Last week, the President’s Office announced that this year’s Commencement speaker will be Rachel Dratch ’88—Tony-nominated actress, comedian, writer, and SNL alumna. She joins a notable lineup of past comedians who have delivered the Commencement address, including Mindy Kaling ’01 in 2018 and Conan O’Brien in 2011.

Comedy, however, doesn’t belong to the humanities alone. The science of laughter extends into psychology, medicine, and human-centered design. A peer-reviewed study published last year explored the effects of laughter-based interventions on nursing students, many of whom experience high levels of occupational stress. Researchers found that sessions incorporating voluntary laughter, deep breathing, and “childlike play” reduced measurable indicators of stress and anxiety. Participants also showed decreased levels of cortisol, the body’s primary stress hormone. Beyond these immediate effects, many reported improvements in overall well-being and sleep quality.

So as we eagerly await Rachel’s keynote address on June 14, consider making time for a little comic relief—it may offer more benefits than you think.

-The WISP Team

The Dartmouth Biomedical Engineering Center for Orthopedics (DBEC) was founded over 50 years ago as a partnership between surgeons, industry, academia, regulators, and patients. By leveraging clinical evidence of success and failure in joint replacements, DBEC aims to develop new materials, new device designs, and future clinical decisions. 

So far, researchers there have amassed a library of over 23,000 artificial joints removed from patients. The vibrant research community at DBEC spans the disciplines of mechanical engineering, biomedical engineering, materials science, and beyond. Their approach is grounded in empathy for the patients attached to these devices and implants, and an understanding that not all solutions to medical problems involve permanent implantation of ceramic, metal, and plastic. 

Professor Douglas Van Citters is the interim Dean of Thayer School of Engineering, the primary investigator at DBEC. One of the foremost experts in the field of musculoskeletal engineering, he nonetheless has spent countless hours mentoring students, from first-year interns to graduating seniors.

“Undergraduates have always represented the majority of students in my lab,” says Professor Van Citters. “Because our problems have roots in a large number of fields, we need students with a wide range of interests and talents to find solutions. The enthusiasm and curiosity that is characteristic of Dartmouth students brings a different level of excitement to the lab and provides everyone a chance to simultaneously teach and learn.” 

He adds, “Some of our biggest findings in the last two decades started with undergraduate projects.”

May 7, 5:00-6:00PM, Wren Room, Sanborn Hall

Strictly speaking, this is not a STEM event. But here at WISP we stan an aspiring astronaut like the main protagonist of the debut novel of Eliana Ramage `13, To the Moon and Back. Ramage, a member of the Cherokee Nation, majored in English literature before receiving her MFA in fiction from the Iowa Writers’ Workshop.

Native and indigenous peoples have a rich history in NASA and space exploration. Early pioneers like Jerry Elliott-Highwater, Cherokee/Osage physicist, played a critical role in the Apollo 11 moon landing and the rescue of Apollo 13. In 2002, John Herrington, a member of the Chickasaw Nation, became the first enrolled tribal member to fly in space, carrying the Chickasaw Nation flag and traditional flute aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour. And Nicole Mann, a member of the Wailaki tribe, made history in 2022 as the first Indigenous woman in space when she commanded the SpaceX Crew-5 mission to the International Space Station.

Hosted by the English Department, the Native American and Indigenous Studies Program, and the Native American Program, this event is open to the public.

May 7, 6:30-7:30PM, ECSC

Curious about what engineering actually is? Hear directly from current engineering students in Tau Beta Pi and learn about the many opportunities and resources available. hosted by the First Generation Office. Visit this page for more details.

Please visit the Wetterhahn Symposium website to learn more about the event and how to register to present a poster.

Got an opportunity or event you’d like to share with the WISP community? Email us at [email protected] with your request.