The Graduate School and Ingram Library are delighted to host the second annual Graduate Student Symposium. The symposium will be a two-hour online event Wednesday November 5 from 6:00 - 8:00 pm Eastern. Graduate students from programs across UWG will present 10 minute lightning presentations about their recent research projects. Explore the amazing original research and discoveries being made at UWG every day!
| Time | Presenter | Title | Description |
| 6:00PM |
Sandra Vargovich, Ed.D. in Nursing Education
|
Nurse Faculty Perceptions of Caring Toward Prelicensure Students in Face-to-Face Nursing Classrooms Advisor: Dr. Kathleen Morales |
Caring, a core nursing element, is an essential practiced skill. Nurse faculty must consistently model caring behaviors to prepare students for caring in professional practice. This descriptive, quantitative design involved 164 nurse educators teaching in pre-licensure nursing programs with a minimum of three years of teaching experience. Faculty perceived themselves as caring when they demonstrated being supportive, available, and kind. Nurse faculty noted two potential barriers to displaying caring, which faculty believed contributed to students’ nervousness and the maintenance of personal boundaries. Three key concepts were derived from the data: Uplift: faculty empower students; Mentor: faculty guide and support students; and Harmony: faculty promote balance and purpose. |
| 6:20PM |
Arpita Nath Sarker, Master of Science in Biology
|
Discovery and Characterization of a Novel Microbacterium Species that Degrades Plastic and Other Environmental Pollutants Advisor: Dr. Mautusi Mitra |
Bioremediation is the use of microorganisms to mitigate the impact of contaminants by cleaning them from the environment, taking advantage of microbes’ natural metabolism. In this study, we describe a novel bacterium species, Microbacterium sp. strain Clip185. It was isolated from a contaminated culture plate of the green microalga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. Genome analysis of Clip185 strain showed the presence of genes encoding enzymes that are known to break down xenobiotics and aid in heavy metal-tolerance. Clip185 was subjected to growth assays in diverse nutrient conditions. The results showed that it can degrade plastic like polylactic acid and utilize polyethylene, cellulose, chitin, phenanthrene, and combusted car engine oil as the sole carbon source for growth. It can also survive at toxic concentrations of cadmium, cobalt, zinc, copper, nickel, and chromium. Clip185 offers the potential for a versatile and eco-friendly solution to mitigate the escalating burden of anthropogenic pollutants. |
| 6:40PM |
T. Nick Tewell, Master of Music in Music Education
|
Social and emotional learning in secondary school music ensembles: a study of positive effects and impacts Advisor: Dr. Josh Byrd, Dr. Elizabeth Kramer |
This project studies the positive impacts of social and emotional learning (SEL) within secondary school music classrooms. What aspects of SEL can be implemented in secondary music ensembles to improve the lives of students both inside and outside of music? This qualitative study used an online survey for secondary music educators to provide input on their perspectives of SEL implementation in their music programs. Four themes emerged from the literature review and study: positive classroom culture, student empowerment, human connection, and teacher-student relationship. These findings will contribute to the improvement of SEL implementation within musical ensemble classes as well as for the general student population. |
| 7:00PM |
Stephaine Gordon, Master of Science in Applied Computer Science
|
The Quest for the Proton’s Path in a Frozen Maze: Dynamics near the Glass Transition Advisor: Dr. Ana Stanescu |
Proton transfer in aqueous systems is a fundamental process in energy conversion and catalysis, yet its mechanisms are yet to be perfectly understood, especially under conditions that disrupt water’s hydrogen-bond network. This study investigates proton hopping in an equimolar water-glycerol mixture supercooled to 168 K, a regime approaching the glass transition where solvent becomes nearly static. These simulations aim to characterize local viscosity heterogeneities and their influence on proton mobility. Subsequent modeling will incorporate protonation dynamics and the full reaction pathways. The goal is to establish a quantitative correspondence between simulated trajectories and experimental distributions. This integrated approach, combining spectroscopy and quantum chemistry-informed simulation, can provide a detailed view of proton hopping within heterogenous, supercooled aqueous environments. |
| 7:20PM |
Megan Ross, Ed.D. in Nursing Education
|
Enhancing Equity in Interprofessional Education for EAL Students Advisor: Dr. Cynthia Brown |
This presentation explores key findings from a qualitative descriptive study exploring the perceptions of prelicensure nursing students who speak English as an Additional Language (EAL) regarding their participation in Interprofessional Education (IPE) activities. Through qualitative content analysis, five themes emerged: the impact of the meeting format, the importance of building connections, the role of language, the need for preparation, and the necessity of time. These factors influenced the engagement and success of EAL students during IPE activities and inform inclusive IPE practices that promote equity in healthcare education. While this study focused on nursing students, this research offers broader implications for inclusive IPE development, implementation, and evaluation. |
| 7:40PM |
Bailyn Otwell, Master of Science in Sports Management
|
Coping Mechanisms and Gender: How NCAA Division I Male and Female Athletes Manage Mental Health Challenges During the Competitive Season Advisor: Dr. Su Jara-Pazmino |
Male and female student-athletes deal with different in-game stress, but they are also experiencing different coaching and team environments. This study identifies the similarities and differences in male and female Division I student-athletes in managing their stress. What are the most common coping strategies that student-athletes use while they are in season? How do gender norms effect the way that male vs female athletes address their mental health? What are the main factors that effect a student athlete's mental health? The study used qualitative methods to gather in-depth data. The sample included football players and volleyball players from 3–4 Division I schools, chosen through convenience sampling. Participants represented both genders and were in-season, providing a range of in-game stress experiences. |
