The Virtual OMNI Research Showcase May 17-20, 2021 ~ACKNOWLEDGMENTS~ What a Year!

THE MIRACOSTA HONORS PROGRAM PROUDLY PRESENTS

The Virtual OMNI Research Showcase May 17-20, 2021 ~ACKNOWLEDGMENTS~ What a year!

I would like to thank everyone who is presenting in our Spring OMNI week. It was an incredible challenge to get your presentations ready for the OMNI, but you did a great job. If this is your first conference presentation, I hope that you will want to keep sharing your knowledge and presenting at more conferences in the future. I would also like to thank the faculty mentors who have provided guidance to their student mentees. We could not have an Honor Program or an OMNI research showcase without you! Thank you for inspiring such creative projects and for your continual support of the Honors Program.

As she gets ready to enjoy her retirement, I would like to specially thank Honors Dean Dana Smith for her leadership and support of the Honors Program during these difficult times. For over ten years she has guided our program with a consistent focus to always focus on the needs of our students. Susan Corley deserves all our thanks for her leadership behind the scenes.

I am indebted to my incredible staff for their work on conference activities and the OMNI. Melina Sam, Christine Walsh, Rolando Pineda and Inayah Abdulmateen have all played instrumental roles as Navigators this semester helping us through these difficult weeks. I will especially miss Melina and Christine, my two Navigators of the Year, who kept our program running this whole year. I thank them all for serving as moderators for the conference sessions.

My final acknowledgement goes to Elizabeth Lurenana, who has been brilliantly exceptional in her role as conference program director in her first year as our Honors Administrative Assistant. Elizabeth is an organizational wizard, and every one connected to the OMNI appreciates how easy it is to “No one who achieves work with our special Administrative Assistant. She keeps making the MiraCosta Honors Program better success does so without every week in large and small ways. acknowledging the help of others. The wise and confident acknowledge this help with gratitude.” ~Alfred North Whitehead ~TABLE OF CONTENTS~

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS...... 4

GENERAL SHOWCASE INFORMATION...... 5

MONDAY PRESENTATIONS...... 6

TUESDAY PRESENTATIONS...... 8

WEDNESDAY PRESENTATIONS...... 10

THURSDAY PRESENTATIONS...... 12

PRESENTER BIOGRAPHIES...... 14 ~SCHEDULE OF EVENTS~

MONDAY: MAY 17, 2021: 9:00AM-2:30PM

Room 1, Meeting ID: 919 8738 0036, https://miracosta-edu.zoom.us/j/91987380036

Morning Moderators: Inayah Abdulmateen & Christopher Sleeper

Afternoon Moderators: Danielle Buford & Christopher Sleeper

Room 2, Meeting ID: 941 4366 7977, https://miracosta-edu.zoom.us/j/94143667977

Morning Moderators: Rolando Pineda, Hamilton Bohannon, Christine Walsh & Renee Buchenroth

Afternoon Moderators: Melina Sam & Elizabeth Lurenana

TUESDAY: MAY 18, 2021: 9:00AM-2:30PM

Room 1, Meeting ID: 919 8738 0036, https://miracosta-edu.zoom.us/j/91987380036

Morning Moderators: Hamilton Bohannon, Christopher Sleeper & Hugo Peralta-Ramirez

Afternoon Moderators: Inayah Abdulmateen & Christopher Sleeper

Room 2, Meeting ID: 941 4366 7977, https://miracosta-edu.zoom.us/j/94143667977

Morning Moderators: Melina Sam, Taewon Jeong & Elizabeth Lurenana

Afternoon Moderators: Christine Walsh & Elizabeth Lurenana

WEDNESDAY: MAY 19, 2021: 9:00AM-2:30PM

Room 1, Meeting ID: 919 8738 0036, https://miracosta-edu.zoom.us/j/91987380036

Morning Moderators: Inayah Abdulmateen, Hamilton Bohannon & Danielle Buford

Afternoon Moderators: Claire Benham & Christopher Sleeper

Room 2, Meeting ID: 941 4366 7977, https://miracosta-edu.zoom.us/j/94143667977

Morning Moderators: Christine Walsh & Elizabeth Lurenana

Afternoon Moderators: Melina Sam & Elizabeth Lurenana

THURSDAY: MAY 20, 2021: 9:00AM-NOON

Room 1, Meeting ID: 919 8738 0036, https://miracosta-edu.zoom.us/j/91987380036

Morning Moderators: Melina Sam, Christopher Sleeper & Hugo Peralta-Ramirez

Room 2, Meeting ID: 941 4366 7977, https://miracosta-edu.zoom.us/j/94143667977

Morning Moderators: Rolando Pineda, Taewon Jeong, Christine Walsh & Elizabeth Lurenana

~GENERAL SHOWCASE INFORMATION~

SHOWCASE SESSIONS

All showcase sessions will be held May 17-20, 2021. Start and end times vary by day and there will be two Zoom rooms running

simultaneously. All presenters, please make sure that you arrive to your session 10 minutes before it begins, double checking

which virtual room you are scheduled for. This will allow you to work out any technical glitches before the session begins. For

pre-recorded sessions, your Moderator will screen-share your presentation. For live presentations, the Moderator will give you

the ability to screen share your own presentation.

Each session will go as follows:

• The Moderator for each session will keep time for the presentations.

• Each presentation is limited to 15 minutes and all presentations will be followed by

a 5-minute Q&A session.

• Videos will be available for viewing after the conference on our YouTube channel.

COMMENTARY FORMS

Students who wish to receive enrichment hours but are not presenting at this conference should fill out aCommentary Form

for each presentation that they attend.

Faculty members are also invited to fill outCommentary Forms.

QUICK ZOOM GUIDE

Zoom accounts DO NOT have to be made in order to access the sessions.

Mobile phone/tablet: On the day you present, navigate to the OMNI Program and click the appropriate zoom link, and you will

be prompted to download the Zoom app. Zoom app is available on Android and iPhone devices, and is completely free. Once

downloaded, you should be able to enter the virtual waiting room, where a host will let you into the session.

Desktop: On the day you present, navigate to the OMNI Program, click the appropriate Zoom link, and you will be brought to

the Zoom website to join the session. You should be able to enter the virtual waiting room, where a host will let you into the

session.

We recommend you attempt to join the meeting 5 minutes before the session to deal with any technical difficulties that may

arise.

If you experience any technical difficulties, please contact Professor Sleeper: 949.533.1095 or Elizabeth Lurenana: 760.917.4757 ~MONDAY ROOM 1~

SESSION 1: 9:00-10:30AM Zoe Romine The Disturbance Among the Suburbs: Irvine, California’s Suburban Ideals, Influential Urban Planning and the Culture That Ties It Together Prof. Christopher Sleeper This presentation looks into the history of the suburbs and how the ideals that upheld the suburbs are seen today in places like Irvine, California.

Pre-recorded. Live Q&A.

John Siebelink The Magenta Purge: The Lavender Scare and Republican Manipulation in the McCarthy Era Prof. Christopher Sleeper A study of the Republican Party’s rise to power and their efforts to purge homosexuals from governmental and international employment in the 1950s.

Pre-recorded. Live Q&A.

Cristian Marroquin The Delusional Democracy: Voter Suppression Tactics since 1877

Prof. Christopher Sleeper This presentation focuses on the history of American voting rights, the transition into the current state of affairs and how suppression has become discrete.

Pre-recorded. Live Q&A.

SESSION 2: 10:30AM-NOON

Diego Luna When America Tuned into the Radio: 1930-1941 Prof. Christopher Sleeper This presentation focuses on the radio in uniting much of America into supporting a war by transforming the public and cultural arena into a wartime culture.

Live Presentation/Q&A.

Tiffany Chu Follow That Car: How to Become an Industrial Captain Prof. Christopher Sleeper Two of the most influential leaders in the automobile industry share circumstantial factors, entrepreneurial techniques, and unique manipulation of products,

Pre-recorded. Live Q&A. guiding them towards immense success.

Nicholas Trotta Yesterday, Tomorrow, and Fantasy: Walt Disney and the 1950s Prof. Christopher Miller The research project examines the historic activities of Walt Disney throughout the 1950s, in particular by closely examining the theme park Disneyland.

Live Presentation/Q&A.

Seoyoung Hwang The Veiled Incentive Behind the Dawes Act of 1887

Prof. Christopher Sleeper This presentation examines the Dawes Act of 1887, an act that ruined the lives of thousands of Native Americans and destroyed hundreds of Native tribes.

Pre-recorded. Live Q&A.

SESSION 3: 1:00-2:30PM Julian Harvey United States Influence on Domestic Public Opinion During World War I Prof. Christopher Sleeper This research paper looks into the methods and application that United States used during World War I to garner support for the war effort.

Live Presentation/Q&A.

Wyatt Clay Democracy and Crisis in 100 days Prof. Christopher Sleeper Both Presidents FDR and Biden faced huge economic crises when they ascended to the presidency. Their responses show us the very nature of

Live Presentation/Q&A. American democracy.

Brenna Schnedar “I was born with the Devil in me”: The Rise of Serial Killers in the Seventies Prof. Christopher Sleeper This project examines the correlation between the sharp spike of serial killers in the 1970s and its impact on how Americans view and depict crime.

Pre-recorded. Live Q&A.

Jade MacEoghain Artivism and Azaadi: Kashmiri Resistance Art Prof. John Kirwan Looking to artivism’s origins, and the socio-political oppression of occupied Kashmir, several Kashmiri artivist pieces will be analysed for their political

Live Presentation/Q&A. impacts from 2019-2021. ~MONDAY ROOM 2~

SESSION 1: 9:00 - 10:30AM Renee Buchenroth Can the Eexcessive Use of a Cellular Device Cause Physiological Harm? Pamela Perry, MLIS Wireless radio and electromagnetic frequency signals to cellular devices have long been increasing in strength, along with the time spent engaged within the spectrum Live Presentation/Q&A. of electromagnetic and radio frequency. How does data on physiological damage from electromagnetic radiation compare with current wireless safety guidelines?

Madeline Duncan The Defining Features of Opposing Classes: A Marxist Analysis of the Novel “Little Fires Everywhere” Prof. Jane Mushinsky A Marxist analysis of Celeste Ng’s novel “Little Fires Everywhere,” specifically exploring the role class differences play in the individual lives of the Pre-recorded. Live Q&A. characters.

Zoe Gomes-Aviv “A Guy Like You Should Wear A Warning”: The Impact of Toxic Masculinity Prof. Alexis Faust-Rolland My presentation explores the ways that we as a society are impacted by toxic masculinity from its causes, harmful effects, and to possible solutions. Pre-recorded. Live Q&A.

SESSION 2: 10:30AM - NOON

Danielle Buford Anxious Female Characters in Literature Daniel Ante-Contreras An in-depth analysis of how anxious female characters are portrayed in literature. Pre-recorded. Live Q&A.

John Siebelink Science Fiction, Horror, and Lovecraftian Surrealism: Challenging Modernism in “The Call of Cthulhu” Daniel Ante-Contreras An examination of how H.P. Lovecraft’s “The Call of Cthulhu” embraced and challenged Modernism as a result of its employment of science fiction and Pre-recorded. Live Q&A. horror.

Alma Cuevas Shakespeare Through The Ages: From 1597 to a Contemporary Perspective Prof. Jane Mushinsky By analyzing Romeo and Juliet and comparing it to different adaptations, it will illuminate readers why the play can be eternally retold. Live Presentation/Q&A.

SESSION 3: 1:00 - 2:30PM Sarah Sleipness Online Learning During COVID 19: Opportunity, Hardship and the Evolution of Community College Education Prof. Sarah Burns Online schooling has helped a stay-at-home mom reach for the stars (literally); we shouldn’t go back to the way things were. Live Presentation/Q&A.

Seongwon Ko The Analysis of The U.S. Math Education System and Possible Improvements Prof. Luke Lambert Why curriculum, textbooks, teaching methods, and teacher supply cause problems in America’s math education system and what could be improved. Pre-recorded. Live Q&A.

Grace Lee Why Do People Choose Internet Convenience Over Online Privacy Concerns? Pamela Perry, MLIS An analysis of the relationship between internet users’ cognition of privacy violations resulted from internet surveillance and internet management. Pre-recorded. Live Q&A. ~TUESDAY ROOM 1~

Meeting ID: 919 8738 0036, https://miracosta-edu.zoom.us/j/91987380036

SESSION 1: 9:00 - 10:30AM Garrek Chan LIDAR: Application of 3D Robot Mapping Topography Prof. Douglas Brownell This paper will explore the theory behind LIDAR autonomous systems and how LIDAR can be applied towards autonomous vehicle and robotics applications. Live Presentation/Q&A.

Andrea Soto LSD and Mind Control: How the CIA Tried to Change the Tide of the Cold War Prof. Christopher Sleeper At the peak of the Cold War, paranoia and espionage pushed the US towards research into mind control in order to undermine the USSR. Pre-recorded. Live Q&A.

SESSION 2: 10:30AM - NOON Sarah Sleipness If Tap Water is Safe, Why Does it Have Uranium in it? A Quantitative Analysis and Comparison of Aquifer Water vs. Tap Water Prof. Rima Abbas Carlsbad Alkaline Water claims to be healthier than tap water, is this true? Clear differences are uncovered revealing potential health implications. Live Presentation/Q&A.

Lea Richter The Weight of Water: A synthesis of experiments using GRACE time-variable gravity data Prof. Dave Haavig A synthesis of primarily hydrological studies conducted using NASA’s GRACE data on the time variable gravitational field at Earth’s surface. Pre-recorded. Live Q&A.

Alexandra Omel Oil-Cleaning Polyurethane Sponge: What It Is, How It Works, and Why It’s So Important Dr. Annie Roberts Reduced polyurethane graphene oxide (rGPU) sponges are extremely effective in simultaneously absorbing oil while repelling water, making them an excellent Pre-recorded. Live Q&A. candidate for cleaning oil spills.

Sierra Okamura Progesterone Birth Control: Evaluating its Synthesis Each Generation and Its Mode of Action Prof. Lynnie Trzoss Birth control has been around for decades. The types of birth control offered is constantly changing every generation and this presentation will be discussing it. Live Presentation/Q&A.

SESSION 3: 1:00 - 2:30PM Riley Troyer The Changes in the US Military During WWII Prof. Christopher Sleeper This presentation covers the long and short term changes that transformed the United States Armed Forces into the global military juggernaut it is today. Live Presentation/Q&A.

Aidan Cooper The World’s Sport: Globalization of Football and the World Cup Prof. Christopher Sleeper To show how football (soccer) and the culture that surrounds the sport has evolved and changed as a result of globalization. Pre-recorded. Live Q&A.

Juan Pablo Verduzco Tovar The War on Drugs and Its Setback to People of Color and the Psychedelic Community Prof. Christopher Sleeper This project goes over the detrimental effects the War on Drugs had on minorities by associating them with specific drugs like marijuana, crack-cocaine, and Pre-recorded. Live Q&A. psychedelics.

Sungeun Yun Minerals that Affect Bone Health Prof. Erin Skoda, MS, RDN Research on how diets with different minerals will affect bone aging. Pre-recorded. Live Q&A. ~TUESDAY ROOM 2~

Room 2, Meeting ID: 941 4366 7977, https://miracosta-edu.zoom.us/j/94143667977

SESSION 1: 9:00 - 10:30AM John Siebelink The Co-Reality of AM: Discerning Reality and Simulations in Harlan Ellison’s “I Have No Mouth, And I Must Scream” Prof. Jacob Strona An analysis of Harlan Ellison’s “I Have No Mouth, And I Must Scream” and how it expands the simulation theories of Jean Baudrillard and others. Pre-recorded. Live Q&A.

Vanessa Jumalon How is Algorithmic Mitigation (hygiene) Used to Prevent Algorithmic Bias and Discrimination? Pamela Perry, MLIS Algorithmic bias is an emerging issue for online information. In order to counter the growth of discrimination and exclusivity, algorithmic mitigation is Pre-recorded. Live Q&A. necessary to incorporate.

Claire Benham Lifesaving with Language and Curing with Competency: Addressing Hispanic and Latino Healthcare Disparities in the U.S. Prof. Sarah Burns Hispanic/Latino patients experience disproportionate inequity within U.S. healthcare. This research provides a comprehensive examination of contributing factors Live Presentation/Q&A. and identifies culturally competent solutions.

SESSION 2: 10:30AM - NOON

Melina Sam Your Home is Not Always Your Safe Space: Housing and Health Prof. Alexis Faust-Rolland & An examination of the link between housing conditions and poor health with reflections on how the healthcare system can help. Pamela Perry, MLIS Pre-recorded. Live Q&A.

Alma Cuevas Phosphate?: Looking Into How Detergents Affect the Environment Prof. Janelle West Phosphate is commonly found in laundry detergent, this studies the difference in ingredients between cost spectrums. Live Presentation/Q&A.

SESSION 3: 1:00 - 2:30PM Rachel Fetko Pfizer: the Pharmaceutical’s Financial Giant Prof. Delores Loedel Pfizer maintains superiority against competitors thanks to their elite financing strategies. They have earned their position by constantly creating innovative Pre-recorded. Live Q&A. pharmaceuticals that aid the health of the world.

Michelle Kim Smoking affects Nutritional Absorption Pamela Perry, MLIS & This presentation will show how smoking affects the body’s ability to absorb nutrients and vitamins. Prof. Erin Skoda, MS, RDN Pre-recorded. Live Q&A.

Paige Moore Plant Genome Editing using CRISPR/Cas9 Dr. Kristine Arquero The CRISPR/Cas9 system is used to edit plant genomes to improve quality and yields in crops, resistance against disease and adapt to different weather conditions. Pre-recorded. Live Q&A.

Gerard Decker The Thalidomide Catastrophe: Demystifying Stereochemistry in Medicine Prof. Lynnie Trzoss An investigation of how a 1960s pharmaceutical drug disaster led to the discovery that stereochemical isomers function differently in the human body. Pre-recorded. Live Q&A. ~WEDNESDAY ROOM 1~

Meeting ID: 919 8738 0036, https://miracosta-edu.zoom.us/j/91987380036 SESSION 1: 9:00 - 10:30AM Hugo Peralta-Ramirez Between the Church and State: A Brief Examination of Rule, Identity, and Development in Mexico Prof. Miriam Riggs An examination and evaluation of Mexico’s reformist priests since colonization, the utilization of the syncretic Catholic Church for reform, and Church-State Live Presentation/Q&A. relations.

John Siebelink Humans, Cyborgs, and Robots: Redefining Humanity in a Posthuman World Prof. Jacob Strona A study of the modern ideas of humanity and posthumanism and how the concepts of cyborgs and robots are forcing a redefining of humanity. Pre-recorded. Live Q&A.

Shalom Lee Social Media Influence on Teens Pamela Perry, MLIS An analysis of research and information about how social media influences teens and thesolutions to reduce the amount of long-term effects media has on children. Pre-recorded. Live Q&A.

Johannah Yi Psychological Issues from Social Media in Young Adults Pamela Perry, MLIS An analysis of how social media affects students psychologically and how it is ruining many students’ lives. Pre-recorded. Live Q&A.

SESSION 2: 10:30AM - NOON Erik Choi Smartphone Addiction and Academic Performance Pamela Perry, MLIS This presentation examines the possible addiction of teens to their smartphones and the impact on their academic performance. Pre-recorded. Live Q&A.

Lesly Ponce Virtual Reality Therapy: Incorporating New Technology to Psychological Therapy Prof. Jacob Strona Virtual reality therapy is a new form of exposure therapy incorporating the new virtual reality technology in order to create a safe and controlled environment. Pre-recorded. Live Q&A.

Garrek Chan Application of Machine Learning to Solve Differential Equations Prof. Shawn Firouzian This study will explore how neural network machine learning can rapidly improve the solve-time of differential equations. Live Presentation/Q&A.

Isabella Salle Religion and Ethics: Can There Be Morality Without Religion? Jeff Murico, Ph.D. As evolved psychology and philosophy replace the need for religious doctrines to determine morality, the current necessity for religious moral enforcement can be Pre-recorded. Live Q&A. questioned.

SESSION 3: 1:00 - 2:30PM Cameron Hicks Further Investigation Into Personality, Political Affiliation, and Progressive Social Movements Prof. Samantha Marshall An investigation of the relationship between individual personality traits, political affiliation and participation in progressive social movements such as Live Presentation/Q&A. Black Lives Matter.

Kaley Phan Bruised Bananas Prof. Adam Bishop The Vietnamese experience in America, discussed and artistically depicted. Live Presentation/Q&A.

Despina Karandinos How Amazon Benefited from the COVID19 Pandemic Prof. Delores Loedel In the midst of a pandemic, the e-commerce powerhouse Amazon, was able to implement the proper safety measures resulting in an even stronger company. Pre-recorded. Live Q&A.

Grace Yoo The Effect of Daily Social Media Use on Adolescent’s Self Image and Self Esteem Pamela Perry, MLIS Social media is a lasting platform for adolescents. However, with the obsession of social media growing, it is also affecting self-confidence. Pre-recorded. Live Q&A. ~WEDNESDAY ROOM 2~

Room 2, Meeting ID: 941 4366 7977, https://miracosta-edu.zoom.us/j/94143667977 SESSION 1: 9:00 -10:30AM Peiyi Liu The Cobb-Douglas Production Function to Economics Zika Perovic The Cobb Douglas production function is about how the output behaves as a function of the inputs used in production. Live Presentation/Q&A.

Harley Hughes Path to a Greener Future for the Car Industry Pamela Perry, MLIS How many of us have a car and how many care about the environment? As the car improves over the years, we look towards ways to make the car safer for the Pre-recorded. Live Q&A. environment.

Isabelle Baek Artificial Intelligence making an Impact on Surgery Pamela Perry, MLIS Artificial intelligence has inherent advantages that are programmed to have accuracy and effectiveness in surgery. It plays an innovative role in enhancing surgical Pre-recorded. Live Q&A. performance.

SESSION 2: 10:30AM - NOON Andrew Kim Dynamic Programming and Discrete Mathemathics Zika Perovic Real-life usage of dynamic programming and discrete mathematics and why we must appreciate it. Pre-recorded. Live Q&A.

Rosey Gutierrez Automating Oppression: How Algorithmic Bias Normalizes Discrimination in Every Day Social Applications Pamela Perry, MLIS Decisions influencing society are being made with “proprietary” algorithmic technology based on biased data sets; discrimination is becoming normalized Pre-recorded. Live Q&A. under the guise of machine neutrality.

Audrey Jaeeun Jung The Extent of Online Privacy and Protection in the United States Pamela Perry, MLIS An analysis of the extent of data-mining and its relation to consumer privacy. Pre-recorded. Live Q&A.

Daniel Keum Video Gaming: The Leading Factor of Depression in Adolescents Pamela Perry, MLIS An analysis of the overall problem with video gaming and researching if it affects adolescents in their mental health, specifically depression. Pre-recorded. Live Q&A.

SESSION 3: 1:00 - 2:30PM Shawn Gwak How Have Esports Affected the Sports Industry? Pamela Perry, MLIS Esports have become increasingly more popular than physical sports due to its flexibility. There are many types of games that each player can master, which Pre-recorded. Live Q&A. means more matches and players around the world.

Eamon “Boogie” Mikulec Jeopardy-Style Tests for Higher Education Prof. Shawn Firouzian A website to assist teachers who want to perform a Jeopardy-style evaluation, where students may choose their difficulty for each topic in the test. Pre-recorded. Live Q&A.

Hojin Choi The Reality Of and Solution to Cyberbullying in School Pamela Perry, MLIS How cyberbullying is affecting students in today’s schools and what we can do about it. Pre-recorded. Live Q&A.

Sungeun Yun Violation of Consumer Privacy by Social Media Companies Pamela Perry, MLIS Research on how social media companies are violating consumer privacy. Pre-recorded. Live Q&A. ~THURSDAY ROOM 1~

SESSION 1: 9:00 -10:30AM Jessica Harden Laughter: A Means of Survival Dr. Lynne E. Miller Laughter is an innate response to positive stimuli which has effects on one’s physiology as well as social bonding, neurobiology, hormones, and survivability. Live Presentation/Q&A.

Alisa Daleo Starving to Death: The Adaptive Value of Anorexia Nervosa Dr. Lynne E. Miller Anorexia nervosa is a heritable disorder that accompanies characteristics such as high levels of intrasexual competitiveness and perfectionism which ultimately do Live Presentation/Q&A. have adaptive evolutionary value.

Nyle Connolly The Secrets of Listening to Music Dr. Lynne E. Miller Listening to music affects hormones and biological functions, and has strong adaptive value. The benefits of listening to music range wide both socially and Live Presentation/Q&A. individually.

Nura Nejad A Look Inside the Mind of an Adolescent: The Evolution of Risk Taking Dr. Lynne E. Miller Brains and hormones make someone a risk taker in their adolescence years specifically in males. Live Presentation/Q&A.

SESSION 2: 10:30AM - NOON Heidi Armstrong Social Media: Have we Developed Unfavorable Habits or Are We Addicted? Pamela Perry, MLIS Uncovering the technology design used to develop today’s social networking platforms that make them so habit forming and exposing the research between labeling

Pre-recorded. Live Q&A. our personal behaviors as habits or addiction.

Matthew Park The Effects of Long Term MSG Consumption and Cancer Formation. Prof. Erin Skoda, MS, RDN An analysis of the long term research surrounding MSG and its controversial effects on our health, specifically in regards to cancer. Live Presentation/Q&A.

Machenna Peasley Venlafaxine Re-Evaluated Prof. Lynnie Trzoss Venlafaxine (Effexor ER), a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI), used to treat depression. The research found suggested that it may be possible to Live Presentation/Q&A. acetylate the hydroxyl group in Venlafaxine. Doing so could reduce the acidity of the molecule, which could potentially lessen the side effects of nausea.

Brittany Engel Land of the Rich and Futile: An Analysis of Wealth and Income Inequality in 21st Century Los Angeles County Prof. Christopher Sleeper This project explores how neighborhoods within Los Angeles County are not just segregated by homeownership and incarceration rates, but also indicatively by race. Pre-recorded. Live Q&A. ~THURSDAY ROOM 2~

SESSION 1: 9:00 - 10:30AM Rolando Pineda The Cinematic Subconscious: The Making of an Artificial Reality Dr. Billy Gunn An explanation of cognitive mechanisms that activate while watching a film and the techniques the film industry has employed to tap unto such mechanisms. Live Presentation/Q&A.

Glenna Trone Girls, Gore, and Gender: Analyzing the Role of the Final Girl in Horror Films Daniel Ante-Contreras A visual and textual analysis of the rise of female representation in the horror genre during the 1970s and 1980s. Live Presentation/Q&A.

Austin Quandt Political Cinema Prof. Angie Baggett Using the 1962 film,The Manchurian Candidate, the 1960 film,Psycho , along with other films, this presentation will prove that all cinema is inherently political. Pre-recorded. Live Q&A.

SESSION 2: 10:30AM - NOON Josie Burris Social Media: A Platform with Ill Consequences Pamela Perry, MLIS What is the cause of where and how mental health illness starts to have an effect on young adolescents and adults, through the use of social-media? Live Presentation/Q&A.

Alexandra Aloni Christianity in Modern Art: A Cultural and Social Examination Leah Cluff, Ph.D. This project analyzes the changes in art containing Christian religious subjects, with a focus on the 18th century to modern-day society. Pre-recorded. Live Q&A.

Jasmin Mata The Impact of Crisis Management Prof. Nina Lovejoy A PowerPoint presentation highlighting the importance of crisis management and the impact it can have on companies. Live Presentation/Q&A.

My name is Alexandra Aloni and I am a Sociology major transferring to UCLA in the Fall of 2021. I have previously participated in the Fall 2020 OMNI, the 2020 HTCC Research Conference, and the Western Regionals Honors Conference. Additionally, my cultural background is Sephardic and Ashkenazi Jewish.

~HEIDI ARMSTRONG~

This is my freshman year at Miracosta College after a VERY long break from school, 2 kids, 3 cross country moves, and becoming a new immigrant in the US. I would consider myself to be a person who believes anything is possible, and it’s never too late to accomplish your dreams. I had a dream to become a nurse after I worked as a unit clerk at a rehabilitation center when I was 19. After registering for my pre-req’s twice, COVID-19 ushered in an opportunity for me to begin my schooling online. I will graduate with an AA in Liberal Arts: Math and Sciences, and will pursue a transfer to Cal State San Marcos’ BSN Program. Fun is one of my highest values, so when I have spare time I love to go on adventures (specifically road trips) with my family, I love to surf, go for a run, and my all time favorite thing to do is to have a cup of coffee with a good friend or while making new friends. ~ISABELLE BAEK~

Hello, my name is Isabelle Baek. I am a freshman at MiraCosta College and have not declared a major yet, as this is my first year and I am still unsure. I do not have any previous conference experience, so this OMNI is my first experience. I am Korean, born and raised in Cali- fornia. Some hobbies or interests I have would be hanging out with friends and listening to music.

~CLAIRE M. BENHAM~

Born and raised in Oregon, I began my education in an elementary school Spanish immersion program. That inclusive and diverse community helped shape who I am, equipping me with the tools to persist in language and cultural studies. A serious interest in the medical field inspired me to become a CNA in high school, subsequently sparking my curiosity and desire to further explore healthcare. I earned an additional, advanced, certification, secured a position at a hospital on the critical care unit, and eventually found myself in the operating room of a clinic in Guatemala, translating for an American general surgery team, a pivotal trip that clarified my aspirations. I am now a proud first-generation college student, working full-time at an out- patient surgical center. I enjoy finding balance by participating in volunteer programs and spending time surfing, running, or gardening. I aim to transfer to UCI for the Fall of 2023, continuing to pursue a Spanish B.A. degree, and working towards applying to medical school. This OMNI is my first research conference experience. My goal is to utilize both my clinical and cultural backgrounds in the development of well-rounded, long-term research and indefinitely work towards the creation of actionable, dynamic solutions to cultural and linguistic healthcare disparities for the Hispanic and Latino population and all those who are under-resourced and underrepresented.

~RENEE BUCHENROTH~

I am currently a Liberal Arts major, and this will be my first conference presentation. It is my desire to earn a Master’s degree in Communications, in order to teach principles of higher thought involving social justice, writing, and the performing arts. I enjoy being involved with friends, music, and developing conditions of increased well-being.

~DANIELLE BUFORD~

I’m a sophomore at MiraCosta College and my major is English, but my final goal is to become a teacher. I have no previous conference experience, but I’m looking forward to presenting in this conference. My hobbies and interests are writing poetry and reading. ~JOSIE BURRIS~

I am currently in my third year, last semester at MiraCosta and will be transferring next Fall. This will be my second OMNI research project, my first one was a poster, and now I’m very excited to be presenting a speech. I’m a History major, and have been part of the school’s Honors Program since my first semester. It’s been an amazing journey being part of the program and it’s an experience I would never want to live without. When I’m not working on school, I enjoy hanging out with friends and engaging in activities such as going to the beach or on a hike.

~GARREK CHAN~

Hi! I’m a graduating high school senior dually enrolled at MiraCosta. OMNI has been one of my favorite parts about my time at MiraCosta so far, having presented at the Fall 2019 and Fall 2020 conferences. In addition, I had the opportunity to present at the 2021 UC Irvine HTCC conference. Much of my interest and future career goals is in the realm of soft robotics, a passion that developed over the past eight years competing in robotics competitions. Outside of school, you can find me playing soccer, trying out new tricks, and watching the Champions League! ~HOJIN CHOI~

~ERIK CHOI~

Hello my name is Erik Choi, and this is my second semester as a student at MiraCosta College. I plan to enroll in graduate school and study in the field of medicine to earn an MDPHD. I strive to become a surgeon one day to help people that cannot help themselves. I am Korean American, and I was born in Anaheim, California. I play sports and enjoy looking at the sky. ~TIFFANY CHU~

Hi, my name is Tiffany Chu and I am a first year Psychology major. I have attended MiraCosta College for the past year, and am transferring to the University of Southern California in Fall 2021, where I plan to receive a Bachelors in either Business or Psychology. In my future, I hope to become a marketing specialist. I was born and raised in San Diego, but my parents immigrated from Taiwan, which is where the rest of my extended family live. Although I resonate strongly with my Taiwanese heritage, I love living in California, and especially appreciate how close I live to the beach. In my personal time, I like to hike, go to the beach, do anything art related, and hang out with my family and friends. Psychology intrigues me more than any other subject, and I love to learn about our mental processes and behaviors. I do not have any previous conference experience, but have watched OMNI presentations before.

~WYATT CLAY~

My name is Wyatt Clay and I am a Mira Costa Transfer student looking forward to studying history at Berkeley next year. I participated in the OMNI last semester with a presentation examining the links between the Mexican-American and US Civil Wars and the implications on mid-19th Century America. I am fascinated by the ties between the US and Latin America and would love to pursue further higher education in either History or Anthropology with the hopes of doing research, teaching, and activist work one day. ~NYLE CONNOLLY~

My current focus is Psychology as a major and this is the first experienc participating in a research conference. I have a general desire for my career and practice to be centered around healing. Playing the guitar is a deep passion, and learning new songs is very exciting. I also greatly enjoy playing board games, especially chess.

~AIDAN COOPER~

I am a first year student at MiraCosta hoping to transfer to the University of Liverpool in the Fall. I plan to play soccer for the school and study either In- ternational Business or Engineering. In my free time, I enjoy going outside to hike and playing sports. ~ALMA CUEVAS~

Hi, I am Alma Cuevas, and I am majoring in three different disciplines: Administration of Justice, Sociology and Psychology. I am also part of the ASG, where I hold the position of Student Trustee, and the Chariot, where I hold the position of video reporter and have recently published an article! I have presented at OMNI, and I loved the experience! I want to transfer to UCI in Fall 2022 and major in Administration of J ustice and possibly double major with a minor in Russian Studies.

~ALISA DALEO~

I am a first year Liberal Arts, Math and Science major with plans to transfer to UCLA or UCSD to pursue a Biology degree. I then plan to attend medical school and become a dermatologic surgeon whose job entails removing skin abnormalities. I was born in Moldova, a small country between Ukraine and Romania; I immigrated to the U.S. at the age of two with only my mother. I’ve always wanted to do a job that makes others feel good about themselves, although, I didn’t know until recently what that job would be. I’ve always been terrified to make the leap to pursue medical school, but I feel that this challenging career path will be fulfilling for my goals and I can’t wait to see what’s in store. This is my first time presenting at a conference and I am eager to share my research on the adaptive values of anorexia nervosa. This topic is close to my heart as I, myself, have struggled with the disorder. In my free time I enjoy weight lifting, running, cooking, spending time with my family, and making the community aware of the symptoms and dangers of eating disorders through my social media accounts. ~GERARD DECKER~

I am a Latino majoring in Math and Sciences, and working towards a doctorate in Organic Chemistry, I would like to pursue research and development in Medicinal Chemistry and develop new pharmaceutical drugs to cure ongoing diseases.

~MADELINE DUNCAN~

My name is Madeline and Iam an English major. My goal is to transfer to a four-year university after graduating from MiraCosta, and I do not currently have any conference experience. I’m a single mom with a one and a half year old, so practically all of my free time is dedicated to him! We enjoy going for walks together, watching Curious George, and reading picture books. ~BRITTANY ANN ENGEL~

Hello everyone! My name is Brittany Engel and I am a second-year student here at MiraCosta! From studying cannibalism to exploring Victoria’s Secret’s financial statements to the analysis of racist rhetoric from public officials, MiraCosta’s Honors Scholar Program has provided me with priceless opportunities to research a breadth of topics that impact our world. This is my fourth and final Omni presentation, but I am thrilled to have this opportunity to speak about an immensely significant issue in America: income/wealth inequality. Although I am just scratching at the surface of this monstrosity of a topic, this topic deserves more discussion. As a business major, I plan to somehow participate in the business world by helping others with an equitable lens.

~RACHEL FETKO~

My name is Rachel Fetko and I am a Business Management major here at MiraCosta. Attending MiraCosta has broadened my knowledge incredibly and made me realize that there is an endless amount of information to learn in school that is applicable to daily life. After receiving my AA, I plan on going to SDSU to further my education in Business Management. I have not presented at a conference before, however I took a Communications class that required me to give various speeches to my peers. The Communications class assisted me in developing a better presentation style and getting more comfortable with speaking in front of people, although I never considered myself a shy person. I grew up with 5 siblings, which challenged me to constantly strive to be better at everything I do. Hobbies of mine include photography, cooking, hiking, swimming, and spending time with my family. I deeply value my education and having the ability to implement the things that I learn in situations or conflicts that may arise. ~ZOË GOMES-AVIV~

My name is Zoë Gomes-Aviv and I am a first-year Biology major at MiraCosta. I plan to transfer to a four-year university as a Public Health major. After obtaining my undergraduate degree, I hope to pursue a career in the medical field as a Physician’s As- sistant. I was raised in a creative, positive, and culturally diverse household. From a young age, my parents have encouraged me to put my all into whatever I pursue, and for that, I am so grateful as it has inspired me to take positive risks. The OMNI Conference will be my first time presenting my own research and I am quite excited to share my findings on how toxic masculinity affects our society. The impact of toxic masculinity is a topic that has been very influential in my life because as a young woman growing up in our society, I have, like many other members of our society, been impacted by it. Though a lot of my time outside of class is dedicated to studying, holding down a job, and family time. You can also find paddle boarding with my family, soaking up the sunshine with my dog, and traveling.

~ROSEY GUTIERREZ~

I am a first-generation formerly undocumented student at MiraCosta College pursuing a degree in Computer & Data Science. I am the lead Teaching Aide for the Giving Ownership of Active Learning to Stu- dents in Computer Science (GOALS in CS) grant project within the MCC CS Department which aims to bring topics of cultural relevance to the CS curriculum in order to bring a focus towards diversity, in- clusivity and sustainability. I am also the Outreach Chair for the Em- powering Chicanx and Latinx to Explore (EChALE) STEM club and an active member of Women in Computer Science club, MiraCosta Honors Scholar Program & Phi Theta Kappa Honors Society. As a member of these programs & organizations, I am committed to increasing women and BIPOC representation in tech, and have presented information regarding bias in tech to organizations like Umoja in order to showcase the importance of diversity in the CS field. I recently accepted a summer internship as a Lamat research fellow at UC Santa Cruz and am thrilled to be able to develop my skills in Data Science, and hope to use that knowledge in the future to inspire more women of color to get involved in big tech. ~SHAWN GWAK~

My name is Shawn Gwak, and my major is Communication. I do not have any previous conference experience with presenting projects. My career goals are to be an actor and work at Marvel Studios, and my educational goal is to transfer to a UC school. Some of my hobbies and interests are reading comics, playing video games, drawing, and making stories.

~JESSICA HARDEN~

My name is Jessica Harden and I am a Chemistry/Math major here at MiraCosta. I have previous conference experience as I presented my research on Aflatoxin toxicity within the poultry industry at the 2020 Pacific Egg and Poultry Association conference in Hawaii. I am hoping to attend either UCSD or UCLA to pursue a degree in Chemistry and then attend UCD’s veterinary school before opening my own small animal practice. My favorite hobbies include baking, gardening, and working with animals as I currently volunteer at one of my local rescues rehabilitating and socializing dogs. As an Honors student I have found myself struggling with school and extracurricular activities, however, my peers and mentors have helped me keep my head up and continue towards my goals. ~JULIAN HARVEY~

Hi, my name is Julian Harvey. I am planning on majoring in Computer Science or Economics after transferring to a UC school. My favorite hobbies are mountain biking and snowboarding.

~CAMERON HICKS~

My name is Cameron Hicks; I was born and raised in Carlsbad, California and have spent my entire life living in the northern San Diego County area. My major is Psychology. Psychology to me is the queen of all sciences. It allows us an objective glimpse at our own perception and behavior. Through this, we can begin to understand the fundamentals of human nature and societies at large. I am pursuing my PhD in Psychology in the hopes of one day opening my own clinical practice or teaching as a professor. I have no previous conference experience, but I am excited for this opportunity to showcase my student research paper. In my free time, which is usually on the weekends, I enjoy bouldering and climbing outside in local areas like Joshua Tree Nation Park, San Jacinto mountain, and the Eastern Sierras. ~HARLEY HUGHES~

Hi! My major is Business Administration and this will be my first conference experience. My educational goal is to earn my Bachelor of Business Administration degree from San Diego State University in 2023. I will use this knowledge towards opening my own business. I plan to open my own bakery once I am completed with my education.

~SEOYOUNG HWANG~

I am currently in my second year at Mira Costa College, and this is my first OMNI presentation. When I took a summer Engineering program last year, I developed an interest in STEM, and have been studying to pursue Engineering ever since. My educational goal is to transfer into a university and study Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. I aspire to become an electrical or software engineer in the future after graduating college to continue my passion. Outside of school, I really enjoy cooking and learning new recipes for various dishes. I mostly explore with Korean dishes and recipes with the influence of my South Korean family. ~VANESSA JUMALON~

My major is Cell, Development, Molecular Biology in preparation for medicine in hopes of working in the medical field as a doctor or a physician. I grew up as a bilingual Filipino-American with activity in the Fil-Am Community. I enjoy play my violin and listening to music, especially orchestral. This will be my first OMNI Conference after a few research projects for Honors.

~AUDREY JAEEUN JUNG~

I am a Sociology major and this is my second time participating in the OMNI conference. Aside from school, I enjoy hiking every weekend with my family and going on drives to the beach. Some of my career interests lie in education, administration, or law, and I hope to eventually give back to the community around me in this way. ~DESPINA KARANDINOS~

My name is Despina Karandinos and this is my first year at Mira Costa College. Although I am still deciding my major, my goal is to complete two years of college at Mira Costa, then transfer to a University in California. I hope to pursue a career in business or law after I complete my degree, but this will probably change as I have interests in science too. My top transfer schools are UCLA, UC Davis, or Pepperdine. Some hobbies of mine include Greek Dancing, as my family is from the island of Crete! Although it was canceled this year, there is a Greek Dancing competition on the west coast called FDF, in which hundreds of groups (from different churches) perform traditional dances from regions all over Greece. I love practicing for this event, as well as, meeting other Greek people from the West Coast.

~DANIEL KEUM~

I am a Biology major, and this is my first conference experience. My career goal is to end up becoming a well-respected neurosurgeon, and my educational goals include managing to graduate a 4-year university institute as well as getting a perfect 4.0 GPA in this semester. My hobbies are playing the cello, spending my free time with friends, and reading books. My interests are writing, the causes of mental health issues, as well as volunteering. ~ANDREW KIM~

Hi, my name is Andrew Kim, and I’m a Data Science major. I moved here from South Korea about two years ago, and I’ll be transferring to Cal for the Fall 2021 semester. I’ve participated in two research conferences so far. I really loved that those conferences offered me the platform and ability to channel my desire to inform and change the world, so here I am participating in one more research conference before I transfer to Cal. I’m still figuring out which career and educational goals

~MICHELLE KIM~

My name is Michelle Kim and I am pursuing a degree in Psychology here at MiraCosta. I am from Houston, Texas and this is my second year here in San Diego. I did my first OMNI presentation last year with Professor Sleeper where I discussed the impact of tobacco on Jamestown’s economy. ~SEONGWON KO~

My name is Seongwon Ko and I am a second year Applied Mathematics major. Growing up in South Korea, I have been interested in studying abroad and decided to study here at MiraCosta. This is my first time attending the conference, but I would like to take this opportunity as a chance to develop my skills and ability. My current educational goals include transferring to one of the UC schools next year. By doing so, I would like to continue my academic journey. Some of my hobbies include watching movies, programming, and learning. As a person who is passionate about learning new things, I am excited to learn many things through attending the OMNI conference.

~SHALOM LEE~

I am majoring in Sociology at MiraCosta College and this is my first conference experience. My career goal is to create a business, and in my free time I like to hang out with my friends and eat good food. ~GRACE LEE~

I have not decided on my major yet, but my educational goal is to transfer to a four year institution, and my dream career is to start a business. It is my first time participating in a conference. I live in South Korea, and I enjoy playing various sports in my leisure time. A couple of my favorite sports are golf and hockey.

~PEIYI LIU~

My name is Peiyi Liu and my major is Applied Mathematics. I am from China, and this is my third year in the United States. I have never attended a conference so I am looking forward to my first experience. My educational goals are to transfer to UCSD after two years at MiraCosta, and I hope to get a Master’s degree in the end. My future career is to be a data scientist, and I am working hard for it. ~DIEGO LUNA~

As many students, I am a first generation student in my family to go to college so much of what I’m doing and studying is all new to me. Currently, my major is Elec- trical Engineering. I’m still hashing out what to do with it but certain about pursuing it. Throughout my time in school, I have had an interest in languages and one in particular is German. While in highschool, I spent all four years trying to learn to speak German but without much success, however, my desire continues and hopefully I’ll be able to master it. Another interest of mine is Astronomy. It’s the reason I am interested in STEM. Finally, this will be my first conference experience for me so it is very excited that my first time will be done as a MiraCosta Student.

~JADE MACEOGHAIN~

I am a first generation student and Kashmiri-British. I work as a writing consultant at our Writing Center and am the 2020-21 Director of Public Relations for the Associated Student Government. I am majoring in English Composition and Comparative Literature, and some of my interest areas are rhetoric and critical theory, LGBTQ studies, and South Asian studies. I plan to attend graduate school after my B.A., and teach writing and literature courses at college. I hope to teach at community college and create a space filled with equal opportunity for all students. ~CRISTIAN MARROQUIN~

I’m Cristian Marroquin and this is my third year at Miracosta College, I’m currently pursuing a Computer Science degree for transfer to be a software engineer. Some hobbies outside of school and tech are reptile herpetology, hiking, kayaking, comedy and reading.

~JASMIN MATA~

My major is Business Administration and I will be transferring to USD in the Fall. ~EAMON “BOOGIE” MIKULEC~

My name is Eamon “Boogie” Mikulec. I am a Computer Science major with a focus on Mathematics. I taught myself how to code when I was 11 years old and have been programming ever since. I have worked as a contract developer for a 100 million dollar, B2B safety equipment manufacturer and worked on over 100 personal projects. I recently started taking college courses to understand the mathematics behind computer science. Through my college experience, I often make small programs/websites to assist in my learning, but they have only ever been for me.

~PAIGE MOORE~

I am a Biology major with an interest in conservation genetics. My goal is to receive a Bachelor’s degree in Ecology from Cal State University San Marcos and work at the Beckman Center for Conservation Research at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. I currently volunteer at the Safari Park as an Information Ambassador and hope to work my way up to a Conservation Ambassador. I have lived in Southern California almost my entire life and I would love to help conserve wildlife from my own backyard. My hobbies include hiking, playing frisbee golf and bike riding. When I am not outdoors I enjoy watching rom-com movies or reading an entire book in one sitting. ~NURA NEJAD~

My name is Nura Nejad, and I am a Computer Science major. This is my first conference experience, and I want to become a software engineer at a social media company. I am Middle Eastern and my interests include working out, going to the beach, or being around my friends.

~SIERRA OKAMURA~

Hi my name is Sierra Okamura. I am excited as I will be transferring to UCSD for Fall 2021. I plan on majoring is Psychology specializing in Human Health, and I would like to minor in Biology. I have enjoyed interning at a hospital for the past couple years and now am looking forward to a career in the medical field. Previously I have presented at 2019 Fall OMNI, 2020 Spring OMNI, and NSPIRE. I hope my presentation for 2021 OMNI is educational and my passion for health shows to the viewers. ~ALEXANDRA OMEL~

My name is Alexandra Omel, and I am a first year Liberal Arts with an Emphasis in Math and Sciences major here at MiraCosta. I was born and raised in Oceanside along with my two younger siblings and I absolutely love this area of Southern California. I am hoping to transfer to the dental hygiene program at Southwestern College in the Spring of 2022 in order to receive an Associates degree in Dental Hygiene. I have had the honor of presenting my work on the impact of controlling the narrative at both the OMNI in the Fall of 2020 as well as UCI’s HTCC conference during the Spring of 2021. In my free time I enjoy reading, cooking and baking, as well as spending time with my family. I also love to spend time outdoors in the form of bike rides and team sports with my family, and doing so has truly kept me going during the quarantine.

~MATTHEW PARK~

I’m a Linguistics major, trying to get into a four-year university. This is my first conference experience, and I hope to learn more about new fields by participating here. ~MACHENNA PEASLEY~

I am extremely passionate about my field of study. I know that I am good at my job because I love what I do. I aspire to be a powerful role model for the next generation of young women. Only 13% of engineers are women. My solution to change this statistic is to provide representation. By doing so, these young women will be able to have someone to look up to and think “Well, she became an engineer so I can too.” My goal after achieving my B.S. in Chemical Engineering is to engineer more efficient antidepressants and sleeping aids and eventually own my own pharmaceutical company.

~HUGO D. PERALTA-RAMIREZ~

I am a first year History and Spanish major, a first-generation US citizen and college student, and the eldest in my family. In my free time, I enjoy reading, journaling, discussing politics, playing video-games, baking, looking at memes, or drinking home brewed tea/coffee. I currently work as a tutor in San Marcos. Both my biological parents hail from the Southern Mexican state of Oaxaca de Juarez while my step-father hails from Villa’s Durango. My family’s stories about Mexico inspired me to study History and my Spanish teacher in high school fomented my interest in Hispanic literature. I have a huge appreciation for my culture (Mestizo, Iberian, Indigneous, Latino, and Chicano) and have worked with various organizations to promote Hispanic-Latino students in education. I hope to transfer to UCLA in 2022 to pursue a double major in Spanish and Education with a minor in either History or Latin American studies. I then hope to obtain my Masters in Education or History and my teaching credential to become an Advanced Placement/Honors high school Spanish, English, and History teacher. I would also like to teach at the college leve. My goal as an educator is to pay forward my success and promote the advancement of marginalized, low income, and underestimated students as my academic mentors have done for me. ~KALEY PHAN~

Hello, I’m Kaley Phan! I’m a Vietnamese American born and raised here in California. I’m currently pursuing a major in Psychology and aim to complete both a Masters and PhD. Outside of school I spend my time drawing or painting, all the while listening to my favorite True Crime Podcasts.

~ROLANDO PINEDA~

My name is Rolando Pineda and I am pursuing a degree in Cognitive Science. I have participated in OMNI Fall 2020, HTCC Spring 2021 and WRHC Spring 2021. I currently work in a technology company here in North County, I am an Honor’s Navigator, and run an investing business. I am hoping to transfer to UCB, Pomona College, or UCSD to study Cognitive Science and focus on deep learning. In my free time I enjoy surfing, traveling, backpacking, and playing some video games. ~LESLY PONCE~

I am majoring in Psychology and Criminal Justice, and am hoping to transfer to Cal State San Marcos University. I hope to become a forensic psychologist which is where a person takes their psychological specialty and use it in forensic area. My passion is in the psychology field which is why I want to major in it, but I also like to apply it wherever I can. With the knowledge I have from my psychology courses I enjoy watching documentaries or cases where I can try to determine symptoms for disorders that are displayed or guess what events are going to be a traumatic stressor. I am the first of my immediate family to go to college. It is a humbling experience as I feel the pressure to succeed while making my parent’s sacrifices worth it. Them leaving their homes in Mexico to give my sisters and I a better opportunity here in the United States was very brave of them, and I am proud of all that they have accomplished with the little education and money they had. I am proud to be a Mexican-American since it is who my parents are and it is a very large part of who I am.

~AUSTIN QUANDT~

Hello my name is Austin Quandt and I am looking forward to presenting at the Spring 2021 OMNI Research Showcase. I presented a historical research project at the Fall 2020 OMNI Research Showcase. I am currently interested in studying biology. In my free time, I enjoy swimming, going to the beach, and hiking. I hope that you enjoy my presentation! ~AUSTIN QUANDT~

I am a Master of Science in environmental geoscience graduate from the University of Massachusetts Lowell (UMass Lowell), currently working as an environmental scientist in San Diego county as a leader in the Safe at School Early Alert (SASEA) program that helps prevent the spread of COVID-19 in elementary and preschools through environmental testing and contact tracing. My most recent presentation was a highlight talk at the European Geosciences Union (EGU) about the publication of my thesis focused on microbiological controls of methane and carbon dioxide emissions in arctic soils. I have also published and presented my work in sea-level rise and pharmaceutical pollution of water and soils at conferences ranging from the Southeastern Geological Society of America (SEGSA) to the American Geophysical Union (AGU) annual meetings. Prior to UMass Lowell, I received a BS in Geology and BA in Political Science from College of Charleston in South Carolina.

~ZOE ROMINE~

I am an Architecture and Design major at MiraCosta and intend to transfer to UCLA to pursue a Bachelor’s in Architectural Design. I enjoy engaging in the production and research of architectural creations and designs in a variety of mediums. I hope to continue working on these interests as I move into my Bachelor’s and in the field of Architecture. ~ISABELLA SALLE~

My name is Isabella (Izzy) Salle and I am a first year Communication Studies major at MiraCosta. Through trying new experiences, joining the Honors Program, working in customer service, and taking classes in subjects I’ve never studied before my future is starting to take shape. I discovered that I really enjoy social and behavioral sciences in addition to communication studies. My current plan is to get an AA-T degree in Communication Studies, and an AA degree in Liberal Arts with an emphasis in Social and Behavioral Sciences. I hope to transfer to a UC school after next year. While my future plans aren’t the most concrete, I can feel my future taking shape as I continue to try new things. In my spare time I enjoy singing and acting, but during the pandemic I’ve been working as a barista at the restaurant Claire’s On Cedros, and this job has been one of the biggest learning experiences of my life. While I believe we all have our natural “spark”, I also believe that we are a product of our environment and learning experiences. I’m excited to see the many ways in which my experiences at MiraCosta and beyond come to shape me as a person.

~MELINA SAM~

My name is Melina Sam and I am a second year Sociology major. I attended Palomar college for my first year and transitioned to MiraCosta for the Honors Program. I currently work as an Honors Navigator, and I plan on attending law school with the hopes of defending civil rights cases in healthcare. Later in my career I hope to open my own practice as a divorce attorney. I plan on transferring to UCLA in Fall 2021 to receive my Bachelors in Sociology. I have had the honor of presenting my work on race and genetics in relation to health disparities at OMNI Fall 2020, HTCC Spring 2021, and The Western Regional Honors Council Conference. I am eager for the future as I have evolved so much within my education and I plan to continue this growth wherever I go utilizing my degree in sociology to further my commitment to equity and equality. ~SHAWDI SANI~

Shawdi Sani is a Linguistics and Computer Science major and honors student at MiraCosta College. She hopes to transfer to a four-year university and work in the tech or film industry. She is passionate about social justice, and hopes to increase dialogue about social barriers in the tech and film industry.

~BRENNA SCHNEDAR~

I am currently an English major at MiraCosta College. I am also an avid reader, and enjoy flipping through comic books, classic literature, and reading the subtitles while watching my favorite Korean dramas. ~JOHN SIEBELINK~

I am currently in my second semester at MiraCosta College. An English major hoping to transfer after Spring 2022 to either UCLA or UC Irvine, I have previously presented at the Fall 2020 OMNI Research Showcase and will be presenting a paper at the 2021 Pacific Ancient and Modern Language Association Conference in Las Vegas in November. I am hoping that the research and presenting experience will serve me well as I make my way toward graduate school with dreams of becoming an English professor. Outside of class, I am a voracious reader, avid video gamer, published author, and father to a one-year-old redhead who takes up most of my free time.

~SARAH SLEIPNESS~

I am a stay-at-home mom of three vivacious young children who is intent on re-defining middle age as a first- year non-traditional student at MiraCosta. I’m currently majoring in Biology with the hopes of pursuing a MD/PhD while dabbling in the fields of Biotechnology and Biophysics. I’m passionate about space exploration and hope to participate in future biomedical research in space. I look forward to someday furthering research into how to create food and water supplies in a contained habitat such as a space station that will promote good health and support peak human performance. I also care deeply about solving big problems here on Earth, particularly with regards to women’s health, endocrine dysfunction and aging. ~ANDREA SOTO~

I am a Political Science major and this is my first conference experience. I’d like to transfer to either UCLA or UCSD and get a degree in Political Science, go to law school, and become an immigration lawyer.

~KATHY TONNU~

I am currently a Biology major with hopes to enter a medical profession in the foreseeable future. I have yet to make my final decision on the school, but I plan on transferring to a 4-year university in the upcoming Fall semester for a Human-Biology related major. In the past, I have presented at one other OMNI conference on the Michaelis Menten equation for my Calculus class. When I am not working as a pharmacy technician, I occasionally play tennis at the Oceanside campus’s courts and enjoy painting. ~JUAN PABLO VERDUZCO TOVAR~

This is my last semester here at MiraCosta College. I am a Psychology major and I am transferring to UCLA to pursue my dreams of becoming a Psychiatrist to hopefully research the benefits psychedelics have on mental disorders such depression, PTSD and even drug addiction. As for my hobbies, I am also very into skateboarding, camping/exploring nature, and modifying my car when I have extra money to spend.

~GLENNA TRONE~

I am an English major working towards transferring to California State University of San Marcos to get my Master’s so I may later teach at a community college, as well as publish fiction works of my own. I am also an artist that works primarily with acrylic on canvas and digital mediums. I love live music, animals, anime/ manga, gaming, and horror films! In the past I have had many occupations but my favorite so far has been the past three years working as a Supplemental Instruction Leader and Writing Consultant at MiraCosta College. Nothing brings me more joy than working with my fellow students towards our personal goals! ~NICHOLAS TROTTA~

I am currently double majoring in an AA in English and History at MiraCosta, with a plan to transfer to a UC or CSU for an undergraduate or higher degree. This is my first conference experience and I am born and raised in Carlsbad, California.

~RILEY TP TROYER~

This is my first conference experience. After completing my Bachelors I plan to go into the military. In my spare time I like to read Science Fiction and Fantasy. ~JOHANNAH YI~

This is my first conference experience. My major is undecided and I am unsure of my specific career goals in the future, but I do know I want to work with kids. My educational goal is to transfer to UCLA and graduate with a Bachelor’s degree at the least. I am a Korean who was born and raised in California. Some hobbies of mine include reading, baking, and taking a walk with my dog.

~GRACE YOO~

Hello, my name is Grace Yoo, and this is my first time partaking in the OMNI conference. While my specific major is currently undecided, I am aiming towards something in business, marketing, or communications. Eventually, I hope to work as a marketing manager or something in that field. I like to be creative, and I enjoy making gifs and graphics on photoshop during my free time. I also enjoy listening to music, so when I listen to something particularly interesting, I try and figure out the note sequence. I am Korean-American, and do speak both Korean and English fluently. ~SUNGEUN YUN~

I am transferring this Fall 2021 for a Sociology major. I do not have any previous conference experience, this OMNI presentation is my first time. I was born in Busan, South Korea, and came to San Diego in 2014 when I was 11. Since then, I have been living in the states. I am a senior in high school, and I plan to gain a DMD (Doctor of Dental Medicine) in the future.

Thank you to all of our presenters, moderators, staff and faculty mentors.

Without you this conference could never happen or be a success!

The wide variety of topics represented in this conference are a testament to

the talented and diverse MiraCosta College Honors community,

and we are so grateful for each of you and your role here.

We can’t wait to see many of you once again for the

Fall 2021 OMNI Research Showcase the week of December 6-10, 2021.