GS4 Student Scholars Symposium

This capstone class seeks to emulate real-world discussions in business industries such as healthcare, entertainment, finance, and technology. This also includes societal challenges such as surrounding ethical dilemmas, government, misinformation and safety. Using the knowledge of strategic management and critical thinking to actively participate in selected topic discussions. Being able to learn lessons from examining cases and engaging conversations helps enhance problem solving skills that discussions seek to help guide through multi-faceted problems. Applying theories and knowledge of business functions with the encouragement for us to use those skills to continue growing now and, in the future, to be set up for success.

Embedding carbon fiber plates (CFPs) in running shoes can improve running performance. However, there is limited research on whether replacing the insole with a CFP in a running shoe affects walking performance. This study explores the overground pressure distributions of CFP shoes, CFP insert, and no CFP when walking at different velocities. Five adults were asked to walk on a pressure measure mat at three speeds of their choice: fast, moderate, and slow, measuring Peak pressure, Peak time, and Pressure*Time at Heel, Arch, and Forefoot areas. The analysis was performed using two-way ANOVA with repeated measures (α = 0.05). CFP shoes significantly shorten peak time and reduce localized pressure across walking speeds, alleviating foot load compared to non-CFP shoes. CFP inserts showed a similar trend, especially in reducing peak pressure, highlighting the potential of CFP shoes for performance enhancement and fatigue reduction during walking.

The following study explores the character types that have been historically available to Black actors in American theatre and how that representation enforced, resisted, or ignored stereotypes. To examine the impact of those roles on the performers who played them, I examine the documented approaches Black actors have taken to embody their characters, as well as my own evolving process used to portray the eight characters I have inhabited in my personal college performance career at Georgia Southern University. This research and retrospective analysis reveal that while a lazy or performative indifference leads to harm, color-conscious inclusion, challenging conversations, and specific actions all contribute to liberation in performance.

Rebellions are often sparked by a few visionaries with steadfast courage and a deep desire for change, rallying others to fuel the movement forward. Social movements typically start small, with a ripple effect that may not be entirely new but signals the continuation of struggles from previous generations. When the conditions are ripe and enough people have reached their breaking point, the passion can ignite a transformative societal fire. This is exactly how the Women’s Liberation Movement and the Gay Rights Movement ignited societal shifts in the United States during the 1960s and 1970s. However, transformative movements always face backlash, violence, and criticism. This resistance often comes not only from the public but also from the government, using resources like the police, military, and media to suppress change. The Women’s Liberation Movement encountered verbal assaults and media manipulation, rooted in deep-seated gender norms and cultural stereotypes. In contrast, the Gay Rights Movement experienced more physical violence and institutionalized hatred, particularly from federal agencies. These violent acts reflected broader societal fears and hostility toward the LGBTQ+ community. Both movements, despite facing unique forms of resistance, highlight the complex dynamics of social change during a transformative era.

Between 1999–2002 and 2018–2021, the maternal mortality rate in the United States increased by 144% from 9.65 to 23.6 deaths per 100,000 live births. Although women of all races are affected by maternal mortality yearly, it is especially prevalent in black women. In the United States, black women are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than non-black women. Despite advanced medical technology and ongoing research, black women are continuing to die because of pregnancy at an alarming rate. Many studies suggest that discrimination and implicit bias – defined as subconscious feelings, attitudes, prejudices, and stereotypes an individual has developed due to prior influences and imprints throughout their lives – are contributing factors to this racial disparity. The purpose of this project is to identify the impact implicit bias has on black maternal health as well as actions that can be taken to reduce black maternal mortality.

This report is a reflection of my experiences as a Parker Business Scholar, and how studying under the dean of the Parker College of Business during my Strategic Management Theory capstone course has prepared me for a leadership role and set me up with an extroverted mindset and knowledge of how to manage, market, and develop an organization beyond my time at Georgia Southern University.

Past research has highlighted biases in how individuals are perceived based on gender and emotional expressions. Larson & Brodsky (2010) found that male expert witnesses were perceived more credible than female expert witnesses in a mock trial. Salerno et al. (2015) found that when expressing anger, men were perceived as more credible than their female counterparts. The current study explored how emotions and perceived femininity/masculinity of expert witnesses impact credibility in a jury decision making task. I hypothesized there will be a main effect of gendered appearance, with the masculine-faced expert seen as more competent. An interaction effect anticipates the feminine expert as being perceived as more competent than when displaying anger. Despite the importance of expert witness, little is known about how gender stereotypes and emotional expressions influence jurors' perceptions of credibility. Overall, This study adds knowledge to how emotions and gendered appearance impact expert witness credibility in cour

Parapagus conjoined twins are a rare form of twinning that is not commonly seen in literature. Conjoined twins are caused by a late division of a single egg or random fusion of two eggs. This late division occurs 13 days after fertilization. There are different types of conjoined twins that are named by their point of attachment. Parapagus twins are a type of conjoined twins joined together by part of the chest down to the pelvis. They have their own set of limbs and heads, but share a heart. Because of the point of attachment, they have a poor prognosis. Ultrasound is the modality of choice to assess pregnancies and form a diagnosis of various abnormalities. This case study will show the use of ultrasound in diagnosing conjoined twins, differential diagnoses, and overall more information about their etiology and treatment of the diagnosis.

Preterm neonates are at risk of developmental delays, behavioral problems, and mental health challenges. Neuroprotective care is essential to mitigate these risks, and nurses play a crucial role in educating caregivers on these practices. This study aims to investigate neonatal nurses' knowledge and confidence in teaching caregivers about neuroprotective care, and to determine the extent to which caregivers implement these practices. A mixed-methods research design will be employed, using a survey to collect data from neonatal nurses with at least one year of experience working in a level III NICU. The survey will assess nurses' understanding of neuroprotective care, their confidence in educating caregivers, and the frequency in which they teach caregivers how to perform neuroprotective care.

This research explores how ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) collaborate in diagnosing endometriosis, a condition where endometrial tissue grows outside the uterus, commonly in the pelvic area, such as ovaries, fallopian tubes, ligaments, and peritoneum. It may even affect the urinary and gastrointestinal tracts. Possible causes include the backflow of endometrial-like tissue during menstruation or spread via the bloodstream. Symptoms include nausea, infertility, abnormal bleeding, and painful cramps. Transvaginal ultrasound is a widely used, non-invasive, and accurate diagnostic tool, but it has limitations, especially in visualizing deep endometriosis (DIE). MRI, another non-invasive and accurate modality, is better at detecting both DIE and ovarian endometriomas, making it the first choice for some. While ultrasound has its advantages, it cannot match MRI’s ability to differentiate soft tissues and structures like bones. These two imaging methods should be used together to overcome their individual limitations, with ultrasound potentially gaining equal recognition as MRI in future research.

Is it moral to give? Is it moral to fight for change? Do one of these actions hold a higher moral value than another? In this speech we will discuss and present a variety of philosophical theories and ideas, from Aristotle’s virtue ethics, to utilitarian and consequentialism, to Kant’s deontology to answer these questions. Additionally, we seek to determine the effects of attitude on giving and community service. Is the goal of giving to feel good about ourselves or is the goal of giving to make the world a better place for those who are disadvantaged. Is there a way to separate these two motives? It is our goal to consider the possible implications of these questions, to analyze them with relevant philosophical theory, and to provide what we believe to be the best answer to this question.