Misericordia University students enrolled in the weekday occupational therapy master's degree program recently received their pins and presented their group research projects during the annual Graduate Research Presentation Conference in Sandy and Marlene Insalaco Hall on the campus in Dallas.

Local students included Melanie Clabia of Weatherly and Deborah Keys of Jim Thorpe.The collaborative research projects are closely mentored by faculty and are a requirement of the occupational therapy master's degree curriculum. Students began their projects more than 18 months ago. Students received permission to conduct their studies from the Misericordia University Institutional Review Board and then wrote the research proposals, collected data, analyzed data, and wrote the final reports.Students presented their findings by delivering 20-minute presentations on their research topics by using either a poster or podium format.The students will receive their undergraduate and master's degrees at the 89th annual commencement ceremony on May 16.Misericordia University occupational therapy students are encouraged by their professors to also present their studies at professional conferences.Some of the studies may be published in professional literature.