Vessels of Spirituality: Merging Faith and Form

According to traditional Islamic teachings, natural materials like frankincense, black sesame seeds, and sidr (jujube) leaves are valuable both physically and spiritually. Historically, they have been used for healing and purification. Nowadays, influenced by contemporary science, people tend to overlook their metaphysical value, focusing on their medicinal uses. Similarly, Muslims assign spiritual qualities to the Muqatta’at, the disconnected letters that preface several surahs of the Holy Quran, believing them to contain sacred power. In both of these cases, the material leads to the spiritual. Through material experimentation, informed by religious texts, my thesis combines revered materials with sacred letter forms in unconventional ways, offering a conceptual design framework where material spirituality inspires poetic physicality. By bridging the ancient and the modern, the spiritual and the physical, this work inspires a renewed appreciation of Islamic teachings and material culture

James_Emily_MFA

Thesis Argument: The gender disparity between Broadway and regional theatre stage managers reveals systemic inequalities rooted in historical gender roles, hiring practices, and industry perceptions. While regional theatres often demonstrate a more balanced gender representation, Broadway\u27s competitive nature and visibility amplify disparities. This thesis argues that a combination of traditional gender norms, network-based hiring practices, and the pressures of commercial success influences the gender disparity on Broadway. Structure: I. Introduction • Background on the role of stage managers in theatre. • Overview of gender disparity in theatre, focusing on Broadway and regional theatres. • Personal experience as a working freelance stage manager II. Historical Context and Gender Roles in Theatre • Evolution of stage management as a profession. • Historical gender roles in theatre production and management. • The traditional male dominance on Broadway versus regional theatres. • For-profit vs non-profit - gender-based male vs female III. Current Gender Disparities in Broadway Stage Management • Statistical analysis of gender representation among Broadway stage managers. • Factors contributing to the gender gap • Factors contributing to the wage gap and pay discrepancies • How many men do plays vs musicals? Is there a relation? Are women relegated to one or the other? Does the length of the run or the length of a contract contribute to this? • Equity rules on bringing children into the rehearsal space? One-off Equity Contract vs a full Equity house. • Studies or interviews with Broadway stage managers highlighting gender-based challenges. IV. Gender Representation in Regional Theatre Stage Management • Statistical comparison of gender representation in regional theatres versus Broadway. • Factors leading to more balanced gender representation • Examples of regional theatres prioritizing gender equity in hiring stage managers. • Factors contributing to the wage gap and pay discrepancies • How many men do plays vs musicals? Is there a relation? Are women relegated to one or the other? Does the length of the run contribute to this?V. Systemic Barriers and Industry Perceptions • Examine the systemic barriers perpetuating gender disparity on Broadway: bias, stereotypes, and commercial success. • The role of industry perceptions in influencing hiring practices and opportunities. • How regional theatres challenge or reinforce these barriers. VI. Personal Experience as a Female Freelance Stage Manager • “What do you want to be when you grow up?” “Work on Broadway!” “Do you want a family?” “Well yeah.” “You can’t do both.” • Reflection on personal experiences in the field as a female stage manager. • Insights into freelance work and how gender plays a role in opportunities, treatment, and career progression. • Comparison of personal experiences with broader industry trends. VII. Conclusion • Recap of key findings and arguments. • (Possibly mention touring productions of Broadway shows?? How does age affect this?? Gender??) • Final thoughts on the importance of addressing gender disparity in stage management. • Call to action for industry professionals, theatre organizations, and policymakers

Development and Application of Xerogel Insulated Glazing for Enhanced Building Insulation

The research and development of new building materials and techniques for energy saving insulation is a main focus in the building sector. In recent years, the application of aerogels as insulating components of window glazing has shown promising results, however, due to the nature of the synthesis of these materials, they remain an impractical solution. The aim of this research is to address the growing demand for energy-efficient building solutions by leveraging the unique properties of xerogels to improve thermal performance and reduce heat transfer in insulated glass units. This research will address the growing demand for energy efficient window insulation by integrating a transparent silica xerogel into a traditional single, double, and triple pane insulated glazing, significantly lowering thermal transfer through windows and increasing energy efficiency

Cross-Reactivity in Urine of 53 Cannabinoid Analogs and Metabolites Using a Carboxylic Acid Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) and Homogenous Enzyme Immunoassay (HEIA) Kit and Immunalysis Synthetic Cannabinoid HEIA Kits

Advancing knowledge of endocannabinoid receptor agonists and the federal legalization of hemp has created a cannabinoid market including a wide array of semi-synthetic and synthetic cannabinoid analogs. Public safety and toxicological concerns exist from a lack of regulation, limited pharmacological and metabolomic data, and minimal knowledge of detection ability. Structural similarities of the cannabinoid analogs may allow detection on immunoassays including enzyme linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) and homogenous enzyme immunoassays (HEIA), screening platforms in forensic toxicology laboratories for rapid presumptive testing. The cross-reactivity of 27 cannabinoid analogs and 26 commercially available metabolites were evaluated on the Medica EasyRA Enzymatic Immunoassay analyzer with the Immunalysis Cannabinoids (THC) and Synthetic Cannabinoids 1-3 kits and the OraSure Technologies Cannabinoids Intercept Microplate on the Dynex DSX Automated ELISA system. The cannabinoid kits target 11-nor-9-carboxy-delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (∆9-THCCOOH) at a 50 ng/mL cutoff, and the synthetic cannabinoid kits target the N-pentanoic acid metabolite of JWH-018, UR-144, and AB-PINACA at a 10 ng/mL cutoff. Cross-reactivity was evaluated at concentrations of 20, 50, 100 and 1,000 ng/mL in urine in triplicate. Absence of cross-reactivity at 1,000 ng/mL was considered undetectable. No cross-reactivity was detected on the synthetic cannabinoid kits. Cross-reactivity to ∆9-THCCOOH kits was variable with ∆8-THCCOOH and R-HHCCOOH cross-reacting to the cutoff on the ELISA, with several additional phase I metabolites cross-reacting at 100 ng/mL on both platforms. Analogs lacking the ∆9-THC tricyclic structure and pyran ring cyclization including cannabidiol were undetectable. Alicyclic bond location and alkyl chain length variably affected cross-reactivity, with alkyl lengths 2-4 having increased cross-reactivity comparatively. Compound chirality was seen to effect instrumental response, with the ELISA having increased cross-reactivity and instrumental response to R-isomers. As knowledge and prevalence of analogs increases, it is crucial to understand the impact on utilized testing platforms

Senior Recital, Micah Honaker, horn, video

Senior Recital, videoMicah Honaker, hornJames Paul O\u27Brien, pianoMonday, April 28, at 8:30 p.m.Sonia Vlahcevic Concert HallW.E. Singleton Center for the Performing Arts922 Park Avenue | Richmond, VirginiaThe presentation of this senior recital will fulfill in part the requirements for the Bachelor of Music degree in Performance. Micah Honaker studies horn with Dr. Patrick Smith

Senior Recital, Micah Honaker, horn

Senior RecitalMicah Honaker, hornJames Paul O\u27Brien, pianoMonday, April 28, at 8:30 p.m.Sonia Vlahcevic Concert HallW.E. Singleton Center for the Performing Arts922 Park Avenue | Richmond, VirginiaThe presentation of this senior recital will fulfill in part the requirements for the Bachelor of Music degree in Performance. Micah Honaker studies horn with Dr. Patrick Smith

Senior Recital, Jonathan Watson, trombone, euphonium

Senior RecitalJonathan Watson, trombone & euphoniumHope Armstrong Erb, pianoSunday, April 13, 2025 at 6:30 p.m.Sonia Vlahcevic Concert HallW. E. Singleton Center for the Performing Arts922 Park Avenue | Richmond, Virgini

The Unsurprising Lack of DEIA in NASA’s Pathways Program Hiring Patterns

Working for NASA, a symbol of exploration and scientific advancement, is a dream for many, sparking aspirations of becoming an astronaut and contributing to humanity\u27s understanding of the unknown universe. However, the path to a NASA career is often filled with unfair challenges and barriers, particularly for talented individuals from underrepresented groups who have no control over systemic bias. NASA\u27s Pathways Program is an entry point for undergraduate and graduate students seeking opportunities within the agency with a highly competitive hiring rate of only 1.4% between the fiscal years (FY) of 2021 to 2024. While NASA publicly affirmed its commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA), its hiring data suggests gaps in representation across race, gender, disability, and institutional background before Donald J. Trump’s 2025 executive orders were implemented. This study analyzes demographic trends in Pathways Program applicants and hires from FY 2021 to 2024, using data obtained through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request, revealing the lack of participation from underrepresented candidates and hires, examining the broader implications of dismantling federal DEIA policies that raise concerns about the future inclusivity of NASA\u27s workforce. This study highlights the urgent need for targeted outreach, transparent hiring practices, inclusive workplace environments, the removal of systemic barriers, and sustained institutional commitment to ensure NASA’s workforce reflects the diversity of the nation it serves

Junior Recital, April Freeman, drum set

Junior RecitalApril Freeman, drum setwith Malik Gray, alto saxophone; Victoria Baird, tenor saxophone; Ammer Yaqoob, trumpet; Zak Sajjad and Red Yagel, guitar; Jack Harper, piano; Nick Waddell, bass; and Libby Mullins, vocalsMonday, April 7, 2025 at 5:30 p.m.Recital HallJames W. Black Music Center1015 Grove Avenue | Richmond, VirginiaThe presentation of this junior recital will fulfill in part the requirements for the Bachelor of Music degree in Jazz Studies. April Freeman studies drum set with Emre Kartari

Junior Recital, Kevin Nguyen, cello

Junior RecitalKevin Nguyen, celloDaniel Stipe, pianoMagdalena Adamek, pianoFriday, April 11, 2025 at 5:00 p.m.Recital HallJames W. Black Music Center1015 Grove Avenue | Richmond, Virgini