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Abstracts

Author Department Professor ↑ Title Year
Morgan S. Barrie Art Ellen C. Schwartz Francesca Woodman
Since Francesca Woodman's death in 1981, her work has steadily grown in popularity. While when she died she was a relatively unknown twenty-two-year-old artist living in New York City, today she is commonly regarded as one of the most important photographers of the twentieth century. The body of work she created in her short life is impressive. Unfortunately Woodman's death was caused by suicide, and like many artists who died young (i.e. Jim Morrison or Kurt Cobain), her death has become a huge part of the dialogue surrounding her photographs. Often, her images are viewed only through the lens of tragedy. Through a re-examination of Woodman's work, this project aims at a richer understanding of the artist and person. Rather than looking at images as ominous portents of what was to come, photographs are examined more holistically, allowing for a more nuanced understanding of the work.
2012
Virginia Davis Art Ellen C. Schwartz The Rackham Graduate School Building
Located at the north end of Ingalls Mall, the Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studies building is one of the most elegant and unusual structures on the University of Michigan's central campus. Designed in the sleek 'stripped classicism' of the late Art Deco period, its smooth, modern limestone exterior features just a light touch of classical detailing, which is sometimes so subtle it is almost hidden. The inside of the building is much more ornate and colorful, yet many of the design elements on the exterior are carried through the interior to create a coherent and pleasant whole. Built after World War I, during the Great Depression and just before the start of World War II, Rackham reflects the unique style and values of its time. It stands as a memorial to the life of Horace Rackham and represents the classical scholarship and forward-thinking research of the University.
2012
Christine M. Bruxvoort Art Ryan Malloy Identifying the Butterfly: One Artist Explores the Transformation from Life into Death and What Comes Afterwards
Butterflies have long been a source of myths and legends that tell a story of spiritual or physical metamorphosis. Throughout history, the transformation of egg to caterpillar, to chrysalis, and to the beautiful winged creature has inspired many cultures to attach special messages to this process. Themes of life, death, and spiritual renewal have been conveyed through imagery and stories passed down through centuries. My own fascination with butterfly lore first manifested as a malar rash that appeared on my mother's face. This 'butterfly' shaped rash was the first physical sign of the autoimmune disease Lupus. Using the life cycle of the Monarch Butterfly as a metaphor, I have made work that examines the symbolic relationship of the butterfly to the transformative experience of a life altered by disease.
2012
Shelly J. Neitzel Art Ellen C. Schwartz The William Anderson House: The Quintessential Greek Revival Temple Cottage
The William Anderson House is a modestly scaled yet handsomely proportioned example of a temple front Greek Revival cottage. Built as a farmhouse more than 160 years ago, the house exhibits a sophisticated understanding of classical architecture. Although very similar to two other more prominent local examples of the Greek Revival temple cottage, the Anderson House demonstrates details not found on those other houses. Despite its diminutive size, the Anderson House is the quintessence of Greek Revival architecture.
2012
Melinda Ortiz Art Ellen C. Schwartz The First Congregational United Church of Christ of Ypsilanti: Two Romanesque Revival Styles in One Church
American architecture, much like the culture that created it, is full of ideas that led to the myriad of styles we see in our past and today. The First Congregational United Church of Christ of Ypsilanti embodies two of these styles from the late nineteenth century that seem very different and yet share the same general category, the Romanesque Revival. The church, demonstrating the rapid changes in style preferences in the United States, provides an example of the Romanesque Revival encouraged by the First Congregational Church in the 1883 structure and an example of the modification of this style through the influence of Henry Hobson Richardson in the 1899 fieldstone facade. Evaluating the architecture of the First Congregational Church through visual analysis, the history behind the styles, and comparisons with similar structures reveals its value for the community and makes a case for its preservation.
2012
Adam Ostrowski Art Michael Reedy Form
This presentation focuses on my body of work in the MFA painting program. I will talk about the origin of my paintings, which include influences from feminist theory. I'll expand on how advertisements depict women in a negative way, referencing body image, the male gaze, and gender performance. After talking about how women's issues relate and influence my work, I'll give a brief visual history of the reclining female nude throughout western art. During this point in the presentation I'll identify key visual aspects of the female nude and relate them to the current direction of my studio work.
2012
Christina M. Casto Biology Katherine Greenwald Survivability Of Ploidy-Variable Unisexual Ambystoma Salamanders Between Stages of Development
Unisexual Ambystoma salamanders reproduce in a unique mode known as kleptogenesis, where entirely female populations persist by 'stealing' genetic material from males of compatible sexual Ambystoma species. Kleptogenesis can result in both reduced and ploidy-elevated embryos within the same egg mass because the female may or may not incorporate the genome acquired from males. This research will assess the frequency of ploidy levels in four sample populations during four life-stages. These data will serve to identify trends in survivability of the unisexual individuals, provide insight into the significance of genome addition, and suggest ploidy level at which developmental complications hinder adaptability.
2012
Jason D. Collins Biology Allen Kurta Distribution of Reproductive Female Bats along an Elevational Gradient in the Monongahela National Forest
Elevation likely plays a role in the distribution of bats, particularly reproductive females, which are presumably more constrained by thermoregulatory needs. The Monongahela National Forest has been conducting a long-term bat-monitoring project since 1997. More than 400 sites were monitored from 1997-2010, resulting in the capture of more than 10,000 individuals from 10 species. The distribution of these species was analyzed with logistic regression to determine the relationship between proportion of reproductive females captured and elevation. Results indicate an inverse correlation between the proportion of reproductive females and elevation for E. fuscus, L. borealis, and M. lucifugus, but not M. septentrionalis.
2012
Shawn T. Duke Biology Kristin Judd Influence of Dominant Vegetation Type and Whole Plant Leachates on Phragmites Australis and Typha X Glauca Decomposition in a Freshwater Marsh Ecosystem
Invasive plants can increase nutrient and carbon retention by altering the physical and chemical environment. The invasive wetland grass Phragmites australis possesses morphological and physiological adaptations linked to decreased litter decomposition rates. Phragmites secretes gallotanin, a phytotoxic secondary metabolite that inhibits the development of competing plants. Soil samples from freshwater marshes were incubated with Phragmites and Typha whole plant leachates to determine rates of microbial CO2 and CH4 production. Stem and leaf litter were subjected to field conditions for one year in a reciprocal transfer experiment to determine mass loss. Invasive Phragmites could be impacting wetland function by suppressing microbial activity and increasing organic matter accumulation.
2012
Shawn T. Duke Biology Kristin Judd Effects of Wetland Invasion by the Common Reed (Phragmites australis) on Rates of Soil Respiration and Greenhouse Gas Emission
Invasive species can substantially alter vital ecosystem functions, such as carbon and nutrient cycling. An invasive aquatic plant, the common reed (Phragmites australis) may strongly affect wetland processes. Reeds form monoculture stands, exhibit high primary productivity, and contain higher proportions of recalcitrant biomass than native macrophytes. These traits enhance Phragmites' ability to dominate large areas. This study compares organic matter cycling in invaded wetlands to cycling in native wetlands. I hypothesized that Phragmites' invasion reduces rates of organic matter turnover and greenhouse gas emission in freshwater wetlands. Sediment incubation experiments were conducted to determine the rate of CO2 and CH4 emission. Oxygen concentration and H2O saturation were manipulated to mimic natural variation. Preliminary results suggest that less CO2 and CH4 is released from Phragmites invaded wetlands. This indicates that Phragmites is impacting wetland function and may be acting as a temporary sink for carbon.
2011
William J. Fitzsimmons Biology Anne Casper Identification and Analysis of Breaks in Human Common Fragile Site FRA3B Using Saccharomyces Cerevisiae
It is important to understand the genetic changes causing uncontrolled cell proliferation leading to tumor formation. Common fragile sites can break under stressful conditions, resulting in inactivation of tumor suppressor genes. One such site is FRA3B, located within the fragile histidine triad protein (FHIT) tumor suppressor gene. We have a yeast artificial chromosome (YAC) inserted into Saccharomyces cerevisiae that contains a 500 Kb segment of FHIT, containing FRA3B. Under conditions of replication stress, the fragile site insert breaks exclusively within a small region located within intron 5 of the FHIT gene. We document the narrowing of break positioning within intron 5 using telomere PCR and sequencing.
2012
Rachel C. Parent Biology Anne Casper Instability at Yeast FS2 in an SGS1 Mutant
The ability of a cell to repair DNA is crucial for survival. A common form of DNA damage that can lead to mutations is double-strand DNA (dsDNA) breaks. Many of the translocations, amplifications, and deletions seen in cancer cells result from repeated dsDNA breaks in particular regions of the genome. Common fragile sites are one type of region with frequent dsDNA breaks and alterations in cancer cells. There are many proteins needed for the repair of dsDNA breaks, one of which is Sgs1p. Sgs1p is a non-replicative helicase that functions in unwinding secondary structure and in 5'-3' resection of a dsDNA break, leaving a 3' overhang to be used for repair. We have shown that the lack of SGS1 leads to an increase in instability at a fragile site in yeast, FS2, and it also alters the way in which breaks at FS2 are repaired.
2012
Danielle M. Rosen Biology Anne Casper DNA Common Fragile Site FS2 Stimulates Mitotic Recombination in the Yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Crossing over is the reciprocal exchange of DNA between two chromosomes that are usually homologous. While crossovers are required during meiosis, crossovers in somatic cells are typically suppressed because they cause exchange of genetic material that can be detrimental to the cell. Mitotic crossovers can result from repair of DNA double-strand breaks by homologous recombination. Certain parts of chromosomes are more susceptible to DNA breaks; these loci are called DNA fragile sites. This study will be the first to examine the relationship between DNA fragile sites and mitotic crossovers. Using the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, we will construct a diploid strain that allows detection of crossovers and other DNA break repair events. By use of single nucleotide polymorphisms that differ between homologous chromosomes, we will map DNA repair events to determine whether they form at a known fragile site on yeast chromosome III.
2012
Kaveridevi Rajula Biology Anne Casper Analysis of Breaks in the Human Common Fragile Site FRA3B using Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Human common fragile sites are loci that form gaps and breaks in metaphase chromosomes under replication stress conditions. These sites are often located in tumor suppressor genes. The chromosomal aberrations occurring in tumor cells could be due to instability of the common fragile sites. The exact location at which fragile site breaks occur still remains unknown. Since most of these sites contain AT-rich regions, the formation of secondary structure by the regions could contribute to the instability in these sites. We are using a yeast artificial chromosome (YAC) carrying FRA3B sequence to identify and analyze the breakpoint locations. We determined that the YAC contains most of the FRA3B sequence by using multiplex PCR. By using genetically modified yeast, we induced breaks in the FRA3B under replication stress conditions. The location of the FRA3B breaks will be determined by using multiplex PCR, and the sequence near the breaks will be analyzed.
2011
Danielle M. Rosen Biology Anne Casper Effects of Fragile Site FS2 on Mitotic Crossovers in the Yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae
While crossovers during meiosis are encouraged, mitotic crossovers can cause loss of heterozygosity and sometimes lead to tumorogenesis and are therefore suppressed. It is hypothesized that mitotic crossovers result from the repair of double strand breaks in the DNA. Specific loci called fragile sites are more susceptible to DNA breaks under replication stress. FS2, a common fragile site in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, is susceptible to breaks under low levels of DNA polymerase. This study will be the first to investigate whether fragile site breaks stimulate mitotic crossovers. Through analysis of single nucleotide polymorphisms that alter restriction sites, we will determine the sites of the crossovers. We predict that mitotic crossovers will occur more frequently when cells are under replication stress created by low levels of polymerase alpha, and these crossovers will occur as a result of double strand breaks at a common fragile site (FS2) in S. cerevisiae.
2011
Jennifer K. Kirk Biology Kristin Judd and Daniel L. Clemans Effect of Control Measures for Invasive Phragmites australis on Microbial Community Composition and Abundance in a Freshwater Wetland
Wetlands support a rich diversity of species but also perform important ecosystem services. Invasive species reduce diversity and alter plant-microbe interactions, yet the extent of the impact on microbial communities has not been well defined. I hypothesized that invasion of the common reed Phragmites australis would result in a shift in microbial community composition and abundance compared to wetlands with native-dominated vegetation, while removal efforts employing herbicide and/or prescribed burn treatments would produce greater shifts. This was tested by collecting soil samples from Phragmites-dominated wetlands treated with herbicide. A genetic fingerprinting technique known as T-RFLP was performed to identify the microbial species composition.
2012
Sarah Schrader Biology Cara Shillington Prey Sharing and Communal Living in Two Species of African Tarantula: Heterothele villosella and Hysterocrates gigas
Sociality is a phenomenon well documented in many different animal taxa including spiders, but it has rarely been explored specifically in tarantulas. I examined sociality in two species of African tarantula: the Tanzanian Dwarf Chestnut Tarantula (Heterothele villosella) and the Cameroon Red Tarantula (Hysterocrates gigas). These two species have a degree of maternal care for their young. Juveniles of both species have also been documented sharing prey items in captivity. Our goal was to observe the frequency of these occurrences as well as how long into maturity this behavior would persist. Tarantulas were housed in communal groups and fed varying prey densities to examine how food abundance would influence social feeding occurrences. We found that the Tanzanian Dwarf Chestnuts were overall quicker to feed and significantly more likely to share prey with each other.
2012
Brandon Neel Biology Cara Shillington Effect of Prey Type on Metabolic Response and Prey-Handling Behavior in Tarantulas
In animals, specific dynamic action (SDA) is the metabolic response following the intake of a meal caused by processes involved in ingestion, digestion, and absorption. Currently, there are only two published studies for SDA response in arachnids, and studies on the effects of dietary composition on SDA response are limited mainly to fish, with very few invertebrate studies. In this study, tarantulas (Poecilotheria regalis) were presented various prey types to determine if there were quantifiable differences in their SDA response; in addition, during prey-capture, prey-handling behaviors were recorded to examine differences in behaviors among three types of prey (crickets, cockroaches, and waxworms). This study provides insight into energetic costs associated with feeding and may lead to inferences on prey preference in a tarantula species.
2011
Stephanie Simon Biology Daniel Clemans Coaggregation of Different Probiotic Bacteria
Coaggregation is the adherence of genetically distinct bacterial species by means of adhesin and ligand molecules. Coaggregation assays are used to view the ability of probiotic bacterial interactions through the formation of biofilms. Defining the nature of certain receptor ligand interactions between microbiota primarily found in the mammalian gut is the basis for this study.
2012
Michelle Giedt, Brandon Neel, Katherine Nowak, Sagar Shelake, Yr Johannsdottir, Durga Attili, Athanase Kawou, Mark Schaecher, Keerthi Kotturu, Divya Lenkala, Rafla Matti, and Ram Bharat Merugumala Biology Daniel Clemans Molecular Analysis of Microbial Content in Various Sites Along the Huron River
Microbial diversity and content within an aquatic environment plays a significant role in shaping and regulating the rest of the community. Information about the effects of seasonality and location within a river ecosystem remains insufficient from past studies. This study attempts to provide information regarding the microbial composition found in a natural site, agricultural site, and an urban site around the Huron River in Michigan. Molecular techniques were used to analyze microbial composition in bacterial periphyton communities at three sites along the Huron River watershed. Results showed similarities among sites, but there were unique characters within each site that reflected environmental conditions around each individual locale. Phylogenetic analysis of these data will be presented.
2011

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