Though horse racing holds enduring significance in the United States, it faces challenges related to safety, integrity, and animal welfare. Recent initiatives like the enactment of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) in 2020 aim to establish uniform regulatory oversight and counteract the problems the industry faces. This thesis explores the horse racing industry, delving into its historical evolution, contemporary landscape, and the regulatory framework that governs it. Through a comprehensive literature review encompassing historical, contemporary, quantitative, and qualitative perspectives, along with insights gathered from conversations with industry insiders and firsthand experiences at a local racetrack, this research addresses key questions regarding the industry's current state, government responsibility for ensuring safety and ethical practices, and the direction in which the industry is headed. It advocates for the humane treatment of racehorses and emphasizes the importance of prioritizing their well-being. By advocating for transparency, accountability, and ethical conduct, the industry can thrive while aligning with societal expectations.

This report chronicles the journey of Julia Chiavaroli, Mira Camunez, Katherine Schiller, and Siddharth Somani through the Founder's Lab program, leading to the creation of INEZ, an organic, all-natural beauty brand specializing in hair care products. Motivated by a shared dedication to health and wellness, the founders embarked on a collaborative path, eventually converging on the concept of crafting a natural hair care solution. Rooted in comprehensive ingredient research and product development, INEZ emphasizes purity and nature, reflected in its earthy aesthetic and western influence. The branding strategy encompasses a distinct color palette, whimsical font, and the slogan "Rustic Roots." Targeting both women and men, the marketing strategy prioritizes online presence, especially on Instagram, complemented by plans for local event engagement. Pricing strategy is informed by market demand and unit economics considerations, with products priced at $19.99. Customer discovery efforts, including surveys, have shaped product development and pricing decisions, aligning INEZ with customer preferences for sustainability and organic ingredients. Through meticulous planning and execution, the founders have established INEZ as a promising venture at the intersection of health, beauty, and sustainability.

Having registered as a nonprofit organization in Arizona, we are building a community to reconstruct bridges in the Balkan Diaspora by sharing members' stories through interviews called Diaspora Diaries, providing educational resources, and raising funds to support efforts to preserve Balkan culture across the United States through mission-related products. By connecting with members through our online platform, we show that we are one, unified Balkan Diaspora. Implementing an innovative approach to forging a strong Balkan community, we collected 23 Diaspora Diaries from across individual ethnic Diasporas, generations, and backgrounds. By publishing interviews to our site (balkaninamerika.com), we cultivate a deeper appreciation for one another throughout the diasporic community. Diaspora Diaries have sparked enthusiasm in members across the U.S., as interviews have been incredibly positive with individuals sharing personal histories about sustaining their cultural identities. Through using oral histories as our primary mechanism of conflict resolution and community building, we better understand how individuals influence history and are influenced by history.

Renewable energy will emerge as the primary driver of global energy demand in the coming decades. Projections from the International Energy Agency (IEA) suggest a remarkable growth trajectory, with renewable energy demand forecasted to soar by an average annual rate of 7.3% from 2007 to 2030 (Sadorsky). In stark contrast, conventional energy sources like coal and oil not only pose significant environmental hazards but also endanger human health and impede economic progress. With mounting concerns over the environmental impact of fossil fuels, there's a palpable shift towards renewable energy sources. While traditional energy sources theoretically offer an abundance of energy, the promise of renewables is undeniable. Notably, the cost of solar and wind power systems has witnessed a substantial decline over the past three decades and continues to plummet. In contrast, the prices of oil and gas remain volatile. This trend underscores the increasing feasibility of transitioning to renewable-based energy systems, marking a pivotal moment in our energy landscape.

Peach Pie is a young adult, epistolary historical fiction novel based in 1888 Texas surrounding the Collins family. After the tragedy of losing three of their family members, two of the three remaining Collins children move to a new town and begin a new life while also grappling with grief, loss and trauma. This is a dual first person point of view novel being told through diary entries and letters from the perspective of two of the Collins siblings: Ernest Collins is an eleven-year-old boy struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder while learning to be a normal child for the first time; Wilda Collins is a fifteen-year-old girl who is exploring her identity and place in society as she begins to enter adulthood. With these two perspectives, the reader is thrown into both a mental health and coming of age story centered around the experiences of everyday life in 19th century Texas, displaying the ups and downs of love, loss and young adult adventures in a historical setting.

This project involved research into solar thermal and geothermal energy generation as possible solutions to the growing U.S. energy crisis. Background research into this topic revealed the effects of climate and environmental impacts as major variables in determining optimal states. Delving into thermodynamic engineering analyses, the main deliverables of this research were mathematical models to analyze plant efficiency improvements in order to optimize the cost of operating solar thermal and geothermal power plants. The project concludes with possible future research areas relating to this field.