b'Mamias Monuments and Womens Social Role in PompeiiTaylor M. GraySponsor: Dr. SwanIn ancient Roman culture, women were not allowed to officially participate in the government. However, women like Mamia still found ways to exercise influence over their communities and elevate their status in society by serving in religious roles and engaging in selective patronage. Mamia was an upper-class Pompeian woman who lived during the late Augustan period. Mamia served as a public priestess for Venus, who was a patron goddess of the city of Pompeii as well as ancestor of Emperor Augustus. She also sought to honor the Emperor and his values of pietas directly by dedicating a Temple to the Genius or Spirit of Augustus in the Pompeian forum, which was the heart of public business within the city. Because of Mamias generosity, the town allowed her to be buried in the pomerium, an area reserved for Pompeiis most significant residents. Mamia was also granted a schola style tomb, which was given to those who honored Augustus. Even though she was a woman, Mamias impressive dedications and monuments in Pompeii provide evidence of how Roman women advanced themselves within a society that often limited them.Department of BiologyOptimization of DNA Extraction for Genome Sequencing of the Invasive Mussel Mytella charruanaJacob C. AdamsSponsor: Dr. CalestaniMytella charruana is an invasive marine mussel found along the southeastern US coastline. To date, the genome of M. charruana has not been sequenced. The purpose of this project is to optimize DNA extraction to obtain high molecular genomic DNA and longer sequence reads. Longer DNA reads will make the genome assembly easier. The two methods include the manufacturer protocol for the DNeasy Blood & Tissue Kit and a modified protocol with the goal to minimize DNA shearing. Tissue was disrupted with a micro pestel to facilitate homogenization and samples were always mixed by inversion, instead of vortexing. With these modifications we were able to obtain sequence reads on average 2.5 times longer starting with gill tissue. Our DNA extraction modifications did not show a difference when using foot tissue. Moreover, on average, sequence reads were shorter when DNA was isolated from the foot as opposed to the gills. This could be due to the longer time needed to homogenize the foot muscle, which can cause DNA degradation. To date we were able to sequence 47.5 million bases (Mb). 14'