Photo by Andrew McKeough ’19

The Falvey Scholars Program, established in 2002, is an annual program by Falvey Library and the Center for Research and Fellowships to recognize outstanding undergraduate research. Award winners are selected from candidates nominated by Villanova faculty and reviewed by Library and University staff.

This year, we honor eight students for seven outstanding projects, which reflect the strength of Villanova’s undergraduate research as well as the support the Library provides through its expert staff, copious resources, and welcoming spaces.

We are introducing our scholars and covering their research in their own words. Look for additional coverage of Bronwyn Mogck and her fellow Falvey Scholars in the fall issue of Mosaic.

Congratulations to all of our Falvey Scholars, past and present!

Bronwyn Mogck ’23 CLAS

Title: “Body and Soul in Medicine”

Faculty Mentor: Helena Tomko, PhD, and Angela DiBenedetto, PhD, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Hometown: Simsbury, Conn.

Honors: Honors Program at Villanova, St. Augustine Scholarship at Villanova, SENS Student Research Fellowship, SENS Post Baccalaureate Fellowship, Phi Beta Kappa

Tell me about your research.

In my research project, I describe the historical roots of the concept of the human soul. I begin by showing how, in the modern age, we do not typically respect the idea of the soul, and tend to see people as only their bodies. I argue against the validity of this reductionism, and propose that we return to an older, classical idea that people are both completely their bodies and completely their souls. Once I fully explain these two different viewpoints, I analyze how the current healthcare system would be changed if we started to view the human, once again, as embodied and ensouled.

How did Falvey’s resources, databases, and spaces impact your research?

My thesis is very interdisciplinary, as I read everything from scientific journal articles, to theological doctrine, to fictional stories for the project. I took advantage of the databases to access many scientific and philosophical journal articles, and I even installed Villanova’s remote VPN so I could keep using Falvey online resources in my off-campus apartment. Additionally, I checked out many physical copies of books to read for the thesis, and I referenced previous senior theses that the Library publishes online to help me with formatting and inspiration.

How did the Library’s staff impact your research and academic experience?

The Library staff were incredibly helpful, especially in helping me find books in the physical library and through InterLibrary Loan. I actually came into the Library just a few weeks before a thesis deadline in need of a book that was checked out of Falvey. The librarian helped me request it through InterLibrary Loan so I could read the book and add the material I learned from it to my thesis in time for a pressing draft deadline.

What’s next for you?

I will be conducting biological research in of lab of Chris Wiley, PhD, at the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University. My research will be funded by a Post Baccalaureate Fellowship Grant from the SENS Research Foundation.

Will you continue this research direction or has it inspired you to new research interests?

While my research next year will be far more experimental in nature, my thesis topic is very close to my heart and I hope that I get to return to my research questions later on in my career. I am considering a long term career in the sciences, so I know that my senior project will stay with me on a personal basis. I also hope to use the work I have done this year and submit abstracts to different medical humanities conferences so that I might be able to continue this research in a more professional way.

Shawn Proctor, MFA, is Communication and Marketing Program Manager at Falvey Library.