Kent State University at Trumbull graduating senior Jasmine Hickey recently earned regional recognition with an Outstanding Paper and Creative Work award. The 2021 Mid-East Honors Association (MEHA) conference included more than 20 colleges and universities representing Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, and Pennsylvania.
Hickey's research and poster “Smoke & Mirrors: Are Electronic Nicotine Delivery System (ENDS) Products Being Marketed to Influence Late Adolescents and Young Adults?” ranked second in the Outstanding Poster category. She also won Kent State Trumbull's recent Student Showcase for Research, Scholarship & Creativity for the same poster and finished second in the nursing category for Kent State’s Undergraduate Symposium on Research, Scholarship and Creative Endeavors.
Hickey, a 2017 graduate of Bristol High School and Trumbull Career & Technical Center, feels the research is important because many students her age and younger are regular users of vaping devices.
“Examining this as a nursing student, I wanted to provide education on health risks related to nicotine use and the negative impact that misleading product marketing can have on a patient’s health,” Hickey said. “Vape stores are everywhere, and I wanted to share my research to encourage young adults to know the risks.”
Alice Colwell, associate lecturer, Kent State Trumbull’s Nursing Program, served as Hickey’s faculty mentor during the research.
“We encourage our students to perform research that’s relevant and topical," Cowell said. "Our nursing faculty is so proud of Jasmine (Hickey). She has been an exemplary student throughout her time on campus and this recognition is much deserved."
Every year, Dr. Mary Russell, associate professor, Biological Sciences, and coordinator of the Kent State Trumbull Honors Program and Student Showcase for Research, Scholarship & Creativity, encourages Kent State Trumbull's students to get involved and make the most of their college experience through research. However, Kent State Trumbull students reaching these levels during this last year of COVID, makes it even more meaningful.
"Jasmine's award shows how our Trumbull students are taking great strides," Dr. Russell said. "Jasmine and all the students who submitted posters worked hard and overcame so many pandemic-related obstacles. We are so proud."
Hickey will graduate on Saturday, May 15 with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and will be working at Akron Children's Hospital Mahoning Valley.