According to official AAMC data, 72.7% of entering U.S. medical students in 2025 took a gap year—one or more years between obtaining an undergraduate degree and matriculating into medical school. This represents a 22% increase compared to matriculating students in 2016, less than 10 years prior. Despite this rapidly increasing trend in medical school admissions, little scholarly research exists on how taking a gap year affects admission to medical school. The long-term goals of this study are to 1) identify factors that determine whether a pre-medical student may benefit from a gap year, 2) evaluate how a gap year may strengthen a medical school application, and 3) determine whether a gap year may improve or predict successful matriculation to medical school, questions that are currently not well understood. This project compiles current scholarly literature and data on pre-medical gap years to assess the existing knowledge on this topic. This study conducted a PRISMA systematic review of pre-medical gap year literature, categorizing works based on whether gap years were viewed favorably, neutrally, or negatively and analyzing them within the framework of the AAMC Premed Competencies. The literature review found that themes consistent with the AAMC Premed competency “commitment to learning and growth” were mentioned most frequently in discussions and opinions of gap years. Development of the competencies “interpersonal skills” and “empathy and compassion” during a gap year was most strongly supported by both qualitative and quantitative data. Notably, the review revealed that most available research examines gap years retrospectively, analyzing qualities of current medical students or residents that were influenced by their gap year. However, little research examines undergraduate students prospectively and their decision-making process regarding whether to take a gap year before applying to medical school. These findings highlight a significant gap in pre-medical gap year research that should be addressed in future studies to better guide pre-medical students and their advisors in decisions about taking a gap year and how it may affect admission outcomes.

The Frogs Aiding Dragons College Initiative works with the TCU organization Frogs Aiding Immigrants and Refugees (FAIR) to support Fort Worth immigrant and refugee communities, especially through partnerships with the International Newcomer Academy (INA). INA is a school specifically for 6th-9th grade refugee students. Many of these students have had no educational background or don’t fluently read or speak English. So, the goal of Frogs Aiding Dragons College Initiative is to encourage students to continue pursuing an education and convey that college is a possible goal for them. We work with a group of 62 9th graders where we bring them to TCU and host a Thanksgiving feast, campus tour, and panel with TCU immigrant students. We then bring the college experience to INA with presentations and hands-on activities from various students representing various TCU departments, including Chemistry, Pre-Health, the Fine Arts, and Engineering. We assess the effectiveness of this initiative using a survey measuring INA students’ attitudes towards desire to attend college, how much they know about college, and if they feel like they have more resources to apply to and attend college.

In quantitative studies comparing a treatment and a control group, treatment effect is often viewed simply as the difference in group means. However, any treatment can have an impact beyond simply shifting the mean outcome. In this work, we consider a linear treatment effect (LTE) model, meaning we simultaneously consider the difference in means and the ratio of standard deviations between two populations to better characterize the effect of the treatment. Estimation is done using an empirical likelihood (EL) formulation. The EL framework provides a nonparametric approach for conducting inference without making strong assumptions about the underlying population model. Generally, the EL statistic has a limiting chi-square distribution. However, in small sample settings, the EL statistic can exhibit strong deviations from this ideal. To address this issue, we investigate the use of the Bartlett correction, which is a multiplicative adjustment to the EL statistic to improve the chi-square approximation. This correction has been shown to substantially improve confidence region coverage accuracy, especially for small and moderate sample sizes. Through simulation, we examine the performance of the EL statistic in the LTE model, with and without a Bartlett correction applied. Our results demonstrate that the Bartlett-corrected EL approach provides improved performance, yielding confidence regions with coverage closer to desired nominal levels.

In this thesis, we introduce a way to implement Stochastic Processes - particularly Markov chain properties - for analyzing Liar’s Poker, a variant of Poker Texas Hold’Em that incorporates hidden information and a card-switching mechanic. Poker, and in particular Liar's Poker, presents a complex environment in which probabilities evolve as information is revealed and players make sequential decisions under uncertainty, so Markov modeling of this game requires a more flexible state-based representation. The study focuses on two main objectives: first, to construct a state space and transition matrix that are sufficiently compact for analysis while still capturing meaningful changes in hand-strength and game dynamic; and second, to investigate how the game’s exclusive card-switching feature can be incorporated into an optimal decision-making strategy. To address these goals, the thesis models gameplay as a sequence of probabilistic state transitions driven by card draws, hidden information, and strategic actions. By extending Stochastic Process methods to a poker setting with imperfect information and dynamic transition, this thesis aims to provide a structured mathematical framework for evaluating strategy in Liar’s Poker.

Incurred But Not Reported (IBNR) reserves refer to insurance claims that have already taken place, but have not yet been reported to the insurance provider. This presentation formulates a Bayesian modeling framework to estimate the IBNR reserves. The Bayesian framework allows us to incorporate prior knowledge, typically available from historical data and expert opinions, along with the observed claim data, to estimate model parameters and predict future claim liabilities. We emphasize prior models that have heavy tails and therefore can accommodate extreme, rare losses that can be underestimated otherwise. Specifically, we consider Pareto (Type I) and log-t models for the expected ultimate claim amounts for each insurance period. The data generating mechanisms considered are Poisson, negative binomial, and gamma. The analysis of real data also considers model sensitivity to the choice of the prior parameters. In doing so, we aim to produce more robust reserve estimates and better reflect the uncertainty inherent in unpaid claim liabilities. Ultimately, modeling IBNR reserves is important because it ensures insurance companies set aside sufficient funds to cover future claim obligations and avoid unexpected losses that could impact profitability.

In vitro studies are critical for elucidating the mechanisms contributing to disease development, such as how diet-induced obesity leads to increased risk and incidence of breast cancer. However, they are often limited to short-term trials which fail to mimic the prolonged exposure to energy excess that contributes to obesity development. This project investigates how acute and chronic exposure to the saturated fatty acid, palmitic acid, affects the oxidative stress response in MCF-7 breast cancer cells. In excess, palmitic acid increases cellular lipid load and can lead to the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), ultimately resulting in inflammation and cellular damage. However, chronic exposure to low doses of oxidative stressors have been shown to be protective against acute stress events via a biologic process termed hormesis. The study compares short-term and long-term treatments to determine whether continuous exposure amplifies oxidative stress or activates cellular defense mechanisms. To do this, I have already been culturing MCF-7 cells in a low dose of palmitic acid, and will continue to do so for 3 months. Once cells have been chronically exposed to a low dose (50 µM) of palmitic acid, they will be acutely treated with a high dose (250 µM) of palmitic acid for 24-48 hr. Basal ROS production (before high dose treatment) will be compared ROS production after the high dose treatment in cells that have been chronically exposed to palmitic acid. Cells that have not been chronically exposed will serve as our controls. These studies will help us understand how chronic exposure to saturated fats, as occurs with diet-induced obesity, alters oxidative balance in breast cancer cells and contribute to a better understanding of how diet influences cancer progression and cellular stress responses.

Background: Chronic stress among older adults increases risk for depression, anxiety, cardiovascular disease, and cognitive decline. Nature-based interventions may improve psychosocial and physiological stress outcomes, though longitudinal evidence in aging populations remains limited.

Methods: A convenience sample of community-dwelling older adults (N = 21; M age = 74.14 ± 4.59 years; range 65–85) participated in a six-week Nature Rx intervention study conducted in partnership with the Fort Worth Botanic Garden and Texas Christian University. The program included three two-week modules meeting twice weekly: garden yoga, forest bathing, and vegetable gardening. Repeated measures for the Well-Being/Personal Health Index (WPHI), positive and negative affect, nature-relatedness, outdoor activity minutes were assessed at baseline and at three subsequent time points across the program. Measures for handgrip strength (HGS), and salivary cortisol were assessed at the beginning of the first and sixth weeks, respectively. Friedman tests with Bonferroni-adjusted post hoc comparisons evaluated changes in psychosocial outcomes. Paired t-tests and repeated-measures ANOVA assessed physiological outcomes. Analyses were conducted using available cases due to incomplete measurements across time points.

Results: WPHI scores did not significantly change over time, χ²(3, n = 18) = 1.886, p = .596. Positive affect significantly increased, χ²(3, N = 18) = 13.437, p = .004, with higher final scores compared with baseline (padj = .012) and Post 2 (padj = .018). Negative affect also showed a significant overall time effect, χ²(3, N = 18) = 11.131, p = .011, though pairwise differences were not significant after adjustment. Nature-relatedness and outdoor minutes did not change (all p > .05). HGS remained stable, t(18) = −1.08, p = .294, and strength classification did not significantly change (Wilcoxon W = 3.00, p = .157). Salivary cortisol significantly decreased from pre- to post-intervention, t(21) = 7.653, p < .001 (d = 1.63); ANOVA confirmed a significant condition effect, F(1, 12) = 33.09, p < .001, ηp² = .734.

Conclusion: The intervention was associated with increased positive affect and statistically significant reductions in physiological stress, despite minimal changes in global well-being or muscular strength. These findings suggest short-term nature-based programs reduce stress burden in older adults. Larger controlled studies are needed to confirm these preliminary results.

The transcription factor, Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2), functions by activating genes that help protect the body against oxidative stress, inflammation, and various toxins. Thus, identification of small molecules that can increase NRF2 activity could be helpful to increase the body’s natural defense system against chronic disease. The goal of this interdisciplinary project is to use cell lines generated by the Montgomery lab (Nutrition) that express a fluorescent NRF2 reporter to test a small library of novel compounds generated by the Green lab (Chemistry) for their NRF2 activation capacity. First, our reporter system will be validated with known NRF2 activators. We will then use a luciferase reporter assay to screen 15 novel compounds for their capacity to activate NRF2 compared to the known standards. These data can then be used to inform both labs about their antioxidant capacity and help optimize their furthered development and utility.

Prebiotic sodas are marketed as healthy alternatives to traditional soda, but these claims have not yet been substantiated by research. This study evaluated the effects of fasted consumption of the prebiotic sodas Olipop and Poppi, compared with Diet Coke and Coca-Cola Original, on blood glucose, insulin, glucagon-like-peptide-1 (GLP-1), satiety, gastrointestinal symptoms, and beverage preference. A single-blind, repeated-measures design was employed with 10 participants. Participants completed four randomly assigned trials with a one-week washout period between each. During each visit, blood samples and satiety questionnaires were collected at baseline and throughout a two-hour trial. Beverage preference was assessed post-consumption, and gastrointestinal symptoms were evaluated using a follow-up questionnaire 24h post-intervention. The results from this study are expected to be completed by mid-April (by SRS).

The overall goal of our study is to understand how excess adiposity in women with and without
confounding cardiometabolic risk factors influences breast cancer cell growth and oxidative stress
signaling. I have already collected preliminary data indicating that activity of the antioxidant response
gene, NRF2, and expression of NRF2 targets are decreased in serum from obese subject, regardless of
phenotype. We investigated the functional consequences of these responses
by measuring and quantifying differences in reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. We also
investigated if these changes could lead to changes in breast cancer cell growth. To
investigate this, MCF7 breast cancer cells was grown in 6 distinct treatment groups reflecting varied
human metabolic health: CON (healthy control), NWO (normal weight obese), MUO (metabolically
unhealthy obese), and MHO (metabolically healthy obese), alongside the standard fetal bovine serum-
containing media a negative control. Reactive oxygen species production was assessed using a reagent
that fluoresces when it becomes oxidized by ROS. We expect cells grown in serum from obese subjects
will have higher levels of ROS production and increased invasive capacity. However, the results have yet
to be processed as of Mar 6. This research could demonstrate how total systemic metabolic health
influences oxidative stress responses and invasive potential, linking gene expression to real functional
outcomes. These insights could heavily inform medical assessments.