The new peer-reviewed student journal, the Iona College Journal of Allied Health, hosted its launch party in the Hagerty Room on Oct. 8.

The peer-reviewed journal is exclusive to Iona students and alumni who want to publish their work. The journal focuses on Psychology, Social Work, Speech Language Pathology, Occupational Therapy and Marriage and Family Therapy.

Dr. Jennifer Gerometta is an associate professor in the Speech Communications Studies department and serves as an advisor for the Journal of Allied Health. Gerometta wants students to see the journal as a way to build their writing experience and their confidence.

“The overall goal for this journal is to offer students in the Allied Health disciplines the opportunity to think beyond the classroom writing assignment and publish work they are proud of,” Gerometta said in an email interview.

Several professors act as advisors to the journal and help students with the process of publication in the journal. Students are also able to use resources in the Ryan Library for help with their work.

The first issue of the Journal of Allied Health features the works of three students, two alumni and senior Michael Bruno. Bruno is a psychology and adolescent education double major, and his published work discusses the current screening process for diagnosing individuals on the autism spectrum.

Bruno worked with Dr. Sharon Kennedy-Nolle, who serves as the Articles and Review Editor for the journal. For Bruno, the process of research and editing was rigorous.

“The most difficult part of this process was researching and balancing the [obscure] writing of academic sources with my own emerging views on current ASD screenings’ strengths and weaknesses,” Bruno said in an email interview. “In published ASD academic research, there are many opposing viewpoints, theories and evidence to consider when writing about the subject.”

For students who may feel afraid about having their work edited and reviewed, he recommends staying focused and persevering when the work gets tough.

“Simplify your writing as much as possible to expand your audience and welcome those with little prior knowledge of the topic to the discourse,” Bruno said. “Always follow new avenues of research, and if you find another paper topic along the way, keep it in mind for the future.”

Gerometta also feels that perseverance is an important aspect of the journal and the publication process.

“The opportunity to think big, and to have writing support for authors who have something to say and the drive and persistence to do good work,” Gerometta said.

Several students attended the event, including senior Laura Kandro, a speech pathology and audiology major. Kandro was excited to learn about the opportunity to have her work published during her time at Iona and hopes to do so before she graduates in the spring.

“Just knowing that we have the opportunity to conduct our own research and be able to have so many published professors on our side is amazing,” Kandro said. “Not many people have the resources that we do, especially at the undergraduate level.”

Gerometta encourages students to take advantage of the opportunity to publish their work during their time at Iona.

“We have a supportive review process,” Gerometta said. “There are opportunities to work through your drafts with experts. This kind of support is not common in journal publication, and it is a rewarding experience.”