Presentation Days 2023 Abstracts | Harvey Mudd College (2023)

Biology

Josephine A. Adams
Advisor: Daniel M. Stoebel, Professor of Biology

Characteristics of the mechanism behind the expressionit wasWKlebsiella pneumoniae
The transcription factor RpoS is a key partEscherichia coliresponses to various environmental stresses. However, it also occurs in other speciesE. colibacterial family. This work initiates the study of how RpoS regulates gene expression in theKlebsiella pneumoniae, which is known not to express RpoS under cold conditions. We decided to investigate the activity of the bolA promoter, which is a gene that inE coli,has the rare phenomenon of two instigators. Importantly, one of these promoters is known to depend on RpoSE coli.This work begins to answer the question, "Are other species able to use RpoS in their general stress response, or do they use some other mechanism?" by examining the conditions under which the bolA gene would be expressedK. pneumonia.

Hannah Bets
Advisor: Daniel M. Stoebel, Professor of Biology

Variation in Dsra expression: possible mechanism for differences in Rpos accumulation at low temperature in different Enterobacteriaceae species
To survive in a hostile environment, bacteria can activate a general stress response by altering the expression of a wide range of genes to increase their chances of survival. In Enterobacteriaceae, the global stress response is regulated by the alternative sigma factor RpoS. INE coli,under cold stress, RpoS is regulated by the small RNA dsrA. Previous experiments have shown that RpoS accumulates in some but not all Enterobacteriaceae species at low temperature. We hypothesized that RpoS does not accumulate in these species because dsrA expression is not induced. This project aimed to better understand the role of RpoS in response to cold stress by directly measuring variability in dsrA expression in different bacterial species.

Kathleen Darkin
Advisor: Catherine McFadden, Vivian and D. Kenneth Baker Professor of Life Sciences

UCE/exon target enrichment to clarify species boundariesSinulariaeight beads
Coral reefs perform essential ecological and commercial functions, but are increasingly threatened by climate change. Accurate species identification is critical to successful conservation and restoration. However, octocorals, an important but poorly studied reef taxon, are difficult to identify morphologically due to many diagnostic morphological features, phenotypic plasticity, cryptic species and hybridization. The slow rate of molecular evolution within the subphylum has also made DNA barcodes often insufficient to define species boundaries. In this project, I generated and analyzed UCE target enrichment data for clades 1 and 5 of the genus OctacoralSinulariaimproving species boundaries and providing information to assess population structure and geographic diversity.

Mallory Jenne
Advisor: Jae Hur, professor of biology

Study of the role of CG5815 in lipid metabolism inFruit fly
Dysfunctional lipid metabolism is involved in metabolic syndromes that can lead to many diseases, including cardiovascular disease. Therefore, the study of lipid metabolism may provide more insight into the etiology of cardiovascular disease. One gene of interest is SPTY2D1, which has been implicated in cholesterol regulation based on genome-wide association studies in humans. The exact role of SPTY2D1 in lipid metabolism is unknown. So I investigated the role of this gene using a model organismfruit fly,which has the SPTY2D1 homologue, CG5815. I used two different gene expression systems to study the effect of CG5815 knockdown. Specifically, I investigated phenotypes related to lipid metabolism to determine whether CG5815 plays a role in lipid metabolism in flies.

Michelle L. Johnson
Jae Hur, professor of biology

What makes fruit flies known to live longer than those that don't?
Two well-documented methods of extending life infruit flyprevent mating and limit feeding. In addition, the accumulation of protein damage, especially in mitochondria, is associated with aging, which is thought to be detrimental to longevity and can be compensated by protein degradation. My work compares genome-wide transcript profiles of flies of different life spans due to mating or feeding status with a list of 23 candidate genes that may be involved in mitochondrial protein degradation and identifies a set of differentially expressed genes likely involved in mitochondrial protein degradation in short- and long-lived flies

Ockham Kelly Graves
Supervisor: Anna Ahn, professor of biology

Flight Kinematics of Wings to Maximize Lift and Minimize Drag Using a CFD Model
For small aviators, winged flight is more energy efficient than fixed-wing flight. Effective flight requires a balance between creating lift, which keeps birds aloft, and minimizing drag, which slows forward speed. Many factors affect wing performance. the size, shape and movement of the wing play a key role in generating the required forces during flight. This work studies wing movements, including beat frequency, angle of attack and pulse width. Using a computational fluid dynamics model of a simplified bird, the lift and drag generated during flight are calculated for OpenFOAM simulations with different wing motions. This model can be used to predict how wing angles and flapping frequencies affect aerodynamic forces during winged flight.

Audra Lane
Advisor: Catherine McFadden, Vivian and D. Kenneth Baker Professor of Life Sciences

Sperm-associated cation channel protein 4 as a DNA barcode wParamuriceaeight beads
Efforts to conserve the ecologically important eight corals will require accurate means of species identification. Since identification based on morphology is often unreliable, species could ideally be delimited using the sequence of a single gene called a DNA barcode. However, existing DNA barcodes in the octopus are prone to failure. Many octocorals release their gametes into the water column for fertilization. Gamete recognition proteins help oocytes and sperm of the same species find their way between heterospecific gametes in the water column. Given their functionality, gamete recognition proteins may apparently be highly species-specific. We tested the gene encoding CatSper4, a protein involved in sperm chemoattraction, as a DNA barcode in the genus octocoralParamuricea.

Elise Make
Advisor: Daniel M. Stoebel, Professor of Biology

Glycogen accumulation and low-temperature variability of RpoS in gut bacteria
WEscherichia coli,Protection against environmental stress is provided by the general stress response, a process mediated by the alternative sigma factor RpoS. The answer involves the metabolism of glycogen, a short-term energy storage molecule. However, some other Enterobacteriaceae species have been shown not to express RpoS during cold stress, despite their ability to survive. This project investigates the survival of these species by examining the role of glycogen during cold stress in six species of Enterobacteriaceae. We measured glycogen accumulation during exponential growth before and after cold stress to determine whether there is a correlation between glycogen accumulation and RpoS expression.

Shoshana Nowik
Karen D. Parfitt, Professor of Neurology, Pomona College

Determining whether pretreatment with 1B-I3C can improve inhibition of NMDA LTD-induced amyloid beta
Amyloid beta (A?) is a protein that causes many synaptic deficits and is overproduced in Alzheimer's disease. This project investigates the mechanism by which A; can alter long-term depression (LTD), a form of synaptic plasticity. I hypothesize that the ubiquitin ligase Nedd4-1 is required for the effect of Ap on LTD and investigate whether inhibition of Nedd4-1 with 1BI3C attenuates these effects. LTD is induced by application of NMDA, not by electrical stimulation. While previous work has shown that A; enhances electrically induced LTD, I think it inhibits NMDA induced LTD. 1BI3C does not appear to affect LTD. Still figuring out if 1BI3C pretreatment moderates the impact of A? in E.P.E. Taken together, in mature mouse synapses, NMDA application can successfully produce LTD, which is modulated by Ap.

Katherine Wang
Advisor: Karl Haushalter, Seeley W. Mudd Professor of Chemistry and Biology and Department Chair

Structural mechanistic study of the role of pi and steric stacking in exohelical stabilization of 8-Oxog by Hogg1
8-oxoguanine (8-oxoG) is a product of oxidative DNA damage and is repaired by the base excision repair pathway initiated by hOGG1, an enzyme with DNA glycosylase and AP lyase activity. hOGG1 dysfunction is associated with increased cancer incidence and abnormal telomere length regulation. Phenylalanine-319 (F319) of hOGG1 is an active site residue that stabilizes 8-oxoG in the enzyme through aromatic pi stacking. This study will compare the catalytic ability and substrate binding affinity of wild-type hOGG1 with four hOGG1 variants: F319W, F319Y, F319H and F319A. The wild type will be compared with three conservative aromatic substitutions and one non-aromatic substitution to determine how the size and atomic composition of F319 affect its active sites.

Chemistry

Ezra K. Bacon-Gershman
Advisor: Alicia Hernandez-Castillo, Assistant Professor of Chemistry

Design and construction of a microwave chirp spectrometer in the 6-18 GHz range
Rotational spectroscopy is an amazing tool for determining molecular structures, with capabilities ranging from experimentally determining bond lengths and angles with unparalleled precision to studying intermediate compounds. We designed, fabricated and characterized a broadband microwave spectrometer based on chirp excitation configured to measure frequencies in the range 6–18 GHz. Not only can our spectrometer provide precise details of molecular structure, but it can also help us determine the fractional abundances of complex gas mixtures. We introduce our molecules using ultrasonic expansion, thus achieving a spin temperature of 1-2 K for our molecules. We have now measured the spectrum of benzonitrile and are in the process of analyzing our data.

Eleonora P. Bentley
Doradca: Lelia Hawkins, chemical engineering director of the Hixon Center for Climate and the Environment

Improving US aerosol characterization and data management: Establishing the ASCENT site in Joshua Tree National Park
The Atmospheric Chemistry and Science Measurement Network (ASCENT) consists of 12 sites across the United States that conduct comprehensive, long-term characterization of aerosol chemistry with high temporal resolution. We developed instruments and infrastructure on site in Joshua Tree National Park. This site, like its counterparts, is equipped with a number of advanced aerosol instruments for real-time measurement of aerosol fine chemistry and properties: aerosol chemical species monitoring (ACSM, non-flammable aerosols), Xact (traces), etholometer ( black /brown carbon ) and a scanning mobility particle sizer (SMPS, size distribution and aerosol number concentration). The data infrastructure includes real-time remote access and long-term data storage.

Emma R. Dy
Advisors: Steven Santana '06, Assistant Professor of Engineering and Director of the Engineering Clinic. Karl Haushalter, Seeley W. Mudd Professor of Chemistry and Biology and Department Chair

New catalyst for bioorthogonal hydrogel polymerization in Click chemistry
Due to its efficiency under physiological conditions, the oxime reaction is a valuable option for biocompatible 3D hydrogel polymerization involving cells, but it proceeds rapidly only with the cytotoxic aniline catalyst. Modification of the aniline catalyst with different lengths of polyethylene glycol can increase the biocompatibility of the catalyst. M-PEG5-OH was modified using nucleophilic substitutions with tosyl chloride and acetaminophen and then hydrolyzed to form m-PEG5-aniline. NMR was used to confirm the structure of the pure product. Future work will investigate the cytotoxicity and rheological properties of PEGylated anilines to determine if they can be used for 3D printing of biocompatible artificial tissues.

Ethan B. Flanagan
Advisor: Spencer Brucks, Assistant Professor of Chemistry

Backbone stereochemistry and polymer degradation
Polymers are a ubiquitous class of materials, but they pose problems due to their persistence in the environment. A better understanding of the factors that affect polymer degradation could help design more sustainable plastics. An under-researched area that can affect degradation is the stereochemistry of the polymer backbone. In particular, this work investigates E/Z isomerism in the polynorbornene backbone. In theory, increasing the percentage of Z double bonds should result in a more rigid backbone that is more easily degraded. To investigate this, I synthesized polynorbornene with different E/Z ratios, degraded these polymers using sonication, and studied changes in molecular weight distribution using gel permeation chromatography.

Eugene S. Gao
Advisor: Nancy Lape, professor of engineering and department chair

Coarse-grained molecular simulation of silica/poly(4-methyl-2-pentene) nanocomposites for gas transport analysis
Nanocomposite gas separation membranes show promise as an energy-saving method for the separation of gas mixtures. The researchers found that the addition of impermeable nanoparticle fillers improved the performance of the membrane compared to pure polymer. To better understand the reasons behind the enhanced gas transport, coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations using GROMACS are used to study the properties of poly(4-methyl-2-pentene) polymer films with and without 2 nm or 5 nm octadecyltrimethoxysilane silica nanoparticles. Gas transport was modeled using coarse butane permeate to calculate diffusivity and solubility values. The radius of gyration, pore size distribution and fractional free volume were visualized to gain insight into the polymer morphology.

Jakub A. Kelber
Doradca: Nancy S.B. Williams, Claremont McKenna Professor of Chemistry, Pitzer and Scripps Colleges

Synthesis, characterization and reactivity of (NN(O)N)PtMe (NN(O)N = 2.6 bis(diethylaminomethyl)-4-pyridone)
C-H alkane activation has the potential to convert methane, a low-value fuel, into methanol, a high-value fuel that can prevent natural gas waste and facilitate solar energy storage. We synthesized complex 1(NN(O)N)PtMe as a precursor of the proposed potent C-H activation intermediate. 1 was prepared by refluxing the ligand NN(OH)N, Na3PO4 12H2O, and a slight excess of (COD)PtMeCl in acetonitrile for 12-24 h. Purification of 1 by recrystallization from acetone/pentane provided an X-ray crystal structure and the complex was characterized by 13C and 1H NMR. Weak acids partially protonate the oxygen atom in 1, forming [(NN(OH)N)PtMe]+ ions (2). Strong acids fully protonate 1 and then deprotonate 2, releasing methane.

Ixchela Lopeza
Advisor: Karl Haushalter, Seeley W. Mudd Professor of Chemistry and Biology and Department Chair

Optimization of Human OGG1-DNA Nucleosome Complex Assembly Methodology to Study DNA-Protein Nucleosome Dynamics
DNA is constantly damaged by endogenous reactive oxygen species and by carcinogenic mutagenesis. Human DNA 8-oxoguanine glycosylase 1 (hOGG1) is an enzyme that removes oxidized guanines (°G) from chromosomal DNA to restore genome integrity. However, little is known about how hOGG1 discriminates and gains access to °G on highly packed chromosomes composed of DNA–histone protein complexes or nucleosomes. This work focuses on the development and optimization of protocols for the construction of the bound nucleosome-hOGG1 complex. The goal is to advance our lab's quest to characterize the dynamic behavior of the nucleosome when probed and bound by hOGG1. This method will be used to capture the nucleosome-hOGG1 complex by cryo-electron microscopy to elucidate DNA-protein dynamics.

Nathaniel R. Lewis
Doradca: David Vosburg, professor of chemii

Use of TCFH in rapid, mild esterifications
TCFH (N,N,N',N'tetramethylchloroformamidinium hexafluorophosphate) has been shown to be a relatively green, non-sensitizing coupling reagent for the rapid and mild formation of challenging amide bonds. Because of their similarity, we sought to apply this method to ester formation. We began by systematically testing the TCFH esterification conditions with two divalent acids and menthol, a sterically hindered biorenewable alcohol. We varied solvent, base, and base equivalence with the goal of maximizing yield and minimizing partitioning. These tests resulted in two sets of optimized conditions: DCM with pyridine and MeCN with NMI. We then tested both kits on three acids of varying complexity with nucleophile-poor 4-cyanophenol to determine the appropriate range of these conditions.

Drew Pronovost
Doradca: Lelia Hawkins, chemical engineering director of the Hixon Center for Climate and the Environment

Application of positive matrix factorization to brown carbon source decay in Los Angeles summertime organic aerosol
Many different processes emit organic aerosol (OA) and its precursors into the atmosphere, including automobile use, industrial activities, and large fires. Given the high organic fraction of aerosols and their impacts on climate, better characterization of the light-absorbing properties of OA is necessary to improve aerosol–climate interaction constraints in regional and global models. This study investigated the chemical, optical, and physical properties of submicron particles in the Los Angeles basin. OA has been mathematically broken down into discrete factors attributable to road emissions, photochemistry, and other urban sources. This analysis identified which had the highest absorption, providing insight into the sources and processes that contribute to the formation of light-absorbing OA.

Ali Talib Saifee
Advisor: Sara Kavassali, Postdoctoral Fellow in Interdisciplinary Informatics

Simulating urban pollutant chemistry using cellular models automatically
Urban grime, a complex film formed by the deposition of organic and inorganic pollutants, can be an important medium for heterogeneous chemistry in cities. Experimental evidence from environmental pollutant sampling and laboratory testing of surrogates has revealed a wide range of chemical compositions, corresponding responses, and thus very different potential consequences for urban air quality. Explicit modeling of this chemistry is difficult given the multiphase nature of dirt. We present developments in a new modeling framework based on cellular automata that can simulate the deposition and separation of gases and aerosols on surfaces and their subsequent chemical reactions. We use this model to determine the environmental conditions under which urban dirt can act as a NOx sink/source.

Singing Sogal
Advisor: Alfonso Castro

when it is enoughSufficiently? Convergence error estimation in lipid bilayer molecular dynamics simulations
Dysfunctions in the membrane-integrated protein RAS and related signaling pathways account for a large proportion of cancers. By better understanding the dynamics of the RAS protein and its interaction with the lipid bilayer, we can make progress towards treatments for previously 'incurable' cancers. Computer simulations are an essential tool for understanding these dynamics at the atomic and molecular scale. Here we test the computational performance of a lipid bilayer simulation. Specifically, we seek to understand the amount of computational resources spent on reducing simulation errors so that we can construct more efficient strategies to extract the maximum relevant information from large computer simulations of biological systems.

Joseph Sherby
Advisor: Spencer Brucks, Assistant Professor of Chemistry

DevelopmentLactobacillus rhamnosusat different pH
Lactobacillus is a common strain of bacteria in the human microbiome, found in the mouth, digestive tract and vagina. TheL. rhamnosusis of particular interest because it is both a widely used probiotic and also inhibits the growth of certain pathogenic bacteria and fungi. I'm trying to describe betterL. rhamnosus, growth curves were developed under neutral, acidic and alkaline conditions. A comparison of these growth curves showsL. rhamnosusit is quite resistant, able to grow over a wide pH range. In addition, it was discovered that pH could be used as a growth indicatorL. rhamnosusdue to the production of lactic acid.

Laura W
Advisor: Alicia Hernandez-Castillo, Assistant Professor of Chemistry

Assembly of the electronic circuit of a chirp pulse microwave spectrometer in the range 6-18 GHz
We assembled and tested the electrical circuit of our microwave spectrometer to generate a chirp signal that biases our sample and collects the non-inductive decay (FID). The main achievement was communication with an arbitrary waveform generator and the ability to send pulses of a single frequency, as well as custom audio signals. After registering the FID, we perform the Fourier transform. We match our data to our simulated spectrum to find rotational constants that allow us to experimentally determine bond lengths and angles with unparalleled precision and study transient, weakly bound compounds. Not only can our spectrometer provide precise details of molecular structure, but it can also help us determine the fractional abundance of a complex mixture of gases.

Mathematics

Tomas Aguilar-Fraga
Advisor: Mohamed Omar, associate professor of mathematics and department co-chair

The study of Lorentz polynomials
In combinatorics, it is often desirable to show that a sequence is unimodal. One method to understand this is to prove the stronger but easier proof of the condition of being log concave or even ultra log concave. In 2019, Petter Brändén and June Huh introduced the concept of Lorentz polynomials, an exciting new tool that could help show that hyperlogarithmic concavity holds in certain cases. My work investigates these Lorentz polynomials, asking in what situations they are generally useful. It covers topics such as matroid theory, discrete convexity, and the Mason hypothesis, a long-standing open problem in matroid theory. In addition, we discuss interesting applications to known combinatorial objects.

RJ Barnesa
Advisor: Haydee Lindo, assistant professor of mathematics

Minimum rank of M-Torsionless R units
Units are an algebraic structure that extends the concept of a vector space. In a vector space, the scalar degrees must form a field, but in the case of a module, the "degrees" can be rings of a much larger category. A unit can be described as torsion-free when it can be integrated into the direct product of a scalar ring. This notion of twisting has been generalized to the notion of M-twisting. It was assumed that there are no M-twisted R modules with rank less than M. The proof supporting this assumption is the subject of the presentation.

Claire S. Chang
Advisors: Jamie Haddock, Assistant Professor of Mathematics; Michael Orrison, professor of mathematics

Sensitivity of the Laplacian family of classification methods
Ranking based on pairwise comparisons is a particularly rich subset of ranking problems. In this article, we focus on a family of ranking methods for pairwise comparisons, which includes the well-known Massey, Colley, and Markov methods. We will pursue two goals to deepen our understanding of this family. We first consider his interpretation of lattice diffusion. Second, we will analyze the sensitivity of this family by looking at the "max flip", where the weight of the arc is modified between the highest and lowest rated alternatives. With these analyses, we will build the intuition for deciding how to choose robust ranking methods to ensure fair scores in a variety of applications, from electing political candidates to ranking websites to comparing sports teams.

Kausik Das
Advisors: Ali Nadim, Professor of Mathematics, Claremont Graduate University. Maria Cameron, Professor of Mathematics, University of Maryland

Modeling self-diffusion-phoretic Janus particles in a fluid
We study spherical Janus particles where a chemical reaction occurs on one side, depleting the reactant in the suspension liquid, while no reaction occurs on the other side. The steady state concentration field is governed by the Laplace equation with mixed boundary conditions. We use the collocation method to obtain numerical solutions of the equation in spherical coordinates. The asymmetry of the reaction leads to a slip velocity that causes the particle to move spontaneously through the fluid in a process known as self-diffusion phoresis. Using Lorentz's inverse theorem, we get the swimming speed of the particle. We extend the results to Janus particles with partial surface coverage, maximizing the swimming speed as a function of the size of the reaction region.

Hannah Y. Friedman
Advisors: Michael Orrison, professor of mathematics; Peter Kagey, visiting professor of mathematics

Large ascending subsequences in permutations
I study long increasing subsequences in permutations and their relation to the combinatorial and algebraic properties of the symmetric group. In particular, I investigate whether permutations with long ascending subsequences form the basis for the space of local k-functions and expansion scores that establish relations between long ascending subsequences and RSK permutation matrices. Along the way, I worked with symmetric group representation theory, the Robinson-Schensted algorithm, reduced words, symmetric functions, and many other exciting ideas. I hope in this talk to convince you of the importance of long ascending subsequences in the study of permutations.

David Garcia
Advisor: Gina Kim, visiting assistant professor of mathematics

Analyzing Stochastic Process Economic Models for Beginners
The goals of this article are threefold: 1) to examine some stochastic differential equation (SDE) models, 2) to apply these SDE models to real US stock data, and 3) to analyze the accuracy of these models both before and after the inventory data during the pandemic.

Bradley Gonmia
Advisor: Jon Jacobsen, Kenneth and Diana Jonsson Professor of Mathematics and Chair of the Department of Mathematics

Using teaching resources: exploring the limits of mathematics and physics teachers
We explore the limitations of secondary mathematics and science teachers and their impact on marginalized students. Through Marxist analysis and a systems thinking approach, we focus on the role of teachers in the education system and how their limitations perpetuate cycles of inequality. Shifting the focus from a student-centered approach to a broader understanding of the education system, this study aims to identify possible solutions to create a better society that values ​​mathematics and physics teaching for all.

Madison T. Hobbs
Advisor: Philip Cha, Professor of Engineering and CF Braun & Co. Engineering Associate? Jon Jacobsen, Kenneth and Diana Jonsson Professor of Mathematics and Chair of the Department of Mathematics

Inert-based vibration dampers for a harmonically moving, freely supported beam
A tuned shock absorber can be used to suppress excessive vibrations along an arbitrarily supported Euler-Bernoulli beam damping moving harmonically. This paper investigates the effects of adding a transducer to a shock absorber by examining the range of allowable damping and vibration stiffness values ​​that a transducer provides in design charts. The restoring forces exerted by the absorbers are determined by Gaussian cancellation. These forces are then used to find the minimum allowable oscillator masses for a given absorber mass range tolerated. An impedance mesh is presented to solve for the new stiffness and damping parameters using the original oscillator damping parameters. A new oscillator parameter solution space for eight inertial-based damper configurations was compared.

Justina Jianga
Advisor: Weiqing Gu, McAlister Professor of Mathematics

Learning graphs on multimodal medical data to make clinical predictions
Healthcare represents an exciting new source of data for machine learning researchers as electronic health records become more common for record keeping in hospitals around the world. This digitized medical data provides a wealth of data for curious machine learning researchers, but there are obstacles in the form of a lack of public benchmarking and inconsistent data processing. This work aims to explore new machine learning techniques, particularly graphical methods, to build a prediction engine using publicly available datasets.

Yoni Maltsman
Advisors: Jon Jacobsen, Kenneth and Diana Jonsson Professor of Mathematics and Chair of the Department of Mathematics. Calden Wloka, assistant professor of computer science;

A visual tour of dynamic systems in color space
We can think of a pixel in an image as a sphere in 3D space, where the x, y, and z coordinates correspond to levels of red, green, and blue, respectively. Just as the motion of a ball is governed by physical rules such as gravity, we can construct rules governing the motion of a pixel in color space. We can create impressive visual effects by applying these principles, called dynamical systems, to images using motion engines. This work explores several of these systems while revealing the underlying symmetrical structure of color space. We also build and demonstrate an optical board for DJs to operate these systems. NOTE: This demo will contain bright flashing lights.

Emmy McMullen
Advisor: Heather Zinn-Brooks, Barbara Stokes Dewey Assistant Professor of Science and Assistant Professor of Mathematics

A multilevel network model of bias and homophily in hierarchical structures
While women have made progress in academia and industry, they continue to be underrepresented at the highest levels of leadership. Two factors that may contribute to this are gender bias, the tendency to treat people differently based on their gender identity, and homophily, the tendency to look for people who look alike. Here we present a multilevel network model of gender representation in occupational hierarchies that takes these two factors into account. This model builds on earlier work by Clifton et al., but the multi-layered network structure allows us to track movement in the hierarchy and relationships at the level of individual agents. We study how network structure and the location of female and male nodes in a given network affect gender representation.

Zooey Meznarich
Advisors: Susan Martonosi, math teacher; Ruben Proaño, Professor of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Rochester Institute of Technology

Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization Strategies in International Vaccine Pricing and Supply
The Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (Gavi) helps low-income countries by purchasing pediatric vaccines. Multivalent vaccines, such as the hexavalent (6-antigen) pediatric vaccine, DTaP-IPV-Hib-HepB, immunize against multiple diseases at the same time. However, its production is limited. Because Gavi negotiates large contracts on behalf of many countries, it has the potential to encourage more manufacturers to produce hexavalents. Existing vaccine procurement models with external price negotiations are being adapted and applied to the international market. Mathematical programming tools are used to study the manufacturers in the global vaccine market, focusing on the introduction of hexavalent vaccines. Analysis of production, demand and price provides information on policy recommendations and feasibility.

Prakod Ngamlamai
Advisor: Peter Kagey, Visiting Assistant Professor of Mathematics

Generalized representations of far differences
Integers are often represented as the base representation of $B$ by the sum $\sum c_iB^i$. Lekkerkerker and Zeckendorf later gave rules for representing integers as the sum of Fibonacci numbers. Hannah Alpert then introduced the far difference representation, giving rules for writing an integer with positive and negative multiples of Fibonacci numbers. Our work aims to generalize her work to a wider family of linear regressions. To do this, we describe the desired representation properties, such as lexicographic order, and provide a family of algorithms for any linear regression that generates unique representations for any integer. We then prove other interesting properties of these expressions, such as sum minimization.

Nielsen index
Advisor: Lenny Fukshansky, Professor of Mathematics, Claremont McKenna College

Explorations in Lattice Theory
Lattices are discrete subgroups of Euclidean spaces. By analogy with vector spaces, they can be described as fields of sets of linearly independent vectors, but with integer (rather than real) coefficients. Lattices have many fascinating geometric properties and many applications, and lattice theory is a rich and active field of theoretical work. In this article, we provide an introduction to Euclidean network theory with an overview of some of the main unsolved problems, such as sphere packing. We then describe some more specialized topics, including previous work on well-rounded ideal lattices and some preliminary results from studies of planar deep hole lattices.

Kate Perkins
Advisor: Francis Su, Benediktsson-Karwa Professor of Mathematics. Cosmin Pohoata, professor of mathematics, Institute for Advanced Study

Discrete analogues of the Poincaré-Hopf theorem
The Poincaré-Hopf theorem is a powerful theorem in analysis, topology, and combinatorics. It states that for a continuous vector field on manifolds with finitely many critical points, the sum of the critical point indices is the Euler characteristic of the manifold. If we view a directed graph embedded in a manifold as a discrete vector field, we can derive ratios of the Poincaré-Hopf theorem that hold in this discrete setting. In this talk, we will introduce two distinct counterparts of the Poincaré-Hopf theorem by Oliver Knill and Leon Glass and explore how they relate to each other. In particular, we will show that the Poincaré-Hopf theorem implies Knill's theorem and that Knill's theorem implies Glass's theorem.

Iana Shorsa
Advisors: Michael Orrison, professor of mathematics; Gizem Karaali, Professor of Mathematics, Pomona College

Permutations, representations, and partition algebras: a random walk through algebraic statistics
My thesis investigates a class of functions on a symmetric group called permutation statistics using tools from representation theory. In 2014, Axel Hultman gave formulas for computing the expected values ​​of permutation statistics sampled by random walks. I present analogous formulas for calculating the variance of these statistics using Kronecker coefficients—certain numbers that appear in the theory of symmetric group representation. I also explore the deep connections between the study of permutation moment statistics and the representation theory of division algebras, a family of algebras introduced by Paul Martin in 1991. Using these division algebras, I derive a new polynomial describing the average second-moment statistic of the number of permutation inversions.

Maxwell Thum
Advisors: Weiqing Gu, McAlister Professor of Mathematics; Heather Zinn-Brooks, Barbara Stokes Dewey Assistant Professor of Science and Assistant Professor of Mathematics

Formalize a distinct external account in Lean
We formalized the definitions and results of discrete exterior calculus—generalizations of calculus on curved lattices—in an interactive Lean Theorem proving tool. This paper is a simultaneous introduction to both computer-aided proof verification and the broader field of discrete differential geometry.

turkish cedar
Advisor: Haydee Lindo, assistant professor of mathematics

A gentle introduction to differential topology
The purpose of this paper is to provide the reader with a solid and thorough understanding of the basic principles of differential topology with detailed proofs, examples and solutions to important problems found in "Differential Topology" by Guillemin and Pollack. Readers are expected to be familiar with the results of the first analysis course.

Physics

It was inches
Advisors: Theresa Lynn, Professor of Physics and Chair of the Physics Department; Susanne Yelin, professor of physics at Harvard University

Characterization of the collective radiation of two-dimensional single-excitation atomic systems
In atomic systems whose distance is small compared to the wavelength of the resonant light, the spontaneous emission becomes a collective phenomenon due to the interference of the radiation patterns of individual atoms. The resulting collective radiation could allow individual photons to be stored more efficiently for quantum information applications. In this work, I characterize the collective radiation of states contained in a single excitation subspace of two-dimensional systems of two-level dipolar conjugated atoms. I determine modified spontaneous emission rates and analyze radiation patterns for systems with different numbers of atoms and different geometries. For hyperradiation (enhanced emission) states with highly directional radiation characteristics, I characterize the distortion of the emitted light.

Albany'ego Blackburna
Advisor: Brian Shuve, assistant professor of physics

Interactions of dark matter with axion-like particle mediators
The question of dark matter remains one of the most important and puzzling questions in physics. We know that dark matter must exist because of its gravitational effects. However, the nature of dark matter remains unknown, and its composition, behavior and origin of abundance remain largely a mystery. In this paper, we explore a model of dark matter where axon-like particles serve as mediators between the Standard Model and dark matter. Given the cosmological freeze-out mechanism that describes the dark matter remnant abundance, we calculate the dark matter reaction rate and track the dark matter abundance over time in the early universe. To fully study the model, we systematically change the model parameters and map the feasible parameter space of the model.

This is Blake
Advisor: Jim Eckert, professor of physics

Anisotropic magnetoresistance in FeRh thin films
We have measured the anisotropic magnetoresistance in FeRh thin films mainly at low temperature in the antiferromagnetic phase. This polyferroic material has potential applications in spintronic devices.

Helen K. Chaffee
Advisor: Sharon Gerbode, professor of physics

Hexagonal vortices during grain condensation in colloidal crystals
Polycrystals consist of multiple grains or crystal orientations. In colloidal polycrystals, the grain boundaries are allowed to move freely to minimize the free energy. The free energy is related to the length of the grain boundary. For grain boundary loops, continuum theory predicts a linear dissolution rate to minimize the free energy. However, we observe two distinct phases of grain dissolution, fast and slow, which create a stepwise grain surface function over time. We discover hexagonal vortices during fast movement of grain boundaries. The hexagonal groups of particles rotate along the grain boundary. Simulations and experiments show that hexagonal vortices contribute to lowering the free energy by rapidly reducing the grain boundary length.

Eric Crown
Advisor: Sharon Gerbode, professor of physics

Dislocation behavior during grain rotation
When a crystal grain is encapsulated in another crystal, the interface between the two regions, the grain boundary, contracts as the encapsulated grain dissolves. In our experiments with colloidal crystals, we observe that hexagonal clusters of particles or "beads" rotate, changing the orientation of the crystals. Grain boundaries consist of dislocations and their behavior during grain rotation is complicated by the presence of rapidly changing crystal orientation. The conventional prediction of grain dissolution is that dislocations will slide until they meet and interact via dislocation or disassembly reactions. However, we see more complex behaviors where dislocations move in both sliding and lifting, despite the high energy cost of climbing.

Coleman J. Gliddon
Advisor: Brian Shuve, assistant professor of physics

Leptogenesis via UV dark matter
The existence of dark matter (DM) and the observation that matter dominates over antimatter in the universe are two of the most fundamental mysteries of theoretical physics. In the new model, ultraviolet (UV) freezing scenario of DM, the formation and destruction of DM by scattering with Standard Model particles in the early universe can lead to the creation of matter–antimatter asymmetry. In my thesis, I calculate the dark matter abundance and matter-antimatter asymmetry predicted by this model, assuming Fermi-Dirac DM statistics and evaluating the parameter space of the model against cosmological observations. My paper presents limitations to the UV DM scenario that can be used to test its suitability in future accelerator experiments.

Natalia B. Hernandez
Advisor: Nicholas Breznay, assistant professor of physics

Synthesis analysis of mechanically exfoliated graphene using optical microscopy
Compared to other known graphene synthesis methods, mechanical exfoliation is very simple and cheap. We tested several versions of this method, which uses office tape to cut layers of giant graphite crystal, which are then transferred to a SiO'ÇÇ/Si substrate. We then used optical microscopy to determine how much thin-film graphene, thicker graphite, and tape debris were transferred to our substrate and used these images to compare the different processes. For obtaining thin layers with large areas, the best method was to use PVC vinyl tape to transfer the sample to a substrate cleaned with acetone, isopropyl alcohol, and deionized water. Finally, we will describe our initial work on automating image analysis and simplifying the compositing process for use in public outreach efforts.

Derek J. Li
Advisor: Brian Shuve, assistant professor of physics

Partial UV extension of leptogenesis via frozen dark matter oscillations
Leptogenesis via flavor oscillations of frozen neutral dark matter (DM) particles could solve the problem of DM and baryon asymmetry, two outstanding problems of modern particle physics. This thesis extends the infrared (IR) model of leptogenesis via DM oscillations to a partial ultraviolet (UV) regime where the heavier scalar exists only as a virtual mediator for scattering processes, while the lighter scalar can participate in decay and reverse decay processes. We present the derivative perturbations of the primordial DM abundance and baryon asymmetry and apply them to study the parameter space of this UV-IR model. These calculations form a practical basis for unperturbed numerical studies of the model and signatures of its potential detection.

Emma Leakey
Advisor: Nicholas Breznay, assistant professor of physics

Fabrication and Characterization of DIY Graphene Field Effect Transistors
Graphene is a well-studied and commercially available two-dimensional van der Waals material with unconventional electronic properties. Using graphene, we developed an in-house synthesis process and characterization system for 2D material handling devices. Our device design for a five-point graphene field-effect transistor allows us to make precise measurements of the graphene resistivity and Hall voltage at different DC gate polarities, temperatures, and magnetic fields. I will discuss our device fabrication process and characterization system as well as the initial electrical characterization of linear (or "Dirac") electronic scattering in graphene.

Mavis V. Stone
Advisor: Leah Mendelson, Assistant Professor of Engineering

Using liquid surface measurement techniques to analyze a partially submerged unit with a bioinspired unit
Archer fish can jump out of water twice their body length, which makes them a great inspiration for underwater vehicle propulsion. We seek to understand the mechanisms of fish's ability to exit high water by understanding their effects on the water-air interface. By determining the displacement of the fluid surface, we can compare this case of water exit with swimming in full immersion. In this study, we use a physical model of the vane and an optical method called background-oriented schlieren (BOS) to quantify the displacement of the fluid surface in response to vane motion. We validate the BOS method with a separate study of water droplet effects. Our framework effectively captures the resulting displacement of the water–air interface and could be used in future fluid dynamic studies of archery fish.

Class information

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Biology 161: Research Problems in Biology (HMC Bee Lab)

Advisor: Matina Donaldson-Matasci, professor of biology

Student presenters: Zachary Traul and Yuki Yang
Many ant species use pheromones to mark trails to food sources, depending on the quality and distance of a given food source. To understand how ant colonies cope with the potential trade-off between quality and distance, we analyzed a differential equation model of the number of ants on paths to different food sources. Using numerical integration, we investigate how a change in colony size affects the trade-off between quality and distance. Our results predict that larger ant colonies will prefer food sources with a high quality-to-distance ratio, while smaller colonies will prefer closer food sources.

Previous Apprenticeships: Ruby Peterman and Sarah Williams
Cephalotes varians, a species of turtle ant, are of particular interest for their nesting behavior. Turtle ants select multiple nests from existing networks of branches and hollow branches in the tree. We designed experiments to investigate how these nest choices are affected by the presence of competition with Pseudomyrmex gracilis, another arboreal ant species that uses similarly sized hollow branch nests. We will soon conduct pilot experiments with smaller ant colonies to test different methods of simulating competition and develop a procedure for experiments to run over the summer to determine how competition affects ant nesting choices.

Student presenters: Hayley Walters
Ants are interesting because their ability to communicate and organize with each other has made them incredibly successful. Based on several hours of video of turtle ants climbing a simulated tree branch, our goal is to track the ants' movements through branch intersections and track the turns they make. I improved the OpenCV based ant tracking algorithm and added a visual debugging feature to the videos. While the existing algorithm works well in some cases, it detects video noise as ants in others and creates false traces. I researched possible solutions in order to gain accurate and reliable information on how ants navigate intersections. By collecting data on these behaviors, we hope to understand how ant colonies collectively make decisions.

Student presenters: Sophie Bekerman and Mukta Ubale
A reduction in the number and variety of flowering plants has a negative impact on bee and native bee populations. To promote their health, it is extremely important to develop effective methods to determine the attractiveness of different foraging areas. We develop a computational method for mapping and estimating flower density in drone images of California buckwheat plants. Using the SegNet deep learning model, we are working on detecting flower pixels in an image and are currently focusing on using data augmentation to improve the accuracy of our results. We will use the final model to assess the spatial distribution and density of plant resources for bees.

Q4: Introduction to mechanical design and construction

Project titles and student presenters:

Spool Along - Ella Allgor, Andrew Blackett, Marika Ragnartz, Emmett Stralka, Sara Wexler
Clay Day – Marina Bellido, Jordan Carlin, Jasper Cox, Katrina Nguyen
Clay Day – Neil Chulani, Troy Kaufman, Charlie Lambert, Ethan York
Climate Control — Joseph Abdelmalek, Emily Barr, Miranda Brandt, Gina Deng, Massin His
Dew Good – Bryce Didrickson, Felipe Fernandes, Selina Lu, Covi Diaz Ruiz
Dew Good – Avery Anderson, Riley Foard, Kate Huefner, Vanessa Lopez, Slader Spoor
Food on the Fly - Alessandra Ela, Ashley Kim, McKenna McMurray, Izze Stolzoff, Erin Wang
Help Me Help You - Oswaldo Cardenas, Isaiah Jeter, Matthew Molinar, Kala Romanowski, Avery Smith
Old Dog, New Trick - Gev Nweke, Abigail Samson, Natalie Smith, Wilson Zambrano
Old Dog, New Trick - Natalie Arce, Tay Han, Emily Kendrick, Julia Manese
Repair Station - Haley Colorado, Kavi Dey, Abdullah Fattahi, Betsy Wu
Repair Station - Samuel Brewer, Jacob Fain, Isabella Hottenrott, Adidev Jhunjhunwala, Cristina Tzunun Palomo
Take a tour - Caiya Coggshall, Lyra Cromwell, Maya Jenkins, Lucas Lemos, Andrew Williams

Advisors: Whitney Fowler, Assistant Professor of Engineering; Mark Gale, visiting assistant professor of engineering. Leah Mendelson, assistant professor of engineering; Steven Santana '06, Iris and Howard Critchell Assistant Professor and Director of the Engineering Clinic

This course places teams of students as engineers contracted to work on a project provided by an external client. These projects are open-ended and vague and require students to implement a conceptual plan. Students work closely with clients, instructors, and the machine shop to conceptualize and develop a design solution, navigating the complexities of the design process. These presentations are the culmination of their work.

E80: Experimental engineering

Student presenters:

David Aguirre, Stephanie Allen, Katie Baakkonen, Matthew Baker-Dunn, Eliza Barnett, Vanessa Bartling, Reina Bhatkuly, Scarlett Bonner, Evan Bourke, Jason Bowman, Mau Bravo Guzman, Emily Brent, Emily Burger, Wava Cheni, Jovi, , Sam Clement, Henry Connell, Max De Somma, Hannah Dearman-So, Nico Del Villar, Martin Deng, Ka'imi Duncklee, Daniel Fajardo, Josiah Garan, Nonnie Gatutha, Madi Gonzalez, Pierce Gruber, Jose Guerrero, Jamie Habib, Julia Hansen, Carmen Horenstein, Hamza Jamal, Paolo Kainu, Isabelle Kemp, Gabriel Klinger, Dalton Lazaroby, Thomas Lilygren, Nestor Mandujano, Mikayla Mann, August McIntosh-Lombardo, Adam Medina, Katrina Nelson, Ruby Peterman, Mai Phuong Phuong, Oliver Pick, Rebecca Preis, Dominick Quaye, Claire Rafferty, Marina Ring, Nebi Samuel, Ahlyssa Santillana, Alina Scholz, Castor Service, Ellie Sindler, Kopchon Sittithammachoti, George Skaff, Ellie Sundheim, Sidney Tchanunensiud, , Talia Wigder, Jasper Wood, Zoe Worrall, Nicholas Zemtzov, Samson Zhang, Zhian Zhou

Advisors: Joshua Brake, Assistant Professor of Engineering; Whitney Fowler, assistant professor of engineering; Dre Helmns, assistant professor of engineering. Matthew Spencer, associate professor of engineering; Victor Shia, Visiting Assistant Professor of Engineering

Experimental Engineering is a semester-long second-level course in which students conduct several experiments in a range of engineering disciplines. These experiments are the training ground for the final project: a field deployment where groups of students measure phenomena of their choice. The main objective of the course is to teach basic instrumentation and measurement techniques, good practice in preparing laboratory reports, writing technical reports, analyzing and presenting data, using experiment results for engineering design purposes and the principle of professional practice.

E190M: Introduction to MEMS

Last Student: Clay Briggs, James Clinton, Martin Deng, Kai Dettman, Julia Du, Xander Fries, Pierce Gruber, Diego Herrera Vicioso, Erina Iwasa, Zoe Kedzierski, Jeremy Kim, Cecilia Li, Lucien Tsai

Advisor: Daniel Contreras, Visiting Assistant Professor of Engineering

An introduction to MEMS (Micro Electromechanical Systems) covers the creation and design of microdevices that are so important in today's technology, such as accelerometers and gyroscopes. As part of the final assignment, students have researched a topic of their choice and will present their work. Topics include gyroscopes, micromechanical filters and switches, microrobots, energy harvesting machines, and micromusical instruments.

E191: Advanced engineering topics

Advisor: Steven Santana '06 Iris and Howard Critchell Assistant Professor and Director of the Engineering Clinic

Presentations of students' academic progress during the semester and plans for the future

HSA10: Crucial Question

English with accent

Advisor: Isabel Balseiro, Alexander and Adelaide Hixon Professor of Humanities Professor of Comparative Literature

This course covers samples of literary varieties of English from Europe, Africa, India and the Americas. We will read several plays thematically - from ShakespeareStormin extracts from Philip's NourbeseShe tests her tongue– are about the journey and centrality of language in cultural dominance and transformation. Most of the texts we will study were written by canonical figures of English prose, such as Joseph Conrad and Chinua Achebe, for whom English is a second or third language. In a world increasingly divided by a common language, this course explores varieties of English and their meanings and forms of use in literature.

Race theory

Doradca: Ambereen Dadabhoy, professor of literature

In recent months, much of the political and public debate in the United States has focused on Critical Race Theory and the so-called "un-American" values ​​it promotes. This conversation led to state legislatures, school boards, and even a presidential executive order banning Critical Race Theory (CRT). In this course, we will explore the contours of this debate, beginning with an understanding of what CRT is and moving to a broader understanding of how race and racism operate in US culture and society.

Science

Advisor: Marianne De Laet, Professor of Anthropology and Science, Technology and Society

What would the animals say? Tales about animals and what they teach us about technology and

Can animals teach us about technology and science? The animal stories we cover in this course cover a range of human-animal interactions, from great apes to dogs on a leash. from monkeys to cows making decisions. The stories suggest that animals take a surprising and perverse pleasure in putting us—experts, keepers, keepers, experimenters, trainers, people in the wild—on the wrong foot. They also offer courses in the ethics and methodology of science, encouraging reflection on the means, ethics and modes of knowledge production. Think of this part of HSA10 as an expedition into the world of responsible and responsive science and engineering - an introduction to the study of science, technology and society.

Construction

Advisor: Kenneth Fandell, Professor of Art, Michael G. and C. Jane Wilson Department of Arts and Humanities

This lesson is about learning to create things and write about things we have created ourselves. Taught from an artist's perspective, we will explore creativity, the material world and critical thinking. We will see and talk about the history and how and why of our projects. We will ignore disciplines and bridge the gap between physical practical productive work (creation) and intellectual analytical inquiry (critical inquiry). We will engage in these two modes of creation, often portrayed as opposites, in tandem as we become comfortable with the tools and spaces to create and think.

Tides of Resistance: Militarization and Decoloniization in Asia and Oceania

Advisor: Alfred Flores, Assistant Professor of Asian and American Studies

Using an interdisciplinary historical approach, this course will explore how militarization affected communities in Asia and Oceania during World War II and the Cold War era. At the heart of this exploration will be resistance and decolonization movements that included community organizing, grassroots politics and protest. In addition, this course requires students to engage with relevant topics such as class, ethnicity, gender, indigenous peoples, work, race, sexuality, survival, and technology from the perspective of Asians and Pacific Islands. Class discussions, writing workshops, readings, and film screenings provide the interpretive lens for this course.

Love, power and psychology

Advisor: Anup Gampa, assistant professor of psychology

"Love defines us. it is the answer to the problem of human existence,” says Fromm. In this course, we will take a sociocultural psychology approach to both defining what love is and understanding how that love relates to power and the societies built around power. Through reading, film, and reflective journals, we will explore love in various contexts and relationships with power: interpersonal, romantic, familial, and nationalistic. Ultimately, the goal of the course is to place love within and outside of socioeconomic structures such as capitalism and hetero-patriarchy, to understand why love is a corrective to power and an answer to the problem of human existence.

Visibility and its limits

Advisor: Alysse Kushinski, assistant professor of art

In The Thinking Eye, artist Paul Klee argues that "art does not reproduce what is visible, but makes visible." This course explores what is at stake in the historical and contemporary context of visibility and visuality. Together, we will explore the concept of visuality, not only in relation to art, but as a mechanism of power fundamental to the modern age. This course requires students to examine several historical "perspective shifts" and their technologies and consider how they are entangled in power and ideology. Through selected readings, students will develop a critical understanding of how the 'sight' has influenced contemporary Western thought, mass culture and artistic practice, and the ethical and political issues arising from non-human 'vision'.

Narrative prose (narrative)

Advisor: Salvador Plascencia, Consulting Coordinator, Associate Professor of Creative Writing

In this section, we will examine the values ​​and conventions that shape our narrative concepts. Through reading, discussing and, yes, writing stories, we will try to isolate how stories work and the elements that both delight and frustrate the reader. Class texts will cover a variety of styles and genres. They will present works by Gabriel García Márquez, Jorge Luis Borges, Mariana Enríquez, George Saunders, Anthony Veasna So and Kelly Link.

Star Trek and Social Theory

Advisor: David K. Seitz, assistant professor of cultural geography

This course will useStar TrekScience fiction television franchise as a starting point and return to understanding influential texts, challenges from Marxism, critical race, postcolonial, feminist, queer, affect, and other areas of social and cultural theory. We readStar TrekAs a post-scarcity queer utopia, a patriarchal colonial fantasy, or both, it offers extensive allegorical resources for social critique and imagining alternative futures. Acquaintance withStar Trekfranchise is not required.

Political analysis

Advisor: Paul Steinberg, Professor of Political Science and Environmental Policy, Malcolm Lewis Chair of Sustainability and Society

Politics has a profound impact on our daily lives, which warrants both critical inquiry and active participation. This course gives you the opportunity to analyze complex political issues, debate the merits of competing worldviews and policy proposals, and communicate your views through high-impact writing and public speaking. Drawing on insights from political science and related fields, we will examine contemporary controversies as well as long-standing debates and explore the relationships between them. Specific topics include democracy, authoritarianism in the US and Russia, political tolerance, US foreign policy, race, gender, climate change, and the role of government in the economy.

Free will and fiction

Advisor: Kyle Thompson, visiting professor of philosophy

Students enrolled in this course will explore the issue of free will through philosophical reading and fictional stories. In short, the free will problem is whether our decisions and actions as human beings are truly free if they are entirely due to prior events, which are due to prior events, etc. one can solve it - and the landscape of ideas left behind by this debate lends itself to endless exploration. Students will also examine several fictional stories that engage readers and allow them to experience the tension between a sense of limitless choice while being bound by causality. The course culminates in a research paper that will be completed in stages based on rich feedback, class discussion and guidance from the research librarians. Therefore, students who are determined to succeed are free to write about freedom and moral responsibility or fiction as thought experiments and more.

Moral disagreement

Advisor: Darryl Wright, professor of philosophy

People often disagree on moral issues. In this part of HSA 010, we consider what philosophers have had to say about the nature and meaning of such a disagreement, a topic that has itself given rise to considerable differences of opinion. Does persistent moral controversy mean, as some theorists have argued, that there can be no such thing as moral knowledge or truth, or universal moral standards? Does this mean that moral thought is inherently less rigorous than science? To what extent should peer disagreement reasonably lead us to revise our moral beliefs? How to best deal with moral differences in interpersonal and social relationships? We will take a number of philosophical approaches to these and related topics.

Social Psychology

Advisor: Anup Gampa, assistant professor of psychology

German psychologist Erich Fromm said: “Love defines us. it is the answer to the problem of human existence. In this course, we take a sociocultural psychology approach to both defining what love is and understanding how that love relates to power and the societies built around power. Through reading, film, and thoughtful journals, we explore love in various contexts and power relations: interpersonal, romantic, familial, and nationalistic. Ultimately, the goal of the course is to place love within and outside of socioeconomic structures such as capitalism and hetero-patriarchy, to understand why love is a corrective to power and an answer to the problem of human existence.

Militarization and Decolonization in Asia and the Pacific Islands

Alfred Flores, Assistant Professor of Asian American Studies

HSA197: An Independent Study in the Philosophy of Artificial Intelligence

Advisor: Kyle Thompson, visiting professor

Prezenter studencki: James Lucassen '23

The recent development of artificial intelligence has sparked much debate about whether systems such as large language models should be endowed with mental properties such as understanding, intention, or moral patience. This independent study covered both the metaphysical question "what is consciousness?" as well as the more practical question of "what things are sensitive?" with particular emphasis on relevance to artificial intelligence. In this talk, I try to simplify some of the complexities involved in these questions, rather than cutting any Gordian knots. Specifically, I analyze fundamental mind/consciousness thought experiments. It is worth noting that Nagel's "what it's like to be a bat", Jackson's "Mary's Room" and Searle's "Chinese Room" have a similar hypothetical device, and we can learn a lot by inserting the results from one into the other.

CS186: Independent Research in Computer Science

Advisors: Charles Cronin, adjunct professor at Claremont Graduate University and lead advisor for the Cultural Property Litigation Resource Project. Jim Boerkoel, Csilla and Walt Foley Professor and Chair of the Department of Computer Science

Chair: Giovanni Castro ’23 and Alyssa Sawyer ’26

This project develops data visualization functionality for The Cultural Property Disputes Resource project at Claremont Graduate University. This project aims to enable developers and ultimately users of this resource to analyze the growing body of project case metadata and create dynamically generated visualizations that illustrate trends, conclusions and predictions in the field of national cultural property.

Phys64: math and computing for physicists

Advisor: Peter Saeta, Professor of Physics

Last Student: Abigail Baxter, Collin Fitzpatrick, Conor Floyd, Aaron Galper, Nikolas Hall, Rori Kang, Will Kincaid, Brigitte Lynch Johnson, Eve Paulson, Alex Pedroza, Kate Riggs, Abby Tiller, Elena Williams

In the project, you will apply the mathematical and programming skills you developed during the course to a computational physics problem of your choice. The goal is to solve a problem that matches your level of physics knowledge by applying your current proficiency in computational techniques, not by using the Internet to see how someone else solved the problem. I know, copying someone else is much more effective. After all, they've already had to make some silly mistakes, catch coding errors, and run sanity checks to make sure their code actually does what they want. Why reinvent the wheel? Because I want you to have a more authentic research experience and develop answers for yourself in groups of two or three.

Project Shanahan: GLARE

The Shanahan Project: A Dance Game

Project Shanahan: Smoke Mask Rescue Drone

Advisor: Leah Mendelson, Assistant Professor of Engineering

Presidents: Dominick Quaye, Mauricio Bravo, King Osei

For this project, the team aimed to build a quadcopter to provide residents with emergency assistance

smoke masks during fires, entering through windows; Because over 80% of deaths from fires are

against smoke inhalation, it is necessary to provide masks to people in burning buildings as soon as possible. The advantage of using a drone to deliver masks is that it can lift several floors in seconds, reaching people much faster than firefighters without putting anyone in danger. The team built a 10-inch FPV quadcopter with a visible spectrum camera, thermal imaging, and a hood housing that can hold two masks. The housing uses quick-release and slide-in electrical contacts, allowing additional pairs of masks to be attached to the drone in seconds, allowing quick delivery to victims.

The Shanahan Project: Revolutionizing Music Production

Project Shanahan: FERDA-L1

Projekt Shanahan: sieć Athena

Project Shanahan: Gladius II

Σύμβουλος: Erik Spjut, Professor of Engineering and Union Oil Company Engineering Design Fellow

Student Band: Nick Zemtzov, Olivia Yin, Ashley Cheung, Allison Tsai, Alessandro Maiuolo

The team has built a high-powered rocket (equivalent to NAR level 3) that will be launched in the desert in early June.

Project Shanahan: Kanji Trainer

Project Shanahan: 3D printing of elastomers

Advisor: Mark Ilton, Assistant Professor of Physics

Last Student: Lucien Chai, Tristan Huang, Kevin Kim, Chris Ranlett

This project investigates the design of a 3D printer for printing elastomeric materials with low flexibility and complex geometry.