野狼社区

Biology and Public Health

Nnenne Ben-Ekechukwu, 鈥淢itigating Compassion Fatigue in Clinical Nursing: The Role of Emotional Intelligence as a Transformative Coping Strategy鈥�

This paper examines emotional intelligence (EI) as a transformative coping strategy for mitigating compassion fatigue (CF) in nursing. CF is a critical occupational hazard affecting 20-40% of nurses globally, with rates reaching 72% during the COVI-19 pandemic. High CF levels correlates significantly with increased turnover intention and compromised patient safety, including medical errors. This paper focuses on Compassion Fatigue and how emotional intelligence can be used as a tool by nurses as well as other staff to identify and manage stress efficiently and how this can reduce the levels of turnover among nurses and improve patient care and reduce medical errors due to a reduced level of compassion fatigue.  By teaching nurses how to handle the emotional side of their jobs, we can help them stay in their workplace and improve the care patients receive, The findings advocate for integrating EI training into nursing curricula and organizational policies to protect nurses well-being and sustain high-quality patient care.

Korbin Cardoza, 鈥淥bserving Geographic Patterns of Paraquat Use alongside Neurologic Disease in the United States鈥�

Paraquat is a widely used herbicide in the United States that remains classified as a restricted-use pesticide due to well-documented neurotoxic properties. Despite regulatory controls, paraquat continues to be applied in concentrated agricultural regions across the United States, raising concerns about chronic environmental exposure and neurologic health outcomes. Publicly available pesticide application data were integrated with regional neurologic disease prevalence and mortality data, including Parkinson鈥檚 disease indicators, and then analyzed using geospatial mapping techniques. This allowed the use of spatial overlays and regional comparisons to identify patterns of co-occurrence between paraquat application intensity and neurologic disease outcomes. Results demonstrate a non-random geographic overlap between paraquat-intensive agricultural regions and elevated neurologic disease burden, suggesting persistent population-level risk despite regulatory restrictions.

Jeremy Dry, Arnav Gautam, Steven Gwartney, and Abby Russell, 鈥淪elective Cytotoxicity Effects of Dandelion Seed Extract on A2780 and PANC-2 Cancer Cell Lines鈥�
 

Dandelion seed extract has demonstrated anticancer activity in prior studies, including selective effects on cancer cell viability. To extend this work, the present study evaluated the effects of dandelion seed extract on additional cancer cell models using cell viability as the primary endpoint. Human ovarian carcinoma A2780 cells and pancreatic carcinoma PANC-2 cells were cultured under standard conditions and treated with increasing concentrations of dandelion seed extract. Cell viability was assessed using a fluorescence-based viability assay, with all conditions performed in triplicate. Treatment resulted in a concentration-dependent decrease in viability in both A2780 and PANC-2 cell lines. While non-cancerous human dermal fibroblast cells were not included in this assay, extensive baseline data from previous studies were used to contextualize treatment effects. These findings support continued investigation of dandelion seed extract as a biologically active compound with anticancer potential across multiple cancer models.

Kayla Nguyen and James Cloud, 鈥淢aternal Phenylketonuria: The Role of CAPN2 and ADH1C in Pathogensis鈥�

Maternal Phenylketonuria (MPKU) results from embryonic exposure to high levels of phenylalanine (PHE) in mothers with PKU. High levels of PHE can lead to cranial and cardiac defects in the embryo. Previous studies have revealed roles for CAPN2 and ADH1C in MPKU pathogenesis. CAPN2 is a calcium-dependent cysteine protease that plays a crucial role in cellular processes such as cytoskeletal remodeling, cell migration, and apoptosis by precisely cutting specific proteins intracellularly. ADH1C is an enzyme responsible for retinol metabolism. The objective was to transcribe an RNA probe to detect gene expression in the developing chicken embryo. Primers were designed with a T7 promoter sequence. Cloning was performed by dissecting embryos and extracting RNA, which was then reverse transcribed into cDNA and used in PCR. This yielded a product used to transcribe the probe with T7 RNA polymerase. Further experiments are underway to understand the effects of excess PHE on gene expression.

Education and Performance

Sarah Lahlou, 鈥淭he Cost of Defunding the Department of Education: Oklahoma鈥檚 Education Crisis鈥�

Oklahoma is ranked 50th nationally in education. Defunding the federal Department of Education exacerbates Oklahoma's local education crisis by undermining systems that are already weak in order to deepen this systematical failure, allowing for equitable access to public educational resources to be superseded by policies that focus on control. Governmental decisions that shape Oklahoma's inequities in education are exposed through political rhetoric and state policy. This demonstrates how the desire for control undermines local educational systems and processes.

Crei Pierson, 鈥淚s it Country?鈥�

In my research, I excavated the origins of country music, specifically in relation to Beyonc茅's latest album, 鈥淐owboy Carter,鈥� winning the Grammy in 2025. This sparked a lot of discourse and claims that her album was not country. So, I asked the question of what country music is. Throughout the research, I was able to find black erasure through the genre due to racism and ignorance about how country music became an American staple. 

Kara Smith, 鈥淥ne Woman in the Fight for Suffrage: The True History of Rhondda Rips it Up! 鈥�

Rhondda Rips It Up! is an Opera composed by Elena Langer and Emma Jenkins, which tells story of Lady Rhondda, Margaret Mackworth, and her fight for women鈥檚 suffrage in 1900s Wales. This poster delves into the true story that inspired the show, and presents details of Lady Rhondda鈥檚 life, the path to women鈥檚 suffrage, and discusses the theatrical conventions used by the show. Originally developed for OCU School of Music鈥檚 production, this poster encapsulates almost 100 years of events surrounding women鈥檚 rights in Wales. It covers the historical context necessary to understand the culture of Wales, socially and politically. And finally, the theatrical antecedents and historical moments to inspire the style of the opera. Tracing the familial and social relationships of Margaret Mackworth, and her succession of the Rhondda title, and how it inspired her to lead the nation to women鈥檚 inclusion, not only in voting, but in Parliament.

Psychology

Ty Faulkner, 鈥淗andwriting Bias: Assessing the Effect of Handwriting on the Perception of Character Traits鈥�

Can the perception of handwriting bias a reader? This survey asked 60 adults to predict gender, age, educational background, and character traits of a writer based on handwriting samples. The study hypothesized that perceptions of handwriting such as legibility and neatness would positively correlate to how a participant judged the writer鈥檚 innate traits. 75% of participants correctly predicted the gender of the writer, and participants were significantly more likely to hire a writer of the same gender. Legibility was positively correlated with honesty and trustworthiness; neatness was positively correlated with honesty; effort was positively correlated with trustworthiness. Readers were able to detect the gender of a handwriter, and they responded positively to handwriting that matched their own gender. Readers assumed positive character traits based on handwriting style. This may indicate that handwriting perception can be gender biased, and that readers make judgements about a writer's character based on their handwriting.

Jenifer Johnson, 鈥淚 Heard it on Instagram!: Social Media, Self-Diagnosis, and Resiliency鈥�

The steady incline of mental health content on social media may lead users to self-diagnose without clinical evaluation, potentially creating self-fulfilling prophecies that decrease resiliency. This study examined whether self-diagnosing behaviors mediate the relationship between social media exposure to mental health content and resilience. Thirty-eight participants from a Southeastern university (M = 25.39 years, SD = 12.55) completed questionnaires that measured social media exposure to mental health content (鈲� = .88), self-diagnosing behaviors (鈲� = .90), and resilience. Exposure to mental health content positively correlated with self-diagnosing (r = .36, p = .014), while self-diagnosing negatively correlated with resilience (r = -.40, p = .011). Mediation analysis revealed a significant indirect effect through self-diagnosing (-.2487, 95% CI [-.6041, -.0283]), demonstrating a suppression effect. These findings suggest mental health clinicians should recognize how clients' social media engagement and self-diagnosing behaviors may reflect and contribute to decreased resilience.

Kadence Webber, 鈥淢aladaptive Coping Skills & Adverse Life Experiences鈥�

This project explores how adverse childhood experiences and abuse may influence the development of maladaptive coping behaviors and self鈥憄erceptions in young adults. The study hypothesized that individuals who experienced adversity would report lower levels of current happiness. Twenty鈥憃ne participants ages 18鈥�24 completed an online survey assessing demographics, experiences of adversity or abuse, coping behaviors, and current happiness using Likert鈥憇cale measures. Correlational analyses compared these variables to identify potential relationships. Findings indicated that experiencing adversity did not necessarily correspond with lower reported happiness. Additionally, older participants were more likely to report childhood abuse than younger participants. Overall, the results suggest that harmful early experiences may contribute to the formation of maladaptive coping patterns, which can shape how individuals understand themselves and interpret later experiences.

Christopher Long 鈥淐ricket Buglike鈥�

A short story written and performed by me about my experience growing up transgender. The story is written in first person from the perspective of a boy who hides in the bathroom at school. One day, he sees a guy in his class (Cricket Buglike) from his stall. He finds that Cricket has white fur, large eyes, and antennas, but sees him turn back into a human. The narrator learns that the longer Cricket tries to keep up his human disguise, the stronger the moth becomes. Eventually, Cricket strikes out at a baseball game and (in a panic) he turns into his moth form. A large moth gurgles in his stomach and crawls out of his mouth, flying away, leaving nothing but skin behind.

鈥淚 never saw Cricket Buglike again. I stopped hiding in bathroom stalls, because pretending to be something you鈥檙e not can eat you from the inside out."

Film, Music, and Film Music (1 to 1:45 p.m. in GSS 101)

Grant Dominick, 鈥淲hen a Hero is not Heroic: Music in The Batman鈥�

In his score for the 2022 film The Batman, composer Michael Giacchino writes not a typical heroic theme for the titular character, but a funeral march, reflecting the character鈥檚 struggle with death, and being a hero. This is evident in its simple, two-chord progression that evokes both Chopin鈥檚 funeral march and John Williams鈥檚 鈥淚mperial March,鈥� with its alternation between the i and 鈾璙I. This progression has been notably identified as representing evil and antagonism, unusual for a hero鈥檚 theme, and in the replacement of the dominant. Additionally, the orchestration further references this idea through the instruments that carry the theme. Finally, the theme's structure as a motto, repeating the same progression with no change, further adds to the feeling of struggle. Taken together, this theme is used as a representation of not heroism, but of struggle, death, and a never ending funeral march.

Sarah Lahlou and Eric Odland, 鈥淥ld English, New Means: Guidelines for Adapting Classic Writing to the Big Screen, as given by the Romeo & Juliet 贵颈濒尘蝉鈥�

Each adaptation of Romeo and Juliet has their own take on portraying the message of the power and fate of love. To accomplish this, the adaptations took their own spin on the original Shakespearean play, but they all had similar key plot points and concepts. Through analysis of select Romeo and Juliet film adaptations, we discuss how filmmakers balance creative implements and interpretations with the need to stay true to the original source material and how this can be best applied to bringing other classic stories to the big screen.

Kathryn Odum, 鈥淓motionalism: Love Theory in Film鈥�

People absorb everything in their environment, then curate their understanding of the world through culture shifts (thus, culture is defined by that status quo of people鈥檚 attitudes). When we struggle to identify love with healing and empowerment, then unhealthy relationships inspire unhealthy lives. In a review spanning from Curtiz鈥檚 Casablanca (1942) to Shanks鈥� Together (2025), from Walter Benjamin to bell hooks, 鈥淓motionalism: Love Theory in Film鈥� expands theoretical film lenses to offer a new understanding of romance and pleasure within viewership. For a film to give spectators an authentic view of love that resonates, it must center on a human unification. Such a connection鈥� whether it be physical, emotional, or mental鈥� should arrest superficial cultural standards and liberate the lover from ego. The quintessential romantic film practices patience within its diegesis and balances those modes of connection with opportunities for audience identification.
 

Psychology and Ethics (2 to 2:45 p.m. in GSS 101)

Angela Ibarra, 鈥淪piritual Media Engagement and Impact on Self-Esteem Research Proposal鈥�

Considering the impact that spirituality has on life, the study examined how spiritual messages can impact an individual and their self-esteem. Predicted, exposure to spiritual media will increase self-esteem. The study included sixty participants: ages 18-60 of diverse backgrounds, and who were members of local 野狼社区 universities. Before the media engagement period participants completed the Rosenburg Self-Esteem assessment (Bounds et al., 2025). Participants received a random assignment to either the groups of Spirituality or Non-Spirituality, where they engaged with media daily for 66 days (Lally et al., 2009). Again, they completed the self-esteem assessment. A regression and mixed ANOVA was then conducted. The results reveal that increased exposure to spiritual media will increase individuals鈥� self-esteem. The Compensatory Control Theory (CCT) supports the results, that belief in divine power acts as a buffer in navigating negative experiences and emotions (Kay et al., 2009).

Keywords: spirituality, media, self-esteem, compensatory control theory (CCT)

Jennifer Johnson, 鈥淪tigma in the Sanctuary: Theology and Social Psychology of Mental Illness Stigma鈥�

This paper examined stigma towards persons with mental illness and their experiences in Christian churches by incorporating spiritual explanations, theological perspectives, and social psychological concepts. Despite progress in medicine and psychology, stigma towards these people persists and approximately 30% of Christians who have mental illness, report negative experiences. Some experiences include being told that mental illness results from personal sin, weak faith, or demonic influence. Theological perspectives illustrate a long history of interpreting mental health struggles through demonic or spiritual lens. Acknowledging social psychological mechanisms such as cognitive miserliness, ingroup biases, terror management theory, and the just-world hypothesis, we can begin to challenge stigma and discrimination towards these people. Shifting language away from psychiatric jargon to mental diversity can pave the way to creating and cultivating more inclusive and accepting spaces for persons with mental illness in Christian churches.

Alanna LaDeaux, 鈥淎in鈥檛 I a Women?鈥�

This project argues that Black women have never been fully included in mainstream feminist movements, despite feminism鈥檚 claim to represent all women. Drawing on bell hooks鈥� Ain鈥檛 I a Woman and intersectional theory, this research traces how racism and sexism combined to exclude Black women from both early suffrage movements and later waves of white feminism. Historically, Black women were expected to prioritize racial liberation over gender equality, while white feminists ignored racism and benefited from systems that disadvantaged Black women. This project also examines how these patterns continue today, as mainstream feminism often centers white, middle-class concerns while failing to address issues that disproportionately impact Black women, such as maternal mortality, labor exploitation, and racialized stereotypes. The project concludes that feminism cannot be inclusive without intentionally centering Black women鈥檚 lived experiences.
 

Historical Studies (2 to 3:15 p.m. in GSN 115)
 

Aynslee Duffy, 鈥淓volving Meaning of the Declaration of Independence鈥�

This presentation dives into historians' interpretations of the Declaration of Independence and its impact on American equality and national identity. Early Nationalists and consensus historians saw it as a timeless declaration of universal equality that shaped American ideals from 1776 to the present. However, Revisionists later argued that slavery, exclusion, and racial hierarchy were central to the founding era, highlighting a gap between revolutionary rhetoric and reality. This presentation traces views from Morgan, Roosevelt III, and Becker to Allen, Bancroft, Lincoln, and King Jr., demonstrating that the Declaration has more than one way to be interpreted; it can be viewed as a moral symbol, a legal guarantee of equality, or as a justification for the colonists鈥� rebellion. Ultimately, it argues that its significance lies in its evolving interpretation and role as a framework for critique, reform, and the ongoing struggle for equality.

Joshua Howerton, 鈥淥peration Fearless Guardian: A Paratrooper鈥檚 Tale鈥�

This presentation will highlight the beginning of the Ukraine-Russia war, beginning with the annexation of Crimea. President Obama responded to the annexation by sending 300 paratroopers to Ukraine鈥擨 was sent ahead of the majority in early April 2015. The purpose of the deployment, dubbed Operation Fearless Guardian, was to train Ukrainian forces. When I arrived, I realized these were not military trained men and women, these were civilians that picked up arms to defend their nation. This may be a story through my eyes, but this presentation is to honor those men and women.

Caroline Aramendia, 鈥淒ancing Salsa, Writing History: Salsa Dance and Shaping Latinx Identity鈥�

This presentation will analyze the historical, cultural, and political development of salsa as not just dance shaped by the immigrant communities of New York City. It has become a way to shape Latinx identity by integrating AfroCuban and Puerto Rican musical traditions, jazz, and dance practices of mid20thcentury New York. It produced an artistic expression and preserved culture. Integrating scholarship by Renta, Muzio Dormani, Chambers, and personal experiences of learning salsa 鈥� and dancing salsa, the presentation will unveil an innovative narrative of how dance can reflect resistance to slavery and colonialism, the experience of migration, and community identity building. The presentation will take the audience to the Palladium Ballroom, to dance studios, and to the actual dance floor where moves of salsa learned at dance studios would clash. Latinx history, resilience, and collective identity preserved through movement and body will be at the center of this analysis.

Phillip Johnston, 鈥淨uaker Political Influence in America: From Marginal Sect to Moral Conscience鈥�

This presentation examines how the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), though small in number, exerted an extraordinary influence on American political culture from the seventeenth century to the modern era. Beginning with William Penn鈥檚 鈥淗oly Experiment鈥� in Pennsylvania, Quaker principles of equality, religious liberty, and peace shaped early democratic governance and inspired later constitutional ideals. During the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, Quakers became leading voices in abolitionism, the Underground Railroad, women鈥檚 rights, and Native American policy. Their moral authority continued into the twentieth century through organizations such as the American Friends Service Committee and the Friends Committee on National Legislation, influencing civil rights, conscientious objection, and humanitarian reform. This project argues that Quaker political influence was cumulative rather than episodic: across centuries, Friends consistently transformed social debates not through institutional power but through moral conviction, activism, and principled dissent.

Aaron Wilder, 鈥淗istoriographic Interpretations of the Gay Rodeo鈥�

Scholarly attention to the gay rodeo has centered on tensions between masculinity, sexuality, and the cultural mythology of the American West. Anthropological interpretations of masculinity, competition, and risk from Clifford Geertz鈥檚 Notes on the Balinese Cockfight frame the rodeo as a performance where status and gender are publicly communicated. Decades of images of the white male cowboy as the lone frontier hero excluded and marginalized the gay rodeo in the dominant narratives of western US history. Historians have increasingly sought to interrogate this exclusion. LGBTQ historiography has trended toward methodologies based in oral history and lived experience. Examining this transition demonstrates how these changing methods reshape interpretations of sexuality, masculinity, and belonging in rural contexts and underscores the importance of moving beyond urban-centered narratives in queer history.
 

Public Health Studies (3 to 3:45 p.m. in GSS 101)

Nyesha Banks, 鈥淗ealthcare Disparities Among Black Americans: An Evidence-Based Practice Review鈥�

This evidence-based practice review examines healthcare disparities affecting Black Americans using both qualitative and quantitative research. Structural racism, historical medical mistreatment, and unequal access to care contribute to poorer health outcomes, including higher rates of preventable illness and lower life expectancy. Qualitative studies highlight Black patients鈥� experiences of being dismissed and losing trust in healthcare settings, while quantitative data confirm these experiences are reflected in population-level outcomes. Together, the evidence shows that healthcare disparities are systemic rather than individual. This review emphasizes the critical role of nurses in promoting health equity through culturally responsive care, patient advocacy, clear communication, and early intervention to reduce preventable harm and improve outcomes.

Maggie Gibson, 鈥淪elect all that Apply: A Literature Review of Student and Faculty Preparedness for the Next Generation NCLEX鈥�

This literature review identifies trends in nursing education with a focus on the implementation of the Next-Generation NCLEX in 2023, an updated version of the national nursing licensure examination known as the NCLEX. The use of multiple-choice questions, alternate-format questions, and writing-based evaluation tools in nursing education were examined through the lens of instructor-identified challenges in test construction and analysis, with the goal of preparing nursing students for the new exam. Three areas of review were identified: instructor preparedness to teach to the new exam, student preparedness to take the new exam, and student use of generative artificial intelligence both inside and outside of the classroom. The review identified that lack of institutional support for faculty regarding test construction and analysis has resulted in inconsistent evaluation of nursing students, negatively impacting student confidence and highlighting a student desire for personalized learning strategies. 

Candela Blanco, 鈥淎CL Injury in Women鈥檚 Soccer: How and Why鈥�

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are significantly more prevalent in women鈥檚 soccer than in men鈥檚, posing an ongoing challenge for sports medicine and performance science. This paper examines how anatomical, biomechanical, neuromuscular, and hormonal factors contribute to the heightened risk of ACL injury among female soccer players. Using a multidisciplinary approach that integrates existing epidemiological and biomechanical research with original survey data collected from injured female athletes, this study explores common mechanisms of injury, including non-contact pivoting, cutting, and landing movements. Additionally, the paper evaluates the role of hormonal fluctuations and muscle activation patterns in knee stability. Preventive strategies such as targeted strength training and structured warm-up programs are discussed as practical interventions. Overall, the study highlights the importance of gender-specific research and prevention programs to reduce ACL injury incidence in women鈥檚 soccer.

Biological Studies (3:30 to 4 p.m. in GSN 115)

Korbin Cardoza, 鈥淭he Effects of Social and Genetic Determinants on Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Populations Across the United States鈥�

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a leading global liver condition that drives metabolic complications. Its progression is influenced by genetic predisposition, social determinants, and unhealthy Western dietary patterns. Racial and ethnic disparities highlight the interaction of biology and environment, with three major genetic variants鈥� PNPLA3 (p.I148M), TM6SF2 (p.E167K), and MBOAT7 (rs641738)鈥攕trongly linked to susceptibility, particularly among Hispanic populations. These variants promote hepatic fat retention, generating lipotoxic intermediates that impair insulin signaling and increasing triglyceride export, contributing to obesity. Continued fat overload induces mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and inflammation, exacerbating metabolic risk. Diets high in saturated fats, refined carbohydrates, and fructose worsen these effects, disproportionately affecting communities with higher genetic risk. Healthcare inequities further compound outcomes, as minority populations face reduced access to preventive care and metabolic management. Combating NAFLD requires integrated strategies addressing genetic risk, dietary intervention, and healthcare equity.

Kayla Nguyen, 鈥淒egenerative Lumbar Spine Disorder: Characterization, Clinical Presentation, and Treatments鈥�

Degenerative Lumbar Spine Disorder (DLSD) encompasses a spectrum of conditions鈥搃ncluding Degenerative Disc Disease, Lumbar Spinal Stenosis, Spondylosis, Spondylolisthesis, and modic changes鈥� and results from progressive degeneration of the lumbar spine. Although commonly associated with aging, DLSD may be induced or accelerated by genetics, lifestyle, injury, and mechanical stress. Pathological changes include the degeneration of intervertebral discs, facet joints, vertebral endplates, ligaments, and鈥搃n some cases鈥搒pinal alignment. Clinically, DLSD is characterized by chronic or intermittent low back pain, stiffness, reduced mobility, and radicular symptoms. This presentation reviews the clinical manifestations, diagnostic evaluation, and current treatment strategies for DLSD. Management typically begins with conservative therapies, including physical therapy and medication management. Epidural steroid injections may provide short-term symptomatic relief. Emerging minimally invasive interventions鈥攕uch as basivertebral nerve radiofrequency ablation (INTRACEPT庐 Procedure) and percutaneous image-guided lumbar decompression (Mild庐 Procedure)鈥攐ffer effective alternatives prior to surgical intervention.