Previous studies have found that jellyfish benefit from warming temperatures and eutrophication, resulting in large jellyfish blooms worldwide. However, the impact of warming ocean temperatures on the cross jellyfish, Mitrocoma cellularia, which are common in the Pacific Northwest, has been relatively unexplored. This study tests the hypothesis that warmer water temperatures would increase M. cellularia growth. A total of 36 individuals were collected from the UW Friday Harbor Laboratories Dock, San Juan Island in September 2023. They were observed in individual jars without water flow, and equally distributed across four separate temperature-controlled baths at 13°C, 16°C, 18°C, and 20°C. Over the 96-hour exposure period, they were fed excess live zooplankton collected before each feeding and had daily water replacements. Surface area was measured with ImageJ, mortality, and overall condition after the acclimation period (initial), day two (mid), and day four (final). A growth rate polynomial regression characterized the final measurements of normal condition jellyfish with a maximum closest to 16°C, resulting in an R2 =0.24 and p-value <0.05. At 20°C, shriveling and mortality increased. While 20°C decreased M. cellularia growth, our results support previous studies that jellyfish are resilient to impacts of climate change within the range of near-future prediction for the Pacific Northwest. Further investigations of the adaptability of M. cellularia to changing temperatures is necessary to understand the future outcomes of their ecology. Examination of this species can inform the state of a jellyfish ecosystem’s adaptability to climate change, which will allow further studies to create solutions to combat changing environments for ocean habitats.

Zooplankton are vital to the marine food web, supplying nutrients and energy from primary producers to secondary consumers. During Diel Vertical Migration (DVM), zooplankton travel between depth and the surface during day and night to capitalize on food and avoid predation. This study investigated diel differences in zooplankton community composition at two locations, one exposed and one protected, in the San Juan Channel, WA over four days in September 2023. Zooplankton were collected using net tows from surface waters at both sites during day and night times. Samples were analyzed using a stereoscope and different taxonomic groups were counted. Copepods were the most abundant zooplankton taxa at both locations, with mean abundances up to 1000 individuals per cubic meter. At the exposed site, there was a significantly higher (p<0.05) abundance of zooplankton at night versus during the day. The exposed site had significantly higher diversity than the protected site at night (p<0.05). At both locations, species richness was significantly higher (p<0.05) at night compared to day. The exposed location also had significantly higher richness (p<0.05) compared to the protected location during the day. Our results indicate that zooplankton abundance and diversity in surface waters of the San Juan Channel are controlled by DVM, and differences in locations perhaps due to exposure to different flow regimes. This study reinforces the flexibility of zooplankton community composition and emphasizes the importance of understanding factors that influence changes in the base of the marine food web.

Climate change is increasing glacial melt worldwide, causing freshening events in marine ecosystems that rapidly decrease salinity. In the Salish Sea, summer low salinity events occur regularly from the Fraser River meltwater. This negatively impacts many organisms including sea urchins, which are resilient to other climate change impacts like marine heatwaves and reduced food availability. Previous studies found that low salinity impacts tube foot mobility and function in green sea urchins (Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis). We replicated the Salish Sea freshening events with a treatment of 20 PSU saltwater (control 30 PSU) to investigate the impacts on red sea urchin (Mesocentrotus fransiscanus) coordination and spine movement. This study implemented new techniques to quantify urchin motility to determine the negative effects that low salinity had on sea urchins over 96 hours. We quantified spine movement using image analysis to track individual spines of urchins in low and regular salinities. We also measured righting time, which is an indicator of urchin coordination. We found that urchins exposed to low salinity had significantly longer righting times and less spine movement overall. The low salinity treatment spine movement and righting time were highly correlated (p < 0.01), but not in the ambient salinity tanks (p > 0.01). We found that lower salinity waters have the potential to reduce urchin coordination and movement, which may impact urchin populations and kelp forests in the changing climate. Thus, there may be a lessened impact on the kelp forests needed to maintain ocean health.

Acorn barnacles (Balanus glandula) are among the most common species found in the Northern Pacific Ocean, inhabiting rocky surfaces across intertidal zones. These barnacles’ distribution is attributed to various factors, including surface exposure, spatial competition, and predation. The size and abundance of barnacles may serve as an indicator of the primary abiotic and biotic processes that influence barnacle populations in highly dynamic intertidal systems. This study tests our hypothesis that higher abundance and smaller-sized barnacles will be observed at higher tide elevations, while lower abundance and larger-sized barnacles will be observed at lower intertidal elevations on the shore. In September 2023, at Friday Harbor, (San Juan Island, WA) we photographed 10 quadrats (24x24cm) at low (0m), mid (1m), and high (2m) elevations. We observed barnacle distributions at two sites along the San Juan Channel. Barnacle abundance and size were measured with ImageJ. We calculated the mean and median barnacle size at each elevation and location. Small barnacles (0-1.5mm) were predominant in the high elevations, whereas large barnacles (>3mm) dominated the lower elevations. Our results are associated with a combination of abiotic and biotic factors. Abiotic factors include greater desiccation risks in the high intertidal elevation. Biotic factors involve food availability, with larger barnacles having greater access to the nutrients coming from the ocean, along with spatial competition, where higher abundance may lead to increased competition, thereby reducing available resources for each individual. Differences between sites may be attributed to diverse characteristics unique to each location.

This study seeks to explore the perspectives of Latine students at the University of Washington (UW) regarding racial representation within the institution. Do Latine students see their experiences and identities represented and reflected in university life? How do Latine students experience and perceive Latine representation (or lack thereof) in terms of the composition of faculty, student body, and community spaces at UW? This research project aims to uncover the realities, challenges, and promise of support and community on campus. Through interviews with Latine students, faculty, and staff, this inquiry will describe how students find support at UW and navigate their academic environment. To attain a comprehensive understanding, the research utilizes a combination of primary and secondary sources, incorporating interviews with Latine students, staff, and faculty at the UW to capture personalized and nuanced perspectives. By examining the lived experiences and perspectives of individuals directly affected, the study aims to thoroughly examine the complex dynamics at play. Exploring the lived experiences of Latine students, the study will contribute to the discourse on racial representation in academia and its impact on student well-being and academic success. The findings will inform discussions on how institutions can foster an inclusive environment that recognizes and supports the diverse backgrounds of all students. This research project has emerged from ongoing conversation and collaboration with the Washington State Commission on Hispanic Affairs members. This research project will inform the community report that the Commission is preparing.

The kidney is composed of thousands of filtration units called nephrons. Within each nephron lies a tuft of capillaries, the glomerulus, that filters from the blood through a filtration barrier. Over time this filtration barrier thickens, ultimately causing decreased blood filtration. A main marker of this age-related degradation are telomeres which comprise the ends of chromosomes and protect the coding DNA from degradation. If telomeres become too short, the coding region of DNA will begin to degrade. To combat this, telomere shortening signals for cells to enter a state of permanent cell cycle arrest, senescence, which prevents replication of cells with degraded DNA. Accurately quantifying telomere length will enable the development of correlations between cell lineage and structural changes within the kidney. I hypothesize that Expansion Microscopy (ExM) and quantitative-Fluorescent In-Situ Hybridization (Q-FISH) will allow me to determine the relationship between physiological changes in the filtration barrier and single-cell telomere length. ExM enables a superresolution cellular view by embedding a tissue sample in a swellable hydrogel, achieving four-fold isotropic expansion. This technique confers greater resolution of Q-FISH signal versus traditional confocal microscopy. To determine telomere length, I developed custom analysis scripts to quantify Q-FISH signal brightness. Preliminary results indicate an increased brightness of younger mice compared to their aged counterparts. Additionally, to receive a base-pair output I compared the Q-FISH signal to the signal of a DNA region of known length, Major Satellites, determining young telomeres to have an average base-pair length of 30 kb. I am validating these results in collaboration with the Miller Lab using next-generation sequencing techniques. Future work includes concurrent application of general physiology stains to identify and measure the glomerular filtration barrier physiology. Results from this method will allow for a wealth of information regarding the relationship of single-cell telomere length and glomerular structural health.

Epigenetic factors, including histone marks, change the patterns of gene expression without altering the DNA sequence. Variations in such marks are known to account for the ability of stem cells to differentiate into various cell types, but a preliminary experiment conducted by a former member of the Vaughan Group, Dr. Marcus Woodworth, has revealed that even in a phenotypically homogeneous, terminally differentiated cell population, the presence of H3K27me3, a repressive histone mark, varies on the HOXC gene of human retinal pigment epithelium (RPE1) cells at single-cell, single-loci level. My role is to evaluate the two possible origins of such heterogeneity: inheritance (histone mark varies due to events that happened during differentiation, or the random drift after differentiation, and the variations are kept within each lineage of cells), and multiple mark co-repression (one histone mark varies, but summing its effect with another histone mark that perform a similar function lead to the observed functional homogeneity), and to validate that such pattern exists among a broader range of genes. To achieve these ends, I profile selected histone marks (H3K27me3 and H3K9me3) on genes that experience different types of regulations during differentiation (HOXC, GAPDH and SIX6), using imaging-based methods, including the time-lapse imaging of live cells to map out lineages, and expansion microscopy (ExM) to capture fluorescently labeled histone marks at single-loci level. If the hypothesized origins are true, a significant difference in the number of histone mark clusters around the genes of interest would be observed between cells of different lineages, and complementary variation patterns would be observed between H3K27me3 and H3K9me3. The study reveals the nuances of histone mark dynamics on the single-cell, single-loci level, and optimizes an imaging-based method that has the potential for multiplexing at high spatial resolution, thereby providing a powerful tool for further studies on epigenetics.

Glomeruli are the basic filtration unit of the kidney. The current understanding of its physiology is limited by the partial or 2D analysis of its structural components. The Vaughan Group uses optical super-resolution microscopy in combination with advanced chemical labeling techniques and powerful data analysis approaches to perform high-resolution 3D reconstruction of the whole mouse glomeruli. Overall, the work has the potential to provide a novel understanding of the glomerular structures and how they are altered in aged and diseased conditions. The labeling of the overall morphology of the glomeruli is achieved by chemically labeling the distribution of abundant macromolecules (carbohydrates, amine, and DNA) using Fluorescence Labeling of Abundant Reactive Entities (FLARE). Though we could visualize the general physiology of the sample with FLARE, incorporating specific targeting of molecules with FLARE is still challenging. My role is to optimize the FLARE protocol to add the capability of labeling the distribution of specific molecules using immunolabeling. The most challenging part is that all the fluorophores labeled prior to FLARE will be bleached out by the strong oxidation step while labeling carbohydrates. I am focusing on exploring possible workarounds to incorporate immunostaining with FLARE. The only way to bypass the bleaching fluorophores is to label dyes after the FLARE. However, the FLARE involves the gelation part, and the gel makes antibodies which are linked to fluorophores hard to get into the sample. So, instead of using regular secondary antibodies, I use biotin and then link to the streptavidin dye, which is smaller in size and easier to enter the sample. With this optimization working, we could incorporate whatever target of interest with high resolution on top of three general stains provided by FLARE, giving us an extra degree of information for our 3D reconstructions of glomeruli.

Modern astronomical survey telescopes, like the Vera C. Rubin Observatory and Extremely Large Telescope, are projected to produce terabytes of data each observing night, raising the need for efficient machine learning algorithms to flag astronomical data for further study. One such algorithm is the Random Forest (RF) algorithm, which has previously been demonstrated to process some 2.36 million different galaxy spectra data (in 12 hours over 128 CPUs) for any potentially unique or even undiscovered phenomena. However, this previous demonstration used spectra taken from the combined light of a given galaxy. RF algorithms are ensembles of structures called “decision trees,” which categorize data points with value-comparison questions. This method can be extended to create a metric to calculate how unusual a data point is compared to other points in the dataset. Our project will extend this RF algorithm for the Mapping of Nearby GAlaxies survey (MaNGA), which accounts for the fact that spectra vary with regions of a galaxy. We explore the behavior of the RF algorithms when accounting for these spatially-varying features. Our methods include the generation of synthetic data to train random forest algorithms, RF model hyperparameter searches, and comparison of models. Furthermore, our project compares the similarity of our results to the results from Baron and Poznanski (2016), which previously applied the RF algorithms to the 2.36 million spectra data. We present the conclusions from the RF algorithms and whether prevalent emission lines are flagged by the algorithms, such as hydrogen-alpha and O-III lines. Our project also discusses the features characteristic of outlier galactic region spectra data. Successful implementation of the RF algorithms to process data pipelines from upcoming large surveys has the potential to accelerate the rate of astronomical discoveries to unprecedented levels.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a ubiquitous environmental bacterium and an opportunistic pathogen of wounds, cornea, and the Cystic Fibrosis lung. P. aeruginosa is also a model organism for the study of bacterial biofilm formation. Biofilms are multicellular communities that form from bacterial growth concomitant with the production of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS). EPS includes polymers such as polysaccharides, DNA, and proteins; these polymers provide structure and protection to the biofilm cells. Proteomics experiments by the Parsek Lab and others have demonstrated that a notable component of the biofilm matrix are the secreted proteases. Secreted proteases have defined roles in virulence and nutrient acquisition, but their role in the biofilm matrix of P. aeruginosa has not been explored. I hypothesize that these secreted proteases recycle nutrients, remove cell waste, and protect cells from host immunity. To test my hypothesis, I generated a mutant strain of P. aeruginosa that lacks the six major secreted proteases. While we see that loss of the proteases does not impact planktonic growth, preliminary data suggests that loss of proteolytic activity results in moderately increased biofilm formation. Using a general proteolysis assay relying on casein hydrolysis, I have determined the relative contribution of each of the six proteases to the total proteolytic capacity of P. aeruginosa in planktonic growth. I will further test the impact of the proteases on biofilm growth in different growth environments, including under flow conditions and in artificial sputum medium. I will also assess which proteases contribute the most to proteolysis during biofilm growth. My work fits into a growing body of literature that suggests that the biofilm matrix is not an inert scaffold, but is instead a dynamic and active network.

Syphilis remains a serious global health concern, underscoring the need for better control strategies. If left untreated, the syphilis agent, Treponema pallidum subsp. pallidum (T. pallidum), can persist for decades due to its ability to evade the host immune response. Antigenic variation of the surface-exposed outer membrane protein TprK is believed to mediate persistence. TprK contains seven discrete variable (V) regions. TprK antigenic variation occurs via non-reciprocal gene conversion between the variable regions in the tprK expression site and 53 donor cassettes (DCs). We previously engineered a T. pallidum strain impaired of antigenic variation (SS14-DC^KO) by eliminating 51 of the 53 DCs. Rabbits infected with the DC^KO strain developed an attenuated infection phenotype with a reduced burden of T. pallidum cells compared to wild type (WT). Therefore, we hypothesized that if immunosuppressed rabbits are infected with SS14-DC^KO, the disease would undergo similar progression to rabbits infected with the WT strain. In this study, two rabbit groups (n=8) were either immunosuppressed with Depomedrol or untreated. Four rabbits in each group were infected intradermally with SS14-WT or SS14-DC^KO strain on clipped backs. Sera was isolated weekly to measure antibody titers using VDRL and TPPA. In addition, DNA was isolated from lesion biopsies to perform TprK profiling. Based on TprK profiling data, synthetic peptides for the most abundant V5, V6, and V7 variants were used to measure antibody reactivity by ELISA. Antibody titers measured by TPPA and VDRL were similar between immunosuppressed rabbits regardless of infecting strain. TprK profiling shows that the most abundant V sequence at the inoculum decreases over time in lesions as humoral reactivity to these peptides increases. Overall, this research demonstrates the role that TprK plays in the persistence of T. pallidum during syphilis infection and the need for novel control strategies.

NASA is currently developing communication infrastructure for the lunar landscape in preparation for its Artemis missions to the moon. When rovers explore remote areas on the moon, where radio signals may not reach, there is a need for methods to facilitate both communication from base camps and help the rover reconnect to the network. The goal is to develop a deep learning model to predict radio signal quality and maximize communication by autonomously relocating lunar rovers to areas with optimal signal strength. Channel State Information (CSI) data provides insight into how a signal propagates from transmitter to receiver, including data for the signal magnitude, phase, and ray interactions with the environment. I investigate feature selection methods with different combinations of simulated CSI data to train our Recurrent Neural Network (RNN) deep learning model and analyze the resulting performance. Previous research demonstrates one way to improve the prediction of a model is by utilizing information at the hidden layers, the internal layers between input and output data. I explore this method and aim to capture patterns over time with our CSI input data and RNN architecture for predicting the magnitude of the next ray hit. We expect that using additional information at hidden layers will help us understand the relationships between input data and help optimize the model. We anticipate validating the model through the use of real CSI data using physical experiments to replicate signal interaction in a lunar environment. Our work contributes to the development of communication technologies for upcoming lunar explorations. It also provides insight into the role deep learning can play in radio frequency propagation, paving the path for further research in this area.

Escherichia coli (E. coli) abundance is commonly used to indicate water quality and environmental health. The pH of water has been shown to affect the survival of E. coli. Possession Sound is an estuary that faces a wide range of pH (around 7.5-9.0) throughout the year due to alkaline salt water from Puget Sound mixing with acidic fresh water from the Snohomish River. Primary production, organism respiration, nutrient runoff, carbon emissions, and currents also affect pH levels. This study aims to analyze the relationship between pH and E. coli abundance in an estuarine environment. PH and E. coli data was collected from 2018 to 2023 by myself and other Ocean Research College Academy students. PH data was collected with a YSI EXO2 Sonde. E. coli data was collected using a Niskin bottle to obtain water samples which were then transferred to Petri dishes for growing and counting E. coli. My preliminary analysis shows that Possession Sound’s average pH range is around 7.5-8.5, with pH being higher in spring and summer than in fall and winter. Early analysis using Spearman’s Rank Correlation suggests that pH and E. coli have a weak, inverse relationship. There is minimal research on the relationship between pH and E. coli in a marine setting, so my study helps to provide insight into the relationship between E. coli and pH in a unique estuary.

Noise pollution from recreational boats, industry, and shipping can be an issue for marine life. This is especially important in an estuary with a lot of wildlife and human activity such as Possession Sound, Washington. This started out with the question of how noise levels change based on the time of day and season. Also knowing if those noises are related to humans or animals. Before assessing noise impacts it is important to understand baseline noise levels. This study uses data collected from a moored Soundtrap Hydrophone at Mount Baker Terminal near Mukilteo. MBT is good because it is near a waterway and railroad. The hydrophone takes readings for 15 minutes every hour. I downloaded and analyzed data from 48 periods for each season from 2022 to 2024. Using RavenPro, I found the average Root Mean Square Amplitude (RMSA) for each 15-minute file. I identified anomalies/spikes and determined their duration. Early analysis shows the average RMSA to be 364.21. The spikes have an average RMSA of 5850.07 lasting an average of 277.23 seconds. Excluding spikes gives an average RMSA of 207.97. I found the noise level in decibels with the equation 20*log(RMSA/0.001). The third spike is about equal to 135 decibels or about an aircraft taking off. The baseline is around 106 decibels or a snowblower. Similar hydrophone studies in estuaries will help determine the normalcy of these levels. I am continuing to gather data through the year to find a pattern. Hopefully this study or a future iteration of it can be used in mapping activity through time based on noise for a civil project Future studies can compare baseline RMSA at specific frequencies to frequencies known to affect marine life common in the area.

Over the last two decades, the threat of climate change has inspired significant research in the Salish Sea. Understanding trends and correlations between water temperature, dissolved oxygen (DO), and chlorophyll levels can help us understand how climate change and other anthropogenic activity has already affected the Salish Sea. My reseach focuses on seasonal and annual trends of water temperature, DO, and chlorophyll levels between 2019 and 2023 in Possession Sound, located in Everett, Washington. This longterm data-stream is generated by the Ocean Research College Academy, collected autonomously every 15 minutes by a pair of EXO sondes that are moored at Mount Baker Terminal and Everett Marina. My goal is to understand the relationship between water temperature, DO, and chlorophyll seasonally and historical trends over multiple years in Possession Sound. Preliminary figures and outside research have shown fairly consistent seasonal cycles for temperature and chlorophyll. DO trends are not as clear and data suggest significant variation is occurring within a short time frame. Future reseach may include comparing river discharge data to water chemistry data, however a more comprehensive understanding of specific inputs to the Snohomish River system is needed to draw solid conclusions about the affects of climate change.

Saltwater estuaries can experience high turbidity levels due to river input and tidal influences. Turbidity is a measure of inorganic and organic particles suspended in the water column. Reduced light penetration due to higher turbidity levels can contribute to decreased levels of primary production and the introduction of harmful pathogens to the environment. Understanding the relationship between river discharge, tides and turbidity levels could lead to a better understanding of the causes of turbidity in estuaries such as Possession Sound, WA. I hypothesize that higher current velocity contributes to higher turbidity levels. I analyzed data from a moored Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) and a Conductivity, Temperature, Depth (CTD) sensor located in the Everett Marina. ADCP and turbidity data were collected every 15 minutes, 24 hours a day, from 2017 to 2021. Preliminary results suggest that higher current velocity correlates to higher turbidity levels. Future research looks to discover how river discharge, tides and seasonal variance play into turbidity spikes.

Discipline and disciplining have been a set of processes wielded throughout history to order, control, and extract. These processes have served as efficient colonial tools and have been so intimately indicative of the way institutions wield and disseminate power that in 1976, French philosopher Michael Foucault theorized as a new form of power: disciplinary power. In my research, I explore the concept of discipline as it exists in the collegiate system, through the perspectives of Foucault's 'Discipline and Punish' and la Paperson’s 'A Third University is Possible,' while drawing inspiration from Niccolò Machiavelli's 'The Prince' to shape writing style. Rooted in the field of critical university studies and motivated by personal reflections, this project takes the form of a "how-to" guide for cultivating a docile body and aims to explore the limits and potentials of discipline within the context of STEM education at the University of Washington. As part of my methodological approach, I incorporate and analyze various university spaces’ contributions to the overall built environment and campus power structure(s). I ask what it takes for place to become space, or more simply put, how the various disciplinary bodies that inhabit space shape or alter its meaning, and vice versa. I present this project as part of an active effort to critique the colonially and penally adjacent power structures upon which many universities are built. While my research and reflections remain focused on the University of Washington, they may serve as a case study for most of modern Western academia. Through this work, I hope to advance the push towards decolonial and interdisciplinary futures within STEM and academia, at large.

Proper chromosome segregation in mitosis relies on the correct attachment of kinetochores to the plus ends of microtubules. Kinetochores are protein complexes that assemble onto centromeres and bind microtubules. Microtubules are dynamic polymers of 𝛼- and 𝛽-tubulin subunits with an intrinsic structural polarity due to the repeated head-to-tail orientation of the heterodimer subunits in the lattice. This polarity results in a faster growing plus end and a slower growing minus end. Kinetochores are thought to initially bind to the microtubule lattice and then achieve plus end attachment by the action of plus end directed motor proteins or by the microtubule tip disassembling to the attachment point. While the plus end attachment is essential for mitotic fidelity, it remains unknown if the kinetochores themselves have an intrinsic polarity preference. Using total internal reflectance fluorescence microscopy, we have found that individual kinetochores assembled on centromeric DNA have a strong preference for binding the plus ends of stabilized microtubules in the absence of motor proteins and ATP or microtubule dynamics. Furthermore, using optical trapping we are able to measure the rupture forces of kinetochores on both ends of microtubules and have found that the observed preference for plus ends is matched by a greater binding strength at plus end tips. These results together give insight into how kinetochores could efficiently form plus end tip attachments and how they likely play a part in cell cycle regulation by using tension to sense a correct attachment. A better understanding of the specific mechanisms of kinetochore microtubule binding is valuable for understanding control of mitotic progression and could potentially inform more targeted anti-cancer therapies that focus specifically on dividing cells without impacting regular cell function.

Orofacial cleft (OFC) is a relatively common birth defect that has major impacts on affected individuals and their families. Underlying causes of OFC include genetics and environmental influences. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and linkage analyses have revealed genes in which DNA variants are enriched in OFC cases relative to in unaffected individuals in the same ethnic group. Only a portion of the genetic causes have been identified. Here we focus on ARHGAP29, which was identified in several GWAS of OFC. To uncover the role of this gene in craniofacial morphogenesis, and to identify other members of its regulatory pathway, we are working on deleting a paralog of this gene, arhgap29b, in zebrafish embryos. To this end, we have designed four CRISPR guide RNAs that target specific exons in the arhgap29b gene and injected them into zebrafish embryos. We predict that such embryos will a) harbor mutations in the arhgap29b gene, which we plan to test with PCR and sequencing, and b) display abnormal morphogenesis of the face, which we plan to test by microscopy. Alternatively, we may observe a) but not b). In this event we would simultaneously disrupt the other paralog, arhgap29a. These findings will advance our understanding of genes associated with orofacial cleft, hopefully leading to improved diagnosis and underpinning the design of therapies for this disorder.

Marine microbial communities produce and cycle organic matter in the ocean. Some of this organic matter is in the form of metabolites, small, organic biomolecules that are present both inside of microbial cells and dissolved in seawater. Studying metabolite dynamics provides insights into the fate of a significant portion of marine primary production as well as microbial community interactions that influence short and long term carbon storage in the ocean. Here I analyzed both dissolved (extracellular) and particulate (intracellular) metabolites from the 2019 Gradients 3 (G3) research cruise that were collected along a latitudinal transect. Sampling stations spanned the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre, an area with low nutrients and primary productivity, to the North Pacific Subpolar Gyre, an area with higher nutrients and primary productivity. I extracted particulate metabolites using a modified Bligh and Dyer extraction and dissolved metabolites using cation-exchange solid phase extraction. I acquired metabolite data using liquid chromatography mass spectrometry and processed the data using Skyline software. In both dissolved and particulate samples, metabolite pools were dominated by compatible solutes, compounds organisms use for handling osmotic stress, as well as amino acids. Metabolite abundances in both phases largely increased traveling northwards along the transect, reflecting increases in productivity, microbial biomass, and nutrients. However, certain metabolite concentrations did not follow this trend, suggesting that differences in microbial community composition or physiology may play an important role in regulating the synthesis of these compounds. These results show how varying environmental conditions affect the composition of organic matter produced by marine microbial communities. This information can be used in to predict how marine primary producers will store and use carbon in a future changed ocean.

Using data from the United States Sentencing Commission (2014-2022), this study analyzes the impact of a defendant's gender in the sentencing of federal homicide cases. Previous research shows that female defendants experience leniency in criminal sentencing compared to male counterparts. However, studies also suggest harsher punishments are given to female defendants when the crime is violent. This may be influenced by the social construct of gender, where traits including aggression and violence are perceived to be inherently male, and male violence is often expected and excused. Focusing exclusively on federal homicide cases from fiscal years 2014-2022 (N = 3017), I ran linear regression analyses controlling for legal and extralegal factors to analyze the effect of gender on sentence length. I hypothesize that in the case of federal homicide, male defendants will receive shorter sentences compared to female counterparts. This study focuses how gender influences sentencing outcomes in federal courts. It is crucial to understand how gender influences judicial sentencing in order to promote a just legal system.

Androgen Deprivation Therapy (ADT) is the standard treatment for advanced prostate cancer (PCa), although it adversely affects muscle mass, physical function, and quality of life (QOL). It is unknown whether 1) these factors Pre-ADT can predict ADT-induced changes or 2) if non-White, non-Hispanic (NWNH) men experience greater adverse impact on these outcomes than White, non-Hispanic (WNH) men. I hypothesized that 1) greater muscle mass Pre-ADT would be protective against ADT-induced changes in muscle mass, physical function, and QOL and 2) NWNH men would experience worse changes in muscle mass, physical function, and QOL than WNH men. I assessed lean body mass (LBM) [dual energy x-ray absorptiometry], physical function [aerobic capacity (VO2Peak), hand grip strength (HGS), 6-minute walk test (6MWT), stair climb power (SCP)], and QOL [QLQ-C30 questionnaire] in PCa patients (n=59) from the Seattle VA before and 6 months after ADT. I used Pearson correlations to test associations between variables and independent t-tests to compare variables between WNH and NWNH men. Larger LBM (r=0.33, p=0.019, n=50), lower QLQ-C30 Function (r=0.31, p=0.03, n=50), and higher QLQ-C30 Fatigue (r=0.40, p=0.004, n=50) Pre-ADT were correlated with larger 6-month decreases in LBM. NWNH men (n=20) displayed significantly worse Pre-ADT HGS (p=0.038), 6MWT (p=0.037), and SCP (p=0.005) than WNH men (n=39). I anticipate that NWNH men will display worse 6-month changes in LBM, HGS, 6MWT, SCP, and QOL than WNH men in my ongoing analyses. Contrary to my hypothesis, larger LBM Pre-ADT was not protective against muscle loss. Consistent with reports that NWNH men experience greater tumor-related adverse impacts of PCa treatment, worse functional performance Pre-ADT may indicate physical function of these individuals is also disproportionately adversely impacted by ADT. By identifying predictors of adverse ADT outcomes, researchers can develop interventions aimed at preserving muscle mass, physical function, and QOL during ADT for high-risk populations. Additionally, reducing the disproportionate adverse effects of ADT on NWNH men will address disparities within PCa treatment, promoting personalized healthcare optimizing outcomes for all patients. 

Bacteria face a variety of threats, including antagonistic killing by other bacteria in competition for space and resources. In response to this antagonism, many bacteria have evolved specific defense systems. One pertinent example is the Pseudomonas aeruginosa Response to Antagonism (PARA) in P. aeruginosa, which provides defense against various antagonists by activating a suite of genes, mediated by two-component pathway Gac/Rsm, in response to kin cell lysis. The Gac/Rsm machinery is conserved across the Pseudomonas genus, but its function in defense has not been studied outside of P. aeruginosa. Here, we investigate whether two divergent Pseudomonas species, P. putida (KT2440) and P. protegens (Pf-5), similarly use Gac/Rsm in defense. To do this, we performed competitive growth assays against an antagonistic competitor, Enterobacter cloacae, comparing Gac/Rsm deletion mutants against wild-type, and quantified relative survival as an indicator of competitive fitness. Preliminary data indicate that the deletion of the core Gac/Rsm gene gacS results in dramatically decreased competitive fitness for Pf-5, but not for KT2440. This indicates that Pf-5 uses the Gac/Rsm system in a similar manner to P. aeruginosa and that, while Gac/Rsm is conserved, it may differ in function between species. To identify additional specific genes involved in defense systems, we set up a genome-wide screen. The screen indicated that genes related to the flagellum and lipopolysaccharide biosynthesis may be involved in defense against antagonism, which was surprising because these well-characterized structures have never before been implicated in defense. Work is currently underway to validate these genes as true defense factors and determine the mechanism by which they confer survival. Our findings advance the understanding of defense systems among Pseudomonas species by shedding light on their conservation and complexity, thus providing a foundation for future work on defense systems across bacterial phyla.

This poster describes a qualitative study highlighting the intersection of ethnic identity and Christian faith in shaping South Asian college students’ perceptions of LGBTQ+ individuals. Current sociopolitical climates toward LGBTQ+ individuals in South Asian countries tend to be hostile, and even South Asian communities within the United States can reflect similar beliefs. Zaidi (2014) found that shame in the South Asian community was in conflict with a desire to express one’s queer identity among South Asian youths (Zaidi, 2014). Moreover, environmental factors such as the religious setting might contribute to varying perspectives regarding LGBTQ+ individuals; in the current study, we highlight faith-based higher education institutions (i.e., Christian university) as an institution that can shape views regarding LBTBQ+ folks and their experiences. We conducted 6 semi-structured interviews with South Asian college students enrolled in a Christian university located in the Pacific Northwest region of the U.S. Our three-member research team transcribed the interviews, coded the transcriptions, and placed the codes in themes according to Braun and Clarke’s (2006) guidelines for Thematic Analysis. The four themes that we identified include support for LGBTQ+ people on campus, Christian messaging around LGBTQ+ identity, South Asian communities, and participant’s own attitudes. These major themes also included subthemes, some of which are campus advocacy and protests influenced participant’s beliefs, feelings of an internal struggle, attitudes of South Asian communities, and individual affirming attitudes. Broadly, we found that the participants viewed their own South Asian communities as generally silent or passive in LGBTQ+ dialogues, and that their Christian campus promoted both helpful and unhelpful conversations about the topic. We will present some implications for practice in higher education around fostering an inclusive space for LGTBQ+ individuals, especially as they pertain to intentional integration of culture-specific (e.g., South Asian) and religious (e.g., Christian) perspectives.

Plainfin midshipman (Porichthys notatus) are seasonally reproducing teleost fish found along the Pacific Coast of North America. During the non-reproductive months (December-February), midshipman live offshore in deep waters. Between March and July, they migrate to the intertidal zone to reproduce. During the reproductive period, dominant (type I) males build and defend nests and hum to attract female mates. Unlike most vertebrates, courtship (humming to attract mates) and parental care (egg cleaning, nest defense) are both conducted only by type I males. These males therefore face energetic and temporal trade-offs between courtship to parental care within a single reproductive season. Our research investigates the neural mechanisms underlying the transition from courtship to paternal care in type I males during the reproductive period. We propose that this behavioral shift is regulated by steroid hormones (i.e. testosterone and estrogen) and neuropeptides (i.e. galanin). We are measuring hormone levels in blood and brain of midshipman fish across various conditions of courtship and parental care. We show the relationship between changes in steroid and neuropeptide levels in both blood and brain and changes in courtship and parental care behavior in type I males. Understanding these mechanisms in midshipman fish is crucial, as the steroid and neuropeptide pathways that regulate social behaviors share similar pathways across vertebrates. Therefore, studying this in teleost fish can provide valuable insights into the broader regulatory mechanisms of reproductive life-stage transitions in vertebrates.

Retinoic acid-inducible gene (RIG-I) receptors (RLRs) are pathogen recognition receptors (PRRs) that play a major role in innate immune defense against RNA virus infection. RLR RIG-I and melanoma differentiation-associated protein 5 (MDA5) interact with viral RNA ligands in the cytoplasm via their N-terminal caspase recruitment domains (CARDS) to modulate antiviral immunity during an infection. Activated RLRs then signal through mitochondrial antiviral-signaling protein (MAVS) to stimulate the production of type 1 interferon (IFN). IFN upregulates transcription of interferon stimulated genes (ISGs) which encode proteins implicated in inducing an antiviral state to eliminate invading viruses.
Herein, we continue the evaluation of RLRs and their subsequent signaling partners in response to viral infection. To this aim, we utilize West Nile Virus (WNV), a neurotropic virus belonging to the Flaviviridae RNA virus family and commonly used to model positive sense RNA viruses and their role in RLR induced immunity. Two strains of WNV, WNV Madagascar (WNV MAD) which is attenuated in mice and WNV Texas (WNV TX) which is virulent in mice are used. The results demonstrated that the RLRs, specifically RIG-I, are significant contributors to the difference in virulence of pathogenic WNV TX and the non-pathogenic WNV MAD strains. Replication kinetics in knockout immunocompetent cell lines demonstrate that primarily RIG-I signaling through MAVS, not other RLRs (MDA5), restrict viral replication of WNV MAD but WNV TX in cell culture models. We also show the role of RIG-I and its restriction of WNV MAD intracellular viral protein accumulation. The specific mechanism of the restriction of WNV by RLR signaling is further elucidated, specifically the role of IFN in our cell culture model. Further studies will allow for the development of small molecule inhibitors or treatments that may aid in the prevention of severe disease caused by positive sense viral pathogens.