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Office of Research and Graduate Education

Events

Past Events

Annual Spring Research Conference

Wednesday, April 29, 2026 | 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Where: NYC Campus.

The Office of Research and Graduate Education at Pace University was excited to host the Second Annual Spring Research Conference 2026, The Human Experience: Research, Creative Work, and Interdisciplinary Dialogue, on April 29, 2026. The conference brought together faculty, graduate students, and administrators from across the Pace community for a full day of research, scholarship, creativity, and interdisciplinary exchange.

With more than 100 presenters, the conference showcased a wide range of academic disciplines, perspectives, and research interests across the university. Throughout the day, attendees took part in engaging presentations, panel discussions, and thoughtful conversations that highlighted not only the depth of scholarly and creative work happening at Pace, but also the value of bringing different fields and perspectives together.

Beyond the presentations, the conference created an important space for members of the Pace community to connect, build relationships, exchange ideas, and celebrate one another’s work. The energy and enthusiasm throughout the day reflected a growing culture of collaboration, curiosity, and interdisciplinary engagement across the university.

One of the highlights of this year’s conference was an exhibit featuring more than 40 books authored by Pace faculty within the last five years. The display showcased the impressive scholarly and creative contributions of faculty across disciplines and gave attendees the opportunity to explore the breadth of research and publication taking place throughout the university.

The event also included opening remarks from President Marvin Krislov and a keynote address by Provost Alison Carr-Chellman, both of whom spoke to the importance of innovation, collaboration, and continued investment in research and academic inquiry.

The Office of Research and Graduate Education extends its sincere thanks to all presenters, attendees, organizers, volunteers, and supporters who helped make this year’s conference such a success. Following the strong momentum and excitement of this year’s event, we look forward to continuing to grow the conference and welcoming the Pace community back for an even bigger and more engaging gathering next year.

Interdisciplinary Conversations Panel

Monday, April 13, 2026, 11:00 a.m.–1:10 p.m.
Panelists

The Office of Research and Graduate Education at Pace University successfully launched its new Interdisciplinary Conversations series with an inaugural session titled “Mental Health and Physical Health Across Disciplines.” The event brought together a panel consisting of faculty from across the University for a meaningful exchange of ideas, perspectives, and potential collaborations.

The session was thoughtfully moderated by Sethu Karthikeyan, PhD,Associate Professor at College of Health Professions, whose framing of stress and human adaptation provided a unifying lens for the discussion.

A central theme that emerged from the discussion was the inseparability of mental and physical health. Panelists examined how stress shaped by biological, social, organizational, and technological factors manifest across different contexts. Topics ranged from trauma-informed care and integrative medicine to mindfulness in conflict resolution, communication and emotional expression, workplace well-being, and the evolving role of artificial intelligence in understanding and influencing mental health.

The conversation also highlighted a critical challenge: while human stress responses evolved to manage short-term threats, today’s environments often expose individuals to prolonged, complex stressors. This mismatch underscores the need for interdisciplinary approaches that bridge individual, systemic, and technological perspectives.

In addition, Elina Bloch, PhD, Associate Director for Sponsored Research, shared insights on identifying and pursuing foundation grant opportunities to support interdisciplinary collaboration.

The event concluded with an engaging open discussion, where attendees contributed their perspectives and explored opportunities for future collaboration. The Interdisciplinary Conversations series aims to foster ongoing dialogue, spark new partnerships, and support innovative research initiatives across disciplines at Pace University.

Navigating the Grant Process: Practical Advice from Faculty Grant Recipients

Wednesday, April 8, 2026, 12:10 p.m.–1:10 p.m.

This engaging presentation features a panel of successful faculty grant recipients from a range of disciplines who share their experiences with navigating the complexities of grant applications. Panelists will offer practical guidance, lessons learned, and effective strategies for developing competitive proposals.

Presenters: Matthew Aiello-Lammens, PhD (Associate Professor, Environmental Studies and Sciences, Dyson, Pleasantville, Westchester Faculty Council Chair), Andreea Cotoranu, PhD Candidate (Clinical Professor, Director or NYC Design Factory, Information Technology Department, Seidenberg, NYC and Pleasantville), Lu Shi, PhD (Associate Professor, Health Sciences, College of Health Professions, NYC), and Laura Tamman, PhD (Clinical Assistant Professor, Political Science, Dyson, NYC)

Doctoral Student Spotlight

Thursday, April 9, 2026, at 8:30 a.m. on zoom.

This event was a virtual dissertation defense Samantha Pescatore, M.A., M.S., doctoral candidate in the PhD Program in Clinical Psychology.

Her dissertation, “Health Disparities, Early Intervention, and Neurodevelopmental Outcomes in Preterm Infants,” explores critical factors influencing early developmental outcomes.

The IRB Life Cycle Explained: Practical Strategies from Start to Finish

The IRB Life Cycle Explained: Practical Strategies from Start to Finish recording
Wednesday, March 25, 2026, 12:10 p.m.–1:10 p.m.

This presentation walked faculty through the full life cycle of the IRB process, from initial submission to study completion, highlighting common pitfalls that delayed approval or created later challenges. It focused on practical guidance, clarified key details, and introduced tools and strategies to support efficient, organized research from concept to publication.

Presenters: Lindsey Lee, MA, MAT (Coordinator, Human Research Protection Program (HRPP) and Grants, Office of Research and Graduate Education)

Exploring Prestigious Fellowships for Undergraduates: Fulbright and Millennium

Exploring Prestigious Fellowships for Undergraduates: Fulbright and Millennium recording
Wednesday, March 4, 2026, 12:10 p.m.–1:10 p.m.

This session introduced undergraduate students to the UN Academic Impact-Millennium Fellowship and the Fulbright U.S. Student Program. Students learned how these competitive opportunities provide valuable experiences, foster social impact, support academic goals, or fund graduate programs abroad.

Presenters: Anna Beskin, PhD (Director of Faculty and Graduate Research) and Sue Maxam, EdD (Assistant Provost for Wellness)

Faculty Research Spotlight: Interdisciplinarity Through an Evolutionary Lens

Faculty Research Spotlight: Interdisciplinarity Through an Evolutionary Lens recording
January 29, 2026

In this presentation, Professor Karthikeyan will share an overview of her research career at Pace University, shaped by the theoretical framework of evolutionary psychology and its application to studies on voice, speech, and human mating strategies. The talk highlights how these explorations have refined understandings of mate preferences and how evolutionary perspectives naturally foster interdisciplinary thinking in her classes.

Presenter: Sethu Karthikeyan, PhD (Associate Professor, Communication Sciences and Disorders, CHP, NYC)

A Celebration of Book Publications: Honoring Our Faculty Authors

December 2, 2025

The Office of Research and Graduate Education sponsored a celebration of Pace faculty who have published books between 2020 and 2025. This special event showcased the creativity, scholarship, and impact of our faculty authors across disciplines through a series of engaging presentations.

Presenters: Linda S. Carozza, PhD. CCC-SLP, FNAP (Associate Professor, Communication Sciences and Disorders, CHP, NYC), Michelle Chase, PhD (Associate Professor and Latin American Studies Program Director, History, Dyson, Pleasantville), Kimberly Collica-Cox, PhD (Professor, Criminal Justice, Director of Dyson College’s Jail-Based Services, Dyson, NYC and Pleasantville), Lisa M. Denig, JD (Adjunct Professor, Constitutional Law, Criminal Justice, Dispute Resolution, Haub Law, White Plains), Veronika Dolar, PhD (Associate Professor, Economics, Dyson, NYC), Rosario (Roy) Girasa JD, PhD (Distinguished Professor, Legal Studies & Taxation, Lubin, Pleasantville), Terence Hines, PhD (Professor, Psychology, Dyson, Pleasantville), Adam Klein, PhD (Associate Professor and Associate Chair, Communication and Media Studies, Dyson, NYC), John P Lamb, PhD (Adjunct Professor, Mathematics, Dyson, Pleasantville), Melanie La Rosa, MFA (Associate Professor, Media, Communication, and Visual Arts, Dyson, Pleasantville and NYC), Pauline Mosley, DPS (Professor, Information Technology, Seidenberg, Pleasantville), Laurice (Lauri) D. Nemetz, MA, BC-DMT, LCAT, ERYT500, C-IAYT (Adjunct Professor, BS Nurse Education, CHP, Pleasantville), Mary Opfer MS, RDN, CDN, CCMS (Clinical Associate Professor, Nutrition and Dietetics, CHP, Pleasantville), Janetta Rebold Benton, PhD (Distinguished Professor, Art History, Dyson, Pleasantville), and Gina Scutelnicu Todoran, PhD (Professor and Department Chair, Public Administration, Dyson, NYC)

Exploring Prestigious Fellowships for Undergraduates: Fulbright, Millennium, and Watson

Exploring Prestigious Fellowships for Undergraduates: Fulbright, Millennium, and Watson recording
November 20, 2025

This session introduced undergraduate students to prestigious opportunities such as the UN Academic Impact-Millennium Scholarship, the Fulbright U.S. Student Program, and the Thomas J. Watson Fellowship. Students learned how these awards offered meaningful experiences, supported their academic goals, and funded global opportunities after graduation.

Presenters: Anna Beskin, PhD (Director of Faculty and Graduate Research), Sue Maxam, EdD (Assistant Provost for Wellness), William Offutt, JD, PhD (Professor of History, Dyson; Faculty Advisor, Pforzheimer Honors College)

Faculty Research Spotlight: Creative Notebook Sharing

Faculty Research Spotlight: Creative Notebook Sharing recording
November 13, 2025

In this session, Ty Defoe, MFA (Oneida and Anishinaabe Nations), Writer-in-Residence at Pace University, shared from his creative notebook and his forthcoming project Skeleton Canoe, which premiered at Lincoln Center (skeletoncanoe.com). Through an Indigiqueer lens, Ty explored how decolonized art forms and trans futures intersected through the queering of time, space, and storytelling.

Presenter: Ty Defoe, MFA (Clinical Assistant Professor, Writer-in-Residence, English Department, Dyson, NYC)

Turning Coursework into a Journal Article: Steps to a Successful Publication

Turning Coursework into a Journal Article: Steps to a Successful Publication recording
November 12, 2025

This session introduced graduate students to how a strong seminar paper can be developed into a publishable article. It began with an overview of the publishing process, followed by a panel of graduate students who recently published their work and shared candid advice, key challenges, and practical strategies for navigating the journey to publication.

Presenters: Anna Beskin, PhD (Director, Faculty and Graduate Research, Office of Research and Graduate Education), Manaswi Soni, MA (Coordinator, Office of Research and Graduate Education), Ashley Rose Dustin, MS (PhD Candidate, Clinical Psychology, Health Care Emphasis), and Ji Hoon Park, MA (PhD Candidate, School Psychology)

The Musical Theatre Vocal Athlete

The Musical Theatre Vocal Athlete recording
October 7, 2025

In this presentation, Amanda Flynn, Ed.D., MM, discussed her voice research focused on supporting Broadway vocalists at both the educational and professional levels within the uniquely demanding art form of musical theatre.

Presenter: Amanda Flynn, Ed.D., MM, PAVA - Recognized Vocologist, Assistant Professor, and Program Head Pace Musical Theatre

Crafting Your Story: Writing a Compelling Personal Statement for Grants, Awards, and Graduate School

Crafting Your Story: Writing a Compelling Personal Statement for Grants, Awards, and Graduate School recording
September 24, 2025

The presentation showcased strategies for transforming experiences, interests, and unique qualities into an authentic yet strategically persuasive personal statement, offering practical insights on balancing professionalism with vulnerability to create a lasting impression.

Presenter: Anna Beskin, PhD, Director of Faculty and Graduate Research, Office of Research and Graduate Education

Mastering Research Grants Workshop

Mastering Research Grants Workshop recording
September 24, 2025

In this hands-on session, Beth Schachter, PhD, provided faculty with advanced grant application tactics, practical writing skills, and personalized mentorship to help them advance their research projects, offering expert guidance and tools tailored to those well into their grant application journey.

Presenter: Beth Schachter, PhD, Grant Writing Consultant and Coach

Advanced Strategies for Success in the Sciences

Advanced Strategies for Success in the Sciences recording
March 26, 2025

This second session in the grant writing series, led by Beth Schachter, PhD, focused on advanced strategies for faculty in the sciences, offering hands-on guidance in developing compelling, fundable proposals. Guest presenters Matthew Aiello-Lammens, PhD, and Zafir Buraei, PhD, shared insights from their own successful grant experiences, enriching the workshop with practical advice and discipline-specific examples.

Presenter: Beth Schachter, PhD, Grant Writing Consultant and Coach

Guest presenters: Matthew Aiello-Lammens, PhD, Associate Professor and Assistant Chair, Environmental Studies and Sciences, Pleasantville and Zafir Buraei, PhD, Associate Professor and Department Chair, Biology, NYC

Multimodal Reading and Design: Faculty Research Series

Multimodal Reading and Design: Faculty Research Series recording
March 24, 2025

In this presentation, Fran Falk-Ross, PhD (School of Education, Pleasantville), shared research on the benefits of using multimodal instruction—such as images, graphic novels, poetry, and online sources—to support diverse learners and educators. She presented examples of teacher-designed multimodal resources, drawing from her published work in Language Arts and past conference presentations.

Presenter: Francine Falk-Ross, PhD, School of Education, Pleasantville

Infusing Cultural Humility / Responsiveness into Research Design: Faculty Research Series

Infusing Cultural Humility / Responsiveness into Research Design: Faculty Research Series recording
February 20, 2025

In this presentation, Kyomi Gregory-Martin, PhD, shared her research on non-mainstream dialects, child language assessment, interprofessional practice, and training workshops. A recipient of the 2024 ASHA Award for multicultural contributions and the Dean’s Research Award, she has published widely in speech-language pathology and related fields.

Presenter: Kyomi Gregory-Martin, PhD, CCC-SLP, College of Health Professions, NYC

Mastering the Basics: A Comprehensive Guide to Grant Writing and Funding Opportunities Across Disciplines

Mastering the Basics: A Comprehensive Guide to Grant Writing and Funding Opportunities Across Disciplines
February 19, 2025

This was the first in a series of presentations led by Beth Schachter, PhD, a grant writing consultant and coach. Beth guided participants in crafting grant proposals across disciplines, covering key elements like clear objectives, effective structure, and tailoring proposals to funding criteria.

Presenter: Beth Schachter, PhD, Grant Writing Consultant and Coach

Crafting Impactful Recommendations for Students: Strategies for Scholarship and Fellowship Letters of Recommendation

Crafting Impactful Recommendations for Students: Strategies for Scholarship and Fellowship Letters of Recommendation recording
February 13, 2025

This presentation guided faculty in writing impactful recommendation letters for students applying for prestigious awards, scholarships, and fellowships. Participants learned to tailor letters, craft compelling narratives, and avoid common pitfalls to enhance their recommendations.

Presenters: Anna Beskin, PhD, Director of Faculty and Graduate Research, Office of Research and Graduate Education and Moira Egan, PhD, Director of Prestigious Awards and Graduate Fellowships, Office of Research and Graduate Education

Crafting Your Story as a Graduate Student: Writing a Compelling Personal Statement for Grants and Awards

Crafting Your Story as a Graduate Student: Writing a Compelling Personal Statement for Grants and Awards recording
December 2, 2024

This session helped graduate students craft compelling personal statements for grants and awards by teaching them to distinguish between autobiography and personal statements, highlight their strengths, articulate their values, and create a narrative that balances vulnerability with professionalism.

Presenter: Anna Beskin, PhD, Director of Faculty and Graduate Research, Office of Research and Graduate Education; Adjunct Professor, English Dept, NYC

Building Collaborative Research Partnerships: Strategies for Grant Success and Enhanced Productivity

Building Collaborative Research Partnerships: Strategies for Grant Success and Enhanced Productivity recording
November 21, 2024

The programmatic research workshop provided faculty with essential tools and strategies for starting and sustaining successful collaborative partnerships, offering practical insights on strengthening grant proposals and achieving innovative research outcomes.

Presenter: Beau Anderson, PhD, Professor and Associate Dean, Allied Health, College of Health Professions, NYC

Maximize Research Funding Opportunities with Pivot: A Guide for Graduate Students

Maximize Research Funding Opportunities with Pivot: A Guide for Graduate Students recording
November 21, 2024

This presentation aimed to help graduate students navigate Pivot, a customizable database designed to streamline the search for research funding and collaboration opportunities, locate grants, refine searches, and utilize advanced tools to enhance their research journey.

Presenter: Nick Epiphaniou, Customer Success Manager, Pivot

Integrating Professional Endeavors into a Research Narratives

Integrating Professional Endeavors into a Research Narratives recording
November 19, 2024

In a session, Joseph Franco guided faculty, especially junior faculty, on how to integrate research with teaching, service, and other professional activities, offering strategies to create a cohesive professional narrative and enhance their academic impact.

Presenter: Joseph Franco, PhD, LMHC, NCC, ACS, Senior Advisor to the Provost & Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs; Professor, Psychology & Mental Health Counseling, Pleasantville

Faculty Lab Presentations: Professor Anthony Mancini

Faculty Lab Presentations: Professor Anthony Mancini recording
November 18, 2024

Professor Mancini's talk explored how individuals can experience improved functioning after various acute stressors, such as bereavement, natural disasters, and military deployment, offering an explanatory framework for understanding when and why such improvements occur.

Presenter: Anthony Mancini, PhD, Professor, Psychology, Dyson College of Arts and Sciences, Pleasantville

A Panel Discussion: Insights and Strategies from Faculty Grant Winners Across Disciplines

A Panel Discussion: Insights and Strategies from Faculty Grant Winners Across Disciplines recording
November 6, 2024

This insightful panel brought together accomplished faculty grant winners from diverse disciplines to share their experiences, offering practical advice and strategies for navigating the grant application process and strengthening proposals.

Presenters: Michelle Chase, PhD, History, Dyson College of Arts and Sciences, Pleasantville, Julie Lawrence-Edsell, MFA, Performing Arts, Sands College of Performing Arts, NYC, Pauline Helen Mosley, PhD, Information Technology, Seidenberg School of CSIS, Pleasantville, Tanya Wiggins, PhD, School of Education, NYC, and Zhan Zhang, PhD, Information Technology, Seidenberg School of CSIS, NYC

PIVOT -RP for Researchers

PIVOT -RP for Researchers recording
October 10, 2024

Pace University has a subscription to the Pivot database. Pivot is a great resource for faculty, staff and students interested in identifying relevant funding opportunities for their research, scholarship, teaching, and creative activities. It is a comprehensive global source of funding opportunities that helps research organizations inform their funding strategies and win a larger share of available funding. It also uses scholarly profiles to match researchers to relevant financial support and provides trusted funding and policy intelligence for strategic planning.

This workshop addressed how to:

  • Access your institutional Pivot-RP system
  • Create and complete your researcher profile, and fine-tune your automated funding recommendations
  • Seek and network with other experts/PIs in your area of research
  • Search for funding opportunities using both basic and advanced search options
  • Set up email alerts to for funding in your field of interest

Faculty Lab Presentations: Showcasing the Seidenberg AI Lab Initiative

Faculty Lab Presentations: Showcasing the Seidenberg AI Lab Initiative recording
October 9, 2024

Christelle Scharff, PhD, presented a fascinating overview of the Seidenberg AI Lab's current research, initiatives, and its vision as a central hub for AI innovation at the Faculty Research Series.

Presenter: Christelle Scharff, PhD, Professor and Associate Dean, Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems, NYC