Honors College
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The mission of the Honors College is to inspire and facilitate an extraordinary education for students of exceptional motivation and ability who seek to be active learners and who will apply their knowledge and skills to critical real-world problems. To this end, the Honors College provides opportunities and challenges founded on meaningful and sustained relationships with faculty, independent learning, undergraduate research, place-based and problem-focused experiences, and intellectual engagement in global contexts. Honors curricula are designed to maximize the disciplinary depth, transdisciplinary capabilities, and purpose-driven engagement that are the hallmarks of the Virginia Tech undergraduate student experience and the VT-Shaped Student.
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- Adaptive Life-Long Learning for an Inclusive Knowledge EconomyArnold, Amy; Lindsey, Andrew; McCoy, Andrew P.; Khademian, Anne M.; Lockee, Barbara B.; Adams, Carol; Amelink, Catherine T.; Blankenship, Chip; Glover, Christopher; Harris, Chrystal; Hoyle, Clayton; Potts, Colin; Pike, Dale; Whittaker, Dale; Kjellsson, Daniel; Hare, David; Tegarden, David P.; Tinapple, David; Ucko, David; Nahapetian, Eta; Hou, Feng; Holmes, Glen A.; Keyel, Jared; Garrett, Jeff; Joo, Jenna; McPhee, Joel; Boyer, John D.; Flato, John; Lister, Jonothan; Haldane, Joseph; Greenwood, Julie; Sanders, Karen Eley; Bruce, Karla; Lindsey, Kate; Carlson, Kimberly; Wingfeld, Kristin; Hamilton, Laura; McNair, Lisa D.; Kamlet, Mark; Semmel, Marsha; Holt, Matthew; Richey, Michael; Kumar, Mukul; Spivy, Nene; Cardwell, Owen; Holloway, Rachel L.; Swearer, Randy; Hall, Ralph P.; Clark-Stallkamp, Rebecca; Mazer, Robert; Smith, Robert; Reynolds, Roger; Bess, Diego Scott; Weimer, Scott; Sagheb, Shahabedin; Garmise, Sheri; Ashburn, Sherrell; Johnson, Sylvester; Cardone, Taran; Nicewonger, Todd; Martin, Tom; Quick, Tom; Rikakis, Thanassis; Skuzinski, Thomas; Contomanolis, Manny (Calhoun Center for Higher Education Innovation, 2020-08-24)This report addresses the globalized knowledge economy in the 21st century; not only as it exists today, but the knowledge economy needed to meet the demands of tomorrow. This report proposes that in order for our knowledge economy to grow and be sustainable, it must be inclusive in ways that enable it to adapt to—and incorporate within it—the personal and professional growth of a large and diverse body of lifelong learners. In this introduction, we first define what we mean by inclusive knowledge and explain how our proposed definition expands some of the traditional understandings. We then show that an expansive and dynamic conceptualization of knowledge increases inclusion and promotes lifelong adaptive learning as a mindset and a practice.
- Adderall and Academia: How Amphetamine binds in the Human Norepinephrine Transporter ProteinBell, 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.
- Analyzing the Presence of Unmet Need and Depressive Symptoms in Older AdultsButynes, 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 EyeOrr, 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 ReplacementColgan, 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.
- Binding Interactions of Psilocin and Serotonin in the 5-HT2A ReceptorBarnes, 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.
- Compare and contrast mode of action of penicillin and vancomycin: Why penicillin is still an effective antibiotic todayKim, 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.
- Examining Health Conditions as Predictors of Unmet Need in Older AdultsBroshkevitch, 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.
- Increasing Equity and Decreasing Costs for Medicare Access and TreatmentBourret, Kira; Cironi, Kate; Guzinski, Max; Huaman, Jonathan; Jones, P'trice; Mitchell, Shannon; Scott, Reilly; Slinde, Neil; Smith, Brett; Wear, Robert; Lewis, Stephanie N. (2018-05)In 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed into law a bill that established Medicare. Since then, the medical needs and structure of our society have changed in many ways. But does our current medical care and payment system afford quality, affordable medical care to those who need it the most? What does data tell us is the story of our national health? Who is left behind as advancements are developed to serve our numerous health needs? To tackle these questions, national and global data on the status of health are summarized. Conclusions drawn from the data were connected to provide recommendations on adjustments to and priorities for the U.S. Medicare system.
- Potential Influential Factors of Cognitive Decline and Engagement in Participants of Adult Day ServicesElms, Lauren; Hayes, Catherine; Shelburne, William (2018-12)As the global population of older adults increases, so does the need for more affordable care taking services such as Adult Day Services (ADS) at Virginia Tech. Data collected over a 10-year period was assessed to understand factors affecting the quality of life for ADS participants. Two questions were posed: is there a relationship between blood pressure and cognitive decline over time, and is there a relationship between engagement levels and depressive symptoms? We hypothesized that increased blood pressure would correlate with increased mental decline, and that higher engagement levels would correlate with less depressive symptomology. To measure this, the dataset, which contains daily measurements and quarterly assessments, was cleaned and visualized using Tableau software. Due to software limitations and time restraints, it was not feasible to answer the blood pressure question in the time allotted. Instead, we researched the baseline relationship between blood pressure and indicators of cognitive decline and found no significant correlation between these factors. However, the results illustrated interesting variation in cognition scores over time. ADS participants’ first individual MMSE scores are unusually high compared to their average score, and the facility-wide average MMSE score has steadily declined over time. In answering the engagement question, we found a weak correlation between active participation and lower depressive symptomology (R 2 =0.0667), and between passive and non-participation and higher depressive symptomology (R 2 =0.0140 and R 2 =0.1742, respectively). This research does not provide implications considering blood pressure but does show that MMSE administration may need evaluation. Additionally, adult care taking services may combat depression by encouraging active participation among its participants.
- Potential Opioid Addiction TherapeuticsParras, Isabel; Kidd, Rachel; Merten, Eric; Lewis, Stephanie N. (2019-05-07)Throughout the last thirty years, a severe opioid epidemic has arisen due to the excessive consumption and abuse of these addictive narcotics. Opioids are currently the best analgesic known to man, however the effects of opioids are not all beneficial; they are extremely addictive and are deadly when taken in high doses. Since opioids began rising in popularity in the 1990’s as a prescribed pain-reliever, opioid deaths have skyrocketed. These circumstances have caused the need for the development of both a potent, non-addictive pain reliever and also a way to treat patients with an opioid addiction. To solve this problem, we used computational methods and structural analysis to investigate the µ-opioid receptor binding cavity and its unique interactions with four different ligands: morphine, heroin, fentanyl, and naloxone. From the results, we have created a criterion of interactions that a potential opioid therapeutic should have.
- A Proposed Analysis of the Prevalence Rates of Comorbidity Between Schizophrenia and Individual Personality Disorder ClustersWaters, Shelby; Hoffer, Loralee; Ploof, Hayley; Abu-Izz, Judy (2021-05-05)This study seeks to identify the comorbidities between schizophrenia and personality disorders in order to discover which DSM-5 cluster is most prevalent in those with schizophrenia. Cluster A (odd, eccentric thinking and/or behavior), cluster B (dramatic, unpredictable thinking and/or behavior), and cluster C (anxious, fearful thinking and/or behavior) are the three personality disorder clusters specified by the DSM-5. Two designs are presented, with the non-experimental being more appropriate. An experimental approach to the research question entails the random assignment of situations that warrant a reaction from those participating in the study. A non-experimental approach to the research question entails an exploratory case study in which multiple mediums of data are collected. Both designs establish a relationship between schizophrenia and personality disorders, as well as exhibit which personality disorder is most prevalent. This research allows experts in many fields to better understand schizophrenia and subsequently develop accurate treatments. 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
- US Healthcare Reform in a Green New Deal WorldBonnes, Caroline; Harley, Diana; Koppler, Natalie; Phan, Jenna; Lewis, Stephanie N. (2020-05-09)National health insurance has been a topic of discussion in the United States for over a century, yet even in 2020, this is a widely controversial and argued topic. There are disagreements about who should provide healthcare, who should be responsible for providing insurance, and what role, if any, the government should have in the process. One thing remains clear, however: access to healthcare in the United States is inherently unstable. Through an analysis of the Green New Deal, the current healthcare system, health expenditures and outcomes, private insurance in the US, and a survey of healthcare in other countries, this report aims to answer the following research question: Would a renovation of the current healthcare system following the initiatives outlined within the GND allow for the effective and efficient provision of equitable quality healthcare to all individuals living within the US? This report was developed as the final project deliverable for the Honors StudioStudio course "Data Analysis for Health Reform".