Gun Violence Exposure & Chronic Pain

Research examining the long-term health consequences of violence exposure continues to expand beyond immediate injury and trauma. In “What doesn’t kill us, hurts us longer: a cross-sectional analysis of gun violence exposure and chronic pain in the United States,” published in BMC Public Health, Daniel C. Semenza, who teaches in the Criminal Justice MA program,… continue reading

Analyzing Cannabinoids in Forensic Evidence

Questions about how cannabinoids appear in biological evidence are shaping new directions in forensic analysis – and Chioma Nwagbara is contributing to that work firsthand. A current Forensic Science MS student, Chioma serves as a part-time Research Assistant in Rutgers-Camden Assistant Professor Michelle G. Carlin’s lab. Building on a BS in Forensic Chemistry from Loyola… continue reading

Engineering Smarter DNA for Sharper Detection

DNA is more than a genetic blueprint. In the right configuration, it can function as a catalytic tool for detecting disease-related molecules with high precision. This project focuses on designing and optimizing hemin-binding DNA aptamers to improve the sensitivity and specificity of biosensing platforms. The research was presented at the Graduate Poster Exhibition during the… continue reading

Building Conceptual Understanding in Online Spanish

How do students truly understand grammatical concepts in a second language, especially in a remote asynchronous classroom? This project reimagines how Spanish preterite and imperfect tenses are taught by shifting away from rule memorization and toward conceptual understanding. Grounded in sociocultural theory, the study explores how learners develop deeper aspectual awareness when instruction centers on… continue reading

When Schools Close, What Happens to a Community?

School closures do not only affect classrooms. They reshape neighborhoods, displace families, and alter the social fabric of entire communities. This case study examines the widespread closure of public schools in Puerto Rico and asks what these decisions mean for students, educators, and long-term community resilience. The research was presented at the Graduate Poster Exhibition… continue reading

Finding Hidden Structure in Protein Sequences

Not all proteins reveal their function through visible structure alone. Some must be understood directly from their sequence. This project introduces a computational framework for identifying meaningful modular regions within protein sequences using residue-level properties such as hydrophobicity and charge. By detecting local environments without relying on known secondary structures, the work provides new tools… continue reading