Digital Commons Network^™

Our Clients’ Rights On Mute: Virtual Court, Due Process, And Judicial Discretion, Beena I. Ahmad, Julia Elhai

City University of New York Law Review

The use of videoconferencing as a substitute for in-person appearances began in immigration proceedings in the mid-1990s. During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, its use expanded significantly in the criminal and civil contexts, when both state and federal courts invested heavily in the technology needed to conduct proceedings remotely. As we have exited the pandemic, courts have eagerly embraced virtual proceedings to reduce their overburdened dockets. Drawing from our experiences in federal and state court, we argue that judges should not be granted discretion to proceed by videoconferencing.

We posit that there is too great a danger that the …

Bursty Bulk Flows: The What, The Why, And Their Impacts On The Earth, Fariza Tanvir

2026 Spring Honors Capstones Projects

Due to solar wind-magnetosphere interactions, the Earth's magnetic field lines stretch into a long, comet-shaped magnetotail, which extends thousands of miles away from the Earth. Bursty Bulk Flows (BBFs) are transient, high-speed ion bulk flows in the magnetotail that play an essential role in energy and mass transport. Characterized by their short-lived duration, they are related to magnetic reconnection events. This investigation focuses on being able to identify BBFs using the Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) probes, a mission consisting of four probes arranged in a tetrahedron to study the Earth’s magnetosphere. We examine parameters such as energy spectra, spin bulk velocity, …

Does Eliphaz Begin Gently? Utilizing Inductive Study Of Scripture To Analyze The Tone And Message Of Job 3:3–5:7, Abbie F. Mantor

The Journal of Inductive Biblical Studies

While scholars generally concur on the divisions within the book of Job, the message of those sections is highly debated. One example is the first speech cycle (chs. 3–11) where commentators disagree on the tenor of the speeches. Are the friends offering support or critique? The Inductive Method of Bible interpretation offers helpful insight. This paper will offer a detailed analysis of the chiastic structure of Job’s opening lament and Eliphaz’s response in Job 3:3–5:7. The analysis will illuminate the interrelatedness of the two speeches, providing insights into the tone and message of the speeches.

Splitting Heirs: When The Land Was Divided (Genesis 10:25), W. Creighton Marlowe

The Journal of Inductive Biblical Studies

Shem’s genealogy (in Gen 10:2–30) records that “Two sons were born to Eber: One was named Peleg [ פֶלגֶ†], because in his time the earth was divided [ נִפְלְגָה֣†]; his brother was named Joktan” (10:25; NIV). What this “division” was has generated a few popular views, but none has reached consensus. The major interpretations to date are that the division was: (1) geographically, the patriarchal partitioning of territories to Noah’s three sons, or (2) a second distribution of these territories after the first by Noah; or (3) the split of the Pangaea continent into the modern continents or some other …

Las Pintas Inverview Project 2026, Beth Gulley, Luzma Alvarez, Lacey Andrews, Damien Duncan, Mariah Garman, Brenda Lofton, Alyssa Roland, Hero Sanner, Asja Thompson, Athena Gonzalez, Lee Martin, Samantha Miller, Lucy Sas

The Las Pintas Collection

Acknowledgements

Dear Reader,

This collection is the result of JCCC students’ efforts to reflect on the college’s decades long relationship with Centro Integral Comunitario (CIC) in Las Pintas, Mexico. Before they left on the trip, each student interviewed someone from JCCC who had traveled with the college to Las Pintas in the past. The first section of this book includes what students learned from their pre-departure interviews.

In the second part of this book, students wrote about what they learned from interviewing people who they met in Las Pintas. While these interviews were conducted in Spanish, the students wrote their …

The Study Of Nicotine In Commercial Smoking Products, Alexis Terrazas

Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium

Nicotine has been known to be in different tobacco products, however in one of the research experiments, we were not able to find it's presence. Bringing about the question, "where did it go?" In this experiment we are looking to find the presence of nicotine in different commercial smoking products. The result of this research will hopefully better inform the cigarette consumers, especially the youth, on their smoking decisions.

The Genetic Role Of Tmem127 In Pheochromocytoma, Samantha Stepanik

Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium

Pheochromocytoma are rare neuroendocrine tumor of chromaffin cells found in the adrenal medulla; tumors are highly heterogeneous, varying in anatomic location, genetic context, symptomatology, biochemical profile, and metastatic potential. Approximately 30% of pheochromocytoma have a hereditary genetic basis; analysis and classification of pathogenic variants is essential for understanding phenotypic presentation for familial risk assessment and appropriate clinical intervention. Curative treatment for malignant pheochromocytoma does not yet exist; pharmacological intervention is beneficial for symptom management. Pheochromocytoma are categorized into distinct clusters according to underlying genetic alteration, each with unique transcriptional and functional profiles. Cluster 2 includes pathogenic genetic variants involved with …

Adverse Childhood Experiences (Aces) In Immigrants, Maria Fana Mejia Bsc

Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are severe or chronic stressors before age 18, including domestic violence, neglect, abuse, financial hardship, and parental separation (Loria & Caughy, 2018).

Research on ACEs in immigrants is limited, despite Latinx immigrant children being the fastest-growing child population in the U.S.

Discovering Mast Cell Activation Syndrome, Jaelyn Holt

Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium

Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) is a rare disorder where inappropriate activation of mast cells causes an allergic inflammatory reaction. This project examined the immunological aspect of MCAS, clinical manifestations, current diagnostic approaches, therapies, and future directions for research. MCAS is recognized as a distinct clinical entity identified by inappropriate or excessive activation of mast cells, rather than increased cell proliferation. Mast cells are an important in the innate immune system and play a role in immune system responses such as allergic reactions, tissue repair, neuroimmune signaling, and the elimination of bacteria. Mast cell hyperactivation leads to the release of …

Linking Physical Evidence To Bryan Kohberger, Taylor Crowley

Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium

This project examines evidence from the criminal case of Bryan Kohberger, a 28-year-old male who murdered four University of Idaho students in their off-campus home in Moscow, Idaho, on November 13, 2022. The qualitative project utilizes online investigation documents, as well as court records, video footage from court hearings, and recent interviews with Kohberger's sister, along with past interviews with surviving roommates, to evaluate how the collected evidence was analyzed and presented in the case.

Viral Ecology Of Mid-Atlantic Ridge Vents, Kylie O'Keefe

Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium

Viruses are abundant biological entities that influence microbial population dynamics, evolution, and biogeochemical cycling through infection, cell lysis, and gene transfer. Viruses remain understudied in deep-sea environments characterized by extreme conditions that limit survival to specialized microorganisms. This study investigates viral diversity, distribution, and functional potential at hydrothermal vent ecosystems along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Viral and microbial communities were sampled from three vent sites - Puy des Folles, EMARK, and Hydra - ranging in depth from 1,100 to 4,000 meters. Metagenomic sequencing and bioinformatic analysis were used to identify viral taxonomy and identify auxiliary metabolic genes (AMGs) encoded within viral …

Playing The Man: The Age Old Struggle To Get Ahead, Emily Patenaude

Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium

Lisa Gottlieb's Just One of the Guys is a loose adaptation of Shakespeare's Twelfth Night. It is a modern take on the story of a young woman who disguises herself as a young man to get a job. Each of their journeys is quite different, but they drive home the same point that sometimes, to get ahead in life, you just need to be a man. Interestingly enough, though Twelfth Night was likely written in 1601-1602, it has a more modern take on the fluidity of sexuality and gender identity than the movie produced in 1985. I find it quite …

Building A Brand's Online Presence: Due Signori, Harper Ellis, Carmella Reed, Laura Romero

Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium

Building their brand through one personal Facebook account and pure word of mouth, Due Signori had the goal of creating a professional online presence. Mike Morocco and Dan Bouchard share a passion for singing and performing, standing out from local competition by straying from traditional, formal performance tendencies and leaning into their charismatic and interactive ways. However, without access to popular online communities, growing a customer and fan base would have been increasingly difficult. The singing group had the choice between two different class-wide creative teams in charge of creating a social media and marketing plan for the brand to …

Wearable Aac Lanyard For Communication Support, Sadie Davignon, Hailey Soares, Kristen Martinez

Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium

Individuals with Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD), Selective Mutism (SM), and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) face consistent and situational challenges with verbal communication. Communication can also be difficult for individuals acquiring a new language, such as English language learners (ELL), many of whom experience SM during language acquisition. Current assistive and augmentative communication (AAC) technologies are often expensive, complex, and bulky. Many rely on sound output or visually obtrusive displays, making them unsuitable for users with sound aversion or for environments like classrooms. To address this need, this project incorporates AAC technology into a common wearable device, a standard lanyard with …

Story Builders, Jillian Mercer

Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium

The objective of this project was to create an engaging and educational game for children in the 1st - 3rd grade that strengthened reading comprehension skills and fostered positive associations with reading through collaboration, tactile learning, and fun. The COVID-19 pandemic forced the shutdown of schools and switched learning to online only, which caused a lasting negative impact to childhood literacy in America. Research and first-hand testimony revealed that children developed a more positive relationship to reading when it was a group activity, as opposed to solitary, screen-based learning. In the early stages of prototyping, words in colored blocks were …

Standard Issue, Tyler Miles

Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium

Created for GDES 2000, STANDARD ISSUE explored the font Helvetica and rigid masculinity using archival military testing imagery. The project deconstructed the typeface's neutrality, personifying Helvetica as a clinical figure of, "structured, pervasive, and subverted" nature. By juxtaposing 1950s Swiss design with the physical vulnerability of military experimentation, the work examined the "bureaucracy of language," ultimately framing the "standard" as a form of armor that humans wear as much as it wears them.

Feeding Futures: Jwu Vs. Student Food Insecurity, Ava Zajczenko

Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium

For my project, I am exploring the question: How does Johnson & Wales University combat food insecurity for its students on campus? I will be writing an action-based thesis paper that includes interviews with people on campus, such as dining staff, professors, and chefs. Along with this, I will use research from one of my classes and my experience volunteering with a nonprofit focused on food insecurity. Together, these sections will help me better understand what JWU is currently doing to address food insecurity as a whole, and what more can be done to close the gap on this issue …

Understanding The Link Between Infant Sensory Profiles And Breastfeeding/ Chest Feeding Co-Occupation, Lindsey Mcneill, Danielle Bomzer, Caitlyn Morin, Maya Shourie Ots

Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium

Breastfeeding/ chest feeding are complex co-occupations that support both infant development and parent infant bonding. There is limited research that has investigated how sensory processing factors may influence infants' experiences. Existing literature has focused on the challenges associated with breastfeeding such as latching complications, feeding aversions, allergies, and caregiver stress (Masztalerz-Kozubek et al., 2022). Other literature has focused on sensory profiles of infants; however, no real connections have been made to breastfeeding/ chest feeding (Freund-Azaria et al., 2023).

This gap indicates insufficient understanding of the influence of early sensory characteristics on feeding behaviors and the outcomes of breastfeeding or chest …

Effects Of Academic Workload On Work-Life Balance, Haylee Canadas, Kara Zumbahlen, Sadie Lindgren, Elizabeth Kwak

Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium

Origins and Importance: There is a significant gap in research regarding the toll of the workload assigned to students within specialized fields within the United States. These students have been found to have increased depression, anxiety, and burnout as well as decreased life satisfaction. This extends not only to physician assistants or medical students, but to students within many allied health fields. Positive occupational balance has been found to be associated with positive wellbeing. Dedicating research efforts to explore the work-life balance of health professional students will help students maintain their health and wellbeing as they become equipped to practice …

Facilitating Return To Work And School Post-Stroke, Amber Brown

Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium

Importance: Stroke is a leading cause of long-term disability, and many working-age survivors desire to return to work or school, where participation is closely tied to identity, routine, and well-being. However, structured supports for return to work (RTW) and return to school (RTS) are often limited. Objective: This scoping review aimed to identify strategies and programs that facilitated RTW and RTS among adult stroke survivors. Data Sources: A comprehensive literature search was conducted across four academic databases: Academic Search Complete (EBSCO), Taylor & Francis, PubMed, and SAGE Journals. Study Selection and Data Collection: Peer-reviewed articles published between 2015 and 2025 …

Job Readiness For Young Adults With Idd, Olivia Rousseau

Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium

Young adults with disabilities want to gain employment but are much less likely to be employed than the general population, despite research showing that being employed increases the quality of life for this population. Occupational therapists are well-equipped to tackle this issue due to the unique skillset of helping individuals with disabilities do the things they want and need to do every day, which includes employment, assessing the work environment, and helping them gain the skills needed to become employed. This scoping review aims to answer this question: How does post-secondary skills training impact job-readiness for young adults with intellectual …

Impact Of Dance And Movement On Prek Motor Skills, Emily Garganese

Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium

Foundational motor development supports participation, early learning, and school readiness. Many early childhood classroom lack opportunities for structured movement. Dance and movement interventions offer a creative and engaging universal approach to strengthening foundational motor abilities in pre-school aged children. By targeting key motor components, creative movement experiences can enhance developmental foundations that support successful learning, and continued growth. Foundational motor development supports participation, early learning, and school readiness. Many early childhood classroom lack opportunities for structured movement. Dance and movement interventions offer a creative and engaging universal approach to strengthening foundational motor abilities in pre-school aged children. By targeting key …

Neuro-Affirming Sexual Health: Education And Autism, Joanne Barnhart

Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium

Neuro-affirming sexual health education is critical due to the high risk of emotional and physical assault for those with autism and intellectual developmental disabilities (IDD). There is a critical need for sexual health policies, resources, and training for caregivers, healthcare workers, and individuals with IDD or ASD as it is often overlooked and avoided. There is limited sexual education available targeted toward this vulnerable population, especially in schools and clinics. Occupational therapy practitioners (OTPs) are equipped to provide education and guidance on sexual health and identity concerns and challenges. This scoping review seeks to identify the effect of inclusive sexual …

Comprehensive Sexual Health Literacy For Lgbtq+, Meaghan Burns Ba, Ot/S

Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium

A large number of adults who were brought up in the United States have limited sexual health literacy because of incomprehensive sexual education in adolescence. Many adults view sexual activity as an important component that contributes to their quality of life. Occupational Therapists can address sex and intimacy to improve literacy and satisfaction for adults with limited knowledge. The proposed study uses a quasi-experimental design with pre/post surveys to assess the efficacy of educational programming surrounding topics on sexual health literacy and satisfaction. The intended setting and population are adult members who attend programming and events at the Taunton location …

Childhood Adversity And Intimate Partner Violence, Abigail Nosal, Miriam Liz Villa

Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are linked to long-term health, behavioral, and relationship difficulties. This study examined associations between cumulative ACE exposure and self-reported Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) among Rhode Island young adults aged 18‚Äì25, including demographic risk factors such as pregnancy, sexual and gender identity, and race/ethnicity. Data were drawn from the Rhode Island Young Adult Survey (RIYAS), a statewide behavioral health survey conducted in 2022 and 2024 (n = 2,030). IPV was assessed using a self-report item on verbal or physical abuse or threats from a romantic partner. ACEs included abuse, neglect, household substance use, parental mental illness or …

Adaptive Skiing And Complex Communication Needs, Jordan Chizmadia Ba, Ot/S

Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium

Effective communication is crucial for individuals with Complex Communication Needs (CCN), enabling them to express their needs, build confidence, and promote autonomy during adaptive skiing. However, there is currently a lack of systems specific to those with CCN for use in adaptive skiing. The capstone project assessed both verbal and non-verbal alternative communication methods, including a Picture Exchange Communication Systems (PECS), gestures, written and verbal/tactile cues to develop and implement an effective communication method suited for use in adaptive skiing, in collaboration with Wasatch Adaptive Sports (WAS). To enhance communication between adaptive ski instructors and individuals with CCN, a three-step …

Wic Gestational Diabetes Wellness Program, Anna Tobin

Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium

BACKGROUND: An average of 9% of pregnancies in the United States are affected by gestational diabetes (GDM), with higher rates among individuals with food insecurity, including participants of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). Uncontrolled GDM increases the risk for pregnancy complications and health risks for the mother and baby. GDM management requires education and lifestyle interventions. METHODS: First, a needs assessment was conducted for WIC participants to identify health risks and service gaps. Next, a logic model was used to identify resources/inputs, activities, outputs, and outcomes of potential nutrition programs. This information was used …

Impact Of Sgm Education On Provider Preparedness, Stephanie Tudela Bs

Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium

Objective: Sexual and gender minority (SGM) populations experience persistent health inequities, often exacerbated by healthcare providers‚Äô lack of preparedness. This scoping review explored whether SGM focused educational interventions improved healthcare students‚Äô preparedness to provide inclusive, affirming care. Ten studies met inclusion criteria and examined multimodal educational interventions targeting students in medicine, nursing, occupational therapy (OT), physical therapy, and physician assistant programs. Findings: Nine of the ten studies reported statistically significant improvements in at least one learner domain, (confidence, communication skills, attitudes, and knowledge) post-intervention. The strongest and most consistent gains were observed in confidence and communication comfort when interacting SGM …

Heart Disease Prevention, Alyssa Bernier

Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium

This intervention was created for the education of low-income youth and families in the prevention of cardiovascular disease and related conditions. Participants received nutrition education on cardiovascular disease, heart healthy food choices, and recipe ideas.

From Transducer To Force Field: A Validated Simulation-Inference Pipeline For Lipus Mechanobiology, Davis Bone

Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium

Quantifying the mechanical forces that drive cell motility under acoustic stimulation requires linking physically defined pressure fields to measurable cell behavior. We present a computational framework coupling k-Wave acoustic simulation to Underdamped Langevin Inference (ULI) to recover radiation force fields from synthetic cell trajectories. Two geometries – a 12-well plate and a microscope slide – were simulated at 1 MHz using 1, 2, 4, and 8 transducer elements with uniform, Gaussian-apodized, 5°/10°/15° beam-steered, and randomized-amplitude configurations (132 total simulations). For each acoustic field, 48 synthetic cells were propagated via the underdamped Langevin equation for 50 seconds and submitted to ULI …