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
Autonomous Drone-Based System for Multi-Sensor Aircraft Surface Inspection and Defect Detection
Authors: Pahlaj Sharma (author)¹, Dr. Nafiz Chowdhury (author)²
Affiliations:
¹Department of Engineering, Hopkinton, Massachusetts, United States of America
²Department of Engineering Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
Abstract: Manual visual inspections are the standard for traditional aircraft maintenance; however, this method is time-consuming, hazardous to personnel, and prone to human error. This paper outlines the design and development of an autonomous robotic system to address these limitations. The proposed solution is a drone equipped with a multi-sensor inspection payload, including a high-resolution AI camera for visual inspection...
Keywords: autonomous drone, aircraft maintenance, flight safety
Brain Tumor Classification in MRI Using Power Spectral Density and Spatial Autocorrelation Features
Authors: Naima Rechid (author)¹, Abida Toumi (author)², Khier Benmahammed (author)³, Abdelmalik Taleb-Ahmed (author)⁴, Ali Khelifa (author)⁵
Affiliations:
¹Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Science and Technology Houari Boumediene, Algiers, Algeria
²Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Mohamed Khidher, Biskra, Algeria
³Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Farhat Abbas, Setif, Algeria
⁴LAMIH UMR CNRS UVHC 8530, Le Mont Houy 59313, University of Polytechnique Hauts-de-France, Valenciennes, France
⁵Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Mohamed Khidher, Biskra, Algeria
Abstract: Brain tumors represent a complex pathology characterized by abnormal cell growth in the brain and exhibit varying levels of aggressiveness depending on their tumor grade. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is the reference modality for brain tumor diagnosis, providing detailed information about tissue morphology and heterogeneity. In this context, image-based feature analysis provides quantitative tools to extract informative descriptors for tumor characterization and classification.
Keywords: MRI, power spectral density, autocorrelation, classification
SignBridge: ASL Translation with Pose-based Recognition, LLM-driven Semantic Coherence, and Composite Translation Quality Index
Author: Kavin Sai Kumar
Affiliation: Eastside Catholic School, Sammamish, Washington, United States of America
Abstract: Deaf individuals use sign language to communicate through hand shape, motion and position rather than speech. Sign languages have their own grammar and word order – no structural resemblance to spoken languages in the same regions. No framework currently measures how translated words preserve the intended meaning of the sentence. Current automated captioning systems largely fail to handle this complexity, leaving 80% of digital content inaccessible to over 70 million Deaf individuals worldwide.
Keywords: ASL translation, pose estimation, sign language recognition, large language models, translation quality metrics
Comparing and Contrasting the Role of the Segmentation Clock in Early Development Across Mammalian Species
Author: Caelyn Alexis I. Chalmers
Affiliation: Cambridge Centre for International Research, 184 Cambridge Science Park, Cambridge CB4 0GA, United Kingdom
Abstract: Understanding the segmentation clock across species provides insight into the evolution of complex life. However, despite decades of research, a comprehensive and unified understanding of its regulatory mechanism remains incomplete. This study provides a comprehensive overview of current knowledge on the segmentation clock and identifies key gaps requiring further investigation.
Keywords: segmentation clock, somitogenesis, vertebrate embryonic development, conservation
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.