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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”

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