Mount Saint Vincent Celebrates Scholarly Achievement at Student Research and Service Symposium
5/11/2017
Riverdale, N.Y. – More than 80 undergraduates showcased their original research at the University of Mount Saint Vincent’s seventh annual Student Research and Service Symposium on May 10, underscoring the extraordinary power of an education rooted not only in intellectual accomplishment, but to the development of the whole person.
The Mount’s Center for Undergraduate Research encourages students from all majors and backgrounds to develop original research and scholarship across the College. The Center is interdisciplinary—students learn qualitative and scientific methods along the entire spectrum—from conception, to measurement, to analysis. All research at Mount Saint Vincent conforms to national standards of ethics.
The Symposium featured poster sessions, allowing students to present and discuss their recent works and accomplishments to the campus community, including the College’s Board of Trustees, mentors, benefactors, alumnae/i, peers, and family members, among many others.
View photos from the 2017 Student Research and Service Symposium.
Stephanie Rodway ’17, a biology major, discussed her research titled “Restoration of Function in Cases of Paralysis through the Application of Brain Machine Interfaces.” Fascinated by the work of Miguel Nicolelis, M.D., Ph.D., Duke School of Medicine Distinguished Professor of Neuroscience and founder of Duke’s Center for Neuroengineering, Ms. Rodway knew she wanted to center her research on brain function in patients with paralysis-including conditions, such as Multiple Sclerosis (M.S.). The Brain Machine Interface serves as a direct communication pathway between the brain and an external device, ultimately enabling the patient to revive motor skills.
Ms. Rodway, whose parents are both former nurses, said her interest in medicine, particularly in relation to brain function, began early. “By the time I completed an internship at a rehabilitation center through the Mount, I knew I wanted to pursue a career in physical therapy.” Shortly after graduating on May 20, Ms. Rodway, a native of Bridgewater, Mass., will start graduate studies in physical therapy at New York Medical College in Valhalla, N.Y.
Shannon Reilly ’17, a native of New City, N.Y., presented her research titled “The Impact of Hourly Rounding Upon Patient Outcomes and Patient and Nurse Satisfaction.” Ms. Reilly, who will receive her B.S. in nursing May 20, said she was interested in how to maximize patient care through relatively simple practices. “My research focused on how increasing the number of rounds nurses made during a shift, ideally once an hour, produced a positive effect on patients,” she said. “Just doing a brief check-in could help alleviate a patient’s discomfort.” Ms. Reilly said her interest in nursing began through the outstanding nurse care her ailing grandfather received. “I was really impressed by their level of compassion and patience, and I wanted to help others, too,” Ms. Reilly said.
Bronx resident Aaron Cruz ’18, a business major, said his work volunteering at Bethlehem Farm, a Catholic community located in West Virginia’s rural Appalachia region, expanded his perspective on poverty. “It wasn’t exactly a matter of being so poor you didn’t have a home,” Mr. Cruz said. “It was about the reality of not having enough money to pay for major repairs, like fixing a hole in the roof.” Bethlehem Farm workers and volunteers join together to provide aid, managing many repairs themselves.
This summer, Mr. Cruz will work as a director at a camp for underprivileged youth in Belle Glade, Florida, just west of Miami. Mr. Cruz is also the founder of The Introspect, a student organization dedicated to addressing a myriad of social justice issues. “I credit the Mount for helping me understand the impact one person can have on others,” he said.
About the University of Mount Saint Vincent
Founded in 1847 by the Sisters of Charity, the University of Mount Saint Vincent offers nationally recognized liberal arts education and a select array of professional fields of study on a landmark campus overlooking the Hudson River. Committed to the education of the whole person, and enriched by the unparalleled cultural, educational, and career opportunities of New York City, the College equips students with the knowledge, skills, and experiences necessary for lives of professional accomplishment, service, and leadership in the 21st century.