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Enjoy learning about our students' research!

Spencer Berkowitz

Finding the effects of sustained unresponsiveness from peanut oral immunotherapy in different age populations

Peanut allergies affect about 2.5% of children in the U.S.—a 21% increase since 2010. The most common treatment, oral immunotherapy, is typically only used with children over the age of three. Spencer will analyze data from 150 patients across different age groups who have received this treatment. By comparing outcomes between these groups, Spencer hopes to identify the age cohort in which oral immunotherapy is most effective.

Gavin Bunting

Using an image detection model (YOLOv11) to automatize the recordings of robotic-assisted procedures within the da Vinci Xi Surgical System

The da Vinci Xi surgical system has revolutionized minimally invasive surgery but lacks key documentation capabilities, leading to labor-intensive and inaccurate data collection. Gavin aims to develop a high-accuracy AI classification model using the YOLO framework to autonomously record and predict surgical procedures within the da Vinci System. This model will enhance documentation accuracy by providing less data loss and improved data quality for training and analytics in the medical field. 

Sienna Cavada

Determining the cell cycle-dependent DNA repair and protection role of Dsup in HEK293 cells exposed to combined gamma and HZE radiation

Tardigrades, microscopic extremophiles, are renowned for their ability to endure extreme environmental stressors, a resilience attributed to intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs). These proteins lack fixed structures, allowing dynamic roles in stress tolerance, transcription, and cellular organization. Sienna's research investigates the enhanced repair and protective mechanisms of Dsup, a key IDP in radio tolerance, notable due to its various capabilities to mitigate radiation-induced damage. Using a human stem cell line, she aims to evaluate the role of Dsup-mediated protection under a novel combined gamma radiation and HZE particle exposure. By elucidating these dynamics, Sienna’s work has transformative potential for developing radiation therapies, improving astronaut safety during space exploration, and advancing protection strategies in radiation-intensive environments.

Lindsay Coady

Examining complement protein levels in individuals with schizophrenia: Genomic insights into immune system dysregulation

Schizophrenia is a severe and debilitating psychiatric disorder, with the cause remaining unknown. Interestingly, previous research suggests that the immune system plays a role in schizophrenia. To further explore this Lindsay will look at protein levels and genomic sequencing among individuals with schizophrenia. She hopes that her research can further the association between the immune system and schizophrenia, in the end hoping to help patient outcomes.

Elizabella Dec

Improving the rehabilitation of working memory in adolescents who had medulloblastoma cancer

Children who survive medulloblastoma cancer often experience issues with working memory due to either the tumor or the treatments. Reduced focus, emotional control, and cognitive function have been found to improve with neurofeedback, a non-invasive technique that trains the brain to develop healthier activity patterns. Elizabella hopes to assess a specific type of training method of neurofeedback with the goal of improving survivors’ quality of life by restoring cognitive functions such as working memory.

Andrew Gershuny

Exploring the role of environmental factors on the disparity in IgE mediated allergic disease prevalence in Whites vs. Hispanics

Allergic diseases have historically been very common in white children and adults, but more recent data suggest that these diseases are also extremely prevalent among Hispanic children and adults, potentially even more so than in white populations. C-section delivery and antibiotic use are two factors known to disrupt the immune system, thereby increasing the risk of developing food allergies. Andrew aims to compare the prevalence of C-section deliveries and antibiotic use between whites and Hispanics and examine how these rates relate to the prevalence of allergic diseases within the two groups. This research may provide a possible explanation for the high rates of allergic disease in these populations and could help inform targeted prevention strategies in the future.

Leo Greco

Testing the efficacy of Anti-TNF therapy (which includes etanercept and infliximab) as adjunctive therapy with IVIG in Kawasaki disease patients

Kawasaki disease (KD), the leading cause of pediatric acquired heart disease in the United States, is pediatric vasculitis that causes inflammation in the circulatory and cardiovascular systems. However, Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIG) is the only clinically proven treatment to reduce inflammation in KD patients. To explore additional treatment options, Leo plans to conduct a meta-analysis testing the effectiveness of Anti-TNF therapies, specifically Etanercept and Infliximab.

Matthew Ishkanian

Examining the impact of a self-compassion program on the well-being of adolescent athletes

Self-compassion, a method of treating oneself with acceptance, connectedness, and understanding during times of difficulty, has been acknowledged as a beneficial resource for athletes to promote psychological well-being. Matthew aims to examine the impact of an eight-week self-compassion program on various psychological well-being factors in adolescent athletes while also determining the role of gender in potentially limiting or augmenting the impacts of the program. His hope is that the results will provide insight into the effectiveness of self-compassion programs for adolescent athletes.

Karis Lee

Deep brain stimulation of the dorsal cingulum bundle for the treatment of chronic pain

In the United States, chronic pain is one of the most widespread public health problems, as 20% of Americans suffer from this condition. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is being investigated for the treatment and management of chronic pain because opioids, the current method of care, could have long-term adverse side effects, and may even result in death. Karis hopes to identify differences in the thalamus and insula volumes in patients with pain versus patients without to explore the mechanisms underlying dCB-DBS for chronic pain.

Jeremy Loots

The characterization of structural aspects in “Siberian-like” and “Argyle-like Pink” diamonds

Pink diamonds are difficult to classify by origin because varieties from different regions often share similar features. Jeremy is using advanced imaging in his study to compare natural, lab-grown, and treated diamonds—focusing on their color, inclusions, and fluorescence. His goal is to create a reliable method that helps dealers identify pink diamonds more accurately and confidently.

Maya Melathe

Impact of social deprivation on addiction

Drug addiction affects millions globally, with many deaths each year linked to substance use. Even after long periods of abstinence, returning to environments associated with past drug use—especially in the context of loneliness—can trigger relapse. Maya will investigate how social interaction influences the brain’s addiction pathways, with the goal of improving treatments and reducing relapse rates.

Angelina Nie

Screening for receptors that can specifically activate the PI3K/AKT pathway in human skeletal muscle derived cells (SKMDC) for countering sarcopenia

Sarcopenia is a serious condition caused by aging that affects over 50 million adults worldwide. It leads to loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength and increases the risk of mortality. While exercise is the best countermeasure, some patients need drug alternatives targeting muscle growth pathways. The PI3K/AKT pathway promotes growth, whereas the RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK pathway inhibits it. Due to IGF-1’s clinical limitations, Angelina's study used western blot analysis to screen 11 alternative ligands in ciSKMDC skeletal muscle cells for pAKT and pERK activation, aiming to activate AKT and avoid activation of ERK. Among the 11 ligands tested, IL4 and IL13 were found to selectively activate the PI3K/AKT pathway with varying sensitivity, dependent on Jak/STAT signaling. IL4’s activation of PI3K/AKT suggests potential for sarcopenia treatment, improving patient outcomes. Overall, her research enhanced current understanding of chemical signaling and provided valuable insight toward disease treatment.

Aidan Pozzouli-Doyle

Examining the influence of various training techniques on vertical jump performance

Vertical jump performance is crucial for various sports worldwide; Therefore, it is essential that athletes enhance their vertical jump height to compete at an elite level. Aidan will be conducting a vertical jump assessment for high school sprinters, long-distance runners, golf athletes, and a control group, consisting of non-athletes, to examine the differences in their vertical jump development between the pre and post-spring sports season. Aidan hopes to identify sprint training as a method for athletes to improve their sport-specific performance through improved vertical jump height.

Sutton Schames

Reducing isolation and loneliness in people living with dementia (PLWD) through the use of socially assistive robotic dogs

More than 6 million people worldwide are living with dementia, a condition that affects cognitive function, emotional well-being, and social engagement. Social isolation and loneliness are common among people living with dementia, exacerbating cognitive decline and reducing overall quality of life. Socially assistive robots have emerged as a tool to foster connection and engagement by serving as a center of focus for communication. Sutton is studying the successful adoption of SARs and their impact on reducing isolation and loneliness, ultimately ensuring a more holistic approach to dementia care that supports both emotional and social well-being.

Cashlyn Smith

Investigating the impact of chronic vs. single-time trauma on dissociation

With the aim of enhancing early recognition and intervention for dissociation, Cashlyn will investigate how different trauma onsets influence dissociative symptoms. She proposes that single-time trauma may lead to dissociative amnesia, while chronic trauma may result in depersonalization and derealization. By analyzing trauma history and dissociative symptoms through standardized questionnaires, Cashlyn hopes her research will contribute to more effective mental health interventions before dissociation progresses to severe forms.

Logan Verma

The Detection of Fatigue in Baseball Players Through the Use of Wearable Technology to Prevent Ulnar Collateral Ligament Injuries

Ulnar collateral ligament injuries are common among baseball pitchers, often due to repetitive stress and fatigue in the kinetic chain. Existing prevention methods have had limited success, and treatment options such as Tommy John surgery have lengthy recovery times. Logan has developed a shirt with wireless accelerometer sensors that track joint movement to detect early signs of a disruption in the kinetic chain and compare data between healthy and injured players to identify patterns to help prevent UCL injuries in real time.

Chloe Wolf

Understanding siblings’ perceptions of each other as a moderator of parent-child relationships: An exploration of twin vs. non-twin sibling pairs

Sibling relationships play a key role in shaping family dynamics, particularly through factors like empathy, companionship, and rivalry. Chloe will investigate how siblings’ perceptions of each other influence parent-child interactions and whether these effects differ between twin and non-twin pairs. Her findings aim to deepen modern understanding of family relationships and inform strategies to strengthen parent-child bonds.