Digital Commons Network^™

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 …

Serving To Learn, Learning To Serve: Integrating Volunteerism Into Interprofessional Healthcare Education, Stephanie H. Felgoise, Ashley Poole, Natalie Zychlinski, Elizabeth R. Felgoise, Marissa L. Ferrito, Anastasia Skliros, Leanne Purcell, Florastine Byrams, Larry Finkelstein

Research Day

Research on volunteerism has been shown to increase happiness in medical students; improve self-esteem, self-efficacy, and social connectedness; lead to better well-being; improve physical well-being, decrease stress, and improve overall quality of life in general adult populations. Volunteerism also creates fellowship and fosters community connections. Thus, volunteerism helps to address the wellness of the healthcare team (quadruple aim of healthcare), and bring future healthcare professionals closer to the populations they aim to serve. An IPE module focused on volunteerism, including PCOM’s Community Wellness Initiative Office, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and a Wish recipient. Interprofessionally facilitated small-group activities with learners from 3 …

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 …

A Multiple Baseline Evaluation Of Training Medical Residents In Indirect Functional Behavior Assessment Procedures: A Proposed Study, Samantha Murphy, Amanda Fisher

Research Day

INTRODUCTION: Pediatric primary care is a critical access point for children’s behavioral and developmental health needs. Families commonly turn to pediatricians for guidance when behaviors interfere with learning or family well being. Behavioral concerns are frequent in these settings; however, many pediatricians report feeling unprepared to give direct and effective behavioral advice. Pediatricians have the opportunity to identify and intervene early for children with behavioral concerns. Training in residency has historically emphasized biomedical explanations that can overlook the environmental factors influencing behavior. Without the practical tools for understanding why behavior occurs, preventative intervention may be missed. There is a continued …

Development And Validation Of The Liebelt Attitudes, Knowledge, And Engagement Scale (Lakes) Among Rural Adults, Anna Morrison, Robert A. Ditomasso

Research Day

INTRODUCTION: Adults living in rural regions experience mental illness at rates comparable to those in urban areas yet utilize mental health services significantly less often. Underutilization of psychotherapy in rural populations has been attributed to structural barriers (e.g., geographic inaccessibility, limited provider availability, reduced anonymity) and sociocultural factors such as stigma. However, rural adults may also remain reluctant to initiate treatment due to attitudes toward psychotherapy, limited help-seeking engagement, or inaccurate knowledge about psychotherapy services. The present study developed and examined the psychometric properties of the Liebelt Attitudes, Knowledge, and Engagement Scale (LAKES), a self-report measure designed to assess psychotherapy-related …

Free-Floating Thrombus Of Carotid Artery In The Setting Of Bilateral Embolic Strokes, Xilin Chen, Ioannis Tsouknidas, Tyler Fox, Henry Hirsch

Research Day

Carotid free-floating thrombus is a rare entity. Most patients present with acute neurological symptoms, warranting urgent operative intervention. We describe a case of an 80-year-old male who presented with an embolic stroke and was found to have a mobile carotid thrombus, after the administration of thrombolysis. He underwent carotid endarterectomy, and further neurological injury was prevented.

Appendiceal Intussusception Due To Endometriosis: A Case Report, Camryn Butera, Taylor Bronson, Justin Spatar, Christine Holloway

Research Day

The rate of implantation of endometrial tissue onto the appendix varies greatly within the literature with appendiceal intussusception being a rare clinical presentation in this small subset of patients. Here we discuss a case of appendiceal endometriosis with robotic partial cecectomy and appendectomy. This report describes our experience with appendiceal cecal intussusception. We report a case of appendiceal endometriosis causing intussusception. It is important to consider endometriosis as a cause of appendiceal intussusception in the differential diagnosis of females presenting with the common chief complaint of abdominal pain, especially in the setting of prior gynecological surgeries.

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, …