Think Tank mini-grants support both theoretical and applied faculty-student research projects across all fields. These projects aim to advance local, national, and global well-being while exploring diverse research agendas and, in many cases, result in conference presentations.
Behavioral Science
All five posters were presented at the New York State Applied Behavior Analysis Annual Conference, Nov 13–15, 2024, in Albany, NY:
Jennings, Adrienne, PhD, BCBA-D
- Katherine Ammann ‘24: Effects of Graduated Exposure on Tolerance of a Showering Routine
- McKenna Mattison ‘24, MS, BCBA: Matching Vocational Aptitude and Employment Choice for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Pane, Heather, PhD, BCBA-D
- Elizabeth Ying ‘24, MS, BCBA: The Effects of Intensive Tact Instruction on Two Verbal Operants in Natural Environment Settings for a Child with Autism
- Paige Dauphinee ‘24, MS: The Use of Behavioral Skills Training to Teach a Behavior Technician to Implement Components of Skill-Based Treatment
Pane, Heather, PhD, BCBA-D, Napolitano, Deborah, PhD, BCBA-D, LBA,& Patrone, Vanessa, PhD, BCBA, LBA(NY)
- Patricia Dedla ‘24, MS: A Retrospective Record Review of Cases Receiving Practical Functional Assessment and Skill Based Treatment
Natural Sciences & Mathematics
Law, Jeffrey, PhD
- Daniel Dzierzewski ‘25: Studying the Effects of Road Salt on Streams in WNY
- Poster presented at the Ecological Society of America Mid-Atlantic Annual Meeting in April 2025 as “The Effects of Road Salt on EPT within Western New York.”
- Tyler Marie Evans ‘25: Effects of Road Salt Application on Macroinvertebrates
Montross, Caitlyn, PhD
- Sabrina Adamson ‘26: Determining the Prevalence of PFAS from Ski Wax in the Environment Over the Course of One Year
- John Balch ‘25: Using Xerogel Coatings as Zebra Mussel Antifoulants
- Jacob Goss ‘26: Examining How Different Surface Characteristics of 3D Printed Denture Material Change the Microbial Adhesion of Candida Albicans and Streptococcus Oralis
- Madison Rowe ‘26, Cordelia Burkard ‘27, Arielle Zagranichny ‘28, Kylie Piekarski ‘28, Leann Linton ‘28, & Vika Falcon ‘28: Attending the American Pre-Veterinary Medical Association Symposium March 14–15, 2025, at Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate, TN
Ramos, Diane, PhD (with Donna Russel, Program Director, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center)
- Sage Sellers ‘25: The Study of a Rare Gynecologic Tumor Case of Leiomyosarcoma
Whorley, Sarah, PhD
- Blake Pahuta ‘26: Study of Germination of Algae Spores from the Salton Sea
- Maddie Casselman ‘25: Detrimental Effects of Road Salt Accumulation on the Light-Nutrient Hypothesis
- Poster presented at the International Association for Great Lakes Research Annual Conference, Jun 2–6, 2025, in Milwaukee, WI.
Physical Therapy
Eimiller, Kira, PT, DPT, EdD, Cert. MDT, OCS
- Francesco Pellicano ‘26, Ryan Kernin ‘27, Lucas McDowell ‘26, & Owen Schoeppich ‘26: Laertes Cushing Research Study: Is there a relationship between hip flexor length and low back pain in runners
Psychological Sciences
Khan, Kanza, PhD
- Alexandra Drum ‘27: Evaluating the Protective Potential of Auditory Environmental Enrichment on Stress-Induced Anxiety-Like Behaviors in Adult Zebrafish
- Alexis Nguyen ‘26: Assessing Short-Term and Long-Term Withdrawal Phenotypes in Zebrafish
Lupien, Shannon, PhD
- Rachelle Lowery ‘25: The Effect of Negative Valence, Race-Group Status, and Stress on False Memories