Along the shoreline of Possession Sound, located in the southern basin of the Salish Sea are 10 outflows of combined sewage systems. Combined sewage systems collect rainwater, untreated domestic sewage, and industrial wastewater within a single sewer line. When heavy rainfall occurs, these systems overflow and are directed into designated combined sewage outflows (CSOs), which then empty into the estuary, releasing E. coli (Escherichia coli) directly into the estuarine ecosystem. These CSOs, along with other factors, change the pH of the waters within the basin. Preliminary analysis of primary literature suggests a relationship exists between pH and E. coli growth. The pH change affects the enzyme growth within E. coli. As river discharge fluctuates, so does the amount of outflow from the CSOs which then cascades into pH changes at the site closer to the CSOs. The guidelines and regulations in place today allow for significant volumes of sanitary waste to be overflowed into marine systems. When river discharge increases, the overall pH within the Sound decreases. It was hypothesized that when there is a large amount of rainfall that leads to heavy river discharge and low pH, there will be more Escherichia coli growth at all of the sites throughout the Sound. Ocean Research College Academy students collected bacterial sample data at 12 stations in Possession Sound from 2009 to 2019. All data were recorded with distance from a CSO. A Niskin bottle was deployed at the surface and halocline with a YSI 650 testing pH. Samples were tested for bacterial count and compared with other samples taken after heavy rainfalls. Further research will define the trends in river discharge, pH and E.coli for Possession Sound.

Eelgrass beds in central Salish Sea are critical components of healthy ecosystems that are vulnerable to anthropogenic impacts. This study utilized two locations in Possession Sound to monitor water chemistry within and near two different eelgrass beds; one unmapped, and one established. The study compared these two locations and investigated the impact of location on water chemistry within the bed. Data-sharing and collaboration with the Samish Indian Nation Department of Natural Resources’ work on eelgrass beds in Fidalgo Bay provided a broader scope into regional differences within the central Salish Sea. This study was conducted by Ocean Research College Academy (ORCA) students at eelgrass beds in Possession Sound located near Mukilteo and Hat Island. The study ran from October 2019 to spring 2020, and utilized background data from past studies to inform studies at the bed near Mukilteo. Data were collected using a combination cast of a camera collecting visual data and a CastAway CTD, which collected vertical profiles of salinity and temperature at recorded geographic coordinates. Data were collected during a free drift across the eelgrass bed. An EXO Sonde was temporarily installed in the bed to collect chlorophyll and turbidity data in a longitudinal manner. The study primarily explored how location impacts the water chemistry eelgrass beds in central Salish Sea both within the bed and within a region. Research going forward could study remote beds more comprehensively using technology previously tested such as drones and SONAR, as well as a longer-term collaboration between the Samish DNR and ORCA.

Racial microaggressions are subtle manifestations of racial bias. Though they are subtle, they cause tremendous psychological strain for minoritized populations. Prior research from our lab has found four main types of microaggressions: intergroup anxiety, color blindness, objectifying, and negative stereotypes. Intergroup anxiety refers to nervousness about interracial communication, such as being perceived as racist, and often manifests into avoidance of such interactions. Color blindness is the denial of racial identity, saying “I don’t see color” for example, while objectifying is being preoccupied by differences, such as fixating on a Black woman’s hair. Lastly, negative stereotypes are predetermined racial judgements based on known labels like “welfare queen.” In the research study, we sought to understand whether women of color experienced these or other microaggressions while seeking services following domestic violence. A focus group was conducted with advocates, people who provide emotional support and resources for domestic violence survivors, to gather information about their clients’ experiences. From advocate responses, we identified themes that fell into one of our four microaggression categories. In addition, we uncovered a fifth form of microaggression, and found that many survivors reported macroaggressions. This research could inform future training strategies for service providers, and help domestic violence survivors access services without encountering microaggressive racial bias.

In recent years, student activists have made headlines by accusing peers, institutions and celebrities of engaging in cultural appropriation - the selective taking of a culture other than one’s own. But under what conditions does an action become interpreted as cultural appropriation, and does it always carry a negative connotation? Scholars have debated the social significance of appropriation, with some arguing it is exploitative and others arguing it signals a minority group’s acceptance into a larger society. While much research has examined how white individuals define and determine cultural appropriation, little research has examined the reactions of the members whose culture has been potentially appropriated. This is especially true for Asian Americans whose understanding of cultural appropriation is almost never examined by researchers. This study corrects for this omission by examining Chinese and Vietnamese student interpretations and reactions to cultural appropriation using a factorial vignette study. While prior research has suggested the race of the appropriator and the culture appropriated affect interpreations, prelimary results reveal that the medium appropriated and the relationship between the copyist and the appropriated culture better predict the way individuals in this study view acts of appropriation. As what constitutes cultural appropriation becomes increasingly contested among students in colleges across America, my study will shed light on how members of underrepresented ethno-racial groups decide whether a potential act of cultural appropriation is harmful or helpful.