McNair Scholars Showcase Research with Community Impact at the Roosevelt University Symposium

Roosevelt University's commitment to social justice and educational opportunity was reflected throughout the 2026 Roosevelt University Symposium, where students in the McNair Scholars Program presented research addressing some of today's most pressing social, health and technological challenges.

Designed to prepare first-generation, low-income and underrepresented students for graduate education and research careers, the McNair Scholars Program empowers students to pursue meaningful scholarship while working closely with faculty mentors. This year's Symposium featured projects exploring economic barriers to healthy food, emotional connections to artificial intelligence, culturally responsive mental healthcare and healthcare disparities affecting transgender patients.

Marketing major Amanda Martinez presented "Diet, Dollars and Disease: Evaluating the Economic Impact of the Standard American Diet," a project examining how economic inequality and access to food contribute to chronic disease outcomes in the United States.

Inspired by her own health experiences, Martinez said she hopes her research encourages people to think differently about healthcare and nutrition in America.

"I want something that changes the world," Martinez said. "I want to help kids. Kids should not be dealing with dietary diabetes, dietary related cancers."

Martinez also credited the McNair Scholars Program for helping her develop the project and connect with university resources and mentorship.

"My first step, and I wouldn't have gone anywhere without that, was the support of McNair leadership," she said.

Computer Science student Mariel Chua contributed four presentations during Symposium week, including research focused on emotional relationships between humans and AI chatbots. Her honors thesis explored why people form emotional attachments to artificial intelligence despite understanding that AI systems are not capable of genuine emotion.

Chua said Roosevelt's smaller class sizes and supportive faculty environment helped open doors to research opportunities across disciplines.

"My professors scouted me to join them for research projects," Chua said. "It added to my normal school experience so that I actually felt like I was learning stuff and having fun."

Psychology student Sukaina "Suki" Jallow presented research centered on culturally responsive mental healthcare and the barriers Black and brown communities often face when seeking support. Inspired by conversations with family members about therapy and representation in mental health services, Jallow's work explored the importance of culturally aware care and greater accessibility within psychology.

"It wasn't necessarily about the achievement of the grade," Jallow said of her research experience. "It was more so about the achievement of the community."

Jallow also reflected on how the research process strengthened her confidence and sense of purpose.

"It makes me really proud," she said. "I'm able to do the work, be passionate genuinely about the work and want to make sure that it can reach others in the best way possible."

Biochemistry student Ezra Figueroa used the Symposium to spotlight healthcare inequities impacting transgender patients. Figueroa's poster presentation examined healthcare disparities related to gender-affirming hormone therapy and ovarian cancer outcomes among transgender individuals.

"Trans health, queer health is super important to me," Figueroa said. "I have a lot of queer friends, trans friends, and it's just my community."

A nontraditional student, Figueroa said Roosevelt's supportive academic environment and mentorship through the McNair Scholars Program helped make research feel accessible.

"It's really nice to be in an environment where I feel supported in actually learning how to do this," Figueroa said.

Together, the McNair Scholars' presentations demonstrated how Roosevelt students are applying their education to issues that affect individuals and communities across the country. Supported by faculty mentors and the McNair Scholars Program, the students combined academic inquiry with a commitment to equity, access and community impact, reflecting the university's longstanding mission of creating positive social change through education.

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