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Situated within intersecting discourses of nostalgia, nationalism (Anderson 1983), and popular music, my community’s musical practices go beyond performances of trauma. Through music, Little Saigon preserves the counter-memory of pre-1975 Vietnam, as post-War generations build avenues for intergenerational understandings and healing.

This project aims to historically contextualize the bi-lateral campaign to eradicate foot and mouth disease to explain why rural communities in the western coastal region of Mexico resist the proliferation of their products. By studying how communities developed mistrust and skepticism in both federal and local government intervention in agricultural practices and examining the fiao (buying on credit) economic system in locales in Guerrero, this project documents oral testimonies to argue that rural cheesemakers resist globalization and industrialization to protect their socio-cultural practices.

This paper was developed for Cluster MIA: Food and Sustainability as a research project addressing a solution to a food-related problem. In Los Angeles County, about 30% of households experience food insecurity, largely due to limited access to nutritious food and insufficient financial resources. The prevalence of industrial zones is linked to food insecurity and inefficient land use, which creates significant barriers for vulnerable communities in accessing fresh, nutritious food. By analyzing land use patterns in the county, I propose that transforming vacant areas with redevelopment potential into green belts and public spaces could enhance access to affordable fresh produce and alleviate transportation challenges. This study incorporates statistical analysis, policy recommendations, and partial economic projections to argue that strategically implementing green infrastructure can improve community nutrition and promote environmental health.

The 1979 Iranian Hostage Crisis resulted in the 444-day captivity of 52 American hostages and proved one of the most dramatic diplomatic crises of the 20th century. This documentary explores how deep cultural misunderstandings between the ancient superpower of Iran and the modern superpower of the U.S. indirectly prolonged the crisis. Through archival footage and in-depth analysis, the documentary chronicles the historical roots, political tensions, and failed diplomatic efforts that fundamentally altered U.S.-Iranian relations.

Predicting drug side effects is crucial for drug safety and development. In our project, we extend a prior study on ML-based drug side effect prediction by (1) evaluating additional domain knowledge features (higher resolution ATC codes) and (2) optimizing the logistic regression (LR) model. After replicating the original study, we assess ATC levels 3-5 and fine-tune LR model parameters. Results show levels 2-4 perform comparably, while level 5 underperforms, likely due to overfitting. Adjusting decision thresholds and regularization also improved performance compared to the original study. Our study highlights the tradeoff between feature specificity and model generalizability, emphasizing the need for careful feature selection and parameter tuning. These insights can further ML-based drug safety research, informing future pharmacological studies that integrate computational approaches for improved side effect prediction.

As Los Angeles grew into a cultural epicenter in the 1920s, its flourishing fine printing scene prompted bookseller Jake Zeitlin to declare it "a small renaissance." A key figure in this movement was William Andrews Clark Jr., a philanthropist and bibliophile whose collection later founded the Clark Library. Between 1922 and 1933, Clark commissioned ten annual Christmas books for friends and institutions, each uniquely combining a facsimile of a rare first edition with a lavish modern reprint. This paper argues that these Christmas books represented a unique fusion of bibliographic scholarship and cultural patronage that redefined private collectors' relationship with public culture. Through analysis of production records and correspondence, this study reveals how these books transcended conventional gift-giving to create cultural artifacts that preserved bibliographic heritage, advanced fine printing aesthetics, built bibliographical networks, and forged a transformative legacy in American book culture.

In this research, I examine the music of composer Margaret Allison Bonds and her collaborations with poet and social activist Langston Hughes. Drawing on Black feminist thought, I assert that the collaborations of Margaret Allison Bonds and Langston Hughes exemplify the importance of artistic collaboration between Black men and Black women in struggles for racial liberation and the significance of the experience of Black women in artistic expressions of Black vernacular culture. I also expand on previous literature’s analysis of the unique role Black women played in fostering artistic relationships and connection during the respective Black Renaissances of Harlem and Chicago. My analysis draws on a meta-synthesis of literature on both Margaret Allison Bonds and Langston Hughes’ artistic outputs, as well as works with archival materials such as correspondences between Bonds and Hughes, original musical scores, and program notes. I also consider musical quotes, form, rhythm, melody and harmony. In this study, I especially consider Bond’s use of Langston Hughes’ poems “Minstrel Man”, “Dream Variation” and “I, Too” in her song cycle Three Dream Portraits. I argue that Bond’s longstanding musical relationship with Hughes represents an artistic anti-racist, Black feminist mutual aid network and creative safe space. Lastly, I contend that Bonds and Hughes work together creates a nuanced image of the Black experience, and, by merging the European art song with the Pan-Africanism of Harlem Renaissance literature, the pair uniquely reconcile their African American heritage and identity with their artistic affinities for European classicism and tradition. This project addresses a gap in musicological work in regards to Black feminist theory and the collaborations between Black men and Black women in twentieth-century classical music. Lastly, I suggest further research on these unique artistic collaborations between Black women and men during the Black Renaissances of the 1920s and 1930s, and how this has shaped continued expressions of Black vernacular tradition.

This paper explores how violence against the LGBTQ community in West Hollywood during the late 1980s catalyzed the city’s transformation into a nationally recognized “gay city.” Through an analysis of homophobia, police ignorance, and the stigmatization of HIV/AIDS, the paper reveals how local government, particularly the West Hollywood City Council and its many committees, executed meaningful actions and plans to foster safety and inclusion. Drawing on archival documents, media coverage, and city reports, the research argues that violence on gay bodies enabled responses that redefined urban queer space, setting a precedent for LGBTQ advocacy and representation in city governance.

This paper examines how affluent neighborhoods control their spaces, from minimum lot size requirements to gatekeeping public parks in the City of Beverly Hills, California. Utilizing spatial analysis and ethnographic observations, the study reveals that restrictive land-use policies, such as minimum lot size requirements, limit public space availability, reinforcing socio-economic disparities. Public parks in northern areas often function as semi-private extensions of luxury properties, with numerous regulations catering to aesthetic preferences rather than inclusivity. Parks in the southern parts of Beverly Hills, though more community-oriented, still face regulatory barriers, revealing the city’s prioritization of property values and homeowner interests over accessible public spaces. Through analysis of city commission meetings and planning decisions, this paper demonstrates how the influence of affluent residents on urban policy perpetuates exclusivity, as public parks serve dual roles in enhancing property values and acting as extensions of private green spaces. The findings underscore the need for urban planning reforms that address these inequities, advocating for public spaces that foster inclusivity and meet the needs of diverse communities. 

Historically, BPD has been diagnosed more frequently in women. However, recent studies suggest that the prevalence of BPD is nearly equal across genders, highlighting a potential diagnostic bias that disproportionately affects men. This paper explores gender disparities in BPD diagnosis and treatment, emphasizing the male experience. Diagnostic biases may result from differences in symptom expression, particularly explosive temperament and novelty-seeking behavior, which are often misattributed to masculinity. Furthermore, current treatment is less effective for men, as research and therapeutic approaches have primarily focused on women. These disparities contribute to increased distress and undertreatment in men with BPD. Addressing gender biases in diagnosis and treatment is critical for improving mental health outcomes for male BPD patients.