16th Annual Celebration of Student Scholarship and Creativity

10 a.m.
Reimagining the Contemporary Art Market
Ronan McGouran ’25, Art History and Economics major
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Bing Huang, Art and Art History

10:12 a.m.
Representations of Queer Cowboys in History, Literature, and Film
Olivia Black ’25, History major
Faculty mentor: Dr. Jeffrey Johnson, History and Classics

10:24 a.m.
The New Right-Wing Populist: The Blonde “Mother of the Nation”
Christina Charie ’25, Political Science, Women’s and Gender Studies, and Economics major
Faculty mentor: Dr. Casey Stevens, Political Science

10:36 a.m.
Two Eyes on the Johannine Jesus
Riley Stone ’25, Computer Science major, Data Science, and Mathematics minor
Faculty Mentor: Fr. Augustine Reisenauer, O.P., Theology

10:48 a.m.
Two Eyes on the Johannine Jesus
Rob Coutu ’26, Business management and Theology major
Faculty Mentor: Fr. Augustine Reisenauer, O.P., Theology

Art and Art History Projects

Lotussara
Nusara Muongcharoen ’27, Studio Art major, Painting concentration
Faculty Mentor: Professor lexi welch, Art and Art History

Regatta
Nicole Sgroi ’25, Marketing Major, Studio Art Minor with a Digital Imaging Concentration major
Faculty Mentor: Professor James Janecek, Art and Art History

Biology and Environmental Biology Projects

Microneedles potentiate skin cell rejuvenation via modulation of mitochondria and epigenetic activities
Alexandra Delano ’25, Biology major
Angelika Kartsagoulis ’25, Biology major
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Yinsheng Wan, Biology

Studying how altered clock genes affect fly circadian rhythms and rhythms of cell respiration in the brain
Connor Enestvedt ’26, Biology major
Alex Beauchene ’25, Biology major
Campbell Bridges ’27, Biology major
Jane Pittorino ’25, Biology major
Mary Nicole Hunsberger ’25, Biology major
Faculty mentor: Dr. Pamela Snodgrass, Biology

Cell Size control under changing environments
Geraldin Argandona ’26, Biology major
Pablo Andres ’27, Biology major
Elena Cabral ’26, Biology major,
Paige Duggan ’26,  Biology major
Faculty mentor: Dr. Kristi Miller, Biology

Investigating Changes in Activity and Circadian Rhythm in a Drosophila Model of Frontotemporal Dementia
Kendall Eby ’26, Biology major
Braeden Shields ’26, Biology and Health Policy and Management major
Sarah Morley ’25, Biology major
Isabella DelNegro ’25, Biology major
Faculty mentor: Dr. Marla Tipping, Biology

Stuck Between a Cow and a Plant Place; Analysis of EHEC Attachment Mechanisms on Bovine Cells and Plants
Joshua Rykiel ’25, Biology major
Luke Neri ’25, Biology major
Ryan Cielo ’25, Biology major
Faculty mentor: Dr. Matthew R. Moreau

Investigating pathways regulating size-dependent accumulation of mitotic activator Cdc25
Rachel Burke ’26, Biology major
Benjamin Kuran ’26, Biology and Global Studies major
Dylan Hernadez ’26, Biology major
Faculty mentor: Dr. Kristi Miller

Development of eDNA Tools for Biomonitoring
Stella Grondin ’27, Biology major
Anthony Aldana ’27, Biology and Psychology major
Faculty mentor: Dr. Jeffrey Markert, Biology

Quantifying the Relationship Between Biomass and eDNA​
Andrew K. Hogan ’27, Environmental Biology and English Literature major
Faculty mentor: Dr. Jeffrey Markert, Biology

Environmental Racism in RI: The Presence of Toxic Waste Sites in Low Income
and Minority Communities (19)
Julienne Walsh ’25, Environmental Biology and Political Science major
Faculty mentor: Dr. Rachael Bonoan, Biology

Chemistry and Biochemistry Projects

Exploring an Electron-Rich Iron Tricarbonyl Complex Containing an α-Diimine Ligand
Joseph Maher ’25, Chemistry major
Faculty mentor: Dr. Maria Carroll, Chemistry and Biochemistry

Variations in Organophosphate Ester (OPE) Concentrations in Atmospheric Particulate Matter in Klamath Falls, OR
Christine A Lindholm ’25, Chemistry and Neuroscience major
Faculty mentor: Dr. Adelaide Clark, Chemistry and Biochemistry

Stability of 3d transition metal carbonyl complexes in electrocatalytic reactions
Caitlin Ghent ’25, Chemistry major
Sean Peloquin ’26, Biochemistry major
Faculty mentor: Dr. Maria Carroll, Chemistry and Biochemistry

Health Science Projects

Autonomic recovery following post-exercise cold water immersion
Katherine Gurley ’25, Biology and Health Policy Management major
Faculty mentor: Dr. Brett Romano Ely, Health Sciences

Autonomic recovery from post-exercise hot water immersion
Abigail R. Sousa ’27, Health Science major
Faculty mentor: Dr. Brett Romano Ely, Health Sciences

Impact of post-exercise hot or cold water immersion on blood pressure regulation in men and women
Roberto Samano Cruz ’25, Health policy and management major
Faculty mentor: Dr. Brett Romano Ely, Health Sciences

Evaluation of a learning assistant program in an integrated lecture and laboratory class
Ashley Vasquez ’27, Health Science, Biology major
Faculty mentor: Dr. Matthew Ely, Health Sciences

Humanities Projects

Existentialism and Identity in the 21st Century
Samuel Seda ’25, Theology and Humanities major
Faculty mentor: Dr. Raymond Hain, Humanities and Philosophy

Mathematics and Computer Science Projects

Gerrymandering and How to Find it:A Mathematical Approach
Nicholas Small ’25, Mathematics and Computer Science major
Faculty mentor: Dr. Liam Donohoe, Mathematics and Computer Science

The Significance of Symmetry: Exploring T-numbers and their role in virus survival and behavior
Jenna Franco ’25, Biology major
Taylor Ligozio ’25, Biology major
Faculty mentor: Dr. Su Jeong Kang, Mathematics and Computer Science

Neuroscience Projects

mTORC1 inhibition reduces microglial proliferation and enhance neuropathology in the cerebellum of NPC1 deficient mice during postnatal development
Caroline Murray ’25, Neuroscience major
Michael Martinez ’25, Biology major
David Betancourt ’27, Biology major
Faculty mentor: Dr. Ileana Soto Reyes, Neuroscience

Anxiety- and Compulsivity-Linked Differences in Reinforcement Learning in a Choose-Your-Own-Adventure Game
Tessa Medeiros ’26, Biology & Psychology major
Faculty mentor: Dr. Andra Geana, Psychology and Neuroscience

Transitive Inference in Rats
Jose Pena ’25, Neuroscience major
Tess Cody ’25, English and Neuroscience major
Yamilet Nieves Vega ’26, Neuroscience and Health Policy and Management major
Faculty mentor: Dr. Victoria Templer, Neuroscience

Exploring Neural Mechanisms of Uncertainty using Eye-Tracking
Olivia Barbarini ’26, Neuroscience major
Faculty mentor: Dr. Andra Geana, Neuroscience

Motivated behavior in juvenility and across the lifespan
Claire Kelly ’25, Neuroscience major
Faculty mentor: Dr. Ryan Post, Psychology and Neuroscience

Reprioritization of survival needs during pregnancy in mice
Emma Morley ’25, Biology and Psychology major
Faculty mentor: Dr. Ryan Post, Psychology and Neuroscience

Public and Community Service Studies Project

Principles and Practices for Neighborly Engagement
Kat LaDuke ’27, Public and Community Service major, Communications minor
Daleth Rodriguez ’27, Public and Community Service and Political Science major, Sociology minor
Chase Quigly ’26, Public and Community Service Studies and Political Science major
Riley Londraville ’27, Public and Community Service Studies and Creative Writing major, Political Science minor
Faculty mentor: Dr. Carmine Perrotti, Public and Community Service

Psychology Projects

Repetitive Negative Thought, Subjective Stress, and Symptoms of Depression and Anxiety
Haley Margulies ’25, Biology and Psychology major
Juliette Bonchonsky ’26, Psychology major
Isabella Glennon ’25, Biology and Psychology major
Faculty mentor: Dr. Emily Gentes, Psychology

Anxiety and Depression Symptoms and Certainty in Negative Future Predictions: The Role of Intolerance of Uncertainty and Perseverative Thought
Isabella Glennon ’25, Biology and Psychology major
Faculty mentor: Dr. Emily Gentes, Psychology

Intolerance of Uncertainty in Trauma and PTSD
Juliette Bonchonsky ’26, Psychology major
Zoe Rosnov ’25, Psychology major
Jayden Peacock ’25, Neuroscience major
Faculty mentor: Dr. Emily Gentes, Psychology

Common Factors in Individuals Experiencing Suicidal Thoughts
Declan Miles ’25, Psychology major
Faculty mentor: Dr. Emily Gentes, Psychology

School of Business Projects

AI Voice Cloning and Deepfake Audio
William Westerfield ’26, Finance major
Nathan Sajdak ’26, Finance and Mathematics major

Benjamin Family Social media fellows
McKayla Lyons ’25, Marketing major
Lindsay Augusta ’26, Markting major, Communications minor
Mary Flynn ’25, Marketing major
Jelissa Jonas ’27, Finance and Marketing major
Brady Manzanares ’25, Marketing major, finance and writing minor
Ava Marini ’26, Marketing major, English and Spanish minor
Melissa Moran ’25, Psychology major, Marketing and Communications minor
Evelyn Noto ’25, Marketing and Management major
Faith Reis ’25, Marketing major
Nahshon Yisrael ’25, Marketing major, Communications minor
Mentor: Liz Kay, Marketing and Communications

Social Work Projects

Weather and Mental Health
Kendall Brant ’26, Social Work major
Julia Ogonowsky ’26, Social Work major
Salam Makram ’26, Social Work and Health Policy and Management major
Ashley Ordoñez ’26, Social Work major
Faculty mentor: Dr. Robert Hasson, Social Work

Sociology Projects

What They Don’t Teach You: A Comparative Analysis of Violent Crime Reports at Public and Private Universities
Emma Lindsay ’25, Sociology and English major
Faculty mentor: Dr. Brandon Martinez, Sociology

Women’s and Gender Studies Projects

Unintended Consequences: Assessing the Impact of Dobbs v Jackson (2022) on the Provision of Maternal Healthcare in Cases of Obstetric Emergencies in the United States
Lauren Carson ’25, Political Science, Health Policy and Management, and Women’s and Gender Studies major
Faculty mentor: Dr. Abigail Brooks, Women’s and Gender Studies

Ryan Incubator Projects

Smith Hill Consulting Group: Bodega on Smith
Sarah Lapus ’27, Psychology major, Business & Innovation minor major
Katherine Bomleny ’26, Finance major
Daniel Kiley ’27, Finance major
Anna Floru ’27, Finance major
Faculty mentor: Kelly Ramirez Stone, Donald Ryan ’69 Incubator

12:30 p.m.
Rise and Shine Café Consulting
Brady Remshak ’25, Finance major
Lillie Hamilton ’25, Sociology major
Morgan Hynes ’26, Finance and Management major
Aidan Jones ’27, Economics and Data Science major
Faculty mentor: Kelly Ramirez Stone, Donald Ryan ’69 Incubator 

12:42 p.m.
Socio-Cultural Curriculum to Enhance Learning: The case of pre-service teachers in a classroom assessment course
Kaitlyn Fuoco ’26, Secondary Education, English major
Faculty mentor: Dr. Comfort Ateh, Secondary Education

12:54 p.m.
“Gli Scheletri della Dittatura”: Fascist Art, Architecture, and Monuments in Modern Italy
John Moore ’25, History major
Faculty mentor: Dr. Jennifer Illuzzi, History and Classics

1:06 p.m.
Effect of decreased snowpack on a rare butterfly’s host plant
Christopher Walsh ’25, Environmental Biology major
Faculty mentor: Dr. Rachael Bonoan, Biology

1:18 p.m.
Secure, Sovereign, Just, Sustainable: Analyzing Rhode Island’s Food Policy Discourse
Margaret Price ’25, Global Studies and Political Science major, and Public Administration minor
Faculty mentor: Dr. Casey Stevens, Political Science

Art and Art History Projects

On the Sea
Marlena Rodriguez ’25, Creative Writing Major, Studio Art minor
Faculty mentor: Professor James Janecek, Art and Art History

The American Hut
Johandalys Montas ’25, Global Studies; Economic and Studio Art major
Faculty mentor: Professor lexi welch

Biology and Environmental Biology Projects

Characterizing the functional diversity of Southern Ocean Chordates
Lillian Stern ’26, Biology major
Faculty mentor: Dr. Roxanne Banker, Biology

Identifying and Characterizing the Biogeochemical Relationship Between Manganese-metabolizing Bacteria in Rhode Island Soils.
Etzer Lindor ’26, Biology and Health Policy & Management major
Faculty mentor: Dr. Brett Pellock, Biology

The Effect of Salinity on Mangrove Growth in the Florida Everglades
Olivia Macaluso ’26, Environmental Biology major
Faculty mentor: Dr. Rachael Bonoan, Biology

Uncovering the Mystery of Squid Sunglasses
Linda Freel ’25, Chemistry major
Sarah Deely ’25, Biology major
Kylie Fordyce ’25, Biology and Psychology major
Georgia Poulakis ’25, Biology major
Faculty mentors: Dr. Joseph DeGiorgis, Biology and Dr. Hayden Boettcher, Biology

Image analysis of pupal sex ratio in honey bee hives
Anna Tattelman ’27, Environmental Biology major
Grace O’Brien ’26, Biology major
Faculty mentor: Dr. Rachael Bonoan, Biology

The Effect of Oysters on Chesapeake Bay Water Quality
Hailey Arman ’28, Environmental biology major, Business and Innovation minor
Faculty mentor: Dr. Rachael Bonoan, Biology

Investigating Changes in Activity and Circadian Rhythm in a Drosophila Model of Frontotemporal Dementia
Kendall Eby ’26, Biology major
Braeden Shields ’26, Biology and Health Policy and Management major
Sarah Morley ’25, Biology major
Isabella DelNegro ’25, Biology major
Faculty mentor: Dr. Marla Tipping, Biology

The effect of integrated pest management on honeybee nutrition intake
Elizabeth Glasspsool ’26, Environmental Biology major
Faculty mentor: Dr. Rachael Bonoan, Biology

Using Enviromental DNA to Detect and Quantify Atlantic Silversides in Rhode Island
Owen Finnegan ’25, Environmental biology major
Faculty mentor: Dr. Jeffrey Markert, Biology

DNA and Bioinformatics Tools for Estimating Biodiversity in the Narragansett Bay
Emma Barry ’25, Environmental Biology major
Faculty mentor: Dr. Jeffrey Markert, Biology

Influence of muskrats on the biodiversity of wetlands
Emma Thornton ’27, Environmental Biology major
Faculty mentor: Dr. Rachael Bonoan, Biology

Determining foraging distances in a fragmented urban landscape via mark-recapture
Maggie Ritchie ’25, Environmental Biology major
Claire Crowther ’27, Environmental Biology major
Faculty mentor: Dr. Rachael Bonoan, Biology

Chemistry and Biochemistry Projects

Tools for harnessing atropisomerism in 1-aryl-β-carbolines
Cristina Díaz ’25, Chemistry major
Malaquias Loiza ’26, Biochemistry major
Josef Crenshaw ’28, Biochemistry major
Brian Ladino ’28, Biochemistry major
Elizabeth Perda ’26, Biochemistry major
Alma Martinez ’26, Biochemistry major
Joseph Mazzucca ’25, Biochemistry major
John Stathoulopoulos ’26, Chemistry major
Faculty mentor: Dr. Seann Mulcahy, Chemistry and Biochemistry

Discovery, purification and annotation of a novel mycobacteriophage discovered on the Providence College campus
Jenna Greene ’26, Biochemistry major
Faculty mentor: Dr. Kathleen Cornely, Chemistry and Biochemistry

Interactions of Corticosteroid Drugs with Human Gut Microbiome-Derived Dehydrogenases
Frank Sacco ’25, Biochemistry major
Faculty mentor: Dr. Tyler Stack, Chemistry and Biochemistry

Exploring the Role of Azoreductase Enzymes in Drug Metabolism: Implications for Personalized Medicine
Najoude Claude ’26, Biology major
Robert Ghergurovich ’26, Biochemistry major
Faculty mentor: Dr. Tyler Stack, Chemistry and Biochemistry

Investigations of current-use flame retardants and plasticizers in atmospheric particulate matter across an urban gradient
Paige Rossicone ’26, Chemistry and Neuroscience major
Anne Gathof ’26, Chemistry major
Faculty mentor: Dr. Adelaide Clark, Chemistry and Biochemistry

Discovery, purification and annotation of four novel mycobacteriophages in New England
Mason Krawczynski ’26, Biology and Psychology major
Faculty mentor: Dr. Kathleen Cornely, Chemistry and Biochemistry

Genomic sequences of Mycobacterium smegmatis A3 cluster phages LBerry and Pembroke
Nathan Berry ’25, Biochemistry major
Marly Cassford ’25, Biochemistry major
Faculty mentor: Dr. Kathleen Cornely, Chemistry and Biochemistry

Economics Projects

How state and local tax rates impact interstate migration: An analysis of interstate migration patterns since the passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act
James Endyke ’26, Business Economics/Accountancy major
Faculty mentor: Dr. Fang Dong, Economics

The effect of free agency and luxury tax on competitive balance in Major League Baseball
Samuel Essery ’25, Quantitative Economics major
Faculty mentor: Dr. Fang Dong, Economics

Education Projects

Global Inequities: The Exploitation of Labor in the Global South by the Global North
Catherine Taylor ’27, Management major
Faculty mentor: Dr. Comfort Ateh, Secondary Education

Health Policy and Management Projects

Administrative Burdens in Access to Health Insurance
Sophia Callahan ’26, Health Policy & Management, Psychology major
Emma McCumber ’27, Health Policy and Management major, Community Health minor
Kayla Doyle ’27, Health Policy & Management and Economics major
Reese Polking ’27, Health Sciences major
Kori Jones ’25, Health Policy and Management major
Faculty mentor: Dr. Jessica Mulligan, Health Sciences

History and Classics Projects

Koshien: Echoes of Empire in Postwar Japan
Maura McCawley ’27, History / Secondary Education major
Faculty mentor: Dr. Colin Jaundrill, History and Classics

Ancient Greek Vase Scenes and its Representation of Racism within Ancient Greek Society
Angie Pierre ’25, Global Studies, History major
Faculty mentor: Dr. Elizabeth Palazzolo, History and Classics

Herman Melville’s Bartleby and a Critique of the Market Revolution
Emma Williams ’25, History and English major
Faculty mentor: Dr. Steven Smith, History and Classics

Mathematics and Computer Science Projects

BitCam: Trustless Media Verification on Bitcoin
Colin Kirkwood ’25, Computer Science major
Faculty mentor: Dr. Martin Hellwig, Mathematics and Computer Science

Basketball Jump Shot Correction Using Computer Vision
Matthew Moran ’25, Computer Science major
Faculty mentor: Dr. Martin Hellwig, Mathematics and Computer Science

Neuroscience Projects

PTEN deficiency in developmental Purkinje cells alters dendritic development leading to deficits in mouse neonatalmotor skills and behavior
Ursula Pena ’25, Neuroscience major
Izabella Espinal San Miguel ’25, Neuroscience major
Ana Rodriguez ’25, Biology major
Faculty mentor: Dr. Ileana Soto Reyes, Neuroscience

How Are Complex Words Recognized In Written Form
Aleks Kurylowicz ’27, Neuroscience, Philosophy major
Crismar Ramos Marte ’26, Computer Science major
Faculty mentor: Dr. Joanna Morris, Neuroscience

A Big-Data Approach to Investigating the Mechanisms of Dementia-Related Neurdegenerative Disorders
Christopher, Manning ’26, Neuroscience major
Faculty mentor: Dr. Andra Geena, Neuroscience

Psychology Projects

Creation of Educational Videos Depicting Common Developmental Concepts
Amanda Ayers ’26, Psychology major
Veronica Butler ’25, Psychology major, Philosophy minor
Bridgit Lillis ’26, Psychology major
Francis Regan ’26, Psychology and Health Policy and Management major
Faculty mentor: Kelly A. Warmuth, Psychology

Perceptions of Aging & Sleep Health
Grace Lynch ’25, Psychology and Biology major
Faculty mentor: Dr. Caitlan Tighe, Psychology

Examining Repetitive Negative Thought Among Individuals with Eating Disorders
Laney Manware ’25, Psychology major
Faculty mentor: Dr. Emily Gentes, Psychology

Jealousy and Conflict: The Mediation Between Romantic Attachment Styles and Dating Aggression
Alexa Wing ’25, Psychology, Sociology, and Women’s & Gender Studies major
Faculty mentor: Dr. Charlene Collibee, Psychology

School of Business

Just Do Better: An Ethical Review of Nike 
Audrey H. Akersten ’28, Accountancy major
Theresa Coyne ’28, Management major, Accountancy minor
Ella Gasbarro ’28, Finance and Accountancy major

Social Work Projects

Substance Use and its impact on Peer Relationships at Providence College
Catherine Hien ’26, Social Work major
Clara Johnson ’26, Social Work and English major
Ava Zakhour ’26, Social Work major
Faculty mentor: Dr. Robert Hasson, Social Work

Creating Connection to Survive & thrive: Learning Harm Reduction as a Community
Lauren Gracey ’25, Social Work
Yinairy Montes De Oca Hernandez ’25, Social Work
Emily Wishart ’25, Social Work
Faculty mentor: Dr. Katherine Kranz, Social Work

Sociology Projects

Instagram Parent Influencers’ Expression of Class Status
Mary Gifford ’25, Social Science major
Norah Seidler ’26, Sociology and Management major
Audrey Koch ’25, Psychology major
Faculty mentor: Dr. Rhiannon Miller,  Sociology and Anthropology

Perceptions of Racial Inequality and the Criminal Justice System: the Influence of Structural and Individual Explanations
Elizabeth Hien ’25, Sociology major
Faculty mentor: Dr. Brandon Martinez, Sociology and Anthropology

Tensions in Teaching: Examining Job Satisfaction and Perceptions of the Education System
Rachel Medeiros ’25, Marketing and Sociology major
Faculty mentor: Dr. Brandon Martinez, Sociology and Anthropology

3 p.m.
Effects of Integrated Pest Management on Honey Bee Behavior and Colony Level Health
Kaitlyn Bresnahan ’25, Biology major
Faculty mentor: Dr. Rachael Bonoan, Biology

3:12 p.m.
Smith Hill Student Consultants
Justin Manno ’27, Accounting major
John Torres ’27, Finance and Quantitative Economics major
Holden Lassige ’27, Finance major
Arnaldo Castro ’25, Marketing major, Finance minor
Faculty mentor: Kelly Ramirez Stone, Donald Ryan ’69 Incubator

3:24 p.m.
Exploring And Editing
Christina Schwab ’25, English and Theatre major
Faculty mentor: Dr. Bruce Graver, English

3:36 p.m.
Bringing Frankenstein to Life
Christina Schwab ’25, English and Theatre major
Kathryn Genest ’25, Theatre major
Maisie Cocker ’25, Political Science and Theatre major, Women’s and Gender Studies minor
Faculty mentors: Professors Erin Joy Schmidt and Scott Osborne, Theatre, Dance, and Film

3:48 p.m.
Effect of prefrontal cortical fear engram activation on competing needs: hunger and fear
Olivia Belt ’25, Biology and Psychology major
Faculty mentor: Dr. Ryan Post, Neuroscience

4 p.m.
Pokémon Going Global: Japanese Art through a Changing Economy”
Liam Petit ’28, History major
Faculty mentor: Dr. Colin Jaundrill, History

4:12 p.m
Resignifying the Subaltern Subject: Absence as an Aesthetic Intervention in Ana Mendieta’s Silueta Series
Hayley Lonergan ’26, History and Art History major
Faculty mentor: Dr. Ellen Feiss, Art and Art History