v2

THE ONE AND ONLY STEM MAGAZINE AT UCONN
ISSUE 2
2017 - 2018
Out of This World
Learn about the vastness of our universe
Academic Enhancers
Looking into the path of modern students
Cyrano
Combining smell with sound
Halotherapy
Being Salty Has
Health Benefits

A ship in port is safe,
but that is not what
ships are for.
Sail out to sea and do new things.
- Grace Hopper -

Dear Readers,
It is our pleasure to welcome and share with you our conversations
within the domains of science, technology, engineering, math, and many other
subjects that will induce your curiosity, creativity, and innovation. We are
thrilled to introduce you to a world filled with wonder, awe, and excitement
that can be understood and read by anyone, no matter where your interests
may lie!
Two years ago, we met as five passionate students with a similar goal
to share the art and phenomenon that the STEM fields have to offer. Our
shared goal became an idea. This idea then transformed into the media platform
that you hold in your hands today: STEMTalk Magazine. Finally, our goal
became a mission: to expose and inform UConn students and faculty of news,
opinions, research, and opportunities within STEM. STEMTalk serves as not
only a place to discuss the STEM fields, but also as an opportunity to display
the outstanding artistic and journalistic talents of the UConn community.
We would like to extend our appreciation to our entire staff for making
this vision a reality. Without the encouraging advice, hard work, and constructive
criticism our members, this magazine would not be what it is today.
We would like to thank our head graphic designer, Shemona Singh, for her
beautiful work in taking words and transforming it into an art. We hope that
this magazine leaves a legacy, begins conversations, and continues for many
generations to come.
To our readers, we hope that the content of our magazine invites you
to think beyond what is taught in your courses, ask questions, and institute
the courage to find answers to those questions yourself. We hope that you
enjoy exploring our second publication and we look forward to hearing any
questions, inquiries, or comments either through our Facebook page (UConn
STEMTalk) or our email, uconnstemtalk@gmail.com !

CONTENTS
Scientist of the Semester
Alif Albiruni
Inside view on Dr. Han’s lab on cyber-physical systems
and its relation to robotics, Alzheimer’s disease
rehabilitation, and everyday life
Being Salty Has Health Benefits
Susanne Walczyk
Digging deeper into the world of halotherapy, a
method of using salt to treat conditions
How do Head Injuries Affect Difficulties
in Communication?
Erin Beckett
What happens to your brain when you
suffer from a concussion?
How Primitive Are We?
Jenny Weiss
Are we really a unique, highly evolved “human” species,
far from primitive Neanderthals, or are we more alike than
previously thought?
Got Drugs?
Neuropsychopharmacology does!
Greta Johnson
Do you know what happens in your body when you
take a drug?
Video Game Concepts in Our World
Camille Kresel
Explore the STEM concepts in Overwatch,
Bioshock, and The Last of Us
A Taste of Our Ecosystem
Nathalia Hernandez
How do we thrive when the ecosystem around us is
suffering a slow & painful death?
Mind-Body Practices Proves Benefits for
Breast Cancer Patients
Emma Atkinson
How does yoga, reiki, and meditation affect one’s
health?
7
8
9
12
15
17
22
24
27
Silver Lining
28 Sayeeda Peerzade
Explore the Lee lab use of rabies virus to target tumors
Benefits of Bilingual Brains
32 Allison Tozzi
How does bilingualism affect language acquisition?
Academic Enhancers are on the Rise for
College Students
35 Julia Colliton
Psychological and physiological consequences of
recreational drugs, focused on academic enhancers
A Musician’s Mind and the Alternate
Uses of Music
41 Shivani Dave
Listening to music affects brain structure and creativity:
a look on music therapy
44
46
54
Out of This World!
Heather Lewis
Do you ever wonder just how big our universe is?
Check out the hubble telescope for some answers!
Reading People like an Open Book
Sarah Lukas
How researchers are linking the shape of your brain to
your personality
The “ Pre- Med Mentality” & How to Cure it
Matthew Lin
Opinion: Is the pressurized culture of current
pre-med students actually hurting our chances
of being a better physician?
Start Sniffing!
51 Delaney Meyer
Can scientists pair scent and music to enhance mood?
Explore the Cyrano!
Bibliography

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STAFF
Feny
Rasania
President
EXECUTIVE BOARD
Divya
Ganugapati
Vice President
Sanjanaa
Sushanth
Secretary
Lysette
Johnson
Treasurer
Shemona
Singh
Layout Manager
Shivani
Patel
Photographer
JOURNALISTS
Susanne Walczyk
Nathalia Hernandez
Heather Lewis
Delaney Meyer
Sarah Lukas
Julia Colliton
Camille Kresel
Shivani Dave
Erin Beckett
Emma Atkinson
Allison Tozzi
Alif Albiruni
Sayeda Peerzade
Greta Johnson
Matthew Lin
GRAPHIC DESIGNERS
Shemona Singh
Apoorva Kulkarni
Adrienne Nguyen
Divya Ganugapati
Sanjanaa Sushanth
PHOTOGRAPHERS
Anna Tobiasz
Anna Montenegro
Saadiya Dalal
WEBSITE DEVELOPER
Sayeda Najamussahar
Peerzade

w
Scientist of the Semester:
DR. SONG HAN
Written By: Alif Albiruni | Designed By: Shemona Singh
Suppose there is a city of the future
where everything is connected, and intelligent systems are
implemented into the society for the greater good. In this city,
servers gather data by counting cars and commuters, as well
as utilizing wireless signals and sensors. This information is
integrated by powerful algorithms to optimize solutions from
train lines to disaster management. At their greatest potential,
Cyber – Physical Systems can impact society in many ways
by using past knowledge to achieve desired outcomes.
One researcher in this field, Dr. Song Han,
currently teaches at the University of Connecticut. He
received his Bachelorʼs degree in Computer Science
from Nanjing University in China in 2003, and a
Masterʼs Degree from the University of Hong Kong in
2006. After that, Dr. Han earned his Ph.D. from the
University of Texas recently in 2012, where he wrote
his thesis on Cyber-Physical Systems.
His dedication to research is recognized by
the sponsorship of institutions including the National
Science Foundation, Texas Instruments, and
Microsoft. He regularly attends conferences to give
lectures on the work that he does, as well as learn
from other professors about their research and
their methods of approaching real-world problems.
Consequently, this also meant that I needed to find a
way to arrange a time to meet with him! Fortunately,
I had the amazing opportunity to interview him in the
Spring of 2017.
I found him to be very welcoming as we
made our introductions. As I heard him talking, I
could sense a character that I was inspired to learn
from and aspiring to be.
What Dr. Han particularly focuses on is the
development of Cyber – Physical Systems. These systems
network all the sensors within the environment
to one or more computers. These sensors give feedback
to detect changes from any of these sensors to
respond with effective decisions.
One might ask, in what ways are these systems
currently applied? On one hand, manufacturing
companies optimize their productivity by measuring
factors such as temperature and machine performance
while queueing orders by dates and
importance. Yet Cyber – Physical Systems can also
be applied to robotics. Intelligent robots can be understood
as systems that are dependent on external
information to act on their own will.
Currently, Dr. Han is receiving sponsorship
from Microsoft and Amazon to develop a large
process control application to run on Microsoft Edge.
This application will collect sensory data to be analyzed
on a Data Analytical platform.
In addition, he is also jointly working with
other faculty from UConn, the City University of
Hong Kong, and the Baptist University of Hong Kong
to develop SmartMind, aimed to help rehabilitate
patients with Alzheimerʼs and help them maintain a
healthy lifestyle. Using Kinect to monitor patientsʼ
movements, SmartMind uses knowledge of the the
relationships between daily activities and key household
objects, such as sitting down to eat breakfast
at a dinner table. It also establishes reminders for
the patient to do things throughout the day such as
to walk around or to take medication. If a patient
falls down and is injured, for example, SmartMind
will call for medical assistance. SmartMind pinpoints
these emergencies with extreme accuracy by
networking the Kinect with other sensory devices
throughout the household.
Dr. Han looks forward to continuing his research
in the future. As part of this process, he looks
for aspiring student researchers of many different academic
backgrounds and technical experience. With
the guidance of their professor, his students analyze
real-world constraints to solve abstract problems as
part of their research as they pursue their doctorate
degrees.

Being Salty Has
Health Benefits
Written by: Susanne Walczyk
Designed by: Adrienne Nguyen
Would you prefer table salt, sea salt, Himalayan salt, or no salt? There are choices even when it comes
to salt. We like to have options, and some provide benefits over others. Known as the 'Salt of the Earth' we
usually have an affinity for this mineral, some in more way than others. It is said that complaining or "being
salty" is healthy because we let our negative emotions out instead of harboring them within. Being salty in
nature or not being shy with the salt shaker/grinder on food can be good for the health. Not all salts are
created equal, so let's look at some of the differences. Table salt is typically iodized; iodine is mixed in to
supplement the diet as it is needed for the production of thyroid hormones. Those that prefer sea salt often
acquire iodine from seafood or sea vegetables. Sea salt comes from, well, you guessed it, but as you may also be
aware, the sea is becoming increasingly polluted. Now if you are thinking, “who cares about the options, I am
just going to go salt-less.”, even if that were feasible in this society full of fillers it is actually more deleterious to
your health to avoid salt altogether. "While salt-induced hypertension is typically blamed as a cause of heart
disease, a low salt intake is associated with higher mortality from cardiovascular events" states Chris Kresser,
citing a 2011 study in the Journal of the American Medical Association (Kresser, 2011). Being salty is heart
healthy as sodium helps in regulating blood volume and pressure. Himalayan salt arguably provides the most
benefits when it comes to food-grade salts. This salt is not chemically processed or refined, leaving all 84
minerals within its pink-tinted crystals. These naturally occurring minerals are also found in our bodies, and
they are replenished by consuming Himalayan salt. It may be ingested, applied topically such as in a bath, or
inhaled from an inhaler or salt lamp. Its versatility provides for its many benefits, ranging from detoxification,
reducing muscle cramps, allergies (as an antihistamine) and sinus issues, to balancing pH, hormones, blood
pressure and sugar, and it can even help improve energy and weight loss. Pharmaceutical companies often
proffer these benefits, but at the cost of various side effects.
Alternative medicines might be looked as ineffective, but in the long-run natural remedies can be
more sustainable with fewer drawbacks. The only salt for Tom Brady is Himalayan salt, and going on 40, he still
sets records and has youthful good looks (Lee, 2017). They say "you are what you eat" because the body uses
what it consumes to sustain itself and make new cells. Food can literally be poison or medicine, so it's good to
question which salt or snack is being ingested. Himalayan salt lamps, inhalers , and neti pots can help clear up
sinus ailments during the cold and allergy seasons. Treatment with salt is called halotherapy, and interestingly,
the prefix "halo" refers to salt in Greek. An amazing form of this therapy is speleotherapy, which utilizes the ion
rich air in salt caves or mines to treat respiratory conditions. Salt caves are not a foreign rarity, and can be
found in this very state. The Saltana Cave in Ridgefield, Connecticut welcomes sightseers and individuals
looking to benefit from salt therapy. We learn new things every day, like being salty can be therapeutic.
Being salty is heart healthy
as sodium helps in regulating
blood volume and pressure

Most people have a friend who has suffered
multiple head injuries. They might have played a
contact sport in high school or worked in a job
where there is a high risk of injury. Usually, we do
not think too much more about it than that.
Concussions feel like a normal part of growing up,
and it almost seems odd if someone hasn’t ever
gotten one. In fact, the University of Pittsburgh
Brain and Spine Injury Program reported that “in
the United States, the annual incidence of sportsrelated
concussion is estimated at 300,000”(5).
This number is staggering, and explains why
concussions seem like such a commonplace in
our society. However, what is not often discussed
is the ramifications of this high incidence. In
recent years, brain injuries have become
increasingly prevalent in the media. In 2015, a
high-profile court case against the National
Football League (NFL) caught the attention of the
nation.
Over 5,000 former football players sued the NFL on
the grounds that repeated head injuries during
their careers were the cause of more severe
conditions that developed later on in their lives.
Many players were suffering from degenerative
neurological conditions such as amyotrophic
lateral sclerosis (ALS) and Parkinson’s disease.
Others suffered from chronic depression and
some even committed suicide. The players
asserted that the NFL downplayed the
consequences of repeated concussions. They
ended up winning the case, settling for up to $5
million per player. This case highlights a gravely
concerning attitude that most people have
towards head injuries: that they are ‘no big deal’
and that, beyond a few months of recovery, have
no further implications. However, this is simply
not the case. Mounting evidence from multiple
longitudinal studies of athletes indicate that
repeated head injuries can lead to dysarthria (a
disorder that affects the muscles of the tongue,
jaw, and face) and apraxia (a disorder in which
the patient’s word comprehension is intact, but
formulation is halted in some capacity). Reports
also indicate that repeated concussions lead to
life-long depression (Guskiewicz et al) and can
contribute to onset of ALS and Parkinson’s
disease (Bazarian et al).
When your head collides with something or is
struck with enough force, the brain immediately
activates its protective damage-control
mechanisms. Firstly, the skull provides an
incredibly hard external layer. This can help
prevent an open head injury, in which the skull is
punctured completely (by a piece of shrapnel, or
say, a railroad spike). However, this boney shell
around the brain can sometimes be
counterproductive, as a significant impact could
cause the cortical surface to collide with the
inside of the skull, possibly resulting in lesions,
swelling, and internal bleeding. The meninges,
three layers of protective tissue of the brain,
begin to essentially bruise. If the impact is great
enough, this could potentially cause even more
widespread damage to the neurons, which is seen
most commonly in Traumatic Brain Injuries.
Concussions tend to be less severe, but certainly
result in some degree of damage.

What about Neuroplasticity?
Most people have heard about the concept of neuroplasticity as is applies to language learning and
general human development. The basic idea is that the brain has the capacity to recover and
reorganize after injury. This capacity is vital to the continual functioning of our brain, and aids in
recovery of cerebral function following anything from a concussion to the complete surgical removal
of an entire cerebral hemisphere. Our brain’s ability to carry on is truly astounding, and numerous
studies have been conducted in this area of neuroscience. However, this reorganizational capacity
can only go so far, especially in instances of repeated damage. Although the brain can specialize other
neurons to “pick up” functions that other neurons can no longer perform following damage, once
significant cell death has occurred, the neurons cannot regenerate and those areas are permanently
damaged.
What does it look like when someone
has suffered from repeated head
injuries?
The clinical presentations of someone who has
suffered repeated head injuries varies. It largely
depends on the sight of damage in the brain. Most
frequently, head injuries involve damage to the frontal
or temporal lobes. These are hugely important regions
of the brain that are responsible for several higherorder
functions. The frontal lobe mediates personality,
executive functioning, problem solving, and shortterm
memory. All of these aspects are crucial in
effective communication. Someone who has suffered
repeated neuronal damage to this lobe will have
trouble formulating coherent ideas. They might
struggle to come up with words, forget what they are
trying to say, and spend a lot of time getting their
ideas out. This can be frustrating for both the speaker
and the listener, and requires a great deal of patience
from all parties during communication. Damage to
this region could also affect the musculature of
speech, leading to dysarthria and potentially other
neurodegenerative disorders (such as Parkinson’s
disease and ALS). In this case, prosody- the rhythm of
speech, so to speak- is affected. The individual might
have slow, slurred speech that is difficult to
understand. They might pronounce things incorrectly
as a result of not being able to properly coordinate the
muscles of their jaw and tongue. Repeated
concussions that result in significant damage to the
temporal lobe severely affects communication, as this
region houses the primary cortical areas for
processing speech and language. Damage here could
result in difficulty with verbal expression and/or the
ability to understand speech.
Why should you care?
For these reasons, any kind of head injury should
not be taken lightly, whether it is a minor
concussion or a full-blown TBI. If the brain is
damaged, its plasticity can only go so far.
Repeated damage and cell necrosis will make it
even harder for the brain to recover, especially
for those who are reaching the end of
adolescence and nearing the end of their brain’s
development. While the immediate effects of
repeated brain damage might not be as obvious
as the tremors associated with Parkinson’s
disease or the dysfunction of muscle
coordination in cerebral palsy, they can still have
a huge impact on the everyday life of those
affected. Not being able to make quick decisions,
struggling to remember basic information, and
having to adapt to changing situations are all
characteristic symptoms of individuals who have
suffered multiple head injuries. But these are all
easily written off as the individual being
“forgetful”, “lazy”, or “slow”. It is time for us to
look at the real consequences of repeated head
injury and take them seriously.
N O M A D I C | 2 4

HOW
PRIMITIVE
ARE WE?
Are we really a unique, highly evolved “human”
species, far from primitive Neanderthals, or are
we more alike than previously thought? As much
as 2.6% of modern human DNA was contributed
by Neanderthals, our closest extinct relative. Utilizing
modern genomic sequencing techniques
allows us to trace human evolution and pinpoint
when the “primitive cavemen” turned into “modern”
humans.
Written By: Jenny Weiss | Designed By: Shemona Singh
5 MILLION YEARS AGO
Homo erectus
migrated into East
and West Asia
4 MILLION YEARS AGO
Genus Australopithecus
appeared on African
savannahs
5 MILLION YEARS AGO
Group of early “proto-human”
species
emerged
7 MILLION YEARS AGO
The first hominids
appeared in Africa

Around 7 million years ago,
the first hominids (a group including humans
and their extinct ancestors or relatives) appeared
in Africa, having diverged from ancestral
primates. Ardipithecus , a group of early
“proto-human” species that lived around 5
million years ago, reflected characteristics
of both primates and humans, combining
tree-climbing with elements of upright walking.
The genus Australopithecus , (of which
the famous “Lucy” specimen belongs), appeared
on African savannahs between 4 and
2.5 million years ago.
These species pioneered bipedalism,
allowing for the development of more advanced
brains and behaviors. After the extinction
of the Ardipithecus and Australopithecus
groups, the genus Homo appeared in
Africa. Large brains, fully bipedal movement,
stone tool-making, and complex social groups
allowed this genus to thrive and evolve into
increasingly human-like species. Homo erectus
, the first hunter-gatherer, migrated into
East and West Asia between 1.8 million and
143,000 years ago. Homo heidelbergensis
hunted large prey with spears, and built sturdy
shelters. This was also the first species that distinctly
utilized fire for survival in cold environments.
Three distinct species evolved from
Homo heidelbergensis : Homo neanderthalensis
, Homo sapiens, and a third mysterious
group known as the “Denisovans”. Homo
neanderthalensis and the Denisovans moved
throughout Eurasia, while Homo sapiens
remained in Africa. Homo neanderthalensis
emerged in Europe and moved through Asia
between 400,000 and 40,000 years ago, and
was highly social and incredibly proficient in
hunting large prey. Short, sturdy bodies and
thick bones helped with retaining heat in cold
regions, and allowed for powerful movement.
They mastered the use of weapons
and tools, made clothing, shelters, and ornamental
objects, and practiced complex
burials. Homo sapiens appeared in Africa
200,000 years ago, emerging at roughly the
same time that Homo erectus and Homo
heidelbergensis disappeared. Agile, smarter,
dexterous, socially sophisticated, and well
adapted for running, Homo sapiens quickly
flourished as other species slowly disappeared.
Around 70,000 years ago, groups of
Homo sapiens moved from Africa into Europe
and Asia (and eventually spread to Australia
and the Americas). The overlap between
Homo neanderthalensis and Homo sapiens
often led to intense competition, interbreeding
and possible warfare, and contributed to
the decline and eventual extinction of Homo
neanderthalensis.
Early humans, thousands
of years ago
Neanderthal DNA is extracted from
ancient bone fragments often found in burial
sites located in caves and mountain regions
throughout Eurasia. Of the discovered fragments,
genetic information is scarce, due
to protein degradation over time. Because
of this, only two separate Neanderthal individuals
have been found with completely
intact genomes. However, the DNA that has
been found reflects fascinating interactions
between humans, Neanderthals, and Denisovans.
DNA quenced from Neanderthal individuals
found in Siberia, Croatia, and Spain have
suggested multiple waves of interspecies
breeding. Researchers from the Max Planck
Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in
Leipzig, Germany proposed the following
theory based on genetic evidence; Homo
sapiens emerged in Africa 200,000 years ago,
with some groups moving into Eurasia. One
expanding group mated with Homo Neanderthalensis
from Middle Eastern regions

around 125,000 years ago. Although this
specific lineage went extinct, their mixed DNA
survived in other Neanderthals who traveled
across Eurasia, eventually settling in Siberia.
During this time, more Homo sapiens moved
from Africa 60,000 to 50,000 years ago, and
interbred again with these dispersed Neanderthal
groups. Humans traveling East also
briefly mixed with Denisovans in Asia. In short,
modern humans interbred three times with
non-human relatives, contributing non-human
DNA to the modern human genome.
“Short, sturdy bodies and
thick bones allowed for
powerful movement. “
DNA evidence indicates that during the
tenuous time Homo neanderthalensis and
Homo sapiens coexisted throughout Europe
and Asia, interbreeding occurred between
the species. While outright warfare between
the two groups could explain the extinction
of Homo neanderthalensis , interbreeding
suggests that dwindling populations became
absorbed into Homo sapiens . Modern DNA
sequencing techniques have revealed that
1.8% to 2.6% of modern human DNA in individuals
of Eurasian descent comes from
Neanderthals. People of African descent carry
significantly less Neanderthal DNA, since
African populations and Neanderthals occupied
geographically separate regions, making
contact unlikely.
pathogens encountered during movement
into Europe and Asia. By interbreeding,
genetic resistance that Neanderthals accumulated
over hundreds of years could be
transferred into human populations. Not surprisingly,
the majority of Neanderthal-based
genes are found in regions of DNA that code
for immune response to pathogens. Increased
blood clotting may also stem from Homo neanderthalensis
, which could have helped with
recovery from injuries while hunting. Lighter
skin (resulting from reduced concentration
of the pigment melanin) allows for increased
absorption of sunlight and higher rates of
vitamin D synthesis, a useful trait in regions far
from the equator where periods of daylight
are shorter and less intense. Neanderthal DNA
sequences contain mutations in melanin production
similar to humans, suggesting that as
humans developed unique mutations, Neanderthal
influences would have strengthened
their prevalence in interbreeding populations.
Although we are genetically different
from Homo neanderthalensis , interaction
between our species may have resulted in
better adapted offspring with beneficial variations
in immune function, skin pigmentation,
and LDL cholesterol accumulation. By tracing
our origins through interactions with other
human-like species, we can better understand
what makes us “human”, and how we are essentially
“cavemen” in digital times.
We can learn a great deal
from studying our past
Best adapted for cold weather climates,
Neanderthals may have contributed genes
that significantly improved early humans’
chances of survival. Neanderthal genetic variants
that promote the buildup of LDL cholesterol
(the “bad” cholesterol, which can lead to
heart attacks) may have helped fat accumulation
that insulates human bodies in cold, harsh
climates they encountered during expansion
from Africa. for immune response to pathogens.
Another vital contribution to the human
genome was immune resistance to new

Got
Drugs?
Neuropsychopharmacology
Does!
Written by: Greta Johnson
Designed by: Apoorva Kulkarni
?I took a pill in Ibiza? sang Mike Posner
(2015). Well, depending on what pill Posner
took, the action of the pill could vary! Perhaps
it inhibits enzymatic inactivation of a neurotransmitter,
like marijuana, or perhaps it was a
neurotransmitter release stimulator, like
methamphetamine, or maybe it stimulated the
synthesis of dopamine, such as L-DOPA. Who
knows? Regardless, the mechanism of action
of drugs is fascinating. There is a class at
UConn offered solely about drugs and their
effects on behavior, appropriately named
?Drugs and Behavior?, and all the information
in this article is from materials presented in
that class by Dr. John Salamone.
What exactly is a drug? A drug is any
form of ingestion/injection that can induce
some sort of side effect, whether it be physiological
and/or psychological; it usually ends up
being both. The study of drugs and behavior is
called ?neuropsychopharmacology.?
There are various neurotransmitters in
the brain that communicate with other neurons
in the brain. Neurotransmitter release in
cells are triggered by a phenomenon called
?action potentials? and action potentials are
the electrical signals in a cell. Drugs usually
impact the brain by acting on various parts of
chemical neurotransmission. There are five
stages of chemical neurotransmission, synthesis,
storage, release, postsynaptic effect, and
inactivation.
Many drugs act on synthesis of neurotransmitters.
An example of a drug that acts
on neurotransmitter synthesis is a drug called
?L-DOPA.? L-DOPA is a precursor for the syn-
Mike Posner (2015). I Took a Pill in Ibiza. On At Night, Alone [CD]. United States: Island. (2014).

thesis of dopamine. Dopamine is depleted in
patients with Parkinson?s, and L-DOPA can be
given to them for alleviation of their Parkinson?s
symptoms. Another drug that stimulates
synthesis of neurotransmitters is a drug called
?alpha- methyl dopa?, which is used for treatment
of high blood pressure.
Before neurotransmitters are released,
they need to be stored. Many antipsychotic
drugs are used to treat schizophrenia, and
they work by blocking transporters that take
drugs to be stored. Since they block storage,
they deplete the postsynaptic receptor of
neurotransmitters dopamine, norepinephrine,
epinephrine, and serotonin.
Neurotransmitters being released, as
already mentioned, are triggered by an action
potential. Action potentials allow calcium to
enter the terminal, and this influx of calcium
induces effect of neurotransmitters. ADHD
drugs, like methylphenidate (Ritalin), and amphetamines
actually work by releasing
dopamine, norepinephrine, epinephrine, or
serotonin into the synapse: they have a lot of
potential to be abused.
Postsynaptic effect has a huge impact on an
individual. Basically, postsynaptic effect receptor
activation is linked to metabotropic
channels, meaning it leads to secondary pathways.
It can essentially lead to ?long term
changes in gene expression in a neuron? (Salamone,
2016), in which case, a lot of things
could change in an individual. Alcohol and
marijuana are examples of drugs that affect
postsynaptic effect.
Inactivation of neurotransmitters is
done by enzymes that break down the neurotransmitter
into smaller substances that are
then recycled. An example of a drug that inhibits
inactivation of neurotransmitters is
Cognex, a drug used to treat Alzheimer?s disease.
A few other common examples of drugs
that block inactivation are cocaine, various
amphetamines, and Prozac (an
antidepressant).
The action of the drugs obviously goes
much deeper than this, this is barely skimming
the surface. It is a very fascinating subject, as
there are various types of drugs, various effects
and side effects, and various diseases to
treat with a simple concoction. As for neuropsychopharmacology,
the possibilities are
endless.
Salamone, J. (2016).Drugs and Behavior First Half 2017 SPRING for POSTING.[PowerPoint slides]. Retrieved from lms.uconn.edu

V I D E O G A M E
C O N C E P T S I N O U R
W O R L D :
OVERWATCH,
BIOSHOCK,
AND THE
LAST OF US
B y : C a m i l l e K r e s e l
D e s i g n e d b y : S a n j a n a a S u s h a n t h

A Taste of our
Written by: Nathalia Hernandez
Designed by: Apoorva Kulkarni
Ecosystem
How are we expected to thrive when the
ecosystem around us is suffering a slow and
painful death? The organisms around us are
modifying and so we, too, need to open our eyes,
and alter alongside the earth. This is one of several
issues that the human population is facing and
should be aware of.
One of which you may have already noticed here in
the Northeast: there have been warmer days this
past winter season than actual snow days. In
addition, sea levels are rising especially in the
Northeast due to increased global warming
emissions in larger cities. Though we may enjoy the
warm weather in the middle of winter, it can
reduce crop yield in the agricultural business,
increase rainfall and flooding, and put a strain on
human health through air pollution. RGGI (Regional
Greenhouse Gas Initiative) is taking action and
trying to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide
emissions in the Northeast, and should not
be overlooked simply because college
students in the Northeast enjoy 70 degree
weather while walking to class. Although we
may enjoy walking to class in sunny weather,
we should also understand that food
availability, air conditions, and rising sea
levels are critical issues that cannot be
ignored.

The Great Barrier Reef is only one of the many
ecological victims of our drastic climate change. Over
25 million years old, this reef in Queensland,
Australia is slowly depleting before our eyes.
However, it is not too late. There are several actions
we can take to revive and protect this coral reef
ecosystem that tourists love to snorkel in. More than
just a tourist attraction, The Great Barrier Reef is a
home to ?134 species of sharks and rays, six of the
world's seven species of threatened marine turtles,
and more than 30 species of marine mammals,
including the vulnerable dugong?(World Wildlife,
Date). Unfortunately, the destruction of this
beautiful coral reef is caused by nearby garbage
disposals, bleaching, fishing, and emission of fossil
fuels that threaten both the flora and fauna of this
diverse ecosystem; however, it is not dead yet, and
there are programs enacted to try to recover this
important ecosystem.
Some well known endangered animals include the blade horned chameleon, pacific bluefin tuna,
bumblebees, american eel, kaputar pink slug, and the chinese cobra. Also, the amur leopard is
endangered with only about 35 species left in the wild. The decrease in numbers for such
animals can be caused by factors such as habitat loss, illegal poaching and hunting, and climate
change. Each of these species are being watched over by organization such as U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, World Wildlife Fund, and many more. Monitoring and placing laws to stop
poaching and other forms of ecological destruction serves a critical role in the preservation and
protection of species on this Earth.
These are just some topics that are up to further discussion in our environmental ecosystem,
but there are a plethora of more issues. The human society should use the power of the media
to express the need for the care of Earth. The reality is that organisms are dying at the hands of
mankind, and our eyes should be opened. We must serve as advocates for animals because they
have no voice or influence on our political climate. As humans, we should live mindful of the fact
that we share this planet with thousands of organisms that deserve our respect and kindness.

Mind-Body
Practices
Proves Benefits For Breast
Cancer Patients
Written by: Emma Atkinson
Designed by: Divya Ganugapati

The year 2016 saw approximately 246,660
new cases of breast cancer, with an
estimated 40,450 deaths during the same
year, which accounted for 6.8 % of all cancerrelated
deaths in the United States1. In
accordance with these results, the S.E.E.R
Research group, funded by the National
Cancer institute, published a study of the
number of new breast cancer cases and
deaths per every 100,000 females, years later
in 2016. Results of this study are illustrated in
Figure 1. This figure reveals that although the
cancer-related deaths have decreased over
the past 20 years, this decline is small enough
that it can almost be considered negligible in
nature. In parallel, the graph of the new cases
show to have a very unstable relationship,
and proves to have no improvement or
decline in the amount of breast cancer cases
being discovered each year.
Regardless of these troubling statistics, there is
still one positive that can be derived from these
numbers, and that is the tiny ratio of deaths to
new cases being diagnosed. Out of all new
cases diagnosed in 2016, only 16.4 percent
resulted in loss of life. The state of the art
technology and cutting edge research is a
trademark of the entirety of the current decade,
and has enable researchers, scientists, and
medical professionals, globally, to produce
thousands of studies, pharmaceutical remedies,
and new treatment methods that has helped to
keep this percentage, constant and miniscule.
The reality we have come to face in the field of
oncology is as simple as this: There may not be
a set treatment, but people are being diagnosed,
people are surviving and people are recovering,
all enabled by our immense advances in
modern medicine and the research that this
institution is built on. Nonetheless, these
technological milestones cannot defend and
protect against all detriments of a breast cancer
diagnosis.
Figure 1. The study published in 2016 by the S.E.E.R
Research group, presented the number of breast cancer
diagnoses and cancer deaths per 100,000 US females.
Although modern research, technologies and
advancements have helped to dramatically
increase life span, quality of life, and survival rates
amongst those diagnosed with breast cancer, it
has proven much harder to treat and eventually
prevent other biological and psychosocial
symptoms and side effects one may contract
during an ordeal as such. One of the most
common and prevalent side effects amongst
women undergoing treatment for breast cancer
is high blood pressure (hypertension), since it has
been known to interrupt the treatment of the
cancer. (REF). According to Dr. Benjamin
Sussman of the CTCA of Philadelphia, “High
blood pressure can be a common side effect of
cancer treatment, particularly chemotherapy and
targeted therapies…some chemotherapy agents
are worse offenders than others, such as
angiogenesis inhibitors, alkylating agents and
immunosuppressant drugs after stem cell
transplantation.” Additionally, some hormone
therapies (e.g., Arimidex®, Aromasin®) can cause
high blood pressure” (Sussman 2001). The multifaceted
nature of this condition proves not only
hard to treat, but hard to maintain in times like
these. In cases of women with breast cancer, a
concoction of the essential prescriptions,
treatments, and the stress and anxiety that is
correlated with this illness, there is a multitude of
factors and perpetrators that could be used to
explain the increase in blood pressure.

Amidst findings as inconclusive and troubling as
these, it is undeniable that there needs to be an
alternative treatment method found for the high
reactivity and instability of breast cancer
treatment drugs. Nonetheless, there has been
increasing interest and attention being called to
the use of Mindfulness Stress-Based Reduction
Programs (MBSR’s) as a solution to this problem.
MBSR’s, such as yoga, reiki, and meditation have
been historically known to have a plethora of
benefits, such as increasing blood flow to the body,
decreasing blood pressure and stress levels, and
combat states of depression and anxiety. Since
these practices
have been known
to relieve
symptoms such as
blood pressure and
high stress
these practices have been known to relieve
symptoms such as high blood pressure and
height stress levels, there is a growing body of
evidence that is forming, supporting the
potential connection between MBSR’s and
positive mental health and physiological
outcomes in breast cancer patients and
survivors. In support of this idea, many authors
currently publishing papers on the subject, are
open encouraging and inviting further research
and studies to help gain momentum, credibility
and recognition for this ground-breaking new
treatment. There is therefore, an increased
need to systematically review this literature in
order to better inform future interventions and
outreach programs in clinical settings aimed at
improving recovery outcomes and treatment
for breast cancer patients and survivors. In
response to these invitations by other
established authors, the proposed study looks
to extend on the research being done currently,
by using a systematic review and a metaanalysis
to explore the potential benefits of
using MBSR’s to facilitate, and treat patients
with breast cancer.

OUT OF
THIS WORLD
Written By: Heather Lewis | Designed By: Shemona Singh
Do you ever wonder just how big our universe is?
Think about it. Knowing what is out there is only
limited by the technology that we have now
and the light years that have reached the farthest
distance. Our universe is also constantly
expanding. And how do we know this?! Math
and science! Each and every year we are discovering
more and more of what surrounds
our planet. Just last year, scientists at NASA
found that an asteroid had made its way into
the Earthʼs orbit, practically mimicking a second
moon. However, it is significantly smaller than
our moon and our satellites orbiting the Earth,
so it is not predicted that we will be able to land
on it anytime soon. Another discovery that has
been made in the past year is
that there are over ten
times more galaxies
than previously
estimated.
With the
“What else
is out there?”
Hubble telescope, astronomers found that what
we previously thought were large galaxies actually
were made up of many smaller galaxies.
It is thought that over 90% of our universe is yet
to be discovered.
Additionally, scientists have viewed what appears
to be plumes of water erupting from one
of Jupiterʼs moons, Europa, through the Hubble
telescope. These plumes would provide an easy
accessway to Europaʼs ocean, which is thought
to hold twice as much water as Earthʼs oceans.
The ocean is located below miles of ice so this
form of access will allow scientists to sample the
ocean water more easily, and test for the potential
to hold life. NASA is hoping to get a satellite
to orbit Europa by 2020.
What if our universe is actually just a circle with
a black hole in the middle and the only way we
can see the other side is to travel around it? It
would be like a universe donut! This would be
due to an abundance of dark matter, which is
matter that has the ability to bend light. However,
it has not been confirmed that dark matter
exists due to its complexity. But there is evidence
of a particle consisting of very similar characteristics
to those of dark matter. What else is out
there? Aliens? Water?
The past year has led to many discoveries,
although many of them are only predictions
for now. Who knows, maybe this year those
predictions will be proven true.

SILVER
LINING
W R I T T E N B Y : S A Y E D A N A J A M U S S A H A R P E E R Z A D E
D E S I G N E D B Y : D I V Y A G A N U G A P A T I

The rabies virus, infamous for killing beloved Old Yeller, is deadly because of its
dangerously efficient method of attacking the central nervous system and the brain.
As scary as the rabies virus is, it is admirable because it is one of the few that is able
to penetrate the fortified blood brain barrier. The Lee lab saw this deadly
mechanism as a silver lining. They used nanogold particles to mimic the shape of
the rabies virus in order to bypass the blood brain barrier and target tumors.
The blood brain barrier is one of the biggest obstacles for neurological treatments.
The same mechanism meant to protect the precious brain serves as one of the
biggest obstacles for medical treatments. Around “98% of small molecules as well as
colloidal-sized particles are restricted from entry into the brain”. This is one of the
biggest obstacles physicians face when trying to treat brain tumors. When faced
with such a daunting challenge, the Lee Lab turned to naturally occurring breaches
of the BBB. That is when they came across the silver lining of rabies. The rabies
virus has many proteins that surround its outer body but one specific protein, the
rabies virus glycoprotein (RVG), allows the virus to use neural pathways, travel to
the CNS, and cross the blood brain barrier. Thus, they decided to create a
nanoparticle that would be coated with RVG which would allow it to pass through
the BBB and target brain tumors.
Now that they knew what the outside of the nano particle should be, they had to
figure out what the inside material should be. The material needed to be inorganic,
flexible, and unique photothermal properties. An inorganic substance was needed so
that it would be inert and would not react with the other biomaterials in the body. In
regards to structure, there are many factors that influence the uptake and
biodistribution of nanoparticles inside the body like charge, shape, size, etc.
However, “particle shape is considered to be one of the most powerful tools for
enhancing nanoparticle internalization”. Thus, flexibility was important because
different shapes and configurations of the nanoparticles needed to be tested. The
material of choice also had to have photothermal properties because the plan was to
have the nanoparticle pass the BBB and then use a laser to activate the nanoparticles
only in the region of the brain tumor. This was crucial because, in theory, when the
nanoparticles are released into the bloodstream, they are going to be found

throughout the body and the brain. Thus, the nanoparticles either had to be made so
that they targeted just the tumor or they had to be made so that they could be
anywhere but would only activate when in the tumor region. The latter would be
much easier because it is often hard to differentiate between a tumor cell and a
regular cell using proteins. Thus, having unique photothermal properties would
allow the nanoparticle to overheat when target with a laser and burn the tumor
tissue around it.
The material that best fitted the job
description was gold. Gold is a flexible
inorganic metal that is inert and nontoxic.
Gold also has unique photothermal
properties. It has a very high rate of
absorption: ~105 times conventional dyes. In
addition to having high absorption which
allows for better imaging, gold can increase
from a range of 10 oC to 1000 oC. This
property is important because it needs to be
able to heat up enough to kill the tumor cells
surrounding it. Luckily, some studies show
that tumor cells are more susceptible to damage due to heat than regular cells.It is
also generates a strong the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) when in
presence of near infrared light (NIR) which is a bunch of fancy words for allows for
better imaging when certain wavelengths of light interact with it. This allows for
better data analysis and tracking of what the nanogold rods are doing in the brain.
Even better, gold has a strong LSPR in the “wavelength range of 700–950 nm
(maximally 1200 nm), which is the best spectral region for imaging and therapy due
to the so-called “water window” of all aqueous tissues”. It is important to note that
this ideal wavelength is only possible when the gold is molded into rods and not
spheres. This ends up being ideal because they are trying to mimic rabies virus
which is “bullet-like shape with one rounded end and one planar end”. It is also very
helpful that the absorption range of gold can be adjusted by changing the aspect
ratio of the gold rods which will allows room for experimentation to find the shape
that can heat up the most and be efficiently internalized. After trying different
aspect ratios, it was experimentally determined that the optimal ratio for the rods
was 2.34 (~120 nm in length and ~50 nm in width) which is very similar to that of the
rabies virus. This shape combined with the RVG protein coating allowed the gold

nanorods to mimic the rabies virus. Experimentally, it was shown that gold
nanorods that had the RVG protein coating and the specific aspect ratio were more
present in spinal and brain cells than regular gold nanorods.
Now that the ideal structure was determined, the theory was put to the test. Male
mice were injected with N2a cells - tumor cells. The N2a cells were injected outside
the brain and inside the brain. This means that some were injected onto the right
dorsal side of the mouse and some were injected into the striatum of the brain. This
was done in order to test for the effectiveness of the RVG treated gold nanorods on
general tumor cells and then specifically on tumor cells in the brain. Next, some
mice were injected with plain gold nanorods while others were injected with RVG
gold nanorods. Finally, the tumor cells were irradiated with an 808 nm laser. It is
important to note that the laser itself did not cause any damage to the skin or induce
any tumor suppression.
The results were very promising. The results showed that RVG treated gold
nanorods were able to greatly decrease the size of tumors that were present on the
side flank of the mice (not in the brain) when compared to the using regular gold
nanorods or saline. In fact, a couple of the mice had tumors that completely went
away and minimal skin damage, due to the treatment, was healed within thirteen
days. After seeing preliminary success outside the brain, the real test was
conducted. It was the moment of truth. We knew that the RVG gold nanorods can
greatly decrease tumors however, would they be able to overcome the abominable
BBB and have an impact on the tumor cells?

Benefits of
Written by: Allison Tozzi
Designed by: Apoorva Kulkarni
Bilingual Br ains
Hablo varios idiomas. Je parle plusieurs langues. Ich spreche mehrere Sprachen.
Parlo più lingue.
I speak multiple languages. If you were able to read two or more of the previous
sentences, you would be able to consider yourself multilingual. This concept is
seen in every corner of the world, with over 50% of the Earth?s population
exhibiting this characteristic (Grosjean, 2012). There?s a big push for
monolingual people to learn an additional language (or two), but not for the
reasons you may think. Besides making a person appear more intelligent and well-versed,
multilingualism has major benefits on the brain and its overall health. Studies have compared brain
activity of monolingual and multilingual participants, and the results found that brains that spend
time deciphering two or more languages have physiological bonuses, not just societal. Brains busy
with constantly interchanging languages on a daily basis seem better off academically, socially, and
cognitively.
FACT OR FICTION?
Children that grow up learning two languages at the same time often confuse
the two, which ultimately is a detriment to their cognitive abilities.
FICTION
It is proven that bilingualism does not do damage one?s cognitive abilities, but
rather strengthens them. Switching between languages strengthens the
brain?s flexibility in thinking and executive control.

FACT OR FICTION?
The academic problems some children of
immigrant families in the United States
face are due to learning disabilities, since
they can understand English enough to
get by.
FICTION
Learning disabilities and differences in
languages are two completely separate
things. Sure, it would be hard for anyone
to be immersed in an English-speaking
classroom when he or she only speaks
French, but this doesn?t mean a disability
is present.
Multilinguals are known for exhibiting a phenomenon called
code switching. This is when people switch between languages
within sentences when they are speaking. This ?switching?has
been proven to enhance executive control, meaning one?s ability
to plan and execute tasks (Bialystok,et al, 2012). Studies have
found that even in situations where strictly only one language
was required, the brain was constantly referencing the other
language. Where things can go awry is when attention comes
into play. Monolingual speakers only have one ?database?to
reference in linguistic processing, but bilinguals have two
continually competing with each other, which can complicate
problem solving and decision making. ?This may be the most
difficult of all the selection challenges because it is possible for
both languages to satisfy a wide range of criteria for the intended
utterance, the only difference being determined by the social
context,?(Bialystok, 2012). Despite this minor setback,
multilinguals have outperformed monolinguals in many areas
and tasks from early childhood to late adulthood.
For many young multilingual speakers, they acquire
one language at home and the other through education
at school. In contrast, there is a big population of
monolingual children being taught a second language in
a bilingual setting. There are cognitive, social,
emotional, health, familial, and educational benefits that
come along with learning multiple languages at an early
age. It has been found that bilinguals have increased
protection against memory loss, Alzheimer?s Disease,
and dementia, while also exhibiting decreased levels of
anxiety and poor self-esteem (Benson). Bilingual
education also brings in cultural and societal factors,
like whether or not parents want their children to be
learning Hindi, Spanish, or Chinese. Immigrant parents
who are deeply rooted in their native culture may be
thrilled about their children continuing to speak their
native and first language, while, on the other hand,
some parents may prioritize assimilation for their
children and make them only speak English. These
factors, aside from possible health benefits of
multilingualism, can be just as important or more
important for people making major life changes that
will affect their culture, family, and education in the
future.
FACT OR FICTION?
Bilingual education has been proved to slow the
learning process in students.
FICTION
This just isn?t the case. Lytle makes a comparison
between solving math problems and the ways bilinguals
take advantage of their two languages. ?? you have to
think about different ways you might solve a problem,
in the same way if you?re growing up in a bilingual
household you need to think of different words? if you
can?t activate a word in one language, you need to think
of a different way to describe the word,? (Benson).

FACT OR FICTION?
Like other systems in our bodies,
there is a finite window of time
during childhood where we are most
susceptible to lingual input, thus
making it the prime time to learn
language (Arnold).
FACT
FACT
This phenomenon is called a critical
period. It occurs in language
acquisition, eyesight, hearing, motor
function, and many other systems in
the human body.
FACT OR FICTION?
The amount of time a person takes
to learn a language is directly
related to exposure to that
language.
FICTION
Yes, exposure helps, but learning a
language and being able to speak it
well is dependent on when you start
and the amount of ?comprehensible
input? we receive (Center for
Second Language Research).
The true definition of multilingualism, by Webster?s, is ?using or
able to use several languages especially with equal fluency.?(FACT)
- The key here is ?with equal fluency.? I am a native English
speaker, who learned Spanish starting in seventh grade and is
now minoring in it here at UConn. I have been studying Spanish
and speaking it for eight or so years now, and I consider myself
nowhere near fluent. Fluent means knowing every word for
everything as my senior year high school Spanish teacher
explained when he pointed to the comfy desk chair wheels and
asked me what I would call that in Spanish.
This year, I have been fortunate enough to work in a research lab
on campus that combines two of my passions: speech and
Spanish. I have been working with Dr. Adrián García-Sierra and
our lab team in analyzing data on monolingual and bilingual
speakers and differences in their speech perception and
production. We look at how babies with bilingual parents perceive
both languages and how they can detect differences between
them. We interpreted a set of graphs (figure 1) showing that
bilingual speakers of Spanish and English at 30 months produce
more words (combined in both languages) than monolingual
English speakers of the same age. These two graphs work in
tandem to depict how bilingual brains generally learn more words
(around 750 by 30 months) than solely English speakers (around
600 words). Yes, this is a combined amount between English and
Spanish in this case, but it is pretty impressive for a young toddler
to be able to differentiate between the phonemic, morphological,
grammatical, and semantic differences (and also the difficulties
associated with parents?accents). Our lab is one of many around
the world that focuses on language acquisition and bilingualism in
this way, and we are just scraping the surface of our
understanding of the brain and its endless capabilities.
References
Bialystok, E. (2011). Reshaping the Mind:
The Benefits of Bilingualism.Canadian
Journal of Experimental Psychology =
Revue Canadienne de Psychologie
Experimentale,65(4), 229?235.
http://doi.org/10.1037/a0025406
Arnold, Shanti. (n.d).Common Myths
About Bilingualism.Myths about
Bilingualism, Multilingual Societies, and
Language Rights. Hawai?i: Hawai'i Council
for Second Language Research.
Benson, John. (2013). Bilingual Education
Holds Cognitive, Social And Health
Benefits (INFOGRAPHIC). The Huffington
Post.
Grosjean, Francois, Ph.D. (2012). How
Many Are We? Psychology Today.

A C A D E M I C
E N H A N C E R S
Written by: Julia Colliton
Designed by: Divya Ganugapati

In the past years, it is understood that drug culture is an essential part to the full
college experience. The time that young adults spend in the microcultures of green
quads and large lecture halls is heavily intertwined with drugs. According to the
National Institute of Drug Abuse, daily marijuana use among college students has
increased in the population from 3.7% in 1995 to 4.6% in 2015. As well as, a directly
proportional increase in binge drinking among the college students recorded at 31.9%
in 2015, with only 23.7% of student of college age not attending school (Drug, 2016).
These values suggest that the college lifestyle acts as a catalyst for drug use
behavior which is now linked to those who are now common offenders or drug
abusers. The focus should be redirected away from the common offenders to the
psychological and physiological consequences of the recreational drugs.
70%
of college students using drugs
do so to improve attention
A new group of drugs called academic enhancers are dominating college campuses.
The drug culture of college students is changing from just doing drugs for fun and now
letting the influence seep into the classroom. Students use this advantage to take
chemicals to seek academic excellence. According to the American Psychological
Association, Adderall and Ritalin came on the scene in the late 1990s and have been a
drug of choice among students more and more each year (2). In 2005, only 6.9% of
students from a representative sample of 119 colleges and universities had used
Ritalin, Dexedrine or Adderall without a prescription (2). Sounds like a fairly small
number, right? It is important to point out that figure is an average because some
schools recorded 0% but some schools recorded as high as 25% (2). One fourth of
students had admitted to using an academic stimulant without a prescription, a
chemical that only came into play less than 20 years ago at the time of the study. The
APA attempted to explain the popularity of these drugs, explaining that in the
traditional drug culture, students used drugs as a means of escape. Now, 70% of
students claim to use these drugs to improve attention and 54% of students say
they are trying to improve study habits. (2) So, yes students are using drugs just a
much, if not more, than they were before. However, is it better that students are
abusing these chemicals to improve their academic performance than as a means of
escape?

The use of drugs to achieve academic excellence is not a universal phenomenon. This
suggests that the more competitive the school, the more susceptible the students
are to use Adderall or Ritalin. Thus it can be hypothesised students feel a need to use
them just to cope with the competitive nature of our society and not as heavily
sought out for pleasure . This hypothesis is widely contested as Nita Farahany, the
director of Duke Science & Society, argues for the use of the drugs or rather the
freedom of choice for college students (Ojiaku, 2015). She states that students
should be able to decide for themselves whether to utilize academic stimulants. By
backing up her argument with the idea that bettering the student's intellectual ability
is beneficial for society as a whole. Contrastingly, Nicole Vincent, associate professor
of philosophy, law and neuroscience at Georgia State University, argues that there is
no proof that there is benefit of using these drugs and that using them to cope with
the competitive nature of society simply perpetuates the problem (Ojiaku, 2015).
The debate between these two professors reveals an interesting interconnection
between choice and coping. Freedom of what we put into our bodies is a heated issue,
and if we say the use of Adderall and Ritalin is the choice of the individual, where is the
line drawn? If these drugs are left to choice, why are college students punished for
using alcohol when under 21 or smoking pot? At the same time, the reason that
students feel the need to turn to drugs in the first place is to escape from the
pressures of society. While the use of academic stimulants are not seen as an escape
a much as drinking or getting high, it is a means of coping with the means of intense
stress college students face in the classroom. That is a socially constructed problem,
and if drugs like Adderall and Ritalin help students survive the environment we force
them into, how can we judge them for striving for success? While it’s easy to get lost
in the debate over this issue, the most important insight may come from the students
themselves.
I took the time to interview two students at the University of
Connecticut, one of whom uses Adderall with a prescription
to treat ADHD and one uses Adderall without a prescription.

Student A: Prescribed User
Q. Why were you prescribed Adderall?
I was prescribed Adderall for my ADHD as well as to treat my Post Concussive Syndrome.
Q. How easy was it for you to get this prescription?
Once I was diagnosed with ADHD, acquiring Adderall was very easy. I was set up with a
medicine provider and she prescribed me Adderall after just a few appointments.
Q. How many times do you use Adderall/what is your
treatment plan?
I use my Adderall as needed, so on days when I’m studying for an exam or if I have a lot of
work to do. I take both extended release and short term release. I usually take 20mg.
Q. Did you see any improvement in your studying when using
the Adderall?
I have always struggled with reading and studying before taking Adderall. Now I am able to
read my textbooks and absorb the content which is incredible for someone with brain
damage and ADHD. My life has changed completely since taking this drug.
Q. Did you see any improvement in your grades in the
coursework you were studying for while on Adderall?
I have always been able to succeed academically before Adderall, but now it is much easier
and less strenuous to get straight A’s.
Q. How competitive would you describe your college
environment?
I would say that it is much more competitive than high school, but I try to compete solely
with myself and not with my peers.
Q. Do you think there’s a difference between using Adderall
and drinking/smoking marijuana? Why?
It is different if you are being prescribed the drug. I take Adderall so I can function at the
same level as everyone else who is not afflicted with attention deficit disorder. Those who
take it recreationally are doing more damage to their bodies than those who simply
drink/smoke. If abused, Adderall can become a dangerous drug.

Q.Do you think people have the right to use Adderall solely for
academic enhancement?
As someone who legitimately needs Adderall to function normally, I would say no. Putting
unnecessary drugs in your body just to get a higher grade seems irresponsible and unsafe. I
think Adderall should be used solely as an ADHD drug. Adderall should be used to level the
playing field rather than used to help some get ahead.
Q. Have you ever felt a negative stigma for using Adderall?
What is the impact for the legitimate prescription use of
Adderall as it is becoming more and more widely abused?
My first day using Adderall, someone asked me if I would be willing to sell them some. I feel
as though I have to defend my diagnosis and prescription every time I take my pills in a
public setting. It’s almost as though taking it recreationally is more common than taking it
as prescribed.
Student B: Non-prescribed User
Q. How easy was it for you to get Adderall?
Very easy, my friend has a prescription for it so she would always just give me some if I
gave her a couple dollars per pill.
Q. How did you get Adderall?
My friend has a prescription.
Q. Did you see any improvement in your studying when using
the Adderall?
It did help me focus so that I was able to study and get work done.
Q. Did you see any improvement in your grades in the
coursework you were studying for while on Adderall?
It didn’t necessarily improve my grades, but it allowed me to focus when I couldn’t bring
myself to study.
Q. How competitive would you describe your college
environment?
Not very competitive. I haven’t felt the need to use Adderall as much in college because I
feel there is less coursework for me to do and I have more time to get motivation naturally
to study.

Q. Do you think there’s a difference between using Adderall
and drinking/smoking marijuana? Why?
There is a definitely a huge difference between the three substances. Marijuana makes
me feel tired and completely unmotivated and seriously lack focus. Alcohol makes it so
it’s very difficult to pay attention to anything and do any work. Adderall helps me focus
and stay on task, but it also gives me a hyper feeling. I don’t feel the need to drink coffee
because I am full of energy. I also have taken Adderall a few times to give myself a boost
of energy and excitement
From these interviews, some interesting dichotomies come forward. First, while both
students said it was relatively easy to acquire the Adderall, it seems the student with
the prescription had to put in more effort. She had to go through multiple
appointments, while the other student buys if off her friend whenever she wants. This
brings up an interesting point that students who actually need the drug have more
barriers to receiving it. Also, both students do not seem to think the competitive
nature of college has an impact on their Adderall use. It seems that competition would
be a strong motivator in student striving for academic excellence, but in reality
students do not need to feel this pressure in order be interested in taking drugs to
better their academic performance. The results about competitiveness may be
different at universities, but this reveals the question why are students using these
drugs? I think the major reason for the rise in academic stimulants is the attitude that
surrounds them. The nonprescription user associates Adderall solely with academic
purposes. Although the use of Adderall remains highly contested, the severity of the
drug seems to be overlooked, which could be detrimental to college students. Not to
say drinking and smoking are any better, but right now a student is probably more
likely to justify ‘popping an addy’ then showing up drunk to class. This may be
justifiable, but we won’t know until we address this issue.
1. Drug and Alcohol Use in College-Age Adults in 2015 [Digital image]. (2016, November 3). Retrieved
March 10, 2017, from https://www.drugabuse.gov/related-topics/trends-statistics/infographics/drugalcohol-use-in-college-age-adults-in-2015
Pardon Our Interruption. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Mar. 2017.
2. Ojiaku, P. (2015, November 3). ‘Smart drugs’ are here — should college students be allowed to use
them? The Washington Post. Retrieved March 10, 2017, from
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/speaking-of-science/wp/2015/11/03/smart-drugs-are-hereshould-college-students-be-allowed-to-use-them/?utm_term=.577764034031

AMUSICIAN'S
MINDANDTHE
ALTERNATEUSES
OFMUSIC
Written by: Shivani Dave
Designed by: Apoorva Kulkarni
Music is a universal language that anyone
can enjoy. It can be soothing, motivating, and
healing all at once. After taking music lessons
for 8 years and listening to a variety of
genres, I have developed an appreciation for
the dedication and creativity behind making
music. A musician?s brain requires training,
informal or formal, and practice to achieve
the professionalism and confidence to
improvise and create music. But what are the
experiences and structure like of musician
minds that allow music to be so diverse and
popular?
commitment specific parts of the brain
contribute over many years. Even in young
children ages 5 to 7, certain regions of the
brain show distinctions of musical training
compared to the brain regions of nonmusical
children1. After only 15 months of monitored
rhythmic lessons, children developed
changes in multiple areas of the brain,
including the corpus callosum and Heschl?s
gyrus1. Conclusions from studies point
towards the importance of learning music at
a critical age, when the brain is most flexible
for these changes to occur.
As learning music is the acquisition of a
complex skill, it is easy to imagine the
The differences in brain structure seen in
children were also observed in adult

musicians, most of whom have practiced music for
years. Many of the structural differences relate to
the level of experience both the adults and children
have. Each area of the brain contributes to a
different effect and the distinctions seen in
musicians? brains also portrays this. For example,
more gray matter in the Heschl?s gyrus is related to
selective hearing of pitch and tone1. Really, the
effects of early and consistent musical training are
vast, ranging from higher cognitive and auditory
processing to more efficient motor skills1. As a
musician myself, I noticed more dexterity develop
over the years in my left hand despite having a
dominant right hand.
It is important to note, however, that these changes
may not only be the result of musical training but
other factors as well. Nonetheless, music in
combination with predisposed genetic factors and
other environmental factors can help facilitate
positive stimulation in the brain.
While we all appreciate music for its entertainment
purposes, for some music has become a tool for
healing. From personal experience, listening to or
playing music is a method of relieving stress or
diverting my mind from worrying. Not only does it
benefit the musician, but music has also proved to
be an effective form of therapy for patients with
illnesses and mental disorders. In one study using
music therapy as a relaxation method for patients on
ventilators, there was a reduction in the level anxiety
of patients compared to anxiety levels for patients
on ventilators without music2. Over time, the
patients on ventilators who were exposed to music
also showed a decrease in heart rates2. An
interesting observation from this study was the
alignment of heart rate to the rhythm of music. The
study used genres such as classical, new age,
country, western, and religious on the participants.
The calming tones and lyrics in these genres may

have been one of the factors that contributed
to decreased anxiety levels in the patients.
Previous research has also looked at mental
disorders such as the effects of music on individuals
with depression. Four out of five studies resulted in
reduction of symptoms of depression3. The fifth
study used music as an active control treatment
and no reductions in symptoms were shown3.
These are only a handful of studies that I was able
to find on depression alone, but there are studies
where music was able to help improve
communication in children with autism spectrum
disorder4.
Further interesting investigations from these
results would be to analyze how different genres
effects patients using music therapy. I am trained in
classical music and it falls under more mellow
sounds, which I would believe to have a more
calming effect. Even schools use classical music in
classrooms because studies have shown that
stimulates students to focus and reduces anxiety.
The benefits of music are vast, and if the
healing and stimulating properties of music may not
be convincing enough for to pursue lessons, people
can still promote it for the purpose of
entertainment and enjoyment. It is an art that
anyone can partake in and appreciate the benefits
of.
1Barrett KC, Ashley R, Strait DL and Kraus N. (2013) Art and science: how musical
training shapes the brain.Front. Psychol.4:713. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2013.00713
2Chaln L. (2004) Effectiveness of a music therapy intervention on relaxation and
anxiety for patients receiving ventilatory assistance. Heart and Lung: The Journal of
Acute and Critical Care Volume 27, Issue 3, May?June 1998, Pages 169-176.
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0147-9563(98)90004-8.
3Maratos A, Gold C, Wang X, Crawford M. Music therapy for depression. Cochrane
Database of Systematic Reviews 2008, Issue 1. Art. No.: CD004517. DOI:
10.1002/14651858.CD004517.pub2.
4Gold C, Wigram T, Elefant C. Music therapy for autistic spectrum disorder. Cochrane
Database of Systematic Reviews 2006, Issue 2. Art. No.: CD004381. DOI:
10.1002/14651858.CD004381.pub2.

The Big Five
Personality Traits:
Reading People Like
an Open Book:
How Researchers are Linking the Shape
of Your Brain to Your Personality
Written by: Sarah Lukas
Designed by: Divya Ganugapati
When a person claims they can read you like an open
book, what clear observations have you given them to
confidently say such a statement? Reading a person
encompasses using what you see on the outside of an
individual to decipher how they are feeling, their
possible motives, and likely actions. This can be done
by observing body language, facial expressions,
behavior, and by paying attention to key
characteristics. Reading a person is a skill which
comes with practice and experience; not only do so
many factors influence one person, but also, not all
people are as easy to read as others. This process is a
part of the field of psychology. Just recently,
researchers have used the psychological model of the
Big Five to study brain anatomy. With a simple MRI
scan of observing brain measurements due to the
evolution of the brain, genetics, and other
environmental factors, a knowledgeable researcher
can read your personality like an open book without
ever meeting you. This is possible through the
combination of observations made of an individual on
the outside accompanied by what is anatomically
proven on the inside by the brain.
The Big Five personality traits comprise the
dimensions of the human personality broken down
into five major traits that are studied in the research
project Surface-based morphometry reveals the
neuroanatomical basis if the five-factor model of
personality. Researchers Roberta Riccelli, Nicola
Toschi, Salvatore Nigro, Antonio Terracciano, and
Luca Passamonti looked at differences in the brain
cortical anatomy in over 500 healthy individuals. The
brain is measured four different ways, by thickness,
surface area, volume, and folding in different areas of

the brain. The individuals who volunteered were
young healthy men and women ranging from 22 to 36
years old with no record of obesity, hypertension,
alcohol misuse, anxiety, and other mental disorders.
They all went under MRI brain scans and took the
NEO-Five-Factors-Inventory personality assessment.
This assessment is made up of 60 questions, each
question is a description of behavior which is
answered on a five point Likert scale. The results show
that individuals who scored high on neuroticism are
characterized by higher cortical thickness with this
trait having a negative correlation to cortical surface
area and volume. Those who scored higher on
extraversion are linked to higher cortical thickness,
lower surface area and volume in the temporal gyrus
and higher cortical folding. Higher openness scores
are characterized by lower cortical thickness and have
a positive correlation to cortical surface area, volume,
and folding. Those with larger agreeableness scores
have negative associations with cortical thickness,
surface area, and volume. Rather, this trait shows
increased folding in the area of the temporal lobe.
Lastly, individuals whose scores are high in
conscientiousness are connected to higher cortical
thickness, lower surface area, volume, and folding in
specific areas of the brain.
As most of the findings in this study have been in the
cortex, it is helpful to understand that humans have
the most highly evolved cortex, more specifically the
prefrontal cortex. This area of the brain distinguishes
us from apes and other animals by our high level of
social cognitive skills. These skills develop over our
lifetime; for example, as we mature neuroticism
decreases and conscientiousness increases as we are
able to handle our emotions and reactions better. This
is why there is a contrast between thicknesses for
these two traits. However, those that suffer from
mental illnesses will have brain different brain
development and can show pronounced areas of the
cortical regions that connect certain traits to their
mental illness. There are limitations to this new
research but it leads to open doors for mental illness
research and detailed autopsies.
Figure 1. Neural representations of default mode networks exhibiting correlation with
the indicated Big Five traits. Figure taken from Sampaio et al. (2013).

THE PRE-MED “GUNNERS.” YOU MAY HAVE BUMPED INTO THESE PEOPLE BEFORE, SAT IN
CLASS WITH THEM, GRUMBLED AND GRIPED ABOUT THEM, OR EVEN—GASP—BEEN ONE OF
THEM. IT’S A TERM THAT DESCRIBES STUDENTS WHO DEDICATE THEIR ENTIRE COLLEGE
EXISTENCE TO ENHANCING THEIR MEDICAL SCHOOL PROSPECTS, OFTEN AT THE EXPENSE
OF THEIR PEERS, BY FOSTERING A SENSE OF COMPETITION. SURELY, IT’S JUST THEIR
PERSONALITIES THAT PREDISPOSE THESE PEOPLE TO ACT IN SUCH A WAY? IF NOT, THEN IT
MUST BE THE DECIMATING COMPETITION OF MEDICAL SCHOOL ADMISSIONS THAT BREEDS
SUCH BEHAVIOR?

Reducing this “gunner” problem so curtly is
naïve. The underlying issue of even why many
of us feel so put off by the “gunners” is set in
a larger epidemic—one that rises above the
pressures of checking off boxes or crafting a
meticulous resumé—that pervades college
campuses across America. So, how can we
address what I call the “Pre-Med Mentality”—
this gunner mindset?
Before everyone is up in arms about my
critical analysis, I confess that I too am a premed
student. I’ve been guilty of all the things
I’m going to investigate, and I have struggled
to address them myself. I know full well the
burden of preparing for medical school. This
road is not easy, and working to correct the
mindset can be equally challenging. I get it.
But if we are dedicating ourselves to such a
noble profession, I would argue its
preparation must uphold an equally stringent
integrity. I also know pre-med students hail
from all corners of higher education, and I will
operate under the assumption that most of
these students are concentrated in the
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Other
majors and colleges contain pre-med
students, and the following lessons may also
apply to you, though more indirectly.
My encounters with the Pre-Med Mentality
(PMM) began as early as freshman year at
UConn. Growing up as the son of two
immigrants, I learned that a getting an
education—more importantly, a well-rounded
education—was as important as eating,
breathing, and sleeping. So, as a first-year
student I charted a course in liberal arts
education. English literature, economics,
psychology, anthropology, and philosophy
peppered my class schedule between biology,
chemistry, and physics. However, what I
envisioned as “breaks” among my
typical science courses quickly devolved into
“I-don’t-have-time- to-learn-that.” More often
than not, I resented completing my Logic
assignments in lieu of studying for organic
chemistry, which made (funnily enough)
more sense. Sophomore year blurred into
junior year as I struggled to balance my time
examining the scientific world with thinking
about the reasons why it even matters at all.
And, slowly, I realized that my desire to flesh
out my understanding of the world aside
from molecules and proteins had dwindled.
"a liberal arts education builds a
strong foundation for students
to become far better leaders"
I can hear you already saying, “But Matt, I
expect my doctor to be an exquisitely
trained professional. I couldn’t give two
hoots about her ability to understand Plato!”
And to a certain extent, you are right.
Shouldn’t we expect our exorbitantly-paid,
strung-out, supremely educated doctors to
perform at the highest level of clinical care?
I’m not arguing that they shouldn’t be. In
fact, I am arguing precisely in favor of your
sentiment. Medical institutions in other
countries believe in this model so much so
that they take their students straight from
high school. But I believe that a liberal arts
education builds a strong foundation for
students to become far better leaders in
medicine precisely because America prides
itself on a higher education system that
allows its students to formulate a vision of
the world and prepare them to be productive
members in it. To this end, the value of an
education in liberal arts prior to a highly
specialized training in medicine shapes us
into better practitioners, researchers, and
life-long learners.
To better illustrate, consider aspects of a
medical career that don’t immediately come
to mind. Take economics. Medicine in
America is a business, no matter how
obstinately we insist it ‘isn’t about the
money.’ Rather than burying our heads into
the sand, discerning how to run a business

(from a micro and macro standpoint), studying
structures of insurance payments, knowing
organizational models, and balancing
opportunity costs prepares students to take on
the vicissitudes of the biomedical-industrial
complex. With social humanities like
psychology and sociology, knowing how to deal
with people and approach their issues
compassionately is crucial to establishing
robust and meaningful patient-doctor
relationships. Learning about mental health
uncovers the invisible symptoms that can
influence physical manifestations. These
examples demonstrate not only how people
behave but why, bringing to light many
perspectives that can be hidden from the
general population. Furthermore, thinking
about ethics and philosophy is paramount in a
profession that faces ethical dilemmas and
challenges daily. What do you do in a situation
that has no set standards of care? How can you
approach a problem where your decision
impacts another person’s life, but there are no
good options? Why would you opt to do
something or not do something and how can
you justify your actions? These considerations
are important beyond just theoretical musings.
As a final illustration, politics and history help
us scrutinize the bureaucracy of medicine, the
repercussions of social determinants of health,
sharpening skills in health advocacy,
education, communication, and more. It’s hard
to ignore the constant bickering that we hear
from political leadership on the need to
overhaul the health care system. There are
many problems to fix, and (perhaps to our
dismay) science is not always the solution.
Downplaying these aspects of liberal arts, I
believe, is why we have seen a sudden rise in
our “gunner” population. In an increasingly
metric-measured process, things like academic
pressures, hyper-specialization, and a
competitive process breed a culture where
motivated and intelligent students shy away
from such critical components of their
education. What are these barriers to
overcoming the PMM and how can we address
them?
(1) Scheduling problems.
Fitting all of the required pre-med courses
can feel nearly impossible in the four years
of undergrad, let alone when thinking
about volunteering, MCAT, research...the list
never seems to end. However, with gap
years on the rise to accommodate the
mounting expectations from medical
admissions committees, the additional
time might actually be conducive to
scheduling. So, take advantage of the extra
year to explore your passion in human
rights or health psychology. Use your
summer and winter classes to take a
writing course. Beyond just making your
academic profile more interesting to
admissions boards, the demonstrated
interest in non-science curricula will help
form a fuller picture of the people, the
system, and the problems with which you
will work.
(2) GPA stranglehold.
It’s an undiluted fact that successful
medical applicants need a strong GPA. Why
risk a B- in British Literature, when you
could maintain that 3.8 by skipping it
altogether? Why not take the easiest
electives possible to score a good grade
and check off that requirement? This is one
of the biggest hurdles for any pre-med
student to surmount, and perhaps why
many students choose not to venture
outside of the required coursework. But
college, I would argue, is a time to discover
the complexities of the human experience,
to challenge and be challenged, and to
obtain a broad education. Liberal arts are
meant to provide that experience. A worse
grade in a tough philosophy course may
not seem like a good plan, but when you’re
dealing with a patient who does not want to
be resuscitated even if he can be saved
you will know how to deal with the
situation. If you are more realistic than
idealistic, a great workaround is to take
courses on a Pass/Fail basis. You still

eceive credit, without the stress of being
graded.
(3) General Education requirements are
trivialized.
I noticed that many of my classmates in the
courses were often uninterested in the
material at hand, or perhaps unwilling to
devote enough time to picking apart the
details of discussion. By and large, you might
hear a pre-med student say they’re getting
their gen-eds “out of the way” so they can
focus on what they want to learn. This line of
thinking causes students to devalue the
lessons they may learn outside of basic
science. Though such a mindset is tough to
address, I would advise taking a few courses
that you find fun and would probably never be
exposed to ever again in your education.
Pottery, choir, nutrition, women and gender
studies are a few examples that come to
mind. Expand your horizons and enjoy it!
(1) Mastery of knowledge requires
specialization.
The rigor of science courses is undeniable;
they demand a constant attention to
detail and deeper understanding not only of
how or what, but of why. Of course, these are
the things that draws pre-meds to the study
of biology in the first place. But many late
nights at the library to go over a signaling
pathway, reviewing anatomical systems, or
covering metabolic steps is exhausting in
breadth and depth of knowledge. Though
there is nothing inherently wrong with deeper
learning, this siloed approach does not allow
for cross-disciplinary learning. Dr. Keat
Sanford, former dean of the UConn School of
Medicine and current pre-med advisor,
advises students to “look at each semester as
an opportunity to provide some balance and
try to get some engagement in the three areas
that the Association of American
Medical Colleges (AAMC) has determined
important (cultural competency,
interpersonal skills, professional
development).” Working on these soft skills
is not a waste of time and a reason that
social sciences have become requisite
coursework for the MCAT.
(2) Pre-professional preparation drives
students to begin much earlier.
I realized that my future prospects as a
medical school applicant relied on
academic excellence in science-related
areas on top of research, volunteer work,
and clinical experience. While important to
building the foundation of knowledge in the
field that I wanted to enter, such
preparation lured my attention away from
the basic ideas and ideals of a liberal arts
education. Our culture of maximizing
results with minimal effort (“most bang for
your buck”) and instant gratification also
contributed to this shifting focus. Rising
costs of higher education makes it harder
to think beyond preparing for a career and
job, and certainly, for other technical
careers this sentiment is strong.
However, aspiring doctors should be
comforted knowing that the rate of
unemployment for physicians was 0.4%
in 2014, and their median income was
greater than $200,000. Despite these facts,
students may still find it difficult to justify
taking an indirectly related course for their
professional career. Beyond the tangible
benefits that I’ve already outlined, the
critical thinking involved in reading
literature, connecting historical events, and
learning language equips students to
problem-solve in situations that warrant
more than just basic science knowledge.
Writing and speaking to communicate
findings well and advocating for
disenfranchised individuals, using
statistics to peel apart convoluted data,
utilizing Spanish to communicate to
native-speaking patients are only a few
applications of things that should be
learned as an undergraduate.

(1) Resume padding.
Starting earlier in the pre-professional training
has also led to the “checkbox effect.” Have you
taken all the courses? Check. Have you
shadowed doctors? Check. Have you started a
club or joined a club about health care? Did
you start doing research? Have you
volunteered? Check, check, check. More often
than not, the reason for engaging in activities
can trace its way back to looking good for an
application. Yes, it is paramount to have a
good understanding of a career in medicine
and to pursue extracurriculars that reflect
your interest. By the same token, being
passionate about what you do, trying new
things for the sake of interest and not a means
to an end, invariably makes you a more
remarkable person and candidate. Dr. Sanford
adds: “Be careful and selective what you
choose to be involved in. You want to be
passionate about these things so they don’t
end up as checklist items on your list...it’s
so transparent to schools [admissions
committees].” It’s time to stop thinking like a
pre-student of medicine and more like a
college student interested in medicine.
(2) Numbers game.
A large culprit for the PMM is certainly the
numbers game that the admissions process
uses. There is no escaping it. However,
organizations and institutions have
recognized this problem and—believe it or not
—have been trying to address it for years.
Holistic admissions is the process of looking
at an entire person’s application package and
taking the whole rather than the sum of its
parts into consideration. Since the early
2000’s, several programs have adopted an
“early assurance” track allow undergraduate
students direct admission into affiliated
medical schools, some even scrubbing the
MCAT requirement altogether and pushing
students to pursue a liberal education. A look
at some top ranked schools will also show that
the median MCAT scores and GPAs for an
incoming class are rarely at the 99th
percentile. That is to say, medical schools
are looking for more than knowledge gurus
who can test well. They are looking for
interesting students who have done
meaningful things. There is no set pathway
or heuristic to get into medical school; what
works for one student does not guarantee
success for another.
Move away from this mindset of “there’s no
way I can possibly get in and do this,” says
Dr. Sanford. “Don’t let anyone tell you that
you can’t do something.” In a process full of
numbers, excelling in other areas you’re
passionate about will help you stand above
the crowd.Becoming a physician is
exceedingly difficult now more than ever
before. More students are flocking to the
industry that continues to make strides in
technology, research, and outcomes. We
should be excited about these
advancements, but not let the ends justify
the means of maximizing our American
higher education. The Pre-Med Mentality is
a symptom of a gasping liberal arts
education, and it’s preventing us from
becoming the best professionals possible. If
we can understand that healthcare is a
team effort, that learning about more than
just science builds a broader skill base,
that devoting our time and effort to passion
projects will enable us to connect with our
patients more effectively, then we stand to
serve as better thinkers, leaders, and
practitioners. With luck, we might shed the
PMM and along the way also become better
people. But hey, what do I know—I’m just a
“gunner.”
Matthew Lin is a Biological Science major in
his senior year. He will be heading to medical
school next year.

CYRANO
Written By: Delaney Meyer | Designed By: Shemona Singh
Cyrano, the new
technology ready to
tap into the sensory
of smell.

Start Sniffing!
We all recognize those smells
that have the ability to
instantly relax us and
change our mood.

Whether it is the smell of
donuts on campus, clean
laundry, or salty water
at a beach, aromas can
catapult us into different
places and times.
Scent is a powerful sense
for humans, and technology is
beginning to realize just how
profound its impact can be. A new
product, the Cyrano, is attempting
to tap into this potential and begin
movement that is sure to take over
technology in the future.
The Cyrano resembles a small
portable music speaker, but it has
one important feature that distinguishes
it from the Bose devices in
our dorm rooms: it can emit smell.
The primary goal of the Cyrano is
to be able to enhance someone’s
mood through the pairing of scent
and music. With all the stresses
of daily life, don’t you wish your
speaker could do more to improve
your mood too? The Cyrano is a
new-age form of meditation. Not
only does the Cyrano have pairs
of scents and music to relax you,
but they also have pairs that can
awaken or energize you.
We all use air fresheners,
but eventually we become tired
of the smell, or just stop smelling
it at all. With the Cyrano, the smell
is only emitted for a short amount
of time to ensure that you receive
maximum impact with each use.
packs that can be purchased for
the Cyrano. One scent pack is
entitled “Cancun Stroll,” which is
produced with the aromas of guava
and suntan, giving the sniffer
an overwhelming feeling that they
have just been dropped in Cancun.
Another scent is titled “Einstein”.
This scent pack includes rosemary
and seawater which intends to
allow people to see the world in a
fresh way as Einstein did. There are
currently twelve scents to choose
from, but the company is developing
more so everyone will find a
pairing that fits their needs.
Cyrano is one of the first
products to be able to produce
scents through control of an app,
demonstrating just how advanced,
and how accessible, technology
has become. However, mental
health is not the only reason to use
scent for technology in the future.
Because scent is such a powerful
tool, it has great influence over
what humans enjoy and of course
what purchase. While you are in a
store, you are much more likely to
buy something if the store smells
pleasant to you. If you can smell
the tuna that one of the workers
ate for lunch, you will most likely
leave the store quickly with empty
hands. Now, companies will begin
to have to opportunity to persuade
consumers to buy their products
by releasing particular smells while
they show ads on the television or
even over Spotify. Commercials
will no longer be judged on the
quality of the content or the humor
For more information,
or to order your own
Cyrano, check out:
https://onotes.com/
throughout the advertisement
but the smell that takes over the
room while the commercial is on.
Imagine just how much Superbowl
Sunday will change when you can
smell everything you see! Once we
can smell commercials in the comfort
in our own homes, it will not
be long before movies and television
series can begin to utilize the
technology.
Can you imagine watching
the Food Network and being able
to smell what Bobby Flay is grilling?
Or what Guy Fieri is tasting?
Even if you are not a fan of the
Food Network, you have to agree
that having the ability to smell
something you have only been
able to see and hear about is enticing.
Even watching your favorite
television
show or movie will change drastically,
as you will be able to smell
anything that the characters can
smell, immersing you deeper into
the plot. As of right now, commercials
and television with scent are
still far away, but the ball is rolling.
Thanks to products like the Cyrano,
a new world is unfolding right
under our noses!

Bibliography

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