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Why They Play : An Exploration of Women in Sports
No full textxiv, 21 p.The focus of my project is to investigate the obstacles that women in sports face and discover why these women continue to participate in their respective sports despite these obstacles. Feminist theory directly aligns with this focus by examining the causes and effects of gender inequality. My project proposes the idea that many of the obstacles faced by women in sports are created by gendered expectations. And yet, despite these expectations, these women fight back by continuing to be involved in sports
Senior Integrated Project: Learning by Doing
No full text12 p.Looking back on my time at Kalamazoo College, it’s clear that each step of the journey— each challenge, each new opportunity, each risk I took—has shaped who I am today. From my first days on campus, eager to dive into new experiences, to my adventures in Philadelphia and Quito, to the music and collaboration of Yellowhouse, everything has been a part of the bigger picture. The common thread throughout these experiences has been learning by doing—stepping into the unknown, figuring things out as I went, and growing in ways I never expected. At K, I’ve learned that growth doesn’t happen in the classroom alone; it happens in the moments when you push yourself outside your comfort zone, when you connect with others, and when you’re willing to embrace uncertainty. Each of these experiences has built upon the other, reinforcing the core values that Kalamazoo College instills: independence, resilience, community, and the joy of learning through action. My time here has been a process of constant transformation, and what I’ve realized is that this journey isn’t just about what you learn, but about who you become along the way. The person I am now is the sum of these moments—each one adding a layer of confidence, adaptability, and a deeper understanding of myself and the world around me. As I move forward, I carry with me the lessons of my college years, knowing that every challenge and every success has prepared me for what lies ahead. It’s not just the academic knowledge I’ll take with me, but the belief in my ability to learn, grow, and connect in ways that will continue to shape my future
Resistin Increases Cholesterol in Macrophages Contributing to Atherosclerosis
No full text20 p.Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide. Atherosclerosis is a precursor condition to heart disease characterized by plaque formation in blood vessels. Inflammatory mechanisms have been linked to the development of atherosclerotic plaques making inflammatory cells, such as macrophages, critical targets for intervention. Receptors for CD36 on macrophages allow for oxLDL uptake. Foam cells, or macrophages, have been found to be a major component of atherosclerotic plaque structure. This paper investigates the effects of resistin, a cytokine that appears to upregulate CD36 production and, consequently, foam cell formation in macrophages. To test this mechanism, CD36 knockout and wild-type mouse macrophages were utilized to compare the effects of resistin on cholesterol uptake and CD36 production. Analyses were conducted using cholesterol assays, which detect the concentration of cholesterol in cells, and flow cytometry, which detect the presence of surface receptors. Our results indicate that resistin plays a role in increasing cholesterol uptake as a statistically significant increase in cholesterol levels in macrophages was detected in macrophages treated with resistin compared to control groups. However, an increase in CD36 receptors on the surface of macrophages was not detected
Considerations in Repetitive Activation of Light Sensitive Ion Channels
No full textiii, 10 p.Optogenetics, a technique that uses light to control genetically modified cells, has seen rapid growth since the early 21st century. This method, particularly effective in controlling neurons through light-sensitive proteins like opsins, offers unprecedented precision in manipulating cellular activity. However, initial progress in optogenetics was limited by the complexity of identifying suitable opsins and developing efficient methodologies to accompany their use. Early breakthroughs, such as the discovery of light-sensitive microbial proteins, laid the groundwork for future advancements. Over the past two decades especially, optogenetic tools have become more versatile, incorporating cell-type specificity and wavelength-reactive opsins that enable more refined neural control. Despite these advances, challenges in gene delivery, light penetration, and achieving precise cell targeting persist, limiting the broader application of optogenetics. These obstacles are especially evident in efforts to ultimately develop non-invasive therapies for neurological disorders in humans. Nevertheless, continued research into improved delivery systems, enhanced opsins, and ethical clinical applications promises to expand optogenetics' capabilities. This review highlights the historical progression, key methodologies, and ongoing challenges in the field, underscoring its potential for revolutionizing neuroscience and therapeutic interventions with continued research
It Takes a Village : My Experience in Adult Special Education
No full textv, 14 p.I elected to do an experiential Senior Integrated Project 593 by working at a day program for adults with special needs. The program is in my hometown of Roseville, Michigan, and I worked there for 11 weeks. I gained professional development by planning and leading activities for attendees, recording their progress according to their individualized plans of service, and helping run the program's annual fundraiser. I also learned how the day program operates and how they assess and assist the individuals that attend the day program. By taking this job, I was able to work with individuals who have a wide range of physical and intellectual abilities. I applied skills that I gained in my other experiences in special education to this experience and made comparisons from this job to course content. It was an overwhelmingly positive experience and affirmed my desire to pursue a career in developmental psychology
Elucidating the Role of TRIP12 in Cancer Development, Prognosis, and Chemotherapy Resistance
No full textiii, 11 p.Cancer continues to persist as one of the greatest challenges in modern medicine, with several mechanisms driving tumorigenesis, metastasis, and resistance to chemotherapies. Among the various proteins involved in cancer, E3 ubiquitin ligases have gained significant attention due to their role in the ubiquitin-proteosome system (UPS). This system regulates the degradation of oncogenic and tumor-suppressing proteins. One E3 ubiquitin ligase, Thyroid Hormone Receptor Interacting Protein 12 (TRIP12) is crucial in processes such as cell cycle regulation, DNA repair, and cell differentiation. Disruption of these processes increases the risk of cancer and neurological disorders. TRIP12 has been recognized as a regulator in cancer, presenting both tumor-promoting and tumor-inhibiting functions. TRIP12 contributes to cancer growth by degrading tumor suppressors, but it can also inhibit the spread of cancer by stabilizing proteins that prevent metastasis. Additionally, TRIP12 has been implicated in chemotherapy resistance, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic target and prognostic biomarker. This review synthesizes current knowledge on TRIP12's involvement in cancer, emphasizing its dual role in tumorigenesis, its impact on chemotherapy resistance, and its promise as a therapeutic target in future cancer treatments
Synthesis of Mn(II) Coordination Complexes Using Asymmetric Tridentate Ligands
No full textv, 67p.As the world population continues to grow, more energy is needed to keep upwith technological advances. Most of those energy demands are met by burning fossil fuels and other nonrenewable forms of energy. This releases increasingly large amounts of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere and worsens the effects of global warming. To combat these problems while still meeting the energy needs of a growing world, we need to focus on optimizing sustainable and renewable energy sources, one of which is dyesensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Nowadays, the majority of the complexes used as dyes contain ruthenium or iridium which are extremely rare and expensive. It is desirable to turn to first row transition metals that are more abundant and affordable. Research thus far has focused mainly on iron and copper. To help expand the possibilities of alternate metal sources, our research centers on manganese, particularly manganese (II), which produces air- and bench-stable coordination complexes. This stability allows for extensive synthesis and characterization to be completed without the need for strict airfree techniques. We have prepared the asymmetric tridentate ligand ((E)-[(6’-methyl- 2,2’-bipyridin-6-yl)-N-(p-tolyl)methane]imine) (btmi), as well as other structurally related ligands and their corresponding Mn(II) complexes. This work describes the synthesis of these compounds and their characterization using 1H NMR (Evans Method), X-ray crystallography, UV-Vis spectroscopy, and electrochemistry
Comfort in Identity : A Photographic Exploration of Queer/Trans BIPOC Spaces and Experiences
No full text40 p.This photo project aimed to create a visual narrative celebrating the diverse stories within the queer and trans BIPOC community. I wanted these photos to be something participants fall in love with and see their beauty in. To ensure inclusivity and accessibility, participant recruitment was conducted through open calls on social media platforms, specifically Instagram and the Kalamazoo College Student Body Facebook page. The decision to utilize these platforms was rooted in the belief that everyone who wanted to contribute their story and be a part of my SIP should have the opportunity
Chevy Chase Blvd. : A Collection of Essays
No full text49 p.In this collection, I focused on eight specific memories that span my childhood to the present. These moments stood out to me because they show how loving and nurturing the bonds we have built are. You’ll meet my grandparents, neighbors, and friends throughout the collection. I showcase both the small and big moments throughout my life living on Chevy Chase Blvd. Writing this collection and discovering how the community has grown and largely shaped me was a joy
What To Do About Declining Birth Rates in South Korea?
No full text26 p.Over the past century, humanity has witnessed an incredible level of economic growth. Over time, an increasing number of countries have reached developed status, possessing large populations of productive, healthy citizens. An emerging trend among these developed nations, however, is a decline in fertility coinciding with their economic development. For some nations, especially those in Europe or Asia, this decline represents a significant future problem, threatening to weaken labor forces and leaving millions of elderly people without the necessary resources to be properly taken care of. Nowhere is this phenomenon a greater issue than in South Korea, which boasts the lowest fertility rate of any country in the world. In this paper, we explore some of the core ideas behind the economics of fertility, and how the cultural and economic position of South Korea exacerbates the trends of lower birth rates. The paper also offers a theoretical model that demonstrates the fertility choice facing households, and that allows us to show what could be done to encourage families in developed countries to have more children