{"id":1956,"date":"2024-05-29T15:52:38","date_gmt":"2024-05-29T15:52:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/offices.vassar.edu\/grants\/?page_id=1956"},"modified":"2024-06-13T09:58:22","modified_gmt":"2024-06-13T09:58:22","slug":"2022-2025-beckman-scholars","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/offices.vassar.edu\/grants\/beckman-scholars\/2022-2025-beckman-scholars\/","title":{"rendered":"Beckman Scholar Bios"},"content":{"rendered":"<!-- Inserted by Dropdownizer plugin. Forces video embeds contained in dropdowns to have a size --><style>.dropdownizer__dropdown iframe { width: 100% !important; height: 100% !important; }<\/style>\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Meet our 2024-2025 Scholars<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Extinction of conditioned fear using a generalization stimulus<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Ahona Dam '27 and Hadley Bergstrom<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"621\" height=\"745\" src=\"https:\/\/offices.vassar.edu\/grants\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25\/2024\/05\/ISH_Vassar-College_Ahona-Dam-1-5.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1990 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/offices.vassar.edu\/grants\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25\/2024\/05\/ISH_Vassar-College_Ahona-Dam-1-5.jpg 621w, https:\/\/offices.vassar.edu\/grants\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25\/2024\/05\/ISH_Vassar-College_Ahona-Dam-1-5-250x300.jpg 250w, https:\/\/offices.vassar.edu\/grants\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25\/2024\/05\/ISH_Vassar-College_Ahona-Dam-1-5-125x150.jpg 125w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 621px) 100vw, 621px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p>My name is Ahona Dam and I\u2019m extremely grateful to conduct research with Dr. Bergstrom through the Beckman scholarship. Through my research, I will explore emotional learning and memory in the brain. Exposure therapy is often used to help patients who suffer from anxiety, PTSD, and phobias to reduce fear. In exposure therapy, stimuli similar to the original fear-inducing stimulus are presented to extinguish the fear response. In laboratory environments, extinction is often modeled by repeatedly introducing the conditioned stimulus (CS) without the unconditioned stimulus (US). Therefore, preclinical models do not adequately replicate real-world scenarios of extinction. I am interested in using a generalization stimulus (stimulus similar to the target conditioned stimulus) during extinction to test to what extent the generalization stimulus extinguishes the original fear response and the degree of overlap between memory representations in the brain. Outside of Vassar, I have conducted research with Dr. Peter Czarnecki at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center where I helped with experiments relating to understanding specific IFT-A mutations causing polycystic kidney disease. In my free time, I love to create art (specifically with acrylics, watercolors, or oil pastels!). I also love going on walks, cooking, and making my friends laugh!<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Investigating the Influence of Seasonal Variation and Anthropogenic Noise on Songbird Vocalization Active Spaces<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Gabriel Grimes '26 and Megan Gall<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"608\" height=\"793\" src=\"https:\/\/offices.vassar.edu\/grants\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25\/2024\/05\/ISH_Vassar-College_Gabriel-Grimes-1-1.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1991 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/offices.vassar.edu\/grants\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25\/2024\/05\/ISH_Vassar-College_Gabriel-Grimes-1-1.jpeg 608w, https:\/\/offices.vassar.edu\/grants\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25\/2024\/05\/ISH_Vassar-College_Gabriel-Grimes-1-1-230x300.jpeg 230w, https:\/\/offices.vassar.edu\/grants\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25\/2024\/05\/ISH_Vassar-College_Gabriel-Grimes-1-1-115x150.jpeg 115w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 608px) 100vw, 608px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p>My name is Gabriel Grimes, and I am majoring in Neuroscience and Behavior at Vassar College. As a Beckman Scholar, I have the privilege of conducting research under the guidance of Dr. Megan Gall. Our work focuses on investigating the influences of seasonal variation in anthropogenic noise and vegetation density on the vocalization active spaces of Black Capped Chickadees, Tufted Titmice, and White Breasted Nuthatches. Specifically, we aim to reveal how changes in noise levels and vegetation density across the four seasons affect the propagation of avian vocalizations. We conduct fieldwork at the Vassar Ecological Preserve to record vocalizations, quantify vegetation density, and conduct playback experiments to determine species-specific vocal propagation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Beyond my research, I am actively involved in the Student Ambassador Program at Vassar College, where I help prospective students learn about the opportunities and experiences our college offers. I also volunteer at Beacon of Hope, a nonprofit crisis center in my hometown of Indianapolis, Indiana. In my free time, I enjoy engaging in various hobbies that enrich my life outside academia including hiking, music, and cooking! After my time at Vassar College and with the lab, I plan to pursue medical school and use my understanding of environmental influences to not only strengthen conservation efforts for animals, but extend my care to human beings like ourselves.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Meet our 2023-2024 Scholars<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Investigating Tau Aggregates using Force-Volume Atomic Force Microscopy<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Aanzan Sachdeva '25 and Zachary Donhauser<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide has-media-on-the-right is-stacked-on-mobile\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"803\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/offices.vassar.edu\/grants\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25\/2024\/05\/ISH_Vassar-College_Aanzan-Sachdeva-803x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1977 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/offices.vassar.edu\/grants\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25\/2024\/05\/ISH_Vassar-College_Aanzan-Sachdeva-803x1024.jpeg 803w, https:\/\/offices.vassar.edu\/grants\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25\/2024\/05\/ISH_Vassar-College_Aanzan-Sachdeva-235x300.jpeg 235w, https:\/\/offices.vassar.edu\/grants\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25\/2024\/05\/ISH_Vassar-College_Aanzan-Sachdeva-768x979.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/offices.vassar.edu\/grants\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25\/2024\/05\/ISH_Vassar-College_Aanzan-Sachdeva-1205x1536.jpeg 1205w, https:\/\/offices.vassar.edu\/grants\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25\/2024\/05\/ISH_Vassar-College_Aanzan-Sachdeva-1606x2048.jpeg 1606w, https:\/\/offices.vassar.edu\/grants\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25\/2024\/05\/ISH_Vassar-College_Aanzan-Sachdeva-118x150.jpeg 118w, https:\/\/offices.vassar.edu\/grants\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25\/2024\/05\/ISH_Vassar-College_Aanzan-Sachdeva-scaled.jpeg 2008w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 803px) 100vw, 803px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p>My name is Aanzan Sachdeva and I am a 2023 Beckman Scholar working with Dr. Zachary Donhauser to characterize the morphological and mechanical properties of tau protein using atomic force microscopy. Tau is an intrinsically disordered neuronal protein that is best known for its role in microtubule stabilization and organization. My work in the lab, specifically, revolves around investigating tau aggregates that have been correlated with Alzheimer's Disease and numerous other neurodegenerative disorders. Exploring the properties of this protein will allow us to better understand the progression of tau aggregation and the events that lead to its neurotoxicity. Outside of the lab, I spend a lot of time crafting, drawing, and painting so I take any opportunity to get involved in visual arts. I am also a certified assistant teacher for toddlers and school-aged children, so much of my work beyond the lab involves working with kids. In the future, I hope to pursue a Ph.D. in biophysics and continue doing research. As I move forward with my degree and career I also hope to get involved with high schools in underserved areas to increase access to scientific research opportunities.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Characterizing the <em>CG5577 <\/em>gene in <em>Drosophila melanogaster<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Abigail Tramell '26 and Jennifer Kennell<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"626\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/offices.vassar.edu\/grants\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25\/2024\/05\/ISH_Vassar-College_Abigail-Tramell-626x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1980 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/offices.vassar.edu\/grants\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25\/2024\/05\/ISH_Vassar-College_Abigail-Tramell-626x1024.jpg 626w, https:\/\/offices.vassar.edu\/grants\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25\/2024\/05\/ISH_Vassar-College_Abigail-Tramell-183x300.jpg 183w, https:\/\/offices.vassar.edu\/grants\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25\/2024\/05\/ISH_Vassar-College_Abigail-Tramell-768x1256.jpg 768w, https:\/\/offices.vassar.edu\/grants\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25\/2024\/05\/ISH_Vassar-College_Abigail-Tramell-939x1536.jpg 939w, https:\/\/offices.vassar.edu\/grants\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25\/2024\/05\/ISH_Vassar-College_Abigail-Tramell-1252x2048.jpg 1252w, https:\/\/offices.vassar.edu\/grants\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25\/2024\/05\/ISH_Vassar-College_Abigail-Tramell-92x150.jpg 92w, https:\/\/offices.vassar.edu\/grants\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25\/2024\/05\/ISH_Vassar-College_Abigail-Tramell-scaled.jpg 1565w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 626px) 100vw, 626px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p>Hi! My name is Abi Tramell \u201826, and I am a 2023 Beckman Scholar working in Dr. Jennifer Kennell\u2019s lab, which focuses on the Haloacid Dehalogenase phosphatase family and their role in regulating metabolism\/development in <em>Drosophila melanogaster, <\/em>aka known as fruit flies! Many of the HAD proteins remain uncharacterized in <em>D. melanogaster, <\/em>but based on gene sequence similarity, multiple genes seem to have genetic similarities to the HAD family genes found in humans. My project, therefore, strives to determine the role of the <em>CG5577<\/em> gene found in <em>D. melanogaster, <\/em>as it could potentially be the ortholog to the <em>PDXP<\/em> gene that is involved in human metabolism. I have previously worked in Dr. Vicky Frost\u2019s Microbiology Lab at Winthrop University, characterizing bacteriophages local to South Carolina through the SEA-PHAGES program. I also conducted research through the Pioneer Research program sponsored by Oberlin College, investigating the potential role of CRISPR-Cas9 in cancer prevention through the mentorship of Dr. David Veselik from the University of Notre Dame. In the future, I plan to obtain my Ph.D. in Molecular Genetics with an emphasis on Gene therapy. Outside the lab, I like to grow plants and help at the Poughkeepsie Farm Project by growing and harvesting vegetables that eventually make their way to the Deece! I will also be a part of Residential Life this year as a student fellow for Cushing House (Go Cushlings!).&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Meet our 2022-2023 Scholars<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Eukaryotic Initiation Factor 3 and its Role in mRNA Recruitment by Using a Recombinantly Reconstituted Complex<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Sufana Noorwez '24 and Colin&nbsp;Echeverr\u00eda Aitken<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide has-media-on-the-right is-stacked-on-mobile\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"731\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/offices.vassar.edu\/grants\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25\/2024\/05\/ISH_Vassar-College_Sufana-Noorwez-731x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1982 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/offices.vassar.edu\/grants\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25\/2024\/05\/ISH_Vassar-College_Sufana-Noorwez-731x1024.jpg 731w, https:\/\/offices.vassar.edu\/grants\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25\/2024\/05\/ISH_Vassar-College_Sufana-Noorwez-214x300.jpg 214w, https:\/\/offices.vassar.edu\/grants\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25\/2024\/05\/ISH_Vassar-College_Sufana-Noorwez-768x1075.jpg 768w, https:\/\/offices.vassar.edu\/grants\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25\/2024\/05\/ISH_Vassar-College_Sufana-Noorwez-1097x1536.jpg 1097w, https:\/\/offices.vassar.edu\/grants\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25\/2024\/05\/ISH_Vassar-College_Sufana-Noorwez-1463x2048.jpg 1463w, https:\/\/offices.vassar.edu\/grants\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25\/2024\/05\/ISH_Vassar-College_Sufana-Noorwez-107x150.jpg 107w, https:\/\/offices.vassar.edu\/grants\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25\/2024\/05\/ISH_Vassar-College_Sufana-Noorwez.jpg 1500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 731px) 100vw, 731px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p>My name is Sufana Noorwez \u201924 and I am a 2022 Beckman Scholar working in the lab of Dr. Colin Echeverr\u00eda Aitken to study the molecular machinery responsible for translating genetic information into proteins. Specifically, I\u2019m studying eukaryotic initiation factor 3 (eIF3), and its role in mRNA recruitment by using a recombinantly reconstituted complex. The specific subunit functions of eIF3 are as yet unknown, and discovering more about this complex will allow exploration into its role in errant protein translation that can lead to a host of human diseases, including specific kinds of cancer, viral infection, and neurodegenerative diseases. I have previously worked in the lab of Dr. Eric Eberhardt at Vassar College, studying the chemical kinetics of the SARS-CoV-2 protease, as well as the lab of Dr. Ann Sheehy at the College of the Holy Cross, studying the protein APOBEC3G and its role in the viral infectivity factor of HIV. In the future, I plan to pursue an MD-PhD with specific emphasis on virology. Outside of the lab, I am a member of the Vassar women\u2019s golf team, an assistant opinions editor for the Miscellany News, and a member of Aircappella, Vassar\u2019s premier all-whistling acapella group.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The Role of Astrocytes in Memory<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Dariana Serrano '2<\/em>5 <em>and Lori Newman<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/offices.vassar.edu\/grants\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25\/2024\/05\/ISH_VassarCollege_DarianaSerrano-1-1024x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1985 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/offices.vassar.edu\/grants\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25\/2024\/05\/ISH_VassarCollege_DarianaSerrano-1-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/offices.vassar.edu\/grants\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25\/2024\/05\/ISH_VassarCollege_DarianaSerrano-1-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/offices.vassar.edu\/grants\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25\/2024\/05\/ISH_VassarCollege_DarianaSerrano-1-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/offices.vassar.edu\/grants\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25\/2024\/05\/ISH_VassarCollege_DarianaSerrano-1-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/offices.vassar.edu\/grants\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25\/2024\/05\/ISH_VassarCollege_DarianaSerrano-1-1536x1536.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/offices.vassar.edu\/grants\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25\/2024\/05\/ISH_VassarCollege_DarianaSerrano-1-2048x2048.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/offices.vassar.edu\/grants\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25\/2024\/05\/ISH_VassarCollege_DarianaSerrano-1-220x220.jpg 220w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p>My name is Dariana Serrano, class of \u201925, and my project in the Newman Lab focuses on understanding the role of astrocytes in memory. Astrocytes are star shaped cells in the brain that form the interface between the blood and the rest of the brain as part of the blood brain barrier. These cells bring resources into the brain from the blood and move waste out of the brain. My project focuses on activating these cells and then looking at how this affects a working memory task. Not only have I learned invaluable information regarding our research on astrocytes and memory and how it relates to the scientific literature as a whole, I have gained valuable practical skills that will translate to a career in medicine. In the future, I hope to achieve an MD\/PhD to study neurodegenerative diseases.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Meet our 2024-2025 Scholars Extinction of conditioned fear using a generalization stimulus Ahona Dam &#8217;27 and Hadley Bergstrom My name is Ahona Dam and I\u2019m extremely grateful to conduct research with Dr. Bergstrom through the Beckman scholarship. Through my research, I will explore emotional learning and memory in the brain. Exposure therapy is often used [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":33,"featured_media":0,"parent":1122,"menu_order":6,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-1956","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/offices.vassar.edu\/grants\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1956","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/offices.vassar.edu\/grants\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/offices.vassar.edu\/grants\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/offices.vassar.edu\/grants\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/33"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/offices.vassar.edu\/grants\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1956"}],"version-history":[{"count":25,"href":"https:\/\/offices.vassar.edu\/grants\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1956\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2006,"href":"https:\/\/offices.vassar.edu\/grants\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1956\/revisions\/2006"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/offices.vassar.edu\/grants\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1122"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/offices.vassar.edu\/grants\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1956"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}