Digital Commons Network^™

Integrating Mental Health Screening Into Pediatric Rehabilitation: Bridging Gaps In Comprehensive Care, Chloe D. Pak, Anvitha Kaguturu, Andrea Mann

Research Day

Introduction: Children with physical disabilities experience high rates of psychiatric comorbidities, such as anxiety and depression, which have the potential to influence the course and outcomes of their rehabilitation. Although there is an increasing prevalence of psychiatric conditions in the pediatric population, access to mental health services for children remains low.

Objective: This literature-based review aims to examine the existing approaches towards mental health screening in pediatric rehabilitation settings, analyze how psychiatric comorbidities are being addressed, and determine what barriers are currently preventing the full integration of mental health screening in the care of children needing physical rehabilitation.

Methods: A …

Emergency Symphysiotomy For Severe Shoulder Dystocia, Humza Omar, Linda Al-Sabbah, Audrey Arona

Research Day

Introduction: Shoulder dystocia is an obstetric emergency that occurs when the fetal anterior shoulder becomes impacted behind the maternal symphysis pubis after delivery of the head. This is a time-sensitive condition that can result in neonatal hypoxia, brachial plexus injury, and significant maternal morbidity. When standard obstetric maneuvers fail and cesarean delivery is not feasible or possible, symphysiotomy may be considered as a last resort intervention.  This procedure involves surgical division of the pubic symphysis cartilage to widen the pelvic diameter and relieve the bony obstruction. This case describes a 28-year-old woman whose vaginal delivery was complicated by severe shoulder …

Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion With And Without Posterior Fixation In Isthmic Spondylolisthesis, Courtney Green, Joy Zarandy

Research Day

Introduction: Isthmic spondylolisthesis is caused by a pars interarticularis defect, leading to posterior tension band failure and anterior vertebral translation. This multifactorial defect is commonly associated with stress fractures and repetitive lumbar hyperextension during adolescence. It most often affects L5-S1, though other levels may be involved. While pars defects can be unilateral or bilateral, slippage typically occurs in bilateral defects. The degree of vertebral translation is classified by the Meyerding system, ranging from Grade I (< 25%) to Grade IV (>75%).

Most patients with isthmic spondylolisthesis remain asymptomatic; however, some present with chronic low back pain and radicular symptoms. Initial management is conservative including …

Menopause And Musculoskeletal Injury Risk: Beyond Estrogen—A Hormone–Tissue–Load Mismatch Model, Mustafa Ansari, Faisal Hussain, Mutasem Shopon, Hanfa Ajmal, Mueez Asif, Sharon David

Research Day

Menopause represents a critical physiologic transition characterized by a significant decline in circulating estrogen levels, which has profound effects on the musculoskeletal system. Estrogen plays an essential role in maintaining bone homeostasis, collagen synthesis, and connective tissue elasticity. As estrogen levels fall during menopause, women experience accelerated bone mineral density loss, alterations in tendon and ligament biomechanics, and an increased susceptibility to musculoskeletal injuries. Despite the growing aging female population, the relationship between hormonal changes, tissue biomechanics, and injury risk remains underrecognized in clinical practice.

This study reviews the current literature examining the physiologic and biomechanical consequences of menopause on …

Breaking The Cycle: Uromune Mv140 In The Prevention Of Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections (Rutis), Katrina Strand, Sia Christine, Brooklyn Myers, Kaytlin Pal, Mishel Alvarez, Christina Cologer, Vicky Mody, Shashidharamurthy Taval

Research Day

Women who experience recurrent urinary tract infections (rUTIs), defined as more than three infections per year, often face significant reduction in their quality of life, including travel and employment. Additionally, there is concern about the long-term effects of prolonged and repeated use of antibiotics, which are currently the standard for prophylaxis and treatment. Overuse often results in resistance. Multiple countries currently offer, or are in the process of developing, vaccines that can prevent rUTI. Uromune MV140 from Immunotek is one such vaccine. This study was conducted as a literature review evaluating the safety, efficacy, mechanism of action, and clinical use …

A Rare Case Of Renal Cell Carcinoma Leading To Bilateral Pulmonary Embolism, Caleb Rogers, Nick Daneshvar, Anika Procope, Christian Edwards, Jonathan Fairley

Research Day

Introduction: Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the most common type of adult kidney cancer. It originates in the lining of the renal tubules and typically affects older individuals. Symptoms can manifest as blood in urine, flank pain, and weight loss. Lab values include, but are not limited to, anemia, polycythemia, thrombocytosis, leukocytosis, high creatinine/BUN, and hypercalcemia. Although rare, RCC has the potential to invade the venous system and extend into the heart causing subsequent bilateral pulmonary embolism (PE). Cardiac involvement in renal cell carcinoma may remain clinically silent until drastic complications arise. This case highlights an atypical and life-threatening presentation …

Food Insecurity As A Primary Driver Of Cardiometabolic Disease Across Georgia Census Tracts, Jordan R. Howard, Thomas Last, Winston Price

Research Day

Introduction: Cardiometabolic diseases including diabetes, hypertension, and obesity remain leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the United States and disproportionately affect communities across the southeastern region. In Georgia, disease burden is concentrated in rural counties and economically disadvantaged urban areas. Public health frameworks have traditionally attributed these disparities to limited physical access to healthy food, commonly described as “food deserts,” where distance to grocery stores is presumed to constrain dietary quality and worsen metabolic health. However, growing evidence suggests that economic food insecurity may play a larger role in cardiometabolic risk than geographic food access. Few studies have evaluated …

Whole-Body Anatomical Mapping Of Infiltration In Melanoma Of Unknown Primary (Mup): The Role Of Perivascular, Lymphatic, And Neurovascular Conduits, Brianny Medina, Zoe Barrett, Luke J. Lunsford, Chenell S. Anagbo-Dowetin, Xandria L. Parker, Emily E. Rowland, Mohammad A. Afani, Rasheed Agboola, Joshua Owolabi

Research Day

Introduction: Melanoma of Unknown Primary (MUP) presents a significant clinical challenge in tracing metastatic trajectories. While hematogenous dissemination is the traditional model, this study investigates angiotropism and perineural invasion—mechanisms where neoplastic cells migrate along the external surfaces of anatomical structures. Our research suggests that melanoma acts as a "hitchhiker," utilizing the adventitia of blood vessels and the epineurium of nerves as a private highway system. This study aims to provide a high-resolution, whole-body map of infiltration, documenting how these "extravascular conduits" facilitate the colonization of major organ systems. Methods: A high-resolution post-mortem mapping was performed on a 50-year-old male decedent …

Management Of Acute Fecal Impaction In A Pediatric Patient With Repaired Anorectal Malformation, Timothy C. Demott, Dylan P. Patel, Anthony A. Adetomiwa, Woodwin M. Weeks

Research Day

INTRODUCTION:

Anorectal Malformations (ARMs) represent a complex spectrum of congenital anomalies where surgical reconstruction does not always equate to functional success. Within the Krickenbeck classification, a significant “Constipation Paradox” exists: patients with “low” or “simple” malformations, such as rectoperineal fistulas, are statistically more likely to develop severe, refractory constipation and secondary megacolon than those with complex “high” defects. Despite intact pelvic musculature and sensation, underlying dysmotility creates a high‑pressure environment conducive to stool retention. This case report demonstrates the necessity of aggressive inpatient mechanical clearing and rigorous metabolic monitoring when outpatient therapies fail to overcome colonic inertia. The following clinical …

The Thyroid-Brain Connection: Neuropsychiatric Manifestations Of Thyroid Disorders, Mailyn Cruz

Research Day

Introduction:

Thyroid disorders are among the most prevalent endocrine conditions worldwide, impacting an estimated 200 million individuals globally. Despite their prevalence, the neuropsychiatric sequela of thyroid dysfunction is still underrecognized in clinical practice, contributing to delayed diagnosis and misattribution of psychiatric symptoms to primary mental health disorders. Thyroid hormones play a critical role in central nervous system function throughout the lifespan, influencing neurotransmission, neuronal metabolism, and blood-brain barrier integrity. Both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism have been associated with a broad spectrum of neuropsychiatric manifestations such as depression, anxiety, mania, cognitive impairments, psychosis, and dementia. This review aims to synthesize the current …

Many Genomes, One Disease: Genetic Risk Of Hidradenitis Suppurativa Across Ancestries, Sydney E. Williams, Nadine Belony, Thomas Last

Research Day

Introduction

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the folliculopilosebaceous unit affecting intertriginous areas including the axillae, groin, buttocks, and inframammary regions. It presents with recurrent painful nodules, abscesses, sinus tracts, and scarring, leading to substantial physical and psychosocial burden. Up to 40% of patients report severe quality-of-life impairment, with strong associations to depression and work disability. HS disproportionately affects individuals of African ancestry and demonstrates disparities in disease burden. Despite its clinical impact, the genetic architecture of HS remains incompletely defined, particularly across diverse populations. Although rare familial cases implicate γ-secretase pathway mutations, broader genetic contributors to …

Adhd And Food Insecurity: The Role Of Structural Determinants, Renee Jones, Thomas Last

Research Day

INTRODUCTION

Food insecurity is a key structural determinant of health associated with adverse physical and psychological outcomes. Individuals with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may be particularly vulnerable due to executive dysfunction, psychosocial stress, and socioeconomic instability. The association between ADHD status, medication use, and food insecurity, however, has not been well characterized in large national cohorts.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the association between ADHD status (with and without medication) and food insecurity in the All of Us Research Program cohort.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of 142,725 eligible participants from the All of Us Research Program. ADHD status was categorized as …

Routine Or Reassurance: Cardiovascular Monitoring In Children Receiving Adhd Medications, Dina Badawy, Wilson Baumgartner, Alexandra Ortiz, Alexandria Neal, Anthony Pelache, Robert Maydell

Research Day

Introduction: Stimulant medications are first-line therapy for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children and adolescents. Because these agents increase sympathetic activity, concerns persist regarding their cardiovascular safety, including arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death (SCD). Debate continues regarding whether routine electrocardiogram (ECG) screening prior to stimulant initiation reduces the risk of serious cardiac events. Divergent recommendations from professional organizations have generated ongoing uncertainty about the balance between precaution and evidence-based practice. Our objective is to critically evaluate the literature of cardiovascular effects of stimulant therapy in children and adolescents and to assess whether routine cardiovascular monitoring, including universal ECG screening, improves clinical …

I’M Going To Disney World: Regenerative Injection Therapy(Regenexx) Enabling Functional Recovery In Chronic Ankle Dorsiflexion, Marzena Buzanowska, Kévin Borgella

Research Day

Chronic foot drop, weakness or inability to dorsiflex the ankle and toes. Gait deficits such as this can originate from issues in the motor pathway of the cerebral cortex or from injury to peripheral nerves that innervate the foot musculature. The most common cause is L5 radiculopathy and peroneal nerve injury, but can also include lumbar herniation, spinal stenosis, and degenerative nerve diseases. Physical therapy has been the fundamental means of treating this issue with a focus on muscle strengthening, adjusting gait patterns and engaging the mechanisms of neural plasticity to improve muscle activation. In lieu of these methods, Ankle-foot …

Comparison Of Axillary Lymph Node Size In Cadavers With And Without A History Of Breast Cancer, Adam E. Davis, Harshita Yepuri, Julia Girgis, Sara Kurtovic, Celeste Pak, Erek Arsiniega, Jasdeep Singh, Michael B. Roberts, Shelley Dicecco

Research Day

Axillary lymph nodes play a critical role in breast cancer metastasis and staging. While imaging and surgical studies provide indirect assessments of nodal involvement, few investigations have directly compared lymph node size in breast cancer and non-cancer populations using cadaveric dissection. In this study, twenty-nine female cadavers, including eight with a history of breast cancer and twenty-one controls, were dissected to collect axillary lymph nodes from six anatomical chains: central, humeral, infraclavicular, parasternal, pectoral, and subscapular. Lymph node area (mm²) was measured, and statistical outliers (z ≥ 3) were excluded from analysis. Welch’s t-test was performed to compare overall lymph …

Treatment Of Sacrococcygeal Dislocation Using Ultrasound-Guided Injection And Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine: A Case Report, Christopher Luz, Rajay Dockery, Alizé Berrios, Johnny Suzuki

Research Day

INTRODUCTION: Chronic sacrococcygeal dislocation is an uncommon source of long-lasting tailbone pain, often following a fall or other direct injury. Because the coccyx varies widely in shape and alignment from person to person, identifying a clinically meaningful displacement can be difficult, and imaging findings do not always match the severity of a patient’s symptoms. Standard conservative measures such as postural changes, cushions, physical therapy, and medication may help only partially when joint irritation or instability persists.

OBJECTIVES: This report describes a patient with ongoing pain from sacrococcygeal displacement who improved with a combined approach of ultrasound-guided injection and osteopathic manipulative …

The Predatory Paradox: Evolutionary Neurobiology, Adhd, And The Developmental Impact Of Early Hunting Education, Madalie A. Kershner

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

The debate over whether children should be introduced to hunting is centered on ethical concerns regarding desensitized aggression. However, using the Hunter-Gatherer neurotype associated with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, this paper argues that early-onset hunting has significant neurocognitive benefits when conducted with proper education and a mentored framework.

Drawing on evolutionary psychiatry and neurobiology, this theoretical analysis first reviews relevant literature in both fields and then distinguishes between affective aggression (rage-based violence) and predatory aggression (a goal-oriented, cold-blooded cognitive state). I suggest that traits condemned as maladaptive in the four walls of the modern classroom (i.e. distractibility and hyperfocus) are …

Examining Cardiac Abnormalities In High School Athletes Through Ecg-Integrated Cardiac Screenings, Trevor Reed Held

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

ECG-integrated cardiac screenings serve as valuable tools, ensuring that athletes are healthy prior to the start of their competitive season. For sports that do not require these screenings or a standard physical, underlying cardiac conditions and abnormalities can often go unnoticed, leading to a higher risk of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) during athletic activity. The purpose of this pilot study was to identify its feasibility, identify the potential risk factors for SCA, clear athletes for athletic participation that did not exhibit risk factors, and refer athletes with abnormalities to a medical professional. This study included 30 high school hockey athletes …

An Assessment Of Recent Meteoric Variables On The Lower Grant Creek Alluvial Aquifer System, Valerie Sigler

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Lower Grant Creek (LGC) flooding during the 1997 water year prompted the installation of groundwater and surface water monitoring sites to identify the factors leading to residential basement flooding. The Missoula Water Quality District is seeking an updated analysis as rapid land-use change and development is expected in the coming years. I compiled and analyzed groundwater elevation data from 2020-2025 to investigate whether relationships with rainfall and snowmelt are evident in the LGC alluvial aquifer and to characterize whether different locations in the groundwater system gain or lose water from the up-valley surface water system. I compared groundwater elevations and …

Inferring Properties Of Binary Black Hole Mergers From The Ringdown, Serena R. Fink

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

The effect of progenitor masses and spins on the inspiral phase of a gravitational wave signal from a binary black hole merger is relatively well understood for the case where spins are aligned with the orbital angular momentum. Less is known about how progenitor properties -- especially misaligned spins -- impact the ringdown. The accuracy and precision with which inspiral parameters (component masses and spins) can be inferred from the ringdown alone remains an open question. As several high-mass (most ringdown-dominated) systems observed by the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO) have misaligned spins, the ability to predict inspiral properties from …

Mlali Rehabilitation Centre Fundraising Initiative, Benjamin T. Rainford

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

This capstone is a qualitative analysis of a fundraising campaign I am conducting to purchase equipment for Mlali Rehabilitation Centre in Tanzania. The Centre serves 75 children with severe physical disabilities. After volunteering twice, Director Br. Gaudence Aikaruwa asked me to help find external funding. They operate on little support, and their 23-year-old tractor is failing, posing a serious food security threat.

I have since encountered significant obstacles. I found grantmakers were mostly invite-only and generally hesitant to support a large capital investment. I pivoted to crowdfunding, which was more promising but a logistical nightmare. I could neither receive money …

Can Ipad Lidar Measure Bark Rugosity?, Cooper E. Littell, Anna C. Ross, Sharon M. Hood, Kimberley T. Davis, Jonathan L. Batchelor, C. Alina Cansler

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Bark is one of the primary tree traits associated with fire resistance. Current research has focused on bark thickness as the dominant structural trait contributing to resistance, yet bark rugosity (e.g. roughness) has also been shown to influence the transfer of heat from fire into the living tissues of trees. Bark rugosity is a challenging trait to quantify, often requiring destructive measuring techniques. We applied the equation developed by Shearman and Varner (2021), which defines rugosity as the ratio of the actual cross-section compared to the area of a convex hull; higher values indicate higher rugosity. We compared contemporary, destructive …

Vestibular-Ocular Reflex Testing Using Commercially Available Mixed-Reality Headsets, Silas W. Acker, Matt Bundle Phd

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

The Vestibulo-Ocular Reflex (VOR) stabilizes vision during head movements through a coordinated interaction between the vestibular apparatus’s ability to sense position and acceleration and the ocular muscles that move the eye. Vestibular hypofunction can cause dizziness, blurred vision, create the perception of movement in stationary objects, dizziness, and nystagmus, a condition where the eye moves involuntarily. The presence and extent of dysfunction are typically assessed by evaluating the movement of the eye during tracking and target acquisition tasks. In addition to dedicated clinical equipment specifically designed to track eye movements, currently available mixed reality headsets are also able to perform …

Hydrogen Bond Enhanced Halogen Bonding Anion Transporters, Tony J. Shelton

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Cells use ion transport pathways for osmosis, electrochemical gradients, signaling, and programed cell death. When natural ion channels fail, synthetic alternatives are needed. This project explores the ability of synthetic “transporter” molecules to bind anions (negatively charged atoms) and carry them across lipid bilayers. Preliminary results have shown Hydrogen Bond enhanced Halogen Bonding (HBeXBing) molecules can facilitate anion transport more efficiently than known XBing anion transporter pentafluoroiodobenzene (PFIB). The hydrophobic functional groups clearly increase transport rates of these molecules. We expect that EC50 and Hill coefficients will indicate highly active transporters. Currently the liposome procedure is being optimized to achieve …

Awe On The Brain: Exploring The Impacts Of Awe On Neural Oscillations, Elizabeth A. Kamminga

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

This project explores how the human brain exhibits complex patterns of neural activity that interact through oscillatory dynamics controlling cognition and emotion. The main question is whether awe can be understood as a change in how neural oscillators interact, and if so, whether this framework can be applied to other emotions. This project was inspired after taking the Awe and Curiosity course at the Davidson Honors College, where awe was explored as a universal but under-researched emotion that can alter how the brain perceives and interprets the world. To examine this, case studies and experiments were reviewed on the psychological …

Collegiate Volleyball Athletes Are Able To Sustain A Greater Level Of Performance Due To Many Recovery Practices., Caleb Rockwood

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Collegiate volleyball demands high-intensity physical and mental work, however athletes often struggle to maintain the recovery processes necessary to sustain a high level performance throughout a season. This project investigates how consistent recovery practices, specifically sleep, nutritional habits, and mobility, influence the ability of college volleyball players to maintain high level performance. The central problem I’ve examined is the trap, where the dual pressures of academic responsibilities and athletic commitments lead to sleep loss and nutritional deficits according to literature.

The ultimate question for this research is whether a consistent recovery routine can mitigate the typical mid-season performance decline often …

Analyzing The Slurm Scheduler Fairshare Scoring, Nathaniel T. Adams

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Slurm is a workload manager widely used in university research clusters and High-Performance Computing (HPC) environments to allocate computational resources in multi-user systems. Its primary function is to schedule submitted jobs efficiently while ensuring equitable access to shared infrastructure. To achieve this, Slurm assigns each job a priority score, which is influenced by several factors, including a “Fairshare” score. Fairshare is designed to balance resource usage over time by prioritizing users or groups who have consumed fewer computational resources relative to their allocated share. There are two algorithms that make up Fairshare, there is the classic algorithm that was previously …

Impacts Of Air Pollution On Park And Fitness Area Visitation Across The Contiguous United States., Tara C. Brown, Vince Caristo, Vick Zuzia, Sophie Morris

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Air pollution, especially from wildfire smoke, has become an increasing threat to human health as drier, hotter conditions drive more frequent and larger wildfires across the United States. To reduce personal health risks, guidelines suggest staying indoors and limiting physical exertion during days with poor air quality. However, limiting physical exertion can also cause negative health outcomes, especially as the number of poor air quality days continues to increase. Quantifying when action is and isn’t taken to limit exposure is an important prerequisite for interventions designed to mitigate the negative health consequences of air pollution from wildfires, and the economic …

Impact Of Physician Assistant/Associate Integration On Healthcare Quality, Accessibility, And Operational Capacity In Rural United States Communities, Zella Grace Balkenbush

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

As the physician assistant/associate (PA) profession has broadened in scope throughout the United States from the mid-1960s to the 21^st century, rural communities have received the greatest systemic effects. The expansion of health insurance through Medicare and Medicaid, combined with increasing physician specialization, created a greater need for general providers. Physician shortages in remote areas have contributed to patients experiencing decreased access to routine checkups, longer wait times, and constrained emergency resources. This has led to delayed diagnoses and preventable complications. In response, the PA profession has exploded in popularity to fill the gap in providing all-around care. Rural …

Stress As A Potential Triegger: Investigating The Onset Of Myasthenia Gravis Following Major Life Events, Taylor A. Barney

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

I will be studying myasthenia gravis (MG) and its relation to stress, answering the question: Is there a correlation between highly stressful life events and the initial onset of myasthenia gravis by which acute emotional or physical stress triggers myasthenic crisis or exacerbation of symptoms? I am doing this project because my mother has MG and her diagnosis has shaped my outlook on the medical field in which I hope to enter. To carry out this project, I will be using cross-sectional analysis through stress assessment with MG disease severity assessment. This will include trier inventory for assessment of chronic …