Catalysts of Change
Ideas Shaping Tomorrow
Volume 2, Issue 1 — July 2026
Published July 2026
ISSN: 3069-8200
The Princeton Journal of Interdisciplinary Research (PJIR) proudly presents its third issue, Catalyst of Change, continuing the journal's commitment to showcasing exceptional interdisciplinary scholarship from undergraduate and early-career researchers around the world.
This issue reflects the transformative power of research to challenge assumptions, advance understanding, and inspire meaningful change across disciplines. Catalyst of Change brings together an exceptional collection of papers spanning fields including artificial intelligence, molecular biology, psychology, environmental science, public policy, law, economics, history, philosophy, literature, art history, biomedical engineering, cybersecurity, aerospace engineering, and global development. Together, these contributions demonstrate how today's most pressing questions are increasingly addressed through interdisciplinary perspectives and innovative approaches.
This issue also highlights the truly global nature of student research. The published papers represent student researchers from institutions around the world, including Phillips Academy, Northeastern University, Dartmouth College, Pennsylvania State University, Harvard Graduate School of Education, and many other leading secondary schools and universities across North America, Europe, Asia, and beyond.
In recognition of outstanding scholarly contributions, Catalyst of Change presents two Best Paper Awards. The first Best Paper Award is presented to "The Relationship Between Adolescents' Likelihood to Judge, Assist, and Punish Under Omission Neglect" by Seojin E. Ban of Phillips Academy, with Dr. Alireza Soltani of Dartmouth College, for its thoughtful experimental investigation into adolescent decision-making and cognitive bias. The second Best Paper Award is presented to "Nascent vs. Steady-State Sequencing Reveals Extensive but Unstable Antisense Transcription in Yeast" by Nishant Chaparala for its rigorous biological research and original contribution to understanding gene transcription dynamics. These papers exemplify the intellectual curiosity, methodological rigor, and interdisciplinary excellence that define the mission of the Princeton Journal of Interdisciplinary Research.
All accepted articles are published online under ISSN 3069-8200.
Editor’s Note
The beginning of a new volume offers an opportunity to present new scholarship and reflect on the purpose of research. As the Princeton Journal of Interdisciplinary Research enters its second year, we are reminded that knowledge advances through curiosity, collaboration, and a willingness to question established ideas.
Today’s most pressing challenges—from technological change and public health to climate resilience and global inequality—rarely belong to a single discipline. Addressing them requires researchers who can connect diverse perspectives, methods, and fields of study.
The articles in this issue reflect that interdisciplinary spirit. Each examines a distinct question, yet together they demonstrate how rigorous scholarship can deepen our understanding of complex problems.
As PJIR continues to grow, we remain committed to supporting undergraduate and early-career researchers whose work challenges assumptions and contributes to meaningful academic dialog. We thank our authors, reviewers, and readers for making this publication possible.
We hope this issue inspires curiosity, encourages new conversations, and highlights the power of building connections across disciplines.
PJIR Editorial Team
Articles in This Issue
Spacecraft Engines and the Future of Transportation
Author: Ryan He
Affiliation: Pickering College, Aurora, Ontario, Canada
Abstract: Rocket propulsion has evolved from early theoretical work into a diverse toolkit of engines optimized for different missions. This paper traces key milestones from the Tsiolkovsky rocket equation and Goddard's first liquid fueled rockets to Cold War launch vehicles and the modern shift toward reusability.
Keywords: rocket propulsion, chemical rockets, electric propulsion, reusability, nuclear thermal propulsion
Investigating the Moderating Role of Sleep Quality to Depression and Loneliness After Stroke
Author: Cunyi Xu¹, Andrea Kusec²
Affiliation: ¹Leicester Grammar School, Leicester, Leicestershire, United Kingdom, ²University of Oxford, Oxford, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
Abstract: Loneliness and depression occur frequently after stroke, and sleep difficulties often co-occur with both symptoms. This cross-sectional study used Health and Retirement Study Wave 15 data collected in 2020 and included 346 stroke survivors. Hierarchical linear regression models tested whether sleep difficulties moderated the association between depression and loneliness after adjustment for age, sex, race, income, education, and chronic disease burden.
Keywords: depression, loneliness, sleep difficulties, stroke
Institutional Paralysis and International Peace: The Role of the United Nations Security Council in Safeguarding Self-Determination
Author: Divya Subramanian
Affiliation: University Prep
Abstract: This article explores the principle of self-determination as a fundamental element of national autonomy and geopolitical affairs through the lens of the United Nations Security Council’s (UNSC) capacity to defend it in the context of the increasingly expansionist and nationalist agendas of powerful member states. The 2014 annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation is the case study analyzed in this paper as a guide for examining the impediments faced by the UNSC.
Keywords: self-determination, UNSC, Crimea, expansionism, P5
Citation for This Issue
Princeton Journal of Interdisciplinary Research. (2026). Volume 2, Issue 1 — Catalysts of Change. PJIR.
https://www.princeton-press.com/pjir/issues/vol-2-issue-1
Open Access Statement
This journal is fully open access. All articles are freely available to read, download, and share without subscription or access barriers. We encourage scholars to cite and engage with the research published here, as such scholarly exchange plays an important role in supporting emerging and early-career researchers and advancing ongoing academic conversations.