This study examines whether female managers foster a more employee-oriented corporate culture. I hypothesize that firms led by female Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) exhibit stronger commitments to employee well-being and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives compared to those led by male CEOs. To test this hypothesis, we conduct Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression analyses. Analyzing S&P 1,500 firms from 2001 to 2013, I find that companies led by female CEOs demonstrate stronger commitments to employee relations, diversity, and inclusion, particularly in areas such as professional development, health and safety, retirement benefits, employee involvement, no-layoff policies, union relations, workforce diversity, child labor reduction, and work-life benefits. Notably, during economic downturns like the dot-com bubble in 2002 and the financial crisis in 2008, while most firms reduced their investments in DEI, those led by female managers maintained their commitments. These findings contribute to both academic discussions and practical strategies for advancing DEI in corporate leadership, highlighting the influence of female executives in shaping corporate policies. By offering fresh insights into the role of leadership diversity in corporate culture, this study underscores the importance of inclusive leadership in fostering a more equitable workplace. As an undergraduate researcher, I find this project both intellectually stimulating and profoundly educational, providing nuanced insights into the intersection of leadership and corporate responsibility. 

With the increasing prevalence of large wildfire events, especially near urban areas, the identification and quantification of combustion-derived air pollutants is critical. The collection, quantification, and identification of particulate air pollutants, also known as aerosols, provide important insights into air pollution sources, evolution, and health effects. To improve capabilities in this area, with funding and support from the Beckman Foundation, we have designed and developed an aerosol collector that uses high-voltage Dielectric Barrier Discharge plasma and Electrostatic Precipitation (DBD-ESP) to collect and desorb target nanosized aerosols (30 nm – 800 nm) containing components typical of woodsmoke, such as levoglucosan and phenolic compounds, among others. The DBD-ESP is integrated with an Ultra-Portable Time-of-Flight (TOF) Mass Spectrometer (UP-ToFMS) to produce online, near real-time analysis of the chemical composition, mass, and size of target aerosols. Based on preliminary collection and desorption testing, we expect to have a 75% collection and desorption efficiency of submicron aerosol particles within 5 minutes. The DBD-ESP has an internal volume of less than 2 cm3 and an overall external volume of around 1 L. Once coupled with the UP-ToFMS, the overall ultra-portable system will be no larger than 0.095 m3 and weigh around 35 kg, enabling the remote sampling of aerosols from wildfire events while still yielding high-quality mass spectral data.

The LISA (Laser Interferometer Space Antenna) mission is a joint NASA and ESA venture that will measure gravitational waves at frequencies that earth-based antennas cannot capture, such as waves caused by EMRIs (Extreme Mass Ratio Inspirals). Before LISA is launched in 2035, it is paramount to learn how to analyze the mission data. My research identifies successful MCMC (Markov Chain Monte Carlo) parameter estimation techniques for EMRI signal data. Using simulated LISA data and exploring a range of system parameters in Python, I implemented different MCMC parameter estimation techniques (number of walkers, parallel tempering, etc.) on different kinds of EMRI signals and measured the match between the injected and recovered parameters, as well as examined the likelihood and corner plots to optimize search strategies. With these preliminary results, researchers can better incorporate MCMC parameter estimation techniques for EMRIs into their analysis as they receive data not only from single sources but many overlapping sources at once to determine a "global fit", which recovers likely parameters for all sources detected. Then, general relativity can be tested as any deviations from expected behavior could indicate gravity acts differently than previously predicted. Furthermore, learning about the population of supermassive black holes via their recovered parameters provides insight to their relationship to galaxy evolution.

In an era of increasing political polarization, the ability to engage in meaningful and respectful discourse is more critical than ever. Yet, on college campuses across the U.S., students often struggle to navigate ideological differences, sometimes choosing disengagement over dialogue. The purpose of the three part Civil Discourse Project (CDP) is to use participatory action research principles to understand and address inequity related to civil dialogue and discussions of democracy at the University of Washington. Led by student researchers and staff from UW Brotherhood (BI) and Sisterhood (SI) Initiatives, the three-part project is structured around an iterative cycle of research (i.e. action and reflection) to empower students of color to surface and address social and institutional barriers faced by other students of color within the BI and SI. As a part of the CDP,  this study surveyed 91 first-year BI and SI students through an 11-question online survey in Fall 2024. The goal was to understand how identity shapes engagement with civil discourse. The survey included open-ended, scale, and ranked choice questions assessing students’ prior exposure to civil discourse, their comfort level in engaging with differing viewpoints, and their perceptions of discourse dynamics. Using descriptive and text analysis, the study found that both BI and SI responses exhibited common themes regarding the importance of maintaining composure and respectful engagement during civil discourse. However, the preliminary findings also suggested notable gender differences between the value placed on civil discourse, willingness to seek out civil discourse, and personal comfort while engaging in civil discourse. Specifically, the findings highlighted how a willingness to engage with different perspectives is not always synonymous with being an active discussion participant. These insights can inform ongoing discussions at colleges and universities about fostering equitable and inclusive dialogue across political and ideological divides.

Surveys leading up to and following the 2024 Presidential election have indicated a substantial proportion of Americans have experienced tremendous anxiety about democracy and the future of the nation. Among minority groups, moreover, anxiety is exacerbated by fears of discrimination, threats of deportation, and feelings of alienation in the U.S. Yet, the limited culturally responsive spaces across our educational institutions that empower students from minority backgrounds to share vulnerable experiences and meaningfully engage in discourse about public policy issues have not grown proportionately to remedy these intensified needs. As such, the University of Washington (UW) Brotherhood (B.I.) and Sisterhood (S.I.) Initiatives are researching the extent to which students of color are empowered to be engaged in civil discourse spaces at the UW, as well as how our institutions can best create community discourse spaces that recognize diverse student needs and perspectives. Thus far, we have developed a focus group protocol and administered two focus groups (one for the B.I. and one for the S.I.), with 4 participants in each group. In examining themes of student civil discourse experiences in our emergent findings, we see that the environments, tools, and practices of campus civil discourse spaces can be better structured to challenge harmful stereotypes and further support authentic exchanges of ideas and experiences across differences in positionality. This work helps situate gaps in the provision of civil discourse spaces at the UW relative to demonstrated student needs and contributes to actionable, culturally responsive approaches for students from all backgrounds to find empowerment in and through civil discourse spaces and ultimately become critically informed agents of social change.

With college students becoming more diverse, both ideologically and culturally, creating environments conducive to productive civil dialogue is vitally important. The Civil Discourse Project (CDP) uses participatory action research principles to understand and address inequity related to civil dialogue at the University of Washington. Co-led by student researchers and staff from UW Brotherhood (BI) and Sisterhood (SI) Initiatives, this three-part project (i.e., survey, data walk, focus group) empowers students of color to surface and address barriers to civil dialogue faced by other students of color within the BI and SI.  As a part of the CDP,  this study utilized the data walk community engagement method developed by the Urban Institute to invite BI and SI first-year students (n = 103) to jointly review previously collected survey data, interpret what the data meant, and discuss data-related experiences. Through small group discussions focused on select survey charts, the purpose of the event was to clarify the influence of identity and prior experiences in seeking out civil discourse. After the event, transcripts from small group discussions were analyzed using a six-step thematic analysis process to identify major themes. Several preliminary themes emerged from the study. Participants expressed hesitance about engaging in civil discourse, often due to the anticipation of a lack of active listening from peers or over or under-reliance on fact-based arguments.  Previous encounters with dismissive or heated exchanges also influenced their willingness to seek dialogue. These findings suggest that the quality of previous interactions, particularly in terms of listening and respect, plays a crucial role in ongoing engagement with civil discourse. The research also highlighted the value of using data to engage students and catalyze discussions grounded in objective, community-based information. These insights suggest that promoting respectful engagement and creating opportunities for collaborative dialogue could enhance civil discourse on campus.