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INVESTIGATING POLYDOPAMINE VIA SOLUTION CHEMISTRY AND SURFACE ADHESION
No full textDopamine (DA) has been identified as the fundamental building block for spontaneous formation of polydopamine (PDA) films, which possess excellent adhesiveness on a variety of substrates. Under favorable conditions, DA undergoes self-polymerization, forming a thin PDA film on a substrate of interest. However, the reason behind the universal coating ability of PDA has not been completely understood.
To have a better understanding of the mechanism of PDA polymerization as well as the interactions between PDA films and underlying substrates, PDA solution chemistry, and surface adhesion were investigated.
For PDA solution chemistry, the sizes and shapes of PDA particles in solution were captured as a function of time. Open access to atmospheric oxygen is not necessary for initiating the oxidation of DA monomers and hence the polymerization of PDA, but essential in generating more homogenous PDA particles in solution.
For PDA surface adhesion, DA deposition was carried out on four substrates with different wettability and functional groups: silicon wafer (Si), polydimethylsiloxane (DMS), amine-functionalized PDMS (AMS), and thiol-functionalized PDMS (SMS). It was established that PDA films with controlled thickness, homogeneity, and smoothness were obtained without prior surface equilibrium with buffer solution and in an unstirred DA solution with open access to atmospheric oxygen. Surface energetics plays a critical role in shaping the thickness, surface morphology, wettability, and stability of PDA films as well as the interactions between PDA films and substrates. The deposition of PDA films is more favorable on the hydrophobic substrates compared to the hydrophilic substrate. Wettability of the substrates is an essential factor contributing to the thickness of PDA films but does not influence the wettability of PDA films. The initial contact between DA monomers and Si substrate is critical in the formation of PDA films on Si, as Si substrate fails to form hydrogen bondings with PDA aggregates. Moreover, while on Si, PDA films are likely to form by direct nucleation, on polymer substrates, PDA films seem to experience three-dimensional island growth. Finally, PDA films on Si are less stable than those on polymer substrates after acid and base treatment, likely due to the lack of functional groups as well as the instability of the Si-O bond of the Si substrate in base.Chemistr
Diverse Pathways to Stem
No full textIncorporating two different STEM fields into one internship--an internship that harmonizes seemingly opposing fields like Neuroscience and Computer Science can prove to be quite a challenge. However, when an internship opportunity that captures the interdisciplinary nature of the two fields serendipitously arises, it is truly an amazing feeling. This summer, I worked at the Yale Technology and Innovation Lab, helping to design socially assisstive robots for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), a neurodevelopmental disorder typically characterized by social anxiety, communication difficulties, and repetitive behaviors. I took part in multiple pilot robotics projects that aimed to improve methods of diagnoses and aimed to help children with ASD feel more comfortable and confident communicating in social settings. By engaging in both laboratory and clinical environments, and working closely with other researchers, psychologists, and social workers, I gained an understanding of collaborative research and the power of combining multiple efforts and experiences to produce innovative and unprecedented ideas that could benefit society.The Science Technology Engineering and Math world branches off into various directions; hence, there are different ways to go about a career in STEM. The goal of our joint panel is to integrate information from our respective experiences in different settings in STEM in order to not only show the diversity but discuss the universal components that connect all of our careers. Our settings range in scientific industry, as during this summer, we worked at different types of organizations- a lab, a clinic and a business startup. Whether it be in New York City, Boston or New Haven, we used our liberal arts educations to navigate the different experiences through our diverse Mount Holyoke backgrounds and were able to bring different skills to our internships and faced different challenges, observations and successes. We aim to bring these insights to enrich the Mount Holyoke Community
Balancing Human Bonds and Professional Realities
No full textThe The Alternatives to Violence Project (AVP) was founded by Quakers and the models of their workshops are used across the globe in a variety of places including war-torn areas, red light districts and shelters for people with HIV. Due to the high rates of incarceration in the U.S. and the violent nature of prisons, AVP mostly works inside of prisons in the U.S. As an AVP intern I participated in workshops inside of correctional facilities throughout Massachusetts teaching non-violence strategies to inmates from all backgrounds. Many of the strategies and teaching tools used in the workshops focused on recognizing past traumas, unpacking childhoods, building community and finding inner peace. As an International Relations & Africana Studies major, this internship allowed me to engage with much of the material that I would discuss in my classes in a new way. I was able to see the material impacts of mass incarceration and make a difference in incarcerated citizens lives (which in turn benefits the families and communities that they will be returning to). The Alternatives to Violence Project increased my passion for justice, exposed me to other realities and made me more able to collaborate and effect change in different settings.This panel will bring light to the challenges and rewards of working closely with a community-based organization. Over the summer we interned for a variety of organizations in the New England area that are committed to social justice and advocacy. These organizations offered educational, mental health, and emotional support to marginalized groups including LGBTQ youth, incarcerated men, psychiatric patients, and young mothers. Though our internships varied in the types of services offered and populations that they supported, each organization emphasized the importance of helping people develop skills to uplift themselves and others through peer support and group empowerment. In various ways, we all encountered the challenges of navigating close-knit community spaces as an outsider, engaging people on an emotional level while maintaining professional boundaries. We invite you to join us as we talk about our journeys navigating community spaces, balancing human bonds and adhering to professional realities
Local to Global: Exploring the Digital Age through Small Business
No full textWhen I was given the chance to intern with Jim Coon Studio, an editorial and advertising photography and video company based out of Hartford, CT I embraced the chance to explore a career outside of my major. At first the idea of working in photography and video was exotic and anxiety ridden. However once I threw myself into the work I was rewarded with new found passions and knowledge. As a production intern I was able to gain technical production knowledge, network with creative directors and clients, act as B-roll photographer, develop my own portfolio, and be mentored by an award winning photographer who has worked with clients from Aetna to Reebok. This presentation aims to explore the benefits of interning with small companies, and of taking an internship outside of one’s major. I will also discuss my experience of working with professionals in the media industry, and how it has reshaped my personal identity and professional career goals.Globalization and digitalization have drastically changed the way industries function today. So how do small businesses fit into the picture? This panel is comprised of students who have worked in Video Production, PR, Marketing, and Photography across the globe. Yet all of us decided to work in small business organizations. Why? Because of the unique benefits that interns can only get through working with small organizations. As a panel we will discuss both these pros and the cons that come with working in this environment, in addition to the realities of working in the media and marketing fields. Join us
Female Athletes in the U.S. and Japan: Exploring Social Support, Motivation and Well-Being
No full textPsychology & Educatio
Legal Services to Stop Injustice
No full textThis summer, I worked with New York Lawyers for the Public Interest, a small nonprofit civil rights law firm in New York City. From my first day, I was blown away by the positive office culture of this organization. This culture enabled me to experience unexpected subtleties of legal public service work, ranging from gender and power dynamics in the private and public sector, to thinking about what it means to do work that takes years to come to fruition. Participating in a professional environment where the culture emphasized community, support, growth, and leaning into difference allowed me to see the incredible difficulties individuals face when fighting against systems of injustice without feeling disheartened by the imbalanced odds—even in the face of frustrating defeats.The law is a vast, complex entity; it is difficult to navigate, and—unfortunately—often easy to abuse. This summer, each panelist worked with an organization that provides access to justice to marginalized groups. These internships allowed us to learn about and fight injustice within the legal system, and provided us with opportunities to work with the law in this capacity first-hand. We gained valuable experience supporting those denied access to the justice system in their fight to safeguard their legal rights, and observed how our colleagues and organizations fought back against legal abuses, navigated challenging legal and office dynamics, and continued tirelessly to work towards improving access to the law for everyone
Shifting Paradigms Across Borders
No full textAs technology continues to permeate every segment of our lives, we often find ourselves wondering — Who creates these technologies? What inspires them? Can I build such cool things too?
A diverse developer team is essential to efficiently anticipate, understand and solve the diverse needs of the users. Today, we mostly picture technologists to be White or Asian males wearing hoodies typing away furiously at their laptops. How can we change this to reflect a more vibrant tech space?
Come, join a journey set in downtown Chicago inspiring, educating, and equipping girls with the computing and entrepreneurship skills to pursue 21st century opportunities and a step towards changing the face of technology.During an era of immense gender inequality, Mary Lyon founded Mount Holyoke in order to provide greater educational opportunities for women. She recognized the importance of education as a means of overcoming oppression. As an institution, Mount Holyoke has always stressed the importance of female empowerment. This past summer, we collaborated with different communities in Chicago, Washington, D.C., and Cape Town, South Africa to further this vision. We worked with institutions and organizations that sought to empower women and challenge the limitations forced upon them. Though our work was in a range of fields, including the non-profit sector and technological training, we all sought to empower women through knowledge. By participating in education and activism, we offered a new perspective on women's roles and abilities and ultimately helped to change the way women view themselves
Mouse Liver Development: Analyzing the Relationship Between the Liver and Endothelial Cells Through Whole Mount In Situ Hybridization
No full textThe liver’s function as a filtering organ leaves it vulnerable to toxin- related diseases such as cirrhosis, and cancer. Studying liver development in the murine embryo allows for in vivo investigation of the process in a mammalian system. Insight from this study may lead to development of novel therapies to treat liver disease.
Fate mapping has demonstrated that the murine liver begins as two progenitor populations in the definitive endoderm, when the embryo has 4-6 somites. These precursor cells contribute differently to the liver, and RNA sequencing has identified genes that are differentially expressed between these populations. We sought to further confirm the transcriptional differences between the two populations and probe later expression during development using whole mount in situ hybridization (WISH). This technique allows for reliable visualization of tissues expressing the gene of interest.
Although these genes were initially identified as endoderm specific, many were present in other tissues. Interestingly, 20% showed apparent endothelial expression throughout early development. Of these genes, few showed endothelial cell expression in major vessels; instead expression was more likely to be found in vessels proximal to gut organs. These results suggest a more complex relationship between the endoderm and endothelial cells than previously assumed.Biological Science
Remembering and Forgetting: French Politics and Ceremonies of May 8, 1954
No full textFrom May 7-9, 1954 the ninth anniversary of the German surrender was celebrated through ceremonies and commemorations throughout the city of Paris. That Friday, May 7th and the first day of ceremonies, the French army suffered a crippling defeat in their Vietnamese colonies at Dien Bien Phu. Meanwhile, other political tensions brewed: the proposed European Defense Community, the future of a strengthening West Germany, and the continuous failure of the Fourth Republic to form a coalition government. These concerns about the future of France, as well as questions about the very nature of the war being celebrated are evident throughout the ceremonies. I argue that this weekend took place at a unique period in both French politics and in the negotiation of post-WWII commemorative practices. By studying and analyzing the ceremonies of this weekend, it becomes clear that they demonstrate the construction inherent in commemoration as a practice.Histor