Digital Commons Network^™

Examining High School Students' Comprehension Of Miranda Vocabulary, Madeline Durrant, Eddy Manning

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Introduction. The Miranda warnings are intended to protect individuals' constitutional rights during police interactions, but their effectiveness depends on whether the language is understood. Research suggests that legal vocabulary embedded in these warnings may be inaccessible to many vulnerable groups, including adolescents.

Research Questions. How well do high school students with typical language skills comprehend the legal vocabulary in the Miranda warning? Are MVS scores correlated with language test scores? Are MVS scores correlated with completion of a civics course?

Methods. Thirty high school students completed the Miranda Vocabulary Scale (MVS), a measure in which participants were asked to define …

Beyond Words: Unlocking The Child's Perspective In Speech Therapy, Olivia Lacasse

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Speech-language pathologists strive for patient-centered care, yet clinicians often face limitations when making collaborative decisions with children. Understanding a child’s unique emotional experience is vital for developing effective treatment plans for speech sound disorders; however, traditional assessments rely heavily on the perspectives of parents and teachers. This leaves the child’s internal world largely undiscovered. Our project evaluates the Sound Effects Study Drawing Protocol (SESDP) as a multimodal tool to bridge the gap between external observations and a child’s inner perspective.

We asked: During a drawing task, what developmental milestones and symbolic skills are evident over time for preschool-aged children with …

Mission Vs. Margin: A Comparative Study Of Marketing Strategy In For-Profit And Nonprofit Organizations, Eliza Bentler

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

This study examines how being a for-profit or nonprofit organization influences marketing strategy and strategic decision-making. While marketing is used by both types of organizations to communicate value and connect with audiences, differences in organizational goals can lead to different approaches. This research combines a review of existing literature with qualitative interviews from two local organizations in Montana: a nonprofit organization, Flathead Industries, and a for-profit business, Cambie Taphouse + Coffee.

The findings show clear differences in how marketing is approached across the two organizations. The nonprofit organization focuses more on mission-driven messaging, long-term awareness, and community impact, while the …

Increasing Lead (Pb) Screening Participation Rates In The Pediatric Patient Population At The Philadelphia College Of Osteopathic Medicine Lancaster Avenue Community Healthcare Center, Jacob P. Varrato, Autumn Dye

Research Day

Elevated blood lead levels (EBLLs) are an ongoing public health crisis predominantly affecting children under six in low-income communities located in major cities across the United States. Chronic lead exposure due to outdated housing, polluted water, and contaminated soil is especially harmful in early childhood when a high rate of hand to mouth contact increases the risk of ingesting particulate matter containing lead (CDC). EBLLs can lead to neurocognitive deficits, cardiovascular disease, and epigenetic modifications to gene expression patterns. While precautionary measures and timely screening protocols greatly reduce the risk of developing severe disease, families within these communities continue to …

Exploring Parental Barriers Contributing To Vaccine Hesitancy In An Urban West Philadelphia Population, Ryan Pinto, Simone Mileto, Autumn Dye

Research Day

Vaccine hesitancy has been a growing phenomenon over the past two decades due to a variety of social, informational, and political factors with families becoming skeptical of the established childhood vaccination schedule. This skepticism provides increased risk of vaccine preventable illnesses and death amongst the childhood population. This study aims to find why families in the urban West Philadelphia community, which has lower vaccination rates compared to the greater Philadelphia area, are skeptical to adhere to childhood vaccination schedules. Using the Vaccine Based Assessment Tool (VBAT) questionnaire, we gathered parental responses regarding their views on vaccinating their children from October …

Examining Patient Experiences And Interactions With Healthcare Providers In The Context Of A Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (Pcos) Diagnosis, Ashlyn George, Marina Melero, Sydni Yadin, Alexa Bonacquisti

Research Day

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder affecting 15-20% of individuals of reproductive age, yet its impact extends far beyond the boundaries of reproductive health1. PCOS is characterized by a hallmark feature of hyperandrogenism, which manifests through a variety of clinical presentations including acne, hirsutism, anovulation, and irregular menstrual cycles2. The excessive production of androgens can lead to lifelong challenges such as insulin resistance, infertility, and difficulties with weight management3. Although the reproductive and metabolic features of PCOS are well-researched, the psychosocial burden and patient experiences surrounding diagnosis and treatment are less understood. Many individuals with PCOS report …

The Trauma-Informed Gynecological Visit, Samantha Stolker, Alexa Neiderer, Vittoria Tarquini, Alex Finkel, Alexa Bonacquisti

Research Day

Trauma-informed care (TIC) has emerged in recent years as a patient-centered culture of care delivery that emphasizes physical and psychological safety for all in the healthcare setting. Utilizing a TIC framework could be especially impactful in reproductive healthcare settings due to the invasiveness of certain examinations and the way trauma presents itself in these settings. Best practices in these settings include intentional and continuous confirmation of consent, appropriate and sensitive screening as a part of the gynecological visit, and prioritizing the patient’s autonomy through shared decision making. Principles can be integrated into all parts of internal and external pelvic examinations, …

Serving To Learn, Learning To Serve: Integrating Volunteerism Into Interprofessional Healthcare Education, Stephanie H. Felgoise, Ashley Poole, Natalie Zychlinski, Elizabeth R. Felgoise, Marissa L. Ferrito, Anastasia Skliros, Leanne Purcell, Florastine Byrams, Larry Finkelstein

Research Day

Research on volunteerism has been shown to increase happiness in medical students; improve self-esteem, self-efficacy, and social connectedness; lead to better well-being; improve physical well-being, decrease stress, and improve overall quality of life in general adult populations. Volunteerism also creates fellowship and fosters community connections. Thus, volunteerism helps to address the wellness of the healthcare team (quadruple aim of healthcare), and bring future healthcare professionals closer to the populations they aim to serve. An IPE module focused on volunteerism, including PCOM’s Community Wellness Initiative Office, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and a Wish recipient. Interprofessionally facilitated small-group activities with learners from 3 …

Medical Student Advocate–Community Health Worker Collaboration To Improve Colorectal Cancer Screening Rates, Christopher J. Antoniello, Juliana N. Heppard, Vanessa I. Saylor

Research Day

INTRODUCTION:

Lankenau Medical Center launched the Medical Student Health Advocates (MSA) Program in 2012 to address the impact of socioeconomic status and social determinants on health outcomes. Data shows that publicly insured patients are generally more disadvantaged in these areas compared to commercially insured patients. The Colorectal Cancer Screening Initiative (CCSI), a partnership between MSAs and the Department of Health Equity’s Community Health Worker (CHW) team, aims to improve colorectal cancer (CRC) screening rates among Medicaid and dual Medicare/Medicaid patients, narrowing the gap between commercially insured and publicly insured patient populations.

METHODS:

Through weekly calls, CHWs and MSAs provide patients …

How Long Does It Last? Do The Benefits Of Neurodiversity Training Persist?, Levi Moyer, Cynthia P. May

Research Day

Introduction

Even when perceived as highly qualified, job candidates with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are less likely to be hired after a job interview than their neurotypical (NT) counterparts. However, when NT individuals receive training about neurodiversity and are aware of an ASD diagnosis, preliminary evidence suggests hiring outcomes for candidates with ASD are significantly more positive, at least when training occurs immediately before evaluation. This study examined whether the benefits of neurodiversity training coupled with diagnostic disclosure extend to the general population and persist over time.

Methods

Participants included undergraduate students and individuals from the general U.S. population recruited …

Efficacy Of Phone Call Intervention For Vaccine Participation - A Retrospective Chart Review, Jenna Taha, Paige Schlechter, Autumn Dye

Research Day

Vaccine hesitancy is on the rise in the United States due to multiple factors. Causes of vaccine hesitancy in pediatric patient populations include fear of harmful side effects due to misinformation and social media (Lafnitzegger, A) as well as questioning the necessity of vaccination (Cataldi, J). Previous efforts to increase rates of pediatric vaccination include community efforts such as partnering with faith-based organizations in an attempt to campaign for increased vaccination rates (Crosby, L), as well as acknowledging the need to tackle the pain and fear of needles associated with vaccinations in pediatric populations (Taddio, A).

In the city of …

Implementing Firearm Safe Storage And Screening Handouts For Older Individuals Into Primary Care Practice, Rebecca Delp, Erik E. Langenau, Ilene Warner-Maron

Research Day

Introduction

Older adults have the highest rates of firearm-related suicide in the United States, with firearms accounting for approximately 70% of suicides in this population (Price et al). Risk is particularly elevated among older men and veterans (Mcintosh et al). Despite this, firearm safety counseling remains uncommon; only 3.7% of older adults report discussing firearm safety with a healthcare provider (Carter et al). This exposes an important opportunity to address firearm safety, mental health, and suicide prevention in the primary care setting, while providing resources for access to firearm safe storage devices.

This project’s aim was to develop and implement …

Delayed Presentation Of Cervical Myelopathy Diagnosed In A Pain Management Clinic, Clayton Mohler, Ron Lincow, Sarah Kizun

Research Day

Background: Cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) is a progressive condition that occurs due to degenerative changes of the spine that compress the spinal cord, leading to potential permanent neurological damage. It generally occurs in people over the age of 50 and has a wide range of clinical presentations with varying neurological symptoms. Because of its varied presentation, diagnosis is often delayed, resulting in increased morbidity.

Case Presentation: We present the case of a 69-year-old male referred to a pain management clinic by his primary care physician for evaluation of his significant neurological symptoms, including pain, weakness, gait disturbance, and reduced sensation. …

How Emergency Medical Service (Ems) Work Is Understood: A Study Of Public Perceptions And Provider Perspectives, Lisel Keller

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

This project aims to examine whether a gap exists between how the general public perceives Emergency Medical Services (EMS) work and how EMS providers experience it. EMS is widely recognized as a stressful profession, and public narratives often focus on the emotional intensity without an understanding of the different sources of stress. Providers work extended shifts, respond to unpredictable incidents, are frequently woken from sleep, and complete operational tasks while fatigued. Although these demands are expected, their cumulative impact shapes the day-to-day reality of the profession. While stress in EMS work has been discussed broadly, less attention has been given …

Multiyear Stream And Riparian Responses To Beaver Dam Analogs In A Headwater Tributary, Hannah Moon Halvorson, Andrew Lahr

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Beavers are ecosystem engineers who influence the geomorphology and hydrology of streams, as well as riparian vegetation. Beaver-related restoration has become a popular approach with techniques such as beaver dam analogs (BDAs) commonly used to aid in the recovery of stream ecosystems. Despite their extensive use in low-tech restoration, there exist few studies longer than 3 years to demonstrate the effectiveness of BDAs. We conducted a 6-year follow-up study on a project with 14 BDAs in Teepee Creek, a second-order stream near Lolo in Western Montana. We collected data on instream habitat, flow, water temperature, and riparian vegetation and analyzed …

Gut–Brain Reprogramming Induced By Acute And Chronic Pathogen Exposures: The Role Of G Protein–Coupled Receptors In Male Aggression, Julia L. Kunau, Ashlyn E. Phillips

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Gut–Brain Reprogramming Induced by Acute and Chronic Pathogen Exposures: The Role of G Protein–Coupled Receptors in Male Aggression

Kunau, J, Phillips, A, Isern, E., and Certel, S. Division of Biological Sciences, The University of Montana, Missoula, MT, United States.

Organisms must continuously interpret environmental change and rapidly adjust physiology and behavior. Ingested microbes are a powerful, understudied driver of this process because they can reshape gut to brain communication and alter behaviors such as feeding and aggression. Here we test whether acute, 24-hour ingestion of E. coli is sufficient to shift male aggression in Drosophila.

The gastrointestinal system communicates with …

From Data To Action: Addressing Maternal Mortality Disparities Among Black Women In Georgia, Celeste Pak, Chloe Pak, Vanshika Singisetti, Audrey Arona

Research Day

Introduction: Maternal mortality in Georgia remains one of the highest in the United States and is driven by persistent racial disparities, difficulty gaining access to prenatal care, and gaps in healthcare infrastructure which limits timely clinical intervention. While Georgia has implemented some measures to combat this crisis, they have not yet fully addressed the complex social, geographic, and medical determinants of maternal health. Furthermore, Black women in Georgia specifically bear a disproportionate burden of preventable morbidity and death.

Objective: This literature-based review aims to analyze the current trends and underlying factors driving the maternal mortality crisis in Georgia. Additionally, we …

Integration Of Artificial Intelligence Into Medical Student Learning: A Cross-Campus Analysis Of Student Use And Perceived Educational Impact, Cameron Vicknair, Joshua Owolabi, Jennifer H. Shaw

Research Day

Artificial intelligence (AI) tools are increasingly integrated into medical education, yet limited data exists to describe how osteopathic medical students use AI and perceive its educational value. This study evaluated the prevalence, frequency, platforms, and educational applications of AI among osteopathic medical students, as well as perceived benefits and understanding of AI functionality.

A cross-sectional survey was distributed to first- and second-year osteopathic medical students across three campuses of the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM). Descriptive statistics summarized AI use patterns, and inferential analyses compared outcomes across campuses and class years.

Among 160 respondents, 90.6% of students reported using …

The Potential Role Of A Western Diet In Inducing Anxiety Disorder Via Inflammation, Erek N. Arsiniega, Kimberly J. Baker

Research Day

Anxiety disorder is a prevalent mental health condition that affects many individuals in American and other Western societies. Despite its high prevalence, the underlying mechanisms contributing to anxiety disorder remain largely not known, and there are research gaps in this area. Notably, there is an increased pattern of anxiety levels among the general population, with college students being particularly susceptible. Concurrently, there is a growing body of evidence looking into the heightened prevalence of chronic inflammation among individuals in the United States. This rise in chronic inflammation can be attributed, in part, to the dietary practices commonly observed in Western …

Community Rx: The Abcs Of A Doctor’S Visit, A Bilingual Health Navigation Workshop For Underserved Communities, Sharon Lackwood, Marisela Benitez, Kayla Hasty, Ty’Tiaunna Thomas, Martin Medina, Matthew Shelnutt

Research Day

Introduction:

Limited health literacy remains a major contributor to healthcare disparities, particularly among rural, uninsured, migrant, and Spanish-speaking populations. Many individuals report anxiety and confusion about how to schedule appointments, complete paperwork, understand costs, and communicate effectively with physicians. To address this gap, Community Rx developed a bilingual, student-led workshop titled The ABCs of Your Doctor’s Visit, designed to demystify the healthcare encounter and improve patient confidence, appointment preparedness, and navigation skills. The curriculum aligns with broader Community Rx goals of empowering underserved populations while fostering empathy and professional identity development among osteopathic medical students

Methods:

This ongoing, community-engaged initiative …

Isolated Unilateral Central Ray Deficiency In A Term Newborn: Distinguishing Symbrachydactyly From Amniotic Band Sequence, Mauricio Soto, Rachael Bonitatibus, Stephanie Suarez, Kevin Bhagratie, Anthony Adetomiwa

Research Day

Introduction

Congenital hand anomalies may arise from intrinsic malformations of limb development or extrinsic disruptive processes. Distinguishing symbrachydactyly—a failure-of-formation malformation—from amniotic band sequence (ABS)—a constrictive disruption—is essential, as pathogenesis, prognosis, and management differ substantially. Although both may present with absent digits, characteristic morphologic patterns allow reliable clinical differentiation. We present a term neonate with unilateral central hand deficiency to highlight key diagnostic features distinguishing these entities in the newborn period.

Methods

A retrospective descriptive case review was conducted of a term male neonate with an isolated upper extremity anomaly. Prenatal records, delivery documentation, newborn examination findings, and postnatal radiographic imaging …

When C5 Takes The Road Less Traveled: An Intramuscular Course Through Anterior Scalene In A Prefixed, Pass-Through Brachial Plexus, Camille Rios Anzola, Yousra Abo-Elhamd, Tyrese Claridge-Rogers, Maxwell Trettin, Dev Desai, Andrew Jimenez, Emranul Huq

Research Day

BACKGROUND: The brachial plexus (BP), formed by the ventral rami of C5-T1, provides sensory and motor innervation to the upper extremities. Classically, the BP roots pass between the anterior and middle scalene muscles within the interscalene triangle. However, anatomical variation is common due to the complex arrangement of cervical nerve roots and branches. Variants, such as a nerve root penetrating the anterior scalene muscle, may predispose individuals to nerve compression and may complicate procedures such as interscalene nerve blocks. Recognition of these variations is important for surgical, anesthetic, and imaging procedures involving the neck and shoulder. This report describes a …

Renal Cystic Pathology As A Potential Marker Of Impaired Kidney–Brain Axis In Senile Dementia: A Multi-Cadaveric Case Study, Jordan B. Ahlgren, Naomi Abraha, Tyrese Claridge-Rogers, Sangavi Sriranganathan, Joshua Owolabi

Research Day

INTRODUCTION: Evidence suggests that renal function plays a role in neurological health. The kidney functions as an important systemic regulator of filtration and maintaining blood pressure. Impairment in renal filtration has been linked to neuronal degeneration through reduced clearance of toxins, inflammatory markers, and proteins implicated in cognitive decline. Cystic kidney pathology, often associated with polycystic kidney disease or age-related cyst formation, may reflect impaired renal function that contributes to neuronal degeneration. This cadaveric case study investigated whether structural renal structural abnormalities observed in individuals with senile-related death provide anatomical support for a relationship between renal pathology and neurodegenerative and …

Lack Of Standardized Measurement Of Patent Foramen Ovale Size Limits Risk Stratification In Cryptogenic Stroke: A Review, Rachel Lippincott, Michael Elkomos, George Zakour, Austin Dobson, Reginald Dixon, Chloe Davis, Paul Catalano, Blessing Adeyemo, Shiv Dhiman

Research Day

Background: The foramen ovale is a physiologic interatrial communication essential to fetal circulation, permitting right-to-left shunting of oxygenated blood to bypass the nonfunctional fetal lungs. Following birth, increased pulmonary circulation and elevated left atrial pressure typically result in functional closure, followed by anatomical fusion of the septum primum and septum secundum within the first year of life. Persistence of this communication into adulthood, termed patent foramen ovale (PFO), occurs in approximately 20–30% of the general population. Although most PFOs are small and clinically silent, larger defects are less common and may carry clinical significance.

Objective: To describe the morphological characteristics …

Severe Bladder Trabeculation With Large Diverticulum And Calculi In A Male Cadaver: Gross Findings And Etiological Considerations, Jaycee Thomas, Gladys Sama, Leilani Everett, Colin Ramsey, Joshua Rohme, Zenia Lakhani, Paramvir Lodia, Shiv Dhiman

Research Day

Background:

Chronic lower urinary tract dysfunction can lead to progressive structural remodeling of the urinary bladder, such as detrusor hypertrophy and mucosal trabeculation. Bladder diverticula, defined as mucosal outpouching through the detrusor muscle, may develop in response to sustained elevations in intravesical pressure or impaired bladder emptying. These diverticula facilitate urinary stasis and increase the risk of complications, including infection, calculi formation, urinary retention, and, less frequently, malignant transformation. Identification of gross anatomic changes offers important insights into the long-term sequelae of chronic bladder dysfunction.

Methods:

Routine pelvic dissection was conducted during anatomical laboratory instruction. Gross examination of the urinary …

Mining Bacterial Genome: Identifying Unkown Bacterial Immune Systems, Mason Z. Mazzola

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Bacterial viruses, called bacteriophages, constitute a major threat to bacteria, driving a vast evolutionary arms race three billion years in the making. Out of this arms race bacteria have developed numerous types of bacterial immune systems varying in levels of complexity. The most notable bacterial immune system, CRISPR-Cas, is a suite of bacterial proteins which have enabled life-saving technologies through gene-editing and revolutionized biological research. CRISPR is only one of hundreds of anti-phage immune systems, most of which remain undiscovered. Since antimicrobial resistance in bacterial pathogens is rising, one solution to the crisis is using phages to kill pathogenic bacteria. …

Multimodal Comparison Of Electrical, Structural, And Functional Brain Connectivity, Braelyn A. Hewitt-Holbein, Sarah Bethea, Kellan Stempin, Jose Carmona-Sanchez

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

This project examines how relationships among brain regions can be characterized through two complementary perspectives of connectivity: structural connectivity measured with diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and functional connectivity measured with resting-state fMRI.

The central question is how signals recorded at electrodes in one region may relate to signals at electrodes in other regions through the combined influence of anatomical pathways and coordinated neural activity. Understanding these relationships is important for improving interpretation of electrophysiological recordings and for clarifying how different definitions of “connectivity” capture distinct aspects of brain organization.

To address this question, the project compares electrode-by-electrode correlation (or similarity) …

Using Herbarium Specimens To Morphologically Delineate Three Western Phlox Species, Jack Hager

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Using Herbarium Specimens to Morphologically Delineate Three Western Phlox Species

Jack Hager, Meredith Zettlemoyer

Western Phlox are incredibly ecologically diverse, found in a variety of habitats spanning deserts, sagebrush, and mountains. The genus contains around 65 unique species, often with overlapping trait variation that makes morphological delineation difficult. Phlox missoulensis is an endemic cushion plant species found only in the Missoula Valley; it occupies lower-elevation, windy, arid ridgelines that mimic alpine conditions. Two other Phlox species found nearby,  Phlox kelseyi and Phlox pulvinata, occupy overlapping ecological niches. P. kelseyi is found in wetlands spanning from valleys to montane environments at …

Company Data At Risk: The Case Against Unified Search, Corbin D. Heser Rayl

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

The average modern enterprise uses hundreds of disconnected Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) applications, leading to a problem known as SaaS sprawl. SaaS sprawl leads to the fragmentation of data, which makes it difficult to locate files, increases the potential to use outdated versions of files, and causes an overall loss in productivity and workplace inefficiencies. To combat this, platforms like Dropbox, Microsoft, Google, and Glean are developing AI-powered unified search engines. These tools utilize natural language processing to index cross-platform files, allowing employees to instantly retrieve context-aware answers from a centralized hub.

However, this project argues that unified search engines currently present …

Defining How Adrenergic Receptors May Translate Gut Nutrient Signals ​ Into Starvation Resistance And Fecundity, Calvin W. Orser

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Calvin Orser1, Emily Gagliano, Sarah J Certel2

Research on the gut-brain axis is a major focus in biology because the gastrointestinal tract and central nervous system communicate continuously. This bidirectional signaling helps organisms maintain homeostasis by relaying information from the gut to the brain and shaping innate behaviors such as feeding and reproduction. The adrenergic, “fight or flight”, system has emerged as a key component of this signaling. Adrenergic receptors are expressed in multiple gut epithelial cell types, including enteroendocrine cells (EEs), the main secretory cells of the gut, which synthesize and release the neuropeptides that can communicate with the …