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Mapping Sensory Landscapes: Distribution and Arrangement of the Anterior Lateral Line System in Texas Catfish
Tatiana K. Flores and Ruben Tovar
Fish have a system of sensory organs known as the lateral line system. This system contains numerous mechanoreceptive neuromasts and electroreceptive ampullary organs (Northcutt et al, 2000). Neuromasts are small, hair-like structures located within canals in the lateral line system just under the fish’s skin and are open to the environment through small pores visible on its skin (Parker, 2025). Water flows into these canals through the pores which stimulates the sensitive hair cells, resulting in electrical signals sent to the fish’s brain. The brain interprets these signals and creates “images” of the fish’s surroundings, helping it to see even in total darkness. Other sensory organs that work in conjunction with the lateral line system are the barbels. Barbels are the whisker -like appendages that gave catfish their name and are chemoreceptors used to locate food (Parker, 2025). The Mexican blind catfish (P. phreatophila) is a rare subterranean species found only in caves and wells in the Edwards – Trinity aquifer which stretches beneath the Rio Grande Basin in Texas and Coahuila, Mexico (Mexican blindcat, ND). Due to its reduced eye function, the Mexican blind catfish uses other sensory organs such as olfactory or mechanosensory organs to be able to “see” and find food in its environment. The description and quantification of these characteristics have yet to be explored in prietella. For this study, we harnessed microCT scans to describe and analyze neuromast pores and cranial/facial morphology between 5 species of catfish including the subterraneun adapted prietella. The species studied were: Channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus), Mexican blind catfish (Prietella phreatofila), Black bullhead (Ameiurus melas), Yellow bullhead (Ameiurus natalis), and Tadpole madtom (Noturus gyrinus). The purpose of this study was to determine potential differences in cranial size/shape between subterranean and surface species. Because the Mexican blind catfish uses other sensory organs to survive in its environment, these sensory organs may have thicker tissue, resulting in a larger head shape/size compared to the surface species.
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Bound by brotherhood: Social networks predict job satisfaction and trust among frefighters
Ashley Frost
The primary purpose of this study was to better understand the correlation between the social support networks among firefighters, also known as “brotherhood”, and their job satisfaction. The secondary goal was to explore potential indicators of what traditions entailed within the fire department and their significance in fostering brotherhood. Former research has articulated the bonds within the fire service and how team comradery and job satisfaction influence brotherhood, however; limited research has investigated how traditions within the fire service influence brotherhood. It was expected that brotherhood would have a positive correlation with job satisfaction (H1), that there would be a positive correlation between traditions within the fire service and brotherhood (H2), and that the more time that firefighters spent with their team training the higher their trust levels (H3). The survey consisted of thirty-one questions developed by the researcher, in which twelve questions were adapted from the Social Support Inventory and the Inventory of Socially Supported Behaviors. Questions explored firefighters’ perceptions of their support networks and identified the qualification and demographics of the participants. Results showed a positive correlation between brotherhood and job satisfaction (H1), a positive correlation between brotherhood and traditions within the fire service (H2), and a positive correlation between the time teams spent training together and trust levels. Findings suggest that when engaging in team building exercises to strengthen their brotherhood, firefighters become more satisfied with their work. Future research should assess the best methods to facilitate teamwork cohesion exercises as it was positively correlated with brotherhood.
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Polylactic Acid (PLA) Microplastic toxicity in C. elegans
Maria Gamez, Dana Farley, Chiara Maldonado, and David Mares
• Microplastics (MPs, > 5 mm1) are an environmental pollutant that pose health risks to humans. • Primary MPs are created for direct use or plastic stocks, and secondary MPs are created when plastics in the environment break down over time. • Microplastic exposure can cause oxidative stress, metabolic disorders, immune responses, neurotoxicity, and reproductive issues2-3. • Polylactic Acid (PLA) is a biodegradable plastic used in everyday items, such as food packaging, and as a polymer in 3D printing. • PLA exposure to fish causes organ damage5 and C. elegans exposure to primary PLA MPs and UV-aged MPs reduced reproduction6-7 . • We use C. elegans to investigate the effect of cryo-milled PLA-MP exposure on fertility, development, and lifespan.
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The Integration of Spanglish Throughout Texas
Alexa Garcia, Renata Taboada, Dariela Galindo, and Julianne Pena
Code switching is the combination of two or more languages spoken due to the proximity of communities (Zentella, 1997). Code switching is very common in areas with a majority Hispanic community (Devan et al., 2024). Although Spanglish is highly controversial, it is widely used through multiple parts of Texas (Stavans, 2008) Spanish in San Antonio is very different than Mexico Spanish according to Mexican-Americans (Gillespie-Duelos, 1975)
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A Research Proposal: Gender Differences in the Experience and Impact of Fear of Missing Out (FOMO)
Valeria Garcia and Yesenia De Leon
Fear of Missing Out (FoMO) is the anxiety individuals feel when they believe others are having rewarding experiences without them, a feeling that has increased with the rise of social media. Constant exposure to others' curated lives can lead to social comparison, increased social media use, and negative outcomes such as decreased academic focus and poorer mental health. Research suggests that FoMO may be experienced differently across genders due to differences in social expectations and online behaviors. For example, women may be more likely to engage in social comparison and seek validation, while men may use social media for different social or instrumental purposes. This study examines gender differences in the experience and impact of FoMO among college students using a quantitative approach, with the goal of understanding how FoMO influences behavior and well-being.
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FoxBuddy
Luis Eduardo Garza Jr.
Emergency preparedness remains a significant challenge for individuals due to disorganized resource management and lack of accessible guidance. Additionally, cybersecurity risks during emergencies are often overlooked, leaving individuals vulnerable to digital threats such as phishing, scams, and data exposure. FoxBuddy provides a centralized, user-friendly platform that enhances both physical preparedness and cybersecurity awareness.
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Exploring Base excision Repair Using Gene Knockout
Gregory Guantos, Cailyn Brock, Kamiily Visser, and Dylan Vargas
• Base Excision Repair (BER) fixes damaged 3DNA bases throughout the cell cycle by removing damaged bases and replacing either one nucleotide in short-patch BER or a short stretch of nucleotides in long-patch BER. (Hindi, 2021, Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences:CMLS)
• 4G-quadruplexes (G4s) are 4 stranded secondary DNA structures formed in guanine rich areas of DNA and RNA. (Rhodes, 2015, Nucleic Acids Research)
The URA3 plasmid was used as a PCR template to make a gene deletion construct, then yeast were transformed so APN1 was replaced by URA3. 2APN1 encodes a major DNA repair enzyme in yeast, and strains lacking APN1 are hypersensitive to oxidative and alkylating DNA-damaging agents. (Ramotar, 1991, Molecular and Cellular Biology)
• Ampicillin, an antibacterial, and uracil absent plates were used to select for transformed E. coli and yeast cells respectively.
• Previous experiments involving 1single knockout lines have shown it is possible to transform yeast using centromeric plasmids.(Persson, 2022, Genes|Genomes|Genetics),
Hypothesis: The DNA repair pathway Base Excision Repair, will remove G4s from DNA efficiently.
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Take a Hit? Take a Hit: Quantifying Cell Death in E-Cigarette Exposed Bronchial Epithelial Cells following CARDS Toxin Treatment
Truman Havrda, Hannah Jiron, and Sierra Trevino
The rapid rise of e-cigarette use among young adults has created a significant public health challenge, as the popularity of "vaping" has grown faster than our understanding of its long term cellular consequences. Current research indicates that e-cigarette vapor (ECV) induce high levels of oxidative stress and impair the lungs' ability to clear bacterial pathogens. Furthermore, ECV exposure upregulates specific receptors on the surface of airway cells, essentially making it easier for bacteria to adhere to and infect the lungs. While we know that both e-liquids and vapor trigger inflammatory responses and cytotoxicity, there is limited data on how these "pre-damaged" cells react when faced with a secondary biological threat. Mycoplasma Pneumoniae Community Acquired Respiratory Distress Syndrome (CARDS) toxin, which is known to target the mitochondria and cause significant cell death and vacuolization. This study seeks to quantify how ECV exposure predisposes human bronchial epithelial cells to increased damage when treated with the CARDS toxin. By measuring cell death, we aim to provide our peers with concrete, empirical evidence of how vaping compromises the fundamental defenses of the respiratory system.
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Separate But Found: An Ontological Analysis of Toni Morrison's Beloved
Byron Haynes
In Toni Morrison's Beloved, separation becomes the ideal solution for African American women to recover their humanity and build a future. These women understandably harbor for their oppressor and would be unable to foster a coexistence with them, given their suffering after being the victims of sexual assault, lynchings, hard labor, substandard living circumstances, and death regularly. By illustrating the methodical methods in which women are dehumanized under Whiteness, this essay examines how each woman reclaims their humanity through the separation of Whiteness in their lives through Baby Suggs’s preaching, Sethe’s choice to kill her daughter, Denver’s exploration of reality distanced from her family, and Beloved’s mere existence. Keywords: Race, Maternity, Slavery, History, Identity
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Libertatis Cunabula: Slavery in San Antonio
Makayla Hernandez
This research on the taxes collected by our city and county exposes the pervasiveness of slavery in San Antonio. This truth is shockingly new for San Antonio. No marker nor plaque nor historical commemoration exists to honor the memory and contributions of enslaved San Antonians, nor to force a reckoning with the legacy of prominent enslavers among San Antonio’s leading families and Alamo heroes. This research project recovers every person listed as enslaved in the Bexar County Tax Assessment Records from 1837 to 1862 and names their enslavers. It immediately counters the assumption and assertion that slavery was insignificant in the history of our community. The tax records prove our city’s dependence on slavery and our debt to our enslaved ancestors. Among the many findings gleaned from these records, we see that not only were men enslaving people, but women were also enslavers in their own names, exercising their own property rights in humans, independent of husbands, fathers, and sons. Among the enslavers, we also see Hispanic surnames, both male and female. Hispanic surnames are a small fraction of Anglo surnames, but they appear throughout this 25-year period. Although this research topic is sensitive, it is very important to face this raw-yet-real history.
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SmartStock
Enzo Jaques
SmartStock is a mobile application designed to help small business owners efficiently manage inventory and track sales in real time. Many small businesses rely on manual tracking methods or spreadsheets, which can lead to errors, lost data, and inefficient operations. SmartStock addresses this problem by providing a simple, mobile-first solution that allows users to manage products, monitor stock levels, and calculate profits instantly.
Purpose:
• Simplify inventory management • Track sales and profit automatically • Provide real-time low stock alerts • Improve decision-making for small businesses
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Translating Research for the Public: Lab and Online Engagement
Hannah Jiron
In the world of psychological research, we spend countless hours in the lab gathering data that has the potential to change lives. But if that data stays locked away in spreadsheets or professional journals, it remains "invisible" to the very people who need it most. As our research moves into the digital age, we have a unique opportunity to "uncloister" science taking it out of the lab and bringing it into the community. This poster explores why simply having good data isn't enough. For research to truly matter, it requires active management and a heart for public outreach. We argue that the bridge between complex lab findings and community engagement is built through "trans-scientific" communication spaces like research blogs or interactive databases where experts and the public can finally talk to one another. By prioritizing how we organize and share our work, we ensure that our data isn't just a collection of numbers, but a living tool that empowers our community, honors their values, and drives real-world change.
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Availabilty of Educational Tools and the Presence of Technology in Online Stores: Supporting Teaching Practices in Autistic Youth
Sofia Kamar and Layla Alanis
- A neurodevelopmental condition known as, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), is characterized by difficulties with social interaction, behavior regulation, and communication. (DSM-5-TR; American Psychiatric Association, 2013) - Specialized educational tools are essential for supporting the learning, communication, and social development of autistic youth (Jones, Hanley, & Riby, 2020). - Teachers depend on a variety of learning aids—such as sensory supports, visual schedules, and assistive technologies— to address diverse student needs (Carrington et al., 2020). - According to earlier studies, young people with ASD frequently require specific resources, physical and technological, as well as scheduled routines to facilitate learning and transitions between activities (American Psychiatric Association, 2013; Strain et al., 2011). - The purpose of this study was to analyze the availability and technological integration of educational tools for autistic youth across categories such as language materials, dramatic play, blocks/manipulatives, and decor/furniture, on the online school supplies websites, Lakeshore and Gateway, to determine how well these commercially available tools align with the evidence-based practices and classroom needs identified in current research.
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Beyond the Sidelines: A Qualitative Analysis Proposal of How Female Athletes Reclaim Narratives via Digital Ownership
Kaitlyn Kirschner
The Gatekeeping Model: Traditional sports media operates through a centralized gatekeeping system, in which editorial filtering determines the information disseminated to the public (Wilderness Agency, 2021). Narrative Control: Such centralization strongly shapes the portrayal of athletes’ identities and restricts the visibility of individuals outside mainstream sports. The 90/10 Coverage Gap: Despite the expansion of professional leagues, women’s sports continue to receive less than 10% of total media coverage (I Play Like a Girl, 2024). Standardized Reporting: Established broadcasting practices and commercial priorities have historically resulted in standardized reporting that favors male-dominated sports (Doyle et al., 2021). Systemic Inequity: These frameworks perpetuate persistent disparities in the allocation of airtime and resources, thereby constraining the commercial and cultural reach of female athletes.
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Regional Inequalities in Healthcare Access and Capacity in Brazil
Elena Kossler
The Brazilian health system is one of the largest and most comprehensive universal public health systems, fully funded by the government.
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The Effects of Sour & Spicy Food on Visual & Auditory Reflexes
Aditi Kumar, Alondra-Sophia Martinez, Magdalena E. Saad, and Emma J. Welsch
• The reflex reaction time measures how quickly the nervous system can respond to a stimulus. • In the experiment, both visual and auditory reflexes were measured to evaluate differences in reaction time after the consumption of sour and spicy foods. • Spices and herbs produce different signals that interact with the nervous system. (McMullen 2024) • Comparing the response times from before and after consumption, this experiment allowed us to determine if different tastes affect reflex reaction times.
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Beluga Buddies: The Preferred Social Network of Belugas in Managed Care
Valery Marinelarena and Diamond Garcia
Belugas societies are not fixed and group composition is everchanging. Group composition can also influence behavior. This study aims to examine the preferred social networks and the role age plays in the behavioral diversity within a group of managed care belugas housed at Sea World San Antonio. Results Supported TYO had a preferred, non-random social network and ATL performing more chinslaps than TYO.
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The Childhood Beyond the Border
Joshua Marroquin, Cheyenne Ruiz, and Evelyn Adela Perez
• In 2024, there were approximately 18.3 million immigrant-origin children (1st, 2nd or 3rd generation; unauthorized; or international) which represented 26% of all 69.1 million children in the United states (Batalova, 2026). • There are many factors in immigrant-origin children’s childhoods that influence their early education, wellbeing and sense of identity as they grow up, but also in higher education. • Research Question: How do immigrant-origin students' experiences affect their current standing in U.S. universities?
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Property Taxes and Educational Inequality: How Funding Structures Perpetuate Social Class Divides in San Antonio, Texas
Kristanna Martinez and Camila Ore
The U.S education system relies heavily on property taxes, creating an unhealthy dependence where property value dictates the quality of education depending on the school district
• In the historical case Edgewood v. Kriby, the Texas Supreme Court ruled that the reliance on local property taxes for school funding was unconstitutional, as it violated the state requirement that all children receive a “thorough and efficient” education. The court ruled that every district must be provided the same ability to obtain educational funds regardless of their local property wealth. • The purpose of this study is to examine if the 2025-2026 funding data between Edgewood ISD and Alamo Heights ISD determine if these historic court rulings and subsequent policies were enough to balance the educational funding field, or if the unequal tax system persisting necessitates further reform.
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Finding Light
Jose Enrique Martinez Melgar
Finding Light is a narrative driven RPG that follows the journey of Hop, a protagonist who is navigating a fragmented world of lost memories. By exploring diverse environments and interacting with environmental puzzles, you can uncover a story of existentialism and self-discovery. This project aims to explore how interactive media can represent the process of reclaiming one's identity in moments of darkness. Moreover, Finding Light aims to promote mental health awareness.
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Detecting Cancer Genes Using Graph Neural Networks
Marvin Masabo Nkaka
• Cancer survival prediction is challenging due to the complexity of genomic data and limited samples especially for rarer cancer types. • To address this challenge, we developed an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) model for survival analysis using RNA-sequencing gene expression data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). • Moreover, a key concept we investigate was how transfer learning enhanced our model’s performance especially for rarer cancer types difficult to perform accurate survival analysis due to their limited samples.
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Between Boots and Beaches: A Study of Spanglish Across the Souothwest
Payton Mayfield, Kaylynn Perez, Demetri Zoutis, and Sandra Villarreal
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