In the afternoon, Linda Collins, professor of social and behavioral sciences at New York University, presented “Achieving intervention EASE with the multiphase optimization strategy (MOST).” Collins told the audience that optimization is about achieving a strategic balance of intervention, effectiveness, affordability, scalability, and efficiency.

“Optimization is not about finding the best; it's about finding the best you can actually use,” said Collins. “The optimized intervention is the most effective subject to realistic constraints. There are always constraints, such as who will pay for the intervention and how much they are willing to pay. I encourage all of you developing interventions to think about this.”  

Both keynote speakers brought tremendous value to the day of learning and collaboration. 

“Dr. Collins is revolutionary in the world of behavioral interventions, and Dr. Fritz conducts pragmatic clinical trials and scalable approaches for interventions in treating chronic diseases,” said Freda Patterson, associate dean of research for CHS. “Both speakers are instrumental in pushing the boundaries of research in their respective fields, offering invaluable insights that can inspire and inform the work being done here at UD.”

Research with an impact

Diverse research from all seven CHS departments filled the hallways of the STAR Atrium and Health Sciences Complex. Projects explored the rise of artificial intelligence-affiliated sexual violence and the role of deepfakes, the effects of high-intensity interval training on blood pressure reactivity in inactive individuals, and strategies to support complex conversations about vaccinations with community healthcare workers.

Sydney Bouder, a second-year student in the master of health promotion and health coaching program, previously earned her bachelor's degree in health behavior science with a focus on disability studies at UD. Research was not a significant part of her undergraduate experience, but that has changed.

“Research has taught me to take a step back and understand the depth of what I’m studying and how it impacts the people I’m serving,” said Bouder.

Her research focuses on the decline in flu and seasonal COVID-19 vaccination uptake.

“We’re using motivational interviewing techniques and having conversations with individuals about the benefits of vaccines to provide resources and improve the confidence of community health educators to address these sensitive topics in underserved, low-income, and rural communities,” said Bouder. 

Theresa Edery, a junior honors student majoring in applied molecular biology and biotechnology, worked as a CHS Summer Scholar in Associate Professor of Medical and Molecular Sciences Vijay Parashar’s lab, studying antibiotic-resistant staph infections.

“I love being part of discoveries and translating them to the public,” said Edery. “Scientific communication is so important, and Research Day is a great way to help others understand the impact of the science we work on daily.”

For the first time, several faculty members gave lightning research talks. Amanda Watson, assistant professor in the School of Nursing, was one of a handful of professors who gave a one-minute podium pitch on implementing a four-hour skills component for nursing seniors focused on maternal and newborn care. The skills component is now integrated into the clinical course curriculum.

“Three students who were part of the first cohort for this training accepted jobs on a postpartum floor and say they felt far more confident in their senior preceptorship caring for new mothers and babies in the NICU,” Watson said.  

Taylor Burton, a second-year student in the master of public health in epidemiology program, presented research on public perceptions of AI-facilitated sexual violence using deep-fake technology. The study found that while many are aware of deep-fake technology, they struggle to distinguish reality from AI-generated content.

“Participating in Research Day reinforced my desire to study cybersexual violence through AI,” said Burton. “It’s an alarming phenomenon happening far more than we realize.”

Sam Zercher, a first-year student in the applied physiology doctoral program, presented research on the effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) versus moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) on inactive younger adults.

“It’s interesting to hear about other research happening in the College,” said Zercher. “The flow of ideas between labs and between people in other departments has me thinking about future directions for this data and my research.”

CHS Research Day is a good practice for his upcoming presentation at the American Physiology Summit in Baltimore.

“Getting time to workshop my presentation, get feedback, and explore questions faculty and fellow students have about my work can help me prepare for a national audience,” Zercher said. 

CHS Research & Innovation Day Winners

Undergraduate:

1^st place: Grant Maxa, KAAP

2^nd place: Isabelle Botto, KAAP + Delaware Pain Research Group in PT

3^rd place (tie): Andrea Araya, biological sciences (working with SON) and Isabella Rothwell, neuroscience (working with KAAP)

Master’s:

1^st place (tie): Annaliese Peña and Zakariah Robinson, EPI

2^nd place: Oyefemiwa Fadaini, HBNS

3^rd place: Lilly Moreau, EPI

Doctoral:

1^st place: Sidra Manzoor, BIOMS

2^nd place: Mary Webb, HBNS

3^rd place: Amelia Decarie, KAAP

Post-Doctoral:

1^st place: Vinicius Pacheco Garcia, KAAP

2^nd place: Nadee Don, MMSC

3rd place: Bhaswati Kashyap, KAAP