Digital Commons Network^™

A Meta-Narrative Review: Digital Analysis Of Stained Tissue Slides Influences Diagnostic Accuracy And Quality Control In Histology, Sofia A. Alvarado, Linh N. Dinh, Brooklyn S. Johnson, Marisol Palacios

Research Methods Poster Session 2026

No abstract provided.

Cordgrass (Spartina Alterniflora) In Bio-Restoration Integrated Coastal Substrate (Brics): Restoring The New England Coastline., Kaitlyn Frances Shelley

UNH URC Open (2026 and after)

The Engineering for Agri-Environment Laboratory (EAE) is dedicated to developing nature-based solutions that enhance the resilience of agricultural and coastal ecosystems. The study involves current work (trial 2) underway in Spring 2026 and Summer 2026, integrating principles of sustainable engineering and plant science. BRICS, our Bio-Restoration Integrated Coastal Substrate, proposes a new way to reduce erosion, stabilize root structures, provide a critical habitat for wildlife, and promote vegetation throughout the coast.

Evaluating The Healthfulness Of The University Of New Hampshire’S Food Environment Using The Healthy Campus Environmental Audit (Hcea), Margo Kamis

UNH URC Open (2026 and after)

Evaluating the Healthfulness of the University of New Hampshire’s Food Environment Using the Healthy Campus Environmental Audit (HCEA)

Interactions Between Red Foxes And Coyotes Across Urban And Wild Habitats, Caroline E. Savage, Taylor S. Readyhough, Remington J. Moll, Jonathon D. Cepek

UNH URC Open (2026 and after)

Dens are critical to the life history of many mammal species, particularly when raising young. Excavating a den is energetically costly, so several species can use existing dens, and multiple species may inhabit the same den complex simultaneously. However, the extent of den sharing among urban mammals is understudied. Between March 2021, and June 2023, we used camera traps to monitor a multi-species den site in Cleveland, Ohio, USA. We documented den visitation and use by at least 11 mammal species, including red fox, coyote, raccoon, woodchuck, and Virginia opossum. Coyotes and red foxes both exhibited scent-marking at the den …

The Automation Age: Why Universal Basic Income May Be The Necessary Next Step To The U.S. Economy, Raiden Francisco

Undergraduate Symposium

No abstract provided.

Integrating Pilates Into Outpatient Occupational Therapy:A Complementary Approach To Traditional Rehabilitation, Ellie Drechsler

Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctorate - Doctoral Capstone Symposium

INTRODUCTION: Reformer Pilates, originally developed by Joseph Pilates as a holistic method to enhance strength, alignment, and mind–body integration, has gained increasing recognition for its therapeutic potential in rehabilitation settings. Despite evidence supporting its benefits for balance, chronic pain, functional mobility, and mental wellbeing, its use in outpatient occupational therapy (OT) and physical therapy (PT) remains limited. The purpose of this quality‑improvement project aimed to bridge that gap by developing an accessible, reformer‑based educational resource for clinicians with minimal Pilates experience and by evaluating client and clinician perceptions of its therapeutic value.

METHODS: Using mixed-methods surveys, qualitative and quantitative feedback …

Promoting Caregiver And Staff Education For Motor Development And Feeding Skills On A Pediatric Heart Center, Karina Dharia

Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctorate - Doctoral Capstone Symposium

Around the world, congenital heart disease (CHD) is one of the leading birth defects in infants and has been known to cause many long-term developmental effects (Scott & Neal, 2021). Given these developmental risks, recent literature suggests that there lack strong and effective resources for parents, caregivers and healthcare professionals about infant development and the application of occupational therapy in the setting of pediatric CHD (Marino et al., 2019). The purpose of this capstone was to promote parent, caregiver, and staff engagement with patients to promote motor development and feeding skills in the in-patient pediatric cardiac setting. Our aims were …

Collaboration In Acute Care: Enhancing Occupational Therapy Outcomes Through Canine Therapy Integration​, Deanna Hamke

Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctorate - Doctoral Capstone Symposium

The utilization of animal-assisted therapy has the potential to increase patient participation, motivation, and help simulate real-life experiences to promote a successful discharge from therapy services. The purpose of this doctoral capstone project was to: 1) expand collaboration between occupational therapists & canine therapy handlers through use of a communication platform and 2) to create a resource outlining in-session responsibilities to facilitate partnership between occupational therapists and canine therapy handlers. Occupational therapy treatment sessions were completed using canine therapy interventions targeting mobility, engagement, and emotional regulation. The final deliverables included multiple educational resources and a platform for communication. These deliverables …

Creating An Effective Video Case-Based Teaching Tool To Enhance Undergraduate Clinical Skills, Tyler Kam

Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctorate - Doctoral Capstone Symposium

No abstract provided.

Harvesting Hope In Central Florida With Second Harvest Food Bank, Shayna Caddell, Lucia Hernandez, Correna Bartow, Jonathan Lungstrum, Kevin Wechsler

High Impact Practices Student Showcase Spring 2026

We conducted a culture audit on Second Harvest Food Bank, where we examined the organization and its enacted and espoused values. We used the Social Change Model and the 7Cs to evaluate our observations.

We completed this by individually volunteering for 15 hours. We did many tasks including but not limited to, examining donations, packaging meat, and boxing up meals. Throughout our time, our group learned about the different processes this organization uses. Based on concepts from our Intermediate Foundations of Leadership class and our interview with Sarah Heath, Volunteer Lead, we were able to reflect on how Second Harvest …

The Association Between Sedentary Behavior And Heart Disease Mortality Rates Among Florida Residents., Umed Norkulov

High Impact Practices Student Showcase Spring 2026

This research project examines the association between sedentary behavior and Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) mortality among Florida residents. As heart disease remains the leading cause of death in Florida, identifying modifiable risk factors is a public health priority. This study utilizes an ecological design to analyze age-adjusted mortality rates across Florida’s 67 counties, correlating them with the prevalence of sedentary lifestyles reported via the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS).

Key findings indicate that sedentary behavior exceeding 10 hours per day is an independent risk factor for heart disease, increasing risk by 8% to 18%, regardless of other physical activity …

The Impact Of Artificial Intelligence On Student Learning Outcomes, Aubrey A. Jung

High Impact Practices Student Showcase Spring 2026

This study examines factors that predict the perceived impact of artificial intelligence tool usage on academic grades among Indian college students. Using a dataset of 3614 Google Forms survey responses collected in May 2025 (Kapilavayi, 2025), a multiple linear regression model was developed with Impact_on_Grades (-5 to +5) as the response variable. After exploratory data analysis, model diagnostics, and model selection procedure, the final model retained the variables: Do_Professors_Allow_Use, AI_Tools_Used, Trust_in_AI_Tools, Preferred_AI_Tool, Daily_Usage_Hours, and the interaction term Daily_Usage_Hours x Do_Professors_Allow_Use. The final model was statistically significant with F - 4.578 and p = 1.225 x 10^-9, also having an adjusted …

Does Dosage Management Of Levothyroxine During Ramadan Improve Outcomes For Hypothyroidism?, John Duran, Dillon Moya, Ethan Cabral, Renan Rodriguez, Mia Ortiz

High Impact Practices Student Showcase Spring 2026

Ramadan fasting alters circadian rhythms and meal timing, interfering with the standard dosage of levothyroxine (LT4) on an empty stomach and impact its absorption. The presentation examines whether dosage management of levothyroxine during Ramadan improves the livelihood of patients with hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism, characterized by deficient production of thyroid hormones (T3 and T4), leads to elevated thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels due to reduced negative feedback. Since LT4 is used to normalize TSH levels, disruptions in dosing timing during fasting may result in suboptimal thyroid control. A clinical trial was analyzed comparing regular LT4 dosing with an increased dose of 25 mcg …

Variations In Dissolved Oxygen Across Vegetation Zones In A Freshwater Marsh, Stephanie N. Lievano, Aliah Wales Miller, Marissa Pratt, Anya Spara

High Impact Practices Student Showcase Spring 2026

Dissolved oxygen (DO) concentrations are critical indicators of aquatic ecosystem health, yet these levels fluctuate significantly based on the structural and physiological characteristics of dominant vegetation. This study investigated the extent to which DO levels differ among wetland zones dominated by submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV), emergent plants, or floating plant cover. It was hypothesized that SAV-dominated areas would exhibit higher DO concentrations than emergent zones due to the direct release of photosynthetic oxygen into the water column. Data were collected across three diel blocks—morning, afternoon, and evening—in a UCF freshwater marsh using a YSI multiparameter sonde to measure DO, temperature, …

Suicidality Prevention: Insights From The Literature, Leah M. Rivera

Applied Practice Experience (APE) Capstones

Suicidality Prevention: Insights from the Literature was developed through a University of New England Graduate Public Health Applied Practice Experience to support community-based suicide prevention efforts. This evidence-informed resource integrates published research, demographic trend analysis, and public health best practices to examine factors associated with suicidality across multiple age groups. The project highlights opportunities for prevention, strategic planning, and intervention while demonstrating the application of public health competencies in literature review, data interpretation, knowledge translation, and professional communication. Designed for practitioners, organizations, and community stakeholders, the presentation translates complex evidence into an accessible format that can inform prevention initiatives and …

Empowering Women Through Surf Therapy: A Trauma-Informed Facilitation Toolkit, Ashlie Steppe

Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctorate - Doctoral Capstone Symposium

Women who have experienced trauma often face challenges with emotional regulation, sense of safety and daily functioning. Additionally, one in three women experience trauma throughout their lifetime and this can lead to difficulty with connection, body awareness, and engagement in meaningful activities. A local non-profit surf therapy organization was established to provide women with a supportive community and meaningful, nature-based activity to promote healing and connection. The purpose of this quality improvement capstone experience was to address and develop a sustainable trauma-informed wellness toolkit to support facilitators in delivering structured wellness activities within the program. The toolkit specifically addressed key …

Fragments Of Time: The Legacy Of Luna Kaufman, Ariel Espinoza Collantes

Cohort 2025-2026

Ariel Espinoza is a Junior in the Honors Program at Seton Hall University, majoring in Political Science with a minor in Legal Studies in Business. Her project explores the life and legacy of Luna Kaufman, a Holocaust survivor, educator, and arts advocate, through archival research conducted at Seton Hall. Using a podcast format, Ariel examines how Kaufman’s experiences shaped her commitment to music, theater, and cultural preservation, and how she used the arts as a means of promoting memory, resilience, and understanding. Ariel's work highlights the role of archives as “time machines,” showing how the past continues to inform the …

The Efficacy Of Hybrid Manufacturing For High Stress Automotive Parts, Logan Trimmer

Harrisburg University Other Works

Presentation covering the broad strokes of the project. The goal was to prove the viability of hybrid/additive manufacturing for high stress automotive applications. This project focused on recreating a piston from an old engine to examine if hybrid manufacturing could be used for such applications. On a small scale, hybrid manufacturing was able to be more cost effective if the costs of the equipment and electricity were ignored. The decision to ignore those costs came from the inability to find accurate prices for industrial casting.

2026 Oer Deep Dive, Caterina B. Azzarello, Cassendra Bergstrom, Kirsten Gilderhus

About OER

The Affordable & Open Educational Resources (AOER) Committee at UNC, in collaboration with the Colorado Department of Higher Education, UNC’s Center for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning, and the University Libraries, hosted an in-person OER Deep Dive professional development workshop on Tuesday, May 19, 2026. This full-day event was created for faculty and staff interested in learning more about Open Educational Resources (OER) and exploring ways to incorporate them into their instructional practices.

Throughout the workshop, participants examined the foundations of OER, discussed distinctions between openly licensed and freely available materials, and explored the role of affordable course content …

The State Of Copyright And Ai: 2026 Updates​, Sarah A. Norris

Teaching & Learning with AI

No abstract provided.

Root To Rise: Whole Health Centered Leadership For The Future Physician, Alisa Illescas

HSC Education Days

No abstract provided.

Preliminary Study For Clinical Feasibility Of Sbpt Vs Sbrt For Thoracic And Liver Disease Sites, Sasha Carolina Alonzo Grillet, Eman Hashem, Melissa Gloria Novas, Ayat Swaydan, Laura Velez, Paige A. Taylor, David B. Flint, Yuting Li, Jamie Baker

Research Methods Poster Session 2026

No abstract provided.

The Gut–Brain Axis And Its Role In Depression And Anxiety: A Meta-Narrative Review, Sania Dastagir, Alina Esenalieva, Thinh Quach, Haley Sutton

Research Methods Poster Session 2026

No abstract provided.

Plasma Cell Enrichment Improves The Diagnostic Reliability Of Fish In Multiple Myeloma: A Meta-Narrative Review, Chi Ngoc Vu, Hongthuy Phan, Grecia Velasquez

Research Methods Poster Session 2026

No abstract provided.

Still A Boy’S Club: Women Journalists & Political News Coverage, Khaleel Oudraogo, Elise Strain

Distinguished Undergraduate Researcher Program

We investigate the level of gender parity in political news reporting at the New York Times. We apply a media sociology approach to examine how gender stereotypes, women in media leadership, and women in political leadership interact to affect the extent to which women journalists appear in bylines about domestic and foreign affairs news. We leverage an original data collection of nearly 3,000 news articles published from 2007–2020. We find several key results. First, women are more likely to appear in bylines about domestic political news than foreign affairs news. Second, we find that during Jill Abramson’s tenure as executive …

Design Of Novel Small Molecule Modulators Of Cd36 For Metabolic And Oncological Applications, Arys Morman, Benedict Barras, Fatima Rivas

Distinguished Undergraduate Researcher Program

Metastasis accounts for over 90% of cancer related deaths and current studies link CD36 to the development of metastasis in several cancer models. CD36 is a scavenger receptor that is involved in fatty acid uptake and oxidized lipoprotein recognition. In both metabolic disorders and cancer, CD36 activity has been associated with lipid accumulation, insulin resistance, and tumor metastasis, making it a promising yet underexplored therapeutic target. Our current aim is to develop a library of small molecules that can be used to inhibit CD36 thereby decreasing production of oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL).
Triple-negative breast cancer is one of the most …

New Hampshire Shellfish Under Pressure: Physiological Effects Of Climate Change And Toxic Algal Blooms, Olivia Boyan

UNH URC Open (2026 and after)

Climate change driven effects on the ocean, including warming water, acidification, and changes in the presence of harmful algal blooms (HABs) are causing metabolic pressures on marine organisms, particularly in the Gulf of Maine. Shellfish are susceptible to these pressures because their metabolic processes including growth and respiration are influenced by water temperature, pH, and consumption of algal toxins. This study investigates the effects of ocean warming, acidification, and diet toxicity level on the growth and respiration of Blue mussels (Mytilus edulis), Eastern oysters (Crassostrea virginica), and Sea scallops (Placopecten magellanicus). Selected individuals were subjected to water treatments simulating ambient …

Analyzing A Benchtop Model Of Combined Heat Power To An Industrial Scale, Chase Steven Carlton, Ashley Leach, Andrew Martin-Biggs, Tessa Wilker

UNH URC Open (2026 and after)

Analyzing a Benchtop Model of Combined Heat Power to an Industrial Scale

Presence Of Road Salts In Vernal Pools And Effects On Amphibian Development, Grace I. Bemis, Ella Mack

UNH URC Open (2026 and after)

Presence of Road Salts in Vernal Pools and Effects on Amphibian Development

A Literature Review Of Cultural Resource Management (Crm) Law, Matthew Glumac

A with Honors Projects

An academic poster on CRM law.