Jennifer Alaska '26 (Biomedical Engineering, ENG)
Health Research Program Participant
Summer Undergraduate Research Fund Recipient
OUR Supply Award Recipient

Anthony Zuo '27 (Physiology and Neurobiology, CLAS)
Health Research Program Participant

Project Mentor: Dr. Benjamin Sinder, Assistant Professor, Orthopedic Surgery, UConn Health

Project Title: HoxA11 and HoxD11 Expression During Early Stress Fracture Healing in a Murine Fatigue Loading Model

Bones are a highly dynamic tissue and can respond to mechanical injury. However, the biological processes behind healing are not fully understood. This project studies how specific genes, called Hox genes, are involved in early bone healing using a mouse stress fracture model. We found that these genes are expressed at higher levels on the outer surface of the bone near the fracture, suggesting they play a role in the repair process. Understanding these mechanisms could help improve treatments for people with fractures or impaired bone healing.

Project Poster: Alaska, Jennifer poster file

Recorded Presentation:

Isabela Bedoya '27 (Nursing, NUR)
Summer Undergraduate Research Fund Recipient

Project Mentor: Sharon Casavant, Assistant Professor, Nursing

Project Title: Overlooked and Underserved: University Students from Marginalized Communities’ Experiences with Healthcare

This project explores how university students from marginalized communities experience healthcare in the United States. It focuses on how communication and cultural competence, as well as factors like race and ethnicity, influence the quality of care students receive. Early findings show that some students face longer wait times and receive less clear information about their care, which can negatively affect trust and health outcomes. The study highlights the need for more culturally aware, patient-centered healthcare practices to improve equity and overall patient experiences.

Project Poster: Bedoya, Isabela poster file

Recorded Presentation:

Gabrielle Brocki '26 (Electrical Engineering, ENG)
Health Research Program Participant

Project Mentor: Dr. Changchun Liu, Professor, Biomedical Engineering, UConn Health

Project Title: Point of Care Diagnostic System

This project is a portable, point-of-care diagnostic system designed to quickly detect molecular biomarkers. The system integrates simple electrical components to control and read the test results in real time. Overall, it provides a low-cost, easy-to-use way to perform rapid diagnostics outside of traditional lab settings.

Project Poster: Brocki, Gabrielle poster file

Recorded Presentation:

Morgan Cook '28 (Physiology and Neurobiology, CLAS)
Health Research Program Participant

Project Mentor: Dr. Xiaoyan Guo, Assistant Professor, Genetics and Genome Sciences, UConn Health

Project Title: Investigating the Role of DDX3X in the Mitochondrial Stress Response

My project was identifying the role that the DDX3X gene plays in the mitochondrial stress response. The mitochondria is known as the powerhouse of the cell, due to it's essential job of producing energy and maintaining homeostasis of the cell. Through the project, I inhibited the expression of the DDX3X gene and determined how the mitochondria reacted when placed in stressful conditions. The goal was determine whether or not DDX3X might be critical to the stress response or not.

Project Poster: Cook, Morgan poster file

Recorded Presentation:

Ella Jane Cook '26 (Political Science & English, CLAS)

Project Mentors: Seth Warner, Assistant Professor, Political Science & Virginia Hettinger, Associate Professor, Political Science

Project Title: Learning to Participate: Civic Education as a Pathway to Engagement

In a time with heightened political tensions and record levels of polarization, it becomes more essential than ever to remind ourselves of our democratic values. Civic engagement drives social change, brings communities together, and puts power in the hands of the people, making it central to a democratic society. It can be impacted by various elements, such as political efficacy, sense of civic duty, political knowledge, and social connection. These attitudinal mechanisms are fostered by civic education. There has long been debate over the impact of civic education on engagement, but there are more nuanced options for and modes of teaching civic curriculum now that merit scholarly attention. The purpose of this study is to explore the current relationship between the experiences of high school civic education—including curricular and non-curricular aspects—and civic engagement of college students.

Project Poster: Cook, Ella poster file

Arsen Dmytryshyn '26 (Biological Sciences, CLAS)
Summer Undergraduate Research Fund Award Recipient

Project Mentor: Eugene Pinkhassik, Associate Professor, Chemistry

Project Title: Acidity Mediated Catch and Release of Nucleotides With Stimuli-Responsive Nanocapsules

This project focuses on designing tiny hollow particles, called nanocapsules, that can carry and release molecules in a controlled manner. These nanocapsules respond to changes in acidity (pH), allowing them to capture molecules in one environment and release them in another. This behavior is controlled by electrical interactions between the capsule and the molecules it carries. Such systems could improve how drugs are delivered in the body, making treatments more precise and effective.

Project Poster: Dmytryshyn, Arsen poster file

Recorded Presentation:

Morgan Hrymack '26 (Acting, SFA)

Project Mentors: Erin Scanlon, Associate Professor in Residence, Physics & Liam McDermott, Postdoctoral Research Associate, Physics

Project Title: Neurodivergence in Stem and the Arts

This is a project that delves into the diversity of neurodivergence, their representation, and accessibility needs for neurodivergent college students. The project also discusses how neurodivergence appears in both STEM and performing arts. This celebrates both the universality and individuality of the neurodivergent experience.

Project Poster: Hrymack, Morgan poster file

Recorded Presentation:

Vincent Kuchipudi '26 (Molecular and Cell Biology, CLAS)

Project Mentor: Ping Zhang, Associate Professor, Molecular and Cell Biology

Project Title: Therapeutic Enhancement of BDNF–TrkB Signaling via TrkB Agonists and Exercise to Promote Synaptic Reorganization and Functional Recovery in the Subacute Phase After Traumatic Brain Injury

Project Poster: Kuchipudi, Vincent poster file

Recorded Presentation: Vincent Kuchipudi Presentation

Joanna Lin '27 (Molecular and Cell Biology, CLAS)
Health Research Program Participant

Project Mentor: Dr. Yanjiao Zhou, Associate Professor, Medicine, UConn Health

Project Title: Effects of Intermittent Fasting on Naïve T Cells and Cellular Senescence in Aged Mice

Project Poster: Lin, Joanna poster file

Recorded Presentation: 

Marianna Lombardi '27 (Chemistry, CLAS)
OUR Supply Award Recipient

Project Mentor: Eugene Pinkhassik, Associate Professor, Chemistry

Project Title: Sustained Release of Azobenzene Derivatives from Selectively Permeable Nanocapsules

This project focused on developing a controlled release system using azobenzene derivatives encapsulated in selectively permeable nanocapsules. By taking advantage of azobenzene’s ability to switch between E and Z conformations, the system controls whether the molecule can exit the capsule based on its size. UV–Vis spectroscopy showed that this isomerization is temperature-dependent, confirming a thermally driven process. Overall, the study demonstrates how combining molecular switching with templated nanocapsules can enable controlled release, with potential applications in drug delivery and smart materials.

Project Poster: Lombardi, Marianna poster file

Recorded Presentation: Marianna Lombardi Presentation

Anna Maldonado '26 (Allied Health Sciences, CAHNR)
SHARE Virtual Summer Apprenticeship

Project Mentor: Molly Waring, Associate Professor, Allied Health Sciences

Project Title: How Children’s Food Preferences Influence Their Mother’s Diets

This study looked at how children’s food preferences influence what their mothers eat. We surveyed over 300 mothers in the United States and found that most reported their children’s preferences affect their own food choices. In many families, meals are often based on what children like, which can lead mothers to eat fewer foods they enjoy or choose different options for convenience. These findings show that children play an important role in shaping family eating habits.

Project Poster: Maldonado, Anna poster file

Recorded Presentation: 

Chandler McHale '26 (Allied Health Sciences, CAHNR)b
Health Research Program Participant

Project Mentor: Dr. Baihai Jiao, Instructor, Nephrology, UConn Health

Project Title: Exploring the Role of PU.1 in Chronic Kidney Disease to Disrupt NLRP3 Inflammasome Signaling

Chronic kidney disease affects millions of people and is driven in part by ongoing inflammation in the kidneys. In this project, we studied a protein called PU.1, which helps control immune cells, to see how it contributes to this inflammation. We found that PU.1 levels increase during kidney injury and help activate another pathway, called the NLRP3 inflammasome, that promotes inflammatory damage. These findings suggest that targeting PU.1 could be a new way to reduce inflammation and slow the progression of kidney disease.

Project Poster: McHale, Chandler poster file

Recorded Presentation: Chandler McHale Presentation

Caitlin Noonan '26 (Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, ENG)
Summer Undergraduate Research Fund Recipient

Project Mentor: Ioulia (Julia) Valla, Associate Professor, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering

Project Title: Trash Into Treasure: Converting the University of Connecticut’s Food Waste into Activated Carbons for Carbon Capture, Sequestration, and Usage

One of the largest contributors to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the State of Connecticut is residential and commercial heating with fossil fuels which account for a combined 34% of statewide emissions. Compounding this problem, 1.3 billion tons per year of food waste is produced globally. Food waste comprises 22.3% of all municipal solid waste (MSW) in Connecticut and approximately 2.2 ounces of food is wasted per student per meal in University of Connecticut (UConn) dining halls. I proposed solving both problems by converting University of Connecticut dining hall food waste into activated carbons: inexpensive, renewable, porous, high surface area, tunable materials with strong carbon dioxide (CO2) adsorption potential demonstrated in journal articles and my previous research experiences. I designed my adsorbents specifically remove CO2 from the University of Connecticut’s largest emission sources such as the co-generation plant as well as new Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFC).

Project Poster:

Recorded Presentation:

Harthik Parankusham '28 (Physiology and Neurobiology, CLAS)
Health Research Program Participant

Arnav Balaji '27 (Molecular and Cell Biology, CLAS)
Health Research Program Participant

Project Mentor: Dr. Ephraim Trakhtenberg, Associate Professor, Neuroscience, UConn Health

Project Title: Divergent Roles of Progenitor and Mature Oligodendrocyte Lineages in Myrf-Dependent Myelination

My research at the Trakhtenberg Neuroregeneration Lab through the Health Research Program determines how specific genes control the creation of myelin (the protective insulation around nerve fibers in the brain that speed up communication). Using mouse models, we silenced the potentially important oligodendrocyte gene "Myrf" in its immature and mature form to witness its effect on critical brain structures. Excitingly, we discovered that losing this gene "Myrf" led to severe myelin loss in the corpus callosum, one of the first regions effected by Multiple Sclerosis (a degenerative disease). Ultimately, this work helps us understand the biology behind neurodegenerative diseases and points toward new ways to protect our brain.

Project Poster: Parankusham, Harthik and Balaji, Arnav poster file

Recorded Presentation:

Vraj Patel '26 (Physiology and Neurobiology, CLAS & Healthcare Management, BUS)
OUR Research Travel Award

Project Mentor: Dr. Rajkumar Verma, Associate Professor, Neuroscience, UConn Health

Project Title: Modeling Encephalomyosyangiosis After An Ischemic Stroke

Project Poster: Patel, Vraj poster file

Recorded Presentation: 

Brielle Pierre Philippe '27 (Psychological Sciences & Independent: Neuroscience of Health and Behavior, CLAS)
OUR Conference Presentation Award Recipient
IBACS Undergraduate Research Supply Award

Gianna Lauretano '27 (Physiology and Neurobiology, CLAS)

Project Mentor: Etan Markus, Professor, Psychological Sciences

Project Title: Competition in Female Rats: Dynamics and Stability

This project explores how social hierarchies form and persist in female rats. By placing pairs of rats in competitive situations, we observed how one rat becomes dominant while the other becomes submissive. We found that these roles develop quickly and remain stable over time, even after a full year. Overall, the study shows that female rats form lasting social structures that help reduce conflict and shape their behavior.

Project Poster: Pierre Philippe, Brielle and Lauretano, Gianna poster file

Recorded Presentation: 

Julian Pojano '26 (Mechanical Engineering, ENG)

Project Mentor: Chao Hu, Associate Professor, Mechanical Engineering

Project Title: Fatigue Analysis of Vehicle Suspension Component Under Realistic Conditions

This project uses finite element analysis (FEA) to evaluate fatigue damage in vehicle suspension components under realistic loading conditions. Force and moment data from PyChrono simulations are applied to an Ansys model of a double wishbone suspension system, including the upper and lower control arms, wheel knuckle, and shock absorber connection. Transient structural analysis yields stress histories and fatigue life estimates, providing quantitative damage metrics for a given loading cycle. These metrics are then used to compare driving paths and identify the route that maximizes component fatigue life, enabling suspension-aware path planning.

Project Poster: Pojano, Julian poster file

Recorded Presentation:

Sol Ramirez '26 (Puppet Arts, SFA)
OUR Research Travel Award

Project Mentors: John Bell, Professor, Dramatic Arts

Project Title: Mexican Puppetry Theater Research

I had the tremendous opportunity to research Mexican Puppet Theater alongside Dr. John Bell, director of the Ballard Institute and Museum of Puppetry, during Spring break of 2025. This research included in person interviews, museum and archive tours, live puppet theater productions, and more. This research culminated in the Somos Uno: Mexican and Mexican American Puppetry exhibition at the Ballard Institute and Museum of Puppetry.

Project Poster: Ramirez, Sol poster file

Recorded Presentation:

About Frontiers in Undergraduate Research 

The Frontiers Poster Exhibition is a multidisciplinary forum showcasing undergraduate research, scholarship, and creative projects at the University of Connecticut. Frontiers 2026 is the twenty-ninth annual Frontiers event sponsored by the Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR). Across modalities, over xxx students are sharing their engagement in experiential learning at Frontiers this year.   

Students’ projects span the disciplines, with some pursued by individuals and others by groups of student collaborators. The projects presented reflect the invaluable contributions of research mentors, including graduate students, postdoctoral scholars, staff, and faculty members. We hope you enjoy learning about our students’ innovative projects by viewing the online exhibition. 

About the Office of Undergraduate Research 

The Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) is a resource for students interested in enriching their undergraduate experience through participation in research, scholarship, and creative activity. OUR provides information and advising to assist students in identifying relevant opportunities, as well as several funding programs to support the students and their faculty mentors.  

 Many of the Frontiers presenters have received financial support for their projects; OUR awarded over $700,000 in 2024-25 in support of students’ research and creative endeavors. These awards are funded by OUR with generous support from the Office of the Provost, the Office of the Vice President for Research, the deans of the schools and colleges, and donations from alumni, parents, and other friends of UConn and undergraduate research.