HARRISBURG, PA — On March 24, 2026, Harrisburg University of Science and Technology (HU) student Jamal Ghazi ’26 presented his research at the Undergraduate Research at the Capitol Poster Conference (URC-PA), an annual event held at the Pennsylvania State Capitol in Harrisburg. The event brings together undergraduate students from across the Commonwealth to share their research with legislators, policymakers, and their fellow scholars.
A Biology major, Jamal presented original research entitled, “Impact of Exam Stress on Cortisol Levels and Macronutrient Intake in College Students.” Cortisol is a biological marker for stress that spikes during perceived stress, with long-term spikes having extreme impacts on cognitive awareness and memory. Jamal’s research examines how these stress responses may influence students’ nutrition and overall well-being.
“My interest in nutrition inspired me to choose this topic. I did a poster in the past, around my sophomore or junior year, where I talked about macronutrients (proteins, lipids, carbohydrates), and their effects on health and wellness. It was a small awareness project, and I even created characters as mascots to help communicate the message.”
The research also highlights broader real-world factors influencing health: particularly, access to nutritious food. Jamal emphasized that what people eat can significantly impact wellness, but access to healthy food options is not always equal.
“In areas like the city, food insecurity is common because there are no supermarkets that offer fresh produce or more options for students and the local Harrisburg community. This pilot study showed that eating does have an impact on our bodies’ ability to develop hormones, which can have a major impact on your day-to-day life.”
At the Capitol, Jamal joined students from across Pennsylvania in presenting research during a day when both the House and Senate were in session. The experience provided a unique opportunity to engage with policymakers, communicate the significance of his findings, and gain exposure to a wide range of academic work from peers across disciplines.
“Representing HU and this research at the Capitol was an incredible experience. It gave me the opportunity to clearly communicate the significance of my data while also learning from other students’ work. Seeing such a wide range of research topics broadened my perspective and sparked interest in areas I may want to explore in the future. I would not have been able to accomplish this without the support of my faculty mentors, Dr. Natasha Clarke and Dr. Dana Harriger, whose guidance and feedback throughout the process greatly strengthened the overall project.”
Experiences like URC-PA are designed to connect undergraduate students with policymakers and provide opportunities to share academic work in a public, civic setting. The event also allows students to engage with peers and demonstrate how research conducted in academic settings can contribute to broader conversations.
Dr. Dana Harriger, Department Chair and Associate Professor of Biology at HU, and one of Jamal’s faculty mentors, emphasized the importance of these experiences in student development.
“Undergraduate research experiences such as URC are where students are able to communicate and interact with various audiences regarding their research. They see how their research fits into the larger puzzle; it changes how they view themselves and truly experience the transition from learning about science to actively participating in science. They begin to see themselves as contributors to their fields.”
Jamal encourages students who are new to research to start by exploring their interests and building from there:
“Immerse yourself in the background research and approach the methodology with passion and curiosity. Research is more than just collecting data; it’s about opportunity to ask meaningful questions, challenge assumptions, and contribute to something greater than yourself. Stay curious, stay persistent, and never underestimate the impact your work can have on the world.”
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ABOUT HARRISBURG UNIVERSITY
Harrisburg University of Science & Technology (HU) is an independent, nonprofit university offering degrees in advanced manufacturing, engineering, robotics, nursing, cybersecurity, and other critical fields. Accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, HU serves a diverse student body through bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs that link learning and research with practical applications. For information about HU’s affordable STEM degrees and professional development programs, call 717.901.5146 or email Connect@HarrisburgU.edu. Stay in the know by following Harrisburg University on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.
MEDIA CONTACT
Do you have questions about this story? Interested in lining up an interview? Please contact Dan Wilhelm, Communications Manager for Harrisburg University of Science & Technology, at DWilhelm@HarrisburgU.edu or 717.901.5100×1724.
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