RCAC 2025 Posters

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1:1 Inclusion Complex of β-cyclodextrin and Fluorene

Daniella Buccheri

Parallel Factor Analysis is a multivariable analysis that allows for fluorescence data to be analyzed. In this work, PARAFAC was utilized to determine the equilibrium constant of a 1:1 complex of β-cyclodextrin and fluorene. Cyclodextrin has many applications, given its hydrophobic core and hydrophilic surface, allowing it to form inclusion complexes with poorly soluble molecules. PARAFAC is able to relate the fluorescence intensities to each component in the sample by generating score values. The score values are directly proportional to the concentration of each component in the sample, and can be used to determine the equilibrium constant through a series of calculations. PARAFAC creates calculated emission and excitation models, based on a diagnostic table that helps to determine the number of components in the sample. Throughout the trials in this work, the PARAFAC model of best fit revealed a possible impurity that could impact the accuracy of the calculated equilibrium constant. The objective of this work was to show that PARAFAC modeling can accurately calculate the equilibrium constant in comparison to literature values performed with similar methods.
Understanding Where Microplastics are Located and their Concentration in the Lamprey River

Alexis Byrne, Ben McDonnell, Daniel Ayanian, Summer O'Rourke, and Amber Smith

Microplastics are a group of environmental contaminants that have been rapidly emerging in various aquatic ecosystems and raising a high concern. These microplastics are small plastic particles ranging in size from 1 nm to 5 mm. Despite their small size, microplastics pose a threat to aquatic ecosystem health and stability, water quality, and human health. Microplastics can enter aquatic environments through a variety of mechanisms, including agricultural runoff, wastewater treatment plants, plastic littering, and atmospheric deposition. The rapid rise and concentration of various microplastics are believed to disrupt ecological functioning, with an effect on ecosystem food webs, particularly at the base of the food web. Furthermore, the increasing concentration can pose harms to sources of drinking water for humans. The accumulation of microplastics in freshwater bodies can vary due to weather patterns,environmental factors, human activity, ecological processes, and more. Our research focuses on quantifying microplastics in a local freshwater ecosystem, the Lamprey River watershed in southeastern New Hampshire. Samples from 19 locations in the Lamprey River watershed were collected bimonthly. We digested samples using 30% hydrogen peroxide at 50 C for at least 48 hours, in order to destroy any organic matter, then we filtered 5 mL of samples onto Millipore gridded cellulose filters. To count these microplastics, we used dissecting scopes at 40x magnification with NightSea lights, causing the microplastics to fluoresce for easier identification. Results of each sample vary, and can be due to changes in the environment; for instance rainfall, temperature, sediment disruption or even drought. The data we collect shows the concentration of microplastics within specific times of the year, giving us insight as to why that is. Further research is needed to back this data overall, as well as the overall effect that these concentrations of microplastics have on the environment and its organisms.
Exploring the Mental Health Impacts of Food Allergies

Molly Campagnone

Prevalence of food allergies is common among the general population. Although many of the physical symptoms are known, the psychological symptoms are lesser discussed. Having one or more food allergies can cause adverse mental health symptoms such as increased depression and anxiety. This study aims to find out what mental health symptoms college students with food allergies face, why that might be and how they can better be supported.
The Impact of Mental Health on Athletic Performance at the Collegiate Level

Madison Cardaci

I will explore how high pressure situations can affect athletes emotionally and psychologically. I will conduct qualitative and quantitative data on this issue as well as the creation of a mental health/wellness program that will be carried out within athletics. The goal of this capstone is to address gaps in mental health assistance within athletics and provide wellness initiatives that can impact athletes performance in a positive way.

This capstone I will aim to explore the relationship between mental health and performance in a wide variety of sports and implement physical well-being tools, tasks, and classes throughout the Athletic Program at Merrimack for students and coaches alike. This will propel further implications for being a head coach of a team one day so that I can improve not only the lives of my players through mental health and wellbeing but the performance of my team as a whole.
Broken Bonds: The Lasting Effects of Divorce and Family Separation on Attachment and Relationships

Audree Carleton

Disruptions in family dynamics due to separations can affect the children’s attachment styles, in turn impacting the ability to form and maintain stable relationships in adulthood. This systematic literature review explores what existing findings are regarding the impact of attachment styles and relationship functioning of children due to family structure disruptions, such as divorce or separation of parental figures. Drawing from attachment theory, the final identified 20 empirical articles in this review examine how parental conflicts, emotional security and consistency from the caregivers could have an influence on the development of secure, anxious, or avoidant patterns. Attachment related challenges can lead to difficulties in relationship forming, maintaining, and communication as the child goes through adulthood. Some of the findings also suggest how family systems theory can better explain how disruption of family dynamics and communication further contribute to the development of specific attachment styles. Other identified studies for the review indicate that children from divorced families have a higher chance of developing insecure attachment styles such as anxious or avoidant. Findings additionally suggest how children with insecure or avoidant attachment styles can display difficulties in emotional regulation, trust, and commitment later in life. Furthermore , findings in this review identify how protective factors, such as therapeutic interventions and strong parental support, can help children mitigate negative effects and become more able to develop healthy relationship connections and positive attachment patterns.
Sleep, Travel, and Slumps: Measuring Jet Lag’s Impact on MLB Games

Charles Cassaro

This study examines the impact of jet lag and time zone travel on team performance in Major League Baseball (MLB). Given the demanding travel schedules in professional sports, particularly in MLB where teams often go through multiple time zones, this research looks to find the effects of circadian rhythm disruptions and travel-induced fatigue on competitive outcomes.

Using historical game data from 2000-2024, this analysis evaluates team performance metrics, including home and away records, winning percentages, and statistical trends following long-distance travel. The study considers physical and mental factors associated with travel fatigue, such as sleep deprivation and circadian misalignment, to determine their effects on player performance and game results.

By using advanced sports analytics methodologies in coding languages like Python and RStudio, this research aims to find statistically significant patterns and trends that may improve team strategies, coaching decisions, and scheduling. The findings add to the conversation on sports science and improved athlete performance, giving data-driven insights into the relationship between travel fatigue and competitive success in professional baseball.
Organic Synthesis of a Derivative of 4-Piperidone Hydrochloride Monohydrate to Treat Methamphetamine Addiction

Hermengarda Catoquessa

Methamphetamine is a synthetic drug that belongs to the amphetamines class. It is often misused due to the euphoric effects it produces. When methamphetamine enters the brain, it targets VMAT2, which stands for vesicular monoamine transporter. This protein is responsible for transporting monoamines such as dopamine and norepinephrine into the brain. Methamphetamine causes VMAT2 to function in reverse, leading to increased levels of monoamines in the synaptic cleft, which results in a feeling of euphoria. Previous analogs of aryl piperidines have demonstrated a strong binding affinity for VMAT2. Therefore, targeting VMAT2 could be a potential strategy to counteract methamphetamine addiction. The goal of this research is to synthesize a compound that features an aryl group. Two reactions have been successfully synthesized, yielding the starting material for the third reaction which will include the aryl group. While progress has been made, challenges are currently being faced in effectively purifying the second reaction. Some of the challenges in purifying reaction two will be discussed in this research.
Bridging Science & Coaching

Kara Cecchini

This project aims to bridge the gap between sport science and coaching by developing a data-driven strength and conditioning approach tailored for ice hockey athletes. As an aspiring strength and conditioning coach, my goal is to optimize performance, reduce injury risk, and enhance athlete well-being through evidence-based training methodologies. Central to the project is the use of the Just Jump Mat (JJM) and ice time tracking to monitor athlete readiness and recovery. By conducting countermovement jump (CMJ) tests twice a week—post-weekend and midweek, I assess neuromuscular fatigue and adjust training protocols accordingly. A drop in jump height greater than two inches signals fatigue and triggers recovery strategies. Ice time and training load data are analyzed alongside jump test results to identify trends and fine-tune individual athlete programs. Future directions include expanding data collection to include sleep, nutrition, subjective wellness, heart rate variability (HRV), and biomarkers. Ultimately, this project serves as a foundation for creating a comprehensive athlete monitoring system that can be applied across various sports. By integrating research into practical coaching, this work supports long-term athlete development and promotes a modern, science-informed approach to performance training.
A Solitary Alternative: Structured Intervention Units in Canadian Prisons

Hayley Chang

Once Courts in Canada “confirmed that solitary confinement violates" the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, structured intervention units (SIUs) were created as a reform (Pate, 2019, para. 3). This reform sought to remove administrative segregation and create change to the circumstances when an inmate is confined in these SIUs. While this sounds like a step in the right direction in practice, implementing SIUs may have created a worse situation for those confined due to the lack of ‘oversight’ and ‘accountability’ of the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC).

My research paper examines whether structured intervention units (SIUs) are a step towards a more rehabilitative approach. The examination will address the use of solitary confinement in both the United States and Canada and compare it to the newer use of structured intervention units in Canada. This will include comparing the differences between the three in definition and application, as well as the problems that have been identified as being related to the use of each of these strategies in order to determine if the shift is in fact a more rehabilitative approach. Finally, to conclude, I will seek to look beyond SIUs, considering some correctional goals that both Canada and the US can strive towards to help rehabilitate the individual as well as society in their response to crime.
Succinate Regulates Age-Associated T Cell Inflammation

Gabrielle Chase, Kailey Leclerc, and Evelyn Ocegueda

Aging promotes numerous intracellular changes in CD4 + T cells that impact their effector function. Our prior work showed that T cells from older(O) adults had higher expression and activity of mitochondrial complex II (Succinate dehydrogenase (SDH)). T cells from O adults also produced higher levels of cytokines that are generally considered proinflammatory, such as Th17 cytokines, IL-17A/F, and Th-17 supportive cytokines TNFα and IL-6 compared to T cells from young(Y) adults.

Aim: The objective of our study is to evaluate if hyperactivation of SDH is required for the induction of proinflammatory cytokines and the mechanistic link between SDH and Th17 cytokine production.

Methods: CD4 + T cells were isolated from lean normoglycemic young (Y; avg: 31.81 yrs; BMI 22.20 kg/m 2) and older (O; avg: 68.11 yrs; BMI 23.46 kg/m 2) adults. SDH was pharmacologically and genetically modulated, and cellular signaling and cytokine production were assessed.

Results: Our data shows that SDH activation induces rapid oxidation of succinate and disrupts the ratio of succinate: α-Ketoglutarate and succinate: fumarate, which impacts redox signaling and promotes a Th17 proinflammatory phenotype. Genetic and pharmacological inhibition of SDH in T cells from O adults prevents proinflammatory cytokine production, whereas pharmacological activation of SDH in T cells from Y adults recapitulated the proinflammatory Th-17 profiles observed in T cells from O adults, thus establishing a mechanistic link between SDH and Th17 inflammation.
Split Focus: Investigating Visual Attention with Competing Tasks

Alexis Cloutier, Madaline Martin, and Carter Cress

The goal of this experiment is to test whether individuals can effectively divide their attention between two visually demanding tasks. The project requires two experiments. The basic attentional task for both experiments was performed by having participants look at random images that are either "cute" (e.g., a cat or dog) or "scary" (e.g., a frightening face). They must respond by pressing the "0" key for scary images and the "1" key for cute images. Reaction time in milliseconds will be recorded for all of the experiment. The distractor task for experiment 1 was a visual distractor. While completing the basic task, participants will also watch an episode of "Peppa Pig" on a phone placed next to the computer screen. To ensure they are engaged in this secondary visual task, they will be asked follow-up questions about the content of the episode after the experiment.The distractor task for experiment 2 was verbal distractor. While completing the visual categorization task, participants are also asked to recite the nursery rhyme "The Itsy Bitsy Spider" out loud.
How Does Knowledge About Corporate Environmental Malfeasance Influence Decision-Making?

Raynna Collier and Daniel Ayanian

These students will distribute a survey to a sample of Merrimack students. They will test respondents’ knowledge about corporate environmental scandals and ask various purchase decisions.
Sport-Specific Factors in Disordered Eating and Compulsive Exercise

Emily Collins

This project looks at body image, disordered eating, compulsive exercise, psychological distress, and other related issues among athletes and non-athletes at a NCAA Division III institution. The aim is to bring more attention to the unique experiences of athletes, especially those at the DIII level, when it comes to the aforementioned issues. This poster shares preliminary analyses from a subset of the project's data.
Statistical Analysis of Matchup Advantages in Clutch MLB Situations

Ruby Collins

This project is an analysis of 210 walk-off events from the 2024 MLB season. A walk-off is a clutch plate appearance that results in a game-winning play by the home team in the bottom of the final inning. As the presence of analytics continues to grow throughout Major League Baseball, teams and organizations are always looking for new ways to use these statistics to give them a competitive edge. One such application is evaluating head-to-head matchups against opposing teams and pitchers to inform lineup decisions. When creating starting lineups, managers consider factors like how well their offense performs against pitchers similar to the opposing starting pitcher or how batters fare in the given ballpark. If a certain player has particularly outstanding success in one of these areas, the manager is more likely to include him in the lineup for the day. This project uses statistical analysis and hypothesis testing to explore the question: To what extent do offensive matchups influence success in clutch situations? Specifically, it investigates whether many of these walk-off events were the result of a favorable matchup, or if there is no true way to predict who will come up clutch. The results suggest that walk-offs are often not the result of a good or great matchup, defying the predictable odds.
Engaging Gen Z Students with AMP

Ryan Concannon

There is a major problem with enrollment and student retention at colleges and universities today. Institutions all over the nation are facing declining enrollment rates. (Marcus, 2021). This has a negative effect on institutions, as well as impacting learning outcomes negatively for the students who are enrolled. Compounding these problems is that colleges are not doing an adequate job of retaining the current generation of students (Generation Z) applying to their institutions. Engagement on campus (co-curricular as well as academic) has been shown to have a positive effect on student learning outcomes and also serves as a good indicator for student retention. (Weber & Kiem, 2021). Co-curricular engagement takes up students’ time far more than classroom time, yet there has been little effort put forth by scholars to address engaging students outside the classroom. This paper aims to explore the reasons why students resist engagement and to positively change that resistance. Using research compiled about exploring Generation Z students in the classroom, a program was designed to increase student engagement among student affairs professionals. This will lead to increased student retention, and better student outcomes.
Breaking Barriers: A Socioecological Approach to Sustainable Healthcare Access in Underserved Costa Rican Communities

Shannon Connolly

This research explores the multifaceted challenges faced by rural and underserved communities in Costa Rica in accessing healthcare. Through a qualitative survey of 30 patients in La Carpio and La Garita, and insights from fieldwork, the study identifies significant barriers such as transportation difficulties, financial constraints, lack of insurance, absence of follow-up care, and systemic inefficiencies. In particular, rural transportation emerged as a critical challenge, with many patients walking long distances due to the absence of affordable options. Mobile clinics run by the International Service Learning (ISL) organization were crucial, with 80% of participants accessing healthcare only through these services.

The research also examines community health needs, including chronic diseases, malnutrition, and mental health issues, and highlights the limited access to specialty care and medications. It underscores the importance of partnerships between local healthcare providers, universities, and international organizations to address these disparities. Through a socioecological framework, the study emphasizes the complex interaction between individuals, their communities, and larger systemic factors that influence health outcomes.

Recommendations for improving healthcare access include expanding mobile healthcare initiatives, enhancing volunteer preparation, increasing access to medications, creating structured follow-up care programs, and incorporating cultural competence in mission planning. Additionally, community health education focusing on nutrition, hygiene, and chronic disease management is essential. The study advocates for a shift from episodic mission models to sustainable, community-driven health initiatives that empower local populations, improve healthcare infrastructure, and ensure equitable access to healthcare in underserved Costa Rican communities.
Therapeutic Potential of Nitric Oxide Supplements for the Enhancement of Sleep Quality in Chronically Under Slept Active Individuals

Koby Conz

Sleep plays a critical role in physical and psychological well-being. However, numerous challenges face athletes and servicemembers that contribute to an observed trend of insufficient sleep duration (ISD) in these populations. ISD is connected to numerous physiological and performance decrements. A primary contributor to ISD is an increase in sleep onset latency (SOL) and research points to peripheral blood flow redistribution as a potent initiator of sleep onset. Vasodilation of the endothelium facilitates an increasing distal-proximal skin temperature gradient (DPG), aiding in sleep onset. The role of nitric oxide (NO) in vasodilation suggests the potential beneficial effect of NO precursor supplements, such as l-arginine (L-ARG) and l-citrulline (L-CIT), toward reducing SOL. These amino acids interaction in the urea cycle may also contribute to the buffering of hyperammonemia-induced fatigue in periods of extreme sleep deprivation (SD). This narrative review demonstrates the potential effect of NO supplementation as a novel nutritional intervention for sleep enhancement in chronically under slept active individuals.
Impact of Pain Management Strategies on Pelvic Pain

Gianna Cook

Pelvic pain is common among reproductive-aged females. There are various treatments and therapies to help manage symptoms, but alternative pain management strategies would significantly benefit from more research and awareness. Specifically, this directed study focuses on analyzing aspects that affect pelvic pain and whether certain management strategies make pelvic pain better or worse. We utilized a cross-sectional study to analyze data from a specific population at a certain point in time. Participants were included in the study if they were a current Merrimack College undergraduate student, aged 18-25 years old, female, experienced pelvic pain in the last 6 months, with a severity of 4 or greater on 0-10 pain rating scale (0=no pain, 10=worst pain imaginable). Participants were recruited to this study through promotional flyers hung up around campus and the study is listed on the SONA research platform at Merrimack College. Our questionnaire asked about general demographics, menstrual characteristics, pelvic pain symptoms, use of hormonal and non-hormonal medications, pelvic pain characteristics, and different pain management strategies. For the poster, we will investigate whether or not pain management strategies improve or worsen pain for this with period pain and those with general pelvic pain. Analyses will be conducted using SPSS v30. As of March 17th, 55 participants had completed the study questionnaire. Almost 50% of participants with period pain reported that exercise made their pain better although 34% reported that exercise made their pain worse. Results will be updated for the poster.
Autism Spectrum Disorder and Mainstream Education

Anya Cootey

I wrote a literature review about autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and mainstream schooling. I wanted to observe how different groups would be impacted by the inclusion of autistic students in general education. To do this, I gathered fifteen articles that had the perspectives of students with ASD, parents who have autistic children, and mainstream educators. The results varied from each group. Autistic students felt the most negatively towards mainstream education, claiming that it wasn’t accommodative to their needs. The opinions of parents varied. Some felt positively because the teachers were doing their best to support autistic students. Others felt misheard, claiming that the school was not doing enough to accommodate their children. Teachers felt positively about mainstream education for the most part, but felt inexperienced teaching students with ASD. Those with more experience had an easier time working with autistic students while others struggled.
Strategic Analysis of Target

Ella Cormier

A highly researched report of the foundation and operations of Target as a company. Through comparison to its competitors and market leader, you can uncover their strengths and weaknesses and areas where they have room for growth. This poster will also demonstrate their financial health by observing multiple key metrics and ratios as well as an analysis of their stock price. Further there are key elements of their history, the company’s offering, growth analysis, comparative analysis, financial analysis, as well as recent news. This project highlights knowledge of Target in all aspects of business and reflects my personal knowledge in all of these areas as well.
Celtic Knot Research Arcade

Derek Costello and Emily Brown

The Celtic Knot Research Arcade is a research tool built for Dr. Dana Rowland to facilitate her research endeavors in Celtic knot theory, as well as providing a supplementary tool to encourage interactive learning for her students in her knot theory course.
How Do Merrimack Students Respond to Construction Noise on Their Campus?

Abigail Cummins and Jazlyn Sinclair

How does the presence of environmental noise and aesthetic disruption influence college students? These students will conduct intensive interviews with a sample of Merrimack students. They seek to understand how they feel about the construction on campus and whether it serves as a distraction or cause for optimism.
Bridging the Gap: Making Higher Education Accessible to All

Cailin Currie

Higher education institutions often fail to provide adequate support systems for student-athletes and students with disabilities. Scholars have indicated that “Students with disabilities require special support in order to integrate academically and socially into college life” ((Troiano, Liefeld, & Trachtenberg, 2010, p. 36). Students who do not receive adequate support result in lower academic performance, retention rates, and an increase in mental health challenges. To address this challenge, in my project, I will increase knowledge and awareness about students with disabilities by implementing mandatory faculty training. Through this training, faculty will develop an increased knowledge and understanding of disabilities and how to support students with disabilities. As a result of this training, the retention rates of students will increase and ultimately lead to an overall increase in the student's success in higher education.
Piscataquog River Model & Analysis

Marianna D’Amelio

This will be a poster on the analysis of the Piscataquog River
A Program Evaluation and Recommendation for Students at Rise Academy

Kirsten Davidson

This descriptive mixed-methods study explores and theorizes research data points found at a small alternative high school in an underserved, predominantly Latino population in Massachusetts. The main emphasis of this study is on identifying the strengths and weaknesses of the program. This school community comprises 130 total students (between day and night Programs) and supports those with a wide range of differences or challenges. When applicable, the curriculum and data will be reviewed and compared to other alternative and traditional school programs. Components such as attendance, academic progress, screening data, new admission criteria, and the night school program will be reviewed, as well as dropout rates and graduation rates found. Each of these components from the school will be measured in terms of success. Criteria that lack successful components from this current school program being evaluated or are insufficient with information will be cross-referenced and analyzed with other alternative programs. These findings will encapsulate the benefits of the school’s practices and culture, depict how students can succeed with the involvement of other peer reviewed programs, and help distinguish whether changes or modifications should be implemented in the future based on these findings.