The Eastern North Pacific gray whales (Eschrichtius robustus) have a long migration from their breeding grounds in Mexico to their feeding grounds in Alaska. A subgroup of the Eastern North Pacific stock, nicknamed the Sounders, deviate from the migratory path most gray whales follow to feed in the Salish Sea, typically between the months of March and May. Other studies show that gray whales feed on benthic organisms such as ghost shrimp. Studies conducted in the Arctic area of the gray whale migration route have seen sea ice playing an important role in the gray whales being able to enter the areas where they feed. One working hypothesis is that gray whale shifts in migration patterns are the direct result of climate change; this could explain why some of the Eastern North Pacific gray whales enter and feed in Possession Sound. I analyzed sightings data, shared by the Whale Museum and recorded in Possession Sound, WA from 2000-2022. These data, most of which were compiled by the Orca Network, were filtered to identify the number of visitations each month over the study period. Early analysis shows a phenological shift in the time of the gray whale's arrival and departure from Possession Sound. The shift shows an increase in the number of months gray whales are present in Possession Sound, from a March to May visit to a year-round presence. Although these results cannot explain the reason for the phenological shift, future research must look into related shifts in the Arctic ice formation as well as ambient air and water temperature shifts. Future research calculating density of ghost shrimp in Possession Sound will also indicate why this location is favored.

Harmful algal blooms (HABs) are threats to a number of species in marine environments. One hypothesis states that excess nutrients in water lead to accumulations of certain plankton species that produce toxins. This can explain some illnesses such as paralytic shellfish syndrome in humans who consume impacted shellfish. HABs can be identified directly, but given the delays involved in analyzing results, other indicators may be used to predict presence of HABs as well. Possession Sound is an inlet of the Puget Sound located between Whidbey Island and the coasts of Everett and Mukilteo, Washington, connecting to the Snohomish River, as well as Saratoga Passage and Port Susan to its North and the main Puget Sound basin to its South.  Since HABs can occur in freshwater and saltwater for different reasons, Possession Sound’s status as a salt-wedge estuary makes it notable as a study site. To investigate the nature of HABs in Possession Sound, I analyzed plankton density data, chlorophyll-a levels, and phosphorus concentration data I collected in 2024 as well as data collected by the Ocean Research College Academy from 2016-2024. Chlorophyll-a concentrations were measured with a YSI EXO Sonde. Phosphorus concentrations of water samples were collected using a Niskin bottle and measured by the University of Washington Marine Chemistry Lab. I analyzed the progression of each parameter temporally and spatially. I expect to see clear spikes in certain plankton species, especially dinoflagellates, that align with similar-timed chlorophyll-a and phosphorus spikes. However, I predict that trends will be the least prominent in phosphorus concentrations due to its greater prevalence in freshwater than in saltwater. Understanding which plankton species are most responsible for HABs and temporal alignment of potential drivers can allow for better prediction of HABs in Possession Sound.

Zostera marina (eelgrass) is one of the many important biological features of Possession Sound, acting as a substrate for many microorganisms, a filter of greenhouse gases, and as protection for many species. The Possession Sound has been marked as a Seagrass Sanctuary by the Department of Natural Resources, which protects and monitors nearshore eelgrasses within the basin. By looking at what kinds of species are found in a marine environment, researchers can assess an ecosystem's overall health. Environmental DNA (eDNA) is a data capture technique used by researchers that picks up DNA traces left behind by organisms, and shows their presence/absence in a given area. The study site, Mount Baker Terminal, lies inside the Possession Sound basin near Everett, Washington, and contains a large eelgrass bed. I collected 10 samples using passive filters submerged at various depths inside and outside the eelgrass bed in 2024 and processed at a WDFW lab. I analyzed these data and 40 additional samples collected by the Ocean Research College Academy from 2021-2024 using similar methods. I hypothesized that there would be more species such as crustaceans, fish, and other plants inside the eelgrass because of its ability to protect and maintain a nutrient-dense environment. These data will help shed light on species richness in each environment, which has potential implications for understanding the overall health of the ecosystem and the critical role eelgrass plays in the estuary.

Possession Sound, located between the city of Everett and Whidbey Island, is a part of both a key economic area and a bustling marine environment. Because of the marine activity, scientists study all sorts of parameters involving the water including noise. Numerous studies have assessed ambient noise in marine environments to investigate the influence of tidal forces on ambient noise. These reports found that tidal noise or “flow noise” is observed around the 0-100Hz range with the most significant impacts observed centered around 25hz. The Ocean Research College Academy operates a SoundTrap ST400 STD hydrophone mounted to Mount Baker Terminal that takes recordings daily for most of the year. Mount Baker Terminal is a small marine terminal operated by the Port of Everett, located just north of the town of Mukilteo. Using data collected from the hydrophone, I took measurements of ambient noise in root mean square amplitude centered around the 25hz range and compared that to NOAA tidal data at Everett, Washington. Using these data I investigated the potential presence of a relationship between the tides and ambient noise. When the initial measurements of root mean square amplitude were compared to tidal data from the area the results showed that tides had no significant impact on the ambient noise at Mount Baker Terminal. Investigating the effects of tides on ambient noise can be crucial to future acoustic research done by researchers in the area as results could be affected by noise created or affected by tides. Future analysis should investigate the impacts of other natural contributors to the soundscape such as rain and wind.

Ocean acidification is the reduction of pH in seawater due to increased carbon dioxide from fossil fuels in the atmosphere and other anthropogenic factors. Ocean acidification causes shellfish such as oysters to experience difficulty building their shells. Acidification trends in the North Pacific Basin are well documented, yet pH trends in Possession Sound, a salt-wedge estuary located in the Salish Sea is less documented. Possession Sound receives discharge from the Snohomish River and has human activity along the shoreline. In this study, the average change of pH in the middle of the North Pacific Ocean was measured and compared to the average change of pH in Possession Sound since 2016. I analyzed data collected from ARGOS Floats located in the central North Pacific Ocean. For Possession Sound, I used data collected from a  YSI EXO Sonde in partnership with the Ocean Research College Academy (ORCA). I collected data on 12 research cruises in 2024. I expect to find a slightly greater decrease in pH within Possession Sound than the North Pacific Basin due to the additional anthropogenic factors present in the Sound. Preliminary analysis shows a slight seasonal change in pH in Possession Sound, but little to no change yearly. I expect the data to show a steady decrease in pH for Possession Sound and the North Pacific Ocean basin every year since 2016. Calculating acidification rates and learning how they differ in various geographical locations, with separate factors, will increase understanding of the impacts of ocean acidification, which may be used in conservation efforts. 

Robots must be able to pick objects from densely packed shelves in order to automate industrial warehouses. Dense packing gives rise to challenges in grabbing targeted objects efficiently as the shelves can be clustered, objects can be stacked, and the target object can be obstructed from direct reach. The goal of this research project is to create a new gripper combined with reinforcement learning to manipulate objects within a shelf without multiple attempts or repositioning of the robot arm. The new gripper design includes four fingers that are linear actuators with vacuum units and suction cups attached to the ends of each finger. Additionally, each finger contains a time-of-flight sensor at the tips which provide spatial information for different objects within the shelf. I integrated time-of-flight sensors into the multi-fingered gripper and filtering algorithms for the sensor’s data. I modified the previous vacuum ejector unit which only provided support for one unit to four vacuum ejector units. I also conducted a series of experiments that provided cases where the new gripper design proved to be better than the previous design. We also collected suction cup vacuum data and trained a neural network to predict the success rate of suction cup attachment. The results of this project will inspire new designs for increasing the success rate of robotic grasps within densely packed environments.

The introduction of harmful strains of Escherichia coli (E. coli) in the marine environment negatively impacts ecosystem health. When unnatural strains of E. coli are introduced through pollution events, spikes in animal sickness and death occur, and harm to human health is more likely. Understanding relationships among parameters known for contributing harmful strains of E.coli and parameters more likely to contribute non-harmful strains is important to identify the most impactful parameters leading to harmful E. coli events. Possession Sound, WA is an ideal study site for monitoring multiple parameters associated with the introduction of E. coli to a saltwater environment. The study site includes the second largest freshwater input in Puget Sound, the Snohomish River, which passes many farms on its way to the Sound. The study site is also surrounded by a heavily industrialized port, and a large-density population center. I collected water samples at various depths and recorded animal presence from 2023-2025 at ten separate sites. Using a sterile procedure, I plated water samples onto bacterial plates using Easygel® agar. Overflow and river discharge data were provided by the city of Everett and USGS respectively. Historical data were collected following similar protocols by the Ocean Research College Academy. I hypothesized that increased presence of E. coli would strongly correlate with high river discharge events and combined sewer overflow events more than other inputs, but early analysis does not support this correlation. Further research must consider parameters such as residence time of E. coli, lag time after discharge events, and water chemistry characteristics. 

Gray whales in the North Pacific annually migrate north to the Gulf of Alaska and the Bering Sea, and their migration route bypasses the Salish Sea. Roughly a dozen of these whales, commonly called “the Sounders,” have detoured their migration into North Puget Sound since the 1990s. These whales have been observed feeding on ghost shrimp in the intertidal area of sediment beaches in North Puget Sound, using a high risk strategy of feeding on shrimp at high tides. This feeding strategy leaves large indents, or “feeding pits”, in the sediment that are revealed at low tide and can provide insight into the Sounders’ feeding habits and contribute to a deeper understanding of the North Pacific gray whale population. My research focused on locational trends of gray whale feeding pits on Jetty Island West beach, and I observed longitudinal locations of specific pits in the intertidal zone to investigate feeding patterns. I observed feeding pits with drone imagery collected at low tide and compiled into aerial maps, or “orthomosaics,” and I compared feeding pits in different longitudes to observe where on the beach whales are feeding. Two seasons of feeding pit imagery were collected from late winter and spring of 2024 and 2025, and I have analyzed the imagery using ArcGIS pro. Survey site area ranged from approximately 0.09km² to 0.4 km² for different maps. The non-invasive nature of drone photogrammetry has recently increased its use in marine and biological research, and this method of data collection is ideal for surveying gray whale pits on Jetty Island. Because of the increased risk of feeding in higher tidal zones, I expect to find higher concentrations of feeding pits at lower tidal zones.

Eelgrass meadows (Zostera spp.) and Kelp forests (Nereocystis spp.) are both essential habitats in Possession Sound, a saltwater estuary formed where the Snohomish River meets the Salish Sea. Home to many marine species, the Possession Sound has unique salinity levels that provide a rich environment to support marine life. These ecosystems provide vital services such as helping clean the water, sheltering fish, absorbing or filtering carbon, producing oxygen, and protecting coastlines. Given the rich marine habitat that develops in eelgrass meadows and kelp forests, conducting a study of the organisms that reside in the habitat would be beneficial to learn about their condition and influence on life within Possession Sound. To conduct the study, I used eDNA sampling for data collection. eDNA sampling analyzes genetic material from organisms and identifies what species are present in a given environment. I collected samples from two ecosystems at the stations closest to each habitat. MBT (eelgrass) and Kelp Sanctuary (kelp forest). The data I collected from the two sites were sent to the molecular genetics laboratory at WDFW for metabarcoding analysis to identify species using a passive filtration protocol. The data were then combined with historic data to determine the species present in both habitats, specifically focusing on fish and crustacean species. Preliminary analysis suggests that these habitats have similar organisms that frequent each habitat. I expect to see this trend reflected in additional eDNA data, meaning the eelgrass meadows and kelp forests will have similar representative species.

Seabirds are considered a strong indicator species for ecosystem health due to their visibility, lack of behavioral and phenotypic plasticity, and high trophic level.  Current declines in seabird populations are often attributed to bottom-up ecosystem control regulating upper trophic level populations. These bottom-up effects might be caused by reductions in marine productivity due to climate change. I performed statistical and graphical analyses on the National Audubon Society’s Christmas Bird Count data from Puget Sound and water chemistry data from the Ocean Research College Academy’s moored and deployable sensors. This allowed me to identify possible relationships between bird populations and water chemistry from 2009 to 2024 in the Possession Sound estuary. My initial analyses demonstrated the expected decline in collective seabirds counted, however certain pelagic species experienced unexpected increases. Further investigation is required to determine whether the increase was caused by ecosystem dynamics or improved count methods. My initial analyses did not indicate any relationship between water chemistry and bird populations. The lack of apparent relationship may be due to the water chemistry changes having impacts on primary productivity and indirect bottom-up trophic cascades, which could have a significant lag time in effects on bird populations. My analysis also does not account for environmental factors in disparate migration sites or breeding colonies that might affect bird populations. 

Sewage system design and heavy seasonal rainfall throughout Washington State pose risks to many marine ecosystems, as stormwater overflow can flush untreated waste into local bodies of water. The estuarine system and status of the Snohomish River as the second-largest freshwater input into Puget Sound make this area especially interesting and relevant to a larger environment. While sewer overflow events pose risks, the extent of their impact on our local water chemistry remains fairly unexplored. Studies conducted across the US suggest that this mix of human waste, debris, and potentially harmful microorganisms and chemicals in hundreds of thousands of gallons at a time can cause significant negative effects on many aspects of marine life, notably dissolved oxygen (DO), to the point of hypoxia. This study seeks to quantify the impact of combined sewage overflows (CSOs) in the Snohomish River and Possession Sound by analyzing trends seen between DO and chlorophyll levels at the mouth of the Snohomish River during low tides occurring before and after major CSO events. CSO outflow data were provided by the City of Everett’s Utilities department and DO and chlorophyll data were collected by a long-term deployed EXO 2 in the Everett marina. I hypothesized that there would be a significant negative correlation between CSO volume and DO levels and a positive correlation between CSO volume and chlorophyll. This research will help assess the risk of hypoxia, an important measurement as many marine species cannot survive in low oxygen conditions, and it will add to an important discussion about how our human systems impact marine life.

Noise pollution from 10 Hz to 200 kHz disrupts marine life and importantly damages cetaceans’ ability to navigate surroundings, communicate, and hunt. Possession Sound supports gray, humpback, and orca whales who all pass through its congested waterways and underwater soundscape. During 2023-2024 a voluntary slow down of commercial vessels occurred in Puget Sound. The results from Quiet Sound showed that 71% of 795 commercial vessels slowed down through the marked zones. There was a 50% 3 dB decrease in sound created and resulted in 72 additional minutes when underwater noise did not reach over 110 dB. One location where noise pollution is prominent is between the city of Mukilteo and the town of Clinton on Whidbey Island. The Mukilteo-Clinton ferries run 21 and a half hours a day, leading them to be a regular contributor to the underwater soundscape and an important factor to assess our environment's health. This study was conducted using data from a SoundTrap 400 hydrophone mounted .4 miles from the Mukilteo ferry terminal. 168 hours of constant data have been gathered between 2021 and 2024. From 1:30 am to 4:40 am, ferries don't run. Noise levels when the ferries don't run were compared to when they do run, which proved to show a significant reduction in overall RMS amplitude. Graphs plotting constant 24-hour RMS amplitude show spikes every half hour, which lines up with the Washington State Ferries (WSF) departure schedule. Future research must identify specific sound frequency signatures for the ferries and compare those frequencies and amplitudes to known values that may harm cetaceans and other marine life.

DNA concentration sensing is important for accurate reagent input measurement and output data collection for various molecular biology applications, such as genomics, biotechnology, and clinical diagnostics. Common use cases for DNA concentration sensing include polymerase chain reaction (PCR), gel electrophoresis, and enzymatic assays. Off-the-shelf spectrophotometry systems, used today to measure DNA concentration, require an aliquot of DNA to be pipetted onto a sensor. The sample is then discarded to avoid contamination. Our goal is to develop a novel, cost-effective, and contactless method of containing and directly measuring DNA concentration in individual microliter droplets in real-time. Advantages of contactless containment are: (1) no sample is lost to adhesion to the container, (2) no spectral signature from the container material is added to the sample’s spectrum, and (3) samples can be weighed without contact for closed loop control of sample mass. To contain the droplets of DNA without contact, we use an acoustic levitation system. This system emits focused ultrasonic sound to lift, move and contain liquid droplets in air without making direct contact. Since DNA absorbs ultraviolet (UV) light at a wavelength of 260 nm, we use a low-cost, off-the-shelf spectroscopy sensor to build a portable DNA concentration measurement system within the levitation system to measure the amount of 260 nm UV light absorbed by the DNA. Preliminary results show that the device can distinguish samples containing different concentrations of DNA. Further research will focus on enhancing the device’s sensitivity and expanding its application to other fields related to biology.

Robotic movement between waypoints—specific points a robot must travel to—is often perceived as stiff and choppy. This is primarily because paths between these points are typically treated as straight lines. A more effective solution for smoother robotic motion involves forming polynomial curves composed of points–or re-discretizing points–rather than linear segments. The process begins by calculating the diameter of the robot’s orbit, which is determined by computing the maximum distance between any two points. With the orbit dimensions defined, a polynomial trajectory can be fitted to the points and constrained within the robotic arm’s circumference, resulting in a smoother and more fluid movement pattern. The use of this approach of spline trajectories as compared to straight line segments will be demonstrated for a robotic application being used to emulate spacecraft motion for relative proximity operation.

The kidney plays an important role in blood filtration, regulation of blood pressure, acid/base homeostasis, and electrolyte balance. Studying the different kidney compartments provides critical insights into the metabolic mechanisms underlying these essential functions. Ziyu Guo, my research mentor has recently developed a highly multiplexed fluorescence microscopy using semiconducting polymer dots (Pdots) that allows one round of immunostaining and imaging of up to 21 targets. However, this technique is restricted to thin samples (50-100 µm), which may oversimplify biological systems by lacking depth and structural integrity. To overcome this limitation, my research integrates multiplexed fluorescence imaging with ELAST, a technology to transform thick tissues into elastic hydrogels, reinforcing the tissue's structure while allowing for better antibody penetration. This approach allows for simultaneously labeling multiple targets in the thick tissue while preserving tissue architecture. Overall, my project seeks to improve our understanding of kidney architecture in their natural spatial 3D context and further provide insights into disease mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets.

Western media has perpetuated society’s perspective of the nursing role through a sexual lens rather than a professional. Nurses face high levels of sexual harassment and violence, with some studies showing up to 80% of nurses experiencing some form of sexual harassment in the workplace at some point in their career. The relationship between the media’s sexualization of nurses has led to an increase in harassment and violence in the profession, as well as proliferating the stereotype of ‘sexy nurses.’ In this literature review, I examine both the media and cultural perception of the nurse and the data surrounding sexual harassment and violence of nurses in the workplace. We know that workplace harassment can lead to increased rates of burnout and staff turnover, if the image of nursing is changed then we can create a healthier work environment with higher levels of job satisfaction and safety.

Multidrug resistant Gram-negative bacteria are an emerging threat to public health, continuously evolving to survive under an increasing number of antibiotics and evade the immune system. A major feature of these bacteria is a polysaccharide capsule, which prevents their immune detection. Thus, there is a need to therapeutically restore an effective immune response against them. The Woodward Lab verified that bacteriophage tail spike proteins (TSPs) act as opsonins, which coat and increase phagocytosis of bacteria by macrophages as part of a novel phagocytic pathway. To expand on these data, I am assessing how the adaptive immune system is influenced by the TSP opsonization pathway, analyzing markers of T cell activation and macrophage polarization as starting points. I hypothesize that this pathway has distinct effects on antigen presentation, costimulation, and cytokine expression, compared to better known opsonization pathways like complement and immunoglobulins, and that some of these effects are conserved across bacterial species. To first assess this, I infected macrophages in tissue culture with bacteria, with or without TSP, and measured MHC-II and costimulatory marker expression, an increase which would be associated with enhanced ability to induce T cell responses. I did not observe any differences when TSP was added to the infection. To characterize macrophage cytokine expression, I am treating cultured macrophages with TSP and bacteria-specific antibodies, with the latter serving as a point of comparison between the TSP and antibody opsonization pathways, and quantifying proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines resulting from this treatment. These studies will reveal whether the TSP opsonization pathway promotes or inhibits adaptive immune responses, which would implicate their utility as a therapeutic and contribute to our understanding of the interaction between bacteriophages, bacteria, and the immune system.

Correct segregation of chromosomes in cell division relies on kinetochores forming end-on, bioriented attachments to microtubule plus ends. In vivo, kinetochores are known to first bind to the lattice of the microtubule and then transit to the plus end either by tip disassembly or the action of plus end directed motor proteins. Force spectroscopy has recently revealed that kinetochores grip the microtubule lattice asymmetrically. Only ‘on-path’ kinetochores that are pulled toward the microtubule plus end form strong, load-bearing attachments, while minus end directed kinetochores weakly grip the lattice. The weak grip of minus end directed kinetochores limits tension across sister kinetochores and makes them susceptible to detachment by error correction machinery. We seek to investigate the molecular mechanism underlying the asymmetric grip of the kinetochore. We purified recombinant kinetochore subcomplexes and tested them individually for asymmetry. We show that the Ndc80 complex exhibits a similar asymmetry as the kinetochore, albeit weaker, while the Dam1 complex is ambivalent to microtubule polarity. Single molecule fluorescence microscopy shows that kinetochores pulled toward the minus end of microtubules are deformed relative to plus end directed kinetochores. We propose that the asymmetric grip strength of kinetochores arises from a network of interactions between polar-sensitive and polar-insensitive subcomplexes that is disrupted when the kinetochore is pulled toward the minus end of a microtubule. 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.

Harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) are one of the most prevalent marine mammals along the West Coast of the United States. In the Salish Sea, harbor seal populations have increased significantly since the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, and the population is now considered to be at carrying capacity. These seals prey on many species of fish and invertebrates and are themselves a major component of the diet of local transient killer whales. Harbor seals can frequently be seen resting in groups on land at places called haul-out sites. They are known for their high site fidelity, meaning that the same seals consistently return to the same sites. These haul-out sites are frequently dominated by a specific sex or age range. This study investigated whether specific seals are more likely to be re-sighted in smaller groups or with other specific individuals within the haul-out site. Using SealNet, an AI facial recognition system, I analyzed photographic data from 750 images from the Ocean Research College Academy’s (ORCA’s) long-term data collection that were taken from haul-out sites at the mouth of the Snohomish River. SealNet identifies individual seals by analyzing facial features and comparing them across photos, assigning a similarity score for each photo and ranking them in descending order. The results of this research are aimed at determining if harbor seals exhibit more complex social structures within haul-out sites. Understanding the social structure of harbor seals can help provide insight into their cooperation, competition, and overall population dynamics. This study focuses on haul-out sites while the majority of interactions occur in the water, so further study is needed to better understand the dynamics of this population.

The pigeon guillemot (Cepphus columba) is an under-researched member of the Alcidae family found in the northern Pacific Ocean. While there have been significant findings on the individualization of terrestrial birds and predominantly endangered alcids, there is a severe lack of call documentation and analysis for pigeon guillemots. This creates a large gap in the avian communities’ awareness of these birds’ communications on their own and in groups, as well as for the species as a whole. The purpose of this study is to gain a deeper understanding of the significance of pigeon guillemot vocalizations within the Possession Sound, and to answer the question of how pigeon guillemot vocalizations vary between groups and individuals. Recordings of vocalizations were taken with a handheld microphone aboard Ocean Research College Academy’s research vessel in the Possession Sound within the last year. Some recordings sourced from Xeno Canto outside of the Possession Sound were utilized, but a large portion have been taken via boat and from land by hand. Analysis of calls was conducted in RavenPro, Excel, and Rstudio to compare components of calls such as frequency, duration, and variation. Through this preliminary research, there is a noticeably wide range of variety in the frequency and duration of calls within groups. Call patterns are highly varied during recording events in which multiple pigeon guillemots are present, with recognizable patterns of call formations. Out of my 20 recordings, with 10 being shore-based and 10 being boat-based, 4 distinct call types have been identified, and further research is needed.

Everett’s Naval base, train tracks running parallel to the shore, and robust recreational/commercial boat traffic add to the increasingly loud acoustic environment of Possession Sound. Several studies have linked elevated sound pressure levels to reducing the acoustic communication space and disrupting critical behaviors such as feeding, breeding, and communication in marine fish and invertebrates. Ongoing research within the Salish Sea has highlighted some habitats like seagrass meadows (Zostera marina) and kelp forests (Nereocystis spp.) that can aid in mitigating the effects of noise pollution on underwater communities on top of being a foraging habitat, shelter, and critical nurseries for various species. Although the Salish Sea as a whole has seen dwindling kelp forests and eelgrass meadows in recent years, Possession Sound nonetheless contains both habitats. For my study, both Z. marina and N. ssp. were present around the perimeter of Hat Island, 5 nautical miles from the Port of Everett. I collected 8 seven minute recordings using a deployable hydrophone (SoundTrap 300). Preliminary analysis has revealed distinct biological sounds, primarily within the 0-5 kHz range, and are denoted as a part of the biophony of the soundscape. I analyzed the soundscapes using ‘Root Mean Square’ (RMS) amplitude formatting, because it indicates the equivalent steady state energy value of oscillating sound waves. I utilized RMS amplitude measurements for comparison inside the habitats to the appropriate counterpart outside the habitats (exclusion zone is a minimum distance of 100 meters from the previous recording). Future analysis will expand with continued gathering of ambient soundscape data into early spring to ensure the utilized dataset can represent multiple seasons and atmospheric conditions as well.

In our biochemistry teaching labs, students conduct 10-week projects using recombinant protein expression and purification protocols, adapted from Fred Hutch, distributed and tracked via GENI-ACT.org, to identify immunoproteins of research or biomedical interest. We hypothesize they can produce antigen fragments for antibody studies and siderocalin proteins, which bind bacterial siderophores, yielding different amounts and results. In Winter 2023, students modeled antibody fragments with I-TASSER, expressed top constructs with His-tags, and purified them using Ni-NTA resin. In Winter and Fall 2024, siderocalins were expressed as GST-tagged constructs in BL21 and DH5alpha cells using longer expression. The human siderocalin in DH5alpha formed an orange solution, consistent with known siderocalin-enterobactin-Fe complexes. Unexpectedly, other species’ siderocalins appeared yellow, pink, or blue, suggesting functional diversity. Students produced enough immunoproteins for viability tests and are now expressing homologs of the blue siderocalin. They participated in all stages, developing spectroscopy and protein crystallization skills for research careers.

The global pandemic of obesity has increased the prevalence and burden of metabolic diseases, including type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Obesity and its comorbidities are frequently associated with hypogonadism (low levels of testosterone (T) in men), and both preclinical and clinical evidence support a causative role of hypogonadism in predisposing individuals to metabolic diseases. However, the mechanisms remain unknown. One potential mechanism arises from our recent discovery that in mice, surgical castration (reducing T levels) amplifies the pro-inflammatory response to consumption of a high-fat diet, specifically leading to activation of astrocytes within the hypothalamus, a brain region critical for regulating whole-body metabolism. Concomitantly, there is a striking reduction of the anti-inflammatory neuropeptide neurokinin B (NKB; encoded by the Tac2 gene) in the same brain region. Therefore, we hypothesized that T limits astrocyte inflammation via enhanced NKB-neurokinin-3 receptor (NK3R) signaling. Using primary astrocytes harvested from newborn mice, we found that T and dihydrotestosterone (DHT; a non-aromatizable androgen) increase the expression of tachykinin genes like Tac2. Further, androgen treatment blunted the proinflammatory response of primary astrocytes to lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a sepsis-inducing bacterial cell wall component. To assess the anti-inflammatory capacity of NK3R signaling, we co-incubated astrocytes with the NK3R agonist Senktide and LPS, finding a significant attenuation of proinflammatory cytokine expression. Together, these data suggested that androgen receptor signaling might constrain astrocyte inflammation through induction of NKB-NK3R. However, the ability of DHT to reduce cytokine expression in response to LPS was preserved in the presence of Osanetant, an NK3R antagonist, indicating that the anti-inflammatory actions of androgens are independent of NK3R signaling. These findings form the foundation for future pharmacologic and genetic interventions in obese mouse models to further clarify the role of astrocyte T and NK3R signaling in hypogonadism-associated metabolic diseases.

Understanding complex disease processes requires visualizing both nanoscale details and their impact on larger structures. The Vaughan group has developed a method that achieves this using conventional optical microscopes by physically expanding tissue via hydrogel chemistry, enabling sub-diffraction-limit resolution. This approach preserves physiological context through fluorescent labeling of macromolecules (DNA, proteins, carbohydrates). Using mouse renal glomeruli—spherical kidney filtration units (~70-100 µm in diameter)—as a model, I demonstrate the method’s ability to capture nanoscale features, specifically global variations in basement membrane thickness (100-2000nm), with validation that the expansion process does not introduce significant distortion.

Radio Detection and Ranging (RADAR) uses radio waves for object detection in applications such as air traffic control, radio astronomy, and defense systems. This project explores the feasibility of performing RADAR using Modulated Johnson Noise (MJN), which leverages the thermal noise inherent in electrical conductors to transmit information without the use of a conventional radio frequency (RF) carrier. Unlike traditional RADAR, MJN enables stealthier, low-interference operation and ability to function in areas with no ambient radio frequency. In this project we test the hypothesis that RADAR can be performed with MJN by transmitting a square wave signal made with two different noise levels and timing its reflection. To establish a proof of concept, the project follows a multi-phase approach. First, prior MJN research is reproduced by implementing a noise-modulated transmitting system using a Raspberry Pi, an RF switch board, and a Software Defined Radio (SDR) in an anechoic chamber. Next, signal control (transmit) and processing (receive) are integrated into a single microcontroller unit for synchronized operation. The electrical components for the receiving system are validated for amplification and filtering of the reflected signal. The antennas for transmitting and receiving the signal are selected based on their radiation pattern and optimal placement for the RADAR application. Once the transmit and receive systems are finalized, a microcontroller (ie. STM32 Nucleo board)  is used to synchronously transmit and receive reflected signals. Then, indirect time of flight methods are used for distance measurement by analyzing the phase shift between the transmitted and the received signal. The findings will contribute to the development of a RADAR system suitable for resource-constrained environments such as remote locations on Earth or in space and is beneficial for stealth operations where the object emitting the signal must be unidentifiable.