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Students at Curry College recently gathered for the annual Academic Forum, presenting a wide range of research and creative projects that reflect both academic dedication and personal passion. This event highlights how Curry students are not only engaging deeply in their field of study but also using their experiences to shape future career paths.
For many students, their research is deeply personal. Alyssa Torrey, for example, explored cancer research inspired by her own life experiences through the topic “Investigating the Role of Sirtuin-1 in Actin Network Formations in MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cells”. “My research project is important to me since a lot of my family members have been affected by cancer and breast cancer itself,” she shared. Through her work, Torrey discovered a shift in her personal goals. “Originally, I thought I wanted to go into the medical side of Cancer research, but after being in the lab during my research project, I’ve decided to go into the laboratory research side.”
Similarly, Caitlin Lyford-Byrne credited her experience at Curry for helping her find direction. “Curry has been so helpful in helping me figure out the right path for me post-grad,” she said. With guidance from faculty mentor Jessica Fry, Caitlin was able to develop a meaningful project, “Isolating Mammalian DNA From Insect Consumers for Identification of Remains,” while building essential lab skills. “My research has helped me find what I’m passionate about and where my skills lie in the lab.”
Other projects focused on real-world impact and community engagement. AE-MSN student Max Bernstein’s research, “On-Site Trauma Informed Triage: Novel Harm Reduction Approaches in Low-Threshold Homeless Shelters,” builds on work he began before arriving at Curry. “This research is the beginning of finally compiling data generated when I was working in emergency health with unhoused neighbors in Boston,” he explained. With support from faculty, Max hopes to continue developing the projects and pursue publication in the future.
Cheryl Kohl’s project addressed a critical public health issue by proposing a program to reduce depression among female college students through targeting alcohol consumption. Using the PRECEDE-PROCEED model and the Health Belief Model, she examined how behavioral and environmental factors influence alcohol use and its connection to depression, ultimately designing intervention strategies to address these challenges. “I chose this topic because it is extremely relevant to me,” Kohl shared. “As a female college student, I've seen what alcohol consumption does to my peers, especially in tandem with depression.” Emphasizing the importance of prevention, she added that her goal is to reduce depression in a high-risk population, noting that her experience at Curry has helped prepare her for a future working in public health at the state level.
Students also explored topics related to career readiness and life beyond college. Alexander Isreal emphasized the importance of preparing for life after athletics in his presentation, “Life After Sport: Transition, Identity, and Career Paths of Athletes.” He noted, “Less than 2% of NCAA athletes go pro. It is very important to build a career outside of sports, and my research shows how.”
Creative work was also a major component of the forum. Freshman graphic design major Kate Shea presented a piece focused on human anatomy and connection. “I made this piece of the human body to show how we are all the same on the inside,” she said. Fellow student Liv Rowell showcased a low-poly portrait of her favorite musician, demonstrating both technical skill and personal inspiration in her design work.
For some students, their research is tied directly to their involvement on campus. Patrick Venuti focused his research, “Junior Hockey to NCAA: How NCAA Hockey Eligibility Rule Changes Affect Player Development And League Ecosystems,” on youth hockey development and explained how both academics and extracurricular experiences shape athletes’ goals. “I played club hockey here at Curry, and also was an administrator for the team,” he shared. “Working in an administrative role is something that I have been well prepared for by my professors here at Curry.”
Noah Coppinger also connected his research to his future ambitions through the topic of shellcasing analysis. “My research is important to me because it helped me realize exactly what I want to do when I join the workforce,” he said, citing his focus on ballistics. As a member of Curry’s football team, Coppinger added that the sense of teamwork influenced his decision to pursue a career in law enforcement.