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The Relationship Between Undergraduate Research Participation and Educational Outcomes
No full textThis study investigates the relationship between participating in funded undergraduate research programs and pre- and post-graduation success among students at Kennesaw State University (KSU). Prior research suggests that engaging in research activities during undergraduate studies contributes to critical thinking skills, hands-on experience, and professional networking, all of which are crucial for career advancement (Seymour et al., 2004). Participation in undergraduate research has been associated with higher rates of employment and acceptance into graduate programs (Seymour et al., 2004). Moreover, involvement in research fosters a sense of professional identity and improves communication skills, further contributing to long-term career success (Jones et al., 2019). This study utilizes retrospective data from KSU’s Offices of Undergraduate Research and Institutional Research to analyze pre-graduation success metrics, such as academic progression and retention. In addition, we used LinkedIn profiles to collect data on post-graduation outcomes, including employment status and further education. We analyzed data from 2019 to 2024, with a sample of 980 students who attended KSU and received funding from a KSU Office of Undergraduate Research program. The data includes several different funded programs, such as the First-Year Scholars Program, the Summer Undergraduate Research Program, and the Peer Ambassadors Program, providing a comprehensive view of students\u27 participation in these programs. By assessing the influence of funded undergraduate research, the findings will provide insights to enhance research opportunities and support student success before and after graduation. Additionally, the results will explore whether participation in these research programs contributes to long-term outcomes, such as securing employment, pursuing further education, and overall career development. By examining these relationships, the study aims to provide evidence that can inform the development of initiatives designed to support student success during their academic journey and potentially foster meaningful post-graduation achievements
Automated Bruise Detection in Fruits Using AI-Driven Instance Segmentation for Enhanced Quality Control
No full textEffective quality control is essential in agriculture to reduce fruit loss, with bruise detection being critical to ensure product integrity from farm to market. This research introduces an advanced AI-driven system that leverages convolutional neural networks (CNNs) to automate bruise detection in fruits. By utilizing Detectron2’s instance segmentation and object detection capabilities with a ResNest-50 backbone, our system accurately identifies bruised areas on fruit surfaces, addressing a key need in post-harvest processes. Bruising in fruits often arises from increased metabolic and physiological changes as they ripen, making them susceptible to damage even from minor external forces. Detecting bruising early can significantly reduce post-harvest losses.
Our method relies on a dataset of 100 annotated high-resolution images, developed with the help of RoboFlow and tailored to capture bruising variations across fruit types like apples and pears. The dataset was divided into training, validation, and testing sets, with 70 images used for training, 20 for validation, and 10 for testing. The model was trained using augmented images to enhance generalization and evaluated on the validation set to tune its parameters. Final testing on a separate test set demonstrated the model\u27s high recall and precision, proving effective in consistently detecting and segmenting bruised regions. This automated approach reduces dependency on manual inspection, minimizes human error, and is scalable for large-scale operations, making it suitable for integration into commercial sorting systems.
In addition to enhancing operational efficiency, this solution reduces labor costs, minimizes waste associated with undetected bruises, and promotes sustainable practices by extending produce shelf life. The proposed solution reflects a forward step in precision agriculture, marking a significant advancement toward data-driven, modernized quality control in the fruit industry
Killing the Buddha on the Appalachian Trail: Walking On through Self-Doubt and Aging
Get PDFJohn Turner Athens: University of Georgia Press, 2024 ISBN: 9780820367736 364 p. $29.95 (Pbk
Re-imagining Recovery: The Role of Architecture in Sobriety
Get PDFThis thesis explores the design of a sober living house in Atlanta, focusing on integrating choice architecture and biophilic design to enhance the mental well-being of its residents. Choice architecture, a concept rooted in behavioral economics, aims to influence decision-making by altering the environment. (Thaler, Sunstein, 2010) Biophilic design seeks to connect occupants with nature to improve overall health and wellbeing. (Terrapin, 2014)The design of the sober living house incorporates elements such as natural light, green spaces, and views of nature to create a sense of calmness and connection to the environment Choice architecture is applied through the layout and design of the space to encourage positive behaviors and discourage relapse triggers. Through the integration of these design principles, the sober living house aims to create a supportive and healing environment for individuals in recovery, promoting long-term sobriety and well-being
Crosswing Hall: a Biophilic Student Hub for Well-Being and Connection
Get PDFThe Marietta campus of Kennesaw State University has long been perceived as disconnected and lacking vibrancy compared to its counterpart in Kennesaw. This project seeks to transform that narrative by creating Crosswing Hall, a dynamic student hub that fosters campus pride, interdisciplinary collaboration, and lasting connections. Grounded in biophilic design principles, Crosswing Hall utilizes natural materials and thoughtful spatial planning to reduce student stress, enhance well-being, and create a welcoming environment where students feel supported and engaged.
Current student spaces on the Marietta campus prioritize capacity over adaptability, often leading to overcrowding and diminished effectiveness in fostering a sense of community. This project reimagines these spaces, ensuring they are intentionally designed to meet diverse student needs while promoting interaction among various disciplines. Inspired by the convergence of ideas and movement, Crosswing Hall’s angular, wing-like architecture symbolizes its role as a central point of connection for students, faculty, and alumni. By integrating the 15 Patterns of Biophilic Design, this project strengthens students’ connection to nature, enhances cognitive function, and improves overall campus experience
Building Bridges: Weaving Culture and Community Through a Museum-Housing Hub in South Downtown Atlanta
Get PDFThis thesis explores the architectural potential of a facility that combines a museum and affordable housing, focused on revitalizing South Downtown Atlanta. This historically significant district, rich in African American culture, has faced neglect due to urban sprawl and economic challenges. By addressing the needs of the unhoused population alongside the area’s diminished cultural vibrancy, the design proposes a strategic intervention through urban infill and the adaptive reuse of vacant parking lots. The project envisions an inclusive museum alongside supportive housing and vocational training facilities, aimed at facilitating the reintegration of the unhoused into society while providing affordable housing units that foster stability and dignity. Departing from conventional museum concepts, the design features a variety of spaces, including a café, folklore center, music venue, and a history/culture center. Additionally, an outdoor art space is planned to showcase African American cultural expressions, fostering a sense of ownership and community identity. These elements aim to offer an immersive experience that enhances both tourist engagement and local resident participation in African American heritage. Central to this proposal is the integration of affordable housing with vocational training facilities, empowering residents to acquire marketable skills while reinforcing a sense of hope that transcends the stigma of homelessness. Prioritizing a sensitive response to the existing urban fabric, the architectural design seeks to integrate seamlessly with the historical context while introducing contemporary elements. This transformation of underutilized spaces into vibrant hubs of artistic expression not only addresses the immediate needs of the unhoused but also enriches the long term cultural landscape of South Downtown. Ultimately, this thesis advocates for architecture as a catalyst for urban regeneration, striving to empower the unhoused and cultivate a sustainable future that honors the past while celebrating the rich heritage of the African American community in this area
Blood Architecture : Designing a Hemophilia Treatment Center through Biomimetic Principles
Get PDFThis thesis explores how biomimetic principles drawn from the blood clotting process can inform the architectural design of hemophilia treatment centers, enhancing their efficiency, adaptability, and patient-centered care. By paralleling the phases of hemostasis—platelet aggregation, clotting factor activation, and fibrin stabilization—with spatial functions, the design proposes a layout where acute care areas are centrally positioned for rapid response, while rehabilitation zones support long-term healing, mirroring the reinforcement phase of clotting. Regulated movement and spatial zoning echo the precise control of clot formation, promoting accessibility, privacy, and reduced congestion. Architectural forms inspired by vascular networks, combined with the use of natural materials, aim to foster a soothing, restorative environment. This biomimetic approach demonstrates how the organization and adaptability inherent in the clotting cascade can be translated into responsive healthcare spaces, ultimately improving patient experience and clinical outcomes for individuals with hemophilia
Safety Net: Hope Amongst the Housing Crisis in Lagos, Nigeria
Get PDFLagos, Nigeria, home to over 22 million people, stands as Africa’s most populous city. The African Giant of Nigeria holds over 260 million people with the workforce falling on the backs of Millennials and Generation Z. On the surface, this could be seen as an advantage; a youthful, energetic labor force that any economy would benefit from. However, in Nigeria, this demographic reality also presents a unique set of challenges that has been exacerbated by inadequate housing, overpopulation, and rapid urbanization.
The housing crisis in Lagos, fueled by failed government support and initiatives along with rapid population growth, leaves many young professionals with few living options. They often resort to staying at home with long commutes into the city for work if not already nearby, renting out a unit at a hostel, or renting apartments with prices beyond what they can afford. Many developments in the city will not provide resources necessary for these young Lagosians to thrive, rendering their attitudes toward progressing in the city as very negative.
Safety Net aims to shift these attitudes by proposing an affordable mixed-use residential complex adjacent to the Oshodi Transportation Hub in the Mushin LGA, a critical nexus in Lagos’ public transportation system. By offering affordable housing within easy reach of business districts, markets, and recreational spaces, it alleviates the burdens of traffic congestion and accessibility. The development integrates shared workspaces, business centers, and retail outlets, fostering a self-sustaining environment that supports entrepreneurship, community engagement, and mental well-being.
By tackling the housing crisis and mitigating the brain drain of young talent, the program envisions a resilient, economically dynamic Lagos. “Safety Net” not only provides affordable living options, but also serves as a foundation for growth, supporting and nurturing the aspirations of its youth
Performative Biomechanics : Evolving Buildings into Inhabitable Organisms
Get PDFThere has always been a connection between biology and architecture. Michael Pawlyn, in Biomimicry in Architecture, coined “biomechanical designs” to describe structural techniques derived from creatures. This study investigates chitin-based creatures. Crustaceans, insects, and microscopic organisms all have exoskeletons in nature. With a focus on crabs, other crustaceans and bugs, this study examines and evaluates the formal characteristics of chitin-based organisms. The architectural creations of OXMAN, NOX, which was founded by Lars Spuybroek; and Lebbeus Woods are among those that are analyzed and studied due to their inspiration from living things. They follow functional effectiveness in nature, which is why their study, experiments, and conclusions are so comparable. It examines works at the nexus of geometry, biology, and architecture to produce a distinctive design language that encompasses design efficiency and pushes design to its possible limit. Creating architecture derived from these creatures becomes applicable across design programs, through the adaptability of modular shell systems, various intentional building legs (columns), and unique adaptation to on demand site conditions. Buildings become inhabitable organisms
SKID ROW TO RECUPERATION CONSTELLATION
Get PDFCalifornia suffers from more homelessness than any other state in the U.S. This is also true of chronic homelessness – a critical category of homelessness that captures the intersection of homelessness and disability. Indeed, homelessness and disability – both physical and mental - often occur together. This intersection is especially prevalent in Los Angeles. Current approaches to homelessness focus on housing, with insufficient attention paid to the oft equally troublesome disabilities that follow suit. The dearth of attention paid to the intersection between homelessness and disability represents a crucial gap to be filled. This thesis aims to demonstrate how community spaces can be used to address the shortcomings of approaches that provide housing without addressing disability. Methodologically, the creation of a community health clinic can achieve this aim by leveraging design strategies based on social connectivity, biophilic principles and safety and privacy