Mentor: Dr. Madhav Menon
Mentor Location: Mount Sinai
Dichotomous Roles of SHROOM3 in Glomerular Podocyte Cells and Renal Tubular Epithelial Cells
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is now recognized as a common condition that elevates the risk of cardiovascular disease as well as kidney failure and other complections, which is reflected in an accumulation of damage to various renal compartments. Chronic allograft nephropathy (CAN) is a condition that manifests itself as an allograft dysfunction of renal function in the renal allograft. As of the present time there are no known therapies to prevent the progression of CKD or CAN. As a result, a significant percentage of those with CKD or allograft injury will eventually advance to end stage renal disease (ESRD) therefore requiring dialysis or a renal transplant. The A-allele, a single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in the SHROOM3 gene locus, has been identified to be associated with proceeding and prevalent CKD in genome-wide association studies (GWAS). The presence of the allele at the SHROOM3 locus has been correlated with an increased SHROOM3 expression. Previous data suggests that SHROOM3 and the enhancer SNP play a dichotomous role in renal tubular epithelial cells and podocytes that are dependent on specific protein domains that also engender opposing effects on renal disease advancement within glomerular and tubular-interstitial compartments such as CKD. In order to fully understand and use SHROOM3 therapeutically there must be an understanding in the locus of SHROOM3 expression in each renal tubular epithelial cells and podocytes. Green fluorescent protein (GFP) is a protein that exhibits bright green fluorescence when exposed to light in the blue to ultraviolet range, which will be used in order to identify the locus of SHROOM3 in the cells, abiding in the process of determining its rate of expression and how it affects its dichotomous role in assisting or prevting CKD or CAN. By targeting and determining the function and the locus of SHROOM3 expression in each cell, this research can help determine a therapeutic solution to the prevention of CKD.
Seniors: Class of 2019
Citlalli Rojas A examination of the correlation between eel count and chem- ical quantities within four estuaries of the Hudson River
Mentor(s): Captain Bob Waters, Jason Mueller, Matthew Orefice
Location of Research: Sarah Lawrence College Center for the Urban River at Beczak Awards: 4th place Environmental Science, Stockholm Water award - WESEF 2019, 3rd place Environmental Science - Westlake Science Fair 2018
Beginning in the 1990s, populations of the American eel (Anguilla Rostrata) along the eastern coast of North America have been on the decline (Haro et al. 2000). The reasons for this are not fully known, since there could be more than one contributing factor. Eels may suffer impaired osmoregulatory ability from direct exposure to water contaminated by pesticides (Dutil et al. 1987; Hodson et al. 1994). Such chronic exposure could have serious population level impacts such as growth rate, direct mortality, and reduced survival. Although currently undocumented, pesticide contamination of eels could also potentially affect behavior, migratory orientation and perfor- mance, and successful mating (Haro et al. 2000). Increased urbanization near the Hudson River leads to increased pollutants in the area. Eels were sampled at the Saw Mill River and at the Center for the Urban River at Beczak during March 2018. Water samples were collected at Furnace Brook in Cortlandt, Minisceongo Creek in West Haverstraw, Indian Brook at Constitution Marsh in Cold Spring, and Saw Mill River and the Center for the Urban River at Beczak in Yonkers. Once the water samples from the different locations were collected, they were tested through an Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) in order to identify which anthropogenic chemicals were present. It was hypothesized that water collected at points of the migration along the Hudson contain some type of chemical pollutant. Doing water quality tests would show the amount of metal concentration present in the water sample in order to be able to compare to the eel count within each location. Results show the estuary with the most glass eels collected was at Minisceongo Creek, with 46,729 glass eels collected. However, at Indian Brook, there was the lowest amount of glass eels caught (85 glass eels). After running the water samples through the ICP-MS, the correlation coef- ficient was calculated, without Minisceongo Creek, only certain R-values were used. Only those that were 0.5 or higher (if positive) or -0.5 or lower (if negative) were used because those had moderate positive/negative correlations. Not all metals that the ICP-MS has registered are considered negative towards the Hudson River. Metals that cause harm are evident because as the chemical concen- tration is high towards the beginning, the eel count is low. But as time progresses, the chemical concentration lowers and eel count increases. This shows that there has been improvements within the Hudson River as it isn’t as contaminated as one believed it once was. Pb-208 was present in all four estuaries within the Hudson River. Given that Minisceongo Creek had the lowest Pb-208 concentration (0.3859 ppb), it had the greatest eel count (46729). At the Beczak Center, the Pb-208 concentration was the greatest (4.127 ppb) and the eel count was at 1264. However, the other metals show the opposite effect- as chemical concentration increases, the eel count increases as well. This makes it difficult to identify the different effects that each metal may have thus making the data inconclusive overall.
Seniors: Class of 2019
Perpetua Uduba The Shade and Evapotranspiration Cooling Effects of a Vertical Greenery System (VGS) on Outdoor Wall Temperatures
Mentor(s): Ashley Perez, Dr. Jennifer Teubl
Location of Research: Home
Awards: 2nd place Environmental Science- WESEF 2019, Participant - Westlake 2018
Research Abstract-
Increases in greenhouse gases are contributors to rising temperatures that can result in longer heat waves detrimental to the health of living species (Cun- ningham, 2018). Urban Heat Island effect, or UHI, is characterized as an elevation of urban temperatures as compared to surrounding, suburban areas (Alexandri, 2008). A study was conducted in which an indirect green façade, a type of vertical greenery system (also known as a green wall), was created by allowing Clematis carnaby and Clematis ‘Barbara Clematis’ plants to grow vertically on a customized trellis for forty-three days. To distinguish between the cooling effects of shading and cooling by evapotranspiration, an exterior wall covered in shade cloth was also measured for temperature readings, in ad- dition to a control/plain wall (an exposed wall with no coverage). It was pre- dicted that the green wall would provide the greatest temperature reductions because of plants’ inherent ability to release water vapor and take in carbon dioxide through pores in their leaves during transpiration (Merriam-Webster, 2018). The hypothesis for this study was not supported by the results because the wall with a shade cover demonstrated lower temperatures (34.09oC) com- pared to the green wall, plain wall, and overall outdoor temperatures (39.26oC, 46.17oC, and 39.55oC, respectively).
Seniors: Class of 2019
Emily Daly Difference in leafing out phenophase completion in Acer rubrum
Mentor(s): Dr. Brian Boom and Dr. Dan Atha
Location of Research: The New York Botanical Garden
Awards: 4th place Plant Science - WESEF 2019, Participant - Westlake 2018
Research Abstract-
Phenology is an often overlooked branch of botanical studies, which can prove to be extremely useful in establishing patterns of plant growth through years of data. This investigation seeks to find a change in day of occurence of leaf- ing out in Acer Rubrum (Red maple). A database on the National Phenology Network’s website was utilized in order to obtain data for analysis. In addition, the average yearly temperature was found using data from the national weather network. The data was restricted to just observations of Red Maple from Feb- ruary 1st, 2009 to September 1st, 2018, that were located in New York State. 2889 observations were analyzed in the course of this investigation. The data was analyzed using year over year change and was supplemented by a Pearson’s Correlation Coefficient test on average leafing out day. Graphs were created for each value. An additional Pearson’s Correlation Coefficient test was carried out to further investigate the correlation between the two. The value found was -.3, insinuating there is a weak correlation. The results cannot be said to prove the hypothesis. The year over year percent change shows a pattern of change, but the correlation coefficient test between average day of leaving out and tempera- ture does not prove that there is a correlation.
Juniors
Hazel Montes
Dichotomous Roles of SHROOM3 in Glomerular Podocyte Cells and Renal Tubular Epithelial Cells Mentor(s): Dr. Madhav Menon Location of Research: Mount Sinai
Awards: Participant - Westlake 2018
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is now recognized as a common condition that elevates the risk of cardiovascular disease as well as kidney failure and other complections, which is reflected in an accumulation of damage to vari- ous renal compartments. Chronic allograft nephropathy (CAN) is a condition that manifests itself as an allograft dysfunction of renal function in the renal allograft. As of the present time there are no known therapies to prevent the progression of CKD or CAN. As a result, a significant percentage of those with CKD or allograft injury will eventually advance to end stage renal disease (ESRD) therefore requiring dialysis or a renal transplant. The A-allele, a single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in the SHROOM3 gene locus, has been identified to be associated with proceeding and prevalent CKD in genome- wide association studies (GWAS). The presence of the allele at the SHROOM3 locus has been correlated with an increased SHROOM3 expression. Previous data suggests that SHROOM3 and the enhancer SNP play a dichotomous role in renal tubular epithelial cells and podocytes that are dependent on specific protein domains that also engender opposing effects on renal disease advance- ment within glomerular and tubular-interstitial compartments such as CKD. In order to fully understand and use SHROOM3 therapeutically there must be an understanding in the locus of SHROOM3 expression in each renal tubular epithelial cells and podocytes. Green fluorescent protein (GFP) is a protein that exhibits bright green fluorescence when exposed to light in the blue to ultra- violet range, which will be used in order to identify the locus of SHROOM3 in the cells, abiding in the process of determining its rate of expression and how it affects its dichotomous role in assisting or prevting CKD or CAN. By targeting and determining the function and the locus of SHROOM3 expression in each cell, this research can help determine a therapeutic solution to the prevention of CKD.
Juniors
Noel Roy
Toothpaste Evacuation Technology
Mentor(s): Dr. Vivek Kumar Location of Research: New Jersey
Institute of Technology Awards: Participant - Westlake 2018
Due to aspiration of fluids containing microorganisms the most prevalent bacteria in the oral cavity, pneumonia and other respiratory diseases can easily proliferate. Aspiration of oral fluids and debris is a common problem in the elderly population, individuals in nursing homes, and disabled or incapacitated individuals who cannot spit or swallow properly. In a dental clinic or nursing home, a dental assistant or nurse are able to suction these fluids to prevent mi- crobial entry into the lungs causing pneumonia and other diseases. However, when these patients are incapacitated or alone, they do not have the ability to remove the excess fluid. A review of randomized control trials of aging popu- lations revealed that oral hygiene had a positive impact on pneumonia and respiratory infections as their prevalence were reduced by 6.6-11.7%. Data also supports the use of electric powered tooth brushing as a more effective method for plaque removal when compared to manual tooth brushing. Given these results, it is imperative to improve on current designs to foster enhanced oral care. Thus the use of mechanically powered brushes with suction to alleviate the concerns detailed above is proposed to create a toothbrush with evacua- tion technology. With this new innovation to the current electric toothbrushes, tests were run to conclude the effectiveness of the new prototype in lessening the amount of bacteria in the oral cavity along with physical endurance and ca- pabilities of the toothbrush. In result, the toothbrush which was made, reduced bacteria in the oral cavity by about 45% and endured tests such as drop test from nearly 15 feet.
Juniors
Sabaa Belkadi
Short-Term Effects of Lighting on Visual Acuity
Mentor(s): Dr. Adam Deutscher Location of Research: YPIE College Zone
Awards: Participant - Westlake 2018
Myopia, also known as nearsightedness, is the most common cause of im- paired vision in people under 40 years of age and in recent years, its prevalence is growing at alarming rates. Increasing myopia prevalence rates have been documented in developed countries in East Asia, such as Taiwan, Singapore, and Hong Kong (Attebo et al. 1994). In these locations around 80% or more of children attending school are now myopic. An increase in the prevalence of myopia has also been reported from Scandinavia and the United States. (At- tebo et al. 1994). Some factors that have to lead to the rise in myopia include our poor diet, lack of physical activity, technology, an increase in nearsighted tasks and genetics. Each part of the eye has a critical role (the cornea, lens, etc), however, they all contribute to the causing of refraction of light rays to bring a sharp focus on the retina so we can see clearly. This is one of the properties of visual acuity. Visual acuity is best for “central” vision. Snellen’s test is most commonly used to asses acuity of distance. The purpose of this study is to find out more information on visual acuity and how light effect it in order to add more literature. Visual acuity is the acuteness or clearness of vision, it is depen- dent on the sharpness of the retinal focus within the eye, the sensitivity of the nervous elements and the interpretative faculty of the brain. This investigation aims to find out whether different types of lighting have an effect on visual acuity while reading or doing homework. Participants will be asked to read in different lighting conditions and will be tested prior and after exam using an eye chart which utilizes standardized Snellen letters. Participants will be placed in different light conditions, which includes dim, dark, a standard classroom, and outdoors. Tests and examinations are extremely crucial when it comes to hinting at myopia especially ones that have to do with visual acuity.
Juniors
Gianna Solazzo and Jesed Barragan
The role of Pannexin Channels in ATP signaling
Mentor(s): Dr. Eliana Scemes Location of Research: New York Medical
College Awards: Participant - Westlake 2018
Pannexin-1 forms non junctional plasma membrane channels and are promi- nently expressed in the central nervous system (CNS). Panx1 channels are present in most types of cells and tissues. Pannexin1 has shown to be voltage dependent and permeable to molecules such as ATP. Due to the permeabil- ity to ATP, Panx1 contributes to purinergic signaling of intercellular calcium waves between astrocytes. Pharmacological and knockdown mice studies have indicated the conductance and permeability properties of Panx1-null astrocytes appeared much lower in ATP release than untreated or wild mice lacking Panx1. It was hypothesized that if Pannexin-1 is deleted from the gene sequence of mice, there will be a absence of ATP release. This could possibly lessen the severity of epileptic seizures as Pannexin-1 channels will have less conductance and less influence over the longevity and severeness of the seizures. Cortices of null and control mice were minced, put into a tissue digest and were centrifuged to reveal the astrocytes. Astrocytes were electri- cally stimulated while in a solution of K+ to mimic neural conditions using a voltage ramp. BzATP was the agonist for the P2X7R receptor for Pannexin-1. ATP release will be measured using the BCA essay. Intercellular calcium waves (ICWs) were provoked by focal mechanical stimulation of astrocytes. In conclusion, the conductance of nine out of 10 Panx1+/+ astrocytes increased as K+ was elevated, whereas conductance of every Panx1-/- astrocyte was decreased or otherwise unchanged. The results clearly indicate a complete absence of ATP release from Panx1- null astrocytes following elevated extra- cellular K+ stimulation.
Juniors
Matthew Thomas
Effect of Cell Equalization Algorithm on Performance of Li-Ion Battery Packs Mentor(s): Samay Kapadia Location of Research: TBD
Awards: Participant - Westlake 2018
Lithium ion batteries have become ubiquitous in past decades as they are used in a wide variety of applications, powering everything from cell phones to cit- ies. Differences in the voltage of each cell require balancing circuits. Battery Cell equalizers are based around algorithms that balance the voltage of each cell. A proportional-integral (PI) control system can be utilized when com- bined with predicted cell measurements to significantly boost the performance of the balancing circuits. This algorithm has only been tested in the context of a traditional flyback converter. My research will test the effectiveness of a new program with slight modifications in a theoretical context. The most particu- lar change is that the algorithm will now be modeled off the predicted mean voltage of all the cells. It is expected that the balancing time and efficiency of the circuit will improve significantly, cutting the equalization period almost in half, especially in situations with minimal amounts of cells. This has big impli- cations in every industry that uses Li-Ion batteries, especially those with high voltage requirements such as electric vehicles.
Juniors
Reem Reihani
Effect of Monoglyceride Structure and Cholesterol Content on Water Permeability of the Droplet Bilayer Mentor(s): Dr. Sunghee Lee Location of Research: Iona College
Awards: Participant - Westlake 2018
Liquid-liquid interface and Droplet interface bilayers hold important implications for science and technology, such as understanding cell mem- branes and making membranes models but has been tossed aside due to its challenges. Thanks to recent developments in methodology, the advanced understanding of liquid-liquid interface, has has been improved. The process of water permeation across lipid membranes has important implications for cellular homeostasis. In this study a droplet interface bilayer (DIB) is formed. DIB are are aqueous droplets that form a boundary with oil. By contacting two aqueous droplets together in a squalane mixture, which is a immiscible solvent that contains monoglycerides, the tail group structure in a series of monoglyc- eride bilayers affects the permeability for the water permeation process. Also the inclusion of cholesterol into the droplet bilayer may also have an effect on the water permeability. The DIB can be employed as a model membrane because of its convenience to rapidly explore subtle structural effects on bilayer water permeability.
Juniors
Savannah Eckerson
Mental Illness Dependency on Social Skills
Mentor(s): Dr. Jennifer Teubl Location of Research: Yonkers, NY
Awards: Participant - Westlake 2018
There are 50 million people worldwide who suffer from Dementia; making this over 9.9 million new cases each year. That number is equivalent to a new case every 3.2 seconds. Those statistics are believed to double every 50 years, projected to reach 75 million in 2030 and 131.5 million in 2050. About 58% of people with dementia live in low and middle income countries and in 2050 this will increase to about 68% (www.alz.co.uk). The seven minute screen test and the Revised UCLA Loneliness Scale (R-UCLA) (Russell et al, 1980) will be utilized in order to determine the correlation between social isolation and Dementia. This section will consist of a social survey that collects information about the participants’ health, family relationships, employment, income and wealth, and demographic background.The questionnaire is based off of the Health and Retirement Study (HRS). Participants will then be given the seven minute screen test (7MS) (Meulen, 2004) for dementia. First, participants will take part of the Benton temporal orientation, where orientation in time is measured and quantified in degree of error. Then they will continue on to the Enhanced cued recall. Participants will have to identify 16 pictures, which will have to be recalled immediately and after a short interval. The researcher is al- lowed to give semantic cues (ex. Eagle=bird). The subject will be asked to name and memorize four pictures at a time. If the participant needs to see a picture twice, they are allowed to do so. After all the pictures are successfully recalled, another set will be shown to the subject. There will be a brief interval and then the participant will be asked to recall the four pictures. Participants then will have to take part of a clock drawing. Finally the participant will have to take part in a verbal fluency, where they have to name as many different animals as possible in the span of one minute. Although I have not begun conducting my research as of yet, I do indeed have a plan in store. With these tests, I am determined to delineate the correlation between those who are suffering from loneliness and their tendency to develop Dementia in their lifetime.
Spinal Cord injuries (SCI) are detrimental to one’s life and can cause numerous health issues. It is axiomatic that one of the most life changing effect of spinal cord injuries is paralysis, but along with that, the ability to speak, control blad- der, and breathing without assistance can also be compromised, depending on the severity of the injury. Worldwide, there are approximately 15-40 mil- lion cases of SCIs each year (1). Not only that, but there are about 12,000 SCI cases annually in the USA and out of those 12,000, 4,000 will die (1). Although multitudes of research have been conducted to create a treatment for SCI, an effective treatment has not been discovered. However, recent research has found that zebrafish have the ability to regenerate their own spinal cord inju- ries within a period of 8 weeks. Not only that, advances in stem cell therapy has also been made which can be used to help treat SCI. Stem cell therapy or regenerative medicine encourages the healing response of diseased, dysfunc- tional or injured tissues utilizing stem cells or their derivatives (2). Through these developments and more research, a treatment may be created changing a patient’s life with SCI forever. Juniors Aishe Samadder
Wnt signaling controls pro-regenerative Collagen XII in functional spinal cord regeneration in zebrafish Mentor(s): TBD Location of Research: TBD
Awards: 3rd Place Medicine & Health - Westlake 2018
Juniors
Jordan Brannan
Racism and Depression amongst Black Men in the Greater New York Metropolitan Area Mentor(s): Dr. Linwood Lewis Location of Research: Yonkers, NY/Sarah
Lawrence Univeristy Awards: Participant - WESEF 2019, Westlake 2018
Racial microaggressions are subtle statements and behaviors that communi- cate malicious messages and values to people of color (Sue et al., 2007). Racial microaggressions often have negative health outcomes for Black Men (Utsey et al., 2008; Sue et al., 2007). To date, there has been only a small number of studies that have examined the correlation between microaggressions experi- enced by Black men and depressive symptoms they exhibit as a negative health outcome. A 2016 study found that everyday discrimination was significantly associated with depressive symptoms for Black men in the U.S. (Mereish & N’cho et al., 2016). This current study aims to add to the literature of Modern Racial Microaggression and depression among black men living in the New York metropolitan area. This study involves the Center of Epidemiological Depression Scale and Revised-Racial Ethnic Microaggression Scale validated scales. Results show strong correlations with the Subscale 1 Second Class-Cit- izen and Assumption of Criminality and Subscale 2 Assumption of Inferiority (r=0.62893). This study demonstrates the connection between microaggres- sions and depression. As one can see, Racial Microaggressions, in particular those that deal with with inferiority and feelings of second class-citizenship, and with the assumption of criminality have a direct correlation with Black Men living in the New York Metropolitan Area experiencing depression symp- toms.
Juniors
Alicia Mateo
Wolves’ Impact on Trophic Cascades
Mentor(s): Teatown Environmental Science Academy
Location of Research: Teatown Lake Reservation Awards: Participant - Westlake 2019
Wolves are considered vital keystone predators. Wolves were killed off in New York state as locals were destroying their habitat and were hunting without any regulation. Prior to this, elk were killing most of the aspen as they were eating 60% of it during winter. Reviving wolves into the ecology of Yellowstone lead to the restoration of plant species and more of a balance between the preda- tors and prey. Wolves created a better system in the ecological sense as they maintained elk population at a moderate rate so they would not over-consume the vegetation of the park (Novack, 2018). Research was done in Yellowstone Trophic as cascades were studied on the influence the Canis lupus had on the park. After implementing the reintroduction of Canis lupus, the elk and aspen population experienced the primary effects (Stahler, 2019). The study was on the mismatch between species and interaction extinction curve. Scientists complied 33 years of demographic and count data from the 12 elk herds. In the summer of 2019, research will be done in New York in an environmental science organization, Teatown. Trophic cascades in the area will be reviewed and compared to the Yellowstone cascades before the restoration period. Effects of another keystone predator in a New York ecosystem, such as the Eastern Coyote will be studied. After reviewing the trophic cascades in New York, this research will attempt to determine the number of wolves that would theoretically help the ecosystem the best. Similar to the restoration of Yellow- stone, there should be an increase of native plant species, such as the American Hart’s tongue which is endangered to the overwhelming deer population. The implementation of wolves back into the ecosystem in New York may promote growth in native plant species while also maintaining deer population at a moderate rate.
Sophomores
Tahsin Tasnim Effect of Color in the Environment on Psychology and Physiology of Students
Mentor(s): Charlotte Kleiman Location of Research: YPIE College Zone
In recent years the diversity of students has increased, inciting the need for more extensive methods of teaching and learning to accommodate and best enhance students’ natural abilities. Color is a common interior design element that can be manipulated to help increase mental arousal and facilitate focus and learning. Previous research has found that colors other than white result in less error in working environments than in white conditions. It has also been discovered that blue color conditions are more calming to humans (indicated by decreased heart rates), in comparison to red conditions that have been observed to arouse humans (indicated by increased heart rate). In this study, seven different colors (white and green, blue, and red with different levels of whiteness) will be tested as wall colors of individual study rooms for 30 high school students. Factors assessed will be SAT Comprehension Test scores, emotional response, and heart rate. It is expected that blue and green colors will have the lowest heart rates and higher recorded test scores. It is also expected that blue and green colors will have more positive emotional reactions on the participants, ostensibly due to perceived peaceful associations with the environment. Adversely, its hypothesized that red color conditions will cause increase in heart rate and have lower test scores than blue and green. Additionally, red would evoke more negative emotional responses in the students. Also predicted is that vivid color conditions (ie. vivid blue, vivid green, and vivid red) will result in higher heart rates and higher test scores than colors with more whiteness (ie. light blue, light green, and light red). Ultimately hypothesized is that vivid green color conditions will have the best test scores and emotional reactions overall, and therefore best facilitate focus, mental arousal, and learning in high school students. This will have positive implications for learning environments because it helps support a method to enhance a student’s ability to focus without the use of drugs or medicine. This could also be an efficient way to heighten the natural concentration of a student diagnosed with ADD/ADHD and could not focus well on educational activities independently. Use of certain colors could serve as an alternate to drugs and medication that are otherwise prescribed to these children.
Michael Slattery A Meme a Day Keeps The Doctor Away: How Laughter Affects Happiness
Mentor(s): TBD Location of Research: YPIE College Zone
Laughter is a highly social and contagious function in humans. Happiness is a natural emotion directly con- nected to laughter, meaning the more you laugh, the happier you will be. As we spend 20% of our daily lives speaking to others face to face, laughing during these interactions can improve our mental health and happi- ness. Past studies have shown that laughing throughout conversations can increase overall satisfaction. Studies have also shown that if a group is too large then less people actually listen to the conversation, which can cause less people to laugh. This was found by covertly observing conversational groups with varying sizes and mea- suring attention and laughter. The best conversation size is 3 people, but you can have up to 10 people paying attention in a conversation. With a conversation size of 3 people everyone will most likely laugh if something humorous occurs, but with a group size of 10 only 6 people are likely to laugh. As group size increases, laugh- ter and attention decrease. For this study, participants will individually watch a compilation of memes and complete happiness surveys before and after they watch it. After this is completed, participants will take a 45 minute break and meet for a second compilation but, this time they will watch memes in groups and once again will take happiness surveys before and after this is completed. The expected results of my study are that memes will increase happiness if viewed individually, but happiness will greatly increase if the memes are viewed in a group of people because, group size increases emotions.
Sophomores
Nicolas Helou The Correlations between Eating Habits and BMI
Mentor(s): TBD Location of Research: Yonkers, NY
Obesity rates in the United States has been on the rise ever since 1962. Family mealtime routines, parenting practices relating to food and concerns over a child’s diet have shown to be possible factors in the development of a child’s eating habits, family functioning and obesity rates. Growing evidence indicates that family meals are associated with many positive outcomes for the youth as children who frequently eat meals with their family have more healthful diets, a lower prevalence of obesity, better psychosocial health and fewer disordered eat- ing behaviors (Neumark-Sztainer et al. 2008). A study done in Ohio consisted of having 194 parents answer survey questionnaires about 6 domains on eating: the Structure of Family Meals, Problematic Child Mealtime Behaviors, Use of Food as a Reward, Parental Concern About Child Diet, Spousal Stress related to mealtime behavior and Influence of Child’s Food Preferences. The questionnaires are taken from a validated scale called Meals in on Households. However, research such as this has never been completed in a more diverse commu- nity, such as Yonkers, New York. This research will use the questionnaires from all the six domains and will seek to measure the child’s BMI through two added questionnaires asking the parent participant what the child’s estimated weight and height are. The results from the previous study found that high levels of Problematic child mealtime behaviors were positively correlated with “parental concern”, “food as a reward”, “spousal stress” and “influence” while high scores on the “structure of family meals” negatively correlated with “problematic child mealtime behavior” and “parental concern about child diet.” The expected results should be similar to the past results and BMI is expected to increase as scores of parental concern, food as a reward, spousal stress and influ- ence increase. This research will contribute to the overall health of the general population as if obesity is related to the eating habits of children, more parents will make sure that their children develop positive eating habits instead of the negative.
An open office plan’s purpose is to increase the amount of interaction between employees within the office, increase work collaboration between employees, and increase overall satisfaction within the workplace, yet other research literature has shown otherwise. Instead, it has shown that open office plans have been perform- ing poorly and doing the opposite of their intended purpose. More specifically, It has shown that they have had a dramatic decrease regarding the level of interaction between co-workers, work collaboration within the office and overall satisfaction with the workplace. This intended research will use the Post-Occupancy Evalu- ation Scale (P.O.E Scale) on a 7 point scale to measure the overall satisfaction and other qualities of the space such as air temperature, lighting, noise level, etc. To show how the employee’s anxiety level is being affected, this intended research will use the Job Anxiety scale (J.A.S) to measure that. Furthermore, the J.A.S scale use a four point scale, 0-4, and will ask statements such as “The circumstances at my workplace make me sick”, “My working circumstances are negative stress for me”, etc. All data will be collected anonymously and in 10 office buildings throughout the County of Westchester. Through what the scales show us, this intended research expects to mainly see that employees are dissatisfied with the space and its limitations. This intended research is expecting to see a great increase shift in an employee’s anxiety due to the open office plan and its limitations. Consistent with past research, this intended research expects to see a great increase in job related anxiety due to the open office plan layout.
Darius Fernandez The Effects of Open Office Plans On Employee Satisfaction and Anxiety
Mentor(s): Jesse McCormick Location of Research: TBD
Sophomores
Joslyn Berbano The use of Raman Microspectroscopy on droplet interface bilayers with saturated and unsaturated bonds Mentor(s): Dr. Sunghee Lee Location of Research: Iona College
The transport of water molecules across a cell membrane is critical for organism homeostasis and is a principal function of natural cellular systems. It is very helpful in exploring the pharmaceutical drugs that can be transported through the cell membrane because it is the primary route of transport for drugs. Model membranes have been used to act as a cell membrane to better understand water permeability. A droplet interface bilayer (DIB) is used as an arti- ficial cell membrane created by pairs of aqueous compartments upon contrasting microdroplets. One is immersed in oil, while the other is stabilized by a lipid monolayer. The DIB includes easier bilayer formation, stability, and sufficient longevity. The use of Raman microspectroscopy helps scientists observe water transport across an aqueous droplet pair. It provides a way to monitor the structure of the DIB without the use of physical contact, and instead it provides information based on vibrational frequencies. Our methods will consist of passively transporting osmolytes through the DIB to probe water transport. The use of these methods will help further the study of lipid membranes to examine the effect of transporting molecules through the membrane. This study will continue to improve the effectiveness of the transport of drugs and how they will be further designed. Passive water transport helps as a major mechanism for drug absorption. It is essential for tailoring the properties of cellular lipid membranes for multiple tasks and environ- ments. Specifically affected by bilayer thickness, area per each lipid, and membrane fluidity. The structure of the DIB as well as the permeability can significantly help drug passive diffusion through the membrane which can help cure many illnesses.
Evelyn Rios Climate Change and Arctic Fox Habitat
Mentor(s): TBD Location of Research: TBD
Climate change has caused the global temperature to increase byOne factor causing this change is human activ- ity. Due to our actions, temperatures are rising and the Arctic is taking the biggest hit as of today. Warming up twice as fast, its land and sea are becoming a danger zone for its population. One danger to the species is that live there is the loss of snow cover. Focusing on the arctic fox, one of the larger predators in the region, is being affected and could be soon called extinct. Therefore, it should be acknowledged how the rising temperatures affect snow cover needed for arctic fox reproduction, in order to help save their species from ever being gone. Without this creature, the whole food chain in the Arctic could be hurt and as a result, an imbalance in the eco- system will occur causing a bigger problem which will cause damage to the surrounding ecosystems too. Other predators like the arctic wolf and polar bears will be in the same situation as the arctic fox and their reproduc- tion cycles will decrease too and prey like lemmings and geese will increase in population.
Sophomores
Lovebright Osei Cellular function reinstitution offspring red blood cells cloned from the sickle cell dis- ease patient blood post CRISPR genome editing.
Mentor(s): TBD Location of Research: TBD
Sickle Cell is a group of red blood cell disorders that are inherited. People with this diseases have an abnormal protein in their red blood cell. People who have this disease tend to be of African-American ancestry. However it is common in other races as well such as Hispanic and Asians as well. There are many symptoms that come with this disease and they can be serious. Since this disease is curable people have been working on a cure. A technique that has ben in the works is called CRISPR. This technique is used to edit the genes in your body so you can somewhat have a “perfect”. By doing this it will increase the amount of HSPCs in your body making your active. This can help further help find a cure for this disease.
Migraines are headaches of varying severity, and are often accompanied by nausea or delicacy to sound and light. More than thirty-eight million americans suffer from migraines yearly. Migraines cost as much as seventeen billion in the United States due to medications, clinical visits, laboratory, diagnostic test, and much more. Migraines are significant due to its extremity in pain and its long endurance. Migraines within African- American children have been detected to have common gene variants. There has been an approximation of the African ancestry at gene 5q33.1 based on prior studies (Chang et al. 2018). The significance of this research is due to its being the first large-scale genetic study of migraine in children, precisely African-American children. Meta-analysis of 375,000 individuals identified 38 susceptibility loci for migraine (Gormley et al. 2016). All pa- tients tested had a history of migraines according to the International Headache Society diagnostic criteria, and their blood samples were collected with age and gender were taking into accountability. Controlled subjects, African-American and European-American had no history of medical or mental disorder. Two independent variables presented were the race of the subjects and their genetic variances. The dependent variable being, how much more or less the migraine affected the African-American and European-American. The African-American children migraine GWAS analysis discovered an area of predisposed locus at gene 5q33.1. The locus found implies that the 5q33.1 could be specifically linked with the migraine risk in African- Americans (Murray et al. 2010). Both cases and controls display African ancestry between 80% and 85% (Bryc K et al. 2015), suggesting that the linkage found at 5q33.1 is not driven by local ancestry between the cases and controls. An eQTL analysis showed two genes NMUR2 and GLRA1 both connected in signals in the neural pathway. Further studies on NMUR2 and GLRA1 could give light into genetic foundation of the childhood migraine.
Courtney Neizer Common Variants at 5q33.1 Predispose to Migraine in African-American Children
Mentor(s): TBD Location of Research: TBD
Sophomores
Edalia Guartan The Effects of Music Training on Phonological Awareness, Non-Phonological Awareness, and Reading on Developmental Dyslexia
Mentor(s): Lauren Southwick Location of Research: TBD
Developmental dyslexia is a learning disorder that affects spelling and print decoding abilities (Snowling & Hulme, 2012). Phonological processing is the ability to see or hear a word, break it down to discrete sounds, and then associate each sound with letters that make up the word. Causes of the phonological deficit found in children with dyslexia (Ziegler & Goswami U., 2005; Pennington, 2012) could be related to a deficit in temporal processing (Wolff, 2002), or impaired processing of formant transitions, the concentration of acoustic energy around a particular frequency in the speech wave. These characterize the phonetic distinctive features of some consonants (Tallal P., 2004). Music training affects speech and language processing. It shares several cognitive functions with other human abilities, like language. It is possible that musical expertise transfers to other domains (Tallal & Gaab, 2006). The brain is required to use its capacity to naturally synchronize its brainwave frequencies with rhythm of periodic external stimuli, whether audi- tory, visually, or by using tactile functions. Methods done by previous research include using rhythm reproduction, where children listened and reproduced ten different rhythms by tapping a pencil on a wooden box that contained a microphone (Flaugnacco et al., 2014). Children tapped along to a ninety pulse/minute metronome for forty seconds. Using this and the perception of musical meter by asking the children to determine whether or not a rhythm was the same or different will be done. The Verb Agreement and Tense Test (van der Lely, 2000), and the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children III will help evaluate the linguistic and general cognitive of children who speak English. Tests that will evaluate phonological awareness include pseudo-word repetition test of the Promea Battery and the picture word test. Through the children’s performances and future studies, enhancing rhythmic skills in English-speaking dyslexic children will make music an important educational tool.
Cristina Mateo How Religiosity Affects the Likelihood of Depression and Anxiety Symptoms in Children Mentor(s): TBD Location of Research: Yonkers, NY
Out of the United States population, 84% believe in a religion that worships a God or controlling power (Pew Research Center, 2017). Being raised in a religious environment can contribute to a identity crisis between sex- ual desires and religious beliefs for those who identify as lesbian, gay, or bisexual. These inner conflicts can be resolved by changing religions, reexamining religious texts and documents, abandoning religion, or turning to a more individualized sense of spirituality (Kubicek et al., 2009). Social environments have a strong correlation between suicidal tendencies in bisexual, lesbian, gay youth. In a 2011 study by Hatzenbuhler, 31,852 eleventh grade students in Oregon took a survey called the Oregon Healthy Teens survey. The study’s results showed that teens who identify as lesbian, gay, or bisexual had a 20% higher chance attempting suicide in unsupportive en- vironments compared to supportive environments. There are few studies conducted that combine religion and teen mental health. This research will investigate the correlation between family’s religiosity and the children of the family’s anxiety and depression symptoms. This study will use the Religious Commitment Inventory-10 (RCI-10) and HADS, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Both scales will be used in surveys that both the parents and the children will consent to and take. It is hypothesized that there will be a positive correlation between the two, meaning the more religious a family is, the more of a chance of the children having depression and anxiety symptoms. It is also hypothesized that if the child self-identifies as having a stigmatized sexuality (LGBTQ+) than they are more likely to have depression and anxiety symptoms as well.
Sophomores
Jaylene Anderson Does Technology Usage Determine A Person’s Environmental Concern?
Mentor(s): Claire Velez Location of Research: Yonkers, NY
Since the Industrial Revolution, the world has experienced technological advancements, population growth and the corresponding increases in natural resource use. As a result, people had to cope with the negative effects of human activities such as regional air pollution; declining biological diversity; and toxic waste. Even though, individuals implemented resource efficient measures to develop sustainable urban ecosystems, human activity has always been an issue. For example, buildings have a significant impact on the environment, accounting for one-sixth of the world’s freshwater withdrawals, one-quarter of its wood harvest, and two-fifths of its material and energy flows (Public Technology, 1996; 8). These structures also affect watersheds, air quality, and transportation patterns of communi- ties (Public Technology, 1996; 8). Another environmental challenge is urbanization (Yigitcanlar, 2009). It is projected that approximately more than half of the world’s population will be living in urban areas by 2025, and therefore strain the Earth’s capacity to provide resources that are necessary for sustaining life (United Nations, 2000). Thus, it is vital to consider the physical conditions inside urban ecosystems, such as, watersheds, parks, mini climates and living ecosystems such as trees, grasslands and biodiversity. With this taken into account, capacity building and community involvement is necessary in achieving sustainable development and enhancing urban ecosystems (Yigitcanlar, 2009). Community-based environmental decision making is a collaborative approach to environmental protection that integrates public and private stakeholders within a community to identify environmental and health concerns, set ob- jectives, and strategize comprehensive solutions (King et al. 2000). There are various ways to raise community aware- ness and involvement over issues concerning the environment, such as publishing information in the newspaper or running an ad on a local radio station or on community access TV, calling local talk shows, and using existing forums for public participation (Citizen Participation Centre, 2001). These strategies have not been completely successful with raising awareness among the public, therefore, it is essential to find new ways to engage the public in environmental issues. Thus, the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) applications will be an effective tool in strengthening participatory approaches and the rising of environmental awareness. With ICT facilitating resource- efficient access to environmental information, people are empowered with knowledge on the environment, which con- tributes to sustainable urban development (IT Services Market in the Middle East: Strategies for Pakistan, 2008). This study aims to determine whether community-based environmental decision making is driven by their use of ICT, or by technological appliances, and can ICT have a significant impact in the emergence of sustainable urban ecosystems.