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On Wednesday, April 29, Russell Sage College hosted Undergraduate Research Day on its Albany, New York, campus, bringing together more than 300 students who shared research, creative work, and community-based projects.
The day began with the RSC 301 showcase, where students delivered “elevator pitches” about their community work to small groups of fellow students, college administrators, and community partners. These conversations gave students a chance to explain how their service projects connect to their studies and the professional paths they’re planning to take.
From there, the campus filled with activity: oral presentations across departments; academic ceremonies including Sociology, Criminal Justice, and Women’s Studies honor society inaugurations; and celebrations, like the launch of the 2026 issue of The Rev, a student-run literary and arts magazine.
By afternoon, the Armory “shed” became a lively conference venue featuring a packed poster session, with students fielding questions about their research in conversations with attendees.
Many projects tackled pressing health and social issues:
- In the poster session, Accelerated Bachelor’s in Nursing students Julie Kadletz, Caroline Hennessy, Elizabeth Higgs, and B.S. in Nursing student Katie Snell presented “AI Reveals Hidden Patterns: Preventing Maternal Homicides through Early Detection of IPV,” exploring how artificial intelligence can analyze the ways expectant and new mothers describe their experiences during medical visits to identify red flags in patients at risk for interpersonal violence. Their research highlighted how intimate partner violence is often a factor in maternal homicides, pointing to missed opportunities for prevention and the need for standardized screening tools across healthcare systems.
- Nursing students Alyssa Bilodeau, Ethan Harrington, Erin Nagy, and Danielle Fedorchak focused on everyday health decisions in a poster titled “Sugar: Not As Sweet As You Think.” Their project translated nutritional guidance into practical takeaways for college students, including visual comparisons showing how popular beverages can exceed the recommended daily sugar intake for adults. They also highlighted tools like the Yuka app, which can help consumers make more informed choices.
- Public health major Takia Scott examined how the age at which someone begins smoking, along with daily cigarette use, affects lung cancer risk — research with clear implications for prevention and education. She is considering Sage’s Health Administration master’s program after graduation.
Mental health was another focus:
- “In forensics, we look at a lot of dark topics,” said Forensic Psychology major Reese Rodgers. “I asked, what would be the opposite?” Rodgers explored how protective factors, such as supportive relationships and effective coping strategies, can influence an individual’s resilience, reducing vulnerability to negative behaviors and experiences. He’s looking forward to working with Sage’s Criminal Investigation Resource Center next semester and eventually joining the FBI in a victim advocacy role.
- Nursing students Annalise Tyler, Emily O’Keefe, Emma Dos Santos, and Olivia Horan explored the relationship between social media use and suicide risk. Their work considered how social media may affect sleep, relationships, and overall well-being.
Undergraduate Research Day also highlighted how classroom learning extends into hands-on experiences:
- Seniors in the Interior + Spatial Design BFA program presented capstone projects developed in collaboration with Albany’s Stratton VA Medical Center, responding to real design and space-use challenges identified by the hospital. Students created full project proposals, and representatives from the VA attended the sessions to provide feedback.
- In another oral presentation, Sociology major Mackenzie Chatham shared research on how holistic self-care practices may serve as supportive strategies for individuals experiencing stress and burnout. A grant from the Doris Adams Ferguson ’53 Memorial Fund for Sociology allowed Chatham to attend a retreat at the Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health, where she learned more about practices, including shinrin-yoku (immersion in nature, also sometimes called “forest bathing”) and Ayurveda, the traditional Indian healing system.
Visit the Undergraduate Research Day online presentation schedule to explore more student projects.