College of Integrated Health Sciences: UAlbany Showcase Abstracts

The Mechanism of Rifampicin Responsive Regulation of HelR in Mycobacterium abscessus

Mentor: Pallavi Ghosh

Abstract

Mycobacterium abscessus (Mab) is a fast growing non-tuberculous mycobacterium that can cause very serious lung disease, especially in individuals with cystic fibrosis. One of the reasons for the severity of these infections is the extreme antibiotic resistance it harbors, mainly due to its many intrinsic antibiotic resistance proteins. One of the antibiotics Mab is resistant to is rifampicin (RIF), a frontline tuberculosis drug. There are two proteins responsible for this resistance, ADP-dependent ribosyl-transferase (Arr) and HelR. Both proteins are highly upregulated upon RIF exposure and share a highly conserved regulatory element known as the rifampicin associated element (RAE). The RAE is conserved in many different soil dwelling bacteria likely to encounter RIF in its environment. Our lab was able to identify a group of nucleotides just upstream of original RAE sequence highly conserved in all of the previously identified RAE locations. Through mutations within the upstream region of HelR, we were able to identify a region responsible for induction during RIF exposure and the data indicate an activator protein is involved in the increased expression. Currently, we are using biochemical, and genetics approaches to identify the activator protein responsible for the RIF responsive upregulation of HelR and Arr. Identification of this protein would give a single protein to target to minimize the effects of HelR and Arr and possible allow for the use of RIF in Mab infections.

Managing Alcohol-Related Cases in Emergency Departments: Challenges and Opportunities

Mentor: Muntasir Masum

Abstract

Emergency Departments (EDs) are a vital component of society; providing emergent care for those experiencing life threatening injury or illness. However, effectively addressing chronic conditions—especially alcohol use disorders—continues to be a significant challenge. Prior work has demonstrated that alcoholism is detrimental physically and financially. Alcohol is a major contributor to acute illness such as poisoning, as well as vehicular and personal injury. Chronically, alcohol consumption contributes to numerous types of cancer as well as liver, cardiovascular, and neurological conditions. These are just some of the innumerable alcohol-related afflictions that prompt patients to seek care from an Emergency Department, but their effect on the flow of patient care and finances in conjunction with the lack of post-visit resources leave considerable strain on the healthcare system. Through analysis of patient records, 911 databases, and patient-reported data, this study aims to quantify the impact of alcohol related complaints on Emergency Departments. High volume users have the potential to slow down patient care flow, require time consuming testing, and lower patient satisfaction rates. Financially alcohol causes large consequences for individual hospitals and Emergency Rooms alike. Conversely, Emergency Departments underperform in the continuity of resources for those suffering from alcoholism after their stay has ended. Strengthening the linkage between acute intervention and long-term support could not only enhance patient outcomes but also alleviate the growing burden on EDs, ensuring more efficient, effective care for all who rely on these critical services.

Structural basis of the ligand binding and transcription activation in VqmA

Mentor: Jon Paczkowski

Abstract

In Vibrio species, the cytosolic transcription factor VqmA directs an independent quorum sensing pathway to regulate the conversion from low to high cell density mode. At high cell density, the L-threonine 3-dehydrogenase (Tdh) converts L-threonine to Ala-AA, which then forms 3,5-dimethylpyrazon-2-ol (DPO). The autoinducer DPO then binds to VqmA, inducing its binding to the promoter region of vqmR (pVqmR), leading to the transcription of VqmR sRNA. VqmR represses the expression of several transcription regulators responsible for the biofilm formation, such as VpsT. Together, the independent pathway acts in concert with the major Vibrio species quorum sensing pathway to modulate behaviors such as biofilm dispersal. Here in this study, through structural and functional assays, we propose that VqmA undergoes conformational changes in the DNA binding domain upon binding to its autoinducer DPO, thereby altering the affinity for the target promoter region to eventually repress the downstream biofilm formation.

Characterizing the DNA Binding of the Quorum Sensing Transcription Factor SmaR

Mentor: Joseph Wade

Abstract

Quorum sensing is a bacterial behavior that regulates gene expression in a population-dependent manner using molecules called autoinducers as a proxy for cell-density, often to regulate genes needed for pathogenesis. LuxR-family proteins are produced by Gram-negative bacteria, many of which can be bound by autoinducers that diffuse into the cell which allow them to bind DNA and activate. SmaR from Serratia ATCC 39006 is one of several LuxR-family proteins shown to only bind DNA when not bound by their autoinducers. Chromatin Immunoprecipitation Sequencing (ChIP-seq) data indicate that SmaR can bind two different classes of DNA site: one in an expected autoinducer-sensitive manner in addition to one in an autoinducer-insensitive manner. SmaR’s ability to bind two distinct sites is previously uncharacterized, and there is no previous research to indicate how common this behavior is. The objective of this project was to determine whether the unusual binding behavior of SmaR is innate to its structure, or whether it requires co-factors. To better understand how SmaR can bind two different sites, we measured the genome-wide binding of SmaR in vitro. Additionally, we used ChIP-seq of SmaR and several homologs expressed in E. coli to compare SmaR’s binding with other autoinducer inhibited transcriptional repressors in a non-quorum sensing model. Our data suggest that SmaR is capable of binding in both a C4-senstive and C4-insensitive manner in both a different organism and in vitro. These results suggest that SmaR is capable of binding two distinct sites without requiring additional ligands or binding partners.

Investigating B cell function during the localized host immune response to Borrelia burgdorferi

Mentor: Nicholas Mantis

Abstract

Lyme disease occurs when the infectious spirochete, Borrelia burgdorferi, is transmitted through the skin by the black-legged tick, Ixodes scapularis. Infection can result in disease symptoms including fever, joint stiffness, and muscle pain. To combat infection and disease, the immune system acts through both innate and adaptive mechanisms. It has been previously understood that B cells, involved in the adaptive response, reside in the lymphatic system and receive input from innate cell types before migrating to a site of infection. However, Jiang et al. (2021) reveals the potential for B cell presence and activation in the erythema migrans lesions in human skin. This article suggests that instead of maturing in lymphoid tissues, B cells can produce antibodies locally in response to environmental stimulants to induce an adaptive response directly at the infection site. This project aims to investigate this phenomenon within mice as a model organism; B cell presence, activation, and type are explored under different experimental conditions. Skin samples collected from mice undergo immunological analysis to address the hypothesis that there are significant differences in cell type profile and location in host skin as a result of infection with B. burgdorferi. Results from this research will have implications regarding the mechanism of local B cell response to B. burgdorferi in mice and may be applicable to other causative agents of vector borne diseases transmitted through the skin.

RhlR on the chopping block: How Lon protease regulates quorum sensing in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Mentor: Jon Paczkowski

Abstract

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a Gram-negative opportunistic pathogen and a major public health threat. Its virulence is largely driven by quorum sensing (QS), a cell density-dependent signaling system that coordinates the production of energetically costly group behaviors like biofilm formation and virulence factor production. Central to QS are LuxR-type transcription factors, which bind acyl-homoserine lactone (AHL) signals and regulate gene expression. The RhlR receptor is unique among LuxR-type proteins, requiring not only its AHL ligand but also the accessory protein PqsE for maximal DNA binding and transcriptional activation. We recently demonstrated that in the absence of PqsE, RhlR is targeted for degradation by the Lon protease, suggesting that proteolysis plays a key role in modulating QS. We hypothesize that RhlR contains a degron, a specific signal recognized by Lon and potentially other AAA+ proteases, that controls its stability and facilitates the transition from high- to low-cell density states. To identify this degron, we will generate targeted RhlR substitutions in the N-terminus of RhlR and assess protein stability following translation inhibition. We specifically targeted the N-terminus because 1) it is unstructured and 2) it is not solvent accessible when bound by PqsE. Preliminary data indicate that deleting the unstructured N-terminal region of RhlR results in a RhlR variant that is resistant to degradation, hinting at a role for PqsE protecting the RhlR N-terminus as a regulatory mechanism for controlling RhlR levels. Understanding how RhlR stability is controlled will provide critical insights into how P. aeruginosa coordinates virulence and adapts to changing environments.

The C-Terminal Solution: A New Approach to Lyme Disease Vaccine Candidates

Mentor: Nicholas Mantis

Abstract

Protection against Lyme Disease, the most common vector borne disease in the United States, is challenging due to the promiscuous expression patterns of the surface proteins on the causative spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi (Bb). Outer surface protein C (OspC) is a highly polymorphic helical rich lipoprotein expressed by all species of the Bb sensu lato complex and is required for infectivity in mammals. OspC is upregulated during tick feeding, down regulated after host infection, and is important to early skin infections and bloodstream survival. OspC is therefore an important target of the host antibody response mounted to clear infection or protect against reinfection and is a desirable target for drug candidates. These mechanisms are complicated however by the polymorphic nature of OspC which has ~30 distinct phyletic types. Here we evaluate and characterize a bactericidal and protective OspC mouse monoclonal antibody, OspC10-11, that recognizes native and recombinant OspC highly conserved C-terminal region α-helix 5. More specifically, alanine scanning identified OspC10-11’s core binding motif to residues E199, S200, and K203. The results implicate the previously controversial region C10 as an important target to be considered during Lyme Disease vaccine development.

Enhancing Client Well-Being Through Holistic Support: Insights from the Schenectady City Mission Wellness Center Internship

Mentor: Star Foucault

Abstract

The Schenectady City Mission Wellness Center provides holistic support for individuals facing homelessness, addiction recovery, mental health challenges, and disabilities. This internship focused on client advocacy, engagement, and data collection to assess program effectiveness. A client feedback survey was developed to measure satisfaction and identify barriers to care, while a brochure was created to enhance service awareness and accessibility. Initial findings highlight the positive impact of integrated support services and the need for improved access to mental health and employment resources. This project emphasizes the importance of client-centered approaches in promoting well-being, reducing health disparities, and improving long-term service delivery.

Leading Health Promotion Processes within University Settings at a Health Promoting University

Mentor: Kelly Gorman

Abstract

The Office of Health Promotion (OHP) believe ideas, suggestions, and implementation should be coming directly from the student’s voices. Alongside the continuing research that OHP seeks to do. As a relatively new office, just above two years old but still extremely established, I am working with OHP to shift the culture around health here at the University. The University at Albany is a Health Promoting university, 1 out of 29 total in the U.S. to be following the Okanagan Charter framework, which was adopted back in 2021. This is basically a call to action to instill health into all aspects of campus life from class, personal life and development, all the way to administration, food venues, and local community surrounding. Actions being: to embed health into all aspects of campus culture, across the administration, operations and academic mandates & to lead health promotion action and collaboration locally and globally.​  With data showing well-being of a person incorporates the person, place, & planet, we seek to form a coalition from a student-led steering committee to survey our university. To gather & assess what we currently have or do not have that promotes health/well-being and students receptiveness to that.

Endocrine Specialty Care Center Quality Improvement Project: Decreasing Unconfirmed and Lost to Follow Up Newborn Screening Cases

Mentor: Kathy Chou

Abstract

Every baby born in New York State is screened for over 50 congenital disorders by the Newborn Screening Program (NBSP). Newborn screening is a system that involves interfacing between public health and healthcare, and the external systems quality unit in the NBSP works to identify gaps in the system and develop interventions to address these gaps for Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI). 
The NBSP currently screens for 2 endocrine disorders: congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) and congenital hypothyroidism (CH). Diagnosing these disorders early is critical in improving health outcomes for the newborn. When babies screen positive for disorders, they are referred to specialty care centers (SCC) for further clinical evaluation. Referrals with unconfirmed diagnoses after 91 days are considered lost to follow up (LtFU). 
This project aims to decrease the number of unconfirmed endocrine cases from 2019 and 2020 through outreach to clinical specialists at SCCs. Raw data was exported from the NBSP clinical laboratory data system, Neometrics, and then cleaned and organized in Excel. Each of the LtFU and possible disease cases were reviewed for outreach. Eighty-three cases were identified for outreach, and 18 SCCs were contacted. Diagnosis forms were faxed or emailed to providers according to their contact preferences on file. The responses were tracked using Excel, and cases were updated in Neometrics after a final review from the lab and follow-up units. The project is ongoing, and preliminary results show successful reduction in the number of unconfirmed CAH and CH cases.

Pseudomonas ae-ridge-inosa: antibiotic-induced changes in quorum sensing variants

Mentor: Jon Paczkowski

Abstract

Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) is an opportunistic pathogen with extensive drug resistance. PA has many intrinsic antibiotic resistance mechanisms controlled by quorum sensing (QS). PA produces signaling molecules called autoinducers (AI).  The Las and Rhl QS systems are activated by the AI 3OC12HSL and C4HSL. The Pqs system is responsive to the AI PQS. Activated LasR, RhlR, and PqsR lead to increased levels of AI and expression of virulence genes. Clinical strains of PA have inactivating mutations in lasR and point mutations in rhlI. We showed that RhlI variants in a ΔlasR background are more virulent than the ΔlasR and WT strains. Here, we tested if strains with enhanced virulence traits had a concomitant decrease in antibiotic resistance. While testing the antibiotic susceptibility, strains developed a raised morphology with excessive pyocyanin production, which we call ridges. RNA-seq analyses on ridges show that the antABC operon, involved in anthranilate (ANT) catabolism, was significantly upregulated. ANT is a metabolic decision hub which can feed into the PQS arm of QS, which is tightly regulated by C4HSL levels. We performed UHPLC-MS/MS on ridge extracts probing for ANT and HHQ, a PQS precursor. ANT levels were lower in RhlI variants in a ΔlasR background compared to WT. HHQ synthesis was increased in ΔlasR strains compared to WT. Taken together, we hypothesize that RhlI variants in a ΔlasR background hyperactivate PqsR-driven gene expression in a RhlR-dependent manner, leading to a change in physiology in times of antibiotic stress, resulting in the accumulation of potentially toxic metabolites.

Novel Models for Evaluating Antibody-Mediated Blocking of Borrelia burgdorferi Transmission

Mentor: Nicholas Mantis

Abstract

Background: Lyme disease, caused by Borrelia burgdorferi (Bb) and transmitted by Ixodes ticks, currently lacks a human vaccine, despite being the most prevalent vector-borne disease in the US and Europe. Outer surface protein C (OspC) is critical in Bb transmission and early infection, making it a promising vaccine target. Previous research indicates that anti-OspC antibodies can prevent disease, potentially by immobilizing spirochetes in tick tissues; however, the exact mechanisms remain unclear.  
Methods and Results: Our study employs a dual-model approach that combines in vivo and in vitro systems. With both models, we assess the effectiveness of various anti-OspC antibodies in blocking transmission. Initially, we confirmed successful spirochete colonization within tick tissues. Next, in the in vivo model, we verified transmission to mice (detected in multiple tissues via qPCR) and confirmed viability through cultivation from bladder tissue. Serological analysis demonstrated positive antibody responses in mouse sera. In our artificial feeding chamber model using human blood, we successfully detected bacterial colonization in tick tissues. Our ongoing refinements focus on optimizing detection protocols for spirochetes in the blood component of this system. The next step will be to apply antibodies and observe their effects on the results. We hypothesize that effective anti-OspC antibodies trap spirochetes within tick tissues before host transmission, with greater efficacy expected in antibodies that exhibit higher avidity, complement-activating capability, and specificity for OspC's C-terminal α-helix.  
Conclusion: This research aims to enhance understanding tick-pathogen interactions and antibody-mediated protection, potentially leading to innovative prevention strategies and OspC-based vaccines against Lyme disease.

Isoforms of ABL2 tyrosine kinases in cancers.

Mentor: Douglas Conklin

Abstract

ABL2 was identified as the top survival factor among 83 tyrosine kinases in RNAi knockdown experiments in BT474 breast cancer cells in our lab. The ABL2 gene produces two protein isoforms with alternative N termini (ANT) using different transcriptional start sites. While ABL2's role in tumor progression is well-documented, isoform-specific expression, activation, and signaling may impact cancer progression. This project aims to explore the differential expression, localization, and signaling of ABL2 isoforms in breast cancer. We find that isoforms of ABL2 are phylogenetically conserved among all mammals and are either myristoylated (ABL2.m) or contain predicted palmitoylation sites Cys-22 and Cys-23 (ABL2.p).  Cys-23 of ABL2.p is highly conserved in all mammals, except for rats and mice, a finding which is likely explained by the late evolution of the clade of which they are members. Exon 1 of ABL2.p contains well-conserved Tyr-13 residue predicted to be phosphorylated by PDGFRB, suggesting a possible interplay of palmitoylation and phosphorylation in signaling, distinct from myristoylated isoform. Computational analyses indicate differential expression of ABL2 isoforms in solid tumors. In normal tissues, ABL2.m expression is higher than ABL2.p, whereas, in solid tumors and leukemias, ABL2.p expression surpasses that of ABL2.m and is correlated with poorer survival outcomes in breast tumors. The distinct signaling and survival outcomes of ABL2.p make it pertinent to investigate palmitoylation’s role in its localization, expression, and signaling. Ongoing studies explore its palmitoylation, membrane attachment, and functions in breast cancer, alongside scRNAseq dataset analysis of isoform expression in specific cell types within epithelial tumors.

The Roles of DnaG and DnaE in the Initiation of DNA synthesis in Staphylococcus aureus

Mentor: Janice Pata

Abstract

DNA replication is a fundamental cellular process in all organisms. Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria possess different replisomes and replicate DNA in a somewhat different way. This is because Gram-negative bacteria have only one essential DNA replicative polymerase, but low-GC content Gram-positive bacteria have two, DnaE and PolC. PolC, the major replicative polymerase, cannot extend RNA primers directly. Thus, DnaE, playing an intermediate role, takes over RNA primers from primase (DnaG) but adds a limited DNA before handing off to PolC. The process of how DnaG and DnaE coordinate primer synthesis and why DnaE can accommodate both RNA and DNA primers still remain mysterious. 
To identify specific features that enable DnaE to bind with both DNA and RNA primers from structural perspectives, we have solved the structure of DnaE bound to DNA/DNA duplex and are currently determining the structure of DnaE in complex with RNA/DNA duplex, which will allow a direct comparison. To unravel the process of primer hand-off from DnaG to DnaE, we performed mass photometry and have determined that DnaG and DnaE can form a complex, but the addition of DNA results in dissociation of this complex. According to those preliminary data, our central hypothesis is that DnaG and DnaE will be brought to replisome as a complex and dissociate for later activity.

Assessment of Executive Functioning in Preschoolers with Type 1 Diabetes: Qualitative Observations

Mentor: Victoria Ledsham

Abstract

Research on Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) in young children suggests potential cognitive and socioemotional impacts, particularly on executive functioning (EF). As a Pediatric Research Assistant on this project, my role focused on data collection, participant interactions, and research coordination. This included administering iPad-based EF assessments, guiding parents through questionnaire completion, and managing participant retention efforts. I also contributed to refining data entry protocols and ensuring the accuracy of electronic health record integration for glycemic monitoring.
Throughout the study, I observed how environmental comfort, social familiarity, and participant engagement influenced assessment outcomes. Children demonstrated variations in behavior between initial and follow-up visits, highlighting the importance of rapport-building and personalized approaches in pediatric research. These observations emphasize the need for future research to consider behavioral and contextual factors when evaluating EF in children with T1D.
This experience enhanced my ability to conduct patient-centered research, improved my skills in data collection and participant communication, and deepened my understanding of the complexities of pediatric health studies. My work reaffirmed my commitment to advancing research in childhood health and development, particularly within underrepresented populations, and my commitment to becoming a physician.

A solute transport model to simulate groundwater flow and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) transport in the Village of Hoosick Falls, New York.

Mentor: Erin Bell

Abstract

Objective: As part of a larger effort to hindcast historical tap water PFOA doses among Village of Hoosick Falls residents, develop a novel model that describes the transport of groundwater PFOA in the Village, and calibrate the model employing groundwater monitoring well data.

Materials and Methods: Study utilized Visual MODFLOW Flex software to develop and calibrate a PFOA transport model. Model included subsurface layers such as unconfined aquifer, aquitard, confined aquifer, and bedrock, with flow boundaries defined by the Hoosic River and monitoring wells. Calibration incorporated monitoring well data from 2016 to the present, covering 326 acres with known hydraulic head, PFOA sources and a Village wellfield. Calibration was iterative and aimed at minimizing the Normalized Root Mean Square Error (NRMSE) through 3-D visualizations.

Results: Model calibration demonstrated a good fit with an NRMSE <0.2, while flow directions and iso-concentration contours were based upon Village wellfield PFOA concentrations and site investigation reports. The flow model indicates that shallow groundwater flows radially away from a major PFOA source at a manufacturing facility northwest of the wellfield, while deep groundwater flows southeast into the Village municipal wellfield. This deep groundwater then moves into a transmissive zone and flows northward toward the Hoosic River. There is no significant eastward groundwater flow observed.

Conclusion: Groundwater monitoring well data was used to develop and calibrate a PFOA transport model for the Village of Hoosick Falls. This model will assist in hindcasting groundwater PFOA transport and evaluating historical tap water PFOA doses for the village residents.

An Evaluation of Trends in The New York City Watershed: Routine Monitoring of Pathogen Data

Mentor: Morgan Tarbell

Abstract

Cryptosporidium and Giardia are globally significant waterborne pathogens that can cause severe diarrheal disease. The New York City Watershed conducts routine surveillance throughout its reservoir system to track these parasites. In this study we focus on the Kensico Reservoir by assessing the prevalence and the key drivers influencing the distribution of Cryptosporidium and Giardia. Utilizing a Generalized linear mixed model with a negative binomial distribution (GLMM-NB), we accounted for hydrological, physiochemical, and spatiotemporal covariates across multiple monitoring sites. Our findings support that higher turbidity and fecal coliform levels contribute to the increased presence of Giardia levels, while higher temperatures and rainfall are associated with lower concentrations. Results for Cryptosporidium followed a slightly different pattern, with only fecal coliform showing a potential positive relationship, while higher temperature were associated with lower concentrations. These findings were not universal across monitoring sites with pathogen concentration likely being heavily influenced by site-specific geospatial factors.

Elucidating the Primary Route of Exposure in Petersburgh NY, a Community Affected by Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) Contamination: an Investigation Related to the Multi-Site PFAS Study

Mentor: Gary Ginsberg

Abstract

Per and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) are persistent pollutants that lack substantial degradability once in the environment. PFAS contains a wide array of compounds used as additives in consumer products due to their desirable characteristics. For example, Teflon-coated products being waterproof and grease-resistant originate from the presence of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). Biomonitoring studies in contaminated communities have shown elevated levels of PFAS due to industrial releases. This includes Petersburgh NY, who has faced PFOA contamination due to industry and is a constituent of the Multi-Site Study (MSS); the first national assessment of PFAS exposure from drinking water (DW). Other communities like Petersburgh with significantly higher levels of exposure when compared to other citizens using NHANES data have been examined. How PFAS levels may change over time, which sources of exposure are most contributing, and what factors pose an increased risk for elevated exposure to an individual are aspects that still remain to be elucidated. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the extent of exposure in Petersburgh NY, a population impacted by PFOA contamination. Newly acquired biomonitoring data is being matched with environmental samples including DW to establish routes of exposure and confirm effective removal strategies. Preliminary results suggest that PFOA levels in participant serum and DW do not follow expected patterns. To address anomalies and fill research gaps, this work will utilize surveys, spatial patterns, and modelling. This research will help drive the national effort assessing PFAS exposure and looks to better establish tools to identify at-risk populations.

The Center for Social Entrepreneurship

Mentor: Noah-Lee Andre

Abstract

Background: Family and Community Engagement Services (FACES), a certified New York State and New York City Minority Business Enterprise (MBE), is a for-profit business established in 2016 focused on expanding economic opportunity and practical workforce solutions. FACES is in the process of creating the Centers for Social Entrepreneurship (CFSE) which will consist of three parts:

1. A Business Incubator with business accelerator aspects to help launch and scale small businesses;

2. A Workforce Opportunity Center (WOC) that provides vocational education, job readiness training, and industry-recognized certifications; and

3. A PreK–12 Industry-Focused Academy, which emphasizes STEM education, entrepreneurship, and trades-based learning to prepare students for real-world economic participation.

CFSE’s business incubator will launch with three pilot enterprises:

· Los Andes Construction, specializing in efficient, environmentally responsible construction;

· Blacc Vanilla Café, which will include a coffee roasting and craft beverage program to support local food entrepreneurship;

· Greenway Environmental Services, a community gardening and composting business.

Methods: Conduct research to determine the best practices for business incubators, including funding and scaling opportunities. Create a B Corporation Certification guide. Replicate Greenway Environmental Services' Hurley Food Waste Diversion in Newburgh.

Results: There are a number of practices that a business incubator must follow which include proper mentorship, providing funding to the incubatee, and introducing the incubatee to potential investors.

Conclusion: The outcomes of the CSFE will serve as a foundation for implementing similar models in other regions, demonstrating the role of social enterprises in addressing global climate challenges while fostering economic growth.

Review of Dietary Assessment Methods in the Amazon

Mentor: Beth Feingold

Abstract

Diet-related chronic diseases are Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) such as cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), cancers, diabetes, and respiratory diseases. They cause around two-thirds of the global deaths, and mortality rate is 43% in Low- and Middle-income countries. The growing rates of these diseases are very high in rapidly developing rural and remote regions such as the Amazon River basin. Dietary assessment is crucial for understanding nutrition and health outcomes, including risk factors for cardiometabolic disease, particularly in regions with diverse ecologies and cultural practices, such as the Amazon. However, such studies in regions like the Amazon are scant.  This poster reviews the literature on how diet and dietary patterns have been assessed in the Amazon, highlighting their strengths, and limitations, and suggests areas ripe for future research.

Characterization and Remediation of Radon Contamination of Strontium-90 Samples Analyzed by Gas Flow Proportional Counter

Mentor: Sherry Faye

Abstract

Strontium-90 (Sr-90) in the environment originates from anthropogenic activity and primarily, from the fallout of weapons testing that occurred in the 20th century. (WHO DISCOVERED STRONTIUM. 2002) Sr-90 is an environmental contaminant of interest given its 28.8-year half-life and that it is a beta emitter. (NuDat 3. 2025) Sr-90 poses a threat to human health when it is inhaled or ingested and once it has entered the human body can accumulate in bones. (Strontium | Public Health Statement | ATSDR. 2014) At the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) water samples are analyzed for Sr-90 as precipitates on gas flow proportional counters (GP) as a part of routine environmental surveillance testing. Samples are measured three times over the period of five days. Over the past year, the first measurement of samples early in a batch have been observed to be artificially elevated. The cause of this elevated first count was believed to be due to Radon-222 (Rn-222) adsorbing to dust and then settling on the samples. The decay of short-lived decay products of 222Rn would then contribute to the measured activity of the samples for several hours. In this study, radon was characterized by decay ratios observed on slightly elevated background samples. Then, the optimal sample hold time between chemistry and counting was evaluated based on when contaminant species were no longer contributing significantly to the measured counts. The hold time was found to be insignificant as statistically the elevation of beta counts was within 1.96σ.

Hybrid Semantic Retrieval-Augmented Generation (HySem-RAG): Enhancing Academic Knowledge Discovery

Mentor: Xiaobo Xue Romeiko

Abstract

We present Hybrid Semantic Retrieval-Augmented Generation (HySem-RAG), a novel end-to-end system designed to significantly enhance academic literature discovery and information synthesis. Our pipeline begins with an automated Extract-Transform-Load (ETL) process, where domain-specific queries drive article identification from major academic databases (PubMed and OpenAlex). Retrieved articles undergo automated PDF acquisition via Unpaywall, followed by metadata integration using Zotero and text/table extraction through Azure Document Intelligence.

We then perform semantic and keyword-based indexing in a Qdrant vector database, enriched with custom metadata (e.g., DOI, ZoteroKey). To assess retrieval quality and ensure robust citation grounding, we track LLM-derived references (DOI, InTextCitation, etc.) against known records in our dataset, measuring per-field similarity (Levenshtein or Jaccard). This yields average metadata similarity scores typically in the 0.90–1.00 range, indicating near-perfect matching for correct references. An iterative chain-of-thought mechanism further reduces errors by prompting the LLM to regenerate responses if essential metadata is missing or inconsistent.

Our framework also incorporates Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) topic modeling to identify and visualize thematic structures and research gaps within the corpus. These enriched data elements are then integrated into a Neo4j-based knowledge graph, which explicitly encodes relationships among articles, agronomic scenarios, management practices, soil characteristics, and other domain-specific concepts. Throughout, standardized dictionaries unify terminologies (e.g., for cover crop species, tillage practices, ML methods), ensuring consistent knowledge graph representation.

HySem-RAG thus provides a comprehensive solution for sophisticated knowledge discovery in academic research, bridging structured and unstructured data and enabling precise, context-rich academic inquiries.

Environmental Health Disparities Among Elderly Population in New York State

Mentor: Shao Lin

Abstract

This study examines the links between extreme weather, air pollution, and sociodemographic vulnerabilities among older adults in New York State (NYS).

We used 2013–2019 American Community Survey (ACS) data to analyze associations between weather extremes (heat, cold, humidity), air pollution, and demographic factors (≥65 years, household type, poverty). Census county divisions (CCDs) were categorized as High or Low vulnerability using the 75th percentile as a threshold. Environmental data, including the national risk index (NRI), temperature, relative humidity (RH), and air pollution (PM2.5, O3, NO2, SO2, NH3, CO), were integrated from FEMA, NOAA, CMAQ, and the EPA.

We found that natural hazard risk was higher among older adults living alone (53% vs. 37%, p < 0.001) and those below the poverty line (73% vs. 36%, p < 0.001) due to greater social vulnerability. Census tracts with a high percentage of older adults (>75th percentile) had significantly greater exposure to extreme cold (16% vs. 8%, p < 0.001) and humidity (14% vs. 9%, p < 0.001) compared to tracts with fewer older adults (<25th percentile). PM2.5 (OR: 1.54, 95% CI: 1.06–2.22) and O3 (OR: 1.61, 95% CI: 1.15–2.24) were positively associated with areas with high older adult populations.

Our findings indicate that older adults in NYS, particularly those in high-risk groups, face disproportionate exposure to extreme weather and air pollution. Older adults living alone, in poverty, and Black older adults were especially vulnerable. This study underscores the urgent need for targeted public health interventions to reduce environmental risks among at-risk elderly populations.

Assessing the benefits and constraints of shifting standards for testing and monitoring emerging contaminants; A case study of PFAS in the US

Mentor: David Carpenter

Abstract

New federal regulations are reshaping the monitoring of Per- and Polyfluorinated Substances (PFAS) in drinking water systems. PFAS, widely used since the 1930s and 1940s, have raised significant concerns due to their persistence in the environment and potential adverse health effects, including organ damage and cancer. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that 97% of Americans have detectable levels of PFAS in their blood. While long-chain PFAS have been the primary focus, short-chain PFAS are increasingly being detected in drinking water, prompting concerns due to their mobility and persistence.
Prior to federal action, states like New York began regulating certain PFAS compounds in drinking water systems. My research focuses on assessing the shifting federal requirements under the Safe Drinking Water Act’s Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR), comparing UCMR 3 and UCMR 5. The UCMR framework helps identify suspected contaminants in drinking water but lacks health-based standards. This analysis will examine the differences in reporting requirements, the PFAS compounds tested, and the size of drinking water systems covered, with a special focus on short-chain PFAS.
The study aims to highlight the need for increased regulatory attention to short-chain PFAS, which are gaining attention due to their environmental risks. Through this analysis, I will provide insights into the evolving PFAS regulations and their implications for public health and environmental safety.

PFAS concentration at birth and body mass index and blood pressure: The Upstate KIDS study

Mentor: Erin Bell

Abstract

Objectives: Per and Poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of persistent, synthetic, and organic chemicals that are ubiquitous in the environment and in consumer products. This study examines the association between PFOA and PFOS concentrations in newborn dried blood spots (NDBS) and maternal-reported body mass index (BMI) and blood pressure (BP) at age 7-9 years.
Material and methods: The Upstate KIDS study is a longitudinal, prospective birth cohort of live births occurring in New York State, excluding New York City, excluding New York City, between September 2008 and December 2010. PFOA and PFOS concentrations were measured in newborn dried bloodspots (NDBS) using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Maternal reports of BMI and BP at ages 7-9 were examined. Due to the data's nested structure and non-independence of data, a generalized estimating equations (GEE) model with robust standard error will be used.
Result: More than 99% of PFOA and PFOS in NDBS were above the detection limit, with mean PFOA 1.27 ng/ml and PFOS 1.96 ng/ml. The mean maternal-reported BMI at age 7-9 was 17 kg/m2, the mean systolic BP was 98 mmHg, and the diastolic BP was 61 mmHg. A significant bivariate association was found between PFAS and maternal race, BMI, insurance, and being nulliparous. We will use inverse probability weighting to account for the missing confounder and GEE to model the adjusted relationship between PFAS, BMI, and BP.
Conclusion: The detection of PFAS in newborns suggests they can accumulate in the fetus throughout pregnancy.
Keywords: PFAS, Endocrine-disrupting chemicals, Environmental epidemiology

Individual effects and interactions between ultrafine particles and extreme temperatures on hospital admissions of high burden diseases

Mentor: Shao Lin

Abstract

Background: This study compares health risks of either increased UFPs or summer temperature on the five high burden diseases (HBDs) including ischemic heart diseases (IHD), diabetes, stroke, all kidney disease (KD), and depression in New York State (NYS).

Methods: We used a case-crossover study design to examine the excess risk for each interquartile range (ERIQR) increase of UFPs and summer temperature. We then evaluated the stratified analyses by HBDs subtypes and sociodemographic characteristics. The potential interaction between extreme temperature and UFPs on HBDs at both the multiplicative and additive scales was also examined. Conditional logistic regression was applied while controlling for NH3, PM2.5, SO2, relative humidity, and time-varying variables.

Results: Among 1,336,873 cases, significant ERIQR of UFPs on five HBDs occurred from lag 1-3 days (ERIQR ranges from 0.9 to 1.2), and ERIQR of summer temperature occurred on the same day and lag 1 day (ERIQR ranges from 1.1 to 1.6). In addition, UFPs affected all the five HBDs except for KD, while summer temperature affected KD the most. Males, whites, non-Hispanics, older adults and those with Medicaid were more susceptible to the adverse effects of heat, while people with Medicaid insurance were more susceptible to UFPs.

Conclusions: These findings suggest a short-term association between exposure to elevated UFPs concentrations or summer temperatures and HAs for five HBDs. Summer temperature’s health effect was higher than UFPs and there was significant interaction between them.

Leveraging inductively coupled plasma tandem mass spectrometry (ICP-MS/MS) technology: A generational step in human placenta analyses

Mentor: Patrick Parsons

Abstract

The placenta is a temporary organ that acts as the critical interface between a pregnant mother and a developing fetus, where the exchange of oxygen, nutrients, and environmental pollutants may occur. Analyses of placental tissues can provide important information on nutritional trace element status in utero, as well as exposure information of toxic elements during gestation for the mother and her baby. Our previous work, nearly two decades ago, required two separate sample digestion techniques and two analytical methods utilizing Dynamic Reaction Cell Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (DRC-ICP-MS) to capture 23 trace elements in human placenta samples. Further interest in the use of neonatal tissues for exposomic studies typically includes requests to perform analyses with minimal tissue mass. Here were describe the development of two new analytical methods based on Inductively Coupled Plasma Tandem Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS/MS) to capture 26 trace elements including essential trace elements (e.g., Mn, Cu, Zn, Se) and non-essential toxic elements (e.g., As, Cd, Pb) as well as mercury (Hg), from a common acid digestate—with 90% less sample consumed based on mass. Sample pre-treatment was performed using a high-throughput open-vessel microwave-assisted acid digestion system. Method validation was accomplished using a range of certified reference materials (CRMs), and further supplemented with spike recovery experiments. Analytical results highlighting the instrumental advances, particularly the use of collision/reaction chemistry with a triple quadrupole MS to increase accuracy, selectivity, and detectability are presented and compared.

Measuring Low-Level Uranium in Human Blood and Urine by Inorganic Mass Spectrometry: Migrating Methods from Single Quad ICP-MS To Triple Quad ICP-MS/MS

Mentor: Patrick Parsons

Abstract

The ability to quantify low levels of uranium in blood and urine is important for emergency response (radiobioassay) purposes and for conducting human biomonitoring studies. These efforts are challenging due to the very low levels of uranium that are typically found in body fluids, often at the parts-per-trillion (ppt) or ng/L level. Limits of detection (LODs) at the ng/L level have been achieved in the past for urine and blood via single quadrupole inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (Q-ICP-MS). The introduction of triple quadrupole ICP-MS (i.e., QQQ-ICP-MS, ICP-MS/MS), has the potential to lower the LOD for uranium in both blood and urine even further, thereby improving our capacity and capability to measure low-levels of uranium in body fluids for biomonitoring studies, and for emergency response purposes, with the ability for fast sample throughput (<5 minutes per sample). With the transition from older Q-ICP-MS technology to state-of-the-art ICP-MS/MS, there was an opportunity to migrate our multielement methods for blood and urine from a Thermo Scientific XSeries 2 Q-ICP-MS (blood) and a PerkinElmer ® NexION 300D Q-ICP-MS (urine) to a Thermo Scientific iCAPTM TQ (blood) and an Agilent 8900 ICP-MS/MS (urine). The performance of ICP-MS/MS technology for quantifying uranium in blood and urine was assessed and validated for emergency response and biomonitoring. Method LODs for uranium were much lower, at sub-ppt levels. Developing a single method that is fit for both biomonitoring and emergency response purposes is efficient and ensures analytical skills are continually honed should a public health emergency arise.

An introduction to LC-MS/MS in biomonitoring: instrumentation, quality control & quality assurance (QA/QC)

Mentor: Maria-Pilar Martinez-Moral

Abstract

This report provides an introduction to Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and discusses its importance in biomonitoring studies. The report goes into detail about key procedures and steps that are essential for accuracy, validation, and repeatability. Steps include preparing the mobile phase,
standard calibration, matrix matched calibration, QA/QC, sample preparation, and low density solvent-dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (LDS-DLLME-LC/MS). Data from the lab rotation study will be folded in to help better illuminate LC-MS/MS processes. The primary aim of this report is to provide a well-lit explanation of LC-MS/MS instrumentation that can be used as a foundational backbone for further learning and investigation. In order to do this, methodology and validation steps will be lengthy and detailed.

Assessing Newborn Screening Timeliness: Establish a Baseline using 2022 data in New York State

Mentor: Kathy Chou

Abstract

Background: Newborn Screening (NBS) is a critical public health program that identifies infants with rare disorders to facilitate early intervention and reduce morbidity and mortality. The process involves collecting a blood specimen from an infant’s heel prick within 24–36 hours of birth, which is then sent to the Wadsworth Center in Albany, New York, for testing. Timeliness is essential, to report all results within seven days of birth and five days for time-critical disorders based on the Advisory Committee on Heritable Disorders in Newborns and Children. This internship project establishes a baseline using 2022 NBS data to analyze future trends in 2023 and 2024.

Methods: Raw data from 208,403 initial specimens from babies born in 2022 were exported using SQL followed by data cleaning with defined exclusion criteria. Time intervals were calculated between key process steps using Excel: Birth to Collection, Collection to Receipt, Receipt to Accession, and Accession to Report. Data is visualized using a stacked bar chart to determine the compliance rate and identify steps contributing to delays.

Results: Results indicated delays most likely occurred in collection to receipt and accession to report. We hypothesize that potential causes include operation limitations as the courier service picks up NBS specimens six days a week, and the laboratory operates five days a week. Additionally, specimens accessioned on Thursday and Friday exceeded the seven-day benchmark due to the weekend. Understanding these delays will inform the NBS program to develop interventions for process improvements to meet the timeliness goal.

Seasonality of suicide in New York State

Mentor: Hongwei Jin

Abstract

Suicide is the third leading cause of death for youth and young adults of the New York State (NYS). Suicide rates tend to vary across different times of the year in different population groups. The goal of the study is to investigate the impact of holidays on suicide related ED visits in NYS excluding NYC. Data of suicide related emergency department (ED) visits from January 1,2021 to December 31,2024 was extracted from NYS Electronic Syndromic surveillance system. The definition of suicide syndrome encompasses all ED visits related to suicide ideation, suicide attempt, self-harm, or intentional poisoning.8 Major Holidays are considered in the study including school recesses. We performed descriptive analysis of variables of interest and generated timeseries graphs using SAS to visualize the daily visit count across the year from 2021 to 2024. A total of 71,203 suicide related ED visits are reported on the identified holiday seasons. It was observed that suicide visit counts decline towards the holidays and rises to peak on the following days. Suicide-related ED visit counts for the 10-19 years-old age group are slightly elevated on Holidays, compared to regular days. Females aged 10-19 years have a higher incidence (68%) than males of suicide related ED visits. Males showed higher incidence compared to females across other age groups. A detailed statistical analysis is recommended to analyze the statistical significance of this association and understand the differential effect of holidays and regular days on suicide related ED visits.

The Association Between Maternal Mental Health and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADD/ADHD) in Children: Examining the Exacerbating Role of Maternal Drug and Alcohol Use

Mentor: Allison Appleton

Abstract

This study investigates the association between maternal mental health, behaviors, and socioeconomic factors in the prevalence of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADD/ADHD) in children. Out of the 2709 children, 99 were diagnosed with ADD/ADHD, and 2610 were not diagnosed with ADD/ADHD. Descriptive and bivariate analyses revealed significant associations between maternal depression, smoking, and alcohol consumption and the prevalence of ADD/ADHD in children. Children of mothers who reported depression had over twice the odds of being diagnosed with ADD/ADHD (OR = 2.21, 95% CI: 1.41-3.48). Mothers who smoke also increased the odds of a child being diagnosed with ADD/ADHD (OR = 1.77, 95% CI: 1.14-2.73). Additionally, children of lower socio-economic stratum and in the poverty category 0-49% have a significantly higher prevalence of ADD/ADHD (30.30%) compared to 21.00% in the non-ADD/ADHD group. The current study concludes that maternal mental health, maternal smoking g, and socio-economic factors significantly affect the development of ADD/ADHD in children. Targeted interventions are suggested to address these factors and to improve early identification and management of ADD/ADHD, especially among low – and middle-income settings.

Examining the Relationship Between Food Insecurity and Diabetes in Brooklyn, NY

Mentor: Sheena Dorvil

Abstract

Background: Food insecurity has been shown to increase the risk of diabetes. In Brooklyn, NY, it affects 15.5% of its 2.6 million residents. Black and Latino households face 2-3 times higher food insecurity risk than White households. Similarly, Black and Latino individuals have poorer type 2 diabetes outcomes, with the highest age-adjusted diabetes mortality (34.2 and 23.1 per 100,000) compared to White residents (10.7 per 100,000). This poster explores the relationship between food insecurity and diabetes in Brooklyn, NY.

Methods: Data was sourced from responses from a subset of Brooklyn residents on the 2022 NYC Community Health Survey. Food insecurity was assessed using household food concern questions, while diabetes status was self-reported. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and logistic regression models explored associations between food insecurity and diabetes, adjusting for age, race, body mass index, gender, and education.

Results: 37.2% of Brooklyn residents were food insecure (95% CI: 34.5–40.0), while 12.8% reported diabetes (95% CI: 11.1–14.7). Among food insecure individuals, 37.6% identified as Black, 24.2% identified as Latino/Hispanic and 19.2% were White. Overall, findings indicate that individuals experiencing food insecurity had 1.7 times higher odds of diabetes compared to food-secure individuals.  
 
Conclusion: Those who have food insecurity had greater odds of having diabetes, highlighting the risk that food access may have on diabetes outcomes among Brooklyn residents. As such, expanding food assistance programs, nutrition education, and implementing community-based interventions are crucial to addressing food insecurity inequities that may contribute to differences we see in diabetes mortality.

Evaluating the Health Status of Racially and Ethnically Diverse Areas: The 2025 New York State Health Equity Report Series

Mentor: Christopher Davis

Abstract

Introduction: New York State (NYS) recognizes disproportionate health outcomes in minority populations. Title 2-F of Article 2 of NYS Public Health Law requires that the Department of Health report every two years on the health status of racially and ethnically diverse areas, defined as populations of 40% or more non-white, non-Hispanic. In 2025, the Department will release the minor civil division (MCD) level Health Equity Report Series.

Methods: Data were collected from multiple sources including NYS Vital Statistics, the NYS Cancer Registry, the Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System, the American Community Survey, the Communicable Disease Electronic Surveillance System, and the HIV/AIDS Reporting System. Using SAS version 9.4., epidemiological measures were calculated for predetermined health outcome indicators (n=34) that aligned with the priority areas of the NYS Prevention Agenda 2019-2024, along with demographic indicators (n=35). Minority population density maps for each MCD were created by census block group. 40 MCDs met the criteria for report inclusion.

Results: The report series, currently in the Department’s executive approval process, includes 40 MCDs. With approval from the internship site and mentor, this poster presentation highlights key findings in the City of Albany, which experiences disparities in key social determinants of health and health outcomes versus Albany County and NYS overall.

Conclusion: Most MCDs perform worse on the selected health indicators in comparison to the respective county and the overall state. These reports provide a granular view of disproportionate health burdens to target interventions and efficiently allocate resources in racially and ethnically diverse communities.

Enteric Disease Surveillance and Outbreak Investigation Applied Experience at NYSDOH Bureau of Communicable Disease Control (NYSDOH BCDC)

Mentors: Amy Robbins & Yisen Zheng

Abstract

Introduction/Background: Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia Coli (STEC) is an enteric pathogen that can cause the development of gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting or gastroenteritis. Humans are infected with STEC from consuming contaminated food and water, contact with infected animals or through the fecal-oral route. Due to the transmissibility of STEC and other enteric diseases, in New York State (NYS), those who meet exclusionary criteria such as food handlers, daycare workers/attendees and healthcare workers are considered high risk groups and must be excluded from attending these settings until asymptomatic or two negative stool samples are received by the local health department (LHD). This project will assess the completeness of transmission and prevention data collected during routine foodborne disease investigations of STEC cases who meet exclusion criteria.

Methods: SAS 9.4 was utilized to extract data of STEC cases from the NYS Communicable Disease Electronic Surveillance System (CDESS). The cases that were extracted were restricted to the years 2023 and 2024 and had to meet the exclusion criteria of food handler, daycare worker or daycare attendee. The exclusionary cases were identified using specific variables from CDESS, this includes “occupation”, “work restriction”, and “work/volunteer in daycare or foodservice”. Further assessment of the completion of cases was done utilizing CDESS comments in the supplemental page, comments from the mentioned variables, lab data transferred or entered into CDESS, and lab data uploaded into the NYS Electronic Clinical Laboratory Reporting System (ECLRS).

Conclusions: More than half of the cases for each exclusion category lacked two negative stool samples, confirmed either through CDESS or ECLRS laboratory data or comments, and completeness of the interview. Many cases also lacked thorough documentation that the case was made aware of the need for two negative stool samples or that additional follow up was conducted. This lack of completeness and/or appropriate documentation indicates that there may be a need for more elaborate training for LHD on interview completion and guidance on exclusion and sensitive setting cases. This also suggests that the CDESS interview form itself may need to be improved upon.

Severity Differences Between Off-Campus and Hospital-Based Emergency Departments in New York State, 2022

Mentor: Brooke Turcotte

Abstract

This study analyzes differences in patient severity and treatment patterns between off-campus emergency departments (OC-ED) and hospital-based emergency departments (H-ED) in New York State in 2022. Targeting healthcare policymakers and emergency care providers, the research explores how OC-ED, which operate separately from hospitals and typically do not accept ambulance transports, compared to H-ED in terms of patient severity and care. Findings show that both settings had similar distributions of severity levels, with most cases classified as moderate to high severity. Common diagnoses included hypertension and viral exposure, and both settings performed similar procedures, such as patient evaluations and blood draws. However, H-ED transitioned more patients to inpatient care (4% vs. 2%) and had longer hospital stays (median 4 days vs. 3 days). These findings highlight the value of OC-ED as a resource for expanding emergency care access, particularly in underserved areas, and improving public health by reducing hospital congestion.

Understanding the Causes of Infant Mortality Across New York State

Mentor: Lolisa McLaughlin

Abstract

This internship was based on the recently issued Infant Mortality in New York State, 2016-2019 report, released by the New York State Department of Health in June 2023. This report included key recommendations from expert workgroups to be implemented and considered to reduce infant mortality across NYS. According to the report, Upstate Health Service Areas (HPA) have higher infant mortality rates than the overall state average. Amongst the Upstate HSA's, the region with the highest infant mortality rate was the Finger Lakes. The Division of Family Health is looking to better understand the available resources and gaps in resources regionally, with specific interest in three key regions: the Finger Lakes, Southern Tier, and North Country.

Listeriosis Surveillance in New York State, Excluding NYC-2017-2024

Mentor: Amy Robbins

Abstract

Introduction: Listeria monocytogenes is a foodborne pathogen that poses a significant risk, particularly to vulnerable populations, including pregnant and older individuals. This project analyzed listeriosis infections in New York State, excluding New York City, from January 2017 to November 2024.

Methods: Data was obtained from the Communicable Disease Electronic Surveillance System (CDESS) and the Electronic Clinical Laboratory Report System (ECLRS). Statistical analysis using SAS 9.4 and data visualization with Microsoft Excel were employed to analyze preliminary data for demographic and common food exposures.

Results: 421 listeriosis cases were reported between the selected time frames. Amongst pregnant cases, the highest frequency of cases occurred in the 18 to 29 age group at 38%. Mom-baby pairs are common in listeria pregnancy. Infant cases become infected within 0 to 25 days after birth, most often around 0 to 1 day. Listeriosis pregnancy cases regarding sex are more prevalent in females due to mom/ baby pairs 79% of cases reported were female, and 21% of cases were male. Hospitalizations amongst listeriosis pregnancy cases reported 84% of hospitalizations during the project's time frame. For non-pregnant cases of listeriosis, the highest frequency occurred in the 80 and above age group at 32%. As for sex, cases were almost at an even divide of 44% female and 45% male cases. Hospitalizations occurred in 94% of the cases. Familiar food sources were identified after combining preliminary data from the two populations. The most reported food was ham deli meat at 24%, turkey deli meat at 21%, potato salad purchased from a deli counter at 11%, and Ice cream at 27%.

Conclusion: The analysis highlighted the impact of listeriosis on vulnerable populations through demographic data and potential familiar food sources. Limitations included challenges in data collection due to proxy interviews and possible recall bias. Continued surveillance is essential for public health education and prevention efforts in the future.

Mechanisms Linking Adverse Childhood Experiences to Co-occurring Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder in Young Adulthood

Mentor: Melissa Tracy

Abstract

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are linked to poor health, but the mechanisms connecting ACEs to young adult health remain less understood. This study explores how behavioral and psychosocial factors mediate the relationship between ACEs and co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders (SUD) in young adulthood. We used data from 3,420 participants in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC). We identified five childhood adversity trajectories from birth through age 12: stable low (57.1%), stable mid (30.2%), increasing from mild to high (6.7%), decreasing from moderate to mid (4.0%), and stable high (2.1%). At age 24, 16.7% of participants had a mental disorder only, 11.3% had alcohol use disorder (AUD) or cannabis use disorder (CUD) only, and 6.4% met criteria for both. In multinomial logistic regression models, adjusted for socio-demographics and maternal factors, ACEs were associated with mental health and substance use disorders, with participants with stable-high adversity showing the highest odds of mental health disorders only (OR=2.00, 95% CI=1.09-3.67), those with decreasing adversity showing the highest odds of AUD and/or CUD (OR=2.02, 95% CI=1.18-3.45), and those with increasing adversity showing the highest odds of both mental health and substance use disorders (OR=2.31, 95% CI=1.39-3.84), all relative to those with stable low adversity. Substance use, impulsivity, antisocial activities, and internalizing problems in adolescence explained 7-32% of the estimated effects of ACEs. Early intervention is critical, but targeting behavioral and psychosocial factors in adolescence may also help prevent co-occurring mental health and substance use problems in young adulthood.

Enteric Disease Surveillance and Outbreak Investigation Applied Experience at NYSDOH BCDC

Mentor: Amy Robbins

Abstract

Introduction: Giardia is a reportable enteric disease in New York State (NYS). Positive giardia cases are reported to the NYS Department of Health, where interviews are conducted about eating and swimming habits prior to illness. The goal of this project is to analyze the demographics, clinical characteristics, and exposures of giardiasis cases in NYS from 2019-2023 to see if there were any areas of the state with a high incidence of giardiasis cases.
Methods: Giardiasis data from 2019-2023 was taken from the Communicable Disease Electronic Surveillance System (CDESS) and analyzed using SAS and Microsoft Excel. Rates of common exposures among giardiasis patients for each NYS county were calculated using Oregon’s binomial probability template. These were compared to background rates for common sources of exposure from the Center for Disease Control (CDC)’s FoodNet Fast population surveys.
Results: There were 3,403 cases of giardiasis in NYS from 2019-2023, mostly between July and September. Central Region had the highest rate of cases, and the individual county with the highest rate was St. Lawrence. 32 counties had a higher exposure to well water among giardiasis cases than would be expected through random chance.
Conclusion: Drinking water from private wells is a potentially significant source of exposure to giardia in NYS. The spike in cases during the summer may be because that is when people swim in untreated water. Both drinking well water and swimming in untreated water are known sources of exposure to giardia and can be used in future prevention messages.

Predictors of Viral Suppression Among PLHIV on Antiretroviral Treatment in Almaty, Kazakhstan

Mentor: Guthrie Birkhead

Abstract

In Eastern Europe and Central Asia (EECA) numbers of new HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths increased 20% and 34% respectively since 2010.  Kazakhstan is one of the four countries in EECA region where 92% all of new registered HIV cases are reported.  HIV testing and treatment cascade in the country is 82% PLHIV who know their status, 73% PLHIV on treatment, 67% PLHIV who are virally suppressed.  Almaty is the biggest city which hosts one-fifth of all people living with HIV in the country and it is the first city in Central Asia, whose authorities signed Paris Declaration on July 20, 2017. After implementation of WHO universal test and treat policy only one study has assessed using secondary data from Almaty AIDS Center what factors are associated with uptake of ART among PLWH in Almaty city. According to latest updated clinical guideline (17 march, 2023) in Kazakhstan clinical parameters for treatment success are defined due to international recommendations, such as having undetectable viral load and improved immunologic status.   The objective of this study was to determine the level of viral suppression and its associated factors among HIV positive adults attending the AIDS center in Almaty, Kazakhstan.

Vibriosis Clusters Identified by Whole Genome Sequencing, New York State, 2022 - 2023

Mentor: Amy Robbins

Abstract

Background: Vibriosis is an enteric illness typically caused by consuming raw or undercooked shellfish or exposure to brackish waters where Vibrio spp. naturally occur. Largely due to financial constraints, Vibrio isolates are not routinely whole genome sequenced (WGS) in real time. This study explored whether real-time WGS could detect vibriosis clusters that might otherwise have been undetected.

Methods: Confirmed Vibrio isolates from New York State vibriosis cases (2022–2023) were analyzed using the NCBI Isolates Browser to identify related isolates within 5 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Identified isolates were cross-referenced in the CDC’s System for Enteric Disease Response, Investigation, and Coordination (SEDRIC) for the source state data. New York cases were further investigated using the Communicable Disease Electronic Surveillance System (CDESS) to assess potential exposure links.

Results: Of the initial 60 NYS Vibrio isolates, 25 isolates were identified as having neighboring isolates within a range of 5 SNPs. This set of 25 isolates was used to identify 13 clusters with a minimum of 3 isolates. NYS cases’ exposure information and some limited information from other states’ cases showed some evidence for a link in exposures.

Conclusions: Whole genome sequencing does lead to the identification of clusters. More detailed exposure information would help to confirm the relatedness of the clusters.

The impact of age at entry into the NY Early Intervention Program on developmental outcomes for infants aged 0-3 years (2022-2023).

Mentor: Yonghua Feng

Abstract

Background: Early intervention programs are instrumental in supporting developmental outcomes in children with disabilities or those at risk of developmental delays. While many studies have explored the success rates and implications of early interventions, few have examined how the age at which a child enters an intervention program effects the success rate of development. This study examines the impact of age at which a child begins an intervention program on their developmental outcomes.
Methods: Entry and exit data from 4029 children in the New York Intervention System for 2022-2023 were analyzed. Children were grouped by entry age: <=14.7 months, 14.7-22.1 months, 22.1-26.5 months, >26.5 months. One-way ANOVA and Tukey’s post-hoc tests assessed differences in the entry-exit developmental scores across the age groups. Effect sizes were calculated using partial eta squared.
Results: Significant differences were found across the age groups for the domains. Earlier entry was associated with better outcomes in social-emotional skills (F(3, 4022)=14.03, p<.0001) and appropriate behaviors (F(3, 4022)=7.64, p-value<.0001), but knowledge and skill scores showed no significant pairwise differences (F(3, 4022)= 0.0215, p-value= 0.0215). Effect size suggested a small, but notable impact of entry (1.04%).
Conclusion: Early entry into the Early Intervention Program benefits developmental outcomes. The research findings demonstrate the importance of early entry to the program, and future research will be needed to examine other factors playing a role in developmental success.

HIV/AIDS associated Pneumocystis Pneumonia

Mentor: Akiko Hosler

Abstract

Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) is a common and serious complication in individuals with Diabetes Mellitus (DM), characterized by a narrowing of the peripheral arteries, primarily affecting the lower limbs. The pathophysiology of PAD in diabetes is closely linked to the accelerated atherosclerotic process caused by chronic hyperglycemia, inflammation, and endothelial dysfunction. This condition significantly increases the risk of cardiovascular events, amputations, and a reduced quality of life. Patients with diabetes are more likely to experience PAD at an earlier age, with more severe symptoms, such as claudication, ischemic rest pain, and non-healing ulcers. Early diagnosis through screening and managing risk factors, including blood sugar control, hypertension, and lipid management, is crucial in reducing complications. Pharmacologic and surgical interventions, such as antiplatelet therapy and revascularization procedures, are vital in improving outcomes. However, it's important to emphasize the empowering role of lifestyle modifications in managing this condition. The management of PAD in diabetes requires a multidisciplinary approach to optimize limb preservation and reduce cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.

Development of Birth Defects Surveillance Dashboard using Tableau

Mentor: Adrian Michalski

Abstract

The New York State (NYS) Birth Defects Registry (BDR) was established in 1981 in response to the Love Canal Crisis, an environmental tragedy that brought to the light the impact of environmental hazards on public health. The BDR was established as part of the Environmental Disease Surveillance Program in 1981 through the enactment of Part 22 of the NY Sanitary Code, requiring hospitals and physicians to report congenital malformations within two years of birth. The BDR is a statewide database providing information on congenital malformations affecting children born in or residing in NYS. It is part of the Bureau of Environmental and Occupational Epidemiology in the NYSDOH. Approximately 12,000 infants are reported to the BDR annually with birth defects. The main objective of the Development of Birth Defects Surveillance Dashboard using Tableau project is to create an accessible and informative dashboard on 12 chosen birth defects in NYS. These defects include Anencephaly, Cleft-lip with cleft palate, Cleft lip alone, Cleft palate alone, Limb deficiencies, Gastroschisis, Hypoplastic left heart syndrome, Hypospadias, Spina bifida without anencephaly, Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF), Transposition of Great Arteries (TGA), and Trisomy 21. Data from 2008 to 2022 was used for this project, organized using SAS programming methods and visualized with Tableau software. Detailed literature reviews were conducted to provide comprehensive information to the public on the defect, prevalence, data interpretations and physician recommendations to reduce risk. The development of the dashboard is ongoing, with plans for a user guide, additional graphics, and necessary approvals for publishing.

Examining the mediating role of racial/ethnic disparities in the contextual determinants of binge drinking during early midlife

Mentor: Muntasir Masum

Abstract

Introduction: Historical neighborhood redlining is a practice that has been widely acknowledged to be racist in nature, showing significant detrimental impacts on those living in and around redlined areas. Binge drinking is a health behavior that holds a negative impact on the health of individuals and, in most cases, those surrounding them. Research has shown that binge drinking behaviors are partially reliant on environmental factors.
Objective: The objective of this project is to contribute to the beginnings of research examining the relationship between historical neighborhood redlining and binge drinking behaviors, specifically in early midlife.
Methods: Literature review was performed accordingly. Descriptive statistics were performed using the AddHealth survey data in R. Variables were recoded and a working dataframe was created. Bivariate analysis was performed using R.
Results: The literature review revealed general background information about redlining and binge drinking separately, and the gap in research was identified here. Appropriate methods to analyze and define both redlining and binge drinking were gathered through the literature review and taken into consideration for the beginnings of data analysis. Descriptive statistics revealed a significant association between binge drinking and the following covariates: biological sex, educational attainment, regular smoking habits, days drinking in the past 30 days, and number of drinks in the past 30 days.
Conclusion: The literature review has provided vital information for what to investigate and how to treat certain values statistically. Descriptive statistics have provided a working snapshot of the population being investigated.

Enhancing Healthcare Access for Refugees and Immigrants at RISSE

Mentor: Rumi Sarkar & Farhana Islam

Abstract

During my internship at Refugee and Immigrant Support Services of Emmaus (RISSE), I engaged deeply with refugee and immigrant communities, addressing their immediate needs and helping to integrate them into local health systems. My primary responsibilities included managing front desk operations, addressing client inquiries, and facilitating case management. I actively participated in conversation clubs designed to improve English proficiency and foster community integration.

A significant portion of my role involved organizing and leading stakeholder meetings, which were pivotal in building community partnerships and addressing broader systemic issues. These efforts allowed me to distribute vital information and raise awareness about available health services. I also spearheaded a health literacy event focused on cardiovascular health, which highlighted the specific health concerns of these communities.

My experiences at RISSE not only provided immediate support to the communities but also deepened my understanding of the systemic barriers they face. This role reinforced my commitment to advocating for equitable healthcare access for all, particularly underserved populations, through targeted outreach and comprehensive support initiatives

Veteran Health Review

Mentor: Nerissa George

Abstract

This poster will showcase the intersection of substance use disorders (SUD) and adverse childhood experiences (ACE) among U.S. military members and veterans. It includes studies showing childhood adversity and post-deployment transitions being risk factors for alcohol and drug use disorders (AUD and DUD). The research also discusses the impact of opioid misuse, the effectiveness of screening programs in Veterans Health Administration (VHA) settings, and the role of impulsivity in PTSD-related substance use. Studies reveal racial and ethnic disparities in SUD prevalence among veterans and the link between SUD and increased suicide risk, especially among women. Veterans face many challenges when transitioning back to civilian life. The findings show the need for interventions, trauma-informed care, and better screening to mitigate SUD risks in military populations.

Potential Bias of Variable Bandpass Periodic Block Bootstrap

Mentor: Edward Valachovic

Abstract

The Variable Bandpass Periodic Block Bootstrap (VBPBB) is an innovative method for time series with multiple periodically correlated (PC) components. This method applies bandpass filters to extract specific PC components from datasets, effectively eliminating unwanted interference such as noise. It then bootstraps the PC components, maintaining their structure and enabling a clearer analysis of the periodic patterns in time series data. While its efficiency has been proven in environmental and epidemiological research, the theoretical properties of VBPBB—particularly regarding its bias—remain unexamined. This study investigates potential biases in VBPBB, including overall mean bias, pointwise mean bias, and bias in interval midpoints, across a range of time series models of varying complexity, all of which exhibit periodic components. Using the R programming language, we simulate various time series and apply VBPBB to assess its bias under different conditions. Our findings provide key insights into the validity of VBPBB for periodic time series analysis and offer practical recommendations for its implementation, as well as directions for future theoretical advancements.

Examining the strengths and capacity to address access to a medical home for children with special healthcare needs (CSHCN) in Illinois: A quantitative and qualitative analysis.

Mentor: Ebonie Zielinski

Abstract

Objectives: As part of the 2025-2030 Title V Needs Assessment Cycle, this project’s primary focus is to address a national performance measure (NPM): the percentage of children with and without special health care needs, ages 0-17, who have a medical home.
Methods: A systematic search was conducted through PubMed and Google Scholar for the literature review. Peer-reviewed articles produced were screened via title and abstract. The 2022 Annual Report State Action Plans of U.S. states that included medical home strategies were reviewed for state benchmarking. Ten states were selected by primary stakeholders from DSCC and compared to Illinois and the national percentage of children with special health care needs (CSHCN)  receiving care that meets medical home criteria. National Survey of Children’s Health (NSCH) data was analyzed by race/ethnicity, geographic area, language spoken, insurance, and medical home components. Excel was used to analyze data from NSCH medical home and demographic components.
Results: The literature review found five articles that showed innovative strategies or reflections on what to consider improving access to medical homes for CSHCN. State benchmarking reflected how combining the four elements of a medical home can create robust support systems for CSHCN. Data analysis of NSCH data showed varying levels of access to medical homes in Illinois based on demographic data.
Conclusion: The literature review, state benchmark, data analysis, landscape analysis, and collaboration with UIC DSCC leadership helped inform eight recommendations for implementing improvements in Illinois as part of the state’s Title V needs assessment.

Exploring Immune Responses to SARS-CoV-2 Variants using the NAB-Sure SARS-CoV-2 Neutralizing Antibody Assay

Mentor: Jean Rock

Abstract

Introduction: SARS-CoV-2 is the infectious agent that started the Covid-19 Pandemic in 2020. Since then, there have been many strains/variants of the virus that have emerged. The most divergent strain, Omicron (variant BA 4/5) emerged in November of 2021. The goal of the Bloodborne Virus Lab (BVL) is to assess the key difference in neutralization between Wildtype and Omicron using the NAB-Sure antibody neutralizing assay to better differentiate multiple SARS-CoV-2 exposures.  
Methods: NAB-Sure antibody neutralizing assay will be performed for both Wild Type (WT) and Omicron (BA 4/5) kits using dried blood spots (DBS) collected from Kaiser Permanente (KP). All 118 blood spot samples will be tested using both kits to compare neutralizing differences. The DBS are for Wild Type, Mixed and Omicron cohorts. 
Results: A total of 118 samples were tested for antibody neutralization to NT50. It was found that the WT strain had stronger neutralization curves compared to the Omicron strain after testing all samples with both kits. The Omicron cohort showed lower NT 50 results compared to the other cohorts for both WT and BA ⅘ strains. 
Conclusion: The NAB-Sure antibody neutralizing assay was successful at neutralizing different strains of SARS-CoV-2 virus. The Wild Type strain had a stronger neutralization effect across all cohorts. The vaccinated groups for both WT and BA ⅘ kits performed better at neutralization compared to unvaccinated, but it is important to note the unvaccinated cohort had a smaller sample size and was only part of the Omicron cohort.

New Yorkers' Recall of Cannabis Advertising and Public Education Campaigns Post Cannabis Legalization: Data to Action Brief (2023)

Mentor: Ashley Deonarine

Abstract

Following the legalization of adult-use cannabis in New York State (NYS) under the Marihuana Regulation & Taxation Act (MRTA) in 2021, concerns have emerged regarding increased cannabis advertising exposure and the effectiveness of public education campaigns. This study leverages data from the 2023 International Cannabis Policy Study (ICPS) to evaluate the prevalence of cannabis advertising exposure, public awareness of educational campaigns, and policy implications for informed regulation. Findings indicate that 55% of NY respondents reported seeing cannabis advertisements in at least one location, surpassing the national average (49%). Exposure was highest among individuals aged 16-25 (67%) compared to those aged 56-65 (38%), with social media (19%) and storefront ads (17%) being the most frequently recalled channels. Additionally, 41% of New Yorkers remembered cannabis public education campaigns, exceeding recall rates in other legal (35%) and non-legal states (29%). These insights highlight the need for enhanced regulations, such as age-restricted advertising and mandatory health warnings, as well as targeted public education efforts to promote responsible cannabis consumption. A data-driven approach will be crucial in balancing cannabis market growth with public health priorities.

Evaluation of eMaRC Lite Software to Determine Cancer Reportability in New York State

Mentor: Maggie Gates Kuliszewski & Jovanka Harrison

Abstract

I evaluated the CDC’s eMaRC Lite software to assess how well the software performed compared to SEER*DMS auto-coding for reportability and Registry manual review, and we implemented modifications to the eMaRC Lite algorithm to improve reportability determinations. The default model performed well for records marked reportable in SEER*DMS, with 6% of records determined to be non-reportable for Facility 1 (one colorectal, two leukemia) and 8% determined to be non-reportable for Facility 2 (all leukemia). More discrepancies were observed for records marked non-reportable in SEER*DMS, with 30% classified as reportable for Facility 1 and 94% for Facility 2. Modifications to the default algorithm improved overall performance to 93% concordance on the original set of records and 86% concordance on a novel set of similar records from 2022 and 2024. Additional work will include manual review of discrepant cases and modeling using other cancers and reporting facilities. The eMaRC Lite default model performed well in classifying cancers marked reportable in SEER*DMS, and modifications to the model resulted in improved reportability determinations for both reportable and non-reportable cancers. With further modifications, the software has the potential to substantially decrease the number of non-reportable cases imported into SEER*DMS and reviewed by Registry staff.

Emergency Department Patients’ Perspectives on the Risks of Cannabis Use

Mentor: Michael Waxman

Abstract

Perspectives on cannabis use have evolved over the past decades. Despite the widespread legalization, consumers’ awareness and perception of the risks of cannabis  remains unknown. We utilized an anonymous observational study to assess emergency department patients’ perspectives on the risks associated with cannabis use.  

From June 21 to July 20th, 2023, we conducted a cross-sectional survey of 118 randomly sampled ED patients. Main outcomes of interest included past year cannabis use and participants belief of cannabis harmfulness on a scale of 0 to 10 (with 10 being most harmful) with comparisons to other risky behaviors such as smoking, alcohol consumption, and opioid use.  Comparison of difference in mean perception scores were done using a Students T test and difference in proportions using chi-square analysis.  

Of 118 participants, 64 (54%) perceived that cannabis was harmful to health and 90 (76%) believed that cannabis could be addictive. Participants who reported prior cannabis use had a lower average cannabis harm perception (2.69) in comparison to those who did not report prior cannabis use (6.03) (difference = 3.34, 95% CI = 2.24 - 4.44), as did people who were younger (3.34) compared to those who were older (5.60) (difference = 2.3, 95% CI = 1.0397 – 3.4803); people who were identified as Black or African American (3.56) compared to those who were identified as White (5.29) (difference = 1.7, 95% CI = 0.36 - 3.1).  

In conclusion, EDs may be the appropriate environment to educate patients who use cannabis on the potential risks of cannabis use

Utilizing Human Centered Design

Mentor: Ticia McGean

Abstract

Laboratories at the Wadsworth Center at the New York state Department of Health rely on the Clinical Laboratory Information Management System, also known as CLIMS for data entry and processing of sample specimens for testing. However, the platform is about 30 years old and is in need of an update to handle large testing volumes and be more efficient and empathetic to the scientists using the system.  Previous work by software developers at the Internet Technology Group, or ITG, at the Wadsworth Center has focused on modernizing CLIMS, also known as CLIMSMO, as well as modernizing the Health Commerce System, the platform for the new CLIMS system. 20 labs were surveyed between Biggs Laboratories and the David Axelrod Institute to understand how they transfer data from their instruments to CLIMS. I used human-centered design techniques such as contextual inquiry, fly-on-the-wall observation, interviewing and think-aloud testing for qualitative data analysis.

Health Disparities and Inequities Related to Disability and Cancer Screening

Mentor: Shirley Madewell

Abstract

Sophia Braithwaite B.S.; Rebecca Ryan MS OTR/L; Shirley Madewell MPH

In New York State, approximately 4.0 million adults live with disability (28.3%). Physical barriers and structural inequities add to the challenge to access preventative services. The Disability Health Program (DHP) and Cancer Services Program (CSP) within the New York State Department of Health collaborated to address barriers impacting individuals with disabilities in accessing cancer screening for breast, cervical and colorectal cancers.

Research was conducted to understand the barriers experienced by people with disabilities. Structured questions were developed to deliver two interviews and one focus group. The interviews were with one disability self-advocate and a local Nurse Manager. The focus group was comprised of fourteen attendees (including case and regional managers).  Qualitative data was analyzed.

There was a perception that cancer screening services are accessible due to the requirements under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This assumption contrasted with the self-advocate’s stated experience in accessing cancer screening services.  The type of screening and location of the services were determining factors in the level of available accessibility.

Limited outreach to this population and the lack of understanding of the barriers faced by people with disabilities makes it challenging to access cancer screening services. Difficulty in establishing routine primary care and Medicaid limitations were also noted as barriers to access.   Recommendations included education for staff on barriers related to the Social Determinants of Health, disability etiquette, self-advocacy education for patients, and reframing attitudes to build stronger cultural competency related to understanding disabilities.

Assessing and Addressing HCV in New York State

Mentor: Sarah Shufelt

Abstract

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is continuing to spread despite the availability of curative medications. Injection drug use is the leading risk factor for HCV transmission. The Innovative Models of HCV care (IM) program that focuses on addressing barriers to HCV care and treatment among people who inject drugs (PWID) in NYS by offering HCV care and treatment in non-traditional healthcare settings. Evaluation results will assist the AIDS Institute in promoting a fast adaptation of the programs if they are found feasible, acceptable, and effective.

A Comparative Analysis of Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program Visibility Across Large Expansion and Non-Expansion Jurisdictions.

Mentor: Kiersten Westbrook

Abstract

Background: Created in 1994 in response to the major measles outbreak, the Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program is a CDC funded program that offers free vaccinations to qualified children up to the age of 19 who are Medicaid-eligible, underinsured, uninsured, or American Indian/Alaskan Native. While the eligibility is federally standardized across 63 jurisdictions, the visibility and accessibility of VFC program information depends on how individual jurisdictions market and communicate the program to the public. Under the Affordable Care Act, Medicaid expansion allows states to extend coverage to public health services to low-income individuals/families. In contrast, non-expansion states have chosen not to expand coverage, often resulting in higher rates of uninsured.

Methods: Using comparative analysis, this study uses public qualitative data from States official Department of Health Websites that compares how large expansion jurisdictions (e.g., New York, California, & Illinois) and Large non-expansion states (e.g., Georgia, Florida, & Texas) publicly communicate and market the VFC program.

Results: Texas led among the non-expansion states with transparent, clear, and user-friendly resources for VFC. Florida and Georgia lacked public tools and language accessibility. Expansion states were less accessible and navigable overall, with Illinois having robust features such as an interactive locator and live multilingual access to resources.

Conclusions/Next Steps: The comparative analysis of the qualitative data shows that strong VFC communication is not dependent on Medicaid expansion, as Texas outperformed in user accessibility and clarity, lacking only in multilingual accessibility. To advance health equity, state communications for VFC should provide clear and inclusive information which reflects health literacy, language access, and digital inclusion, all a reflection of broader social determinants of health. Particularly in New York State, consulting with Illinois to improve best practices and its ability to ensure accessibility can align with family centered language to meet the needs of a diverse priority population.

Albany Medical College Health Equity Project

Mentor: Alice Antwi

Abstract

The Health Equity Project at Albany Medical College aims to address these concerns in the community by connecting community members to the many resources available. The methods used to accomplish this goal starts by having community members that visit the Albany Medical Center Pediatric Clinic as well as the Center for Law and Justice fill out  written or verbal intakes. These intakes inform the Health Equity teams of the many non-medical services needed by these community members. Needs such as food, clothing, furniture, children’s furniture, diapers, signing up for insurance and related Medicaid benefits to name a few. Having access to a list of resources available in the community, helps the Health Equity team connect community members to those resources. This results in community members being able to take care of themselves beyond medical needs for better overall health outcomes and general wellbeing. Another important method used by the Health Equity Project to better care for community members is to educate and encourage healthcare providers to work in a public health context. Part of my role was not only to connect community members to resources but to help educate medical students on the important public health concern of loneliness and social isolation. Creating a presentation that includes an oral component and quiz will allow medical students to learn of a growing public health concern. This encourages caring for community members as full individuals with non-medical needs and concerns that can greatly impact their health outcomes.

AIDS Institute Slides Library

Mentor: Alyssa Joseph

Abstract

At the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH), the Division of Family Health (DFH) provides a variety of statewide programming that supports and relates to the wellbeing of infants, children, adolescents, women, and reproductive health. The purpose of this internship was to assist with creating a youth mental health campaign.

The DFH recognizes that youth need more mental health support. As part of a larger initiative, the DFH seeks to gain authentic youth feedback, to inform and use to develop a youth focused campaign and promote the awareness of mental health supports available to all youth across New York State. My role in this internship was to provide creative support in terms of developing messaging and a variety of youth focused promotional communication methods such as social media messages, content, promotional items, toolkits and more. I also completed posters and a survey report as part of this internship. The completion of these projects required multiple meetings with my mentor as well as the rest of the staff of the youth mental health campaign. All of these projects were completed and presented to my mentor and some members of the DFH staff.

Alzheimer's Disease as a Public Health Issue: The Importance of Brain Health

Mentor: Gwen Rowland

Abstract

Introduction: The Alzheimer’s Association is a national non-profit organization, with the Northeastern New York (NENY) chapter serving 17 counties in upstate New York — providing care and support to constituents, advancing dementia research, and advocating at the state and federal levels. As the prevalence of dementia is rapidly increasing, projects were executed on macro, mezzo, and micro-levels to promote brain health and awareness on Alzheimer’s disease.
 

Methods: A review of the local health departments within the 17 counties was conducted to assess the infrastructure, chronic disease programs, targeted outreach, and notable collaborations. Health education programs were presented at healthcare organizations to educate on strategies to decrease the risk of developing cognitive impairment — while an eight-week Early Alzheimer’s Support and Education (EASE) program was held for those living with dementia and their caregivers. Lastly, advocates joined together at the New York State Capitol to champion for increased funding for the Centers of Excellence for Alzheimer’s Disease (CEADs) and increased funding for the Alzheimer’s Community Assistance Program (AlzCAP) grant.

Findings: The absence of brain health initiatives demonstrate that there are opportunities for the NENY chapter to collaborate with local health departments. In addition, increased funding for the AlzCAP grant and CEADs will allow for greater collaboration, community outreach, and awareness programs — such as in non-traditional settings to reach diverse populations.

Conclusion: Launching programs that address brain health and Alzheimer’s disease as a public health issue will bring awareness to the disease, advocate for policy change, and promote early detection.

Diversifying WIC outreach is necessary to improve participation

Mentor: Kari Siddiqui

Abstract

The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), established in 1975, aims to support low-income families and expectant parents by providing essential nutrition and health assistance during critical developmental periods. Research demonstrates the significant and multifaceted impacts of WIC, including improved birth outcomes, healthier growth and development, enhanced dietary intake, reduced food insecurity and poverty, and promotion of economic stability. Despite its proven benefits and eligibility of approximately 674,700 individuals in New York State in 2022, only around 394,900 participated, highlighting a significant gap in program reach. This under-participation underscores the necessity of diversifying and targeting outreach efforts. Several administrative, systemic, and cultural barriers hinder access, including insufficient local funding tied to past participation rates and a need for culturally competent strategies. Current outreach methods, often decentralized and inconsistent, rely on social services and medical settings. To improve participation, the state could consider strengthening coordination with programs like Medicaid and the Supplemental Assistance Program (SNAP) through data matching, establishing targeted outreach pilots in underserved regions, and intentionally integrating culturally competent language and modern technologies in outreach materials. Enhancing outreach is crucial to ensure more eligible women and children benefit from WIC, thereby alleviating food insecurity and economic hardship.

Promoting Public Health Careers Through Youth Engagement

Mentor: Alyssa Joseph

Abstract

Introduction: Raising awareness of public health careers and enhancing public health literacy are essential to developing a skilled and diverse workforce. Youth engagement is a key strategy in building the next generation of public health professionals, particularly in underserved communities. This internship addressed these priorities by organizing Division of Family Health: Youth Professional Development Day, an event designed to educate young people about careers in public health, connect them with professionals in the field, and highlight educational pathways to government public health roles.

Methods: The Youth Professional Development Day event brought together public health professionals, educators, and students to foster career exploration. Interactive sessions provided insights into various public health fields, educational requirements, and career trajectories. The event also emphasized the importance of cultural competency in public health practice and encouraged meaningful engagement between professionals and youth participants.

Results: Attendees reported a greater understanding of public health careers and the steps needed to enter the field. Many expressed increased interest in pursuing public health roles. The event also strengthened connections between professionals and students, fostering mentorship and career guidance opportunities.

Conclusion: Division of Family Health: Youth Professional Development Day successfully increased awareness of public health careers among youth and highlighted pathways into the field. By bridging the gap between professionals and aspiring public health workers, the event contributed to workforce development and the future of a culturally competent public health system. Expanding such initiatives can further strengthen the pipeline of diverse, well-informed public health professionals.

Food Programs and Policy

Mentor: Kendall Hough

Abstract

The student will support NYS Agriculture and Markets staff to meet the goals of the NYS Council on Hunger and Food Policy (the “Council”). The Council provides policymakers with expertise on how to address food security and provides New York State residents with greater access to healthy, locally grown food. Council is divided into four work groups: 1. Economic vitality and institutional purchasing of local agriculture, 2. Improving nutrition and promoting food as medicine, 3. Strengthening food assistance networks and, 4. Expanding food access. Work groups come together in synergy and collaboration to identify projects, research, policy, or programmatic recommendations to address the goals of the statute.

Educational Opportunity Center

Mentor: Noah-Lee Andre

Abstract

The city of Newburgh, NY deserves access to high-quality educational programs that support individuals in achieving their academic and professional goals. The Educational Opportunity Center (EOC) provides essential services, including academic counseling, career guidance, college preparation, and financial aid assistance, all aimed at helping underrepresented and non-traditional students succeed. The center empowers individuals to reach their full potential through personalized support, whether they’re participating in after-school programs, pursuing higher education, or advancing in their careers.

The EOC is open to all and primarily serves those from underrepresented backgrounds, including individuals returning to school, seeking a high school equivalency diploma, or aspiring to pursue higher education or career advancement. It offers a variety of services, such as academic advising, tutoring, college and career readiness workshops, assistance with financial aid applications, and guidance on navigating the college admissions process.

By providing personalized support, the EOC helps students create pathways to success. Whether completing a GED, applying for college, or gaining workforce skills, the center is there to guide individuals every step of the way. The EOC’s mission is to eliminate barriers to education and help individuals build brighter futures.
All services are offered at no cost, equipping students with the skills and confidence needed to achieve their academic and career goals. Take the first step toward transforming your future with the Newburgh EOC.

NYS OMH Maternal Mental Health Workgroup Support

Mentor: Sara Regan

Abstract

One out of five women and birthing people develop perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs), mental health challenges that occur during pregnancy and through one year postpartum. Left untreated, PMADs may lead to grave negative health consequences, including maternal suicide and overdose. Approximately 65% of pregnancy-related deaths occur in the postpartum period, and the leading cause of such deaths is maternal suicide. An estimated 80% of these deaths are preventable. Created through an FY 2023-24 Enacted Budget initiative, the NYS Office of Mental Health Maternal Mental Health Workgroup (the “Workgroup”) was tasked with investigating and making recommendations regarding behavioral health care for birthing people in New York. The Workgroup consisted of representatives of relevant government agencies, health care systems, insurers, advocates, health care providers who serve birthing people and children, and people with lived experience of maternal mental health or substance use challenges. The Workgroup met for ten sessions and participated in guided discussions to develop actionable recommendations to promote equitable behavioral health outcomes among birthing people. Stakeholder input was compiled, qualitatively analyzed, and synthesized into a report.

Bridging Gaps in Specialized Healthcare Access; An Outreach Initiative Using Physician Profiles

Mentor: James Szumigata

Abstract

In an era marked by increasing health disparities, the accessibility of accurate and specialized healthcare information is essential. This project focuses on developing a comprehensive outreach program aimed at enhancing public awareness and utilization of the New York State Physician Profile, particularly for individuals with unique healthcare needs such as children with special needs or patients requiring specialized care. Grounded in the importance of patient-physician communication as highlighted by Timmermans (2020), this project seeks to bridge the gap between public health resources and underserved populations. By leveraging evidence from residency training and communication frameworks outlined by Yedidia et al. (2003), the initiative aims to promote cultural competence and inclusivity in healthcare navigation. Deliverables include a user-friendly brochure, a targeted fact sheet, and an evaluation plan to assess the program's impact on improving healthcare accessibility. Through collaboration with community stakeholders and health professionals, this project endeavors to empower individuals to make informed decisions about their healthcare, thus aligning with public health goals of equity and patient-centered care.

Improving Transgender Health Equity:  A Local Healthcare System Quality Improvement Project

Mentor: Rachel de Long

Abstract

Introduction: Transgender people suffer disproportionately from mental and physical health issues such as substance use disorder and heart disease. Access to properly trained care teams aware of the challenges transgender people face has been a huge barrier to transgender care.
Methods:  A quality improvement project was undertaken to examine a local healthcare system’s staff comfort with and knowledge of transgender patients as well as to assess transgender patients’ views of the healthcare provided. Anonymous questionnaires were utilized to survey both staff and patients to note gaps and identify interventions to bridge those gaps.
Results:  Staff reported deficiencies in comfort with working with transgender patients, knowledge of transgender care, and understanding why transgender patients have difficulty reaching health equity. Staff are interested in more training and learning more to do more. Transgender patients revealed they do not feel completely comfortable seeking care and report needing to teach their providers how to care for transgender persons. Recommendations to improve care were made including use of existing educational materials, providing opportunities for staff to enrich their knowledge, and familiarizing staff with current assets to help create an all-inclusive environment.
Conclusion: The information gathered from this project demonstrates the need for healthcare staff to be educated on how they can assist in making an all-inclusive culture and create a safe space for transgender patients to feel comfortable. Health care facilities should continue to query the needs of this marginalized population, tear down stigma, and work to institute change when gaps are noted.

Title

Mentor: Karanveer Dhindsa

Abstract

Introduction: Effective communication is essential to ensuring equitable care in maternal and child health. In New York State (NYS), home visiting programs serve linguistically diverse populations across 61 of 62 counties. Recognizing the challenges faced in delivering services across language barriers, the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) conducted a comprehensive
survey in early 2024 to assess the language capacity of three major perinatal home visiting programs: Healthy Families New York, Nurse Family Partnership, and Perinatal & Infant Community Health Collaboratives.
Methods and Internship Contribution:To guide this assessment, NYSDOH developed a 12-question survey aligned with the HV CoIIN Health Equity Framework and New York State’s Language Access Law. The survey captured information on the languages spoken by clients, availability of translation services, and the language skills of home visiting staff. As a public health intern at NYSDOH, I contributed to this project by analyzing the survey data, identifying key trends and service gaps across counties, and synthesizing these findings into a data-to-action brief. This narrative-driven brief used visuals and clear messaging to propose actionable strategies aimed at enhancing language access and supporting equitable home visiting practices statewide.
Results: The survey revealed significant linguistic diversity, with some counties serving families who speak up to 34 languages. However, most home visiting staff spoke only English and Spanish, limiting capacity to meet client needs. Translation services varied, covering an average of just 66% of clients’ spoken languages. Programs expressed the need for more translated materials, reliable interpretation tools, and support in hiring bilingual staff.
Conclusion: Findings highlight both the commitment of NYS home visiting programs to meeting the needs of diverse communities and the urgent need to strengthen infrastructure around language access. Ongoing data analysis, targeted technical assistance, and investment in linguistically inclusive practices are essential to advancing health equity in maternal and child health services.

Communicating on Environmental Health and Climate Change and Health Topics

Mentor: Kristen Vacca

Abstract

New York State's Building Resilience Against Climate Effects, also known as BRACE, aims to reduce the risks of climate change on public health. BRACE is a program funded by the CDC Climate Ready States and Cities Initiatives. This program is a part of New York's Environmental Public Health Tracking (EPHT) Program, which focuses on tracking environmental trends to improve access to environmental health information. Tracking environmental trends is part of a national program led by the CDC. Conducted by developing educational and informational materials that described the relationship between climate change and health and provided health safety tips regarding environmental factors by developing webpages and guidance materials for local health departments and organizations.  

Conducting a Community Needs Assessment: Lessons and Methodology

Mentor: Katie Wock

Abstract

Albany Community Action Partnership is a federally designated community outreach organization operating in Albany County, New York. They offer a variety of services, including access to affordable early childhood education, career advancement resources, and housing support. In my time with them for the duration of this project, I assisted in conducting a community needs assessment. A community needs assessment is one of the best ways to gather information from a community on their priorities, strengths, and areas of need. Data for the needs assessment were gathered through surveys, focus groups, and cold calling, and targeted citizens of each town in Albany County and relevant stakeholders. Additionally, census data were used to describe the population of the county. Citizen and stakeholder input were collected and analyzed for use in the needs assessment report. The results showed where the community feels it has strengths and weaknesses in areas such as education, housing, safety, employment, healthcare, and available resources. These outcomes can provide valuable lessons to community stakeholders and decision makers. Lessons for those conducting the needs assessment included how to best engage a variety of citizens, ensuring stakeholder engagement, and ensuring quality data collection by adjusting the language of survey questions. This project aims to describe both the lessons learned from the assessment results as well as the lessons learned from the implementation of a tool as useful as a community needs assessment.

Evaluating the Good Neighbor Program: Assessing the Impact of Peer Support on Independent Living in New York State

Mentors: Mary Riley-Jacome & Suzanne de Beaumont

Abstract

Introduction: The Good Neighbor Program (GNP), an initiative developed by the New York Association on Independent Living (NYAIL), was designed to help individuals with disabilities and the elderly without informal support to transition from nursing homes back into the community. This evaluation assesses GNP outcomes from September 1, 2021 to August 31, 2024.

Methods: A mixed-methods approach utilized four data sources: Basic Service Agreements, Monthly Contact Sheets, the NYAIL database, and participant surveys. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS to explore demographics, functional needs and service. Qualitative feedback was analyzed with ATLAS.ti to identify themes related to program value and areas for improvement. Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) scores were analyzed to assess emotional, instrumental, informational support and self-efficacy.

Results: Eighty-one participants were enrolled in the GNP. Most of those who completed the survey were male (60.5%) and aged 65+. Participants reported an average of 4 hours/week with a Good Neighbor. Key support areas included socialization (80%), medical management (70%), and household management (65%). Among survey respondents, 81.6% felt less lonely, 71.1% indicated that the program helped them remain living in their homes, and 92.5% said the program met expectations. Participants indicated that companionship was what they