April 16, 2026
On Tuesday, April 14, students from the Tobin College of Business at St. John’s University in Queens, NY joined peers from across the university to present their work at a university-wide research symposium. The event showcased a wide range of student-led projects, highlighting both academic rigor and real-world relevance. For many Tobin students—several in their first year—the symposium offered an early opportunity to explore complex issues, collaborate with faculty mentors, and grow as emerging scholars.
A number of the first-year presenters participated through the First Year Research Opportunity (FYRO) program, directed by Mary O’Shea of the Center for Student Success. Designed to introduce students to research early in their academic careers, FYRO helps ignite a “fyre” for inquiry, analysis, and discovery. Through mentorship and hands-on experience, students are encouraged to explore meaningful topics and develop foundational research skills. Tobin’s delegation also included upperclassmen who have continued their research journeys beyond FYRO, partnering closely with faculty on more advanced, specialized projects.
Among the presenters was Hope Polishan, a first-year Finance major working with Dan Napolitano from the Dean’s Office. Her research examined how social pressures in the fashion and beauty industries financially impact young women. She shared that the experience helped her apply classroom economics concepts to a real-world issue affecting her peers. As a next step, she hopes to survey St. John’s female students to better understand these pressures on campus.
Working together under the guidance of Professor Rachel Atkins (Economics), first-year students Alay Burgess-Rocker (Actuarial Science) and Sean Ochoa (Economics) explored different dimensions of racial equity in entrepreneurship. Alay focused on how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted racial equity in entrepreneurial spaces, noting, “This experience showed me how engaging and enjoyable research can be.” Sean examined racial equity in technological entrepreneurship, emphasizing how systemic barriers influence outcomes; he reflected, “Presenting this research strengthened my analytical skills and confidence in working with data.” Together, their work highlighted the importance of equitable economic policy and the value of research in understanding disparities in business environments.
Also presenting under Dan Napolitano’s guidance was Ryan Huauya Flores, a first-year Accounting major. His research focused on how fears surrounding financial independence affect students. He explained that the project strengthened his budgeting, analytical, and decision-making skills—tools he sees as essential for his future career. He hopes to expand his research by surveying students about financial stress and its impact on academic and career decisions.
From outside Tobin, Lizeth Campos, a first-year Psychology major advised by the Dean’s Office, presented research on mental health in homeless communities, comparing data from Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the mainland United States. She noted that the experience strengthened her data analysis skills and reinforced the importance of ongoing research in improving psychological care. She plans to further investigate accessible and affordable treatment options for these populations.
Loreal Cruz, a junior International Management major mentored by Dr. William Reisel (GLOBE), presented research on how social enterprises can support financial sustainability in underfunded Indigenous schools in Ecuador. Through this work, she enhanced her critical thinking and data analysis skills. She plans to return to Ecuador to conduct interviews with local artisans and explore how social enterprise models could be implemented within their communities.
Finally, Katheryn Peloquin, a senior Economics major working with Professor Rachel Atkins, examined how shifts in U.S. immigration patterns affect wages and labor markets. She viewed the symposium as an opportunity to share her research and connect with others in the field, and she aims to deepen her work through advanced econometric tools and expanded data access.
Together, these students exemplify the intellectual curiosity and initiative fostered within the Tobin College of Business. Their participation in the symposium underscored the value of undergraduate research as a foundation for future academic and professional success.