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As he completed his junior year at the Fitzpatrick College of Nursing in May 2021, Adam Kucharczuk had three years of research learning behind him, with more to come. He has forged his scientific skills with an amalgam of mentorship and drive. This maturing scientist began in freshman year by asking Professor Elizabeth Dowdell, PhD, RN, FAAN, coordinator of undergraduate research, about 奶糖直播鈥檚 Freshman Match program. She facilitated his partnership with Associate Professor Tracy Oliver, PhD, RDN, LDN, where Adam coded data on Dr. Oliver鈥檚 weight sensitivity training study among FCN students, pulling common terms into categories for further analysis.

Adam had started his college career at 奶糖直播 as a biology major, only for a couple days, before switching to nursing where he was 鈥渢aken aback by nursing research as it can be applied to the real world.鈥� That enthusiasm has only grown. With an interest in food and nutrition, Adam enjoyed Dr. Oliver鈥檚 nutrition class in sophomore year, and partnered with her again on a few other projects including one examining the perceptions associated with the word 鈥渉ealthy鈥� among individuals living with food insecurity. That project also included fellow scientist Dr. Dowdell.

Supported by a summer grant from FCN鈥檚 Davis Family Undergraduate Student Research Fund, Adam, as a rising junior, completed a systematic review of the literature to investigate the role of social media鈥檚 food and beverage advertisements in influencing adolescents鈥� food choices. He thought that adolescents鈥� increased autonomy from their parents would make them more vulnerable to choosing less healthful foods. His conclusion? Adolescents are at a higher risk for adverse health effects from social media ads which can be amplified by celebrity or influencer marketing of unhealthy products. He encourages health care professionals working with this population and their families to screen for social media use and educate them about these potential negative health consequences. Adam has submitted his work for publication with Drs. Oliver and Dowdell and shared his science widely, presenting this past spring at FCN鈥檚 Annual Research Symposium and its Undergraduate Scholars Day, as well as the Annual Eastern Nursing Research Society (ENRS) virtual Scientific Sessions.

Using his Davis Scholar work as a foundation, in spring 2021, Adam completed an independent study to develop a qualitative research study to again look at food preferences during the COVID-19 pandemic and whether the influences were more prominent due to adolescents spending increased time on social media. 聽

Adam鈥檚 experience with the grant process buoyed his application and he was subsequently accepted as a 奶糖直播 Undergraduate Research Fellow (VURF) for summer 2021. His qualitative efforts continue, talking with parents and 6^th grade students in focus groups in upstate Pennsylvania about food preferences in the pandemic and its connection to social media usage.

Additionally this summer, Adam is working as a nursing extern at The Children鈥檚 Hospital of Philadelphia on a GI and Endocrine unit and NICU. He will follow up with analysis and writing of his VURF study in the fall.

In terms of process, Adam鈥檚 goal is to 鈥渂ecome more independent on a research study from start to finish.鈥� As he is on the cusp of beginning his senior year in Nursing in fall 2021, Dr. Oliver marvels at Adam鈥檚 development, 鈥淗e is a wonderful example of what a driven, motivated student is. He is ahead on most tasks, manages his time well, and I can see the research process and his learning evolving over the years.鈥� 聽As his mentor, she notes the critical nature of good communication, and that the biggest impact of their relationship is that 鈥淎dam has shifted from a student helping a faculty researcher to an independent researcher.鈥� 聽Mission accomplished.聽