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Amisha Singh & Eva Tartakovsky<\/h4>\n
Oral:\u00a0 Crude Consequences: Labor Market Realities in Oil-Sanctioned States<\/strong><\/p>\nFaculty Mentor:\u00a0 Sandipa Bhattacharjee<\/strong><\/p>\nThis paper examines the impact of sanctions on the labor market to discern whether they serve as an effective economic tool in international diplomacy. Through a comparative analysis of three countries that have faced oil sanctions – Russia, Iran, and Venezuela – we explore how these countries sustain their economies under such constraints, assess the macroeconomic health of their labor markets, analyze the political and diplomatic outcomes, and draw on these components to evaluate the implications for citizens\u2019 livelihoods. We conduct data analysis using relevant macroeconomic indicators and evaluate the effects of sanctions through policy responses to comparatively assess the health of these economies. Based on preliminary review, our results suggest that while sanctions have a short-term impact, they are not a sustainable long-term diplomatic solution.
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\nAmisha Singh of Bogota, New Jersey, is a senior economics major who plans to attend law school after graduation. She is hoping to practice either corporate law or environmental law in the future.<\/em><\/p>\n
\nEva Tartakovsky, of Edgewater, New Jersey, is a senior economics major and a finance minor who plans to attend graduate school after graduation. She hopes to attain her masters in either business analytics or economics.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n
\nJames Pisacane<\/h4>\n
Poster:\u00a0 How Dante’s “Monarchia” Has Influenced Political Discourse<\/strong><\/p>\nFaculty Mentor:\u00a0 Rosetta D’Angelo<\/strong><\/p>\nAlighieri is one of the most famous philosophers in the history of Western Civilization. Primarily known for his poem The Divine Comedy, Dante\u2019s influence extends far beyond literature. In his book from 1312, “Monarchia”, Dante writes about what constitutes a legitimate government and what that government should ideally look like. This essay analyzes how Dante\u2019s ideas in “Monarchia” have influenced political discourse over the past 700 years and even up to today. Specifically, this work focuses on Dante\u2019s belief in the separation of church and state and for a universal world government.
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\nJames Pisacane is from Oakland New Jersey and is currently enrolled at 果冻传媒 College as a Political Science Major and Italian Minor. After graduation, he hopes to attend law school and become a lawyer.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n
\nMiranda Frisbee<\/h4>\n
Oral:\u00a0 Brains in All Shapes: Building Better Classrooms for Neurodiverse Learners<\/strong><\/p>\nFaculty Mentor:\u00a0 Satarupa Dasgupta<\/strong><\/p>\nThis presentation discusses what is currently going on in undergraduate education specifically for neurodiverse students in need of accommodations. This presentation will show how students are being looked over and not assisted when it comes to their needs in the classroom. Throughout other literary reviews and articles, the research supports how these students feel they are not receiving what they desperately need. Interviews and an online survey were conducted with information supporting how schools need to adjust for the sake of their students. In conclusion, we see that students all are in agreement that they are not getting the accommodations to have a successful undergraduate experience.
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\nMiranda Frisbee is a Senior at 果冻传媒 College of New Jersey studying Global Communications and Media with an East Asian Studies minor. Prior to 果冻传媒, Miranda received her Associate Degree with Honors at Orange County Community College where she started her research in neurodiverse students and the mental health of students as part of her Capstone project.<\/em><\/p>\n
\nSylvie Weiner<\/h4>\n
Poster:\u00a0 Family Reintegration\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\nFaculty Mentor:\u00a0 Mihaela Serban<\/strong><\/p>\nThis project highlights the hardships faced by ex-offenders when reintegrating into society. The project emphasizes three main challenges which are employment discrimination, relationship strain, civic disenfranchisement. These main challenges all relate to the deep-rooted social stigmas against ex-offenders. Sylvie gathered more data on this matter by executing an auto-ethnographic and interview approach to link personal and lived experiences to this information. A few results of this issue include two-thirds of prisoners released each year will be rearrested within three years and over fifty percent of incarcerated parents never received a visit. Social stigma plays the ultimate role in an ex-offenders attempt to reintegrate successfully. Some recommendations include viewing successful reintegration as a right and ‘Ban-The-Box’ initiatives should be implemented in order to alive the challenges an ex-offender faces.
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\nSylvie is a senior at 果冻传媒 College majoring in Law and Society with a concentration in Social Justice. Sylvie is a New Jersey native and currently works full-time with hopes to enter in the legal field.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n
\nEranda Serjani<\/h4>\n
Oral:\u00a0 Probing Weyl Semimetals with Broadband Spectroscopy<\/strong><\/p>\nFaculty Mentor:\u00a0 Catalin Martin<\/strong><\/p>\nRecently, a new class of promising materials for quantum technologies (quantum computing, spintronics, microwave and terahertz detectors) has been discovered, Dirac semimetals. These are metallic materials, with low carrier (electron) concentrations, but these charges appear hundreds of times lighter than the mass of electrons in usual metals (copper, gold, aluminum, etc.), nearly massless electrons. Weyl semimetals are even more special materials, where these massless (Dirac) charges separate themselves by their spin orientations. They give rise to points in the material that look like magnetic monopoles, something impossible to realize in real magnets, where a north and a south pole are always present together. As promising for applications and as fascinating as Weyl charges are, it is difficult to probe their existence, which is done mostly through indirect measurements. In this talk, we demonstrate their existence in compounds like PrAlSi and PrAlGe, through broadband spectroscopy measurements. Basically, by measuring the electromagnetic radiation reflected off these materials over 3 orders of magnitude in energy, and at temperatures as low as negative 450 F, we found that optical conductivity shows the hallmarks of Weyl charges, computed previously by theoretical calculations. Eranda also provides an overview of the experimental setup, the hands-on experience and theoretical knowledge that she acquired, but also of the challenges associated with this project.
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\nEranda Serjani is from Pompton Lakes, New Jersey, and majoring in Physics. After graduation, Eranda plans to pursue a Ph.D. in Applied Physics.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/i><\/i><\/i><\/span>October 2023<\/div>\n
Caroline Clarke<\/h4>\n
Poster:\u00a0 Systemic Review of SARS-CoV-2 Infection on Pediatric Neurological Function<\/strong><\/p>\nFaculty Mentor:\u00a0 Naseem Choudhury<\/strong><\/p>\nIn the last three years since the COVID-19 pandemic, researchers seem to be consistently uncovering consequential information surrounding possible long-term consequences of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Scientists have been learning more about post-viral syndromes and have been searching for treatments to sicknesses like myalgic encephalomyelitis, Epstein Barr, and Guillain-Barre syndrome. Similar to those afflictions, a significant number of adults who experienced COVID-19 have complained about post-viral illness and symptoms that impair daily functioning; now coined Long COVID. With many pieces of the puzzle still missing in terms of predicting long-term health outcomes following COVID-19 infection (especially in repeated infections) we are left to wonder how this virus may affect youth development. I will review the neurological consequences from infection in utero to toddler age, effects on the brain and nervous system in adolescents, and general post-infection symptoms and illness in minors.
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\nCaroline Clarke is a Psychology major with minors in Neuroscience and Public Health from Wayne, New Jersey. After graduation, she hopes to pursue an MD-PhD to research psychoneuroimmunology; specifically, how early childhood trauma can lead to manifestations of physical diseases and harmful health outcomes.<\/em><\/p>\n
\nAgrim Gupta<\/h4>\n
Poster:\u00a0 Comsol Multiphysics Modeling for Thermally Efficient Windows<\/strong><\/p>\nFaculty Mentor:\u00a0 Daniela Buna<\/strong><\/p>\nOur everyday decisions affect energy consumption, cost of living, and global climate change. One significant venue of energy consumption and rising costs in the US is the heating and cooling of residential and commercial buildings \u00a0Efforts have been made to bring down consumption by manufacturing thermally efficient windows and utilizing efficient solar films. The work presented here is a preliminary study investigating the feasibility of modeling complex window\/solar film systems with Comsol multi-physics. The goal of the work is to find ways to optimize existing systems as well as investigate new combinations of geometries and materials to increase the efficiency of these windows. The preliminary work also includes research on physical constants for solar films needed for the Comsol model, research on the dependence of thermal conductivity with pressure for a variety of gasses, etc.
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\nAgrim Gupta is from Montville, New Jersey. He studies Engineering Physics.<\/em><\/p>\n
\nSara Hosbach<\/h4>\n
Oral Presentation:\u00a0 Social Media, Body Image, and Self-Esteem:\u00a0 A Study On How to Press “Like” in Real Life<\/strong><\/p>\nFaculty Mentor:\u00a0 Satarupa Dasgupta<\/strong><\/p>\nAs college students encounter a plethora of newfound responsibilities, the rise of social media has granted a space of connectedness and relaxation. However, the usage of such platforms resulted in the rise of photo editing apps and a standard of beauty that has become a means of comparison for users. Piling onto the academic and extracurricular priorities of college students, social media\u2019s subliminal messaging regarding body image affects the perspective students hold for themselves. In order to analyze and understand the extent of these effects, mixed methodological research was conducted via secondary data analysis and surveying. Conclusions unveiled editing on social media intensifies comparisons among college students resulting in adverse effects such as lowering self-confidence, increased disordered eating and eating disorders, and greater consumerism. Additional research is needed to advise and monitor change as well as ensure improvements
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\nSara Hosbach is from Freehold, New Jersey and is majoring in communication artswith a concentration in global media and communication and a minor in international studies. After graduating, she hopes to work for a nongovernmental organization (NGO).<\/em><\/p>\n
\nLena Mardini<\/h4>\n
Oral Presentation:\u00a0 “One Wild and Precious Life”:\u00a0 Reflections on Mary Oliver and One-Stroke<\/strong><\/p>\nFaculty Mentor:\u00a0 Lisa Cassidy<\/strong><\/p>\nThe long enduring Ming Dynasty was conquered by the Manchus in 1644, after the capture of Beijing. A full transition to the Qing dynasty would take decades to follow. Amongst the chaos, however, a thriving artistic revolution emerged. Many artists, such as Shih-tao, refused to accept new political leadership. Unable to express loyalty to the Ming dynasty, but unwilling to accept the new ruling class, Shih-tao became a reclusive Buddhist Monk. He developed an art style that was “implicit rejection of the new political order.” Painters such as Shih-tao have been compared to European Romantic writers because of their focus on artistic naturalism. The widely prolific nature poet, Mary Oliver, is considered a modern-day Romantic poet due to use of naturalism stripped of formalist structure. In this paper I will argue that Mary Oliver’s “The Summer Day” demonstrates Shih-tao’s theories on original spontaneity.
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\nLena Mardini is a junior Philosophy and English and Literary Studies double major from Clinton, New Jersey. After graduating from 果冻传媒, she plans on continuing her education in an English Literature graduate program.<\/em><\/p>\n
\nTina Nosrati<\/h4>\n
Poster:\u00a0 The Art of Communication with AI:\u00a0 Unlocking the Power of Generative Language Models<\/strong><\/p>\nFaculty Mentor:\u00a0 Ali Al-Juboori<\/strong><\/p>\nThe increasing popularity of generative AI models has led to a new research trend focused on improving collaboration with these models and optimizing their results. With generative models able to solve problems, how should we interact with their applications, like ChatGPT and Bard, so that we get the best results? In our research, we focused on prompt engineering, one of the trends in this area. A systematic literature review framework was used to gather and analyze the most recent papers introducing Prompt Engineering tools. In this study, we also examine how PE tools can improve human interaction with language models through prompts and provide accurate and relevant results. Besides presenting the logic behind each of these methodologies, we will provide a number of examples illustrating how these methods can be applied to our everyday use cases.
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\nTina Nosrati is a Computer Science major and an international student from Iran. Post-graduation plans include pursuing a PhD in Computer Science, with \u00a0areas of research in language models and human-AI interaction.<\/em><\/p>\n
\nSarah Panicucci & Alexey Maydanov<\/h4>\n
Poster:\u00a0 Hungry for Change:\u00a0 A Multi-Dimensional Analysis of Food Security in Sub Saharan Africa<\/strong><\/p>\nFaculty Mentor:\u00a0 Fariba Nosrati<\/strong><\/p>\nFood security has long been a pressing issue in Sub-Saharan countries. Despite various proposed approaches over the years, conditions have only marginally improved. The current trend is even more concerning, as undernourishment is increasing, indicating a decline in food security. This research aims to examine undernourishment as a crucial indicator of food security, conducting a multidimensional analysis of the factors that influence it. Exploratory analysis was performed on publicly available data to understand trends related to food security, followed by a cluster analysis to group countries into high and low food availability categories. Hypothesis testing was conducted to compare these clusters. Additionally, a predictive model was developed to determine the key factors that influence food security. The results indicate that food availability alone is insufficient to resolve food insecurity. Instead, factors such as food utilization, management, and distribution play a more significant role in addressing this issue.<\/p>\n
Alexey Maydanov is a Business Management major with minors in Business Analytics and Finance, from Paramus, New Jersey. His postgraduate plans include furthering his education by attending the MBA program at the 果冻传媒 College of New Jersey.<\/em><\/p>\nSarah Panicucci is a Marketing major with a minor in Business Analytics, from Ringwood, New Jersey. Her postgraduate plans involve pursuing an MBA while continuing her career in marketing.<\/p>\n
\nKiely Paris-Rodriguez<\/h4>\n
Poster:\u00a0 Geography and Companies<\/strong><\/p>\nFaculty Mentor:\u00a0 Jeremy Teigen<\/strong><\/p>\nSpace is the next frontier. Until recently, interest in space has purely been scientific or militaristic via satellites. The environment of space meant space travel was logistically inefficient and current technology deficient. Now, burgeoning technology created by millionaire-owned space agencies are rendering the previous obstacles of space obsolete. With geographical issues negligible, the unharvested resources of space represent economic potential. The focus of space exploration is shifting from militaristic and scientific to economic, ushering in a second era of colonialism akin to the first with one exception. This research examines how space colonialism may indicate a larger shift from national sovereignty to corporate sovereignty as space expansion is spurred by economic gain.
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\nKiely Paris-Rodriguez is from Mahwah, New Jersey and is a political science-space psychology double major. After graduation, she intends to attend graduate school.<\/em><\/p>\n
\nDanielle Rosengrant & Suzanne Zaugg<\/h4>\n
Poster:\u00a0 Electrophysiological Differences in Auditory Processing Event-Related Potentials (ERPs) in Adults with High and low Self-Reported Deficits of Attention<\/strong><\/p>\nFaculty Mentor:\u00a0 Naseem Choudhury<\/strong><\/p>\nADHD and other related attentional disorders are some of the most common forms of developmental learning disorders affecting children, often persisting into adolescence and adulthood. Previous research has shown that difficulties in attentional processing, like those seen in patients with attention deficit disorders, are linked to disruption or atypical activation of cortical neuronal networks. Electroencephalogram (EEG) and event-related potentials (ERPs), including mismatch negativity (MMN) and the P300, reflect the patterns of early neuronal activity characterizing the processes of attention and working memory. The overall objective of study is to examine the characteristics, including peak amplitude and latency, of endogenous (MMN) and early attention related (P3a\/P3b) ERPs in an oddball auditory processing task in adults with varying levels of attentional deficits. Preliminary results suggest decreased P300 amplitudes in adults with high self-reported deficits of attention, potentially indicating a difficulty in allocating proper attentional resources to appropriate auditory stimuli.
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\nDanielle Rosengrant is a senior biology major with a minor in neuroscience from Mine Hill, New Jersey. Her current post-graduation plans include attending medical school and continuing with her research.
\nSuzanne Zaugg is a senior double-majoring in psychology and neuroscience. She is from Millstone Township, New Jersey. Post graduation plans include continuing her education further by going to Physician Assistant (PA) school.<\/em><\/p>\n
\nShreya Ranjan<\/h4>\n
Oral Presentation:\u00a0 Leveraging Blockchain to Enhance ESG Reporting and Achieve Sustainable Development Goals<\/strong><\/p>\nFaculty Mentor:\u00a0 Nikhil Varma<\/strong><\/p>\nEnvironmental, and Social Governance (ESG) reporting has gained prominence in recent years as sustainability priorities rise globally. However, current ESG practices suffer from issues related to transparency, traceability and data quality. The lack of standardization also makes it challenging to measure impact on sustainable development goals (SDGs). This study proposes to explore how emerging technologies like blockchain can be leveraged to strengthen ESG practices and further SDG accomplishment. Research will follow a mixed-methods approach including a systematic literature review, interviews with sustainability professionals, conceptual model development. expert review and case studies. In conclusion, this study aims to use blockchain to enhance global ESG reporting and accountability by developing a validated SDG-aligned model that address transparence and traceability issues, with the goal of promoting scaled adoption of blockchain for a more sustainable future.
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\nShreya Ranjan is an Information Technology Management senior from Edison, New Jersey. Ranjan is excited to embark on a career in the IT sector, most likely applying skills and expertise in technology management.<\/em><\/p>\n
\nJae’l Rumph<\/h4>\n
Poster:\u00a0 Understanding the Epidemic of Mass Shootings Through American Gun Culture & The Second Amendment<\/strong><\/p>\nFaculty Mentor:\u00a0 Sanghamitra Padhy<\/strong><\/p>\nThe US has the highest rate of mass shootings in the world and is experiencing an upsurge in violent mass shootings annually, with some of the most fatal mass shootings having occurred within the last decade. There is a connection between the gun culture in America and the current gun laws that work hand in hand to sustain the problem.
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\nJae\u2019l Rumph of Paterson, New Jersey is a Law and Society major with a minor in Crime and Justice Studies and a concentration in Criminal Justice. After graduation, Rumph aspires to obtain her masters degree in Forensic Science.<\/em><\/p>\n
\nMia Schutz<\/h4>\n
Visual Arts Presentation:\u00a0 Maladaptive Forest<\/strong><\/p>\nFaculty Mentor:\u00a0 Ann LePore<\/strong><\/p>\nMaladaptive Forest uses both 2D and 3D animation to tell a fairy tale-inspired narrative about a goddess presiding over a forest. In this work, the characters are mainly 2D animated using shading to help blend with the 3D modeled background, using both classic and modern styles together. The main inspiration for creating this piece was to emulate the style of the movie “Klaus”, which revolutionized the industry with a unique 2D\/3D aesthetic. The work showcases an environmental message about deforestation; however later on a deeper message is revealed about using daydreams to escape reality. The artist was inspired by her own experience using stories to make life more interesting.
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\nMia Schutz lives in Metuchen, New Jersey and is a Visual Arts major with a concentration in Electronics Arts and Animation. She plans on getting into an animation studio after she graduates.<\/em><\/p>\n
\nHannah Scroggins<\/h4>\n
Oral Presentation:\u00a0 From Privatizing Space to Infinity and Beyond<\/strong><\/p>\nFaculty Mentor:\u00a0 Mihaela Serban<\/strong><\/p>\nHistorically, the U.S. has had a unique fascination with Outer Space. From the U.S.’ scientific discovery to technological advancements during the Space Race, America’s curiosity about space has propelled us into an age when celestial tourism is no longer a space enthusiast’s fantasy. This essay provides an in-depth analysis of how the privatization of space is currently impeded by the antiquated Outer Space Treaty of 1967, and from a critical perspective, explores the connection between celestial tourism and capitalism, history, and Enlightenment philosophy on property ownership, with law at the forefront. An argument will be made that the privatization of the celestial tourism industry will not only enable more civilian tourists to access Outer Space, but it will also help humanity realize the best version of itself in today’s technologically emergent world.
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\nHannah Scroggins is a Law and Society Major and Philosophy Minor. She has had the privilege of working as a Research Assistant, in which she analyzed court documents from over 70 U.S. criminal cases to identify how the use of Investigative Genetic Genealogy (IGG) has been argued and affirmed in criminal courts; she also takes great pride having served as a 2022 RCNJ Student Delegate at the 73rd Annual Student Conference on U.S. Affairs (SCUSA) at the United States Military Academy, West Point NY.<\/em><\/p>\n
\nJenna Vesey<\/h4>\n
Poster:\u00a0 Examining the Role of ATF1, ATF2 & IAH1 in the Production of the Banana Aromatic, Isoamyl Acetate<\/strong><\/p>\nFaculty Mentor:\u00a0 Joost Monen<\/strong><\/p>\nYeast\u2019s critical role in beer fermentation involves producing alcohol and a variety of aromatic compounds, giving characteristic flavors to differing beer styles. While most ales utilize one species of yeast (S. cerevisiae), brewers have artificially selected them over generations of brewing, producing various strains with unique but largely uncharacterized genetic backgrounds. Our research investigates various strains and their ability to produce a specific aromatic compound, isoamyl acetate, a desirable \u201cbanana aroma\u201d in certain beer styles. By comparing strains with varying degrees of these banana\/fruity notes, we examine genes (ATF1, ATF2, and IAH1) that code for enzymes involved in isoamyl acetate synthesis to better understand the exact role that they play. Our data indicate that neither ATF1, ATF2, nor IAH1 expression are solely responsible for driving isoamyl acetate production, but their relative gene expression to one another leads to the desired banana note found in certain beers.
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\nJenna Vesey is a bioinformatics major from Springfield Township, New Jersey. Vesey is a senior and plans to go to graduate school after college.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/i><\/i><\/i><\/span>October 2022<\/div>\n
2022 COPLAC Northeast Regional Undergraduate Research,
\nScholarly and Creative Activity Conference<\/h3>\n
Karyssa Cenda\u00f1a & Nathan Laduke<\/strong><\/p>\n\n- 果冻传媒 Faculty Sponsor: Eric Weiner<\/li>\n
- Poster |\u00a0Foraging Preferences for Different Tree Species by Three Woodpecker Species in a Hardwood Forest Heavily
\nImpacted by an Invasive Insect Outbreak presenting a poster that they co-authored. It is about a semester-long, intensive field project that they completed about woodpecker foraging in a floodplain forest at the 果冻传媒 Valley County Reservation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nTrent Montgomery<\/strong><\/p>\n\n- 果冻传媒 Faculty Sponsor: Monica Giacoppe<\/li>\n
- Visual (Work of Art) | The concept for this digital story was originally inspired by my great grandfather\u2019s life. Him and my great grandmother were separated early on in their marriage. The story itself focuses on this character\u2019s realization that his dreams won\u2019t bring food home for his family. He sacrifices his passion to become a better father.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Genesis Siverio<\/strong><\/p>\n\n- 果冻传媒 Faculty Sponsor: Todd Barnes<\/li>\n
- Oral Presentation | Fleabag: Maneuvering Feminism & Performing Femininity Using ideas about self-surveillance originated by Michel Foucault, the paper analyzes the way the titular character in the series Fleabag performs. The unnamed protagonist breaks the fourth wall and speaks to the audience directly, making only her interactions with other characters the actual \u201cperformance.\u201d Yet, as gender and queer theory denotes, femininity is a performance in itself. The protagonist both rejects conforming to femininity and is ineffectual in her various attempts at femininity. Women\u2019s bodies are disciplined and policed to make sure the standards of femininity are being upheld and the protagonist is shown being judged on her performance of it; she is seen being upset at the comments of others while disliking the system that created the boundaries and standards for her gender. The protagonist is also shown attempting to maneuver feminism and its complexities. She is a \u201cbad feminist\u201d and overall complex, radical, and thrilling character.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Erin Ward<\/strong><\/p>\n\n- 果冻传媒 Faculty Sponsor: Jacquie Skrzynski<\/li>\n
- Visual Art (Embroidered Self-Portrait): Painted self-portrait |\u00a0I incorporate materials that are precious to me: pressed flowers, recycled fabric, and a sewing needle. This work is intended to be an interpretation of how I see myself and how I feel when I am creating work that I love. The embroidery and the act of stitching together the face became an important part of my process. Embroidery has been a more recent interest of mine. I am captivated with the idea of reclaiming it from being predominantly a \u201cwoman\u2019s craft\u201d to finally being recognized as a true form of fine art.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n
<\/i><\/i><\/i><\/span>October 2021<\/div>