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Spring
Vol. 14 No. 1 (2025)

Dear Reader,

I am honored to present you with the latest volume of The Owl. The research featured in this year’s publication is truly outstanding and is an incredible testament to the countless number of undergraduate research opportunities available here at Florida State University. The year’s journal features four articles, all from vastly different fields. From exploring the rhetoric of the Polish Constitution of 1791 to investigating the applications of nanocellulose, I hope that each reader is empowered to broaden their perspectives and acquire some new, meaningful knowledge. Since its founding, The Owl has been dedicated to highlighting the diversity of research here at FSU, and I am very grateful that I was able to uphold this tradition.

This was my first year involved in research. Not only has this involvement provided me with numerous invaluable skills and opportunities, but it has introduced me to a community of people who share my interests and goals. This community has provided me with unwavering support through all my endeavors and with encouragement during moments of challenge. I want to be a part of this research community for the remainder of my career.

I encourage all undergraduate students to engage in the research opportunities available here at this preeminent research institution. Although it may seem intimidating at first, take that first leap, whether that may be by applying for UROP, by completing an Honors in the Major Thesis, or by simply reaching out to a professor whose research you find fascinating. These opportunities can supply you with a world of endless possibilities to expand your knowledge and grow both scholastically and personally. The researchers featured within this volume of The Owl provide exceptional examples of how, even as an undergraduate, you can provide meaningful contributions to your field.

I would like to thank our Chief Scientific Reviewer—Kelly Kennedy—and our Associate Editors—Marie Weber, Sofia Tascon, Shiv Patel, and Estaban Pinilla—for their continuous hard work throughout the publication process. I would also like to thank William Dhana, the Executive Director of SCURC, for his assistance throughout the year.

I am very proud to have served as Editor-in-Chief of The Owl, and to present you with this extraordinary collection of undergraduate research.

In Vires, Artes, Mores,

Jessica Weinberg

Editor-in-Chief, The Owl
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Spring 2023 OWL
Vol. 13 No. 1 (2023)

Dear Readers,
I am pleased to introduce you to our latest issue of The Owl. I am honored to have served as Editor-in-Chief of Florida State's prestigious undergraduate research journal. I am truly grateful for my editors, Bryanna Major and Camila Aponte, who worked tirelessly to help deliver an outstanding collection of research. Our team is proud to present a diverse range of exceptional research showcasing the dedication and commitment of Florida State’s undergraduate researchers. I hope you will find their research as inspiring and thought-provoking as I have.
I would like to thank Eli Mckown-Dawson, Maria Aleman-Martinez, and Lydia Fertil for their unwavering support throughout my time with SCURC. A special thanks to SCURC Advisor David Advent for his invaluable guidance for my team and me.
Lastly, I would like to thank you, our readers, for your interest in our research journal. We take immense pride in presenting you with this year’s edition of The Owl and invite you to join us in celebrating our student researchers. Stay tuned for our upcoming editions!

Sincerely, Arthi Solayappan
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Vol. 12 No. 1 (2022)

Dear Reader,

I hope you relish in the research on these pages as much as I did.
Being the Editor-in-Chief of Florida State's prestigious undergraduate
research journal was an unparalleled honor. The insights you are about
to discover are a product of the passions and dedication of incredibly
talented undergraduate students.

I want to thank my editors for the long hours poured over
submissions and the perceptive observations that fostered this issue's
diverse selection of research. Also, a warm thank you to David Advent,
SCURC's Advisor, for his patience and compassion during the
unfortunate tribulations The Owl faced this year.

Before you commence your journey into this issue's pages, I advise
you to reflect on what conducting research really means. To me, Zora
Neale Hurston’s words emulate the most truth: "Research is formalized
curiosity. It is poking and prying with a purpose.”

Yours,
Ana Dolorit
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Vol. 11 No. 2 (2021)

This issue showcases the remarkable work of yet another talented cohort of current and recently graduated FSU students. Vol. 11 No. 2 features five articles and one research-based creative work spanning a wide array of topics. The rich disciplinary diversity represented in this issue reflects the flourishing research community at FSU, which includes undergraduate student researchers from a wealth of different departments and majors. Biology, chemistry, clinical and health psychology, literature, and creative historical analysis are all represented. This variety continues The Owl’s tradition of showcasing student work from a multitude of disciplines in each issue.

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Everyday Life in a Pandemic
Vol. 11 No. 1 (2020)

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Vol. 10 No. 1 (2020)

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Vol. 9 No. 1 (2019)

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Vol. 8 No. 1 (2018)

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Vol. 7 No. 1 (2017)

Dear Reader,

As a fervent researcher, I have come to see and acknowledge the magic of research in my everyday life; when you research, you not only discover fascinating details surrounding your area of study, but you also discover fascinating details about your own capacity, about your heart, about your mind.
I see myself as a nervous and uncoordinated Sophomore, excited to learn about research through FSU’s Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program, an opportunity that, though cliche, changed the path of my life immensely. Here I am, two years later, the Editor-in-Chief of my university’s research journal, conducting exciting research with an esteemed professor, teaching young students about the benefits of research, and working with an incredible team of research enthusiasts to produce a beautiful edition of The Owl. Life is good.
On that note, I, my associate editors, and Dr. Owlivia Hoot, P.h.D., hope that you devour this seventh edition of our journal. The articles that span these pages are the direct result of the undergraduate research culture that is so prevalent and so powerful here at Florida State, and we are happy to publish such inspiring and knowledgeable work by such inspiring and knowledgeable students.
Cheers to Florida State, cheers to passionate undergraduate researchers, cheers to great opportunity, and cheers to us - the future of research and the future of Florida State.
In Vires, Artes, Mortes,
McKenna Britton
Editor-in-Chief
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The Best of The Owl
Vol. 6 No. 1 (2016)

Dear Reader,
With delight, we present to you the sixth annual edition of The Owl, the Florida State University undergraduate research journal. This issue, published in honor of our sixth anniversary as a publication on campus, showcases the diverse endeavors embarked on by our current and former undergraduate classes and is consequently themed, “The Best of The Owl.”
From current explorations of genome engineering in biology and examinations of biological sex characteristics in anthropology to former research in fields such as communication disorders, the diversity amongst the works published exemplify the excellence of our undergraduates. We are immensely satisfied to continue publishing student ventures and promote interdisciplinary discussions on campus, both within and outside of the classroom.
Florida State’s position as a top-tier research university extends to the undergraduate class and is embodied within the continued publication of this journal. With the support of the Student Council for Undergraduate Research and Creativity and our continued partnership with the Center for Undergraduate Research and Academic Engagement, we aim to expand the range of opportunities for students to explore research throughout all stages of their undergraduate careers. It is our hope that the works presented within this publication will inspire you to explore your own intellectual and scholastic opportunities for engagement in all aspects of life.
In Vires, Artes, Mores,
Alyssa Knisley
Editor in Chief
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