Abstracts
Sponsor: Disha Shende
Sadeen Alsabbagh '24 | Amman, Jordan |
Majors: Computer Science; Data Science
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Prince Upadhyay 'XX | Unknown |
Major: undeclared
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In this project, we focus on gathering, managing, analyzing, and reporting job posting data specifically within the sustainability field, using Python as our primary tool. Our objective is to scrape job postings related to sustainability from a range of specialized job websites, employing web scraping libraries like BeautifulSoup and Scrapy to collect relevant data. Once obtained, we establish and maintain a relational database tailored to the sustainability sector, utilizing technologies such as SQLite or MySQL for efficient data storage and management.
With our sustainability-focused job data organized, we apply various processing and cleaning techniques to ensure the integrity and quality of the dataset. Through comprehensive exploratory data analysis (EDA) and statistical analysis, we aim to unearth significant trends, patterns, and insights pertinent to sustainability job markets, including emerging roles, required skills, geographical distribution, and industry sectors.
Our ultimate deliverable will be a detailed report documenting our methodology, key findings, and actionable insights derived from the analysis of sustainability job postings. By focusing on sustainability, this project will provide us with practical experience in navigating and understanding job opportunities within a critical field for addressing global environmental challenges.
Sponsor: Disha Shende
Julie Bach '26 | Vietnam |
Major: Quantitative Economics
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Charting Your Finance Career Path: A Study of Entry-Level Job Market
With a dynamic and multifaceted landscape of entry-level finance jobs, recent graduates face diverse opportunities in the industry. In this research, I delve into the trends, demands, and skills requirements that shape the early stages of a finance professional’s career with a focus on three critical sub-fields: Investment Banking, Corporate Finance, and Portfolio Management. By combining data analysis from job scraping, industry insights, and expert interviews, I aim to provide a holistic view of the opportunities awaiting fresh graduates.
Some key areas of exploration include job market trends with hiring patterns, salary expectations, and geographical preferences; skill profiles with essential competencies, certifications, and both technical and soft skills; and insider perspectives and advice from professionals in the industry that contribute to a successful candidate.
Sponsor: Tom Stojsavljevic
Maya Alexandria Betzler '25 | Walla Walla, Washington |
Majors: Mathematics; Business Economics
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A Statistical Analysis of Penalty Kicks in Soccer and Shot Velocity Optimization based on Shot Angle
This research explores the patterns of soccer penalty kicks. When the goal is broken down into nine sectors, the popularity of each sector when shooting can be numerated allowing goalkeepers to predict the shooter’s tendencies better. What was previously a sport with a lack of specific statistical analysis, this study intends to spark the beginning of an era in which soccer relies more heavily on numbers. The data is further broken down into left and right-footed shooters, so when a goalkeeper is trying to block a penalty kick, they can make an informed decision when choosing which side to dive towards. Notably, this study shows how foot preference does not provide a statistical advantage in success or failure.
I look at variables of success of the shot, the direction the goalie dove, on top of the foot it was kicked with. I looked at success rates, failure rates, save percentages, and missed penalty rates. In this statistical analysis, I found that sector 7 is the most popular amongst the shooters. I would advise goalkeepers to dive toward their right-handed side more than to their left as 36.2% of the total shots went here. Only one sector featured a 100% success rate.
Also included in the analysis is the optimization of the ball’s trajectory towards the goal based on shot angle. The paper explains the building of this equation based on the x- and y-components. The equations use components of the projectile motion equations to express the final velocity in terms of launch angle. I then go through the general steps of optimization: taking the first derivative, setting it equal to zero, and plugging the value back into the original equation. I discuss the validity of the critical values and conclude that the best shot occurs when the shot angle is zero.
Sponsor: Robin Zebrowski
Marianna Carus '24 | Ottawa, Illinois |
Majors: Cognitive Science; Psychology Minor: Philosophy
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Mental Imagery: Are the Lack of Visual and Auditory Imagery Associated?
In this presentation, I discuss aphantasia, the inability to form voluntary visual mental imagery, and anauralia, the inability to form voluntary auditory mental imagery. These types of mental imagery could include picturing someone’s face or replaying a previous memory visually in one’s head, or hearing one’s thoughts or playing music in one’s head without an external stimulus. Previous research has shown that those with aphantasia are more likely to have anauralia and vice versa.
To test these findings, I studied a sample of 50 adults from the United States who were fluent in English. Participants took the Vividness of Visual Imagery Questionnaire- Modified (VVIQ-M), the Bucknell Auditory Imagery Scale- Vividness (BAIS-V), and the Bucknell Auditory Imagery Scale- Control (BAIS-C) to determine the vividness and control that they had over their visual and auditory imagery. Using Pearson correlations, I share what I anticipated that the results would show and discuss what my findings mean.
Sponsor: Tom Stojsavljevic
Madeline Champeny-Johns '24 | Beloit, Wisconsin |
Majors: Mathematics; Data Science
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Enhancing Actuarial Models for Disability Risk: Addressing Overlooked Variables
This paper investigates the application of actuarial models in disability risk assessment, highlighting their inherent limitations and proposing enhancements to mitigate overlooked variables. Current models often neglect dynamic health conditions, socio-economic factors, and evolving medical treatments, adversely affecting the precision of disability risk predictions.
To address these gaps, this study integrates real-life disability data into the modeling process, aiming to provide a more realistic and accurate foundation for analysis. The proposed refinements use advanced statistical techniques and interdisciplinary collaboration to offer a more holistic perspective on disability risk. By incorporating empirical data, this research endeavors to empower actuaries and insurance professionals with improved decision-making tools, ultimately fostering a better understanding of the intricate landscape of disability insurance.
Sponsor: Mehmet Dik
Prof. Haruko Wainwright (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)
Vu Anh Le '25 | Hanoi, Vietnam |
Majors: Mathematics; Political Science
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Assessment of Radioisotopes in Water Samples from Nuclear Waste-infused Wells
Monitoring the treatment of radioactive waste around nuclear plants is an essential task, especially in the context of the difficulty in acquiring impartial information from government agencies and the limited evaluation resources available to the public. Addressing this need, my project introduces a cost-effective, spatially-oriented method for monitoring. It combines spatial data with water samples to track over time the presence of nuclear analytes, namely isotopes Iodine-129 and Strontium-90. The aim is to gain insights into the effectiveness of practices in diminishing radioactive waste concentrations and to provide predictive insights regarding the overall progress, based on time-series data.
The main tools utilized in this study are the Pylemn packages, developed by Dr. Wainwright’s lab for local watershed monitoring, and satellite imagery freely provided by NASA. The primary research sites include over 70 wells at the Savannah River Site F-Area. This site, managed by the Department of Energy, is a Superfund area known for discharging spent nuclear fuel.
Sponsor: Gregory Koutnik
Vu Anh Le '25 | Hanoi, Vietnam |
Majors: Mathematics; Political Science
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Supreme Court in Support of United States Environmental Federalism: Navigating through Constitutional Interpretations and Federal-State Relations
Despite professing adherence to established precedents, the rulings of the United States Supreme Court justices (SCOTUS) often reflect their ideological leanings and political orientations (1). The recent appointment of Associate Justice Barrett has significantly shifted the ideological balance of the Court, leading to a 6-3 division that predominantly supports originalist interpretations of the Constitution over approaches based on moderate or moral reasoning. Since the 1960s, SCOTUS has been pivotal in critically reassessing federal environmental initiatives, as exemplified by cases like West Virginia v. EPA. This shift occurs amid an increasing divide between state and federal levels within the national political framework, raising serious concerns about the impact of judicial activism on the enactment of crucial progressive legislation, particularly in the realm of environmental protection under federal oversight.
Through an in-depth analysis of prominent Supreme Court decisions, this study showcases the capacity of certain constitutional interpretation modes (2), especially living constitution, to reconcile constitutional principles with evolving social and environmental values, thereby contributing to the wider conversation on environmental justice and the judiciary’s role in environmental governance.
(1) Segal, JA; Spaeth HJ. “Models of Decision Making: The Attitudinal and Rational Choice Models.” In: The Supreme Court and the Attitudinal Model Revisited. Cambridge University Press; 2002:86-114. doi:10.1017/CBO9780511615696.004
(2) Murrill, B.J. (2018). Modes of Constitutional Interpretation. Congressional Research Service, R45219. https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/R/R45129
Sponsor: Olga Ogurtsova
Veeka Malanchuk '24 | Rome, Georgia |
Majors: Russian; Spanish; Education
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Window into Russia: How a Russian Novella Helped Me Find My Identity
This presentation focuses on the novella “Я есть, ты есть, он есть” by Viktoria Tokareva and its allusions and cultural references to the cultures and lifestyle of the Soviet Union. Tokareva’s exploration of themes like social inequality, ideological conformity, and the quest for personal freedom reflects the complex realities of Soviet existence, inviting readers to contemplate the nuances of life under authoritarian rule while also celebrating the resilience and humanity of its protagonists.
I explore the political, social and cultural setting of the novella and connect it to historically accurate events and movements in the Soviet Union and how they make up today’s Russian and post-soviet countries’ societies, while also drawing parallels between American history and culture. As a first-generation Russian American, I discuss the allusions and vivid descriptions of everyday scenes used throughout this novella, which opened a window for me into the life in the Soviet Union and Russia, capturing the essence of the Soviet life, portraying the challenges, aspirations, and contradictions inherent in that society. This allowed me to learn more about my heritage and identity as well as understand the experiences and perspectives of my paternal family and connect with them.
Sponsor: Disha Shende
Shaira Manandhar '26 | Kathmandu, Nepal |
Majors: Data Science; Business Management
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Katie Phan '26 | Hanoi, Vietnam |
Major: Quantitative Economics Minor: Chinese
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Scraping and Analyzing Data on Entry-level Media Jobs: a Market Research Project
In the vibrant and complex field of media jobs, recent graduates are presented with a broad spectrum of entry-level career opportunities. This study delves into the shifting trends, requirements, and competencies that shape the early career paths of individuals in the media field, with a special focus on three key sub-disciplines: media production, digital marketing, and content creation. Utilizing job market analytics, industry insights, and conversations with experienced professionals, this research aims to provide an in-depth exploration of the opportunities accessible to new graduates.
The study emphasizes trends in the media employment landscape, including patterns in hiring, anticipated salary ranges, and preferred geographic locations; profiles of skills, outlining essential capabilities, qualifications, and a blend of technical and soft skills; and guidance and perspectives from veteran media experts on what constitutes an ideal candidate.
Sponsor: Tamara Ketabgian
Niana Rooney '25 | Brooksville, Maine |
Majors: Creative Writing; Studio Art
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"Marli’s Typist": Infectious Creativity Inspired by Dracula (Dracupanel)
"Marli’s Typist" is one of several projects forming the "Dracupanel"--a panel of creative student work inspired by Bram Stoker’s Dracula and completed for Tamara Ketabgian’s "Vampires and Victorians" literary studies class in the fall of 2023. My project is based on research on the novel’s queer undertones, as well as technologies such as diaries and typewriters. In "Marli’s Typist," I swapped the gender identities of the two main characters in the book’s first few chapters (they were men) and leaned heavily into its subtext of same-sex desire. I also adapted Stoker’s journal-entry style of writing in order to portray my characters in a much more feminist light. In this panel, I will read a portion of my creative work and discuss the key aspects of Dracula that I researched. At the end there will be a few minutes for questions and conversation!
Sponsor: Disha Shende
MukhammadAli Shavkatov '26 | Andijan, Uzbekistan |
Major: Quantitative Economics
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Julie Bach '26 | Ba Ria-Vung Tau, Vietnam |
Major: Quantitative Economics
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Charting Your Finance Career Path: A Study of Entry-Level Job Market
With a dynamic and multifaceted landscape of entry-level finance jobs, recent graduates face diverse opportunities in the industry. In this research, we delve into the trends, demands, and skills requirements that shape the early stages of a finance professional’s career with a focus on three critical sub-fields: investment banking, corporate finance, and portfolio management. By combining data analysis from job scraping, industry insights, and expert interviews, we aim to provide a holistic view of the opportunities awaiting fresh graduates.
Some key areas of exploration include job market trends with hiring patterns, salary expectations, and geographical preferences; skill profiles with essential competencies, certifications, and both technical and soft skills; and insider perspectives and advice from professionals in the industry that contribute to a successful candidate.
Sponsor: Matthew Tedesco
Grayson Thobe '24 | Crystal Lake, Illinois |
Majors: Philosophy; Creative Writing
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Humility as a Memory of Shame
Repentance rituals are put in place to teach us humility, but if learning it does not heal the rifts that conflict caused, what is it good for? Humility may be an admirable virtue to strive for, but there are less savory aspects that accompany it, especially within religious forms of remorse and forgiveness: shame and even self-hatred. Becoming humble may always involve internalizing shame, but the way we are taught how to do that can either lead to greater cohesion or deeper distrust within our communities. Humility is a loaded concept, and this presentation will start to unpack its many facets.