By Katie DuBoff

Jordan Lamb, a first-year student from the Scranton area, has been awarded a Clare Boothe Luce research award from the Southeastern Pennsylvania Consortium for Higher Education (SEPCHE) as part of the Clare Boothe Luce Scholars Women in STEM Program. Jordan is one of four students from SEPCHE schools to be awarded the grant.

Since its founding in 1989, the Clare Boothe Luce (CBL) Program has been one of the most significant sources of support for women seeking to study or teach science, engineering, and mathematics. 

Each year in January, faculty may nominate highly qualified female first-year students considering or declaring a major in Chemistry, Mathematics, Math Education or Computer Science. The grant provides an annual summer research internship to work with approved faculty research projects.  

The title of Jordan’s study is: A Meta Analysis of The Rates of Comorbid Psychiatric Disorders with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). 

Her project will examine rates of comorbidity with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and other psychiatric disorders, including but not limited to Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and various anxiety disorders. Through this research, she will evaluate some of the differences in symptomology across comorbidities, the prevalence of these, and potential impacts of comorbidities on treatment of ASD. The objective of the project is to develop a mathematical analysis of the relationships specified. 

“Autism research has always been very interesting to me, and I wanted to explore it more,” she said. “I am honored and grateful for this award, which will empower me to broaden my learning and delve into new areas of exploration.” 

Jordan will conduct her study over the summer, culminating in a final report due in August. She is also required to attend two colloquia to interact with other researchers and share information projects; present her findings at a virtual poster presentation in October; and present her findings at the annual SEPCHE Honors Conference in March 2025. 

Dennis Perkinson, associate professor of mathematics, will serve as Jordan’s faculty mentor. 

“Jordan is an accomplished, gifted math education major who is a credit to both herself and to Rosemont College.” said Perkinson. “I’m certain she will complete this research project with the same tenacity and enthusiasm she brings to the classroom. My one regret about retiring at the end of this academic year is that I will no longer have the opportunity to work with Jordan as she continues her study of mathematics.”  

Lamb, a math major with secondary education certification and a member of the Honor’s Program, aspires to be a high school math teacher.  

“Math is an art form; I love it because it’s a way to describe anything,” she said. “The universe is built on math, and it’s everywhere, making up everything. Math is in art; math is in language; it is so vast that it allows for practically infinite ways to study. I like learning math to apply it, and understand how it applies to other disciplines, because it gives you a greater appreciation of why math matters. It’s not just about memorizing a formula.”

“Future students who have the opportunity to have her as a teacher will find in Jordan a rare and enlightening gem; a teacher who will make an indelible imprint on their lives,” added Perkinson.  

In her first year at Rosemont, Jordan has become actively involved in many campus organizations such a singer at weekly Mass with Campus Ministry and Petaltones, secretary of Rainbows and Roses, and she will serve as treasurer of Jest and Gesture starting in the fall. Jordan is also a calculus tutor with the Student Academic Success Center and was honored with the Outstanding Tutor of the Year Award during Founder’s Week. 

“I love Rosemont’s small community,” she said. “At Rosemont, you have the power to take your education into your own hands, connect with your professors, and explore more than you can in other settings. You really get to take initiative in your learning.”