North Columbus News

An injury during high school cross-country led Malicki Diallo, a biomedical engineering major at The Ohio State University, to delve into biomechanics. "I had very bad shin splints, and I found that the shoes that I was wearing and also the way I was running had a large impact on me getting injured," he explained. This interest in biomechanics brought him to present his research at the 30th annual Richard J. and Martha D. Denman Undergraduate Research Forum held at the Ohio Union.

Ohio State President Walter “Ted” Carter Jr. praised the participants: "The Denman students must not only be scholars and researchers, but creators, makers and presenters as well." He added, "You truly embody the mission of Ohio State – to prepare thoughtful, capable leaders in every field of study."

Diallo's research focuses on developing medical equipment for assessing injury risks and prevention across all ages. "With increasing age and neurological disorders, you do see people more susceptible to falling," he noted. His work aims to enhance balance stability through balance-based preparations.

Diallo plans to continue his studies in graduate school while remaining mindful of how various factors can influence injuries: "On the sports side of things, I’m just a lot more cognizant of biomechanics now."

Another research presentation addressed interventions for runaway adolescents with depressive symptoms by Amalia Rodriguez-Giusti, Yvonne Gong, and Natasha Slesnick. Rodriguez-Giusti emphasized the importance of this focus: "Runaway adolescents tend to be a really at-risk group." Her research investigates therapies aimed at reconnecting teens with their families.

"You take the parents or guardians in one individual therapy session... And then you take the adolescents... And then you put them together," she said about her approach.

Maddison McMaken presented her concept titled “Green Roots Market – Innovating Food Systems for Urban Sustainability in Franklinton.” She described it as an initiative targeting food insecurity in Columbus' Franklinton neighborhood by using sustainable hydroponic systems for growing produce locally.

"Green Roots Market is focusing on alleviating food insecurity... by providing fresh, locally grown produce," McMaken stated. The project also includes educational components in gardening and sustainability.

The market aims to offer a multifunctional community space: "They can see it … and learn about how to grow themselves," McMaken concluded.