2020 Undergraduate Research Symposia and Conferences
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Browsing 2020 Undergraduate Research Symposia and Conferences by Subject "Undergraduate Research"
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Item Spatial Analysis of Mark Recapture Data from an Endemic Seahorse Population from the Bahamas (Hippocampus erectus) Provides Critical Management Insights for Park Development(Office of Undergraduate Research and Inquiry, The University of Tampa, 2020-05-12) Pinder, Megan; Heather MasonjonesWe utilized both mark-recapture and facial recognition techniques to follow a saltwater lake population of lined seahorses (Hippocampus erectus). Sampling occurred between August 2018 and October 2019, using elastomer tags and facial patterns analyzed with the Interactive Individual Identification (I3S) program to confirm that facial markings work to identify individuals in a 25x25 meter grid established in the north and south ends of the lake. Closed population estimation techniques were used to determine that the southern population (0.065 seahorses m-2) was significantly smaller than the north (0.14 seahorses m-2) when measured directly, with estimations based on mark recapture 341% higher in the south and 825% higher in the northern populations. Additionally, ArcGis was used to assess differences in the spatial distribution, abundance and movement of the seahorses between the two populations. Northern differences exist in where males, females and juveniles are found, but in the South distribution did not vary by sex. At both locations, juveniles favor the shallowest part of the grid. The Southern population was mapped in more detail, illustrating the greater the disturbance by researchers, the further seahorses moved. Careful management planning will need to balance seahorse population demographics and human use of the ecosystem.Item There is Something in the Water! Correlation of Trihalomethanes with Head and Neck Cancer in the Tampa Bay Area(Office of Undergraduate Research and Inquiry, The University of Tampa, 2020-05-12) Hoch, Magen; Kimberly Dobrinski; Michelle CrosbyTotal Trihalomethanes (TTHM’s) are carcinogenic by-products that are formed due to the chlorination of drinking water. A headspace GC-MS method has been optimized for sensing the TTHM concentrations in a 30-zipcode region of Hillsborough county. These parameters were set in place to better detect the individual THMs: chloroform, bromoform, bromodichloromethane, dibromochloromethane concentrations, as well as to determine the free chlorine levels (determined by colorimeter) in the drinking water around the Tampa Bay area. For optimization of sensitivity, the following parameters were changed: flow rate from 1.0 mL/min to 0.8 mL/min, GC oven temperature from 80°C to 40°C, vial incubation time from 3m:ss to 5m:ss, speed of injection from 250µL/s to 500µL/s, and fill speed from 100µL/s to 200µL/s. These parameters have allowed the measurement of TTHM as low as ppb. The TTHM concentrations found in the drinking water were compared to the TTHM standards (EPA: 80 ppb, WHO:10 ppb, EWG: 0.15 ppb). Additionally, correlations between TTHM’s found in drinking water and head-and-neck cancer rates by zipcode in the Tampa Bay area will be evaluated.Item The University of Tampa 2020 Undergraduate Research Symposium(Office of Undergraduate Research and Inquiry, The University of Tampa, 2020-05-01) Office of Undergraduate Research and InquiryAn online showcase of UT student research accomplishments. Abstracts of presentations are included in this program.Item Using a Carbazole Derivative as a Photocatalyst in the Dehalogenation of Aryl Halides(Office of Undergraduate Research and Inquiry, The University of Tampa, 2020-05-12) Chin, Melissa; Ashley LongstreetPhotoredox catalysis allows chemists to perform single-electron transformations through light excitation of a photocatalyst, which is either metal complex or organic molecule. This process is important compared to traditional single-electron transformations because it is selective, performed under mild conditions, generates less waste, and requires less toxic reagents. The purpose of this research was to determine if the molecule 9-mesityl-3,6-bis(4-methoxyphenyl)-9H-carbazole could be used as a photocatalyst. This carbazole derivative would be useful as a photocatalysts due to it being affordable, metal-free, and exhibiting unique redox properties. Here in, the carbazole derivative was demonstrated to work as a photocatalyst in the dehalogenation of aryl halides in the presence of an amine as a hydrogen donor. The reaction was first optimized using 4-bromobenzonitrile as a substrate. Once optimized, the 4-bromobenzonitrile was converted into the desired product, benzonitrile, in 88% yield after 48 hours. The method was then applied towards other aryl halide substrates. The substrates with electron withdrawing groups, such as 4-bromoacetophenone or 4-chlorobenzonitrile, were converted to their corresponding products in higher yields, whereas substrates without these groups only produced their desired products in low yields.