Health Professions Students Share Research at Aletheia

^{Pictured: Thirty research posters were on display at the School of Health Professions’ annual Aletheia Research Symposium.}

Riland Auditorium was a hot spot on the Long Island campus on May 8, when undergraduate and graduate School of Health Professions students presented their scholarly work at the annual Aletheia Research Symposium.

Greek for “truth,” Aletheia showcased both individual and group work via 30 research posters, including seven selected for on-stage presentations. Academic studies represented the school’s five fields: interdisciplinary health sciences, nursing, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and physician assistant (PA) studies.

The afternoon began with remarks from Assistant Professor of Exercise Science Alex Rothstein, Ed.D., Provost and Executive Vice President Jerry Balentine, D.O., Vice Provost for Research Jared Littman, Ph.D., and Dean of the College of Osteopathic Medicine and Interim Dean of the School of Health Professions Nicole Wadsworth, D.O.

“This symposium is a celebration of inquiry, collaboration, and academic rigor,” said Wadsworth. “Our students and faculty have asked important questions through their studies. They’re helping to shape the future of healthcare and health sciences.”

After opening remarks, five students received financial awards for academic excellence. Wadsworth presented the scholarships on behalf of Aletheia sponsor Stuart Almer, president and chief executive officer of Gurwin Healthcare Systems.

Bernie Acevedo, interdisciplinary health sciences; Miriam Ibrahim, nursing; Taylor D’Alessandro, occupational therapy; Lucas Kollmer, physical therapy; and Nicole Beck, physician assistant studies, each received an award.

Assistant Professor of Occupational Therapy Ling Wan-Albert, OTD, delivered the afternoon’s keynote address with her presentation, “Growing in My Clinical Research Journey.” Wan-Albert recounted her start as an occupational therapy student and how she found her passion in neurological rehabilitation while working with Parkinson’s patients. In discussing her past and upcoming research efforts, she reminded students that they are never finished learning, just as she is learning constantly from her own scholarly pursuits.

“Research events like Aletheia force us, as young scholars, to take a closer look at what we know so far and how we can expand upon that,” said PA studies student Safiyah Chowdhury, who presented “The Impact of Institutional Facility on Student Academic Achievement Among Healthcare Professional Students,” with fellow PA studies students Linda Ayawvi, Rey Shen, and Suva Bose. “Our study, in particular, forced us to think deeply about New York Tech and how we can improve things for future students.”

Before students took their places for the poster session to answer questions and mingle with peers, several picked up a microphone as their posters were translated to slideshow format for oral presentations, including:

“Validity and Reliability of Wingate 30s All-Out Spring on Wattbike Cycle Ergometer”

Student researcher: Bernie Acevedo

Advisor: Alex Rothstein, Ed.D.

Department: Interdisciplinary Health Sciences

“Exploring Perspectives of Female Athletes in Concussion Recovery and Return to Daily Activities”

Student researcher: Gina Pepe

Advisor: Christina Finn, Ed.D.

Department: Occupational Therapy

“Feasibility of Music-Based Intervention to Promote Health Management and Emotional Well-Being for Individuals with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI)”

Student researcher: Francesca Gambino

Advisor: Ling Wan-Albert, OTD

Department: Occupational Therapy

“Can Physical Therapy Assessments Identify Vestibular Dysfunction in Persons with Parkinson’s Disease: A Pilot Study”

Student researchers: Paige Poulakis, Caitlyn Davis, Colin Meyers, Amanda Gonzalez

Advisors: Rosemary Gallagher, D.P.T.; Shaina Flanzraich, D.P.T.

Department: Physical Therapy

“A Novel Cooling Vest to Prevent Heat-Induced Thermoregulatory Dysfunction in Persons with Spinal Cord Injury”

Student researchers: Howard Chung, Jonathan DeSilvestri, Ian Paez

Advisor: John P. Handrakis, D.P.T.

Department: Physical Therapy

“Exploring Mentees’ Perceptions of Mentorship: Insights into the Positive Outcomes and Its Effect on Academic Performance in Physician Assistant Studies”

Student researchers: Marisol Izurieta, Tommy Le, Zara Shaikh, Elijah Saint Furcy

Advisor: Yennie Armand, M.S.

Department: Physician Assistant Studies

“The Correlation Between Sleeping Patterns and Learning Outcomes in Graduate Healthcare Students”

Student researchers: Jianchao Gao, Sakina Rahim, Sumeet Riar, Karanvir Singh

Advisor: Shinu Kuriakose, DHSc

Department: Physician Assistant Studies