SHSP Showcases Research and Collaboration at Annual Research and Scholarship Day
Research presentations and discussions highlighted innovation across health sciences
/filters:quality(70)/prod01/channel_58/media/schools-and-colleges/nymc/images/intouch-photos/2020-2023-intouch-photos/Untitleddesign-8.png)
The School of Health Sciences and Practice (SHSP) Research and Scholarship Day, in partnership with Student Healthcare Executives (StuHe), hosted an engaging evening dedicated to scientific discovery and collaboration on March 26. Research presented by students, faculty, and alumni covered a wide range of community-service and research projects, including Medicaid cost trends, obesity, safe patient transfer knowledge, cold exposure, Alzheimer’s Disease, and more.
The second Research and Scholarship Day since the COVID-19 pandemic showcased innovative research, community collaboration, and networking opportunities. Featuring 20 poster presentations across various disciplines in public health, physical therapy, and speech-language pathology, the event offered collaborative discussion between students, faculty, alumni and professionals, and insightful conversations emerged around the featured healthcare topics.
“Thank you students for your hard work. It was a pleasure to learn more about your research and proposals, and we encourage you to continue developing them,” said Victor Santamaria, Ph.D., M.Sc., PT, PCS, assistant professor of physical therapy and director of the Motion Analysis Laboratory.
Research Awards
First place
The Impact of State-Level Health Policies on U.S. Maternal Mental Health
Bruno Villazhiñay-Matute, Dr.P.H. ’25, M.P.H. ’22; instructor and senior administrator of obstetrics and gynecology
Advisors: Andrés Castillo-Quintana; Bianca Stifani, M.D.,M.P.H. FACOG, assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology; Elizabeth Drugge, Ph.D., M.P.H. ’12, associate professor of public health and adjunct professor of pharmacology; Kenneth A. Knapp, Ph.D., chair and assistant professor of public health; and Adam Block, Ph.D., associate professor of public health.
Second place
Interventions on postural control for children with cerebral palsy, GMFCS IV-V: A scoping review
Katy Lee, D.P.T. Class of 2026; Jadhia Harper, D.P.T. Class of 2026; and Kelly O’Donnell, D.P.T. Class of 2026
Advisors: Katharine Tepper, digital and data initiatives librarian; and Victor Santamaria, Ph.D. M.Sc., PT, PCS, assistant professor of physical therapy and director of the Motion Analysis Laboratory
Impact of an Interprofessional Education Session on Medical Students’ Safe Patient Transfer Knowledge and Skills
Katelyn Lawson, D.P.T. Class of 2026; Elizabeth Cao, D.P.T. Class of 2026; Alexandra Cleary, D.P.T. Class of 2026; Kristin Johnson, D.P.T. Class of 2026; Joseph Iskander, D.P.T. Class of 2026; and Chrisomalis Morel, D.P.T. Class of 2026
Advisor: Kristina Welsome, D.P.T., M.S., PT, OCS, CFMT, MTC, NBC-HWC, assistant professor of physical therapy
Proposed Research Awards
First place
Study Protocol: Tumor-Informed ctDNA for Detection of Occult Inguinal Lymph Node Metastasis in Penile Cancer
Amit Puthan, SOM Class of 2029
Advisor: Andrew Katims, M.D., M.P.H., assistant professor of urology
Second place
Preventive Dental Screening Disparities in Patients with Intellectual Developmental Disabilities in the Hudson Valley
Abigail Obeng-Ayirebi, M.P.H. Class of 2026; and Srushti Joshi, M.P.H. Class of 2026
Advisor: Nisha Beharie, Dr.P.H., M.P.H., assistant professor of public health
