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Postpartum Depression, Anxiety, And Psychological Flexibility In Nicu Mothers: Implications For Acceptance And Commitment Therapy, Riya Desai, Alexa Bonacquisti

Research Day

Pregnancy and the postpartum period may be physiologically and psychologically demanding for women as they navigate a multitude of factors. This experience may be further complicated by stressful reproductive events, such as newborn admission into the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Having a baby admitted to the NICU is often particularly challenging for mothers from a psychological perspective, serving as an added layer that may contribute to postpartum depression and anxiety. Psychological flexibility is the concept of openness, adaptability, and readiness in the face of adversity. For NICU mothers, psychological flexibility serves as a possible therapeutic target to address postpartum …

A Preliminary Investigation On The Relationship Between Established Dietary Habits And Willingness To Adopt New Food Groups, Graziella Greco, Rasika Singh, Kristen Berry, Autumn Dye

Research Day

Introduction: Obesity is a nationwide health crisis that predisposes individuals to a host of other diseases including hypertension and diabetes. In Philadelphia alone, approximately 41% of children between the ages of 6-17, and 33% of adults are obese. It has been shown that education on nutrition positively correlates with healthy eating behaviors, which can minimize the chances of obesity developing into its comorbidities. This study aims to see if food demonstrations and healthy recipe samples will lead to patients incorporating new foods into their diets. Adult patients in a combined adult and pediatric primary care office are offered three healthy …

Factors Associated With Concussion Knowledge And Misconceptions In Students Depending On Athlete Status, Joseph Fontanals, Ruta Clair

Research Day

Introduction: Concussions represent a significant public health concern, with widespread implications across various populations from athletes and military personnel to the general public. Despite increased attention in both research and public discourse, substantial gaps in knowledge and persistent misconceptions continue to influence concussion recognition, reporting, and management behaviors. Research consistently demonstrates variable levels of concussion knowledge across different populations. Misconceptions about concussions persist even among populations with higher general awareness. Despite education and public awareness campaigns many adults have surface knowledge of symptoms and misunderstand injury and recovery. These identified knowledge gaps and misconceptions have significant implications for public health, …

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 …

Cotard’S Syndrome: A Review Of Clinical Features And Associated Psychiatric And Neurological Conditions, Jacob H. Rachwal, Kartik R. Varsani, Aishworya Upadhaya

Research Day

Introduction: Cotard’s syndrome is a rare neuropsychiatric condition characterized by nihilistic delusions including beliefs that one is dead, does not exist, has lost internal organs, blood, or body parts. It was first described by Jules Cotard in 1880.The syndrome was associated with melancholic anxiety, delusions of damnation, reduced pain sensitivity, and increased risk of self-harm and suicidality. Although it is not recognized as a formal diagnostic entity in the DSM-5 or ICD-11, Cotard’s syndrome occurs in association with a variety of psychiatric and neurological disorders.¹

Objective: The objective of this presentation is to review the clinical characteristics, associated psychiatric and …

The Effects Of Spermidine On Trimethylamine N-Oxide And Trimethylamine – Induced Cytotoxicity On H9c2 Cells, Cassidy Childress, Tia Patrick, Samuel Geathers, Robert J. Barsotti, Lindon H. Young, Qian Chen

Research Day

Background: Trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) and its precursor trimethylamine (TMA) are metabolites derived from dietary sources such as choline and L-carnitine, commonly found in high-cholesterol foods and seafood. TMAO has been implicated in cardiovascular disease, particularly by promoting atherosclerotic plaque formation and vascular inflammation. However, the precise mechanisms by which TMA and TMAO induce cytotoxicity remain unclear, and further studies are needed. Spermidine, a naturally occurring polyamine present in living tissues, has been shown to exert anti-aging effects by inducing autophagy, reducing chronic inflammation, and preventing cell senescence. We hypothesized that spermidine would attenuate the cytotoxicity induced by TMA and TMAO. …

Racial/Ethnic Disparities In Medication Adherence Among Children With Special Healthcare Needs, Joy Nish, Daesung Choi, Rajat Sharma, Lauren Callaway, Phuongloan Hoang, Jeffrey Mccanless, Seana-Pierre Williams, Jihui Diaz, Xinyu Wang, Yujin Kim

Research Day

Introduction: Medication adherence is a fundamental driver of health outcomes among children with special healthcare needs (CSHN), as consistent medication use is essential for managing chronic and complex conditions. Disparities in medication adherence persist, particularly among children from different racial and ethnic groups, and are influenced by caregiver factors such as socioeconomic status, access to healthcare, and structural barriers. Large national surveys enable the tracking of medication adherence over time and help uncover ongoing disparities across populations. However, limited long-term evidence has examined whether racial and ethnic disparities in medication adherence among CSHN have narrowed. Therefore, this study aimed to: …

A Persistent Penance: Repetition, Memory, And Moral Stasis In Ethan Frome, Nicholas Howard

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

My project examines Edith Wharton’s novella Ethan Frome through the lens of purgatory. I argue that the story is less a tragedy of failed love than a story about being trapped inside one’s own mistakes, unable to move forward. Rather than reading Ethan’s sled crash as a failed suicide followed by a bleak but ordinary life, I explore the interpretation that the “present-day” Starkfield is a form of purgatory—an endless winter in which Ethan continues the emotional patterns that destroyed him.

My guiding question is: What changes if we read Ethan Frome as already dead, living inside a self-made purgatory? …

Barriers And Facilitators To Seeking Clinical Care For Period-Related Pain In North Carolina, Esther E. Mathew, Elisabeth Reed

Research Day

INTRODUCTION: Many school-aged menstruators across the United States are not required to learn how to maintain their periods. As a result, adolescents may struggle to obtain reliable healthcare information, maintain their periods safely, and access healthcare services if they recognize abnormalities.

OBJECTIVES: The primary objective of this study was to assess the barriers and facilitators to seeking clinical care for period-related concerns among young adults in North Carolina.

METHODS: 19 female participants between the ages of 18 and 25 were interviewed for this qualitative study using a convenience sampling approach. Participants attended North Carolina Public Schools from 4th to 12th …

Herbal Medicine Interference With Continuous Glucose Monitoring System In Diabetes Management: A Case Report, Julia Lees, Haley Johnson, Atefeh Bagherpanah, Timbreia Brown, Deniz Karaca, Tamaya Merrell

Research Day

Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems have transformed diabetes management through improved glycemic control, leading to decreased adverse events such as cardiovascular disease, neuropathy, retinopathy and nephropathy. However, there are documented, known interactions with several commonly used substances that are available over the counter, such as acetaminophen, aspirin, and Vitamin C, that affect the accuracy of CGM glucose readings. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released an alert November 2025 regarding incorrect low glucose readings associated with the Freestyle Libre CGM system after the manufacturer received 736 severe adverse events and seven deaths related to this issue. The FDA warns that …

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 …

Effects Of Meditation On Blood Pressure, Ian T. Mcdonald, Chanelle Zorrilla Arias, Kristen Berry

Research Day

Introduction:

Hypertension is a major cardiovascular risk factor in the United States and is associated with serious complications, including myocardial infarction, stroke, and kidney failure, and other outcomes resulting from destroyed vessels. Although antihypertensive medications are widely used to manage hypertension, treatment is often limited by medication cost, polypharmacy, and poor adherence. Medication nonadherence remains a significant barrier to effective blood pressure control and is associated with adverse health outcomes, including increased mortality. Meditation, a stress-reduction intervention, may represent a feasible adjunctive therapy for the management of hypertension. We hypothesize that introducing people to meditation and encouraging them to continue …

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 …

The Use Of Tracheal Traction Exercises To Prevent Post-Operative Dysphagia Following Anterior Cervical Discectomy And Fusion, Emily Schmeiser, Elizabeth Gammer, Yasmine Eichbaum, Mitchell K. Ng, Gregorio Baek, Joshua Mathews, Morgan Hitchner, Yulia Lee, William A. Green, Thomas Cha, Mark Kurd, Ian D. Kaye, Jose A. Canseco, Alexander R. Vaccaro, Christopher K. Kepler, Gregory D. Schroeder

Research Day

Introduction: Dysphagia is a commonly reported complication following anterior cervical disc fusion (ACDF). Some of the risk factors that increase dysphagia incidence include elevated BMI, smoking, female gender, and diabetes mellitus type 2. Treatment with methylprednisone administration and manipulation of endotracheal cuff pressures has been correlated with milder dysphagia in the intraoperative and early post-operative period; however, long-term differences between the control and treatment groups have not been statistically significant. Tracheal traction exercises are of emerging interest for treating ACDF patients with dysphagia. The purpose of this systematic review is to explore the outcome of the use of pre-operative tracheal …

Incentivizing Conservation On Private Lands, Jaelyn Patrica Riemenschneider

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Wildlife in the United States is publicly owned, but much of the habitat that supports these species exists on privately owned land. This creates tension for conservation, especially in the western United States where species like elk, deer, and sage grouse rely heavily on private land. While wildlife itself can create management challenges for landowners, the primary driver of habitat loss is often economic pressure rather than negative attitudes toward wildlife. Private land may be converted to agriculture, subdivision development, or other financially beneficial uses when maintaining open habitat does not compare financially. As a result, landowners may lack clear …

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 …

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 …

Hope Among Venezuelan Migrants In Colombia, Chadrick Tyler D. Bailey Jr

Undergraduate Research Conference

This paper looks at how hope shows up in the lives of Venezuelan migrants living in Colombia. Because of ongoing political and economic problems in Venezuela, many people have been forced to leave their homes in search of safety and better opportunities. In Colombia, even though migrants may find more stability, they still face challenges like low wages, discrimination, and difficult living conditions. Despite all of this, hope continues to play an important role in how they move forward.

Rather than treating hope as just positive thinking, this paper shows how it is something people build through real-life experiences, culture, …

Vaginal Rectopexy For Rectal Prolapse In Advanced Pelvic Organ Prolapse: A Review Of Surgical Strategies, Williams Cheau, Ebony Isagba, Mykala Jackson, Sabirah Smith, Alexandria Neal

Research Day

Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is a common condition in women, frequently involving the anterior or posterior vaginal compartments. While biologic grafts are increasingly used in cystocele repair, their application in rectocele repair remains rare and underreported.

A 61-year-old female presented with fecal incontinence, mixed urinary incontinence, and symptomatic pelvic organ prolapse, including a stage II midline cystocele, rectocele, and suspected rectal prolapse. She was scheduled for anterior and posterior vaginal wall repair.

This case illustrates a novel use of biologic grafting in rectocele repair with concurrent rectal prolapse management. While graft use in anterior repairs is becoming more common, its …

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 …

Herbal Medicine Interference With Continuous Glucose Monitoring System In Diabetes Management: A Case Report, Julia Lees, Haley Johnson, Kuntal Patel, Erik Polan, Deniz Karaca, Tamaya Merrell, Atefeh Bagherpanah, Timbreia Brown

Research Day

Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems have transformed diabetes management through improved glycemic control, leading to decreased adverse events such as cardiovascular disease, neuropathy, retinopathy and nephropathy. However, there are documented, known interactions with several commonly used substances that are available over the counter, such as acetaminophen, aspirin, and Vitamin C, that affect the accuracy of CGM glucose readings. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released an alert November 2025 regarding incorrect low glucose readings associated with the Freestyle Libre CGM system after the manufacturer received 736 severe adverse events and seven deaths related to this issue. The FDA warns that …

Off-Label Clinical Applications Of Lefamulin For Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis And Sexually Transmitted Infections, Kerel Morris, Sukaina Momin, Vicky Mody, Shashidharamurthy Taval

Research Day

Lefamulin is a newer pleuromutilin antibiotic approved by the FDA (2019) for the treatment of community-acquired bacterial pneumonia (CAP). In addition, recent studies have shown the off-label use of Lefamulin to treat multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) caused by Mycoplasma genitalium. Therefore, this study aimed to conduct a literature review evaluating the potential off-label applications of lefamulin. Treatment of MDR-TB is typically complex because of the increased resistance to the standard first-line therapy. In addition, the entry of antibiotics into macrophages is limited by hypoxia, granulomas, and necrosis caused by MDR-TB. Studies have shown that Lefamulin exhibits …

Emergency Department Utilization And Mortality Rates Among Hispanic Residents In Rural Vs Suburban Vs Urban Settings: A Comparison Of Colquitt County, Gwinnett County, Fulton County, And Georgia Overall (2020–2024), Selena Meza, Thomas Last

Research Day

Background:

Geographic disparities in healthcare access and outcomes may exist within Hispanic populations in Georgia, particularly across rural, suburban, and urban settings. Rural communities often face provider shortages, higher poverty rates, and limited access to preventive services, which may influence emergency department (ED) utilization and mortality outcomes.

Objective:

To describe differences in emergency department utilization and age-adjusted mortality among Hispanic residents across selected rural, suburban, and urban counties in Georgia from 2020–2024.

Methods:

A retrospective ecological analysis was conducted using Georgia Department of Public Health OASIS data (2020–2024). Hispanic ER visit rates and age-adjusted death rates were compared across Colquitt …

Geographic Disparities In County-Level Access To Ecmo Centers Across The Southeastern United States, Daniel Chanelo, Thomas Last

Research Day

Introduction: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a potentially lifesaving intervention for patients in refractory cardiac or respiratory failure, but getting patients to an ECMO-capable center quickly is as important as the technology itself. While prior national analyses have demonstrated geospatial disparities in ECMO access broadly, regional heterogeneity within the Southeastern United States remains incompletely characterized at the county level. This region is home to large rural populations distributed across health systems of markedly varying capacity, raising important questions about who can realistically reach an ECMO-capable center in time. We set out to map and quantify those gaps across six Southeastern …

Association Between Pm₂.₅ Air Pollution Exposure And County Level Psoriasis Prevalence: A Nationwide Ecological Study, Shihab Chowdhury, Thomas Last

Research Day

Introduction

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin condition affecting approximately 3% of U.S. adults. While environmental exposures such as fine particulate matter (PM₂.₅) have been implicated in systemic inflammation, their association with psoriasis at the population level remains unclear. This study modeled county level psoriasis prevalence across the United States and evaluated its ecological association with long term PM₂.₅ exposure from 2011 to 2014.

Methods

We used NHANES 2011-2014 data to fit a survey-weighted logistic regression model predicting psoriasis diagnosis based on sex, age group, race/ethnicity, education, and poverty level. These demographic coefficients were applied to U.S. Census-derived county populations …

Reducing Pain And Opioids In Hip Fracture Patients: The Role Of Ultrasound-Guided Fascia Iliaca Block In The Emergency Department, Lily Dwyer, Sydnee Jackson, Kaitlyn Baldwin, Setareh Khani, Nilam Vaughan

Research Day

Introduction

Hip fractures are a common and serious injury in the aging population and are associated with significant morbidity and mortality, resulting from falls and age-related bone degeneration. As life expectancy increases, the number of new hip fractures worldwide is expected to exceed 6 million by 2050. Severe pain following a hip fracture is strongly associated with increased morbidity, delayed recovery, and prolonged hospitalizations, demonstrating the need for early and effective pain management strategies.

Traditionally, systemic opioids have been the primary treatment for acute hip fracture pain. However, opioid therapy is associated with several adverse effects, therefore, recent interest has …

Case Report Highlights Disproportionate Health Outcomes Of Rheumatoid Arthritis In Patients Of Lower Socioeconomic Status, Victoria Pfennig, Karen Vega

Research Day

Introduction

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease that affects the synovial lining of joints and may lead to progressive joint destruction, disability, and premature mortality if inadequately treated. Increasing evidence demonstrates that social determinants of health, particularly socioeconomic status (SES), significantly influence disease outcomes in patients with RA. Studies have shown that individuals of lower SES experience higher disease activity scores, greater physical disability, and poorer quality of life compared with patients of higher SES. Additionally, lower SES has been associated with longer delays between diagnosis and initiation of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), contributing to disease progression …

Utilization Review Oversight And Patient Outcomes: A Comparative Analysis Of Utilization Review Oversight Across U.S. States, Jasdeep Singh, Munir Yusuf, Kavya Suryadevera, Kimata Thomas, Aveline Nels, Audrey Arona

Research Day

Introduction: Utilization review processes such as prior authorizations are commonly used by health insurers to manage healthcare utilization in the United States. Although designed to promote cost-effective care and evidence-based treatment, concerns have been raised that these processes may contribute to delays in treatment and increase clinicians' administrative responsibilities. In Georgia, state statutes do not explicitly authorize insurers to make clinical decisions, yet the legal framework provides limited statutory guidance on the extent to which insurers may influence or delay physician-directed care. In contrast, several states have adopted more explicit statutory provisions governing utilization review practices, including requirements for transparency, …

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 …