Maria Bishop \u2796, Snicker

Jump photohttps://digitalcommons.hollins.edu/riding/1086/thumbnail.jp

Creosote

Creosote is a young adult fantasy novel braided with poetry, prose, and Spanish language that explores Latinx youths’ places in dystopian worlds. Decades after nuclear war has razed society in the southwestern United States, survivors live in pueblos built on water scarcity, community, and cultural legends. When teenagers Manu and Firelight learn that their pueblo is running out of water, they embark on a journey into the desert towards the mythical Great Wide Sea, an elusive, legendary ocean with the power to return water to their pueblo. But the journey through post-apocalyptic desert is anything but easy, and the two must confront their origins, their feelings towards each other, and the desert’s wild, hidden magic, if they hope to survive

Caitlyn Sheffer, VDL Couleurs Boy, 2018 Virginia Horse Center, Liz Courter Sherri West Elise Roschen

Caitlyn Sheffer SWVHJA Hunter Seat Medal Final Winner on VDL Couleurs Boy at 2018 Virginia Horse Center. Left to right; Liz Courter, Sherri West, Elise Roschenhttps://digitalcommons.hollins.edu/riding/1162/thumbnail.jp

Ovarian cancer metastasis: The role of ULK1 in downstream signaling in mitochondrial plasticity

Under the direction of Dr. Eva Schmelz, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA Coordinated by Dr. Mary Jane Carmichael Ovarian cancer is the deadliest gynecological cancer in women, reported as the fifth leading cause of cancer related deaths in women. With a survival rate of less than 30%, it is a genetically and histologically heterogenous disease and the most aggressive serous ovarian cancer is now thought to originate in the epithelial cells of the fallopian tubes. Ovarian cells exfoliate from their primary tumors and are disseminated throughout peritoneal cavity. Previous studies from our lab show that cancer progression and hypoxic conditions promote reversible changes in mitochondrial morphology in mouse cells and human cell lines that provide the capacity to adapt to the changing tumor microenvironment. Mitochondrial plasticity and mitophagy have been linked as critical events for the survival of disseminating metastases. Ulk1 is a kinase crucial for the activation of autophagy in cells upon exposure to cellular stress like nutrient deprivation or hypoxia. In this study we use mouse models of ovarian cancer progression that represent benign (MOSE-E,) cells, slow-developing (MOSE-L) and fast-developing disease (MOSE-LTICv) to study the impact of mitophagy on cancer cell survival. We aim to generate ULK1 defective ovarian and fallopian tube cell lines to discriminate between the impact of loss of function of ULK1 in cancer cells vs whole body for in vitro and in vivo studies

Mate Rejection in Heterosexual and Homosexual College-Aged Females

Under the direction of Dr. Seung-Hee Han This project explores how women’s romantic dealbreakers—traits or behaviors that lead to rejecting a potential partner—differ based on sexual orientation and relationship goals. Guided by evolutionary theory, which suggests that women are generally more selective in mate choice due to higher parental investment (Trivers, 1972), we asked: Do heterosexual and homosexual college-aged women differ in what they consider romantic dealbreakers in short- versus long-term relationships? Participants completed a survey measuring their responses to common dealbreakers across both relationship contexts. We hypothesized that heterosexual women would report more dealbreakers overall, particularly in long-term relationships, while homosexual women would place greater emphasis on kindness and moral traits (Kirkpatrick, 2000). While we found few differences between heterosexual and homosexual women, our results showed significant variation in dealbreaker importance between short- and long-term relationship contexts in both sexualities. These findings contribute to our understanding of how relationship preferences shift depending on both orientation and relational goals and may help inform future research on mate selection and relationship dynamics in diverse populations

Natasha Vitkovik \u2701, Quicksilver, Oak Ridge Medal Final

Natasha Vitkovic \u2701 on Quicksilver at Oak Ridge Medal Finalhttps://digitalcommons.hollins.edu/riding/1181/thumbnail.jp

Elysse Stolpe, Kentucky Glenn

Elysse Stolpe on her Kentucky Glennhttps://digitalcommons.hollins.edu/riding/1194/thumbnail.jp

Processing Warfare and Navigating Defeat: The Mexican Narrative Constructed During the Mexican American War of 1846-1848

It is undeniable that the citizens of Mexico and the United States of America processed the Mexican American War as it occurred in exceedingly different ways, and wished to remember it differently. This thesis will delve deeper into the Mexican narrative that was constructed during and in the immediate aftermath of the war, about the war, and will highlight some of the most salient differences

Tuning electronic and steric properties of diphosphines: synthesis and characterization of Ph₂PCHRPPh₂ variants

Under the direction of Dr. Daniel Derringer This study explores the synthesis and characterization of diphosphines of the type Ph₂PCHRPPh₂, focusing on the variability of the R group to tune electronic and steric properties. We have successfully synthesized and analyzed Ph₂PCH(CN)PPh₂ and Ph₂PCH(CH₃)PPh₂, demonstrating significant differences in their electronic and steric profiles. Building on this foundation, we aim to synthesize Ph₂PCH(CCl₃)PPh₂, hypothesizing that the introduction of the CCl₃ group will further modulate the ligand\u27s properties. Preliminary results indicate promising pathways for the synthesis of Ph₂PCH(CCl₃)PPh₂, which could offer unique advantages in coordination chemistry and catalysis. Further studies will focus on optimizing the synthesis process and evaluating the ligand\u27s performance in various catalytic applications

Emily Mendelssohn, Bella Lagosi

Emily Mendelssohn on Bella Lagosihttps://digitalcommons.hollins.edu/riding/1154/thumbnail.jp