HARRISBURG, PA – Welcome to your February 2025 Harrisburg University of Science and Technology (HU) Research Roundup! Our talented faculty have been busy presenting at conferences, publishing boundary-pushing research, and building fruitful partnerships with other schools, agencies, and organizations. It’s been another great month for research and recognition at HU, so let’s get to it!
1. Erin Buchanan Publishes Large-Scale Research Study in Nature Human Behaviour
Erin M. Buchanan, Ph.D., Professor of Cognitive Analytics, has contributed to a large-scale, collaborative study recently published in Nature Human Behaviour. The paper, “Predicting the Replicability of Social and Behavioural Science Claims in COVID-19 Preprints,” investigates the reliability of early-stage COVID-19 research and examines whether structured expert predictions can help assess scientific claims before formal peer review. The study is part of the “big team science” movement, which seeks to bring together researchers from across disciplines to improve research credibility and replicability.
Dr. Buchanan, along with HU students Alexa R. Schlyfestone and Raquel Huggins, joined an international team of scholars to assess the replicability of 100 claims from COVID-19 preprints. Preprints are research papers or scientific studies that have been publicly shared before undergoing formal peer review and publication in a scientific journal. Preprints are typically uploaded to online repositories to rapidly disseminate findings, especially in fast-moving fields like COVID-19 research.
The team conducted 29 new high-powered replication studies and analyzed how different groups – ranging from experienced researchers to those with less methodological training – made predictions about which findings would hold up under scrutiny. Surprisingly, the study found no significant difference in prediction accuracy between the two groups, suggesting that even those with limited formal expertise can contribute meaningfully to evaluating scientific claims when following a structured process.
“This research highlights the importance of structured evaluation in assessing the reliability of fast-moving scientific claims,” noted Dr. Buchanan. “It’s particularly exciting to see how collaborative efforts, including contributions from students, can advance our understanding of research credibility in times of crisis.”
2. Tonya Miller and Lori Portzer Publish Research on Health Empowerment
Tonya Miller, PT, DPT, Ph.D., Program Lead for Physical Therapy, and Lori Portzer, Ph.D., ACSM-EP, have published a new research study in Journal of Social Distress and Homelessness entitled, “EMPOWER: Educating Movement and Physical Activity Opportunities for Women Experiencing Residence Insecurity.”
The study explored how a short-term physical activity education program could improve health and empowerment for women and individuals assigned female at birth (AFAB) who are experiencing housing insecurity. The program took place in shelters around the Greater Harrisburg area; over four weeks, participants attended one-hour sessions each week, which combined education about physical activity with a brief exercise routine.
To measure the program’s impact, participants completed two surveys: one assessing their overall health before and after the program, and another tracking their sense of empowerment in exercise after each session. The results showed a significant improvement in how participants rated their general health by the end of the program. Additionally, their confidence and sense of empowerment in physical activity increased from the first to the last session.
“This work highlights the critical intersection of physical activity, public health, and social equity,” said Dr. Portzer. “By exploring barriers to movement and exercise among women facing housing instability, our research underscores the importance of inclusive, accessible fitness interventions that promote well-being for all.”
The findings suggest that even a short, structured program can help women facing housing insecurity feel more empowered to engage in physical activity and perceive their health more positively. Offering such programs in shelters may be a valuable way to support overall well-being. Other takeaways included:
- Confirming the transformative role of physical activity in mental and physical resilience for vulnerable populations.
- Underscoring the importance of understanding challenges and barriers that limit access to structured exercise opportunities.
- Helping to identify strategies to bridge gaps in community health initiatives through education and outreach.
“This publication represents a collaborative effort to drive change, inform policy, and advocate for equity in health and wellness,” added Dr. Portzer. “I welcome discussions on how we can further advance these efforts as we learn more about how to effectively integrate movement opportunities for underserved populations in our communities.”
3. Jen Mowery Publishes New Article in Greenhouse Grower
Jen Mowery, M.Ed., Instructor of Agile Methodologies and Project Management, has published a new article in Greenhouse Grower entitled, “Scaling Your Greenhouse Operation With Lean and Systems Thinking.” Professor Mowery is a regular contributor to Greenhouse Grower; her previous articles include, “The Need for Agile Project Managers in Greenhouse Floriculture” and “How to Cultivate Customer-Centric Greenhouse Operations.”
For small greenhouse growers, expanding operations is both an exciting opportunity and a complex challenge. Scaling up operations isn’t just about adding more plants or increasing square footage; it requires careful coordination, maintaining quality, and ensuring that the team stays aligned as the business grows. Without the right approach, bottlenecks, miscommunication, and inefficiencies can hinder progress.
Professor Mowery noted, “This article explores how Agile Lean principles and systems thinking – two strategies commonly used in enterprise scaling – can help greenhouse businesses grow efficiently while preserving what makes them successful. By viewing operations as an interconnected system, from planting schedules to marketing and distribution, growers can build a strong foundation for sustainable expansion. I think conversations like this one capture several areas where HU truly excels: project management, reinventing agriculture through controlled-environment growing, and the importance of engaging in cross-discipline collaboration in solving real-world problems.”
You can read all of Professor Mowery’s articles in Greenhouse Grower here. For a look at how Harrisburg University is reinventing agriculture – with the goal of addressing food insecurity in Central PA and beyond – visit the HU Aquaponics Team here. Want to grow your own career in agricultural and environmental science or sustainability? Start a conversation with the Environmental Science academic team or HU Admissions today.
4. XR Taskforce Delivers Immersive Tech Demo at ELO & EMPOWER Conference
Representatives from the Harrisburg University XR Taskforce recently delivered an exciting learning session and technology demo at the 2025 ELO & EMPOWER Pennsylvania Out-of-School-Time Conference.
The three-hour session, entitled, “Immersive Science Classroom: Enhancing STEM Learning with AI and XR,” was delivered by HU Professors Jen Mowery and Matthew Rissler, and HU undergrad Martin Johnson (Advanced Manufacturing student and XR Taskforce Ambassador), with support from Dr. Rachel Fogle, Program Lead for Environmental Science, and the HU Career Services & Experiential Learning Team.
XR refers to “extended reality” technology, encompassing augmented reality (AR), mixed reality (MR), and virtual reality (VR).
In this hands-on session, attendees entered an ENGAGE Virtual Science Classroom, where AI-driven teacher avatars and interactive simulations create an engaging approach to teaching grade-school science. Participants explored AI-powered instructional tools, experienced VR headsets firsthand, and interacted with XR learning modules that simplify complex STEM concepts and make them more exciting for students. Attendees:
- Discovered how AI can enhance personalized STEM learning.
- Engaged with VR-based science lessons designed to boost student interest and comprehension.
- Learned effective strategies for integrating immersive technology into OST (out-of-school-time) programs.
- Gained insights into certification opportunities in immersive learning technologies.
- Explored dual-enrollment pathways at Harrisburg University for aspiring STEM students.
“It was amazing to see educators light up as they explored XR and AI for out-of-school programs,” recalls Professor Mowery. “Immersive technology is transforming education, and our new certificate program is here to help them bring it to life.”
To find out how you can elevate your career in STEM or learn how to integrate the latest technologies into your classroom or workplace, reach out to the Harrisburg University Professional Development Team today!
ABOUT HARRISBURG UNIVERSITY
Harrisburg University was recently recognized by US News & World Report as one of the nation’s most innovative colleges. HU is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and is a private, nonprofit university offering bachelor’s and graduate degree programs in the fields of science, technology, and mathematics. For additional information about HU’s affordable, demand-driven undergraduate and graduate programs, please call 717.901.5146 or email Connect@HarrisburgU.edu. Stay updated by following Harrisburg University on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and X (Twitter).
