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PIERCING THROUGH VACCINE VERBIAGE: Investigating the Impact of Vaccine Metaphors on College Students’ Attitudes Towards Vaccines
Full text linkAccording to the World Health Organization, vaccine hesitancy, defined as an individual’s delay or refusal to become vaccinated, is a top ten global health threat. College students are a particular category of interest because of their role as superspreaders during the COVID-19 pandemic and their relatively higher rates of vaccine hesitancy. Common reasons for vaccine hesitancy include mistrust in the scientific and medical community and low levels of health literacy. Both of these issues have the potential to be mitigated through effective scientific communication. One previous study demonstrated that culturally relevant metaphors are an effective way to explain clinical trials to women in rural areas, and another study tested the effect of vaccine metaphors on the general population. However, the effect of using culturally relevant vaccine metaphors when communicating vaccine information to college students has not yet been discerned. Participants in our study read either a passage presenting information about vaccines as college student-focused culturally relevant metaphors or as literal information. Participants completed the vaccine attitude measurement (VAM) questionnaire and accompanying questions about trust in scientists before and after reading one of the two passages. Our study recruited undergraduate college student participants which we randomly assigned to read one of the two passage types. Science confidence increased in both conditions as did VAM scores, indicating a more favorable attitude towards vaccines as a result of the intervention, though no additional impact of the metaphor passage was found to influence overall science confidence or VAM scores. VAM subscales including 1) personal attitudes towards vaccines and 2) knowledge regarding the speed and safety of vaccines developed quickly, increased after passage reading. Participants also reported an increase in their vaccine knowledge in both conditions. Taken together, this intervention demonstrated that health messaging positively impacts vaccine attitudes and trust in science in college students, highlighting the importance of effective science communication in transforming public attitudes towards vaccines
I\u27m Not Allowed to be Sick, Right?
Full text linkHave you ever wondered what it would be like if you had the ability to live completely invisible? What it would be like to slip through the cracks of society? Well, I can tell you about exactly that. Although I myself am not invisible, my disability is. I am a young person with conditions that impact my daily life, but these conditions cannot be seen easily by outsiders. I look like I live a seemingly normal life, but that is far from the truth. I am a now twenty-two year old with Rheumatoid Arthritis and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. Because these conditions cannot necessarily be seen by the naked eye, I often slip through the cracks of society. Society doesn’t often think about some of the accommodations I may need, such as a flexible work environment, affordable healthcare, or even something as simple as parking. So, I would like to give you all a glimpse into the life of a chronically ill young person in hopes that you may catch them as you see them slipping through the cracks
MS Environmental Biology Capstone Project
Full text linkWildfires can directly and indirectly alter freshwater aquatic ecosystems and their resident biota. A wide range of effects is possible depending on the characteristics of the fire, ecosystem, and species. As wildfires become more frequent and intense, specifically in the western United States, understanding the mechanisms that alter biological integrity and species diversity measures is increasingly important. Our study investigated the effects of the Marshall Fire on fish and macroinvertebrate assemblages and their in-stream and riparian habitat. We hypothesized that, because of the high intensity of the fire, riparian-zone burning, and the large burn area in the drainage basin, we expected a reduction in stream quality and significant alteration of macroinvertebrate and fish communities. We used a before-after-control-impact (BACI) study design to compare pre-fire conditions to post-fire conditions at reaches of Coal Creek that were directly burned and that were downstream of the burn. We found that fish species richness decreased significantly after the fire at our burned site but increased at the downstream site. Multimetric index scores at both sites decreased post-fire yet remained above attainment thresholds indicating maintenance of biological integrity. Bare ground was lower at both sites post-fire, but vegetation cover did not decrease. Furthermore, the proportion of fine sediment size in streams increased significantly after the fire. Our results illustrate both resistance and resilience in the Coal Creek biotic communities and habitat after experiencing an extreme wildfire disturbance. Future research should focus on understanding how the effects of winter fires differ from warm season fires
MS Environmental Biology Capstone Project
No full text2025 MS Environmental Biology Capstone Project includes four chapters; chapter 1 literature review: The Impact of Mercury and Methylmercury on Dolphin Populations: A Review of Potential Effects on Marine Systems and Humans, chapter 2 grant proposal: Assessing Methylmercury Contents from Icelandic Individuals, chapter 3 journal manuscript: Assessing Marine Protected Areas Biodiversity Conservation Effectiveness in times of COVID-19 Pandemic , and chapter 4 stakeholder assessment: To Save or not to Save California’s Most Iconic Highway
GUN PRODUCING, DRUG CONSUMING. THIS IS AMERICA.
Full text linkIn modern-day America, xenophobia toward Mexican immigrants persists, allowing for destructive laws that prohibit the social progression of Mexican people. While the United States and Mexico are two sovereign countries, the historical and diplomatic history between them creates an indirect responsibility. In the United States we often hear xenophobic rhetoric toward Mexican citizens. We hear that Mexican undocumented immigrants aren\u27t just criminals, but they are a constant burden to society: they are the traffickers, they don\u27t come into the states legally, and on top of all of that they come to take people\u27s jobs. With this thesis I need the reader to understand that the reality is far from that; the reality is that our globalized world has led to the immense physical and psychological violence in Mexico to occur. This violence is so inhumane that it leads to the forceful migration of Mexican citizens to American land. This thesis will explore the responsibility that the U.S. holds for Mexican violence and how an immigration reform for Mexican immigrants can be one way of resolving the indirect effects of U.S. gun manufacturing and drug consumption. This thesis refutes the damaging information that Americans have internalized in the political narrative in which we live. As it has become increasingly imperative to combat xenophobic rhetoric, this thesis provides context to understand the relationship between Mexico and U.S., gives insight into the immigration system that currently exists, and explains how it can be modified to be of aid to Mexican immigrants
Building a Wall in Their Minds: Latine Voting for Trump
No full textSince 2016 there has been an increase in support for Donald Trump among U.S Latine. There is not one decisive reason some Latine voted for Trump; rather a mixture of important issues and concerns influenced more U.S Latine to support Trump over time. In this thesis I analyze why Latine voted for Trump and focus on the rise of Latine support for Trump, specifically in Florida and Texas. Trump\u27s appeal to Latine voters in these key electoral states illuminates a shift in group Latine identity while uncovering a disengagement with political systems among Latine that is seen by their low voting turnout. I assert that there is not one specific factor that influenced the increase in Latine voting for Trump; rather it is a combination of significant categories that is rooted in a “guest mentality” and a desire among Latine to instill safety and security within their position. This thesis then focuses on how Trump’s production of the “good immigrant” and “bad immigrant” through political messaging and his political person are major influencers of why U.S. Latine vote for Trump. I argue that the Latine who voted for Trump did so because of their alienation from the American political systems, Trump’s political persona, economic issues, and familial ties to the United States. These factors reveal that Latine immigrants need to assimilate to American norms and culture to secure their position within U.S society
As We Rest: The Power of Literary Fiction
Full text linkThe world and wonder of young adult fiction is under-appreciated despite its enormous cultural effects and applications. This genre of literature allows readers the unique opportunity to step into the shoes of another person in another world and experience it as they do. This can improve overall empathy and cognition as readers visualize what fictional characters might be thinking and feeling. Fiction also allows the audience to see characters who are going through struggles that they can relate to and feel empowered when they are able to survive and thrive in situations they may find themselves in. This excerpt of the novel As We Rest depicts a character who recently died and is experiencing the first stages of grief that can be felt in the first 24 hours after a loss. With this excerpt, I aim to show that while stories can depict unrealistic worlds, the emotions that a character feels in response to that world are very real and can be based in reality. This can help readers feel less alone as they struggle with similar obstacles and emotional challenges as fantasy characters
GIVE THEM STATUS: The Economic Impact of Immigrants in America
Full text linkIn this thesis I argue that immigrants are necessary in the United States in order to maintain and continue to improve the economy that is currently in place. Due to their importance, it is only right for all immigrants to have the opportunity to file citizenship or obtain legal standing upon meeting requirements. I look at immigrants through multiple lenses such as blue-collar workers, entrepreneurs, documented, undocumented, etc. I consider the ethics of employing undocumented immigrants in the modern-day using data from multiple peer-reviewed sources, and find that immigrants are a crucial force that drives the American economy, and taking care of them by granting them a clearer path to citizenship which would ensure the best future for continued economic growth in the United States
THE TERROR WITHIN: HOW THE NEWS INDUSTRY IS INADVERTENTLY AIDING IN DOMESTIC TERRORISM
Full text linkAs terrorism becomes a more common phenomenon in American society, it is important to understand how integral parts of our lives are impacted by it. Domestic terrorism is something that Americans always hoped would not be a fear of theirs, but that is not the case. When looking at the relationship between the news industry and domestic terrorism in the United States, I argue that there is a strong relationship between the two and the news can positively affect terrorist organizations by using framing, sensationalism, and creating an avenue that terrorist organizations use to benefit their institution. Using the Oklahoma City Bombing and Boston Marathon Bombing as qualitative case studies, the research shows that American consumption of news media benefits terrorists and terrorist organizations. Framing limits the context of situations, events, and background information. This can lead to the public having more sympathetic reactions to domestic terrorist events. Sensationalism can numb the American people from catastrophic events, meaning that there is less of a reaction to domestic terrorism. Constant reporting on terrorist organizations creates public recognition, respect from others, and inspires people to believe or act in a similar manner. Political theories involved in this research include rational choice theory and democratic principles relating to free press. It is important to understand this research and understand the effects of the relationship between domestic terrorism and news media in order to be better news consumers and create accountability for ethical journalism
ADOLESCENTS, SOCIAL MEDIA USE, AND EATING DISORDER DEVELOPMENT: The Importance of Social Connection & Media Literacy
Full text linkABSTRACT
Name: Alexa Neton Major: Psychology
ADOLESCENTS, SOCIAL MEDIA USE, AND EATING DISORDER DEVELOPMENT: The Importance of Social Connection & Media Literacy
Advisor: Dr. Roberta Mancuso
Reader: Dr. Rona McCall
Over the last two decades, the prevalence of eating disorders has nearly doubled worldwide, coinciding with the rise of social media platforms that shape and reinforce unrealistic beauty standards. Adolescents are incredibly vulnerable to these influences, as social media has become the primary avenue for social connection during this critical stage of psychological development. The harmful comparisons and unattainable beauty standards perpetuated online lead to bodily dissatisfaction and eating disorder development. In this thesis I explore how Western beauty ideals have evolved, how they are perpetuated and amplified on social media, and how these expectations contribute to the global rise in body dissatisfaction and disordered eating behaviors. Through both academic research and my own personal experience with Anorexia Nervosa, I highlight the severe consequences of an eating disorder during such a crucial developmental stage and argue that peer support and media literacy are the missing links in our current treatment modalities. By fostering media literacy, promoting peer support networks, and emphasizing real-world connection, we can empower eating disorder prevention and recovery. Recovery IS possible, and I am living proof of that