Poster Abstracts
Mount David Summit 2025 Schedule
| Name | Class Year | Title | Abstract |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blessing Akinmade | 2025 | Gene Regulation in Borrelia burgdorferi: Insights into Lyme Disease Transmission and Host Adaptation | In the 50 years since the discovery of Lyme Disease it has risen from a relatively obscure disease to highly researched. The bacteria responsible for Lyme Disease is named Borrelia Burgdorferi (Bb) and it thrives within the gut of the microbiome of an Ixode until it interacts with the blood meal of a mammal and engages in the dual-host enzootic cycling. This enzootic cycling is known to be regulated by RpoN (σ(54), RpoS (σ(S)), RrP2 as well as BosR. These aspects are turned on and off in the transition from the bacteria from the tick to the mammal to aid in its stability as a bacteria when it moves from a cold blood Ixode to a mammal. By developing methods to pinpoint which genes are responsible for the expression of proteins that aid in the stability of Borrelia Burgdorferi within the mammal, we can understand how to regulate these genes and someday inhibit its expression. |
| Zain Ali | 2027 | Regulation of the Interleukin-17 Pathway Through MicroRNA-146a and MicroRNA-30d | The immune system is comprised of pathways that protect the body. One of these pathways is the Interleukin-17 pathway, which releases cytokines. Cytokines cause an inflammatory response against infection. When IL-17 is activated during pregnancy, it leads to Maternal Immune Activation (MIA). In MIA, the offspring can be affected by the heightened inflammation levels and is epidemiologically linked to Autism Spectrum Disorder and Epilepsy. Our team used an in vitro approach to understand how MicroRNA-146a and MicroRNA-30d regulate key proteins in the IL-17 pathway. HEK293 cells were transfected with MiR-146a and MiR-30d antagomirs to study protein expression in the absence of microRNAs. Preliminary studies showed no significant differences in protein expression and repeat experiments are ongoing. |
| Maggie Amann | 2025 | The Role of Breath-Holding in Memory Suppression | Memory suppression plays a vital role in regulating unwanted memories, yet individuals with PTSD often struggle with intrusive recollections, in which they may elicit breath-holding as a result, characteristic of the “freeze” response. This study explores how breath-holding during memory suppression tasks impacts the ability to suppress such memories. Preliminary results suggest that breath-holding reduces memory suppression effectiveness, potentially exacerbating intrusive memories or flashbacks. This finding indicates that physiological states, like breath-holding, could interfere with the brain’s natural mechanisms for regulating memory, highlighting a need for targeted interventions to improve memory regulation in trauma and anxiety disorders. |
| Sequoia Anstine | 2025 | Lowest Effective Dose of Bisphenol F and S Toxicity in Developmental Zebrafish | Bisphenols, molecules that are known endocrine disrupting channels (EDCs) have raised concerns for developmental health of humans due to their food contact in common use in manufacturing across the globe. Concern for exposure began within presidential administrations which moved to recall products that have bisphenol A (BPA) present in the chemical makeup, such as plastic food packaging and metal can coatings. This study aims to research the lowest effective dose of both bisphenol F (BPF) and bisphenol S (BPS) on developmental zebrafish, analogues that are new substitutes for BPA, proven to have similar developmental concerns as BPA. To investigate this claim zebrafish (Danio rerio), are used as biological models to study genetic and phenotypic responses to the toxicants. qPCR was used to determine if there were fold change differences between the two genes of interest nrf2a and nrf2b, which are a part of the NRF family that code for oxidative stress in zebrafish. Three different doses of BPF and BPS ( 2.79ng/L, 27.9 ng/L, 279 ng/L) were tested to determine the lowest effective dose. The results show that there was an overall upregulation across both genes of interest specifically in nrf2b at all three doses of BPF. The results found in this paper support the claims that BPF and BPS are detrimental to the developmental stage of zebrafish which can be compared to human health due to conserved synteny between NRF2 related factors in both species. |
| Helen Badger | 2025 | Depression Diagnosis and Treatment: Investigating How Physicians’ Recommendations Differ when Depressive Dymptoms on the PHQ-9 are Presented as Somatic Versus Son-Somatic | This study investigates how healthcare providers’ treatment recommendations differ when depressive symptoms on the PHQ-9 are presented as either somatic or non-somatic. Somatic symptoms, though significant indicators of depression, are often misunderstood during diagnosis. In this study, healthcare providers will be randomly assigned to review fictional PHQ-9 profiles focusing on somatic or non-somatic symptoms. Participants will rate symptom severity using a Likert scale and select treatment options, including prescription dosage, visit frequency, care type, referrals, and lifestyle changes (e.g., exercise, sleep, diet). Responses will be analyzed quantitatively to assess how severity ratings affect treatment decisions and reveal biases in clinical practice. |
| Emmy Baird | 2025 | The Economics of Lotteries | Our semester-long project explores the economics of lotteries, focusing on the patterns of selection of numbers by participants, and how that is or is not reflected in the winning numbers. We examine how gambler’s fallacy, the belief that a random event is more likely to occur based on previous events, also random outcomes, influences number selection and contributes to patterns in player’s choices. Specifically, we examine the patterns of winning and non-winning numbers to see how it may impact how gambler’s view odds. By understanding these psychological and behavioral factors, we aim to shed light on the broader economic implications of lotteries and gambler’s decisions. |
| Carlyssa Baker | 2027 | Anthropology and Indigenous Peoples: Bates College and Possession in the Dawnland | For the 2025 Mount David Summit, our class will contribute to a wider conversation regarding Bates College’s role in Wabanaki land dispossession, or more simply, how it is that we learn and live in the place that we do. By creating the structure for this research in a collaborative fashion, we aim to reset the precedent of individualistic research in favor of a more holistic, community-oriented study of the Dawnland and the ways in which Wabanaki peoples have been categorized and displaced within their homeland. Through exploring “Indian Deeds” and the college’s administrative policies over time, we will analyze the shift from Indigenous concepts of common ownership to colonial property systems. This project examines power, accountability, and decision-making in relation to Indigenous histories in the Dawnland, specifically at Bates. |
| Jahan Baker-Wainwright | 2025 | Repurposing Oil-Eating Skin Bacteria for use as Eco-Friendly Oil Spill Cleanup Method | Despite the increased use of renewable energy, oil demand is increasing at a rate similar to pre-COVID trends. Globally, about 77.5 million barrels per day of oil were transported by sea in 2023, thereby making oil spills a real, and not uncommon, issue. Given the limitations of current cleanup methods, there is a need for a more environmentally friendly option. By developing a mutant strain of a species of oil-eating skin bacteria that can survive and grow in a salty, low-nutrient environment, we can pivot it to be used as an eco-friendly crude oil bioremediator. |
| Luca Balzano | 2028 | Anthropology and Indigenous Peoples: Bates College and Possession in the Dawnland | For the 2025 Mount David Summit, our class will contribute to a wider conversation regarding Bates College’s role in Wabanaki land dispossession, or more simply, how it is that we learn and live in the place that we do. By creating the structure for this research in a collaborative fashion, we aim to reset the precedent of individualistic research in favor of a more holistic, community-oriented study of the Dawnland and the ways in which Wabanaki peoples have been categorized and displaced within their homeland. Through exploring “Indian Deeds” and the college’s administrative policies over time, we will analyze the shift from Indigenous concepts of common ownership to colonial property systems. This project examines power, accountability, and decision-making in relation to Indigenous histories in the Dawnland, specifically at Bates. |
| Claire Barlass | 2025 | Examining Metal Mobility in Soil as a Factor of pH and Ion Concentration | The release of heavy metals into the environment through mining and other industrial processes imposes a risk of heavy metal toxicity into aquatic ecosystems through runoff. Understanding the influence of soil-metal interactions on their mobility through soil could provide insight into the threat that these metals pose in different watersheds as well as inform remediation efforts. Flash column chromatography and UV Spectroscopy will be used to measure the concentration of heavy metals passing through artificial soil when exposed to various eluents. Using this process, the effect of changing pH and ion concentration on the mobility of various metals through artificial soil will be investigated. |
| Emily Barnes | 2025 | The Effect of MYT1L on Retinal Cell Populations | Retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) are neurons that relay visual information from the retina to the brain. The adult mammalian retina cannot regenerate, so RGC injury results in irreversible visual impairment. In vivo electroporation of transcription factors was found to induce the generation of RGC-like neurons outside the window of endogenous RGC development. This included the transcription factor Myelin transcription factor 1-like (MYT1L), which instructs non-neural cells to adopt neural fates and generate neurons. In an attempt to understand the development of RGCs, I will investigate the expression and function of MYT1L, hopefully providing insight into a potential restoration of vision. |
| Arianna Barreto | 2025 | Navigating the Unknown: How Uncertainty Shapes Decision Making in People with Social Anxiety | Social Anxiety Disorder is characterized as the fear of socializing with others or being in social situations. This project focused on how decision making when faced with uncertainty can be impacted based on the levels of social anxiety. Participants took a survey that consisted of social situation scenarios of those with high or low social anxiety levels and participants rated the likelihood of the decisions. The data measured the decision making outcomes based on the levels of social anxiety. The findings of this project could contribute to further research supporting those with Social Anxiety Disorder. |
| Claire Bohmer | 2025 | A Comparative Analysis Between Established FUR (Ferric uptake regulation proteins) and the Sole Fur/PerR Protein Ortholog, BosR, Present in Borrelia burgdorferi. | The borrelia oxidative stress regulator (BosR) protein found in pathogenic spirochete and Lyme Disease Agent Borrelia burgdorferi is considered the first Fur/PerR ortholog to bind to mRNA post-transcriptionally. The ferric uptake regulator (Fur) protein part of the FUR superfamily is characterized as a metalloregulatory protein responsible for regulating metal homeostasis and repressing or activating gene transcription through it’s DNA binding properties.28 DNA binding depends on divalent metal ions for signal sensing and metal homeostasis necessary for pathogenesis and proper structural conformation. This project focuses on the structural variations of the HHXHXXCXXC metal-binding domain and hinge region mostly conserved in the Fur proteins: BosR Borrelia burgdorferi oxidative stress regulatory protein, PerR Bacillis subtilis peroxide operon regulator protein, and Fur Escherichia coli ferric uptake regulation protein, as well a sequence alignment of additional proteins: Fur Pseudomonas aeruginosa and PerR Staphylococcus aureus. Protein analysis methods icn3d, PyMol, Clustal Omega, Alpha Fold, and UniProt were utilized among others to better define structural conservation. Analysis on the structural domains that comprise BosR show conservation in other Fur proteins suggesting possible therapeutic targets or novel metal ion binding sites. Further analysis of the structural properties responsible for BosR’s unique virulence properties is still needed. |
| Varun Bose | 2025 | Investigating the Latent Space of Olfactory Maps | Odors in the brain are encoded as molecule-specific maps of activity, but it remains unclear what molecular features organize odor map topography. To better understand this, we are using machine-learning methods to develop several different “measuring sticks” (metrics) for quantifying similarity between molecules, and testing which of these best accounts for similarity between maps of odor-evoked brain activity. Specifically, we will test whether “ecological” metrics based on distances in reaction space (in which molecules in the same synthesis pathway are ‘close’) better predict neural responses than “physicochemical” metrics based on functional group, atom counts and computed topological indices. |
| Julia Brophy | 2025 | Effect of Neurotransmitter Antagonists on the Metabolism of Neonatal Sprague-Dawley Rats in Response to Hypoxia | Newborn mammals exhibit a biphasic hypoxic ventilatory response (HVR), characterized by an initial increase in ventilation (augmentation phase) followed by a secondary decrease (depression phase) toward baseline levels. Although several neurotransmitters are associated with the depression phase, it isn’t clear whether these act on the control of breathing directly or indirectly by regulating metabolic responses to hypoxia. We investigated whether three neurotransmitters, GABA, adenosine, and serotonin, have an effect on metabolic rate or the metabolic response to hypoxia, by administering drugs that block the receptors. Results indicate GABA-b neurotransmitter receptor subtypes and serotonin influence the depression of metabolic rate under hypoxic conditions. |
| Hannah Burdick | 2025 | Exposure to Winter Warm Spells Amplified by Climate Change Differentially Impacts the Native and Non-Native Intertidal Snails Littorina obtusata and Littorina littorea | Climate change has been increasing short-term temperature variability, causing concern as rapid warm and cold spells are becoming increasingly prevalent. In the intertidal, organisms are exposed to these air temperature fluctuations during low tide. Winter cold temperatures have been shown to decrease the maximum thermal tolerance of intertidal molluscs, posing a threat when abnormally warm temperatures hit. In this study, I compare the maximum thermal tolerance of the native intertidal snail Littorina obtusata and its non-native congener Littorina littorea over the course of a Maine winter to determine which species is more easily impacted by drastic winter temperature changes. |
| Kayla Burnham | 2026 | Role of Gap43 in the Axon Pathfinding of Induced Retinal Ganglion Cells | Retinal Ganglion cells are projection neurons that connect the retina with the visual processing areas of the brain. Regeneration of RGCs is not currently possible in the adult mammalian retina; however previous work has identified a set of developmentally expressed transcription factors sufficient to induce RGC generation in the mouse retina. This research project aims to investigate how Gap43, an axon guidance molecule, affects induced RGCs. I am investigating this question with a two-pronged approach; addition of Gap43 to the previously established set of transcription factors and use of CasRx to disrupt the expression of Gap43 in the Müller glia. |
| Chase Buzzell | 2025 | Does Oxidation State Effect the Movement of Chromium Pollutants at Solid-Liquid Interfaces? | Chromium (III) is an essential nutrient for human life, while chromium (XI) is a toxic pollutant. The movement of chromium (III) and (XI) at solid-liquid interfaces was investigated to better understand how chromium leaches from landfills and dumpsites from industrial waste. Lab techniques like flash-column chromatography were utilized in order to mimic chromium leaching, and ICP water testing was used to test levels of inorganic metals in local waterways. |
| Phoebe Chace | 2025 | The Impacts of CTE on Professional and Collegiate Athletics with a Focus on Football and Men’s and Women’s Lacrosse | My research examines rule and gear changes in football and men’s and women’s lacrosse aimed at reducing concussions and preventing chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). Focusing on the differences in gender-based rules and equipment, I analyzed modifications and interviewed coaches at Bates College. Findings show significant progress in enhancing player safety without compromising the games’ essence. There is also a cultural shift toward greater concussion awareness and education. While advances in concussion prevention are evident, my work underscores the ongoing need for continued research and the regular evaluation of safety measures to protect athletes’ long-term health. |
| Nina Chosy | 2025 | Effect of Neurotransmitter Antagonists on the Metabolism of Neonatal Sprague-Dawley Rats in Response to Hypoxia | Newborn mammals exhibit a biphasic hypoxic ventilatory response (HVR), characterized by an initial increase in ventilation (augmentation phase) followed by a secondary decrease (depression phase) toward baseline levels. Although several neurotransmitters are associated with the depression phase, it isn’t clear whether these act on the control of breathing directly or indirectly by regulating metabolic responses to hypoxia. We investigated whether three neurotransmitters, GABA, adenosine, and serotonin, have an effect on metabolic rate or the metabolic response to hypoxia, by administering drugs that block the receptors. Results indicate GABA-b neurotransmitter receptor subtypes and serotonin influence the depression of metabolic rate under hypoxic conditions. |
| Anna Cole | 2025 | Encoding the Chemical World: Predicting Olfactory Bulb Activity Using Machine Learning and Chemical Similarity Metrics | It is well understood how visual and auditory stimulus features map onto neural activity, but the olfactory system’s coding logic remains unclear. This study uses machine learning to predict odor-evoked brain activity, aiming to reveal the chemical features that define the olfactory bulb’s (OB) functional topography. We have trained a convolutional autoencoder to derive a latent space for OB activity maps from the Leon (2007) dataset, and compared its pairwise distances to chemical similarity metrics. We will test whether the space better aligns with physicochemical properties (Mordred, SMARTS42) of stimuli, or properties that reflect ecological relationships (POM distances) between stimuli. |
| Sofia Correia-Siegert | 2025 | Impact of Childhood Exposure to Parental Substance Abuse on Adult Working Memory Performance | This study investigates the impact of growing up in a household with parental substance abuse on working memory performance in adulthood. Drawing on prior research that links childhood trauma to cognitive deficits, this study hypothesizes that adults from addiction-affected families will demonstrate lower working memory capacity than those from non-addiction households. Participants completed the Automated Operation Span Task (AOSPAN) to measure working memory capacity and the Adult Children of Alcoholics (ACOA) Test to assess family background. These findings can provide insight into how early-life challenges impact cognitive functioning and guide strategies to reduce the long-term impact on working memory. |
| Anna Cote | 2025 | Addressing the Maternal Mortality Crisis in the United States: Causes, Challenges, and Solutions | The United States leads the developed world in maternal deaths, with many being considered preventable. A key contributor is postpartum depression (PPD), often underdiagnosed and untreated due to stigma and inadequate screening. This paper explores the potential of blood-based biomarkers, like HP1BP3 and TTC9B, for early PPD detection, enabling timely intervention and reducing preventable deaths. Additionally, the paper advocates for systemic changes, including expanding midwifery care, offering incentives for postpartum visit attendance, and implementing federally mandated paid maternity leave. These strategies aim to improve access to care, reduce disparities, and support new mothers, improving maternal health outcomes in the U.S. |
| Luke Dai | 2025 | The Role of Non-Verbal Cues in Memory Conformity After Feedback | This study examines how post-identification feedback influences co-witness discussions through non-verbal behaviors, including facial expressions, gestures, posture, and gaze. Video recordings will be coded to assess how these cues shape memory conformity and collaborative recall accuracy. We hypothesize that positive feedback increases confidence and dominance cues (e.g., sustained eye contact, backward leaning), leading to greater conformity but lower accuracy. Findings will contribute to understanding eyewitness reliability and offer insights for forensic psychology, law enforcement, and legal professionals on mitigating conformity effects in investigative settings, ultimately improving the accuracy of eyewitness testimony in legal contexts. |
| Isabelle Demeritt | 2025 | BosR mediated Gene Regulation in Borrelia Burgdorferi | Around 476,000 Americans are diagnosed with lyme disease each year and if it’s not treated early, it can have long term effects on one’s joints, heart, and nervous system. Lyme disease is caused by Borrelia burgdorferi: a bacterium capable of surviving in different environments through altering gene expression. RpoN – RpoS is an integral pathway in B. burgdorferi’s gene regulation. BosR is a regulatory protein that’s a transcriptional activator of RpoS. This thesis investigates BosR and how it controls gene expression via mRNA binding in B. burgdorferi, providing further insight into the bacterium’s adaptivity to changing environments. |
| Sophie Demeritt | 2025 | “Fixed to Flourishing: The Role of Mindset and Praise on Motivation and Task Persistence” | This study examined the interaction between a growth mindset vs. fixed mindset and intelligence vs. effort-based praise and their effects on motivation type and task persistence. This study builds on previous research on these factors, but expands it by exploring their combined effects on motivation type and task persistence. Based on previous findings, I hypothesized that the growth mindset-effort praise group will show the highest intrinsic motivation and longest persistence, while the fixed mindset-intelligence praise group will have the lowest intrinsic motivation and shortest persistence. Findings aim to offer insights for educators to foster student motivation and persistence. |
| Zoe Diaz | 2027 | Anthropology and Indigenous Peoples: Bates College and Possession in the Dawnland | For the 2025 Mount David Summit, our class will contribute to a wider conversation regarding Bates College’s role in Wabanaki land dispossession, or more simply, how it is that we learn and live in the place that we do. By creating the structure for this research in a collaborative fashion, we aim to reset the precedent of individualistic research in favor of a more holistic, community-oriented study of the Dawnland and the ways in which Wabanaki peoples have been categorized and displaced within their homeland. Through exploring “Indian Deeds” and the college’s administrative policies over time, we will analyze the shift from Indigenous concepts of common ownership to colonial property systems. This project examines power, accountability, and decision-making in relation to Indigenous histories in the Dawnland, specifically at Bates. |
| Gray Dinsel | 2025 | The Effect of the Transcription Factor Nfe2 on Inner Ear Development and Locomotor Activity in the Presence of Oxidative Stress Using Diquat as a Reactive Oxygen Species Facilitator | Hearing loss is a medical condition that impacts many humans worldwide.1 Recent research has proposed that oxidative stress can contribute to the mechanisms involved in hearing loss, including the disruption of ear structures during development.2 This research added to the current understanding of the role of the Nfe2 protein in inner ear development. Using zebrafish as an animal model, our results indicated a change in specific zebrafish ear anatomy during development, specifically a significant decrease in outer otolith distances and ear lengths. Additionally, using the chemical Diquat, we further quantified the Nfe2 protein’s role as a regulator of oxidative stress. |
| Olivia Dorion | 2026 | Anthropology and Indigenous Peoples: Bates College and Possession in the Dawnland | For the 2025 Mount David Summit, our class will contribute to a wider conversation regarding Bates College’s role in Wabanaki land dispossession, or more simply, how it is that we learn and live in the place that we do. By creating the structure for this research in a collaborative fashion, we aim to reset the precedent of individualistic research in favor of a more holistic, community-oriented study of the Dawnland and the ways in which Wabanaki peoples have been categorized and displaced within their homeland. Through exploring “Indian Deeds” and the college’s administrative policies over time, we will analyze the shift from Indigenous concepts of common ownership to colonial property systems. This project examines power, accountability, and decision-making in relation to Indigenous histories in the Dawnland, specifically at Bates. |
| Leyi Duan | 2025 | Using FISH Approach to Study RNA Localization in Borrelia burgdorferi, the Spirochete that Causes Lyme Disease | Lyme disease, caused by the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi and characterized by fever, bullseye rash, and fatigue, among other symptoms, is a serious illness infecting humans and is most prevalent in Europe, Asia, and North America. The spatial arrangement of RNA localization plays a significant role in the expression of transcripts in B. burgdorferi, including those involved in its virulence and pathogen transmission. Techniques used in the RNA localization experiments include fluorescence in situ hybridization with RNA and corresponding regulatory factors, and imaging with the confocal microscope. Throughout the experiment, we will determine the localization of RNA transcripts in B. burgdorferi. |
| Chloe Dwinal | 2025 | The Relationship Between Religiosity and Sexual Orientation on Attitudes Towards Homosexuality within College Students | Most religions have a principle to treat others how you would want to be treated. Research reveals that some forms of increased religiosity are associated with increased negative attitudes towards homosexuality (e.g., Fisher et al., 1994), even among individuals who identify as sexual orientation minorities themselves (Huffman et al., 2022). The current research examines the relationship between attitudes towards sexual orientation minorities and religiosity among individuals who identify as sexual minorities or not. Directly comparing these two groups will allow a test of whether sexual orientation moderates the relationship between religiosity and attitudes towards homosexuality. |
| Rylee Eaton | 2025 | Investigating Strain Variability in Staphylococcus epidermidis Through Antibiotics and Pyrazinones | The human skin microbiome is comprised of many diverse microorganisms that play an important role in maintaining a healthy ecosystem. Staphylococcus epidermidis is a species of Staphylococcus that inhabits nearly every part of healthy human skin. S. epidermidis exhibits contextual pathogenicity, as it often lives on the skin as a commensal bacterium, however can quickly transition to acting as a pathogen. This thesis observes different S. epidermidis isolates taken from various bodily locations of healthy, non-infectious volunteers, and observes how each isolate responds to different antibiotics and pyrazinones. Findings indicate diverse isolate behaviors, even on a day-to-day basis. This thesis builds on previous research to consider potential impacts of skin care products on Staphylococcus epidermidis pathogenicity, the skin microbiome, and more broadly, global antibiotic resistance crisis. |
| Noah Edmonds-Estes | 2025 | Applications of Neural Networks in Peak Identification for Atomic Physics | This work applies neural networks used in image recognition to identify peaks in spectroscopy data, similar to work done previously by Kensert et al, Bueschel et al, and Melnikov et al. Previous work has shown that this type of approach can be successful with liquid chromatography data, so this work will be adapting that approach for use in atomic physics. We generate training data with known locations of spectral peaks but varying amplitudes and widths and train a neural network to identify where the peak occurs in the image. |
| Denzel Evans | 2025 | Development of Conserved Primers for Freshwater Organisms in Response to Bisphenol S | Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) can negatively affect the health of organisms through environmental and developmental exposure. Bisphenol A (BPA) is the most widely produced EDC globally but has recently been substituted for Bisphenol S (BPS), which is equally as toxic and poses similar risks to biota. Study Neighmond et al. previously identified the upregulation of Prostaglandin Reductase 1.2 (Ptgr1) and Glutathione-S-Transferase Omega (Gsto1) in response to BPS. This study aims to assess the potential of these genes as biomarkers for BPS exposure in freshwater organisms. Using conserved primers for Gsto1, Ptgr1, and Ptgr2 (Ptgr), we examined BPS effects in zebrafish (5, 7, 9, 11 mg/L) and E. muelleri (5 mg/L). qPCR was used to assess primer success, and quantification cycle values were used to observe expression patterns in response to BPS exposure in comparison to control cDNA. Results showed successful amplification of both primers in control settings. However, Gsto1 showed no significant changes, Ptgr exhibited dose-dependent expression, particularly at higher dosages in zebrafish. These results suggest that Ptgr may serve as a reliable biomarker for BPS exposure, with implications for monitoring aquatic environments, especially in the absence of established biomarkers for marine species. |
| Denim Evans | 2025 | Body in Motion, Mind in Balance: Investigating Physical Activity as a Protective Shield for High-ACE Youth | This study investigates how physical activity can be used as a protective factor for adolescents with high Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) scores. Focusing on students at Franklin Alternative School, where 92% of the students reported high ACEs scores, the research explores how a structured aerobics program might improve psychological resilience, emotional regulation, and overall well-being. Through a mixed-methods approach, the study will analyze students’ academic performance data from existing grading system alongside daily exit tickets to measure the program’s impact. By examining the intersection of trauma-informed care principles and physical activity, this research will provide insights into how exercise can support adolescent mental health and social development in high-risk educational settings. |
| Maria Femia | 2025 | Healing Through Education: Addressing ACEs Through Trauma-Informed Teaching at Franklin Alternative School | This study examines trauma-informed teaching practices at Franklin Alternative School in Auburn, Maine. Studies show that trauma profoundly impacts brain development, significantly disrupting a child’s ability to learn. 92% of students at Franklin have high ACE (Adverse Childhood Experiences) scores, prompting the school to implement trauma-informed teaching strategies and alternative curricula. The study uses observational data and interviews with faculty to explore common themes among teachers. Teachers can implement these practices to address the needs of students with high ACE scores and foster a supportive learning environment. |
| Owen Ferguson | 2025 | Long-Term Dynamics of Macrobenthic Communities in the Sheepscot River Estuary, Maine | Long-term changes in macrobenthic communities reflect shifts in ecosystem health. In the Sheepscot River estuary in Maine, increased macrobenthic density suggests a rise in opportunistic species following ecological disturbances. In addition, reduced biodiversity and evenness may have ties to climate change, invasive species, and hypoxic events. These changes suggest shifts in bioturbation caused by benthic macrofauna, threatening ecosystem nutrient cycling and habitat engineering. This study examines these new conditions, providing insights into the impacts of environmental changes and offering a starting point for future research on the dynamics of benthic ecosystems. |
| Ellie Forcier | 2025 | Verbal Working Memory Capacity in People with Aphantasia | Research suggests that people with aphantasia, a condition characterized by the inability to create mental images, can perform several tasks thought to rely on imagery. Consequently, researchers have theorized that people with aphantasia use alternative strategies to perform such tasks, including verbally coding visual information, indicating an increased reliance on verbal working memory. Using a Verbal Recall Task and an Operation Span Task I compared verbal working memory in aphantasia and control participants. I anticipate that aphantasia participants will show increased verbal working memory capacity. This may imply verbal working memory is used as an alternative strategy for imagery-based tasks. |
| Owen Fox-Whelpton | 2025 | The 2018 Farm Bill; Understanding Why it Stunted the Regenerative Agricultural Transition in the U.S., and Possible Adaptations for Future Bills | The 2018 Farm Bill significantly shaped U.S. agricultural policy by providing provisions for nutrition, conservation, government subsidies, and insurance programs. However, these provisions largely benefited large-scale conventional farms producing cash crops, limiting farmers’ ability to transition to regenerative practices. This paper examines three key sections of the 2018 Farm Bill—Commodity Policy, Conservation, and Crop Insurance—analyzing their limitations regarding regenerative farming. Additionally, it proposes opportunities for future farm bills to better promote regenerative practices and support the livelihoods of small-scale farmers. |
| Yoko Franklin | 2025 | Through the Lens of Lyme: Medical Bias, Personal Narratives, and the Role of Climate Change | Lyme disease is a complex illness that reflects a human-environment relationship and is severely exacerbated by human-driven climate change. This disease may change the way people interact with each other and the land, altering relationships and shaping perceptions of the environment. Having been formally identified in 1981, it is still a novel disease that has been approached through a single lens. Acknowledging the shortcomings of current medical narratives while addressing personal testimonies will lead to more holistic treatment practices. We must broaden the lens that Lyme is researched through by combining both scientific evidence and personal narratives together. |
| Caroline Friedman | 2025 | Assessing Recent Changes of Sediment Retreat at Sandy Seawall Beach, Phippsburg, Maine | Barrier beaches are crucial coastal environments that provide protection of inland areas from storms. These dynamic systems are impacted by short-term seasonal changes and longer-term changes including, storms, longshore transport, anthropogenic activity, and sea-level rise. This study will examine recent changes in beach profiles of Seawall Beach in Phippsburg, Maine. Storms during the winter of 2024 stripped away significant amounts of sand from Seawall’s frontal dune. Profiles measured in 2025 will be compared with data from previous years to build a comprehensive understanding of the stability of the frontal dune system at Seawall Beach. |
| Naz Fruits | 2025 | Understanding Odorant Discriminability Across Varying Concentrations | Odors vary in concentration over many orders of magnitude, and the brain must balance the goals of detecting chemicals sensitively near threshold, while not saturating at higher concentrations. To understand how selectivity for odorants changes with concentration, we analyzed global, 2-photon activity maps (collected from the Wachowiak lab) of the mouse olfactory bulb (OB) across a panel of 59 distinct odors, at both high and low concentrations. We observed that neural discriminability of odorants varies strongly by functional group, with a subset of groups exhibiting a high degree of concentration invariance. These compounds may have specific ecological/metabolic significance. |
| Reuven Frye | 2026 | Diurnal Movement of Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops Truncatus) in the Cres-Lošinj Region of the Adriatic Sea | This study examines the movement patterns of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in the Cres-Lošinj region of the northern Adriatic Sea, influenced by environmental factors and anthropogenic pressures like marine traffic and fishing. Data collected from 2022-2024 showed that dolphins adjust their speed, direction, and routes based on water depth, calf presence, and nearby trawlers. Dolphins traveled slower and more directly near trawlers, possibly due to foraging strategies, while they swam faster and erratically when calves were present. These findings highlight the dolphins’ adaptive movement strategies, offering valuable insights for conservation efforts in the region. |
| Tessa Garnett | 2025 | Plant Stress Memory in Arabidopsis | I am working in the Slane lab to expand research done last semester that determined specific genes relevant to stomata functionality and development. The goal of my thesis is to stress these mutant types in specific environmental conditions to evaluate the memory acquisition of these plants and how it may improve their natural defense systems, an epigenetic effect. We will explore this mechanism both morphologically as well as at the cellular level using methods such as microscopy, DNA and RNA analysis through PCR, and gel electrophoresis. The findings of this study could allow for progress in characterizing proteins and genes deemed most adaptive to environmental stressors that could be used to improve plant defense as anthropogenic effects attack the biotic world. |
| Camillia Ghavami | 2025 | Perceptions of Eyewitness Credibility | Study 1 manipulated co-witness race and age to examine whether these variables affect perceptions of credibility. Based on prior research, it was predicted that co-witness age would affect perceptions of the Black witness, but not the White witness. In contrast with previous research, there was no effect of age on perceptions of credibility. Study 2 manipulates age stereotypes (grandparent vs. statesman) rather than age. This pattern is predicted to be especially pronounced among those who evaluate a Black (vs. White) victim. This study will provide information on how race and age affect the scrutiny of eyewitnesses in criminal trials. |
| Danielle Goodman | 2025 | Synthesis and Evaluation of Antiviral Properties of Caffeoyl-Based Phenylpropanoid Glycosides | COVID-19 caused millions of deaths and spread at speeds which overwhelmed public health care efforts. The development of a treatment to combat this illness is essential to minimizing mortality and allowing hospital systems to provide effective care. By creating a caffeoyl-based phenylpropanoid glycoside (PPG) analogue, this study aims to identify its antiviral capacity against SARS-CoV-2. By identifying the binding affinity of this PPG analogue with the covid spike protein and comparing it to the spike-ACE2 interaction, it can be determined whether or not the caffeoyl-based PPG analogue has the potential to inhibit COVID-19 viral replication in the human body. |
| Britton Gorfain | 2025 | Progress in the Total Synthesis of Linderofruticoside A | This thesis is focused on the total synthesis of linderofruticoside A—a natural product produced by the Lindera fruticosa plant that contains a 13-membered macrolactone ring consisting of two plant sugars and one phenolic acid. This unique chemical structure, combined with Lindera fruticosa’s history of usage in traditional medicines, made linderofruticoside A an appealing synthetic target. Using a variety of synthetic methods, progress was made on its total synthesis. |
| Elizabeth Gramley | 2025 | Lieges, Lumps, Lands, and Ladies: Discourses of Geography, Race, Gender, and Religion in The King of Tars | The fourteenth-century poem The King of Tars is difficult to categorize – it spans many genres and jumps quickly from one heady topic to another. It has much to say about its time and the desires of its audience, and it goes about saying these things in a manner that is at times fantastical and absurd, and constantly aware of its audience. Drawing on historical events and in conversation with other works of medieval literature, the poem constructs a fantasy world which literalizes medieval views on race and morality and relies on Christian tropes to create the ideal of the post-Crusades utopia. |
| Chelsea Griscom | 2025 | Grocery Store Deceit: Can Nutrition Education Effectively Counteract the Influence of Misleading Marketing on Consumer Behavior? | Misleading marketing on food packages negatively impacts consumer’s nutrition decisions. The following study will analyze whether an intervention, such as nutrition education, can effectively counteract the negative effects of misleading nutrition marketing. Participants will be recruited through Prolific and randomly assigned into one of two groups – one receiving nutrition education and the other not. Participants will virtually grocery shop through multiple food product images – some containing misleading nutrition information. The results will show that nutrition education can effectively equip consumers to select products based on their respective nutritional benefit, and not be persuaded by misleading marketing tactics. |
| Buey Grossman | 2025 | Age-Related Differences in Implicit Sequence Learning: Evidence from the Serial Reaction Time Task | Implicit sequence learning, the unconscious acquisition of sequential patterns through repeated exposure, is crucial for cognitive skills such as language development and social intuition. This study investigates age-related differences in implicit sequence learning using the serial reaction time (SRT) task. This paradigm measures reaction times and accuracy to assess the ability to learn sequential patterns, with faster responses indicating greater learning. Prior research suggests that while implicit learning of simple patterns remains consistent with age, older adults experience deficits in acquiring complex patterns due to cognitive slowing and the inability to hold and process multiple sequence elements. Further, neuroimaging studies reveal age-related differences in brain activity, supporting these findings. Participants included younger and older adults who completed an SRT task designed to test their implicit learning abilities. Reaction time and accuracy data from older and younger adults performing an SRT task were analyzed to compare performance across age groups. |
| Joel Hallkaj | 2025 | Possible Role of Stimulus Concentration on the Cortical Activity of the Mouse Olfactory Bulb | The olfactory bulb has been shown to group scents together based on their attributes. This is done through the activation patterns of glomeruli on its cortex. To date, there has not been a clear link established the concentration of these chemical stimuli and the way the brain organizes this information. We investigated how the mouse cortex clusters this information at two different concentration regimes by combining clustering algorithms and Random Forest Classification. Findings indicated a possible difference in representation between the two concentration regimes but future work should highlight stronger and more minute differences in such representations. |
| Kate Hansen | 2025 | Smells Like Rotten Memories: A Study of the Effect of Biological Preparedness in Suppression-Induced Forgetting | Have you ever experienced childhood flashbacks triggered by a familiar smell? Odor might be the sense that most strongly connects to memory, thanks to the way these signals travel through the brain. In some cases, biologically associated stimuli can have stronger associations (e.g. food and smell). However, deliberate suppression of memories can induce forgetting. In this experiment, participants memorize food and non-food items while being presented with an unpleasant odor, following a think/no-think paradigm (suppressing the memory of some items). Will biological preparedness protect food items presented with a rotten smell from suppression-induced forgetting? |
| John Harun-DeLong | 2026 | Effect of Interferon-Beta on Senescence pathways in Zebrafish Progenitor Stem Cells | The purpose of this research is to more fully understand the effects of interferon-Beta on p16, p21, and PTERT pathways in the progenitor stem cells of Zebrafish Larvae Currently the effects of interferon-Beta on senescence, controlled death, and telomere maintenance pathways are not well understood. In this study zebrafish mutant lines that were GFP+ for p16, p21, and PTERT were crossed and their offspring were dosed twice post fertilization. They were then photographed under a fluorescent microscope. We found that the survivability of the zebrafish decreased generally with the presence of interferon-Beta and p16, p21, and PTERT all decreased in its presence as well. There still is much to learn about the way these pathways interact with each other in the progenitor stem cell stage. |
| Aiman Hasan | 2026 | Investigating Antibody Distribution Dynamics with Vascular Permeability | Anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction, involves either IgE or IgG antibodies. While IgE-mediated pathways are well-studied, IgG-mediated mechanisms remain less understood. Using an active and passive mice model, we examined vascular permeability in both IgE and IgG-mediated anaphylaxis through Evans blue dye extravasation. Our results revealed an asymmetrical dye distribution in the IgG-mediated model, with minimal mast cell activation, suggesting an IgG-driven process. In contrast, the IgE-mediated pathway showed mast cell involvement. These findings provide insights into distinct immune responses and further understanding of IgG-mediated allergic mechanisms. |
| EJ Holm | 2025 | Development and Refinement of a Benthic Recruitment Model for the Cyanobacterium Gloeotrichia echinulata | Cyanobacteria, or blue-green algae, are of concern to lake residents and managers in the Northeastern US due to their ability to form harmful algal blooms which present threats to recreation, wildlife, and overall lake health. This presentation will cover the development and refinement of a mathematical model for the cyanobacterium Gloeotrichia echinulata based on benthic recruitment, light, and temperature data gathered from Lake Sunapee, NH, in order to test the possible effects of different environmental drivers on cyanobacteria recruitment. It will also discuss the creation of heatmaps as a way to effectively visualize data generated from multiple different mathematical models. |
| Jaelie Hovey | 2025 | Dietary Polyphenols, the Gut-Brain Axis, and Alzheimer’s Disease: Unraveling the Microbiome’s Role in Neurodegeneration | Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder influenced by genetics, diet, and gut microbiota. The gut-brain axis links the microbiome to neuroinflammation, amyloid-beta aggregation, and cognitive decline. Dietary polyphenols, metabolized by gut bacteria, produce bioactive compounds that may reduce Aβ deposition, tau pathology, and neuroinflammation. This review explores how polyphenols modulate the gut microbiome to influence AD risk, emphasizing the need for human clinical trials. Understanding the microbiome’s role in neurodegeneration could lead to personalized nutrition strategies and microbiome-based interventions for AD prevention. |
| Emily Huang | 2025 | The Effects of Music Therapy on Physiological Markers of Stress | Patients with chronic conditions often face significant stress from symptoms, treatments, and emotional challenges, which hospitalization can further exacerbate. Chronic stress can reduce quality of life and contribute to disease, making stress management essential. Music therapy offers positive distraction, self-expression, autonomy, and social interaction, helping reduce stress. This study examines the biochemical response to stress and how music therapy alters cortisol, epinephrine, and norepinephrine levels across patient populations. Findings suggest music-based interventions can reduce or stabilize these markers, emphasizing the importance of studying and utilizing them to improve patient well-being. Further research is needed to strengthen evidence for their effectiveness. |
| Safa Hussein | 2025 | Concussion Protocols in High School and College Sports | Concussions, a form of mild traumatic brain injury, remain a concern in contact sports like football and soccer. My personal experience with a concussion in high school sparked my interest in neuroscience and healthcare, deepening my appreciation for the critical roles of PAs, athletic trainers, and coaches in recovery. This study used qualitative interviews with athletic directors, coaches, and sports medicine staff to explore how concussion protocols are developed, enforced, and adapted at Bates College. Findings highlight advancements in concussion management and the need for education and collaboration. Future research could compare high school and collegiate protocols to improve policies. |
| Sophia Ibeh | 2025 | Racial Disparities in Drug Metabolism: The Role of CYP2D6 Polymorphisms in Medication Efficacy and Safety for Black Patients | The cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) enzyme is involved in the metabolism of various medications, including opioids, antidepressants, and beta-blockers. Genetic polymorphisms in CYP2D6 lead to differences in drug metabolism, which may vary across populations. This thesis explores the prevalence of different CYP2D6 metabolizer phenotypes, with a focus on Black populations, and examines how these variations relate to drug efficacy and safety. The study reviews existing literature on CYP2D6 polymorphisms, drug response variability, and potential implications for pharmacogenetics in clinical practice. It also considers the role of personalized medicine in addressing differences in drug metabolism. By analyzing current research, this thesis aims to contribute to discussions on the relationship between genetic variability and treatment outcomes. |
| Darlene Igiraneza | 2025 | Barriers to Survival: A Literature Review on Neonatal Mortality and Health Disparities | Neonatal mortality remains a significant public health concern, with persistent disparities linked to socioeconomic status, biological vulnerabilities, and racial inequities in healthcare access. This literature review synthesizes existing research on the multifaceted factors influencing neonatal mortality, with a particular focus on how maternal healthcare experiences shape neonatal outcomes. By examining epidemiological studies, policy analyses, and clinical findings, this review highlights systemic barriers that disproportionately affect marginalized communities. The findings underscore the need for targeted interventions, improved prenatal care, and policy reforms to address these disparities. Understanding the complex interplay of these factors is crucial for reducing preventable neonatal deaths and promoting health equity. |
| Nimco Jama | 2025 | Thermotolerance of Arabidopsis Thaliana | Thermotolerance, the ability of plants to survive and adapt to elevated temperatures, is a crucial trait for maintaining growth and productivity under climate change. Arabidopsis thaliana, a model organism in plant biology, has been extensively studied to understand the molecular and physiological mechanisms underlying heat stress responses. Upon exposure to high temperatures, A. thaliana activates heat shock proteins (HSPs) and heat shock factors (HSFs), which help mitigate protein misfolding and cellular damage. Recent research has also highlighted the significance of reactive oxygen species (ROS) signaling, membrane fluidity adjustments, and epigenetic modifications in heat acclimation. Understanding the genetic and molecular basis of thermotolerance in A. thaliana provides valuable insights for developing heat-resistant crops, ensuring agricultural sustainability in the face of rising global temperatures. My thesis looks at these changes through microscopy imaging, scans of A. Thaliana growth over time, and through qPCR tests. |
| Erik Janzon | 2025 | Past and Future Earthquake Hazards for the Las Chacras Fault in Western Argentina | Western Argentina is one of the most earthquake-prone regions in the world, with several destructive earthquakes (up to magnitude 7.5) shaking cities like San Juan and Mendoza in the past century. The Las Chacras Fault is particularly concerning, as studies suggest it could produce a major earthquake (magnitude 6.7 to 7.1), but no earthquakes have been recorded on the fault — leaving uncertainty about when one might strike. This study is the first to explore the fault’s past, using paleoseismic trenching to uncover its earthquake history and help predict future seismic risks |
| Micah Johnson | 2025 | Python Based Computational Simulation of Light-Matter Interactions Using The Lorentz Oscillator Model | A Python-based finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) simulation incorporating the Lorentz oscillator model is employed to solve Maxwell’s equations numerically and visualize the interaction of electromagnetic fields and matter. By modeling media with frequency-dependent permittivity within the simulation, insight is provided into how intrinsic material properties, characterized by the response of bound charges, dictate electromagnetic wave propagation. This approach offers a computational framework to explore how material properties determine the transmission and absorption of electromagnetic energy as it passes through a material, which bridges the macroscopic material properties perspective and the atomic and molecular behaviors perspective on light-matter interactions. |
| Mallory Johnson | 2026 | Nurse Retention in the Hospital Sector: Theoretical Paradigms of Work Motivation | The current global nursing shortage threatens the safety of patients and healthcare professionals. Our research investigates the nurse retention issue using theoretical paradigms of work motivation: Herzberg’s Two-Factor Theory, Self-Determination Theory, McClelland’s Theory of Needs. Interview templates were constructed based on literature review, and interviews were conducted with nurses from the United States and Denmark. We found motivational factors influence job satisfaction, while hygiene factors determine job dissatisfaction. By applying these motivational frameworks, healthcare organizations can address the underlying causes of dissatisfaction and foster motivation in employees. This paper offers both theoretical insights and practical recommendations for improving nurse retention. |
| Kendall Jones | 2025 | How to Make a Memory: The Biochemistry Supporting Learning and Memory Pathways | Human memory, including subcategories of semantic and episodic memory, is built on complex neurons, proteins, and neurotransmitters in the brain. These structures process information and categorize, creating different memory subdivisions. Episodic memory stores detailed personal events, while semantic memory focuses on general knowledge and connections. The interaction between episodic content and semantic frameworks enhances memory retention. By analyzing the biochemical pathways and structural components of memory, this study applies these insights to museum design theory, offering a framework for creating exhibits that are engaging, memorable, and educational. |
| Krishna Kakani | 2025 | Modeling Atmospheric Greenhouse Gas Spectroscopy with Laser Heterodyne Radiometry | Spectroscopy through the total atmospheric column (i.e. from the surface to the top of the atmosphere) is an important technique used to quantify atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations. Laser Heterodyne Radiometry (LHR) is a technique for total-column atmospheric spectroscopy with several characteristics (e.g. high spectral resolution, compact, and cost effective) that show promise for greenhouse gas sensing. Using Python and the HITRAN database, this project aims to develop a model for interpreting future LHR-based atmospheric spectra measured with an LHR system. This work is currently underway in the Cole Lab at Bates. |
| Mariana Kaluba | 2025 | Tracing the Blowout Phase in J1219+0336: Insights from JWST and SDSS Spectra | The galaxy J1219+0336 at z=0.451 exhibits an extreme outflow velocity (−2030 km/s), suggesting powerful feedback processes. Using mid-infrared spectra from JWST and optical spectra from SDSS, this study investigates the role of AGN activity, star formation, and dust expulsion in galaxy evolution. The detection of [Ne II], [Ne III], and [Ne V] emission lines, along with broad silicate dust features, suggests that J1219+0336 is in a “blowout” phase, where dust is being expelled, revealing previously obscured regions. By analyzing these spectral features, we aim to understand how AGN-driven outflows and dust regulation influence star formation in massive galaxies. |
| Erwin Kardatzke | 2028 | Anthropology and Indigenous Peoples: Bates College and Possession in the Dawnland | For the 2025 Mount David Summit, our class will contribute to a wider conversation regarding Bates College’s role in Wabanaki land dispossession, or more simply, how it is that we learn and live in the place that we do. By creating the structure for this research in a collaborative fashion, we aim to reset the precedent of individualistic research in favor of a more holistic, community-oriented study of the Dawnland and the ways in which Wabanaki peoples have been categorized and displaced within their homeland. Through exploring “Indian Deeds” and the college’s administrative policies over time, we will analyze the shift from Indigenous concepts of common ownership to colonial property systems. This project examines power, accountability, and decision-making in relation to Indigenous histories in the Dawnland, specifically at Bates. |
| Amelia Killackey | 2026 | Anthropology and Indigenous Peoples: Bates College and Possession in the Dawnland | For the 2025 Mount David Summit, our class will contribute to a wider conversation regarding Bates College’s role in Wabanaki land dispossession, or more simply, how it is that we learn and live in the place that we do. By creating the structure for this research in a collaborative fashion, we aim to reset the precedent of individualistic research in favor of a more holistic, community-oriented study of the Dawnland and the ways in which Wabanaki peoples have been categorized and displaced within their homeland. Through exploring “Indian Deeds” and the college’s administrative policies over time, we will analyze the shift from Indigenous concepts of common ownership to colonial property systems. This project examines power, accountability, and decision-making in relation to Indigenous histories in the Dawnland, specifically at Bates. |
| Josie Kim | 2027 | Risk and Reward: College Students’ Perceptions of Cannabis Use | Cannabis usage among college students remains under researched, particularly in regard to perceptions of risk. This research aims to identify cannabis perceptions among college students. Understanding these perceptions is crucial, as high usage may influence both academic performance and social experiences. This study uses a mixed-methods design, integrating quantitative survey data (on individual substance use) with qualitative insights from interviews and focus groups. Qualitative data analysis further supported trends found in quantitative data analysis. Preliminary findings suggest that students’ substance use behaviors are shaped by perceptions of risk, social norms, and social settings. In particular, students tend to underestimate the risks of cannabis. These findings emphasize the importance of cannabis education to help students make informed decisions about substance use. |
| Ines Knirsch | 2025 | Silent Struggles: Needs Assessment for Affected Others of Substance Use Disorders in Androscoggin County | Substance use disorders (SUDs) impact not just individuals but also their families, partners, and friends. Two-thirds of US adults are affected by addiction, either personality or within their family. In collaboration with Healthy Androscoggin, a needs assessment will be distributed to affected individuals and healthcare providers. Using surveys and interviews, this mixed-methods approach will assess perceptions and usage of resources like naloxone education, support groups, and health services. Findings will guide Healthy Androscoggin in allocating funds to better support affected others, addressing resource gaps, and improving healthcare and information for a more supportive future. |
| Stine Koch | 2025 | The Self-Involved Chaucer and the Pearl Poet: A Comparative Analysis of Chaucer’s Dream Visions and the Pearl-Poet’s Pearl | This thesis analyzes Geoffrey Chaucer’s Legend of Good Women and The Book of Duchess and the work Pearl by the anonymous Pearl-poet through the historical context of fourteenth-century England. By examining Chaucer’s and the Pearl-poet’s female figures and the unique narrative framework of the poets’s dream visions, this analysis demonstrates how the poets use religious symbolism and allegory to humorously critique and challenge the members of the royal court through the lens of English aristocracy and thus demonstrate how the inconspicuous work Pearl can be seen both as a continuation and assimilation of Chaucer’s earlier works. |
| Adi Kolff | 2025 | The Impact of a Tidal Restriction on the Marsh-Forest Ecotone of Sprague Marsh, Phippsburg, ME | The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of a tidal restriction on the marsh forest ecotone of Sprague Marsh, Phippsburg, ME. A causeway installed in 1942 splits the northeastern quarter of the marsh off, potentially interfering with the tidal signal. Three sediment cores were collected along the marsh-forest ecotone above the causeway, and three below, to evaluate the long-term sedimentation rate, carbon stocks, and historic isotopic signature of the marsh platform. Geochemical analysis was performed on each core to determine the impact of causeway alterations over the last century. The experimentally determined sedimentation rate above the causeway was 0.231 cm/yr. Carbon density values were relatively comparable above and below the causeway, at 0.0444 gC/cm and 0.0451 gC/cm respectively. Emplacement of the causeway in 1942 corresponded to an increase in carbon/C3 plant deposition (increase in %C/low d13C) and a decrease in tidal influence (decrease in d15N) at the site closest to the causeway, suggesting that the causeway did in fact create a tidal restriction. When the causeway was rebuilt to allow for better passage of the tides (2002), salt marsh grasses colonized this site. The geochemistry of the other 2 cores was variable and illustrate that the influence of the tidal restriction was not consistent along the margins of the marsh, suggesting that one must also consider the impact of freshwater input (runoff and groundwater) as well as the tides along the marsh margins. Quercus rubra tree cores were collected within 50 meters of the marsh perimeter, both above and below the causeway. These samples were sanded, scanned, and corroborated with a master chronology to determine the age and environmental response of perimeter trees. Examining the impact of a tidal restriction along the marsh-forest ecosystem boundary can help us more comprehensively understand salt marsh development, health, and migration. |
| Maddy Kwei | 2025 | Exploring the Connections Between Civic and Political Engagement and Well-being for Rural Youth | The present study strives to understand rural youth’s experiences with civic and political engagement and its connection to their well-being, with a specific focus on the 2024 presidential election. Rural adolescents, an understudied youth population, may participate in civic and political engagements within their communities in ways that differ from suburban and urban youth. The study focused on semi-structured interviews conducted in October and November 2024 with youth ages 14-18 who are currently attending high school and identify as residing in rural areas across the United States. The results from this study can help to illuminate the ways in which civic experiences may be a key developmental process that could encourage healthy adolescent development and increased civic participation. |
| Izzy Larson | 2025 | Sweetgrass: Habitat Assessment and Plant Physiology in Salt Marshes | Sweetgrass (Hierochloe odorata), is a native plant found within salt marshes that holds great ecological significance and importance to indigenous people. The changing climate and sea level rise pose threats to the health of salt marshes and their ecological communities. Sweetgrass inhabits vastly different microhabitats and their growing conditions in salt marshes remains understudied. This interdisciplinary project explores the soil geochemistry of three distinct sweetgrass microhabitats and how they relate to sweetgrass physiology. This project is an opportunity for cross-cultural collaboration and will help us better understand how sweetgrass reacts to sea level rise and marsh migration. |
| James Li | 2025 | Machine Learning-Driven Prediction of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Responses Against Cholangiocarcinoma: A Bile Biopsy Perspective | The treatment of cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) continues to face numerous clinical challenges, including the prediction of sensitivity to immunotherapy and the development of preoperative diagnostic models. Objective: In this study, we aimed to address these challenges by collecting bile samples from CCA patients for metabolomic and microbiomic analyses. We also performed immunofluorescence staining on tissue FFPE blocks to assess the expression of relevant biomarkers. Additionally, we followed up with patients to analyze prognostic indicators based on their survival times. Methods: Using advanced machine learning techniques, specifically LASSO regression, we constructed a predictive model to determine the effectiveness of PD1 inhibitors in treating CCA. The model integrates bile metabolomic data with an Immune Hot-Cold Index (IHC Index) derived from immunofluorescence results, providing a comprehensive metric of the patient’s immune environment. Results: Our findings revealed significant differences in metabolomic profiles between CCA patients and those with non-malignant liver diseases, as well as between patients with different genetic mutations. The IHC Index successfully differentiated between immune “hot” and “cold” states, correlating strongly with patient responses to immunotherapy. Furthermore, in one CCA patient, the model’s predictions were validated, demonstrating high accuracy and clinical relevance. Conclusions: Our predictive model offers a robust tool for assessing the sensitivity of CCA patients to PD1 inhibitors, potentially guiding personalized treatment strategies. Additionally, the integration of bile metabolomics with immunofluorescence data provides a promising approach for developing preoperative diagnostic models, enhancing early detection and treatment planning for CCA. |
| Ella Lisle | 2028 | Anthropology and Indigenous Peoples: Bates College and Possession in the Dawnland | For the 2025 Mount David Summit, our class will contribute to a wider conversation regarding Bates College’s role in Wabanaki land dispossession, or more simply, how it is that we learn and live in the place that we do. By creating the structure for this research in a collaborative fashion, we aim to reset the precedent of individualistic research in favor of a more holistic, community-oriented study of the Dawnland and the ways in which Wabanaki peoples have been categorized and displaced within their homeland. Through exploring “Indian Deeds” and the college’s administrative policies over time, we will analyze the shift from Indigenous concepts of common ownership to colonial property systems. This project examines power, accountability, and decision-making in relation to Indigenous histories in the Dawnland, specifically at Bates. |
| Annie Lowenstein | 2025 | Waiting in Pain: How Delayed Diagnosis of Endometriosis Shapes Women’s Lives. | Endometriosis affects millions but remains underdiagnosed due to symptom normalization, medical dismissal, and invasive diagnostics. This study explores the psychological toll, identity shifts, and coping strategies of women facing delayed or differential diagnoses. Using semi-structured interviews with women with endometriosis, thematic analysis via NVivo will identify emerging themes of emotional distress, healthcare distrust, and support systems in managing chronic pain throughout diagnostic journeys. Findings will underscore the need for improved diagnostic pathways, clinician awareness, and mental health integration in endometriosis care. Centering patient narratives, this research advocates for systemic changes to ensure timely, empathetic diagnosis and improved quality of life. |
| Alyssa Lowther | 2025 | AI: Tool or Weapon? Exploring Its Impact on College Students’ Creativity and Motivation | This research examines the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on creativity, motivation, learning, and academic performance among college students. AI tools, such as ChatGPT and Grammarly, enhance productivity, facilitate personalized learning, and improve efficiency in completing academic tasks. However, concerns remain about their potential to undermine critical thinking, creativity, and originality. Although AI supports content generation and problem-solving, it operates within predefined frameworks, potentially limiting authentic creativity and diversity of thought. Through an experimental design, participants will complete a creative task either independently or with AI assistance. Post-experiment surveys will evaluate the effects of AI on motivation, originality, and the creative process. It is hypothesized that participants using AI assistance will achieve greater efficiency but demonstrate lower originality, creativity, and intrinsic motivation compared to those working independently. This study aims to contribute to the broader discussion of balancing technological advancements with values that prioritize human creativity, autonomy, and individuality in education. |
| Eleanor Lynch | 2025 | Shared and Unique Clinical Characteristics Among Individuals at Clinical High Risk for Psychosis vs. Help-Seeking Controls | The clinical high-risk (CHR) paradigm, introduced in the 1990s in Australia, is used to recognize and treat individuals with pre-psychosis symptoms. Help-seeking controls (HSCs) are individuals who seek CHR assessment but fail to meet criteria. They are essential for refining diagnostic criteria and improving the clinical characterization of the CHR population—critical research for advancing preventive care in psychiatric illness. My thesis seeks to answer: What are the clinical similarities and differences between CHR individuals and HSCs? Symptom data from psychometric assessments used to identify pre-psychosis risk will be examined. |
| Collin Madalena | 2025 | Anthropology and Indigenous Peoples: Bates College and Possession in the Dawnland | For the 2025 Mount David Summit, our class will contribute to a wider conversation regarding Bates College’s role in Wabanaki land dispossession, or more simply, how it is that we learn and live in the place that we do. By creating the structure for this research in a collaborative fashion, we aim to reset the precedent of individualistic research in favor of a more holistic, community-oriented study of the Dawnland and the ways in which Wabanaki peoples have been categorized and displaced within their homeland. Through exploring “Indian Deeds” and the college’s administrative policies over time, we will analyze the shift from Indigenous concepts of common ownership to colonial property systems. This project examines power, accountability, and decision-making in relation to Indigenous histories in the Dawnland, specifically at Bates. |
| Charlotte Maffie | 2025 | Synthesizing Precursors to Degradable Polyoxazolines | Polyoxazolines have many applications in medical fields including drug delivery, and have recently grown in popularity for their uses. Despite their benefits, polyoxazolines do not degrade well in the body, limiting their biomedical uses. The goal of this research is to create a degradable polyoxazoline analog that retains the beneficial biological properties of non-degradable polyoxazolines. Currently the focus is on creating the monomer precursor that can then undergo ring opening polymerization. |
| Anna Masumoto | 2025 | Racial Disparities and White American Support for the Death Penalty | Beliefs about the racial composition of death row inmates may influence public support for the death penalty, reflecting broader patterns of racial bias. This study examines whether manipulating beliefs about the proportion of Black death row inmates affects support for capital punishment. The hypothesis of this study is that participants believing there to be a high proportion of Black inmates will show increased support for the death penalty compared to those exposed to a low proportion or no information about racial composition. Using an experimental design, White American participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups: a low Black proportion group, a high Black proportion group, or a control group with no information. Data collected through a Qualtrics survey will include a donation mechanism, Likert-scale items, and belief measures. Results will explore the role of racialized perceptions in shaping policy preferences, with implications for addressing systemic inequities in the justice system. |
| April McCall | 2025 | The Role of EphA7 Expression in Induced Retinal Ganglion Cell Axon Guidance in Mice | Glaucoma, a neurodegenerative disease caused by the degeneration of retinal ganglion cell (RGC) axons, is a leading cause of vision loss and impairment worldwide. Using what is known about RGC axon guidance during development, scientists have turned to RGC regeneration as a potential solution. EphA7, a gene expressed in the superior colliculus (SC) of mammals, plays a role in establishing the retinocollicular projection that connects visual input to the brain during RGC development. An in vivo experiment in mice aims to examine if this axon-guidance molecule can facilitate induced RGC axonal projection to the optic nerve and SC. |
| Eva McDonough | 2025 | Evaluating Water Temperature Variability in a Colorado Watershed Using Drone Imagery | Understanding how changes in climate affect water resources is crucial, especially in highly vulnerable snowmelt-dominated watersheds. This study examines the spatial and temporal variability of beaver pond surface temperature in a Colorado watershed, evaluating the contributions of both physical characteristics and climate. Results indicate that daily air temperature is strongly correlated with seasonal pond surface temperature, while stream discharge—a proxy for snowmelt—describes spatial variability in pond temperature. These findings enhance our understanding of climate-driven hydrological changes and their effects on mountain aquatic ecosystems. |
| Ron Mezile | 2025 | PTEN Deletion Causes Axonal Retraction | PTEN is a regulatory gene that inhibits mechanisms for cell growth and proliferation in somatic cells. When it is deleted, cells typically become tumorous through unchecked proliferation and growth. Neurons contain PTEN as well, but unlike somatic cells, they cannot divide, so they cannot become cancerous through PTEN deletion. Instead, neurons show axonal sprouting, soma growth, regeneration, and potentially synaptic retraction. Our research explores the mechanism of this retraction in retinal ganglion cells, RGCs. We explore how such retraction can enable new synaptic connections and, in the case of injury, allow unaffected or transplanted neurons to connect to the brain. |
| Johnny Michareune | 2025 | Synthesis and Investigation of Luteoside B as a Potential Therapy for Respiratory Syncytial Virus | Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the global leading cause of infant hospitalization. It is characterized by its method of transmission which is through the formation of fused cells in the human body. There are limited treatment options available for RSV-related diseases, most of which only target symptoms. Luteoside B is a sugar derived from Markhamia lutea, a tree species native to eastern Africa and parts of Asia. Preliminary data showed that luteoside B demonstrated antiviral properties against RSV replication. Luteoside B was investigated through the synthesis of its substituents in hopes of characterizing a novel therapeutic agent for RSV. |
| Ben Miller | 2025 | Balancing the Game: Assessing Mental Health Needs and Support Systems for Student Athletes | Student-athletes face unique mental health challenges from academic and athletic pressures. Research shows that while student-athletes are resilient, they are vulnerable to stressors like injury, overtraining, and public scrutiny, increasing anxiety, depression, and burnout risks. A mixed-methods survey examines stress, coping mechanisms, resouce awareness, and support barriers. Quantitative data identifies trends and correlations, while quantitative responses provide deeper insights through thematic analysis. Findings will guide strategies to enhance mental health resources in athletic programs, promoting resilience and well-being. |
| Andrew Mottur | 2025 | Characterization of Nickel Oxidation States as a Function of Outer-Sphere Affects | This thesis explores nickel’s behavior in molten salt systems, focusing on outer-sphere effects—interactions within the ionic environment that influence oxidation states, corrosion resistance, and stability. Nickel’s multiple oxidation states, stability, and recyclability make it vital for sustainable energy applications like concentrated solar power (CSP) and molten salt reactors (MSRs). However, corrosion and instability hinder these technologies. This research prioritizes understanding outer-sphere effects over direct coordination chemistry, offering a systemic approach to optimizing molten salt systems by addressing ionic composition and impurities rather than solely modifying materials. |
| Bryn Murray | 2025 | Undermining Science: Exploring the Interplay Between the FDA and the Judiciary Through a Comparative Analysis of Mifepristone and Oxycodone Approval Standards | Mifepristone, a pharmaceutical commonly prescribed for medication abortion, is one of the safest drugs on the United States market, with a safety profile comparable to Viagra and ibuprofen. Alternatively, oxycodone, an opioid analgesic prescribed for pain management, is a high-risk pharmaceutical subject to misuse, abuse, and addiction. Since the 1990s, the US has faced an opioid epidemic killing a half million people between 1999 to 2019, despite heightened safety measures put in place by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to minimize the risks of prescription opioids. During that time 20 people have died from mifepristone. Both mifepristone and oxycodone are subject to an FDA Risk Evaluation Mitigation Strategy (REMS), a program that outlines additional safety requirements for certain drugs in order to ensure that the benefits of treatment outweigh potential adverse effects. Over the years, the Mifepristone REMS Program requirements have been progressively relaxed by the FDA, in the face of an abundance of scientific data regarding the drug’s safety. This is starkly contrasted with the tightening of the Opioid Analgesic REMS. Despite this dichotomy, only mifepristone’s FDA approval has been challenged in the courts, with one case, FDA v. Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine (AHM) (2024), reaching the US Supreme Court. It is thus demonstrated that, in the case of politically controversial drugs, ideological influences often supersede scientific data in determining which drugs serve as legal targets in the US. |
| Liv Myers | 2025 | Effect of BosR Binding on RNA Structure | Borrelia Burgdorferi (B.b), the causative bacteria of Lyme disease, uses different gene expression in tick and human hosts. In human infection, B.b. survival is dependent on the Rrp2-RpoN-rpoS pathway that turns on mammalian phase genes. The protein BosR post-transcriptionally upregulates rpoS by preventing mRNA degradation. The BosR-mRNA interaction can be analyzed experimentally through an RNA shape analysis utilizing the techniques of enzyme digestion, reverse transcription, and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. By investigating the BosR-mRNA interaction with a structural lens, my thesis seeks to better understand the manner in which rpoS mRNA is conserved in human infection. |
| Grant Nadeau | 2025 | Examining the Relationship Between Childhood Pet Status and Current Well-Being in Adults as Defined by the PERMA Model of Flourishing | Pets are associated with many short-term psychological and physiological benefits. This study seeks to explore potential long-term benefits by comparing current PERMA well-being scores (characterized by the 5 pillars of flourishing; Positive emotion, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, and Accomplishment) between those who report a strong connection with their childhood pet and those who did not have a pet growing up. Participants will complete an online survey to determine childhood pet status, strength of connection to their childhood pet, and their current measure of PERMA well-being. These findings could provide insight into the prolonged impacts of pets on human life. |
| Katie Ney | 2025 | Perfluorooctanoic Acid and Perfluorohexanesulfonic Acid Exposure in Zebrafish Induces Developmental Neurotoxicity in Photoreceptor Related Gene (crx) and Alterations in Behavioral Functions | Wildtype AB zebrafish were used to research the toxicity effects of Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) and Perfluorohexanesulfonic Acid (PFHxS) by performing a genetic expression analysis of the gene crx, which is involved in the development of photoreceptor cells. Downregulation in the crx gene was found when zebrafish were exposed to 2 µM of PFHxS. An upregulation was observed in the 2 µM of PFOA condition, however, no statistical significance was calculated. No significant change in crx gene expression was observed in the 20 µM conditions. Behavioral testing found significant changes in average large movement duration in the 20 µM PFOA condition. |
| Megan O’Donnell | 2027 | Multi-Pass Gas Cell Methane Spectroscopy | Methane spectroscopy quantifies concentrations of methane by measuring the fractional transmission of laser light through a sample gas cell. Methane is challenging to analyze, as we need a low-pressure sample to better resolve densely spaced transitions. The resulting low density of methane gas requires maximization of the laser’s path length to achieve sufficient signal to noise ratio. We will describe the design, construction, and validation of two multi-pass gas cells that enable path lengths from ~2-30 m within a small sample volume. We aim to generalize observations of low-concentration methane spectroscopy to detect trace concentration of methane in Earth’s atmosphere. |
| Max Olson | 2025 | Dwarves, Orcs and Elves, Oh My! Racial Depiction in Lord of the Rings | This poster presentation will focus on a portion of my thesis in English. J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth is filled with fantastical races like elves, dwarves, halflings and orcs. While these may be imaginative constructions of race, they still harbor within them notes and elements that reflect real racial bias on the part of the author. This project will inspect the real world racial stereotypes and inspirations that both Tolkien, and later Peter Jackson present in their respective Lord of the Rings texts. Particularly, I will incorporate the research that suggest possible anti-Semetic tropes in the depiction of dwarves, as well as criticisms that see Tolkien/Jackson’s orcs as anti-Black. Ultimately, I want to investigate the relationship of fictionalized race with real, societal race when it comes to fantasy literature. |
| Dylan Owusu-Mensah | 2026 | Who is Hit Harder: Does Sexual Orientation Moderate the Relationship Between Ghosting and Self-Esteem? | Prior research has found that being ghosted on mobile dating apps is linked to decreased self-esteem of emerging adults. However, there is little research that examines the differences in how ghosting experience affects the self-esteem of queer vs heterosexual individuals. The current study hypothesizes that queer emerging adults experience lower self-esteem after ghosting than heterosexual emerging adults. |
| Julia Parham | 2025 | Exploring the Verbal Content of Post-Identification Co-Witness Conversations | This study is a continuation of the work done by Douglass and Fukushima (2024) focusing on how post-identification feedback affects conversations with co-witnesses. Using video transcripts of co-witness conversations, the verbal content will be coded and analyzed to assess their role in memory conformity. Three variables will be the focus of this study: confidence levels, persuasion, and duration of speech. It is hypothesized that participants who received positive feedback will have higher expressed levels of confidence, increased attempts at persuasion, and speak for longer compared to participants without positive feedback. The findings are expected to give insight into how post-identification feedback shapes the dynamics of co-witness interactions. |
| Ruslan Peredelskyi | 2025 | Genocide Recognition Evolution: From the Holodomor to Contemporary Ukraine | This presentation examines the evolution of genocide recognition frameworks from the Ukrainian Holodomor (1932-33) to the current Russia-Ukraine conflict. By tracing how recognition processes have developed through legal, political, and institutional dimensions, I analyze the persistent gap between atrocity occurrence and formal acknowledgment. The Holodomor case study demonstrates how recognition can take decades despite substantial evidence, revealing patterns where documentation availability, geopolitical interests, and changing political alignments significantly impact recognition timelines. Through comparative analysis with other genocide cases, I identify structural barriers to timely recognition and propose enhanced frameworks that better integrate digital evidence, reduce political obstacles, and strengthen prevention mechanisms. This research contributes to understanding how recognition frameworks might evolve to address potential genocidal situations in contemporary conflicts, particularly in Ukraine today where recognition challenges mirror historical patterns. |
| Sloan Phillips | 2025 | Antibiotic Resistance of Staphylococcus epidermidis Mutants Grown in Tea Tree Oil | The skin microbiome is populated by diverse microorganisms, including a conditionally pathogenic bacteria: Staphylococcus epidermidis. Skin care products can have effects on these organisms. Tea tree oil (TTO), often added for scent, can exhibit antimicrobial properties and has been suggested to affect antibiotic resistance. Mutant strains of S. epidermidis LMO18 were selected with TTO, then treated with six different antibiotics. Two antibiotic treatments showed higher growth of the mutant strains than the wild type. Interestingly, antibiotics with the same mechanism of action were not responded to the same, suggesting that resistance is not dependent on the antibiotic’s mechanism of action. |
| Otto Pierce | 2025 | Dual Infection and Fluorescent Visualization of Retinal Ganglion Cells Using Adeno-Associated Viruses | This study investigates the efficacy of labeling retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) by adeno-associated viruses (AAVs) carrying instructions to produce fluorescent proteins GFP and TdTomato. By injecting AAVs into neonatal mouse retinas, sectioning retina and brain tissues, and quantifying red (TdTomato), green (GFP), and coincident red+green fluorescence, we aim to determine axon labeling accuracy. These findings inform the design of experiments in retinal development and regeneration, particularly the identification of transcription factors that, when expressed in vivo in early postnatal mouse retinal progenitors, could induce the generation of RGCs. |
| Rafay Rafay | 2025 | Investigating parameters of plasmonic enhancement of non-linear optics using gold microplates | Exchange of energy between photons and charged particles has enabled the development of tools critical to studying chemical systems accurately, and at great resolution. Non-linear exchanges of energy, like second harmonic generation, are incredibly sensitive to chemical composition and physical structure of particles, and this sensitivity is exploited in surface enhanced raman spectroscopy to obtain nanometer spatial resolution. Non-linear optical responses demonstrate strong enhancement in plasmonic materials by concentrating oscillating electric fields. We aim to understand the parameters of this enhancement by targeting ultrashort infrared laser pulses on gold microplates, and measuring the resulting 2nd and 3rd optical harmonics. |
| Ananya Rao | 2025 | Floating Offshore Wind in the Gulf of Maine: Project Overview and Wind Turbine Fundamentals | Wind is becoming a predominant renewable energy source globally, and can be harnessed on land and offshore. The most predominant types of offshore wind are fixed-bottom and floating wind turbines. The Gulf of Maine will soon be home to the first floating offshore wind farm in the United States. This project provides an overview of what floating offshore wind will look like in the Gulf of Maine, the technological fundamentals of floating offshore wind farms, and the key differences between fixed-bottom and floating offshore wind. This poster serves as a capstone for a semester’s worth of research through an internship with the Maine Climate Science Information Exchange hosted by the Gulf of Maine Research Institute. |
| Alaina Rauf | 2025 | Holistic Approaches to Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome: Exploring South Asian Traditional Medicinal Remedies such as Turmeric for Symptom Management | Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is a complex metabolic and hormonal disorder affecting the reproductive health of millions of women globally, with a prevalence ranging from 4% to 25% among females of reproductive age. Despite its widespread impact, effective treatments for managing PCOS remain limited, leaving many women to seek alternative approaches for symptom relief. Cultural practices, particularly in South Asia, play a significant role in the holistic management of PCOS, with turmeric emerging as a prominent natural remedy. This literature review examines how women in South Asia use turmeric to address both the physical and mental symptoms of PCOS. It explores the historical context, cultural significance, and biochemical properties of turmeric, along with an analysis of the biochemical pathways associated with PCOS. This review aims to raise awareness about PCOS and proposes a holistic guide for symptom management, while identifying areas that warrant further research and biochemical investigation. |
| Julian Realegeno | 2028 | Anthropology and Indigenous Peoples: Bates College and Possession in the Dawnland | For the 2025 Mount David Summit, our class will contribute to a wider conversation regarding Bates College’s role in Wabanaki land dispossession, or more simply, how it is that we learn and live in the place that we do. By creating the structure for this research in a collaborative fashion, we aim to reset the precedent of individualistic research in favor of a more holistic, community-oriented study of the Dawnland and the ways in which Wabanaki peoples have been categorized and displaced within their homeland. Through exploring “Indian Deeds” and the college’s administrative policies over time, we will analyze the shift from Indigenous concepts of common ownership to colonial property systems. This project examines power, accountability, and decision-making in relation to Indigenous histories in the Dawnland, specifically at Bates. |
| Alison Reardon | 2025 | From Mood to Personality Disorders: The Impact of a Mutated HTR1B Gene | The HTR1B gene, encoding the 5-HT1B serotonin receptor, plays a pivotal role in serotonergic signaling, influencing mood regulation, behavior, and decision-making. Genetic variations in HTR1B impact neural circuits associated with aggression, impulsivity, risk-taking, suicidal tendencies, and antisocial behavior. This review examines how mutations in the HTR1B gene affect these pathways across different psychiatric conditions, including mood and personality disorders, with an additional focus on potential sex and ethnic differences. By understanding the molecular mechanisms by which HTR1B contributes to these phenotypes, this may help provide insights into differential responses to treatment and guide the development of more targeted, personalized therapies. |
| Ruby Reimann | 2025 | Objectified Bodies: How Sexualized Media Portrayals of Female Athletes Shape Perceptions and Influence Exercise Motivation and Body Dissatisfaction | This study investigates how media portrayals of female athletes across three conditions—sexualized, performance-focused, and neutral—shape perceptions of competence, esteem, and sexual appeal, alongside participants’ exercise motivation and body dissatisfaction. College-aged participants evaluate diverse athletes, with gender as a moderator. It is predicted that women will rate sexualized athletes lower in competence and esteem than men. Guided by objectification theory, the research is predicted to find that sexualized portrayals lower competence and esteem but increase sexual appeal, while performance-focused portrayals enhance body image and exercise motivation. The study considers racial diversity and explores ways to address gender disparities in sports media. |
| Alison Robelen | 2025 | The Relationship Between Sex Roles and Social Conformity | The current study explores whether sex roles (levels of masculinity and femininity) are associated with different patterns of conformity between small and large groups. Participants will perform a conformity task in either small or large groups and then complete the Bem Sex Role Inventory. I hypothesize that in the Large Group condition, people producing scores associated with more femininity will conform more than people producing scores associated with more masculinity; in the Small Group condition, I hypothesize that scores on the Bem Sex Role Inventory will not be associated with conformity. |
| Luis Ruiz | 2025 | Vitamin B12 as Secondary Supplementation for Acute Malnutrition in Infants and Children | Acute malnutrition has maintained its status as a public health challenge, especially in middle and low-income countries. With close ties to public health and socioeconomic status, it poses a long-term threat to the health of infants and children. Acute malnutrition is measured by three metrics: weight-for-height, middle-upper arm circumference, and the presence of edema in the lower extremities. Despite its significance, updates to treatment protocols have been limited, with the World Health Organization’s most recent guidelines dating back to 2013. Cobalamin’s evidence-based benefits and coverage as a supplement have many beneficial effects that are directly correlated with acute malnutrition recovery. From the protection of the nervous system, regulation in the production of erythrocytes, and production of adenosine triphosphate, vitamin B12 covers gaps, all of which are often compromised in children with acute malnutrition. There is growing potential for cobalamin to be incorporated into the currently available treatment options for acute malnutrition. Studies detailing cobalamin insufficiency in children and a lack of cobalamin in diets point toward the issue’s interconnectedness. With the inclusion of public health policy and government intervention, cobalamin can rise as an addition to supplementation for the recovery of acute malnutrition. These strides can further be taken into societal contexts affecting geriatric patients and other complications that arise with age. |
| Sophia Rumsey | 2026 | Risk and Reward: College Students’ Perceptions of Cannabis Use | Cannabis usage among college students remains under researched, particularly in regard to perceptions of risk. This research aims to identify cannabis perceptions among college students. Understanding these perceptions is crucial, as high usage may influence both academic performance and social experiences. This study uses a mixed-methods design, integrating quantitative survey data (on individual substance use) with qualitative insights from interviews and focus groups. Qualitative data analysis further supported trends found in quantitative data analysis. Preliminary findings suggest that students’ substance use behaviors are shaped by perceptions of risk, social norms, and social settings. In particular, students tend to underestimate the risks of cannabis. These findings emphasize the importance of cannabis education to help students make informed decisions about substance use. |
| Jaida Sabour | 2025 | Bridging the Gap: Addressing Mental Health Inequities Among Black College Students | Black students in the U.S. face significant mental health disparities, yet they are less likely to seek counseling due to stigma and cultural mistrust. This study examines how mental health-related stigma influences Black students’ willingness to seek counseling at a PWI. Using a survey-based design, participants will self-report perceptions of counseling and respond to hypothetical scenarios that manipulate the counselors race to understand their willingness to seek help. Findings will contribute to understanding how mental health stigma and structural barriers affect Black college students, with implications for improving counseling accessibility and support systems in higher education. |
| Solomon Sakakeeny-Smith | 2025 | A Synthetic Investigation of Luteoside B: A Prospective Antiviral Agent for Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) | Luteoside B is a phenylpropanoid glycoside (PPG) isolated from the African tree Markhamia lutea which has shown in vitro antiviral properties against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). RSV is the primary cause of infant hospitalization in the United States, along with being one of the leading causes worldwide. Due to the low yield and high cost of isolation from M. lutea, a synthetic pathway for luteoside B is necessary for further testing and analysis of its biological properties. Synthesis of luteoside B is presented, including preparation of the glucose core and the glycosylation of rhamnose to form a disaccharide base for future substitutions. |
| Ben Samborik | 2025 | The Financial Dynamics of Ownership Changes: Assessing Wage Bill Growth and Domestic Performance Outcomes in Europe’s Top Five Football Leagues (2013-2023) | This thesis investigates the impact ownership changes have on annual wage bills and performance outcomes across Europe’s top five football leagues. This study will evaluate whether historical transitions in club ownership – often linked with the phenomenon of “financial doping” – influence wage spending and league performance within the Premier League, Serie A, La Liga, Bundesliga, and Ligue 1 from 2013-2023. Using panel data consisting of 43 teams, this research builds on that of previous studies and utilizes fixed-effect regression models to explore the relationships between: (1) ownership changes, annual gross wage bills, and final domestic performance rankings; (2) delayed effects of ownership transitions and annual wage bill growth; and (3) ownership changes and their impact on wage bill growth through the lens of various position-ranking tiers within each domestic league. The research reveals that ownership changes’ relationship on annual wage bills and final league positions is one that is fairly weak, at least when considering the 473 observations included in my study. Likewise, ownership changes alone do not concretely lead to increases in annual wage bill growth rates, challenging narratives regarding financial doping’s credibility. It is likely that a research model with a larger time frame and scope of observations may support the extent of the role to which new ownership plays in determining player salaries and domestic performance outcomes. |
| Alicia Sang | 2025 | Feeling the Rhythm: How Bilateral Rhythmic Movements Modulate Arousal in Emotional Processing | We are testing whether engaging in bilateral rhythmic hand movements facilitates the regulation of emotional reactivity when exposed to emotion-inducing stimuli. Participants will be divided into two groups: control (no rhythm) and experimental (syncopated eighth-note rhythm). They rate images on two criteria: arousal (emotional intensity), and valence (positivity or negativity). We predict that the experimental group will report lower levels of arousal in response to the emotionally intense images, when compared to the control group. We predict that the valence reporting will remain constant across groups. |
| Chloe Santucci | 2025 | Effect of Neurotransmitter Antagonists on the Metabolism of Neonatal Sprague-Dawley Rats in Response to Hypoxia | Newborn mammals exhibit a biphasic hypoxic ventilatory response (HVR), characterized by an initial increase in ventilation (augmentation phase) followed by a secondary decrease (depression phase) toward baseline levels. Although several neurotransmitters are associated with the depression phase, it isn’t clear whether these act on the control of breathing directly or indirectly by regulating metabolic responses to hypoxia. We investigated whether three neurotransmitters, GABA, adenosine, and serotonin, have an effect on metabolic rate or the metabolic response to hypoxia, by administering drugs that block the receptors. Results indicate GABA-b neurotransmitter receptor subtypes and serotonin influence the depression of metabolic rate under hypoxic conditions. |
| Emily Scarrow | 2025 | The Evolution of the PD-L1 Pathway | The presence of PD-L1- associated genes in the Ephydatia muelleri genome was analyzed. The Homo sapien PD-L1 KEGG pathway was utilized in order to compare amino acid sequences of relevant genes to the E. muelleri genome. The most interesting finding from this research was the lack of conservation of most receptor encoding genes. The only PD-L1-associated receptor encoding gene found to be an ortholog was epidermal growth factor receptor. However, almost every module was found to be mostly conserved as they all have functions necessary for cellular processes. Ortholog gene expression analysis was also conducted and showed 6 genes facing decreases in expression throughout development while 19 faces increased expression. |
| Audrey Schane | 2025 | Building a Laser Heterodyne Radiometer for Doppler Shift Measurements of the Sun | Laser Heterodyne Radiometry (LHR) is a technique that is used to measure the spectrum of thermal light sources. It has been more recently applied to radial velocity (RV) based exoplanet detection. To learn more about exoplanets we must better understand the Sun. “Sun-as-a-star” observations allow us to observe the Sun as we do other stars. I will discuss the construction of an LHR system and show the noise characteristics and tests using a laboratory incoherent source instead of the Sun. These results are important for the future of solar measurements with this LHR system and LHR-based solar spectrometers at Bates. |
| Johannes Schwarz | 2025 | Incretin Mimetics: A Paradigm Shift in Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes and Obesity | There is a growing recognition that type 2 diabetes and obesity are not simply a result of lifestyle choices but are driven by complex physiological, genetic, and environmental factors. Therefore, newer treatments address these underlying biological mechanisms, such as dysregulated appetite, insulin resistance, and inflammation, which are not adequately targeted by conventional therapies. The introduction of tirzepatide, with its dual-agonist approach, represents an innovative strategy in treating metabolic diseases. This combination of GLP-1 and GIP receptor activation offers enhanced effects on glucose metabolism and weight loss compared to monotherapies. By investigating the binding dynamics of tirzepatide and GIPR through molecular docking, this thesis looks to gain deeper insights into the structural basis of its dual agonist activity and its implications for the treatment of metabolic disorders. |
| Liam Shlager | 2026 | The Economics of Lotteries | Our semester-long project explores the economics of lotteries, focusing on the patterns of selection of numbers by participants, and how that is or is not reflected in the winning numbers. We examine how gambler’s fallacy, the belief that a random event is more likely to occur based on previous events, also random outcomes, influences number selection and contributes to patterns in player’s choices. Specifically, we examine the patterns of winning and non-winning numbers to see how it may impact how gambler’s view odds. By understanding these psychological and behavioral factors, we aim to shed light on the broader economic implications of lotteries and gambler’s decisions. |
| Hannah Simmonds | 2025 | Differences in Respiration Rates and Survival in Pacific Oysters Across the Ploidies in the Puget Sound Region | Pacific oysters (Crassostrea gigas) are a popular choice for oyster farms across the West coast. Differences in the number of chromosome sets, which determines ploidy, have been thought to impact their survival rates under stress. Working with Dr. Craig Norrie at the University of Washington, I assisted with ongoing research on Pacific oyster survival under physiological stress. Between field data collection and lab experiments, the relationship between high temperature events, mortality rates, and respiration rates was explored. |
| Arjun Singh | 2025 | Evoking Nostalgia Through Advertising: How Childhood and Modern Advertisements and Type of Color Presentation Influence Likelihood of Purchase | This study examined how advertisement type (from a person’s childhood vs. modern) and color presentation (colorful vs. black and white) affect purchasing decisions and feelings of personal nostalgia (memories of one’s childhood experiences). Using a 2×2 between-subjects design, I hypothesized that older advertisements in black and white will evoke the highest levels of nostalgia and will influence purchase decisions more than modern, colorful ads. These findings contribute to the understanding of how advertising formats using nostalgia and color presentation influence purchasing behavior, and offer valuable ways for future marketing and advertising strategies. |
| Colton Sochia | 2025 | Diet Induced Morphological Alterations in the Neurons of the Medial Prefrontal Cortex in High-Fat Diet-Fed Mice | High-fat diets (HFD) have been linked to structural and functional changes in the brain, particularly in regions involved in cognition and executive function. This study examines the impact of long-term HFD consumption on the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) in mice. Coronal brain slices of mice fed a HFD were imaged and analyzed using Neurolucida in order to generate quantitative morphometric data, with a specific focus on dendritic morphology and neuronal integrity. Findings from this study contribute to understanding diet-induced neuroplasticity and its potential implications for cognitive decline, providing insights into how metabolic dysregulation influences brain structure at a cellular level. |
| Sierra Stark | 2025 | Exploring the Synthesis of Degradable Polyoxazoline Polymers for Biomedical Applications | Polyoxazolines have a range of biomedical applications, such as improved drug delivery capabilities and targeting specificity. This thesis explores the synthesis of a novel 8-membered cyclic carbonate precursor for anionic ring-opening polymerization to produce a degradable analog of poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline) containing a hydrolyzable carbonate group. The precursor molecule was synthesized from diethanolamine and ethyl propionate using essential organic synthesis, characterization, and purification techniques. The polymerization of the yielded molecule, along with a 2-phenyl substituted version, will be attempted using a hydroxy-linked initiator. The findings could contribute to advancements in polymer design for biomedical use. |
| Leo Sullivan | 2025 | Structural Analysis of the Ephydatia muelleri SRCR Repertoire Including Examination of Sequence Expression Patterns in Development and Algal Infection | Sponges represent the oldest extant Metazoan group, and as a result present the opportunity to learn a great deal about early animal evolution. They exhibit complex symbiotic relationships with many microbial organisms and in studying these relationships, we can gain evolutionary insight into the interactions between microbes and more complex organisms belonging to this kingdom. This study explores the Ephydatia muelleri genome, specifically looking at Scavenger Receptor Cysteine Rich (SRCR) domain – containing proteins as they are thought to play a key role in these interactions. We characterized and organized the entire SRCR repertoire according to composition and expression to identify the presence and function of domains that appear alongside SRCRs. Using this data, paired with RNAseq expression, we hypothesize the possible functions for these genes during sponge development and symbiotic interactions. |
| Elaine Sun | 2025 | Exploring the Nonlinear Optical Behavior of ZIF-8 | Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework-8 (ZIF-8) is a promising metal-organic framework (MOF) with unique structural stability and tunable electronic properties. These make it an attractive candidate for nonlinear optical (NLO) applications. In this study, we investigate ZIF-8’s NLO behavior using spectroscopy and advanced imaging cameras. By delving deep into this study, we aim to investigate ZIF-8’s potential in photonic and optoelectronic applications, which can contribute to the broader understanding of MOF-based nonlinear optics and their future integration into advanced optical technologies. |
| Olivia Szachta | 2025 | Bates Versus Bard: The Power of Familiarity on College Campus Buildings and Inattentional Blindness | Research has found a variety of factors that do, do not, or may moderate inattentional blindness (IB) rates. Hence, the current study focused on a newer factor– scenery. Participants from Bates College and Bard College did a cross line-length task, while various images of buildings from both college campuses were shown in the background. Participants then decided if they had seen images or not, and ranked their familiarity. Results hopefully will show that familiarity of the buildings decreased IB rates. Future research should continue to look at how larger stimuli, as well as familiar stimuli, can impact IB rates. |
| Joaquin Torres | 2025 | Strike a Pose: Deep Neural Networks to Estimate the Link Between Diet and Motivation | Consumption of high-fat diets, especially in adolescence, can lead to various diseases as well as neurobiological and cognitive changes. Particularly, such diets alter the mesolimbic dopaminergic system, affecting an individual’s reward processing and impulse control. Ethology, or the study of animal behavior, provides a way to investigate the link between high-fat diet and motivation. Using an operant conditioning paradigm, we observe how mice fed a high-fat diet in adolescence intentionally seek palatable food rewards in adulthood compared to standard chow-fed mice. We supplement this with a pose estimation algorithm (DeepLabCut) to determine how intentional they are with their movements and if they are learning the connection between their actions and the rewards. Using deep neural networks to accurately measure and predict the mice’s locomotion, we expect to gain a better understanding of animal behavior and further elucidate what the conditioning paradigm cannot. |
| Sam Turtle | 2025 | Using CISA-AA of Ancient Fish Proteins to Estimate Changes in Cod Trophic Position and Basal Nitrogen Sources in the Gulf of Maine Over the Last 4,400 Years | Previous nitrogen isotope studies of bulk proteins extracted from ancient Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) tissues document a 1-2‰ decrease in δ15N values over the last couple of centuries (Harris, 2011; Lueders-Dumont et al., 2018). Due to the nature of the nitrogen isotope signal in bulk proteins, this isotopic shift may be attributed to a decrease in trophic level and/or a change in baseline nitrogen in the Gulf of Maine over this time period. Here, we analyze the δ15N composition of individual amino acids from ancient cod bone collagen to tease out the relative importance of shifts in trophic level vs baseline nitrogen sources to cod diets through time. Preliminary data indicate that δ15N values of phenylalanine (“source” amino acid) extracted from cod bone collagen fluctuated over the last 4,400 years and into the modern record. This suggests that the basal nitrogen sources have shifted potentially due to hydrographic condition changes. The δ15N values of Glutamic acid (“trophic” amino acid) appear to be relatively stable prior to colonization, with a decrease in values possibly reflecting a drop in cod trophic position from overfishing during colonization. The Glutamic acid values increase again in the modern record which may be a result of management practices increasing the trophic position of Atlantic cod. More work is needed to corroborate these preliminary findings and is currently underway. |
| Ellie Tyska | 2025 | Faith, Fear, and Finality: Investigating the Relationship Between Intrinsic Religiosity and Death Anxiety Within Christianity | Religion often provides existential security, but variations in religious motivation—intrinsic versus extrinsic—may influence responses to death differently. This research evaluates whether Christians with stronger intrinsic religiosity report lower death anxiety than those with weaker faith. Using the Believers’ Death Anxiety Scale (BDAS) and the New Indices of Religious Orientation (NIRO), survey data from 100 Christian participants—of any denomination—will be analyzed. Regression analyses will clarify how individuals with deeply internalized faith experience greater existential security and reduced fear of mortality. By exploring faith’s role in mitigating death anxiety, this study has significant implications for mental health interventions, counseling, and pastoral care. |
| Ian Van Loo | 2025 | Structural Analysis of the Ephydatia muelleri SRCR Repertoire Including Examination of Sequence Expression Patterns in Development and Algal Infection | Sponges represent the oldest extant Metazoan group, and as a result present the opportunity to learn a great deal about early animal evolution. They exhibit complex symbiotic relationships with many microbial organisms and in studying these relationships, we can gain evolutionary insight into the interactions between microbes and more complex organisms belonging to this kingdom. This study explores the Ephydatia muelleri genome, specifically looking at Scavenger Receptor Cysteine Rich (SRCR) domain – containing proteins as they are thought to play a key role in these interactions. We characterized and organized the entire SRCR repertoire according to composition and expression to identify the presence and function of domains that appear alongside SRCRs. Using this data, paired with RNAseq expression, we hypothesize the possible functions for these genes during sponge development and symbiotic interactions. |
| Joseph Vann | 2025 | Investigating Tetrasubstituted Caffeoyl-Based Phenylpropanoid Glycosides as Potential Novel antibacterials | The current antibacterial resistance crisis has compounded the need for novel antibiotics. A promising source has arisen in a class of compounds called secondary metabolites produced in plants. Some secondary metabolites, phenylpropanoids (PPs) and phenylpropanoid glycosides (PPGs) have demonstrated various biological activities, including antibacterial properties. Another type of phenylpropanoid, caffeic acid, has also piqued interest due to its antibacterial promise. We aim to synthesize and evaluate tetrasubstituted caffeoyl-based phenylpropanoid glycosides against the growth of common Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Escherichia coli, respectively. |
| Cassidy Vawter | 2025 | Cerebellar Adaptation Under Cognitive Load: Exploring Multitasking in Motor Learning | The cerebellum is crucial for motor coordination and cognitive processes. This study explores how multitasking affects cerebellar adaptation during a visuomotor rotation (VMR) task, where participants adjust movements despite false visual feedback. I hypothesize that adding a cognitive load, such as pedaling, will hinder adaptation due to competing demands. The experiment will compare synchronizing hand and leg movements with focusing solely on hand movements. Results will shed light on the cerebellum’s adaptability during multitasking and its implications for motor learning strategies. They will also demonstrate the cerebellum’s ability to adapt during multitasking and generalize motor skills across contexts. |
| Anotida Viazhero | 2025 | RNA Localization in Borrelia burgdorferi Using Fluorescence in Situ Hybridization | Numerous RNA localization experiments have been conducted to identify RNA positioning in various bacterial species. However, studies on RNA localization in Borrelia burgdorferi, the causative agent of Lyme disease, remain limited. This study aims to determine RNA localization in B. burgdorferi using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Fluorescent probes will be designed to target specific RNA sequences, allowing visualization through confocal microscopy. Imaging analysis will reveal RNA distribution within the bacterium, providing insights into its spatial organization. These findings may enhance our understanding of RNA dynamics in B. burgdorferi and its potential role in bacterial pathogenesis. |
| Brandon Villalta Lopez | 2025 | Smells Like Rotten Memories: A Study of the Effect of Biological Preparedness in Suppression-Induced Forgetting | Have you ever experienced childhood flashbacks triggered by a familiar smell? Odor might be the sense that most strongly connects to memory, thanks to the way these signals travel through the brain. In some cases, biologically associated stimuli can have stronger associations (e.g. food and smell). However, deliberate suppression of memories can induce forgetting. In this experiment, participants memorize food and non-food items while being presented with an unpleasant odor, following a think/no-think paradigm (suppressing the memory of some items). Will biological preparedness protect food items presented with a rotten smell from suppression-induced forgetting? |
| George Wan | 2025 | Introduction of Hydrolizable Enol Ether linkages into PEG via Oxidative C-H Bond Functionalization | This presentation aims to explore the degradable functionalization of polyethylene glycol (PEG), a commodity polymer most commonly used in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industry. While beneficial in its applications, PEG is known for being non-biodegradable. Despite it not being toxic, the accumulation of a polymer is never ideal. Thus, this thesis will explore novel synthesis methods of degradable functional groups to PEG. |
| Katie Watt | 2025 | Impact of Drought and Salt on the 3D Chromatin Structure in Soybean | Drought and salt are some of the most harmful stressors for soybeans. This research studies how salt and drought stress impact the 3D chromatin structure in soybeans and other physiological characteristics. Chromatin structure can change so that different genes are more easily accessed for transcription, which influences the genes that can be expressed. The purpose of the thesis is to see how salt and drought stress alter the three-dimensional structure of chromatin, and therefore the accessibility of genes for gene expression. This work could be used to better understand how to genetically engineer soybeans that are more resistant to climate change variables. |
| Sammy Weidenthal | 2027 | Anthropology and Indigenous Peoples: Bates College and Possession in the Dawnland | For the 2025 Mount David Summit, our class will contribute to a wider conversation regarding Bates College’s role in Wabanaki land dispossession, or more simply, how it is that we learn and live in the place that we do. By creating the structure for this research in a collaborative fashion, we aim to reset the precedent of individualistic research in favor of a more holistic, community-oriented study of the Dawnland and the ways in which Wabanaki peoples have been categorized and displaced within their homeland. Through exploring “Indian Deeds” and the college’s administrative policies over time, we will analyze the shift from Indigenous concepts of common ownership to colonial property systems. This project examines power, accountability, and decision-making in relation to Indigenous histories in the Dawnland, specifically at Bates. |
| Julia White | 2025 | Optical Frequency Comb Stabilization as a Frequency Reference | Measuring optical frequencies is critical in modern physics, impacting atomic clocks, spectroscopy, and astronomy. Frequency combs are a special class of laser that revolutionized the measurement of these frequencies by working as an optical “ruler”. I constructed an er:fiber mode-locked frequency comb, stabilizing the carrier envelope offset frequency and repetition rate by configuring and optimizing servo loops. RF and optical spectra measurements document comb performance. Allan deviations analyzed stability, demonstrating optical frequency control of 10-8. I locked the RIO laser to an H13C14N transition, improving stability. This comb will be used as a reference in precision laser spectroscopy experiments. |
| Lauren White | 2025 | Inhibitory Control in Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorder and ADHD | Deficits in executive functioning, an umbrella which includes prepotent response inhibition, are commonly encountered by people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). ADHD comorbidity might play a role in response inhibition issues. In this study, the Flanker task and the AQ-10 will be administered online to samples of ASD adults, ASD/ADHD adults, and neurotypical adults. We believe that the ADHD/ASD group will have worse inhibitory control than the control or ASD-only groups. Looking at these mechanisms might provide insight into how occupational therapists should approach ASD/ADHD clients who struggle with related issues such as impulsivity. |
| Nicole Wiegmann | 2025 | Determining rpoS mRNA Secondary Structure for BosR Binding: Predicted Results of Structure Mapping Assay | The transmission of B. burgdorferi, the bacteria that causes Lyme Disease, from its arthropod vector to its vertebrate host is regulated by a complex network of genes. The Rrp2-RpoN-RpoS pathway is the key regulatory mechanism for the bacteria’s transmission, controlling hundreds of essential virulence genes. Borrelia Oxidative Stress Regulatory Protein (BosR) has been identified as playing an essential post-transcriptional role in this pathway, acting as an RNA binding protein that controls rpoS mRNA decay, but its exact mechanism remains unknown. It has yet to be determined how exactly BosR binds to rpoS mRNA and what structural effects it has. This thesis outlines a future structure mapping experiment that will be conducted to determine the secondary folding patterns of rpoS mRNA. The results of this assay are predicted using the centroid structure determined by RNAfold. The hope is that if this experiment can provide an understanding of rpoS mRNA structure, this knowledge can act as a foundation for determining BosR’s binding and mechanism of action in controlling rpoS expression. |
| Drew Williams | 2025 | Framing Value: A Mixed-Methods Analysis of Economic Valuation of Non-Use Value and Pro-Environmental Behavior | The current work uses an experimental design with random assignment to extend the literature on the use of ecosystem services valuation (ESV) to promote conservation, with a focus on both monetary and non-monetary support of the United States National Park Service (USNPS). We use an online survey experiment to test whether the type of value (use or non-use) used to characterize the benefits of the resource, as well as the presence of ESV information, affects attitudes and behaviors toward United States National Parks. We find that participants exposed to the non-use framing condition were willing to pay more in taxes to fund national parks compared to those in the use framing condition. Adding ESV information to the use-value condition returns taxation support to levels comparable to those in the non-use value condition. We then conduct a series of five focus groups to elicit reactions to and attitudes toward different framing techniques. We find that appeals related to preservation for future generations spark greater emotional connection and are more effective than emphasizing the benefits of current use. This work contributes to our understanding of how different message frames influence public support for conservation efforts and provides recommendations for designing policies that effectively use these frames to encourage greater civic engagement in environmental protection. |
| Anise Williams | 2025 | Social Dominance Orientation and Race: How Social Dominance Orientation Shapes Memory Recall? | The accuracy of eyewitness memory recall is essential in criminal investigations, but it is often influenced by cognitive and social biases. This study seeks to explore if Social Dominance Orientation (SDO), a measure of favorability toward group-based hierarchy, could indicate biases in eyewitness memory. Specifically, it examines whether individuals with higher SDO are more likely to misremember details if shown objects, particularly with Black or White perpetrators. This study aims to investigate the potential relationship between SDO, racial bias, and eyewitness memory recall. |
| Fiona Wilson | 2025 | Impact of Urbanization on Carnivore Species in Lewiston, Maine | Mesocarnivores exhibit an ability to adapt to anthropogenic landscapes and coexist with humans in urban environments. To study how mesocarnivores utilize urban areas, 36 camera traps were installed in Lewiston, Maine, USA and the surrounding area to collect population data of coyotes, gray foxes, and fishers. Placement of camera trap stations were classified as urban or rural and capture rate of each species was calculated between the two ecosystem types. Coyotes showed an even distribution between urban and rural areas while gray foxes and fishers displayed a significant preference for urban areas over rural areas, indicating tolerance for anthropogenic landscapes. |
| Yuna Wu | 2025 | The Differential Effects of Choice Overload on Maximizers’ and Satisficers’ Information Search Performance | This study examines the differential effects of choice overload on maximizers and satisficers using an incentivized standard choice task (Caplin et al., 2011). Participants completed decisions involving numerical calculations under varying choice set sizes, with objective performance measured by absolute loss—the difference between the best option and the chosen option. Results will determine whether choice overload impairs decision performance and whether maximizers’ and satisficers’ strategies lead to differing outcomes. I hypothesize that maximizers will experience greater subjective distress but achieve superior objective performance, whereas satisficers may demonstrate reduced stress but perform worse when faced with excessive options. |
| Bessie Yang | 2025 | Synthesis and Characterization of Inorganic Blue Pigments | The most common inorganic blue pigment contains cobalt, a toxic metal with serious social and environmental issues. Therefore, in my thesis, I investigated inorganic blue pigments of different starting materials and various crystal structures to better understand and propose future trajectories in developing safe and stable pigments. |
| Natnael Yaregal | 2025 | Synthesis and Biochemical Evaluation of Caffeoyl-Based Phenylpropanoid Glycosides for Potential Antiviral Activity | COVID 19, caused by the rapidly mutating SARS-CoV-2 virus, has had devastating global consequences, highlighting the need for effective antiviral strategies. A key step in infection is the interaction between the viral spike protein and the human ACE2 receptor, making it a promising treatment target. Phenylpropanoid glycosides (PPGs), plant derived compounds with antioxidant and antiviral properties, are of particular interest. Caffeic acid (CA), a component of many PPGs, has shown antiviral activity. This study aims to synthesize a library of caffeoyl based PPGs and evaluate their ability to block spike ACE2 binding using ELISA. Findings may contribute to novel antiviral agents targeting viral entry mechanisms. |
| Mohammad Zayd | 2027 | Influence of the Plant Hormone Strigolactone on Plant Stress and Development | Strigolactones are hormones produced by the plant to regulate many aspects of plant development and are released into the soil for external interactions with other organisms. They are also implicated to have functions in resistance to environmental stress such as drought and heat. Within this research project, we want to test how this plant hormone will affect the plant Arabidopsis’s response to repeated heat stress. The physical and visible effects on plant growth will be analyzed, along with how a wild type and a mutant gene involved with heat stress respond to this plant hormone. |
| Paul Zhou | 2025 | Age-Related Implicit Cerebellar Motor Learning | There is a stereotype that “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks,” but how much does motor skill learning really change as we age? The current study explored age-related differences in unconscious motor learning. Thirty-four older adults (Mage = 76.79 years) and forty-nine (Mage = 18.94 years) younger participants engaged in a task where the movement of a computer cursor deviated from hand movements, driving unconscious changes in movements to correct for the deviation. Older adults unconsciously learned more than younger participants, suggesting that related brain parts are enhanced with age. |
| Liang Kun Zhu | 2027 | Methods of Dealing Wasted Oyster Shells | Oyster shells have already been utilized for thousands of years in Southern China region for traditional constructions. However, this way of recycling cannot be applied for most areas. Nowadays, with rapidly increase of oyster fishery and consuming, the scale of wasted oyster shells increases at the same speed. These shells are not only polluted the coasts environment, but also increase the amount of carbon emission due to impropriate trashes treatments. This survey is mainly focus on how some already existed methods of recycling and reusing of oyster shells can decrease the threat of wasted shells to environment, and how to improve the potential benefits of oyster shells so that they can be better utilized. |