Bilingual Language Access and Outcomes Lab (BLAO)

Healthcare Interpretation and Miscommunication Among People with Limited English Proficiency

The lab reviews how hospitals handle patients who speak limited English. The student examined literature showing over 25 million Americans have limited English, that about one third of hospitals lack interpreter services, and identified barriers that lead to delayed care and errors.

From the Spring 2025 UF Undergraduate Research Symposium · abstract book, p. 434

Cultural Influences on Pain Perception and Management

The lab studies how culture, language, and race affect how people report and receive pain treatment. They review literature and conduct a survey of patients with limited English proficiency to see how pain is assessed and treated differently.

From the Spring 2025 UF Undergraduate Research Symposium · abstract book, p. 432

Project Exploring the Impacts of Language and Cultural Barriers on the Underdiagnosis of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder among Bosnian Immigrants in the United S

The lab investigates how language and cultural differences make PTSD harder to diagnose in Bosnian immigrants. The student helped design Bosnian‑language surveys and analyze responses to identify factors that limit diagnosis and suggest ways to improve care.

From the Spring 2025 UF Undergraduate Research Symposium · abstract book, p. 412

Project Transforming Attitudes: The Role of Interprofessional Education in Enhancing Speech-language Pathologist and Board-certified Behaviour Analyst Collabora

The lab examines how speech‑language pathologists and behavior analysts feel about each other's work and whether a short joint education session can improve those attitudes. The student will collect survey data before and after the session to assess changes.

From the Spring 2025 UF Undergraduate Research Symposium · abstract book, p. 409

Fatal Disconnect: The Alarming Reality of Women’s Underrepresented Risk in Cardiovascular Emergencies and CPR Training

A literature review and a Qualtrics survey of CPR‑certified individuals were used to identify gaps such as lack of female mannequins and training, noting that about 60% of Black women aged 20 and older have cardiovascular disease, which contributes to higher female mortality in cardiac emergencies.

From the Spring 2025 UF Undergraduate Research Symposium · abstract book, p. 255

A Survey Analysis of Healthcare Communication: Assessing the Impact of Bilingual Providers vs. Interpreters on Patient Experience

The lab collects survey data from Spanish‑speaking patients and doctors to see if talking directly with a Spanish‑speaking doctor is better than using an interpreter. It measures patient satisfaction, trust, and treatment follow‑up.

From the Spring 2025 UF Undergraduate Research Symposium · abstract book, p. 238

Unsafe at Work: Exploring the Public Health Crisis Among Immigrant Workers in the United States

The study reviews research and surveys immigrant workers about how well they understand safety information, finding higher fatality rates and gaps in training. The student helped collect articles, design the Qualtrics survey, and summarize the literature.

From the Spring 2025 UF Undergraduate Research Symposium · abstract book, p. 235

Sound Strategies: How Music Enhances Problem Solving, Memory, and Focus for College Students

The lab will review research on how different music genres, rhythms, and tempos affect college students' concentration, memory recall, and problem‑solving, and will assess whether personalized study playlists help or distract them.

From the Spring 2025 UF Undergraduate Research Symposium · abstract book, p. 197

Disparities in Language Intervention Strategies for Bilinguals who Present Down Syndrome

The review looks at how speech therapists help children with Down Syndrome who speak two languages. Students gather research, compare methods, and suggest better ways to support these kids.

From the Spring 2025 UF Undergraduate Research Symposium · abstract book, p. 171

Colonization, Carbs, and Cardiac Arrest: The Native American Health Crisis

This project reviews how food shortages in Native American communities contribute to diabetes and heart disease. Students gather data from online databases and analyze the link between diet, health, and government support.

From the Spring 2025 UF Undergraduate Research Symposium · abstract book, p. 148

Healing Across Cultures: Navigating Haitian Healthcare by Addressing Cultural Beliefs and Health Impacts

The lab reviews research on Haitian cultural beliefs and language barriers that limit healthcare access, summarizing findings to help providers deliver more equitable care. The student gathered and analyzed articles from scholarly databases.

From the Spring 2025 UF Undergraduate Research Symposium · abstract book, p. 136

Harmonizing Healing: Music and Cognitive Rehabilitation

The study explores whether listening to or playing music helps people recover thinking skills after a stroke. Students review research papers and survey patients to see if music can boost brain recovery and mood.

From the Spring 2025 UF Undergraduate Research Symposium · abstract book, p. 130

A Comprehensive Literature Review of Vowel and Consonant Differences in Irish-English and General American English Dialects

The lab reviews research on how Irish and American English sound different. The student read studies, compared recorded speech samples, and summarized how vowel and consonant sounds vary between the two dialects.

From the Spring 2025 UF Undergraduate Research Symposium · abstract book, p. 109

Bridging the Sound Gap: The Impact of Hearing Loops on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) Communities and the Barriers to Their Implementation in the U.S.

The project reviews research on hearing‑loop systems that send sound directly to compatible hearing aids, examines why they are rare in U.S. public spaces, and discusses social and health effects. The student gathered and organized the literature and data.

From the Spring 2025 UF Undergraduate Research Symposium · abstract book, p. 105

Menstrual (Period) Poverty: A Public Health Crisis Impacting Underserved Communities

The lab studies how lack of menstrual products hurts education and health in low‑income groups. Students review literature and survey people to find solutions.

From the Spring 2025 UF Undergraduate Research Symposium · abstract book, p. 86