Scholars of Excellence

Outstanding Thesis & Dissertation Award

The Outstanding Thesis and Dissertation (OTD) Award recognizes graduate alumni whose research exemplifies the highest quality. The award recognizes those 新澳门六合彩内幕信息graduates who have demonstrated exceptional performance and whose thesis or dissertation has resulted in a significant impact to the discipline at the national level.


2024 Outstanding Dissertation Award Recipients

DeBlasi headshot

Janine DeBlasi Ph.D. (Molecular Biosciences/Cancer Biology)

Dissertation: Distinct Nrf2 Signaling Thresholds Mediate Lung Tumor Initiation and Progression

Major Professor: Gina DeNicola, Ph.D.

Research Summary

This research explores the dual role of NRF2, a key regulator of oxidative stress response, in non-small cell lung cancer. It was observed that Nrf2 activation in a genetically engineered mouse model can promote lung tumor initiation in the presence of oncogenic Kras mutation, but excessive Nrf2 activation can inhibit tumor progression by causing metabolic imbalances such as reductive stress, which can impair cancer cell proliferation.

These insights can guide the development of targeted therapies that modulate NRF2 activity depending on the tumor stage and genetic context. Specifically, increasing NRF2 activity in NRF2-hyperactive tumors could drive them to a state that impairs progression. However, since there seems to be an optimal threshold of NRF2 activity, caution is needed when developing NRF2 inhibitors, as reducing NRF2 activity in certain tumor cells could inadvertently permit tumor progression. The study also suggests that NRF2 activators could be useful for chemoprevention in healthy individuals, as Nrf2 activation alone did not initiate tumors in our mouse models. However, long-term human studies are needed to confirm the safety and efficacy of such interventions.

By unveiling the context-dependent effects of NRF2, this research offers promising avenues for personalized cancer therapies that consider the specific genetic and metabolic characteristics of tumors.


Noah Schulz headshot

Noah Schulz Ph.D. (Applied Physics)

Dissertation: Interfacial Magnetism and Anisotropy in Dirac and Weyl Semimetals

Major Professor: Hariharan Srikanth, Ph.D.

Research Summary

Over the past twenty years, scientists have been able to identify special types of electrons in materials as a collective phenomenon. These special materials are known as semimetals, and come in a few different types which hold great potential for applications in modern computing, sensing, and renewable energies. Two problems with the realization of these systems in practical applications is the ability to induce magnetism and systematically control their properties. This dissertation research explored two specific types of semimetal systems, Dirac and Weyl semimetals, and investigated how changing the interfacial and bulk magnetic properties can be used to solve the aforementioned problems.


Alexandra Choate headshot

Alexandria Choate Ph.D. (Psychology)

Dissertation: Modeling the Development of Borderline Personality Disorder: A Formal Theory Approach 

Major Professor: Marina Bornovalova, Ph.D.

Research Summary

This dissertation advances both the methodological and theoretical understanding of borderline personality disorder (BPD) by leveraging formal computational methods to explore an alternative model of BPD and its development. This approach offers a powerful framework for generating precise, testable predictions that adequately captures the intricate dynamics underlying the development and maintenance of BPD. The use of formal models in this context is particularly groundbreaking, as previous research has largely overlooked these methods for studying BPD and its development.

By utilizing formal models, this dissertation offers novel insights into the development of BPD, while simultaneously addressing key limitations of existing theoretical frameworks. These findings also have several clinical implications, with the potential to advance current prevention and intervention strategies for BPD. For instance, modeling the complex interactions and risk factors contributing to BPD can shed light on how individuals with varying risk factors and symptoms may respond to different treatments. Understanding these differences may guide clinicians in selecting the most suitable intervention for a patient's unique risk profile and symptomatology, potentially leading to more favorable treatment outcomes.



2024 Outstanding Thesis Award Recipient

Raaga Sai Somesula headshot

Raaga Sai Somesula, M.S. (Computer Science & Engineering)

Thesis: Programmable and Scalable Bit-Sliced VLSI Architecture for Decision Tree Based Machine Learning Edge Inference

Major Professor: Srinivas Katkoori, Ph.D.

Research Summary

As the volume and diversity of Internet-of-Things (IoT) data continues to grow, traditional cloud-based processing methods face significant challenges, including latency, bandwidth constraints, and privacy concerns. Our research focuses on employing decision trees (DTs) as an intelligent filtering mechanism on the edge. Preliminary comparisons across four datasets revealed decision trees (DT) are significantly more efficient than multilayer perceptron (MLP), saving 97-98% in area and power, leading to the selection of DT for our proposed architecture for lightweight IoT devices We propose a novel programmable and scalable custom ASIC architecture designed for Decision Tree based ML inference. It incorporates two 8-bit serial in serial out input registers connected to an 8-bit comparator for data processing, the output of the comparator drives the select line of Mux, which selects the respective true and false paths. It has two modes of operation, which can be controlled by asserting mode signals. When the mode is asserted high, the circuit behaves as a leaf node, and we can store classification label values in it, whereas when the mode is not asserted, it behaves as a normal comparator, which decides true and false paths. Our design processes trained datasets for classification through two operational phases. Initially, in the programming phase, attribute values are assigned to respective bit slices along with leaf classification values. In the real-time phase, the inferencing takes place by loading the feature values for comparison at each bit slice, resulting in classification. We have designed and implemented the architecture in the Cadence Virtuoso Layout Design platform with a 0.5um technology node. A 3-level decision tree occupies an area 9,34,241 碌m虏 with 14mW power consumption with a maximum speed of 12.8 MHz.



Past Outstanding Thesis and Dissertation Award Winners

2023

Name Area Type

Yi-Jie Zhu, Ph.D.

Geography, Environmental Science and Policy Dissertation

Title: Inland Tropical Cyclone Intensity Decay in the Continental United States
Major Professor:  Jennifer Collins, Ph.D.

MacLean Hall, Ph.D.

Molecular Biosciences Dissertation

Title: Utilizing neoantigen-specific CD4+ T cells and immune checkpoint modulation to advance adoptive cell therapy with tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes for metastatic melanoma patients
Major Professor: Shari Pilon-Thomas, Ph.D.

Keval Doshi, Ph.D.

Electrical Engineering Dissertation

Title: Video Anomaly Detection: Practical Challenges for Learning Algorithms
Major Professor: Yasin Yilmaz, Ph.D.

Amanda Connella, M.A.

Criminology Thesis

Title: The Invisible Victims of Commercial Sexual Exploitation: Boys and Their Barriers to Access to Services
Major Professor:  Joan A. Reid, Ph.D.

2022

Name Major Type

Elizabeth Hintz, Ph.D.

Communication Dissertation

Title: Explicating the Process of Communicative Disenfranchisement for Women with Chronic Overlapping Pain Conditions (COPCs)
Major Professor: Steven R. Wilson, Ph.D.

Ausmita Sarker, Ph.D.

Computer Science and Engineering Dissertation
Title: Secure Hardware Constructions for Fault Detection of Lattice-based Post-quantum Cryptosystems
Major Professor: Mehran Mozaffari Kermani, Ph.D.

Shangqing Zhao, Ph.D. 

Electrical Engineering Dissertation
Title: Data-Oriented Approaches towards Mobile, Network and Secure Systems
Major Professor: Zhuo Lu, Ph.D.

Ruchitha Chinthala M.S.

Computer Science & Engineering

Thesis

Title: An Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) Approach for Remote Assessment of Head and Neck Cancer Patients
Major Professor: Srinivas Katkoori, Ph.D.

2021

Name Major Type
Michelle Guitard Marine Science Dissertation
Title: Ocean Forcing of Quaternary East Antarctic Ice Sheet Evolution: An Ice-Proximal Sedimentary Perspective
Sheikh Ariful Islam Computer Science Dissertation
Title: Behavioral and RT-Level Synthesis of Secure Nano VLSI Digital ASIC Designs 
Stephanie Phillips English Dissertation
Title: The Power of Non-Compliant Logos: A New Materialist Approach to Comic Studies
Sarah Schmid Integrative Biology Thesis
Title: Novel CO2 Transporters from Autotrophic Bacteria from Extreme Environments

2020

Name Major Type
Kadriye Merve Dogan Mechanical Engineering Dissertation
Title: Stable Adaptive Control Systems in the Presence of Unmodeled and Actuator
Fiona Kearns Chemistry Dissertation
Title: Development and Application of Computational Models for Biochemical Systems
Zeinab Motawe Molecular Pharmacology & Physiology Dissertation
Title: Functional Significance of Endothelial Sigma-1 Receptors in Vascular Reactivity and Barrier Function
Kristen Grafton English Thesis
Title: 9/11 Then and Now: How the Performance of Memorial Rhetoric by Presidents Changes to Construct Hero

2019

Name Major Type
Mengqiu Wang Marine Science Dissertation
Title: Spatial and Temporal Distributions of Pelagic Sargassum in the Intra-Americas Sea and Atlantic Ocean
Brent Kuenzi Cancer Chemical Biology Dissertation
Title: Off-Target Based Drug Repurposing Using Systems Pharmacology
Kim Miender Music Education Dissertation
Title: The Effects of a Self-Regulated Learning Music Practice Strategy Curriculum on Music Performance, Self-Regulation, Self-Efficacy, and Cognition
Dean Hobbis Physics Thesis
Title: A Fundamental Investigation into Low Thermal Conductivity P-Type Chalcogenides and Skutterudites with Potential Thermoelectric Applications

2018

Name Major Type
Brad Steele Physics Dissertation
Title: Computational Discovery of Energetic Polynitrogen Compounds at High Pressure
Renee Fleeman Cell Biology, Microbiology, and Molecular Biology Dissertation
Title: Discovering Antibacterial and Anti-Resistance Agents Targeting Multi-Drug Resistant ESKAPE Pathogens 
Kimberly French Psychology (Industrial-Organizational) Dissertation
Title: Episodic Work-Family Conflict and Strain: A Dynamic Perspective
Amanda Palmer Psychology (Clinical) Thesis
Title: Parsing the Influences of Nicotine and Expectancies on the Acute Effects of E-cigarettes: A Balanced Placebo Experiment 

2017

Name Major Type
Ashley Basiorka Cancer Biology Dissertation
Title: Changing the Pathobiological Paradigm in Myelodysplastic Syndromes: The NLRP3 Inflammasome Drives the MDS Phenotype
Jeremy Cohen Integrative Biology Dissertation
Title: Climate Change Drives Outbreaks of Emerging Infectious Disease and Phenological Shifts
Prerna Malaney Pathology Dissertation
Title: Significance of PTEN Phosphorylation and its Nuclear Function in Lung Cancer

2016

Name Major Type
Jacqueline L. Fries Chemistry Dissertation
Title: Chemical Investigation of Antarctic Marine Organisms & Their Role in Modern Drug Discovery
Nikita La Cruz Geosciences Thesis
Title: Schreibersite: Synthesis, Characterization and Corrosion and Possible Implications for Origin of Life
Kaya Wei Physics Dissertation
Title: Investigation of Low Thermal Conductivity Materials with Potential for Thermoelectric Applications
JungA (Alexa) Woo Molecular Medicine Dissertation
Title: Role of the Slingshot-Cofilin and RanBP9 Pathways in Alzheimer's Disease Pathogenesis

2015

Name Major Type
Aaron Craig Curriculum & Instruction Dissertation
Title: National Investigation of Pre-Activity Health Screening Procedures in Fitness Facilities: Perspectives from American College of Sports Medicine Certified Health Fitness Specialists
Jayita Das Electrical Engineering Dissertation
Title: Auxiliary Roles in STT-MRAM Memory
Jianing Fu Cancer Biology Dissertation
Title: Targeting T-bet for Prevention of Graft-Versus-Host Disease and Leukemia Relapse after Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
Robert Hardy Marine Science Thesis
Title: Assessments of Surface-Pelagic Drift Communities and Behavior of Early Juvenile Sea Turtles in the Northern Gulf of Mexico

2014

Name Major Type
Brian Barnes Marine Science Dissertation
Title: The Combined Effects of Light and Temperature on Coral Bleaching: A Case Study of the Florida Reef Tract Using Satellite Data
Taegan McMahon Integrative Biology Dissertation
Title: Effects of Pesticides and the Pathogenic Chytrid Fungus on Aquatic Organisms with an Emphasis on their Role in Amphibian Declines
Darrell Nicholson Creative Writing Thesis
Title: Waterborne
Hillary Seifert Molecular Pharmacology Dissertation
Title: The Inflammatory Response Initiated by the Spleen to Ischemic Stroke

2013

Name Major Type
Lyudmyla Adamska Physics

Dissertation

Title: Theory and Modeling of Graphene and Single Molecule Devices
Brian Dunst Philosophy Dissertation
Title: Embodying Social Practice: Dynamically Co-constituting Social Agency
Stefce Stefanoski Physics Dissertation
TItle: Synthesis and Physical Properties of Group 14 Intermetallic Clathrates
Claire Stephens English Thesis
Title: Split City Blues

2012

Name Major Type
Julia Galkiewicz Marine Science Dissertation
Title: Microbial Ecology and Functional Genomics of Deep-Water Coral-Associated Microbes
Cristina Mazza Geography, Environment, & Planning Thesis
Title: The Influence of Meteorological Parameters on Rainfall and Severe Weather in Pinellas County, FL
Cecelia Padros Applied Anthropology Dissertation
Title: The Participation of NGOs in Healthcare: The Case of Pediatric Cancer Treatment in Argentina
Adrian Popescu Applied Physics Dissertation
Title: Carbon Nanotubes Interactions: Theory and Applications

2011

Name Major Type
Huijuan Chen Chemical Engineering Dissertation
Title: The Conversion of Low-Grade Heat into Power Using Supercritical Rankine Cycles
Jason Lewis Applied Physics Dissertation
Title: Device Physics of Solution Processable Solar Cells
Javier Pulecio Electrical Engineering Dissertation
Title: Field-Coupled Nano-Magnetic Logic Systems
Matthew Tucker Public Health Dissertation
Title: Phenotypic and Genotypic Analysis of In Vitro Selected Artemisinin Resistant Plasmodium falciparum

2010

Name Major Type
Koutstav Bhattacharya Computer Science & Engineering Dissertation
Title: Architectures and Algorithms for Mitigation of Soft Errors in Nanoscale VLSI Circuits
Michael Conroy Applied Physics Dissertation
Title: Density Functional Theory Studies of Energetic Materials
Sabrina Hughes Art History Thesis
Title: Empty Streets in the Capital of Modernity: Formation of Lieux de M茅moire in Parisian Street Photography From Daguerre to Atget
Scott Segro Chemistry Dissertation
Title: Surface-Bonded Sol-Gel Sorbents for On-Line Hyphenation of Capillary Microextraction with High-Performance Liquid Chromatography

2009

Name Major Type
Matt Beekman Applied Physics Dissertation
Title: Fundamental Investigations on Open-Framework Intermetallic Materials of Group 14
Angela Gilbert Geography Thesis
Title: Air Toxics and Equity: A Geographic Analysis of Environmental Health Risks in Florida
Vishnu Nanduri Industrial Engineering Dissertation
Title: Generation Capacity Expansion in Restructured Energy Markets
Praveen Sekhar Electrical Engineering Dissertation
Title: Nanomanufacturing of Silica Nanowires: Synthesis, Characterization and Applications

2008

Name Major Type
Shayam Aravamudhan Electrical Engineering Thesis
Title: Development of Micro/Nanosensor Elements and Packaging Techniques for Oceanography
Upavan Gupta Computer Science & Engineering Dissertation
Title: Utilitarian Approaches for Multi-Metric Optimization in VLSI Circuit Design and Spatial Cluster 
Rebecca Kinkade Davis Cancer Biology Dissertation
Title: Rb-Raf-1 Interaction as a Therapeutic Target for Proliferative
Luca Lai Applied Anthropology Dissertation
Title: The Interplay of Economics, Climatic and Cultural Change Investigated Through Isotopic Analyses of Bone Tissue: The Case of Sardinia 4000-1900 BC