Public Health Education & Promotion student Emma Driscoll presenting at Marymount’s Student Research Conference
Last month, more than 90 Marymount University students showcased their original research in topics across the academic spectrum at the institution’s annual Student Research Conference (SRC) in the Ballston Center.
An annual celebration of Marymount’s student scholarship and creative works, the event featured the work of 38 undergraduate and 54 graduate students that was presented to a wide audience throughout the day, which included members of the University’s Board of Trustees. It also marked a return to the in-person format missing the last two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Supporting the scholarly growth and research endeavors of both students and faculty are priority initiatives at Marymount,” said Dr. Rita Wong, Associate Vice President for Research at Marymount University. “Together, our faculty and students form a community of scholars, addressing research questions with intellectual curiosity, critical analysis, integrity, fairness, empathy and perseverance.”
The substantial participation in Marymount’s latest Student Research Conference is just one example of the University’s increasing emphasis on the power of research, both for graduate and undergraduate students. The institution’s recent reclassification from a ‘Master’s College and University’ to a ‘Doctoral/Professional University’ by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education reflects Marymount’s increased focus on research activity.
Marymount’s first interdisciplinary research hub, the Center for Optimal Aging, is also now fully operational under the leadership of Dr. Patricia C. Heyn. Two additional research centers are under development as well and will be announced at a later date.
“At Marymount, we strongly encourage students to engage in original research under the guidance of faculty mentors,” explained Dr. Gwendolyn Francavillo, Associate Professor of Health & Human Performance in Marymount University’s School of Health Sciences. “This is part of the University’s emphasis on inquiry learning, helping students become active participants in their own education.”
This year’s Student Research Conference began with an undergraduate poster session and oral presentations, featuring research topics that included “Can Military Working Dogs Suffer from PTSD After Combat?” from Biology student MacKenzy Robbins, “Mental Health in Black Teens” from Health Sciences major Kendrick West, and “The Quest for Antibiotics: Addressing the Global Crisis,” a group presentation by Biochemistry students Efemena Johnson, Lidya Andemichael and Maia Pappadakis.
Next, a panel discussions segment of the event allowed small groups of presenters to discuss common themes and implications of their research across three thematic areas – Innovation for Tomorrow’s Workforce: The Future of Work; Optimal Aging: Factors Enhancing and Impacting Quality of Life of Older Adults; and Social Justice: Local to Global. Research projects viewed through an interdisciplinary lens during these discussions included “Patient Perspective on Telehealth/Telemedicine During the Pandemic in the United States” by Information Technology major Manal Alhussein, “Rise and Fall: Economic Booming and Busting in an Unprecedented Era” by Education student Madison Diba, and “The Relationship between Racial Identity and Views on the Criminal Justice System” by Psychology student Skye Gregory.
Finally, the 2022 SRC concluded with the graduate poster session and oral presentations. Featured during this period were works such as “Evaluating Community-Based Efforts to Address Adverse Childhood Experiences in the City of Alexandria” by Public Health Education & Promotion student Emma Driscoll, “Early Initiation of Return-to-Work Activities in a Patient with a Rotator Cuff Repair: A Case Report” by Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) candidate Jacob Shilling, and “Cybersecurity Risks and Mitigations of the IPS with Smartphone Wayfinding Inside the Airport Zone” by IT/Cybersecurity student Adrienne Mccloud.
Click here to see the full research conference schedule of presentations. See below for winners in each category.
Undergraduate Student Award Winners
Best Oral Presentation:
“The Quest for Antibiotics: Addressing the Global Crisis” by Efemena Johnson, Lidya Andemichael and Maia Pappadakis
Honorable Mentions, Oral Presentations:
“The Battle of Older Latinos Against Diabetes: Changing the Cultural Narrative” by Jessica Artiga
“Urbanization and Children’s Well-Being Around the World” by Roey Stern
Best Undergraduate Poster:
“Role of GATA4 and NKX2-5 Mutations in Ventricular Septal Defects” by Isabella Ochalik
Graduate Student Award Winners
Best Oral Presentation:
“The Factors Related to Undergraduate Students Seeking Academic Help Through Peer Tutoring” by Taylor Jackson
Honorable Mentions, Oral Presentations:
“Autonomous Vehicle Innovations and the Limitation on the Workforce Around Ethics” by Clifton Stone
“Impingement Rehabilitation Based Protocol for Greater Tuberosity Fractures: A Case Report” by Sydney Symons
Best Graduate Poster:
“Physical Therapy Management of a Patient with Acute Cervical Radicular Pain: A Case Report” by Amy Sherman
