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°Õ³ó±ðÌýSummer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) SymposiumÌýat the University of Tampa is an in-person showcase of students’ summer research accomplishments. This event will be held Friday, Aug. 29, 2025, from 3 to 5 p.m.,Ìýin theÌýGrand SalonÌýon the first floor of Plant Hall. SURF students will have a poster and give a presentation on their summer research. You are welcome to interact with students and ask questions. The entire ÌÒñ«ÉçÇøampa 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, atÌýdreamer@ut.edu.

2025 Student Presentation Titles:

Effect of Ubiquitin Chain Branching on the Degradation of Target Proteins.
Carter Alverado, Human Performance
Faculty Mentor: Michael French, Biochemistry

Teaching a Computer to Read: Machine Learning for Ghanaian Historical Records.
Hanna Berhane, Computer Science
Faculty Mentor: Matthew Lepinski, Computer Science

A Study of Two Alzheimer's Risk Genes and Their Role in the Nervous System using Drosophila Melanogaster.
Gabriella Buice, Marine Science
Faculty Mentor: Kalpana Makhijani, Biology

Alpha-Oxygenation of Ketones.
Madison Chupela, Chemistry
Faculty Mentor: Brett Hemric, Chemistry

Echoes of Resistance: Black Lives Matter in Tampa Bay’s Media Landscape.
Alyssa Cortes, Journalism
Faculty Mentor: Sohana Nasrin, Communications

Scenario Showdown: a Digital ChatGPT-Based Introductory Psychology Game.
Kaen Freeman, Psychology and Art Therapy
Faculty Mentor: Stephen Blessing, Psychology

Bryde’s Whales: A Whale Call Density Study.
Ryan Homer, Marine Biology
Faculty Mentor: Rose Hilmo, Biology

The Instrumentation of Inspiration: A Pilot Study Evaluating Culturally Diverse Inspiring Music.
Hannah Hutchinson, Psychology
Faculty Mentor: Michael Stasio, Psychology

Optimizing Investment Portfolios with the Super Learner Model.
Eugene Jang, Data Science
Faculty Mentor: Xin Jin, Statistics

Socioeconomic Status, Politics, and Remembering Racial Outgroup Faces.
Dylan Luciani, Psychology and Criminology
Faculty Mentor: Benjamin Marsh, Psychology

Fabrication and Development of a Chemical System for the Analysis of Fingerprints and Inks.
Julia Morelli, Forensic Science
Faculty Mentor: Kenyon Evans-Nguyen, Forensic Science

Identifying Mechanisms of Antioxidant Combination Treatments on Drug-Resistant Breast Cancer.
Andrew Reidenbaugh, Biology
Faculty Mentor: Jeanette Gore, Biology

When Are Low Person-Centered Support Messages Effective and Appropriate? A Qualitative Validation and Revision of the LPC Message Effectiveness Model.
Holly Rushing, Communication and Speech Studies
Faculty Mentor: Colter Ray, Communication

High Competitiveness Enhances Both Speed and Accuracy in a Working Memory Task.
Allison Schultz, Psychology
Faculty Mentor: Sara Festini, Psychology

Investigating Antioxidant Mechanisms on Drug-Resistant Breast Cancer.
Ryan Stewart, Biology
Faculty Mentor: Kim Dobrinski, Biology

The Capacity of AI to Assist in Learning.
Hannah VanHise, English
Faculty Mentor: Daniel Dooghan, English and Writing

The Impact of Student Mentorship in Integrated Dance Programs for Dancers with Disabilities.
Samantha Walker, Dance
Faculty Mentor: Amanda Gabaldon, Theatre and Dance

Abortion as Rational Choice: Policy Restrictiveness and Self-Selection in Post-Dobbs America.
Patrik Ward, Economics
Faculty Mentor: Michael Coon, Economics

Analytical Properties of Devil’s Staircases.
Volodymyr Zabolotnyi, Computer Science and Mathematics
Faculty Mentor: Douglas Pfeffer, Mathematics