Honors Program
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The interdisciplinary Honors Program provides an enhanced learning environment for exceptional University of Tampa students. Led by a distinguished faculty, students are challenged to aim higher and go farther in their lives, communities and careers. Learn more about the Honors Program here.
Honor's students can complete an undergraduate thesis for credit. Search theses by date below, or by keyword in the Search box.
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The Library is undergoing a migration to Spartan Search, where the UoTIR will be integrated in with our catalog. Current capstones, theses, and dissertations will be housed in the Digital Collections found here: https://ut.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/collectionDiscovery?vid=01UTAMPA_INST:SpartanSearch
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Item An Analysis of Spatial Distribution of an Isolated Bahamian Population of the Lined Seahorse, Hippocampus erectus, via Nearest Neighbor, Hot Spot, and Buffering Assessments(Honors Program, The University of Tampa, 2019) Elson, Jessica; Froeschke, Dr. Bridgette; Masonjones, Dr. Heather; Rose, Dr. EmilyUnderstanding the spatial distribution of animal populations is essential for placing their social interactions into context and developing hypotheses about reproductive, feeding, and predator prey behaviors. A particular population of the lined seahorse, Hippocampus erectus, is found in an isolated salt water lake, Sweetings Pond, on the island of Eleuthera, Bahamas. This ecosystem provided a unique opportunity to study the space use of a high density seahorse population in its natural environment. Examination of clustering patterns across time of day, aggregations by size and sex, habitat impact by season, and predator influence on overall spatial distribution were conducted. These questions were analyzed and tested for significance via geographic mapping utilizing nearest neighbor analysis, hot-spot analysis, and the buffering tool. It was concluded that this population of seahorses forms clusters during the nighttime compared to uniform dispersal seen during the daytime. The average seahorse total body length increased with increasing depth regardless of sex. This population is also positively correlated with algae cover in both the wet and dry seasons and display active avoidance of potential predators. Sweetings Pond provided the ideal conditions to be able to study a population in its natural environment. The unprecedented conclusions drawn from this field study provide critical information regarding the natural ecology, behavior, and future conservation efforts of this vulnerable seahorse species.Item An Artificial Intelligence Approach for Recommending Curriculum(Honors Program, The University of Tampa, 2021-05) Krumpter III, Thomas; Dr. Natasha VeltriThis study uses SPSS text mining to compare skills desired by employers in job postings to skills in the 2020 ACM-IS curriculum.Item Behind the Veil: The making of a BTS(Honors Program, The University of Tampa, 2021-05) McNair, Noah; Gregg Perkins, MFA, Committee Chair; Dana Plays, MFA, Committee Member; Tim Harding, MSE, Committee MemberThis study purposed to describe the process of narrative film production by investigating Behind-the-Scenes (BTS) films, featurettes and books created to explain other film projects. Insights describe how films succeeded and faltered through planning, execution, or in post-production and emphasize methods for drawing in the audience through the use of perspective, voice, silence and dialogue. Results include observations and recommendations from authors of BTS books and filmmakers.Item The Broadening of Competency Based Premed Requirements: An Open Ended Approach to Medical School Preparation for Undergraduate Students(Honors Program, The University of Tampa, 2022-05) Manno, Sarah; Alyssia M. Miller De Rutté, PhD (chair); L. Michael Carastro, PhD; Ann H. Williams, PhDWhile scientific knowledge is fundamental to the world of medicine, a holistic human approach and bedside manner are fundamental to patient care as a physician. Current premedical (premed) requirements in the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) American-Accredited Schools in the United States and Puerto Rico are not unanimously reflective of the same approaches. The premed world is growing to focus on students demonstrating competency in both scientific and humanistic requirements as opposed to extensive knowledge in only the core sciences. This research project investigates the current, required and recommended premed curriculum across all 155 AAMC American- Accredited Schools in the United States and Puerto Rico. The results are indicative of a broadening of open-ended competency requirements to demonstrate readiness of undergraduate students for medical school.Item The Chemical Analysis of a Painting with Unknown Origins(Honors Program, The University of Tampa, 2023-05-01) Braun, Clarissandra; Dr. Christine TheodoreIn the spring of 2021, a painting signed and dated “Picasso 1905” was submitted to the University of Tampa for the purpose of investigating the provenance, material composition, and potential attribution of the artwork in question. In collaboration with art historians, an extensive review of the historical and chemical literature on Picasso’s works was done to determine the common pigments, binders, and canvases in use by the artist in the early 1900s. Method development was conducted using known standards and pigments which were digested and run on the ICPOES. These results were compared to various pieces extracted from the painting in question which appeared to indicate anachronistic materials. A handheld XRF, IR camera, and UV light source were used as a noninvasive way to collect more data on the elements present within the pigments and the artwork. The information obtained from these experiments was used in conjunction with stylistic analyses to make suggestions for the next steps of analysis.Item Class and Access to Governance in Burkina Faso(Honors Program, The University of Tampa, 2020-04-07) Ingram, Julia R.This paper explores how individual differences in socioeconomic status can influence an individual's cognitive mapping of governance, that is whether they pursue a formal or informal mechanism of governance. This research shows a positive relationship between socioeconomic status and formality of governance so that those of a higher socioeconomic status pursue formal mechanisms of governance to address needs more than those of a lower status.Item Comparison of Ecological Niches Between Two Important Recreational and Commercial Fisheries(Honors Program, The University of Tampa, 2023-04-12) Golden, Zoe; Dr. Bridgette F. FroeschkeThis project used a conservation approach of developing models to successfully predict fish behavior and environmental preferences at different life stages. Spatiotemporal length distribution models of Gray Snapper (Lutjanus griseus) and Sheepshead (Archosargus probatocephalus) were developed to predict essential fish habitat, recruitment patterns, population aggregations and salinity preferences in Tampa Bay, Florida. The diets of both fish species were then analyzed to determine and compare their feeding niches since they share similar habitats and sites. All fish length and environmental data were collected as part of the Independent Monitoring Program at Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institute from 1996 to 2020. Hot Spot (Getis-Ord Gi*) analysis was performed on fish length- both monthly and seasonally per species to examine spatial patterns among life history stages. Kriging was conducted on environmental parameters. Spatial results suggest Gray Snapper recruit during the summer at high salinities near inlets, migrate to low salinities in Upper Tampa Bay as adults, and move back to higher salinities in the fall to spawn. Sheepshead recruit in the winter at low salinities near freshwater inflow, while adults cluster in high salinities near inlets. Because Gray Snapper and Sheepshead have such different life history strategies, but are found in similar habitats, their feeding preferences were analyzed. For the diet analysis, 46 Gray Snapper and 19 Sheepshead were collected across 6 sites in Tampa Bay, their stomachs were dissected, and the contents were grouped into categories. Overall, both species shared similar feeding niches, but Gray Snapper consumed more crab, while Sheepshead had a wider diversity of prey items and consumed more shells. There were significant spatial patterns and feeding niches identified for both estuarine dependent fish species in Tampa Bay. Spatiotemporal distribution models and diet analyses allow for the establishment of essential fish habitats, nursing grounds, and fisheries management strategies that are critical for sustaining commercially and recreationally valued fish populations.Item Copy Number Variation and Obesity in Danio rerio(Honors Program, The University of Tampa, 2021-05) Desai, Shivani; Kimberly DobrinskiObesity is a worldwide epidemic resulting in increased morbidity and mortality. It is proposed here that overfeeding Danio rerio, (zebrafish), will provide an effective model for studying human obesity. This hypothesis is based on the knowledge of the genetic and structural commonalities between zebrafish and humans that have allowed zebrafish to be used for other types of human research. Fish were fed normal and high fat diets over 8 weeks and Body Mass Indexes were analyzed using ANOVA (p value = 1.04e-11) and a Post-hoc Tukey Test. Results indicated the BMIs from fish fed high-fat diets were statistically significant from each other. Furthermore, histological analysis via the oil red stain indicated that Danio rerio fed on the high fat diet contained a greater number and larger sized adipocytes which are a marker of increased adipose tissue. It is also proposed that an increase in Body Mass Index (BMI) will lead to changes in the genome of the fish, Copy Number Variance (CNV’s), measured by DNA and RNA sequencing analysis. CNV’s are associated with obesity related diseases such as Hepatic Steatosis and Type 2 Diabetes.Item Cybersecurity Network Analysis for Spacefaring Nations(Honors Program, The University of Tampa, 2023-04) Marolf, Lauren; Dr. Jonathan LewallenWithin the next ten years, satellites in orbit are estimated to increase from 5,500 to over 58,000. The nearly tenfold increase is due to increased reliance on satellites for providing broadband internet access, collecting information, and combating climate change. Sixty-three countries own or operate satellites currently in orbit but only ten of those countries possess launch capabilities. Such a concentration of capacity and resources results in bilateral country relationships and dependence. Cybersecurity is unique as we analyze its role in international relations because, by nature, bilateral relationships are not exclusive. Almost all commercial satellites broadcast their signals, creating open access to anyone in the world through radio wave frequencies. Analyzing relational patterns between spacefaring nations provides insight into whether cybersecurity is a factor in launch dependencies. Do countries capable of launching satellites have better cybersecurity capacity? If so, is cybersecurity a consideration in international cooperation decisions about where a satellite will be launched? In this paper I use network analysis to map bilateral satellite owner-launcher relationships. Using data from the International Telecommunication Union’s Global Cybersecurity Index, I cite countries’ cybersecurity scores in reference to the model. Regression analyses indicate that satellite launching relationships depend on adequate cybersecurity measures in both the launcher and satellite owner countries. This study offers a way to analyze flows of influence among states with satellites in orbit through highlighting the importance of cybersecurity. I conclude by proposing international frameworks for assessing research gaps and other features of relationships in space-based system cybersecurity.Item Do Face Masks Degrade our Ability to Remember Face-Name Associations?(Honors Program, The University of Tampa, 2022-05-07) Rodriguez, Alexandra; Sara B. FestiniIn response to the COVID-19 pandemic, face masks have become a required item of attire. Holistic face processing refers to how the human visual system integrates facial features into a whole rather than as separate parts. However, face masks obstruct the bottom portion of our faces, restricting us from standard holistic processing upon meeting someone new. The present study examined the influence face masks have on memory predictions and memory performance for new face-name associations. Participants studied face-name pairs presented for 8 seconds (Experiment 1) or 10 seconds (Experiment 2). Half of the face-name pairs included a face mask obstructing the nose and mouth of the pictured face, counterbalanced across participants. Participants provided item-by-item memory predictions (judgements of learning, JOLs) and completed subsequent recall and recognition memory tests. Both experiments demonstrated that face masks impaired memory for newlylearned names, however, the magnitude of the impact was under-predicted by participants. Therefore, the presence of a face mask negatively influences memory performance to a greater degree than expected. Results from this experiment have implications for name learning during pandemics, as well as in other settings where face masks are common (e.g., the medical field).Item Early Norwegian Independence and the Foundation of National Identity, 1814-1905(Honors Program, The University of Tampa, 2021-05) Ragan, Erica; Dr. Elizabeth Littell-LambThis work uses a combination of scholarly and primary sources which discuss Norway during its early independence from 1814-1905 in order to support the argument that there exists an “imagined past” which falsely represents a fraction of Norwegian cultural history as representative of the nation as a whole. The region of Sogn, a small portion of the western fjord country, is a rare example of the shared past which was largely fictionalized in order to fuel unity and nationalism and strengthen resistance to Swedish control during the period of early independence. The multifaceted relationships between Sogn and the urban centers of Norway are placed within the wider context of the period and analyzed to reveal the roots of this inaccurate popular re construction of Norwegian history.Item El jardín de los pensamientos(Honors Program, The University of Tampa, 2023-04) Cancel Hernandez, Alejandra; Dr. James LópezA dystopian psychological novel that experiments with the avant-garde literary techniques of Mexican-Peruvian author Mario Bellatin. (In Spanish)Item Enantioselective Aziridinium/Fluoronium Ion Formation Using Lewis Base Catalysis(Honors Program, The University of Tampa, 2023-04-19) Garcia, Thalia; Dr. Brett HemricEfforts toward establishing the concept of enantioselective Lewis base catalysis with nitrogen sources is reported. This project seeks to address challenges in alkene amination chemistry by developing diastereo-, enantio- and regioselective addition of nitrogen to alkenes using Lewis base catalysis to provide advances to the stereoselectivity shortcomings of current approaches. Furthermore, due to the unprecedented exploration of using non-hypervalent Row 2 electrophiles in Lewis base catalysis, this research offers the potential for groundbreaking innovation in this field. This report details the investigation of different nitrogen substrates, Lewis base catalysis, and nucleophiles in varied alkene systems to determine the potential synergy in doing an alkene amination through Lewis base catalysis.Item Evaluating Changes in Photoinhibition with Leaf Age and Light Conditions in Rhizophora mangle(Honors Program, The University of Tampa, 2023-04) Dorrian, John; Dr. Kevin S. BeachMangrove forests are an essential ecosystem providing many benefits that include, supporting biodiversity and fisheries, commercial products, and climate mitigation (Hogarth, 2015; Crooks et al. 2018). Restoration guidelines for mangroves have not been updated in 22 years despite their value being extremely well documented and understood (Lewis et al., 2000). After collecting available literature that could be used to update guidelines, available information regarding irradiance and the local red mangrove, Rhizophora mangle, was found to be incomplete and, at times, contradictory (McKee, 1995; Rabinowitz, 1978; Smith, 1987; Camilleri and Ribi, 1983; US Fish and Wildlife Service, 1999). The present study seeks to identify potentially harmful irradiance levels and identify any patterns in irradiance tolerances by assessing photoinhibition through non-photochemical quenching and quantifying the pigments of mangrove leaves. After exposing 50 R. mangle seedlings to two light treatments and collecting leaf samples from Picnic Island Park, it was found that pigmentation varied significantly with leaf age, NPQ induction was higher in plants from the low light treatment, and the slopes of NPQ vs PAR graphs decreased gradually with each week. These data speak to the risk of shifting plants from one light regime to another, as low light individuals induced NPQ quicker when exposed to the same light levels as high light plants, but also the possibility to successfully aid them in that transition, by implementing an adjustment period prior to planting, and with the guidelines of Lewis et al. (2000) could be used to increase the effectiveness of modern mangrove restoration projects.Item An Examination of Adult Female and Male Offending in the Context of Strain(Honors Program, The University of Tampa, 2021-05) Mandatori, Flavia; Dr. Chivon FitchThis study aims to analyze the variance in socioeconomic strains related to offending trends for males and females.Item Examining emotional invalidation as a potential moderator between adverse childhood experiences and perceptions of academic stress(Honors Program, The University of Tampa, 2023-05-06) Demers, Kayla; Meredith Elzy, Ph.D.Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) have been linked to numerous problems including physical and mental health problems, and socioemotional development issues. Socioemotional variables appear to be particularly important in the later development of negative outcomes (Chainey & Burke, 2021), including emotional validation (Lambie & Lindberg, 2016). We hypothesized that higher levels of adverse childhood experiences and higher levels of emotional invalidation would be correlated with lower levels of academic eustress. We also hypothesized that emotional invalidation would moderate the relationship between adverse childhood experiences and positive academic stress perception (eustress). To examine our research question, we used the following measures: a demographics questionnaire, the Childhood Experiences Survey (CES; Mersky et al., 2017), Invalidating Childhood Environment Scale (ICES; Mountford et al., 2007), and the Academic Eustress Scale (AES; O’Sullivan, 2011). ANCOVA results demonstrate no significant relationship between adverse childhood experiences, emotional invalidation, and academic eustress. Correlation analyses supported our hypothesis that higher levels of emotional invalidation would be related to lower levels of academic eustress but did not support our hypothesis that higher levels of adverse childhood experiences would be related to lower levels of academic eustress. Our findings require further investigation, as our results differ from those of other studies.Item Framing the Narrative: The Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Subclinical Obsessive- Compulsive Traits and Biased Memory Recall(Honors Program, The University of Tampa, 2023-04-18) DePamphilis, Gian; Dr. Michael StasioThe COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a wide-spread change in human behavior. Implementation of novel hygienic behaviors to combat the spread of the virus has greatly reduced its proliferation; however, the negative consequences resulting from these actions remain unclear. Individuals with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) or those presenting with characteristics of OCD are subgroups who may be negatively affected by the emphasis on hygiene. An increase in media representation coverage of the pandemic may have also left thoughts of contamination and illness salient in individual’s memories, creating negative memory biases towards the pandemic and contamination. The current study explored the possible effects of media narratives related to the pandemic on subclinical OCD symptomology and biased memory recall in undergraduate students. Participants listened to pre-recorded narratives of a pandemic-related experience (positive, negative, or neutral themed) and were given 90 seconds to provide a 3-5 sentence response related to their own experiences during the pandemic. Additionally, participants took the Dimensional Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (DOCS; Abramowitz et al., 2010). There were no significant differences found in OCD-like symptomology or memory recall between the three narrative groups; however, on average, participants scored higher on the DOCS compared to past undergraduate student samples taken prior to the pandemic. While different themes related to the pandemic did not influence obsessive-compulsive symptomology or memory recall, evidence shows that subclinical OCD symptoms may be rising. The present study has implications for the negative consequences following a pandemic, and future studies may be necessary to explore current levels of obsessive-compulsive symptomology in the general population.Item Hydrodynamic Form and Function of Hammerhead Sharks: Ontogenetic and Ecological Considerations(Honors Program, The University of Tampa, 2023-04-08) Johnson, Sam; Dr. Daniel HuberThe planing surfaces of aquatic organisms are crucial in navigating their habitat and in providing energy-efficient modes of locomotion. The hammerhead cephalofoil has been studied for both its sensory advantages and its possible enhancement of hydrodynamic efficiency, specifically as a lift-generating structure. This project analyzed the cephalofoils and fins (planing surfaces) of S. lewini, S. mokarran, and S. tiburo (the scalloped hammerhead, great hammerhead, and bonnethead sharks) using morphometric analysis to determine changes in the size and shape of these structures with respect to habitat. It was hypothesized that these structures would be smallest relative to body size in the coastal dwelling S. tiburo to facilitate maneuverability and largest relative to body size in the pelagic S. mokarran to facilitate cruising. Furthermore, it was hypothesized that these structures would grow isometrically in both species given that they spend their entire lives in a single habitat type (coastal and pelagic, respectively). In contrast, it was hypothesized that S. lewini would have intermediate-sized cephalofoil and fins relative to body size and that these structures would grow with positive allometry in association with the transition from coastal habitats (juvenile stage) to pelagic habitats (adult stage). Results indicate variability in size and shape of the planing surfaces, and partial support of the above hypotheses. Further analysis is forthcoming in determining specific modes of growth and shape changes over ontogeny.Item Investigating Quinone-Mediated Treatments on the Warburg Effect(Honors Program, The University of Tampa, 2022-05) Miller, Jarred; Kimberly Dobrinski, PhDBreast cancer is the most prevalent cancer amongst women in the United States, encompassing approximately 30% of all newly diagnosed cancers each year. It is also the second leading cause of cancer-related death in women in the United States. The main challenge in current therapeutic treatments is the increasing resistance of breast cancer cells to targeted therapies. Drug resistant cancer deaths are often the result of heterogeneous cell populations that may utilize different growth strategies. Drug resistant cancer cells prefer to generate ATP energy pools through the process of aerobic glycolysis (AG), known as the Warburg effect, rather than proceeding through oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS), to avoid a buildup of toxic reactive oxygen species (ROS). This proposal challenges the current paradigm that concurrent use of antioxidants with chemotherapy yields antiapoptotic effects through the investigation of capsaicin, resveratrol, and shikonin on two breast cancer cell lines, MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231. While MCF-7 cells are nondrug resistant and grow via glycolysis in combination with OXPHOS, MDA-MB-231 cells are drug resistant and utilize the Warburg effect as a growth strategy. We hypothesize that the quinones tested will drive an AG-OXPHOS switch in the MDA-MB-231 cell line by upregulation of OXPHOS genes w/ concomitant downregulation of AG genes, thereby increasing ROS and leading to apoptosis. The quinones’ ability to induce death in a breast cancer cell line was validated by administering three concentration levels of each quinone in short term culture. Concentration levels vary for each quinone depending on their prior efficacious measures from the researched studies. Cytotoxicity was assessed by CyQUANT NF Cell Proliferation Assay. Statistical significance in MDAMB- 231 cell viability as a response to capsaicin, resveratrol, and shikonin treatment was confirmed using ANOVAs (p-value = 0.0004, p-value = 0.0002, and p-value < 0.0001, respectively). This study is important, as it could elucidate quinones that may be useful as therapeutics against drug resistant cancer, as well as investigate mechanisms used by drug resistant cells committed to growth via Warburg.Item An Investigation into Understudied Moroccan Literature(Honors Program, The University of Tampa, 2021-05) Connolly, Lily; Dr. Sarah Juliet Lauro; Dr. Spencer Segalla; Dr. Julie NelsonBy looking at the narrative and theories of Fatima Mernissi, we can see that control of women comes down to the regimentation of the body through attire.