Undergraduate Works, Honors College

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Adderall and Academia: How Amphetamine binds in the Human Norepinephrine Transporter Protein
Bell, Ian; Jachimowski, Lindsey; Lewis, Stephanie N. (2019-05-07)
Recently, there has been a drastic increase in the use of prescription stimulants by healthy individuals in academia – specifically with undergraduate college students. We wanted to answer why this was phenomenon was occurring. Are there cognitive benefits from taking stimulants when there is no medical need and are these benefits why students are drawn to them? Amphetamine or AdderallTM is a popular misused stimulant and serves as an example to explore this issue. The first question to answer was how amphetamine is processed in the brain. Our chosen transporter was the human norepinephrine transporter (hNET) protein. This transporter controls the uptake and reuptake of both dopamine (DA) and norepinephrine (NE). The unbalance of these two neurotransmitters are believed to play a major role in Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). hNET is often a main target in research studies because of this. To analyze the interaction of amphetamine and NET we built a human 3D model through a process known as homology modeling and docked amphetamine, NE, and DA into it. We found that amphetamine successfully binds in the hNET binding cavity. In impaired individuals this means that amphetamine does in fact have positive benefits. However, the effect on healthy individuals is still unknown. Further research needs to be done to determine whether or not healthy individuals experience any benefits before we can answer why undergraduate college students are misusing the drug.
Affordable Housing In Washington D.C.
Singhal, Pradyumann; Stahl, Dexter (Virginia tech, 2021-12-08)
There is an affordable housing issue in our capital, Washington D.C. There needs to be intervention to create affordable housing to those that live under the poverty lines. In this we explain tools, technology and action plans to help solve this issue.
Air Pollution in Urban Areas
Skelley, Caroline; Luttazi, Sydney; Dennis, Kennedy; Frederick, Julia; Greene, Gershwin (2021-05-05)
The goal of this project was to explore the impact of air pollution in urban areas by relaying information in the format of an Instagram page in order to reach, educate, and inspire the audience of young urban populations by considering key elements such as public health, infrastructure, and the environment. A PDF of the images used to compose the Instagram account are archived with this entry. View the full page through the URL: https://www.instagram.com/urbann_air/ This product is a learning artifact from the Spring 2021 semester of the Honors and UAP SuperStudio courses (UH-4504, UAP-4914, and UH-4514). Course instructors: Ralph Hall, Nikki Lewis, Amy Showalter, Zack Underwood, Anne-Lise Velez, and Daron Williams
Analyzing the Presence of Unmet Need and Depressive Symptoms in Older Adults
Butynes, Amanda; Tarr, Nina; Thompson, Caleb; Lewis, Stephanie N. (2019-12-11)
This paper works to examine and determine a relationship or association between unmet need from disability and depressive symptoms in older adults. The older adult population is extremely vulnerable to deteriorating quality of life in the presence of unmet need or disability. Older adults are significant members of the population and deserve the right to a healthy, positive quality of life. Data from the National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS) provided quantitative data for both unmet need and depressive symptoms for beneficiaries of Medicare. The data was processed using descriptive statistics and basic statistical analysis. Dividing up data into subpopulations based on their unmet need and depressive symptoms across time points allowed the team to understand how the behaviors of the participants changed over time. The results of this analysis showed that those with a higher unmet need due to disability score also show more depressive symptoms. The data suggest that depressive symptoms and disability in adults are closely associated. Currently, there are several forms of governance helping this population out with basic needs, but there is substantial room for improvement. The results of this study have the potential to spread awareness and amend government policies to provide older adults with the services they need.
Artificial Intelligence Powered Facial Recognition in the Public Eye
Orr, Jack; Waite, Lucy; Taylor, TJ; Ulmishek-Anderson, Phineas (2021-05-05)
Artificial Intelligence’s use in facial recognition has led to improvements in efficiency for many different groups, including law enforcement, however its use in society has been met with controversy due to the general public’s distrust in different entities using the technology. Our research focus seeks to understand why the public may distrust facial recognition AI or find its usage unethical, as well as determining the different cases in which the general public would trust the technology. We aim to study this through a non-experimental research design that distributes surveys to the public measuring their levels of trust in facial recognition AI. Understanding our research focus through this non-experimental design will allow AI users to better understand the cases in which they can use AI ethically without upsetting the general public or violating any essential rights. This product is a learning artifact from the Spring 2021 semester of the Introduction to Honors Quantitative and Qualitative Research course (UH-1604). Primary instructor: Anne-Lise Velez; Secondary instructor: Nikki Lewis; Graduate Teaching Assistant: Joseph Daniel
AT-121 as a Potential Opioid Replacement
Colgan, Grant; Patel, Kethan; Lewis, Stephanie N. (2020-05-05)
The mu opioid Receptor (μ-Receptor) is the neural structure involved in interpreting pain signals. An opioid acts as an agonist that provides pain relief by binding to a large number of these receptors and preventing pain signals from being processed by the brain. Over prescription of addictive opioids in America has led to a rise in addiction in recent decades. To reduce addiction rates, we sought to research a new drug that has the potential to block pain signals without causing dependence and see what sets it apart from common opioids. A ligand supposedly matching this description has been identified in AT-121. We used computational docking methods and structural analysis to determine if AT-121 poses a legitimate solution to opioid addiction. To determine if docking was successful, we relied on a complementary study to identify key ligands, and their residues involved with neurochemical opioid interactions. Our results indicate that AT-121 interacted with the residue that is essential for a conformational change to the binding cavity. Given this, human testing should be carried out to further assess the agonist’s effectiveness at reducing addiction to opioids. If testing results show positive results, AT-121 could pose as a beneficial drug for helping to cease the US opioid epidemic.
Autonomous Search and Rescue Drone Video Presentation
Asper, Garrett; Kaplan, Ryan; Mahesh, Rohith; Porter, Daniel (2020-12-09)
We researched the benefits of using autonomous search and rescue (SAR) drones during and after wildfires to aid in victim recovery. In this video presentation, we discuss the benefits to your search and rescue firm or agency of investing in such autonomous SAR drones. URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=enijWQ2fgT8
Bee-Burg: Educating Blacksburg, Virginia on Its Bees
Morales, Brooke; O'Rawe, Samantha; Vidro, Jazmari; Wiscarson, Eli (2024-05-01)
Many bee species are facing threat of endangerment as a result of human activity such as pesticide use and increased urban sprawl without green spaces. Many people feel that they cannot play a part in combatting this issue, but this is not true. An Instagram page called Bee-Burg (@beeburg.buzz) was created to provide the Blacksburg public with background information about the issue of local declining bee species and to give simple, specific, research-backed methods of aiding bee populations, such as planting native flowers and stopping the use of pesticides. Three bee species were focused on: the Rusty Patched Bumblebee, the Golden Northern Bumblebee, and the American Bumblebee. The Rusty Patched Bumblebee was declared endangered in 2017, while the other two are considered threatened species. Flyers were also made and disseminated across the Virginia Tech campus to give similar information to people who do not use social media.
Binding Interactions of Psilocin and Serotonin in the 5-HT2A Receptor
Barnes, Katie; Lewis, Stephanie N. (2020-05-05)
Psilocin is a molecule found in psilocybin mushrooms, which are typically consumed recreationally for their hallucinogenic effects. Recently, studies have shown that psilocin can have almost immediate antidepressant effects in patients who are treatment-resistant to medications that increase serotonin levels in the synapse. Researchers believe that the molecule works by suppressing activity in the medial prefrontal cortex and amygdala, which are both brain structures involved in the emotional aspect of depression. However, psilocin’s exact mechanism of action and binding characteristics in the body remain unknown. Using Chimera for visualization and AutoDock Tools and AutoDock Vina for docking, psilocin and serotonin were separately docked in a crystallized 5-HT2A receptor. Key residues were identified using existing information in the RCSB database. Once the ligands were docked, the lengths of the potential bonds between atoms of the ligands and the key residues within the receptor were measured to determine if they were close enough to each other to interact. Serotonin had multiple possible hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions; however, psilocin only had one potential hydrophobic interaction. The main structural difference between psilocin and serotonin is the presence of the phosphate group in psilocin; therefore, studies of phosphate’s binding properties within the 5-HT2A receptor could potentially provide insight on the efficacy of psilocin.
Children’s Book: Life Before the GND
Rouse, Maddie; Bernstein, Anna; Smith, Caroline; Thomas, Teresa; Maestrello, Savannah (2021-05-05)
The benefits of the Green New Deal (GND), proposed by Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, need to be spread equally, with the most historically marginalized groups being the main beneficiaries. For too long, vulnerable communities have been forced to bear a disproportionate amount of environmental burdens created by society. New and interdisciplinary legislation such as the GND have the potential to help bring justice to these disproportionate groups. Our book will address this in a way that is easy for all ages to understand, though our target reading level is children who are six to ten years of age.The goal of our children’s book is to bring attention to the environmental justice movement and to specifically address the disproportionate impact of climate change burdens on minority and low-income communities. We think the mainstream integration of this book would further the goals of the Green New Deal, particularly by empowering and educating a younger generation to protect the environment from resource exploitation and pollution.This book illustrates a set of environmental factors alongside a set of social factors that accompany the socioeconomic and environmental crises facing the United States in the present. The environmental factors mentioned include sea-level rise, wildfires, flooding, and pollution. The social factors include racism and food security (specifically, access to healthy, nutritious food). Set in the state of California, readers join a Grandmother as she reminisces over her youth, a time before the GND. The granddaughter looks out her window in the far future, thankful she never had to endure such injustice. The granddaughter lives in a clean, green city years after the Green New Deal had been enacted. There is less smog in California in the future, less pollution, and life is generally more conducive to an equitable society. This product is a learning artifact from the Spring 2021 semester of the Honors and UAP SuperStudio courses (UH-4504, UAP-4914, and UH-4514). Course instructors: Ralph Hall, Nikki Lewis, Amy Showalter, Zack Underwood, Anne-Lise Velez, and Daron Williams
Climate Crisis Barbies
Lyon, Karson; Tracy, Julia; Ragan, Katelyn; Wikiera, Amy (2020-12-08)
The goal of our project was to research ways that we could effectively educate the public on environmental concerns through art. We brainstormed different final products demonstrating the techniques that we learned from our research. Our final art deliverable was created by Julia Tracy depicting barbies in a climate crisis. She played with the idea of reversing roles with animals, and the barbies represent what we have done collectively as a society to harm our environment. This product is a learning artifact from the Fall 2020 semester of the Honors and UAP SuperStudio courses (UH-4504, UAP-4914, and UH-4514). Course instructors: Joanie Banks-Hunt, Ralph Hall, Nikki Lewis, Amy Showalter, Zack Underwood, Anne-Lise Velez, and Daron Williams
Compare and contrast mode of action of penicillin and vancomycin: Why penicillin is still an effective antibiotic today
Kim, Vincent; Lewis, Stephanie N. (2020-05-05)
Penicillin is a group of antibiotics that contains β-lactam, which prevents peptidoglycan crosslinking and indirectly bursts bacterial cell walls. It is widely used today against many infections caused by staphylococci and streptococci bacteria. Although antibiotics were effective at treating disease in the early development of these treatments, the late 20th century has seen an increase in antibiotic resistance. However, penicillin-derived antibiotics are still used today through generations and we see fewer cases of resistance to this antibiotic. Understanding the interactions between penicillin and bacterial proteins would be useful for studies on counteracting antibiotic resistance. Other antibiotic called Vancomycin was compared with penicillin because vancomycin resistance is arising in late 20th century like Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus. Computational methods were used to propose interactions between 6I1E and comparable ligands to understand what the mode of action of penicillin is. It was found that SER294 likely interacts with the carboxylic acid functional group. Additionally, assessment of vancomycin resistance provided a case study for understanding how resistance happens. Comparison of interactions between ligands and residue suggested that GLN67 and ALA88 were the key residues and mutations from Δ110 to 115 showed the significant loss of activity against substrate. This paper highlighted that each antibiotic reacts with hydrogen bond interaction between ligand and residues. In penicillin, amoxicillin and carbenicillin interacted through hydrogen bond. In vancomycin, it likely interacts through hydrogen bonding in D-Ala-D-Ala. Further steps would be choosing antibiotics that work through the same function as penicillin and comparing the structural differences and ligand interactions.
Comparison of Energy Efficiency, Eco-Friendliness, Cost, and Convenience of Phase-Change and Biosolar Materials in Solar Panels
Vaughan, Clint; Richardson, Kelly; Yang, Jiongzhi (2019-05-08)
Solar energy is a clean, renewable energy source that is a good alternative to nonrenewable energy sources. Currently, the two major materials utilized in solar panels are phase change materials (PCMs) and biosolar materials. The purpose of this study is to determine whether biosolar materials or phase change materials are better overall, in terms of energy efficiency, cost and convenience, and eco-friendliness in solar panels. Utilizing solar panels that implement phase-change materials or bio-solar materials, this study explores the energy efficiency, cost and convenience, and eco-friendliness, in a variety of different conditions and designs, for each type of material. To ensure that an overall finding on the better type of material can be found, this study uses a rating system, based on government regulations, industry standards, experimental data, and common scientific values. It is expected that there is higher energy efficiency with the utilization of phase-change materials than with bio-solar materials. However, it is expected that the bio-solar materials are more eco-friendly than the phase-change materials. Overall, it is expected that bio-solar materials are the better choice for solar panels because of their eco-friendliness, low cost, and similar energy efficiency to phase-change materials. The findings of this study can help to push communities to make an informed decision on a switch to renewable energy methods. More importantly, this study supports the use of clean, renewable energy with biosolar material solar panels, to combat rapid change in global climate and negative impacts of most nonrenewable energy sources.
Drone Technology and University Public Safety Program Proposal
Hower, Madeline; Makwana, Sunny; Kerrick, Cason (2020-12-08)
This report is an initial program proposal for drone technology use for university public safety. Three different areas of focus are addressed in this report by the research team. The three focuses will include an extensive case study of similar programs adopted in other locations, with an analysis of their successes and failures, a proposed survey to be sent to Virginia Tech students on drone technology and the use of UAVs on campus and a CANVAS module outline used to inform Virginia Tech students of the campus drone guidelines, and a description of current Virginia Tech policies related to the proposed program and their challenges and needed adoptions. This product is a learning artifact from the Fall 2020 semester of the Honors and UAP SuperStudio courses (UH-4504, UAP-4914, and UH-4514). Course instructors: Joanie Banks-Hunt, Ralph Hall, Nikki Lewis, Amy Showalter, Zack Underwood, Anne-Lise Velez, and Daron Williams
Drones in Agriculture: New Solution for Crop-Dusting
Bain, Celeste; Trang, Matthew; Balov-Madrid, Gregory (2020-12-09)
We hope to inform farmers through our website and brochure about drone technology in crop dusting and other farming techniques along with their environmental impacts, and educational and training opportunities to implement them in agricultural practices in order to encourage Green Technology. URL: https://mattluutrang.wixsite.com/agridroneresearch The attached WARC file can be viewed using Webrecorder Player if the webpage no longer exists.
The Effect of Reading Workshops on Ability to Identify Pseudoscience
Lou, Lan; McCartney, Abby; Makwana, Sunny (2019-05-08)
Pseudoscience, or scientific research presented with manipulated data or conducted with flawed methods, has measurable and potentially dangerous impacts on society. With increasing media focus on pseudoscientific data, learning how to identify pseudoscience is vital to the modern public. As such, this research project seeks to assess if the average person can distinguish pseudoscience from peer-reviewed science based on visual cues within the writings, such as experimental methods, tone, and organization of the paper. A critical reading workshop will be implemented to train individuals to recognize pseudoscience so that they may base important, life-altering decisions on reliable sources. Individuals in six different age groups will be presented with two medical research articles, one peer-reviewed and one pseudoscientific, and will be asked to label which is which and explain their answers. Afterwards, we will lead a short language workshop designed to develop critical reading skills. Next, we will survey the age groups again. We expect to find close to half of each age group in the sample will be unable to determine the pseudoscientific article from the initial survey. Our estimates may increase for specific age groups based on prior research. After completing our workshop, we expect meaningfully larger portions of individuals will be able to recognize falsified work. In summary, the workshop strategy suggests that workshops should be implemented into educational systems so that citizens are better prepared to analyze scientific research when making important decisions for themselves and their children.
Electric Vehicle Feasibility in Virginia
Coz, Rosalia; Lofton, Dawain; Matthews, Amya; Natu, Amogh; Stafford, Sean (2024-05-01)
We are a group of students who recently completed a research project regarding the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Sales Requirement and Low-Emission Vehicle (LEV) Standards adopted by the Virginia Air Pollution Control Board. The research focuses on the feasibility and equity of legislation aimed at expanding electric vehicle (EV) sales and phasing out gas-powered vehicles by 2035. Current legislation in Virginia will expand the sale of electric vehicles and prohibit new sales of gas-powered vehicles by 2035. We want to explore whether or not this legislation is feasible and equitable for all within the Commonwealth as well as explore the sustainability challenges surrounding EVs. Our project goal was to determine the feasibility of this legislation in Virginia considering different relevant criteria. Below is a summary of our findings. Based on our research, we have determined that the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Sales Requirement and Low-Emission Vehicle (LEV) Standards adopted by the Virginia Air Pollution Control Board are not currently feasible.
Examining Health Conditions as Predictors of Unmet Need in Older Adults
Broshkevitch, Anna; Cáceres, Madeleine; Foley, Carolyn; Vipperman, Drew (2018-12)
According to current research, unmet need for activities of daily living (ADLs) are associated with greater negative health outcomes in older adults. ADLs include eating, bathing, dressing, transferring from a bed or a chair, and toileting. As the U.S. population ages, it is vital to identify predictors of unmet need in order to interrupt this progression and improve quality of life throughout the aging process. In our analysis, we evaluated chronic and acute health conditions, such as high blood pressure, osteoporosis, and cancer, as predictors of unmet need. We distinguished self-care and mobility-specific types of unmet need, and computed the frequencies of each condition and unmet need of each type. We then used the Chi Square (Χ²) and Fisher’s Exact tests to evaluate relationships for statistical significance. Through these analyses, we have identified dementia (p=0.04), heart attack (p=0.04), and stroke (p=0.02) as having significant associations with unresolved unmet need. Working from a disablement model theoretical framework that distinguishes between actual and intrinsic disability, we recommend a large-scale shift from the diagnostic healthcare model to more preventative model of healthcare. Specifically, we suggest providing free or affordable mobility assistance upon diagnosis of heart attack or stroke and free or affordable self-care assistance upon diagnosis of dementia, thus reducing future hospitalization costs and bridging the gap between human physical/mental capacity and environmental demand. We recommend further research be done to evaluate the causal relationship between chronic and acute health conditions and unmet need.
Fast Fashion Overconsumption Solution for the VT Community
Lausin, Arley; Mabaya, Gracie; Skeen, Kathryn; Sullivan, Mikaela; Tillery, Lauren (2024-05-01)
We researched the growth of the fast fashion industry, as well as the externalities pertaining to fast fashion and overconsumption. Our group defined fast fashion as the mass production of garments using cheap materials and labor to sell articles at lower prices due to increased demand. Both online shopping and social media have an effect on the fast fashion industry. We found that increased demand for fast fashion often stems from social media trends, like influencer culture and increased trend overturn rates. Our group primarily focused on e-commerce, or online shopping, as shopping for fast fashion is more likely to be done online. Online manufacturers are able to more easily keep up with micro-trends and high demand. We identified many externalities associated with the overconsumption of fast fashion garments to keep up with trends. These externalities include the exploitation of workers through unsafe working conditions, transportation and manufacturing emissions, and garment waste. We conducted a survey to assess the knowledge and shopping trends in the Virginia Tech (VT) student community. Our survey revealed that although students buy clothing online via social media, the majority of students are unaware of the harmful effects of fast fashion. We aimed to address the VT student undergraduate community with our final deliverable of an app. We developed a prototype for a buy/sell/rent app for university students. Instead of buying clothing to be worn once from fast fashion companies, we aim to give students a hands-on alternative to buy or rent used clothing articles. We aimed to create a broad model of an app that, once successfully piloted at VT, can be used by campuses nationwide.
Food Insecurity in Appalachia
Mehta, Kareena; Sumner, Dani; Utton, Lydia; Webb, Erika (2024-05-01)
This paper serves to explore the multifaceted complexities of food insecurity in the Appalachian region. This paper will delve into the current converse impacts food insecurity has in the areas of environment, health, government, socio-cultural practices, spatial built environments, non-profit organizations, and economics. This paper also features a review of the complex system of Appalachian food insecurity and an understanding of how community wealth building as an economic framework can influence and intervene in the current system’s leverage points. Through a comprehensive analysis of the available literature and a recommendation of influenceable leverage points this paper seeks to synthesize and inform a target audience of stakeholders such as policymakers, educators, non-profit organizers, and community members to remedy the issue of Appalachian food insecurity and recognize this problem not a uniform, isolates issue but as a broader system of disparities impacted by existing economic models and community practices.

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