pregnancy, more maternal health complications could be prevented. This study aims to investigate if fasting lactate values in pregnant women could be used as a biomarker for metabolic dysfunction to predict metabolic diseases like
GDM. We hypothesize that women who fail their 3-hour glucose (OGTT) test, screening positive for GDM, will have higher fasting lactate than women who pass their 3-hour OGTT. The study will examine 50 pregnant women who screen positive for “at-risk” for GDM, they will take a 1-hr OGTT, and if they fail, they are to take a 3-hour OGTT. We have recorded demographic questions, weight, BMI status, height, and several metabolic values like lactic acid and insulin, and glucose values at
each hour of fasting for the 3-hour OGTT for 44 pregnant women. The study is ongoing, so this poster is not conclusive.
Student: Isabel Boyd
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Jalonda Thompson
Project Title: Bridging the STEM Gender Gap through Women Focused Outreach
Abstract: Women in STEM fields have been highly researched, and while all sources have different perspectives on the topic, they each have a factor in common: women are not treated or represented equally in STEM fields. Changes are necessary to fix this problem. By focusing on the various factors affecting women in STEM at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK), we hope to elicit conclusions and illuminate insights that can be seen at similarly large public universities. We surveyed first-year female students in the Tickle College of Engineering to investigate the most significant push and pull factors when considering a STEM career. Students reported similar feelings to what was present in the literature, including having intrinsic and extrinsic motivation related to past experiences and career goals. They also want to see more female role models in the field and later serve that purpose for others. Notably, many reported feeling resigned to experiencing misogyny. The application of these broader concepts to the practical concerns of UTK students can lead to conclusions about what changes and improvements can and should be made to increase female participation and acceptance into the STEM community locally at UTK and more broadly.
Student: Keri Burge
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Anneke Janzen
Project Title: Exploring Early Colonial Human Management Practices in Virginia: A View from Coan Hall
Abstract: When European settlers first arrived in North America, they brought new species and land management practices. Detailed information about early European colonists’ agricultural and animal husbandry 38 practices can be viewed through carbon and nitrogen isotopic analysis of archaeological plant and animal remains. This research analyses the multicomponent site of Coan Hall (44NB11) in Northumberland County, Virginia. This site offers unique insight into early colonial life in the Northern Neck region. Stable isotope analysis of charred seeds and livestock bones excavated from a cellar with two main occupation periods elucidates a diachronic view of agricultural and animal management strategies in the 17th and early 18th centuries as colonial settlement took hold in the Chesapeake. When coupled with documentary evidence of farming practices, this study provides an isotopic baseline to study the impact of colonial farming practices and their development over time.
Student: Morgan Lane
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Ben Allen
Project Title: Influence of Red and Blue Wavelengths on the Pupil Light Reflex
Abstract: Trichromatic vision arises from the three opsin cones present in the human retina. These three cones are generally referred to as “S,” “M,” and “L.” Short-wavelength light maximally activates “S” cones, medium-wavelength light maximally activates “M”cones, and long-wavelength light maximally activates “L” cones. The fovea has an abundance of M and L cones, while S cones are sparse. Previous studies show the wavelength of the light stimulus impacts the constriction of pupils in response to bright light. However, most of these studies compare medium and long-wavelength light. Thus, we compared the magnitude of pupil constriction in response to short and long-wavelength light. Our results showed the magnitude of pupil constriction was similar in response to short (1.43 mm) and long (1.36) wavelength light (p = .154). While we controlled the intensity of the different light probes via hexadecimal red-greenbluecodes, a chronometer was not used. It may be that the short and long-wavelength lightprobes differed in intensity, distorting the comparison. Further studies should use achronometer to validate luminance levels of color conditions.
Student: Owen Queen
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Christopher Strickland
Project Title: Agent-Based Social Network Models of the Prescription Opioid Epidemic
Abstract: The opioid epidemic is a public health crisis in the United States, with approximately 70% of all drug overdose deaths attributed to opioids. While ordinary differential equation (ODE) models have been used to study this epidemic, these models ignore the effect of community structure on the spread of addiction. As a result, ODE models often lack the flexibility to model rural populations, where community structure has a more significant epidemiological impact. This study investigates agent-based models, an alternative to ODE models that allow for social network structures variation. By implementing four different network structures –fully connected, Erdos-Renyi, Barabasi-Albert, and Watts-Strogatz –analysis was conducted to examine the effects of varying network parameters on the progression of prescription opioid and heroin addiction in a population. In addition, optimization techniques were used to find the corresponding rates needed for an ODE model that compensates for community structure. Statistical analyses reveal that one summary statistic, average path length, can reasonably predict heroin addiction within a population while the susceptible-to-heroin addiction pathway is most affected by changes in community structure. This research provides a framework for researchers to explore the population-level dynamics of opioid addiction, leading to the study of mitigation strategies.