Seton Hill Students Present Original Research at 2023 University Research Conference

Seton Hill’s annual University Research Conference (URC) was held on April 19, 2023 during Seton Hill’s daylong Celebration of Scholarship. In addition to the Research Conference, Seton Hill’s Celebration of Scholarship event featured a keynote address by University Provost Sister Susan Yochum, concerts and art exhibits by School of Visual and Performing Arts students, Project H.O.M.E. Capstone Project Presentations, Career Readiness Summit Presentations, the Celebration of Writing, and the Honors Capstone Symposium. 

URC Panel Presentations

  • “W.A.R.: Wonder, Anxiety, and Resilience. What is it good for?!?” presented by Vanesah Roberts.  Dr. Jared Burns advisor.
  • “Senior Capstone: Intersectional Feminism in Latinx Cultures” presented by Kaylee Pivirotto. Dr. Judith Reyna and Keisha Jimmerson advisors.
  • “Essay: Social Norm Theory: Sex-Segregated Settings and Transgender Discrimination and Prejudice" presented by Katelyn Salva. Dr. Elizabeth Jacobs advisor.
  • “Loving Your Crown: How Black Women Have to Learn to Love Their Hair” presented by Monisola P. Adigun.  Dr. Cooper-Morgan advisor.
  • “How theories are applied to juvenile delinquency” presented by Kaylie Yester (Criminal Justice) and Courtney Slagle. Dr. Shavonne Arthurs advisor.
  • “SEX 101: Characteristics Related to Sexual Deviance Among College Students” presented by Emily Atkins. Dr. Shavonne Arthurs advisor.
  • “Lack of Educational Support for Black Male Athletes” presented by Kiara Rockymore . Dr. Cooper-Morgan advisor.
  • “The Relationship Between LGBTQ+ Youth and Religious Campuses'' presented by Elizabeth John. Keisha Jimmerson Advisor.
  • “Mental Health and Diversity” presented by Steryling Lang. Labrea Pringles advisor.
  • “Building the Interfaith Relationship between Jews and Catholics” presented by Gabrielle Bubin. Dr. James Paharik advisor.
  • “The Intersections of Cybersecurity and Criminal Justice” presented by Kayla Hartnett. Dr. Shavonne Arthurs advisor.
  • “Understanding the School-to-Prison Pipeline: A Qualitative Study of the Experiences and
  • Perceptions of Black Male Students” 
  • “Hispanic Influences in Modern Media” 
  • “William Shakespeare's Julius Caesar: Dramaturge Research” presented by Taylor Humenay. Denise Pullen advisor.
  • “The Role of Albania at the 2023 Model United Nations Conference” presented by Pietro Porco, Gabrielle Bubin, Meghan Cutshall, Ryan Dzurko, Kimberlyn Furajter, Zachary Hamm, Sarah Minghini, Thomas Paul, Hannah Potter, Nicholas Seto, Elizabeth Schall, Sophia Solomon , Jarred Spellman. Dr. Roni Kay O'Dell advisor.
  • “Career Readiness Summit Presentations” by Kim Banak, Levi Dillard and Jake Starek. Career and Professional Development staff advisors.

URC Poster Sessions

  • “Music Therapy on the Behavioral Health Unit” presented by Emilie Moore. Dr. Diane Kondas advisor.
  • “Overcrowding in the Emergency Department” presented by Juliane Tomasic. Dr. Diane Kondas advisor.
  • “ER Dysphagia Screenings: A Call To Action” presented by Adam Goodnack. Dr. Diane Kondas advisor.
  • “Propofol IV Tubing and Microbial Contamination” presented by Chloe Pohland. Dr. Diane Kondas advisor.
  • “Case Study: Physical Therapy Management Post-Transtibial Amputation in a Geriatric Patient” presented by Brittney Shoenfelt, Nicholas Boulanger, Matthew Hawker. Dr. Jennifer Brilmyer advisor.
  • “Bedside Shift Report” presented by Julia DiOrio. Dr. Diane Kondas advisor.
  • “Determination of BAX protein expression in mouse fibroblast cells after nicotine exposure” presented by Desiree Saether, Cameron Sapola and Allison Pittman. Dr. Jamie Fornsaglio advisor.
  • “Cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of e-liquid on lung and heart  cells” presented by Matthew Nguyen. Dr. Jamie Fornsaglio advisor.
  • “The Synthesis of a Diastereoselective Carbene to be Used in Organocatalysis” presented by Kasey Beres. Dr. Jonathan Moerdyk advisor.
  • “Desensitization Techniques for Reducing Perceived Phantom Limb Pain Following Amputation” presented by Ian Duckworth, Jacob Bouslough, Alexis Roberts and McKenna Yackovich. Dr. Jen Brilmyer advisor.
  • “In the Eye of the Beholder: Perceptions of Diversity on Campus” presented by Michael Joiner. Dr. Elizabeth Jacobs advisor.
  • “Competitive Anxiety in Collegiate Student Athletes” presented by Carrie Leazer. Dr. Elizabeth Jacobs advisor.
  • “Bump or Spike: An Analytical View Inside the Mind of a Collegiate Volleyball Team” presented by Riley Rock. Dr. Joshua Sasmor advisor.
  • “Usage of Hydrocolloid Patches and Biopolymers to Improve Wound Recovery in Individuals with Epidermolysis Bullosa Simplex” presented by Renee Meuschke. Dr. Haworth-Ward advisor.
  • “Factors Pertaining to Juvenile Criminality and its Continuance Into Adulthood” presented by Beata Leighton. Dr. Shavonne Arthurs advisor.
  • “Confidence Level of Registered Dietitians in Assessing Micronutrient Deficiencies” presented by Saige Karastury. Anita Gallagher, MS, RDN, LDN, CNSC advisor.
  • “Low Need to Belong, but High Loneliness: An Investigation of Avoidant Attachment” presented by Sarah Jane Saffer, Gina Veltri, Elizabeth Jacobs. Dr. Elizabeth Jacobs advisor.
  • “An Overview of Alex Smith’s Rehabilitation from a Physical Therapist Perspective” presented by Blaine Harteis, Lexy Snell. Dr. Jennifer Brilmyer advisor.
  • “A 14-week physical therapy intervention proves elderly adults can continue to make exercise gains throughout lifetime” presented by Jenna Sanfilippo, Morgan Simkovic. Dr. Jennifer Brilmyer advisor.
  • “Evaluating the Activity of Silver-Doped Cerium Oxide Nanoparticles on Clostridioides difficile” presented by Shaney R. Enck, Michael A. Johnstone, Craig J.Neal, Sudipta Seal, William T. Self. Dr. Brett Aiello advisor; performed at UCF with Dr. William Self (REU).
  • “Senselessness of Stereotypes” presented by Olivia Carrera. Dawn Diehl advisor.
  • “Effect of Delta 8 on Mouse Lung Cells and the Microbiome Found within the Respiratory Tract” presented by Madison Ravotti. Dr. Jamie Fornsaglio and Dr. Nicole McAllister advisors.
  • “Quality Improvement of Breast Milk Handling & Logging” presented by Megan Ammons. Dr. Diane Kondas advisor.
  • “Therapeutic treatments to help maintain mental function and slow progression in patients with Alzheimer's Disease” presented by Sarah Semekoski, Erin Schulte. Dr. Amalene Cooper-Morgan advisor.
  • “Glycosaminoglycans and Mxra8 mediate chikungunya virus binding at specific residues on the E2 glycoprotein” presented by Alesandra Sheffler. Dr. Nicole McAllister advisor.
  • “Effectiveness of Various Antimicrobial Toothpaste Brands Against Common Mouth Bacteria” presented by Gabrielle Levkulic. Dr. Ja'Nean Reay advisor.
  • “Diversity, Equity and Inclusion- Taking Action: A Unique, Immersive, Dual-Phase Student Experience Utilizing Dialogue and Professional Hybrid Simulation” presented by Jason Thomas, MPAS, PA-C. Dr. James France advisor.
  • “Drama Therapy in Prisons: The Benefits of Playing Pretend with Incarcerated Individuals” presented by Rowan Mentzer. Dr. Kellee Van Aken advisor.
  • “College students' perceptions of campus climate and social support affect mental well-being” presented by Madilyn Perleberg. Dr. Elizabeth Jacobs and Dr. Abby Boytos advisors.
  • “Quality Improvement: Using Child-Friendly Terms To Build Therapeutic Communication with Pediatric Patients” presented by Melanie Nacey. Dr. Diane Kondas advisor.
  • “Ethics in the ICU” presented by Mayli Bennett. Dr. Diane Kondas advisor.
  • “Quality Improvement Project on Inpatient Oncology Unit” presented by Megan Nestor. Dr. Diane Kondas advisor.
  • “Synthetic Modeling of a Rare-Earth Dependent Methanol Dehydrogenase” presented by Mitchell Zembower. Dr. Ashley Bartelson advisor.
  • “The History of Dance Movement Therapy and Its Connection to Womanhood in Today’s Society” presented by Tess Stiffler. TaMara Swank advisor.
  • “Developing Culturally Responsive Practices: A Mindful Reflection” presented by Lauren Moore. Dr. Kathleen Harris advisor.
  • “Improving the Stock of Oral Care Products on the Step Down Unit” presented by Nick Antonucci. Dr. Diane Kondas advisor.
  • “Emergency Waiting Room Quality Improvement” presented by Cora Heinz. Dr. Diane Kondas advisor.
  • “Bacteriophage Therapy Treatment for Meningitis Caused by Streptococcus Bacteria” presented by Alexis Watterson. Dr. Nicole McAllister advisor.
  • “Merging the Criminal Justice System with Healthcare” presented by Trinity Wennberg. Dr. Shavonne Arthurs advisor.
  • “The Importance of Bilingual Education in an Ever-Expanding Multicultural World” presented by MJ Greathouse. Dr. Judith Reyna advisor.
  • “The Lethality of New Schedule I Synthetic Opioids in Comparison to Fentanyl” presented by Rori Price. Dr. Shavonne Arthurs advisor.
  • “Optimizing Foley Catheter Care” presented by Jessica Hudock. Dr. Diane Kondas advisor.
  • “Engaging Learners in High School Chemistry” presented by Brady Whalen. Dr. Jonathan Moerdyk advisor.
  • “The Bacteria Playlist” presented by Kayla Granito. Dr. Nicole McAllister advisor.
  • “Quality Control Analysis of Coke Processing Wastewater” 
  • “Internship at J-LOK Co.” presented by Elisabeth Keim. Barbara Flowers advisor.
  • “Preventing CAUTIs in the clinical setting” presented by Madison Hemminger. Dr. Diane Kondas advisor.
  • “Human Dignity in Corrections” presented by Criminal Justice Corrections Class. Deborah Slates-Ciocco advisor.
  • “Issues For Students of LGBTQ+ BIPOC Students of Color" presented by Chelsea Weid. Molly Robb Shimko advisor.
  • “Enhancing Fingerprints on Fabric” presented by Carissa Omasta. Barbara Flowers advisor.

Student researchers who have requested that personal information not be released by Seton Hill in accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) do not appear in the information above.