Abstract Submitted for Presentation

Additive manufacturing (AM) aka 3D printing is vital and applicable to several fields of healthcare, such as orthopedics. In the orthopedic field, the ability to create patient-specific bone models using 3D printing has positively impacted surgical training, preoperative planning, patient communication, and clinical outcomes. The goal of this study is to utilize AM to create a patient-specific 3D anatomical spine model. Finding the best method to create patient-specific models accurately is essential since they are used to represent the anatomy of a patient. Image segmentation was performed with 3D slicer software, which allows computerized tomography (CT) scans of a patient to be uploaded and viewed in 3D. Using the software, certain segments of the vertebrae can be segmented, meshed and exported for printing. In this research, 3 vertebrae from the lumbar section of the spine as well as 2 spinal discs and the spinal cord were printed based on the CT scans from a 63-year-old male patient. To best reflect a realistic look and feel, the vertebrae were printed with a composite material called SimuBone and the discs and cord were printed in thermoplastic polyurethane. This method was successful in creating a patient-specific model.

Title: Cosmic Ray Muon Analysis
Summary: The project focused on computational analysis of previously collected data about cosmic ray muons on Mauna Kea. Specifically, the research team analyzed energy and rates of muon activity in relation to altitude to see if there is any correlation between the elevation on Mauna Kea and muon activity. 

As part of the program, we did not need to write a full abstract for approval. Instead, we had to write a brief summary of our project.

Event: ASURS Fund Cohort 1 Mini Conference and Celebration
Date: April 23, 2024
Type: Poster presentation

Medical Burnout

 The intersection of the COVID-19 pandemic and burnout within the medical field is catastrophic. Medical professionals, previously tasked with working long hours under stressful conditions, are being tasked with handling even tougher circumstances. From making decisions concerning who should get a ventilator, to choosing whether or not to keep working when proper personal protective equipment is not available, professionals throughout the United States are struggling with weighing their morals and their mental health. This project aims to review magazine and newspaper literature about burnout in medicine and examine how burnout has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. We conducted a structured keyword search in ProQuest, and excluded articles outside of the United States. We included a total of 150 articles in our preliminary search. Results largely indicate burnout persisting or worsening during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many individuals are of the opinion that healthcare won’t ever be the same. A narrative of healthcare workers being overworked and underappreciated is also presented with charged language describing professionals as at their ‘breaking point’ by many sources. Strong crisis language, while used to sell magazines or newspapers, is alarming to consider when discussing healthcare workers. This problem lends itself to a gap in the quality of patient care that can directly relate to worsened outcomes for patients. Future research should examine ways to minimize the impact of burnout for medical professionals in order to ensure that the well-being of both patients and health care teams are prioritized.  

Title:
Furby Physiology: Seeing the World Through the Eyes of a Furby
Abstract:
The 1998 release of the Furby revolutionized mechatronic toys. It led the way for several Furby generations to come, as well as other early 2000s robotics toys. What set them apart from today’s technologically advanced playthings was what we see when we take off their fur. A series of sensors, gears, and wires can be seen and touched by any curious user. Every movement can be seen rotating the central CAM. Saddled up on its motherboard and two microchips, holding its brain, each electronic component is also visible. We take the ability to make modern electronics so small they’re invisible for granted, yet also seem to neglect the insight to be gained from investigating old technology. In a series of research and art projects, I have dissected and softhacked Furbies in an attempt to create something new, but also build educational resources for grade school students. Seeing a hands-on application of how electronics and mechanisms work together in a child-friendly setting is a rare opportunity I won't let go to waste. I first pursued my Furby studies as a high school senior, where I drafted a student guide to hacking a Furby and received funding from a corporation. The project, Jack and Jill, was inspired by the White Stripes music video for “I Fell in Love With a Girl.” I continued buying and repairing old Furbies until I did my first independent study at Drexel in Winter 2021. I once again ran mechatronics and music research, working with a high school intern through the ExCITe Center. Engineers from all over the world join forces online, contributing open-source information to what we know about Furbies. Because of them, I had a place to begin learning about them. I intend to pay it forward by contributing my own findings, but also using my passion for education as a way to make the community more inclusive. The inside of a Furby can give us not just insight to 90s technology, but a glimpse into what modern production doesn’t give away.

Nerd Night Spring 2022
Effects of Asian Representation in Western Media on Asian Descendants' Sense of Self

Abstract: 
In the United States, the media's portrayal of ethnic minority groups tends to be insufficient, especially in fictional TV shows. Prior research shows that, despite ethnic minorities making up about 40% of the population, ethnic minorities are underrepresented in the media (about 25%), with most depiction involving negative imagery (Prot et al., 2014). With such imagery being the main representation of ethnic groups, minority audiences may be socialized into believing these negative portrayals, identifying with the characters, and not question the accuracy of the content (Ramasubramanian et al., 2017).

This current study aims to examine (1) whether the representation of Asian characters lead to internalizing of negative stereotypes of those who identify as Asian, (2) whether those who do not identify as Asian (outgroup) recognize the portrayals of Asian Americans (ingroup) as stereotypes, and (3) the effects of stereotypes presented in the media on Asian Americans' ethnic pride and self-esteem. Results are expected to show that both the outgroup and ingroup are aware of the stereotypes that characters portray. Further, negative stereotypes will have a negative effect on the ingroup's ethnic pride. 

Nerd Night Winter Quarter 2024

Title of Presentation: Acculturation of South Asian Youth: Generational Differences and Impacts on Psychological Well-being

Abstract of Presentation

Acculturation is a nonlinear process where individuals choose to connect their host culture and their cultural identity, influencing cultural values, behaviors, family obligations and psychological well-being including ethnic identity, self-esteem, and stress. Given that the host culture typically has more power compared to the individual’s other cultural groups, it is important to examine how acculturation strategies vary among different generations and influence psychological well-being. This review of the literature aimed to examine whether preferences for primary and secondary acculturation strategies between first generation (G1) and second generation (G2) South Asian adolescents and young adults differentially affected their psychological wellbeing. The model driving this literature review is Berry’s 1974 Model of Acculturation, which proposed four modes of acculturation: assimilation, separation, integration, and marginalization. Assimilation occurs when an individual does not wish to maintain their cultural identity. Separation occurs when an individual does not wish to interact with members of the host culture and maintain their own culture. Integration involves an individual maintaining their cultural identity while interacting with the host culture. Finally, Marginalization occurs when an individual is not interested in maintaining their culture of origin or interacting with the host culture. Based on previous studies with samples of South Asian adolescents and young adults, it was first hypothesized that that the acculturation strategy of integration would be the primary and preferred acculturation strategy of choice for G1 and G2 and will have a generally similar positive effect on the psychological wellbeing of South Asian adolescents. It also was hypothesized that G1 and G2 would choose different secondary acculturation strategies resulting in differential impact on psychological well-being. 45 articles were reviewed, of which 20 were chosen to identify differences in primary and secondary acculturation strategies between G1 and G2 South Asian adolescents and young adults and possible differential impacts on their psychological wellbeing. Four databases, including Applied Social Sciences Index and Abstracts (ASSIA), PsycArticles, and JStor were searched, with search terms including ‘Acculturation,’ ‘South Asian,’ ‘Generational Differences,’ ‘First-Generation,’ ‘Second-Generation,’ ‘Psychological Well-Being,’ ‘Self Esteem’, and ‘Ethnic Pride.’ Articles were initially screened by their title and abstract. Publications were excluded if they did not include a discussion about psychological wellbeing, including ethnic pride or self-esteem, or if the primary ethnic group focused on was not a minority, preferably of Asian descent. Additionally, articles were excluded if they did not discuss ingroup or outgroup characteristics, acculturation attitudes, or generational status. Although the primary group of interest was South Asian adolescents living in the United States, there were few studies that fit this criterion. Because of this limitation, various geographic regions were included such as South Asian adolescents living in Europe, East Asia, and Oceania. Preliminary results reveal differences between G1 and G2 youths’ preference for acculturation strategies across different regions. For example, in Western countries like Canada, G1 and G2 youth prefer integration first, though the second choice of acculturation strategy varies between separation (G1) and assimilation (G2). However, in East Asian countries like China, the primary acculturation strategy of choice is marginalization. As described in Yoon et al (2013), integration is positively correlated with positive psychological wellbeing, while marginalization is positively correlated with negative psychological wellbeing. Preliminary results also revealed differences between psychological wellbeing as it relates todifferences in acculturation strategies and generational differences. Overall, primary choice of acculturation strategy predicts self-esteem among Asian American adolescents and young adults. In Western countries (where integration is the preferred acculturation strategy), G1 South Asian immigrants’ acculturation-related in-group hassles contribute to psychological distress, while G2 South Asian immigrants’ acculturation-related outgroup hassles contribute to psychological distress. It is important to examine the effects of preferred acculturation strategies on psychological wellbeing, as acculturation heavily influences an individual’s identity. Individuals navigating this complex process may experience identity conflicts or create a hybrid identity that integrates both cultural influences. Acculturation has significant implications on an individual’s sense of self. Understanding which acculturation strategy is used by an individual, and how that strategy may positively or negatively impact their psychological well-being, can better inform how mental health professionals tailor interventions that align with South Asian adolescents and young adults’ unique cultural identity. This review also revealed a gap in the literature. For example, while there has been research done describing the effects of differences in acculturation strategies on the psychological wellbeing of South Asian youth in Canada, the UK, New Zealand, Australia and Hong Kong, few studies have examined these concepts for South Asian youth living in America. More often, acculturation research done on South Asian immigrants in America uses adult populations. Research done on non-South Asian G1 and G2 immigrant youth in America show that there are significant issues with psychological wellbeing related to acculturation strategies. Given that South Asian youth is a rapidly growing population in America, more research is needed for this group. Future research questions should examine why there is a difference between acculturation strategies regionally, but not so much generationally within the same region? Additional research should also look at why acculturation strategies are the same between generations, and why are there significant differences regarding psychological wellbeing (as it relates to acculturation) within generations?

ANALYSIS OF THE GROWTH OF SICKLE HEMOGLOBIN FIBERS OBSERVED BY DIC MICROSCOPY  
Sickle hemoglobin is a point mutation of the b chain in the hemoglobin tetramer (a2b2) that allows the hemoglobin molecules to form long, 14 stranded fibers.   These fibers distort and rigidify the cell, thereby causing the pathology of sickle cell disease.   The elongation of such fibers can be visualized by differential interference contrast (DIC) microscopy using visible light.   First employed in this system by Briehl and coworkers (Nature 1990 345: 833-835, JMB 1995 245:710-723), it has also been used by Vekilov and coworkers (JMB 2007 365: 425-39), and most recently Castle, Odde and Wood (Sci Adv 2019 5:eaau1086) who made a detailed analysis of growth rates and their fluctuations and who have generously shared their data with us.      Electron microscopy studies that have produced a fiber model have been based on extensive averaging of images; no cryo-EM has yet been done.   There is some structural evidence that molecules can assume more than one arrangement in the fiber lattice which might lead to a large variation of elongation rates, as reported by Castle et al.   When we analyze the data we find a Poisson distribution of elongation rates, and this distribution accounts for the observed variance originally thought to be anomalously large.   In such a case, the variance is directly related to the mean and not an independent measurement.  We hypothesize that this distribution is the result of a single pixel in the image containing a large number of elongation steps.  Such an issue could arise in any DIC analysis of an elongating protein polymer. 

I didn't submit an abstract because it wasn't required/necessary! But I will describe the basis of my presentation:
For my second co-op this past spring/summer, I was a researcher in the Thion/Garel Lab at Ecole normale superieure in Paris, France. Here, I focused on characterizing microglia in the perinatal cerebellum, building upon the work of a recent doctoral graduate in the lab. In pre- and perinatal life, microglia are highly diverse, with different transcriptional profiles and most likely, functions. The work to understand the reason for this diversity before microglia become a homogenous population in the mature brain has only just begun. In addition, microglia in the cerebellum are very different from microglia in the rest of the brain, and there has been very little focus on this topic within the field. I showed that over the first postnatal week, microglia increase in density throughout the cerebellum, develop morphologically from amoeboid to ramified, and begin moving from the white matter layer into the more superficial layers of the cerebellum by the end of the first postnatal week. Additionally, I identified distinct clusters of ATM, a specific transcriptional and functional group of microglia, throughout the cerebellum, some clusters remaining conserved, such as in the lateral recess, others transient, with different lobules requiring different needs at distinct time points.