David L. Archer President | Christian Brothers University website

Three undergraduate students at Christian Brothers University have received the Tracie Burke Undergraduate Research Award, recognizing their academic achievements in research and creative scholarship. The awards are funded by donations from alumni of the Honors Program to honor professor emerita Tracie Burke.

Carlos Crisanto, a Biomedical Science major expected to graduate in 2026, was honored for his project titled “Discrepancies Between Oncotype DX Recurrence Score and MammaPrint in Patients with Recurrence or Cancer Related Death Who Initially Received a Low Oncotype Score.” Crisanto stated, "My research explores how two genomic tests, Oncotype DX and MammaPrint, can more accurately predict which breast cancer patients truly benefit from chemotherapy. These tests are vital for guiding treatment, yet they sometimes disagree, and growing evidence suggests that some may underestimate risk in Black Women. Working with Dr. Gregory Vidal at the West Cancer Center, I’m analyzing real patient data to see which test provides a fairer and more reliable prediction. By improving the precision and equity of breast cancer diagnostics, this project aims to help every patient receive the care they deserve."

Suzy Terzian, also studying Biomedical Science and set to graduate in 2027, received an award for her study on “Impact of virus and bacteria co-detection in children with severe malaria.” Terzian explained her research: "Malaria is one of the leading causes of death worldwide, especially in children under 5. The impact of detecting additional bacteria and viruses in respiratory samples of children hospitalized with malaria remains poorly understood and represents a challenge for the management of the patient. Children with severe malaria were enrolled, and Nasopharyngeal swabs were collected at enrollment. Using a PCR panel, we plan to determine the frequency of bacterial and viral co-detection in these respiratory samples and assess whether they modify the child’s clinical characteristics and clinical outcomes. Our results will help to unravel the mechanisms of severe malaria linked to the detection of other respiratory pathogens in children."

Isabel Lara Tenia, a Psychology major graduating in 2026, was recognized for her project entitled “Between Algorithms and Identity: How Government Social Media Shapes Double-Consciousness and Psychosocial Health.” According to Lara Tenia: "This research explores the effects of government social media messaging and the psychological state of double-consciousness on the psychosocial well-being of underrepresented groups. By exposing participants to common social media messages that simulate everyday scrolling experiences, we can discover the potential maladaptive nature of such messaging, combined with vulnerable psychological states, on psychological health and social cohesion. Results could shed light on the importance of inclusive communication strategies by the public sector."

The awards aim to encourage further undergraduate involvement in research addressing issues ranging from healthcare disparities to public communication.