Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

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 …

Hand Function And Occupational Engagement In Ms, Shannon Fogarty

Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium

A diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) can lead to a variety of implications including upper extremity dysfunction. Since hands play a critical role in performing daily occupations, diminished hand and upper extremity function can significantly reduce occupational engagement and quality of life. Implementing evidence-based interventions to improve hand function in individuals with MS has the potential to enhance occupational engagement and improve overall quality of life.

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 …

Safe Plate - Food Allergy Research & Education, Sarah Hecht

Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium

The Safe Plate Cafe© Series is a Nutrition Education initiative meant to spread awareness and increase accessibility for individuals with food allergies. The Safe Plate Cafe© Series is an extension of the Safe Plate Cafe©, which is a program meant to educate culinary professionals on how to properly cater to and care for individuals with food allergies in their establishments. The Safe Plate Cafe© Series is modeled after the Congregate Cafes supported by Meals on Wheels of Rhode Island. This model is meant to be more accessible and encourage participation from a community who is apprehensive about eating outside of …

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 …

Implementation Of A Greenhouse Growing Method, Kheara Zito

Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium

The Metcalf-Franklin Historic Community Garden is a volunteer driven farm in Cumberland, RI that grows fresh produce throughout the late spring and summer months. 100% of the food grown at the community garden is donated to the Rhode Island Food Bank and various different soup kitchens throughout the County. The intervention is to implement a greenhouse growing system to help lengthen the growing season throughout the winter months. This intervention can help aid in providing food insecure individuals with more fresh produce and nutrients throughout the entire year.

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 …

Asi Improving Occupational Performance In Children, Dara Studnitzer

Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium

There is a gap in the literature linking Ayres Sensory Integration to improved occupational performance from lower levels of evidence. The scope of the review is to see if ASI interventions are effective in improving occupational performance in school-aged children.

Health Assessment Of New York, Mukens Renfort

Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium

Chronic disease continues to be a major contributor to illness and death in New York, with heart disease and cancer remaining the top causes of death statewide. New York‚Äôs diverse population faces ongoing disparities linked to poverty, racial inequities and rising substance, all of which contribute to the unequal health outcomes observed in New York. Surveillance data show an increase in chronic disease cases, higher rates of preventable conditions such as hypertension and cancer and continued concerns around opioid related incidences. Data from state surveillance systems and public health databases, including the New York Department of Health Leading Cause of …

Community Needs Assessment- Rhode Island, Joy Ilabija

Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium

Rhode Island (RI) has been significantly impacted by the drug overdose epidemic, recording 3,800 overdose deaths between 2014 and 2024. RI's overdose death rate, 37.5 per 100,000, exceeds the national average (31.3 per 100,000). Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) increase vulnerability to opioid use disorder (OUD) for higher risk groups. The Community Needs Assessment (CNA) examined how SDOH (education, economic stability, healthcare access) influence OUD in RI. Data sources included the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) Opioid Overdose Integrated Surveillance System, RIDOH's Opioid and Stimulant Use Data Hub, the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), and ten academic journals. …

Improving Infant Feeding Practices, Ytossie Graves

Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium

This project addressed knowledge gaps and misconceptions related to infant feeding practices among participants in the Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) in Rhode Island. Infants in this population face increased health risks influenced by socioeconomic disparities, cultural beliefs, and limited access to consistent breastfeeding education. The project aimed to improve maternal understanding of breastfeeding and formula feeding while supporting informed, culturally responsive decision-making. Guided by the Health Belief Model, a bilingual (English and Spanish) educational intervention was developed, consisting of an evidence-based infographic and a structured nutrition education class for expecting and new mothers. A pre-test …

Anorexia Nervosa In Epigenetics, Cassandra Pinkowski

Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a complex psychiatric disorder characterized by severe restriction of food intake leading to dangerous underweight, intense fear of gaining weight, and a distorted body image. AN symptoms and their related genes, as well as their transcription, can be explained by Epigenetics. AN is associated with nutrient deficiency, which causes hypermethylation of certain genes that cause common symptoms. Melanin-Concentrating hormone (MCH) binds to receptors in the brain that trigger expression of several genes, including both serotonin and oxytocin. When MCH is low, the genes responsible for appetite lowering, causing an individual to feel less hungry. High serotonin …

Healthy Starts: Cooking, Culture & Confidence, Lindsey Plumb

Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium

Healthy Starts: Cooking, Culture, and Confidence for Healthier Families is a culturally tailored nutrition intervention designed for pediatric patients and caregivers served by the Nutrition Teaching Center at Hasbro Children's Hospital in Providence, Rhode Island. The program addresses high rates of childhood overweight and obesity, food insecurity, and low caregiver confidence in meal preparation among racially, ethnically, and socioeconomically diverse families. Grounded in Social Cognitive Theory, Healthy Starts focuses on building practical cooking skills, nutrition knowledge, and self-efficacy through bilingual, hands-on cooking classes, family nutrition workshops, and peer support circles. Sessions emphasize preparing affordable, culturally familiar meals while accommodating religious …

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 …

Oakley Home Access: Changing Homes Changes Lives, Grace Carolonza

Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium

Older adults are challenged to safely remain in their homes, or, "age in place." Multi-level residences and lack of sturdy adaptive equipment can be unsupportive of activities of daily living (ADL) completion. This scoping review examines the effect of home modifications on improving people's quality of life (QoL) and ability to safely live in the community.

Keywords: QoL: an individual's impression of how well their place in life reflects personal goals, expectations, standards, and concerns (Khourieh et al., 2025)

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 …

Community Intervention: Cooking And Nutrition Education, Vanessa Mello

Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium

With my intervention, I hope to address the high rate of food insecurity amongst households with children (keiki) in Hawai`i. The target population are Native Hawaiians and marginalized communities that have long-term risk of developing CVD, hypertension, and T2DM (Hawaii Foodbank, 2024). This program will be an extension of the Food 4 Keiki program that distributes food to this population; however, with my program addition, it will promote self-efficacy by hosting community cooking classes and nutrition education events. This intervention incorporates elements of Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) to encourage observational learning that reflects these families‚Äô social and community needs. SCT‚Äôs …

Fall Outcomes Among Older Adults In Rhode Island, Samantha Bruno, Samaria Dalling, Steve Jacob

Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium

Falls are a leading cause of injury, hospitalization, and death among older adults in Rhode Island. This analysis examines the burden of fall-related mortality, hospitalizations, and emergency department visits among adults aged 65 and older, highlighting trends and opportunities for prevention and policy action. Data were obtained from the Rhode Island Department of Health, with population estimates sourced from the CDC WONDER Online Database based on the U.S. Census Bureau‚Äôs Blended Base. Fatal falls among older Rhode Islanders have increased each year, although the rate of increase has slowed. Adults aged 65 and older account for 87.9% of fatal falls, …

Insurance And Mental Health Across Various Groups, Samaria Dalling, Cierra Bradford

Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium

This project examined how health insurance status relates to anxiety, depression, and insomnia among young adults, and whether race/ethnicity and age moderate these relationships. Using data from the 2024 Rhode Island Young Adult Survey (RIYAS), the analysis included 1,008 participants ages 18–25 recruited through online ads, emails, and community flyers. Participants received a $10 gift card for completing the survey. Cross-sectional statistical analyses assessed associations between insurance status and mental health indicators, with moderation tests for race/ethnicity and age. Significance was determined at p< 0.05. The results showed that about one-quarter of the sample lacked health insurance, and most respondents were White, non-Hispanic, and 21 or older. Insurance status was not significantly associated with anxiety, depression, or insomnia overall. However, race/ethnicity significantly moderated the relationship between insomnia and insurance status, with the association becoming significant among individuals identifying as Mixed race or Other (x2=0.529, p=0.015). The project concluded that multiracial and Indigenous young adults may face heightened barriers to obtaining health insurance. These findings suggest the need for policy actions such as Medicaid expansion, strengthened public health programs, and clearer insurance enrollment processes to reduce inequities in access to coverage.

Pregnancy Status, Depression, And Income Level, Sheriyah Hicks

Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium

Previous research has examined the association between pregnancy status and mental health, with depression being prevalent among those who are pregnant. Similarly, research has also shows that those with lower socioeconomic status are at risk for depressive symptoms. This study fills a gap by examining whether pregnancy status among cis gendered women with low-income levels are at a greater risk for a depression diagnosis. To answer this research question, we utilized data from the 2022 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) using SPSS statistical software. A population of 235,893 respondents, self-identified as Female, were included in descriptive and chi-square analysis. …

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.

Study Of Chemical Compounds In Herbal Cigarettes, Connor Woitalla

Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium

Herbal cigarettes are tobacco-free and nicotine-free and made from a blend of several herbs rather than tobacco. Currently, due to several reasons, especially their natural ingredients and a limited number of research studies on herbal cigarettes, this type of smoking product is perceived to be less harmful than other tobacco products and has gained its popularity dramatically. Therefore, our research study aims at providing some insights on the chemistry aspect of the herbal cigarettes before and after smoking using Infrared and Mass Spectrometry. The effects of smoking herbal cigarettes on the smoker's health will be also studied. The result of …

Feed The Folk: Soybeans As Snap Inputs, Tymon Childs

Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium

The objective of this study was to explore the possibility of using surplus agricultural commodities as inputs for SNAP or other need-based programs surrounding food access and nutrition. This study specifically explored the possibility of using surplus soybeans based on end stock projections for the year 2025/2026, following the soybean trade conflict between the United States and China. This project details the processing of soybeans from the farm gate to the plate, utilizing pre-existing soybean and food processing infrastructure within the United States.

Effect Of Play Environments On Social, Dory Stefanowicz Ots, Triana Newberg Ots, Makenna Sheehan Ots, Cianna Geni Ots, Aaron Fonseca Ots

Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium

This study is a cross-sectional observational study that examines social participation during indoor and outdoor play among preschool-aged children. Thirty-minute video recordings will be collected three times a week over a four-week period, capturing both indoor and outdoor play of all preschool classroom participants that have signed the consent from one of the classrooms at the CDC. All data collection for the indoor play recordings will occur at the University of Rhode Island's Dr. Pat Feinstein Child Development Center (CDC) in their classrooms' play areas during free play time. For the outdoor play recordings, the classroom will be at their …

Nourish & Grow: Wic Family Cooking Program, Kelly Mccormick Bs

Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium

This project developed a practical nutrition education program for caregivers of infants and young children enrolled in the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program. The goal was to increase confidence and skills related to preparing healthy, affordable meals using WIC-approved foods. The intervention focused on hands-on cooking demonstrations, simple meal planning and budgeting strategies, and culturally appropriate recipes designed for families with limited time and resources. The target population included low-income households experiencing food insecurity, diverse cultural backgrounds, and barriers such as limited transportation or access to fresh foods. A logic model was used to guide program planning, and evaluation …

Return To Occupations For Individuals With Sci, Emily Lieberman, Sara Brouillard, Meghan Dinsmore, Carlos Deus

Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium

Individuals with a spinal cord injury (SCI) experience challenges in their ability to participate in meaningful activities. OT researchers investigate interventions that will provide the best care to these individuals, but there is a lack of information on the effects of community-based interventions on their return to work or school. This scoping review aimed to explore the effects of community-based interventions on return to work or school in adults with SCI. A total of 8 articles were analyzed, and the results indicate that community-based interventions that utilize client-centered care, assistive technology, and contextual and client factors can increase positive RTW …

Brainstem Encoding Of Speech In The Extended High Frequencies And Its Behavioral Correlates, Sajana Aryal, Fan-Yin Cheng, Srikanta K. Mishra, Spencer Smith

Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

Whether the auditory nervous system can extract and use speech information carried in the extended high-frequency (EHF; >8 kHz) range is an unresolved question in auditory neuroscience. Although EHF sensitivity is increasingly recognized as important for speech perception, it is unclear whether EHF hearing is directly or indirectly involved in real-world listening. This study examined brainstem neural encoding of EHF speech components and the relationship between EHF hearing sensitivity and both neural and perceptual speech processing. Envelope following responses (EFRs) to broadband and high-pass filtered (>4 kHz and >8 kHz) speech stimuli, along with digits-in-noise speech recognition thresholds under …

The Gut Microbiome Mediates The Association Between A Flavonoid-Rich Diet And Masld In A Population-Level Analysis, William Bell, Amy Jennings, Nicola P. Bondonno, Andre Franke, Corinna Bang, Marcus Both, Jan Kassubek, Hans Peter Müller, Jan Borggrefe, Wolfgang Lieb, Tilman Kühn, Aedín Cassidy

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Purpose: A growing body of evidence suggests diets rich in flavonoids may protect against metabolic-dysfunction associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) development and progression. As the gut microbiome is important in the biotransformation of flavonoids to their constituent bioactive metabolites, studies on the potential mediating role of the gut microbiome in the association between dietary flavonoid intakes and MASLD are warranted but lacking. Thus, this study aims to examine the associations between a diet rich in flavonoids and MASLD, and assess the potential mediating role of the gut microbiome. Methods: In a cross-sectional analysis (n = 531), using the FlavoDiet score …