Fish Community Monitoring as part of the Trinity River Authority's Clean Rivers Program

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Logan Tidwell Environmental Sciences Angela Kilpatrick Environmental Sciences Ryan Seymour Environmental Sciences
Advisor(s): Michele Birmingham Environmental Sciences
Location: Third Floor, Table 1, Position 2, 1:45-3:45

With only four species of fish collected in the Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex as recently as the 1970’s, it is no surprise that the Trinity River was once referred to as the “mythological river of death”. Since then, coordinated improvements in water quality have led to the recovery of fish assemblages within the Trinity, becoming a well-documented environmental success story. To monitor that recovery, the Trinity River Authority has conducted Aquatic Life Monitoring surveys on one or more Trinity Basin waterbodies biannually since 2013. These surveys have targeted waterbodies with documented concerns or impairments for one or more water quality parameters, capturing conditions in both the Index (March 15-Oct 15) and Critical (July 1-Sept 30) periods. At each site, whole community fish data was collected via backpack electroshocking and seine netting, alongside benthic macroinvertebrate and habitat data. As of 2025, 30 surveys have been conducted on 13 waterbodies throughout the Upper Trinity basin. Although these surveys have targeted streams with water quality concerns, 90% of sites have scored as either High or Exceptional on the State of Texas Regionalized Nekton Index of Biotic Integrity. Here we will characterize the collected fish communities with over 12,500 individuals from 41 unique species collected during these surveys, while also describing the vision of the program over the next decade.

The Effect of Red-Light Traffic Cameras on Vehicle Collisions in Fort Worth

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Sovereign Bourgeois Environmental Sciences TJ Willson Geological Sciences
Advisor(s): Esayas Gebremichael Geological Sciences
Location: SecondFloor, Table 3, Position 2, 1:45-3:45

Prior to 2019, Texas used red-light traffic cameras to deter drivers from driving recklessly and running red lights. However, due to legislation signed by Governor Greg Abbott, red-light cameras are no longer used in Texas. This decision was made to ‘protect drivers' constitutional rights.’ Additionally, it was argued that these cameras increased the rate of rear-end collisions.

This study investigates the effect of removing red-light cameras in Fort Worth before and after the ban by examining the rate of different types of collisions. The location data of crash sites and police reports will be mapped using ArcGIS Pro to determine the frequency and density of these crashes.

Amazon Deforestation: A Spatial Analysis of Its Impact on Carbon Sequestration and Global CO2 Emissions

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Lauren Breach Environmental Sciences Justus Bedford Interdisciplinary
Advisor(s): Esayas Gebremichael Geological Sciences
Location: FirstFloor, Table 2, Position 1, 11:30-1:30

The Amazon rainforest is one of the largest carbon sinks in the world, playing a critical role in regulating global carbon dioxide levels. However, deforestation has significantly reduced its ability to sequester carbon, contributing to rising CO2 emissions. We will analyze deforestation trends in the amazon over the last three decades by integrating satellite imagery, historical land cover data, and carbon flux models. Using remote sensing data from Nasa and Brazil’s National Institute for Space Research (INPE), we will generate temporal GIS layers to map forest loss and quantify the impact on carbon sequestration. Through identifying key deforestation hotspots, this project aims to provide important insights into the relationship between land-use changes and atmospheric carbon levels, supporting future conservation strategies and policy recommendations.

Tri-colored bat Potential roosting sites: A GIS analysis of Tarrant County culverts

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Lexi Foster Environmental Sciences Liam Slattery Geological Sciences
Advisor(s): Victoria Bennett Environmental Sciences
Location: Basement, Table 5, Position 1, 11:30-1:30

Tri-colored bats are on track to be listed as an endangered species, however insufficient information is available on their roost sites. The aim of this project is to determine which culverts in Texas, more specifically Tarrant County, are likely to be used as winter roosts for the Tri-colored bat species. The project will utilize available culvert data from TxDOT and data on the potential ranges of Tri-colored bats. Analysis will begin by categorizing the culverts into individual layers by features such as height, length, and material.

Exploring Levee Systems of the DeGrey River: Geomorphological and Reservoir Potential

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Jacinto Garza ll Geological Sciences Henry Henk Geological Sciences Matt Kelly Geological Sciences Simon Lang Geological Sciences Victorien Paumard Geological Sciences Andrew Winch Geological Sciences
Advisor(s): John Holbrook Geological Sciences
Location: Third Floor, Table 7, Position 2, 1:45-3:45

The ephemeral DeGrey River of northwestern Australia’s Pilbara region presents unusual very high relief double levees of up to 5.8 m that are still poorly understood. This study aims to take advantage of excellent exposures of these double levees to assess their likely origin. Accessing and studying these features in a modern setting constitute a unique opportunity to better understand their geomorphology and evaluate their reservoir potential as an analogue for the subsurface.
We investigated these levees using shallow augering, percussion coring, digging of shallow pits, and ground-penetrating radar (GPR), calibrated using dGPS surveys. Remote sensing data, such as LIDAR and photogrammetric drone surveys, were also used to identify and visualize fluvial geomorphologic features, which were then ground truth by pedestrian surveys and general field observations. Core and auger samples were described according to grain texture using the USDA classification and a Munsell color atlas. to distinguish the similarities or differences from sediments by depth. Grain size was further assessed in sand and gravel using a Brunton Grain Size Card.
These levees were primarily developed by water during multiple large flooding events which exceeded their height limit, as opposed to the alternative hypothesis that these were large eolian features coincidental with levee positions at the channel margin. This is evidenced by the common layers of gravelly and poorly sorted coarse sand dispersed within the levee strata. Similarly, sedimentary structures of lower and upper flow regimes typical of water flood are observed for these strata. Locally, the outer part of the two levees was found to include an eolian cap, which provided additional height to the levee locally. These strata were fine-grained and well-sorted by contrast, typical of aeolian origins.
Cyclone-driven floods control the activation of the DeGrey River and associated sedimentation. These double levees form through rapid sediment deposition in unusually energetic overbank flows. The high permeability and sandy stratification of these levees provide opportunistic reservoir potential. This contrasts with silty levee deposits observed in perennial rivers with lower discharge variation. The high double levees of the DeGrey River appear to be a hydrologic and geomorphic feature characteristic of ephemeral river systems.

Using GIS Technologies to Explore Urban Heat Island Effect in Tarrant County

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Sloan Malleck Environmental Sciences Sean Farrell Geological Sciences
Advisor(s): Esayas Gebremichael Geological Sciences
Location: SecondFloor, Table 2, Position 2, 1:45-3:45

This study aims to investigate how the growth and expansion of Tarrant County has potentially increased average temperatures from 1985 to 2020. The study will utilize satellite imagery from the USGS, weather data from the NWS, and population and land cover data to better understand the relationship between urban growth and temperature change. We speculate that the rapid growth and development of Tarrant County has led to a measurable increase in average daytime temperatures due to the urban heat island effect.

The Impact of Texas Coastal County Land Cover on Hypoxia Levels in the Gulf Coast

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Emma Maxwell Geological Sciences Emily Garza Environmental Sciences
Advisor(s): Esayas Gebremichael Geological Sciences
Location: SecondFloor, Table 1, Position 3, 11:30-1:30

This project will analyze the relationship between land cover in Texas coastal counties and dissolved oxygen levels in the Gulf of Mexico. Utilizing GIS, we aim to understand land cover changes in Texas coastal counties from 2021 to 2023 and corresponding changes in dissolved oxygen levels in the Gulf of Mexico during this time frame. The analysis will examine spatial data from the Gulf of Mexico and Texas, focusing on urban areas, agricultural land, coastal wetlands, and freshwater wetlands.

Using Battery Energy Storage Systems with Renewable Energy to Strengthen the Texas Power Grid

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Isabella Moreno Environmental Sciences Garrison Kelly Geological Sciences
Advisor(s): Esayas Gebremichael Geological Sciences
Location: Third Floor, Table 10, Position 2, 1:45-3:45

Suburbanization-induced Elemental and Molecular Alterations in Soil Organic Matter

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Tabby Pyle Geological Sciences
Advisor(s): Omar Harvey Geological Sciences
Location: Third Floor, Table 7, Position 1, 1:45-3:45

This study aims to use chemodynamics to engage the interplay between societal actions and environmental response. The project will build upon data from thermogravimetric and isotopic analysis capturing macroscopic soil chemodynamics in response to suburbanization in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex (DFW). The DFW is one of the fastest growing metro areas in the US. Our early data suggests that a minimum of 30-yrs is the required period of lawn care before key chemodynamic indicators of soil health/resilience, such as R50 and isotope 13C (quantity and quality, is needed for lawns to return to their pre-suburbanization environmental status.

The objective is to examine implications at the microphysical and molecular-level via: Assessing how differences in the molecular composition of soil organic matter from a suburban lawn changes over time.

SRS Project

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Audrey Sinnett Environmental Sciences West Tyndal Environmental Sciences
Advisor(s): Esayas Gebremichael Geological Sciences
Location: FirstFloor, Table 2, Position 2, 1:45-3:45

We propose a GIS project analyzing waste disposal accessibility by comparing recycling quality between low-income and high-income neighborhoods. Using spatial analysis and field data, we will compare the amount of waste generated to the income of Los Angeles counties, and document any trends. The findings will provide insights into potential disparities in waste management services and inform policy recommendations for improving recycling programs in underserved communities.

Tree Health: Integrating change detection and spatial analysis tools to assess tree damage in response to California wildfires

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Elise Skiles Environmental Sciences Christopher Zamora Chemistry & Biochemistry
Advisor(s): Esayas Gebremichael Geological Sciences
Location: SecondFloor, Table 5, Position 2, 11:30-1:30

The purpose of this project is to determine if California's raging wildfires are having a detrimental effect on the state’s tree populations/health. Two main components of this project would be, a model of California's tree density/canopy cover in 1990, and a model of California’s tree density/canopy cover in 2020. The goal of this project is to determine if an increase in wildfires is a key factor in the decrease of California tree density, and if so, make recommendations for further research on how to protect trees from this natural disaster.

A Study of Fossilized Root Colonies as Indicators of Past Water Table Levels in the Coll De Montllobar

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Daphne Varmah Geological Sciences
Advisor(s): John Holbrook Geological Sciences
Location: Basement, Table 2, Position 1, 1:45-3:45

The Coll de Montllobar cliffs in the Pyrenees Mountains contain plant fossils known as root models, which show signs of oxidation and reduction along a depositional dip, indicating varying environmental conditions Since plant roots do not grow below standing water levels, these fossilized roots and their distribution can serve as markers for past water table positions. This study examines whether root density decreases toward the bottom of the channels, indicating that roots stopped growing once they reached below the water table. If the roots disappear at a certain depth, it suggests that the bar was saturated at that level, stopping root growth. By analyzing the presence and absence of these roots, we aim to determine if they mark a clear boundary indicating historical water table levels. Our findings contribute to understanding past depositional environments and hydrological conditions in this region

AI and Machine Learning in the Identification of Geochemical Variability and Geogenic Carbon: A Case Study of the Barnett Shale Formation

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Amanda Whitley Geological Sciences
Advisor(s): Omar Harvey Geological Sciences
Location: Third Floor, Table 8, Position 1, 11:30-1:30

The Barnett Shale formation in the Fort Worth Basin has been a substantial producer of oil and gas energy resources. The Barnett Shale serves as an ideal testing ground for innovative approaches to subsurface analysis, offering both abundant production history and a wealth of existing data. This study integrates innovative thermal analysis techniques with AI-driven workflows to rapidly process and interpret large volumes of geochemical data. We aim to identify and evaluate geochemical variability and the distribution, content, and quality of geogenic carbon with depth across key stratigraphic intervals. Expanding subsurface applications of AI and machine learning enhances the scalability of resource assessments and underscores the broader potential of these emerging analytical tools in energy exploration.

Predicting Pesticide Degradation: A Molecular Scaffolding Approach to Environmental Hazards

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Christopher Zamora Geological Sciences
Advisor(s): Omar Harvey Geological Sciences
Location: Basement, Table 5, Position 3, 1:45-3:45

Pesticide degradation in the environment is an important element when it comes to understanding long-term soil and water contamination. There are many key molecular factors like molecular weight and octanol-water partitioning (logP) that influence how pesticide degradation works. By taking a computational approach, we derived daughter molecules of ferulic acid, 1,2,4-Trihydroxybenzene, and vanillic acid which share similarities with pesticide byproducts. We specifically computed molecular weight and logP for each derivative to assess their potential to contaminate the environment. By comparing these values to oxidative pesticide breakdown products from glyphosate (Roundup), atrazine, and chlorpyrifos, we identified solubility trends that may influence the transport of these molecules into soils and water systems. These findings provide insight into the environmental risks associated with pesticide use and degradation, potentially aiding in the design of more sustainable agricultural chemicals.

You Belong in Chemistry

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Ibukun Alausa Interdisciplinary Delaney Daisy Interdisciplinary Audrey Dolt Interdisciplinary Tatum Harvey Interdisciplinary Daisy Li Interdisciplinary Aidan Meek Interdisciplinary Mark Sayegh Interdisciplinary Samantha Shah Interdisciplinary Will Stites Interdisciplinary Lexi Winter Interdisciplinary
Advisor(s): Heidi Conrad Interdisciplinary Julie Fry Interdisciplinary Kayla Green Interdisciplinary
Location: Basement, Table 14, Position 1, 1:45-3:45

The "You Belong in Chemistry" Periodic Table is a unique and innovative visual representation designed to foster unity and a sense of belonging among students within the TCU College of Science and Engineering. This table uses the traditional periodic table, replacing chemical elements with students, each symbolizing a distinct individual who contributes to the diverse academic environment. The table is not just an artistic display but a tool for connecting students, encouraging collaboration, and highlighting the central role of the Chemistry Club: creating a supportive and inclusive space. Through this representation, students are reminded that, regardless of their backgrounds or academic focus, they have a home within the chemistry community, where they can grow, learn, and thrive together. By bridging gaps and strengthening bonds, the Student Periodic Table stands as a symbol of inclusivity and community.

The Human Cost of AI: Bias, Trust, and Patient-Provider Interactions

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Kenneth Lai Interdisciplinary Ethan Reynolds Interdisciplinary
Advisor(s): Caleb Cooley Interdisciplinary
Location: FirstFloor, Table 4, Position 2, 11:30-1:30

Artificial intelligence’s integration into healthcare promises more effective and higher-quality patient care. However, its impact on the human aspects of care, such as trust and bias, remains not fully understood. Through a literature review and analysis, this poster provides an up-to-date overview of how the implementation of AI affects patient-provider interactions. This research seeks to answer the question: “How does AI-driven diagnosis and treatment influence patient-provider interactions, and what role does AI bias play in shaping trust and healthcare disparities?” Our findings show a consensus that AI improves productivity, but there is concern that the public’s growing trust in AI over human providers may reshape relationships and perpetuate healthcare disparities. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for developing AI systems that enhance care while maintaining equity and trust in healthcare settings.

Reaching all students: Strategies for success in a diverse learning environment

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Aidan Meek Chemistry & Biochemistry
Advisor(s): Kayla Green Chemistry & Biochemistry
Location: FirstFloor, Table 3, Position 1, 1:45-3:45

At the heart of the Texas Christian University chemistry department, there are two main factors contributing to chemical education: professors and students. Our students are vitally important to the chemistry department as they not only receive education but are educators themselves. TCU chemistry club members serve as sources of experience, knowledge, and study skills, including those outside the context of chemistry. The challenge of chemical education is the “translation” of material to a diverse student body. What is special about these “student educators” however, is their ability to do so to individuals of all ages and all skill levels. The TCU chemistry department has many different teaching opportunities in both general and organic chemistry labs and lectures such as Teaching Assistants (TAs) and peer tutors. Of these positions, many are filled by the TCU chemistry club student body. Our Chemistry Club students go beyond the education of fellow undergraduates, as they educate students in the local elementary schools about science. Our Chemistry Club members have become well-rounded and effective educators through the variety of services provided to them such as, peer guides, university classes, and supportive professors. The Chemistry Club students provide knowledge of chemistry but they also encourage confidence, and serve as a source of mentorship in the Fort Worth community. At TCU we strive to not only learn but also share the wealth of wisdom gained during our time in the chemistry department at TCU.

How does mentorship among middle school students affect the development of their identity in regards to STEM

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Radwa Mohamed Biology Matt Chumchal Biology Tamela Cook Interdisciplinary Gracie Davis Interdisciplinary Rudaina Fattul Biology Carmella Kilburn Biology Ashley Titus Interdisciplinary Molly Weinburgh Interdisciplinary
Advisor(s): Carmella Kilburn Biology Matt Chumchal Biology Molly Weinburgh Interdisciplinary
Location: Basement, Table 11, Position 2, 1:45-3:45

Historically, students have envisioned scientists as white males in lab coats, reinforcing exclusionary stereotypes that can discourage diverse participation in STEM. Mentorship has the potential to broaden perspectives, enhance self-esteem, and support identity development, yet research on its specific impact in middle school remains limited. This study examines how a structured mentorship program influences middle school students’ perceptions of scientists and their own scientific identity, particularly in STEM and healthcare professions, asking: How does mentees’ identity in science and healthcare professions develop through interactions with mentors and peers? This qualitative study follows seven 7th- and 8th-grade students (ages 13–14) in a year-long mentorship program led by junior college undergraduates. The research employs a pre- and post-intervention assessment using the Draw-a-Scientist Test (DAST) alongside open discussions and interviews to evaluate shifts in students’ identity perceptions. DAST drawings are analyzed with a rubric evaluating gender, activity, location, and skin tone to identify shifts toward more inclusive representations. The study anticipates that students will depict more diverse scientists over time, moving beyond traditional stereotypes. Findings are expected to reveal more diverse depictions of scientists, offering insights into how mentorship fosters inclusivity and belonging in STEM for underrepresented middle schoolers. 

Crafts and Conversations

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Alyssa Schexnayder Interdisciplinary Grady O'Gara Interdisciplinary Eric Shepherd Interdisciplinary
Advisor(s): Misha Galaganov Interdisciplinary
Location: Basement, Table 8, Position 2, 11:30-1:30

Crafts and Conversations collaborates with Trinity Terrace and Brookdale assisted living facilities to foster a connection between TCU students and the residents living there. Through monthly meet ups with crafts and music, inter-generational relationships are built between students and residents. Crafts such as painting with mini easels or making yarn octopi provide a base talking point that expands into other natural parts of conversation, such as telling stories. Students that volunteer at crafts gain friendships, valuable interactions that combat stereotypes against the elderly, and improved communication skills. Additionally, students have the opportunity to perform music, enabling them to further expand their creativity. Residents at assisted living facilities also gain valuable friendships and interactions that combat the potential loneliness of at a retirement center. Crafts and Conversations strives to enrich the lives of all those involved through engaging activities that bring people closer together.

Health Screening Day: Improving Healthcare Access for Fort Worth Patients Experiencing Homelessness

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Kha Hoai Bao Vu Biology Saba Anjum Chemistry & Biochemistry Miranda Gonzalez Biology Lauren Richmond Biology
Advisor(s): David Capper Biology
Location: FirstFloor, Table 5, Position 2, 1:45-3:45

Beautiful Feet Clinic, founded by Dr. David Capper, provides free medical, dental, and holistic care for individuals experiencing homelessness in Southside Fort Worth. One of the critical challenges faced by individuals experiencing homelessness is the lack of access to preventive screenings, flu vaccinations, and health education, leading to the late detection of chronic illnesses such as diabetes, hypertension, and cancer. Many patients at Beautiful Feet Clinic do not routinely engage in preventive care, as their immediate survival needs—such as securing food and shelter—often take precedence over long-term health maintenance. Without timely interventions, undiagnosed and unmanaged chronic illnesses contribute to higher emergency department utilization, increased morbidity, and worsening overall health outcomes.

To address this gap, we partnered with Lauren, a medical student at TCOM, to offer flu vaccinations and organize a Community Health Screening Day on March 29th, 2025, offering essential health screenings and practical nutrition education aimed at empowering individuals experiencing homelessness to improve chronic disease management and overall well-being. Patients will learn simple meal modifications to make healthier choices within their available food options through educational pamphlets with a focus on nutritional education to reduce chronic illnesses. The event also enhances medical student training, with efforts to secure an OB-GYN physician to guide manual breast exams and oversee preventive education regarding breast and skin cancer screenings. The initiative also administered 22 flu vaccinations to address gaps in preventive care, reducing the risk of seasonal influenza among unhoused individuals who face significant healthcare barriers. Additionally, in collaboration with Moncrief Cancer Institute, a mobile cancer screening clinic, we will provide free cancer screenings in summer 2025, to promote early detection for at-risk individuals.

Beyond medical care, Beautiful Feet Clinic also faces communication barriers with Spanish-speaking patients, limiting access to critical health services. Many patients and healthcare providers recognize the need for language accessibility and the importance of qualified interpreters in delivering effective care. To address this, we translated the clinic’s intake forms into Spanish and established a list of medical students proficient in Spanish who can assist with interpretation over the phone. This initiative enhances provider-patient communication, ensuring that Spanish-speaking individuals receive accurate medical information and compassionate care.

By integrating screenings, outreach, language accessibility, and hands-on clinical training, this initiative fosters health empowerment and long-term community-based healthcare solutions. It emphasizes collaboration between healthcare institutions, students, and local clinics to bridge gaps in care for vulnerable populations.

Geodesic Nets - Construction and Existence

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Duc Toan Nguyen Mathematics
Advisor(s): Ken Richardson Mathematics
Location: Basement, Table 10, Position 2, 1:45-3:45

Geodesic nets are types of graphs in Riemannian manifolds where each edge is a geodesic segment. One important object used in the construction of geodesic nets is a balanced vertex, where the sum of unit tangent vectors along adjacent edges is zero. We prove the existence of a balanced vertex of a triangle (with three unbalanced vertices) on a general two-dimensional Riemannian surface when all angles measure less than $2\pi/3$, if the length of the sides of the triangle is not too large. This property is a generalization for the existence of the Fermat point of a planar triangle.

Computations about Cheeger's Constant

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Dave Park Mathematics
Advisor(s): Efton Park Mathematics
Location: SecondFloor, Table 4, Position 3, 11:30-1:30

The Cheeger’s constant, also known as the isoperimetric number, is a constant that helps describe the bottleneck present in a graph, if any. Some fields, such as computer networks, have an interest in this constant due to the application of the constant in their field. We examined randomly generated connected graphs and their isoperimetric numbers by developing algorithms to calculate it.

Interplay of syncytia and antibodies during viral infections

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Aubrey Chiarelli Physics & Astronomy
Advisor(s): Hana Dobrovolny Physics & Astronomy
Location: FirstFloor, Table 6, Position 1, 11:30-1:30

Several viruses can cause cells to fuse into large multinucleated cells called syncytia. Syncytia formation allows the virus to spread without entering the extracellular space, where it might be exposed to immune responses. However, there is evidence that antibodies can also hinder the fusion process. This project uses mathematical analysis to find different possible infection outcomes. A stability analysis of the coinfection model is used to find the fixed points of the model and their stability. This gives us parameter space regions that lead to different possible infection outcomes. Simulations were made to verify the mathematical analysis and see how different syncytia formation properties affect the resulting dynamics. These findings could help develop strategies for controlling viral spread.

Surfactant Effect on Flourescence of Graphene Quantum Dots

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Judah Crawford Physics & Astronomy Mason McClure Physics & Astronomy
Advisor(s): Anton Naumov Physics & Astronomy
Location: Basement, Table 1, Position 3, 1:45-3:45

Graphene Quantum Dots (GQDs) are nanoscale carbon based graphene sheets that exhibit unique fluorescent properties throughout a wide range of wavelengths. Given their uniquely small size, low toxicity, biocompatibility, and fluorescent capabilities, GQDs have many unique and important roles. To name a few, GQDs are used in drug delivery, fluorescent imaging, and biosensing thanks to their unique ability to fluoresce under different wavelengths of light. Furthermore, there are different types of GQDs with their own unique properties. Knowing this, five amphipathic molecules, called surfactants, were added to two different types of GQDs to test if they would impact the resulting fluorescence. Furthermore, concentrations of these added surfactants were varied to test how different concentrations of a given surfactant might affect the fluorescence for a given GQD. We observed that some of these surfactants provided a beneficial boost to GQDs fluorescence, while others slightly inhibited the fluorescence. Moreover, we saw that the increase in fluorescence varied based on the concentration of surfactant added yielding lower fluorescence for extremely low and high concentrations, while increasing the fluorescence at a more moderate concentration.

Right Place, Right Time: GQDs for Controlled Chemotherapy Release

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Walter Daniel Engineering Ugur Topkiran Physics & Astronomy Anna Tucci Engineering
Advisor(s): Anton Naumov Physics & Astronomy
Location: Third Floor, Table 6, Position 2, 1:45-3:45

With cancer rates increasing at an alarming rate, many traditional methods for cancer treatment begin to feel outdated. This is where engineering nanomaterials, such as Graphene Quantum Dots (GQDs), offer a promising approach to making chemotherapy a more targeted treatment and therefore minimizing the side effects. This study focuses on optimizing drug delivery mechanisms using GQDs, specifically Reduced Graphene Quantum Dots (RGQDs) synthesized via a top-down approach from reduced graphene oxide, and Hyaluronic Acid Graphene Quantum Dots (HAGQDs) synthesized bottom-up from hyaluronic acid. The process is done by loading chemotherapeutics Gemcitabine, Paclitaxel, and Doxorubicin (DOX) HCl onto GQDs through sonication, this is followed by a centrifugal purification which isolates properly drug-loaded GQDs. To evaluate their controlled release, photothermal properties of GQDs are utilized. Samples are excited with an 808 nm laser at 1, 5, and 10 minutes, and they are later compared to a control group. This analysis provides insights into how laser stimulation affects drug release efficiency, paving the way for advancements in GQD based cancer treatments.