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Does Accessible Health Care coverage affects cancer treatment and mortal- Economic Issues Make a Difference? The Effects of ity. Controlling for the severity of cancer Health Insurance on Use of and other predictors of mortality, I compare The Cost of Good Health Preventative Care and on Health patient outcomes by age and race, looking (short talks) Pendleton East 239 Outcomes among Diabetics carefully at how these change at the Medicare The Effect of Mandated Benefits Ilana Orloff ’10, Economics eligibility age of 65. for Alcohol and Substance Abuse advisor: Robin McKnight, Economics Treatment on Infant Health Outcomes One significant source of the increased Literature and the Arts Lisa Abraham ’10, Economics spending on health care in the United States and Mathematics is the escalating costliness and prevalence advisor: Courtney Coile, Economics of diabetes. Diabetes is extremely expensive Hysteria, Spouting Fish, due to complications that can result and and Quackery (short talks) Recent surveys indicate that alcohol the need for medication and health checks Founders Hall 120 abuse among women is rising, of which a throughout a lifetime. The costs related to particularly noxious form is drinking during Hysteria: Victorian Violence diabetes are not confined to the afflicted pregnancy. Mandated benefits for alcohol and Against Women individual, but extend to society as a whole substance abuse treatment have the potential through higher taxes, elevated insurance Megan Wilson ’13 to counter this behavior, by requiring through premiums, and reduced standards of advisor: Charlene Galarneau, Women’s state law that insurance companies provide living. Given the increasing prevalence and and Gender Studies more generous financial or medical coverage importance of diabetes, this paper focuses on for these services. My analysis measures In the Victorian Era, “hysteria” was a the role of preventative care in the successful the effect of having alcohol and substance common diagnosis that often confined treatment of diabetes. This paper investigates abuse mandated benefits within a state on a women to bed for weeks on end. The whether health insurance affects diabetics’ spectrum of infant health indicators, includ- theorized root of the disease was the inherent usage of preventative care and also measures ing Apgar scores, infant mortality, congenital frailty of women: too much strenuous activity the effects on health outcomes for diabetics. defects, period of gestation, and birth weight. was thought to cause a host of ailments, The analysis uses a regression discontinuity from anxiety and sleeplessness to delirium, Does Obstetric Intervention Improve model and the discrete change in eligibility to vaginal lubrication and other signs of Infant Health? An Economic Analysis for Medicare once Americans turn 65 to sexual arousal. The diagnosis pathologized measure these effects. Runshan Deng ’10, Economics sexual desire in women, and treatment often advisor: Kristin Butcher, Economics included isolation or sexual violation. Even Does Health Insurance Affect the threat of diagnosis was enough to enforce Pregnant women with access to modern Utilization of Health Services and the Victorian ideal of female passivity by standards of prenatal and perinatal care are Health Outcomes? Evidence from defining inappropriate behavior. The concept Cancer Patients with and without subject to a variety of screenings and proce- of hysteria was so fraught with gender Medicare Eligibility dures that are designed to improve the health stereotypes that it crossed the line from a true of both mother and infant. These “interven- Susun Kim ’10, Economics medical condition to a tool doctors used to tions” tend to increase with maternal age, as advisor: Courtney Coile, Economics forcibly control women’s bodies. By placing older mothers face greater health risks that As the U.S. moves closer to adopting uni- severe limitations on women as a sex, the may be prevented with appropriate use of versal health insurance coverage, one critical hysteria diagnosis reinforced Victorian social obstetric intervention. However, since question is how health insurance coverage norms and helped to keep women intellectu- mothers aged 35 and older are deemed to affects the utilization of health care services ally, sexually, and socially subordinate to men. have reached “advanced maternal age”, and health outcomes. This effect is difficult to interventions are performed at a more aggres- identify, since people with and without health Spouting Fish with Horizontal sive rate, creating a jump, or discontinuity, of Tails: Melville, Cetology, and insurance may differ in ways that affect these the rate of obstetric intervention at age 35 Scientific Writing outcomes—for example, people who are sick that may be due to non-medical reasons. may be more likely to buy insurance. New Amy Allport ’10, English This study takes advantage of such disconti- cancer diagnoses, which serve as a shock to an advisor: Lawrence A. Rosenwald, English nuity in order to measure the effectiveness of individual’s health status, offer a potentially various obstetric procedures in improving Is a whale a fish? Biblical references, appealing way to identify the effect of insur- infant health. Examined procedures include economic interests, and common sense in ance on utilization and outcomes. In this the performance of cesarean section deliveries the early nineteenth century thought so, project, I use the National Cancer Institute’s and induction of birth, the use of electric and scientific authorities were powerless to Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results fetal monitoring, and the implementation sway popular opinion. The barrier between database to explore whether health insurance of amniocentesis. the scientific community and lay audience

RUHLMAN CONFERENCE 2010 15 WELLESLEY COLLEGE 9:30–10:40am has been in place since people first tried to Tableaux Vivants: Inhabiting Science and Technology share observations with those around them. Music through Movement and A journal article written for an audience of Connecting Sounds, Space, Language without Sounds experts is meaningless and impenetrable to and Vision (interactive teaching the average reader even if they find interest (short talks) Pendleton East 139 presentation) Pendleton West 220 in the subject, so science writers must present Emergence of Referential Shift scientific information in a familiar, almost Anne Goldberg ’10, Music and Spanish in a New Sign Language narrative style. Successful writers must be advisors: Martin Brody, Music, and Peter Annemarie Kocab ’10, Cognitive and able to evaluate the popular attitude regard- Child (MIT) Linguistic Science ing academic authority to avoid alienating In some Eastern cultures, dance and music advisor: Jennie E. Pyers, Psychology audience members while maintaining are expressed by the same word because scientific integrity. When Melville published Referential shift is a grammatical device they are treated as actions done together, Moby Dick in 1851, he was certainly familiar used to mark multiple perspectives in a one influencing the other. This composition with contemporary science writing; to what narrative. Across different sign languages, thesis is an exploration of the unique extent is his almost encyclopedic account of signers shift their torso to one side or the relationship between music and movement, whales and the business of whaling science other to express referential shift. Although specifically relating towards creation. Where writing? (Research supported by the Office the body shift ironically depicts a character does the impetus come from? Which comes of the Dean of the College.) shift, it depends on the signer consistently first—music or dance? How does the style of placing characters in the same space across a The Golden Age of Satire: Thomas one discipline affect the other? As a result, the narrative. We examined whether signers of Rowlandson’s Prints and Medical contemporary ballet, Tableaux Vivants, paints an emerging sign language in Nicaragua use Reform, 1780–1830 “living pictures” of an abstract storyline that the body shift as a referential shift device. In integrates both movement and music in both Ilene Tsui ’10, Neuroscience and Art History the Nicaraguan deaf community, the younger the dancers and musicians. The phenomena advisor: Meredith Martin, Art signers introduce grammatical features that of music and dance are still a beautiful the older signers are unable to acquire. Deaf Popular prints, a valuable source of visual mystery that will never quite be explained, yet Nicaraguans’ descriptions of six videos were documentation, circulated throughout this work is one commentary and exploration coded for consistency in marking spatial Georgian London and carried influential, into the infinite realm of connection and relations and for the use of the body shift. moralizing messages. During the Golden Age interaction between the two fields. Younger signers used the body shift and of Satire, health and disease were among the consistently marked spatial relations more most prominent subjects illustrated in prints. Connecting Sounds, Space, and often than older signers. Thus, the use of the My thesis explores the dynamic relationship Vision: The (Non-)Musical Uses of body shift only emerges when signers con- between satirical prints and the evolving Analog Recording Technology sistently locate characters in space. (Research medical world of Georgian London by focus- Michelle Wong ’10, Music supported by the Office of the Dean of ing on the work of Thomas Rowlandson, advisor: Martin Brody, Music the College and the Radcliffe Institute for one of the great English caricaturists of the The advent of analog recording technology Advanced Studies.) era. To what extent did satirical prints not transformed the field of musical composition. simply reflect but actually reform the medical Sounds that previously could not be recorded The Relationship between marketplace? What role did popular art play or notated—whether everyday life sounds or Working Memory and Gesture in re-shaping the doctor-patient relationship, human speech—could hence be used as raw in Word Retrieval the practice of medicine and hygiene, and materials for musical and artistic practices. Masa Dikanovic ’10, Cognitive and the rise of hospitals and other medical Replayable, sliceable tape recordings also Linguistic Sciences, Sam Grossmith ’11, institutions? By examining these issues promised new ways of organizing sound that Cognitive and Linguistic Sciences, and through Rowlandson’s satirical lens, I hope to connected the aural medium with space and Rachel Magid ’12, Psychology reveal the connections between Georgian art, vision. Edvard Varese’s Poeme Electronique in advisor: Jennie E. Pyers, Psychology society, and medicine. (Research supported Le Corbusier’s Philips Pavilion in the 1958 by the Office of the Dean of the College.) People often gesture while talking. But does Brussels World Exposition, and Steve Reich’s gesture make talking easier? Previously, we tape music from 1965–1968 and Sol Lewitt’s demonstrated that some individuals show early Wall Drawings in 1960s are creative enhanced word retrieval while gesturing. The works that exemplify such new relationships current within-subjects study examined the between sound, space, and vision. With interaction between working memory and reference to these two sets of case studies, this gesture in word retrieval. Thirty-eight mono- thesis project examines how tape recording linguals completed two working memory technology altered our experience of and tasks and named two sets of pictures. For relationship with sound and the world. one set, participants were allowed to gesture

RUHLMAN CONFERENCE 2010 16 WELLESLEY COLLEGE 9:30–10:40am

(GA); for the other their gestures were inhib- Molecular Biology Studies model for studying mechanisms of pro- ited (GI). There were no differences between (short talks) Pendleton West 117 gesterone action in brain. In this study, a the GA and GI conditions in the number of mouse-on-mouse pull-down assay was devel- successfully retrieved words. But the ability to Designing an Inducible APOBEC3G oped to examine the physical interactions successfully resolve a tip-of-the-tongue state Cell Line to Combat HIV between GST-tagged mouse PR subtypes and (ToT) while in the GI condition positively Jenny Chang ’11, Biochemistry coactivators from mouse brain. By taking correlated with auditory working memory, advisor: Donald Elmore, Chemistry a proteomic-based approach, we hope to but not spatial working memory; individuals Since its discovery in 1981, AIDS has killed identify other coactivators and potentially with poorer auditory working memory relied more than 25 million people. In 2005 novel proteins that physically interact with on gestures to help them resolve their ToTs. alone, there were 4.1 million new HIV-1 PR subtypes to mediate progesterone action These results indicate that gesture plays a role infections and 2.8 million AIDS deaths. in the brain. in language production, but only for those Currently, antiretroviral treatment is the best Characterizing Chloroplast whose auditory working span cannot support option for long-lasting viral suppression and Movement in Various Plant Species rapid word retrieval. (Research supported by reduction of morbidity and mortality. Our a Howard Hughes Medical Institute Research current research focuses on APOBEC3G, a Nicole Bollinger ’10, Biological Sciences, Grant, the Office of the Dean of the human protein, that is an attractive lead for Sun-Mee Paik ’10, Biochemsitry, and Galina College, and the Radcliffe Institute for treatment. APOBEC3G interferes with HIV Ionkin ’11, Biological Sciences Advanced Studies.) replication by inducing many deoxycytidine advisor: Martina Königer, Biological Sciences to deoxyuridine mutations on HIV DNA as Talking about Spatial Relations in Under low light chloroplasts spread out the virus replicates via reverse transcription. a Sign Language within a cell in order to maximize light Unfortunately, lentiviruses, such as HIV, interception (accumulation response); at Jenny Lu ’10, Cognitive Neuroscience have evolved the Viral infectivity factor (Vif) high light they move to the edges of the cells Jennie E. Pyers, Psychology advisor: protein in order to counteract this effect by minimizing light interception (avoidance The current study examines how signers triggering ubiquitination and degradation of response). A comparison of 10 widely of American Sign Language (ASL) prefer APBOEC3G via the proteasomal pathway. different plant species showed that while all todescribe spatial relations. ASL can convey In order to study the APOBEC3G/Vif plants showed accumulation and avoidance spatial relations in two ways. First, ASL has relationship, a Tetracycline-responsive system responses, the kinetics and the magnitudes spatial prepositions like ON and UNDER. and Ecdysone-inducible promoter system was of chloroplast movement were significantly Alternatively, signers can use classifier designed. This cell line would help determine different. Weedy species exhibited fast constructions to iconically describe spatial the effect of different APOBEC3 cytidine chloroplast movement, while shade adapted relations. To sign, “the cup is on the table,” deaminase expression levels on HIV and its plants were slow movers. We are examining the signer places one hand representing the diversification. morphological characteristics and genetic cup on the other hand representing the table. difference in the sequences of proteins that To depict “the cup is under the table” the Understanding Hormone Actions are involved in chloroplast movement in signer moves the “cup” hand under the “table in the Brain: Interactions between hopes of explaining the reasons for these Mouse Progestin Receptor Subtypes hand.” Thirty-one native signers’ descriptions differences in behavior. We are also determin- and Steroid Receptor Coactivators of 77 short videos depciting spatial relations ing the relative importance of chloroplast were coded for whether prepositions, DaEun (Dana) Im ’10, Neuroscience, and movement to high light stress tolerance classifier constructions, or both were used. Jennifer Wan ’12, Biological Chemistry amongst this range of species. (Research ASL signers overwhelmingly preferred to advisor: Marc Tetel, Neuroscience supported by the Georgeanne Miller Mulhern use classifier constructions (93%) over The ovarian steroid hormone, progesterone, Summer Research Fund for Student/Faculty prepositions (.02%). Sometimes they used a acts in the brain to profoundly influence Research in the Sciences.) combination of both (6%). The preference a variety of physiological processes and for classifiers likely stems from the fact that behaviors, including development, reproduc- Bugging Out (short talks) they simulatneously express object and spatial tion, and cognition. Progesterone elicits Science Center 104 information, while prepositions only express many of these biological effects by binding to Nutrient Dependent Regulation the latter. (Research supported by the Office progestin receptors (PR), which are a member of the Timing of the Molt in Manduca of the Dean of the College and the Radcliffe of a superfamily of nuclear transcriptional sexta Larvae Institute for Advanced Study.) activators. PR are expressed in two forms, Karen Kemirembe ’12, Biological Sciences full length PR-B and truncated PR-A, that and Spanish are transcribed from the same gene. With advisor: Yuichiro Suzuki, Biological Sciences the recent advancement in powerful genetic approaches to manipulate and examine the Molting, or the shedding of the epidermis, mouse genome and proteome, the mouse is crucial to insect growth and development. model provides a sophisticated experimental Although the mechanism underlying the

RUHLMAN CONFERENCE 2010 17 WELLESLEY COLLEGE 9:30–10:40am

secretion of the molting hormone, ecdysone, Function of BTB-zinc Finger the larval and pupal stages. The knockdown is known, the factors regulating its expression Protein Abrupt during Larval and of Fgf8 resulted in disrupted gut tracheation and the timing of the molt remain poorly Pupal Development of the Beetle, in the adult stage. In contrast, the Fgf1a understood. To examine whether certain Tribolium casteneum and Ffg1b knockdowns did not produce nutrients obtained from diets are responsible Christie Sze ’10, Biological Sciences any morphological changes. Experiments for the initiation of the molt, fourth instar and Economics to determine the effects ofFgfr and Bnl Manduca sexta larvae were fed diets of varied advisor: Yuichiro Suzuki, Biological Sciences knockdowns on epidermal cell proliferation, nutrient concentrations and composition tracheal development, and leg regeneration Normal organismal development requires until they molted. Results showed a direct are underway. (Research supported by the the correct timing of developmental events, correlation between the amount of protein Office of the Dean of the College.) and coordination of these events is a result of intake and the duration of molting. Sucrose, programmed changes in gene expression. One however, failed to induce a molt. Amino Players in the Lipid Layers: gene implicated in the temporal organization acids, coupled with TOR signaling therefore Studies of Membrane Proteins of development encodes for the transcrip- may play a key role in regulating the molting tional regulator Abrupt. Much of what is (panel) Science Center 396 process. Investigations on the link between known about its role comes from Drosophila amino acids and the endocrine regulation of Amanda Daigle ’12, Computer Science, studies: repression of Abrupt in fly abdominal molting are underway. (Research supported CarolAnn Ferris ’10, Biological Chemistry, muscles during pupal development prevents by the Sherman Fairchild Foundation, Ryann Guayasamin ’10, Biological Chemistry, progression to the adult stage, and Abrupt Mentoring in Science Program (MSP), and Jessica Hawkins ’10, Biological Chemistry, may temporally regulate border cell motility Brachman Hoffman Fund.) Yoon-Young Heo ’11, Chemistry, Kathryn through ecdysone signaling in fly ovaries. To Pavia ’12, Biological Chemistry, Sara The Role of Temperature and examine the evolutionary conservation of the Spinella ’11, Biological Chemistry and Spanish, Hox Genes on the Regulation function of this gene, the effect of removal of and Yang Xie ’10, Biological Chemistry of Abdominal Pigmentation in Abrupt was examined in the beetle Tribolium advisor: Donald Elmore, Chemistry Oncopeltus fasciatus casteneum using RNA interference (RNAi). Abrupt RNAi resulted in phenotypes that The Elmore Lab studies a variety of Aabha Sharma ’12, Biological Chemistry included precocious eye development, reduc- membrane proteins that mediate important advisor: Yuichiro Suzuki, Biological Sciences tion in pupal wings, and fusion of adjacent cellular processes. Buforin II is a histone- Complex traits, such as body pigmentation, segments of the antennae. Further investiga- derived antimicrobial peptide. To better often exhibit phenotypic plasticity, the tion on the expression of Abrupt in Tribolium understand buforin II, the antimicrobial ability of a genotype to produce contrasting development and its potential interactors are activity, translocation, membrane permeabi- phenotypes in different environments. Yet underway. (Research supported by the Office lization and DNA binding of several mutants the mechanism underlying phenotypic of the Dean of the College.) were measured. In addition, three novel plasticity is not well understood. To begin peptides based on histone fragments were to investigate the regulation of phenotypic Fibroblast Growth Factor Maintains characterized. A novel family of bacterial plasticity in abdominal pigmentation of the Integrity of the Epidermis in cyclic nucleotide gated (bCNG) ion chan- the milkweed bug, Oncopeltus fasciatus, the Tribolium Larvae and Pupae nels was recently identified and computer roles of Hox genes were investigated. The Emilie Mitten ’10, Biological Sciences homology models of these channels were knockdown of Abd-B Hox gene expression advisor: Yuichiro Suzuki, Biological Sciences created. Experimental crosslinking and through RNA interference (RNAi) resulted in downshock studies have been used to confirm In both invertebrates and vertebrates, increased abdominal pigmentation, indicating the models and to determine if bCNG fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) regulate that Abd-B likely plays a repressive role in the channels should be considered part of a larger fundamental cellular activities, including temperature sensitive regulation of abdominal channel superfamily. Patellin1 (PATL1), a proliferation, cell adhesion, migration, coloration. Furthermore, bugs injected with protein recently described by the Peterman differentiation, and apoptosis. However, Abd-A double-stranded RNA developed into lab, binds phosphoinositides with a strong the roles of FGFs in the postembryonic adults that completely lacked abdominal preference for PtdIns5P. A series of modeling development of insects remains to be pigmentation, indicating that Abd-A most and spectroscopic studies in the group are characterized. To elucidate the developmental likely plays an important role in the genera- investigating phosphoinositide binding of the roles of Fgfs and the fibroblast growth factor tion of the black pattern. Analyses of genetic PATL1 SEC14 domain. receptor (Fgfr) in larvae of the beetle interactions between these two Hox genes Tribolium castaneum, RNA interference and the temperature sensitivity of Hox gene (RNAi) was used to deplete the four Fgf expression are currently underway. (Funded genes (Fgf1a, Fgf1b, Fgf8, and Bnl) and Fgfr by Howard Hughes Medical Institute Grant, gene products in the last larval stage. The Mentoring in Science Program (MSP), and knockdowns of Bnl and Fgfr both produced Brachman Hoffman Fund.) defects in cuticle scleritization and texture in

RUHLMAN CONFERENCE 2010 18 WELLESLEY COLLEGE 9:30–10:40am

Enhancing the Museum activates its receptor (GLP-1R). We are also popularity of “geek chic”, the face of fandom Experience through exploring the structure of GLP-1R through is changing. What was once counter-cultural, Advanced User Interfaces a small molecule antagonist. Ultimately, even deviant, is now trendy. While many (panel) Pendleton West 212 the results from each of these projects will still see fandom as a lifestyle, with its own be used for future medical applications. traditions and world-view, the fan com- Lia Napolitano ’10, Media Arts and Sciences, (Research supported the Howard Hughes munity is expanding to include an increasing MaCherie Edwards ’11, Media Arts Medical Institute and the Staley Fund for number of casual participants. Nowhere is and Sciences, and Megan Strait ’10, Cancer-related Research.) this change more visibly apparent than at fan Computer Science conventions. Traditionally a place to meet up advisor: Orit Shaer, Computer Science NO, Blood to Brain! with like-minded individuals and celebrate (panel) Pendleton West 116 common interests, conventions like Arisia in The Davis Museum is a hub of artistic Cambridge incorporate an ever-increasing and cultural opportunity on the Wellesley Neishay Ayub ’10, Neuroscience, Zehra variety of fan expression—from classic campus, granting community members Omer ’10, Neuroscience and Middle Eastern literature buffs and filkers to steampunks and firsthand access to world-class art. However, Studies, Lindsey Migliore ’11, Neuroscience, otaku. Does this shift create a rift between members of the staff and the student body and Rachel Kery ’12, Neuroscience older and younger fans? Or does it add have noticed a trend: when not required advisor: Barbara S. Beltz, Neuroscience diversity to a once-stagnant subculture? or rewarded with food, student museum This panel presentation will discuss student attendance is surprisingly low. work addressing major topics in neurogenesis Do Students Find Community within Over the course of last semester’s CS349: research. Adult neurogenesis is the lifelong Their Major? Tangible User Interfaces, we investigated birth and proliferation of neurons in adult Dorthea Damaskos ’12, Sociology and Spanish how the use of advanced multi-touch user brains. Our lab uses a crustacean model to advisor: Lee Cuba, Sociology interface technology might enhance the investigate the mechanisms that underlie this Many students believe that declaring their Davis Museum visiting experience and attract process. We will present external factors that major field of study is one of the most impor- more visitors. While surveying the use of may influence neurogenesis, and their clinical tant decisions they will make while in college. cutting-edge technology by other museums, implications. One of these factors is lithium, My presentation will use data collected for we developed three complementary a popular treatment for bipolar disorder and the New England Consortium on Assessment prototypes for the Davis Museum: an iPhone treatment-resistant depression. Another factor and Student Learning (NECASL) to explore application, and two applications on top of we studied is how environmental enrichment why students hold a variety of attitudes the Microsoft Surface, a coffee table sized may influence numbers of precursor cells about the sense of community within their multi-touch display. in the brain. Lastly, we will be addressing major. Students who experienced a sense of the connection between blood and brain. We believe that these applications hold a community in their major and believed that In particular, we will focus on whether cells potential to increase personal and social they were a part of that community were originating in the hematopoietic tissue, engagement within the museum. Currently, affected differently by the size of majors, circulating in the blood, transform into we are further developing these prototypes double-majors/minors, interdepartmental neural precursors. and hope to evaluate them in the Davis majors and efforts by major departments to Museum later in the semester. foster community than those who felt that there was not a sense of community in their How Chemists Study Diabetes Social Analysis major. (Research supported by a Sophomore (panel) Pendleton East 339 Early Research grant from the Office of the Togetherness: Communities Madeleine Kieffer ’10, Chemistry,Zoe Samer ’10, Dean of the College.) in Action (short talks) Science Chemistry, Tehsina Devji ’11, Chemistry Center 278 “Slouching Towards Bethel”: advisor: David R. Haines, Chemistry Woodstock and the American Diabetes, a disease affecting over 24 million Geek/Chic: Intergenerational Counterculture Americans and accruing an annual cost Dynamics in the Science Fiction Fan Community Jeanine Navarrete ’10, American Studies of 174 billion dollars in 2007, remains advisor: Michael Jeffries, American Studies one of the most widespread diseases in the Molly Dunn ’10, Anthropology and Japanese United States. Current treatments attempt Language and Literature The last several years has seen a renewed to stimulate pancreatic insulin production, advisor: Caitrin Lynch, Anthropology (Olin) interest in popular commemoration of the 1969 Woodstock Music and Arts Festival. yet external insulin injections often become Participation in science-fiction fan culture necessary. The Haines lab studies the insulin Despite this avalanche of coffee table books is more socially acceptable today than ever and special edition posters, little academic induction pathway through the incretin before. With the widespread popularity of hormone, GLP-1. One project focuses on scrutiny has been given to the relationship new science fiction, fantasy, supernatural and between Woodstock and the late 60s how the structure of GLP-1 binds to and comic book-inspired blockbusters, and the

RUHLMAN CONFERENCE 2010 19 WELLESLEY COLLEGE 9:30–10:40am 11am–12:10pm

American counterculture at the time of the the most telling and meaningful works of Cross-cultural Research festival. Through the analysis of oral histories, American literature today. memoirs, musical performances, documen- Picturing the Other (short talks) tary footage and underground press coverage, Negotiating a New National this study will illustrate how Woodstock Pendleton West 117 Identity for the Modern Era: Images of Women in Japanese functioned as an important symbolic and You’re a Korean from Where??? physical space for participatory exploration Postcards, 1900–1930 Jessica Yoo ’10, Russian Area Studies and and reinforcement of pre-industrial ideals Lillian Wies ’10, Art History Anthropology within the counterculture. This study will advisor: Heping Liu, Art advisor: Philip Kohl, Anthropology also explore how manifestations of the At the turn of the twentieth century, Japan Did you know that Koreans have been tension between the politically militant and was undergoing a process of rapid moderniza- migrating to Russia since the 1860s? They bohemian factions of the counterculture, tion and Westernization. Consequently, mostly settled in the Russian Far East and and the tumultuous relationship between Japanese society was fraught with by the early 1900s, there were more than rock music and social activism were also tension—tension between East and West, 300,000 Koreans in the region. However, inextricable components of Woodstock’s tradition and modernity, the government and in 1937, Stalin forcefully removed approxi- contribution to 60s cultural radicalism. the individual, and public and private perso- mately 180,000 Koreans from the Russian (Research supported by the Mellon Mays nas. Postcard images of women were part and Far East to Central Asia. These deported Undergraduate Fellowship.) parcel of the tensions that occurred as Japan Koreans are known as Koryo Saram and the sought out a new modern identity. Women, Community Organizing in Boston: majority of Koryo Saram have been living in as the symbolic face of the nation, were at Engaging Parents to Improve the Central Asia for the past 70 years. However, the center of the debates about the direction Quality of Education since the disintegration of the Soviet Union, of Japanese society. The diversity of these the Koryo Saram in Central Asia are facing Jessica J. Lee ’10, Political Science postcard images is indicative not only of the language, religious, and ethnic discrimination advisor: Wilbur Rich, Political Science renegotiation of Japanese society at this time, as they try to adapt in the newly formed Community-based organizations often collab- but also of the active role postcards played in republics of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. This orate with schools and parents to improve the helping transcend previous social boundaries presentation examines the lives and identities public education system in their communi- by offering women new identity options. of Koryo Saram and the rise of the Korean ties. Parent involvement provides community Movement since the disintegration. organizers with the basis for effective Two Worlds, One Subaltern: Oppression of the Subaltern in collective action for change. However, Benevolent Racism: An Analysis of engaging marginalized parents to advocate for Spanish Medieval and Colonial the Construction of Race in Uncle Literature their children’s education is very difficult. A Tom’s Cabin case study of the Boston Parent’s Organizing Zahra Mohamed ’10, Spanish Erica Richardson ’10, English and Classical Network (BPON) looks at both the successes advisor: Elena Gascón-Vera, Spanish Civilization and challenges in community organizing advisor: Elisabeth Ford, English Subaltern groups have often been written around education issues in Boston. For the about and spoken for, but what is it that has Harriet Beecher Stowe’s anti-slavery novel past ten years, BPON has been working with historically qualified them to be classified as Uncle Tom’s Cabin is often cited as one of parents to improve the quality of education such? Women in medieval Spanish literature American literature’s most successful social in the Boston Public Schools. Through an are often portrayed as having no voice of justice works. It is also agreed among literary ethnographic methodology, interviews, and their own or as using their cunning to gain critics to be one of the most racist works history of education in Boston and BPON, agency. Indigenous tribes of the “New of American fiction. In the novel Stowe the study will look at what factors influence World” were depicted in Spanish colonial pronounces evils of slavery while providing the success of community organizing around literature as those who need to be saved by stereotypical depictions of black characters. education in Boston. (Research supported by Spanish culture, language, and religion. These Stowe’s sentimental writing style results in the Barnette Miller Fund.) two groups occupy two different sections of her attributing a great deal of sentimental history and humanity, but they share mem- integrity to the African race. This is countered bership in the world of the subaltern and a by her belief in racial essentialism. The end struggle to (re)gain their voices. Writers of result? An anti-slavery novel that is benevo- this literature had various motives and mes- lently racist, esteeming the African race while sages, but all contributed to a legacy that still carefully assuring the superiority of white remains today. What about this literature is America. These factors, as well as others, are problematic for the aforementioned groups? responsible for making Uncle Tom’s Cabin a What challenges do they face by being part of novel that galvanized a nation and caricatured a history and discourse that they had little to a people, which is perhaps why it is one of no hand in writing?

RUHLMAN CONFERENCE 2010 20 WELLESLEY COLLEGE 11am–12:10pm

nations must extend education, especially Non-compliance with International Economic Issues primary education, to their entire populations Environmental Agreements in order to fully capitalize on opportunities Kylie Cohn DS ’10, Political Science Global Crises, Global Solutions brought to their countries through increased advisor: Beth DeSombre, Environmental (panel) Pendleton West 212 international trade and financial integration. Studies/Political Science This presentation will discuss education as a Economists from around the world formed the International environmental agreements public good and analyze the role of the public Copenhagen Consensus in 2004 to set priorities continue to grow in importance and number. sector in providing education. Economists in addressing global challenges and compete When do states make an effort to follow agree that education improves social welfare for a hypothetical $50 billion to fund policies international agreements? When a state is universally through increased positive returns to address these challenges. In ECON 312 found in violation of international expecta- to wage earners; still, some wonder whether we simulated the Copenhagen Consensus by tions are there ways to predict whether the the externalities from schooling truly justify forming groups to examine the challenges and state is likely to return to compliance? Are full government subsidies. In addition to the proposals to address them. The aim of each there actions the international community exploring supply-side interventions, like the group was to persuade our fellow classmates that can take which make a return to compliance construction of new schools, and demand- our global proposal would make the greatest faster or more likely? Knowing which states side interventions, like voucher programs, impact on the world’s population. will make the effort to return to conformity the presentation will consider the cost- with international rules can help create Global Crises, Global Solutions: effectiveness of these initiatives, especially in stronger environmental regulations on the Climate Change developing nations, and question the validity international level. I examine 22 countries of education as a global public good. Hannah Dornbusch ’10, Economics, and that spent time out of compliance with the Hilary Gram ’10, Economics Montreal Protocol in an effort to determine advisor: Joseph P. Joyce, Economics what traits are held in common by states that Environmental Issues Climate change is a major global issue that become non-compliant and then successfully will greatly affect the world’s population in return to compliance. Environmental Policy: the coming decades. As temperatures rise in (panel) regions around the world, millions of people A Global Perspective Community Response to will face increased food and water insecurity. Science Center 104 Bioprospecting (or Biopiracy?) The world’s economy will also suffer trillions in Central and South America In order to understand how to make of dollars in damage. In their paper to the Lauren Fink ’10, Environmental Studies environmental policy, we need to understand Copenhagen Consensus challenge, Gary Yohe advisor: Beth DeSombre, Environmental how and why various actors behave when faced et al. articulate the challenges presented by Studies/Political Science with environmental issues. This panel considers climate change and the various policies that four separate research papers that ask about the Indigenous healers know the medicinal could potentially limit carbon emissions and determinants of environmental behavior. What properties of many unique plants and temperature increases over the next century. gives disadvantaged states bargaining power in biological substances. Their knowledge In our presentation, we will discuss their find- international negotiations or leads developing provides a powerful and controversial tool for ings regarding the impacts of climate change states to comply with international environ- industry or academic researchers. When these on the food supply, the geographic make-up mental agreements? Under what conditions do “bioprospectors” come in, some communities of each continent, and various species, over states form precautionary or permissive rules to respond with violent opposition, while others the next several centuries. While climate protect against new technologies and how do welcome the project and participate actively. change cannot be prevented, we will present communities respond to efforts to create these This study examines the conditions that influ- potential solutions to deal with its effects new technologies from their resources? These ence these responses, using contemporary today and into the future. papers all evaluate the role of socioeconomic case studies from Central and South America. Factors examined include economy type, Educational Outcomes: and political factors in determining environ- colonial language use, domestic regulation, How Can Education Reduce mental outcomes. and non-governmental organization involve- Income Inequality in a Period of Accelerating Globalization? ment. Communities with a greater level of participation in the capitalist economy were K. Sooah Cho ’10, Economics, Darshini more likely to comply with or even embrace Patel ’10, Economics, and Soumya bioprospectors, while communities with Srinagesh ’10, Economics and Mathematics higher levels of proficiency in the colonial advisor: Joseph P. Joyce, Economics language were more likely to actively resist a Globalization has brought new technologies project. For activists who wish to prevent the to developing economies, placing a premium exploitation of indigenous communities by on higher skills. As a result, developing “biopirates,” these data suggest that increased

RUHLMAN CONFERENCE 2010 21 WELLESLEY COLLEGE 11am–12:10pm economic independence and education in the Designing an Edible Ecosystem organization and joy-manufacturer. colonial language could help communities Garden at Wellesley (panel) In our return to Ruhlman, we showcase our protect themselves. Science Center 396 evolution as a group, most recently delving into the mysteries of long-form improvisation Disadvantaged State Laura Chilson ’11, Anthropology, CarolAnn and intercollegiate performances. We will not Outcomes in International Ferris ’10, Biological Chemistry, Carly only deliver a highly stimulating presentation Environmental Negotiations Gayle ’13, Alexandra French ’11, Classical including topics such as the motto “just say Jennifer Hatch ’10, Peace and Justice Studies Civilization, Melanie Kazenel ’10, yes” and the relative merits of speaking in advisor: Beth DeSombre, Environmental Environmental Studies and Spanish, Hoi-Fei gibberish, but will also create a performance Studies/Political Science Mok ’10, Biological Chemistry, Hannah piece with absolutely no advanced prepara- Rainey ’10, Cinema and Media Studies, tion. No, we are not magicians; merely Disadvantaged states are predisposed to poor Bracha Schindler ’11, Environmental Studies, women with the courage to say, “leggings outcomes in international environmental and Carolyn Whitlock ’12 are not pants.” negotiations, but sometimes achieve unex- advisor: Kristina Jones, Biological Sciences pected success. What are the factors that Art, Anxiety, and the lead disadvantaged states to achieve good We are collaborating with Dave Jacke to Avant Garde (short talks) outcomes in environmental negotiations? design a new garden on campus, with a goal Examining ten international environmental of growing edible plants in the most Founders Hall 120 negotiations over the past forty years, I ecologically sound manner possible for our The Poet as Viewer: John Keats, perform an analysis of factors that may affect local environment. Trees and shrubs that bear Wallace Stevens, John Ashbery outcomes for disadvantaged states. The results the tastiest fruit are often difficult to grow, Sarah Case ’10, English indicate that common-pool-resource-like- requiring lots of water, fertilizer, and other advisor: Dan Chiasson, English ness, congruity, symmetry, and negotiator inputs for pest and disease control. We are involvement all positively affect outcomes for researching appealing fruits with minimal The genre of poems about paintings, called disadvantaged states. needs, soil preparation, and landscaping ekphrasis, has fascinated poets from Homer methods that increase availability of existing to the present. In my senior thesis, I studied GMOs or no GMOs?: water and nutrients, and supporting plant the role of visual art in the poetry of John What Determines a Country’s species that enhance soil fertility while Keats, Wallace Stevens, and John Ashbery. Regulatory Policy Response to helping to minimize pest and disease out- I examined questions such as how poets rep- New Technologies breaks. Together, our selected plants should resent (or do not represent) visual works such Caitlin McGlynn ’11, Environmental Studies form a self-sustaining long-term ecological as sculpture and painting in language and the advisor: Beth DeSombre, Environmental community in which the major maintenance role visual art plays in relation to desire and Studies/Political Science requirements are mowing the paths and har- the imagination. In addition to considering vesting the fruit! Our guide in this endeavor, traditional mediums of visual art such as Biotechnology has been controversially Dave Jacke, is a landscape designer and painting and sculpture, I looked at how these labeled by many as the future savior of author of Edible Forest Gardens, a comprehen- poets incorporate visual information into agriculture in our environmentally-degraded sive presentation of the vision, theory, design their poetry, such as Keats’s sonnet Bright Star world. Why have some states chosen to and practice of edible ecosystems. which focuses on a speaker looking at an embrace this new technology while others object and the attractions and problems of a regulate or ban its usage? The regulation of solely visual engagement with the world. In GMOs brings together a perfect storm of pro Literature and the Arts my presentation, I will discuss a few poems and cons for countries facing food and eco- that I analyzed in my paper within the nomic crises. Faced with uncertainty about context of my project as a whole. the risks and benefits of biotechnology, some Live and Let Laugh (performance) Jewett Auditorium states develop their own GMO programs and La Divina Isabella: Orality, others mandate stringent labeling policies or Nisha Bedi ’10, Art History, Ali Barthwell ’10, Textuality, and the Actress in the complete moratoriums. This study examines French, Mary K. Batson ’10, English, Olivia Commedia dell’Arte of the Late what influences these states’ GMO regulatory Kingsley ’11, English, Simi Oberoi ’11, Sixteenth Century and labeling policy decisions by looking Political Science and Art History, Kat Catherine Arnold ’10, Italian Studies into factors such as wealth, level of public Chen ’12, History and Theatre Studies, Haley advisor: Sergio Parussa, Italian Studies activism, government accessibility, and food Harris ’12, French, Katherine Byrnes ’12, security. I examine these factors in the current Isabella Andreini, actress, poet, and co-leader Economics, and Isabel Custodio ’13 policies of fifteen countries from every of the Gelosi troupe at the turn of the advisor: Sarah Wall-Randell, English continent and economic background in order sixteenth century negotiated successfully to provide a broader framework for evaluating Members of Wellesley’s only improvisational between the poles of oral performance and how states deal with new technologies and comedy group Dead Serious present a look literary production. She, like many arte actors their uncertain risks. into our work as an on-campus performance and actresses, regularly borrowed fragments

RUHLMAN CONFERENCE 2010 22 WELLESLEY COLLEGE 11am–12:10pm of text, ranging from Petrarchan sonnets to techniques. Yet even while Modernism was chronicles the transformation of Bernard de opuscoli distributed in the piazza, in order to at its peak, emotionally expressive, tonal, Mauprat, from a savage into a civilized man construct the “improvised” monologues and lyrical, and so-called “Neo-romantic” works as a result of education and love. I will discuss dialogues of her character on stage. These were also being composed. By analyzing and how I adapted a nineteenth century novel for performances were then re-translated from performing a selection of so-called “Modern” the stage, focusing on the challenges of main- oral to textual events as Andreini published and “Neo-romantic” American art songs, I taining the central message of Sand while collections of monologues, scenari, poems, will question the extent to which Neo-roman- updating them for a new audience. Several songs, and letters. My presentation will show ticism was both an extension of Romanticism scenes from my play will be performed, after how Andreini’s identity as an actress shaped and a reaction to Modernism, and also assert which I will discuss the process of staging and her literary output and vice versa; how in the importance of Neo-romantic works in the directing based on Sand’s own techniques. her published work we can discern the echo history of contemporary American art music. of her performances; and, ultimately, how text and performance interact in the com- Dorothy Parker in Tritones: Political Development media dell’arte. Writing a New Musical Language Laura Staffaroni ’10, Music and Psychology War, Independence, and A Case Study from Denmark: advisor: Jenny O. Johnson, Music Leadership (short talks) Is Regional Dance Dead? For my senior honors thesis, I chose to write Pendleton East 339 Emma Wright ’11, Art History a song cycle using the poetry of Dorothy Samantha Cameron, Physical Crises, Contagion, and advisors: Parker as text. Because of the limits presented Education, Recreation, and Athletics, and Leadership Changes by conventional Western tonal music, I Catherine Ulissey, Physical Education, developed a transposable, non-tonal musical Chriss Cho ’10, Economics and French Recreation, and Athletics language in which to compose. In this advisor: Olga Shurchkov, Economics In the nineteenth century, a Danish ballet presentation, I will address the following The financial and economic crisis that began dancer would have been instantly recogniz- questions: What are some alternatives to in 2007 quickly became a topic of much able. She would have been trained exclusively major and minor scales that other composers heated debate in the 2008 United States in Copenhagen, and perform only Danish and theoreticians have previously developed? presidential election. However, thorough ballets. Today on the other hand, most How might the concepts of tonic/dominant empirical analysis of the relationship between members of the Royal Danish Ballet were and major/minor apply to a non-tonal mode? crises and leadership changes remains rela- born outside of Denmark and are as skilled I will also present excerpts from my song tively inchoate due to two principal reasons, in modern dance as in classical ballet. The cycle, the harmony of which is based around which my research seeks to address. First, globalization and internationalization of a palindromic mode where diminished and the direction of causality between crises and dance is particularly interesting in contem- augmented chords replace major and minor political transitions remains unclear: which porary dance. This presentation will present triads, and the “tonic” and “dominant” are precedes the other? The goal of my research original research based on performances and related by an augmented fourth. Finally, I will is to employ contagion as an instrument to interviews with leaders from the Danish discuss how I used this new musical language study the causal effects of crises on leadership dance community. The history of Danish to express Dorothy Parker’s poetry. changes, controlling for various country-spe- dance will be discussed as well as what cific characteristics and variation across time. the future may hold for the Scandinavian George Sand’s Mauprat: In addition, I utilize multiple criteria for the dance community. (Research supported by A New Adaptation for a New crisis variable, instead of focusing mainly the Office of International Study and the Era (field studies, performance) on the decline in income as a proxy for all Jean Havekotte Peggs and Fred Peggs Study Pendleton East 139 economic or financial shocks. Specifically, I Abroad Extension Grant.) observe three types of crises: banking crises, Janine Hegarty ’10, Neuroscience and French income crises, and currency crises. Modern America and Music (long advisor: Catherine Masson, French performance) Pendleton West 220 I will present my French Honors Neo-romanticism, Modernism, and thesis/Pamela Daniels Fellowship project: the Contemporary American Art Song the writing and staging of my adaptation of George Sand’s 1837 novel, Mauprat. The Bess Connors ’10, Music and Neuroscience author of the novel adapted the play herself advisor: Jenny O. Johnson, Music in 1851 for the stage as a result of its extreme Many historians of post-WWII American popularity. Her play received a lukewarm classical music have focused exclusively on reception by the public and was criticized “Modernist” works: compositions character- by critics of the era. The new adaptation, set ized by atonality, rhythmic and textural as an eighteenth century courtroom drama, complexity, and the use of serial (12-tone)

RUHLMAN CONFERENCE 2010 23 WELLESLEY COLLEGE 11am–12:10pm

Politics, Investments, and Instability (1936-1939)—the cries of democratic Spain which they must consciously perceive an in a Changing West African went unheeded by many western powers. At auditory stimulus. We will eventually reduce Geopolitical Dynamics its beginning, the majority of the population the volume of the tone to a level that can be Halimatou Hima Moussa Dioula ’10, Africana supported the democratic transformation of detected only 50% of the time. This way, the Studies, International Relations–Economics the country, but by war’s end, democratic same stimulus may or may not produce a advisor: Donna A. Patterson, sympathies had become a death sentence. conscious perception, depending on whether Africana Studies What factors led to such an outcome? How the rat detects the stimulus or not. Using did a burgeoning democratic society with electrode arrays, we will record from different Discourse on growing foreign investments majority support fail? Our presentation cortical regions as the rats perform this and on dysfunctional political structures examines the complex factors that lead to a detection task in order to determine which dominates contemporary West African Fascist victory. regions of the brain are involved in generating Francophone geopolitics. New economic a conscious perception, and whether neuronal partners such as China have opened synchronization is required. (Research different frontiers, a situation leading to a Science and Technology supported by the Janina A. Longtine Fund lessening regional hegemony from France, for Summer Research in the Natural Sciences the traditional partner of most countries in and Sherman Fairchild Foundation.) the region. While some see this provisional Perception and Memory (short talks) Pendleton East 239 autonomy as an opportunity to tackle the I Never Forget a Face: The Link daunting task of successfully recreating Color Memory and Color between Face Memory and Career post-colonial political structures, many Discrimination Emily Strong ’10, Psychology governments have used this newfound Kate Munger ’10, Neuroscience advisor: Jeremy Wilmer, Psychology autonomy to undermine democratic rule and Anthropology in their countries. Niger, one of the largest We’ve all heard of politicians who “never advisor: Bevil Conway, Neuroscience uranium exporters in the world, underwent forget a face,” but despite empirical reports, a contested constitutional change in favor Two studies on color perception in the phenomenon has never been studied of indeterminate power rule despite threats humans will be presented: the first on color before. We proposed that individuals in of political isolation and economic sanction memory and the second on color discrimina- careers that involve more social interaction from ECOWAS, the Economic Community tion. Color memory describes the perceptual have a greater ability to remember faces. of West African States, and from the phenomena where familiar objects appear Participants in the fields of politics, business, European Union. Ultimately, how has the more saturated than they truly are. This first and pastoral work completed a demographics emergence of these new markets, many of line of research explores how color memory survey and took the Super-Recognizer which profess a policy of non-interference in influences artists’ perceptions and conse- form of the Cambridge Face Memory Test politics, changed the governance structure of quently renditions of familiar objects. The (CFMT). Results indicate that individuals West African countries? second study in this presentation analyzes the in politics are significantly better at face human ability to discriminate between colors. memory tasks in comparison to controls, How to Lose a War in a Just Cause: Subjects were given a delayed match to while individuals in business perform within The Failure of Democracy in the sample, two alternative forced choice test. It the normal range, and individuals in pastoral Spanish Civil War (1936–1939) has previously been demonstrated that the work may perform worse. Though contradict- Cailey Stevens ’12, Economics, and human ability to discriminate between colors ing our hypothesis, these results provide Erica Saldivar ’12, International Relations– is not uniform over the visible spectrum. This important insights into individual differences Economics study seeks to characterize these non-unifor- in face recognition and indicate that people advisor: Elena Gascón-Vera, Spanish mities in humans and compare them to the in politics are an important group to target discriminatory performance of trichromatic for further face memory research. In the twentieth century, the traditional idea macaque monkeys given the same task. of Democracy was shaped and questioned The Pleasure of Motion by the totalitarian systems which developed Conscious Perception (short talks) Science Center 278 during those hundred years. The rise and fall Jillian Cunningham ’10, Neuroscience, of the Soviets, Fascism, and Nazism were The Effect of Short-term Neria Douglass ’10, Neuroscience, and proof of its precariousness and ultimate Meditation Training and Aging on Linnea Herzog ’12, Neuroscience success. One of the strongest democratic Attentional Processing advisor: Mike Wiest, Neuroscience movements of that period, however, occurred Priya Josyula ’10, Neuroscience in Spain in 1931 with the birth of the The Wiest lab’s research centers on decoding advisors: Margaret M. Keane, Psychology, Second Spanish Republic. When fisticuffs the neural mechanisms responsible for con- and Catherine Kerr, Harvard Medical School erupted between the newborn Republic and scious perception, also known as the neural the Bourgeoisie supported by the Fascist correlates of consciousness or NCC. We are Attention is a fundamental cognitive process army—igniting the Spanish Civil War training rats to perform a detection task in that defines human experience. However, there are limits on our capacity to attend

RUHLMAN CONFERENCE 2010 24 WELLESLEY COLLEGE 11am–12:10pm to information that is being presented to Versatile Design of a Chamber for A Day in the Life of a us. Meditation may be one way to enhance Environmental Photochemistry of Cyanobacterium this attentional capacity, helping individuals Small Molecules Using the Velocity (panel) Pendleton West 116 achieve greater attentional flexibility. The Map Imaging Technique focus of this study was on a phenomenon Madeline Elkins ’10, Chemistry Cyanobacteria are photosynthetic bacteria of known as the attentional blink. During this advisor: Wilton L. Virgo, Chemistry ecological and evolutionary importance. Since phenomenon, an individual’s attention is the evolution of cyanobacteria over 3 billion Among the fundamental ideas of physical captured by one stimulus, which prevents years ago, these organisms have been impacting chemistry is the study of the nature of attention to other stimuli for a brief period of earth’s environment, from the formation of our chemical reactions. In general chemistry time. The effect of seven days of meditation oxygenic atmosphere to responses to pollution classes, chemical reactions are described by on the attentional blink phenomenon was and global warming. Three physiological and simple equations such as A + B -> C + D; measured. The experimental group included biochemical properties of the cyanobacterium however, this gives little information about 24 older meditators and the control group Synechocystis are studied in our lab: bioremedia- how the reaction actually takes place on a included 24 age-matched individuals who tion, acid-stress response, and biofilm formation. molecular level. As physical chemists, we did not engage in meditation. The attentional understand reactions as a series of transitions Combating Pollution: blink was also examined in 24 younger indi- between known quantum mechanical states, The Application of Cyanobacteria viduals who did not engage in meditation. so by mapping how energy flows between for Lead Bioremediation Performance on questionnaires measuring these states over the course of a reaction, we empathy, rumination, and stress was also Lauren F. Allison ’10, Biological Sciences know why and how the reaction occurred. investigated before and after seven days of advisor: Mary M. Allen, Biological Sciences As a primary goal, the project consists of the meditation. design and construction of an experimental Water pollution is a major human health problem that limits access to clean drinking Skeletal Muscle Bloodflow and vessel for gaining this type of state-specific information for gas-phase photodissociation water worldwide. Lead is a heavy metal Energy Cost during Locomotion of that is commonly found at unsafe levels in Rainbow Trout Oncorhynchus mykiss reactions. An understanding of the process of photodissocation, A + light -> C + D, is freshwater due to pollution. Lead can cause Samira Daswani ’12, Biological Sciences, and crucial to our understanding of our atmo- irreversible damage to the reproductive, Grace Jung ’11, Biological Sciences sphere and thus combating problems like nervous, and cardiovascular systems. advisor: David J. Ellerby, Biological Sciences global climate change. (Research supported Bioremediation, the use of biological The muscles of swimming fish expend by the Office of the Dean of the College.) organisms for the treatment of polluted energy to maintain balance and maneuver- environments, is a promising method for ability, power forward propulsion, and drive Causes and Consequences of water decontamination. Cyanobacteria respiratory movements. The aim of this Precision of Smooth Pursuit Eye have been demonstrated to absorb heavy study is to investigate the relative energetic Movements metals. This project examines the potential costs of these different skeletal muscle roles Lily Tsoi ’11, Neuroscience of the cyanobacterium Synechocystis for lead in Rainbow Trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss, advisor: Jeremy Wilmer, Psychology bioremediation. To allow easy application during undulatory swimming. By injecting and removal from water systems, the bacteria Smooth pursuit eye movements refer to the microspheres into trouts’ bloodstream to trace are immobilized in beads made of alginate, a ability of the eyes to follow a moving object muscle blood flow and by monitoring oxygen substance derived from brown algae, which smoothly, e.g., watching a baseball fly over a consumption in a flume tank, the correlation contributes to lead removal. The lead removal field. Previous studies in our lab have found between blood flow, muscle oxygen consump- properties of cyanobacteria immobilized in a small relationship between smooth pursuit tion, and aerobic energy expenditure during calcium-alginate beads are being characterized precision and both athletic and video game active swimming is being investigated. Thus, for potential application in environmental playing abilities. Surprisingly though, a par- by measuring blood flow through looking at lead removal. (Research supported by ticularly strong relationship was found with microsphere concentration in specific areas of the Merck/AAAS Undergraduate Science gender, favoring males. We have conducted skeletal muscles, their aerobic energy expen- Research Program and the Howard Hughes a replication of the previous studies to see if diture is determined. Results indicate the Medical Institute.) we would again find a gender difference, and difference in functional cost among groups extended those studies to probe for a relation- of skeletal muscle, the increase in blood-flow ship between smooth pursuit precision and per gram of muscle from anterior to posterior current and/or prenatal hormone levels, mytomes, and the transition from branchial which are responsible for large sex differences pumping to ram ventilation during swim- in physical abilities and a variety of cognitive ming. (Research supported by the National tasks. (Research supported by the Office of Science Foundation and Howard Hughes the Dean of the College.) Medical Institute.)

RUHLMAN CONFERENCE 2010 25 WELLESLEY COLLEGE 11am–12:10pm 1:30–2:40pm

Managing Stress: How a Church and the United Nations Joint Cross-cultural Research Cyanobacterium Responds Programme for HIV/AIDS. Through this to Acidic Conditions work I hope to build an understanding of Forgiving Medicine (short talks) Gloria Lee ’10, Biological Sciences each party’s position, and identify opportuni- Pendleton West 117 advisor: Mary M. Allen, Biological Sciences ties for collaboration and improvement of global HIV-related health services. The acidification of natural waters is a Philosophy for Physicists: problem that affects the ecosystem at all Bioethics Training for Undergraduate Science Students Forgiveness, Reconciliation, and levels. The goal of this research is to study Accountability: A Critique of a how a model bacterium, Synechocystis Kathryn Soderholm ’10, Biochemistry and Contemporary Forgiveness Paradigm sp. strain PCC 6803, responds to such Peace and Justice Studies Hailey Huget ’10, Philosophy conditions; understanding the consequences advisor: William Coleman, Chemistry advisor: Nicolas de Warren, Philosophy at a microbial level may provide answers Bioethics is the branch of philosophy that In the past twenty years, forgiveness and for a multitude of organisms. To study the deals with the ethics of science, medicine, reconciliation have become important topics response due to acidic conditions, changes and related research and technology. As each of both theoretical and practical debate. What in protein expression were examined. A new development provokes further bioethical constitutes forgiveness, who is eligible for variety of lysis methods were utilized and debate, the question arises as to the role of forgiveness, and what wrongdoings are “for- compared for the optimization of protein scientists in such debate. Currently, scientists givable” are all questions that have attracted extraction. Extracted proteins were separated do not offer much beyond facts and research the attention of politicians, philosophers, by charge and molecular weight using 2-D to bioethical debate, despite the fact that psychologists, and political scientists. The gel electrophoresis, revealing differential they have the most active role in the overall philosopher Charles Griswold, in his work protein expression depending on the pH of process. Few scientists have bioethics training, Forgiveness: A Philosophical Exploration, offers the environment. Proteins were treated with although the number is increasing. However, a comprehensive response to these questions trypsin for analysis using MALDI-TOF Mass there is little requirement for or availability by positing his own theory of forgiveness. Spectrometetry, and are being analyzed for of such training at the undergraduate level. While Griswold’s theory is a unique and valu- identification. (Research supported by the This talk presents a series of proposals to able contribution to the current discourse on Brachman Hoffman Fund, Wellesley College, add bioethics to the science curriculum forgiveness, I argue that his theory contains and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.) of Wellesley College, either by adding a serious flaws that ultimately undermine his bioethics requirement to the relevant majors, A Sticky Situation: Biofilm own theoretical goals. or, perhaps more effectively, by incorporating Development in Synechocystis bioethics training into class curricula. sp. strain PCC 6803 The Doctor’s Coat Doesn’t Quite Fit! Celeste Mallama ’10, Biological Sciences HIV Prevention: Controversy, Christ, Hannah Dornbusch ’10, Economics advisor: Mary M. Allen, Biological Sciences and Condoms advisors: Connie Bauman, Physical Education, Recreation, and Athletics, and Biofilms are defined as communities of Erin Duffy ’10, Religion Jocelyne Dolce, Biological Sciences microorganisms that aggregate and secrete a advisor: Stephen Marini, Religion sticky extracellular matrix consisting mainly Faith-based organizations provide significant In summer 2009, I shadowed various medical of polysaccharides. Although composed of resources for HIV response and their professionals to find a career that would microscopic organisms, these conglomerates approaches to HIV prevention differ from be compatible with my career goals. After of microbes can have a huge affect on issues most secular strategies. These diverging exploring different options in healthcare, I ranging from public health to plumbing. positions have sparked global controversy in decided to dedicate an independent study The goal of this research project is to better the media, among public health professionals, project to disseminate information and understand the composition of these coopera- and within HIV-affected communities. Most enhance awareness for these careers among tive communities and factors affecting their discussion focuses on each party’s respective Wellesley students. I organized a six-member growth. To study this biological phenomenon promotion of abstinence and condom use in health professions panel, where each panelist in Synechocystis, biofilm communities were preventing HIV transmission. My research shared a typical day in their chosen career. grown and analyzed. Confocal microscopy explores the nuances in the faith-based and I administered a survey before and after was used to observe the spatial configuration secular rhetorical and ethical frameworks Wellesley students heard the panelists speak of cells to each other and to their extracellular that result in these practical differences. I about their careers. The surveys measured matrix over time. High performance liquid further evaluate the effectiveness of various Wellesley students’ knowledge of allied health chromatography was used to analyze mono- HIV prevention strategies from public health professions outside the MD career path. Find saccharidic components of the extracellular perspectives with case studies, and consider out how the panel discussion influenced matrix. (Research supported by a Dean of issues of agency and social justice. I am Wellesley students’ attitudes surrounding the College grant and the Howard Hughes writing about these issues in my Religion future career choices. Medical Institute.) Honors Thesis with a focus on the Catholic

RUHLMAN CONFERENCE 2010 26 WELLESLEY COLLEGE 1:30–2:40pm

to prevent financial instability—re-regulation policy tool. This study empirically investigates Economic Issues of financial markets, capital controls, adopt- whether countries with higher levels of reserve ing a global common currency and creating assets were able to better withstand the shock Global Crises, Global Solutions special bond markets for debt denominated from the U.S. subprime crisis. Specifically, (panel) Pendleton East 239 in currencies of emerging markets. The we use sovereign credit default swaps (CDS) Economists from around the world formed the results of the analysis have profound policy as an indicator of financial vulnerability and Copenhagen Consensus in 2004 to set priorities implications for the World Bank, the IMF analyze the relationship between CDS spread in addressing global challenges and compete and governments worldwide to better manage movements and reserve accumulation. for a hypothetical $50 billion to fund policies financial instability. to address these challenges. In ECON 312 Who Owned Early Corporations? we simulated the Copenhagen Consensus by Terrorism Wealth, Status, and Stockholding in the Early Nineteenth Century U.S. forming groups to examine the challenges and Sara Propp ’10, Economics, and Alexandra the proposals to address them. The aim of each Solimano ’10, Economics and Italian Studies Jacqueline Valentine ’10, Economics group was to persuade our fellow classmates that advisor: Joseph P. Joyce, Economics advisor: Eric Hilt, Economics our global proposal would make the greatest Since September 11, 2001, the idea of The proliferation of business corporations impact on the world’s population. terrorism has become a part of our national in the early nineteenth century transformed dialogue and daily lives. Our presentation the American economy. Critics of these Hunger and Malnutrition seeks to examine the costs and benefits of enterprises claimed that they were created and Kerry Scanlon ’10, Economics and French, potential solutions to this global problem. owned by wealthy elite, and served interests and Bebe Zhao ’10, Economics and Psychology Unlike some other global crises, that were “odious to the people.” But little is advisor: Joseph P. Joyce, Economics transnational terrorism kills relatively few known about who actually owned shares in The first Millennium Development Goal is people every year, yet the fear of an attack early corporations. Using lists of corporate to eradicate poverty and hunger. While huge is pervasive. Consequently governments shareholders collected from capital taxes strides have been made in reducing poverty, pour millions of dollars into anti-terrorism imposed on corporations in New York, which under-nutrition still affects more than 88% campaigns. Terrorism is not often examined were matched to early property tax records, I of the developing world’s population. This from an economic perspective and many of compare the wealth and status of those who is shown by the fact that more than 146 these solutions are not cost efficient. In owned stock in corporations to the general million children are underweight for their our presentation we will illustrate the difficul- population both in 1791, when there were age. In this presentation, we discuss the two ties in finding a cost efficient and politically only two corporations in the state, and in invention mechanisms highlighted in Sue viable solution. 1826, when there were hundreds. The results Horton’s paper: those which involve or are shed light on the extent to which ordinary similar to primary health care programs (such Money Matters (short talks) people participated in the profits from as micronutrient interventions), and those Pendleton East 339 corporations during this formative period in American history. (Research supported by the which largely involve behavioral changes Foreign Shocks and Domestic Office of the Dean of the College.) (such as community outreach programs). Policies: Evidence from Credit Default Swap Spreads Global Crises, Global Solutions— The Effect of Bankers on Firm Financial Instability Leslie Sheng Shen ’10, Economics and Boards: Evidence from New England, Political Science 1871–1880 Bellina Tse ’10, Economics and East Asian advisor: Joseph P. Joyce, Economics Studies, Michell Dong ’10, International June Wang ’10, Economics and Political Science Relations–Economics, and Lehui Since the onset of the era of financial advisor: Eric Hilt, Economics Liang ’11, Economics globalization, emerging market economies Does having bank managers on a firm’s advisor: Joseph P. Joyce, Economics have sharply increased their holding of inter- board of directors help or harm the firm? national reserves, from approximately 8% of Financial instability has a great impact on Theoretically, there are both costs (such as their GDP in 1990 to almost 30% of GDP the functioning of the global economy. conflicts of interest) and benefits (such as the in recent years. One popular explanation for Our project is based on the paper by Barry monitoring role the bankers could play) to this development is that reserves can serve Eichengreen, that was discussed during the bank board representation. Empirical research as a self-insurance tool to insulate domestic Copenhagen Consensus conference to address on Germany and Japan, where companies economies from foreign adverse shocks. As this particular challenge. In light of the recent with close bank relationships depend heavily economies have become more financially inte- global financial crisis, Eichengreen’s ideas and on banks for finance, banks are represented grated, the potential for sudden reversals in proposals are especially useful to understand- on their boards, and lending banks are large capital flows and the international transmis- ing the causes and possible solutions to shareholders, provide systematic evidence sion of financial stress has increased as well. banking and currency crises. Using cost- that bank representation has a positive effect Therefore, it is especially important to assess benefit analysis, we will evaluate four methods on firm performance. Just as German and the effectiveness of reserves as a self-insurance

RUHLMAN CONFERENCE 2010 27 WELLESLEY COLLEGE 1:30–2:40pm

Japanese banks are credited with the post- Biomagnification and Bioaccumulation Making the Grade: WWII industrial successes of their respective of Mercury in a Forest Food Web An Analysis of Sustainability economies, banks in nineteenth century New Myriam Kuusipalo ’12, Biological Chemistry Rankings in Higher Education England were a crucial part of its industrial- advisor: Nicholas Rodehouse, (panel) Science Center 396 ization, and had close ties to industrial firms. Biological Sciences Using data on Massachusetts corporations Lauren Fink ’10, Environmental Studies, Research on chemical pollutants is extensive from the 1870’s, this research tests the Melanie Kazenel ’10, Environmental Studies because of their environmental and human hypothesis that bank board representation and Spanish, Sooyeon Kho ’11, Environmental health effects. Mercury is of concern because helped companies weather the Panic of 1873 Studies and Psychology, Kelsey McFadden ’10, organisms can bioaccumulate mercury in the and the ensuing seven-year depression. Environmental Studies, Caitlin McGlynn ’11, form of a toxic organic compound, methyl Environmental Studies, Shaina Meyer ’10, mercury. In food webs, levels of mercury can Environmental Studies, Alana Nelson ’10, biomagnify, reaching high enough levels to Environmental Issues Environmental Studies and Economics, Lindsey increase mortality, reduce fertility, and cause Reed ’10, Environmental Studies and Political other neurological effects. Although models Environmental Science (poster Science, Devaja Shafer ’10, Environmental representing mercury bioaccumulation and Studies, Katie Wingate ’10, Cinema and session) Science Center Focus biomagnification have been constructed Media Studies and Environmental Studies, for aquatic food webs, they do not exist for The End of the Line: Impacts of and Jane Zhou ’10, Economics and terrestrial food webs. We used food web data Offshore LNG Terminals on Native Environmental Studies collected during 2008 and 2009 to build and Fish Populations advisor: Beth DeSombre, Environmental parameterize a model of the flow of mercury Catherine Caruso ’10, Biological Sciences Studies/Political Science of a forest food web at the Hubbard Brook advisor: Emily Buchholtz, Biological Sciences Experimental Forest, White Mountains, New Amidst many school-wide changes in the past I spent last summer working on a research Hampshire. We used this model to assess few years, Wellesley has made major strides vessel with scientists in the Edgerton how changing biotic and abiotic factors in sustainability. We improved our grade Research Lab at the New England Aquarium. might affect mercury bioaccumulation and on the Sustainable Endowments Institute’s Throughout the summer we used sonar biomagnification. (Research supported by an sustainability report card, are pursuing LEED equipment to collect data on fish living MSP Grant, Wellesley College, and U.S Fish certification in the renovation of Alumnae around liquid natural gas (LNG) terminals & Wildlife Service, NSRC program.) Hall, and are installing a solar panel array. located 13 miles offshore in Massachusetts This spring, the Environmental Decision- Bay. These LNG terminals were recently con- Using GPS and GIS to Catalog and making class investigated “green ratings structed to help meet increasing energy needs Map the Wellesley College Botanic systems” for college campuses. High ratings in New England, and consist of extensive Gardens from sources such as the Princeton Review subsurface structure. For my senior thesis, Rachel Doyle ’13 and Maia Fitzstevens ’13 and the Association for the Advancement of I am using our sonar data to investigate how advisor: Marcy Thomas, Biological Sciences Sustainability in Higher Education would this subsurface structure may be impacting increase our visibility to stakeholders, includ- The goal of this project was to replace the native fish populations. More specifically, ing donors and prospective students. More outdated map of the Wellesley College I am focusing on how fish abundance and importantly, participating in ratings systems Botanic Gardens hanging in the Science size vary based on proximity to structure. could also provide feedback and suggestions Center with a new map featuring recent My work is especially interesting because it for future sustainability decisions. Not all data and utilizing the newest technology. demonstrates how scientific research can be ratings systems, however, prioritize behavior A hand-held GPS unit was used to catalog utilized in real world situations. Ultimately, that makes environmental or fiscal sense all the labeled trees in the Wellesley College I hope to assess how offshore artificial struc- for our campus. We invite you to hear the Botanic Gardens. Then, using Geographic tures can alter fish population dynamics, and results of our semester-long study, learn how Information Systems (GIS), the data points in turn, affect the surrounding ecosystems. Wellesley would do on a variety of rankings, were overlaid with a map of the campus (Research supported by a Mulhern Summer and find out the truth behind the numbers. Research Award.) to create an accurate and cohesive map of the Botanic Gardens. The map shows 330 individual trees and will hang permanently in the Science Center. In addition it is a living document: new data can be entered as more becomes available or as technology improves. This map could serve as a resource to the Wellesley College community for both academic and recreational purposes.

RUHLMAN CONFERENCE 2010 28 WELLESLEY COLLEGE 1:30–2:40pm

Strings + Jazz + Energy = Synergy! All the World is Our Stage Literature and the Arts Camille Doykan ’10, Neuroscience, (performance) Schneider Theatre, Tango by Piazzolla: A Journey Chindhuri Selvadurai ’10, Neuroscience, Black Box Victoria Boyd ’12, Chemistry, Alison Lee ’12, into the Life of Astor Piazzolla and Laura Stearns ’12 Sarah Moazeni ’10, Theatre Studies, Bailey (performance) Jewett Auditorium advisor: Paula Zeitlin, Music Brame ’10, Economics and Biology, Elizabeth Stone ’10, Theatre Studies and English, Ashley Veronika Blinder ’10, Biology and Music, Nicolle Although string instruments are traditionally Gramolini ’10, Theatre Studies, Caitlin Strand ’10, Bioethics, and Virginia Hung ’13 associated with elegant classical compositions O’Connell ’10, Theatre Studies, and Rachel advisor: Jan Pfeiffer, Music and fiddle music, there is also a growing Kaston ’10, American Studies Astor Piazzolla (March 11, 1921–July 4, presence of strings in the world of improvi- advisor: Nora Hussey, Theatre Studies sational jazz. Synergy is an on-campus string 1992) was an Argentine composer who wrote Now a Ruhlman tradition, Wellesley College music for many different instruments and ensemble that delves into this genre little known to most musicians and music lovers. Theatre student directors and actors ensembles. His compositions are known collaborate to recreate theatrical highlights for their tango flare, but also incorporate Structured as a classical string ensemble with violins, violas and cellos, Synergy is a versatile of the 2009–2010 season. This year the classical and jazz elements. Some of his most Wellesley Theatre Department and Wellesley Four group with a repertoire that includes all types important works for piano trio were his College Upstage showcased an eclectic Seasons of Buenos Aires Oblivion Muerte of jazz, including Latin, rock, and blues. We , , and season of powerful, funny, distressing, heart- del Angel (Death of the Angel) Four invite you to explore the fusion of jazz and . The breaking, artistic, and moving productions. Seasons of Buenos Aires string instruments as we play some familiar was meant as homage Interwoven with music, dance, and languages Four Seasons and some new pieces! to Vivaldi’s original , quoting from all across the country and the world, from familiar pieces in the string repertoire. Text as Image & Books as Wellesley College Theatre has indeed proved Oblivion is a short beautiful piece that has Art: An Introduction to Book that theatre can make a difference. These been featured in popular films and played pieces remind us of our own struggles, hopes, Muerte del Angel Arts Program at Wellesley all over the world. And was fears, and dreams and strengthen our con- Tango (interactive teaching presentation) originally composed for a play called nection to each other as human beings. From del Angel , in which an angel heals the spirits Clapp Library–Book Arts your dining room table to an artist’s studio in of the citizens of a town in Buenos Aires, Molly Eckel ’12, Art History and French, and Iraq, from Canada to Monte Carlo, from and is subsequently killed. This compilation Octavio Solis to Shakespeare, these pieces of three works will provide an interesting Emma Wright ’11, Art History advisor: Katherine McCanless Ruffin, Book awaken our hearts and spirits through the insight into Astor Piazzolla’s fascinating life power of the stage. and career. Arts Program In ARTS 222, Introductory Print Methods: “Where We Are From, Where Musical Energy (performance) Typography/Book Arts, students spent a We Are” (panel) Science Center 278 Pendleton West 220 semester investigating the intersection of Jenny Peng ’10, English, Creative Writing, Outside the Shutter Box: The Process type, image, and art. Students explored the Duygu Ula ’10, English, Creative Writing and of Making a Musical creative possibilities of artists’ books through the disciplines of papermaking, letterpress Cinema and Media Studies, Emma Lueger ’10, Anita Leechor ’10, Music, and Andreya printing, bookbinding, photography, and History and English, Creative Writing, and Piplica ’10, Computer Science drawing. The interdisciplinary field of Mira Sethi ’10, English, Creative Writing advisor: Jenny O. Johnson, Music Book Arts allowed students to draw from advisor: Marilyn Sides, English Jack in the Shutter Box, a musical written and all academic and creative disciplines to Four selections from Creative Writing produced by Wellesley students, tells a story imagine and create artists’ books. The close thesis projects. In her personal essay, Jenny of dreams and denial. The two-year writing relationship between the Book Arts Lab and depicts the struggle for identity as a Chinese- and production process challenged librettist Special Collections afforded students the American, the complications of navigating Andreya and composer/lyricist Anita in every opportunity to examine and take inspiration two vastly different cultures. Duygu’s poems way: as writers, as planners, as implementers, from artists’ books in Wellesley’s collection. test her ties with her homeland, Turkey, and as friends. From holding auditions to holding In this interactive presentation, participants the people she left behind there. Mira’s short our breaths opening night, every facet of the will be introduced (or welcomed back!) to the fiction, set in Lahore, Pakistan, describes show both tested what we knew and taught Book Arts Program. Participants will print a a world of “society-aunties” and rebellious us what we could do. In this presentation we keepsake and create a unique book, as well teenagers, of an intercultural relationship will discuss the unique experience of collabo- as view examples of student work and books flowering in a hostile environment. Emma’s ration and creation in a college setting and from Special Collections. young adult short stories capture the joys the circumstances that shaped the production and struggles of growing up in a small of our show. Mid-western town, where the evening news revolves around the state football team.

RUHLMAN CONFERENCE 2010 29 WELLESLEY COLLEGE 1:30–2:40pm

well as TOP activity in the testes and brain. PATL3 mutants exhibit vascular patterning Science and Technology This study can provide insight into whether defects, however, a more in depth study TOP regulates testosterone production found no difference from wild-type. Due Molecular Bioscience (poster and/or secretion in the testes to influence to evidence of functional redundancy, we session) Science Center Focus behavior and physiology. (Research funded are using RNAi to create a PATL1/PATL3 Linking the Brain with by Merck/AAAS Undergraduate Science double mutant that will be examined for vas- Neuropeptidases Research Program and Wellesley College.) cular defects. Additionally, we have explored differences in AP TL1 and PATL3 expression Jana Qiao ’11, Biological Chemistry Identifying the Role of Calcium patterns in the root cap and hairs. Finally we advisor: Adele J. Wolfson, Chemistry and during the Reduction of the First LNR have produced transgenic plants that will be Office of the Dean of the College EunJe (Angie) Seo ’12, East Asian Studies used to examine the spatial gene expression Estradiol is an ovarian steroid hormone advisor: Didem Vardar-Ulu, Chemistry patterns of PATL2, PATL4 and PATL6. essential to reproductive function and hN1LNRA is the first of the three tandem requisite to a variety of other biological Connections between Cytoplasmic Lin12/Notch Repeats in the human Notch1 processes. Its release is regulated by a cascade Mitotic Cyclins and Cell Wall Integrity receptor that regulates cell fate decisions. initiated by gonadotropin-releasing hormone in Saccharomyces cerevisiae Previous work has shown that Ca2+ is (GnRH). GnRH itself is broken down by Kaylyn Williamson ’11, Biological Chemistry required for the correct folding of this repeat the neuropeptidases thimet oligopeptidase advisor: Jennifer Hood-DeGrenier, via a unique set of three disulfide bonds. The (TOP) and prolyl endopeptidase (PEP). Biological Sciences goal of this project is to investigate the role We hypothesized that estradiol may directly of calcium in stabilizing these disulfide bonds Our lab has found that cytoplasmic or indirectly affect OT P and PEP, thereby in the folded protein. Our hypothesis is that localization of the four partially redundant refining control of GnRH activity. In this the amount of calcium in the environment budding yeast mitotic cyclins (Clb1-4) is study, fluorimetric activity assays were used will impact the minimum redox potential important for maintaining cell wall integrity to analyze how estradiol alters TOP and PEP required to reduce hN1LNRA. To test and thus viability. We are using Western enzymatic activity in several mouse brain this hypothesis we have exposed folded blotting and a LacZ reporter assay to examine regions involved in reproductive physiology. hN1LNRA in varying amounts of calcium activation of the cell wall integrity (CWI) (Research supported by grants from Howard under identical initial redox potential to signaling pathway in cells that express a Hughes Medical Institute and NSF-REU.) increasing amounts of the reducing agent nuclear-restricted Clb2 protein as the sole How Brain Enzymes Affect Male Sex DTT under anaerobic conditions. We form of mitotic cyclin. Our preliminary Hormone Levels assayed samples at various time points using results suggest that CWI signaling is elevated High Performance Liquid Chromatography in cells that lack cytoplasmic mitotic cyclins. Daryl Selen ’10, Neuroscience, and Tania (HPLC) and quantified the ratio of folded Additional results will be presented in this Dhawan ’11, Biological Sciences vs. reduced protein to determine how the poster. (Research supported by a Roberta advisor: Adele J. Wolfson, Chemistry, and concentration of Ca2+ in the environment Dey Staley and Karl A. Staley Fellowship for Office of the Dean of the College affected this ratio. Cancer Research at Wellesley College.) The steroid hormone testosterone has many important functions in males, including Molecular Genetic Characterization Life in a Variable Oxygen the development of sex organs, maturation of the PATL Gene Family of Environment: A Molecular Study of sperm, maintenance of the reproductive Arabidopsis thaliana of KATP Channels in the Hearts of system and secondary sex characteristics. Jessica H. Lee ’12, Divya Gopinath ’12, Hypoxia-acclimated Goldfish Testosterone production in the testes is and Elze Rackaityte ’13 Thanh Thu T. Ngo ’10, Biological Sciences, and regulated by a well-established pathway, advisor: T. Kaye Peterman, Biological Stefanie Chan ’10, Neuroscience and Spanish including positive and negative feedback Sciences advisor: John Cameron, Biological Sciences within the pituitary and hypothalamus. Patellin1 (PATL1), one of a family of Lack of oxygen in mammalian tissues can However, other enzymes located in the testes proteins in the plant Arabidopsis, localizes to quickly lead to cell death. However, some may also regulate this pathway. One such the cell plate where it is thought to function ectotherms, including the goldfish Carassius( enzyme is thimet oligopeptidase (TOP), an in membrane trafficking. We are analyzing auratus), can survive throughout the year in endopeptidase that hydrolyzes short peptides. spatial gene expression patterns and knockout freshwater ponds that are highly variable in TOP is found throughout the body, but is mutant phenotypes to determine which of oxygen content. A number of studies have most catalytically active in the testes and the PATLs are functionally redundant and found that acclimation to low oxygen can brain. We hypothesized that changes in which serve distinct functions. A previous increase an animal’s tolerance to subsequent TOP activity could affect the production of study showed that PATL1 and PATL3 are hypoxia exposure, while others have attrib- testosterone. Our experiments showed that coexpressed in developing vascular tissue. uted to ATP-sensitive potassium (K ) a specific OT P inhibitor affected circulating ATP Preliminary data suggested that PATL1 and channels the capacity to confer protection to testosterone concentrations in male mice, as

RUHLMAN CONFERENCE 2010 30 WELLESLEY COLLEGE 1:30–2:40pm

cardiac muscle under those conditions. Our A Rodent Model for View-invariant Investigations on Disease lab employed a quantitative PCR technique Object Recognition (poster session) Science Center Focus to study the molecular changes associated Flo Doo ’10, Neuroscience, Jemimah Combating TB: Synthesis with regulatory and subunit proteins of Dorillas ’12, Neuroscience, Galina Gagin ’12, and Properties of Potential K channels that may have cardioprotec- Neuroscience, Quynhdiem Lam ’12, Marlie ATP Antitubercular Agents tive roles under low oxygen conditions. Philiossaint ’10, Neuroscience, Christina Results using bactin1, arp and ubi as G. B. Scavuzzo ’12, Sonja Swanbeck ’12, Jenny Chang ’11, Biochemistry reference genes showed a clear up-regulation Neuroscience, and Mijeong Takahashi ’12, advisor: Michael Hearn, Chemistry in the Kir6.2 subunit of KATP channels and Neuroscience The World Health Organization estimates a down-regulation in the hypoxia-inducible advisor: Bevil Conway, Neuroscience that a third of the world’s population is factor (HIF-1a) regulatory protein in fish Within the visual system of mammals, infected with tuberculosis (TB), with new acclimated to moderate hypoxia. (Supported evidence suggests that parallel tracks process cases occurring at a rate of one per second. by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute and information about color, form, and motion. In 2007, there were an estimated 13.7 Brachman Hoffman Fund.) Our lab is interested in identifying the neural chronic active cases, 9.3 million new cases, and 1.8 million deaths, mostly in developing Perception and Memory (poster architecture and cell-to-cell computations countries. Currently, the main challenges for session) Science Center Focus involved in this process. Currently we are focused on dismantling the puzzling compu- tuberculosis control are the development of You Look So Familiar!: tational problem that is object recognition. multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDRTB) A Study of the Relationship between In humans, only two distinct views of a novel and newly evolving strains with increase Personality and Face Memory stimulus are required to establish view-invari- virulence and strong resistance to previous drugs. Consequently, the need to develop Christine Chen ’10, Neuroscience, and Sarah ant object recognition. We are currently new and potent antituberculosis drugs is nec- Koopman ’11, Neuroscience evaluating view-invariance in squirrels and essary now more than ever to counteract the advisor: Jeremy Wilmer, Psychology rats using a 2-alternative forced-choice behav- ioral task. Our goal is to then use tetrode increased resistance of TB to standard treat- When you walk into a classroom or a party arrays in alert behaving squirrels to monitor ments. We now report on new compounds and scan the room full of people, you look to single unit neuronal activity in a variety of that may be appealing leads for development see if you spot any familiar faces. The faces brain areas. (Funded by Wellesley College.) as new potential agents for therapy. New that you immediately identify are probably thioureas and benzals derived from pipecoline your friends or people you’ve met many Interpersonal Distances as a were prepared in good yields and purity using times before. Some people have excellent face Function of Ethnicity organic synthesis and are being tested for memory and can recognize someone even if Emily Hung ’10, Psychology, DongHwa their activity against the causative agent of TB they only briefly saw the person a long time Kim ’10, Psychology, and Catherine infection, Mycobacterium tuberculosis. ago. These people are Super Recognizers. Ok ’12, Psychology In our study, we used the Cambridge Face Preparation and Properties of Novel advisor: R. Steven Schiavo, Psychology Memory Test to measure subjects’ facial Antitubercular Compounds memory as well as the Mind in the Eyes What comes to mind when you hear Constance Ohlinger ’12, Biochemistry test to measure subjects’ perception of the word, “ethnicity”? Skin color? Food? advisor: Michael Hearn, Chemistry facial emotion. We also measured subjects’ Interpersonal distance is probably not a personality using scales such as the Ten concept that many associate with ethnicity. Affecting one third of the worlds’ population, Item Personality Measure and Narcissism However, Edward Hall (1966) suggests that tuberculosis has begun to reemerge in Personality Inventory. Our goal was to see preferred interpersonal distances between industrialized countries to become a major if subjects with certain personality traits individuals can be significantly influenced threat to global health. With the formation or qualities had either better or worse face by one’s ethnicity. In his study, Arabs were of new strands of M. tuberculosis resistant to memory or perception of facial emotion. more likely to stand at closer distances while one or more of our front-line drugs, the facing other individuals than were their development of new therapies is more American counterparts. The purpose of the important than ever. In this study, com- present research was to expand upon Hall’s pounds subtly mimicking the structure of findings by examining preferred interpersonal activated isoniazid, a widely used drug in distances between Asian and Caucasian stu- tuberculosis treatment, were prepared as dents at Wellesley College. Contrary to Hall’s possible novel therapies, identified by their findings, however, the results of our study spectroscopic properties, and analyzed for indicated that interpersonal distance was not antitubercular activity. significantly related to ethnicity among these two groups. How can we explain such differ- ence in results? Come and find out!

RUHLMAN CONFERENCE 2010 31 WELLESLEY COLLEGE 1:30–2:40pm

Progress Towards the Total Synthesis lotaxine employing a new desymmetrization Synthesis and Properties of of the Promising Anticancer Natural approach is presented. Antitubercular1-(4-methylpiperazin-1- Product Spiroxin A yl)thioureas Alice Kwan ’11, Chemistry Tracy Y. Wang ’10, Biochemistry advisor: Dora Carrico-Moniz, Chemistry advisor: Michael Hearn, Chemistry Spiroxin A, a natural compound isolated Due to the increasing prevalence of drug from a marine fungus, has shown promising resistant tuberculosis, there is a pressing cytotoxicity against ovarian cancer cells. need to develop more effective and potent Ovarian cancer is a serious disease that antitubercular drugs. 1-(4-Methylpiperazin- affects about one in fifty-seven women in (-)-Cephalotaxine 1-yl)thioureas are of great interest as the U.S. each year and is the most common potential antitubercular drugs because cause of death from gynecological cancer.1 1. Newman, D.J.; Cragg, G. Natural Products as Sources they contain both thiosemicarbazide of New Drugs over the Last 25 Years. J. Nat. Prod. 2007, The goal of this study is to establish a novel 70, 461. and piperazine chemical groups. As synthetic methodology to obtain a key chiral part of an ongoing investigation into intermediate en route to the total synthesis the antitubercular properties of novel Genetic and Nutritional Influences on of the spiroxin A carbon framework. Progress thioureas, the preparation and properties the Development of Schizophrenia towards validation of this methodology along of 1-(4-methylpiperazin-1-yl)arylthioureas with its subsequent application toward con- Lauren Eby ’10, Neuroscience were examined. 1-(4-Methylpiperazin-1- struction of the common spiroxin framework advisors: Joanne Berger-Sweeney, Biological yl)thioureas are prepared in the reaction of will be presented. Sciences and Office of the Dean of the College, 1-amino-4-methylpiperazine with an aryl and Laura Schaevitz, Biological Sciences isothiocyanate usually in good yields and Schizophrenia (SZ) is a complex disorder that without byproducts. Success of reactions is likely has both genetic and environmental easily evaluated using NMR and IR spectra Spiroxin A etiology. We have developed a model of SZ due to distinguishing features of the resulting using mice heterozygous for a mutation of thiourea group. The ease of preparation and the enzyme glutamate carboxypeptidase II characterization of 1-(4-methylpiperazin-1- (GCPII). To model genetic and environmen- yl)thioureas makes this family of compounds tal deficits, we deprived GCPII mice of the especially convenient for the study and nutrient folate in adulthood. We have found development of future antitubercular drugs. that mice with either a GCPII mutation or folate deficiency display SZ-like symptoms; Physical Science (poster session)

1. Fasching, P.A.; Gayther, P.; Pearce, L.; Schildkraut, J. M.; surprisingly, mice with both performed Science Center Focus Goode, E.; Thiel, F.; Chenevix-Trench, G.; Chang-Claude, similarly to controls. In a second study, dams Investigation of Spring Constants in J.; Wang-Gohrke, S.; Ramus, S.; Pharoah, P.; Berchuck, A. were folate-deprived prior to breeding and Mol. Oncol. 2009, 3, 171–181. Commercial Springs offspring were given a folate-deficient diet. Jessica Liao ’11, Biological Sciences Mice were tested on tasks relevant to symp- Nature and Synthesis: Allies George Caplan, Physics toms of SZ. Four out of five control mice advisor: Against Leukemia on the folate-deficient diet displayed severe We encounter springs every day, when Shoshana Bachman ’12, Chemistry, and Linh physical abnormalities, whereas no folate- we sleep on a bed, when we write on a Vu ’11, Economics deprived GCP II heterozygous mice displayed spiral-bound notebook, or when we look advisor: Dora Carrico-Moniz, Chemistry these abnormalities. We are currently at a watch. Springs provide an extension (-)-Cephalotaxine is a naturally occurring examining the effects of folate deficiency or compression over a distance. They are compound isolated from Cephalotaxus in the early postnatal period, attempting to commercially available, with many different harringtonia. Several of its naturally occurring model nutritional deficiency during the third spring constants (k). We verified Hooke’s esters have been found to possess activity trimester in humans. (Research supported by Law (F = -kx), and we measured the effective against L-1210 and P-388 leukemia in mice.1 Wellesley College Faculty Awards.) spring constant (k) for springs in series and Leukemia is a devastating disease that affects for springs ion parallel. We measured and thousands of people annually in the United calculated the change in length of springs, States. The total synthesis of (-)-cephalotaxine showing that springs hung in parallel follow will provide a means to access the parent keff = k1 + k2…kn while springs hung in compound and allow the preparation of other series follow 1/keff = 1/k1 + 1/k2… 1/kn. We structurally related analogues as potential also found errors in the advertised ‘k’ values antileukemic agents. Progress toward a novel for some of the springs we used. enantioselective total synthesis of (-)-cepha-

RUHLMAN CONFERENCE 2010 32 WELLESLEY COLLEGE 1:30–2:40pm

Students Talking about Astronomy metal sources to Tar Creek—seepage of Evolution of the Indian Monsoon Research (STAR) groundwater from mines and run-off from System over the Past 30 Myr – Rhea Brown ’12, Astronomy, and Deborah mine waste piles—result in the formation An Organic Proxy Approach Tien ’12, Astrophysics of two distinct HFO types that mix with Sarah Hurley ’10, Geoscienses advisor: Wendy Bauer, Astronomy creek sediment to form a third composite advisor: Daniel Brabander, Geosciences type observed at downstream locations. Astronomers observe that late in their life- TheA sian monsoon is a critical component of This project characterized the chemical and times, stars like our sun lose mass. By looking global climate, and has far reaching impacts physical properties of each HFO type and at spectral lines of binary star systems, we on human livelihood in one of the world’s quantified metal associations by mineral hope to better understand the process behind most densely populated regions. phase. Metal concentrations and Pb/Zn ratios this mass loss. One of the stars shines through decrease away from the source, suggesting Unraveling the monsoon response to 1) the mass lost by its companion, and the that metal affinity for HFOs relates to teleconnections between global climate absorption of certain wavelengths of light can sorption stability constants. Changes in HFO systems and 2) tectonic forcing is essential tell us about the makeup of the gas surround- composition and morphology following to understanding monsoon circulation. ing the mass-losing star. We are analyzing mixing with creek sediment and deposition The spatial and temporal evolution of the Hubble Space Telescope, Far Ultraviolet on downstream floodplains could affect the monsoon is examined through paleoclimate Spectroscopic Explorer, and International potential for metal remobilization. (Research reconstruction reaching to the Oligocene Ultraviolet Explorer data of three binary supported by the Janina A. Longtine Fund (~30 Ma). A fundamental set of climatic and star systems: VV Cephei, KQ Puppis, and for Summer Research in the Natural Sciences oceanic parameters including continental 31 Cygni, to study spatial structure in the and a Dean’s Office Research Grant.) vegetation type, humidity, salinity, and stellar winds. (Research supported by the sea-surface temperature are used to Massachusetts Space Grant Consortium.) Sedimentological Parameters of the describe variations in monsoon circulation. Herring River, Wellfleet, MA Preliminary results show regional monsoon Environmental Geosciences Taylor Y. Harvey ’10, Environmental Studies intensification associated with late Miocene Senior Thesis Panel (panel) advisor: Brittina Argow, Geosciences environmental change and the expansion of Pendleton West 212 C4 plants. (Research supported by NSF-OCE Located in Wellfleet, MA, the Chequesset funding to the Ocean and Climate Change Emily Estes ’10, Geosciences, Taylor Y. Neck Dike was built in 1908–09 to convert Institute, WHOI.) Harvey ’10, Environmental Studies, Sarah 1,000 acres of salt marsh into agricultural Hurley ’10, Geosciences, and Alejandra C. land and to control mosquito populations. Investigating the Effect of Wave Ortiz ’10, Geosciences The diking of the Herring River had Energy on Coastline Morphology and advisors: Brittina Argow, Geosciences, and significant negative impacts on the estuarine Beach Sedimentology Using Real and Daniel Brabander, Geosciences environment. Cape Cod National Seashore Modeled Wave Data managers have actively advocated for tidal Geosciences are an inherently interdisciplin- Alejandra C. Ortiz ’10, Geosciences restoration to the impacted estuary for over ary field. Current senior thesis research advisor: Brittina Argow, Geosciences encompasses subjects from climate change two decades. Now that a plan is finally The project is the generation of a wave model and mine site remediation to salt marsh underway, a major concern voiced by the of the pocket-beach system of Vieques, dike removal, monsoon evolution, and wave local shellfishing industry is a possible change Puerto Rico. The Simulating Nearshore modeling. Though the techniques and topics in mean sediment size as a result of the Waves (SWAN) modeling program creates differ, all seek to address an environmental opening of the dike. Last summer I collected the wave model. Data from NOAA gener- issue by gaining a better understanding of sediment samples throughout the estuary and ates the model. Real-time data collected earth systems. subsequently analyzed their percent organic content, grain size, and composition. This from Vieques, Puerto Rico calibrates the The Role of Naturally Precipitated information will be used to characterize wave model. Vieques formed as an island Hydrous Ferric Oxides in Metal Fate the current sediment above and below the chain over a subduction zone. The diverse and Transport, Tar Creek Superfund Dike as well as in Wellfleet Harbor and geology of the island includes igneous rocks, Site, Oklahoma give managers metrics by which to evaluate sand-rich limestones, and alluvial sediments. Emily Estes ’10, Geosciences potential changes in sediment source result- Sedimentary material is delivered to the coasts from weathering of upland rocks and advisor: Daniel Brabander, Geosciences ing from restoration. (Research supported by a CWS Summer Stipend and the Joshua A. coral reefs, forming a system dominated Concern over Pb, Zn, and Cd contamination Nickerson Conservation Fellowship.) by pocket beaches and mangrove swamps downstream of the Tar Creek Superfund along the southern shore, and moderately- Site, a former mining district in Oklahoma, connected beaches along the northern has prompted investigation into the role shore; however, the system is sand-starved. of hydrous ferric oxides (HFOs) in metal Wave energy drives sediment transport in adsorption and transport. The two primary the nearshore coastal zone and the beaches

RUHLMAN CONFERENCE 2010 33 WELLESLEY COLLEGE 1:30–2:40pm

should reflect changes in wave energy. The The Rodent: Nazi Imagery and its Reading Elvis Presley & morphology and composition of the sediment Ability to Control an Audience 1950s America (panel) of the different beaches around the island Samantha Nidenberg ’10, Jewish Studies and Pendleton East 139 is considered with regards to wave energy. Teacher Education (Research supported by the Annabel Boyce advisor: Frances Malino, Jewish Studies El Vez Lives!: Elvis Presley Tribute Artists Across Race and Gender James Fund for Research in the Sciences, and History Brachmann-Hoffman Grant, and a Dean’s Rebecca Reeve ’13 and Rachel Coogan ’13 In pre-Holocaust America, animals were Office Research Grant.) advisor: Elena Tajima Creef, Women’s and anthropomorphized as lively, comedic, and Gender Studies entertaining. Characters like Oswald the Rabbit, Mickey and Minnie, the Cheshire cat From the beginning, Elvis Presley’s style Social Analysis and white rabbit from Alice in Wonderland, of “rock n’ roll” caught both positive and shaped America’s perception of images negative attention. Some considered him The Universal Scapegoat: of animals as charming and entertaining. revolutionary while others focused on his Three Case Studies of Europe’s view, on the other hand, took on a swaying hips and the detrimental effect Antisemitism in the Western sinister, threatening and frightening role. The they supposedly had on the moral health of World (panel) Founders Hall 120 Third Reich created an effective propaganda the young generation to whom he catered. campaign that became the lynchpin in Either way, his music and performances had In HIST 328 we spent the fall semester persuading the community at large that an an irreversible effect on American music, an investigating the context, manifestations, and entire segment of its population needed to effect that would eventually trickle over the persistence of antisemitism, defined as an be isolated and exterminated. How could border into Mexico. El-Vez, the stage name irrational hatred towards Jews, their culture, the Nazis have been so successful at defining for performer Robert Lopez, is commonly religion, and/or race. Our projects explore the the Jews as undesirable, equal to the vermin, referred to as “The Mexican Elvis.” Blending motivations behind the lynching of a Jewish synonymous with disease carrying rats? Why Elvis Presley’s musical tracks with new and man in Georgia, the systematic attempt to were the Nazis able to create that image in politically charged lyrics, Lopez has used rationalize the removal of Jews from the planet, Germany, when they were not able to trans- Elvis’s music to forward his own political and the tolerance for a new/old stereotyping in form Mickey Mouse into a disease carrying, and social agenda. Clearance Gibbens, an present-day France. better off dead, Jew in America? African American Elvis impersonator, also sings in tribute to the king. Though the Atlanta’s Cry to “Hang the Jew!” and The Post-Holocaust Reintroduction the Significance of Antisemitism in majority of Elvis impersonators are male, of Antisemitism in France: the Early Twentieth Century South some are female. A New Tolerance for Antisemitism Julie Howe ’10, History and Music Marion Glickson ’10, French and “It’s been a Long Time, Baby”: advisor: Frances Malino, Jewish Studies Jewish Studies Reading Elvis Presley’s 1968 and History “Comeback Special” advisor: Frances Malino, Jewish Studies In Marietta, Georgia, in August 1915, and History Ana Medrano Fernandez ’13 and a crowd of upstanding Atlanta citizens Carrie Shirley ’13 In 1967, President Charles De Gaulle watched as Leo Max Frank hung dead advisor: Elena Tajima Creef, Women’s and announced a re-orientation of French foreign from an oak tree. Frank had, in 1913, been Gender Studies policy, elevating support for the Arab Middle convicted of the murder of thirteen-year-old East over France’s prior role as Israel’s main Elvis Presley has been called many Mary Phagan. Although his sentence had European ally. In 2006, Ilan Halimi, a twenty things—clown, degenerate, hypocrite, good been commuted, many people in Atlanta three-year-old French Jew of Moroccan ol’ boy, mamma’s boy, copycat, the Second were convinced of his guilt, and the crowd descent, was kidnapped in Paris and tortured Coming—but on this everyone can agree: he claimed that they were simply fulfilling the by a group known as the “gang of barbarians.” was—and is—an icon. His career’s longevity death sentence demanded by law. Leo Frank, This event could be seen as a consequence of combined with his inexplicable charisma in contrast to most victims of lynching in France’s conflicted relationship to its colonial as a performer and his innovative musical the South, was wealthy, educated, and history and to its immigrant populations. style created a lasting impact on American white. He was also Jewish. Was Leo Frank My presentation will discuss the possible culture. This is the retrospective view. He was a victim of antisemitism? My presentation connections between De Gaulle’s speech and not always seen so charitably. In fact, by his will examine the possible motivations for Halimi’s murder, and will suggest an explana- second decade on the scene he was widely the citizens of Atlanta to lynch a man who tion of the new tolerance for antisemitism in considered a washed up “snarling darling.” seemed, on the surface, to be their equal. French society. So when it was announced in 1968 that he would be putting on an NBC television special, the nation expected some useless anachronistic, base, cheap spectacle. What

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they got was something else entirely. Many Italians as second-class citizens. Examination Cross-cultural Research critics have called this special a turning point of the “southern question” for my senior in Elvis’s career. honors thesis will identify distinctive cultures, Who the Heck Are You? A Study but will also illuminate many unifying Containing the Feral Female: of National Identity (short talks) features across the north/south gradient, Reducing Ann-Margret to Ribbons Founders Hall 120 dispelling some of the rooted stereotypes and Sandwiches Between Paris and Fort-de-France: of southerners as “backward,” inferior, and Marranda Major ’13 and Lauren Woelfel ’13 Colonial Medicine, Local barbaric peoples. (Research supported by the advisor: Elena Tajima Creef, Women’s and Healing, and Medical Office of the Dean of the College and the Gender Studies Professionalization in Martinique Amanda Aeschliman Gift.) Viva Las Vegas (1964) has come to be known Carmel Scharf ’10, Women’s and Gender Museums and the Changing as one of Elvis Presley’s best films. While the Studies and French Nation: Negotiating Concepts of film offers a more engaged performance from advisor: Susan Reverby, Women’s and Engagement and Diversity in Presley and a better soundtrack, the success Gender Studies Museum Educational Programming of the film cannot be boiled down to him. Over 400 years, Martinique transformed Megan A. Goossen ’10, Sociology and Spanish His co-star, Ann-Margret, brought multiple from a slave-reliant colony to a fully equal advisor: Peggy Levitt, Sociology dimensions to the usually flat formula of French region. With colonization, the slave Elvis films. The chemistry between Elvis and Art museums are sites for negotiating trade and the post-abolition immigration Ann-Margret sizzles onscreen in Viva Las concepts of the global, the national, the of Chinese and Indian workers, Martinique Vegas. The latter brought talent, ambition and community, and the self. In these institutions, fostered the growth of a unique type of local life to their on (and off) screen love affair. ideas about who “we” are and how we should medical practice. The valence in the contesta- Her performance in Viva Las Vegas provides relate to the “other” are debated and negoti- tion between local practices and the seeming ample material to dissect the representation ated. Yet as the nation changes, museums are scientific medicine and nursing practices of of gender in this iconic Elvis film. challenged to attract and incorporate new France shifted over time. Local Martinican visitors. My research analyzes how museum and modern European medicines inevitably educational programming helps attract more mixed, resulting in a hybrid more effective diverse audiences. I look at three regional than either of the two were separately. The cases that illuminate differing approaches: tension, mistrust, collaboration, and ultimate Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts, the Brooklyn benefits of the interaction between the two Museum, and the Los Angeles County types of medicine serve as an allegory for the Museum of Art. Each museum is located in a rapport between France and Martinique. The city that is increasingly diverse and employs two have been engaged in an uneven relation- approaches to learning and audience building ship of power: colonist and colonized, doctor that reflect regional- and museum-specific and patient. Despite this imbalance they have attitudes toward diversity and community united into a relatively stable and effective engagement. (Research supported by the alliance, negotiating their differences and Office of the Dean of the College.) constructing a shared, trans-Atlantic identity. Ancient Songs and Current Revisiting the Roots of Southern Constructions: The Use of Music Italian Disparagement: Dispelling in the Ongoing Development of Perpetuated Stereotypes Lithuanian Identity Catherine Maureen Marchetta ’10, Biological Emily D. Šaras ’10, Anthropology and Music Sciences and Italian Studies advisor: Philip Kohl, Anthropology advisor: David M. Ward, Italian Studies Lithuanians and non-Lithuanians alike have Principal events in Italian history, extend- used dainos [ancient folk songs] to construct ing back as far as the Rinascimento, the the idea of what it means to be ethnically Risorgimento, and the anti-fascist Resistenza, Lithuanian. The performance of folk songs in provide concrete examples of how the times of occupation allowed Lithuanians to southern population has been largely preserve their pride in their ethnicity, despite excluded from participation in key historical oppression. Since Lithuania’s declaration of movements before and after the formation of independence in 1991, the traditions of folk the nation. Continual isolation of southern- singing have been passed onto a new genera- ers from integration with their northern tion of Lithuanians who are reinterpreting the counterparts has created an image of southern

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cultural meaning of these songs. For eight Contraceptive Choices and Environmental Issues weeks I conducted an ethnographic study of Consequences in Bangladesh music-making in Vilnius, Lithuania during and India From Bees to Bio Fuels its European Capital of Culture festivities. Tejaswi Velayudhan ’10, Economics (short talks) Pendleton West 117 My work contextualizes and analyzes my advisor: David L. Lindauer, Economics experiences in the field, demonstrating the A striking feature of fertility control in India Soil Inoculation: Investigating critical, yet dynamic, role of folk song in the is that 67% of women using contraception Measures to Improve Drought continual construction of Lithuanian identity. are sterilized, 34% of whom were sterilized by Resistance in Crops (Research supported by the Office of the the age of 25. In contrast, oral contraceptives Amisha Ahuja ’12 Dean of the College, the Department of are the most popular contraceptive method advisors: Kristina Jones, Biological Sciences, Russian Area Studies, the Department of in the neighboring country of Bangladesh, and Alden Griffith, Botanic Gardens Music, and through the Goldman Research where only 5% of married women of Travel Grant from the Davis Center, Among the many new burdens associated reproductive age opt for sterilization. Harvard University.) with climate change, droughts are increasing Contraceptives have a two-fold purpose— in many places around the world. Placed in to limit births and to delay births. As female light of our planet’s exponentially increasing sterilization is an irreversible procedure, it can Economic Issues population, scarcity of water has left farmers only be used to limit births. For this reason and legislators at a loss for how to feed one would expect women to use spacing unmatched numbers. More than ever, there Health, Education, and Welfare mechanisms in addition to sterilization. But (short talks) Science Center 278 is an urgent need to find ways to produce very few Indian women do. In my thesis, larger yields of vital cereal crops. My project Trade Liberalization and Child Labor: I explore the consequences of contraceptive investigates the effectiveness of inoculating Does Increase in Exports Decrease method on the birth interval, which is the soil with mycorrhizal fungi to increase Child Labor? number of months between one birth and drought tolerance of spring wheat, also taking the next. The concern is that contraceptive Afia Tasneem ’10, Economics salinity stress from irrigation into account. choice may cause low birth intervals that then advisor: Kartini Shastry, Economics Wheat plants were grown from seed under have adverse consequences for both mother greenhouse conditions; after applying water Many developing countries with high levels and child. and salt stress on the plants, I observed their of child labor have undergone trade liberaliza- overall health and specifically measured pho- tion in the last three decades and it has often Political Elites in Russia and the tosynthetic rate, height, and root biomass. It been prescribed as a means of decreasing Effect of Their Background on is my goal that this experiment will be useful poverty in the long run. Increase in high Economic Outcomes in addressing the critical agricultural concerns skilled exports increase returns to education Natalia Kopyra ’10, Economics of developing nations. and can influence parents to substitute child advisor: Olga Shurchkov, Economics labor for schooling. However, if parents Even though Russia transitioned to a Switchgrass and Climate Change send their children to work out of necessity democratic institutional system in 1991, old Jennifer Yang ’12, Biological Sciences or poverty, they will be present-biased and Communist institutions persist in some of its advisors: Kristina Jones, Biological Sciences, expectations of future income may not affect regions. These “shadow institutions” can have and Alden Griffith, Botanic Gardens child labor. In theory, increase in low skilled a significant effect on economic outcomes exports both raises household income and Panicum virgatum, or switchgrass, is a biofuel such as small businesses development, income child wages with ambiguous effects on child crop candidate for North America. Although inequality, and foreign direct investment. labor. This paper empirically explores the switchgrass tolerates a wide range of envi- Using regional data for 1994–2006, I impact of trade liberalization in India in the ronmental conditions, a recent study found examine whether Russian regions run by 1990s. The study uses variation in exports in that switchgrass yields vary with flooding and old Communist elites have had lower levels the districts of India to see its effects on the drought events. Drought events are becoming of economic development than regions led incidence of child labor and the subcategories more frequent, according to regional climate by newcomers to the political arena. In of child labor: salaried work, work in house- models, and my research builds on this study the process, I create a brand new dataset hold enterprise, and domestic work. to evaluate the factor of drought timing on on Russia’s geopolitics by investigating switchgrass yields and growth. I conducted a leader backgrounds before and after the greenhouse experiment to simulate the effect transition including their affiliations with the of early, mid- and late season drought periods Communist party and military organizations on a common switchgrass cultivar, Cave-in- and their current abilities to exercise power Rock, manipulating soil water potential to over the region. maintain drought-like conditions. I tracked various growth and development measure- ments from seedling and subsequent stages,

RUHLMAN CONFERENCE 2010 36 WELLESLEY COLLEGE 3–4:10pm and my results include final biomass yields, knocking in his quartet. Meanwhile, Making Sense of YouTube— root:shoot ratio, and phenological data. Antonin Dvorak (1841–1904) uses themes Video Installation (exhibition) Understanding how switchgrass, known for from African plantation songs and Native Pendleton East 339 its hardiness and high yields, responds to the American music to inspire longing for a factor of drought timing is particularly rel- uniquely American folk melody. Come join Jessica Dill ’10, Cinema and Media Studies evant for climate change and biofuel efforts. us as we present our interpretation of these advisor: Wini Wood, Writing Program two landmark quartets. “Ours is a brand-new world of all-at-once- Native Bee Emergence and ness,” wrote Marshall McLuhan, referring Climate Change Read and Sing for Your Supper to the modern Western world circa 40 years Dominique Hazzard ’12, Environmental Studies (literary reading/short performance) before the invention of YouTube. McLuhan advisors: Kristina Jones, Biological Sciences, Pendleton West 220 also famously wrote, “The medium is the and Alden Griffith, Botanic Gardens Our Mothers, Ourselves message.” What is the message when Bee populations worldwide are in crisis, most YouTube is the new medium? For my senior Zoe Mungin ’11, Psychology, and Katie likely due to pesticide use, introduced diseases thesis, I have chosen to explore this question Slezas ’11, English and parasites, loss of habitat, and climate by sampling and remixing YouTube content advisor: Adam Schwartz, Writing Program change. While the decline of the com- into a re-presentation of a modern way of mercially valuable Apis mellifera, or Western “To describe my mother would be to write about a knowing—or, perhaps, of not knowing. honeybee, has been the subject of much hurricane in its perfect power.”—Maya Angelou YouTube defines a spaceless, timeless, research, little is known about the health of When the single parent of the household virtual world in which chaos comes out most native bee populations. Native bees are is imbalanced and angry it is impossible empty, presence is distant, activity is passive, an integral part of New England ecosystems; to be unaffected. This deeply personal exposure is hiding, and the spectacle is always they increase the yield of commercial crops literary reading from Katie and Zoe’s creative and inevitably a specter. With this video such as blueberries, and they are superior nonfiction brings you into their childhood installation, I mean to articulate these pollinators of native plants. By tracking the homes—homes tarnished with abandonment, paradoxes through an immersive, sensory arrival of native bee species to the Wellesley poverty, racism, instability, and scalding love. experience of the ambiguous notions of sense, College campus and analyzing the emergence Their stories strike a balance of unconditional nonsense, and senselessness that define our cues, overwintering habits, and generalist or love and disturbing, sometimes brutal, all-at-once world of digital media. specialist nature of those species, this research realities. At times comic, the histories grasp Museum Education Practicum: investigates the impacts of climate change, at the strange ways imbalanced mothers can Museum Mentors particularly the early arrival of spring, on the love their children and how feverish, yet emergence of native bees. wary, the love comes back to them. With the (panel) Davis Museum Lobby distance that time has brought them, they Claire Thoma ’10, French and Astronomy, explore what normal was living on the edges Kelley Tialiou ’10, Art History, Emma Literature and the Arts of madness, devotion, and destitute anger. Curtis ’12, Art History, and Miquel Geller ’10, French and Studio Art “Two Masterpieces of the Thrift and Industry: advisor: Alexa Miller, Curator of Education String Quartet Literature” Or, How to Sing for Your Supper (performance) Jewett Auditorium Claire Davis ’10, English How can works of art impact student learn- ADVISORS: Lawrence A. Rosenwald, English, ing? How do different students approach Jenny Peng ’10, English and Creative Writing, and Luther T. Tyler, English a work of art in different ways? How can a Belle Peng ’13, Aileen Patimeteeporn ’12, and museum most meaningfully serve its educa- Kathy Liu ’13 This year, as a Creative Writing Thesis tional communities? Students from Education advisor: Jan Pfeiffer, Music in the English department, I have been 350: Museum Education Practicum: Museum exploring contemporary American lyric at Mentors will share research projects on the In our performance of Shostakovich’s String the crossroads of honky-tonk, gospel, and Davis Museum’s student visitors, ranging Quartet in C minor and two movements Sappho, commuting between New York and from the elementary-level to college students. of Dvorak’s “American” String Quartet campus in order to find fresh pairs of ears They will also reflect upon the practice of in F major, we hope that the listener will on a nightly basis. My project will culminate teaching in the galleries as a form of learning pick up on themes and motifs intended in the production and public release of a about student audiences. by the composers. Dmitri Shostakovich full-length studio album of original tunes, a (1906–1975) employs musical melodies with few highlights of which will be performed live his own signature (D. Sch), the notes D, E at the Ruhlman conference with the help of flat, C, and B, as a way of memorializing “the a band assembled from Big Apple musicians. Victims of Fascism and War.” Shostakovich (Generously supported by the Pamela simulates bombs dropping and the KGB Daniels Fellowship.)

RUHLMAN CONFERENCE 2010 37 WELLESLEY COLLEGE 3–4:10pm

DNA loci, regions of hypervariable repeats, production has been shown to be greater than Science and Technology are highly variable co-dominant neutral their numerical abundance would indicate, genetic markers, they are particularly rivaling production by their cyanobacterial Taking the Molecular Census powerful tools for this type of study. counterparts. We explored the phylogenetic (short talks) Pendleton West 212 Genotyping of multiple individuals across diversity of marine picoeukaryotes, with an Island Hopping and Habitat Choices various loci and localities will allow detection emphasis on the subphyla Prasinophytae, in in the Galápagos of demographic expansion and genetic diver- different marine biomes using small subunit sity retention. Results of this study will not (SSU) rRNA clone libraries generated Weixia Guo ’11, Biological Sciences, Julia only identify these introduced populations’ from samples collected along an ecological Wucherpfennig ’12, Biological Sciences, and invasive potential, but could also provide gradient in the Monterey Bay. Clone libraries Christina Tran ’11, Biological Sciences guidance concerning steps needed to prevent were comprised of both prokaryotic and advisor: Andrea Sequeira, Biological Sciences further expansion into native habitats and plastid-encoded 16S as well as 18S rRNA We are studying the colonization history contribute to the conservation of Galápagos’ genes. The eukaryotic SSU sequences (i.e. and mechanisms of species formation in biodiversity. (Research supported by the plastid- and nuclear-encoded) were aligned endemic flightless Tenebrionid beetles in National Science Foundation.) and then manually curated to create a custom the Galápagos Islands. The reconstruction ARB database. The SSU sequence alignments of the evolutionary history of this genus Threatened Habitats in the generated in this study are now being used will enable evaluation of the relative Galápagos Archipelago to taxonomically bin environmental 454- contributions of independent coloniza- Austin Stuckert ’10, Biological Sciences TAG sequences using a fast and accurate tion—“island hopping”—versus ecological advisor: Andrea Sequeira, Biological Sciences phylogenetic placement method, which processes—“habitat choice”—to species provides the potential for more efficient Unless immediately deterred, the processes diversity in this archipelago. Additionally, surveys of marine eukaryotes. of ecological change currently underway in comparison of the potential evolutionary the Galápagos archipelago may lead to the histories derived from DNA sequences The Most Attractive Lab at loss of populations, extinction of species and with diverse inheritance patterns will allow Wellesley: Probing disruption of evolutionary processes and assessment of species boundaries and perme- ecosystems. Although a number of forces Biomedical Problems with ability to gene flow. With that aim, we have contribute to ecological change, habitat Magnetic Resonance (panel) compiled a multiple-gene dataset comprising destruction and fragmentation marks the Science Center 104 mitochondrial, multi-copy nuclear genes and greatest threat to both species and habitat sequences from anonymous loci developed Tracking Cells from the Blood to the diversity. Loss of habitat connectivity specifically for this study. This investigation of Brain: Using MRI and SPIOs to Trace results in reduced migration rates, causing the diversification patterns inStomion allows HSC Migration in Procambarus clarkii remnant populations to become isolated and relevant comparisons with well-documented Adriane Otopalik ’11, Neuroscience susceptible to extinction. This project will patterns in other endemic systems studied Nancy H. Kolodny, Chemistry, and study patterns of genetic variability of weevil advisors: in the laboratory, further elucidating the Barbara S. Beltz, Neuroscience populations across volcanoes in the island mechanism of colonization and speciation in of Isabela in the Galápagos. The signals of Neurogenesis, the birth of new brain cells, island archipelagos. habitat fragmentation due to indiscriminate occurs throughout adult life in organisms Do Introduced Populations goat grazing would demonstrate more severe ranging from the humble fruit fly to the more Displace Endemic Close Relatives? effects on the population genetic architecture complex human. In the brain of the crayfish Determining Invasiveness of in Northern than Southern Isabela. This Procambarus clarkii, our lab has identified Galapaganus howdenae Weevils in could be one of the first demonstrations of a neurogenic niche, or a cluster of neural Galápagos Archipelago habitat fragmentation using molecular data. precursor cells, that serves as a hub for the Hoi-Fei Mok ’10, Biological Chemistry development and migration of new neurons. Prasinophytae Phylogenetic advisor: Andrea Sequeira, Biological Sciences However, because all cells in the niche appear Characterization along a to be migrating to their final destination in Invasive species are a major threat to Transect from Monterey Bay to the brain, it remains a question how the niche biodiversity and oceanic island systems such Oligotrophic Waters is replenished with new precursor cells. Our as the Galápagos are particularly threatened Harriet Alexander Skoning ’10, current hypothesis suggests that hematopoi- by introductions of exotic species. Population Biological Sciences etic stem cells (HSCs) are migrating from the genetics can determine invasive potential advisors: Martina Königer, Biological bloodstream to the niche via a vascular cavity. of recently introduced populations through Sciences, and Alexandra Worden, Monterey Our goal is to develop a non-invasive proto- evaluation of the remaining genetic variation Bay Aquarium Research Institute col to track the migration of HSCs from the and heterozygosity. This study focuses on blood to the brain using superparamagnetic the winged Galapaganus howdenae, a weevil The contribution of the diverse group of single-celled eukaryotes within the ‘pico’ size iron oxide particles (SPIOs) as a contrast species recently introduced to Santa Cruz agent and magnetic resonance imaging Island in Galápagos. Because microsatellite fraction (cell diameter < 2µm) to primary

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(MRI). (Funded by the Arnold and Mabel Postnatal Day 21 MR images of a (A) Lurcher decreased levels of GCPII, an enzyme that Beckman Foundation Scholars Program.) mutant mouse and a (B) Wild-type mouse. hydrolyzes N-acetyl-aspartate glutamate into Cerebellum outlined. N-acetyl-aspartate (NAA) and glutamate NEUR/BISC 306 Lab Development: (glu). We thus hypothesize that the mutant Applying the Techniques of MRI All-in-one Multifunctional mice will have lower levels of glutamate than and Environmental Enrichment to Nanovehicle for Cancer Therapy wild-type mice. The non-invasive techniques Visualize Cerebellar Degeneration Sherry S. Zhou ’10, Biochemistry, of magnetic resonance spectroscopy and Stephanie Huang ’12 Hatice G. Yayla ’11, Chemistry, and Jasmine imaging (MRS and MRI) yield useful results advisors: Nancy H. Kolodny, Chemistry, and Rana ’12, Chemistry in neurochemical studies of GCPII mice. Carol Ann Paul, Neuroscience advisors: Nancy H. Kolodny, Chemistry, Chemical analysis using MRS both in vivo Lurcher (Lc/+) transgenic mice exhibit ataxia, Nolan T. Flynn, Chemistry, and Andrew C. and ex vivo focuses on the levels of NAA, or loss of motor coordination, due to massive Webb, Biological Sciences glu, and glutamine in the brain. In addition, brain structure volumes were examined using loss of cells in the cerebellum. Environmental Pancreatic cancer is a highly aggressive yet MRI. By determining concentrations of these enrichment, such as access to toys, is a rare malignancy with a 5-year survival rate of metabolites in the brain as well as structural therapeutic protocol used to increase sensory only 1–4% with no effective therapies. Our characteristics, differences between wild type stimuli. Enrichment studies performed on goal is to create a multi-purpose nanovehicle and mutant mice were investigated. (Research Lurcher mice have shown that exposure to an for targeted pancreatic cancer therapy. Poly supported by Merck/AAAS, Sherman- enriched environment improves motor coor- (ethylene glycol) (PEG)-functionalized, gold- Fairchild, and BellSouth AT&T.) dination. Because Lurcher mice exhibit ataxia coated iron oxide nanoparticles (FexOy-Au due to neurodegeneration, we hypothesize NP) were synthesized as precursors to an Small Particles with Big that exposure to enrichment would possibly antibody-conjugated vehicle for imaging Impacts: Applications of slow or decrease the degenerative processes and delivery of therapeutics. A gold shell that occur in the Lurcher and alter brain was coupled to the superparamagnetic Nanotechnology (panel) Pendleton East 239 morphology. Students taking NEUR/BISC iron oxide particles (5 nm). The FexOy-Au 306 will explore the effects of environmental NPs were characterized using transmission Cassandra Duarte ’12, Biological Chemistry, enrichment by designing and implementing electron micrographs (TEM), UV-Visible Zahra Ghadyali ’12, Middle Eastern their own enrichment set-ups and applying spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS) Studies, Olivia Hendricks ’12, Chemistry, the techniques of MRI to better understand and T2*-weighted magnetic resonance Christine Min ’10, Chemistry, and Madeline the mechanisms of cerebellar development imaging (MRI) relaxivity studies. To further Vara ’10, Chemistry and function. (Research supported by functionalize the nanovehicle, methods to advisor: Nolan T. Flynn, Chemistry the Howard Hughes Medical Institute couple a binding agent, Avidin, to PEG Curriculum Development Grant.) have also been developed. The Avidin-PEG Nanometer-sized metal particles possess conjugated product was analyzed by various unique properties that make them useful in techniques. MRI will be used to track the myriad settings from information storage to biodistribution of the nanovehicle and biomedical treatment. Despite these potential whether it preferentially targets xenograft uses, many properties of nanoparticles are tumors in vivo. (Research supported by poorly understood. Here, we report on a Merck/AAAS, Howard Hughes Medical range of properties and applications for these Institute, and BellSouth AT&T.) materials. These include fundamental studies such as investigating the stability of Using Magnetic Resonance nanoparticle thin films and controlling the Techniques to Characterize Brain assembly of nanoparticles in solution. Two Structure and Metabolic Activity specific applications, developing nanovehicles in Schizophrenia for biomedical applications and for remedia- Yih-Chieh S. Chen ’10, Chemistry and tion of contaminated water, will also be French, Weiya Mu ’11, Chemistry, and described. (Research supported by Office of Jasmine Rana ’12, Chemistry the Dean of the College and the Sherman advisor: Nancy H. Kolodny, Chemistry Fairchild Foundation.) Schizophrenia is a psychiatric disorder that affects about 1.1% of the adult U.S. population. Glutamate carboxypeptidase (GCPII) deficient mice exhibit several of the symptoms of schizophrenia and contain a genetic mutation that results in

RUHLMAN CONFERENCE 2010 39 WELLESLEY COLLEGE 3–4:10pm

Am I Getting Old or Are You Relatively few women choose science majors Social Analysis Being Sarcastic? or careers in science, and women who do Casey Sedlack ’11, Environmental Studies work in male-dominated fields, such as Sociolinguistic Projects: What advisor: Andrea Levitt, French science, continue to hit that infamous glass We Think About the Words We ceiling, hindering them in their attempts Sarcastic humor is popular with the young, to advance in their careers. While more Use (panel) Science Center 396 who sometimes find that their jokes are mis- women than ever before have entered into understood by older individuals. This study science fields, the presence of gender related Doctors’ Gendered Speech was designed to examine how well adults Directives: Theorizing and stereotypes may still be widespread and prob- (over 40) and young adults (between the ages Understanding Women’s Language lematic. In our study, we investigated whether of 18–25) detect the use of sarcasm in casual and Politeness people associate masculine traits more than conversation. A survey, which contained feminine traits with a successful scientist. We Lauren Cahillane ’12, Cognitive and questions on participants’ background and collected data from various campus locations Linguistic Sciences use of sarcasm and five brief dialogs that around Boston to ensure a representative advisor: Andrea Levitt, French were evaluated for sarcasm, was conducted sample of subjects. Women in leadership positions today are to explore this question. Responses were col- expected to balance the “masculinity” of lected from over 30 participants. The results Non-performance Factors in authority with contradicting definitions of reveal some interesting patterns that link the the Evaluation of Male and femininity, and this balancing act often takes detection of sarcasm to age differences. They Female Leaders also provide some insight as to why we think place on a linguistic battleground. Basing Laura Murphy ’10, Psychology we’re funny, but many of our parents tend to my work on research conducted by Candice advisor: Linda L. Carli, Psychology West, I use the example of a family doctor think otherwise. as an authority figure to explore the value When organizations evaluate employees, of women’s style of communication in the Taboo Words in Music and Lyrics they base their evaluation on performance public sphere. I asked survey participants to Anne Tuan ’12, Cognitive and Linguistic factors—like how good the employee is at respond to doctors’ directives that reflected Sciences and Economics his or her job or how much revenue the either feminine or masculine styles of speech. advisor: Andrea Levitt, French employee brings into the firm—and on non-performance factors—like race and My project led me to explore the different What does Plato have in common with ways women and men speak and use polite- gender—which are based on stereotypes. Past millions of concerned parents? Both have research has shown a tendency to evaluate ness as well as ideas about how we should targeted popular culture as a source for theorize gender and language. female leaders more negatively than male deviance in young people. Nowadays music leaders, especially under circumstances where in particular is put under constant scrutiny Examining Language Attitudes of a masculine leadership styles is utilized or for its questionable lyrics, violent undertones, Young Adult Bilinguals when the female leader occupies a role that and sexual themes. Is there something about Darcy Kupferschmidt ’12, Japanese Language is traditionally male-dominated. My research hearing taboo words in music that renders uses meta-analysis, a statistical method that and Literature them more acceptable than when they are advisor: Andrea Levitt, French reviews past studies on a subject, to evaluate read? In my experiment, I surveyed people’s the extent to which these factors, and many Schools such as Wellesley are known for reactions to certain taboo words. I examined others, impact the evaluation of males and their diverse student populations. One of how offended they were when the word was females in leadership positions. (Research the greatest benefits of this culturally rich read and when it was accompanied by music. supported by the Office of the Dean of the community is the multilingualism that This presentation will reveal my findings as College and the Psychology Department.) flourishes on campus. International students well as some tidbits about swearing in the contribute largely to the list of languages college community. Expectations for Relationships spoken between students, while American among College Aged Women: students bring a different bilingual back- Women on the Move Do our Parent’s Relationships ground to school. Does this difference change (short talks) Pendleton East 139 Shape Our Own? their attitudes or the linguistic aspects of What is the Gender of a Successful Caroline Phillips ’10, Sociology their future? In a sociolinguistic study, Scientist? Stereotypes about Women advisor: Joe Swingle, Sociology young international and domestic bilingual and Scientists college students responded to a survey that The average age of marriage continues to rise Laila Alawa ’12, Biological Sciences and examined their language experience, learning and the divorce rate in America remains just Psychology, Bebe Zhao ’10, Economics and processes, usage, and skill. These results below 50%. Yet, why these trends continue Psychology, and Elaine Y. Kim ’10, Spanish were used to measure attitudes about being or what people of marriageable age think and Psychology bilingual leading to some surprising but about these phenomena remains under advisor: Linda L. Carli, Psychology pleasant discoveries. explored. In my thesis I study college-aged women and their expectations for their

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future relationships. My working hypothesis in that individuals consistently rated their important that research and intervention has been that children of divorce, regardless partners more positively themselves, and their focus not only on adolescents but also of their socioeconomic background, are close friends more attractive than average. children in preschool. My research addresses more likely to have polarized expectations Results also show a positive correlation some of the gender differences in overweight regarding their relationships: they are more between the love-is-bias and the love styles, children, the behavioral problems that may likely to be completely commitment-averse Eros (romantic love) and Agape (selfless love). lead to increased social marginalization, and or commitment-demanding; they are more the frequency of these behavior problems in likely to have thought about divorce in their Consuming Issues young boys and girls. (Research supported by futures (either as a definite occurrence or a (short talks) Pendleton West 116 the Anne Murray Ladd Research Internship complete impossibility); they are less likely at the Wellesley Centers for Women.) Louis Vuitton Purses, Godiva to believe in “the one” (i.e, a soul mate); Chocolates, and Housekeepers: and they are more likely to expect a partner How Much Do You Trust Your An Examination of Luxury in the Neighbor?: Determinants of Social to break off a relationship unless they are Great Recession shown complete and absolute devotion. Capital in Honduras Early analysis of focus group data with 29 Rachel Behler ’10, Sociology Nandita Krishnaswamy ’12, Economics women—10 whose parents are divorce, 10 advisor: Bryan S. Turner, Sociology and Mathematics who identify their parents as happily married, In my senior honors thesis, I am researching advisor: Patrick J. McEwan, Economics and 9 who identify their parents as unhappily how luxury marketing and consumption have A large amount of literature in the fields of married—reveals that women whose parents changed in the current recession. My current sociology and economics has analyzed the are unhappily married or divorced have more work utilizes a mixed methods design, analyz- causes and consequences of great amounts of clearly defined future plans and are more ing both quantitative economic models and social capital. Social capital is usually defined pessimistic about eventually finding someone qualitative data generated from interviews. I as the existence and strength of links between with whom they can spend their entire lives. posit that to fully comprehend why changes and within social networks in a community. They also tend to be more aware of their in luxury consumption have occurred, it is This project will analyze data collected for parent’s relationships and see their parents necessary to understand the social impetus 1660 households in rural Honduras, focusing as an example for their own relationships. that has triggered them. I am also investigat- on variables that proxy social capital, includ- Simultaneously, many appear resigned to ing the marketing strategies luxury brands ing responses to questions about trust, group future relationships that will resemble those have employed to keep their limited custom- participation, networking, and community of their parents in some aspects. I conclude ers buying. This includes an investigation of involvement. I will estimate statistical models with an examination of the implications of how larger luxury conglomerates, like Moët using Stata software to test hypotheses about my findings and what they may portend for Hennessy Louis Vuitton (LVMH), reconcile how individual and family characteristics the future of marriage in the U.S. their financial losses with their traditional such as income and education levels of adults ethos of exclusivity. in the household contribute to social capital Personality, Self, and in the rural Honduran context. This will Relationship Attitudes Gender Differences in the provide us with a framework for how social Colette Whitaker ’10, Psychology and Association between Childhood Obesity and Behavior Problems capital can be developed in the most efficient Computer Science way in such an environment. advisor: Julie Norem, Psychology in a Pre-K Sample Becky Parker ’10, Psychology For the psychology research methods course, advisor: Wendy Wagner Robeson, Ed.D., 312R, students designed and ran studies in Wellesley Centers for Women the field of personality psychology. This study examines positive illusions in relationships Childhood obesity rates in the U.S. are between romantic partners and close friends, remarkably high. While physical health as well as the relationship between illusions problems related to obesity need much and other relationship variables. The “love- attention, there are psychosocial problems is-blind” bias is the primary construct of that can severely impact a person’s quality of interest; this is an illusion in which individu- life as well. Research indicates that women als perceive their romantic partners to be more frequently than men experience low more attractive than them. A sample of 141 status attainment and depressive symptoms women estimated their own, their romantic as a result of weight-related stigmatization partner’s, and a close friend’s physical attrac- and social marginalization. When and why tiveness. Participants also completed measures does this gender difference in psychosocial of relationship satisfaction and love styles. problems arise? Because patterns in behavioral Results provided support for the love-is-blind problems associated with childhood obesity bias and a positive illusion in friendships, are emerging at very young ages, it is

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discuss how these outcomes vary by mode of self-esteem is actually a negative behavior Cross-cultural Research acculturation. or whether healthy validation seekers can benefit from self-esteem sex. I will do this Mothers, Sex, and Self-esteem The Final Solution? Gender by demonstrating that there is variation in (short talks) Pendleton West 116 Specific Programming for “At-risk” psychological health within validation seekers Latina Girls Saying What I Think: The Association and that there are psychologically healthy between Authenticity in Relationships Alaya Levi Salley ’10, Peace and Justice Studies validation seekers who productively engage in and a History of Child Maltreatment advisor: Charlene Galarneau, Women’s and self-esteem boosting sex. (Research supported Among College Women Gender Studies by the Office of the Dean of the College and the Psychology Department.) Sohyun Han ’10, Psychology Following a 1992 recommendation from the advisor: Sally Theran, Psychology Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Gazing through a Lens/ Prevention, gender-specific programming was Women of all ages have been found to Reflecting through a Screen championed as the golden solution to reduc- suppress their authentic thoughts and feelings (short talks) Pendleton East 339 in order to maintain good relationships. In ing at-risk behavior in young girls. Youth my research, I predict that college women organizations across the country adopted this French Masculinity Reflected in will demonstrate lower levels of authenticity framework acknowledging that girls’ develop- Film: Examining Truffaut’s Antoine if they have a history of child maltreatment. ment is unique from boys and furthermore Doinel Character I also predict that authenticity will partially that specific intervention is necessary to Elizabeth Shirey ’10, Political Science account for the negative outcomes that promote healthy adolescence. In fall 2009, and French develop from child maltreatment, including I researched this phenomenon both through advisor: Scott Gunther, French depression, low self-esteem, and trauma a literature review and interviews with two When considering the topic of gender in symptomatology. Furthermore, I propose Latina community based organizations in film, certain images of women come to mind: that Asian American women will exhibit Boston. These organizations incorporate Brigitte Bardot’s untamed attraction, or worse outcomes compared to other ethnic Latina cultural values such as familismo and Katharine Hepburn’s stinging wit. However, groups as a result of the greater prevalence of collectivismo into the gender-specific model the complex social constructions behind male child maltreatment and self-silencing among to encourage positive identity formation protagonists are under-studied. In my thesis Asian Americans. and deter risky behavior in girls ages eleven to seventeen. I examined how the program for the French department, I seek to unravel assumptions regarding masculinity by focus- Mother-Daughter Dyads: content aims to reduce the risk of pregnancy, From Cultural Discontinuities low high school graduation rate, and suicide/ ing on a particular set of films by director to Shared Perspectives depression in Latina youth. I also questioned François Truffaut. Spanning 20 years and how the lack of adequate program evaluation featuring the same actors, these films center Claudia Hernandez ’10, Psychology around one character, Antoine Doinel, as he advisor: Nancy Genero, Psychology impacts the long-term success of behavioral risk aversion. struggles through life’s major events. Doinel In the U.S., Latina adolescents often face both challenges and reinforces the traditions problems of acculturation, that is, adaptation Wanting to Be Wanted: What of marriage, fatherhood, and work generally to two cultures simultaneously. In addition Characterizes Women Who Seek to expected of Frenchmen, and reformulates the to typical developmental challenges, they Boost Self-esteem through Sex? public’s understanding of masculinity in the must integrate into mainstream American Rachel Amrhein ’10, Psychology process. (Research supported by the Nathalie culture while maintaining a connection advisor: Jonathan Cheek, Psychology Buchet Ritchey Fellowship and the Office of to their parents’ traditional ethnic values. the Dean of the College.) Clinicians and researchers have begun to From expression of love to obtaining a document the negative outcomes associated promotion, women are motivated to have sex Godzilla: Postwar Attitudes and the with acculturative stress as well as the for many different reasons. This study focuses Realities of Nuclear Warfare on exploring women who have sex in order to beneficial effects of mutual relationships on Rebecca Fiske ’10, East Asian Studies elevate their self-esteem. Although engaging family functioning and self-esteem. This advisor: Eve Zimmerman, East Asian in self-esteem-boosting sex is culturally presentation summarizes the findings of my Languages and Literatures thesis research on the association between the viewed as an inferior and negative reason to Not long after its release in 1954, the film shared understanding of cultural knowledge have intercourse, this study proposes that Gojira soon became an international sensa- within the mother-daughter relationship maybe it’s not all bad. I will first explore tion and its star a pop culture icon. At its and indicators of psychological well-being different types of goal orientation in relation heart, Gojira is far more than a simplistic tale in a sample of 92 Latina adolescents. Results to reasons for having sex, predicting that of a destructive monster rampaging Tokyo. suggest that mother-daughter cultural inter- validation seekers will be more likely to The film reveals Japanese postwar attitudes subjectivity and mutuality predict positive engage in self-esteem sex. Then, I will attempt towards nuclear warfare and the Cold War psychological outcomes. In addition, I will to verify whether having sex in order to boost as a whole. Gojira is a criticism of nuclear

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proliferation and the treatment of victims of media. Social networks like Facebook and Political Development nuclear warfare and testing. It is a stirring tale Twitter provide a new model for accessing, of nationalism and bravery, a return to a time sharing, and discussing news, and I will Why Am I Here? Why Are in which Japan was untainted by the burdens explore how they facilitate a greater and more of defeat and guilt. The Japan presented in meaningful democratic conversation about You Here? (short talks) Science the film is how the Japanese wished to envi- current events. Center 278 sion their nation—as a noble country that is Reclamation: Dokdo’s Significance governed by an unfaltering moral compass to Korea and a willingness to make great sacrifices for Literature and the Arts the greater good. Denai Koh ’10, East Asian Studies and Economics The Scholar Sings advisor: Yoshihisa T. Matsusaka, History Exposing the Invisible Primary: (performance) Jewett Auditorium Examining the Media’s Role in Since the dark era of Japanese colonial rule Determining Candidate Viability Margaret Zwiebach ’12, Nicola Collett ’10, between 1910 and 1945, ties between Korea Lisa Geraci ’10, Political Science Medieval/Renaissance Studies, May-Elise and Japan have significantly improved. advisor: Marion Just, Political Science Martinsen ’12, Music, Josephine Nevertheless, their bilateral relations are still Ho ’12, Theater and Political Science, plagued with hidden scars of the past, ridden Certain presidential candidates are perceived Marina Heinrich ’12, Japanese Language with a violent and antagonistic history. One as frontrunners months before the first and Literature, Clara Kahng ’13, Lucy of the unresolved issues is a territorial dispute presidential primary contests take place. Bergin ’12, Music and German, and Esther over the Dokdo islands, which are a tiny Long before voters cast their ballots, the Hugenberger ’10, French group of rocks located in between Korea and media lavishes coverage on some candidates advisor: Andrea M. Matthews, Music Japan that seem to be of no obvious strategic while perceiving others as being virtually dead or economic importance. The dispute, in the water. The disparity among candidates’ Does a better understanding of the evolution however, has been for over half a century and media coverage was perhaps no more appar- and history of opera directly influence singers a solution still does not seem in sight—both ent than in 2008. Why did Hillary Clinton and consequently, their performances? With governments are adamant about their posi- receive more coverage than other qualified the assistance of their non-singing colleagues, tions, and the Korean public, in particular, candidates like Joe Biden or Bill Richardson? four students from the fall semester course is more passionate than ever about claiming In the eyes of editors and journalists, MUS230 Opera: Its History, Music, and the islands. Why do these islands hold such what determines candidate viability? To Drama will perform four arias and a duet to significance for the Korean people and their what extent has the growth of new media, demonstrate how their newfound knowledge government? A seemingly unimportant like blogs, YouTube and The Daily Show, of opera has changed their performance of territorial dispute actually holds a multitude influenced this process? By directly surveying this genre of music. For example, one of the of meanings for the divided nation. those responsible for shaping and publishing singers chose her piece through her personal coverage of the presidential primaries, this connection with a character. Another chose First Contact, First Nations project seeks to measure the importance of a music that reflects a period or style that she candidate’s personal and political character- found most interesting. Witness the depth of Jessica Allan ’10, History istics in the media’s perception of candidate these performances and discover for yourself advisor: Kate Grandjean, History viability. (Research supported by the Barnette the importance of understanding the history While much American scholarship focuses Miller Fund.) and drama of opera. on contact with Native Americans through English, French and Spanish explorers and Journalism and Online Social settlers, contact was achieved in a very Networks: New Ways to Access, different idiom through the contact of Share, and Discuss the News Norse explorers to Maritime Canada. This Rebecca Spitzer ’10, Media Arts and Sciences presentation will offer fresh perspective on advisor: Panagiotis T. Metaxas, approaching early American exploration, Computer Science colonization, and co-existence. A truly multi- What do you consider to be “news?” Where disciplinary perspective is used, encompassing do you find it—in a newspaper, on television, linguistics (analysis of Old Norse sagas), or on Facebook? Do you feel like you have to archaeology (the excavation of L’Anse-aux- search out the news, or does it come to you? Méduses in Newfoundland), anthropology Drawing from a survey of Wellesley students, (the examination of Inuit culture), cartogra- I will discuss a new pattern of modern news phy and geography (tracing features described consumption, as influenced by the ubiquity in the sagas to known geographic features of of Internet access and popularity of social the Maritimes), engineering (the capability of the Vikings to navigate these waters five

RUHLMAN CONFERENCE 2010 43 WELLESLEY COLLEGE 4:30–5:40pm centuries before Columbus) and economics War and Peace (short talks) Xinjiang, Tibet, and Inner Mongolia makes it (the continuing trade that the Grœnlendinga Pendleton West 117 clear that all is not as it seems when it comes maintained with the Inuits). to the Chinese state’s rhetoric and their actual U.S. Foreign Policy towards policies towards these historically minority- The Curse of Black Gold: Afghanistan: Thirty Years of dominated areas. (Research supported by the (Dis) Engagement Learning from Environmental Barnette Miller Fund.) Conflict in Indonesia and Nigeria Maria Lisiakova ’10, International Relations– Beverley Mbu ’10, Political Science Political Science Complement or Supplement? advisor: Craig Murphy, Political Science advisor: Stacie Goddard, Political Science The Evolving Relationship between the EU and NATO In 1956 the first oil well was found in the British Prime Minister Lord Palmerstone Nora Keller ’10, Political Science Niger Delta region of Nigeria, igniting a once exclaimed that Britain has no Robert Paarlberg, Political Science cycle of environmental degradation, financial permanent friends, only permanent interests. advisor: wealth, and astronomical corruption that For centuries, analyses of states’ foreign My thesis explores the following question: continues to affect those living in the Niger policies as well as theories of international Has Europe conformed to United States Delta today. Halfway across the world, similar relations have relied on national interests as demands in regards to the European Union events unfolded in the region of Aceh, the the guidelines for the creation of a long-term Security and Defense Policy (ESDP)? heart of Indonesian crude oil production and coherent foreign policy. Yet, what happens In 1998, when the ESDP was formally yet one of the poorest districts in the nation. to the practice of international relations and announced, former Secretary of State Today, after decades of violent warfare, the its theories if we start questioning the role of Madeleine K. Albright asked that the EU not people of Aceh live in peace with growing national interests? Using declassified primary decouple itself from NATO, not duplicate economic opportunities while the Niger sources from The National Security Archive, its capabilities, and not discriminate against Delta peoples continue to suffer. What can this research uncovers U.S. foreign policies non-EU NATO members in its decision- be learned from the Acehnese roadmap to towards Afghanistan in 1973–2008 and making. I am using these so-called “three Ds” peace, and how does it apply in the context of shows that U.S. foreign policy in Afghanistan to assess whether different international rela- Nigeria? (Research supported by the Barnette has not been guided by U.S. national tions theories can explain European behavior. Miller Fund.) interests. Rather, U.S. foreign policies have By doing so, I hope to gain insights into the been merely reactive and the process of their direction of European-American efforts at Water Wars?: Hegemony and implementation led to the formulation of security and defense cooperation as well as International Rivers U.S. national interest. Thereby, this presenta- the future role and purpose of NATO. Alexandra Stark ’10, International Relations– tion refutes the common perception of the Political Science United States as an active and purposeful The Use of Force to Mitigate Human advisor: Craig Murphy, Political Science player in international relations and offers an Suffering: The United Nations and alternative idea. (Research supported by the Humanitarian Intervention throughout “Water wars” are much talked about, yet Barnette Miller Fund.) the 1990s the fact that there has never been a “water Danielle Brown ’10, Political Science war” implies that the politics of international Minzu Tuanjie: and Spanish rivers is more complicated. The Jordan River The Policies Governing advisor: Stacie Goddard, Political Science is a highly contested international river, yet China’s Multiethnic Frontier As intrastate conflicts developed throughout Israel has been able to dictate other riparians’ Cynthia Chen ’10, Political Science the 1990s the United Nations was increas- access to its water without using military advisor: William A. Joseph, Political Science intervention. I will explore this dynamic ingly called upon to intervene in order to using the framework of “hydro-hegemony,” It is common knowledge that the alleviate human suffering. At the beginning showing that Israel has used ideational multiethnic nature of China’s frontier of the decade the UN answered this call with power to maintain its preferential access to autonomous regions—particularly Xinjiang increased zeal, eager to define its role in the this resource. I will contrast this case with and Tibet—makes Chinese sovereignty over new world order. Large-scale humanitarian the Nile River, where cooperation amongst these areas highly problematic. The well-pub- crises had always existed, but with the end of riparians has dramatically increased, and the licized recent histories of unrest and protest the Cold War and the U.S.-Soviet deadlock Columbia River, where the U.S. and Canada in these areas make it clear that the Chinese in the Security Council, the UN saw its have long cooperated. I will show how differ- Communist Party faces great difficulties when opportunity to finally play a more dominant ences in a hydro-hegemon’s relative power in formulating policies intended to achieve their role in the international arena. However, a river basin affect the fairness, and therefore goal of promoting national unity. At first as the decade progressed the UN became sustainability, of cooperation, and how future glance, the CCP appears to voice a strong less willing to intervene, leaving some crises “water wars” can be prevented. (Research commitment to promoting equality and unattended while acting to prevent others. supported by the Political Science department providing for a degree of regional political Join me on a journey through the 1990s as I and the Barnette Miller Fund.) autonomy. A close examination, however, examine various experiments in intervention of the policies the CCP has used to manage

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and the factors that influenced the UN’s accurate. Subjects were scanned from three Are Consensual Searches Really decisions to intervene in humanitarian crises angles—front, right, and left oblique—at Consensual? throughout the decade. (Research supported a moderate resolution level relative to the Shan Shan Tam ’10, Philosophy by the Barnette Miller Fund.) capabilities of the scanning platform. The and Architecture three-fold scan minimized the presence of advisor: Mary Kate McGowan, Philosophy “holes” in the data associated facial topog- Suppose a police officer pulls over a driver Science and Technology raphy. The moderate resolution level (220 and asks, “Can I look inside your trunk?” points/in.2) allows for a rapid scan time (<40 Although the officer’s question is a request Rounding Out the Picture: seconds) appropriate for living subjects. To that can be refused, I argue that there are establish accuracy, intra-observer (the person 3D Facial Analysis (panel) compelling reasons to believe that drivers processing the scan) and inter-observer Pendleton West 212 often interpret such questions as orders that error was assessed both within and between must be obeyed. Moreover, I argue that Use of 3-D Landmark Data in Analysis subjects (the person being scanned). of Human Facial Variation when drivers take such an utterance to be an order, the driver’s affirmative response Calais Weber ’11, Biological Sciences and does not constitute consent, and thus the Anthropology, Julie Bass ’12, Anthropology, and Social Analysis subsequent search by the police officer is Kirstie Moreno ’12 unconstitutional. I also explore the possibility Adam Van Arsdale, Anthropology Identities, Surfaces, and advisor: that there are racial and socioeconomic Humans observe faces and facial variation Social Institutions (short talks) injustices involved and I critically evaluate differently. One challenge in understanding Pendleton East 139 several potential solutions to this problem. this observation is limitations imposed by the Lesbian is Normal: (Re)Educational Goals, Close Relationships, and use of categorical assessments of human facial Activism in Japan variation. Here we develop a morphometric the Self Xiao Tian ’10, East Asian Studies protocol for assessing the morphological Krista Olson ’11, Psychology advisor: Ellen Widmer, East Asian Languages differences between high-resolution 3-D scans advisor: Julie Norem, Psychology and Literatures of human faces. Rather than treating faces How important are significant others to our categorically, this approach considers human Japanese society is built around a strict goals? Relationships with romantic others and faces as complex geometric landscapes—con- adherence to the ideal of normality: school, close friends have been shown to impact how sisting of landmarks, pseudo-landmarks and work, marriage and family. Lesbianism is an individual views themselves, others, and semi-landmarks —that differ in size and considered a lifestyle choice that is deviant the environment. Close others have also been shape. By quantifying the size and shape dif- from the norm and thus is rendered invisible shown to impact goal pursuits positively and ferences present between any two 3-D facial by a widespread social silencing. The first negatively. This presentation will discuss my scans, it is possible to more systematically woman to publicly come out, Hiroko study on the relationships among goals, close assess not just whether two faces are different Kakefuda, challenged the community to relationships, and relational identity orienta- but how different they are and in what ways “reclaim the word ‘lesbian’” and assert their tion. For this study, college undergraduates they are different. This in turn allows for space in society. In response to her challenge, and faculty completed five questionnaires that greater interrogation of what kinds of differ- lesbian activists within the last decade have measured how much romantic others and ences subjects observe when they examine the taken an education-focused approach in close friends helped or influenced goals, the human face. their pursuit of social acceptance. They are importance of achievement goals, relationship amending the standard for what is normal to closeness, and the subjective importance Assessing Accuracy in be inclusive of lesbian individuals through of social relationships. Understanding the High-resolution 3-D Facial Scans redefining of terminology, creating new importance of close friends and romantic Feride Aydinoglu ’12, Kyla Brown ’12, images of the lesbian experience, and drawing partners in our lives can help us gain a Psychology, and Priscilla Gutierrez ’13 on reestablished institutions to promote an fuller picture of how this aspect of the self is Adam Van Arsdale, Anthropology ‘ideal Japan.’ By adopting the rhetoric of advisor: impacted by interpersonal relations. This pre- ‘normality’ to legitimize the lesbian experi- The development of readily available laser sentation will further discuss the constructs ence, lesbian activists are changing the notion scanning technology has allowed for increased mentioned above and the results of the study. of sexuality in Japan. (Research supported by utility of 3-D data in a variety of disciplines the East Asian Studies department.) and applications. Here we develop and assess the accuracy of a protocol for acquiring rapid, high-resolution 3-D facial data from human subjects using a NextEngine scanning platform. Our goal was to develop a protocol that was minimally invasive but also highly

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Ethnic Differences in Body Evaluation The Elusive Fourth R: how the converts both rely on and reject their and Preference for Plastic Surgery Religion in the Secondary School prior identity as Hindus at different stages, Rachel So ’10, Psychology Social Studies Curriculum thus carving a new identity from the dynam- advisor: Paul Wink, Psychology Kate Soules ’10, Sociology ics of multiple religious identities. advisor: Ed Silver, Religion Research on body image of women around Go Blue! During the twentieth century, in tandem the world has focused on eating disorders (short talks) Pendleton East 239 thus obscuring other possible cultural with an overall trend toward secularization differences in body esteem. In particular, the in American society, religion lost its place in Path to (Em)Power: The Politics and adoption of Western cultural standards may the public school curriculum. Today, in the Purpose of Wellesley College result in disturbance of body image among face of significant conflicts around the world Katherine Chanpong ’10, Political Science Asian women because of physical disparities based on clashes between religious ideologies, and Economics between them and their white counterparts. American high schools no longer teach advisor: Roxanne Euben, Political Science We investigated differences in satisfaction basic facts about the world’s religions. State As a women’s college, Wellesley is seen as with ethnically salient body features among curriculum standards typically do not address a shining example of women’s power and Euro, Chinese, and Korean American college religion and pressure often falls on individual progress. It is implicitly feminist with its women. In addition to investigating ethnic teachers to determine how to incorporate “women who will” mission statement. Yet variability in body image, we ascertained religion into their lessons. In the absence on many levels Wellesley straddles the fence whether these differences were related to the of official curriculum standards, when such as a feminist institution, exhibiting various use of plastic surgery, ethnic identification, instruction takes place, it is ad hoc and often models of inclusion and exclusion. In politi- individualism/collectivism, and social class. dependent on teachers’ informal knowledge cal theory, the dominant understanding of (Research supported by the Office of the of religious pluralism. Surveying both public power is “power over,” in which domination Dean of the College and the Department and private high school teachers, I will and control are key. Feminist political of Psychology.) explore how teachers are prepared to teach religion and how they actually present it in theorists argue an alternative definition of Holy Affairs: Religion in Society the classroom. Understanding the condition power: “power to.” Drawing on these two (short talks) Science Center 396 of instruction about religion in the secondary theories of dominant and feminist expressions school classroom is the first step towards of power, I will discuss the power dynamics of The Heavenly Hootenanny and imagining a more balanced curriculum. various Wellesley students, faculty, and staff Other Changes to the Catholic and attempt to analyze the extent to which Church from Vatican II Becoming More Buddhist over Wellesley perpetuates and challenges the Abigail Friedman ’10, American Studies and Time: An Analysis of the Ambedkar dominant understanding of power today. Peace and Justice Studies Conversion Movement in India advisor: Sharon Elkins, Religion Factors Influencing College Claire Droste ’10, Religion and Sociology Transition and Sense of Belonging Beginning on the First Sunday in Advent in advisor: Neelima Shukla-Bhatt, South in Latina/o Students 1964, the Catholic Mass underwent a Asia Studies Evgenia “Zhenya” Karelina ’10, Sociology transformation from the traditional, sacred The Ambedkar conversion movement, which and Spanish Latin to what some would call the “heavenly began in 1956, has seen generations of advisor: Joe Swingle, Sociology hootenanny.” In addition to the most obvious Hindu Untouchables convert to Buddhism. changes in the Mass, Vatican II brought Drawing upon interviews conducted in the For incoming undergraduates, college about many other changes in the Catholic converted community over two research trips represents an important but often challenging Church. Lay people were expected to take an to Nagpur, India, I have examined the evolu- transition. Students go through a period of active role in the Church rather than being tion of the Ambedkar Buddhist movement adjustment as they acquire new skills and passive recipients of the sacraments; sacra- as a process that is characterized by stages knowledge necessary for navigating the aca- mentals, religious devotions, and even some of change over time. In my research, I have demic and social landscapes of the campus. saints were no longer considered as integral. observed the ways in which conversion is an Researchers have found that initial experi- These changes greatly impacted Catholics and ongoing process through the converts’ accep- ences on the first year strongly contribute to a their beliefs. I will discuss what I learned tance of the Triratna, or Three Jewels—the long term “sense of belonging” and success in through my independent study in the Buddha, Dhamma (teachings of the Buddha), college (Hurtado & Carter 1997). However, religion department about these changes, and Sangha (Buddhist community). studies also reveal that for many Latino/a as set out by Vatican II and as interpreted by Following the common understanding that students, the transition to college is especially various segments of the Church, and taking refuge in the Triratna officially makes difficult. In my senior thesis, I analyze first consider their impact on Catholics and the one “Buddhist,” I explore how the level of and second year interviews with 60 students Catholic Church. acceptance influences a convert’s growing participating in a longitudinal study of the sense of identity as Buddhist. I also explore Class of 2010. I focus my attention on the transition experiences of Latino/a and White

RUHLMAN CONFERENCE 2010 46 WELLESLEY COLLEGE 4:30–5:40pm

students. I specifically explore how students’ A “Shakespeare Sisterhood”: relationships with faculty, friends, and family Gender and Authority in Women’s affect the college transition process. My study Shakespeare Study at Wellesley will potentially illuminate how colleges can and Beyond best intervene to help students overcome Sarah Vickery ’10, History and English pre-college disadvantages and achieve more advisor: William E. Cain, English positive academic and social outcomes. The name and writings of Shakespeare carry Alumni Giving: Altruism or with them considerable power. From the Self-interest? late eighteenth century on, women have appropriated his cultural authority to give Caitlin Kearns ’10, Economics credence to their otherwise unconventional Patrick J. McEwan, Economics advisor: roles as scholars, critics, and public perform- A number of researchers have examined the ers, asserting a uniquely female intuitive and determinants of alumni donations, many emotional connection to the Bard. This gen- motivated by concern for the financial dered approach allowed them to enter into stability of higher education institutions. competition with their male counterparts and In contrast, Meer and Rosen (2009) marry to raise serious social and political questions; a study of altruistic giving with higher however, it sometimes came dangerously education finance, using institutional data close to reaffirming the essentialist stereotypes to disentangle the relative importance of that limited women’s power and authority selfishness and altruism as determinants of in the real world. Wellesley College, from alumni giving. The research presented here its founding a remarkable community of addresses the same question asked by Meer female Shakespeare scholars, soon became and Rosen: whether donations to one’s alma a site of tension between essentialism and mater are motivated by altruistic factors or experimentation as the students of the by the desire to increase children’s probability Shakespeare Society clashed with professors of admission. Data from a single-sex and administrators over the extent and nature institution, however, provides a natural of its dramatic performances, in which young control group, allowing the same estimation women adopted male dress and manners. to be made more precisely and with less risk of endogeneity. Using giving data from Wellesley College, we find evidence that donations by Wellesley alumnae are indeed tied to the college admissions timeline.

RUHLMAN CONFERENCE 2010 47 WELLESLEY COLLEGE