The Way I Breathe: An Actor\u27s Portfolio

This Major Qualifying Project is a portfolio that documents the skills gained by an aspiring actress in pursuit of a Bachelor\u27s Degree in Humanities and Arts with a concentration in Drama/Theatre from Worcester Polytechnic Institute. This portfolio contains proof of the student\u27s attainment of theatrical knowledge through theory learned in the classroom and through practice gained on the stage. This portfolio further offers reflections on the philosophy and nature of the beautiful art that is acting

Mdm2 is not required for the p53-independent roll of MdmX in genome stability and cell transformation in vitro

The purpose of this project was to determine whether protein Mdm2, a p53 regulator previously shown to interact with MdmX, is required for the p53-independent role of MdmX in genome stabilization and suppression of cell transformation in vitro. Triple knock-out (TKO) cells lacking p53, Mdm2, and MdmX were transfected with an MdmX expression plasmid. Compared to control cells, TKO cells ectopically expressing MdmX show decreased cell proliferation, a longer cell cycle, increased chromosome numbers and bipolar mitotic spindles, and decreased foci formation. Thus, MdmX, even in the absence of Mdm2, plays a role in genome stability and proliferation. This is crucial to consider in regards to potential cancer treatments aimed to suppress Mdm2 and/or MdmX in order to reactivate p53

Assessing Environmental Damage at Stream Crossings in El Yunque National Forest

In El Yunque National Forest in Puerto Rico, the Forest Service needs to build road networks with environmental sensitivity. The purpose of our project was to recommend a stream crossing structure that causes little damage to the local area. We molded a methodology for assessing stream health at crossings and used it to evaluate eleven watersheds in and around El Yunque. Our team assessed fifteen sites and comparatively analyzed the results with a pristine stream as a model. We concluded that stream health and crossing structures were not connected. For many analyzed watersheds, we recommend livestock barriers, replanting, trash removal and water extraction reduction. We hope that our study will contribute to the Forest Service\u27s mission of protecting the nation\u27s natural resources