Student Research Topics

2025 Student Research Topics and Mentors

• Toluwani Adelaja, University of Michigan: “Evaluating the efficacy of different iron dosing regimens in pediatric patients with RLS/PLMD” Mentor: Emily Cromwell, Ph.D., DBSM & Heidi Connolly, M.D.
• Haya Alhaj Arhayem, University of Rochester: “Comparing Efficacy and Safety of Guidelines for Cervical Spine Imaging for Injured Children” Mentor: Derek Wakeman, M.D.
• Isabella Caiola, University of Rochester: “Evaluating Atopic Outcomes and Breast Milk Components in the ECHO-UPSIDE Cohort” Mentor: Kirsi Järvinen-Seppo, M.D., Ph.D.
• Angelina Cho, Brown University: “Providers’ Perspectives on Implementing Individualized Care Plans for Inpatient Sickle Cell Care” Mentor: Ashley Jenkins, M.D., MSc
• Giancarlo Chuquitarco, Cornell University: “Experiences of Caregivers of Children with Medical Complexity in Peer Support Groups: A Qualitative Study Examining Insights on Leading and Supporting Safe Spaces” Mentor: Nathaniel Bayer, M.D.
• Dev Dwivedi, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute: “A Quality Improvement Initiative in Central Venous Catheter and Anticoagulation Use to Reduce Chylothorax and Venous Thromboembolism in the Pediatric Cardiac ICU” Mentors: Justin Smith, MD & Joseph Kuebler, M.D., M.B.A.
• Sharvari Khedkar, University of Massachusetts Amherst: “Comparing the Number of Opportunities to Respond for Two Minimally Verbal Children with Autism Who Received a Discrete Trial Teaching Intervention” Mentor: Allyson Jordan, Ph.D.
• Edward Ko, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry: “Environmental Health Ambassadors (EHA): A Community Based Participatory Research (CBPR) Approach to Youth Environmental Health Education and Advocacy” Mentor: Sandra Jee, M.D., M.P.H.
• Ava Linas, Smith College: “Connecting for Kids: Evaluation of a Turn-Key Facilitator Certification Course” Mentors: Melissa Heatley, Ph.D. & Allison Stiles, Ph.D.
• Joshua Mathew, University of Maryland: "Exploration of Music Therapy and the Life Soundtrack Intervention in Pediatric Eating Disorder Care” Mentors: OJ Sahler, M.D., M.S., Rosemary Obi, M.S., LCAT, MT-BC, & Dana Benoit, M.B.A., MT-BC
• Caroline Mosca, University of Notre Dame: “Improving Pain Perception and Mobility Education in the Pediatric Surgical Center: A PACU-UPP Quality Improvement (QI) Project” Mentor: Jan Schriefer, R.N., M.S.N., M.B.S., Dr.P.H.
• Sarah Patel, Vanderbilt University: “Elevated Liver Enzymes and Rate of Body Mass Index Z-Score Rise in Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients Receiving Infliximab” Mentor: Rebecca Abell, D.O.
• Shriya Pendyala, Rice University: “Associations of Time and Day with Clinical Decision-making for Infants Aged 8-90d: A Study of System Noise” Mentor: Jeffrey Yaeger, M.D.
• Cassidy Potter, Rochester Institute of Technology: “A Novel Precision-cut lung slice stretch model using removable inflation materials” Mentor: Jared Mereness, Ph.D.
• Dania Salah, SUNY Upstate Medical University: “Immune repertoire dysregulation and recovery in B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia” Mentor: Carol Fries Simpson, M.D.
• Dania Salah, SUNY Upstate Medical University: “Establishing a model system for B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia immunoglobulin variable gene diversity” Mentor: Carol Fries Simpson, M.D.
• Finley Shinnick, University of Notre Dame: “Divergence between Net Fluid and Weight in Calculating Fluid Balance” Mentor: Adam Dziorny, M.D., Ph.D.
• Sophia Su, University of Michigan: “Strengthening Parent-Adolescent Bonds in Eating Disorder Treatment: Associations Between Perceived Connection and Clinical Outcomes in Adolescents” Mentors: Meredith Kells, Ph.D., R.N. CPNP, FSAHM & Susan Yussman, M.D., M.P.H.
• Somayya Upal, Boston University Chobanian & Avedesian School of Medicine: “Evaluating A New Diagnostic Tool to Detect Tic Disorders in a Pediatric Population” Mentor: Jennifer Vermilion, M.D. 
• Hana Zhang, University of Rochester: “From Diagnosis to Action: Empowering Caregivers After a Lead Diagnosis” Mentors: Sandra Jee, M.D., M.P.H., Rebekah Prasad, MsPH, P.N.P. & Anne-Marie Conn, Ph.D., M.Ed.

2024 Student Research Topics and Mentors

• Rahee Amin, Wofford College: "Association Between Hearing Loss and Elevated Blood Lead Levels in Urban Pediatric Population” Mentor: Sandra H. Jee, MD, MPH
• Jeffrey Arigo, Colgate University: “Efficacy of the Department of Surgery Resident Quality and Safety Curriculum” Mentor: Derek Wakeman, M.D.
• Maia Beaudry, Vassar College: “Assessing Progress Over Time for Minimally Verbal Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): An Examination Across Measures and Informants” Mentor: Allyson K. Jordan, Ph.D.
• Mia Canning, University of Rochester: “Investigating Cell Viability in Precision Cut Lung Slices, an Ex Vivo Respiratory Model” Mentor: Gloria Pryhuber, M.D.
• Christine Cui, Smith College: "Spatial Distribution of Mast Cells in Asthma and Non-Asthma Donors"  Mentor: Gloria Pryhuber, M.D.
• Jayasurya Dileep, University of Texas at Austin: “Daunorubicin shows promise as an alternative to doxorubicin with reduced overall late effects and cardiac health impacts in the treatment of Hodgkin lymphoma” Mentor: Jamie E. Flerlage, M.D., M.S.
• Chloe Haller, Cornell University: “Development of a Sports Bra Analysis Criteria” Mentor: Katherine H. Rizzone, M.D., M.P.H.
• Muwafaq Ibrahim, SUNY Geneseo: “Teaching versus Non-Teaching Hospitals Among Patients with Sickle Cell Disease” Mentor: Ashley M. Jenkins, M.D., M.Sc.
• Matthew Kijowski, Bates College: “Quantifying Differences in PICU Documentation Practices: A Multi-Institution Study” Mentor: Adam C. Dziorny, M.D., Ph.D.
• Emma Neham, Carleton College: “Maternal APRIL and BAFF Levels in Human Milk From Urban and Rural Communities” Mentor: Kirsi M. Järvinen-Seppo, M.D., Ph.D.
• Jocelyn Nichols-Lockett, Amherst College: “Regulation of cardiometabolic activity through a Citric Acid Cycle metabolon” Mentor: George A. Porter, Jr. M.D., Ph.D.
• Karina Ohri, SUNY Upstate Medical University: “Changes in COVID-19 Workflow Practices in Obstetric Practices: A quality improvement study” Mentor: Cynthia M. Rand, M.D., M.P.H.
• Samuel Omesi, SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University: “Identifying Regulators of Monocyte Phagocytosis” Mentor: Regina K. Rowe, M.D., Ph.D.
• Mahadevan Subramanian, Brown University: “Health Equity Quality Improvement (HE-QI): Screening for Food Insecurity in an Urban Ophthalmology Clinic” Mentor: Jan A. Schriefer, M.B.A., M.S.N., Dr.P.H.
• Danielle Thompson, Florida State University: “Growing Resilience to Prevent Substance Use Disorder in Rural Youth: Phase I.” Mentors: Melissa Heatley, Ph.D., Michael A. Scharf, M.D.
• Maggie Walsh, Cornell University: “Eating Disorders and COVID-19; An Investigation into eating disorder hospitalizations and emergency department encounters during the pandemic” Mentor: Jeffrey P Yaeger, M.D., M.P.H.

2023 Student Research Topics and Mentors

• Cora Blackwell, Vassar College: “Examining Brain Death Exams: The Pediatric Registry of Brain Death Practices (PROBE) Project” Mentor: Jake J. Deines, M.D.
• Jane Chakraborty, Emory University: “Environmental Health Concerns Among Pediatric Primary Care Providers” Mentor: Sandra H. Jee, MD, MPH
• Olivier Charest, University of Wisconsin-Stout: “Sildenafil Effects on Mitochondrial Function” Mentor: George A. Porter, Jr. M.D., Ph.D.
• Benjamin Coffey, SUNY Upstate Medical University: “Reducing Emergency Department Utilization in Pediatric Patients Following Gastrostomy Tube Insertion: A Quality Improvement Project” Mentor: Derek Wakeman, M.D.
• Bernadine Decapia, University of Texas at Austin: “Expansion of the Rapid Stabilization Pathway: Re-examining Length of Stay and Readmissions Among Psychiatrically Hospitalized Adolescents” Mentors: Deanna Sams, Ph.D., Leah Ward, Ph.D.
• Alyssa Harbaugh, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine: “Quality of Inpatient Care for Sickle Cell Disease (SCD): A Scoping Review of Patient, Caregiver, and Provider Perspectives” Mentor: Francis Coyne, M.D.
• Dhruvika Patel, Concordia College: “Ingestion of Multiple Magnets in Kids: A Look at Clinical Management at a Single Tertiary Care Center” Mentor: Rebecca L. Abell, D.O.
• Nicholas Pronobis, University of Rochester: “Hemodynamics are not associated with measures of sleep disordered breathing or pulmonary function in patients with Fontan physiology.” Mentor: Heidi V. Connolly, M.D.
• Melissa Seecharan, Pomona College: “The Reach of Telemedicine and In-Person Behavioral Services for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): An Assessment of Social Determinants of Health” Mentor: Allyson Kristine Jordan, Ph.D.
• Mahadevan Subramanian, Brown University: “CHAOS of the Home Environment in Kids Seeking Obesity Treatment” Mentor: Stephen R. Cook, M.D., M.P.H., Anne-Marie Conn, Ph.D., M.Ed.
• Jazmine Arielle Susana, Indiana University - Bloomington: “Maternal perinatal colonization of Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis and fecal IgA in traditional farming and urban communities” Mentors: Erin C. Davis Ph.D., Antti Seppo, Ph.D., Kirsi Jarvinen-Seppo M.D., Ph.D.
• Leo Therrien, Castleton University: “Rochester Youth Violence Partnership: Can Hospital Intervention for Violence Injury Be Used for Mental Health Care Linkage” Mentors: Michael A. Scharf, M.D., Corey A. Nichols-Hadeed, J.D.

2022 Student Research Topics and Mentors

• Claire Cywes, Haverford College; "Current usage of metronidazole in Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease" Mentor: Rebecca Abell, D.O.
• Dalia Einstein, Ohio State University; "Suicide-protective effects conveyed by peer relationships in adolescence" Mentor: Ian Cero, Ph.D.
• Sarah Fischer, University of Rochester; "The Effect of Mechanical Ventilation on Lung Thrombospondin-1 Expression and Platelet Activation" Mentor: Andrew Dylag, M.D.
• Derealise Garcia-Almedina, University of Puerto Rico; "Role of CyPD in the developing mouse heart" Mentor: George Porter, M.D., Ph.D.
• Karyssa Harris, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry; "A Qualitative Exploration of Community and Personal Challenges to Health and Wellness for Urban At-Risk Youth" Mentor: Sandra Jee, M.D., M.P.H.
• Alexandra Kaplan, University of Rochester; "Dietary and Environmental Variables Associated with Atopic Disease at 18 months Among High-Risk Children" Mentor: Kirsi Jarvinen-Seppo, M.D., Ph.D.
• Pooja Kasarapu, Drew University; "Renal Outcomes 2 Years After Therapeutic Cooling Protocol for Hypoxic Ischemic
   Encephalopathy" Mentor: Erin Rademacher, M.D.
• Christian Leonardo, St. John Fisher College; "Analysis of SARS-CoV-2 Infection Rates in Families within the Finger Lakes
   Region of New York" Mentor: Jennifer Nayak, M.D.
• Danita Mathew, University of Tulsa; "Convergent Parallel Mixed Methods Analysis of G-Tube and Tracheostomy QI Teams as
   Part of the URMC Pursuing Excellence Initiative" Mentor: Jan Schriefer, M.B.A., M.S.N., Dr.P.H.
• Matthew McLallen, University of Rochester; "Multiview Videofluoroscopically Guided Superiorly Based Posterior Pharyngeal Flap
   Surgery Improves Speech Outcomes without Creating Obstructive Sleep Apnea" Mentor: Heidi Connolly, M.D.
• Ciara Patel, University of Oklahoma; "The Effect of Infant Race when Screening for Substance Abuse in the Newborn Population" Mentors: Lynette Johnson, D.O.; Carl D'Angio, M.D.
• Hadassah Polydore, Lebanon Valley College; "Falling Through The Cracks: Characteristics of Under-triage in Pediatric Trauma Patients" Mentors: Derek Wakeman, M.D.; Nicole Wilson, M.D., Ph.D.
• Matthew Silas, Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine; "Impact of Vitamin D Supplementation During Pregnancy on Childhood Respiratory Infections" Mentor: Augusto Litonjua, M.D., M.P.H.
• Estee Wu, University of Rochester; "Expression of Mast Cells in Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia" Mentors: Gloria Pryhuber, M.D.; Ravi Misra, Ph.D.

2021 Student Research Topics and Mentors

• Justice Centrello, University of Rochester; "The Impact of Race/Ethnicity and Socioeconomic Status on Childhood Asthma Outcomes." Mentor: Augusto Litonjua, M.D., M.P.H.
• Rachael Chen, Cornell University; "MPL 6.8 Protein Expression in Mouse Tissues and Modified HEK293 Cell." Mentor: George Porter, M.D., Ph.D.
• Carly Dvorak, University of California, Santa Barbara; "Expression of CD55 and ACTA2 in Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia." Mentors: Gloria Pryhuber, M.D.; Ravi Misra, Ph.D.
• Coralee Everett, University of Rochester, "Dietary Ammonium Supplementation Compromises NOS-Dependent Innate Immune
   Defense." Mentors: George Schwartz, M.D.; Jeffrey Purkerson, Ph.D.
• Naomi Ganpo-Nkwenkwa, Lafayette College; "Long-term Functional, Psychological, Emotional, and Social Outcomes in Pediatric Victims of Violence." Mentor: Derek Wakeman, M.D.
• Grace Kuenzli, University of Florida, "Risk Factors Influencing Acquired Neonatal and Pediatric Subglottic Stenosis: A Descriptive Study." Mentor: Jan Schriefer, M.B.A., M.S.N., Dr.P.H.
• Mustafa Mahmood, Siena College; "Maternal Systemic and Mucosal IgA and IgG in Cohorts with Different Atopic Rates." Mentor: Kirsi Jarvinen-Seppo, M.D., Ph.D.
• Journey Monegain, University of Michigan; "Pediatric Renal Biopsy Trends 2007-2021." Mentors: Erin Rademacher, M.D., M.S.; Marc Lande, M.D., M.P.H.
• Colburn Yu, Touro University California College of Osteopathic Medicine; "Differences in pH-dependent cathespin activity and ROS generation are unlikely to explain alveolar macrophage-mediated FVB innate resistance to Pneumocystis." Mentor: Terry Wright, Ph.D.
• William Zhang, Stony Brook University; "Incidence of Elevated Creatinine in Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients Treated with Infliximab." Mentors: Rebecca Abell, D.O.; George Schwartz, M.D.

2020 Student Research Topics and Mentors

Due to the COVID pandemic, the 2020 Summer Program was hosted virtually. The eight-week offering was comprised of a series of research lectures by URMC faculty and pediatric-themed journal clubs led by SCRC Summer Program students and their faculty mentors.

2019 Student Research Topics and Mentors

• Ajiel Basmayor, University of Alaska Fairbanks; "Neurodevelopmental outcome of preterm neonates in different NICU room types – a retrospective study." Mentor: Alison Kent BMBS, FRACP, M.D.
• Gina L. Cardona Acevedo, Universidad Central del Caribe School of Medicine, "Retrospective assessment of opioid prescribing patterns for pediatric patients after orthopedic surgery." Mentor: Derek Wakeman, M.D.
• Natalie Conboy, Auburn University; "Psychotropic medication and mental health service usage in pediatric patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)." Mentor: Lawrence Saubermann, M.D.
• Janine Corley, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; "Metabolic acidosis impairs clearance of UPEC-UTI." Mentors: George Schwartz, M.D. and Jeffrey Purkerson, Ph.D.
• Andrew Duffy, University of Rochester; "Predictors of Auto-Titrating CPAP Adherence in Children with OSA." Mentor: Heidi Connolly, M.D.
• Maria Gil Diaz, University of Rochester; "Patient-reported outcomes and lower extremity injuries of young athletes in a sports medicine clinic: a retrospective cohort study." Mentor: Katherine Rizzone, M.D., M.P.H.
• Sydnee Gould, Rowan University; "Evaluation of Influenza-Specific AIM Responses in Adult and Pediatric CD4+ T Cells." Mentor: Jennifer Nayak, M.D.
• Bethany Graulich, University of Georgia; "Predictors of Urine Calcium Excretion in Youth with Type 1 Diabetes." Mentor: David Weber, M.D., M.S.
• Taylor Hall, Boston University; "Unconjugated Hyperbilirubinemia Adversely Influences Maturation of Thermoregulation in Premature Infants." Mentor: Sanjiv Amin, M.D., M.S.
• Madina Jumabaeva, University of Rochester; "Infant Fecal Bifidobacterium spp. and Bifidobacterium longum subs. infantis Comparison between Low and High Allergy-Prevalent Cohorts." Mentor: Kirsi Jarvinen-Seppo, M.D., Ph.D.
• Quinlen Marshall, Saint John's University (MN); "Temporal Gene Expression of Mesenchymal Cells in the Pediatric Lung." Mentors: Ravi Misra, Ph.D. and Gloria Pryhuber, M.D.
• Lilyveth Mesa, Barry University; "Assessing the Protective Effects of Vitamin D in a High-Risk Asthma Pediatric Cohort." Mentor: Augusto Litonjua, M.D., M.P.H.
• Taylor Moore, Suffolk University; "A Novel Septin inhibitor for the Treatment of Endometrial Cancer." Mentor: Rachael Turner, M.D., Ph.D.
• Alexandra Northrup, Marist College; "Primary Versus Secondary Motor Stereotypies." Mentor: Jonathan W. Mink, M.D.
• Patricia Otero, Florida International University; "Generation of STAG2 mutations in a murine cell line to study Down syndrome-related myeloid disorders." Mentor: Laurie Steiner, M.D.
• Jacob Perkins, University at Buffalo; "Impact of Cyclophillin D Mutations on Mitochondrial Transition Pore Opening." Mentor: George Porter, M.D.
• Erin Ritzer, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine - Bradenton; "Role of AMPK in Neonatal Hyperoxia-induced Cardiovascular Disease." Mentors: Ethan David Cohen, Ph.D. and Michael O'Reilly, Ph.D.
• Julia Scher, Mercer University; "Retrospective Evaluation of the Use of Immunosuppresive Therapy in Pediatric IgA Nephropathy." Mentor: Marc Lande, M.D., M.P.H.