Oral Session 1: 11:00 - 12:00 PM PST
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Rooms A-E
Abstract Volume and Quick Reference Guide__________________________________________________________________________
Room A
Moderator: Dr. Cecilia Zurita Lopez
Biochemistry/Molecular Biology
11:00-11:20 am
Functional Analysis of CowN and Its Effects on Nitrogenase Proteins
Presenter(s): Dustin Willard
Advisor(s): Dr. Cedric Owens
Nitrogenase is the only enzyme that can catalyze ATP-dependent nitrogen fixation in bacteria, an important biological process that reduces atmospheric nitrogen gas into ammonia. The bacterium Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus expresses nitrogenase, a two-component enzyme consisting of a catalytic Molybdenum-Iron protein (MoFeP), and its reductase, Iron protein (FeP). However, in the presence of the environmental gas Carbon Monoxide, Nitrogenase is tightly inhibited. In an effort to prevent inhibition, diazotrophs have evolved a small protein, CowN, which interacts with MoFeP directly. This interaction protects the nitrogenase from CO inhibition. Limited research has been conducted on CowN; therefore, CowN’s mechanisms and structure remain undetermined at this time. The C-terminus of CowN contains a conserved sequence across several diazotrophs, and we hypothesize that these amino acids are crucial to the function of CowN. In this work we present our structural and functional analysis of CowN’s C-terminus. We have made a series of C-terminal mutants and determined how these mutations affect CowN’s structure and ability to protect nitrogenase from CO. We have determined that the C-terminus is critical for CowN activity as some mutants are unable to fully protect nitrogenase from CO.
Chemistry
11:20 – 11:40 am
Catalytic Reduction Mechanisms Mediated by Half-Sandwich Iridium(III)- and Rhodium(III)- Sulfur Complexes
Presenter(s): Ka'Naysha Scott
Advisor(s): Dr. Maduka Ogba
Transition metal complexes have been widely employed as homogenous catalysts for hydrogenation and related reduction chemistry, many of which require harsh conditions. Despite the inspiration from nature optimized metal-sulfur complexes (i.e., nickel-iron hydrogenases) for hydrogen gas activation under mild conditions, a relatively small number of synthetic metal-sulfur variants have been reported. Experimental reports show that a series of so-called half-sandwich metal-sulfur complexes have been successful at facilitating hydrogenation and reduction. However, closer observation of the data reveals varied reactivity across the reported complexes, and little is known about the factors that control such deviations in catalyst effectiveness, limiting our ability to develop more optimal bioreminiscent catalysts. Density functional theory calculations have been performed to investigate the likely mechanisms for the reduction (hydrogenation and hydrosilylation) of ketones mediated by half-sandwich iridium(III)-sulfur and rhodium(III)-sulfur complexes. In this presentation, insights from the computational work will be presented.
11:40 – 12:00 pm
Mechanistic Insights into the use of Carbodiphosphoranes as Lewis-base Catalysts
Presenter(s): Gabriela Nerhood
Advisor(s): Dr. Maduka Ogba
Carbodiphosphoranes (CDPs) are divalent carbon[0] compounds with unusual electronic properties that make them highly reactive and unstable. CDPs have historically been used as strong sigma donors in organometallic complexes. Recent experimental work, however, have shown for the first time the use of CDPs as effective catalysts in the hydroboration of ketones and imines, rivaling other common Lewis base catalysts. Mechanistic details into the activation modes and consequent catalytic reduction afforded by CDPs are unknown. In this work, we use density functional theory methods to investigate several plausible mechanisms stemming from the CDP-substrate adducts formed in the reaction and reveal which catalytic pathway is energetically likely. Detailed analyses of developing charges and frontier molecular orbitals reveal why carbodiphosphoranes are effective Lewis-base catalysts, even when challenging substrates are employed.
Room B
Moderator: Dr. Vincent Berardi
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
11:00 – 11:20 am
Investigating Arginine Methylation of PGC-1alpha, a Master Metabolic Regulator
Presenter(s): Tiffany Lubrino, Sidney Briski
Advisor(s): Dr. Cecilia Lopez
Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1 alpha (PGC-1alpha, UniProt Q9UBK2), acts as a transcriptional coactivator capable of regulating metabolic pathways. It has regulatory functions in lipid metabolism, mitochondrial biogenesis, and remodeling of muscle tissue. Thus, PGC-1alpha has been implicated in diseases such as type 2 diabetes and obesity, cancer, and neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease. We set out to investigate the control points of PGC-1alpha by focusing on one posttranslational modification (PTM) called arginine methylation. Arginine methylation increases the structural diversity of proteins and often plays a role in protein-protein interactions. Studies show that PGC-1alpha contains arginine residues that are methylated by protein arginine methyltransferase 1 (PRMT1). Since there are other members of the PRMT family, we hypothesize that the methylation of PGC-1alpha is critical for its role as a master regulator by PRMT7. PRMT7 was used because it is a unique member of the methyltransferase family. Not only is it larger than the rest of the family members, but it is also the only known member of the PRMT family capable of producing only omega-monomethylated arginine (omega-MMA) residues. In addition, it prefers to methylate arginine residues found in RXR motifs (where R represents arginine, X represents any amino acid) surrounded by basic amino acids. PGC-1alpha contains four RXR, three RXRXR, and one RXRXRXR arginine-rich regions and like PRMT7 functions at temperatures outside of 37˚C. In vitro methylation reactions using purified recombinant mammalian PRMT7 and PGC-1alpha were performed. Methylation reactions by PRMT7 show that PGC-1alpha arginine residues R568 and R570 become monomethylated and are temperature-dependent. These results elucidate novel posttranslational modifications that may act as control points for the regulation of PGC-1alpha. We next aim to continue this work by focusing on the significance of monomethylating PGC-1alpha at arginine residues R568 and R570.
Health Sciences and Kinesiology
11:20 – 11:40 am
ThinkMED: Inspiring The Future of STEM, One Project At A Time
Presenter(s): Steven Trinh
Advisor(s): Lauren Dudley
ThinkMED is a nonprofit initiative offering a four-week curriculum specifically designed to develop critical thinking and encourage evidence-based decision making. Each week’s content material revolves around the use of a ThinkBOX Science Kit containing four (4) wet lab experiments designed to supplement the curriculum. Each experiment is formulated to be inclusive of all California Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) K through 5. At the end of each week, students get the opportunity to speak with university professors & scientists from a multitude of subject areas including chemistry, anatomy, computer science, physiology, and bioengineering. These kits are donated to children and families who do not have an environment that is conducive to entering the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). ThinkMED and all of our STEAM Team members seek to create an environment where all learners can explore the wonders that STEM has to offer on a level playing field without any barriers to learning. Some groups that ThinkMED have had the opportunity to work with are children from low-income families and under-resourced communities in Orange, Tustin, Westminster, Garden Grove, and Santa Ana, children with developmental disabilities, and children affected by a parent’s cancer. Ultimately, the goal of ThinkMED is to inspire the future of STEM, one project at a time.
11:40 – 12:00 pm
Mindfulness Meditation as a Preventative Measure Against Alzheimer's Disease: A Literature Review
Presenter(s): Jenna McKee, Rabia Asif, Asif, Amanda Hamilton
Advisor(s): Dr. Manjari Murali
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a degenerative brain disease affecting aging populations that is characterized by deteriorating memory and cognitive function. There is increasing evidence that the neuropathologic processes associated with the disease manifest as early as two decades before the first clinical signs of memory loss appear (Pletnikova et al., 2015); and several lifestyle factors might be linked to the risk of AD. Specifically, lifestyle factors that cause chronic stress are thought to increase the risk of AD (Justice, 2018; Khalsa, 2015). In contrast, research indicates that Mindfulness Meditation practice reduces stress and improves cognitive function (Innes & Selfe, 2014; Russel-Williams, 2018). Therefore, we hypothesize that the practice of Mindfulness Meditation can be used as a preventative measure against AD. The present study includes an extensive literature review analyzing previous research that links Mindfulness and AD or cognitive decline. We will also analyze open-source and research data sets regarding overall health (stress, depression, chronic disease, etc.), cognitive, and lifestyle factors as they relate to the prevalence and potential mitigation of AD. Additionally, we will compare neuroimaging data of AD patients to those of healthy individuals who practice Mindfulness Meditation because we hypothesize that there is a correlation between the parts of the brain impacted by Mindfulness Meditation and AD. Finally, we propose that Mindfulness Meditation practice will decrease stress and depression, which will result in a decreased risk of developing AD. Together, findings from our literature review and data set analyses will help us design a future study to investigate the impact of the Fish Interfaith Center’s 6-week Mindfulness course on stress, memory, and attention as they relate to the development of AD.
Room C
Moderator: Dr. Ryan Allen
English
11:00 – 11:20 am
By Any Other Name: A Rhetoric of Violence and Reclamation in the Philippine Drug War
Presenter(s): Bernadine Cortina
Advisor(s): Dr. Jan Osborn
In 2016, President Rodrigo Duterte launched an anti-drug campaign, cracking down on illegal drug use and illicit drug trade in the Philippines. Under his administration, the giyera kontra-droga has gained national and international scrutiny. Police admitted to killing more than 4000 drug suspects, and as of May 2018, more than 22,000 deaths were under investigation as unsolved killings possibly connected to the campaign (The Drug War Archive). While the Philippine government claims success in lowering crime rates and creating a safer environment for Filipinos, accusations of extrajudicial killings and human rights violations abound. Today, the full extent of the drug war’s impacts remains unclear. What is discernible, however, is language’s role. To understand how the promise of a drug crackdown, a former beacon of hope, came to the disproportionate murder of the urban poor, examining the interaction of language and power within the nation is imperative. Using Lyons’ theory of rhetorical imperialism and rhetorical sovereignty as a framework, this presentation explores the rhetoric of violence culpable in the orchestration of thousands of deaths while also presenting spaces of resistance in how the Filipino people push back and reclaim the administration’s deadly narratives.
Political Science
11:20 – 11:40 am
Environmental Concern v. Perception on Reformative Measures
Presenter(s): Josie Sheridan
Advisor(s): Dr. John Compton
This paper will examine how demographic factors that may correspond with fear of environmental threats correlate with support for decisive action, stances, or legislation that would address aspects of environmental concern. Variables I will look at include income level, race, partisanship, and education status. This paper relies upon the 2020-2021 Chapman Survey of American Fears, featuring nationally representative data of American adults, to evaluate perception of environmental hazards, along with the 2020 Time Series Study from the American National Election Study, that includes questions on attitudes of measures that may mediate differential environmental impact. I expect the greater the fear of environmental threats such as air and water pollution, the greater the belief in more governmental action that could contribute to environmental equity. Since research shows that environmentally hazardous facilities and practices tend to be designated near areas concentrated with low-income households and people of color, I propose that these demographics will correlate with stronger fear and more positive stances on action due to a greater immediate threat they may face. Furthermore, I suggest that higher education and greater Democratic party affiliation will correspond with greater concern of environmental risk and support on action due to typically having more engagement on the issues. These findings would suggest those who supposedly have the greatest environmental concern are supportive of action to address aspects of them. This is important because otherwise it would indicate that public concern does not correspond with strong attitudes on measures to address them, suggesting that there is an issue which facilitates inaction and threatens our very democracy.
11:40 – 12:00 pm
Political Parties on Campus: College Republicans and College Democrats’ Conceptions of Partisanship
Presenter(s): Philip Goodrich
Advisor(s): Dr. John Compton
This project seeks to examine College Republicans and College Democrats’ conceptions of partisanship. Specifically, I will test a theory set forth by Matt Grossmann and David A. Hopkins that claims the “Republican Party is best viewed as the agent of an ideological movement whose members are united by a common devotion to the principle of limited government” and the “Democratic Party is properly understood as a coalition of social groups whose interests are served by various forms of government activity” (2015). By performing a content analysis of College Republicans and College Democrats’ social media posts, I hypothesize that College Democrats will align more with Grossmann and Hopkins’ theory, while College Republicans will not. I suspect that College Republicans will be less focused on the principle of limited government and more focused on promoting the Republican Party, criticizing the Democratic Party, and commenting on specific issues and topics. Thus, I expect the two groups will remain asymmetrical, albeit for slightly different reasons than those put forth by the theory in question.
Room D
Moderator: Dr. Minju Kwon
Political Science
11:00 – 11:20 am
The Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Mental Health
Presenter(s): Zoe Bell
Advisor(s): Dr. Ann Gordon
With the continuance of the COVID-19 pandemic into its second year of cultural domination, everyone around the world has begun to readjust both physically and psychologically to this ‘new normal.’ Not only are many finding their own mental health beginning to deteriorate, but others are also finding that their preexisting psychological traits and conditions have been exacerbated as the stress from the pandemic continues. The purpose of this project is to draw from numerous academic sources studying the effects of the coronavirus pandemic on people’s psychological health and vice versa while determining what demographics of people are of the highest mental health risk and potentially finding solutions to the growing crisis. From both academic research and data sourced from the Chapman Survey of American Fears, I expect to find that the COVID-19 pandemic has intensified the existing mental health conditions of subjects interviewed across multiple studies, placing them at greater risk as the pandemic continues to rage on. Additionally, I believe that the research will also uncover many subjects who, prior to the pandemic, had no prominent mental health ‘conditions’ to speak of, but soon found themselves with growing anxiety, depression, or other adversities due to the spread of the virus. This paper hopes to serve as both a summary of the current scientific consensus regarding the relationship between psychological traits and the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as a means of combining the most relevant and useful information on the subject in this crucial time where every step to fighting the virus helps, physically, emotionally and intellectually.
11:20 – 11:40 am
COVID-19 Vaccination Beliefs: The Influence of Wealth and Media
Presenter(s): Coury Hawks
Advisor(s): Dr. Ann Gordon
How does class determine what news outlets we are exposed to and does this impact perceptions and opinions regarding the COVID-19 vaccine? Previous research has examined how wealth disparities impact citizens' access to news and media in a regressive manner such that lower income individuals face greater difficulty accessing accurate information. Additionally, research has also shown that lower income individuals are less likely to be vaccinated and more likely to be hesitant about the COVID-19 vaccine in general. My project studies these two variables in conjunction with each other, analyzing how wealth disparities impact where individuals receive their information from and whether or not this influences their likelihood to get vaccinated. My hypothesis is that lower income individuals consume media that negatively impacts their opinions on the vaccine and creates skepticism and hesitancy towards it, whereas wealthier individuals are more likely to consume media that encourages vaccination. My project will use the 2021 Chapman American Fears Survey to examine my independent variable (wealth) and its impact on my dependent variables (media and vaccination beliefs). This project varies greatly from previous research as it identifies a possible factor that can influence opinions and perceptions of the largest unvaccinated population. Likewise, it opens the door for further research, possible intervention, education, and systematic changes to media consumed by the most vulnerable population.
Room E
Moderator: Dr. Kelli Fuery
Music
11:00 – 11:20 am
Belting in Musical Theater: Why It Is Typically an Unhealthy Vocal Style and How to Utilize It Correctly
Presenter(s): Ella Nelson
Advisor(s): Dr. Andrew Chappell, Patty Gee
Belting, or when a singer uses their chest voice above their vocal break, is a very popular singing style on Broadway in the past couple decades. Almost all new musicals include at least one character, if not all of the characters, that sings in a belting style. But if you do not learn how to belt in a healthy way or do not understand when to use your belt, it can be very dangerous, both for your vocal cords and for the overall mood of the song and/or show. Because this style is so popular, younger people, especially people with female voices, are trying to emulate the dangerous timbre and often end up damaging their voices for life. Even adult voices can ruin their vocal cords by trying to belt without the proper technique, inadvertently getting nodes or destroying their vocal cords so that they cannot even talk. By working with my vocal teacher as well as researching the anatomy of the vocal cords, how the voice is affected by belting, and diving into why people feel like they have to misuse their voices, this thesis will attempt to describe how people misuse their belt, explain how to belt properly/healthily, dive into how to use belting effectively, and will include a recital-style performance of five Broadway songs that are typically belted incorrectly, instead sung in a healthy manner.
History
11:20 – 11:40 am
The Doctor Is In: An Interactive Exhibit
Presenter(s): Nat Pendergraft
Advisor(s): Dr. Alexander Bay
To create an interactive experience for the audience member, actors will portray doctors from different time periods and places to showcase all the varied ways we have tried to treat different ailments. Specific diagnoses and treatment plans will be given to participants based on symptoms and the dominant medical theory of the era. By learning about the ways humans have used medicine in the past, modern individuals can recognize damaging patterns and logical fallacies that often influence medicine to this day. The first step to solving present day issues in the medical field is understanding their origin. Both educational and entertaining, this exhibit is meant to interest people in the world of history and share interesting facts with the lay public.
Research focused on 6 specific time periods and the dominate medical theories and methods, with the purpose of applying it towards an interactive exhibit on campus, taking place in Argyros Forum 201, on December 4th and 5th from 1pm to 6pm.
Theatre
11:40 – 12:00 pm
When Will “Funny for a Girl” Just Be “Funny”?
Presenter(s): Zoë Tanton
Advisor(s): Dr. Andrew Chappell
The world of comedy has been male-dominated since it began. Female comedians have to work harder than their male peers due to a rigid hierarchy embedded in the industry. Women are not as easily considered funny, are constantly attacked in male comedians’ work, and fear harassment (whether they are just starting out or already gaining success). However, due to the evolution of social media and TV as well as unapologetically trailblazing women, comedy writing has begun to change. Through research and a study of successful female comedians on social media and TV, I will assess how women have had to navigate careers in comedy writing differently and what this means for the future of the industry. I will find commonalities between successful female comedians, analyze the past and future of women working in comedy writing, and discuss how the world has and will evolve. As an aspiring comedian myself, I want to know how to claim my space in this challenging industry, as well as know how I can make space for others, too. Using this research as both foundation and inspiration, I put together an all-female comedy group to write and perform a sketch comedy show called "Girls Gone Funny" in mid-November. I am doing this in hopes of creating a positive, safe, and welcoming environment for women that have already been facing challenges breaking into comedy in college and to instill confidence in us as we prepare ourselves to enter the industry.