McKEESPORT, Pa. — Penn State Greater Allegheny has announced the award recipients from its fall Research and Creativity Conference, an annual event that highlights student-led research and creative achievements. Held each semester, and supported by the campus Honors Program, the conference brings together work from across disciplines, with students presenting posters, oral talks, and artistic pieces evaluated by faculty judges and attendees.
Best Poster Presentation
First Place: Jenna Moranelli, Victor Sandoval, Christopher Fullard, and Audra Shaw for their research on “Enhancing Information Technology and Cybersecurity Student Communication Skills Through Immersive AR/VR and AI-Driven Simulations Using Virtual Speech," guided by faculty mentor Jennifer Breese.
Honorable Mention: Abby Ingold for her research on “Gene Therapy-Principles, Applications, and Challenges," guided by faculty mentor Kristal Tucker.
Best Oral Presentation
First Place: Mira Hardman for her presentation on “Composing Liberation," guided by faculty mentor Michael Vicaro.
Honorable Mention: Ymani Merritt Bates for her presentation on “Is Abnormal Psychology Truly Abnormal?" guided by faculty mentor Jennifer Croyle.
Best Art/Creative Work
First Place: Tapashya Ghimirey for her work on “Before the Frost," guided by faculty mentor Lori Hepner.
Honorable Mention: Acelynn Cole for her work on “Foraging in the Art of Basketry," guided by faculty mentor Lori Hepner.
Audience Choice Award
First Place: Jenna Moranelli, Victor Sandoval, Christopher Fullard, and Audra Shaw for their research on “Enhancing Information Technology and Cybersecurity Student Communication Skills Through Immersive AR/VR and AI-Driven Simulations Using Virtual Speech," guided by faculty mentor Jennifer Breese.
Honorable Mention: Lauren Gaydos for her work on “Every Breath is Shared with the World," guided by faculty mentor Lori Hepner.
Libraries Undergraduate Research Award
First Place: Monjeana Henderson for her research on “Antisocial Personality Disorder: It’s Not What You Think," guided by faculty mentor Jennifer Croyle.
Honorable Mentions:
- Aria Majcher for her research on The Role of Paternal Epigenetics in Offspring," guided by faculty mentor Andrea Stevens.
- Makenzie Mathers for her research on “Bipolar Disorder: Age of Onset and Treatment Prognosis," guided by faculty mentor Jennifer Croyle.
- Rose Griffin for her research on “Do Crisis Intervention Teams Improve Policing Outcomes," guided by faculty mentor Sandra Trappen.
- Abby Ingold for her research on “Gene Therapy-Principles, Applications, and Challenges," guided by faculty mentor Kristal Tucker.