JAX STATE
STUDENT SYMPOSIUM
March 6, 2026
Merrill Hall
Jax State Student Symposium Spring 2026
The Jax State Student Symposium has been showcasing academic excellence for over three decades. The Symposium started in 1995 in the College of Arts and Sciences and expanded to all colleges in the university in 2017. The Symposium showcases academic excellence, highlighting scholarly and creative activities by all Jax State students. The purpose of the Symposium is to provide a public forum to display and acknowledge the best work of our students.
The faculty members serving as advisors are commended for their dedication. They have devoted hours aiding students, both inside and outside the classroom. Their investment in their students also supports the future of academic excellence in their disciplines.
These student participants, by choosing to go beyond the requirements and limits of the classroom, have demonstrated an understanding of the importance of adding value to their educational experience. We are proud of their initiative and accomplishments.
Thank you for attending the Symposium and supporting our faculty and students in this endeavor.
Dr. Jason Cleveland, Symposium Director
Cover design by Lilly Preciado
Jax State Student Symposium 2026
Schedule Overview
Morning Sessions 8:00 – 11:30
Presentations A
Merrill Hall 110 Presentations B
Merrill Hall 118 Presentations C
Posters A 11:30 – 12:30
Luncheon 11:30 – 1:30
Merrill Hall 300
Merrill Hall Atrium
Merrill Hall Atrium Drop in for Buffet President’s Remarks at 12:00 pm
Afternoon Sessions 1:30 – 4:30
Posters B 12:30 – 1:30
Presentations D
Presentations E
Merrill Hall Atrium
Merrill Hall 110
Merrill Hall 118 Presentations F
Merrill Hall 300
Jax State Student Symposium Morning Sessions
Presentation Session A – Merrill Hall 110 – 8:00 – 11:30 am
8:00| Dean-Stoots, Bethany (UG) - Sex Education and Teenage Parents. Advisor: Benjamin Gross. College of Social & Behavioral Sciences.
Health Professions & Wellness Block
8:15| Gilbert, Alexis (G) - Effects of Post-Exercise Protein Intake on Muscle Protein Synthesis After Resistance Training. Advisors: Majid Koozehchian & Gina Mabrey. College of Health Professions & Wellness.
8:30| Pham, Andy (G) - Effects of Tart Cherry Juice Supplementation on Muscle Function and Inflammatory Responses Following Exercise. Advisors: Majid Koozehchian & Gina Mabrey. College of Health Professions & Wellness.
Education & Professional Studies Block
8:45| Holloway, NaTaysia (G) - Exploring the Impact of Mental Health on Academic Performance and Engagement: An Interpretative Phenomenological Study of Title I High School Upperclassmen in Northeast Alabama. Advisor: Torsten Dryden. College of Education & Professional Studies.
9:00| Brown, Elizabeth (UG) - Transition University: Accessibility, Accommodations, and Modifications. Advisor: Cynthia Connor. College of Education & Professional Studies. Co-Authors: Skyla Kepple and Trey’Vionne Marshall.
Interdisciplinary Block
9:15| Chaney, Brooks (G) - Creatine Supplementation and Brain Function: Implications for Cognition, Neurodegeneration, and Metabolic Stress. Advisors: Majid Koozehchian & Gina Mabrey. College of Health Professions & Wellness.
9:30| Blazzard, Morgan (G) - Training Experience Modulates Post-Exercise Muscle Protein Synthesis and Hypertrophic Adaptation. Advisors: Majid Koozehchian & Gina Mabrey. College of Health Professions & Wellness.
9:45| Smith, Leah (G) - Addressing Gaps in Literacy: A Student Impact Study of Seventh-Grade Collaborative English. Advisor: Candice Byers. College of Education & Professional Studies.
10:00| McCormick, Bradley (G) - Creatine Supplementation: Effects on Performance, Body Composition, and Health Across Diverse Populations. Advisors: Majid Koozehchian & Gina Mabrey. College of Health Professions & Wellness.
10:15| Adkins, Christopher (UG) - A GPU Driven Vulkan Renderer. Advisors: Monica Trifas. College of Arts, Humanities, & Sciences.
10:30| Mahan, Dillon (G) – Effects of Short-Term Beta-Alanine Supplementation on Performance and Fatigue During a HighIntensity CrossFit Workout. Advisors: Majid Koozehchian & Gina Mabrey. College of Health Professions & Wellness.
10:45| Shrestha, Karun (UG) - AI BIAS. Advisor: Cynthia Jensen. College of Arts, Humanities, & Sciences.
Presentation Session B – Merrill Hall 118 – 8:00 – 11:30 am
Science & Mathematics Block
8:00| Geyer, Cecelia (G) - Alabama Prairie Reconstruction: Comparing Management Pathways for a Southeastern Landscape. Advisor: Tenzing Ingty. College of Arts, Humanities, & Sciences.
8:15| Korku, Yunus (G) - Investigating the Ethernet Capabilities and Limitations of Raspberry Pi 4B and Raspberry Pi 5. Advisor: Eric Gamess. College of Arts, Humanities, & Sciences. Co-Author: Aashaya Aryal
8:30| Adams, Macie (UG) - A Picture a Thousand Years in the Making. Advisor: Jed DeBruin. College of Arts, Humanities, & Sciences.
8:45| Leary, Carter (UG) - What Is Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence. Advisor: Monica Trifas. College of Arts, Humanities, & Sciences.
9:00| James, Jamall J. (G) - Exoskeleton with Remote Sensing and Slug-testing Capabilities. Advisor: Subhasis Ghosh. College of Arts, Humanities, & Sciences. (Interactive Demo)
9:15| Banjara, Sabin (G) - Controlling a Drone with Brain Signals. Advisor: Arup Ghosh. College of Arts, Humanities, & Sciences. (Interactive Demo)
9:30| Liggons, Jakob (UG) - In Operando Spectroscopy Reveals Charge Transfer Mechanisms on TiO2 Photocatalyst. Advisor: Meikun Shen. College of Arts, Humanities, & Sciences.
9:45| Wilson, Peyton (G) - Intermediates or Intermedius? An Examination of Lotic Sternotherus in Baldwin and Mobile Counties, AL. Advisor: Grover Brown. College of Arts, Humanities, & Sciences.
10:00| Basyal, Prashant (UG) – walkJSU. Advisor: Arup Ghosh. College of Arts, Humanities, & Sciences.
10:15| Gomez, Marcus (UG) - Synthesis of Tertiary Amines as Probes of Antitumor and Antimicrobial Mechanisms. Advisor: Stephen Slauson. College of Arts, Humanities, & Sciences.
10:30| Shrestha, Utsav (UG) - AI Assisted Academic Support System. Advisor: Arup Ghosh. College of Arts, Humanities, & Sciences.
10:45| De Brito, Ashley (UG) - Evolution in Syntrophy: Visualizing Lineage Dynamics Over 1,000 Generation. Advisor: Reshmi Upreti. College of Arts, Humanities, & Sciences.
Presentation Session C – Merrill Hall 300 – 8:00 – 11:30 am
Arts & Humanities Block
8:00| Edwards, Ella-Grace (UG) - Crafting the Hard Truth: The Rhetorical Development Behind To the Bone Advisor: Tanya Sasser. College of Arts, Humanities, & Sciences.
8:15| Ruiz, Ana (UG) - Africa's Hidden History: The Bight of Biafra. Advisor: Rachel Weiser. College of Arts, Humanities, & Sciences.
Business & Industry Block
8:30| Wilczek, Abigail (UG) - One Month Offline: A Statistical Journey Toward Psychological Balance. Advisor: Brent Heard. College of Business & Industry.
Social & Behavioral Sciences Block
8:45| Trivette, Samantha (UG) - The Exclusionary Rule. Advisor: Sheryl Pelletier. College of Social & Behavioral Sciences.
9:00| Gonzalez, Lauren (UG) - Measuring Student Experience: Statistical Patterns in Campus Issues. Advisors: Brianna Turgeon & Jacob Church. College of Social & Behavioral Sciences. Co-Authors: Jaliyah Hamilton, Landree Jones, & Olivia Junious.
Interdisciplinary Block
9:15| Roussey, Mitchell (G) - Comparing Plant-Based and Animal-Based Proteins for Supporting Muscle Protein Synthesis in Athletes. Advisors: Majid Koozehchian & Gina Mabrey. College of Health Professions & Wellness.
9:30| Reeves, Riley (UG) - Interactions Between Purple Dead-Nettle and Powdery Mildew: Implications for the Evolution of Disease Resistance. Advisor: Jimmy Triplett. College of Arts, Humanities, & Sciences.
9:45| Bailey, Brianna (G) - Chemistry and Other Stories: The Complexity of Love. Advisor: Randall Davis. College of Arts, Humanities, & Sciences.
10:00| Shelton, Grace (UG) - The Impact of AI on Student Writing and Learning Environments. Advisor: Raina Kostova. College of Arts, Humanities, & Sciences.
10:15| Handley, Kadyn (UG) - The De-Extinction Delusion: Spectacle Science and The Privatization of The Past. Advisor: Marija Reiff. College of Arts, Humanities, & Sciences.
10:30| Goggins, Matias (UG) - This is a Different Game. Advisor: Julia Tigner. College of Arts, Humanities, & Sciences.
10:45| Jones, Ellington (UG) - Sustainability in Sports: The Pilot Study. Advisor: Allen Gilbert. College of Health Professions & Wellness.
Poster Session A – Merrill Hall Atrium – 11:30 – 12:30
Mikle, Sara (UG) - Integrating Academic Vocabulary to Improve Sixth-Grade Learning on Planetary Habitats. Advisor: Jennifer Troncale. College of Education & Professional Studies.
Wood, Carly (UG) - How Does Model-Based Learning Impact Elementary Students' Ability to Describe or Explain Predictable Patterns of the Moon's Phases? Advisor: Jennifer Troncale. College of Education & Professional Studies.
Geyer, Cecelia (G) - Alabama Prairie Reconstruction: Comparing Management Pathways for a Southeastern Landscape. Advisor: Tenzing Ingty. College of Arts, Humanities, & Sciences.
Christ, Meredith (UG) - From Words to Understanding: Integrating Vocabulary into Science Learning. Advisor: Jennifer Troncale. College of Education & Professional Studies.
Clowdis, Maggie (UG) - How Does Incorporating Visual Models During a Science Interdisciplinary Lesson Affect Elementary Students’ Ability to Explain How Air Pressure, Weather Fronts, and Air Masses Are Related to Weather Events? Advisor: Jennifer Troncale. College of Education & Professional Studies.
Potter, Sera (UG) - Impact Study: Understanding Perspective, Point of View, and Empathy in Literature. Advisor: Linda A. Mitchell. College of Education & Professional Studies.
Bearden, Derek (UG) - Exploring Environmental Solutions: A Student Impact Study on Water Resource Education. Advisor: Jennifer Troncale. College of Education & Professional Studies.
Nelson, Chasity (UG) - Improving Students' Evidence-Based Writing through the CER Framework. Advisor: Jennifer Troncale. College of Education & Professional Studies.
Trebus, Emily (UG) - Elementary Education Impact Study: Energy Transfer. Advisor: Jennifer Troncale. College of Education & Professional Studies.
Williams, Kalaya (UG) - How Does Increased Hands-on Participation Combined with Using a Frayer Model and CER Framework Affect Students’ Engagement and Ability to Explain the Relationship between an Object’s Speed and Energy Using Science Vocabulary? Advisor: Jennifer Troncale. College of Education & Professional Studies.
Foroutan, Nakeeya (UG) - MPL Variant F105L Bioinformatic Analysis as Relates to Pericarditis. Advisor: Jenna Ridlen. College of Arts, Humanities, & Sciences. Co-Author: Mikayla Williams
Chandler, Hannah (UG) - Sound Body, Sound Performance: A Guide to Injury Prevention for Musicians. Advisor: Rachel Park. College of Arts, Humanities, & Sciences. Co-Author: Elisabeth Rea
Jax State Student Symposium Afternoon Sessions
Poster Session B – Merrill Hall Atrium – 12:30 – 1:30 pm
Bryant, Brilee (UG) - How Does Model-based Learning, through Creating and Annotating Digital Models of the Water Cycle, Affect Student Engagement and Their Ability to Clearly Explain the Water Cycle? Advisor: Jennifer Troncale. College of Education & Professional Studies.
Gordon, Summer (UG) - Using CER Charts to Create Argumentative Essays. Advisor: Jennifer Troncale. College of Education & Professional Studies.
Boyzo, Antonio (G) - Modeling Aetokthonotoxin-Induced Mitochondrial Uncoupling Using FCCP in Zebrafish Embryos: A Thesis Proposal. Advisor: James Rayburn. College of Arts, Humanities, & Sciences.
DeVoe, Hannah (UG) - Category Detectives. Advisor: Kelly Whaley. College of Education & Professional Studies.
Collins, Lark (G) - Leveling the Playing Field: A Multi-Phase Analysis of Biomechanical Asymmetries and Training Access for Female Athletes. Advisor: Allen Gilbert. College of Health Professions & Wellness.
Gnawali, Manas (UG) - The Curvature of Care: How the Second Derivative Prevents AI Medical Errors. Advisor: Monica Trifas. College of Arts, Humanities, & Sciences.
Presentation Session D – Merrill Hall 110 – 1:30 – 4:30 pm
Business & Industry Block
1:30 | Peace, Chloe (UG) – CBA Social Media Audit. Advisor: Dr. Jianping Coco Huang. College of Business. Co-Authors: Julia Gipson & Haleigh Chavez.
Social & Behavioral Sciences Block
1:45| Jackson-Talmadge, Malachi (G) - Evaluating the Effects of Behavioral Skills Training on Defensive Back Skills in High School Football Players: A Focus on Man Coverage. Advisor: C. Renee Renda. College of Social & Behavioral Sciences. CoAuthor: Keaton Deboard
2:00| Trivette, Samantha (UG) - The Ballistics of Reloaded Ammunition. Advisor: Sadik Arin. College of Social & Behavioral Sciences.
2:15| Kelly, Brelyn (UG) - The Myth of Privacy. Advisor: Sadik Arin. College of Social & Behavioral Sciences. Education & Professional Studies Block
2:30| Williams, Jakob (UG) - Teaching the Heart: An Impact Study Evaluating the Effects of Scaffolded Multimodal Instruction on Circulatory System Understanding and Scientific Communication. Advisor: Ashley Turner. College of Education & Professional Studies. Co-Author: Rebecca Henderson
Arts & Humanities Block
2:45| Silvey, Anna Grace (UG) - The Story of Liberty Bell: A Primary Source Analysis. Advisor: Rachel Weiser. College of Arts, Humanities, & Sciences.
3:00| Kandangwa, Itusha (UG) - How Food (Nutrition) Effect the Students' Academic Performance. Advisor: Marija Reiff. College of Arts, Humanities, & Sciences.
3:15| Randall, Alexius (UG) - The Iliad and The Odyssey: A Cultural Memory of Enslavement. Advisor: Lindsay Holman. College of Arts, Humanities, & Sciences.
Interdisciplinary Block
3:30| Alexander, Madeline (UG) - Appreciation, More Than Gratitude: Associations Between Appreciation and Physical Health. Advisor: Heidi Dempsey. College of Social & Behavioral Sciences.
3:45| Boyzo, Antonio (G) - Modeling Aetokthonotoxin-Induced Mitochondrial Uncoupling Using FCCP in Zebrafish Embryos: A thesis Proposal. Advisor: James Rayburn. College of Arts, Humanities, & Sciences.
4:00| Meadows, Anna (UG) - Does Snail Host Size Matter for Infections by Parasitic Flatworms? Advisor: Lori Tolley-Jordan. College of Arts, Humanities, & Sciences.
Presentation Session E – Merrill Hall 118 – 1:30 – 4:30 pm
Science & Mathematics Block
1:30| Richards, Asel (G) - A Literature Review of Symbiotic Relationships between Spiders and Other Organisms. Advisor: Lori Tolley-Jordan. College of Arts, Humanities, & Sciences.
1:45| Thapa Shrestha, Stutika (UG) - Organic Chemistry Insights into Effects of Cannabichromene (CBC) on Osteosarcoma Cells. Advisor: Stephen Slauson. College of Arts, Humanities, & Sciences.
2:00| Westergaard Pedersen, Maja (UG) - Migration from Denmark to the U.S. Advisor: Jed DeBruin. College of Arts, Humanities, & Sciences.
2:15| Lamichhane, Dinesh (G) - Drone-Based Aerial Mapping of Landslides: Change Analysis and Debris Volume Estimation in Ramechhap, Nepal. Advisor: Saeideh Gharehchani. College of Arts, Humanities, & Sciences.
2:30| Grace, Anthony (UG) - How Can Human Enabling Design Approaches Improve Software Security and Cybersecurity. Advisor: Monica Trifas. College of Arts, Humanities, & Sciences.
2:45| Freng, Andrea (UG) - Development of Microinjection Methods in Embryos of Model Vertebrates as a Platform for Targeted Toxicology and Future Gene Modification at Jacksonville State University. Advisor: James Rayburn. College of Arts, Humanities, & Sciences.
3:00| Muncher, Connor (G) - Evaluating Raspberry Pi Platforms as Practical Solutions for Low-Cost Edge-Based Machine Learning. Advisor: Gaus Alam & Eric Gamess. College of Arts, Humanities, & Sciences.
3:15| Higginbotham, Emma (UG) - Cracking the Cane Code: A Rapid, Low-Cost DNA Fingerprinting Toolkit for Native Bamboo Species. Advisor: Jimmy Triplett. College of Arts, Humanities, & Sciences.
3:30| Singh, Utsav (G) - Explainable AI (XAI). Advisor: Arup Ghosh. College of Arts, Humanities, & Sciences.
3:45| Skipper, Jakob (G) - Who Do We Trust? A Comparison Between Human and Generative AI Opinions on Website Safety and Suitability for Children. Advisor: Arup Ghosh. College of Arts, Humanities, & Sciences.
4:00| Nauman, Aaron (UG) - L-Cysteine Interactions on Cannabidiol-induced Effects on Mortality, Malformation and Growth in Xenopus Embryos. Advisor: James Rayburn. College of Arts, Humanities, & Sciences.
4:15| LaPoint, JoAnna (G) - Fragmented but Not Isolated: Evidence for Distance-Structured Gene Flow in Clematis socialis. Advisor: Jimmy Triplett. College of Arts, Humanities, & Sciences.
Presentation Session F – Merrill Hall 300 – 1:30 – 4:30 pm
Health Professions & Wellness Block
1:30| Williams, Chloey Dale (UG) - The Growth and Challenges of Women’s Professional Sports Leagues. Advisor: Allen Gilbert. College of Health Professions & Wellness.
1:45| Irby, Grant (G) - Balance Training in Ankle Rehabilitation. Advisors: David J. Kean, Jennifer Savage Burgett, & Chris M. Clark. College of Health Professions & Wellness.
2:00| Coughlin, Gabrielle (G) - Endocrine Markers and Musculoskeletal Injury in Female Soccer Athletes: A Critically Appraised Topic. Advisors: Jennifer Savage Burgett, David J. Kean, & Chris M. Clark. College of Health Professions & Wellness.
2:15| Kampi, Masruna (G) - Cultural Competence & Schizophrenia Diagnosis: A Critically Appraised Topic. Advisors: Jennifer Savage Burgett, Chris M. Clark, & David J. Kean. College of Health Professions & Wellness.
2:30| Johnson, David (G) - Effects of Prehabilitation on Outcomes Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Critically Appraised Topic. Advisors: Chris M. Clark, David J. Kean, & Jennifer Savage Burgett. College of Health Professions & Wellness.
2:45| Jones, Devin (G) - Are Former Athletes with Histories of Multiple Concussions at Increased Risk of Stroke Compared to Former Athletes with No Concussion History. Advisors: Jennifer Savage Burgett, Chris M. Clark, & David J. Dean. College of Health Professions & Wellness.
3:00| Busby, Dalton (G) - The Effect of Playing Surface on Injury Rates in American Football: A Systematic Review of Artificial Turf vs. Natural Grass. Advisors: David J. Kean, Jennifer Savage Burgett, & Chris M. Clark. College of Health Professions & Wellness.
3:15| Calvert, John Micah (G) - Platelet Rich Plasma vs. Corticosteroids for Achillies Tendinopathy. Advisors: Chris M. Clark, David J. Kean, & Jennifer Savage Burgett. College of Health Professions & Wellness.
3:30| Ashley, Morgan (G) - The Role of Creatine Supplementation and Resistance Training in Promoting Muscle, Bone, and Cognitive Health in Older Adults. Advisors: Majid Koozehchian & Gina Mabrey. College of Health Professions & Wellness.
3:45| Bonness, Faith (G) - Short-Term Rhodiola rosea Supplementation on Cognition and Exercise Performance: A Randomized, Crossover, Double-Blind, and Placebo-Controlled Study. Advisors: Majid Koozehchian & Gina Mabrey. College of Health Professions & Wellness.
4:00| Friday, Zantia (G) - Evidence-Based Effects of Creatine Supplementation on Physical and Cognitive Performance. Advisors: Majid Koozehchian & Gina Mabrey. College of Health Professions & Wellness.
All Student Symposium studies participants and faculty advisors are invited to the luncheon on March 6 and to the Awards Reception on March 16 at Merrill Hall Auditorium, B-10, at 4:30 pm.
Symposium Committee:
Jason Cleveland, Symposium Director
Patrice Anderson
Arup Ghosh
Bethany Latham
Tim Lindblom
Gina Mabrey
Kelsey McEntyre
Hoshik Nam
Kristi Smith
Kate Stewart
Staci Stone
Falynn Turley
Rachel Weiser
Cover Design Participants:
Lilly Preciado (2026 cover design winner)
Molly Carpenter
Tirra Ellis
Benjamin Green
Briona Peoples
Zoey Taylorson
Juliana Thompson
Bella Willard
Faculty Mentors: Patrice Anderson
Special Thanks to:
Tracy Casey
Kate Farmer
Jax State Print Shop
Mica Mecham
Chris Newsome
Sodexo
Symposium Judges
Dr. Sean Patrick Alvarez
Assistant Professor of Economics
Dr. Meghan Burroughs Assistant Professor- Public Health, Kinesiology
Dr. Jan Case
Distinguished Professor & Department Head Mathematical, Computing, and Information Sciences
Dr. Kathryn Catlin Assistant Professor of Anthropology
Dr. Chris Clark Associate Professor- Athletic Training, Kinesiology
Dr. Jason Cleveland
Associate Professor of Statistics
Ms. Amanda Cunningham Instructor, ESW- Kinesiology
Dr. Saeideh Gharehchahi
Assistant Professor of Geography
Dr. Arup Ghosh
Associate Professor of Computer Science
Mr. Noah Grady Instructor of Accounting
Dr. Keith Lowe Distinguished Professor of Business Statistics
Dr. Kelsey McEntyre Assistant Professor, HPE- Kinesiology
Dr. Linda Mitchell Professor & Department Head Teacher Education
Dr. Hoshik Nam Assistant Professor of Political Science
Dr. Andrew Newton Associate Professor, ESW- Kinesiology
Dr. Sheryl Pelletier Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice
Ms. Rafaela Rafajlovska Instructor, ESW- Kinesiology
Dr. Ragavanantham Shanmugam Professor & Department Head Applied Engineering
Ms. Susan Shellhorse Instructor of English
Ms. Julie Staples Instructor & Department Head Finance, Economics and Accounting
Dr. Staci Stone Professor & Vice Provost Academic Affairs
Dr. Kelley Swatzell Associate Professor- Public Health, Kinesiology
Dr. Monica Trifas Associate Professor of Computer Science
Dr. Falynn Turley Associate Professor of Business Statistics
Ms. Clara Valtorta Visiting Instructor of Mathematics
Ms. Cassie Ward Instructor of Business
Dr. Rachel Weiser Assistant Professor of Modern European History
College of Arts, Humanities, and Sciences
College of Business and Industry
College of Education and Professional Studies
College of Health Professions and Wellness
College of Social and Behavioral Sciences
https://jsu.edu/symposium/