In this pilot project, we conducted think-aloud interviews with undergraduate students who had recently completed CHEM 142 as they worked through a set of multiple-choice, general-chemistry questions in order to investigate the levels of cognition they exhibited during problem solving. In collaboration with members of my research group, I designed recruitment materials and selected eight undergraduate interviewees from a pool of around 50 volunteers, with attention to diverse identities— including race, gender, sexuality, disability, prior courses in science/math, and parent’s educational background—as such identities and experiences may influence what problem-solving skills one has acquired. I co-developed the interview format, and conducted two of eight interviews. Participants were asked to narrate their approach while solving four multiple-choice CHEM 142 questions, then to critique the questions in terms of relative difficulty. The questions we used were previously characterized according to Marzano and Kendall’s New Taxonomy of Educational Objectives by a group of chemistry educators from our research group. I developed and refined a modified version of Marzano’s Taxonomy inspired by Teodorescu’s work in introductory physics (Teodorescu et. al., 2013), and am using it to code the interviews according to cognitive level exhibited by the interviewees. My preliminary results suggest that students approach a particular question in a variety of ways, engaging different levels of cognition. Students who display mastery of a concept tend to utilize lower cognitive levels, apparently due to familiarity with the concepts. Students who seem less familiar with or state they are struggling with a topic tend to employ more cognitively demanding strategies, whether or not they arrive at the correct answer. I will also discuss a comparison of the cognitive level exhibited by students to the level predicted by previous group members for each question, and any observations unique to different student identities.
 

Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying the unique regenerative response of rodents from the Acomys (Spiny Mouse) kidney to injury is crucial for advancing regenerative medicine approaches. This study investigates the differential RNA expression profiles of cultured Acomys kidney cells as well as (non-regenerative) laboratory mouse kidney cells under hypoxic and normal culture conditions. The hypoxic culture environment mimics the effect of ischemic injury on kidney tissue. Comparative analysis of mRNA expression between these conditions across the two species can uncover potential factors contributing to Acomys' remarkable regenerative capacity. Observations in this model may provide valuable insights into developing novel therapeutic strategies for treating kidney diseases and promoting tissue regeneration in human patients.

My research is an analysis of the pervasive issue of gender-based violence faced by women in India. Despite the presence of constitutional safeguards, the entrenched patriachal norms, and the prevalent misogyny in Indian society continue to deny women the healthy and peaceful lives they rightfully deserve. By analyzing pre-existing data along with data collected from interviews conducted with women between the ages of 35-45 from village Gumtala in Punjab, I have conducted a study to examine the relationship between postponed age of marriage and gender-based violence. It's through the lens of these women, I argue that decades of suppression in the name of culture have normalized violence against them. I conducted this study with careful consideration, ensuring that the questions posed in the semi-structured interviews were sensitive to the unique backgrounds and experiences of the women involved. Through the method of convenience sampling and qualitative analysis of interview data, I identified patterns of gender based violence and socio-economic factors. The results of my study suggest that early marriage not only increases women's vulnerability but also fosters economic dependence and social isolation of young brides that fuels the act of dowry practices causing marital abuse.These findings are not only essential in creating awareness regarding the vulnerable state of these women but also help me pose possible policy interventions by the Governmnet of India. My research has allowed me to argue how raising the legal marriage age for women to 25 mitigates gender-based violence, allowing women more time to pursue education and build financial independence before marriage. This study is an ode to all the women who are denied a voice.

Acute pancreatitis is an abrupt and painful inflammation of the pancreas that is often associated with serious complications and high mortality rates. Current diagnostic and therapeutic options remain limited, underscoring the need for novel strategies based on the underlying mechanisms of the disease. Our previous research suggests a key role for activin A, a member of the Transforming Growth Factor β (TGF-β) superfamily, in modulating inflammatory responses. Notably, activin A appears to trigger the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) pathway, a crucial member in macrophage activation during inflammatory diseases. This study aims to explore the role of activin A and the pJNK signaling pathway in macrophages during the pathogenesis of acute pancreatitis. Our investigation involves cell culture experiments using the RAW264.7 macrophage cell line, qPCR and Western blot analysis to identify protein alterations in activin-stimulated macrophages, and transwell migration assays to examine macrophage’s migratory ability toward chemoattractant after activin stimulation. We predict that activin A-stimulated macrophages would have increased JNK activation, increasing macrophage infiltration in inflamed tissues and polarization toward the pro-inflammatory subtype, potentially exacerbating the severe inflammatory response of acute pancreatitis. Our study is expected to reveal novel pathogenic mechanisms of acute pancreatitis and pave the way for the development of more effective diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for this disease.