CARD 2021 Oral presentations | myUSF (2023)

Oral presentations program:

art and architecture

Focusing on the island of Tinian, the current military reinforcements are put into perspective. The establishment of barracks and barracks includes military expansion on land, in the air, and at sea. The intentions of the US Department of Defense and various federal agencies are addressed in a dialectical discussion with the voices of local communities.

„Earth Composites: Earth as a Modern Building Material with a Focusability, Structural and Aesthetics“ – Matthew Brandon Mejia, BA, regañado por el profesor Seth Wachtel

Earth architecture is the complex art or practice of designing and constructing buildings with earth materials extracted from the ground, and is a design practice that has been around since the beginning of time. Archaeologists found evidence of earthen architecture in the Middle East and North Africa ten thousand years ago, and even today about 30 percent of the world's population lives in a house made of earthen materials. In the pursuit of a more sustainable environment, traditional building materials such as concrete, wood, and steel should be phased out and more emphasis placed on materials from the earth. Aimed at those interested in alternative construction methods and materials, this thesis provides an understanding of the entire field of earthen architecture, an overview of its history on a global scale and its relevance to future construction, and an understanding of structural, artistic and sustainable aspects. Implications of the architecture of the earth.

"Modular Architecture and Construction: Bridging the Gap" - Nouar Nour, BA, oriented by Professor Steven I. Physicians

Modular construction in the built environment has become a growing catalyst for sustainable development in recent years. His ability to detect problems in all processes has shown that modular architecture is a viable solution to many of the challenges we face now and the bigger challenges we will face in the future. Although modular construction as a design process is not a new concept, the reintroduction and transformation of modularity in affordable housing to meet current challenges is still relatively new. As the population least served by advances in modular construction, low-income communities, particularly those in peripheral and suburban areas, can greatly benefit from the low-cost, improved quality of life, and sustainability options that modular construction offers. This thesis examines and illustrates how low-income single-family homes can benefit from the modular construction industry and why the industry should market to this demographic.

"Student-Centered K-12 School Design: The Influence of Pedagogy and Social Conditions on Design" - Stephanie Morin, BA, chided by Professor Steven I. Doctors

For decades, architects have agreed that it is crucial to balance a school's physical design with its pedagogical approach, but the discussion of student-centered learning in recent years has radically changed the discourse on what the environment should look like. Learning. The discourse on the student-centered school design process is exhaustive on the subject of aligning design and pedagogy. It omits to discuss social conditions and how their impact on student education should influence design decisions. Through an analysis of the existing literature on student-centered schools and three case studies, this thesis reassesses the current role of pedagogy and social conditions in the process of designing student-centered schools.

"COVID Architecture: Space for Body and Mind" - Angelica Carinugan, BA, Steven I. Physician-Oriented Professor

Since the untimely arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020, the ongoing fight for a cure and a solution has been ongoing. We all recognize that we were not prepared for this chaotic event. In this sense, the field of architecture was not exempt from this idea of ​​being left behind. This review aims to provide the mindset needed to reconnect architectural design to health impact as we move into the anticipated post-pandemic years. Based on the complexity of this global issue, the research will reveal how past pandemics have impacted architecture/urbanism, what common design strategies are being addressed today and future proposals, along with the constraints on creating a built environment that does not only be suitable for the physical space. health, but also leads to a positive mindset. Hopefully, a greater focus on health in design would better prepare us in the event of another pandemic outbreak.

“Shared Patios: Creating Shared Suburban Space and Revitalizing the Neighborhood” – Arantza Aramburu, BA, advised by Professor Steven I. Physicians

This dissertation considers current attempts to restore community in modern non-community societies. Studying various case studies and articles in the Gleeson Library, it was found that once a project is initiated and committed, the collaborative effectiveness of creating a common space increases significantly. Factors such as access to resources, the number of people involved, and prearranged plans contribute significantly to the success of a shared suburban space. Analysis of the collected data, case studies and an interview show the problem areas and the tools needed to create a common suburban space. Hopefully these efforts will encourage more to lead a sustainable lifestyle that not only brings a community together but also allows it to thrive.

“Migration Architecture and Identity” – Jennylee Nguyen, BA, oriented by Professor Steven I. Physicians

End of course project on the relationship between the built environment and architecture and the construction or deconstruction of identity in the context of migration.

“A contemporary nomadic city. An analysis of informal ger settlements in the urban fabric of Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia” – Namuun Mendamgalan, BA, guided by Professor Steven I. Physicians

In rapidly urbanizing Mongolia, the city of Ulaanbaatar faces significant seasonal pollution problems due to the large number of informal settlements that have sprung up in the city's suburbs. After several harsh winters, many nomadic families migrated to the city in search of their gers, the traditional homeland of Mongolian nomads. Eventually, this led to multiple layers of problems for the city and its residents, such as: B. the lack of connection to the core infrastructure. The city faces congestion and traffic, high levels of air pollution, and a poor quality of life for its residents. This essay will look at how nomadic culture and religion influenced the urban fabric of the city and how Ger settlements arose. Furthermore, it will outline the major urban planning shortcomings of the city and determine how it can continue to grow sustainably, as well as the role of the traditional ger in the city of Ulaanbaatar.

"Biophilic Design: A Catalyst for Renewal in Everyday Life in the 21st Century" - Alexerd Libed, BA, scolded by Professor Seth Wachtel

Throughout history, human dependence on the natural environment has fostered an understanding of the intrinsic human affinity with nature and the notion that an individual's physical, psychological, and spiritual well-being depends on experiencing a healthy natural environment. In recent decades there has been much research suggesting that contemporary built environments and building design practices have increasingly disconnected humans from the positive experiences of natural systems and processes. Biophilic design, or biophilia, is an attempt to mitigate the prevailing issues affecting a person's daily life by introducing natural materials, forms, and elements into the built environment and building interiors; This increases an individual's connectivity with the natural environment. The dissertation will expand the concept of biophilic design and propose a set of guidelines to show why biophilic design and understand why the connection between an individual and nature is essential for an individual. In support of my thesis, I will cite several sources, including Stephen Kellert, a professor and author specializing in biophilia, and Gwen Fuentes, an architect with Leddy Maytum Stacy Architects. I'll also check online magazines like Terrapin's 14 Biophilic Design Patterns and sources like the National Institute of Environmental Sciences and Living Building Challenges. Biophilia is incorporated into many building typologies, such as offices, educational institutions, and commercial settings, and the benefits of biophilic design can vary. Case studies from the Bullitt Center in Seattle, Washington and the Wilkes Elementary School in Bainbridge, Washington will explore the logic of design and the impact it has on users. The results showed that the benefits for users can lead to improved well-being and cognitive functioning, thus increasing work productivity.

"Overcoming the economic limitations of universal design: accessibility runs deeper than ethics" - Noah Lopez, BA, advised by Professor Steven I. Physicians

In the 31 years since the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the ADA has not evolved much legally. The ADA has certainly improved the lives of people with disabilities, but improvements can still be made. Design ideologies such as universal, inclusive, and empathetic design have and can be characterized as enhancements to the ADA code, but even these three design ideals do not fully capture the full concept of full accessibility. By combining three different design ideologies, solutions can be found to improve ADA codes that benefit everyone, especially people with disabilities. By considering the ethics and economics of design, listening to input from people who work with people with disabilities or people with disabilities, and learning from today's universally designed buildings, such as the Ed Roberts campus at UC Berkeley, progress can be made in logical design and support it. suggestions for better accessibility. This review/critique is a call to action for the architectural profession. As this article will show, the architectural profession greatly influences the design ideologies and beliefs that are put into practice. Finally, this work also presents a new design ideology: one that brings together all the main aspects of universal, inclusive and empathic design: “Cura Personalis Design”, design with concern for the whole person. With an analysis of the ethics and economics that affect accessibility, Cura Personalis Design, and some suggestions for the development of the profession, this article encourages architects and designers to advocate for people with disabilities and accessibility for all.

"Sustainable Design for Southern Engineering: Reimagining the Deees of the Lower Mississippi River" - Danni McCorkle, BA, advised by Professor Steven I. Doctors, Professor Hana Böttger

Over 100 years, Mississippi has seen countless changes. None of these were permitted excavations. Due to excessive channel retreat, sediment removal, and various damming techniques, the Mississippi has been subject to a single restricted path. This trail, particularly in the lower reaches of the river, is flanked by 46-foot-high levees that sit magnificently on what was once the river's floodplains. My discussion topic will provide a theoretical perspective on what the lower Mississippi region would look like if more attention were paid to the cycle of nature than to man's.

"Transformation of urban areas: incorporating construction techniques of natural/green materials" - Monsse Torres Vela, BA, advised by Professor Steven I. Physicians

Most urban areas are known for being these high-tech centers full of job opportunities and large populations; However, there is also an opportunity to make them greener and more inclusive for all. Natural and eco-friendly materials are often overlooked in construction, outshining traditional materials with their high durability and strength. What many don't realize is that natural materials are just as durable, but there is one drawback that prevents them from being used in cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco, and that is small batch sizes. Small lot sizes do not mean that natural and green building materials are excluded in urban areas. However, there are other alternatives that can be used to create maximum movement space within an auxiliary dwelling unit, following all rules and regulations necessary to obtain a permit. In this paper, I will delve into different alternatives that are made from natural materials and are friendly to the environment, while the final product is a relatively thin wall. Typical natural material walls are about 2 feet high; As such, I will highlight materials that do not exceed 1 foot and maximize the interior spaces of a home or ADU.

"Space Architecture: Why the Architect is Essential to Advancing Space Exploration" - Heryann Reyes Ayala, BA, Advised by Professor Steven I. Physicians

As space exploration and technology advanced, long-term travel and exploration became more viable targets for human expansion. The creation of livable and practical spaces and environments has become a new research direction in the built environment. Space architecture emerged in the 20th century as a new discipline that consists of combining engineering and architecture to develop projects focused on the extraterrestrial environment. However, it appears that engineering takes precedence in this emerging profession over architecture, despite the applicability and importance of architecture's impact on humans. This is the case not only in this profession, but also on earth. This study analyzes the collaboration and competition between engineering and architecture through its historical developments. By examining the relationship between engineering and architecture as fundamental disciplines, their interaction, and their successes on Earth, there will be a clearer understanding of what space architecture is and why architecture should have a bolder presence in its evolution. The results of this research will shed light on why engineering currently dominates, as the first steps in designing in a new environment are getting there and surviving in it.

Asia Pacific Studies

"Lights, Camera, Action! Defining the Idol in Contemporary Asia" - Nathalie López Del Valle, MA, guided by Professor Genevieve Leung

What exactly is an "idol" and how do idols themselves understand this term? I address this issue by showing how an idol is active in the process of its own production, which means that contrary to popular belief, the process of formulating an idol's identity is not a one-way process like it would be in a factory. Instead, the idols, producers, coaches, and audiences work together to create a definition of that term, the idol's public image, and the idol's narrative identity as an idol. Therefore, in this process, the idol has influence and final say over what it accepts, adopts and presents as its resulting narrative and identity. Applying a theoretical framework that combines Erving Goffman's narrative identity theory and acting theory, I focus on the content analysis of interviews found on four idol reality shows as case studies. This allows us to better understand why idols have such a huge impact on the international understanding of the countries they represent, and what exactly makes the public engage in internet wars in their name and shout their name at the top of their lungs. . Olympics. stadiums.

"Sattha, money and fandoms: intersections between the capitalist commodification of Thai K-pop and Buddhist fandoms" - Pornpailin Meklalit, MA, chided by Professor Brian Dempster

This study represents a first attempt to examine the cultural, economic, and spiritual meanings and objectives of the activities of K-pop fans, particularly EXO and NCT fans and Buddhist followers in Thailand, and their significant overlap and similarity. While Thai Buddhism is revered, the K-pop fandom is stigmatized as an extreme and problematic form of behavior. This research challenges that distinction by drawing parallels between these activities as forms of belief, shaped in large part by the same economic structures, with money as a medium that allows spiritual connection and comfort for fans. Another important aspect is that trips and pilgrimages are both physical and spiritual journeys that exist for both religious followers and K-pop fans. The results of the study show that both the Thai K-pop fandom and Buddhism share a remarkable similarity in their capitalism-oriented belief rituals, practices, and activities, where fans and religious followers receive happiness and spiritual sustenance in return. Through the lens of secondary sources and participatory field observations in Thailand, the actual experiences of those involved in religious and hobby activities are illustrated. By exploring relevant connections, this study offers insightful explanations connecting K-pop and Buddhist subcultural communities to help us better understand the complex workings of Thai society and culture.

„Fitting In to Stand Out: Taiwan's Piece in the International Biodiversity Monitoring Puzzle“ – Serena Calcagno, MA, chided by Professor Genevieve Leung

In this article, I examine the ways in which biodiversity management in Taiwan from the onset of democratization in the late 1980s to the present has been used to undermine national and regional power structures. This research explores 1) how Taiwanese individuals and communities have strategically used biodiversity management to build places and resist the Taiwanese government's authoritarian development projects since democratization, 2) how contemporary biodiversity management volunteers in a small towns understand their role and 3) how the Taiwanese government the current government benefits from baseline data collected from communities like this. Ironically, the initial historic mobilization resulted from environmental enthusiasm combined with anti-authoritarian sentiment. Today, biodiversity mobilization seems to be reorganizing around positive associations with community and environmental sentiment. Taiwan's growing presence in global biodiversity monitoring is a testament to Taiwan's impressive ecological richness and endemism, but also to this impressive popular commitment. In general, the efforts of passionate environmentalists and volunteer data collectors to simultaneously increase Taiwan's biodiversity, and Taiwan as a nation, are more visible internationally, despite China's efforts to control and reduce Taiwan's international image in all media. areas.

biology

"Testing the climate variability hypothesis with coastal and inland populations of Mimulus guttatus" - Alec Chiono, MS, advised by Professor John R. Paul

The climate variability hypothesis (CVH) states that organisms in climatically more variable environments must adapt to a broader range of climatic conditions than organisms in less variable environments. Coastal areas typically experience smaller temperature variations compared to inland areas due to the influence of the ocean. According to the CVH, we expect coastal organisms to have narrower thermal niches because they experience a smaller temperature range. We tested CVH in a new environment by comparing the thermal niches of coastal and inland populations of Mimulus guttatus with a growth chamber experiment. We measured the relative growth rate of individuals from three coastal and three inland populations under eight temperature treatments. We then use the relative growth rate to construct thermal power curves for each population and measure the width of the thermal niche as the width of these curves. Coastal and inland populations do not differ in thermal niche width, and coastal populations have wider than expected thermal niches. In fact, we found differentiation in the characteristics of the thermal niche only between inland populations, not between coastal and inland populations. Thus, we find no support for the CVH, but new questions about the evolution of the thermal niche in Mimulus guttatus arise.

"Microbes Out of Water: Drying and Rewetting Stress in Organic Agricultural Soils" - Sarah Gao, MS, reprimanded by Professor Naupaka Zimmerman

As anthropogenic climate change becomes more severe, California will experience swings between more extreme rainfall and prolonged drought. These changes affect agricultural fields because soil microbes, whose processes affect plant growth, respond to changes in soil moisture. Furthermore, these microbes are the main drivers of the nitrogen cycle, which is often the limiting nutrient for many ecosystems. To counteract this, factory farms apply synthetic nitrogen fertilizers to improve crop yields, but supersaturation can lead to nitrogen leaching into groundwater, watersheds, and adverse impacts downstream. On organic farms, cover crops are grown, cut, and then mowed to get more carbon and nitrogen into the soil. However, not much is known about the intersection of all these factors and how cover cropping systems affect the ability of soil microbes to recycle nitrogen. Here I try to study changes in soil microbial life under different levels of drought and re-wetting stress and how integration of secondary crop residues affects soluble nitrogen retention in soils managed by Star Route Farms, the certified organic farm. oldest in california With this study, I hope to advance our understanding of how soil microbes and their processes respond to more extreme climates.

"Studying the foraging behavior of southern sea otters in their northern range" - Sophia Lyon, MS, advised by Professor Nicole Thometz

Sea otters are key predators in coastal ecosystems, but the recovery of this endangered species has been slow in California compared to populations in Alaska, Washington, and British Columbia. Annual census data include most of the information on sea otters in the northern range, where a historical lack of range expansion has limited population growth. Although data on foraging behavior and energy intake can serve as valuable metrics for assessing population status, little is known about these dynamics in the northern range. Therefore, we collected census data for sea otters and fine grain diets at Año Nuevo State Park from October 2019 through March 2021 to determine seasonal abundance, diet composition, diet diversity, and energy consumption rates of sea otters in the northern ridge. We found that the New Year's diet of sea otters consists primarily of crabs, sea urchins, mussels, and infaunal worms, and individuals have an average energy intake of 9.66 kcal/min. Furthermore, dietary diversity (using the Shannon-Wiener index) appears to be intermediate between the high and low density sites previously studied (H=1.81). When viewed in the context of previous studies in the range of the southern sea otter, these data will help inform the population dynamics, range, and recovery of sea otters in the northern range. .

"Effects of small-scale habitat restoration on population genetics of the union-groove sweat beelinked to halictus(FamilyHalictidae)" -Hannah Hayes, MS, oriented by Professor Sevan Suni

Insect pollination is essential for the health of natural ecosystems and agriculture
Productivity, since more than 75% of crops benefit from animal pollination. Bee populations are in
Decline due to a series of anthropogenic changes. In particular, many studies have found
reduction in bee abundance associated with habitat destruction. Habitat destruction is special
harmful when dealing with highly fragmented areas of remaining natural habitat because it limits
Spread between populations, which is critical to maintaining genetic diversity. Past
Habitat loss can reduce the viability of small isolated populations due to inbreeding depression and
random fixation of deleterious alleles. In an attempt to promote biodiversity, there were
Efforts to restore degraded habitats to a more natural state. Here I examined genetics.
Reactions of a wild bee species after intensive small-scale habitat remediation
Cultivated agricultural land. I assessed the genetic diversity and genetic connectivity of sweat bees.
(Halictus ligatus) populations in flower breeding hedgerows along the edges of large
Cornfields in Yolo County, California, installed by Dr. Claire Kremen and her team. Extent
genetic diversity and connectivity, I performed a double digest of the DNA associated with the restriction site
Sequencing (ddRADseq), which allows me to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms throughout the genome
(SNPs). My guess is that the genetic diversity of H. ligatus populations will increase at a different rate
depending on the maturity of the coverage. In addition, I hope that the genetic differentiation of
H. ligatus populations are expected to decline in all hedgerows over time. a network of small
Habitat restoration that was able to export pollinators to neighboring areas could potentially do so.
Improve the connectivity of fragmented populations by allowing the exchange of genetic material, and
greater genetic diversity. The results of my research will help protect this future habitat.
Restoration involves strategies that maintain genetically healthy populations.

biotechnology

"Building Safety Assessment with SafeTraces veriDART" - Anthony Doty, MS, advised by Professor Cary Lai

SafeTraces, a small East Bay biotech company, is using DNA-based technology to redefine how buildings measure air quality. In the era of COVID-19, indoor aerosol transmission has become a significant risk factor, forcing many of our facilities to close their doors. SafeTraces has introduced a new diagnostic technology, veriDART, to help businesses, schools and other venues reopen safely and minimize the risk of infection. As a researcher, I use qPCR to analyze build test results and provide data to be viewed and sent to clients.

"IT Solutions for Small Departments Using Visual Basics for Applications" - Cole Steinmetz, MS, mentored by Professor Cary Lai

Visual Basics for Applications in Microsoft Excel provides IT solutions for a large biotech company in Pleasanton, California. Projects deemed too small for the on-site IT department to handle are sent to me for evaluation and development. Most of the projects that are submitted to me are aimed at reducing execution times or simplifying complex tasks. In this presentation, I'll describe how I use my knowledge of Visual Basics for Applications, department-specific protocols, and lab teams to create innovative macros that help departments do their jobs more efficiently.

"Business Development at Distributed Bio, Charles River Company" - Jordan Seaton, MS, mentored by Professor Cary Lai

New technologies, business development and project management practices at Distributed Bio, A Charles River Company

"Bioinformatics and Molecular Biology Research in a CRISPR Gene Editing Startup" - Kory Melton, MS, Advised by Professor Cary Lai

Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) and CRISPR-associated proteins (Cas proteins) form the basis of the revolutionary CRISPR-Cas technology with implications for gene therapy. Spotlight Therapeutics is a Hayward-based biotech startup developing next-generation CRISPR gene-editing therapies with cell attachment, internalization, and selective editing. This work includes a computational analysis pipeline that uses next-generation sequencing data for the evaluation of candidate molecules for gene editing. The pipeline is based on the open source CRISPResso2 software and the Amazon Web Services cloud computing platform. Additionally, we developed an RNA sequencing workflow to link genotype to phenotype and validated against housekeeping genes. This work enables Spotlight's discovery engine to rapidly evaluate and iterate the design of prototype gene-editing molecules.

"Business Development in Biotechnology" - Kyle Pratt, MS, mentored by Professor Cary Lai

A discussion of my experience developing business for service providers in the biotechnology industry.

chemical

“Development of redox-sensitive Eu(III) complexes for cancer imaging” – Matthew Derfus, MS, guided by Professor Osasere Evbuomwan

Cancer cells upset the normal balance of reduction and oxidation (redox) processes to maintain uncontrolled proliferation. This distinction between cancer cells and healthy cells is currently being explored in the development of imaging tools to improve the detection, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a biomedical imaging technique that provides high-resolution three-dimensional images non-invasively and without the use of ionizing radiation. These properties make MRI an attractive technique for cancer detection and screening. MR image resolution can be improved by administration of a contrast agent, most of which are Gd(III) complexes that provide positive contrast through a longitudinal (T1) relaxation mechanism. In recent years, the Eu(II)/Eu(III) redox couple has received considerable attention due to the unique magnetic resonance properties offered by each oxidation state. The Eu(II) isoelectronic ion with Gd(III) shows similar T1-weighted MR properties, while the Eu(III) ion shows PARACEST MR properties. These differences in MRI properties can be exploited to design Eu(III)-based contrast agents that are sensitive to tissue redox status. These probes could potentially allow non-invasive detection of redox dysregulation in vivo. The aim of this project is to develop a series of Eu(III)-based imaging agents and to study the effect of ligand identity on their redox properties. So far, seven Eu(III) complexes with acetate, amide, t-butyl-amide, glycine, lysine, aspartate and tyrosine side chains have been synthesized and characterized by 1H NMR. We performed cyclic voltammetry to determine the redox properties of these metal complexes near physiological pH. Voltammetry results at pH 7.5 showed that the Eu(III) complex of the amide-based ligand had the most positive E1/2 (-0.818 V), while the Eu(III) complex of the acetate ligand had the most positive E1. /2 plus positive displayed plus negative. 2 (-1.176V). These results show that the amide ligand has the best stabilizing effect on the Eu(II) ion, while the acetate ligand has the lowest stabilizing effect on the Eu(II) ion. Future work will involve the generation of additional complexes with different functional groups, with the aim of further expanding our understanding of the role of ligand identity in the redox properties of the Eu(II)/Eu(III) pair.

Communication Sciences

“Cambodia Human Trafficking Crisis: Are You Listening?” – Thelma Ibe, BA, advised by Professor David Holler

This project addresses child trafficking in Cambodia. Genocide (1975-1979) is the main cause of poverty and resulting government corruption. While shelters for these children are being built, Cambodia does not have enough money to finance these shelters. They could allocate more funds to non-profit organizations (NGOs) or the Ministry of Women. The government launched a 5-year plan, but this plan failed. Agencies around the world want to help, but can't because they don't have access. This issue deserves more attention and UN intervention.

computer science

"NLProg: Using Natural Language to Create Visual Programs": Tyler Iams, MS, scolded by Professor Greg Benson

The demand for computer programmers exceeds the available supply. Either we need to train more people in computer programming, or we need to allow non-programmers to do programming tasks without learning all the formalities of existing programming languages. Visual programming languages ​​in the form of block-based interfaces have been shown to shorten the learning curve so that non-programmers can more easily participate in the programming activity. But to further expand access to programming, we need new kinds of user experience. In this thesis, we investigate the combination of the use of natural language and visual programming to allow non-programmers to describe a desired program in fragments of English. Our NLProg lookup system can convert natural language sentences into visual block programs and immediately show how the program behaves given example input. Users can then modify the resulting block program to refine the behavior and achieve the desired program result. Let's first focus on string and text processing to explore this type of interaction. Currently, NLProg can accept a variety of phrases that describe word processors. In this presentation we explain our work and how we implement NLProg. We will also provide a working demo and implementation link so that participants can try creating their own programs. We see this as an opportunity to get live feedback on our current approach.

environmental science

"Facilitating access to scientific data for better water management in California" - Raphael Yolson Louis, MS, advised by Professor Adam Purdy

California faces many challenges in adapting its water management system for 21st century conditions. The state's population continues to grow, increasing the demand for water in urban areas. The agricultural industry is now heavily dependent on groundwater to supplement surface water supplies, especially during periods of drought. Additionally, rainfall is expected to become more variable under a changing climate, complicating the challenge of sustainably managing this valuable resource. All these conditions gave rise to recent legislation aimed at curbing the unsustainable use of water. The Sustainable Groundwater Management Law (2014) determines that covered groundwater pools must achieve sustainability within 20 years. While agencies like the Department of Water Resources do a great job of collecting data, sophisticated computer skills are required to combine and apply these disparate data sets to aid management. Here we develop an interactive mapping tool using Google Earth Engine to synthesize hydrologically relevant data within a basin. With one click, users can select a watershed in California and access data on precipitation, land cover, vegetation status, and evaporation. The tool will facilitate access to up-to-date actionable information to support the sustainable management of California's conjunctival waters. We see this tool as a way to improve the efficiency of environmental managers in monitoring water use and adjusting strategies to deal with an unsafe water supply.

international Studies

"Assessing Border Security: Politics, Power, and People" - Avianna Vasquez, BA, Evan Chen, BA, Jasmine Boggs, BA, Ariana Martinez, BA, guided by Professor Brian Dowd-Uribe

Many people cross the United States daily to the north, often to study and work. However, law enforcement agencies on the US-Mexico border have systematically discriminated against and abused people traveling north. Our investigation examines the legal ambiguities of border law enforcement and how these ambiguities and law enforcement combine to cause unlawful harassment of citizens of the United States and Mexico. The investigation focuses on interviews with non-profit and non-governmental organizations, as well as content analysis of court cases involving people who were unfairly persecuted at the border. Through our discussion, we will illuminate and review the current legal situation that has enabled unfair enforcement practices at the border.

“Social Media Activism: The Relationship Between Social Media Posts and Subsequent Activist Behavior”: Emma DeBow, BA, Olivia Scott, BA, Sky Berry-Weiss, BA, Cesar Fernandez, BA, mentored by Professor Brian dowd uribe

Technology and the increased use of social media are constantly changing the way groups and organizations spread awareness and encourage participation in social issues. The purpose of this study was to determine to what extent and how engagement with social issues in the form of (topic-related) social media posts encourages or discourages users from engaging more with topics in non-topic formats/platforms. are social networks. This study focused on the well-known Black Lives Matter social movement. This study involved the use of a questionnaire created via Qualtrics.com and follow-up interviews conducted anonymously with informed consent to understand the relationship not only between online publishing and post-publication actions, but also worked to eliminate possible sampling errors and eliminate undersampling. error in isolating other factors such as geography, age, educational background, etc. The information collected in this study can help to understand key phenomena such as slacktivism and the impact of social media in inciting greater collective action on contentious issues.

“Examining the limits of efforts by development and conservation organizations to target communities affected by the growth of the safari wildlife tourism industry in sub-Saharan Africa” – Kiana Rodriguez, BA, Ixtzel Duran, BA, Fatima Fahnbulleh, BA, Ankita Joshi, BA, mentored by Professor Brian Dowd-Uribe

People from all over the world travel to sub-Saharan Africa to enjoy the unique experiences that the safari wildlife tourism industry has to offer. With the continued rise in popularity, new hospitality hubs (hotels, restaurants, airports, etc.) have also become more common in nearby areas where wildlife safaris take place. Grabbing these lands has often had an increasingly negative impact on the local communities in these areas. In addition to the increasing lack of access to resources, fiscal surpluses, and increased interaction with foreigners, many local communities have also been forced to leave their homes.

Two case studies of communities displaced by wild safari tourism are the local communities near Ruaha National Park in Tanzania and Limpopo National Park in Mozambique, which are discussed later in this research report. Both studies help establish a clear link between the increase in safari wildlife tourism and community displacement. To this day, local communities struggle against land grabbing and the loss of natural resources. Nonprofit organizations have formed to help with some of sub-Saharan Africa's infrastructure challenges, but few focus on supporting displaced communities. The premise of our research is to measure the effectiveness of these development and conservation organizations, as there are many in sub-Saharan Africa, but many problems remain. This survey also includes which strategies were most effective, long-term vs. short-term impacts, which issues are most frequently addressed, and interviews with local nonprofit leaders.

„Navigating a Rising Tide: Conversations on Conceiving and Anticipating Climate Shocks with Mekong Delta Tour Operators“ – Lucia Grant, BA, Marisa Mathó, BA, Cyan Balantac, BA, Ben Estrada, BA, scolded by Professor Brian Dowd-Uribe

Climatic shocks pose a unique challenge for developing countries. They rely on vital industries that depend on the viability of the environment (for example, agriculture and tourism), but often lack the infrastructure to adequately respond to and recover from natural disasters. To compound the problem, many developing countries are located in areas where extreme weather events are becoming increasingly severe due to global climate change. Developing countries that are highly dependent on coastal and island tourism revenue, such as the Mekong Delta region of Vietnam, known for its floating markets and tropical landscapes, are particularly vulnerable to climate-related impacts. The research question "How do tour operators in the Mekong Delta floating markets cope with climate change and anticipate climate-related impacts?" explored through interviews. Operators answer a sequence of questions about individual experiences/observations of environmental impacts in their operations and clarify the connections between design and action to address climate change. The evidence may provide opportunities to examine how well-informed conceptualizations of climate change can improve the ability of stakeholders to respond appropriately to risks and disasters. Our research also draws attention to how and to what extent stakeholders are responsible for anticipating and mitigating climate-related impacts. Developments in both focus areas would enhance industry policy making on the viability of tourism in the Mekong Delta, on which many livelihoods depend.

"Intersectionality and Inclusion in the Mexican Feminist Movement" - Camille Batiste, BA, Sofia Chavez, BA, Megan Commers, BA, Charly DeNocker, BA, guided by Professor Brian Dowd-Uribe

Mexico's feminist movements are historically and ideologically broad, with feminists across the country fighting inequality for decades. Despite the tenacity of Mexican feminism, the number of femicides, or premeditated murders of women because of their gender, in the country has increased by 145% since 2015, with most of the victims being workers in Mexican factories or maquiladoras. Mexican women who work in maquiladoras belonging to multinational companies represent more than 50% of the maquiladora industry, which has contributed significantly to Mexico's economic growth over the past three decades. Despite the significant impact that maquiladora workers have had on Mexico's development, they continue to be victims and marginalized in Mexican society. Also, despite their importance in shaping the agenda and motivations of Mexican feminism, maquiladora workers remain a minority voice in the feminist field. Thus, the question arises as to whether the feminist movement in Mexico adequately addresses the violence and inequality faced by maquiladora workers. For the purposes of this research, “feminist movement” refers to an organized movement led by feminist academics, students, and/or activists with the goal of ending gender inequality in Mexico. By exploring the intersections of race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and education in Mexico's feminist movement, we aim to highlight the voices of the marginalized. Through these interviews, we hope to better understand how the movement addresses the narratives of women who are disproportionately affected by conditions of violence.

"Effectiveness of Undocumented Student Resource Programs within the University of California School System" - Nalleli Sanchez, BA, Daniella Recinos, BA, Karli Williams, BA, Anthony Blick, BA, led by Professor Brian Dowd-Uribe

College students who received Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) faced a variety of challenges trying to achieve academic excellence, maintain mental health, and gain financial security. Research has shown that California is a leading state in the development of resource centers for the undocumented in the United States. California currently has 46 (and counting) Resource Centers for the Undocumented (Cisneros and Valdivia). In addition, California has also introduced progressive policies that allow undocumented students who meet certain criteria to qualify for state education. This study focuses on answering the following questions: How has the University of California (UC) system been supporting DACA students academically, psychologically, and financially? What are the perceived effectiveness and challenges of your program by administrators? To answer these questions, multiple Zoom interviews will be conducted with directors and coordinators of resource centers for the undocumented on the nine UC campuses. Analysis of the interviews will reveal whether the support services provided on UC campuses were sufficient to help DACA students and inform current challenges. This research will simultaneously help other universities to understand the current model implemented in the UC university education system and will help identify areas for improvement in the nine UC schools.

"Critical Appraisal of Nigeria's Feed the Future Program from an Agroecological Perspective" - ​​Nika Russi, MA, Dominique Blakely, MA, Cheik Ouedraogo, MA, Kelly Cruchett, MA, Kip Yegon, guided by Professor Brian Dowd-Uribe

As of 2019, 24.6 million people are undernourished and 17.8 million are food insecure in Nigeria (FAO, 2021). The Feed the Future Nigeria program attributes this problem of malnutrition and food insecurity to a combination of population growth, import bans that force reliance on expensive domestic products, and smallholder farmers' lack of capacity and access to markets and Value chains. Therefore, his initiative is based on a market-oriented approach that aims to increase productivity by increasing inputs, introducing new technologies and production practices, and connecting smallholder farmers to markets and value chains. This presentation attempts to assess and critique the Feed the Future approach and offer an alternative through agroecology, which not only implements different farming techniques and practices, but also draws attention to the social, political and historical causes of food insecurity. in nigeria. By transforming the issue of food insecurity into an issue of power, we aim to promote a transformation of the food system that promotes empowerment by valuing the local knowledge and practices of Nigerian farmers.

"A critical analysis of Feed the Future's food security plan in Guatemala through an agroecological lens" - Paolo Bicchieri, MA, Fian Sullivan Sweeney, MA, Chad Baron, MA, Elizama Rodas, MA, Sharon Huang, MA, guided by the teacher Brian Dowd - Uribe

Using an agroecological approach, we assess Feed The Future's current programs, objectives, and actions related to food security in Guatemala. Sankara International believes that the FTF should focus on an agroecological framework. Employing this lens of agroecology seeks to “transform the way we produce and consume food into something better for humanity and our mother earth” (Giraldo & Roset 2017 in Anderson 2021). Arguably, an agroecological perspective is consistent with Feeding the Future's intentions to seek and complement interventions at all levels to sustainably combat food insecurity, malnutrition and poverty (Country Plan 2018). Sankara International offers a more tangible approach that promotes food security while meeting the aspirations of indigenous peoples, using the "Five A's" as a guide: availability, accessibility, adequacy, acceptability and agency. Each component of food security takes into account the rights of local actors, particularly indigenous peoples.

"Feeding Ethiopia's Future: Promises and Gaps" - Jesus Del Toro, MA, Alice Kramer, MA, Erys Gagnebin, MA, Sierra Davis, MA, Tarek Eweida, MA, mentored by Professor Brian Dowd-Uribe

With its 5-year plan, Feed the Future, it seeks a transnational partnership between the African country of Ethiopia and the US government to renew a collaboration started in 2013. This initiative will focus on investing in productivity, education and media of life, health care and build and accelerate economic growth opportunities for Ethiopians in a period of 5 years. Ethiopia is one of 12 Feed the Futures partner countries in parts of Africa, Southeast Asia and Central America. This project evaluates the Feed the Future program in Ethiopia with a critical view of the successes and shortcomings of the program. The program is evaluated as a whole, but some foci are selected for criticism and suggestions for improvement.

“Police Reform: Response Methods for People with Mental Illness”: Jackson Haney, BA, Jordan Barney, BA, Natalie Chassagne, BA, Diammyra Cruz, BA, Merha Mehzun, BA, led by Professor Brian Dowd-Uribe

How has recent pressure for police reform affected the methods of responding to mental health problems in the San Francisco Bay Area?

physics and astronomy

"Spectroscopic Investigation of Strong Gravitational Lenses" - Suchitoto Rose Tabares-Tarquinio, BS, Christopher Storfer, BS, Christian Woll, BS, supervised by Professor Xiaosheng Huang

Gravitational lensing occurs when a massive foreground galaxy aligns with a background galaxy relative to an observer on Earth. The gravity of this huge foreground galaxy can distort space-time and deflect the path of light from the background galaxy, making the source look like multiple images or even an "Einstein ring" to us. Gravitational lensing occurs in only 1 of about 10,000 massive galaxies. Powerful gravitational lensing systems facilitate accurate and precise measurements of the mass density profiles of foreground galaxies and provide the only way to detect the dark matter substructure at cosmological distances, either within the lensing galaxies or along them. along the line of sight. To obtain large gravitationally lensed samples using imaging, a background source galaxy must be far enough from the lensing galaxy in the projection. Otherwise, the foreground lensing galaxy often hides most of the galaxy's dim background light. Fortunately, the emission characteristics of such lensed objects should be detectable in the spectra of a lens system with a small lens-image separation. From 2021 to 2026, the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) survey will obtain spectra of more than 30 million galaxies down to ~1.0 redshifts. Our aim is to search spectroscopically for background emission lines of star-forming galaxies behind the target galaxy, in order to obtain a large sample of possible galaxy-scale lenses. We use a principal component analysis-based fitting algorithm to model galaxy spectra and obtain redshifts. We first fit the spectrum of the Luminous Red Galaxy (LRG) in the foreground and then fit the residual using Emission-Line Galaxies (ELG) models to detect the presence of background lensing galaxies.

rhetoric and language

United States Detention Centers – Alexandro “ATY” Taylor-Young, BA, guided by Professor David Holler

Since the 1980s, there has been an increase in the number of immigrants detained in US detention centers; This presentation aims to explain how we got to this point and what is the debate between keeping them and removing them. In doing so, we will examine both sides of the issue and advocate for the closure and abolition of prisons in the United States.

"Homeless in San Francisco" – Anson Tan, BA, advised by Professor David Holler

The homeless situation in San Francisco is extremely dire. San Francisco has one of the worst homelessness situations in America and has a homeless population of approximately 18,000 (Rufo). Aggravated by the arrival of the Covid-19 disease, the number of homeless people has increased by 285% (Stone), which has undoubtedly led to other problems such as the increase in drug use and addiction. One of the leading causes of homelessness in San Francisco is attributed to rising housing costs, particularly for low-income families and already disadvantaged youth. In addition to the high-risk individuals mentioned above, San Francisco's homeless population is aging (Rooster), which means that most homeless people generally lack the skills to get out of their living conditions due to your struggles with other costly diseases to get rid of. To address this problem, San Francisco has implemented several policies aimed at reducing the number of homeless people and trying to reduce chronic homelessness. One of the most notable is the introduction of navigation centers.

"Criminal Detox" - Apurva Aluru, BA, advised by Professor David Holler

"Brexit: A Case Study for the Decline of Neoliberalism" – Harlan Crawford, BA, scolded by Professor David Holler

This essay examines how the first twenty-one years of the 21st century can be attributed to one philosophy: neoliberalism. Whether it's two catastrophic economic collapses in 12 years, a deadly pandemic, or multiple endless wars, there are a host of different examples that point to the need for a paradigm shift away from the neoliberal school of thought. One of the best ways to understand this is to look at Britain's exit from the European Union, or "Brexit," and how its racist, anti-inclusive, and dishonest elements are microcosms of what Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and President Ronald Reagan were. when he spread this philosophy in the 1980s. Despite the flaws exhibited by neoliberalism and Brexit, it would be ignorant and shameful not to examine both sides of the coin and see the value that can be derived from both. Without an open and honest discussion on both sides, there could be no solutions. The prosperous and inclusive ideology of the left is central to any chance of prosperity in this complex and multifaceted world of the 21st century, as author Michael Harrington explains.

"My Perspective Through a Magazine: 'Is It a Hate Crime?': Anti-Asian American Attacks During COVID-19 and 'What Happens Next?'" - Jerome Andrew Faustino, BA, advised by Professor David Holler

Recently, attacks against Asian Americans have continued to increase in the United States due to COVID-19 and the rhetoric of our former President Donald J. Trump. The media, even at the start of the pandemic, is underreporting the issues and attacks against Asian Americans and continues to contribute to the incredible myth of the “model minority”. Although tragic events are circling on individual social media platforms, there is still a lot of essential work and attention to make changes. Regardless of whether or not the attacks are defined as "hate crimes" and meet the investigative criteria of each state's hate crimes policy, journalists and reporters are approaching the issue differently than the George Floyd protests. . News platforms should cover all topics with a lens to educate people on all topics without categorizing which one is more important than the other.

"The Road to Reopening: Transitioning from Virtual to In-Person Learning, One Union Agreement at a Time" - Joshua Dineros, BA, guided by Professor David Holler

One year into the first outbreak of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, most school buildings remain closed to educators and students due to various public health factors and risks associated with physically returning to classrooms. The purpose of this presentation is to criticize the relationship between the Corona-Norco Teachers Association and the Corona-Norco Unified School District regarding their bargaining and bargaining powers. Since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, funds have been allocated to offset the rising costs of remote learning for students and their eventual return to classrooms. Teacher unions have a legitimate role to play in district processes, primarily through financial means. The agreement on the use of these funds and the requirements that the school district must comply with along with local, state and federal policies are established by the above parties through letters of intent. The common goal of providing quality education to students is agreed upon through cooperation within the framework of the negotiation process established by the Law on Labor Relations in Education. The result of this legislation is a mutual relationship that creates actionable steps toward a common goal of quality education for all students, beyond the conflicting visions of reopening UNCSD schools amid the pandemic, which meets with the quintessential UNCSD action motto.

"COVID-19 and POC vaccines: those who 'can't' and those who 'won't'" - Kambria Williams, BA, advised by Professor David Holler

The United States is a country that has abused people of color since the beginning of its history: killing people through disease, slavery, unethical experimentation, etc. None of these things stopped. We are in the year 2021. The coronavirus is taking its toll on all countries. The "land of the free" will not be created by vaccinating the people who built the nation that the white man walks into every day.

"Cutting US Foreign Aid to Yemen: Insensitivity to Disaster" - Manasvi Ojha, BA, advised by Professor David Holler

Yemen has been in the throes of one of the world's worst humanitarian crises for years. Millions of Yemenis were caught in a crossfire between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia and its allies, with 8,756 civilians killed by Saudi-led airstrikes (Yemen Data Project, 2020). The United States, despite fueling this conflict and appeals from various humanitarian organizations, has cut off aid to Yemen. Despite legitimate concerns about the effectiveness of humanitarian aid in the region, mainly due to Houthi interference in aid distribution, this was a flawed approach to the crisis that the current government should try to correct, not not only by reversing aid cuts, but also by examining current delivery methods and ways to improve them.

„School to Prison Pipeline – Chicago“ – Payton Randle, BA, repreendido pelo profesor David Holler

For nearly two decades, school bias toward prison has been a major social and educational problem in the United States. The term “school-to-prison pipeline” refers to how public school students, the majority of whom are minorities, are expelled from schools and funneled into the prison system. With policies like zero tolerance and minimum sentences introduced in the early 1990s, more and more people were sentenced to prison. These policies have been implemented into state and local laws, as well as school district statutes, resulting in an increase in suspensions and expulsions, which disproportionately affect youth of color. In addition, in the same period, the presence of police officers stationed and patrolling public schools increased. The presence of school police dramatically increased the number of students arrested. This article aims to examine this issue through the lens of a public school district, Chicago Public Schools, which has one of the largest school districts in the country. Also discuss how politics and policing in schools affected school youth and contributed to the development of the school-prison pipeline. This article also provides evidence of the benefits of restorative justice programs as keys to change.

"Small Steps to Big Data: Regulation That Changes Lives" - Rand Shakhtour, BA, Counselor by Professor David Holler

The term "Big Data" has evolved over the last century and has been defined primarily in the last five years. The EU's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), passed in 2018, is considered one of the strictest federal laws in the world. The United States is clearly reluctant to enforce similar laws, although some states have taken local action. The pandemic has revealed significant issues for businesses related to GDPR restrictions. The scrutiny of the tech space, as well as the lack of conversations around privacy and consent, are addressed in this article.

"US Position on COVID-19 Vaccines: Addressing Concerns and Explaining the Science" - Shireen Charalaghi, BA, advised by Professor David Holler

In a year in which a deadly virus has claimed millions of lives and disrupted all the normalities of life, the COVID-19 vaccine shows us that the light at the end of the tunnel is near; We are closer to fighting this pandemic. Americans have different opinions about vaccines against COVID-19, and in this presentation I will highlight common concerns about vaccines and explain the molecular science behind them to allay any fears and allow people to make an informed decision about vaccination.

"Mental Health and Eating Disorders Services at USF: Collaborating with CAPS to Provide Personalized Eating Disorders Resources and Improve Communication with Students" - Thanae Stoupas, BA, guided by Professor David Holler

Despite the high rates of eating disorders among college students, university mental health centers such as CAPS often lack the resources to address this problem. We conducted research through surveys and interviews to find out how USF CAPS can best help people struggling with eating disorders. Our research consisted of interviewing USF students about their experiences and knowledge of CAPS, interviewing people who struggled with eating disorders during college, interviewing CAPS, and interviewing ASUSF. We identified two problems: the lack of knowledge about CAPS resources and the lack of specific resources for people with eating disorders. To combat these issues, we proposed a monthly CAPS e-newsletter and an eating disorder support group on campus. We use different university models in the elaboration of both the newsletter and the group therapy proposal. We also send out an interest/request form to gauge student interest in the newsletter and group therapy on campus. So, we proposed our solutions to CAPS, who decided to install this at USF this semester.

"FOSTA-BEEST's impact on sex workers: how Section 230 immunity should be restored" - Vicki Young, BA, advised by Professor David Holler

In April 2018, FOSTA-SESTA was passed by Congress with the intention of protecting victims of sex trafficking. It does so by creating an exception to the famous Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act of 1996, which essentially gives Internet Service Providers (ISPs) immunity from content posted by outside users on their website. This exception to Section 230 created by FOSTA-BEHG makes websites liable for knowingly allowing prostitution or sex trafficking on their websites. The response of many ISPs has been to immediately censor or shut down many parts of their platforms beyond what is strictly necessary to comply with FOSTA-BEHG. As a result, it has unintended consequences: it hampers free expression online for all internet users, it makes sex trafficking victims harder to track down, and it ultimately hurts consensual sex workers, increasing the dangers and complications of their work. As a policy proposal, the immunity of ISPs obtained by Section 230 should be restored, but with a narrower and more specific interpretation. Rather than grant sites broad immunity, holding them accountable only for being the direct cause of illegal conduct, a narrow interpretation results in sites being held accountable for playing an essential role. This forces ISPs to be more proactive in policing user-generated content on their websites to avoid liability and thus help track down victims of sex trafficking. In addition, consensual sex workers can benefit from re-advertising their services online without the host ISP taking steps to remove the content for fear of liability.

"Uninformed: Should we hold the media legally responsible for the information they spread?" - Zachary Sexton, BA, advised by Professor David Holler

This article examines the problem of misinformation and how it should be addressed, keeping in mind the First Amendment on the protection of the press and the ethics of journalism. Using a Rogerian argumentation approach, both the perspective of laissez-faire media law and the application of ethical responsibility are discussed. To go through this ethical dilemma, this article offers a brief description of the history of disinformation, a dialogue between the positions of both religions and an analysis of the factors, including current legislation. A solution is proposed to address future impact and suggest possible systemic changes. That fix includes stronger fact checks, a system where platforms are held accountable for misinformation, and an incentive to be held accountable for information. The ultimate goal of this article is to detail how our legal system is totally unprepared to deal with this problem.

sociology

"We Are the Landlord: Community Land Trusts and Social Capital in San Francisco" - Aaron McNelis, BA, orientador pela professora Cecilia Santos

Community Land Trusts (CLTs) are a land ownership model that allows communities to own land in trust. The CLTs are redefining the purpose of housing through a series of new institutional arrangements that empower residents to democratically manage their property. This article examines the relationship between self-governance and residents' social capital: the norms, networks, and trust that characterize their social life. The impact of municipalization and regionalization trends on the SFCLT, its inhabitants, and social capital is also examined.

„‚Community Care Not Cops!': Student Perceptions of Policing in the United States“ – Andrea Boesak, BA, chides Professor Sadia Saeed and Professor Jennifer Turpin

Through survey responses and interviews, this project focuses on student perceptions of the police force and the future of public safety in the United States. Using Gramsci's theory of hegemony as a framework, this study aims to highlight student trends across a spectrum of acceptors, reformers, and abolitionists. This study also wants to show how and where these opinions are formed and promoted within the Bourdieu school as a place of social and cultural reproduction.

"'You Are So Inspirational!': Resistance From Social Media And Disabled Content Creators" - Grace Rose Avila, BA, guided by Professor Sadia Saeed

People's perceptions of disability are often shaped by how disabilities are portrayed in movies and on television. However, these representations are often inaccurate and contribute to empowering and stereotyping people with disabilities. This article looks at how people with disabilities struggle with this skill by promoting it through social media.

"Prison Cinema: The Promise of Anti-Prison Media" - Isabel Tayag, BA, guided by Professor Sadia Saeed and Professor Jaqueline Ramos

Captivity has always been an integral part of American life, from our beginnings as a colonial slave society to our modern prison system (which incarcerates people at the highest rates of any country in the world). As prison scholar and abolitionist Angela Davis explains: “Prison is considered so 'natural' that it is extremely difficult to imagine life without it...the history of visuality associated with prison is also a great reinforcement of the institution of prison as a naturalized part of our social landscape” (Davis 2003:10,17). The notion that prison is an ideological and institutional reality defined and maintained through visual narratives is the inspiration for this thesis, which is based on the argument that American culture and cinema serve to inform our consent to the prison state and the associated violence persists. Using an experimental design consisting of pre- and post-film research (as well as follow-up interviews), this research attempts to understand media and film as a radically transformative and counter-hegemonic force working to transform collective constructions of undoing crimes, arrests and the like included in them.

"Neither Here nor There: Mexican American Ethnicity, Assimilation, and Self-Expression" - Jacqueline Ornelas, BA, guided by Professor Sadia Saeed and Professor Stephanie Sears

Mexican Americans move in a unique space in the United States, as they are one of the largest ethnic groups that maintain their culture for generations after immigration. Many Mexican Americans feel rejected in white America but not Mexican enough for Mexico, giving the feeling of being caught in the middle: "Neither from here, nor from there." This phenomenon is common, but certain factors influence how much, if any, you are affected. Using in-depth qualitative interviews, this dissertation examines the self-image of second to fourth generation Mexican Americans in the Los Angeles area and how they deal with the pressures of assimilation, racialization, and their sense of ethnic identity.

"Siempre Pa'lante!: How First Generation Latin American Students Cope With Impostor Syndrome" - Shelsie Castillo, BA, guided by Professor Sadia Saeed and Professor Noriko Milman

Being a first generation Latinx student brings a variety of experiences. However, one experience that is not studied is the impostor syndrome. This thesis looks at how first-generation Latino students experience and deal with impostor syndrome. It uses face-to-face interviews with students to give voice to their narratives, highlighting their navigation skills and resilience, thus contextualizing the institutional causes and management of the impostor syndrome.

"Big Eyes, Bigger Breasts: How Author Identity Affects Female Characters in Shōnen Manga" - Tash Dardashti, BA, guided by teacher Sadia Saeed

Manga, also known as Japanese comics, is a fast-growing phenomenon that has quickly gained worldwide relevance among the youth of the last few generations. This paper is an attempt to examine whether an author's gender influences the way he writes and illustrates the female characters in his works. Through the analysis of dialogues and narratives, this work examines the history of shōnen manga and compares the representations of female characters by male and female authors.

„The Veiled Debt: Racial Capitalism and Post-Incarceration Labor in the United States“ – Zena Jaber, BA, chided by Professor Sadia Saeed

Race Capitalism is a macro-level theoretical framework that attempts to demonstrate and explain the historical relationship between race and capitalism in the United States and around the world. This dissertation aims to detail the mechanisms driving racial capitalism in contemporary America, conducting fundamental analysis at the micro level. In particular, it examines how African-American men navigate the job market after incarceration. It shows how African American men are expected to do emotional labor as a lifetime payment for imprisonment. Veiled guilt reveals a paradigm shift from racial exploitation to physical labor and emotional labor.