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Hometown: Austin, TX
Major: Behavioral Neuroscience
Graduation: Fall 2025

"Cortisol Reactivity and Mental Health Stigma Event Exposure: Exploring the Physiological Impact of Mental Health Stigma Encounters"

Research Directed by Dr. Katherine Goldey, School of Behavioral and Social Sciences

The social experience of mental health stigmatizing events may induce chronic stress in individuals suffering from mental health issues or illness. While existing research extensively explores the psychological and social consequences of various types of stigma, the direct link between mental health stigma experiences and stress response to acute stressors via cortisol secretion has not been investigated. We aim to elucidate how exposure to mental health stigma influences cortisol levels, thereby contributing to a comprehensive understanding of stigma's impact on health and well-being. We hypothesize that exposure to mental health stigma will result in elevated or blunted cortisol responses, especially in those with previous mental health diagnoses, indicating dysregulation of the physiological stress response.

Hometown: Brownsville, TX
Major: Psychology
Graduation: Spring 2025

"Exploring the Transformative Effects of Incarceration on Maternal Identity"

Research Directed by Dr. Lisa Holleran, School of Behavioral and Social Sciences

Currently, 58% of women in prison are mothers, many of whom struggle to maintain their maternal identity in a restrictive environment. Motherhood involves various practices that reinforce maternal identity, such as daily caregiving, emotional support, and involvement in children's education and routines. However, incarceration limits these opportunities, disrupting the mother-child bond and challenging the mothers' sense of maternal identity. This study explores the experiences of incarcerated mothers, focusing on how their maternal identities are affected and reformed during incarceration. Through a survey conducted with women across multiple facilities, this research aims to fill a gap in the literature that predominantly centers on the impact of maternal incarceration on children, rather than on the mothers themselves. By giving voice to these women and examining their self-reported data, this research seeks to contribute to a deeper understanding of the complexities of maternal identity in the context of incarceration and to inform better practices and policies that support incarcerated mothers. Preliminary findings indicate that cognitive operations among incarcerated mothers vary based on race/ethnicity, suggesting that different groups may require tailored support to address their unique needs.
 

Hometown: Flatonia, TX
Major: Global Studies
Graduation: Spring 2025

"Cultural Diplomacy: K-Pop Artists’ Role in South Korea's Global Strategy"

Research Directed by Dr. Jooyoun Lee, School of Behavioral and Social Sciences

The country of South Korea has risen on the global stage due to its push of soft power. Soft power refers to a country's ability to persuade or attract others through its cultural and political values, rather than coercion or military power, which would be considered hard power. One aspect of South Korean soft power that has gained international recognition is South Korean popular music, also known as K-Pop. Since its rise in the early-2010’s, K-Pop has captured the hearts and minds of people world-wide, and it is because of this popularity that has led it to become a frequent subject of interest in the field of global studies and international relations. The globalization of K-Pop and its expansion of Korean culture to the entire world has had an impact on improvements in diplomatic relations between South Korea and other countries. The purpose of this study is to understand how K-Pop artists have contributed to helping South Korea create diplomatic relations with other countries by analyzing three case studies in which K-Pop artists have either performed in different countries to showcase their music and culture or have attended/spoken at international events to represent South Korea and speak on important issues. This study is important to the field of international relations because as K-Pop continues to gain international popularity, it showcases the ability of how South Korea uses their cultural power, such as K-Pop artists, as a means of building positive international perceptions and strengthening their diplomatic ties with other nations.

Hometown: Austin, TX
Major: Political Science
Graduation: Fall 2024

"Chicana Participation During “El Movimiento” Chicano in Austin, Texas"

Research Directed by Dr. Gianncarlo Muschi, School of Behavioral and Social Sciences

“El Movimiento” Chicano marked a significant period of activism for the Chicano community, stemming from the impact and legacy of the Civil Rights Movement. This in-depth case study delves into the active involvement of prominent Chicana women in “El Movimiento” Chicano in Austin, Texas, during the 1970s to late 1980s through oral history projects. It focused on the political engagement of Chicana women, examining how gender, ethnicity, and socioeconomic factors influenced their role. Moreover, we examined the history to identify the type of leadership they undertook to advance the broader movement. Through a comprehensive analysis of the experiences of four prominent Chicanas, we aimed to underscore the paramount importance of Chicana participation in molding the political landscape of Austin. This study sought to acknowledge the contributions of Chicana activists and broaden the historical narrative of the Chicano Movement. Through personal narratives, the Chicano experience has continued well after the end of the movement and has transcended into opportunities.

Hometown: Austin, TX
Major: Biology
Graduation: Spring 2025

"C. Elegans as Applicable Models for Anthelmintic Drug Studies"

Research Directed by Dr. Balyssa Bell, School of Natural Sciences

Treatment for parasitic worms in animals is a common practice in veterinary medicine. Additionally, anthelmintics are a group of antiparasitic drugs that paralyze or kill the given parasite without causing any significant damage or harm to the host. This study focused on three specific parasite preventatives commonly administered to animals that includes, Ivermectin, Albendazole, and Pyrantel. Furthermore, an N2 stain of C. elegans (microscopic worms) were utilized as models for various parasitic worms in order to gain a better understanding of how gene expression is altered when treated and exposed to varying concentrations of anthelmintic drugs. This study incorporated mixed investigations consisting of qPCR (quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction), behavioral assays, western blots, and imaging through confocal microscopy. The primary purpose of these observations were to potentially elucidate resistance factors of these nematodes, which can possibly improve the effectiveness of anthelmintic drugs in actual parasitic worms.

Hometown: Austin, TX
Major: Behavioral Neuroscience
Graduation: Spring 2025

"“Is It Me?” : The Interplay of Medical Gaslighting and Pain Catastrophizing"

Research Directed by Dr. Jessica Boyette-Davis, School of Behavioral and Social Sciences

This study investigates the relationship between medical gaslighting (MG) and pain catastrophizing (PC). MG is characterized by interactions with healthcare providers where patients feel invalidated, dismissed, or receive inadequate care, leading them to doubt their health perceptions (Merone et al., 2022). MG has been identified as both a psychological and sociological issue, rooted in social inequalities such as gender, race, and socioeconomic status, which exacerbate healthcare disparities (Au et al., 2022). PC involves an exaggerated fear of and preoccupation with pain, leading to a bidirectional relationship with pain perception: experiencing pain can induce catastrophic thinking, and such thinking can worsen pain outcomes (Boyette-Davis, 2023; Campbell et al., 2012; Kjogx et al., 2016; Racine et al., 2016). We hypothesized that individuals reporting higher instances of MG would also exhibit higher levels of PC. Data was collected from 10 participants (ages 19 to 52) through online surveys. Participants rated their experiences of MG and levels of PC using standardized scales. In line with our hypothesis, a statistically significant correlation was found between MG and PC. Possible contributing factors include the subjective nature of MG experiences, varying personal pain thresholds, and differing psychological resilience among individuals. These findings highlight the complexity of the relationship between MG and PC, suggesting that additional variables may influence this interaction. Further research is necessary to explore these factors and to examine the potential cultural and contextual variations in experiences of MG and PC.

Hometown: Austin, TX
Major: Global Studies
Graduation: Spring 2025

"Analyzing Austin’s HOME Act Through Richard Florida's Creative Class Theory"

Research Directed by Dr. David Thomason, School of Behavioral and Social Sciences

This research critically examines Austin’s HOME Act through Richard Florida's Creative Class Theory and the concept of superstar cities, focusing on the necessity of affordable housing in urban centers. By applying Florida’s framework of the Three Ts—technology, talent, and tolerance—this study evaluates the economic impacts, social implications, and policy effectiveness of the HOME Act to uncover its strengths and weaknesses in addressing housing affordability and social equity. The research also explores public response to the HOME Act and emphasizes the importance of educating the public on the link between affordable housing and essential community role. For a direct comparison, this study examines the Minneapolis 2040 Plan, which controversially eliminated single-family zoning to promote housing affordability. This comparison provides insights into how different cities address similar challenges and highlights the potential benefits and public resistance to such policies. The findings suggest that while the HOME Act offers innovative solutions, integrating community involvement mechanisms and robust public education could improve policy acceptance and effectiveness, leading to a more inclusive, affordable, and resilient urban environment in Austin.

Hometown: Edinburg, TX
Major: Biology & Chemistry
Graduation: Spring 2026

"Assessing Urbanization's Influence on Subdigital Lamellae in Anolis Carolinensis"

Research Directed by Dr. Kristopher Row, School of Natural Sciences

Urbanization is rapidly growing, resulting in larger and more abundant urban areas that pose significant challenges to endemic species. These challenges result in selection forces that cause species to phenotypically change their morphological traits in these urban environments. A primary difference between urban and natural environments is the abundance of non-porous artificial substrates. To directly look at the effects of these substrates, Anolis carolinensis was used due to their subdigital lamellae being used to attach to a variety of surfaces and a similar study that used a different lizard species that suggested an increase in lamellae counts in response to urbanization. To investigate, samples of A. carolinensis were gathered from urban and natural habitats to count the subdigital lamellae (toe pads) on both the largest hind limb toe and forelimb finger. To compare toe-pad counts between populations, an analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was conducted in R, adjusting for variations in general lizard size and sex as potential confounding factors. Our analysis revealed a significant difference in forelimb toe-pad counts highlighting that A. carolinensis samples found in urban environments had on average more forelimb subdigital lamellae than those found in the natural population. These findings suggest that this species has potentially developed and improved climbing efficiency due to the relationship between lamellae counts and clinging ability.

Hometown: Austin, TX
Major: Behavioral Neuroscience
Graduation: Spring 2025

"The Psychedelic Connection: Exploring Psychedelics’ Effects on Social Relationships"

Research Directed by Dr. Michael Disch, School of Behavioral and Social Sciences

The revival of research on the effects of psychedelics in psychology has opened new methods for understanding human consciousness, creativity, and connections. This study focuses on connection, specifically interpersonal relationships. Prior research has discovered extreme changes in the mental states of single individuals who have had psychedelic experiences. However, the social aspects of psychedelic experiences are relatively unresearched. This investigation aims to examine psychedelic- linked relationships in an exploratory manner. 48 participants were recruited who have had a psychedelic experience within the past 12 months, had an interpersonal partner alongside them during the experience, and have used either psilocybin, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), or 3,4-Methyl enedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) to commence their experience. Participants shared their perspectives on their relationship that was psychedelically modified in their most recent psychedelic experience. Relationship quality was assessed via an anonymous online survey that addressed the quality of their relationship before their most recent psychedelic experience and the current quality of their relationship as well as other grouping variables that could contribute to psychedelically linked relationship quality changes. Relationship quality data was assessed with the Interpersonal Relationship Quality Scale (IRQS). A Wilcox Signed-Rank Test indicated that participants' relationship quality following a psychedelic experience (Md = 34) were significantly higher than before the psychedelic experience (Md = 32.5), W = 695, p = .020 with an effect size of .404. Further analysis with grouping variables has provided no possible explanations as to what specifically caused these changes.

Hometown: Austin, TX
Major: Psychology
Graduation: Spring 2025

"The Development and Outcomes of Childhood Trauma"

Research Directed by Dr. Moira Martin, School of Behavioral and Social Sciences

Childhood trauma is a significant issue linked to adverse mental, physical, and life outcomes, necessitating a comprehensive understanding of its impact and effective intervention strategies. This study investigated the connection between childhood trauma and subsequent life outcomes by examining archival data from the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS), Texas Government Dataset, and Statista. These sources provided extensive information on child welfare, foster care, and prevention and early intervention (PEI) programs. This research also consisted of a thorough literature review of scholarly articles from various states, examining similar traits which were then integrated throughout this research paper. According to the Texas Government Dataset, 41,409 youth and 24,692 families served through various community youth development programs, healthy outcomes through prevention and early support, Texas home visiting, and nurse family partnership. Data gathering involved reviewing science records, program evaluation, and demographic information. The findings indicate that the children who experienced trauma and participated in PEI programs showed improved mental and physical health outcomes compared to those who did not receive such interventions.

Hometown: Manchester, MD
Major: Psychology
Graduation: Spring 2025

"The Likelihood of Collectivist Cultures Exhibiting Protective Factors Over Male Perpetrators of Sexual Violence"

Research Directed by Dr. Adam McCormick, School of Behavioral and Social Sciences

After the rise of the #MeToo movement, support for survivors has entered mainstream media setting the tone that sexual violence (SV) will not be tolerated. Even so, the ways in which SV is handled in individualistic versus collectivist cultures vary greatly. This study investigated the likelihood that collectivist cultures will express protectiveness over male perpetrators of SV. Participants were composed of students in a small liberal arts university in Central Texas and from the general public who were asked to complete a survey that measures protective factors towards male perpetrators in four hypothetical scenarios. This mixed method study utilized qualitative measurements in order to explore whether protectiveness over perpetrators is being exhibited by participants. Then, quantitative measurements of demographics were collected in order to examine whether or not there is a correlation between collectivist cultures and exhibiting protectiveness over male perpetrators. The duration for this study was an eight-week period and with an expected 100 participants. It was predicted that participants from collectivist cultures will be more inclined to display protectiveness for the perpetrator in the hypothetical scenarios.

Hometown: Dripping Springs, TX
Major: International Business and Marketing
Graduation: Spring 2025

"Germany Versus the United States: Comparative Analysis of the Allocation Strategies and Leveraging of Foreign Financial Assistance"

Research directed by Dr. Angela Ju, The Bill Munday School of Business

This study analyzes how donor governments, such as the United States and Germany, have historically leveraged foreign financial assistance by strategically allocating foreign aid. Foreign aid has a track record of having been praised for lending a helping hand to underdeveloped countries and their citizens. However, various international aid case studies demonstrate how, historically and currently, foreign aid has been detrimental to the development and growth of foreign governments. Notably, this research focused directly on a case study comparison between how military aid and developmental aid are leveraged and/or allocated in the United States and Germany. Using a cross-analysis strategy between academic literature and quantitative data from NATO, the Organization of Economic Cooperation Development (OECD), and Foreign Assistance.gov, this research analyzed the underlying intentions of foreign aid donations. As a result, it was concluded that the United States allocates aid with national security interests in mind; however, Germany does not. In fact, the United States in 2022 solely accounted for almost 70% of the total NATO fund, funding more than NATO Europe and Canada combined, while Germany only made up 5.27%. Germany has traditionally only allocated development aid due to its collectivist culture and has typically restrained from donating military aid. Nevertheless, given the current Russian attack, Germany has recently made history by reversing an old foreign aid policy and granting military aid to Ukraine.

Hometown: Round Rock, TX
Major: Psychology
Graduation: Spring 2025

“The Issue of Diversity and Multiculturalism in Undergraduate Psychology Curriculum”

Research directed by Brittney Johnson, Munday Library

A continued lack of diversity in psychology curriculum perpetuates the marginalization of minority groups in society and conveys that the field of psychology places secondary importance on diverse perspectives of psychological issues. There has been consensus regarding increased inclusion of diversity in psychology (Boysen, 2011; Dingel & Sage, 2020; Simoni et al., 1999), but efforts to improve psychology curriculum has remained at the graduate level, despite recommendations and support from the APA to feature diversity in undergraduate curriculum (APA, 2022). Effective methods for how to incorporate these elements remain obscure, and there is a lack of studies outlining empirically tested teaching practices and assignments that have resulted in increased multicultural awareness among students. The objective of this study was to explore the current inclusion of minority sociodemographic factors within undergraduate psychology curriculum at a small, private, liberal arts university and how students and faculty perceive their integration. A mixed-methods survey approach was used to gather data from faculty and student participants in order to identify gaps in diversity and reveal how minority sociodemographic factors were discussed. Visibility and intersectionality theories were used as frameworks to analyze the survey data collected from participants, as well as syllabi collected from faculty, to reveal where minority sociodemographic factors are salient and where there might be gaps. Differences between student and faculty perceptions in undergraduate psychology curriculum revealed the need for effective strategies for teaching diversity that will guide the field towards best practices for educating future psychologists on the important issues of intersectional diversity.

Hometown: Austin, TX
Major: Biochemistry
Graduation: Fall 2024

"Adhesion of Metal-Complex Particle Free Inks Using Low Temperature Cures on Polyolefin Substrates"

Research directed by Dr. Bilal Shebaro, School of Natural Sciences

Metal-complex particle free conductive inks are a new class of conductive inks with applications in printed circuits, displays, and wearables. These particle free inks hold an advantage over the current generation nanoparticle inks since they can achieve conductivities as high as 90% of bulk silver with annealing temperatures as low as 40 C. In this study, the adhesion and resistivity of a screen printable metal complex ink was investigated based on the surface chemistry of the substrate used during printing. A 1.5-micron layer of silver was deposited and cured at temperatures as low as 60 C. Using ASTM Tape test, profilometer, and multimeter, the resistivity and adhesion of the particle free ink on each type of substrate was analyzed. The type of substrate printed on was found to largely affect adhesion and resistivity of the ink with certain polyolefin substrates showing a resistivity of 20 uohm-cm with adhesion at 60 C. This study offers an insight regarding which substrates offer the best adhesion and lowest resistivity values when printing conductive inks. Further studies are needed to evaluate the long-term adhesion and resistance values of the ink prints.

Hometown: Houston, TX
Major: Biology
Graduation: Spring 2025

"Measuring Grassland Ecosystem Productivity: Assessing the Effects of Invasive vs Native Grass and Forb Dominance in the Texas Hill Country"

Research directed by Amy Concilio, School of Behavioral and Social Sciences

Native prairies in Central Texas once harbored a vast diversity of plants and animals, but many have experienced declines due to exotic species invasion and woody encroachment (Naeem 1999). Prescribed fire and seeding treatments are being used on private and public land in the Texas Hill Country to restore grassland communities. Ecosystem services and functions, such as productivity, disturbance regulation, nutrient cycling, and soil erosion control can be improved through restoration efforts (Benayas 2019), but these functional responses have not yet been quantified at many sites. With this research, we wanted to answer the question: how does vegetative cover affect grassland ecosystem productivity?