Applications of Mathematical Models of Virus to Mpox

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Gabriel McCarthy Physics & Astronomy
Advisor(s): Hana Dobrovolny Physics & Astronomy

Mpox virus is a type of virus similar to smallpox that can cause diseases in humans. Several experiments have been done to collect data on how mpox evolves within an infected host. This data can be analyzed within the context of mathematical models to determine important characteristics of mpox. From this analysis, we can estimate the growth rate, reproduction number, and infecting time of mpox.  We can also construct confidence intervals to estimate the error in our predictions using bootstrapping.  Bootstrapping allows us to analyze parameter correlations within mpox data to understand how parameter values within the model affect each other in our model. From these values and confidence intervals, we can learn about how mpox evolves within the body over time. This information, in turn, may allow us to make predictions on how mpox evolves within people during infection that could inform future treatment regimens.

Synthesis and Characterisation of Micro- and Nanocrystalline Iron doped Zinc Oxide As a Platform for Investigation of Antibacterial Mechanisms

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Tiffany McHenry Physics & Astronomy John Brannon Physics & Astronomy Dustin Johnson Physics & Astronomy Devansh Matham Physics & Astronomy
Advisor(s): Yuri Strzhemechny Physics & Astronomy

Iron zinc oxides are multifunctional materials with applications in luminescent devices, catalysis, spintronics, and gas sensors. Specifically, iron-doped zinc oxide (FeZnO) combines magnetic and chemical stability properties, making it suitable for technological and environmental applications. This study explores how synthesis parameters, including pH and dopant concentration, influence the morphology and properties of FeZnO nanoparticles. Hydrothermal synthesis was employed to prepare FeZnO with iron doping concentrations ranging from 1–10% and ZnO. Morphological and compositional analyses were performed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). We also observed doped FeZnO antibacterial action for some of the synthesized samples in e-coli cultures. Future work will focus on improving dopant distribution, exploring antibacterial activity, and leveraging computational tools to refine material design for specific applications.

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

Type: Graduate
Author(s): Jonah Otto Physics & Astronomy Natalie Myers Physics & Astronomy
Advisor(s): Peter Frinchaboy Physics & Astronomy

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

Comparison of oncolytic herpes simplex virus strains in treatment of EGFR-bearing tumors

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Raghav Padmasolala Physics & Astronomy
Advisor(s): Hana Dobrovolny Physics & Astronomy

Oncolytic Herpes Simplex Viruses (oHSVs) target a wide range of different cells and specific mutations, allowing them to proliferate in tumor cells. Recent work has modified the virus to preferentially enter cells bearing epidermal growth factor receptors (EGFRs). This study focuses on characterizing the efficacy of different strains of EGFR-targeting oHSV by fitting a mathematical model that includes an interferon response to experimental data from U251 tumor-bearing mice. Using a combination of parameter fitting, optimization techniques, and ordinary differential equations (ODEs), we modeled tumor growth, viral dynamics, and immune response. Our findings suggest that an interferon-inclusive model best explains the growth and oHSV treatment of EGFR-bearing tumors. These results highlight the importance of immune interactions in oncolytic viral therapy and contribute to optimizing oHSV-based treatments for better clinical outcomes.

Room Temperature Phosphorescence with Direct Triplet State Excitation

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Danh Pham Physics & Astronomy Bong Lee Physics & Astronomy
Advisor(s): Zygmunt Gryczynski Physics & Astronomy Ignacy Gryczynski Physics & Astronomy

The use of fluorescent compounds as biological markers or probes is widely used in assays for probing various properties, including but not limited to pH, temperature, or the presence of various proteins. This has allowed fluorescence to enter the fields of microscopy, diagnostics, and spectroscopy. Among the many dyes used for such applications are those that exhibit phosphorescence. Unlike fluorescence, which has a lifetime of several nanoseconds, phosphorescence lifetimes can be several seconds, allowing for the use of techniques such as gated detection, which can eliminate distracting background noise or Raman scattering. Since phosphorescence uses the triplet state rather than the singlet state, it requires less energy, which correlates with longer wavelengths. The phosphorescence emission of some dyes can extend from 425nm (blue) to 675nm (red), which encompasses almost the entire visible spectrum. This is especially useful when considering that longer wavelengths may be used when utilizing direct triplet state excitation, which allows for excitation wavelengths well into the visible range. The ability to utilize longer excitation wavelengths has numerous possibilities, among which include being safe to use with live cells, which opens the door for using phosphorescence as a technique for biological imaging. Not only does phosphorescence allow imaging to occur at longer wavelengths, which mitigates damage to cells and minimizes exposure to harmful ultraviolet radiation, but it also allows for much more affordable equipment and procedures, possibly making diagnostic care more accessible.

Dynamics of multipartite viruses

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Maanya Polavarapu Physics & Astronomy
Advisor(s): Hana Dobrovolny Physics & Astronomy

Multipartite viruses are a unique class of viruses that divide their genome into multiple segments, each packaged into a separate viral particle. Unlike traditional viruses, which encapsulate their entire genome within a single particle, multipartite viruses require all genome segments to infect the same host cell for successful replication. This study investigates the infection dynamics of multipartite viruses through mathematical modeling, with a focus on bipartite and tripartite viruses. By comparing their behavior to single-particle viruses, we analyze the factors influencing viral persistence and spread. Our results indicate that the higher number of particles in a virus, the harder it is to maintain an infection. While multipartite infections exhibit shorter durations of infections compared to single-particle infections, their ability to persist suggests a potential benefit. These findings can help develop an understanding into the adaptive mechanisms of multipartite viruses and contribute to a broader understanding of viral evolution and host-virus interactions.

Surface Plasmon–Coupled Emission for Ultrasensitive Biomarker Detection

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Rajveer Sagoo Physics & Astronomy Ignacy Gryczynski Physics & Astronomy Bong Lee Physics & Astronomy Danh Pham Physics & Astronomy
Advisor(s): Zygmunt Gryczynski Physics & Astronomy

Surface plasmon–coupled emission (SPCE) is a powerful phenomenon that utilizes the near-field interaction between excited fluorophores and thin metallic films, together with a glass substrate, to significantly improve fluorescence detection sensitivity. By coupling the fluorophore’s oscillating dipole to surface plasmons, SPCE channels a substantial fraction of the emitted photons into a defined angle, generating a highly directional and polarized emission that can achieve up to 50% light collection efficiency. This intrinsically wavelength-resolved emission not only simplifies optical system design but also elevates the signal-to-noise ratio by reducing background interference. Compared to conventional isotropic free-space fluorescence, SPCE’s strong directional control and enhanced collection enable the detection of analytes at extremely low limits. Hence, this paper elucidates how SPCE’s unique advantages can be leveraged to achieve highly sensitive detection of critical biomarkers, paving the way for more rapid and efficient diagnostic applications.

Investigating the Temperature Dependence of Raman Spectra in ZnO and Ga2O3 nano-/micro-particles.

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Garrett Shuler Physics & Astronomy Isabella Batalla Biology John Brannon Physics & Astronomy Dustin Johnson Physics & Astronomy Tiffany McHenry Physics & Astronomy Amulya Ranga Biology Tanvi Sajja Physics & Astronomy Yuri Strzhemechny Physics & Astronomy
Advisor(s): Yuri Strzhemechny Physics & Astronomy

Micro- and nanoscale metal oxides are used in a variety of applications. ZnO and Ga2O3 semiconductors are two metal oxides that have a wide bandgap and find themselves used in today’s electronics, gas sensors, and photodetectors. These two materials are also used in a wide range of temperatures, which means that the chemical bond lengths, vibrational states, defect states, and band-gaps all should be variable. In our experiments, we investigate the T-dependencies of positions, intensities, and widths of Raman peaks/bands for micro- and nanoscale ZnO and Ga2O3. In our studies, in addition to the temperature-dependent Raman spectroscopy we employ scanning electron microscopy (morphology of particles), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (stochiometry) and temperature-dependent photoluminescence spectroscopy (electronic structure).

Competition between syncytia-forming and non-syncytia forming viruses

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Saanvi Srivastava Physics & Astronomy
Advisor(s): Hana Dobrovolny Physics & Astronomy

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) can exist as syncytia-forming or non-syncytia-forming strains, each utilizing different mechanisms of infection. Understanding the competition between these strains is crucial, as syncytia formation has been linked to increased disease progression and immune system decline. This study develops a mathematical model to analyze their competition, incorporating parameters such as fusion rate, syncytia lifespan, and viral production. Stability analysis and simulations will determine conditions under which one strain dominates or both coexist. By varying key parameters, we aim to understand how syncytia formation influences viral dynamics and infection persistence, providing insights into HIV pathogenesis and potential treatment strategies.

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

Type: Graduate
Author(s): Ugur Topkiran Physics & Astronomy Ibrahim Bozkurt Computer Science
Advisor(s): Anton Naumov Physics & Astronomy

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

Exploring the Origins of Diffuse Hydrogen Clouds Around the Andromeda Galaxy

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

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

Modulating the Interferon Response to Enhance Oncolytic Virotherapy in Cancer Treatment

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Anushka Velala Physics & Astronomy
Advisor(s): Hana Dobrovolny Physics & Astronomy

Modulating the Interferon Response to Enhance Oncolytic Virotherapy in Cancer Treatment
Anushka Velala, Hana Dobrovolny Ph.D
TCU Department of Physics, Fort Worth, TX
Background: Oncolytic viruses (OVs) are a promising immunotherapeutic strategy that can selectively target and lyse cancer cells while stimulating an anti-tumor immune response. However, their efficiency is often limited by the interferon (IFN) response, which acts as a key antiviral defense mechanism in host cells. Understanding the interplay between oncolytic viruses and IFN signaling is crucial for optimizing viral-based cancer therapies that have potential of success.
Hypothesis/Objective: This study aims to investigate how oncolytic viruses interact with the IFN response in a simulated tumor microenvironment. We hypothesize that higher values of variation in the IFN modulation can significantly negatively affect viral replication and therapeutic oncolytic efficacy.
Study Design and Research Methods: An analysis was conducted using a mathematical model with systems of differential equations. This model encompasses factors such as tumor growth, oncolytic infection dynamics, viral production and clearance, and the IFN-mediated immune response. Furthermore, sensitivity analysis was conducted to assess the influence of key parameters, including viral production rate, infection rate, and IFN clearance, on the treatment outcomes.
Results: Various simulations indicate that higher IFN levels correlate with reduced viral spread, leading to diminished oncolytic activity. However, parameter variations suggest that therapeutic efficacy can be optimized by adjusting certain parameters to mitigate excessive IFN responses. For instance, higher values of IFN efficacy are correlated with stronger IFN-mediated suppression of viral production, leading to lower sustained viral loads, while lower IFN efficacy levels allow for prolonged high viral replication. Similarly, IFN clearance rate affects how long IFN-induced killing of infected cells and uninfected cells persists, which can modulate the viral load over time. The most effective interferon response is a low-level response with low IFN clearance and high values of IFN efficacy, coupled with higher values of IFN-induced killing of uninfected cancer cells.
Conclusions: These findings underscore the role of the IFN response in modulating OV therapy and suggest that targeted suppression of IFN signaling could enhance OV efficacy in resistant tumors. This research provides insights for optimizing oncolytic virotherapy and improving clinical outcomes in cancer treatment, given the rising prominence of immunotherapy.

Reward downshifts show that behavior remains dependent on reward expectancies even after extended training

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Angela Adame Psychology Jessica Suarez Psychology
Advisor(s): Mauricio Papini Psychology

Frustrative nonreward (FNR), an adverse reaction brought on by unexpected reward reductions or omissions, can be induced by a downshift in the quantity or quality of the reward. The consummatory successive negative contrast (cSNC) task is a well-known paradigm for studying FNR. cSNC involves monitoring the behavioral reaction to a lower reward (downshift) after exposure to a larger or better incentive. It supports the idea that an acceptable but less preferred reward will be rejected in a situation that is associated with a better and more desirable reward. The intensity of FNR depends, among other things, on the strength of the expectation of the large reward. We assumed that overtraining would enhance reward expectancy such that a reward downshift would lead to a stronger cSNC effect than that observed under regular training conditions. This would support the hypothesis that behavior (licking for sucrose) was guided by reward expectancies—an action. But overtraining often leads to habitual behavior that depends on eliciting stimuli, rather than reward expectancies. A failure to show the cSNC effect after overtraining would be consistent with the hypothesis that behavior had become automatic—a habit. Our experiment was designed to test whether overtraining in the cSNC task would result in behavior becoming either an action or a habit. In the experiment, 47 rats were exposed to different concentrations of sucrose, 32%, 16%, or 4%, and 2 training periods, overtraining for 30 sessions and regular training for 10 sessions. Animals exposed to 32% and 16% sucrose were randomly assigned to two groups depending on the amount of training they received before the downshift, either 30 (overtraining) or 10 sessions (regular training). These animals were given access to 4% sucrose after their designated training period. An unshifted control group received only access to 4% sucrose throughout training. The data obtained after 10 vs. 30 sessions of training were compared to the unshifted controls. The results showed that overtraining enhanced the cSNC effect relative to regular training, suggesting that licking was an action guided by the expectation of the current reward, rather than a habit. These results suggest that FNR induced by reward downshifts overcomes the development of a habit even after prolonged training.

Introductory Notes as Motor Preparatory Motor Gestures Underlying Zebra Finch Song

Type: Graduate
Author(s): Soseh Asadoorian Psychology Kevin Bien Psychology Andrew Magee Psychology Dimitri McLain Psychology Samantha Shah Chemistry & Biochemistry Emily Sugg Psychology
Advisor(s): Brenton Cooper Psychology

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

Community Perceptions of Police Intervention in Mental Health Crises

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Zoya Bernadas Psychology Brittney Bell Psychology Colten Castillo Biology Crystal Ibe Psychology Peyton Jacobe Psychology Dimitri McLain Psychology Makenna Miyamoto Psychology Victoria Perez Psychology Brooke Preston Psychology Sophie Rapeepat Psychology Anna Umpleby Psychology
Advisor(s): Amanda Sease Psychology

Recent discussions surrounding law enforcement have highlighted varying opinions on the ability of police officers to respond effectively to mental health-related incidents. Given that 20% of police calls involve mental health or substance abuse issues, it is crucial that the general population is confident about the role of police as mental health interventionalists. The current study assessed DFW residents’ (N = 64) perceptions of the police’s ability to intervene in mental health crises utilizing in-person and online 7-point Likert scale surveys (where 1 = disagree strongly and 7 = agree strongly). Survey results showed that confidence in police’s ability to handle mental health crises increases with age, p = .04. Older participants expressed greater trust, while younger respondents were more skeptical. No significant differences were found in gender, race, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status, highlighting a generational divide in public trust. These results suggest that there is potential for improving younger individuals’ attitudes towards police intervention.

Two-Choice Landmark Discrimination in Rats

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Hiya Bhatte Psychology Oluwabusola Adetunji Psychology Sara Bond Psychology Kendall Castelo Psychology Kenneth Leising Psychology Cokie Nerz Psychology Catherine Piskurich Psychology Hampton Zidlicky Psychology
Advisor(s): Kenneth Leising Psychology

SRS Abstract

Two-Choice Landmark Discrimination in Rats

Hiya Bhatte, Sara Bond, Hampton Zidlicky, Oluwabusola Adetunji, Kendall Castello, Catherine Piskurich, Cokie Nerz, & Ken Leising (Texas Christian University)

Rats use many cues when navigating to food, shelter, or a mate. The use of visual cues (e.g., landmarks) has been reported in many species. In rats, these cues include those around their start position, the experimenter, as well as landmarks located in (intramaze) or around (extramaze) the search space. In the current experiment, rats were placed into a start box with a transparent door and released onto an open field. We examined whether rats were able to discriminate between two different intramaze landmarks (wooden figurines; A and B) from the start box. Landmark A trials were reinforced with a Froot Loop© hidden in a cup behind the landmark (A+), but no Froot Loop was present on Landmark B (B-) trials or on C- trials with no landmark. Latency to the goal cup was measured and revealed no differences between the three trial types. The procedure was modified to include two response locations (to the left and right of the landmark). A+ and B+ trial types were reinforced at different cups. There was no difference in accuracy for searching the correct cup first. The use of non-visual cues, the discriminability of the landmarks, and the response cost of search will be discussed.

Hormonal Contraceptives and Alcohol Craving: A Cue-Based Study

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Lindsey Bliss Psychology Savannah Hastings Psychology
Advisor(s): Sarah Hill Psychology

Hormonal Contraceptives and Alcohol Craving: A Cue-Based Study
Lindsey Bliss, Savannah Hastings, B.S., Sarah Hill, PhD

Hormonal contraceptives can have many negative side effects that deter women from using them. One example that many women are unaware of is alcohol craving. Preliminary studies in our lab have shown that women on hormonal contraceptives have greater alcohol cravings than women who are naturally cycling. Given that this data is mostly survey-based, we aim to add a research manipulation in the current study. We are testing this through a Qualtrics survey, distributed via Amazon’s Mechanical Turk (Mturk), that is designed to prime alcohol cravings. We will ask women to rate their alcohol cravings before and after they watch a video containing alcohol. We expect that when primed with an alcohol video, women’s cravings towards alcohol will increase to a level higher than before they watched the video. Further, we expect to find that women on hormonal contraceptives will have a higher increase in cravings than women who are regularly cycling. If we do find that women on hormonal contraceptives have a stronger reaction to an alcohol cue, women would benefit from being well informed about this effect. For instance, armed with the knowledge that hormones influence craving and behavior, women may be more mindful about their drinking habits. In addition, we eventually hope that this knowledge will influence those who are developing future contraceptives to take these side effects into account.

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

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

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

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

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

Personal Values and Post-Incarceration Success: A Qualitative Study

Type: Graduate
Author(s): Renee castillo Psychology Kevin Knight Psychology Thomas Sease Psychology
Advisor(s): Thomas Sease Psychology

Existential Isolation and Politics

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Teagan Cronn Psychology Matthew Espinosa Psychology
Advisor(s): Cathy Cox Psychology

Recent research has begun to explore the basic misperceptions that underly political divides. For instance, people tend to believe that their political opponents accept objective moral wrongs (e.g., homicide, watching child pornography). These misperceptions then motivate avoidance and dehumanization of political opponents. However, the socio-cognitive processes preceding the formation of these misperceptions are less understood. Across two studies, we examined existential isolation towards political opponents, or the belief that people with a different political orientation than you do not understand your perspective and worldview, as one such social determinant. Study 1 surveyed 194 undergraduate students, and Study 2 surveyed 250 adults via Amazon Mechanical Turk. Results provide consistent support to suggest that individuals feel more existentially isolated from political opponents (e.g., politically liberal individuals report feeling more existentially isolated from politically conservative others). The more existential isolation people felt towards liberal or conservative others, the more they believed that these individuals endorsed objective moral wrongs, the less willingness they were to engage in political discussions with these individuals, and the more they dehumanized them. These findings emphasize the important role of existential isolation in the formation and persistence of political divides, and highlight the need for interventions that target feelings of existential isolation towards one’s political opponents.

Public Perception of Law Enforcement's Ability to Effectively Intervene in an Opioid Overdose: A Study of Tarrant County

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Shane Davidson Psychology Ollie Ansley Psychology Kait Beermann Psychology Renee Catillo Psychology Taylor Harrison Psychology Erica Kaminga Psychology Kevin Knight Psychology
Advisor(s): Amanda Sease Psychology

There is substantial literature exploring public perceptions of police, with many studies focusing on demographic factors such as race, age, prior police encounters, and neighborhood characteristics as key influences. While these factors are important, there remains a gap in research examining the public’s perceptions of law enforcement's abilities in handling public health emergencies, particularly opioid overdoses. This gap is concerning as law enforcement often serves as the first responders to such crises. The current study aimed to address this gap by interviewing residents of Tarrant County regarding their perceptions of law enforcement’s ability to effectively intervene in opioid overdose situations. Participants were recruited from various public locations across Tarrant County (N = 72). As part of the interview process, participants completed a nine-question survey using a seven-point Likert scale (1 = strongly disagree, 7 = strongly agree) to assess their confidence in police responses to opioid overdoses. Results revealed that while there were marginal variations in survey scores, no significant differences were observed based on sex or education level. Overall, the findings suggested a moderate level of confidence among Tarrant County residents in law enforcement’s ability to effectively respond to opioid overdoses. Future research should further explore the factors influencing these confidence levels and develop interventions aimed at strengthening trust-based relationships between Tarrant County residents and law enforcement.

A Six-Factor Model of Ethical Decision-Making

Type: Graduate
Author(s): Kevin Diegel Psychology
Advisor(s): Timothy Barth Psychology

This study examines the integration of Care ethics as a distinct factor into the Ethical Perspectives Scale (EPS; Diegel et al., 2024). In contrast to typical ethical theories centering on consequentialist, deontological, and virtue ethics reasoning, Care ethics prioritizes relational and situationally appropriate moral judgment. In the conduct of four experimental studies, we made Care an independent factor by utilizing Exploratory and Confirmatory Factor Analyses, assessed its predictive validity regarding moral dilemmas, tested its temporal stability, and generalized the findings to a population outside of the student group.

Results confirmed that Care ethics is conceptually and statistically distinct from Virtue ethics, predicting moral judgments in relational and compassion-based contexts. Care ethics correlated with political ideology, religiosity, and subjective well-being, further differentiating it from other ethical dimensions. However, ethical decision-making remained highly context-dependent, with different perspectives becoming salient across dilemma types.

The findings of this research promote the integration of Care ethics into models of moral decision-making, thus highlighting its relevance to practical uses. Future studies should examine its applicability in various cultures and its impact on professional ethics training.

Stigma to Seeking Substance Use Treatment

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Brooke Drenowatz Psychology Kennedy Beaumont Psychology Gracie Haas Psychology Sarah Pelinger Psychology Brianna Pitz Psychology Vlad Shelashskyi Psychology Jaelyn Wegner Psychology
Advisor(s): Amanda Sease Psychology Kevin Knight Psychology

In 2023, a national survey found that less than 1% of adults diagnosed with substance use disorder sought treatment. Examination of past research revealed stigma as a potential barrier to seeking treatment, with higher levels of stigma associated with a lower likelihood of receiving treatment services. Understanding how sociodemographic factors shape stigma perceptions is essential for curating targeted interventions that promote treatment-seeking behavior. This study examined how sociodemographic factors influence perceptions of stigma related to seeking substance use treatment in a community-based environment. Community members were recruited (N = 77) at bus stops, community centers, and public parks in Tarrant County and asked to complete a brief paper survey. Analysis of the data revealed no significant differences in levels of stigma to seeking treatment for substance use across sociodemographic variables. Although there were no significant differences among sociodemographic factors, other barriers could be influencing the lack of service utilization that were not measured here. Further community-based research is essential for understanding the relationship between stigma and sociodemographic variables, as well as developing effective interventions to reduce stigma-related barriers to substance use treatment.

Exploring Mattering in Graduate STEM Students

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Carly Dwyer Psychology
Advisor(s): Cathy Cox Psychology

Research has found that a sense of mattering, the perception that one is recognized and valued by other people and/or society, contributes to people’s well-being (e.g., reduced burnout & stress). Although some research has been done in university samples (i.e., undergraduate students), little work has explored the psychological benefits of mattering in graduate students. Thus, the aim of this research is to examine the relation between mattering and several well-being outcomes (e.g., satisfaction, stress, burnout) among graduate students at Texas Christian University (TCU). The study survey will be sent to approximately 1900 graduate students at TCU. It is hypothesized that a higher (vs. lower) sense of mattering will be positively related to increased school/job satisfaction and reduced stress, burnout, depression, and frustration. Additionally, research has shown that women in male-dominated fields such as STEM (i.e., Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math) receive less recognition and credit for their work, which may contribute to a lower sense of mattering for them. Although yet to be empirically examined, the second aim of the current research is to explore whether there is (a) a gender difference in the level of mattering between females and males for graduate students and how area focus (i.e., STEM vs. non-STEM-related majors/careers) moderates potential gender differences. It is hypothesized that females (vs. males) in STEM-related professions (as compared to their non-STEM counterparts) will report reduced mattering scores, with associated detriments to their psychological well-being.