Research
Connecting faculty mentors and student researchers
Research at Immaculata University begins with curiosity, takes shape through vision and grows through exploration leading to discovery. At the core of research are the inquisitive and innovative faculty of Immaculata University. Collaboration across interdisciplinary domains allows our faculty to connect singular ideas and develop multi-dimensional solutions to the scientific and social problems facing humanity.
Faculty Research and Mentoring
Our faculty serve as both scholars and practitioners in their fields who have made significant contributions to academia, to the student population and to the world. Faculty research thrives on national, regional and university levels as demonstrated through publications, conference presentations and university symposiums.
In support of their individual research interests, Immaculata faculty also strive to engage undergraduate and graduate students as active contributors to research projects. Under the direction of a faculty mentor, students have an opportunity to enhance independent thinking and gain hands-on research experience.
Research Mini-Grants
Immaculata’s mini-grant program is one way we support faculty-student mentorship. Faculty apply for up to $1,000 in university funding to support projects in which they guide students in the research process. The mini-grant program typically supports approximately five projects per year, making it a key pathway for faculty-student interaction and allowing our undergraduates to make scholarly contributions.
Student Research Poster Presentations
Posters Under the Dome is an annual research symposium at Immaculata that showcases undergraduate student research. This symposium features the research work of dozens of undergraduates, about 70 to 90 in recent years. Research in the Round is Immaculata’s annual symposium for graduate student research.
During these events, students present posters that summarize their projects, which may include their initial hypotheses, relevant literature they reviewed, experiments they conducted, data they gathered and analyzed, conclusions they made and insights they discovered. The IU community is invited to walk among the displays and view students’ posters, and students are available to discuss their work with visitors and answer questions.
2024 Posters Under the Dome Winners
We recognize the first-place winners and honorable mentions for Undergraduate Research in Posters Under the Dome and their faculty mentors who helped them achieve this recognition. Below is a list of first-place winners and honorable mentions listed by academic department/division.
First Place
Applied Technology and Mathematics
Makenna Piaskowski – “Social Media Algorithms in Relation to Teen Mental Health”
Business
Kristin Carter, Amanda Gallini, Allison Hill – “How do College Students Use AI Assistance Like ChatGPT?”
Fashion
Mackenzie Lien – “Sustainable Fashion”
Civic Engagement
Kyle Steinfield – “The Catholic Church’s Response to World War II”
Education
Madison Borkowski – “Effectiveness Training on Preservice and Inservice Education in the Area of Special Education Transition Planning”
Health, Nutrition, and Exercise Science
Cassandra DeFeo – “The Impact of Improving Body Muscular Strength among Adults with Developmental Disabilities”
Music
Avery Valenta, Caleb Willard, Madilynn Grenier, Caitlin Clayton – “The Effect of Live Meditative Music on Undergraduate Music Therapy Majors”
Natural Sciences
Liam Semmler, Aidan Doyle, Mary Steinbicker – “Exploring the Difference in Plant Communities across Hog Island, Maine”
Nursing
Julia Darlak, Rita Kulemeka, Alexis Moore – “Spiritually Sensitive Care in the IU: Effects on Client Morbidity”
Psychology and Counseling
Nina Dreng Hamrell – “Moral Identity and Values”
Philosophy
Angele Oye-Mba – “Who Controls Whom? Social Media and Autonomy”
Honorable Mention
Applied Technology and Mathematics
Arthur Gramlich – “Health Benefits of Habitual Reading”
Business
Tessa Liberatoscioli – “Do People Prefer Chick-fil-a or McDonald’s?”
Fashion
Reba Feroz – “Sustainable Fashion”
Civic Engagement
Nicole DeOrizio – “Pinpointing Political Polarization: Does Media Exposure Matter?”
Education
Raven McCoy; Margaret Ahern – “Adapting Writing Instruction for English Language Learners”
Health, Nutrition, and Exercise Science
Hannah Philips – “The Effectiveness of Static vs. Dynamic Stretching on Performance of Female Soccer Players”
Music
Marchello Barile, Marco DeLucia, Julie Gilligan, Micah Greene – “The Experience of Recreative Music Activities for Undergraduate Music Therapy Seniors”
Natural Sciences
Siera Cruz – “The Effect of DNA Alkylation on Mutation Frequency and Type of Yeast”
Nursing
Jared Truett, Kayla Recchiuti, Christina Pham – “Effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Adults Struggling with Opioid Addiction”
Psychology and Counseling
Gabriella DiGiacomo – “Self-Care Practices and Decreased Stress Levels”