Zaynab Jaber '12, biochemistry
Co-authors: Ryan King, Daniel Broek
Outstanding Student Research Symposium, April 17

“Identification of mutations that permit aneuploidy in the yeast Schizzosaccharomyces pombe”
This study investigates a condition called aneuploidy (containing an abnormal amount of chromosomes) in the yeast Schizzosaccharomyces pombe. Caused by an error in cell division, the proper amount of genetic material is not passed on to each daughter cell (resulting in chromosomal imbalances). Since human and yeast cells are intolerant of aneuploidy, they will die. However, mutations allow the aneuploid cell to live. Towards these ends we have isolated strains of aneuploid S. pombe that exhibit genetic stability and have used flow cytometry to demonstrate the aneuploid strains have 20 – 50% more DNA than diploid strains. Among the mutant genes we identify will be genes that are conserved in humans, and when mutated allow human cancers to tolerate the aneuploid state. Also, a mutation in a gene ubp6 permits stable and fast growing aneuploid cells. Further we propose that drugs that target and block the function of the aneuploidy-tolerizing gene products will be potential anti-cancer drug therapies.

Jessica Jacques '13, Spanish
Modern Language and Literature, April 20

““Educación: Libre de Miedo”, Education: Freedom from Fear”
This paper explores the story of the three Mirabal sisters of the Dominican Republic under the dictator Rafael Trujillo and the inspiring story of their courage to stand up against such a terrifying dictator. The basis of this paper seeks to understand what made the Mirabal sisters different; that they would ultimately become the face of the resistance in the Dominican Republic. This is done by contrasting the involvement of each of the four Mirabal sisters to find a factor that would seem to make the difference in their involvement against Trujillo. The conclusion uses the comparison of education as a weapon that the Mirabal sisters used to fight fear and ultimately Trujillo.

Lauren Joaquin '12, psychology
Science Poster Session, April 26

“The Effect of Self-Monitoring on First Impressions Regarding Political Candidates”

Ishmael Johnson '13, sociology
Modern Language and Literature, April 20

“Romanticism, Realism, and the Concept of idée fixe (obsession) in Dostoevsky and Gogol”
This paper is comparing the use of Romanticism and Realism by two 19th century Russian writers, Fyodor Dostoevsky and Nikolai Gogol. The paper concentrates on an analysis of two short stories by these authors: The Dream of a Ridiculous Man and The Overcoat. It will be shown that both authors arrive at their respective literary styles in a slightly different manner. However, both short stories contain a unifying theme of idée fixe (obsession), popular in Western European literature at that time. Having said that, what separates these Russian writers from their Western European counterparts is their deeply felt awareness of the miserable social conditions of the lower classes in 19th century Russia.

Nicolette Kafasis '13, English
Modern Language and Literature, April 20

“Filomena, Irene y Casilda: Traditional or Modern Women?” he topic of this presentation will be on the development of women in three specific works of the Chilean author Isabel Allende. These works include: “A discrete miracle” (“Un discreto milagro), Of Love and Shadow (De amor y de sombra), and “The Judge’s Wife” (“La mujer del juez”). The discussion begins with a brief distinction of the characteristics associated with the traditional role of the woman in literature and the more independent qualities attributed to the modern woman. The presentation then becomes more focused as I examined how the women in the three Isabel Allende works fit within these categories. Filomena (“A discrete miracle”) illustrates a combination of the traits one would see in both the traditional woman and the modern woman, whereas Casilda (“The Judge’s Wife”) embodies solely the latter. However, Irene (Of Love and Shadow) bridges these two women together because she represents the transition from a dependent, traditional woman to a more independent spirit. My presentation concludes by connecting the women through a common theme seen in all three of their stories: the theme of isolation. All three of these women experience various degrees of isolation, which directly contributes to their growth as characters.

Caitlyn Kantrowitz '13, psychology
Science Poster Session, April 26

“Frequent Headache Trauma Based on Light Sensitivity and Attitudes of Overall Health”
The current study investigated the effect of light sensitivity in those who experience frequent headaches. Measurements included flicker sensitivity and self-efficacy of individuals who experience headaches using the Headache Management Self-Efficacy Scale (HMSE). It was hypothesized that those with a lower flicker threshold would have lighter eye color, lower BMI and experience greater headaches due to sensitivity. There were 32 participants, and ages ranged from 18 to 22. The convenience sample was composed of Introduction to Psychology students. Participants were asked to complete a screener survey, the HMSE, and the critical flicker frequency test (CFF). Frequent headache sufferers were defined by the screener survey. An independent samples t-test was computed (p = .05) to compare CFF to the HMSE. No significant results were found. Future research could be conducted using specific clinical participants and compared to those who experience less frequent headaches based on light sensitivity and environmental factors.

Alexander Lafreniere '12, psychology
Science Poster Session, April 26

“Cell Phones and Driving: Why Can’t People Wait?”
It was believed that the personality characteristic of impulsiveness was significantly related to the frequency of cell phone use while driving. The current study was designed to determine if there was a significant relationship between impulsiveness and the frequency of cell phone use while driving. Additionally, tests were conducted to determine if there was a significant difference between high and low scorers on either of the two measure of impulsiveness: The Beck-Tripett Measure of Delay Discounting and the Impulsive Behaviors Scale Revised (UPPS-P). Results from the study revealed a significant correlation between the Beck-Triplett Measure of Delay Discounting and the frequency of cell phone use while driving per day (r=.297, p=.025). Similarly, there was a significant correlation found between the UPPS-P and the frequency of cell phone use while driving per day (r=.293, p=.027).

Brittany Lavigne '12, psychology
Science Poster Session, April 26

“The Autistic Child: A Study on the Relationship of Sleep to Activities of Daily Living in General and School Behavior during Puberty” This study evaluates potential relationships between sleep patterns and activities of daily living (ADL’s) before and during the onset of puberty. As research progresses on Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), evidence suggests that sleep disturbances may be the most prevalent comorbid disorder. The sleep disturbances that have been associated with autism are similar to those associated with the onset of puberty. Both children with ASD and adolescence experiencing pubertal onset report difficulties with sleep onset latency, incidence of night-wake episodes, and irregular circadian rhythm. Since ASD children experience the same physical maturation as their typically developing peers, research provides possible evidence for the theory that puberty further exacerbates sleep disturbances in a child with ASD. Intensification of sleep disturbances in adolescents diagnosed with ASD would lead to impaired behavioral function and increased daytime disruptive behavior. Both symptoms are often significant impediments to implementing successful Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) techniques.