GS4 Student Scholars Symposium

This paper examines Kumasi Metropolis, Ghana risk factors for diabetes outcomes, considering the prominent determinants such as geographic location, income, and educational level. Such determinants play a role when it comes to shaping health outcomes, with research indicating positive correlation between per capita expenditure on healthcare and life expectancy. In spite of that, inequalities do occur, even in developing nations such as Ghana, where minimal health care investment impacts poor health outcomes. Socioeconomic factors, including low living conditions, poor access to healthcare, and illiteracy, reinforce health disparities, especially in rural areas. Informed by a review of past research, we hypothesized that these socioeconomic factors would significantly impact the risk of diabetes. Evidence is available to show the importance of accounting for socioeconomic disparities and linking unhealthy eating, illiteracy, and poor access to healthcare with high health risks. By surveying adults in Kumasi, this study seeks to assess the interrelation between determinants of lifestyle, economic status, and chronic illness with the goal of generating evidence to guide health promotion interventions bridging resource gaps between wealthier and poorer groups. The findings will contribute to global health by highlighting the role of health promotion in reducing inequalities and improving health outcomes in resource-constrained settings.

This project addresses the intersection of accessibility and design, more precisely making experiences accessible to visually impaired and color blind users. The starting point of this project was designing a tactile children's book for visually impaired readers by incorporating Braille. Building on the same purpose, the project shifted to digital accessibility and user interface design of the iSense app—an app that assists visually impaired users with their daily needs. The app was designed with colorblind users in mind by introducing high-contrast images, palettes that are colorblind-safe, and various accessibility features. The report encapsulates the research, design process, and problem-solving strategies underlying the project. The goal of this project is to emphasize the importance of multi-sensory design and accessible digital experiences while demonstrating how design can be more inclusive.

During the Spring 2025 semester, I enrolled in the graduate-level Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) course, ACCT 7131, where I volunteered in tax preparation services for faculty, staff, students, and the local community. This experience gave me insight into tax complexities and fostered personal growth through community service. I assisted with collecting documents, verifying information, and completing federal and state tax returns under the guidance of professors. Working with diverse clients—from first-time student filers to community members with more complex situations—taught me the importance of clear communication and empathy. Helping people secure refunds and reduce tax liabilities was highly rewarding, reinforcing my commitment to service. The course also improved my problem-solving, attention to detail, and deadline-management skills. Overall, VITA deepened my understanding of tax processes and sparked a stronger interest in pursuing a career in Tax Accounting.

This qualitative case study provides insight into 14 preservice teachers’ (PSTs’)  experiences from attending a professional conference that focused on K-16 mathematics education.  PSTs attended at least 4 sessions that focused on best practices for teaching and learning mathematics and participated in daily debriefs where they shared what they learned. PSTs also completed a pre and post survey where they were asked various questions about their confidence in teaching mathematics. The question we chose to further explore from their pre to post responses was, “I can use various tools to support student understanding.”  Preliminary findings provide insight into what PSTs found that they learned from attending the conference in regards to using various tools. A key goal of this presentation is to show how engagement in the conference helped PSTs gain confidence with using different tools and learning more ideas and strategies to promote engagement among students within their classrooms.

Prison labor has long been a central component of the U.S. correctional system, evolving from early penitentiary models to contemporary labor practices that remain legally sanctioned under the Thirteenth Amendment. This study examines the historical development, key legislation, and modern realities of prison labor, emphasizing its economic, ethical, and rehabilitative implications. Using survey data from a nationally representative sample, the study assesses public attitudes toward mandatory prison work, fair wages for incarcerated individuals, and financial obligations such as medical copays and communication fees. Findings reveal that while the public generally supports prison labor, opinions diverge on compensation and economic burdens placed on incarcerated individuals. Demographic factors, including age, income, and political ideology, significantly shape these attitudes. The study highlights the tension between punitive economic policies and rehabilitation, underscoring the need for policy reforms that ensure fair wages, financial equity, and meaningful employment opportunities for incarcerated workers.

A team of three faculty members and five undergraduate researchers are conducting a scoping review to examine the impact of conference attendance on the professional development of preservice teachers. An initial literature review revealed gaps in existing research, highlighting the need for a systematic exploration of this topic. According to Scheinfeld (2024), a successful scoping review consists of six key steps: defining a clear research objective, identifying relevant databases and key search terms, selecting an effective citation management tool and review platform, extracting and analyzing data, and synthesizing preliminary findings. This presentation will outline our team’s progress in conducting the scoping review, including our methodological approach, database selection, and key insights gained thus far. As our review is ongoing, we will also share preliminary reflections from student researchers on the process and its broader implications for preservice teacher development.

Mental health concerns among college students have been rising in recent years (Worsley et al., 2022). One mechanism that may mitigate stress is social support, which is support derived from relationships or the environment (Zee & Bolger, 2019). Social support presents in numerous forms, including visible social support, or support directly given to and acknowledged by the recipient, and invisible social support, or support given without acknowledgement by the recipient. Visible social support is more effective in immediate, high-stress situations while invisible social support has higher efficacy over time (Girme et al., 2013). Previous research shows correlations between using campus resources and higher levels of belongingness (Elkins et al., 2011; Weaver et al., 2020). The present study examined how community resources may act as a form of invisible social support. Specifically, this study tested the extent that merely reading about resources could raise feelings of social support and belongingness.

Aberrant protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTP) activity is implicated in a variety of diseases including obesity, type II diabetes, and cancer, among others. As the burden these diseases place on healthcare systems continues to grow, the development of novel therapeutics is more important than ever. Protein tyrosine phosphatase 1b (PTP1b) and phosphatase of regenerating liver 3 (PRL3), two protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs) whose roles in the aforementioned diseases are well documented, have been widely identified as important targets for the development of novel treatments for these diseases. For this project, a set of ortho-substituted 1,2,3-triazoles (a-e) were synthesized using copper (I)-catalyzed, microwave-assisted click reaction. Compound characterization was performed using 1H NMR, 13C NMR, 19F NMR (where applicable), IR, and MS. The compounds were screened for inhibitory activity against PTP1b & PRL3 in fluorogenic substrate assays containing DiFMUP. Molecular docking analysis was conducted to evaluate bonding affinity of reported compounds.

Triazoles have diverse applications, including antibacterial, and antitumor agents, as well as textile dyes. The click chemistry approach was used to develop a microwave-assisted synthesis of biologically active triazole molecules. Microwave assistance enables a more eco-friendly, and time-efficient reaction. Reaction efficacy was assessed via percent yield, while qualitative analysis was conducted using hydrogen NMR, carbon NMR, and IR spectroscopy. The triazole core was linked to an aromatic center at the 1,4 position. Nine different triazole derivatives with variable substituents at the 4 position were synthesized. These substituents feature aromatic centers with carbonyl functional groups at ortho, meta, or para positions. The synthesized compounds were screened for antibacterial and antifungal activity.

How do systemic factors, criminal justice policies, legal barriers, and sentencing disparities, contribute to the disproportionate rate of incarceration for Black men in the United States? Though the research on these singular topics is expansive, current research leaves several gaps, including how these factors work together to disproportionately affect Black men resulting in overwhelmingly high incarceration rates of this marginalized group. Understanding how systemic factors, criminal justice policies, legal barriers, and sentencing disparities work to negatively affect Black men is crucial in remedying these issues that have plagued the United States for so long. I dive into the underlying systemic factors, critically examining the impact of criminal justice policies and legal barriers and analyzing the role of sentencing disparities in perpetuating racial inequalities within the U.S. criminal justice system. By understanding these different aspects this research aims to help reveal the depth of inequalities faced by Black men within America.

English Language Arts are the foundational setting for a student to learn to communicate with the world around them. The largest influential factor in the classroom for a student's development is the perspective and pedagogical ideals of their teacher. Current methods to implement race-inclusive language within the classroom includes ideas of code-switching and historical texts focusing on the contextual history of minority groups. However, research has proven that these methods are ineffective, forming emotionally taxing environments for students of color within the classroom. The research conducted in this thesis focuses on the effects of reconstructed inclusive and individualized English Language Arts curriculum on a students development, motivation, and feeling of self-worth. The following portfolio aims to showcase and provide a real-time implementation of developed pedagogical theories of code-meshing and individualization of curriculum in the classroom and how it benefits the student.