Trinity Undergraduate Researchers Recognized & Awarded; to present at various Conferences
Undergraduates in the College of Arts & Sciences have been recognized for their research work completed in summer/fall 2024. Research abstracts submitted by these students have been accepted for presentation at various national conferences.

We thank and applaud these students who confidently and professionally presented/will present their work this academic year. We thank and recognize the effort and encouragement of the faculty mentors who have successfully guided these scholars.
National Conference on Undergraduate Research. The conference will be in Pittsburg, PA in April 2025
Andrea Montano (Political Science Sophomore): Her research mentor is Dr. Mercedez Callenes at Trinity. The title of her research poster presentation is “Authoritarian Crime Control in El Salvador: Examining the Sustainability of Nayib Bukele’s Policies in a Democratic Context.”
Lidia Muñoz (Biology Senior): Her research mentor is Dr. Patrice Moss at Trinity. The title of her research poster presentation is “Implementing the Odyssey Fc Machine: Developing a Research Module for Classroom Application.”
Jaylin Brunnel (Forensic Science Junior): Her research mentor is Dr. Shizuka Hsieh at Trinity. The title of her research poster presentation is “Detecting Volatile Organic Compounds in Urban Air.”
Society of Toxicology Meeting. The conference will be in Orlando, Fl in March 2025
Cecilia Rivas (Chemistry Senior): Her research mentor is Dr. Lance Yonkos from the University of Maryland, College Park. The title of her research poster presentation is “Sperm Quality Characteristics of Mummichog and Banded Killifish from the Anacostia River in Maryland.”
Cecilia received a Society of Toxicology Undergraduate Research Award!
American Chemical Society Spring 2025 National Meeting. The conference will be in San Diego, California in March 2025.
Florence Njoroge (Biochemistry Senior): Her research mentor is Dr. Nyesa Enakaya at Trinity. The title of her research poster presentation is “The Synthesis and Characterization of a Novel C8-O Caffeine Derivative.”
Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minoritized Students (ABRCMS). The conference was in Pittsburg, PA in November 2024.
8 students had their research project abstracts accepted for poster presentations at this conference.
Lorena Mendoza-Perez (Biology Senior), mentored by Dr. Wellens and Dr. Casiano-Negroni, presented “Through the Lens of VR: Effectiveness of the Integration of Virtual Reality in Undergraduate Biology Courses.”
Micheyla Stoney (Forensic Science Graduate), mentored by Dr. Casiano-Negroni and Dr. Hsieh, presented “Malachite and Mining: An Environmental Justice Case Module in General Chemistry to Study Types of Chemical Reactions.”
Lizzett Garcia (Biology Senior), mentored by Dr. McFadden, presented “An Epigenetic Course based Undergraduate Research Experience (C.U.R.E): Bringing neuroscience research to the classroom.”
Claudia Rosa Rivera* (Chemistry Senior), mentored by Dr. Hsieh and Dr. Rich, presented “Breathe Baltimore Project Constructing a Low Cost Air Quality System: Testing Ozone.”
Catherine Owusu-Binfur (Biochemistry Senior), mentored by Dr. Nielson, presented “Air Quality and Numbers of Airborne Microbes in the District of Columbia.”
Hewan Deyass (Psychology Graduate), mentored by Dr. Monroe, presented “Veteran’s Perspective of War: Assessing Attitudes Regarding Dehumanization and Re-humanization.”
Kerry Chavarria (Biology Senior), mentored by Dr. Ray, presented “Invisible Hearing Loss: Challenges Patients Face with ‘Normal’ Hearing.”
Jewel Joyner** (Biology Senior), mentored by Dr. Izursa, presented “Conditioning Deep Water Aquaponic Systems.”
* Claudia Rosa-Rivera, worked at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC) this summer. Claudia won a Chemistry Research Poster Presentation Award.
** Jewel Joyner, participated in Trinity’s Summer Research Program and conducted her research at the University of Maryland.
Please join us in congratulating these scholars and their faculty mentors. A thrilling accomplishment! They make us proud!
We would also like to share accomplishments of Psychology seniors Victoria Amaya-Rodriguez and Binta Diakite. Their poster (description below) was accepted for presentation as a Psi Chi Honor Society poster at the Eastern Psychological Association convention (EPA). EPA will hold their 129th conference March 6 – 8, 2025 in New York City.
THE ROLE OF BLACK WOMEN LEADERS IN CHALLENGING SYSTEMIC INEQUITIES IN HEALTHCARE
VICTORIA AMAYA-RODRIGUEZ (TRINITY WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY), BINTA DIAKITE (TRINITY WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY)
This study aims to explore the challenges faced by Black women leaders in healthcare, highlighting the barriers perpetuated by racial discrimination and gender bias. Findings from the content analysis of five structured interviews found recurring themes of tokenization, microaggression, exclusion, and performative equity. The results underscore the need for inclusive leadership to dismantle oppressive structures, emphasizing the critical role of Black women in advancing health equity and reshaping public health.