Undergraduate Research Symposium

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https://hdl.handle.net/1794/18841

The UO Undergraduate Research Symposium celebrates the remarkable contributions our undergraduates make to research and other creative work in a wide range of disciplines.

The Symposium aspires to engage undergraduates in the research mission of the University of Oregon by supporting the creation and dissemination of knowledge, while inspiring younger undergraduates to seek out research opportunities and removing barriers to interdisciplinary education and discourse.

This event enables undergraduates to share their ideas, discoveries, and artistic expression with the campus and local community. The Symposium invites students to select their preferred style of presentation to best accommodate their projects. Held in in the mode of an academic conference, the Symposium includes poster sessions, oral presentations and exhibitions of performing and fine arts.

Since 2011 over 400 students representing 30 majors and five colleges have presented original research and creative work. For more information, consult the Symposium web site at: http://undergradsymposium.uoregon.edu/

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Open Access
Sex-Based Differences in Plantar Pressure Distribution to Inform Soccer Cleat Design
Saing, Audrey; Karolidis, Emily; Hahn, Mike
Existing soccer cleats on the market are biased towards male biomechanical data, which may hinder female soccer players’ performance. This study explores plantar pressure differences between males and females during tasks that simulate dynamic match play with future application to female-centric cleat design. Ten males and nine females were instructed to run a fatiguing protocol on artificial turf. This modified Gauntlet protocol included straight running and changes in direction in five stages of decreasing distance from 1600 m to 100 m. During the third (400 m) stage, plantar pressure data were collected using pedar® insoles in a pair of soccer cleats. Plantar pressure data during four cutting steps and six straight running steps were used to calculate force-time integral normalized to body weight (FTI) in nine anatomical regions of the foot. Independent t-tests were conducted to determine if sex had a significant effect on FTI in each region of the foot. During cutting maneuvers, females had a significantly lower FTI in the medial forefoot (p = 0.029) and significantly higher FTI in the central forefoot compared to males (p = 0.006). While running straight, females had a significantly lower FTI in the medial forefoot (p = 0.016) and lesser toes (p =0.002) than males, while females had significantly higher FTI in the medial hindfoot (p = 0.008), lateral hindfoot (p = 0.002), and medial midfoot (p = 0.007) than males. Future female soccer cleat designs might include modified studs or adapted insole materials in the central forefoot area to best distribute plantar pressure loading while performing dynamic multiplanar movements.
Open Access
Novel Interspecies Interactions of Oral Commensal Corynebacterium and Opportunistic Pathogen Candida albicans
Rozendal, T.; Jens, Kreth
Sophisticated synergistic and antagonistic relationships within the oral commensal community contribute to host defense against invading pathogens. Dysbiosis in the oral microbiome can lead to oral diseases and systemic health concerns. Of particular interest is the opportunistic pathogen Candida albicans and its synergistic interaction with Streptococcus mutans, which promotes virulent hyphae formation and biofilm production in C. albicans. Some fatty acids released by the oral commensal Corynebacterium species are known to inhibit Candida biofilm formation. In this study, we isolated several oral Candida strains to assess hyphae formation when co-cultured with S. mutans. Additionally, we introduced Corynebacterium durum into the co-culture in order to investigate its antagonistic effects on the Candida isolates. Our results reveal that C. durum significantly impacts the growth and hyphae formation of C. albicans, providing direct evidence of its antagonistic role in C. albicans pathogenesis. Furthermore, we isolated membrane vesicles from oral Corynebacterium samples, which appear to vary in composition depending on the strain and conditions. Further research is needed in order to elucidate the functional biochemistry of these membrane vesicles and understand their inhibitory mechanisms.
Open Access
Core Temperature and Thermal Sensation Change after Cold Water SCUBA Diving
Orman, Tucker; Perez, Makayla; Bradbury, Karleigh; Lovering, Andrew
Objective: To measure core temperature (Tc) and thermal sensation (Ts) before and after cold water SCUBA diving in male and female recreational divers wearing wetsuits and drysuits. It has been shown that ∆Tc can be impacted by various anthropometric factors, notably body surface area (BSA)/body mass (BM) but recreational diver research is limited. Methods: 52 subjects (23M, 27F) completed SCUBA dives at varied depths and durations in cold water (10.4 ± 1.9°C) in Oregon (freshwater) and Washington (saltwater). 10 subjects (5M, 5F) wore drysuits with dry gloves and hoods. The remaining 42 (19M, 23F) wore wetsuits (14mm core). Tc was measured before and after each dive using a telemetric pill that was swallowed ~10 hours before the start of the dive. Ts was measured immediately before and after each dive. Results: There was a significant effect of suit type on ΔTc/min (p=0.02) with those in wetsuits having lower ΔTc/min (-0.02 ± 0.02°C/min) than those in drysuits (-0.00 ± 0.01°C/min). In wetsuit and drysuit divers combined, BSA/BM was negatively correlated with ∆Tc/min (P<0.0001, R2=0.3476), and BMI was positively correlated with ∆Tc/min (P<0.0001, R2=0.3285). There was no significant difference (p=0.29) in ΔTs between wetsuit wearers (-2.0±1.0 arbitrary units (a.u)) and drysuit wearers (-1.0±1.0 a.u.). Conclusion: Drysuits were more effective at maintaining Tc throughout cold water dives. Divers with higher BSA/BM ratios and lower BMI had more negative ∆Tc/min. These results suggest cold water divers, especially those with higher BSA/BM and lower BMI, will benefit from using drysuits or thicker wetsuits to maintain Tc during their dives. Funding: This study was funded by the University of Oregon. Temperature supplies were provided by the US Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine.
Open Access
What Controls Sex Development in Fish?
Breslin, Sophia; Postlethwait, John H.; Desvignes, Thomas; Novillo, Manuel; Valdivieso, Alejandro; Chung, Bon-chu; Yan, Yi-Lin; Desvignes, Thomas; Lecointre, Guillaume; Ohara, Isabela Lagana; Shibatta, Oscar Akio; Sidlauskas, Brian; Yokoi, Hayato; Ansai, Satoshi; Schartl, Angelika; Schiavon, Luca; Papetti, Chiara; Lauridsen, Henrik; Garmann-Aarhus, Benedicte
In mammals and in birds, the sex of an individual is determined by its genes. A sex determining gene on a sex chromosome influence the development of ovaries or testes. But sex in fishes is much more diverse! What controls sex development in fish? Sex genes like in mammals and birds? Or do other types of sex determination systems exist in fish? In this short scientific graphic novel, Sophia Breslin, John Postlethwait, and Thomas Desvignes introduce you to the control of sex determination in fish: from the genetic regulation by sex determining genes and sex chromosomes to various cases of hermaphrodism and the influence of the environment, revealing the myriad of different sex determination systems found in fishes.
Open Access
Relief, An Ethical Reflection on Animal Welfare Poem
Johnson, Ryan; Parzuchowski, Kimberly; Lundquist, Caroline
“Relief” is a poem about anthropocentric moral policy, and a critical reflection on animal welfare designed to provoke questions about why humanity uses non-human species the way we do. The purpose of the poem is not to shame or apply guilt, but to encourage asking ourselves the difficult questions like; Are humans more important than other species? If so, how does that importance give us the right to deem non-human species unworthy of human-like consideration? “Relief” is a poem of accountability that addresses the root of these questions. To write this poem I researched the extent of non-human abuse both in scientific research and in industrial animal farms, and what I found is heart wrenching. I found that there is a trend in how researchers and industrialists justify these abuses, which were primarily focused on levels of sentience and consciousness of non-human species in comparison to the “superior” variation of sentience and consciousness of humans. I don’t believe that humanity should use our own sentience or consciousness as a justification for any kind of abuse. If we don’t examine our anthropocentric scientific and moral beliefs humanity will continue to abuse non-human species, or as it has in the past, use the same justifications to abuse our own kind under a similar premise. I designed “Relief” to force us to examine this difficult to discuss problem, and hopefully force us to think deeper on our reasons for how we treat things that are not us.
Open Access
Healthy Minds Study Pre- and Post- Covid Onset Years: University of Oregon Mental Health Needs and Access
Welburn, Aubrey; McWilliams, Kaitlyn; Watt, Lauren King; Snyder, Sophie; Nunez, Zoe; Long, Angela
The University of Oregon (UO) participated in the 2017, 2019, 2021, and 2023 Healthy Minds Study (HMS), a survey-based assessment of mental health status and service utilization among college students. A trend analysis of HMS data was done by UO University Health Services and Student Services and Enrollment Management Research and Assessment teams. This trend analysis includes two pre- and two post-COVID onset years. A qualitative review of UO data suggests increased student need for mental health services, decreased student flourishing when comparing survey results pre- and post-COVID onset years, and increased student self-efficacy to seek services. Increases in anxiety and depression rates, academic impairment, and need for mental health support when comparing survey results pre- and post-COVID onset demonstrate an increased need for mental health services. Already low flourishing levels decreased after COVID onset. Increased rates of help seeking behavior and desire to access services since COVID onset illustrate higher self-efficacy rates. The Health Equity Action Project of the Student Health Advisory Committee recommends UO implement changes to increase access of on campus mental health resources given that students need and actively seek care to create a community of students who are supported and share resources with others.
Open Access
Women's Empowerment on Lesbian Lands: Challenging Gender Norms
Deivanayagam, Nithi; Kehoe, Nitsa; Long, Linda; Raiskin, Judith
Women throughout history have stood in the face of inequality, usually due to gender stereotyping and biases. This research goes into the women's experiences at WomanShare, a lesbian land community in Southern Oregon, to understand how their diverse skills, commitment to education, and mentorship dynamics contribute to their success in communal living and foster a culture of empowerment. By working together to learn, teach, and carry out roles that were traditionally held by men, women at WomanShare were able to create a space of individuality and feminism. The research draws on primary sources, including interviews and writings from community members, portraits, and academic sources that contextualize the feminist movements of the 1960s and 1970s.
Open Access
The Effect of Zinc Status on Cognitive and Vascular Function in a Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease
Isakharov, Lazar N.; Molina, Yamila R.; Cullen, Abigail E.; Walker, Ashley E.
Exploring potential treatments for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is important as the aging population continues to increase (Cummings, 2004). A hallmark of AD is excessive oxidative stress (Cheignon et al., 2018). Previous research has identified zinc as an antioxidant and regulator of vasodilation, associatedpositively and negatively with cognitive function (Betrie et al., 2021; Cuajungco & Fagét, 2003). However, its relationship with vasodilation in AD has not been fully elucidated. We hypothesize that maintaining zinc status will improve cognitive and vascular function in a mouse model of AD. We treated male and female AD model mice (6 m) with zinc-normal (30 ppm), low (2-5 ppm) and high (300 ppm) diets for 2 m. We evaluated cognition through rotarod and nest building tests. We assessed large artery stiffness by pulse wave velocity and cerebrovascular function by pressure myography. There was an interaction effect of zinc status and sex (p=0.047) and a main effect of sex (p=0.02) on time spent on rotarod. There was no effect of zinc status or sex on nest building. We identified a main effect of sex on pulse wave velocity (p=0.01). We are still analyzing cerebrovascular function but preliminary results indicate sex-differences in response to zinc diets, where low zinc may be detrimental to males but not females (p<0.05). We find that zinc status may impact cognitive and cerebrovascular function, indicating the need for further research into zinc’s effect on AD. This research is aimed at determining potential future nutritional interventions for reducing the risk of AD.
Open Access
Stable Oxygen Isotope Signature of Extant and Extinct Aplodontiids and Evidence for Water Use
Hillard, Thomas; Hopkins, Samantha; Reuter, Dana; Blumenthal, Scott; Flora, Holley
Aplodontia rufa has a unique kidney anatomy that is inefficient at concentrating urine, and as a result the water intake for the species is high and its range is limited to the high precipitation regions of the Pacific coast. This anatomy is often considered to be a primitive condition for rodents, however we hypothesize it may be a derived character because of the range of extinct members in the clade. Stable oxygen isotope measurements from tooth enamel were used to investigate the water usage in the fossil species Liodontia alexandrae alongside the modern Aplodontia rufa. Previous studies have shown that animals that are dependent on drinking water and spend more time around water have a lower stable oxygen isotope ratio in their tooth enamel. So, we compared the oxygen isotope ratios of the aplodontines to measurements taken from lagomophs from the same localities that are better at conserving water, including the modern Sylvilagus bachmani and the extinct Oreolagus wallacei. Our data shows a significant difference between Aplodontia rufa and Sylvilagus bachmani, but no difference between Liodontia alexandrae and Oreolagus wallacei. This suggests that Liodontia does not have the same renal anatomy as A. rufa, and is evidence that the renal anatomy of A. rufa is a derived trait in the aplodontiine group.
Open Access
Indoor Air Quality Analysis in Oakridge Oregon
Axon, Henry; Coughlan, Michael; Majewski, Stephanie; Clark, Ben
Climate change and intense fire seasons in Oregon have worsened air quality, posing health risks to residents. Low cost PM2.5 sensors monitor indoor air quality in Oakridge, Oregon. Many homes received interventions to improve indoor air quality. This study evaluates these interventions' effectiveness and examines the relationship between outdoor and indoor air quality before and after the interventions. We used statistical methods to analyze the data and present preliminary results of this air quality analysis.
Open Access
Examining the Inclusivity of Gender Diversity in Online Mental Health Resources
Bordeaux, Leo; Herman, Alyssa; Kondo, Emily; Park, Alayna
Transgender and gender diverse individuals face a significantly elevated risk of suicide, largely attributable to minority stressors and marginalization. It is imperative that online mental health resources be inclusive and non-offensive to avoid perpetuating stress experienced by this population. This study aimed to assess the gender inclusivity of online suicide and non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) resources (e.g., crisis hotline website, fact sheet about NSSI). Two undergraduates coded 58 suicide and NSSI resources for six “do’s” of developing gender inclusive resources (i.e., use of gender inclusive language, discussion of chosen name, discussion of pronouns, recognition of social stigma, recognition of the uniqueness of identity, and diversity in imagery) and four “don’ts” (i.e., indication that there are only two genders, use of nonspecific terms related to gender, pathologization of gender diversity, and relating gender diversity with c! onfusion). The most common “do” was the use of gender inclusive language (89%; “Has someone you know taken their life?”). The most common “don’t” was the indication that there are only two genders (30%; “Guide him or her to additional professional help.”). These findings provide a glimpse into the gender inclusivity of online mental health resources while also highlighting opportunities for improvement.
Open Access
Developing an In Vivo Assay for Quantitative Analysis of Arp2/3 Complex Inhibitors
Topping, Maisie; Narvaez Ortiz, Heidy; Nolen, Brad
Branched networks in the actin cytoskeleton are critical for a variety of cellular processes such as motility and endocytosis. New branched actin filaments are nucleated by Arp2/3 complex, and the deregulation of this protein is related to a variety of diseases including cancer. Several classes of small organic molecule inhibitors of Arp2/3 complex have been discovered, most of which function by blocking an activating conformational change of the complex. These molecules serve as useful research tools because they allow researchers to turn off activity in many different processes, and they also have potential as drugs due to Arp2/3 complex’s increased activity in disease mechanisms. These inhibitors have been characterized in vitro and have been used in many experiments, but they have never been quantitatively analyzed in vivo. My project will develop an in vivo assay for quantitatively measuring the effects of Arp2/3 complex inhibitors on cytoskeleton dynamics. The assay will use Drosophila S2 cells expressing a low level of GFP-tagged actin and total internal reflection fluorescence (TIRF) microscopy to extract velocity data from the cell’s actin cytoskeleton before and after treatment with inhibitors. These experiments will lead to a better understanding of how Arp2/3 complex inhibitors affect living things, because this assay is a better approximation of biological systems than the currently used in vitro methods. The different assays can be used in concert to provide a fuller characterization of the inhibitors than we currently have.
Open Access
Lagomorph Paleoecology of the Middle Cenozoic in Eastern Asia
Lawson, Amelia; Peng, Amanda; Hopkins, Samantha
Lagomorphs are small plant eating mammals that are split into two extant families: the Ochotonidae which is comprised of pikas, and Leporidae which is made of rabbits and hares. The earliest lagomorph occurrence is 55 million years ago in Asia, which is widely recognized as the origin of lagomorphs. Through the Cenozoic, lagomorphs diversified and migrated to every continent except Australia and Antarctica. During the Cenozoic, Asia transitioned from a humid and warm environment to an arid and cool climate. These changes as well as geographic alterations in Asia dramatically effected lagomorphs at the time which can be viewed by analyzing the fossil record. Along with changes in climate, inferences can be made about lagomorph niche and habitat by comparing extinct and extant species data. The purpose of this study was to gain a deeper understanding of the effects of geography, particularly the Mongolian Plateau, on lagomorphs in Asia. In this study, I analyzed fossils from 8 localities in East Asia from the Eocene to the Miocene using the Paleobiology Database and past publications to access the environmental effects on lagomorph diversity and size in East Asia through time. This study provided further incite into the formation of the Mongolian Plateau, which is relatively sparce in information on the time of its uprise. As a result, this study suggests that the rise of the Mongolian Plateau and Hangay Mountains had dramatic impacts on Lagomorphs throughout the Cenozoic.
Open Access
Disentangling the relationship between caregiver stress and child executive function
Lashley, Olivia; Peake, Shannon
While parenting is often rewarding, there are some aspects of parenthood that are stressful. One potential source of stress for parents is child behavior, especially for parents of children with low executive function (EF), who may feel stress due to their child’s difficulties with focus, task completion, and emotion regulation. This form of stress, which is directly related to the parent-child interaction, is called parenting stress. Stress experienced by parents may also be related to more general factors, such as chronic stress, trait worry, or perceived stress. This study aims to determine if child executive function is more strongly related to parenting stress than other forms of stress in order to gain insight as to what resources may best support stress reduction in parents of children with low EF. If child EF is strongly correlated with parenting stress, interventions that help parents better support their child’s needs may be most effective in reducing their stress. However, if child EF is strongly correlated with other, more general forms of stress then interventions to target general stress management would be more effective in supporting parents of children with low EF. Results showed that EF was not related to parenting stress, nor was it related to parent chronic stress, trait worry, or perceived stress. This suggests that targeting parenting stress is not specifically more favorable than other types of support for parents of children with low EF.
Open Access
The Policy Implications of the Biology of Trauma
Kordahl, Rose Casserly; Tichenor, Daniel
Modern research has revealed one of the greatest public health crises in the United States: the epidemic of toxic stress in childhood. Physicians have found that significant exposure to toxic stress through Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) increases the risk of seven out of the ten leading causes of death in the US. As a public health crisis, policy is uniquely equipped to prevent toxic stress and ACEs before they occur and create support services for those affected. However, a disconnect remains between scientific research and policy. Through a survey of existing literature on toxic stress and U.S. policy, I aim to identify the implications of medical research on creating trauma-informed policy responses to the toxic stress epidemic in the U.S. By identifying specific areas of policy that should be utilizing research on toxic stress, this project intends to demonstrate how science can help inform modern policy.
Open Access
Reopening wounds: Processing Korean Cultural Trauma in Park Chan-wook’s Revenge Trilogy
Koontz, Emma; Casimir, Ulrick
The democratic reforms of the 1987 June 29 Declaration opened the floodgates for Korean New Wave films. The repeal of censorship regulations gave Korean filmmakers the autonomy to actualize their creative vision for the first time since Japanese colonialism. The result were films that grappled with the trauma of eighty years of colonialism, war, and authoritarian dictatorship through biting political commentary. This study explores Park Chan-wook’s representation of 한 (han) Korean cultural trauma in his New Wave films Oldboy and Sympathy for Lady Vengeance. Literature on trauma, film, and Korean history was reviewed and combined with film analysis to explain Chan-wook’s critique of revenge fantasies and conscious and unconscious ignorance. His films demonstrate that the only way to heal 한 is to acknowledge and accept all wrongdoing, even one's own, and mourn the consequences of the atrocities. While 한 is specific to Koreans, cultural trauma is not. From the effects of Apartheid in South Africa, the Rwandan Genocide, the legacy of slavery and ongoing atrocities committed against BIPOC Americans, the ubiquity of cultural trauma makes the lessons in Chan-wook’s works of paramount importance. While resolution of trauma is never final, Chan-wook’s films are both a guideline and a performance on how cultures can begin to heal in the face of moral atrocities.
Open Access
Plant communities across topographic gradients: Post-fire vegetative diversity along ridgelines in southwestern Oregon
Kleiner, Delaney; Hunter, Brooke; Dawson, Hilary Rose; Roering, Josh; Silva, Lucas
Southwestern Oregon is characterized by complex patterns of plant communities across environmental gradients. Previous research has found the structure and composition of vegetation to be related to the complex geology of this region. In this study, we explore the relation between topography and plant communities by asking if and how vegetation changes across ridgelines of varying steepness. We selected six ridgelines with a gradient of slope steepness (steep to gentle) in Rabbit Mountain, Riddle, Oregon and used quadrat and line-point intercept techniques to quantify vegetation cover by species at each site. We assessed the differences and similarities between plant communities with NMDS (non-metric multidimensional scaling) analysis. We found plant communities on steep ridgelines are significantly different than communities on gentle ridgelines in terms of community composition. Plant species with woody habits occurred more abundantly on steep ridgelines, whereas herbaceous plants dominated gentle ridgelines. Studying how landscapes exist in relation to vegetation deepens our understanding of the connectedness of Earth’s processes, emphasizes the interdisciplinary nature of environmental science, and further informs forestry management practices in a time of increasing climate change.
Open Access
Global Biomarker Implementation in the WHO’s World Health Survey Plus
Getz, Madeleine; Warner-Carey, Micah; Taylor, Rosa; DeLouize, Alicia; Snodgrass, J. Josh
The Global Health Biomarker Laboratory is collaborating with the World Health Organization to plan and implement the World Health Survey Plus (WHS+). The WHS+ is an expansion on the original World Health Survey, a project that was conducted in 69 countries with over 3,000 participants. The WHS+ is a flexible and comprehensive data collection system that provides countries with the ability to monitor progress towards health goals and provide high-quality, nationally-representative data on health, social, economic, and policy topics. This project aims to fill data gaps globally and improve health equity within and between countries. By developing protocols, training videos, and technical expertise on point-of-care biomarker implementation, our lab is at the forefront of implementing new point-of-care biomarker technologies; the biomarkers WHS+ is collecting are hemoglobin as an indicator of anemia, HbA1C and glucose as indicators of diabetes, and lipids as indicators of hypolipidemia and cardiovascular risk. Additionally, the survey is collecting anthropometrics, blood pressure, pulse, hand grip strength, walking speed, and cognitive function as direct measures of health. While we are currently in the early stages of planning and implementation, the WHS+ has the potential not only to help countries provide more equitable and sustainable healthcare and promote country-specific care-seeking behaviors, but also to further our global knowledge of healthcare and disease.
Open Access
Anthropogenic Noise on the University of Oregon Campus
Cumming, Margo; Deivanayagam, Nithi; Weinrobe, Josh; Munger, Lisa
While extensive research has been conducted on the effects of anthropogenic noise, there is a notable lack of studies investigating the impact of indoor anthropogenic noise on weather patterns. In this study, we sought to address this gap by examining the variations in indoor anthropogenic noise across three different locations at the University of Oregon (UO) concerning weather conditions. To capture sound levels on campus, we utilized the Dayton Audio iMM-6 calibrated microphone connected to our smartphones. We recorded sound levels for 10-minute intervals, twice a week, in various locations: Knight Library floor 1, EMU O-desk, and Lillis building floor 1. Concurrently, we recorded the prevailing weather conditions during each interval to observe any corresponding patterns. To analyze the captured audio data, we employed Raven Lite software to generate spectrograms that allowed us to identify the frequency components of the recorded sounds. By measuring the sound pressure levels and frequency spectrum, we compared the levels of human-generated noise over time across different selected locations and weather conditions. The independent variables in our study were the location on campus and the weather conditions, while the dependent variable was the sound levels. Based on our initial hypothesis, we predicted that indoor anthropogenic noise would decrease on sunnier days, as students would likely spend more time outdoors. Conversely, we expected noise levels to increase on rainy days, as students would be more inclined to stay indoors. Given the unpredictable nature of Oregon's weather, our analysis of how UO students adapt to changing climate conditions will contribute to further research on the effects of anthropogenic noise in conjunction with weather conditions. By shedding light on this relationship, our study aims to enhance our understanding of the broader impacts of human-generated noise in indoor environments.
Open Access
Pandemic Investigation of LGBTQAI+ Identity Affirmation
Alexander, Elijah L.; Weston, Sara J.
Those with LGBTQ+ identities often live in the presence of “audiences” for whom they feel pressured to perform a heteronormative culture (Butler 1988). However, the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdowns may have removed such audiences from the daily lives of these individuals. Therefore, it is possible that the past year has seen an uncharacteristic emergence of queer gender identities and non-heteronormative sexualities. In this study, we attempt to empirically document the change and development of queer and gender non-conforming identity during the COVID-19 pandemic and their associations with changing social experiences. Using data collected via Prolific (anticipated N = 221), we examine associations between changes in gender identity, sexual orientation, and peer/family acceptance. Specifically, we hypothesize that change in gender identity/sexual orientation will be predicted by increased use of virtual socializing (e.g., social media) over in-person socializing. By understanding these possible influencing factors, this study would serve as another stepping stone in queer psychology research as well as aiding in the development of new intervention methods for queer individuals.

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