Architecture
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Elucidating the Neural Mechanisms of Dopamine and Drugs of Abuse on Anxiety Using Dlight1 Sensors, VR, and 2-Photon Microscopy in Mice
Authors: Daniel Luke Isemonger, Jacob Cecil, Noah Moffat, Nathaniel Horne, Jordan Yorgason. Mentors: Jordan Yorgason. Insitution: Brigham Young University. Anxiety disorders are increasingly prevalent, and can be exacerbated by drug use, which can contribute to further drug seeking behavior. The underlying neural mechanisms of this relationship are not fully understood, but dopamine transmission is thought to play a key role. The goal of this project is to develop innovative tools to elucidate the role of dopamine and drugs of abuse on anxiety-like behavior and its relation to drug seeking in mice. Specifically, dopamine sensors and 2-photon microscopy via implanted endoscopic lenses, will be used to image dopamine dynamics in the NAcc of behaving mice while they are engaging in a virtual environment (VR) mimicking drug exposure and stress conditions. Using the simulation, mice are exposed to fearful stimuli, which will be related to behavioral responses (movement distance, speed, direction) and extracellular release events. By combining these techniques, we will be able to gain a deeper understanding of how dopamine terminal signaling contributes to drug seeking. This research has the potential to shed new light on the neural relationship between drugs of abuse and anxiety. This could help to inform the development of novel drugs and treatments for this disorder.
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LAB Diet Preference
Authors: Andrew Call. Mentors: John Chaston. Insitution: Brigham Young University. The main goal for this project is to confirm previous predictions of specific genes that may influence flies’ dietary preference to consume lactic acid bacteria (LAB). The preference of LAB is a normal phenotype that flies have, because the bacteria is essential for their gut microbiota. A previous genome-wide association study (GWAS) by another student in my mentor’s lab predicted genes that lead flies to prefer to consume diets that have live LAB. This genetically determined fly phenotype was measured by calculating the frequency and number of times the flies would choose the LAB inoculated diet over a control diet. My role will be to test if 7 genes have the influence predicted by this previous analysis. The experiment will follow close with the one previously performed by the student who predicted the genes I’m testing. I’ll be using a flyPAD which has a small arena (cage) that will hold one fly. Inside that arena are 2 wells that contain food. These wells have sensors attached to them, so each time the fly takes a sip of food, an electronic signal will be sent to a computer that keeps track of the number of sips from each well, the duration of each sip taken and time in between each sip and graph all the results taken for comparison between a control group and the test groups. I will starve 48 female mutant drosophila melanogaster for 3 hours prior to the experiment and then place them inside the flyPAD where I have previously placed 1 μl of 1:1 yeast-glucose diets in each well, however I will inoculate 0.05 μl of LAB in one of the diets. I will track each sip the flies take from each of the two foods for 1 hour. To measure accurately, there will be 2 controls also being tested. I will use flies that do not contain the genetic mutation and I will also have control arenas where both food wells do not contain LAB.I expect that any mutant that has a reduced preference for LAB-inoculated diet relative to the control diet represents a validated prediction of the previous study. In some cases, there may be no variation in preference for the control or LAB-inoculated diet, indicating a gene that does not contribute to fly preference for LAB in the diet. If none of the mutants tested validate the genome-wide association predictions, I will go back to the gene list and select one additional subset of genes to test if these influence the genetic prediction. We previously focused on genes that had multiple hits in the previous experiment, regardless of how significant the predictions were. In this second round, I will simply select the ten most significant remaining genes. Overall, this project will help confirm the previously selected genes with their association with a diet preference of lactic acid bacteria, improving the gut microbiota of Drosophila melanogaster.
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Achievement Goals and Burnout in Pre-Health Profession Undergraduate Students
Authors: Hunter Nelson. Mentors: Jamie Jensen. Insitution: Brigham Young University. Burnout is a mental condition resulting from prolonged stress in work or school. The Healthcare workforce experiences burnout much more than other career fields and many students in undergraduate STEM are pursuing a career in this field. The Pre-Health degree is one of the most competitive and demanding majors in STEM and we expect there to be high levels of burnout amongst these students. Our purpose was to gather and analyze data on the goals and burnout of pre-health care undergraduate students. We used surveys to collect data from students ranging from Freshmen to Seniors. The survey asked students questions regarding their goal motivations and feelings of burnout. Our results display a correlation between mastery-avoidance and experiencing burnout. By understanding these relationships, we can better help pre-health students avoid burnout.
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Effect of food depth on microbiome of Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Rebecca Kreutz. Mentors: John Chaston. Insitution: Brigham Young University. Previous studies of the relationship between Drosophila melanogaster and its microbiome have shown that the bacteria in fruit flies can have a large effect on life history strategy. Higher proportions of Acetobacter, a genus of aerobic bacteria, correlate with faster development to reproductive maturity and higher, earlier fecundity. Greater proportions of Lactobacillus, a genus of anaerobic bacteria, correlate with lower initial reproduction but longer lifespan and maintenance of somatic cells. Despite this, the determinants of a Drosophila’s microbiome are still not well understood. This study will explore the relationship between the depth of the food that flies mature in and the proportion of anaerobic bacteria found in the flies. To test this, I will prepare vials with varying amounts of food, place fly eggs in them, inoculate them with a mixture of Acetobacter and Lactobacillus, homogenize the flies that mature, and compare the proportions of bacteria across the different food depths. Greater food depth will mimic food that is more rotten, because as fruit rots it becomes softer and the fly larvae are able to burrow deeper. As the flies gain greater access to the inside of the fruit, there may be an increase in the proportion of anaerobic bacteria in the fly’s gut, due to the reduced access of the bacteria to the air. Because different food depths can simulate different fruit ages, this study may be able to establish a relationship between the season the flies mature and their microbiome.
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A Passion for Regression: The Psychology of Hume’s Skepticism at THN 1.4.1
Authors: Brandon Ascione. Mentors: Katie Paxman. Insitution: Brigham Young University. T 1.4.1 contains what appears to be a skeptical regressive argument that ultimately leads to a complete loss of belief. Yet, Hume claims that neither he nor anyone else is compelled by this argument because like breathing, it is the nature of humans to form beliefs. Thus, it becomes challenging to understand why anyone would engage in such a skeptical thought process from the start. Drawing on Peter Millican’s critique of this iterating skepticism and Donald Ainslie’s interpretive work on T 1.4.1, it becomes clear that there is disagreement over what Hume’s intended purposes for T 1.4.1 might be. This paper argues that T 1.4.1 is an account of the psychology of a particular kind of skeptical disposition. Hume’s work on the passions can account and explain the psychology of the skeptic with this skeptical disposition. By taking a more holistic analysis of passages from Books 1 and 2 of the Treatise and citing Margaret Watkins’ conception of delicacy of passion, a compelling case is made that Hume’s own skeptical crisis from T 1.4.7 was motivated by such a skeptical disposition that was driven by the passion of fear.
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“Utah Women in Medicine,” pioneering physicians
Authors: Maddie Reese, Meg Boren, Emma Sellers, Sheri Tesseyman. Mentors: Sheri Tesseyman. Insitution: Brigham Young University. Maddie Reese, Meg Boren, Emma Sellers, Sheri Tesseyman “Utah Women in Medicine,” pioneering physicians Introduction Utah leaders made efforts to promote female physicians early in its establishment. In a newly flourishing territory, men needed to work the land, hence the push for women to become physicians. The purpose of this research was to understand the significance of Utah women in medicine and their role in shaping the development of nursing practice. Methods This study draws on secondary material about women physicians in early Utah, American medical and nursing education, Utah history, and nursing and healthcare among Latter-Day Saint women. The results of the study are based on historical analysis of primary materials including 19th-century periodicals published in Utah including the Women’s Exponent and the Relief Society Magazine, personal papers, and memoirs. Outcomes and implications The pioneering contributions of early Utah women in medicine, including Romania B. Pratt Penrose and Ellis Reynolds Shipp, had profound implications. They established medical practices and educational programs, training numerous women in nursing and midwifery. Their work contributed to elevating the status of medicine and midwifery in Utah. Moreover, their collaboration resulted in the creation of the groundbreaking "Deseret Hospital" in 1882, accommodating patients and serving as a training center for midwives and nurses. Their enduring legacy lies in their commitment to education, innovation, and compassionate care, shaping the healthcare landscape in Utah.
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Autism Friendly Healthcare: Improving Patient Care for Individuals with Autism through an Evidence-Based Educational Video
Authors: Gaby Sutton Clark, Emily Santillán, Katreena Merrill. Mentors: Katreena Merrill. Insitution: Brigham Young University. Background: In the United States, an estimated 1 in 36 children has autism spectrum disorder (ASD). While public knowledge of people with ASD has been increasing, many areas of society still need to improve to accommodate people with ASD. People with ASD have high healthcare utilization rates but often experience challenges receiving adequate care, leading to gaps in patient care, increased emergency room visits, and hospital admissions. Adjustments to primary care for patients with ASD are essential to decreasing these concerning trends. Thus, ambulatory care providers have a key role in these improvements. This project will, therefore, focus on improving the self-efficacy of ambulatory care nurse practitioners in the state of Utah in caring for patients with ASD. The purpose of this project is to develop an evidence-based educational video on how to identify and make accommodations to facilitate the care of patients with ASD and evaluate the effectiveness of the video.Methods: The project team includes graduate student Emily Santillan, faculty chair Dr. Katreena Merrill, committee members Dr. Terisa Gabrielson and Dr. Petr Ruda, and undergraduate student Gabby Sutton. The team consulted together and developed an evidence-based script for an educational video. Based on the script and working with the team, the video will be produced by BYU Media Services. Once the video is produced, the team will embed it into a Qualtrics survey that includes pre- and post-intervention surveys. The pre-survey will include basic demographic questions and the “AASPIRE Adult Autism Provider Self-Efficacy Scale” to measure provider self-efficacy in caring for patients with Autism. The post-survey will include the same self-efficacy scale to measure any changes, as well as feedback questions on the video itself. The results and feedback will be used in a future project to disseminate the video further.Results: This project is still in process, and no results have been obtained.Implications for Nursing: Nurses in every specialty will encounter Autistic patients. Being familiar with strategies to improve their nurse-patient interactions will help nurses deliver excellent care to potentially vulnerable patients.Conclusion: While the project has not been completed, we plan on using the results to improve the educational video and pursue more widespread implementation.
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Divine Encounters and Phenomenological Christology: A Comparative Analysis of Theophanies in Ether 3 and Exodus 3
Authors: Lincoln Whitney. Mentors: Jordan Watkins. Insitution: Brigham Young University. This paper delves into the profound theophanic encounter presented in Ether 3 of the Book of Mormon, offering a comprehensive analysis of this divine revelation. Through a rigorous examination of the Hebrew Bible, I draw parallels between Ether 3 and the theophany in Exodus 3, shedding light on the striking similarities and divergences between the two narratives. The study employs a multidisciplinary approach, blending textual analysis, historical context, and theological interpretation, to provide a nuanced understanding of these encounters.One of the central arguments put forth in this paper is the proposition of a phenomenological reading of Book of Mormon Christology, particularly as it relates to the theophany in Ether 3. By employing a phenomenological framework, I aim to uncover the lived experiences of those involved in these divine encounters, emphasizing the significance of human subjectivity in the interpretation of such transcendent events. This approach not only enriches our understanding of the theological content in the Book of Mormon but also invites a more profound engagement with the text and its implications for contemporary religious thought.The paper concludes by highlighting the enduring relevance of theophanies in scriptural narratives and underscores the significance of adopting a phenomenological lens when studying religious texts. By examining the theophanies in Ether 3 and Exodus 3 through this unique perspective, I hope to contribute to a deeper appreciation of divine encounters and the development of Christology within the Book of Mormon tradition.
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Integrating Longitudinal Peer-tutoring in University Composition Classes for Multilingual Students
Authors: Luke Beckstrand. Mentors: Tyler Gardner. Insitution: Brigham Young University. (47 word abstract)With their diverse range of writing-related needs and goals, multilingual students in a university writing classroom can benefit from consistent, one-on-one support from a trained peer tutor. In this presentation, I share my experiences as an embedded peer tutor in a first-year composition class for multilingual writers.(214 word abstract)There has been a recent explosion of research surrounding writing centers' relationships with the many multilingual students they serve. This research has led to the development of new resources for multilingual writers within the writing center context, including longitudinal peer-tutoring, that have yielded significant and positive results. However, much less research has taken place surrounding multilingual writers’ experiences within a composition classroom. Throughout a semester embedded as a tutor inside of two first-year multilingual composition courses, I was able to gather research and test possible applications of longitudinal peer-tutoring inside the classroom. Multilingual students need, and desperately want, writing help in all contexts. Many multilingual students flock to writing centers, who are more than happy to help, but the majority of multilingual students’ experiences with university writing continue to take place solely within the classroom. There are also many multilingual students who don’t have access to writing centers, and others that do, but don’t have sufficient time to dedicate to visiting it frequently. My research indicates that a single peer-tutor embedded within the classroom can overcome many of these obstacles and give these students the help that they desire through a similar longitudinal peer-tutoring relationship that has been achieved at some writing centers.Keywords: Writing Center, Multilingual Tutoring, Longitudinal Peer-tutoring, Classroom Applications, One-off Sessions,
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Advancing Mycotoxin Detection: Multivariate Rapid Analysis on Corn Using Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS)
Authors: Allison Gabbitas, Kaitlyn Allen, Gene Ahlborn, Shintaro Pang. Mentors: Shintaro Pang. Insitution: Brigham Young University. Mycotoxin contamination on food and feed can have deleterious effect on human and animal health. Agricultural crops may contain one or more mycotoxin compounds; therefore, a good multiplex detection method is desirable to ensure food safety. In this study, we developed a rapid method using label-free surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) to simultaneously detect three common types of mycotoxins found on corn, namely aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), zearalenone (ZEN), and ochratoxin A (OTA). The intrinsic chemical fingerprint from each mycotoxin was characterized by their unique Raman spectra, enabling clear discrimination between them. The limit of detection (LOD) of AFB1, ZEN, and OTA on corn were 10 ppb (32 nM), 20 ppb (64 nM), and 100 ppb (248 nM), respectively. Multivariate statistical analysis was used to predict concentrations of AFB1, ZEN, and OTA up to 1.5 ppm (4.8 µM) based on the SERS spectra of known concentrations, resulting in a correlation coefficient of 0.74, 0.89, and 0.72, respectively. The sampling time was less than 30 min per sample. The application of label-free SERS and multivariate analysis is a promising method for rapid and simultaneous detection of mycotoxins in corn and may be extended to other types of mycotoxins and crops.
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The effect of grass species and soil types on early successional forb species
Authors: Raechel Hunsaker, Matthew Madsen, Mallory Hinton, Derek Tilley, April Hulet. Mentors: April Hulet. Insitution: Brigham Young University. Many early successional plant species have been considered weeds because of their lack of forage value for livestock. However, early successional plant species have the potential to aid rangeland restoration by providing food sources for pollinators, modifying soil in preparation for climax plant communities, and competing against invasive species. To determine which early colonizing species have the greatest restoration potential, interspecific competitive interactions should be evaluated. Our research objective was to evaluate the competitive abilities of two native pioneer forb species, curlycup gumweed (Grindelia squarrosa) and prairie aster (Machaeranthera tanacetifolia), against three common rangeland grasses including 1) native early successional species, bottlebrush squirreltail (Elymus elymoides), 2) invasive colonizing species, cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum), and 3) climax community species, bluebunch wheatgrass (Pseudoroegneria spicata). Treatments included each of the three grass species seeded at high and low densities with curlycup gumweed or prairie aster in two soils (mine tailings and disturbed rangeland) in a greenhouse. After being cultivated for 54 days, above-ground biomass for both forbs were not significantly different when seeded alone, or with high and low densities of grasses in the mine tailings soil (p ≥ 0.05). However, in soil from the disturbed rangeland, forb biomass differed. When planted alone, curlycup gumweed and prairie aster biomass was on average 2.5- and 3-fold greater than when planted with high and low densities of squirreltail and cheatgrass (p ≤ 0.05). Both forbs had significantly lower biomass when planted with a high density of bluebunch (p ≤ 0.05), however, when planted with a low density of bluebunch, biomass was not significantly different than when planted alone (p ≥ 0.05). Results indicate that high densities of squirreltail, cheatgrass, and bluebunch inhibit curlycup gumweed and prairie aster growth on disturbed rangeland soil, and that interspecific competition may be a barrier to the successful establishment of early successional forbs.
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Phylogeny of Hetaerina (Odonata: Calopterygidae): Settling taxonomic issues
Authors: Reganne Leigh Hales, Laura Sutherland, Melissa Sanchez Herrera, Samantha Standring. Mentors: Seth Bybee. Insitution: Brigham Young University. We explore the phylogeny of Hetaeriinae using a targeted enrichment approach (AHE) on gDNA gathered largely from museums. AHE resulted in 20KB (18.5KB of nuclear and 1.5 of mitochondrial DNA) for each taxon. Previous research, based on sanger data generated from three genes, demonstrated that Hetaerina Hagen in Selys, 1853 is not monophyletic but no taxonomic changes were proposed due to the hope of one day having more data. Our goal for this research was to have a larger dataset to test the monophyly of Hetaerina and update the classification. Our results confirm those of the most recent phylogeny of Hetaerina: the genus is non-monophyletic. We recover Mnesarete Cowley 1934 and Ormenophlebia Garrison 2006 within Hetaerina. We have preliminary data (results not shown) demonstrating that both Iridictyon Needham & Fisher 1940 and Bryoplathanon Garrison 2006 are also within Hetaerina. However, due the placement of these genera there is not a clear way to retain these genera and it is likely they will need to be placed within Hetearina due to priority. We further explore the evolution of some characters associated with habitat preference.
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Estrous cycle-dependent modulation of psychostimulant effects on striatal neurotransmitter release
Authors: Lauren Ford, Joel Woolley, Ryan Powers, Paulina Medellin, Hillary Wadsworth, Jordan Yorgason. Mentors: Jordan Yorgason. Insitution: Brigham Young University. Women prescribed psychostimulants have self-reported changes in drug efficacy that coincide with menstrual cycling. Furthermore, cocaine and amphetamine effects on dopamine (DA) transmission are more potent in female rodents, an effect that has been linked to cycling hormone levels. However, it is unknown if changes to DA transmission vary by specific psychostimulant, and striatal DA transmission has not yet been well characterized across the estrous cycle. The present study considers dopamine release and reuptake kinetics across various stages of the estrous cycle in the nucleus accumbens (NAc), a key region for dopamine-mediated learning. The effects of cocaine, methamphetamine, and methylphenidate on female dopamine transmission are examined using slice voltammetry. Our data shows that compared to a male control group, baseline (pre-drug) dopamine release in the NAc was lower in females overall, but not at all estrous stages. Applying increasing concentrations of cocaine or methylphenidate revealed similar patterns of enhanced, then diminished release in all mice. Methamphetamine decreased NAc dopamine release similarly in both males and females, but females in estrus were more affected than males, and those in met/diestrus less. Methamphetamine also slowed dopamine uptake in all mice, and at lower concentrations than cocaine or methylphenidate. We find minimal sex differences between cocaine and methylphenidate effects in the NAc, suggesting that the underlying cause of their observed behavioral sex differences may be specific to other striatal regions. On the other hand, methamphetamine-induced DA release fluctuates distinctly with the estrous cycle and peaks when estrogen levels are at their highest, indicating that estrogen and methamphetamine mechanisms share a target in NAc DA terminals that cocaine and methylphenidate do not. This work refines our understanding of DA transmission in females and indicates potential future directions for understanding female psychostimulant abuse.
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Eigenvalue Finders using Complete Equitable Partitions
Authors: Peter Seely, Joseph Henderson, Benjamin Webb. Mentors: Benjamin Webb. Insitution: Brigham Young University. A longstanding result in spectral graph theory is that some of the eigenvalues of a network can be obtained by identifying equitable partitions within the graph's structure. We have discovered that the remaining eigenvalues can be recovered using theoretical constructs which we call Local Equitable Partitions (LEPs). We have developed a procedure to find LEPs in a way that allows us to efficiently compute a graph's spectrum using this theory. Our procedure finds LEPs by identifying patterns in the coarsest equitable partition of a graph. We utilize these LEPs in a novel algorithm for computing the spectrum of a graph. Under certain mild assumptions on the equitable partition, we can find eigenvalues of a graph faster using this method when compared to the standard method. This is potentially useful as many real-world data sets have nontrivial equitable partitions.
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Exploring Methods to Characterize Seizure-like Activity in Mouse Brains
Authors: Benjamin D Kearsley, Jacob H Norby, Micah R Shepherd, R Ryley Parrish. Mentors: Micah R Shepherd. Insitution: Brigham Young University. Status epilepticus (SE) is a seizure which lasts more than five minutes and requires time sensitive treatment to prevent brain damage and even death. Thus, it is crucial to understand and predict the brain signal patterns preempting SE. Previous research into seizure monitoring techniques in humans suggests that seizure occurrence follows non-random patterns, and that big data and machine learning may be key in discovering detection and prediction models for SE events. This provides a promising foundation for our investigation into a prediction algorithm for SE using data-driven methods.Using a state-of-the-art Multiple Electrode Array (MEA) recording device, high-resolution signals have been recorded that demonstrate the voltage that occurs within mice brain cells during SE. In this study, voltage traces from these brain cells are being examined to identify predictors and indicators of SE events in the brain. Signal processing techniques, such as digital filtering, spectral analysis via spectrograms, and wavelet transforms, are being investigated to analyze these signals and compare them to brain signals exhibiting normal activity. Statistical methods surrounding the first through fourth moments, as well as clustering algorithms may also be used to classify and study the signals.
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Complete Equitable Partitions
Authors: Joseph Henderson, Peter Seely, Benjamin Webb. Insitution: Brigham Young University. A classical result in spectral graph theory states that if a graph has an equitable partition then the eigenvalues of the associated divisor graph are a subset of the original graph’s eigenvalues. A natural question is whether it is possible to recover the remaining eigenvalues of the graph using this method of creating divisor graphs. We show that any weighted undirected graph can be decomposed into a number of subgraphs each with a nontrivial equitable partition whose collective spectra contain the remaining eigenvalues. We call these constructs Local Equitable Partitions (LEPs). We have developed an algorithm that leverages this result to compute LEPs and calculate the remaining eigenvalues of the original graph from them. This is potentially useful as many real-world data sets have a nontrivial equitable partition. To show the potential performance advantage of our algorithm over traditional methods, we present an ideal graph for which our algorithm performs optimally. Using a speed test, we demonstrate the improved temporal complexity of our method on the ideal graph.
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Asian Representation Within Theatre: Journey Through the Past and the Representation of the Present
Authors: Joseph Stahle. Mentors: Jeb Branin. Insitution: Southern Utah University. Asian theatre has been a significantly ever-present force for millenniums from countries such as China, Japan, Thailand, and more. However, as modernization and globalization have come to the forefront, we have seen a decline in traditional theatrical practices. This begs the question of why these shows have seen a decline, and it also brings up the potential need for more positive representation in contemporary performance studies. This project seeks to view the historical context of Asian theatre from Noh and Peking opera to modern shows like “Miss Saigon”, “The King and I”, and “The Mikado”. Additionally, it explores the lack of Asiatic representation in our modern theatrical society. Through traditional research methods, further understanding will be gained about Asian theatrical practices such as Noh, Kabuki, Peking opera, and shadow puppetry. Most importantly the use of critical approaches such as cultural studies, feminist criticism, and historical criticism, will reveal the lack of non-stereotypical representation of Asians within modern theatre. A key portion of the research will be conducted through personal interviews with Asian Studies and Asian Theatre professors. Leo Shingchi Yip, an associate professor of Japanese studies at the University of Gettysburg, spoke about the misrepresentation of Chinese people during medieval Japan. Yip states, “The portrayals of the Chinese characters featured in these [Noh] ‘Chinese plays’ do not necessarily remain faithful to their Chinese origins. Attuning to the audience’s tastes, expectations, and knowledge was a key factor in shaping [Noh] into an artistic institution, which in turn determined the making and staging of ‘Chinese plays’ in medieval Japan.” This quote discusses how ancient Japan would adapt to the audience’s wants and wishes within their Noh performances. In present times, we do the same thing on Broadway and in local productions to best please our target demographic. If this selective representation was present during medieval Japan, then what is the expected outcome of change over time?In most cases, if something is not termed as insensitive then it likely does not change. When looking at Broadway today, a vast majority of Asian interpretation falls under stereotypes and a minority of the cast’s proportions. Additionally, the presentation of women within the theatre is severely lacking; also, most modern Asiatic heroines fall under the depressive, suicidal, and manipulative Asian women stereotype. The key goal of this presentation is to reveal the inequality and lack of positive Asian depictions in contemporary theatrics. The audience will learn about Asian historical productions as previously mentioned. This presentation forces them to look at their own biases and face the lack of representation within their own local communities as well. The audience’s understanding will blossom and see the harmful portrayals of Asians and seek to create a new hopeful future for all who want to participate in theatre. This hope provides equality for all regardless of skin color, body size, and gender identity.
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Implementation of Culturally Relevant Teaching in Private Studios
Authors: Aullora Fekete. Mentors: Karen Jensen. Insitution: Brigham Young University. Implementation of culturally relevant teaching in universities and public schools has increased, but private studios, outnumbering both higher education and public school dance programs, are not keeping pace. Business owners are caught between competing demands making it difficult to invest in professional development programs for their instructors(Risner 2010). This perpetuates implicit bias teaching as instructors fall back on how they were taught in studios based in eurocentered evaluation and ideals furthering the divide for who has accessibility to dance and which dance forms are taught.The following research addresses possible ways private studios can have more access to and receive training for more culturally relevant teaching. Conversation explores how studio vision and clientele demands can be taken into account to create a more inclusive dance culture and the types of training resources already offered along with how they might be implemented. By having an inclusive approach, studio dancers also continue the culturally relevant teaching they received as future dance educators to contribute to a greater dance culture of uplifting and including the marginalized. Citation:Doug Risner Ph.D. M. F. A. (2010) Dance Education Matters: Rebuilding Postsecondary DanceEducation for Twenty-First Century Relevance and Resonance, Journal of Dance Education, 10:4, 95-110, DOI:10.1080/15290824.2010.529761
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