Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Blinded By Relapse: A Rare Case Of Bilateral Vision Loss From Leukemic Meningeal Infiltration, Aun A. Bangash, Tejaswini Swamy, Chloe C. Harris, Victoria Parada

Research Symposium

Background: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) accounts for 20% of adult leukemias, with outcomes improving through modern systemic and CNS-directed therapies. Leukemic meningeal relapse, defined as infiltration of the meninges and detected by cerebrospinal fluid cytology, is reported in 4–7% of adult ALL patients and remains a devastating complication despite CNS prophylaxis. CNS involvement typically presents with nonspecific symptoms such as headache, nausea, or cranial neuropathies; isolated, abrupt vision loss is rare. With a median survival of less than six months if untreated, timely recognition is critical. We present a case of intracranial hypertension with bilateral vision loss due to leukemic …

Parenting Style And Academic Success: How Can You Help Your Child Succeed?, Elizabeth A. Weicker

Caravel Undergraduate Research Journal

The goal of this study was to investigate the relationship between the parenting style a college student experienced during childhood and the student’s most recent college GPA. Using survey data collected from undergraduate students throughout the United States, a between-subjects ANOVA was conducted to comparing different parenting styles and mean GPA for those styles. The parenting styles analyzed were authoritative, authoritarian, and permissive. Results indicated significant differences in GPA between parenting styles, with the authoritative parenting style producing the highest college GPA. In addition, an independent samples t-test was conducted to analyze the relationship between student satisfaction with the parenting …

The Role Of Paraprofessionals In The Mental Health Structure Of India, Amy Abraham, Kimberly D. Becker, Wendy Chu

Caravel Undergraduate Research Journal

The mental health treatment gap in India is part of a growing public health crisis, with over 95% of those in need of services never receiving them. Over 197 million Indians suffer from at least one diagnosable mental health disorder, and this number continues to grow given the treatment gap. The treatment gap is a result of four major factors: lack of government support, stigma, limited treatment facilities, and dearth of professionals able to provide treatment. The current study aimed to analyze several factors of paraprofessional-led mental health interventions including setting, treatments delivered, treatment models, and client outcomes. A narrative …

Searching For A Connection Between Intellectual Humility And Decision-Making Ability, Mansi Verma, Kristin Kirchner

Caravel Undergraduate Research Journal

The present study investigated whether there was a relationship between intellectual humility and decision-making. The participants were 32 undergraduate students recruited from the University of South Carolina. Data was collected through self-reported measures of intellectual humility from the participants and their answers to questions testing for decision-making ability in a single survey. Results indicate that there is a correlation between the scores on the Intellectual Humility Scale and CRT scores. Overall, there does appear to be a relationship between intellectual humility and decision-making.

Moving America: A Study Examining The Relationships Between Early Residential Mobility, Anxiety And Academic Performance, Kelsey Thomas, Wendy Chu, Melanie Palomares

Caravel Undergraduate Research Journal

Early residential mobility has known negative effects on mental health outcomes and academic achievement. These effects have been studied broadly and globally, yet there lacks attention in examining early residential mobility to specific localities, regions, or states. As such, this study sought to investigate these associations, specifically its impact on anxiety and academic performance in adults residing or living in South Carolina. Participants were surveyed online regarding their demographic information, academic performance, and anxiety levels. Results found no significant relationships between early residential mobility, anxiety, and academic performance among adults residing or living in South Carolina. Despite these null findings, …

College Student's Ideal Age For Having Children, Corrie Sanders, Melanie Palomares, Kristin Kirchner

Caravel Undergraduate Research Journal

It has been observed that women are beginning to have children at a later age than traditionally seen in history. This study examines college student’s ideal age for having children, and how it compares to the age of their mother when she had her first child. The data was collected mainly from undergraduate students at the University of South Carolina through a survey completed by 39 participants. Through a one-way between-subjects ANOVA, this study found there was not a significant difference of the ideal age to have children between college students ages 19, 20, 21, 22, and 23. The average …

Examining Biobehavioral Indicators Of Adhd In Children With Fxs, Hannah Pressler, Kayla Smith, Ramsey Coyle, Elizabeth Will, Jane E. Roberts

Caravel Undergraduate Research Journal

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity behaviors that are inconsistent with developmental age. Children with fragile X syndrome (FXS), a genetic neurodevelopmental disorder, are often diagnosed with comorbid ADHD (53–59% of males with FXS). Despite the prevalence of ADHD in FXS, little is known about the early manifestation of ADHD. The current project aims to explore group differences in play behaviors between children with FXS and typically developing (TD) children as well as the relationship between infant play behavior and heart activity to future ADHD attention outcomes. Participants included male children with FXS and …

Predator Or Prey: The Analysis Of Gender And Race On The Perception Of Black Men As Sexual Assault Victims, Jordyn Livingston, Dr. Florencia Cornet

Caravel Undergraduate Research Journal

Men sexual assault victims have gained more attention in recent years. Despite the growing sociological literature on violence against men, previous research provides little acknowledgment of Black men sexual assault victims. In this manuscript, I analyze emerging literature in the socio-medical sciences to explore how gender and race affects the perceptions of Black men as sexual assault victims. Specifically, I utilize intersectionality as a theoretical framework to synthesize literature on blackness and masculinity in sexual assault victims to conclude that there is an intersectional point that disadvantages Black males, portraying them as sexual predators. In so doing, I provide research …

Effect Of Ampk On Exercise-Induced Adipocyte Metabolism, Alec M. Giakas, Ran Hee Choi, Ho-Jin Koh

Caravel Undergraduate Research Journal

Regular physical activity is a recommended strategy to prevent obesity via increasing fatty acid metabolism. AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) has been associated with the activation of lipolysis in adipose tissue. Furthermore, it has been demonstrated that a single bout of exercise increases AMPK activity in adipocytes; however, the mechanism by which AMPK regulates exercise-induced adipocyte metabolism has yet to be determined. To examine the role of AMPK in exercise-induced adipocyte metabolism, we utilized fat-specific AMPK alpha 1 and alpha 2 knockout mice (FKO). Wild type (WT) and FKO mice were divided into sedentary (Sed) and exercise (EX) groups. After 6 …

The Effects Of Eating Disorder Knowledge On Dieting Beliefs, Kaitlyn Finn, Melanie Palomares, Kristin Kirchner

Caravel Undergraduate Research Journal

The study at hand was designed to look into the issues of eating disorder awareness and dieting attitudes. Specifically, it was hypothesized that individuals with more knowledge of eating disorders would be less likely to believe in dieting. It was additionally hypothesized that there would be a difference in amount of eating disorder knowledge seen between pre-determined age groupings. This was hypothesized due to the nature of the inception of eating disorders as a clinical diagnosis. Eating disorders did not begin to be added as a category into the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual until the 80’s, suggesting that participants of …

Predicting Narcissism Through Social Media, Cameryn Freglette, Melanie Palomares

Caravel Undergraduate Research Journal

The objective of this study was to assess if narcissism can be predicted through social media behaviors such as frequency of posts, posting selfies, and social media presence on a variety of platforms. This study was conducted through a questionnaire related to social media use and a brief assessment from the Narcissistic Personality Inventory (NPI- 16). Results indicated that social media use per day was significantly different between people who post selfies and those who do not. Participants that scored higher for narcissism used social media less but posted significantly more selfies. Results were not significant in predicting narcissism through …

Connecting On Campus: Exploring The Motivations And Behaviors Of College Students On Dating Apps, Emma Doyle, Melanie Palomares

Caravel Undergraduate Research Journal

Dating apps are increasingly popular among young people, including college students. However, these apps can be quite versatile, and there can be a number of reasons why a college student would use them, whether they are looking for a serious relationship, casual sex, or anything in between. Our study evaluated the intents, behaviors, and satisfaction of college students who used dating apps. Using Chi-Square and independent samples t-test analyses, results show that while satisfaction ratings were similar between men and women, more men use dating apps than women, which suggests that women might have a more negative perception of dating …

The Impact Of Weekly Workouts On Self-Reported Happiness Among College Students, Reid Davis, Melanie Palomares

Caravel Undergraduate Research Journal

College students are consistently at risk for depressive behaviors during a major time of habit transition (i.e., a time of gaining autonomy while developing their own lifestyle and health habits) and gaining in independence; this is met with only half of them not engaging in at least moderately vigorous exercise (Catellier 2013; Powell, 2019). The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of types of exercise (cardio, weightlifting, and yoga/pilates) that undergraduate college students voluntarily engaged in on their subjective current and general happiness levels. There were 52 participants in the study, all undergraduates at the University of …

Changes In Medical Knowledge And Patent Medicine, Anna Mcnamee

Caravel Undergraduate Research Journal

This paper examines advertisements for patent medicines and nostrums, from the Colonial Period to the Food and Drug Act of 1906.  The Pure Food and Drug Act represented the triumph of the medical profession over state legislation and unsupervised patent medicine manufacturing. Tracing these advertisements alongside the historiography of science, medicine, and advertising; this paper argues that advertisements for patent medicine represent a shift in the culture of healing and the growth of medical knowledge in the United States. By the end of the nineteenth century, science and medicine made great advances and medical professionals began influencing both state and …

Evaluating The Role Of Stress, Self-Perceptions Of Health, And Self-Efficacy On Physical Activity Over Time: Results From Project Drive, Ashlynn Riley, Allison Sweeney, Dawn K. Wilson

Caravel Undergraduate Research Journal

Most Americans are not meeting the recommended levels of physical activity. In underserved communities, these inequities are even greater, with African American women being less likely to engage in physical activity and being at greater risk for chronic disease relative to non-minority women. This study seeks to further understand the factors that support or undermine engagement in physical activity among African American women. Specifically, the present study evaluates the impact of stress, self-perceptions of health, and self-efficacy on physical activity engagement in a 10-week physical activity intervention program for African American women. Participants (N = 33) completed measures of …

Dominance Linearity And Steepness In Captive Western Lowland Gorillas, Nate Wichmann

Caravel Undergraduate Research Journal

Many animals live in social groups for a variety of reasons, whether it is for hunting strategies, predator avoidance, or enhanced resource acquisition. These groups often develop a social network and/or dominance hierarchy within the population, with certain individuals gaining advantages or disadvantages based upon one’s rank within a group. Dominance hierarchies can be assessed on the grounds of structure, and, more recently, steepness.  Structure can be assessed by determining and comparing the rank of each individual (quantified by David’s scores). These scores can then be plotted and analyzed to determine the steepness of the dominance hierarchy. A dominance hierarchy …

Sedentary Behaviors And Measured Physical Activity In College Student Populations, Vanessa Grout, Elizabeth A. Easley, Sarah H. Sellhorst, William F. Riner

Caravel Undergraduate Research Journal

No abstract provided.

The Victimization Of Heterosexual Males: A Literature Review On Domestic Violence, Chris Friendly, Christine Palmer Mph, Edd, Ches

Caravel Undergraduate Research Journal

Domestic violence, defined as both emotional and physical abuse in intimate relationships, is a pressing issue in today’s society. Because of its serious nature, domestic violence has become a topic of great interest and concern for many public health researchers. However, an overwhelming degree of the studies conducted by these investigators only examine the effects of domestic violence on the female population. In this literature review, 27 sources, both peer-reviewed articles and literature reviews, were previewed. Of the 27 sources, only four were specific to male victimization. This literature review highlights the research disparity between female and male domestic violence …

Learning Organic Chemistry Reactions As A Nursing Student, Anna Bell

Caravel Undergraduate Research Journal

This paper delineates a clear way to learn the fundamentals of organic chemistry and biochemistry for students ranging from those preparing for careers in the health field to non-science majors. It looks in depth at the reactions relevant to the biochemical processes of the human body, such as the reactions involving alcohols, carboxylic acids, esters, amines, amides, and disulfides. The objective is to present the subject matter in such a way that peer students can clearly relate it to topics relevant to their particular fields of study. This can be done using mnemonic assists such as acronyms, or by using …

Learning About Learning: Cognitive Gaming As A Technology Of The Self, David Corso

Caravel Undergraduate Research Journal

Humans perceive and interpret video games in various ways. When viewed as a cognitive process, video games facilitate intellectual growth and development. This piece analyzes selected works by French intellectual Michel Foucault and educational game design researcher Kurt Squire to explain how video game play elicits various cognitive and metacognitive processes. The video discusses how gameplay contributes to the development of cognitive skills, such as memory and attention. It explains how gameplay facilitates learning about learning as well as how video games provide transferable knowledge. An interpretation of Foucault’s “technology of the self” indicates how individuals might use gameplay to …

Replacing Sugar With Artificial Sweeteners: Is The Replacement Of Sugar With Artificial Sweeteners An Effective Strategy For Weight Loss?, Maragret Mccoy

Caravel Undergraduate Research Journal

In America today there is great concern about obesity. In an attempt to balance a busy daily life with a healthy diet, consumers are now relying on artificial sweeteners to help them make a small step to a better lifestyle. With this notion in mind, there is the question of whether these artificial sweeteners are healthy. This paper discusses the effects of artificial sweeteners on weight and caloric compensation, and considers some hypotheses regarding the reasons for weight gain.

A review of literature led to the conclusion that artificial sweeteners can be 100-13,000 times sweeter than sucrose and that sucrose …

Maternal Depressive Symptoms Predicting Development Of Internalizing Behavior Problems In Boys With Fragile X Syndrome, Sara Deal, Mary Blair Dellinger

Caravel Undergraduate Research Journal

Individuals with fragile X syndrome (FXS) often exhibit increased internalizing problem behaviors that substantially impact functioning. Research suggests that maternal depressive symptoms can increase the development of internalizing problem behaviors in their children. The present study examined whether (1) maternal depressive symptoms related to the degree of internalizing behaviors exhibited in their sons with FXS, and (2) age as an influencing factor for the development of internalizing behaviors. Child internalizing behaviors were measured in 49 male children with FXS (range 1.08-5.75 yrs). Maternal depressive symptoms were measured in each of their mothers with the FMR1 premutation (range 20.55-40.74 yrs). Increased …

Dexmedetomidine And The Prevention Of Emergence Agitation In Military Veterans With Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Taylor P. Ranegar

Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Projects

Emergence agitation (EA) is a post-anesthetic complication that occurs when the patient is in a self-limited, nonfluctuating state of excitement while transitioning into a state of consciousness. EA can lead to negative adverse outcomes including, accidental invasive line removal, bleeding, respiratory depression, unintentional extubation, and injury to the staff and the patient. EA is often observed in military veterans who have a medical history of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). For patients with a history of military exposure undergoing elective general anesthesia who also have PTSD, anxiety, and or depression, the incidence of EA was estimated to be around 27%. The …

Intouch Week Of May 4, 2026, New York Medical College

InTouch

• NYMC and Hudson Regional Health Achieve Milestone Accreditation with Orthopedic Surgery Residency Program
• NYMC Honors 61 Inductees at 70th Alpha Omega Alpha Ceremony
• Students Honor Those Who Teach Beyond Their Lifetime During Convocation of Thanks
• D.P.T. Students Showcase Research at 22nd Annual Doctoral Project Presentation Day
• D.P.T. Career Panel Fosters Connections with Alumni
• NYMC Marks Autism Awareness Month with Campus-Wide Show of Support
• TCDM Students and Faculty Volunteer with Remote Area Medical to Treat More Than 190 Patients
• Save on NYMC Merch

Teaching Exercise: A Survey On Educational Aids And Self-Efficacy, Joshua I. Eaton, Lucas Morgan, Matthew Hermes

Honors College Theses

HEPs are an important part of therapeutic treatment because they allow for greater exercise stimulus than can be achieved from supervised exercise alone. 94.7% of physical therapists reported prescribing HEPs to their patients. However, patient adherence to these plans can be as low as 35%. Lack of HEP adherence likely leads to sub-optimal clinical outcomes in physical therapy patients. Self-efficacy is improved in patients by supplementing HEPs with instructional aids, especially in the form of videos instead of pictures or descriptions, because they act as a form of vicarious experience. It is possible that improving self-efficacy through vicarious experience could …

Occupational Therapy Program Development In Unhoused Communities, Abbigayle Jackson, Emma Pacheco, Mariko Turley, Jennifer Wickham, Tina M. Deangelis, Edd, Ms, Otr/L, Faota

Doctorate of Occupational Therapy Program Capstone Presentations

Objectives

- Outline the Modified Delphi process and its purpose for manual development

- Describe foundational elements of occupational therapy (OT) program development for unhoused populations

- Illustrate a program's community and societal impact

Harness The Darkness! Blackout Poetry And Drama Therapy For Systemic Existential Dread: A Proposed Methodology, Kerry Sullivan

Expressive Therapies Theses

This thesis explores the intersection of drama therapy and blackout poetry as a therapeutic intervention to address systemic existential dread (SED) among emerging adults. The proposed methodology is titled "Bringing Blackout Poetry to Life" and consists of five sessions designed to explore the participants’ SED and generate poetry, culminating in a public performance. By integrating elements from psychodrama and drama therapy with the therapeutic process of blackout poetry, the intervention intends to aid processing on all levels of the expressive therapies continuum (ETC), strengthen tolerance for uncertainty, and facilitate sustainable community action. This theoretical framework is supported by a wide-ranging …

Ebp Project In A Primary, Foster Care Medical Home: Implementation Of The Ages & Stages: Social Emotional Screener, Sara Moore

2026

Background: Children in the foster care system have increased diagnoses, mental health concerns, and developmental delays.
Purpose: The pilot used the ASQ-SE to determine if the protocol was feasible and if the screener identified social-emotional difficulties in a primary care clinic that serves children in foster care. 
Method: A pilot was created, and the ASQ-SE was administered to 33 patients during well-child visits (ages 2 months-70 months) over six weeks.
Results: Implementing a social-emotional screener was feasible in the foster care primary care clinic. The infants and toddlers screened (N=33) were grouped by referral status: 57.6 % (19) …

2025 Nursing Annual Report, Children's Health System Of Texas

2025

No abstract provided.

Ticking Time Bomb: The Economic Ramifications Of Mlb's Pitch Clock, Katie Ciuffreda

Business and Economics Honors Papers

In recent years, Major League Baseball has been challenged with declining engagement and attendance, particularly with younger audiences, with the long duration of games most commonly cited as the reason for disinterest. In response to this, MLB implemented a pitch clock that worked its way through the minor league system until it was introduced to the majors for the 2023 season. The goal for the clock was to reduce game times by increasing pace of play. While early evidence shows that the clock has been successful in that regard, its impact on player performance remains to be explored. This study …