The Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) Symposium at The University of Tampa is an in-person showcase of students’ summer research accomplishments. This event will be held Friday, Aug. 30, 2024, from 3 to 5 p.m., in the Grand Salon on the first floor of Plant Hall. This is an event where the student will have a poster and give a presentation on their summer research. You are welcome to interact with students and ask questions. The entire UT community, as well as friends and family members, are welcome to join and participate.

Please direct questions to David Reamer, director of the Office of Undergraduate Research and Inquiry, at dreamer@ut.edu.

2024 Student Presentation Titles:

Characterization of New Molecular Tools to Detect Branched Ubiquitin Chains.
Emma Werner, Biochemistry
Faculty Mentor: Michael French, Biochemistry

Possible Treatment from the Deep: Effects of Padina Gymnospora, Marie Algae, on Breast Cancer Cells.
Aysel Khalil, Biology
Faculty Mentor: Kim Dobrinski, Biology

Spying on Nature: Developing Best Practices for Drone-Based Aquatic Ecology Studies.
Mackenzie Matthews, Environmental Studies
Faculty Mentor: Edna Fernandez-Figueroa, Environmental Science

Exploring the Depths: A Comprehensive Study of the Microbial Communities in the Blue Hole, Jewfish Sink.
Madison Young, Biology
Faculty Mentor: Haydn Rubelmann, Biology

Molecular Dynamics Simulations of the Inhibition of Alkaline Phosphatase by Derivatives of L-phenylalanine.
Dana Gaudette, Applied Sociology, Biochemistry
Faculty Mentor: Benjamin Wilson, Chemistry

Attacking the Source: Exploring a Genetic Basis of MRSA in Shark Bite-Related Infections.
Lilliana Haight, Biology
Faculty Mentor: Ann Williams, Biology

Adding New Functionality to the CoreGenes Web-based Genomics Software Tool.
Bryton Montgomery, Computer Science
Faculty Mentor: Pad Mahadevan, Biology

Can an Invasive Species Change Native Behavior? An Investigation into Cannibalism among Mangrove Crabs Associated with the Invasive Brazilian Peppertree.
Jessie Wahlers, Marine Science-Biology
Faculty Mentor: Kristian Taylor, Biology

Optimizing Biodiesel Production via Interesterification.
Brian Veit, Chemistry
Faculty Mentor: John Struss, Chemistry

Population Genetic Analyses of the Invasive Florida Cane Toad (Rhinella horribilis).
Maia Santiago Rodriguez, Biology
Faculty Mentor: Jacob LaFond, Biology

Is Your County Ready for a Hurricane Evacuation?
Emily Lazarz, Public Health
Faculty Mentor: Shanda Vereen, Health Sciences and Human Performance

Enhancing Physical Activity in NDD with use of Wearable Devices: a Meta-Analysis Study.
Christian Farrell, Human Performance
Faculty Mentor: Willie Leung, Health Sciences and Human Performance

Understanding Consumer Response to Polarizing Promotions: An Eye-Tracking Analysis.
William Hartman, Finance, Marketing
Faculty Mentor: Mark Bender, Marketing

Estimating Demand for National Parks.
Robert Cooper, Finance, Management
Faculty Mentor: Suzanne Dieringer, Economics

Advancing Gender Diversity in the Boardroom: Challenges and Progress in the Corporate World.
Chrysanthi Skaliotis, Data Science, Economics
Faculty Mentor: Daniel Diaz Vidal, Economics

A Qualitative Assessment of a New End-User Testing Model for Software Quality.
Sara Hrnciar, Computer Science
Faculty Mentor: Lori Jacques, Computer Science

Authoring Patria: Examining Emotional Tone in Figueroa, Fraga, de Quesada, and Marti.
Bryan Padilla, Political Science
Faculty Mentor: Denis Rey, Political Science

Enhancing Engagement: Fostering Purposeful Play During and After Children’ Museum Visits.
Heather Berwanger, Psychology
Faculty Mentor: Stephen Blessing, Psychology

Reproductive Health Literacy Among Gen Z Women.
Noelani Segree, Communication and Speech Studies
Faculty Mentor: Meredith Clements, Speech

“Despair and Desire in 1920s Lesbian Literature.”
Lena Malpeli, English
Faculty Mentor: Iemanja Brown, English and Writing