SPOTLIGHT ON SUMMER RESEARCH

SPOTLIGHT ON SUMMER RESEARCH

BY EMILY GRAHAM '19

This summer I participated in a 10-week Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program at the Colorado School of Mines in Golden Colorado. Funded by the National Science Foundation, REU programs provide opportunities for undergraduate researchers at universities across the world. The program I participated in focused on developing polymers in the fields of chemistry and chemical engineering. I was assigned to the Boyes laboratory where I worked closely with a graduate student to complete a project during my time there.

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Never Fear: Talking Sex

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BY TEAGAN WEBB '19

Q: “The sex I’ve been having with my boyfriend is bad, but I really love him and he’s very self-conscious. He’s not selfish just bumbling and awkward in the bedroom. I want to be honest about what I want but I’ve been faking it convincingly for so long I’m worried he will catch on to my lie and feel betrayed. What should I do?”

Wildfires continue to ravage California

Wildfires continue to ravage California

BY CHEYENNE ELLIS '21

Over the past week, wildfires have devastated the grounds of Northern California, leaving at least 40 people dead and over 5,700 properties in ruins according to the Associated Press. The largest of the wildfires, referred to as the Atlas fire, has destroyed 50,383 acres of land alone and collectively, the 15 or more fires in the region have ravaged 220,000 acres of land according to the Los Angeles Times. 

Pre-pear to eat healthy at Mount Holyoke

Pre-pear to eat healthy at Mount Holyoke

BY SABRINA EDWARDS '20

As the new school year begins to take shape on campus, fundamental concerns about existing and future dining options at Mount Holyoke College are taking form as well. The question for Mount Holyoke students and community members remains how to stay healthy while managing rigorous study and extracurricular schedules.

ACA repeal fails, but attempts continue

BY CHEYENNE ELLIS '21

After previous attempts in July 2017 to repeal the Affordable Care Act, Senate Republicans attempted again on Monday, only to fail after three GOP Senators announced plans to vote against the “Graham-Cassidy” bill. However, plans to resurrect the repeal are already in motion, according to Politico. Although a deadline for reform has been set for Sept. 30, Republicans aim to avoid this by including health care reform and tax reform requirements in the 2018 fiscal year budget. As with past attempts at reform, the bill will most likely evenly distribute federal block grant funds and to transfer health care requirements from federal to state control.

SUMMER RESEARCHERS REPORT BACK: Victoria Yan ’19 shares experience at MD Anderson Cancer Center

SUMMER RESEARCHERS REPORT BACK: Victoria Yan ’19 shares experience at MD Anderson Cancer Center

BY SABRINA EDWARDS ’18

Q: Where did you do research this summer?

A: I was in Houston this summer doing research at MD Anderson Cancer Center, which is affiliated with the University of Texas. 

Q: What specifically were you researching?

A: So MD Anderson is obviously focused on cancer and eliminating cancer, so I was working on more of the chemical synthesis lab and chemical biology side of that area. I actually had two projects because we were initially assigned mentors and we didn’t really have a choice over who we were being assigned to.

Summer researchers report back: Yewon Lee ’19 forges ahead with protein mutation research

Summer researchers report back: Yewon Lee ’19 forges ahead with protein mutation research

BY SABRINA EDWARDS ’18

Q: Where did you do research this summer?

A: I was here at Mount Holyoke in Professor McMenimen’s lab.

Q: What was your project?

A: I was assigned a new project with my lab partner during the spring semester, but my lab partner had another internship so she wasn’t here for the summer, so I was alone in the lab. I created a TAG point mutation in the n-terminus region using PCR of a small heat shock protein, specifically HSP27. Traditionally, the translational machinery would stop translation at the stop codon, and produce a truncated version of the protein. In my research, I transformed an orthogonal translational machinery and with the addition of unnatural amino acids (UAA), we are hoping to see the machinery charge the UAA at the stop codon, and continue translating to produce a full length protein.  

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