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Iran-Contra And The Memory Of Vietnam: Human Rights, Covert Operations, And The National Security Council, Matthew Sarcinella

History Honors Program

In December of 1972, President Richard Nixon ordered the bombing of North Vietnam, beginning on December 18th and lasting until the 30th. During this period 20,000 tons of bombs were dropped, resulting in the deaths of thousands of Vietnamese. The bombings would soon be known as the “12 Days of Christmas.” Major General Richard Secord, “master of covert operations” sat back and watched as North Vietnam was nearly destroyed. There was nothing that Vietnam could do to combat the U.S. military. Being in Secord’s position, he understood better than anyone that this was far more than a mere phenomenon. For …

Assessing The Accessibility Of Wound Care Education For Unhoused Individuals Of South Jersey, Marilyn A. Chen, Selma S. Benkhoukha, Allysone Martinez

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Unhoused individuals face disproportionately high rates of wound-related complications due to environmental exposure, limited access to hygiene facilities, and delayed care. This study assessed the accessibility of wound care for the unhoused population in South Jersey, where approximately 2,607 individuals experience homelessness on any given night. Our research identified significant barriers to wound care access, including transportation limitations, lack of identification documents, absence of a physical mailing address, and language barriers. Data analysis revealed concerning trends: a 24% increase in New Jersey's homeless population in 2024, with Black/African American individuals representing 49% of the homeless population despite comprising only 12% …

Patient Perspectives On The Role Of Healthcare Providers In Addressing Food Insecurity In A Nj Primary Care Setting, Anna Flts, Lisa Huang, Aarsa Moosavi, Jha Stuti, Philip B Collins

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Background:

Food insecurity is a critical social determinant of health, yet is rarely discussed with patients in primary care settings. The objective of this project is to explore patient perspectives on the physician role in addressing food insecurity as well as to identify factors associated with food insecurity among patients in family medicine clinics.

Methods:

A cross-sectional survey was distributed to patients (n=250) across two academic family medicine clinics in South New Jersey between May 2023 and December 2024. Demographics, self-reported health status, and comfort with discussing food insecurity were collected. Additionally, food insecurity status was determined based on the …

Exploring Anticoagulant Prescription Disparities: A Focus On Hispanic Patient Care, Michael Acevedo, Vanessa Veltre

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Anticoagulants play a critical role in preventing thromboembolic events, yet disparities persist in their prescription among minority populations. This presentation explores inequities in anticoagulant prescribing patterns, with a specific focus on Hispanic patient care. Using retrospective electronic health record data, we analyzed the prescription rates of warfarin versus direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) among adults with clinical indications for anticoagulation. Our findings reveal that Hispanic patients are significantly less likely to receive DOACs compared to non-Hispanic White patients, even after adjusting for demographics, comorbidities, and insurance status. Contributing factors include language barriers, lack of insurance, and potential implicit bias in provider …

Indirect Cost Cap: Perspectives On Efficiency, Waste, And Equity, Neel B. Patel, Lakshman Segar

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Background: On February 10, 2025, the NIH enacted a 15% cap on indirect costs, reallocating $4 billion from institutional overhead to direct research within a $35 billion funding framework. The policy follows longstanding concerns about unchecked growth and inefficiencies in indirect cost reimbursements, which rose from 15% in the 1950s to over 70% at some institutions by the 1990s. Notable examples include a $200 million overcharge at Stanford and millions in questionable expenditures identified in federal audits.

Objective: To evaluate the financial, operational, and equity-related impacts of the NIH’s indirect cost cap on U.S. research institutions.

Methods: …

Pre-Operative Clinical Characteristics Vary By Race In Patients With Obesity Undergoing Bariatric Surgery, Minjal Patel, Jasmine Park, Melissa Gott, David Kelter, Luke Perry, Ajay Menon, Paul Osterdahl, Casey Connors, Venkateswar Venkataraman, Nicole Stouffer, Gus J. Slotman

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Background Data and Purpose: With the increasing prevalence of obesity, it impacts the practice of surgeons across various specialties. Non-bariatric surgeons are confronted with morbid obesity need clinical insight in managing medically fragile patients. The objective of this study is to identify pre-operative clinical variation by race among surgical patients with obesity.

Methods: Pre-operative data from 156,502 bariatric surgery patients were analyzed in four groups: Caucasian (C; n=125,492), African American (AA; n=18,226), Hispanic (H; n=12,405), and Asian (A; n=379). Data: Demographics, weight, BMI, and 33 obesity co-morbidities. Statistics: Chi-square and ANOVA.

Results: Pre-operative C/AA/H/A weight (KG) (130+-27/135+-28/127+-27/122+-26), BMI (46+-8/48+-9/47+-8/45+-7), % …

The Repercussions Of Race-Based Egfr On The Morbidity & Mortality Of Black Children With Renal Disease, Angelina Siino

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

This study investigates the implications of race-based adjustments in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) calculations on the health outcomes of Black children with renal disease. Historically, a race coefficient has been added to eGFR calculations for patients identified as Black, resulting in an artificial inflation of kidney function by approximately 16%. This inflation can delay the classification of chronic kidney disease (CKD), postpone eligibility for essential interventions like preemptive kidney transplantation, and prolong reliance on maintenance dialysis. Through a comprehensive literature review of peer-reviewed U.S. medical journal articles published between 2000 and 2023, this work explores how these clinical delays …

Cardiovascular Risk Factors In The Autism Spectrum Disorder Population, Christian C. Iannuzzelli, Andrea L. Iannuzzelli

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

The population of patients with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) have multiple risks and barriers that may make access to proper health care more difficult. After extensive research, some of these barriers may have been identified that pose greater risks to generating proper care for those with ASD. Some of these barriers include medical complexity, more sedentary lifestyles, poor food choices, as well as health comorbities. Some of these health comorbidities include hypertension, metabolic dysfunction, sleep apnea, and inflammation. This study aims to understand what barriers and risks for CVD are present in those with ASD.

Addressing Gaps In Clinical Trial Access For African Americans, Vanessa Veltre, Michael Acevedo, Alexandra Stone, Lydell Lettsome, Brian Stone

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Background: Clinical trials are essential for generating evidence on the safety and efficacy of new treatments. However, Black Americans remain underrepresented in clinical research, particularly for conditions that disproportionately affect them. This underrepresentation compromises the generalizability of findings and perpetuates health disparities. This study aimed to identify barriers and facilitators to African American participation in clinical trials and to inform culturally sensitive strategies to improve enrollment of diverse populations.

Methods: We developed a 38-question web-based survey, divided into three domains: (1) cultural affinity, (2) trust, and (3) background information. The survey was administered using Jotform, a HIPAA-compliant platform. Participants—Black adults …

Child Sex Trafficking In Pediatrics: From Screening To Comprehensive Care, Victoria Shwe, Tracy Lin, Nicole M. Leopardi

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Child sex trafficking is a significant issue in New Jersey, with minors making up 22% of trafficking victims in 2023. While screening tools exist to identify at-risk youth, there is a major gap in understanding the steps healthcare providers should take after identification to ensure appropriate care, support, and referrals. Current research highlights the lack of data on the use of trafficking screening tools and the absence of standardized post-screening protocols. Most pediatricians rely on referrals to social services or law enforcement, yet limited coordination between healthcare providers and these agencies complicates effective care. The shortage of child abuse pediatric …

Assessing The Impact Of The Covid-19 Pandemic On Health Literacy In Patients Presenting To A Student-Run Free Clinic, Sabah Iqbal, Kirsten Carlberg, Krisha S. Patel, Ashlyn Mcclelland, Sarah Marotta, Rebecca Moore

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Background

Health literacy as defined by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), refers to an individual’s ability to find, understand, and use health information and services1. This definition has evolved with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and increasing emphasis on preventative healthcare. We aimed to observe the impact of the pandemic on the health literacy of patients in a free community clinic run by medical students.

Hypothesis

This study aims to assess the effect of various demographic and socioeconomic factors and the COVID-19 pandemic on health literacy levels estimated by the NVS assessment in the patient population …

Beyond The Label: Understanding And Addressing Occupational Stigma In Psychiatry, Mahesh Vasudevan, Madeeha Sheriff

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Introduction:Stigma is a social classification that devalues individuals or groups, and occupational stigma targets entire professions. Psychiatry is particularly affected, often viewed by the public and medical community as lacking scientific rigor and prestige. This negative perception has far-reaching consequences.

Methods:A narrative literature review was conducted to explore the scope, sources, and impact of occupational stigma toward psychiatrists. Peer-reviewed articles and professional resources published between 2002 and 2023 were selected based on relevance to psychiatric stigma, education, and public perception. Databases searched included PubMed, Google Scholar, and professional association websites using keywords such as “psychiatry stigma” and “psychiatrist …

Relationship Between Maternal Mortality And Zip Code In New Jersey, Katarina Rusinak

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Maternal mortality remains a pressing public health concern in the United States, with significant disparities influenced by geography and social determinants of health. This study investigates the relationship between zip code-level factors and maternal mortality rates (MMR) in New Jersey (NJ), a state with demographic and socioeconomic diversity. Using data from the NJ Department of Health, CDC, and recent literature, I identified patterns correlating higher MMR with areas experiencing poverty, limited access to healthcare, and predominantly minority populations. Counties such as Essex, Union, and Cumberland—classified as Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs) and Medically Underserved Areas (MUAs)—exhibited particularly high vulnerability. These …

Exploring The Effects Of Target Race, Gender, And Weight On Pain Perception, Catherine Awad, Theresa Miller, Azer Tuerxuntuoheti, Peter Mende-Siedlecki

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Healthcare equity is an essential right, and while the quality of care is assumed to be uniform, notable disparities in care are associated with factors of race, gender, and weight-particularly in the domain of pain evaluation and care. In experimental work, target race and gender have varying, and interacting effects on visual thresholds for perceiving painful expressions. Racial bias in pain perception is well established as participants see pain on black faces less readily than pain on white faces; gender also impacts pain treatment, where women are susceptible to having their pain discredited. Across two experiments, the influence of weight …

Disparities In Demographics Of Patients Presenting To A Student-Run Free Clinic In South Jersey, Kirsten Carlberg, Sabah Iqbal, Christian Moya Gamboa, Daliza Diaz, Cerena Moreno, Rebecca Moore

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Medical schools around the country have established free clinics to better serve the underserved patient populations. In this study, we aimed to evaluate demographic characteristics in the patient population at our free clinic, Rowan-Virtua Community Health Clinic (RVCHC), compared to the general population of Camden County. We found a disproportionately higher percentage of black patients at our clinic when compared to the county overall. Addressing these disparities would require targeted outreach to specific patient populations and improved transit access. Future studies should aim to identify RVCHC health outcomes through the management of chronic disease and understanding emergency room utilization.

The Impact Of Food Deserts And Food Insecurity On Cardiovascular Outcomes In New Jersey, Amina Baig, Cheyenne Myklebust, Jack Hennen, Leah Perez, Rhoda Ukenna-Izuwa, Tayyiaba Farooq

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Food deserts - areas with limited access to affordable, healthful food - are increasingly being recognized as risk factors for adverse cardiovascular outcomes. This review discusses the link between food desert density and cardiovascular disease risk with a special emphasis on New Jersey. A systematic PubMed, Cochrane, and Embase literature review of studies from 2014 through 2024 was conducted, with some relevant older research dating back to 2001. Some of the keywords used in the search included "food desert," "food insecurity," "cardiovascular disease," and "New Jersey." The search was restricted to English-language research conducted within the United States. The literature …

The Effect Of Mandatory Enrollment In A Gender Studies Course On Awareness Of Sexism, Gender Attitudes, And Views On Feminism, Sarah Pille

Celebrating Scholarship and Creativity Day (2018-)

The patriarchy is a social construct that allows for the domination, oppression, and exploitation of women. An intervention that can be employed to counteract the outcomes of patriarchal beliefs in college students is gender studies courses. These courses aim to promote awareness of sexism, egalitarian gender attitudes, and positive views of feminism. When enrollment to these courses is made mandatory, it can create resistance to their educational goals. This survey study examined differences in gender and course type on resistance and the educational outcomes of gender studies courses (N = 104). The results of this study indicated that gender studies …

Recollections Of A Tejana Life, Carolina Yáñez

Art Theses and Dissertations

This thesis encompasses the life of a young woman navigating life in Texas through various political and social barriers. My interdisciplinary practice analyzes the historical context of Mexicans in Texas from its Revolutionary period into current injustices. Through fiber, printmaking, and photography I create a visual diary to illustrate what the political has made personal. These works display the beauty of Tejano culture, but also the power struggles that threaten communities I care for, as well as my own existence that persists against far-right wing agendas.

Current politics and government leadership in Texas have inspired me to make artwork calling …

An Analysis Of Bias Towards Women In Large Language Models Using Likert Scale Evaluations, Sarah T. Fieck

Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (MS) Theses

Closed-source large language models (LLMs) developed by large technology companies continue to grow in popularity. However, ethical conversations surrounding the safety of model outputs have been a prominent topic of discussion. This project aims to assess three leading closed-source LLMs: OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Google’s Gemini, and Anthropic’s Claude, to analyze how their outputs perform when treated as a subject of several psychological evaluation scales measuring biased behaviors against women. The Ambivalent Sexism Index, Modern Sexism Scale, and Belief in Sexism Shift evaluations were used to get descriptions of how the LLMs respond to traditional and modern prompts involving sexism and gender …

Child Empowerment And Safeguarding In The Uae: The Role Of Picturebooks For Emirati Children, Sarah Laura Nesti Willard, Fawzia Gilani-Williams

CoHSS Faculty Work

This paper presents a reflective ethnography documenting the creation and use of picturebooks in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), aimed at supporting the safeguarding of children within English Language Teaching (ELT) contexts for primary and lower secondary students. It explores the collaboration between an author and an illustrator in developing books that align with the principles of Wadeema’s Law, the Child Protection Law of 2016. These picturebooks are designed to safeguard children’s psychological and emotional well-being, facilitate bibliotherapy, and promote learning across curricula. They serve as informational, inspirational, and discussion texts that contribute to raising awareness of child rights, particularly …

Bridging The Nature Gap: Understanding Barriers And Promoting Outdoor Engagement Among African Americans In Chattanooga, Kennie Almonor

Honors Theses

This paper outlines my process of writing a physical guidebook for outdoor engagement in Chattanooga. It explores the historical context of Black exclusion from outdoor spaces and examines the health disparities that disproportionately affect Black communities. The physical connection between outdoor activity and overall well-being will also be explained. Additionally, this paper details my methodology for conducting focus groups to better understand barriers to outdoor engagement and how participant insights could inform the guidebook’s development. This paper also outlines my research on best practices for structuring an effective guide, writing process, challenges faced, and considerations for extending this project in …

The Effects Of Being The Oldest Daughter And A Caretaker, Sahira Gonzalez

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

In many households, oldest daughters are a pivotal person as they have many responsibilities. One of the main responsibilities is caretaking their younger siblings. These young women are responsible for child rearing, nurturing, educating and guiding their younger siblings, essentially becoming a parental figure. While this is an issue in many households, it is not thoroughly discussed within the research field. The purpose of this study is to examine how oldest daughters are affected by becoming a caretaker for their younger siblings and how it results in these young girls having a negative impact in their well-being that results in …

Framework For Enhanced Intergenerational Connectivity (Eic): A Professional Program Development Report, Amanda Michelle Reigle

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

This program development report documents the implementation and facilitation of the Sages and Seekers pilot program at California State University, San Bernardino (Palm Desert Campus) from 2022 to 2025. Grounded in communication theory, intergroup contact principles, and instructional design, the report outlines a structured intergenerational intervention aimed at enhancing empathy, connection, and understanding between older and younger adults. Drawing from facilitator observations and program implementation experiences, this work led to the creation of the Framework for Enhanced Intergenerational Connectivity (EIC), a five-point planning model emphasizing leadership, facilitation, administrative support, participant continuity, and structured program design.

The EIC framework is accompanied …

Teaching Critically In Contentious Times Black Consciousness, Historical Knowledge, And Educational Policy, Lagarrett J. King, Daniella Cook Sumpter

Faculty Publications

Editors’ Introduction to Special Section of Critical Education: Teaching Critically in Contentious Times

The Problem Of The Whiteness Of Wealth, Elizabeth Tharakan

Dissertations

In 2021, households with a White householder made up 65.3% of all U.S. households and held 80.0% of all wealth. Those with a Black householder made up 13.6% of all U.S. households but held only 4.7% of all wealth. And their median wealth ($24,520) was about one-tenth the median wealth of households with a White householder ($250,400). This disparity in Black wealth and White wealth is almost an order of magnitude. I seek to understand why the racial wealth gap exists and what people of any race can learn from a nuanced understanding of the interplay among culture, education, and …

The Rise And Fall Of The Contagious Diseases Acts: An Examination Of The Legislative Influences, Medical Discourse And Repeal Arguments, Elizabeth Henderson

All Theses

The Contagious Diseases Acts (CDA) were the most important legislative intervention concerning sexuality in the nineteenth century. The CDA was a public health measure passed to address the spread of venereal disease amongst the British Army and Navy, and targeted Britain's most vulnerable women – sex workers – because they were blamed for being the presumed cause and primary mode of spreading venereal disease. This resulted in the legalization of what critics of the CDA would call surgical assault, or instrumental rape, of working-class women suspected of being sex workers. Historians who study sexuality and sex work in Britain have …

The Grizzly, May 1, 2025, Kate Horan, Erin Ewing, Renee Washart, Claudia Tracy, Nathaniel Nerone, Sidney Belleroche, Adam Denn

Ursinus College Grizzly Newspaper, 1978 to Present

The Grizzly Takes On CoSA! • Senior Alumni Award Honorees • A Goodbye • And a Hello! • Repair Cafe • Hillel: A Home for Many • Ursinus College 2024-25 Crossword • Sports Stars Shine at URSPYS • Ursinus Softball Battles Through Ups and Downs

The Publics Of Hannah Arendt And Jürgen Habermas, Andrew Heggie

College of Arts & Sciences Senior Theses

Hannah Arendt’s and Jürgen Habermas’s accounts of the public are notable and important cornerstones in contemporary western political philosophy. This thesis will offer characterizations of Arendt’s account of the public realm in The Human Condition, and Habermas’s account of the public sphere in The Structural Transformation of The Public Realm, comparing and contrasting these accounts to each other in order to highlight the uniqueness of each account; as well the possible contemporary political relevance of these accounts.

...Of Cabbages And Kings, Spring 2025, Emeriti Society, University Of The Pacific

Emeriti Newsletter: "...Of Cabbages and Kings"

"...Of Cabbages and Kings" is the newsletter of the University of the Pacific Emeriti Society. Read more about the Emeriti Society of Pacific by clicking here.

Associations Between Fruit And Vegetable Availability, Parental Feeding Practices, And Picky Eating During Toddlerhood, Naomi Popoolapade, Jennifer Barton

Undergraduate Research (Journal)

Picky eating has been associated with decreased diet quality among young children, thus exploring strategies that parents can use to decrease picky eating behaviors is crucial. In the present study, we sought to examine two objectives: whether 1) home availability of vegetables and fruit at 12 months is associated with picky eating at 36 months; and 2) parental feeding practices, particularly pressure to eat and restriction, at 12 months is associated with picky eating at 36 months. Longitudinal data were drawn from the [blinded for review] birth cohort (n = 468 families). At 12 months, research assistants and mothers completed …