Psychology major seniors Quinn Coughlin and Olivia Mancabelli and sociology major sophomore Drew O’Neil (pictured above) are conducting research this semester with adjunct professor of anthropology Kristi Krumrine on a local cemetery. They are transcribing records in order to explore the historical significance behind them (Catherine White/Editor-in-Chief).
Three students have been working alongside adjunct professor of anthropology Kristi Krumrine in a directed study at Mount Hope Cemetery, a 19th century historical area in Rochester, NY.
Each of the student researchers—psychology major senior Quinn Coughlin, psychology major senior Olivia Mancabelli and sociology major sophomore Drew O’Neil—focuses on a different area of study.
O’Neil addressed the importance of transcriptions that each of the researchers use as a foundation for their records and for an informational source.
“We’re all looking at Mount Hope Cemetery records … we’re transcribing the records. So, it’ll give you the name of the person, the day they died, their age and everything,” O’Neil said. “I’m looking at the cause of death. [The record] also gives you where they lived … we’re all just using the records for different purposes.”
O’Neil chose to examine waterborne illnesses on the 19th century records. A waterborne illness or disease is caused by drinking dirty or contaminated water, according to VesterGaard. O’Neil’s main objective is to inquire about a “decrease in waterborne diseases after the introduction [of Hemlock Lake]” in 1876.
In addition to the research on waterborne diseases that O’Neil has spent her time studying, Mancabelli follows her passion in studying nutritional illnesses and malnutrition in both children and adults.
“I am researching nutritional illnesses and malnutrition in children and older adults to see how diseases and nutrition have changed over time … I’m focusing on and then kind of branching off [of the particular disease called] Marasmus, which means there’s been a protein deficiency, and the child has disformed bones because of it,” Mancabelli said.
“[Children are] dying off because they’re not getting enough protein to grow and develop as a child … And then you see it on the complete opposite side of the spectrum where it’s older adults who are in their 60s to their 80s and [they’re dying off because] they’re not getting adequate protein … back in the [late] 19th century, [to] early 20th century, there wasn’t adequate food for people.”
The commonality between each of the students’ research topics is nutrition and disease originating in the 1870s. Coughlin, Mancabelli and O’Neil are now finished with transcribing their records and are in the process of constructing displays of their findings.
“We’re all presenting at G.R.E.A.T. Day, and we’re working on our posters now because we’re done transcribing,” O’ Neill said. “We’re just looking at finalizing our five things.”
In April, Geneseo students will have the opportunity to learn about the researchers’ findings and possibly choose to do a directed study with a professor. Mancabelli expressed her gratitude for having the opportunity to conduct fascinating research. She recommends that younger students participate in a directed study with a professor.
“Working with any professor, regardless of your major is huge. Especially if it’s a subject you’re passionate about, whether it’s your major, or it’s not your major and it’s just something you’re interested in,” Mancabelli said. “Being able to do a directed study and having a professor help you … dive more into your field of study for the future is huge … I think [it is] something every student should definitely take the opportunity to do.”