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.

Crafts & Conversations

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Rima Abram Interdisciplinary Genevieve Aiwonegbe Interdisciplinary Erica Kaminga Interdisciplinary Alyssa Schexnayder Interdisciplinary
Advisor(s): Misha Galaganov Interdisciplinary
Location: Third Floor, Table 3, Position 3, 11:30-1:30

Crafts & Conversations was established to foster community among TCU students and the residents of a local retirement facility, Trinity Terrace. During monthly meetings, students and residents share their stories while collaborating on season-themed craft activities, including murals, cross-stitching, snow globes, suncatchers, decoupage, and upcycled terrariums. TCU students who volunteer in these monthly meetings build meaningful friendships, combat stereotypes against the elderly, and improve communication and leadership skills. In addition, each event opens with a performance by TCU music students, enabling them to cultivate their craft and share their talent. Even throughout the pandemic, Crafts & Conversations nurtured memories and connections through Zoom and masked in-person meetings. With a commitment to sustainability, this project will continue to enrich the lives of residents at Trinity Terrace and Brookdale Westover Hills, providing dedicated student volunteers with opportunities to strengthen the Fort Worth community.

Exploring Educational Approaches in the Assessment of Self-Reported Empathy Scores in Emergency Medicine Residents

Type: Graduate
Author(s): Naomi Alanis Interdisciplinary
Advisor(s): Hao Wang Interdisciplinary
Location: Second Floor, Table 7, Position 1, 1:45-3:45

Empathy, defined as "the process of understanding a person's subjective experience by vicariously sharing that experience while maintaining an observant stance" (Zinn, 1993, p. 306) is a skill that can be challenging for many learners in post-graduate medical education. Numerous prior studies have emphasized the importance of empathy among healthcare physicians. They have shown that physician empathy scores are not only inversely correlated with physician burnout but also directly correlated with patient satisfaction (Byrd et al., 2021). Furthermore, research indicates that there exists an inverse correlational relationship between post-graduate years and empathy levels (Wolfshohl et al., 2019).

Acknowledging the significance of empathy as a crucial skill, efforts have been made to impart it to medical professionals using diverse instructional approaches. Batt-Rawden et al. (2013) conducted a systematic review of methods employed in teaching medical students, while Patel et al. (2019) examined empathy and compassion education in medical training. However, the findings from both reviews failed to conclusively identify a single, effective instructional strategy for enhancing empathy scores among graduate medical education learners. Nonetheless, they highlighted the potential for enhancing clinicians' empathy scores through specific educational methods and pinpointed five clinical behaviors as particularly influential on individual empathy scores. Moreover, they suggested that activities should adopt a "relationship-centered" approach (Batt-Rawden et al., 2013, p. 1175). In a separate study, Hojat et al. (2013) outlined a rubric delineating the three roles of a physician and their associated performance elements.

In this prospective multi-center survey study, forty-five (45) EM residents from an ACGME-sponsored three-year Emergency Medicine (EM) residency program will complete three educational sessions using team-based learning instructional strategies on empathy. The sessions will occur monthly across three consecutive months from in the spring and summer of 2024, each lasting for one hour in length during resident didactics. Empathy scores will be obtained from all participants via the Jefferson Scale of Empathy (JSE) in a pretest-posttest manner. The pre-test questionnaire will be administered before (pre-test) the educcational sessions and after the residents have completed all of the team-based learning instructional activities (post-test).

While there has been no prior application of team-based learning to enhance empathy scores, Borges et al. (2012) employed a team-based approach to instruct third-year medical students on emotional intelligence. Given that this approach also incorporates similar "relationship-centered" tasks, we posit that team-based learning could serve as a suitable instructional strategy for improving empathy scores.

References:
1. Batt-Rawden, Samantha A. MBChB; Chisolm, Margaret S. MD; Anton, Blair; Flickinger, Tabor E. MD, MPH. Teaching Empathy to Medical Students: An Updated, Systematic Review. Academic Medicine 88(8):p 1171-1177, August 2013. | DOI:10.1097/ACM.0b013e318299f3e3
2. Boisse, A., Porath, C. “Practice Empathy as a Team.” Harvard Business Review, (February 2023): https://hbr.org/2023/02/practice-empathy-as-a-team.
3. Borges, N., Kirkham, K., Deardorff, A. & Moore, J. (2012) Development of emotional intelligence in a team-based learning internal medicine clerkship, Medical Teacher, 34:10, 802-806, DOI: 10.3109/0142159X.2012.687121
4. Byrd, J., Knowles, H., Moore, S., Acker, V., Bell, S., Alanis, N., Zhou, Y., d'Etienne, J. P., Kline, J. A., & Wang, H. (2021). Synergistic effects of emergency physician empathy and burnout on patient satisfaction: a prospective observational study. Emergency medicine journal: EMJ, 38(4), 290–296. https://doi.org/10.1136/emermed-2019-209393
5. Hardee JT. An Overview of Empathy. Perm J. 2003 Fall;7(4):51–4. PMCID: PMC5571783.
6. Hojat, M., Mangione, S., Nasca, T. J., Cohen, M. J. M., Gonnella, J. S., Erdmann, J. B., Veloski, J., & Magee, M. (2001). The Jefferson Scale of Physician Empathy: Development and Preliminary Psychometric Data. Educational and Psychological Measurement, 61(2), 349–365. https://doi.org/10.1177/00131640121971158
7. Patel, S., Pelletier-Bui, A., Smith, S., Roberts, M. B., Kilgannon, H., Trzeciak, S., & Roberts, B. W. (2019). Curricula for empathy and compassion training in medical education: A systematic review. PloS one, 14(8), e0221412. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0221412
8. Wolfshohl, J. A., Bradley, K., Bell, C., Bell, S., Hodges, C., Knowles, H., Chaudhari, B. R., Kirby, R., Kline, J. A., & Wang, H. (2019). Association Between Empathy and Burnout Among Emergency Medicine Physicians. Journal of clinical medicine research, 11(7), 532–538. https://doi.org/10.14740/jocmr3878
9. Zinn W. The empathic physician. Arch Intern Med. 1993 Feb 8;153(3):306-12. PMID: 8427535.
10. Hojat, M., Erdmann J.B. & Gonnellak, J. (2013). Personality assessments and outcomes in medical education on the practice of medicine. AMEE Guide No. 79, Medical Teacher, 35(7), 1267-1301

TCU Molding Melanin Magic Mentorship Program

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Madison Brown Interdisciplinary Hailey Williams Interdisciplinary
Advisor(s): Dr. Matt Chumchal Biology
Location: Basement, Table 3, Position 2, 11:30-1:30

The Molding Melanin Magic Mentorship Program is an organization seeking to empower minority female high school students at the Texas Academy of Biomedical Sciences (TABS) through in-depth mentorship regarding apply for college, professional school, and pursuing a career in STEM. With the guidance of TCU’s Pre-Health Institute, the program connects high school and college students with similar interests and provides an engaging curriculum of workshops and activities to bolster information received in the classroom setting. Alongside mentorship, the program’s research utilized group audio recordings which were analyzed to capture motivations and themes that emerged from the mentees and mentors during facilitations. The initiation and development of near-peer relationships were widespread and extended beyond facilitations emboldening participants to apply for college and pursue a career in STEM.

Can litter removal in urban parks improve water accessibility for bats?

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Katherine Davis Biology
Advisor(s): Victoria Bennett Environmental Sciences
Location: Third Floor, Table 7, Position 2, 11:30-1:30

Despite bats providing essential ecosystem services, such as pollination, seed dissemination, and pest control, bat populations are facing a global decline due to habitat loss from human activities, including urbanization. We can, however, enhance urban areas to support bat communities by ensuring that suitable resources, such as water, are available and accessible. While availability is associated with the abundance of water sources in an area, accessibility dictates whether bats can physically get to and drink from the surface of a water source. One factor that can influence accessibility is the level of clutter. Clutter represents any physical obstruction present on the surface of the water or in the immediate surrounding area, including vegetation, exposed rock, and debris. Yet, not all forms of clutter are natural. The presence of litter can negatively hinder water accessibility. Thus, in urban areas where litter is more prevalent, a simple litter or trash clean-up scheme could potentially represent an effective restoration activity that community groups could undertake to increase water availability and accessibility for bats in their neighborhoods. To explore this concept, we assessed whether such a community-based clean-up scheme could effectively improve water resource accessibility for bats. For this, we cleared water sources in local parks and neighborhoods of trash monthly during the bat activity season, while conducting behavioral surveys using thermal cameras to determine whether bats drank from these sources. We then compared bat drinking activity recorded at ponds from 2021-2022 prior (i.e., no clean-up) with activity post-clean-up in 2023 to establish if more bats drank. From our results, we hope to inform not only local wildlife conservation programs but also efforts to improve community health.

La Clinica de Mujeres at Mercy Clinic of Fort Worth

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Alia Hannon Biology Madisen DeVries Biology Maryann Hernandez Psychology
Advisor(s): Mikaela Stewart Biology
Location: Third Floor, Table 1, Position 2, 1:45-3:45

Mercy Clinic is located in Fort Worth and it serves underrepresented minority adults who live in the 76110 and 76104 zip codes near TCU. It provides free care such as wellness visits, routine checkups, and monthly Women's Health clinics. Through collaboration with the Mercy Clinic staff and medical students at the Burnett School of Medicine, a sustainable approach was taken for the Women's Health initiative. The Women's Health Initiative aims to maintain and further the clinic's Women's Health approach and assist in education. Certain community clinics in the Fort Worth area can face disparities with inadequate funding, limiting the access and quality of patient care. Through a grant provided by the Pre-Health Professions Institute, the Experimental Projects to Impact the Community (EPIC Grant), remedial actions were able to take place for Mercy Clinic, not only improving the quality of patient satisfaction and care but also the sustainability of the clinic by reducing waste. The aid has been able to give access to reusable items such as metal speculums, lighting tools for examinations, and a more efficient way to keep up with patient check-in and management by using laminated paper sheets. This project aimed to aid Mercy Clinic's performance and quality output for the community it looks after.

TCU Tooth Fairies

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Cayla Prophater Interdisciplinary Aleah Appel Interdisciplinary Aimee Garibay Interdisciplinary Abigal Mohun Interdisciplinary Lexi Munch Interdisciplinary Kameryn Smude Interdisciplinary
Advisor(s): Sarah Jung Interdisciplinary
Location: Basement, Table 5, Position 2, 1:45-3:45

Despite being entirely preventable, cavities remain the leading chronic childhood disease in the US. The "TCU Tooth Fairies" initiative aims to raise awareness of oral hygiene and improve access to essential oral hygiene resources. We are collaborating with the Mercy Clinic of Fort Worth and local FWISD elementary schools to make a sustainable impact. Our project involves distributing dental hygiene bags and an educational book written and published by TCU students Cayla Prophater and Chie Nguyen to local elementary schools. This has been instrumental in promoting comprehensive healthcare. Each hygiene kit includes a laminated educational card for children's bathroom mirrors, detailed oral health maintenance instructions, and recommendations from local Fort Worth dentists. The TCU Pre-Dental Club has worked with Mercy Clinic Volunteer Dr. Stewart, Fort Worth Pediatric Dentist Dr. Jerod Brazeal, and TCU Alum Dr. Courtney Favaloro, TCU Professor Dr. Virginia Hodges to ensure seamless integration of this project. Our mission is to empower our local community with comprehensive oral hygiene education, fostering lasting improvements in dental health practices and promoting overall well-being.

Chemistry Club Provides Transformative Academic Experiences for Students at Burton Hill Elementary

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Mark Sayegh Chemistry & Biochemistry Tatum Harvey Chemistry & Biochemistry Aidan Meek Psychology Madison Price Psychology Dylan Walters Chemistry & Biochemistry Emma Wilner Psychology Sunny Yusufji Chemistry & Biochemistry
Advisor(s): Kayla Green Chemistry & Biochemistry Heidi Conrad Chemistry & Biochemistry Julie Fry Chemistry & Biochemistry
Location: Second Floor, Table 9, Position 1, 1:45-3:45

TCU Chemistry Club has established a once-per-week science club at Burton Hill Elementary School in Fort Worth to provide 16-30 3rd-5th grade students the opportunity for academic and personal growth. We provide hands-on learning experiences, foster scientific curiosity, and teach them to learn to think like a scientist through engaging experiments in chemistry, physics, and biology. Beyond academics, our focus extends to providing mentorship, building confidence, and encouraging students to pursue a STEM career path. The consistent, engaging activities require the TCU Chemistry Club to effectively recruit volunteers, organize activities, and communicate throughout the project. This presentation will focus on qualitative analysis of the project by exploring the meaningful relationships developed, students' transformative experiences, and their personal growth, showcasing our commitment to impactful STEM education in 3rd-5th grade students.

“Medication Compliance Initiative” Addressing an Unseen Barrier Faced by Patients Experiencing Homelessness

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Piper Schlueter Interdisciplinary Savannah Sims Interdisciplinary Kha Hoai Boa Vu Interdisciplinary
Advisor(s): Dr. Stacy Grau Interdisciplinary Dr. David Capper Interdisciplinary
Location: Second Floor, Table 2, Position 2, 11:30-1:30

The Beautiful Feet Ministries Clinic & the True Worth Clinic are two nonprofit clinics that provide free, comprehensive medical and dental care for the homeless and underserved communities in the Southside area of Fort Worth. The patients served by these clinics encounter unique challenges in their medical journey, stemming from impoverished living conditions, financial instability, and restricted access to medications.

The goal of the “Medication Compliance Initiative” is to enhance patients’ ability to adhere to prescribed medication regimens. This initiative has introduced waterproof bags and cross-body fanny packs into the clinics, offering patients a secure means to store and safeguard their medications from adverse weather conditions, potential theft, and additional unforeseen circumstances. These intentional carry solutions not only ensure physical integrity of medications, but also empower patients to seamlessly incorporate their treatment plans into their daily lives, promoting better health outcomes and overall well-being for our patients.

Molding Melanin Magic Mentorship Program

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Hailey Williams Biology Madison Brown Psychology
Advisor(s): Matt Chumchal Biology
Location: Second Floor, Table 8, Position 2, 11:30-1:30

The Molding Melanin Magic mentorship program through TCU Pre-Health is geared to impact minority female student populations at the Texas Academy of Biomedical Sciences (TABS) in Fort Worth. The program provides small group mentorship as high school students are paired with a college student in their area of interest. Along with mentorship, workshops are utilized as a method of increasing confidence, exposure, and overall knowledge about college and STEM careers. By coupling workshops and mentorship, the Molding Melanin Magic program seeks to encourage mentees to serve as mentors along their educational journey, and apply for college and professional school to pursue a career in STEM.

Crafts & Conversations

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Rima Abram Interdisciplinary Erica Kaminga Interdisciplinary Allison Regan Interdisciplinary Mariana Zollinger Interdisciplinary
Advisor(s): Jessica Alvarez Interdisciplinary
Location: Third Floor, Table 7, Position 2, 11:30-1:30

Crafts & Conversations was established to foster community among TCU students and the residents of a local retirement facility, Trinity Terrace. During monthly meetings, students and residents share their stories while collaborating on engaging craft activities, including murals, cross-stitching, snow globes, suncatchers, pillows, and upcycled terrariums. TCU students who volunteer in these monthly meetings build meaningful friendships, combat stereotypes against the elderly, and improve communication and leadership skills. In addition, each event opens with a performance by TCU music students, enabling them to cultivate their craft and share their talent. Even throughout the pandemic, Crafts & Conversations nurtured memories and connections through Zoom and masked in-person meetings. With a commitment to sustainability, this project will continue to enrich the lives of Trinity Terrace residents and provide dedicated student volunteers with opportunities to strengthen the Fort Worth community.

Women's Health Clinics with Mercy Clinic of Fort Worth

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Morgan Bertrand Biology Allison Regan Biology
Advisor(s): Mikaela Stewart Biology
Location: Basement, Table 12, Position 2, 1:45-3:45

Mercy Clinic of Fort Worth is a free health clinic that provides care to the underserved population, largely comprised of uninsured adults, in south Fort Worth. Services at Mercy Clinic include wellness checkups, sick visits, and well-woman visits, as well as some dental procedures, labs, and prescription services. TCU students of the Pre-Health Professions Institute consistently volunteer at Mercy Clinic, and TCU’s relationship with Mercy Clinic has continued to grow especially with the new addition of TCU’s Burnett School of Medicine to the Fort Worth community. A current collaboration between Mercy Clinic and the Burnett School of Medicine is aimed at providing clinics for women to get well-women exams such as pap smears and breast exams. Funds provided by the Experiential Projects to Impact the Community (EPIC) Grant were used to assist with the cost of supplies, such as speculums and drape sheets, for these women’s clinics. The goals of this community project are to serve the Fort Worth community by providing Mercy Clinic with materials and volunteers, to emphasize the importance of women’s health and knowledge about it, and to grow TCU Pre-Health’s relationship with the Burnett School of Medicine and Mercy Clinic.

Pickleball With a Purpose

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Michael Delgado Interdisciplinary Philip Dodd Interdisciplinary
Advisor(s): Philip Dodd Interdisciplinary
Location: Basement, Table 10, Position 1, 11:30-1:30

After-school programs can be highly beneficial to elementary school students. Pickleball With a Purpose is a weekly after-school program founded by TCU students with support from the Experiential Projects to Impact the Community (EPIC) committee. This program works with a local elementary school in Crowley Independent School District (CISD). Pickleball appeals to all ages because it can be picked up relatively quickly, regardless of skill level. As part of the program, pickleball was introduced to 4th and 5th graders at Meadowcreek Elementary by teaching a two-week clinic introducing foundational paddle skills during P.E. classes. Students in the after-school program engage in clinics, drills, and games to further develop their communication skills while fostering connections with mentors from TCU. The EPIC committee's funding and our partnership with the Selkirk Growth Program have allowed us to supply the elementary school with equipment such as nets, balls, and paddles. The purpose of the Meadowcreek Pickleball Club is to provide elementary school students with a safe environment where they can grow as individuals while learning a new sport.

Healthy Food Insecurity

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): May Nguyen Biology Thien Ly Nguyen Biology
Advisor(s): Maria Martinez Nutritional Sciences
Location: Third Floor, Table 4, Position 3, 1:45-3:45

New Smiles Drive

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Cayla Prophater Interdisciplinary Christian Cargile Interdisciplinary Aimee Garibay Interdisciplinary Emma Graham Interdisciplinary Macyn Willingham Interdisciplinary
Advisor(s): Heidi Conrad Interdisciplinary
Location: Second Floor, Table 1, Position 2, 11:30-1:30

Even though they are completely preventable, cavities are the leading chronic childhood disease in America. The “New Smiles Drive” is a community outreach project with a mission to improve Fort Worth's oral hygiene knowledge and access to essential hygiene supplies. This project has provided dental supplies and hygiene education to the patients at the Mercy Clinic of Fort Worth. The donation of dental hygiene bags is instrumental in providing the materials necessary for quality health care. However, the donations are only half of the mission. Each donation bag includes a laminated education card containing detailed instructions on how to maintain good oral health as well as recommendations provided by Fort Worth dentists. The educational aspect of this project will leave a lasting impact on the community and teach the community essential oral hygiene care.

Drowning Prevention and Water Safety Clinics

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Quinceola Reid Biology Emily Van Dyck Biology
Advisor(s): Anthony Crowder Interdisciplinary
Location: Basement, Table 7, Position 1, 11:30-1:30

Swimming is a skill that is often assumed to be commonplace. However, in a study from 2017-2021, 411 children fatally drowned in Texas; 32 drownings were from Tarrant County (Texas Child Drowning Statistics). In 2019, 23 Tarrant County drowning deaths were among adults (Drowning in Tarrant County). Two community organizations, The Fort Worth Drowning Prevention and Water Safety Coalition (FWDPC) and the YMCA Fort Worth (YMCA FW), conduct dedicated summer programs to teach children and adults in-water and classroom-based water safety strategies. This grant project supports its community partners by advertising for/providing volunteers, which enables the accommodation of more participants per clinic. In addition, this grant project provided occupational health supplies (sunscreen and sunglasses) to their community partner to mitigate the prolonged sun exposure commonly faced by their volunteers. Through this project, TCU students have engaged with these organizations, supported their objectives, and directly improved drowning statistics within the Fort Worth community.

"TCU Jeopardy Night": Changing the Narrative of Contributions by Underrepresented Groups in STEM

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Zach Rouseau Biology Grace Bobo Chemistry & Biochemistry Jack Bonnell Chemistry & Biochemistry Precious Castillo Chemistry & Biochemistry Audrey Dolt Biology Tatum Harvey Biology Lola Kouretas Chemistry & Biochemistry Christina Mantsorov Chemistry & Biochemistry Chie Nguyen Biology Kiet Nguyen Biology
Advisor(s): Kayla Green Chemistry & Biochemistry Heidi Conrad Chemistry & Biochemistry Julie Fry Chemistry & Biochemistry
Location: Basement, Table 5, Position 1, 11:30-1:30

Throughout history, it has been perceived that significant advancements in STEM have been a result of primarily white males’ accomplishments. To help correct this misconception on our campus, TCU Chemistry Club has initiated “TCU Jeopardy Game Night”. This is an initiative where students, staff, and organizations in STEM throughout the year get exposed to and educated on the accomplishments in the history of diverse groups underrepresented in STEM with an emphasis in chemistry through an engaging and interactive mechanism. This spring term, our organization will host a Jeopardy-style game night with trivia questions over the material presented and prizes purchased with the ACS DEIR Grant. This material serves as an incentive toward the ultimate goal of educating our campus population regarding diversity, equity, inclusion, and respect for scientists who have not been acknowledged for their exceptional work.

Bags of Joy

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Maggie Tucker Interdisciplinary Molly Koca Interdisciplinary Jacqueline Leon Interdisciplinary
Advisor(s): Mathew Crawford Interdisciplinary
Location: Basement, Table 4, Position 2, 1:45-3:45

Project Overview:
2020 we partner with Once Upon a Room. We partnered with Cook Children's Hospital to decorate rooms for children who will have an extended stay. Due to COVID-19, we could not continue with Once Upon a Room. In the 2021-2022 we created Bags of Joy and continued to partner with Cook Childrens Hospital. We provided holiday-themed goodie bags as well as welcome hygiene bags.

Background of the Community:
The community in which we are working with those under the age of 18 with poor health.
Our community partner is Anne Stankus and Megan Hodges, Child life specialist at Cook Children

Need Statement:
Our community partners have communicated to us that there is a need for hygiene and essential items for the caregivers of a patient to receive when they are admitted to the hospital, so that they have to opportunity to stay with their child durning this time of need.
Another need that has been expressed to us has been for the hosting of events, like game nights.

Project description:
We had hoped to continue to give hygiene bags and make a switch from goodie bags to hosting a game night.
This year we were to supply 36 welcome bags for Cook, host a game night, and donate 400 easter eggs for their annual easter egg hunt.

Deliverables:
As this was our first year hosting a game night at Cook children, we struggled in the begging to find games and activities that would fit into the guidelines but in the end, we were able to make it a successful event and now we have ideas on ways to improve for next year.
We continue to have good feedback from our Cook Children's coordinator.
As two of our members are graduating we will still have one member who is an active student at TCU. Molly, our non-graduating member, will take over our EPIC grant.

"Power your school:" Working with Dallas-Fort Worth schools to identify alternative energies for their campus

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Jack Bonnell Interdisciplinary Grace Bobo Interdisciplinary Precious Castillo Interdisciplinary Traylin Cleveland Interdisciplinary Camryn Gloor Interdisciplinary Kelly Jaimes Interdisciplinary Ashlyn Laidman Interdisciplinary Christina Mantsorov Interdisciplinary Kiet Nguyen Interdisciplinary Kennedy Redmon Interdisciplinary Zach Rouseau Interdisciplinary George Weimer Interdisciplinary
Advisor(s): Kayla Green Chemistry & Biochemistry Jeffrey L. Coffer Chemistry & Biochemistry Heidi Conrad Chemistry & Biochemistry Julie Fry Chemistry & Biochemistry
Location: Second Floor, Table 8, Position 2, 11:30-1:30

K-12 curricula worldwide typically lack a strong emphasis on alternative energies, particularly solar and wind power. To counter this, the University of Cambridge has developed the “Power your School” initiative, a program where students learn to map their school and local area, predict where the best sites for solar panels may be on their campus, use scientific equipment accurately, record results, and make ideal recommendations based on their data. TCU Chemistry Club and the Coffer Research Lab have partnered with this initiative to help local elementary schools investigate the benefits of renewable energy, assist in calculating the financial benefits of solar panels over a span of multiple years, and most importantly - to help young students learn the basics of proper recording of scientific data. Through poster creation and its subsequent presentation, students also use design and oral communication skills to educate local officials (and beyond) into the benefits of investing in renewable energy. Methods and results of this project will be presented.

4HerHealth

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Kynnedy Brown Interdisciplinary
Advisor(s): Julie Fry Chemistry & Biochemistry
Location: Basement, Table 13, Position 1, 1:45-3:45

The transition from high school to college marks a significant life change and, as a result, could lead to changes in health behaviors, exercise, and stress levels. Physical activity can enhance self-confidence and collectivism, improve emotional states, decrease stress, aid in building relationships, and contributes to feelings of elation and satisfaction (Qu, 2020). Studies show lower levels of activity among college women, with Black women having greater risk of obesity than white women. (Ajibade, 2011). The effects of a lack of physical activity for college minority women pose more significant threats as they increase in age; this is especially notable with Black women, who present low activity levels compared to white and other minority women (Greaney et al., 2017).

4HerHealth aims to combat the prevalence of potential health-related risks by fostering a community that supports physical activity and wellness in minority college students’ lives. The program consists of biweekly activities that highlight various health-related activities such as TCU-instructed fitness classes, step challenges, cooking and nutrition classes, and study and stress-relieving sessions. Participants who expressed low activity levels before the program reported an increased drive to go to the gym and eat healthier. Overall, participants said the program was informative, well-rounded, and provided a safe space and community for minority women on campus.

References
Ajibade, P. B. (2011). Physical activity patterns by campus housing status among African American female college students. Journal of Black Studies, 42(4), 548–560. https://doi.org/10.1177/0021934710385116
Greaney, M. L., Askew, S., Wallington, S. F., Foley, P. B., Quintiliani, L. M., & Bennett, G. G. (2017). The effect of a weight gain prevention intervention on moderate-vigorous physical activity among black women: The shape program. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 14(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12966-017-0596-6
Qu, X. (2020). Empirical analysis of the influence of physical exercise on psychological stress of college students. Revista Argentina de Clinica Psicologica. https://doi.org/10.24205/03276716.2020.386