Trends in Early Spring Arrival Dates Among Migratory Birds

 

Don Jude Codipilly, Verrazzano Class of 2026, completed a major in Ecology & Evolutionary Biology

Variations in the spring arrival dates among various migratory birds have been a topic of great interest among ornithologists and amateur bird watchers alike. Over the course of several decades, multiple taxa have been observed to exhibit a negative trend in their spring arrival dates, resulting in earlier arrival. The data we have compiled from The Kingbird between 1987 and 2025 directly support this claim, as the average arrival dates of 93 different species across 10 regions in New York state presented a negative slope and p-value <0.05, rejecting the null hypothesis of there being no significant variation in arrival dates. Ultimately, the change in arrival dates provides an important insight into how these species may be impacted by various climatic or environmental alterations, suggesting that further research into understanding shifts in migration patterns could prove to be of value.

This project was something suggested to me by my mentor Shaibal Mitra and is something that I felt rather passionate about as he had introduced me to the world of bird watching allowing me to gain a newfound interest in the birds present not only across the state by my own backyard. I expected this capstone project to be rather overwhelming but, in the end, I found myself greatly enjoying the process and the subject matter. It was initially challenging dealing with such a large data set but understanding exactly what was needed for this research certainly made the whole process easier to understand, and after doing the analysis I found myself rather surprised in that so many species are arriving to New York early in the Spring. After graduating I am looking to continue this research project as there’s is still so much to do and further analyze with the data set we have, the overall take away I have with this research is the importance of doing this kind of work to understand how these species can be influences by factors that we as humans may very well be linked to.

 

Socioeconomic Status and Speech Disorders

 

Gianna Saitta, Verrazzano Class of 2026, completed a major in English Linguistics and minors in Spanish and Speech Language Pathology

The purpose of this project was to explore how socioeconomic status (SES) influences the development of speech and language skills in young children. Specifically, I examined why children from lower-income backgrounds are more likely to experience speech and language delays or disorders compared to their higher-income peers. Through a review of existing research, I focused on the social and environmental factors that contribute to these differences, such as language exposure, caregiver interaction, access to healthcare, educational resources, and levels of household stress. Overall, the research shows that differences in communication development are not caused by a child's individual ability, but rather by the environments in which children grow up in. Children from lower-income households are often exposed to fewer words and less interactive conversation, which can slow vocabulary growth and language processing. These early gaps can continue into school and affect academic performance. In contrast, children from higher-income households are more likely to experience richer language environments, including more conversation, responsive caregiving, and early learning opportunities that support communication development. 

Another key finding is that environmental stress plays an important role. Families facing financial instability, housing insecurity, or limited access to healthcare may have fewer opportunities for consistent, high-quality interaction with children. Over time, these combined stressors can impact both cognitive and language development. The research also shows that early intervention and access to speech-language services can significantly improve outcomes, especially when communication concerns are identified early. One of the most important conclusions from this project is that speech and language disparities are shaped by multiple factors working together. These include reduced language input, caregiver stress, and limited access to supportive resources. Addressing communication delays requires more than focusing on the child alone, it requires improving the broader systems and environments that support early development. 

I identified my research area because I have always been interested in child development and communication, especially how environment and upbringing shape learning outcomes. I was motivated by the fact that communication skills are essential for success in school and everyday life, yet not all children have equal access to the experiences that support these skills. I wanted to better understand why these differences exist and what can be done to reduce them. Before starting my capstone, I expected it to feel more like a traditional research assignment with a clear beginning and end. In reality, it felt much more like an ongoing process of reading, connecting ideas, and refining my understanding over time. As I reviewed more sources, my perspective kept expanding, and I had to constantly adjust how I organized and explained my ideas. One of the most challenging aspects was combining a large amount of research into a clear and cohesive argument. Many studies focused on different but related factors, so it was difficult at times to decide how to connect them without repeating information. On the other hand, one of the easier parts was finding research that supported my topic, since there is a strong body of literature on SES and language development. What surprised me most was how consistently the research emphasized environmental influence rather than individual ability. I also did not expect caregiver interaction and stress to play such a large role in language development. 

If I were to expand this research further, I would like to explore specific intervention programs that have been successful in reducing language gaps. I would also be interested in studying how bilingual or multilingual environments interact with SES in shaping language development. Additionally, I think it would be valuable to look more closely at school-based programs and how early education systems can help close communication gaps. From this experience, I am taking away a stronger understanding of how deeply a child's environment influences their development. I also learned how important early intervention and access to resources are in supporting communication skills. Most importantly, I gained an appreciation for how research can be used to highlight social inequalities and guide efforts to create more equitable support systems for children.

A Diagnostic Approach to Renal Disease Across Major Clinical Laboratory Departments

Ruth Anson, Verrazzano Class of 2026, completed a major in Medical Laboratory Science and minors in Biology, Chemistry, and Biochemistry 

My project focused on understanding how different areas of the clinical laboratory work together to diagnose and monitor renal (kidney) disease. The kidneys play a vital role in filtering waste from the blood, maintaining fluid and electrolyte balance, and supporting overall body function. When kidney function declines, these processes are disrupted, often before noticeable symptoms appear. My research aimed to highlight how Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) contributes to detecting these changes early and tracking disease progression.

To explore this, I examined how major laboratory departments each provide important information. In the chemistry lab, tests such as creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) help determine how well the kidneys are filtering waste. Urinalysis offers direct evidence of kidney damage through findings like protein, red blood cells, and casts. Hematology identifies complications such as anemia, which occurs when damaged kidneys produce less erythropoietin. Microbiology detects infections, such as urinary tract infections or bacteria in kidney stones, that can affect kidney health. Immunology contributes by identifying infections like hepatitis that may lead to renal complications. Blood bank supports patient care by ensuring safe transfusions in cases of severe anemia.

A key part of my project was incorporating real case studies from my clinical rotations. These experiences allowed me to see how laboratory results directly connect to patient diagnosis and management. Overall, my research showed that MLS is essential not only in diagnosing renal disease but also in monitoring its progression and guiding clinical decisions.

I identified this research area during my clinical rotations, where I saw how frequently renal-related lab tests were ordered and how critical they were in patient care. I was motivated by the realization that although patients may not interact with laboratory professionals directly, the results we produce play a major role in their diagnosis and treatment. This inspired me to focus on showcasing the importance of MLS in a condition as common and impactful as kidney disease.

Before starting this capstone, I expected it to be mostly literature-based and focused on writing. However, it turned out to be much more practical and reflective, especially with the inclusion of case studies from my clinical experience. It allowed me to connect what I learned in the classroom to real-world applications in the hospital setting.

One of the most challenging aspects was organizing information from multiple laboratory departments into a clear and cohesive project. Each department has its own methods and significance and bringing them together required careful thought. At the same time, one of the easier parts was relating the findings to renal disease, as I had observed many relevant cases during my rotations. I was also surprised by how interconnected the departments are and how each one contributes a piece to the overall clinical picture.

If I were to expand this research, I would focus more on specific types of renal disease, such as acute kidney injury or chronic kidney disease, and explore how laboratory findings change over time. I would also consider including more detailed patient case studies to show disease progression and treatment outcomes.

Overall, this experience has strengthened my understanding of the critical role of Medical Laboratory Science in healthcare. I have gained a deeper appreciation for the impact of accurate laboratory testing and the responsibility that comes with it. This project has also reinforced my interest in the field and prepared me to apply my knowledge in a professional setting, where I can contribute to patient care through reliable and meaningful laboratory results.

Synthesizers: The Science and History of Technology in Music

 Matthew Hale, Verrazzano Class of 2026, completed a major in Music Technology and a minor in Dramatic Arts

My work with Prof. Carlos Delgado focused on what goes into creating a functioning synthesizer and a sequencer. At the start of this project, Prof. Delgado had me read up on the extensive history of technological innovation in the field of music. Over the course of this study, I gained a better understanding of the steps taken to create what we use in today’s music, from the earliest instances of electricity in music to the technology found in the music of David Bowie and Pink Floyd. Through hands-on work, I learned the different components of a synthesizer. As the building process of the synthesizer went on, the more I learned, starting with the oscillators that create the waveforms, then the filters that carve away at the waveforms to shape your sounds, then the amplifiers that shape the volume throughout the sound,  and finally the Low Frequency Oscillators that shape the sound further with frequencies that are lower than the range of human hearing. The sequencer works hand-in-hand with the synthesizer, creating patterns using a string of notes that sends data to the synthesizer.

I knew I wanted to do my capstone project about music technology. However, I didn’t realize I wanted to focus on synthesizers and sequencers until I started working with Max/MSP in Prof. Isidore Ramkissoon’s class. The following semester, I started Prof. Carlos Delgado’s class, where the area of focus is entirely up to me. He mentioned programming my own synthesizer, and I was hooked immediately. Because I am currently enrolled in my mentor’s class, the workflow was a little unorthodox. I was expecting to need to dedicate time outside my classes to work on this project, but I was able to complete a good majority of it during my class time. Programming the synthesizer definitely had its difficult moments. Specifically, working with many tiny, intricate parts led to several issues that required extensive trial and error to resolve. Remembering what each component does was also a bit tricky, given all the moving parts. One aspect that surprised me, however, was the research on history. I was not expecting to find traces of electronic music dating back to the mid-18th century. Moving on from this project, I would like to further experiment with updating my synthesizer, adding new components, and experimenting with ones already in it. I would also like to delve deeper into early-20th-century innovations because they seemed the most experimental and “out there.” From this experience, I have gained a newfound appreciation for electronic music and a better understanding of the programs I have been working with on my own time.