‘Purpose and Passion’: MCPHS Manchester Students Showcase Research

From pharmacy deserts to Gen Z learning strategies, student researchers explored timely issues shaping the future of healthcare.

Occupational therapy’s role in menstrual support, the impact of pharmacy closures, and treatments for student anxiety were among the topics featured at the second annual Research and Scholarship event held on the Manchester, NH, campus of Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (MCPHS). The event took place on November 20 in the Brant Hub, bringing together students, faculty, and staff to celebrate student research and scholarship, with posters evaluated by a panel of judges.

Organized by Co-chairs Dr. Heidi Robertson, Associate Professor of Occupational Therapy, and Dr. Matthew Metcalf, Assistant Professor of Medicinal Chemistry, with support from the Research and Scholarship committee members from the Manchester and Worcester campuses, and Dr. Keri Griffin and the Center for Research and Discovery (CRD), the event highlighted student inquiry across multiple healthcare disciplines, including occupational therapy (OT), pharmacy, and physician assistant (PA) studies.

“It’s about more than just posters,” Dr. Griffin said in her opening remarks. “It’s about purpose and passion, commitment to wellness, and making your communities a better place. As faculty members, it gives us great joy to support students to make a positive difference. By investing in you, we support all of our futures. Continue making a difference because we truly, truly need you.”

Winning Projects Highlight Real-World Issues

Pharmacy students Sean Posner and Tyler Fougere won first place for their poster, “The Impact of Pharmacy Closures on Community Access and Patient Outcomes in New Hampshire.” Their research examined how the loss of community pharmacies contributes to health disparities, disrupts continuity of care, and limits access to medications—especially in rural areas where transportation challenges persist. “If all the pharmacies close, where are we all going to go for our medication?” Posner asked while presenting their findings. The pair noted that their research highlights the need for stronger legislation and regulation.

First-year PA students Madison Cresta and Jenna Desrochers took second place for “Gen Z Learners and the Needed Changes in Physician Associate Education.” Their project explored how generational learning preferences—such as hands-on activities, interactive technology, immediate feedback, and shorter attention spans—should shape the future of PA education. Presenting research for the first time, they said they hope to develop their work into a publishable article. “We wanted to see how professors can work with us to help us learn better,” Desrochers said.

Second-year OT students Eilis O’Brien and Sawyer Storaasli earned third place for their research on “Occupational Therapist’s Role in Menstruation Management and Education for Adolescents with Neurodevelopmental Disabilities.” After learning some students miss school because of their periods, the pair examined how menstruation-related challenges affect school attendance. Storaasli said they began asking, “How can OTs be involved in this? What is our role?” O’Brien noted that they previously presented their findings at the New Hampshire Occupational Therapy Association’s fall conference to positive feedback.

Other projects showcased at the event included research on ibogaine therapy for PTSD, the needs of compounding practice, challenges in the FDA’s Alzheimer’s drug approval pathway, and a comparison of anxiety treatments for students.

Dr. Robertson said the event reflects the value of research and mentorship in shaping students’ professional futures. “This helps students understand the importance of research and scholarship in all of their healthcare fields,” she said. “It also exposes them to other options and opportunities in their disciplines.”

The Center for Research and Discovery also hosts Research and Scholarship events on the Boston and Worcester campuses in the spring.