Poster Session I- 9:30-11:00AM
Abstract Volume and Quick Reference Guide
____________________________________________________________________________
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
1. Investigating Arginine Methylation of PGC-1α, a Master Metabolic Regulator
Presenter(s): Tiffany Lubrino, Poula Mansour, Sidney Briski, Arisbeth Mancilla-Burgos, Joshua Huh
Advisor(s): Dr. Cecilia Lopez
Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator 1α (PGC-1α, 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-1α 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-1α 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-1α 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-1α 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 ω-monomethylated arginine (ω-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-1α 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-1α were performed. Methylation reactions by PRMT7 show that PGC-1α 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-1α. We next aim to continue this work by focusing on the significance of monomethylating PGC-1α at arginine residues R568 and R570.
2. Temperature Dependence of Lactobacillus helveticus Chlorogenic Acid Esterase Activity
Presenter(s): Julia Muniz
Advisor(s): Dr. Cedric Owens, Christine Lo Verde
Lactobacillus helveticus chlorogenic acid (CGA) esterase is an enzyme that hydrolyzes CGA, a phenolic compound found in many foods, into quinic acid (QA) and caffeic acid (CA). CGA esterase has the potential to be used in industry as a way to eliminate unwanted CGA. This research focuses on how temperature influences the enzyme’s stability and activity. Temperature is a key parameter that can change enzymatic rate, oligomerization state, and secondary structure. Kinetic assays reveal that CGA esterase works well at room temperature (20°C) and the enzymatic activity increases slightly as temperature increases. The highest activity of CGA esterase is achieved at ~40°C. However, CGA esterase does not obey typical Arrhenius behavior, since maximal activity was achieved well below the unfolding temperature of 65°C. This means that a process other than unfolding must be occurring above 40°C that limits the enzyme’s turnover rate. We hypothesize that above 40°C, the enzyme may be oligomerizing into a less active state since preliminary data showed that the oligomerized esterase is inactive. We will test this hypothesis by determining the temperature dependence of the oligomerization. Once we determine the factors that are responsible for the enzyme’s non-Arrhenius behavior, we will engineer the enzyme so that it becomes more active at higher temperatures.
3. Development of Fluorescence Assay for Rapid Screening of Esterase Mutants using Crude Lysate
Presenter(s): Caroline Monahan, Kelli Omori, Brianna Dinn, Kylie Sacapano, Destiny Ly, Tracie Okumura
Advisor(s): Dr. Cedric Owens, Christine Lo Verde
Chlorogenic acid esterases are useful enzymes that hydrolyze chlorogenic acid and related compounds. The enzyme can potentially be applied in the food, paper, and biofuels industry. The overall goal of this research project is to engineer chlorogenic acid from Lactobacillus helveticus to be more active. This presentation describes a rapid screen that we developed to quickly determine if an engineered mutant is more active than the wild-type enzyme. Developing such a screen is an important step in enzyme engineering since we will be testing the activity of close to 1000 mutants. Our assay is designed to work with crude protein lysate and bypasses protein purification and uses both absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy. The assay uses the different absorption and fluorescence properties of chlorogenic acid and the hydrolysis products, caffeic and quinic acid. After hydrolysis, the products have a blue shift in their absorption spectrum. Furthermore, the fluorescence intensity decreases and is blue shifted. We further determined that the assay is most sensitive when it is run in 10% glycerol. In sum, the fluorescence assay will allow for a rapid way to screen for different esterase mutants using crude lysate, allowing us to find mutants that will thrive in the industry more efficiently.
4. Using Absorbance and Fluorescence to Measure Chlorogenic Acid Esterase Activity
Presenter(s): Kellie Omori
Advisor(s): Dr. Cedric Owens
Chlorogenic acid (CGA) is an antioxidant that is present in large concentrations in many foods. CGA esterases are useful enzymes that hydrolyze CGA into caffeic and quinic acid. Our goal is to use protein engineering to make a highly active CGA esterase for food science and industrial applications. To do this, we identify regions on CGA esterase that are the most flexible and then target these residues for mutagenesis to develop engineered enzymes with higher turnover rate than the wild-type. Because this approach involves creating a rather large number of mutant esterases (>100), it requires a high-throughput activity assay that can quickly screen the activity of many mutants. We present a newly developed absorbance and fluorescence assay that distinguishes CGA from caffeic acid. CGA and caffeic acid are both fluorophores due to the aromatic rings in their structures, but they each absorb light and fluoresce at different wavelengths. Their distinct absorbance and fluorescence properties allow us to characterize the CGA hydrolysis reaction and measure enzyme activity by monitoring CGA depletion and caffeic acid formation. Highly active esterases produce a shift in peak maxima of the signals, indicating CGA breakdown is occurring. The reliability of this screening method was validated by adding wild-type CGA esterases in a reaction with CGA. As expected, we observed a shift in signals on the excitation and emission spectra. We then used this assay to screen the activity of our first mutant (Q202). These experiments demonstrate the functionality and efficiency of the rapid screen, allowing us to perform mutagenesis on the remaining target residues.
5. The Application of Artificial Intelligence to Improve Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Outcomes: A Systematic Review
Presenter(s): Andrea Venderby
Advisor(s): Dr. John Miklavcic
Purpose: To evaluate how the application of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to gastrointestinal (GI) imaging techniques can improve patient outcomes in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Methods: A systematic review was conducted and primary research published between 2013 and 2021 involving the use of AI, ML, and GI imaging (colonoscopy, endoscopy) in IBD was included. Outcomes in published literature included classifying healthy tissue versus IBD, predicting disease activity and phenotype, and distinguishing between ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease (CD). The review was conducted using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses. Certainty of evidence and bias was assessed with the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation approach. Results: A total of eight studies were included in the review. There was a high certainty of evidence for the involvement of AI in disease activity prediction and classification of CD. There is moderate certainty of evidence for AI involvement in reducing invasive procedures. The use of AI and ML in GI imaging was shown to improve clinical care for patients with IBD by reducing invasive diagnostic methods, improving on the time, cost, and labor associated with these diagnostic methods, increasing diagnosis accuracy, and advancing subtype classification between UC and CD. Conclusion: IBD is a complex disease that has remained a burden in the healthcare field as clinical presentation, etiology, and diagnosis is often unclear. The use of AI with GI imaging shows advancements in IBD classification and diagnosis. Using AI and ML in imaging for patients with IBD is a promising path of investigation to be considered and can potentially improve outcomes in clinical IBD.
Biological Sciences
6. Handedness in Hagfish Thread Skein Coiling
Presenter(s): Arly Adame
Advisor(s): Dr. Douglas Fudge, Yu Zeng
Hagfishes are a group of eel-like animals that are known for their secretion of slime when they are disturbed or attacked by predators. Slime glands contain intermediate filament protein threads that are manufactured within specialized gland thread cells. The glands produce two main cell types, gland thread cells, and gland mucous cells. The thread cells are then diluted by the seawater where they uncoil and extend as fibers. The mucus absorbs the water, making the mucous component of the slime. Gland thread cells make the fibrous part of the slime, which deploys as coiled threads known as skeins. The slime threads within skeins exhibit a coiled morphology. While the 3D morphology of thread coiling is known, the origin of the coiling is unknown. The coiling of the thread can be left-handed or right-handed. It is wondered whether there are patterns of skein coiling within individuals and species. One possibility is that the coiling direction is the same in all individuals but varies among species. It is also possible that left- and right-handed coiling is randomly distributed individually, within a species, and among species. In my project, I will measure the handedness of coiling in skeins from numerous individuals from several species of hagfishes. I will do this by observing skeins through a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and using an established protocol of handedness. The results indicated that the 115 skeins examined from Eptatretus stoutii, Eptatretus deani, and Myxine limosa all had a right coiling handedness. More species will be investigated to test whether right-handed coiling is consistent among all species of hagfishes.
7. The Effect of Carbon Monoxide on the Mutualistic Interaction Between Rhizobia and Alfalfa
Presenter(s): Kevin Nguyen
Advisor(s): Dr. Hagop Atamian, Dr. Cedric Owens
Nitrogen is a key element in living organisms as it is a building block for DNA and protein, but its most abundant form is atmospheric nitrogen (N2), which is unusable by most organisms. To make use of N2, plants known as legumes partake in a mutualistic interaction with bacteria known as rhizobia that convert N2 into usable forms of nitrogen such as nitrate and ammonia in exchange for food and shelter from the plants within root nodules. This interaction is a possible sustainable alternative to the Haber-Bosch process, which utilizes immense amounts of energy to convert N2. Rhizobia’s viability as a sustainable alternative is limited by the presence of carbon monoxide (CO). Within free-living soil bacteria, CO has been shown to inhibit the nitrogenase enzyme responsible for rhizobia’s ability to convert N2. However, CO has also been shown to induce secondary roots, which are rhizobia’s point of entry into the plant to start the mutualistic interaction. With both positive and negative effects for rhizobia, the implications of increasing CO in a legume’s environment were studied, particularly if secondary root growth is induced and whether increased CO would affect rhizobia’s ability to convert N2. For this project, two sets of legumes known as alfalfa were grown for one week before being placed in two separate airtight glass containers in which one received high concentrations of CO gas whereas the other received none as a control. After one week of exposure, plants were removed from the glass containers and observed for noticeable differences. The root and shoot length of each plant was also recorded. The results showed that plants in CO performed worse as they had wilted and had shorter root and shoot growth. Future experiments will lower the CO concentration enough to have no visible effect on the plants. This is when the secondary roots will be examined and the inoculation of these roots with rhizobia will be conducted. Plants in CO are expected to have increased secondary root growth and subsequently increased rhizobia productivity via increased root nodules.
Chemistry
8. Visual Demonstration of Substituent Effects for Chromium(VI) Alcohol Oxidation
Presenter(s): Biyu (Chelsea) Zhao
Advisor(s): Dr. Allegra Liberman-Martin
Different substituents on a benzene ring can behave as activators or deactivators and direct the rate of the reactions distinctly. In organic chemistry, a visual demonstration can help students understand challenging concepts, such as substituent effects. The oxidation of 1-phenylethanol with chromic acid exhibits an orange color to start with, and as the reaction proceeds, the color of the chromium changes from orange to blue gradually. A video of the reaction was recorded for 1-phenylethanol derivatives with different aromatic substituents, with the color change providing a method to visualize the reaction rate. The oxidation rate for each alcohol was measured through first-order kinetics using UV-visible spectroscopy, and these rate constants were used to construct a Hammett Plot as a quantitative method to evaluate substituent effects.
Computational Science
9. The Relationship Between Norepinephrine Neuromodulation and Stability of Global Brain States
Presenter(s): Emma Krivoshein
Advisor(s): Dr. Aaron Schurger
Recent research investigating the neural dynamics of consciousness has emphasized that stability of brain states is important for revealing both the contents and overall level of consciousness (Wang, 2008). However, the underlying neural mechanisms that modulate stability are not well understood (Perl et al., 2020). Norepinephrine, a slow-acting neurotransmitter, modulates the excitability of neural networks and thus may play a role in controlling stability of specific brain states (O’Donnell et al., 2012). Norepinephrine levels can be reliably indexed by pupil diameter because the primary source of norepinephrine, the locus coeruleus, projects directly to the pupil dilator muscles (Joshi et al., 2016). Past studies in this topic have involved correlating neuromodulator activity with tasks, but not many studies have used perturbation of the brain to observe the effects of neuromodulation on stability. In this study, we perturbed the brain at resting state with transcranial magnetic stimulation and recorded the brain’s response to stimulation with electroencephalography. We also recorded pupil diameter to index norepinephrine levels directly before, during, and after stimulation. We aim to establish whether NE act as a stability modulator by assessing whether stability covaries with pupil size. Such a relation would suggest that norepinephrine plays a crucial role in influencing neural dynamics that are relevant to consciousness.
Computer Science
10. Photonic Design with Deep Learning
Presenter(s): Alex Vallone
Advisor(s): Dr. Nasim Estakhri
In this project we used deep learning to design efficient photonic structures for different applications. We specifically focus on two problems: multilayer filters and low scattering absorbers. To achieve this goal, we have created a multi-layered tandem regression neural network (NN) to give us an inverse design neural network capable of producing design parameters from a desired response curve with high accuracy [Liu et al. 2021, Ma et al. 2021]. The recurring challenge that arises from training inverse neural networks on their own is the non-unique solution problem, which occurs when the design parameters and responses are not one-to-one [Liu et al. 2021, Xu et al. 2021]. It is possible to overcome this issue by creating a tandem NN consisting of an inverse NN feeding into a feed-forward NN [Xu et al. 2021, Malkiel et al. 2018], training the feed-forward NN first, and then using a modified loss function to train the inverse NN [Xu et al. 2021]. Using Tensorflow, we have created a schema for a feed-forward neural network, which is trained to output response curves from the limited input design parameters, and ultimately serves as the second half of our tandem network. This part of the tandem NN solely uses data-points that we feed to it to produce predictions, and then propagates the loss of those predictions [Xu et al. 2021]. In our presentation, we will report successful design of multilayered filters and low scattering absorbers, tailored for different applications.
11. AI and Machine Learning are Applied to Classify Human Activities Recognition with Time Series
Presenter(s): Liora Mayats Alpay1. Investigating Arginine Methylation of PGC-1α, a Master Metabolic Regulator
Presenter(s): Tiffany Lubrino, Poula Mansour, Sidney Briski, Arisbeth Mancilla-Burgos, Joshua Huh
Advisor(s): Dr. Cecilia Lopez
Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator 1α (PGC-1α, 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-1α 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-1α 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-1α 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-1α 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 ω-monomethylated arginine (ω-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-1α 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-1α were performed. Methylation reactions by PRMT7 show that PGC-1α 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-1α. We next aim to continue this work by focusing on the significance of monomethylating PGC-1α at arginine residues R568 and R570.
2. Temperature Dependence of Lactobacillus helveticus Chlorogenic Acid Esterase Activity
Presenter(s): Julia Muniz
Advisor(s): Dr. Cedric Owens, Christine Lo Verde
Lactobacillus helveticus chlorogenic acid (CGA) esterase is an enzyme that hydrolyzes CGA, a phenolic compound found in many foods, into quinic acid (QA) and caffeic acid (CA). CGA esterase has the potential to be used in industry as a way to eliminate unwanted CGA. This research focuses on how temperature influences the enzyme’s stability and activity. Temperature is a key parameter that can change enzymatic rate, oligomerization state, and secondary structure. Kinetic assays reveal that CGA esterase works well at room temperature (20°C) and the enzymatic activity increases slightly as temperature increases. The highest activity of CGA esterase is achieved at ~40°C. However, CGA esterase does not obey typical Arrhenius behavior, since maximal activity was achieved well below the unfolding temperature of 65°C. This means that a process other than unfolding must be occurring above 40°C that limits the enzyme’s turnover rate. We hypothesize that above 40°C, the enzyme may be oligomerizing into a less active state since preliminary data showed that the oligomerized esterase is inactive. We will test this hypothesis by determining the temperature dependence of the oligomerization. Once we determine the factors that are responsible for the enzyme’s non-Arrhenius behavior, we will engineer the enzyme so that it becomes more active at higher temperatures.
3. Development of Fluorescence Assay for Rapid Screening of Esterase Mutants using Crude Lysate
Presenter(s): Caroline Monahan, Kelli Omori, Brianna Dinn, Kylie Sacapano, Destiny Ly, Tracie Okumura
Advisor(s): Dr. Cedric Owens, Christine Lo Verde
Chlorogenic acid esterases are useful enzymes that hydrolyze chlorogenic acid and related compounds. The enzyme can potentially be applied in the food, paper, and biofuels industry. The overall goal of this research project is to engineer chlorogenic acid from Lactobacillus helveticus to be more active. This presentation describes a rapid screen that we developed to quickly determine if an engineered mutant is more active than the wild-type enzyme. Developing such a screen is an important step in enzyme engineering since we will be testing the activity of close to 1000 mutants. Our assay is designed to work with crude protein lysate and bypasses protein purification and uses both absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy. The assay uses the different absorption and fluorescence properties of chlorogenic acid and the hydrolysis products, caffeic and quinic acid. After hydrolysis, the products have a blue shift in their absorption spectrum. Furthermore, the fluorescence intensity decreases and is blue shifted. We further determined that the assay is most sensitive when it is run in 10% glycerol. In sum, the fluorescence assay will allow for a rapid way to screen for different esterase mutants using crude lysate, allowing us to find mutants that will thrive in the industry more efficiently.
4. Using Absorbance and Fluorescence to Measure Chlorogenic Acid Esterase Activity
Presenter(s): Kellie Omori
Advisor(s): Dr. Cedric Owens
Chlorogenic acid (CGA) is an antioxidant that is present in large concentrations in many foods. CGA esterases are useful enzymes that hydrolyze CGA into caffeic and quinic acid. Our goal is to use protein engineering to make a highly active CGA esterase for food science and industrial applications. To do this, we identify regions on CGA esterase that are the most flexible and then target these residues for mutagenesis to develop engineered enzymes with higher turnover rate than the wild-type. Because this approach involves creating a rather large number of mutant esterases (>100), it requires a high-throughput activity assay that can quickly screen the activity of many mutants. We present a newly developed absorbance and fluorescence assay that distinguishes CGA from caffeic acid. CGA and caffeic acid are both fluorophores due to the aromatic rings in their structures, but they each absorb light and fluoresce at different wavelengths. Their distinct absorbance and fluorescence properties allow us to characterize the CGA hydrolysis reaction and measure enzyme activity by monitoring CGA depletion and caffeic acid formation. Highly active esterases produce a shift in peak maxima of the signals, indicating CGA breakdown is occurring. The reliability of this screening method was validated by adding wild-type CGA esterases in a reaction with CGA. As expected, we observed a shift in signals on the excitation and emission spectra. We then used this assay to screen the activity of our first mutant (Q202). These experiments demonstrate the functionality and efficiency of the rapid screen, allowing us to perform mutagenesis on the remaining target residues.
5. The Application of Artificial Intelligence to Improve Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Outcomes: A Systematic Review
Presenter(s): Andrea Venderby
Advisor(s): Dr. John Miklavcic
Purpose: To evaluate how the application of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to gastrointestinal (GI) imaging techniques can improve patient outcomes in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Methods: A systematic review was conducted and primary research published between 2013 and 2021 involving the use of AI, ML, and GI imaging (colonoscopy, endoscopy) in IBD was included. Outcomes in published literature included classifying healthy tissue versus IBD, predicting disease activity and phenotype, and distinguishing between ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease (CD). The review was conducted using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses. Certainty of evidence and bias was assessed with the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation approach. Results: A total of eight studies were included in the review. There was a high certainty of evidence for the involvement of AI in disease activity prediction and classification of CD. There is moderate certainty of evidence for AI involvement in reducing invasive procedures. The use of AI and ML in GI imaging was shown to improve clinical care for patients with IBD by reducing invasive diagnostic methods, improving on the time, cost, and labor associated with these diagnostic methods, increasing diagnosis accuracy, and advancing subtype classification between UC and CD. Conclusion: IBD is a complex disease that has remained a burden in the healthcare field as clinical presentation, etiology, and diagnosis is often unclear. The use of AI with GI imaging shows advancements in IBD classification and diagnosis. Using AI and ML in imaging for patients with IBD is a promising path of investigation to be considered and can potentially improve outcomes in clinical IBD.
Biological Sciences
6. Handedness in Hagfish Thread Skein Coiling
Presenter(s): Arly Adame
Advisor(s): Dr. Douglas Fudge, Yu Zeng
Hagfishes are a group of eel-like animals that are known for their secretion of slime when they are disturbed or attacked by predators. Slime glands contain intermediate filament protein threads that are manufactured within specialized gland thread cells. The glands produce two main cell types, gland thread cells, and gland mucous cells. The thread cells are then diluted by the seawater where they uncoil and extend as fibers. The mucus absorbs the water, making the mucous component of the slime. Gland thread cells make the fibrous part of the slime, which deploys as coiled threads known as skeins. The slime threads within skeins exhibit a coiled morphology. While the 3D morphology of thread coiling is known, the origin of the coiling is unknown. The coiling of the thread can be left-handed or right-handed. It is wondered whether there are patterns of skein coiling within individuals and species. One possibility is that the coiling direction is the same in all individuals but varies among species. It is also possible that left- and right-handed coiling is randomly distributed individually, within a species, and among species. In my project, I will measure the handedness of coiling in skeins from numerous individuals from several species of hagfishes. I will do this by observing skeins through a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and using an established protocol of handedness. The results indicated that the 115 skeins examined from Eptatretus stoutii, Eptatretus deani, and Myxine limosa all had a right coiling handedness. More species will be investigated to test whether right-handed coiling is consistent among all species of hagfishes.
7. The Effect of Carbon Monoxide on the Mutualistic Interaction Between Rhizobia and Alfalfa
Presenter(s): Kevin Nguyen
Advisor(s): Dr. Hagop Atamian, Dr. Cedric Owens
Nitrogen is a key element in living organisms as it is a building block for DNA and protein, but its most abundant form is atmospheric nitrogen (N2), which is unusable by most organisms. To make use of N2, plants known as legumes partake in a mutualistic interaction with bacteria known as rhizobia that convert N2 into usable forms of nitrogen such as nitrate and ammonia in exchange for food and shelter from the plants within root nodules. This interaction is a possible sustainable alternative to the Haber-Bosch process, which utilizes immense amounts of energy to convert N2. Rhizobia’s viability as a sustainable alternative is limited by the presence of carbon monoxide (CO). Within free-living soil bacteria, CO has been shown to inhibit the nitrogenase enzyme responsible for rhizobia’s ability to convert N2. However, CO has also been shown to induce secondary roots, which are rhizobia’s point of entry into the plant to start the mutualistic interaction. With both positive and negative effects for rhizobia, the implications of increasing CO in a legume’s environment were studied, particularly if secondary root growth is induced and whether increased CO would affect rhizobia’s ability to convert N2. For this project, two sets of legumes known as alfalfa were grown for one week before being placed in two separate airtight glass containers in which one received high concentrations of CO gas whereas the other received none as a control. After one week of exposure, plants were removed from the glass containers and observed for noticeable differences. The root and shoot length of each plant was also recorded. The results showed that plants in CO performed worse as they had wilted and had shorter root and shoot growth. Future experiments will lower the CO concentration enough to have no visible effect on the plants. This is when the secondary roots will be examined and the inoculation of these roots with rhizobia will be conducted. Plants in CO are expected to have increased secondary root growth and subsequently increased rhizobia productivity via increased root nodules.
Chemistry
8. Visual Demonstration of Substituent Effects for Chromium(VI) Alcohol Oxidation
Presenter(s): Biyu (Chelsea) Zhao
Advisor(s): Dr. Allegra Liberman-Martin
Different substituents on a benzene ring can behave as activators or deactivators and direct the rate of the reactions distinctly. In organic chemistry, a visual demonstration can help students understand challenging concepts, such as substituent effects. The oxidation of 1-phenylethanol with chromic acid exhibits an orange color to start with, and as the reaction proceeds, the color of the chromium changes from orange to blue gradually. A video of the reaction was recorded for 1-phenylethanol derivatives with different aromatic substituents, with the color change providing a method to visualize the reaction rate. The oxidation rate for each alcohol was measured through first-order kinetics using UV-visible spectroscopy, and these rate constants were used to construct a Hammett Plot as a quantitative method to evaluate substituent effects.
Computational Science
9. The Relationship Between Norepinephrine Neuromodulation and Stability of Global Brain States
Presenter(s): Emma Krivoshein
Advisor(s): Dr. Aaron Schurger
Recent research investigating the neural dynamics of consciousness has emphasized that stability of brain states is important for revealing both the contents and overall level of consciousness (Wang, 2008). However, the underlying neural mechanisms that modulate stability are not well understood (Perl et al., 2020). Norepinephrine, a slow-acting neurotransmitter, modulates the excitability of neural networks and thus may play a role in controlling stability of specific brain states (O’Donnell et al., 2012). Norepinephrine levels can be reliably indexed by pupil diameter because the primary source of norepinephrine, the locus coeruleus, projects directly to the pupil dilator muscles (Joshi et al., 2016). Past studies in this topic have involved correlating neuromodulator activity with tasks, but not many studies have used perturbation of the brain to observe the effects of neuromodulation on stability. In this study, we perturbed the brain at resting state with transcranial magnetic stimulation and recorded the brain’s response to stimulation with electroencephalography. We also recorded pupil diameter to index norepinephrine levels directly before, during, and after stimulation. We aim to establish whether NE act as a stability modulator by assessing whether stability covaries with pupil size. Such a relation would suggest that norepinephrine plays a crucial role in influencing neural dynamics that are relevant to consciousness.
Computer Science
10. Photonic Design with Deep Learning
Presenter(s): Alex Vallone
Advisor(s): Dr. Nasim Estakhri
In this project we used deep learning to design efficient photonic structures for different applications. We specifically focus on two problems: multilayer filters and low scattering absorbers. To achieve this goal, we have created a multi-layered tandem regression neural network (NN) to give us an inverse design neural network capable of producing design parameters from a desired response curve with high accuracy [Liu et al. 2021, Ma et al. 2021]. The recurring challenge that arises from training inverse neural networks on their own is the non-unique solution problem, which occurs when the design parameters and responses are not one-to-one [Liu et al. 2021, Xu et al. 2021]. It is possible to overcome this issue by creating a tandem NN consisting of an inverse NN feeding into a feed-forward NN [Xu et al. 2021, Malkiel et al. 2018], training the feed-forward NN first, and then using a modified loss function to train the inverse NN [Xu et al. 2021]. Using Tensorflow, we have created a schema for a feed-forward neural network, which is trained to output response curves from the limited input design parameters, and ultimately serves as the second half of our tandem network. This part of the tandem NN solely uses data-points that we feed to it to produce predictions, and then propagates the loss of those predictions [Xu et al. 2021]. In our presentation, we will report successful design of multilayered filters and low scattering absorbers, tailored for different applications.
11. AI and Machine Learning are Applied to Classify Human Activities Recognition with Time Series
Advisor(s): Dr. Yuxin Wen
Human Activities Recognition (HAR) is a challenging and fascinating topic in AI and Machine Learning. In the present work, we created a machine-learning algorithm to classify six activities of humans' daily living (ADL): walking, walking upstairs, walking downstairs, sitting, standing, and laying. We used data from the University of California at Irvine (UCI) with an experiment sample size of 30 people, ages ranging from 19 to 48, who participated and performed these tasks. The signals of this experiment were recorded with embedded inertial sensors: accelerometer and gyroscope in three-dimensional axes: X, Y, Z. The data recorded body motion using a smartphone worn on the waist. We transform the observed stochastic recordings or random body motion signals of wavelets into an artificial convolutional neural network model that needs engineering knowledge for optimization, calculation, fitting, and predicting activities model. First, we randomly split data into two sub-data: train 70% and test 30%. In the training data set, we create the Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) model, which learns to transform neurons in the artificial neural network (ANN) from observing signals to the deep learning process and demonstrates the high accuracy of classification of human activities recognition. We visualize how data changes with time in the different human activities by the time series method based on calculating the features. Then we have tested the model using the test data-set. To analyze the data and predict human activities, we give an accuracy of classification in the form of a confusion matrix, AUC – ROC, and classification report. This work can be used in medical problems, robotics, biological, financial, and other research fields, which need to classify data that changes with time.
Electrical Engineering
12. Implementing Genetic Algorithm for Optical Metasurface Design
Presenter(s): Tyler Woo
Advisor(s): Dr. Nasim Estakhri
In this project, we use computational optimization techniques to design photonic metasurfaces for arbitrary wave bending (i.e., changing the direction of the propagation of the wave). A photonic metasurface is an extremely thin structure composed of various materials ranging from metals (such as gold and silver) to dielectrics (such as silicon and silicon dioxide) at the length scale of nanometers (one billionth of a meter). The primary advantage of metasurfaces compared to traditional optical elements (such as prisms) is the extremely compact profile which allows for easier integration and lower loss. Simultaneously, metasurfaces provide a rich design platform where the output can be controlled by different physical parameters such as the length, width, height, and material properties of the surface elements. Here we report multiple dielectric and plasmonic metasurface designs, where the surface successfully modifies the direction of the incident wave from 0 degrees all the way to near grazing angles (i.e., 90 degrees). All our designs demonstrate more than 90% efficiency, verified by full-wave simulations in COMSOL software. We use Genetic Algorithm Optimization to estimate the best parameters for each metasurface. Genetic Algorithm is inspired by natural selection to generate the most suitable “offspring” at each step, and thus moving toward the global optimum for the solution. In addition, we report metasurface beam splitters where the incident beam is divided between two oblique waves. The reported metasurfaces are part of an ultrathin interferometer design which will be briefly discussed.
Environmental Science and Policy
13. The Effects of Weathering on Arsenic Bioaccessibility as a Function of Particle Size
Presenter(s): Macy Dexter, Lauren Hu
Advisor(s): Dr. Christopher Kim
Identifying mines containing elevated levels of As is an important step towards tackling the global issue of As contamination in humans living or working in mining communities. The aim of the current project is to examine the effects of physical weathering on the As bioaccessibility of eight different size fractions from a mine waste sample in the Empire Mine district in California. Larger particles may have a greater change in percent bioaccessibility after grinding compared to smaller particles since they have a greater initial volume and surface area available to be ground and which As may be encapsulated inside of compared to a smaller particle. To test this, sample grinding using a ring mill shatterbox was used to simulate physical weathering. Both ground and unground samples of the particle size fractions were subjected to simulated gastric fluid extractions at human body-like conditions, and inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) was used to establish the concentration of dissolved As available after undergoing the gastric fluid extractions. The largest particle size fractions (2830 - 4750 micrometers) were found to have the greatest change in bioaccessibility between the ground and unground samples (93.4%). An overall trend was observed that, as particle size increases, relative change between the ground and unground particles’ bioaccessibility increases. This data contributes to the existing As bioaccessibility data found by the Kim Environmental Geochemistry Lab, providing insight into how As bioaccessibility trends at this site in the Empire Mine District compare to other locations.
Health Sciences and Kinesiology
14. Identifying the Neural Correlates of Postural Control: A Novel fMRI Paradigm
Presenter(s): Korinne Henslee
Advisor(s): Dr. Jo Armour Smith, Dr. Laura Glynn
Postural control is essential for maintaining balance and facilitating goal-directed action during voluntary limb movement. Altered postural control in the trunk and hip musculature is a characteristic of aging and of multiple neurological and musculoskeletal conditions. It has not previously been possible to non-invasively determine the patterns of altered brain activation underlying impaired postural control in patient populations. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the feasibility of a novel fMRI-compatible postural control paradigm and identify the brain activation associated with postural control in the trunk and hip musculature during a voluntary lower-limb task. BOLD fMRI imaging was performed on 20 healthy volunteers who performed two versions of a lower-limb task using their non-dominant, left limb. For the supported leg raise task (SLR), the leg is raised from the knee while the thigh remains supported. For the unsupported leg raise task (ULR), the leg is raised from the hip. Significant brain activation during the SLR task occurred predominantly in the right primary and secondary sensorimotor cortical regions. In contrast, significant brain activation during the ULR task occurred bilaterally in the primary and secondary sensorimotor cortical regions, as well as cerebellum and putamen. This novel paradigm enables simultaneous and noninvasive identification of human cortical and subcortical brain activation associated with postural trunk and hip muscle recruitment during a voluntary lower-limb task. Regions activated during the unsupported leg raise, but not during the supported leg raise, were consistent with the planning, execution, and sensory experience of a task involving multisegmental and bilateral postural control, including anticipatory postural adjustments. This paradigm provides a foundation for future studies that will isolate neural mechanisms of impaired postural control in patients with neurological and musculoskeletal dysfunction.
History
15. The Life of Napoleon and his Influence on the French Revolution
Presenter(s): Bradley Parsons
Advisor(s): Dr. John Boitano
We will study Napoleon's life and military conquests to better understand the progression from the French Revolution to the Consulate and the First Empire. We will then examine Napoleon's negative influence to understand better why his critics despise him. Finally, we will analyze Napoleon's impact on French culture today to understand his influence on the French and the country. It is said that very rarely can a man have a significant impact on the history of the world, and Napoleon is without a doubt one of those men. A little history about Napoleon, he was born in Corsica in 1769, and he studied in a military school in France. He started his career in the army in 1785 and became a brigadier general on the Committee of Public Safety. Napoleon was a controversial leader in France and had lasting effects that some people remember positively and others negatively. The most important action he took was to create a standard educational system and create secondary schools. Napoleon also contributed to the infrastructure of France with projects to build new streets and sewage systems. In addition, he facilitated the adoption of the metric system and introduced the first central bank in France. Napoleon got rid of trade guilds, monopolies, and trade restrictions in the economic realm. One of Napoleon's most important contributions was the introduction of the Napoleonic Code, a legal code that the majority of Europe later adopted.
Physics
16. Microwave Plasma Chemical Vapor Deposition of Graphene for Flexible and Transparent Electronics
Presenter(s): Aviv Zohman
Advisor(s): Dr. Jerry LaRue
Graphene’s remarkable electrical, optical, and chemical properties make it a promising successor to indium tin oxide for applications in flexible, transparent electronics. However, efforts to manufacture graphene have been hindered by inefficient synthesis and transfer methods. Chemical vapor deposition (CVD) is commonly used to produce graphene. CVD starts with a blank surface onto which a chemical vapor is deposited to create a single graphene layer. CVD requires extreme temperatures, so only substrates with high melting points are applicable, like metals. This excludes insulative substrates such as polymers which are essential to transparent and flexible devices. Therefore, a subsequent process transfers the graphene sheet from the metal substrate onto an insulating one. During this transfer, the graphene sheet is usually deformed. On the other hand, microwave plasma chemical vapor deposition (MPCVD) enhances this approach by lowering the process temperature, thereby eliminating the need for substrate transfer. Here, we design and build a custom MPCVD reactor to directly deposit graphene on insulating substrates for applications in flexible, transparent electronics.
Political Science
17. Ideological Polarization Factors in the American Political Arena
Presenter(s): Avery Davidson
Advisor(s): Dr. Ann Gordon
Do you ever wonder how two people can have such divergent beliefs on ideological issues? What about how someone can hold beliefs that are consistently liberal or conservative across a range of issues? There are many different factors that can contribute to determining one’s political ideology such as education level, religion, region, and generation. This paper examines the extent to which these factors influence one’s political ideology, and which are most impactful. Understanding the factors that influence the American voter can have profound implications for democracy and the American political process. Relying on the Chapman Survey of American Fears, a representative national sample of US adults, information was gathered on topics of political ideology as well as subtopics such as education level and religious beliefs. It was found that religion and region have strong correlations to one's political ideology. The big picture implications of this study can be used to further understand the mindset of the American voter.
18. Fear of Muslims: Rising Islamophobia in the United States
Presenter(s): Zohal Noorzayee
Advisor(s): Dr. Ann Gordon
According to the Bill of Rights, the United States glorifies itself over the legal notion that religious tolerance and acceptance serves as a major foundational component that the U.S. was built upon. By granting citizens the ability to practice religion freely, without government interference, the United States has been able to become a melting pot for several different religions. Following the attacks of 9/11, Islamophobia in the United States reached tremendous heights with hate crimes, an increase in surveillance, and stronger security against Muslims across the nation. Using the Chapman Survey of American Fears 2020-2021 results conducted by Chapman University scholars, I was able to draw a relationship linking Americans who fear Muslims with those who hold a more Conservative ideology. After cross analyzing the data, we are able to determine that 72% of people who’re “very afraid” of Muslims identify as moderate Republicans. Those who fear Muslims, are likely to believe that Islam is incompatible with Western democracy and as a result, more likely to be reluctant in supporting immigration from predominately Islamic countries. The apprehension towards Muslims in the United States may not always be physically present, but acts as an omnipresent force that can be seen through people’s hesitancy in advocating for religious inclusion, such as permitting mosques to be built in their neighborhoods. Although the United States preaches religious toleration, the rise in Islamophobia among different partisan groups presents a major issue that invalidates a fundamental feature of democracy.
19. Down the Rabbit Hole: How Non-Traditional Media Consumption can Lead to Conspiratorial Affiliations
Presenter(s): Trevor McNally
Advisor(s): Dr. Ann Gordon
Conspiratorial ideas have permeated the American ethos for decades. Whether it be Hollywood faking the moon landing to government involvement in the 9/11 attacks on the twin towers, there has always been a subsection of the population who believes larger malicious forces are at work. As humanity moves towards a more digital existence, conspiracy theorists also have advanced; enter Qanon. This paper will attempt to deduce the correlation between members of the Qanon community and what external factors could drive one to this belief. Qanon is a conspiratorial community that has attached itself to former President Donald Trump; their thoughts are intriguing, ranging from government corruption to the occult. The groups can attribute its founding to online forums where "Q" was conceived, lurking in dark corners of anonymous websites exchanging information about the "conspiracy." However, in recent years "Q" has emerged from the shadows and made its way into the fray. QAnon presents an interesting case study on how digital media can influence individuals' behavior and beliefs. This paper will investigate how different forms of media consumption correlates with the adoption of conspiratorial beliefs. Furthermore, due to the pertinence of Donald Trump in the conspiracy, and the level of the radicalism of the individual will investigate party affiliation in conjunction with emotions tied to the January 6th insurrection. This investigation will be conducted by cross comparing variables and their intersections by utilizing the Chapman University American Fear survey. By understanding how online information can be leveraged to shape one's own beliefs, it could be possible for regulators to predict who and when someone will fall prey to these ideologies.
20. Connections between Political Party Identification and One's Viewpoint on Covid-19 and the Vaccine
Presenter(s): Oliver Ludwig
Advisor(s): Dr. Ann Gordon
During the time of the pandemic, many people had many different thoughts and positions on Covid-19 and the eventual vaccine that would come out to fight this disease. During the time when the vaccine was still being produced, the discussion on whether the vaccine would be effective or even worth was being discussed among several political party groups. This research paper attempts to find if there is a connection with a certain political party and refusing to take the vaccine or even not believing in the severity of Covid-19. Primary research points will attempt to show why this political party thinks this way, which groups of people within this political party are the most unwilling to take the vaccine and which "information" channels are the most popular with the unwillingness of taking the vaccine.
Psychology
21. Engagement in Consensual Non-Monogamy and Multi-partner Sex during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Insights from a National Sample of Single Americans
Presenter(s): Kaylie Posen, Manya Dhupar, Amanda Gesselman
Advisor(s): Dr. Amy Moors
For many, the COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing gave people time to think about their sex lives. Previous research by Lehmiller and colleagues (2021), showed correlations between loneliness and stress with increased sexual risk-taking and new sexual desires during the pandemic. In the present study, we examined the prevalence of engagement in consensual non-monogamy and multi-partnered sex during the COVID-19 pandemic taking into account sociodemographic factors and living arrangements. We analyzed data from a national sample of people who are currently single in the U.S. as part of The Kinsey Institute’s annual Singles in America study (N = 3,622; 60.7% identified as women; 39.3% identified as men; 88% identified as heterosexual/straight people; 12% identified as lesbian/gay/bisexual). Data were collected in June-August in 2021 when vaccinations were widely available in the U.S. We found that a small, but sizable proportion of single people engaged in diverse types of multi-partnered relationships and sexual acts during the pandemic. Specifically, 8.1% of single Americans indicated that they had engaged in a consensually non-monogamous relationship during the pandemic followed by 3.8% and 3.1% who indicated that they had a threesome or group sex, respectively. Men and sexual minorities (lesbian, gay, and bisexual people) were more likely to have engaged in consensual non-monogamy and multi-partner sex during the pandemic than women and heterosexual people, respectively (Brange: 0.53-0.89, pvalues < 0.01). Associations between living arrangements and desire for socializing will also be discussed as individual difference factors. These data suggest that engagement in consensual non-monogamy and multi-partnered sex during the COVID-19 pandemic is more prevalent than some people may expect.
22. Empathy in Health Professions: Effects on Patient Satisfaction, Anxiety, Trust, and Health Care Professional’s Job Satisfaction
Presenter(s): Sophia Kelsey
Advisor(s): Dr. Desiree Crevecoeur-MacPhail, Dr. Tara Gruenewald
With healthcare as a growing concern, it is essential to evaluate empathy levels in healthcare professional’s (HCP’s) communication to determine the effects on patient satisfaction, anxiety, trust and HCP job satisfaction. Interpersonal theory explains that understanding relationships is important to understanding behavior and has been used to evaluate nurse- patient interactions in the past. Maintaining strong relationships with nurses correlated with a positive patient perception of their healthcare experience. To examine these effects for HCP-patient interactions, college students participated in a study which required them to recall the last time they engaged in healthcare before they took the Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7), Short Form Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire (PSQ-18), Trust in Physicians Scale, Single Item Job Satisfaction Scale and Adapted Perceived Empathy Measure. The results are expected to show that increased empathy levels shown by HCP leads to higher patient satisfaction, reduced symptoms of anxiety, higher levels of trust and higher HCP job satisfaction. The results can help inform educational systems for future HCP and ensure that healthcare can be a positive experience for patients and HCP alike.
23. Likelihood of Individuals Seeking Therapy Based on the Location of Upbringing
Presenter(s): Abigail Paine
Advisor(s): Dr. Tara Gruenewald, Dr. Desiree Crevecoeur-MacPhail
Research was conducted to investigate the association between individual’s likelihood of seeking therapy and the location of their upbringing. Specifically, research focused on understanding people’s attitudes toward mental health treatment based on where they grew up and where they currently live. Through an anonymous study survey, data was collected using The Mental Help Seeking Attitudes Scale to measure participants’ mental health stigmas along with self-reported questions about one’s upbringing. Previous literature revealed that social stigma predicted people’s attitudes toward seeking therapy in the United States, but there was a lack of research on the geographic location playing a role. Hypothesis one stated that the presence of negative mental health stigmas in a given area will reduce the residents’ likelihood of attending therapy sessions. Hypothesis two predicted that high internal disapproval surrounding mental health will worsen the individual’s self-reported implicit feelings towards seeking therapy. Hypothesis three stated that individuals who previously refrained from help-seeking behaviors in their communities will choose not to access psychological services as college students. Finally, it is hypothesized that negative perceived public stigma surrounding mental health will deter individuals from seeking therapy more than one’s own personal stigma. Overall, research was conducted to examine the association between individual’s likelihood of seeking therapy and the location of their upbringing in hopes of understanding what areas of the country need to emphasis mental health treatment.
Religious Studies
24. Astrology in Ancient Mesopotamia
Presenter(s): Tamara Dardari
Advisor(s): Dr. Julye Bidmead
What is astrology? Where did it come from? How did it come to be? Astrology originated from a number of different ancient countries including ancient Mesopotamia. Seeing as how important omens were to the ancient Mesopotamians, curiosity strikes in learning to see how astrology affected the way that they thought and how much of an impact that it had on them. I am curious to learn about what they thought of astrology and how they came to the discovery of it and if it played any part in determining factors for the ancient Mesopotamians. Seeing how important ancient Mesopotamians thought omens were I feel like astrology held just as much of an importance and was a big part of their belief system since it connects them with the earth and (to them) god. I feel like from learning more about astrology in ancient Mesopotamia it will give a better understanding of where some of their beliefs come from if astrology plays a big a role in their lives as I expect it to. I am also interested to learn and see if astrology had any role with the gods of ancient Mesopotamia and if that affected who they were seen as and the reputations they had. I am also confused as to how the ancient Mesopotamians came up with the idea of astrology and what they used to come to this and how they determined what and the reasoning for the names of everything. The idea of astrology coming from ancient Mesopotamia interests me a lot because I feel like it is such a mystery as to how all of these things came about and what began it all. Astrology has become such a popular topic today and I am interested to see how it compares to when the ancient Mesopotamians first discovered it. I feel like with doing more research it will just give a better perspective on astrology itself and the role it plays in ancient Mesopotamia.
25. Astrolomy: The Ancient Mesopotamian Studies of Astrology and Astronomy
Presenter(s): Hannah Leis
Advisor(s): Dr. Julye Bidmead
Without the use of modern technological advancements and equipment, ancient Mesopotamian astrologers studied the stars and constellations to formulate counting systems, such as the 365 day year, 60 minute hour, and 60 second minute, and more, all of which we still use today. In the first millennium, they observed celestial phenomena and recorded it on star calendars, similarly resembling modern astrological birth charts and maps of the galaxy. As their scientific discoveries advanced, these findings shifted into two major studies with vastly different connotations: astronomy and astrology. Astronomy is a revered study of the universe and cosmos with major funds for research and undeniable legitimacy. Astrology is the opposite, considered a pseudoscience with little backing as it examines the planets and their effects on earthly events. Though they are now considered two separate sciences, Ancient Mesopotamians studied these as one, gaining insight into how the universe effects life on earth. This project addresses the question of why astrology and astronomy have diverged, by looking at star calendars and comparing them to similar charts found in astrology and astronomy. These findings highlight the overlaps between Ancient Mesopotamian mythology and modern-day science as these stories worked hand in hand with major scientific research, helping to kickstart the research we study today. Throughout this research, I expect to find lots of resemblances between these areas of study as well as a connection to spirituality as it is heavily impacted by science.
26. Mesopotamian Kingship's Connection With Divinity
Presenter(s): Yitong Zhang
Advisor(s): Dr. Julye Bidmead
Sumerian and Babylonian kingship is closely tied to their magic and religious belief. Inana, also named Ishtar, is a goddess whose power is associated with many various realms including royal authority. Ancient Mesopotamians believed that the lion is a symbol of absolute royal power, and Inana often appears with lion figures. Besides the lion, a daisy-like flower symbol called rosette often appears in circumstances related to kingship. The famous Ishtar Gate, built by Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar II (604–562 BCE), is decorated with lions, rosettes, and other symbols of the gods. Every year, in a celebration of the renewal of kingship, statues of the gods, accompanied by the king would process through this gate. Additionally, many Mesopotamian palace reliefs and the jewelry of royalty featured rosette imagery. In this research project, I will be looking into the connection between Babylonian and Sumerian kingship and deities. I will explore the beliefs and symbolism underlying the royal power and divine energy. My hypothesis is that the kingship is managed by the gods they worship as human beings are living under the deities’ blessings.
27. Ancient Mesopotamian Art
Presenter(s): Juliana Pinto
Advisor(s): Dr. Julye Bidmead
My main topic of interest will be Mesopotamian art. I wish to inquire further into what they considered fine art. What types of riches the nobles would have. What things were made simply to sell. There is such a variety of what is considered to be art today so I am quite curious to know more about what was considered art back then in such an advanced society. I know about their cravings being the main source of artwork but I want to know more. I am a huge fan of art, especially fine art. Obviously, I also have a passion for history. I love combining different passions of mine to learn really interesting things. I know Mesopotamians are also sort of known for erotic artwork. I find it quite interesting to know that in history, sex was not always so shunned. There are always a couple of exceptions but most ancient societies and people of the past tended to steer clear of any mention of sex. The Mesopotamians did the opposite and were quite open. Lots of ancient erotic tablet carvings have been unearthed. Many people nowadays would still be uncomfortable or disgusted by erotic art but I believe it to be quite important. Sex is a part of who we are, it is how we are made. The ancient Mesopotamians knew that and honored it with their form of art.
28. Protective Magic: The Making and Use of Amulets Against Demons and Ghosts
Presenter(s): Lily Goldklang
Advisor(s): Dr. Julye Bidmead
In our world today, we have many superstitions and protective gear to wear to ward off various spirits that we think may bring us bad fortune. Yet you must wonder, how did people during the Mesopotamian era ward off evil? Two of the most feared supernatural beings in the Mesopotamian world were demons and ghosts. Ghosts were the spirits of the underworld that would come to haunt people if they were unhappy with their burial/ mourning process or the circumstances of their death. Demons, on the other hand, were seen as tools of the gods. Demons would be sent forth by gods to punish people for their wrongdoings; bestowing hardship upon them such as disease or storms. If someone was feeling sick or mentally unwell- it was typically blamed on either a demon or a ghost.There is no way of expecting when a demon or ghost may be coming your way, so people resorted to various types of protective magic- especially ones to wear around their necks. Amulets were a very common form of protective magic against demons like Lamashtu. She was known for stealing babies, so women would wear amulets around their necks to ward her off. This amulet would contain a depiction of the counter demon Pazuzu, who could ward off his nemesis, Lamashtu. Mesopotamians also wore inscribed amulets to keep ghosts away. If a person had a headache, ear problems, mental disorders, and/or other ailments, they believed they were afflicted by ghosts. With ghost amulets, they contained simple ingredients like herbs, but also very unusual ingredients like the dust of a human’s skull. By learning about why the ghosts/ demons brought hardship upon the people of Mesopotamia, we can discover why the use of amulets (and the importance of the ingredients used) was so normalized.
Sociology
29. Be the Change: The Adoption of Student-Proposed Sustainability Measures in Higher Education
Presenter(s): Eva Stanton
Advisor(s): Dr. Stephanie Takaragawa
Participation in protests, petitions, or advocacy campaigns is often viewed as a big part of the college experience for many students. Young developing professionals with unlimited potential emerge into the world they have been told is their oyster. Just as earlier generations had done so before, it is now their time to raise their voices and mold the society of the future. Such actions have been taken at Chapman University, where students are told they can accomplish “anything imaginable”, as students form special interest clubs, create campus-wide petitions, and engage in public displays like protests and rallies, raising awareness, encouraging conversations, and inspiring change. One example of such activity has been the effort to bring solar power to Chapman’s campus or encouraging the institution to divest from fossil fuels. Existing environmental clubs like Mission Environment, Senior Capstone Projects like the Environmental Science and Policy Campus Audit, and even organizations created for purely this purpose like Net Zero Chapman have attempted to convince the administration to make changes toward sustainability. Several assumptions have been supposed as to why Chapman’s new buildings do not have solar capabilities, be it tied to funding, internal politics, or community aesthetic guidelines. And while different conceptions or rumors as to why such proposed measures are adopted or rejected circulate within the student body, little is known about how these institutions and administrations make such decisions. In order to discover how universities adopt recommendations from student-led advocacy campaigns a case study of student-suggested sustainability measures at Chapman University was completed through interviewing students and faculty, the creation of a power dynamics map, and documentation of both successful and unsuccessful changes that have come about.
World Languages and Cultures
30. A Comfortable Revolution and Uncomfortable Ideas, The Bourgeois-Socialist Representation of a Revolution in Germinal
Presenter(s): Corwin Rybchinskiy
Advisor(s): Dr. John Boitano
Germinal by Émile Zola is an iconic book in late 19th Century French Literature. The book’s story depicts the ever-present class conflict that has formed and continues to mold French society. In the book, Zola depicts various ideologies that had been growing and changing over the past few decades. These ideologies of Socialism, Anarchism and Social Democracy are represented by various characters and influence the struggle of coal miners against a capitalist ruling class. However, Zola’s depictions of these ideologies are not truly representative of the movements at the time. Instead, Zola heavily misinterprets or falsely depicts these ideologies in order to discredit them. To discover why Zola goes to such lengths to misrepresent the ideas that fuel this story, we can investigate his works as a journal writer during the rise and fall of the Paris Commune. By analyzing his writings, we can see how his attitudes towards revolutionary actions and ideologies shifted in response to the revolution happening in his own city of Paris. In understanding the direct influence of Zola’s perspective in his writing, we can get a better look at how bourgeois-socialist intellectuals may have interpreted the desperate revolutions, growing ideologies and worker uprisings that rose and fall during the turn of the century.
31. Women in Opera: From Damsels in Distress to Young Men
Presenter(s): Cara Benner
Advisor(s): Dr. John Boitano
The opera tradition has been a means of entertainment for centuries, capturing audiences with its thrilling plots and heart-wrenching beautiful melodies. The role of women, or lack thereof, reflects on the societal values at the time of its creation and gives an impression of how women were perceived. Today, opera faces harsh criticism for its lack of feminism and the treatment of its women. While their male counterparts don't always make it to the end of the opera, it is far more common for the leading lady to meet an unfavorable and unhappy ending, such as those in "Tosca" and "Madama Butterfly." This paper explores the disparity between female and male roles in 19th-Century French and Mozart operas, as well as how different types of female roles represent diverse aspects of patriarchal society. The history of castrati and how it relates to the close-minded nature of European society is included to demonstrate the evolution of operatic roles. Specific operas, such as "Carmen" and "Les Contes d'Hoffman," will also be examined to showcase the different ways in which women are portrayed and received through opera. Finally, this paper will analyze the purpose of trouser roles (roles in which a woman, usually an alto, portrays an adolescent boy) and their reflection on women’s versatility to be damsels in distress, “femme fatales,” villains, or even young lovestruck boys, in the case of trouser roles.
32. Jean Cavailles : From the Black Board to the Battlefield
Presenter(s): Natanael Alpay
Advisor(s): Dr. John Boitano
During the second world war, there were many influential figures in the armed and intellectual resistance against Nazi Germany in France. Still, few were partaking in both, and even fewer to the extent of Jean Cavailles. Born on 15 May 1903 Saint-Maixent, France, Jean Cavailles started his life as an academic, working with Nobel prize winner and graduating from Lycée Louis-le-Grand before entering the École Normale Supérieure in 1923, two of the most prestigious universities in Paris. In 1939, a few days after the German invasion of Poland, he volunteered and was stationed on the Maginot Line in a reserve unit; however, with the German Army's advances, it was not long until he saw his first combat. He led numerous successful missions against the Germans and was promoted to lieutenant before the end of the fight. During his service till after his death, he received several military honors from both France and other allied countries such as Belgique. With the surrender of France, J. Cavailles, like many others, was not yet ready to give up. So with a few writers and editors from journals, he started his first resistance journal and was one of the pioneers of intellectual resistance in France. He was captured multiple times, but with a bit of luck, he managed to escape, and in 1942 he left for England, where he met the future president and war hero Charles De Gaulle. With a new fighting spirit in him, he returned to France, joined the armed resistance, and performed numerous sabotage missions. In 1944 his luck ran out, and he was captured by the SS after being given away during an interrogation of one of his resistance members. He was put in front of the German military court under the accusation of espionage and sabotage. During his time in prison, he spent his time working on his work about the philosophy of science and wrote the Theory behind the philosophy of the concept, a whole new philosophical way of thought based upon science and mathematics. His legacy is forever remembered for its enormous contribution to the resistance forces and academic contributions.
33. Fin De Siecle, Hope For a Better Future
Presenter(s): Monica Perez
Advisor(s): Dr. John Boitano
This purpose of this paper is to explore how literature and art during late 19th century France helped change living standards and to the introduction of laws which were aimed at providing equal comfort amongst the upper and lower classes. To explore this, I will analyze the Fin de Siècle, A period defined by Eugen Weber as, “A time of economic and moral depression, a great deal of less redolent of buoyancy or hope. And yet, a lot took place During these two decades that made life better for a lot of people.” (Weber, 2) The youth of this period felt that they were coming into a world where “all that was is no longer, and all that will be, is not yet.” (Musset) This attitude gave power to the masses, as did literature and art at the time. Literature was heavily concerned with promoting social change. Renowned French author Emile Zola’s work is culmination of the concerns of the Fin de Siècle. Zola’s work and other art with will show to have a lasting impact in molding and promoting this social change. While studying the generation at the time, this paper will follow gradual introduction of policies or social programs aimed at increasing comfort and creating equality.
