Undergraduate and graduate students presented STEM and liberal arts research, music and dance performances, original literature, and computer science and gaming demonstrations at our 17th annual Scholarship and Creative Works Conference. It is always a uniquely empowering Adelphi experience.
The presentations ran the gamut, offered by undergraduate and graduate students from every field of study at Adelphi.
Presentations on research on novel hypervalent iodine reagents … disparities in pregnancy outcomes among Caribbean populations in Brooklyn … text mining and analytics for diversity, equity and inclusion policies in academia and industry … the refugee experience at the at the Fort Ontario Emergency Refugee Shelter of World War II … even the frequencies of the tenor bells of Westminster Abbey.
Adelphi’s 19th Annual Scholarship and Creative Works Conference, better known as Research Day, returned on April 26, held on campus and in person for the first time since 2019. More than 500 members of the Adelphi community gathered in the Ruth S. Harley University Center to view the presentations as well as music and dance performances, game development and computer science exhibitions, an exhibit of student artwork, and a keynote address by Raven Baxter, PhD, a microbiologist and science educator known as “Dr. Raven the Science Maven.”
“This conference serves as a great opportunity for our community to celebrate and appreciate the diverse talents we have at Adelphi University,” said Daniel Lim, PhD, conference co-chair and associate professor of psychology. “Conferences like these can inspire cross-disciplinary collaborations between students from different departments and as the co-chair of the conference, I am excited for this event to continue to be a catalyst of the collaborative process.” The many presentations reflected Adelphi’s “core four” areas of focus: arts and humanities, STEM and social sciences, the professions, and health and wellness.
Opioids to Cryptocurrency: Research That Solves Problems
Senior Emily Hakimi ’22, an Honors College student who graduated with a degree in nursing this May, discussed her research in a presentation called “Nursing Practices for Pain Management and the Use of Alternatives to Opioids.”
“I know that opioids are a very popular method of pain management, which comes with a stigma. That’s why I wanted to research and share which particular cases such treatment is warranted and beneficial,” Hakimi said.
With the rise in popularity in cryptocurrency, Jeffrey Serif ’22, a psychology major who graduated in May, focused on its impact on cybersecurity in his presentation, “Cryptocurrency and Cybersecurity Behavior.”
“My research looks at the relationship between cryptocurrency and personal cybersecurity through the lens of psychology and personality,” Serif said. “It was found that different personality aspects, such as risk-taking and impulsivity, significantly contribute to how one engages in their cybersecurity behaviors. This could pose great cybersecurity risks if the negative behaviors aren’t addressed, which, in turn, could lead to security breaches that result in the loss of cryptocurrency investments.”
Keynote Speaker Advocates for Self-Discovery
The conference concluded with a keynote address by Raven Baxter, PhD, who hosts a science web series that amplifies the voices of people of color in STEM. Dr. Baxter took the audience through her discovery and love of science as a child to her inspiring academic and professional career journey—including how she carved out a unique space in the “science party” for herself and has inspired others to do the same.
“It is important to show up as ourselves,” Dr. Baxter said of the value of individuality and diversity in STEM and all other academic disciplines. “Don’t be a barrier. Be open to learning about others and learning and experiencing things that are different. Get exposure to those communities, build stronger teams and solutions.”
Dr. Baxter took questions from the audience and provided guidance and advice for students starting out in science education. She also emphasized the need for bringing play and fun into academia, which is what her web series, music and advocacy aims to accomplish: “Yes, we are all here to do serious work, but there is always room for authenticity.”
“Dr. Baxter’s address was one of the things that helped make the conference a great success,” said Alexander Heyl, PhD, co-chair of the conference and associate professor of biology. “The students were energized by it as well as the opportunity to present their accomplishments and interact with students and faculty across the different disciplines. We as organizers were particularly pleased about the many alumni, prospective students and parents who joined us for the event in the newly renovated University Center.”
The keynote lecture was sponsored by the Joseph J. Napolitano Lecture endowment, named for and in honor of the distinguished teacher, mentor and researcher who served as a member of Adelphi’s biology faculty for 21 years. The memorial lecture brings experts to enhance the University community’s understanding of local, national and international issues. As they have done in the past, Dr. Napolitano’s family members and friends attended the lecture.