Academic Projects
past honors contracts
Fall 2024-present (each semester)
As a Bepko Scholar, I have participated in 4 honors contracts (attached below) that are relevant to my radiation therapy degree. These contracts are specialized academic projects that allow students to engage in independent or advanced study beyond the standard course requirements. These contracts are designed to encourage critical thinking, research, and community contribution, providing an opportunity to explore topics in depth while working closely with professors.
Review of my Sister's Keeper
Fall 2024
For this Honors Contract, I will be watching a movie called “My Sister’s Keeper” which explains the story of a young teenage girl, Anna Fitzgerald, who was born for the sole reason of being a genetic match to save her older sister, Kate Fitzgerald. I will get to see the behind the scenes of what Kate’s treatment schedule looks like, what her treatment care looks like and what Kate, Anna and her entire family has to go through as a diagnosis of leukemia can turn anyone’s world around. After watching this movie, my professor – Maria Walker – gave me a list of questions and I wrote an essay reflecting on the different aspects of the movie including the family dynamics and the variety of ethical issues that are shown.
RT Brochure
Spring 2025
For my Honors Contract, I will create a patient friendly educational resource in the form of a brochure or pamphlet to explain radiation therapy, its processes, the people involved within the patient’s care, and radiation techniques. This resource will have a general section for all cancers as well as separate special instructions related to breast, pelvis/prostate, head and neck and bone metastases cancers to know before treatment. At the end of this pamphlet, I will include information about follow-up appointments, potential side effects, skin care instructions for after treatment. As this is a career field and overall process that is not well known, this pamphlet will be a usable resource that has the potential of addressing common patient/family concerns or any related questions at its conclusion.
RT EPortfolio
Fall 2025
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Spring 2026
For my Honors project this Fall, I will be completing a professional ePortfolio as I am moving into my senior year for my radiation therapy program. This ePortfolio will be an ideal project for an honors experience as it will allow me to showcase my academic, clinical, and professional growth throughout my education. I will be able to highlight my competencies in clinical settings, my technical skills, as well as my participation in a retrospective research study, service learning, professional development and additional honors contracts within the IUPUI Honors College in an organized manner.
Beyond just a documentation tool, this will demonstrate my achievements, growth, and readiness to transition into a full-time professional practice.
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Retrospective Research Project
Study Title: Evaluating the Impact of the Audio-Visual Assisted Therapeutic Ambience in Radiotherapy (AVATAR) System Versus Anesthesia for Motion Management in Pediatric Patients with Wilms’ Tumor Undergoing Radiation Therapy
Primary Objective: The primary objective of this study is to evaluate whether the AVATAR system is effective in minimizing intrafraction motion to a level comparable to the use of anesthesia. The secondary objective is to determine whether imaging and treatment times differ between patients managed with the AVATAR system versus anesthesia. This will include analysis of overall treatment time and the number of verification images that are obtained after the initial setup imaging is approved.