IDA Mount Holyoke College Institutional Digital Archive
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An Exploration of the Impact of Minority Stress on Gender Non-Binary College Students and Their Academic Confidence
No full textThis research sought to explore the academic impact of peer victimization and minority stress on gender non-binary students through the lens of the Minority Stress Framework and Social Learning Theory. I compared gender non-binary student’s experiences at coed institutions with those who attend Historically Women’s Colleges to see if there was a difference in level of discrimination, and whether peer-related minority stress negatively impacted academic performance through the mediator of stress. One hundred and six participants from the five-college consortium, who identified as gender non-binary completed an online survey. The findings indicate that students who identify as non-binary in coed institutions report greater peer-related minority stress than their non-binary counterparts in Historically Women’s Colleges; peer-related minority stress is associated with increased stress, which is negatively associated to students’ academic confidence.Psychology & Educatio
What We Forget to See
No full textThe world is constructed and built around structures that often go unnoticed. My research revolves around the elements that are the basis of our daily environment. Initially inspired by artists who combine science with the arts, the work is informed by the studies of artist Terry Winters and mathematician Henry Segerman. The project developed by deconstructing, examining, and rebuilding imagery in a calculated and measured process. With this I explored the structure of spaces that are ingrained in our day-to-day lives and how they progress when neglected.
The project is made of two main components. The first consists of steel sculptures that are seemingly abstract linework. When they are lit at the correct angle, however, an outline of a room appears in the cast shadow. For this an image is simplified into pure architectural lines which are then broken up, stretched and combined in a new, unrecognizable form. The next set of works use handmade paper to create panels detailed with wood grain. These are broken up into large pieces that imitate decaying walls alongside smaller cast paper boards. Through the papermaking process, a similar set of steps occur where the material is broken down and reformed. The paper is torn and cast creating the impression of natural deterioration.
From the tangle of steel to the fading grain, the viewer is asked to investigate more closely. A quick glance does not allow for someone to completely grasp what is occurring. Instead it requires a closer look. In this way, the structures refuse to go unnoticed. The places depicted are recognizable images of common household scenes, a kitchen or study. The locations that we spend our lives in, along with the memories made there, construct who we are as people. Often however, these structures are left to weather over time. The cast shadows in conjunction with the decaying paper bring to light the neglect of spaces that were once important. By deconstructing and reforming this environment, I ask the viewer to look again, paying attention to what we are leaving behind.Art Studi
Mer Bleue fertilization plant species data 2005 and 2015
No full textPlant species data collected in the 60 x 60 cm aluminum NEE collars at the Mer Bleue fertilization experiment in 2005 and 2015.Data have been published in the following:
Juutinen, S.,T.R. Moore, J.L. Bubier, S. Arnkil, E. Humphreys, B. Marincak, C. Roy, T. Larmola. 2018. Long-term nutrient addition increased CH4 emission from a bog through direct and indirect effects. Nature Scientific Reports 8:3838; DOI:10.1038/s41598-018-22210-2.2005 and 201
Analysis of the RNA-binding properties of Hfq proteins from the bacteria Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes, and Caulobacter crescentus
No full textBacterial small, noncoding (s)RNAs play important roles in post-transcriptional gene regulation through complementary base-pairing interactions with target messenger (m)RNA molecules,. Many sRNAs rely on protein partners to carry out their regulatory functions. As such, the interactions between proteins and small RNAs contribute to gene regulation across all three domains of life. In particular, the hexameric RNA chaperone protein, Hfq, has been shown to mediate interactions between bacterial small (s)RNAs and their target mRNAs as a part of bacterial stress responses. Hfq orthologues have been characterized in approximately half of all sequenced bacterial species. This protein functions to stabilize sRNA steady-state expression levels, protect sRNAs from cleavage, accelerate efficient base pairing between sRNA and mRNA to activate or repress translation, and may recruit cellular endonucleases to degrade the transcript following repression.
To examine the RNA- and protein-binding properties of Hfq proteins in Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes, and Caulobacter crescentus, I utilized a set of two transcription-based bacterial-hybrid assays designed to detect these interactions in vivo. In the bacterial two-hybrid assay (B2H), Hfq monomers from each bacterial species displayed inter- and intra-species multimerization, supporting the notion that hexamerization is a conserved feature of Hfq orthologs. Through the utilization of a novel bacterial three-hybrid assay designed to detect RNA-protein interactions in vivo, I report that the Hfq protein from each of these species is able to recognize a variety of sRNAs with unique binding patterns. A comparative analysis of the relative interaction strengths of Hfq from each of these species with a panel of E. coli sRNAs shows that the C. crescentus Hfq often displays stronger sRNA-binding interactions than E. coli Hfq and L. monocytogenes Hfq. Further analysis of these three proteins at the level of primary sequence and tertiary structure suggests that the presence of certain ionizable amino acid residues in the Hfq sequence may play particularly important roles in binding sRNAs across bacterial species.Biochemistr
International Student Experiences: Examining Acculturative Stress, Depression, Academic Success, Belonging, & Authenticity
No full textThis study examined whether Mount Holyoke international students experienced more depression, lower sense of belonging, lower academic success, and lower authenticity than domestic students. The study further predicted that international students’ experiences with higher acculturative stress would be positively associated with depression and authenticity, but negatively associated with sense of belonging, and academic success, examining how Counselling Services moderated that relationship. 206 undergraduate students from Mount Holyoke, 75 international and 131 domestic students (comparison group), completed a survey about their experiences. There were no significant differences between groups, except in accepting external influences, where international students scored higher than domestic students on this authenticity subscale. Acculturative stress significantly predicted higher depression, lower academic confidence, and lower sense of belonging scores for international students. International students also participated in individual interviews, 4 of which were analysed to identify what factored into their mental health and academic experiences, as well as how they perceived Counselling Services and what reasons they gave for accessing or not accessing their services. This study contributed to research about international student adjustment at Mount Holyoke College, providing insight into how the negative effects of these cultural adjustments can be addressed.Psychology & Educatio
Mer Bleue fertilization elevation data 2011 and 2013
No full textPlot surface elevation data at the Mer Bleue fertilization experiment in 2011 and 2013Data have been published in the following:
Juutinen, S.,T.R. Moore, J.L. Bubier, S. Arnkil, E. Humphreys, B. Marincak, C. Roy, T. Larmola. 2018. Long-term nutrient addition increased CH4 emission from a bog through direct and indirect effects. Nature Scientific Reports 8:3838; DOI:10.1038/s41598-018-22210-2.May-August 2011 and 201
Bridging the Gap: Millenials Researching the Lies of Older Adults
No full textThe Stanford Prevention Research Center (SPRC) is composed of leading researchers who strive to combat diseases and improve the health of populations within the United States and across the world. During the summer of 2015, Aladrianne Young was a research intern for the Healthy Aging Research and Technology Solutions (HARTS) Lab at the SPRC in Palo Alto, CA. The HARTS lab, directed by Dr. Abby King, focuses on addressing barriers and facilitators that influence the ability of older adult populations to incorporate physical exercise into their lives and their ability to access quality foods in order to eat healthfully. As a research intern, Aladrianne worked closely under Dr. Jylana Sheats on various projects pertaining to simultaneous studies conducted at the lab. Aladrianne attended weekly team meetings, conducted a focus group, created evidence tables, created a validated survey database, learned print and digital marketing strategies, attended a site visit, networked with colleagues, assisted with website development, and co-edited a resource guide for participants.Through her internship she learned about the many facets that compose research. This presentation will highlight Aladrianne’s overall summer experience and provide an overview of the projects she was a part of with HARTS.The elderly population is a minority group often underrepresented in research. Despite limited research associated with this population, the population of older adults aged 65+ in the United States is expected to double in size to over 80 million people by 2050.(1) During the summer of 2015, four Mount Holyoke students with majors in africana studies, biology, neuroscience, and psychology engaged in research pertaining to the elderly. Their varied internships included a community health-based research setting, a hospital, a psychology lab, and a pharmaceutical company. In this presentation, these individuals come together to discuss their distinct internship experiences. They offer their unique academic backgrounds and career interests while providing insights to the range of issues that affect the health of older adult populations
We Learn not for Lynk-UAF, but for Life
No full textAlzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive brain disorder that is characterized by impairment of memory. Much of the research conducted into the cause of AD suggests that this disease results from an increase in neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs), which are composed of the microtubule-associated protein called tau. These tangles lead to regional cell death, and are particularly prominent in the cortex and hippocampus of AD patients. Subsequent studies have shown that the regions of the brain affected by AD and related tauopathies are congruent to areas of the brain that benefit from environmental enrichment. This past summer, I conducted both a 10 day and lifespan study examining the effects of environmental enrichment on a Drosophila model of tauopathy at Mount Holyoke College in the CLAN (Colodner Lab of Awesome Neuroscientists). Flies expressing wild type form of tau, and control flies were aged in three different conditions: empty arenas, environmentally enriched arenas, and vials. My investigation into how different environments affect the toxicity of tau in Drosophila persists, as I quantify the data collected over the summer.What does it take to carry out a project from start to finish? This summer, two seniors and two juniors learned the answer to this question while conducting research in different disciplines. From the Pioneer Valley to Boston, to below the equator in Paraguay, we will discuss our experiences, challenges, and end results executing independent projects. While our work was different, we are united by our demonstration of determination, commitment, and resourcefulness while pursuing our projects. We invite you to attend our panel in which we will emphasize the necessity of being self-sufficient in order to be successful in your future endeavors
Ace House 20
No full textAll building footprints were obtained from Facilities Management and are updated annually as necessary.201
Ace House 10
No full textAll building footprints were obtained from Facilities Management and are updated annually as necessary.201