Abstracts 9:30–10:40am

Humanities the artist’s manipulation of memory and of entrenched to the cultural identity of identity through the use of texts engraved. Norway, unwrapping the fabrics of public Chinese Today: Near and Afar policy and cultural history, design processes (panel discussion) Founders Hall 126 Problems of Place: Judenplatz and artistic choices, reveals that the symbols Memorial in Vienna of the park is more contested than it appears Sophia S. Chen ’13, East Asian Studies, Wendy Cassandra Tavolarella ’13, Architecture to the local and international audience. M. Foo ’14, Economics, Virginia Hung ’13, Advisor: Patricia Berman, Art Mathematics, Kelsey A. Ridge ’13, English and You Can’t Evict an Idea: The Giant of East Asian Studies, Christianne L. Wolfsen The Judenplatz Memorial in Vienna, built by Boston and the Spaces of Subversion ’13, Chinese Language & Literature, Audrey Rachel Whiteread, is a contested monument in Public Art M. Wozniak ’14, Music, Ji Qing Wu ’15 to the memory of the Holocaust. Built on top Laura Marin ’13, Art History Economics and Cognitive & Linguistic Sciences of the ruins of a Jewish synagogue that was Advisor: Patricia Berman, Art Advisor: Shiao Wei Tham, East Asian destroyed in the 15th century, the “Nameless Languages & Literatures Library” interrogates the collective memory The recent mural painted by the Brazilian and accessibility of Jewish history. The street artists Os Gemeos in Dewey Square This panel discusses research topics that “Nameless Library” is situated in the Jewish represents a major shift in the public art students in CHIN 231/331 pursued as part quarter of Vienna, and is the only Holocaust of Boston as well as a crucial juncture in of the study of the linguistic, historical, memorial in Austria. Similar to a concrete the collective memory surrounding the site cultural, and sociopolitical factors that shape bunker or mausoleum and lined with claimed by the Occupy movement less than a our understanding of what constitutes the outward facing books, the “Nameless Library” year before the mural’s execution. The artists Chinese language. The course examined dedicates itself to the anonymous victims, loss enjoyed the support and blessing of the City the various language families in China in of culture, and knowledge. of Boston and several cultural and municipal terms of writing systems, phonetics, word organizations to paint what becomes, upon and sentence structure, how and why these Whose King? A Case Study on the closer inspection, a rather subversive image. languages have changed, and the ongoing Martin Luther King, Jr. National My paper seeks to explore how the potentially changes that are taking place in them. Memorial radical implications of the Os Gemeos mural We report on linguistic trends in Chinese Caitlin Greenhill Caldera ’14, Art History play out in a project validated and legitimized language use online as a result of censorship, and Studio Art by the city’s cultural and municipal authori- gender in the Chinese language, the use ties. I will contextualize the artists’ strategies of Mandarin in Asian-American cinema, Advisor: Patricia Berman, Art within a wider Brazilian modernist strategy linguistic fieldwork on the Hakka dialect, and A dream deferred twenty-seven years, the of cultural cannibalism as a tool to subvert Chinese as a foreign language in the U.S. In Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial Western hegemony and explore how this all, our reports concern the past, present, and on Washington, D.C.’s National Mall approach has carried on into our globalized future of the Chinese language from a global was finally erected by the MLK Memorial present. standpoint and how it influences and affects Foundation to commemorate the legacy of our daily lives. MLK, Jr. in 2011. Due to multiple govern- ment and corporate interventions, budgetary Science & Technology Controversial Public Art and problems, and the MLK memorial founda- Its Politics tion’s own foolish search for a ‘universal’ Breaking Bad: Drugs, Delivery, (panel discussion) Jewett Arts Center 450 MLK, the memorial is not the realization of and Disease A Text-Based Monument: How Roy a dream but the execution of a colossal and (short talks) Pendleton Hall East 139 Moore Manipulated Memory and controversial nightmare: a soviet-style social Two Methods of Synthesizing Novel Identity in His Ten Commandments realist propaganda sculpture of superfluously Thiocarbonyl Agents for Drug-Resistant Monument enormous proportions that conveys the Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Katherine E. Dresdner ’13, Art History opposite of King’s ideologies. Alexa Jackson ’13, Economics and Chemistry, Advisor: Patricia Berman, Art Amelia S. Williams ’13, History Vigeland Park: A Study of Its Symbols Chief Justice Roy Moore chose to display Advisor: Michael Hearn, Chemistry Diana Huynh ’15, Art History and Political his Ten Commandments monument in the Science Each year, approximately 9 million new public rotunda of the Alabama State Supreme cases of tuberculosis are identified across Court building. The monument and its loca- Advisor: Patricia Berman, Art the globe, predominantly in developing and tion in the state courthouse on July 31, 2001 The Vigeland Park (1924-1949) in Oslo, emerging nations. [1]Even more concerning ignited a national firestorm and resulted in Norway, named after its creator, Gustav is the growing proportion of these cases constitutional litigation in the Federal courts. Vigeland, is known as a national emblem – a caused by drug-resistant strains. In the This case study examines the artist’s use of monument representative of Norwegian extreme, a few patients have recently been public art to reconstruct one of the most culture. In this case study, I question its role diagnosed with strains of tuberculosis that fundamental tenets in American law – the as a national public space by focusing on the are completely unresponsive to currently- separation of church and state. Key issues controversies surrounding Vigeland and his available drug therapy, heightening the in this original interdisciplinary analysis are commission. Despite it being remarkably urgency of developing new pharmaceuticals

20 WELLESLEY COLLEGE RUHLMAN CONFERENCE 2013 9:30–10:40am effective against drug-resistant strains. The A stroke is defined as death of tissue, and can High Impact Science on the thiocarbonyl moiety, present in several be caused by a variety of mechanisms includ- Final Frontier resistant strain therapies, is hypothesized ing excessive blood clotting and hemorrhage. (short talks) Science Center 104 to produce tuberculostatic activity. We With an adviser from Boston Children’s Simple Impact Crater Morphometry: endeavor to incorporate a thiocarbonyl into Hospital and Wellesley College, I have Distribution and Analysis of Martian new tuberculostatic compounds via the been tackling this question from a clinical Craters thioamide or thiourea functional group. perspective. My project aims to determine the Lynn M. Geiger ’13, Geosciences and Alkyl-substituted thioamides were produced safety and efficacy of drug treatments in treat- Astronomy from substituted benzaldehydes and aromatic ment of childhood stroke events. Data was Wesley Watters, Astronomy amines via a modified Willgerodt-Kindler collected retrospectively and systematically Advisor: reaction. Diphenyl thioureas were synthesized from patients referred to the Cerebrovascular Impact craters, which are caused by mete- by nucleophilic attack of aniline derivatives Disorders and Stroke program at Boston orites, are the most widespread geological on the electrophilic carbon of aryl isothio- Children’s Hospital for disease consultation feature in the solar system, found everywhere, cyanates. Both series were synthesized in and management. Our preliminary results from planets to asteroids. On Earth, the good yield and purity and show promising corroborate those of previous studies, atmosphere is too thick for smaller craters to preliminary biological results (Funded by indicating that there are nuanced differences form, so we have to look elsewhere to study the Department of Chemistry and Howard in outcome between three standard treatment them. With the implementation of new high- Hughes Medical Institute). strategies. These findings represent a step resolution stereo cameras in orbit around towards comprehensive categorization of Mars, studying small craters is now possible. [1] “WHO Report 2011: Global Tuberculosis safety and efficacy of treatments for child- The focus of my research is taking these new Control.” World Health Organization. World hood stroke. data and finding impact craters to study Health Organization, 2011. Web. September simple crater shape distribution. My research 2012. Progress Towards the Synthesis of combines morphometery statistics with a Novel Electroactive Compound physical data, to better understand how the The Synthesis and Evaluation of for Surface Modification of Gold underlying geology and surface environment Residues 6-36 of Alpha-Synuclein Nanoparticles of an impact site affects crater formation, Madelyn P. Kallman ’13, Chemistry and Nicole A. Spiegelman ’13, Chemistry, Hong crater morphology and the evolution of Mathematics Zhang ’15, Undeclared craters over time. Advisor: Julia Miwa, Chemistry Advisor: Dora Carrico-Moniz, Chemistry Circular Polarization and Incident Parkinson’s disease is linked to the neuro- In recent years, scientific research has Wavelength Independence in the protein alpha-synuclein. Several factors, placed an emphasis on the nanoscale. Gold Fresnel Rhomb nanoparticles (AuNPs) are extremely small including certain gene mutations, will Wanyi Li ’16, Undeclared, Renee Lu ’15, English gold particles with a diameter on the scale cause the protein to aggregate to neurotoxic Advisor: Theodore Ducas, Physics oligomers, which damage and kill neurons. of nanometers that have myriad applications One of these mutations, A30P, causes an in medicine, biosensing, and electronics. Circularly polarized light has many altered secondary structure from the wild Recently, there has been an increased interest applications ranging from investigations of type protein that enhances oligomerization. in developing methods aimed at linking two atomic energy levels, minerals and biological To characterize this structural shift, we focus distinct AuNP populations. The Flynn lab is materials to 3-D movies. In this presentation on the region of the protein surrounding developing a novel eletrochemical method to we will consider two methods of circularly the mutation; we synthesized wild type trigger the self-assembly of AuNPs. To maxi- polarizing light – using a quarter wave plate and mutant fragments of alpha-synuclein mize the use of electrochemistry, the AuNP or a Fresnel rhomb – that depend on two containing residues 6-36, and examined populations should exhibit water-solubility. very different physical mechanisms. We will their conformations using circular dichroism The Carrico-Moniz lab is working towards describe the optical physics underlying each spectroscopy. With this work, we hope to the synthesis of a novel thiolated compound of these methods and present experimental understand further why alpha-synuclein that will be attached to AuNPs. This organic results. Our work demonstrates the greater aggregates and how to control or inhibit molecule incorporates several ethylene glycol versatility of the Fresnel rhomb in its ability aggregation. units, which should enhance the water to operate over a significantly greater range of solubility of the respective AuNPs. The wavelengths than a quarter wave plate. Tackling a Silent Disease: Determining progress towards the synthesis of this novel Best Practices for Management of sulfur-containing electroactive compound Optimizing Exoplanet Transit Childhood Stroke will be presented. (Research in collaboration Observations and Analysis Hayley E. Malkin ’13, Biological Chemistry with Professor Nolan Flynn, Chemistry, and Kirsten N. Blancato ’15, Astrophysics, and supported by a Roberta Day Staley and Karl Advisor: Mala Radhakrishnan, Chemistry Anna V. Payne ’15, Undeclared A. Staley Fund for Cancer-Related Research Advisor: Kim McLeod, Astronomy Pediatric stroke is a leading cause of mortality Award and a Eleanor R Webster Prize in and disability among children, yet few com- Chemistry). We optimized exoplanet transit observing and prehensive studies focused on best practices analysis techniques with the 24’’ telescope at for acute management have been conducted. Wellesley College and developed a Python-

WELLESLEY COLLEGE RUHLMAN CONFERENCE 2013 21 9:30–10:40am based pipeline to fit the resulting light curves. Sparkly Hats and Cookie "Change the World": Projects We observed nine transit events and used the Dough: Stories from Computer from Predictions Paradigms model fits to determine the physical proper- Security and Joules (PPJ) an ties of the star, the planet, and the planet’s (panel discussion) Science Center 278 Experimental Olin/Wellesley orbit. Our best observations (on stars with Erin Davis ’15 Computer Science, Emily Transdisciplinary Course m = 10 – 13) yielded mmag residuals and Erdman ’13, Neuroscience and Computer (panel discussion) Science Center 277 formal uncertainties on the transit midpoints Science, Taili Feng ’13, Computer Science, Ellen M. Bechtel ’14, Environmental Studies, of less than 1.5 minutes. With the machinery Michelle N. Ferreirae ’13, Computer Science, Trevor Hooton ’14, Engineering (Olin), that we built, we can now undertake simulta- Margaret T. Ligon ’13, Computer Science Jared Kirschner ’13, Electrical and Computer neous observations with collaborators at other Advisor: Franklyn Turbak, Computer Science Engineering (Olin), Emily L. Kurtz ’15, colleges to quantify the uncertainties in transit Mathematics, Larissa Little ’14, Engineering timing variations. (Sources in support of this This fall, we took CS 342, Computer (Olin), Celeste Maisel ’14, Mechanical project included Massachusetts Space Grant Security. As part of that course, we competed Engineering (Olin), Julia A. O'Donnell ’15, and Claudine Malone '63 Summer Science in a Capture the Flag competition, in Physics, David Pudlo ’15 Engineering (Olin), and Research Scholars Gift for our funding.) which we had a computer with secrets on Slater Victoroff ’15, Engineering (Olin) it, and we had to defend our secrets while Daniel Brabander, Geosciences Re-defining the Birdbrain: stealing secrets from other teams. We also did Advisors: and Robert Martello, History of Science and Investigations of Learning and significant final projects, investigating topics Technology (Olin) Memory in Songbirds ranging from the security of Wordpress, to (panel discussion) Founders Hall 120 creating security frameworks, to drive-by Last semester Professors Rob Martello Andrea J. Bae ’14 Neuroscience, Napim downloads, to the security of CS student (History of Science and Technology, Olin Chirathivat ’15, Undeclared, Houda G. projects. We will discuss these projects and College) and Dan Brabander (Geosciences Khaled ’16, Undeclared, Sima Lotfi ’13, their broader implications. and Environmental Studies) offered a new Neuroscience and Philosophy, Ana K. Ortiz course called Paradigms, Predictions and The Role of Low Energy ’14, German Studies , Milena Radoman ’15 Joules: A Historical and Scientific Approach Undeclared, Sahitya C. Raja ’15, Undeclared Electrons in High Energy to Energy and the Environment (PPJ). This Radiolysis Advisor: Sharon Gobes, Neuroscience transdisciplinary course prioritized developing (panel discussion) Science Center 396 a transferable set of tools and attitudes To adaptively interact with their environ- Sebiha M. Abdullahi ’15, Biological Chemistry, (ranging from quantitative modeling to ethics) ment, animals need to have the capacity Mavis D. Boamah ’14, Chemistry and applicable to sustainability studies. In order to to learn and acquire a memory of how Mathematics, Nathalie Rivas ’15, Biological foster these outcomes, the professors created an they changed their behavior. Although the Chemistry , Katherine E. Shulenberger ’14, open-ended “Change the World” assignment behavioral components of learning and Chemistry, Audrey A. Tran ’15 Undeclared, that encouraged strong personal (intrinsic) memory have been well characterized, the Katherine D. Tran ’15, Undeclared motivation and produced tangible impacts that neuronal changes that accompany such Advisor: Christopher Arumainayagam, extended course themes beyond the walls of the behaviors are less understood. Songbirds are Chemistry classroom. Following an in-class brainstorming a unique model system for the investigation session, teams of students self-organized and of learning and memory in the brain because Our goal is to simulate processes that occur often chose to contribute their skills and efforts they provide a natural learning paradigm that when high-energy cosmic rays interact with to more than one project. In this session, PPJ is expressed under laboratory conditions. interstellar and cometary ices. The interac- students will share their class presentations Male, juvenile songbirds learn their songs tions of high-energy radiation, such as cosmic from the Change the World deliverables. from a conspecific tutor during a ‘sensitive rays, with matter produce large numbers of period,’ and the strength of this learning can low-energy secondary electrons, which are be measured after the learning process has thought to initiate radiolysis reactions in the Social Sciences been completed. Because of similarities at the condensed phase. In addition to building a behavioral level between song learning and new ultrahigh vacuum chamber optimized for Political Action: Taking Charge speech learning, the songbird is also a par- astrochemical studies, we are investigating the for a Better Tomorrow ticularly good model for speech acquisition low-energy electron-induced condensed phase (short talks) Pendleton Hall West 212 in humans. In the Gobes Lab, we investigate reactions of methanol (CH3OH), ammonia Community-Based Learning: A Tool for the cellular and synaptic changes that occur (NH3), and water (H2O). The results of Social Change during song learning in both wakefulness and experiments such as ours may provide a Jiezhen Wu ’13, Peace & Justice Studies and sleep through behavioral, immunocytochemi- fundamental understanding of how complex Political Science cal, and electron microscopy techniques. molecules are synthesized in the interstellar Advisor: Kenneth Hawes, Education Sources of funding: medium and comets. Brachman Hoffman Fund This presentation is based on my honors thesis Patterson Summer Research Fellowship research, through which I explored the impor- Howard Hughes Medical Institute Summer tance of community-based learning and its role Research Awards in building stronger schools and better students.

22 WELLESLEY COLLEGE RUHLMAN CONFERENCE 2013 9:30–10:40am

I propose that education should go further and medical practice clashes with social mores, analysis methods to quantify US foreign policy deeper than the statistics of test scores, towards what challenges face policymakers, and to objectives post-9/11. This research reveals the creating a holistic environment where every what extent can, or should, solutions be implications of American engagement in the student, teacher, parent, and community has a provided by non-governmental organizations? Middle East and may be utilized as a point stake in the schooling experience, and becomes A situation of the epidemiological statistics of comparison for recent US foreign policy actively involved and committed to education within the context of the everyday experiences decisions in response to the Arab revolutions. and learning as a whole. In using case studies of healthcare providers and service users and data from the field work I have done in provides insight into the ongoing challenges Being a "Good Neighbor": The United both the United States and Singapore, I aim and the need to tailor international advice to States' Involvement in General to create a dialogue between what I have seen fit local circumstances. Pinochet's Coup of 1973 and experienced in the field with what is being Rachel E. Cherny ’13, History and Classical discussed in the greater academic literature, to On the International Stage: Civilization U.S. Foreign Policy and Its deepen the understanding of the salience of Advisor: Ryan Quintana, History community-based learning in education. Actors (short talks) Pendleton Hall East 239 On September 11, 1973, General Augosto Pinochet Ugarte led the coup that ousted the Practical Laboratories and Unfulfilled The Military: Personal Narratives of Dreams: A Comparative History Veterans first-ever elected Marxist president, Salvador of Urban Planning in Japan and Allende. The coup was fueled by Anti- Kathryn E. Kenney ’13, Anthropology Its Colonies communist support from the U.S., an injured Advisor: Deborah Matzner, Anthropology Lin Davina Huang ’13, International Chilean economy, and an extreme class polar- Relations- History Discussions of the military often seem to ization present at the time. Once in power, Pinochet used his military strength to rule the Advisor: Yoshihisa Matsusaka, History saturate the media. Their actions, budget, and policies serve as ample fodder for news outlets. country as an authoritarian dictator for 16 My presentation explores Japan's urban Despite the military's active presence on the years. During that time, Pinochet committed planning projects in the metropole and in national stage we often overlook or forget countless human rights violations by torturing its colonies of Hokkaido, Taiwan, Korea and the individuals who comprise it and instead those he deemed to oppose his regime. Manchuria. By comparing the extent and focus on the institution. In my research I have nature of urban transformation in the home- worked with veterans to collect their stories, This Independent Study seeks to examine land and its colonies, I argue that colonial impressions, and memories of their time in the exact relationship between the U.S. cities in the Japanese empire experienced much the military. Participant's timelines range government and the Chilean government from more radical transformations. The colonies from World War II to Operation Enduring the late 1960s through the coup of 1973 and provided a vacant plane on which Japanese Freedom. Their stories not only track the its immediate after effects. Many historians urban planners tested avant-garde planning shifting attitudes towards the military but also attribute the U.S. involvement in the coup to concepts and engineered magnificent, high- highlight individual relationships with one of neoimperialism, the Red Scare, or a mixture modernist imperial designs. In other words, our nation's largest institutions. of both. By mainly examining primary and they became the practical laboratories and Intelligence sources, the purpose of and exact testing grounds for urban planners to fulfill American Foreign Policy and involvement of the U.S. should be illuminated. their unfulfilled dreams in Japan. Presidential Rhetoric in the Middle East: Strategic and Ideological Constructions of Gender and Elimination or Integration: Interests in the Aftermath of 9/11 Notions of Belonging An Ethnography and Analysis of Kim A. Quarantello ’13, Political Science (panel discussion) Jewett Arts Center 454 Decriminalization of Sex Work in Kigali, Narratives of Women's Bodies During Rwanda Advisor: Paul MacDonald, Political Science Childbirth: Biomedical vs. Holistic Julia A. Klaips ’14, Biological Chemistry US foreign policy in the Middle East consists Models of a complex interplay between strategic and Advisor: Rosanna Hertz, Women's and Jane Adkins ’13, Women’s and Gender Studies Gender Studies ideological interests that dictate American involvement in the region. Although many Advisor: Irene Mata, Women’s and Gender In the context of post-genocide reconstruc- scholars argue that the terrorist attacks on Studies and Rosanna Hertz, Women’s and tion, the Rwandan government has made September 11, 2001 profoundly altered the Gender Studies immense strides forwards in the context of trajectory of US foreign policy, others state Childbirth is one of life’s landmark experiences healthcare provision, especially in the field of that the policies pursued were consistent with for many women: a physiological feat marking HIV prevention. However, one community the American liberal tradition. My research the beginning of motherhood. When giving of Rwandans remains at particularly high risk: evaluates these contrasting theories and birth, women integrate the philosophies and women who work in the sex industry. Given determines the importance of strategic and teachings of their healthcare providers to broad expert consensus on the policies best ideological interests from the 9/11 terrorist understand their own internal experiences. suited to deal with this problem, investigation attacks to the declaration of war in Iraq in Healthcare providers have constructed various into the social, political, and legal problems March of 2003. I will analyze President Bush's narratives of women and their bodies during of providing effective treatment to this at-risk foreign policy rhetoric within this time frame childbirth, and these narratives directly mani- group can be, we hope, fruitful. Where best and present data collected using content fest themselves during the birth experience.

WELLESLEY COLLEGE RUHLMAN CONFERENCE 2013 23 9:30–10:40am

This presentation will compare two major less than two years. About half are reunited with radical thinking in the Asian American com- frameworks for understanding childbirth: the a parent (but often return to the system) and munity. As a result, modern media proves to holistic model, as generally practiced by mid- the rest are adopted, emancipated or live with be both an oppressive burden and an outlet for wives, and the biomedical model, as generally another relative. The race, religion, and social expression for the Asian American community. practiced by obstetricians. I will examine this class of the host families in comparison to the Using a variety of media sources, we analyze the issue from a gender, race, and class perspective, children who enter the system will be discussed. modern Asian American response to the model considering how intersecting social identities An analysis of government reports, demograph- minority myth, the portrayal of Asian American and disparities interact to influence interac- ics data and scholarly work will show how the women, and stand-up comedy to recognize the tions between women and care providers. foster system is transforming families. internal diversity of this racial minority and the dangers it faces in modern American society. Familiarity and Freedom: Conceptions The Construction of Gender Relations of Home by Queer International in the American Automotive Industry Perspectives on Social Issues Students of Chinese Descent Consumer Advertisements II: Research from the Wellesley Eman Wei-Hsin Ma ’13, Psychology and Roxana Mir ’15, Women’s and Gender Studies College Freedom Project Women’s and Gender Studies and Neuroscience (panel discussion) Jewett Arts Center 452 Advisor: Irene Mata, Women’s and Gender Advisor: Irene Mata, Women’s and Gender Free Market Solutions to Inhumane Studies and Rosanna Hertz, Women’s and Studies and Rosanna Hertz, Women’s and Prison Conditions: The Prison Gender Studies Gender Studies Voucher System Sabrina Giglio ’15, American Studies This project focuses on my ethnographic This study focuses on consumer advertising in research project on Gay/ Lesbian international the automotive industry as it relates to gender. Advisor: Thomas Cushman, Sociology students of Chinese descent at Wellesley A review of automotive advertisements Generally speaking, American prison condi- College. I sought to identify how these from the 1950s reveals that they primarily tions are terrible. In times of economic crisis, students conceived of “home,” “family,” and showcased women’s role in the domestic no elected officials want to sacrifice their “coming out.” I had a particular interest in sphere, which inevitably portrayed women positions by providing extra funding for those disrupting and complicating the mainstream as being subservient or secondary to men. In incarcerated in lieu of providing resources for narrative of “coming out” from an oppressive comparison, modern commercial advertise- their law-abiding constituents. How can we home space into a liberated queer space, ments are more sexualized and often focus on improve daily life for the more than 6 million especially in the context of a Chinese student the physique of the woman’s body as opposed people behind bars? Libertarians have proposed choosing to attend Wellesley College. One to the product itself. The aim of this study solutions based on free-market capitalism. One narrative I reference focuses on the importance is to explore whether the ads from the 21st of the most prominent of these is a voucher of being “shou,” or familiar, with somebody, century are more reflective of the evolution of system. Upon sentencing, prisoners are given and how “coming out” is not really necessary women’s role in the society or if they reiterate vouchers and are allowed to choose from an when you are “shou” with someone. Another the same stereotypical narrative under the array of prisons. The system will create compe- narrative emphasizes the idea of “freedom,” guise of sexual liberation. Furthermore, this tition among the prisons, and thus force them and how departure from “home” is painted as study also aims to examine gay and lesbian to improve conditions if they want to attract necessary to achieve this “freedom.” Both of advertising to see whether or not this form of prisoners (or “customers”, in this example). My these narratives conceive of a queerness that is advertisement upholds the masculine power presentation focuses on the voucher system as a inseparable from "Chinese-ness"; the meaning complex inherent in gender relations through means to improveour incarnation system that is of the search for a "home" and a sense of the redefinition of heteronormativity. grounded in free-market and libertarian values. belonging shifts depending on context. Cultural Crossroads: Drug Wars, Drug Laws, and The Temporary Families: Living In and Out Redefining the Asian American American Prison of the Foster Care System Experience Melissa Clark ’14, Media Arts & Sciences Catalina Santos ’13, Women’s and Gender Studies (panel discussion) Pendleton Hall and English West 116 Advisor: Irene Mata, Women’s and Gender Advisor: Thomas Cushman, Sociology Studies and Rosanna Hertz, Women’s and Tiffany K. Chan ’15, Biological Sciences, There are over 6 million people incarcerated Gender Studies Angela Y. Gu ’15, Undeclared, Lauren M. Richmond ’14, Economics and Art History, in American prisons. Debates on prison con- As of 2010, there are approximately 400,000 Lindsey L. Tang ’15, Undeclared, Grace D. ditions hinge around reducing the numbers children in the foster care system in the United Zhao ’15, Economics and American Studies of prisoners. Many prisoners are incarcerated States. Children are placed in foster care for for using drugs and not engaging in the more Advisor: Yoon Lee, American Studies various reasons including abuse, neglect, serious crime of drug trafficking. Libertarians and English and abandonment. Over 75 percent of these have proposed that the prison problem can children are placed under government care What is the Asian American experience? be amelioratedsignificantly by reforming drug and into private homes with foster families. Today’s media shapes the way we perceive Asian laws in the US. This presentation outlines a Approximately equal numbers of boys and girls Americans and constructs this community’s col- libertarian approach to the war on drugs, the are placed in foster care for varying lengths of lective and individual identities. Media can both reform of American drug laws, and their effect time. 70 percent of youth are in the system for perpetuate age-old stereotypes and encourage on prison conditions in the United States.

24 WELLESLEY COLLEGE RUHLMAN CONFERENCE 2013 9:30–10:40am 11am–12:10pm

Libertarian Perspectives on the Humanities An Ideal Woman: The Masochistic Legalization and Regulation of Drugs Pursuit of Feminine Beauty in the works Bailey Desmond ’13, Economics and Philosophy Global Asia of Junichiro Tanizaki Advisor: Thomas Cushman, Sociology (short talks) Pendleton Hall East 139 Shelby B. Robertson ’13, Japanese Languages and Literatures This research examines whether policies and Confucianism in East Asia Advisor: Eve Zimmerman, East Asian practices for drug legalization in the United Yu Zhou ’16, Undeclared Languages & Literatures States are consistent with libertarian ideals. Advisor: Ellen Widmer, East Asian Languages For example, is it better for current marijuana & Literatures In his novels and short stories Japanese writer laws to be loosely enforced while the industry Junichiro Tanizaki (b. 1886–d.1965) explores Chinese culture has exerted an enormous is largely unregulated, or is complete legaliza- the theme of man's desire for self destruction impact on other East Asian countries tion and further regulation more respectful and self torture through his heroes' masoch- throughout history. Confucianism is one of ofpersonal freedoms? I will examine this istic pursuit of beautiful but cruel women. the most striking Chinese influences among question through different libertarian lenses. Tanizaki’s protagonists deliberately draw East Asia. This presentation will focus on Which scenario is economically more free. out the wicked nature of the objects of their the spread of Confucianism from China to Which scenario is more respectful of humans' desire, molding them into femme fatales who Japan and Korea, and how Confucianism natural liberties? Which of these two is eventually sadistically persecute their creator. is demonstrated through Chinese, Japanese preferable in today's America? The analysis of The usually detached protagonists make a and Korean literature. We will introduce drug policy will illuminate a tension central to distorted attempt at correcting their feelings the origin and basic ideas of Confucianism contemporary Americanpolitical discussion: of alienation from society through the sense in China, and the development of Neo- a tug-of-war in which citizens try to prioritize of purpose and passion provided by their Confucianism in Korea and Japan in the 17th their economic freedoms over their civil liber- pursuit of an unattainable feminine beauty. and 18th century. By comparing the tradi- ties, and vice versa. tional literature novels in China, Japan and Who Are You, Who Am I?: The Role of On Silencing, Free Speech, Korea, this presentation will give a general Otherness in Asian Identity Formation and Harm analysis of the similarities and differences of in Latin America the influence of Confucianism in these three (interactive teaching presentation) Victoria M. Nguyen’13, Spanish East Asian countries. Pendleton Hall West 117 Advisor: Koichi Hagimoto, Spanish Chloe E. Emerson ’15, Undeclared, Morvareed Tulsidas' Ramcaritmanas: Translating There have been major Asian diasporas to E. Rezaian ’14, Cognitive and Linguistic Medieval Hindu Devotional Poetry Latin America throughout the 20th and 21st Sciences, and Ilana Z. Walder-Biesanz ’13, Elin R. Nelson ’13, South Asian Studies centuries; however, the Asian immigrants' Systems Engineering (Olin) and Comparative Literature journeys still remain one of the lesser known Advisor: Mary McGowan, Philosophy Advisor: Neelima Shukla-Bhatt, subjects of both Latin American and Asian Some feminists claim that pornography South Asia Studies history. This narrative’s importance should not silences women and thereby violates women's be downplayed since it reveals how otherness While living in Varanasi, India, I discovered right to free speech. In this presentation, we plays a crucial role in cross-cultural relations, the Awadhi poet Tulsidas’ Ramcharitmanas, a focus on a particular account of silencing and community prosperity, and the development popular retelling of the Ramayana, the Hindu we raise a challenge to that account. In par- of cultural customs. Otherness has played a epic tale of Prince Rama’s adventures. People ticular, we offer a case, the drowning case, that significant role in prejudice towards Asians often quote, recite, and perform scenes from appears to satisfy the definition of silencing in Latin America, the formation of "Nikkei" the poem – once I heard it being recited for but this result is counter intuitive. Thus, either culture, the dynamics between two generations over twenty four hours to bless a newly built the account must be modified (to avoid this of Asian-Latin Americans, and the develop- home. Most memorably the Ramcharitmanas result) or it must be shown that the downing ment of both Asian and Latin American is performed during Ramlilas (reenactments case is an instance of silencing after all. identity. This population may be very specific, of the story of Rama) which are often timed but the implications of otherness are universal to end on the festival of Vijayadashami to as they influence how we define others and celebrate the victory of Lord Rama over the how we define ourselves. demon Ravana. This fall, I spent the semester translating excerpts from Ramcharitmanas, Food and Travel learning the language Awadhi and analyzing (short talks) Jewett Arts Center 450 the metrical structures of the poem. I looked Labyrinth, the Shape of the Modern specifically at the character of Valmiki, a Mind: Kafka, Borges and Auster famous Sanskrit author of one of the most Jiwon Hahn ’13, Comparative Literature influential versions of the Ramayana, and how he interacts with Rama during Rama’s Advisor: Lawrence Rosenwald, English exile in the Dandakaranya Forest. Since Daedalus built the labyrinth to imprison the Minotaur, the concept of labyrinth has forever charmed literature.

WELLESLEY COLLEGE RUHLMAN CONFERENCE 2013 25 11am–12:10pm

Labyrinth is a puzzle composed by the to transcend the limitations of thought No. 2 in A major, Op. 81 as a culmination writer and handed over to the reader. Yet the and language. In contrast, Jonathan Swift of a year-long project in Wellesley's Chamber labyrinth by definition defies anyone’s full remains deeply troubled by the instability of Music Society. Interspersed within the perfor- comprehension/penetration, so that even the language and academic theory as corruptions mance will be presentations on Dvorak himself Daedalus-writer is lost within his own cre- of rationality. Swift’s A Tale of a Tub and A and on this seminal example of this much- ation. As the metaphor of both mind and the Digression Concerning Madness convey the beloved musical genre. The topics will include world, the labyrinth also blurs the boundary subjectivity of madness through a highly Dvorak’s life and his role in Czech nationalism, between the external and the internal. Taking idiosyncratic style of exposition. Nonetheless, the use of folk motifs in his music, the the literary motif of labyrinth as a space of Lennox and Swift share a suspicion of the influence of his relocation to America on his comparison, I am looking into the fiction kind of rigidity of thought that aspires to oeuvre, and the historical context and formal of Franz Kafka, Jorge Luis Borges and Paul rationality but verges on madness. analysis of the piano quintet. Auster. The thematic concerns of the study include meta-fiction, authorship, mental A Comparison of Food Still Lifes and physical representation of space and the by Pieter Claesz and Jean-Baptiste- Science and Technology experience inside a labyrinth compared with Siméon Chardin that of wandering in the city (flânerie). The Danielle R. Ezor ’13, Art History and Studio Art Green Means Go: Time for Environmental Action three writers’ explicit and implicit usage of Advisor: Margaret Carroll, Art the labyrinth in their fiction contributes to (short talks) Pendleton Hall West 116 their penetrating and powerful depiction of Still-life paintings have long been relegated to To Sink or Swim: Explaining U.S. the modern mind. the lowest levels of painting in art theory and Coastal Sea Level Rise Policy in contemporary discussion. yet the painters Kelly A. Mercer ’13, Environmental Studies Home and Away: Questions of Travel in Pieter Claesz and Jean-Baptiste-Siméon Advisor: Elizabeth DeSombre, Environmental John Donne and Andrew Marvell Chardin gained fame as still-life artists in their own lifetimes. In seventeenth-century Studies Gabrielle C. Linnell ’13, Medieval/Renaissance Haarlem, Claesz developed the famed Studies Hurricane Sandy foreshadowed the dire monochrome breakfast still life, known for consequences of sea level rise over the next Advisor: Sarah Wall-Randell, English humble and natural depictions of standard century by demonstrating how ruthless the In 17th-century England, descriptions of the Dutch meals. Continuing in Claesz's ocean could be. As global climate change cosmos were in flux. Explorers, immigrants tradition, Chardin painted modest, yet causes sea levels to rise, those living in and colonists were re-defining the global dynamic, depictions of simple French meals coastal regions face devastating harm. In the map; local surveyors and cartographers were in the 1750s and 1760s. Both artists not absence of a federal regulation, coastal states re-fixing the boundaries of villages and home- only derived aspects of their work, such as must elect to create policy to protect their towns; early scientists were re-discovering brushstroke, composition, and color, from shorelines. My senior thesis analyses what the human body, calling into question older the famous Antwerp painter, Frans Snyders, determines whether coastal states pass policy conceptions of how the universe functioned, but they also became famous for their still in preparation for sea level rise. I look at the and humankind within it. Examining poems lifes during similar socio-economic periods factors such as political history, economy, of love, politics, faith and real estate, this in their respective societies. Their individual population, and physical coastline to under- project compares and contrasts John Donne styles and depictions of simple meals garnered stand what drives coastal policy. My research and Andrew Marvell, two distinct and mas- surprising interest and adoration for still life explains which states will sink and which will terful poets, in their creation of geographical from the public in their own lifetimes. swim as sea levels rise. (Research supported by metamorphosis and reactive space within a Schiff Fellowship) their literary works to offer a microcosmic Wellesley Chamber Music portrait of the world. (Research supported by Society Long Performance: The East-West Corridor: An Analysis of the Jerome A. Schiff Fellowship.) Exploration and Performance Nonviolent Direct Action at Work of Antonin Dvorak Piano Molly R. Cyr ’13, French and Peace and Mad Funny: Representing Madness Quintet No. 2 in A major, Op.81 Justice Studies in the 18th Century (long performance) Jewett Arts Center Advisor: Catia Confortini, Peace Studies Christina J. Hsieh ’13, English Auditorium The national construction company Cianbro Advisor: James Noggle, English Graeme L. Durovich ’15, Undeclared, Natalie recently submitted a proposal to the Maine J. Griffin ’14, Economics, Serena Liu ’13, The Age of Reason saw frequent deployment State government entitled “The East-West Biological Chemistry, Maria Nikitin ’13, of madness as a literary device and subject in Corridor”. The proposal details a massive Art History, Audrey M. Wozniak ’14, Music, parody and comic genres. Charlotte Lennox’s construction project that would create novel The Female Quixote, a parody of Advisor: David Russell, Music an energy corridor bisecting Maine. This Cervantes’s Don Quixote, cautions against Audrey Wozniak ’14 and Natalie Griffin ’14, corridor would be used to transport tar dogmatic reasoning that insists on universal violins, Graeme Durovich ’15, viola, Serena sands, crude oil and out-of-state trash from adherence to an individual standard. Lennox Liu ’13, cello, and Masha Nikitin ’13, piano the Midwest and Western Canada to Eastern emphasizes the redemptive potential of will perform Antonin Dvorak's Piano Quintet Canada. Environmental and community reciprocal moral sentiment and its power concerns abound as the plans for the corridor

26 WELLESLEY COLLEGE RUHLMAN CONFERENCE 2013 11am–12:10pm are vague. The effects of the East-West reducing and eliminating bag use, mainly by the expressions relate to underlying affective corridor on the environment and human changing citizen’s behavior. The successes and dimensions (valence, arousal). The focus of beings could be severe; the large scale of the failures of these policies show interesting trends the study is on whether the manipulation of project interrupts wildlife migration patterns, about what makes for good environmental the facial halves for happiness, sadness, and private property and, potentially, state park policy and what doesn’t. (Research supported neutrality leads to the perception of different land. I will research the proposal, interview by the Sophomore Early Research Program) emotional states. local people, state officials and activists and compile a coherent project that will discuss Seeing is Believing: Vision and Assessing the Morphology and the components of the proposed energy Optics the Viability of Engineered Tissue with corridor. I will pay particular attention to (short talks) Science Center 396 Combined High Resolution Optical nonviolent direct action tactics employed Binocular Stereopsis in Areas V2, V3, Imaging - Raman Spectroscopy by environmental groups in response to the and V3A of the Macaque Monkey Laura Fandino ’14, Biological Sciences construction of the corridor. Erin M. Yeagle ’13, Neuroscience Advisor: Michelle LaBonte, Advisor: Bevil Conway, Neuroscience Biological Sciences Environmental Conservation and the Struggle for Environmental Justice and Stereopsis is a binocular cue to depth, Assessing the morphology and viability of Sustainable Development in Vieques, calculated using the disparity between images tissue constructs is key to developing an effec- Puerto Rico projected on each retina. In the 1960s, Hubel tive way to engineer tissue for transplantation. At present the production of engineered Ada P. Smith ’13, Anthropology and and Wiesel identified neurons selective for tissue requires the concurrent production of Environmental Studies this disparity in macaque monkeys, but a full two identical transplants. One transplant is Advisor: Deborah Matzner, Anthropology account of the work was never published: the cells lay in “Area 18,” a region whose used for destructive quality control and the I hope to tell the story of the contested land- organization was then poorly understood. second one is implanted into the patient. scape of a former military training base in Using functional magnetic resonance imaging Ideally, the non-invasive characterization of Vieques, a small island municipality of Puerto (fMRI), we generated an atlas of macaque such tissue engineering samples would allow Rico. Military occupation on the island from visual areas that we aligned with histological one transplant sample to be both tested and 1940 until 2003 led to serious environmental sections from Hubel and Wiesel’s experiments implanted. Here we present a multimodal and economic devastation. In 2003, the on stereopsis. Collaborating with Hubel approach for non-destructive characterization Navy gave two-thirds of the island to U.S. and Wiesel and guided by their laboratory of tissue constructs that assesses morphology Fish and Wildlife. In effect, toxic wasteland notes, we located most of their original through Optical Coherence Microscopy is now under “conservation” where clean-up recording sites, allowing us to place their (OCM) and functionality through Raman is impossible given its status as a wildlife findings in new context with contemporary Spectroscopy. This promising technology is sanctuary. This paradox has been kept out results. (Research supported by the National likely to contribute to successful and eco- of local dialogue and has provided popular Science Foundation and a Jerome A. Schiff nomical clinical applications of tissue grafts. media with a platform to dub Vieques as an Fellowship Honorable Mention.) untouched gem of the Caribbean. The Detection and Representation of What Is One Plus One? Perceiving Foreground vs. Background Objects Environmental Policy in the Bag: What Asymmetrical Facial Expressions of Da In Kim ’13, Neuroscience and Plastic Bag Policies Teach Us about Emotions Computer Science How to Make Successful Environmental Katherine E. Limoncelli ’14, Psychology Advisor: Ellen Hildreth, Computer Science Policy and Change Behavior Advisor: Paul Wink, Psychology Katherine A. Corcoran ’15, People need to perceive depth to understand Environmental Studies The study of human facial expressions the three-dimensional structure of a scene and to gauge the distance between objects. One Advisor: Elizabeth DeSombre, explores how people recognize and interpret important visual cue for perceiving depth is Environmental Studies symmetrical and asymmetrical emotions. Asymmetrical facial expressions result from stereo. It is especially important to distinguish Single use plastic bags have become a regular brain asymmetry, where the left and right between foreground and background objects convenience at grocery stores in recent brain hemispheres work both together, in the analysis of a scene. We reach first for decades, quickly replacing paper bags. These as well as separately, in terms of creating, objects in the foreground and recognize plastic bags now nag at us in many ways, recognizing, and ultimately interpreting par- objects more easily when they appear in environmentally and societally. Plastic bags ticular emotional displays. In this study, four front. In my thesis, I conducted perceptual consist mainly of fossil fuels petroleum and synthetic faces (2 female and 2 male “actors”) experiments that show that the human visual natural gas, put tons of waste into landfills, encoded happiness, sadness, or were left in a system analyzes foreground objects more and produce lots of ugly litter that chokes neutral state. The right and left halves of the quickly and accurately than background marine life and clogs drainage systems, among faces were combined to create all 9 possible objects, when using stereo to perceive depth. other problems. Every member of society variants per actor and 36 faces total. All faces I also developed a computer algorithm to pays in some way for the costs that stem from were presented on a computer and partici- analyze 3-D scene structure from stereo plastic bags. Thus, an array of cities, states, and pants had to rate either discrete emotions images, incorporating this knowledge that countries has implemented policy directed at (e.g., happiness, sadness, anger, etc.) or how people process foreground and background

WELLESLEY COLLEGE RUHLMAN CONFERENCE 2013 27 11am–12:10pm objects differently. Using a multi-resolution glaucoma on Ghana’s economic development. The patellins (PATLs) are Arabidopsis approach that processes foreground objects Camylle Fleming argues that many anti- thaliana Sec14-related proteins that are at a higher resolution, this algorithm may obesity campaigns are incorrectly responding thought to function in membrane trafficking reduce the computational resources needed to to high-risk populations. Collectively, these (Peterman 2004). Recent phylogenetic studies perform object segmentation without losing papers begin to explore some of the issues suggest that the PATL family arose during essential information about scene structure. that impact African-descended populations in the evolution of the first vascular plants. We Africa and the Americas. investigate the connection of auxin domain App Inventor Development at establishment and PATL function in the Wellesley Modeling the World, One Byte plant vascular system using a number of (panel discussion) Founders Hall 126 at a Time molecular techniques. Karishma Chadha ’14 Computer Science, (panel discussion) Founders Hall 120 Erin L. Davis ’15, Computer Science, Emily Raissa D. Antwi ’13, Mathematics , Jacquelyn L. Erdman ’13, Neuroscience and Computer E. Blum ’14, Chemistry, Connie Chen ’15 Social Sciences Science, Johanna L. Okerlund ’14, Computer Undeclared, Amelia B. Kreienkamp ’13, Science and Mathematics Chemistry, Lucy Y. Liu ’13, Chemistry, Helena Truth, Reconciliation, and Holding on to Identity Advisor: Franklyn Turbak, Computer Science W. Qi ’14, Chemical Physics, Ying Yi Zhang ’13, Economics and Chemistry (short talks) Pendleton Hall West 212 App Inventor is an online blocks-based Personalizing Justice: Beyond the Advisor: Mala Radhakrishnan, Chemistry programming environment open to the Chambers of the ICTY to the People of public where anyone can easily create mobile Can a computer byte its way into the living Sanski Most apps for Android phones. The drag and drop world? The Radhakrishnan laboratory uses Kathleen A. Sprague ’13, Anthropology interface makes it accessible even to people computational methods to investigate prob- Advisor: Anastasia Karakasidou, with little or no programming experience. As lems of biological and theoretical significance. Anthropology members of the App Inventor development Many of our projects focus on understanding team, we are working to make this product the electrostatic determinants of protein My research focuses on the efficacy of better and will be discussing our individual binding, which can lead to improved drug the International Criminal Tribunal of App Inventor development projects: blocks design. Other projects aim to improve the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY), a judicial to text and text to block conversion to allow therapeutic treatments for diseases such as mechanism established in The Hague in instructors to read students’ more extensive HIV via a computational study of patterns of response to the mass atrocities committed programs and more advanced users to drug resistance. Finally, another study focuses throughout the Balkans in the 1990s. Based program faster, using OAuth and POST to on modeling new, unprecedented molecules on the ethnographic fieldwork I conducted allow users to post pictures from their phones like the newly developed nanocar. Taken in Sanski Most, a small town in northwestern to various photo sharing sites on the web, and together, our work exemplifies the versatility Bosnia, my research explores residents’ processing data from users’ projects to learn of computational chemistry in investigating perceptions of justice following the Yugoslav how people use App Inventor as a program- the world around us. wars and their overlap as well as disjuncture ming environment and as a teaching tool. from Western priorities and initiatives. More Role of PATL in Plant Vascular broadly it hovers at the intersection of legal Perspectives on Public Health, Development anthropology and human rights. While my Patient Access and Disease: (panel discussion) Science Center 278 research is founded soundly in anthropologi- from Accra to Boston Angela C. Ai ’15, Biological Chemistry, cal methodology and literature, I also utilize (panel discussion) Pendleton Hall Emma M. Britain ’13, Biological Sciences, insights from other disciplines in order to East 239 Nevatha Mathialagan ’15, Anthropology, Elze contribute to the multidisciplinary discourse Camylle J. Fleming ’14, Women's & Gender Rackaityte ’13, Biological Sciences surrounding transitional justice. Studies, Alexandra Grzywna ’14, English, Advisor: T. Kaye Peterman, Biological Sciences The Formation of Tibetan National Shikah Kofie ’14, Women's & Gender Studies The plant vascular system accomplishes an Identity in Diaspora and Africana Studies, Blair L. Uhlig ’14, incredible feat of carrying water and nutri- Tenzin Y. Dongchung ’13, Peace and Justice Classical Civilization and Health and Society ents, sometimes for hundreds of kilometers. Studies Advisor: Donna Patterson Vascular patterns must be rigid enough to Advisor: C. Pat Giersch, History This panel reflects some of the research supply the organism with vital water and I focus on understanding the formation projects conducted in the fall 2012 section of nutrients, but also flexible enough to account of Tibetan national identity in diaspora. Health, Medical Professionals, and the Body for environmental changes. This self-assem- Through reference to anthropological in the African Diaspora. Ali Grzywna exam- bling network begins to lay the groundwork literature as well as my own interviews, I ines the intersections of syncretic religious during early embryogenesis when the embryo specifically study the impact of a) the physical traditions on Boston’s Haitian immigrant is patterned with procambial cells. The dislocation of Tibetans to India, b) the population. Blair Uhlig explores how negative coordination of this replicable, yet adaptable establishment of exclusive Tibetans schools sub-narratives influence black motherhood. pattern de novo in each leaf is associated with in India, and c) dynamics of exile politics Shikah Kofie examines the impact of auxin hormone domains which predict the procambial cell differentiation. on the Tibetan people's consciousness as a

28 WELLESLEY COLLEGE RUHLMAN CONFERENCE 2013 11am–12:10pm national group. My interview subjects are of gender in the late 19th century. Conrad Cultural Universalism, Cultural first generation Tibetans who studied at the simultaneously allows Marlow to exclude Relativism and Minimal Morality: Tibetan schools and eventually helped to women from the secret-sharing process, Ethnographic Case Studies build and maintain the diaspora institutions. while providing a means for women to (panel discussion) Overall, I explore the themes of nationalism, gain access to the story by way of the frame Jewett Arts Center 454 nation-state and identity formation. narrator. However, within the frame story, Overlapping Standards: The Banning the women whom Marlow meets along his of the Veil in France Pacification of Rio’s Favelas Through a journey serve as gatekeepers to other, secret Pauline Day ’16, Undeclared Feminist Security Lens: The Case of the world--worlds that Marlow cannot access, Econdidinho Favela Residents Advisors: Inela Selimovic, Spanish and given his own prejudice. Linking ideas of Thomas Cushman, Sociology Danielle C. Milagre Pimenta, Senior Davis imperialism, dominance, and secrecy, our Scholar, Peace and Justice Studies papers examine the various interpretations In September 2010, President Sarkozy of Advisor: Catia Confortini, Peace Studies of “truth” in the novella, as well as who has France became heralded and hated after the access to them, and why. passage of a law prohibiting the wearing in The Escondidinho is a favela (shantytown) public of clothing covering the face, including that houses almost 6,000 people in Rio Just Business? Moral burqas and niqabs. The law sparked a debate, de Janeiro, Brazil. As with most favelas in Responsibility in a Global in which both sides, the French government, Rio, Escondidinho residents have lived Economy and the Muslim community, have claimed to under the power of brutal drug factions for (panel discussion) Science Center 277 be operating under the principles of cultural decades. The government implemented the universalism and cultural relativism. This Pacification Program in 2008 to combat Chloe Breider ’15, Economics, Kalina case in France illustrates an ongoing tension the growing power of drug factions in Deng ’14, Philosophy, Mallika Govindan between, on the one hand, universalist preparation for the hosting of the 2014 ’15, Biological Sciences, Diego Hernandez principles of freedom of expression and the Soccer World Cup and the 2016 Summer ’13, Business Management and Economics state’s equal protection of citizens and, on Olympics. The program is considered to be (Babson), Alex Kaumeyer ’13, Management- the other hand, the claims that people have human centered and so successful that it has Finance/Economics (Babson), Prerana Nanda a right to practice their culture. For human been implemented in other cities and also ’14, Economics, Jenna Russo ’14, Spanish rights organizers, the question becomes is it abroad. Using a feminist security approach and Philosophy, Jeff Stout ’14, Business possible to ever reconcile this tension, and if that seeks to highlight often unheard voices Management and Economics (Babson) so, how can you begin to practically do so? and narratives, I interviewed Escondidinho Advisor: Caitrin Lynch, Anthropology (Olin) residents to uncover how the police occupa- During spring 2013, five students each Honor Killings and Human Rights: tion of their community has impacted from Wellesley, Babson, and Olin were Reconciling Competing Cultural Values their human security. I concluded that the invited as Fellows for “Just Business? Moral in the International Community program falls short at providing residents Responsibility in a Global Economy,” a Adeline Lee ’16, Undeclared with the human security that residents seminar series funded by a BOW Mellon Advisors: Professor Inela Selimovic, Spanish desire. (Research supported by the Office of Fund grant. Led by seven BOW faculty/ and Professor Thomas Cushman, Sociology the Provost and Dean of the College) staff, the series culminates in an April 27 summit for the BOW community. In cross- From a sociological standpoint, honor killings Imperialism, Male Heroism, campus teams the students are developing are a means for the restoration of societal and Secret Worlds: digital stories on topics including Caribbean equilibrium after a family’s honor has been Understanding the Dynamics tourism, Mexican-U.S. immigration, stained by sexual impropriety. Honor killing of Gender and Dominance in and the global diamond industry. “Just is also a cultural practice that extinguishes an Conrad’s Heart of Darkness Business” poses questions including: What individual’s right to life in order to protect (panel discussion) Pendleton Hall difficulties arise in tracing the path of a the collective identity and rights of a group. West 117 product from producer to consumer? How This presentation explores traditional notions Laura B. Mayron ’16, Undeclared, Emma D. can global corporations take responsibility of honor and dignity in relation to broader Page ’16, Undeclared, Celina C. Reynes ’16, for the environmental effects of their international human rights frameworks. I Undeclared operations? Is there a conflict between the assess the practice of honor killings through the lens of what human rights theorist Jack Advisor: Yoon Lee, English imperatives to make a profit and to serve the social good? Is it morally wrong to trade Donnelley refers to as “weak cultural relativ- Taking place at the height of British with countries that do not guarantee core ism.” I propose a "minimal morality" that imperialism, Joseph Conrad’s Heart of labor rights? Should you buy that fair trade seeks rapprochement between human rights Darkness explores various relationships coffee or t-shirt? advocates and proponents of honor-based between aggressor and victim. As Marlow violence. The ethics of a minimal morality journeys into the depths of the Congo, he seeks to allow members of groups who discovers both the violent realities of colo- commit human rights violations to continue nization, and the mental deterioration of to cultivate their own cultural identity while the mysterious, god-like Kurtz. Meanwhile, also ensuring that the fundamental human the story also addresses the power dynamics right to life is protected.

WELLESLEY COLLEGE RUHLMAN CONFERENCE 2013 29 11am–12:10pm 1:30–2:40pm

Cultural Traditions versus Human Humanities Nadine Gordimer, “The Conscience Rights: The Case of Uganda’s Anti-Gay of South Africa” Bill The Search for Self Across Mariana Zepeda ’14, English and History Samantha Spiga ’13, Political Science Continents Advisor: Margaret Cezair-Thompson, English Advisors: Inela Selimovic, Spanish and (short talks) Pendleton Hall East 339 In her work, South African writer Nadine Thomas Cushman, Sociology You Can't Go Home Again: A study of Gordimer explores the fraught tensions of In 2012, the US Secretary of State, Hillary Colonial Impact on Nigerian Literature the human experience during apartheid Clinton, spoke to the United Nations in through the Works of Chinua Achebe and its aftermath, striving to represent the and Wole Soyinka Geneva. In her speech, she advocated for the array of voices that compose South African rights of the LGBT community, stating that Clara S. Brodie ’13, English society. Gordimer belonged to a minority gay rights and human rights are one in the Advisor: Margery Sabin, English of white South African activists sympathetic same. Clinton’s speech came soon after the with anti-apartheid ideals and, consequently, My project is, in briefest terms, an examina- media uproar regarding Uganda’s proposed has often been excluded from the canon of tion of Chinua Achebe and Wole Soyinka as Anti-Gay Bill. With punishments ranging African postcolonial literature. This tension colonial and postcolonial Nigerian writers. from a years in prison to perhaps even the mirrors that which she explores in her work. Through my reading and analysis, I am death penalty, the proposed Anti-Gay bill At the core of Gordimer’s fiction lie charac- endeavoring to gain an understanding of would infringe on African peoples’ human ters striving to understand their relationships how both writers convey the irrevocable rights. Same-sex relations are illegal in most with one another and their roles within the consequences of colonialism through their African countries as well as in many Western South African nation. In her first novel, literature and how they represent various countries, a fact which indicates that there “The Lying Days,” and stories like “Which aspects of the hybrid identity that British are strong cultural traditions at work that New Era Would That Be?” and “The Smell influence on their cultures has created. govern diverse forms of human sexuality. of Death and Flowers,” Gordimer explores Many have pointed to religious and cultural Forging a New Russian Hero: the complex relationships that emerge in an arguments to support Uganda’s proposed Post-Soviet Science Fiction and Its era of dissidence, born of a shared impulse bill. However, an immense international Moral Objectives to challenge the color bar and reimagine backlash from the human rights community South Africa. Elena S. Mironciuc ’13, Russian and Studio Art has put these issues in the spotlight. This presentation will focus on the tension Advisor: Thomas Hodge, Russian Notions of Inheritance in Joyce's Ulysses between respecting cultural traditions and Soviet fiction writers had to submit to and Faulkner's Absalom Absalom! ensuring the protection of individuals’ basic strict censure and propagate an image of Lucy V. Cleland ’13, English human rights. the hard-working Soviet man. Right and Advisor: Margery Sabin, English wrong were clearly defined by the needs of the Communist Party. Once the censure was In the course of my 360/370, I am looking gone, however, the Russian fictional hero at the implications of failed rebellions in the changed. I examine this phenomenon in places, generations and individuals presented the careers of the post-Soviet science-fiction in Faulkner and Joyce's novels (specifically authors Sergey Lukyanenko and Marina and Ulysses, Absalom Absalom and The Sound Sergey Dyachenko. Their fictional writing is and the Fury). Questions arise regarding what powerful because they can ask old questions is inherited, how defining that inheritance in a context devoid of the reader’s stereotypes, becomes for individual (especially masculine) prejudices, or past experiences. A recurring self-hood, where it comes from, and how theme in Lukyanenko’s writing is the stark individuals function under it and within it. I contrast between “us” and “others,” humans seek to explore notions about nations, place, and aliens, or magicians living in present- atmosphere, blood lines, and fathers, and day Moscow and “normal” people. An investigate what significance the similarities important theme in the Dyachenkos' work and differences between these two modernist is forgiveness, as exemplified in their novels authors may hold. The Scar and Skrut. In sum, the modern Russian science-fiction protagonist is three- dimensional and flawed. Unlike protagonists of the Soviet era, he is not a creature who dwells only within the confines of literature. (Schiff Fellowship)

30 WELLESLEY COLLEGE RUHLMAN CONFERENCE 2013 1:30–2:40pm

Asian American Studies: Exploring the Musical ties what life would have been like spreading Why it Matters to Everyone Vibrancy of the Baroque ideas before the digital age. A large amount (panel discussion) Founders Hall 120 through Eighteenth Century of consideration is given to how great works Bernice Y. Chan ’16, Undeclared, Karina Instruments are valued now when read digitally compared S. Chan ’16, Undeclared, Julie Chen ’15, (long performance) Pendleton Hall to years ago when each line would have been Undeclared, Christie H. Lee ’14, Political West 220 carefully hand-written. Science, Rebecca J. Leo ’13, Chinese Language Elizabeth M. Bachelder ’13, Economics, Tactile History: The Story of & Literature and American Studies, Sukin Sim Samantha M. Stephens ’14, Physics, Madeline Wellesley College's Textile ’16, Undeclared, Kily A. Wong ’16, Undeclared, M. Thayer ’15, Classics and German Studies Collection Ya Yun Zhang ’13, Sociology and Economics Advisor: Suzanne Stumpf, Music (on location presentation) Print Room, Advisor: T. James Kodera, Religion Playing on period instruments provides Davis Museum The Wellesley Asian Alliance has been advocating critical historical insight into the rich sound Sara M. Putterman ’13, Art History and Religion for Asian American Studies and raising awareness world of the eighteenth century. Since Advisor: Jacqueline Musacchio, Art of Asian American issues at Wellesley College Baroque repertoire was conceived and since its founding in 1994. With the movement composed with the sounds and technical Why does Wellesley College have a collec- for Asian American Studies rising along East capabilities of these instruments in mind, tion of European textiles that range from Coast colleges, and a rapidly increasing Asian historical instruments are naturally able to velvet dress borders and silk damasks to American population, Asian American issues are express the character and phrasing of the liturgical garments? Given to Wellesley becoming more salient to the general population. repertoire. Further, the construction of these College in 1875 as the centerpiece of a Furthermore, the histories of minorities are instruments creates built-in color variations study collection for art history students, interconnected through countless commonalities between keys that likely would have been this collection has been in storage for years. from their experiences at Wellesley and in a anticipated by composers. Although many What did nineteenth century trustees, larger American context. For instance, it has been modern instruments resemble their historical professors, and students see in this group reported that in Wellesley’s history, Asian students counterparts, their respective timbres and of fragmentary, poorly documented textiles and students of African descent used to be forced performance practices often differ greatly. that made them a valuable teaching tool? to room with their respective ethnicities, or be in This presentation will feature a concert Analyzing examples of textiles dating from their own singles. This presentation covers that of solo and trio sonatas for harpsichord, the fifteenth to the nineteenth century, I history of Asians in relation to other minorities at traverso, and viola da gamba, along with a will examine Wellesley College’s pioneering Wellesley and in America. WAA will also discuss discussion about the instruments and the efforts towards creating a collegiate museum what exactly Asian American Studies is and why it benefits of performing on period instruments. that taught students with objects beyond matters, especially to those not of Asian descent. traditional painting and sculpture. From Calves to Kindles: From the Sublime to the The History of the Book Het Achterhuis: The Diary Ridiculous, And Back Again (on location presentation) of Anne Frank Revisited (long performance) Ruth Nagel Jones Special Collections, Clapp Library (exhibition) Jewett Arts Center-Gallery Theatre, Alumnae Hall Cassandra L. Hoef ’15, Computer Science, Danielle R. Ezor ’13, Art History and Studio Art Jane E. Adkins ’13, Women's & Gender Studies, Dominique R. Ledoux ’14, Art History, Advisor: Phyllis McGibbon, Art Rachel E. Cherny ’13, History and Classical Morgan E. Moore ’15, Medieval/Renaissance Anne Frank was immortalized through her Civilization, Margaret E. Dunn ’13, English Studies, Polina N. Soshnin ’14, Computer diary, later published by her father as and Theatre Studies, Vannessa K. Greenleaf ’14, Science and Economics The Diary of a Young Girl, which detailed her Theatre Studies, Hilary J. Gross ’13, English, Advisor: Ruth Rogers, Library Collections experience as a Jew in hiding in Amsterdam. Elizabeth M. Jaye ’15, Classics, Alexa P. Keegan Some of the most brilliant ideas, inventions Het Achterhuis, as an altered version of Anne ’14, Psychology and French, Lindsay S. Rico Frank's diary, highlights Anne's experience, ’13, Theatre Studies, Emily M. Shortt ’13, and philosophies were all imagined hundreds of years ago. Modern philosophy and tech- in reaction to calls to ban the book because of Biological Chemistry, Annie Wang ’14, Art its depressing content. This altered version of History and Cinema and Media Studies nology have evolved from these thoughts but would have never survived past their concep- The Diary of a Young Girl includes digitally Advisor: Nora Hussey, Theatre Studies tion if it were not for the means of preserving printed images and text, letterpress, sewing, Each academic year, there are nearly a dozen them that were developed over the last guache paintings, cutouts, and linoleum theatrical productions put on by students across several millennia. The process of preserving prints all on a variety of different papers. The the campus. From the large-scale productions information through books is studied in Art altered text block was bound in a new case of the theatre department, the classical work of History 299: The History of the Book from with additional weight added in the covers in the Shakespeare society, and the independent Manuscript to Print, which is taught by Ruth the form of copper plates. This exhibition will projects of Upstage and theatre majors. This Rodgers in the Special Collections Library at also include side projects associated with presentation shows off short scenes from each Wellesley College. Starting with the creation the altered book and the artist's personal of the eclectic performances presented to the of writing supports and ending with a bound experience with the Holocaust and remem- community throughout the year. book, students discover with hands on activi- brance art.

WELLESLEY COLLEGE RUHLMAN CONFERENCE 2013 31 1:30–2:40pm

North Korea and the Female Proceso para Progreso endeavors to expose the binary therapy based on the nuclear fission Figure: Painting in the Political elements involved in the realization of visual reaction that occurs when the nonradioactive and the Personal expression and to force viewers to confront the boron-10 (10B) isotope is irradiated with (exhibition) Jewett Arts Center-Gallery reality that is endangered by deforestation. thermal neutrons to produce alpha particles Christine Yeh Jin Oh ’13, Studio Art and lithium-7 nuclei. The cytotoxic products No Place like Here: of this reaction have a characteristic path Advisor: Bunny Harvey, Art A Collection of Poems length of a single cell diameter, making it Characterized by constant scheduling, studying, (literary reading) Jewett Arts Center 454 an ideal selective therapeutic strategy. The and social interactions, Wellesley's unique envi- Jaya A. Stenquist ’13, English and Creative Writing therapeutic value of BNCT relies on the ronment fosters a culture of self-actualization Advisor: Daniel Chiasson, English directed delivery of a sufficient concentration in which discovering and achieving our of 10B to tumor cells, avoiding normal tissue. perceptions of success stands at the cornerstone. W. H. Auden wrote of Iceland, "this is an To this end, we are using multifunctional This project attempts to visually portray the island and therefore Unreal." The mountains, nanovehicles for antibody-targeted delivery flux between hope and despair, satisfaction the tides, the rising shoulder of a glacier, all of 10B-enriched molecules to pancreatic and shame in the lives of Wellesley students. present a landscape of high drama, which, situ- adenocarcinoma cells for BNCT. Beginning with a scheme to deconstruct ated between two continents, sits on the verge unfounded preconceptions of beauty within the of violent collapse. These poems, written both Development of an In Vivo Assay for ideological realm of Wellesley, the artist realizes in Iceland and Wellesley College, investigate Antibody-Conjugated Gold Nanoparticles that her project scope must widen to include a the relationship between the individual and (AuNPs) Targeted to Human Pancreatic topic representing her own dreams: expelling an overwhelming landscape, the relationship Tumor Xenografts Using an Ex Ovo Avian human rights violations in North Korea. between internal and external geography, and Embryo Culture System Paintings of Wellesley women, nude, vulnerable, the imaginary and tangible boarders of the self. Ilana R. Pollack ’13, Biological Sciences (Supported by a Wellesley Student Research and on the brink of initiation into an unforgiv- Advisor: Andrew Webb, Biological Sciences ing world, are juxtaposed against portraits of Grant and NES Artist Residency) Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) North Koreans, depicting the clash between our Translation and Poetry: is an aggressive disease with a poor prognosis. quests to solidify our self-images at Wellesley Defining Authorship through In order to effectively improve pancreatic and North Korean refugees’ struggle for survival Practice cancer outcomes, a highly targeted therapeutic and against injustice. Startling, bemusing, (literary reading) Jewett Arts Center 454 is necessary. An antibody-conjugated gold and unapologetically honest, this is an artist's nanoparticle (AuNP) would provide such a undertaking to envelop and evolve her personal Arielle A. Concilio ’13, English therapeutic platform. Effective targeting of the battles and convictions in her studio. (Research Advisor: Lawrence Rosenwald, English nanoparticle is possible through the linkage of supported by a Pamela Daniels Fellowship.) Translating poetry presents challenges distinct monoclonal antibodies to target key antigens Process for Progress/ Proceso from other literary forms. Elements such as highly expressed in cancerous tissue. Previous para Progreso: Realities meter, rhyme, shape, or imagery combine to work using RT-PCR and Western blotting of Artistic Process for create meaning and sensations that the translator has established the high level expression of the must communicate in the target language and Environmental Progress transmembrane glycoprotein A33 (gpA33) in reproduce in the reader. In this presentation, I (exhibition) Jewett Arts Center 452 the CAPAN-2 PDAC cells and the absence will briefly discuss challenges in this process, the of gpA33 in the BxPC-3 PDAC cells. This Caitlin J. Greenhill ’14, Studio Art and Art History translator’s role as both collaborator and creative differential protein expression allows for an Advisor: Bunny Harvey, Art writer, and how one defines this role through experimental setup in which uptake of AuNPs The multimedia exhibition, Process for practice. I will then read selections from my conjugated with anti-gpA33 antibodies between Progress/ Proceso para Progreso, juxtaposes translations of Octavio Paz’s first edition of his CAPAN-2 and BxPC-3 tumors can be quanti- traditional fine art with new media, colonial art first collection of poetry, Libertad bajo palabra. fied and compared in vivo. Using an ex ovo methods with indigenous artistic traditions, and avian embryo culture, specific targeting of our current antibody-conjugated AuNP construct to the process of creation with the product of the Science and Technology process to demystify artistic production and re- CAPAN-2 xenografts has been demonstrated. awaken environmental consciousness. The show Cancer: Causes and Cures features a digitally expressed evolution of the Metabolomic Basis of Metastasis: (short talks) Pendleton Hall West 116 Warburg Effect in Molecular Oncology finished work, allowing viewers to experience Targeted Delivery of Boron-10- the often-unrepresented aspect of visual expres- Ashley J. Porras ’14, Neuroscience Loaded Peptide Polymers to sion. The large-scale multimedia paintings, the Advisor: Martina Koniger, Biological Sciences Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma Cells Via subjects of the digital documentation displayed, Bioconjugated Gold Nanoparticles for Cancer cells synthesize large amounts of utilize a uniquely Central American and univer- Neutron Capture Therapy fatty acids and cholesterol allowing them to sally artistically relevant vocabulary to visually avert apoptosis and increase drug resistance. describe the precious rainforests of Central Sara F. Althari ’13, Biological Sciences One key lipogenic alteration that commonly America and remind viewers of the epidemic of Advisor: Andrew Webb, Biological Sciences occurs in prostate cancer cells, the focus of deforestation in the region. Process for Progress/ Boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) is a my research at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute,

32 WELLESLEY COLLEGE RUHLMAN CONFERENCE 2013 1:30–2:40pm includes over-expression of the enzyme During the semester, students and their Earth’s rock record. As part of a long-term fatty acid synthase (FASN). FASN is a key elder partners engaged in activities designed project conducted by Wellesley College’s metabolic enzyme that ultimately aids in to create community and understanding. Professor Stark and collaborators on isotopic converting carbon intake into fatty acids for Next, students synthesized what they learned SO2, we observed the effects of pressure storage. We are testing multiple small molecule into project ideas, refining briefs into robust, on SO2 ultraviolet absorption - so called inhibitors of FASN to target this pathway and targeted, and manageable projects through “pressure-broadening.” Using high resolution use Western Blots to assess if the concentration consultation with experts and co-design with measurements from Synchrotron SOLEIL in of FASN that occur during prostate tumori- elder partners. A series of standard design St. Aubin, France, we quantified the pressure- genesis and progression decrease. stages -- specification, prototyping, testing, broadening effect for atmospheric modeling refinement -- was accompanied by visits purposes. The work was generously funded by Targeting Driving Mutations: Exploring with partners for feedback and continued NASA Planetary Atmospheres Program grant Better Treatment Options for Childhood learning and community building. Shortly #NNX12AG61G. Acute Myeloid Leukemia after the Ruhlman conference, partners will Camille E. Hamilton ’13, Biological Sciences receive ustom-designed artifacts intended Analysis of Rat P3 in Frontal and and French Cultural Studies to solve particular problems. (This Olin Parietal Lobes as a Possible Neural Correlate of Attention in Active and Advisor: Yuichiro Suzuki, Biological Sciences College class is supported by the Metrowest Health Foundation.) Passive Oddball Paradigms My thesis explored the potential for finding Allicia O. Imada ’13, Neuroscience better treatment options for childhood acute Light Waves, Matter Waves, Advisor: Michael Wiest, Neuroscience myeloid leukemia, or AML, by targeting the and Brain Waves driver mutations that activate the cancer. (short talks) Pendleton Hall West 117 The P3 is a component of the average EEG response to sensory stimuli that is believed to Using an AML cell line known to contain two A Cool Way to Detect Gravity Waves driver mutation, c-KIT and AML1-ETO, I reflect attentional and memory processing. used a group of drugs known to specifically Lamiya B. Mowla ’13, Astrophysics Because the P3 response in humans is altered impair the function of one or the other of the Advisor: Robert Berg, Physics in a number of neurological disorders, it is mutations. After confirming the efficacy of the Gravitational waves are distortions in the important to understand its generators. To drugs on their own, different combinations of fabric of space-time caused by the accelera- determine whether the rat brain shows an drugs targeting each mutation were tested for tion of masses, such as rotating black hole analogous P3 response with functionally any additive or synergistic effects. My findings binaries. Their existence was first predicted distinct early and late subcomponents, we indicate higher cell death rates of cancer cells by Einstein in 1916, but they have yet to be are recording frontal and parietal local field with multiple drug combinations. detected because their predicted effects are potentials from chronically implanted multi- extremely small. The Laser Interferometer electrode arrays, while rats are presented with Engineering for Humanity: Gravitational wave Observatory (LIGO) tones in a passive condition or while they Helping Elders Age in Place is attempting to detect cosmic gravitational actively perform a simple auditory detection through Partnerships for waves. My experiment involves the design of task. To the extent that rats and humans Healthy Living the mirrors for the Third Generation LIGO. are similar in these processes, studies in the (panel discussion) Science Center 104 At the LIGO Lab at MIT, I am investigating rat model could help us understand neural Tamanna Ahmad ’13, Masters of Business the feasibility of using radiative cooling of mechanisms of human attention. Administration (Babson), Lauren Froschauer silicon mirror substrates to 120 K to reduce Spectral Analysis of Local Field ’16, Mechanical Engineering (Olin), Hayley thermal noise, which should greatly increase Potentials in Frontal and Parietal Cortex Hansson ’16, Mechanical Engineering (Olin), the sensitivity of the detector. I will also of Rats Behaving During a Sustained Sean Karagianes ’16, Mechanical Engineering explore the effect of high emissivity coatings Attention Task (Olin), Kathryn Kenney ’13, Anthropology, used in radiative cooling on the mechanical Jeremy Liu ’13, Finance (Babson), Justin Q of the mirror, which is important because Caroline P. Dodge ’13, Biological Sciences Poh ’16, Mechanical Engineering (Olin), low mechanical damping is necessary for Advisor: Michael Wiest, Neuroscience Shubhangini Prakash ’13, Masters of Business reducing fluctuations in the mirror positions. At any given waking minute, we experience Administration(Babson) an informational overload. One of the ways The Effect of Gas Pressure on Advisor: Caitrin Lynch (Olin), Anthropology we cope with the sizable influx of information Ultraviolet Absorption of Sulfur Dioxide Engineering for Humanity, an interdisciplin- is the process of selective attention. To Hannah E. Herde ’14, Physics and Classical ary engineering design and anthropology investigate the neural correlates of attention, Civilization course, is a semester-long partnership I have focused primarily on two EEG-like between Three-College students and the Advisor: Glenn Stark, Physics measures of attention that derive from neural Natick Council on Aging. Older community Sulfur dioxide, SO2, is central to the study oscillations, gamma-range power and coher- members were recruited to partner with of early Earth’s atmosphere, particularly ence. To determine whether the rat brain students in a series of discovery, design, and the rise of oxygen. The rise of oxygen in shows increased gamma coherence and power community-building activities. Come hear the Earth’s atmosphere is thought to be during states of high attention analogous to Wellesley, Babson, and Olin students present connected to sulfur isotopic signatures in the human EEG studies, we have recorded local results of the empathetic design process. field potentials (LFPs) in the rat frontal and

WELLESLEY COLLEGE RUHLMAN CONFERENCE 2013 33 1:30–2:40pm parietal cortex with chronically implanted explore whether higher internal control really POSTER SESSION multi-electrode arrays while the rat performs is the key to increasing openness in late life. Science Center Focus an auditory detection task. To further A Systematic Study of the Chemical characterize our spectral data, we correlated Using Imagined Interactions to Solve Stress Response Induced by Bleach response latencies with evoked gamma power Social Dilemmas And Vinegar in E. Coli on Viability and and inter-area coherence. Through LFP com- Katrina A. Tarmidi ’13, Economics Protein Expression Profiles Using parisons and coherence analysis we hope to and Psychology Plating Assays And Matrix-Assisted help establish the rat as a model of attention Advisor: Tracy Gleason, Psychology Laser Desorption Ionization (MALDI) and perception analogous to that of humans. BiotyperTM System While going to class, college students may Serena Liu ’13, Biological Chemistry Sticky Situations: Social recall conversations they had with friends Stability and Problem-Solvings while anticipating what they will say for Advisor: Didem Vardar-Ulu, Chemistry (short talks) Pendleton Hall East 139 future encounters. These daydreams are called Bacterial water contamination is a serious Remembering the Imagined Personal imagined interactions (IIs), which serve as an global public health problem. While the Future: How Anxiety Influences Memory important social cognition tool and have a contamination frequently originates at the and Future Thinking variety of functions including enhancing rela- water source, water storage conditions can tionships and managing conflict. My specific Yue Xing ’13, Psychology heavily exacerbate the health risk. Here, we research question attempts to answer whether present our systematic study of the effects of Advisor: Margaret Keane, Psychology using IIs will help adults facing a social two ordinary household chemicals, bleach Researchers have discovered a close dynamic dilemma make more thoughtful decisions and vinegar, on E.coli viability and protein between our memory and our ability to imagine than those who don't use IIs. The results of expression profiles, as a function of chemical the future. People often draw materials from this study will provide interesting insights and concentration, and incubation temperature. their personal past when they imagine a personal build on a growing body of research on IIs. Matrix-assisted Laser Desorption Ionization future event. Subsequently, these future events, (MALDI) Biotyper was used to compare the encoded in their memory, may guide further Technology in Biology: Utilizing unique molecular fingerprint of E.coli sub- guide their behaviors and moods. As recent Innovative Interactions to jected to multiple chemical stress conditions research also found that people tend to remember Foster Collaborative Learning and harvested at different time points. positive future events better than negative ones, in Biology our study decides to investigate if participants (on location presentation) Science The Bronze Age Cemetery from Hapria, with low vs. high anxiety-level differ in their Center 173 Romania ability to remember imagined future events. The Linda Ding ’14, Computer Science, Taili Jenna M. Watson ’13, Anthropology implications of this study will provide insights Feng ’13, Computer Science, Michelle N. Advisor: Adam Van Arsdale, Anthropology into the interaction between episodic memory, Ferreirae ’13, Computer Science, Casey E. Grote This poster examines 27 Bronze Age human future thinking ability, and anxiety. ’14, Computer Science, Veronica J. Lin ’15, skeletons of the cultural group Livezile Economics and Computer Science, Sirui Liu ’13, from the sight of Hapria, Romania dating Personality Stability in Late Life: Biological Siences, Kara Y. Lu ’14, Biological between 2900-2400 BC. The Livezile Is Openness Plastic? Sciences, Kelsey L. Tempel ’13, Computer Science, were located in the western branch of the Katherine A. Smiley ’14, History and Wendy M. Xu ’13, Media Arts and Sciences Psychology Carpathian Mountains (Apuseni Mountains) Advisor: Orit Shaer, Computer Science in Transylvania, Romania. My analysis of the Advisor: Paul Wink, Psychology The Wellesley Human-Computer Interaction remains aimed to determine age, sex, and Openness to new experiences tends to decrease (HCI) Lab is dedicated to innovation and identify pathology. Skeletal analysis indicates in late life. But is this a foregone conclusion, investigation of next generation technology. an age range from infants to adults in their or can openness increase? In a recent study, Throughout the summer and fall semester, 40’s. The most common disease present was researchers explored the effect of internal student researchers in the lab have developed Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD) with 10 control (i.e., the perception that the outcome software suites to enhance collaborative, of the 27 (37%) individuals affected. Of the of an event depends on their behavior) on the inquiry based learning in Biology. This 10 skeletons exhibiting DJD seven (70%) trajectory of openness in late life. Participants presentation will focus on the design, imple- were at least 30, but no older than 50. One in the study were enrolled in a volunteer train- mentation, and evaluation of four research case of trauma was present. A male skeleton ing program or were simply part of a volunteer projects: GreenTouch, a collaborative environ- displayed a possibly fatal oblique cut mark discussion group. After the training program ment for engaging novices in scientific inquiry; on the left medial calcaneus. Skeletal analysis had been concluded, researchers found that MoClo, a multitouch interface for biological of disease and trauma can help us to better individuals who were trained and had high design; SynFlo, an interactive installation understand the cultural and physical changes internal control actually increased in openness. for exposing non-scientists to basic synthetic communities from the Apuseni Mountains in Additionally, this trend of increasing openness biology concepts; and lastly SynBio Search, a Transylvania experienced over their existence. was found to have not only continued, but also semantic search engine for synthetic biology shown the most significant change one year research. (Research supported by National after the study had been completed. Join us as Science Foundation and HHMI). we use a nationally representative sample to

34 WELLESLEY COLLEGE RUHLMAN CONFERENCE 2013 1:30–2:40pm

Simple Structure, Entity Theory, and the Signaling Mechanisms and Physical Rejuvenation of a Cesium-Based Formation of Cognitive Barriers when Structure of Biofilm Growth in Dispenser Photocathode in Response Processing Mathematical Complexity Synechocystis sp. Strain PCC 6803 to Atmospheric Contamination Sierra Sarnataro-Smart, Senior Davis Scholar, Jennifer E. Fishbein ’13, Biological Chemistry Alexandra L. Day ’15, Physics Psychology Advisor: Mary Allen, Faculty emerita Advisor: Robert Berg, Physics Beth Hennessey, Psychology Advisor: Many bacterial species, including the cyano- Photocathodes produce high-energy electron Previous research has focused on the indis- bacterium Synechocystis sp. Strain PCC 6803, beams that are well suited for use in free elec- criminately broad categorical thinking that use the formation of biofilms as a survival tron lasers (FELs). This project describes work underpins social stereotyping and prejudice. mechanism. Biofilms are cell aggregates, which to study and improve the quantum efficiency This study extended the exploration of act as a protective barrier by providing nutrient of cesium-based photocathodes for use in maladaptive modes of cognitive processing to access, increased drug tolerance and metabolic ship-based missile defense FELs. Particular non-social realms. It was hypothesized that by-product sharing. Biofilms can form both in emphasis is placed on quantifying the ability for individuals with mathematics anxiety, nature and in human infections, where they of a hybrid dispenser photocathode to recover inappropriately broad categorical thinking are very antibiotic resistant and thus particu- from intentional atmospheric contamination. may serve as a barrier to processing complex larly difficult to treat. To form biofilms, many External and internal cesium deposition mathematical concepts. In addition, this bacterial species use a communication system methods were studied throughout the project, investigation measured the extent to which involving chemical signals. In this study, we as were the effects of different temperatures and participants’ implicit assumptions about the investigate the cell-cell communication of this pressures. The results of this project clarify the origins of math intelligence covary with the cyanobacterium. The physical structure of the tolerance of certain photocathodes to inten- tendency to employ simplified categorical biofilms is also being analyzed. The wild type tional contamination and describe the related thinking in mathematical realms. Study non-motile cells form a uniform monolayer effects on quantum efficiency. (This project was findings have the potential to inform our biofilm while the super-motile mutant cells supported by the NSF, DOE, and ONR.) understanding of the specific cognitive form pillar shaped biofilms that spread across responses to complexity that may underlie the surface. Our goal is to gain a better Become Your Own Superhero: barriers to mathematical comprehension and understanding of this ubiquitous and diverse Effects of Self-Transformation on fluency. (Research supported by the Office of bacterial survival strategy. (Research supported Executive Functioning the Provost and Dean of the College, as well by a Jerome A. Schiff Fellowship). Karina K. Chung ’13, Psychology, Aryanne D. as the Department of Psychology) de Silva ’13, Psychology Biofilms and Light Signaling in Advisor: Tracy Gleason, Psychology Modeling Stroke in Newborn Mice Synechocystis sp. Strain PCC6803 Our study examines whether self-transfor- Mehwish A. Mirza ’15, Undeclared Zihan Dong ’13, Biological Chemistry and mation through pretend play can improve Psychology Advisor: Adele Wolfson, Chemistry preschoolers’ performance on executive func- Advisor: Mary Allen, Faculty emerita Neonatal stroke is a major cause of infant tioning tasks. Karniol et al. (2011) described death and permanent neuropsychological Biofilms are how bacteria naturally exist in the process of self-transformation as the injury. Recently, the early response gene nature--enclosed in an extracellular matrix of mechanism through which children adopt the “verge” has been identified as highly active protein and polysaccharides. The biofilm state qualities of the character they are pretending to in the adult mouse brain post-stroke and protects bacteria against environmental stressors, be. In our study, children were presented with during angiogenesis, the development of such as antibiotics and biocides. Confocal a cape to wear. For some children, the cape blood vessels. Verge mRNA expression microscopy was used to analyze the develop- was described as just part of the games, while increases threefold in the affected hemisphere ment of biofilms of two strains of Synechocystis for other children, the cape was described as of mice. In this study, 10-day-old mice sp. strain 6803, a wildtype and motile mutant, having special powers that help children do with the verge gene (wild-type) and those which were grown in flow cells. A significant well on the games being played. Children in without (knock-out) were used as a model difference was found in terms of their biofilm the study then played three executive function- of the human infant to test the hypothesis structures and growth, with wildtype biofilms ing games (e.g., Simon Says) that tested their that verge improves stroke outcomes and being lower in height and not exhibiting dense impulse control and mental flexibility We also angiogenesis in the ipsilateral hemisphere. clusters compared to the motile strain. The investigated a number of additional factors Immunofluorescence studies were conducted genomes of both strains were sequenced and including the influence of age, type of execu- to measure expression of CD105, an angio- then characterized for genetic differences. We tive functioning task, and type of feedback genesis marker, and cresyl violet staining was also explored the ability of the motile mutant (e.g., neutral or positive). performed to measure brain atrophy at differ- to move towards light, known as positive ent time points post-stroke. Verge knock-out phototaxis. Our goal was to find the physical brains retained a cyst while wild type brains conditions required for maximal positive experienced less damage, suggesting that phototaxis in the motile strain. verge serves as a neuroprotective agent in stroke. (Research supported by the University of Connecticut Health Center)

WELLESLEY COLLEGE RUHLMAN CONFERENCE 2013 35 1:30–2:40pm

Effect of Saturation and and absence of the unstructured loop and associated with the onset of puberty. To see Stereochemistry on the Biological compared it to their predicted accessibilities if the POU transcription factor Ventral vein Activity of a Novel Series of Coumarin based on current structural information. lacking (Vvl) plays a role in insect metamor- Derivatives as Promising Pancreatic (Supported by the NIH and NCI) phosis, Vvl was silenced in the flour beetle Cancer Therapeutics Triboliumcastaneum. Silencing Vvl expression Alyssa Bacay ’14, Biological Chemistry, Looking for Exoplanets resulted in precocious metamorphosis and Christine Chun ’15, Undeclared, Maria Jun Kerrin M. Arnold ’13, Classical Civilization a reduction in kruppel homolog 1 (kr-h1), ’14, Chemistry and Astronomy a target of the key insect metamorphosis Advisor: Dora Carrico-Moniz, Chemistry Advisor: Kim McLeod, Astronomy regulator Juvenile hormone (JH). However, topical application of JH on Vvl knockdown Pancreatic cancer metastasizes early and is I contributed to the KELT-North project larvae delayed the onset of metamorphosis and very difficult to diagnose in its early stages, to help find exoplanets using the transit rescued the normal expression of kr-h1. Since making it one of the deadliest cancers. In method. The KELT-North team has surveyed the expression of JH acid methyltransferase, a 2006, a coumarin-based natural product, thousands of stars, analyzed their light JH biosynthesis enzyme, also decreased with angelmarin, was isolated from the Japanese curves, and picked out candidate stars most vvl knockdown, Vvl likely regulatesJH levels. medicinal plant Angelica pubescens and was likely to have a transiting exoplanet. Here I Thus, POU factors may play a role in regulat- found to exhibit cytotoxicity against PANC-1 describe why the KELT project needs data ing the timing ofdevelopmental transitions in cells under nutrient -deprived conditions. from telescopes like Wellesley’s 24” and how I both vertebrates and insects. Using the core structure of angelmarin as conducted observations of several candidates, a scaffold, structure-activity relationship reduced the data using Python programs, Biological Evaluation of a Novel (SAR) studies were conducted and a novel and analyzed light curves. By the end of the Series of Isoprenylated Coumarins as geranylgeranylated coumarin-derivative was semester we submitted observations of 7 stars Promising Pancreatic Cancer Therapies discovered as a promising new lead structure observed over 12 nights to the KELT team. Alyssa Bacay ’14, Biological Chemistry and for the development of pancreatic anticancer Maria Jun ’14, Chemistry agents. The effects of stereochemistry and Design and Synthesis of a Novel Series Dora Carrico-Moniz, Chemistry saturation of the isoprenyl tail on cytotoxicity of Isoprenylated Coumarins as Potential Advisor: against PANC-1 cells will be presented. Anti-Pancreatic Cancer Agents Angelmarin, a coumarin-based compound, is a Alyssa Bacay ’14, Biological Chemistry and natural product that was isolated from the root Protease Sensitivity Map of the Highly Maria Jun ’14, Chemistry of the Japanese medicinal plant Angelica pube- Structured Heterodimerization Domain Advisor: Dora Carrico-Moniz, Chemistry scens, and has been found to display promising (HD) of the Human Notch 2 Receptor in activity against the pancreatic adenocarcinoma the Presence and Absence of the Furin The Japanese medicinal plant Angelica cell line PANC-1. Given this compound’s Cleavage Loop pubescens is a source of the natural product potential as a pancreatic anticancer agent, Kimberly S. Cabral ’13 Spanish, Catherine Y. angelmarin, which was found to have promis- structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies Cheng, Post-Baccalaureate Fellow, Biological ing activity against pancreatic adenocarcinoma have been initiated to discover more effective Chemistry, Aliya R. Khan ’15, Undeclared cells under nutrient-deprived conditions. analogs and to identify the compound’s Based on the core coumarin structure of Advisor: Didem Vardar-Ulu molecular target. These initial SAR studies led angelmarin, several series of novel isoprenyl- to the discovery of a novel geranylgeranylated About 50% of human cases of T-cell Acute ated coumarin compounds were designed ether coumarin derivative as a new lead struc- Lymphoblastic Leukemia show activating and synthesized in order to study the effect ture. Cytotoxicity data for a novel lead series mutations that map to a specific address of isoprenyl chain length and substitution against PANC-1 cells under nutrient-rich and inside a single protein: the core of the position on the cytotoxic activity of the com- nutrient-deprived conditions will be presented. Heterodimerization Domain (HD) of the pound. The synthesis, purification methods, This project was done in collaboration with Human Notch1 receptor protein. Notch and characterization of the complete series of Professor Andrew Webb, Biology. (Research receptors are an essential part of a highly compounds will be presented. supported by the Roberta Day Staley and Karl conserved signaling pathway that regulates A. Staley Funds for Cancer-Related Research cell fate decisions. Aberrant Notch signaling Raging Hormones of the 'Teenage' Flour and the Jean Dreyfus Boissevain Lectureship is associated with a multitude of diseases Beetle: Mechanisms of Metamorphosis for Undergraduate Institutions.) including many types of cancers. Normal Regulation in Tribolium castaneum activation of the receptor depends on a Leila Chaieb ’13, Biological Sciences and Task-related Activity of Neurons in Rat tightly regulated proteolytic cleavage within Middle Eastern Studies, Amy Ko ’14, Cortex During Active Auditory Detection its HD. Through limited proteolysis with Biological Sciences Kaitlin S. Bohon ’14, Neuroscience trypsin and chymotrypsin followed by Advisor: Yuichiro Suzuki, Biological Sciences Matrix-assisted Laser Desorption Ionization- Advisor: Michael Wiest, Neuroscience Time of Flight peptide mass fingerprinting, The regulation of the timing of developmental Despite the advances made in neuroscience and C18 reverse phase High Performance transitions, such as metamorphosis and within the past century, the neural mecha- Liquid Chromatography, we mapped the puberty, is poorly understood. POU domain nisms that underlie conscious perception are protease accessibility of specific sites within transcription factors have been associated still unknown. In order to begin addressing the human Notch2 HD in the presence with the regulation of endocrine changes this complex problem we recorded action

36 WELLESLEY COLLEGE RUHLMAN CONFERENCE 2013 1:30–2:40pm

potentials from multiple sites in the medio- Impluvium. The primary material? Plastic Letting The Elderly Speak: Stories of dorsal frontal cortex and posterior parietal water bottles. Working closely with the Physical and Mental Well-being in the cortex of rats while they performed an student organization Wellesley Energy Aging Population auditory detection task. We then analyzed the and Environmental Defense, visiting artist Jane Qu ’13, Neuroscience multi-unit spiking data in order to parse out Willie Cole, and many members of the Advisor: Michele Respaut, Faculty emerita neural correlates of task performance, includ- campus community (Patrick Willoughby, ing detection of the target stimulus. Our Phyllis McGibbon, John Olmsted, Lynne “Literature and Medicine” CPLT 334-is a course preliminary results suggest that the activity of Payson and others), the project showed me that intersects the power of medicine with the a minority of neurons in both areas signal the the potential of experimental art-making as power of words. Inspired from my experiences presence of the auditory target stimulus. public intervention. Working on this project volunteering on the Biography Project at a shifted my engagement with people as well as nursing home, my final project focused on the Extracellular Thimet Oligopeptidase materials on campus; I found possibilities in elderly population and combined creative writing is Carried by Cell Membrane re-working the materials and my expectations and research. Greater involvement in elderly Microvesicles of Prostate Cancer Cells for the piece- both physically and socially. well-being has become crucial given the projected Yu Liu ’13, Biological Chemistry Ultimately, the project’s formation depended increase of this age group in our population. My talk highlights the stories and thoughts of Advisor: Adele Wolfson, Chemistry upon imaginative freedom, spontaneity, trust, collaboration and gift ideology. The relation- nursing home residents across different countries, Peptidases are enzymes essential to the ships and community ties formed were delving not only into their past experiences physiological generation and regulation of invaluable to realize the installation, and also and memories, but also into the physical and bioactive peptide signals, which mediate to understand the inherent creative tension emotional concerns that come with aging. intercellular communication in multicellular between process and product. organisms. Because the processing of peptide Boston Cafés: A Connection to City Life precursors occurs both inside and outside Moving out into the World: Megan N. Turchi ’13, American Studies the cell, many peptidases must exist intracel- Community Writing and Impact Advisor: Kathleen Brogan, English lularly and extracellularly to fully modulate Mona I. Elminyawi ’14, English their peptide substrates. The peptidase Cafés in Boston represent more than just enzyme thimet oligopeptidase (TOP) has Advisor: James Wallenstein, English places where one quickly stops to get his or her been localized on the plasma membrane outer Barack Obama said that when he went into morning coffee. The diversity seen through surface and in the supernatant of cell cultures. community organizing in Chicago's South Boston's many distinct neighborhoods is por- Recent studies highlight the significance Side, he "didn't know what he was doing." trayed through the atmosphere and ambiance of microvesicles (MVs), plasma membrane He said that the work that he did in those witnessed in cafés. Through the observation bleb formations, as extracellular carriers of communities changed him more than the of the type of coffee and food sold, customers, membrane-associated molecules (i.e. proteins) communities changed him. Last semester I physical layout, employees, and ambiance, cafés upon dissociation from the parental cell. We took on a volunteer position that allowed seem to create an atmosphere of familiarity and asked whether extracellular TOP is carried by me to write about and study community comfort for their customers. After observing cellular MVs. Western blot analysis revealed based activism, both its implications and Crema Café in Harvard Square, Trident Books that TOP protein is indeed carried by the impact. I volunteered at 826 Boston in in Back Bay, and Caffe dello Sport in the North cellular MVs of androgen sensitive prostate Roxbury in conjunction with my writing End, it appears that these cafés establish neigh- cancer cells. Additionally, treating these cells class at Wellesley, “Writing and Action.” borhood specific cultural codes, in order to turn with a calcium-ionophore (a compound 826 Boston is a non-profit organization in an otherwise public space into a more private that allows Ca2+ to enter cells) induced Roxbury that aims to empower youth by setting pertaining to the customers' needs. City dose-dependent increase in MV release and providing them with mentorship and the dwellers use these cultural codes to feel a sense extracellular MV-associated TOP expression. tools of writing. As an after school tutor of belonging in their own neighborhood, so I worked with students on homework they can better relate to Boston as a whole. and creative writing assignments. Back Daniels Fellows Social Sciences at Wellesley I was forced to consider the (short talks) Jewett Arts Center 450 intersections of my position as a student, Community Building writer, tutor, and member of multiple An Investigation of the Feasibility (short talks) Pendleton Hall East 239 diverse communities. Other questions and Progress of the Millennium Development Goals in the Kingdom of IN(VISIBILITY): The Impluvium that came up: how can creative writing be Swaziland: A Case Study. Installation a mirror or distorter of communities and Eliana R. Blaine ’13, Environmental Studies its individuals? How does writing about Andrea D. Kine ’13, Africana Studies Advisor: Phyllis McGibbon, Art communities manage to transcend and blur Advisor: Filomina Steady, Africana Studies distinctions between genres? What does it The United Nations has established This semester long project considered mean to be engaged? What is my impact as Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in the physical reality and visual potential an individual going into this community? 2000, as a benchmark for developing nations, of everyday campus waste, culminating What were my actual contributions? in the creation of a temporary site-built with targeted achievement of these goals by installation in the Wang Campus Center’s 2015 for participating governments. This

WELLESLEY COLLEGE RUHLMAN CONFERENCE 2013 37 1:30–2:40pm

research aims to understand the position of less than $1000 in materials. The refrigerator inner life, concern for appropriateness, reasons Swaziland in achieving the eight MDGs, occupies a 12 by 8 foot room in the basement for choosing the particular language, likes with a special emphasis placed on women. of the farmhouse at Medway Community and dislikes of the language and choosing National and UN Development Reports will Farm. The system freezes 3000 kg of water, adjectives which reflect the relation between be analyzed to asses Swaziland's development held in 2-liter soda bottles, during the winter. personality and the language. The result progress through the lenses of the reporting That ice, along with thick insulation made of showed statistically significant difference in agencies. Interviews will be conducted with shredded Styrofoam, keeps the refrigerator cool the mean score for the extroversion among top government officials representing minis- for the rest of the year. A life cycle assessment the language classes. Overall, the students tries of relevance, and also with local leaders shows that this passive refrigerator consumes indicated that they are comfortable in their and NGOs who will share perspectives on less than one percent of the energy of a choice of language, implying that they chose local progress. Interviews with Swazi women comparable commercial model. This method the language that matched their personality. will enable a closer look beyond the statistics shows great promise for adaptation into a wide presented by government data, through stories variety of refrigeration and air conditioning Language Use and the Fraternity House: that figures and graphs fail to represent. systems, which currently consume 12% of the Communication and Brotherhood electricity used in the U.S.A. Amanda A. Coronado ’14, Anthropology (Project supported by a Daniels Fellowship) (Project supported by a Daniels Fellowship) Advisor: Elizabeth Falconi, Anthropology Outside the Literal House: Staging In the context of the MIT Fraternity, Theta Know Nothing of Other Euripides' Orestes Delta Chi, discursive content and communica- Megan S. Wilson ’13, Classics and Languages, Know Nothing tive events determine the particular ways in Comparative Literature of One's Own which the brothers build speech communities. (short talks) Science Center 396 Advisor: Carol Dougherty, Classical Studies Though predominately Hispanic, and Spanish Language and Secession: The speaking, the men of TDC come from various My senior thesis grapples with the issues raised Relationship Between Language Attitudes areas globally to form a brotherhood built in Euripides' Orestes by staging it for a modern and Nationalist Ideology in Quebec upon friendship and dedication to success at audience. The play engages with Aeschylus' Laura M. Dulude ’13, Cognitive & MIT. It is in this unique environment that Agamemnon; it is concerned with the same Linguistic Sciences the brothers are given a sense of flexibilty in themes but gives them a radically different treat- terms of language use, choice and practices. In ment. Euripides empties the Aeschylean 'house' Advisor: Andrea Levitt, French this study, I outline these language practices as of its symbolic content, traditionally the aristo- Nationalism has been brewing in Quebec since the brothers work to build successful speech cratic family. Accordingly, Euripides' language the birth of Canada, and separatism has been networks, or webs of personal relationships, in is more concrete than Aeschylus', and his plot a popular ideology in the province since the and outside of the fraternity house. is driven by exterior rather than interior events. 1960s. Quebec is the only monolingual French- I bring out both qualities in my production of speaking province in a largely English-speaking Investigating the Relationship between Orestes, which I staged in an original translation Canada. As such, the issues of language identity Age of Acquisition of a Second in April. The performance manifests onstage and attitudes play an important role in Quebec's Language and Lexical Retreival Ability the most challenging aspects of Euripides' relationship with the rest of Canada, whether in Bilinguals text and argues for the play's departure from that relationship be harmonious or discordant. Andrea A. Takahesu Tabori ’13, Psychology tragic convention by staging the absence of an Using a survey of young and old inhabitants and Religion interior and employing the 'unreliable narrator' of Quebec, I explore issues of separatism and Advisor: Jennie Pyers, Psychology technique as a proxy for Euripides' play with nationalism in the Belle Province as they relate genre. It also includes musical and scenic effects to demographic factors and language attitudes. Research suggests that bilinguals who acquired designed to bring the Greek tragic stage to a their second language early in childhood have modern audience. The Choice of Language Class and an enhanced cognitive ability to inhibit, which One's Personality (Project supported by a Daniels Fellowship) may give them an advantage in lexical retrieval Eriko Houlette, Senior Davis Scholar, Psychology relative to later bilinguals. The current study Creating a Passive Refrigerator: Advisor: Julie Norem, Psychology investigates the relationship between age of Reducing Energy, Reusing Waste, acquisition of a second language and the lexical A famous Czechoslovakia proverb from says, Recycling the Ice House Concept retrieval ability in bilinguals by comparing “Learn a new language and get a new soul.” the lexical retrieval ability of 30 English Carly L. Gayle ’13, Environmental Studies, Such proverb seems to suggest that there is a monolinguals, 30 early Spanish-English Benjamin Chapman ’14, Mechanical strong relation between languages and one’s bilinguals who acquired English by age three, Engineering (Olin) personhood. The relation of college students’ and 30 late Spanish-English bilinguals who Advisor: Monica Higgins, Environmental personality and their choice of language class acquired English between ages four and six. Studies and Jessica Townsend, Mechanical were investigated in this study. The data was The three groups were matched on non-verbal Engineering (Olin) collected from among the students in Japanese, intelligence and vocabulary size was statistically This project involved the design, modeling, Spanish and German classes using question- controlled. (Research supported by Pyschology and construction of a walk-in refrigerator that naires which measured student’s extroversion, Department and Office of the Provost and uses less electricity than a light bulb and costs shyness, sensory-processing sensitivity, rich Dean of the College Research Grant)

38 WELLESLEY COLLEGE RUHLMAN CONFERENCE 2013 1:30–2:40pm

Maladies sans Frontieres: the not-too-distant future. While it is practi- tice also limits an individual's power over her Global Health Problems cally impossible to comprehensively address own body. People are legally able to take risks (short talks) Science Center 278 this topic in such a brief amount of time, this with their bodies and treat them as they please The Growing Burden of Breast presentation will draw upon literary research in many other aspects of life. Some philosophers Cancer in the Global South: An to enlighten attendees on the place of cancer ask: why shouldn't people also be allowed to Interdisciplinary Approach among chronic diseases in African countries. take pharmaceuticalrisks with their bodies? In this presentation, we will discuss philosophy Brianna D. Krong ’15, Political Science and (Supported by the Barbara Peterson Ruhlman of the body with respect to prescription drugs, Peace & Justice Studies '54 Fund) recreational drugs, and performance-enhancing Advisor: Catia Confortini, Peace Studies Global Commerce in Flux: How drugs and whether regulation over their sale is Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer the World is Changing China and a threat to liberty. Drawing on the theories of mortality among women. As life expectancy in China is Changing the World Jessica Flanigan, a leading philosopher in this low-income countries increases, the global cancer (panel discussion) Founders Hall 126 debate, we will discuss the issue of ownership burden is shifting to populations in the Global of the body, the role of government in an indi- South, which experience disproportionate rates Connie C. Shen ’14, Economics, Xue Wu ’13, vidual's healthdecisions, and the consequences of mortality. However, only a small fraction of Economics, Shuang Yin ’16, Undeclared for liberty and freedom. global cancer spending is allocated towards these Advisor: C. Pat Giersch, History Gender and Cultural Production most vulnerable populations. Paying special Over the last three decades China has (panel discussion) Science Center 277 attention to breast cancer, I am compiling the emerged as a global economic power with current literature on cancer in low-income unparalleled growth and development. As Women Do it Best: An Analysis on countries, drawing from the fields of global foreign firms have set their sights on China, Representation of Black Female Bodies public health, international political economy, Chinese corporations have set their sights on in Rap Music Videos and medical anthropology and sociology. It is the world. In this presentation, we examine Asia Sims ’14, Women’s and Gender Studies my hope that this work will help facilitate an the domestic and international avenues of and Africana Studies understanding of how the factors contributing to China's economic development and success Advisors: Irene Mata and Rosanna Hertz, cancer’s increasing global burden relate to trans- from the perspective of the foreign firm in Women’s & Gender Studies national processes including resource allocation, China and the Chinese firm abroad. First, we What does rap music look and sound like environmental regulations, and hazardous waste will investigate how foreign businesses have once it has been queered? My research offers disposal. (Research supported by the Sophomore entered, developed and begun to thrive in answers to this question through an examina- Early Research Program) China by assessing changes in government tion of the representation of race, gender, policy and localization strategies. Second, we and sexuality of the Black female body in The Impact of Private Sector Pricing will provide a deeper look at the performance Policy on Health Care: Evidence from popular rap music. The first half of my and infrastructure of China's national cham- Walmart’s $4 Prescription Program research focuses on Sir Mix-A-Lot’s infamous pion firms in global markets by analyzing the “Baby Got Back” music video and the You Wang ’13, Economics infrastructure and business strategies adopted contemporary queered version of this music Advisor: Robin McKnight, Economics by these major enterprises. Through examin- video performed by African American artist, ing China’s role in the global economy in the In 2006, Walmart launched a program that cut Ayanah Moor. I argue Sir Mix-A-Lot’s version past and present, we seek to provide a more prices of nearly 300 generic prescription drugs represents Black female excess in a negative complete narrative of its potential future. to $4 per prescription for a month’s supply. way in contrast to Ayanah’s version that rep- This is a nation-wide program and is available Perspectives on Social resents the simplicity of black female beauty. to people with or without insurance. My thesis Issues III: Research from the After identifying what I (literally) consider research examines the impact of a private firm’s Wellesley College Freedom the black and white areas of representation, pricing policy on health spending behavior, Project I delve into a further analysis of the gray area health utilization and health outcomes. (panel discussion) Pendleton Hall located between the overt objectification and covert celebration of the Black female body. West 212 Cancer in Africa: Brief Background, I turn to the work of a transgender rapper, Current Challenges, Future Fixes Maria A. Brusco ’14, Philosophy and Big Freedia, and her “Sissy Bounce” music. Sylvia K. Ilahuka ’13, Environmental Studies Economics, Beba Cibralic ’16, Undeclared, and Sociology Amy N. Wickett ’16, Undeclared Tambien las Mujeres Pueden: Advisor: Anastasia Karakasidou, Advisor: Thomas Cushman, Sociology Women in Narco-Corridos Anthropology Are prescription-only drugs a violation of Yesenia Trujillo ’14, Computer Science Over recent years, the incidences of and deaths an individual's freedom to choose? Does Advisors: Irene Mata and Rosanna Hertz, from cancer in Africa have been on the rise. making some drugs available by prescription Women’s & Gender Studies Where infectious disease has been the bane of only unjustly limit a person's bodily agency? Throughout history, poor and the marginalized the continent for the longest time, cancer and Requiring prescriptions may protect people from groups have found through folk songs ways to other chronic diseases are rapidly taking over wrongly using drugsthey do not understand and recreate, represent, and celebrate the actions of and are set to become the leading burden in that could potentially harm them, but this prac- men and women that, while labeled as deviant

WELLESLEY COLLEGE RUHLMAN CONFERENCE 2013 39 1:30–2:40pm 3–4:10pm or criminal, convey hopes for social change and presentation. Using queerness to examine Humanities and community justice. Narco-corridos, a hip-hop, and using hip-hop to examine queer- musical style popular throughout Northern ness demonstrates the significance of hip-hop as Literary Expressions from Mexico, are ballads that describe people’s a cultural production and social movement. Wood to Clay involvement in drug trafficking activities. (short talks) Pendleton Hall East 239 The majority of the scholarly work on narco- POSTER SESSION Hemingway and the Accidental Art of corridos has focused on the study of male Science Center Focus Journalism characters, ignoring or mentioning women Consumer Society Sara M. Simon ’13 English only in passing. This presentation will discuss Clara M. Kahng ’13, Ecnomics, Jean H. the roles women play in drug trafficking and Lee ’13, Sociology, Sia Smith-Miyazaki ’13, Advisor: William Cain, English the roles that have been constructed for them Sociology In his late teens and early twenties, Ernest in narco-corridos over time Advisor: Markella Rutherford, Sociology Hemingway began his professional writing career with newspaper articles for the Kansas The Sum of My Parts (and Some of My Fall semester we were challenged to rethink City Star and the Toronto Star. These were Parts): Exploration of Memory, Gender the things that we consume. We each chose no minor jobs; for the Toronto Star alone, and Self-Narratives in a Zine a particular commodity, a category of Hemingway wrote 172 pieces. For decades, consumer goods, or a particular consumer Emily F. Gamber ’14, Women's and Gender scholars have identified this early work in practice and conducted a sociological analysis Studies and American Studies journalism as a significant training experi- of it. Our posters are of the commodification Advisors: Irene Mata and Rosanna Hertz, ence that influenced Hemingway’s creative of vacations, the Super Bowl, and poverty. Women’s & Gender Studies writing. My thesis project takes this point an When pursuing our analysis we considered important step further. Through a collection Zines can be powerful medium for self-narra- a variety of questions including: How is of close readings, I argue that Hemingway’s tives. Self-published and creator-distributed, this commodity consumed? What are the early short stories and novels can only be they can break the molds of traditional messages tied to this commodity? What roles fully appreciated and understood through a publishing and make room for creative tellings does this commodity play in the construction detailed examination of his journalism. of marginalizedstories. In a final project for and display of individual identity? What Crossing the Border(s), a Chicana/Latina theory role does the commodity play in marking Revelatory Words and Images: and literature class, students were challenged to socioeconomic class boundaries? William Blake and the Artist's Book create their own self-narratives. Starting by posi- tioning myselfwithin the discourse of feminist A Veiled Threat? Scarves and Rusi Li ’13, English and queer scholarship, I specifically consider Secularism in the Turkish Republic Advisor: Alison Hickey, English the work of Chicana feminist poet, writer, and Rebecca P. Lucas ’14, Political Science Merging literature and visual art, artist’s cultural theorist, Gloria Anzaldúa. This zine and Religion books reveal the fascinating experiment explores the construction of memory through Advisor: Edward Silver, Religion between word and image.The works of complex family history and memory's function the Romantic poet, printer, and visionary Turkey has been lauded in the West as an in the creation of self. It focuses on thecreation William Blake invite exploration of this exemplary country where Islam and democ- of solidarity ideologies through experience and relationship. Blake's illustrations in Songs racy coexist within the framework of a secular identity, and its material manifestations. Finally, of Innocence and Experience, revelatory government. Recently, however, citizens it considers the act of writing as the theorizing in themselves, often subtly undercut or and politicians alike have challenged the work necessary for survival in the margins. complicate the meanings of his writings, restrictions placed on religious practice, most offering a complex view of the songs as both Why Hip-Hop is Queer: Using Queer visibly in the ongoing "headscarf debate". literary creations and material objects. Blake Theory to Examine Identity Formation The debate concerns laws banning religious conceived the medium of the book as an in Rap Music symbols from government space, including ideal vehicle that, marrying text and image, the headscarves common in traditional Silvia Galis-Menendez ’13, Women’s & had the power to join the author and the Turkish culture and among observant Muslim Gender Studies reading public. In addition to interpreting women. Because the ban encompasses the Advisors: Irene Mata and Rosanna Hertz, Blake's poems, I examine his books as legislature and public universities, it forces Women’s & Gender Studies material objects, paying special attention to women to choose between their religious the relation of text and image. With Blake's Although many believe hip-hop is irredeemably beliefs and their education or political powerful example in mind, I proceed to misogynistic and homophobic, hip-hop actually involvement. Many argue this violates their examine contemporary “artist’s books” in provides a unique space for queer interpreta- freedom of religion, and is detrimental to order to gain insights into the continuing tions of identity. Rap music is a poetics and a democracy; others argue that the ban and evolution of the book form. politicsin which construction of oppositional similar restrictions are the only way to narratives and presentation and performances preserve the secular Republic. The headscarf of race, gender, and sexuality is possible. The debate is part of a dialogue that may deter- works of hip hop artists Azealia Banks, Frank mine the future of secularism in Turkey. Ocean, Las Krudas, and Big Freedia particularly illuminate the processes of identity formation

40 WELLESLEY COLLEGE RUHLMAN CONFERENCE 2013 3–4:10pm

Reflections on the Afterlife: Fra The Search for Liberty in Schubert achieved a level of “word painting” Girolamo Savonarola's Perspective Captivity: Cervantes in Africa that will lead us on a journey through these on the Eventuality of Death through (panel discussion) Science Center 104 poems about love, war and Greek Mythology. Woodcut Illustrations Cara M. Borelli ’15, English, Melissa M. Isabelle R. Erb ’13, Art History and Italian Studies D'Andrea ’14, Biological Chemistry, Molly E. Mozart Sonata for Two Pianos Advisor: Jacqueline Musacchio, Art McNamara ’15, Spanish and Neuroscience, in D major (K. 448) My Art History thesis focuses on Dominican Rebecca J. Rubinstein ’15, Spanish, Gabriela (short performance) Jewett Arts friar Fra Girolamo Savonarola (1452- M. Salcedo ’15, Undeclared, Anne V. West Center-Auditiorium 1498) and his role in popular religion in ’15, Undeclared, Anne M. Williams ’13, Chuyan Huang ’15, Undeclared, Anita Z. Renaissance Florence. He delivered sermons Mathematics and Spanish Li ’15, Undeclared at San Marco, San Lorenzo, and the cathe- Advisor: Jill Syverson-Stork, Spanish Advisor: Lois Shapiro, Music dral of Santa Maria del Fiore, to audiences After fighting against the Ottoman Turks in Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart has been cel- of as many as 20,000. His preaching took the Battle of Lepanto in 1571, Miguel de ebrated as one of the most brilliant and advantage of contemporary crises, such as Cervantes Saavedra was enslaved by his foes in prolific classical period composers. The D plague and famine, and achieved notoriety Algiers (1575-1580). While held for ransom in major sonata was composed in 1781 when through his prophesies of spiritual renewal this North African city, Cervantes witnessed a Mozart was 25. It is among the few of his for the entire church. Savonarola’s sermons world diametrically opposed to his native Spain. two piano pieces, but is very well-known for were circulated in the form of early printed Here, in Algiers’ multicultural, multilingual, its “Mozart effect”, suggesting that classical books with woodcut illustrations. The wood- and multi-faith society, Cervantes experienced music has a bigger chance of increasing rea- cuts expressed his awareness of death as a captivity, yet also an ironic reprieve from the soning skills and human brain activities than lurking evil, ready to attack at the first sign Spanish atmosphere of Inquisitorial suspicion. other types of music. The first movement of weakness; Savonarola told his followers As goods, persons, and ideas were traded Allegro con spirito starts off the sonata in D to keep these woodcuts in their homes as a furiously around him, Cervantes calibrated and major, setting the central theme with a strong reminder of the inevitability of one’s passing. considered the values of empire. From salvation introduction. The second movement Andante Ultimately, they proved to be a crucial aspect by faith, to gender roles, to the notion of free is written strictly in an ABA structure at an of Savonarola’s control over Florence. will, Cervantes left no absolute unscrutinized appeasing tempo. The last movement Molto in his works. Over four hundred years later, the allegro has a reoccurring theme with highly- The Fiction of the Fabricated Ruin: Exploring Memory in the work of Adrián author’s illusive, engaging voice continues to contrasting melodies. Through a semester Villar Rojas challenge readers. After a semester of studying of work under the guidance of instructors Cervantes, we hope to present a richer portrait Randall Hodgkinson and Lois Shapiro, the Mina Juhn ’13, Art History of this former captive, beyond his well-known presenters will perform the first two move- Advisor: Patricia Berman, Art role as author of Don Quixote. ments of the sonata. The sculptural practice of Adrián Villar Rojas (b. Argentina, 1980) threatens to fissure the The Unending Beauty of Science and Technology continuous façade of our reality through its Schubert’s Lieder: A Lecture uncanny insinuation of parallel temporali- Recital on Word Painting Garbage In, Garbage Out: ties. His construction of monumental ruins (short performance) Jewett Arts Wall Street, Main Street, and amalgamates disparate forms ranging from the Center-Auditorium i-Street organic to the aggressively industrial, and his Katherine A. Siegel ’14, Music (short talks) Science Center 278 large-scale works are rendered more enigmatic Advisor: Jenny Tang, Music Technology and Wall Street due to their eventual destruction. His use of Whither, whither should you come to Akofa A. Ahiable ’13, Computer Science unfired clay produces a decaying aesthetic that immerse yourself in the unending beauty of alludes to the fragility of narratives traditional- Advisor: Brian Tjaden, Computer Science Schubert’s lieder? Schubert’s exquisite mas- ly imbued within monumental forms, thereby When Wall Street started, every transaction, tery of the lied (or German art song) will calling attention to the tenuous existence of every computation was done by hand. be our topic as you enjoy 3 of his over 600 individual and collective memory. Through an Exchange floors were constantly buzzing with lieder. Ganymed (Goethe, 1817), An die analysis of the artist’s monumental clay works, human activity and interaction. However, Leier (Bruchmann, 1822) and Die Liebe Hat this thesis will examine how Villar Rojas’ ruin- with the advent of new technology, there was Gelogen (Platen-Hallermünde, 1822) are the ous aesthetic elucidates the calculated process a massive change on the Street; floors were poetic masterpieces that will be performed of construing memory and history. closed down and replaced with screen trading and discussed to demonstrate Schubert’s systems. David Leinweber in his book, Nerds unparalleled ability to set the visions of poets on Wall Street said, “there’s so much technol- to music. Schubert revolutionized the com- ogy in modern markets that it’s easy to forget position of song through his use of the piano that some of our favorite markets, like the and voice as equals in expressing the text. New York Stock Exchange, started out as With the expressive power of the voice’s mel- very low-tech places.” We’re going to take a ody line and the piano’s harmony combined, journey through time to see how technology

WELLESLEY COLLEGE RUHLMAN CONFERENCE 2013 41 3–4:10pm transformed Wall Street and I will describe a Arsenic in Asia: Genesis, Chemistry, Neuroprotective Agents: Understanding compute program I designed that simulates and Environmental Implications Female Sex Hormone Action in Diabetic a little bit of what is done in big ratings Siyi Zhang ’15, Undeclared Neuropathy companies on Wall Street like Standard and Advisor: Daniel Brabander, Geosciences Sarah D. Finkelstein ’14, Neuroscience Poor’s, where I interned this past summer. Advisor: Marc Tetel, Neuroscience Over 100 million people worldwide are Incorporating Public Outreach into exposed to excessive amounts of arsenic Sixty percent of diabetics develop some form of Existing Curriculum as a Solution through drinking arsenic-contaminated diabetic-neuropathy. Diabetic-neuropathy is the to Bridge the Perceived Gap groundwater. Many Asian countries, in par- neuronal death of peripheral nerves, such as the between Classroom and Real World ticular, are known for elevated arsenic level in sciatic nerve, due to the degradation of myelin, Biochemistry their estuarine system. Previous studies have the protective protein surrounding the nerves. Catherine Y. Cheng, Post-Baccalaureate Fellow, been focused on the transport mechanisms Schwann cells produce myelin in the peripheral Biological Chemistry and public health effects in the sediment nervous system. Interestingly, progesterone, an ovarian steroid hormone, causes an increased Advisor: Didem Vardar-Ulu, Chemistry environment. Identifying the sources of arsenic and the initial process that removes production of an important protein in myelin There is a perceived gap in society between arsenic from its origin is equally crucial for by binding to progestin receptors (PR) and biochemistry in the classroom and that per- us to estimate arsenic distribution and to recruiting steroid receptor coactivators, such tinent to real societal concerns. I will present design prevention schemes. This study focuses as SRC-2. Estradiol, another steroid hormone, a case study on how an explicit outreach on the a wide range of existing literature mediates the expression of PR in steroid- component can be effectively incorporated on Southeast Asia and East Asian countries sensitive tissues. My study investigates whether into an existing upper-level undergraduate with historically reported high arsenic in PR are estradiol-induced in the female rat sciatic biochemistry course to help bridge the gap groundwater. Aside from the anthropogenic nerve using antibodies that tag PR and SRC-2 between “scientists” and “the public.” In factors, it is hypothesized that the weathering in the sciatic nerve of rats treated with estradiol. 2012, CHEM328 students were given three of arsenic-bearing mineral phases in the Co-localization of PR and SRC-2 in the same options for disseminating their understanding Himalayas serves as the primary Arsenic cell provides neuroanatomical evidence for their of a health-related biochemical problem to a reservoir for Ganges–Brahmaputra and the interaction and will enhance our understanding general audience. The outcome was positive Mekong deltas in Southeast Asia. High-As of the protective role of progestins in diabetic- on both ends, highlighting the promise Regions in East Asia are also included for neuropathy in females. and value of outreach work in developing provenance comparisons. skills in independent content learning and The Genetic and Hormonal communication. Project Runway: Mechanisms of Oncopeltus fasciatus Model Organisms Abdominal Patterning Regulation User-customizable Game Environment (short talks) Pendleton Hall West 116 Tiffany Chen ’13, Biological Sciences in iPhone Latency in V4/PIT Vision Cells Advisor: Yuichiro Suzuki, Biological Sciences Hye Soo Yang ’13, Media Arts and Sciences Monica A. Gates ’15, Neuroscience, Jiun-Yiing Phenotypic plasticity describes the ability of a Advisor: Scott Anderson, Computer Science Hu ’14, Neuroscience genotype to produce different phenotypes in While today’s game engines provide Advisor: Bevil Conway, Neuroscience response to the environment. When a discrete realistic 3D gaming environments, they are Little is known about how color is encoded in switch exists in the phenotypes produced in predefined by the game designers and do the brain. One possible encoding mechanism response to a continuously varying environ- not give much customizable flexibility to the uses the timing of a neural response to a stimulus mental input, the plastic trait is known as a users. The goal of the project is to create an to convey information about hue, saturation, polyphenism. Developmental hormones, such as iPhone application that allows a new gaming or luminance. Latency is one metric of the ecdysone and juvenile hormone (JH), are known experience in which the users are able to temporal dynamics of neurons, and is also used to control polyphenisms, but the origins of poly- recreate their physical space into a gaming to assess the stage of a given neuron within phenisms remain poorly understood. Ventral environment. That is, they are able to play the visual-processing hierarchy. We examined abdominal spot patterning of Oncopeltus in a more personal and familiar setting. response latencies of visually responsive cells fasciatus, the milkweed bug, is an example of a As an exploration game with a number of in macaque V4/PIT following presentation of temperature-dependent phenotypically plastic user-customizable maps, the application is visual stimuli varying in hue, saturation and trait. Using double-stranded RNA injections, we designed to allow sharing visual experiences luminance. We test the hypothesis that stimuli knocked down the expression of the Hox genes of being at a place in a more natural manner of high luminance contrast produce shorter abdominal-A (abd-A) and Abdominal-B (Abd- through entertaining environment. latencies, as has been found for neurons in other B), JH receptor Methoprene-tolerant (Met), and visual areas. We also assess the differences in nuclear hormone receptors Ecdysone receptor response latency to stimuli of identical lumi- (EcR) and Fushi tarazu factor-1 (FTZ-F1) to nance but different saturation and hue, to test explore the genetic and hormonal mechanisms the possibility that these dimensions are encoded of abdominal pigmentation. Studying how by temporal dynamics. Preliminary results show the melanization of the abdominal spots are latency to be inversely related to saturation. regulated has implications for our understanding of the origins of polyphenisms.

42 WELLESLEY COLLEGE RUHLMAN CONFERENCE 2013 3–4:10pm

Choosing a Laboratory Animal: mance of an economically important model to distinguish one from another. Although S. Understanding the Function of the invertebrate, the honey bee (Apis mellifera). ellipticus has been extensively studied because of Human Brain and Its Diseases through Pollen, which supplies essential nutrients to its impacts on commercially valuable oysters, Various Animal Models developing honey bee larvae, is often in short little is known about E. gracilis. We elucidated Michiko O. Inouye ’14, Music supply in colonies because of seasonal dearths the differences between these two flatworms. Advisor: Simone Helluy, Biological Sciences or intensive management practices. However, We focused primarily on the predator-prey it is not known how pollen deprivation during interactions of E. gracilis and its commonly At first glance, the study questions being larval development affects the performance encountered benthic prey species in Chesapeake explored at the Okano Lab at Keio University of honey bee workers as adults. We compared Bay. Our results indicate voracious predation on seem disparate, not to mention that nearly foraging behavior between groups of workers Apocorophium lacustre, a common tube-building every project uses a different laboratory animal. that were reared under conditions of either amphipod found along the Atlantic coast. We How are the wrinkles of the brain formed, and pollen abundance or deprivation. Longevity, found a positive relationship between flatworm why do they expand to different thicknesses? onset of foraging, and time spent waggle size and consumption rates. Tubes constructed What is the function of the blood-brain-barrier dancing by workers were compared between by amphipods provided no refuge from preda- and what molecules are responsible for its treatment groups. Our study provides insight tion. This is the first reported occurrence of maintenance? Do social interactions reduce into the role that nutritional state during larval estuarine/marine flatworm predation on amphi- the risk of developing neurological disorders? development plays in the health and function pods, and makes clear the trophicimportance of Could RNA modification explain brain of honey bees and their colonies. this abundant, although overlooked, predator. diversity among different species? How does a (Brachman-Hoffman Grant and Janina A. nervous system disease affect nerve cell appear- Fight, Flight, and Regenerate Longtine Fund for Summer Research in the ance? Through a wide range of topics these (short talks) Science Center 396 Natural Sciences) studies converge to deepen our understanding Integrating Behavior and Biomechanics of the human brain and its pathologies. The use The Secret Lives of Bluestreak Cleaner to Understand Fish Escape Performance of various laboratory animals allows us to look Wrasse in Hoga Island, Indonesia Tiffany Chen ’15, Undeclared, Erin M. at neuroscience from both a biological and a Connolly ’14, Biological Sciences psychological standpoint. In this presentation Alyssa G. Wibisono ’13, Biological Sciences I will discuss experiments that involve animals Advisor: Jeffrey Hughes, Biological Sciences Advisor: David Ellerby, Biological Sciences such as mice, fruit flies, and marmosets, as well The bluestreak cleaner wrasse (Labroides Fish show a high degree of variability in escape as the benefits of using these species. dimidiatus) is an integral part of the tropical behavior, particularly in regard to their chosen coral reef ecosystems as a cleaning organism direction of escape relative to a threat. In most You Are What You Eat that rids other fishes of ectoparasites. This individuals, escape angles cluster around two (short talks) Pendleton Hall West 117 seemingly mutualistic interaction between or three preferred directions. This may be a Modeling Obesity in C. elegans host and cleaner fish is not as straightforward behavioral strategy that limits the predictability Shaheen I. Rangwalla ’13, Anthropology and as it seems due to the cheating behavior of the of escape behavior. It may also be driven by Chemistry cleaners. With a strong preference towards host underlying biomechanical constraints; this being Advisor: Didem Vardar-Ulu, Chemistry mucus and scales, cleaners sometimes cheat and the case, there may be performance benefits take a bite out of the host. In summer 2012, associated with the preferred trajectories. To test One of the world’s leading chronic diseases, I studied the behavioral choices of blue streak this we compared performance, as indicated by diabetes, is on the rise in every country cleaner wrasse in Hoga Island, Indonesia by peak velocity, peak acceleration, and distance around the world. At Joslin Diabetes Center I documenting cleaner wrasse activities through moved, between escapes performed at preferred worked with C. elegans to model obesity, the underwater videos and utilizing benthic survey versus infrequently chosen directions. There leading cause of diabetes in type II patients. data. I used market theory to explain the were no differences in performance in relation Pathways that regulate metabolism are actions and choices made by the cleaners, and to escape angle. This suggests that the observed conserved from the worm to the mammalian to elaborate on how the cleaner-host interac- escape angle distribution is largely associated level, allowing us use them as models. The tion may have been maintained over time. with behavioral factors, rather than dictated by worms were put on different diets and were proximate factors relating to escape performance. specifically mutated to monitor fat content, An Unlikely Relationship: Predator- health-span, and lifespan, as affected by the prey Interactions between Flatworms The Role of Steroid Receptor insulin pathway. and Tube-building Amphipods in the Coactivators in Hormone Action in Brain Chesapeake Bay Young C. Hsu ’13, Neuroscience Malnutrition and Behavior: Do Hungry Honey Bees Dance? Julia N. Adams ’14, Biological Sciences Advisor: Marc Tetel, Neuroscience Hailey N. Scofield ’13, Biological Sciences Advisor: Jeffrey Hughes, Biological Sciences The ovarian steroid hormones estradiol (E) Advisor: Heather Mattila, Biological Sciences Within the Chesapeake Bay, flatworms are rec- and progesterone (P) play important roles ognized as common predators of barnacles and in reproductive physiology and behavior. Juvenile malnourishment affects learning and oysters. Historically, the two main flatworm The effects of E and P are mediated by their task performance in many species but is poorly species, Euplana gracilis and Stylochus ellipticus, respective receptors, estrogen receptor (ER) studied in invertebrates. We examined the have been grouped together due to a difficulty and progestin receptors (PR) which are tran- effect of such stress on the foraging perfor- scription factors. E induces the expression of

WELLESLEY COLLEGE RUHLMAN CONFERENCE 2013 43 3–4:10pm

PR, which are expressed as two isoforms: full tion, creating new biomaterials that were and diffusion tensor imaging as a tool to length PR-B and the shorter PR-A. These biocompatible and electrically conductive in probe a genetic and epigenetic mouse model two PR isoforms, PR-A and PR-B, have vivo. Specifically, my research investigated of schizophrenia. profound functional differences in physiol- the use of electrically conductive polymers ogy and behavior. Members of a family of as a means to hasten the regeneration of A Magic Bullet: Development of a steroid receptor coactivators (SRCs), SRC-1 peripheral nerve cells to prevent otherwise Multifunctional Iron Oxide Nanoparticle and SRC-2, facilitate the transcriptional inevitable muscle death in affected areas. for Targeted Tumor Therapy activity of PR. In the present study, we The aim of my study was to design, synthe- Eugenia White ’13 Chemistry, Zi Wei (Alice) investigate whether SRC-1 or SRC-2 are size, and form biodegradable conducting Liao ’15 Biological Chemistry, Raji Nagalla ’14 differentially expressed with the PR isoforms polymeric materials that can be electrically Biological Chemistry in mouse brain. We used triple label immu- stimulated in vivo to encourage nerve cell Advisors: Nancy H. Kolodny, Chemistry, nohistochemistry in PR transgenic isoform regeneration and inhibit muscle atrophy. Nolan T. Flynn, Chemistry, Drew C. Webb, specific knock-out mice. The results of our Biological Sciences study will bring us closer to understanding Going Insane in the Membrane: how steroid receptor coactivators contribute Investigating Protein-Lipid The low survival rate and lack of surgical to the differences of the mouse PR isoforms Interactions in the Elmore Lab options for many cancer patients has in brain and behavior. (panel discussion) Science Center 277 necessitated the development of highly specific and potent potential drug therapies. Maria E. Bustillo ’13, Biological Sciences, Nanoparticles, spherical particles with Determining the Role of Hedgehog Alexandra L. Fischer ’13, Chemistry, Julia diameters an order of magnitude smaller Signaling Pathway during Limb A. Klaips ’14, Biological Chemistry, Maria than wavelengths of visible light, are ideal Regeneration in the Red Flour Beetle, A. LaBouyer ’15, Biological Sciences, Jane E. Tribolium castaneum for cancer therapeutics due to their small Lodwick ’14, Chemistry, Penny Wang ’14, size, low toxicity, and high surface area to Carla M. Villarreal ’13, Biological Sciences Chemistry, Amy Zhou ’14, Chemistry volume ratios. Our project focuses on the Advisor: Yuichiro Suzuki, Biological Sciences Advisor: Donald Elmore, Chemistry surface modification of superparamagnetic Despite studies performed on many species, The Elmore lab is interested in understand- iron oxide nanoparticles to achieve including amphibians and insects, the ing the interactions between proteins biocompatibility and targeted drug delivery. mechanisms regulating limb regeneration and the lipid membrane of bacterial and Nanoparticles are characterized with remain poorly understood. Hedgehog (HH) eukaryotic cells, in particular, antimicrobial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to is a major signaling pathway found in most, peptides derived from histone protein determine their quality as contrast agents for if not all, animal species, including humans. subunits. These antimicrobial peptides tracking in vivo. Recent work has focused on In vertebrates, HH signaling has been shown selectively kill bacteria over normal mam- coating iron oxide particles with silica and to play key roles during limb regeneration. To malian cells, and some have been implicated polyethylene glycol (PEG) to increase bio- determine whether Hedgehog might also play as having anti-cancer properties as well. compatibility along with the conjugation of a role during limb regeneration in Tribolium Through examination of a class of related nanoparticles to monoclonal antibodies for castaneum, HH signaling was silenced through peptides, we hope to elucidate the effects targeting pancreatic cancer cells. (Research RNA interference. HH silencing resulted in a that a peptide’s primary structure have on supported by Roberta Dey Staley Fund complete loss of leg and antenna regeneration, its secondary structure and subsequent for Cancer Related Research, Sophomore indicating that the HH signaling pathway is cytotoxic activity and mechanism of killing. Early Research Program, and the National necessary for the initiation of regeneration. Institutes of Health (NIH)). Specifically, HH appears to be necessary for Resonance Rhapsody: the growth of the blastema that forms at the Solving Biomedical Problems Tracking Cells from Blood to Brain: ablation site. Studies on the role of Hedgehog with Magnetic Resonance Using MRI to Study Neurogenesis in in blastema proliferation and re-patterning (panel discussion) Founders Hall 120 the Crayfish of regenerating legs are currently underway. Yi Ling Dai ’13, Neuroscience Our lab has focused on four projects: 1.) Overall, our findings suggest that HH signaling We are building a biofunctional nanoparticle Advisors: Nancy H. Kolodny, Chemistry, and is a conserved mechanism for appendage devel- which can be non-invasively visualized and Barbara S. Beltz, Neuroscience opment and limb regeneration across Metazoa. have the capacity to selectively irradiate Contrary to popular belief, adult Investigating Electrical Stimulation cancerous pancreatic tumors. 2.) Using neurogenesis, the birth of new neurons Using Conducting Polymeric Materials magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) we are during adulthood, has been observed across for Peripheral Nerve Regeneration able to track the migration of anterior prolif- organisms ranging from humans to the eration center (APC) cells to the neurogenic Ava K. Mokhtari ’14, Biological Chemistry crayfish. The neurogenic niche, a cluster of niche in Procambarus Clarkii crayfish. 3.) neural precursor cells, has been identified in Advisor: Gillian Hendy (MIT), Biology Our study of vocal learning uses blood our animal model, the crayfish Procambarus Last summer, I worked in the Langer oxygen level dependent (BOLD) fMRI to clarkii. We hypothesize that hematopoietic laboratory at the Koch Institute at the identify the brain regions participating in stem cells (HSC) from a newly discovered Massachusetts Institute of Technology. My song development in the zebra finch. 4.) tissue, the anterior proliferation center work focused on peripheral nerve regenera- Our last study utilizes magnetic resonance (APC), serve as the basis for neural precursors

44 WELLESLEY COLLEGE RUHLMAN CONFERENCE 2013 3–4:10pm in neurogenesis. Cells of the APC have been in the zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata). fMRI relates to aspects of body image in a sample shown to display characteristics similar to allows us to locate the neuronal response to of 175 Wellesley students. Previous research those of stem cells. We employ magnetic an auditory stimulus in real time. Because this found that overt and covert narcissism resonance imaging (MRI) to track migration method is noninvasive, it permits longitudinal correlate in opposite directions with body of APC cells labeled with superparamagnetic studies. Our efforts thus far have focused on esteem. The present study expands upon the iron oxide particles (SPIOs) in Procambarus developing the appropriate methods for fMR previous research by assessing all three types clarkii. (Research funded by the Staley image acquisition and auditory management of narcissism and using a wider range of body Summer Award for Cancer-Related Research in songbird applications. These efforts include image measures including body surveillance, and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute) preliminary functional imaging experiments control, shame, and exhibitionism. to investigate song learning in juvenile zebra MRI, DTI and Behavioral Paradigm finches. (Research supported by the Howard My Black is Beautiful: Exploration to Explore a Genetic and Epigenetic Hughes Medical Institute.) of Body Image in Students of African Mouse Model of Schizophrenia Descent Palig Mouradian ’13, Neuroscience, Tamara Temple R. Price ’13, Psychology Social Sciences Biary ’15, Chemistry Advisor: Tracey Cameron, Office of Advisor: Nancy H. Kolodny, Chemistry Intercultural Education Beauty in the Eye of the One percent of the global population suffers Beholder Previous research suggests that women from Schizophrenia, a chronic brain disorder (short talks) Pendleton Hall West 212 of African descent have relatively healthy that leads to behavioral, cognitive and social Commodification and Valuation of the attitudes about their appearance – especially abnormalities. Although no specific cause has Female Body in the New Orleans those with a strong racial identity (Parker, been identified, environmental, genetic and Slave Market Nichter, Nichter, & Vuckovic, 1995; Oney, epigenetic factors have been implicated as Cole, & Sellers, 2011). This study was Elizabeth A. Brown ’13, History possible factors. Our study attempts to validate designed to be a quantitative assessment of a genetic and epigenetic mouse model for Advisor: Ryan Quintana, History the body image concerns of college-aged schizophrenia, GCPII/AAV. These mice have By considering the economic valuation of women. The current inquiry builds on a a genetic mutation that is hypothesized to slaves in the decade prior to the abolition previous study that explored body image cause diminished levels of the neurotransmitter of the transatlantic slave trade in 1808, this in other ethnic/cultural populations. For glutamate, in hopes of modeling glutamate project reconstructs the narrative of African purposes of this study, I focused on students receptor dysfunction. We introduced a histone women within the slave markets of New of African descent. Surveys were administered deacetylase enzyme to newborn mice to elicit Orleans: the largest slave trading site in North to participants about aspects of their body epigenetic dysregulation. Magnetic Resonance America. Female bodies were subjected to a esteem. Preliminary findings, using SPSS for Imaging and Diffusion Tensor Imaging are persistent economic and ideological valuation statistical analysis, indicate that women of used to examine volumes of brain regions and by the varied actors who participated in the African descent are particularly happy with the structural integrity of white matter tracts. market – slave, trader and planter – who their ethnically-salient features, such as noses A behavioral paradigm is also employed to commodified and attempted to dehumanize or lips. Possible explanations for how women test the mice’s sociability. Magnetic Resonance the slave, necessarily and intentionally of African descent form body esteem in a Spectroscopy was used to analyze neurome- reducing enslaved women “to the simplicity western context will be discussed. tabolite levels. (Research supported by the of a pure form: a person with a price.” [1] Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Provost's By considering the valuation and ownership Really, You Find That Attractive? Office- Margaret Clark Mogan Foundation and of productive and reproductive labors as the Explaining Differences in Tastes Nellie Zuckerman Cohen and Anne Cohen abolition of the trade loomed imminent, this for Beauty Heller Professorship in the Health Sciences, and project considers the ways in which enslaved Ho Lum Kwok ’13, Psychology and Economics the Neuroscience program.) women countered this process, shaping their Advisor: Jeremy Wilmer, Psychology sense of self and exercising personal agency The notion that beauty is entirely “in the eye Functional MRI for Vocal Learning and within the confines of the market. Memory in the Zebra Finch Model of the beholder” is inconsistent with find- ings of shared preference for faces, scenes, Rachel Parker ’13, Chemistry, Sarah Zemlok [1] Walter Johnson, Soul by Soul: life inside and other visual stimuli. Despite such ’14, Chemistry, Cara Borelli ’15, English the antebellum slave market (Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 2001), 2. convergence of taste, substantial individual Advisors: Nancy H. Kolodny, Chemistry, and differences also exist. In a study involving Sharon Gobes, Neuroscience Look at Me, Don't Look at Me: Body 316 twin pairs, we explored the degree to Songbirds provide a particularly useful Image and Types of Narcissism which genetic and environmental factors cognitive model for human vocal learning Katharine M. Hargreaves ’13, Psychology influence the uniqueness of individuals' and memory acquisition due to many Advisor: Jonathan Cheek, Psychology beauty preferences. The question was: What established developmental, physiological, makes people more or less unique in who and genetic parallels with humans. Our work The project examines the three faces of the and what they find attractive? Our findings uses functional magnetic resonance imaging narcissism construct – covert, overt, and suggest that genes have minor influence, (fMRI) to study the process of vocal learning adaptive -- and explores how each of these if any, on the uniqueness of one’s taste

WELLESLEY COLLEGE RUHLMAN CONFERENCE 2013 45 3–4:10pm for faces, abstract objects, and real world The current study draws methods and theoretical A History of Consumption and scenes. Rather, most individual variations in concepts from previous studies but investigates Advertising in China's Women's Lifestyle preferences are the result of unique personal this phenomenon among minimal groups. Magazine: A Closer Look at ELLE experiences. Interestingly, age and gender Various techniques were used to test this predic- Barbara F. Jiang ’13, Economics were not significant predictors of how tion including the use of an Implicit Association Advisor: C. Pat Giersch, History idiosyncratic an individual’s beauty prefer- Test (IAT) and classical conditioning. ences were. Results suggest that our quirky During the decades after the Cultural aesthetic preferences are large attributable to The Disney Effect: An Examination of Revolution, consumption in China has experi- our unique experiences. Disney Princesses and the Portrayal of enced tremendous growth. Today, China’s luxury Gender Roles consumption accounts for 25% of the world’s Michelle H. Cho ’13, American Studies total. At the same time, advertisements in China’s women’s lifestyle magazines have exploded. In Advisor: Wendy Robeson, Wellesley Centers for 2012, ELLE began releasing two different issues Women each month to accommodate the high demand Disney has become a dominant storyteller for advertising space. In this study, my research for children all over the world, and has was focused on how the changing social environ- proven to be very influential in fostering ment in China was reflected in consumption belief systems based on race and gender. habits and gendered advertising practices. The Disney Princess Franchise has attracted many young girls and has created a The Clash of Cultures consumer culture. Despite Disney's whole- (short talks) Pendleton Hall East 339 some image, its “Princess Phenomenon” True-hearted Christian Teachers to must be examined in order to question the Self-Help Girls: Visions of Students gender roles that are being propagated. The on Financial Aid at Wellesley College, Disney Princess products are more than 1878–1927 entertainment, as the products are encoded Katherine W. Cali ’13, History with messages, which aid children in making Advisor: Brenna Greer, History sense of their world. What are the gender roles that Disney fosters through the Disney Despite the perception that financial aid is Princess Franchise? What messages is it relatively new phenomenon, from Wellesley sending to young girls and what are the College's founding in 1875, its benefactors consequences? (Research supported by the made efforts to assist students unable to afford 2012 Summer Research Program in Social the cost of attendance. Founder Henry Fowle Sciences at Wellesley College) Durant hoped to open Wellesley to "calico girls" as well as wealthier "velvet girls," and his John Locke and Modern Feminist supporters articulated their own visions of the Moral Psychology financial aid student's role and value within the Lillian Y. Li ’15, Undeclared College. Using the 1878-1899 and 1918-1926 reports of the Student's Aid Society (SAS), I Advisor: Eugene Marshall, Philosophy will explain how the SAS depicted financial John Locke, a late 17th century British philoso- aid students to its donors and analyze how and Origins of the Contemporary pher, wrote on liberty, will, and motivation. His why these depictions changed over time, with Construct of Gender past considerations parallel concerns of modern reference both to Wellesley's unique history (short talks) Pendleton Hall East 139 feminists. Concerns include: how does patriarchy and its broader social context. I will also explore An Evolutionary Bias: The Role of interfere with female motivation and autonomy? how the SAS's changing visions of financial aid Gender in Fear Responses to In-group Why might a woman act contrary to her beliefs? students reflected the evolution of white, edu- and Out-group Targets Offering a way think about these questions, I will cated middle-class women's expected societal Margarita B. Rabinovich ’13, Psychology examine Thomas Hill's case of the Deferential roles--and of their actual experiences--from the Advisor: Robin Akert, Psychology Wife: she is someone who believes in gender Gilded Age through the Roaring Twenties. equality, and yet who is proud to devotedly serve A study conducted in the Sidanius Lab at her husband. This relatively mundane, even Is Being Korean Cosmopolitan Harvard University investigates fear of out-group happy, scenario is problematic for moral agency. Possible? Exploring the Self-Identity males among minimal groups. Previous research Explaining why, I will approach the question: are and Worldview of Korean International has indicated that fear responses are acquired women full agents with only authentic prefer- Students at American Colleges more rapidly and are more resistant to extinction ences or are women victims of psychological Ji-Su Park ’13, Sociology and Political Science when the target is a male from a racial out-group, oppression with deformed desires? Finally, I Advisor: Joseph Swingle, Sociology as opposed to a male from a racial in-group return to Locke and his theories on autonomy or a female. The interpretation of these results to argue why his theories are relevant and even Of what relevance is national identity to suggests that this response is rooted in evolution. necessary to the future of feminist thought. students who spend extended periods of

46 WELLESLEY COLLEGE RUHLMAN CONFERENCE 2013 3–4:10pm time away from their "home" nation? Is it of sacred native arts attributes to the neoco- Chinese Women Leaders Against possible for an individual to be nationalistic lonialist phenomenon termed by Rosemary Oppression and cosmopolitan simultaneously? This study Coombes as cultural cannibalism and by bell Elizabeth Torres ’14Women’s and Gender Studies examines Korean students attending college hooks as “eating the other.” Advisor: Irene Mata, Women’s and Gender or university in the U.S. These students grew Gender in a Transnational Studies and Rosanna Hertz, Women’s and up in a “one-blood” nation but now find Gender Studies themselves in a far more racially and ethnically Context diverse nation. My research explores how the (panel discussion) Jewett Arts This paper is based upon an analysis of inter- U.S. experiences of these students influence Center 454 views collected by Professor Hertz about the their nationalistic versus cosmopolitan world- Re-Imagining Immigrant Identity lives of women founders of various NGOs in views. Data come from survey and interviews Formation within a Danish and China. Along with historic events including, with Korean students across the U.S. American Context the Cultural Revolution, Tiananmen Square and the World Women’s Forum, I will draw Jenny Jean ’13 Women’s and Gender Studies (Mis)representations of Hitler in India a parallel between the history of these NGOs Advisor: Irene Mata, Women’s and Gender and that of China. By studying these three Abigail R. Weitman ’13, Peace and Justice Studies and Rosanna Hertz, Women’s and Studies and South Asia Studies generations of NGO women leaders who Gender Studies challenged organizational and cultural norms, Advisor: Neelima Shukla-Bhatt, Forced or voluntary immigration forces I show how people or women who became South Asia Studies individuals to renegotiate their identity as leaders in China gained agency and learned With over 10,000 copies of Hitler’s Mein Kampf their psychosocial context changes. While how to navigate the Chinese government sold in Delhi annually, Hitler has become forming a renegotiated identity may be system, how to garner support, and how to somewhat of an unlikely celebrity in India. uneventful for many immigrants, it may be lobby for the people they served. I suggest Indian T.V. shows, films, restaurants and clothing more arduous for those immigrants whose that it is the experiences they underwent – apparel stores have sparked controversy by the physicality continuously marks them as not their personality -- that motivated them representations of Nazi insignia and glorification “other.” By examining the modes through to become leaders. Therefore, my research of Hitler’s dictatorial leadership. In what setting which immigrants negotiate their identities lobbies for the historical, cultural, and has Hitler become of interest to the youth culture through spaces of visibility and invisibility we gendered impacts of “experienced struggles” and why have lessons from the Holocaust been a can begin to understand the ways immigrants undergone by these women. disconnected narrative? In this presentation, I will attempt to create a non-fragmented sense of share examples of Hitler’s popularization in India self. We can also begin to understand how “Out of Many, One People”: A Gender and provide possible theories explaining where these tools of identity formation are both Analysis of Jamaica from Outside this interest in Hitler stems from. a product of and a challenge to the societal and Within structure in which they find themselves. Wendy West ’13, Women’s and Gender Studies Wearing Native: Misappropriated and Biological Sciences Indigenous Cultural Property in the Natural Disasters as Social Disasters: Advisor: Irene Mata, Women’s and Gender Fashion Industry the Political Economy of Gender-Based Studies and Rosanna Hertz, Women’s and Violence in Post-Disaster Settings Kalina Yingnan Deng ’14, Philosophy Gender Studies Advisor: Anastasia Karakasidou, Monica Setaruddin’14, Psychology and Jamaica’s national motto is “Out of Many, One Anthropology Health & Society People.” This aphorism embodies the diverse For First Nation peoples, native cultural prop- Advisor: Irene Mata, Women’s and Gender populations of people that identify with the erty – aesthetic designs, rituals, and symbols Studies and Rosanna Hertz, Women’s and Jamaican heritage. However, gender-based – are intrinsically connected to their spirituality Gender Studies issues on the island arise out of the lack of and to their sovereignty as indigenous people. Previous research demonstrates that natural representation of women in positions of power However, fast fashion labels and haute couture disasters increase women’s risk of violence. and an increased rate of sexual assault and houses alike have “borrowed” sacred native It has been surmised that poverty and gender-based violence. This gender-based designs to cater to increased demands for lack of resources exacerbate gender-based violence is, in part, a result of the normalization “native” and “tribal” trends. A few examples of violence. In addition to these factors, the of a hyper form of masculinity within Jamaican this exoticism in the fashion industry include political economy of gender inequality society. Returning to the country during Karli Kloss's wearing a decorated war bonnet plays a crucial role in explaining why Wintersession helped me gain insight into the in the 2012 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, women are particularly vulnerable in manifestations of this female marginalization Ralph Lauren's romanticized "Southwestern" post-disaster settings. Using a political and the feminist movement on the island prêt-à-porter collections, and ASOS's marketing economy framework to evaluate post-Haiti attempting to redress these gender-based issues. mantra for consumers to "Go native with earthquake, South Asian tsunami disaster, As a Jamaican-born United States citizen, Aztec & Navajo prints." In light of this Sri Lanka Tsunami disaster, and Hurricane I have the unique experience of studying fashion grievous faux pas, I argue that fashion’s Katrina, I will discuss the gendered impact Jamaican culture through the lens of both an consumption of indigenous cultural property is of natural disasters. Its implications for outsider and a partial member of the society, a a modern continuation of colonialist discourse. gender-sensitive planning recommendations positionality that allows for a complex analysis Furthermore, I argue that the commoditization will also be discussed. of gender in this Caribbean country.

WELLESLEY COLLEGE RUHLMAN CONFERENCE 2013 47 3–4:10pm

How Language Reveals Us: Queering Sociolinguistics – social consequences. Laws that criminalize Insights From Sociolinguistics What Heterosexual Marketplace? prostitution are of this nature, and I will explore (panel discussion) Jewett Arts Blake Desormeaux ’13, Cognitive and arguments for legalizing sex work under an Center 450 Linguistic Sciences and Sarah Vaughn ’15, economic and philosophical perspective guided The Effects of Speaker Accent and Cognitive and Linguistic Sciences by the principles and ideas of classical liberalism. Speech Content on Interpersonal Advisor: Andrea Levitt, Cognitive and A Market for Human Organs?: Evaluations Linguistic Sciences and French Global Considerations April Crehan ’13, Cognitive and Linguistic The terminology of identity within the queer Mallika Govindan ’15, Biological Sciences Sciences and Italian Studies and Gretchen community is broad and varied. We polled a Advisor: Thomas Cushman, Sociology Larsen ’13, Cognitive and Linguistic Sciences number of queer and non-queer students at Advisor: Andrea Levitt, Cognitive and Wellesley College to determine their levels While the current US government has priced Linguistic Sciences and French of comfort with some queer identifying organs at $0 and made their sale illegal, countries The distinctive qualities of each human voice terms. Terms were classified as either general, like Iran and Israel allow regulated organ selling. allow us to instantly differentiate our sister reclaimed or slur. Our findings led to All of the nations in the modern world face from our mother, a good surprise from a interesting inferences aboutthe process of slur pressing issues regarding human organs, ranging bad one, and a local person from one who reclamation in the greater queer community from long and impossible wait-lists to coercive comes from out of state. To investigate the and about the non-queer community’s organ donations. My research focuses on impact of accent and speech content on understanding of queer identities. They also contrasting case studies, analyses by bioethicists, listeners'perceptions of female voices, we had suggested several avenues for further research. and a history of laws and bans regarding organ speakers of a Southern and a British dialect donation. This presentation focuses on solutions Perspectives on Social Issues recite two types of speech samples each. to the problems and issues surrounding organ I: Research from the Wellesley These "passionate" and "dull" samples had donations that have been proposed by libertar- College Freedom Project a surprisingly large impact on how listeners ians, in comparison with views from other (panel discussion) Founders Hall 126 perceived the status, solidarity and dynamism political and philosophical positions. of the speakers. The Green Libertarian: An Oxymoron or a New Species? #thatmomentwhen You Use a Hashtag Ana Medrano Fernandez ’13, Economics and You're Not Sure Why Advisor: Thomas Cushman, Sociology Catherine Guo ’13, Cognitive and Linguistic Sustainability can be framed as issue of Sciences and Ariel Robinson ’13, Cognitive and distributional equity. In understanding that Linguistic Sciences & Middle Eastern Studies natural resources can be depleted, we understand Advisor: Andrea Levitt, Cognitive and that our unregulated consumption today affects Linguistic Sciences and French the ability of those in the future to consume. Hashtags have been used since 2008 to Governments often feel responsible to intervene organize and catalog “tweets” on Twitter, and act on the behalf of the environment through but in recent years, their use has expanded cap and trade policies, subsidies and regulations. beyond this social media service. In our Libertarians dislike government intervention presentation, we will discuss how Wellesley and prefer free markets. This poses the question: students use hashtags on Twitter, Facebook, How would a libertarian deal with environmental and Tumblr. We proposed four reasons for concerns? In this presentation, I explore whether using hashtags: to promote the visibility of an libertarian ideals and environmental sustainability idea, product, or cause; to comment on a pre- concerns haveany common ground. vious statement; to make content searchable; and as a meansof self-identification. Given Self-Employed: Exploring the Rationale the functional differences among the three Behind Legalizing Prostitution platforms, we hypothesized that Wellesley Lavanya Ganesh ’15, Political Science and College students would use hashtags differ- Economics ently depending on the social media site. Advisor: Thomas Cushman, Sociology While our results did not yield statistically Historically, representative political bodies significant differences inreasons for using have used their power as lawmaking entities hashtags, we did find patterns in rates of to impose certain "righteous" social mores hashtag use between multiple platforms users upon its people in order preserve the "values" and single-site users. These patterns highlight of some bygone era. Libertarians consider this differences in hashtag use between casual and to be a form of state paternalism, which often active users of social media. results in laws that are unnecessary and which sometime result in unintentional negative

48 WELLESLEY COLLEGE RUHLMAN CONFERENCE 2013 4:30–5:40pm

Humanities deepened understanding of both the Italian Rhyme and Reason and English languages that I have gained from (short talks) Pendleton Hall East 239 Let's Go Europe reviewing English texts written by non-native Medieval Nonsense Verse: (short talks) Pendleton Hall East 339 English speakers. (Work supported by a grant Contributions to the Genre from the Wellesley College Provost’s Office). Italian Women in the 1930s: From the Bridget E. Begg ’13, English and Fascist Vision of Woman as Prolific Biological Sciences The French Republic, "Eldest Mother and Devoted Wife to Female Daughter of the Church"?: La Morale Advisor: Matthew Sergi, English “Otherness” in Alba de Céspedes’ Républicaine of 19th-Century Secular There Is No Turning Back Good nonsense creates a multitude of tensions; Instruction and Its Catholic Roots it complicates the relationships of syntax Mariya Chokova ’13, French and Italian Studies Elizabeth A. Yazgi ’13, French and History and language, meaning and interpretation, Advisor: David Ward, Italian Studies Advisor: Venita Datta, French and, in the question of its origins, literature In my project I analyze sexual politics in and folklore. In spite of a significant body of This project uses the secular school of Fascist Italy in the 1930s and will provide an medieval nonsense in both drama and poetry, nineteenth-century France to understand one ideological overview of how fascism perceived most criticism erroneously treats “literary of the “pillars” of French identity—la laïcité, or women and their role in society. Of course, nonsense” as a discrete Victorian phenomenon. the separation of Church and state. Solidifying the official discourse did not reflect accurately Other critical veins emphasize nonsense’s itself through anticlerical policy, the French Italian reality and there still remained universality—though deeply intertwined with state reified the notion of a Republic-Church many spheres of public and private life that human psychology, the medieval and folkloric opposition. The secularized school and its Mussolini’s regime did not manage to infiltrate nonsense tradition relates to the Victorian morale républicaine became instrumental with its ideology. Alba de Céspedes’ novel There much more concretely. This connection has in this process. An analysis of the textbooks Is No Turning Back, published in 1938 and not yet been grounded in literary, academic which preached this morale républicaine, banned by the fascist authorities two years later, analysis; I forge this connection this thesis. however, reveals the continuities between the after having gone through a sensational nineteen Overlooking the distinctly literary historical latter and Christian principles. At the same editions, provides an alternative view of what traditions embedded in modern nonsense time, an examination of the political debates women’s aspirations were and how they lived oversimplifies the genre, inappropriately surrounding school secularization suggests a in Italy in the 1930s. Through an exploration diminishing the continual literary relevance reason for the obfuscation of such continuities. of the “life stories” of the female protagonists of medieval nonsense. Using the appearances By unmasking these, I will introduce a more in the novel, my aim is to observe how they of nonsense in medieval performance as a nuanced appreciation of la laïcité and the conformed to, or contested, the official political contextualizing lens, I elucidate the relationship role of French anticlericalism in shaping discourse that defined fascist gender politics, of medieval nonsense to Victorian, particularly conceptions of the Republic. relegating women to a subaltern social position. through conserved folkloric motifs and a performance-derived spirit of celebration. (Research supported by a Schiff Fellowship) Shipwrecks and Trade in the Archaic Mediterranean (Research supported by a Schiff Fellowship) Editorial in Translation: Non-Native English Speaking Authors and the Role Haley E. Bertram ’13, Classics With So Good A Woman: The Nature of the Editor on the Journal of Italian Advisor: Bryan Burns, Classical Studies of Love and Violence in Genre in Cinema and Media Studies Shakespeare Shipwrecks in the Western Mediterranean Sydney S. Cusack ’14, English are a valuable but complex source of evidence Kelsey A. Ridge ’13, English and East Asian Studies Advisor: Flavia Laviosa, Italian Studies of Archaic exchange. The wrecks yield Advisor: Yu Jin Ko, English information about the goods being traded The Journal of Italian Cinema and Media In Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing, and potential exchange routes. However, the Studies (JICMS, published by Intellect Books) Othello, and Cymbeline, one senses a common variety of content and scale of the cargos, in is a peer-reviewed English language journal thread: men who falsely suspect that their addition to loss of material caused by looting that is a forum for debate over Italian film and female partners of sexually infidelity. However, and 2,500 years under water, complicate media production, reception, consumption despite the similarity of their original offense, the interpretation of the archaeological and interaction with other forms of cinema each man is punished differently, and these evidence. My senior thesis examines the and media. Additionally, JICMS examines plays reach startlingly different outcomes and nature of early exchange between Greeks, Italy as a geographical-cultural locus for falls into a different genre. Scholars have long Etruscans, and indigenous populations of contemporary debate on cinema both from wondered why. Examining the plays reveals the Western Mediterranean through the lens and about Italy. For three semesters, I have important dissimilarities between these men, of Etrusco-Corinthian fineware pottery as a worked as an Editorial Assistant for JICMS: their partners, and their relationships, and as the non-subsistence commodity. In comparison my work focuses primarily on the updating plot and the characters unfold, the couples are with other shipwrecks, the Pointe Lequin 1A the semantic, lexicon, and syntactic choices driven towards diverse endings. Claudio, barely shipwreck has an exceptionally large quantity that authors have made and revising their work punished, gets a happy ending. Othello, though, of fineware pottery. Consequently, the wreck so that it will be published in its best possible is brutally punished. Finally, Posthumus, also can be used as a unique case study in order form. I will discuss the core mission of JICMS, roughly punished, finally understands how to consider fineware pottery and its place in my contributions to the journal, and my to redeem himself and save his marriage. By early exchange.

WELLESLEY COLLEGE RUHLMAN CONFERENCE 2013 49 4:30–5:40pm rewarding some actions and choices with happy From Sumo to Ofuro: An sounds, influenced by a wide array of Western endings and condemning others to sorrow and Exploration of Japanese musical elements such as jazz, improv, and death, Shakespeare paints a picture about the Culture & Society contemporary forms that have proven to be importance of a certain kind of love and bond (panel discussion) Jewett Arts wildly successful. The presentation will be in a healthy and strong relationship. Center 454 followed by a musical performance of his three well-known piano trio works. Daniele Evangelista Leite da Silva ’14, East Poetry: The Scientific Method’s Missing Step Asian Studies and Chemistry, Maggie M. Feng ’16, Undeclared, Antoinette A. Garcia ’16, Science and Technology Sharon Tai ’13, English and Economics Undeclared, Alexis B. Kiley ’13, English and Advisor: Kathleen Brogan, English Psychology, Cristian E. Lamas ’16, Undeclared, Biological Chemistry Program Once mingled, science and poetry diverged as Christie H. Lee ’14, East Asian Studies, Brigette Honors Thesis Research Talks our understanding of the world sharpened and C. Roper ’16, Undeclared, Ye-Eun Sung ’16, (panel discussion) Pendleton Hall advanced. Now considered antitheses, these Undeclared, Quyen Than Trong ’16, Undeclared, West 117 Alyssa G. Wibisono ’13, Biological Sciences two types of thought rarely meet. The poems of Biofilms and Light Signaling in Marianne Moore and A.R. Ammons undermine Advisor: T. James Kodera, Religion Synechocystis sp. Strain PCC 6803 this widely-held opinion by demonstrating During our Wintersession in Japan, our class Zihan Dong ’13, Biological Chemistry how science can function as a means of travelled around the country for three weeks, Advisors: Mary M. Allen, Biological Sciences, communication. Without sacrificing the merits exploring the many different aspects of aculture and cultural purposes of poetry, both these Jean Huang and Rebecca Christianson, Biology composed of both modern and ancient and Physics (Olin) poets fully integrated scientific vocabulary and thoughts, beliefs, andpractices. We walked the concepts into their poems. Despite their shared neon-soaked streets of Tokyo, relaxed in the Biofilms are how bacteria naturally exist in nature- scientific regard, Moore and Ammons’ works traditional and restorative waters of Miyajima, -enclosed in an extracellular matrix of protein differ greatly. Moore wished to communicate the experienced the spiritual atmospheres of both and polysaccharides. The biofilm state protects idea of observable but ineffable principles, and Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines, and bacteria against environmental stressors, such as turned to science to compensate for the failings commiserated with the atrocities presented in antibiotics and biocides. Confocal microscopy she perceived in language. Her post-modern Hiroshima and Nagasaki.Our diverse group was used to analyze the development of biofilms successor Ammons demonstrated an infallible researched about several cultural and social of two strains of Synechocystis sp. strain 6803, a faith in language, viewing scientific jargon as aspectsof Japan, including but not limited to wildtype and motile mutant, which were grown simply another list of words to be used in the environmental influences on Shinto architecture, in flow cells. A significant difference was found verbal capture of his observed surroundings. the plight of the minority Baraku and Zianichi in terms of their biofilm structures and growth, Through these two poets’ works, their craft Koreans, the uncertain employment prospects with wildtype biofilms being lower in height and functions as the intermediary between scientific for recent university graduates face, political not exhibiting dense clusters compared to the observation and hypothesis. tensions concerning the war-memorial in motile strain. The genomes of both strains were Yasukuni Shrine, and the unique religious and sequenced and then characterized for genetic Henry IV Part 1: Provenance historical perspectives on abortion in Japan. differences. We also explored the ability of the and Performance The panel will present on these myriad topics in motile mutant to move towards light, known Hilary J. Gross ’13, English order to provide a wide-reaching introduction to as positive phototaxis. Our goal was to find the Advisor: Yu Jin Ko, English different aspects of contemporary Japan. physical conditions required for maximal positive phototaxis in the motile strain. Directing the Shakespeare Society’s production The Master of Nuevo Tango: of Henry IV Part 1 both informed, and Astor Piazzolla Regulation of Levels and Localization was informed by, my research of the play’s (long performance) Jewett Arts of the Enzyme Thimet Oligopeptidase performance provenance and critical reception. Center-Auditiorium in Prostate Cancer Cells by Steroid While no one denies that Henry IV is a rich Hormones play both critically and theatrically, arguments Ji Yeon Kim ’15, East Asian Studies, Hui Christa C. DeFries, ’13, Biological Chemistry regarding its protagonist and genre are far Li ’16, Undeclared, Claudina X. Yang ’14, more contentious: Hal is the only possible Philosophy Advisor: Adele J. Wolfson, Chemistry lead, or his father is, the play is just a comedy, Advisor: Jenny Tang, Music The enzyme thimet oligopeptidase (TOP) has or just a tragedy. But in each case, both are, the ability to cleave many peptides integral Astor Pantaleon Piazzolla was an Argentine or at least can be, true. So we attempted to to important biological processes. One of composer, and perhaps the most renowned maintain the dynamic balance of Shakespeare’s these is gonadotropin-releasing hormone tango musician in the world. He revolutionized text in performance: rather than choosing one (GnRH), levels of which control the amounts the traditional tango, incorporating elements of four major characters to feature in the lead of estrogens and androgens the body produces. of jazz and classical music, creating a new style role (either Hal, Henry, Hotspur, or Falstaff) To determine the role TOP may play in termed nuevo tango. The presentation will or between genres to elevate (namely drama, control of androgen and estrogen production, explore the breaking away from traditional comedy, or tragedy), we tried not to choose. I treated human prostate cancer cells with modes of tango music, and it's evolution into If Shakespeare didn’t, then neither would we. varying concentrations of β-estradiol, an a highly individualized style of new wave That challenge belonged to the audience. estrogen, and evaluated how this treatment

50 WELLESLEY COLLEGE RUHLMAN CONFERENCE 2013 4:30–5:40pm affected cellular TOP levels and localization. the chloroplast fits into the plant cell’s protein- Environmental Studies, Sylvia Ilahuka ’13, Androgens and estrogens have enormous protein interaction network require an accurate Environmental Studies and Africana Studies, influence on human reproductive function and inventory of the chloroplast outer envelope Mische Kang ’13, Environmental Studies, Kate behavior, and abnormal regulation of these protein population (proteome), which we have Klibansky ’13, Economics and Environmental hormones contributes to many diseases. If it worked toward by developing methods to Studies, Megan Lambert ’14, Environmental is true that TOP influences the production of isolate this membrane and identify proteins by Studies and Mathematics, Jennifer Lamy ’13, androgens and estrogens, TOP could be an mass spectrometry. To detect protein-protein Environmental Studies and Economics, Kelly important component in the process of human interactions between the chloroplast and other Mercer ’13, Environmental Studies, Gertrude reproductive regulation. (Funded by the cellular proteins, we have used protein microarray (G.G.) Merkel ’13, Environmental Studies, Roberta Day Staley and Karl A. Staley Fund technology with intact chloroplasts as the probe. Audrey Mutschlecner ’13, Environmental Studies, for Cancer-Related Research Awards) We have also used bioinformatic tools to generate Morgan O'Grady ’13, Environmental Studies, a virtual chloroplast outer envelope interactome. Evgenia Nizkorodov ’13, International Relations Signaling Mechanisms and Physical (Economics) and Environmental Studies, Tiana Structure of Biofilm Growth in Factors Influencing Ramos ’13, Environmental Studies, Elsa Sebastian Synechocystis sp. Strain PCC 6803 Neurogenesis in the Crayfish, ’13, Environmental Studies, Ada Smith ’13, Jennifer E. Fishbein ’13, Biological Chemistry Procambarus clarkii Environmental Studies and Anthropology Advior: Mary M. Allen, Biological Sciences (panel discussion) Science Center 104 Advisor: Elizabeth DeSombre, Zain Fanek ’13, Neuroscience and French, Environmental Studies Many bacterial species, including the Isabelle Gell-Levey ’13, Neuroscience, Jingjing cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. Strain PCC While many colleges across the country Li ’15, Neuroscience 6803, use the formation of biofilms as a survival already compost, Wellesley does not yet have mechanism. Biofilms are cell aggregates, which Advisor: Barbara Beltz, Neuroscience an institutionalized system for managing act as a protective barrier by providing nutrient The crayfish Procambarus clarkii is capable the majority of our organic waste. But that access, increased drug tolerance and metabolic of neuronal production in the adult brain. is all about to change. A policy from the by-product sharing. Biofilms can form both in The lineage of neuronal precursors produces Massachusetts Department of Environmental nature and in human infections, where they are cells that will differentiate into olfactory Protection will require most institutions in very antibiotic resistant and thus particularly interneurons. However, the 1st-generation the state to divert organic waste from their difficult to treat. To form biofilms, many neuronal precursors (stem cells) are not self- waste streams beginning in July 2014. At the bacterial species use a communication system renewing, and we are therefore hunting for the request of the Office of Sustainability, the involving chemical signals. In this study, we source that replenishes these stem cells. Our Environmental Studies major capstone class investigate the cell-cell communication of this evidence suggests that the hematopoietic system spent the semester researching and developing cyanobacterium. The physical structure of the is one source of these cells. Our specific projects the most effective strategies to recommend to biofilms is also being analyzed. The wild type therefore focus on defining the relationship the college in order to implement campus-wide non-motile cells form a uniform monolayer between the hematopoietic system and the composting and reduce the amount of food biofilm while the super-motile mutant cells lineage of cells producing the adult-born wasted. Wellesley’s compliance with the DEP form pillar shaped biofilms that spread across neurons. Serotonin, a neurotransmitter, is policy would annually divert approximately the surface. Our goal is to gain a better known to increase the niche cell population. 500,000 kg of food waste from incineration. understanding of this ubiquitous and diverse The goals of current research projects are to Come learn the when, where, who, and how bacterial survival strategy. Research supported (1) define the circadian rhythm of serotonin of our strategies for implementing sustainable, by a Jerome A. Schiff Fellowship. production in the brain using high performance responsible, and economically feasible liquid chromatography, (2) test the relationship composting methods on campus, and see what Probing the Arabidopsis thaliana between the number of hemocytes (blood cells) changes have already been set in motion. chloroplast outer envelope proteome and niche cells, and (3) characterize cells in and interactome the hematopoietic system that are believed to Small Particles with Big Emily M. Shortt ’13, Biological Chemistry provide the neuronal precursors. Impacts: Applications of Nanotechnology Advisor: Gary C. Harris, Biological Sciences Food is Not Trash: Redefining (panel discussion) Pendleton Hall Chloroplasts perform a variety of critical Wellesley’s Waste Culture by West 116 functions in plant cells, including lipid Composting Bao Minh T. Dang ’14, Rebecca D. McClain ’13, metabolism, protein synthesis, and (panel discussion) Science Center 277 Chemistry, Chemistry, Stephanie G. Schmitt ’13, photosynthesis. For the cell to operate smoothly, Chemistry these important functions must be effectively Ellen Bechtel ’14, Environmental Studies, Eliana integrated and regulated with other processes Blaine ’13, Environmental Studies, Benjamin Advisor: Nolan Flynn, Chemistry Chapman ’14, Mechanical Engineering (Olin), in the cell. This necessitates the existence of Nanotechnology is the study of materials on the Shirley Doan ’14, Environmental Studies extensive intracellular communication networks. nanometer length scale. Our group explores this and English, Maria Cristina Fernandes ’13, Recent work in a variety of organisms has area of chemistry as it pertains to biomedicine Environmental Studies, Maia G. Fitzstevens revealed that networks of protein-protein and nanotechnology. In collaboration with ’13, Environmental Studies, Olivia Froehlich interactions form the core of most intracellular other chemists and biologists, we are creating ’14, Environmental Studies, Carly Gayle ’13, communication. Efforts to understand how a multi-purpose nanometer-sized particle that

WELLESLEY COLLEGE RUHLMAN CONFERENCE 2013 51 4:30–5:40pm

can target, image, and destroy pancreatic cancer How Women Experience and Acquire Ideological Diversity and Student cells. One aspect of this project is creating the Privilege in Elite Liberal Arts Colleges Experiences at Wellesley College core and shell of the particles as well as the Priscilla D. Gutierrez ’13, Sociology Zoelle S. Mallenbaum ’13, Economics functionalizing the shell. Our lab also works Advisor: Lee Cuba, Sociology Advisor: Thomas Cushman, Sociology on the creation of electrochemically active gold nanoparticles. One of our goals is to use Researcher Shamus Khan understands Wellesley is full of strong-minded women electrochemistry to trigger the assembly of gold “privilege” as the ability to be at ease in a with equally strong political views. nanoparticles into three-dimensional structures. multitude of social situations and to function While conventional wisdom might (Research supported by NIH, a Schiff facilely within these situations. While it is a suggest otherwise, students’ views are not Fellowship, Staley Fund, and Wellesley College) skill proven to be desirable in both school homogeneous across campus. This study, and the job market, only certain lifestyles and based on an Independent Study in the Wellesley Global Medical institutions, such as elite boarding schools, have Department of Sociology, explores the Brigades: Honduras, Potrerillos traditionally fostered its development. My thesis relationship between students’ political and Guanacaste research looks at the acquisition and experience ideologies and their experiences at Wellesley (panel discussion) Science Center 278 of privilege among female students on elite College. Central questions of the study Nour J. Abdulhay ’14, Biological Sciences, liberal arts college campuses, both single-sex and include: Are students with certain ideologies Yi Ling Dai ’13, Neuroscience, Kristina X. co-educational. Using longitudinal data from more likely to majorin certain departments? Duan ’15, Undeclared, Catherine J. Ha the New England Consortium on Assessment How do ideologies shape connections ’13, Anthropology, Victoria M. Nguyen ’13, and Student Learning (NECASL), I compare and experiences with professors and other Spanish, Ji I. Shin ’13, Neuroscience the ways in which female students of different students, both in and out of the classroom? races/ethnicities and socioeconomic statuses Do students with dissident ideological views Advisor: James Moyer, Chemistry experience and acquire privilege. Ultimately, have a different experience of Wellesley Global health disparities are a growing concern I seek to determine whether this type of College than those whose views are more and need immediate attention. Wellesley's embodied cultural capital becomes a tool of mainstream? What is the relationship chapter of medical brigades is the only existing social mobility or social reproduction in the between a student’s political ideology and active all women's chapter of Global Brigades, lives of college students. (Research supported by her sense of belonging? This study is based the world's largest student-led global health a Schiff Fellowship) on asample survey of students across campus and sustainable development organization. A in order to shed light on these questions. group of 29 Wellesley students as well as two Why Women's Colleges?: Reassessing Based on the research, I suggest strategies healthcare professionals successfully completed the Benefits of Single-Sex Higher for informing College policy in order to the college's first ever medical brigade in Education for Women enhance appreciation and respect for the Honduras in January 2013. Our organization Teresa K. Wisner ’13, Sociology intellectual and ideological diversity of was able to attend to 640 patients in two Advisor: Joseph Swingle, Sociology students at Wellesley. different communities. In the United States today, young women Suffering and Sadness: have access to virtually all of the country’s best Life after Traumatic Events Social Sciences colleges and universities. However, research (short talks) Pendleton Hall West 212 suggests that single-sex education may still be Effect of Pathology on Cognitive Our Colleges, Ourselves: Peer beneficial to women in ways that co-education Outcome after Anterior Temporal Effects of College Students is not. Women’s colleges encourage students Lobectomy for Treatment of Epilepsy to pursue non-traditional career paths, offer (short talks) Pendleton Hall East 139 Brigid E. Prayson ’14, Psychology Revisiting Race and Class in more female role models and mentoring Advisor: Jennie Pyers, Psychology Higher Education opportunities, provide more leadership experiences on campus, and cultivate generally Danielle A. Callendar ’13, Africana Studies There are many known risk factors that supportive campus environments. My thesis may increase one’s risk of cognitive decline Advisor: Lee Cuba, Sociology research examines the experiences of female following surgical treatment for epilepsy. Much of the literature on race and higher students at Wellesley, Smith, Bowdoin, This project examined the potential risk education neglects to discuss fully the gains and Bates College, looking specifically at factor of pathology on cognitive outcome in black students make during their undergraduate students’ major choices, personal aspirations, patients who underwent anterior temporal careers. This study seeks to fill this void by extracurricular involvement, and social lives lobectomies. Specifically, patients with mesial focusing on black students at five highly ranked, to address the question of whether women’s temporal sclerosis(MTS) were compared to highly selective liberal arts colleges. It will offer colleges are truly more positive places for patients with dual pathology of both MTS a view of how these students navigate their women. Ultimately, I find that single-sex and focal cortical dysplasia. Retrospective college campuses and develop their professional colleges are exceptional at nurturing confident, statistical analysis was performed on 63 cases and academic goals during and after college. successful young women, and suggest that using neuropsychological data obtained from Essentially, the study aims to provide a more co-educational institutions should look to routine pre- and post-operative evaluations nuanced perspective on the influence of race women’s colleges as exemplary models of for epilepsy surgery. Results indicate that and class on college student academic decisions. supportive environments for female students. there were significant 2-way interactions

52 WELLESLEY COLLEGE RUHLMAN CONFERENCE 2013 4:30–5:40pm

(group x time) on several language and women’s bodily rights, while respecting children and the presence of a teacher affect memory measures, suggesting that dual the cultural and religious context in which social influence in preschool-aged children. pathology might lead to a more favorable women live. Resolving the necessary Children watched puppet shows in which postoperative cognitive outcome than MTS tensions between universalism and relativism a child puppet preferred one version of a only. Potential implications will be discussed. demands complex cultural negotiation. toy over another; the shows were presented This presentation will explore strategies of either with or without a teacher puppet Crime or Custom? The Questionably stopping acid attacks within the context of present. Each child’s toy preference was Immoral Practice of Female Genital powerful cultural inducements that normalize recorded. Examining how children react Mutilation violence against women’s agency. to boy or girl puppets with the presence of Shruthi V. Kumar ’16, Undeclared an adult will further our understanding of The Child is Father to the Man Advisor: Thomas Cushman, Sociology social influence in children. (short talks) Science Center 396 Every year, 130 to 150 million girls are Preschool Peer Pairs: What Predicts The Relationship between Altruism subject to Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), Friendship Development? and Display Rules: Selflessness and a painful ritual that involves the cutting of Paula K. Yust ’13, English and Psychology Prosocial Tendencies in Preschool the external genitalia in order to protect a Children Advisor: Tracy Gleason, Psychology woman’s chastity. Not only does this ritual Natalie E. Benjamin ’13, Psychology and perpetuate gender discrimination, but it also Early friendships are important for later French, Meredith G. Healy ’13, French and puts women at the risk of disease. Regardless, socio-emotional development. Many Psychology FGM is still regarded as a significant rite friendships are reciprocated, but some Advisor: Jennie Pyers, Psychology of passage for young women. But do we preschoolers’ nominations of friendship have the right to label this practice as are not returned. These unilateral Our research examines the relationship immoral? Cultural Relativists would argue relationships are thought to be precursors to between altruism, which is defined as selfless that activists do not have the right to judge reciprocated friendships. I looked at whether concern for others, and the understanding groups that regard FGM as “custom”, because characteristics of children, such as social of display rules, which dictate the social morality is culturally dependent; while competence and peer acceptance, and peer appropriateness of displaying certain Universalists would argue that FGM breaches dyad characteristics, such as similar interests emotions, in preschool children. Previous the inalienable rights of women. This and relationship features (e.g., amount research suggests a link between these two presentation will explore the ongoing debate of support) were positively predictive of variables, as they are both related to prosocial between cultural relativism and universalism, unilateral friends becoming reciprocal friends. tendencies. We devised unique behavioral in the context of FGM in rural Somalia. This I interviewed 82 preschoolers twice about methods to target and measure preschool sociological study will help foster a better their friendships and observed the children to children's understanding of these concepts, understanding of why FGM continues to see who frequently played together. Teachers including a task measuring children's helping be a human rights issue, and offers potential also completed questionnaires on social behaviors, and a task examining their solutions to the problem. competence and relationships characteristics. reactions to undesired gifts. We found that I hypothesized that unilateral friendships children who display helping behaviors, thus Women’s Rights in the Face of Acid between children who had high social acting altruistically, are more likely to show Attacks: A Case Study of the Tensions competence levels, similar peer acceptance an understanding of display rules, confirming between Relativism and Universalism levels, played together frequently, or had our hypothesized link between the two Alice Y. Liang ’16, Undeclared positive relationship features would be more tendencies. Our presentation will explore Advisor: Thomas Cushman, Sociology and likely to become reciprocal friends than our process and findings, and will address Inela Selmovic, Spanish unilateral pairs without these characteristics. why we believe this link is important for the (Research supported by a Schiff Fellowship) understanding of child development. Individual members of Islamic fundamentalist groups in areas such as Gaza What Do You Want to Play? The Effect Theory and Research on and Kashmir have recently thrown acid at of Teacher Presence and Children’s Freedom: Perspectives on Law, women for not wearing hijabs, justifying Gender on Social Influence Feminism, and the Professions their attacks as a response to the violation of Kathryn C. Goffin ’13, Psychology (panel discussion) Jewett Arts Center 452 Shari’a law. Not only do these attacks strip Advisor: Linda Carli, Psychology Disciplining Intimacy: A Theoretical away a woman’s agency, they cause lifelong Exploration of the Relationship scars and stigmatization. Such violations Early in life, children learn about social rules Between Stigma and Intimate Labor of human rights pose an ethical dilemma. and gender norms through observations Rachel Davis ’13, Philosophy Leaving the issue unaddressed contributes of others and their own interactions with Thomas Cushman, Sociology to the perpetuation of systematic violence peers. Children learn that men and women Advisor: against women, yet imposinga universal hold different social roles and exert different "Intimate labor” refers to forms of labor standard of rights on a culture can be seen amounts of social influence. Additionally, that maintain precise social relations as a form of cultural imperialism. I argue children’s choices are directly and indirectly between a worker and multiple customers. that human rights and Shari’a law are not influenced by their parents’ and teachers’ This includes occupations like child care, mutually exclusive. It is possible to protect actions. I explored how the gender of sex work, and domestic care. Intimate

WELLESLEY COLLEGE RUHLMAN CONFERENCE 2013 53 4:30–5:40pm laborers provide services that expose them The Boundaries of Law: Libertarian China's Search for Modernity: to sensitive personal information about Arguments Against Legal Paternalism A View of Shanghai and Beijing their clients. Many forms of intimate labor and Legal Moralism (panel discussion) Founders Hall 126 are highly stigmatized, and my research Xueyin Zhang ’16, Undeclared Xiaolu Han ’14, East Asian Studies, Kat Yung examines the way in which stigmas attached Advisor: Thomas Cushman, Sociology Keung ’14, Economics, Irene C. Kwok ’14, to intimate labor are mitigated through What are the limits of the law? Admittedly, Computer Science and Chinese Language processes of professionalization. I posit & Literature that, via their exposure to many people’s without the rule of law we are doomed to live a Advisor: Mingwei Song, East Asian personal information, workers performing life that is, in Hobbesian terms, “nasty, brutish Languages & Literatures unprofessionalized and under-regulated and short”. With too much law, however, we risk intimate labors become “nodes” of counter- being encased in what German sociologist Max Our presentation will examine the role discourse that constitute sites of aggregated Weber called the ‘iron cage’ of legal rationality globalization has played in the development counter-discursive knowledge. I argue that that vitiates democratic engagement and of the modern Chinese city. We will unprofessionalized intimate labor’s threat autonomous decision-making. The use of law as primarily be focusing on two of China’s to dominant discourses (e.g. normalizing a tool to promote moral ideals or enforce moral growing metropolises-- Beijing, the country’s discourses of sex, childhood, bodily obligations overlooks the inherent tension, as political capital, and Shanghai, China’s appearance) is neutralized, in the short term, noted by Max Weber, between formal law and economic center. We will begin with a by the discrediting effects of stigma and, in substantive values. In this presentation, I offer discussion about the human rights violations the long term, by professionalization (and, arguments against legal paternalism and legal surrounding the Beijing 2008 Olympics consequently, absorption into normalizing moralism, and advocate for a legal system that, and segue into the changes both the city discourses themselves). in Isaiah Berlin’s words, “sets the frontiers within and its people have undergone since China’s which man shall be inviolable”. momentous unveiling to the world. We A Critical Inquiry into the Meaning will then move to Shanghai where we will Three-College Collaboration of Freedom and Essence in Feminist explore, through various novels and films, Wintersession Program: Thought the effect commercialization has had on “Consulting with Practically Marilynn Willey ’14, Classical Civilization youth culture and self-identity. Ultimately, Green” Advisor: Thomas Cushman, Sociology we will delve into the ideas of femininity, (panel discussion) Jewett Arts generational gaps, materialism, sexuality, I will present my research on feminism Center 450 and foreign influence in order to present as it relates to the philosophical concept Benjamin Cardarelli ’15, Finance and a more comprehensive image of an ever- of essence and the broader intellectual Strategic Management (Babson), Victoria C. changing China. context from which contemporary feminist Rines ’15, Biological Sciences, Carla The ’15, doctrines have emerged. My focus is on Psychology, Vikki Tse ’15, Political Science Here: Honor Killings in the the relationship between essence and United States Advisor: Janice Yellin, Art History (Olin) freedom, autonomy, and individualism. I (film screening) Founders Hall 120 argue that feminist philosophy breaks from How do students from very different Sarah G. Trager ’13, American Studies and traditionalist views of freedom—especially educational institutions learn to work together Jewish Studies classical liberal views—and instead is effectively as a team? This past Wintersession, derived from a modern post-structuralist asparticipants in the Three College Advisor: Jennifer Musto, Women's and viewpoint in which liberation from essence, Collaboration (Babson, Olin, Wellesley), twelve Gender Studies as opposed to perfection of essence, is students from the three respective colleges Last Spring, I conducted an independent a required component of freedom for lived, ate and worked together to participate research project where I examined the individuals. In analyzing this aspect of the in a two-week project to help introduce cultural practice of honor killings, specifically feminist movement, I will focus on three Practically Green, a Boston start-up company focusing on the ones being committed in the questions: what “essence” means in the that uses social media to encourage more United States. I reviewed scholarly articles, post-structuralist intellectual context; what it sustainable practices, to college campuses. As watched documentaries featuring victims means in feminist doctrine; and the effects of student consultants, we conducted surveys and and their families as well as interviewed two this theoretical “liberation from essence” in interviews with students, faculty and staff across sociologists who are familiar with this field. political movements and social policy in the all three campuses. Results were explored and The culmination of my research is a short film real world. I argue that the classical liberal analyzed to produce a final proposal regarding which presents all views expressed publicly ideal—which lies more in the perfection of the viability of Practically Green’s entry into the in the United States about this horrific essence—might be a worthwhile and more college market at this time. We will also discuss practice. It is meant to be informational and nuanced approach to feminism. how our diverse backgrounds and institutions’ demonstrate how little America has yet to different educational emphases sometimes led discover about how to prevent these murders not only to ‘collisions’ that ultimately generated from occurring in the future. new, creative ideas, but that our institutions also gave us tools for successful collaborative problem solving.

54 WELLESLEY COLLEGE RUHLMAN CONFERENCE 2013