Showcase 2026: Type 1 Diabetes and Social Work

ALBANY, N.Y. (April 16, 2026) — On April 30, 2026, UAlbany Showcase will highlight and celebrate student excellence across the University with displays and exhibitions of student research, scholarship, creative endeavors, and other applied learning activities. In the Broadview Arena on the Uptown Campus, 185 students from the College of Integrated Health Sciences will present posters on their research or internship experiences in the fields of public health, nursing and social welfare. 

For some students, their research is deeply personal and inspired by their lived experiences. Master of Social Work (MSW) student Erin Forkin, who was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in her senior year of high school, is conducting research on the impact school social workers can have on adolescents as they navigate a diabetes diagnosis. 

“When I was diagnosed, it was one of the most challenging days of my life. My life was changed fundamentally from the day of my diagnosis forward,” Forkin said. “Now, studying social work, I can look back to my own diagnosis and see that there are so many opportunities for teens with type 1 diabetes to be better supported.” 

Instead of focusing on just one method, Forkin’s research highlights that using a “multidimensional” approach can be beneficial. That means helping teens address their various needs, such as understanding their condition in everyday terms, building their confidence to manage their diagnosis, and supporting their mental health. Forkin also emphasizes the importance of motivation, noting that by encouraging students to set small, achievable goals and recognize their progress, social workers can help them feel more in control of their health. 

“This can generate feelings of self-efficacy within the person that can carry into their transition to more independent care after high school and when they eventually live on their own,” she said. 

“Support systems are a huge make-or-break for diabetics and how we self-manage can depend on how the systems we exist in talk about and treat us,” said Forkin. “We face many unique challenges in all areas of life and more space for our experiences is crucial.” 

Forkin’s research is a part of a course assignment for SSW 607: Integrated Theory and Practice III: Collaborative Planning and Intervention, a first-year course for MSW students. Taught by Assistant Professor Angie Wootton, the course allows students to either complete a traditional paper or propose a research poster for UAlbany Showcase as their final project. 

“It's a neat opportunity for students who want to get the experience of proposing, completing and presenting a research project similarly to how it's done at professional conferences in social work,” said Wootton. 

Forkin is also interning this semester at Hadley-Luzerne Junior/Senior High School, gaining further insight into the impact of school social workers. She will present her research project from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Broadview Arena at UAlbany on April 30. Members of the public are welcome and should register to attend.