Posters from the annual student research session where DePauw students can demonstrate their collaborative work with faculty or internship experiences.
-
“Inward” globalization: A look at ethnic education in Vietnam
Quân Nguyễn '25
Globalizing education, while continuously fueling transformative changes to the Vietnamese education system, is predominantly associated with an ‘outward’ expansion toward economically developed nations, instead of an ‘inward’ assessment of educational diversity and equality. How has Vietnam integrated the unique cultural and historical heritages of its 54 ethnic communities into the national educational goals? Across three decades, the established guiding principles, objectives, and solutions increasingly endorsed both national contribution and cultural preservation of ethnic minority students. However, this emerging philosophy tended to be deficit-focused, mainly using ethnic minority groups’ cultural uniqueness to make mainstream teaching materials more appropriate, implicitly assuming that ethnic minority education should be assimilated into the mainstream socio-economic and cultural mode. This paper reimagines these policies’ reflection of the understanding of (il)literacy, ethnicity, solidarity, and identity development in education, which help facilitate intercultural dialogue through and in education, especially with the dearth of research on multiethnic education in Vietnam.
-
Designing an Attachment Assay for Epidermal Cell-to-Cell Attachment
Tiala Ortega '26 and Colleen L. Doçi
Cell adhesion includes various processes and is essential in cell communication and regulation. The mechanical interactions between a cell and its extracellular matrix control the behavior and function of a cell. In this project, we are studying cell attachment in different ways. The epidermal monostrato layer is a vertical and horizontal interaction and is not accounted for in usual assay protocols so I wanted to investigate this by creating an assay including multiple cell layers, a monolayer and an attached layer, to further develop a protocol for optimal cell-to-cell attachment. I hypothesized that the number of cell attachments to the monolayer would increase as time in the incubator during the attachment period increased. This project required significant modification of the protocol, including 1) adding a monolayer of epidermal cells to replicate cellular attachment; 2) discovering optimal cell densities for both the monolayer and the attached layer of cells; 3) finding the optimal time for cell-to-cell attachment, 4) adjusting the labeling step to be able to distinguish between established cells and those being applied in the assay, and 5) altering the quantification protocol to accurately quantify the number attached cells. This protocol represented significant troubleshooting, as the established layer of epidermal cells had less stability than under normal conditions
-
Actin Depolymerization by β-Amino Alcohol in Breast Cancer Cells
An Pham '25, Jeffery A. Hansen, and Sarah Mordan-McCombs
As breast cancer is heterogeneous, there is a strong need to diversify current treatment and discover more options for advanced breast cancer. Pyrrolidinyl-substituted β-amino alcohol (pyrrolidine for short) is a drug synthesized from Hansen Lab at DePauw that can kill MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Previously, we have seen MCF-7 struggling to migrate in scratch assay, and maintain proper cell shape in actin fluorescent staining. By combining both tests in one experiment, we attempted to observe how their actin structure changes during migration. In this research, we have narrowed down the mechanism of action of pyrrolidine to be actin depolymerization. This effect disrupts the formation of lamellipodia and stress fibers, which prevents MCF-7 cells from migrating and surviving.
-
Inside Indochina: Vietnam's National Identity through French Historical Blockbusters
Chi Q. Pham '25
Cinema has been credited for contributing to the understanding of one's nation. In the case of the former French Indochina, despite being a well studied historical subject, few movies have been made about it, even fewer have taken place within those geographical borders. This paper will uncover the Vietnamese government’s intervention in portraying the Indochina state on Western screens, and what their cinematic vision of the colonial French-Indochina chapter in their history might look like. In 1992, three French blockbusters, Indochine, L’Amant, and Dien Bien Phu, were released and concurrently provided artistic lenses into the former colonial state. This trio have been researched together and separately in terms of visual and cultural analyses, especially in relation to the French colonial legacy and national identity, thanks to their international accolades. Findings from scholars Panivong Nodrinr and Tess Do also point to press materials and records on the on-location productions in Vietnam. Specifically, evidence suggests that the Vietnamese government had offered support as well as imposed supervision and censorship at different levels during pre-production, primary photography and domestic release. In my close inquiry into these movies, censorship impacted each movie uniquely, resulting in different receptions in Vietnam and contrasting portraits of Indochina. Not just a speculation of whether the research subjects are of historical significance to Vietnamese culture, this study poses questions on the current government’s impact of the mediated construction of national identity in the case of factual sceneries and imagined borders.
-
Trends in U.S. Smoking and Cessation: Insights from 2015-2022
Nhan Phan '26, Thinh Nguyen '26, and Naima Shifa
Our project focuses on analyzing trends in smoking and cessation rates among U.S. adults between 2015 and 2022, using data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). The goal of the study was to explore how key demographic factors such as age, gender, income, and education impact smoking behaviors and quitting efforts. By employing both descriptive statistics and logistic regression, we identified disparities in smoking prevalence and cessation rates across these demographic groups. The findings suggest that while smoking rates have generally declined, there remain significant differences in outcomes based on socio-demographic variables. This work provides insights that could help shape more targeted public health interventions aimed at reducing smoking rates and addressing health disparities in tobacco use.
-
Reducing Selection Bias in the Training Data of ASL Champ! To Improve the Sign Language Recognition (SLR) System
Nushla Pradhan '26 and Laine Silverman
American Sign Language (ASL) is a natural language that is critical for effective communication within the Deaf community and also to bridge the gap between hearing and Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing individuals. Conventional methods of ASL learning apart from in person classroom instruction provide foundational knowledge but often lack the immersive and interactive elements. People often opt to learn ASL through textbooks and videos due to the limited availability of proficient ASL instructors, lack of other educational resources and limited time. This creates challenges of replicating real-life conversational scenarios and lack of real time feedback. To address these limitations, Virtual Reality (VR) technology has emerged as a promising tool for ASL education by offering an immersive learning environment where users can practice ASL, a 3D language in a three dimensional space to enhance their learning as well as retain the language. The motivation behind this study is to explore the efficacy of the VR-based ASL learning platform, ASL Champ! and its potential to revolutionize the way ASL is taught and learned. Additionally, this study will also evaluate its Sign Language Recognition (SLR) system by addressing the research question: "How does reducing the selection bias in the training data of ASL Champ! affect the accuracy of its Sign Language Recognition (SLR) system?"
-
Visual Parsing Algorithms for an Equitable Augmented Reality Learning System
Pushpita Saha '25, Matthew L. Furber MFA, and Paul W. Bible
Giving instructions for a character to navigate around a scene provides a simple analog for the planning needed in computer programming. While many children’s navigation games exist, most require the child to use a combination of input devices such as keyboard, mouse, and controllers for play. Children under the age of five may struggle to use a mouse, but they can easily construct the plans needed for such a game. This research explores layout and graph connectivity algorithms to connect tactile game pieces for a navigation game. A web camera identifies the position of action cards and numerical modifiers (card: go forward, modifier: 2 steps) on a table in front of the player. A suitable algorithm must be developed that is 1) robust to uneven placement, 2) can connect action in a sequence, and 3) connect modifiers to the appreciated action. While using tactile game pieces has a number of pedagogical advantages [1], allowing children to construct the navigation plan for controlling an on-screen character using optically recognized pieces eliminates the need for complicated input devices and lowers barriers for younger children. As the child places command cards and numerical modifiers to those commands on the table, their coordinates in space are relayed to the algorithm by a machine vision system. The current set of algorithms in development connects the commands and modifiers into a program representation that is then processed and animated when the young learner wants to run their program. These algorithms will allow for the unorthodox positioning that the children will discover through the course of play but still connect the programs in a way that captures the child’s intent. This is a work in progress report on the visual parsing algorithms of a larger learning system.
-
Metabolic Adaptation of Soil Microbial Communities to Metal Contamination: Assessment of Cadmium Stress
Nina Shaffer '25, Emma Jacobs '25, and Philips Akinwole
Anthropogenic contamination of soil with heavy metals such as Cadmium (Cd2+) alters the metabolic activities and structure of soil microbial communities and has profound impacts on the soil ecosystem. In this study, we examined the effects of Cd2+ exposure on soil microbial communities by amending soil solutions with different concentrations of Cadmium nitrate tetrahydrate Cd(NO3)2 ● 4H2O (0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.5 mM). 150 µL of the Cd2+ amended and control soil solutions were added to BIOLOG 96-well ecoplates and incubated (26 ±1oC) over a 7-day period for metabolic analysis of 31 selected carbon substrates. Average well-color development (AWCD) of the BIOLOG ecoplates showed a significant difference between the metabolic rates of Cd2+ amended soil communities, indicating alterations in the soil microbial community structure. There was a significant decrease in AWCD in the 2.5 mM Cd2+ sample when compared to lower concentrations (0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 mM) and the control samples. Furthermore, Principal Component Analysis (PCA) of the samples showed 73.2% variation along the PC1 separating communities on Cd2+ exposure basis; however, PC2 (9.4% variation) revealed distinct clusters of communities based on the responses of the bacterial communities to Cd2+ stress, with the community in 2.5 mM exposure significantly different to communities exposed to lower concentrations. Control samples exhibited unique metabolic profiles utilizing carbohydrates, α-Cyclodextrin, Glycyl-L Glutamic Acid, and Phenylethylamine while Cd-exposed communities showed differential responses, for instance, communities exposed to lower Cd2+ concentrations disproportionately utilized polymer and D-mannitol. Bacteria amended with 2.5 mM Cd2+ guild utilization included 36.30% carbohydrates compared to the control utilizing 31.21% carbohydrates. The 2.5 mM Cd2+ bacteria also utilized 22.52% polymers compared to 10.94% polymers for control. For all concentrations amines & amides were utilized the least in a range of 4.01% to 6.95%. In conclusion, our findings showed that soil microbial communities pre-exposed to varying Cd2+ stress manifested different metabolic profiles and utilization rates of carbon substrates. Moreover, AWCD data indicated that Cd2+ addition inhibited the metabolic activity of soil microbial communities. This study underscores the need to identify Cd-resistant species that might play significant roles in metal remediation. Therefore, metagenomics analysis is needed to evaluate bacterial species and functional diversity that are selected for in the Cd2+ amended or polluted soils.
-
Phenotypic Variations in T. repens (White Clover) Leaf Pigmentation
Danielle Sommerman '25, Chiamaka Nbubuokwu '27, and Rose Keith
There is a known variation in patterning amongst the leaves of variegated plants. The reasons as to why this polymorphism occurs has long been debated by botanists and biologists, but some hypotheses include thermoregulation, ultraviolet protection, and pollinator attraction among others (Kuo et al., 2024). We hypothesized that physical location may play a role in the leaf variegation of Trifolium repens (white clover). Starting mid July of 2024, we collected sample leaflets from multiple local populations from three distinct sites in Greencastle, IN. After collecting, we looked at the frequency of chevron presence as well as the size of the chevrons. We determined that there is a difference between chevron size and frequency between sites.
-
Optimizing Transport Predictive Modeling with Simulation-Based Statistical Inference
Quyen Tran '27 and Mamunur Rashid
Simulation-based statistical inference (SBI) leverages computer simulations to help scientists understand and analyze complex data. This project explores how SBI techniques can be used to analyze transportation data. We use modern computational methods, including machine learning models, to improve the accuracy of predictions and decision-making in transportation planning. Our study focuses on applying two SBI methods, Approximate Bayesian Computation - Markov Chain Monte Carlo and Synthetic Likelihood, to create synthetic data for training machine learning models. These models show the potential of SBI to handle uncertain data. It also highlights the practical benefits of SBI in making predictions and decisions for transportation systems.
-
Development and Quantification of an Attachment Assay for Epidermal Cells to Varying Extracellular Matrix Dilutions
Julian Vargas '26 and Colleen L. Doçi
The concept of cellular attachment is cells interacting with the extracellular matrices surrounding it. Extracellular matrices are made of various components, and it has been shown that the interactions differ between different classes of extracellular matrices. The basement membrane plays a critical role in the structure and function of the epidermis, the outermost layer of the skin. It is composed of key extracellular matrix components, which are crucial for structural stability of the skin and for maintaining the integrity of the epidermis. Through components like collagen, laminin, and proteoglycans, the BM facilitates communication between the epidermal cells and the connective tissue. This communication is very relevant and key to cell proliferation, differentiation, and wound healing processes. This project focused on developing and modifying a generalized protocol for a cellular attachment assay using the HaCat epithelial cell line to measure the number of cells that attach to different classes of extracellular matrices. Three classes of extracellular matrices were experimented on: the protein collagen, synthetic polymer poly-D-lysine, and glycoprotein laminin. The goal for the protocol is for it to be able to be a low cost, effective, and easily modifiable model that can be used in research involving the observation of cellular attachment.
-
E-TextBook For Better Learning in Chemistry 120
Anh Vu '27 and Jeffery A. Hansen
Organic chemistry is a highly visual subject since organic compounds are 3D objects. For this reason, in order to fully understand the composition, properties, and chemistry of these compounds, it is essential to understand and visualize their 3D structures. Nevertheless, there is a frequent necessity to depict organic substances on 2D surfaces, such as paper, a computer screen, or a whiteboard. As a result, one of the biggest obstacles we will face is learning these molecules in a 2D format while maintaining an accurate understanding of 3D nature. The purpose of this e-textbook is to fully utilize the digital medium by integrating images, videos, games, 3D interactive objects, etc., in order to assist students in comprehending the properties of molecules in both 2D and 3D formats.
-
A Comparative Analysis of Urea vs. Acetamide in AOT reverse micelles
Kate Walsh '26, Bridget Gourley, and Nancy E. Levinger
In our exploration of the interactions between water and amide osmolytes, we focused on the effects of urea and acetamide on the stability of reverse micelles (RMs) formed with Sodium Bis(2-ethylhexyl)sulfosuccinate (AOT) in isooctane. Water, with its unique polarity and its ability to facilitate hydrogen and proton transfer, played a crucial role in our study, as we aimed to uncover how these amides would influence micellar behaviour. Our results revealed a compelling contrast between urea and acetamide. Acetamide, with its lower polarity due to a methyl group substitution, demonstrated superior solubility and significantly reduced precipitate formation compared to urea. This enhanced stability suggests that acetamide's structural properties allow for a more harmonious integration within the micellar system. Employing dynamic light scattering (DLS) and fluorescence spectroscopy, we found that increasing the water-to-surfactant ratio (w0) led to a marked rise in the fluorescence intensity of the coumarin dye (C343). This indicated greater accommodation of dye molecules in the core of the RMs, enhancing our understanding of micellar dynamics. In contrast, varying the concentration at a constant w0 resulted in inconsistent fluorescence trends, underscoring the complexities inherent in micellar behaviour. Ultimately, our study highlights the pivotal role of amide polarity in determining micellar stability, paving the way for future research into the implications of these interactions in biological and chemical contexts. We set the stage for novel applications and further investigations into micellar systems by deepening our insights into osmolyte behaviour.
-
Investigating Neurite Outgrowth Influenced by Breast Cancer Progression Using In Vitro Models of Collagen I Hydrogels
Emma Waskom '27, Nikolas Ala-Kokko, and Younghye Song
Through the use of vitro modeling of tumor progression, using collagen I hydrogels and progressing cell lines, a demonstration of the interactions between breast cancer cells and nerve cells can be investigated. With these models, our goal is to compare the measurement of outgrowth of nerve cells through the use of supplemented NGF and co cultures of breast cancer cells. Human MCF-CA1a.cl1, -AneoT, and -10A, adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs), and rat PC-12 cells, were all passaged from 2D cultures and cultured in a collagen I hydrogen at a cell density of 250,000 cells/ml of media. Collagen hydrogels were then made from a warm mammalian cell procedure. PC-12 cells were seeded on top for four hours after gels were made then media was added. NGF for NGF supplemented cultures was added on day 0 and after 72 hours was removed through a media change. Gels were fixed after 8 days of culture. Immunofluorescence staining was used with neurofilament and beta III tubulin being used to identify perineural invasion. DAPI was used as a nuclear counterstain. Immunofluorescence imaging showed that there was zero outgrowth when no NGF was added. However, outgrowth did appear when NGF was added as well as in all MCF media cultures. Nonetheless, there was no significant difference in the percentage of PC-12s with outgrowth per field of view. The AneoT media had the highest average percentage of PC-12s with outgrowth (51.5%), as well as the highest average length of outgrowth (37.04 µm). Measuring the neurite length, all PC-12 cultures treated with MCF media only were significantly higher than no NGF treatment. By comparing the length of outgrowth and the percentage of outgrowth, we found that AneoT cells had a significant influence on the length of outgrowth.
-
Communicating Sustainability Effectively Online
Alexandra Zarek '25
How my Summer 2024 Marketing Internship at Valent BioSciences changed my thinking about what to post online.
-
Understanding Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Neurodegenerative Diseases Using Novel Neuron Cell Models
Amy Apfelbaum, Anthony Grillo PhD, Raghav Dutta PhD, and Alaa Hassan
This past summer I worked Dr. Anthony Grillo’s lab under my mentors Raghav Dutta and Alaa Hassan at the University of Cincinnati. The Grillo Lab is focused on understanding the mechanisms of mitochondrial complex 1 dysfunction in neurodegenerative diseases. It has been shown that an early feature of neurodegeneration is complex 1 dysfunction; we were trying to determine if this is a cause or an effect of these diseases. This summer, we focused on identifying different types of neuron subtypes in brain tissue samples, isolating primary neurons by first identifying and visualizing the types of brain cells present in brain tissue samples, and imaging protein aggregates that are thought to be a major cause of aging diseases, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson’s Disease. We worked with complex 1 knockout mice because they give insight into how mitochondrial failure affects cellular physiology, giving us a better understanding of the pathogenic mechanisms that induce these genetic, aging, and environmental diseases. We used two common techniques of western blot and immunofluorescence to accomplish these tasks. Through this experience in an interdisciplinary research lab that combined biochemistry, neuroscience, and physiology, I was able to expand on my prior knowledge both in and out of the lab and collaborate with graduate and post-doctorate students.
-
Analysis of the Crab Nebula and Pulsar
Alexander Bittle, Ian Kuhl, Jingze (Justin) Zhou, and Avery Archer
Although the Crab Nebula is well understood, the Very Energetic Radiation Imaging Telescope Array System (VERITAS) still regularly observes the Crab's highest energy emissions. These emissions are used to calibrate the telescopes, further, document the system, and investigate the validity of physical models. Our research this summer is geared to analyze data from 2018-2022 to add to an ongoing research project investigating the long term variability of the Crab Nebula’s emission.
-
An Introduction to the VERITAS Observatory
Alexander Bittle, Ian Kuhl, Jingze (Justin) Zhou, and Avery Archer
Located at the base of Mount Hopkins, Arizona, at an elevation of approximately 4200 feet, the Very Energetic Radiation Imaging Telescope Array System (VERITAS) is a ground-based gamma ray observatory containing four Cherenkov telescopes designed to detect very high energy gamma rays with energies ranging from 100GeV to 10TeV using the Imaging Atmospheric Cherenkov Technique. In April 2007, VERITAS began successful operations with all four telescopes. As of today, over 15 years of data has been taken by the VERITAS array, stored in an archive of data, and used for a wide variety of research, publications, PhD theses, and conventions examining some of the most violent and energetic processes in our universe.
-
Investigating Sucrose and D-trehalose in AOT Reverse Micelles
Delaney Collier and Bridget L. Gourley
Reverse micelles are nanosized structures that encapsulate small water pools and allow us to investigate the fundamental interactions of small organic molecules in nanoconfinement. The behavior of small organic molecules, sometimes referred to as osmolytes, differs in bulk solution and confinement. Because reverse micelles are a good model for biological nanoconfinement, investigating osmolytes in reverse micelle systems can help us to better understand the role they play in biological systems. Optical spectroscopy such as UV-Vis, Fluorescence, and Red Edge Excitation (REES) was used to probe the environment of the reverse micelles. Three small organic molecules were studied: a monosaccharide, d-glucose, and two disaccharides, d-trehalose and sucrose. Spectroscopy results indicate that nanoconfinement affects the interactions had by the osmolytes. Dynamic Light Scattering was used to determine the size of the reverse micelles. Size data results suggest that size increases as w0 increases, and as the concentration of saccharide added decreases, the variability of size increases.
-
Investigating rare genetic variants of unknown significance in LDHA
Animesh Dali, Brennan Jensen, Olivia Lockette, and Duyen Nguyen
The exponential expansion and advancement of genetic sequencing has revealed the molecular basis of many genetic diseases. However, many genetic mutations are still classified as variants of unknown significance (VUS). Our lab focused on eleven missense variants in Lactate Dehydrogenase A (LDHA), an enzyme vital in anaerobic respiration. The intent with our research is to produce data on the kinetic functionality of wild type LDHA and compare this to its mutants of unknown significance. This data, supplemented with the structural information of the mutants can help reduce the ambiguity in the diagnosis of genetic disorders involving the LDHA enzyme. Currently, we have recorded the baseline kinetic function of the wild type LDHA based on its ability to convert the coenzyme NADH to NAD+. While we have a general understanding of the kinetic function of our mutant variants, A320T, T309P, L190F, E55K, D46V, P139L, G282R, K119R, T95M, G103E, and I94F, further tests need to be conducted to reduce variability.
-
Comparative Synthesis of MIL-100 Fe from Iron (III) and Ground Iron Characterization and Porous Property Evaluation
Animesh Dali '24, Khanh Nguyen '24, and Hilary J. Eppley
MIL-100(Fe) is an iron-based metal-organic framework (MOF) known for its porous structure, crucial in various applications like gas storage, catalysis, drug delivery, and pollutant adsorption. In medical contexts, MIL-100(Fe) can encapsulate drugs, safeguarding them from unwanted interactions. These frameworks release drugs in specific conditions, ensuring targeted delivery. Our study investigated drug encapsulation using isoniazid (INH) and a structurally similar drug, Acetaminophen. We employed XRD, SEM imaging, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, and UV-Vis Spectroscopy for material characterization and to probe drug absorption and delivery mechanisms.
-
Had Grass, Water and Wood: Scanning and Transcribing the 1864 Travel Diary of John Heinen
Elizabeth Dugan and Caroline Gilson
This collaborative project included scanning and transcribing a diary owned by Caroline Gilson passed down from her mother. The diary is from May-September 1864, kept by Ernst John Heinen, recording his trip from Nebraska to California on the Overland Trail. Heinen is Caroline’s great-great grandfather, born in Germany in 1836. Elizabeth Dugan worked hands-on with the diary, scanning the work and transcribing the work. Elizabeth and Caroline developed a manuscript transcription guide, based on established best practices. A reading list Caroline created guided the exploration of the diary, including emigrant migration and native American encounters and perspectives of the time, and westward expansion in the 1860s.
-
Stressed, but doing fine. An Investigation of Apocynum Cannabinum Patches and Individuals
Lauren Kyburz, Lily Monnett, Quincie Simmons, and Dana Dudle
Apocynum cannabinum (hemp dogbane) is a native Indiana plant that is abundant in the DePauw University Nature Park’s quarry, a heterogeneous site that contains stretches of dry, rocky terrain in addition to many temporary ponds. In 2023, I mapped the distribution of A. cannabinum in the quarry to see if its habitats are associated with elevation and/or the presence of temporary ponds. I also conducted a study of diurnal pollinator visitation, and an examination of damage caused by the dogbane saucrobotys moth (Saucrobotys futilalis).
-
Differential Equations in Stock Prediction Analysis
Alan Tuan Le, Mai Le, and Sutthirut Charoenphon
Stock price prediction plays a vital role in financial decision-making and has been an area of extensive research. In this research, we explore the effectiveness of the differential equation of Brownian motion as a method for stock price prediction and compare its performance with two established techniques, ARIMA and XGBoost. Using historical data from Yahoo Finance, we assess the predictive capabilities of these models and analyze their strengths and weaknesses. The findings of this study will shed light on the potential of Brownian motion as a viable approach in financial forecasting and provide valuable insights for investors and researchers in applying mathematics in social sciences. We also researched the application of this technique in option pricing and combined this with more complicated mathematical models.
-
Spatial Narratives in the Bronze Age
Linh Le
This research paper explores the relationship between culture and architecture in the Late Bronze Age through the analysis of the Minoan and Mycenaean communities, with the focus on the latter. Drawing on the theories of “The Production of Space” by Henri Lefebvre and “Space and Place” by Yi-Fu Tuan, the study examines how these communities utilized space to construct their own unique sense of place. By analyzing most archaeological evidence from palaces and burial customs presented in Eric H. Cline’s The Oxford Handbook of The Bronze Age Aegean and Cynthia W. Shelmerdine’s The Cambridge Companion to the Aegean Bronze Age, the paper investigates how cultural values, beliefs, and practices shaped the architectural expressions of these societies. In particular, the Minoan and Mycenaean incorporated religious, economic, and political meanings to build their own places. The Minoan embodied the manifestation of utopian ideals in their palaces, simultaneously fostering a sense of attachment to their homeland among the populace. Similarly, the Mycenaean megarons reflected a deliberate construction of social hierarchies, where exclusive banqueting areas underscored the privileged access of the elite to opulent spaces. As seen in the spatial layout of the palaces, spaces were not just physical entities but carriers of narratives, narrating stories of governance, social strata, and communal beliefs. This interplay of architecture, archaeological evidence, and literary works like the Odyssey unveils the rich and intricate spatial narratives of ancient civilizations, casting light on the human experience that contributed to the creation of their unique places. Through the interdisciplinary analysis of archaeological evidence, theoretical frameworks, and literary sources, this research paper contributes to a better understanding of the intricate relationship between culture, architecture, and space. It highlights the significance of spatial experiences in shaping identity, belonging, and the construction of a sense of place within Late Bronze Age societies.