Healthcare deserts are an emerging problem in the United States, especially in rural areas. Individuals in these areas do not have access to adequate healthcare, and in most cases they are forced to travel long distances to receive the care they need. In the Permian Basin, this can be of concern for those working in the oil industry as well as their families. A GIS analysis was conducted to identify healthcare deserts in this area.

Monarch butterfly populations in North America have declined by approximately 80% over the last 20 years. Many contributing factors are responsible for this decline, however the loss of Milkweed has been identified as a major factor. Milkweed is the primary food source for Monarch caterpillars. A GIS analysis was performed to identify milkweed resources in the North Texas area.

Zebra mussels, Dreissena polymorpha, are an invasive species of freshwater bivalves that have recently spread into bodies of water across North America. Zebra mussels inhabit the shallow waters of lakes and tightly attach to any and all hard surfaces. They are efficient filter feeders and can filter up to 1 L of water per day per mussel. This increases the clarity of water dramatically which alters the lake habitat for other lake species. In this analysis, water clarity data was mapped for “infested” lakes for the years 2008 (pre-zebra mussels), 2010 (one year after zebra mussel infestation), and 2016 (seven years after infestation). The average clarity of the lakes increased by 9.36%, with larger lake clarity increasing the most dramatically.

Habitat loss, disease, and land-use change has led to a sudden decline in bat populations in the US. Thus, there is a need to determine the extent of the impact before we can effectively implement counter-measures. One way to assess the impacts is to monitor areas with a high abundance and species diversity, such as Big Bend National Park with 25 of the U.S.’s 47 native bat species. We therefore assessed whether 1) acoustic monitoring at the park was a feasible technique and 2) if the diversity of species recorded and their activity patterns could contribute to national long-term monitoring.

Nitrate contamination of groundwater in the Seymour Aquifer is a well-known issue that has been documented since the 1960's. Concentrations as high as 35 ppm NO3-N have been reported, which is a startling 3.5 times the EPA allowable standard for drinking water. While most water from the Seymour Aquifer is used for agricultural irrigation, a portion is still used for domestic purposes and therefore poses a risk to human health. While this problem may have been recognized, the specific source of this contamination remains unknown. Three potential sources of nitrate within the aquifer are being considered in this study—the geological makeup of the aquifer, the agricultural contribution of nitrate from fertilizers, and the historical land use change of the area above the aquifer.

My research will combine various statistical and geospatial technologies in order to 1) view nitrate contamination as a function of well depth and 2) Determine the temporal change in NO3-N concentrations over a distribution of well depth. Readily available groundwater quality data from the Texas Water Development Board will be used in conjunction with geospatial analysis and statistical analysis to identify well depth distribution and changes in the aquifer's water quality with respect to well depth over time. After a thorough analysis of the site area via the aforementioned methods and technologies, a portrait that depicts the both spatial and temporal changes of nitrate contamination in Texas's Seymour Aquifer ought to be painted.

Telemetry is an effective method for collecting movement data, however, transmitters have the potential to negatively impact the maneuverability and behavior of wildlife, particularly volant species. Despite concerns, no studies have assessed the potential effect of transmitters on bats. Thus, we conducted a behavioral study on evening bats (Nycticeius humeralis) in a controlled environment. We found that while there was not a decrease maneuverability, it did alter behavior. Bats flew 79.5% less with the transmitter attached. Furthermore, these impacts did not diminish over time (3 day period), which in turn could have consequences for telemetry survey data collection and interpretation.

Urbanization is a central theme to humanity’s progress in large metropolitan areas. However, desire for greenspace and nature are also shown to be integral for citizen happiness and peace. At what rate does urbanization occur within a small area of DFW that is often considered suburban? Is this urbanization mostly residential or is this the fault of corporate land usage? This study uses GIS to investigate the differences over time in natural spaces vs. manmade structures by looking at differences in vegetation to assess the rate of urbanization in one of the most quickly developing areas in Texas.

Mesosiderites are meteorites composed of equal parts metal and crustal silicate material, which have been linked to the HED parent body 4Vesta. The metal portion of mesosiderites is also compositionally similar to the IIIAB irons. Mesosiderite silicates were mixed with metal, recrystallized and rapidly cooled. The slow metallographic cooling rates recorded by mesosiderite metal indicate mixing followed by deep burial within an asteroidal body. Several models for the formation of mesosiderites have been proposed, but no single model can completely explain their multi-stage history. Oxygen isotope compositions of mesosiderites and eucrites are identical, consistent with the HEDs and mesosiderites originating from a common parent body. However, there are notable differences between the two groups. These include the differing Fe-Mn-Mg systematics in mesosiderite pyroxenes, which reflect an FeO reduction trend and not the magmatic trend seen in the HEDs. Phosphates and tridymite are also more abundant in mesosiderites than howardites and eucrites. These differences have been attributed to redox reactions that occurred during the metal-silicate mixing stage of mesosiderite formation. As previous work focused mainly on the silicate portion, this study examines the metal of five mesosiderite samples of varying petrologic class and degree of metamorphism. Thick sections of each meteorite containing both matrix metal and metal nodules were requested on loan from the National Meteorite Collection, located in the National Museum of Natural History, Department of Mineral Sciences. Electron microprobe (EMP) analyses of both silicate and metal portions of each mesosiderite were collected, as well as LA-ICP-MS analyses of the matrix metal and metal nodules within each section. The dataset will be analyzed for evidence of redox reactions and other processes that may have been occurring during the metal-silicate mixing phase of mesosiderite formation. If redox reactions occurred between the metal and silicate portions of mesosiderites, then: 1) the matrix metal within mesosiderites may be depleted in readily oxidizable elements (e.g. P, W) relative to the metal nodules that are not in contact with the silicate phase; or, 2) all metal in mesosiderites is depleted in readily oxidizable elements. This depletion should be visible when compared to IIIAB irons of a similar composition.

Recent field work has discovered a volcanic complex within the Paleocene Black Peaks Formation in the northwestern part of Big Bend National Park in west Texas. This is the only known Paleocene volcano in west Texas. We have identified pyroclastic deposits consisting of ash-sized and coarser clasts, including volcanic bombs and blocks, which were erupted explosively from a nearby vent. Margins of the volcanic complex have been mapped using remote sensing because the volcanic rocks are distinctly different in color from the adjacent shale. Characteristics of the pyroclastics suggest derivation from phreatomagmatic eruptions, which occurred when magma and groundwater violently interacted in the shallow subsurface.

Using Non-Invasive Geophysical Techniques in Near-Surface Infrastructure Planning and Management

Michaela Donahoo1, Karim Ouamer-ali2,3, Youcef Daoud2, Kaddour Djili3, Omar R. Harvey1
1Department of Geological Sciences, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, Texas, USA.
2 National Institute of Agronomic Research of Algeria (INRAA), El-Harrach, Algeria.
3Ecole Nationale Supérieure Agronomique (ENSA), El-Harrach, Algeria.

Understanding soil characteristic variability geospatially as a function of depth and time is key to the optimal implementation of subsurface infrastructure planning and expansion. The soils physical behavior as well as its interaction with piping and road materials determine where such a system could divert and predict future maintenance frequency. Central to the development of site-specific, precision management strategies is the quantification and mapping of the geospatial variability in soil properties at significantly higher resolutions than provided in current soil surveys. The presentation will cover results from ongoing collaborative research efforts between researchers at Texas Christian University and two Algerian institutions in using non-invasive measurements of bulk apparent electrical conductivity (ECa) to quantify and map 3-D soil variability in semi-arid and arid areas of Algeria, Northern Africa. The focus will be on the derivation and application of depth-specific ECa-ECe (saturated paste), ECa-clay content and ECa-water content relationships for use in understanding seasonal salinity and water dynamics within potential depths of construction interest.

The fundamental understanding of any geologic basin stems from ascertaining the relationship between its source and sink. Every basin is therefore identified as a “sink” and has a provisional “source.” The investigation of this fundamental relationship is the preliminary exploration step to further basin development.
The Late Triassic Dockum Group of the west Texas high plains is an understudied group that begs investigation into the source to sink relationship. A comprehensive study of the Dockum Group as a “sink” is here undertaken in order to better understand the paleoclimate and its implications on the Dockum group depositional style. This study focuses on the northern most section of the Dockum group outcrop system. Within the study area it is subdivided into three main formations, the Tecovas mud, Trujillo sand, and Cooper Canyon sand-mud mix system.
This study showcases a forward stratigraphic modeling software, Dionisos Flow. From field based outcrop work: grain size, channel thickness, water discharge, and lithofacies assemblages were quantified as model inputs in Dionisos Flow.
The study aims to model Dockum Group sedimentation in order to determine the plausible paleoclimate, and its related depositional environment and depositional style. To do so, an outcrop study and fluvial architecture analysis was completed to serve as model input variables. Then a forward stratigraphic Dionisos Flow model of the three main Dockum Group formations was generated. It was then analyzed and coupled with the outcrop study to draw conclusions on the necessary Triassic climate conditions to produce the Dockum Group deposits.
Per the modeling exercise and outcrop study it is concluded that the Triassic climate was highly variable, shifting between semi-arid to humid. Its variability has been underemphasized in previous studies. Climate alterations are on a scale of 103 years. Additionally, the Dockum Group’s sedimentation style has been a forum of contradicting theories. This study has concluded that Dockum sands were deposited in a predominantly upper flow regime environment during humid climate cycles, while its abundant muds were deposited in lower flow during semi arid climate cycles.

Iron oxides have a controlling effect on how carbon and contaminants move through the which has impacts on climate change and pollution. Carbon held more tightly to the soil can be sequestered for longer periods of time. These tightly held contaminants are less of a threat to spread and impact groundwater. The driving factor in the movement of these compounds are the binding-debinding energies. This study will use flow adsorption microcalorimetry to systematically analyze the energetics and bonding dynamics involved in different combinations of iron oxides and organic molecules of varying carbon chain lengths (along with the presence of amine functional groups). This will allow us to isolate the effect that these different chain lengths have as well as the presence of amine functional groups. The study will focus on the systematic collection and analysis of experimental data that can be used to support the development, validation, and refinement of computational models of interactions involving natural organic matter at the metal oxide-water interface while facilitating the further development of experimentally-driven understandings of binding-debinding dynamics of organic molecules onto mineral surfaces.

Texas horned lizards are a threatened species in the state of Texas with declines attributed to a variety of factors including: habitat conversion, pesticide use and red imported fire ants. These cryptic lizards in their natural habitats utilize a variety of anti-predator defense mechanisms. The primary defensive adaptation to avoid predators is often cited as their cryptic coloration, which is often suggested to color match the background substrates of the regions where they are found. Although background color-matching is purported to be an important factor in horned lizard defensive strategies it has never been empirically tested. Here we present the first known study of background color matching of Texas horned lizards in the state of Texas. We used a GIS analysis using soils and satellite imagery data to test how well Texas horned lizards match the soils and substrate in different regions of Texas.

The highstand deltas of the Holocene tend to each initiate with the peaking of eustatic sea level rise at about 7000 y.b.p. While generally tied to this time, the initiation of highstand shorelines is not necessarily synchronous. Local impacts on relative sea level can impact this timing. In particular, the Parana Delta, Argentina, appears to have initiated as early as 8100 y.b.p., well before the global sea level peak and potentially before any comparable highstand shorelines. The Parana Delta encompasses an area of ~17,400 km2 enclosed in the Rio de la Plata estuary, growing steadily at a rate of approximately 2 km2 yr-1 for roughly the past 6000 yrs. This deltaic system has shifted from fluvial, to wave-dominated, and then back to its present day fluvial dominated system. Aerial and satellite imagery, shallow boreholes, radiometric dating of shells and sand, and Ground Penetrating Radar are used to define the distinctive sedimentary features of the delta. New data from the upper part of the delta indicates the Parana Delta initiated well before the 6000 y.b.p. previously reported. Sediment cores collected from across the upper delta are used to identify sedimentary facies and construct a stratigraphic framework. Three OSL samples collected from the oldest set of beach ridge s indicate the first ridges formed approximately 8100 years ago. These beach ridges are <3 m above sea level and argue for an early peak in relative sea level. Highstand strata are about 6 m thick above a thin (1-2 m) condensed section above transgressive shoreface deposits. The Parana delta initiated at least 1500 years before the sea level peak. Assumptions of synchronicity of highstands with eustatic sea level accordingly must be tempered with comparable allowance for local error.

The Palo Duro Basin is a northwest-southeast trending cratonic basin in the Texas Panhandle that formed from uplift of the Amarillo/Wichita Mountains during the Pennsylvanian, and subsequent subsidence during the Permian. Sediments were deposited in a number of environments, the most prominent being fan-delta, carbonate shelf, and deep basin settings. Major lithologies in the Pennsylvanian are granite wash, shelf-margin carbonates, and basinal shales, while the Permian hosts the same lithologies, as well as numerous evaporites and red-bed sequences.
This study analyzes log data from 100+ wells in the Palo Duro Basin to correlate and determine the lateral extent of different facies throughout the basin during the Pennsylvanian and Permian. Cross-sections made will help to generate isopach, structure, and other geological maps to identify areas where further geochemical and/or petrophysical analyses can be performed to evaluate Pennsylvanian and lower Permian shale gas potential of the Palo Duro Basin. This project will establish a more detailed stratigraphic framework of Pennsylvanian and lower Permian aged sediments of the basin, as well as determine source rock quality and thermal maturity for potential shale gas plays within the Palo Duro Basin, with a more thorough look along the southern fringes of the basin near the Matador Arch.

The primary objective of this study is to test my hypothesis that the stratigraphy within Little Hoss Ranch is very complex and diverse but correlative to the surrounding strata of similar depth and characteristics. The second objective is to identify characteristics of the stratigraphic facies to better aid in the production via recompletion or other determined methods within the Little Hoss area. Seismic data that will be analyzed within Little Hoss Ranch are made available by TEP Barnett. Seismic analysis will be done using Kingdom and will be assisted by the TEP geophysicist when possible. The goal is to use these data to better identify faults and other significant structural features within the area as well as the Barnett Shale stratigraphy for LHR. A map will be made using the seismic data and logs will be included in the map for reference and quality check purposes. The seismic, well log, and cutting data for the LHR that will be analyzed was originally acquired by Chesapeake as early as 2008 and is now owned by TEP, Barnett. 127 well logs will be analyzed using PETRA, within and immediately adjacent to the Little Hoss Ranch area, to better correlate and map the stratigraphy within the Little Hoss Ranch and will be tied to the LHR wells with surrounding wells in Johnson County and Tarrant County to create regional cross-sections. An additional cross-section will be created with the wells to the north in Tarrant County to display structural trends and stratigraphic facies correlation. The 127 LHR wells will be used to create a detailed structure map that can be compared to the seismic time structure map. The BHT will be used from the well logs as well as production data (oil to gas ratio) to determine if differential thermal maturity occurred within the area The overall goal of this project is to analyze the stratigraphy and structure of the Barnett Shale play within the Little Hoss Ranch confines and to identify any geologic effects or geologic solutions to marginal production for the area of study. Seismic data, well-logs, core and cuttings, mud-log descriptions, and background literature research will be used to conduct a thorough investigation into the stratigraphy affecting the LHR. The wells in the LHR will be used with wells in northern parts of the Fort Worth Basin to create a cross section spanning a larger area. This will help to better correlate the stratigraphy for the basin and help identify depositional and erosional changes in the Fort Worth Basin. Additionally, the OGIP data and calculations will be used to help define what the remaining hydrocarbon value is for the Barnett Shale within LHR.

An algebraic curve is a one-dimensional set defined by polynomial equations, such as a parabola in the plane (given by y-x^2=0) or the z-axis in the space (given by x=y=0). Let Y be an algebraic curve. Then a multiplicity structure on Y is another curve Z, which as a set has the same points as Y but with a higher and fixed multiplicity at each point. For example, the y-axis in the plane is given by the equation x=0 and if we intersect it with horizontal lines, say with y-b=0, we get the points (0,b) on the y-axis. Now if we take the line given by x^2=0 and intersect it with the horizontal lines as above we get the points (0,b) with multiplicity 2. Hence we call the later curve a double structure on the previous one. Similarly the equation x^3=0 gives a triple structure on the y-axis in the plane and so on. Structures like these might sound naive but they are crucial to understand the behaviors of families of curves. For example, the family of parabolas ty-x^2=0 deforms into the double line x^2=0 as t approaches 0. Although the notion of multiplicity is pretty geometric, we can use tools from abstract algebra to make it rigorous. This makes the subject challenging and yet very interesting at the same time. Classifying the multiplicity structures on a curve is still a wide open field in algebraic geometry. It is now well understood how the double and triple structures on a line look. A natural question then arises how do the double and triple structures look on conics? It turns out that the answers are much more complicated than for lines. In this poster I am going to show some of my research in that direction.

A group is a mathematical construct that represents the symmetries of an object. These symmetries transform the object through what is called a group action. Graphs—Cayley graphs, in particular—provide a rich source of symmetries for forming groups. A graph and its group action can be modeled by a collection of infinite matrices known as a C*-algebra. In a paper in the Journal of Functional Analysis, Gábor Elek used dynamical systems called Uniformly Recurrent Subgroups (URS) to construct a new type of C*-algebra. We relate this C*-algebra to a well-known construction called the crossed-product. This reinterpretation more prominently displays the group action, which proves useful as we further study the C*-algebra’s structure.

Graphene quantum dots (GQDs) are novel materials with a number of unique properties that can be applied in electronics, sensing and biotechnology. GQDs possess physical properties that are critical for biomedical applications, including small size (3-5 nm), high quantum yield, and pH-dependent fluorescence emission in the visible/near-infrared, providing a possibility of molecular imaging, and pH-sensing. They also show very low cytotoxicity suggesting high potential for multiple biomedical applications. GQDs can also be doped to form nitrogen doped graphene quantum dots (N-GQDs), sulfur doped graphene quantum dots (NS-GQDs) and boron nitrogen doped graphene quantum dots (BN-GQDs), which allow these optical properties to be adjusted. We utilize and modify these properties to yield a multifunctional delivery/imaging/sensing platform geared toward the analysis of cancer therapeutics delivery in vitro. In our work, we outline how GQDs can serve as potential drug transport agents and as molecular markers for imaging the delivery pathways. Optimal emission and excitation are selected for each quantum dot to minimize the autofluorescence of cells, allowing them to be imaged in vitro. Emission in healthy (HEK-293) and cancer (HeLa and MCF-7) cells is quantified for a variety of pH environments to identify the ideal conditions for cellular internalization and pH-sensing of acidic cancerous environments. In addition, in vitro fluorescence microscopy analysis provides quantitative assessment for accumulation in cells. The results of this work suggest GQDs as innovative and effective highly biocompatible multifunctional platforms for cancer therapeutics.

Fluorescence is a very useful and popular technique which has been used in a wide variety of fields and, of late most importantly, at the intersection of biophysics, biochemistry and medicine. Despite being relatively simple from a theoretical point of view, it turns out that practical applications can have trivial problems that can cause significant spectroscopic problems. Specifically, an often overlooked yet fundamental obstacle in fluorescence spectroscopy is the nonlinearity of fluorescence intensity versus fluorophore absorption. This is referred to as the inner-filter effect. In literature, it is divided into a “primary inner-filter effect” and a “secondary inner-filter effect”. The former is caused by the absorption of the excitation light, which results in the lowering of the intensity of light reaching deeper regions of the solution. The latter is represented by the reabsorption of the emitted fluorescence by the fluorophores in the solution. Due to the fact that the primary inner filter effect is a direct consequence of the high concentration of the solution, to observe the secondary inner filter effect it is necessary to have a chromophore which absorbs part of the light that is emitted by the main fluorophore. Although working with low concentrations is generally recognized as a good practice to avoid artifacts related to inner filter effects, the primary inner filter effect can occur even at low absorbances (< 0.05). Furthermore, it is possible that using solutions with high absorbance is strictly necessary in studying the photophysical properties of fluorescent dyes and the interactions of biological macromolecules. Therefore, a reliable correction method for inner filter effects is fundamental for spectroscopic studies. Since it has been reported that the existing methods for correcting the fluorescence intensity are hard to implement in practice, we propose a strategy based on the previous calculation of the so called “sensitivity factor” of a spectrofluorometer. By mounting a cuvette on a movable holder in a square geometry setup, we can modify the position of the cuvette during a regular emission/excitation experiment. This allows us to determine the sensitivity factor. This result can be effectively used to correct the emission/excitation spectra to restore the linearity between absorbance and fluorescence intensity in samples characterized by high concentrations.

Fluorescence has grown to be the most sensitive detection technique used in a variety of biophysical, biochemical and medical applications for several decades. However, there is an interesting luminescence similar to fluorescence which causes an “afterglow effect” (“glow in the dark”). This is called “phosphorescence”. Phosphorescence has an exceptionally longer lifetime (milli or microseconds) compared to fluorescence (nanoseconds). This can be up to a million times longer. Modern fluorescence lifetime measurements require sensitive detectors that cost several ten to hundreds of thousands of dollars, while a phosphorescence lifetime detector can be in the thousands range. This detector uses ocean optics spectrometry with a phosphoroscope to measure phosphorescence. With this application we want to use it for studying protein dynamics such as shape, spacing, binding, etc. The novelty for this approach is using tryptophan as a probe for direct excitation to the phosphorescence triplet state. This means the usual encounter of fluorescence there is a continuous light source. When exposed the sample will emit its fluorescence. Once removed from the light source, since fluorescence is so fast when decaying, will expire off. However, with phosphorescence, after the removal of the light source, the sample still emits. This procedure if successful will circumvent fluorescence and just achieve phosphorescence. To study this we will be using PVA (poly vinyl alcohol [plastic]) with 5,6 – Benzoquinoline, Indole, and Tryptophan where the first compound is confirmed to have phosphorescence able to be seen even with the naked eye at room temperature. These will be studied in a device that will measure phosphorescence called a fluorospectrometer (Varian Eclipse) and the phosphoroscope. With this information we can find out what color (wavelength) to excite the tryptophan and circumvent fluorescence to phosphorescence.

Massive amounts of gaseous material are being ejected from the nearby Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) due to supernovae explosions occurring inside the galaxy. These explosions influence how gas cycles in and out of a galaxy and is crucial for our understanding of how galaxies evolve. Being the nearest gas-rich galaxy, the LMC provides us with an excellent opportunity to explore this gas cycle in detail. We have combined spectroscopically resolved observations to investigate the influence supernovae have on the LMC gas and the connection between supernovae explosions and the currently flowing galactic wind.

The problem of fitting isochrones, theoretical models of stellar populations, to the observed stellar populations (e.g. star clusters) has plagued observational astronomy for decades. A plethora of algorithms have been developed, but many fall short of their goals, and almost all are very computationally expensive. We present a new, computationally efficient technique made possible by first creating a fiducial representation of the data. This concise representation allows for a robust comparison to many theoretical models using a Markov-Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) approach, quickly producing not only accurate fits but reasonable constraints on the final fitting parameters. The technique is applied to a number of star clusters, and the results are discussed in the context of Galactic chemical evolution.

A virus spreads through a body in two known ways: free cell transmission and cell to cell transmission. During free cell transmission, cells make viruses that diffuse throughout the body which may cause any cell that the virus touches to become infected. During cell to cell transmission, a virus spreads to a neighboring cell through an intercellular transfer. While previous research has investigated viruses based on free cell transmission, few models have incorporated cell to cell transmission leading to unclear results and bias to certain variables. This research accounts for both free cell and cell to cell transmission, using an agent-based framework. The model represents virus infection and spread in a two-dimensional layer of cells in order to generate total virus over time graphs for corresponding initial dose of virus.

In this work, a simple/scalable microwave-facilitated hydrothermal route is used to produce nitrogen self-doped graphene quantum dots (NGQDs) from a sole glucosamine precursor. These NGQDs with average sizes of ~6nm show bright/stable fluorescence both in the visible and near-IR. The structural and optical properties of as-prepared NGQDs are further altered to provide control for optoelectronic applications by using ozone and thermal treatment. Thermal processing serves as controllable avenues to decrease GQD emission via anticipated reduction processes. Oxidative ozone treatment results in the decrease of GQD average size down to 5.23 nm and a more disordered structure due to the introduction of the new functional groups. Structural and optical characterization was performed utilizing TEM, AFM, SEM microscopy and FTIR, EDX, Raman, fluorescence, absorbance spectroscopy. FTIR, EDX and Raman data suggest that this processing introduces oxygen-containing functional groups, enhancing the atomic percentage of oxygen and increasing ID/IG ratio. Ozone treatment shows enhancement of visible emission which is observed from 0 to 16 min ozone processing with following over oxidation-induced defect-related quenching. On the other hand, a progressive increase in defect-related NIR emission is observed up to 45 min. Such alteration of optoelectronic properties enhances NGQD performance in photovoltaic devices.

Untreated NGQDs (Un-NGQDs) and ozone-treated NGQDs (Oz-NGQDs) are utilized as a photoactive layer to fabricate a variety of solar cells. Although devices with untreated NGQDs show performances similar to existing reports, Oz-NGQDs exhibit significant improvement (~six fold) with maximum PCE of 2.64%, an open circuit voltage of ~0.83V, a short circuit current density of 4.8 mA/cm^2, and an excellent fill factor of ~86.4%. This enhancement can be potentially attributed to the increased/broadened visible absorption feature in device state due to the efficient charge transfer between the hole-blocking layer of TiO2 and Oz-NGQD having enhanced concentration of functional groups. This work suggests ozone treatment as an easy and powerful technique to alter the optoelectronic properties of versatile and scalably produced NGQDs which can be successfully utilized as an eco-friendly photoactive layer to boost the photovoltaic performance of solar cells.