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Santa Clara UniversityUniversity Library

Helene LaFrance Library Undergraduate Research Award

Banner image. The text reads Helene LaFrance Library Undergraduate Research Award. There are circles of various size and color on the right side.

Introduction

As Santa Clara University strengthens its commitment to undergraduate research, the University Library is supporting this effort by annually offering two undergraduate research awards. These awards will honor students who demonstrate exemplary research skills and creativity through the comprehensive use of library and information resources to produce a scholarly work or class project of high quality.

This award was renamed in 2024 to honor Helene Lafrance. Helene served the Santa Clara University community as a social sciences librarian and Head of Research and Outreach from 1995-2020. In her time at Santa Clara, Helene launched numerous visionary programs, including the Library Undergraduate Research Award. In addition, Helene was a scholar with a fierce commitment to social justice and equal rights– which is reflected in the award-winning work of SCU undergraduates.

Congratulations to the two winners of the 2025 Helene LaFrance Library Undergraduate Research Award:

  • Siya Aggarwal
  • Samuel Cao

Read more about their work below.

Siya Aggarwal

Siya Aggarwal - The Role of social support in reducing relapse risk among young adults with Substance Use Disorder (SUD)

Photo of Siya Aggarwal on what looks to be a patio. She is wearing a blazer and white button down. In the background are rooftops and trees.

Introduction: 

Few experiences are as challenging—yet profoundly rewarding—as overcoming addiction. Achieving sobriety often requires immense personal strength and resilience, making each milestone in recovery a moment of triumph. However, the temptation to relapse remains a constant battle, and for those who do relapse, the experience can be devastating, emotionally and physically. Relapse remains one of the most significant challenges in addiction recovery, with studies estimating that 40-60% of individuals in recovery experience relapse within the first year (NIDA, 2021). The high relapse rate underscores the need for effective, evidence-based strategies to support individuals in maintaining long-term sobriety.

Social support is a well-established protective factor in addiction recovery. However, research remains inconclusive on which forms—familial, peer-based, community-driven, clinical, or digital—are most effective for young adults (18–29) with SUD. This study seeks to answer the following research question: Does social support reduce relapse risk in young adults with SUD, and if so, what types of support are most effective? Social support plays a crucial role in mitigating the risk of relapse, but existing literature has yet to clarify how different sources of support contribute to long-term recovery. Young adulthood is a particularly vulnerable period for relapse due to factors such as brain development, social pressures, and transitional life stages, making it essential to determine which forms of support best aid sustained recovery in this demographic. 

According to Professor Katy Bruchmann, "The students had opportunities to share their work with classmates a few times: one during a round of peer review where students read each others' reviews and give feedback. Every student that read Siya's paper said to me that they felt like they were reading a published article."

The review committee heartily agrees with this statement. We were especially impressed by the reflective essay Siya submitted, where she went into detail about her research process into the Library databases, the challenges she experienced and how she overcame them. We commend Siya for conducting research using a systematic review method for this project - no small feat! 

Congratulations Siya!

 

Samuel Cao

Samuel Cao - California's Bracero program: Racializing and legalizing Mexican transportation

Photo of Samuel Cao. He is in the center of the frame, wearing a red polo that says Student Ambassador on it. The background shows greenery, but it is fuzzy

Abstract: 

This paper re-examines California’s Bracero Program (1942–1964) through the critical lens of transportation, arguing that it served not merely as a logistical necessity but as a crucial site of systemic exploitation and racialized harm. While scholarships often focused on other aspects of labor abuse, this piece centers on transportation-related injuries, culminating in the tragic 1963 Chualar accident, as a potent manifestation of racial capitalism and state neglect. Oftentimes, privatized transportation infrastructure contributed to both the physical vulnerability and symbolic dehumanization of Mexican laborers, as a direct result of agribusiness’s pursuit of profit. By reframing mobility as a key mechanism of control and marginalization, this analysis challenges the historiographical silence surrounding transportation and deepens our understanding of labor exploitation within the Bracero Program. 

According to Professor Maria Judnick, "Samuel’s research embodies the SCU mission of educating the “whole person, head and heart, intellect and feelings" (Peter-Hans Kolvenbach, SJ) as he tries to tell an ignored story from history, bringing dignity to all the workers involved. "

This is evident in the project that Samuel submitted. We were impressed by the depth of research he conducted - in his reflection, Samuel discussed his inspiration for the project, as well as the research he conducted in library databases and archives. We also recognize the fact that Samuel created a companion digital exhibit, to complement his research.

Congratulations Samuel!