Oral presentations, session III

Communication Studies; Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies

Old Main 117 (Session B)

"Understanding Alumni-Student Engagement at Augustana College: A Descriptive Survey on Mentorship and Viking Connections"
Communication Studies
Presented by McKenna Lewis
Project advisor: Dr. Maria Hannah

How do Augustana students define mentorship and what do they really want from an alumni mentor? This qualitative study explores how undergraduates conceptualized mentorship and imagined the role alumni could play in their academic, social, and personal development. Through an anonymous online survey, participants responded to three open-ended questions about the meaning of “mentor,” their motivations for connecting with alumni, and the kinds of support they would value beyond career advice. Responses were analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s six-phase thematic analysis. This project was grounded in Augustana’s commitment to holistic student support, including the work of Success Teams and campus-wide relationship-building efforts. Findings offer valuable insight into how students perceive mentorship as a deeply relational experience - one that blends trust, encouragement, and relevance across both personal and professional dimensions. By elevating student voices, this study helps reimagine what alumni mentoring can look like at Augustana and offers practical considerations for how institutions can better prepare alumni to meet the evolving needs of today’s students.

"50 Years of Boys and Girls in Toy Advertisments"
Communication Studies
Presented by Karolina Rapa, Riley Vu, Bao Tran, Alvaro Zamudio, Natalie Perra
Project advisor: Dr. David Snowball

Our project explores gender portrayals in toy advertisements  between 1980-2020. Parents, young adults, teenagers, and children have experienced the implementation of gender stereotypes in their lives from toy advertising.  We analyze toy advertisements containing boys and girls in each image by using a coding method. our coding method involves toy traits, emotions, and role behaviors.

"Rationing Hunger: The Gendered Consequences of India's Public Distribution System"
Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
Presented by Krisha Silwal
Project advisor: Dr. Umme Al-Wazedi

When free markets fail to provide equitable access to food, policymakers often turn to state intervention as a necessary measure to prevent widespread hunger and malnutrition. In India, where nearly 195 million people are undernourished (FAO, 2022), the government introduced a food security system called the Public Distribution System (PDS) to make essential food staples such as rice and wheat more affordable for low-income households (Government of India, NFSA). While the Public Distribution System (PDS) has improved food accessibility in some regions, its overreliance on subsidized rice and wheat marginalizes women by displacing them from traditional agricultural roles, undermining their nutritional autonomy, and erasing their cultural contributions to the food system. Due to the critical role women play in food systems, they are uniquely positioned to inform policies related to food justice. For the PDS to become inclusive and sustainable, it must move womens lived experiences from the margins to the center and allow them to shape community-driven policies.

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Sociology and Anthropology

Olin 209 (Session C)

"A Cultural Patchwork: An Analysis of the Social and Cultural Facets of Quilting In Appalachia"
Sociology and Anthropology
Presented by Katie Sanders
Project advisor: Dr. Adam Kaul

This paper is an ethnographic account of the quilting community in Johnson City, TN and surrounding areas. Previous research on the artform in this area has suggested a schism between the economic and artistic components of quilting, but this paper suggests that the artform is so historically entrenched in economics that separating the two is near impossible. Drawing from theorists such as Marx, Mead, and Plattner, this paper explores the interconnected nature of art, economics, and social structures within the Johnson City quilting community. This perspective connects what many consider to be a hobby for the elderly to larger economic shifts and processes while helping bring attention to an often stigmatized artform. Finally, this article explores the places where further research could illuminate the linkage between quilting and greater capitalist systems.

"If they can do it, I can do it too: Critical Considerations of Cultural Concepts of Stress among First-Generation and International College Students"
Sociology and Anthropology
Presented by Michelle Pacheco
Project advisor: Dr. Adam Kaul

This study investigates the impacts of higher education on student stress, mental health, and physical health. Underserved and marginalized college students undergo additional barriers that are often reinforced by institutional policies and practices. Using semi-structured interviews and a survey, I suggest that first-generation and international college students develop significant resilience to overcome institutional barriers and personal struggles. Intersectional identities—particularly cultural identity, prior educational experiences, and familial involvement in higher education—heavily influence these students’ approaches to navigating the college system and personal expectations. These personal and collective factors shape how students perceive and respond to challenges throughout their education. As a result, these groups of students have developed a mindset where external forces play a role in their college experience but do not define their story. 

"Hustle Culture Present In Youth"
Sociology and Anthropology
Presented by Madison Wies
Project advisor: Dr. Adam Kaul

Hustle culture is a fairly new phenomenon that can be defined as one having an unhealthy “work” and “life” balance. Essentially, the individual begins to succumb to the societal pressures of their commitments which leads them to being at risk of burnout and possibly other mental health concerns. In this paper, I will argue that hustle culture begins before individuals begin to enter the workforce and instead learn this fast-paced lifestyle through their various and numerous commitments. This topic will be analyzed on an exploratory level that incorporates three different frameworks and disciplines: sociology, psychology, and anthropology. For starters, I will apply the works of social theorists like Marx and Weber to today. Additionally, this paper will include current research on the psychological effects of hustle culture such as what adapting a workaholic lifestyle can lead to. Lastly, it is imperative to shed light on the cross cultural differences that hustle culture embodies in order to discover whether or not this is a topic relevant only to U.S America. 

"Pathways to Persistence: Analyzing Support Programs for First-Generation College Students Through Sociological and Psychological Lenses"
Sociology and Anthropology
Presented by Silvana Leguizamo
Project advisor: Dr. Adam Kaul

This paper investigates the effectiveness of tailored support programs, such as book loans, mentoring, and scholarship aid through TRIO and FAFSA assistance, —in supporting the success of first-generation college students in the U.S. Through library-based research, this study explores historical contexts, barriers to success, and the outcomes of these programs across diverse institutions. The analysis utilizes Cultural Capital Theory (Pierre Bourdieu), Transition Theory (Schlossberg), and Social Integration theory (Durkheim) to examine how these initiatives address the challenges first-generation students face, including financial constraints, lack of social capital, and academic preparedness. A comparative analysis of program successes and failures highlights critical gaps in existing literature and suggests policy improvements to enhance education. By researching these programs within a wider sociological and psychological  framework, the paper contributes to a deeper understanding of how institutional support can shape first-generation student experiences and academic achievement.

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Honors

Hanson 102 (Session D)

"Honors 102 Changes Your Mind"
Honors program
Presented by Honors students from FYH 102
Project advisors: Dr. Brian Leech, Dr. Dell Jensen, Dr. Wendy Hilton-Morrow, Dr. Andrea Talentino

The students of Honors 102 will try to change your mind! Students in Honors 102: What Changes Minds have selected social issues that affect people on campus and in the Quad Cities. Their goal is to convince people, including you, to care about these issues and to take action. At this series of presentations students will pitch both a community panel of external evaluators and our campus community with their plans to change minds. Come get convinced!

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Theatre Arts

Wallenberg Hall (Session F)

"Rag Doll on a Bomb Site: Behind the Music"
Theatre Arts
Presented by Shelley Cooper

For my fall sabbatical, I researched and wrote an original solo theatre show with original music composed by me on the life of Austrian actress Lotte Lenya. After my show was written, I travelled to Bangkok, Thailand to World Premiere the show, produced by Mahidol University, at the Goethe Institute of Thailand. My original intent was to write the script and use Kurt Weill music. Through the process, I ended up writing an original score of 11 songs. I will be recording an album in April to be distributed on all music streaming platforms and will be performing the show as an official selection of the Hollywood Fringe Festival at the Hudson Theatre in June. This particular presentation I want to give a unique behind the scenes look into my process. I will be me performing my 11 original songs live and talk about what’s behind  writing each one. The most rewarding and surprising part of my sabbatical was learning I had this new skill set. I NEVER thought I’d write music and lyrics, but 11 songs later, here I am. I will discuss my journey through imposter syndrome, creative awakening, while sharing my new music. 

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Texas Medical Center

Old Main 132 (Session G)

"Keloid Fibroblasts Undergo FASN-Independent Triglyceride Synthesis in a Novel 3D Organoid Model"
Texas Medical Center
Presented by Clay DeBaillie
Project advisors: David R. Rowley, Ph. D.; Michael Jerome; Kimiko Krieger, Ph. D.; Truong Dang; Josh Mallam, Ph. D.

When you cut your skin, normally the wound would scab, scar, and heal properly. However, this isn’t the case for keloids. Keloid scars are benign tumors that “jump” and move beyond the boundary of a wound during the healing process, causing an array of emotional and physical symptoms for millions of people worldwide. Although a common dermatological issue, current 2D and 3D culture models fail to replicate the complex cell-cell interactions seen in our skin. 

The lab worked to develop a new, 3D organoid model (literally meaning organ-like) that mimics skin more accurately and allows for a more precise study of keloids’ cell signaling behaviors. These organoids were developed by culturing mouse keratinocytes (the cells that make up the outermost layer of skin) together with either human keloid cells or normal human fibroblast cells.

The development of these ‘mini-organs’ will help to characterize key interactions between skin cells and keloid cells, evaluate potential therapeutic applications, and provide a valuable dermatological research and drug development tool. Overall, the aim is to bridge the gap between the lab dish and clinical applications, ultimately providing a novel treatment strategy for patients with keloid scars.

"The Implications of the American Privacy Rights Act (2024) for Human Neuroscience Research"
Texas Medical Center
Presented by Charlotte Newport
Project advisors: Dr. Mary Majumder, Jill Robinson

Developments in neurotechnology under federally funded programs such as the Brain Initiative bring the promise of scientific innovation and deep understanding of the human brain. Yet these developments also bring forth questions about neuroscience data and its regulation. The BRAINshare Project seeks to identify key concerns for sharing neuroscience data to generate policy options for addressing those concerns in order to maximize scientific advancement while addressing ethical and legal imperatives such as privacy protection. The BRAIN Initiative and similar neurotechnology studies are occurring against a backdrop of emerging data privacy legislation at the state level, which has led to a patchwork of privacy law. Some scholars have advocated for a uniform federal data privacy law. Such a law could address emerging data concerns, such as the growth of artificial intelligence and big tech companies. The American Privacy Rights Act (APRA) was introduced in April of 2024 to create a comprehensive federal consumer privacy framework that would prohibit the use of covered data for discrimination and give consumers new rights to access and control their data. The passage of APRA could have implications for data sharing within the BRAIN Initiative and other similar neurotechnology studies. The purpose of my project is to assess the extent to which APRA might affect these types of studies as well as to evaluate its likelihood of passing. My research has raised further questions about the relationship between neurotechnology in clinical and research settings versus consumer settings, the degree to which consumer neurotechnology ought to be regulated, and whether APRA is a step in the right direction for brain data regulation.

"Using Modified Barium Swallow (MBS) Studies in Patients with Skull Base Tumors"
Texas Medical Center
Presented by Christina Harvey
Project advisors: Dr. Kate Hutcheson, Sheila Buoy

Skull base tumors are commonly treated with surgical resection and radiotherapy, which may result in many adverse outcomes due to the proximity to the cranial nerves, including swallowing difficulties, or dysphagia. To examine the state of a patient’s swallow, a Modified Barium Swallow (MBS) study is used. The Dynamic Imaging Grade for Swallowing Toxicity (DIGEST), developed in 2016, is a validated evidence-based practice tool used to grade results of a MBS study. It follows a decision tree framework that measures both the safety and efficiency of a swallow. It also aligns with the Common Toxicity Criteria of Adverse Events (CTCAE) scale which allows for a more standardized and digestible way to grade a patient’s swallow amongst health professionals in varying oncologies. While it has been used in clinical practice at MD Anderson Cancer Center (MDACC), the clinical utility of DIGEST has yet to be identified in patients with skull base tumors. This presentation aims to characterize the swallow outcomes of one patient referred for swallowing assessments pre- and post-operatively in relation to skull base tumor resection to understand the nature and severity of image-based swallowing outcomes. DIGEST scores as well as clinician determined diet and strategy recommendations based on the International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative (IDDSI) are used to identify the outcomes of this patient. Further knowledge on the use of MBS studies and DIGEST scores in this population is needed to improve pre- and post-operative monitoring of this cohort as well as to enhance clinician and patient education.

"The Process of Medical Illustration  & Patient Case"
Texas Medical Center
Presented by Heather Michalski
Project advisor: Dr. Heidi Storl

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Communication Studies

Lindberg, Murabito Commons (Session I)

"Building Connections: A Journey Through Loss, Hope, and Support Presented by the Students in COMM 350"
Communication Studies
Presented by Mahasen Abdelkarim, Grant Ackard, Michael  Alvarado, Hamna Choudhry, Abby Degustino, Sam Evenson, Blaise Fulco, Bailey Greenberg, Anoushka Gurung, Aidan Hancock, Grace Hankins, Ellen Kleindl, Lauren Koster, Peyton Mattly, Cameron Miller, Morgan Nelson, Conor O'Boyle, Kyla Painter, Karen Rodriguez, Joey Ruffatto, Molly Sullivan, William Taylor, Marly Whipple, Rachel Wylie
Project advisor: Dr. Jessica Nodulman

After 8 weeks of exploration into the powerful themes of  social support, grief, and  hope, the students in COMM 350: Loss, Hope and Support have chosen topics that sparked their curiosity and ignited their passion for research. They are excited to share their findings with you in a dynamic and engaging round-robin style event.

Join us for "Building Connections: A Journey Through Loss, Hope, and Support" where you will experience a series of micro-presentations in an interactive format. Over the course of the session, you’ll have the opportunity to hear individually from each student in the course as they share their research and insights on a wide range of topics. When the bell rings, you will move to the next speaker, ensuring a fresh perspective and a new area of exploration with each presentation.

By the end of the session, you'll have journeyed through 24 different areas of conversation, making connections between diverse topics and gaining valuable insights into the themes of loss, hope, and social support. 

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French

Olin 305 (Session J)

"Persuasive techniques of female characters in the tragedies of Racine"
French
Presented by Nicole Grafon
Project advisor: Dr. Taddy Kalas

Racine displays a complex power dynamic between male and female characters in his tragedies. In general, female characters have less freedom of movement than male characters, but certain female characters across the plays have more power to persuade than others. My goals are to define what a persuasive monologue is  and to find a method of evaluating the degree of  persuasiveness in each persuasive monologue.

"The Gods in Racine"
French
Presented by Lily Thomas
Project advisor: Dr. Taddy Kalas

Jean Racine's tragedies take place in the ancient world, from Greece and Rome to the Middle East. This presentation explores the role of the gods in each play---if they are active or passive, benevolent or malevolent, and how they affect the lives of their believers.  

"Mothers in Racine's Tragedies"
French
Presented by Hailey Glasnovich
Project advisor: Dr. Taddy Kalas

An analysis of the different types of mothers and motherly figures within Racine's tragedies, including present, absent, and mentioned, to understand their overall influence in the plays themselves.

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