Ohio State undergraduate students showcase research across disciplines

An injury led Malicki Diallo, a biomedical engineering major at The Ohio State University, to explore biomechanics. Getting hurt while competing in cross-country in high school led him to research how to prevent such injuries.

“I had very bad shin splints, and I found that the shoes that I was wearing and also the way I was running had a large impact on me getting injured,” he said. “I really started looking into biomechanics.”

Diallo was one of dozens of Ohio State students who presented their research during the 30th annual Richard J. and Martha D. Denman Undergraduate Research Forum. The event was held recently at the Ohio Union.

“The Denman students must not only be scholars and researchers, but creators, makers and presenters as well,” Ohio State President Walter “Ted” Carter Jr. said in his welcome message to participants. “You truly embody the mission of Ohio State – to prepare thoughtful, capable leaders in every field of study.”

Diallo’s research centers on the development of medical equipment that people of all ages can use to assess their risk for injuries and learn how to prevent them.

“With increasing age and neurological disorders, you do see people more susceptible to falling,” he said. “We’re trying to mitigate that risk of them falling by using balance-based preparations to enhance their balance stability while they’re working, performing everyday tasks.”

Diallo said he plans to enroll in graduate school and further his research. He said his studies have also helped him avoid further injuries.

“On the sports side of things, I’m just a lot more cognizant of biomechanics now,” he said. “As I continue to progress in my research, I’ve become more and more cognizant of how external factors or even internal factors can affect me being injured.”

Other areas of research that students presented during the Denman forum included interventions for runaway adolescents with depressive symptoms. Amalia Rodriguez-Giusti, Yvonne Gong and Natasha Slesnick presented research on the topic.

“I wanted to focus on that because runaway adolescents tend to be a really at-risk group,” said Rodriguez-Giusti, a human development and family science major. “Annually, there are 3.1 million adolescents that suffer from depressive symptoms.”

Rodriguez-Giusti’s research explores therapies that can help teens reconnect with their families and improve their mental health.

“You take the parents or guardians in one individual therapy session, and you teach them how to set up better boundaries,” she said. “And then you take the adolescents and teach them how to better handle difficulties. And then you put them together to see how well they can mesh together and … help them learn healthier lifestyles and hopefully create their happiness.”

Maddison McMaken, a business major, presented a concept titled “Green Roots Market – Innovating Food Systems for Urban Sustainability in Franklinton.”

“Green Roots Market is focusing on alleviating food insecurity in Franklinton, Ohio, which is a Columbus neighborhood, by providing fresh, locally grown produce through sustainable hydroponic systems grown on-site in greenhouses,” she said. “It also offers educational opportunities in gardening, sustainability and hydroponics, encouraging the local community to grow their own produce.”

The ultimate goal of the Green Roots Market concept is to provide a sustainable source of fresh produce, McMaken said.

The market concept is designed to provide “space for the community with a cafe, outdoor growing area and an educational space, multifunctional area for the community,” she said. “They can see it … and learn about how to grow themselves.”