2025 Research & Creativity Expo Presents Innovative Student Projects
Every year, hundreds of John Jay students come together to share their insightful research. These projects are the culmination of months, if not years, of intense study by the students and invaluable guidance by their faculty mentors. The projects are presented in a variety of formats, such as posters, ePortfolios, panel discussions, PowerPoint presentations, theatrical performances, and art exhibits. “This Expo is the largest annual centralized student showcase within CUNY,” says Bettina Muenster, Assistant Director, Office for Student Research & Creativity. “As far as we know, it also surpasses other university student showcases in breadth and numbers at institutions such as Harvard and Columbia.” This year’s Expo, which runs from April 30th – May 9th, has over 400 students participating, more than 100 faculty members mentoring, and a record number of 19 different programs included. Below are three exemplary examples of our 2025 Research & Creativity Expo presenters.
Briana Moncayo Campoverde ’25
Majors: Anthropology and Latin American & Latinx Studies
Minor: Digital Media and Journalism
Hometown: Brooklyn, NY
Programs: McNair Achievement Program, Percy Ellis Sutton SEEK (Search for Education, Elevation, & Knowledge) Program; CUNY ICORP (Innovative Career Opportunity and Research Program)
Mentor: Anthropology Professor Anru Lee, Ph.D.
Career Aspiration: Professor
What was your research project about?
My yearlong, ethnographic research project investigated the evolution of graffiti from tagging on walls to get one’s name recognized, to its use as art activism. I examined how graffiti is used as an act of resistance and a vehicle for addressing social injustices. My focus was particularly on Bushwick, an urban neighborhood that experienced drastic changes in the economic landscape and racial segregation. I used a collection of artifacts, photographs, and oral histories of graffiti organizations and crews to understand the dynamics of art activism as it relates to graffiti as a political tool.
What surprised you most during your research?
The most surprising finding I encountered was the ranking system within the graffiti crews. It was similar to our government system, yet served different roles. The president made the decisions regarding who tags a wall and how much space they get, among other things. The vice president was the right-hand-man to the president. And, the sergeant-of-arms protected the integrity of the crew. Understanding the chain of command was vital to grasping the social dynamics and hierarchy within the crews.
Andrew Vargas ’25
Major: Toxicology
Minor: Environmental Justice
Hometown: Middletown, NY
Programs: PRISM, Honors Program, Macaulay Honors College, CUNY Immersive Research Experience (CIRE), Ronald E. McNair Scholars Program
Mentors: Vice Provost and Dean of Research, Anthony Carpi, Ph.D.; Biology Professor Nathan Lents, Ph.D.
Career Aspiration: Professor
What was your research project about?
My research aimed to identify the mercury-resistant microbes within soils and determine their contributions to mercury emissions. I recently identified a mercury-reducing gene in soil samples from New York, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and Connecticut. This gene allows bacteria to convert divalent mercury in soils to the chemical state in which it is emitted.
What compelled you to conduct this research?
I’ve always been interested in the impact of the physical environment on human health. Mercury exposure is a major public health concern. By researching the factors that contribute to mercury emissions, I can better understand the problem to inform remediation techniques in sites of great exposure.
Christina Greene ’25
Major: Forensic Psychology
Minor: Writing and Rhetoric
Hometown: Carlstadt, NJ
Program: Life Out Loud
Mentor: Christen Madrazo
Career Aspiration: Mental Health Clinician
What was your research project about?
My project was a story on Life Out Loud called “Dimensions of a Dad.” The work details the impact of mental illness on my family. The essay won the Vertical Writing Program’s “Best Memoir or Personal Essay” award and the English department’s “Patricia Licklider Award for Best Work of Nonfiction.” I’m excited to say that it will also be featured in John Jay’s Finest in the spring.
What do you hope people learn from your research?
I hope people consider studying rhetoric because the knowledge to construct and deconstruct a message is empowering. Additionally, I want others to understand that telling our own stories is a matter of equity. Making sure no one’s story goes missing or gets retold inaccurately is one way to be a fierce advocate for justice. Historically, the stories of the most powerful tend to outlive those of the more vulnerable. Through my project, I was able to control the narrative around my family’s experience with mental illness. There’s a ton of research, data, and information on the subject, but we all deserve the chance to share our own lived experiences, to make it art, and to craft it into what we want to share with the wider world.
