Students shine at 2025 CAHS Scholarly Showcase
UC College of Allied Health Sciences highlights student research with 82 projects
The University of Cincinnati's College of Allied Health Sciences (CAHS) hosted its annual Scholarly Showcase on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, at the Health Sciences Building. This is the 25th year the College of Allied Health Sciences has hosted the event during the final weeks of the spring semester.
The CAHS Scholarly Showcase serves as a platform for students to present their research findings, receive constructive feedback and engage with peers, faculty and alumni from various disciplines.
The day's agenda included multiple poster sessions, a panel discussion and a Career Conversations Corner, providing attendees with opportunities to engage with student researchers and explore career paths in allied health sciences. The event concluded with a group photo and awards announcement, celebrating the outstanding contributions of participating students.
Faculty, staff and students on the atrium steps during the 2025 CAHS Scholarly Showcase.
This year's event featured 82 research posters and nearly 200 student presenters, highlighting the college's commitment to interprofessional collaboration and academic excellence. More than 20 CAHS alumni returned to campus and joined faculty to serve as judges for the poster sessions, offering professional insights and supporting the next generation of allied health leaders.
Compared to the previous year, which featured 64 posters, the 2025 showcase demonstrated significant growth in student research participation. This increase reflects the college's dedication to fostering a robust research culture among its students.
"The 25th annual CAHS Scholarly Showcase celebrated research, collaboration and the wide array of disciplines in the College of Allied Health Sciences," says Susan Kotowski, the 2025 CAHS Scholarly Showcase committee chair.
By promoting interdisciplinary collaboration and celebrating alumni engagement, the event underscores the college's mission to prepare students for the complexities of modern health care environments.
Bridging the gap between classroom, career
For many students, the CAHS Scholarly Showcase represents more than a research presentation — it's a meaningful capstone to their academic journey and a stepping stone into their professional lives. By sharing their work with peers, faculty, alumni and industry professionals, students gain valuable experience in translating academic knowledge into real-world impact.
Brianna Semon, a medical laboratory science (MLS) student, reflected on how the showcase deepened her understanding of patient-centered care.
“This helped me understand more of the patient side of things and helped me to be able to connect what I see on my end with what the patient may actually be feeling," she says.
The opportunity to present research fosters not only communication skills but also a broader perspective of allied health care delivery — one that emphasizes empathy, collaboration and practical application. The showcase encourages students to think beyond the lab or classroom and envision their role in the broader health care ecosystem.
Award winners announced
Each year, the top 10 research posters are recognized with awards at the CAHS Scholarly Showcase. New in 2025, a Viewer's Choice Award was introduced, allowing attendees to vote for their favorite project. This year’s award recipients are:
| Presenter(s) | Title | Mentor (s) |
|---|---|---|
| Michelle Bruce | Military Canine's Understanding/Hearing Abilities of Different Languages. | Pete Scheifele |
| Grace Safarz, Nate Hogan, Caitlyn Hollar, Julianna Romero | Hematologic Surveillance in AML Recurrence: Lessons in a Case of Early Diagnosis | Gideon Labiner |
| Julie Thornton, Shelby Hafner | Extended High Frequency (EHF) hearing loss predicts subtle damage at standard frequencies. | Lina Motlagh Zadeh |
| Presenter(s) | Title | Mentor(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Kelsey Krigbaum, Julianne Knoll, Olivia Matthews, Josh Burkhardt, Isaac Turner | Aerobic Exercise and Chronic Low Back Pain: Summary of Evidence and Clinical Recommendations | Chris Allen |
| Samantha Lambrinides, Diana Loebker, Symantha Rathbone, Sophia Shockey | Cerebral Visual Impairment: The Relationship Between Screening Tools and Early Diagnosis |
Karen Harpster |
| Sarah Briscoe | Hearing Screening and Diagnostic Protocols Implemented in Neonatal Intensive Care Units Across the U.S. | Lisa Hunter and Chelsea Blankenship |
| Nate Hogan, Caitlyn Hollar, Julianna Romero, Grace Safarz | Hematologic Surveillance in AML Remission: Lessons from a Case of Atypical Presentation | Gideon Labiner |
| Ellen Connolly, Sela Maben | Mindfulness for Caregivers of Stroke Survivors: A Case Series | Kari Dunning, Meriden McGraw, Erin Wagner, Tami Bakas, Chalee Engelhard |
| Michelle Gabbard | Parental Justice Involvement and Pediatric Clinician Note Documentation: Preliminary Findings |
Samantha Boch |
| Maddie Anderton, Meredith Adams | Patient Preferences for Aphasia Care | Jasmine Keaney |
| Hannah Austin, Haley Baysic, Veda Craig, Kathryn Hehn, Harry Klisch | Resource Building and Implementation of Self-Advocacy Among Minority Youth | Amanda LaGuardia and Dana Harley |
| Rayne Perone, Madalyn Thomas | Smartphone Accessibility Handbook for Speech Language Pathologists | Amanda Simmons |
| Raven Large | Using Molecular Imaging to Detect Aortic Aneurysms | Stephanie Hug and Whitney Bowen |
Watch the 2025 Scholarly Showcase
Discover more from the 2025 CAHS Scholarly Showcase
Explore student research, see event highlights and learn how the College of Allied Health Sciences is advancing innovation in health care.
View the full showcase program
Related Stories
Sugar overload killing hearts
November 10, 2025
Two in five people will be told they have diabetes during their lifetime. And people who have diabetes are twice as likely to develop heart disease. One of the deadliest dangers? Diabetic cardiomyopathy. But groundbreaking University of Cincinnati research hopes to stop and even reverse the damage before it’s too late.
App turns smartwatch into detector of structural heart disease
November 10, 2025
An app that uses an AI model to read a single-lead ECG from a smartwatch can detect structural heart disease, researchers reported at the 2025 Scientific Sessions of the American Heart Association. Although the technology requires further validation, researchers said it could help improve the identification of patients with heart failure, valvular conditions and left ventricular hypertrophy before they become symptomatic, which could improve the prognosis for people with these conditions.
Duo authentication changes coming January 2026
November 10, 2025
Effective Wednesday, January 21, 2026, Duo authentication via SMS text messages and phone calls will no longer be supported. Switch to the Duo Mobile app on an iOS or Android device (such as a smartphone or tablet). The Duo Mobile app supports Duo Push, which offers the most secure and user-friendly authentication experience.