Stander Symposium Projects

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  Increasing Social and Economic Outcomes of Solar Mini Grids in Kenya

  Isabelle Wolford

  This project finds the most important conditions needed prior to solar mini grid implementation in order to increase its social and economic impact. These conditions are analyzed and optimized to increase impact. Strategizing the social and political approach/implications of gathering support of public institutions for these important conditions is also studied. This study is based in rural Kenyan communities.

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  Indigenous Sustainability: Lessons from Australasia for the World

  Grace Delaney

  Indigenous groups in Australia and New Zealand, including the Māori and the Nairm, have long practiced sustainability through cultural rituals, protected area governance, rotational harvesting, and traditional understanding of the environment. For generations, these practices have guaranteed the longevity of resources, preserved biodiversity, and maintained land restoration. The purpose of this project is to examine how Indigenous sustainability practices in the Australasian region can influence global environmental strategies, specifically in the areas of food security, sustainable development, and the intersection of environmental and cultural resilienceGrounded in my education as an International Studies major with a focus on Global Health and the Environment and a Sustainability minor, this project expands upon my coursework, my study abroad opportunity, and areas of interest in research. By examining former research, case studies, data visualizations, and geographic trends, I aim to show how these practices can be applied more broadly. Incorporating Indigenous environmental knowledge into global sustainability initiatives and providing creative answers to current ecological problems are the long-term objectives of this research.

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  Influence of Additives and Impurities on the Dielectric Properties of Jet Fuel

  C James Nesbit

  The dielectric constant of jet fuel is critical in modern aircraft for onboard fuel volume gauging. This project seeks to understand the effects that additives and impurities have on dielectric constant (i.e., relative permittivity) and density of jet fuels across various temperatures and concentrations. These measurements were performed using the newly developed Stanhope-Seta JetDC, an instrument designed to provide dielectric constant data at operating conditions for commercial aircraft fuel gauging systems. The JetDC performed dielectric constant and density measurements from 0 to 30 degrees Celsius. A derived quantity, known as the gauging slope, which is often referred to as a Clausius-Mossotti slope, was then calculated from these measurements. The gauging slope is used by the aircraft industry to determine fuel mass in onboard tanks. Since aircraft use pitch and yaw as flight controls, conventional fuel floats are ineffective for fuel gauging. Gauging slope calculations were performed for three common fuel additives at various concentrations in a representative Jet A fuel. The fuel additives studied were fuel system icing inhibitor (FSII), corrosion inhibitor/lubricity improver (CI/LI), and static dissipater additive (SDA). It was found that FSII had an effect on the dielectric constant, and thus the gauging slope. No statistically significant effects were observed for CI/LI and SDA additives over the range of concentrations tested.

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  Ingredients to Running a Successful Recreation Event

  Marisa Musso

  Planning and evaluation are the keys to running a successful event. The first thing is to make a supervisor feel prepared. The only way to ensure this takes place is in the preparation stage of an event that will be conducted. When reviewing the events before adding them to the schedule, ensuring they meet a set of requirements provided by the on-site supervisors. All pertinent information needs to be included in event paperwork this will ensure that events can be conducted without incident. However, life happens and the supervisor will adjust to make sure the event can come to completion. This is a teaching moment for supervisors, staff and Operation Managers. What can be done to prevent the same mistake happening the next time the event takes place. This evaluation is so important to conducting a successful event. After speaking with three Midwest universities with student populations over 30,000. This resulted in five best practices that have been identified that Operation Managers can integrate into their event planning. These practices will aim to mitigate problems during the event before they escalate into bigger issues afterward.

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  Insights on the role of the Hr4 transcription factor during the development and evolution of a sexually dimorphic fruit fly pigmentation trait

  Victoria Fowler, Devon Seibert, Ashley Williams, Melissa Williams

  Animal morphological traits are patterned by Gene Regulatory Networks (GRNs), which include regulatory genes that pattern the expression of the trait-building realizator genes. The first and most well-studied GRNs were found to include dozens or more transcription factor encoding genes. The study of GRNs has moved to “evo-devo” model traits in recent years, for which the identification and function of obvious candidate genes have more or less been resolved. These successes present the next challenge, where the remainder of their GRNs need to be characterized, but the candidate genes have been exhausted. If trait evolution is going to be understood at the scale of GRNs, then more complete GRN characterizations are an essential goal to be reached. One such evo-devo trait is the male-specific pattern of black pigmentation that develops on the posterior abdomen segments of Drosophila melanogaster and which evolved in the Sophophora subgenus of fruit flies. Several novel transcription factors have been identified whose loss-of-function perturbed pigmentation development. Here, we share our findings on the regulation, function, and evolution of the Hormone receptor 4 (Hr4) transcription factor gene. This work highlights the potential and challenges to an expansive understanding of GRNs and their evolution.

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  Integrating Music and Noise into History Education

  Charles Coffey

  Sounds can be incredibly influential in crafting the learning environment for a history curriculum. Musical movements can help students better understand the political or social movements of the time as well as see entirely new points of view in a historical sense. Noise can help elevate the dramatic impacts of an event. This poster reviews research about how teaching history using both noise and music can create a richer, multimodal curriculum experience for teachers and students in the history classroom.

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  Integration of 2D materials with silicon photonics

  Ifeanyi Njoku

  This project aims to develop and fabricate a non-volatile memory (NVM) device based on 2D ferroelectric material integrated with silicon photonics. Here, we integrate the 2D ferroelectric material copper indium phosphorus sulfide (CuInP2S6, CIPS) on a photonic microring resonator (MRR) device for high-speed optical computing applications. Ring resonators are used for their advantage of better tunability and easier design. MRRs are vital in silicon photonic integrated circuits (PICs) because they allow precise control of light's amplitude and phase by leveraging resonance by altering the refractive index of the MRR material, which shifts its resonance wavelength, enabling functions like modulation and switching. However, this shift is temporary, as the refractive index returns to its original state once the applied voltage is removed. A ferroelectric material is required to make this change persistent (i.e., to store data), as it can retain the refractive index shift even in the absence of voltage, enabling non-volatile data storage in photonic systems. This is because ferroelectrics exhibit stable, reversible spontaneous polarization switchable by an external electric field. While CIPS has been studied in the literature as a 2D ferroelectric material for various electronic applications, its integration with silicon PICs for memory applications remains unexplored. This project addresses this gap by developing a novel high-speed ferroelectric NVM device integrating CIPS on MRRs.

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  Interventions to Mitigate Modern Social Problems: UD Social Work Inside-Out Prison Exchange Program

  Megan Clark, Estrella Cuellar, Lauren Hadley, Karoline Harshbarger, Julie Huber, Kennedy Madry, Sophia Murcia-Lang, Destiny Rivera, Melisa Bahena, Olivia Schilder

  Students in the Warren Correctional Inside-Out Prison Exchange Program course have developed program and policy proposals to address a selected social problem. Student groups, composed of both students experiencing incarceration and those who are not, will present their ideas to address problems such as poverty, educational inequality, residential segregation, and mass incarceration.

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  Investigating conductive inks in hybrid electronics at flex-to-stretch interfaces

  Josafat Jimenez

  Electrical traces made from conductive liquid-metal inks and silver flake composite inks are fabricated on stretchable substrates. Uniaxial strain is applied to the samples to test resistance response of 2 mm-wide traces for both inks to investigate electrical loss and failure modes under high strains, up to and beyond 200 %.

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  Investigating Key Features of Multifocal and Multicentric Breast Cancer via Model-On-A-Chip

  Anh Nguyen, Anna Marie Schmitz

  Multifocal (MF) and multicentric (MC) breast cancers are defined as synchronous, ipsilateral breast cancers that are more aggressive than their unifocal counterparts, and are known for having lower survival rates, higher recurrence, and lymph node metastasis. Previously, researchers have focused on distinct biological features of MF/MC breast cancers, including genetic alterations and clonality. Yet, the mechanisms dictating occurrence and tumor transformation of MF/MC breast cancer is not fully understood. Our lab has identified the gene signatures of MF/MC breast cancer via analyzing published datasets and developed a 3D lab-on-chip model to simulate the MF/MC breast cancers microenvironment for further experimental studies. This research poster explores MF/MC breast cancer through spheroid responses (sprouting cells and spheroid movements) in chessboard-like PDMS on-chip models. We have successfully generated a 3D MF/MC breast cancer model that evaluates the potential of multi-spheroid studies. In the future, we aim to generate spheroids with different breast cancer cell lines to represent heterozygous MF/MC breast cancer tumors.

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  Investigating macrophage interactions with Listeria monocytogenes grown at different temperatures with or without propionate

  Patrick Hurst

  Listeria monocytogenes is a Gram-positive, intracellular pathogen responsible for the deadly foodborne illness listeriosis. L. monocytogenes expresses different virulence factors in response to different environmental factors, influencing how L. monocytogenes interacts with the host immune system. One of the first immune defenses that L. monocytogenes encounters in the body is the phagocytic macrophage. Macrophages can exhibit different shapes or antimicrobial functions depending on the activation state (M1 vs M2). It is currently unclear how the environment in which L. monocytogenes is grown affects the functions of infected macrophage. We hypothesize that macrophage can distinguish between L. monocytogenes grown in 0 degrees C conditions and 37 degrees C conditions, with and without the presence of the short-chain fatty acid propionate, and respond accordingly. This hypothesis was tested by exposing naïve or M1-activated macrophages to L. monocytogenes grown under these different conditions, and quantifying outputs indicative of macrophage activity. Macrophage outputs that were measured included nitric oxide (NO) production using a standard colorimetric assay and cell morphology using an image analysis software (Image J). Propionate pre-treatment or different growth temperatures in L. monocytogenes did not cause a significant difference in NO production by the infected macrophages. However, NO productions were significantly higher in activated macrophages infected by L. monocytogenes grown at 0C with propionate and 37C without propionate, compared to infected native macrophages. Circularity values of infected macrophages at 24 hours post infection were also compared. These results showed that while temperature and propionate independently did not impact macrophage responses, they could have a synergistic effect when combined. Further investigations are needed to dissect the specific mechanisms.

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  Investigating perceived stress and energy levels in college students before and after an intervention of high-intensity interval training (HIIT)

  Kayla Farley, Paul McGrath, Molly Morris, Taylor Morris, Robert Shinkle

  Introduction: High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) is increasing in popularity as an alternative to traditional fitness. It often includes several repetitions of high resistance or explosive cardiovascular movements, done repeatedly in short periods of time. Prior studies have shown evidence that HIIT can not only provide some of the same physiological benefits as traditional training, but it can also provide a lot of psychological benefits as well. Many are starting to turn to this as an option to save time and still have the same benefits as traditional training. However, since HIIT is relatively new in the world of fitness, it is still unclear if it can match traditional training in terms of physical and cognitive benefits. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate how HIIT classes affect college students' perceived stress and energy levels. The study is comparing the stress and energy levels, in terms of academics, mental, and physical levels, of the participants before and after the HIIT class they participated in. We predict that HIIT intervention will decrease stress levels and increase energy levels. Methods: We will use a survey to conduct information from approximately 75 University of Dayton students relating to their pre and post HIIT stress levels (mental, academic, physical) and energy levels (mental, physical). Information will be taken from students engaging in the Toned Zone and HIIT classes offered here at the UD RecPlex. We will conduct a t-test to analyze our significance levels. Discussion/Conclusions: While this study is still under investigation, our results will suggest how an intervention of HIIT affects the perceived mental and physical stress and energy levels. This will further highlight the significance of a HIIT training program and provide practical implications for trainers as an effective college Rec program of improving stress and energy levels.

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  Investigating PTPRZ1-PTN Inhibition Effects on Glioblastoma Multiforme Migration

  Janna Azzam, Benjamin Franz

  Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) is an aggressive and highly invasive brain cancer, characterized by having high cell proliferation and a strong resistance to treatments. One of the most common forms of treatment is surgical resection, this can have detrimental effects on the patient's prognosis as well as be a very invasive treatment. Additionally, the brain microenvironment is strongly impacted by the secretion of certain cytokines and proteins such as pleiotrophin (PTN). Surgical resection has been found to trigger PTN overexpression. Secretion of PTN contributes to angiogenesis and increases tumor invasion. The mechanism takes place by receptor PTPRZ1 promoting PTN- PTPRZ1 paracrine signaling. Receptor PTPRZ1 is specifically expressed in glioma cells and they are a strong indicator of a poor GBM prognosis making it a target of interest to scientists. PTN is an independent prognostic factor when assessing patient prognosis suggesting the importance of research. Studies have found that by blocking PTN-PTPRZ1 signaling, GBM tumor growth was suppressed and a better prognosis was found as well. Our research focuses on how the tumor microenvironment impacts GBM migration patterns using PTN as a biomarker for invasion patterns. To assess migration patterns, we have generated a microfluidic PDMS device consisting of matrigel and microfluidic channels to study two established phenotypes. The non-invasive phenotype is placed far away from the channels in the chamber. The invasive phenotype is placed right against the channels. In our study we will assess the presence of PTN in cell culture using immunofluorescence. Then, to assess the variation in GBM invasion patterns, we will use an anti-PTPRZ1 antibody to disrupt the PTN-PTPRZ1 receptor pathway. It’s expected that in the invasive phenotype, the migration pattern will be much less aggressive with the antibody than without. We hypothesize that the non-invasive and invasive phenotypes will be similar in migration patterns.

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  Investigating the Causes and Effects of Growing Authoritarianism Around the World

  Emma Basinski, Samantha Croft, Stephen Danek, Veronica Drake, Alexis Frenkel, Brian Hart, Julia Moser, Yasmin Nassar, Harvey Pierce, Camryn Surratt, Edward Vrdolyak, Ann Ward

  Decades following the robust "Third Wave of Democratization" in the 1980s and 1990s, authoritarian regimes around the world have been growing, with some democracies slipping back toward autocratic tendencies. After years of democratic expansion, what factors have contributed to this trend? What does it mean for people living under autocratic regimes and those who are experiencing a contraction of their rights and liberties? The projects presented here touch on different aspects of the question of "creeping authoritarianism" from international organizations, to corruption, to women's rights and the representation of minorities.

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  Investigating the development expression pattern of PLN in the mouse brain.

  Marc Nya, Hayden Ott

  As a crucial ionic and chemical messenger essential for a variety of cellular processes, calcium (Ca2+) signaling regulatory processes are of immense significance. Dysfunction of these regulatory mechanisms have been associated with the pathophysiology of neurodevelopmental disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and attention deficit hyper-activity disorder (ADHD). An important Ca2+ signaling regulator involved in intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis is the sarco/endoplasmic reticulum ATPase2 (SERCA2) that works by facilitating the sequestration of Ca2+ into the cells endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Recent Research in our Neuroscience Lab has shown that Phospholamban (PLN), a critical regulator of the SERCA2, is expressed at the protein level within the thalamus of the mouse brain, and that ablation of this gene is linked to a hyperactive behavioral phenotype in adult mice. Such findings suggest a critical role for the PLN/SERCA2 pathway in the development of the brain’s thalamic neural circuits which regulate locomotor activity. In the context of this BSTI fellowship project we utilized immunohistochemistry protocols and confocal microscopy to explore the developmental expression pattern of this molecular player in the mouse brain.

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  Investigating the Impact of School Engagement on Juvenile Fighting Behavior

  Chante Tarver

  This study examines the relationship between school engagement and involvement in school fights using data from the Pathways to Desistance (PTD) dataset. The primary objective is to determine whether factors such as extracurricular participation, school attendance, and school engagement reduce the likelihood of involvement in school fights. The dependent variable is school fight involvement, independent variables include participation in extracurricular activities, school attendance rate, and high school engagement. Controlled variables such as age, gender, substance abuse history, gang involvement, truancy, parental monitoring, parental knowledge, peer influence, and family structure are included to account for potential confounding factors.

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  Investigating the Role of SATB1 in Eye Development and Craniofacial Disorders

  Achyut Katti

  Eye development is a highly regulated process that relies on axial patterning involving three primary axes: Antero-Posterior (AP), Dorso-Ventral (DV), and Proximo-Distal (PD). Among these, DV axis formation is the first lineage restriction event in eye development, and any disruption in DV patterning can lead to craniofacial developmental disorders like Den Hoed-de Boer-Voisin (DHDBV) syndrome and Developmental delay with Dysmorphic Facies and Dental Anomalies (DEFDA) in humans. In Drosophila, defective proventriculus (Dve), a K-50 homeodomain transcription factor (Drosophila ortholog of human SATB1) serves as a dorsal fate selector gene essential for DV patterning. Loss of function of Dve results in dorsal eye enlargement, while its gain of function causes complete eye suppression. Through structure-function analysis, our lab has identified the specific domains of the Dve protein responsible for these effects. We aim to extend these findings to humans by investigating the functional conservation between Dve and special AT-rich sequence binding protein 1 (SATB1), as mutations in SATB1 have been associated with craniofacial developmental disorders. To explore this, we have developed genetically engineered flies with mutated domains or combinations of these domains to understand their roles in eye development. This study will have a significant bearing on developmental mechanisms, growth and patterning and understanding the etiology of early developmental birth disorders.

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  Is this Painting Forged or Not? Use Differential Equations to Decide

  Morgan Battig, Zachary Henderson

  This project explores the fundamental concepts of differential equations and their practical applications in various fields. This project covers its connection to forensic science, specifically the case of Han van Meegeren, a renowned art forger. The project discusses how mathematical models, including differential equations, can be applied to the analysis of aging and degradation processes in paintings. Additionally, forensic methods such as X-ray imaging, pigment analysis, and chemical aging detection are explored, illustrating the intersection between mathematics and scientific investigation. The study highlights the versatility of differential equations in modeling real-world phenomena, from natural decay processes to forensic authentication techniques. The artist, Han van Meegeren claimed that he forged a famous artwork. Differential equations were used to measure the half-life radioactivity of the paint and materials in the picture to see if it was truly a fake. The investigators decided to focus on the small amount of uranium found in every ore that was subsequently used to make paint from the time. As such they studied the half-life of the uranium and measured how much lead-210 and radium were present in the picture. These elements come from uranium as it breaks down and tries to become neutral. The investigators then took samples of ore from around the world to get a baseline for how fast radium disintegrated per minute. Investigators also wanted to see if the painting had more radioactivity from the radium or lead 210. The result of using differential equations found that the painting in question was undoubtedly a fake and thus math can be a very helpful tool for finding out the truth in the murkiness that is the world.

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  J. D. Salinger and the Cold War: A Case Study in American Cold War Fatalism

  Abbey Sullivan

  President Eisenhower’s 1953 UN speech, “Atoms for Peace,” proudly declares the mounting concerns of the atomic age. He demands that the global community accept the “significant facts” of their midcentury existence: the dominating threat of global, nuclear annihilation. This pervasive anxiety, reinforced by early Cold War political maneuverings like the US containment policy, struck the American people with “Cold War fatalism,” or a prevailing sense of alienation and submission in the earliest years of the Cold War, wrought by the new atomic age. The midcentury literary scene embodied such fatalism, as well, creating a sect of nuclear first responders who grappled with new cultural questions and worries. High among them is J. D. Salinger, author of the 1951 classic The Catcher in the Rye, whose later works captured the necessary acceptance of fate in order to survive in the new, dichotomous, nuclear world. My paper follows Salinger’s character, Seymour Glass, and his appearances across three different works – “A Perfect Day for Bananafish,” (1948) Raise High the Roofbeam, Carpenters and Seymour an Introduction (1959), and Franny and Zooey (1961). Seymour is the eldest sibling of the cerebral Glass family, both a brilliant poet and highly spiritual, and commits suicide while on vacation with his wife. I argue that, through Seymour, Salinger displays the consequences of failing to adhere to Cold War fatalism; by embodying themes like artistic and spiritual purity, Seymour was incompatible with his historical moment and took his own life. By reading Seymour Glass as inextricably bound to the Cold War era, Salinger takes part in a larger Cold War literature conversation, illuminating other avenues of literary study while decentering The Catcher in the Rye and its excessive critical attention.

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  Joseph and the Abrahamic Worldview: A Comparison of the Story of Joseph in the Holy Bible and the Qur'an through the Lens of Setbacks to Human Flourishing

  Susie Lotfian

  There seems to be a common perception that Christianity shares a closer relationship with Judaism than with Islam. This presentation aims to challenge that notion by exploring the story of Joseph. One of the most beloved of the Abrahamic patriarchs, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam pull lessons from the setbacks and flourishing experienced by Joseph in ways that reflect the unique expressions of belief in a shared God. To that end, I will conduct a comparative analysis of the Biblical and Qur’anic texts—Genesis 37-50 and the Surah Al-Yusuf—in the hope that this sort of exegesis will foster a deeper understanding, particularly between Christians and Muslims. Ultimately, I hope to encourage Christians to reflect on how a lack of knowledge about one another can lead to unnecessary fear and resentment. Perhaps just by simply learning about shared beliefs and practices, we might figure out how to cultivate a spirit of acceptance that will allow us to embrace Muslims as brethren, welcoming them finally into the fold.

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  Language Acquisition in Multilingual Classrooms

  Luke Proviano

  In this literature review, I explore language acquisition in multilingual classrooms, emphasizing strategies to support diverse learners. Students acquire additional languages through immersion, interaction, and scaffolding techniques. By integrating research-based approaches, including role-playing and culturally responsive teaching, educators can foster inclusive learning environments that enhance linguistic development and academic success.

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  Laser powder Bed Fusion process modelling using ANSYS Fluent

  Rahul Rathun

  Metal Laser Powder Bed Fusion (PBF-LB/M) is a complex phenomenon that involves heat transfer, mass transfer, phase change, fluid flow, and other physics fields. In this research we are using ANSYS Fluent as thermal CFD software to setup and solve multiple physical field equations to model the process of PBF-LB/M. This developed computational model and analyze variations in input process parameters such as laser power, scan speed, beam diameter, and non material behavior. Considering all these input process parameter variations, it is possible to predict the melt pool dimensions, temperature distribution, liquid-gas interface with greater accuracy. In this research, we considered Inconel-718, to predict the melt pool morphology for varying process conditions. The predicted dimensions of the melt pool will be validated against well known NIST experimental dataset. Therefore, the developed fluent thermal-CFD will be presented as a high fidelity computational model to predict the process and structure of PBF-LB/M manufacturing systems.

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  Laudato si! - Praise Be to You: UD Students Engaging in Climate Action to Create a Future of Hope

  Tiffany Hunsinger, Elizabeth Miles-Flynn, Molly Savage

  University of Dayton (UD) signed on to the Laudato si Action Platform (LSAP) and Marianist Family Encounters Project (MFEP) to do our part towards a hope-filled, just and sustainable future. https://udayton.edu/provost/lsg/. Students of all majors have important roles in advancing these US and global movements on campus and in our communities, especially in this Jubilee Year of Hope. Join this interactive session with UD student leaders to learn more and share your ideas on how UD can best engage in climate action through the goals of caring for the earth, aiding the marginalized, ecological education, economics and spirituality, sustainable living, and community empowerment. These seven LSAP goals towards integral ecology integrate the UN Sustainable Development Goals and Catholic Social Teaching in Pope Francis’ 2015 encyclical - Laudato Si’ - Italian for “Praise be to you”. MFEP goals express our Marianist family spirit and community networks. Session will include: Background on UD-LSAP working group and how student leaders/organizations are already achieving goal aspects; faith-sharing about how participation gives glory to God and lives the gospel commitment to faith, justice and environmental care; exploring areas for future growth and how we each can contribute to LSAP/MFEP goals and build on campus initiatives; sharing successful collaborations and how positive partnerships can build a hope-filled future; envision how student, staff and faculty collaboration on LSAP goals can create greater impact on UD life and relationships with the greater Dayton community as well as Catholic Universities and Marianist institutions networks; inviting students to participative actions including spring events and planning for next year. We’ll go forth empowered as a unifying body to promote a future of hope that involves coordination between students, faculty, and staff in achieving the inspiring, impactful LSAP/MFEP goals throughout campus, Marianist family, church, and world.

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  Learning Audio Programming Through Development of a Dynamic Multiband Compressor

  Thomas Pruett

  This presentation outlines the course of development for my dynamic multiband compressor, a digital plugin which can dynamically split inputted audio into multiple independent frequency bands which can then have their own level of dynamic compression applied. This project was undertaken with two goals in mind. First, to development my coding skills in JUCE, a C++ framework which specializes in audio applications. Second, to increase my auditory capabilities, when working with audio it is paramount that one can discern the nuances in different types of sounds. Through the course of development I was able to overcome varying obstacles, the dynamic element of the compressor by itself offered quiet a bit of challenges. Further challenges were produced just from the sear lack of resources when it comes to audio programing. This was a common theme throughout development, from my research and communication with those in the industry, audio programming is an extremely niche but also an extremely sought after skill set. JUCE splits plugin development into two basic sections, GUI and Processing. The processing component handles the changes to inputted signals such as the dynamic band split and compression applications. The GUI is more centered around the aesthetic components to the plugin such as parameter sliders and the spectrum analyzer. Both are extremely important and foundational functions to audio programming, however through my experience I have found the processing branch JUCE to offer greater difficulty as this is where audio is actually getting worked on and where auditory skills are developed. After much research and application, the final product was a fully functional dynamic compressor, but better than that I was equipped with the skills necessary to thrive at my internship.

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  Leaving the Nest, the Freudian Way: A Psychoanalytic Look at Lady Bird

  Dunia Issa

  Sigmund Freud’s influence on literature and film is clear. He was a revolutionary who conducted multiple studies on the psychology of humans and what motivates us. From the study of dreams, all the way to exploring the sexuality of children’s and adults, Freud’s mark is evident in the media that we consume. One of his many concentrations are family dynamics and the different aspects that influence and modify them. For example, “The Family Romance”, and “A Child is Being Beaten” are two powerful essays by Freud where he explores the role of a child in a family dynamic from two different perspectives. Both theories intersect and demonstrate the need for individuation in the dynamic between the child and the parent. Nevertheless, even though Freud is considered the father of psychology, most of his studies on individuation are centered around males, leaving women high and dry despite it being represented on media extensively. With this research paper, I hope to shine a light on the complicated relationship between mothers and daughters as they grow up and when they reach adolescence. I will be looking at the film “Lady Bird” by Greta Gerwig. In this movie, Gerwig makes the relationship between mother and daughter, and their separation, a pivotal and driving point in the narrative and the development of the characters. I argue that by looking at “Lady Bird” through a Freudian lens, his theories on family dynamics, especially “The Family Romance”, demonstrates evident how necessary it is to understand these texts in order to grasp a rounded understanding of the media and the characters that we consume and relate to.