Discovery Through Perseverance April 24 & 25 2021 Table of Contents

KILACHAND HONORS COLLEGE PRESENTS KEYSTONE SYMPOSIUM DISCOVERY THROUGH PERSEVERANCE APRIL 24 & 25 2021 TABLE OF CONTENTS

3 ... Presenter Schedule 4 ... Student Abstracts 77 ... Keystone Advisors SCHEDULE

SATURDAY SATURDAY MORNING AFTERNOON

Nichole Kyprianou Ryan Senne Natalie Swiacki Abhinav Penumudi Emily Farmer Nikita Sethi Catalina Zamorano Polina Lissin Dragon Ding Samantha Casey Zachary Weiss Julia Maruca Alexander Keiter Jonathan Wurzburger Pablo Kurzan Michael Busani Vikram Daesety Nathanial Graham Giuliana Carder Victoria Lara-Aguilar Yarden Tsfoni Stefan Wenc Peyton Tierney Jared Flippen Hailey Hart-Thompson Ryan VanDoren Jon Lazeroff Daniel Hernandez-Zapata Isa Very Noah Riley Jason Rundle Francesca Davy-Falconi Deema Abdel-Meguid Emma Burke Emily Martyny Leonard Aquino Catherine Peerson Noelle Wojciechowski Elsa Brenner Mugdha Gurram Anthony Aguirre SUNDAY

Jae Ahn Benjamin Spetter-Goldstein Jack Jordanides Madeline Rogers Hannah Hooven Felix Litvak Julia Pavón Solange Hackshaw Jiangnan Fang Aidan Chaffin Alexandra Gagliardi Ciara Cullen Sydney Hartman Pallavi Aysola Balivada Jie Ting Ho Brian Privett Charles Shattuck Leighton Marcovici Mauricio Moel Hannah Edelman Zachary Popp Ben Maher Christina Lamagna Leen Arnaout Claire-Solene Becka Michael D'Arrago Meghan Griffin Dylan Hale Aislinn O'Brien Veronica Escobar-Mesa Wesley Jones Maneesha Khalae 3 Deema Abdel-Meguid

Uterus-on-a-Chip for the Interrogation of Trophoblast Behavior in Preeclampsia

Preeclampsia is a multifactorial pregnancy-related disease, with most cases being characterized by abnormal uterine invasion of cells known as trophoblasts. Several microenvironmental cues have been shown to affect trophoblast behavior, however studying this phenomenon using derived tissue poses methodological challenges. Researchers have therefore turned to the development of in vitro models. Due to the prevalent limitations of such models, there is insufficient understanding of the mechanisms of shallow trophoblast invasion and the resulting effects on uterine health. The goal of this project is to develop a novel biomimetic device that represents, with high physiological validity, the microenvironment of the uterus. Creating a novel microfluidic platform for the study of microenvironmental factors which affect trophoblast behaviors will contribute to improved clinical understanding of pregnancy disorders and complications. Following the engineering design paradigm, we worked with our client Draper Laboratories to identify the metrics for our device and begin iterating through device designs. We conducted multiple literature reviews of the current research landscape in order to identify specific microenvironmental cues which are correlated with an increased risk for preeclampsia and other pregnancy disorders. Furthermore, we analyzed the devices currently under development to better understand microfluidic conventions and ensure the novelty of our own. Computational modeling and physical prototyping using 3D printing were used to verify several iterations of the device. As a final deliverable, we assembled design specifications and precise protocols for our microfluidic device and presented them to the client to further their research & development in the area. Our research addresses a barrier in the search for a more effective treatment for preeclampsia and provides a platform which will elucidate some of the risk factors associated with preeclamptic tissue.

4 Anthony Aguirre

Party in the Pandemic: The Effects of Partisan Biases on Evaluations of President Trump's Response to COVID-19

With over 550,000 American lives claimed by COVID-19, over 30 million confirmed infections, and historic job losses across the nation, evaluations of the pandemic response from the Trump Administration have been polarizing. In the eyes of many Americans, President Trump’s Coronavirus response has been lacking in swiftness and efficacy, while many others see the governmental response as competent or having exceeded expectations. In light of previous research, to expect these evaluations to be politically polarized would be reasonable, but at what point do these partisan biases fall away? This survey study will test how partisan biases influence Americans’ evaluations of President Donald Trump’s – and President Biden’s – handling of the Coronavirus pandemic response – factoring in how respondents have been personally affected by the pandemic or personally know someone who has been. These experiences with COVID-19 will be quantified by proximity to loss of life due to, and infection of, COVID-19, as well as job loss as a result of the effects of the virus. As devastating as these experiences may be, I expect the influence of partisan biases to be overwhelmingly correlated with respondents’ evaluations of both President Trump’s and President Biden’s COVID- 19 response when compared to the correlation of personal experience. As the findings will suggest, these expectations prove to be accurate; Republicans indicate substantially higher levels of satisfaction with President Trump’s pandemic response when compared to Democrats, with the reverse relationship observed for evaluations of President Biden, and this holds true at all levels of proximity. Further, partisan identity yields a considerably larger magnitude of correlation with these evaluations when compared to personal experience. Unfortunately, Americans do not seem to hold their presidents accountable for their actions (or inaction) by learning from even the most traumatic experiences; party overpowers all else. The findings of this study will greatly enrich the current literature on the extent to which partisan biases influence evaluations of government, and will provide insight into the reliability of democratic accountability, and, resultantly, the very functioning of American democracy. 5 Jae-Yong Ahn

Simulating Age-Related Bone Loss and Disc Degeneration in Human Lumbar Segment

Osteoporosis is a skeletal disorder characterized by a loss of bone tissue leading to an increased risk of fracture. Vertebral fracture (VF) is the most common osteoporotic fracture, affecting 12-20% of people over the age of 50. VFs lead to back pain, impaired function, and increased mortality. Recent research shows that current diagnostic tools used to predict risk of VF are insufficient and inaccurate. The main problem is that only one factor, a patient’s average bone mineral density, is considered in the diagnosis, and no strong correlation has been established between this density and disc degeneration. Thus, our project aims to include more relevant parameters and create a more accurate version of the model. We will use finite element (FE) analysis, a method of simulating real-life phenomenon using mathematical techniques, to study the effects of disc degeneration and aging on risk of vertebral fracture of the human lumbar spine. Specific material and fiber properties in our FE models will be varied in order to simulate aging of the bone and degeneration of the disc. We will then verify our model by vertically compressing samples of human lumbar spine segments in a compression chamber. They will be compressed in small increments, and the displacement and force will be recorded each time. A force-displacement curve will be plotted based on those measurements, which will then be used to determine the yield force—the force at which the spine irreversibly deforms. This yield force can be used as a quantitative measurement of the risk of fracture, with a lower yield force indicating higher risk and vice versa. We hope this new state- of-the-art model of the lumbar spine segment can accurately predict how disc degeneration and aging of the bone affect the risk of fracture. The outcomes of the project not only may better our biomechanical understanding of the lumbar spine, but may also lead to an improvement in the accuracy of the diagnostic tools used to assess patient risk. In turn, this accuracy will allow patients to make safer choices that will reduce the likelihood of a vertebral fracture. 6 Leonard Aquino

ECVT System

A continuously variable transmission (CVT) system is an automatic transmission system that can smoothly transition between a wide range of effective gear ratios. The Boston University BAJA SAE team, a student-run collegiate racing club, typically buys their CVT system off the shelf. Extra points are awarded in competitions for components that are designed and manufactured by the students themselves. In order to gain a competitive edge, the BU BAJA team has tasked our senior design group to design a CVT system that is electronically controlled. CVTs are lighter and offer smoother operation than traditional automatic transmission systems, but are typically mechanically actuated. Electronic actuation would allow the team to manipulate the specific relationship between engine speed (rpm) and CVT gear ratio in order to optimize overall performance and fuel efficiency. For this project, we designed a pulley-operated CVT unit that is based on the standard mechanical CVT that BAJA has used in the past. While designing our system and consulting with engineering professors and machinists, we discovered challenges that we had not previously considered such as galvanic corrosion, belt misalignment, and the manufacturability of components. As a result , we’ve created several iterations of the device, ultimately pivoting towards a full-scale 3D printed model with heat-set inserts, screws, and high-performance bearings. In addition to the model, we have developed the electronic actuation system to control the operating pulley diameters. Limitations of our project include belt misalignment and the manufacturability of specific components. We have documented these findings and will pass them on to the engineering team that will collaborate with BU BAJA in the near future.

7 Leen Arnaout

A wearable solution for treating apnea of prematurity through application of physical stimuli

Apnea of prematurity (AOP) is one of the most common diagnoses in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), affecting more than 85% of infants born before 30 weeks. Complications of premature birth -- including AOP -- are the leading cause of death for children under the age of 5. AOP-driven irregular breathing and systemic hypoxia can cause developmental delays and brain injury. A range of treatments are used to address AOP, including tactile stimulation, oxygen supplementation, NCPAP, and caffeine administration. These treatments require human intervention, are somewhat invasive, and may be associated with health risks and developmental delays. Devices using stochastic vibration to treat apnea exist but are not commercially available, and studies were inconclusive about their effectiveness. Preliminary research suggests deterministic stimulation is more effective in treating AOP than stochastic stimulation. Based on this knowledge, we developed a safe, minimally invasive, and effective treatment for AOP in the form of a wearable device (bracelet). This device detects AOP-associated drops in blood oxygen levels (SpO2) and responds with deterministic mechanical stimulation from a vibrating motor. In addition to defining new stimulation schemes, the bracelet only stimulates the infant when apnea is detected, rather than continuously stimulating the child. We designed two stimulation patterns, light and vigorous, and tested them in rat apnea models, which confirmed the new stimulations significantly decreased the duration of apnea compared to unstimulated controls; apneic episode durations were reduced by 10-16%. Therefore, using this device to deliver the proposed deterministic stimulation would effectively treat AOP, and improve apneic infants’ clinical outcomes.

8 Pallavi Balivada

In Silico Prototyping for an Intranasally Administered Agent for COVID-19 Prophylaxis and Treatment

Global COVID-19 vaccine distribution schemes are projected to leave many low-resource countries without widespread access to vaccines until 2024. The inequitable distribution of vaccines suggests an urgent need for other accessible and affordable treatments to prevent the transmission of the disease. Fractal Therapeutics is developing a combination of antiviral drugs that has the potential to meet this need. Since the initial site of infection for most patients is the nasopharynx (the upper region of the throat behind the nose), drug formulations targeting this area can be effectively administered through the nasal pathway using nasal sprays or inhalers. Our project aims to identify optimal drug formulation design parameters that can be matched to existing nasal spray device parameters to deliver an effective drug dose. We used computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to simulate airflow through the nasal cavity and examined particle deposition for different delivery methods. Our study identified optimal drug particle size ranges for intranasal delivery, and improved particle deposition by revising the nasal spray usage protocol. The nasal cavity models used in the study were derived from computed tomography (CT) scans of patients. To account for the limited availability of such patient data, we built statistical models of the variability of nasal anatomy across different age, gender, race and ethnicity demographics using estimates from literature. Future studies will use these statistical models to build synthetic nasal cavity models for further testing of drug formulation and delivery parameters. Our approach enables characterization of intranasal delivery for a diverse global population, resulting in a set of recommendations for design teams building nasal sprays and inhalers to deliver antiviral drug combinations treating COVID-19.

9 Claire-Solene Becka

Ideas of Place on Cranberry Isles

Human geographers examine how people think about and attach themselves to place. This project uses improvisational dance to explore the specifics of the relationship between people and place in the Cranberry Isles of Maine. This small group of islands has generated an extensive set of literary and historical publications and archives with a broad and inclusive sense of what counts as significant to the island’s self-definition. This project uses Cranberry Isles’ distinct mindfulness about place to call attention to an active practice of place preservation that seems to foster a sense of profound belonging and stewardship of the land. Literary and cultural history are the main methodologies of this research, which highlights groups invested in memorializing place, such as historical societies, island authors and artists, and island inhabitants’ investigations of Cranberry place history. Presenting this research in the medium of dance creates a space for exploring the emotions tied to each landscape of Cranberry as represented through the islands’ publications; coordinated movement makes legible the visceral components of human geography. There are contradictions even within such a small community; though the islands are loved, and local buildings and natural landmarks are venerated, islanders also emphasize the mobility and cosmopolitan reach of Cranberry Isles’ people, literature, and industry. Ultimately, this project uses the example of Cranberry Isles to determine how small communities can create narratives to foster emotional attachments to place in order to preserve and ensure the security of their homes and identities.

10 Elsa Brenner

The Adaptive Capacity of the Turneffe Atoll, Belize Queen Conch Fishery

The Queen Conch (Lobatus gigas) is a culturally and commercially important species throughout the Caribbean. Since the 1970s, the conch fishery in Belize has been in decline predominantly due to overfishing. For this study, we conducted and qualitatively analyzed 17 semi-structured interviews with fisherfolk and key informants on site in Turneffe Atoll, Belize to assess the adaptive capacity-- the ability to anticipate, respond to, and recover from change-- of the fishing community. Our findings validate the consensus of the fisherfolk: the Turneffe Atoll conch fishery is in decline, and current regulations are insufficient to combat overfishing and protect juvenile conch. Our assessment of adaptive capacity indicates that the fishery is at risk of future economic and ecological strain, with the inability to contribute additional time to fishing, and the distance fishers are able to travel being the two largest factors limiting adaptability.

11 Emma Burke

A Literary Depiction of Epilepsy

As of 2019, 50 million individuals around the world have epilepsy, and many people are diagnosed at a young age. However, a majority of children are not offered a proper explanation of their disease which can lead to feelings of confusion and isolation. This project aims to present a child-friendly, destigmatizing explanation of epilepsy by developing a children’s book called I’m Just Like You! Kali’s Story About Living with Epilepsy. In order to create this book, a survey was sent to children to identify their general preferences in terms of characters in children’s literature. Based on the survey results and an analysis of other children’s literature, my advisor and I created a draft of the story. The story is about a koala named Kali who explains her diagnosis with epilepsy and how it has impacted her life. We then collaborated with various parents, children, and health professionals to evaluate the draft via surveys. Afterwards, we edited the book and reprinted it based on the feedback. The book copies will be distributed to schools, hospitals, and libraries throughout the country. This book will help both children and adults better understand the components of epilepsy and will impact children’s literature related to disabilities by adding more material about epilepsy.

12 Michael Busani

How I Learned to Teach During a Global Pandemic

The American education system has faced significant challenges in maintaining quality instruction and support for students throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. In my project, I have chronicled my personal experiences as a student teacher and teaching assistant in Massachusetts throughout the past seven months, detailing both successful and non-successful components of the hybrid learning format. After a period of observational research, I took over as a full-time 11th grade English teacher at Newton Central High School, an alternative, therapeutic learning environment for students facing socioemotional learning challenges. Currently, I work as a special education teaching assistant with the same program. My research and experiences revealed how in spite of redesigned curriculum, unorthodox schedules, and Zoom fatigue, the school community was still able to thrive. My project, through a memoir format, explores the intricacies of how this happened. By supplying personal anecdotes, student profiles, and analysis of curriculum, I illustrate a comprehensive picture of how my experiences are a microcosm for the nation’s public school systems at large. My memoir aims to provide insight into the difficulties encountered by educators throughout the pandemic, and honor their efforts as spearheading a new era of education.

13 Giuliana Carder

Exploring Constructed Languages

There are over 6,000 languages spoken across the world today. This number, however, does not include languages that were deliberately invented. Constructed languages, or conlangs as they are colloquially known, are languages which are invented in a relatively short period of time for some purpose, be that artistic, experimental, or to facilitate communication across groups. Some notable examples include Klingon, Loglan, and Esperanto. The first part of my Keystone project explores whether people can tell the difference between conlangs and natural languages, or natlangs, just by hearing a short clip. I created an online survey with clips of various natlangs and conlangs which I distributed to the BU community and beyond. I divided participants based on linguistic ability: monolingual, bilingual/multilingual, and people who had formal linguistic training. I hypothesized that the more linguistic experience a person had, the better they would perform at this task. Though the average scores seemed to support this hypothesis, the results turned out not to be statistically significant. For the second part of my project, I began the process of creating my own conlang, called Azakeje. My intention was to create a language that was as natural sounding as possible, without being based on any specific language. First, I created a society of people to speak the language: a matrilineal, egalitarian island society with a focus on sea exploration. Then, I decided on the sounds that my language would have and a verb-subject-object word order. From there, I created subject pronouns, verbal constructions, and various nouns. This part of my project is ongoing, as I hope to eventually incorporate this language into a novel of some kind.

14 Samantha Casey

Neuroscientific, Sociological, and Practical Analyses of Boston’s Opioid Use Patterns

This project explores opioid use and substance use disorder through neuroscientific and sociological frameworks within the social context of Boston, Massachusetts. While there has been a considerable amount of research on the brain science involved in opioid use, substance use disorder, and overdose, it is important to understand the ways in which substance use may be impacted by socioeconomic structures within a particular area. This project begins with a literature review on the neurobiological basis of opioid use, and builds on this understanding by connecting the neuroscience to socioeconomic inequality in Boston, historic moments within Boston that have had implications on opioid use, and the harm reduction movement. Additionally, this project draws on interviews with organizations who work with people who use drugs in order to discuss opioid use in Boston with people who are close to this topic. This project aims to bring together the scholarly and practical conversations surrounding opioid use in an effort to create an interdisciplinary dialogue surrounding the opioid epidemic in Boston, exploring how these fields can be considered together in order to save lives without stigmatization.

15 Aidan Chaffin

Mirror with a Memory: Cinema of the Shapeshifter

Siegfried Kracauer was a German film theorist who subscribed to the notion that film, as a medium, should focus primarily on replicating the essence and experience of nature and our world. One major discussion that emerged out of the realist film movement was the acknowledgement of not only film’s strengths, but also its limitations as an automatism, or mechanical process; what is the essential difference between something and its screen-image, and, how is the act of filming a perversion of reality? This debate is reminiscent of similar themes in the Shapeshifter subgenre of horror cinema. In these films, a person or place is pursued by an alien or monster that takes the forms of its victims. Oftentimes, a central conflict within these films is discussing how to identify a copy as a copy by learning what separates humans from the shapeshifter. Thus, these monsters can be read as an allegory for cinema itself, according to realist ideology. Both cinema and the shapeshifter perpetuate their existence through a continuous act of mimicry and repetition, yet, they are unable to truly convince the human eye due their inability to capture its victims’ humanity or essence. This metaphor also raises a question of whether film poses the same horrible threat as these movie monsters? This project is both a response to Kracauer’s writing on realism and an exposition on film theory using the lens of the Shapeshifter narrative as metaphor for film, both as a medium and a means of reproduction. The narratives and their themes will be used to comment on conversations within the realist film movement while also exploring their cautionary message about film - the “mirror with a memory” - and the self-destructive nature of preservation, fame, and image-obsession.

16 Ciara Cullen

Celebrating Our Differences Through Children’s Literature: How Unique We Can Be!

There are children’s books that focus on a variety of cultures, races, genders, disabilities, and sexual orientations, but the themes of these books tend to discuss these differences with a neutral, rather than positive, tone. Many authors, researchers, teachers, and parents have been giving more attention to representation in children’s literature. Representation of the many differences children have is important because it validates the experiences of children who identify with these minority groups, while also providing information about and promoting empathy for these different groups for children who are not part of them. Specifically, the theme of many of these children’s books is that differences are unimportant or should be ignored because the similarities that people share outweigh any differences. This portrayal of differences as something to be ignored, rather than celebrated, presents a missed opportunity to teach children from a young age to reject the belief that one race, one gender, or one culture is superior to another. In order to address this gap in children’s literature that focuses on the theme of differences, this book, entitled How Unique We Can Be!, was written for preschool-age children, and it celebrates the differences among children in a preschool classroom. This book uses a repetitive structure and age-appropriate language to portray this theme throughout. The colorful illustrations highlight the enumerated differences between the children in the book. Small shamrocks are hidden throughout the illustrations in order to make the book more interactive and hold the attention of young children. Ideally, this book will be distributed to preschool classrooms in order to begin addressing differences in a positive way for young children.

17 Vikram Daesety

The Association of Speech and Language Deficits with Duarte Galactosemia Hetero or Homozygous States

Galactosemia is a rare life-threatening genetic disease, occurring in about 1 in 50,000 births, where breastmilk and other milk products are poison to infants. While adherence to a strict galactose-free diet prevents acute toxicity, severe long-term complications nevertheless persist irrespective of diet compliance. Duarte variant galactosemia is a less severe form of galactosemia where most long-term complications are avoided, and individuals do not need to adhere to a galactose restricted diet. Despite relatively favorable long-term outcomes, it is contested whether individuals with Duarte galactosemia experience higher rates of mild speech and language deficits compared to unaffected individuals. Given the potential mild and transient effects on speech/language, we postulate that speech and language deficits resulting from Duarte galactosemia are not due to exposure to galactose. Instead, these deficits may be due to alterations in the genomic space surrounding the gene responsible for galactosemia. In order to elucidate a possible correlation between genomic alterations and manifestation of speech/language deficits, three main research methods were used. First, a thorough literature review was conducted to understand how galactosemia may affect speech/language development pathways in humans. Second, a retrospective clinical chart review was conducted on individuals with galactosemia who visited the Metabolism Clinic at Boston Children’s Hospital. Third, meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies was performed to understand how genomic alterations are related to the speech/language deficit phenotype. The literature review found that the basis of speech/language deficits relating to galactosemia is not well studied, and researchers hypothesize that elevated galactose levels in the fetal period compromise neuronal development in speech/language centers in the brain. The retrospective clinical chart review concluded that Duarte galactosemia increases the risk of speech/language deficits in children, irrespective of compliance with a galactose-restricted diet. Meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies identified several target genes for further study. The results of the conducted analyses highlight the need to further study neurodevelopment in individuals with Duarte galactosemia. 18 Michael D'Arrigo

Music and Disease: an examination of the benefits of Music Therapy in Alzheimer’s

Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) and other related dementias have become increasingly prevalent issues in the sphere of American healthcare, particularly as a result of growing bodies of research and public interest in recent years. Although there have been encouraging breakthroughs in developing effective drug treatments, the limited effects of these kinds of therapies have generated interest in non-pharmacological means of treatment as well. Failing to incorporate non-pharmaceutical treatments for patients can facilitate a greater rate of disease progression, and a lower quality of life for those afflicted. Music Therapy (MT) treatments have a proven history of effectiveness in slowing the progress of mild to moderate AD in patients (Fang et. al). Music Therapy consists of a series of musical interventions aimed at promoting a client or patient’s quality of life in a clinical setting. Musical therapists utilize the variety of ways that people interact with music (physical, emotional, mental, social, aesthetic) to improve health in one or more areas related to cognition, emotion, education, socialization, and communication. The goal of this research project is to provide a systematic review of the research on MT treatments, its effects on cognitive processes, and the mechanisms associated with MT. Additionally, it involves constructing an at-home MT treatment plan for individuals with Alzheimer’s that could be used as a template for future clinical Alzheimer’s treatment.

19 Francesca Davy-Falconi The Intersection of Neuroscience & Storytelling

Storytelling is absolutely integral to who we are and how we function, both neurologically and philosophically: it is a living incarnation of memory. We are, each of us, in the midst of our very own story—one we write, and sometimes re- write, as we go about our lives. My keystone centers upon the intersection of neuroscience and storytelling, with a particular focus on memory. The aim of the study was to determine whether we can utilize storytelling to control our physiological response to stressful memories. To investigate this further, I conducted an experiment in which the heart rate and skin conductance response of participants were measured while they silently recalled a COVID- 19-related, stressful memory. Participants were asked to re-structure the memory into the form of a verbal story, and then to recall the memory silently again. Their physiological response when recalling the memory post-story was also recorded and compared with their pre-story response, as well as to a control measurement, to determine if storytelling has a tangible effect upon our overall response to memory recollection. Stories were also recorded with the permission of participants, and the audio is displayed online in a virtual gallery.

20 Dragon Ding

More than Just a Game: Understanding the Effects of Gaming on Mental Health

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many people have turned to video games as a way to socialize, destress, and escape from the chaos in the world. As technology improves and video games become more mainstream, the number of people playing video games will only continue to increase. However, scientific research has not advanced with this increase in gaming and remains outdated. The purpose of this study is to better understand the effects of video games on mental health, and whether video games act as a catalyst or buffer for poor mental health. The study includes both a quantitative component in which an individual’s Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) score is compared against a multitude of gaming questions and a qualitative component in which five individuals were interviewed about the impact of video games on their life. The study found that in people, between ages 18-25, who played video games and are depressed, a handful of them use video games as a way to cope with their emotional pain. This research will allow for a more modern and holistic understanding of video games on an individual’s mental health.

21 Hannah Edelman

Harassment, Discrimination and Denial: an Investigation into the Massachusetts Department of Corrections’ Mistreatment of Transgender Prisoners

When considering the topic of criminal justice, the specific experiences and unique difficulties facing transgender people are often overlooked. These systemic issues permeate all levels of incarceration and manifest in numerous forms, including increased violence, sexual assault, solitary confinement and healthcare denial. According to the Massachusetts Department of Corrections, there are currently 45 transgender people incarcerated in state prisons. Per state law, these prisoners should have access to commissary items and housing matching their gender identity. They are also supposedly monitored by a special commission established in 2018 to study the health and safety of LGBTQI prisoners. However, an investigation into grievances, lawsuits and the results of the government’s audits shows that transgender prisoners are not being protected despite the state’s promises. This Keystone Project provides a journalistic look at these injustices in the form of an investigative, data-driven article.

22 Veronica Escobar Mesa

A Study of Entrepreneurs in the Greater Boston Area: Understanding the Challenges of Entrepreneurship

Entrepreneurship often stems from dreams, discoveries, or creations. Individuals who decide to become entrepreneurs might be motivated by wealth, but there are likely other underlying motivations that allow them to endure the tumultuous and risky process of entrepreneurship. Some of these motivations might include bringing about social and economic growth or achieving emancipation. After deciding to become entrepreneurs, these individuals face many challenges in their quest for success. What are the challenges entrepreneurs confront? How do entrepreneurs adapt to these challenges? This research project focuses on three aspects of entrepreneurship: (1) understanding the underlying motivations for becoming an entrepreneur; (2) exploring how entrepreneurs adapt to unexpected challenges, and (3) identifying the different challenges women and minorities face in entrepreneurship and how they can be better supported. The first phase of this project aimed to understand the underlying motivations for becoming an entrepreneur through a literature review. To better understand the types of challenges entrepreneurs face and how they overcome them, the second phase was comprised of a study of 22 interviews with entrepreneurs from the Greater Boston Area supported by a local accelerator. The third and final phase of the project will consist of interviews with 14 investors and advisors supporting women and BIPOC entrepreneurs in the technology industry to understand the unique challenges underrepresented entrepreneurs in this industry face.

23 Jiangnan Fang

Notes in-between the notes: Exploring the 19edo tuning system

A tuning system is a set of notes used to write and perform music. For the last few hundred years, the Western musical tuning had been built on the principle of striking a balance between harmony and flexibility. Under this principle, a 12-note tuning system where the pitches are equally spaced called 12edo (also known as 12-tone equal temperament) has been in widespread use since the 18th century. This tuning system sacrifices minor tuning accuracies for greatly improved flexibility and expressive freedom, and has been the standard for modern music. However, as composers explore the harmonies of 12edo, some have found the current tuning to be a limiting factor in their music, and a few composers have advocated for tuning systems with more pitches, like 19edo, based on the same principles as 12edo, but with 19 equally spaced pitches instead of 12. In this keystone project, I wrote 3 short piano pieces exploring the harmonic vocabularies of 19edo. I aimed to demonstrate the advantages of 19edo among other non-standard tunings. 19edo contains most of the familiar sounds of the current standard tuning (which means it’s possible to “translate” many of the songs to 19edo) as well as new notes and chords to choose from, while retaining the current system of musical notation. The 3 pieces start with conventional chord changes in the first piece, and gradually introduce new and less familiar sounds in the second and third piece. By writing these pieces I hope to introduce not only the lay-audience but also avid classical music listener to non-standard tuning systems.

24 Emily Farmer

A Greater Francophone Identity in Novice Level French Classrooms

This project focuses on taking the first unit of French 1 curriculum and transforming the traditional grammar based lessons into thematic lessons. The curriculum will utilize the ACTFL advanced proficiency standards as benchmarks in student learning. It will also apply Gloria Ladson-Billings theory of culturally relevant pedagogy. Students will explore the diversity of the Francophone world, rather than solely the colonizer, France, itself. Students will interact with authentic resources from a school in Mauritius and identify how schools are similar or different from their own. The final product will contain a unit plan, curricular map, and authentic resources, all available online on a website for student and instructor use.

25 Jared Flippen

Race and Voucher Based Discrimination in High and Low Poverty Areas of Greater Boston

The Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCV), formerly called Section 8, is one the largest federally funded housing programs in the country. One goal of the program is to give families who live in areas with a high concentration of poverty the opportunity to move to areas with less poverty. However, research has shown that voucher holders are underrepresented in low poverty areas. Research is clear that there is widespread discrimination against voucher holders even in Massachusetts which bans rejecting a prospective tenant because they plan to use a housing voucher. Less is known about how voucher discrimination is compounded by race and neighborhood composition. Using an email audit design, over 300 real housing advertisements were contacted by testers that varied by racial affiliation (conveyed through name) and housing voucher status (conveyed through email text). Tests were sent to high and low poverty areas of Boston and Newton Massachusetts. Discrimination was tested by analyzing differences in response rates to different testing groups. Non- voucher holders were 37% more likely to receive a positive response than voucher holders. Voucher discrimination did not vary by race or census tract poverty rates. Since Massachusetts already bans voucher discrimination, policy makers should focus on enforcement of anti-discrimination laws.

26 Alexandra Gagliardi

The Analysis of BU Premedical Students and Their Mental Health

A study conducted at UC San Diego concluded that premedical students were more likely to exhibit more severe depression than non-premedical students (Fang et al., 2010). As an undergraduate pre-medical student at Boston University, I am examining and further analyzing how my university can relate or fit into this trend. Understanding how premedical students are affected by their daily challenges will provide a better glimpse of the mental health of this at-risk population. This study surveys Boston University premedical students to examine their biggest concerns and their mental health symptoms in relationship to their rigorous course load. The survey includes demographic questions and the shortened version of the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21). Survey results will allow for a further understanding of what resources BU lacks for this subdivision of students. The survey is being distributed using BU clubs and organizations. The study aims to analyze and further control for possible confounding factors about the students’ lives outside of BU. These could include socioeconomic status, family conditions, culture, etc. This study hopes to shed light on how we can better support pre- med students so that they are better equipped to handle their lives and mental health struggles. This methodology is inspired by the studies conducted at two universities by Barr et al. Results will be presented in the form of a briefing (policy) paper.

27 Nathanial Graham

How do Diplomats Communicate? Strategy and Argumentation in International Negotiations

In the international system, understanding another state’s motives is an important part of choosing to cooperate or compete with them. Existing research describes the foreign policy choices or decisionmaker traits that signal and shape these motives, but explanations apply more to general trends rather than specific disputes. This makes it challenging to understand how diplomats predict each other’s intentions during complex negotiations. This study aims to show how specific proposals, questions, and justifications made during these negotiations both affect and are affected by estimates of the adversary’s motives. Two kinds of communication – strategic reasoning and argumentative reasoning – are proposed to explain how diplomats distinguish between good-faith discussion and opportunistic cheap talk. The power of these concepts was tested against competing theories, costly signaling and selective attention, through the use of historical case studies. Primary sources on interpersonal negotiations between Reagan and Gorbachev, as well as Clinton and Yeltsin, were studied to produce a historical interpretation of their respective negotiating tactics and motivational assessments. Only the communicative hypothesis proposed in this study was successful in explaining why 1) Reagan and Gorbachev viewed each other as cooperative despite their struggle to compromise on arms control efforts, and 2) Clinton and Yeltsin developed an antagonistic relationship despite U.S.-Russian rapprochement. The results of this study highlight the influence of small-scale political interactions (like negotiations) on broader relationships between states. This study also shows the innovative potential for practice-based theories of international security.

28 Meghan Griffin

A wearable solution for treating apnea of prematurity through application of physical stimuli

29 Mugdha Gurram

Secular Justice: Human Rights at the Nexus of Criminal Justice and National Security

The balance between civil liberties and national security is a balance many countries struggle with. In India, security legislation often contains provisions granting broad powers to the police and government while curtailing the rights of accused persons. These provisions, coupled with India’s history of communal tensions, have resulted in a growing number of Muslims targeted for false arrest under charges of espionage or terrorism. This paper argues that criminal justice reform must take a higher priority in India’s national security strategy. The false arrests of many of India’s minorities are not only an egregious violation of human rights and India’s obligations under international law, but also directly undermine the legitimacy of India’s national security objectives. The resources and efforts spent in targeting the wrong person, falsifying evidence, and holding them in jail, also derail valuable resources away from targeting the actual perpetrators. This research utilizes prison literature in the form of memoirs written by incarcerated Muslims to understand the lived experiences of those in the criminal justice system and the flaws that must be addressed. Complemented by interviews with scholars and practitioners in the field, this data is coded for common themes and then used to examine the viability of both substantive changes to legislation and procedural mechanisms in addressing these issues. Such solutions include narrowing the definitions of terrorism and espionage, reducing immunity for police charged with custodial abuse, and codifying the independence of the judiciary in Special Courts.

30 Solange Hackshaw

A Literary Portrayal of the Caribbean-American Experience

Representation in media has been a popular topic within the past decade as writers, actors, filmmakers and other creators whose narratives have largely been either left out, co-opted or repurposed demand more from creative industries. Within literature, contemporary writers like Zadie Smith and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie are some of the few well-known writers whose storylines typically detail an immigrant experience within the black diaspora. Drawing inspiration from writers such as these, this memoir documents an adolescent Trinidadian-American immigrant experience. This creative work can lay the foundation for a series in mainstream media similar to narratives such as Fresh off the Boat or Black-ish. At present, there are no narratives in mainstream media that document this experience. In terms of literature, Elizabeth Nunez is the last author to document a female Trinidadian-American experience. This 60+ page memoir documents my immigrant and adolescent experience spanning the years between 2011 and 2021.The memoir focuses especially between the years 2013-2017, when I first moved to the United States and went to high school. There are also portions of the book from 2011-2013 and 2017-2021 for context and to show movement/growth. Identity stands out as a key theme in this memoir with various chapters analyzing friendship, self actualization, mental health and family.

31 Dylan Hale

Wing Construction for Model Aircraft

With the increase in accessibility of manufacturing methods like 3D printing and laser cutting, hobbyists who build model aircraft wings have more tools today than have traditionally been available to them. Many of these new manufacturing techniques are seldom taken advantage of in the construction process, and our goal is to assess their performance compared to the traditional methods. The introduction of these new tools into a space with established practices requires a thorough understanding of the new methods and their role in the integration or replacement of the existing construction techniques. By using each novel technique separately to fabricate a wing, processes that experience changes in quality and efficiency can be identified. After assessing where the new methods can aid the model wing construction process the most, we will create a comprehensive ‘maker’s guide’ for the building of a wing using these technologies. This guide will detail the process our team has undertaken with these technologies to build a common wing design that is accessible conceptually and financially for the average hobbyist.

32 Sydney Hartman

Death by a Thousand Paper Cuts: An Exploration of 21st Century U.S. Women's Political Organizations

It is overwhelmingly evident that women are underrepresented at every level of government in the United States. Despite the many advances women have made in the political arena over the past several decades, it is shocking how few women are represented in politics, particularly at the municipal level. Even more egregious is the lack of representation of women of color or LGBT+ women in government. Despite the overall consensus that there exists an underrepresentation of women in political office in the United States, organizations created to address gender equality in politics utilize different organizational frameworks and structures in an attempt to remove the barriers women face when entering politics. Death by a Thousand Paper Cuts: An Exploration of 21st Century U.S. Women’s Political Organizations is an anthology consisting of a collection of interviews from seven representatives from local and national women’s political organizations (WPOs). In these interviews, representatives share the history of their organizations, the strategies and structures their organizations utilize, the definition of success for their organizations, and what barriers they believe impact women in the political arena. The goal of this anthology is to explore the different organizational strategies utilized by each organization in order to learn more about how each organization defines success and why there has been such a proliferation in women’s political organizations in recent years, despite the fact that all WPOs have the same overall mission and goals.

33 Hailey Hart-Thompson Simultaneity in the Imaginary of Future: Protracted Liminality and Co-constructed Home Amongst Palestinian and Lebanese Individuals in Beirut, Lebanon

In Beirut, vacant pockmarked buildings from the Lebanese Civil War and bundles of wire strewn between crumbling cement buildings in Palestinian refugee camps are daily visual reminders of the conflicts and displacements that shape the lives of its inhabitants. The Nakba that resulted in Palestinian displacement over 60 years ago, the decades-long Civil War, and even the recent Beirut Blast are just a few examples of the traumatic events that mark this city. Within this setting, I explore how both Lebanese and Palestinian residents imagine and articulate their notions of home and plans for their future. Through fieldwork in Shatila Camp, Hamra Neighborhood, and Mar Elias Camp, and virtual ethnography with Palestinian and Lebanese residents, I have learned about the ways in which my interlocutors are both attached to and try to remove themselves from these spaces. Even though Lebanese and Palestinian residents occupy different physical, economic, and socio-political spheres within Beirut, there are structural similarities in how both groups envision home and plan for multiple, seemingly contradictory, possible futures within and beyond Beirut. My project documents, contextualizes, and analyzes this multiplicity of imagined futures as it is articulated and enacted by the residents of Beirut I came to know.

34 Daniel Hernandez-Zapata

RUSH - A Fast-Food Musical

I got my very first job at a fast-food restaurant when I was 14. Within the first weeks, I kept thinking: “why is there no story about this place?” After six years at that job, that question lingered, and so I chose to tell the story myself. RUSH is a full-length, original musical I have been writing since 2018, but which in the last year has completely changed its direction. Using my own experiences, stories gathered from co-workers and friends, and even the humor of social media posts about the fast-food experience, I have crafted an honest portrayal of the fast-food employee experience. Because virtually zero stories have tackled the complexities of how a job affects the employee, the objective behind RUSH is to tell a story about a place that is relatable, but to now tell it from the perspective of the workers. This is a story about what employees have to deal with: wages, customers, exhaustion, dreams on pause, and the exigent circumstances of an environment that put them in a state of constant rush— the rush of working day in and day out, the rush to reach the end of the workday, the rush that makes the food fast, and the rush to find a way out. With the pandemic, perhaps never before have fast-food employees been so “seen” yet so ignored; they went from being “essential workers” in the summer of 2020, to then having their cries for a $15 federal minimum wage debated and defeated. A high school student ready to change the world, Marc, shows up to his first-day at work, never imagining the world that lies within the four small walls of a restaurant. This is RUSH.

35 Jie Ting Eleanor Ho

Worker Safety during the Pandemic

Since the pandemic began, the Occupational Safety and Health administration (OSHA) has not issued updated standards on infectious disease during the pandemic. As a result, many workers across the country are getting sick at work. In Massachusetts, immigrant workers make up a substantial proportion of workers in the state and have been disproportionately impacted by this trend, facing barriers like xenophobia, immigration status, fear of deportation and other forms of relatiation from employers. This project aims to document how this trend is impacting workers in Massachusetts as the state and local boards of health navigate ensuring safety during the pandemic by gathering the necessary materials to create a journalistic report on the issue.

36 Hannah Hooven

Reconstructing Our Curriculum: Protest as Pedagogy in an After-School Program

Children’s access to music education in the American public education system is frequently limited by race and socioeconomic status (D’Ambrosio 2015). The Boston Public Schools are no exception, as many underfunded and majority- Black schools do not provide music instruction during the school day. Educators and activists such as Dr. Bettina Love have identified music-making as a crucial source of empowerment and self-discovery for marginalized young people, yet these young people are frequently denied opportunities for musical expression. Three years ago, my colleagues and I launched a free and accessible after-school music program for students in Boston schools that do not have music education programs. While our program–Boston After-School Music or BAM–is a step towards progress for schools that previously had no music offerings at all, we risk attempting to “civilize” youth of color into middle- class and white norms of music-making and culture if we are not constantly critical of our repertoire and pedagogical approaches (Bates 2019). My goal is to write a manifesto that reexamines the work of radical scholars such as Paulo Freire, bell hooks, and Bettina Love, in order to connect our program to the ideals of critical pedagogy and abolitionist teaching. Alongside and in dialogue with this manifesto is a semester-long music curriculum, which is centered around the creation of a student-created protest song as a practice of democracy within the classroom. It is my hope that this curriculum will allow future BAM teachers to put into practice a more libertory and satisfying musical experience for our students.

37 Wesley Jones

Boston University Students’ Travel Experience during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Mixed-Methods Analysis

Air travel has allowed the world to become interconnected at a rapid pace, yet this connection can be a disease transmission source. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), an infectious respiratory disease caused by the novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, is the latest pandemic to emerge, with serious implications for safe travel. College students are a critical population to study since many travel during the winter break for reasons such as family commitments, holidays, and a lack of housing. This study investigates college students' travel behavior at Boston University from November 20, 2020, to January 21, 2021, and the airport screening protocols encountered during the COVID-19 outbreak, with the aim of understanding how air travel and behaviors while traveling have changed. A retrospective mixed-method approach was utilized, with 30 students responding to an online survey and 10 in-depth follow-up interviews. Overall, three main themes emerged. First, students completed quarantine guidelines to the best of their ability after traveling. Second, the frequency of travel and behaviors during travel has changed for participants. Finally, students who traveled domestically within the United States experienced fewer changes to the travel experience than before the pandemic. The findings are particularly noteworthy as they challenge the prevailing assumption that college students largely ignore COVID-19 guidelines and safety. In conclusion, as air travel remains an essential part of life in the 21st-century, particularly for college students, it is critical to understand further how this population responds to a pandemic when traveling.

38 Jonathan Jordanides

Mechanical Loading Bioreactor for Real-Time Imaging of Mouse Flexor Tendon Explants

Despite how common tendon injuries are, tendon repairs are often expensive, require long periods of rehabilitation, and rarely allow the patient to regain full tendon function. Treatment options are hampered by a limited understanding of tendon degeneration and repair processes, in part because the mechanical loading necessary to study tendon biology makes real-time imaging experiments difficult. To address this issue, our team has built a bioreactor that allows for simultaneous loading and real-time imaging of tendons at a cellular level by a confocal microscope. The device mechanically loads a mouse flexor tendon explant within a confocal microscope, and allows for a variety of loading regimes to be executed. It also provides information on the position, stress, and strain through the tendon explant during loading. The device will allow for mechanobiology experiments that elucidate how tendons respond to various loading conditions on a cellular level. With a better understanding of the relationship between mechanics and tendon biology, scientists and engineers will be better equipped to design artificial tendons and regenerative treatments for tendon disorders.

39 Alexander Keiter

Creating a Transgender Rights Revolution

Transgender people in America face numerous barriers to social acceptance that are unique in comparison to other LGBTQ individuals. While homosexual identities have been increasingly accepted in American society, transgender acceptance has increased comparatively little. This essay series analyzes three different avenues and offers implementable strategies to promote transgender acceptance in America. This analysis appeals to psychological mechanisms, law, and applied ethics to argue for the inclusion of transgender identities in societal structures like healthcare, schools, and athletics. The analysis illuminates multiple useful roles and policy changes for transgender advocacy and addresses common arguments against transgender inclusion in order to produce reflection in readers. Ultimately, this research builds on the body of work on transgender advocacy while making inclusive arguments more accessible to a general audience. Thus, the essay series provides a foundation for advocacy for those who are not already stakeholders in transgender acceptance.

40 Maneesha Khalae The Case for Promoting Active Mobility in Times of Crisis: A Review of Effective Implementation of Active Mobility in Cities around the World The growing awareness of the urgency of the climate crisis has led governments worldwide to pay closer attention to the potential active mobility has in promoting a cost-effective and green form of transportation. Previous research has primarily studied active mobility in relation to how it can be implemented in everyday transportation scenarios. I use case studies from Amsterdam, San Francisco, Mexico City, Bogota, Tokyo, and Metro Manila to make the case for why governments globally, particularly in developing countries, should adopt active mobility in their disaster and risk planning. I utilize case studies surrounding three forms of crisis; those driven by natural disasters such as earthquakes and tsunamis, those caused by resource disruption such as the 1973 OPEC oil crisis and finally those the public health crisis caused by pandemic COVID-19. Contrary to popular belief, cycling and cycling infrastructure not only provides efficient ways of transport in times of crisis but these benefits carry over into post-crisis everyday life. I was able to focus on finding examples of best practices in utilizing active mobility solutions in times of crisis and apply the solutions globally. My findings indicate that the implementation of active mobility is not only cost-effective and promotes sustainable development but also can help create social cohesion and promotes equity. I also considered the feasibility of implementing active mobility infrastructure and systems to developing cities around the world as well as the cost (socially and economically) of such an undertaking. I conclude my arguments on why the transition to active mobility is both inevitable and urgent based on emergencies before and the current pandemic now.

41 Pablo Kurzan Venezuelan Sex Workers in Bogotá: Forced Displacement and Health Delivery The Venezuelan economic crisis has led to the migration of at least 333,000 Venezuelans to Bogotá, Colombia. This forced displacement has saturated the labor market and, due to the lack of economic opportunity, more young Venezuelan women are turning to sex work as their only viable employment option. In Bogotá’s Santa Fe district, 70% of the sex workers are Venezuelan, 50% of which are between the ages of 18 and 25. Sex work is legal in Colombia, yet there are no policies in place that protect the health and labor rights of sex workers. Additionally, studies have shown how xenophobia toward Venezuelans has risen in recent years. Venezuelan migrant sex workers experience the compounded effects of both of these issues and their healthcare access has been limited because of it. Although Colombia has been progressive in its approach to sex work policy, there is a lack of support for migrant sex workers in Bogotá, both in literature and on the ground. There is a need to understand Venezuelan sex workers’ access to healthcare in Colombia and how the legal framework impacts the quality of care in order to better tailor policies, interventions, and support services for them. Solutions to this problem were proposed to best fit the context in Bogotá using an international comparative analysis. Overall, a rights-based model to sex work policy, which places the health, human, and labor rights of sex work at the forefront, must be implemented to improve healthcare access for sex workers in Bogotá. Furthermore, it is necessary to dismantle xenophobic and sex- negative views of migrant sex workers and rebuild cultural perspectives through destigmatization campaigns. We propose a social media campaign using the hashtag #SoyComoTuSoy that promotes pluralistic journalism, or journalism that portrays the subject through multiple points of view. We also propose an education campaign targeting healthcare providers using key influential actors, implementing pop-up clinics and information centers specific for sex workers as seen in other countries using adaptations to fit the context in Bogotá. This research identifies a gap in the policy framework for an extremely marginalized population in Bogotá and provides solutions, that not only focus on current needs, but also intends to transform ideas and values within the culture in order to provide adequate healthcare for this population. 42 Nichole Kyprianou

The Relationship between Gut Dysbiosis and Maladaptive Behaviors in Children Suggest Evolutionary Mismatch

Researchers have found that modern, industrialized environments are associated with disturbed host-microbe interactions which increase the risk of disorders such as obesity, asthma, depression, and autism. Exploring the relationship between the brain and the gut, researchers have found that psychological conditions related to stress have been connected to gastrointestinal (GI) dysfunction. Particularly, children diagnosed with autism have reported a high level of GI symptoms. My research aims to look at the links between stress, GI dysfunction, and maladaptive behaviors in children with and without autism. Using Excel and SPSS computer programs, I analyzed data on a subject cohort, ranging from 24 months to 50 months of age, which included children with and without an autism diagnosis. Using correlation and multiple regression analysis, I found that children with autism had increased odds of having GI dysfunction, which includes diarrhea, constipation, and nausea. Furthermore, I found that GI dysfunction was highly correlated with anxiety and depression, as well as nervous maladaptive behaviors, in children with and without an autism diagnosis. These findings help support the theory that behavioral symptoms may directly correlate with GI symptoms through the gut-brain axis.

43 Christina Lamagna

The Role of the Cinematographer: Taking a film from script to screen

On a scripted film production the Director of Photography, or Cinematographer, is the head of the camera department, who works with the director to establish the look of the film utilizing technical aspects of camera and lighting. The Director of Photography delegates to Camera and Lighting/Electric departments, and often operates the camera with the help of assistants. My keystone served as an exploration of this role, taking "What in the Woods???" from script to screen as Director of Photography in collaboration with other film students in the COM Production III Thesis course. My pre- production responsibilities included breaking down the script into shots, making appropriate thematic choices about camera movement, coverage, lighting, and lenses, assessing gear needs, running camera and light tests, and storyboarding over the course of six weeks. During production, I operated the camera, delegated to the Gaffer and Assistant Camera, and collaborated with the director, all while troubleshooting any unexpected issues and staying on schedule. This project was on the largest scale I have participated in to date, and simulates my main career goal for serving as a Director of Photography for narrative films. Through designing the look of "What in the Woods???" I enhanced the ability to communicate with crewmembers on set, discuss story decisions with the director, gained confidence in my own creative decisions, and with trial and error, devised a system of pre-visualization to ensure efficiency on the day of shooting. This project will explore the creative process of making a film from the perspective of a Director of Photography, from script breakdown in pre-production, operating the camera during principle photography, to overseeing color grading in post-production.

44 Victoria Lara-Aguilar

Developing a Midbrain Organoid-on-a-Chip for Live Cell Imaging and Parkinson’s Disease Modeling

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder, currently affecting an estimated 1 million individuals in the United States and more than 10 million people worldwide. PD involves the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the midbrain substantia nigra pars compacta, yet its root cause remains unknown. Researchers have developed human midbrain organoids (MBOs), which are three dimensional in vitro models that resemble the 3D human brain environment more closely than other brain models. Using MBOs derived from human neuroepithelial stem cells (hNESCs) allows for faster maturation of MBOs and higher yield of differentiated neural cells. This project developed a midbrain organoid-on-a-chip (MOC) derived from hNESCs to make the organoids stationary and compatible with fixed and dynamic fluorescence imaging using upright microscopy. The results of this study provide a MOC system that yields enhanced fluorescent images of healthy organoids and those exposed to 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+), a neurotoxin that induces parkinsonian symptoms. These findings may reveal more information about PD cell dynamics in hopes of getting one step closer to finding a cure.

45 Jonathon Lazeroff

The Fame Monster: A Gaga Musical

“Amidst all of these flashing lights, I pray the fame won’t take my life,” Lady Gaga sang at the 2009 Video Music Awards during a macabre performance critiquing the phenomenon of celebrity itself. This project is an exploration of the corruptive nature of fame in the form of musical theater. The script draws inspiration from the format of Greek tragedy, using elements including the Greek chorus to aid in the storytelling and to explore the timeless narrative of a failed apotheosis. As much as the content and arc of the story center on dark themes and an inherently tragic subject matter, laughter, light, and levity are essential components to this musical as well. This project is a camp tribute to drag, and to the musical legends who have paid fame’s tragic price. Inspired by the life and works of Lady Gaga, this jukebox musical stitches together some of Gaga’s greatest hits, as well as some underrated gems, to tell the tale of UltraViolet, a drag musician whose meteoric rise to fame proves to be more than she can manage. The story is narrated intermittently by a chorus of drag performers who work together at the drag bar, Electric Chapel, as they help and hinder UltraViolet on her road to stardom. By incorporating the art form of drag, The Fame Monster: A Gaga Musical opens up to explore the beauty, solidarity, hardship, and heartache that is interwoven into the fabric of the queer community. This project is an attempt to illuminate issues within the queer community that outsiders may not understand, through an understanding of fame, celebrity, and what it means to perform.

46 Polina Lissin

Relative advantages and compatibility of a biometric patient identification tool in Zambia: a qualitative analysis

The SEARCH system is a biometric patient identification tool which uses a pattern recognition algorithm to translate an image of the ear into a unique identifier. If integrated into an EMR system, the tool would provide a patient identification solution that replaces notoriously unreliable paper (Under-Five Card) or number-based identifiers. This qualitative study analyzes transcripts from interviews and focus groups on impressions of the novel biometric system conducted in urban and rural settings in Zambia. We sought to 1) understand the perceived relative advantage of a biometric system over the traditional Under-Five Cards among Zambian mothers 2) understand the perceived sociocultural compatibility of a biometric system in the healthcare setting, and 3) understand pragmatic compatibility of the proposed system. We found that the old Under-Five Card system presents many issues for continuity of care and quality of data management, therefore posing substantial disadvantages relative to the proposed system. Sociocultural and pragmatic barriers to acceptance are substantial given the existing fear of Satanism and electrical power issues throughout Zambia. Mothers and healthcare workers express that adoption could be successful given efforts to inform the community about the tool and its advantages. We determine that strategies for implementation should be localized, context informed, and conducted by trusted community members with knowledge of best approaches to diffusing information to their community as well as a deep understanding of the novel biometric system.

47 Felix Litvak

Mechanical Loading Bioreactor for Real-Time Imaging of Mouse Flexor Tendon Explants

48 Benjamin Maher

Improved Electrocautery Device

At present, electrosurgery sees the use of numerous devices in tandem, adding complexity to already difficult and error-prone operations. A considerable issue with current devices is the risk of hemorrhaging which occurs in 20-40% of solid organ dissection. This project seeks to build a novel electrosurgical device to minimize current concerns in solid-organ surgery by incorporating multiple, otherwise disparate functions, namely:

1.Monopolar electrocautery by means of high-voltage, radio frequency AC current 2.Dissection, aided by a small-diameter high-frequency oscillating tip 3.Saline drip to the intended region of cautery and dissection

The device will be largely self-contained within the form-factor of a pen, with controls for oscillatory speed and saline drip on-body. Off- body controls will consist of a standard electrocautery terminal, the means by which the high-voltage power is provided, with the only other external connection leading to the saline source. This device is expected to simplify and reform current devices with the aim of saving energy, time, and lives.

49 Leighton Marcovici

Prototyping an Artificial ACL using Embedded 3D Bioprinting

Ruptures of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) are among the most common knee injuries, with an estimated 200,000 annual incidences in the United States. ACL reconstruction surgery (ACLR) is the gold standard of care, yet despite its prevalence, treatment only has a success rate of 61-89% and is associated with serious complications including rehabilitation periods lasting up to eighteen months. Furthermore, 10-15% of patients will eventually require revisional surgery. Bioprinted synthetic grafts are a potential alternative, with Freeform Reversible Embedding of Suspended Hydrogels (FRESH) 3D bioprinting technology offering the requisite capabilities. First, by utilizing alginate (a cheaper alternative biomaterial), our group printed a variety of different constructs with a high degree of dimensional accuracy. Then we designed & tested dog-bone constructs for an Instron 5944 MicroTester to calculate the ultimate tensile strength, Young’s modulus, and strain-at-failure. To maximize desired mechanical properties, models should be printed using the optimal infill as determined by the biomechanical data. Based on those results, the honeycomb infill pattern showed a ~280% increase in tensile strength compared to the original linear infill. Next, we proceeded to prototype a synthetic ACL with alginate to confirm the accuracy of the CT-derived .STL file. We compiled our findings, applying the optimal honeycomb pattern to construct a final prototype ACL comprised of 100% collagen. With this final prototype, we validated the dimensional and mechanical characteristics of our model as a benchmark for future work. Such work would include improving strength & biocompatibility by incorporating other biomaterials including elastin & proteoglycans.

50 Emily Martyny

Bridging the Gap: Proposal for Peer Support as a Mental Health Aid Among College Students

There are rising rates of mental health conditions among college students due to increased academic, social, financial, and emotional pressures. This rise in mental health problems creates increased pressure among colleges and universities to aid all of these struggling students. These institutions often struggle in caring for the influx of students and are looking for additional avenues to support them. A solution to increase mental health resources for students is peer support. This paper sheds light on the current gaps in mental health resources specifically at Boston University, as well as highlights comparable universities and colleges that offer robust peer support programs. Interviews and research from individuals at Boston University reveal that the university lacks a peer support group to aid students’ mental health. Similar interviews and research from those at the University of Southern California’s TrojanSupport, University of Michigan’s Wolverine Support Network, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s Peer-Based Support Network, and Princeton University’s Princeton Peer Nightline show the successful structure, recruitment, and training aspects that contribute to a thriving peer support program. Compilation from these four peer support programs is used as the base for the proposal of a peer support program that can be used widely across colleges and universities. This proposal was used as the guidelines for the first peer support group run with Kilachand Honors College students at Boston University in the Spring of 2021. The peer support group ran successfully displaying the applicability of the proposal. These findings and the proposal provide a foundation for which institutions can implement a change to better serve the mental health of their student population.

51 Julia Maruca

Disappearing Boston: A Climate Change Podcast

As anthropogenic climate change intensifies over the next 50 to 100 years, with or without mitigation and adaptation efforts, the city of Boston and its municipal systems of business, transportation, and culture will likely be hit hard. Boston has already begun preparation efforts on a city-wide level through the Climate Ready Boston research program, some of which is localized by neighborhood, but overall much of the discussion has been in the realm of planning and infrastructure as opposed to the interpersonal, community, everyday effects that climate change will likely have on Boston’s diverse and unique neighborhoods. Disappearing Boston’s 3 episodes each focus on different neighborhoods at risk of sea level rise in the Greater Boston area. Each episode situates itself in one place in Boston, investigates some of that place’s history of climate change, and talks to residents, visitors, and experts about what climate impact means to them--how it might change their lives and how that shapes their experience of being in that space. As a work of science journalism my project serves to bring attention to the ephemeral state we're living in right now as a coastal city; as a work of community-focused journalism, it captures some of the feelings and anxieties about living in such a state on a day to day basis, and provides a jumping off point for discussion of climate impacts in Boston.

52 Mauricio Moel Miranda

Growing Pains: A Novel Metric to Orient Ethical Start-Up Growth in the 21st Century

While start-ups have grown in number, market cap, and popularity at an unprecedented rate since the 2008 economic recession, there have been several instances in which some of these revered companies are caught betraying their initial intent or acting unethically. From Uber’s chaotic 2017 plagued with abuse allegations and deceptive practices, to the Wrkriot CEO defaulting their employees, to the Skully founders being charged for fraud, the examples are innumerable. These might seem like isolated events in otherwise “investment-worthy” start-ups; however, there seems to be a strong correlation between having a dysfunctional company culture and acting unethically. In fact, a recent study suggests 85% of CEOs interviewed believe this link exists. Companies like Uber betrayed what HBS professor Ranjay Gulati calls a start- up’s “soul.” In this mixed methods study, professor’s Gulati concept of the "soul" was studied further and connected to the more well-understood idea of company culture. The achieved aim was to study two start-ups (Orbit and Sinnovatek) in depth, by interviewing their founders, meeting with at least one employee, and developing and distributing a culture diagnosis questionnaire that identifies seven key components of culture to assess how each of those start-ups is poised to grow without betraying their values. A novel metric taking into account the start-up’s respective "soul" and the strength of their culture will give each company an aggregate score. Results show that both Orbit and Sinnovatek have strong company cultures, scoring a 6.09 and 6.23 out of 7 respectively in the model. On the "soul" side of things, it was clear that both companies are mission-driven but still have respective areas of opportunity. Orbit scored 8.8 out of 10 possible points and Sinnovatek 9.0 out of 10. Combining and adjusting the two components, gives Orbit a cumulative score of 17.5 out of 20 and Sinnovatek a total 17.9 points. Considering both scores, provides a starting point for companies to assess their “risk” of betraying their intent and prevent their situation from deteriorating. Finally, as a new model, limitations and future steps are discussed as well. 53 Aislinn O'Brien

Classism, Disingenuity, and Exploitation: On Class Representation in American Politics

There is much existent literature within the field of political science documenting the under-representation and under-inclusion of lower-income people in political processes. This includes a disproportionate deficit of lower- income people as voters, candidates, and office-holders. This literature tends to focus on the gap itself, class-related factors that may cause these voters to miss elections, the cost-barriers of campaigning as a candidate, and that these communities are isolated from political elites and thus lack political ‘ins’ that would get them selected as candidates by parties in the first place, for example. However, there is a deficit of literature examining how lower-income people are able to interact with campaigns, including the ‘harder’ aspects of this equation, such as logistical barriers to being contacted by campaigns, as well as ‘softer’ aspects of this equation, perhaps most notably the role of how lower-income people might tend to view campaigns, particularly due to class- related experience. This project seeks to provide insight in response to this deficit in literature through examining barriers to the interactions between lower-income people and campaigns. In order to accomplish this, this project incorporates literature reviews of both academic and non-academic or alternative literature, in order to gain a broader understanding of these issues, interviews with those involved in political processes, the creation and distribution of a survey for those who identify as lower-income to organizations working with lower-income communities, as well the examination of lower- income public housing communities, through a case study of the New York City public housing system, among others. This project further confirms the existence of these barriers and finally offers recommendations to relevant parties, including campaigns and community organizers.

54 Julia Pavón

Breaking Into the Writers’ Room

The traditional American writers room for television is one which does not always welcome diversity. Even so, diverse opinions are necessary to produce content representative of modern values and beliefs. While media studies is not a production field, it provides an insight into the predominant characteristics of different forms of visual content as well as an understanding of the norms and deviations from the everyday viewing experience. With these genre characteristics in mind, my project aims to create a new show which adheres to the general genre conventions of the American sitcom, while also branching out into new territory for the modern television landscape. The basis of this project is the creation of an original sitcom pilot which represents my own tastes and preferences that I find to be lacking in traditional media. While there are many period dramas, I am very interested in creating a genuine period sitcom, one that is not a parody or farce of the Victorian era, but, while set in the 1870s, works within the established American sitcom format. In order for there to be change to television’s status quo, it is necessary that people like myself who do not fit into the image of the Hollywood writers room find ways to write stories themselves. The goal of this project is to demonstrate that all anyone needs to break into the television writing industry is a good idea and motivation to create a deliverable.

55 Catherine Peerson

Affective Possibilities in Narratives of Climate Disaster

Climate disaster has long been present in human thought as preserved in literature, but it has only recently in the last hundred years or so taken on an unparalleled exigency due to anthropogenic climate change. As the effects of the changing climate become undeniable, more and more authors turn to the topic in their writings, though rarely with the express purpose of inspiring political or social change. Regardless of intent, by bringing the topic of climate change into the public sphere and the imagined worlds of fiction, these authors open up avenues for empathy to foster the “land ethic” advocated for by Aldo Leopold (1949). He defines this as, “A mode of guidance for meeting ecological situations so new or intricate, or involving such deferred reactions, that the path for social expediency is not discernible for the average individual.” I suggest that literature can offer this guidance; my research investigates the manner in which climate disaster is represented in literature, touching briefly upon mythology, poetry, and non-fiction before focusing attention on contemporary realist fiction and speculative fiction. Using ecocriticism and affective narratology as theoretical frameworks, I will analyze how four texts use affective rhetoric within or across genres to generate empathy for fictional characters and worlds potent enough to translate over into the real world and contribute to the formation of a new land ethic. Four essays on Flight Behavior by Barbara Kingsolver, Weather by Jenny Offill, The Road by Cormac McCarthy, and The Fifth Season by N. K. Jemisin will offer insight into how literature is able to respond to events which, once purely fictional or mythological, have become reified so as to require a real-world response. These texts cover the genres of realist climate fiction, multimedia climate fiction, post-apocalyptic fiction, and speculative science fiction, respectively, to offer an understanding of the affective possibilities of such narratives.

56 Abhinav Penumudi

The Drop

The Drop is an online magazine that explores the issue of South Asian underrepresentation in today’s mainstream hip-hop industry. Hip-hop is a genre of music that has existed since the 1960s. It’s main purpose is to express oneself and speak out against the social inequality and injustice that exists in our communities. While it’s roots are African-American, over time people of other ethnic backgrounds have used the genre to vocalize their own problems and make their own impact. The nature of hip-hop is inherently about inclusion, but until now there have only been a few artists with a South Asian background to break into the forefront of the industry. Jay Sean broke a huge barrier for South Asians in the United States with his hit song "Down" in 2009. The song caught the attention of revered hip-hop artists, like Lil Wayne who appeared on a remix of the song. Since then only one other South Asian artist has achieved a comparable level of success, Nav. Nav's music career has skyrocketed in 2017 with several key endorsements from artists, such as Drake, Meek Mill, and The Weeknd. Today, he's an icon for South Asian hip-hop artists. This magazine illuminates key reasons for the struggle South Asian hip-hop artists face along the journey to the forefront of the industry. It also includes interviews with South Asian artists to find out, directly, what issues they are facing with building a fanbase and growing their platforms.

57 Zachary Popp Racial and Socioeconomic Inequities in Massachusetts Food Retail Closures Unhealthy food environments are more likely to be found in communities of color and low-income communities. This project aims to fill a gap in food access research by analyzing whether food retail closures over the past several years, as well as those in 2020, have disproportionately affected communities of color and low-income communities. Statewide retail food closures (n = 3,297) were used to examine closures across Massachusetts from approximately the past decade. Two datasets were created to conduct a statewide analysis of closures without a known closure date, and a Boston 2020 confirmed closure analysis. Census tract level demographic and socioeconomic data, including metrics for racial residential segregation (RRS) and economic residential segregation (ERS), were used to identify disparities in closure locations, and in closure concentrations by population and by open food retail businesses. The highest burden of closures was found in communities with concentrated poverty in the statewide closures analysis. The Boston analysis revealed high closures in economically well-mixed communities for 2020-confirmed and general closures. Analysis by RRS found communities of color have seen a smaller closure concentration by population than non-Hispanic white communities. We observed inequality in food store closures by ERS, but not by RRS in Boston and in Massachusetts. Further categorization of closures is needed statewide to clarify the impact of COVID-19 on closures. Stratification by additional variables such as poverty level would help to better understand the influences of geographic inequities in closure location.

58 Brian Privett Exploring Acetylcholinergic Modulation of Conscious Perception in Mice The method of accession of the hypothesized global neuronal workspace (GNW) and the nature of the brain networks associated are both areas with significant knowledge gaps, even though the prefrontal cortex (PFC) is established as a main hub of the GNW. Accordingly, the long-term goal of this research is to identify all participating brain regions and the network effects at play, thereby gaining greater insight into the GNW and consciousness at large. The objective of this proposal is to develop and utilize experimental paradigms towards this end, through a combination of pupillometry, functional ultrasound (fUS), and various stimuli patterns or behavioral tasks. The central hypothesis to be tested is that fUS imaging targeting basal forebrain (BF) and PFC will reveal that patterns of BF activity are correlated with pupillometry and GNW accession (represented in PFC activity). This hypothesis is supported by the rationale that the BF is the locus of much cholinergic activity, which in turn is known to be an attentional modulator. The attentional modulation caused by BF activity likely influences the nature and success rate of GNW accession by different stimuli, suggesting the hypothesis. The central hypothesis will be pursued with these specific aims: 1) Examine correlation between activity in PFC and BF as a function of cognitive outcome; 2) Explore the extent of cortical activation in successful stimulus trials; 3) Establish a basis for further research using said experimental techniques. The expected outcome is that PFC activity and cortical activation corresponding with GNW accession will be preceded by a marked increase in BF activity, or alternatively, a level of BF activity significantly above baseline. This research is innovative because it combines pupillometry with fUS for the first time, and further, because the completion of behavioral tasks would enable an extremely unique application of signal detection theory to mouse data. This research bears significance because it will determine the contribution of the BF to GNW accession, increasing the scientific understanding of GNW theory and consciousness at large. The positive impact is that results may enable more diverse research with this paradigm, support research into modulation of BF activity to influence conscious perception, and create an avenue for new treatments for certain disorders of consciousness. 59 Noah Riley

Addressing Ambiguity: A Roadmap for U.S-China Engagement on Strategic Nuclear Issues

An objective of the Trump Administration was to incorporate China into a formal arms control agreement on nuclear weapons. Ultimately unsuccessful, this effort outlined a current and impending strategic concern of the United States – how the U.S. should move forward in engaging China, a rising global power, on strategic nuclear issues in pursuit of American security interests. China, for its part, has rebuffed all overtures to participate in bilateral or trilateral arms control with the U.S. for myriad reasons, most commonly citing the significant discrepancy in nuclear warhead stockpiles between the two countries. This paper evaluates the potential for nuclear arms control between the United States and China and proposes a path for forward for bilateral engagement on strategic nuclear issues. A bilateral arms control agreement in its traditional sense is likely impossible or, at the very least, a long-term undertaking. However, there are a number of bilateral initiatives that should be explored in the interim to address long-standing, destabilizing ambiguities in strategic nuclear issues. These initiatives, termed SUIs (Strategic Understanding Initiatives) are designed to enhance transparency and mutual understanding, promote crisis management, and reduce escalation risks leading to nuclear conflict. For the U.S., a conceptual approach to engagement should follow a modification of strategic stability and the formal recognition of conditions consistent mutual vulnerability. The U.S. should employ a top-down diplomatic strategy, while simultaneously utilizing the P5 Process (a multilateral forum) and working with China on third party nuclear issues of mutual concern.

60 Madeline Rogers

The Writing’s on the (Bathroom) Wall: A Study of Latrinalia on a College Campus

When mentioning graffiti, many people might picture brightly colored spray paints marking the walls with illegible tags and writings. But, as many college students don’t typically carry spray paint on hand, bathroom graffiti, academically referred to as latrinalia, on Boston University’s campus tends to take the form of threads of writings expressed using various brightly colored pens, markers, and highlighters. College students almost always traverse their on-campus territory with backpacks and purses packed with such supplies. The features of a public bathroom provide the privacy necessary for an individual to use the bathroom without outright breaking any cultural taboos surrounding the acts of defacing property and relieving oneself in the restroom. The four walls of the bathroom stall instill a momentary sense of privacy for the person within them; as long as that small metal bolt locking the door is in place, this space belongs to them. This uniquely situates public bathrooms as a liminal space, somewhere that is both private and public, where people just barely skim the surface of facing our cultural taboo regarding use of the bathroom. The unique space presented by public bathrooms opens them up for the expression of subjects that may also be defined as liminal in their own way. This kind of private expression in a public space also gives individuals the ability to express themselves with complete anonymity, allowing them to articulate more personal thoughts about subjects that matter to them. This paper explores the various topics of the graffiti written upon the public bathroom walls of Boston University, assigning cultural meaning to the topics written about. In particular, I focus on the graffiti on topics of Mental Health and Political Activism as is prevalent in the Boston University bathroom stalls. Analysis of the subjects being written about in liminal spaces reveals that those writing about these topics feel that this discussion belongs in such a space. By studying public restrooms on a college campus, I am able to better understand the way college students perceive and interact with the world around them. 61 Jason Rundle

Biking Boston: Assessing Cycling Infrastructure in Different Boston Neighborhoods

Both climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic disproportionately affect low income and minority communities in Boston. As the city moves forward in trying to reduce its carbon emissions, incentivizing alternative forms of transportation such as biking can reduce pollution while improving the health of individuals and communities. However, the biking network in Boston currently fails to connect to the people who could benefit most from infrastructure improvements. For those who cannot afford cars, biking is a sustainable way to access employment, education, healthier foods, and green spaces. This is especially important during a pandemic, because people may not feel comfortable taking public transportation. The city of Boston has recently signed on to initiatives such as GoBoston 2030 and Vision Zero to improve their transportation system, but the benefits of these programs have not been seen by many poorer Boston residents. In this project, we assessed the built environment for biking in different Boston neighborhoods through field research and GIS mapping, and interviewed stakeholders in Boston’s biking community in order to determine where there are unmet needs for biking infrastructure and how the city can move forward to serve its most vulnerable residents. We found that communities in south Boston such as Roxbury, Dorchester, and Mattapan had significantly less access to safe biking networks compared to downtown areas and the neighborhood surrounding the BU campus. To understand why this is the case, we conducted research into the history of biking infrastructure and tracked the progress of city transportation projects. Our interviews helped us create a roadmap for future infrastructure projects that involve local communities in planning and implementing biking improvements in underserved neighborhoods.

62 Ryan Senne

Functional Dynamics of the Social Memory Engram

Social memory is integral for healthy behavior in humans and animals and depends on the synthesis of multimodal inputs. Memory research has increasingly focused on the engram—or biophysical changes in the brain which store memory. The majority of engram studies have focused on fearful experiences and thus, the social memory engram has been vastly understudied. With the increasing rates at which psychiatric conditions and neurodegenerative disorders are diagnosed, which are notorious for stereotypical deficits in social memory and behavior, the need for basic research focused on the social engram is only increasing. Studies have shown that several key nodes in the brain are necessary for proper social functioning, such as the hippocampus (HPC), prefrontal cortex (PFC), and basolateral amygdala (BLA). Whether these areas store social memory specific information and their functional roles is still inconclusive. These questions will be addressed using two experimentally validated techniques—optogenetics and fiber photometry, two optical methods which can be used to activate and record from neurons. Preliminary results suggest that the prelimbic and infralimbic sub-regions of the PFC store identity specific social information along with the vCA1 sub-region of the hippocampus, whereas the BLA responds generically to social epochs. Interestingly the dCA2 region of the hippopocampus traditionally thought to be integral to social memory systems did not store social information but was highly active at consolidation of a social experience. While these results are preliminary and experiments are ongoing, future results will have immense translational value for treating social deficits and are important from a basic science perspective.

63 Nikita Sethi

The Lived Experiences of Low-Income Students at Boston University

This project seeks to identify the ways in which the lived experiences of low- income students are affected by their financial status while attending an elite university. The first phase of this project involved interviewing low-income students currently attending Boston University. In these interviews, we investigated student’s adjustment to college, prioritization of responsibilities, family relationships, and systems of social support. Focus on the financial burden of college was minimized in favor of how a student’s financial situation affects their day-to-day social and academic interactions. The results of these interviews were then synthesized and featured in a podcast, entitled The Not- So Golden Ticket, which seeks to educate those in the university system who are unaware of the barriers that low-income students face. This project aims to demonstrate how universities can better support their low-income students by creating spaces and closing the gap of presumed knowledge about the university system.

64 Charles Shattuck

Bringing International Policy Home: Michigan’s Emergency Management as Subnational Indefinite Temporary Occupation

Since 1986, the State of Michigan has developed a policy of financial receivership for fiscally distressed local governments. This system entailed local democratic suspension, as the State government installed an Emergency Manager with complete power over the locality. Occupation primarily affected majority-black cities, was imposed without any real recourse, and lasted as long as State officials desired. A framework of indefinite temporary occupation in international politics highlights the structural ways in which Michigan’s subnational policy is juridically enabled, a symptom of structural financial and racial disinvestment, for the benefits of privileged elites, and contingent on national apathy. Additionally, the application of this lens delineates the systemic ways in which Emergency Management undermines local democracy even after the headlines proclaim its end.

65 Benjamin Spetter-Goldstein

Investigating Adversarial Attacks as a Solution for Privacy from Face Recognition

The modern internet contains countless public pictures of human faces on social media websites. Image classifiers, a variety of deep learning algorithms in computer science, are machine learning algorithms which can match images of faces to a specific name and identity, often creating privacy concerns. Users of social media websites control one essential aspect of these image classifier systems, however—the uploaded photos that act as their inputs. In the world of machine learning, these inputs to a neural network can be manipulated before they are classified in order to produce an incorrect output, effectively fooling the system. These manipulated inputs are referred to as adversarial examples. For my keystone project, I have analyzed existing methods of creating adversarial examples from photos of human faces and evaluated their effectiveness and perceptibility to humans. This process gives users more power in controlling how they can be identified online, and focuses on user perceptions of the quality of these images in a way which has been largely ignored in prior research.

66 Natalie Swiacki

Does morphology compensate for variable phonology?: A case study of Spanish subject pronoun use in the context of /s/ lenition

Linguists have learned a great deal by studying how language varies in use both within and across communities. Within Spanish, studies have focused on understanding the variation of two features: pronoun use and /s/. While we know a lot about these variables, in particular several social and linguistic factors that shape their use, we still do not know everything about them. One area that has the potential to provide more insight is the role of communicative function in their variation. Previous research suggests that there may be a link between person and number ambiguities and pronoun use -- a functional claim about linguistic structure, which says using a pronoun compensates for semantic ambiguity in verbal morphology. The present study seeks to extend that to the context of coda /s/ lenition under a functionalist framework, examining 1332 tokens of coda /s/ from 7 male speakers residing in Boston, Massachusetts. The general pattern of coda /s/ expression for these speakers was typical of the Caribbean dialect group, with the majority of coda /s/ tokens being deleted or reduced. And when analyzing verbs forms that would be made ambiguous for person and number by /s/ deletion (i.e. second person singular), increased rates of /s/ deletion were found to correlate with increased rates of pronoun usage. This was not the case for verb forms which would not be made ambiguous for person and number as a result of /s/ deletion (i.e. first person plural). This result is interpreted as evidence in support of the idea that functional compensation is taking place to preserve important semantic information.

67 Peyton Tierney

Convergence Approach to Nanoparticle-Based Biomonitoring of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyls Substances (PFAS)

Per- and polyfluoroalkyls substances (PFAS) are a class of manufactured chemicals found in a wide range of consumer products. PFAS pose a unique problem to human health due to their widespread use and their potential for bioaccumulation. The development of a nanoparticle-based biomonitoring system offers a potential way to observe PFAS levels by selectively binding these compounds in relevant samples. We sought to create a series of molecularly imprinted polymer functionalized magnetic nanoparticles (MI- MNPs) capable of binding a subset of PFAS compounds. For the purposes of this study, we developed, evaluated, and characterized PFOA-MI-MNPs. These particles use perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) as the template molecule for the nanoparticles’ molecularly imprinted binding pockets. Well-characterized magnetic nanoparticles comprise the core of the MI-MNPs and will confer magnetic susceptibilities that will be exploited for the isolation of the PFAS- nanoparticles complexes. The success of these nanoparticles was quantified by PFAS adsorption efficiency and validated using mass spectrometry. It was shown that PFOA-MI-MNPs have high adsorption efficiency for PFOA but are also capable of binding other similar PFAS compounds. The primary goal of this study is to provide foundational research in the field of nanomedicine. Our in vitro experiments with our novel MIP-functionalized magnetic nanoparticles serve as a proof-of-concept to test if such particles could ultimately be used for the biomonitoring of PFAS compounds.

68 Yarden Tsfoni

A Paleoethnobotanical Analysis of Hellenistic Tel Shimron

The Hellenistic Age (323-30 BCE) in the Levant was a time of great change and well-connected systems of communication and trade. However, the agricultural economies of the Levant in the Hellenistic Age are poorly understood and underrepresented. Here I examine paleoethnobotanical remains from Tel Shimron, a site located in the Jezreel Valley, a fertile valley in Israel. Samples were collected from two contexts, Grid 94.90 and Grid 94.91, which include a hearth and what seems to be a courtyard and the reuse of mudbrick architecture. Sixteen samples were sorted, identified, and quantified using the Tel Shimron Sorting protocol. What was expected from the assemblage was a profile of crops similar to other sites in the Hellenistic Levant such as Tel Kedesh, Ashkelon, Tel el-Hesi, and Tel Iztabba, which were used as bases of comparison. These crops are cereals, pulses, grapes, olives, and figs. Upon further examination using a series of analytical methods, a slightly different picture formed. Alongside cereals, pulses, and olives, and figs, the assemblage included emmer, flax, and fenugreek, seeds not commonly found in other Hellenistic sites of the Levant. Wild seeds may also indicate the use of dung fuel, but further lines of evidence are needed to conclude that dung fuel was indeed used. This paleoethnobotanical study on Hellenistic Tel Shimron provides a small glimpse into differing agricultural practices across the Levant and as excavation continues, more information will provide a wider profile that could give insight into agricultural preferences, economies, and the use of different crops.

69 Ryan Vandoren

Mental Toughness in Figure Skating: what can mice teach us about the effects of stress on motor memories

Within the past decade, our understanding of the biological substrate of memory, the “engram,” has increased significantly. However, while most of our new-found understanding of engrams comes from episodic memories, the field of motor engrams remains largely unexplored. Additionally, stress is an important modulator of memories, yet the physiological mechanisms underlying its effects on motor memory in particular are not yet well understood. Here, we seek to extend our understanding of the engram by using previously established methods for tagging and controlling their constituent cells. First, we will identify motor engram cells in M1 through activity-dependent labelling. Optogenetically inhibiting and activating these cells and observing behavioral effects in a rotarod task will test their necessity and sufficiency for recall. Next, we will test if acute stress is capable of reducing memory recall as a model of the “choking” phenomenon. Lastly, we will use pharmacological methods involving the stress hormone corticosterone to elucidate mechanisms underlying the effects of stress on motor memories. Together, these experiments will investigate the cellular basis of the modulatory effects of stress on motor memory expression.

70 Isabella Very

Already Home: A New, Original Musical

Musical theater integrates music, spoken word, and dance into a holistic storytelling experience which has ostensibly fallen away during the pandemic. While other art forms have persisted uninhibited, the very nature of musical theater, which requires singing together in consistency between spoken and sung scenes, precludes its adherence to a virtual format without major adaptations. Already Home follows the story of several freshmen in college, particularly Clara Campbell, whose close relationship with her sister Marie contrasts with her friends’ definitions of home and family. This story explores the uncertainty of the college experience, relationships between women in several iterations, and how the human experience of loss and grief changes and challenges both individuals and groups. Instead of virtualizing or “zoom- ifying” the production of Already Home, the fully realized production appears as an immersive online theatrical experience. On the website, which will be available at AlreadyHomeMusical.com, there are six primary elements which are focal points corresponding to what an in-person experience would be like and simultaneously leaning into the virtual format.

They are as follows: 1. The Annotated Libretto 2. Embedded Performances 3. Original Boston University Cast Album 4. Tech Visions for Set, Lighting, Sound, Character, and Scenes 5. Character Studies 6. Vision Interviews

These six pillars compromise the key components of the larger website which reflects the tradition of immersive theater to invite the audience into the story. The difference between the website concept and other examples of immersive theater is that for Already Home, the story of the show is not only the plot, but how it came to be, against the backdrop of a pandemic and as a result of months of hard work from nearly fifty passionate and creative students.

71 Zachary Weiss

Improved Electrosurgery Device

At present, electrosurgery sees the use of numerous devices in tandem, adding complexity to already difficult and error-prone operations. A major issue with current devices is the risk of hemorrhaging which occurs in 20-40% of solid organ dissection. This project seeks to build a novel electrosurgical device to minimize current concerns in solid-organ surgery by incorporating multiple, otherwise disparate functions, namely: Monopolar electrocautery by means of high-voltage, radio frequency AC current, Dissection, aided by a small-diameter high-frequency oscillating tip, Saline drip to the intended region of cautery and dissection The device will be largely self-contained within the form-factor of a pen, with controls for oscillatory speed and saline drip on-body. Off-body controls will consist of a standard electrocautery terminal, the means by which the high-voltage power is provided, with the only other external connection leading to the saline source. This project was commissioned by Dr. Omar Barakat of the Baylor College of Medicine seeking to simplify current devices, saving energy, time, and lives.

72 Stefan Wenc

Magic in the Stadium: Soccer Supporter Groups in the United States

Soccer supporter groups, in which fans form social groups that connect over their passion for a team, are unlike anything found in any other American sport. They are also a growing phenomenon of sports culture in the U.S.; there are over 120 supporter groups across the country, ranging in size from under 50 members to over 1000 members. Supporter groups are best known for their passionate chanting and singing in the stands, but their activities extend far beyond this, and include putting together social gatherings and organizing charity and volunteering efforts. This project is motivated by my curiosity about what members find so compelling about their participation in supporter groups. Based on primary data gathered through interviews with soccer supporter group members, predominantly from Minnesota, as well as my own participant observation as a recent but active member, this study analyzes the experiences of supporter group members through the lens of anthropological literature on ritual, religion, and magic. Applying insights from classic ethnographic studies of ritual to the beliefs and practices of supporter group members, this paper argues that the in-stadium activities of soccer supporters can be understood as akin to various forms of magic. Beyond the stadium, I analyze soccer supporter group activities through Goffman’s concept of interaction ritual and Mauss’s elaboration of gift economies. Although some might think that supporters are merely fans cheering on their favorite team, this study provides an enriched understanding of the complexity and depth at play in soccer supporter groups, and adds to the growing literature on the interplay among sports, ritual, and magic in soccer fandom culture.

73 Noelle Wojciechowski

Qualitative Needs Assessment of Services for Students with Anxiety Disorders at Boston University

Mental health concerns and anxiety among college and university students have gained increasingly more attention over the past few years, as instances of suicides and hospitalizations for mental health concerns have generally risen among college-aged adults. Academic, social, and emotional pressures among young adults during this transformative time have led to a rise in the recognition of anxiety disorders on campuses nationwide and have required behavioral health and counseling services to adapt rapidly to meet larger student need. Boston University—a large, private, urban research institution in the heart of Boston—is in a unique position to help students deal with anxiety disorders during their undergraduate career. This study seeks to: 1) better understand the experience of living with an anxiety disorder whilst attended college full-time, 2) identify the on and off-campus resources students with anxiety disorders utilize to manage their disorder, and 3) clarify the role that Boston University Behavioral Medicine plays in helping these students throughout their time in college. Qualitative interviews were conducted with students who identified as having been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder by a clinician. Data collected from these interviews demonstrated that students felt difficulties during the entrance and exit processes of Behavioral Health services—especially in regards to finding a permanent clinician after their temporary behavioral medicine sessions had been completed. The testimonials from this study have been used to write a proposal to Boston University Behavioral Health detailing steps they may take to address some of these issues.

74 Jonathan Wurzburger

Policy Proposal for Wind Energy in Massachusetts

The main goal of this keystone project was to determine a policy recommendation regarding the future of wind energy in Cape Cod, MA. Despite being identified as an area with perfect conditions for offshore turbines, all previously proposed offshore wind farms have failed. Therefore, I sought to examine the public opinion regarding offshore turbines, as well as the potential for funding a project through the issuance of green bonds. In order to accomplish this goal, I conducted a survey of residents in the Cape Cod region. The survey received 89 responses and gathered information concerning their views on both previous and new offshore wind farms, including their degree of support as well as their primary and secondary areas of concern. Additionally, it gathered data concerning residents’ knowledge and interest in green bonds, and what their support would be for a green bond- funded wind farm. After analyzing the survey data, I was able to make several conclusions. Firstly, the majority of respondents’ primary concern was the turbines’ ecological impact. Secondly, those who oppose a new wind farm were more likely to list ‘aesthetics’ as their primary concern. Thirdly, age has an impact on support for a new wind farm, with those younger than 50 years old being more likely to be supportive. Finally, familiarity with green bonds affects the level of support for a green bond-funded wind farm, with those with prior knowledge being more likely to be supportive. Additionally, when compared to a new non-green bond-funded wind farm, those with knowledge of green bonds are more supportive of a green bond-funded wind farm. All of this points to the fact that increasing public knowledge of both green bonds and the ecological impact of offshore turbines would help increase support for a new wind farm in Massachusetts. Therefore, my recommendation is to increase public awareness through a series of seminars and distribution of informative pamphlets.

75 Catalina Zamorano

Murine perinatal morphine exposure and sex-dependent neurobiological and reward-related behavioral outcomes

The rise in Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) in the United States has contributed to the increased prevalence of opioid use during pregnancy. Infants born to mothers with opioid use disorder have often developed opioid dependence in utero and display various signs of withdrawal after birth, a condition termed Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome (NOWS). The rise in incidence of NOWS presents not only a sociological burden, but a financial burden. That being said, despite the increasing incidence of NOWS, there is an alarming lack of knowledge regarding the long-term effects of opioid exposure on the neurobiological and behavioral outcomes of fetuses. Thus, my project employed a mouse model to describe sex-specific transcriptional changes within discrete brain regions associated with perinatal opioid exposure, as well as the persistence of these changes during the lifespan in correlation with behavioral data. I utilized immunohistochemistry to assess neuronal vs. glial cell activation and cell death in multiple brain regions involved in opioid withdrawal in animals experiencing either spontaneous or naloxone- precipitated withdrawal. On a separate group of morphine-treated mice, I used intracranial self-administration targeting the medial forebrain bundle both at baseline and following treatment with methamphetamine to assess changes in both baseline and drug-induced reward sensitivity that were sustained into adulthood. The findings from this study improve our understanding of NOWS and lend information to the development of long-term therapeutic interventions to improve outcomes for NOWS-affected individuals.

76 KEYSTONE ADVISORS

Dr. Tom Anastasi (QST) Sarah Bargal (CAS) Dr. David Boas (ENG) Dr. Kevin Lane (SPH) Sabra Botch-Jones (MED) Dr. Jacqueline Lauer (SAR) Rebecca Branconi (CAS) Dr. Kristin Leahey (CFA) Bill Braudis (COM) Dr. Andrew Lee (MED) Dr. Japonica Brown-Saracino (CAS) Dr. John Marston (CAS) Dr. Camron Bryant (MED) Dr. Trent Masiki (KHC) Dr. Peter Buston (CAS) Dr. Lida Maxwell (CAS) Dr. John Celenza (CAS) Dr. Leland Monk (CAS) Dr. Arijit Chakravarty, MD Dr. Elise Morgan (ENG) Dr. Brianne Connizzo (ENG) Dr. Neil Myler (CAS) Richard Cornell (CFA) Siobhan O'Mahony (QST) Debbie Danielpour Chapel (COM) Dr. Taylor Peyton (SHA) Dr. Joanna Davidson (CAS) Dr. Nathan Phillips (CAS) Anne Donohue (COM) Dr. Spencer Piston (CAS) Dr. Madhu Dutta-Koehler (MET) Dr. Carrie Preston (KHC, CAS) Dr. Katherine Levine Einstein (CAS) Dr. Steve Ramirez (CAS) Dr. Daniel Erker (CAS) Dr. Catherine Ritz (Wheelock) Dr. Sophie Godley (SPH) Dr. Darren Roblyer (ENG) Dr. Emily Hainze (KHC) Dr. Sheila Russo (ENG) Dr. Xue Han (ENG) Paul Schneider (COM) Dr. William Hauser (ENG) Dr. Joshua Shifrinson (Pardee) Dr. Carolyn Hodges-Simeon (CAS) Dr. David Shim (CAS) Dr. William Howell (CAS) Dr. Merav Shohet (CAS) Dr. Dorothy Hutchinson (SAR) Dr. Benjamin Siegel (CAS) Dr. Karen Jacobs (SAR) Dr. Paul Simonin (CAS) Dr. Diane Joseph-McCarthy (ENG) Dr. Bela Suki (ENG) Dr. Benjamin Koskinen (CAS) Dr. Kinh Vu (CFA) Dr. Victor Kumar (CAS) Jack Weinstein (Pardee) Dr. Carrie Landa (BU SHS) Dr. Joyce Wong (ENG) 77