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