8
th
ANNUAL REGIONAL
STUDENT SCHOLARS FORUM
February 17, 2023
Sponsored by the LSUS Foundation
SPECIAL NOTES TO PRESENTERS AND MENTORS
1. All events will be held in the University Center on the LSU Shreveport campus
located at One University Place in the 8400 block of Youree Drive (LA 1),
Shreveport.
2. Please register and pick up your name tag at the Registration Table in lobby of
the University Center between 8:00 – 8:45 am.
3. A free box lunch will be available for all presenters and mentors with an
official event nametag. Our keynote speaker will address the conference during
lunch in the Ballroom.
4. All slide presentations must be PowerPoint.
5. Presenters should load PowerPoint presentations before the beginning of the
designated session.
6. Poster presenters should have their posters hung in the designated area by 8:45
am. All posters must fit within a 4’ X 4’ space. Easels and a mounting board will
be provided. Poster board numbers correspond to the poster number assigned to
the presenter.
7. There will be a competition with first and second place winners in each category:
undergraduate oral presentations, undergraduate poster presentations, graduate
oral presentations, and graduate poster presentations.
Thank you to the LSUS Foundation for sponsoring
the awards!
PROGRAM
8:00 – 8:45 am Registration
University Center Lobby (UC) (First Floor)
8:30 – 8:45 am Judges and Moderators Meeting
UC Pilots Room (UC 221, Second Floor)
8:45 – 9:05 am Welcome and Orientation
Dr. Helen Taylor, LSUS Provost & Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs
9:15 am – 10:30 am Session A: Graduate Oral Presentations 1: Webster Room
9:15
Hari Lal Kharel
Lamar
University
Bioremediation of Cadmium Using Galdieria
sulphuraria
Dr. Thinesh Selvaratnam, Mentor
9:30
Vir Sagar
Louisiana Tech
University
Use of Urea as an Alternative to Synthetic
Plasticizer for Space Exploration Settlements
Dr Joan Lynam, Mentor
9:45
Maureen Okafor
Louisiana State
University
Shreveport
A Presentation of a GIS Mapping for All
Nonprofits In Louisiana
10:00
Utsab Subedi
Louisiana State
University
Health Sciences
Center
Shreveport
Role of Autotaxin in Vascular Remodeling and
Restenosis
Dr. ManiKandan Panchatcharam, Mentor
10:15
Reham Mohamed
University of
Texas at Tyler
Cellulose Materials for Drug Delivery
Applications
Dr. Shih-Feng Chou, Mentor
9:15 am – 10:30 am Session B: Undergraduate Oral Presentations 1: De Soto Room
9:15
Delaina Walley
Louisiana
Christian
University
Edmund Spenser and Classical Art
Dr. Jeannie Gauthier, Mentor
9:30
Brittney Bostian
University of
Arkansas at
Monticello
Shakespeare and the Ethics of War
Dr. Kay Walter, Mentor
9:45
Whitney Shelton
Sam Houston
State University
The Historical Plight of Black Birthing Mothers
in America
Dr. Scottie Buehler, Mentor
10:00
Destiny Forrest
University of
Arkansas at
Monticello
"A Man's a Man For A' That" and "The Lay of
the Last Minstrel":
Dr. Kay Walter, Mento, Mentor
10:15
Samantha Ray
Louisiana
Christian
University
Moby-Dick: Foreshadowing and Symbolism
Fuse to Convey Melville's Warning Against
Human Intrusion in Nature
Dr. Jeannie Gauthier, Mentor
9:15 am – 10:30 am Session C: Graduate Poster 1: Caddo Bossier Room
GR1
Casey Grinder
Arkansas State
University
Examining the Effectiveness of Marzano
Teaching Strategies on Student Engagement
in Secondary Level ELA Classes
Dr. Ibrahim Duyar, Mentor
GR2
Jasmyn Davenport
Louisiana State
University
Shreveport
Improving the Classroom Engagement of a
High-Need Student Using Differential
Reinforcement
Dr. Steven Powell, Mentor
GR3
Shawanda Burks; Brianna
Brown; Elaine Lemieux;
Brandon Rainwater; Chloe
Suire
Louisiana State
University
Shreveport
A Silent Epidemic: Mental Health as a
Predictor of Suicide among Asian American
Young Adults
Dr. Dr. Kacie Blalock, Mentor
GR4
Joseph Kalita
Loyola
University New
Orleans
Dying to Talk to Someone: Discussing
Suicidality in the Therapy Room
Dr. Denise Gilstrap
GR5
Marisa Salgueiro
University of
Texas
Barriers to the Integration of Mental Health and
Primary Care
Dr. Cara Young, Mentor
GR6
Pratik Lama
University of
Texas at Tyler
Rutting Prediction Model based on
Environmental and Traffic Condition on Texas
State Using Artificial Neural Network
Dr. Mena I. Souliman, Mentor
GR7
Aalok Sharma Kafle
Lamar
University
Comparison of Annual Maximum Series and
Peak Over Threshold for Estimating Flood
Return Period in SE Plains Ecoregion
Dr. Venkatesh Uddameri, Mentor
GR8
Rami Khalifah
University of
Texas at Tyler
Development of Prediction Model for Rutting
Depth Using Artificial Neural Network
Dr. Mena I. Souliman, Mentor
GR9
Dylan Roberts
Louisiana State
University
Shreveport
"Development of a Laboratory Exercise to
Investigate the Mathematical Relationships
of the Buoyancy Compartments Inside the
Shell of Nautilus pompilius"
Dr. Stephen Banks, Mentor
GR10
Dylan Roberts
Louisiana State
University
Shreveport
Development of Therapeutic Drugs for
Alzheimer's Disease
Dr. Santosh D'Mello, Mentor
GR11
Prashanta Kumar Acharjee
University of
Texas at Tyler
Dynamic Shar Modulus and Phase Angle
Prediction Model for Modified Binder Using
Artificial Neural Network (ANN)
Dr. Mena I. Souliman, Mento
9:15 am – 10:30 am Session D: Undergraduate Poster 1: Ballroom
UG1
Phoebe Norrell
University of
Arkansas at
Monticello
Poison Apples: The True Death of Reverend
Dimmesdale in The Scarlet Letter
Dr. Kay Walter, Mentor
UG2
Julia Fincher
Tarleton State
University
Marketing of Cannabis Over the Years
Dr. Robert Pellegrino, Mentor
UG3
Carley Welborn
University of
Texas at Tyler
Examining the Role of Passion in Students'
Engagement and Dropout Intentions
Dr. Christopher Thomas, Mentor
UG4
Bonnie Large
Tarleton State
University
Perceptions and Attitudes of Phage Therapy
Among US Providers and Their Willingness to
Adopt Such Therapy for Treating Antibiotic
Resistant Infections
Dr. Subi Gandhi, Mentor
UG5
Sophia West
Concordia
University
Game Theory and Survival Strategies of
Animal Behavior
Dr. Bruce Reese, Mentor
UG6
Alexandra Tobar-Flores,
Robin Afshar, Emily Allday,
Mattie Mcquary, Angel
Steele
Tarleton State
University
Lack of Awareness of the Long-Term Care
Ombudsman Program
Dr. Lindsey N. Marek, Mentor
UG7
Ravon Nicco Davis
Concordia
University
Traffic Stops: Relations of Socioeconomic
Status to Police Judgement and Behavior
Dr. Bruce Reese and Dr. Monica Yndo, Mentors
UG8
Breanna Hippler
Victoria Godfrey
Louisiana State
University
Shreveport
The Influence of Social Functioning on Quality
of Life and the Potential Moderating Role of
Coping Style
Dr. Tracie Pasold, Mentor
UG9
Alex Raines
University of
Arkansas at
Monticello
An Out-of-Body Shipwreck
Dr. Kay Walter, Mentor
UG10
Isabella Brown
Centenary
College
Human Anatomy and Diverse Anatomical
Models Dr. Anna K. Leal, Mentor
UG11
Jazmine Carroll
Centenary
College
Diversifying Anatomical Models
Dr. Anna Leal, Mentor
10:30 am – 11:00 am COFFEE BREAK: UC Ballroom
11:00 am – 12:00 pm Session E: Graduate Oral Presentations 2: DeSoto Room
11:00
Brian Sivils
Louisiana at
Monroe
"Egyptian Funerary Formula": The Use of
Memorization Tools and Multiple Disciplines in
Higher Education
Dr. Monica Bontty, Mentor
11:15
Madelyn Arender
Louisiana at
Monroe
Modernist Marlow
Dr. Jana Giles, Mentor
11:30
Natalia Muller
University
Shreveport
Eyes Of A Soldier: The Story of E.F. Jemison
Dr. Gary Joiner, Mentor
11:45
Jonathan Gregg Sandahl
Louisiana at
Monroe
Dorothea and her Husbands: The Sublime and
Picturesque in Middlemarch
Dr. Jana Giles, Mentor
11:00 am – 12:30 pm SESSION F: Graduate Oral Presentations 3: Webster Room
11:00
Diala Bani Mustafa
University of
Texas at Tyler
Electrospun Blend PCL/PEO Microfibers for
Topical Drug Delivery Applications
Dr. Shih-Feng Chou, Mentor
11:15
Ms. Shilpa Thota
Southern
University and
A&M College
Pentachlorophenol Induced Inflammation and
Autophagy: Role of Epigenetic Factors
Dr. Sanjay Batra, Mentor
11:30
Rachel Shai Emerine
University of
Texas at Tyler
Electrospun Polymer Fibers for Delivery of
Slightly and Poorly Water-Soluble Drugs
Dr. Shih-Feng Chou, Mentor
11:45
Rizwana Begum
Southern
University and
A&M College
Targeting Lipid Rafts to Mitigate E-Cigs
Condensate-Induced Inflammation
12:00
Arip Nur
Lamar
University
Integration of SAR, GIS, and Deep Learning
Techniques to Map Wildfire Susceptibility in
Plumas National Forest, California
Dr. Yong Je Kim, Mentor
12:15
Stacey Wright
Kimberly Amady-Syd
Sam Houston
State University
A School-based Virtual Hearing Conservation
Intervention for Teen Farmers in Rural Texas
Dr. Khalid M. Khan, Mentor
11:00 am – 12:00 pm SESSION G: Undergraduate Oral Presentations 2: Red River Room
11:00
Alyssa Pettit
Arkansas State
University
Correlating Patterns Between College Students'
Socioeconomic Backgrounds and Health
Literacy
Dr. Philip Tew, Mentor
11:15
Azucena Cuevas, Desiree
A. Martinez, and Adelaido
C. Reyna
St. Mary's
University
School District Websites: Serving the Mental
Health Needs of La Raza or Just Another Missed
Opportunity?
Dr. Rick Sperling, Mentor
11:30
Kaitlyn Farr
Henderson
State University
Secret Squirrel and Blue Lagoon Caves: Unique
Microbial Systems in Central Tennessee Provide
Potential New Models for Life on Mars.
Dr. James Engman, Mentor
11:45
Kaia Young
University of
Arkansas at
Monticello
Contagious Obsession, Jealousy, and
Heartbreak in Tristan and Isolde
Dr. Kay Walter, Mentor
11:00 am – 12:30 pm SESSION H: Graduate Poster 2: UC Caddo Bossier Room
GR12
Ranjeeth Reddy Kondati
Southern
University and
A&M College
TCHQ and PCP Differentially Regulate
Inflammatory, Apoptotic, and Autophagy
Mediators in Lung/Liver Epithelial Cells
Dr. Sanjay Batra
GR13
Mickilee Ver Steeg
Texas A&M
University-
Commerce
Disrupted RAS-MAPK Signaling Confers Growth
Factor Independence In Erythroleukemia Cell
Line UT-7
Dr. Venugopalan Cheriyath, Mentor
GR14
Dhruthi Mutyala
Southern
University and
A&M College
Dysregulated Proteostasis Mechanisms in E-
Cigs Vapor condensate Challenged Lung
Epithelial Cells. Dr. Sanjay Batra, Mentor
GR15
Diksha Shakya
Texas A&M
University-
Commerce
G1P3 Promotes the Association of Rab5
Positive with Mitochondria in Breast Cancer
Cells
Dr. Venugopalan Cheriyath, Mentor
GR16
Nandini Bidarimath
Southern
University and
A&M College
Possible Role of RPS6 in SUMO-Dependent
Regulation of Cell Survival and Death Processes
During DPE-Exposure
Dr. Sanjay Batra, Mentor
GR17
Luis A. Pena Marquez
Louisiana State
University
Shreveport
Deep Learning for Complete Blood Cell Count
Dr. Subhajit Chakrabarty, Mentor
GR18
Musfikur Rahaman
Arkansas Tech
University
Programming Sequence Improvement Program
(PSIP)
Dr Robin Ghosh. Mentor
GR19
Fabian Okafor
Louisiana State
University
Shreveport
Predicting Mortality in Breast Cancer Patients in
Louisiana using K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN)
Machine Learning Model
Dr. Cvek Urska, Mentor
GR20
Abu Akid
Arkansas State
University
Effect of Waste Tire Rubber on the Fresh
Properties Of Concrete
Dr. Zahid Hossain, Mentor
GR21
Kushum K C
Lamar
University
Resiliency: Mining for the Truth
Dr. E. Annette Hernandez, Mentor
11:00 am – 12:30 pm SESSION I: Undergraduate Poster 2: Ballroom
UG12
Trinity Campbell
Texas A&M
University-
Commerce
Fetal Bovine Serum Alternative in Culturing
Hormonal-Dependent Human Cells
Dr. Venugopalan Cheriyath, Mentor
UG13
Madison McMullen
Louisiana State
University
Shreveport
A Specific Gravity and Refractive Index Study
of Rosemary in Ethanol Extracts
Dr. Elizabeth Zippi, Mentor
UG14
Madison McMullen
Louisiana State
University
Shreveport
Specific Gravity and Refractive Index Studies of
Salvia rosmarinus in Ethanol
Dr. Elizabeth Zippi, Mentor
UG15
Madelyn Terrell
Texas A&M
University-
Commerce
G1P3-induced Cav1 Promotes Breast Cancer
Cell Migration Through ROCK Pathway
Dr. Venugopalan Cheriyath, Mentor
UG16
Kristin Smith
Northwestern
State University
Aeromonas spp. Prevalence in Natchitoches, LA
Waterways
Dr. Li Ma and Dr. Jerry Brunson, Mentors
UG17
Madison Furton, Sadie
Parker
Texas A & M
University -
Texarkana
Risk Factors of ACL Injury Among Female
Athletes in Non-Contact Team Sports: A
Systematic Review Dr. Shihui Chen, Mentor
UG18
Devon Salvaterra
Louisiana State
University
Shreveport
The Effect of Nitrogen Fertilizer on Chia
Growth
Dr. Amy Anne Erickson, Mentor
UG19
Hailey Brokenberry
Louisiana State
University
Shreveport
The Effects of Potential Therapeutic Drugs in
Cell Culture Models of Parkinson's Disease
Dr. Santosh D'Mello, Mentor
12:30 pm – 1:30 pm Lunch & Keynote Speaker, UC Ballroom
A box lunch is available for all registered attendees.
Dr. Urska Cvek, Lisa Burke Bioinformatics Endowed Professor
Co-Director, Laboratory for Advanced Biomedical Informatics
Urska Cvek is Professor of Computer
Science at LSUS, where she holds the
Lisa Burke Bioinformatics Endowed
Professorship. She received her
Bachelor’s in Economics degree from
University of Ljubljana, Slovenia (1995).
She discovered her passion for computing
while pursuing her graduate Business
Administration degree at University of
Massachusetts Lowell where she was
awarded her M.B.A. (1997) and Doctor of
Science in Computer Science (2004)
degrees. Prior to joining LSUS, she co-
founded Anvil, Inc., a data visualization
company, and worked as a research
assistant at the Institute for Visualization
and Perception Research and Center for
Family, Work and Community at UMass
Lowell.
1:30 pm – 3:00 pm Session J: Graduate Oral Presentations 4: Webster Room
1:30
Lawrence Ogbeifun
University of
Mississippi
Two illustrations of the Quantity Theory of
Money: A Restatement
Dr. Joshua Hendrickson, Mentor
1:45
Grant Coleman
Louisiana State
University
Shreveport
"Socialism: From the Bible to the French
Revolution”
Dr. Evan Reibsome, Mentor
2:00
Jenny Watkins
Arkansas State
University
Influence of Organizational Constraints and
Principals' Authentic Leadership on Teachers'
Psychological Well-being
Dr. Ibrahim Duyar, Mentor
2:15
Jordan Wilburn
Northwestern
State University
Child sexual grooming effects on anxiety,
depression, and trust in college students
Dr. Cynthia Lindsey, Mentor
2:30
Avery Rumsey
Stephen F.
Austin State
University
A Systematic Review Examining the
Effectiveness of Grief Therapy in Dealing with
Loss
Dr. Stephanie Washington, Mentor
1:30 pm – 3:00 pm Session K: Undergraduate Oral Presentations 3: De Soto Room
1:30
Sara Orellana
University of
Texas at Tyler
"Have a Drink of Culture": The Issue of
Alcoholism in Native Communities Portrayed in
Literature
Dr. Anett Jessop, Mentor
1:45
Katie Vermilyea
University of
Arkansas at
Monticello
The Oppression of Women and Violation of
Human Rights in Titus Andronicus
Dr. Kay Walter, Mentor
2:00
Lauren Polson
University of
Louisiana at
Monroe
The Socialist Ideologies Expressed in Carter's
The Bloody Chamber
Dr. Jana Giles, Mentor
2:15
Madison Isenberg
University of
Texas at Tyler
Volksdrogen: The Third Reich Powered by
Methamphetamine
Dr. Mandy Link, Mentor
2:30
Azylah Gardner
University of
Louisiana at
Monroe
Anna Barbauld:Proto-Feminism
Dr. Jana Giles, Mentor
2:45
Ariene Thompson
University of
Arkansas at
Monticello
The Sinful Transformations in The Scarlet
Letter
Dr. Kay Walter, Mentor
3:00 pm – 3:30 pm Networking and Open Poster: UC Ballroom
3:30 pm – 4:00 pm Awards Ceremony: UC Theater
Planning Committee Members
Dr. Sanjay Menon –Professor of Management and Dean of Graduate Studies
Dr. Elisabeth Liebert – Professor of English and Associate Dean, College of Arts & Sciences
Dr. Stephen Banks – Professor of Biological Sciences
Dr. Kevin Jones – Professor and Director of the Graduate Program in Psychology
Dr. Helen Taylor – Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs
Ms. Amanda Lewis – Director of Sponsored Research & Technology Transfer
LSUS 8
th
Annual Regional Student Scholars Forum
Quick Reference Schedule
8:00 am – 8:45 am Registration – UC Lobby
8:30 am – 8:45 am Judges and Moderators Meeting – UC Pilots Room
(Second Floor)
8:45 am – 9:05 am Welcome and Orientation – UC Theater
9:15 am – 10:30 am MORNING SESSION I
Session
Title
Location
A
Graduate Student Oral Presentations 1
UC Webster Room
B
Undergraduate Student Oral Presentations 1
UC DeSoto Room
C
Graduate Student Posters 1
UC Caddo Bossier Room
D
Undergraduate Student Posters 1
UC Ballroom
10:30 am – 11:00 pm Coffee Break – UC Ballroom
11:00 am – 12:30 pm MORNING SESSION II
Session
Title
Location
E
Graduate Student Oral Presentations 2
UC DeSoto Room
F
Graduate Student Oral Presentations 3
UC Webster Room
G
Undergraduate Student Oral Presentations 2
UC Red River Room
H
Graduate Student Posters 2
UC Caddo Bossier Room
I
Undergraduate Student Posters 2
UC Ballroom
12:30 pm – 1:30 pm Lunch – UC Ballroom
(complimentary for registered attendees)
1:30 pm – 3:00 pm AFTERNOON SESSION
Session
Title
Location
J
Graduate Student Oral Presentations 4
UC Webster Room
K
Undergraduate Student Oral Presentations 3
UC DeSoto Room
3:00 pm – 3:30 pm Networking Break & Open Poster Session – UC Ballroom
3:30 pm – 4:00 pm Awards Ceremony – UC Theater