Friday, March 22, 2019

What Is Organizational Psychology?


University student Matthew (Matt) Kafker maintains a full course load as a physics major in Boston. To receive a well-rounded education, Matt Kafker also studies social sciences, including psychology. 

One of the newest branches of psychology is the study of groups and organizations. Emerging in the early 1900s, organizational psychology focuses on the impact of organizations on individual behavior. While most organizational psychologists study behavior in the workplace setting, these professionals can be found in diverse industries, including advertising and education. 

As competition for the best talent increases, organizational psychologists are increasingly in demand. The job outlook for the profession is expected to grow by 8 percent within the upcoming decade.

Organizational psychologists work with companies in-house or as consultants. They use data and research to assess areas such as hiring, retention, and employee well-being. Companies may also work with organizational psychologists to develop and modify training programs and improve workplace diversity initiatives.

Friday, March 1, 2019

Qualities of DNA and RNA


University student Matthew “Matt” Kafker graduated from Middlesex School as a National Merit Commended Student and a National AP Scholar. Since then, he has studied computer science, math, physics, and literature at an undergraduate level. During his pursuit of a physics degree, Matt Kafker has completed courses relating to such areas as biophysics.

A unique scientific field, biophysics explains how all of life works. To this end, it deals with a variety of areas, including topics such as DNA and RNA.

Two of cell biology’s most important molecules, DNA and RNA store and read the genetic information required for all life. Both are structured as strands, and they share the nucleobases of adenine, guanine, and cytosine. 

Further, both DNA and RNA consist of phosphates and sugars. Despite these similarities, the two do not perform the same functions.

DNA, or deoxyribonucleic acid, is a double-stranded molecule. The two strands are in a double-helix form. RNA, or ribonucleic acid, is a single-stranded molecule, though it does occasionally form a double-helix structure.

Beyond structural differences, the location of DNA and RNA differs. Normally, DNA is found within the nucleus of a cell and sometimes in the mitochondria. Since RNA is primarily responsible for carrying out genetic code transfers according to the DNA’s blueprints, RNA is usually found in different regions of the cytoplasm.