UMBC Review: Journal of Undergraduate Research Premiering at URCAD

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 11:05:54 -0400

Free copies of the 2026 edition of the UMBC Review will be available at the table on the RAC track, 1st floor during URCAD: April 22 in the RAC!

The UMBC Review is a peer-reviewed publication, completely directed by UMBC undergraduate students. All of the articles published in the UMBC Review go through a rigorous peer review process. The Review is indebted to the anonymous off-campus faculty reviewers who volunteer their time to assure the high quality of our publication. We are proud to produce the publication in print format. The Review offers a rewarding opportunity to get your undergraduate research published in a peer-reviewed academic journal. Submit your paper by August 17, 2026: umbcreview@umbc.edu

2026 Editors:
Parvata Kirthivasan
Senior CAHSS Editor

Phoenix Bryant
Senior STEM editor

Diane Esteban
Junior CAHSS editor

Yonu Akanji
Junior STEM Editor

Sonia Pivovarov
Student Designer

Ian Anson
Faculty Advisor

Laura Schraven
Staff Advisor

Table of Contents

01 Veronica Goonan
In Democracy We Trust? How Strong Leadership, Partisan Distrust, and Confidence in Elections Influence Political Satisfaction Among Rural Americans

02 Corey Bryce
Maryland State Bill 83, Public Health – Overdose and Infectious Disease Prevention Services Program: Critical Analysis and Advocacy Efforts

03 Lilli Malone
The Salem Witch Trials: How the Hunt for Witches Led to Disaster

04 Siskind Oshry
Edogawa, Nakahara, and Dazai: The Influence of Western Literature on Japanese Authors in the Early 20th Century

05 Rishika Bandi
Breathable Shake Flasks for Improved Cancer Cell Culture

06 Beryl Fuamazeh
Evaluating the Relationship Between Frequency of Family Visits and Happiness Levels Among Older Adult Residents in Retirement Homes

07 Amal S. Aulakh
Human-Centered Design for Science Education: UX Insights from Synthetic Biology Wiki Interfaces

08 Ramsha Chaudhary
Assessing the Effect of Language Barriers on the Perception of Care Received by Spanish-speaking Patients in Baltimore, MD

09 Maia Turman Cooke
Resilient Hearts: Theoretical Portrayals of Lauryn Hill’s Self Love & Resistance Against Intimate Consequences

Apply to be a student editor for the next edition by emailing: umbcreview@umbc.edu

URCAD is Wednesday, April 22 in the RAC
URCAD.umbc.edu