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Flying Solo: Work-Life Fit for Single Employees without Caregiving Responsibilities
No full textDespite the increasing presence of soloists, single, unpartnered employees without caregiving responsibilities, organizational research and workplace policies remain largely centered on employees with traditional family roles. This dissertation investigates whether soloists face unique workplace challenges, biases, and adverse professional and personal outcomes based on their identity. Across four studies, this research integrates qualitative and quantitative methods to examine how workplace mistreatment and structural inequities influence soloists’ experiences. A qualitative pilot study uncovered patterns of informal and formal discrimination, revealing that soloists are often expected to work longer hours, assume additional responsibilities, and receive fewer workplace accommodations. Building on these findings, Study 1 used archival data to establish that higher workplace demands and lower workplace empowerment for soloists function as a proxy for mistreatment, contributing to lower perceived support and increased burnout. Study 2, a repeated measures panel study, confirmed that perceived discrimination leads to reduced workplace support, ultimately diminishing engagement, performance, and well-being over time. Finally, an experimental study demonstrated that supervisors are more likely to assign demanding or undesirable work to soloists, reinforcing the reality of differential treatment in task allocation. Collectively, the findings highlight that soloists experience workplace inequities akin to those of other marginalized groups, yet their challenges remain largely unrecognized. The research contributes to work–life fit, discrimination, and organizational theories by positioning soloist status as a meaningful identity category that shapes workplace experiences. Practical implications emphasize the need for policy reform, equitable workload distribution, and increased managerial awareness to ensure that soloists receive fair treatment. By challenging prevailing assumptions about workplace flexibility and availability, this research calls for a broader, more inclusive perspective on employee well-being, one that acknowledges diverse life configurations beyond traditional family structures
Centering Black Finishers: A Qualitative Case Study of Recent Black Female Teacher Education Graduates
No full textBackground: National data indicate two troubling statistics that serve as catalysts for this dissertation concerning the presence/absence of Black teachers: (a) Black teacher candidates (BTCs) exit traditional teacher preparation programs at higher rates than other racial groups, and when they stay, (b) BTCs are at risk to disproportionately fail teacher licensure exams. Researchers have explored the perspectives of BTCs and have found teacher preparation programs isolating and invalidating, thus mirroring the long history of Black schooling in the United States. Building from such research, this study, however, is less about what makes BTCs stay enrolled in traditional teacher preparation programs and more about how BTCs persist toward a career in teaching. Purpose: Drawing from Black studies, this qualitative case study centers on five recent Black female teacher education graduates (RBFTEGs) to capture how—despite “schooling as a site of Black suffering”—Black teacher candidates successfully completed a traditional teacher preparation program. This study asks, (1) How does the program structure of a traditional teacher education program necessitate fugitivity? Connected to this initial question, I ask, (2) How does fugitivity exist in recent Black graduates’ experiences in teacher education? Lastly, I explore (3) What do recent Black graduates describe as conditions needed for completing a traditional teacher preparation program? Method: This study employs BlackCrit and fugitivity frameworks to analyze transcripts from individual interviews and collective discussion, RBFTEGs’ written testimonies, and a document analysis of selected materials from the teacher preparation program. Results: Data revealed three anti-black themes in the EC–6 program: Black absence; race evasiveness and neutrality; and standardization and surveillance. The participating RBFTEGs demonstrated a double consciousness and varying degrees of fugitivity to navigate the teacher preparation program. Conclusions: This study offers initial ideas for actualizing Black-affirming teacher education so that teacher preparation programs may attract, sustain, and affirm BTCsso they become certified classroom teachers
Potential Correlation of Industrial Site Presence in Low-Income Communities Increasing Disease Prevalence During Hurricane Harvey
No full textHarris County experiences a major flood on average every 2 years. This is due to high rates of urbanization decreasing green spaces and trees, while simultaneously increasing roads and buildings. Historically, low-income and non-White communities in Harris County are the most vulnerable to flooding for reasons including living on low-lying land and having fewer flood mitigation projects for their neighborhoods. Natural disasters like Hurricane Harvey highlighted the effects of these disparities as Black and Latino residents were some of the most displaced groups. During natural disasters, chemical plants are required to shut down, thus releasing toxic chemicals and fuel into surrounding environments. During Hurricane Harvey, refineries emitted 4.6 million pounds of pollutants between August 23 and August 30, 2017, exceeding state requirements. Harris County houses are contaminated by industrial waste sites containing dioxins, lead, and arsenic. Exposure to such contaminants increases the likelihood of contracting gastrointestinal diseases, skin rashes, and wound infections. The purpose of this project is to utilize the damage caused by Hurricane Harvey to highlight how the presence of industrial sites increases flood and chemical related-diseases and symptoms in low income areas. Utilizing income data and ICD code for flood related diseases in the areas affected by Hurricane Harvey, as well as mapping flood depth data and overlaid industrial site locations within the range of Harvey. We were able to compare the locations of low income areas with high disease prevalences to the locations of the industrial sites.Honors Colleg
The Psychology of Resistance: Exploring the Path from Perceived Racism to Activism
No full textSocial justice movements, and the passionate activists who champion them, are essential for societal advancement. In the case of racial progress, anti-racism movements (e.g., Black Lives Matter) are motivated by the negative experience of perceived racism. This project explores the path from experiencing racism to behavioral activism intentions, focusing on existential and emotional motivations. As racism is both a threat to existence and negative emotional experience, this project hypothesized that existential threat and negative affects—specifically anger and anxiety—predict activism intentions post-racism experiences. Using two studies (N = 595), this project explored the path from perceived racism to activism using a frequency of events experienced as a predictor. Study 1 did not find indirect effects, however, perceived racism directly predicted activism, existential threat, and negative affect. Next, this investigation explored the proposed paths using an experimental manipulation of perceived racism. The indirect paths in the Study 2 hypothesized model were not supported. However, alterative models pointed to paths toward activism. With these two studies, this work contributes to a deeper understanding of how existential and emotional responses to racism contributes to activism
Insights Into the Reaction Mechanism for CO Oxidation on PtCu Alloys as Catalysts
No full textThis poster presents computational studies that aim to understand the reaction mechanism of CO oxidation under PtCu catalysts. The significance of this reaction lies in being able to purify toxic gases from motor vehicles. PtCu alloys have shown high catalytic activity, even at low temperatures, while having a relatively low cost. Even though PtCu alloys tend to have high NO inhibition, CO oxidation still happens efficiently at low temperatures. Through the use of DFT and computational resources, we can predict the catalytic properties of PtCu. From the data, CO binds in the Pt site and O binds in the 3-fold Cu site. When NO and CO are both adsorbates in the same alloy they compete for the Pt site, inhibiting CO oxidation in the presence of NO.Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, William A. Brookshire Department ofHonors Colleg
The Role of Dominance as a Moderator Between Personality Disorders and Intimate Partner Violence: A Study on BPD and ASPD
No full textBorderline personality disorder (BPD) and antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) are strongly associated with Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) (Collison & Lynam, 2021). BPD is defined as a mental illness that greatly disrupts the inability to manage one's emotions (National Library of Medicine, 2024). ASPD is described as persistent patterns engaging in disrupting and violating the rights of others (Fisher et al., 2024). Previous studies have indicated a constant association between BPD/ASPD and IPV penetration (Munro, 2019). Moreover, both mental disorders exhibit the most robust effect sizes compared to other personality disorders (Collison & Lynam, 2021). Dominance is a characteristic shared in BPD and ASPD that negatively affects intimate relationships primarily to intimidate their partner for the need to control or manipulate others for their gain (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Evidently, dominance is linked to IPV in order to obtain power over their partner's life (Ubillos-Landa et al., 2020). In this research study, there will be an analysis of both BPD and ASPD, focusing on how dominance may serve as a possible moderator affecting the relationship to IPV. Previous studies have indicated an association between ASPD/BPD and IPV penetration. However, there has not been significant research specifying dominance as a moderator to ASPD/BPD. Results found that dominance significantly moderated both the interaction between BPD to IPV (b =.098, SE =.023, p <.01) and ASPD to IPV (b =.083, SE =.023, p <.01). These results show that dominance is a major risk factor to IPV.Psychology, Department ofHonors Colleg
Ideology as a Predictor of News Coverage: The Causes and Consequences of Differential Media Coverage
No full textThis dissertation examines the relationship between media coverage and ideological extremity in the U.S. Congress, focusing on how media incentives shape polarization, public approval, and campaign finance. Across three papers, I analyze how extreme legislators receive disproportionate media attention, how gender influences these dynamics, and how media-driven visibility sustains political extremity. First, I demonstrate that ideologically extreme members, particularly in the House, attract more coverage, often from partisan outlets, reinforcing polarization. Next, I examine how gender interacts with ideological extremity in media narratives, revealing that congresswomen, especially those with extreme positions, receive more attention at the cost of greater scrutiny. Finally, I investigate the consequences of media-driven extremity, finding that heightened coverage enhances fundraising success and, to a lesser extent, public approval, incentivizing continued polarization. Collectively, these findings illustrate how modern media environments amplify ideological divides and shape political incentives, with implications for democratic accountability and representation
The Role of UDP-Glycosyltransferases and Cytochrome P450s in UVB Tolerance
No full textUVB radiation from the sun is extremely damaging to DNA in organisms. Its strong wavelength is capable of causing detrimental cell damage and human diseases including skin cancer. Previous work from the Kelleher lab on natural variation in UVB response narrowed down UVB tolerance using Quantitative Locus (QTL) mapping to a chromosome 3 cluster of UDP-glycosyltransferase genes and Cytochrome P450s (CYPs). Present in most organisms, these genes are speculated to play a role in UV-B tolerance in Drosophila melanogaster. They accomplish this by synthesizing scavenger molecules that reduce the damaging effects of reactive oxygen species. My project looks into how the CRISPR-activated overexpression, or loss of function through RNAi of the various types of Ugts and CYPs, affects UVB tolerance in embryos of Drosophila melanogaster, as the Ugt genes selected for these experiments are solely expressed in embryos. Studying natural variation in UVB tolerance in organisms shows great potential in understanding individual variation in DNA damage susceptibility in cancers and diseases. If the results show increasing UVB tolerance in flies with overexpressed or suppressed type of Ugt gene, there will be more to learn about its underlying mechanisms in various organisms.Biology and Biochemistry, Department ofHonors Colleg
Mentalization Model of Resiliency for Youth Affected by Intimate Partner Violence
No full textMentalization is the act of understanding one’s own internal mental states and making sense of those of other by evaluating behavior. Good mentalization is balanced between implicit (near instantaneous attribution of mental states) and explicit (thoughtful and aware) mentalizing. It is believed that mentalization allows human beings to make sense of themselves and their social world, and creates the foundations for effective social relationships and individual resiliency. Mentalization is partially taught through parent-child interactions and observations of the social environment. Trauma has been demonstrated to inhibit the development of explicit mentalization and can derail even those with highly developed mentalization. The current study uses data from the first two waves of the Dating It Safe dataset, n = 964, designed to evaluate adolescent and young adult dating attitudes and exposure to dating violence. Variables measuring depression (CESD-10) and hostility (Symptoms Checklist 90- Hostility Subscale) were used as a proxy for resiliency and experiential avoidance and cognitive fusion (AFQY) were used to evaluate whether there was an effect of witnessing IPV on resiliency and whether this relationship was moderated by mentalization. IPV was measured in both Waves 1 and 2, but Wave 1 represented IPV over their remembered lives and Wave 2 IPV only in the past year. Comparison of means between those adolescents witnessing IPV and those who had not indicated witnessing IPV showed statistically higher levels of depression and hostility for those witnessing compared to those who had not witnessed IPV by one parent against the other parent. This pattern held in both IPV time groups except for IPV against fathers or male caregivers at Wave 2 for differences in levels of hostility, which was not a significant difference. Moderation analysis failed to yield predicted results as there was no moderation by mentalization indicated on the relationship between IPV and resiliency. Although, once again, IPV was found to be a significant predictor of lower resiliency (increased levels of depression or hostility). This study verifies that witnessing parental IPV is implicated in increased psychopathology and decreased resilience in adolescents. While mentalization may play a role in the relationship, it is more likely that this relationship is mediational and further study is suggested
Synthesis of Fluorinated Compounds by C-H Bond Functionalization
No full textOrganic fluorination chemistry is an important asset in the discovery of biologically active compounds. This assertion is underscored by the emergence of a considerable quantity of fluorinated drugs in the market annually. Noteworthy is the approval of ten fluorinated drugs by the FDA in 2022. This dissertation focuses on the study of pentafluorosulfanyl chemistry and polyfluoroalkylation of unactivated C(sp3)-H bonds. Pentafluorosulfanyl arenes have attracted substantial interest due to unusual properties imposed by the pentafluorosulfanyl moiety. The pentafluorosulfanyl moiety is strongly electron-withdrawing, lipophilic and chemically stable, and its size is comparable to that of a tbutyl group. This dissertation demonstrates the general method for ortho-functionalization of pentafluorosulfanyl arenes. ortho-Lithiation with lithium tetramethylpiperidide at -60 oC in the presence of silicon, germanium, and tin electrophiles affords trapped products in moderate to high yields. Precise temperature regimes and the presence of electrophiles during lithiation are important for successful reactions, since the pentafluorosulfanyl group acts as a competent leaving group at temperatures above -40 oC. Fluoro, bromo, iodo, enolizable keto, cyano, ester, amide, and unsubstituted amino functionalities are compatible with the reaction conditions. Conversion of 2-dimethylsilylpentafluorosulfanyl benzene to 2-halosubstituted derivatives, useful as starting materials in cross-coupling chemistry, was also disclosed. Secondly, polyfluoroalkylation of unactivated C(sp3)−H bonds in alkyl esters, halides, and protected amines by employing CF3CHN2 and CF3CF2CHN2 reagents and “sandwich”- diimine copper complex was also demonstrated. Reactions proceed in dichloromethane solvent at room temperature. Identical C−H functionalization conditions and stoichiometries arevi employed for generality and convenience. Selectivities for C−H insertions are higher for compounds possessing stronger electron-withdrawing substituents. Preliminary mechanistic studies point to a mechanism involving a pre-equilibrium forming a “sandwich”-diimine copper-CF3CHN2 complex followed by rate-determining loss of nitrogen affording the reactive copper carbene. It reacts with trifluoromethyldiazomethane about 6.5 times faster than with 1- fluoroadamantane explaining the need for slow addition of the diazo compound