University of Mary Washington Research and Creativity Day 2025

Category: College of Arts & Sciences

  • A novel Social Stress Choice Model to Explore the Neurobiology of Stress

    By Caroline Turner, Gabby Valle Faculty Mentor: Parrish Waters Abstract Social stressors compromise the most intense stressors that animals face. We have developed a novel model called the ‘social stress choice paradigm’ that allows us to better explore social stress in laboratory mice. In this study, we will assess the effects of this paradigm on…

  • Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Northern Virginia Waterways in Relation to Urbanization

    By David Nichols Faculty Mentor: Dr. Ben Kisila Abstract Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) are a class of carcinogenic, persistent organic pollutants that are primarily derived from the partial combustion coal and petroleum products such as coal-tar sealant or gasoline. Increasing population in Northern Virginia and the coinciding acceleration of urban and suburban development have increased…

  • Japan and Legalizing Same-Sex Marriage

    By Morgan Lewellen Faculty Mentor: Surupa Gupta Abstract Japan is the only state in the G7 that has not legalized same-sex marriages despite increasing support of LGBTQ+ rights and norms for respecting human rights. While some local governments and constitutional courts have made progress with recognizing same-sex partnerships and deeming the ban on same-sex marriage…

  • Preserving Our Pastime: Historic Preservation and Baseball

    By Drew Meisenheimer Faculty Mentor: DKC Fellowship, Cartland Berge, Shannon Houser, Dr. Katherine Parker Abstract The world has a lot of good, but there are some events to learn from in our history. Some of these events are seen in baseball and become more evident in the spaces in which baseball has been played. The…

  • Effect of Proton Pump Inhibitors on Growth of Jurkat T Lympocytes

    By Caroline Sampson, Emma Jones Faculty Mentor: Randall Reif Abstract Proton Pump inhibitors (PPIs), common in stomach acid medications, have been shown to be toxic to some cancer cells by inhibition of the vascular ATPase proton pump which, under normal conditions, removes protons from the cell. With proton pumps deactivated, accumulation of protons inside the…

  • Effect of Sodium Benzoate on Pancreatic Function in Zebrafish

    By Josiah Arnold Faculty Mentor: Dr. Dianne Baker Abstract The prevalence of type 1 diabetes is growing globally, and its onset is influenced by factors beyond genetic heritability. One possible factor is sodium benzoate, a common preservative found in many foods and cosmetic products. Its use is widely controversial, and it has recently been linked…

  • Reinforcement Learning AI for Self Driving in TORCS

    By Victor Rahman Faculty Mentor: Evan Coleman Abstract This project explores the application of reinforcement learning techniques to autonomous driving using The Open Racing Car Simulator (TORCS). We develop an agent that learns to drive by interacting with the environment and improving its driving policy over time. Over time we discover setbacks and new improvements…

  • Micro-Knight

    By Jayden Wynes Faculty Mentor: Dr. Jennifer Polack Abstract With the ever-rising video game industry, there exists an ever-growing opportunity to create educational games that still provide an entertaining experience for the user. Micro-Knight is a new attempt at creating an educational video game that focuses on the player experience, while integrating the educational material…

  • Validating the geochemistry of large skeletal architectural corals from the central tropical Pacific as reliable climate archives

    By Jessica Oberlies Faculty Mentor: Dr. Pamela Grothe Abstract The central tropical Pacific is a key region in modulating global climate changes, yet the lack of continuous long-term instrumental climate records from this area inhibits the robust evaluation of future climate impacts. In particular, the sensitivity of the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) to a…

  • José Donoso’s Life and Work. A Website for a Master of Latin American Literature.

    By Noah Oltman Faculty Mentor: Maria Laura Bocaz Leiva Abstract In October of 2024, was the commemoration of Donoso’s centennial. The University of Mary Washington with Universidad Alberto Hurtado co-organized a symposium, “José Donoso: Lecturas, alcance y legado a cien años de su natalicio.” As part of this celebration professor Bocaz and I wanted to…

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