Inspiring Individual Studies

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Inspiring Individual Studies


This year, 15 seniors participated in Chapin’s Individual Study Program! A rigorous, comprehensive and elective component of the Upper School curriculum, Individual Studies give Class 12 students the opportunity to deeply explore an area of personal interest under the guidance of faculty members.

Established in 1977, this program continues to produce an expansive array of projects in a multitude of mediums and disciplines each year. In addition to their work, students are required to present their impressive and wide-ranging studies to students, parents, alums and Professional Community members.

Here are this year’s Individual Study participants and their fascinating projects:

  • Manha Awais, “Entropy and Civilization: A Study on Entropic Trends on Human Civilizations,” a study in Science exploring entropy in the material, biological and social world in NYC.
  • Kalli Azad, “Angels and Madwomen: Examining the Trope of the Madwoman in the Attic,” a study in English.
  • Evan Blake, “What Makes Black Women Shine: A Dive into the Creation of Black Women’s Joy in Literature in Dance,” a study in English & Arts.
  • Sage Buchris, “Not One Jewish Experience: An Exploration of the Jewish Communities of Libya and Austria,” a study in Art History.
  • Abigail Chaitram, “Black Culture and Lineage through the Lens of Hip Hop,” a study in History & Arts.
  • Natalie Delk, “Coils and Toils: How Black Women Interpret Hair-Based Experiences in the Workplace,” a study in History.
  • Katie Dorazio, “Consumption of a mixture of Azodicarbonamide, Potassium Bromate, Brominated Vegetable Oil, and Titanium Dioxide is correlated with higher levels of genomic instability in Drosophila Melanogaster,” a study in Science exploring effects of food additives on the DNA of drosophila melanogaster to study genotoxic effects of additives on humans.
  • Brooke Horowitz, “The Conditions of Existence,” a study of metaphysics in English & Philosophy.
  • Sivan Levine, “The depletion of the protein Chinmo in male Drosophila results in feminization and significant loss of STAT pathway,” a study in Science investigating the homeostasis of spermatogonial stem cells and somatic support cells in the Drosophila testes.
  • Maddy Machare, “The Transition from Girlhood to Womanhood: A Tale of Periods, First Loves, Glow-Ups, Virginity, Responsibility and Maturity,” a study in English examining womanhood vs. girlhood in literature.
  • Monroe Sawney, “An International Guide to Surrealism,” a study in Art History & Art to analyze the worldwide surrealism movements through a Zine.
  • Ai Vy Shulman, “United States and China Cooperation on Electric Vehicles: Thawing Tensions, Not Icebergs,” a study in History about China-U.S. relations and opportunities for collaboration around climate change abatement.
  • Addison Smith, “Womanhood and Bodily Autonomy: An Analysis of 20th and 21st Century Feminist Approaches through the Lens of Foucauldian Philosophy,” a study in History & English.
  • Willa Switzer, “2nd and 7th grade students solidify abstract biological concepts in their hands-on study of Drosophila,” a study in Science & Education.
  • Fauziah Uddin, “The Portrayal of Women in Haruki Murakami’s Works,” a study in English.