Download Sophomore Abstracts Sandra Ambro Metastatic Melanoma and Interference of the MAPK Pathway

Sophomore Abstracts
Sandra Ambro
Metastatic Melanoma and Interference of the MAPK Pathway
Metastatic melanoma is a disease that has been proven to be linked to the interference of
the MAPK pathway. Past research states that the MAPK pathway is a signal transduction
pathway that has disruptions in the function of Gab-2, BRAF and NRAS genes in patients with
metastatic melanoma. BRAF and NRAS genes have been newly discovered to target melanoma
cells. Gab-2 is an adaptor protein that has been recently found in multiple cancers. There are also
unidentified genes that interfere with the spreading of melanoma in the bloodstream. In the
future, these genes will be examined to discover exactly where along the pathway they are being
triggered so that different therapies can be developed in order to target them.
Puja Bhardwaj
New Therapeutic Methods for Astrocytoma
Brain cancer can arise from primary brain cells, from cells that form other brain parts, or
from the growth of other cancerous cells from different organs. A glioma is a type of tumor that
forms either in the brain or spinal cord. The most common glioma is an astrocytoma. Other than
radiation therapy, no form of therapy has been successful in slowing down the development of
astrocytoma or destroying it. Past research has examined several suspicious proteins, such as
Survivin, IL-13Rα2, and EphA2. Survivin was found to be most resistant to therapy. EphA2 has
been linked to cancer cell survival. Levels of IL-13Rα2 have been found to be elevated in brains
with cancer. Future research will attempt to eliminate Survivin, EphA2, and IL-13Rα2, which
would potentially slow down astrocytoma.
Rocco Capitini
Combined Effects of Cannabis and Music on Health and Illness Recovery
Music therapy, or the use of music in conjunction with other therapeutic measures to aid
in the healing process of a patient, has been studied extensively over the past few decades. It has
been found that listening to music can put the brain and body in a relaxed state, and thus prevent
the buildup of harmful hormones such as somatostatin. This allows the body’s immune system
to more efficiently attack harmful viruses and diseases and to consequently heal faster. Future
research will attempt to measure the combined effects of music and cannabis. Cannabis is a
plant that when consumed, or inhaled if burnt, is known to alter perception in a way such that
relaxation, and thus healing, can occur. Neither music nor cannabis have been linked to
dependency or overdose and thus, using them in combination as a treatment for illness may
provide a much safer, healthier alternative to many of the pharmaceutical medicines currently on
the market and used by doctors today.
Prasune Cheekapara
Function of NMDA , BDNF , and Neurotrophin-3 in the Spinal Cord of a Rat
Past research has revealed that injecting receptors into a newly injured spine can lead to
its restoration. Past studies have specifically used Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF)
and injected it into the dorsal root of a rat. The BDNF was found to be highly expressed in the
dorsal area. Other research has also shown both NT-3 and NMDA 2D receptors in double
hemisected rats to have the ability to recover receptor connection. Future research will
investigate the injection of the receptors separately and in combination so as to determine areas
of the spine where the receptors have a high and low accumulation. This will lead to the
discovery of more ways to induce spine recovery after injury and to hopefully help treat
paraplegics.
Mihai Chitulescu
Chimerically Fused Proteins Engineered with Leucine Zippers and Disulfide Bridges
Chimeric fusion is the joining of two proteins to form novel proteins. Leucine zippers
help stabilize and improve the thermostability of the protein. Past research has produced a
chimerically fused protein with the dual functions of enzymatic activity and self assembly. Other
past research has shown that a coiled-coil interface and disulfide bridges help to improve protein
stability and thermostability. Future research will combine a chimerically fused protein with a
more efficient leucine zipper and disulfide bridge to produce an extremely efficient hydrogel.
Hydrogels are networks of polymers that are water insoluble and are linked together. This
desired hydrogel will produce more viable hydrogels for use in the field of biomedical
engineering, specifically with respect to reparation and production of human tissue.
Heyley Cuzo
Nicotine Dependency in Young Adults
Nicotine dependence is an addiction to nicotine most commonly caused by smoking
cigarettes. Symptoms of nicotine dependence in young adults can be found soon after onset of
intermittent smoking. Past studies have found that youth nicotine dependence stems from peer
pressure, personal problems, the use of cigarettes in the family, and socio-demographic factors.
Current studies are focusing on the epidemiology of smoking and nicotine dependence in
adolescents and their mothers. Researchers are following these adolescents and their
developmental phases of drug use and are identifying the specific risk factors for initiation into
each phase. This research will help to elucidate more about nicotine dependence so that it might
be prevented or treated in young adults.
Brandon Jordan
Personality Traits Correlated with Primary Mental Disorders
Mood disorders are characterized by extreme mood swings in an afflicted person, with
the general cause being either the environment, chemical imbalances in the brain, or both. Many
mood disorders have more than one personality trait when they are present over time. Personality
traits can develop and overlap with these mood disorders, increasing their severity. These traits
are numerous and can range from anti-social traits to anxious traits. Past research has found a
correlation between many Axis I disorders and Axis II personality traits. Extensive knowledge of
these personality traits can be used to prevent and reduce the number of depression cases in the
world and lead to a more specialized treatment for patients afflicted with a mood disorder.
Nicholas Kunkel
Targeted Reinervation Surgery to Restore Motor Control
One of the most grounbreaking medical techniques currently emerging in the field of
prosthetics is Targeted Reinervation (TR) surgery. This surgery was designed to reinervate the
residual arm nerves and to connect them to a prosthetic through EMG signals. This should result
in a swift sense of motion and touch. Past studies, however, have shown that after TR surgery,
although many of the participants had the ability to move the arm, wrist, and fingers of the
prosthetic, their reaction times for movement were slower than those of an average person.
Future research hopes to improve on the movement of the prosthetic through more efficient
EMG signal relay.
Megan Ling
Boundary Structure and its Correlations with Memory
Boundary structure refers to a person’s ability to control his or her dreams. Woolley and
Boerger's past studies explored relationships among gender, boundary structure, and beliefs
about controllability. It has been discovered that female participants are more successful in
attempts to control dreams. It has also been documented that naps improve memory. It is
therefore hypothesized that high boundary structure can lead to better dream recollection. Future
research will observe relationships between boundary structure of dreams and memory.
Samantha Parente
The Activation of Stereotype Threat in Challenging and Threatening States
Stereotype threat is a concern that, when facing a negative stereotype, one will be
evaluated based on that stereotype. It is a proven explanation for why black students perform
more poorly than white students in an academic setting. Past research introduced threatening
tasks as challenges to determine if it would eliminate the effects of stereotype threat. Participants
were examined in either a challenging or a threatening state and either a gender-biased or a
gender-fair state. It was found that students in a “challenging” condition will perform better, but
only when race is reported afterwards. It was also discovered that women in a gender-biased
condition will exhibit threat while women in a gender-fair condition will exhibit challenge.
Future research will further examine challenge-framing to determine whether it merely weakens
a threat or actually transforms the threat into a totally different experience.
Tiffany Poteat
Inhibition and Other Motor Skills in the Context of Locomotion
Before 12 months of age, infants have difficulty inhibiting behaviors that they have just
performed, even when it is no longer appropriate and despite having full knowledge of the
correct response. Past research investigated infant ability to inhibit during the locomotor postures
of crawling and walking. One behavior that has not been thoroughly studied is an infant’s
navigation of stairs. Future work will explore how and when infants learn to climb stairs. By
observing how infants behave during physical tasks, such as stair climbing and tunnel
navigating, more can be learned about how and when infants learn to inhibit a behavior or when
certain skills such as climbing stairs are developed. This knowledge can be applied to anything
from diagnosing a physical developmental problem to creating new tools to assist in the physical
development of infants.
Tamara Richardson
Bipolar Disorder Locus on Chromosome 21q22
Researchers have worked long hours in an attempt to discover more innovative ways of
treating and possibly preventing Bipolar Disorder (BPD). BPD affects millions of people
worldwide. Scientists have discovered that it is a mutation on chromosome 21q22 that causes
BPD. Researchers may now attempt methods such as gene therapy, to potentially cure BPD.
Through the use of gene therapy, scientists would be able to inject a properly functioning gene
into a cell to replace mutant alleles with properly functioning ones. This is not a guaranteed
method; however, gene therapy has been used successfully in other cases. If this gene could be
prevented from being passed on, one can speculate that this may cure BPD.
Veronica Reyes
Human Figure Drawings in Forensic Investigations
Episodic memory, or autobiographical memory, is the memory of events that have been
experienced personally. Forensic psychologists hope that, by their use of human figure drawings,
victims will remember an increased level of detail regarding their trauma. In past studies,
children between the ages of four and thirteen were shown these images. In one study, alleged
sexual abuse victims were interviewed, while, in another study, the children were interviewed
after a staged event. It was found that the human figure drawings did help elicit information
from the children; however, according to the study with the sexual abuse victims, the drawings
were more helpful for the children aged four to seven. Future studies will go further by
researching the effect of having a child draw the event as they are asked questions.
Aakaash Varma
The Role of Gaze Cueing in Social Interaction
Social interactions appear to be inherently dependent on gaze cueing and other subtle
visual cues. Eyes convey a multitude of signals that indicate a person’s direction of attention and
mental or emotional states. Past research has found that person perception is moderated by the
direction of gaze shift(s), depending on the relevance of a given judgment as well as individual
differences. By using a variety of gaze-cueing paradigms to develop a more coherent relationship
between visual cues and social attention, future research can establish a better understanding of
social functioning in infancy, in normal interaction, and in developmental disorders, like autism.