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Enjoy learning about our students' research!

Lilah Altman

Vascularizing organ scaffolds through recellularization

Bioengineered organs could help address the global organ shortage, but significant advancements are needed before they can be applied to humans. One key challenge is developing vascular systems within bioengineered tissues. Lilah plans to investigate methods for seeding stem cells through vascular networks and the role of various enhancing factors in perfecting this process for eventual in vivo human trials. 

Anisha Bobra

Using Anti-CD38 Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell therapy to treat three strands of leukemia in children and young adults

There are 200,000 leukemia diagnoses in the US annually, with 40% of patients relapsing. Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy is a novel treatment that genetically engineers blood cells to eliminate relapsed or refractory tumor growth with unique efficacy. Anisha plans to research how age affects the results of CAR T-cell therapy that can be used to treat three types of leukemia.

Ying Yin Chen

Simulation of Dark Matter Detection Using Upcoming Mu2e Experiment

Ying Yin is studying high-energy particle physics, which investigates the interactions of the universe's smallest building blocks at extreme temperatures and speeds. Using computer simulations, he aims to model processes that cannot be explained by current physics. His research could uncover new phenomena, deepening our understanding of the universe's fundamental workings.

Aaron Cushman

Information theoretic analysis of Cetacean vocalizations

Many animals communicate, and the complexity of these communications could help us understand their intelligence. Researchers have employed the mathematical field of information theory to estimate this complexity. Aaron hopes to use an information-theoretic measure called the order of dependence on whale communications and estimate their complexity.

Sofia DiMeglio

Bilingualism as an effect on cognitive and social cognitive abilities in children

Over half of the world’s population is bilingual, and exposure to multiple languages is becoming increasingly common. Sofia aims to examine how bilingualism shapes social cognition in children, focusing on skills like attention control and peer interactions. Her research could provide valuable insights into the long-term cognitive and social benefits of bilingualism, helping to better understand its impact on children's development. 

India Edwards

An investigation into the mechanics of FUS-induced neuromodulation of microglia in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.

Currently, 55 million individuals globally suffer from dementia, with the leading cause of dementia being Alzheimer’s disease (AD), in which amyloid-β peptides (Aβ) build up as plaques in the brain tissue and disrupt the various cognitive functions. Although transcranial-focused ultrasound (FUS) has the ability to allow the passage of therapeutics into the brain in order to treat AD and similar central nervous system (CNS) diseases, it cannot prevent negative responses of the CNS. As a novel approach, scientists have begun to use FUS procedures to influence microglia, the resident immune cells of the CNS, in order to incite phagocytosis, the process by which immune cells attack and dispose of foreign pathogens. India is interested in researching and defining the exact mechanisms by which FUS procedures influence microglial phagocytosis in the context of AD. This research is crucial for the development of noninvasive treatments for both AD and similar neurodegenerative diseases.

James Flores

Exploring the efficacy of donanemab in minority cohorts in Alzheimer’s disease

Alarmingly, US dementia cases are expected to double by 2050. Further, Black and Hispanic minorities are 1.5 to 2 times more likely to develop Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), yet 95% of clinical trial participants are White. James aims to examine donanemab, an emerging drug, on a minority cohort to help broaden representation and improve treatment outcomes for underrepresented groups. 

Luca Hajhamou

Examining fear of missing out as a moderating variable in the relationship between sleep and social media use in adolescents

Approximately 82% of U.S. adolescents use social media before bedtime, often for extended periods of time. Luca aims to explore how Fear of Missing Out (FoMO) influences the relationship between nighttime social media use and sleep quality. By examining FoMO as a moderating factor, this research seeks to uncover why teens stay online so long and how it may impact their rest. 

Asiya Nur Karim

Luteolin as a potential treatment for mast cell activation associated with long-COVID symptoms

Approximately 800 million people are estimated to be affected by long-COVD. The exact mechanism by which long-COVID acts has not yet been determined; however, it appears to be associated with mast cells, a type of immune cell that releases chemicals such as histamine to fight perceived threats. A plant-derived flavonoid called luteolin may help by blocking this mast cell hyperactivation, offering a potential path toward treatment. Nur is particularly interested in investigating luteolin as a possible supplement to help manage long-COVID.

Brett Lipton

Investigating stem cell types and hydrogels in 3D bioprinted scaffolds for functional heart tissue development

Myocardial infarction, or heart attack, occurs when plaque buildup in the arteries blocks blood flow to the heart, depriving it of oxygen and causing tissue damage. This leads to scarring that weakens the heart and reduces its ability to pump effectively. Brett is studying how different stem cell types can regenerate scarred tissue using 3D bioprinting and computer-aided design software (CAD), with the goal of developing better treatments for heart damage and making engineered heart tissue a viable option for patients in the future. 

Stephen Lombardi

Investigating the relationship between pitching angle and pitching accuracy in baseball

One of the most important aspects of pitching in baseball is the ability to accurately locate a pitch, as its placement can determine the outcome of a game. Pitching angle is a key factor in determining pitch location, as demonstrated by previous research. Stephen aims to investigate the relationship between pitching angle and pitch accuracy in high school pitchers, with the goal of improving in-game performance. 

Jack McNulty

Telomere length and its relation to cancer risk and development

Cancer kills over 10 million people worldwide each year, highlighting the need for new biomarkers to diagnose it early and produce accurate prognoses. A promising biomarker is telomere length, which plays a crucial role in maintaining genomic stability. Jack aims to examine the relationship between telomere length and cancer, with hopes of developing a therapeutic strategy based on his findings. 

Ryan Pero

Substance use patterns and risk factors among adolescent athletes: Investigating the role of sports participation

Substance use among adolescent athletes varies based on the type and intensity of sport participation. Ryan plans to examine how sports involvement influences behaviors like frequency of use, focusing on differences across sport types. His goal is to uncover patterns that can inform more targeted and effective prevention strategies for this population. 

Ella Petta

The impact of musical experience on personalized music-based interventions in Alzheimer’s disease

Long-known music exposure therapy has been shown to improve cognitive performance in people with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) as supported by previous research. Ella is investigating how listening to personalized playlists impacts cognitive function in individuals with AD and varying musical histories. She aims to assess how prior musical experience and proficiency influence the effectiveness of music therapy, using cognitive tests and fMRI to measure improvements in memory-related brain areas. Her goal is to develop more targeted and effective music-based interventions for individuals with AD.

Vedanshi Ravi

Exploring augmented reality as a tool to enhance Dance Therapy for Parkinson’s Disease: Expanding accessibility and efficacy

Reported to be the fastest-growing neurological disorder worldwide, Parkinson’s Disease affects more than 10 million people across the globe. In order to combat the emotional, social, and cognitive aspects of the disease, Dance Therapy (DT) has recently been explored as a symptom-relief strategy. However, access to DT remains limited due to a lack of facilities. Vedanshi hopes to investigate how Augmented Reality technology can be utilized to make DT more accessible and feasible for individuals with Parkinson’s Disease. 

Rachel Reznikov

Mechanisms of Cytokine Release Syndrome induced by Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy

Cytokine Release Syndrome (CRS) is an inflammatory response that occurs when the immune system releases too many inflammation-causing proteins in a short time. This often happens after CAR T-cell therapy, a type of cancer treatment that uses a patient’s immune cells to fight blood cancers like leukemia and lymphoma. Rachel aims to determine what causes CRS so she can help make this promising therapy safer and more effective for patients.

Alexander Safaei

Examining the differences in mental toughness between offensive and defensive boys' high school lacrosse players throughout a season using the MTI

Mental toughness helps athletes stay confident and focused during high-pressure moments. Alexander is studying how overall mental toughness may differ between offensive and defensive players on a high school boys’ lacrosse team. His goal is to better understand these differences so that coaches and athletes can improve mental performance based on position throughout the season.

Nathan Schweitzer

Impact of environmental phthalate exposure on male reproduction

Over the past 38 years, global sperm counts have dropped by more than 52%, coinciding with a more than threefold increase in plastic production. Current research links this decline to phthalates—synthetic chemicals found in plastics—that may impair sperm gene quality. Nate aims to examine how environmental exposure to phthalates modifies specific reproductive cells and male reproductive hormones such as testosterone. 

Katherine Shil

The effects of Gonadotropin releasing-hormone agonists plus Omega-3 fatty acid treatment on quality of life in women with Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a chronic condition characterized by the presence of misplaced endometrial-like tissue, affecting 10% of all reproductive-aged women. Specific hormone treatment can reduce associated pain, but does not target inflammation; however, omega-3 fatty acids are found to reduce this inflammation. Katherine hopes to identify if hormonal therapy combined with omega-3 fatty acids are effective in alleviating pain, reducing inflammation, and minimizing bone mass density loss in women with endometriosis to aid in improving the overall health and quality of life of these women. 

Alice Tardieu

Phage therapy, standard antibiotic care, and combination therapy for treatment of Staphylococcus aureus infections in a murine model

By 2050, it is estimated that nearly 40 million people will die from bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics. Because of the increasing prevalence of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria and the public health crisis that comes with it, a different treatment method is being researched instead of antibiotics: bacteriophage therapy; where a bacteria-killing virus is used. Alice plans to research how bacteriophages can be used to undo bacterial evolutionary mechanisms to reverse antibiotic resistance in bacteria and how it compares to regular antibiotic care. 

Reese Tolchin

Exploring personalized vs. non-personalized music on emotional response and agitation in people living with dementia

Music therapy has been shown to improve the well-being of patients with dementia. Research suggests that the music individuals enjoy in their late adolescence/early adulthood tends to remain their favorite as they age. Thus, Reese aims to investigate how personalized music can improve emotional responses in people with dementia. Ultimately, she hopes to help find a drug-free way to improve the quality of life for people with dementia.

Kayla Wee

An exploration of regenerative methods utilizing biomaterials to address injuries associated with the intervertebral discs 

Lower back pain is a chronic musculoskeletal disorder that is commonly associated with intervertebral disc degeneration or herniation. Surgery is the standard of care for intervertebral disc diseases, however there are many postoperative complications such as recurrent pain and reherniation. Hence, Kayla hopes to find alternative methods to repair the intervertebral disc, which could consequently aid millions of individuals suffering from lower back pain.