Research Event

May 9, 10, 11, 12 13 & 14th
Abstracts
African American Studies

Title: “The Civil Rights Cases of 1883: Deep Ripples in the American Political Sphere”
Student Name: Corey Dixon-Weekes
Class Standing: Senior
Faculty: Prof. Jessica Gordon Nembhard
Department: African American Studies
Format: PowerPoint
My submission is a critical examination of the decision and dissent of 109 U.S. 3, also known as
The Civil Rights Cases of 1883, which rendered unconstitutional the first two sections of the
Civil Rights Act of 1875. I consider as well the repercussions of the Supreme Court of the United
State's ruling through the following 128 years. In my essay I examine both Bradley's opinion and
Harlan's dissent using both as springboards for the construction of extended personal arguments
in support of the opinion and the dissent. In proving the pervasiveness of this decision upon U.S.
policy I continue with an examination of the continuing effect of 109 U.S. 3 in our history as a
motivator of cases to come from Plessy v. Ferguson only thirteen years later to the surprisingly
recent invocation of the decision in the 2000 case of United States v. Morrison which rendered
an important section of the 1994 Violence Against Women Act unconstitutional.
In examining the distant and near examples of the dismissal of attempts to protect minority
interests within our country I display the manner in which enforcement of the egalitarian spirit is
consistently harried. The perhaps random and superficial application of the fight between state’s
rights and federalism leaves those most in need of attention beyond the reach of both parties,
state and nation, in limbo.
*
Title: The Transformation of African Religion in Haiti
Student name: Latoya Coldwell
Class standing: Senior
Faculty: Prof. Issac Xerxes Malki
Format: PowerPoint
This paper will explore how Haitian voodoo is not a syncretic merge of two religions but instead
consists of a symbiotic relationship. I will first give some historical information about the
different African ethnic groups that came to Haiti and what kind of religious identity they
brought with them. I will discuss how the imported peoples of Africa came to the island of
Hispaniola and started a new religious identity. In addition, I will examine the uses of Catholic
religious symbols used during the voodoo ceremony and the important roles that the Virgin
Mary, the different saints, and the altar play within the voodoo religion.
Second, this paper will discuss the similar dress code of the catholic ceremonies, and voodoo
rituals. It will focus on how important these two religions are to the Haitian people and why they
feel it is important to practice both religions with equal respect and loyalty. This paper will also
discuss the ceremonial structure within the voodoo religion.
Last, voodoo has traveled from Africa, to Haiti, to the United States never changing its close
relationship to Catholicism and the voodoo identity. Now that it has become a legal religion/
religious identity in the nation of Haiti. It can be sure that the voodoo religion will become even
more influential in Haiti.
Title: Water Rights: The Politics and Business of Water

Student name: Simone Smillie
Faculty: Prof. Issac Xerxes Malki
Format: PowerPoint
Water management is a key step in combating worldwide water shortages. Water is not an
infinite resource which most people believe. Only about one percent of the world's water is
accessible to use for all our daily needs but nearly one billion people lack access to safe water.
However, do international organizations like the WB/IMF effectively address the issue of access
to water by suggesting countries to privatize their water supply? Nevertheless, my research
question: do the policies of the IMF/WB conflict with the human right to water?
My paper will be focused on various regions because I picked several countries such as Bolivia
as case study to measure the success or failure of water privatization. My research compared and
contrasted different cases which critique the pros and cons of water privatization. I analyzed the
countries looking for case studies in which water privatization worked, did not work, and another
case that was in the middle, with some success and failure. The measurement being used in my
case study is the success of the private water companies meaning did they make the people better
or worse off, consequences the country faced by not following through on their water contract by
the international organizations and the tactics the IMF/WB use to corner countries into an
agreement. I showed that there is a negative trend in the privatization of water utilities followed
by the implementation of IMF/WB policy which indicates the ineffectiveness of their policy
which I hypothesized. The theory I applied is the Marxist theory where water is being exploited
as a commodity through capitalism and class conflict.
Anthropology
Title: “Public Perception of the NYPD Stop and Frisk Program”
Student name: Emily Joseph
Class standing: Junior
Faculty: Prof. R. Terry Furst
Department: Anthropology
Format: PowerPoint
The purpose of this research is to ascertain the public’s experience with the New York Police
Department (NYPD) Stop and Frisk program and describe their views of the program. The data
were gathered through student-conducted intercept interviews containing both open- and closed-
ended questions in New York City’s five boroughs. To ensure research subjects were ethically
protected, all student interviewers completed the on-line Collaborative Institutional Training
Initiative (CITI) respondent protection course offered by CUNY. Respondents were qualified as
eligible to be interviewed only if they knew what the NYPD Stop & Frisk program is and could
verify how they knew about the program. Survey questions included: Have you ever been
stopped by the police? If yes, how many times have you been stopped? Do you think the Stop &
Frisk program has reduced crime in your neighborhood? What crimes do you think it has
reduced? Would you advocate stopping the program? Do you believe that police officers have
quotas to fill in this program? Do you think some people in the neighborhood are more likely to
be stopped than others? While the data are not representative of public opinion, the purposeful
selection of interviewees provides new information about public perception of the NYPD Stop &
Frisk policy and effectiveness. Ongoing analysis attempts to determine the views of those who
have been stopped and their approval of the Stop & Frisk Program. In addition, analysis
endeavors to shed light on the public’s belief on whether the NYPD has a quota system.
*
Art
Title: What are you?
Student name: Marisa Simon
Class standing: BA/MA
Faculty: Prof. Roberto Visani
Department: Art & Music
Format: Original Artwork (Approximately 32”x 38” - Clay, Mirror, and Plywood)
Throughout my life I have been asked the question, “What are you?” Due to my racial
background the answer is not readily apparent. But aren’t we more than the sum of our parents
nationalities? Is that all that we are? This work is representative of my feelings about my
heritage, and also my belief that we are each unique souls that are infinitely connected.
*
Title: Castelo Branco
Faculty: Prof. Cyriaco Lopes
Format: Original Artwork (Approximately 20” x 20” – Framed Silver Gelatin Print)
Photographed while residing in the Azores; an island chain off the coast of Portugal, this piece
shows my ambivalence about living in a foreign culture. The arched window is representative of
the long cultural history the islanders I met were able to reflect upon. The graffiti shows the clash
which modernity has brought upon a culture which has experienced more than 3 out of 4 of its
youth emigrating to America or Europe at their first opportunity.
Title: Art Critique – Art 299

Student name: Marian Bencea, Sheila Briggs, Nancy Burton, Sidra Choudhry, Michelle
Chumpitaz, Renee Edison-Kaplan, Marcia Godosky, Violetta Kamelgarn-Greer, Rachel Lindell,
Cheyenne Lloyd, Giovanni Lorusso, Veronica Martinez, Stephan Velez, Marisa Simon
Class standing: Senior, Senior, Non-degree, Senior, Sophomore, Non-degree, Non-degree,
Sophomore, Senior, Senior, Sophomore, Sophomore, Senior
Faculty: Prof. Roberto Visani
Format: Sculpture
*
Communication and Theatre Arts

Title: Improv 115
Student Name: Kristin Antonelle, Ashley Ali, Annice Auriemma, Dorri Benjamin, Larry
Campos, Greg Conlon, Joseph DeSantola, José Dominicci, Hipolito Duran, Jose Espinal, Kelley
Gottschall, Melissa Harvin, Anthony Huayta, Donald Jacobs, Helen Lara, Taylor-Monique
McKay, Martin Panek, Regina Sheeran, Anirica Taveras, Jonathan Torres, Kareema Watkins,
Bradley Williams
Class standing: Senior, Freshman, Sophomore, Senior, Freshman, Freshman, Freshman,
Sophomore, Senior, Sophomore, Freshman, Senior, Sophomore, Freshman, Freshman,
Freshman, Freshman, Senior, Freshman, Freshman, Freshman, Freshman
Faculty: Prof. Meghan Duffy
Department: Communication & Theatre Arts
Format: Creative Performance
This is an end of the semester performance for Professor Duffy’s Improv 115 class that shows
off what we have learned about improvisation and theatre. Our goal in our performance is to
show our fellow students and onlookers the importance of theatre, play, and performance play in
the lives of the students. We aim to show that improvisation is fun and productive, and it allows
you to express yourself in a new and interesting way. We will be performing in the cafeteria
using no more than the lights in the room, the stage, and our own wits, with no pre planned script
or significant planning in our routines. The class is also made up of amateur actors who haven’t
performed on the stage before, but have decided to throw away our “judging specters” in order to
grow as individuals. We wish to show everyone the joy that we have obtained through
improvisation to the John Jay community.
Title: Birth of Imagination

Student name: Pedro Morel, Julieta Dalmazzo, Shyann Ferguson, Martine Merceron, Kenneth
Beattie, Silky Gajwani, Dimal Basha, Pedro Morillo Jr., Emmanuel Pena,
Class standing: Senior, Junior, Senior, Senior, Junior, Freshman, Senior, Senior, Junior
Faculty: Prof. Meghan Duffy
Improvisation is an art that can be done by anyone. Our performance takes back the art of
American improvisation to its roots in social work and experiential learning. It helps release
stress, makes people become aware of their environment, and supports individuals in overcoming
personal and social obstacles. We plan on using the art of improvisation to educate and entertain
viewers in a different way which has rarely been presented within John Jay College. Within our
presentation we will deal with topics that are relevant to both students and faculty within the
college. Every act is created to include members of our audience. No script will be use during
our performance, this helps to maintain the basic idea of improvisation. The show will be fun,
but at the same time it will sent viewers an important message.
Title: The Hijabi Monologues

Student name: Norhan Basuni, Tatian Biess, Sonia Chowdhury, Laura Galeano, Rabiah Gul,
Rochel Horowitz, Smantha Lawrence, Natalia Lysetska, Audriane Moss, Yanice Santos, Carla
Scollo, Katherine Vargas, Janaya Williams
Class Standing: Senior, Freshman, Graduate, Freshman, Freshman, Senior, Senior,
Senior, Senior, Junior, Sophomore, Junior, Senior
Faculty: Prof. Lorraine Moller
Format: Performance
The Hijabi Monologues is an collection of stories that portray the experiences of American
Muslim women with humor and poignancy. Unlike Eve Ensler’s production, The Vagina
Monologues, which gives voice to a private aspect of women’s lives, The Hijabi Monologues
takes something public, the hijab or headscarf, and gives the audience a lens through which to
view assumptions about American Muslim women and Islam. The stories cover a range of
experiences from a traumatic search by the FBI, to the awkward and sometimes hilarious
response of men who flirt with hijabi women.
The cast consists of American Muslim and non-Muslim students. The Hijabi Monologues by
playwright, Sahar Ishtiaque Ullah, is produced and directed by Professor Moller, Department of
Communication and Theatre Arts. This theatrical production is part of a larger effort to increase
awareness about Islam entitled, Mosques, Veils and Madrassas: Muslims and Institutions of
Justice in Pluralistic Societies.”
*
Title: Acting II: A Scene Competition
Student name: Kenneth Beattie, Sabrina Blount, Louis Caputo, Kevin Cheng, Frederic De La
Rosa Jr., Jose Espinal, Tenaj Fontus, Ethlyn Frempong,Usman Ghafoor, Edwin Hernandez,
Rochel Horowitz, Kristen Hutcheinson, Konstant Kapelonis, Gabriell Lascano, Samantha
Lawrence, Natalia Lysetska,
Freda Manning, Manolo Morales, Pedreo Morel, Charlie nunez, Bianca Rodriguez, Milena
Seecoomar, Gabriel Torres
Class sanding: Junior, Junior, Freshman, Junior, Sophomore, Sophomore, Junior, Sophomore,
Junior, Senior, Senior, Senior, Freshman, Sophomore, Senior, Senior, Senior, Junior, Senior,
Junior, Senior, Junior, Sophomore
Faculty: Prof. Lorraine Moller
Format: Performance
As a culminating activity of DRA214 Acting II, students will present contemporary and 20th
Century scenes from established plays to compete for Best Overall Performance. Ten scenes
presented from comedy and drama will be performed. Two respondents will judge the scenes
using a set criterion which includes believability, physicalization, concentration and technique.
Criminal Justice
Student name: Stanislav Sazonov
Class standing: Graduate
Faculty: Prof. Andrew Karmen
Department: Sociology/Criminal Justice
Format: Presentation
This masters thesis in criminal justice investigated the extent that street gang members have
entered the U.S. armed forces. The research questions included: which gangs are present in the
military, what bases have experienced the most incidents, and what is the military doing about
this problem?
Student name: Sara Salzinger

This masters thesis in criminal justice is examining the growth and development of restorative
justice programs. Through the use of a survey and phone interviews, the research questions that
will be addressed include whether over the years the programs have broadened the kinds of cases
that they handle by bringing victims and offenders together.
*
Student name: Iris Hill

This masters thesis in criminal justice is analyzing how the introduction of “STARS” – a
management approach similar to the NYPD’s “Compstat” transformed the operations of the New
York City Department of Probation during the years that John Jay Prof. Martin Horn was the
commissioner.
Student name: Dimas Cortez

This masters thesis in criminal justice examines the changes that have taken place in the Mott
Haven neighborhood of the South Bronx. Veteran police officers, long-time residents, long
serving teachers, and local store owners were interviewed and asked to compare the “bad old
days” of the late 1980s and early 1990s to the much safer current conditions in this gentrifying
community, and they volunteered some surprising responses.
Student name: Hideki Aida

This masters thesis in criminal justice explores the attitudes held by NYPD officers about police
auxiliaries, and the opinions of auxiliaries about the NYPD by analyzing the postings on a law
enforcement oriented website. The sources of conflict and the grounds for cooperation are
identified in this content analysis of comments uploaded by these two groups.
Student name: Vishal Mukherjee

This masters thesis in criminal justice examines last fall’s ballot initiative in California to
legalize marihuana. The research questions include which groups voted for and against the
proposition, and why.
Student name: Lisa Merling

This masters thesis in criminal justice compares the gang problem in the United States to the
gang problem in Romania. It will focus on the “Roma” (“gypsies”) to see if negative stereotypes
have any basis in fact.
Student name: Clemmy Eneas-Varence

This masters thesis in criminal justice will identify apparently successful treatment modalities for
sex offenders in the United States. Then the researcher will ask knowledgeable criminal justice
officials in the Bahamas about their opinions about whether these various alternative treatment
approaches intended to address the problems of sex offenders should be implemented in that
country.
Student name: Robert Thursland

This masters thesis in criminal justice carries out a cost-benefit analysis of the NYPD’s Police
Cadet program. The research question will be determine if these college-educated officers who
entered the force in 1990 rose through the ranks to sergeant at a faster rate than their police
academy peers who were not cadets.
Title: Bail in New York and Pakistan

Student name: Sadaf Durrani
This masters thesis in criminal justice will examine a number of common and distinct features in
the bail systems of the United States (and New York City in particular) and Pakistan. The
comparative analysis of the two systems will provide an opportunity to discover not only the
similarities and dissimilarities existing in the two systems, but will help to identify the best and
the worst features of the two systems as well. Thus this study will result in some important
policy recommendations for the revision and the improvement of the bail system in New York
City as well as Pakistan.
Student name: Cem Sekerci

This masters thesis in criminal justice looks at the complex laws and international agreements
that have been passed in the past few decades to thwart attempts to finance terrorist activities. In
particular, the degree of compliance with these regulations by the governments of the United
States and of Turkey are the focus of attention.
Student name: Allie Levy

This masters thesis in criminal justice will examine how victims are drawn into Ponzi schemes.
In particular, it will focus on how the victim’s membership in a community is exploited by the
white collar scammer.

This masters thesis in criminal justice will explore the possibility that first time non-violent
offenders who are incarcerated may suffer experiences that bring about post-traumatic stress
disorder (PTSD). Knowledgeable mental health professionals in the New York City jail system
will be interviewed to determine whether PTSD is a problem among the inmates in their
institutions.
Student name: Iyeda Smith

This masters thesis in criminal justice will perform an analysis of the lives of ten leading African
American men who have written books about their lives that detail their childhood hardships
leading to their involvement in street crime, and the ways they were able to abandon those self-
defeating behaviors in order to achieve success in their chosen fields. The research question is
who or what changed the trajectory of these young men’s lives?
Student name: Marin Kurti

This masters thesis in criminal justice is entitled “Where There's Smoke, There's Fire: The Illegal
Cigarette Market in the South Bronx.” The South Bronx is one of the poorest districts in the
United States with 38% of persons living below the poverty level. It also has the highest rates of
adult and youth smokers in New York City. Thus, this research uses litter pack data, the
collection of discarded cigarette packs, conducted in representative census tracts, to estimate
what proportion of cigarettes smoked in the South Bronx were illegally smuggled in and
unlawfully sold in that neighborhood.
Student name: Lee Mather

This masters thesis in criminal justice attempts to answer the research question: how do
teenagers obtain marihuana. Based on interviews with John Jay undergraduates who
acknowledged smoking marihuana, the researcher will be able to estimate the proportion who
obtain their supply from family and friends as opposed to “dealers” and other relative strangers.
Student name: Ian Stuart

This masters thesis in criminal justice examines how misbehavior in school has been
criminalized and now is handled as a police matter leading to arrest as well as suspension or
expulsion. A public high school to prison pipeline has developed. Alternative ways to address
misbehavior will be proposed.
Student name: Ami Oded

This completed masters thesis examined what people think about “community service.” Three
groups were asked their opinions: petty offenders who were ordered to perform community
service, probation officers who supervised them, and John Jay College grad students who studied
criminal justice issues.
*
Student name: Asha Panduranga
This masters thesis in criminal justice examines the history and evolution of the New York City
Civilian Complaint Review Board (CCRB). The focus will include the controversies surrounding
the agency’s operations and the current challenges that the agency is facing.
*
Student name: Valerie Fite Tallent
This masters thesis in criminal justice explores the reasons why women who have been victims
of sexual violence do not come forward and report their ordeals to the police. In particular, the
research focuses on the situational factors prevailing in a small rural community in the southeast,
where victims were interviewed about their decisions not to report the sex crimes committed
against them.
*
Economics
Title: Sustainability Indicators for John Jay
Student name: Liliya Kozak, Simone Smillie, Stefan Williams
Class standing: Senior, Senior, Junior
Faculty: Prof. Joan Hoffman
Department: Economics
Format: Posters (2)
Sustainable development concerns every living organism on this planet. John Jay College has a
sustainability committee to help the College reduce its carbon Footprint. Our team is focusing
on developing two types of indicators to help inform, engage and guide the College community
in this endeavor. Our draft indicators will be for a single year. Hopefully the College community
will build on this work to track indicators over time.
Our first indicator measures John Jay’s performance on the nine CUNY- wide sustainability
goals (energy, water, transportation, recycling, procurement, nutrition, curriculum, student and
staff engagement and communication). We shall select three components for each of the nine
sustainability goals, and identify a baseline and standard of goal attainment for each. Each of the
initial nine indicators will be a bar showing the simple weighted average of the three
components. We hope that work by the sustainability committee, and faculty and students in
other classes will lead to the further development of this indicator.
Our second indicator would track and reveal the components of the College’s carbon footprint.
This indicator would be a single bar graph of total emissions which identifies the different
emission sources. (E.g.: energy use, waste generation, consumption of products). We are
proposing that some of the measurements for this indicator would be done as projects by students
on campus. One example would be exercises in math classes.
We hope that our contribution services as a building block for a healthier, greener, more
sustainable campus.
English
Title: “Here Comes the Blog”
Student name: John Sodaro
Faculty: Professor Alexa Capeloto
Department: English
Format: PowerPoint
The Digital Journalism independent study class has made an old school newspaper reader into a
believer in the blog. With this class I have been able widen my journalistic psyche and see that
typing a URL to get specific information is more effective and faster than flipping through a
newspaper. The most important part of this class is the way it has convinced me to always look
to new and innovative ways to convey a message to an audience.
Digital Journalism has had the class create a blog site that we maintain through the semester with
a journalistic approach to a specific idea. My idea came from life experience. In April, my wife
and I are expecting are first baby and I created an expectant father blog to show our ups and
downs while also providing information to other expectant fathers to lesson their anxiety. My
skepticism about maintaining a blog like this was quickly subdued when I received
overwhelmingly good feed back on the idea from an unexpected audience, 18-24 year old
college men(most of which are not looking at fatherhood in the near future). With this “thumbs
up”, I proceeded.
Working on the blog has been tremendous for me. I won my wife over with the idea because she
was overwhelmed with my eagerness to participate in the nine month saga, and along the way
have won over a rough crowd with my post, current and former United States Marines, who
don’t like to show too much emotion. The greatest gift is that of learning about what my wife’s
going through and also explaining my emotions as the journey has come along. The theme of the
blog is great because after the birth of my son, I can change the material from “expectant dad” to
plain “dad”.
Blog: Here Comes the Jet, at herecomesthejet.wordpress.com
Title: “Mrs. Vegetarian Blogs”

Student name: John Sodaro
Faculty: Professor Alexa Capeloto
Department: English
Format: PowerPoint
Blogging for English 393 has changed my perspective on digital media. It has shown me that
there is an array of social media outlets, and we can bridge a connection between these social
outlets and our daily lives. It was through this understanding that I decided to create a blog that
can meet the journalistic requirements of English 393 and apply it towards my personal
experiences.
Inspired by my husband’s activism and his ideologies, I decided to create a vegetarian blog. My
blog focuses on vegetarians in New York struggling to find suitable grocery products at
affordable prices. English 393 gave me the tools to create a blog with an easy to use interface,
and I added the personality that allows my blog to live and breathe in the social media world. At
times it can be difficult to make my blog appealing, but everyday English 393 teaches me new
and entertaining digital programs that keep my vegetarian audience interested.
Blog: Mrs. Vegetarian, at mrsvegetarian.wordpress.com
Title: Navigating Toni Morrison’s Paradise

Student name: Javier Cotto, Desiree Mathurin, Alexandria Morris, John Sodaro,
Sean Whetstone
Class standing: Junior, Junior, Junior, Senior, Junior
Faculty: Prof. Bettina Carbonell
Department: English
Format: PowerPoint
Title: Manmatha
Student name: Josephine Chumpitaz
Class standing: Sophomore
Faculty: Prof. Adam McKible
Department: English
Format: Original Artwork
Manmatha is a portrayal of R.K Narayan’s beloved yet tortured character, Sita, of the shortened
prose The Ramayana. The painting is acrylic on canvas, with a special homage to surrealistic
technique. Sita is poised while engulfed in the undulating flames that will reveal to her rescuer
and husband, Rama, that she will restore his untainted perception of her. Sita’s character is
shaped during her experiences in exile with Rama, whose obligations are adherent to a policy of
absolute justice and honor. Rama’s concept of justice will eventually undergo a major shift, as
both his sense of leadership to the Ikshvahu race, his emotional pride, and Sita’s captivity are
juxtaposed. Despite having been held captive by Rama’s persistent tormentor, Ravana, enduring
the bellowing of Ravana’s army of Rakshasa’s, and bearing the humiliation of rejection by
Rama, Sita continued to endure a life in trial. Her trial by fire exemplifies the manifestation of
Manmatha, that is, the god of love. Through out the text Manmatha is scolded by Rama in his
ashram (dwelling place) and by Sita as she suffered the pangs of love and longing. Manmatha’s
very presence in the lives of Sita, Rama, and Ravana is essentially what stirred the captivity of
Sita. The catalyst to Sita’s caitifdom is illustrated by Mareecha, the golden deer which Rama
attempts to slay for Sita’s affection. Mareecha, wed to self preservation, is protected by a gas
mask from the mushroom cloud that elevates from the crown of Sita’s calcined carcass.
Title: Normality, Erotic Desires and Ethics in Katherine Dunn’s Geek Love
Student name: Adriana Beach
Faculty: Prof. Olivera Ojokic
Department: English
Format: PowerPoint
In her unique novel Geek Love, Katherine Dunn creates a representation of a family in which
children whose bodies are abnormal—deformed—live in a normal world. The fact that these
characters’ abnormalities were intentionally created by the characters’ parents makes interesting
not only their personal histories, but also their actions and emotions.
These characters are physically different than the outside world, but their emotions seem to be
the same as those in humans whose bodies are conventional. Katherine Dunn places recognizable
emotions and interactions (sibling rivalry, jealousy, parental love, children’s resentment,
codependence) within the lives of these deformed characters. The similarities the characters
share with the world from which they are supposed to be different make the reader question what
normality is. Is the definition of normal static or volatile, and who has the power to make this
distinction? This paper will argue that the questions elicited by the novel about the conventions
and boundaries of normality are philosophical questions about the relationship between egotism,
erotic desires and ethics.
Title: Ethical Egotism in Dangerous Liaisons

Student name: Anamika Kumari
Department: English
Format: PowerPoint
The characters of Marquise de Merteuil and Vicomte de Valmont in Dangerous Liaisons by

Choderlos De Laclos can be read as representations of the idea of ethical egotism.
Merteuil frequently brags about how she has made herself strong and how no one can be like her.
In letter 81, the reader can clearly see that she claims how important it is for women to be able to
detach oneself from emotions so they can play the game of gender with more power. For this
reason, she can be seen as a strong, feminist character who has very unconventional views on
how women should behave. However, despite her argument for women's power, her views can
be considered unethical because they are tainted by her egotism. Her letters become an archive
which proves her manipulation and shows that her ethical principles can actually have a negative
effect on women.
Valmont, on the other hand, is vain about his power to manipulate women because he understand
the weaknesses women have and Merteuil describes. He plays his games carefully and shows
that he understands how to make women fall for him. A crucial point of agreement between
Merteuil and Valmont is that they both know these rules, and she knows that he knows how to
play the game. Valmont also shares his helpful advice about love with Danceny, a young man
without experience, and at the same time he is trying to get Presidente de Tourvel, a woman of
high moral principles, to sleep with him. His letters and his actions are always hypocritical.
Despite their claims to power and their temporary triumphs, these characters' egotism is their
downfall by the end of the novel. Although we get to admire their cunning and their strategies,
the novel ultimately suggests that ethical extremes such as these would be punished by society.
Title: Business of Family: Why We Need Love, according to Geek Love

Student name: Benjamin Passikoff
Department: English
Format: PowerPoint
Katherine Dunn’s novel Geek Love is a book about a family who constantly seem to be in dire
situations. The family is pushed to such extremes that their relationships are warped. They have
different values than “normal” people do, but it is not because they are physically different. Their
physical attributes exclude them from participating in normal society because people will not
accept them. They are attacked and threatened.
Their exclusion from society is not by their own volition, and yet, they have to participate in it
that society the same way everyone else does in one sense, capitalistically that is. They must earn
a living, and they do so by maintaining a freak show for the “normal” people. This essay shows
that they are forced to commodify their own family members and each other and that capitalism
is the cause of most of the required commercialization.
They must adhere to economic necessity, living in a capitalist society, and yet, being socially
alienated, their jobs are much more difficult. Katherine Dunn has used this family to tell not
merely a social story but an economic one as well. Moral values are established in interactions
with other people. Successful human interaction, especially in the United States, is linked to
economic prosperity, and the contradiction of this family’s state of being is that they are not
worthy of interaction with regular people, but they must be if they want to survive. Their
economical worth is directly related to the family’s success, and their love for each other is
equated to their economic value as members of the freak show.
The moral values of this family’s members are thereby melded, whereas a regular person has
independent sympathetic and economic values. However, that is why this is an important book. It
is not a story of fascist capitalism or a cautionary tale of consumption, but instead, an example of
the very problem that presents itself when the possibilities of moral judgment are confined within
the limits of a capitalist economy. Moral judgment is not an absolute. It is completely relative
and this family cannot be judged as morally wrong. There is a scale of moral value, which for
them is skewed, and this is because of the contradictory relationship between the moral values of
society and capitalism.
Title: Moral Conditioning: the Case of “No Country for Old Men”
Student name: Tiffany Patterson
Department: English
Format: PowerPoint
Simon Blackburn explains in Being Good that “relativism” is related to “hermeneutics.” Both
terms are relevant to questions of ethics because they concern interpretation and how particular
interpretations can be imposed as universal truths.
However, there are no “universal truths” according to Blackburn. For example, he explains that
there are laws that work in one country, but those same laws may not be applicable in another
country. What is more, Blackburn claims, our ethical laws and ideas of morality are not at all
universal, nor are they natural. They are, in fact, conditioned responses of the less powerful to
the influence of the more powerful. Such moral conditioning affects a person’s alternate
perception, without the person having approved or contested it.
Blackburn’s theory is helpful for understanding the ethical question posed by the film No
Country for Old Men. The film’s audience is predisposed to perceive the killer, Anton Chigurh,
as immoral, as well as worthy of legal punishment for his countless murderous acts. Could this
be moral conditioning at work? Indeed, it is morally expected and culturally acceptable to brand
the antagonist, Anton Chigurh, a “bad man.” But the film makes it possible for our feelings for
specific characters to be reversed—just as long as we recognize our conditioned response to
murder. When we take a deeper look into the meaning of Anton Chigurh’s importance as a
character, we realize that Anton Chigurh has principles and rules in which he lives by, just as we
do; however, the way in which Anton Chigurh exercises those principles and rules are not done
in ways which are considered acceptable by our standards.
Title: Sentiments of the Feminist: the Epistemology of Emotion in Dangerous Liaisons

Student name: Javon Taylor
Department: English
Format: PowerPoint
Choderlos de Laclos’ Les Liaisons dangerous (Dangerous Liaisons) offers an epistemology of

women’s emotion—a philosophy of knowledge about how women feel. This philosophy is
expressed through the character of Marquise de Merteuil. This epistemology is grounded on
claims of cultural relativism according to which human beings shape their lives in accordance
with cultural and social norms.
Philosopher Immanuel Kant has argued that human beings are unable to conceive direct
knowledge of the world; rather human beings learn from experiences which shape ideas and
beliefs of a society or culture. The philosophy of emotion in Laclos’ Dangerous Liaisons is a
version of Kant’s epistemology. The characters in the novel learn to blend or abuse cultural
norms so that the norms would accommodate their lives. Marquise de Merteuil formulates a
philosophy according to which women who follow their hearts are left only with emotions that
inevitably change. According to Merteuil, it would be better for women to control their emotions
and rely on their intelligence: to focus on their long-term well-being in favor of temporary
feelings of love and infatuation.
Title: Co-existing: Egotism and Security in Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery”

Student name: Anthony Thomas
Department: English
Format: PowerPoint
Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery” tells a story about a community that practices lottery drawing
annually. The lottery results in the death of one citizen, selected at random, but through a careful
procedure. The annual “lottery” defines the town for those who live in it. It preserves its
civilization or the culture and shows it to be stable community to those outside.
I argue that the lottery is fueled not just by respect for traditional values but also by a sense of
egotism. The individuals within the community follow the principle “it has always been done
this way.” The lottery provides a secure platform on which the sacred traditional practices can be
displayed and preserved. The need to preserve the tradition and the community’s image in the
eyes of its citizens and the eyes of outsiders promotes what seems like irrational behavior. The
end point of the “lottery” is stoning—the death of a citizen. The egotism that produces the brutal
effect of death in the community becomes the identity for each individual and then fuels the ego
of the society as a whole.
This paper will discuss how such a psychological transgression involves considerations of self-
interest and becomes a matter of consensus among individuals in a community. It will argue that
egotism and self-interest are crucial to understanding the continuation and survival of a
community and preservation of a particular culture.
*
Title: “We in chronic need of a second look at the law books, and the whole race dichotomy.” –
Nasir Jones
Student name: Rashida Davis
Faculty: Prof. Jonathan Gray
Department: Englilsh
Format: PowerPoint
Historically, the law has marginalized the narratives of the Black community. Even though the
law placed equality and justice out of reach for most Blacks, they continued to conceive of and
work towards full participation in American society. The Black narrative receives uneven
recognition under the law. While the civil rights movement thrust the Black narrative to the top
of the political agenda, post civil rights narratives have faded into obsolescence. In response to
the demand of equality and justice the law changed. However, as a result of those changes many
Black narratives are now overlooked. The law’s failure to recognize equality as a concept that is
continually evolving with time is the root of the Black community’s unrest. By examining Black
narratives, one can see an incessant demand for equality and an end to injustice; which ultimately
condemns an unjust American judicial system that is designed to oppress Blacks and serve the
interests of the elite. The incessant demand for equality and an end to injustice can be traced in
various forms of Black expression, from the slave narratives of Frederick Douglas and Harriet
Jacobs, to the civil rights writings of Malcolm X and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., to the 20th-
century prison writings, and the hip-hop narratives of Tupac Shakur, Nas and Immortal
Technique. Black expression--which includes slave, civil rights, prison and hip-hop narratives—
portrays the dehumanizing effects of the law on the Black community while also demonstrating
the ability of expression to humanize Blacks. An unintended consequence of Black expression is
that while revealing the interests of the elite who are predominantly white, but also includes
African Americans, it disrupts the solidarity of the Black community.
Title: Chasing Pavement: Post-Colonial Women

Student name: Jayelle Dorsainville
Faculty: Prof. Allison Pease
Department: English
Format: PowerPoint
The effects of colonization transcend time and hang over a people like a fog. Independence and
autonomy become an active and ever-present goal. However, the women within Indian society
fail to gain autonomy even after colonization. A woman’s second-class status is inescapable
when the patriarchs within the society feel chained to the past. The colonial and post-colonial
texts: A Passage to India, The Shadow Lines, and The God of Small Things provide commentary
on downward oppression of women. Each text allows a female character to obtain a form of
autonomy that is then stripped and self-destructive. The past and present time shifts also indicate
that the trauma of colonization is ever-present. This study covers the seemingly doomed and
tainted independence for women within this culture/society. An analysis of these texts alongside
historical events seeks to dissect the power imbalance between men and women and colonizer
and colonized. How these women are able to cope, and their inability to escape oppression is
important to gender and post-colonial studies. The stories add nuance to our understanding of the
oppressed, and the results of this psychological trauma. This study will assist in giving voice to
the subaltern, and contribute to the ever-expanding research on the topic.
*
Title: Post-Colonial literature: Difference and Disjuncture
Student name: Christopher McConnell
Faculty: Prof. Allison Pease
Department: English
Format: PowerPoint
Colonialism in India has resulted in disjuncture and difference between various cultures. Most
notable is the ambivalence that is evident as the British colonial powers attempt to influence the
Indian populace. The coexistence of both opposing attitudes and feelings creates a lack of unity
throughout the Indian subcontinent. Our independent study focused on three novels: God of
Small Things, The Shadow Lines, and A Passage to India. These Post-Colonial literary works
allowed us to explore the relationship between the colonizers from Britain and the natives of
India. However, one thing that becomes quite clear to the reader is that uncertainty plays a vital
role within post-colonial literature. Often times we find ourselves trapped within a muddle of
mystery, chaos, and disorder. These narratives are often unclear and maintain an ambiguous
nature. In this essay, I will argue that it is one’s imagined world that creates a sense of
uncertainty within the novels. It is the ambiguity constrained within these imagined worlds,
which taints our image of other’s perceived worlds.
Title: From Old to New China: Lifting the Burden

Student name: Anu Jaswal
Class standing:
Faculty: Prof. Toy-Fung Tung
Department: English
Format: PowerPoint
Title: Transferring from 2-Year to 4-Year Colleges: Problems and Solutions

Student name: Kamar-Jay Foster
Faculty: Prof. Toy-Fung Tung
Department: English
Format: PowerPoint
First Year Experience

Title: Sports and Society
Student name: Jose Arcos, Matthew Camerino, Greg Conlon, Freddy Davila, Joseph De
Santola, Iannis Etienne, Jeanne Hored, Carl Marzano, Malcolm Massimi, Robert McConnell,
Michale Messing, Erika Meyo, Aleea Nicholson, Jasmine Parache, Jasmine Raphael, Michael
Rodriguez, Lucas Stock, Samantha Tripodi, Bradley Williams, Ikea Williams, Bryan
Zawislewski
Class standing: Freshmen
Faculty: Prof. Lori Latrice Martin, Prof. Timothy McCormick
Department: African American Studies, English
Format: Video
A group of first year students participated in a learning community, led by Dr. Lori Latrice
Martin, Department of African-American Studies, and Dr. Timothy McCormack, English
Department. The theme for the learning community was sports and society. Students were
enrolled in Ethnic Studies 125 and English 101 together. During the course, the students looked
closely at the exciting, vibrant, 24/7/365 world of American sports, which is a telling microcosm
of American culture today. Through reading, writing and observational research, the students
turned a critical eye to professional and amateur sports and ask questions like: Why are there so
few professional sports for women? Why do particular races appear to dominate certain sports?
Are some Americans denied access to certain sports? And just what is a sport anyway?
Each student was asked to answer a critical question about sports and society and write their
findings in an end of the semester research project. The students were required to use a number
of sources, including peer-reviewed sociological journal articles. The students documented the
writing process in a very innovative way. They created a set of questions and interviewed one
another about the writing process. They also interviewed Dr. McCormack and Dr. Martin.
*
Title: Subway Social Research
Student name: Diana Banisor, Andre Boone, Rogelio Brady, Anne-Chevealle Brown, Meriant
Concepcion, Roxanne Croll, Jerrold Erat, Agatha Hendrickson, John Hold, Michael Incantalupo,
Diana Jadduroy, Kristina Lawrence, Andrew Mellina, Kyle Murray, Chris Nardi, Calen Oetiker,
Alexis Pistone, Carlso Santana, Daniel Schwartz
Faculty: Prof. Mark McBeth & Prof. Richard Ocejo
Department: English & Sociology
Format: Poster
Title: Tattoos are a Form of Art

Student name: Michelle Santos, Travis Albrecht
Faculty: Prof. Pat Licklider and Prof. Frank Gimpaya
Department: English and Art & Music
Format: Poster
Title: Organ Donation

Student name: Nandanie Beharry, Amanda Martinez, Natalie, Ramroop, Akeelah Zaman
Faculty: Prof. Karen Beatty
Department: Counseling
Format: Poster
*
Title: Whiteness
Student name: Jelani Anderson, Patrick McCurry, Kivara Powpour, Kelsie Tierney
Faculty: Prof. Jama Adams and Prof. Tara Pauliny
Department: African American Studies and English
Format: Poster
*
Title: Cyber Harassment
Student name: Jessie Auqui, Katherine Castaneda, Ana Lazo, Jenny Martinez
Faculty: Isabel Martinez
Department: Latin American and Latino/a Studies
Format: Poster
*
Title: In a Perfect World of Criminal Justice
Student name: Patrick Grimes
Class standing: Freshman
Faculty: Prof. Kimora and Prof. Geoffrey Jacques
Department: Criminal Justice and English
Format: Poster
Title: Podcast Presentations on Psychological Themes

Student name: Stephanie Bowen, Natalia Brulinski, Cinthia Campusano, manuel Castillo,
Veronica Cichaczewski, Earslon Elcock
Kayla Freser-Davis, Michael Guerrero, Jeanette Hernandez, Jacob Karpin, Michael Malfetano,
Edward Matos, Rosa Melly, Luis Munive, Marialej Santiago, Kristen Shank, Michael Sheridan,
Corrada Spatola, Navirlen Volcy, Ronny Wang
Faculty: Prof. Kim Helmer and Prof. Jillian Grose Fifer
Department: English and Psychology
Format: Podcast
Title: Wrongful Convictions and the Innocence Project

Student name: Da hye Emily Park
Class standing: Freshman
Faculty: Prof. Kimora and Prof. Geoffrey Jacques
Department: Criminal Justice and English
Honors Program
Title: Double Entendre: Exploring the Paradox of Punishment and its Consequences
Student name: Celinet Duran
Faculty: Prof. Kyoo Lee
Department: Philosophy
Format: PowerPoint Presentation
When we think about the law and justice, the role of punishment cannot go without
consideration. Tradition dictates our actions have consequences, and if we break the law an
appropriate punishment should follow. Ideally, good acts correspond with good consequences
and bad acts are directly related to bad consequences. The ideals behind the social practices of
“punishments” and “rewards” are geared towards promoting the former over the latter. The
American prison system is one that seeks to promote social order by enforcing the view that
criminal behavior remains a stigma for the community and should not be tolerated. But what
happens when a system meant to resolve the problems of crime unintentionally generates more
social unrest? Recently, issues concerning prisoner radicalization cause one to question whether
the prison system is effectively accomplishing its goals. The focus of this research takes on a
theoretical approach towards examining the “paradox of punishment” by examining its
definition, application and consequences.
Title: On Lyrical Stress of Rap Music

Student name: David Geliebter
Faculty: Prof. Evan Mandery
Department: Criminal Justice
The researchers played either a rap or heavy metal song version of the same song to 218 college
students. The participants were then surveyed to determine lyrical recollection and
comprehension of the song’s themes. Students who heard the rap version paid greater attention to
the song’s themes and had better lyrical recollection. Also, students who had a pre-existing
preference for rap music paid greater attention to song themes and had better lyrical recollection.
This data strengthens the argument that rap music has a greater lyrical stress than heavy metal.
Consequently, a “gangsta” rap song is more likely to be repeated, taken to heart, and acted upon
than a “gangsta” heavy metal song. This finding offers important support for a non-race-based
theory explaining the disproportionality between criticism of rap and heavy metal music.
Title: Historical Puzzle: Where was the ACLU in 1963?

Student name: Michael Lugo, Jr.
Format: Poster
In 1963, Justice Arthur Goldberg famously dissented from the Supreme Court’s denial of
certiorari in Rudolph v. Alabama. This event was the beginning of the NAACP Legal Defense
Fund’s highly successful involvement in litigating against the death penalty. Amazingly,
however, the American Civil Liberties Union took a pass on the issue. The reasons for this are
unknown. This case study explores why the ACLU, the leading defender of civil rights, did not
support the issue. The study relies upon interviews with members of the ACLU from the 1960’s,
archival analysis, and review of secondary sources. A content analysis will be employed to
assess the relevant responses.
Title: Proposition 19: Battle over Regulating, Controlling & Taxing Cannabis
Student name: Vishal Mukherjee
The ballot initiative in California that would have given local authorities the ability to legalize
and tax marijuana for personal consumption for people over the age of 21 did not pass in
November 2010, despite leading in most surveys and polls prior to the month of October. Polls
that still had the yes vote favored illustrated a much narrower margin, which necessitates
examining why support for the measure dwindled as elections drew nearer. Journalists speculate
that the races for governor and Senate in California overshadowed the vote because voters did
not have enough time to review the measure and, therefore, defaulted towards maintaining the
status quo. Financial contributions that were used to fund advertisements, among other things,
heavily favored the “Yes on 19” campaign which raised $4.5 million, versus the “No on 19”
campaign which raised $420,000. The purpose of this research is to investigate the factors that
contributed to the failure of Proposition 19.
*
Title: Honor Killing: A Woman's Tragedy - The Distinctions of Muslim and Hindu Honor
Killings
Student name: Jennifer Shim
Honor killings have been a prevalent criminal phenomenon that is gradually gaining worldwide
attention in the fields of social science and politic. Published data, however, is limited and many
cases most likely go unrecognized. A majority of honor killings often happen in the realm of the
Muslim world, but in recent years Hindu honor killings have gained media attention in India.
The focus of this study is to determine the differences between Muslim and Hindu honor killings.
The data consists of reported honor killing accounts that were systematically collected from
published materials through print and media and coded according to specified variables such as
victim’s age and gender, location and year, perpetrator’s relation to victim, motive, and method.
The regions of focus are Pakistan and India. The analysis will be conducted by content analysis
and case-by-case study. The researcher hopes to gain insight into honor killings in order to aid in
forming possible effective resolutions.
ISP/History
Title: Harlem including Spanish and West Harlem
Student name: Eileen Irizarry
Faculty: Prof. Sarah Friedland
Department: Interdisciplinary Studies Program
Format: Computer based portrait
*
Title: Playground
Student name: Nilsa Rivera
Class Standing: Junior
Title: Two sides of Washington Heights

Student name: Nikoleta Despodova
Title: Outside my Window

Student name: Olivia Robinson
*
Title: China Town
Student name: Nicolas Montano
Format: Book portrait
Title: An American Suburb – Staten Island

Student name: Jovanni Rodriguez
Format: Book portrait
International Criminal Justice

Title: Foundations of Scholarship in International Criminal Justice: Research Proposals
Student name: Christopher Adao, Razibul Ahmed, Davina Alladin, Desrine Bridgemahon,
Frank Cabral, Yi Cai, Carmen Espinal, Milena Filipova, Priscilla Goico, Yajaira Gonzalez,
Rodrigo Guarachi, Viktoriy Iakoubtchik, Kaili Insalaco, Bartosz Klosek, Liliya Kozak, David
Lee, Yichun Luo, Yanaris Mark, Atiba Maurice, Todor Nedev, Evelyn Palomino, Sonal Pandit,
Johan Quinde, Olga Ragozina, Lia Rekhviashvili, Omar Said, Joseph Santiago, Enredi Shtylla,
Dmitry Stepanenko, Natalie Vasquez, Sharminc Watson
Class standing: Junior, Senior, Senior, Senior, Senior, Senior, Senior, Senior, Senior, Junior,
Junior, Junior, Senior, Junior, Senior, Senior, Senior, Junior, Senior, Senior, Senior, Senior,
Junior, Junior, Senior, Junior, Junior, Senior, Senior, Senior, Junior
Faculty: Prof. Rosemary Barberet
Department: Sociology
Format: PowerPoint
Ronald E. McNair Program

(Graduating Scholars)
Title: An Examination of the Impact of Culture on Domestic Violence

Student name: Crystal Angerville
Faculty: Prof. Demis Glasford
Department: Psychology
Title: The Relationship between Suicide Ideation and Perfection in African American College
Students
Student name: Shavern Brown
Faculty: Prof. Elizabeth Jeglic
*
Title: Extremism in and out of Prison: A Case Study Approach
Student name: Celinet Duran
Faculty: Prof. Joshua Freilich
*
Title: “The Pages Look Alike to Me”: Minorities’ Response to Literacy
Student name: Keeyah Hicks
Faculty: Prof. Jonathon Gray
Department: English
*
Title: An Examination of the relationship between Child Abuse & Depression
Student name: Michelle Joaquin
Faculty: Prof. Cynthia Mercado
*
Title: The Holodomor and the politics of memory: The Formation of Ukrainian identity
Student name: Nadiya Kostyuk
Faculty: Prof. Peter Romaniuk
Department: Political Science
*
Title: I Don’t Need You Today, but I May Need You Tomorrow: Understanding Patterns of
Attachment in Socially Anxious People
Student name: Katherine Navarro
*
Title: An Exploration of Undergraduate Students Perception of the Mentally Ill
Student name: Zavel Philip
Faculty: Prof. Carmen Solis
Department: Graduate Studies
*
Title: Exploring the Effects of Mobile Phone Usage on Academic Performance and Well-Being
Student name: Emilio Tatis
Faculty: Prof. Elizabeth Jeglic
*
Title: Perceived Barriers to Educational and Career Goal Attainment among Latina College
Students
Student name: Stephanie Vigoya
*
Ronald E. McNair Program

(First Year Scholars)
Title:
Student name: Gary Amores
Faculty: Prof. Zelma Henriques
Department: Law & Police Science
Format: PowerPoint
Title:
Student name: Popy Begum
Faculty: Prof. Jana Arsovska
Format: PowerPoint
Title:
Student name: Emily Beniquez
Faculty: Prof. Maureen Allwood
Format: PowerPoint
Title:
Student name: Cassandra Bragg
Format: PowerPoint
Title:
Student name: Nikoleta Despodova
Faculty: Prof. Zelma Henriques
Format: PowerPoint
*
Title:
Student name: Nazia Fyazi
Format: PowerPoint
Title:
Student name: Antoine Jones
Faculty: Prof. Kwando Kinshasa
Format: PowerPoint
Title:
Student name: Makeba Lavan
Faculty: Prof. Jonathan Gray
Department: English
Format: PowerPoint
Title:
Student name: Simon Lou
Faculty: Prof. Maki Haberfeld
Format: PowerPoint
Title:
Student name: Shauna Parker
Faculty: Prof. Daryl Wout
Format: PowerPoint
Title:
Student name: Roxanne Pimentel
Class standing:
Faculty: Prof. Maureen Allwood
Format: PowerPoint
Title:
Student name: Stephanie Rojas
Faculty:
Department:
Format: PowerPoint
Title:
Student name: Romeo Santan
Format: PowerPoint
Title:
Student name: Sheneeka Saul
Faculty: Prof. Daryl Wout
Format: PowerPoint
Title:
Student name: Manisha Singh
Format: PowerPoint
Title:
Student name: Naithram Singh
Format: PowerPoint
*
Title:
Student name: Simone Smillie
Faculty: Prof. Joan Hoffman
Department: Economics
Format: PowerPoint
Title:
Student name: Anna Witkowska
Faculty: Prof. Teresa Booker
Format: PowerPoint
Music
Title: Music 130 Chorus - Ladybird and Joyful, Joyful
Student name: Janelle Atkins-Bulford, Afolabi Awobajo, Erika Belezarian, Cecely Benquez,
Emily Beniquez, Andre Boone, Cynthia Bryant, Ludovica Ciccarelli, Meishan Cox, Teresa
Cuervo, Janoatha Dias, Marlene Forrest, Rene Grant, An Fang He, Irving Henriquez, Matthew
Hicks, Daniel Irwin, Celina Johnson, Emelia Johnson, Salar Khan, Joon Kim, Jing Li, Jacqueline
Lopez, Alexandra Maignan, Terrance Marsh, Julia Ng, Maribeth Perez, Migdalia Perez-Lopez,
Bianca Proper, Taina Rivera, Marialej Santiago, Ramata Sy, Behar Tershalla, Sanjar Tursunov,
Janice Ying, Christopher Yung, Emmanuel Zervos
Class standing: Senior, Sophomore, Sophomore, Junior, Junior, Freshman, Sophomore,
Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, Junior, Junior, Sophomore, Freshman, Freshman, Senior,
Freshman, Freshman, Freshman, Junior, Senior, Junior, Senior, Freshman, Junior, Junior, Senior,
Sophomore, Senior, Freshman, Freshman, Freshman, Sophomore, Sophomore, Sophomore,
Freshman, Freshman
Faculty: Prof. Clifford Terry
Department: Art and Music
Format: Vocal Performance
Title: Music Technology (MUS 297) – Performance of Spring 2011 Audio Projects
Student name: Antonio Aguilar, Angelique Almonte, Tony Basilio, Samuel Byun, Abel
Collado, Jeremiah Haught, Russell Kenton, Clive Parchment, Nelson Rivera, Mateusz
Skawinski, Susan Valencia, Mohammed Ullah
Class standing: Senior, Sophomore, Senior, Senior, Junior, Junior, Sophomore, Freshman,
Freshman, Sophomore, Sophomore, Sophomore
Faculty: Prof. Ben Bierman
Music Technology (MUS297) proposes to have an open classroom session as part of Student
Research and Creativity Week. During this open session, each student in the class will present a
sampling of their works from this semester. The class meets on Tuesday and Thursday from 1:55
to 3:10.
The students have worked on five projects throughout the semester. 1) Re-Mixing Radiohead 2)
Found Sound Composition 3) Podcast 4) Drum and Bass Beat 5) Final Project. Each student will
choose one of their projects from their semester’s portfolio to perform for their guests, and will
briefly discuss the background of the work. Each performance will not exceed 5 minutes. The
open classroom session will be freewheeling, and guests will be able to hear the projects played
through the sound system, and will also be able to listen to various projects of their choice
through headphones at the various workstations.
The performances will be dynamic, as the students have created excellent and exciting projects
through music technology. They have also created lyrics and raps, conducted interviews,
gathered sounds from their environment, and performed on their instruments, and have combined
these various media with music, both borrowed and created. The class would like to invite the
entire college community, as well as friends and family to this exciting event that will showcase
the students’ creativity and hard work.
PRISM
Title: Studying the effects of illicit and antipsychotic drugs on hair melanin using attenuated
total reflection -- infrared spectroscopy
Student name: Davonne Auguste
Class standing:
Faculty: Professor Ali Kocak
Department: Forensic Science
Format: Poster Presentation
Melanin is the major pigment found in the skin, hair and eyes of human beings. Although
significant research on the drug interactions with melanin has been conducted, it is still unclear
as to what extent these interactions affect human hair from different ethnic backgrounds. Illicit
and antipsychotic drugs binds to the melanin of human hair, however the mechanism of this
binding is not clear and it may differ depending on the ethnic background of the individual.
Advances in the understanding of the binding effect of these drugs can be important as forensic
evidences in the court room. In this research melanin was reacted with chlozapine at
physiological pH. First with synthetic melanin and then with melanin extracted from hair
samples obtained from people of different ethnicities. The results obtained were compared and
analysed with pure melanin before and after the reactions. The project is ongoing, however data
analysed in the last few weeks indicates that there is a difference in the spectra of black hair as
opposed to lighter hair. Successful completion of this project will allow for the understanding of
the processes involved in drug incorporation with melanin of different pigmentations. This
would yield a greater understanding in the biases that may be involved with drug hair testing and
facilitate the detection of drug concentration across various ethnicities.
Title: Application of Clostridiopeptidase for DNA isolation

Student name: Ankit Bhatta
Class standing:
Faculty: Prof. Richard Li
Osteocytes make up bone tissue and contain DNA embedded in calcified matrix. The application
of proteinases like clostridiopeptidase in proper concentration for a certain period could
eliminate the physical barrier and give optimum DNA yield. Thus, this project is aimed at
determining the optimum concentration and incubation period required for digestion of
decalcified osteocytes (using EDTA) via the application of clostridiopeptidase. Furthermore, the
genomic DNA will be extracted and the yield will be calculated to determine the effect of
clostridiopeptidase treatment on DNA yield.
Title: Study of human hair melanin with illicit and antipsychotic drugs
Student name: Sasha Brito
Class standing:
Faculty: Prof. Ali Kocak
The study of the incorporation of illicit and antipsychotic drugs on human hair melanin serves as
an important factor in the field of forensic science. Most importantly, there have been several
drug analyses of a suspect’s hair for drug abuse where there were many false results reported. It
is important to understand the drug and melanin interaction. For the research, hair was collected
from a Hispanic female who has never altered the color of her hair. Also, there was a sample of
synthetic hair used to incorporate the drugs into. The human hair was dissolved and extracted
using 7.2N Hydrochloric Acid and the drug was incorporated in the hair. Once the pellets were
formed from the extraction, the human hair melanin was dried in a desiccator and examined by
ATR-IR spectroscopy for analysis. Also, there was a control sample prepared where there was
just untreated human hair melanin extracted and analyzed by ATR-IR for comparison to the
treated human hair melanin.
Title: The effect of industrial pollutants on DNA

Student name: Mikeisha Cadougan
Class standing:
Faculty: Prof. Ekaterina Korobkova
Many industrial pollutants have been linked to the formation of cancer because of their
carcinogenicity. However the process related to the formation of cancer because of these
pollutants is not yet understood. The purpose of this project is to investigate the effects of some
of these carcinogenic industrial pollutants on DNA. The DNA will be incubated with the
pollutants in the presence of several different oxidation systems. The extent of DNA damage
will be evaluated using gel electrophoresis. This study is significant for environmental health
studies.
Title: NMR- based study of urines of opioids overdosed patients: preliminary data
Student name: Irving Campoverde
Class standing:
Faculty: Prof. Gloria Proni
The goal of this research project is to understand the advantages and limitations of using nuclear
magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy for the identification of opioids, in particular,
morphine, in urine of patients who overdosed with morphine. This will be achieved through
preparing urine samples by drying them in an Acid Resistant Centrivap Concentrator, in order to
remove most of the water. The sample will then be reconstituted in methanol deuterated,
MetOD, and then doped using a 2mg/1mL vial of morphine. All data will be collected on a
JEOL 300 MHz NMR spectrometer (JEOL USA Inc., Peabody, MA), using a trial an error
method in order to determine the degradation period of the sample. Then the doped sample will
be run with a Nosy, Cosy NMR spectroscopy in order to characterize the morphine in the urine
sample and be 100% certain the morphine is present.
Title: Establishing a pigment database using FTIR and Raman spectroscopy

Student name: Danielle Carthorne
Class standing:
Faculty: Prof. Thomas Kubic
Pigments are impacted into our everyday materials and can be used as very influential evidence.
The goal of this project is to establish a database of each pigment for Raman and FTIR
spectroscopy. An FTIR will be run on all samples and those that are not IR active will be run on
a Raman spectrometer. To establish a database, a Raman and FTIR spectroscopy will be run on
each pigment to set a standard. Then tests will be run on unknown pigments for reproducibility
so that the database can be correct.
Title: How mammalian cells respond to oxidative stress: kinetic studies

Student name: Catherine Chamnankool
Class standing:
Oxidative stress is caused by the imbalance between oxidants and antioxidants when in favor of
the oxidants potentially leading to damage. Oxidative stress has been proven to cause adverse
effects on ageing due to oxidative stress inducing mitochondrial DNA damage. Increase in
mitochondrial DNA damage leads to compromised mitochondrial function and integrity and
increased DNA damage is believed to increase ROS production which in turn leads to a higher
chance in causing oxidative stress. It also causes oxidation of DNA bases resulting in DNA
mutations. Reparation of the damaged bases occurs by the base excision repair mechanism
(BER). BER is performed by glycosylases removing the oxidized bases by hydrolyzing the N-
glysocilic bond. Two types of glycosylases are the type I enzymes, which excise the oxidized
base on an abasic site on the DNA, and type II enzymes which excise the base and cleaves the
abasic site. Much of the character traits and structure of glycosylases are identified, however the
mechanisms behind the glycolsylase and how it expresses its inner workings to produce a
response for DNA base repair is still not comprehensively understood.
A procedure will be developed to study the dynamics of the expression of glycosylases in rat
cells (PC12 – pheochromocytoma cells) in response to UV exposure with OGG1 protein used as
a model. Cells will be exposed to UV light at various intervals and the expression of OGG1
level will be measured at different time points following the UV exposure. Various techniques
will be employed in order to create a kinetic model for OGG1 expression following exposure to
UV radiation.
Title: New zinc porphyrin tweezers in a host-guest complex: absolute configuration

determination of diamines
Student name: Roselynn Cordero
Class standing:
Porphyrins are a group of aromatic organic compounds that are heterocyclic and contain pyrrole
subunits connected at their α-carbon atoms through methine bridges. These compounds are
frequently used in supramolecular chemistry due to the Lewis acidity of the metal employed.
The objectiveof this research is to investigate the scope, advantages and limitations of three
novel dimeric porphyrin hosts (PP, MM, TT) as reliable reporters of the absolute configuration
of chiral diamines. The determination of the absolute configuration was achieved via a
supramolecular approach developed within the last decade. The protocol relies on a host-guest
complexation mechanism between a derivatized chiral substrate (guest) and the dimeric zinc
porphyrin host that functions as a receptor. The two porphyrins in the complex adopt a preferred
helicity related to the substrate’s absolute configuration. The relation between the absolute
configuration of the substrate and the interporphyrin helicity is predicted by molecular modeling
studies. The tweezer (dimeric zinc porphyrin) can be used as a CD reporter group; therefore, on
the basis of the observed CD exciton couplet and molecular modeling of interporphyrin twist, the
absolute configuration of various chiral guests can be determined. Several diamine derivatives
were studied in the Spring-Summer semesters of 2010. Spectroscopic data and computational
results were obtained from the analysis of benzyl amine and methyl amine. The negative
interporphyrin helicity of methyl amine was confirmed by computational studies after the
circular dichroic signal of this molecule yielded a negative intensity. Currently, several alcohol
derivatives are being prepared for spectroscopic analysis. The analysis of alcohols will bring a
different approach to the insertion of the molecule into the tweezer due to the fact that it does not
contain the necessary structure to anchor it to the tweezer; therefore, the substrate needs to be
derivatized with a carrier molecule that contains the anchoring residues.
Title: Absolute configurational assignment of a self assembling light harvesting porphyrin using
the tweezer approach
Student name: Natasha Dalton
Class standing:
In order to trap the energy from sunlight antenna plants construct chlorophyll derivatives from
chemical self-assembly in a highly ordered manner. 10,20-bis(3,5-di-tert-butyl-phenyl-15-acetyl-
5-(hydroxyethyl)-porphyrin 1 is a “synthesized” compound that will be tested for harvesting
solar energy as an alternative to silicon-based photovoltaic devices1. The determination of its
absolute configuration is of academic and practical importance in order to understand the
chemical properties of this molecule. The absolute configuration determination will be achieved
by means of a supramolecular approach developed in the last decade2. The protocol relies on a
host-guest complexation mechanism between an opportunely derivatized chiral substrate
("guest") and a dimeric zinc porphyrin host that acts as a "receptor". The two porphyrins in the
complex adopt a preferred helicity related to the substrate’s absolute configuration. The relation
between the absolute configuration of the substrate and the inter-porphyrin helicity will be
predicted by molecular modeling studies.Specifically, porphyrin derivative 1, needs to be
coupled with a bidentate carrier to form the bifunctional amide conjugate. Once the conjugate
molecule is complexed with the achiral CD sensitive host, the Zn porphyrin tweezer, it yields a
host-guest complex that exhibits intense negative or positive exciton-coupled CD in accordance
to the absolute configuration of the substrate. The carrier chosen in this proposal is protected at
the amines functionalities with groups that could be removed in light basic conditions. This is
done because acidic conditions have been shown to interfere with the chemical structure of the
substrate.
Title: Determination of the freshness of fish via HPLC determination of ATP and amines
derivatives
Student name: James Field
Class standing:
The objective of the study is to determine the freshness of the sushi and sashimi sold in the New
York markets. Recently there have been a number of published newspaper articles that have
publicized studies on raw fish sold in New York City. One study tested the levels of mercury in
sushi and found that they were alarmingly high Burros (2008). The study revealed that 5 out of
20 restaurants had mercury levels so high that the FDA could use legal force to remove the fish.
Another study analyzed the genetic profile of fish samples sold in markets around the city
Schwartz (2008). It was shown that one quarter of the fish was improperly labeled and was not
species advertised. The quality of the fish and more precisely its freshness is of paramount
importance due to bacterial pathogens and parasites that may cause food poisoning. Due to the
potential dangers associated with the consumption of raw fish, the freshness of the raw tuna in
the form of sushi and sashimi from 12 restaurants in New York metropolitan area will be
investigated. The determination of the index of freshness (K coefficient) and consequently the
biochemical age of several fish samples will be achieved by using a technique that extracts and
quantifies the products of the ATP breakdown and the formation of biogenic amines during fish
aging. The biochemical ages of the samples obtained by the restaurants, determined through a
comparison with opportunely prepared calibration curves of aged tuna samples, will provide an
idea regarding the fish spoilage.
Title: The role of microtubule on dithiocarbamate cytotoxicity

Student name: Eugene Gonzalez-Lopez
Class standing:
Faculty: Prof. Shu Yuan Cheng
Environmental factors have been associated with the pathogenesis of neurodegeneration.

Manganese ethylene-bis-dithiocarbamate compounds, [Maneb (MB) and Mancozeb (MZ)] are
fungicides which have been widely used in United States. These compounds can potentiate the
effects of the dopaminergic neurotoxin 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) in
vitro and in vivo. However, the mechanisms for these effects are not so clear.
Exposure to MB has been related with sporadic case reports of parkinsonism. MB is able to
enhance the damage created by oxidative stressor for dopaminergic systems. The aim of this
study is to elucidate the role of microtubule in this toxic effect. This study may lead us to a better
understanding on how these toxic compounds prompt Parkinson’s disease. Therefore, unraveling
the interaction between dopamine transporter and other proteins may help us to rethink the roles of
the process of dopamine transport mechanism play in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative
diseases. Such knowledge may ultimately open the possibility to design a new class of drugs that
directly or indirectly modulate these interactions, thereby counteracting detrimental influences on
normal transport function.
Title: Mercury emissions from soil samples in response to simulated precipitation events
Student name: Christina Hui
Class standing:
Faculty: Prof. Anthony Carpi
Mercury emissions from soil have been shown to increase as a result of both artificial irrigation
and natural precipitation. Mechanisms proposed in the past to explain the observed increases in
mercury emissions have included the desorption of Hg2+ by infiltrating water followed by
transport to the air surface interface (with subsequent reduction), soil gas displacement by
percolating water, enhanced redox reactions involving Hg2+ in the aqueous phase, and addition of
mercury through precipitation (Lindberg et al., 1999; Song & Heyst, 2005; Dustin &
Stamenkovic, 2005; Gillis & Miller, 2000). The numerous proposed mechanisms demonstrate
the uncertainty of the actual mechanism(s) actually contributing to the observed phenomenon.
To investigate mercury emissions following soil irrigation, various volumes of water were
applied to soil samples under both light and dark conditions. Mercury emissions were monitored
using dynamic flux chambers (Carpi et al., 2007) which were connected to a Tekran Mercury
Vapor Analyzer 2537A. Based on the data collected, it was seen that soil emissions from
irrigated soil under light conditions was greater than that in the dark. When the broad mercury
emission profile that formed in the dark following soil irrigation was compared to the larger peak
that formed under light conditions, it was seen that light combined with an increase in soil
moisture resulted in a synergistic rather than additive increase in mercury emissions. This would
suggest a chemical rather than physical mechanism is present.
Title: Antidepressant and dye effects on DNA

Student name: Karry Johnston
Class standing:
Antidepressants are used to treat depression; however it is believed that they can cause more
damage than benefits to the body. Through extensive research, it has been seen that certain
tricyclic antidepressants cause the destruction of DNA. Gel electrophoresis has observed this
phenomenon when oxidizers such as horseradish peroxidase and hydrogen peroxide are present.
Fluorescence was being used to observe the DNA in the presence of different drugs and how
strongly they bonded. HPLC has been used to observe the retention times of the individual
nucleotides and with the drugs present. Continuing research will show if there are other possible
combinations that can cause DNA to be destroyed or mutated.
Title: Synthesis of the alpha MC adduct

Student name: Wan S Kong
Class standing:
Faculty: Prof. Elise Champeil
This research project protocol is based on the previous project’s procedure of coupling the
amino-mitosene to the oligonucleoside (guanosine). This research project consists of the
coupling of the amino mitosene to the guanosine oligonucleotide. The deprotection at the O6
position by acetylation and de-salt by lyophilizing the samples was not as successful as expected.
The samples were analyzed by HPLC then put through Sephadex for purification and
identification of products with a fraction collector and an UV detector. The samples then would
be lyophilized and sent for Mass Spect for further analysis.
Title: Effects of antioxidants on the cytotoxicity of dithiocarbamates

Student name: Jessika Lin
Class standing:
Parkinson’s disease is a neurological disease that results in the degeneration or death of

dopamine cells. This will affect our muscle movement and our balance. It is believed that
pesticides in our agricultural industry can implicate neurodegenerative disease such as
Parkinson’s disease. The aim of our experiment is to test the cytotoxicity of different
dithiocarbamate compounds such as Maneb, Mancoeb, Ziram and Zineb on PC12 cells using
MTT Assay. We also want to elucidate if there is a synergic effect on the cytotoxicity when
these dithiocarbamate compounds are combined with MPP+. We’ve chosen these compounds
because they are common pesticides used in many agricultural industries. In conclusion, we
found out that MPP+ does have a synergic with some of the dithiocarbamate compounds.
Title: Isolating DNA from bone samples for forensic analysis

Student name: Lidissy Liriano
Class standing:
Faculty: Prof. Richard Li
Bone tissue is often used for recovering DNA samples for the purpose of human identification.
However, the initial cleaning and sampling of the bone specimen is a labor-intensive and time-
consuming step, which must be completed prior to isolating DNA. To address this issue, an
enzymatic approach using trypsin is used; producing a proteolytic reaction by breaking down the
protein collagen. The use of the trypsin procedure reduces the amount of labor required by
physical method, thus reducing possibility of cross contamination and safety concerns due to the
exposing bone powder of the sanding method.
Title: Mechanisms of DNA binding to tricyclic antidepressants

Student name: Melinda Amy Liu
Class standing:
Studies indicate that tricyclic antidepressants interfere with the integrity of

DNA ultimately resulting in DNA fragmentation. The mechanisms of DNA
binding to tricyclic antidepressants are studied utilizing fluorescence
spectroscopy to monitor the behavior and interaction of dyes. These dyes
are DNA specific probes which form fluorescent complexes by attaching to
the minor or major grooves of double stranded DNA. Displacement of the
fluorescent dye with antidepressant is observed by fluorescence signal
quenching where data obtained for the dyes will be compared to one another
to gain on the binding specificities of the antidepressants and binding modes
of DNA.
Title: Synthesis of the alpha MC adduct

Student name: Elaan Lukasiewicz
Class standing:
Our goal was to synthesize the amino mitosene derivatives and to synthesize the alpha (1a) MC
adduct. There are trans alpha (α) and cis beta (β) stereoisomers of the MC adduct. We set up the
reaction for the coupling of the alpha (α) amino mitosene with the fluoroinosine derivative of the
following oligonucleotide (5’- TTAC (2- FTMSE- dI) TATCT – 3’). We employed various
analytical methods to analyze the products.
Title: The potential role of silicon dioxide as an oxidizing surface in strong sunlight: studies on
mercury behavior
Student name: Amora Mayo-Perez
Class standing:
As part of an ongoing multi-year study at the Blackrock Research Forest in Cornwall, NY we

have identified an atypical response of mercury deposited to pure silicon dioxide sand surfaces in
strong sunlight. Pure laboratory sand was pre-cleaned by baking the surface to 300°C and then
placed outdoors under a transparent Teflon roof to study the dry deposition of mercury to this
surface. Typically, mercury from natural surfaces demonstrates increased emission to the
atmosphere in strong sunlight, with the response trending toward deposition after sunset (Carpi
& Lindberg, 1998). Over a thirty-day period during March and April 2007, our sand surface
displayed ten days of irregular flux patterns. These irregular patterns are not repeated during
subsequent years. The study shows consistent negative fluxes until mid afternoon and positive
fluxes from approximately sundown until midnight. The process is not fully understood.
Negative fluxes are attributed to greater mercury concentrations in the environment compared to
the surface of the sand. Positive fluxes are representative of mercury emissions from the surface
of the sand compared to the surrounding mercury concentrations. The irregular flux patterns
occur on ten separate days with corresponding trends at the same times-of-day. This study aims
to determine the association between ozone, strong sunlight and uncharacteristic mercury fluxes.
Title: Determination of trace level residue in natural water samples

Student name: Dominika Mucha
Class standing:
Faculty: Prof. Yi He
Pharmaceuticals are designed to minimize harmful effects on humans once

consumed. However, when released into the ecosystem, these
pharmaceuticals have an increasing affect on the metabolism of non-target
organisms. Acidic drugs are a major category of drug residues found in
sewage treatment plants (STP). A procedure based on microextraction was
proposed to analyze trace level acidic over-the-counter drugs found in
natural water samples. The six pharmaceuticals were: ibuprofen, naproxen,
salicylic acid, omeprazole, clotrimazole, and loratadine. Their UV absorption
characteristics were investigated by a UV-VIS spectrophotometer. A method
based on hollow fiber, supported by three phase liquid-liquid-liquid
microextraction, is proposed for HPLC separation and UV detection. Factors
that affect extraction efficiency such as the pH of a sample solution, type of
extraction solvent, aqueous acceptor phase, and extraction time will be
investigated and optimized. This method will be evaluated by analyzing
aqueous environmental water samples.
Title: Development of a fingerprint scanner device for the detection of metabolites from
unlawful substances
Student name: William Ng
Class standing:
Faculty: Prof. Marcel Roberts
The struggle for homeland security to stop the influx of illegal drugs and to counteract the war
on terrorism has resulted in the application of various analytical chemical techniques. However,
some of the methods lack the convenience and practicality to be used as tools for border patrol
and airport screenings either due to cost effectiveness, time consumption and intrusiveness. The
development of a fingerprint scanner able to detect metabolites in a person’s body via sweat
from specific prohibited materials is an innovative concept which incorporates spectroscopic,
electrochemical and immunological concepts. The device is made feasible for its affordability,
portability and rapid presumptive analysis for field usage.
Title: Binding and Depurination Studies of PAP on Ribosomes isolated from

Yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) Cells
Student name: Konrad Ornatowski
Class standing:
Faculty: Prof. Shu-Yuan Cheng
Pokeweed Antiviral Protein (PAP) is a Ribosome Inactivating Protein (RIP).

RIPs are able to inhibit protein synthesis by depurinating the conserved
sarcin/ricin loop of the large subunit of ribosomal RNA (rRNA), thereby
rendering the ribosome inactive. It is hypothesized that when a cell is
infected by a virus, the integrity of the cell membrane is compromised,
allowing for PAP to permeate from the cell wall matrix into the cell and block
protein synthesis at the translocation step. In this study, ribosomes will be
isolated from Yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) cells utilizing various
extraction buffers and an ultracentrifuge. The pure and active ribosomal
subunits will then be exposed to PAP in an established depurination assay to
determine the effects of PAP on the eukaryotic ribosomes’ ability for protein
synthesis.
Title: Characterizing the role of myeloid zinc finger-1 (MZF-1) as a

transcription factor in the regulation of connective tissue growth factor
(CTGF).
Student name: Richard Piszczatowski
Faculty: Prof. Nathan Lents
Connective Tissue Growth Factor (CTGF) is a protein encoded by the CTGF

gene. CTGF plays a critical role in cell adhesion and proliferation, which
explains its abundance in thrombocytes, also known as blood platelets.
Blood platelets are created by megakaryocytes located in the bone marrow,
and have been found to contain abundant amounts of CTGF while in the
blood. However, current research shows that when blood platelets are
created by megakaryocytes, they do not initially contain CTGF, nor do the
megakaryocytic cells produce CTGF. Thus, blood platelets must acquire
CTGF from an external source via endocytosis, and the megakaryocytes
must provide some sort of signaling mechanism to initiate the production
and excretion of CTGF by nearby cells.
This research project will attempt to show that MZF-1 (myeloid zinc finger-1),
a protein abundant in the bone marrow acts as a transcription factor to affect
the production of CTGF of cells in the vicinity of megakaryocytes. MZF-1
may be a possible contributor to the communication between
megakaryocytes and other bone marrow cells to produce and provide the
CTGF protein to thrombocytes. Identification and confirmation of MZF-1 as a
transcription factor of the CTGF gene may open the door to a new look at the
development of blood platelets, as well as the entire blood clotting cascade.
Results from this research project may have clinical implications as well, as
MZF-1 may provide a new outlook on how to approach poorly acting blood
platelets as well as a possible factor in the maintenance of proper
hemostasis.
Title: Surface modification for the development of a novel drug detection

and fingerprint scanner.
Student name: Elliot Quinteros
Class standing:
Faculty: Prof.
Advances in the detection of illicit drugs now potentially allow for the use of
an individual’s sweat to determine if that person has had any contact with
drugs. The way this is determined is through the use of metabolites
produced in the liver, such as the metabolite benzoylecgonine, an indicator
for the presence and use of cocaine. We propose to use immunogenic
binding to determine the presence of the biomarker. Initially the principle for
the modification of the surface and the detection of benzoylecgonine will be
proven. This will be executed using spectroscopic methods such as
ultraviolet light and surface plasmon resonance, as well as electrochemical
methods. The overall goal will be to create a fingerprint scanner which will
be able to use the same principles.
Title: Supramolecular properties of porphyrin-guanosine conjugates

Student name: Andrea Saenz
Class standing:
Suitable arrangement of multiple chromophores is one of the most important issues in material
sciences, since the self-assembled multi-chromophoric system may show completely different
physical, photochemical and electrochemical properties compared to the forming unit.
Porphyrins have been widely investigated because of their H- and J-aggregates formation under
specific conditions (Endo 2008) while guanine-rich oligomers have shown the possibility of
forming G-quartets and, if further self-assembled, liquid crystal phases of different nature (Lena
2008). We plan to synthesize deoxyguanosine-porphyrin conjugates soluble both in organic and
aqueous environments and explore their aggregation processes. The hope is to be able to
modulate the aggregation of the two different parts of the molecules: it would be of great
interest and highly innovative to have the porphyrin side of the conjugate aggregating at
conditions that are different from the ones used to self-assemble the guanosine side.
Title: Effects of flushing flow rate in mercury flux

Student name: Eva Santos
Class standing:
Mercury has a complex biogeochemistry in which different species of the metal participate in
different transport processes depending on the chemical properties of the constituent in question.
Several environmental reactions influence this process by driving the reduction or oxidation of
mercury, and inter-conversion between mercury complexes. While the reduction of HgCl2, HgO
and HgS play important roles on land surfaces, Hg+2 salts hydrolyze in water to form HgClOH
(in the case of mercuric chloride), Hg(OH)2, Hg(OH)3-, or even Hg(OH)4-2. Mercury hydroxide
compounds exhibit different reduction/oxidation potentials than other salts. The goal of this
work is to examine the pathways and kinetics of the formation of mercury hydroxide complexes
in water, and the subsequent reduction/oxidation chemistry of these constituents.
Title: Microwave assisted reactions of deoxyguanosine at position C-6 and C-2

Student name: Latoyia Patrick Saunders
Class standing:
This project intends to investigate microwave assisted methods for the introduction of various
substituents at the C-6 and C-2 positions of 2’-deoxyguanosine. The following substitution
reactions are being investigated: (1) substitution at the 6 position of the O6 –(benzyltriazol -1-yl)
guanosine derivative by a range of nucleophiles; and (2) substitution at the C2 position of the
fluoroinosine (X) by a range of hindered amines. Our goal is to compare the reaction times and
yields of various substitution reactions with and without microwave assistance. The
development of new methods for substitutions at position 2 will be applied to the reaction of
fluoroinosine with hindered amines mitosenes.
Title: Tracing the epidemiology of multiple sclerosis based on genes and the environment
Student name: Laura Singh
Class standing:
Faculty: Prof. Angelique Corthals
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease that affects many people, particularly
Northern Europeans, and causes the function of their motile faculties to deteriorate. MS is the
self degradation of the myelin sheath on the neuron, which causes the synapses necessary for
senses and movement in the body to fail. Dr. Angelique Corthals and I are working to
understand the epigenesis of this disease by studying the pathways in the body that relate to its
environmental and genetic causes. Based on our research, we are pursuing this problem based
on genes that influence autoimmune responses, their passing on to offspring via mitochondrial
DNA and its effect on populations, antigen presentation to the self by Major Histocompatibility
Complexes, and the evolution of diet that has effected change in the pathways related to the
onset of MS. Laboratory methods employed for research are DNA electrophoresis, GC/MS
analysis of proteins, data mining, GenBank, and proteomic databases to determine the genes
involved in the development of MS. We have found that the exposure to sunlight affects
conversion of cholesterol to vitamin D and triggers the onset of MS when paired with a genetic
susceptibility. Our future work will be based on locating the “Viking gene”, or genes passed on
from the Scandinavians which are believed to be the genetic source of MS susceptibility.
Title: Role of alpha-synuclein in the potentiated effects of dithiocarbamates

on MPP+ cytotoxicity
Student name: Anna Stoll
Class standing:
Maneb (MB) and mancozeb (MZ), and diethyldithiocarbamate (DDC), usually

used as fungicides in the agricultural industry, are Mn containing ethylene-
bis-dithiocarbamates and have been known to increase the effect that the
neurotoxin MPTP has on dopaminergic neurons which can lead to cell death
and Parkinson-like symptoms (Bachurin et al., 1996; McGrew et al., 2000;
Domico et al., 2006). The Dopamine transporter (DAT) is a protein which is
known to play a role in MPTP’s toxicity by transporting MPP+ into
dopaminergic neurons. Alpha-synuclein, a protein that interacts with the
Dopamine Transports, can regulate the cell surface expression of DAT.
Increasing the concentration of DAT on the cell membrane leads to higher
uptake of MPTP (Lee et al., (2001). Perviouse research in the Lab (by Carlos
Cuellar) concluded that DDC, MB, and MZ treatment increased alpha-
synuclein and DAT interaction.
This research will look at the role of the alpha-synuclein in potentiated effects of mancozeb,
maneb, and DDC on MPP+-triggered cytotoxicity. By mutating the alph-synuclein the
interaction between the DAT and the alpha-synuclien will be able to be observed when treated
with the fungicides. HEK 293 cells (Human Embryonic Kidney cells), stably expressed human
dopamine transporter (HEK-DAT), were used. After treating the HEK-DAT cells with the
mutated DNA and fungicides the cells underwent co-immunoprecipitation using an anti-DAT
antibody. The proteins where then separated using a SDS-PAGE and then transferred to a
nitrocellulose membrane for Western Blot analysis. The images that will then be taken of the
protein bands on the membrane will allow for the amount of each protein in the different
conditions to be known.
Title: Development of mutant strains expressing different domains of the C. albicans ALS1p
adhesin
Student name: Leonid Sukala
Class standing:
Faculty: Prof.
Many Immuno-comprimised patients are susceptible to life-threatening systemic infections by

the pathogen Candida albicans, a normally commensal yeast organism that resides in healthy
people. Environmental cues within the patient trigger a morphogenic shift in C. albicans,
increasing its virulence by initiating hyphae fillimintation, biofilm formation and amyloid
structural motifs. A critical component that mediates these and other important functions is the
cell wall. The cell wall is responsible for the cell’s interactions with its environment and protects
C. albicans from environmental stresses like antifungal drugs, osmotic pressure, changes in pH
and host immune defenses. Such behavior is in part mediated by cell-wall bound adhesion
proteins that selectively interact with a host of mammalian substrates, such as those found in
human gastro-intestinal tracks or urogenital systems. These crucial proteins are themselves
composed of various domains, each of which contributes a specific function that, when taken
together, confer the effective binding profiles that enable the yeast to be a successful pathogen.
One of our research aims is to develop various mutant strains that express different domains of
the C. albicans ALS1p adhesin. These truncated proteins will be functionally compared and be
used to elucidate particular domain contributions to the overall adhesion process. Because these
adhesins are unique to the yeast, such mechanistic information could be used to generate safe and
effective therapeutics.
Title: Candida albicans sko1Δ/ Δ and hog1 Δ/ Δ mutant phenotype under

osmotic stress and functional conservation of Candida albicans SKo1p in
Saccharomyces cervisiae
Student name: Jennifer Teubl
Class standing:
Faculty: Prof. Jason Rauceo
The ability of an organism to respond to stress in its environment is critical to

its survival. The focus will be to confirm the importance of stress signaling
pathways in the pathogenic yeast, Candida albicans. The HOG1- SKO1
pathway has been shown in previous studies to respond to osmotic shock in
the bakers yeast Saccharomyces cervisiae and recently in C. albicans. Here,
we will determine the cellular phenotype for sko1Δ/ Δ and hog1 Δ/ Δ mutant
strains following osmotic stress. Growth rate kinetics will be determined in
the presence or absence of Sodium Chloride ( NaCl) for sko1Δ/ Δ and hog1 Δ/
Δ mutant strains and will be compared to a wild type strain. We will
determine whether salt treatment causes aberrant cell morphology by
observing the mutant strains under light microscopy. By using these mutant
strains, we hope to illustrate the importance of the HOG1-SKO1 pathway
under osmotic stress in C. albicans. In addition, we will introduce the Ca
SKO1 into a S. cerevisiae sko1Δ mutant and test for functional conservation.
Title: Sonification of network traffic

Student name: Michael Tsamis
Class standing:
Faculty: Prof. Bilal Khan
Department: Mathematics & Computer Information Systems
The ability to monitor normal and abnormal network traffic in real time is vital, since
a network attack can occur and be completed in seconds. One novel way to render
network traffic is through its acoustic representation. The Centaur project
(Centralized Auralization) explores dynamic sonic interpretation of live TCP/IP
network packets as musical notes of varying pitch, volume, duration and
instrumentation. Centaur renders a stream of TCP packets in a manner that reflects
the system's continuously updated beliefs concerning the network state, e.g.
whether a “port scan” or “distributed denial of service attack” (DDoS) is taking
place. Additionally, the system is capable of mapping normal web traffic contents
into musical notes. Multiple Centaur sensors can be deployed to monitor machines
across the wide area Internet; a central Centaur server receives musical note
commands over the network from deployed sensors. The advantage of this
architecture is that the guarded machines need not cohabit the same local area
network (LAN). Future work will evaluate the extent to which such acoustic
renderings enable administrators to more effectively (and viscerally) sense shifts in
patterns of network utilization.
Title: The toxic mechanism of Manganese nanoparticles in PC-12 Cells

Student name: Justin Walters
Class Standing:
Nanotechnology has been used to create many new materials with a broad
range of applications, in medicine, electronics, biomaterials and energy
production. However, nanotechnology also raises concerns about the toxicity
and environmental impact of nanomaterials. In vitro study showed (Hussain
et al., 2006) manganese (Mn) nanoparticles induce dopamine depletion and
increase reactive oxygen species (ROS) which will trigger apoptosis. Mn is an
essential element necessary for brain development, formation of bone and
connective tissue, lipid metabolism and reproductive function. However, at
high concentrations or after prolonged exposures of Mn, this element can
accumulate in the brain and induce tremors, rigidity and psychosis. This
condition, known as Manganism, is a progressive disorder similar to
Parkinson’s disease (Cai et al., 2007). The preliminary data from Cheng’s lab
show manganese-containing pesticides enhance MPP+, the active metabolite
of parkisonian toxin MPTP (1-methyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine), cytotoxicity
in PC12 cells. The potential toxic mechanism of these manganese-containing
pesticides could be due to increase the cell surface expression of dopamine
transporter (DAT) which is required for MPP+ toxicity. The aims of this study
are (1) to evaluate the effect of Mn nanoparticles on MPP+ induced
cytotoxicity and (2) to elucidate the role of DAT in the toxic mechanism of
Mn nanoparticle.
Title: Investigating the reactivity of aziridinomitosenes towards various

nucleophiles
Student name: Stephanie Watson
Class standing:
This project is part of an ongoing investigation of the local structures of DNA

adducts of decarbamoyl mitomycin C (DMC) and mitomycin C (MC) believed to be
responsible for the different biochemical responses produced by the two
compounds. The overall focus is on assessing the reactivity of the
leucoaziridinomitosene toward various nucleophiles. If the
leucoaziridinomitosene is reactive toward azide anions for instance, this will
provide a quick way to amino mistosenes, which are key intermediates in the
synthesis of DMC and MC–DNA adducts. The research plan is to reductively
activate MC with various thiols and characterize all adducts formed in the
presence of sodium azide (NaN3). Thus far the hydrolysis of Mitomycin C was
achieved. The hydrolysis product was protected at the 2 position with the teoc
group. At that stage, both the cis- and trans- hydroxy mitosenses were isolated
through column chromatography (SiO2, 3% MeOH in CH2Cl2). The cis- and trans-
compounds obtained weighed about 73 and 20 mg and had yields of 36% and
10% respectively. The products were then mesylated at the 1 position and azide
displacement using NaN3 followed. Future steps for this project include the
isolation and analysis of the product(s) formed during the latter reactions,
deprotection of the teoc group, further investigation of the
leucoaziridinomitosene reactivity towards the azide ion used and if successful,
the characterization of all adducts formed in the presence of sodium azide.
Title: Interactions of tricyclic antidepressants with DNA: a role of peroxidase

catalysis and intercalation.
Student name: Alicia K. Williams
Class standing:
Tricyclic antidepressants were discovered in the 1950s and were used for
many years in the treatment of mood disorders. The antidepressants and
their metabolites can be very genotoxic in living cells. The planar structures
of the drugs can insert between DNA bases forming stacking complexes.
The metabolism of antidepressants may lead to the DNA bases modifications
or DNA strand breaks. We studied the effect on DNA of three tricyclic
antidepressants, imipramine, amitriptyline, and opipramol. We focused on
the drug-DNA binding and DNA damage aided by peroxidase catalysis. As a
model of peroxidase we used HRP (Horseradish peroxidase). We performed
ethidium bromide fluorescence quenching experiments and determined drug
concentrations at 50% fluorescence quenching, C50. The value of C50 ranged
from 1 mM for opipramol to 5 mM for imipramine and amitriptyline. Agarose
gel electrophoresis studies showed that DNA disappears in the reaction
mixtures containing imipramine and HRP/H2O2. Phenol:chlorophorm:iso-amyl
alcohol extraction from the mixtures containing DNA and imipramine in the
presence of HRP/H2O2 indicated that DNA degrades in the reaction. UV-vis
studies showed that both imipramine and opipramol are the substrates for
HRP. At pH 7, reaction between HRP and excess of H2O2 and imipramine led
to the formation of a broad spectrum with a peak at 522 nm. The intensity
of the spectrum increased with time. The position of the maximum shifted to
the longer wavelengths as the pH decreased reaching 650 nm at pH 2.
These spectra are associates with imipramine radical. GC-MS analysis of the
brown precipitate produced in the mixture of imipramine and HRP/H2O2
indicated the dealkylation process and the formation of iminodibenzyl. Thus
all three antidepressants bind DNA possibly by intercalation, opipramol
exhibiting a greater affinity compared to imipramine and amitriptyline. DNA
degrades in the presence of imipramine and HRP/H2O2 at the drug
concentration of 2 uM. The damage to DNA is caused by imipramine reactive
intermediate.
Title: Maneb and Mancozeb enhance MPP+ toxicity through activation of NF-
kappa B signaling pathway
Student name: Cindi-Ann Williams
Class standing:
The pesticides Diethyldithiocarbamate (DDC), Maneb(MB) and Mancozeb(MZ)

have been implicated in the development of Parkinsonian-like symptoms in
agricultural workers. Such symptoms are associated with neurotoxicity as a
result of the toxic effect of the compound MPP+ on dopaminergic cells. The
enhancement of MPP+ toxicity by the pesticides DDC, MB and MZ via a
mechanism involving the activation of the NF-kappa B signaling pathway was
investigated. Cells treated with DDC, MB and MZ were expected to show an
increase in nuclear NK-kappa B activity. The chemical treatment of PC 12
cells was followed by incubation for 12, 18 and 36 hours. An assay for
Luciferase activity was used to assess nuclear NF-kappa B activity relative to
a PBS control group. Data analysis revealed no change in nuclear NF-kappa
B activity at 12 hours, sustained increase at 18 hours and increase at 36
hours. For MB and MZ, the sustained increase in NF-kappa B activity was
found only at 18 hours. The confirmation of NF-kappa activation represents
the first stages in isolating a complete mechanism associated with
neurotoxicity with potential application to the determination of strategies for
treatment of neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease linked
to MPP+ toxicity.
Title: Equilibrium binding properties of pokeweed antiviral protein

to the cap analog m7GTP under varying chemical and physical
conditions
Student name: Ayaka Yamada
Class standing:
Faculty: Prof. Diana Friedland
Pokeweed Antiviral Protein (PAP) extracted from Pokeweed is one of the

Ribosome Inactivating Proteins (RIPs) that depurinates the large ribosomal
RNA and prevents protein synthesis by stopping translation. It is a
protecting system in the plant against a variety of insect, fungi, and viruses.
Equilibrium binding properties of PAP to the cap analog m7GTP were analyzed
in buffers of different pHs and different salt concentrations by measuring the
native protein fluorescence at the emission maximum wavelength of 347nm.
It had been hypothesized that the smallest dissociation constant of PAP
would be observed in the buffer with pH 6.5 and the salt concentration of
100mM. The results showed that the cap bound to PAP most strongly in the
buffer with pH 3.0 and the salt concentration of 150mM. In this spring, the
same experiments will be performed again to examine the causes of the
inaccurate results.
*
Science
Title: Forest Soil Mercury Fluxes Pre and Post-Clearing in Upstate New York
Student name: Michael Gittings
Department: Science
Format: Poster
Intact forests and soils within these systems serve as a sink for mercury, diminishing or delaying
its movement in the environment and entry into the human food chain. Deforestation can release
mercury from these ecosystems as a result of the burning of biomass or following the burn event,
as emissions from exposed soils. Margarelli and Fostier (2005) have shown that soil mercury
emissions from a deforested site in the Negro River Basin were statistically higher than soil
emissions from an intact forested area. Thus, the liberation of mercury stored in forest soils may
be an important source of mercury in regional ecosystems. To further investigate the impact of
deforestation on soil mercury emissions, we conducted a two week study in the Blackrock Forest
in Cornwall, NY. An intact site, covered with European and Japanese Barberry (Berberis
vulgaris and Berberis thunbergil), was studied for one week with two Teflon dynamic flux
chambers connected to a Tekran Mercury Vapor Analyzer to obtain continuous background
mercury flux readings. At the start of the second week, vegetation was removed from the plot by
cutting, and emissions were monitored for an additional week. Mercury flux during the pre-
clearing period averaged -1.88ng/m2/hr and showed peak emissions of 8.3ng/m2/hr. However,
post-clearing flux values averaged 10.62ng/m2/hr and showed peak emissions of 107ng/m2/hr.
The maximum value seen is significantly greater than previously reported. Contributing factors
will be discussed.
Title: Toxicity of Maneb and Mancozeb Pesticides Contributing to Rat Pheochromocytoma

Cellular Death and the Potential Neuroprotective Effects of Polyphenols Against these Insults
Student name: Marcela Velasco
Faculty: Prof. Shu-Yuang Cheng
Department: Science
Format: Poster
Parkinson’s Disease is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder in the United States.
Its pathology is characterized by a selective loss of pigmented neurons in the substantia nigra
resulting in dopamine depletion. Pesticides causing chemical alterations that lead to neuronal
apoptosis will also hinder the production of this neurotransmitter, possibly resulting in
Parkinsonism or other diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity
Disorder. The present study investigated the effects of Maneb and Mancozeb pesticides in PC12
cells, which resemble the chemistry and physiology of dopaminergic neurons. Cells were treated
with 20 µ M Maneb and 20 µ M Mancozeb for 1 hour. Using MTT toxicology assay Maneb and
Mancozeb treated cells showed a decrease in mitochondrial function of 24.64% and 21.56%
respectively. These PC12 groups were then treated with Polyphenols (10 µ M), known to be
potent ROS scavengers, in order to study potential neuroprotective effects. No PC12 cell survival
was observed in affected cells treated with Polyphenols suggesting that Maneb and Mancozeb do
not act as oxidative stressors or that neuron death results from multiple mechanisms in which
oxidative stress is not the driving event. DNA fragmentation was also examined using Comet
assay. DNA breakage was evident in Maneb and Mancozeb exposed groups, demonstrating that
these neurotoxins are capable of causing considerable genetic damage. Findings indicate that
both pesticides do in fact disrupt PC12 mitochondrial function and cause DNA damage. This
study confirmed the neurotoxicity of Maneb and Mancozeb adding to their relevance in the
pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases.
Title: ICP-MS analysis of dithiocarbamate compounds in PC-12 Cells

Student name: Teeshavi Narayne
Department: Science
Format: Poster
Dithiocarbmates are a class of widely used fungicides that have gained a reputation for being
involved in neurological toxicity leading to Parkinson’s disease. Dithiocarbamate compounds
such as maneb, mancozeb, ziram, and zineb are the focus of our research. These compounds
contain heavy metals such as manganese and zinc and have been directly linked to dopaminergic
neurodegeneration through chronic exposure. It has been shown that the mitochondrial inhibitor
1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+), which is an active metabolite of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-
1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP), that causes parkinsonism is provoked by these compounds
and as such allow for an constant toxic influx of dopamine into the cell, directly leading to cell
death(apoptosis). However the toxic mechanisms of these compounds are not clear. The possible
toxic mechanisms through which they act may be due to the accumulation of intracellular metal
ions. This increase will elevate the production of reactive oxygen species leading to oxidative
stress and ultimately the induction of apoptosis. The aim of this study is to determine whether the
intracellular concentrations of manganese and zinc are increased after exposure to
dithiocarbamate compounds via analysis by inductively coupled plasma – mass spectrometry
(ICP-MS).
Title: The Role of RTP801 in Maneb- and Mancozeb- Induced Cytotoxicity

Student name: Seon Oh
Department: Science
Format: Poster
Environmental factors, such as pesticide exposure, have been implicated in the pathogenesis of
neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease (PD). Manganese (Mn)-containing
ethylene-bis-dithiocarbamate compounds, maneb (MB) and mancozeb (MZ) have been
extensively used for pesticides over the past 50 years. Exposure to MB lowers the threshold for
dopaminergic damage triggered by MPTP, which is a human Parkinson’s disease inducing
neurotoxin. Preliminary data from Cheng’s lab demonstrate that MB and MZ enhance 1-methyl-
4-phenylpyridium (MPP+)-induced cell death in rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells. However,
the neurotoxic molecular mechanisms and the signal transduction pathways involved in the
action of these dithiocarbamate toxins in PD are still not clear. Neuron death, regardless of
initiating causes, generally requires proapoptotic gene activation. Studies using serial analysis of
gene expression (SAGE) showed RTP801 is the most induced by stresses. Several PD mimetics
(6-hydroxydopamine, MPP+, and rotenone) induced RTP801 in neuronal cells. A sequential
mechanism (induction of RTP801, suppression of mTOR signaling, and then depletion
phosphorylated/activated Akt) has been suggested to be the mechanism of neurotoxins-induced
cell death. This proposed project will to explore the role of RTP801 and its subsequent signaling
mechanism in maneb- and mancozeb- induced neuronal cell death. Several biochemical and
molecular biological techniques, such as Western blot analysis, RT-PCR, and shRNA knock-
down, will be used to study this project. Uncovering the toxic mechanisms of Mn-containing
dithiocarbamates will provide a detailed understanding of the pathogenesis of PD and help
develop new therapeutic or prevention strategies for PD.
At 4 hr treatment, there was not a big difference in the gene expression of RTP801 of PBS,
DDC, and MB. But for MZ, RTP801 was twice the control, PBS. But at 8 hr treatment, all
chemicals showed significant RTP801 gene expression, which was about 3 times the RTP801 of
PBS. This observation proved that the RTP801 has been expressed by Manganese (Mn)-
containing ethylene-bis-dithiocarbamate compounds. Later on this research, RNA will be
isolated to proceed subsequent RT-PCR.
Title: Purification and Characterization of Pokeweed Antiviral Protein from Seeds (PAP-S):
Temperature and Salt Effects on mRNA Recognition
Student name: Shari Maltz
Faculty: Prof. Shu-Yuan Cheng & Prof. Lawrence Kobilinsky
Department: Science
Format: Poster
The purification of Pokeweed Antiviral Protein from the seeds (PAP-S) of Phytolacca
americana and the characterization of PAP-S on mRNA cap analog recognition are described.
PAP is a type I, toxic ribosomal inactivating protein (RIP) that can be used as a model for ricin,
an extremely toxic type II RIP. It is important to create a model for ricin, as is it a deadly
biological reagent that can be used as a biological weapon to attack the agricultural industry and
create extreme stress on the economy. Several forms of PAP have been discovered in different
parts of the pokeweed plant including the roots, leaves, and seeds. PAP has been shown to bind
to the sacrin/ricin loop of ribosomal RNA and the subsequent depurination of the RNA results in
the termination of protein synthesis (the canonical RIP enzymatic activity). The ability to
terminate protein synthesis has resulted in characterizing PAP as an important antiviral agent,
having antiviral activity against plant, animal, and human viruses. The mechanism describing
PAP’s ability to inhibit protein synthesis is currently being studied. PAP has been shown to bind
to capped and uncapped mRNA and inhibit its transcription – a novel RIP enzymatic activity.
Some experts believe that initiation factors normally used to initiate transcription are utilized in
binding PAP to uncapped mRNA. Uncapped mRNA forms secondary structures, which may
facilitate PAP’s selection of depurination sites on the RNA. These secondary structures are
different among various mRNA molecules and so it is likely PAP has an affinity for some forms
over others. PAP-S was isolated from the seeds within pokeweed berries and purified using Ion-
Exchange chromatography. The presence of PAP-S in the preparation was shown using SDS-
PAGE followed by silver-staining which showed a band at 30 kDa that is consistent with the
literature. Steady state fluorescence spectroscopy was used to determine the best working buffer
by varying salt concentrations. Steady state fluorescence spectroscopy was also performed to
measure the equilibrium association of PAP-S with capped mRNA (m 7GTP) at a range of
different temperatures. This study shows the highest binding affinity of PAP-S to m7GTP at 15-
21°C.
Title: Does Pokeweed antiviral protein form a triplex with eIF4E and eIF4G?
Student name: Christopher Kluge
Department: Science
Format: Poster
Pokeweed antiviral protein (PAP) is a type I ribosomal inactivating protein, which depurinates
the sarcin/ricin loop of ribosomal RNA halting translation. PAP also binds to the cap of mRNA
and the eukaryotic initiation factor (eIF) 4 complex, specifically the subunit eIF4G. The binding
complex of PAP and this subunit is known, it is also known that eIF4G binds to eIF4E in the
eIF4 complex. From studies performed PAP binds to a central region of eIFiso4G, while eIF4E
binds near the N-terminal region of eIFiso4G in wheat. Therefore it has been proposed that a
possibility exists, where eIF4E and eIF4G can simultaneously bind PAP. The scope of my
research is to decipher if PAP forms a triplex with these subunits. The formation of the triplex
will be studied in four different approaches: affinity pull-down assays, bait-and-prey
experiments, fluorescence resonance energy transfer assays, and equilibrium sedimentation
techniques.
Title: Effects of Pathogens on Pokeweed Antiviral Protein Isoform Expression

Student name: Janelle Frenyea
Department: Science
Format: Poster
Ribosome inactivating proteins (RIPs) are RNA N-glycosidases, which depurinate ribosomal
RNA. With the ribosome destroyed, protein synthesis is ceased and cell death results.
Pokeweed Antiviral Protein (PAP) is a Type I RIP produced by the American Pokeweed plant.
PAP is employed by this plant as a defense mechanism. Numerous isoforms of PAP are present
throughout the plant and vary depending upon tissue location and stage of growth. To determine
how PAP protects the American Pokeweed plant, greenhouse-grown plants were infiltrated with
two types of bacteria: Pseudomonas syringae pv. Lycopersici (DC3000) and Pseudomonas
aeruginosa 01 (PA01). Cell death was observed after DC3000 leaf infiltration, but not after
PA01 infiltration. Leaf tissue was collected after infiltration at time periods of: 30 minutes, 2
hours, 24 hours, and 48 hours. RNA isolation was conducted, and reverse transcription PCR was
carried out to determine the expressions of PAP-I mRNA, using  a ctin mRNA as a loading
control. A semi-quantitative analysis of RT-PCR products was performed and it was observed
that a downregulation of PAP-I mRNA levels in PA01 infiltrated leaves occurs after 30 minutes
and 2 hours, followed by an upregulation in PAP-I mRNA levels after 24 hours and 48 hours.
The tissue samples infiltrated with DC3000 display similar responses, with only a slight
upregulation after 48 hours.
Title: Analysis of Tool Marks on Bone

Student name: Julie Cohen
Faculty: Prof. Nicholas Petraco
Department: Science
Format: Poster
I'm proposing a poster which discusses a literature search I recently completed on tool marks on
bone and quantitative ways to analyze this data. Past work will be presented and reviewed,
focusing on the work of SA Symes studying saw marks on bone (looking at characteristics of the
walls of these markings) and Silvia Bello and Christophe Soligo, who proposed a way to
mathematically model tool marks on bone (looking primarily at characteristics of the floor of
these markings) to determine class characteristics on the tool used to make a mark.
Title: Preparation of Lawsone Derivatives, Analysis of their Fluorescence Properties and

Application to Fingerprint Detection
Student name: Amanda Vasquez
Class Standing: Graduate
Department: Science
Format: Poster
Fingerprints have been utilized for identification going back as far as several thousands years ago. The
difficulty in detecting latent fingerprints is choosing the right reagent to visualize them. Ninhydrin has been
used since 1954 for the development of latent prints; it reacts with the amino acids left on the fingerprint
forming an intermediate known as Ruhemann’s purple. The major disadvantages with this reagent to detect
latent prints is, they need to be treated with zinc and cadmium salts and cooled to −196 0C.
O Several derivatives of ninhydrin with improved fluorescence properties have been
OH reported, in particular 5-methoxyninhydrin which showed remarkable fluorescence at
room temperature. Recently in literature a new reagent, 2-hydroxy-1,4-naphtoquinone
commonly called lawsone has been studied, It is extracted from the leaves of Lawsonia
O
inermis and it is usually responsible of the staining properties of henna. The difficulties in
using this compound as a fingerprint detector are its solubility and inability to detect
lawsone compounds that are themselves photoluminescent. The objective is to chemically
derivatize the molecule of lawsone in order to prepare compounds that enhance photoluminescence increase
solubility. The strategy is to derivatize lawsone at the hydroxyl functional group with several fluorescent
chromophores. This project includes the chemical preparation of the derivatives of lawsone, analyzing their
fluorescence characterization, and subsequently latent fingerprints will be collected on filter paper and stained
with the previously prepared solutions where a comparative analysis of the substrates will be performed.
*
Sociology
Title: The Social Construction of Two Ideologically Motivated Killings: Crime or Terrorism?
Student name: Diana Rodriguez
Faculty: Prof. David Green
A comparison of how The New York Times and Washington Post have constructed two cases of
politically motivated killings to determine whether, how, and why the term terrorism was used.
These cases are the Fort Hood Shooting in Texas and the killing of an abortion doctor in Kansas.
The project is embedded within broader literatures examining the political nature of the usage of
the term terrorism, and the media construction of social problems.

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May 9, 10, 11, 12 13 & 14th

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