A roomful of insightful future public health professionals turned out in full-force for the School of Health Sciences and Practice (SHSP) Sixth Annual Research and Scholarship Day on May 3, when SHSP faculty judges had the difficult task of selecting winners from the wall-to-wall interdisciplinary research projects presented. Research topics ran the gamut—from low-birth weights to pediatric dental hygiene to balance function in children with autism. The event was co-chaired by Luis F. Riquelme, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, BCS-S, associate professor of speech-language pathology and program director of the pediatric dysphagia certificate program and Susan L. Ronan, P.T., D.P.T., P.C.S., assistant professor of physical therapy. View the 6th Annual Research and Scholarship Day photo gallery.
Physical therapy students took top honors of the day including first place winners, photo from left, Steven Brissette, Nicole Abbate, Alexandra Kahn, Lilly Kyung-eun Park and Alex Theodores, for their research project, “Balance Function in Children with Autism,” under the mentorship of Dr. Ronan. “We knew our group was special from the beginning and we knew that our research could, at some point in time, make a difference,” explained Ms. Abbate. “In the Doctor of Physical Therapy program, we encompass team-based as well as problem-based learning as the core of our curriculum. My take away from the experience: working as a team is not difficult if you’re willing to be a good team member and put in the work.” According to Ms. Abbate, their success was due—in part—to their advisor. “Dr. Ronan is so incredibly passionate and diligent about her research that it carried through to us. We shared her passion and diligent work ethic throughout the entire project.”
Winners of the SHSP Sixth Annual Research and Scholarship Day
First Place
“Balance Function in Children with Autism”
Steven Brissette, Nicole Abbate, Alexandra Kahn, Lilly Kyung-eun Park and Alex Theodores
Faculty Advisor: Susan L. Ronan, P.T., D.P.T., P.C.S., assistant professor of physical therapy
Second Place
“PT Diagnosis for Low Back Pain: An Investigation of Attitudes Regarding Classification Scheme Selection and Utilization in Orthopedic Practice”
Robert Camacho, Dorian Shann, Luke Traub and Lauren Villalva
Faculty Advisor: Janet P. Dolot, M.S., D.P.T., Dr.P.H. ’14, PT, OCS, assistant professor of physical therapy
Third Place
“Factors Influencing Physical Therapy Utilization in Patients with Low Back Pain”
Mithun Abraham, Michael Rydwin, Erica Wharton and Aisha Wood
Faculty Advisors: Janet P. Dolot, M.S., D.P.T., Dr.P.H. ’14, PT, OCS, assistant professor of physical therapy, and Shi, Qiuhu M.S., M.S., Ph.D., professor of biostatistics
Honorable Mention
“The Epidemiology of Sport Related Concussion in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu”
Matthew A. Spano, B.S.; Donald A. Risucci, PhD.
Faculty Advisors: Donald Risucci, Ph.D., professor of surgery and assistant dean for assessment and evaluation, Mill Etienne, M.D. ’02, M.P.H., clinical assistant professor of neurology and advisory house dean, and Kristina H. Petersen, Ph.D., assistant professor of biochemistry and molecular biology and director, Academic Support Programs
“Prevalence and Trends of Antibiotic Use Among Children in the United States: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey”
Alexander Boyer
Faculty Advisors: Amy Ansehl, M.S.N., D.N.P., FNP-BC, assistant dean, associate professor of public health, executive director of the Partnership for a Healthy Population, assistant professor of family and community medicine and director of Community Education and Outreach, Children's Environmental Health Center of the Hudson Valley, Padmini Murthy, M.D., M.P.H., M.S., FAMWA, FRSPH, professor of public health and global health director, and Maureen Kennedy, M.S., Dr.P.H., assistant professor of public and director, M.P.H. studies in epidemiology
“Breathing Pattern Dysfunction: Prevalence in a Student Population”
Kathleen Genetelli, Nicholas Kozlowsky, Dhavalkumar Pandya and Kerriann Vita
Faculty Advisor: Kristina M. Welsome, M.S.P.T., D.P.T, OCS, assistant professor of physical therapy
