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Welcome to the nineteenth annual Worcester State University Celebration of Scholarship and Creativity. This is one of the highlights of the academic year at Worcester State University as we showcase the wonderful creative and scholarly work of our students.
We are enormously proud of the opportunities our undergraduate and graduate students have to embrace active learning locally, nationally, and internationally in concert with outstanding faculty mentors who are exceptional leaders in their fields. The day is filled with a variety of oral presentations, film screenings and posters across disciplines of study from the natural sciences, allied health, arts, humanities, and social sciences.
Please immerse yourself today in this culture of active learning and savor the abstracts here as a window into what happens every day at Worcester State University.
Lois A. Wims, Ph.D. Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
8:30-8:45 am Opening of the Celebration of Scholarship and Creativity
8:45-9:00 am More Than a Crown: How Pageant Contestants Understand Identity and Empowerment Nicolette Rose Grundstrom Faculty Advisor: Alex Briesacher, Ph.D. Sociology
9:00-9:15 am American Time-Use Survey Predicts Morbidity and Mortality Maia Cani Faculty Advisor: Trinidad Morales III, Ph.D. Sociology
9:15-9:30 am Break
9:30-9:45 am Government Repression, Ethnic Resistance: How the KMT’s Legacy of Authoritarianism Informs Modern Taiwanese Self-Understanding Zach A. Rich Faculty Advisor: Martin Fromm, Ph.D. History
9:45-10:00 am Education, Ethnicity, and Belonging in Modern China Nicolette Rose Grundstrom Faculty Advisor: Martin Fromm, Ph.D. History
10:00-10:15 am Competing Visions of Tibet: Cultural Identity and Loss in “The Serf and Old Dog” Richard Payne Faculty Advisor: Martin Fromm, Ph.D. History
10:15-10:30 am Break
10:30-11:00 am Philosophical and Legal Analysis of Free Speech: Coalition, Inc. v. Paxton Hind Ibrahim Mustafa, Jr., and Natalie Nayfeh, Jr. Faculty Advisor: Laura Kane, Ph.D. Philosophy
11:00-11:15 am Echolalia’s Communicative Intent in Neurodivergent Children: A Survey Study Alyssa N. Bedard Faculty Advisor: Kristina Curro, Ph.D. Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences
11:15-11:30 am Break
11:30-11:45 am The Monpa People: Ethnic Identity, Border, and Disputes Kael McManus Faculty Advisor: Martin Fromm, Ph.D. History
11:45 am-12:00 pm Perspectives on Genghis Khan Steven Joseph Thomas Faculty Advisor: Martin Fromm, Ph.D. History
12:00-12:15 pm Optimizing Astrochemistry Model Parameters through Deep Learning Methods Zachary Stomski Faculty Advisor: Andrew Burkhart, Ph.D. Earth, Environment, and Physics
12:15-12:30 pm Break
12:30-1:00 pm Pieces of Womanhood Zin James Faculty Advisor: Laura Kane, Ph.D. Philosophy
1-1:30 pm The Space Between Gillian S. McDonald Faculty Advisor: Sue Fan Foo, Ed.D. Education
2026 Celebration of Scholarship and Creativity Poster Session
Competition Gym, Wellness Center
3:00-5:00 pm
Daisy Arciniega, Connor Walazek, and Oliver Weiland Faculty Advisor: Aleel K. Grennan, Ph.D. Traditional Poster Presentation
Mitchella repens (partridgeberry) is a heterostylous plant that produces two genetically distinct floral morphs, known as pins and thrums. Successful reproduction requires reciprocal pollination between these two morphs, resulting in a theoretical 1:1 ratio of offspring. However, populations surveyed in Worcester County show consistent deviations from expectations, with ratios of pins to thrums of approximately 4:6 or 3:7. Two possible explanations for the skewed ratios are lower germination success of pin seeds compared to thrum seeds and/or decreased viability of pin seedlings following germination. To test this, seed germination and seedling viability were tested on berries collected from the field. Total DNA was isolated from berry flesh to determine if it was from a pin or thrum plant.
Grace A. Balzanelli Faculty Advisor: Roger S. Greenwell, Ph.D. WSU Foundation and Aisuku Summer Undergraduate Research Grant Traditional Poster Presentation
The McMurdo Dry Valleys of Antarctica are part of the largest desert on Earth, where the freezing temperatures, high aridity, and solar radiation contribute to an extreme environment where limited microorganisms can survive. Cultivation of cold-acclimated extremophiles poses a challenge, but their characterization may provide insights into adaptations and functionality with a wide range of potential applications, including medical and industrial. We have successfully cultivated and biochemically characterized 25 bacteria and 1 fungal isolate from a soil sample originally acquired in 2016. Several isolates will undergo whole genome sequencing to identify genes and enzymes involved in climate adaptations or other functions, such antibiotic production and/or resistance. We are also performing metagenomic analysis to generate a snapshot of the microbial diversity present within this ancient soil.
Grace Balzanelli, Maryam Ahmed, and Izamar Laboy Faculty Advisor: Roger S. Greenwell, Ph.D. Worcester State Foundation Student Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity Grant Traditional Poster Presentation
The McMurdo Dry Valleys of Antarctica are part of an extreme environment that includes subfreezing temperatures, aridity, and high levels of solar radiation. The only organisms that can survive those conditions are either dormant or highly resilient microbes residing in the soil. Two soil samples from this area were collected at -20°C in 2016 and have been used to recover any existing microbes. To date, over 30 microbes have been isolated using a variety of media and temperature conditions. These microbes continue to be biochemically characterized and a subset are being submitted for whole genome sequencing. We will report the biochemical and genetic information for these organisms, which are also of interest for investigating antibiotic production, climate adaptation, radiation resistance, and microbial evolution.
Matthew T. Finnegan Faculty Advisor: Daron Barnard, Ph.D. WSU Academic Affairs Faculty Scholarship/Creative Activity Grant Graduate Project Traditional Poster Presentation
The ifih1 gene encodes a helicase that is regularly part of the innate immune system, detecting and degrading viral RNAs. However, expression of this gene is also greatly increased in the early-stage development of Xenopus laevis oocytes. The function of ifih1 expression at this stage is unknown, although it may act as a key regulator in mRNA translation as has been documented with other helicases. My experiments involve the cloning and transcription of the ifih1 gene, allowing for the overexpression in oocytes and observation of the resulting effects on development. In addition to this, the ifih1 protein’s binding partners, such as mRNAs or other proteins, can be isolated and identified to further understand its role in development.
Brady Carlin, Bruna Feitosa, and Nicolas Vanegas Faculty Advisor: Jaime Mancilla Ph.D. WSU Academic Affairs Faculty Scholarship/ Creative Activity Grant Traditional Poster Presentation
Trachemys scripta is a semiaquatic turtle, native to the southeastern and central United States and northern Mexico. T. Scripta can survive weeks of complete oxygen deprivation, making them a powerful model to study the mechanisms that protect the vertebrate brain during anoxia. During periods of anoxia, T. scripta reduces its metabolic rate to match the low ATP supplied by glycolysis, which is evident by reduced neural activity in the dorsal cortex. We are using calcium imaging of the dorsal cortex to study the changes in neural activity during anoxia. The goal of the experiments is to determine the molecular mechanisms that allow neurons to survive during anoxia. This will be done by blocking intracellular kinases and studying the change in neural activity.
Hlaing Htoo and Quynh Doan Faculty Advisor: Aleel K. Grennan, Ph.D. Commonwealth Honors Project Traditional Poster Presentation
Mitchella repens (Rubiaceae) is a distylous understory plant in Worcester County with two floral morphs: pins (long-styled) and thrums (short-styled). These differences are controlled by tightly linked genes at the S-locus, which are absent in pins and hemizygous in thrums. Although S-locus genes have been characterized in other species, their identity and structure in M. repens remain unknown. This study aims to identify candidate S-locus genes using primers reported for known genes from Gelsemium elegans. Amplicons of expected size have been obtained and will be sequenced to confirm identity. Predicted sequences will be aligned to design degenerate primers for further testing. This work provides foundational molecular evidence for understanding the genetic basis of distyly in partridgeberry.
Luis Rosado Ph.D., Joshua Donovan, Sajah Raouf, Kyle Tucker, and Mohammed Abdulmahdi Faculty Advisor: Luis Rosado, Ph.D. Worcester State Foundation Student Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity Grant Commonwealth Honors Project Traditional Poster Presentation
The Ecological Perspective describes human visual perception as inextricably coupled to human actions in their environment. We designed visual objects in Virtual Reality (VR) to visually influence standing postural balance into forward and backward leaning conditions. For all inter-condition quiet stance baseline and the forward or backward leaning conditions we measured anterior-posterior center-of-pressure (COP AP) sway at the standing base of support (BOS) established at the feet with healthy adult subjects. We hypothesized that visually constrained interventions would impact COP AP inter-condition baseline measurements and between leaning conditions as well. We will report the between baseline comparisons and between condition comparisons COP AP outcomes.
Joshua Donovan and Mohammed Abdulmahdi Faculty Advisor: Luis Rosado, Ph.D. Worcester State Foundation Student Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity Grant Traditional Poster Presentation
The Ecological Perspective describes human visual perception as inextricably coupled to human actions in their environment. We developed three-dimensional objects in Virtual Reality (VR) to influence standing balance. The visual conditions included a sphere that moved upward in response to forward head motion and downward to backward head motion. The task was to contain spheres of different sizes between to constraining horizontal bars set at different distances. We measured bar crossings by the spheres and the Time to Contact (TtC) a bar which represents the real time fluctuating margin of error. We hypothesize the smaller spheres and wider bar conditions would have a longer TtC and fewer boundary contacts. We will report the between condition comparisons of both TtC and boundary crossings.
Yuliya Krupnik Faculty Advisor: Daron Barnard, Ph.D. Traditional Poster Presentation
Alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) enzymes contribute to retinoid and alcohol metabolism, processes known to influence organogenesis in vertebrates. Xenopus laevis and Xenopus tropicalis are primary models for studying early development. Currently, the ADH genes in Xenopus species are poorly or misannotated. The focus of this study is to annotate ADH genes in both species to clarify their gene structure, conservation, and duplication patterns. We performed reciprocal BLAST analyses, constructed synteny maps, generated phylogenetic trees, conducted multiple sequence alignments (MSA), and examined conserved protein domains. Our findings clarify gene identity and organization, providing a stronger foundation for the study of ADH genes in early development of vertebrates.
Josephine Allen and Kashvi Vishal Suchde Faculty Advisor: Roger S. Greenwell, Ph.D. Worcester State Foundation Student Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity Grant Traditional Poster Presentation
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) offers a purified monoclonal antibody that has been used in the biotechnology industry to validate bioprocessing procedures for companies. The supply of the purified antibody itself (cNISTmAb) is diminishing, and NIST wants to validate the animal cell line that makes the antibody, called NISTCHO. As part of this goal , we will grow the cells in a variety of media conditions to correlate gene expression and protein production. We are currently optimizing the PCR conditions so that we can perform the gene expression studies via qPCR in the NISTCHO cells. We also intend to correlate the amount of cNISTmAb produced using a protein A column to identify the best conditions for production.
Elias W. Berthel Faculty Advisor: Maura Collins, Ph.D. Traditional Poster Presentation
Antibiotic-resistant infections may disproportionately affect lower income populations, linking poverty to the spread of superbugs. Limited access to healthcare and poor infrastructure may reduce access to antibiotics and exacerbate the crisis. In this study, antibiotic-resistant tuberculosis and other infections were identified in areas of the United States with high rates of poverty and in vulnerable populations. Infectious disease datasets were readily available from the CDC, and were correlated to information obtained from the Census using R Tidyverse and other programs. By identifying specific areas of concern, resources and treatments can be allocated to reduce the growing problem of antibiotic resistance. This study emphasizes the need for interventions that address potential healthcare inequities.
Xin Xiong, Agathon Malik, and Sean Furlong Faculty Advisor: Weichu Xu, Ph.D. Worcester State Foundation Student Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity Grant Commonwealth Honors Project Traditional Poster Presentation
Cancer remains one of the most problematic challenges in the modern medical field. Protein kinase C (PKC) is a key regulatory enzyme that drives cell growth, division, and proliferation,although its mutation develops and peomotes the growth of numerous cancers, making it a promising candidate for activity inhibition. This project focused on the synthesis of novel ligands as PKC inhibitors. The computational binding interactions of the ligands with PKC were analyzed. Identification through NMR and TLC confirmed successful synthesis of compounds. Compounds with hydrogen bond donor and acceptor substituents at both termini exhibited high potential for PKC inhibitory activity.
Safa O. Khan Faculty Advisor: Abir Bukhatwa,Ph.D. WSU Summer Undergraduate Research Grant Commonwealth Honors Project Traditional Poster Presentation
This study examines how social norms influence women’s economic participation in Pakistan, asking whether cultural expectations limit women’s access to economic opportunities. It draws on nationally representative data from the World Values Survey Wave 7 (2017–2020), Pakistan v3.0, an international research program measuring public attitudes and beliefs. The analysis focuses on views related to family honor and obedience, education and domestic roles, caregiving responsibilities, gender hierarchy in employment, financial autonomy, and marital and reproductive expectations. Using quantitative analysis of survey responses, the study assesses the strength of traditional gender norms. The findings show strong support for parental obedience and conventional expectations of women’s primary roles within the family, demonstrating that intergenerational norms continue to restrict women’s labor force participation and reinforce persistent gender inequality.
Andja Kola Faculty Advisor: Benjamin Sturtz, Ph.D. WSU Honors Grant Commonwealth Honors Project Traditional Poster Presentation
The existence of long directional interactions (LDI) was proposed based on structural analyses of cofacial oligomeric siloxysilicon phthalocyanines and siloxygermanium phthalocyanines. Silicon and germanium phthalocyanine centers were selected for a number of beneficial properties, including their diamagnetism. A wider study showed a number of transition metal phthalocyanines exhibited the same structural behavior. This study explores the potential of titanium as a suitable alternative metal center for dimeric cofacial axial functionalized phthalocyanines. We are evaluating how introduction of alternative metals influences the geometry, electronic environment, and stability of the cofacial systems through detailed spectroscopic analysis. Our goal is to strengthen the evidence for LDI bonds in dimeric cofacial systems, and open pathways for their broader application in the design of multifunctional materials and coordination architectures.
Syeda Faatima Adnan and Kaitlyn Rutter Faculty Advisor: Kathleen C. Murphy, Ph.D. Traditional Poster Presentation
This study examines fermentation kinetics in black and green tea kombucha by quantifying ethanol and acetic acid concentrations over a 21-day period. Kombucha is produced using a symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast (SCOBY), in which yeast generate ethanol and acetic acid bacteria oxidize ethanol into acetic acid. Samples were collected at 7-day intervals and analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with standard addition for acetic acid and headspace gas chromatography (GC) with an internal standard for ethanol quantification. By comparing metabolic trends between tea types, this project aims to evaluate the relationship between ethanol depletion and acetic acid accumulation during fermentation.
Kaitlyn A Rutter Faculty Advisor: Kathleen C. Murphy, Ph.D. Traditional Poster Presentation
This research project will quantify caffeine and acetic acid in two different kombuchas: one made with black tea, and one made with green tea. The concentration of these two analytes in the popular fermented beverages will be analyzed over a 21-day fermentation period using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Each type of tea contains a specific amount of caffeine which is expected to decrease as fermentation proceeds. Whereas the acetic acid content, a product of the fermentation process, is expected to increase over time. The laboratory results will compare the fermentation kinetics of each tea. Both kombuchas will be hand made with their respective teas and a symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast (SCOBY).
Fayez Alshammaa Faculty Advisor: Benjamin Sturtz, Ph.D. Traditional Poster Presentation
Manganese phthalocyanines are macrocyclic metal complexes with important electronic and light-absorbing properties, making them promising for applications in catalysis, chemical sensing, and electronic materials. These complexes can form μ-oxo-bridged dimers, where two manganese centers are linked by an oxygen atom, and their properties can be influenced by axial solvent coordination. In this study, μ-oxo-bridged manganese phthalocyanine dimers with pyridine and tetrahydrofuran (THF) axial ligands were synthesized through reflux reactions. UV-Vis spectroscopy confirmed successful dimer formation. The dimers were soluble in coordinating solvents such as pyridine and THF but showed poor solubility in nonpolar solvents, highlighting axial ligand effects. This work demonstrates a greener, more straightforward synthetic approach to preparing μ-oxo-bridged manganese phthalocyanine dimers with different axial solvent coordination for future electronic and functional studies.
Maddox Gilroy Faculty Advisor: Jeremy R. Andreatta, Ph.D. Traditional Poster Presentation
The aim of the project was to synthesize and characterize a series of 2-hydroxy hydrazone ligands and their transition metal complexes (Fe, Co, etc.) as catalysts for polymerization of lactide and lactones for the production of biodegradable polymers The ligands were synthesized via the condensation of salicylaldehyde and hydrazine precursor with moderate yields. They were characterized by IR and 1H NMR spectroscopies. The metal complexes were also synthesized and characterized. The complexes were then investigated as catalysts for ring opening polymerization of lactide and caprolactone and the results are reported herein.
Kyle P McGown Faculty Advisor: Jeremy R. Andreatta, Ph.D. Traditional Poster Presentation
The copolymerization of CO₂ with epoxides offers a promising route to value-added polycarbonates while utilizing a greenhouse gas as a chemical feedstock. In this work, a cobalt(III) salen complex is employed as the catalyst for CO₂/epoxide copolymerization under microwave heating conditions. While such systems traditionally require elevated pressures and specialized high-intensity equipment, including autoclaves, our objective is to evaluate catalytic performance at ambient or significantly reduced CO₂ pressures. By investigating reactivity, selectivity, and polymer formation under microwave irradiation, we aim to determine whether effective copolymerization can be achieved using a less intensive and more accessible experimental setup.
Christian J Biadasz Faculty Advisor: Kathleen C. Murphy, Ph.D. Traditional Poster Presentation
This project presents the differences in the lower limit of detection (LLOD) for two gas chromatography instruments, the gas chromatography mass spectrometer (GC-MS) and the gas chromatography flame ionization detector (GC-FID), using caffeine analysis. Several sample preparation techniques such as the GC-MS selected ion monitoring (SIM) mode and solid phase microextraction (SPME) will be examined for their ability to decrease the LLOD. The differences in technology and technique will be shown using caffeine standards of known concentrations, as well as commercially available caffeine products.
Emily J. Walls Faculty Advisor: Meghna Dilip Ph.D. Traditional Poster Presentation
In this study,we investigate an enzyme-based materials approach for remediation of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) using perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) as a representative compound. We report the fabrication of cellulose films embedded with the oxidative enzyme laccase and evaluate their capacity to remove PFOA from aqueous systems.Cellulose provides a renewable, biodegradable support matrix, while laccase offers a potentially green catalytic pathway for contaminant transformation.
Brady Carlin, Bridget O’Malley, Remy Mabboux, Erin Condon, Alexander Lucier, Brandol Ogando Saladin, Andja Kola, Lynn Wanjiku, Michael Juarez, Yariel Lopez, and Esther Businge Faculty Advisor: Megan Moran, Ph.D. Traditional Poster Presentation
The Washington, DC, Leadership Program gives students the opportunity to advocate on behalf of themselves and their fellow Worcester State University students directly to the United States Congress, particularly the Massachusetts congressional delegation. The program is centered on experiential learning, allowing students to gain hands on experience with public policy, civic engagement, and advocacy.
Kaniz Fatima and Anastasia B. Hocurscak Faculty Advisor: Ali Al-Faris, Ph.D. Electronic Poster Presentation
This project focuses on designing and developing a program to organize and analyze crime data using Java. The program has a user login feature, can find statistics such as crime rates by location and crime type, neighborhood safety scores, time-based risk patterns, and has a method to find local police department contacts. The program imports data from CSV (comma separated value) files, a crime data class stores source data in the system, a hashmap stores user login information, and a set establishes police department contacts in the system. It’s designed to give police, lawyers, and other crime investigators access to updated data and statistics to support better decision-making in criminal investigations. Having police contacts helps investigators stay better connected.
Bradley Burroughs and Hieu Nguyen Faculty Advisor: Ali Al-Faris, Ph.D. Electronic Poster Presentation
The growing accessibility of online gambling has raised serious concerns, particularly among teens and young adults who are among its most targeted demographics. As the internet has expanded, gambling has gained a strong foothold online across all age groups. Beyond traditional gambling, video games have increasingly incorporated addictive monetization strategies, such as mystery boxes and reward-based spending, that closely mirror gambling behavior and contribute to harmful financial and social consequences. As part of this project, we developed FunGames.java, a simulated casino game built in Java utilizing various data structures and a simple GUI/Database. Our goal is to spread awareness of gambling’s harmful effects through an engaging and educational simulated experience.
Nason John Omasta and Thomas Warren Willette Faculty Advisor: Ali Al-Faris, Ph.D. Traditional Poster Presentation
This project is a Java text-based version of the card game UNO. Several custom classes were crafted for this program, which include a Card class (which holds the attributes for UNO cards), a PlayerHand class (containing a LinkedList of Card objects as well as insertion sorting algorithms for ordering cards), a Player class (containing attributes such as the player’s name), and a TurnOrder class (containing the active player order and the methods to switch both the active player or reverse the order when a Reverse card is placed). Inside of the Main class, there are various methods which set up two Stacks of cards for pulling and placing (and the logic for both actions), as well as Computer Player logic, and the game’s victory conditions.
Arianna Michael, Cassandra Jreij, and Milla Santos Faculty Advisor: Nada Al Sallami, Ph.D. Traditional Poster Presentation
LED lights as a means of outdoor lighting are positively viewed because they are cheap and require less maintenance. LED lights produce a white or blue light that attracts insects. This artificial light disrupts their circadian rhythm and can lead to circling the light until death. The purpose of this project is to find which factors (temperature, humidity, etc.) would affect the attraction of insects to a light. Our research utilizes an open source database and MySQL Workbench software to provide data modeling and create a network of tools for analyzing various factors influencing the attraction of bug orders to different light sources. Further work in this project would help analyze multiple factors at input and arrive at a more focused result.
Namra Waqar and Milla Santos Faculty Advisor: Ali Al-Faris, Ph.D. Traditional Poster Presentation
Our pet adoption system oversees and manages the pet adoption process using Java programming, such as, managing customer profiles, managing pet profiles, allowing customers to join the queue for adoption, and also giving customers recommendations on what pets they can adopt based on their preferences. Linked lists are used to store the information of pets and customers. With pet adoption places facing staff shortages and overcrowding issues, our adoption system has a mini self-service system for customers to create or edit their profile themselves, saving time and increasing the efficiency of the pet adoption process. Hash tables are used to store the staff members’ usernames and passwords, and a queue is used to manage the waiting list for adoption.
Rick M Woubinwou Djouwe Faculty Advisor: Nada Al Sallami, Ph.D. Commonwealth Honors Project Traditional Poster Presentation
This project presents a risk-aware parking lot recommendation system designed for a smart campus environment. The system models campus parking lots with dynamic occupancy that changes according to time-of-day arrival and departure patterns. Students select a destination building, and the system ranks available parking lots using two strategies: a greedy closest-distance approach and a weighted risk-aware algorithm that incorporates both walking distance and estimated lot saturation. Performance is evaluated by comparing walking distance and congestion sensitivity under simulated peak conditions. The results demonstrate how cost-based optimization can improve parking efficiency and reduce uncertainty in campus infrastructure systems.
Harley Philippe and Joseph Auger Faculty Advisor: Elena Braynova, Ph.D. Traditional Poster Presentation
We analyzed a large-scale medical insurance dataset to evaluate how clinical, demographic, and healthcare utilization variables contribute to predicting disease status, risk classification, and medical costs. The Kaggle dataset contained 100,000 patient records and 54 attributes. We removed identifiers, verified no missing values or duplicates, and converted variables for machine learning modeling. Healthcare utilization variables such as hospitalizations and total claims paid showed the strongest associations with annual medical cost, while demographic variables showed weak relationships. A 99 percent confidence interval estimated mean annual cost between $2,983.98 and $3,034.93. Classification models performed strongly, with diabetes at 98.7 percent accuracy and high-risk status at 96.6 percent. Regression for cost prediction showed a correlation near 0.41 with high error.
Alivia Glynn and Zachary Kimball Faculty Advisor: Elena Braynova, Ph.D. Traditional Poster Presentation
This project analyzed a College Placement dataset of 10,000 student records to identify potential student success including academic performance, cognitive ability, experience, and placement outcomes. Using R, we explored the data with histograms, boxplots, scatterplots, bar charts, and correlation heatmaps, revealing a strong positive relationship between Previous Semester Result and CGPA. Internship experience related to higher placement rates, while cognitive measures like IQ showed weak associations. Statistical analysis confirmed a correlation of ~0.98 between Previous Semester Result and CGPA, with linear regression yielding R2 ≈ 0.96. WEKA-based decision tree classification accurately predicted academic performance, while regression estimated Projects Completed and Previous Semester Result. Predicting IQ was less reliable. Overall, prior academic consistency strongly predicts student outcomes, with experiential and cognitive factors playing secondary roles.
Celine Cardoso Faculty Advisor: Elena Braynova, Ph.D. WSU Summer Undergraduate Research Grant Traditional Poster Presentation
In this project, we analyzed public school characteristics such as student demographics, number of teachers, school grade span, and various other administrative conditions. We used a variety of Visualization techniques, Statistical Analysis methods, and applied Machine Learning methods to look deeper into the data to discover interesting patterns and dependencies. Our main focus was working with the New England states, as well as the MA public schools data. Some of the interesting patterns and insights we uncovered was that most schools in MA and New England do not offer virtual classes, the geographic location where most schools are located are large suburbs, and a small number of schools have many students in the direct certificate program.
Sean Wang Faculty Advisor: Elena Braynova, Ph.D. Traditional Poster Presentation
In this project we analyzed sleep quality, health, and lifestyle data to explore relationships among sleep habits, demographics, and health indicators. After preprocessing, the data were analyzed using visualizations, statistical analysis, and machine learning. We discovered strong correlations between attributes such as sleep duration and sleep quality and sleep quality and stress level. We further examined the data using classification, association rules, and numerical prediction. Classification models predicted whether a participant had a sleep disorder with very high accuracy and suggested differences in sleeping patterns between female and male groups. Association rule mining revealed relationships between gender, sleeping habits, and lifestyle indicators. Numerical prediction results showed how sleep quality depends on sleep patterns and health attributes.
Maria Delia Faculty Advisor: Nada Al Sallami, Ph.D. WSU Summer Undergraduate Research Grant Traditional Poster Presentation
Student debt is a challenge in the United States, with many young borrowers lacking the tools to understand repayment timelines and the impact of their financial decisions. Traditional approaches, such as online calculators, rely on fixed formulas and fail to incorporate additional student-specific variables such as income, expenses, and scholarships. This study aims to develop a machine learning model capable of predicting the duration required for students to repay their loans. The model is integrated into an Android smartphone application, designed and implemented using Android Studio and Java programming language. To address this gap, a dataset is created that contains 1,000 student records containing financial and demographic variables. Models were trained to predict the number of months required for repayment with 72-77% accuracy.
Alexa James and Israa Touaiher Faculty Advisor: Ali Al-Faris, Ph.D. Exhibition
In this game, players are attempting to keep their mutant pet alive by playing games, earning money, giving affection, buying clothes and food, and even treating their pet’s tumors. Players can also view their wallet, check high scores through the leaderboard, and view all of the items they have bought.
Adrianna Frazier Faculty Advisor: Karl Wurst, Ph.D. National Science Foundation Grant Traditional Poster Presentation
Kits are educational tools built to provide an authentic environment to learn Computer Science concepts. We are developing some of the approximately 80 components needed to refactor, improve, and generalize the tool used to build and deploy kits. Agentic AI is helping us develop the individual components, create plans, implement changes, and test to ensure everything integrates and works as desired. In conversation with the AI tool we can brainstorm, design, plan implementation, write and run tests, and implement the code. We can do this in a fraction of the time, with higher quality, than it would take with a human team member. As we continue to use the AI tool, we are learning how to make it work better in this and future projects.
Shayna Mullett Faculty Advisor: Ali Al-Faris, Ph.D. WSU Summer Undergraduate Research Grant Traditional Poster Presentation
This project presents a Python-based AI race strategy assistant developed for Formula 1, designed to optimize race outcomes for a single combination. The system employs reinforcement learning to model strategic decision-making across race conditions. By learning through iterative reward-based optimisation, the agent develops strategies for tire selection, pit stop timing, and more under varying competitive scenarios.
Elio Ngjelo Faculty Advisors: Maxim Lavrentovich Ph.D. and Nada Alsallami Ph.D. Commonwealth Honors Project
Predicting breast cancer recurrence remains a critical challenge in clinical oncology. We present a machine learning framework designed to predict disease progression using histopathological whole-slide imaging. We collect a dataset of 444 images from 47 patients, with each patient contributing 10 Region of Interest (ROI). The ROI images are slices through the cancerous tissue at a fixed resolution and contain both cancerous and regular cells. A standard Support Vector Machine (SVM) model, trained on unedited images, serves as our baseline model. We then discuss biophysical features, such as alignment of extracellular fibers and cell density, which may be used to train enhanced machine learning models. By comparing the enhanced models with the baseline, we may identify which morphological patterns are most predictive of cancer recurrence.
Bekah Dorman and Will Demers Faculty Advisors: Laura Reynolds, Ph.D. Worcester State Foundation Student Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity Grant Traditional Poster Presentation
Through long-term surface water monitoring, Worcester State University partners with the City of Worcester and the Tatnuck Brook Watershed Association to examine how land use influences recreational water bodies. This study compares two sites in the Tatnuck Brook watershed: Cooks Pond, surrounded by protected natural land, and Patch Reservoir, bordered by residential development. Cooks Pond showed lower nutrient concentrations (nitrate and phosphorus) and only a brief period of low dissolved oxygen at depth during summer. In contrast, Patch Reservoir remained anoxic at depth and had consistently higher phosphorus concentrations. These differences highlight the impact of urban development on water quality and emphasize the importance of continued monitoring for sustainable watershed management in Worcester.
Kyleigh I. Sutherland Faculty Advisors: Laura Reynolds, Ph.D. Worcester State Foundation Student Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity Grant Traditional Poster Presentation
Observing carbon content in soil is extremely important because it influences other soil characteristics like nutrients, stability, and water capacity. One factor that can influence organic carbon content is the soil texture; studies have shown that soils with larger percentages of clay-sized grains also contain more organic carbon. The main goal of this research project is to analyze organic and inorganic carbon in soil and its relationship with grain size in agricultural soil samples collected from Rattle Root Farm in Princeton, Massachusetts. Preliminary results suggest that the grain size of our samples are not correlated with organic carbon values. Therefore, variations in organic carbon observed in our samples are driven by other characteristics of soil composition or farming techniques.
Ani M. Matevosian and Brady J. Carlin Faculty Advisor: Anne Armstrong, Ph.D. Traditional Poster Presentation
STEM identity is defined as a combination of competence, performance, and recognition, as well as feeling a sense of belonging and motivation within STEM fields This identity can be influenced by knowledge and eagerness to pursue STEM. There are systematic barriers within the field of STEM related to race, gender, and self-identity, such as underrepresentation, limited access to resources, and societal stereotypes. We conducted a survey (n = 110) on STEM identity and sense of belonging with Worcester State students. Preliminary results suggest that WSU students express high levels of confidence in their ability to perform in STEM courses, but express lower levels of recognition as a science person from STEM faculty.
Rowan D. Buck Faculty Advisor: Allison L. Dunn Ph.D. Traditional Poster Presentation
Monitoring forest health is an important facet of environmental science, especially in today’s changing climate. This study examined two forest stands at Harvard Forest in Petersham, Massachusetts. Tree diameters at a control site (100-year-old red pine plantation) and harvest site (35-year-old naturally regenerating forest) were measured yearly from 2008-2025. Data were entered into Excel and stem density and basal area were calculated. Stem density decreased from 979 to 697 stems ha-1 at the control site and from 2723 to 1963 stems ha-1 at the harvest site from 2008 to 2025. Over the same time period, the basal area increased from 15.9 to 24.9 m2 ha-1 at the harvest site, but decreased from 58.8 to 14.5 m2 ha-1 at the control site.
Max P. Gunnerson, Bryant J. Contreras, and Tung B. Nguyen Faculty Advisors: Laura Reynolds, Ph.D., and William Hansen, Ph.D. Worcester State Foundation Student Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity Grant Traditional Poster Presentation
We present the results of our geological study of Northern Ireland and the Causeway Coast conducted during the Spring 2026 Field Geoscience course trip to Ireland and Northern Ireland. Using field observations of bedrock geology and features, we analyzed the geological history of the Causeway Coast and Northern Ireland. We expect our results will show evidence for past volcanism and tectonic events. Since this area is home to many distinct geological features such as sedimentary deposits, this study could be a valuable insight into how and when such geographical and geological features arose, and how they may change in the future.
Aidan J Brueckner Faculty Advisors: Laura Reynolds, Ph.D., and William Hansen, Ph.D. Traditional Poster Presentation
This project contains observations made at Ramore Head in Northern Ireland during the Spring 2026 Field Geoscience trip, and subsequent comparison to historical research of the site. Ramore Head is notable for the history of the development of geologic theory, specifically regarding the formation of igneous rocks. In the 18th century, it was believed that igneous rocks were formed either by chemical precipitates in seawater, or the solidification of molten minerals. In this presentation I use my own observations and previous research to synthesize the state of the science on the fossils at this site, and their contributions to understanding metamorphic processes.
Rebecca Cormier, Rebekah Dorman, and William Demers Faculty Advisor: Laura Reynolds, Ph.D. Traditional Poster Presentation
In this study we observed the impact of seasonal transitions on dissolved oxygen (DO) in local streams. Appropriate levels of DO are necessary to provide for aquatic life and lower than expected levels can be a sign of ecological stress. We used a YSI Dissolved Oxygen-Temperature-Conductivity probe to measure DO concentrations at several sites along the Tatnuck Brook from summer 2025 to spring 2026 as part of a larger water quality monitoring project ongoing since 2022 Our results show seasonal changes in DO concentrations, with higher concentrations during winter months. These results highlight the importance of continuous monitoring over different seasons.
Emily J. Walls Faculty Advisors: Laura Reynolds Ph.D., and Meghna Dilip Ph.D. Traditional Poster Presentation
In this study, we investigate the nitrate content along with specific conductance, conductivity, and temperature of recent snowfall We report the composition of the compounds in the snow/ice on Worcester State University (WSU) campus. This would test which elements are more likely to freeze than others in snow. This builds on the idea, of understanding which chemical elements freeze those who do not.
Will Demers and Matt Kaufman Faculty Advisor: Matthew H. Kaufman, Ph.D. Traditional Poster Presentation
The environmental consequences of rampant industrialization affect the Blackstone Valley in numerous long-standing ways. Meadow Pond in southern Massachusetts includes an abandoned beach that once had annual sand deposits. This sand erodes into the pond during rain/snow events. During the winter to spring transition, we measured rates of erosion from the beach into the pond. Each week we measured the sand height relative to the top of a PVC stake. In addition, we conducted bathymetry surveys with a Lowrance sonar system to determine changes in the pond bottom. Small, clear changes in the beach topology and pond bathymetry were observed. These results provide insight into the environmental effects of artificial sand deposition over time on both the land surface and pond floor.
Islambek Karagulov and William Demers Faculty Advisor: Nabin Malakar, Ph.D. Traditional Poster Presentation
In this project, we aim to bridge the gap between environmental science and various Artificial Intelligence algorithms. This project tackles one of South Asia’s most pressing humanitarian challenges: the air quality crisis. We will gather satellite remote sensing data that indicates the amount of air pollution in the air using NASA platforms, and explore sophisticated Machine Learning algorithms and NOAA-backtracking Lagrangian transport models to decode how pollution travels across international borders and settles into the Himalayan region. This will help provide important data analysis findings for social application and policy making in the region.
Laxmikant Paropkari and Behram Khaled Faculty Advisor: Nabin Malakar, Ph.D. Electronic Poster Presentation
In this study, we analyzed twenty hurricanes that transverse the eastern coastline of the USA. Hurricanes cause serious damages which can range from billions of dollars and lost lives. We used NASA satellite remote sensing datasets to analyze hurricanes such as Hurricane Harvey, Hurricane Sandy, Hurricane Igor, Hurricane Melissa and Hurricane Katrina to name a few. Our analytics of hurricane data will help provide insights into their characteristics cross examined with reference to the sea surface data. The analysis will start from the formation of the hurricane up to the point it reaches the United States. We hope this study will help prepare decision makers to develop tools to save lost lives as well as reduce the dollar amount of damage.
Jon R. Urella, Tomasz C. Zygmunt, Winner M. Sheriff, and Queenstar Gyamfi Faculty Advisor: Nabin Malakar, Ph.D. Traditional Poster Presentation
The urban heat island effect is when highly developed/urban areas absorb and re-emit the sun’s heat. As this effect creates a higher average temperature, this causes physical and fiscal challenges for residents of urban areas. Challenges can include physical concerns relating to health like heat stroke and dehydration, and economic concerns related to the cost of AC and cooling units. For this project we examine the current state of the urban heat island effect in Massachusetts’ two largest cities, Worcester and Boston, from 2000 to 2025. We expect this issue will only worsen over with our knowledge of worsening climate change, which will in turn only exaggerate the already existing heat island effect.
Maria Vazquez, Erika Wheeler, and Nguyen Vuong Faculty Advisor: Nabin Malakar, Ph.D. Traditional Poster Presentation
Wildfires cause major problems related to human health issues, causing major property damage, reduction in air quality, and ecology damage. Wildfires are primarily caused by human activities, burning debris, downed powerlines and environmental factors such as climate change, strong winds, and drought. Texas holds the second highest amount of wildfires in the United States –due to Texas’ higher temperatures mixed with strong winds that cause wildfires to travel rapidly, accompanied with low relative humidity and dry soil which promote wildfire. Improving our understanding of wildfires will prevent future fires and damages. Our analysis will help gain insights into the safety and health of our planet.
Cailey A Ryan Faculty Advisor: Matthew H. Kaufman, Ph.D. WSU Summer Undergraduate Research Grant Traditional Poster Presentation
Aquatic ecosystem metabolism can be divided into two key processes: carbon fixation and ecosystem respiration. Stream total ecosystem respiration can further be divided by location: respiration that occurs within the open water column and within the sediments. It is challenging to isolate the drivers of variability in water column respiration. Here we focus on determining water column aerobic respiration rates across stream sites within the Tatnuck Brook watershed. In Summer 2025, aerobic respiration was measured using in-situ dark bottle incubations. A small suite of water quality data was collected as well. Our results indicate that while our water column respiration rates are generally low, they fall within the range of expected literature data, and also show interesting correlations with some water quality parameters.
Justin Gagnon and Matthew Kaufman Faculty Advisor: Matthew H. Kaufman, Ph.D. Aisiku Summer Research Fellowship, through the Imoigele P. Aisiku, M.D.,’92 STEM Center Traditional Poster Presentation
Spatial patterns in surface water quality reflect the combined influence of hydrologic, physical, and biological processes operating within a watershed. Parameters such as temperature, dissolved oxygen, and nutrient concentrations can reveal underlying controls on water chemistry when examined across space. This study analyzes spatial variability in water quality within the Tatnuck Brook watershed in Central Massachusetts to identify patterns in thermal and chemical indicators. Observed spatial gradients are evaluated to determine whether groundwater inputs produce a detectable signal in the system.
Michael Suarez-Pena and Bryant Contreras Faculty Advisor: Nabin Malakar, Ph.D. Traditional Poster Presentation
Readings of Chlorophyll-a data in the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico were used to assess photosynthetic variability in the region. Chlorophyll-a abundance can cause hazardous eutrophication, indicating high phytoplankton activity in the region. Phytoplanktons are at the base of the aquatic food web, thus affecting all marine life that consumes them. Chlorophyll-a measurements exhibit significant impacts from human activity near coastlines or deltas. We encountered variability in our data from seasonal, multi-year (El Niño/La Niña) changes to climate change overall.
Maxwell T. Passarelli Faculty Advisor: Anne Armstrong, Ph.D. Worcester State Foundation Student Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity Grant Commonwealth Honors Project Traditional Poster Presentation
Pollinators and native plants are essential to healthy ecosystems but are increasingly threatened by habitat loss from agriculture and urbanization. Because these interconnected species depend on human behavior, we surveyed Massachusetts residents to understand their attitudes toward native plants and pollinators. Using semantic differentials and Likert‑type items, we distributed the survey through Amazon Mechanical Turk, the Massachusetts Pollinator Network, and the Worcester Native Plant Initiative. Results show that Massachusetts residents generally hold favorable views of both. Young adults, in particular, express strong interest in native planting, pollinator support, and community volunteerism. Their willingness to engage highlights a promising demographic for conservation efforts. These findings can help conversation‑focused nonprofit organizations better target and tailor their outreach strategies.
Sean R. Hicks and Matthew R. Hicks Faculty Advisors: Laura Reynolds, Ph.D., and William Hansen, Ph.D. Traditional Poster Presentation
We present the results of our historical analysis of Northern Ireland conducted during the Spring 2026 Field Geoscience course trip to Ireland and Northern Ireland. Using historical records from the period known as “the Troubles” in Derry, Northern Ireland, we analyzed the historical and geographic framework of the Troubles and subsequent Peace Process. We expect our results will show how historical events led to the modern configuration of Derry. At the end of this, people unfamiliar with these troubled times in Northern Irish history will have an understanding of the Troubles as it pertains to geopolitical and geographic history.
Daniel Edward Barbato Faculty Advisors: Laura Reynolds, Ph.D., and William Hansen, Ph.D. Traditional Poster Presentation
We present the results of our GIS analysis of Northern Ireland conducted during the Spring 2026 Field Geoscience course trip to Ireland and Northern Ireland. Using GPS data collected from the shoreline of Whitepark Bay we analyzed the modern evolution of the coast of Northern Ireland. We expect our results will show how storm Eowyn impacted sand supply to the coast. The data and conclusions from this study will have widespread applications for Ireland coastlines and many others with similar properties. Understanding how high intensity natural events and time in general affect coastlines such as Whitepark Bay will help recreational facilities, conservational agencies, and many others prepare, and repair their environments to best serve the public and future generations who will inhabit the earth.
Kaia Sharon and Sarah Forrest Faculty Advisor: William Hansen, Ph.D. Traditional Poster Presentation
Stone walls are an iconic architectural feat reminiscent of a past cultural practice. Ireland has over 248,000 miles of walls that have stood for centuries. Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) data will be utilized to approximate the location of stone walls along the Causeway Coast in Ballycastle. We will ground truth this data with satellite imagery and GPS coordinates collected while in Northern Ireland for GS180/380. We expect to find an abundance of stone walls that form long, straight rows and rectangular enclosures. Documenting their extent and pattern advances the understanding of the cultural and historical value of these structures and increases the likelihood of their preservation as artifacts.
Kaia Sharon Faculty Advisor: Kate Markham, Ph.D. Traditional Poster Presentation
New England’s stone walls range from complex architectural feats to scattered rows of stone. I implemented Robert Thorson’s 2023 taxonomy and nomenclature to classify stone wall types across multiple study sites in Central Massachusetts. I documented and compared 20 walls using taxonomic categories and nomenclatural standards to assess variation in elongation, height, structure, segment contacts, and wall terminations. Results demonstrated significant variation in stone wall types across the different study sites. This work serves to advance cultural landscape preservation and further our understanding of stone walls within Central Massachusetts.
Colin Bowe Kelly Flynn Faculty Advisors: Laura Reynolds, Ph.D., and William Hansen, Ph.D. Traditional Poster Presentation
This presentation will discuss and examine ways in which Irish & Northern Irish people used history to justify their cultural identities during the time period known as The Troubles. I will examine how these historical justifications contributed to conflict leading up to and during The Troubles and how the “us vs them” dynamic between people in Northern Ireland vs the Republic of Ireland caused difficulties in achieving a lasting peace. This presentation will use human geography, historical record and folkloric record of the Irish mythic past to illuminate which historical narratives these organizations and individuals aligned themselves with as well as the narratives in which they casted the other.
Declan Noonan Faculty Advisor: Andrew Burkhardt, Ph.D. Electronic Poster Presentation
I built a Python orbit simulator that models satellite motion around Earth using Newtonian gravity and an optional atmospheric drag force. The atmosphere is represented with a simple exponential density model based on altitude, allowing a direct comparison between stable orbits and decaying orbits with drag turned on or off. Altitude, speed, and total mechanical energy are tracked to show the difference between numerical error and real energy loss caused by drag. The code was persistently improved for smoothed motion, physical reasonability, and developing clear 2D and 3D visualizations. The results show that a simplified model can reproduce realistic-looking orbital decay and reentry behavior, while also indicating additional physics needed for more accurate predictions.
Devis Kadi Faculty Advisor: Andrew Burkhardt, Ph.D. Traditional Poster Presentation
Space is filled with tiny dust grains covered in ice. These dust grains may contain the building blocks of life. When new stars are born, they create powerful shock waves that slam into these grains. This impact releases the ice into gas and starts rapid chemical reactions. My project uses computer simulations to study this process. Previous simulations have often excluded non-diffusion and radiation chemistry. By modeling various shock speeds, I track the formation of new chemicals both with and without these specific processes and compare the results. This research helps us understand how complex organic molecules form in the harsh environment of space.
Isac Daniel Wandiba Faculty Advisor: Ian Stephens, Ph.D. Traditional Poster Presentation
Protostellar bipolar outflows are expected to widen over tens of thousands of years as the star-forming envelope disperses. Dunham et al. (2024) measured outflow opening angles for 37 protostars using ¹²CO(2-1) observations from the MASSES survey, finding that younger protostars exhibit narrower outflows while more evolved sources show broader ones. However, ¹²CO is optically thick and traces only the surface of the outflow cavity, potentially biasing opening angle measurements. ¹³CO, being 60× less abundant, remains optically thin and may better trace the true outflow envelope boundary. We develop an automated pipeline to generate moment-0 maps from SMA spectral cubes at 1–4 arcsec (300–1200 au) resolution for both ¹²CO(2-1) and ¹³CO(2-1), using σ-based contour levels derived from analytically propagated cube noise.
Zachary Stomski Faculty Advisor: Andrew Burkhardt, Ph.D. Massachusetts Space Grant Consortium, Aisiku Summer Research Grant Oral Presentation
Determining optimal physical conditions for astrochemical modeling is challenging due to the interdependence of the parameter space that governs them. Many of these parameters influence molecular abundances in complex, nonlinear ways, making manual tuning difficult and often subjective. To address this, we developed and trained a deep learning neural network to optimize physical parameters based on observed molecular abundances of astrophysical sources. The model creates predicted results using the NAUTILUS astrochemical model, which simulates molecular abundances given input parameters. This approach streamlines the process for producing parameters, reduces human bias in parameter selection, enables more consistent simulations, and ultimately promotes comparability across publications. Using this method, we were able to halve the average loss from outputted abundances compared to previous research’s best parameter sets.
Xin Xiong Faculty Advisor: Nabin Malakar, Ph.D. WSU Academic Affairs Faculty Scholarship/Creative Activity Grant Electronic Poster Presentation
This project looks at how a quantum particle behaves inside a one-dimensional infinite potential well using the time dependent Schrödinger equation. The main goal for this project is to see how the probability density changes over time for different starting conditions, like single energy states, combinations of states, and localized wave packets. Analytical solutions explain the stationary cases, while simulations show how things evolve over time. The results highlight key quantum effects, including stable distributions for single states, interference patterns from superpositions, and periodic motion of wave packets. Even though the model is simplified, it still gives useful insight into quantum confinement and helps explain real systems like semiconductor quantum wells and quantum dots used in modern technology.
Amelia M. Skiba Terrinha Faculty Advisor: Laura Reynolds, Ph.D. Traditional Poster Presentation
This study tracks wildlife activity at Patch Reservoir in Worcester, Massachusetts, using motion-sensing trail cameras. The cameras have been deployed for a full year beginning in February 2025. Originally initiated by another Worcester State student, this project contributes to long-term data collection, which is essential for effectively monitoring the area and gaining a more accurate understanding of wildlife presence across different seasons. The purpose of this study is to document species presence, as well as analyze seasonal activity patterns. By collecting year-round data, this research enhances understanding of local biodiversity and helps establish baseline information for future ecological research and conservation efforts at Patch Reservoir.
Larissa Cubias-Souza Faculty Advisors: Randall Tracy Ph.D., and Laura Reynolds Ph.D. Traditional Poster Presentation
This project analyzed the morphology and water quality of Lake Chauncy and compared it with nearby Little Chauncy Pond, focusing on how seasonal stratification affected dissolved oxygen, nutrient levels, and cyanobacteria growth. The study reviewed 2022 temperature and dissolved oxygen profiles, which were reviewed and compared, along with water sampling from 2025 that measured nitrate, phosphate, hardness, pH, and total iron. Results indicated a summer thermal stratification with hypoxic (low oxygen) bottom waters below 10–12 ft and increased cyanobacterial blooms during mid-summer. The nitrate levels ranged from 0.0–0.5 mg/L, pH was 6.5, and water hardness was 80 mg/L. Further comparison with 2017 data collected from Little Chauncy Pond revealed similar seasonal patterns suggesting that glacial lake morphology influences oxygen distribution and ecosystem dynamics.
Jake E. Krisiak Faculty Advisor: Andrew Burkhardt, Ph.D. Traditional Poster Presentation
There is an issue in the historiography of Astronomy of eurocentrism, and this eurocentrism is overshadowing the massive contributions made by other civilizations throughout history. In the Intro to Astronomy there is this gap in the teaching of Astronomy’s history and I have developed an in-class activity to help fix this issue with researching 6 civilizations (Greece, Egypt, Babylonia, Babylonia, Mayans, Umayid Caliphates) and outlining questions about what contributions they made throughout their existence.
Sara Heil, Vanessa Corriveau, and Meredith Parsons Faculty Advisor: Kristine A. Camacho, Ph.D. Graduate Project Traditional Poster Presentation
Positive representation of diverse racial identities in the media was has been found to be associated with increased confidence in ethnic self-identity. This study examined whether representation can influence children’s confidence in their ethnic self-identity by surveying sixth to eighth grade students from a local charter public school in an urban setting in New England. Results indicate that feeling represented in the media an individual consumes is positively correlated with one’s overall self-confidence in their ethnic identity. This research reiterates the importance of positive representation in the media for diverse individuals.
Scout Beaudoin, Madalyn Endriga, and Jessica Hiatt, Faculty Advisor: Kristine A. Camacho, Ph.D. Graduate Project Traditional Poster Presentation
This study utilized a survey design to study the past and current reading habits, academic achievement, and overall views of the reading abilities of high school students from one high school in the Northeast. A moderate positive correlation was found between students’ reading self-concept and how they perceived their abilities in comparison to their peers. This result indicates that reading self-concept can contribute to academic confidence. Educators should use this knowledge to prioritize pleasure reading throughout the school day to foster reading habits in order to improve academic performance.
Sabah Gillani, Nicole Hoffman, and Alexandra Pizarro Faculty Advisor: Kristine A. Camacho, Ph.D. Graduate Project Traditional Poster Presentation
This study explored factors contributing to writing performance of university students. Students (N=55) were asked about various pre-college demographic factors as well as their attitudes towards aspects of writing. Results of the study revealed that students felt more confident in their ability to write effectively after taking a first-year writing class, suggesting that while pre-college factors may shape initial attitudes, the experience of taking a first-year writing class can boost students’ confidence in their writing abilities. Strategies for enhancing perceptions about the writing process at the university level will be discussed.
Madeline Lemke, Mishayla Silver, and Stacia Gagne Faculty Advisor: Kristine A. Camacho, Ph.D. Graduate Project Traditional Poster Presentation
This study utilized a multi-method approach to examine the associations between mental health literacy scores and the utilization of university counseling services across different majors in undergraduate students at one college in the northeast United States (n = 169). It was found that there is a positive association between high scores of mental health literacy and higher rates of utilization of counseling services. Students enrolled in a mental health focused major had higher mental health literacy scores than students who were enrolled in non-mental health focused majors. Findings suggest that students who had more awareness of the importance of mental health were more likely to utilize available resources. Strategies for extending this to non-mental health focused majors will be discussed.
Estefania Alicea, Abby Doyle, and Amy Jano Faculty Advisor: Kristine A. Camacho, Ph.D. Graduate Project Traditional Poster Presentation
Racial discrimination can significantly affect college students’ mental health and academic experience. This project examined how students perceive and experience racism on campus and how effective they believe institutional anti-racism efforts to be. Particpants included 52 undergraduate students at Worcester State University representing diverse racial and ethic backgrounds. A mixed-methods approach was used to analyze survey data, including self-reported depression scores and open-ended responses. While quantitative findings were inconclusive, qualitative data revealed frequent microaggressions, limited accountability, and inadequate visibility of anti-racist initiatives. Findings suggest that universities must move beyond symbolic efforts and prioritize student voice, structural change, and meaningful accountability in addressing campus racism.
Paige M. Demanche, Kristie N. Martin, and Jamie A. O’Donnell Faculty Advisor: Kristine A. Camacho, Ph.D. WSU foundation and Aisuku summer undergrad research grant Graduate Project Traditional Poster Presentation
This mixed-methods study examined special education administrators’ (n=55) perceptions of practices that serve as facilitators and barriers to parental engagement in the IEP process in Massachusetts. Analyses revealed that personalized outreach and culturally responsive strategies foster inclusion of parents in the IEP process. Factors related to experience and district size were also found to influence engagement in various ways with smaller districts being able to provide more opportunities for engagement. Administrators cited trust, time, and cultural barriers as persistent challenges. While technology boosted participation, administrators noted it reduced interpersonal connection in the process. Implications for school districts will be discussed, particularly around the importance of culturally responsive strategies and ways to bolster parental engagement through the inclusion of effective strategies in one’s practices.
Gillian S. McDonald Faculty Advisor: Sue Foo, M.Ed. Performance
“The Space Between” is a poetry reading of four original poems that examine the reflective space between eighteen and twenty-two, exploring identity formation, memory, sisterhood, and growth. This reading is embedded within a larger research project investigating the pedagogical relationship between poetry and hip-hop/rap music in secondary English classrooms. By combining creative practice with academic research, the performance functions as both artistic expression and scholarly reflection. Before stepping into the role of educator, I intentionally return to the position of student, studying my own voice, language, and lived experience. These poems document the evolving self as both the subject and the site of learning.
Emma J. Heintz Faculty Advisor: Mariana C. Calle, Ph.D. WSU Summer Undergraduate Research Grant Traditional Poster Presentation
Adequate nutrition is essential for enhancing performance and recovery in collegiate athletes, yet limited research exists in Division III populations. This cross-sectional study examined sports nutrition knowledge and dietary habits among Division III soccer players (N=24) across all class years (64% male, 32% female, 4% transgender), ages 18-22, with 71% residing on campus. All participants completed a nutrition knowledge survey and a female subgroup completed food records. The majority of participants (87%) reported confidence making healthy food choices. Knowledge gaps were identified in two key performance areas; hydration with 38% response accuracy and carbohydrates at 61%. Carbohydrates were inconsistently identified as the primary source of energy. These findings indicate discrepancies between perceived and actual nutrition knowledge, highlighting the need for targeted intervention for soccer players.
Alyssa L. Mapes, Kali N. Day, Emily A. Colantuoni, Joanna E. Youssef, Karina M. Herrera, Haley M. Coggans, and Caroline Ardon M. Ceciliano Faculty Advisor: Elinor Fondell, Ph.D. Electronic Poster Presentation
Dysmenorrhea is a health condition characterized by menstrual and back pain, bleeding, and symptoms often combined with other menstrual disorders. Affecting up to 89% of individuals, it can impair concentration, energy, and academic engagement in college students. Despite its impact, higher education institutions rarely implement policies addressing menstrual-related limitations. This study assesses the functional and perceived burden of dysmenorrhea among Worcester State students using a cross-sectional design. Participants will complete a baseline survey, attend an educational session with interactive cognitive activities, and a subset will undergo transcutaneous muscle stimulation. Post-test outcomes will measure changes in perceived severity, cognitive impact, empathy, and policy support. We hypothesize that cognitive functioning is affected by perceived menstrual pain, and subsequently, knowledge gained during the study will decrease menstrual stigma.
Anaji Reyes, Benisa Fis, and Adolphoine Safasco Faculty Advisor: Elinor Fondell, Ph.D. Traditional Poster Presentation
We will be conducting a Cross-Sectional Survey on individuals’ use of AI with medical advice. During this we will be administering a confidential survey targeting undergraduate and graduate students at Worcester State University. In the survey we will be asking questions about the basic understanding of AI, how often it is used, the manner in which it is being used(medical advice, medication explanations, or symptom advice), and how they are using the advice, and lastly we will ask if they compare AI advice with a health care professional’s opinion. We predict that more than 50% of the survey applicants will report that they depend on AI for medical advice.
Spencer D. Harding, Jayden Rodriguez, Geoffrey W Mwaniki, Cassandra L Millea, Mariah A. Olivo, Arielle J. Villandry, Morgan M. Fonseca, and Mersen E. Mulisa Faculty Advisor: Elinor Fondell, Ph.D. Electronic Poster Presentation
The prevalence of depression and anxiety reaches over 30% for college students globally. College students remain a high risk population compared to adults that have graduated or do not attend university. The aim of this study is to analyze the relationship between students’ self reported anxiety and depression as well as their cell phone use and dependency. A cross-sectional survey was used, which included questions from HADS (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale) and Smart Phone Addiction Scale (short version). We are expecting to see a positive correlation between self reported cell phone addiction and increased anxiety and depression.
Hunter Philip Lord Siebel Faculty Advisor: Martin T. Fromm, Ph.D. Traditional Poster Presentation
This presentation explains how Genghis Khan and the Mongol Empire has been incorporated into modern Chinese culture. It focuses on how Genghis Kahn has been renvisioned as a hero in China and how Mongolian history is being erased and rewritten to suit modern Chinese expansion. The project is based on Chinese films and new articles on the subject. The presentaiton will show that China has adopted the Mongols as a symbol of Chinese pride for means of assimilation of the Mongol ethnic minority. In this way, China has adopted the Mongol Empire and Genghis Kahn as folk legends and inspirations for Chinese expansion/assimilation.
Richard Payne Faculty Advisor: Martin T. Fromm, Ph.D. Oral Presentation
This project examines how Tibetan cinema has portrayed cultural identity and loss across two very different political moments. I compare The Serf (1963) with Old Dog (2011) to ask how each film builds its own story about Tibetan life and the pressures of modernization. The earlier film presents Tibet through the lens of socialist “liberation,” while the later, Tibetan-directed work shows a community struggling with the erosion of long‑held traditions and autonomy. By examining narrative choices, visual imagery, and historical context, the project argues that film offers a revealing space where political authority, cultural survival, and Tibetan self‑representation come into direct tension.
Elexis F. Leger Faculty Advisor: Martin T. Fromm, Ph.D. Commonwealth Honors Project Electronic Poster Presentation
This project investigates the role of cultural preservation policies in China and asks: To what extent does cultural preservation function as a tool of political control rather than cultural empowerment? Focusing on state-led efforts such as festivals, tourism, and official representations of ethnic minority cultures, I analyze how these initiatives shape public perceptions and everyday practices. Using analysis of scholarly sources, the project demonstrates that, while preservation can protect cultural symbols, it often standardizes and “freezes” dynamic cultural practices. The study concludes that cultural preservation in China simultaneously safeguards traditions and contains minority autonomy and self-representation.
Robert Howard Faculty Advisor: Martin T. Fromm, Ph.D. Electronic Poster Presentation
Kung-fu cinema is one of China’s most recognizable film genres, celebrated for its choreography and spectacle.This presentation examines how kung-fu films depict ethnic minorities from noble warriors to exoticized outsiders and what these portrayals reveal about broader cultural and political assumptions in the China.Focusing on key films from the late socialist and post-reform eras, I argue that minority figures often oscillate between symbols of national diversity to cinematic archetypes that support Han-centered narratives. By analyzing key factors, this talk shows how kung-fu films stage ethnicity as both visual spectacle and political meaning offering a window into the tensions between popular culture, state multiculturalism, and representation in modern China.
Zach A. Rich Faculty Advisor: Martin T. Fromm, Ph.D. Commonwealth Honors Project Oral Presentation
The Kuomintang (KMT)’s single-party rule of Taiwan from 1949 to 1992, now known as the “White Terror,” was an era of Taiwanese history marked by political censorship under a brutal regime. Through the use of martial law, any suspected dissent among the Taiwanese polity was met with immediate arrest and, most often, execution without due process of law. Ultimately, the legacy of the repression of Taiwanese civilians’ attempts to determine their own cultural, political, and ethnic identity under Chiang Kai-Shek’s KMT continues to inform Taiwanese historical memory contemporarily. This presentation critically examines both direct reactions to Chiang Kai-Shek’s authoritarian leadership and how the White Terror continues to inform Taiwanese people’s current conception of their ethnic identity and place within the Southeast Asian political theatre.
Cameron O’Neill Faculty Advisor: Martin T. Fromm, Ph.D. Electronic Poster Presentation
This poster will be about the expansions created during the Tang Dynasty. The Tang Dynasty welcomed Christianity to Xian, and during that same year a Chinese Buddhist initiated one of the great cultural exchanges in history. The Tang Dynasty lasted from 618 to 907 A.D. and was considered the golden age of arts and culture in China.
Kael McManus Faculty Advisor: Martin T. Fromm, Ph.D. Oral Presentation
This research surrounds an exploration of the Arunachal Pradesh area, which is in dispute between the states of China and India, and the people who reside within it. It is inhabited mostly by the Monpa people, who live within both countries. This research explores what it means for group identity to be split across modern borders and to be at the heart of an international conflict over land between two empires competing for your subjugation. It will explore the history of these people and this conflict, as well as what it means to be Monpa itself, and how that differs or stays the same across an invisible line. This is done through analysis of historical and contemporary sources concerning the Monpa from multiple perspectives.
Nicolette Rose Grundstrom Faculty Advisor: Martin T. Fromm, Ph.D. Oral Presentation
This project examines how schooling shapes ethnic identity among minority communities in modern China. By focusing on everyday experiences within schools, the research explores how education influences understandings of ethnicity, belonging, and national identity. It argues that schools play a central role in producing ethnic identity, making education a key site for understanding ethnicity in contemporary China.
Tyler Lewis Tremblay Faculty Advisor: Martin T. Fromm, Ph.D. Commonwealth Honors Project Electronic Poster Presentation
This presentation examines the music throughout the years in China, and compares and contrasts music representative of different ethnic groups. Music is something that is often a very large part of a specific group’s culture, and determining how different groups integrate/integrated their own music into their culture is important to understanding those cultures. This presentaiton offers insight not only into the music of different cultures in China, but also the importance and impact it has/had on the different groups considered.
Cameron J. Verna Faculty Advisor: Martin T. Fromm, Ph.D. Traditional Poster Presentation
This presentation will explore how modern Chinese education has affected ethnic minority students. My research will explore issues such as language, Han-centered curriculum, and national unity, and how they have each contributed to the loss of ethnic identity. This presentation will look into boarding schools for students from Xinjiang and Tibet and how there is significant tension between promoting the idea of national unity instead of protecting cultural diversity.
Aidan Q Hawkins Faculty Advisor: Martin T. Fromm, Ph.D. Traditional Poster Presentation
The ethnic identity of the Mongols seems split between two groups. It is split between a now-independent nation and an autonomous region within China. This difference in situation would affect the people’s identities and situations over time. Considering that one is within another nation and another is independent clearly shows a difference in situation and signals different challenges. The question to answer here is how this split over time led to changes in the Mongol identity and situation within China and within Mongolia.
Amber Borges Faculty Advisor: Martin T. Fromm, Ph.D. Commonwealth Honors Project Traditional Poster Presentation
Throughout the world, music is utilized as a cultural connection, bridging divides between people of different backgrounds. In China, the popularity of Chinese ethnic minority music has grown due to its evoking an “exotic” feeling that is no longer present in Western-influenced pop. Platformed through growing internet access and the popularity of televised music contests, minority ethnicities have been allowed to broadcast their unique talents and musical stylings. However, many Chinese ethnic musicians also feel that their identities have been reduced to a commodity for the Han majority to consume. This project explores whether the celebration of an ethnic minority group’s art does more harm than good, or if any visibility is crucial in achieving recognition on the national stage.
Syeda Faatima Zahraa Adnan Faculty Advisor: Martin T. Fromm, Ph.D. Traditional Poster Presentation
This project compares the two predominant Muslim communities in China: the Hui and the Uyghurs. While both groups practice Islam, they differ significantly in language, history, geographic distribution, and relationships with the Chinese state. This project employs both primary and secondary sources, including historical records, government policy documents, and scholarly literature. By contrasting Hui integration across China with Uyghur regional concentration in Xinjiang, this project demonstrates that religious unity does not eliminate ethnic diversity. Instead, it interacts with cultural, political, and historical forces to shape distinct Muslim identities in China.
Aidan J Lynch Faculty Advisor: Martin T. Fromm, Ph.D. Commonwealth Honors Project Traditional Poster Presentation
Who are the Uyghurs? Why have people in the United States rarely been aware or hear about this group of people? This project explores the primarily Muslim Uyghur people in China. There are currently an estimated one million Uyghurs in inhumane “Re-Education” Camps in Xinjiang, China. These camps aim to “convert” or erase their ethnic and religious identities. Credible reports have shown that the camps threats of physical violence, drug intake, and sexual abuse. Uyghurs are being put in intensive labor factories. Given the recent increase in global attention on the Uyghurs, this project will examine some of the responses around the world to the crimes that continue to be committed against the Uyghurs people, and how the responses might help stop this abuse.
Jake E. Krisiak Faculty Advisor: Martin T. Fromm, Ph.D. Traditional Poster Presentation
Researching and exploring the history of the Uyghurs and their recent persecution by the Chinese Government, and exploring the history of propaganda to justify the persecution, the ways that the Chinese government has lied about what they are doing to this day and explore what damage has been caused to the Uyghur community and identity in China.
Aidan M. Bell Faculty Advisor: Martin T. Fromm, Ph.D. Electronic Poster Presentation
This project centers around the “I-Ta Incident,” a mass exodus of primarily ethnic Kazakhs from the northwest Chinese province of Xinjiang into the Soviet Union in 1962. Through analysis of scholarly historical research as well as primary source documentation relating directly to the Incident, this project seeks to understand the broader historical contexts surrounding “I-Ta” and how it represents the relations of ethnic minority groups in China to the government. This project analyzes the “I-Ta Incident” as one event in a series which exemplify the agency and resistance to foreign rule expressed by Central Asian ethnic groups. Far from an isolated incident, the mass exodus represents a trend of individuals and ethnic groups resisting poor conditions and imperialist foreign rule.
Sarah B McMenemy Faculty Advisor: Erika Briesacher, Ph.D. Traditional Poster Presentation
The fashion of Tudor Queens impacted politics during their reigns. Analyzing the portraits of queens, princesses and other notable women of England during the Tudor period (1485-1603) determine the impacts of portraiture on politics of the time. The outfits within royal portraiture had immense meaning and impact on the political scene of the time. My presentation discusses French and English Hoods and the women who wore them and for what purpose. This analysis focuses on the intersection between political power, women’s power, and fashion, demonstrating how queens and noblewomen impacted the world around them spurring on the English Reformation, driving forward politics and leaving a legacy that would last until today.
Maggie Campbell Faculty Advisor: Martin T. Fromm, Ph.D. Traditional Poster Presentation
Following the devastation of the Cultural Revolution that led to widespread violence against ethnic Mongolian peoples, this presentation explores the people impacted by genocide whose stories have been neglected. Current-day Southern Mongolia represents the outcome of drastic and forcible change. This project analyzes the recovery and fight for autonomy for the Mongolian people and their culture that continues today.
Devin Colcord Faculty Advisor: Martin T. Fromm, Ph.D. Traditional Poster Presentation
This research project considers the treatment of Uyghurs in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region in China by examining forced assimilation, crimes against humanity, and counter terrorism. The presentation is based on reports from the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, testimonies from survivors of the Uyghur Genocide, and recent scholarly articles. The project aims to show the effort of the Chinese Communist Party to suppress and reshape Uyghur identity.
Steven Thomas Faculty Advisor: Martin T. Fromm, Ph.D. Worcester State Foundation Student Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity Grant Oral Presentation
My presentation concerns Genghis Khan and what occurred while he founded and ruled the Mongolian Empire. While using primary and secondary scholarly sources, I show how Khan became successful. I also show why he did some of the more barbaric things he did, but while showing that I explain why he did said things. In the presentation, we see how he handled his military as well, since he had a lot of success with his military and how he used his high intellect to win important battles.
Jordyn Bolduc Faculty Advisor: Martin T. Fromm, Ph.D. Traditional Poster Presentation
The People’s Republic of China recognizes fifty-six ethnic groups. This project analyzes the methods used to categorize Chinese citizens and the context behind the decisions made. The goal of this project is to determine the underlying agenda behind decisions regarding ethnic classification and to assess the extent to which the actions taken by the People’s Republic of China align with that agenda through the analysis of different primary and secondary sources discussing Chinese ethnic identities. The findings suggest that the ethnic groups recognized are at least partially constructed by the government to project pro-diversity images to the world. However, the government’s work to create a universal Chinese identity, which aims to establish a single ethnic identity, contradicts the initial diversity agenda.
Michael F Corbett Faculty Advisor: Martin T. Fromm, Ph.D. Electronic Poster Presentation
China has a long history shaped by many dynasties, each with different approaches to education. Today, education is a top priority, and China has the world’s largest state-run and higher-education systems. However, this system developed over time through various reforms and shifting priorities, as some periods emphasized education more than others. Building such a large and complex system required centuries of change across different governments. This project provides a broad overview of the history of Chinese education and explains how the modern system functions. Using academic journals and historical documents from China and beyond, it aims to help readers better understand the development and structure of education in China.
Glenda Rodriguez Faculty Advisor: Dr. Rita Mookerjee, Ph.D. Traditional Poster Presentation
Gateway to College and Dual Enrollment programs are proven methods that increase career access for students aged 16 to 20, including those at risk of high school completion, academically disadvantaged students, and those desiring an early undergraduate experience. Based on student testimonials, dual enrollment is connected to increasing high school graduation rates, boost college enrollment, added credit accumulation, and better persistence results. However, awareness and access to these initiatives are still mixed. This presentation investigates program strategies developed to address a variety of student readiness levels and evaluates their impact on academic motivation and college personal growth.
Jacquelyn M. Withers-Allaire Faculty Advisor: Nafisa Nipun Tanjeem, Ph.D. Traditional Poster Presentation
Historically, the narratives around the acquisition of North American land have been centered around the original thirteen colonies, and more specifically, what took place in Massachusetts. In this presentation, I draw on autoethnographic accounts from a recent trip to New Orleans and examine (1) how early colonizers shaped modern day Louisiana, and (2) the influence of rich culture combining French, Spanish, and African traditions that created Louisiana’s diverse “gumbo.”
Ty P Rich Faculty Advisor: Nafisa Nipun Tanjeem, Ph.D. Commonwealth Honors Project Oral Presentation
In this presentation, drawing on critical discourse analysis of the interviews with two OnlyFans girls and two adult film stars published on YouTube, I will examine if and how childhood socialization, upbringing, mental health struggles, and/or trauma might affect the decision to work in the porn industry. Using feminist theories and analysis, I will explore potential commonalities between Pornstar’s upbringings. If there are commonalities, I will analyze why I believe the correlation exists.
Lynn El Helou, Bushra Akhajjo, and Grace Baning Faculty Advisor: Nafisa Nipun Tanjeem, Ph.D. Traditional Poster Presentation
In this presentation, we will perform critical discourse analysis of publicly available interviews with two OnlyFans performers and publicly available comments on social media about OnlyFans performers – specially from Instagram and TikTok – and examine (1) how OnlyFans performers go through complex decision-making processes to join and continue their work, (2) if/how OnlyFans performers experience and struggle with mental health, (3) and how they cope with AI-induced exploitation that has recently resulted in unprecendent concerns and abuses.
Emily N. Britton, Emily Eliosof, and Meredith A. Quinn Faculty Advisor: Nafisa Nipun Tanjeem, Ph.D. Traditional Poster Presentation
This project will cover the stories and experiences of women in the sex work industry, specifically those who are on the platform OnlyFans. It will cover six OnlyFans creators and use certain interviews regarding their upbringings, experiences, and how they feel about the industry. It will also incorporate views of subscribers of these women, as well as the dangers of the industry they work in.
Emma Victoria Vaillette, Samantha Rose Edwards, Sadie Grace Bergeron, and Caitlin Janelle Conley Faculty Advisor: Nafisa Nipun Tanjeem, Ph.D. Traditional Poster Presentation
We will be focusing on previous and current OnlyFans creators such as Nala Ray and Naoimi (her OnlyFans creator name). We used interviews, podcasts, and social media such as TikTok and Instagram to gather data about these creators and decode information about OnlyFans. We will be also focusing on how the public views OnlyFans by showcasing TikTok videos, comments on Quora and Reddit, and news articles. These social media platforms help showcase people’s comments and thoughts about OnlyFans.
Rick Djouwe Faculty Advisor: Nafisa Nipun Tanjeem, Ph.D. Traditional Poster Presentation
Alivia Glynn Faculty Advisor: Maria, Fung, Ph.D. WSU Summer Undergraduate Research Grant Traditional Poster Presentation
Math anxiety is a common emotional barrier that undermines students’ confidence and engagement with mathematics. This mixed-method study explores bibliotherapy, using a relatable audio narrative, as an intervention for undergraduate developmental math students at Worcester State University. Twelve students in MA 099 completed pre- and post-surveys with Likert-scale and reflective questions measuring anxiety and mindset. The intervention, Grace’s Story, presents a character overcoming math anxiety through persistence and reframed thinking. Quantitative results showed overall reductions in self-reported anxiety, while qualitative responses shifted from frustration and fear to satisfaction and growth. These findings suggest that bibliotherapy is an accessible, easy-to-implement classroom tool that can reduce math anxiety and foster a growth-oriented mindset among students.
Quinn Trumbull-Olsen Faculty Advisor: Jason A. Hardin, Ph.D. Traditional Poster Presentation
Fractals, roughly defined, are geometric shapes that are self-similar and most often have non-integer dimension. We shall first discuss the idea of self-similarity and the properties of fractals including how they are (and aren’t) defined. We then look at three distinct and increasingly complex definitions of dimension: Self-similarity, Box-counting (Minkowski-Bouligand), and Hausdorff.
Devis Kadi Faculty Advisor: Noah S. Daleo, Ph.D. Traditional Poster Presentation
This project explores the math behind lattice paths on a grid, such as a map of city streets. It introduces what these paths are and how they work. Instead of counting every single route by hand, we will use combinatorics to find the total number of possible paths. The presentation will show how simple steps, like moving north or east, can be turned into a math problem. We will look at clear visual examples and explain exactly how to use counting formulas. Ultimately, this connects visual geometry with discrete math. It turns a routing problem into a direct combinatorics calculation.
Emma Lee Sullivan Faculty Advisor: Maria Fahey,M.S. Traditional Poster Presentation
Nurse fatigue is a significant occupational health concern that negatively affects nurse well-being, patient safety, and healthcare system outcomes. Prolonged work hours, staffing shortages, mandatory overtime, and disrupted sleep patterns contribute to physical, emotional, and cognitive fatigue. This literature review examines the causes and consequences of nurse fatigue and highlights evidence-based organizational and individual strategies to reduce fatigue. Findings emphasize the role of nursing leadership and organizations such as the American Nurses Association (ANA) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) in identifying fatigue as a patient safety issue. Addressing nurse fatigue improves patient outcomes, nurse retention, and quality of care.
Sarah E. White Faculty Advisor: Sarah DiMeo, Ph.D., OTR/L Graduate Project Electronic Poster Presentation
It is crucial for healthcare professionals to understand parents’ experiences to improve care in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), a specialized hospital unit for critically ill or premature infants. The goal of this qualitative study was to examine parents’ experiences across three domains: socioemotional experiences, roles, routines, and habits, and communication with healthcare professionals. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with six parents to explore their lived experiences. Three major themes emerged: Heightened Emotions & Coping Mechanisms, Life Roles & Parent Identity, and Varied Communication Experiences. Results indicated that while parents share common emotional and occupational challenges in the NICU, their experiences also differ in meaningful ways, emphasizing the importance of flexible, family-centered care.
Ava E. Gesner and Abigail L. Wing Faculty Advisor: Sarah DiMeo, Ph.D., OTR/L Graduate Project Electronic Poster Presentation
Breast cancer is the leading type of cancer among women and can have long-term effects on daily functioning. This study examined the relationship between perceived health status and quality of life, role fulfillment, work productivity, and social and leisure participation in women within five years of completing breast cancer treatment. Sixty-eight breast cancer survivors completed a survey assessing participation and satisfaction in various occupational domains. Results indicated that women’s perceptions of their physical health, mental health, energy levels, and ability to manage their health were strongly associated with participation and satisfaction in work, social activities, leisure, roles, and overall quality of life. The consistency of these findings highlights the importance of addressing perceived health as a key component of comprehensive breast cancer survivorship care.
Haley L. Strom Faculty Advisor: Sarah DiMeo, Ph.D., OTR/L Graduate Project Electronic Poster Presentation
Upper extremity arthritis affects adults in many ways. This quantitative study explored interventions used to manage pain, increase occupational performance, and improve activities of daily living (ADL) performance in patients with arthritis, from the perspective of occupational therapists. Results from this study indicated that occupational therapists perceive assistive technology (AT) interventions to have an impact on pain management, physical agent modalities (PAMs) to increase occupational performance, and splinting to significantly increase ADL performance.
Jacquelyn Pesa and Katelyn Walas Faculty Advisor: Sarah DiMeo, Ph.D., OTR/L Graduate Project Electronic Poster Presentation
This qualitative study explored how pet ownership influences quality of life and daily occupations among ten older adults aged 65 years and older. The purpose was to examine how owning a cat or dog affects social participation, leisure participation and exploration, home management, and occupational identity. Semi-structured interviews were conducted using convenience and snowball sampling. Interview data were transcribed and analyzed using NVivo 15. Findings showed that pet ownership introduced physical and financial demands but also supported social connection and daily routines. Participants described pet care as providing structure, companionship, and responsibility. Overall, the findings suggest that pet ownership plays a meaningful role in supporting daily routines and occupational engagement in later adulthood.
Paige E. Brainard and Hailey E. Santos Faculty Advisor: Sarah DiMeo, Ph.D., OTR/L Graduate Project Electronic Poster Presentation
The increased presence of technology in children’s daily routines has raised concerns regarding its influence on early childhood development and participation in everyday occupations. This qualitative study examined parent perspectives on technology use among children aged 1 to 7 years. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 parents to explore the effects of technology on motor skill development, sleep quality, social participation, play, and physical activity. Findings revealed mixed outcomes associated with technology use. Parents reported excessive or unstructured technology use may negatively impact motor development, sleep routines, and opportunities for physical and social engagement. However, intentional and developmentally appropriate technology use is perceived to support learning, engagement, and select developmental skills. These findings highlight the importance of balanced and purposeful technology use in early childhood.
Francesca M. Howe and Sarah E. Camire Faculty Advisor: Sarah DiMeo, Ph.D., OTR/L Graduate Project Electronic Poster Presentation
This quantitative research study investigated the influence of physical activity on occupational performance and participation in health management, rest and sleep, social participation, community mobility, and quality of life in older adults. This study utilized a thirty-four-question survey and included fifty participants in the Northeastern area. The findings of this study demonstrated that older adults who participate in regular physical activity are more independent in the five main occupational areas investigated throughout this study. The findings of this study suggest important implications for occupational therapy practice, indicating that physically active, occupation-focused interventions may assist occupational therapists in supporting older adults by addressing occupational challenges and enhancing their quality of life.
Makayla K. Davenport Faculty Advisor: Sarah DiMeo, Ph.D., OTR/L Graduate Project Electronic Poster Presentation
Hospice-related services and end-of-life care are established areas of care in which occupational therapy (OT) can provide services within its scope of practice. This qualitative study sought to explore the role of occupational therapy in these contexts by conducting semi-structured interviews with OT professionals with prior clinical experience in end-of-life care. Professionals discussed how they have implemented OT in these settings. The impacts of receiving this care on their patients and data were analyzed. Findings revealed that occupational therapy has the potential to enhance the patient care experience at the end of life, specifically by promoting a collaborative care approach that implements client-centered interventions to preserve patient self-identity and holistic functioning.
Grace Evelyn Laubenstein Faculty Advisor: Sarah DiMeo, Ph.D., OTR/L Graduate Project Electronic Poster Presentation
This qualitative study explored occupational therapists’ experiences using sensory-based, activities of daily living (ADL), and physical activity interventions with older adults with dementia. Through semi-structured interviews with six experienced occupational therapists, three major themes emerged: fostering comfort, care, and connection; sustaining identity through familiarity and problem solving; and promoting personal fulfillment, connection, and purpose. Findings revealed that sensory interventions such as music and tactile input reduced agitation and enhanced engagement, while ADL-focused strategies and environmental modifications supported roles and routines. Meaningful physical activities, particularly dance and group movement, promoted social participation, motivation, and overall occupational performance, highlighting the value of individualized, occupation-centered dementia care.
Sean Daly and Peyton Maloney Faculty Advisor: Laura Kane, Ph.D. Traditional Poster Presentation
TikTok v. Garland was a landmark case, involving the Chinese company Byte-dance and its global media platform, TikTok. The Chinese ownership of TikTok led to many concerns, primarily about the online safety of its users’ data, especially within the United States. This is a first-of-its-kind court case, as the Supreme Court had previously not considered the legal issues related to online security of a social media platform controlled by a foreign government considered adversarial to the United States. This case considered whether the Foreign Adversary Control Act violated the First Amendment rights of TikTok. It turns out that this was never the question at all, yet it had to do with the national security threat to the data of U.S citizens.
Hind Ibrahim Mustafa, Jr. and Natalie Nayfeh, Jr. Faculty Advisor: Laura Kane, Ph.D. Commonwealth Honors Project Oral Presentation
In Free Speech Coalition, Inc. v. Paxton, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled that a Texas law requiring age verification to access pornography is constitutional. This presentation provides legal and philosophical analysis of the case. It details the ruling, the majority opinion, and the dissenting opinion, focusing on the legal reasoning exercised by Supreme Court justices. It lays out the three different types of legal scrutiny, as well as why Supreme Court justices and District Court judges chose differing levels of scrutiny. Furthermore, it provides an account of Ronald Dworkin’s rights-based theory of law, his law-as-integrity theory, and Judith Jarvis Thomson’s non-absolutist theory of rights. Finally, it offers analyses of the majority and dissenting opinions thrice each, through the lens of these three legal philosophies.
Zin James Faculty Advisor: Laura Kane, Ph.D. Oral Presentation
“Pieces of Womanhood” is a visual and narrative tribute to the women who have shaped my understanding of what it means to be a woman. Through individual vision boards, I centered the voices of the influential women in my life while engaging the feminist frameworks of Simone de Beauvoir, Kimberlé Crenshaw, bell hooks, and Serene J. Khader. The project highlights how womanhood emerges through lived experience, intersectional identity, and everyday resilience. By pairing personal reflections with visual representations of key feminist concepts, this work honors both celebrated theorists and the “ordinary” women whose stories often remain unseen.
Cristina Rodriguez, Angelina Mojomick and Ethan Gage Faculty Advisor: Champika K. Soysa, Ph.D. Traditional Poster Presentation
This study examined perseverative negative thinking (PNT) and mindful nonjudging (MNJ) as mediators in the association between dispositional threat appraisal and anxiety symptom severity, in N = 499 undergraduates. PNT and MNJ mediated the association between threat appraisal and anxiety symptom severity both pre-COVID-19 Pandemic and during the pandemic, as well as in both first and continuing generation college students (FGCS; CGCS). PNT and MNJ accounted for the threat to anxiety relationship more during the pandemic compared to pre-pandemic. MNJ accounted for the threat to anxiety relationship more in CGCS than FGSC and PNT trended towards accounting for the relationship. Clinical interventions addressing PNT and MNJ could decrease anxiety symptom severity in college students.
Angelina Mojomick, Cristina Rodriguez, and Ethan Gage Faculty Advisor: Champika K. Soysa, Ph.D. Traditional Poster Presentation
This study examined burnout, test anxiety, acceptance, and gladness as mediators in the association between dispositional threat appraisal and mental wellbeing, in 244 U.S. undergraduates. Burnout and acceptance, but not test anxiety and gladness, mediated the relationship between threat and wellbeing in both men and women, as well as in first- and continuing-generation college students (FGCS; CGCS). The mediating effect of acceptance trended towards being greater in CGCS compared to FGCS. Threat had no direct effect on wellbeing in men and women or FGCS and CGCS, after accounting for the preceding mediators. In the social environment of college, this study identified burnout and dispositional acceptance concurrently impact the emotional experience of wellbeing. These findings could inform interventions to increase mental wellbeing in college students.
Ethan Gage, Lorena Santos, and Madison Avilla Faculty Advisor: Champika K. Soysa, Ph.D. Traditional Poster Presentation
This study examined perseverative negative thinking (PNT) and mindful nonjudging (MNJ) as mediators in the association between dispositional threat appraisal and depression symptom severity, in N=499 undergraduates, before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic. PNT and MNJ mediated the association between dispositional threat appraisal and depression symptom severity both before and during the pandemic, as well as in both first and continuing generation college students (FGCS; CGCS). Mediation effects of both PNT and MNJ were stronger during the pandemic compared to pre-pandemic. Mediation effects for MNJ were stronger in CGCS than in FGCS. Both PNT and MNJ were mechanisms through which dispositional threat appraisal was associated with depression symptom severity. Clinical interventions addressing PNT and MNJ could decrease depression in college students.
Julia Obrycki, Amanda Pollicelli, Leticia Oliveira, and Brianna Riggin Faculty Advisor: Champika K. Soysa, Ph.D. Traditional Poster Presentation
This study examined the relationship between dispositional threat appraisal and stress in 244 U.S. undergraduate students (First Generation = 40% and Women = 59%). Burnout, acceptance, and gladness were concurrent (partial) mediators of the dispositional threat appraisal – stress relationship in both men and women. Additionally, acceptance and gladness were concurrent (partial) mediators of the dispositional threat appraisal – stress relationship in both first and continuing generation students (FGCS; CGCS). Furthermore, the mediating impact of acceptance was greater for CGCS than for FGCS. This study identified differential cognitive features in students mechanisms that concurrently contribute to the association between dispositional threat appraisal and stress in the college enviornment. These findings could inform targeted interventions to decrease psychological stress among college students.
Brianna Riggin, Monica Lima, Grace Nelligan, and Mikaila Kruck Faculty Advisor: Champika K. Soysa, Ph.D. Traditional Poster Presentation
This study examined perseverative negative thinking (PNT), mindful nonjudging (MNJ), and resources (Social and emotional) as mechanisms that account for the dispositional threat appraisal – depression symptom severity relationship, in 477 undergraduates (Pre-COVID N=49%; First Gen=42%) . PNT, MNJ, and resources significantly, partially accounted for the threat appraisal – depression symptom severity relationship both pre and post COVID-19 Pandemic, as well as in both first and continuing generation college students (FGCS; CGCS). In all instances dispositional threat appraisal had a significant direct effect on depression. There was no significant difference in these effects between either FGCS and CGCS or pre- and post-COVID. These findings suggest that clinical interventions addressing PNT, MNJ, and socio-emotional resources could decrease depression symptom severity in college students.
Leticia Oliveira, Julia Obrycki, Chloe Botelho, and Sydney Gagne Faculty Advisor: Champika K. Soysa, Ph.D. Traditional Poster Presentation
This study examined the relationship between dispositional threat appraisal and anxiety in 477 U.S. first-year undergraduates (Pre-COVID N = 49% and First Gen = 42%). Perseverative negative thinking (PNT) and resources (social and emotional) concurrently (partially) accounted for the dispositional threat appraisal-anxiety relationship in both first-generation (FGCS) and continuing-generation (CGCS) college students but mindful nonjudging did not. Additionally, only PNT partially accounted for the dispositional threat appraisal-anxiety relationship in FGCS; CGCS. There was no significant difference in these effects between either pre and post covid or FGCS and CGCS. These findings suggest targeted interventions that could decrease anxiety in the context of dispositional threat perception among college students.
Bailee I. Benevelli and Felicia W. El Karim Faculty Advisor: Colleen J. Sullivan, Ph.D. Traditional Poster Presentation
Split-screen media has become prevalent as enriching entertainment on many social media platforms. Although there has been a rise in popularity of this new form of media consumption, there is little research concerning whether split screen viewing helps people retain information. This study aims to evaluate whether watching a single or split-screen video causes a person to pay more attention to the information being presented. Participants who watch a split-screen video are expected to exhibit significantly higher levels of attention than those who view a single-screen video. Attention will be measured using a short digit span task and performance in recalling viewed content. The results of this study will further our understanding of student attention in the context of learning.
Andja Kola Faculty Advisor: Sarah R. Eagan, Ph.D. Worcester State Foundation Student Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity Grant Commonwealth Honors Project Traditional Poster Presentation
Sexual violence is public health issue, faced by approximately 840 million women (World Health Organization, 2025) and by 240 to 310 million men and boys in their childhood (UNICEF, 2025). Sexual violence establishes a power hierarchy between the perpetrators and survivors, and is one of the major factors behind migration of vulnerable populations (Eberechi, 2017). This project seeks to understand this phenomenon through qualitative interviews with 20 emigrants to the US who were forced to leave their country due to experience or threat of sexual violence. Their stories were analyzed with the Reflexive Thematic Analysis (Braun & Clarke, 2022). We hope to understand the role sexual violence plays in people’s migration stories and how sexual violence is an unfortunate common trauma that is experienced globally.
Addison L. Kamrad, Victoria M. Nascimento, Jeremy B. Muñoz Gonzalez, and Somara A. Jerome Faculty Advisor: Sarah R. Eagan, Ph.D. Traditional Poster Presentation
The Sexual Experiences Survey – Short Form Victimization Scale (SES-SFV; Koss et al., 2024) is considered the “gold standard” of a quantitative measure of sexual violence victimization. Participants’ experiences have currently not been qualitatively studied for what they feel is needed within a sexual violence survey. Using Content Analysis (Krippendorff, 2018), the current study aims to analyze one open response question as a part of a larger project, which asks, “Have you ever had an unwanted sexual experience that the questions did not ask about?” Responses varied, many addressing early life experiences before the age of 14, and self-blame. These findings can improve clarity and reduce self-doubt among participants while taking the SES.
Maria Caires, Olivia Muscatell, Gracjan Gajdzinski, and Alexandra Burgess, Ph.D. Faculty Advisor: Alexandra Burgess, Ph.D. Traditional Poster Presentation
This study examined whether parental criticism is associated with depressive symptoms through perfectionistic evaluative concerns across White, African American, Asian American, and Latino/Hispanic college students (N = 308). Results showed that parental criticism predicted evaluative concerns across all groups, with the strongest associations among Latino/a and African American students. Evaluative concerns mediated the relationship between parental criticism and depression for White students (full mediation) and Latino/a students (partial mediation). In contrast, parental criticism predicted depressive symptoms directly for Asian students, and evaluative concerns did not predict depression among African American students. These findings highlight cultural differences in how parental criticism relates to mental health.
Paige Coski Faculty Advisor: Jacquelyn N. Raftery-Helmer, Ph.D. This paper was supported in part by a grant awarded to Phoebe S. Moore from The University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School Shine Initiative and a faculty scholar award from The University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School awarded to Phoebe S. Moore. Electronic Poster Presentation
In light of research showing that parents become vulnerable to controlling behaviors in contexts that evoke stress or challenging emotions, we examine whether levels of parental control differ across situations among parents of anxious and non-anxious children.
Twenty-five parents of anxious children and a matched comparison sample of parents of non-anxious children participated. Parent behavior was measured observationally during two tasks: 1) a discussion of a mutually-agreed upon conflict topic and 2) a discussion of something that made the youth anxious. A 2 x 2 repeated measures ANOVA examined possible differences in parental control by group (anxious and non-anxious) and conversation type (anxiety and conflict). Parents were more controlling during the conflict conversation compared to the anxiety conversation, Implications for interventions will be discussed.
Hiba Farhan Faculty Advisor: Sarah R. Eagan, Ph.D. Worcester State Foundation Student Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity Grant Traditional Poster Presentation
Life satisfaction (LS) is an individual’s feeling of contentment with the direction their life is moving (Hou et al., 2022). Some of the major influences on life satisfaction for immigrants can include generational trauma (Gillen et al., 2024). We aim to discover the impacts of intergenerational trauma on life satisfaction among first and second-generation immigrants through qualitative semi-structured interviews. Using Reflexive Thematic Analysis (Braun & Clarke, 2024), transcripts were analyzed, where codes were generated based on data patterns identified by the researchers. These codes were then used to identify themes. The goal of this study is to explore generational trauma and identify how the role of individual immigration experiences may affect overall LS.
Isabella Finneron, Sharmeen Kashif, and Meredith Quinn Faculty Advisor: Colleen J. Sullivan, Ph.D. Electronic Poster Presentation
Supporting children’s development requires observation, identification and intentional practice. The application of developmental psychology and evidence-based approaches support the integration of supportive tools and resources in real-world settings. Honors students in a Developmental Psychology class designed research-informed resources that apply developmental psychology to their career interests and areas of curiosity in the course content. Exploration of professional needs, societal concerns and scholarly literature contributed to the development of practical tools and resources that support children’s development. Resources such as a guide book on emotions and toy kit for motor skills were designed for children, teachers, and parents to assist in educating and developing skills.
Abigayle Belanger, Allyson Coulsey, and Kailyn Harris Faculty Advisor: Colleen J. Sullivan, Ph.D. Electronic Poster Presentation
Supporting children’s development requires observation, identification and intentional practice. The application of developmental psychology and evidence-based approaches support the integration of supportive tools and resources in real-world educational and occupational therapy settings. Honors students in a Developmental Psychology class designed research-informed resources that apply developmental psychology to their career interests in education and occupational therapy, as well as their areas of curiosity in the course content. Exploration of professional needs, societal concerns and scholarly literature contributed to the development of practical tools and resources that support children’s development. Resources such as a “How I Am Feeling Communication Wheel” were designed for children, teachers, occupational therapists and parents to assist in educating, expressing and regulating emotions.
Lauren M. Horowitz and Carol Martinez Faculty Advisor: Seth Surgan, Ph.D. Traditional Poster Presentation
This study examines whether the framing of an Artificial Intelligence (AI) literacy intervention- using either anthropomorphic or technical language- correlates with changes in trust toward AI, anxiety about AI, understanding of AI, and the tendency to anthropomorphize AI. Participants completed survey measures of these variables before reading one of two versions of an AI literacy text and again immediately after the intervention and two weeks later. Findings aim to clarify how language framing and pre-existing frameworks shapes AI-related attitudes and conceptual understandings over time.
Hannah M. Almeida and Brianna D. Riggin Faculty Advisor: Seth Surgan, Ph.D. Traditional Poster Presentation
Learning Assistants (LAs) provide various types of support to students, including educational and emotional support, thereby facilitating academic achievement. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of LAs on undergraduate students’ self-efficacy, metacognitive, and motivational skills. This design will allow us to determine the effect of LAs on student levels of these cognitive and behavioral indices in one section of an Applied Research Methods course at Worcester State University. Our findings will contribute to the development of innovative, evidence-based pedagogical practices.
Ian M. Marrero Rodríguez Faculty Advisor: Benjamin D. Jee, Ph.D. Electronic Poster Presentation
How people conceptualize generative AI systems is related to whether and how they use this technology. Yet little is known about people’s mental models about how large language models (LLMs) work. We addressed this issue in the present study by measuring adult participants’ beliefs about how LLMs function—from prompt to response—through targeted survey items. Questions covered prompt encoding, internal transformation, information sources, response construction, sources of error, and information security. Participants also completed established measures of AI attitudes and expectations. We will report findings on the frequency of different mental models and examine how causal beliefs relate to attitudes toward AI, expectations of performance, and patterns of reported use.
Jack H. Pippert and Sierra H. Paquette Faculty Advisor: Sarah R. Eagan, Ph.D. Commonwealth Honors Project Traditional Poster Presentation
Dental dams were introduced in 1864 during endodontic treatment. They are thin squares made of rubber latex or silicon to reduce bacterial growth (Silvestrin & Bakland, 2017). Afterward, dental dams have been used as a physical barrier during oral sex. The dam may be placed over the vulva or anus before oral stimulation, preventing the transmission of saliva or vaginal fluid (Frey, 2020). Unlike male condoms, dental dams are typically not offered in grocery stores or pharmacies. For our Human Sexuality course, we were asked to develop an intervention to address this issue; we came up with ways to normalize dental dams, such as including them in sexual education by incorporating activities like sex ed bingo, where students win prizes like condoms and dental dams.
Olivia Muscatell, Gracjan Gajdzinski, Maria Caires, and Alexandra Burgess, Ph.D. Faculty Advisor: Alexandra Burgess, Ph.D. Traditional Poster Presentation
The study examined whether striving mediates the link between discrimination and depression. Prior research shows discrimination can activate perfectionistic tendencies linked to poorer mental health. Using survey data from 186 college students, we measured discrimination, striving, and depression. Key findings were that discrimination correlated with higher striving and depression, and striving was related to depression. These findings suggest striving may be one pathway through which discrimination harms well-being, highlighting targets for support and future intervention.
Andja Kola and Hiba Farhan Faculty Advisor: Benjamin D. Jee, Ph.D. National Science Foundation Grant Traditional Poster Presentation
Understanding analogies is essential for science learning and reasoning, yet they are often overlooked in instruction, limiting students’ awareness of how analogies support learning. This study examined whether targeted training can improve students’ analogical thinking skills. Sixty middle school students were assigned to one of two conditions: a training group that received lessons using internet memes to highlight key features of effective analogies, or a control group that practiced verbal analogy (a:b::c:d) problems. Participants completed a three-session online study consisting of a pretest, training phase, and posttest. Results showed overall improvement from pretest to posttest in students’ ability to evaluate and justify analogy quality, suggesting that meme-based instruction can support the development of analogical thinking skills in middle school students.
Nicolette Rose Grundstrom Faculty Advisor: Alex Briesacher, Ph.D. Oral Presentation
As a highly scrutinized arena where traditional beauty standards intersect with modern narratives of female achievement, beauty pageants offer a unique sociological site to explore how women negotiate identity, empowerment, and self-presentation. This qualitative study explores how beauty pageant contestants understand identity, empowerment, and self-presentation through their participation in pageantry. Using in-depth interviews, the project examines how contestants describe their sense of self both onstage and offstage, changes in confidence and personal goals, and the negotiation of public perception and judgment. Particular attention is given to tensions between empowerment and objectification, as well as how contestants respond to stereotypes and external critiques. By centering contestants’ own narratives, this research treats pageantry as a social space where identity is actively constructed, challenged, and redefined.
Aleisha Vasquez Faculty Advisor: Francisco Vivoni, Ph.D. Traditional Poster Presentation
This presentation examines how digital technologies, particularly social media platforms such as Instagram and TikTok, reshape the presentation of self in our current society. Drawing on Goffman (1959), this presentation analyzes how online identities operate as performances controlled by curated images, filters, editing tools, and algorithmic feedback. Recent research suggests that users display selective, refined versions of themselves online, rather than their full “authentic” identities (Akritidou, et al., 2024). In particular, women face pressures to perform femininity in socially acceptable ways shaped by norms of appearance, emotional connection, and desirability. These dynamics resonate strongly with how certain gendered performances gain value within digital culture. Ultimately, this presentation suggests that social media amplifies pressures of identity performance, creating space where authenticity and conformity coexist with implications.
Maia Harris Faculty Advisor: Francisco Vivoni, Ph.D. Traditional Poster Presentation
This academic poster explores the relationship between class inequality and childhood struggle. Through an analysis of sociological theories of stratification and inequality, it examines how class position shapes access to housing, education, and social mobility. It draws from lived experiences of childhood struggle and quantitative data that demonstrate how limited resources and structural barriers reproduce inequality across generations. This research project exposes the persistent tension between effort and structural constraint, revealing how economic hardship is not merely an individual challenge but a systemic one.
Greylis Peña Gonzalez Faculty Advisor: Francisco Vivoni, Ph.D. Traditional Poster Presentation
This poster examines neoliberal development, gentrification, and displacement processes in Somerville, MA. The analysis presents Somerville as a modern growth machine driven by large-scale development projects and elite coalitions. This study demonstrates how the city’s physical and demographic landscape has changed as a result of initiatives like Assembly Row and SomerNova, the Green Line Expansion, and rising housing costs. Infrastructure and investment are factors that bring about these developments, but they also create fortified affluent enclaves, uproot long-term residents, and widen socioeconomic segregation. Overall, Somerville’s transformation is a reflection of an overall shift in neoliberal urban development that prioritizes growth over equity, where economic barriers function as invisible gates that exclude and marginalize vulnerable communities.
Jack P DeSimone Faculty Advisor: Francisco Vivoni, Ph.D. Electronic Poster Presentation
The recent housing crisis has radically reshaped the city of Framingham, MA. Many city residents face rising rents and a lack of affordable housing. Through the review of news reporting on homelessness and participant observations in the city of Framingham, this project aims to investigate Framingham’s housing crisis through an intersectional lens with a focus on social inequality and cultural perceptions of racial stereotypes. One major focus of this project is how individuals experiencing housing insecurity are commonly portrayed. Stereotypes often frame people who are homeless or struggling with rent as lazy, irresponsible, or unwilling to work. My project challenges these misrepresentations and provides evidence to defend the city I call home.
Maia Cani Faculty Advisor: Trinidad Morales III, Ph.D. Oral Presentation
As life expectancy increases, so will morbidity. As technology and advances in medicine lengthen life expectancy, an increase in morbidity, or a decrease in healthy life expectancy, is expected. Using data from the American Time Use Survey, this research will examine how the elderly in the US are spending their time as they near their predicted life spans and may predict when they enter a state of morbidity, underscoring how the onset of morbidity may accelerate time towards mortality. Time-use data may provide insight on ways to delay morbidity, increase healthy life expectancy, and ultimately, delay mortality. Findings may show the elderly in the US have more agency in their health and overall life expectancies via how they utilize their time.
Nicholas Mortell Faculty Advisor: Alex Briesacher, Ph.D. Traditional Poster Presentation
The goal of this project is to perform an assessment of visual artistic expressions across Worcester. Using field observations and approximately 300 geomapped images, I categorized each individual piece by type, style, symbolism, and message. I then analyzed the mapped images were to interpret their social roles within the urban environment and identify patterns of spatial clustering.
Hayley Stegenga Faculty Advisor: Francisco Vivoni, Ph.D. Traditional Poster Presentation
Capitalism is a domineering, all-encompassing system that is dependent on over-consumption to maintain its unwavering dominance in society. This academic poster exposes capitalist structural frameworks founded on human exploitation that shape personal and social identities. Through critical media analysis, this project details the relationship between dopamine rushes and fast fads. It centers the exploitation of overworked employees in connection to the overproduction of material goods. The poster exposes how capitalism values economic growth over human value.
Love Virgulus Faculty Advisor: Kevin Kane, M.P.I.A. Traditional Poster Presentation
When looking at different personal stories and research articles, it’s clear that Haitian immigrant children face a lot of challenges in American schools. This research brings together information from those articles, along with conversations with teachers, education professionals, and Haitian families. The goal is to better understand what these students go through and to find ways to support them and help them succeed.
Rosa M. Hernandez Lima Faculty Advisor: Kevin Kane, M.P.I.A. Traditional Poster Presentation
Research Studies, articles in various publications, and my interviews with dental service providers and families indicate that children from disadvantaged families often have untreated dental problems These problems can cause pain, infections, difficulty eating, and problems in speaking or learning. Many famines face challenges such as lack of money, limited access to denial care, low awareness about oral hygiene, and regular dental check-ups. Because of this, children may suffer from tooth decay, and other oral health issues at an early age.
Ciara J. Martinez and Wensly J. Tejada Faculty Advisor: Francisco Vivoni, Ph.D. Traditional Poster Presentation
This study explored the relationship between media portrayals of Latin American Immigrants, public perceptions, and U.S. immigration policy. It examined historical changes in policy and media narratives, demonstrating how negative depictions can reinforce harmful stereotypes, influence public opinion, and shape legislation. The research highlighted the emotional and physical toll of deportation on immigrants and the community impact of ICE’s collaboration with local law enforcement. By emphasizing youth perspectives, it illustrated their fears and uncertainties about the future. Eventually, the study stressed the interconnectedness of individuals, recognizing that, whether through personal experiences or family histories, we are all linked to the immigrant experience in some way. The analysis relied on reputable news sources to provide a comprehensive view of the issue.
June Wholey and Reilly Barnes Faculty Advisor: Whitney A. Postman, Ph.D., CCC-SLP Commonwealth Honors Project Traditional Poster Presentation
Emergent literacy encompasses preschoolers’ foundational skills for reading and writing, including phonological awareness, letter knowledge, print concepts, and oral vocabulary. In Massachusetts, nearly 45% of students fall below literacy benchmarks at least once between kindergarten and third grade, with risk factors such as socioeconomic disadvantage and limited early education. This project examines how university speech-language pathology programs can address these gaps through community outreach, including partnerships with Head Start. We reviewed state initiatives, interviewed literacy experts, and analyzed research on preliteracy development, home practices, interdisciplinary collaboration, cultural responsiveness, and artificial intelligence (AI) applications. Findings highlight statewide efforts, service-learning partnerships, and emerging AI tools that support phonological awareness. Expanding university-community collaborations may strengthen preliteracy access and promote kindergarten readiness for at-risk preschoolers.
Carissa E. McKee and Audrey E. Benoit Faculty Advisor: Kristina A. Curro, Ph.D., M.A., CCC-SLP The Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts Grant Traditional Poster Presentation
Hearing screenings are an important part of health maintenance across the community, and training future professionals in the field of Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences (SLHS) is crucial for providing this service. With The Health Foundation of Central MA grant, the SLHS Department and Center purchased CARL (clinical assistant for research and learning), DPOAE (distortion product otoacoustic emissions) and ABR (auditory brainstem response) systems to increase student screening opportunities. Through this technology, the Center is increasing service for underserved populations, such as adults with movement disorders, intellectual disabilities, and neurodevelopmental disorders, and young children that require alternative methods. By reviewing the literature and information from real-world services provided, this project analyzes the impact of increased access to alternative screening methods for promoting the overall health of these populations.
Julian T. Economou Faculty Advisor: Whitney A. Postman, Ph.D., CCC-SLP Commonwealth Honors Project Traditional Poster Presentation
Stroke is a major health burden in the USA, with one-third of cases resulting in language impairment known as aphasia. The need for cross-linguistic aphasia assessments is vital for patients from multilingual backgrounds. This project addresses the lack of Greek-language aphasia assessments readily available to USA-based speech-language pathologists in hospital settings. The researchers are adapting the Language Screening Test for Aphasia (LAST), a freely downloadable assessment endorsed by the American Stroke Association, into Modern Greek. The Greek LAST is being carefully developed to ensure cultural and linguistic appropriateness while maintaining the original tool’s rigor and suitability for stroke patients with aphasia. Each subtest– naming, repetition, automatic speech, picture recognition, and verbal commands– is being adapted to align with the linguistic properties of Greek.
Alyssa N. Bedard Faculty Advisors: Kristina A. Curro, Ph.D., M.A., CCC-SLP, and Samantha L. Scripture, Ph.D., CCC-SLP Graduate Project Oral Presentation
This study examined the communicative intent behind a spoken message of echolalia in neurodivergent children. Echolalia is the repetition of words or phrases spoken by others. Although research increasingly recognizes the communicative potential of echolalia, clear guidelines for identifying communicative intent in echolalia remain limited. The researchers examined speech-language pathologists’ and parents/caregivers’ perspectives on the communicative intent of echolalia in neurodivergent children. The purpose was to address the need for research that combines clinical expertise with perspectives of children’s families to provide an evidence-based framework for examining neurodivergent communicative intent. A convergent parallel mixed-methods design was used to analyze responses from anonymous surveys. Data analysis will be presented.
Katelyn A. Barrows and Grace M. Beckman Faculty Advisor: Whitney A. Postman, Ph.D., CCC-SLP Commonwealth Honors Project Traditional Poster Presentation
Apraxia of speech (AOS) is a neurogenic motor speech disorder characterized by impaired planning and programming of speech articulation movements. According to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, some features of AOS include phonemic distortions, phonemic substitutions or additions, reduced overall speech rate, and prosodic abnormalities that may worsen with increased complexity. DB is an individual who incurred a left fronto-insular-parietal stroke at age 57. Initial assessment revealed severe AOS at the monosyllabic level. Treatment approaches including rate-rhythm control, articulatory-kinematic practice, and ultrasound intra-oral imaging were administered. DB demonstrated substantial gains in motor-speech control and intelligibility. The synergistic approach combining rate-rhythm control techniques, articulatory-kinematic practice and ultrasound intra-oral imaging was particularly effective, with DB achieving 100% accurate production of sentences containing words with target phonemic sequences.
Elizabeth Rose Deslauriers Faculty Advisor: Adam Saltsman, Ph.D. Traditional Poster Presentation
College is a transformative time in a student’s life, it demands academic responsibility but also integrates them into a world where they are faced with many important decisions and opportunities. College can be exciting, but it comes with the pressures of social and academic stress. I explore these topics through my own experience in a photovoice project that links college student mental health to behavioral and structural factors. Drawing in on ideas from psychology to look at emotions and coping, sociology to understand social pressures and urban studies to see how campus environments shape experiences. This then contributes to heightened rates of anxiety and depression that negatively impact students’ academic performance and well-being, shaped by factors like chronic stress, social media use and academic pressure.
Sarahie Pierre Faculty Advisor: Adam Saltsman, Ph.D. Traditional Poster Presentation
This Photovoice project explores life as a first-generation college student and the challenges that arise within the context of institutional disinvestment and structural inequality. I carefully selected thirteen photos to offer an autobiographical glimpse into these challenges — the effects of time poverty, the difficulty of balancing multiple roles, navigating the infrastructure of higher education without guidance, and learning how to find moments of peace within the pressure. Building on a structural analysis of public higher education, this project argues that the first-generation struggle is not simply about a lack of familial mentorship, but about how the design of policies and institutional structures create barriers that make success significantly harder to achieve.
Peyton Maloney Faculty Advisor: Adam Saltsman, Ph.D. Commonwealth Honors Project Traditional Poster Presentation
This presentation outlines the migration narrative of an individual with an immigrant background in the Massachusetts community who migrated from Trinidad. The presentation discusses his experience with migration in conjunction with the experience of many other migrants throughout history in America, as well as a commentary on our current political climate in the United States. The goal is to show the experience of migrants coming to the United States and share their story, especially in such a divided time in our country.
