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.

Creating a Crochet Stitch Counter

Danielle Aurilia, Verrazzano Class of 2024, completed major in Electrical Engineering and minor in Mathematics  

My capstone project involved creating a device that could count your stitches while you crocheted. As an avid crocheter, this project was important as it solved a real-life issue I have encountered.

When crocheting, if you miscount your rows and stitches you may end up with a hole in your project, a misshapen project, or some lack of structural integrity. By having a device count for you, the risk would be eliminated, thus ensuring a smooth crocheting experience. There are currently no crochet machines in existence. Any crocheted item that is sold in a store, has been created by hand. The completion of this project could be a step towards the development of a crochet machine.

This project was substantial in allowing me to learn more about the many facets of engineering. Engineering often involves many systems working together to create a cohesive project. Although different components may be studied in different engineering courses, this project was the culmination of all of these components working together.

Working on this project as a group allowed for further insight about what an engineering career may look like in the future. Engineers often work in teams in the field and will very rarely work independently. Working as a team allowed me to learn more about bouncing ideas off of others and delegating tasks.

This project allowed me to learn more about different facets of engineering as my partner could explain ideas that I did not understand as clearly, and vice versa. Lastly, the project further emphasizes the idea that progress is not linear. Many components may need tweaks and edits or overall changes for a successful project. One’s first notion of a project will almost certainly not be the end result.

 

Orientalism and its Effects on Modern Day Sportswashing

Wahaj Ali, Verrazzano Class of 2024, completed major in Biology

I have been a huge fan of sports, particularly soccer, from a very young age and as I have grown up I’ve begun to see the actual power of the sport. Soccer, a sport that is played by youth all over the world, was in fact plagued with corruption at all levels. The 2015 uncovering of the exploitation at the highest level of football completed by the higher-ups of FIFA, became the tipping point for many viewers, as it highlighted the value of money over the integrity of the sport.

Match-fixing has always been prevalent; however, we’ve never had cases of nations paying FIFA members to be able host World Cups until now. I began to realize the power of not only soccer, but other sports as well, and as the 2022 World Cup inched closer the term “Sportswashing” became more apparent.

Sportswashing is the use of soft power, which is power through attraction as opposed to coercion, in order to divert controversial issues a nation is facing.

I looked at Sportswashing as a new concept; however, through completing this project I learned that while it is a new phrase, the concept itself has been around for years. I learned how Sportswashing has a very strong impact on a nation's geopolitical standing. Sports are an easy and safe way to promote tourism, show off your prominent cities, and take away any negative news coming out about your nation.

As this process became more mainstream, regular media outlets would write about its dangers. I began to realize that many of these articles were highlighting the usage of Sportswashing by MENA nations (Middle East and North Africa). 

Its concept has recently been used by Russia (2018 World Cup), and China (2008 Summer Olympics and Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics). However, their usage was not highlighted. Instead, the takeovers of soccer teams by Qatar and Saudi were protested against, deals that if deemed harmful could easily be blocked by the English parliament. Learning more about Orientalism and how prominent it is in our society, I began to put two and two together and found that many of the views pushed out about Sportswashing were derived from Orientalist views.

Can Art Integration Enhance Student Engagement in the Classroom?

Jaclyn Regina, Verrazzano Class of 2024, completed major in SLS (1-6)

For my research project, I wanted to focus on a topic that I was both passionate and knowledgeable about. As an SLS major with a special interest in art, I thought that researching information on the connection between art integration and student engagement would be interesting. I completed a literature review, analyzing texts that supported the question at hand. With the assistance of my mentor, Professor Cabral, I was able to learn a lot about art integration and its many connections to increased student engagement.

This assignment taught me a lot about both my specific topic and the process of creating an effective capstone. I learned a lot about how to properly research and where to find appropriate sources. Almost every source I used was from the CSI library. The education databases provided me with so much significant information that was very beneficial when researching and writing this essay. I was also able to improve my ability to cite sources and to defend claims. The ability to answer a research question by providing strong peer-reviewed sources is a very important skill to have.

Being able to expand my knowledge on a topic that is important to me has also been very impactful. As a future educator, I want to ensure that my students are supported and have a reason to come to school every single day. With the information I learned through the literature reviewed, I now know so many different aspects of teaching, as they connect to art integration and student engagement.

My essay follows 6 key themes including hands-on learning, social-emotional learning, use of new materials, different art forms, culture, and identity. Each of these themes work together to support how art integration can enhance student engagement in the general education elementary classroom. I was able to learn a lot through this experience and it was exciting to present my findings at the Undergraduate Research conference.

Comparison of Pharmacological and Non-Pharmacological Treatments for Parkinson's Disease

Gadzhi Shakhnavazov, Verrazzano Class of 2024, completed major in Biology 

"The more you learn, the more you earn," is a famous quote by Warren Buffett. While most people think that it is only related to money, I found it to be beyond that. Learning, in my opinion, provides one with an opportunity to have new experiences, which can then shape the person.

Doing research was a new thing for me, and to be honest, it was not easy, but it was worth it. While my capstone project (research) was a meta-analysis and I did not have to physically do the experiments, it was not easy to find reliable sources and accurate information.

Searching for articles on the comparison of conventional and non-conventional treatments for Parkinson's disease was quite difficult, since the disorder is not well studied yet. During the process of completing my project, I embarked on a journey that not only enriched my understanding of this neurological disorder but also honed my skills in research, critical analysis, interpretation of information, and teamwork.

After completing the project, I enhanced my research skills and learned new ways of finding reliable information that I implement in my everyday life. For example, I recently needed to buy supplements and I used my research skills to find a good study that discussed the benefits and disadvantages of different forms of certain supplements that best suited my needs.

Another important aspect that was enhanced was teamwork. Working and communicating with my partner and mentor taught me important communication skills, making me more professional. We had different perspectives on different matters, but, embracing diverse perspectives and integrating insights from several minds can lead to more comprehensive solutions to complex challenges.

As mentioned above, the disorder is not well studied yet, so it is important for research to continue. One potential direction is to conduct longitudinal studies to assess the long-term efficacy and safety of both pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions for Parkinson's disease. Furthermore, advancements in technology offer opportunities to enhance the delivery and monitoring of non-pharmacological interventions such as physical therapy, cognitive training, and deep brain stimulation. While meta-analysis exposes you to a broad scope of information, I think that choosing one certain treatment and conducting a physical experiment on its effectiveness would be a great way to continue researching the topic in the future.

In conclusion, the process of developing and completing my capstone project has been a transformative journey. It has not only deepened my understanding of this neurological disorder but has also equipped me with invaluable skills in research, critical analysis, and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Incorporating an ASL Curriculum for Students in Grades 1-6

Gianna Occhiuto, Verrazzano Class of 2024, completed major in SLS (1-6) and minor in ASL

When I was in fifth grade, a select few students took an American Sign Language class as an extracurricular activity. I never had the opportunity to join the class, but a lot of my classmates did, and they communicated with each other through sign language across the classroom. I was fascinated by how my classmates were communicating with each other without speaking. When I started as an undergraduate at CSI, I had the opportunity to take ASL as one of my major requirements and fell in love with it. I learned so much about the language, along with the culture.

As a childhood education (grades 1-6) major with a minor in American Sign Language (ASL), I was inspired to create a capstone project that would bridge these two areas. Throughout each of the ASL courses that I have taken, I have gained an appreciation for the language, culture, and community. The result was an ASL curriculum for childhood education, a tool that not only explores the benefits of teaching ASL to hearing students but also paves the way for its incorporation into my future classroom as a teacher. I worked with Russell Rosen, my professor for ASL 215 (level IV) and 220 (Deaf People, Community, and Culture). Professor Rosen provided great insight into what should be incorporated to create a successful curriculum for teaching ASL. There is a gap in previous studies, meaning there is no curriculum for grades 1-6; there are various curriculums that high schools and colleges use based on the state. An ASL curriculum should be aligned with state standards based on the grades the students are in.

Throughout my research, I learned a lot of valuable information that I will utilize when incorporating an ASL curriculum into my classroom. Teaching ASL as a second language has various benefits, such as cognition, memory, brain development, sight, comprehension, play, and movement. It also improves students' self-esteem, engagement, and enrichment.

While completing my project, I reflected on my experience as a student teacher. I decided that teaching each lesson of the curriculum should follow the workshop model (I Do, We Do, You Do) because I found it successful when teaching my students. In addition, it would be beneficial for English Language Learners (ELL) students to learn sign language to help them learn English.

Teaching ASL as a second language to students in grades 1-6 will create meaningful teaching moments that students will cherish in their educational careers. The curriculum will promote an inclusive, diverse, and equitable student classroom.

Afto-Latinx Youth: A review of Literature and Clinical Recommendations

Kelly Calixto, Verrazzano Class of 2024, completed major in Psychology

For my final project, I wanted to choose a topic that I was passionate about. Being a Latina of immigrant parents, I knew the hardships Latinos face from society which made me want to shed light on the Afro-Latinx immigrant youth community. My project was a literature review that focused on how discrimination affects the mental health of Afro-Latinx Immigrant Youth Community.

While researching this topic I learned that this community is not only ignored by society, but also in the psychological world. While looking for articles I saw how not many research studies are done on this specific community. Many research studies focus on either Latinos in general or immigrant Latinos, but rarely focus on the Afro Latinx immigrant youth community and how they are affected.

Another thing I learned was how not only discrimination against their race, ethnicity, and legal status affects them, but how the sense of cultural homelessness made this group feel isolated. Many Afro Latinx immigrants suffer from cultural homelessness because of the sense of not belonging. These individuals go through questioning their belonging to their Latin American culture and African culture, as well as adapting to the United States culture.

In this literature review, I created a research suggestion that would assist in identifying how discrimination plays a significant role on mental health for the Afro Latinx immigrant youth community. I also recommended clinical practices such as cross-cultural training and suggesting research outputs in schools for immigrant youth.

This capstone not only educated me on Afro Latinx immigrant community but encouraged me to learn about my growth as a student. When I first began the Verrazzano Honors program and heard of the capstone, I was intimidated and thought that successfully completing the department’s requirements would be unattainable. I realize now that completing the capstone allows me to recognize my growth.

I would like to thank Professor Roger-Sirens for being an amazing mentor throughout this journey. She inspired me to complete my capstone, and shed light on this community after taking her class in the spring semester of 2023. She  continued to push and motivate me throughout this process.

I now aspire to work in minority communities and be the therapist that individuals can feel comfortable relying on.

Gesture Production in Gahvora-Reared Infants in Tajikistan

Kristen Vonfrolio, Verrazzano Class of 2024, completed major in Psychology 

Infants develop communication skills first by relying on non-verbal means of communication. Simple gestures such as pointing and shrugging are used before they gain the linguistic skills necessary for producing spoken language. However, in Tajikistan, infants are placed in gahvora cradles for extended periods, where their limbs are tightly swaddled and bound inhibiting movement. My capstone project investigated how this restricted mobility impacts their developmental trajectory of speech and gesture production. I also explored how gestures relate to the development of speech production.

Throughout my project, I learned about various cultural practices and the relationship between gestures and language. The cultural background has a significant effect on early communicative behaviors. For instance, infants raised in a gesture-rich culture (i.e., Italian) produce gestures during communication more frequently than infants in the United States. Infants raised in a gesture-rich culture may rely on gestures more than spoken language whereas, infants raised in cultures where spoken language is the primary method of communication may rely on spoken language more than gestures. This is significant because there is a negative correlation between gesture and speech production; as one increases the other tends to decrease. If an infant relies more on gestures than spoken language, the onset of verbal communication may be delayed. If an infant relies more on spoken language than gestures, the onset of gestures may be delayed.

As anticipated, the results of my study show that with age the production of speech and gestures in Tajik infants increased from 12 to 20 months. However, gestures remained the main form of communication as speech was relatively low during this developmental period. Infants may have communicated using gestures more frequently due to increased mobility since gahvora use decreased over the second year of life.

One way I would take this project further is by addressing the limitations of this study. This study utilizes mother-reported data to gauge infants' speech and gesture production. Maternal reports may introduce biases, as they rely on mothers’ recollections of their infants’ actions. Direct observation of infants producing gestures and uttering vocalizations would have been more beneficial.

I am very grateful for the opportunity to collaborate on this project under the mentorship of Dr. Karasik and to be a member of the Verrazzano Honors Program. It has been a rewarding, enriching, and educational experience.

Treatment Efficacy for Childhood Apraxia of Speech

Raijan Peters, Verrazzano Class of 2024, complete major in English Linguistics and minor in Speech Language Pathology 

A review of the literature for my capstone began in the spring semester of my junior year in 2023. I felt sure that this research would make a difference in my field. I knew that I had to reach out to someone that knows a lot about the field, but who also has firsthand experience with those who struggle with all types of speech. My mentor, Lorenza Colonna is a licensed Speech and Language Pathologist and offered up so much valuable information in the research and in the writing.

As knowledgeable as my classes were throughout my undergraduate degree, I realized that the field of Speech and Language Pathology is a vast profession in which I could not possibly know everything about every disorder and pathologies. Professor Colonna gave me time to research Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS) so that I could know the topic thoroughly.

After researching this topic for myself, my mentor and I thought about how we wanted this topic to be unique. We decided that we wouldn’t only research CAS, but we would look into which treatments are the most effective, in the sense that the patient is able to maintain the skills that they learned well after therapy is done. Professor Colonna informed me that treatments for CAS have been researched before but what makes our research unique is that we are focusing on treatment plans that are the most effective long term. She provided me with an article entitled “A Systematic Review of Treatment Outcomes for Children with Childhood Apraxia of Speech”, that outlined the population we would be focused on and each treatment plan that was used. There were six different treatment approaches that we researched, some being motor based, linguistic based, and then a treatment called AAC.

Before sifting through this research, my mentor made sure that I looked up each and every treatment that was used in this research so I would have my own background knowledge. Once this was done, I dove into the real research with the article. Each treatment plan was outlined in a very detailed and specific way how it was implemented, how long the treatment was given before it ended, and how long after treatment the patient still displayed skills learned in therapy (maintenance). My mentor and I were able to compare and contrast each treatment plan to see for ourselves which ones were maintained the longest.

As an aspiring Speech and Language Pathologist going to graduate school in the fall, this capstone has been nothing short of valuable and significant to not only my knowledge but to the research in the field. Speech and Language Pathologist clinicians make evidence-based decisions off of the most recent research, and it is important to be privy to every single discovery made in the field.

In addition, not only is it important to develop my proficiency in the field, but doing a capstone of this measure helped me to write in a professional manner. As I was writing, I had to organize all of my thoughts into sections, use clinical terms, and had to keep my thoughts as concise as possible. These are characteristics/ skills I know I will need in graduate school.

When we began this process, every time I wrote a section my mentor and I met on zoom to discuss edits. These edits were made, and I would send her the revisions. My professor provided me with notable edits every time that took my writing and understanding to the next level.

Throughout this entire process, my professor exhibited so much patience and offered copious amounts of support. Having a Speech and Language Pathologist as my mentor, Professor Colonna knew exactly how to organize and edit my thoughts which led all the way to this point.

As for how this project could be developed further if I were to continue, I would expand the years which I focused my research on. Additionally, I would expand my research to not just mono-lingual English-speaking children, but it would be interesting to do the research on children who know different languages, or children who are not English speaking. Ultimately, this experience was rewarding and memorable.

Social Media and Attachment Post Covid-19

Cheyanne Richardson, Verrazzano Class of 2024, completed major in Psychology and minor in East Asian Studies

Deciding on a topic for my capstone was the most difficult part of the process, as I am interested in so many things, such as East Asian cultures. I was originally trying to find something that related to Psychology and Korean culture. When that topic didn’t go anywhere, I thought about how we are living post Covid-19 and how that has affected how we speak and interact with people.

From personal experience, I know that it was hard for me to socialize normally since we were using Zoom and social media to stay connected. I thought about how I dived deep into social media and how it was getting harder for me to stay off of it and to be present and in the moment when there were people around. That was when my topic was born. I thought about how people had to have been experiencing the same thing as me and I wanted to know if it affected people differently based on their countries.

It was difficult to find Covid-19 related research in the beginning of 2023. I was abroad in South Korea during that time, and I found it difficult to read through countless articles when they did not give me a direct path on which to continue. Therefore, I mainly focused on the positives and negatives of how social media has had an effect on how people form attachments to others before Covid-19.

I knew it was just a waiting game for the pandemic related research to come out since it was still being investigated. I continued to check into the library and see if anything new would pop up, but nothing. I was getting discouraged and thought about switching my topic altogether. When the fall semester began, I decided to give it one last try, and I hit the jackpot. I remember being so excited that I stayed up the entire night because I was completely fascinated on what people found. I asked my professor at the time to become my mentor because she gave me so much support and encouragement even though I felt completely lost. This was my first time doing a capstone and I felt like I was failing and not doing enough. Dr. Alisha Johnson was always there for me to help me get my feelings out about this stressful process, and she taught me to believe more in myself as well as be proud of my work.

Looking back on my entire capstone experience, I can smile brightly because I did it. I considered not doing the capstone and graduating without the honor’s program, but I thought that was such as waste and a disservice to me, since I already survived four years of being in honor’s classers and doing community service and VELAs. Don’t get me wrong, the capstone itself can be a pain and stressful. There will be tears and worries and outright mental breakdowns. What I can say is, be kind to yourself and that you will get through this. I wish I had been kind on myself, but I had people to give me that support. For example, I had my best friend read my paper. I was close to vomiting because I was so worried about what she would think. She called me and said that it was an amazing topic. She is a literature major so she helped me fix my paper a bit. Overall, she said it was easy for her to understand since she has no background knowledge on the topic, and that I did a beautiful job on getting my point across. I remember feeling really proud and that was an accomplishment for me since other papers that she helped me with didn’t make sense. For her to completely keep all of my original ideas shows my sense of growth as a writer and a student.

Detectives in Lab Coats: Procedures, Instrumentation, and Principles in Medical Laboratory Sciences

Ayah Atmani, Verrazzano Class of 2024, completed major in Medical Laboratory Science 

The purpose of my research paper is to shed light and inform the scientific community about the work that medical laboratory scientists do. Medical Laboratory Science is a critical yet underappreciated field. Many believe that diagnoses are based primarily on the work of doctors and nurses, which is not true. Medical Laboratory Scientists are the medical staff which deliver and interpret these results, as well as inform the doctors of critical findings.

This research paper is a compilation of experiences I had during my clinical rotations, honing on the most commonly performed tests, as well as the principles and methodology in the lab using standard operating procedures and research articles. By understanding the mechanisms of these tests, as well as explaining the purpose of each field; hematology, urinalysis, blood bank, chemistry, and microbiology, we can better understand the complexity of patient testing and appreciate the work that these laboratory professionals do. My paper specifically delves into testing principles, methodologies, reference ranges, automation, and forms of quality control used to obtain reliable and efficient results.

At the end of each section, I also reflect on my personal experience in each field. I began my capstone at the start of my clinical rotations and documented the tests encountered in each field, as well as providing a brief overview of the purpose of each field. The process of creating my capstone involved incredible time management skills as well as a lot of visualization for the structure of the paper I wanted to create in order to have a format for people of all ages to understand. My mentor, Professor Paez, has been an invaluable guide throughout this journey. Her dedication to her students and commitment to our success in our careers are truly commendable. I am grateful for her unwavering support and guidance.

I wanted to pursue Departmental Honors Paper in order to solidify, record, and expand my knowledge about each designated field that I have clinical rotations in. By understanding the principles behind the testing being done, I have a better understanding of the work that I am doing in a clinical laboratory setting which is used in the diagnosis and treatment of a patient. My goal for this paper is to expand many people’s understanding of the medical world; how every professional, from specimen collection to the operation of a patient in a surgical table, matters.

Impacts of Overcrowding in the Emergency Room

Julia Calvo, Verrazzano Class of 2024, completed major in Nursing 

Reflecting on the process of working on my capstone, this project has taught me many things about myself. For starters, I learned that I was able to balance and prioritize many tasks throughout the semester. Working as a full-time emergency room nurse, being a full-time college student, and maintaining the process of working on my capstone, I had a lot of balancing to do throughout my last two semesters. I was able to balance work, school, my capstone project, and making time for my friends and family.

During this process there were times where I was overwhelmed or anxious about meeting deadlines. However, this process also showed me that I am determined. When I set goals for myself, I am determined to complete them. Working on my capstone was encouraging as it helped me research a topic that I was captivated by in the emergency room.

As a full-time ER nurse, I see first-hand the issue of overcrowding at the hospital where I work. I see the difficulties that ER nurses experience when trying to provide adequate care for a large ratio of patients and seeing the struggles that the patients experience due to overcrowding.

I think this capstone project gave me the opportunity to investigate reasons why overcrowding occurs in the ER and what can be done to resolve this issue. It also gave me a great opportunity to work with my mentor who is an ER nurse and was my professor for my first semester of nursing school. It was a great to work with Dr. Jennifer Macchiarola to research contributing factors to overcrowding in the ER and to find strategies that can be implemented into ER care.

I believe I benefitted greatly from this project because I learned about strategies that I can implement into my current nursing practice to promote patient satisfaction and help reduce overcrowding. I also believe that nurses and patients can benefit from my research findings on ER overcrowding because it will increase awareness of this global issue and nurses can find ways that can help them deliver quality care to patients. Overall, I believe that this project greatly impacted my career as a nurse. I can apply what I learned to my everyday practice to make a positive impact for nurses and patients.

Meta-Analysis on Emotion Regulation and Language

Nicole Damiani, Verrazzano Class of 2024, completed major in Psychology and minor in ASL

I began my capstone during the fall 2022 semester, and familiarized myself with Dr. Patricia Brook’s research lab. I worked as a research assistant, helping graduate students with their studies either by via Zoom and with in-person sessions. I continued in spring 2023 in the lab for independent study credit, and continued working until I found a subject I was interested in. I worked one-on-one with a graduate student, Elizabeth Che, and the topic of our research was investigating the role that developmental language disorder (DLD) has on emotion recognition, understanding, and regulation within both DLD and non-DLD children. We decided to conduct a meta-analysis, a huge combination of research papers all analyzed and extracted into one paper. We extracted data from each study to obtain raw numbers for our figures.

I began writing my honors thesis in fall 2023, meeting with Liz and/or Patty every Monday via Zoom or in-person. We would set goals for the week which kept me on track, and I would spend hours every weekend on my paper. At the end of March 2024, my thesis was approved so I could obtain honors in the major of Psychology. The journey was not finished yet, as I also began my poster for the Undergraduate Research Conference (URC) on May 2^nd.

My paper will eventually be submitted for publication, which means that I am still updating my work. Overall, I am grateful I have experienced working on an honors thesis. I believe that this was a major reason I have been accepted into one of CSI’s very selective graduate programs. While I do not plan on pursuing research in the future, my experience has been a rewarding and unique opportunity.

Intersectionality: A Study on Neurodiversity and Queer Identities

Alexandra Lorenzo, Verrazzano Class of 2024, completed major in SLS (1-6) and minor in History 

Throughout the process of completing my research paper, I worked to broaden my understanding of LGBTQ+ identities and its correlation with neurodiversity, as well as gain a deeper understanding of both issues. This included understanding the impacts this intersection has for individuals identifying with multiple marginalized groups, vocalizing their struggles, and identifying ways we can accommodate their needs societally. I listened closely to queer neurodivergent individuals’ personal experiences, both good and bad, and their needs for changes they proposed to healthcare, education, and supportive communities.

I have learned from first-hand accounts the reasons for neurodivergent folks commonly rejecting concepts of gender, and why many often identify with fluid identities under the LGBTQ+ umbrella. Additionally, from my studies it has been revealed that many seek solace and comfort in these communities and identities, since both relate by being victims of alienation, isolation, and marginalization.

While correlation does not imply causation, studying this intersection of marginalized identities has indeed granted me the chance to better understand the human psyche, and ensures my becoming an educator who is well-equipped with creating a classroom environment where all students feel safe to embrace their differences.

If I were to continue this research, I would like to pursue my own personal case study, or conduct my own interviews with willing LGBTQ+ and neurodivergent participants. It is challenging to find scholarly articles that address every question you have on a topic. Yet if I were to do my own studies, I would benefit from working hands-on to gain my own understanding of this intersection from my own research and questioning. 

Developing this project further, I would gain a better understanding of the topic, allowing me to be the one finding my own solutions to issues identified by my own participants. This would ensure that in my studies, I become an active participant rather than a bystander, and can work to create a more accepting future for all individuals regardless of their differences.

Reflections on Research and Advocacy Against Book Bans

Maya Abdul-Rassoul, Verrazzano Class of 2024, completed major in English Literature (7-12), and minor in English Writing

My capstone research on the detrimental consequences of book banning was eye-opening. As an English major, I was drawn to the concept of working on a study revolving books, but as an education major, I needed to fuse the two together seamlessly.

Books and their validity in the educational realm have been a topic of conversation lately, and I felt like researching the negative consequences of book banning was the perfect fit. The fact that it was such a hot button issue though, both held me back and also motivated me, to develop and put forth research that defended the validity of books and their place in the educational system.

While I had always thought of book banning as simply censorship, digging and researching further revealed the actual complexity behind the subject at hand with significant consequences for educational and intellectual freedom.

Throughout the course of my research, I was struck by the detrimental and overwhelmingly negative impact that book bans had on student learning, especially the hinderance of their cognitive empathy and critical thinking skills. It baffles me that there is so much research presented on how detrimental the effects are on students, yet there is still a push for books to be banned in order to preserve a traditional, conservative ideology.

Books that inspired me to become an educator in the field of English are on the chopping block and have even been removed from entire school districts. Books that explore the devastatingly complex history of slavery like Toni Morrison’s Beloved or books that address the negative consequences of the abuse of governmental power like Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale or George Orwell’s 1984 have been restricted, questioned, and in some cases, entirely removed from districts. Promoting the idea that understanding life from the lenses of people who differ in race, gender, and overall circumstance is something to be avoided, and a homogenous view of life and a certain set of beliefs is the “correct” or “only proper way” to live life.

This research was mentally and physically taxing, but the payoff restored that energy and served as a mental and physical reward. Seeing my research done in its entirety was the physical reward, but obtaining the knowledge and understanding behind book banning and its negative impacts has sparked a much stronger passion within me in regards to educating students equitably and inclusively.

The topic of book banning has been more than ever on the rise, and frankly, there is not enough research under the belts of anti-book banning advocates. I would hope to develop a book out of my research if I could expand upon it further with actual conducted studies. I would look across varying school districts with banned books, and those without, to compare standardized testing, cognitive empathy, and even critical thinking. I believe that the more studies are conducted and available to the public, the more awareness and advocacy will be in place to support students’ academic freedom
alongside fostering their empathy and critical thinking skills.

Discovering the Messages Nature Shares Through Poetry

Savannah Cseko, Verrazzano Class of 2024, completed major in English Literature (7-12)

When deciding on a topic to create my capstone project on, I instantly knew that I wanted to work with free verse poetry. Back in my junior year of college I took an American poetry course with Professor Timothy Gray, and I quickly became drawn to the poetry of James Wright. I appreciated how vividly Wright described landscapes of the rural world, and the personal insight he would get from these various places in nature.

I expressed to Professor Gray that I was interested in writing my capstone paper to further explore Wright’s poetry, but I also wanted to look at other poets as well. This is when Professor Gray suggested I take a look at Mary Oliver, a free verse nature poet. I immediately became captivated by the sense of freedom in Oliver’s poetry, which is revealed through the revelations she received by immersing herself in the primitive world.

After I was able to narrow my search to James Wright and Mary Oliver, I began my research on both of them. I discovered that both Oliver and Wright have a connection, since they were both born and raised in suburbs in Ohio, and Oliver herself even brought up this connection in her own poem dedicated to Wright. After Wright passed away in 1980, Oliver wrote a sequence titled: Three Poems for James Wright, where she stated that she thought Ohio would “fall down” with Wright after his death.

Through my research, I was also able to discover that both Wright and Oliver overcame the various struggles life threw at them, and there is a clear theme of perseverance in both of their works.

However, I also got to discover each poet's personal style as well through this process, which does make their messages vary slightly. Wright is much more of an introspective poet, using “I” frequently in his poems, and using the scenery around him to help him through his struggle of depression. He was also a poet who appreciated listening to the various creatures, such as ants, crickets and horses, by getting to a place of stillness and silence to understand their value.

Oliver, however, is much more upfront in her poetry, often by using “you” and “we” in her work to invite the reader and to communicate directly with them. I was able to see through studying Oliver’s work that the primitive world is crucial to her, and I got to understand what exactly is meant by the primitive world.

To Oliver, the primitive world is a state of the physical; it is not a metaphor but rather being engaged with the natural world with every sense possible. Oliver is easily able to morph into this world and is quite comfortable there, especially in her Pulitzer Prize winning book of poetry, American Primitive.

Interestingly though, Wright and Oliver were both met with some criticism and not as much recognition as they deserved. Wright is argued by scholars that he is too sentimental and writes of experiences that can’t possibly be real, but I argue that the love he writes about between animals is absolutely real. As for Oliver, her blending of her poetry with the primitive world leaves little room for lines in between, which can be somewhat uncomfortable and not traditional. Yet I argue this is what makes Oliver so unique and daunting, and is especially refreshing in her work.

Overall, studying James Wright and Mary Oliver in such detail was an eye-opening experience for me, and I definitely plan to study their works more to develop my project further and my own personal understanding of them as poets. I am eager to check out more of Oliver’s newer poems from before she passed away, and as for Wright, I would like to examine his earlier works in more detail, especially since he originally was not a free verse poet. In his most famous book of poetry, The Branch Will Not Break, this is mainly where he starts writing in free verse and breaks his own barriers, but exploring his earlier works will help give me a clear contrast. Furthermore, I am eager to further research both of these free verse poets, since their work has already been so enlightening for me.

Christina Testa, Verrazzano Class of 2024, completed major in Nursing

My capstone journey focused on strategies that healthcare teams could implement to promote HPV and cervical cancer screenings in lesbian and bisexual women. It has been a rewarding experience that has allowed me to uncover the pressing need for tailored healthcare initiatives for this patient population.

Learning about vulnerable populations such as the LGBTQ+ community in nursing classes has always felt limited and generalized, and sparked my interest in delving more into this topic. Having the privilege of working alongside my mentor Dr. Marianne Jeffreys for over two semesters, I learned so much about this population and myself as well, as an LGBTQ+ individual, that I will carry on with me throughout the rest of my nursing career.

Navigating through the literature has uncovered promising initiatives for promoting screenings in lesbian and bisexual women under the domains of clinical practice, health care provider education, patient education, administration and policy, and research. Not only has reviewing the literature expanded my knowledge of healthcare disparities, but it has instilled a sense of purpose and responsibility.

This project represents a culmination of hard, diligent work that has taught me how to communicate effectively with others and manage my time, which are important aspects of nursing care. In addition to taking classes, completing this project has been challenging, but through communication with Dr. Jeffreys, we were able to create a timeline that best fit my schedule while still remaining actively dedicated to it.

If I were to pursue further development of this project, I’d love to gather real accounts from LGBTQ+ patients about their healthcare experiences and any barriers they are currently facing.

One thing I would say about working on the project is that it did not feel like a chore. I take pride in what I’ve uncovered and accomplished now that it is complete, and have learned what it feels like to be involved in something that fulfills such a glorious sense of purpose. I was not working on my capstone to complete a requirement; I was compelled to gain empathy, compassion, and confidence when caring for and interacting with LGBTQ+ patients, so that I am better able to promote a sense of comfort and acceptance for them in the healthcare field. The insights gained have paved the way for personal growth in my life, strengthening my desire to work with a wide array of women in the future as a labor and delivery nurse.

Achievement of a goal takes commitment, which is something I accomplished while working on my project. With this experience of commitment, I now realize I can achieve any goal in nursing by putting my all into it. As I begin the next chapter of my professional journey, I will carry with me these lessons learned, relationships fostered, and a commitment to championing health equity for all through advocacy and inclusivity in my nursing care.

 

Taurine Regulation of Blood Pressure and Vascular Resistance

Irene Kalogiannis, Verrazzano Class of 2024, completed major in Psychology and minor in Biology

I joined the Child Development Lab in the Psychology department in the spring of 2023 semester. I was interested in studying the visual attention of infants in locomotor tasks, mostly working with babies. I was going to use the work I had completed there as my capstone, and I realized that the lab was not a good fit for me and my aspirations. I was devastated by how things turned out. I thought that it was too late for me to join another lab and that no professor would accept me because their labs were full. I asked my microbiology professor for help and she gave me a list of professors who I could possibly work with and who were more involved in the biology/medical field. I decided to participate in Dr. El Idrissi’s lab and the rest is history.

I highly recommend that students start exploring different fields of research as early as possible to see what they are comfortable with and what fits their schedules. If you see an opportunity and you are eager to learn, take that opportunity. Put yourself out there and do something your future self would be proud of. It is important to take a breather and to allow situations to come unexpectedly even if we like it or not. You never know what the experience may lead to, so my best recommendation is to put your best foot forward and go with the flow. There are so many different and intriguing fields of research that many professors in each department are involved in and will inspire you, so choose wisely.

Throughout my experience, I am happy that I pushed myself out of my comfort zone; freshman year Irene would’ve been shocked. If I could change a few things in my college experience and go back to freshman year with the knowledge I have now, I would, but time travel doesn’t exist!

While working on my capstone project I had to start from scratch. I was very stressed because it crept up on me very quickly, as I am sure it has for most students. I had to learn time management and to have patience. Writing things out in my planner was a big help for me. Throughout this whole process, I thought that I wouldn't finish on time because things kept on getting pushed back and it was just too much to handle. I was taking many credits, volunteering at hospitals, and to add icing to the cake, working on top of everything else, which led me to become burnt out. But thanks to my family, friends, and Cheryl and Cynthia, they all helped me finish my capstone and graduate college with ease and reassurance.

Thankfully, things have calmed down a bit and as time has passed, it has gotten better. Some days were better than others and I managed and got through it. I took an interest in a topic I knew nothing about. I knew what taurine was but I didn't know the effects and the results it has on the human body, especially with blood pressure and vascular resistance. Taurine was mentioned in some of the biology classes I have taken before, but my professors didn't go in-depth about it. So, learning about this and searching many articles related to my capstone project was interesting. Taurine is a nutrient that is produced in the body and is found in many different foods like energy drinks. It is a multipurpose amino acid in the central nervous system, helps the body process bile acid, and has many more functions.

Overall, this whole process has been a long and wonderful journey with many bumps in between but I am very grateful that I have experienced this and I will look back at it with a smile on my face. Now, onto the next chapter!

Intersectional Representations of Identities in Queer Children’s Literature

Monica Ahuja, Verrazzano Class of 2024, completed major in Psychology and minors in Disability Studies and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies

For my capstone project I decided to take a close look at children’s literature, more specifically representation in queer children’s literature. This project started with my interest in how the content that children consume can have a lasting impact, especially on children that are questioning and beginning to discover who they are. After some discussion with my mentor, we came to the idea of looking at children’s literature as an avenue to explore this concept with a focus on queer children’s literature.

I spent time reading literature related to the topic, identifying books that might be a good fit for this research, read and analyzed these books, and wrote about my findings. It was a joy getting to work with children’s literature and being able to see how much it has changed through the lens of a researcher but also from the perspective of a former child who used to love reading children’s books. In this research we chose to focus on the overall/general representation of the primary characters in the texts but also on how several aspects of identities such as gender, sexuality, race and culture, and socioeconomic status are illustrated. We also looked at the presence or lack of intersectionality in queer children’s literature.

We found that primary characters were often portrayed positively, but there was an overall lack of diversity and development of characters with strong and complex intersectional identities. In other words, there was actually very little discussion about sexuality, race, culture, and class in these stories. And the characters were often one dimensional. Overall, this capstone experience was a positive one. I was able to develop and improve my research and writing skills. I also learned more about the consumption of literature by children in the present. It was also a wonderful experience being mentored by Dr. Hill and having such great guidance and support throughout this process. In the future, this experience will inform how I conduct research and allow me to better understand the world of children’s literature.