JSU Student Symposium 2025

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  Evaluating the Developmental Toxicity of Acid Fuchsin: Insights from the Frog Embryo Teratogenesis Assay-Xenopus (FETAX)

  Vaderick Fowler

  Please note: no video is available for this presentation.

  Acid fuchsin, a synthetic dye widely used in textiles, paper, plastics, and leather industries, contributes to environmental pollution through wastewater discharge. Amphibians, as sensitive bioindicators of environmental health, are particularly vulnerable to the toxic effects of pollutants. To assess the potential developmental toxicity of acid fuchsin, we employed the Frog Embryo Teratogenesis Assay-Xenopus (FETAX), a widely accepted method for detecting environmental teratogens. In this study, early-stage Xenopus embryos were exposed to various concentrations of acid fuchsin (0.1 mg/L to 1000 mg/L) for 96 hours. Mortality, malformations, and embryo lengths were recorded at the end of the exposure period. Statistical analyses, including probit analysis for LC50 (lethal concentration for 50% mortality) and EC50 (effective concentration for 50% malformations), along with ANOVA and Bonferroni’s post hoc tests, were conducted to evaluate the data. Results showed that the 96-hour LC50 exceeded 1000 mg/L, while the 96-hour EC50 for malformations was approximately 120 mg/L. High concentrations of acid fuchsin resulted in significant reductions in embryo length and severe malformations, particularly affecting the spine, eyes, and gut. Our findings suggest that acid fuchsin exhibits teratogenic properties, with malformation rates reaching 100% and severe developmental abnormalities observed at the highest concentrations. These results underscore the potential risk posed by acid fuchsin in wastewater to aquatic organisms and, indirectly, to human health and ecosystems. Further research is essential to explore the long-term effects of acid fuchsin on amphibian populations and to identify effective methods for mitigating synthetic dye pollution in aquatic environments.

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  Drill Empower Women and Kitchen Breaks The Norms

  Maria Garcia

  An image from a Canadian Tire holiday catalog features a boy using a kitchen set and a girl using a power drill. This advertisement challenges traditional gender stereotypes of the roles of women and men because it shows how boys and girls can complete tasks in the home or tasks that do not meet the typical gender roles, norms, or expectations but they can still enjoy them. People will be drawn to this visual because of the controversial exchange of roles and how the kids are not playing with what they are typically expected to play with based on their gender. We have lived in a world full of stereotypes, mainly when it comes to the roles of men and women in the home or their interests. As for roles in homes, women were expected to be homemakers and responsible for taking care of the cleaning and cooking, while men were expected to be responsible for providing financial support. Interests for women were expected to be towards crafts or social activities. Men were expected to focus on building things at home or in sports. This advertisement completely challenges these gender stereotypes because it features two kids playing with opposite toys of what they are expected to play with based on their gender. This advertisement portrays a message of empowerment and breaking norms and suggests a more inclusive view of what girls and boys can pursue. The people behind the advertisement had the purpose of empowering future women by normalizing the girl using the drill, demonstrating that girls can be competent and interested in mechanics or construction, which can lead to building. On the other side, we have the boy in the kitchen who serves as an example of how the interest in cooking is not just for women. This image could encourage boys to engage in activities that are traditionally associated with cooking or cleaning and normalize the fact that these activities are have witnessed how toddlers seem to play with whatever they have in front of them; they do not pay attention to the colors. As they grow up, children become more flexible with what types of toys they play with. However, gendered toy marketing can result in future gender differences. Marketing could attempt to avoid generalized colors on toys; that way, kids will be able to feel comfortable and play with their desired interests without questioning if they should or should not play with certain toys. This advertisement could be the beginning of breaking stereotypes on gender roles and proving how drills could empower women, and the kitchen could break the norms that only women were to be in the kitchen. It could lead to men being more involved in the kitchen. More advertisements like this one should be made to let people know how much the world is changing and how many individuals are leaving these stereotypes behind. That way, kids will feel less judged and pressured when deciding what they want to be when they grow up.

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  Border Separation in the Middle East: Legacy of the Sykes-Picot Agreement

  Qays Ghazal

  The Sykes-Picot Agreement of 1916, a secret pact between Britain and France with Russian approval, remains one of the most consequential and controversial diplomatic arrangements of the 20th century. Designed to divide the territories of the Ottoman Empire into British and French spheres of influence after World War I, the agreement disregarded the sociopolitical, ethnic, and religious complexities of the Middle East. By imposing artificial borders that ignored historical, tribal, and sectarian affiliations, the agreement laid the foundation for enduring instability in the region. This presentation explores how the Sykes-Picot Agreement contributed to long-term geopolitical turmoil, fostering ethnic and sectarian divisions, weakening regional sovereignty, and igniting nationalist movements. The arbitrary partitioning of territories led to the fragmentation of communities that had coexisted for centuries, fueling conflicts that persist today. The exclusion of Arab voices in the decision-making process further deepened resentment, leading to widespread opposition to European colonial rule and shaping the political landscape of the modern Middle East. The presentation will analyze key consequences of the agreement, including the rise of nationalist and Islamist movements, the challenges of state-building in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan, and the role of Western intervention in exacerbating regional conflicts. Case studies will include the Syrian civil war, sectarian violence in Iraq, and the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, all of which have roots in the territorial divisions imposed by Sykes-Picot. Additionally, the discussion will highlight how the agreement set a precedent for foreign intervention and power struggles among global and regional actors, including the United States, Russia, Iran, and Turkey. By examining the historical context, political ramifications, and present-day consequences of the Sykes-Picot Agreement, this presentation will demonstrate how a century-old colonial arrangement continues to shape the geopolitics of the Middle East. Understanding this legacy is essential for policymakers, historians, and scholars seeking to navigate the complexities of modern Middle Eastern conflicts and diplomatic relations.

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  Gender Dynamics in “Woman Hollering Creek”: The Influence of Culture and Religion

  Marcus Gomez

  Sandra Cisneros’ “Woman Hollering Creek” examines the conflicting gender dynamics rooted in the combination of Mexican culture and Roman Catholic doctrines. Set in Seguin, Texas, the narrative portrays Cleófilas, a woman struggling in her marriage, as she navigates the pressures of motherhood and gender roles enforced by her community's values. Through Cleófilas’ experiences, the story details the influence of Catholic traditions on perceptions of femininity, marriage, and motherhood. Cultural references, such as the folklore of La Llorona, further illuminate the traditional constraints Cleófilas must resist to protect her children and redefine her purpose. Ultimately, Cisneros highlights the broader issue of women confronting societal norms and offers a narrative of resilience and self-determination, demonstrating a solution that prioritizes personal values and duties over cultural impositions.

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  Nutritional Regulation of Muscle Protein Synthesis with Resistance Exercise: Strategies to Enhance Anabolism

  Elijah Hamilton

  Please note: no video is available for this presentation.

  Muscle protein synthesis (MPS) is a key process that supports muscle growth and repair in response to resistance exercise. Nutritional strategies play an important role in regulating MPS. Protein intake, timing, and quality all factor in maximizing MPS. Proper dietary protein consumption and resistance training can maximize muscle growth and positively alter body composition. Understanding how dietary protein pairs with resistance exercise can help individuals maximize muscle growth and alter body composition. These nutritional strategies may be useful for individuals looking to enhance muscle mass and recovery.

  Many factors need to be considered to optimize MPS in humans regarding food intake and resistance exercise. These factors include protein quantity, quality, time of consumption, protein distribution, and the role of amino acids, particularly leucine, in providing an anabolic response. Protein requirements vary for different ages, training experience, and physiological demands. Identifying optimal protein intake strategies for different populations, such as athletes and older adults, is necessary for maximizing training adaptations.

  Precise protein consumption patterns are key to maximizing gains from resistance training. MPS is the most effectively stimulated when consuming protein immediately following resistance exercise. Protein timing plays a crucial role. Consuming protein within two hours after exercise maximizes MPS, and it is better to spread protein intake evenly throughout the day rather than in one sitting. High-quality protein sources containing essential amino acids are the most effective at stimulating muscle growth. Consumption of whey protein or bovine milk led to greater increases in MPS. It is recommended that an individual take 20-40 grams of protein per meal to optimize MPS. The amino acid leucine plays a pivotal role in regulating and initiating MPS. Age and training experience influence protein requirements. Older adults require higher protein doses to achieve the same rate of MPS as younger individuals. Athletes or well-trained individuals can benefit from higher protein intakes to support muscle growth and repair. While high protein intake can benefit certain populations, excessive intake above recommended levels does not provide additional benefits.

  Specific nutritional strategies effectively enhance skeletal MPS and improve muscle recovery in response to resistance training. Personalized plans in populations where muscle mass is of interest or concern, such as the elderly or athletes, are necessary to optimize muscle growth. Nutrition plans should consider age, training experience, and metabolic responses to maximize muscle growth. More research is needed to determine individual variability in response to protein and resistance training and protein intake recommendations to sustain long-term training adaptations.

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  Voices of the Campus: JSU Sociology Club's Student Issue Survey

  Jaliyah Hamilton, Gabrielle Kinnion, Landree Jones, and Lauren Gonzalez

  Please note: no video is available for this presentation.

  The purpose of our project is to better understand how the student body feels about particular issues on-campus and in the broader community. In order to do this, we wrote and conducted a survey in Fall 2022 which includes questions about students’ experiences interacting with various aspects of JSU. The survey includes a variety of questions, asking about students’ experiences ranging from housing, transportation to and from classes, on-campus dining options, accessibility of campus buildings, inequality, the environment, and other issues. Near the beginning of the survey, students were asked which of these issues they are most concerned with. Based on their responses, they were directed to specific blocks of questions to answer questions focused on those issues. In this presentation, we discuss the preliminary findings from the 292 survey responses we received. Our findings show that students top concerns focus on mental health, finances, and campus housing. In this presentation, we further break down the issues students care about most. As we go forward, we hope to use our findings to work towards potential solutions to improve our campus community.

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  Unmasking The Shadows of Gotham: A Study of Identity in The Batman (2022)

  Mia Harp

  Please note: no video is available for this presentation.

  This paper studies the theme of identity in The Batman (2022). It analyzes how the film navigates Bruce Wayne’s dual existence as a reclusive orphaned billionaire and an unrelenting masked vigilante. Through its gruesome atmospheric narrative, the film examines how trauma, vengeance, and justice shape Batman’s sense of self. Ultimately, it questions whether his masked persona is an instrument for justice or an escape from his identity. The film critiques the blurred lines between justice and vigilantism by juxtaposing Batman’s moral struggles with those of characters like the Riddler and CatWoman. Using rhetorical analysis, this paper investigates how The Batman portrays Bruce Wayne’s identity as fluid yet fragmented and influenced by Gotham’s corruption. It highlights the psychological and ethical predicaments that define Bruce Wayne’s transformation into Batman.

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  The Mystery of Lakewood High School

  Gabrielle Hinkle

  Please note: no video is available for this presentation.

  For the opening of the Game, the player will see a picture of the Lakewood High School. They will also see “PLAY” and “OTHER OPTIONS.” The “Other Options” button will have the background of the Characters and the High School. Once the player chooses their character, the sequence. The beginning of the game like the Homecoming Float, Getting Detention, and the Detention. These three scenes are not choice-based oriented. The player is watching those three scenes and getting some backstory. The next portion of the storyboard are the Football Field, the Science Lab, the Band Room, and the Cheerleading Room. These four scenes are choice-based oriented, meaning the player must find their designated object. The Locker scene is the player putting their object in their locker, and there should be a positive noise or a negative noise to indicate the outcome of putting the object in the locker. Once the player will hear the negative noise indicating they put the wrong object in the locker, the characters will awake in the maze. The player will ask questions. In the Maze, there will be evil puppets that will stop each character from getting their true object. Each character/player will hear hints about their true object over the loudspeaker. The goal is to get their true object in their locker to stop the evil puppets and to get back to reality.

  If there is only 1 player, the coding within the game will automatically play the other three characters. This applies for 1-3 players.

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  Graphic Design | Tara Holbrooks

  Tara Holbrooks

  Graphic design entry for 2025 Student Symposium

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  Beyond Muscle Growth: The Critical Role of Dietary Protein in Endurance Training, Recovery, and Adaptation

  Lillian Humphries

  Please note: no video is available for this presentation.

  While dietary protein is commonly associated with muscle growth, its importance for endurance athletes goes beyond that. It aids in muscle repair, facilitates recovery, and promotes performance adaptation. Recovery from endurance training is crucial for maximizing physiological adaptations and improving performance. Prolonged endurance exercise induces significant metabolic stress, including the depletion of energy stores, fluid and electrolyte loss, and muscle protein damage. Protein is widely recognized for its benefits in resistance training, yet its crucial role in endurance exercise, promoting muscle repair and supporting mitochondrial function, is often underestimated.

  Dietary protein is essential for muscle protein synthesis and remodeling in endurance athletes. Prolonged endurance activity depletes energy stores and damages muscle proteins, making effective post-training nutrition crucial. Protein supplementation supports muscle repair, enhances mitochondrial function, and promotes adaptation, even during periods of high metabolic demand, ultimately aiding optimal recovery. Specific attention is given to factors such as the amount, type, and timing of protein ingestion, which critically influence the efficacy of protein supplementation. Recent findings suggest that consuming 20–25g of high-quality, rapidly digestible, leucine-rich protein within 30–60 minutes post-exercise significantly enhances muscle protein synthesis, aiding muscle repair and promoting endurance adaptations.

  Co-ingesting protein with carbohydrates can enhance glycogen resynthesis, especially when carbohydrate intake is suboptimal or recovery time is limited. Emerging evidence highlights the potential of dietary protein to mitigate catabolic conditions, optimize muscle quality, and improve endurance performance. However, the article notes that further research is needed to refine protein recommendations tailored to endurance athletes' unique metabolic demands and explore the long-term effects of protein supplementation on performance metrics such as muscle power and aerobic capacity.

  Recent studies highlight protein’s vital role in endurance training, enhancing recovery, adaptation, and performance. Optimizing intake guidelines could further amplify these benefits. Protein supports muscle repair and growth and contributes to immune function, which is often compromised in endurance athletes due to prolonged physical stress. Furthermore, understanding the optimal timing, type, and amount of protein intake remains a critical area for future research, as these factors can significantly influence performance outcomes.

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  Behavior Analysis in Sports: Goal Setting Improves On- and Off-field Behaviors in Soccer Players

  Malachi Jackson-Talmadge

  Please note: no video is available for this presentation.

  Goal setting is a common behavioral intervention that involves selecting an observable and measurable behavior and creating clearly defined, objective criteria that indicate when the goal has been met. Although ample evidence suggests that goal setting is an effective intervention in sports, few studies have examined collaborative goal setting (i.e., goals that are determined by players and coaches). Additionally, prior research has focused on improving specific behaviors for player positions, which may limit the utility of goal setting as a team-wide intervention. The present research used a multiple baseline across participants design to evaluate the effects of collaborative goal setting for on- or off-field behaviors in eight soccer players. Throughout all phases, participants self-recorded their behavior. In baseline, participants and their coaches selected a measurable behavior to improve. In the intervention phase, participants and their coaches set long- and short-term goals. Participants attended weekly individual meetings to receive feedback and set new short-term goals. All participants in the current study showed improvements in their selected behaviors, and seven (out of eight) participants met their long-term goal. High social validity ratings (e.g., satisfaction with procedures and results) were obtained from players and coaches. Limitations of the current study and directions for future research will be discussed.

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  Shedding Light on Trophic Cascades: How Sunlight Can Shape Small, Freshwater Ecosystems

  Chloe James

  Please note: no video is available for this presentation.

  Trophic cascades play a critical role in ecosystem dynamics, influencing nutrient cycling and biomass distribution. This study investigates a bottom-up trophic cascade in Hanes Branch Stream, Jacksonville, Alabama, by examining how increased sunlight, a limiting resource in small streams, impacts freshwater food webs. We analyzed algae biomass, snail density, macroinvertebrates, and fish populations in sunlit (upstream) and shaded (downstream) sections. Our results showed a significant increase in snail density upstream, suggesting greater primary production fueled by enhanced sunlight exposure. However, a sewage spill in July 2024 dramatically disrupted this balance, leading to a severe decline in snail populations compared to pre-spill data from 2023. Most snails observed post-spill were deceased, which could have a cascading effect at higher trophic levels. Understanding these interactions is crucial for preserving biodiversity and maintaining ecosystem stability in our city.

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  Robotics and Radar Satellites being implemented to Solve Soil Degradation

  Jamall J. James

  Robotics and remote sensing technology has been around for decades. Ranging from military and government applications to construction, agriculture, manufacturing, academia, environmental concerns, aerospace, and so on. The project with the corresponding build process is combining robotic systems with a radar satellite. The building process with this special piece of concept will involve combining a satellite onto a bipedal variable geometry (also known as transforming) mecha which change into a quadrupedal form. Purpose of this robotic and radar satellite system is to solve soil degradation by incorporating robotic systems with remote sensing technologies (i.e. satellites, radar). Soil degradation is a major concern since soil is important and crucial for survival of plants and planet. The implementation of advanced systems such as remote sensing and robotics is a major concept within the GIS field. Build methodology towards this project will involve the use of an Arduino as the brains and center of operations. Everyday items such as fiberglass, PLA, and more to come plus a ultrasonic sensor with satellite(handmade) for electronics. Finally, a robot being use as a base frame.

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  The Role of Fiber in Athletic Performance: A Missing Link in Sports Nutrition

  Chloe Jones

  Please note: no video is available for this presentation.

  While carbohydrate intake is a key focus in sports nutrition, fiber is often neglected—even though it plays a critical role in gut health, performance, and recovery. This is intriguing because changes in fiber intake are a common approach in sport nutrition to optimize GI comfort during exercise and to achieve body mass or composition goals. Beyond its role in digestion, fiber is crucial for overall health—especially for athletes with high protein intakes, who may experience gut imbalances if fiber is lacking. Current sports nutrition recommendations emphasize limiting fiber intake before exercise to minimize GI distress. However, sports dietitians commonly manipulate fiber for various athletic needs, often based on clinical experience rather than comprehensive research studies. The absence of research emphasizes the need for evidence-based fiber recommendations specific to athletes. Although research is still developing, emerging evidence suggests that adequate fiber intake supports gut microbiome stability, which may contribute to better health and performance. Further, fiber classification goes beyond the standard soluble versus insoluble distinction and includes fermentable versus non-fermentable fiber and microbiota-accessible carbohydrates or MACs. Understanding these classifications is necessary for understanding fiber and gut bacteria interactions. MACs are important substrates, especially for healthy gut bacteria, promoting diverse production of short-chain fatty acids or SCFAs. SCFAs, such as butyrate, become important in gut barrier integrity, reducing inflammation and influencing various physiological functions. The 'athlete's dietary behaviors, like the intake of a high amount of protein and carbohydrate manipulation, could affect both the intake of fiber and the gut microbiome. Despite consuming high amounts of protein, most athletes fail to meet general dietary fiber recommendations. The association between consumption, fiber intake, and gut microbiota is complex, with an adequate amount of fiber potentially offsetting the negative effects of high protein diets on microbial diversity. It is recommended that athletes gradually increase their fiber intake to about 30 grams per day, including two grams of beta-glucan. Beta-glucan is a soluble fiber that may offer inflammation-controlling benefits and improve muscle strength and endurance. This highlights the need for individualized fiber recommendations since every athlete responds differently. Personalized recommendations for fiber should account for pre-existing GI issues, exercise intensity, and individual differences in microbiome composition. Sports nutrition guidelines should evolve to include specific, research-backed fiber recommendations that account for gut health, performance, and individual needs. Although more research is needed to fully understand the relationship between fiber, gut microbiota, and athletic performance, it is certain from current evidence that fiber can no longer be forgotten in the athlete's diet.

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  Empowerment or Conformity? A Visual Critique of Gender Roles in Bic’s Ad

  Kailah Jones

  This critique examines a BIC pen advertisement aimed at celebrating Women’s Day, exploring how it reflects and reinforces traditional gender roles within professional contexts. The ad's slogan, “Look like a girl, Act like a lady, Think like a man, Work like a boss,” suggests that women must embody both feminine and masculine traits to achieve professional success. While intended to empower, the advertisement mistakenly perpetuates stereotypes by implying that feminine qualities alone are inadequate for leadership. Through the portrayal of a confident, professional woman, the ad targets career-oriented women but reinforces the idea that success requires conforming to gendered expectations in both appearance and behavior. By invoking traits typically associated with masculinity, the ad subtly suggests that women must adopt masculine characteristics to be seen as effective leaders, thereby upholding traditional corporate standards. This critique highlights the complexities in media representations of gender, illustrating how attempts at empowerment can unintentionally sustain the very stereotypes they seek to challenge. The analysis underscores the need for advertising that genuinely redefines gender expectations, promoting inclusivity and authentic empowerment.

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  Athlete Endorsements and Consumer Behavior

  Michelle Jones

  Athlete endorsements are the use of an athlete in a form of advertisement or promotion to promote a product or service. There has been an increase in the amount of athlete endorsements in the media which has been used to build positive brand images and perceptions for companies. Consumer behavior is the study of individuals, groups or organizations and the process of how they select, secure, use, and dispose of ideas, products, or services. The overuse or constant use of athlete endorsements can potentially have the opposite intended effect due to overexposure which can lead to ineffective advertisements. The objective is to examine the effects that the increase in athlete endorsements have on consumer behavior.

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  Personal Touches and Consumer Behavior in the Restaurant Industry

  Michelle Jones

  This presentation aims to observe the relationship between consumer behavior and personal touches in the restaurant industry. Referring to customers by their names as well as creating connections throughout the dining experience may have an effect on the amount of time and money spent in the restaurant. The data collected in this study will be used from Longhorn Steakhouse, a chain restaurant that has a core value of making personal connections with guests. During this presentation, factors such as tip percentages, add on amounts, time spent, and money spent will be examined. Different phenomena will be examined to explain the data collected.

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  The Role of Iron in Athletic Health and Performance: Challenges and Nutritional Approaches

  Mea Leffall

  Iron deficiency is one of the most common nutritional issues in athletes. Numerous studies have shown that most iron deficiency issues are caused by low dietary intake. It has been suggested that athletes increase their iron intake, via certain foods, supplements, or even intravenous administrations. Despite increased iron intake from food, supplements, or intravenous administration, iron deficiency remains prevalent in athletes, suggesting additional physiological factors such as iron output during exercising. Further research is being done to understand the relationship between iron status and physical activity. Iron deficiency is noticed in endurance athletes and female athletes the most. When iron intake is lower than iron output, it is released from ferritin in the liver and increases serum iron concentration. Approximately 85% percent of erythrocyte iron is released into the form of transferring and ferritin. The remaining is stored in the form of hemosiderin and ferritin.

  When an iron deficiency occurs, it limits the hematopoietic tissues, which can lead to a decrease in hemoglobin concentration and anemia. Numerous biological functions, such as immune function, sympathetic nerve function, endocrine metabolism, and thermoregulation, are all reduced when iron levels are low. For endurance athletes, iron deficiency is common due to prolonged training and constant impacts on the ground. There have been several physiological mechanisms proposed to explain the loss of iron from the impact on the plantar surface area. When intensely exercising, it can increase the inflammatory cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels, stimulating hepcidin production. The serum hepcidin levels also increase about 3-6 hours after exercising. Prolonged exercise is the cause of the increase in circulating IL-6 levels. This mechanism is suggested to be responsible for the increase after exercise, and hepcidin expression is due to an elevated IL-6. In aerobic exercise, studies have shown that in female athlete’s iron is lost 20% faster than in non-athletes. When comparing aerobic exercise and resistance training, there are not many studies on the effects of aerobic exercise on iron metabolism. However, mild resistance has been shown to improve subclinical iron deficiency in women without iron supplements. Most male athletes are not anemic because they tend to consume more than the recommended amount of iron, however most female athletes do, which could play a part in their iron deficiency. Additional studies have been conducted in rats to see if meal timing paired with resistance training could improve iron deficiency. Plasma iron increased after exercise but did not increase due to the food given. Given the persistent prevalence of iron deficiency, athletes should regularly assess their iron levels and consider tailored strategies to optimize iron status, including dietary modifications, supplementation, and training adjustments.

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  Energy Drinks: Safety, Efficacy, and Performance Implications

  Riley Lovell

  Please note: no video is available for this presentation.

  Kids, teenagers, and athletes widely use energy drinks. However, how much benefit do they provide? Are they even safe to consume? Is it beneficial to stop at the gas station and grab a Red Bull on your way to the gym? The International Society of Sports Nutrition’s position regarding the ergogenic value of energy drinks (ED) and energy shots (ES) is based on several ED and ES studies. ED are widely used by populations who may not understand how to consume them to obtain the most benefit possible. Therefore, understanding the safety and efficacy of ED and ES is crucial to supporting the best outcome for athletes.

  The recommendations' main aspects include the impact of ED and ES on exercise performance, goal-specific consumption, and considerations for individuals with medical conditions. Key conclusions are as follows: ED and ES are known to contain combinations of nutrients aiming to improve mental and physical performance. However, caffeine is the primary ergogenic component, while the benefits of other nutrients remain inconclusive. Therefore, when considering how to add ED into their routine, caffeine should be considered the main aid to an athlete’s performance. Drinking an energy drink before exercise enhances increases alertness, attention, and endurance. However, moderation is essential since greater dosages might result in anxiety and irritation. Overconsumption also diminishes desired benefits. Even greater caution is advised for individuals with health conditions. They should avoid ED and ES consumption unless their physician has allowed it, as excessive or inappropriate usage might have detrimental consequences. Drinking an energy drink before lifting weights can also improve lifting volume during resistance training. It is important to note that the most substantial improvements in subjective measures were noticed with lower doses, sometimes even lower than the recommended intake. These improvements were reduced as doses were increased. Timing and dosage matter if you want to reap the most benefit from energy drinks. According to limited evidence, energy drinks with many calories can cause weight gain, whereas those with few calories do not influence weight reduction. Impacts over the long run are uncertain. Athletes should consider the large amounts of sugar in ED and its effect on blood glucose levels and metabolism. Children and teens should only consume energy drinks with parental guidance to avoid risks. Overconsumption or other abuse of ED or ES may lead to adverse effects at any age. If used correctly, energy drinks can improve performance, but their risks—like anxiety, sleep issues, and heart problems—make careful use essential, especially for younger or at-risk individuals.

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  Investigating the Predatory Behavior of the Bumblebee Assassin Snail (Anentome helena) and the Potential Ecological Implications in Invaded Freshwater Systems

  Kathleen Madden

  The bumble-bee assassin snail, Anentome helena, native to freshwaters of Malaysia, is one of only a few freshwater species in the marine lineage, Neogastropoda, that includes predatory snails such as whelks and cone snails. This snail is widely available in the aquarium trade, tolerant of a wide range of water temperatures, survives adverse transport conditions, and readily reproduces in captive conditions. To date, no invasive populations are reported, and the invasion threat is not-well understood. While anecdotal evidence from hobby aquarists suggest that these snails are voracious, generalist predators of snails; the importance of prey size, prey type, and behavior of predator and prey is insufficiently examined. Visual analyses of assassin snail predation of operculate snails were restricted to aperture widths of less than 10 mm, regardless of snail species. Feeding trials also showed that assassin snails are generalist molluscivores as they readily consumed Asiatic clams. This is a significant finding, as prior to this study, no reports of assassin snails consuming non-snail taxa are documented. Finally, regardless of prey type, time-lapsed filming showed that assassin snails aggregate when hunting, although the association among snails (positive or negative) is unknown. Further research describing assassin snail life-history, environmental constraints, and feeding niche breadth are needed to determine potential injurious impacts on invaded systems.

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  Is Spring Break Coming Early? Effects of Climate Change on Alabama's Native Plant Phenology

  Kathleen Madden, Madisyn Barksdale, Kelly Pruitt, and Summer Zamora

  Please note: no video is available for this presentation.

  Climate change has significantly impacted biodiversity, prompting many species to adapt by altering their phenology—the timing of life cycle events. Shifts in plant phenology can have far-reaching ecological consequences, particularly for species that rely on these plants directly or indirectly. One critical consequence is the temporal mismatch between plants and their pollinators, a phenomenon observed in multiple species. Studies using satellite imagery have documented advances in spring phenology across the United States, but species-specific data remain limited, especially in the biodiverse and ecologically vulnerable Southeastern region.

  To address this gap, we analyzed historical records from herbarium specimens of native plant species in Alabama. Our dataset consisted of 1,304 specimens from 11 species, spanning 146 years. The analysis revealed that 10 of the 11 species exhibited advanced flowering phenology, with three showing statistically significant correlations (p < 0.05) between the day of year (DOY) of flowering and the collection year, as determined by Pearson’s correlation.

  This study represents the first attempt to leverage herbarium specimens to investigate climate-driven changes in plant phenology in the Southeastern United States. The observed advancements in flowering phenology for most species align with global findings from previous studies. While satellite imagery has highlighted regional trends in spring phenology, its broad spatial scale cannot capture species-specific responses, underscoring the value of our specimen-based approach.

  Expanding this research to include more species and specimens would help address key limitations, including the small sample size for certain species.

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  Graphic Design | Khaled Mahmud

  Khaled Mahmud

  Graphic design entry for 2025 Student Symposium

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  The Impact of Tart Cherry on Strength, Soreness, and Inflammation Following Strenuous Exercise

  Lydia Marbut

  Tart cherry supplementation has been in the public eye as a potential strategy to enhance recovery after an intense workout session for some time now. It is highly beneficial for athletes and active individuals seeking to optimize performance while minimizing recovery time. Tart cherry contains a variety of antioxidants that help with inflammation; it also contains melatonin, which aids in sleep. Getting an adequate amount of rest is beneficial in the recovery process. Tart cherry can reduce blood pressure, control blood sugar, boost immune systems, and improve brain function. Tart cherry supplementation has been shown to support recovery by reducing inflammation and enhancing muscle strength. This increases interest among athletes who are interested in natural recovery aids. Tart cherry’s effects on recovery of muscle soreness, strength, power, and inflammation have been linked. Tart cherry supplementation benefits by reducing muscle soreness, improving recovery of strength and power, and diminishing inflammation. Tart cherry supplementation showed minimal effect on decreased muscle soreness. It enhances the recovery of muscular strength. Different exercises, such as muscular strength exercises, jumping, and sprints, have been tested to see the effects of tart cherry. Tart cherry showed moderate recovery of muscular strength and power. It had a large effect on jump height. It has a small effect on sprint performance. Small changes were seen in C-reactive protein (CRP) and Interleukin-6. Reducing inflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein and Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is important because too much inflammation may make recovery difficult, lower performance, and increase the risk of overtraining or injury. CRP and IL-6 are indicators of systemic inflammation increase in response to heavy exercise, muscle damage, and stress. Tart cherry supplementation is valuable for recovery following major exercise sessions by helping to reduce muscle soreness, improve performance measures, and decrease inflammation. Antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents, such as anthocyanins contained in tart cherries, reduce the increase of CRP and IL-6 levels due to the depletion of oxidative stress and a dampened inflammation response. Reduction is critical for recovery in that it allows for quicker muscle recovery, minimizing extended soreness and inhibiting potential long-term inflammation that could delay recovery and interfere with overall athletic function. Tart cherry benefits athletes and those into sports seeking the best ways of recovery and performance. In the future, to find more evidence, studies should explore a wider variety of exercise modalities, such as running, cycling, and swimming, to provide further evidence for the benefits of tart cherry supplementation.

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  Deals to Doodles: A Children's Book Illustrator's Perspective

  Katie Moon

  Please note: no video is available for this presentation.

  As artistic opportunities grow, the world of illustration and artistic expression is ever-changing, and navigating this profession can become tricker by the year. One of the fastest-growing freelance illustration opportunities in the world is children’s book illustration. With creatives and authors constantly producing written media, artists are needed to bring this written word to life. In this presentation, the presenter will demonstrate her experiences in the children’s book illustration industry and how this shaped her view on the industry, her currently developing career, and how this has affected her studies here at JSU. This presentation will outline what tasks an illustrator performs, what makes an illustrator, and the process of bringing an author’s vision to life for young readers to enjoy.

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  Caffeine and Competitive Edge: The Impact of Acute Intake on Performance in Intermittent Sports

  Mikah Morris

  Please note: no video is available for this presentation.

  Athletes in intermittent sports often seek strategies to maximize high-intensity performance. Here we investigate caffeine's role in boosting sport-specific actions to enhance competitive outcomes. Caffeine is a widely used ergogenic aid that can potentially enhance athletic performance. Intermittent sports are characterized by repeated bouts of high-intensity activity mixed with periods of rest or low-intensity activity. These sports demand a complex interaction between physical and cognitive functions. Understanding these effects can help optimize training and competition strategies. We began with our inclusion criteria and decided to use the population, intervention, comparison, and outcome framework. Our population comprised athletes who participated in team, racket, or combat sports. The intervention was acute caffeine ingestion. A placebo comparison group was used. The primary outcome measures were sport-specific actions observed during real or simulated competitions. For the framework of our test, we decided only to use single- or double-blind, randomized controlled trials published in peer-reviewed journals. Twenty-four randomized controlled trials were conducted. Within these trials, 399 athletes were used. Participants were categorized as recreationally active, trained, highly trained, or elite athletes. After classification, caffeine was administered. Athletes were given different caffeine options to investigate the effect of different delivery methods. These options included caffeine-filled capsules, caffeinated energy drinks, and chewing gum. During these trials, caffeine was administrated 45 to 60 minutes before the training period started. Once this was finished, multiple tests assessed specific movements found in intermittent sports. As a result, we found that caffeine ingestion significantly enhanced high-intensity actions, including sprints, accelerations, and offensive movements, while improving competitive success rates. Additionally, our data suggest that caffeine improves an athlete's ability to sustain high-intensity actions over time. This likely leads to increased player involvement and improved overall game performance, ultimately contributing to a competitive advantage. Our findings offer new insights into caffeine's potential to elevate performance in intermittent sports, paving the way for future research and practical applications. While the findings are promising, further research is needed to confirm their applicability across diverse athlete populations. Future research should also explore whether athletes' expectations about caffeine's ergogenic effects influence their performance.