Class of 2024 University Honors Program Graduates

Twenty-Two members of The University of Scranton’s class of 2024 graduated from the University Honors Program, which is one of the Jesuit university’s programs of excellence. Students in the Honors Program pursue a rigorous education that stresses independent work through close engagement with professors and other honors students, including the preparation, presentation and defense of a research or creative project during their senior year.

The following is a list of the class of 2024 University Honors Program graduates and their faculty mentors and their research projects.

Madeline T. Byrne, West Chester, graduated, magna cum laude, as a health administration major. Byrne worked with faculty advisor John Wiercinski, faculty specialist, Health Administration and Human Resources Department, on a thesis titled "Issues the United States face regarding the healthcare delivery system and our ethical responsibility in caring for the uninsured."

Michael A. Castellino, West Islip, New York, graduated, magna cum laude, as a business analytics major. Castellino worked with faculty advisor David Mahalek, Ph.D., faculty specialist, Operations and Analytics Department, on a thesis titled "Market Basket Analysis in Everyday Life."

Christian A. Diana, Dallas, graduated, magna cum laude, as a biology major. Diana worked with faculty advisor Christopher Howey, Ph.D., associate professor of biology, on a thesis titled "The effect of octopamine on the metabolic rates, behavior, and mass of Madagascar hissing cockroaches. Gromphadorhina portentous."

Victoria N. Dowling, East Northport, New York, graduated, summa cum laude, as a neuroscience major. Dowling worked with faculty advisor Marc A. Seid, Ph.D., professor of biology, on a thesis titled "Impact of Social Isolation Duration on digestion and Behavior in Camponotus floridanus."

Christian Gjonaj, Yonkers, New York, graduated, magna cum laude, as a neuroscience major. Gjonaj worked with faculty advisor Robert F. Waldeck, Ph.D., associate professor of biology, on a thesis titled "The effect of light-induced sleep deprivation on locomotion in Gromphadorhina portentosa."

Alexandra P. Karpiak, Norwalk, Connecticut, graduated as a neuroscience major. Karpiak worked with faculty advisor Barbara K. Buxton, Ph.D., associate professor of nursing, on a thesis titled "Investigating patient-Healthcare Provider Relationship as a Protective Factor in Cases of Maternal Postpartum Depression."

Thomas C. Kennedy, Scranton, graduated, summa cum laude, as a history major. Kennedy worked with faculty advisor Hank Willenbrink, Ph.D., associate professor of English and theatre.

Elise S. Koegler, Scranton, graduated, magna cum laude, as a psychology major. Koegler worked with faculty advisor Emily Hopkins, Ph.D., associate professor of psychology, on a thesis titled "Who's to Judge? Familiarity of Religious Events Affecting Possibility Judgments."

Sara C. Kuntz, Jamison, graduated, cum laude, as a kinesiology major. Kuntz worked with faculty advisor Paul Cutrufello, Ph.D., professor and chair, Department of Health and Human Performance, on a thesis titled "Music Familiarity and its Impact on Exercise Performance and Affective State."

Olivia S. Manarchuck, Carbondale, graduated, magna cum laude, as a neuroscience major. Manarchuck worked with faculty advisor Robert F. Waldeck, Ph.D., associate professor of biology, on a thesis titled "Effects of Huperzine A on Learning and Memory Behaviors and Acetylcholinesterase Activity in Blaptica dubias."

Brett K. McCartney, Downingtown, graduated, summa cum laude, as an accounting major and member of the University's Robert L. McKeage Business Leadership Honors Program. McCartney worked with faculty advisor Ashley L. Stampone, Ph.D., assistant professor of accounting, on a thesis titled "Supply Chain cybersecurity: A Review of the Accounting Literature and the Implications for Future Research."

Tyler J. Muskey, Moosic, graduated, magna cum laude, as a neuroscience major. Muskey worked with faculty advisor Marc A. Seid, Ph.D., professor of biology, on a thesis titled "Inotocin Concentration and Behavioral Reactions to Acute Heat Exposure."

Kathryn P. Olafson, Malvern, graduated, summa cum laude, as a secondary education - citizenship and history and history double major. Olafson worked with faculty advisor Maria Oreshkina, Ph.D., associate professor and chair, Department of Education, on a thesis titled "Teacher Retention and Burnout."

Annamarie Palermo, Media, graduated, magna cum laude, as a neuroscience major. Palermo worked with faculty advisor Robert F. Waldeck, Ph.D., associate professor of biology, on a thesis titled "Effect of Excess Serotonin on Startle Response in Goldfish."

Maitree V. Patel, Scranton, graduated, magna cum laude, as a biology major. Patel worked with faculty advisor Robert J. Smith, Ph.D., professor of biology, on a thesis titled "Examining the Influence of Intrinsic and Extrinsic Factors on Haemoproteus Infection Intensity in Gray Catbirds (Dumetella carolinensis)."

Wilmarr J. Saint Surin, North Baldwin, New York, graduated, magna cum laude, as a biology major. Saint Surin worked with faculty advisor Marc A. Seid, Ph.D., professor of biology, on a thesis titled "The Effects of Environmental Color Association on Ant Foraging Patterns in Camponotus floridanus."

Jacqueline N. Savage, Kings Park, New York, graduated, summa cum laude, as a biology major and member of the University's Magis Honors Program in STEM. Savage worked with faculty advisor Spencer Galen, Ph.D., assistant professor of biology, on a thesis titled "Novel Haemosporidian Diversity in alaskan Birds." Savage was also the recipient of the University's full-tuition Presidential Scholarship.

Karla J. Shaffer, New Hope, graduated, magna cum laude, as a political science major. Shaffer worked with faculty advisor JoyAnna Hopper, Ph.D., assistant professor of political science, on a thesis titled "Let's Talk Trash--How has Institutional Inertia and Community Activism Affected Landfill Permitting in Pennsylvania?."

Martin J. Stivala, Dunmore, graduated, magna cum laude, as a neuroscience major. Stivala worked with faculty advisor Jong-Hyn Son, Ph.D., associate professor of biology, on a thesis titled "Characterization of Ascending Dopaminergic Neuron Connectivity to the Telencephalon in the Adult Zebrafish Brain."

Nicholas J. Tomassoni, Eynon, graduated, summa cum laude, as a neuroscience major. Tomassoni worked with faculty advisor Marc A. Seid, Ph.D., professor of biology, on a thesis titled "The Neurological Effects of Erythropoietin on Camponotus floridanus."

Emma Trautfetter, Cedar Grove, New Jersey, graduated, summa cum laude, as a psychology major. Trautfetter worked with faculty advisor Jill A. Warker, Ph.D., associate professor of psychology, on a thesis titled "The Effect of Type of Event on False Memory Rates in a Misinformation Task."

Ashley M. Zaita, Mahwah, New Jersey, graduated, magna cum laude, as an accounting major. Zaita worked with faculty advisor Daniel P. Mahoney, Ph.D., professor of accounting, on a thesis titled "The Burden of State & Local Government Underfunding."

Andrew LaZella, Ph.D., professor of philosophy, and Jill A. Warker, associate professor of psychology, serve as co-directors of the University Honors Program.