Stander Symposium Projects

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  Effects of propionate on Listeria monocytogenes fitness and pathogenesis in cold temperatures

  Jadyn Nirschl

  Listeria monocytogenes is a foodborne bacterium that has been repeatedly shown to have the ability to grow and survive under cold conditions, potentially increasing the risk of food contamination. To prevent food spoilage during cold storage, antimicrobial agents, such as propionate, are frequently added to inhibit microbial growth. As a result, L. monocytogenes could be exposed to propionate at refrigeration temperatures. However, how propionate affects L. monocytogenes fitness under cold conditions and subsequent infection is not currently known. In this study, we investigated the effects of cold propionate exposure on L. monocytogenes susceptibility to nisin (a common food additive) and lysozyme (a host degradative enzyme) as well as pathogenesis through listeriolysin O production and intracellular infections in RAW264.7 macrophages. In general, optical density of L. monocytogenes cultures did not decrease over a 7-day period incubation in the cold. However, the presence of propionate (25 mM) resulted in a significant decrease in OD after 7 days in the cold. Moreover, cold exposure altered L. monocytogenes cell morphology and increased susceptibility to nisin without changing susceptibility to lysozyme. While the presence of propionate did not affect LLO production during cold storage, cold pretreatment significantly increased bacterial entry into the macrophages. In summary, both cold temperature and propionate seem to influence L. monocytogenes fitness and pathogenesis to varying degrees, highlighting the need to better understand synergistic activities between cold temperatures and food additives. Additional work is needed to further elucidate mechanisms underlying the observed responses and provides recommendations for food safety.

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  Effects of STEM Education on Students

  Ava Pollicina

  Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) is a hands-on type of education. While some express skepticism, many studies have been done on STEM courses showing positive results including creating connections to the real world, fostering students’ fondness for subjects like math, and more students showing interest in a STEM related career. The benefits and development of students in STEM courses is important and the courses and teachers are only becoming better.

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  Effects of Step-rate Manipulation on Running Economy at a Performance Pace in Elite Male Distance Runners

  Noah Clemens

  Background: Running economy (RE) is a key performance variable for distance runners, as greater efficiency improves performance. Step-rate (SR) represents the number of steps taken per minute while running and is commonly manipulated to improve running economy or reduce injury risk. Research shows that highly trained individuals are not self-selecting their most economical step-rate when running at slow speeds, but no available research has examined highly trained individuals running near competition velocities.Purpose: This study aimed to determine if highly trained male distance runners self-optimize their SR at an ecologically valid performance pace.Methods: Twelve highly trained male participants 22.5+/-3.7 (M+/-SD) years of age completed this study. The protocol consisted of nine 4-minute trials of running at 4.96 m/s, with two minute rest periods. In the first trial, participants self-selected their SR. In the following eight trials, a metronome cued different SR. Oxygen consumption (VO2) was collected for each trial. VO2 was plotted against SR and a line of best fit was used to estimate each participant’s most economical SR.Results: Eight participants were included in the analysis. Optimal SR could not be determined for four due to an inability to match a wide range of cued SRs. Participants’ selected SR (M+/-SD; 186+/-7.56 steps/minute) was higher than their optimal SR (M+/-SD; 179.15+/-9.07 steps/minute); however, this difference was not significant (p=0.1417). Participants were more economical at their optimal SR than their self-selected SR, but not significantly so (p=0.07476). The mean difference of 0.7665 mL/kg/min represented a 1.3% improvement in RE at the optimal SR.Conclusion: Our results suggest highly trained runners do not self-select their optimal SR. The 1.3% improvement in running economy leads to an expected improvement in race velocity of roughly 1%. This equates to roughly a 30 second difference over the half-marathon distance – a meaningful difference to competitors.

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  Efficacy of Curl up Task As Abdominal Exercise Program for Diastasis Recti Abdominis for Ehlers Danlos Syndrome

  Julia Black, Ariana Bostwick, Sierra Darlington, Brooke Sizemore

  Purpose/Hypothesis: Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (EDS) is a connective tissue disorder that affects many systems including the musculoskeletal system. In hypermobility-type EDS, individuals may experience joint instability, dislocations, and pain leading to difficulty activating the abdominal muscles. The study aims to determine if a 3 to 6 month rehabilitation program improves inter-rectus distance (IRD) and abdominal strength in women with EDS.Materials and Methods: Women (n=24) 33-62 years (mean 45 years) were randomized into an intervention group (EX) (n=11) or a control group (CON) (n=13). Outcome testing occurred at baseline, 12, and 24 weeks. IRD was measured at rest and with curl-up at the level of the umbilicus with digital calipers. Abdominal strength was assessed with manual muscle testing. EX was instructed in exercises performed 3x/week, 5 repetitions each: strengthening (Preactivation transversus abdominis (TrA) with curl-up), education on lower rib mechanics and engaging the TrA in breathing and posture. CON was not provided with exercises.Results: Participants were similar at baseline on age, BMI, time since last birth, and activity level via the IPAQ questionnaire. The IRD at rest and with curl-up improved from baseline (33.64 (6.9) and 29.82 (5.76) respectively) at 12 (25.36 (4.8), p=.001; 21 (5.71), p=<.001) and 24 weeks (15.55 (5.09) and 11.09 (4.01), p<.001) only in EX. IRD at rest and with curl-up improved in EX compared to CON at both 12 weeks (p=.003 and <.001) and 24 weeks (p=<.001). Strength improved in EX from baseline (2.64 (.381)) to 12 weeks (3.36 (.51), p=.021) and 24 weeks (3.91 (.7), p=.006), and compared to CON (3.33 (.65)) at 24 weeks (p=.038).Conclusions: Significant improvements in IRD at rest and with curl-up in the intervention group at 12 and 24 weeks in comparison to control. Meaningful strength changes require a longer intervention of 24 weeks rather than 12.

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  Efficient Light-Induced Reactive Oxygen Species Production from a Cationic Mitochondrial-Targeting BODIPY Dye.

  Cynthia Bukirwa

  Efficient Light-Induced Reactive Oxygen Species Production from a Cationic Mitochondrial-Targeting BODIPY Dye. Cynthia Bukirwa (Undergraduate student), Dr. Shawn Swavey (Professor, Department of Chemistry, University of Dayton)BODIPY dyes have demonstrated their effectiveness as photosensitizers due to their diverse reactivity and high selectivity. These dyes are highly versatile and can be modified to absorb light across the visible and infrared spectrum. This study introduces a red light-activated BODIPY dye capable of subcellular localization within the mitochondria, yielding high quantum yields of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The potential of this dye to serve as a photodynamic therapy (PDT) agent highlights its promise as an organelle-targeted phototherapeutic. The synthetic route for this dye, along with its characterization and evaluation through 1H NMR, electronic absorption spectroscopy, and fluorescence spectroscopy, is detailed. The dye's ability to generate singlet oxygen and superoxide radicals, as well as its capacity to photo-nick plasmid DNA, will also be addressed. Integrating this organelle-targeted strategy into cancer treatment therapies could help mitigate drug resistance and reduce the recurrence of tumor cells.

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  Electrical reversible switching of Phase change materials

  Osama Rana

  Phase change materials (PCMs) undergo a reversible solid-state transition between amorphous and crystalline states upon heating by applying electrical or optical pulses. While crystallization can be induced by heating on a hot plate, amorphization requires heating above the melting point followed by rapid quenching. This study presents the design and fabrication of a microdevice enabling reversible switching through electrical pulses. GST pixels are deposited on a thin film metal strip to facilitate phase transitions. Electrical current will pass through metal thin film strip ,which will heat pixel via joule heating. To optimize device performance, we conducted resistivity measurements to select a suitable heater material and determined the optimal heater thickness for efficient impedance matching between the electrical pulse source and the device.

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  Electropolymerization on ITO-Coated Glass Slides of a Series of π-Extended BODIPY Dyes with Redox-Active Meso-Substituents

  Alexa Wright

  A series of meso-carbazole and meso-pyrene boron dipyrromethene(BDP) dyes have been synthesized using a two-step method. This simplified synthetic method did not require catalysts or oxidizing agents. Solution spectroscopic and electrochemical studies indicate that the HOMO and LUMO energies are dependent on the extent of π-conjugation associated with the pyrroles. Solution electrochemistry of the dyes in chloroform reveal film formation onto glassy carbon electrodes. Electrolysis of chloroform solutions of the dyes using indium tin oxide (ITO) glass slides as the working electrode show, using UV/vis spectroscopy, the formation of films. For two of the dyes, the BODIPY structure stays in tact upon electrolysis, exhibiting sharp absorption peaks on the ITO slides similar to that observed for the same dyes in solution.

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  El estigma de la salud mental en la comunidad hispana/latina en EE.UU/The Stigma of Mental Health in the Hispanic/Latinx Community in the U.S

  Annabelle Karch, Ana Martinez Muller

  Mental health remains a complex and often overlooked issue within the Hispanic/Latinx community in the U.S., shaped by a combination of deeply rooted cultural perspectives, socioeconomic realities, and structural barriers. Traditional beliefs and religious influences continue to define attitudes toward mental well-being, sometimes discouraging open discussions or professional intervention. At the same time, disparities in healthcare access, language barriers, and financial constraints further complicate the path to adequate support. This presentation delves into the multifaceted nature of these challenges, examining how they shape individual and collective experiences. By exploring the broader implications of untreated mental health conditions and highlighting initiatives to increase awareness and accessibility, we seek to contribute to a deeper understanding of the issue. Through a careful analysis of research in both English and Spanish, it will shed light on the evolving discourse around mental health in this community and the ongoing efforts to foster more inclusive care.

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  Empirical Research Presentations in Economics

  Ryan Andersen, Andrew Bergin, Emily Bruns, Peter Burke, Mark Burns, Allison Caines, Luke Canan, Thomas Cloran, Patrick Conlon, Rowan Conroy, Michael Cooney, Dylan Crouch, Ashley Crumb, Aidan Cseh, Michael Dahill, Katie Dailey, Dylan Davidson, Thomas Fogarty, Kyle Gewinner, Joseph Giagrande, Kathleen Hattrup, Carson Impastato, Ayden Johnson, Tyler Juliano, Shelby LaMattina, Jake Medvetz, Kevin O'Connell, Meryem Ozcan, Samuel Peters, Maurice Reilly, Julia Reinker, Cady Rhea, Eric Rice, Mason Robbins, Evan Scholz, Benjamin Smith, Andrew Trybus, Daniel Turpel, Charles Valentincic, Caleb Webb

  Four years of coursework culminate in a written and oral presentation of an empirical research project during the senior capstone course. Students apply economic theory and econometric techniques to analyze data in order to answer an original research question.

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  Empowering Innovation: Trailblazers in STEM

  Vishal Ayyappan Pillai, Piyush Dugge, Sathwik Juvvadi, Jahnavi Kurapati, Shivani Mantoo, Dhana Lakshmi Pilli, Ashwini Rathnapuram, Rohan Rajpal Raut, Hardik Maheshbhai Solanki, Lilly Tiriveedhi

  The fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) have historically been shaped by groundbreaking innovations and pioneering minds. However, despite their invaluable contributions, women in STEM continue to face systemic challenges, including gender bias, underrepresentation, and limited access to leadership roles. This symposium aims to highlight the achievements of trailblazing women in STEM, the barriers they have overcome, and the transformative impact of diversity in driving innovation and progress.Our discussion will delve into the historical milestones set by women in STEM, from early scientific pioneers to contemporary leaders who are reshaping the industry. By examining key success stories, we will identify the common challenges faced by women in these domains, such as societal stereotypes, the gender pay gap, and the lack of representation in leadership positions. Furthermore, we will explore strategic initiatives—including mentorship programs, policy reforms, and corporate inclusivity efforts—that have been instrumental in fostering a more diverse and equitable STEM ecosystem.A critical component of this session will be an analysis of how organizations can actively support and empower women in STEM. We will present data-driven insights on the business case for gender diversity, showcasing how inclusive workplaces lead to greater innovation, enhanced problem-solving, and improved organizational performance. Additionally, we will discuss actionable recommendations for companies, academic institutions, and policymakers to cultivate an environment where women can thrive as leaders, innovators, and changemakers.By shedding light on the stories of trailblazing women and the ongoing efforts to bridge the gender gap, this symposium aims to inspire a collective commitment to breaking barriers and building a future where talent and ambition, regardless of gender, are fully recognized and nurtured.

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  Engineered Inter-Flake Interactions for Continuous MXene Films

  Kennedy Brown

  MXenes are an emerging class ultra-thin materials (layers), also known as two-dimensional or 2D materials, that have garnered significant interest across various research domains due to their exceptional physical properties, including high conductivity (> 8 kS cm-1), electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding (>58 kdB cm2 g-1), and tunable hydrophilicity. To tailor these properties, MXene films can be fabricated using a layer-by-layer approach, enabling precise control, enhanced stability, and tunability of the materials system. The method of film development, such as drop casting, interfacial assembly, or spray coating, is critical in this assembly process and has a significant impact on electronic and optical properties.Currently, there is limited research directly comparing the layer-by-layer assembly of different film formation methods for Ti3C2Tx MXene. This study aims to characterize and standardize these methods for future MXene development, including comparisons between MXene flakes and scrolls. Additionally, we demonstrate that dopamine not only binds effectively to our system but also enables adjustment of interlayer spacing, as determined by AFM height measurements, thereby influencing the overall properties of the thin film.

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  Enhancement of biofilm in Listeria monocytogenes by benzalkonium chloride depends on the amount of the inoculum

  Sydney Herzog, Kelly McNamara

  Listeria monocytogenes is a food-borne pathogen that is typically isolated in food environments. Benzalkonium chloride (BAC) is a common cleaner that is used in both medical and food-processing environments. How BAC impacts Listeria monocytogenes biofilm formation is not entirely known. Previous data from our lab has shown that concentrations of BAC higher than 0.1% enhances biofilm formation of Listeria monocytogenes. We hypothesized that bacterial lysing is the main reason for this enhancement. To test our hypothesis, we used different starting concentrations of Listeria monocytogenes culture and expected that higher bacteria inoculum would result in higher biofilm formation. Using a standard microplate biofilm assay and crystal violet staining, we showed a concentration-dependent formation of biofilm where higher amounts of Listeria monocytogenes led to higher biofilm formation, regardless if BAC was added. The BAC enhancement of biofilm formation was reduced with less L. monocytogenes inoculum. These results suggest that the bacterial abundance is a highly relevant factor in the effects of BAC on bacterial biofilm formation.

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  Enhancing Deep Collaboration through Experiential Learning: The Impact of the Stitt Scholars Program

  Conor Atkins, Trent Borgmann, Alejandro de Jesus, Brooke Hunstad, Jennifer Jarog, Iga Jaromin, Lucianna Nice, Kevin Nudo, Najwan Orabi, John Protz, Luke Ready, Yadiel Roque

  Collaboration in higher education has significantly improved, with programs increasingly incorporating collaborative elements in their curricula. Despite these advances, there is a pressing need to further enhance interdisciplinary collaborations through experiential learning. The Stitt Scholars Program exemplifies this by offering students from the School of Engineering, the College of Arts and Sciences, and the School of Business Administration opportunities to work with startup companies at the HUB, supported by PNC Bank. Students commit ten hours weekly to their projects and engage in lectures on innovation and entrepreneurship. The program's success has attracted further investment, enabling its expansion and continued contribution to interdisciplinary education and community engagement.

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  Enhancing Quadrotor Autonomy Using Robust Control Algorithms

  Kevin Johnston

  In the evolving landscape of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), the autonomy and stability of quadrotors are crucial, especially in critical applications such as search and rescue missions and surveillance. This research focuses on the development and implementation of planning and control algorithms within the Robot Operating System (ROS2) framework. Initial work focused on developing Proportional-Integral-Derivative (PID) control algorithm in a realistic simulated environmental conditions, incorporating the effects of sensor noise. Following successful simulations, the study transitioned to real-world testing, validating the effectiveness of the proposed solutions in ROS2. The work conducted has not only demonstrated the practical utility of these algorithms in both simulated and real-world environments but has also laid the groundwork for more advanced applications in aerial robotics. The successful integration of ROS2 has opened up new avenues for modularity and scalability, critical for the ongoing evolution of autonomous drone technology.

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  Enhancing Quadrotor Autonomy using ROS-based Control Algorithms

  Kevin Johnston

  In the evolving landscape of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), the autonomy and stability of quadrotors are crucial, especially in critical applications such as search and rescue missions and surveillance. This research focuses on the development and implementation of planning and control algorithms within the Robot Operating System (ROS2) framework. Initial work focused on developing Proportional-Integral-Derivative (PID) control algorithms in realistic simulated environmental conditions, incorporating the effects of sensor noise. Following successful simulations, the study transitioned to real-world testing, validating the effectiveness of the proposed solutions in ROS2. The work conducted has not only demonstrated the practical utility of these algorithms in both simulated and real-world environments but has also laid the groundwork for more advanced applications in aerial robotics. The successful integration of ROS2 has opened up new avenues for modularity and scalability, critical for the ongoing evolution of autonomous drone technology.

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  Enhancing Student Engagement and Learning: Adapting Teaching Strategies in an Undergraduate Data Analytics and Programming Course

  Shivani Mantoo

  Effective undergraduate teaching is centered on creating an engaging, supportive, and inclusive environment that fosters student growth and learning. As the first master’s student to serve as an instructor of record in the Engineering Management, Systems, and Technology Department, the challenges of teaching were approached with enthusiasm, adaptability, and a student-centered philosophy.While teaching SET 153L (Introduction to Data Analytics and Programming) for the first time in Spring 2024, it became evident that many students struggled with the flipped classroom model, particularly in transitioning from self-paced learning to active. In response, the teaching approach was restructured by initiating each session with a guided class activity and hands-on learning, allowing students to build confidence and solidify foundational concepts before advancing to more complex problem-solving tasks. This adjustment resulted in significant improvements in both student engagement and comprehension, fostering a more interactive and supportive learning environment.In addition to curricular modifications, an intentional effort was made to cultivate an inclusive and supportive classroom culture. Recognizing that some students were hesitant to ask questions, open dialogue was encouraged, consistent opportunities for one-on-one meetings were provided, and a space was created where all students felt comfortable seeking help. These efforts reinforced the belief that effective teaching transcends content delivery—it involves creating an environment in which students feel empowered to engage and grow.The positive impact of these adjustments was reflected in student feedback, which was both rewarding and motivating. The opportunity to teach the course again further strengthened the commitment to continuous improvement, both in refining teaching methods and enhancing student engagement.This teaching experience has been transformative, with ongoing efforts to evolve the approach, learn from students, and contribute to an enriching educational experience.

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  Estimating Disease Transmissions with Assortative Mixing by Vaccination Status

  Jacob Biesecker-Mast

  Many mathematical models of infectious disease assume the population is well-mixed, meaning every pair of individuals is equally likely to contact each other, potentially spreading the disease. In reality, populations are rarely well-mixed, and an important way in which they are not is assortative mixing, that is, when pairs of individuals who are similar are more likely to contact one another than pairs of individuals who are different. Failing to account for assortative mixing by vaccine status leads to biased estimates of important quantities that characterize disease transmission, including reproduction numbers. We expand on this by developing a model that can overcome this bias using a framework called dynamic survival analysis that studies the epidemic using techniques from survival analysis. Additionally, our model circumvents gaps in the information required. For example, our model works when test times, rather than infection times, are known.

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  Ethical & Effective Federal Artificial Intelligence Policy

  Liam Row

  Artificial intelligence (AI) is going to be the defining invention of our time. As some put it, it will be humankinds' last invention since everything from thereon will be created by it. Moreover, it will possess capabilities that far surpass any known technology and will have a similar technological impact to that of the internet. The rise of the internet and, subsequently, social media is viewed as one of the greatest technological changes and impacts of the world today, changing every aspect of our modern lives for both better and worse. However, when political thinkers retroactively examine the policies around both the internet and social media, it is clear that some of the necessary policies to protect people never came to fruition and it is now too late to effectively regulate most aspects of either. This is the same logic that many worry will be true when it comes to artificial intelligence, but with one key difference: AI has the potential of significantly greater and more catastrophic harms. In other words, to avoid these future harms and ensure that the policy opportunity window is not missed as was the case with the internet and social media, an effective policy must be adequately researched and developed. Furthermore, the policy must be created with all possible considerations and full evaluation of the potential benefits and downsides. Thus, this project will aim to identify the potential harms, and benefits, of AI in the future as well as how they may be impacted by prospective policies. The end goal of this project is to create and justify an effective artificial intelligence policy that protects against the potential downsides and promotes the benefits such technology can provide, minimizing harms and maximizing advantages.

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  Ethos Research and Development: Solar Thermal Adsorptive Refrigeration (STAR)

  Brendan Alexander, Ty Rapp, Clayton Rosso, Molly Savage

  The Solar Thermal Adsorptive Refrigerator (STAR) project in partnership with the Ethos R&D program at the University of Dayton seeks to reduce the need for reliable refrigeration in developing communities. The STAR refrigerator does not require electricity for operation and uses a safe, environmentally benign, and locally available adsorption pair of activated carbon and ethanol. This project explores the effect of different activated carbon pre-treatment methods on the cyclic performance of the STAR system.

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  Euler's Number : A closer look at an approximation of e using Leonard Euler's Theory of Continued Fractions

  Libby Kreikemeier

  Leonard Euler created a Theory of Continued Fractions for approximating any number in the set of Real numbers. With the use of the division algorithm we are able to simplify a fraction into a set of convergents further allowing us to approximate the fraction into a decimal. This theory can be applied to many numbers of different forms like 3, 235/19, and pi. Euler’s number, e, is approximately equivalent to 2.718, and is used as a constant in many areas of mathematics and science. It is most commonly used in exponential growth and decay, compound interest, and differential equations. With these many applications, it is important to have a general understanding of what this constant is despite its irrationality and non-terminating decimal points. Because e is an irrational real number, the Theory of Continued Fractions can be applied, allowing us to easily approximate e.

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  Evaluating AI Vision in Extreme Weather

  Vatsa Patel, Le Ba Thinh Tran

  The performance of object detection models in adverse weather conditions remains a critical challenge for intelligent transportation systems. Since advancements in autonomous driving rely heavily on extensive datasets, which help autonomous driving systems be reliable in complex driving environments, this study provides a comprehensive dataset under diverse weather scenarios like rain, fog, nighttime, or sun flares and systematically evaluates the robustness of state-of-the-art deep learning-based object detection frameworks. Our Adverse Driving Conditions Dataset (ADCD) features eight single-weather effects and four challenging mixed-weather effects, with a curated collection of 50,000 traffic images for each weather effect. State-of-the-art object detection models are evaluated using standard metrics, including precision, recall, and IoU. Our findings reveal significant performance degradation under adverse conditions compared to clear weather, highlighting common issues such as misclassification and false positives. For example, scenarios like fog combined with rain cause frequent detection failures, highlighting the limitations of current algorithms. Through comprehensive performance analysis, we provide critical insights into model vulnerabilities and propose directions for developing weather-resilient object detection systems. This work contributes to advancing robust computer vision technologies for safer and more reliable transportation in unpredictable real-world environments.

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  Evaluating the perception of University support for International Graduate Students in Engineering

  Camryn Justice

  Within the School of Engineering, 336 out of 587 graduate and law students are international, making up a significant portion of the student body. Unlike their domestic counterparts, who often transition from the university’s undergraduate programs, these students face unique challenges. While existing support systems, such as the graduate affairs committee, provide some assistance, significant barriers remain. Anecdotal complaints highlight a growing need for stronger support structures. This raises important questions: What strategies can be implemented to better support international graduate students? If resources already exist, what prevents students from utilizing them? By identifying and addressing these barriers, we can contribute to a better understanding of the experience of international graduate students at our university.

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  Evolution of a difficult protein: Assessing the ability of human B3 to replace fly B2 tubulin

  Tionne Dawkins

  Proteins that are evolving constantly. In the course of changing they must find a way to maintain their essential functions. One way to avoid this problem is to not change, some proteins can go unchanged for millions of years. An example of this is the Drosophila sperm-generating proteinB2-tubulin, this protein has not evolved in 60 million years. We aim to understand why B2tubulin continues to remain conserved by testing if B2-tubulin function can be replaced by a different tubulin. To answer this question, we are performing genetic crosses to generate a fly expressing human B3-tubulin in place of B2-tubulin. We will examine spermatogenesis by dissecting testes and assessing whether the sperm development was normal. Our study will provide insights on the constraints of the tubulin protein evolution and how it functions within Drosophila.

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  Examining Gender and Race/Ethnicity Differences in Self-Esteem: A Birth Cohort Analysis Spanning 46 years

  Ella Donnelly

  Self-esteem has been increasing generationally among the general population. This study will determine if one’s race and gender influence their self-reported self-esteem. Self-esteem is the degree to which one’s perceived self-concept is positive. Over 120,000 participants were collected as a convenience sample from the University of Michigan’s Monitoring the Future Study. Participants completed a survey that included measures from the Rosenberg Self-Esteem questionnaire. Responses were collected from over two million 12th graders from 1975 through 2023. They completed this survey in a classroom setting. Data will be analyzed using an analysis of variance statistical testing by R statistical programming language. If necessary, follow-up tests will be conducted using TukeyHSD testing. It is important to understand the factors that may influence self-esteem generationally so that psychologists, educators, and health care professionals can alter their practices for each gender and race.

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  Examining House Bill 172 and Its Implications of Mental Health Care in Ohio: An Advocacy Day Follow Up

  Lindsey Beattie, Ella Donnelly, Julia Fabian, Courtney Thompson

  In this project prepared for SWK 310, we share our reflections and insights gained from our experience participating in the Social Work Advocacy Day in Columbus, Ohio in March 2025. During our trip we attended advocacy training and planning sessions and met with state legislators and/or their staff. This presentation details our experiences at Advocacy Day, outlines an area of advocacy, and describes how we advocated for change through the lens of the Social Work framework.