Audio Signal Generator to Alter Tomato Plant Behavior

Bryan Rudshteyn, Verrazzano Class of 2024, completed major in Electrical Engineering

I found this capstone project to be a very interesting experience. When I started the beginning phases of it, I never imagined that I would be doing something like this, especially since going into it I had no idea of what I was getting into or even how I would be able to contribute anything to it. Because I am an electrical engineering major, my capstone was based on my senior design project which was about audio signal generator to alter plant behavior.

Due to the nature of my project relying on proving and recreating the scenario in which a published experiment claimed that sound helps tomatoes grow better, I needed to create a sound generator and grow tomatoes with it and then compare it to the results of tomatoes growing without it. This experimental research, while not initially seeming as something difficult or interesting, required very accurate measurements and data capturing techniques to be used, that were not used or taken in previous engineering courses.

There was a lot that I took away from this experience, which yielded interesting results. It was in doing this experiment and research that I was able to truly understand that a real experiment is when you genuinely don’t know what results to expect. With the aid and support of my professor who mentored my team and I through this research, we were able to understand the unique approaches that engineers have and the effectiveness of working as a group instead of just individualized assignments. Additionally, it was with his expertise that I learned how to conduct a proper experiment and how engineers should collaborate effectively to be as efficient as possible.

Furthermore, the completion of this research taught me to believe half of what you measure and a tenth of what you read. Overall, this project provided a unique experience as I was not expecting to grow plants and do a lot of biology research as an electrical engineering student. This, however, would open my eyes as to how diversified an engineer’s skills can be used in various areas of study, regardless of their knowledgeability on the subject matter.

Researching Therapeutic Interventions in Alzheimer's Care

Mennah Hegazi, Verrazzano Class of 2024, completed major in Psychology

In my undergraduate research study, Unlocking Hope: The Efficacy of Therapeutic Interventions in Alzheimer's Care, I had the opportunity to delve into the intricacies of Alzheimer's disease and explore potential non-pharmacological therapies. The study provided a unique lens through which I could understand the limitations of traditional pharmacological approaches and the emerging need for alternative therapies to address the multifaceted challenges posed by this complex condition.

The research process began with an in-depth systematic review of peer-reviewed articles, allowing me to examine various non-pharmacological therapies such as art therapy, reminiscence therapy, physical exercises, cognitive stimulation, and music therapy. This comprehensive analysis highlighted how these interventions can significantly enhance the quality of life for Alzheimer's patients, promoting better daily living activities, cognitive functions, and emotional well-being.

One of the most rewarding aspects of this study was discovering the positive impact of non-pharmacological therapies on both patients and their caregivers. These therapies offer a holistic approach that goes beyond merely managing symptoms; they focus on enhancing the overall well-being of individuals and supporting their emotional and psychological needs. Observing the growing acceptance and implementation of these alternative therapies within the healthcare community was both inspiring and encouraging.

As I progressed through the research, I became more aware of the gaps in existing literature and the need for further evaluations to fully comprehend the complexity of therapeutic options for Alzheimer's disease. This experience underscored the importance of continued research and innovation in this field to develop comprehensive care strategies.

Ultimately, this study reinforced my belief in the potential of non-pharmacological therapies as an effective and affordable approach to optimizing Alzheimer's treatment. It also instilled in me a sense of responsibility to contribute to the ongoing exploration and development of alternative therapies. The experience was not only intellectually stimulating but also deeply meaningful, as it shed light on the potential to unlock hope for Alzheimer's patients and their loved ones.

Capstone: The Art of Creating a Film

Robert Lenza, Verrazzano Class of 2024, completed majors in Cinema Studies Production and Psychology 

When I was accepted into Verrazzano Honors at the College of Staten Island, I had no clue what I was going to do for my senior capstone project and what I was going to present at the Undergraduate Research conference (URC). I knew I had interests in film, psychology, and history, but couldn’t put together the picture of what I’d be presenting yet. Throughout my college years taking film classes, I was inspired to create many stories that I wanted to tell through the big screen.

One of those stories was Will, which tells the story of young man suffering from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) coming face-to-face with his disorder. What I love so much about Will is that it takes a commonly referred to and discussed psychological disorder and tells the story of the inner struggle of the sufferer in a unique way. The OCD is represented as a character within the film through an exact lookalike of the main character.

Being a cinema production major, I chose to have Will be the film for my senior thesis project. It was an ambitious, complex project, so I thought it was the right move in making it my thesis. I had the opportunity to work on new filmmaking techniques and methods, such as the dolly zoom, Dutch angles, voice-over, musical score, as well as lighting and editing experimentation that helped bring my story to life.

Once I decided on Will being the film for my film production thesis, it wasn’t long before I realized using it for my capstone project would be a great idea as well. Not only would it be a good experience for me to present at the URC, but it would also allow a wider population of people to experience a new take on expressing mental health through film.

What separates this project from the other projects I have worked on is just how many people were involved. Prior to this project, I had mainly worked on my films alone or with one or two people. With this project, the list goes on with the number of people that helped out, even if it was just for a limited time.

With that, however, came some struggles. Having many people involved in a celebrative project such as this, it can often be a challenge to stay organized, make schedules, and have a clear, full-focused mind on the goals in the distance. The reality of it all is that filmmaking is not easy, but it’s the experience you get from it that makes it worth it. Yes, there were some low-points, but I learned as much if not more from the low-points as I did the many high-points during the production. This project served as an eye-opener to what it may be like to do this kind of thing as a job one day.

Overall, I can confidently say that this project has better prepared me for the next project that I work on, and I think that is incredibly important because filmmaking is a craft, and there’s always room for improvement. I am grateful that I got to work with so many people, some of whom I had never met before until working on this project. I am really glad I got to make a film that means a lot to me, while also learning new methods and techniques of filmmaking through my technical film production goals.

Economic and Financial Dynamics in Luxury Fashion

Qadar Naeem, Verrazzano Class of 2024, completed major Economics and Finance, and minor in Business Data Analytics

My capstone project combined my fascination for both fashion and finance. I explored the luxury fashion industry, which has a global market valued at $1.6 trillion.
The project’s purpose was to understand the economic and financial structure of the industry, how companies navigate economic challenges and optimize their financial performance during recessions, and adapt to changing consumer behaviors. Moreover, how strategies like a merger or an acquisition (M&A) help firms adapt to downturns and enhance performance.
My methodology involved analyzing financial data such as the stock market, economic indicators, and corporate reports to understand the trends within the industry, while also examining recent mergers and acquisitions activity in the sector to assess their impact on the company's performance. My main focus was to identify trends or patterns in major conglomerates such as LVMH, Kering, and Richemont, and analyze the array of brands that fall under these companies.
When researching these corporations, it was really interesting to discover a steady linear growth pattern in their financial data, which demonstrates their stability and adaptability. Despite the volatile nature of economic markets, these companies have shown an extraordinary propensity for long-term success.
Companies within the industry with a beta less than 1 demonstrate low market risk, as a beta value of 1 implies that the stock moves in line with the market. When it's below 1, it means the stock tends to be less volatile than the overall market, indicating lower risk since it's not as affected by market fluctuations. This has been proven by their response to the COVID-19 recession and the Great Recession. The way they have managed to withstand downturns and emerge stronger demonstrates their strategic competence.
It was intriguing to learn how closely these luxury brands are linked, and how most of them are owned by the same parent companies. When we see names like Loro Piana, Christian Dior, Givenchy, Celine, and Fendi, they appear to be completely unrelated. However, they are all owned by the same parent company, LVMH. This usually happens when subsidiaries are split off by a merger or an acquisition, such as Tiffany and Co. being acquired by LVMH in 2021 and Bulgari in 2011.
My journey into research in the luxury fashion industry has been filled with profound discoveries and insight. Through comprehensive research and monitoring of financial data, I gained a greater understanding of the industry's corporate functions, and structural complexities while also observing extraordinary resilience and adaptability.

Lessons Learned in Time Management When Conducting a Capstone

Rebecca Andes, Verrazzano Class of 2024, completed major in General Biology

The past year has taught me a lot about the crucial lesson of the importance of time. Four years of college have flown by, and the idea of a capstone project that had once seemed so far away since freshman year, soon became a reality. I often told myself there was plenty of time, but eventually, time caught up with me.

Selecting a topic for my capstone it was not an easy task. There were so many different ideas and interests available, making it a challenge to focus on just one area. Thankfully, with the guidance of my mentor, Professor Antonella Guadagnino, I decided on my topic, "Reviewing the Role of Carbon Dioxide for Seizure Intervention in Humans and African Naked Mole-Rats."

Completing my capstone project had many different challenges, but as I overcame these challenges, I learned valuable lessons. At first, the whole project felt daunting, but with perseverance and patience, I discovered my ability to push through. The importance of communication was another lesson that I learned during my research. By learning how to communicate more and to ask for help, it made it easier for me to organize my thoughts and gain more knowledge about my topic.

Lastly, time management was one of the biggest lessons that I had to learn, due to it not being my strongest skill. Through careful organization and planning, I improved significantly in managing my time.

Throughout this journey, I not only improved academically but also grew personally from the many lessons I have learned. Each challenge and success helped me learn more about myself.