“The Walking Ecosystem: How Gut Psychobiotics Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli Alleviate Symptomatology of Depression and Anxiety”

What is your Lucerna project about?

My project is about finding a link between your gut health and your mental health via the interaction between your gut-brain axis, emphasizing the role your gut microbiome plays in your overall health.

Why are you interested in this topic?

It  plays a huge role in our daily lives without us really even noticing! The gut microbiota, and the other microbiota throughout your body, are constantly interacting with us and our environment, so it is important to understand the implications and advantages this can have on our health.

What have been the benefits and challenges of this project?

I was constantly learning and teaching myself new concepts. I loved putting it all together and being able to write it in a way that my friends and family could understand too! With any big project, there are certainly challenges. It took me awhile to weave together the microbiology and the physiology in just the right way where I wasn’t giving unnecessary nerdy details, but still explaining enough background information. 

What is your advice for students who are interested in publishing their work in Lucerna?

Don’t hold back! I know it sounds very daunting, but if you find something you are passionate about, it will come naturally, and you will learn so much.

What are your professional plans or goals?

I am in my gap year after graduating from UMKC in May 2022. I work in critical care at Children’s Mercy Hospital and plan to take my MCAT and apply to medical schools! Hopefully, I will soon be a doctor-in-training.

“Grappling with Religion and Culture in the Western World: Muslim Women Writers”

What is your Lucerna project about?

My essay challenges the silent, submissive Muslim woman stereotype perpetuated in the media, examining the written work of Muslim women as they reflect on the development of their identities, voices, and societal roles. Remarkable diversity within this long-standing tradition spans differences in age, time period, race, ethnicity, culture, and writing platforms to illustrate the myriad paths Muslim women travel towards self-actualization. Though Muslim women writers often face difficulties in writing about their identities while contending with society’s negative preconceptions, Muslim women can use their voices to correct these misconceptions, thereby establishing for themselves an active role within their communities. Ultimately, this can unlock powerful discussions regarding cultural pluralism, assimilation into western culture, diversity, self-discovery, and advocacy, in the interests of promoting a more inclusive and just society.

Why are you interested in this topic? 

I am interested in my identity as a female Muslim and how that component of my being could inspire my efforts to help others and to appreciate the humanity within each individual. Consequently, my journey of self-discovery also instills within me curiosity about the paths that others travel towards self-actualization. Though my educational and professional aspirations center around medicine, my interests in writing, cultures, and languages encourage me to adopt a holistic approach to physician-patient encounters. My passion for my faith, and the value my faith places on lifelong education and improvement, empower me to dispel the common misconceptions held against Muslim women and to be an advocate for diversity and acceptance. Just as I believe that Islam does not suppress, but rather liberates, I aspire to bring to light the compelling richness with which Muslim women share their own stories, as opposed to occupying silent and subdued roles within society.

What have been the benefits and challenges of this project?

Writing this essay provided me an opportunity to conduct research in the humanities and to learn more about Muslim women’s literary representation, expanding my understanding of research beyond the scope of science and medicine. Though I envision writing medical research papers to be an instrumental component of my career, the critical thinking skills I have sharpened through literary analysis and archival research are widely applicable, perhaps useful for writing pieces to be pondered by a wider variety of audiences beyond the clinical researcher alone. By extension, I believe that these skills will also enhance my physician-patient interactions because they will encourage me to understand the human being as a nuanced whole, not simply an anatomical or biochemical unit of function. One challenge was balancing the research process with my other, largely scientific coursework, though I found that the initial compilation and analysis of evidence gradually facilitated the completion of my essay.

What is your advice for students who are interested in publishing their work in Lucerna?

Write about a topic you are genuinely passionate about, one in which you can refer to personal experience and/or knowledge to guide your research questions as you prepare your project. Consider how you believe the discoveries you make will impact not only those who read your work, but yourself as well. You are far more likely to enjoy the research process and present powerful insights through your writing if it is of personal significance to you, and if curiosity is your primary motivation. Use this as an opportunity to learn more about yourself and how your way of thinking could translate into a meaningful research career. As you keep on schedule with consistent, dedicated effort, frequently ask for constructive feedback throughout the writing process to ensure that your writing is clear, concise, coherent, and profound in its analysis.

What are your professional plans or goals?

I am a second-year medical student in the six-year BA/MD program at UMKC. Upon completing my medical education, I am passionate about pursuing ophthalmology along with conducting research in the field, particularly in retinal or neuro-ophthalmic conditions and treatments.

“The Development of the Normal Distribution”

What is your Lucerna project about?

“The Development of the Normal Distribution” discusses works related to the normal distribution put forth by three mathematicians: Abraham De Moivre, Robert Adrain, and Johann Carl Friedrich Gauss. Each of these men developed different methods for finding the formula representing the normal distribution. The essay closely observes and explains the mathematical reasoning behind each man’s argument, and I provide background on each of their lives.

Why are you interested in this topic? 

After taking a psychology course during the Fall 2021 semester, I became interested in how statistics may be used within the field of psychology. In the Spring 2022 semester, I took a low-level statistics course focusing on psychology: Quantitative Methods in Psychology. I was fascinated by the real-world use of statistics in research studies, and I found myself wondering about the origins of the often-relied-upon normal distribution. I was also taking History of Mathematics at the time, and I decided to research this question as the topic for our second paper of the semester.

What have been the benefits and challenges of this project?

It has been rewarding to be able to research and answer a question I asked myself in relation to my studies. Since I was given the opportunity to write this paper as part of a class, I also benefitted from feedback provided by Dr. Delaware throughout the creative process. It has certainly increased my understanding of and appreciation for both the publishing of one’s own mathematical endeavors (as did De Moivre, Adrain, and Gauss) and the research done in modern academia. Each source required a lot of time and explanation, and many of the mathematicans omitted information that resulted in work that was difficult to follow. However, with the help of Dr. Delaware, I feel that “The Development of the Normal Distribution” now adequately explains each argument to the reader.

What is your advice for students who are interested in publishing their work in Lucerna?

Choose a topic that interests you on more than one level. Avoid researching a topic in your major just because it could be a good research question. You will have to spend a lot of time looking for sources, reading them, understanding them, and explaining them to your audience. If your interest in the topic is low, it will be difficult for you to write a worthwhile paper. Instead, write about something that is not only related to your field of study, but also to your more specific interests. Also, make sure that you keep record of all your sources and stay familiar with your paper until it is officially published.

What are your professional plans or goals?

Within a few years of graduating, I am interested in working in a math-related field in the government. However, I plan to earn experience in a variety of fields and continue learning throughout my career. In the more distant future, I would like to settle down and become a teacher so that I can help future math students understand a subject I have always loved.

“Using Mood Journals to Combat Mental Illness”

What is your Lucerna project about?

My article is about the ways mood journaling can help individuals take control of their mental health. I discuss specific techniques and present journaling as an alternative to current types of therapy/treatment.

Why are you interested in this topic? 

Mental health is part of why I decided to join the medical field. I believe medical professionals should address the patient’s emotional and mental concerns as well as their physical concerns.

What have been the benefits and challenges of this project?

Working on this project, I have seen my writing grow as well as my ability to connect ideas. Some challenges arose when I was trying to navigate new mediums, such as the journal logs, and how to properly integrate these sources within my article. Dr. Byrd, my professor, did an amazing job of helping me navigate those issues.

What is your advice for students who are interested in publishing their work in Lucerna?

I would advise them to write about something they truly care about because that passion is something that will be reflected in their writing.  

What are your professional plans or goals?

I’m studying to be a doctor in the UMKC School of Medicine and am excited about the next steps in my educational journey. I’m not sure as to which specialty interests me the most, but I’m sure being able to take part in rotations will help me a lot with that decision.

“Co-sleeping vs. Cry-it-Out Sleep Training Methods in Conjunction with Attachment Style and Emotional Regulation”

What is your Lucerna project about?

My project is about whether the co-sleeping or cry-it-out sleep training method in infants is more effective at both creating an attachment between the caregiver and the infant and encouraging self-regulation in the infant. 

Why are you interested in this topic?

I really enjoy working with children and am interested in developmental psychology. I eventually want children of my own, so I like doing this kind of research. 

What have been the benefits and challenges of this project?

One of the major benefits was that it changed my mind on sleep-training practices. I did not know a lot about the topic and was originally biased toward the cry-it-out method. I learned a lot from about how self-regulation works and how the cry-it-out method results not in a reduced stress response, but a reduced expression of the stress response. I had trouble finding many extensive studies on co-sleeping, but the ones that I found were useful. 

What is your advice for students who are interested in publishing their work in Lucerna?

Write about something you are interested in or will use one day. It is so much more fun reading through articles that you are passionate about. 

What are your professional plans or goals?

I plan to be a project manager, but I am a psychology major, so topics like these will always interest me.

“Perfecting the Art of Note-Taking for Medical Students”

What is your Lucerna project about?

 My Lucerna project is about how to use notes to improve your performance in school, specifically for medical students. I have seen that as you rise to higher level classes in any subject area, the pace becomes exponentially faster. The question: how can I do better with less work? To answer this question, I tackled one of the most common ways students struggle in medical school—taking notes.

Why are you interested in this topic?

I have always been interested in improving the ability to learn rather than improving how much you know. I am a firm believer in growth mindset and improving the societal view on “intelligence.” I believe that if more students dedicate time to improving their ability to learn, memorize, and analyze information, we will have healthier and happier students, more free time, and ultimately better professionals in our workforce.

What have been the benefits and challenges of this project?

I was in an English 225 course, so I had to relate my project to writing. It made me think about what topic I was passionate about and challenged me to put something forward that I was proud of. I think the benefits of this project included improving my research ability, familiarizing myself with academic journals, and learning how to write in a more scientific or academic dialogue.

What is your advice for students who are interested in publishing their work in Lucerna?

My advice is to write about something you are passionate about and plan to research the rest of your career. Publishing is not solely an accomplishment; it is an opportunity to present your work. It is, hopefully, one of the many times you will present your research. Enjoying the process of research and taking part in that process through UMKC is an opportunity to not pass up.

What are your professional plans or goals?

My professional goals are to work in academic medicine and teach residents and medical students. I also plan on continuing research to improve patient care at the bedside and want to be an active member in medical school curriculum decisions. My main goal is to treat patients and make medical school a better experience for the future generations to come.

“‘It Never Will Thump Again’: Domestic Horror in “The Daughters of the late Colonel'”

What is your Lucerna project about?

My essay is based on a short story written by Katherine Mansfield in the early twentieth century. I argue Mansfield was a pioneer in the now-recognized subgenre of domestic horror because of her presentation of traditionally feminine fears associated with belonging, relationships, and the passing of time. 

Why are you interested in this topic?

Feminist horror and domestic horror often overlap! Historically, this overlap has been overlooked—just as the contributions of women, queer, and non-white authors have been overlooked. Their works deserve recognition and to be reinterpreted within the context of the genre. These authors bring a fresh, exciting perspective to horror, even if they’ve been dead for nearly a century, as in the case of Mansfield. 

What have been the benefits and challenges of this project?

There are few academic sources to draw from in the case of this specific short story. Mansfield isn’t as recognizable or as popular as her contemporaries, such as Virginia Woolf, but it’s worthwhile to excavate her work and present it to a new generation. 

What is your advice for students who are interested in publishing their work in Lucerna?

Research is what you make of it! I’ve conducted solo, collaborative, short-term, long-term, qualitative, and quantitative studies. Some people prefer working in the field while others would rather sit at home with a cup of coffee. Everyone has their own style and preference. Don’t get anxious about how everyone else is conducting their projects. Go with what makes you most comfortable and excited. 

What are your professional plans or goals?

After graduating this spring, I’ll continue to work for independent publications. I’m also applying for graduate school for a master’s degree in English. Wherever I end up, I’ll be writing!

“Strange Mating Behaviors and Maximizing Reproductive Success”

What is your Lucerna project about?

My paper is about the strange mating behaviors of different animals and how these behaviors benefit the animals that perform them.

Why are you interested in this topic? 

I became interested in this topic when I learned about the mating behavior of the deep-sea anglerfish. I was fascinated by the oddity of it and dove deeper into the topic to learn how the immune systems of the anglerfish have evolved to allow such behaviors to occur. It is also intriguing to learn the implications of current research into these behaviors when it comes to human health. 

What have been the benefits and challenges of this project?

The most challenging parts of this paper were finding sources and compiling research into one seamless paper. In the process, I learned how to better utilize tools to search databases and which databases were best. I gained more confidence in my writing abilities and enjoyed learning along the way!

What is your advice for students who are interested in publishing their work in Lucerna?

Utilize the many resources you have access to! Professors, classmates, and mentors helped review my paper and give feedback, and librarians are available to help along the way. Don’t be afraid to submit your work!

What are your professional plans or goals?

After graduating in May 2022, I worked at the Stowers Institute for Medical Research. I hope to utilize the skills I gained through my work at Stowers and my education at UMKC to work in a space that addresses health disparities in the Kansas City community.

“Everyday Language Acquisition: A Non-Native Speaker’s Perspective”

What is your Lucerna project about?

My project is about analyzing the experiences of second-language learners attaining vernacular literacy.

Why are you interested in this topic? 

My first language is Spanish, and even though my parents and I are both fluent in English, there are differences in the way we communicate with native English speakers and in the challenges we face. I started learning English at a very young age, in contrast to my parents who started learning it later in their lives. Our level of comfort and proficiency speaking English is different and part of the reason is our level of vernacular fluency.

What have been the benefits and challenges of this project?

I started with a broader scope of learning a second language and narrowing the topic was challenging. Another challenge was finding scholarly information on colloquial aspects of a language. A benefit of this project was coming to understand my parent’s experience in moving to the United States better. I have been blessed to know English for as long as I can remember and taking the time to understand the language barriers for my parents and my boyfriend was eye-opening.

What is your advice for students who are interested in publishing their work in Lucerna?

If you are thinking about submitting a paper, do it. I waited until the last day to submit mine because I was unsure about the quality. I should have done it earlier because there was nothing to lose.

What are your professional plans or goals?

I am not completely sure what my professional goals are. I plan to pursue further education after I obtain my undergraduate degree.  At the moment, I am considering going to law school, but that plan is not set in stone, and that is okay! If there is anything I have learned in my college career so far is that there are so many career paths I can take I was not aware of and exploring my options has been eye-opening.

“Grieving Through Participatory Art: Alternative Spaces and Rituals”

What is your Lucerna project about?

My project is about how contemporary artists can create places for grieving with their art. These places allow nontraditional grieving practices that can help people process their emotions after experiencing loss.

Why are you interested in this topic? 

I am interested in emotional reactions to art because I feel they have been historically overlooked by art historians. I chose to research alternative grieving practices in art after learning that the Burning Man Temples began as a place to grieve for artist David Best’s friend after they died in a motorcycle accident. For his first temple, festival-goers brought mementos of their loved ones who had passed away. I was interested in what other art has been made that focused on grief, specifically the grief felt by viewers. Grief often includes a communal component across cultures, and I wanted to explore how art could facilitate that communal grieving.

What have been the benefits and challenges of this project?

There were many benefits of this project. With the help from my professor Dr. Albu, I interviewed the other artist whose work I analyze in the paper, Nene Humphrey. There is not much scholarship about her work, so I got to hear about how she considered grief while creating her art. She was helpful and enthusiastic, and I greatly enjoyed conversing with her. I also learned more about grieving practices in general and the importance of community after losing a loved one. With any complex topic, I think the greatest challenge is finding enough research and putting it together in a way that made sense and brought something new to the field. I knew I wanted to write about alternative grieving practices in art, but it took me a while to figure out exactly what I wanted to bring to light. I had to keep researching and writing to truly understand where I wanted to take my project. 

What is your advice for students who are interested in publishing their work in Lucerna?

Turn it in early and keep trying! I submitted work more than once, and I know each year is different. Don’t be discouraged by hearing a no or by getting feedback. Look at any answer as an opportunity to improve your work. I sometimes wonder if my research questions are too specific and therefore too small. Any research question can add to the field and bring a new perspective that is valid and important.

What are your professional plans or goals?

My goal is to become a neurologist. I am interested in neuroscience and how it can be used in the field of art history. Ideally, I would like to stay connected to the field of art history throughout my career and add to the conversation on neuroscience, emotions, and art.