University Archives

Background
Self-compassion interventions have demonstrated effectiveness in improving wellness among healthcare professionals. Nurse educators play a vital role in promoting student well-being and modeling sustainable strategies to counter the burnout crisis affecting the nursing workforce. Academic nurse leaders are called to cultivate environments that support self-care and well-being. Embedding self-compassion within nursing education equips students with essential skills that can serve as a protective buffer against burnout. Faculty who understand and practice self-compassion demonstrate the professional competency of self-care and help foster a culture of well-being.

Purpose
This presentation introduces the concept of self-compassion and its application as a tool to enhance well-being in academic settings. It highlights the methodology and results of two pilot studies of Self-Compassion for Healthcare Communities programs implemented with nursing students and multidisciplinary faculty in a college of health professions. The primary objective is to provide participants with evidence-informed tools to establish a framework for well-being within academic environments.

Methods
Two pilot studies employed a repeated-measures design to evaluate self-compassion training. Outcomes included changes in mental health, self-compassion, professional quality of life, and program satisfaction. The methodology for integrating self-compassion training into academic settings will be reviewed, emphasizing replicability and sustainability.

Results
Preliminary findings support the use of self-compassion programs to enhance well-being among both nursing students and faculty. These results align with the growing body of research demonstrating the benefits of self-compassion interventions for healthcare professionals. The presentation will provide participants with the necessary framework to implement this model across diverse academic and healthcare contexts.

Implications
Integrating self-compassion into academic and professional environments can strengthen individual resilience and promote organizational cultures of well-being. Discussion will include strategies for program replication and sustainability with the long-term goal of establishing a shared philosophy and common language of compassion across healthcare communities.

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56th annual Dudley Randall Poetry Prize - 2nd Place (tie) | University of Detroit Mercy | https://chass.udmercy.edu/academics/eng/dr-poetry-contest.php

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“Painting with Words: An Ekphrastic Poetry Reading”

Description: This proposal is for an ekphrastic poetry reading by writers, Jannath Aurfan, Maria Bitar, Emma Boucher, Alexander Comer, Asha George, Michelle Gomez-Angeles, Isabella Goolsby, Mariam Homayed, and Giovanni Romero, inspired by visual art. Each poet has selected a different painting or image as a catalyst for their work, using poetry to interpret, reimagine, and engage with emotions, narratives, and themes within the artwork. The presenters will explore how poetry can bridge visual and literary expression, offering new perspectives on familiar and unfamiliar works of art.

Statement of Value: This presentation displays the power of ekphrastic poetry to deepen artistic interpretation and foster creative dialogue. By engaging with visual art through poetry, the presenters highlight how language can breathe new life into images, uncover narratives, and evoke emotional responses beyond the canvas. Each poem reflects a unique perspective, demonstrating how art and poetry intersect to offer new ways of seeing and understanding. This reading emphasizes the value of interdisciplinary creativity, providing that poetry is not only a form of personal expression but also a bridge between different artistic mediums, enriching both the writer's and the audience’s experience of visual art.

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This presentation reflects on a Titan Innovation Fund project devoted to remodeling the Gardella Honors House. Professors Stephen Pasqualina and Thomas Provost will offer an overview of the project, including its original conception, its execution thus far, and the work ahead, which is scheduled to be completed by September 2025. The talk will communicate the vision behind the project; the process of involving students in its conception, planning, and completion; and the practical steps taken, from purchasing and building furniture to interfacing with the Honors community. 

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This presentation will investigate the way blackness and counterculture are intertwined. Examining texts from disciplines like sociology and anthropology, in addition to primary sources. I will make an argument that Moral panic in the United States related to countercultural social movements and subcultures inherently belongs to a spirit of colonialism and anti-blackness

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This presentation will be exploring topics from Pyc 3500 and making claims about countercultures and themes of dying. Specifically, this presentation will delve into the emo subculture and themes of death and dying with in, while also speculating about the rhetorical function of these themes.

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This presentation will be an elaboration of a research paper for black modernisms. This presentation will explore the ways Zora neale Hurston embodies the spirit of contemporary movements like punk, anticipating these values before its formation as a cohesive social movement. This presentation will argue about the intertwinedness of blackness, punk, and queerness.

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For this presentation, I will be reading a  piece that I worked on in intermediate creative writing 

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As creative writing students of varied backgrounds, Andrew Bosah, Hannah Burdinie, and Melissa Converse approach the past, present and future through common human experiences. This proposal is for a reading of “Sursum Corda” (Bosah), “October Sun” (Burdinie), and “Survive” (Converse) that feels through multi-leveled fear, hope both realized and not, and the realities of social injustices. Through sharing of these fictional stories, these authors hope to encourage the imagination and bravery in others to find themselves in written expression. 

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Putative 2-methylcitrate dehydratase (PDH1) is a Saccharomyces cerevisiae mitochondrial protein that participates in propionate metabolism. The PDH1 gene in Saccharomyces cerevisiae is orthologous to the human gene aconitate decarboxylase 1 (ACOD1), which recent reports suggest is a regulator of immunometabolism in inflammation and infection. However, the metabolic consequences of PDH1 deletion have not yet been fully characterized.  To further explore the molecular functions of PDH1, we performed liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS)-based metabolomics to compare PDH1 deletion mutant yeast to BY4741 wild-type yeast. Both intracellular and extracellular metabolite extractions were performed on yeast cultures harvested at mid-log growth phase.  The yeast extracts were analyzed by reversed-phase chromatography coupled to a time-of-flight mass spectrometer operated in positive ionization mode. Following untargeted feature detection and alignment, univariate and multivariate statistical analysis was performed to detect differential features between the yeast strains. Preliminary results, which suggest the mutation has multiple potential metabolic effects, will be described.

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56th annual Dudley Randall Poetry Prize - 2nd Place (tie) | University of Detroit Mercy | https://chass.udmercy.edu/academics/eng/dr-poetry-contest.php
 

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Clearly written literature has often involved a subterfuge of masking, specifically, by the female author – a form of double consciousness. This is not to say that female authors fail to identify themselves through their writing. They choose to often not identify their personhood (i.e. gender, sexuality, age, economical status, race, political leaning, etc.) so as not to provoke opinions of themselves from their desired audience in order for the spotlight to fully envelope the subject or theme they are writing on. It is in the opaque – the masked – where we find the freedom to explore meaning. Some of the most notable female authors in literary history are the craftiest of maskers. This discussion will explore the reasons behind female writer masking and how clarity plays within the shadows, looking specifically at Emily Dickinson and Harriett Ann Jacobs. Masking is a tool of rebellion and commitment that emboldens the confidence of the female pen being wielded.  

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The process of effective infection control by the University of Detroit Mercy Dental and Dental Hygiene students in the clinic is an area of concern due to the exposure to potentially harmful bacteria. Despite well-established protocols and education, cleanliness, and contamination remain an issue. This study aimed to evaluate the University of Detroit Mercy Dental and Dental Hygiene students' compliance with infection control procedures by testing microbial contamination levels on commonly used operatory surfaces after patient care. Two surfaces, including the overhead light (handles, arm, glass) and computer keyboards (keys A-L, spacebar, number pad), were swabbed during the transition from morning to afternoon clinic sessions. A total of 179 samples were collected from 53 randomized bays across two clinics. Samples were inoculated into a PBS tube, diluted 1:10, and each sample was plated onto blood agar plates. Bacterial colonies were counted using colony-forming units (CFUs). 76% of all bays (70% Blue, 82% Red) sampled were contaminated with detectable levels of skin, oral or environmental bacteria. Clinical keyboards showed higher bacterial loads of >10 (101) cfu, while overhead lights were generally cleaner, with most samples containing <10 cfu. To assess disinfectant efficacy, intentionally contaminated surfaces containing up to 3 x107 CFU of Streptococcus mutans was treated according to the University's infection control guidelines. CaviWipes effectively eliminated all detectable bacteria under these conditions. These findings show the persistent contamination of clinical keyboards and variability in infection control completion, which support the need for more education and remediation to improve compliance.

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Crisis management has become an increasingly significant area of research, particularly in light of global challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic, geopolitical conflicts, mass shootings, inflation, and climate crises. These crises profoundly affect individuals and businesses, heightening the demand for well-trained professionals in crisis response. 

Human service professionals—including social workers, first responders, counselors, psychologists, and other healthcare workers—often find themselves in situations where they must act as crisis counselors, regardless of their formal training in crisis intervention. Their ability to navigate these situations effectively is influenced by crisis self-efficacy, which refers to their confidence in managing crisis situations (Peters et al., 2017). Given this, our research team conducted a preliminary review on crisis self-efficacy among human health professionals. This presentation will summarize the preliminary review, highlight future research directions, and provide an update on our ongoing project currently in the data collection phase. This presentation will summarize the preliminary review, highlight future research directions, and provide an update on our ongoing project currently in the data collection phase. 

Peters, M., Sawyer, C., & Peters, J. W. (2017) Counselor's Crisis Self-Efficacy Scale: A Validation Study. American Counseling Association VISTAS Online. https://www.counseling.org/knowledge-center/vistas/by-subject2/vistas-crisis/docs/default-source/vistas/article_4070ce2bf16116603abcacff0000bee5e7 

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A few poems by the presenter/author will be presented in the form of a poetry slam.

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56th annual Dudley Randall Poetry Prize - 2nd Place (tie) | University of Detroit Mercy | https://chass.udmercy.edu/academics/eng/dr-poetry-contest.php
 

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Maternal mortality remains a critical public health concern in the United States, with communication breakdowns contributing to preventable perinatal deaths. Integrating doulas into healthcare teams is an emerging strategy to improve patient-centered care. This DNP project addressed gaps in interprofessional collaboration by applying IPEC competencies to strengthen communication, role clarity, and teamwork between doulas and healthcare providers. A virtual, interactive workshop with 28 participants utilized case scenarios, discussions, and polling. Pre- and post-surveys, including the Assessment of Interprofessional Team Collaboration Scale-II (AITCS-II), and qualitative feedback were used to evaluate outcomes. Collaboration scores were high at baseline with no significant change, likely due to a ceiling effect. Qualitative findings revealed improved role clarity, strong engagement, and identification of barriers, including gaps in doula referral practices and ongoing structural and communication challenges. While quantitative outcomes remained stable, the project successfully surfaced critical barriers and advanced interprofessional collaboration, supporting the integration of doulas to improve maternal care.  This work positions nurses as system-level change agents and offers a replicable framework for improving maternal safety, team performance, and patient-centered outcomes across interprofessional healthcare settings.

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Lightning Talk

Leadership skills are one of the largest organizational blind spots in both the public and private sectors. More amazing is the lack of training in these areas both in college programs and within those public and private organizations. What are some of these blind spots and what are some simple strategies that can start us down the road to successfully preparing ourselves for these challenges? Moreover and fortunately we have a leadership minor program at the University of Detroit Mercy that is unique and unlike any other one of the few programs in the country.

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Emily Dickinson is most known for her works of poetry and fiction. However, one of the most prolific examples of her writing is her correspondence with her sister-in-law, Susan Gilbert. The two wrote letters to one another for years, which are a suggestion of a romantic relationship. This can be inferred even though Gilbert’s half of the correspondence is missing. Arguably, this is what makes this theory stronger. This presentation contends that the absence of full context does not equal the absence of a complete narrative. Even though there is only half of their story on paper, Dickinson is such a strong writer there is enough clues throughout the letters to fill in the rest. The presentation will analyze Dickinson’s letters as well as hypothesizing how Gilbert could have responded, thus creating a fuller narrative of their relationship and demonstrating there is as much to learn about the two from what was written, as what wasn’t.

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Background: Streptococcus mutans is a key contributor to dental caries due to its acidogenic and biofilm-forming properties. Probiotic formulations including Streptococcus oralis, S. uberis, and S. ratti have been explored as modulators of oral ecology, with some strains shown to compete with S. mutans. However, the timing and strain-specific effects of probiotics on S. mutans remain unclear.

Objective: This study evaluated the ability of individual probiotic strains, a probiotic mixture, and a commercial probiotic tablet to inhibit S. mutans biofilm formation, biofilm acidity, and colonization of orthodontic arch wires.

Methods: S. oralis, S. uberis, and S. rattus were isolated from a commercial oral probiotic tablet (ProBiora 3®) and identified by 16S sequencing. Biofilms were developed in artificial saliva with 0.5% sucrose, either by introducing probiotics 3 hours before or after inoculation with S. mutans ATCC 25175 or a GFP-labeled S. mutans derivative. Biofilm biomass was quantified using a crystal violet assay and the pH of biofilm supernatants was measured. Stainless steel arch wires were colonized as described above, and imaged by fluorescence microscopy to assess S. mutans-GFP colonization. Probiotic effects on S. mutans biofilms were assessed for statistical significance by the students’ T-test.

Results: Early introduction of S. oralis and S. uberis produced the strongest inhibition of S. mutans biofilms (40–70% reduction) and markedly reduced colonization on arch wires. When probiotics were added after S. mutans established a biofilm, S. rattus replaced S. mutans on arch wires. Final pH values of all biofilms remained <5.5, indicating probiotic acidogenicity in the presence of sucrose.

Conclusions: Probiotic inhibition of S. mutans biofilms is both strain- and timing-dependent. S. oralis and S. uberis showed the greatest antagonistic activity when introduced prior to S. mutans, highlighting their potential in caries-preventive. However, acid production by probiotic streptococci requires careful consideration in formulation design.

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A conditional Flp/FRT EMS mutagenesis screen was conducted in the D. melanogaster adult mosaic eye to look for regulators of the cell cycle, cell division, and tissue development. The starting chromosome for this screen harbored an allele of Dark82 that blocks the canonical apoptosis pathway in the mosaic mutant tissue. The screen identified secondary mutations that disrupted the cell growth and developmental patterning in the adult eye. One mutant from the screen, C.3.3, was characterized by having a reduction in the ratio of mutant tissue to wild type tissue in the mosaic eye. Undergraduates in the Fly-CURE consortium at Loyola Marymount University and Nevada State University identified two distinct lethal mutations on the right side of chromosome 2.  The lethal mutations were further mapped to specific genes, Rpe and Nup75. Here we identify Rpe  and Dark82 are responsible for the C.3.3 mosaic eye phenotype. Using recombination, we found that Rpe and Dark82, had a similar phenotype to C.3.3 overall (Dark82, Nup75, and Rpe) while Nup75, Dark82 mosaic eye had a total loss of wild type tissue. This suggests Rpe is the overall driver of the C.3.3 phenotype through a possible epistatic mechanism. Molecular studies are currently being run on mutant Nup75 and Rpe to better understand the interplay between multiple mutants in the developing Drosophila eye.

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A conditional Flp/FRT EMS mutagenesis screen was conducted in the D. melanogaster adult mosaic eye to look for regulators of the cell cycle, cell division, and tissue development. The starting chromosome for this screen harbored an allele of Dark82 that blocks the canonical apoptosis pathway in the mosaic mutant tissue. The screen identified secondary mutations that disrupted the cell growth and developmental patterning in the adult eye. One mutant from the screen, C.3.3, was characterized by having a reduction in the ratio of mutant tissue to wild type tissue in the mosaic eye. Undergraduates in the Fly-CURE consortium at Loyola Marymount University and Nevada State University identified two distinct lethal mutations on the right side of chromosome 2.  The lethal mutations were further mapped to specific genes, Rpe and Nup75. Here we identify Rpe  and Dark82 are responsible for the C.3.3 mosaic eye phenotype. Using recombination, we found that Rpe and Dark82, had a similar phenotype to C.3.3 overall (Dark82, Nup75, and Rpe) while Nup75, Dark82 mosaic eye had a total loss of wild type tissue. This suggests Rpe is the overall driver of the C.3.3 phenotype through a possible epistatic mechanism. Molecular studies are currently being run on mutant Nup75 and Rpe to better understand the interplay between multiple mutants in the developing Drosophila eye.

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Sulforaphane Inhibits Gingival Fibroblast IL-6 Production Induced by Periodontal Pathogens

Authors:
Arif Hussain¹, Laura Young2, Fatima Al Hakim1, Joseph Ferracciolo², David Fischer2, and Eric Krukonis²
¹University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry
²University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry, Division of Integrated Biomedical Sciences

Background: Sulforaphane (SFN) is a natural product obtained from leafy green vegetables like broccoli. SFN has been shown previously to inhibit inflammation and has been used to treat conditions like atopic dermatitis in animal models. SFN can act via inhibition of the NF-kB signalling pathway in host cells.

Objective:  We sought to determine whether SFN administered prior to infection of human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) with various Gram-negative periodontal pathogens, can inhibit production of the proinflammatory cytokine IL-6. In addition, we investigated the effect of SFN on NF-kB nuclear localization (activation).

Methods: HGF-1 cells (ATCC) were grown overnight in 24-well tissue culture plates. Cells were washed with PBS and 0 or 5uM SFN was added to HGF-1 cells for 1 hour prior to the addition of ~3,000,000 bacteria. LPS-containing bacteria included: Escherichia coli (Ec), Fusobacterium nucleatum (Fn), Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg), Treponema denticola (Td), and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (Aa). After 3hrs, chamber slides were washed, fixed with paraformaldehyde, permeabilized with triton-X-100, and stained for NF-kB. After 24 hours, HGF-1 supernatants were harvested, and IL-6 was quantified by ELISA assay. The students’ T-test was used to assess statistical differences in Il-6 production.

Results: SFN exhibited a 70-90% reduction in IL-6 production in response to Ec, Fn, Td, and Aa (p<0.05). Similarly, SFN reduced the level of NF-kB nuclear localization in HGFs upon infection with these bacteria. Pg did not induce Il-6 production, likely due to Pg making an immunosuppressive tetra-acylated LPS at 37°C. In fact, addition of Pg along with Ec, Fn, or Aa led to complete inhibition of IL-6 production by these immunostimulatory bacteria.

Conclusions: SFN is potent suppressor of inflammation stimulated by several Gram-negative periodontal pathogens. SFN blocks IL-6 production, by inhibiting nuclear localization of NF-kB. When pre-grown at 37°C, Pg LPS blocks TLR4 activation by other periodontal pathogens.

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This qualitative study explores the interrelatedness of trauma and substance use and examines the social determinants of health that influence this relationship. The research focused on 12 trauma-exposed Black women diagnosed with substance use disorders (SUDs) who were in recovery. In-depth interviews were conducted to understand participants' trauma and substance use histories, as well as their experiences with SUD treatment and recovery. Key findings highlight early substance exposure, adverse childhood experiences, and complex trauma as significant factors. Additionally, the study found that socially devalued identities had minimal impact, while support systems played a crucial role in recovery. The study's findings have important implications for future research and the development of culturally sensitive SUD treatment approaches for trauma-exposed Black women.

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In the United States, interdisciplinary collaboration for substance use disorders (SUDs) remains essential yet underutilized, with evidence-based integrated healthcare (IHC) models not fully implemented despite the need for comprehensive care. This presentation proposes a Holistic Integrated Healthcare (HIHC-SUD) model specifically designed to enhance SUD treatment by addressing both opportunities and barriers inherent in current fragmented healthcare models. The HIHC-SUD model emphasizes practical applications, such as co-locating healthcare providers, targeting multiple IHC domains concurrently, credentialing providers for SUD treatment, considering cultural factors, and advocating for policy amendments. Additionally, this presentation will showcase the practical application of the HIHC-SUD model within an interdisciplinary team through a specific case example, demonstrating its potential to improve SUD treatment outcomes.

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Cannabinoids, the major components of marijuana, is one of the most commonly used substances for medical and recreational purposes globally. With the trend of global legalization of medical use of cannabis and even the recreational use, the prevalence of recreational use of cannabis has increased markedly over the past few years. Correspondingly, the potential health concerns related to cannabis consumption have also increased. Therefore, it is necessary for oral healthcare providers to understand the effects of cannabinoids use on oral health. This presenteation highlighted the research works in our group. (1) We investigated oral tissue expression of cannabinoid receptors and the potential association of cannabis to oral diseases; (2) We examined the basic biology and physiology of cannabis in human oral tissues; (3) We provided a better understanding the effects of cannabinoids use and abuse on oral health, focusing on jthe most prevelant oral diseases including periodontitis, caries etc. 

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Purpose: The study’s purpose was to assess students’ perceptions towards impact of mindfulness interventions implemented during their class sessions.

Study design: Descriptive study

Methods: A total of 96 students from the second-degree option and BSN programs in the host institution participated in a mindfulness intervention prior to course activities. The four mindfulness interventions utilized in this study included: music, meditation, guided breathing, and positive affirmation.  The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics on post intervention surveys. 

Findings: The mindfulness intervention was overwhelmingly received by the students as reflected in the result of the confidential post surveys. At the completion of the post mindfulness interventions, majority of the students (85%, n = 82) either “agreed” or “strongly agreed” that they felt “at ease and majority (80%, n = 77) either “agreed” or “strongly agreed” that they felt more comfortable to take course requirements.

Conclusion: The mindfulness intervention can promote students’ feelings of “at ease” and confidence prior to a nursing course activity.

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This lab Manual will prepare students in health professions and related fields with fundamental but practical anatomical information, equipping them with a strong basis for a better understanding of the structural organization of the human body. This book, organized into sixteen chapters, covers all human organ systems. Each chapter follows a unique pattern of “Information-Label Diagrams-Case StudiesPractice Quizzes,” which meets the needs of students at various levels. Each chapter will guide the instructor in preparing for each lab session. Practice Quizzes are parts of students’ Lab reports that include microscopic or macroscopic drawings of anatomical structures. 

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The development of communication skills, empathy, and emotional intelligence is essential to preparing prelicensure nursing students for high-quality, patient-centered care. These competencies are foundational to therapeutic relationships, culturally responsive practice, and ethical clinical decision-making. However, students require structured, repeated opportunities to practice these skills in psychologically safe, low risk learning environments. This study explores the integration of immersive virtual reality (VR) simulations featuring artificial intelligence (AI) driven virtual patients into undergraduate nursing curricula. The purpose of the project is to examine whether participation in these simulations enhances nursing students’ communication, empathy, and emotional intelligence skills.

Approximately 120 prelicensure nursing students participated in utilizing VR simulations during the 2025-2026 academic year. The VR simulations were embedded in Mental Health Nursing and Fundamentals of Nursing theory courses. Students completed validated pre and post intervention measures assessing self-efficacy in communication, empathy, and emotional intelligence. De-identified aggregate communication performance data captured within the VR platform will also be analyzed across repeated simulation experiences. Quantitative analyses will examine differences between groups, changes over time, and relationships between participant characteristics and outcomes.

This project aligns closely with the mission of the University of Detroit Mercy by advancing student-centered, innovative education grounded in the Jesuit and Mercy traditions of compassion, service, and ethical care, particularly for vulnerable and diverse populations within an urban healthcare context. By offering students a safe, immersive environment to practice emotionally complex patient interactions, VR simulation may foster deeper socio-emotional skill development and professional identity formation. Findings from this study will contribute to the growing body of nursing education literature on educational technology, artificial intelligence, and the intentional cultivation of empathy and emotional intelligence in future healthcare professionals. This project was made possible through generous support from the University of Detroit Mercy Faculty Research Award.

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A reading of the poem "The Backrooms" by Eliza Makhdoom

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If accepted, I would read two of my poems ("Solid" and "Self-Portrait as a Son").
The former addresses a (hyperbolic) ideal of human love, and the latter reflects on the perfection of God's love.

• "Solid" is a poem about a marriage so strong it persists even in death.
• "Self-Portrait as a Son" is a Catholic poem, exploring Jesus and the Eucharist through the images of food and parenting. 

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Vibrio cholerae, the causative agent of the diarrheal disease cholera responds to
environmental conditions in series of transcription activation steps that results in co-
activation of the toxT promoter by two membrane-anchored transcription factors, ToxR
and TcpP. Once toxT is activated, the ToxT protein activates a number of virulence genes
including cholera toxin and the toxin co-regulated pilus. The requirement for both ToxR
and TcpP for toxT activation is well described with TcpP serving as the direct activator and
ToxR assisting TcpP with activation. However, how exactly the molecules engage DNA
and subsequently stimulate transcription is unclear. Using Cryo-EM, we were able to
solve the structure of a toxT transcription complex including ToxR, TcpP, RNA polymerase
(RNAP) and the toxT promoter. The positions of binding largely confirm prior genetic
studies, but also indicated key contacts between each molecule in the complex. Using
site-directed mutagenesis of TcpP, we confirmed TcpP-Q80 as a key DNA binding residue
in the DNA-recognition helix, required for toxT activation, due to it having multiple contacts
with nucleotide bases at positions -38 and -39, relative to the transcription start site. In
addition, TcpP-K101 is a critical residue in the wing domain that engages the minor grove
in winged-helix-turn-helix transcription factors. Perhaps the most revealing aspect of the
Cryo-Em structure was the indication that TcpP-F72 makes critical contacts with the -
CTD of RNAP to initiate transcription. Mutation of TcpP-F72 to alanine or serine resulted
in an 85% or 95% reduction in toxT activation, respectively. Finally, alteration of two
residues (TcpP-P32 and TcpP-I41) in an N-terminal hydrophobic patch predicted to affect
TcpP/ToxR interactions, reduced toxT activation by 40-90% depending on the
substitution. Thus, we have demonstrated the promoter architecture of the active toxT
promoter complex at the atomic levels and verified predicted critical molecular
interactions for initiating toxT activation required for the disease cholera. Future studies
will be aimed at disrupting these critical interactions in a search for effective therapeutics
for a disease with millions of cases each year worldwide.

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Imagine a world where patients never wait months or years for a life-saving organ transplant. Advances in tissue engineering and 3D bioprinting are bringing this vision closer to reality. This talk will explore how scientists use stem cells, scaffolds, and bioprinting techniques to grow functional organs in the lab, the current successes in generating tissues like hearts, kidneys, and livers, and the challenges that remain before these organs can be widely used in clinical practice. Attendees will gain insight into the science behind organ fabrication, the ethical and regulatory considerations, and the transformative potential of lab-grown organs to revolutionize healthcare.

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Over the past two years, there have been thousands of Ukrainian citizens fleeing from their homes in Ukraine and seeking sanctuary in numerous host countries. War and global conflict cannot only impact an individual's environment but can impact their accessibility to health care. This highlights the potential lack of accessibility and effective knowledge about the importance of vaccines. The purpose of this scoping review is to acknowledge the lack of research on vaccination resistance and hesitancy for Ukrainian refugees. By searching for the 4 different databases, we hoped to discover a lack of literature reviews focusing on Ukrainian refugees who are resistant and hesitant towards receiving the COVID-19 and HPV vaccines. The databases used to search this population and this global healthcare concern were; ERIC, Proquest Psychology, CINHAL, and PubMed. After a search, was conducted there was a total of 148 literature reviews in the past ten years addressed, “ Vaccination or Immunization and Refugee or Ayslumn and hesitancy and resistance.”  (  7 in PubMed, 129 in Proquest Psychology, 0 ERIC, and 12 in CINHAL). 

• Rationale. The reason for conducting a scoping review is to address vaccination rate concerns for Ukrainian refugees coming into host countries that are in need of medical care. The number of reviewed articles reveals there to be limited studies or attention focusing on Vaccination rates for Ukrainian refugees and highlights the need for future studies to take place. 
• Some of the many potential barriers that reveal the low vaccination rates among Ukrainian refugees include a lack of vaccines available during the Russian and Ukrainian war, misconceptions about the use of vaccines (HPV and COVID-19), and feeling uneasy with the potential long-term effects of recently mandated vaccines like COVID. 

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As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to reshape education, its integration into university curricula presents new opportunities for enhancing student learning and instructional design. This research project at the University of Detroit Mercy, in collaboration with the Center for Excellence in Teaching & Learning (CETL) and the Center for Augmenting Intelligence, explores the impact of StudyAI’d, an AI-powered academic platform, on curriculum innovation and student engagement.

Funded through Faculty Research Awards 2024 and IRB-approved, this study examines how AI tools can support faculty in designing adaptive course materials, developing assessments, and enhancing instructional strategies while providing students with AI-driven study aids, writing support, research tools, and multimedia learning experiences.

This presentation will highlight preliminary work on integrating  AI into the curriculumn and discuss challenges and best practices for ethical and responsible AI adoption in higher education.

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Health professions education faces questions about how emerging technologies, economic pressures, and equity concerns will reshape teaching and learning by 2035. Employing Ethnographic Futures Research (EFR) – a participatory scenario-planning method that engages stakeholders in envisioning alternative futures – twelve stakeholders including faculty, students, clinicians, and educational experts participated in a structured workshop to develop three scenarios (optimistic, pessimistic, and most probable) that revealed tensions between technological capability and human judgment, efficiency and empathy, and innovation and equity. Five design principles emerged from these scenarios: technology should augment rather than replace human judgment; modular learning must be embedded in authentic clinical contexts; faculty serve as essential guides for reflection and professional formation; equity must be designed into systems from inception; and ethics and data literacy enable responsible technology engagement. These principles offer pathways toward flexible, globally connected education systems that support lifelong learning while preserving the relational and ethical dimensions of healthcare practice, contributing to inclusive, equitable quality education aligned with United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4. The framework operationalizes SDG 4 commitments through concrete, actionable design applicable to health professions education globally. 

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Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping healthcare workflows and workforce expectations, yet most health professions curricula focus primarily on clinical AI applications rather than preparing students for AI-enabled professional environments. This presentation introduces a curriculum innovation that integrates AI simulations into a healthcare career exploration course to prepare students for emerging workforce realities.

The curriculum uses three AI-supported approaches: (1) role-playing simulations for job interview preparation, (2) AI-assisted evaluation of CVs and cover letters with job-fit scoring and feedback, and (3) structured learning activities designed to help students understand how to collaborate with AI systems in future workplaces.

Preliminary results from student evaluations (n=29) indicate strong perceived benefits. Over 89% of students reported that AI tools improved the quality of their assignment submissions, while 90% indicated that AI tools were beneficial in completing career development tasks. Additionally, 65% reported reduced time spent on assignments while still maintaining learning gains.

These findings suggest that AI-enabled simulations can serve as an effective bridge between traditional academic preparation and the evolving AI-supported professional environment.

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This presentation will discuss the themes of existentialist philosophy in connection with Richard Wright’s posthumously published novel, The Man Who Lived Underground. By comparing the novel to other works of existentialist literature, such as a Nausea and The Stranger, I will show how The Man Who Lived Underground not only explores racism and white supremacy as themselves absurd, but also how the notion of these structures as absurd itself has profound political implications in the American context which both confronts and threatens the status quo of White Supremacy in and by its very expression.

I argue that The Man Who Lived Underground approaches the existential question posed by death through the confrontation of structures of racism and white supremacy through an embrace of Camus’ notion of the absurd and an affirmation of life as such. By embracing life as absurd, Fred Daniels confronts the “political deployment of the threat of death” at the heart of American politics and society, and in so doing, becomes a threat to its existence.The Man Who Lived Underground explores the human condition by inverting the problem of death, exploring it not as a biologically determined reality but as a political project propped up by American society.

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In 2013, the city of Detroit filed for bankruptcy with the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (DWSD) being responsible for one third of the city’s debt. As a result of the DWSD’s debt, Detroit started shutting off residential water supplies in response to unpaid water bills, depriving people of a basic human necessity. For over a decade, Detroit residents have been confronted by inadequate access to water. Between 2013 and 2020 alone, over 140,000 homes in Detroit experienced having their water supply shut off because of unaffordable water bills. This presentation will focus on the financial disparities of the disadvantaged and declining population of Detroit. It will also discuss some of the financial struggles of the city and its residents, and the decisions made by the city before and after declaring bankruptcy which have caused unnecessary hardship and led to residential water shutoffs.

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Abstract: A good physician-patient relationship is essential for the delivery of quality health care and is associated with better health outcomes. This study explored the association between patients' object relations and the physician-patient relationship. Primary care patients (n = 72) and physicians (n = 21) participated in the study. Patients' early memories were obtained prior to their medical visit and were coded with the Social Cognition and Object Relations–Global Method (SCORS-G). Patients and physicians independently rated the quality of the physician-patient encounter. Results indicated that object relations (SCORS-G Cognitive-structural and Self factors) incrementally predicted physician-patient relationship ratings, as rated by the patient, above and beyond psychological distress, somatization, and level of physician training. Patient education, psychological distress, and level of physician training predicted physician ratings of the medical encounter. The authors discuss the discrepancy between physician and patient ratings as they relate to patients' object relations.

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American theorist and essayist Ellen Willis's critique of feminist artists who shifted from seeking male validation to seeking approval from other women highlights a broader issue: Can genuine artistic expression thrive if it is always tailored to meet the expectations of an audience? This question goes beyond feminism, encompassing social movements, literature, and identity politics. While building solidarity within a community can deepen understanding, focusing on a specific audience can influence expression in ways that can jeopardize authenticity. This presentation explores the conflict between self-definition and the desire for external validation, examining how movements that begin as liberating can eventually become limiting. By engaging with Willis’ perspectives, contemporary feminist thought, and the concept of creative autonomy, I argue that true expression lies not in merely rejecting one set of constraints for another, but in embracing complexity, individuality, and intellectual independence.

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Abstract:
This presentation examines the systemic misrepresentation of Muslim women in Western media, tracing its roots to post-9/11 political narratives and cultural bias. Drawing from personal experience, interviews with Muslim and Christian voices, and scholarly research, I reveal how media sensationalism reduces Muslim women to stereotypes of oppression—ignoring their agency, faith, and diversity. Key findings include the hijab’s role as a symbol of choice and dignity (contrary to its portrayal as a tool of control) and the media’s profit-driven focus on fear over nuance. This work challenges audiences to confront harmful narratives and engage directly with Muslim communities to foster interfaith understanding

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This paper contends that several factors, such as a nearly 18-year-long blockade
restricting the movement of materials, trades, water, assistance, and travel (even for
life-threatening scenarios), economic instability, and constant bombardment, contribute to the
deterioration of mental stability among youth in Gaza. To be alive in Gaza today, as someone
born in the 2000s, you must have survived over 6 wars. Around half of Gaza’s population of 2.1
million are children, and 41% are aged 14 or under, which means hundreds of thousands of young individuals
have known only life under the dire conditions of the Israeli blockade. Due to such unfavorable
conditions, many studies have shared the same results. For youth ages 6-19, well over half suffer
from PTSD alone (2020). In addition to post-traumatic stress disorder, youth in Gaza have
alarmingly high rates of depression and anxiety. This paper aims to highlight the dense
population of the Gaza Strip, and how this plays a vital role in justifying the claim that any
bombardment of Gaza is collective punishment. This research aims to recognize multiple contributing
factors resulting in psychological disorders faced by youth in Gaza, the world’s only current open-air
concentration camp.

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56th annual Dudley Randall Poetry Prize - 2nd Place (tie) | University of Detroit Mercy | https://chass.udmercy.edu/academics/eng/dr-poetry-contest.php
 

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Broccoli and amaranth have both been previously studied separately for their respective health benefits.

However, there is limited research on the combined health effects and potential benefits for the community, especially in lowering glucose levels among individuals with diabetes.

The purpose of this study is to investigate how myrosinase activity is affected when amaranth is added to broccoli, along with probiotics, to mimic the naturally occurring gut microbiome. This study aims to determine whether this combination should be recommended for the diabetic community's diet, potentially serving as a food aid in lowering blood glucose levels.

Broccoli is rich in sulforaphane. When chewed and digested, the enzyme called myrosinase converts broccoli glucosinolates into sulforaphane. Sulforaphane is an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancerogenic.

Amaranth, on the other hand, contains squalene, a compound known for its anti-inflammatory effects. Amaranth may reduce oxidative stress and improve insulin resistance, making it a promising dietary component.

Furthermore, this study explores the myrosinase activity in a broccoli-amaranth mixture with Lactobacillus-Bifidobacterium strains by spectrophotometry.

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56th annual Dudley Randall Poetry Prize - 2nd Place (tie) | University of Detroit Mercy | https://chass.udmercy.edu/academics/eng/dr-poetry-contest.php

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This capstone project was conducted by Master of Community Development graduate student Cicely Turner, who partnered with organization Northwest Goldberg Cares, to complete her two-semester action-based research project. This study engaged various stakeholders - including longtime residents and business owners - in the historic Northwest Goldberg Community, located adjacent Henry Ford Hospital's main campus in Detroit, Michigan. The community revitalization plan consists of an analysis of the community, its residents, current land use and housing conditions, economic development, challenges, opportunities, needs assessment, and recommendations. Highlighted in this presentation are neighborhood assets, plans and challenges to corridor activation, top proposed project ideas, and an action plan and implementation strategy of this community, of which the student is a generational resident.

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REATOOL: Reflection, Engagement, Awareness and Time Tracker Tool developed for learning impact, emphasizes the pedagogical purpose, structure, and expected outcomes of the tool.

The Reflection, Engagement, Awareness and Time Tracker (REATOOL) an innovative assessment and self-monitoring instrument designed to enhance student engagement, comprehension, and reflection in online, hybrid and face to face learning environments. The tool provides a structured weekly framework through which students document interactions with the professor, peer discussions, conceptual understanding, personal reflection, and time investment. By capturing multiple dimensions of engagement Professor Engagement, Peer Engagement, Concept Understanding, Reflection, and Time this tool encourages students to take an active role in their learning process. It simultaneously enables instructors to gain valuable insights into student needs, learning patterns, and areas requiring further clarification. The REATTOOL strengthens the feedback loop between students and faculty, fostering deeper connection, accountability, and collaboration within the all learning deliveries. Its weekly submission component not only promotes consistent participation but also informs instructional design by highlighting where additional support, such as mini-lectures or clarifying resources, may be beneficial. The REATTOOL serves as both a reflective learning mechanism for students and a pedagogical improvement tool for educators committed to cultivating an engaging, responsive, and student-centered learning experiences.

Purpose

The goal is to ensure that by the end of each week, students have actively engaged with the course, monitored their own understanding, and identified where they may need clarification. This structure supports both student self-regulation and instructor insight into how the class is doing overall.

Components to address by answering these components weekly, students practice metacognition, become more aware of their engagement and learning habits, and can request targeted clarification when needed. Instructors can use the information to adjust content, add mini-lectures, or modify activities to improve clarity and support student success in the classroom.

· Professor Engagement: Indicate whether you watched or listened to lectures, read or responded to emails, asked questions, or engaged with instructor feedback or grading.

· Peer Engagement: Describe any academic dialogue with classmates, such as discussion board posts, replies, group work, or informal study conversations.

· Awareness- Concept Understanding: How well did you understand the week’s main concepts, naming at least one concept you feel confident about and/or one that remains unclear and needs clarification

· Reflection: Reflect on how you are doing both in life and in the course, including motivation, stress level, and how manageable the workload felt this week.

· Time: Estimate the cumulative time you spent preparing for and completing the week’s activities, including reading, watching lectures, participating in

Learning Objectives:

By the end of this conference session, participants will be able to:

· Describe the core components of the REATT Tool (professor engagement, peer engagement, concept understanding, reflection, and time invested) and their rationale within an online course.

· Analyze how weekly reflection and engagement tracking can support metacognition, student–faculty connection, and timely identification of unclear concepts in online learning.

· Apply the REATT Tool framework to sketch a plan for integrating a similar reflection and engagement tracker into their own online or hybrid course.

· Evaluate potential challenges (for example, workload, student buy-in, anonymity, grading weight) and propose at least one strategy to address each within their institutional context.

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