Quantifying Spatial Heterogeneity of Syncytial Cells using Alpha Shapes

Type: Graduate
Author(s): Anthony Gerg Physics & Astronomy
Advisor(s): Hana Dobrovolny Physics & Astronomy
Location: FirstFloor, Table 6, Position 2, 1:45-3:45

We introduce a structural method used for quantifying the spatial heterogeneity(or clumpiness) of viral syncytial cells in a transfection bioassay. The solution lies in an inter-disciplinary process based on simplicial topology being applied to a biological system. Our method revolves around using topological theories including Delaunay tessellations and Voronoi graphs to signify cell-cell interaction probability. The main emphasis is the subset of Delaunay tessellation called Alpha shapes. By applying a filtration to the overall Delaunay tessellation, we can obtain unique Alpha Shapes that have cell-cell interactions removed. The emphasis of the filtration is to find the correct shape where there were no connection crossing syncytia, only between healthy neighborhoods of cells. The process allows for the associated alpha number to be assigned to the clumpiness. Alpha numbers can then be used to separate different bioassays, or quantify temporal changes found in a single viral transfection due to syncytia.

Analyzing a Mathematical Model for Virus Propagation of the Trachea

Type: Graduate
Author(s): Geoffrey Hennessy Physics & Astronomy
Advisor(s): Hana Drobrovolny Physics & Astronomy
Location: FirstFloor, Table 4, Position 1, 1:45-3:45

In virology, mathematical models are often deployed to examine and test various behaviors of viruses. For example, one for the flu it is speculated that lethality is linked to the virus’s ability to propagate down the trachea, specifically in how ciliated cells push virus up through mucous layers in a process known as advection. We propose a model for this process, believing that this model can reveal links and critical points between lethality and advection. To solve this model, we utilize three techniques: Laplacian transform, non-linear analysis, and quasi-state analysis. We discuss the findings of each method.

Inflows or Outflows: Tracing the Path of Gaseous Arms in the LMC

Type: Graduate
Author(s): April Horton Physics & Astronomy Suraj Poudel Physics & Astronomy
Advisor(s): Kat Barger Physics & Astronomy
Location: Third Floor, Table 6, Position 1, 1:45-3:45

Our neighboring galaxies, the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) and Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC), interact with each other as they move through the hot, outer region of the Milky Way. This interaction can pull and sweep away gas from the edges of the galaxies, forming large, stretched-out clouds of gas. The LMC has two gas filaments that resemble arms, which connect to a region where stars are formed, possibly hinting toward their origin or their final destination. In this study, we used radio observations and data from the Hubble Space Telescope to search for signs of these gas arms near the star-forming region. We find a continuous stream of gas that could be the arms located at least partially in front of the LMC. The positioning of these arms raises two competing questions: 1) Is the gas flow fueling new star formation in the LMC, or 2) Is gas from exploded stars in the LMC flowing out into these arms? While the inflow of gas makes sense for these gas flows, we also conducted simulations of outflows from the starburst region. Our results suggest that it is possible for debris from exploded stars to be swept into the arms. Future observations will help us better reconstruct the arms’ evolutionary history.

Star Clusters in the Milky Way: What are They and How Do We Use Them?

Type: Graduate
Author(s): Jonah Otto Physics & Astronomy Natalie Myers Physics & Astronomy
Advisor(s): Peter Frinchaboy Physics & Astronomy
Location: Basement, Table 5, Position 2, 11:30-1:30

Star clusters are incredibly useful tools in the pursuit of understanding our Universe better. They can be used to discover how our Galaxy, the Milky Way, formed and evolved over time, delve into the secrets of how stars form and even track how the different chemistry around our Galaxy. However, determining whether a group of stars is truly a star cluster or just a group of stars is a difficult task. In this poster, we will go over what a star cluster is, how we determine membership of the star cluster and the current work we are doing to investigate galactic chemical abundance gradients using star clusters.

Turning Up the Heat on Cancer: Photothermal-Triggered Chemotherapy Delivery with Graphene Quantum Dots

Type: Graduate
Author(s): Ugur Topkiran Physics & Astronomy Ibrahim Bozkurt Computer Science
Advisor(s): Anton Naumov Physics & Astronomy
Location: FirstFloor, Table 6, Position 1, 1:45-3:45

Cancer remains a major global health challenge, with over 20 million new cases diagnosed annually. Conventional treatments like chemotherapy, while effective, often require high doses due to non-specific targeting, leading to severe side effects. To overcome these limitations, we developed a targeted drug delivery platform using graphene quantum dots (GQDs), which offer high biocompatibility, near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence, and photothermal properties. In this study, hyaluronic acid-conjugated GQDs HA-GQDs and RGQDs, synthesized top down from reduced graphene oxide, are loaded with doxorubicin, paclitaxel, and gemcitabine, were tested in vitro using a custom-built, fully automated system for NIR laser irradiation and real-time spectral monitoring. Drug release was triggered by GQD-mediated photothermal heating and evaluated via MTT assays and fluorescence tracking. This work presents a novel, cost-effective nanocarbon-based drug delivery system integrating targeted therapy and photothermal control for enhanced cancer treatment.

Exploring the Origins of Diffuse Hydrogen Clouds Around the Andromeda Galaxy

Type: Graduate
Author(s): Johanna Vazquez Physics & Astronomy
Advisor(s): Kathleen Barger Physics & Astronomy

Between the Andromeda (M31) and Triangulum (M33) galaxies lies a population of neutral hydrogen clouds which have velocities in between M31 and M33. The origin of these clouds is unknown, and it is thought that they could represent (1) a tidal bridge that links M31 with one of its satellite galaxies, (2) an inflowing intergalactic medium stream, (3) halo gas condensations, or (4) tidally-stripped material from a population of satellite galaxies. To ascertain the origin(s) of these clouds, we embark on a UV absorption and radio-line study to constrain their chemical composition. We assessed the ionization state of the gas using photoionization modeling with Cloudy that we anchored using HI and ion column densities that we measured from our Green Bank Telescope and HST/COS datasets. Through this work, we resolve the properties of a single gaseous stream of M31 along multiple sightlines, aiding in our understanding of L* galaxy ecosystems.

Introductory Notes as Motor Preparatory Motor Gestures Underlying Zebra Finch Song

Type: Graduate
Author(s): Soseh Asadoorian Psychology Kevin Bien Psychology Andrew Magee Psychology Dimitri McLain Psychology Samantha Shah Chemistry & Biochemistry Emily Sugg Psychology
Advisor(s): Brenton Cooper Psychology
Location: Basement, Table 4, Position 3, 11:30-1:30

Humans produce complex and learned behaviors like speech, playing musical instruments, and sports through exceptional motor abilities. These learned actions need specific motor planning and preparation. Researchers use songbirds in part because they produce a stereotyped motor sequence whenever they engage in singing behavior. Further, Zebra Finches learn their song through vocal production learning, similar to human speech acquisition; they mimic their adult male tutor's song and reproduce a similar version in adulthood. This motor learning process leads to the generation and execution of a highly skilled and stereotyped motor program production. Before the song, Zebra finches sing a sequence of introductory notes that are short-duration, non-stereotyped sounds. Previous work has speculated that these introductory notes are a form of motor preparation, but an experimental test of this hypothesis has not been conducted. This study casually examines the role of introductory notes as a motor preparation phase to help transition to executing the main song motor sequence. To distinguish motor preparation from song execution, we reasoned that presenting an external stimulus would delay preparation but not execution. We used air pressure recording to identify introductory notes and triggered white-noise playback during the introductory note performance in six birds and found that the external stimulus led to a delay, which can lead to interruption of the typical song motor pattern (e.g., abnormal pauses). Whereas the same stimulus presented during the song either caused an abnormal early termination of the motor program or did not affect the song (continuation), but it did not delay the execution of the song's motor gestures. Our findings suggest that introductory notes are flexible and modifiable by external stimuli, which is consistent with the hypothesis that they function as a preparatory motor gesture for the upcoming stereotyped song.
Understanding motor planning can provide insight into neurological, behavioral, speech, and motor disorders that are characterized by deficits in neuromuscular preparation.

I Think Your House is Haunted: Associations Between Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and Existential Isolation

Type: Graduate
Author(s): Tiffany Bui Psychology Kayla Rabb Psychology
Advisor(s): Cathy Cox Psychology
Location: Basement, Table 8, Position 1, 11:30-1:30

Existential isolation can be described as the experience of feeling alone in one’s experience of the world; that no one shares your experience or comes close to understanding it (Pinel et al., 2017). Research on existential isolation remains novel, however current findings among those chronically existentially isolated has found significant associations with a host of negative affective outcomes, including increased loneliness (Pinel et al., 2017), death thought accessibility (Helm et al., 2019), depression and anxiety (Constantino et al., 2019), and reduced self-esteem and self-worth (Helm et al., 2018). Finally, there is novel and consistent evidence that existential isolation is related to insecure attachment, specifically avoidant attachment (Helm et al., 2020).

Recent literature has found that adverse early life experiences are one of the factors that can proactively influence adult well-being, resulting in consequences such as anxiety and depressive disorders, and suicidal ideation (Hays-Grudo and Morris, 2020). Additional work has also shown that childhood abuse was uniquely associated with greater loneliness among young adults (Landry et al., 2022) but the impact of early life experiences on loneliness can be impacted by a multitude of factors including, but not limited to, age, gender, socioeconomic factors, and epigenetic factors (Southwick et al., 2014). While loneliness is inherently a part of the feeling of existentially isolated, existential isolation itself is distinct in theoretically meaningful ways that this study aims to investigate through the lenses of adverse childhood experiences and childhood uncertainty. This present study aims to qualitatively examine the relationship between adverse childhood experiences and existential isolation among adult individuals. Our findings across two studies established a positive association between individuals who have experienced adverse childhood experiences and existential isolation.

Type: Graduate
Author(s): Tiffany Bui Psychology
Advisor(s): Cathy Cox Psychology

Redefining Success: What Formerly Incarcerated Individuals Value in Life

Type: Graduate
Author(s): Renee castillo Psychology Kevin Knight Psychology Thomas Sease Psychology
Advisor(s): Thomas Sease Psychology
Location: SecondFloor, Table 7, Position 2, 1:45-3:45