RCAC 2025 Posters

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  Housing Challenges and Policy Gaps for Immigrant Families in Boston: A Systematic Literature Review

  Zahra Ahmadi

  Boston is home to a large and diverse immigrant population, in 2021, with over 28% of residents being foreign-born (Harrington et al, 2024). However, rising housing costs and a severe shortage of affordable housing have disproportionately impacted immigrant families, particularly those with low incomes, limited legal status, and pending work permits (Harrington et al., 2024). Many immigrants face unique barriers to securing stable housing, including discrimination and a lack of established credit history (Wu, 2022).

  This systematic literature review explores three key research questions: (1) How do Boston’s current affordable housing policies impact immigrant families? (2) What are the primary challenges immigrant families face in securing housing? (3) How can successful housing programs from other cities be adapted to address the needs of immigrants in Boston? By synthesizing existing research, this study shows policy gaps and identifies potential strategies to increase the accessibility of affordable housing for immigrant communities in Boston.

  This research has critical implications for social work practice in Boston, particularly in advocacy and policy reform. Social workers can play a key role in addressing housing inequities by supporting immigrant-friendly policies, increasing outreach efforts, and collaborating with community organizations. By implementing equitable housing policies, Boston can better support its immigrant population, fostering economic stability and social integration.

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  Strategic Analysis of Lululemon Athletica Inc.

  Aja Alimonti

  This project is based on an in-depth research paper of Lululemon Athletica that was assigned during my writing intensive course. It describes the operations, history, financial health, competitive analysis, growth analysis and many other aspects of this established company. It will also include key research on the business strategy the company follows in order to maintain their growth and success. All of these concepts relate back to the types of strategies and analysis performed within this course and how we can apply them to our research.

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  Strategic Analysis and Decision Making: Ross and TJX

  Mary Rose Anjim

  The analysis of the biggest off-price company, Ross against one of their most significant competitors, TJX Companies. Focusing mostly on Ross, we look at the company's history, the main demographic, comparative analysis, overall growth, and the financial health of Ross and TJX Companies in the past one to three years. There is also a comparison to Costco and we see the difference between wholesale and retail companies.

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  Consignment Bridal & Prom

  Caroline Applin, Bella Crowley, Katie Ma, Madison Previte, and Bridget Callahan

  We have worked with Consignment Bridal and Prom to help them in their marketing. We have conducted a complete report on this local business and implemented on many recommendations we had for the company.

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  Squat Biomechanics: A Comprehensive Approach to Strength, Mobility, & Reducing Injury Risk to Lower Back

  Ryan Austin

  My Capstone project is a needs assessment that will help me demonstrate the practical application of strength and conditioning principles. The impact of understanding squat mechanics and its relationship to injury prevention and athletic performance is very vast. Proper squat form is essential for maximizing strength development and minimizing injury risk, especially when considering factors like ankle dorsiflexion, femur length, and hip structure. Athletes with limitations in these areas may struggle to achieve an ideal squat form or one that fits their body. Failing to do this can place excessive strain on certain parts of their bodies, such as the lower back, hips, or knees. By assessing these physical characteristics and tailoring squat techniques and adding alternative exercises, strength and conditioning coaches can mitigate the risk of injuries to the lumbar spine and avoid risk of lower back pain (LBP), which is common in a wide range of athletes from demands of their sport with the addition of performing squats without proper form. This manual will help athletes find which squat variation works best for them, what exercises they should do to help improve their squat mechanics based on their needs, and provide an avenue where athletes can train safely and effectively to enhance their overall athletic potential.

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  Addressing Youths’ Sexual Health: Policy Recommendations for Education, Prevention, and Treatment of STDs/STIs

  Sydney Babb

  Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are a global burden with high prevalence among college-age students. The CDC reports individuals aged 15 to 24 account for nearly half of STD cases annually despite only representing 25% of the sexually active population (CDC, 2023). This subpopulation is often characterized by greater sexual experimentation, inconsistent use of prevention methods, and limited access to sexual health resources, yielding a heightened risk of acquiring an STD or STI.

  STDs and STIs produce acute symptoms and chronic health impacts: infertility, cancer, and birth defects (Yale Medicine, 2025). It is critical to provide access to STI/STD education, prevention, and treatment services for youth. Identifying gaps in resource availability and developing policy recommendations for increased accessibility will allow individuals to make informed choices and reduce the likelihood of irreversible outcomes.

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  Empowering Mattapan: A Community-Led Needs Assessment for Equitable Change

  Farideh Bahlouli

  This needs assessment aims to provide actionable insights to inform community programs, policy development, and targeted resource allocation in Mattapan. In collaboration with the Mattapan Food and Fitness Coalition (MFFC), we developed a comprehensive Community Assessment Survey that captures residents’ priorities regarding physical activity, economic stability, mental health, and support for vulnerable populations. Our survey is designed with an emphasis on relevance, clarity, and inclusivity. It incorporates community input to ensure the questions reflect lived experiences and are accessible to all residents, including marginalized groups through translated versions and varied response formats.

  A pretest involving 25 pilot participants, with 8 detailed responses, was conducted to evaluate clarity, ease of completion, and question relevance. Our implementation strategy employs a multi-channel distribution approach, including in-person events, email, QR codes, paper surveys, SMS, and social media outreach, supported by strategic partnerships with local businesses and community organizations. Incentives, including a $25 raffle to encourage broad participation. This poster presents our structured, community-driven approach to engaging Mattapan residents and generating data that will drive meaningful and equitable interventions.

  The survey is still ongoing, and the results will be analyzed. Through strategic partnerships and targeted interventions, the findings will contribute to creating a healthier, more equitable community.

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  The Impact of Pelvic Pain on Academic Performance and Social Engagement Among Female College Students

  Farideh Bahlouli

  Pelvic pain and menstrual disorders are common among college students and can significantly impact academic performance, social interactions, and overall well-being. This cross-sectional survey examines the impact of pelvic pain on the academic performance and social lives of female college students at Merrimack College. Eligible participants were female undergraduate students at Merrimack College who reported experiencing moderate or severe pelvic pain within the past 6 months. Data has been collected through a self-administered questionnaire assessing pain severity, menstrual characteristics, and its effects on class attendance, concentration, productivity, and social interactions. To date, 55 participants have completed the questionnaire and data collection is ongoing. Academic and social impacts associated with period pain, as well as those related to general pelvic pain, will be compared using chi-square tests. The chi-square analysis results will be updated accordingly for the poster presentation.

  Initial findings indicate that pelvic pain significantly affects students' daily activities. Among respondents, 19% reported that their pain impacted their ability to exercise, while 22% found it difficult to concentrate or sit comfortably during class. Also, 14% missed class or lectures due to period pain, and nearly half (49%) performed below their optimal ability on an exam or assignment due to their symptoms. Furthermore, 14% reported that pelvic pain severely limited their participation in social activities. These findings highlight the need for increased awareness and support systems to mitigate the academic and social burdens associated with pelvic pain among college students.

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  The Future of Workplace Wellness: Embracing Mindfulness-Based Interventions

  Rhea Banthia

  This project examines gaps in employee well-being support, highlights promising workplace wellness interventions, and provides evidence-based program design recommendations.

  Employee burnout is at an all-time high, with 76% of employees experiencing burnout. Chronic stress contributes to serious health conditions, including cardiovascular disease, obesity, diabetes, cancer, and mental health disorders. Workplace stress also impairs cognitive function, lowers morale, and reduces productivity, leading to absenteeism and high turnover. According to WHO, depression and anxiety alone cost the global economy $1 trillion annually in lost productivity.

  Employers bear the financial burden of workplace stress through increased healthcare costs, absenteeism, and disengagement. With 61% of employees believing their employer is responsible for their well-being, organizations that invest in wellness programs see a 50% increase in engagement and retention.

  Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs), such as yoga and meditation, offer flexible, accessible, and cost-effective solutions for holistic employee well-being. As organizations recognize the interconnectedness of physical, mental, and emotional health, these interventions have been shown to reduce stress and anxiety, enhance work engagement, improve sleep quality, regulate heart rate variability, and strengthen emotional resilience.

  With as little as one hour per week, workplace mindfulness programs provide a scalable, effective approach to fostering a healthier, more productive workforce while lowering healthcare costs.

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  Navigating New Beginnings: Closing the Gap in Freshman Year Support

  Laurel Barbosa

  This study seeks insight into the challenges and opportunities perceived by 9th-grade students enrolled in a larger suburban high school. Seventy-one students responded to a survey exploring their experiences with counseling and the transition from middle school to high school. The survey consisted of 13 questions and was based on existing research on high school transition challenges and the ASCA National Model, ensuring its validity as a measure of student challenges and opportunities. The data was then analyzed, identifying areas of strength for the programs as well as areas of need. The findings suggest that targeted interventions, such as peer mentorship programs, emotional regulation skill-building, and structured counselor check-ins, can enhance student success.

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  Movement & Performance Assessment for Collegiate Athletes

  Daniel Bardgett

  Athletes returning to play after injury face a high risk of re-injury, particularly in sports involving cutting, pivoting, and jumping. Traditional return-to-play (RTP) decisions often rely on time-based criteria rather than objective performance metrics, leading to inconsistent rehabilitation outcomes. Research supports functional RTP benchmarks such as a ≥85% hamstring-to-quadriceps strength ratio and ≥90% limb symmetry in hop tests as more reliable indicators of readiness.

  This project develops a standardized testing battery to assess athlete baseline performance, injury risk, and RTP readiness using evidence-based protocols. The battery evaluates seven key areas:

  -Body Composition

  -Mobility & Movement Quality

  -Strength

  -Power

  -Explosiveness & Asymmetry

  -Neuromuscular Control & Stability

  -Psychological Readiness

  This framework enhances RTP decision-making by replacing subjective protocols with functional benchmarks, ensuring data-driven rehabilitation and athlete safety. Designed for adaptability across sports and facilities, this model streamlines testing while aligning with strength and conditioning, sports medicine, and coaching needs. This project supports my career as an NCAA Division I Strength and Conditioning Coach by providing a practical, scientifically backed system for performance monitoring and injury prevention.

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  Antibiotic Resistance and Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria in the Merrimack River

  Isabella Beaton

  The Merrimack River is an important source of drinking water and recreation for over 500,000 people including the communities of Lowell, Lawrence, Tewksbury, Methuen, and Andover, Massachusetts as well as Manchester and Nashua, New Hampshire. The safety of waters in the Merrimack River is regularly threatened by combined sewage overflows (CSOs), which contribute bacteria, debris, and other substances that may negatively impact public health and the health of the environment. The aim of this study is to detect and quantify antibiotic resistant bacteria in the Merrimack River. Water samples were collected at thirteen sites along the Merrimack River, between Manchester, NH and Newburyport, MA, throughout the summer of 2024. Additional samples were collected in association with combined sewage overflow events. To assay for the presence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, a molecular approach was used in which total water DNA was isolated from microorganisms captured by filtration and antibiotic resistance genes (ARG) were quantified using qPCR. ARGs assayed included molecular markers of beta-lactam resistance (bla-TEM), sulfonamide resistance (sul2), and tetracycline resistance (tetA). ARG markers were normalized to a 16S rRNA control. Our results showed that baseline levels of ARG range from 10E-2 to 10E-7 ARG copies per 16S rRNA and increase several-fold following a CSO event, highlighting a potential environmental route by which ARB may spread. Monitoring will continue in 2025, and in addition, a high performance liquid chromatography/ mass spectrometry (LC/MS) method is being adapted to identify a variety of common antibiotics in the Merrimack River.

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  Ankle Health Assessment & Injury Risk: A Screening and Intervention Guide for Basketball and Volleyball Athletes

  Ryan Becker

  My capstone project, focuses on addressing the high rate of ankle injuries in basketball and volleyball. Since these sports involve frequent jumping, landing, and lateral movements, ankle injuries are not only common but often go untreated which increases the risk of long-term complications.

  Through this project, I aim to develop an evidence-based ankle health assessment tool that evaluates range of motion, stability, strength, and proprioception. Based on an athlete’s score, I will provide a guide with targeted prehabilitation and rehabilitation exercises, as well as educational content on ankle health and injury prevention.

  This project directly supports my goal of becoming a collegiate strength and conditioning coach. By creating a practical tool that I can use throughout my career, I will improve my ability to assess and address ankle health concerns in athletes. Ultimately, I hope this assessment will enhance performance and reduce injury risk to allow basketball and volleyball players to stay healthy and perform at their best.

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  The Impact of an 8-Week Counselor-Led Series of Workshops on Elementary Grade Students’ Self-Esteem and Self-Efficacy

  Michael Belanger

  This study focused on the impact of an eight-week workshop series focusing on developing and improving students' self-esteem and self-efficacy. Research has shown a connection between self-esteem self-efficacy, and academic achievement. Nine students from a suburban elementary school who were recommended by their teacher and counselor participated in the study. A pre/post-test was used to determine their sense of self-efficacy and self-esteem. The results present both the responses to the survey as well as an in-depth examination of how the specific characteristics of the students could impact the outcomes.

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  A Review and Update of Physical Education in the U.S.

  Casey Belden

  I will be doing a general review of physical education curriculum. Looking for biases towards certain individuals/ demographics and finding ways to limit/ remove these biases from the curriculum to include a larger population into physical education and promote lifelong enjoyment of physical fitness.

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  The Pandemic Skip and the Power of Nostalgia: Why Gen Z is Drawn to Animated Kids Shows

  Haley Bergen

  The early 2010s produced animated kids shows such as Gravity Falls, Adventure Time, Steven Universe, and The Legend of Korra, which drew Generation Z because of elements like family, friendship, and self-introspection. This connection is strengthened by the Pandemic Skip Phenomenon: a time where young adult’s mental growth was stunted during COVID-19, leading to this generation looking for comfort in these nostalgic animated series’ to assist the transition into adulthood.

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  Beauty of Nashua River

  Jomar Bey

  The Nashua River, whose name derives from an Algonkian word meaning "beautiful river with a pebbly bottom," is a 37.5-mile-long river situated within the Merrimack River Basin (Hydrologic Unit Code 01070004), spanning an area of 1,360 square kilometers.

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  Overcoming Barriers to Extracurricular Participation in High School Adolescents

  Rachel Bjorgan

  The aim of my capstone project is to offer solutions at both the institutional and individual levels to boost participation in extracurricular activities and overall health behaviors. Health behaviors adopted during late adolescence and early adulthood may continue later in life. Ultimately, the broader goal is to improve the holistic health and wellbeing of adolescents in the United States.

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  Design and Implementation of a Leadership Council in Collegiate Athletics

  Jake Blaisdell

  The purpose of the project is to outline the importance of Leadership in sports and how to effectively create a winning culture within your teams. Leadership is not the singular job of one athlete or captain. In fact, research has shown the effectiveness of shared leadership through a leadership council. Having a council allows for others to build their leadership and communication skills with their peers and take on responsibility as a group rather that having it all fall on one individual. The Design and Implementation of a Leadership council can be easily broken down into 4 Key steps: Application Process, Teaching, Delegate, Extreme ownership.

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  Olympic Cleans: Functions, Coaching, and Forgotten Details

  Dan Blatman

  This project will be covering both the Clean and Snatch movements. Not only how to coach each movement for beginner athletes, but also important notes regarding equipment and effectiveness of the exercises and their benefits.

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  Applied Sports Science and Analytics: A Comprehensive Guide for Predicting NCAA-to-NFL Success in Football Players

  Akiva Bluh

  This project integrates advanced sports science data and analytics to evaluate key performance metrics of NCAA football players and their correlation with NFL success. Specifically, by utilizing athlete monitoring systems, force-plate data, GPS tracking, NFL Combine/Pro Day results, PFF data, injury history, and in-season performance, I aim to identify physiological and statistical trends predictive of elite performance. Additionally, by exploring predictive modeling and machine learning, this work bridges sport science with data analytics, demonstrating expertise in performance monitoring, statistical analysis, and sport technology to inform evidence-based decision-making in player evaluation.

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  Perceptions of Strength Training in Division I Cross Country Athletes: An Online Survey

  Lillian Bodington

  A common misconception among distance runners and coaches is that strength training negatively impacts performance due to increasing body weight. While it's true that body weight can influence speed, this concern is often overstated. This study aimed to explore how collegiate distance runners perceive strength training. An online survey was distributed to members of the University of New Hampshire men’s and women’s cross-country teams to collect their responses. Frequency and descriptive analyses were used to identify common themes and gather quantitative insights from the data.

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  Merrimack College Strength & Conditioning: Restructuring the Program

  Brooke Bolduc

  Graduate fellowship programs serve as critical platforms for experiential learning, skill development, and career readiness. However, their efficacy often hinges on the structural and operational soundness of their host institutions. This paper proposes a comprehensive reform of graduate fellowship site structures by integrating a strategic staffing model, a streamlined program framework, and an actionable implementation plan. Drawing from contemporary theories in organizational development, educational leadership, and applied supervision, this research outlines a replicable model that aligns fellow duties with institutional priorities and individual growth goals. The paper concludes with practical applications for academic and professional settings, advocating for ongoing assessment and reflective practice as pillars of sustainability.

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  The Evolution of Antibiotic Resistance and its Influence on Herd Immunity

  Marissa Borgesi

  The evolution of antibiotics revolutionized the management of infectious diseases, beginning with Alexander Fleming’s discovery of penicillin in 1928. Penicillin’s success inspired the development of other antibiotic classes such as tetracyclines, drastically improving treatment outcomes for bacterial infections. However, this progress soon faced major challenges as antibiotic resistance emerged. Resistance evolves through genetic mutations and horizontal gene transfer, often driven by the overuse and misuse of antibiotics in healthcare and agriculture. This has allowed bacterial strains to adapt rapidly, making infections more difficult to treat and reducing the effectiveness of many once-reliable drugs. As a result, antibiotics must continually evolve to stay ahead in the battle against resistant pathogens. Bacteria can alter drug targets, reduce cell permeability, and expel antibiotics, all of which hinder treatment success. These adaptive mechanisms raise concerns about the long-term viability of current antibiotics. At the same time, herd immunity achieved through widespread vaccination helps reduce the need for antibiotic treatment by lowering infection rates. As new diseases emerge and resistance increases, researchers are exploring novel therapies and strategies to minimize antibiotic misuse and delay resistance development. Fortunately, advancements in medical technology are improving the precision and effectiveness of antibiotic use, allowing for more targeted therapies that increase the chances of successful treatment. Despite these innovations, the role of antibiotics in modern medicine remains essential. Ongoing research and global cooperation are necessary to preserve their effectiveness and protect public health. This review examines the impact of antibiotic resistance on herd immunity and broader infectious disease control strategies.

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  Teachers' Perspectives on Restorative Circles

  Kacie Bourrell

  This descriptive study utilizes quantitative methods to explore teachers' perspectives of restorative circles on classroom relationships, student engagement, and overall classroom climate. Restorative circles are a classroom approach to discipline and are part of a larger school initiative. Understanding teachers' perceptions can inform the effectiveness of this tool. Twenty-one teachers at a suburban public elementary school in Massachusetts were part of this study. Data was collected through surveys. The findings will provide insight into the importance of a teacher's perspective in successfully using restorative circles.