Scholars’ Day Schedule
Monday, April 14, 2025

Poster Session
4:00-5:00 PM
Friends Hall

Oral Presentations
5:00-6:30 PM
Friends Hall

Reception
6:30-7:30 PM
Friends Hall

AI’s Role in Transforming the Job Application Process

Student Presenter: Naydelin A. Reyes Rodriguez
Faculty Mentor: Mark Skowronski

Expanding the High School Sexual Education Curricula: The Importance of Including Transgender and Non-Binary Topics

Student Presenter: William Jackson
Faculty Mentor: Satarupa Dasgupta

Jane Addams Papers Project and Artificial Intelligence

Student Presenter: Michelle Kukan
Faculty Mentor: Cathy Hajo

Low Detail vs High Detail Images in Visual Processing

Student Presenter: Victor Flores and Hyungjun Choi
Faculty Mentor: Naseem Choudhury

Microbiome Analysis of the Hudson River Water and the Potential of Bioremediation

Student Presenter: Ekaprana Ramesh, Andrew McWha, Adriana Gedeon
Faculty Mentor: Kokila Kota

Anisfield School of Business

Project Title: AI’s Role in Transforming the Job Application Process

Student Presenter: Naydelin A. Reyes Rodriguez
Major: Management
Faculty Mentor: Mark Skowronski
School: ASB

Abstract: Over the last decade, employers have been integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) into their hiring processes to increase efficiency. Following the launch of accessible AI tools like ChatGPT in 2022, job applicants have increasingly adopted these technologies to enhance their application materials. This paper researches applicants’ growing use of AI tools and its multifaceted impact on hiring. Specifically, this paper is a literature review of academic articles, industry reports, public survey results, and practitioner-oriented media. Findings reveal that widespread accessibility and minimal cost barriers have significantly contributed to the rapid adoption of AI tools among job applicants. This research argues that the current landscape necessitates a fundamental restructuring of recruitment strategies, shifting emphasis from competitive AI adoption toward systems that prioritize qualitative assessment of candidates. The paper also discusses the ethical considerations raised by these changes and offers recommendations for both applicants and employers. The AI transformation of employment necessitates strategies that effectively identify and assess high-potential candidates amidst the AI-driven application surge.

Project Title: Care or Cash: A Multi-Dimensional Analysis of Financial Performance in American Nursing Homes

Student Presenter: Lance M. Kirk (Anakin Rybacki, Zachary Chivers, Tina Nosrati)
Major: Economics
Faculty Mentor: Fariba Nosrati
School: ASB

Abstract: Nursing homes serve as essential providers of comfort and support for elderly individuals but, like all businesses, face challenges in maintaining strong financial performance. These challenges were exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic as revenues declined while costs increased due to heightened safety precautions and regulatory guidelines. Nursing homes’ financial health can greatly influence their residents’ health outcomes. This study uses data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to examine the performance of for-profit nursing homes based on financial stability, quality of care, and affordability. It considers key factors such as net income, gross revenue, average length of stay, health inspection ratings, complaints, incidents, and nurse-aide staffing hours. Data from 2018 to 2021 was used to effectively evaluate the COVID-19 pandemic’s effects on financial performance and health outcomes. Through segmentation analysis and hypothesis testing, states were clustered into top, middle, or bottom performers. These performance tiers were found to differ significantly regarding their operations, resource management, and quality of care. The findings underscore the importance of flexible management strategies and operational resilience. This research offers valuable insights into resource management strategies that promote strong health outcomes while maintaining financial stability. The results also provide a framework for responding to future health crises, ensuring resident safety and institutional sustainability. Understanding these dynamics enables nursing homes to enhance the well-being of stakeholders across the industry.

Project Title: Who Leads The Way? Family, Women, and Minority Ownership Among New Jersey’s Sustainable SME’s

Student Presenter: Brianna Perez
Major: Management
Faculty Mentor: Rikki Abzug
School: ASB

Abstract: This study examines the role of family, women, and minority-owned small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in New Jersey’s pursuit of sustainability, focusing on their participation in the New Jersey Sustainable Business Registry. SMEs, which make up 99.6% of all businesses in the state, are critical to achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to economic growth, gender equality, reduced inequalities, and climate action. This research explores whether these businesses lead in sustainability practices due to intrinsic motivations, such as social justice values and reputation concerns, or whether they are hindered by resource constraints.

Using data from the New Jersey Sustainable Business Registry, we analyzed 184 SMEs, identified ownership types, and conducted Chi-Square tests of association to compare the proportions of family, women, and minority-owned businesses in the registry against the broader New Jersey SME population. Results showed no significant difference in the representation of women-owned SMEs, suggesting that motivating drivers and resource constraints may cancel each other out. However, minority-owned SMEs were significantly underrepresented, indicating that resource constraints limit their ability to adopt sustainability practices. In contrast, family-owned businesses were overrepresented in the registry, supporting the theory that reputation concerns motivate family firms to engage in sustainability.

These findings point to a mix of drivers and barriers influencing whether different types of businesses take part in sustainability efforts. The study suggests that policies like grants and training programs could help minority-owned businesses overcome financial challenges, while highlighting the benefits of sustainability for family-owned firms could further boost their involvement. The findings contribute to the broader discussion on how ownership characteristics influence sustainability efforts, offering insights for policymakers and stakeholders aiming to promote sustainability within New Jersey’s SME ecosystem.

Project Title: Investing in Mental Health: a Comparative Economic Analysis

Student Presenter: Michael Hickey
Major: Economics
Faculty Mentor: Sandipa Bhattacharjee
School: ASB

Abstract: This paper investigates the relationship between government mental health spending and their impact on individual and societal well-being. Focusing on developed countries such as the United States and the United Kingdom, where expenditures account for 0.48% and 7.41% of the nation’s GDP (Federal Reserve, MacroTrends), this study provides a comparative analysis of the impact of these investments. Despite the growing prevalence of mental illness as evident in the World Health Organization reports of “significant increases since 2005”, there remains insufficient empirical evidence linking government expenditures to tangible improvements in the lives of people. To address this gap, this paper analyses key variables such as mental health expenditures, national suicide rate, and life expectancy, to determine how different countries prioritize mental health and its subsequent effects on their populations. The paper introduces an index, Suicide-adjusted life expectancy (SALE), which integrates national suicide rates and life expectancy as a comprehensive indicator in determining quality of life and well-being. Utilizing an ordinary least square regression technique, the paper compares the complexities of these expenditures and their influence on societal outcomes. The preliminary findings indicate a positive correlation, showing that higher government investment is linked to higher SALE. This compelling evidence underscores the importance of advocating greater mental health funding, reinforcing its potential to enhance the quality of life for individuals and increased policy intervention across nations.

Project Title: Understanding the Complex Relationship Between Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Substance Use Disorders (SUD)s

Student Presenter: Joseph Bennis
Major: Communication Arts
Faculty Mentor: Satarupa Dasgupta
School: Contemporary Arts

Abstract: Extant research shows that there is a correlation between being diagnosed with Attention-Deficit-Hyperactivity-Disorder (ADHD), a neurodevelopmental condition, and developing a substance abuse disorder (SUD). SUDs and ADHD have a complex and multifaceted relationship, with research demonstrating the latter being a psychiatric comorbidity of the former with overlapping causation, risk factors, and underlying neurobiological processes. The current project designs a college-wide campaign aimed at a) disseminating awareness about the relationship between ADHD and SUDs b) destigmatizing SUDs and mental health c) engaging audience members to have an open dialogue on this topic and empowering them to seek appropriate interventions. The campaign uses campus-wide posters with simple designs tailored towards a neurodivergent mind, and a QR code that leads to a webpage with condensed information, and social media links created specifically for this topic.

Project Title: “Recycling for Change”: A Campaign to Promote Recycling and Enhance Sustainability Engagement on Ramapo College Campus

Student Presenter: Rebecca Bleich
Major: Communication Arts
Faculty Mentor: Satarupa Dasgupta
School: Contemporary Arts

Abstract: The proposed campaign called “Recycling for Change” aims to bring awareness to recycling, enhance the students’ recycling behavior and address students’ sustainability engagement on campus. The campaign recommends a tailored model to help the Ramapo campus become an environment friendly campus and enact a more reliable campus-wide recycling program. Given the world of climate change, it is essential to educate students on broader environmental stewardship and lay the foundation for reliable recycling behavior thus normalizing sustainability practices on campus. The campaign explores the challenges caused by poor recycling practices at a college campus, and designs a campaign to alleviate the issue and promote sustainability.

Project Title: Oral Contraceptives and Mental Health: Exploring the Association by Studying College Student Experiences

Student Presenter: Kaitlyn Camerlengo
Major: Communication Arts
Faculty Mentor: Satarupa Dasgupta
School: Contemporary Arts

Abstract: Oral contraceptives have been in the market for decades, prescribed to women for pregnancy prevention, extreme period pain, and even mood disorders that may accompany the beginning of a woman’s period. While contraceptive pills are often prescribed to alleviate premenstrual syndrome and disorders, not all women find relief. Women have reported an array of mental health issues, mood disorders, or physical side effects from oral contraceptives. These side effects are disclosed by the pharmaceutical manufacturers, but they are often not thoroughly discussed or researched, specifically mental health side effects. In view of the limited research available on this topic, the current study attempted to answer the question: What is the correlation between oral contraceptives and mental health? Via administration of an anonymous online survey, undergraduate college students who were prescribed oral contraceptives were asked to evaluate their mental health while on the pill.

Project Title: Impact of Social Stigmatization of Cleft Lip and Palate

Student Presenter: Alyssa Curto
Major: Communication Arts
Faculty Mentor: Satarupa Dasgupta
School: Contemporary Arts

Abstract: The current study investigates how stigmatization and discrimination surrounding cleft lip and palate (CLP) disadvantages individuals in education, and are exacerbated by lack of awareness regarding CLP. Aesthetics of the facial structure are often socially and subconsciously used to measure beauty, intelligence and desirability as romantic partners. For individuals with CLP such perceptions negatively affect self-esteem, and the said population is more likely to report bullying and discrimination. In the current study a survey was administered to students at Ramapo College and the results demonstrated that the participants significantly lacked awareness about CLP. The study utilized the theoretical frameworks of social cognitive theory and theory of planned behavior to predict behavior and attitude towards individuals with CLP. The study proposes creating a collegewide campaign with posters placed across campus in addition to a social media campaign to increase awareness and change behavioral attitudes in a more positive direction.

Project Title: Autistic Females Victimization in Intimate Partner Violence: #AutisticFemalesMatter

Student Presenter: Victoria Giordano
Major: Communication Arts
Faculty Mentor: Satarupa Dasgupta
School: Contemporary Arts

Abstract: Intimate partner violence (IPV) and sexual assault (SA) in autistic people’s lives are under-researched topics. Extant research shows that autistic people are more likely to be victimized in IPV and SA than non-autistic people. Autistic females, particularly, are more likely to be victimized in IPV and SA. Studies show that autistic women’s victimization in IPV and SA remains connected to inequality in accessing appropriate support services and due to the detrimental impact of “masking”. Additionally, autism causes challenges in social interactions and understanding of social cues, which can make it difficult for autistic women to discern violence in intimate relationships as well as disclose violence. The current study proposes a health communication campaign that will raise awareness on the extent and nature of victimization of autistic women in IPV. I also hope that through my research personal stories can be shared on this under-discussed and stigmatized issue, encouraging autistic females who have been victimized in IPV to self-advocate. The current research also hopes to make the world a better and safer place for autistic females and neurodivergent individuals who are the forgotten victims of IPV.

Project Title: Expanding the High School Sexual Education Curricula: The Importance of Including Transgender and Non-Binary Topics

Student Presenter: William Jackson
Major: Communication Arts
Faculty Mentor: Satarupa Dasgupta
School: Contemporary Arts

Abstract: The goal of this health communication campaign is to promote the change of laws that restrict the teaching of LGBTQ+ subjects in school, specifically that of transgender and non-binary people (TNB). The research in this campaign focuses on why it is vital for TNB youth to be taught LGBTQ+ subjects in sex and health education in schools, including helping to avoid unsafe sex practices, increased depression and suicide rates, and other harmful and risky behaviors. Additionally, this research campaign will call on the states with no laws or policies to implement those that properly educate students about the LGBTQ+ community, and specifically TNB subjects. Included in this project is a needs assessment of TNB adults aged between 19-30 years across seven different US states. The research demonstrates the urgent need for change in how TNB topics are taught in the United States school systems. This project has also become increasingly relevant as specific laws passed in the recent weeks have aimed at restricting TNB subjects in both schools and society.

Project Title: IEPs are a Right, not a Privilege

Student Presenter: Keely Lombardi
Major: Communication Arts
Faculty Mentor: Satarupa Dasgupta
School: Contemporary Arts

Abstract: My research paper outlines the foundational ideas and the execution of my health communication campaign, titled “IEPs are a Right, Not a Privilege.” My campaign highlights the lack of discourse and awareness surrounding individualized education program (IEP)s and the resultant stigmatization causing discrimination against students with learning differences. By focusing on “The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act”, my campaign will attempt to restructure the narrative surrounding IEPs in high schools. If addressed as a right, rather than a privilege, students will feel empowered to utilize IEPs and seek help without feeling burdensome, marginalized or different. The long-term outcomes of IEPs are my campaign’s greatest motivator. These effects include improved mental health, self-advocacy skills, the ability to set and reach personal goals, and an understanding of how equity can be implemented in American institutions through first -hand experience. I created this campaign with my future students in mind. My hope is for them to learn how to embrace their individuality and live passionately, not passively.

Project Title: Reclaiming Power in Sports: “Her Game Plan, The Women Playmakers’ Network”

Student Presenter: Katherine Rygiel
Major: Communication Arts
Faculty Mentor: Satarupa Dasgupta, Regina Clark, Bonnie Blake, Erin Augis
School: Contemporary Arts

Abstract: The sports industry remains a male-dominated field where women constantly face significant barriers regarding representation, leadership, and career advancement. “Her Game Plan, The Women Playmakers’ Network” is an app designed to address these challenges by fostering community, mentorship, and professional networking for women in the sports industry. This project was driven by research that analyzes and examines gender disparities within the industry and the importance of community for these women. Networking has been identified as a crucial factor for career success in sports management, yet women often struggle with leveraging and finding these connections. Her Game Plan was developed to create a structured, inclusive platform. The app includes a Goal Board for setting career objectives, a Tips and Tricks section for insights within the industry, a Job Board to share, recommend, and view employment opportunities, and a Messaging/Feed feature to facilitate networking and mentorship. All of these components work together to empower women by enhancing visibility, career values, and community support. This project emphasizes the urgent need for structural changes in the sports industry and how technology can play a role in bridging gender gaps. By providing resources, mentorship, and networking opportunities, “Her Game Plan” fosters a supportive environment where women can thrive professionally.

Project Title: Your Brain on Drugs: The Campaign to Raise Awareness on the Impact of Direct-to-Consumer Advertisements of Prescription Drugs among College-Aged Patients

Student Presenter: Joseph Santana
Major: Communication Arts
Faculty Mentor: Satarupa Dasgupta
School: Contemporary Arts

Abstract: Extant research shows that direct-to-consumer (DTC) advertising of prescription drugs significantly impacts public perception of diseases and disease treatments and consequently affects patient decision-making and healthcare-seeking behavior. The current study explores the influence of DTC prescription drug advertisements on consumer perception and behavior, including examining the historical evolution, economic implications, and ethical concerns surrounding pharmaceutical advertising. Undergraduate college students belong to the demographic group that is particularly susceptible to DTC prescription drug advertising due to their significantly higher rates of media consumption. The study designs a social media campaign to raise awareness among college-aged students about pharmaceutical marketing strategies, consumer perception, and healthcare-seeking behavior. The topic is especially important in the current context as DTC of prescription drugs has increased dramatically in the United States during the past decade.

Project Title: The Impact of Alcohol Consumption on Academic Performance of Undergraduate Students

Student Presenter: Riley Stewart
Major: Communication Arts
Faculty Mentor: Satarupa Dasgupta
School: Contemporary Arts

Abstract: The current research paper delineates the impact of alcohol consumption on undergraduate college students’ academic performances. An online survey administered to Ramapo College students found little to no direct correlation between their drinking habits and negative academic performance outcomes. However, extant research suggests that the connection is apparent throughout university and college campuses across the United States. In order to promote change across Ramapo campus, a campaign was designed with social media messages including images of alcohol being on sale. The campaign messages provided information about the negative impact of episodic drinking on college student’s academic performances. The goal of the campaign was to promote a change in campus drinking culture, a socialized and normalized activity in the college environment.

Project Title: “Jenny on the Job”: Women’s Motivations and Struggles in Industrial Work During World War II

Student Presenter: Miranda Trautmann
Major: American Studies
Faculty Mentor: Steve Rice
School: HGS

Abstract: As the United States entered World War II in 1941, many of the jobs that had been held by now-enlisted men became vacant, and many women heeded the call to work these jobs, most of which were in factories, shipyards, and other similar fields that had not previously been occupied by women. Therefore, simultaneously, the positions that women previously held primarily in the home as mothers and caretakers became increasingly vacant, and there became a social crisis of a lack of childcare. Because of this, there was an initial lack of cooperation and acceptance from unions and the men still working in factories in regards to hiring women. When the men came home from war, it was expected that women would go back into the home and the men would be given back their pre-war jobs. There seems to have been a pattern of men going to war, women taking their jobs, men coming home, and women leaving the jobs to work in the home again, which took place after every previous war. The narrative mostly claims that women understood their places in the home and willingly gave their jobs back to the men who had previously claimed them. After World War II many women had to return back home despite their desire to continue working, although some managed to keep their jobs and increase the number of women working during peacetime in comparison to pre-war levels. In my research I analyze how women’s motivations for working during the war were more nuanced than having simple feelings of patriotic duty, and therefore the return home after the war was not entirely straightforward.

Project Title: The Ideological Reconstruction of American Democracy

Student Presenter: Erin Pryor
Major: History
Faculty Mentor: Tae Yang Kwak
School: HGS

Abstract: This project explores the intellectual differences in American Democracy during the post-Civil War Reconstruction Era. While the Abolitionists of the North physically defeated the Confederacy in 1865, the racist ideologies of the South only further asserted themselves in American society beyond the Reconstruction Era. Legislation, such as the Jim Crow laws, aimed to disenfranchise Black Americans through segregation and denial of rights. Likewise, Reconstruction Amendments, namely the Thirteenth Amendment, allowed for legal forms of peonage as punishment for a crime which continued the effects of institutional slavery in America. Through historiographic analysis of Heather Cox Richardson’s How the South Won the Civil War, Irving Barlett’s The American Mind in the Mid-Nineteenth Century, and Eric Foner’s Reconstruction: America’s Unfinished Revolution, this project aims to show that despite the potential of radical Reconstruction efforts to promote equality in American democracy, the ideological beliefs of the Confederacy persisted which permitted the systemic racial disparities in American Democracy today.

Project Title: Bridging Worlds: The Impact of Child Language Brokering

Student Presenter: Elizabeth Marroquin
Major: Nursing
Faculty Mentor: Natalia Santamaria Laorden
School: HGS

Abstract: Language brokering is defined as children or young people who interpret and translate for people from different cultural and linguistic backgrounds, facilitating communication in various situations, which can be for parents or other family members who do not speak English or have a limited proficiency in the language (Iqbal and Crafter, 2023). While this practice can provide children an opportunity to enhance their language skills and foster a sense of responsibility, it can also cause a range of emotional, psychological, and social difficulties for them (Morales and Wang, 2018). Children feel anxious, embarrassed, and pressured when placed in a situation where the understanding of certain conditions lies in their ability to interpret between two languages. In addition to the previous negative effects, there have been studies that have shown an association between language brokering and depression, school-related stress, family conflict, alcohol use, risky behaviors, and parentification (Morales and Wang, 2018). These challenges can be prevented by avoiding utilizing child interpreters, and taking advantage of the qualified interpreters that are available to us because of the many laws that were established with the purpose of providing patients with quality healthcare. There are many healthcare facilities, though, that fail to provide proper language access services for their patients because they believe that providing such services can be costly, however, there is minimal evidence to support that claim (Jacobs, 2007). There are, in fact, federal regulations that can be traced back to the Civil Rights legislation, which required that healthcare providers that received federal aid, must offer language assistance services, including a qualified interpreter, to patients (Showstack, 2021).These points highlight the importance for interpretation services to ensure that all patients receive culturally and linguistically appropriate care, as well as to reduce the negative effects language brokering has on younger generations.

Project Title: Touch Me

Student Presenter: Marina Gannon
Major: English & Literary Studies
Faculty Mentor: Hugh Sheehy
School: HGS

Abstract: Touch Me is a manuscript composed of nine interconnected short fictions exploring the possibilities and limitations of human connection, which lets us change each other forever, in an instant, while also preventing us from closing the distance that divides us. The stories take place in a town in Oregon or follow “Oregonians” abroad, demonstrating how people and their stories cannot help but brush by and into each other, often to disastrous effects. Two recurring characters around which the manuscript is hinged are half-sisters Katherine and Elizabeth. In the first fiction of the manuscript, “Katherine and Elizabeth in their Backyard in Oregon,” the former, aged thirteen tells her sister a salacious story about their mysterious next-door neighbor, showing her bloody-spotted underwear as proof of his violation. She recants her story soon after, but, crucially, her words cannot quite be taken back. The man’s child, listening in from an open window, heard only the lie and not its retraction. Worried their father might be a pedophile (and also dealing with their own complex feelings towards the neighbor girls), they seek to escape their mind at the local grocery store, where they happen to encounter a morose, Kafka-inclined young man who wants to be anywhere but there. The deciding action, then, from which the second half of the manuscript recoils, is the introduction of a mass shooter into the market. This distinctly American trauma affects not just those inside the store and their families, but the community as a whole. The stories that follow track the various and far reaching shockwaves this event transmits into the community.

Project Title: Banana: the Creation of an American Cultural Object

Student Presenter: Elly Raisch
Major: International Studies
Faculty Mentor: Erick Castellanos
School: HGS

Abstract: Over the past 150 years, bananas have become enmeshed in American culture. With an industry estimated at $11 billion– the highest among exported fruits– bananas are one of the most enjoyed foods in the United States. Despite the country’s familiarity with and fondness for bananas, there exists a gap between the fruit’s abundance and the realities of its production. Most commercially available bananas in the United States are imported from countries in Central and South America, namely Guatemala, Ecuador, and Costa Rica. However, the abundant presence of bananas in American grocery stores is not without consequence; the industry has historic and modern issues with violence and labor abuse. Additionally, grafting techniques used to create biologically identical bananas fit for commercial consumption have historically made the fruit susceptible to disease, and may threaten the Cavendish variety known for its ubiquity with American foodways.
The banana is an example of globalization at work. This is demonstrated in its historic spread, commercialization, and resulting innovation. Further, it is shown in how the banana industry is not devoid of corruption and violence, nor is it immune to global diseases and climate crises. Finally, globalization is demonstrated in how various populations understand the banana as a cultural object. This paper aims to provide a better understanding of how dichotomies between knowledge and consciousness emerge in countries where bananas are an imported product. Using the United States as a case study, I chose to research the history of the American banana trade as well as modern-day banana sustainability concerns and potential solutions. In addition, I surveyed and interviewed several participants in order to identify their understanding of the global processes which impact bananas, their placement of bananas in American culture, and the dichotomies existing between the two.

Project Title: The Climate Displacement of Afro-Colombians: An Analysis of the Causes, Effects, and Policy

Student Presenter: Stefanie Viera
Major: History
Faculty Mentor: Erick Castellanos
School: HGS

Abstract: Climate change has caused mass displacement, especially in the Global South, and mainly impacts marginalized communities. This includes racial minorities like Afro-Colombians, who are predominantly located on the climatically vulnerable coasts of Colombia. Afro-Colombians are also accorded a number of unique benefits and rights under Colombian law, although they often fail to be recognized in reality. Colombia is also home to some of the most progressive legal protections for refugees and the displaced, and is actually currently moving towards recognizing climate displacement. With consideration to the distinctive and precarious situation of Afro-Colombian communities, the following questions are raised: How would the recognition of climate displacement in Colombia affect Afro-Colombian communities? What frameworks need to be put in place to ensure that Afro-Colombians receive the benefits of being recognized as climate refugees? What are the greatest obstacles in offering them this protection? This is particularly important as climate displacement is a burgeoning and inevitable field of research for the study of migration. This research uses comparative and exploratory mechanisms to consider how policy in Colombia should be shaped when addressing climate displacement for Afro-Colombian communities. It is concluded that Afro-Colombians should be involved in the creation of policies that would impact them and that their relationship with the environment should be both respected and leveraged to pursue environmentally protective programs in Colombia. This has significant implications for how both Colombia and other countries in similar situations can respect the rights and autonomy of marginalized communities when addressing climate displacement.

Project Title: Trouble in Paradise: The “Trad Life” of Adam and Eve in Milton’s Paradise Lost

Student Presenter: Antonio Russo
Major: English & Literary Studies
Faculty Mentor: Yvette Kisor
School: HGS

Abstract: An Eden plagued by moral uncertainty in John Milton’s Paradise Lost provides a backdrop against which Adam and Eve’s dialogue becomes a discussion of the values that shape their domestic, sexual, and work relations. The values and their discussion are notable for how they mimic current discourses on what is “traditional” and the necessity of tradition in an ever-changing contemporary culture. Adam’s notion of a hierarchical masculinity which asks of Eve submission mimics ideas of masculinity shaped by such modern areas of discourse as the “manosphere,” a “heterogenous group of online communities that broadly promotes anti-feminism, misogyny, and hateful ideas about women” (Chen). Eve’s subservience in the face of hierarchy typifies her as a “tradwife,” a model of female submissiveness popular on YouTube and born of online communities often with largely female audiences. Similarly, characteristic of modern discourse, the lovers’ dialogue reveals an inability to and, in Eve’s case, a defiance against, upholding traditionalism. Paradise Lost can be read in an entirely modern context as a commentary on contemporary values. Through an examination of the work in this context, it becomes clear that Paradise Lost echoes contemporary discourse on traditional values in the relationship of Adam and Eve under God and Satan in their morally tumultuous home of Eden.

Project Title: Portrait of a Lady on Fire: Lesbian Cinema, Desire, and Language

Student Presenter: Rachel Chandler
Major: English & Literary Studies
Faculty Mentor: Todd Barnes
School: HGS

Abstract: Though the production of lesbian cinema has increased in recent years, the genre is still severely untapped. The media that we do see, films such as Tom Haynes’ 2015 Carol or Francis Lee’s 2020 Ammonite, similarly stick to typical ‘queer’ structures, with unhappy endings and a strange fixation on a historical era. It begs the following questions: What social structures encourage, or perhaps narrowly allow, these disappointing tropes to individually apply to lesbian cinema? How has lesbian cinema thus morphed into a means of fetishized commodity? Although these structures, social or cinematic, can ultimately rule the production of cinema in the modern age, film makers, typically outside of the United States, have pushed to break the barriers of social expectation. Céline Sciamma’s 2019 film, Portrait of a Lady on Fire, does just that, taking the unhappy ending and period piece fixation and turning the concepts of lesbian cinema into a true representation of desire, romance, and reality, in which the male gaze is reversed. Within the film, language, or lack thereof, largely becomes an integral tool to reveal the realities and truths of emotion within a strictly structured society. Through this discourse, the understanding of the behavior and language of our main characters Marianne and Héloïse function as expressions of pleasure and desire, in turn representing the constant balancing of the superego and id. Most importantly, Portrait of a Lady on Fire contradicts the typical sexualized lesbian representation and discusses the realities of lesbian romance, especially in strict societies.

Project Title: Jane Addams Papers Project and Artificial Intelligence

Student Presenter: Michelle Kukan
Major: History
Faculty Mentor: Cathy Hajo
School: HGS

Abstract: Artificial Intelligence (AI) is changing how people go about everything from simple queries to academic tasks. Humanities scholars are skeptical and less willing to use AI than other branches of learning. One humanities initiative at Ramapo College is the Jane Addams Papers Project. The project, headed by Dr. Cathy Moran Hajo, relies on students to transcribe Jane Addams’ (1860-1935) handwritten and typed documents. Dr. Hajo and I explored AI’s efficiency. Would AI be efficient enough to replace student workers? Would AI be accurate enough for students to use as an aid with minor corrections? To answer these questions, I used two AI tools: Transkribus and ChatGPT. Randomly chosen handwritten and typed documents authored by Addams were uploaded. Transkribus is an AI tool that advertises its success in reading historical documents. Training the AI model for Addams’ handwriting was time consuming and inaccurate. After hours of training and correcting the model, the 73.9% accuracy rate was unable to read Addams’ handwriting. To transcribe typed documents, an AI model with an 81.1% accuracy rate was used. ChatGPT 4.0, a more general AI model, also failed to accurately transcribe Addams’ handwriting. It was more successful than Transkribus, with a 97% accuracy rate and did not need to be trained. This AI model was able to be prompted to adhere to the project’s formatting and provided a transcription that could easily be pasted into the project’s database. Students have a 85% accuracy rate with Addams’ handwriting. Based on the handwriting accuracy rates of students and both AI tools, AI is not efficient enough to replace students. However, AI can be a helpful aid in expediting the transcription process of typed documents.

Project Title: Oreo’s Invisibility and Resurgence

Student Presenter: Amanda Drexler
Major: English & Literary Studies
Faculty Mentor: Edward Shannon
School: HGS

Abstract: Fran Ross’s mixed-style 1974 novel, Oreo, is a coming-of-age travel story about a young mixed race girl’s search for identity. The protagonist, Christine (known as “Oreo”), is a half Black and half Jewish girl living in Philadelphia with her brother and her grandparents. She has an absent mother and a father who abandoned her when she was born, leaving clues that would lead Oreo to discover the secret of her birth. This concept directly ties the plot of the novel to that of the Greek myth of Theseus. Ross modernizes the tale by telling the story through the lens of a young girl who is struggling to fit in with the racial identities she was born into. This novel can be considered a literary classic as its form and function is quite similar to James Joyce’s Ulysses. However, Oreo tackles polarizing issues pertaining to race and feminism through unconventional structure and high- and low-brow humor. The liberal use of raunchy humor and racial slurs, as well as mixing Yiddish with English, allows the cadence of Ross’s storytelling to exist on two racial planes; similarly to its protagonist. This writing style allows her to critique and defend American Black and Jewish communities. Oreo struggles with her identity as these communities reject her existence as mixed. Oreo the novel exists in a field of gray just as young Oreo herself. She is a testament to the existence of future generations of mixed-race Americans. Ross’s novel has the ability to be an instant classic as it represents a group of readers who are historically erased. This novel should spark a larger conversation about the existence of mixed-race people and the validity of their experiences in a world that is so often divided into black and white.

Project Title: Beating the Boomers: The Effects of College Voters in US Elections

Student Presenter: Sarah Glisson
Major: Political Science
Faculty Mentor: Jeremy Teigen
School: HGS

Abstract: This paper will analyze the effects of voter turnout among college students on outcomes in U.S. elections. Republican politicians worry that increasing voter turnout among college students will provide disproportionate votes for Democratic candidates (Fearon-Maradey 2014). Using available data from 2016 on New Jersey municipalities, I will examine the distribution of votes in the 2016 Presidential Election between Democratic Nominee Hilary Clinton and Republican Nominee Donald Trump in municipalities with colleges in them in comparison to municipalities without colleges in them. The independent variable is the New Jersey municipality (college town vs. non-college town) and the dependent variable is the distribution of votes (Clinton % versus Trump % of votes.) The units of analysis are 565 New Jersey municipalities. The distribution of votes is calculated by analyzing public voting records from the 2016 Presidential Election and identifying college towns using public New Jersey higher education records. There is evidence to believe that there is a statistically significant relationship between a town having a college in it and the distribution of votes in a presidential election. Municipalities with colleges located within them voted at higher rates for Hilary Clinton in 2016 than non-college towns.

Project Title: Drifting the Right Way: Population Changes and the Rightward Shift in the Rust Belt

Student Presenter: Luke DiMascio
Major: Political Science
Faculty Mentor: Jeremy Teigen
School: HGS

Abstract: I examined county-level population changes as a percentage between 2010 and 2020 in the states of Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, as well as the two-party Republican vote share change in those same counties between the 2012 and 2020 presidential elections. Thus, I analyzed the relationship between population changes in counties in the Rust Belt states of Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin as of the 2020 census, and whether those areas have subsequently trended Republican between the 2012 and 2020 presidential elections.

The results using a Pearson correlation hypothesis test provide some evidence of a positive correlation between population growth between 2010 and 2020 in a given Rust Belt county and a shift to the Republican Party in the same county over that same decade in presidential elections.

These results highlight the potential for the Republican Party to develop a durable advantage in the Electoral College and the United States Senate. These are state-based institutions, and the Republican Party could potentially build a sizable and sustainable majority in both, as they could build an advantage through the competitive Rust Belt states where a correlation emerges between population growth and a Republican trend.

Project Title: Hunt-Showdown – Western or Not?

Student Presenter: Maddisyn Vaccaro
Major: History
Faculty Mentor: Sarah Koenig
School: HGS

Abstract: Hunt: Showdown is a 2019 competitive, first person PVP bounty hunting shooter. Because of Hunt: Showdown’s fantasy and horror elements, the game falls into the “weird” category of media. Weird media often includes fantasy, supernatural, horror, but can also include steampunk. However, because of its lack of a ‘stereotypical’ Western look, it is overlooked as a Western. If historians were to analyze the game, they would be the first to note that a game’s looks alone do not depict it as a Western, it is more than that. Additionally, if that information were to be presented to a classroom, it may help students be more engaged in the lecture and further enhance their learning experience.
Without the historical analysis of Hunt: Showdown, it would not be concluded that the game is a Western. Moreover, there would be less of an argument that the West is more than just a location on a map, it is an area’s cultures and beliefs modernized from the West to form its own communities and belief systems. It is Hunt: Showdown’s inspiration from Western history and media, rather than only its physical location, that classifies the game as a Western.

Project Title: Okay (I’m a) Boomer: Examining How Parents’ Political Ideology Affects Their Children’s Political Views

Student Presenter: Sophia Kopreski
Major: Political Science
Faculty Mentor: Jeremy Teigen
School: HGS

Abstract: This paper examines the relationship between parental party identification and their teenagers’ seemingly subsequent party affiliation. Evidence from other researchers suggests that children are bound to follow the political leanings of their parents or immediate social atmosphere. The data used in this paper stems from Pew Research Center’s 2019 Survey on the religious and political opinions of teens and their parents. To ensure the relationship could be analyzed properly, Pew assembled the dataset to make each row a parent-teen pair. This data, displayed in the form of catplots through the usage of Stata, shows that most teenagers identify with the political party of their parents. The independent variable in this paper is parent party ID while the dependent variable is teen party ID. These qualitative variables called for the conduction of the Chi Squared Correlation Test, which yielded a Pr value of 0.00. Therefore, this paper finds a correlation between political party identification of parents and their teenage children.

Project Title:  “Being Dickie Greenleaf.” Alienation and Commodification in The Talented Mr. Ripley

Student Presenter: Lena Mardini
Major: English & Literary Studies
Faculty Mentor: Todd Barnes
School: HGS

Abstract: Anyone who has seen Anthony Minghella’s 1999 adaptation of The Talented Mr. Ripley would likely be quick to describe Tom Ripley, the protagonist, as a closeted gay man driven to murder by an inherently close-minded society. In actuality, however, Minghella’s Ripley “significantly broadens what Ms. Highsmith had in mind” when she wrote her 1955 psychological thriller (Maslin). Highsmith’s Ripley is, by contrast, characterized by his own ambiguity. While the homosexual undertones in the novel are undeniable, they are “never more than a suggestion” and are never actualized in any of Highsmith’s subsequent Ripley novels (Harrison). In fact, little is known about the young con-man before he is tasked with going to Italy to find Dickie Greenleaf, the son of a wealthy head of a shipping company. Tom’s sexuality at the beginning of the novel “is as vague as is his class and work history,” thus allowing him “at 25” to be “essentially undefined” (Harrison). Tom’s identity is elusive, and inherently queer in that it subverts all traditional binary sexual structures. He is a character defined by his displacement and liminality. This is made further clear by his eventual complete assumption of Dickie’s identity following his murder, and the performativity of this hyper-masculine role.
Tom’s insatiable acquisition and commodification of objects is his attempt to remedy his
complete alienation from others and American society as a whole.

Project Title: King Philip’s War and the Creation of an “Indian” Race

Student Presenter: Alan Rosenberg
Major: History
Faculty Mentor: Stephen Rice
School: HGS

Abstract: For almost 350 years, King Philip’s War has been examined by historians, and for most of that time the Native American perspective has been given much less credence, with historical accounts putting them off as “savages” who were following the customs of their barbaric culture. It is only recently that historians have begun trying to understand the Native American perspective of this violent conflict in seventeenth-century “New England”. Using sources like Plymouth Colony court records and judicial acts; contemporary accounts of the war from colonists; and Native American testimony from the time, this paper will examine how English paranoia surrounding Native Americans during and after the war led to the English colonists to think of Native Americans as a whole, not as a people to be respected, but as an inferior “Indian” race. During the war this led to rash decisions being made out of fear of betrayal from allied and neutral tribes like the forced disarmament of many neutral tribes and the ban on trade of essential goods to groups that only brought them closer to Philip. After the war the sheer amount of violence and destruction the English colonists experienced led them to fear they could no longer trust any Native Americans. Surrendered members of Philip’s army were mostly either sentenced to death or sent to slavery in the Caribbean, and any Native Americans who wanted to stay in New England were forced to live under a new regime of intensified suspicion and doubt. For over 300 years, historical writings on King Philip’s War would continue to depict Native Americans as this inferior “Indian” race, a view that was originally created in the aftermath of the war.

Project Title: The Impact of a Decrease in Play on Children: A Scoping Review

Student Presenter: Katherine Andino
Major: Social Work
Faculty Mentor: Colleen Martinez
School: SSHS

Abstract: There is an agreement among many medical professionals, educators, and mental health professionals that play is productive and can afford children many benefits and skills throughout their childhood that then lasts into adulthood and beyond. While the benefits and importance of play have been well documented, the extent to which not having play harms children is debated and under researched. In recent years, there has been a departure from play-based learning and an increased emphasis on structured and test driven academic environments, especially in schools where children spend a large portion of their days. This extends beyond solely the academic environment and into the home, though, as there is an emerging societal prioritization of highly structured schedules that have influenced guardians to involve their children in numerous structured activities, rather than allowing children to engage more in child centered and free play. A scoping review of evidence was conducted between September and December 2024. A database search was conducted for the period 2007 to 2024 to identify relevant publications on the implications of the impact of a decrease in play on children. A total of 16 items were included. The primary aim of this review was to utilize the knowledge that play has substantial and important benefits for children, explore the extent and type of evidence available on how a decrease in play can impact children’s mental, emotional, social, cognitive, psychological, and physiological well being, and further examine these detrimental effects. Overall, while there is evidence to support that decreased play in children can be a hindrance on children’s overall development and wellbeing, more research in necessary in order to more precisely depict the far reaching effects of decreased play on children, especially how children of different races, ethnicities, abilities, socioeconomic statuses, regions, etc., may be affected disproportionately.

Project Title: SEL Interventions with First-Generation and Low-Income Students in Upward Bound

Student Presenter: Tijani Browne
Major: Social Work
Faculty Mentor: Colleen Martinez
School: SSHS

Abstract: Since 1964, Upward Bound (UB), a federally funded program, has been committed to supporting the needs of low-income and first-generation (neither parent holds a four-year degree) in their progress toward college readiness and the pursuit of a postsecondary education. In 1990, UB expanded to Upward Bound Math and Science (UBMS), emphasizing the focus on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) subjects. In the United States, socioeconomic factors significantly impact the possibility of attending college for low-income students. Additionally, low-income and first-generation students face challenges navigating the college application process, struggling with imposter syndrome, understanding available resources, and managing family conflicts and responsibilities.

The UBMS program at Ramapo supports high school students from Paterson, New Jersey. In 2022, it coordinated with the MSW program to implement Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) initiatives for the students while supporting the practicum learning needs of an MSW student serving as an intern. The MSW student acts as the SEL counselor within the UBMS program. SEL counselors implement evidence-based research, including Yale’s RULER approach, to equip the skills necessary for emotional regulation, emotional support, academic achievement, decision-making, interpersonal relationships, effective communication, and overall emotional intelligence. Initiatives include one-on-one interventions, small and large group activities, and assessments. As the SEL Counselor, the intern utilizes tools such as the CYW Adverse Childhood Experiences Questionnaire (ACE-Q), Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale 10 (CD-RISC-10), and assessments for Emotion Awareness and Emotion Regulation to gauge the social and emotional needs of students and monitor their progress.

Project Title: Quantitative Research Proposal: Can A Plant-Based Diet Diminish PCOS Symptoms?

Student Presenter: Marissa Buongiorno
Major: Social Work
Faculty Mentor: Timmesha Davis
School: SSHS

Abstract: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine disorder that affects reproductive-aged women and is characterized by commonly experienced symptoms such as weight gain, insulin resistance, acne, hirsutism, and mental health struggles. Despite extensive research into what can help improve PCOS and its symptoms, there is limited research that looks at the relationship between types of diet and PCOS symptoms. This research proposal outlines an exploratory research study examining whether a plant-based diet can reduce PCOS symptoms in women in their 20s. Using a purposive sample of 150-200 participants recruited from OBGYN offices within Bergen County, New Jersey, the research will follow a longitudinal design over one year. Participants will follow said plant-based diet (devoid of meat, eggs, and dairy) while PCOS symptoms will be measured using physical exams, blood tests, and pelvic ultrasounds and quantified using the Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Quality of Life (PCOSQ) likert scale, in addition to pre- and post-assessments to determine the severity of symptoms prior to and following this experiment. Monthly check-ins will also help to evaluate symptom changes and provide quantitative data to support the suggested hypothesis that a plant-based diet will diminish PCOS symptoms. This study aims to address gaps in existing research and offers insights into a sustainable and non-pharmaceutical approach to managing PCOS and improving overall quality of life.

Project Title: The Cycle of Harm: Implicit Racial Bias in Child Welfare Laws and the Path to Poverty & Incarceration

Student Presenter: Olivia Cole
Major: Law and Society
Faculty Mentor: Sanghamitra Padhy
School: SSHS

Abstract: Implicit racial bias in child welfare removal practices disproportionately targets Black families, perpetuating a cycle of removal that inflicts significant psychological, emotional, and developmental harm on affected children. This research examines how historical legal frameworks and socioeconomic policies have shaped child welfare interventions, often prioritizing state intervention over family preservation. Through a historical analysis spanning from the Colonial Period to the present, this study highlights how systemic inequities, racialized perceptions of parental fitness, and structural disinvestment in Black communities have contributed to the overrepresentation of Black children in the foster care system. Additionally, this research explores the long-term consequences of removal, including disruptions in identity formation, educational attainment, and economic stability. By connecting past policies to present-day disparities, this work underscores how these removal practices contribute to cyclical poverty and continued marginalization. The foster care-to-prison pipeline exemplifies these consequences, as children experiencing instability and a lack of family support face higher risks of juvenile justice involvement and incarceration. Many Black youth in foster care are disproportionately subjected to over-policing, school pushout, and limited rehabilitative resources, further entrenching them in cycles of criminalization. This systemic pattern reflects broader issues of racialized surveillance and punitive state intervention, where Black families are more likely to face both child welfare removals and carceral solutions rather than community-based support. This study aims to contribute to discussions on policy reform and reimagining child welfare approaches that prioritize equity, family integrity, and long-term well-being. By critically examining the intersection of race, law, and systemic intervention, it highlights the urgency of shifting toward preventative, culturally responsive policies that address root causes rather than perpetuate harmful cycles of state control and disenfranchisement.

Project Title: Low Detail vs High Detail Images in Visual Processing

Student Presenter: Victor Flores and Hyungjun Choi
Major: Psychology
Faculty Mentor: Naseem Choudhury
School: SSHS

Abstract: The brain is efficient at simplifying visual information into discrete, simpler components. Assigning certain characteristics to visual images may make it easier for the brain to recall the images later. This study investigates whether a visual stimuli’s level of detail (low vs. high), and color (or no color) affects the processing of visual information. This study will have four image types: color with high/low detail, and no color with high/low detail. In experiment one, a between-subjects design of four distinct groups was implemented to see if there lies any statistically significant differences among them. Each of these four groups was given one condition. Participants were shown an imagery test that contained 15 images of their respective condition, with a 400 ms latency between each stimulus. Participants were given a non-disclosed 35 seconds to verbally recall as many images as they could. Experiment two has a within-subjects design where each participant was given an imagery test that presented them with all four conditions. Participants viewed 20 total images, with five images for each condition (400 ms latency). Participants had free recall time to recall as many images as they could. In this study, both experiments suggest that level of detail has a main effect on the processing of visual information, while color appears to have no main effect. In experiment one, images with no color and high detail have statistically significantly lower recall rates than the rest. Experiment two follows a similar trend where participants were the least likely to recall images with no color and high detail in a competing environment. These findings suggest that images with high detail are recalled the least because they require more cognitive processing and are unable to be processed at an adequate level with 400 ms latency.

Project Title: Working Mothers: A Multifaceted Lens of Disparity and Policy Reform

Student Presenter: Giovanna LaMonica
Major: Law and Society
Faculty Mentor: Sanghamitra Padhy
School: SSHS

Abstract: The role of mothers is one of the most important yet overlooked positions in American society. Even without considering the emotional and physical toll of pregnancy, parental duties are often placed primarily on mothers. While husbands and fathers are traditionally expected to be the main financial providers, mothers are often expected to take on domestic responsibilities—labor that is continuous, unpaid, and undervalued by society.

Even as more mothers take on professional roles, their participation in the workforce remains significantly lower than that of fathers. Women face difficult choices in balancing work and family life, and mothers are far more likely to leave their careers after childbirth, sometimes never returning or returning only after many years. The decision to re-enter the workforce is influenced by several factors, including access to childcare, family income, and employment status before having children.

Mothers who return to work also risk experiencing what scholars call the “Motherhood Penalty.” This penalty affects employment rates, hiring and promotion opportunities, workplace perceptions, and salaries, reinforcing systemic disadvantages for working mothers.

Through a historical analysis of the barriers women face in the workforce, combined with interviews with working mothers in professional, non-manual jobs, my study examines the concept of the Motherhood Penalty. It particularly explores its impact on working mothers today and provides policy recommendations to mitigate workplace discrimination against mothers.gress.

Project Title: Effects of Additional Information and Musical Context on the Emotional Affect Induced by Art in Fransisco Goya’s Virtual Reality Museum

Student Presenter: Magdalena Nikolova, Justin Haskoor, Evelyn Voitsekhovich
Major: Biology
Faculty Mentor: Naseem Choudhury
School: SSHS

Abstract: The subjective experience of art is a universal human phenomenon, yet the mechanisms underlying it remain only partially understood. Two key modes of sensory processing are identified. Bottom-up processing involves the hierarchical construction of perception, starting from raw sensory inputs, such as retinal data, and building toward complex visual representations via primary sensory pathways, particularly the primary visual cortex (V1).

In contrast, top-down processing integrates sensory input with prior knowledge, expectations, and contextual factors. This cognitive modulation, mediated by higher-order brain regions like the prefrontal cortex, can significantly influence subjective experiences. For example, a painting or musical piece may evoke different responses depending on cultural background or emotional state.

This study explores the interaction between visual art and music, focusing on how top-down processing modulates aesthetic experience. Sixty young adults participated in a virtual reality (VR) simulation of Francisco Goya’s Black Paintings, randomly assigned to one of four conditions: narration about the artist (N), classical music (M), both (NM), or baseline background noise (B). Affective responses were measured using the Implicit Positive and Negative Affect Test (IPANAT) and the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS), administered before and after the experience. Art knowledge and interest were assessed via the Vienna Art Interest and Art Knowledge Questionnaire (VAIAK).

We hypothesize that participants in the combined condition (NM) will report the most negative affective state due to enhanced elaboration across sensory and cognitive channels, intensifying the emotional experience. Data analysis was made using repeated measures ANOVA and post hoc test to evaluate group differences and affect changes. This experiment is applicable to ecologically valid spaces like museums and galleries. It also aims at improving the fidelity of multimedia interaction studies.

Project Title: Intersectionality and the Autism Spectrum and Asian Representation in the film ‘Float’

Student Presenter: Kirsten Patanlinjug
Major: Nursing
Faculty Mentor: Paula Straile-Costa
School: SSHS

Abstract: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a developmental disease that is caused by neurological differences and disorders. This affects how a child learns, socially interacts, and behaves. Since ASD is common in the United States, with 1 in 54 children diagnosed, the representation in the media has grown. One example is the short film Float by Pixar Studios. The producer, Bobby Rubio, is a Filipino animator and his son, Alex, is on the Autism spectrum. In the film, the child floats in the air as a metaphor for the spectrum; the ability does not hurt anyone, however, individuals in our society who do not have first hand experience may react to a child on the spectrum as they might to one that cannot keep his feet on the ground.

While the film’s main focus is autism and parenting, it also represents the Filipino American community. In fact, this is the first Disney Pixar film that features Filipino characters. Due to the dearth of Filipino characters, actors, and artists in media in the U.S., the film is an important step in the recognition and expansion of Asian media representation. Rubio designed the characters to be Filipinos because he wanted a true portrayal of his family and his story. Intersectional analysis of Autism diagnosis reveals that children of color are diagnosed and treated less frequently and later than white children. This is significant as early treatment is essential to brain development, learning and communication. Float raises awareness of this disparity. Rubio’s engaging story has stimulated significant conversations around Autism potentially impacting numerous families of color in the U.S. This study, originally conducted and written in Spanish, explores the film’s intersectional context and the devices that Rubio uses to illustrate his gradual acceptance of his son’s disease.

Project Title: Results of a Survey Measuring Resident and Commuter Undergraduates Level of Connectedness at Ramapo College

Student Presenter: Emma Ray, Peter Cribeir, Maurice Kirchofer, and Delina Kica
Major: Social Work
Faculty Mentor: Colleen Martinez
School: SSHS

Abstract: School connectedness can play a large role in students’ academic success, well-being, and overall perception of their college experience. This study aims to understand if there is any difference between school connectedness for commuter students versus residential students at Ramapo College. We plan to look at undergraduate students and their levels of social capital and involvement in their school community to see if there are differences between the two groups. We will also ask students about what makes them feel connected to their school, and how they feel about their school connectedness. Based on existing research, we hypothesize that residential students will report a higher social capital and have a stronger sense of school connectedness than commuter students. To test this, we will survey both groups to measure social capital, school involvement, and levels of engagement. The results may provide insight into how connected Ramapo College resident and commuter undergraduate students feel. We may also find ways colleges can enhance school connectedness, and what each group reports they think about their sense of belonging at the school. This study is part of an MSW program research methods course, and the student researchers are working on IRB approval. Data will be collected this semester, and the Scholar’s Day poster will reflect the students’ research experiences and reflections at that point in time. Results may not be available.

Project Title: Decoding the World’s Silence Towards the Uyghur Genocide

Student Presenter: Hannah Scroggins
Major: Law and Society
Faculty Mentor: Sanghamitra Padhy
School: SSHS

Abstract: Approximately 11,000,000 Uyghurs are subjected to the Chinese Community Party’s (CCP) state-endorsed indoctrination programs, forced sterilizations and organ removals, abortions, wrongful imprisonment, and enslavement. Six nations, including the U.S., formally declared that these crimes amount to genocide. Yet, in 2020, the International Criminal Court (ICC) dismissed Uyghur testimony; furthermore, several “Muslim-majority countries rejected a motion in the U.N. Human Rights Council,” thus absolving the CCP from accountability. (Al Jazeera. 2022.)

The Uyghurs are a Turkic group in Xinjiang, China and comprise less than 1% of China’s population. Unlike the Han majority, the Uyghurs practice the Islamic faith; however, the CCP promotes an atheist platform and Han nationalism, leaving little room for ethnic and religious diversity. The Uyghurs’ Islamic identity is grounds for China’s systematic exclusion of the Uyghurs from political, social, and economic processes, which six nations formally declared constitutes genocide.

Many researchers on the Uyghur genocide attribute the world’s silence to political complexities, China’s economic stronghold, and the alleged difficulty of proving criminal intent. Drawing on Edward Said’s concept of “othering,” the binary division between the dominant ‘us’ and marginalized ‘them’, my presentation argues that othering is at the core of the Uyghur genocide, which further exposes China’s intent to eradicate Islamic identity and critiques the world’s tradition of Islamophobia. My analysis incorporates digital ethnography to compare the CCP’s narratives about Uyghur subjects with those told by the Uyghurs themselves and human rights organizations.

My presentation advocates for the use of Uyghur narratives to inform international reform and policy, which also applies to other movements that echo similar patterns of apartheid, genocide, and colonialism, such as the Rohingyas, Gazans, and Kashmiris. Given the urgency for the CCP’s accountability and international reform, my work resuscitates the world’s commitment to the principle of “never again” in the context of a modern-day holocaust.

Project Title: Evaluating the Efficacy of an Environmentally Sustainable and Safe Alternative Cleaning System for the College Campus Community

Student Presenter: Kristen Senesi
Major: Sustainability
Faculty Mentor: Kokila Kota & Ashwani Vasishth
School: SSHS

Abstract: The goal of my current research project is to evaluate a natural cleaner known as Stabilized Aqueous Ozone (SAO) to potentially replace the Ramapo College campus-wide disinfectants used to clean the buildings by our janitorial staff. Commercial cleaning products are full of harsh chemicals that have been known to cause a plethora of health issues for people. Cancers, fertility issues, and various neurological problems are attributed to the long-term use of chemical disinfectants. Additionally, the chemical disinfectants also add to the burden of environmental toxicity as the energy-intensive manufacturing process contributes to the global burden of high carbon emissions. To this end, we are researching the efficiency and affordability of a more environmentally sustainable and safer alternative. SAO is a commercial natural cleaner containing only two ingredients: Water and Oxygen. It is completely free from toxins and as it leaves only oxygen and water as byproducts, it is a very environmentally friendly alternative.

But the two big questions are the efficiency of SAO in disinfecting the surfaces and the costs associated with it. To address these questions, an interdisciplinary collaboration has been initiated with the Ramapo college Microbiology faculty and the facilities team at Ramapo.

In the microbiology lab, we are testing and comparing the antibacterial properties of SAO and the currently used disinfectants. Bacterial strains that are commonly found as contaminants on the surfaces are grown in the Microbiology lab following all the safety precautions with the help of the faculty expert. SAO and the currently used chemicals are then tested on their efficiencies to control the bacteria by a method known as the “disk-diffusion method”.

Our data will significantly help to make an informed decision about this initiative of replacing the current chemical disinfectant with an environmentally friendly and safe alternative for the Ramapo College campus and community.

Project Title: College Student Stress Levels for First-Year College Students and Seniors: A Measured Response

Student Presenter: Claire Solej, Brynn Carriero, Lindsay Williams, Lyeba Amir
Major: Social Work
Faculty Mentor: Colleen Martinez
School: SSHS

Abstract: As graduate students in the Master of Social Work program, we are conducting a research survey to examine stress levels among college students, specifically comparing first-year students with seniors. During Scholars Day, we intend to present our survey development process as well as our experiences navigating the Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval process. Our survey will target individuals who voluntarily identify as either first-year students or seniors. We will conduct a quantitative analysis of the data collected through our survey. The survey, designed using Qualtrics, will be distributed both online and in person via a QR code at a table we plan to set up outside of Ramapo’s cafeteria. Participants will be asked to evaluate various experiences encountered during their enrollment at Ramapo, rating the level of stress associated with each experience on a scale of one to five. Upon data collection, we will create a poster to showcase our findings. We are enthusiastic about exploring this research question and contributing to the existing literature on the topic.

Project Title: Child Welfare & New Jersey Bill A502

Student Presenter: Valeri Vargas
Major: Social Work
Faculty Mentor:Eileen Klien
School: SSHS

Abstract: New Jersey’s proposed bill A502 intends to directly enhance child welfare throughout the state, particularly in environments where they are meant to learn, play, and be nurtured. Allowing registered sex offenders in job positions that require regular access to children is an ongoing social problem. Current efforts to combat the issue such as background checks, disciplinary action databases, mandated reporting laws, and collective bargaining agreements have proven to be ineffective. Given the nature of the problem, statistics are not likely to represent the true size and scope of the problem. Though, bill A502 upholds the social work values of service, integrity and promotion of social welfare by recognizing what is known as “grooming” and applying it to a broad definition of “sex offender” and to all job positions.

Project Title: Effects of Downregulation of IAH1 via CRISPR-Cas9 on Flavor Compound Profiles in Yeast Brewing Strains

Student Presenters: Nikolova Magdelena, Cookie Wahba, Evelyn Voitsekhovich, Victoria Martin, Jenna Vasey
Major: Biology
Faculty Mentor: Joost Monen
School: TAS

Abstract: Over thousands of years, the production of beer has yielded a large variety of aroma and flavor profiles in brewing. Common brewer’s yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) is the organism that produces ethanol during fermentation; however, it is also a major factor that contributes to the flavor profile of beer. Hundreds of different brewing yeast strains have developed via artificial selection over time, and are now used industrially in beer production. The editing of strains’ flavor profiles and aromatic characteristics by genetic modification is a growing field of research. For example, two genes in S. cerevisiae, ATF1 and ATF2, code for isoamyl acetate: the compound which gives specific beers, such as Belgian Saison and Hefeweizen, a highly desirable banana-like aromatic profile. However, one gene in S. cerevisiae, IAH1, codes for isoamyl acetate-hydrolyzing esterase. This enzyme is responsible for hydrolyzing acetate esters of isoamyl acetate, which leads to decreased levels of isoamyl acetate. Using CRISPR-Cas9, a genetic engineering technique, we aim to downregulate IAH1 to increase the production of isoamyl acetate and elicit stronger banana-like aromatic profiles in Belgian Saison and Hefeweizen brewing yeast strains. We grew yeast culture colonies, used mass spectrometry to measure cell count, and ran qPCR for isoamyl acetate quantification. We hypothesize that analysis, through gas chromatography data and DNA sequencing, will yield successful downregulation of IAH1 and differences in levels of isoamyl acetate between lab, Hefeweizen, and Belgian Saison brewing strains. These findings provide insight into brewing sciences as well as biotechnology fields, in which genetic modification may optimize the use of microbiology in novel flavor compound synthesis.

Project Title: Silencing 4VG Production in S. cerevisiae Using CRISPR/Cas9 Gene Knockout of the FDC1 and PAD1 Genes

Student Presenters: Anthony R Perillo
Major: Biology
Faculty Mentor: Joost Monen
School: TAS

Abstract:  The multi-billion dollar beer industry is constantly seeking new ways to refresh beer. One of these ways is through the use of several new strains of S. cerevisiae that produce unique flavors and aromas. However, one of the downsides of these strains is that they have not been refined and often produce phenolic off flavors (POFs) which can alter the flavor of a product. One specific POF, 4-vinyl guaiacol (4VG) is particularly undesirable in most products due to its clove-like aroma. The production of 4VG is controlled through the FDC1 and PAD1 genes which create the biological components used to convert precursor ferulic acid into 4VG. We hypothesize that by using the CRISPR/Cas9 system, we can eliminate these genes by introducing a mutation, effectively silencing the genes and preventing the production of 4VG. Golden Gate Cloning was used to create a multi-gene plasmid containing the Cas9 gene as well as the sgRNA for both FDC1 and PAD1. Using the 4VG absorbance assay we developed, it will be determined whether or not the multi-gene CRISPR plasmid successfully eliminated the FDC1 and PAD1 genes in different strains of yeast. This assay tests the yeast strains’ ability to produce 4VG. If little or no 4VG is produced, it is highly probable that the genes were silenced by CRISPR/Cas9. These findings will be compared to sequence data of the yeast strains before and after the CRISPR treatment to solidify our conclusions and provide further insight into how our initiated mutations impacted the genes of interest. This proof of principle experiment will give credence to the use of CRISPR/Cas9 in order to silence or even add genes in novel strains of yeast. With this system, yeast strains can readily be modified in order to diversify the beer market with several new products.

Project Title: Assessing the Validity of the 4VG Absorbance Assay Used for Detecting POF Capacity in Novel Yeast Strains

Student Presenters: Anthony R Perillo
Major: Biology
Faculty Mentor: Joost Monen
School: TAS

Abstract: The multi-billion dollar beer industry is constantly seeking new ways to refresh beer. One of these ways is through the use of several new strains of S. cerevisiae that produce unique flavors and aromas. However, one of the downsides of these strains is that they have not been refined and often produce phenolic off flavors (POFs) which can alter the flavor of a product. One specific POF, 4-vinyl guaiacol (4VG) is particularly undesirable in most products due to its clove-like aroma. The production of 4VG is controlled through the FDC1 and PAD1 genes which create the biological components used to convert precursor ferulic acid into 4VG. However, traditional testing of several new yeast strains takes too long. We have developed a new assay that can quickly and accurately test new strains for their ability to produce POFs (POF+) or not (POF-). A small amount of the yeast strain is inoculated in a YPD broth containing ferulic acid. After fermentation is complete, the absorbance will be read using a spectrophotometer and it will be determined if the ferulic acid has been converted into 4VG. We hypothesize that this method can be scaled up so that 96-well plates can be utilized, allowing researchers and industry scientists to test several yeast strains’ ability to produce POFs at once. Several yeast strains will be tested using this assay and the results will be compared to their sequences to verify the results of the assay. If successful, this assay has the capacity to revolutionize the brewing industry, allowing for more products to be quickly developed.

Project Title: Non-Destructive Evaluation of Cork Stopper Quality Using COMSOL Multiphysics for Oxygen Transfer Modeling

Student Presenters: Gary T DiPasquale, Emily Markuske, Christopher Barbieri
Major: Engineering Physics
Faculty Mentor: Caroline Brisson
School: TAS

Abstract: Small amounts of oxygen ingress through cork are essential for the proper maturation of wine, however excessive transfer can lead to a significant risk of wine spoilage. Cork serves as an excellent enclosure for wine owing to its compressible honeycomb cellular structure, which effectively acts as a barrier to the diffusion of liquids and gasses, while still allowing for a minimal transfer of oxygen. Current quality assessment methods of cork stoppers rely solely on visual inspection, which fails to detect internal defects like cracks or voids, leading to inconsistent quality evaluation. This research project aims to develop a method that allows for a non-destructive evaluation of cork quality. It uses COMSOL Multiphysics to model cork wine stoppers and to calculate the amount of oxygen transferred into the wine. First, X-ray images of cork slices are processed to extract the local density of the cork material. The density map is then input into COMSOL to determine the local diffusion coefficient and establish the initial concentration of oxygen. The diffusion equation is solved numerically and finally provides the calculated amount of oxygen transferred in the bottle over time. The proposed method offers a significant advantage by delivering tailored results specific to each wine stopper. Ultimately, this method would enable the differentiation of high-quality stoppers from inferior ones. To validate the accuracy of the model, future research will focus on establishing a comparison between the oxygen transfer rate obtained from COMSOL modeling and experimental data. Experimental data has been provided by Amorim Cork, the world’s largest producer and supplier of cork stoppers, and consist of non-destructive colorimetric measurements of oxygen transfer performed on 100 corks over a period of 12 months. The extensive experimental data provided will allow for a statistical analysis and optimization of the proposed model.

Project Title: Tree community structure and patterns of bird activity within a permanent forest plot in the Ramapo Mountains

Student Presenters: Zofia Myszko
Major: Environmental Science
Faculty Mentor: Eric Weiner
School: TAS

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to determine if the abundance and spatial distribution of different tree species impacts foraging activity of four common bird species within a permanent forest survey plot in the Ramapo Mountains, New Jersey Highlands. Twenty-six point count surveys of morning bird activity were conducted across 15 subplots (0.2 hectares per plot) during the fall of 2024. Correlations were identified among the four most common bird species and different variables that characterize the abundance of tree species commonly found in the midstory and overstory layers of the forest. Activity in different plots was statistically positively correlated (p < 0.05) between red-bellied woodpeckers (Melanerpes carolinus) and white-breasted nuthatches (Sitta carolinensis), between white-breasted nuthatches and tufted titmice (Baeolophus bicolor), and between white-breasted nuthatches and blue jays (Cyanocitta cristata). Meanwhile, preliminary analyses suggest that the activity of red-bellied woodpeckers, white-breasted nuthatches and tufted titmice was positively correlated with the abundance of midstory trees. In contrast, none of the tree data are predictive of where blue jays tend to be most active within the survey area. Overall, patterns in the data suggest that surveys of bird activity within permanent forest plots such as in this study could be useful for understanding relationships between forest structure and spatial gradients in bird activity. Therefore, additional analyses will focus on predicting how forest birds may be impacted by changes in forest tree communities that are currently occurring due to invasive insects, diseases and a changing climate.

Project Title: A Study of Cigarette Smoking Prevalence among American Adults Affected by Disparities in Income, Education, and Mental Health Status

Student Presenters: Julianne Gerritsen, Justin Haskoor
Major: Data Science
Faculty Mentor: Yan Xu
School: TAS

Abstract: This study explores the disparities in cigarette smoking among adults from years 2011 to 2023, focusing on the demographics of income, mental health status, and education level. The data was obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and analyzed with linear regressions and ANOVA tests using Python programming tools. Preliminary findings indicate a gradual decline in smoking rates over time, and the states historically associated with the tobacco industry may have higher smoking rates. For each demographic factor, five states representing the best cases and five states representing the worst cases were compared to show how an extreme disparity in each factor had led to the differences in smoking prevalence. Understanding these patterns is essential for developing targeted public health strategies. The results will offer a more comprehensive understanding of how smoking behaviors differ among important demographics and what factors may contribute to these trends. These insights will help inform future policies and interventions aimed at reducing smoking prevalence and addressing health disparities.

Project Title: Honeybee foraging behavior in response to predation risk

Student Presenters: Allison C Lozano
Major: Biology
Faculty Mentor: Natalie Lemanski
School: TAS

Abstract: All animals must forage for food and other needed resources. During foraging, animals must make decisions that balance the benefits of acquiring resources with risks such as predation. Honey bees have been used as a model system for understanding how animals make decisions that involve trade-offs between risks and rewards. This study explores how honeybees adjust their foraging behavior in response to a highly rewarding resource and the risk of predation. Previous work has found that several predators of different shapes and species affect honey bee foraging and recruitment. In addition, honeybees are important because they help pollinate many of the crops we rely on. With a strong understanding of their foraging decision, this may help us better manage them as pollinators. Bees were exposed to two artificial feeders, both containing a high sugar water concentration. Previous research shows honeybees prefer higher sugar concentrations. A different odor was used in each feeder to stimulate recruitment: peppermint and lemon. A yellowjacket was placed near one of the sugar water feeders to simulate a predation risk. Foraging activity was monitored at both feeders, in five-minute intervals. In contrast to previous works, we found that honeybees had no difference in visitation between feeder treatments, with a predator or not. However, there was a highly significant difference in visitation for the two odors. There was a higher level of visitation to the lemon odor. These findings show how risks, like predation, affect foraging decisions. In addition, honeybees are important because they help pollinate many of the crops we rely on for food. Understanding the factors that shape honey bee foraging decisions can therefore help us to better manage them as pollinators

Project Title: Midstory Tree Dynamics in a Mixed Hardwood Forest of the New Jersey Highlands

Student Presenters: Frank Husarek, Peter Lundell
Major: Environmental Science
Faculty Mentor: Eric Weiner
School: TAS

Abstract: Stressors such as invasive species and shifting climate are impacting forest tree populations throughout the eastern United States. This study focuses on temporal changes in midstory tree species composition over a span of 12 years in a permanent 3.6-hectare study plot at the Ramapo Valley County Reservation, Mahwah, New Jersey. A total of 3,962 trees greater than 1.3 meters in height and less than or equal to 10 centimeters trunk diameter were identified to species and measured. Data were compared with a similar survey conducted in the study plot 12 years earlier, as well as with a survey of overstory tree composition in the previous year. Sugar maple (Acer saccharum) was by far the most common species in the survey, with a similar relative density as in the previous survey (p = 0.3625). Furthermore, sugar maple was much more common in the midstory (relative density (RD) = 79.6 %) than in the overstory (RD = 42.6 %), suggesting that the canopy stratum will become more dominated by sugar maple over time. In contrast, pignut hickory (Carya glabra), red maple (Acer rubrum), black birch (Betula lenta), sassafras (Sassafras albidum), red oak (Quercus rubra), chestnut oak (Quercus montana), and black oak (Quercus velutina) were all far less represented in the midstory than in the overstory (p < 0.05 for each species). In conclusion, results of this study suggest that the tree community in the study area will become considerably less diverse as sugar maple is likely to increase in dominance and the populations of other species will likely decline. Given that sugar maples provide fewer food resources to wildlife and insect fauna than many of the tree species that are expected to decline, overall forest species diversity may be at risk at the site.

Project Title: Relationship between Wind Direction and Concentrations of Four Raptor Species During Autumn Migration in the Ramapo Mountains

Student Presenters: Daniel Kasauskas, Thomas Thatcher
Major: Environmental Science
Faculty Mentor: Eric Weiner
School: TAS

Abstract: Although wind direction has been correlated with high concentrations of migrant raptors at some hawk watch sites, little attention has been given to the relationship between wind direction and low concentrations of migrant raptors. The purpose of this study was to examine whether wind direction is predictive of both low and high concentrations of four common raptor species during autumn migration in the Ramapo Mountains (New Jersey Highlands). Raptor counts were conducted daily during the autumns of 2014-2024. For each species, weighted wind directions were plotted on circular graphs for days on which either low or high daily counts were recorded. Given that some low daily counts can simply reflect a low abundance of migrant raptors in the larger region, days with low counts were only evaluated if substantial numbers of migrant raptors were seen at one or more nearby hawk watch sites. Although there was considerable overlap in wind directions between low and high daily counts for all four raptor species, some segregation between low and high counts were observed. For both broad-winged hawks (Buteo platypterus) and American kestrels (Falco sparverius), multiple low counts and zero high counts were recorded when winds occurred from the southwest, south or southeast. For turkey vultures (Cathartes aura), multiple high counts and zero low counts occurred on winds from the north/northeast through east/southeast directions. In contrast to the other three species, wind direction was generally not predictive of high versus low counts for sharp-shinned hawks (Accipiter striatus). In conclusion, including both low and high daily raptor counts can help us better understand relationships between wind direction and pathway selection by raptors as they migrate. The substantial overlap in patterns found in this study suggests that other factors such as wind speed and thermal air currents may also play an important role.

Project Title: Solventless Synthesis of Chalcones

Student Presenters: Helena S Dasappan
Major: Biochemistry
Faculty Mentor: Jay R Carreon
School: TAS

Abstract: Chalcones (1,3-diaryl-2-propene-1-ones) in which two aromatic rings are linked by a three-carbon α,β-unsaturated carbonyl system have been shown to display a wealth of biological properties. Piperonal is an aromatic heterocyclic aldehyde consisting a benzene ring fuzed to a pyran ring. Many compounds containing this 3,4-methylenedioxy group have shown very strong antibacterial activity. A small library of chalcones containing a piperonal moiety have been synthesized by Claisen-Schmidt condensation with acetophenone derivatives substituted at the para position with various electron-donating and electron-withdrawing substituents in order to contribute to a structure-activity relationship study. Although most aldol condensation reactions are run in organic solvents at elevated temperatures, solvent-free synthesis of chalcones have recently been shown to be efficient. Solvents are a significant component of industrial chemical waste. This reaction highlights green chemistry principles as the synthesis minimizes waste production (no reaction solvent) and proceeds with high atom economy. The synthesis and characterization will be discussed.

Project Title: Isolation, DNA barcoding, and screening for ligninolytic activity of fungi collected from parts of Northeast America

Student Presenters: Caroline Schmidt, David Romero, Gabriela Petrova, Shubashree Shahi
Major: Chemistry
Faculty Mentor: Suma Somasekharan
School: TAS

Abstract: A significant proportion of fungi express lignin degrading enzymes such as Laccases and Manganese peroxidases. These enzymes break down lignin by oxidizing phenol hydroxyl groups in lignin. Our long-term interest is to study the application of laccases in bioremediation of phenolic aromatic compounds, namely polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) or forever chemicals. We recently foraged nearly 30 different mushrooms (Basidiomycetes) from various parts of Northeast America. We have isolated and cultured mycelium from these fungi. We are currently screening these fungi for ligninolytic activity. We determine ligninolytic activity based on color reaction to Guaiacol (2-methoxy Phenol) and ABTS (2,2′-azino bis 3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonate) that is included in the culturing media. In this poster we will present the screening for Laccase activity with ABTS and Guaiacol. We have identified several species and will present more data on the screening of several new fungi for ligninolytic activity. We will also present data on the use of fungal specific ITS primers to identify the specific species of these fungi. Our immediate goals are to: a) Identify the 30 different species of Basidiomycetes using DNA barcoding, b) Screen for ligninolytic activity from all 30 species, and c) Study mRNA expression of Laccases and Manganese Peroxidases in these species and identify the specific isoforms of these enzymes. Our long-term goals are to clone, express, and purify some of the species-specific Laccases and decode the Laccase activity against various PFAS compounds – serious contaminants in drinking water.

Project Title: The effects of antioxidant-containing herbs on improving storage quality of blackberries (Rubus fruticosus)

Student Presenters: Anthony R Perillo, Jasneet Kaur
Major: Biology
Faculty Mentor: Yan Xu
School: TAS

Abstract: Food waste due to the short shelf life of fresh produce is a massive issue that the food industry faces. Deteriorating quality of produce is related to microbial contamination and plant cell death during storage. Antioxidants are naturally occurring molecules that capture free radicals to minimize cell damages, many of which also have antimicrobial functions. Therefore, we hypothesize that incorporating these compounds with fresh produce will reduce microbial contamination and retain quality in storage. A preliminary trial suggested that among three antioxidant-containing fresh herbs, spearmint (Mentha spicata), rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus), and thyme (Thymus vulgaris), thyme was most effective at reducing the presence of mold. We subsequently tested various amounts (0.0 g, 0.3 g, 0.6 g, and 1.2 g) of thyme stored with fresh blackberries. The presence of mold, berry weight (g) and diameter (mm) were measured over 4 weeks. Using unpaired t-tests, it was determined that the difference between the control and any thyme treatment was not significant (p ≥0.05) in this trial. Additionally, the ability of antioxidant-containing extracts from selected herbs and herbal essential oils to inhibit bacterial growth is being tested. Future work will continue searching for natural preservative strategies and identifying optimal storage conditions for fresh produce, in order to reduce food waste.

Project Title: Population Trends and Influence of Wind Direction on Autumn Migration of Monarch Butterflies and Canada Geese in the Atlantic Flyway

Student Presenters: Aleah M Germinario, Kyle Sheldon
Major: Environmental Science
Faculty Mentor: Eric Weiner
School: TAS

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to investigate the use of data collected at hawk watch sites for better understanding migrating populations of monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus) and Canada geese (Branta canadensis). Migrant counts were conducted daily in the Ramapo Mountains for both species and monarch butterfly data from other sites in the region were accessed via the Hawk Migration Association of North American’s online database. Trends in daily and annual counts of monarch butterflies were compared among hawk watch sites, as well as with overwintering data from Mexico published by the World Wildlife Fund. Trends in annual counts of migrating Canada geese were compared with breeding survey data published by the US Fish and Wildlife Service. In addition, wind direction that was recorded while collecting migrant data in the Ramapo Mountains was evaluated for relationships with migrant counts. Yearly trends in monarch butterfly counts were remarkably consistent across hawk watch sites and overwintering data. Additionally, trends in differences between daily counts at different hawkwatch sites were largely consistent, suggesting that migrating monarch butterflies do not alter their pathway selection as much as migrating diurnal raptors. Yearly trends in counts of migrating Canada geese as seen from the Ramapo Mountains show similar fluctuations to breeding population counts, suggesting that migration counts can be another useful data source for monitoring the migratory populations of the species. Interestingly, the highest daily counts of migrating monarch butterflies in the Ramapo Mountains tended to occur on days with WSW-NNE and SE winds, and high counts of Canada geese only occurred on days with tailwinds or winds perpendicular to the mountain ridges and flight path. Given the variety of trends in the data, further research seems warranted to more fully determine the value of using data from hawk watches to monitor these two species.

Project Title: The Response of Honey bees & Wild Pollinator Communities to Native Plant Restoration

Student Presenters: Stefan Najdevski
Major: Biology
Faculty Mentor: Natalie Lemanski
School: TAS

Abstract: With over 80% of angiosperm plants dependent on animal pollination, pollinators are essential for the restoration of wild ecosystems. One common goal of native plant restoration, therefore, is to restore communities of wild pollinators. One challenge of restoring wild pollinator communities is possible competition from managed pollinators, such as honey bees. Previous research suggests that honey bees and wild bees compete for floral resources, suggesting that the presence of honey bees could have a negative impact on restoration of wild bee communities. This study investigated the relationship between native and non-native plant species found in a restored meadow and the community of pollinators visiting them. We examined the competition for floral resources between non-native honey bees and wild bees and other wild pollinators. Utilizing focal sampling, we observed and recorded all pollinators visiting both native and non-native plants in the meadow in 10 minute intervals. The study revealed that within the restored meadow, the most dominant visitors were bumblebees, with honey bees following after by a large margin. In regards to meadow usage, native plants such as Bee Balm and Mountain Mint were visited more frequently than non-native plants like Purple Crown Vetch and Wild Carrot, suggesting that restoration of native plants does support pollinator communities. We also found there were significant differences in the plant communities visited by wild bees and honey bees, however with a large degree of overlap, suggesting a potential for competition between these groups for floral resources. Despite this potential for competition, our study showcased a higher abundance of wild bees in this native meadow than the honey bees, suggesting that wild bees were benefitting from the resources provided by native plant restoration.

Project Title: In-vitro simulation of the gut micro-environment to test the viability of commercial probiotics

Student Presenters: Alvina Rizvi, Amy Guzman, Melis Yazar
Major: Biology
Faculty Mentor: Kokila Kota
School: TAS

Abstract: Probiotics are defined as “live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host”. Several lactic acid bacteria belonging to the genera Lactobacillus, Streptococcus, and Enterococcus, as well as some Bifidobacterium and spore-forming Bacillus species, have been shown to possess a plethora of benefits. Orally administered probiotics are commonly used for preventing some gastrointestinal conditions like inflammatory bowel diseases and irritable bowel syndrome. Numerous studies highlight the ability of probiotics to enhance gut barrier function, host immune response, and reduce oxidative stress. Probiotic microorganisms can compete with pathogens for nutrients, and produce antimicrobial molecules, thus counteracting infections. They also produce vitamins, ensuring successful digestion. Thus, the suspected benefits of probiotics extend beyond gut health, including heart health, immunity, mental health, and more. Before a probiotic can offer these benefits, the bacteria has to survive the journey through the stomach and reach the gut alive. Due to its low pH nature, stomach acid can kill probiotics and reduce their efficacy. Live bacteria strains can be very fragile in acidic environments (i.e. human stomach). Very few bacteria will survive the journey to the gut, creating little to no effect. Choosing an effective probiotic with high viability is key. To this end, our study is aimed to test the survival of various commercially available probiotics. The biggest challenge for any commercial probiotic is to withstand varied acidic/alkaline environments and bile concentrations throughout the journey from the stomach to the internal gut areas. The aim of the study is to simulate (in-vitro) the esophagus, duodenum, and ileum internal environments to test viability of various commercial probiotics and claim to produce billions of colony-forming units. Our studies will make a crucial contribution to understanding the significance of commercial probiotics and their survival.

Project Title: Microbiome Analysis of the Hudson River Water and the Potential of Bioremediation

Student Presenters: Ekaprana Ramesh, Andrew McWha, Adriana Gedeon
Major: Biology
Faculty Mentor: Kokila Kota
School: TAS

Abstract: Bioremediation represents a transformative strategy in environmental science, providing innovative methods to address the adverse effects of pollution and contamination. This approach harnesses the metabolic processes of microorganisms, plants, and other biological agents to degrade, transform, or detoxify harmful heavy metal pollutants in various ecosystems. In the context of the Hudson River, bioremediation offers significant potential due to the ongoing impacts of industrial discharges, urban and agricultural runoff, and historical contamination stemming from past industrial activities. With the rise in global temperatures, the prevalence of these situations will, unfortunately, only become more common. Microorganisms play a crucial role in the Hudson River’s bioremediation process as they can offer a natural and sustainable solution to mitigate pollution and restore the ecological balance of this vital waterway through absorption. Water samples were collected at the Hudson River Watershed at Roundout Creek and Ossining Beach in New York. DNA was extracted from the water samples, and targeted 16s rRNA sequencing was performed to identify the various microbial communities present in the sampling sites with the potential for bioremediation. Our results indicated a difference in the presence of important bacterial strains like Pseudomonas, Thiomonas, and Cyanobacteria within the two sampling sites. These genera are known for their natural ability to uptake heavy metal pollutants. Their presence/absence could indicate the selective pressure resulting from anthropogenic activity and metal contamination differences. We are currently working on analyzing the samples for their heavy metal contents, and our goal is to find a correlation between the bacterial species diversity and the heavy metal content in a specific location. This project has been supported with the assistance of the McKeon Research Grant from the Hudson River Environmental Society, awarded to Ekaprana Ramesh (under the supervision of Dr. Kokila Kota).

Project Title: Analyzing the Proof of Central Limit Theorem and Applications

Student Presenters: Justin J Haskoor
Major: Data Science
Faculty Mentor: Katarzyna Kowal
School: TAS

Abstract: The Central Limit Theorem (CLT) is one of the most important theorems in modern statistics. The modern formulation of the CLT was significantly developed by Pierre-Simon Laplace in 1810, which was built on earlier work by Abraham de Moivre and Jakob Bernoulli. The theorem states that whenever a random sample of size n is taken from any distribution with mean μ and variance 2, the sample mean   will have a distribution that is approximately normal with mean μ and standard deviation 2/  for large . This poster analyzes the proof of the Central Limit Theorem using graduate level mathematics. The proof was developed independently by J. W. Lindeberg and P. Lévy in the early 1920s. Our poster provides a balance between abstraction and readability plus some practical applications.