As Cannabis use is becoming more widespread there is growing concern regarding the respiratory exposures of employees working in indoor cannabis processing facilities. Employees in these occupational settings are frequently exposed to volatile organic compounds (VOCs), particulate matter (PM), other respiratory irritants, and allergic sensitizers. These exposures are linked to work related illness and disease, such as occupational asthma. Notably, a fatality, in 2022, in a Cannabis worker due to occupational asthma highlights the urgent need for improved exposure controls. Cannabis processing workers experience prolonged and frequent exposure via inhalation with little knowledge on the respiratory hazards of this work. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of a local exhaust ventilation (LEV) system to reduce exposure to airborne hazards during automated joint filling. Automated joint filling is a common process in Cannabis production facilities, using mechanized equipment pre-ground material is dispensed into pre-rolled cones. This method is preferred in the field as it increases both consistency and efficiency. Over a ~2-hour sampling period across eight batches of pre-rolled joints, we conducted gravimetric sampling for inhalable PM using two inhalable aerosol samplers (IOMs) positioned at the workbench and in the breathing zone. VOC exposure was assessed using thermal desorption tubes and photoionization detectors (PIDs), while continuous respirable PM concentrations were measured using a Nanozen DustCount monitor. Testing air concentration for PM and VOCs with and without the LEV mechanism is being conducted to determine its effectiveness at reducing exposure. We hypothesize that this may be an effective solution, as the LEV has controlled these agents significantly in other similar workplace settings. As this field grows due to recent state by state legalization of Cannabis, these findings hold great impact for workplace safety regulation and solutions. Additional research should be gathered on long-term exposure effects and preventive mechanisms.

The identification of synergistic drug combinations remains a significant challenge in oncology due to the large amount of existing drugs and complex interactions between these drugs. In this work, we propose an active learning framework applied to the NCI ALMANAC dataset to efficiently uncover promising drug pairs that conventional screening methods might overlook due to lack of time and resources to handle these nearly countless combinations. Building on established greedy sampling strategies—such as GSx, which selects samples based on maximal minimum distance in the input space, and GSy, which focuses on output diversity—we introduce modifications to potentially enhance sample selection diversity and predictive performance. First, we explore replacing the traditional greatest minimum distance criterion with a greatest average distance metric, hypothesizing that this adjustment captures the overall variability in the data differently than the traditional method. Second, we redefine the improved greedy sampling (iGS) approach by standardizing the distance metrics from both the input (GSx) and output (GSy) spaces using Z-score normalization (or alternative standardization methods) prior to their aggregation, rather than combining them multiplicatively. We conduct a comprehensive comparative analysis against traditional methods to evaluate improvements in model convergence, prediction accuracy, and the ability to identify rare but potent drug combinations. We also explore other active learning strategies as Query By Committee (QBC) and others. Our preliminary findings suggest that these tailored active learning techniques offer a promising pathway toward more efficient and insightful exploration of high-dimensional drug interaction landscapes.

Viral evolution theory hypothesizes that specialist strategies increase fitness by reducing interspecific competition, while generalist viruses increase fitness by accessing multiple hosts. However, specialism may come at the cost of infecting few hosts, while generalism may reduce fitness in any single host. These tradeoffs have been demonstrated in Infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHNV), an aquatic rhabdovirus infecting multiple salmonid species. High rates of viral replication have been observed for specialized subgroups in their respective hosts, while lower rates of replication across multiple hosts have been observed for the generalist subgroup. However, the host-virus mechanisms underlying these replicative differences are unknown. Here, I aim to characterize the early innate immune response of sockeye salmon, the ancestral host of IHNV, to specialist and generalist subgroups at target tissues. Specifically, I seek to test whether sockeye salmon display distinct transcriptomic responses to IHNV specialist and generalist subgroups in the kidney 2 days post-exposure (dpe). To accomplish this goal, RNA was extracted and sequenced from kidney tissue of individuals 2-dpe following exposure to specialist (n=9), generalist (n=9), or control (n=4) IHNV treatments. Overexpressed and underexpressed genes will be identified between each subgroup and control samples. These genes will then be used for pathway enrichment to compare differences in transcriptomic response. Replicative rates have shown a difference between specialist and generalist subgroups of IHNV 2-dpe in the kidney; therefore, we expect to observe differences in the number and magnitude of over- or underexpressed genes and enriched pathways between hosts exposed to specialist and generalist subgroups. Results from this study will aid in characterizing evolutionary mechanisms underlying viral specialism and generalism, understanding host innate immune response and evasion strategies, and identifying biological markers associated with response to viral exposure. This knowledge will be critical in predicting future disease outbreak and informing disease mitigation strategies.

Westfield Southcenter Mall, located in Tukwila, Washington, is one of the largest malls in the nation, and like many malls, its aging retail spaces and surrounding strip malls are becoming less viable. With rising housing costs and a growing regional population, it is clear that spaces like Southcenter must be transformed into affordable, mixed-use districts that can provide housing, vibrant community spaces, and accessible transportation options. This project explores how Southcenter Mall can be redesigned using New Urbanist principles to foster a thriving community. Using site visits and global case studies of recent successful mall redevelopments, it analyzes the current shortcomings of Southcenter Mall and proposes a more successful mixed-use alternative. The final deliverables include a 3D model mock-up of a revitalized Southcenter that includes affordable housing, ground-level retail, and an overhauled transportation framework prioritizing pedestrians and cyclists.

This project examines how industries' return-to-work policies influence public transit ridership patterns across various business sectors in the Puget Sound area. By analyzing ORCA card data from local transit agencies and reviewing company policies, the research tracks the impact of policy on industry ridership trends from January 2018 to January 2025, spanning the pre-pandemic, pandemic, and post-pandemic periods. The findings provide insight into industry-specific ridership changes, revealing which industries in the Puget Sound area have experienced the most significant shifts in public transit ridership post-COVID-19, and how return-to-work policies may have influenced these changes. The results of this research can be used by public transit agencies to focus and adapt their strategies to engage low-ridership sectors. This work can also help advance equitable, sustainable, and resilient public transit systems, particularly in the context of evolving remote work policies.

South Thurston County's car-dependent and low-density built environment can affect the health and economic wellness of its residents. This research investigates the barriers that residents face in getting to work, their daily needs, and things-to-do. What are the best strategies to improve the built environment that provides access to employment, necessities, and entertainment for people in south Thurston County’s SR 507 and Old Highway 99 corridors? A process of observations, community surveys and interviews with government and other agency officials will allow for an understanding of current conditions in the study area, personal viewpoints of community members, and constraints that the government agencies and other organizations might face in making improvements. This project will include investigation into design, policy and economic practices. A free or low-cost guide that would allow rural governments to make economically smart design and planning changes, and help make towns more self-sustainable, will be created after understanding this research. As innovation in planning and re-urbanization occurs increasingly in the United States’ larger metropolitan areas, rural and tribal communities, too, deserve an opportunity at urban core making, simplifying the daily lives of its residents, and maintaining health and wellness for all.

Our cities and urban needs are constantly changing. The reasons are interdisciplinary and complex—everything from land price, regulation, and inflation contributes to what we build, affecting how we live. Nevertheless, the cold truth is we are not building enough housing, third spaces, and community areas for present and future needs. We need creative solutions to alleviate issue. One highly contested topic is the adaptive reuse of increasingly vacant buildings. There is much to consider when adaptively reusing buildings; even more difficult is finding the right candidates for conversion. Specifically, mid rise buildings are often ideal for adaptive reuse since they balance density and historic value while avoiding the extreme challenges of high-rise; focusing on adaptive reuse policy for mixed-use midrise buildings by analyzing state regulations will be my focus. Conversions are often hindered by restrictive zoning laws, outdated building codes and a lack of policies that support transformation. The challenge lies in identifying buildings for reuse and reforming policies to enable conversions while ensuring environmental, cultural, and social benefits. What are the opportunities and challenges in adaptive reuse, and what policies need to change to support it? In this research paper, I analyzed successful and unsuccessful adaptive reuse case studies and the policy failures preventing success. I conducted interviews with planners and architects to understand the opportunities and challenges of converting vacant spaces. These interviews informed a policy analysis targeting state legislation, identifying state laws, zoning, codes, and financial barriers that hinder adaptive reuse. I analyzed case studies, conducted expert interviews, and examined policies to identify barriers and solutions for adaptive reuse. The result is a checklist of keys needed to greenlight a project. Although location and municipal codes pose limitations, a checklist can help planners assess candidates for adaptive reuse, easing the process of determining feasibility.

Nightlife can drive economic development and cultural vibrancy in cities. Over the past 30 years, urban researchers and policymakers have increasingly recognized the untapped potential of after-dark activity. While promoting the nighttime economy can revitalize urban centers, it can also create conflicts between those who wish to work, party, and sleep. To help policymakers identify which nighttime areas to focus on, this research inventories Seattle businesses operating after dark, analyzes several factors impacting nighttime activity, and creates a series of maps illustrating the spatial and temporal dynamics of the nighttime economy in Downtown Seattle. By aligning with the existing Downtown Activation Plan, this research also supports initiatives aimed at making Downtown Seattle safer, more economically successful, and culturally vibrant.

The Adapting Ownership Project explores how informal placemaking processes in Seattle’s migrant communities help adapt generational relationships with land—specifically related to food and collaborative ownership—in a new environment. Through video documentation of local placemaking case studies, the project highlights gaps in formal design and policies governing public space use that hinder resettlement. Focusing on migrant communities from the Global South, particularly first-generation and working-class migrants, the research addresses the tension in adapting to new environments shaped by forced migration. The project examines how historical migration patterns, driven by labor opportunities and recent political and economic instability, have influenced the cultural and geographical landscape of Seattle. The subsequent transformations, such as restaurants, gardens, and public art, reflect the resilience of migrant communities. By using placemaking to redefine shared spaces, these communities adapt generational knowledge and practices, revealing shortcomings in formal policies. Video documentation serves as a tool to build empathy and challenge dominant narratives about marginalized groups.

This research examines the barriers to aging in place for older adults in Seattle and explores how community-focused housing solutions can address these challenges to support long-term stability and well-being. Situated within the context of affordable housing policy and aging equity, the study specifically addresses the displacement pressures influencing the housing needs of older adults in Seattle. The project investigates strategies for scaling community-based housing solutions to enhance housing stability and facilitate aging in place. The analysis integrates stakeholder interviews and qualitative conceptual content analysis of the collected data. Expected findings include policies that increase funding for senior-focused affordable housing, streamline review and application processes, and expand innovative housing strategies. The final report will present scenario-based solutions and strategies for aging in place, offering actionable policy recommendations and insights on expanding community-based housing models to address the unique challenges faced by older adults in Seattle. This work is significant as it tackles housing stability and displacement issues for older adults, proposing sustainable community-focused housing solutions to enhance equity and community resilience.

Self-organized criticality is the concept that certain systems naturally evolve to a critical point where one more incremental addition will cause the whole system to shift or reorganize. It is thought that many natural phenomena such as earthquakes, avalanches, and wildfires exhibit and can be explained according to this. The probability of a certain size event (“avalanche”) occurring can be described using the power-law distribution. Our work focused on finding the parameterizing exponent of this distribution. To accomplish this, we created computer simulations of Activated Random Walk (ARW) a probabilistic model that exhibits self-organized criticality and has good potential for universality. By finding the critical exponent in the power-law distribution describing ARW stabilization, we advance the understanding of self-organized criticality and add to a body of research which may improve our ability to predict disastrous events and their effects.

In mathematics, a symmetry of an object is an invertible mapping from the object to itself. In classical geometry, symmetries are described by group actions. However, group actions are not enough to capture all of the symmetries of some objects. In particular, algebras have symmetries given by Hopf actions of quantum groups called quantum symmetries. In this project, we aim to classify the quantum symmetries of gentle algebras given by Hopf actions of generalized Taft algebras. Path algebras are algebras associated to a directed graph. All finite dimensional algebras can be understood as quotients of path algebras including gentle algebras. The directed graphs associated with gentle algebras can be obtained by gluing copies of particular directed graphs with 1-4 edges. Our approach is to start by classifying Taft actions on these smaller directed graphs. Then, we will determine how these actions glue together to give us Taft actions on any gentle algebra. There is a known parametrization of Taft actions on path algebras, and this project is a step in generalizing this to Taft actions on any finite dimensional algebra.

Current at-home, minimal cost viral test kits are often limited to human-visible (colorimetric) readout methods which lack the same sensitivity achievable in laboratory settings that use complex equipment. We aim to develop a more accessible alternative by leveraging smartphone touchscreens to detect viral presence. Touchscreens emit an electrical field that changes when conductive materials interact with them. DNA has been shown in prior work to exhibit conductive properties based on its negative charge. Our approach utilizes a DNA replication reaction involving a thermostable polymerase, primers, dNTPs, and viral RNA as a template. If the template is present, amplification occurs, altering the capacitive response compared to a negative control. To validate this, we are testing the reaction on a vector network analyzer (VNA), measuring capacitive output changes directly on the sensor. We are also building and testing low-cost temperature controls to enable isothermal amplification. With the use of a Peltier heater, a temperature control sensor, we aim to speed up the reaction times and the use of a Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) power control system to ensure consistent reaction temperature. We are currently comparing active polymerase reactions to controls and plan to eventually transition these tests onto phone screens, creating a cost-effective, widely available diagnostic tool.

Self-initiated mobility has multi-faceted implications for early development, influencing cognitive, social, and physical growth. Children with Down syndrome experience delayed motor milestones—learning to walk much later than their neurotypical peers—potentially resulting in a delay of their overall development. Currently, limited research describes the impact of mobility aids on the muscular development of young children, particularly those with Down syndrome. Our study aims to address this gap by comparing and analyzing muscle activation patterns in children with Down syndrome aged 12-36 months,  both with and without mobility aids. I hypothesize that mobility aid use will result in an increase of muscle activation during play. Participants engaged in 30-minute exploratory play sessions in an enriched environment with and without mobility aids. During these sessions, data was recorded using surface electromyography sensors on the legs. The data was then analyzed to identify the nuances in muscle activation across different methods of movement—both aided and unaided. Preliminary results show that muscle activity may be similar regardless of the use of mobility aids. By identifying key muscle movement patterns, this analysis could inform future designs and protocols for motor skill development in all children, including those without Down syndrome. These findings could have implications for physical therapy and the recommendation of mobility aids for pre-ambulatory young children.

Self-exploration and mobility are crucial parts of a child’s development. Young children with Down syndrome experience movement delays compared to typically developing peers. The use of mobility aids, such as gait trainers and orthotics, has been shown to support these children with increasing their mobility. However, there remains a distinct lack of research on children with Down syndrome’s use of mobility aids. Therefore, this study examines children’s exploration in the Permobil Explorer Mini, a powered mobility device meant to facilitate self-exploration. In particular, this study compared changes in exploration as measured by distance traveled when using an Explorer Mini with a standardized rigid seat and a dynamic soft seat. During play sessions their movement was tracked using synchronized video cameras and a region-of-interest movement-tracking algorithm. This data, combined with annotations from the sessions, was used to determine if there is a significant difference in exploration between the rigid and dynamic seats. I expect there to be a significant increase in distance traveled with the dynamic seat than with the rigid seat due to its increased flexibility, comfort, and adjustment for children. The results of this study will help to expand research on mobility aids in promoting self-autonomy for young children with disabilities. These results can also aid in improving future mobility aid designs to ensure greater comfort for the children using them.

This research explores the potential implementation of a docked micromobility parking system in Seattle, addressing the question: What would the implementation of a docked micromobility parking system in Seattle entail in terms of infrastructure, capital costs, and impact, and how might it contribute to challenges posed by the existing dockless system? The study evaluates how such a system might mitigate issues such as accessibility concerns, public space obstructions, and environmental inefficiencies stemming from the current dockless micromobility program. By analyzing case studies from cities with established docked systems and reviewing Seattle-specific permitting data, the research investigates the feasibility and benefits of integrating docking infrastructure. Preliminary findings suggest that while docked systems require significant capital investment, they can enhance compliance, reduce sidewalk clutter, and create equitable access to micromobility options. This study contributes to the broader discourse on sustainable urban transportation by proposing strategies to optimize micromobility systems for accessibility and environmental impact in Seattle's landscape.