Category: Poster Presentation
-
Synthesis of Potential KasA Inhibitor in Search of Alternative Tuberculosis Treatments
By Hyun Cho, Hayden George Faculty Mentor: Dr. Davis Oldham Abstract Multiple analogues for potential tuberculosis (TB) treatment were proposed due to their potential as KasA inhibitors, and a variation was selected for synthetic analysis. A multistep synthesis was thus developed and enacted in an effort to yield 1-(pyrenylmethyl)-4-[3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]piperidin-4-ol (1). Starting from 1-bromo-3-(trifluoromethyl)benzene and 1-benzyl-4-piperidone,…
-
Investigation of Caffeine Concentration Accuracy in Kong Strong Energy Drink Via GC-MS
By Hyun Cho, Austin Allen Faculty Mentor: Dr. Sarah Smith Abstract The global market for caffeinated soft drinks is diverse and growing in consumer base, and Kong Strong is a Danish beverage manufactured for American consumption. Kong Strong is an energy soft drink containing caffeine, which is known to elevate metabolic rates and increase alertness.…
-
Click Reactions with Surface-Bound Phosphonate Films toward an Electrocatalytic System for Carbon Dioxide Reduction
By Iaroslavna Koavlenko Faculty Mentor: Nicole Crowder Abstract One way to electrochemically reduce CO2 is to use modified electrode surfaces with bound transition-metal electrocatalysts. Optimal conditions for modifying copper surfaces with (2-azidoethyl) phosphonic acid in acetone have been identified, forming a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) via the tethering by aggregation and growth (T-BAG) method. The subsequently…
-
The Effect of Embryonic Bisphenol B Exposure on the Reproductive Development of Zebrafish (Danio rerio)
By Jamie Volk Faculty Mentor: Dr. Dianne Baker Abstract Bisphenol A (BPA), a common component of polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins, is a well-established endocrine-disrupting chemical (EDC) linked to adverse reproductive outcomes. In response to increasing regulatory restrictions, structurally similar analogs such as bisphenol B (BPB) have been introduced into consumer products, despite limited toxicological…
-
Paleo-Detectors for Dark Matter, Modeling Damage Tracks in Ancient Minerals
By Ryan Coupland Faculty Mentor: Desmond Villalba Abstract The nature of dark matter remains elusive, yet predictions suggest that it should be about six times as prevalent compared to baryonic matter throughout the universe. Finding dark matter would hence be massive for expanding our understanding of our universe. Many ultra-sensitive direct detectors have been built,…
-
Measuring the Concentration of Vitamins B2 and B6 in Bloom Energy Drink with UV-Vis Spectroscopy
By Lillianne Fish, Savannah Welge Faculty Mentor: Sarah Smith Abstract B-vitamins within energy drinks are required to convert added sugars into energy that our bodies can process and use. Many B-complex vitamins, like riboflavin (B2) and pyridoxine hydrochloride (B6), are common additives found within energy drinks. These compounds display high absorption intensities found in the…
-
Comparative Analysis of HPLC and Fluorescence Spectroscopy for Caffeine Detection in Alani Dream Float
By Jenna Compton-Padua, Henry Gudiel Vargas Faculty Mentor: Sarah Smith Abstract Caffeine, a naturally occurring stimulant for the central nervous system, is widely consumed to enhance alertness, mood, and physical performance. Caffeine is a major component is energy drinks, especially the Alani Dream Float energy drink which corporates 200mg. There has been a significant increase…
-
Comparison of Fluorescence and Gas Chromatography- Mass Spectrometry Methods for Caffeine Quantification in Coconut Berry Red Bull
By Tabitha Melendez, Morgan Stubbs Faculty Mentor: Sarah Smith Abstract Coconut Berry Redbull is a popular flavor of energy drink that is chosen for its high concentration of caffeine per 12-16 ounce serving. To determine caffeine concentration, two methods of analysis were employed. Fluorescence spectroscopy utilizes a quenching technique in which an aspirin sample was…
-
The Puppet Theatres of Hand to God
By Katherine Farmer Faculty Mentor: Michael Benson Abstract The University of Mary Washington’s Department of Theatre and Dance produced Hand to God in the spring of 2026. As a part of that process, I assisted the Scene Designer for the production. I also was responsible for the design of the puppet theatres featured in the…
-
Characterization of the bioluminescent gene pathway engineered into the Firefly© Petunia
By Cat Williams Faculty Mentor: Dr. April Wynn Abstract Petunias do not naturally bioluminesce; however, the transgenic Firefly Petunia, created by Light Bio, contains genes from the bioluminescent mushroom, Neonothopanus nambi, inserted into its genome. In an effort to confirm the insertion and location of the inserted genes, primers were designed, each gene was amplified…
