Student Research Symposium Program Portal: Submission #204

serial: '204'
sid: '9052'
uuid: 28a74420-e99a-400e-ae06-d63625a28cb6
uri: /student-research/symposium/research-symposium-program-portal
created: '1769783163'
completed: '1769784645'
changed: '1773763110'
in_draft: '0'
current_page: ''
remote_addr: 146.201.10.32
uid: '0'
langcode: en
webform_id: research_portal
entity_type: node
entity_id: '14501'
locked: '0'
sticky: '0'
notes: ''
metatag: meta
data:
  abstract: |-
    People around the world rely on computers every day to complete a wide variety of tasks, but frequent computer use can negatively impact the human body. One common issue is eye strain, as prolonged screen time can cause the eyes to become dry and fatigued. Blinking is essential for maintaining ocular homeostasis because it keeps the eye’s surface properly lubricated. Research by Ousler et al. (2014) shows that individuals with dry eyes spend more time with their eyes closed each minute than those without dry eyes in order to maintain this balance.
    This study focuses on blinking behavior and examines whether blink frequency during computer use varies depending on the time of day. Understanding these patterns is important for supporting eye health, especially as digital device use continues to rise. However, accurately measuring blink rates is difficult without technological assistance.
    To address this challenge, I developed a Python application to detect and track blink frequency. In this pilot study, the app will record blink rates during three time periods—morning, afternoon, and night. The long‑term goal is to create a tool that alerts users when their blink rate falls outside normal ranges, helping them make informed decisions and reduce the risk of eye strain.
  additional_research_mentor: 'Karen Works'
  annual_description: '5th annual Undergraduate Research Symposium, April 17, 2025'
  co_presenters: ''
  first_name: Skyler
  i_will_be_printing_my_poster: '0'
  keywords: 'Computer vision, blink rate, Python'
  last_name: Putnam
  major: 'High School; Intended major: Computer Engineering or Science'
  poster_pdf: '73095'
  poster_session_number: ''
  poster_thumbnail: ''
  presentation_modality: 'Face to Face Poster session'
  pronouns: He/him
  research_mentor: 'Madisyn Flammia'
  research_mentor_s_college: 'The Collegiate School'
  research_mentor_s_department: Research
  research_mentor_s_email: mjf24@fsu.edu
  student_bio: 'My name is Skyler, and I was born in Japan at the Misawa Air Force Base. I moved to Florida during 2024, where I’ve since been at Panama City. I am a high schooler who is currently dual enrolled through The Collegiate School, and I like doing anything related to staying indoors (watching movies, playing video/board games). My hobbies include programming and robotics. In the future I wish to do something in the field of computer science or become a robotics engineer. '
  student_email: sgp25a@fsu.edu
  student_photo: '72884'
  title: 'Developing an app to measure the correlation between blink rate and time of day'
  update_url: 'https://pc.fsu.edu/student-research/symposium/research-symposium-program-portal?element_parents=elements/student_photo&ajax_form=1&_wrapper_format=drupal_ajax&token=X2vuov0ROLEpPqs9u90gutaSTvOJMFMekrj7N8eeG64'
  work: Complete
  year: '2026'