Digital Commons Network^™

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

Research Day

INTRODUCTION:

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

METHODS:

Through weekly calls, CHWs and MSAs provide patients …

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

Research Day

Introduction

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

Methods

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

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 …

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

Research Day

Introduction

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

This project’s aim was to develop and implement …

A Literature Review Of The Correlation Between Faun Tail Nevus Presentation And Spinal Dysraphisms, Zahraa Ibrahem, Feryal Hilmi, Yuna Huh, Mindy Hill

Research Day

Faun tail nevus (FTN) is a rare congenital cutaneous finding characterized by a localized tuft of hair over the lower lumbar vertebrae, typically in a midline distribution. Although faun tail nevus can be present without underlying spinal abnormality, it is frequently seen in the presence of underlying occult spinal dysraphism, most commonly spina bifida occulta. The presence and severity of accompanying cutaneous features, such as dense hypertrichosis, midline dimpling, dermal sinus tracts, or visible subcutaneous tracking, may correlate with the extent of underlying spinal pathology. Given this association, spinal imaging with ultrasound in infants or magnetic resonance imaging in older …

Neutralization Of Interferon-Beta Promotes Hivspecific Car T Cell Engraftment And Proliferation, Tyler H. Yang, Sophia Mohammed, Matt Fair, Colby Maldini, Zhe Yuan, Luis Montaner, Daniel Claiborne

Research Day

Introduction: Even in antiretroviral therapy-treated people with HIV (PWH) exhibiting controlled viremia, infection is characterized by a sustained activation of type I interferon (IFN) pathways. Indeed, IFNβ is persistently expressed in the tissues of PWH, and the anti-proliferative effect of IFNβ represents an unappreciated hurdle to immunotherapies aimed at achieving an HIV functional cure.

Objectives: The primary objectives are to i) characterize the anti-proliferative effects of IFNβ on HIV-specific CAR T cells, ii) describe the mechanism(s) underlying IFNβ-mediated attenuation of CAR T cell function, and iii) devise base-editing strategies to ameliorate the negative effects of IFNβ on HIV-specific CAR T …

The Effects Of Bone Health And Variation On Saw Mark Signatures, Lily A. Ambrose, Richard A. Gonzalez

Research Day

Introduction

Bone health and structural variation are multifactorial. Population, environment, age, diet, and health influence the overall functional morphology of bone and its response to stressors. Reduced cortical porosity, trabecular thinning, and low bone mass are common indicators of age-related and pathological changes, affecting a significant portion of the population. Because of this, bones encountered in medicolegal investigations often differ from what is considered “normal.” The structural integrity of bone needs to be considered because density influences mechanical strength and response to external forces.

In criminal dismemberment cases, forensic scientists analyze saw marks to identify tool class and reconstruct events. …

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 …

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

Research Day

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

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

An Interventional Radiologist’S Approach To Paget-Schroetter Syndrome And Clinical Intervention Overview, Devon Winkelman, Asher S. Smart, Madelyn Sine-Karasick

Research Day

Introduction

Paget-Schroetter Syndrome is an occlusive thoracic outlet syndrome of the upper extremity affecting the axillary and subclavian vasculature most common in young adult men to middle aged men. Paget-Schroetter was first described in the late 1800s in reviews of young adults with repetitive arm use. Continuous overhead physical activity, cervical ribs, abnormal rib tubercles, and scalene impingement are common causes leading to repeated vessel injury and thrombosis affecting 1 in 100,000. The purpose of this exhibit is to gain an understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms leading to Paget-Schroetter Syndrome and the clinical interventions available to patients with an emphasis …

Endogenous Opioid Signaling In The Regulation Of Food Intake: A Literature Review, Laica Tolentino, Kabirullah Lutfy

Research Day

Background: The rate of obesity and obesity-related diseases has continued to increase worldwide, classifying obesity as a global epidemic. Obesity is characterized by excessive accumulation of adipose tissue or body fat, predominantly caused by a long-term energy imbalance between energy input and energy expenditure. There are two known complementary systems known to regulate food intake: the homeostatic pathway, which maintains energy balance via hypothalamic signaling, and the hedonic pathway, which mediates reward-driven eating through mesolimbic circuitry.

Objective: To review current literature on the role of endogenous opioids and opioid receptor signaling in regulating food intake, with emphasis on homeostatic and …

The Role Of Teacher Confidence In Shaping Student Outcomes, Riley J. Crews

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Teacher characteristics play a critical role in shaping students’ academic, social, and behavioral outcomes. Understanding which teacher characteristics or qualities support positive student development is essential for improving instructional practice and student success. Prior research suggests that teachers’ competence in key instructional processes and their confidence in implementing specific programs may influence student performance. The present study examined whether elementary teacher confidence in supporting students’ academic and social development predicted student academic and social risk behaviors. Archival data were analyzed as part of a larger study evaluating a collaborative social-emotional learning curriculum implemented in a primarily Indigenous elementary school. Linear …

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 …

Talking Dogs And Burning Books: The Inquisition In Russian Golden Age Literature, Tatyana B. Rohrer

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

All great art is inspired by that which came before it and the historical context in which it is written. This was certainly true of the works of Fyodor Dostoevsky, one of the giants of Russian — and indeed, world — literature. Dostoevsky was a voracious reader who was familiar with not only his own country’s works and history, but that of Europe as a whole. One particular topic of interest to Dostoevsky was the infamous Spanish Inquisition, an interest he at least in part inherited from his predecessor, Nikolai Gogol. Gogol published the short story “Diary of a Madman” …

The Cat, The Shoe, And The Bayonet: Kinship With Magically Concealed Items In A 19th Century Missoula Home, Logan E. Nickel

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

In 2016, UM faculty and students excavated a mummified cat, a girl's shoe, and a Civil War bayonet concealed within the structure of a late 19th century house. My research led me to discover that the intentional enclosure of certain objects considered to be magically protective into the walls or foundations of family dwellings is a longstanding practice found across the world, including in the northern European context from which the homeowners descended. Tracing the historical and archaeological record of so-called concealment or foundation rituals, I examined the continuities and changes in such practices from ancient northern European religions through …

Finding Artistic Wholeness In Stage Management: An Exploration Of Art Philosophy In Technical Theatre, Ronnie E. Avansino

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

The idea and subject of this project was born out of how many people in my life have no understanding of what I am pursuing in my professional life, but even more so how the projects I have been working on for my academic career thus far impact my education. They hear that I am working towards a Bachelor of Fine Arts followed by an emphasis in Stage Management and they don’t understand how these two pieces fit together. However, while not inherently traditional, stage management is a career in the arts focused on logistics, but still is a deeply …

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

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

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

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

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

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

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

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

The gastrointestinal system communicates with …

Learning For A Sustainable Future: Embedding Sustainability Literacy In Honors Curricula Within Higher Education, Zoe E. Belinda

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

This research investigates the sustainability literacy levels of first-year Davidson Honors College (DHC) students at the University of Montana (UM) to develop a baseline for average sustainability knowledge at the beginning of students’ post-secondary education. The goals of this research are to (1) determine if there are differences in sustainability literacy scores between students in sustainability-related fields of study and their counterparts, (2) identify weaknesses in students’ current sustainability literacy, and (3) develop curriculum suggestions to improve sustainability knowledge. To address these research questions, all first-year DHC students in 2024 and 2025 were surveyed using a modified version of the …

Souvenirs From Southeast Asia, Kaniya A. Epps

Undergraduate Research Conference

In this paper, I will discuss my research for the Souvenirs from Southeast Asia exhibition that I curated for The W Galleries in the 2026 spring semester. I was a student worker for the Galleries at the time, and I was the first person to do in-depth research on this material. We received this artwork in 2011 from alumna Betty Fikes Copeland, who had lived in Indonesia in the 1960s. This collection consists of batik fabrics, katazome prints, and Thai temple rubbings. My exhibition included a sampling of all three art forms.

Originating in Indonesia, batik is a fabric that …

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, …

Adverse Hematologic Reaction In A 25-Year-Old Female: A Case Of Drug-Induced Cytopenia, Makayla E. Farr, Wenhui Zhu

Research Day

INTRODUCTION: Drug-induced cytopenia is a rare but potentially serious hematologic adverse reaction that may present with nonspecific symptoms. This adverse reaction is typically caused by either direct myelotoxicity or immune-mediated destruction. The mechanism by which statins cause cytopenia is not fully understood; however, some studies hypothesize that it may be due to platelet apoptosis or an immune-mediated destruction via the drug’s metabolites triggering an immune response.

In this case, a young female developed cytopenia secondary to pravastatin 20mg. Upon presentation to the emergency department, she reported slurred speech and left upper extremity numbness, followed by facial droop. The physical examination …

Reframing The Cognitive Cost Of Caffeine: A Quality Improvement Analysis Of Sleep, Stress, Symptoms, And Academic Performance Among Osteopathic Medical Students, Marisela Benitez, Angel Edwards, Daniel Chanelo, Shihab Chowdhury, Lyubena Stoykova, Stacie Fairley

Research Day

Introduction: Caffeine is widely consumed among medical students as a strategy to combat fatigue and maintain academic performance. However, increasing evidence suggests that inadequate sleep and elevated stress may be more influential determinants of student well-being and academic outcomes than stimulant use itself. This quality improvement (QI) study evaluated the relationships between sleep duration, stress, caffeine use, symptom burden, and academic performance among osteopathic medical students.

Methods: An anonymous, cross-sectional survey was distributed via Google Forms to osteopathic medical students at PCOM South Georgia. Students received the survey link by email and participation was voluntary. All responses were de-identified. Data …

Preparing Bilingual Medical Students To Deliver Emergency Skills Training In Linguistically Diverse Communities, Oscar Acosta, Marisela Benitez, Daniel Chanelo, Lisandra Chinea Ramos, Bryan Hernandez, Sharon Lackwood, Lorraine Lopez Rosa, Tatiana Rodriguez Vargas, Dennis Rossi, Mauricio Soto, Stephanie Suarez, Gerardo Tabares, Valerie Yepez, Stacie Fairley, Thomas Last

Research Day

Introduction

Every year, thousands of people experience sudden cardiac arrest outside the hospital. When a bystander knows cardiopulmonary resuscitation and acts quickly, survival improves dramatically. Hispanic and Black individuals are 30% less likely to receive bystander CPR than non-Hispanic white individuals, mainly due to the limited access to Spanish-language CPR training.

Migrant farmworkers in Georgia are particularly affected by this gap. Nearly 90% of farmworkers seen at Georgia's migrant health clinics are Hispanic or Latino, with over 85% preferring to receive services in a language other than English. Many have health conditions like hypertension, obesity, and diabetes, all risk factors …

A Case Study On Discoloration In A Carotid-Embalmed Cadaver: Histological And Chemical Analysis, Angel Edwards, Mark Shearer, Lakaiya Campbell, Blessed Jordan, Lyubena Stoykova, Georgiana Register, Shiv Dhiman, Rasheed Agboola

Research Day

Introduction/Background

Embalming is a widely used preservation technique in medical and forensic sciences, ensuring the prolonged integrity of cadaveric tissues. However, unexpected tissue discolorations, such as green-blue and red hues, may arise due to physiological, chemical, or microbial factors. Investigating the underlying causes of such discolorations is essential for optimizing embalming practices and maintaining tissue integrity for anatomical education.

Objective

This study aims to investigate the underlying causes of bluish-green and red discoloration in a cadaver embalmed through the common carotid artery. Specifically, we will examine potential contributing factors, including the vascular diffusion efficiency of formaldehyde-based embalming, postmortem microbial activity, …

Beyond Didactics And Instructing: Adapting Team-Based Learning And Reflective Practice To Develop Ethical Ai Engagement In Medical Students, Joshua Owolabi, Jennifer H. Shaw

Research Day

Background: Medical students widely adopt generative AI tools yet lack AI literacy, awareness, and technical competence required for critical evaluation and ethical use. AI ethics education remains largely absent from medical curricula.

Methods: A quasi-experimental pre-post design was used within a required Medical Humanities and Wellness course at a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) programme. A 2-hour session combined Team-Based Learning (TBL) with ERA (Experience-Reflection-Action) Reflective Practice. Pre-session (n = 113) and post-session (n = 104) surveys measured five domains: awareness, perception, knowledge, confidence, and attitude. Fifteen collaborative group reflections provided qualitative data analysed thematically within the ERA framework.

Results: …

Replaced Common Hepatic Artery Arising From The Superior Mesenteric Artery (Michel Type Ix): A Cadaveric Case With Surgical Implications, Michael G. Elkomos, George M. Zakour, Rachel E. Lippincott, Reginald D. Dixon, Chloe A. Davis, Blessing A. Adeyemo, Paul M. Catalano, Shiv Dhiman

Research Day

Background: Hepatic arterial anatomy demonstrates significant variability with important implications for hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgery. Although the common hepatic artery (CHA) classically arises from the celiac trunk, hepatic arterial variants are reported in up to 25% of individuals. A replaced CHA originating from the superior mesenteric artery (SMA), classified as Michel type IX anatomy, is considerably less common, with reported incidences ranging from approximately 1% to 4% in cadaveric and angiographic series. Recognition of such variants is essential to minimize intraoperative vascular injury and ischemic complications.

Objective: To describe a cadaveric case of a replaced CHA arising from the SMA …

A Case Study: Undiagnosed Familial Hypertriglyceridemia Inciting Acute Pancreatitis, Alice Koschella, Rachael Bonitatibus, Raymond Alvarez

Research Day

Background: Familial hyperlipidemia encompasses a group of inherited lipid metabolism disorders characterized by elevated serum cholesterol and/or triglyceride levels. Severe hypertriglyceridemia, particularly levels exceeding 1,000 mg/dL, is a well-established but less common cause of acute pancreatitis (1). Acute pancreatitis is an inflammatory condition of the pancreas most frequently attributed to gallstones or alcohol use; however, hypertriglyceridemia accounts for approximately 1–10% of cases and is associated with increased morbidity when not promptly recognized and treated.

Introduction: Hypertriglyceridemia-induced acute pancreatitis results from excessive circulating triglyceride-rich lipoproteins, leading to free fatty acid release and pancreatic inflammation (2). Young patients without traditional risk factors …