VIZN2026 Proceedings — Voices & Visions Research Symposium

STEM

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. Presentations span empirical research, systematic literature reviews, and experimental design across biology, biomedical sciences, chemistry, health science, and related fields.

STEM · VIZN2026

Postgraduate Presenters

PV

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Paul Velter

SJ

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Sebastian J. McKenzie

Paul Velter & Sebastian Jiminez McKenzie

USF Students · Postgraduate · STEM

STEM Postgraduate Group · Oral Presentation

"Acute and Persistent Adverse Reactions After One Cycle of Docetaxel"

Project Code: STEM-01

This presentation examines the acute and long-term adverse reactions observed following a single cycle of Docetaxel chemotherapy, exploring symptom patterns, severity, and clinical implications for oncology patient care.

This presentation examines the acute and long-term adverse reactions observed in patients following a single cycle of Docetaxel chemotherapy, exploring symptom patterns, severity, and clinical implications for oncology care. Full abstract pending — contact voicesandvisions1@outlook.com to update.

Velter, P., & Jiminez McKenzie, S. (2026). "Acute and Persistent Adverse Reactions After One Cycle of Docetaxel." VIZN2026: Voices & Visions Research Symposium Proceedings. USF. March 1, 2026.

Undergraduate Presenters

HR

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Hannah Rodrigues

MW

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Marie Wamae

Hannah Rodrigues & Marie Wamae

Hannah Rodrigues · Biology & Spanish Minor
Marie Wamae · Health Science

STEM Undergraduate Group · Oral Presentation

"The Impact of Academic Stress on Acne in Students and Young Adults: A Literature Review"

Project Code: STEM-02

Acne is a very common skin problem, especially in teens and young adults. Research shows that cortisol released during stress causes excess oil production, clogged pores, and inflammation — with significant implications for skin health management.

Acne is a very common skin problem, especially in teens and young adults. Many people know that hormones, bacteria, and oily skin can cause acne. However, research shows that stress can also make acne worse. When a person feels stressed, the body releases a hormone called cortisol. Cortisol can cause the skin to make more oil. Too much oil can clog pores. When pores are clogged, pimples can form. Stress can also increase swelling and redness in the skin, which can make acne look worse. Studies show that students often have more breakouts during stressful times, like exams. Stress can also slow down healing, which means pimples may last longer. This can increase the chance of dark spots or scars. Understanding the link between stress and acne is important. It shows that treating acne is not only about using creams or medicine. Managing stress may also help. Simple habits like getting enough sleep, exercising, and practicing relaxation techniques may improve skin health. This presentation will explain how stress affects the skin and review research studies that show the connection between stress and acne.

Rodrigues, H., & Wamae, M. (2026). "The Impact of Academic Stress on Acne in Students and Young Adults." VIZN2026: Voices & Visions Research Symposium Proceedings. USF. March 1, 2026.

AD

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Aleah Diaz

IK

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Ira Kamath

JD

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Jayden Damico

MA

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Marc Mori Acosta

SH

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Sarah Hedenstadt

Aleah Diaz, Ira Kamath, Jayden Damico, Marc Mori Acosta & Sarah Hedenstadt

Diaz · Biology & Spanish Minor · Undergraduate | Kamath · Undergraduate · STEM
Damico · Undergraduate · STEM | Mori Acosta · Undergraduate · STEM | Hedenstadt · Health Science · Undergraduate

STEMUndergraduateGroup · Oral Presentation

Presentation Title — To Be Added

Project Code: STEM-03

Abstract pending. Contact voicesandvisions1@outlook.com to update.

Diaz, A., Kamath, I., Damico, J., Mori Acosta, M., & Hedenstadt, S. (2026). "[Title TBA]." VIZN2026 Proceedings. USF. March 1, 2026.

AA

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Angelin S. Abrahim

GL

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Genelle Leo

AM

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Alexa Martinez

AM

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Ava Murphy

HP

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Harini Para

Angelin Sara Abrahim, Genelle Leo, Alexa Martinez, Ava Murphy & Harini Para

Abrahim · Undergraduate · STEM | Leo · Biomedical Sciences · Undergraduate
Martinez · Undergraduate · STEM | Murphy · Chemistry & Biochemistry · Undergraduate | Para · Microbiology · Undergraduate

STEMUndergraduateGroup · Oral Presentation

"RNA-Binding Proteins in Cardiac Progenitor Cell Differentiation and Heart Tube Formation"

Project Code: STEM-04

RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) are critical for early heart development and regulate post-transcriptional gene expression. Precise control of RNA is required for proper differentiation of cardiac progenitor cells and formation of the heart tube.

Background: RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) are critical for early heart development and regulate post-transcriptional gene expression. Precise control of RNA is required for proper differentiation of cardiac progenitor cells and formation of the heart tube. This review examines RBP roles in mRNA splicing, stability, localization, and translation, and explores how their dysregulation can lead to congenital heart abnormalities.

Methods: A systematic PubMed search identified 81 peer-reviewed articles. Thirty-two studies were selected based on relevance, methodological rigor, and focus on cardiac development or cardiomyopathy. These studies examined regulatory functions of lncRNAs, circRNAs, and RBPs in cardiomyogenic gene networks, highlighting mechanisms such as RNA modification, microRNA sponging, and RBP-mediated regulation of cardiac structure, function, and developmental pathways.

Results: RBPs regulate gene networks that define cardiac structure and function. Key RBPs influencing cardiomyocyte proliferation, sarcomere organization, and congenital heart defect risk include LIN28A, RBPMS, and PRRC2B. Heart development and contractility significantly depend on RBPMS. Disruption of RBPs such as Pdlim5-short accumulation or SRSF10 impairment is linked to defective regeneration, aberrant cardiomyocyte binucleation, and embryonic cardiac abnormalities.

Conclusion: RNA-binding proteins guide cardiac progenitor cell differentiation and heart tube formation through post-transcriptional regulation, making them essential for early heart development. Understanding their roles illuminates fundamental mechanisms of cardiogenesis and highlights RBPs as promising targets for early detection and prevention of embryonic heart disease.

Abrahim, A.S., Leo, G., Martinez, A., Murphy, A., & Para, H. (2026). "RNA-Binding Proteins in Cardiac Progenitor Cell Differentiation and Heart Tube Formation." VIZN2026 Proceedings. USF. March 1, 2026.

Social Sciences

Psychology, anthropology, sociology, linguistics, architecture, and interdisciplinary social research. Presentations examine language, identity, culture, environment, and human behavior through rigorous scholarly lenses.

Social Sciences · VIZN2026

Undergraduate Presenters

HP

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Harini Para

Microbiology · University of South Florida
Undergraduate

Social SciencesUndergraduateOral Presentation

"Echoes of Home: Language, Migration, and Memories of Culture"

Project Code: SOC-01

Language is the cornerstone of communication and human society. Identity and belonging builds from interactions between external influences and internal conflicts. As people change and adapt, language does as well — reflecting shifts in culture, power, and belonging.

This paper explores the connection between linguistic culture and identity. Language is the cornerstone of communication and human society. Identity and belonging builds from interactions between external influences and internal conflicts. From molding entire lexicons to fit the cultural and moral views of a certain community, languages are a mirror of what the people are. Therefore, as people change, evolve, and adapt, language does as well. This language modification and transformation is one that displays the sociocultural abstracts of religion, diaspora, education, and colonization come together to redefine the psychology of community and belonging. It drives home an anthropological lens that understands human relations and a psychological lens for a need for acceptance. In a world where the concepts of superiority and power create hierarchies that ostracize humans in the name of exclusive groups and cultures, using language as medium redefines the cornerstone of human communication. Through an anthropological lens, this paper will explore how language can either connect or distance communities and individuals and what that means for their identity. Through the sociological lens, power dynamics, hierarchy, superior/inferior complexes will be explored to see how cultural ostracization occurs. Finally, through an individualistic lens, the overall impact of human belonging, identity, cultural preservation and revitalization will be explored.

Para, H. (2026). "Echoes of Home: Language, Migration, and Memories of Culture." VIZN2026 Proceedings. USF. March 1, 2026.

BP

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Bhavagna Punyala

Health Sciences · University of South Florida
Undergraduate

Social SciencesUndergraduateOral Presentation

"The Healing Palette: The Clinical Impact of Visual and Culinary Arts"

Project Code: SOC-02

Abstract pending. Contact voicesandvisions1@outlook.com to update.

Punyala, B. (2026). "The Healing Palette: The Clinical Impact of Visual and Culinary Arts." VIZN2026 Proceedings. USF. March 1, 2026.

AM

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Ava Murphy

Chemistry & Biochemistry · University of South Florida
Undergraduate

Social SciencesUndergraduateOral Presentation

"Neuroarchitecture: Enhancing Cognitive Performance Through the Design of Spaces"

Project Code: SOC-03

As a society, we've accounted for attention span disorders in the classroom through curriculum modifications. However, the first step should be taken towards the physical environment — a newer area in science that proves to be effective.

As a society, we've accounted for attention span disorders in the classroom through modifications in curriculum or pacing. However, the first step should be taken towards their physical environment, which is commonly overlooked, yet a newer area in science that proves to be effective. In my research, I will address a few points before answering my main thesis question: How can we design buildings that foster inclusivity and success for all types of learners, primarily those with attention span disorders?

1. How does the brain process stimuli and what does that look like for ADHD/ADD people? In understanding how certain sensory details impact the processing of stimuli and how likely someone is torn away from the task at hand, architects can design spaces in a way that accommodates this.

2. What are examples of universal design? Universal design is the concept of how we can make spaces more accessible for everyone by altering the physical layout of a space. In understanding basic universal design, we can apply the concept to those specifically with attention-deficit disorders.

3. How does the architecture and design of spaces affect the brain's processing of information? It is understood that signals are taken in through sight, sound, smell, and touch and occur due to a subconscious sensory observation that your brain filtered out. Examples of design concepts and its impact on the senses will be discussed.

Murphy, A. (2026). "Neuroarchitecture: Enhancing Cognitive Performance Through the Design of Spaces." VIZN2026 Proceedings. USF. March 1, 2026.

Art History

Original research connecting visual culture, literary analysis, historical interpretation, and artistic theory. Presentations examine works of literature, art, and cultural artifacts through interdisciplinary scholarly frameworks.

Art History · VIZN2026

Postgraduate Presenters

AC

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Alejandra Cancel Hernández

USF Professor · Postgraduate & Faculty
Art History

Art HistoryPostgraduate / FacultyOral Presentation

"In Defense of Psycho-Hued Literature and Slow Reading in the 21st Century"

Project Code: ART-01

This study explores Juan José Saer's The Regal Lemon Tree (1974) through the lens of "psycho-hued literature" — a writing style coined to describe Saer's prose — and its importance for developing minds in the digital era.

This study proposes to explore Juan José Saer's The Regal Lemon Tree (1974) through the lens of psycho-hued literature, a writing style coined to describe Saer's prose. It will discuss the nature of psycho-hued works, why they are important for developing minds in the digital era, and how to read them for cultivating greater sensory awareness. This introduction to psycho-hued literature will then allow an analysis of the techniques Saer uses to invoke feelings, sensations, and perceptions akin to a psychedelic trip through playing with light, shadows, colors, textures, movements, and motifs. By understanding how Saer's style underscores the objectivity of reality, the reader will understand the structure of her awareness is shaped by the density of her senses. The role of sensory information in psycho-hued literature invites us to recognize and examine the importance of slow reading in an era which, although is abundant with texts to be read, is lacking in slow readers.

Cancel Hernández, A. (2026). "In Defense of Psycho-Hued Literature and Slow Reading in the 21st Century." VIZN2026 Proceedings. USF. March 1, 2026.

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