Muhlenberg College

Danielle Kraes '21 conducted research in psychology at Muhlenberg College over the summer. Working with Kenneth Michniewicz, assistant professor of psychology, Kraes conducted research on the expectations of identity when associated with musical instruments. Gender biases are placed on those who violate these expectations negatively, such as women playing guitar. Kraes' research implies that someone viewed as an underdog is deemed more likable. The project will explore, through an experimental survey, whether or not underdog identity eliminates harsh evaluations when musicians violate expectations.

Jessica Deemer '21 conducted research in psychology at Muhlenberg College over the summer. Working with Psychology Professor Jeff Rudksi, Deemer aims to understand the stigma individuals have about using psychotropic medication for mental illness, especially depression. The research she is conducting will determine if individuals think one can still be their authentic, true self while using medication, or if they believe they are completely altered and no longer themselves.

Working with Alexandra Frazer, assistant professor of psychology, this summer, Jacob Lader '22 studied the psychology of perceiving visual art. The research involves the categorization of stimuli, pre-trial surveys, trials using an eye-tracker, and post-trial questionnaires. The analyzation and interpretation of data are aimed to better understand the experience of visual stimuli. Lader studies this phenomenon through abstract and representational art. "The visual arts, and how people both create and experience them, has always been interesting to me. Summer research allows me to explore my interest in-depth in a scholarly environment while preparing me for future research experiences."

Moira Ferrer '22 is conducting physics research this summer at Muhlenberg College. Working with Brett Fadem, associate professor of physics, Ferrer is designing, building and testing cosmic ray detectors. Cosmic rays are atom fragments that rain down on the earth's surface from outside the solar system and are commonly blamed for electronic problems in satellites and other machinery. Building a detector is a significant task as these rays move at the speed of light. Ferrer is working backward first, testing old cosmic ray detectors and troubleshooting ones that did not succeed. Then she'll work on building a system to detect the cosmic rays and coding a program to analyze the collected data.

Kristen Corless '20, an English and theatre double major, is conducting research at Muhlenberg College this summer. Working with Jill Stephen, professor of English, Corless studies how Dickinson used nature to explore immortality and death. Going through each of Dickinson's 1775 poems, Corless finds those discussing nature and organizes them into categories. She gives each a close read and tries to decipher Dickinson's code of the natural world, utilizing her extensive understanding of the poet's history and her own English theory. "Scholars have not given this particular subject enough attention and I hope to bring a new eye to it, uncovering new truths about Dickinson's poetry," she says.

Dario Lewczyk '20, a chemistry major, is conducting research at Muhlenberg College this summer. Working with Justin Sparks, assistant professor of chemistry, Lewczyk is working with the substances that are used by perfumers to slow down the evaporation of a fragrance to make it last longer.

Working with Thaddeus Robinson, associate professor of philosophy, Andrew Leahy '21 is conducting research this summer that aims to objectify some of the ways that writing can be enlisted as a tool for critical thought. He hopes to forge a closer connection between writing and critical thinking. Given the complexities that both entail, it is often difficult to realize their links - that writing can be enlisted as a tool for higher-level thought, and that critical thinking can be grounded in the tangible work of writing. Leahy's aim is to make these connections more accessible and approachable.

Jessica Sommer '21 is determining the distinctions between olfactory and visual cues when manipulating spaces around bumblebees.

Christopher Dasaro '20, a neuroscience major, conducted research at Muhlenberg this summer with Christine Ingersoll Fermier, professor of chemistry. He analyzed essential oils and their contents with an instrument called gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, or GC-MS.

Victoria Basciano '20, Alexander Goldberg '21, Mira-Belle Haddad '22 and Miranda Robinson '21 are conducting biochemistry research related to plant enzyme structures this summer through a grant from the National Science Foundation under the mentorship of Keri Colabroy, associate professor of chemistry.

Caitlin Segarra '21, a neuroscience major, conducts research at Muhlenberg College this summer.

Natalie Trachtman '20 is conducting research in biology this summer at Muhlenberg College.

Cole Geissler '21 is conducting research of climate change through plant phenology at Muhlenberg College this summer. Working with Rich Niesenbaum, professor of biology, Cole Geissler '21 is tracking seasonal plant changes in relation to climate data, allowing for a deeper understanding of the factors that impact plant growth.

Vanessa Pham '21 is conducting biological research at Muhlenberg College this summer. Working with Jordanna Sprayberry, associate professor of biology, Vanessa Pham '21 is dedicating her research to the health and safety of bumblebees, focusing on responses to their sensory cues such as vision and olfaction.

Iffat Imran '20, a biochemistry major with a math minor, is conducting research at Muhlenberg College this summer.

Thomas Barrett '19, a neuroscience and mathematics double major, conducted summer research at Muhlenberg College.

Patrick Sockler '19, a biology major and French & francophone studies minor, conducted research at Muhlenberg College last summer.

Jacob Metcalfe '21 conducted chemistry research at Muhlenberg College last summer.

Helen Ranieri-Cordes '21 works to digitize the archives of The Allentown Band.

Alison Bashford '20, Desiree Bsales '20, Jessica-Ann Golbitz '19 and Rebecca Shear '21 conducted neuroscience research on campus this summer.

Dana Kneisley '19, a neuroscience major, conducted summer research at Muhlenberg College.

Katarina Liberatore '19, a biology major, is conducting research at Muhlenberg College this summer.

William Baar '20 is conducting research with Eugene Fiorini, professor of mathematics, this summer at Muhlenberg College.

Stephen Koester '19 is conducting biology reseach at Muhlenberg this summer.

Alison Stouffer '20, Mary Baumel '20 and Emily Layden '20 are conducting biology research focused on climbing behavior of deer mice.

Brandon Eden '19 (L), Olivia Toner '20 and Troy Lovett '19 are conducting research this summer with Professor Sherri Young (R) at Muhlenberg College.

Marlee Siegel '21 is conducting research in chemistry at Muhlenberg College.

Lucas Blecker '19, a neuroscience major, is looking at both how and where flavonoid compounds bind, or 'attach', to the GABA-A receptor. The goal is to study possible alternatives to synthetic anxiety medications.

Kenan Tolaymat '19 is studying the prevalance of ticks in the region and their infection rates.

Patrick Kantner '20, a neuroscience major, is conducting research this summer at Muhlenberg College on how people view and interpret abstract and representational art.