Fall 2009 Undergraduate Research Symposium

Undergraduate Research Symposium Featuring Student Research In All Fields!

Family Weekend Friday, October 16, 2009 and Saturday, October 17, 2009 Friday, 3:00pm-5:00pm Saturday, 10:00am-12:00pm Coca-Cola Commons (Dobbs Unversity Center) sponsored by

S C H OLA R LY I N QUIR Y

&

R E S E A R C H A T E M OR Y

Emory College of Arts & Sciences

Fall 2008 Undergraduate Research Symposium October 16th & 17th 2009

SYMPOSIUM SCHEDULE All posters will be displayed for from 3:00 pm Friday afternoon until 9:00 Monday morning. Each presenter will be available for questions and comments at their posters according to the following schedule: Friday, 3:00pm - 4:00pm Nicole Azores-Gococo Ariana Goodell Arundhati Murthy Mary Radhuber Daniel Sok

Anita Balasubramanian Jenny Jia An Ngyuen Brian Teeter Alexander Wein

Meredith Brown Brent Morel Khanh Nguyen Scot Seitz Rebecca Wessell

Friday, 4:00pm - 5:00pm Sara Berney Andrew Foote Ali Madani Jared Moreines Elaine Oberlick Daniel Sok

Meredith Brown Ariana Goodell Kathryn Markein Katherine Morris Daniel Posa Jennifer Wang

Morgan Cichon LeShonda Lillard Mike McClain An Nguyen William Shelburne

Saturday, 10:00am – 11:00am Sara Berney Jenny Jia Michael Lee Brent Morel Elaine Oberlick Rebecca Wessell

Hadas deGroot Jay Kroll Kathryn Marklein Katherine Morris Chinar Sanghvi

Andrew Foote Jung-hoon Lee Mike McClain Arundhati Murthy Jennifer Wang

Saturday, 11:00am – 12:00am Nicole Azores-Gococo Hadas deGroot Michael Lee Jared Moreines Mary Radhuber William Shelburne

Anita Balasubramanian Jay Kroll LeShonda Lillard Khanh Nguyen Chinar Sanghvi Brian Teeter

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Morgan Cichon Jung-hoon Lee Ali Madani Daniel Posa Scot Seitz Alexander Wein

Fall 2008 Undergraduate Research Symposium October 16th & 17th 2009

HUMANITIES / CREATIVE AND PERFORMING ARTS

Balasubramanian, Anita Music, Nationalism and Regional Identities in Indonesia: Tembang Sunda of West Java Faculty Mentor: Dr. Tong Soon Lee, Department of Music, Emory University Abstract: In this project, I explore the historical and social influences that have prompted and crystallized the musical development of two West Javanese vocal genres, tembang Sunda and pop Sunda. Correspondingly, I discuss the manner in which Sundanese musical and socio-cultural practices interact to inform one another, and contribute to the broader movement that intersects music, history, nationalism, and the ensuing evolution of regional identities in Indonesia. I conducted the associated fieldwork this past summer (May- July 2009) in West Java’s cultural capital, Bandung. While maintaining tembang Sunda vocal studies as my primary focus, I was able to participate in a range of informal and formal musical gatherings and daily Sundanese activities. This provided me with opportunities to enhance my musical skills and knowledge by observing instrumental techniques, conducting interviews with various musicians, attending rehearsals and recording sessions, and witnessing the creative stages and processes behind the composition of tembang Sunda and pop Sunda amongst other West Javanese musical genres. Using my personal experiences and interactions with Sundanese musicians as a case study, I illustrate the role of music, learning styles, performance practices, and the social organization of musicians, audience, and patrons in tembang Sunda and pop Sunda traditions. Thereby, I speculate on the extent to which these characteristics establish and affirm individual, societal, and national identities.

deGroot, Hadas The Encyclopedia of the Middle East Faculty Mentor: Dr. Gordon Newby, Department of Middle Eastern and South Asian Studies, Emory University Co-Authors: Dr. Gordon Newby (Emory University), Professor Oded Borowski (Emory University), Professor Ruby Lal (Emory University), Professor Roxani Margariti (Emory University), Professor Patit Paban Mishra (Sambalpur University), Professor Gyanendra Pandey (Emory University), Professor Dan White (University of North Carolina at Charlotte), and Professor Jennifer Yusin (Drexel University).

Abstract:

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Fall 2008 Undergraduate Research Symposium October 16th & 17th 2009

The scope of the Encyclopedia of the Middle East and South Asia is the geographic region from the East Mediterranean, including North Africa to and including the sub-continent of South Asia. It will span the time periods from our earliest historical knowledge to the present, and include information on the art, culture, history, politics,social structure, and religions of the area. It will combine specific terms referring to events and peoples with broader, conceptual terms aimed at providing an overview of important issues and concepts. The primary audience will be users of high school, college and public libraries in the English-speaking world. Because of the scope and unique perspective of this work, it will also be useful to professionals interested in the region, since it will provide up-to-date summaries of our current state of knowledge and debates about issues of importance.

Madani, Ali Temporal Philosophy: Augustine, T.S. Eliot, and Milton Faculty Mentor: Dr. Ann Hartle, Department of Philosophy, Emory University Abstract: The central question of my research project is to assess the degree to which the philosophy of time, as set forth by St. Augustine in Book Eleven of the Confessions, played a part in the formation of a series of four poems by T.S. Eliot known as the ‚Four Quartets‛ and in the cenception of creation in Milton’s Paradise Lost. While not the primary purpose of the project, investigating the link between Augustine and the two poets opens the discussion of philosophy’s role in literature. Does the popular philosophical movement of the day contribute to the themes in poems or stories? Is this unique to certain periods of literature (Renaissance, Modern, etc.) or is this present throughout different literary movements? By utilizing the T.S. Eliot archives housed at Cambridge University, I was able to draw connections that support an influential relationship. Similarly, through an examination of the passages of naming in Paradise Lost, a relationship between the poet and the philosophy is again established.

Marklein, Kathryn "It's All Ellas to Me": Analyzing Human Skeletal Remains in Classical Athens Faculty Mentor: Dr. George Armelagos, Department of Anthropology, Emory University Abstract has been removed.

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Fall 2008 Undergraduate Research Symposium October 16th & 17th 2009

Shelburne, William Bertolt Brecht and the Advent and Popularization of "Committed" Art in Germany Faculty Mentor: Dr. Thomas R. Flynn, Department of Philosophy, Emory University Abstract: My poster will attempt to illustrate the development of "committed" art and Bertolt Brecht as a committed artist as a result of unique historical events taking place in Germany during the first half of the twentieth century.

Wessell, Rebecca Dali's dead brother and the question of protective doubling Faculty Mentor: Dr. Claire Nouvet, Department of French and Italian Studies, Emory University Abstract has been removed.

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Fall 2008 Undergraduate Research Symposium October 16th & 17th 2009

SOCIAL SCIENCES

Azores-Gococo, Nicole Trauma and Meaning: Predicting Suicidal Ideation in Atlanta's Inner-City, African American Women Faculty Mentor: Dr. Nadine Kaslow, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University Co-author: Dr. Meghna Patel (Emory University) Abstract: Living in environments such as inner-city Atlanta put low-income individuals at a high risk for experiencing violence, poverty, and other stressors which are detrimental for mental health. African Americans, in particular, are often exposed to traumatic events and yet have been underrepresented in mental health research on the effects of trauma. Such research could benefit treatment programs by illuminating sources of suicidal ideation, which has been seen in previous studies to be related to posttraumatic stress symptoms. In this study, posttraumatic stress levels of African American women were hypothesized to predict levels of suicidal ideation. It was also hypothesized that the state of these women’s spiritual well-being, both religious and existential, would play a role in the relationship between posttraumatic stress and suicidal ideation. Participants were patients recruited at Grady Memorial Hospital and met criteria for an interview if they had made a suicide attempt within the past year. Scores from the Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation, the Posttraumatic Stress Diagnostic Scale, and the Spiritual Well-Being Scale were regressed using SPSS. As hypothesized, posttraumatic stress significantly predicted suicidal ideation.

While existential well-being moderated this relationship and partially mediated it by acting counter to posttraumatic stress, religious well-being was not a significant predictor. These results suggest that existential well-being is a protective factor against suicidal ideation in response to posttraumatic stress which may allow trauma victims to formulate meaning from stressful life events. Implications are given.

Berney, Sara HIV/AIDS Programming for ‘Men who have Sex with Men’ in Uganda Faculty Mentor: Dr. Karen Hegtvedt, Department of Sociology, Emory University

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Fall 2008 Undergraduate Research Symposium October 16th & 17th 2009

Abstract: ‚Throughout Africa, LGBT communities are being decimated with a speed and breadth reminiscent of the impact of the epidemic on gay men in New York and San Francisco in the 1980s.‛ Yet there are scarcely ‚more than a handful of formal prevention programs targeting ‘men who have sex with men’ (MSM).‛ Studies on MSM and HIV have identified HIV programming as the next step to decreasing the high vulnerability of this population.

After spending Fall of 2008 abroad in Uganda, the researcher connected with Freedom and Roam Uganda (FAR Uganda), a grassroots organization in Kampala, which promotes basic rights for Uganda’s LGBT community. FAR Uganda recently initiated a series of education based HIV-AIDS programming’s for the at-risk MSM community. In December of 2009, the researcher will travel to Uganda to conduct twenty interviews with MSM and FAR Uganda staff. The interviews aim to gauge MSM understanding of the transmission and prevention of this virus and to probe at how programming for MSM changed (or did not change) respondent’s belief systems about the transmission and prevention of the virus. The researcher will also directly observe FAR Uganda programmings, review programming materials, lesson plans, director agendas, and instructor guides. This project will identify what aspects of programming are and are not working, and with this information, researchers can help influence the evolution of the programs and ensure that sponsors pursue, and funding supports, the most promising strategies to better serve the MSM population.

Foote, Andrew Identification and Assessment of Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Practices of Two Rural Communities in Greater Accra, Ghana Faculty Mentor: Dr. Christine Moe, Hubert Department of Global Health, Emory University Abstract: Access to safe drinking water and adequate sanitation facilities is a necessity for good health. The lack of clean drinking water and sanitation systems in Ghana contributes to 70% of diseases, and is worse in rural areas. Of these diseases, diarrheal disease dominates, and is also the main cause of children under five deaths. Many studies have focused on and disagreed on the best practices for reducing diarrheal disease, but few have addressed the aim of this study, to comprehensively evaluate the indicators of diarrheal disease. Two communities in rural Ghana were compared utilizing, door-to-door interviews, focus group discussions, key informant interviews, water quality tests and GPS coordinates.

Community A with piped water but fewer latrines had a higher prevalence of pediatric diarrhea(26%) than Community B that had no piped water and more latrines. Compared to

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Community B, Community A had more external support for water and sanitation programs, but a lesser understanding of the health impacts of behaviors and a lower prevalence of proper cost-free practices. A 21 variable risk model for diarrheal disease is being developed and the influence of relative household location to water and sanitation facilities is also being examined. Preliminary results indicate that proper sanitation practices are a stronger predictor of diarrheal disease than access to clean water.

Communities that understand the health impacts of behaviors are more likely to execute hygienic water and sanitation practices. More programs need to focus on household latrines and streamlining the education of the health impacts of water and sanitation behaviors.

Jia, Jenny The traditional birth attendant: current roles of rural dais and their potential future in maternal health programmes in Matlab, Bangladesh Faculty Mentor: Dr. Lynn Sibley, Rollins School of Public Health’s Department of International Health, Emory University Abstract: Traditional birth attendants (TBAs) are women who assist mothers with delivery and initially acquired their skills from delivering babies themselves or apprenticeships to other TBAs. The social construct of TBAs varies globally, affecting their responsibilities, privileges, and status. Called dais in Bangladesh, they are a significant source of maternal healthcare in areas where home-based birth dominates. The project’s field site, Matlab, Bangladesh, is unique in the country. The International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (ICDDR,B) runs a Maternal, Neonatal, and Child Health (MNCH) Programme in Matlab and has been offering maternal and child care and education in its facilities at no cost to residents and excluding dais. In the past two years, facility-based birth in Matlab has jumped from 48 percent to 68 percent, compared to percentages in the teens nationally. While the demand for dais has decreased, they are still active in the community. The main objectives of this project were 1.) to define and clarify the role of dais in pregnancy, and 2.) to explore potential future roles for dais in institutional programs.

Open-ended interviews were conducted with dais and other key maternal health figures: support persons, community health research workers, and MNCH research investigators.

We randomly sampled respondents from the four blocks of Matlab in which MNHC operates. As expected, different perspectives of dais were expressed by our participants.

Preliminary analysis of dais’ interviews shows that the occupation is not entirely uniform in its qualities, nor do all dais in our sample have the same beliefs and practices.

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Fall 2008 Undergraduate Research Symposium October 16th & 17th 2009

Lillard, LeShonda Race and Sports at Emory and Beyond Faculty Mentor: Dr. Melissa Sexton, Transforming Community Project, Emory University Abstract: My summer research was based on an overview of the intersection between race and sports at the national level and within the Emory community. The purpose of the study was to gain a better understanding of the student-athlete experience at Emory, specifically regarding how student-athletes experience racial diversity. I am interested in finding out how sports programs have changed over time at the Division I and Division III levels. My research questions were: What are the experiences of black athletes in Division III athletics particularly at Emory? How do these experiences compare and contrast with Division I black athletes, generally? What is the NCAA’s definition of Division III Athletics? Who are Division III athletes?

Moreines, Jared Defining the Relationship Between Depression Treatment History, Cognitive Performance, and Resting State Functional Connectivity Faculty Mentor: Dr. Paul Holtzheimer, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University Co-author: Dr. Helen S. Mayberg (Emory University) Abstract: Neuropsychological deficits are common in depression and may correlate with length of illness chronicity and treatment resistance. Resting State Functional Connectivity (RS-FC) of brain regions involved in mood and cognition may vary according to cognitive ability and level of treatment resistance. We examined the effects of level of treatment resistance on measures of cognitive functioning in three groups: healthy controls (HC), subjects with treatment naïve depression (TND), and subjects with chronic treatment resistant depression (TRD). Our cognitive battery included subtests from the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB) and standard and emotional versions of the Stroop task. Independent samples t-tests were used to compare cognitive performance of the HC group with that of the TND and TRD groups. Differences were noted on measures of

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affective bias to emotional words, verbal processing speed, and executive functioning, with the depressed groups performing poorer than the HC group. Limitations of this study include small sample sizes and lack of correction for multiple comparisons. Future work will correlate subjects’ cognitive performance and level of treatment resistance with their RS-FC scans.

Morris, Katherine Measuring Characteristics of Entrepreneurs Faculty Mentor: Dr. Monica Capra, Department of Economics, Emory University Abstract: This project seeks to discover the attitudes and tendencies that correspond with entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial success. The project will use experiments and surveys to gather data on a sample of International immigrants and US natives in Atlanta who are or would like to become entrepreneurs. The data are expected to provide measures of individual level characteristics such as risk attitude, time preference, overconfidence, and optimism, characteristics which are widely believed to correlate with entrepreneurial success. This study would be the first to scientifically establish a correlation between individual characteristics and entrepreneurship, and between individual characteristics and entrepreneurial success. This study would also be the first to study determinants of entrepreneurial success experimentally.

Murthy, Arundhati Tracing the Effects of Motivation on Decision-making Processes Using Verbal Protocols Faculty Mentor: Dr. Monica Capra, Department of Economics, Emory University Abstract: Game theory postulates that rational decision-makers in multi-player games choose the best strategy given their beliefs about other players’ choices. In equilibrium, players’ beliefs about others and their actions are consistent; that is, rational players form rational beliefs.

However, data from controlled experiments suggest that, in many games, players’ choices

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deviate from equilibrium predictions, and that the reason for that happening may be that players do not form rational beliefs about others’ choices (Capra et al., 1999). We would like to know if this deviation is simply because players are not motivated to make effortfully rational choices.

We use a concurrent verbal protocol as used by Ericsson and Simon, 1984 to trace decision processes in the Traveller’s Dillema Game under different motivation matrices. We also use directed questions at the end of each game to avoid the possibility that the verbal protocol forces the players to think and rationalize their choices. Further, we measure psychological parameters such as working memory, intrinsic motivation, numeracy and the propensity to reflect on decisions made.

Nguyen, Khanh Race, Class, and Career Choice Faculty Mentor: Dr. Tracy Scott, Department of Sociology, Emory University Abstract has been removed.

Posa, Daniel Risk and Resilience for PTSD: The Role of Nontraumatic Stressful Life Events Faculty Mentor: Dr. Bekh Bradley, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University Abstract has been removed.

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Fall 2008 Undergraduate Research Symposium October 16th & 17th 2009

Seitz, Scot Feminist Approaches to Epidemiological Research and Interventions Addressing the HIV/AIDS Epidemic among African American Women Faculty Mentor: Dr. Elisabeth Wilson, Department of Women’s Studies, Emory University Abstract: The HIV epidemic continues to disproportionately affect African American women in the United States. Although public health researchers have recognized the disparate HIV infection rate among African American women since the 1980s, there is still a need to develop widespread and sustainable HIV prevention strategies to address this epidemic.

Most efforts to improve HIV interventions among African American women focus on adapting interventions to the particular cultural norms and power relationships within specific populations. For this project, I take a different approach by analyzing the underlying conceptions of power that public health researchers draw on when theorizing about the causes of and interventions for African American women’s high HIV transmission rate. My analysis of the review epidemiological literature indicates that researchers often understand social systems, including racism and cultural norms, to be allpowerful and monolithic forces that facilitate the disproportionate infection rate. I argue that this understanding limits public health interventions to two general approaches: 1) abstract social change or 2) limited, individualized behavior modification. I suggest that Michel Foucault’s theory of power, where social systems are created through complex force relations, provides a useful conceptual framework for theorizing effective structural interventions. Specifically, Foucauldian notions of power offer a theoretical framework for designing epidemiological studies that identify already-existing and protective social systems. Subsequent community interventions can then promote these health-producing social systems, thereby cultivating sustainable behaviors that protect from HIV acquisition.

I conclude by exploring how this analysis can be applied to health disparity research and interventions in general.

Teeter, Brian Umbria: A Unique Case of Institutional Performance Faculty Mentor: Dr. Judith Raggi Moore, Department of French and Italian Studies, Emory University Abstract:

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Fall 2008 Undergraduate Research Symposium October 16th & 17th 2009

Italian politics has long been characterized by the economic and political polarization between the developed North and the backward South. The regional make up of the Italian state has long fascinated academics providing an ample review of both the historical and political factors that have contributed to the North-South divide. This project aims to highlight the institutional, political, and structural factors that have provided Umbria, a small, central region of Italy, with a high level of institutional performance. Building on Robert Putnam’s work, Making Democracy Work: Civic Traditions in Italy, which surveys the institutional performances of regions of Italy, this project introduces the impact of the European Union on Umbrian institutions. In addition to the impact of the European Union on regional institutions, we explore additional factors that are absent in Putnam’s review, yet imperative to understanding the formation of Umbrian institutions.

Wang, Jennifer Emory in Color Faculty Mentor: Dr. Melissa Sexton, Transforming Community Project, Emory University Abstract: This project is designed for students, parents, and the Emory community. The short film will target the issues of race throughout Emory’s history in addition, the project will include new perspectives on race. Emory student leaders have given oral histories that reflect their experience with racial change at Emory. The goal of this project: to show everyone at Emory at that communication between races is important, but the key to resolving racial conflicts is to listen and to understand what the other person is saying.

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Fall 2008 Undergraduate Research Symposium October 16th & 17th 2009

NATURAL SCIENCES

Brown, Meredith Pediatric Severe Asthma: Role of Environmental Tobacco Smoke?

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Anne Fitzpatrick, Department of Pediatric Pulmonology, Emory University Abstract: Asthma is the most common chronic lung disease of childhood. While several routes of exposure have been implicated in inducing and complicating asthma, exposure to tobacco smoke has remained at the forefront. My thesis seeks to: 1) determine the prevalence of self-reported environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure in asthmatic children, 2) determine whether plasma cotinine concentrations are higher in asthmatic children with self-reported ETS exposure, and 3) to determine whether plasma cotinine concentrations are associated with clinical features of asthma severity in children. These questions were addressed through database analysis and by testing blood samples for cotinine, which is a biomarker of nicotine. Overall, 20% of all children with asthma were exposed to ETS. Exposure, as identified by cotinine levels, matched self-reported ETS exposure. Cotinine levels did not correlate with asthma severity. Therefore, although ETS exposure is highly prevalent in asthmatic children, these data suggest that ETS exposure alone does not contribute to asthma severity.

Cichon, Morgan A New Family of Dinuclear Transition Metal-Substituted Polytungstophosphates Faculty Mentor: Dr. Craig L. Hill, Department of Chemistry, Emory University Abstract: A new family of dinuclear transition-metal-substituted polyoxoanions, X2M2(PW9O34)212(X = Na or Li, M = Mn2+, Co2+, Ni2+, Zn2+) (Na2M2), were synthesized and characterized by infrared spectroscopy, 31P solution NMR spectroscopy, and elemental analysis.

Compounds Na2Co2, Na2Ni2, Li2Zn2, Li2Ni2 and Li2Mn2 were characterized by single Xray crystallography. All these compounds have similar structures, in which two transition metal ions (internal positions) and two sodium or lithium ions (external positions) are sandwiched by two [B-alpha-PW9O34]9- units. By adding LiCl to Na2M2 in aqueous solution, lithium-sodium exchanges in the sandwich cavity were observed by 31P NMR spectroscopy and single X-ray crystallography. Magnetic measurements indicate

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ferromagnetic exchange interactions between the two Ni2+ ions in Na2Ni2 at 10-300K and two Co2+ ions in Na2Co2 at lower temperature 6-30K. In contrast, Na2Mn2 exhibits an antiferromagnetic interaction between Mn2+ ions at 2-50K.

Goodell, Ariana Cloning and characterization of soluble neuraminidase with GCNApLI sequence Faculty Mentor: Dr. Richard Compans, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University Co-Author: Will Weldon (Emory University) Abstract: The N2 neuraminidase gene of A/Aichi/ influenza virus was engineered to encode a secretable protein (NAs) by inserting a GCN4 peptide sequence that has been altered to create tetramerization by reducing to two leucine molecules within the woven sequence.

The altered sequence is designated GCN4pLI. GCN4pLI will be utilized in this research project to potentially aid in stabilizing the soluble NA protein derived from the influenza A/Aichi/2/68 virus. The soluble NAs will be expressed by a baculovirus insect cell system and accumulated in the medium at optimal high concentration levels. The protein will then be tested for purity and enzymatic activity using a fluorescent neuraminidase assay.

Kroll, Jay O(1D ) Insertion for Production of Astrochemically Relevant Molecules Faculty Mentor: Dr. Susanna Widicus Weaver, Department of Chemistry, Emory University Abstract: Astrochemical molecules are often difficult to study in the lab because many are unstable.

O(1D) insertion reactions can be used to prepare these molecules, but add difficulties to the experiment because they are exothermic and therefore produce unstable products. We plan to do terahertz spectral analysis of supersonic expansions so that we can study these reactions in the gas phase, which allows us to circumvent many of the typical problems with product stability. I have built a source for supersonic expansions to study the

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products of O(1D) insertion reactions. This source design combines two previous approaches in order to overcome the difficulties of producing O(1D) without dissociating the product molecules to be studied. This source is currently being tested to maximize the efficiency of O(1D) production and then it will be tested with organic molecules so that it can ultimately be used to produce new astrochemical molecules of interest. In companion to this laboratory research, I am participating in collection and analysis of observational spectra using the Caltech Submillimeter Observatory. These observations will enable direct comparison between the molecules studied in the laboratory and the molecules present in interstellar clouds.

Lee, Jung-hoon Does RNase III regulate antibiotic production in Streptomyces antibioticus?

Faculty Mentor: Dr. George H. Jones, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University Abstract: Streptomyces play an important role in the production of antibiotics; almost two thirds of all known natural antibiotics come from the secondary metabolites of Streptomyces. Using genetic modifications, an overproduction of these secondary metabolites can be achieved.

Previous studies have shown that the absB locus of Streptomyces coelicolor encodes RNase III which regulates the production of antibiotics in S. coelicolor. The absB locus, along with the entire rpsO-pnp operon, whose transcript is a substrate for RNase III cleavage in S. coelicolor, can also be found in Streptomyces antibioticus, which led us to the hypothesis that RNase III regulates the production of antibiotics in S. antibioticus. To test this hypothesis, we screened the cosmid library of S. antibioticus in an attempt to find the cosmid that contains the absB locus. With this clone, we are going to perform gene disruption on S. antibioticus and replace the absB gene with a viomycin resistance cassette.

Changes in the production of antibiotics by these mutants will be measured, determining whether or not RNase III plays a role in the regulation mechanism of the production of antibiotics in S. antibioticus. Positive results will support the idea that RNase III globally regulates the production of antibiotics in Streptomyces, possibly contributing to further studies that aim to increase the production of antibiotics.

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Lee, Michael Use of Gold Nanoparticles to Examine the Multiplex Analysis of Head and Neck

Cancer Faculty Mentor: Dr. Dong M. Shin, Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University Coauthors: Xu Wang (Emory University), Ximei Qian (Emory University), Zhuo ‚Georgia‛ Chen (Emory University), and Shuming Nie (Emory University) Abstract: In our study, gold nanoparticles were used for squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) detection. These particles utilize a specific type of the spectrum called surfaced-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). The goal of our study was to use a head and neck cancer cell line called KB-8-5 and nude mice to examine gold nanoparticle behavior and check for its application in multiplex analysis of the cancer cell detection.

The expression of FR and EGFR on cell membrane of KB-8-5 cell line was confirmed . At 25°C, the simultaneous uptake values of two types of nanoparticles with folic acid and EGF ligands were 42% and 48%, respectively. At 4°C, the ratio of nanoparticles with folic acid and EGF ligands bound to each cell was 36:1.

The study confirmed that the multiplex analysis using gold nanoparticles is possible in in vitro studies as both nanoparticles were detected simultaneously. For in vivo studies, we obtained the biodistribution data for the nanoparticles and verified that while the nanoparticles were accumulated the most in liver and spleen, they can also target the tumor cells in nude mice.

McClain, Mike Investigation of the Proton Transfer Mechanism at Low Temperature Using Infrared Spectroscopy Faculty Mentor: Dr. Brian Dyer, Department of Chemistry, Emory University Co-Authors: Dr. Dzimtry Parul (Emory University) Abstract: The mechanism of proton transfer was studied from 20K to 100K using rapid scan IR spectroscopy. A solution of 100mM o-nitrobenzaldehyde (NBA), a photoacid, and 100mM ammonium acetate was prepared in a 9:1 Methanol:isopropanol solution. A xenon lamp photoinitiated the proton transfer reaction. The reaction was monitored by looking for the shift of ammonium acetate’s carbonyl symmetric stretching band, as a result of the

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formation of NBA’s photoproduct. In the temperature range studied, protonation of ammonium acetate was not observed, although conversion of NBA into the photoacid was observed. These results suggest that proton transfer involves an intermediate step.

Morel, Brent Functional Localization of Brain Regions Associated with Suppression of Natural Urges Using Real-time fMRI Faculty Mentor: Dr. Brian Berman, National Institutes of Health Co-Author: Mark Hallett, Human Motor Control Division, NINDS, NIH Abstract: Natural bodily urges such as blinking have been shown to be associated with the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), insula (IC), medial/superior frontal gyrus, precentral gyrus, precuneus, and superior temporal gyrus, while the orbitofrontal cortex has been implicated in the blinking process. Real time functional magnetic resonance imaging (rtfMRI) has been developed to observe changes in blood oxygenation level dependent (BOLD) signal in real time. In this block design study, subjects were asked to suppress blinking while in the scanner. This study has two chief goals: 1) to determine if rtfMRI can be used to functionally localize a region of interest (ROI) in parts of the ACC and right insular cortex (RIC) associated with urge during blink suppression in real time and 2) to investigate other regions of brain activation associated with suppression of the natural bodily urge of blinking.

Nguyen, An Seasonal Influence of CSO Water Chemical and Environmental Parameters on Culex Vector Oviposition Faculty Mentor: Dr. Uriel Kitron, Department of Environmental Studies, Emory University Co-Author: Luis Chavez (Emory University) Abstract: The effects of combined sewage overflows (CSOs) on Culex quinquesfasciatus activity and factors influencing its behavior are essential to the understanding of the species’ pathogen exchange capabilities, specifically in relation to West Nile Virus. The following

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investigation aims to correlate mosquito oviposition with fluctuating levels of water chemical nutrients in CSO pools under the influence of seasonality. Semi-natural habitats will be created for the purpose of juxtaposing the ovipositional frequency in protein-rich CSO isolations with that in unenhanced CSO isolations. The chemical measures of water quality in these artificial isolated pools will be further compared against that of the main stream, in which sewage water flows freely and sporadic rain patterns will be expected to influence the stream in such a way that differing rates of chemical changes between the isolations and the main stream will result. These rates, along with oviposition rates measured in the isolated reservoirs, will be compared and analyzed over time. The addition of nutrient to these systems is expected to have higher chemical concentrations as well as oviposition rates through time. Furthermore, water temperature and relative humidity changes in the environment are hypothesized to have a direct impact on the activities of gravid female mosquitoes.

Oberlick, Elaine Wake Up Little Su(z)2: Analysis of a Chromatin Protein Faculty Mentor: Dr. Ting Wu, Department of Genetics, Harvard University Co-Authors: Sonny Nguyen (Harvard University) Abstract has been removed.

Radhuber, Mary A Submillimeter Spectral Line Survey of Orion Faculty Mentor: Dr. Susanna Widicus Weaver, Department of Chemistry, Emory University Co-Authors: Jay A. Kroll (Emory University), Jacob C. Laas (Emory University), Thomas A. Anderson (Emory University), Matthew C. Sumner (California Institute of Technology), Frank Rice (California Institute of Technology), Jonas Zmuidzinas (California Institute of Technology), and Geoffrey A. Blake (California Institute of Technology) Abstract: Spectral line surveys are a valuable scientific tool for determining the chemical composition of the interstellar medium. Previously, targeted searches were made to find new molecules in space, however broad band line surveys are more effective as they allow acquisition of

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Fall 2008 Undergraduate Research Symposium October 16th & 17th 2009

data over large frequency ranges. Such a spectral line survey was recently performed on the Orion hot core with the new, highly-sensitive, broadband receiver at the Caltech Submillimeter Observatory (CSO). The high level of sensitivity of this survey and the low noise level of ~30 mK allow for clear molecular identification. The primary objective of this survey is to determine the chemical composition of the Orion hot core and identify new interstellar molecules.

Sanghvi, Chinar Synthesis, characterization, and in vitro biological testing of potential anti-cancer gold (III) polypyridyl complexes Faculty Mentor: Dr. Cora MacBeth, Department of Chemistry, Emory University Co-authors: Zachary D. Hudson (Emory University), Melody Rhine (Emory University), Stefanie Prast (Karolinska Institute), Elias S. J. Arner (Karolinska Institute), Shifang Peng (Emory University), Zhuo Chen (Emory University), Kenneth I. Hardcastle, (Emory University), Mohammad R. Saadein (Emory University), and Jack F. Eichler (Emory University) Abstract: In an effort to uncover potential metallotheraputic alternatives to the chemotherapy drug cis-platin, two classes of gold(III) coordination complexes have been previously synthesized and characterized: a) neutral square pyramidal complexes possessing 2,9disubstituted phenanthroline ligands ([Au(Rphen)Cl3]) and b) complex ions comprised of protonated phenanthroline ligands and gold tetrachloride anions ([RphenH][AuCl4]). A novel gold(III) dipyridyl complex, containing a neutral square pyramidal complex with a 6,6’-dimethyl bipyridine ligand ([Au(methylbipy)Cl3]), was synthesized and characterized . All three classes of compounds ([Au(Rphen)Cl3], [RphenH][AuCl4], and [Au(methylbipy)Cl3]) were assessed for stability against the biological reductant ascorbic acid, with the neutral gold(III) phenanthroline complex exhibiting the most stability.

Furthermore, these complexes were tested for cytotoxic effects against existing tumor cell lines. Both the [RphenH][AuCl4] salts and the neutral coordination complexes ([Au(Rphen)Cl3] and [Au(methylbipy)Cl3]) were found to be more cytotoxic than cis-platin against a number of existing tumor cell lines. These compounds were also examined for DNA binding and inhibition of the mitochondrial enzyme thioredoxin reductase (TrxR), the latter having been previously proposed as a possible mechanism of cytoxicity for goldbased metallotherapies. The polypyridyl gold(III) complexes displayed partial DNA binding, and despite the fact that the [RphenH][AuCl4] salts and [Au(Rphen)Cl3] complexes both were found to be cytotoxic, the latter class of compounds were not found to be potent TrxR inhibitors. This data, in conjunction with control experiments with AuCl4-

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Fall 2008 Undergraduate Research Symposium October 16th & 17th 2009

salts and free Rphen ligands, suggests that there is not a correlation between TrxR inhibition and tumor cell cytotoxicity.

Sok, Daniel Vertically transmitted symbiotic bacteria alter host reproductive investment when exposed to an alarm pheromone Faculty Mentor: Dr. Nicole Gerardo, Department of Biology, Emory University Abstract: Aphids are striking in their prodigious reproductive capacity and reliance on microbial endosymbionts. Perhaps as a result of their dependence on bacterial endosymbionts they have limited immune function that may leave them especially vulnerable to bacterial pathogens. One possible, non-immunological response available to infected aphids is to increase reproduction. Here we describe experiments that examined whether pea aphids (Acyrthosiphon pisum) respond to environmental challenges by increasing or accelerating the onset of reproduction. We found that specific challenges do increase reproduction.

While aphids lack a well developed immune system they are adept at responding to another cue of mortality, predator presence. As a comparison we exposed pea aphids aphids to the aphid alarm pheromone (E)-β-farnesene (EBF), which is released in the presence of predators. EBF exposure did not alter reproduction in aphid clones without secondary symbiotic bacteria, but aphids with Hamiltonella defensa or Serratia insecticola symbiotic infections increased reproduction when exposed to EBF. Fecundity compensation in the face of an increased chance of death increases both the fitness of aphids and their vertically-transmitted symbionts, thus bacterial symbionts also benefit by increasing their hosts' fecundity under dangerous conditions.

Wein, Alexander Progress Towards the Synthesis of Enantiopure Helicenes Faculty Mentor: Dr. Antoni Riera, Universitat de Barcelona Co-Authors: Yi Ning Ji (Universitat de Barcelona), and Xavier Verdaguer ( Universitat de Barcelona) Abstract:

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Fall 2008 Undergraduate Research Symposium October 16th & 17th 2009

Helicenes are unique compounds in that their chirality results from the shape of the molecule in addition to the configuration of carbons. In this work, two helicenes were synthesized using light-induced oxidative electrocyclization. The methyl helicene was found to freely interchange between isomers at room temperture but existed as an uneven ratio of atropoisomers, indicating that one configuration was more stable. Future goals of this project include expanding the compound family and studying the ability to control the chirality of the helix by the backbone of the molecule.

Yu, Megan IRES Program Summer 2009 Faculty Mentor: Dr. Leah Roesch, Office for Undergraduate Education Co-Authors: Nicholas Bennett (Emory University), Ryan Makinson (Emory University), and Alex Wein (Emory University) Abstract: The IRES (International Research Experience for Science Students) Program supports Emory students in a full-time, 10-week research experience in an international setting. The program is open to all students majoring in the sciences who have previous research experience. The students are placed in international research groups by Emory faculty collaborations, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute International Scholars Program, or by the German Academic Exchange Program (DAAD). Selected students participate in a 1credit seminar during the preceding spring to plan research objectives, travel details, and prepare for the summer abroad. The participating students receive a travel award and a $3500 stipend for their summer work. During the summer of 2009, the program funded four students who worked in research communities in Canada, Tazmania, Australia and Spain. In this poster presentation, the 2009 IRES students share reflections on their academic, professional, social and cultural experiences during their summer of research abroad.

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