Oberlin College Science Magazine
Feb 17, 2012
New methods are being explored for synthesizing samples of the cis,cis and trans,trans isomers of 1,4-difluorobutadiene-1-d1. New methods depend on exchanging bromoethylene with basic D2O to give its 1-d1 isotopic species, a new process that has been confirmed, and finding a way to convert this material into fluoroethylene-1-d1. The analysis of rotational...
Feb 17, 2012
My research focuses on the neurological underpinnings of human decision-making through an EEG and computational modeling analysis. Specifically, I am looking at activity in the fronto-central midline electrodes (Anterior Cingulate Cortex, Orbito-frontal Cortex) while participants make predictions in a computerized task. This work has implications for cheap and...
Feb 17, 2012
Schizophrenia is a severe mental illness characterized by a constellation of symptoms. While a number of effective treatments for schizophrenia have been discovered, they only target the disease’s positive symptoms (e.g. hallucinations and delusions) and negative symptoms (e.g. flat affect). Even the newest commercially available antipsychotics are unable...
Feb 17, 2012
The mammalian limbic system is a group of brain structures involved in memory formation and emotion processing. The amygdala, a component of this system, coordinates stress responses. The amygdala can be split into three main divisions: the basolateral (BLA), medial (MeA), and central (CeA) nuclei. Although these divisions are seen across tetrapods, researchers...
Feb 17, 2012
Jay Mejia is a senior Neuroscience major hailing from Texas. When he is not performing ovariectomies on rats or tackling someone on the rugby field, he can usually be found in the Love Lounge with a gang of fellow brain-enthusiasts. If you have ever had the opportunity to speak with him you will notice that he has an unusual obsession with bipolar disorder....
Feb 17, 2012
Mike Rauscher, lovingly AKA Mike on a Bike, is an old friend and recent Biology-Neuroscience-Philosophy triple-major graduate from Oberlin College. He and I have long shared an affinity for space travel and Cold War-era nuclear technology. His Mountain Dew-fueled sagacity is on tap nearly 24/7, and is a prized resource I consult only when trying to...
Feb 17, 2012
Since joining Oberlin College in 1986, Professor Yolanda Cruz has taught a number of biology and health related courses. Her current teaching assignments include a first year seminar, a health careers practicum, Intro Biology, Developmental Biology, and Epigenetics. Her main area of research focuses on marsupial reproduction and development. I would like to...
Feb 17, 2012
Humans are social beings. We are innately responsive to those around us. Even infants turn their heads towards the sound of a human voice. Early in life, children begin to interact with other children outside the family; these new friendships are less intimate and safe than relationships at home, but they are essential for social development. Familial ties...