S T U D E N T R E S E a R C H E L K I N R. I S a a C S Y M P O S I

elkin r. isaac STUDENT research symposium

E L K I N R. I S A A C s t u d e n t r e s e a r c h s y m p o s i u m

Symposium Sponsors Elkin R. Isaac Endowment Joseph S. Calvaruso Keynote Address Endowment Office of the President Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs Office of Institutional Advancement Prentiss M. Brown Honors Institute Stockwell-Mudd Libraries Foundation for Undergraduate Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity Office of Information Technology Friends of the Albion College Library

2 0 0 7

elkin r. isaac STUDENT research symposium

The EIGHteenth Annual Elkin R. Isaac STUDENT Research Symposium

Albion College April 25-26, 2007 Schedule of Events

Wednesday, April 25, 2007

7:30 p.m. Elkin R. Isaac Alumni Lecture: Eileen A. Hebets, ’94 “Exploring Life on Eight Legs: The Journey from Albion to Arachnophilia” Welcome: President Peter T. Mitchell, ’67 Remarks: Ruth E. Schmitter, Department of Biology Speaker Introduction: Gail E. Stratton, University of Mississippi Towsley Lecture Hall/Norris Center 101 Reception immediately following the program Science Complex, Mitchell Museum

Thursday, April 26, 2007

8:30-10:30 a.m. Student Research Platform Presentations See also detailed schedule of presentations on pages 4-6. Forum # Forum #3 Norris Center 102 Norris Center 100 Forum # Forum #4 Norris Center 104 Towsley Lecture Hall/Norris Center 101

10:45 a.m.-Noon Honors Convocation Goodrich Chapel

1:15-4:15 p.m. Student Research Platform Presentations See locations listed for morning session.

4-5 p.m. Student Research Poster Session Science Complex Atrium

7 p.m. Joseph S. Calvaruso Keynote Address: Steven Pinker “The Stuff of Thought: Language as a Window into Human Nature” Welcome: President Peter T. Mitchell, ’67 Conferral of Honorary Degree: President Mitchell and Jamie L. Walter, assistant Professor of Psychology Speaker Introduction: Amanda K. Tilot, ’09 Goodrich Chapel Book-signing and reception immediately following the program Bobbitt Visual Arts Center Lobby

elkin r. isaac STUDENT research symposium

Elkin R. Isaac ALUMNI Lecture JOSEPH S. CALVARUSO Keynote Address

Eileen A. Hebets, ’94 Steven Pinker

Eileen Hebets is currently an assistant In choosing him as one of the world’s professor in the School of Biological 100 Most Influential People, in 2004, Sciences at the University of Nebraska- TIME magazine postulated that “every Lincoln, where she teaches zoology half-century . . . an eminent Harvard and behavioral ecology. From 2003 to psychologist crystallizes an intellectual 2005, she held appointments at the era. . . . [Steven Pinker] seems poised University of California, Berkeley as to keep its tradition alive.” assistant professor in the Department one of the world’s leading of Environmental Science Policy experts on language and the mind, and Management/Division of Insect and a founding scholar in the field Biology, curator of the Essig Museum, of evolutionary psychology, Steven and member of the Helen Wills Pinker asks audacious questions about Neuroscience Institute. She held a the true nature of our humanity, and National Institutes of Health post- then boldly sets out to answer them. doctoral research fellowship in the Pinker simultaneously enlightens and Department of Neurobiology and Behavior at Cornell University in confounds academia and the public alike with his revolutionary under- 2002-03. standing of the interconnectedness of language, instinct, consciousness, a specialist in the evolution of animal communication systems, emotions, and neurology. Hebets is currently focusing her research on the development of pinker is the author of the New York Times bestseller and Pulitzer complex signaling systems in various spider species. Supported by a Prize finalistThe Blank Slate: The Modern Denial of Human Nature. Searle Scholars Program Fellowship and a National Science Foundation His earlier bestsellers include the Pulitzer finalist How the Mind Works; CAREER grant, her work includes both field-based experiments and his classic, The Language Instinct; and the book popularizing his own observations and an array of laboratory techniques and methods drawn research, Words and Rules: The Ingredients of Language. Pinker’s next from molecular biology and neurophysiology. Hebets’ field research has book, The Stuff of Thought: Language as a Window into Human Nature, taken her to caves in Puerto Rico, rain forests in Costa Rica, and the is already enjoying brisk sales on Amazon.com, five months before its sky islands in Arizona. release in September. Pinker has written countless academic articles her findings have been covered by national and international and frequently contributes to a variety of mainstream publications, news organizations, including The New York Times, USA Today, including The New York Times, Nature, Atlantic Monthly, Slate, and The Boston Globe, BBC Online, CNN, ABC News, and National TIME. Public Radio. She also served as a consultant for the movie Spider- appointed Harvard University’s Johnstone Family Professor of Man (2002). Hebets’ scholarly publications include articles in the Psychology in 2003, Pinker previously served on the faculties of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science, Journal of Experimental Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Stanford University. He Biology, Animal Behaviour, Behavioral Ecology, and the Journal of Insect is also a fellow of several scholarly societies, including the American Physiology, among others. Academy of Arts and Sciences and the American Association for after graduating from Albion College in 1994, Hebets went on to the Advancement of Science. Pinker has received numerous awards, earn a master’s in biology at the University of Cincinnati (1996), and including the Troland Research Prize from the National Academy of then a master’s (1998) and Ph.D. (2002) in ecology and evolutionary Sciences and five prizes from the American Psychological Association. biology at the University of Arizona. In addition to this recognition for his research, he has won a number This year’s lecture marks the first time in the history of the Isaac of teaching prizes, is included in the Esquire Register of Outstanding Symposium that our Alumni Lecturer also participated in the sympo- Men and Women, and was named among the Newsweek 100 sium as an undergraduate. In 1994, Hebets gave a presentation enti- Americans for the 21st Century. tled, “Habitat and Courtship Behavior of the Wolf Spider Schizocosa a native of Montreal, Pinker is a graduate of McGill University retrorsa.” Named the outstanding senior biology major that year, she and holds a doctorate in psychology from Harvard. also received the Edmund and Kathleen Jenkins Research Award from Albion.

elkin r. isaac STUDENT research symposium

STUDENT PRESENTATION SCHEDULE—THURSDAY, APRIL 26, 2007 FORUM #1—Norris Center 102

8:30 catherine Fontana (Olapade) What Is Lurking in Your Bathroom: The Effectiveness of Environmentally-Friendly Cleaners 8:45 Danae Willenberg (Schmitter) something to Smile About: An Exploration of the Link between Oral Health and Cardiovascular Disease 9:00 sarah Moilanen (Elischberger) To Conform or Not Conform: The Social Influences on Gender Identity 9:15 sarah Heddon (White) Sustainable Fishing on the Northern Kenya Coast 9:30 elizabeth Weage (Olapade) Temporal Changes in the Abundance and Distribution of Coliform Bacteria Populations in the K kalamazoo River 9:45 William Leach (Olapade) Detection, Quantification, and Molecular Characterization of Bdellovibrio and Like Organisms (BALO) in Rice Creek 10:00 andrew Hasley (Scheel) Blasted Bugs 10:15 Veronica Tucker (Moss) The ImPACT of Concussions on the Neurological Factors of the Human Brain

1:15 megan Anderson (Wilson) Effects of Dentate Gyrus and CA1 Lesions on Trace Appetitive Conditioning in Rats 1:30 Dorela Shuboni (Jechura) The Effect of Alcohol and Pheromones on the Reentrainment Rate of Octodon degus 1:45 mark Wojda (Christopher) Right-Wing Authoritarianism, Social Dominance Orientation, and Attitudes toward Working Parents 2:00 alicia Simon (Christopher) Conservative Ideology and Attitudes toward Fat People 2:15 cynthia Cardwell (Wilson) Within-Subject Assessment of Appetitive Conditioned Inhibitors in the Rat: Summation and R retardation-of-Acquisition Tests 2:30 amanda Tilot (Jechura) Examination of Unihemispheric Sleep in an Australian Lizard, the Bearded Dragon 2:45 emily Swanson (Jenson) The Influence of Aging Stereotypes on Recovery Projections 3:00 catherine Game (White) Science- versus Art-based Modules: Nonformal Sustainability Education for Children 3:15 nick Bismack (Jechura) The Effects of Public Displays of Affection (PDA) on Subjective Stress Levels, Cognitive P performance, and Circadian Cortisol Levels 3:30 Jacob Sauser (Wieth) Chunking and Context Effects and Their Effects on Media Recall 3:45 hannah Sprague (Jechura) Effects of Bright Light Treatment on Sleep Consolidation and Entrainment of Circadian Rhythms

4:00 kristy Clement (Wyss) Why Merce? Merce Cunningham’s Influence on Choreography and Modern Dance

FORUM #2—Norris Center 104

8:30 David Goodyear (Yewah) Africa Demythified: A Personal Reflection of My Experiences in Cameroon 8:45 David Brandt (Cocks) The Economic Decline and Collapse of the Ottoman Empire 9:00 Grace Shin (Wu) Widows as Portrayed in South Korean Media: 1950s to the Present 9:15 meghan Esper (Young) The Importance of Guanxi 9:30 sara Ellena (Mullin) Seeing for Myself: Politics of Representation and the Study Abroad Experience 9:45 laura Willobee (Cocks) Riam Nar Druid O Sbairn Lann: Factors in Recruitment for the Irish Brigade in the American C civil War 10:00 erin Franzen (Chapman) YES: Take Two 10:15 carolyn Jacques (Berkey) Community and Spirituality among Albion College Students 1:15 arielle Carter (Togunde) In Their Own Words: The Consequences of Child Labor in Urban Nigeria 1:30 sarah Richardson (Togunde) Children’s Educational and Occupational Aspirations in Urban Nigeria: Implications for Policy Development 1:45 rachel Szymanski (Melzer) The Career Experiences of Instrumental Musicians 2:00 Jamie Gove (Johnson) Four- and Five-Year Olds’ Perceptions on Physical Activity and Nutrition 2:15 simona Shuboni (Cocks) Rock ’n’ Roll and the Nationalities Question: Creating a Yugoslav Culture, 1960-1992

elkin r. isaac STUDENT research symposium

2:30 Benjamin Passavant (Dick) The Automobile Refueling Emissions Controversy

2:45 Bobbie Cole (Ariza) The Effect of Sorority Membership on Black Female Identity and Adaptation at a Predominantly White Institution 3:00 David Geer (Collar) The Formation of Transgender Activism within the Stonewall Gay Rights Movement: An Analysis of Gender and Sexuality within Post-Stonewall Politics 3:15 Theresa Vinic (Wickre) Trap, Neuter, Return: Feral Cat Management in Michigan 3:30 meaghan Walters (Dick) Radium Watch Dial Girls: Was the Price Worth the Watch? 3:45 amanda Boundy (Mullin) The Accidental Gypsies: Irish Travelers in the American South 4:00 lindsay Pingel (Erlandson) Nonverbal Coding of Roommate Conflict

FORUM #3—Norris Center 100

8:30 elizabeth Colville (C. Van de Ven) climate Change and the Response of Plant Distribution in the White Mountains, California

8:45 ashley Fields (Beilstein) Progress toward an Electrochemical Immunoassay 9:00 shane Walton (Miller) Infrared Photon Transport in Biological Material 9:15 paul Roberts (Wilch) Field Analysis of Volcanism and Glaciation at Minna Bluff, Antarctica 9:30 andrew Fidler (Bieler) The Photophysics of Cinnamic Acid Derivatives 9:45 lesley Simanton (Zellner) Training in Astronomical Spectroscopy 10:00 Jacqueline Fillinger (Rohlman) characterization of the Tetrahymena Group 1 Ribozyme Using a Fluorescence-based Assay 10:15 andrew Brusoe (McCaffrey) Synthesis of Diimino and Tetraimino Ligands for Use in Magnetic Materials 1:15 paul Beach, Wendy Simanton (Scheel) an Investigation of the Effects of Netrin on Cellular Growth in the Imaginal Wing Disc of Drosophila melanogaster 1:30 megan Ermler, Amie Freeman (Saville) investigation of Double-Stranded DNA Gap Repair Following Excision of a hobo Transposable E element in Drosophila melanogaster 1:45 mark Weismiller (Saville) Investigating Mechanisms of DNA Repair in Drosophila melanogaster by Analyzing Excision Events Using the Transposable Element hobo 2:00 melissa Love (Harris) Organic Chemistry Is the Bomb: Degradation of RDX by Potassium Permanganate 2:15 Jennifer Smith (Carrier) Behavioral Studies and Investigations of Acoustic Nerve Pathways in Nurse Sharks (Ginglymostoma cirratum) 2:30 David Goodyear (Kennedy) Does the Source of DNA Matter? A Comparison of DNA from Feathers and Blood of Nestling H house Wrens and Tree Swallows 2:45 sarah Bury (Skean) Endocarp Morphology and Its Implications for Biogeography in the Symplocaceae 3:00 shauna Paradine (French) Catalytic Enantioselective α-Oxytosylation of Propiophenone Using Chiral Hypervalent Iodine R reagents: An International Collaboration 3:15 sarah Simmons (French) Attempted Aziridinations and Sulfonilimations Using Simple Iron Catalysts and Hypervalent Iodine R reagents 3:30 kapil Mandrekar (Lyons-Sobaski) chemical Cues, 3-D Structure, and Social Experience in Contests between Similarly Sized Juvenile Black Midas Cichlids, Amphilophus sp. “Short” 3:45 kristen Krum (McCurdy) Using Radio Telemetry to Determine Home Range Sizes of Wood Turtles, Gleptemys insculpta, in N nova Scotia, Canada 4:00 lake Sweet (McCurdy) Fine-Scale Movement Patterns and Habitat Use by Wood Turtles, Glyptemys insculpta

FORUM #4—Towsley Lecture Hall/Norris Center 101

8:30 Bethany Corriveau (Morrow) Lions on the Edge: The Marginal Imagery of the Cathedral of Saint-Trophime 8:45 sarah Wingo (Young) Contextualizing Shakespeare: Changing Views of Love and Courtship Investigated through Two of S shakespeare’s Comedies 9:00 Brandon Hill (Guenin-Lelle) La Louisiane dans Les Éphémères par Alexandre Latil (continued on next page) elkin r. isaac STUDENT research symposium

9:15 Jason Sebacher (Kanter) An “Uncouth Swain” Tells an Uncouth Poem: John Milton and the Duality of Lycidas 9:30 michael Melvin (Jordan) Celebrity, Scandal, and Self-Construction: Lord Byron and Oscar Wilde in the Public Eye 9:45 rachel McKinney (Madhok) Semantic Externalism, Social Construction, and Privileged Access to Self-Identification Claims: A a Challenge to Haslanger? 10:00 abigail Geegan (Oswald) El efecto de la dictadura de Francisco Franco en la literatura “tremendista” de posguerra inmediata española/The Effect of the Dictatorship of Francisco Franco on the Tremendista Literature in I immediate Post-Civil War Spain 10:15 lauren Duthie (Grimm) The Eternal Feminine Draws Us Onward: Johann Wolfgang von Goethe’s Perceptions of Women 1:15 amanda Boundy, Halie Watt (Ball) “Sous le Dôme Épais” (The Flower Duet) from Lakmé by Léo Delibes and “Song to the Moon” from Rusalka by Antonín Dvorákˇ 1:30 kelly Parsell (McCauley) “Static”: A Collection of Poems and Prints 1:45 laura Beyer (McCauley) Personality Portraits 2:00 kevin Ryan (Abbott) The Life, Music, and Legacy of Howard Hanson and His Influences on American Classical Music and the American Music Education System 2:15 Brenda Errichiello (McIlhagga) Drill Writing: From Concept to Completion 2:30 carmen Weddell (Abbott, Ball) Beethoven Concerto No. 3 for Piano and Orchestra, Op. 37 2:45 Brianna Caszatt (Mesa) “Reading a Map”: A Collection of Poems 3:00 corey Crowley (Brown) “Along the Brick Street: Albion Short Stories” 3:15 catherine Janssen (Jordan) “Stink Cheese”: Stories for Feasting 3:30 rebekah Simmons (Stotz-Ghosh) “The Aviary”: A Collective Series of Poems with Corresponding Works of Art 3:45 allison Gessner (R. Van de Ven) mozart Meets Jazz: Arranging Concerto K. 314 for Jazz Oboe 4:00 Thomas Carpenter (Abo, Ball) concerto No. 3 in G Major: First Movement by W.A. Mozart

POSTER PRESENTATIONS—Science Complex Atrium, 4-5 p.m.

Laura Beyer (McCauley) Human versus Nature: An Artistic Examination Elizabeth Colville (Wilch) A Petrographic Analysis of Adare Basin Seamounts in Western Ross Sea, Northern Victoria Land Kristyn Darmafall (McCaffrey) Synthesis of Organic Ligands Based on Indole-substituted Quinones for Magnetic Materials

Catherine Game, John Cawood, Mike Eggleston, calories to Kilowatts: A Workout for Energy Education Adam Hashimoto, Jason Lindberg, Kapil Mandrekar, Dylan Simons (Harris) Megan Lupek (McCurdy) Stress Levels in Green Frogs in Relation to Colonization by a Waterborne Pathogen Sarah Mapes (Olapade) Incidence and Distribution of Surface-associated Bacteria on the Albion College Campus Amanda Millhouse (Bartels) Morphometric Analysis of Emydid Turtles from the Eocene of South Pass, Wyoming Carrie Oleszkowicz (Saville) Meta-Analysis of Prefrontal Cortex from Acute Ethanol Studies in Mice: Making a Myelin Gene N network Kelly Parsell (McCauley) “Static”: A Collection of Poems and Prints Rasleen Saluja (Saville) Designing a Novel Genetic Assay to Measure Reverse Transcriptase Fidelity Jacob Sauser (Christopher) The Relationship between Job Security and Job Satisfaction in College Professors Rebekah Simmons (Stotz-Ghosh) “The Aviary”: A Collective Series of Poems with Corresponding Works of Art Jeff Stephens (McCurdy) Reproductive Behavior of Intersexes in an Intertidal Amphipod, Corophium volutator Mark Wojda (Christopher) Social Dominance Orientation, Right-Wing Authoritarianism, Ambivalent Sexism, and Prejudice toward Women in the Workforce

elkin r. isaac STUDENT research symposium

Abstracts of Student Presentations ______MEGAN ANDERSON, ’07 PAUL BEACH, ’08 Thus, understanding how netrin induces Major: Biology cellular growth could provide further insight Effects of Dentate Gyrus and Hometown: Sturgis, Mich. into cancer development and treatment. CA1 Lesions on Trace Appetitive Supported by: FURSCA-Robson Fellowship Conditioning in Rats WENDY SIMANTON, ’07 (Beach), FURSCA-Kresge Fellowship Major: Biology (Simanton), Albion College Faculty Faculty Sponsor: W. Jeffrey Wilson Hometown: Niles, Mich. Development Fund Major: Psychology An Investigation of the Effects of ______Hometown: Clarkston, Mich. LAURA BEYER, ’07 Netrin on Cellular Growth in the Aversive condition- Imaginal Wing Disc of Drosophila Personality Portraits ing studies have demonstrated that melanogaster Faculty Sponsor: Anne McCauley acquisition of trace Faculty Sponsor: Molly Scheel classically condi- Major: Art tioned responses Netrins are chemo- Hometown: Birmingham, Mich. requires the hippo- attractant proteins My portfolio of campus. The dentate that guide axon portraits examines gyrus (DG) has been growth during the the unique human shown to increase in development of figure. The concept activity during trace the nervous system of portraiture is intervals in appetitive and are important time-honored in conditioning, while the CA1 subregion of the throughout the art-making, and hippocampus eventually shows decreased fir- neural development this body of work ing during the trace. We examined classically of many organisms, continues to explore conditioned nosepoke responses to a trace including humans. and redefine this Beach CS predicting delivery of a sugar pellet US It was hypothesized tradition. This port- in female Sprague-Dawley rats. Rats received that, in addition folio was executed sham lesions or discrete electrolytic lesions of to guiding axon by combining the printmaking techniques of DG or CA1. CA1 lesion rats learned more growth, netrin also etching and letterpress, providing the viewer slowly than sham lesion rats, and DG lesion directly promotes with a multi-faceted portrait of the sitter. rats more slowly than CA1 lesion rats. Over cellular growth by Each etching portrays an individual in his or time CA1 lesion rats reached the same level as inducing expression her personal environment with special atten- sham lesion rats. These findings have implica- of cellular growth tion paid to objects that are telling of the tions for the role of the DG in memory, and genes (cell cycle sitter’s personality. Each portrait incorporates will be discussed in light of the growing evi- regulators). To test an additional band of details such as a video dence that neurogenesis in DG is important this hypothesis we camera, a guitar, a pair of glasses, or a favorite to memory consolidation. utilized the power of record to assert the role of the possessions Drosophila genetics, Simanton in the piece. Finally, each portrait includes Supported by: FURSCA-Metalonis Fellowship in situ hybridiza- a written catalog of these objects of signifi- tion, microscopy, and digital imaging. We cance, providing another layer of insight for found that netrin upregulated the expres- the viewer. This project complements the sion of genes necessary for cellular growth. notion of the traditional portrait by creating Through this discovery we also deduced a body of work that renders a physical like- a theoretical biochemical pathway that ness to the sitter, while highlighting addi- netrin may utilize to promote growth. This tional elements of significance, providing an research is important in allowing for a better acutely personalized method of portraiture. understanding of how netrin induces axonal growth toward desired targets in the body Supported by: FURSCA during nervous system development. A more thorough understanding of neural dynamics may be beneficial for developing therapies for individuals afflicted with neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease. Netrins have also been found to be expressed outside of the nervous system and have well-established links in the development of tumors.

elkin r. isaac STUDENT research symposium

______LAURA BEYER, ’07 NICK BISMACK, ’08 AMANDA BOUNDY, ’07 Human versus Nature: An Artistic The Effects of Public Displays of The Accidental Gypsies: Irish Examination Affection (PDA) on Subjective Travelers in the American South Faculty Sponsor: Anne McCauley Stress Levels, Cognitive Faculty Sponsor: Molly Mullin Performance, and Circadian Major: Art Majors: Anthropology, Music Performance Hometown: Birmingham, Mich. Cortisol Levels Hometown: Eben Junction, Mich. The consuming method of human occu- Faculty Sponsor: Tammy Jechura The Irish Travelers pation is at odds with the natural world. Major: Psychology are a minority with Examples of this conflict are prominently Hometown: Rochester Hills, Mich. origins in Ireland and placed within urban environments includ- have distinct work, ing paved roads, concrete buildings, and This study was marriage, family, and fenced-in backyards. An image I find to be designed to scien- education practices. particularly compelling is a tree with its limbs tifically examine the During the Great cut back from a phone line. The implications relationship that Famine of the mid- of this vision are quite clear; the technologi- exists between public 1840s, some Irish cal advancement of communities results in a displays of affec- Travelers immigrated scarred landscape. tion (PDA), stress to the United States responding to the fragmentation of levels as measured and brought these nature in residential communities, I con- by subjective self- traditions with them. Eventually settling in structed a series of prints focusing on the reports and cortisol the southern United States, the Travelers image of a tree cut away from a phone line. sampling, and cogni- played an integral role in the southern mule Met with the challenge of portraying the tive performance. trade. The largest population of these south- weight of this conflict and capturing this A successful analysis of these relationships ern Travelers was called the Georgia Travelers. enormous subject matter, I decided to execute would provide scientific evidence in support Today, those once called Georgia my prints in an oversize scale. The wood of or in opposition to modern PDA laws. It Travelers live in an enclave of approximately block for each printing matrix measures 4 ft. was hypothesized that exposure to a PDA 2,000 people called Murphy Village, South by 8 ft., the prints pulled from them nearly as stimulus would produce significant interac- Carolina. The Travelers of today maintain large. tion effects between stress levels, cognition, many of their traditional practices includ- These prints examine the commonplace and cortisol levels. A group of 120 students ing young marriage, portable occupations, reminders of a developed landscape in an was divided into moderate, mild, and no and low levels of education. Although many exaggerated light, provoking the viewer to PDA conditions. While subjects were given a traditional Traveler practices remain, the Irish reevaluate the implications and probable measure of cognitive ability, a pair of “experi- Travelers are a highly adaptive community. consequences of these decisions. menters” performed varying degrees of PDA. Characteristics such as portable occupations Subjects then completed a stress indicator have allowed the Travelers to adapt to chang- Supported by: FURSCA survey and also gave a saliva sample for corti- ing social conditions, and therefore survive in sol content analysis. Mean stress levels, cogni- many countries such as Ireland, England, and tive scores, and cortisol levels were compared the United States. across conditions to determine the effects of Travelers are often referred to as PDA. MANOVA results indicated that both “gypsies” and are targets for local prejudice. cognitive score and cortisol content variables In South Carolina, the Traveler community is exhibited significant interaction effects while reputed to be insular and private, and those stress levels did not. who live there are portrayed as scam-artists Supported by: FURSCA and thieves. Because of the negative stereotypes and the reputation for being insular, the Travelers are considered both backward and illegitimate. They are understood as either an ethnic group of ill-repute or not an ethnic group at all. This study of the Irish Travelers of Murphy Village, South Carolina reveals instances of survival, adaptability, and discrimination against Irish Travelers in the American South through interviews, archival research, and participant observation research. Supported by: FURSCA

elkin r. isaac STUDENT research symposium

______AMANDA BOUNDY, ’07 DAVID BRANDT, ’07 ANDREW BRUSOE, ’08 Majors: Anthropology, Music Performance Hometown: Eben Junction, Mich. The Economic Decline and Synthesis of Diimino and Collapse of the Ottoman Empire Tetraimino Ligands for Use in HALIE WATT, ’07 Magnetic Materials Major: Music Education Faculty Sponsor: Geoffrey Cocks Hometown: Lake Orion, Mich. Majors: History, Economics and Faculty Sponsor: Vanessa McCaffrey Management “Sous le Dôme Épais” (The Flower Major: Chemistry Hometown: Highland, Mich. Hometown: Toledo, Ohio Duet) from Lakmé by Léo Delibes The beginning and “Song to the Moon” from Conventional mag- of the twentieth nets, those that rely Rusalka by Antonín Dvorákˇ century saw the on clusters of metal Faculty Sponsors: James Ball, Emily Benner, collapse of one of atoms to exhibit Jin Sook Hong the last great empires magnetic properties, in the world. The have intrinsic size Born Clément Ottoman Empire minima. These limits Philibert Léo Delibes stood for nearly 600 can be overcome in Saint-Germain years and stretched by combining the du val, France on from southern magnetic properties February 21, 1836, Europe to northern of metal ions and Delibes wrote the Africa and from the free radical-contain- opera Lakmé in Mediterranean Sea to the borders of India. ing organic ligands. The two ligands studied 1882. Lakmé was The empire was able to weather many wars are based on the tetrone structure developed first performed by and internal challenges, but its economic in the Jackson laboratory at Michigan State the Paris Opéra infrastructure was slowly being devastated University. The two molecules, one a diimi- Comique in 1883. through competition from an increasingly notetrone, the other a tetraiminotetrone, The opera is set in Watt wealthy and more powerful Europe. During vary by the presence of two imine functional India during the the last half of the empire’s rule, it would groups. Although the molecules are elec- period of British colonization and revolves go from possessing one of the wealthiest tronically similar, the nitrogen-metal bonds around the young daughter of a Brahmin trade industries in the world to a country of display more covalent character than do oxy- priest, Lakmé, and the British officer with third-world status. European powers not only gen-metal bonds. This should allow for better whom she has fallen in love. The Flower Duet enjoyed tremendous trade profits but made coordination with metals, and therefore is sung by Lakmé and her slave, Mallika, as substantial territorial gains at the expense of better propagation of magnetic properties. they begin their daily tasks. Delibes died in the empire as well. The Ottoman Empire fell The synthesis and electronic characterization Paris on January 16, 1891. as a result of capitulations in terms of trade of these ligands are described. antonín Dvorákˇ was born in to Europe, a history of weak political leaders, Nelahozeves, near Prague, Czech Republic in and the failure to maintain and manage its Supported by: FURSCA-Robson Fellowship 1841. Rusalka is the ninth of his 10 operas richest per capita territories. Studying the fall and one of his most successful. It was written of the Ottoman Empire from an economic in 1900 and first performed at the Prague perspective brings greater understanding to National Theatre in 1901. The story is the region known as the Middle East today. based on a fairy tale by Friedrich de la Motte Fougué and the libretto written by Jaroslav Kvapil. In the opera, Rusalka is a water nymph who has fallen in love with a human prince and so longs to be human herself. In Song to the Moon, Rusalka prays to the moon to tell the prince that she is waiting for him. The opera ends when the prince dies, and a heartbroken Rusalka returns to the lake. Dvorákˇ died in Prague in 1904.

elkin r. isaac STUDENT research symposium

______SARAH BURY, ’07 CYNTHIA CARDWELL, ’08 THOMAS CARPENTER, ’07 Endocarp Morphology and Its Within-Subject Assessment of Concerto No. 3 in G Major: First Implications for Biogeography in Appetitive Conditioned Inhibitors Movement by W.A. Mozart the Symplocaceae in the Rat: Summation and Faculty Sponsors: Takeshi Abo, James Ball Retardation-of-Acquisition Tests Faculty Sponsor: Dan Skean Major: Music Performance Major: Biology Faculty Sponsor: W. Jeffrey Wilson Hometown: Maple Grove, Mich. Hometown: Jackson, Mich. Major: Psychology Wolfgang Amadeus The Symplocaceae Hometown: Jackson, Mich. Mozart was born is a family of 325 January 27, 1756 A conditioned and died December 5, extant species of inhibitor (CI) is a flowering shrubs 1791 after compos- stimulus indicat- ing over 600 pieces. and trees distributed ing absence of an As one of the most from eastern Asia expected event. to the neotropics prominent compos- Commonly, CIs ers of the Classical where they are found are established mainly in high-eleva- Era (1730-1820), by following one he helped expedite tion cloud forests. conditioned stimulus There is a large fossil change by focusing (CSA) with the his efforts toward operas and virtuoso pieces record of Tertiary unconditioned Symplocaceae fruits found in Europe and that could be performed in public for mul- stimulus (US), unless tiple nights. This was in contrast to many of Asia. The endocarps (fruit pits) are easily the CSA is followed by the CI: identified in fossils due to the presence of the other famous composers of the time, such as Haydn, who worked as court composers CSA anUS apical pore. A morphological survey and (1) CSA US (1) →imaging of 67 neotropical and nine Asian → for royalty. CSA + CI NoUS (2) CS + CI NoUS mozart composed the Concerto N(2)o. 3 in → species of Symplocaceae fruits and endocarps A → was completed with more than 350 captured G Major in 1775 while in Salzburg. In that images compiled in a database. Endocarp This training may indicate: (1) CI signi- same year he also composed four other violin number was then mapped on a five-gene fies absence of the US, or (2) CSA with CI concertos, two operas, and a piano sonata. molecular tree of evolutionary relationships becomes a separate stimulus from CSA alone. The Concerto No. 3 in G Major is said to be in the family. The combined tree showed a Two complementary tests demonstrate true one of his most famous concertos because of connection between endocarp number and inhibitory properties of any CI. The summa- its combination of Italian-influenced simplic- currently recognized lineages. Fruits and tion test examines the CI’s ability to prevent ity and German-influenced counterpoint and endocarps of neotropical species and images a conditioned response (CR) to another well- polyphony. of fruits and endocarps from extant Asian established CS at a greater rate than a neutral The violin is the smallest instrument species compiled by Steven Manchester, stimulus (NS). The retardation-of-acquisi- of the string family, holding roots in the Bruce Tiffney, and Peter Fritsch were com- tion test measures the CI’s ability to actually ninth century and taking more than 450 pared to a revision of the fossil species of predict the US. If it acquires the ability to years to realize its present state. The violin the family by Mai and Martinetto, in press. elicit CRs more slowly than another NS, its has no frets, and therefore requires precise Symplocos tetraporina and Symplocos germanica inhibitory property is demonstrated. muscle memory and fine motor skills to play. are fossils found in the Lower and Middle We examined the ability of an auditory I have worked on the Concerto No. 3 since Miocene of Germany that can now be CI trained in an appetitive setting (CS-indi- December of last year, selecting the piece assigned to lineages. Assuming a constant rate cated delivery of a sugar pellet) to pass these specifically for the Albion College Concerto of molecular change, the divergence times of tests. While others have used appetitive CIs Competition. Through my close work with lineages in the family can be estimated using to prevent onset of CRs, we considered CI my studio professor, Dr. Takeshi Abo, the fossils as a calibration tool. The divergence effectiveness on a fine-grained time scale, nuances of the Mozart concerto took shape times of the family are important in estab- examining its ability to inhibit CRs after over time, developing into a historically lishing dispersal events to North and South the CS already elicited them. Our appeti- minded interpretation and performance. America. tive CI caused the rat to stop making the anticipatory CRs when a signal for food was Supported by: National Science Foundation presented, and passed the summation and Research Experiences for Undergraduates, retardation tests. Thus, we established true California Academy of Sciences Robert T. inhibitory meaning of this CI: the expected Wallace Internship.This research was conducted sugar pellet will not be delivered. Our finding at the California Academy of Sciences under the validates this appetitive procedure for the guidance of Peter Fritsch. study of conditioned inhibitors, enabling studies surrounding the neural bases of CIs and their role in clinical settings.

1 1 elkin r. isaac STUDENT research symposium

______ARIELLE CARTER, ’08 BRIANNA CASZATT, ’07 KRISTY CLEMENT, ’07 In Their Own Words: The “Reading a Map”: A Collection of Why Merce? Merce Cunningham’s Consequences of Child Labor in Poems Influence on Choreography and Urban Nigeria Faculty Sponsor: Helena Mesa Modern Dance Faculty Sponsor: ‘Dimeji Togunde Majors: English (Creative Writing), History Faculty Sponsor: Melissa Wyss Majors: International Studies, Political Hometown: East Lansing, Mich. Major: English Science I recently spent six Hometown: Rockford, Mich. Hometown: Grand Rapids, Mich. months living in Merce Cunningham This paper utilizes Brighton, England, is a well-known a 2002 dataset which has made me modern dancer gathered through think about language and choreographer interviews with in an entirely new whose company 1,535 children (aged way. One of the has been together 8-14 years) and their things that struck me for over 50 years. parents in urban was the reality that His work, although Nigeria to examine I could not under- controversial, is the dangers and stand what people unique and has had hazards reported around me were an impact on the by children who saying, and that they could not understand dance world. My work in the urban me either, even though we both professed to thesis identifies questions that every chore- economy. Slightly over half of the interviewed speak the same language. As a history major, ographer must answer when creating a new child laborers are female. They begin work it intrigued me to live in a place so steeped piece, and it explains the most common ways as early as age 7 and work for an average in it—my apartment building was once a that Cunningham would answer them. I also of four hours a day in order to contribute hospital during World War II, and there was discuss why it is important for dancers and financially to the sustenance of the family an eleventh-century church across the way choreographers to be familiar with his views and to acquire training needed in future from the shopping center. and the work he has done. occupations. The children come mostly “Reading a Map” is a collection of choreographers must decide what type from large households of about six persons, poems based on my experiences while living of movement and style they wish to follow where many of the parents have low levels of abroad. Essentially it is a kind of linguistic in their creative work. The first chapter talks education, income, and occupational status. travelogue. As such, I’m exploring different about Cunningham’s technique and how his Furthermore, because the sample is urban- written forms, such as a postcard and a letter, dancers are prepared to perform his cho- based, the children come mostly from nuclear and what it means to write specifically for reography. The second chapter talks about and monogamous households. A significant other people. I’m fascinated by the image accompaniment. A choreographer has to percentage of working children are involved of a map because of its association with decide what type of relationship he wants the in motor accidents, and face attempted kid- travel, and also because of its potential as a music and movement to have. Cunningham napping, rape, and sexual molestation. Many tool to discuss place and time. It provides a believes that music and dance merely exist at are also invited by gangsters to participate in way to examine the relationship between a the same time and that is their only relation- robbery and anti-social activities. Others suf- person’s lived experiences and imagined ones. ship. The third and fourth chapters discuss fer from physical exhaustion and pains due to Furthermore, I’m exploring images of maps how Cunningham creates his dances through frequent long walks. These health problems as a means of analyzing history and its rel- chance operations and using technology. The have detrimental effects on children’s school evance to the present. I question how much fifth chapter answers the question of theme attendance, punctuality, school performance, a map demonstrates the particular character- and meaning. Most of Cunningham’s dances and leisure time. This study has implications istics of the landscape and also how much it have no meaning, but the audience interprets for regulating child labor in Nigeria. expresses the complex history experienced by the pieces in surprising ways. These points the people within its borders. that are unique to Cunningham’s work help Supported by: FURSCA ______free the choreographer and give him or her JOHN CAWOOD, ’08 unlimited possibilities when making a dance. (See Catherine Game, ’08, John Cawood, ’08, Mike Eggleston, ’08, Adam Hashimoto, ’08, Jason Lindberg, ’08, Kapil Mandrekar, ’07, Dylan Simons, ’08)

11 elkin r. isaac STUDENT research symposium

______BOBBIE COLE, ’07 ELIZABETH COLVILLE, ’07 ELIZABETH COLVILLE, ’07 The Effect of Sorority Membership Climate Change and the Response A Petrographic Analysis of Adare on Black Female Identity and of Plant Distribution in the White Basin Seamounts in Western Ross Adaptation at a Predominantly Mountains, California Sea, Northern Victoria Land White Institution Faculty Sponsor: Christopher Van de Ven Faculty Sponsor: Thomas Wilch Faculty Sponsor: Diana Ariza Major: Geology Major: Geology Major: Communication Studies Hometown: DeWitt, Mich. Hometown: DeWitt, Mich. Hometown: Detroit, Mich. Climactic records Detailed analysis of volcanic rocks (basalts) On a predominantly indicate that the collected from seamounts from the Adare white campus, black mean global surface Basin will be used to constrain the origin female students temperature has and evolution of volcanism and rifting in the are an isolated and warmed between 0.2 western Ross Sea, west Antarctica. Basaltic discontented group and 0.6˚C during the magma that is erupted from the volcanic which could be twentieth century. seamounts comes from a source deep within attributed to their This increase in tem- Earth known as the mantle. The hot magma double minority perature will cause can melt and incorporate small amounts of status. Being a black many plants to shift crust as it travels upward to Earth’s surface; female makes it to cooler locations this melted crust can “contaminate” the difficult to adjust at higher elevations. original magma composition. An important and be accepted at a Evidence for plant response to climatic warm- objective of this study is to sample magmas predominantly white institution, confronting ing is best observed where topographic and that have traveled through thin oceanic issues of race as well as gender. climactic factors have ultimate control over crust, as opposed to the much thicker and according to the American Council the ecological environment, such as the upper compositionally distinct continental crust, on Education’s 2003 Minorities in Higher limits of vegetative growth in mountainous in order to better constrain the original Education Annual Status Report, 42 percent regions. The White Mountains in east- mantle source composition of west Antarctic of black women are enrolled in college; central California are a semi-arid mountain basalts. A better understanding of sources for however, many of these women are finding it range that provides a natural laboratory for volcanism will provide valuable information difficult to adapt socially on their campuses. observing historic and current responses of on the processes of rifting and the breakup Some black women are coping with these plant species to climatic change. This study of New Zealand, Tasmania, and Australia difficulties by becoming involved in organiza- examined the uppermost elevation limits from Antarctica approximately 80 million tions such as black sororities; however, issues of Artemisia arbuscula (dwarf sagebrush), years ago. Basalts were collected from 13 of acceptance and seclusion within their Cercocarpus ledifolius (mountain mahogany), seamounts (< 500 to ~1700 mbsl) by dredg- college community still affect them. and Pinus monophylla (pinyon pine). These ing. The basalts recovered are fine-grained, This paper will examine the experi- plants are abundant at the middle to upper vesicular, and contain crystals of olivine ences of black female members of Alpha elevations in the White Mountains. Their (highly altered) and plagioclase. None of the Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. (AKA). AKA was abundance and easy identification make seamounts appear to be active, but the fact founded as a means of creating a bond of them ideal plant species to study to gain an that some of the samples are glassy and lack sisterhood as well as a support mechanism for understanding of how vegetation shifts occur manganese coating suggests that the volca- black women. Yet, challenges continue to be within mountain ranges in the face of local nic activity is relatively young. Before the raised that make it difficult for black women topographic and geologic variability. Each samples are analyzed for chemistry and dated, to lead a normal social life amongst people plant’s relative size, location, and elevation a thorough petrographic investigation will be who do not share their same background. were recorded with a global positioning conducted. Petrographic examination of the Using in-depth interviews, personal system (GPS), and then analyzed using GIS samples will determine mineralogy, texture, experience, and participant observation, (geographic information systems) technology. and amount of secondary alteration. The I explore the maintenance of black female Initial observations indicate that Artemisia results will be used to access their suitability identity. Other questions I examine are: arbuscula is undergoing an upslope migra- for geochemical analysis and dating by the How does being a part of this black soror- tion, which may be a response to recent Ar-Ar technique. climactic warming, whereas evidence for ity affect other relationships on campus for Supported by: National Science Foundation black women? How does the sisterhood really Cercocarpus ledifolius and Pinus monophylla upslope migration is inconclusive. Research Experiences for Undergraduates. This improve the social life and adaptation of the research was conducted in the Ross Sea and at black women involved? Also, how does a Supported by: FURSCA-Kresge Fellowship, Bowling Green State University under the guid- black sorority influence the adaptation and Department of Geological Sciences Taylor Fund ance of Kurt Panter. satisfaction of its black female members?

12 elkin r. isaac STUDENT research symposium

______BETHANY CORRIVEAU, ’07 COREY CROWLEY, ’07 capacity of the ligand and generate coopera- tive magnetic interactions that will be effec- Lions on the Edge: The Marginal “Along the Brick Street: Albion tive in yielding solids with useful properties. Imagery of the Cathedral of Short Stories” Supported by: FURSCA-Irwin Fellowship Saint-Trophime Faculty Sponsor: Danit Brown ______LAUREN DUTHIE, ’07 Faculty Sponsor: Kara Morrow Major: English (Creative Writing) Majors: Art History, Music Hometown: Jackson, Mich. The Eternal Feminine Draws Us Hometown: Grand Rapids, Mich. The stories in “Along Onward: Johann Wolfgang von On the church of the Brick Street” Goethe’s Perceptions of Women focus on two Albion Saint-Trophime Faculty Sponsor: Catherine Grimm in Arles, France, College students. the sculpted portal Luke grew up in the Majors: German, Political Science imagery possesses city of Albion and Hometown: Dearborn, Mich. a wealth of mean- attempts to find a ings supporting and balance between Johann Wolfgang illuminating the being a member of von Goethe was a universal genius who concept of the Last the city and being Judgment. The lions a member of the revolutionized the present in the lowest college. Aidan is different fields in register of the portal coming to terms with his father’s death as he which he worked. are the only images unattached to a specific tries to determine what his role in his family He made advances narrative; the interpretation of these lions is should be, as well as the place for his father’s in science with dependent on a complex combination of the memory. his search for the Urpflanze (archetypal historical background, the use of symbols in Supported by: FURSCA medieval thought, and the political structure plant), as well as of the town during the construction of the ______with his Theory of . His influence on European culture in portal. My project examines the historical KRISTYN DARMAFALL, ’07 Color and cultural circumstances that inspired the general and German culture in particular was creation of the lions, their function within Synthesis of Organic Ligands Based vast, and, as a writer, he was esteemed as a the sculptural program of the porch, and on Indole-substituted Quinones for national treasure in Germany throughout the their impact on the viewer and the city. late eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Magnetic Materials - arles’ history, marked by changing my thesis focuses on Goethe’s percep political rulers, allowed the consistently pres- Faculty Sponsor: Vanessa McCaffrey tions of and relationship to women, both in ent power of the Catholic Church to rise to real life and in his artistic texts. I chose to Major: Chemistry concentrate on three different works: an early prominence. This power reached its height Hometown: Macomb, Mich. during the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, cycle of poems called Die Sesenheim Lieder; culminating in the creation of an indepen- The synthesis and a short novel in letters, The Sorrows of Young dent Republic of Arles. This republic was characterization Werther (Die Leiden des jungen Werthers); and loosely allied to the Holy Roman Empire, of quinone-based the play, Iphigenie in Taurus (Iphigenie auf with the archbishop presiding over a secular building blocks for Tauris). Whether directly or indirectly, it is clear consulate. I argue that the portal structure molecular magnetic reflects this power of the church over secular materials will be that certain “real” women influenced Goethe’s writing, and the figure of an ideal woman is powers in the Last Judgment theme. The presented. In order apparent in his works. I am most intrigued by lions serve to link the town of Arles spe- to create magnetic cifically to the majesty of Christ and the materials, we are how these women are portrayed in Goethe’s salvation he grants to the faithful; they also using a “metal- work, but also by the “real” women’s connec- symbolize the archbishops’ authority over organic radical” tion to his artistic creation. I analyzed this issue using the following questions as my Arles. They also support the scriptural mes- hybrid approach. sages in the façade through meanings known The organic ligands are based on a series basis: Who is Goethe’s idealized woman? Can to twelfth-century viewers from bestiaries and of 3,6-diindole-2,5-dihydroxyquinones she be found only in his writing or did she folktales. As a testament to the strength of that have been synthesized in our lab. After exist beyond the borders of his works? I also this symbol, the lions have remained on the oxidation to the quinone structure, the metal consider why Goethe fictionalized his many love affairs. heraldic emblem of the city of Arles since the binding and magnetic properties of the ligand twelfth century. will be explored. The metal coordination of Supported by: FURSCA a similar series of ligands has been shown to Supported by: FURSCA, Prentiss M. Brown be weak. It is hoped that the nitrogen of the Honors Institute, Faculty Development Grant indole ring will increase the coordination

13 elkin r. isaac STUDENT research symposium

______MIKE EGGLESTON, ’08 MEGAN ERMLER, ’07 130 mosaic-eyed males and 135 mosaic-eyed (See Catherine Game, ’08, John Cawood, ’08, Major: Biology females were recovered from these crosses. Mike Eggleston, ’08, Adam Hashimoto, ’08, Hometown: Petoskey, Mich. The female flies were frozen for future Jason Lindberg, ’08, Kapil Mandrekar, ’07, molecular analysis. One hundred seven of the Dylan Simons, ’08) AMIE FREEMAN, ’08 mosaic-eyed males were mated with white- eyed females. Excision of the hobo element ______Major: Biology Hometown: Macomb, Mich. results in white-eyed females from this cross. SARA ELLENA, ’07 Of 1,338 total females, 659 were white-eyed, Investigation of Double-Stranded an excision rate of 49.25%. The DNA from Seeing for Myself: Politics of these females will be extracted, and the region Representation and the Study DNA Gap Repair Following of DNA from the site of hobo excision will be Abroad Experience Excision of a hobo Transposable amplified using the polymerase chain reac- Element in Drosophila tion. Amplified DNA will be sequenced to Faculty Sponsor: Molly Mullin melanogaster determine the specifics of the mechanism for Majors: Anthropology, History the DSB repair. Hometown: Lisle, Ill. Faculty Sponsor: Kenneth Saville ______This project explores DNA repair is BRENDA ERRICHIELLO, ’07 critical for preserving how the study Drill Writing: From Concept to abroad experience genomic integrity, helps shape the ways and disease can Completion occur when DNA in which students Faculty Sponsor: Samuel McIlhagga construct their vision damage is not and understanding of properly mended. Majors: Music Education, History There are many the Middle East. My Hometown: Countryside, Ill. mechanisms for fix- vehicle is the auto- Drill is one of the ethnography. Used ing a double-strand DNA break (DSB). few places in music by anthropologists, Ermler where science and ethnography com- In this study, we are analyzing the art come together bines detailed description with close analysis to make a unified to create a realistic portrayal of a small but repair mechanism that occurs follow- whole. Artistic closely observed part of a society. In auto- expression is a huge ethnography, the writer is also a participant in ing the excision of a transposable part of drill-writ- the area of life being observed. In this study element called . ing because the I have used my own experiences as a study hobo This transposable pictures on the field abroad student at the American University element is a piece should be indicative in Cairo combined with interviews with of the music that fellow program participants and literature on of DNA that can be made to jump is happening at the time. Science, however, study abroad, travel, and the Middle East to out of the chromo- must still be considered because of the way explore issues of representation, cross-cultural sound waves travel, the way the human eye exchange, and the production of knowledge. some, damaging Freeman the surrounding perceives figures at different angles, and our as a student of culture and politics, I own ambulatory restrictions. As such, the wish to show what this case reveals about DNA in the process. We are investigating two potential mechanisms for repairing this drill writer has to learn about the way that the workings of power, culture, and rep- each instrument produces sound, where to resentation in the arena of international damaged DNA. The first possible mechanism is homologous recombination using the best arrange them on the field, and how to education and the position of Americans organize each instrument group so that they studying abroad in a period of such overt sister chromatid as a template. The second mechanism is non-homologous end joining can be where they need to be when it is their hostility and profound mis-education about turn to be featured on the field. the people and cultures of the Middle East. (NHEJ), in which the two broken DNA ends are directly rejoined. Our model utilizes This project encompassed the entire pro- I looked closely at three dimensions of the cess of writing drill—the on-field choreog- politics of representation and contemporary a hobo element in Drosophila melanogaster called ‘132’, located on the X chromosome, raphy of marching bands. The final product American study abroad programs in Egypt: was the drill for Albion College’s march- first, perceptions and attitudes toward the which carries a gene making the flies’ eyes red. When this element jumps out and the ing band, The British Eighth, and a short Middle East prior to leaving; second, cultural DNA is repaired, the flies’ eyes are white. explanation and analysis of the drill. Over exchange, adaptation, and how students the course of the 2006-07 season, the band acquired and formulated knowledge; and In order to make the hobo element jump, a transposase source was introduced by means performed four halftime shows, composed of third, students’ ability to synthesize and pres- 5-30 sets (pictures) each, for a total of over ent their experience and new understandings of crossing ‘132’ females to males carrying a - 80 pages of drill. Although these shows were to family and friends. I also recommend ways transposase gene. Expression of the trans posase in the offspring of these crosses results the final product, there was much prepara- students can enhance and broaden their study tion to do before the drill was written. This abroad experiences. in red and white mosaic-eyed flies. A total of 14 elkin r. isaac STUDENT research symposium

______project encompassed all of the parts of drill I will incorporate both my own experiences ASHLEY FIELDS, ’08 writing, including the following: (1) choosing and the scholarship of others in the presenta- and analyzing music, (2) becoming familiar tion of my research. Progress toward an Electrochemical with Pyware (the drill writing program), (3) learning about the physical limitations of Supported by: FURSCA Immunoassay sound waves and then applying that knowl- ______Faculty Sponsor: Amy Beilstein edge, (4) learning about the physical limita- ANDREW FIDLER, ’08 tions of the performers, and (5) developing Major: Chemistry strategies to aid in the creation of expressive The Photophysics of Cinnamic Hometown: Chicago, Ill. forms to match the music. This was accom- Acid Derivatives Atrazine (2-chloro-4- plished over the course of the year through Faculty Sponsor: Craig Bieler ethylamino-6-isopro- personal research, clinics, conversations with pylamine-1,3,5-triazine) drill writers, and with the help of my sponsor, Majors: Chemistry, Physics is one of the most Dr. Sam McIlhagga. Hometown: Rochester, Mich. widely used herbi- one part of becoming an effective cides in the U.S., drill writer is improvement through critical Cinnamic acid and with an annual use of analysis of one’s drill. Through interviews several of its deriva- more than 75 million with members of the band, I will attempt to tive compounds pounds. Despite its assess the success of the drill from individual have traditionally widespread use, the performers’ perspectives and on the level of been used as matrix effect of this herbi- the entire ensemble. In this way, the project compounds in cide on human and is composed of not only the procedure for matrix-assisted laser wildlife health is not completely understood. desorption ioniza- writing drill, but the perceived effectiveness Previous research by Tyrone Hayes concluded of said drill, which will help me assess my tion (MALDI) mass that atrazine contaminates various water- performance and draw upon that assessment spectrometric meth- ways, and amphibian exposure has negative ods. While MALDI to make positive changes for the future. results. The study showed at 0.1ppb leopard has become a com- Supported by: FURSCA frogs were transformed into hermaphrodites. mon analytical tool for mass determination Thus, in areas where atrazine use is prevalent, ______of high Dalton molecules, the mechanics a straightforward, reliable, and affordable MEGHAN ESPER, ’07 by which the desorption/ionization process means of monitoring atrazine in drinking and operates are still not readily understood. ground water is desired. The development of The Importance of Guanxi Absorbance and fluorescence measurements an electrochemical immunoassay will make a for a range of cinnamic acid derivatives will Faculty Sponsor: Margaret Young fundamental contribution in the detection of be reported. These data are also correlated to atrazine, creating a process that is miniatur- Majors: Communication Studies, Music substituant type and position and compared ized, travel-friendly, faster, and easier to use Hometown: Birmingham, Mich. between compounds that are currently used on site. The electrochemical immunoassay as matrix compounds and those that are In this presentation, requires that ferrocene-atrazine conjugates be not currently used. Additionally, ab initio synthesized and then analyzed for their use I will be discuss- excited states calculations are reported as an ing an important in the immunoassay. Here, we present our attempt to learn more about the excited states progress in the synthesis of compounds that Chinese cultural involved in these processes. element: guanxi. can be used to monitor the concentration of Guanxi, loosely Supported by: FURSCA-Bethune Fellowship, atrazine in the environment using an electro- translated, means Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow Professorship chemical immunoassay. “connections” or Supported by: FURSCA-Irwin Fellowship “relationship.” All of China operates on a guanxi-based, or relationship-based, system. The rules applicable to western cultures are not applicable when interacting in a Chinese context. A person’s guanxi refers to the tangled web of relationships and connections upon which he or she may draw for favors, with the assurance of reciprocal obli- gation. Guanxi is complicated and difficult to discuss with authority for various reasons. I plan to discuss the issues regarding scholarship and research done in this field during the presentation. I first became interested in guanxi during a study abroad term in China.

15 elkin r. isaac STUDENT research symposium

______JACQUELINE FILLINGER, ’07 CATHERINE FONTANA, ’08 ERIN FRANZEN, ’07 Characterization of the What Is Lurking in Your YES: Take Two Tetrahymena Group 1 Ribozyme Bathroom: The Effectiveness of Faculty Sponsor: Jennifer Chapman Using a Fluorescence-based Assay Environmentally-Friendly Cleaners Major: Political Science Faculty Sponsor: Christopher Rohlman Faculty Sponsor: Ola Olapade Hometown: Flint, Mich. Major: Chemistry (Biochemistry) Majors: English, Biology YES: Take Two is a Hometown: Grand Ledge, Mich. Hometown: Dearborn, Mich. theatre-based intervention that looks at Similar to DNA, Since the intro- and evaluates middle RNA is a carrier of duction of sterile school youths’ per- genetic information; stainless steel and ceptions of conflict however, research alcohol-based hand and violence in their over the past 25 sanitizers, our society lives and commu- years has brought has become increas- nity. My project is greater focus on its ingly obsessed with comprised of weekly function in gene the elimination of workshops that use regulation and its pathogenic bacteria movement, art, writ- ability to catalyze from our kitchen ing, and improvisational drama activities to cellular reactions. sinks and our lives. stimulate thought and discussion about issues Biocatalysts are at However, despite of conflict, violence, and community change. the heart of biochemical research. A catalyst our best efforts to scrub away scum, we are My goal is to investigate the effectiveness of has the ability to accelerate chemical reactions continually living in a microbial world in drama as a tool for community dialogue. My allowing metabolism to function with greater which bacteria are ever-present. Another new research methods include a literature review, efficiency, and therefore is vital to the func- practice among the public is the use of envi- practical application, surveys, and a final tion of living cells. Proteins that catalyze reac- ronmentally-friendly products in the home, analysis. tions are known as enzymes, and RNAs that including cleaning solutions. Given the integral to my study is the use of catalyze reactions are ribozymes. Essential to recent release of such products on the market, students’ own definitions of violence and its catalytic function is RNA’s ability to form there has not been extensive research pub- conflict resolution to guide us through the a wide variety of three-dimensional struc- lished on the effectiveness of these “green” process. The students and I collaboratively tures. Thus, understanding how this molecu- cleaners in reducing the formation of bacteria defined violence as any act, physical or lar architecture is created and then how it colonies in comparison with traditional emotional, that is inflicted upon another functions is the essence of the research. We cleaners that contain harsh chemicals. person with the intention of inducing harm. analyze ribozyme structure using a fluores- eight direct contact points were chosen Together we defined conflict resolution as cence resonance energy transfer (FRET) assay in a college annex bathroom used by seven any action intended to prevent, minimize, in which molecules that fluoresce, rhodamine individuals. Over a five-week trial, original or resolve an act or effect of violence upon and fluorescein, are linked to the RNA. The bacteria from these areas were plated. The another individual. amount of fluorescence from these molecules bathroom was cleaned on alternating weeks my study builds upon the work of YES is measured as changes occur within the RNA using traditional cleaners and “green” clean- (Youth Empowerment Solutions for Peaceful structure during catalysis. For our work, a ers. Bacteria from the eight direct contact Communities), a program developed and eukaryotic protist, Tetrahymena, was used points were plated 30 minutes after cleaning piloted by the University of Michigan-Ann since it can be grown and studied in the and again after one week of growth before Arbor in Flint, Mich. YES is a community laboratory. Using the catalytic RNA from the bathroom’s weekly cleaning. Although change project based on the idea that efforts Tetrahymena, we developed and optimized bacteria are never completely eradicated from to reduce youth violence will be most success- this ribozyme assay by altering the reaction any environment, the “green” cleaners sig- ful if youth are actively involved in the pro- conditions, including pH, temperature, and nificantly reduced the formation of bacteria cess. My project also draws from scholarship the concentrations of biomolecules. colonies after both the post-cleaning 30- and practice in the field of theatre education. minute and one-week growth intervals. The I use the work of theatre educators Augusto Supported by: Albion College Faculty results from the traditional cleaners indicated Development Fund Boal, Michael Rohd, Phillip Taylor, and that these “99% anti-bacterial” cleaners do Sharon Grady to plan and develop my drama not significantly inhibit colony growth and lesson plans. I hope that my work will further conversely contribute to the movement of the discussion about the role of the fine arts bacteria around the bathroom. This over- as a means of intervention for youth violence. whelming growth could be due to microbial resistance to traditional cleaners. ______AMIE FREEMAN, ’08 (See Megan Ermler, ’07, Amie Freeman, ’08)

16 elkin r. isaac STUDENT research symposium

______CATHERINE GAME, ’08 CATHERINE GAME, ’08 Major: Biology Science- versus Art-based Modules: Hometown: Iron Mountain, Mich. Nonformal Sustainability Education for Children JOHN CAWOOD, ’08 Major: Biology Faculty Sponsor: Douglas White Hometown: Okemos, Mich. Major: Biology Hometown: Iron Mountain, Mich. MIKE EGGLESTON, ’08 Major: Biology Science or art? This Hometown: Honor, Mich. Cawood Eggleston study explores the interdisciplinary ADAM HASHIMOTO, ’08 nature of nonformal Majors: Pre-Engineering, Music sustainability educa- Hometown: Center Line, Mich. tion by evaluating science-based mod- JASON LINDBERG, ’08 ules compared to Major: Biology art-based modules. Hometown: Traverse City, Mich. Children in grades 2-5 were taught KAPIL MANDREKAR, ’07 through a two-week Major: Biology Eco-Discovery summer day camp. Hometown: Kalamazoo, Mich. Hashimoto Lindberg many interpretive centers and nature programs use science-based activities as a DYLAN SIMONS, ’08 vehicle for children’s environmental educa- Major: Economics and Management tion. Eco-Discovery contrasted the effective- Hometown: Brighton, Mich. ness of art- versus science-based modules to evaluate the importance of integrating addi- Calories to Kilowatts: A Workout tional disciplines into nonformal environ- for Energy Education mental education. Children were split into a 2nd-3rd grade group and 4th-5th grade Faculty Sponsor: Clifford Harris group. Each grade group participated in the The lack of effective energy conservation two-week program. The program focused on education and interest in alternative energy three major sustainability issues: recycling, sources on Albion College’s campus illustrates Mandrekar Simons renewable energy, and sustainable building. a common problem among American uni- Each issue was taught to participants using versity campuses. This study integrated both appliances. After one month of participation, a science-based module and an art-based education and renewable energy sources into students pledged to consume on a Saturday module. Children completed a pre- and post- a program designed to educate college stu- only as much energy as they generated in the test to assess their general knowledge on each dents on energy conservation and consump- workout facility. The effectiveness of the pro- of the three issues and whether art or science tion. Through the technical development gram was measured by comparing pre-partici- modules were more memorable. of an energy generating and storing exercise pation surveys to post-participation surveys. although the study was small (28 chil- system, Calories to Kilowatts, student partici- dren completed the pre-test, 20 completed pants utilized workout equipment to convert Supported by: U.S. Environmental Protection the post-test), results indicated that art might their own body energy into stored energy for Agency be as effective as science for teaching children electrical use. Participants received energy about sustainability. No significant difference audits in their dorm rooms that measured existed between the effectiveness of art- and the energy consumption of their electrical science-based modules for each grade group. This also suggests that different sustainability issues may benefit more from nontraditional educational methods. Children who participated in Eco-Discovery significantly increased their general knowledge of the targeted sustainability issues. Supported by: FURSCA, Whitehouse Nature Center

17 elkin r. isaac STUDENT research symposium

______ABIGAIL GEEGAN, ’07 DAVID GEER, ’08 current transgender activist movement. My research focuses on the transgender individu- El efecto de la dictadura de The Formation of Transgender als involved within the onset of Stonewall activism and the ways in which gay and Francisco Franco en la literatura Activism within the Stonewall Gay lesbian activists denied a space for gay- “tremendista” de posguerra inme- Rights Movement: An Analysis of identified, gender outlaws within the onset diata española/The Effect of the Gender and Sexuality within Post- of the U.S. gay rights movement. Dictatorship of Francisco Franco Stonewall Politics Supported by: FURSCA on the Tremendista Literature in Faculty Sponsor: Mary Collar ______Immediate Post-Civil War Spain Major: Feminist and Identities Studies ALLISON GESSNER, ’08 Faculty Sponsor: Kalen Oswald Hometown: Taylor, Mich. Mozart Meets Jazz: Arranging Major: Spanish Histories of queer Concerto K. 314 for Jazz Oboe Hometown: Marcellus, Mich. activism rarely appear in main- Faculty Sponsor: Rebecca Van de Ven The Spanish dicta- stream accounts of Major: Music Performance torship of Francisco liberatory politics Franco lasted from Hometown: LaGrange, Ky. within U.S. his- 1939 to 1975, dur- tory. When queer I began learning which censorship representation does ing about jazz last of the intellectual work its way into spring in a Jazz community was history textbooks or Improvisation class, severe. Authors academic writings, and it piqued my were forced to turn it is often “covered” interest in jazz. There in their works to under the activism of lesbians and gay men. are not many jazz the consulta previa, Transgender or pre-transgender lives and oboists, and only a the government’s experiences are often ignored by historians or very few play oboe way of screening all works before they were assimilated into gay-identified activism. The exclusively. I have published in order to determine whether they denial of transgender representation within always wanted to contained themes that portrayed the govern- queer history mimics the silencing that play in a jazz band, ment in a favorable way. If this criterion was transgender activists have faced within queer but there are very few pieces written for jazz not met, the work would not be published activist groups. This silencing has continued oboe, so I’d never had the opportunity to and the authors could be punished. During to build since the 1969 Stonewall riots in do so. This past summer, I arranged the first the 1940s, immediately after the Spanish New York, when queers fought back during movement of W.A. Mozart’s famous Oboe Civil War and the start of the dictator- a homophobic police raid on the gay- Concerto in C Major in a jazz style, as an ship, a new tendency in literature, called frequented Stonewall Inn. experiment in jazz oboe and musical form. , emerged. reflects tremendismo Tremendismo The research I conducted this past There have been other arrangements the pessimistic environment of violence and summer through FURSCA is centered on of classical pieces by small jazz combos, but frustration that was found in Spain after the uncovering the histories of transgender activ- none like what I have undertaken. Most war. The two novels analyzed in this thesis ism within the U.S., primarily focusing on arrangements take the classical melody and were La familia de Pascual Duarte by Camilo the activism that arose from the infamous superimpose it on the standard jazz form, José Cela, written in 1942, and by Nada Stonewall riots. Researching the existence of changing it to adhere to the jazz chord pro- Carmen Laforet, written in 1945. Cela and transgender activists within post-Stonewall gressions. My arrangement makes a different Laforet remained in Spain throughout both activism has led to an analysis of the sexual combination of the melody and progression, the war and the dictatorship and experienced and gender politics of the gay and lesbian retaining much of its concerto form, and these events firsthand. These novels belong to organizations that formed during the heat changing the harmonies and rhythms. I also the genre because they were both tremendismo of Stonewall. The activism that sprang orchestrated it slightly differently. Rather found to have “tremendous” events that were from Stonewall continuously denied the than using a typical saxophone and brass influenced by the Spanish Civil War and the inseparability between sexuality and gender, section, I used woodwinds to allow the oboe dictatorship under which they were written. thus silencing and stigmatizing transgen- to be heard and dominate the texture. This Although the tremendismo tendencies and der individuals within the gay and lesbian is the first of three movements, which will influences of the dictatorship are expressed movement. From this stigma, self-identified comprise my thesis when completed and will differently in each novel, the presence of both “street transvestites” involved in the Stonewall be performed in their entirety at my senior is strong, and allows for extensive analysis. riots formed the Street Transvestite Action recital next year. Revolutionaries (STAR) House and began the Supported by: FURSCA, Albion College Music Department Grant

18 elkin r. isaac STUDENT research symposium

______DAVID GOODYEAR, ’07 DAVID GOODYEAR, ’07 JAMIE GOVE, ’07 Africa Demythified: A Personal Does the Source of DNA Matter? A Four- and Five-Year-Olds’ Reflection of My Experiences in Comparison of DNA from Feathers Perceptions on Physical Activity Cameroon and Blood of Nestling House Wrens and Nutrition Faculty Sponsor: Emmanuel Yewah and Tree Swallows Faculty Sponsor: Thomas Johnson Major: Biology Faculty Sponsor: E. Dale Kennedy Majors: Physical Education, English Hometown: Perry, Mich. Major: Biology Hometown: Clarkston, Mich. Confront the Hometown: Perry, Mich. A survey was cre- assumptions that Recent advancements in molecular biol- ated specifically for come to your mind ogy have led to an increase in the number four- and five-year- when someone men- of methods available for obtaining DNA old boys and girls tions Africa. How do from birds. Ornithologists are progressively at the Jump into you normally regard more interested in avian DNA for stud- Kindergarten Camps the “dark continent” ies of sex ratios, paternity, phylogeny, and in Kalamazoo, when it is portrayed fingerprinting. Two common sources of avian Olivet, Battle Creek, in the news or in DNA are blood and feathers. We compared and Marshall. This other forms of concentration and purity of DNA collected research project took media? Are there from blood and feathers of nestling house place because of the wild animals con- wrens (Troglodytes aedon) and tree swallows lack of knowledge stantly running free? Are the cities too poor (Tachycineta bicolor) to determine the better about children’s perceptions about physical to provide adequate food, lodging, and trans- source of DNA. In wrens (n = 69), DNA activity and nutrition. Portion size, favorite portation for their tourists and visitors? Is extracted from feathers was of lesser purity activities, and body image were also discussed Africa too dangerous to visit? Unfortunately, and lower concentration than DNA from in the questions. I surveyed all of the 100 stereotypes about Africa are easily generalized blood (purity 1.52 ± 0.34 vs. 1.75 ± 0.18, children at these sites, and recorded the to all of its countries. paired t = 6.207, df = 68, P < 0.0001; con- information in such a manner to keep the my thesis is a detailed description of centration 20.13 ± 11.11 vs. 44.08 ± 18.04, administration of the survey consistent. the trip I took to Cameroon with my First- paired t = 9.670, df = 68, P <0.0001). In tree The feedback and answers that we Year Seminar at Albion College. The title of swallows (n = 134), DNA from feathers and received have been very interesting and may the course was “Africa: Myth and Reality.” blood did not differ in purity (1.75 ± 0.21 prove to be reason enough for schools and I am using the narrative of my experience vs. 1.78 ± 0.10, paired t = 1.82, df = 133, P = other programs to start pushing parents and in Cameroon to break down myths and 0.07) but did differ in concentration (27.06 ± guardians to begin teaching children about stereotypes about Africa, its countries, and its 15.96 vs. 40.65 ± 16.22, paired t = 7.20, nutrition and physical activity at a younger people in order to enforce the realities of the df = 133, P < 0.0001). Blood provided purities age. I will discuss the findings and share the misunderstood Africa of today. Specifically, closer to the ideal 260/280 ratio of 1.8 (the significance of this information to generate I describe seven aspects of Cameroonian ratio of pure DNA) for both species. Feathers interest in the topic for future teachers, par- culture: rural vs. urban atmospheres, hotels of the two species differed in purity and ents, and anyone else who deals with children and hospitality, cuisine, shopping and the concentration of DNA. on a daily basis. market, landscapes and landmarks, transportation, and traditions. I cannot generalize the Supported by: FURSCA-Hyde Fellowship, Supported by: FURSCA, Physical Education specific details of my reflection to encompass Biology Department, A. Merton Chickering Department all of Africa; Africa is much too large to Professorship in Biology ______support such broad generalizations. As I was ADAM HASHIMOTO, ’08 visiting Cameroon, the differences among the (See Catherine Game, ’08, John Cawood, ’08, cities we visited encouraged me to challenge Mike Eggleston, ’08, Adam Hashimoto, ’08, my assumptions about Africa, and I hope to Jason Lindberg, ’08, Kapil Mandrekar, ’07, inspire readers to question what they think Dylan Simons, ’08) they may know about Africa as well. Supported by: First-Year Experience Travel Grant

19 elkin r. isaac STUDENT research symposium

______ANDREW HASLEY, ’07 SARAH HEDDON, ’07 I conclude the artisanal fishing industry can be sustained and driven from within coastal Blasted Bugs Sustainable Fishing on the communities, giving them the resources and education to effectively improve their lives. Faculty Sponsor: Molly Scheel Northern Kenya Coast Supported by: FURSCA Faculty Sponsor: Douglas White Major: Biology ______Hometown: Grand Junction, Colo. Major: Anthropology BRANDON HILL, ’07 Over the last decade, Hometown: Hartland, Mich. bioinformatics has I explored the arti- La Louisiane dans Les Éphémères become an integral sanal fishing industry par Alexandre Latil part of virtually every along the northern Faculty Sponsor: Dianne Guenin-Lelle field of study in the coast of Kenya biological sciences. to generate com- Majors: Biology, French The purpose of munity-informed Hometown: Plymouth, Mich. bioinformatics is to recommendations make use of modern for transforming and Alexandre Latil pub- computer technology revitalizing a dete- lished a collection of and growing database riorating industry. poetry entitled Les in 1841 resources to identify Obstacles to sustain- Éphémères proteins, the genes that code for them, and able development are in New Orleans, the relationships between them. Over the growing poverty, environmental destruction, La. This text, past two summers I have used bioinformat- government marginalization, and foreign which includes 29 poems, as well as an ics techniques to assist in the examination industry, tourism, and oil exploration. I seek important preface of nervous system development in various to empower Lamu coastal communities to arthropods. Looking at nervous system devel- understand and utilize the potential of their and author’s notes, opment in multiple organisms can give us a own marine resources. can be used to gain a better understanding better idea of how the development of the Throughout two trips and stays in nervous system evolved, and therefore give us Kenya, I studied the coastal artisanal fish- of mid-nineteenth-century Louisiana history a better understanding of how it works. My ing industry from Mombasa to Lamu in and to further elucidate Louisiana literature’s research specifically addressed the identi- partnership with local Kenyan fisheries rightful place among francophone literature. fication of genes that code for numerous departments. Qualitative and quantitative latil’s work is important for a variety proteins that are active in the development research methods were employed to maximize of reasons, including the fact that it con- of the central nervous system. To do this, we a community-driven analysis of obstacles and tains many intertextual references to other used a combination of experimental data, subsequent solutions. Creole and French writers of the time period, through direct quotations, dedications, or genomic information available in the public i identified significant environmental, domain, and specialized computer software. economic, and social obstacles that drive a as subjects of the poems. In addition, other This work had two major results. First, we cycle of poverty along the coast, inhibiting subjects of his poems and the references he completed phylogenetic analyses of a netrin the development of a sustainable fishing makes to New Orleans society as well as his personal history reveal some important homologue cloned from Artemia franciscana economy. Obstacles include declining fish (brine shrimp). Netrin is a protein that is productivity due to significant environmental aspects of his life in Louisiana. All of these responsible for axon guidance in many dif- degradation and destruction of inshore areas; references allow the reader insight into the ferent species, including humans. The second overfishing; underdevelopment of offshore perspective of a young Creole man during outcome of the project was the discovery areas due to inadequate equipment and this period. His poetry represents issues of several nervous system genes from the technology; lack of educational and manage- related to the economy of New Orleans, the recently-sequenced genome of Tribolium cas- ment resources; lack of basic infrastructure or social structure during this period in history, taneum (red flour beetle). Finally, we used the access to profitable markets; and the inability the literary community of which Latil was research protocols we had developed to help to control the environmental destructiveness a member, medical care relative to leprosy design an educational laboratory experiment of foreign trawling, investment, tourism, and (Latil was a leper), as well as the history of his for use in upper-level genetics and develop- oil exploration. own family through colonial times. mental biology courses. By identifying these challenges, I can Supported by: FURSCA-Irwin Fellowship Supported by: National Institutes of Health recommend ways in which Kenya’s artisanal fishery can be transformed to decrease environmental destruction, empower coastal communities, and contribute significantly to the growth of Kenya’s national economy.

20 elkin r. isaac STUDENT research symposium

______CAROLYN JACQUES, ’07 CATHERINE JANSSEN, ’07 KRISTEN KRUM, ’08 Community and Spirituality among “Stink Cheese”: Stories for Feasting Using Radio Telemetry to Albion College Students Faculty Sponsor: Sarah Jordan Determine Home Range Sizes of Wood Turtles, Gleptemys insculpta, Faculty Sponsor: Leonard Berkey Majors: English, French in Nova Scotia, Canada Majors: Sociology, Music Hometown: Monroe, Mich. Hometown: Ashland, Ohio Would you like stink Faculty Sponsor: Dean McCurdy Religious groups cheese on your toast? Major: Biology often convince Go for it. Perhaps Hometown: Sturgis, Mich. new members to with some deer join their mosques, sausage or bologna? Wood turtles, synagogues, Don’t hold back. Care Gleptemys insculpta, temples, churches, to slather some on like other turtles, or gurdwaras by a sticky bun and let are facing rapid emphasizing the the manila-folder- population decline. social networks they colored goo mingle Throughout their offer. These groups irreverently with every range (southeast- assert that because cinnamon deposit that ern Canada to their members share it meets? Now that, my friend, is genius. the northeastern beliefs and priorities, their behavior toward United States) wood “Stink Cheese,” a creative non-fiction, is a turtles are consid- each other will be more loyal and trustworthy Janssen family gathering—a small collection than that of other people or groups. ered endangered or of a large family’s legends. I assembled these rare. In fact, many states and provinces are as a religious person, I have experienced stories between the ending of one love story the benefits and disadvantages of membership starting to protect these turtles by prevent- and the beginning of another—between my ing their sale and conserving their habitats. I in such groups. I wondered, if a person is grandfather’s death and my cousin’s wed- looked at the home range of wood turtles in religious, is s/he more likely to feel very close ding—or at least that was how I looked at to fellow faith practitioners? Nova Scotia, Canada. Radio telemetry was our family story before I started writing. used to track 11 turtles with a radio trans- To understand this problem, I studied During the writing process, when I started three student groups which profess shared mitter attached to their shells throughout assembling the Janssens around kitchen tables the summer. Every time a wood turtle was values: one religious, one cultural, and one and beer buckets, a different story emerged— which blends both elements. The religious located, a GPS point was taken. Through the story of a clan whose quirks, their love these data points, the home range for each group I chose was the Leadership Team for of bonfires and stink cheese, have created a turtle was determined. I found that females the student worship service known as Chapel. strangely cohesive love. tended to have larger home ranges than Break the Silence, Albion’s gay-straight alli- When I started feeling the gaps, the ance group, was the cultural or “values-based” males. This could be because of the inclusion distances of experience, growing between me of the females’ travel to a nesting beach and group. The third group, Albion College and the family that remains in the hometown their time there. These home ranges can help Hillel, straddles both religious and cultural of Freeburg, I started to wonder about our determine where turtles go and what habitat life at Albion. During the 2006-07 school gatherings. I started asking myself how so they use, which will allow us to determine year, I conducted a study combining quan- many people managed to fit together. Why ways to prevent their decline. titative and qualitative methods to compare do men in slacks and men in overalls pull up participants’ self-concepts of spirituality with lawn chairs and talk about politics and kan- Supported by: FURSCA-Irwin Fellowship, the amount of closeness they feel to those garoos? When we’re all getting farther apart, Biology Department who are important to them. Using two sur- what is it that has us singing Dean Martin veys and semi-structured interviews, I gained from different rooms of the house? I’m not an in-depth understanding of the social net- quite sure, but from the smell of it I’d say it’s works connected with each of these student edible. groups and how important these networks Grab a fork. Help yourself. are to the groups’ core members. I found that shared identity—a common experience of self and closely aligned values and perspectives—is a mitigating factor in the relationship between spirituality and interpersonal attachment. Identities built on a strong sense of spirituality are only one type of shared identity through which students may connect with others like themselves and find a support network while they live at school. Supported by: FURSCA 21 elkin r. isaac STUDENT research symposium

______WILLIAM LEACH, ’08 MELISSA LOVE, ’07 MEGAN LUPEK, ’08 Detection, Quantification, and Organic Chemistry Is the Bomb: Stress Levels in Green Frogs in Molecular Characterization of Degradation of RDX by Potassium Relation to Colonization by a Bdellovibrio and Like Organisms Permanganate Waterborne Pathogen (BALO) in Rice Creek Faculty Sponsor: Clifford Harris Faculty Sponsor: Dean McCurdy Faculty Sponsor: Ola Olapade Major: Chemistry Major: Biology Major: Biology Hometown: Southfield, Mich. Hometown: Utica, Mich. Hometown: Ann Arbor, Mich. As the world In the Great Lakes Bdellovibrio and like becomes more region, “red-leg” organisms (BALO) environmentally disease has been are small gram- conscious, one associated with mass- negative bacteria that branch of applied mortality events in prey on other gram- organic chemistry captive and natural negative bacteria in is concerned with populations of frogs the environment. cleaning up sites in and is often tied These bacterial the environment that to the presence of parasites are of sig- are contaminated Aeromonas bacteria nificant ecological with chemicals. on frogs. I investi- and environmental One method for gated the prevalence importance, because remediating contaminated groundwater is in and intensity of Aeromonas hydrophila bacte- of their existence in a wide range of habi- situ chemical oxidation (ISCO). A common ria on the skin of green frogs (Rana clami- tats, including fresh and salt water streams. reagent used in ISCO is potassium perman- tans) from populations at the Pierce Cedar Studies have documented the susceptibility ganate because it is a strong oxidizer and Creek Institute in western Michigan. I also of some bacterial populations within biofilm remains in the ground as manganese dioxide, explored links between parasitism, stress, and communities in response to the presence its natural state. Hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro- reproductive behavior of frogs. Prevalence of of Bdellovibrio (e.g., Kadouri and O’Toole, 1,3,5-triazine (RDX) is a commonly used bacteria was higher on frogs than in previous 2005). Despite their ecological importance explosive that has caused widespread ground- studies done in the Great Lakes region, and as one of the major sources of bacterial water contamination at numerous military the frequency of high-density colonization by mortality in nature, our understanding about sites. Previous research with RDX and potas- bacteria increased over the breeding season. their diversity is still very limited. Therefore, sium permanganate indicates that complete Factors such as frog mass, length, sex, and the aims of this research project include the mineralization to CO2 is possible and that water temperature were not related to the detection, enumeration, and characteriza- 4-nitro-2,4-diaza-butanal (4-NDAB) may be likelihood of having low versus high densities tion of indigenous BALO populations in an intermediate in the degradation scheme. of colonization by bacteria or to bacterial Rice Creek using a combination of standard Describing and identifying intermediates is counts on frogs. Efforts to study stress hor- microbiological and molecular approaches. an important step in determining a success- mone levels in frogs using HPLC have been ful ISCO reagent in order to ensure safety inconclusive. ______to humans and the environment. To test the JASON LINDBERG, ’08 hypothesis that 4-NDAB is in fact present Supported by: FURSCA, Willard G. Pierce and (See Catherine Game, ’08, John Cawood, ’08, in the degradation of RDX by potassium Jessie M. Pierce Foundation (URGE Program) Mike Eggleston, ’08, Adam Hashimoto, ’08, permanganate, 4-NDAB was synthesized and Jason Lindberg, ’08, Kapil Mandrekar, ’07, the degradation products produced between Dylan Simons, ’08) RDX and potassium permanganate were analyzed with high-performance liquid chromatography and liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry. Supported by: FURSCA, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

22 elkin r. isaac STUDENT research symposium

______KAPIL MANDREKAR, ’07 they use prior experience with environmental albion College, as typical of college structure as do animals that are naturally campuses, has commonly shared equipment Chemical Cues, 3-D Structure, territorial. Stronger prior residence effect in a including computer units located in the and Social Experience in Contests structurally enriched environment indicates main library and also in various computer that residents defeated intruders because labs around the campus. These are potential between Similarly Sized Juvenile they placed more value on the structure than surfaces for bacterial contamination, espe- Black Midas Cichlids, Amphilophus did intruders, who had not had opportunity cially in the absence of frequent and adequate sp. “Short” to evaluate the structure and identify it as a hygiene practices. Therefore, the main focus resource. of this particular study is to examine surfaces Faculty Sponsor: Sheila Lyons-Sobaski of selected computer keyboards in one of the Supported by: Ronald G. Oldfield, Paul well-frequented computer labs (i.e., Ferguson Major: Biology Bronstein, University of Michigan Museum of Hometown: Kalamazoo, Mich. lab) for bacterial presence, abundance, and Zoology, University of Michigan Department distribution on the college campus. The Juvenile Midas cich- of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, American objectives of the study also include the isola- lids are not territorial Cichlid Association Guy Jordan Research Award tion and characterization of major bacterial under natural condi- ______isolates from the surfaces by employing tions but become KAPIL MANDREKAR, ’07 standard microbiological methodologies. so when placed in (See Catherine Game, ’08, John Cawood, ’08, ______small aquaria. The Mike Eggleston, ’08, Adam Hashimoto, ’08, RACHEL MCKINNEY, ’07 potential effects of Jason Lindberg, ’08, Kapil Mandrekar, ’07, prior experience with Dylan Simons, ’08) Semantic Externalism, Social 3-D structure, recent ______social interaction, Construction, and Privileged Access and chemical cues SARAH MAPES, ’08 to Self-Identification Claims: A on determining the Incidence and Distribution of Challenge to Haslanger? outcome of contests between juvenile black Midas cichlids were tested under laboratory Surface-associated Bacteria on the Faculty Sponsor: Bindu Madhok conditions. Subjects were held in individual Albion College Campus Major: Philosophy pre-test aquaria for 2-4 days after which two Faculty Sponsor: Ola Olapade Hometown: Bloomington, Ind. similarly sized individuals were transferred to a test tank. Major: Sociology In this paper, I offer Fish with a clay pot in their pre-test Hometown: New Boston, Mich. a response to Sally tanks defeated opponents without such prior Haslanger’s appeals Bacteria are prokary- experience when test tanks contained an to semantic external- otic, single-chromo- identical pot. Experience in a small group ism and confirma- some microorganisms of conspecifics had no significant effect on tion holism in her that are ubiquitous contest outcome, although fish that held latest work on social in nature and have lower size ranks tended to lose contests. construction. I ask particularly adapted Chemical cues did not affect the outcome whether analyses that to survival in of contests. Thus, juvenile black Midas turn on acceptance biofilms on various cichlids are not typically territorial but are of the theory of surfaces, including sufficiently plastic to behave territorially, and semantic external- those cleansed with ism allow an agent to hold privileged access over-the-counter to her self-identification claims, and how we antibacterial agents. can evaluate the truth values of these claims. Some commonly found bacteria of public (How do we adjudicate disagreements about health importance on various surfaces such race and gender predications? Are there prin- as fomites include species of Escherichia, ciples for sorting out a correct interpretation Alcaligenes, Bacillus, Neisseria, Streptococcus, when an expert and an individual disagree and Lactobacillus. Fomites are inanimate about what term the individual falls under? objects or substances that can be contami- How do we account for self-knowledge?) I nated with, retain, and transport contagious suggest reasons for thinking that construc- or infectious organisms, e.g., pathogens tivist analyses of race and gender must take (Maier et al. 2000). Examples include day- self-identification claims seriously in order to care toys, towels, money, cell phones, dust give a complete picture of social location, and particles, and improperly cleaned medical suggest that an investigation of the limit case equipment. Therefore, shared surfaces and of description disagreement—slurs and epi- environments predispose human popula- thets—may provide reasons for thinking that tions to contact with and contamination by self-identification is an important, though fomite-associated bacterial as well as other perhaps overlooked, condition for determin- microbial populations. ing the legitimacy of social kind terms. 23 elkin r. isaac STUDENT research symposium

______MICHAEL MELVIN, ’07 my thesis explores the connections my study uses morphometric (size and between Byron and Wilde, two authors shape) analyses to try to resolve what these Celebrity, Scandal, and Self- separated in time by more than 30 years, specimens represent. The size and shape of drawing from the biographies of their young the front part of the lower shell (epiplastral Construction: Lord Byron and lives and progressing through the construc- lobe) and its individual elements (epiplastra, Oscar Wilde in the Public Eye tion of their literary personae, which were entoplastron, and epiplastral gutter) were Faculty Sponsor: Sarah Jordan built upon flirting with the unspeakable acts analyzed for specimens from the basin-cen- for which they were later condemned. Finally, ter (Echmatemys wyomingensis, Echmatemys Major: English I examine the hidden homoerotic messages septaria) and the basin-margin (the large Hometown: Northville, Mich. in their literature and how social disapproval unknown specimens and a common new For the Romantic affected Byron and Wilde’s position in our species near “Echmatemys” euthetna). While poet Lord Byron and literary canon. some morphometric parameters provide little the Victorian writer distinction between taxa, others clearly sepa- Supported by: FURSCA rate them. Preliminary results indicate that Oscar Wilde, it was a ______combination of their the large unknown specimens represent a new literary work and AMANDA MILLHOUSE, ’07 taxon of emydid that inhabited the basin- margin area at South Pass before the common their personae that Morphometric Analysis of Emydid attracted the public basin-margin taxon appeared. of their respec- Turtles from the Eocene of South Supported by: FURSCA, Langbo Trustees’ tive eras. Through Pass, Wyoming Professorship, Lawrence D. Taylor Fund their self-revealing Faculty Sponsor: William Bartels for Undergraduate Research, University of literature, includ- Michigan Museum of Paleontology Research ing Byron’s Childe Harold and Wilde’s The Major: Geology Fund Portrait of Dorian Gray, both authors built a Hometown: Grand Blanc, Mich. ______connection with their audience that established them as more than mere writers: they The Eocene of SARAH MOILANEN, ’08 were celebrities. Wyoming was characterized by moun- To Conform or Not Conform: Before their adoring publics, Byron and Wilde toyed with their images to add to tain building and the The Social Influences on Gender their enticement. Byron, always emphasizing erosion of sediments Identity his own melancholy, reproached a sculptor into a large subtropi- cal lowland known Faculty Sponsor: Holger Elischberger for not perfectly capturing his image: “My expression is more unhappy,” he scolded. as the Green River Major: Psychology Wilde, forever willing to break social norms, Basin. A diverse Hometown: Empire, Mich. shocked an upper-class audience at the open- vertebrate fauna thrived in this area, According to the ing of Lady Windermere’s Fan by smoking Diagnostic and Statistical before the crowd. “Ladies and gentlemen, it’s including several Manual (DSM) of the American Psycho- perhaps not very proper to smoke in front of taxa of emydid turtles, a group represented logical Association, people who strongly you, but . . . it’s not very proper to disturb today by sliders and box turtles. Two major identify with an opposite gender, and have depositional areas existed within the basin extreme discomfort with their biological me when I am smoking,” he said. However, revelations regarding their non-normative during the Eocene and are referred to as sex, could be diagnosed with gender identity sexualities led to both men being ostracized the “basin-center” (low topographic relief disorder. by the publics who had once so revered them. containing lakes and meandering streams) similarly to many transgendered and the “basin-margin” (higher topographic authors, I feel that the DSM offers a narrow relief with braided streams and alluvial fans). perspective on gender identity; specifically, Generally, different species of emydid turtles it unquestioningly accepts the prevalent are found in the two areas, but the lowest gender binary and fails to pay sufficient basin-margin deposits at South Pass contain attention to societal factors that cause much what appear to be basin-center species. These of the distress experienced by transgendered specimens are larger than their basin-center people throughout their lives. In order to counterparts, and could represent: (1) large further explore these issues, I worked with individuals of the common basin-margin TransGender Michigan to meet and interview taxon, (2) large individuals of basin-center people who identified outside the gender taxa, or (3) a new taxon. binary. in my interviews I found that people who identify outside the gender binary experienced discomfort in various personal and societal relationships. Interviewees indicated that their family members and

24 elkin r. isaac STUDENT research symposium

______peers often negatively impacted their self- pathway involved in the development of alco- SHAUNA PARADINE, ’08 esteem and general psychological well-being. holism and is differentially evoked by acute Interestingly, all interviewees described and chronic alcohol administration in the Catalytic Enantioselective coming out as a generally positive experience prefrontal cortex. Large amounts of micro- as it signified the recognition of their gender array data from previous studies on acute α-Oxytosylation of Propiophenone identity and sexuality to themselves and ethanol in mouse strains with contrasting Using Chiral Hypervalent Iodine others. behavioral responses to ethanol were com- Reagents: An International consideration of societal influences is piled. Bioinformatic programs such as TMEV Collaboration important when discussing gender identity as and Ingenuity Pathway Analysis were used in a “disorder.” Although my sample was small the analysis of the s-scores from oligonucle- Faculty Sponsor: Andrew French and those interviewed were not necessarily otide microarrays (144 microarrays and about Major: Chemistry diagnosed with gender identity disorder, their 12,000 genes from PFC analyzed). TMEV Hometown: Schoolcraft, Mich. testimonials provided a wealth of subjec- was used to statistically filter and cluster the tive information that is not reflected in the data, and Ingenuity was used to formulate Very recently, DSM. I believe that more knowledge about gene networks consisting of some of the key catalytic reactions the experiences of transgendered people is myelin-related genes. It was found that many with hypervalent important when considering gender identity of the myelin-related genes upregulated fol- iodine reagents have disorder. Otherwise, the transgendered com- lowing acute ethanol were found in previous been investigated munity that is stigmatized with this “disor- studies to be regulated by fyn tyrosine kinase by a small number der” cannot be represented in an inclusive (10 genes). Analysis of the gene networks of research groups. manner. showed that myelin genes were upregulated These reactions are most strongly in the ethanol-sensitive mouse of particular interest Supported by: FURSCA strains, revealing the importance of underly- in organic synthesis, ______ing genetics to drug-induced changes and because not only CARRIE OLESZKOWICZ, ’07 behavior. The hypothesis generated that can do hypervalent be further explored is that ethanol regulates iodine reagents have the advantage of being Meta-Analysis of Prefrontal Cortex the expression of a subset of myelin-related much more environmentally friendly than from Acute Ethanol Studies in genes in a region-specific manner through fyn their heavy-metal counterparts, but also in Mice: Making a Myelin Gene tyrosine kinase. catalytic reactions little of the precursor is needed and the active catalyst is generated as Network Supported by: National Science Foundation, a part of the reaction. However, to date, no National Institutes of Health. This research Faculty Sponsor: Kenneth Saville one has attempted to perform these reactions was conducted at the Bioinformatics and in a stereoselective manner. The research that Major: Chemistry Bioengineering Summer Institute, Virginia is presented here is an initial investigation Hometown: Plymouth, Mich. Commonwealth University, under the guidance into enantioselective reactions with a variety of Michael Miles. The progression of chiral hypervalent iodine reagents, which from casual drug use was begun during a summer of research at to addiction is seen Cardiff University in Wales and has contin- at the molecular level ued throughout the year at Albion. A review by changes in gene of the “state of the work” will be included expression that lead with special emphasis placed on new work to permanent drug- done at Albion College and with collabora- induced neuroplas- tors in Wales. ticity in the brain. mCPBA, TsOH mCBA Gene networks are O O an important tool CH3 CH3 used in the analysis I O I O CH3 HO CH3 of large amounts of data and can be help- OTs ful in drug research to locate specific gene OH targets for treatment of addiction. It has been O proposed that the regulation of myelin gene Ph Ph expression may be part of a crucial signaling OTs O OTs O Ph IAr* Ph

Supported by: FURSCA-Hyde Fellowship, National Science Foundation

25 elkin r. isaac STUDENT research symposium

______KELLY PARSELL, ’07 BENJAMIN PASSAVANT, ’08 LINDSAY PINGEL, ’07 “Static”: A Collection of Poems and The Automobile Refueling Nonverbal Coding of Roommate Prints Emissions Controversy Conflict Faculty Sponsor: Anne McCauley Faculty Sponsor: Wesley Dick Faculty Sponsor: Karen Erlandson Majors: Art, Psychology Major: History Major: Communication Studies Hometown: La Grange Park, Ill. Hometown: Tecumseh, Mich. Hometown: St. Johns, Mich. “Static” is a creative Due to their large Every year tens project combining population and the of thousands of my interests in visual huge number of students go to college art, creative writing, annual miles trav- and live in residence and psychology. eled, gasoline-pow- halls. It has been Each of the seven ered cars and trucks reported that aspects poems included have always been of dormitory living, focuses on a relation- major contributors including room- ship between two to air pollution. This mate conflict, have people in which was recognized early academic and psy- there is a sense of in the national effort chological impacts loss—a loss of inno- to improve ambi- on the students. cence, the death of a loved one, the end of a ent air quality. In the 1977 Clean Air Act Nonverbal variables such as attitudes toward relationship. The speakers of the poems are Amendments (CAAA), Congress turned its personal space and relational involvement fixed in their current mental states, but the attention to the last of the four major sources have also been linked to various outcomes spaces between them and the other people of air pollution from these vehicles: refueling measures such as roommate adjustment and are filled with unique energies that transcend emissions. This created a new dynamic for satisfaction. However, there has not been physical and temporal boundaries. both the politicians and the regulators, since much research looking directly at nonver- For this project, I handset the text of the refueling emissions occur at service stations bal aspects of roommate interactions. In an poems on a letterpress and printed an edition and could be controlled either by modifying attempt to observe and analyze nonverbal of broadsides. I also created a textural image the vehicle or through installing new hard- behavior of roommates, the current study for each poem that illustrates the space/ ware at the service station. The auto indus- videotaped 102 roommates from Albion energy between the two people. The images try pushed hard for controls at the service College discussing a recent conflict. After the were completed as relief prints and then station while the oil industry heavily favored taped interactions were completed, students compiled with the broadsides into portfolios. controls onboard the vehicle. When the 1977 were separated into different rooms and com- The poems and images were constructed as CAAA directed the U.S. Environmental pleted survey measures assessing territoriality. an edition of artist’s books as well. Together, Protection Agency (EPA) to study and decide researchers hypothesized that territo- the different aspects of the project investigate the best approach, rather than prescribing riality was negatively related to nonverbal existing intra- and inter-personal relation- an outcome, this put into motion an intense involvement. Results of the data indicate that ships, while encouraging viewers to do the process pitting the two biggest U.S. industry the hypothesis was partially supported. These same. sectors against one another. The issue was not findings are pertinent to both entering stu- resolved in over 15 years of technical assess- dents and administrators at colleges as they Supported by: FURSCA ment, public policy study, and rulemaking attempt to maximize roommate satisfaction work. In the 1990 CAAA, Congress directed and college retention. limited gasoline pump controls and also directed the EPA to implement vehicle con- Supported by: FURSCA trols through a rulemaking process in consul- tation with the Department of Transportation regarding safety issues. Drawing from the voluminous public record, this project documents the intense public policy proceedings of the 18 years leading to the EPA regulation in 1994. This rule was among the longest and most contentious ever considered by EPA. The environmental stakes were high, and the long and storied record is illustrative of the power politics and machinations behind how environmental policy decisions occur in our government. Supported by: FURSCA 26 elkin r. isaac STUDENT research symposium

______SARAH RICHARDSON, ’08 PAUL ROBERTS, ’07 and striated gravel were commonly associated with these planed surfaces and also indicate Children’s Educational and Field Analysis of Volcanism ice overriding. Occupational Aspirations in Urban and Glaciation at Minna Bluff, Supported by: National Science Foundation Nigeria: Implications for Policy Antarctica ______Development Faculty Sponsor: Thomas Wilch KEVIN RYAN, ’07 Faculty Sponsor: ‘Dimeji Togunde Major: Geology The Life, Music, and Legacy of Major: Sociology Hometown: Dimondale, Mich. Howard Hanson and His Influences Hometown: Saginaw, Mich. Modern global on American Classical Music and My research uses climate change can the American Music Education data from interviews only be understood System with 1,535 children in the context of and their parents past climatic change. Faculty Sponsor: David Abbott in urban Nigeria to The behavior and stability of the Major: Music Performance examine children’s Hometown: Allen Park, Mich. educational and Antarctic Ice Sheet occupational aspira- are important factors Howard Harold tions, and parents’ in global climate Hanson (1896- aspirations for their change both today 1981) was an children. The find- and in the past. This American composer ings indicate that field project involves reconstructing past of classical music an overwhelming majority of children plan Antarctic ice-levels at Minna Bluff, a 50-km- who refused to fol- to attain postsecondary college/university long volcanic peninsula that extends into the low his contempo- qualifications and engage in professional Ross Embayment along the South Victoria raries into the realm occupations such as medicine, education, Land coast of Antarctica. Minna Bluff is of serialism and law, etc. Parents’ aspirations for children composed of many overlapping volcanoes atonality. His music are similar to children’s goals. There is no that are 7-12 million years old, dating to a is characterized as difference between male and female children time when the earth was significantly warmer deeply romantic, in regarding educational desires or career aspira- than it is today. both form and style, and intensely melodic, tions. Also, there is no significant variation Geological mapping of the southeast filled with lush chromaticism and harmony in parents’ aspirations for male and female end of Minna Bluff during January 2007 derived from the full palette of Western children. Furthermore, the results demon- revealed several sequences of volcanic and tonality. His pieces are both beautiful and strate that several factors, including parental glacial deposits that provide a proxy record striking and are immediately accessible to socio-economic variables such as education, of former ice-levels. Stratigraphic units any listener. Often described as an American occupation, and income, strongly determine were characterized and sampled in verti- symphonist, Hanson composed a total of children’s educational and occupational cal exposures, and important features that seven symphonies that are considered the aspirations. These findings have implications reflect ancient environments were determined pinnacles of his work. Hanson’s only opera, for policies aimed at strengthening human including clast-generation processes, volcanic Merry Mount, is an American opera mas- capital formation and development in depositional processes, and glacial conditions. terpiece that garnered 50 stage calls during Nigeria. These volcanic sequences alternated its opening performance. Besides writing from oxidized welded vesicular lavas and for the symphony orchestra, Hanson also Supported by: FURSCA breccias to glassy hydrated lavas and breccias. wrote many pieces for the piano, choir, wind The transition from oxidized vesicular flows ensemble, chamber ensemble, and for solo and breccias to glassy flows and breccias is instrument, as well as for combinations of interpreted as a change in environmental the aforementioned. Perhaps more important conditions during eruption from ice-present than his compositional versatility is the fact to ice-free. Multiple massive trachytic domes that Hanson was one of the first American occur throughout the sequence associated composers of the twentieth century to create laterally with carapace breccia. Basaltic lava an entire literature of classical music that sheets, flows, and cones also occur. Planed could be labeled as “American.” tops of units with parallel-oriented erosional Despite a lifetime of service to the bet- grooves provide evidence of overriding by terment of music in the United States, his glacial ice during the construction of Minna enormous influences on American classical Bluff. Muddy sediments containing polished music, his unwavering support of music education, and his own extraordinary compositional achievements, Howard Hanson has largely been forgotten. This project takes

27 elkin r. isaac STUDENT research symposium

______an in-depth look into the life, music, and plasmid to the sucrose used in the selection JACOB SAUSER, ’07 legacy of Howard Hanson and his many scheme was also measured. Additionally, lasting influences on American classical music restriction enzymes for the reverse transcrip- The Relationship between Job and the American music education system tion have been selected, and the required through both performance and musicological primers have been designed. Security and Job Satisfaction in research. College Professors Supported by: FURSCA Supported by: FURSCA ______Faculty Sponsor: Andrew Christopher ______JACOB SAUSER, ’07 Major: Psychology RASLEEN SALUJA, ’08 Hometown: Chattanooga, Tenn. Chunking and Context Effects and Designing a Novel Genetic Assay Job security is related to job satisfaction in Their Effects on Media Recall several different career tracks. However, no to Measure Reverse Transcriptase Faculty Sponsor: Mareike Wieth research has been conducted regarding the Fidelity effect that job security could potentially Major: Psychology Faculty Sponsor: Kenneth Saville have on job satisfaction in the education Hometown: Chattanooga, Tenn. profession. This research examined this Majors: Chemistry, Biology Chunking and potential effect among college professors. It Hometown: Darien, Ill. context effects have was hypothesized that those professors with been shown to help higher levels of job security would also have Retroviruses are higher levels of job satisfaction. responsible for a people increase the a modified version of the Spector Job number of serious capacity of their short-term memory Satisfaction Scale was used to measure job diseases including satisfaction. Two one-way analyses of vari- the development by enabling them to group together ances were used to analyze the data. The of certain tumors, hypothesis that professors with tenure would neurological disor- related items. However, previous have higher levels of job satisfaction than ders, and acquired professors without tenure was not supported, immunodeficiency research was typically limited to word or F(1, 24) = 1.75, p = .195. The hypothesis syndrome (AIDS), that professors of a higher rank would have which is caused by letter memorization. Chunking and context effects have not been investigated using more higher levels of job satisfaction than professors the human immu- of a lower rank was also not supported, nodeficiency virus (HIV). In the context of complex materials. This study examined F(3, 23) = 1.60, p = .217. a worldwide effort to contain these disor- whether chunking and context effects can help people remember more quotes, in this Despite non-statistically significant ders, retroviral research has become very results, some interesting trends emerged. significant in the last few decades. The goal case, from popular movies. It was hypothesized that people will remember more quotes Tenured professors had slightly lower levels of this project was to create a novel assay, or of job satisfaction than untenured profes- scientific test, that measures the replication coming from the same movie than quotes from different movies. sors. Typically, tenured professors had been fidelity, or faithfulness, of reverse transcrip- employed by the institution longer than tase, an enzyme essential to the replication of Thirty-four students participated in the study. For condition A, 10 quotes from untenured professors. Thus, this trend could retroviruses. The fidelity of retroviral enzymes be explained by the fact that the untenured has become of interest to researchers because the movie Anchorman (2004) were spliced together with approximately one second professors have not been at the institution as the number of therapies for rapidly mutat- long enough to learn the nuances of the orga- ing retroviruses increases, so does the number between movie clips. For condition B, quotes from each of 10 different movies were spliced nization. This result implies that the longer of resistant strains. Increasing the fidelity of professors stay employed by the institution, retroviruses decreases their mutation rates, together for a total of 10 quotes. I showed participants the first movie condition, then the more they learn about the operations of thus making existing therapies more effec- the institution, and they may need to take on tive. In this project, the SacRB gene isolated asked them to recall as many of the quotes as possible. I then showed them the second responsibilities that could negatively affect from B. subtilis is transcribed into RNA, and their job satisfaction levels. reverse transcribed with a reverse transcriptase movie condition, after which they again (RT). The DNA products will be amplified recalled as many of the quotes as possible. To using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) control for possible interference effects, some and analyzed for mutations that cause loss people were shown condition A first, while of function in the SacRB gene using a novel others were shown condition B first. selection scheme we have designed that a paired-samples t-test showed that the utilizes the pUC vector. To make the selec- hypothesis that people would remember more tion as effective as possible, transformation movie quotes from the same movie (M = rates need to be high. Thus far, they have 5.56, SD = 2.39) than quotes from different been measured to be consistently 1 million movies (M = 4.56, SD = 1.89) was supported, cfu/µg plasmid, with a peak efficiency of 3.75 t(33) = 2.33, p = .026. million cfu/µg plasmid. The sensitivity of the

28 elkin r. isaac STUDENT research symposium

______JASON SEBACHER, ’08 GRACE SHIN, ’07 DORELA SHUBONI, ’09 An “Uncouth Swain” Tells an Widows as Portrayed in South The Effect of Alcohol and Uncouth Poem: John Milton and Korean Media: 1950s to the Present Pheromones on the Reentrainment the Duality of Lycidas Faculty Sponsor: Yi-Li Wu Rate of Octodon degus Faculty Sponsor: Deborah Kanter Major: Biology Faculty Sponsor: Tammy Jechura Major: English Literature Hometown: Livonia, Mich. Majors: Biology, Chemistry Hometown: Sturgis, Mich. The images of Hometown: Troy, Mich. John Milton’s women in South Circadian rhythms Lycidas is a poem Korean media have are biological func- inextricably linked been shaped and tions that follow a to an author whose reshaped in the last 24-hour cycle and intention was to be 50 years. Political occur even with- understood by the legitimization, out external cues. public. It was also exploitation, and Though circadian published twice at commercialization rhythms do not rely two importantly of women’s sexuality, on these cues to different points in public condemna- exist, Zeitgebers (like his life, which is tion of the nation’s light and tempera- significant because socioeconomic structure, and later, techno- ture) influence the the two publications had different audiences, logical advances have influenced the portrayal way in which the cycle is expressed. When platforms, and motivations for publication. of Korean women in both films and on televi- there is a disruption in the rhythm by either I contend, therefore, that the Lycidas of sion. Some recent texts on Korean cinema an advance or delay in an external cue, the 1638—as the last of 33 poems contained in address the significance of women’s roles subject will phase shift, entraining to the new Justa Edovardo King naufrago—has differ- as depicted in melodramas of various time conditions presented. Jet lag is an example ent themes than the Lycidas of 1645—as the periods. Women represent modesty, class, and of phase shifting. As individuals cross time penultimate entry in the first half of Poems political obedience in 1950s and ’60s Golden zones, the period in which they are exposed of Mr. John Milton. The former publication’s Age films. Since the late 1990s, women in to light shifts; the internal clock is tuned to platform is expressive and the latter forensic; films represent autonomy, exertion, and a the light:dark (LD) cycle of the original loca- thus, they are indeed two different poems in new sense of righteousness. tion while the body is actually experiencing the significances of their respective messages. however, not all women are created the LD cycle of the final destination. Slowly, in the 1638 Lycidas, the young Milton’s equal in melodramas. It came to my atten- the traveler will shift to the new light pat- fears and anxieties regarding his poetical tion that widows were employed as especially tern, entraining to the new environment. By career are powerfully expressed; these include important (and popular) icons for Koreans measuring the amount of time that it takes his fear of premature death (as in King’s in the post-war era as well as in the years for the individual to become accommodated case) before fully achieving the public following the 1997 International Monetary to the new LD cycle, a rate of entrainment fame he unabashedly desired. The poem, Fund (IMF) economic crisis. Altered portraits can be determined. The subjects we used though, resolves in the uniquely Miltonian of widows reflect greater changes within the are degus (Octodon degus), diurnal Chilean fashion in using pagan motifs to arrive at society since Korean widows have historically rodents that share many similar circadian a Christian moral: here, “fame in Heav’n and unequivocally stood as symbols of virtue. characteristics with humans. We are phase- expect thy meed,” as well as the solace in the my work examines the changes and advancing the degus six hours under different seventeenth-century notion of the “Circle of continuities influencing how Koreans have conditions (control, alcohol, pheromones, Perfection.” The 1645 Lycidas has a mark- presented and viewed their widows on the and alcohol with pheromones) and observing edly different motivation for publication. In screens since the 1950s. It compares the how each affects the rate of reentrainment. republishing the poem nearly 10 years after portrayal of a representative post-war widow By conducting this experiment, we are exam- resolving to write only political prose, Milton to the portrayal of a representative post-IMF ining the effects of alcohol and pheromones delivers a polemical statement about the crisis widow. It investigates the emergence of on the reentrainment rate and the interaction importance of preaching as the only way to erotic widows in the ’80s Korean cinema, as between the two, alcohol and pheromones. grace (which the Anglican clergy shamefully well as the most recent depiction of voluntary ignored) in both St. Peter’s speech of lines single motherhood (analogous to widow- Supported by: FURSCA-Irwin Fellowship 113 to 131 and in what I have termed the hood), attributable to modern medicine. “Pagan-Christian Continuum.” Supported by: FURSCA-Irwin Fellowship Supported by: Newberry Library

29 elkin r. isaac STUDENT research symposium

______SIMONA SHUBONI, ’07 LESLEY SIMANTON, ’09 REBEKAH SIMMONS, ’07 Rock ’n’ Roll and the Nationalities Training in Astronomical “The Aviary”: A Collective Series of Question: Creating a Yugoslav Spectroscopy Poems with Corresponding Works Culture, 1960-1992 Faculty Sponsor: Nicolle Zellner of Art Faculty Sponsor: Geoffrey Cocks Major: Physics Faculty Sponsor: Julie Stotz-Ghosh Majors: History, Public Policy Hometown: Niles, Mich. Major: English Hometown: Troy, Mich. Spectroscopy is the Hometown: Dexter, Mich. Focusing on primary research My grandmother Yugoslavia during the method of astrono- had always been height of “Yu Rock,” mers. Spectra terrified of birds, from its humble obtained from but, nevertheless, beginnings with the the light of stars, she enjoyed watch- nation’s first rock galaxies, and other ing them from afar. artist Karlo “Matt astronomical objects When she became Collins” Metikoš in allow for the analysis diagnosed with 1960 to the coincid- of the universe stage four pancreatic ing dissolution of from the comfort of cancer, it tore my the rock industry Earth. This presen- world apart, but and the nation in tation reveals what is involved in learning my grandmother, 1992, my research explores the impact that how to collect spectra using the University being the unshakable, faithful woman that rock music had in answering the centuries- of Toledo’s 40-inch reflecting telescope and she was, never let death sway her. As Hospice old nationalities question. Specifically, my analyzing spectra using the Image Reduction came into her home to aid her in her last few project focuses on the implications of “Yu and Analysis Facility (IRAF) software. The weeks, she requested that her hospital bed be Rock” in aiding the creation of an overall creation of an atlas of the spectrum of Alpha placed on the porch so that she could watch Yugoslav culture and identity. I examine how Cygni, commonly known as Deneb, in the the birds at their feeders. My grandmother is Yugoslavia’s unique historical, cultural, and visible band using IRAF and the discovery of gone now, but the memory of her is alive and economic position within the East-West Cold mass loss in this supergiant star are discussed takes flight upon the spirit of the birds that War divide allowed its domestic rock industry in detail along with additional informa- she so treasured. to inadvertently develop as a way, outside the tion on the applications of spectroscopy in “The Aviary” is comprised of five sub- state apparatus, of dealing with the country’s astronomy. projects that join together to form a cohesive ethnic divisions. I contend that because Supported by: FURSCA, National Science whole. Each project is comprised of one or Yugoslav rock ’n’ roll was allowed to develop Foundation more poetic works and is accompanied by virtually unchecked under the ethos of Josip ______a piece of artwork. I chose to work with a Broz Tito’s brand of socialist self-management wide variety of media, such as photography, it became one of the truest representations of WENDY SIMANTON, ’07 printmaking, and pastels, in order to create a uniquely Yugoslav culture and a reflection (See Paul Beach, ’08, Wendy Simanton, ’07) the conglomerate quality present in aviaries, of a shared Yugoslav identity. This project where birds of every shape and size reside. also considers the subsequent collapse of I tried to emulate this aesthetic in my poetry Yugoslavia and its united rock music indus- as well, utilizing varieties of narrative and try, and through its analysis of “Yu Rock’s” lyric poems. While creating this collection, relationship to Yugoslav identity and culture I pushed myself to reinvent my poetic style provides a more complex view of the ethnic and to use the power of words and art to create fighting that eventually destroyed the nation. a lasting memorial to my grandmother. Rather than reinforcing the prevalent stereo- type of “ancient Balkan hatred” as the cause Supported by: FURSCA of the collapse, my examination of Yugoslav rock, which suggests the existence of a trans- ethnic Yugoslav cultural identity, facilitates a deeper, multifaceted, and re-politicized look at the Balkan conflict of 1992. Supported by: FURSCA

30 elkin r. isaac STUDENT research symposium

______SARAH SIMMONS, ’07 ALICIA SIMON, ’07 DYLAN SIMONS, ’08 (See Catherine Game, ’08, John Cawood, ’08, Attempted Aziridinations and Conservative Ideology and Mike Eggleston, ’08, Adam Hashimoto, ’08, Sulfonilimations Using Simple Iron Attitudes toward Fat People Jason Lindberg, ’08, Kapil Mandrekar, ’07, Dylan Simons, ’08) Catalysts and Hypervalent Iodine Faculty Sponsor: Andrew Christopher Reagents ______Major: Psychology JENNIFER SMITH, ’07 Faculty Sponsor: Andrew French Hometown: Trenton, Mich. Major: Chemistry The goal of this Behavioral Studies and Hometown: Scotts, Mich. research was to Investigations of Acoustic Nerve investigate the Aziridines and Pathways in Nurse Sharks predictive power of (Ginglymostoma cirratum) sulfonilimines are social dominance among some of the orientation (SDO), Faculty Sponsor: Jeffrey Carrier most important right-wing authori- Major: Psychology functional groups in tarianism (RWA), Hometown: Ann Arbor, Mich. organic chemistry. and Protestant work We report here our ethic (PWE) on Studies of the sen- work toward the different anti-fat sory physiology of synthesis of these attitudes. SDO refers the nervous system molecules from to the belief that certain groups are innately in living organisms alkenes using simple superior to other groups. RWA promotes the have revealed impor- iron catalysts and idea that it is best to adhere to traditional tant relationships hypervalent iodine reagents. Alkene, solvent, conventions held by society and to submit between sensory iron catalyst, hypervalent iodine source, and to legitimate authorities (Kreindler, 2005). input and behavior. amide source were varied, but no appreciable Finally, PWE embraces the idea that hard These relation- amount of aziridine was obtained. The same work is a central-life calling. Those who ships have been reaction conditions were attempted for the endorse this ideology despise laziness and largely unexplored sulfonilimation of sulfide or sulfoxide sub- are prejudiced against those who appear to in nurse sharks strates, and a significant amount of product be violating this value (Crandall, 1994). It (Ginglymostoma cirratum). Preliminary was obtained. The use of FeCl in the reac- 3 was expected that SDO, RWA, and PWE research for the present study investigated the tion does seem to accelerate the formation would differentially predict three attitudes relationship between sensory physiology and of product, but oxidation is also seen in the toward fat people: dislike of fat people, fear behavior of the acoustical system in nurse absence of iron catalyst or hypervalent iodine of becoming fat, and the belief that fat people sharks. In order to study shark electrophysiol- source. lack willpower. ogy, microscale silicon- and polymer-substrate

SO2R1 a survey was distributed to 94 under- neural probes were designed in collaboration N R R graduate students. The survey contained with the University of Michigan Biomedical Oxidant, Solvent measures of each conservative ideology and Engineering Department to measure neural Amide Source, Fe(III) catalyst anti-fat attitude of interest in this study. activity. These electrodes were implanted into (I(III) source N SO2R1 S S General political leaning, age, and sex were the temporal lobe of the brain to measure R R R R included as covariates. To examine the neural signals and to characterize basic sen- Supported by: FURSCA-Kresge Fellowship, individual effects of RWA, PWE, and SDO sory system responses and their correlation to National Science Foundation on dislike of fat people, fear of becoming shark behavior. Neural units were identified fat, and the belief that fat people have no and localized in sharks restrained in small iso- willpower, we conducted multiple linear lation chambers. Stimulation of these nerves regression analysis on each criterion. while the sharks were free-swimming and regression analysis revealed that SDO unrestrained in larger holding tanks was not was a marginally significant predictor of dis- successfully measured and requires further like of fat people (p = .055) and that PWE study to correlate the neural activity with was a robust predictor of the belief that fat behavioral responses. people lack willpower (p < .001). a parallel study was conducted using Pavlov’s classical conditioning in order to Supported by: FURSCA train the nurse shark. To understand what attracts and repels sharks effectively in their natural environment, it is important to understand their behavioral responses to acoustical and visual stimuli. Using squid and

31 elkin r. isaac STUDENT research symposium

______shrimp as the reward, nurse sharks were suc- The light is a 10,000-lux full-spectrum light, EMILY SWANSON, ’07 cessfully conditioned to touch a visual target, found to be very effective at treating circadian a yellow and black stick, and return for the rhythm disorders. The effectiveness of the The Influence of Aging Stereotypes reward. These results indicate that sharks light will be assessed by body temperature are able to discriminate between visual and monitors showing the overall circadian on Recovery Projections auditory stimuli and have the ability to be rhythm, Actigraph watches to determine how Faculty Sponsor: Mary Jenson trained. well their sleep was consolidated, and daily journals completed by the participants. Major: Psychology Supported by: FURSCA, Defense Advanced Hometown: Lake Orion, Mich. Research Projects Agency Supported by: FURSCA In making health ______decisions, people HANNAH SPRAGUE, ’09 JEFF STEPHENS, ’09 often turn to a network of friends, Effects of Bright Light Treatment Reproductive Behavior of Intersexes family, and acquain- on Sleep Consolidation and in an Intertidal Amphipod, tances for guidance. Entrainment of Circadian Rhythms Corophium volutator This group is referred to as a “lay network.” Faculty Sponsor: Tammy Jechura Faculty Sponsor: Dean McCurdy Lay network recom- Major: Economics and Management Major: Biology mendations can be Hometown: Jackson, Mich. Hometown: Grosse Pointe, Mich. quite influential in a person’s health care Sleep is critical for The phenomenon of intersex, defined as hav- decisions (Bailey 1988). Additionally, lay everyone’s physical ing both male and female secondary sexual network recommendations are instrumental and mental well- characteristics, occurs in many crustacean in the quality of care that a person receives, being. College species. In most cases, intersexes are sterile especially with the elderly (Coe, Wolinsky, students are known or function as females. However, in the Miller, et al., 1985; Greenberger and Litwin, for irregular sleeping. intertidal amphipod Corophium volutator, 2003). Beliefs about a person’s age group can Then as people age, previous studies have shown that intersexes affect lay network advice; recommendations many complain function as males under laboratory condi- based on these stereotypes may not always about a lack of sleep tions, which could be important because of be the most advantageous guidance for an quality. Sleep is a male-limitation which occurs in Corophium individual. circadian rhythm; populations. Using field collections, I Undergraduates (N = 120) participated it should occur on observed that intersexes frequently engaged in a study that examined how stereotypes of about a 24-hour cycle. When this rhythm is in mate-searching behavior, although less aging affected the suggestions they would disrupted, the body’s internal clock becomes than actual males. Furthermore, all intersexes offer as members of a lay network. A com- altered and other circadian rhythms, such were paired with females, suggesting that puter program was used to prime participants as body temperature, hormone produc- they function as males in natural populations with positive or negative stereotypes about tion, and levels of alertness, also suffer. of amphipods. In the laboratory, intersexes aging. The participants were presented with Numerous studies have shown that exposure placed in competition with males had fewer positive or negative images and words regard- to bright light is very effective in adjusting and shorter contacts with receptive females, ing the elderly, as well as a short scenario the circadian clock. This can be useful to although body size was the key determinant detailing a hypothetical elderly family mem- counteract and perhaps prevent the effects of success in guarding and mating with ber’s recovery from a health problem. The of jet lag. Therefore, we will use bright light females. Because intersex amphipods are participants then rated the elderly person’s treatment to help readjust circadian rhythms often mistaken as females, the percentage of ability to recover from the event and made to encourage sleep consolidation in both functional males in amphipod populations recommendations for this person’s prescribed college students and a group of senior citizens may be underestimated. recovery program. It was hypothesized that in the Albion community. This could be Supported by: FURSCA the participants primed with negative stereo- very useful, since many elderly suffer from types about aging would rate the patient as microarousals, waking them for just a few less likely to make a full recovery to their seconds but occurring between 200 to 1,000 previous physical capacity. It was also hypoth- times a night, seriously affecting their sleep esized that the participants primed with nega- rhythms and resulting in additional sleep loss tive stereotypes of aging would be less likely and symptoms. A goLITE (Appolo, Inc.) will to recommend a prescribed recovery regimen be used to encourage sleep consolidation. It to the patient. will be used at 8:00 a.m., and the participants will sit in front of the light for 15 minutes. Supported by: FURSCA

32 elkin r. isaac STUDENT research symposium

______LAKE SWEET, ’08 RACHEL SZYMANSKI, ’07 AMANDA TILOT, ’09 Fine-Scale Movement Patterns The Career Experiences of Examination of Unihemispheric and Habitat Use by Wood Turtles, Instrumental Musicians Sleep in an Australian Lizard, the Glyptemys insculpta Faculty Sponsor: Scott Melzer Bearded Dragon Faculty Sponsor: Dean McCurdy Majors: Music Performance, Sociology Faculty Sponsor: Tammy Jechura Major: Psychology Hometown: Dexter, Mich. Majors: Biology, Psychology Hometown: Mackinac Island, Mich. I conducted a Hometown: Saginaw, Mich. Wood turtles are qualitative study on Unihemispheric endangered through- the work experi- sleep simply means out their range ences of profes- letting one half because of habitat sional instrumental of the brain sleep loss and degrada- musicians and how while the other half tion. A key factor in educational back- is awake in order effective conservation ground and family to perform impor- for this species is life have influenced tant behaviors. learning more about these experiences. Unihemispheric how wood turtles use This project is slow-wave sleep various types of habi- exploratory in nature (USWS) can be tats. This summer, because few sociologists have examined musi- observed and defined I worked as a field researcher in Nova Scotia cians over the past 30 years. Looking at the in multiple ways: through the simple observa- with the goal of exploring fine-scale habitat sociological literature as well as data from the tion of unilateral eye-closure, or through use by wood turtles. To accomplish this goal, National Endowment for the Arts, I found analysis of electroencephalographic (EEG) I used a thread-spool trailing technique to that many individuals pursuing a career in activity between hemispheres when compared follow 12 turtles living on the St. Mary’s music have found it more difficult to “make a with eye-states. In this study, eye-state record- River. By attaching spools of thread to the living” than those in other types of occupa- ings of four bearded dragons (Pogona vit- carapaces of turtles and re-tracking each of tions. I explored this idea by doing semi- ticeps) will be made using a two-video camera them two days later, I could follow the exact structured interviews with 13 instrumentalists setup during a 24-hour period, and scored by movement paths of turtles through vari- working in Michigan. Topics discussed were judging the eye-state in one-minute intervals. ous habitats (determining the direction and educational experience, job satisfaction, Presence of USWS will be defined as marked distance each turtle had traveled). Since last identity, family life, and networking. Many periods of sleep behavior in which one eye is summer, I have used a geographical informa- interesting findings emerged, but probably open and the other closed. It is expected that tion system for the St. Mary’s River to enter the most significant is that, despite a com- USWS will be seen in the dragons, given that 60 movement paths of turtles onto electronic mon trend of financial strain, all musicians it has already been casually observed by the maps for further analysis. Fractal analysis of interviewed seemed content with their career animal technicians and researchers. Should the trails will ultimately be used to assess how choice and led fulfilling lives. reptiles be capable of true unihemispheric turtles perceive landscapes and to document Supported by: FURSCA sleep, then this behavior is possibly not a important habitats for this species. recent adaptation, but perhaps an ancient behavior lost by animals that do not require Supported by: FURSCA, Biology Department a consistently high level of vigilance or continuous activity as in the case of dolphins. Given that true unihemispheric sleep has been observed in aquatic mammals and birds, an evolutionary perspective on its presence in reptiles is warranted. Supported by: FURSCA

33 elkin r. isaac STUDENT research symposium

______VERONICA TUCKER, ’07 have been able to better assess concussions MEAGHAN WALTERS, ’09 and prescribe a more exacting course of treat- The ImPACT of Concussions on ment for concussions. Radium Watch Dial Girls: Was the the Neurological Factors of the ______Price Worth the Watch? THERESA VINIC, ’07 Human Brain Faculty Sponsor: Wesley Dick Faculty Sponsor: Robert Moss Trap, Neuter, Return: Feral Cat Major: Economics and Management Major: Athletic Training Management in Michigan Hometown: Lake Orion, Mich. Hometown: Kalamazoo, Mich. Faculty Sponsor: Bille Wickre Americans in the A blow or jolt to the Majors: Anthropology, History early twentieth head can cause trau- Hometown: Walled Lake, Mich. century were so fas- matic brain injury. cinated by the ben- Some injuries are Cat overpopulation efits of science and focal, or in one area is a serious concern technology that they of the brain. Others worldwide, nation- were often blind to are diffuse, or in wide—and even the costs. The young, more than one area right here in the city female dialpaint- of the brain. Injuries of Albion. Human ers of the Radium can range from a companion cats, Luminous Materials mild concussion to however, are not the Corporation in severe injury, coma, main contributors Orange, New Jersey helped promote this fas- and death. Many mild concussions may have to the overpopula- cination with the production of the luminous no long-term side effects. The side effects tion crisis. Rather, watch. The dialpainters’ repetitive, intricate of a moderate to severe brain injury can most litters are the process of lip-pointing their brushes placed range from headache and confusion to acute offspring of feral cats. While some of these their lips and teeth in direct contact with a personality changes and seizures. Fortunately, kittens may be socialized to humans (where- radium-laced paste. Dialpainter Grace Fryer brain injuries are one of the most preventable upon many simply enter already crowded remembered: “It was a little strange . . . brain disorders. Improved use of car safety shelters), most remain outside on the fringes that when she blew her nose, her handker- belts and child car seats has helped reduce the of human society, grow to sexual maturity, chief glowed in the dark, but everyone knew number of brain injuries, as has greater use of and start the cycle of reproduction all over that the stuff was harmless. The women helmets in biking and other sports. again. In response to this cycle, we humans even painted nails and teeth to surprise their Given the significance of head inju- have traditionally either: done nothing; fed boyfriends when the lights went out.” (Neuzil ries, more sensitive neurodiagnostic assess- the cats with good intentions, but done noth- and Kovarik, Mass Media & Environmental ment strategies have proven critical to the ing else; scooped up the cute and helpless kit- Conflict) Radium, the “miracle elixir,” was a safe management of concussed athletes. tens (leaving intact and sexually mature mom prescribed cure for cancer and other medi- Further, such techniques have provided a and dad behind); or shunted the issue aside cal problems and was freely marketed to the valuable research paradigm from which to to be dealt with by animal control officers, public in many forms. gain a better understanding of this elusive whose policy is often that of “trap and kill.” radium’s good reputation was called injury. At the forefront of these approaches recently, however, a humane alternative into question in the 1920s when the is the advent of computerized neuropsycho- to these responses has been suggested and put dialpainters began suffering from mysteri- logical testing. The University of Pittsburgh into practice: Trap, Neuter, Return (TNR). ous illnesses. Believing that the Radium Medical College Department of Orthopedic Under this management system, entire Corporation was responsible for her sickness, Surgery and Center for Sports Medicine has colonies of feral cats are humanely trapped, Grace Fryer sued her former employer for recently developed a computerized battery vaccinated and sterilized by a veterinarian, pain and suffering. She received help from of neuropsychological tests called ImPACT and then returned to their territory where activist Alice Hamilton and famous journalist (Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and they are fed and monitored by a lifelong Walter Lippmann. Fryer and four other dial- Cognitive Testing) that is becoming widely caregiver. TNR thus halts the growth of painters who joined in the lawsuit would be used both nationally and internationally to the colony population, alleviates the kitten caught up in a media frenzy that labeled the better diagnose and manage sports-related burden in shelters, allows the cats to continue sick and dying women the “Radium Girls.” concussions. guarding their territory/food source, and then This study examines the fate of the There have been several guidelines eventually decreases the population naturally Radium Girls and the significance of their developed to assess brain injuries, but they through attrition. trial. Although this topic is not traditional have been based primarily upon the injured my goal in researching feral cat issues environmental history, it moved me to view individual’s perception. The computer-based is not only to educate myself, but also to factory work in a different light and to see the program, ImPACT, was developed to assess spread awareness of the situation so that Radium Girls’ story as a case study illuminat- minor to significant brain injuries utilizing other concerned individuals can become part ing the environmental justice movement. both perception and cognitive tasks. With the of the solution—even if it means tackling the utilization of ImPACT, physicians, athletic problem one cat at a time. trainers, and other allied health professionals Supported by: FURSCA 34 elkin r. isaac STUDENT research symposium

______SHANE WALTON, ’07 HALIE WATT, ’07 CARMEN WEDDELL, ’08 (See Amanda Boundy, ’07, Halie Watt, ’07) Infrared Photon Transport in ______Beethoven Concerto No. 3 for Biological Material ELIZABETH WEAGE, ’08 Piano and Orchestra, Op. 37 Faculty Sponsor: Aaron Miller Faculty Sponsors: David Abbott, James Ball Temporal Changes in the Major: Physics Abundance and Distribution of Majors: Music Performance, Mathematics Hometown: Southfield, Mich. Hometown: Farmington, Mich. Coliform Bacteria Populations in Current methods the Kalamazoo River Composed in 1800, of medical imaging this concerto was are often dangerous Faculty Sponsor: Ola Olapade first performed for certain types of Major: Biology by the composer patients. Infants, Hometown: Baroda, Mich. himself three years for example, are later. The entire solo not placed in MRI Coliforms are gram- part, however, was machines because the negative, faculta- not committed to effects of exposure tively anaerobic, and paper until a year to strong magnetic lactose-fermenting later. With this, his fields on infants are bacteria that gener- first piano concerto unknown. In addi- ally inhabit human in a minor key, tion, X-rays can harm an unshielded fetus. and other animals’ Beethoven sought to reject Mozart’s style of A technique is thus proposed to provide a intestinal tracts piano concertos. According to the composer safe alternative, whereby infrared photons together with patho- himself, performers of Mozart’s concertos (λ= 1000nm or longer) are used to create an genic organisms; “only run up and down the keyboard with image. therefore, their pres- long-practiced passagework, putsch, putsch, The optical properties (scattering, ence and quantity putsch!” In contrast, Beethoven sought to absorption, anisotropy coefficients) for a are typically utilized in monitoring the clean- produce an emotional and dynamic effect. number of tissues have been previously liness and purity of public water supplies. Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 3 has documented in literature. Using these known Aquatic fecal coliforms are viewed as the most three movements: I. Allegro con brio, II. parameters, photon propagation was simu- important indicator of infectious agents that Largo, and III. Rondo allegro. I will play the lated with the Monte Carlo method through have the potential to endanger public health. first movement, which is written in sonata materials of varying thickness. Monte Carlo Coliform bacteria including Escherichia coli, form. After an orchestral introduction, the simulations record individual particle paths Streptococcus faecalis, and Clostridium perferin- soloist enters with a striking motive, which (photons, in this case) as the particles are genes usually originate from both animal and is constantly expanded upon throughout the transmitted, scattered, or absorbed. The human wastes through sources such as storm movement. The secondary theme is far more pathlength through which a photon travels drains, sewers, snowmelt, and runoff (Ufnar, lyrical, briefly recalling thegalant style of before a scattering or absorption event is 2006). Therefore, the main objective of this Mozart. The development features a constant dependent upon a random number between study is to determine the abundance of vari- dialogue between the piano and the orches- 0 and 1, which is recalculated for each time ous coliform bacterial populations, especially tra. After the recapitulation, the cadenza step. At each interaction event, the weight of in response to effluent discharge from the revisits each of the major themes and expands the photon is reduced. This weight represents Albion City Sewage Treatment Plant over a them greatly. The movement closes with a a fraction of the photon energy deposited at six- to eight-week period. Two sites along the light coda, the final runs giving one last testa- that location in the material. Once the weight Kalamazoo River in Albion, Mich. near the ment to Beethoven’s distinctive character. falls below a limiting value, the photon is ter- sewage treatment plant have been selected in Beethoven’s time, the most popular minated and the process is repeated for many for this study. The abundance of the different keyboard instrument was the fortepiano, (millions of) photons to enable the study of coliform bacterial populations at the collec- a forerunner of our modern piano. The the photon transport process. tion sites is expected to change between sites fortepiano was the first keyboard instrument photons that arrive at the detector and in response to varying environmental with the capability of producing significant within a specified time period are analyzed, conditions along the river channel, especially dynamic contrast, but where today’s pianos since such photons have scattered minimally in response to the rate of sewage discharge employ iron to hold the strings taut, forte- (thus producing a sharp image). from the treatment plant. Additionally, the pianos of Beethoven’s time were made specific methods and results will be study will endeavor to characterize distinct entirely of wood. Because of this engineering discussed, including a discussion of the feasi- isolates from the sites through various physi- difference, Beethoven’s fortepiano had a softer bility of experimentally demonstrating such ological and biochemical analyses. Finally, the and mellower sound than the brilliant sound an imaging system. sensitivity or susceptibility of the isolates to of the modern piano. various commonly employed antibiotics will be determined using the Kirby Bauer Assay.

35 elkin r. isaac STUDENT research symposium

______MARK WEISMILLER, ’07 determined which mechanism of DSB repair LAURA WILLOBEE, ’07 is preferable in vivo given this particular hobo Investigating Mechanisms of DNA element. I have produced and characterized Riam Nar Druid O Sbairn Lann: Repair in Drosophila melanogaster two such flies thus far. One fly displayed Factors in Recruitment for the Irish typical homologous recombination off the by Analyzing Excision Events Using homologous chromosome, and the other Brigade in the American Civil War the Transposable Element hobo displayed a more complex hybrid mecha- Faculty Sponsor: Geoffrey Cocks nism. These results are consistent with work Faculty Sponsor: Kenneth Saville performed previous to this project. Majors: History, Political Science Majors: Biology, Chemistry Hometown: Southfield, Mich. Supported by: FURSCA-Gardner Fellowship Hometown: Laingsburg, Mich. ______The Irish Brigade, founded in The genetic informa- DANAE WILLENBERG, ’07 tion responsible for November 1861, all life is contained Something to Smile About: An would in the course of its four-year his- within DNA. There Exploration of the Link between are many ways tory lose over 4,000 that DNA can be Oral Health and Cardiovascular men, more than were damaged, includ- Disease ever in its ranks at ing exposure to any one time. Of sunlight or X-rays. Faculty Sponsor: Ruth Schmitter these losses, 961 of This DNA damage Major: Biology the soldiers were must be repaired. Hometown: Chesterfield, Mich. killed or mortally Understanding wounded in action, giving the Brigade the mechanisms of DNA repair has applications For most people, a third highest mortality rate in the Union in many aspects of medicine. A thorough trip to the dentist army. This self-sacrificing attitude is reflected knowledge of how cells can propagate their is about as fun as, in the Brigade’s motto, Riam Nar Druid O DNA countless times with near perfect well, pulling teeth. Sbairn Lann, which translates out of the precision, regulate its replication, and repair However, it is a original Gaelic to they who never retreated damaged DNA can lead to cures for presently little-known fact that from a clash of spears. The question, then, is incurable and debilitating diseases. Diseases frequent trips to the what led recent Irish immigrants in New York known to be due to DNA repair deficiencies dentist can do more City to fill the ranks of the Brigade with such are many and include xeroderma pigmen- than just produce perseverance? tosum, Fanconi’s anemia, severe combined healthy smiles. Most Using personal histories, diaries, letters, immunodeficiency (SCID), and cancer. systemic diseases and recent articles and texts, I determined i have been studying mechanisms of have visible manifes- that there were five key factors that promoted DNA repair associated with the transposable tations within the mouth, putting the dentist recruitment to the Irish Brigade: (1) immi- element hobo inserted in the vestigial gene in a prime position for early detection and grants’ Irish heritage and Irish nationalism; in the fruit fly,Drosophila melanogaster. By diagnosis of diseases such as HIV, diabetes, (2) their American nationalism; (3) their setting up and moderating carefully selected and perhaps most importantly, cardiovascular Roman Catholic faith; (4) their Democratic crosses, I can induce hobo to jump out of the disease. Periodontal disease, for example, politics; and (5) their abject poverty. genome of developing fly embryos, creating increases the risk of atherosclerosis, heart Through an analysis of these five factors a DNA double-stranded break (DSB). In attack, and stroke. In patients with periodon- behind the recruitment of Irish immigrants, order for the fly to survive, the DSB must tal disease or patients with compromised it becomes possible to better explore the far- be repaired. By amplifying the area of the immune systems, routine tooth extractions reaching effects of the American Civil War on genome surrounding the repaired DSB and may increase the risk of serious inflammation the Irish in the United States and in Ireland. characterizing many excision events using of the heart valves and tissues. A strong rela- molecular biology techniques, it can be tionship exists between the mouth and the heart, and the purpose of this research was to compile literature regarding this relationship into an easy-to-understand thesis.

36 elkin r. isaac STUDENT research symposium

______SARAH WINGO, ’07 MARK WOJDA, ’07 MARK WOJDA, ’07 Contextualizing Shakespeare: Right-Wing Authoritarianism, Social Dominance Orientation, Changing Views of Love and Social Dominance Orientation, and Right-Wing Authoritarianism, Courtship Investigated through Attitudes toward Working Parents Ambivalent Sexism, and Prejudice Two of Shakespeare’s Comedies Faculty Sponsor: Andrew Christopher toward Women in the Workforce Faculty Sponsor: Margaret Young Major: Psychology Faculty Sponsor: Andrew Christopher Major: Theatre Hometown: Alpena, Mich. Major: Psychology Hometown: Ferndale, Mich. We examined how Hometown: Alpena, Mich. Althusser argued that social dominance ori- We examined how social dominance orienta- mediated communi- entation (SDO) and tion (SDO) and right-wing authoritarianism cation can be seen as right-wing authori- (RWA) predicted prejudice toward work- a type of ideological tarianism (RWA) ing women. SDO is the extent to which state apparatus (ISA). predicted prejudice one desires that one’s in-group dominate In other words, toward working and be superior to out-groups. RWA is the people are influenced parents. SDO is a extent to which out-groups are viewed as by the society in “ . . . general atti- threatening traditional values. Prejudice which they live and tudinal orientation toward working women can manifest itself therefore produce toward intergroup in two ways. Employment skepticism is the works that reflect the relations, reflecting belief that women cannot handle workplace views and values of whether one generally prefers such rela- demands. Traditional role preference is the their society. Today, Shakespeare’s plays are tions to be equal versus hierarchical, that belief that men and women are best suited considered a form of high culture, but what is, ordered along a superior-inferior dimen- for stereotypical roles. Hostile sexism is a most people forget is that his work was in sion” (Pratto, et al., 1994). RWA consists type of prejudice that views women in a fact the Elizabethan form of popular culture. of displaying high degrees of deference to blatantly negative manner. Benevolent sexism Playhouses could attract up to 3,000 specta- established authority, aggression toward is a type of sexism that positions women in tors for each performance, while the overall societal out-groups when authorities permit stereotypically restricted roles. We expected population of London was only 200,000. such aggression, and support for traditional hostile sexism would mediate the relationship This means that 1.5% of London’s popula- values when authorities endorse those between SDO and employment skepticism, tion could attend a single play. To put this values. Previous research suggested that and benevolent sexism would mediate the in perspective, 2.6% of the North American nontraditional parents are evaluated less relationship between RWA and traditional population saw Spiderman Two in its opening positively than traditional parents (Brescoll & role preference. weekend. Coupling the idea of ideological Uhlmann, 2005). For instance, such research Three hundred forty-nine American and social influences with a historical inves- showed that stay-at-home fathers were viewed adults completed measures of SDO, RWA, tigation into two of Shakespeare’s comedies, as incompetent parents, and working mothers employment skepticism, traditional role pref- one can uncover clues as to the social and were viewed as selfish. Indeed, Doucet (2004) erence, hostile sexism, and benevolent sexism. political views held by Elizabethans. found that stay-at-home fathers reconstructed We also collected data on a wide variety of When studying the influential power the meaning of “work” to involve masculine demographic variables. of Shakespeare, scholars have all too often unpaid hobbies to avoid perceived public mediational analyses revealed that focused on the historical plays (such as scrutiny. We hypothesized that working hostile sexism significantly attenuated the Richard III) or the dramas (such as Macbeth women would be evaluated less positively relationship between SDO and employment and Hamlet) rather than examine the than working men and stay-at-home moth- skepticism. Additionally, benevolent sexism societal commentary that can be found in ers, and stay-at-home fathers would be fully mediated the relationship between RWA Shakespeare’s comedies. I argue that com- evaluated less positively than stay-at-home and traditional role preference. Hostile sex- edies, as a form of popular culture, have an mothers. Additionally, we predicted that high ism enables high SDOs to maintain the clear even greater chance of influencing an audi- RWAs would evaluate working women and divide between men and women and justify ence. Like music videos and sketch comedy, stay-at-home men less positively than low feelings of employment skepticism. Likewise, theatrical comedy has the power to wash over RWAs. SDO was analyzed in an exploratory the notion that women are “more moral” an audience and leave the satisfied view- spirit. than men allows high RWAs to believe that ers unaware that they have been receiving one hundred twenty Albion College women should be happy with stereotypically messages that have ideological and political men read a scenario about a working parent traditional roles. import. or a stay-at-home parent and indicated their perceptions of the parent’s agreeableness, Supported by: FURSCA, Faculty Development Supported by: FURSCA conscientiousness, emotional stability, and Committee competence. Respondents also provided their affective reaction to the parent. Finally, respondents completed self-report measures of RWA and SDO.

37 elkin r. isaac STUDENT research symposium

The Elkin R. Isaac Endowment PAST ISAAC SYMPOSIUM SPEAKERS

The Elkin R. Isaac Endowed Lectureship was created in 1991 by Elkin R. Isaac Alumni Lecture Albion College alumni in honor of their former teacher, coach, and mentor, Elkin R. “Ike” Isaac, ’48. Isaac taught at Albion from 1952 Emilio DeGrazia, ’63 (1999) to 1975 and coached basketball, track, and cross country. He led his James Misner, ’66 (2000) teams to one Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association basketball John Vournakis, ’61 (2001) title, six consecutive league championships in track, and three cross Joseph Serra, ’56 (2002) country championships. He also served as the College’s athletic director and created Albion’s “Earn, Learn, and Play” program and the “Albion Denise Cortis Park, ’73 (2003) Adventure Program.” In 1975, Isaac joined the faculty at University John Porter, ’53 (2004) of the Pacific and became athletic director in 1979. He retired there in Elkin Isaac, ’48 (2005) 1984. He now lives in Florida with his wife, Edith. Joseph Calvaruso, ’78 (2006) reflecting Elkin Isaac’s lifelong interests in higher education and research, proceeds from the endowment are used to bring a noted scholar or public figure to campus each year to offer the Isaac Lecture and to visit with classes. In 1997, the Isaac Lectureship was expanded Joseph S. Calvaruso Keynote Address and is now associated with Albion College’s annual Student Research Symposium, featuring presentations by students recommended by Wade Davis (1999) their faculty sponsors for outstanding independent study and research. Stephen Jay Gould (2000) The symposium now bears Isaac’s name. Doris Kearns Goodwin (2001) Kurt Vonnegut (2002) The Isaac Endowment Committee Salman Rushdie (2003) Gloria Steinem (2004) Cedric W. Dempsey, ’54 Edward O. Wilson (2005) Ben E. Hancock, Jr. Regina Carter (2006) T. John Leppi, ’59 Thomas G. Schwaderer, ’56 Leonard F. “Fritz” Shurmur, ’54 (deceased) John R. Taylor, ’55 THE 2007 ISAAC STUDENT RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM COMMITTEE

Morris Arvoy (Communications Office) THE JOSEPH S. CALVARUSO KEYNOTE Craig Bieler (Chemistry) ADDRESS ENDOWMENT Sarah Briggs (Communications Office) Jeffrey Carrier (Biology) Joseph S. Calvaruso, ’78, and his wife, Donna, established an endowment fund in 2005 to support the annual Elkin R. Isaac Gene Cline (Philosophy/Brown Honors Institute) Symposium keynote address. The keynote address now bears Lauren Karcz, ’08 Calvaruso’s name. Lisa Lewis (Chemistry/Academic Affairs) an Albion native, he entered the banking profession shortly after Anne McCauley (Art and Art History) graduating from Albion College in 1978, and he currently serves as senior vice president and director of risk management for Mercantile Dean McCurdy (Biology/Brown Honors Institute) Bank in Grand Rapids. He has also held numerous leadership roles Rachel Ransom, ’08 in professional organizations, including the Risk Management Ruthie Spalding, ’09 Association. active in the Republican Party on the state and national levels, Michael Van Houten (Stockwell-Mudd Libraries) Calvaruso is a member of the Gerald R. Ford Institute for Public Policy Royal Ward (Academic Affairs) and Service Visiting Committee at the College. in keeping with Calvaruso’s personal goal to “try different things in life,” the keynote endowment ensures the symposium will continue to provide an exceptional variety of presenters from the arts, sciences, social sciences, and humanities.

38 elkin r. isaac STUDENT research symposium

Foundation for Undergraduate and may elect to continue during their sophomore year. Participation is selective, based on high academic achievement, and stipends are Research, Scholarship, and awarded. Creative Activity (FURSCA) Research Grants—Students may apply for funds to support research The Foundation for Undergraduate Research, Scholarship, and or other creative projects. Students must work closely with a faculty Creative Activity (FURSCA) was established to promote and support adviser; however, projects are not limited to any particular discipline. student research, original scholarship, and creative efforts in all Grants may be awarded to pay for supplies, printing costs, subject disciplines. Through a number of programs, taking place at all points payments, software, or other costs associated with completion of the in a student’s career at Albion, FURSCA can help students pursue project. independent study in their areas of interest. Students work closely with a faculty mentor to develop and carry out research or other creative Travel Grants—Students may be awarded travel funds to help cover projects. Participation in such projects provides valuable experience expenses associated with travel to attend professional meetings at beyond the scope of classroom work, and enhances a student’s which they will present the results of their research or creative projects. preparedness for future employment or graduate studies. Some examples of FURSCA programs are listed below. Summer Research Fellowship Program—A select number of students may remain on campus during the summer, earning a stipend, to work Student Research Partners Program—Geared toward first-year on research or creative projects. In addition to working closely with students, this program pairs a student with a faculty mentor to work a faculty adviser, students participate in weekly seminars with other on a project related to the faculty member’s research or creative area. students in the program. Students gain hands-on experience with scholarship in a specific field,