5 Cool Independent Studies Making a Difference This Summer

This summer, College of Charleston students are engaged in rigorous independent studies that bridge academics with real-world application.

Through faculty-mentored research and experiential learning, they’re exploring complex challenges across disciplines. From crunching sports data to reporting for local news and delving into complex health issues: These projects demonstrate the powerful impact our students are making while also deepening their expertise in their areas of study and empowering them to contribute to their fields before they even graduate.

Here are five independent studies that our students have been conducting this summer!

Turning Data Into a Superpower: Mark Swant’s Sports Statistics Deep Dive

Under the guidance of Jiexiang Li, professor of mathematics, senior statistics major Mark Swant transformed complex data into what Li calls a “real-world superpower.” Inspired by the movie Moneyball and an internship with the College’s baseball team, Swant analyzed actual college baseball performance metrics, such as batting averages and ERAs, to uncover seasonal trends and answer expert-level questions. This intensive study perfectly blends math, communication and ethical research, equipping him for a future career in data science and analytics.

Reporting Live: Joey Izzo’s Journalistic Journey

In his in-depth reporting and writing independent study with Laurie Lattimore-Volkmann from the department of communication, Joey Izzo gained journalistic experience. This independent study teaches the principles of reporting and writing. “It’s very hands-on, meaning I teach the principles of writing and reporting and then send them out to do stories like they were working for a news outlet,” says Lattimore-Volkmann. Thanks to a partnership with The Moultrie News, Izzo was assigned and published four stories in the local paper over the summer.

Jesus Rondon: Unpacking Social Media’s Influence on Athletes

Jesus Rondon, a former College of Charleston soccer player with professional interests in social media marketing, undertook a “super cool project,” according to Amanda Ruth-McSwain, associate professor of communication. Investigating the impact of social media on athletic performance, Rondon’s study underscored both the positive and negative influences of social media on athletes, suggesting that the negative often outweigh the positive.

Rondon’s research found that most participants felt social media created pressure to perform and present a flawless image, leading to psychological and physical issues like anxiety, burnout and mental blocks. It also served as a distraction, taking focus away from competition. Despite athletes already facing high expectations, social media adds another layer that “rejects reality and promotes perfection,” says Rondon, pointing out that the study also identified benefits, such as motivation and inspiration from the sports community, and increased confidence from fan reactions. Ultimately, the study concludes that social media’s impact on athletes is closely connected to individual intentions behind its use.

Paving the Way for Tailored Treatments: Juliet Pantoulis and Alzheimer’s Research

Senior psychology major Juliet Pantoulis is making significant strides with her bachelor’s essay project focusing on gender differences in Alzheimer’s treatment. Collaborating with Dr. Anya Benitez’ Alzheimer’s Research Laboratory at MUSC, Juliet is examining sex differences in the progression of Alzheimer’s disease by analyzing cognitive, structural and biomarker data from individuals with early-stage Alzheimer’s. Her study specifically compares rates of cognitive decline and brain atrophy between men and women. Driven by a personal connection to Alzheimer’s and a growing passion for women’s health, Pantoulis’ work aims to contribute to a better understanding of sex-specific disease mechanisms and support the development of more tailored clinical interventions.

Vincent Bolshoz: Bridging Scholarship and Performance

Senior music major Vincent Bolshoz is combining scholarship and performance in a unique two-semester independent study. Under the mentorship of Kim Sauberlich, assistant professor of musicology, Bolshoz is rehearsing and performing Giacomo Puccini’s opera, La bohème, in Italy. “His original research, which included listening carefully and examining over 30 recordings of La Bohème to inform his performance decisions, has been impressive to me as a music historian,” says Sauberlich, noting that Bolshoz is also writing a research paper on operatic form and historical interpretations of the role he’s singing.

“Studying the opera in depth helped me make stronger choices in rehearsal and understand how Puccini’s music communicates character,” says Bolshoz. The independent study will culminate in a lecture recital in August, blending academic insight with personal performance experience – his final milestone before graduation.