Orientation Patch Count (OPC) is a method of research used by biologists and paleontologists to analyze the complexity of an animal’s feeding surface while inferring their diets; diet and tooth complexity have evolved in concert with one another, which is why this method has been used on reptilian and mammalian (denticular) species. However, it has not been extensively tested on edentulous (toothless) clades. Therefore, my research examines the OPC of an edentulous species - specifically the endangered Madagascar big-headed turtle (Erymnochelys madagascariensis) using  three CT-scanned specimens. Three primary programs were used in order to analyze the quantitative morphometricsof the species: Slicer for processing and editing CT scans from the University of Washington’s Friday Harbor Lab, MeshLab for editing 3D models, and RStudio for data analysis. This research contributes to a broader study on turtle species led by paleontologist Brenlee Shipps, who will apply these findings to extinct beaked clades, specifically dicynodonts.

Plasma, a fluid consisting of highly charged particles, is the single most abundant state of matter in the universe, yet our understanding of its properties remains incomplete. One common method of generating plasma is by inducing a large voltage difference between two charged electrodes in a low-pressure environment, referred to as direct current (DC) plasma. Understanding the relationship between plasma temperature and spectral line intensity as a function of external parameters, such as voltage, pressure, and position, is crucial to optimizing plasma-based processes. This study analyzes these dependencies systematically to help build a further understanding of the spatially dependent properties of DC plasmas. We extract electron temperature from spectroscopic measurements by analyzing line intensities assuming a Maxwell-Boltzmann electron energy distribution. The intensity of spectral lines is related to electron energy via the Boltzmann factor, allowing for temperature determination through a logarithmic plot of intensity ratios versus upper energy levels. By varying voltage and pressure, we identified trends in intensity and temperature, providing insights into plasma behavior. Our results suggest that higher discharge voltages correspond to an increase in electron temperatures, indicating a direct relationship between voltage and temperature. These results provide a greater understanding of plasma-based processes, paving a path toward greater efficiency in applications such as semiconductor manufacturing, surface treatment, and materials processing.

I investigate whether combining ultra-wideband (UWB) radar with inertial measurement units (IMUs) can produce more robust human pose estimations than using IMUs alone. UWB radar yields precise distance measurements, offering positional data that standard IMUs—sensitive mainly to angular velocity and acceleration—cannot capture. To test this approach, I built an embedded system that integrates a UWB radar module with wearable IMUs, then designed a user study involving everyday movements and targeted exercises performed by a small group of participants. This setup allowed me to collect a diverse dataset under realistic conditions. I processed these data using neural network models, including long short-term memory (LSTM) and transformer architectures, to generate accurate joint angles. I then fed those angles into a 3D skeleton reconstruction model. My preliminary findings suggest that the additional distance data from the UWB radar substantially improves tracking accuracy and reduces ambiguity in limb positioning. This enhanced estimation could lead to more realistic virtual reality avatars, improved fitness tracking, and better physical therapy tools. By overseeing the hardware design, data collection, and model development, I actively demonstrate how interdisciplinary methods can advance human-computer interaction through more precise and accessible pose estimation.

Soil-transmitted helminths impact over 1.5 billion people worldwide, disproportionately affecting school-aged children and pregnant women. Hosts issue a “weep and sweep” Type II immune response to expel helminth parasites from the intestines. Ruptured epithelial cells secrete the cytokine interleukin (IL)-33, which recruits innate lymphoid type 2 cells (ILCs)2 and CD4+ T-helper type 2 (Th2) cells. ILC2s release IL-13, encouraging stem cell differentiation into tuft and goblet cells to facilitate tissue repair and worm expulsion. Anemia is prevalent in helminth-rich environments because of elevated rates of malaria and malnutrition. Despite correlations between anemia and helminth infection, the impact of anemia on the Type II immune response in the small intestines remains unknown. Using N. brasiliensis (Nb), a bloodsucking hookworm-like parasite, I observed that one week post infection, iron-deficient (ID) mice were less capable of expelling worms compared to iron-sufficient (IS) mice. Through tuft cell immunofluorescence staining in the small intestine, I observed comparable hyperplasia in IS and ID-Nb infected mice but noticed differences in cell localization: ID-Nb infected mice had decreased numbers of tuft cells in the crypts compared to IS-Nb mice. This suggests that ID Nb-infected mice could be experiencing decreased migration/proliferation of tuft cells, compared to their IS-infected counterparts. Using EdU, a synthetic nucleotide tag that labels newly synthesized DNA, we can understand cellular proliferation patterns in IS vs. ID Nb mice. Co-staining for tuft cells permits us to merge events and track unique vs. universal trends in cell behavior, including cells’ migration patterns. I hypothesize that ID-Nb mice will have decreased cellular proliferation and migration compared to IS-Nb mice, ultimately impacting worm burden. These findings offer insights into the mechanism behind negative outcomes in anemic hosts, and could contribute to dietary intervention or therapies targeting the epithelium to alleviate burdens of helminth infection.

Circadian clocks have evolved as a powerful adaptation in response to daily environmental changes, allowing optimally timed sleep-wake cycles. The solar light-dark (LD) cycle is the dominant zeitgeber (time-giver) for entrainment (synchronization) of sleep and wake to external cues. While our lab has found that humans sleep less and later the days prior to the full moon phase where moonlight is available in the early night, moonlight was found to be an unreliable cue in determining lunar modulation of sleep for the light-polluted city population. Thus, my project investigates whether lunar cycling on activity patterns remains present without photic moonlight exposure using a diurnal non-human primate model: captive titi monkeys (Plecturocebus). The California National Primate Research Center collected titi monkey data (n=16) between 2022 to 2024 using AX3 from Axivity, a wearable data log that measures acceleration to monitor physical activity. I am using the statistical software R to derive activity onset and sleep onset/offset as phase markers of activity. Additionally, I am fitting different cosine models to a 30/15-day period, respectively lunar and semilunar, to analyze the periodic data for activity across the lunar month. We expect to see phase markers of activity oscillate with the monthly lunar phase, showing how the lunar cycle influences circadian rhythms in diurnal non-human primates, even in the absence of moonlight. This study may reveal a novel finding on lunar rhythms on activity patterns and could incur interest on how endogenous processes have adapted to the lunar cycle. Further molecular work could elucidate the neural mechanism behind lunar modulation of sleep and provide insights on improved treatment of dysregulated sleep.

4.5 million adults in the United States are diagnosed with chronic liver disease. Over time this can lead to cirrhosis, an end-stage condition in which scarring occurs in the liver. Reduced liver function from cirrhosis results in accumulations of neurotoxic substances that induce a spectrum of neurological impairments known as hepatic encephalopathy (HE). The critical flicker frequency (CFF) test is a well-established screening test for HE. Previously we developed Beacon, a novel and portable CFF measuring device that can be administered at home via smartphone app, as an accessible alternative to current CFF measurement devices that are large, expensive, and not intended for at-home use. We found that Beacon produced a CFF measurement that aligned with commercially available devices. While the current Beacon reflects current commercial devices, the efficiency of measurement is bottlenecked by the fact that pairs of flickering light stimuli can only be presented sequentially due to the singular light source. We therefore propose a dual headed version of Beacon that gives the option of flashing two frequencies simultaneously. I designed and developed a version of this dual-headed Beacon with sliding heads as well as an accompanying user interface before conducting a series of user studies, beginning with a pilot study on healthy individuals and progressing to a clinical trial on chronic liver disease patients, to evaluate the impact of the number of light sources and the distance between them on CFF measurement time and repeatability. I hypothesize that the two-headed Beacon will produce a CFF measurement more quickly than the original Beacon and that a closer distance between heads will also produce quicker and more consistent measurements. These findings will help inform the development of future iterations of the Beacon, leading to improved outcomes for chronic liver disease patients.

This project investigates the effects of Chile’s 2020-2021 pension withdrawals on household consumption across food, housing, transportation, healthcare, and education. I use existing socio-economic household survey data for my analysis. Chile’s Covid response allowed civilians to withdraw up to 30% of their pensions, impacting 11 million workers and reducing pension assets by an estimated 22% of GDP. This policy mirrors actions in 30 other countries globally, now facing similar challenges. This research aims to address the literature gap in consumption research, and provide a framework for policymakers in affected nations to understand how the pension funds were used in terms of consumption. My role encompasses everything, from design to analysis. First, I make sure the two groups being compared (Chilean households who withdrew funds and who did not) were on similar spending paths before the withdrawals happened, known as pre-trend analysis. I use statistical tools, such as t-tests, to check if those trends were similar—basically confirming that the two groups were spending similarly before the policy change. Second, I use a statistical model, called Difference-in-Differences (DiD), to isolate the specific effect of the withdrawals from other things that might have affected spending. Third, I look at how the pension withdrawals affected retirees and non-retirees as well as different income demographics, to see if the impact was the same or different for everyone, known as heterogeneity analysis. As this project is in-progress, I assume I would find a statistically significant, varied impact on household consumption. I anticipate increased spending on essential purchases since the Covid crisis led to many financial difficulties that affected households' spending. These findings can help inform younger generations around the world about their decisions regarding their own retirement planning decisions, as this global issue disrupted their retirement savings.

Formalization is the process of translating human-written mathematical proofs into a form that can be verified by a computer. A popular tool for this is Lean, a proof assistant that represents proofs as code. However, the process of formalizing proofs in Lean can be slow and time-consuming. Our research explores so-called "autoformalization" strategies, which aim to automate the generation of Lean proofs. We propose a tree-based search framework to formalize mathematical theorems in Lean using Language Models. This approach explores potential proof steps as branches in a tree, using AI models to suggest "tactics" at each node. This has the benefit of avoiding hallucinations by rigorously checking that AI suggestion represent valid Lean code. We employ both Large Language Models such as Claude Sonnet 3.5 and specialized fine-tuned Small Language Models such as Lean-Dojo. We use Pantograph to interact with Lean, leveraging its native support of Monte Carlo tree search. We assemble a small set of simple and medium-difficulty mathematical theorems to benchmark against, called nanoF2F. Additionally, we benchmark our system on the well-established miniF2F benchmark created by OpenAI.

Soluble peptides from the HIV-1 (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) envelope heptad repeat-2 domain, known as HIV fusion inhibitors, can inhibit viral entry by blocking formation of the gp41 6-helix bundle required for membrane fusion and infection. However, this treatment is unfeasible because it requires twice-daily subcutaneous injections with high risk and cost. The Lieber Lab is working to engineer hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) to express HIV fusion inhibitors in vivo, potentially offering sustained protection against HIV. In my work I used SIVmac239 (Simian Immunodeficiency Virus) challenged Rhesus Macaques sera and developed viremia (from another study by Lieber lab). My goal was to test whether anti-gp41 antibodies from these animals cross-reacted with synthetic gp41-derived fusion inhibitor peptides, specifically C46-v2o, C34-SFT, and Enfuvirtide(T20). If antibodies interfered with fusion inhibitors, their therapeutic effect would be severely compromised. In my project, I developed an Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) to measure antibody titers. These peptides were coated, then blocked with 3% bovine serum albumin, and incubated with diluted Macaque serum to allow antibody binding. I used anti-monkey immunoglobulin-G conjugated with Horseradish Peroxidase for detection of antibody binding. I optimized the serum dilution to 1:200 to reduce background signal and concluded SIV-challenged Macaques had detectable antibody levels against C46-v2o and C34-SFT, but not T20. Ongoing work will determine more detailed IC50 antibody titers in serum samples. Notably, animals with high viral loads exhibited higher levels of antibodies against HIV fusion inhibitors. T20 is a promising candidate for sustained HIV inhibition, as no detectable antibodies means it’s less susceptible to pre-existing immune responses. These findings provide valuable insights into how fusion inhibitors interact with the immune system and help refine strategies for HSPC-based HIV therapies, bringing us closer to a long-term, self-sustaining approach for HIV prevention. 
 

Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are a combination of neurological and developmental abnormalities, with 1 in every 36 children diagnosed worldwide. Brain Selective Kinase 2 (BRSK2) is one of the strongest autism-associated genes, with 35 de novo mutations reported to date. Patients harboring BRSK2 variants clinically present with neurodevelopmental disorders, including speech delay, intellectual disability, motor dysfunction, and behavioral abnormalities. Despite its strong ASD association, the molecular functions of BRSK2 and the mechanisms through which it regulates neurodevelopment remain unclear. My project aims to investigate the molecular role of BRSK2 by identifying its localization in the developing hippocampal and cortical neurons. The function of a gene is reliant upon its localization within the cell. To identify the subcellular localization of BRSK2 during early neurodevelopment, I am analyzing the subcellular distribution of BRSK2 in cultured primary embryonic rat neurons at different developmental time points, using immunocytochemistry and confocal microscopy. To delineate the impact of missense mutations in BRSK2 on its localization, I am analyzing the phenotype of cultured hippocampal rat neurons with GFP-tagged engineered constructs harboring the BRSK2 mutants. My analysis found that both hippocampal and cortical neurons display mostly cytoplasmic BRSK2 localization, with a significant association with the subcellular endomembrane as well as the plasma membrane (PM). Interestingly, BRSK2 was also found at the dendritic spines at day in vitro (DIV) 12. We are currently investigating whether any of these missense mutations disrupt inter-organelle communication between the endomembranes and plasma membrane. BRSK2’s localization in the endomembranes could explain disruptions in protein processing, dendritic development, or neuronal polarity linked with the missense mutations that eventually impact neurodevelopment, leading to autism. Discovering BRSK2’s localization will help contribute toward the future development of targeted therapies for ASD caused by the dysfunction of the BRSK2 kinase.

Women with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) report changes in symptoms due meses and hormonal contraception. However, research on the impacts of menopause on IBD symptoms and progression in women is limited. We systematically reviewed existing literature to describe the impact of menopause, menopause transition, and hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on IBD activity, symptoms severity, and progression. Our search strategy included terms related to menopause and IBD. PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Embase, and Web of Science were searched. Two reviewers screened all records. Findings were reported using narrative synthesis. Out of 1568 identified records, we reviewed 107 full text reports and included 14 studies (5 cohort, 3 case-control, 5 cross-sectional). IBD participant sample sizes ranged from 37 to 1367. Five studies examined the relationship between menopause/menopause symptoms and disease activity, with four reporting no relationship and one reporting more bothersome menopause symptoms in women with active IBD, compared to those in remission. Seven studies examined the impact of HRT on IBD risk or symptoms: HRT associated with increased risk of IBD (n=2), no change in IBD symptoms (n=3), and improvement of IBD symptoms (n=2). Five studies examined menopause onset age for IBD patients: earlier menopause onset in IBD participants compared to age-matched controls (n=4), no difference in menopause onset (n=1). Few studies have examined the effects of menopause, menopause transition, or HRT among IBD patients. Inconclusive results were found for the relationship between menopause and HRT and IBD progression, symptoms, and risk. Some evidence suggests that women with IBD may have an earlier onset of menopause compared to controls. However, there is a need for continued research on the relationship between IBD disease activity and menopause symptoms to create tailored interventions to improve women’s health in IBD across the lifespan.

The health risks of particulate matter measuring less than 2.5 micrometers (PM2.5)  include: respiratory disease, cardiovascular issues, and cognitive impairments. Its presence near schools and colleges remains underexplored. This study examines the relationship between PM2.5 exposure levels and academic outcomes in community colleges located in historically redlined neighborhoods across four major West Coast cities: Los Angeles and San Diego in California; Portland, Oregon; and the greater Seattle area in Washington. Using data from the PurpleAir Network, state air quality indices, and community college governing bodies, we analyzed and compared PM2.5 levels near institutions located within historically redlined neighborhoods and institutions located outside those neighborhoods. Leveraging the Python programming language and Google Colab, we examined correlations between an institution’s demographic makeup and transfer rates relative to PM2.5 exposure. Data sets obtained were filtered between the hours of 8 AM and 1 PM during the months of January 2024 through December 2024. Our findings indicate a correlation between higher PM2.5 exposure and lower academic performance for colleges serving predominantly racially marginalized communities located within historically redlined neighborhoods. This research reinforces the role of environmental inequities in shaping educational disparities and highlights the need for targeted policies to address air quality in affected communities.

In the video game Stardew Valley, the player leaves their corporate job behind to live as a farmer in the countryside, where they manage their farm, battle monsters, and build relationships with townspeople. Importantly, the aforementioned means players play at labor, spending numerous in-game hours doing physical labor (e.g. chopping down trees, tending their farm, fighting monsters) and emotional labor (e.g. giving townspeople gifts, dating). Therefore, through this project, I explore how the identities and experiences of femme-presenting and feminized people of color (POC) impact their gameplay decisions in Stardew Valley, specifically how and why they play at physical and emotional labor. The term "femme-presenting" can apply to anyone who is perceived as feminine by themselves or by others. The term "feminized" is for people who may not want to come off as femme-presenting, but often still do according to systems/society. Over the course of five biweekly meetings over roughly ten weeks, eight participants play Stardew Valley while I observe and ask questions. By reviewing the recorded gameplay footage and our conversations, I examine what each individual player prioritizes (e.g. aesthetics, narrative, money) and why they do so. My analysis of how participants play at labor relies on an understanding of how being a femme-presenting/feminized POC interacts with their additional various other identities (e.g. sexuality, ability, class) to subsequently influence their gameplay decisions. Anticipated results include participants playing at labor in Stardew Valley for the sake of escapism, a sense of control, and to build community. This study reveals the need for further interventions in video game studies which center cozy gaming spaces, femme/feminized communities of color, and feminist theorizing.

The external fertilization and transparent embryos of zebrafish make them an informative model of vertebrate embryonic development from the 1-cell stage. In this study, we examine the impact of de novo GTP synthesis on the formation of the embryonic somites, which are embryonic cells which develop into segmented blocks of muscle that run the length of the body. We hypothesize the de novo GTP synthesis is required for the correct patterning of somite borders in zebrafish embryos, and that this process facilitates the formation of a vertebrate body plan. Inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase 2 (IMPDH2) is the enzyme which catalyzes the conversion of inosine monophosphate (IMP) towards the de novo synthesis of GTP instead of ATP. To test the impact of de novo GTP synthesis on somite formation, we inhibited IMPDH2 function with mycophenolic acid (MPA) both before and after somite formation began. MPA caused stronger defects in the somite morphology and embryonic body shape when added to embryos before somite formation began, earlier in development. We performed in situ hybridization against xirp2a to assess the effect of inhibiting IMPDH2 function on the formation and patterning of the somite borders. MPA treatment decreased the definition of somite borders we could observe in the posterior tail. Inhibiting IMPDH2 with MPA produced somites with smooth, round borders instead of the chevron-shape typical of zebrafish. We next conducted immunohistochemistry against IMPDH2 to examine the expression and localization of this enzyme in embryonic cells when GTP conditions are low. In MPA-treated embryos, we observed increased expression of IMPDH2 across the entire embryo. We will next explore how GTP abundance affects activity of the clock, a mechanism which synchronizes gene expression of embryonic cells.

Before a child says their first word, they begin to produce and practice sounds they hear. Early vocalizations play a crucial role in speech development and language acquisition. However, most research on infant vocalizations focuses on children in Western, industrialized societies. This study contributes to the growing body of literature on diverse linguistic environments, specifically examining emergent sounds in the Panãra community, an Indigenous group in the Brazilian Amazon with approximately 700 speakers. Ten infants aged 2-21 months wore recording devices that collected a recording of their language environment over a day. Alongside shared ethnographic observations, I manually annotated selected 30-second audio segments for a fine-grained analysis of child vocalizations. I am currently analyzing the frequency and types of child vocalizations (i.e. vocal play, canonical babbling, variegated babbling) in infants' speech, and I plan to explore how these vocalizations may differ across the age range studied. I predict that child vocalizations will become more complex with increasing age, following pre-speech vocal development stages broadly found across cultures. My findings will contribute to a broader understanding of how language learning varies across cultural settings, vocalization stages, and the role of the environment to language development. 

Surf smelt (Hypomesus pretiosus) are ecologically and culturally important forage fishes that rely on intertidal beach habitat for spawning. However, the combined effects of rising sea level and human modification (e.g. seawalls, bulkheads, riprap) have put this habitat at risk of coastal squeezing, which could reduce available spawning areas along Puget Sound. This research aims to assess the vulnerability of surf smelt spawning beaches to climate change by combining field data collection with quantitative analysis. We evaluated existing risk assessment methods, such as the Coastal Vulnerability Index (CVI) to determine its applicability to Puget Sound. Additionally, we conducted beach surveys at productive spawning beaches to characterize the beach morphology. Our morphodynamic analysis included measurements of beach slope, sediment composition, pH, and water table depth from the high tide line to the waterline. Our hypothesis suggests that spawning beaches with a lower slope, smaller sediments, and a shallow water table will be more resilient to climate change impacts. Findings from this study will improve our understanding of climate-driven and anthropogenic threats to intertidal ecosystems and provide insight into habitat resilience, supporting conservation efforts for surf smelt populations.

Sound is a vibration that is created by an oscillating object and travels in periodic waves of pressure through a medium. Sound waves are characterized by properties such as frequency, amplitude, wavelength, and speed. The purpose of my research was to measure the effects the lower temperature and air pressure present in the stratosphere have on the properties of sound. To conduct this research I custom-designed an Arduino based sensor with a barometer and thermometer that was then attached to a weather balloon. The sensor also had a buzzer that repeated a tone at constant intervals along with a microphone that measured the amplitude of sound across various frequencies as it was necessary to consider the impact that the high wind speeds present in the stratosphere would have on the measurements. As the air becomes colder and less dense it also becomes less elastic causing it to transfer energy less efficiently which in turn leads to a decrease in amplitude. Frequency, however, did not change as it is determined by the source of the sound and does not depend on the properties of the medium. Understanding how changes in the properties of the medium affect the properties of sound opens a path to using sound to illuminate the properties of the medium. Additionally, broadening our understanding of how various atmospheric conditions present on our own planet affect the properties of sound deepens our understanding of how the various atmospheric conditions present on other planets will impact the properties of sound.

Due to considerations such as dose reduction, or physical limitations of the scanner, computed tomography (CT) images must sometimes be reconstructed from sparse-view or limited-angle sinogram data, resulting in a loss of image quality. In recent years, there has been a great deal of interest in using neural networks to improve image quality in these scenarios. In this work, we implement three neural network architectures – denoising convolutional neural network (DnCNN), U-net, and transformer – and apply them to sparse-view and limited angle problems in both a post-processing and iterative, “plug-and-play” reconstruction context. In post-processing, the neural network is applied to the final image to remove artifacts, while in the plug-and-play approach, it is incorporated into the algorithm that reconstructs the image from the sparse-view or limited-angle data. Based on standard image quality metrics, the post-processing approach with the U-net is found to give the best image quality. The plug-and-play approach, while not always providing the best image quality, is able to ensure fidelity with the sinogram data.

My project aims to improve sanitation in mental health and maternity hospitals in Ethiopia by introducing pressure-washing cleaning services. This initiative goes beyond routine cleaning, it restores dignity and safety to healthcare facilities where poor hygiene discourages patients particularly expectant mothers from seeking essential care. By reducing contaminants and improving cleanliness, the project will create a more welcoming environment that encourages hospital births rather than home deliveries driven by unsanitary conditions and odors. To achieve this, I am providing pressure-washing equipment to underserved hospitals and clinics focusing on four hospitals and three clinical facilities in urgent need of sanitation improvements. Additionally, I am engaging with smaller underserved clinics that play a vital role in delivering essential healthcare services to their communities. This project presents multiple challenges including identifying high-need facilities managing equipment distribution and coordinating regular cleaning schedules. I am actively involved in every aspect from logistical planning to hands-on implementation. My role requires strong project management and problem-solving skills to ensure a tangible impact with limited resources. Beyond logistics, this work demands an understanding of the experiences of vulnerable patients. Effective communication with hospital staff and government officials is crucial for building trust and aligning our efforts with their priorities. This experience is helping me grow as a leader improving my ability to mobilize communities around a shared goal while remaining sensitive to cultural and systemic challenges. Ultimately, this project is about more than sanitation—it is about transforming healthcare spaces into environments where patients feel safe respected and encouraged to seek the care they need.

Glaciers have long been used as the bellwethers of climate change, given their ability to store gases, dust, microbes, and other environmental materials in their layers; tracking their recession has also been an important visual indicator of climate change. In this research, I examine how anions in newly exposed vary with depth. To do this, I took samples from exposed vertical ice faces on the Coleman glacier, on the north face of Mount Baker. Samples were thawed and analyzed using ion chromatography.  Trace amounts of chloride, nitrate, sulfate, and phosphate were found in each sample. The ion concentrations showed no trend with depth, and the ice itself appeared uniform. This is in contrast from vertical cores taken from solid ice in numerous other surveys, which show distinct annual layers and variation. This suggests that the ice at vertical faces has different properties from that at the top layers, including in its ability to trap environmental markers. Further research is needed to confirm this difference and examine which of these markers is most affected. Increased understanding of these markers could give more insight into how glaciers change over time and interact with their environment.

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.

Dense-core vesicles are membrane-bound structures that carry neuromodulators such as insulin, dopamine, and serotonin. The peptides within dense-core vesicles are initially larger precursor proteins that undergo enzymatic processing to achieve their functional forms. During the defecation motor program in Caenorhabditis elegans, dense-core vesicles released from the intestine harbor neuropeptides that trigger neurons which activate enteric muscles, promoting the act of defecation. Failure of certain proneuropeptides to mature into neuropeptides results in decreased frequency of defecations. CPD-1, a conserved transmembrane carboxypeptidase, is a poorly understood processing enzyme that affects the defecation motor program. I built on our knowledge of EGL-21, another carboxypeptidase known to process neuropeptides and peptide hormones, to better understand CPD-1’s function. I show here that these two carboxypeptidases, EGL-21 and CPD-1, process neuropeptides necessary for successful defecation patterns. Mutants lacking egl-21 had decreased defecation frequency while worms lacking both egl-21 and cpd-1 had an even lower defecation frequency. Additionally, my results show that CPD-1 is expressed in intestinal cells and can compensate for EGL-21’s function. Finally, I am conducting experiments to determine whether one of CPD-1’s targets is NLP-40, an important neuro-like peptide released from the intestine that regulates defecation. These results contribute to our broader knowledge of peptide processing in dense-core vesicles.

Manduca sexta is a model lepidopteran insect organism which has been widely used in the field of chemical ecology due to its impressive olfactory senses. Odorant reception plays an important role in locating nectar sources, mating, and ovipositioning. Insects detect volatile chemical compounds (VOCs) present in their complex environment primarily through their sensory organ antenna. Each antenna is made up of thousands of olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs) and each neuron detects specific odor molecules with specific odorant receptor proteins. The whole genome sequencing of Manduca sexta has identified the major chemosensory receptor proteins: odorant (ORs), ionotropic (IRs) and gustatory (GR) but the role of each receptor is still unclear. In this project, we are investigating the role of female-biased odorant receptors OR5 and OR6, which might be involved in detecting VOCs present in their environment and play an important role in mating and oviposition. To investigate the role of these ORs, we have generated mutant strains by using a CRISPR/Cas9 approach and we are checking their effect on odor detection and oviposition behavior by comparing them with wild type strains. We are also performing an RNA-FISH experiment to visualize the ORs and locate the olfactory sensory neurons in the female antennae. In addition to this, we are also working on developing a neurogenetic tool which will allow us to measure the neuronal activity in response to different olfactory stimuli by generating a pan-neuronal BRP-GCaMP6s transgenic line.

All mammals experience a slowdown of cardiac pacemaker rate with aging. The main mechanisms to explain that phenomenon are related to alterations in the ionic currents that underlie the diastolic depolarization phase of the action potential. We have previously reported that pacemaker cells from old mice have reduced L-type calcium currents. We further explore the mechanism underlying that reduction, testing cell hypertrophy and alteration in the scaffolding of L-type calcium channels as potential mechanisms. To test for cell hypertrophy, we combined immunostaining and high-resolution imaging to map the HCN4-positive pacemaker region of isolated upper heart explants from young and old mice. We compared cell length, width, and area between young and old cells. We also determined these morphological parameters in HCN4-positive enzymatically dissociated pacemaker cells. We found no significant difference in cell dimensions or area between ages, ruling out hypertrophy as a potential mechanism. We used mass spectrometry to identify expression changes in scaffolding proteins essential for calcium channel organization at the plasma membrane. Through this approach, we identified a large reduction of caveolin 3 as a possible mechanism. Caveolin is a protein essential to forming signaling microdomains between calcium channels and other proteins. Using western blotting, we confirmed a 50% reduction of caveolin 3 in isolated pacemaker tissues from old animals. Using proximity ligation assay and super-resolution microscopy, we showed altered recruitment of L-type calcium channels into caveolae. Our findings suggest that the age-associated decrease of L-type calcium current is caused by a reduced insertion of these channels in caveolae.

Stiffness measures derived from MR Elastography have shown value in guiding treatment decisions and monitoring effectiveness of therapies for liver disease but it requires extra hardware, longer scan duration and is susceptible to motion and breathing artifacts. Recent studies have revealed a strong linear correlation between water diffusion and tissue stiffness, demonstrating that Diffusion Weighted MRI (DWI) can be used to estimate stiffness values in liver tissue. DWI-derived stiffness values may help evaluate treatment-induced changes in breast cancer but to our knowledge, this has not yet been tested. The purpose of my ongoing study is to calibrate DWI estimates of tissue stiffness for the breast by optimizing DWI parameters (diffusion weightings, or ‘b-values’) and  calibration coefficients (a, b), evaluating the potential of stiffness measures for monitoring response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) in breast cancer. We collected baseline and early treatment MRI exams from 25 patients undergoing NAC in this IRB approved study along with their treatment outcomes based on pathologic response post completion of NAC. I evaluated  the stiffness values obtained from different b-value pairs (low b-values: 100/200; high b-values: 800,1500,2000 s/mm²) and calibration coefficients(a,b=-9.7,13.9:-10.8,17.5:-8.8,21.2) and compared it to the invasive breast cancer stiffness values reported in literature. I also evaluated the performance of the optimized parameters to predict treatment response. The optimal b-value pairing (b=200,1500s/mm²) and coefficients a=-9.7,b=13.9 produced stiffness values consistent with literature. Using this approach, the performance for predicting treatment outcomes between responder and non-responder groups was AUC=0.84. These preliminary findings suggest that DWI based virtual elastography could serve as a non-invasive tool to assess tumor stiffness and track treatment efficacy, potentially improving breast cancer management.

Previous evidence points to the benefit of early literacy intervention and support for bilingual children. Therefore, the need for culturally responsive practices in the field of speech-language pathology is essential for the growing bilingual population across all settings. Although there is substantial literature on the home literacy environment (i.e., resources and practices that families use during book reading at home), most of the existing evidence comes from monolingual children. The purpose of our research is to analyze the important relationship between child and caregiver during shared book reading to understand parents' language use and its impact on child vocabulary and grammar. Our research questions are: 1) what is the amount of book reading reported by families; 2) how much bilingual input does the parent produce; and 3) how is this related to children's vocabulary and grammatical development? We collected videos of parent-child book reading in the home and we measured vocabulary development with a parent-report vocabulary checklist in English and Spanish. We also collected environmental surveys containing questions regarding the literacy environment (e.g., duration of book reading; how often they read; and what language they read in). We hypothesize that children who receive more bilingual input during book reading will demonstrate larger vocabularies and more complex syntax. As research assistants in the Child Language Lab, we score standardized language assessments and transcribe the book reading interactions. We have completed scoring and are in the process of analyzing the data from parent report instruments and the transcribed videos. This research may identify key factors in creating an enriching, supportive literacy and language environment for developing multilingual speakers. We can use the findings of this study in the field of Communication Sciences and Disorders and may improve interventions for bilingual children, especially for daycares and preschools. 

Fluoride intake is essential for dental health, yet excessive consumption can lead to fluorosis, a condition negatively affecting teeth and bones. Tea, one of the most widely consumed beverages globally, naturally accumulates fluoride, making it a significant but often overlooked dietary source. Black tea is the most popular type of tea consumed in the U.S. In this study we compared fluoride levels across six brands of black tea and investigated how brewing conditions and water sources affect fluoride concentrations in tea. We brewed black tea from six locally popular brands (Lipton, Tazo, Fortnum & Mason, Twinings, Tetly, and Harney & Sons), using two water sources (distilled water and Seattle tap water), with four samples for each brand using both water sources. We brewed 50 mL of water at 100°C, then we let each sample of the tea sit for 5, 10, and 20 minutes. Ion chromatography was used to measure fluoride concentrations at each time interval. We compared these values to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) recommended fluoride level of 4.0 mg/L. Our results help characterize the variation between brands and the influence of brewing duration on fluoride release. These findings contribute to a better understanding of fluoride exposure from tea consumption, helping consumers make informed choices about their dietary fluoride intake.

Beaver dams can function as natural filters helping decrease pollution in streams, creeks, and rivers. Beaver dams slow down the water flow in a creek or river, forming ponds that help trap excessive nutrients. An excess of nutrients such as phosphate and nitrate can cause eutrophication, leading to increased algal blooms that can produce toxins and ultimately deplete oxygen in the water. This study investigates the ion levels of chloride, fluoride, phosphate, nitrate, sulfate, and bromide upstream and downstream of the major beaver dam at Pipers Creek in North Seattle's Carkeek Park over the course of a year to better understand the long-term impacts of the dam. We collected three water samples at each of eleven sites along the creek, eight upstream from the dam, and three downstream. Ion chromatography was used to measure the concentrations of anions at each site. The results of this study help elucidate the role of beavers in moderating water quality and provide important baseline data documenting seasonal variations in the nutrient load at Pipers Creek. These findings can also be used to better understand the impact of new beaver dams in other freshwater systems.

Low-income communities are often disproportionately exposed to air pollution. High concentrations of pollutants such as particulate matter under 2.5 µm (PM2.5) and human aerosol emissions, including carbon dioxide (CO2), have been linked to various health and cognitive issues. Performance arts, including singing and playing instruments, produce human aerosol emissions and are considered high risk for airborne disease transmission. Our study evaluated the accumulation of CO2 and PM2.5 in high-risk environments (band classrooms) in low-income public schools in King County (WA), to determine whether there is a correlation between accumulation rates and Title 1 designation. Title 1 designation, which provides government funding for schools with a high percentage of students from low-income households, was used to represent low-income communities. We compared four middle schools that qualified for Title 1 designation to one school that did not qualify. Concentrations of CO2 and PM2.5 were measured using the Aranet4 Home CO2 sensor and a PurpleAir Classic sensor for PM2.5. We took a baseline measurement of both concentrations when the classroom was unoccupied. We then analyzed the change in concentration rates when classes were in session, taking into account classroom size and number of students. Our data showed concentrations above recommended levels at 1,370 ppm (parts per million) for CO2 in one of the Title 1 schools suggesting that Title 1 schools may be at greater risk of poor indoor air quality, though additional studies are needed. This additional exposure to pollutants and human aerosol emissions in already high-risk environments like band classrooms may lead to increased airborne disease transmission, highlighting the disparity in healthy learning environments. These classrooms require additional measures to maintain healthy concentrations of CO2 and PM2.5 to reduce the risk of airborne disease transmission particularly in low-income communities. 

The balance of ions in soil and water directly impacts sustainable agriculture, human health, and livestock well-being. Small family farms, such as the one in this study, often depend on well water for household and agricultural use, making water quality essential for both food safety and long-term farm viability. This study investigates the spatial distribution of key anions, including nitrate (NO₃⁻), nitrite (NO₂⁻), and phosphate (PO₄³⁻), in soil and well water across a small family-operated farm in Woodinville, WA. These ions were selected due to their roles in plant growth, soil chemistry, and potential health effects on humans and animals. The farm sustains 68 animals, including chickens, cows, donkeys, alpacas, llamas, sheep, quails, and horses, and provides food and water for seven residents. Soil and water samples were collected from distinct zones, including livestock pens, vegetable fields, and tap water from the farm’s well, to evaluate how land use influences ion distribution. Soil samples were collected at multiple sites; ions were extracted from the samples using a  common water extraction method. Ion chromatography (IC) was employed to quantify anion concentrations and assess spatial variability. While this study does not determine definitive sources of the ions, analyzing variations in these ion concentrations near crop fields and livestock areas can help assess potential nutrient leaching and runoff. This type of comparative analysis of soil and well water samples helps quantify potential risks to both farm operations and the health of residents and livestock. This research underscores the importance of ongoing water and soil quality monitoring to ensure the sustainability of small-scale farms that rely on well water and homegrown food, while offering insights for improved land and resource management practices

Safe drinking water in schools is crucial for children's safety and academic performance. While Seattle Public Schools has tested for some contaminants, such as lead, the district's responsibility for ion-specific testing for anions such as phosphate, bromide, nitrite, nitrate, chloride, sulfate, and sulfite is less clear. High concentrations of anions pose potential health risks, including reduced oxygen in red blood cells, higher risks of tumors in children, and diarrhea. This research investigated the anion concentration in water fountains across seven high schools in the Seattle Public Schools. Twenty-one water samples were collected from seven public high schools and analyzed for anion concentration using ion chromatography. Results were compared to the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) maximum contaminant level (MCL). All test samples were below the EPA's MCL. These results suggest that the drinking water in these schools does not pose potential risks to students from anion contamination. While regular monitoring and management are still necessary to maintain safe drinking water, Seattle Public Schools have met the safety requirements for anion concentration in their drinking water. 

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.

According to the CDC report in 2022, Indigenous women experience 58% of intimate partner violence cases, which is one of the primary causes of homicide. The Reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) has been credited for expanding protections for Indigenous women. This included increasing the provision of crimes under Tribal Jurisdiction and creating a pilot program for Alaskan Natives to prosecute non-Native offenders in villages. However, this policy reveals a gap between written law and people's experiences. This study examines the effectiveness of VAWA strategically, what demands were left out, and what those gaps represent in demanding changes through intersectional advocacy. In this qualitative research, I created a codebook to analyze the VAWA Congressional hearings from 2009 to 2022 to track the evolution of policy reforms from Indigenous activists. Applying a high-level textualized analysis by gathering a literature review, I utilized the framework of intersectional advocacy, which identifies the extent to which laws and interventions can create meaningful linkages across issues experienced by multiple marginalized people. VAWA remains to be a product of limitations in representation and holistic change to advance the needs of Indigenous people. Expected findings suggest that future policy reforms move beyond analyzing the issue through the lens of individuals to a community-based perspective. Intersectional frameworks will become a cornerstone of future policy work by propelling conversations centered around restorative well-being and healing. Creating bridges between people's lived experiences and legal institutions is foundational to creating critical correspondence. 

Asian Americans are victims of anti-Asian racism, but recent studies have also shown that they have a different role in perpetuating anti-Blackness and White supremacy. Our research aimed to specifically examine whether White and Asian Americans perceive a difference between anti-Blackness and White supremacy. We ran a qualitative study where anti-Blackness and White supremacy were defined for Asian and White American participants, who were then asked to write about their racial group’s relationship with those phenomena. We defined anti-Blackness as the belief that Black people are inherently inferior to others, and the corresponding practice of them being given insufficient power. Similarly, we defined White supremacy as the belief that White people are inherently superior to others and the corresponding practice of them being given disproportionate power. A few research assistants and I rated the similarity between the responses on anti-Blackness and White supremacy on a Likert scale from 1 to 7, with 1 indicating “not similar at all,” and 7 indicating “very similar.” We then performed a two-sample t-test (a type of statistical data analysis in psychological research) on this data to compare the responses between the Asian and White American participants. As expected, we found that the Asian American participants rated anti-Blackness and White supremacy as being more distinct than the White Americans did. The p-value for this data analysis was a statistically significant 0.004. These findings establish a foundation for future studies on the Asian American role in anti-Blackness and White supremacy. I have also conducted data analysis and ran participants for two such studies, which examined whether reminders of anti-Blackness caused Asian Americans to take more responsibility for anti-Blackness and show more solidarity with African Americans more than reminders of White supremacy.

Eating disorders increase the risk of co-occurring mental illnesses, such as depression and anxiety. Asian Americans are an underrepresented population in eating pathology research; they may be under or misdiagnosed and often do not seek services because interventions do not align with their culturally specific needs. The existing literature often neglects the impact of acculturation and acculturative stress on disease presentation and etiology. Acculturative stress arises from balancing the dominant culture's values with one's culture of origin, leading to psychological distress and disordered eating as a coping mechanism. Acculturation, the process of culture change, can increase the pressure to conform to Western thin beauty standards. People who ruminate may be particularly at risk for using disordered eating as a maladaptive coping mechanism against stress. Examining the critical roles of acculturation, bicultural stress, and rumination as unique and interactive determinants of eating pathology can lead to culturally relevant knowledge about its etiology and enhance utility and effectiveness of interventions. This study is aimed to examine acculturation orientations and bicultural stress as predictors of eating pathology symptoms, and rumination as a moderator. We hypothesize that higher levels of acculturative stress will be linked to greater eating pathology symptoms, over and above acculturation orientations. Rumination—particularly brooding—is expected to exacerbate the association between eating pathology symptoms and acculturative stress. Data are from the baseline measurement occasion of an existing longitudinal survey study that examined associations among mental health, personal and sociocultural risk and protective factors. Asian American undergraduate students (N=313; Mage=19.89; 72.5% U.S.-born; 55.6% female and 32.9% male) completed the baseline survey. With the anticipated support of the Mary Gates Scholarship, we will complete hierarchical regression analyses to test the hypotheses. Regression coefficients and effect sizes, model statistics, and p-values will be reported. 

The King County Brightwater Treatment Plant includes a marine outfall pipe anchored to the seafloor that discharges highly treated effluent from the Seattle metropolitan area into Puget Sound, Washington. Since 2009, as part of an eelgrass survey study, King County biologists have collected annual video footage of the outfall pipes from which they witnessed the abundance of organisms colonizing the pipe at all depths. Consequently, in 2012, King County biologists launched a ten-year project assessing the effectiveness of the high-density polyethylene (HDPE) outfall pipe at providing habitat for marine organisms and the composition of organisms it houses. Using a  remotely operated vehicle (ROV), they placed thirty plates of HDPE material adjacent to the outfall pipe at 100ft, 300ft and 600ft depths. Sets of replicate plates were then retrieved after 2, 5, and 10 years of deployment, at which time King County staff immediately took photos of each plate for analytical assessment. In this study, we analyzed the photos for percent live cover and composition of marine organisms inhabiting the pipe material, all across depths and time intervals. We hypothesized that the wastewater outfall pipe can function as a habitat; and the extent to which different organisms, their identifications and abundance, likely vary by depths due to the environmental conditions at different levels of depths. We found that percent live cover increased over time but did not vary across depths, and that certain phyla consistently dominated cover on the plates but dominant groups varied across depths. These findings allow experts in the field to consider using outfall pipes to provide additional habitats for marine organisms, and to assess communities of organisms at depths that are less accessible. 

Cardiac-specific promoters, such as NK2 homeobox 5 (NKX2.5), are essential for driving gene expression during early heart development, making them valuable for studying neonatal congenital heart diseases. However, the large size of the NKX2.5 promoter limits its use in adeno-associated virus (AAV) delivery systems, restricting vector space for therapeutic genes. This study aims to develop a compact hybrid NKX2.5 promoter that retains cardiac specificity while enhancing its efficiency in early-stage cardiac research and gene therapy. To achieve this, we replace the enhancer region of NKX2.5 with a shortened cytomegalovirus (CMV)-derived enhancer, preserving cardiac specificity while reducing promoter size. The hybrid promoter is then cloned into an AAV vector to drive green fluorescent protein (GFP) expression for assessing transcriptional activity and tissue specificity. Following AAV injection into pregnant mice, we will harvest early-stage embryos to evaluate GFP expression in cardiac tissues, comparing the hybrid promoter’s efficiency against the original NKX2.5-driven GFP expression. This study addresses current limitations of cardiac-specific promoters by developing a streamlined version optimized for gene delivery in neonatal models. Our findings strives to enhance gene therapy strategies for congenital heart diseases and provide insights into early cardiac gene regulation.

The small ubiquitin-like modifier protein, SUMO, regulates the activity of many cellular processes through covalent modification of proteins. These modified targets include the protein components of chromatin; histones H2A, H2B, H3, and H4. Chemical modification of histones directly regulates gene expression, necessitating an understanding of the role of each type of modification. The identification and role of histone SUMOylation has been described for H4 in human cells; however, SUMOylation of H2B in human cells has been recently observed but not yet characterized. SUMO is shown to impose a predominantly repressive effect on many cellular processes and proteins that it targets. Therefore, I am working toward identifying the role of H2B SUMOylation to either add to this narrative or describe novel functions of SUMO. To accomplish this, I have purified wild-type histones and SUMO-histone fusions through bacterial expression followed by size-exclusion and affinity chromatography. The purification of several of these proteins has not been described yet; therefore, I designed the purification for these proteins using unique methods, like solubilizing tags, to obtain the product. I reconstituted the purified proteins into octamers, the protein complex that DNA wraps around, and purified the octamers away from other oligomeric forms of the histones via size-exclusion chromatography. I further reconstituted the octamers into mononucleosomes by condensing DNA around them to mimic SUMOylated nucleosomes in chromatin. I hope to then subject the mononucleosomes to in vitro biochemical assays to observe changes in the modifications that regulate other chromatin-associated proteins. A better understanding of the complex dynamics at play during gene expression and repression is needed to identify stronger, safer, and more sustainable therapeutics. Furthermore, SUMO is implicated in a wide array of diseases, such as Alzheimer’s. Therefore, the results of this study will increase our understanding of gene regulation and provide insight towards treating related diseases.

“In Africa, whenever an old man dies, a library burns down.” –Amadou Hampâté Bâ. Malian writer, historian, and ethnologist Amadou Hampâté Bâ’s quote underlines elders as keepers and purveyors of knowledge, culture, and wisdom. As “libraries” worth prioritizing and preserving, Black grandmothers’ stories and cultural inheritances (material possessions, cultural traditions, rituals, language, etc.) have been integral to the matriarchal traditions and culture characterizing people of African descent. Yet, at key periods, African Americans have experienced threats to our collective ability to document, preserve, and pass down our “libraries” because of a lack of financial resources and technological support. Black grandmothers experience multidimensional oppressions and rarely have a chance for self-representation. What are the ways black grandmothers experience erasure in the digital age, and within their communities through displacement? How are we responding? How can researchers mitigate, document, and disrupt their erasure? To conduct this work, we collect oral histories, document cultural inheritances, and create data visualizations to digitize their "libraries." We document, preserve, and amplify Black culture and history by sharing the lived experiences of Black grandmothers. The Black Grandmother Worldmaking Library is a collaborative, community-based model for gathering, archiving, and digitizing distinct aspects of our “libraries” beginning with the stories and cultural inheritances of Black grandmothers experiencing mass displacement in Seattle’s Central District and along the Gullah Geechee Corridor. The project offers a readily accessible digital resource for Black grandmothers to contribute to and control the stories we tell about their lives. The Black Grandmother Worldmaking Library aims to repair what we are taught about Black grandmothers, to reclaim their narratives and culture using firsthand accounts, and to preserve their legacies.

I am currently assisting PhD student Jessica Luo in her research of the Sanmen Wu sound system, a language of the Wu family found in Southeast China. As Jessica writes an article that summarizes the sound structure of Sanmen Wu, I analyze utterances produced by speakers of the language. In my self-guided research, I focus on the sound quality of the consonants and their variations to determine underlying pronunciation. I also connect these variations to historical sound changes from Middle Chinese, its ancestor, into Sanmen Wu. I observe that Sanmen Wu speakers tend to freely alter pronunciations of certain consonants. For example, a speaker may say 部 [pu] or [bu] meaning ‘part,’ the latter only appearing after another spoken word. These two syllables contrast only in voicing, where [p] is voiceless and [b] is voiced. I use Praat, an industry-standard speech-analysis program, to read diagrams that depict the acoustics of these consonants to verify my findings. I am also creating a set of rules that predicts this alternation. One of the conditions is as follows: words with alternating voicing in their consonants change when pronounced within a sentence (‘medially’). Eventually, I will explain these rules, and I predict my explanation is related to the evolution of Sanmen Wu into its current stage. I reason that because the Wu language family stems from Middle Chinese, both of which require contrastive voicing to create distinct words, Sanmen Wu also contains the original underlying variation that exists in Middle Chinese. As such, I attribute this variation to an inherent part of the language rather than random circumstance. Ultimately, I intend to foster a thorough understanding of Sanmen Wu phonology and provide a foundation for further exploration of this topic.

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) play an integral role in self-tolerance and the preventing autoimmunity by suppressing the immune response. As such, inducing Treg expansion is a promising avenue for treating autoimmunity. Previous studies have shown that treatment with an interleukin-2 (IL-2) mutein Fc.Mut24 causes more robust Treg expansion than wildtype IL-2 and is effective at preventing autoimmunity in the non-obese diabetic (NOD) mouse model. In this study, we identified the synergistic roles of the T cell receptor (TCR) and IL-2 receptor in IL-2 Fc.Mut24-mediated Treg expansion, leading to the question of how TCR stimulation is affected during treatment. Classical dendritic cells (cDCs) present antigens to the TCR on Tregs, leading to an increased Treg population to suppress autoimmunity. This study aims to elucidate the role of interactions between Tregs and cDCs during IL-2 Fc.Mut24 treatment using in vivo mouse models. Through the uLIPSTIC (universal labelling immune partnerships by sortagging intracellular contacts) model, we reveal the effect of IL-2 Fc.Mut24 on the frequency of short-range and transient Treg/cDC interactions. Using Zbtb46-DtR bone marrow chimeras to deplete cDCs, we may begin to understand the extent to which cDCs are necessary for the robust Treg expansion typically seen during IL-2 Fc.Mut24 treatment. Preliminary results of cDC depletion do show reduced Treg expansion. We expect to find that IL-2 Fc.Mut24 promotes immunosuppressive Treg/cDC interactions in vivo, as indicated by increased frequency of interaction and cDC-dependent Treg expansion. The findings from this study will contribute to a greater understanding of how IL-2 mutein therapies mechanistically combat autoimmunity, potentially paving the way for identifying new applications to treat disease.

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC), a rare skin cancer, is mostly driven by integration of the Merkel cell polyomavirus which encodes T-antigen (T-Ag) proteins. Previous research has shown that T & B cells target T-Ag. Indeed, patients with virus-driven MCC produce T-Ag-specific antibodies that are useful to track disease progression. These antibodies do not play a direct role in MCC immunity as T-Ag proteins are intracellular. Our group has recently found that in tumors, T-Ag-specific B cells with germinal center or antibody-secreting phenotypes strongly predict improved MCC outcomes. These intratumoral B cell phenotypes reflect a robust cancer-specific T cell response. In contrast, T-Ag-specific B cells in the blood of MCC patients are predicted to predominantly have a memory or naive phenotype, and it is unknown if they contribute to anti-tumor immunity. We used fluorescently labeled T-Ag-proteins and flow cytometry to assess B cell responses in blood at the time of MCC diagnosis. In total, we analyzed samples from 23 patients whose MCC recurred within 3 years of diagnosis and 24 samples from stage- and age-matched MCC patients whose disease did not recur. We found no difference in the frequency of all circulating B cells (regardless of T-Ag-specificity) between patients who did and did not develop MCC recurrence. In contrast, higher frequencies of total memory B cells (CD27+IgD-IgM-) were associated with an increased risk of disease recurrence (HR 3.67 [1.58- 8.55], p=0.003). Intriguingly, T-Ag-specific memory B cells were also more abundant in the blood of patients who ultimately developed MCC recurrence (HR 2.82 [1.22- 6.53], p=0.012). Together, our results demonstrate that higher frequencies of circulating memory B cells associate with worse MCC outcomes. These findings suggest that the functional state of total and T-Ag-specific circulating B cells reflect their immune response within MCC tumors.

Xylazine is a veterinary sedative that has become a common adulterant in fentanyl products due to its ability to prolong the euphoric effects of fentanyl. Adulterated drug mixtures containing xylazine have been linked to an increased risk for respiratory depression and fatal overdose. Existing treatments for overdose such as naloxone do not work against xylazine and there is currently no FDA approved reversal agent for xylazine toxicity. Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are a promising therapeutic option to reverse drug overdose and can be used to target small molecules by sequestering them in the bloodstream and preventing their passage into the brain. Previously, we made a series of xylazine haptens and formulated them into vaccines where they were found to induce strong antibody responses, reduce brain to serum ratio of xylazine, and mitigate respiratory depression in Sprague-Dawley rats. Based on the protective effects of our xylazine conjugate vaccines, we hypothesized that we can create an effective reversal agent by isolating xylazine specific mAbs. In this study, we immunized mice with xylazine conjugate vaccines to generate antibodies specific against xylazine. We then used the secondary lymphoid organs of the vaccinated mice to establish stable mAb producing cell lines using hybridoma technology. Hybridomas were screened with ELISA and lead candidates were selected and sequenced for further characterization. We will conduct in-vitro characterization assays to quantify binding affinity, functional activity, and thermostability of our lead mAbs. Furthermore, in-vivo studies will assess the efficacy of our mAb lead candidates in rodent models.

What explains variations in how ports are acknowledging and responding to the challenges of climate mitigation and climate adaptation?  This research project examines the response of the top 100 global ports (in terms of tonnage) across the world to the growing challenges posed by climate change. Ports face challenges such as reducing emissions from ships and port operations, and adapting to changes like sea level rise, irregular water flows (crucial for ports on river estuaries), shifts in cargo composition, and changing water dynamics. I will explore whether these ports are acknowledging climate challenges and the extent to which they are establishing clear targets and addressing them in their operational strategies with clear timelines. Moreover, how they are preparing for the eventual decline in global fossil fuel trade. In particular, I will pay special attention to coal-exporting and importing ports, analyzing if they continue to make investments in coal infrastructure and whether they have initiated plans for diversifying their revenue streams to prepare for the eventual phase-out of coal. I have already started collecting data by closely examining the websites of these ports. I will create a database of whether these ports have developed climate statements that identify environmental issues, set clear targets with timelines, and outline strategies to mitigate and adapt to these challenges.  I will combine the scores on these dimensions to create a climate score for each port. In addition to my quantitative analysis based on a dataset created by website research, I will conduct interviews with port officials and union leaders at the Port of Seattle, Tacoma, Everette, and Bellingham.

The Kodiak Archipelago in southern Alaska has a rich archaeological heritage that has fascinated archaeologists and local communities for decades. Despite the presence of many archaeological research projects, archaeobotanical remains found during excavation have yet to be analyzed. The archaeobotanical remains recovered from the Kodiak Archipelago have often gone overlooked by archaeologists who considered preservation too poor in the wet climate and focused instead on fauna from shell-midden sites or other cultural artifacts. The Tanginak Spring site on Sitkalidak Island in southeast Kodiak was excavated by University of Washington field schools between 1994 and 2003. It is considered one of the oldest identified sites on the archipelago, dating to 7500-6000 cal BP. Sediment samples taken during these excavations were retrieved, floated, sorted, and identified by the archaeobotany class at the University of Washington. This poster presents the initial results of the analysis of wood charcoal and other preserved plant remains from the site, providing evidence to develop new insights into plant use by Kodiak’s earliest settlers.

Driven by the growing commitment to environmental stewardship and climate action, the aviation sector is adopting more creative technologies to move towards cleaner and more eco-friendly propulsion systems. The substantial CO2 emissions from current jet engines make creative solutions for environmentally friendly air travel a necessity, such as electrifying said engines. However, there are several obstacles that prevent current electric motors from being used in aircraft. Overheating is a serious problem that jeopardizes dependability, efficiency, and safety. Because of these drawbacks, existing electric motor technologies are not a viable substitute for many aircraft propulsion systems. To overcome these obstacles, this study optimizes electric motor designs using cutting-edge temperature control and energy-saving techniques. The suggested method makes use of thermoelectric modules (TEM) and high-temperature superconductors (HTS) to efficiently control thermal energy, lessen overheating, and improve motor performance. By integrating these innovative materials, this work aims to create reliable, efficient, and scalable electric propulsion systems that meet the rigorous demands of the aviation industry.

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are a powerful framework that enables the analysis of spatial data, or information connected to a location, that can be applied to a variety of fields, such as public health, policy, agriculture, and environmental management. With these frameworks, we can create maps to convey specific data or general information, make comparisons between data sets, and quantify spatial characteristics. In this study, I utilized a GIS framework together with Real-Time Kinematic Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS RTK) methods to collect spatial data regarding hiking trails throughout Saint Edward State Park in Kenmore, Washington. I hypothesize that the positional accuracy of data collected via GNSS RTK is significantly better than positions collected via methods that do not incorporate differential correction. To test this hypothesis, I will collect differentially corrected positional data along trails in the park and compare them to uncorrected data gathered between 2013 and 2015 from the same trails. Comparisons will be made using a t-test to determine whether there is a statistically significant difference between the mean differences of each data set. Furthermore, I will use this spatial data to visualize more accurate trail locations, indicate areas requiring maintenance, and decommission unofficial trails that are harmful to the ecology in the park.

Visual word interpretation involves both phonology, sound-based processing common in alphabetic languages, and orthography, visual pattern recognition common in logographic languages. Previous research suggests that word recognition in alphabetic languages, such as English, activates the left inferior frontal gyrus (LIFG), and logographic languages, such as Mandarin, engage the visual word form area (VWFA). The goal of this study is to investigate the neural and behavioral differences between native English speakers and native speakers of logographic languages when processing English phonemes. I hypothesized that native English speakers would show more activation in the LIFG whereas native logographic language speakers would show more activation in the VWFA. Participants completed a rhyming judgment task based on English phonemes while undergoing functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to measure neural activation. English proficiency was recorded through both self-report and the Nelson-Denny Comprehension test. Behavioral results suggested that native logographic language speakers had significantly longer response times and lower accuracy compared to native English speakers. Both self-reported and objectively measured English proficiency were negatively correlated with response times and positively correlated with accuracy. Although the neural analysis did not yield statistically significant results, there was a trend of increased VWFA activation in native speakers of logographic languages compared to English.

This research aims to enhance the food literacy of volunteers at the University of Washington (UW) Food Pantry by providing foundational knowledge on food security, food policy, nutrition, dietary needs, and allergies. Many pantry volunteers lack a background in nutrition or public health, which limits their understanding of the complex issues surrounding food insecurity and food literacy. Through the Winter 2025 Food Systems, Nutrition, and Health Capstone project, my team and I will create a comprehensive brochure that will be incorporated into the pantry’s volunteer training materials. The brochure will include sections on the pantry’s background and goals, the scope of food insecurity among college students both at UW and across the nation, food policies that affect access to nutritious foods, and basic nutrition education. Our objective is to foster empathy and understanding among volunteers, encouraging a deeper connection to the shoppers they serve and the challenges faced by people who rely on the pantry. At the end of the quarter, my team will present the brochure along with other deliverables to community stakeholders. In Spring quarter, I will administer a pre-survey to pantry volunteers to assess their current food literacy and knowledge of food insecurity. Following the brochure’s distribution and review, volunteers will complete the same survey, allowing for an analysis of any changes in their understanding. The study will evaluate whether the brochure improves volunteers' knowledge of food insecurity, ultimately testing if this intervention leads to better food literacy outcomes. If the brochure proves effective in this regard we also hope it will foster increased empathy among pantry shoppers and volunteers.

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.

Previous research has determined that nanoparticle systems require a wide parameter space to effectively conduct synthesis and characterization. As a result, the development of high-throughput techniques is essential for efficiently analyzing the large datasets produced in colloidal particle experiments. These methods enable the rapid assessment of particle properties, such as size, shape, and charge, which are critical for modifying nanoparticles for specific applications. In order to do this, advancements in automated synthesis platforms, such as the Jubilee automated multi-tool system, offer the potential to streamline the fabrication of magic sized clusters. This approach has the potential to accelerate the discovery of novel nanoparticles but also allows for real-time adjustment of synthesis parameters to achieve desired properties with high precision, throughput, and reproducibility. As a result of the optimized synthesis process, characterization using techniques such as small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and UV-vis spectroscopy can be done at an accelerated rate. Efforts to enhance the durability and performance of the Jubilee automated multi-tool platform are focused on integrating advanced materials to improve system lifespan. This work will incorporate glass syringes and resin-printed components which offer improved chemical resistance and precision compared to traditional plastic components, extending the utility of the platform to be able to work with solvents and chemicals that are corrosive, volatile, or strong solvating agents for typical plastics. These improvements aim to reduce wear and tear, extend the lifespan of critical components, and ultimately ensure the platform's reliability for long-term use in high-throughput nanoparticle synthesis.

Soldering is a common activity in lab environments that can negatively impact indoor air quality (IAQ) due to the release of airborne particulate matter (PM) and hazardous fumes from solder wire and rosin-based flux. The use of solder wire has been found to increase PM2.5 levels, as well as airborne tin and lead concentrations. Exposure to rosin-based solder flux has been linked to asthma, chronic coughing, and wheezing. For those who spend extended periods of time in laboratories, exposure to air pollutants may lead to an increased risk of respiratory issues and reduced cognitive capabilities. In order to mitigate these risks many laboratories employ air purifiers, however, there exists a lack of recent research on the effectiveness of these air purifiers. This study proposes the use of AeroSpec, an indoor air-quality monitoring system that measures pollutants such as PM1.0, PM2.5, and PM10, to assess the performance of various air purifiers. The AeroSpec system will be used to monitor airborne particulate matter concentrations while a researcher solders under different conditions, testing both with and without various air purifiers in different configurations. Data from the AeroSpec sensors will be used to quantify the effectiveness of different purifiers and examine how the location of the soldering iron relative to a purifier affects its performance. Our project aims to provide both independent verification of the effectiveness of commercially available air purifiers as well as to give guidance on best practices to maximize the effectiveness of air purifiers and to improve IAQ in laboratory settings, therefore reducing associated risks.

Since 1947, the Japanese government has been constrained by Article 9 of its Constitution, renouncing war as a means to settle international disputes and preventing the existence of an offensive military force. With the Security Treaty between the United States and Japan signed in 1951, the United States is obligated to defend Japan in exchange for the continued existence of American military bases on Japanese soil. In this research, we explore whether it is in America's interest to encourage Japan to amend or repeal Article 9, considering the security risks stemming from a stronger China and combative North Korea. In our policy recommendation, we used scholarly sources to discover three distinct challenges to regional and global security if a change to the status of Article 9 was to be pushed forward: Japanese public opinion and governmental concerns, the potential antagonization of regional adversaries, and the polarization of American allies with long-standing colonial histories with Japan. To address these concerns, we utilized a qualitative approach, exploring various narratives and opinions on the issue at stake. We found a diverse set of viewpoints, which we used to compile a recommendation for Japan to amend Article 9 to allow for the collective self-defense of its neighbors and allies when attacked. This research has significant implications for Japan's role in the future of East Asia, designating the state as a key military and economic power under America's Free and Open Indo-Pacific. With the culmination of our project, we found a clear path to upkeep and enhance America's time-honored relationship with Japan while maintaining its strategic leadership in the region. As previous efforts to remilitarize Japan have broken down due to several factors, our findings provide insight into the most suitable direction for the United States as a key player in the broader Asian region.

Silica nanoparticles have diverse applications in catalysis, imaging, and drug delivery. Tailoring these nanoparticles for specific applications requires precise control over their size, surface chemistry, porosity, and polydispersity. These properties are controlled by a wide range of factors such as reactant type and concentration, pH, reaction temperature, and other synthesis parameters. Due to the large parameter space, determining the optimal reaction conditions for synthesizing silica nanoparticles with the desired size and morphology is time-consuming and challenging. An accelerated experimentation platform integrating automation and artificial intelligence can streamline the selection of reaction parameters for synthesizing silica nanoparticles with targeted size and morphology using machine learning-based iterative design of experiments to optimize material properties. This system uses the Science Jubilee flexible laboratory automation platform to carry out sol-gel synthesis. Small-angle X-ray scattering is used to characterize the sample. The data collected is used to optimize the reaction condition for synthesizing the targeted nanoparticle. We have successfully carried out sol-gel processes and synthesized silica nanoparticles with various sizes and polydispersity using the platform. Currently, we are working on optimizing the selection of sample synthesis conditions.

Parents play a significant role in shaping adolescent alcohol use. The specific role of adolescent decisional freedom—the extent to which adolescents independently make decisions— has yet to be examined. I conducted a brief literature review on adolescent decisional freedom, and this study explores its links with alcohol use within distinct developmental periods. Data from baseline to year 6 follow-up of the National Consortium on Alcohol and NeuroDevelopment in Adolescence study (N=831) were tested for cross-sectional associations between decisional freedom and alcohol use phenomenology (i.e., drinking days per average month, past month alcohol consumption, quantity of drinks during average drinking period, and binge drinking days in the past year and month). Separate models were tested for early adolescence (ages 12-14), middle adolescence (ages 15-17), late adolescence (ages 19-20), and emerging adulthood (ages 21-24). Adolescent decisional freedom was measured using a self-report 5-point Likert scale across distinct domains (e.g., spending money, drinking alcohol, time spent with friends). Gender and age of first drink were covariates, and each model examined associations between decisional freedom and gender. Regression results consistently linked lower decisional freedom to lower alcohol use across all phenomenology in early adolescence (bs ≤ −.41, ps < .01). For middle adolescence, the protective effect of limiting decisional freedom only emerged for drinking days per average month (b = −.29, p < .01) and quantity of drinks during average drinking period (b = −.46, p = .001). In early and late adolescence, the association between lower decisional freedom and fewer past month binge drinking days was stronger for boys (bs ≥ 0.43, ps < .05). These findings suggest that increasing control over early adolescents’ decisional freedom, particularly for boys, and flexibly granting greater decisional freedom over time may protect adolescents from harmful decisions associated with alcohol use.

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.

Chloroplasts are central to plant immunity and act as a hub for immune signalling and defence-related hormone synthesis. The essential chloroplast-localized protein FtsHi1 is a component of the FtsHi import motor and is vital to translocating proteins across the chloroplastic membrane. Viral-induced gene silencing (VIGS) of FtsHi1 in Nicotiana benthamiana results in a bleached phenotype, indicative of decreased translocation of essential chloroplastic proteins and decreased chlorophyll synthesis. Previous work identified herbivore-induced kinase 1 (HIK1) as a potential interactor of FtsHi1. HIK1 is a receptor-like cytoplasmic kinase (RLCK) implicated in the immune response to caterpillars. FtsHi1 contains a predicted RLCK phosphorylation site, indicating possible phosphorylation of FtsHi1 by HIK1, which could promote defence signalling over photosynthesis. This project aims to test the impact of phosphorylation on FtsHi1 function and its role in protein translocation across the chloroplastic membrane. This work utilises engineered FtsHi1 variants, which mutate the serine phosphosite to either mimic FtsHi1 phosphorylation (Ser→Asp), prevent it (Ser→Ala), or recapitulate the wild-type protein sequence. To test the phosphosite mutation effects, FtsHi1 VIGS knockdown of N. benthamiana leaves will be transiently modified using Agrobacterium tumefaciens bacteria to express WT or phosphorylation-modified FtsHi1 constructs. The resulting colour phenotype for each construct will then be compared to the bleached phenotype of TRV2:FtsHi1 plants and the phenotype of wild-type plants. I hypothesise that the FtsHi1 phospho-null mutant will result in a rescue phenotype similar to wild-type FtsHi1, whereas FtsHi1(phospho-mimic) will retain the bleached phenotype.Examining FtsHi1 phosphorylation enhances our understanding of its potential interaction with HIK1 in herbivory-induced plant defences. Future studies will explore FtsHi1's role in defence mechanisms, with implications for engineering herbivory-resistant crops. 

Since the discovery of DNA in the 19th century, biochemists have been elucidating not only the structure, but unique biochemical environment of each loci. Protein-DNA neighborhoods govern chromatin structure and cellular functions (transcription, replication, etc.). To investigate which proteins and oligonucleotides compose these microenvironments, our lab and collaborators developed DNA oligonucleotide-directed proximity-interactome mapping (DNA O-MAP), a locus purification method using oligo-based ISH probes to recruit horseradish peroxidase (HRP) activity to specific DNA intervals (Liu & McGann et. al. 2024). Once these secondary, HRP-conjugated probes are localized to loci of interest, hydrogen peroxide is added with biotin-tyramide. Hydrogen peroxide activates HRP, forming biotin-tyramide phenoxyl radicals that biotinylate proteins and nucleic acids within 10-75nm. This allows for a scalable, versatile method to investigate these microenvironments. Large scale DNA O-MAP, tiling across several genomic sites, can elucidate insights into biological questions. However, the upstream protocol remains a barrier to its throughput, sensitivity, and reproducibility. In order to ensure this for analysis of tagged proteins, we sought to automate the streptavidin affinity purification protocol onto the Opentrons OT-2 robot. This is where streptavidin-coated magnetic beads capture biotinylated species from lysate. Coupled beads are recaptured with a magnetic rack and pipetting-off of flow-through. Subsequently, several washes cleans up these beads before peptides are digested off via Trypsin/LysC, dried-down, resuspended, and loaded onto a Orbitrap Eclipse LC-MS for proteomic analysis. Purification of streptavidin beads is manually intensive, inherently leading to variation between runs. The Opentrons OT-2 is an open-source liquid handler, allowing our lab to easily transfer methods to others interested in DNA O-MAP. Automating this protocol launches us from technology development to biological application. Here, I present an automated protocol for streptavidin affinity purification and evaluation of its effectiveness via comparison of the automated protocol to our lab's current, manual methods.

Cancer immunotherapy, specifically Adoptive Cell Therapy (ACT), has revolutionized treatment approaches using genetically modified T cells to recognize and eliminate cancer cells. However, tumors combat this by creating an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) blocking effective antitumor immune responses.  Dendritic cells (DCs) are innate immune cells that act as messengers between the innate and adaptive systems.   In the Oda lab we have designed Dual Costimulatory Receptor (DCRs) that combine a FLT3L or CD40L ectodomain with different costimulatory endodomains (e.g. CD40, 4-1BB, OX40), to provide both T cell-extrinsic and -intrinsic costimulatory signals.  These DCRs are expressed on the surface of antigen specific T cells, and the combination of these signals allows for enhanced tumor antigen presentation and dendritic cell activation, leading to an increase of the immune response to target and destroy cancer tumors. I will investigate how incorporating DCRs on T cells will enhance ACT effectiveness. I hypothesize these DCR signals on T cells will enhance dendritic cell function in the TME, allowing for increased T cell activation and antitumor immune responses. To test this, I will conduct in vitro coculture experiments to determine how DCR-T cells, dendritic cells, and pancreatic cancer cells interact together. I will study the interactions of these immune cells using live cell imaging technology such as the Incucyte. Additionally, I will analyze the phenotypes of our distinct cell populations via flow cytometry.  This research aims to enhance the development of immunotherapy for Pancreatic and all solid cancers by improving the recognition of cancer cells from the immune system. These results could help pave the way for improving solid tumor cancer treatment.

In the wake of the Trump and Biden administrations, during which movements such as Christian nationalism and religious deconstruction brought civil religion into the public eye, scholarship regarding religion as it interacts with politics becomes increasingly relevant. My thesis aims to investigate the role of Christianity in the political communication of our two most recent presidents, arguing that public religiosity is not diminishing in America -- rather, it is in a constant state of evolution to fit an ever-changing nation. This content analysis compares Trump's and Biden's usages of Christian language to one another as well as to former presidencies, addressing the question of how religious rhetoric is shifting in American political discourse. Through creation of a codebook of more than one hundred Christian keywords, which are then applied to presidential communication such as State of the Union addresses (accessed through The American Presidency Project), I determine the frequencies and contexts of religious mentions within Trump's and Biden's communication. Using programs such as Atlas.ti, I measure, analyze, and visualize Trump's and Biden's individual invocations of Christian talk. I hypothesize that Donald Trump's use of religious language increased over the course of his presidency as well as being significantly concentrated in self-referential contexts. Meanwhile, Joseph Biden's religious language is expected to be concentrated in contexts of national crisis, mainly taking the form of Biblical quotations. Overall, findings are expected to demonstrate that Christian language in the American presidency is not broadly declining, but rather used in more niche contexts. This project contributes to the vast field of religious and political scholarship by comprehensively analyzing not just the frequency but also the context of religious language in these presidencies, supporting the notion that public religion is a living entity that functions as a sociological and cultural phenomenon.

The effectiveness of a drug candidate depends on its ability to distribute to its target site of action after administration. Thus, a primary concern for drug delivery labs like the Pun lab is preventing drugs from being cleared from the bloodstream by the body's renal system before they are able to accumulate to therapeutic levels at their site of action. In short, one important goal in drug delivery research is to find ways to extend a drug's blood circulation half-life. Conjugating drugs to the large molecular weight molecule polyethylene glycol (PEG) to slow their clearance kinetics is the current gold-standard method, but a crucial drawback is that PEG's large size leads to its potentially toxic buildup in tissues like the liver. To get around this problem, my project aims to develop a drug delivery platform that will allow small molecule drugs to reversibly bind, or in other words "hitchhike" onto human serum albumin (HSA), an abundant protein in blood plasma with an extraordinarily long half-life. At this point in my project, I have successfully synthesized a novel fatty acid monomer with a methacrylate functionality that can be used to copolymerize the monomer with therapeutic small-molecules or peptides to improve their circulation half-life. The next steps will be to copolymerize the fatty acid monomer with pGmMA, a water-soluble polymer, and use biolayer interferometry to test the fatty acid monomer's ability to coordinate to albumin, which will confirm its efficacy as a drug delivery platform. If successful, this project has the potential to provide a generalizable improvement to the pharmacokinetics of various kinds of small-molecule drugs or peptides, enhancing their potency and overall ease of treatment. 

In Adoptive Cell Therapy (ACT), a novel modality of cancer therapy, immune cells can be engineered with T cell receptors (TCRs) to aid in targeting specific antigens presented on the surface of cancer cells. However, TCR-T cells often have limited persistence after transfer into patients, which has hampered the effectiveness of this therapy for solid tumors. Last year, our lab identified LSD1 as a target for drug inhibition, which is an enzyme that alters the epigenome of cells via histone modifications. My project aims to understand the mechanism of LSD1 inhibitor drugs, as well as the effect of these drugs on two types of T cells: cytotoxic CD8+ cells and helper CD4+ cells. In addition to understanding how LSD1 drugs work, I also ask exactly how CD4+ cells enhance the function of CD8+ cells in tumor killing. Which receptors on CD8+ cells are activated by helper T cells, what is the signal phosphorylation pathway transducing the "helping" signal from receptors, and what downstream epigenetic regulators play a role in translating the "helping" signal into better function in CD8+ T cells? To assess these interactions, I will generate a diverse population of CD8+ T cells with targeted receptor knockouts, known as a receptor library. Similar libraries will be generated for epigenetic regulators as well as kinases/phosphatases. The performance of T cells will be assessed via coculture assays, where T cells can kill tumor cells but not fully eliminate the tumor because of periodic addition of new tumor cells. At the end of the coculture period, we will assess gRNAs enriched in dysfunctional populations, which will identify genes critical to CD8+ T cell function. This project aims to provide enhanced function of T cells that are better suited for applications in clinic.

Unlawful behavior by both the government and its civilians in Mexico has developed into a crisis of violent crimes and corruption. There is a culture of high disregard of the law that is fueled by distrust in the government, subcultures such as Narco-culture, as well as institutional weakness. The aims of this study are to learn of the experiences Mexican citizens have with unlawful behavior and corruption in their government as well as understand the motivations behind this kind of behavior. For the purpose of this study, unlawful behavior will be defined as any behavior or action that violates Mexican law. Through semi-structured interviews of adult Mexican citizens I will gain insight on their thoughts and experiences. They will be asked questions regarding their participation and experiences with unlawful behavior. Due to travel limitations, the Mexican citizens interviewed for this study will be residents of Washington state. It is Mexican citizens that are facing the consequences of the high crime and corruption which makes it imperative to amplify their stories and understand their experiences and perceptions. The information collected through this research may aid in finding a solution to Mexico's crisis of crime and corruption in hope of providing Mexican civilians with a better quality of life. 

Individuals with Stage II/III severe periodontal disease were recruited from the Graduate Periodontics Clinic at the University of Washington School of Dentistry using an approved IRB (STUDY00016871). Subgingival plaque samples were collected from four tooth sites: an active inflamed site, two adjacent tooth sites, and a distant healthy tooth site. Sterile paper points were inserted into the gingival sulcus for 30 seconds. DNA was isolated and extracted using the Qiagen AllPrep DNA/RNA Mini kit (Cat. #80204), then purified and concentrated using the Zymo Clean & Concentrator (Cat. #D4014) kit. 16S rRNA libraries were generated and sequencing was performed on the MiSeq platform (Illumina, San Deigo, CA, USA) using 300bp paired-end chemistry. Raw reads were processed and analyzed using Qiime2 and the DADA2 algorithm to generate amplicon sequence variants (ASVs), which were then classified using the expanded Human Oral Microbiome Database (eHOMD). Differences between tooth sites were assessed within and across individuals. Correlation between taxonomic levels and clinical data was also assessed. Data analysis is still being performed at this time. Based on previous literature (Pawolski et al, 2005, Kerns et al. 2023), we expect that a subgingival community gradient radiates from tooth sites affected with periodontal disease toward distant healthy sites. We aim to resolve this within individuals using ASVs for the first time. Additionally, we anticipate an increase in disease-associated bacteria within actively inflamed tooth sites, such species within Porphyromonas, Tannerella, and Treponema genera. Furthermore, we anticipate a gradient of perio-pathic disease-associated bacteria will decrease in relative abundance the further away from active diseased sites. We expect that results from our study will highlight the presence of a subgingival microbiome composition and enrichment of specific gram negative perio-pathic disease-associated species within clinically healthy tooth sites in patients with active periodontal disease despite the absence of clinically observed inflammation.

My project intends to discover a DNA aptamer, a single stranded DNA oligonucleotide, that binds selectively to the protein Interleukin-6 (IL-6). IL-6 has an important role in the immune system response and in excess it is known to cause inflammation. Aptamers exhibit binding affinities like that of antibodies but are ~50 times cheaper to produce. The method of aptamer discovery is through SELEX (Systematic Evolution of Ligands by Exponential Enrichment) which involves the selection from an aptamer library that contains 52N random nucleotide region and constant 5’ and 3’ 18 base pair regions for PCR amplification. Positive and negative selection are completed by incubating aptamer libraries with IL-6 or random protein immobilized on magnetic beads respectively. After each round selected aptamer sequences are amplified with a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with primers that anneal to the constant regions. Reverse primer has biotin on 5’ end that is used later for strand separation with streptavidin agarose. After each round aptamer pool is going to be sequenced using nanopore sequencing platform till the enrichment of IL-6 specific sequences is observed. Binding will be tested through an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using the fam on 3’ end. The end goal of this project is to design a cost-effective method of IL-6 depletion from patients blood, allowing for cost-effective method of treatment for overactive immune system inflammation in sepsis patients.

The activation of inflammasomes is a crucial component of the early immune response to pathogens and initiates a form of inflammatory programmed cell death called pyroptosis. During infection, a cytosolic inflammasome-forming protein sensor detects a pathogen to assemble the inflammasome complex, which subsequently activates the protease Caspase-1 (CASP1). CASP1 processes Gasdermin D (GSDMD), inducing pyroptosis through pore formation in the plasma membrane, while also facilitating the release of proinflammatory cytokines, such as IL-1β and IL-18. Adenovirus (AdV) is a common pathogen that causes inflammatory symptoms by infecting multiple mucosal epithelial tissues in the respiratory tract and intestinal tract such as the nose, mouth, and eyes. We wanted to test whether AdV infection could activate one of the main inflammasome sensors in human conjunctival epithelial cells (hCjE cells), which is NLRP1. However, we found that upon AdV infection, NLRP1-mediated cytokine release is absent, suggesting that CASP1 signaling is suppressed. Interestingly, despite the loss of IL-1β and IL-18, pyroptosis remains unaffected. Recent studies indicate that in the absence of CASP1, inflammasomes can activate Caspase-8 (CASP8), leading to the cleavage of Caspase-3 (CASP3) and Gasdermin E (GSDME), resulting in an alternative, incomplete form of pyroptosis. Thus, I hypothesize that during AdV infection, host cells are still able to induce pyroptosis by activating the alternative CASP8-GSDME pathway. To test this hypothesis, we generated and validated genetic knockouts of CASP8, GSDMD, GSDME, and CASP3 in hCjE cells to assess their roles in pyroptosis during AdV infection. These findings will provide new insights into viral immune evasion strategies and inflammasome regulation in epithelial cells.

Recent research shows the lux operon utilized with in-vivo bioluminescence imaging to detect infectious diseases in animal models. Modifications to this operon led to the development of enhanced bioluminescence in Escherichia coli cells. However, expression of this operon has not been optimized for expression in other bacteria, such as Staphylococcus aureus. This study aims to optimize the lux reporter gene expression for Staphylococcus aureus, so luminescence is bright enough to register without specialized equipment. To date, the research has explored Gibson Assembly for cloning the gene sequences into a shuttle vector and efforts to modulate gene expression to reduce toxicity in E. coli.

Substance use in Indigenous communities remains a significant public health concern for Indigenous communities worldwide, greatly affecting physical, mental, and social well-being. Substance use in Indigenous communities is nearly double that observed in the non-Indigenous population (Geia, et al., 2018). Such prevalence of substance use among Indigenous populations has been a source of stigma greatly related to colonialism. This study examines the prevalence of substance use among Indigenous populations in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the United States identifying patterns within communities and successful intervention strategies to decrease substance use in these communities. A systematic review of literature conducted in the countries mentioned above reveals that Indigenous communities experience high rates of alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drug use. Secondary to trauma and socioeconomic disparities paired with limited access to secular healthcare contributes to the exacerbation of the cycle of addiction (Spillane, et al., 2023). Specific led interventions sculpted around Indigenous culture and various community-driven, utilised participatory approaches show a high chance of decreasing substance use in these communities (Geia, et al., 2018). With such findings, the need for healthcare services that remain respectful to Indigenous culture and overall strengthen community engagement can be put in place to mitigate the prevalence of substance use in these communities and the corresponding risk factors that contribute to such circumstances. My presentation will demonstrate how the high levels of alcohol and substance use can be reduced in Indigenous communities when ethical interventions are implemented that provide long-term care for rehabilitation. This long-term care should include education, harm reduction, and encouragement for partnership between Indigenous individuals and their families and healthcare providers within the programs. The long-term care is to be residential to those struggling with substance use, rather than mainstream outside of reservations, to ensure the patients feel safe.

Tuberculosis (TB) remains the world’s deadliest infectious disease, claiming over 1.25 million lives annually—surpassing malaria and HIV in mortality. TB’s causative pathogen, Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB), continues to spread rapidly due to inadequate access to accurate molecular diagnostic tests. The most commonly used tests include sputum-based and tuberculin skin tests, which require follow-up visits and have suboptimal sensitivity, particularly within certain patient populations. Moreover, these assays cannot identify emerging drug-resistant strains (DR-TB) that have reduced susceptibility to first-line antibiotics. Our aim is to design a diagnostic tool to detect cell-free DNA (cfDNA) in urine and identify the infecting strain to ensure patients receive appropriate antibiotics. To achieve this, we are developing a probe-ligation assay with single-nucleotide specificity. Current implementations are limited by the low specificity of ligase, leading to false positives and an inability to differentiate between mutated MTB strains. We hypothesized that Flap Endonuclease-1 (FEN1) could confer a specificity advantage by integrating a second enzymatic “check” into the process. The protocol involves a ligation reaction with MTB genome-derived targets and two probes, each containing a DNA flap with additional nucleotides. To detect the ligated product, FEN1 must cleave these flaps before the ligase catalyzes the repair of the nick between probes. To experimentally observe this, we carried out several ligation reactions containing FEN1 and ligase with wild-type and mutant targets, followed by PCR or gel electrophoresis to measure ligated product formation. We evaluated the efficiency and precision by analyzing the amplification profiles of WT targets and mutants containing SNPs neighboring the ligation site. Our data about whether FEN1 confers a significant specificity advantage remains inconclusive, but the double enzyme reaction is functional and could be further exploited in future experiments with additional optimization or modifications to enzymes or DNA probes.

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.

Cervical traumatic spinal cord injury (TCSCI) is a devastating condition that leads to tetraplegia, severely impairing essential life functions and independence. Individuals with cervical TCSCI struggle with hand function, reaching, eating, grasping, and writing, significantly reducing their quality of life. In the U.S., cervical SCI is the most common type of spinal injury, affecting over 300,000 individuals, with approximately 17,900 new cases annually. The long-term disability resulting from TCSCI often necessitates continuous medical care, rehabilitation, and assistive technologies to enhance functional recovery. Our preclinical study evaluates upper extremity dysfunction in rats following cervical TCSCI using behavioral assessments, specifically the Forelimb Reaching Task (FRT) and the Irvine, Beatties, and Bresnahan (IBB) test. These tests provide valuable insights into motor impairments and recovery over time. FRT assesses shoulder movement and fine motor control by placing the rat in a transparent box with side slits, allowing it to extend its forelimb to grasp a chocolate pellet. The grasping behavior is scored on a standardized scale. This test primarily evaluates digit precision and reaching ability. IBB provides a broader analysis of forelimb function, including both proximal and distal limb recovery. In this test, the rat is placed in a cylinder with food, and its grasping and eating behavior are recorded. Forelimb function is later evaluated based on elbow position, paw support, forepaw placement, and digit movements. By comparing these tests, we aim to determine their efficacy in assessing functional deficits and recovery post-SCI. This analysis is critical for refining behavioral assessments and guiding the development of new therapies to enhance motor recovery and improve the quality of life for individuals with cervical SCI.

Plants utilize molecular patterns in order to detect threats to the plant. Through the recognition of molecular patterns by their associated receptor, plants are able to initiate an appropriate immune response, measurable by the increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). In the model organism Arabidopsis thaliana, the pathogen associated molecular pattern flg22 is detected by the pattern recognition receptor Flagellin Sensitive 2 (FLS2) to initiate intracellular signaling. The immune signaling kinase Botrytis-Induced Kinase 1 (BIK1) is then phosphorylated by FLS2 to transduce the immune signal, initiating ROS production. However, A. thaliana lacks a group of immune signaling kinases related to BIK1 called Herbivory-Induced Kinase Like Kinases (HLKs), which are present in multiple species including tobacco (Nicotiana benthamiana) and common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris). The goal of this project is to determine the role of HLKs in immune signaling. To investigate the role of HLKs in immune signaling, A. thaliana were transformed with transgenes to express HLKs or overexpress BIK1. Stably transformed A. thaliana lines were then bred to produce progeny that are homozygous for the transgenes. These lines are treated with flg22 in order to initiate an immune response. ROS is used to measure the immune response of each transgenic line, where HLK expressing individuals are compared with BIK1 overexpressing individuals as a control group. I anticipate that HLKs will increase the ROS production when compared with the controls, signifying an increased immune response, since HLKs are related to the native BIK1. An understanding of the role of HLKs in FLS2 immune signaling in the model organism A. thaliana can be applied to crop species that employ HLK mediated immune signaling.

Individuals with Stage II/III severe periodontal disease were recruited from the Graduate Periodontics Clinic at the University of Washington School of Dentistry using an approved IRB (STUDY00016871). Subgingival plaque samples were collected from four tooth sites: an active inflamed site, two adjacent tooth sites, and a distant healthy tooth site. Sterile paper points were inserted into the gingival sulcus for 30 seconds. DNA was isolated and extracted using the Qiagen AllPrep DNA/RNA Mini kit (Cat. #80204), then purified and concentrated using the Zymo Clean & Concentrator (Cat. #D4014) kit. Whole genome libraries were generated and whole genome sequencing was performed on a NovaSeq X (Illumina, San Diego, CA, USA). Relative abundance of species-level assignments represented by clusters were determined, and best matched genomes were then used to generate species pangenomes for comprehensive multi-genome wide read mapping and gene-level analysis. Taxonomic and gene level functional analysis was also performed. Data analysis is still being performed at this time. Based on previous literature (Basic and Dahlén, 2023), we anticipate that the activity of certain microbial metabolic pathways associated with oral disease and their functions will be heightened in the active disease site and lower on the non-affected site within strain-level disease-associated bacteria, such as those of the Porphyromonas, Tannerella, and Treponema genera. Specifically, we expect amino acid fermentation and lipid metabolism activity to be increased in the active disease site. We expect that results from this study will highlight the presence of heightened activity of bacterial metabolic pathways and functions at the strain level associated with specific gram negative perio-pathic disease-associated species within clinically healthy tooth sites in patients with active periodontal disease despite the absence of clinical observed inflammation.

During embryonic development, gene expression is temporally and spatially coordinated to control organogenesis and fetal growth. We previously identified a subset of 140 genes that conferred lethal and sub-viable phenotypes in mice and are likely to be haploinsufficient in humans. These genes presumptively play essential roles in fetal development, but their function is unknown. I aim to uncover the role of these genes in mouse embryonic development using Weighted Gene Co-Expression Analysis (WGCNA). Co-expression analysis will be conducted on mouse embryonic stem cell RNA sequencing data obtained at three different stages of in vitro differentiation and across two different genetic backgrounds, creating a subset of nine samples encompassing 12555 genes. Choosing three different time points allows us to see how expression of our genes of interest changes over time, and choosing two different genotypes (wild type and knock-in) allows us to investigate if expression changes due to a single point mutation. We performed dynamic clustering on this RNA sequencing data to identify co-expressed gene clusters. I will map these gene clusters to biological pathways to make inferences about which cellular processes, metabolic functions, or structural components the genes of interest are involved in. This may indicate the role of these genes in fetal development and help reveal why fetal viability is compromised. In future studies, the functional characterization of these genes will generate new ideas and hypotheses about the basis of genetic disease.

Understanding the impact of the solvent environment on the electronic properties of modified DNA is essential for their use in nanoelectronics and in medicine. We modeled the impact of counterions in metal modified DNA (mmDNA) using ab-initio density functional theory to model wet and dry conditions. The orbital wavefunctions and charge transport properties were compared for a variety of test conditions, looking at effects for a single basepair as well as a longer DNA chain, using the Thymine-Mercury-Thymine mmDNA basepair as a case study. Preliminary results from single base pair calculations indicate that chlorine counterions in wet DNA do not significantly affect the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) energies, while in dry cases, orbital wavefunctions are more localized and at lower energies, albeit with a similar bandgap. In most calculations, the LUMO localizes on the central metal atom. These findings suggest that longer DNA molecules could potentially form a channel for electron transport along the metal atoms, effectively functioning as a nanowire with a conductance dependent on solvation and counterion presence. With a more accurate model of DNA as a nanomaterial for bioelectronics, it will be possible to develop smaller, more efficient devices operable in biomolecule-friendly environments.

Surf smelt (Hypomesus pretiosus) are an ecologically and economically significant forage fish species that spawn in the intertidal zone of beaches throughout the Salish Sea. Despite their importance to marine food webs, the environmental factors influencing their spawning site selection and seasonal distribution remain poorly understood. This project aims to investigate the morphological characteristics of beaches used for surf smelt spawning during different times of the year, comparing morphological and spatiotemporal variables that influence spawning. In order to study these characteristics, we will record sediment grain size, slope, wave energy, beach temperature and the water chemistry at verified winter as well as summer spawning sites identified by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW). We will also sample non-productive sites in order to identify key differences between them and further establish parameters that enhance spawning success. Preliminary research suggests that these key characteristics strongly influence surf smelt spawning distribution​​​. Optimal surf smelt spawning beaches appear to consist of mixed sand and gravel substrates, low levels of wave action, high amounts of shading, moderate slopes and moderate temperatures. Habitat alterations such as shoreline armoring along with sea-level rise in response to global warming could lead to a drastic decrease in the upper inner tidal ranges where surf smelt usually spawn. Consequently, we expect beaches heavily influenced by these factors to be poor spawning sites​​. The results of this study will contribute to a deeper understanding of the environmental variables driving spawning site selection, egg survival, and seasonal spawning peaks. This research will be instrumental in informing conservation projects and supporting policy initiatives aimed at preserving surf smelt populations and their critical spawning habitats in the Salish Sea.

Undocumented youth are a highly politicized group in the United States and Israel, two nations who are themselves composed mostly of recent migrants. Recently, Israel and the United States introduced temporary policies to attempt to address the "issue" of undocumented youth. In 2006, Israel enacted the Temporary Arrangement for Grant of Status for Children of Illegal Residents (TAGS) policy. This one-time program granted legal residence to undocumented youth in Israel. Just six years later, President Obama announced the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), a policy that granted undocumented youth protections from deportation, a work permit, and sometimes access to certain benefits. In this study, I conduct a comparative analysis of DACA and TAGS to evaluate how both states restrict and expand pathways to citizenship for undocumented youth. I conducted a literature review of the policies and experiences of undocumented youth utilizing large research organizations such as the Migration Policy Institute, academic journals such as the International Journal of Intercultural Relations, and local news sources such as Haaretz and i24News. I argue that through their limited criteria and application, both policies function as a "gatekeeping" mechanism, creating a liminal status of citizenship through their narrow eligibility criteria and temporality. These policies also contribute to state-building through reinforcing a hierarchy of 'deservingness' and belonging in both States (Lee, 2004). As the relationship between the US and Israel continues to evolve and undocumented migration continues to be a politically charge topic, it is pertinent that undocumented youth, one of the most vulnerable groups, continue to be a topic of study.

Despite advances in modern medicine in the United States, maternal and child health (MCH) outcomes continue to decline due to the social determinants of health (SDOH), resulting in poor health outcomes and death for mothers and babies. However, community-based models (CBM) of maternal and child health care have been identified as effective interventions that mitigate these negative outcomes by addressing the SDOH. Existing literature identifies CBMs as effective interventions using quantitative methods and analysis. However, my research focuses on qualitative methods and their human-centered real-world applications of CBMs. The goal of my study is to highlight the role that communities play in influencing maternal and child health outcomes and understand the effect of CMBs on participants. To investigate the impact of community-based models on MCH outcomes, I am using two questions to guide semi-structured interviews with expectant families, parents, and community health workers. My research questions are, 1) What are the experiences of providers and recipients of community-based models of maternal and child health care? and 2) Do Black, Hispanic, Indigenous, and White communities in King County experience gaps in maternal and child health care services, and, if so, how do these gaps differ among communities? I am recording demographic data from participants for coding after interviews have concluded. This study will help create a more comprehensive understanding of CBMs of MCH in the field. These narratives will help further legitimize the practice of community care in traditional Western medical spaces as an effective tool to improve maternal and child health outcomes in the United States.

Our goal is to establish water quality baselines and ongoing trends for streams and tributaries of two separate watersheds, both of which drain into Lake Washington through Lake Forest Park, a city in the northwest part of King County, WA. This project is the first intensive multiple-site survey of urban King County watersheds using certified Washington State Department of Ecology methods. In three teams of 4-5 college students, we conducted monthly field tests of 16 sites along tributaries and sub-basins of the McAleer Watershed, and of 6 sites within the Lyon Creek watershed. We used a YSI ProDSS multiprobe meter and a Hach DR 900 colorimeter to collect measurements of air and water temperature, water turbidity, conductivity, % oxygen saturation, dissolved oxygen, pH, total suspended solids, and nitrate and phosphate levels, used Coliform Bacteria R-Cards to measure the quantitative presence of water-borne E. coli. Analysis of these water quality indices for these sites over a 12-month period will allow us to evaluate the overall health of the greater watersheds, and possible causes of poor conditions. Our data will contribute to other conservation research efforts supporting urban watershed health. This work was undertaken as a research project by undergraduates participating in the Urban Stream Ecology Internship and Training (USE-IT) program, funded by a Seattle Waterworks grant to the Stewardship Stream Initiative (SSI), an initiative launched by the Lake Forest Park Stewardship Foundation in 2024.

This project presents an analysis of climate litigation cases on a global level. I have created a unique database of over 969 cases in 74 countries with detailed accounts of the plaintiffs and defendants involved. The primary objective of this study is to assess the spread of environmental litigation cases and the when, where, who, and on what grounds these cases are being brought forth. My preliminary analysis shows that most climate litigation cases have been filed post-2020, with a majority, or 15.04% of cases being initially filed in 2021. Such data emphasizes the substantial growth of climate litigation on a global scale in recent years. Regarding jurisdiction, a majority, or 15.96%, of cases have been filed in Australia. The UK follows closely with 15.84% of climate litigation cases being filed within the country. Additionally, the majority, or 25.28%, of plaintiffs are NGOs with individuals making up the ensuing majority group with around 22.08% involved in bringing forward cases. On the other hand, 49.02%, of defendants are federal government agencies. Regarding the grounds under which these cases are filed, 62.95% of cases have been filed invoking statutory provisions in the relevant national legislation to hold varying actors responsible for climate inaction. I also find that around 36.22% of cases have utilized international law established by custom or treaties recognized by nations. Importantly, my data suggests a new, and growing, trend emerging in climate litigation as plaintiffs invoke human rights laws to seek stronger climate legislation with around 25.39% of cases having relied on this legal framework. Going forward, such a comprehensive climate litigation database will serve as a valuable resource for scholars, practitioners, and climate advocates seeking to navigate and understand the complex landscape of climate litigation. 

Stigma against individuals with substance use disorders has been shown to negatively affect their health outcomes. Interpersonal stigma has been shown to further perpetuate intrapersonal stigma within this population. The prevalence of this phenomenon has implications in nearly every society, which manifests as structural, societal and interpersonal impacts. This literature review examines how stigma directed at drug users directly affects their health and well-being. The implications are great in that by affecting the health outcomes of drug users, the well-being of an entire population suffers. Data was procured and reviewed using four databases: JSTOR, PubMed, Science Direct and Elsevier. Parameters for the inclusion of data stated that the article must address stigma and how it affects the health and overall well-being of drug users. Additional articles were used to provide background information on the topic. Data suggests that stigma is not only a contributing factor to perpetuated use, but also exacerbates barriers to treatment, fosters a mistrust of healthcare professionals and discourages engagement with evidence-based interventions. Additionally, these factors lead to social isolation and a reduced sense of self-worth. This systematic review highlights some of the gaps in current knowledge pertaining to how stigma negatively affects those who use drugs. By addressing this issue, especially on the systemic level, within areas such as policy reform and health care professional education and training programs, outcomes for those who use drugs can be improved in such a way as to benefit all of society.

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.

Female mammals possess two X chromosomes in every cell, but one is silenced by condensing into a barr body, making its genetic information largely inaccessible. While X inactivation is stable in somatic cells, it is reversible in germ cells, raising the intriguing question of what proteins maintain this silenced state. My project aims to identify the protein composition of both active and inactive X chromosomes in mice. To achieve this, I will use in situ hybridization to target proximal labeling with biotin of X chromosome-associated proteins. This is accomplished by targeting a biotinylation enzyme, such as HRP, to the X chromosomal region, where it will selectively biotinylate neighboring proteins. After affinity purification, these proteins can be identified using mass spectrometry-based quantitative proteomics. To direct the enzyme to the correct location, a two-probe system is employed. The primary oligonucleotide probe complements a specific X chromosome region which also contains landing sites for a secondary probe. Hybridization of the secondary probe which is tagged with HRP enables precise labeling of chromosome-associated proteins. This approach enables in situ biotinylation, preserving proteins in their native context for accurate identification. Since the two X chromosomes are homologous, distinguishing between the active and inactive X requires careful probe design. By utilizing Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) that exist in the X chromosomes, the maternal and paternal X chromosomes can be differentially targeted by primary probes, allowing for homolog specific protein labeling and analysis of their distinct regulatory environments. 

Cell shape opens a powerful window into the genetic and mechanical processes that drive cell behavior and, ultimately, tissue morphogenesis during development. By identifying cell shape, we can track specific cells and their responses to different gene expressions - creating a clearer mapping of which cells are affected by various manipulations. In this project we combine computational tools with quantitative microscopy to measure nucleus shape, and use these readouts to identify different cell types in the pectoral fins of zebrafish embryos. High resolution images of pectoral fin nuclei were taken using confocal microscopy - a technique commonly used when capturing tissue and cell data. Following nucleus identification and segmentation during data pre-processing, the FlowShape analysis package was utilized to extract quantitative "shape vectors" that encode the morphology of each nucleus. We plan to leverage the spherical harmonic weights produced within FlowShape to cluster and identify key shape-types that emerge from the collected nuclei. These shape readouts will serve as the basis for future analyses aimed at classifying different nucleus morphologies within the pectoral fin. Ultimately we hope to use nucleus morphology to predict the expression of key marker genes. This approach provides a powerful method for bridging the gap between the rich gene expression information provided by single-cell RNA-seq atlases, and the dynamical and morphological information produced by in vivo microscopy.

The El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is the most significant year-to-year climate variation, affecting weather and climate systems worldwide. However, current prediction models, both dynamic and statistical, struggle with accuracy due to the complex mechanism of ENSO. This study introduces a regional temperature and salinity prediction method using a Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) deep learning model, which is well-suited for identifying long-term patterns in sequential data. The model is applied to three specific regions using in-situ data from Argo floats: the central-eastern Pacific, the central tropical Pacific Niño 3.4 region, and the Western Pacific Warm Pool (WPWP). These regions are chosen because they play key roles in ENSO dynamics. Results show that the LSTM model performs best in the WPWP, where the average mean squared error (MSE) is low (0.03), indicating high accuracy and stability. This is likely due to lower noise in the original data. In contrast, the model performs poorly in the central-eastern Pacific, where the average MSE is much higher (7.03), suggesting instability due to high noise in original data. These findings highlight the potential of deep learning for regional climate predictions and suggest that LSTM models could improve local weather forecasting and fisheries management.

We analyzed the effects of marine heatwaves on primary production in the Northern California Current from 1997 to 2023, a productive ecosystem that has been impacted by intense and long-lasting heatwaves, most notably the 'Blob' (2014-2016) and the 'Blob 2.0' (2019). Using Copernicus Marine Service's Global Ocean Colour and NOAA's Optimum Interpolation Sea Surface Temperature (SST) products, we analyzed chlorophyll and temperature bounded by the Columbia River and the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Heatwave metrics were compared to chlorophyll concentrations before and after events, and dynamic linear models (DLMs) were used to determine the changing regression slopes between temperature and primary production for six areas on and off the continental coast. We then used self-organizing maps (SOMs) to analyze spatiotemporal variation in phytoplankton blooms during heatwave years. Chlorophyll decreased during heatwaves for all six locations (p<0.05) and DLMs showed increasingly negative correlations between SST and chlorophyll during heatwaves for the two locations closest to the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Phenological analysis showed that the spring blooms occurred significantly earlier and with lower peaks (p<0.05) during most heatwave years. We conclude that marine heatwaves negatively affect primary production in this region, especially near the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Heatwaves also shifted the timing of spring blooms, indicating possible ecosystem impacts from mismatched phenology. Further analysis is needed to determine the mechanisms of these effects through covariates such as nutrient availability and mixed layer depth.

The fitness industry actively influences how people define health, shaping their actions and self-image. My qualitative research examines how University of Washington students navigate fitness messaging in gym culture, social media, and advertising, analyzing its effects on self-perception, mental health, and behaviors. Since Winter 2024, I have used ethnographic methods, including semi-structured interviews with 30 consenting individuals and participant observations at the IMA gym, with IRB certification for ethical compliance, to identify key trends. This research focuses on four objectives: analyzing fitness industry messages around body image, exercise, and diet; investigating how these messages shape student perceptions and behaviors; examining intersections with public health, media studies, and psychology; and evaluating the ethical implications of these narratives. Preliminary findings reveal that while fitness and nutrition can improve health, commercialized messaging often leads to the opposite. Without evidence-based guidance, individuals accept and internalize health narratives that may not align with their needs, which can be detrimental. My research has revealed fitness culture reinforcing societal pressures, creating confusion about health, and leaving young adults vulnerable to misinformation, with some experiencing serious health consequences from extreme regimens promoted online. The emphasis on aesthetics often overshadows long-term well-being, contributing to over-exercise, disordered eating, and supplement misuse. This presentation will initiate critical dialogue on how fitness industry messaging impacts health behaviors and inform strategies for public health, policy, and education to address these issues. It will also raise awareness of the urgent need to evaluate health messages critically, empowering individuals to make informed decisions. I want to ensure that fitness is used as a tool for sustainable health rather than a driver of harmful standards. As I prepare for graduate studies in medical anthropology and global health this work is a critical step in my commitment to addressing health disparities.

LGBTQ+ populations face increased vulnerability to natural disasters due to factors including exclusion from aid structures, loss of healthcare, outing and harassment in shelters, and pre-existing poverty and stigma (Dominey-Howes et al, 2013; Yamashita et al, 2017). However, there is limited information specifically concentrating on transgender people's access to resources, experience with aid, or unique needs. This literature review aims to assess the current available information on transgender people's experiences of natural disasters and where there is still room for further inquiry. What does available research currently say about how transgender people perceive, prepare for, and live through natural disasters? This review will be conducted by searching through research databases and grey literature for studies on natural disasters that explicitly mention transgender people. The literature will be characterized and relevant findings, recommendations, and gaps will be summarized. We anticipate finding the amount and types of literature published, as well as information on the resources transgender people access, effectiveness of existing disaster interventions, factors affecting preparedness, and potential areas for further research. Understanding the current state of information on transgender people's experience prior to, during, and after natural disasters can inform more inclusive research and disaster planning.

The prefrontal cortex (PFC) is essential for cognitive functions such as decision-making, emotional regulation, and attention. Dysfunction in PFC circuitry is implicated in neuropsychiatric disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease, depression, and anxiety. Within the PFC, excitatory glutamatergic neurons and inhibitory GABAergic neurons coordinate activity to maintain proper network function. The excitatory-inhibitory balance is critical for cognitive processing, yet the role of the most abundant GPCR in the brain, the cannabinoid 1 receptor (CB1), in regulating these neuronal populations remains unclear. CB1 receptors are highly expressed across other cortical regions but have the most dense expression in the PFC where they are hypothesized to modulate synaptic transmission and plasticity. To investigate their cell-specific function, we utilized a CRISPR-Cas9 to locally knockout the CB1 receptor specific neuronal populations using a viral cre-dependent driver. This virus was administered in either vesicular GABA transporter (VGAT)-Cre or vesicular glutamate transporter (VGLUT)-Cre animals to select for inhibitory or excitatory neurons, respectively. We assessed CB1 receptor expression using RNAscope in situ hybridization to quantify CB1 mRNA in VGAT-expressing inhibitory neurons and VGLUT-expressing excitatory neurons. Fluorescence microscopy was used to visualize CB1 receptor distribution and determine whether its expression differs between these neuronal populations compared to controls. By mapping CB1 receptor expression and assessing its functional role in these neurons through previous behavioral experiments, this study provided insight into how the endocannabinoid system regulates PFC circuitry. Understanding CB1-mediated modulation of excitatory and inhibitory balance could have broad implications for neuropsychiatric disorders characterized by PFC dysfunction.

Including updated thermodynamic ice polymorph properties in our planetary structure model predicts that TRAPPIST-1 h can support a subsurface liquid water layer with conduction present. TRAPPIST-1 h is of interest as it may be an ocean world with an icy surface based on observed mass, radius, and instellation. Previous research has created interior models that mathematically derive equations of state (EOS) for ice phases II through VI using ad-hoc parametrizations for density and heat capacity from various sources, which may not be applicable over such a large span of conditions. Notably these previous models predicted no liquid oceans nor ice VII within the hydrosphere. The surface pressure, mass of water, core radius, and metal-silicate core density of planet h remain unknown, leaving the question of how the hydrosphere changes when altering these parameters to reflect past and present ocean worlds. We present new predictions on the structure of TRAPPIST-1 h’s hydrosphere using, for the first time, accurate and self-consistent temperature- and pressure-dependent thermodynamic properties of water and ice polymorphs from the SeaFreeze framework to model the hydrosphere. Specifically, we compute different hydrosphere structures by iterating over a range of iron core fractions (0.05 - 0.9), and comparing models with and without a conductive layer at the top of the ice Ih crust. Results include a series of plausible hydrosphere structures that are consistent with the latest total mass and radius observations from Spitzer data of planet h. These outcomes can help interpret future spectroscopic and photometric observations.

Quasars are some of the most luminous objects in the universe. Through analysis of quasar spectra, outflows of gas and dust can be identified by absorption troughs. Outflows that travel at speeds greater than 10% of the speed of light are known as Extremely High Velocity Outflows (EHVOs), and while there have been fewer studies compared to those at lower speeds, they might carry out large amounts of energy due to their higher speeds. The amount of gas in these outflows can be measured and studied through their CIV absorption troughs. However, in some cases, this absorption is contaminated by absorption of other ions at lower speeds. I have developed programming tools to analyze some of these complex EHVO absorption features. I will present the results of applying these techniques to two interesting cases: (1) one of the most luminous quasars in the universe and (2) the fastest known EHVO to date. My work improves the quality of EHVO analysis, resulting in more accurate measurements of absorption of these extreme outflows. This is crucial to obtain better estimates of mass outflow rates and kinetic energies in quasars, of which EHVOs might be some of the largest contributors.

Quasars, located at the centers of distant galaxies, are among the most luminous objects in the universe due to the accretion disks surrounding their central supermassive black holes. By analyzing their spectra, we can observe outflows launched from their accretion disks which grant us insight into their physical and chemical conditions. Some of these outflows, known as Extremely High Velocity Outflows or EHVOs, have been discovered traveling at speeds greater than 10% the speed of light. Due to their extreme speeds, EHVOs carry a significant amount of kinetic energy that could potentially be impacting their host galaxies by either enhancing or quenching their star formation. While outflows traveling at lower speeds have been well studied, there is still much to learn about EHVOs. My project focuses on uncovering the mechanisms that drive EHVOs and the conditions necessary to launch them at such high speeds. To achieve this, I am collaborating with a research team at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas in a theoretical-observational partnership. They generate simulated spectral data of quasar winds using the Sirocco tool, adjusting quasar physical properties such as black hole mass to try and reproduce the conditions that generate EHVOs. We compare these results to observational data from the largest EHVO sample identified in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey’s 16th data release and provide feedback for refining theoretical inputs to better match the data. I will present the results from this work as well as what we have learned from this latest EHVO survey.

Objective. I asses the increased Latino support for Donald Trump and the GOP since 2016, and how the Democratic party was less successful in 2024 with Latinos than in previous elections. Methods. By using a mixed-methods approach that includes an in-depth bilingual content analysis and polling data I can evaluate increased GOP support from Latino voters even under increased threat. Findings. In 2024, Trump demonstrated increased Latino outreach efforts but still failed to capture a majority of Latino voters due to his continued anti-Latino and anti-immigrant rhetoric. However, perceptions of GOP hostility decreased, likely due to rising economic concerns. In comparison, Harris' Latino outreach was much better, however, her policies failed to resonate with Latinos largely due too little to no discussion of comprehensive immigration reform - which typically heightens group identity and thus mobilizes Latino voters. Conclusion. While the media and the campaigns like to discuss the importance of the Latino vote, as they seek their support, the two-party system has left Latino voters behind, effectively ignoring their substantive political wants and needs, increasing the likelihood of a shift of Latinos to the right.

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) owns abundant natural resources like minerals and oil, yet they struggle to translate this wealth into sustainable economic growth and prosperity. This research explores the question: What strategies can the DRC implement to achieve sustainable economic growth while fostering prosperity for its population? The study hypothesizes that embracing resource-driven economic diversification, improved governance, and international partnerships can transform the DRC’s economic trajectory. This research is a secondary research because there are many study cases for many countries in which they had faced economic challenges due to the non-transparency of their government. One example is Brazil; they are also land-rich and rich in natural resources. However, unlike the DRC, Brazil has managed to achieve a significantly higher GDP. This research indicates that a major factor behind the DRC’s hardship is the lack of transparency in its government, which reduces foreign investor confidence and limits economic growth. To foster their prosperity, we suggest that global organizations, like the International Monetary Fund (IMF), communicate with the DRC’s government based on the information from the World Bank and IMF for their openness to trade and transparent management to confide foreign investors’ investment in the country. If these, transparent government and confiding foreign investors strategies are well-implemented, this project could greatly impact many nations. It could lift millions of people out of economic hardship and turn the DRC into an example for other nations with similar challenges, especially in the African continent. The accomplishments made by the transparent government and confiding foreign investors policy in DRC may act as a model for nations worldwide on how to develop an economy that is sustainable, equitable, and advantageous for every world citizen.

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have unique optical and physical properties that have a range of applications in photovoltaics and medicine. The properties of AuNPs can be adjusted depending on their intended use, which is accomplished by synthesizing AuNPs of a specific size, shape, and surface chemistry. Optimizing AuNP structure is currently performed through a time-consuming approach. In experimental synthesis a multitude of parameters can affect the AuNP structure, including temperature, reagent concentrations, time delays of component addition, and the use of selective passivation molecules during synthesis. In order to achieve robotic control over the large design space, a computational method called phase-mapping can be utilized. These algorithms correlate the different synthesis design variables to the AuNP structure measured using characterization, and from that information the algorithm can provide synthesis parameters to create a desired AuNP structure. In this poster, an experimental case study of creating phasemaps of peptide-based AuNP synthesis by varying temperatures and the ratio of peptides in the growth solution will be presented. To produce enough experimental data to create an accurate phase-mapping algorithm, the synthesis process will be automated using an Opentrons OT-2 liquid handling robot, with an attached thermal module to control the synthesis temperature. After synthesizing the AuNPs, their structure will be characterized using UV-Vis spectroscopy. The structure, alongside the design parameters, will be used to update the phase-mapping algorithm, from which new design parameters will be obtained and synthesized in order to validate if the produced structure matches the algorithm’s prediction. The phasemaps generated will be used to understand the design rules for controlling the colloidal AuNP growth and further guide the bio-inspired synthesis of colloidal nanoparticles.

Future technological developments in fields including alternative energy and medicine require next-generation materials. Synthesizing each new material requires exploring a multi-dimensional parameter space. Developing laboratory automation tools for automating lab procedures and data analysis will be key to efficient discovery of optimal, novel materials. Some automation tools utilized in this work include automated sample loading and analysis for both Small Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS) and Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), and a custom sonication robot. The goals of this project are to apply these lab automation tools to construct and characterize crystalline structures of nanoparticles encapsulated in lipid membranes and connected with DNA linkers. With high throughput methods, the impact of design parameters on the crystal structure can also be determined. Parameters of interest in the self-assembly of particles include the molar ratio of lipid membrane components and the nanoparticle surface area to membrane surface area ratio. The first assembly step is embedding the nanoparticles in a lipid membrane of optimal composition. Next, the cholesterol end of synthesized DNA-cholesterol fragments embeds in the membrane and complementary DNA fragments are added to connect the nanoparticles when combined with a complementary DNA bridge. The aggregates formed are analyzed with Zeta potential, SAXS, and DLS to determine if crystals are formed. Preliminary results from this project are presented here.

VLA-4 is an integrin expressed on immune cells that plays an important role in their extravasation into tissues during an immune response. In the autoimmune disease multiple sclerosis (MS), pathogenic T cells extravasate and attack nerve cells by using VLA-4 to bind to VCAM-1, a cell adhesion molecule on endothelial cells that line blood vessels. Current treatments for MS rely on antibodies to bind VLA-4 and block its interaction with VCAM-1, thus preventing a pathogenic immune response. However, antibodies are expensive to manufacture, and their binding cannot be easily regulated to control drug-induced side effects. Aptamers are single-stranded DNA or RNA molecules that fold into sequence-defined structures capable of binding to their targets with affinities and specificities comparable to antibodies. Being chemically synthesized, they are much cheaper to manufacture and offer minimal batch-to-batch differences. Unlike antibodies, their binding in vivo can be rapidly reversed using a reversal agent, which could alleviate the side effects of disease treatments. However, aptamers have limitations in vivo: degradation by nucleases in blood serum, and rapid clearance into urine through the glomerular filtration barrier. This project focuses on the development of a VLA-4 aptamer for treating MS. We found that the VLA-4 aptamer prevents soluble VCAM-1 from binding to VLA-4-expressing leukocytes by flow cytometry. We then showed that the aptamer blocks VLA-4/VCAM-1 mediated leukocyte adhesion in vitro. We are currently assessing aptamer blockade of leukocyte transendothelial migration. We are also designing modifications to improve the stability of the aptamer for in vivo uses. Successful development of the aptamer will lead to an alternative treatment modality for MS with a potentially improved safety profile.

Data is the fuel driving AI innovation. Much of the most valuable data is, however, siloed in research centers, hospitals, banks, etc. The onerous processes researchers must go through to access each silo cause a substantial underutilization of AI in many of the most important domains, including healthcare and genomics. AI researchers cannot train models for personalized medicine if they cannot get their hands on enough relevant patient data. One way to provide broader access for research while also retaining the privacy of the original data is with synthetic data generation (SDG), which uses machine learning to generate a set of synthetic data similar enough to the real data to retain its value for research while also anonymizing it. While in some cases a single data custodian (such as a hospital) alone may have enough data to train a generative model, usually, datasets from multiple custodians need to be combined to reach a cumulative size that enables meaningful AI research. The latter is, for example, often the case for rare diseases, with each clinical site having data for only a small number of patients, which is insufficient to train high-quality synthetic data generators. The goal of my research is to generate synthetic genomics data of patients with Neurofibromatosis type 1, a rare genetic condition that causes changes in skin pigment and tumors on nerve tissue. Thanks to our Privacy-Preserving Machine Learning Lab’s inclusion in the National Artificial Intelligence Research Resource (NAIRR) Pilot and our collaboration with Sage Bionetworks, I have access to the TACC Frontera supercomputer at the University of Texas and multiple sets of NF1 patient data. Results of my work on the NAIRR include an empirical evaluation of cross-silo federated SDG algorithms in terms of quality of the generated NF1 data, computational cost, and level of privacy protection.

Deuterium is the naturally occurring, heavier stable isotope of hydrogen, which comprises a known proportion of the hydrogen in seawater. As evaporated water travels inland, heavier molecules containing deuterium are rained out preferentially. The deuterium/hydrogen ratio (δ2H) in precipitation is controlled by climatic and geographic factors such as temperature, elevation, and latitude. Terrestrial plants use rainwater as their primary source of hydrogen, so this climatic and topographic marker is recorded in their compounds, which allows for their use in the sedimentary record as paleoclimate proxies. In this study I examine δ2H in n-alkanes, the hydrocarbon chains that make up leaf waxes, extracted from plants, leaf litter (duff), and soils across Washington state. Due to rainout effects influenced by the Cascade Mountains’ rain shadow, δ2H is expected to show a trend of depletion across the state. Samples were collected from sites along an east-west transect across the Cascades. I have processed these samples for isotope analysis and am now conducting literature review to compare our results with a global dataset. Preliminary results show the expected depletion of deuterium across the transect and correlation with rainwater δ2H, modeled using the Online Isotopes in Precipitation Calculator (OIPC). My goal is to assess the local trend of δ2H depletion across this gradient through comparison with existing literature, and to examine the poorly-studied pathway of isotopic signature from plant tissue into soils. I am to provide new insight into the pattern of isotopic signals preserved from live plants into soils and sedimentary rocks, and to further explore and refine the use of hydrogen isotopes in sedimentary n-alkanes as paleoclimate indicators. This research is part of a larger study on the persistence of the isotopic signal of the Cascade Mountains’ rain shadow into the rock record to potentially constrain the timing of their uplift. 

While some species cannot persist in urban areas, coyotes (Canis latrans) thrive in cities in part thanks to their varied diet and creative scavenging. Urban coyotes consume more anthropogenic foods and have more diverse diets than wild populations, and the quality of the anthropogenic foods they consume varies with the landscape of the city. In addition, consumption of particular anthropogenic foods can bring coyotes into conflict with resident human populations. What are coyotes eating in Seattle, and what does their diet composition say about the specific urban environments they inhabit? DNA metabarcoding, a technique used to genetically identify the species present in a sample, provided an initial idea of coyote diet composition. However, the metabarcoding data lacks resolution for plants, invertebrates, and some anthropogenic foods. This study investigates the diet composition of Seattle’s coyotes through traditional scat analysis, building on previous metabarcoding work to identify key diet items. Traditional analysis allows for better identification of plant and invertebrate species via the identification of hard-items such as bones, exoskeletons and seeds, and can provide additional resolution where metabarcoding primers lack specificity. In particular, traditional analysis contextualizes the dietary role of chicken— the presence or absence of physical items such as feathers clarifies if coyotes are eating domestic chickens or anthropogenic foods. I estimate the percent composition of each item in a given sample and compare these results to the metabarcoding data in order to compare the strengths of traditional and genetic techniques for diet analysis. My anticipated results provide valuable information regarding the dietary role of invertebrates, the plants coyotes consume and disperse, and if coyotes are consuming domestic chickens— highlighting the advantages of traditional analysis used in conjunction with metabarcoding. These results will help refine the methods of omnivore diet research and inform action to prevent human-wildlife conflict.

It began with a personal experience involving my cat and a mouse. This seemingly trivial yet traumatic event prompted me to reflect on historical parallels, especially the 1960s Korean dictatorship, when young people were forced into mouse-killing competitions as a form of control and to promote national development through exploitative labor. I questioned my fear of mice and why they felt so unfamiliar. I realized that my fear was rooted in stories my parents shared about their experiences during the dictatorship, including their involvement in the New Village Movement as students. By drawing from both personal experience and Korean history, I created narratives that bridge two different eras, sharing these stories to evoke empathy. The installation invited the audience to engage with these narratives on a meaningful level, utilizing innovative technology such as autonomous robotic mice to create a dynamic interaction.

The early 20th-century publishing landscape in England remains largely undocumented in a structured dataset, despite the availability of bibliographic records in The English Catalogue of Books. Issued annually by Publishers’ Circular, these catalogs document books, laws, and government reports published in the United Kingdom from the mid-19th to early 20th century. Digitized versions, made available through the HathiTrust digital library, contain Optical Character Recognition (OCR)-generated text that often includes errors and inconsistencies, making automated data extraction challenging. Our project focused on refining and formatting bibliographic data from these files by developing tailored regular expressions and Python-based parsing techniques for each catalog year. This work was a necessary step toward the eventual creation of an open-access dataset covering books published between 1900 and 1928. In Summer 2024, we refined parsing methods to identify and correct inconsistencies in the raw OCR text for catalog years 1902–1922, building on prior work. These improvements increased the number of extracted publication entries by 15.4% across the catalog collection, adding approximately 16,500 additional book records. The structured data enabled content analysis of bibliographic trends, including authorship patterns, publisher prominence, and thematic categorization. Using SQL-based keyword searches, we examined colonial publication networks, identifying the prevalence of colonial discourse and associated geographical trends. Additionally, we parsed Hebrew-language publications to analyze Jewish authorship and the locations of Hebrew book publishing in early 20th-century England. By structuring historical bibliographic data, this project provides a valuable resource for researchers studying literary trends, publishing industry shifts, and broader cultural patterns. Our work contributes to ongoing efforts to digitize The English Catalogue of Books and deepen insights into the evolution of the British literary landscape.

Linear electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) is widely used in the characterization of electrochemical systems, such as batteries, although the results of EIS are only as good as the scientist's model of their data, as it’s possible to fit multiple models to the same data. Nonlinear EIS (NLEIS) can also be helpful when characterizing batteries - as they are nonlinear devices - and reveal additional information, such as the asymmetry of the charge transfer between charge and discharge. Combining EIS and NLEIS results in multiple, interrelated data sets, which when fit together drastically reduces the set of models that fit the same data, providing a better understanding of battery physics. However, NLEIS is not as widely developed or used as traditional EIS methods. The goal of this research project is to further develop the use of NLEIS for battery characterization in order to combine EIS and NLEIS to ultimately provide a more accurate picture of battery health. To reach this goal, I plan to test fresh and aged lithium nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) pouch cell batteries with my group’s EIS/NLEIS model. Using materials and equipment from the Washington Clean Energy Testbeds, I will then deconstruct these batteries and fabricate coin cell batteries from the harvested electrode materials and run EIS/NLEIS experiments on these coin cells, comparing the results of the coin cells to the results of their parent pouch cells to assess the accuracy and usefulness of the NLEIS model. Advancing battery health testing is critical for the future development and use of batteries, as understanding battery health allows consumers and scientists to make sustainable decisions regarding battery use, recycling, and disposal.

Transgender and nonbinary individuals (TNB) face significant discrimination in healthcare settings, which is strongly associated with disparities in alcohol use and treatment access. These barriers often result in delayed or avoided care, exacerbating both physical and mental health issues. The literature reflects a lack of comprehensive understanding and research regarding the specific systemic barriers contributing to avoidance of alcohol healthcare among TNB individuals. This study aims to assess how healthcare experiences influence decisions to engage with alcohol healthcare within the TNB community and discusses future considerations for improvement. TNB adults (N = 26) completed an individual qualitative interview either in-person or online. As part of a larger semi-structured interview about alcohol use, participants were asked about their experiences discussing alcohol use and/or receiving alcohol interventions from medical providers. Participants identified as 30.8% transfeminine, 26.9% transmasculine, and 57.7% nonbinary and were between the ages of 18 and 57. The interview was audio recorded and transcribed by HIPAA-compliant Zoom and transcripts were then cross-checked and edited to ensure their accuracy. Ongoing qualitative analysis is conducted in Dedoose to identify emerging themes. Interactive coding procedures included two coders completing deductive codes identified with prior literature and two coders independently using inductive coding to identify new themes. Discrepancies are identified and discussions support reaching consensus. Understanding the intersection of healthcare mistreatment and substance use disorders in this demographic will inform future policies and interventions designed to create more inclusive and supportive healthcare environments for TNB individuals.

Previous studies suggest that tooth morphology (shape, size, and other features of teeth) strongly correlates with an organism’s dietary patterns, and analyzing dentition is common practice in the field of Biology. Orientation patch count rotated (OPCr), a technique used in establishing dentition-diet correlations, has recently been demonstrated as applicable to turtle triturating surfaces to understand their dietary adaptations. The aim of this study is to add to an ongoing project characterizing the relationship between diet and the cutting/grinding surface in the jaw (triturating surface) in edentulous (toothless) organisms using techniques used in traditional dental topographic analysis. Turtles are a diverse group of edentulous organisms with beaks of keratin to process their food — making them ideal for this study. Specimens of the omnivorous Forest-Hinge Back Tortoise (Kinixys erosa) were micro-computed tomographically (CT) scanned. We reconstructed the CT scans into photogrammetric 3D models using Slicer software. Then, we isolated the triturating surface using MeshLab software. Finally, we read the triturating surface into the R package molaR — resulting in OPCr values that estimate the complexity of their specimen’s triturating surface. Ideally, the OPCr values showcase extreme high triturating surface complexity, as previous research suggests tortoises (Testudinidae) have highly complex triturating surfaces compared with other clades of turtles. Our research hopes to contribute to a new technique for analyzing extinct beaked or edentulous taxa.

Type 2 immunity is the immune response activated by allergens and parasites, and recently type 2 immune cells were discovered to have pro-tumor functions. We are working to understand how tumors activate and regulate a type 2 immune response using a mouse model (Apc^Min/+) which mimics pre-malignant human colorectal cancer. This project focuses specifically on the role of mast cells; a key component of type 2 immunity attributed with both pro- and anti-tumor properties. Mast cells are known to infiltrate tumors, and previous work in the lab has shown that the intestinal epithelial cytokine IL-33 promotes activation of Apc^Min/+ tumor-associated mast cells leading to a pro-tumor response. We hypothesized that mast cells and IL-33 would be colocalized in these tumors because of this association. While immunofluorescence (IF) imaging and reverse transcriptase, quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) results confirmed an upregulation of IL-33 in tumors, IF data did not support the colocalization hypothesis. To further understand the role mast cells may have in type 2 immune response activation, the antibody c-Kit was used to deplete mast cells from Apc^Min/+ mice and I compared expression of the enzyme Arginase 1 and cytokine IL-13 to control Apc^Min/+ mice using qPCR. These targets both serve as measurements of type 2 immune response “outputs”. Data showed a decrease for both targets in the mast cell-depleted mice, which supports the idea that mast cells have a role in activating the type 2 immune response in tumors. Additionally, we made a novel observation of intraepithelial mast cells residing within the tightly packed epithelial tumor cells, which is one way we have come to better understand the morphology of the Apc^Min/+ tumors. We continue to explore where cells and molecules are located in these tumors because this facilitates our thinking about how interactions may be taking place.

Inflammasomes are cytosolic innate immune complexes that initiate pyroptotic cell death and the release of inflammatory cytokines. Inflammasomes are a critical component of the host innate immune response to viral pathogens. The inflammasome-forming sensor NLRP1 functions in barrier defense against a diversity of viral and bacterial pathogens, necessitating multiple modes of pathogen recognition. For instance, NLRP1 directly senses viral infection by detecting viral protease activity. NLRP1 is also activated indirectly by the ribotoxic stress response caused by radiation or toxins. Moreover, NLRP1 has been proposed to directly bind dsRNA. However, it is now understood that dsRNA-induced NLRP1 activation also requires p38-mediated phosphorylation. Thus, it is unclear whether NLRP1 directly or indirectly senses dsRNA. To address how dsRNA activates NLRP1, we reconstituted the NLRP1 inflammasome in inflammasome-deficient 293T cells. We found that reconstitution of the minimal NLRP1 inflammasome responds to viral proteases and other activating stimuli but not to dsRNA. This suggests that NLRP1 is insufficient to respond to dsRNA and instead requires uncharacterized host cofactors. We then hypothesized the NLRP1 response to dsRNA is an indirect event that requires upstream sensing events by canonical dsRNA receptors, and we found that co-expression of RIG-I or MDA5 restores NLRP1 responsiveness to dsRNA in 293T cells. We further investigated this pathway in the context of pathogen infection. During viral replication, dsRNA is generated, and the host has evolved mechanisms to detect it. Since viral dsRNA sensing is detrimental to viral replication, viruses have evolved strategies to evade detection. Notably, influenza A virus (IAV) encodes NS1, a protein that limits dsRNA accumulation. To investigate how IAV potentially counteracts NLRP1 activation by dsRNA, we transfected NS1 into 293T cells reconstituted with the NLRP1 inflammasome system and observed that NS1 significantly attenuated dsRNA-induced NLRP1 activation.

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.

Fuels are comprised of thousands of compounds and many compound classes. Olefinic compounds in fuels are known to increase the formation of polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and gum formation in engines. The formation of the gums leads to premature engine degradation and lessened fuel efficiency. Various methods, such as molecular bromination, have been developed to detect and analyze these gum-forming olefins. Bromination via molecular bromine has been used in the past, but it has limitations, including high cost and potential environmental harm. As an alternative to bromination, I am using silver-ion solid-phase extraction (SPE) to separate alkenes from other compounds in fuels. Silver ion chromatography selectively retains alkenes, allowing for other compounds to be removed. Selective separation of a compound class will allow me to accurately detect and quantify olefins in fuel. My preliminary results show that olefins can be separated from aromatic compounds, polar compounds, and alkanes with silver ion SPE. I accomplished this by collecting the SPE effluent in measured fractions and analyzing each fraction by gas chromatography mass spectrometry to observe analyte breakthrough. I am developing this method to selectively detect trace olefins in fuels.

This research focuses on finding patterns in oceanic Planetary Boundary Layer (PBL) by analyzing satellite imagery and the outputs of machine learning (ML) algorithms. The PBL, located in the lowest part of the atmosphere (~1000m) is nearly always turbulent while the flow above the PBL is comparatively smooth. The downward transfer of momentum from the atmosphere above the PBL into the ocean and the exchanges of heat and water vapor between the ocean and atmosphere occur in the PBL. Understanding and modelling these exchanges is an important aspect of climate science. Even though the PBL is turbulent, its flow spontaneously generates organized coherent secondary circulations in the form of small convective honeycomb-like cells (MC) or long wind-aligned overturning rolls (WS). These flow patterns modulate wind-generated cm-scale ocean surface waves. The Sentinel-1 satellite constellation carries microwave (5 cm wavelength) radars that capture very high-resolution images of the ocean surface. The images are 20 x 20 km and are spaced by ~100 km, but sample nearly all the global oceans with each satellite acquiring ~65,000 images per month. The images are analyzed to find patterns indicative of WS or MC structures in the PBL. Several machine learning (ML) algorithms have been developed to analyze these images and predict whether the PBL above the image site contains WS or MC structures. I focus on a subset of 2100 images acquired in a small region of the tropical Atlantic Ocean; each having been hand-classified by a panel of five experts. My goal is to assess the ML models and calibrate a new ML model according to analysis of their outputs. I anticipate analyzing multiple patterns, including variance throughout the day-night cycle, seasonal changes, and geographical trends.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia. Improper cleavage of amyloid precursor protein by a complex containing presenilin 1 or presenilin 2 (PSEN2) can result in pathological amyloid beta plaques. Recent work from the Valdmanis group found novel PSEN2 RNA isoform variants in AD. Specifically, we identified two PSEN2 3'UTR isoforms - a short (507bp) and a long (3976bp) 3'UTR. The 3'UTR harbors essential regulatory elements such as microRNA binding sites and Alu elements that control transcript maturation, stability, and abundance. Here, we sought to elucidate the functional significance of the PSEN2 3'UTR isoforms. To accomplish this, we completed small RNA sequencing to identify microRNA levels in human AD and control frontal cortex brains and used TargetScan7 to map these reads to the PSEN2 3'UTR isoforms. Our analysis identified 53 miRNAs with significant differential regulation in AD frontal cortex bulk homogenate and 76 miRNAs in purified synaptosomes. One miRNA, miR-34c, was significantly downregulated in both fractions. We identified five different miRNAs with significant regulation changes in AD, including miR-326, miR-346, miR-548p, miR-890, and miR-217. Of note, the long PSEN2 3'UTR had nine miRNA binding sites and two Alu elements, while the short PSEN2 3'UTR only contained one miRNA binding site. We next tested PSEN2 3'UTR isoform localization in human AD and control frontal cortex brain tissue using BaseScope in-situ hybridization. We found a marked decrease in PSEN2 expression in AD samples. To develop in vitro PSEN2 3'UTR isoform models, we designed constructs containing the PSEN2 3'UTR isoforms to overexpress in either HMC3 human microglial or SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cell lines. In vitro validation results indicated increased long PSEN2 3'UTR isoform abundance to the short isoform. Determining the functional relevance of the short and long 3'UTR of the PSEN2 transcript will further our understanding of AD pathology.

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.

In 2023, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that there were 263 million malaria cases and 597,000 deaths globally. Parasites of the genus Plasmodium are the causative agent of malaria, deposited into the dermis of a human host through the bite of a female Anopheles mosquito carrying infected sporozoites (spz). From the dermis, spz migrate through the bloodstream and into the liver where they infect hepatocytes, producing potentially thousands of merozoites from a single hepatocyte which then enter the symptomatic erythrocytic stage of the disease. Higher numbers of CD8+ T cells per infected hepatocyte have been associated with Plasmodium clearance and because eliminating all infected hepatocytes during the pre-erythrocytic stage prevents malaria onset, identifying causes of CD8+ T cell recruitment provides critical insights for malaria prevention. The liver is one of the most sexually-dimorphic organs in both mice and humans, leading us to utilize immunohistochemical light microscopy to observe CD8+ cells in inflammatory foci, defined as abnormal concentrations of hepatic nuclei including at least one CD8+ cell. Using digital pathology software, we quantified these in female, male, and orchiectomized male (ORX) BALB/cJ mice that were either unvaccinated or repeatedly vaccinated with radiation-attenuated spz allowing us to assess the role of androgens in this recruitment. We found that following challenge with the rodent malaria wild-type parasite Plasmodium yoelii spz, vaccinated mice had more inflammatory foci and CD8+ cells than unvaccinated mice while intact male mice had fewer CD8+ cell and inflammatory foci than ORX or females of similar vaccination status. These findings suggest that androgens reduce recruitment of CD8+ T cells to inflammatory foci, providing a potential explanation for the reduced parasite clearance in male mice compared to their female counterparts. Further studies should explore the mechanism behind this reduced recruitment to inform important decisions in malaria vaccinology and translational medicine.

Alphaviruses such as chikungunya virus (CHIKV) pose a significant threat to global health, yet specific antiviral therapies remain unavailable. In this study, we evaluated combinations of three approved oral directly acting antiviral (DAA) drugs (sofosbuvir (SOF), molnupiravir (MPV) and favipiravir (FAV)) against CHIKV, Semliki Forest virus (SFV), Sindbis virus (SINV), and Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis virus (VEEV) in vitro and in vivo . In human skin fibroblasts, synergistic antiviral effects were observed for the drug combinations MPV + SOF and FAV + SOF against CHIKV, and for FAV + SOF against SFV. In human liver Huh7 cells, the combinations of FAV + MPV conferred additive to synergistic activity against VEEV and SINV strains, while SOF synergized with FAV against SINV strains. In a mouse model of CHIKV arthritis, MPV improved CHIKV-induced foot swelling and reduced systemic infectious virus titers. Combination treatment with suboptimal doses of MPV and SOF significantly reduced foot swelling and decreased infectious virus titers in serum as compared to single doses of each drug. Sequencing of CHIKV RNA from mouse joint tissue revealed that MPV caused dose-dependent increases in mutations in the CHIKV genome. Upon combination therapy of MPV with SOF, the number of mutations was significantly lower compared to single treatment with several higher doses of MPV. In summary, combining approved oral nucleoside analogs confers potent suppression of multiple alphaviruses in vitro and in vivo with enhanced control of viral genetic evolution in the face of antiviral drug pressure. These drug combinations may ultimately lead to the development of potent combinations of pan-family alphavirus inhibitors.

A subset of voltage-gated potassium channels, Kv2s, are responsible for the majority of the perisomatic delayed rectifier current in pyramidal neurons of the neocortex. Mutations in these ion channels and their associated proteins cause developmental epilepsy, but the cellular mechanisms underlying this remain less clear. Previously, we have shown that the two members of the Kv2 family of voltage-gated potassium channel α-subunits, Kv2.1 and Kv2.2, are expressed differently depending upon the type of neuron in rodent primary sensory and motor neocortex. There are two major subclasses of layer 5 (L5) pyramidal neurons in the neocortex, extratelencephalic (ET) and intratelencephalic (IT) neurons, that are distinguished by their projection targets and laminar distribution. ET neurons, enriched in L5b of the neocortex, send projections to subcortical structures, whereas IT neurons, primarily located in L5a, project within the telencephalon. In rodents, ET neurons are enriched in Kv2.1, but not Kv2.2. Here, we tested whether these features extend to the association cortices of primates, particularly the prefrontal cortex and temporal cortex, which are essential for various higher-order cognitive functions, including recognition, attention, and planning. Using immunohistochemistry against Kv2.1 and Kv2.2, we showed that these subunits have distinct laminar distributions in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) and temporal cortex (TCx). Kv2.1 was predominantly expressed in L5b, whereas Kv2.2 was more concentrated in layer 2 (L2) and L5a. Using a tarantula toxin, Guanxitoxin (GxTx), to block the Kv2-mediated current, we found that, similar to what we observed previously in rodents, the role of Kv2 channels differs depending on the L5 neuron type. GxTx makes L5 ET neurons fire repetitive bursts, whereas GxTx makes L5 IT neurons less excitable. Together, these results support distinct roles for Kv2.1 and Kv2.2 in regulating excitability across ET and IT neurons in the association cortex of the macaque. 

Hailey-Hailey disease (HHD) is a rare autosomal dominant skin disorder characterized by recurrent epidermal blistering and infections, significantly impacting quality of life. The disease results from ATP2C1 mutations causing deficiency of SPCA1. This Golgi-embedded calcium pump is critical for folding and trafficking proteins, including cadherins that mediate desmosomal cell-to-cell adhesion. Although its genetic cause was identified 25 years ago, HHD remains an orphan disease without any FDA-approved treatments. Drug development for HHD has been hindered by the lack of pre-clinical models as knockout mice failed to replicate the disease. To overcome this barrier, we engineered human cellular and tissue models of HHD to elucidate its pathogenesis and identify therapeutic strategies. Utilizing CRISPR/Cas9, we ablated ATP2C1 in TERT-immortalized human epidermal keratinocytes and generated cell lines with haploinsufficiency or total loss of SPCA1. Mechanical dissociation assays showed SPCA1-depleted keratinocyte sheets had weakened intercellular adhesion. Explaining this phenotype, immunoblots of SPCA1-deficient keratinocyte lysates revealed lower expression of desmosomal cadherins, while immunofluorescent staining showed reduced concentration of adhesive proteins at cell-cell junctions. These effects induced tissue splitting within 3D organotypic epidermis, replicating the key feature of HHD pathology. To define the mechanisms impairing cadherin localization in our model, we performed RNA sequencing, which showed dysregulation of the actin cytoskeleton in SPCA1-deficient cells. We used live confocal microscopy to confirm that SPCA1 depletion altered actin organization in keratinocytes and we hypothesize that this disrupts cadherin trafficking and cell-cell junction stability. Using image analysis software to quantify cytoskeletal morphology, we found that SPCA1-deficient cells had reduced linear actin filaments, which could impact intracellular protein trafficking and keratinocyte migration during wound healing. In sum, our novel pre-clinical model replicated HHD pathology and revealed that actin dysregulation may undermine intercellular adhesion and could represent a new therapeutic target for this orphan blistering disorder.

Heartistry is a digital art gallery project dedicated to showcasing the journey of healing and empowerment for victim-survivors of relationship abuse. Heartistry, as a concept and in practice, embodies the powerful intersection of heart and artistry. As a victim-survivor myself, art became an outlet for me to express my feelings, reclaim power, and honor the complexity of resilience. My goal with this project is to establish a general understanding of how recovery is non-linear and deeply personal while also a universal human experience. I produced nine art pieces, utilizing three theoretical frameworks to explore different healing directions. Each framework -- Resilience Theory, Narrative Therapy, and Trauma-Informed Care -- guides three art pieces in direction, meaning, and intentionality. Project Heartistry consists of three sections: the art and description connecting it to the framework, resources for victim-survivors and their supporters as well as resources to learn more about each framework, and an about page with the intention of the project. My hope is that other victim-survivors may feel empowered to share their art with me and the site can adapt into a gallery of many artist's work, but for now, it is just my nine pieces. It was incredibly important for me to approach the art, my language, and site design sensitively, intentionally, and inclusively. The biggest takeaways from Heartistry is that healing is not linear, victim-survivors are not alone, and art is therapeutic. 

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.

Previous research has suggested that Dynorphin, the endogenous opioid peptide, signals through KOR (Kappa Opioid Receptor) binding and causes negative affective states like anxiety and stress. Dyn-KOR signal activation has been found to instigate drug reinstatement. Based on previous research, questions about why Dyn-KOR signaling leads to drug reinstatement and what level of Dyn-KOR antagonism will mediate this behavior arose. The current project focused on characterizing Dyn-KOR signaling during Cocaine Self-Administration using in-vivo Fiber Photometry recording. Sprague-Dawley rats underwent cranial surgery where I injected a kLight sensor in the Prelimbic Cortex and the Nucleus Accumbens and implanted a fiber optic into each injection site. Chronic IV (intravenous) catheters were inserted into the right jugular vein and then threaded through the right shoulder into a pedestal implanted between the shoulder blades. Rats were attached to IV lines threaded through an operant chamber that was attached to a syringe of 5mg/mL cocaine. Following training, rats would undergo five days of Short Access in the operant chamber for an hour. Following Short Access, rats would go through two weeks of Long Access where they are run in the operant chambers for six hours each day. Fiber Photometry recordings were taken on the last two days of the Short Access week and Long Access weeks. Animals were put through a thirty-day Incubation period where, once over, were injected with KOR agonist U-50 (10mg/kg) and recorded. The day after were injected with KOR antagonist norBNI (nor-Binaltorphimine dihydrochloride, 15mg/kg) and injected with U-50 thirty minutes following and recorded. I collected brain samples from perfusion and fixed samples in 4% PFA (Paraformaldehyde).

Some older individuals exhibit the pathological hallmarks (i.e., amyloid-beta plaques and tau-containing neurofibrillary tangles) of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) yet remain cognitively intact, a phenomenon known as resilience. Microglia, the primary immune cells of the central nervous system are important for clearance of debris and responding to injury in the brain. When exposed to aggregated proteins, they can release inflammatory molecules toxic to neurons.  Because neuroinflammation has been implicated in neurodegeneration, understanding how microglia interact with Aβ could provide insight into immune mechanisms that support cognitive preservation despite AD pathology. In patients with AD who have dementia, it is known that their microglia cluster around amyloid-beta (Aβ) plaques which possibly contribute to damaging inflammation.  Whether microglia in resilient individuals share the same relationship to plaque is unknown. This study investigated whether microglia in resilient individuals differ in their spatial relationship to amyloid plaques compared to non-resilient individuals in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Using confocal montage images from postmortem human brain tissue where immunofluorescence stained for Iba1+ microglia and PanAβ+ Aβ plaques, I quantified the proportion of microglia clustering around Aβ in three groups: 1) individuals with symptomatic AD, 2) cognitively intact individuals with AD pathology (resilient), and 3) cognitively intact individuals with no/low AD pathology (resistant). By generating 2D surface reconstructions, I measured microglia-Aβ overlap and proximity to assess colocalization patterns. I identified differences in microglia-Aβ colocalization between these three groups. This approach can help understand how microglial interactions with Aβ may contribute to resilience mechanisms and could inform novel therapeutic strategies for AD.

While flocculation is a desirable trait for brewing yeast because it eases the removal of cells from beer after fermentation, other modes of cell-to-cell adhesion can be detrimental to the brewing process. Mother-daughter separation defects cause cells to form large aggregated clusters which use more oxygen, produce a lower fermentative yield, and require more head space during fermentation. These defects can be caused by mutations to a number of genes, which makes a targeted genetic approach challenging. In this work, we used experimental evolution to eliminate mother-daughter separation defects present in a widely used brewing strain. Cells with this defect are less buoyant and settle faster than non-adhering cells. We used this property to select against cells with this defect by letting the cultures settle and propagating only cells present in the top layer of the media. We propagated top-layer cells for approximately 300 generations (about two months), collected daily optical density measurements, and conducted settling assays. Over time, we found that large, branched cell clusters decreased in frequency in our top-layer samples while the amount of single cells increased, which we confirmed through microscopy and optical density measurements. We characterized the mutations that drive this strain’s separation defect using whole genome sequencing of the evolved and ancestral populations. This project demonstrates how experimental evolution can be used to select against less desirable traits in commercially important yeast strains. Future research could implement similar or reciprocal methods to evolve for decreased or increased flocculation respectively.

Lentivirus is a well-established gene-editing tool commonly used in cellular research. Recently, its widespread adoption has led to the development of numerous protocols for the transduction of primary human T-cells. However, generating high-titer virus for large vectors remains a challenge, and there is a need for optimized protocols – particularly for creating Base Editor lentivirus for a 15 kb vector. By developing a method to estimate transduction efficiency in primary human T-cells using viral titers, significant reduction to the waste of valuable human samples could be achieved. To address these challenges, we tested various variables—including plasmid concentration, media formulations, and transfection reagents—within infection protocols to optimize lentivirus production and improve T-cell transduction efficiency. By refining the protocol for creating Base Editor lentivirus, we aim to base-edit autoimmune-associated variants in human CD4 T-cells and assess their impact on T-cell effector function. This work is crucial for advancing base editing technologies in the Ray Lab and will contribute to the broader field of immunology.

Panãra is a Jê language spoken in the Panará Indigenous Land in the Brazilian Amazon by around 730 people. I am an undergraduate research assistant working as part of the larger Panãra Documentation Team at the University of Washington. I am in the process of transcribing, coding, and archiving field notes taken by team members during the summer of 2024. I have employed my experience with Panãra and Portuguese to resolve ambiguities in the notes and to code materials in a standardized, accessible manner. Many letters, such as ⟨b, d, g, z, l⟩, and sequences, such as ⟨-ät-⟩ or ⟨-me-⟩ are impossible due to Panãra’s phonology and orthography. However, these letters may occur in the notes due to transcriber error or Portuguese loans. When I identified suspect items, I had to use my knowledge of Panãra to determine their status. I typed the notes into text format before transferring items into a spreadsheet. In the spreadsheet, I coded part of speech and added lexical items to the ongoing dictionary. My work is a case study in longer-term, multi-researcher documentary efforts in linguistics. Not only will the body of data I code be valuable in further analysis of the language, but the processes developed will be useful in rethinking how documentary linguistics is carried out. In particular I emphasize the need for a coherent vision of data usage, from collection to coding. As the dictionary work moves forward, my next steps will be to give words that have not yet been checked in the field to the research team for the summer and to code the phonological, orthographic, and lexical information for each word into the FLEx database.

Bacteria are constantly under dynamic environmental pressures and must promptly respond to survive. Bacterial general stress responses (GSRs) allow adaptation to perceived environmental changes via two-component and phosphorelay systems. The pathogenic alphaproteobacteria Bartonella quintana uses the body louse as a vector for infecting its target host, humans. It must adapt to two disparate environments, the human bloodstream and the gut of the body louse. Upon niche transfer, B. quintana is able to activate its GSR via a partner-switching mechanism involving an elegant molecular dance between alternative sigma factor RpoE, anti-sigma factor NepR, and anti-anti-sigma factor PhyR. The switching transfers NepR away from RpoE to PhyR, which activates gene transcription. Published works have revealed a molecular mechanism for sequestration via formation of a 1:1 dimer triggered by post-translational modification (PTM). However, a protein data bank (PDB) crystal structure (4QIC) shows a 2:2 tetramer, although it has not been observed in solution. We utilized size exclusion chromatography, multi-angle light scattering (MALS), small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), and protein modeling under various buffer conditions to identify conditions favorable for tetramer formation. MALS was chosen to determine the precise molecular weight of our chromatogram peaks, while SAXS was chosen to compare specific chromatogram peak scattering curves to PDB crystal structures and provide an overall shape for relevant peaks. Strikingly, our results revealed the tetramer forms in the absence of phosphorylation in solution, and the dimer is the dominant species under PTM favorable conditions. These results are loosely consistent with the literature but indicate the complexity of the alphaproteobacteria GSR is not fully understood. A possible explanation for the tetramer is that it maintains stress-related transcription despite the absence of a PTM.

Diet is one of the most significant contributors to an organism’s morphology, as without morphological features to acquire food the organism will cease to live. Previous studies have quantified these morphological features in toothed taxa using Rotated Orientation Patch Count (OPCr) but not in edentulous taxa. Previously, we obtained OPCr from several turtle species using photogrammetry, created 3D models with Slicer, edited them down to just the triturating surface in MeshLab, and ran statistical analysis in R. Specifically, I worked on the unique, endangered turtle species Carettochelys insculpta (n=6) using CT scans obtained from MorphoSource to add to our photogrammetry data. However, the OPCr values obtained from these meshes discarded more surface area and were significantly lower than the meshes made from photogrammetry. To increase the surface area counted in the OPCr and potentially get results more comparable to the photogrammetry meshes we experimented with decreasing the percentage of patches discarded during analysis in R from 1% to 0.1% and tried smoothing the meshes in Slicer using a factors of 0.3, 0.5, and 0.7. A simple T-test was used to determine significant differences. To increase the number of available specimens and compare turtle species with different diets – durophagous and omnivorous respectively – Malaclemys terrapin specimens (n=5) were used in addition to the Carettochelys insculpta specimens. We expect to find increased surface area and higher OPCr values when increasing the percentage of patches discarded from 1% to 0.1%. We also expect that smoothing will increase the amount of surface area counted at both 1% and 0.1%. As a result of this study, we hope to create a better method for processing CT scans for morphological analysis of the triturating surfaces of turtles, and to develop a methodology for determining diet in any edentulous organism.

Previous studies have shown that the diet of an organism can provide valuable insight into a variety of characteristics including habitat, behavior, and ecological role. Analyzing dentition is one method used to determine an organism’s diet, but this becomes complicated for edentulous taxa. In this study, we investigated the dietary ecology of Caretta caretta, or the loggerhead sea turtle, through the 3D morphometrics of several CT-scanned skull specimens. We are particularly interested in studying a notable feature on the occlusal surface: the accessory triturating ridge. This structure functions as a way to process food and thus provides important insight into what kinds of nutritional sources Caretta caretta may be drawing from. To analyze and interpret the morphology of the ridge, we took a series of computed tomography (CT) scans and processed them into 3D models using Slicer. We then isolated the occlusal surface in MeshLab and used R to assess variations in morphology. This results in a rotated orientation patch count (OPCr), which we can use to analyze the complexity of the occlusal surface. This acts as a topographic map, with a higher OPCr value likely indicating an omnivorous or herbivorous diet, and a lower OPCr value predicting a carnivorous diet. Because Caretta caretta are known to be omnivorous, we expect to see a higher OPCr value, suggesting that their occlusal surface is more complex than that of other turtles. Analysis of this species contributes to our project's overarching goal of applying morphological analyses to edentulous species and can offer insights into conservation efforts for this ecologically vulnerable turtle.

Climate change has affected every part of the world. However, nowhere is affected more than the Arctic. More and more arctic ice melts every season, and while the environmental implications are disastrous, it may open up positive new opportunities for trade and recreation, bringing life into small, dwindling Arctic economies. One area of the Arctic that will see increased use in the future is the Northwest Passage (NWP). The once icelocked and barely usable trade route has the potential to influence the economy of all territories it touches, primarily Alaska. Current data indicates that the melting ice along the NWP will have a positive impact on the Alaskan economy. This Literature Review predicts the possible quantitative impact on the region. Strategically positioned Alaskan communities, such as Nome, have fragile infrastructures which will have to adapt to increased commercial demand from cruise ships and recreational vessels. While it is unlikely that trade will have much of an impact economically as most of the ships will not stop along the route, it is likely that the increase in cruise ships will stimulate forced economic and infrastructural growth for these communities. Additionally, as this region of Alaska is mostly undisturbed, there needs to be more study into the environmental impacts of economic growth in the area. Considering the possibility of the NWP becoming a well traveled route is essential in order to help prepare small towns for potential economic booms. An overview of the research suggests that while trade in general may not impact the overall Alaskan economy, the potential increase in tourism via cruise ships and other recreational vessels has the potential to overwhelm the infrastructure of smaller Alaskan cities, even as it jump-starts their economies.

HIV incidence among adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) is disproportionately high in East and Southern Africa, highlighting the urgent need for effective HIV prevention counseling for this population. Our study addresses critical gaps in HIV prevention for AGYW in Kenya, particularly regarding HIV education and engagement in prevention services, by leveraging the trusted role of nurses to support AGYW and overcome barriers related to stigma, misinformation, and interpersonal dynamics. Nurse navigators are a promising intervention within family planning clinics, though accessing contraception via pharmacies is common among AGYW in Kenya. Prior pilot studies show the feasibility and acceptability of delivering HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) within a pharmacy with PrEP-trained nurses. The purpose of this current study is to evaluate the effectiveness of integrating nurse navigators and long-acting PrEP agents on PrEP uptake and continuation among AGYW seeking contraception at pharmacies in Kisumu, Kenya. A 2-armed non-blinded cluster randomized control trial is being conducted in Kisumu among AGYW (n=1900) seeking contraception at pharmacies. The study randomized 20 pharmacies to receive (n=10) or not receive (n=10) nurse navigators to support PrEP delivery. We anticipate that the implementation of nurse navigators and long-acting PrEP agents in pharmacy settings will significantly improve access to and engagement with HIV PrEP among HIV-negative AGYW in Kenya. Additionally, the study will qualitatively evaluate the acceptability, feasibility, and client satisfaction of delivering long-acting PrEP agents within pharmacies with nurse navigators to support PrEP use. While the study is ongoing, our preliminary data illustrates positive experiences among AGYW with nurse navigators, including feelings of safety, trust, and educational improvement. This study can confirm the efficacy of nurse navigators in improving engagement in health management and education for AGYW in Kenya. Further exploration of the effectiveness of nurse navigators in service to other populations should be conducted. 

Magnetic field models of the Earth used for scientific applications and navigation systems are often mapped using ground and satellite measurements, but are rarely done at high altitudes in the atmosphere. Including magnetic field measurements from the upper troposphere and stratosphere could better inform these models. For this study, we used a MLX90393 magnetic field sensor to measure the magnetic field during a high altitude balloon flight. The sensor has a range of -20°C to 85°C, but temperatures often reach -50°C in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere. In an attempt to keep the sensor within its operating range, we built an insulated enclosure of Styrofoam and mylar. The enclosure was sealed with weather resistant silicone and chemical hand warmers were placed inside. To improve the accuracy of magnetic field measurements on future balloon flights, we compared magnetic field measurements from a non-insulated and an insulated sensor during a high altitude balloon flight. In addition to magnetic field measurements, temperature and pressure measurements were taken inside and outside of the enclosure using a BMP-180 sensor.

In Washington State, voters have expressed conflicting perspectives on state-wide climate initiatives. In the recent 2024 elections, voters narrowly supported I-2066, which prohibited state and local governments from restricting access to natural gas, but rejected I-2117, which sought to overturn Washington’s cap and invest program under the Climate Commitment Act (CCA). Since its enactment, the CCA has generated over $1 billion in tax revenue every year which the state has invested in public goods such as the construction and maintenance of roads and bridges. While climate opponents have blamed the CCA for high gas prices, climate supporters have noted the important projects the CCA has funded. We hypothesize that CCA-funded projects have a positive association with the "No I-2117" vote share. Drawing in publicly available data, I have assembled an original database of over 1,000 projects funded by CCA revenue. Using county as the unit of analysis, we are examining if the number or value of these projects correlates with “No I-2117” vote share through an OLS regression analysis. We are controlling for confounding factors such as 2024 Trump vote share, 2024 Ferguson vote share, support for “Yes I-2066,” support for “Yes I-1631” (2018 state initiative that proposed a carbon tax), population share of different racial groups, per capita income, and share of agriculture in the county’s workforce. Our preliminary analysis suggests that the number or value of CCA-funded projects is not correlated with "No I-2117" vote share. However, "No I-2117" vote share has a statistically significant association with "No I-2066" as well as "Ferguson" vote share. These findings can inform the debate on whether framing pro-climate initiatives in terms of their local benefits can increase electoral support.

This paper analyzes Colorado cities’ Climate Action Plans (CAPs) to identify factors that strengthen municipal climate policies, focusing on mitigation and adaptation strategies. Climate change poses significant threats to local economies, infrastructures, and society, prompting cities to develop comprehensive plans that address climate mitigation—reducing greenhouse gas emissions—and adaptation—enhancing resilience to climate-related risks such as rising temperatures, wildfires, droughts, and floods. My research explores how population size, political affiliation, perceived climate risk, and past climate effects influence the relative strength of Colorado cities’ CAPs. Using mixed methods research and comparative analysis, I test four hypotheses: (1) Cities with higher perceived risks of wildfires and droughts create stronger adaptation plans; (2) Cities with a history of climate-related disasters develop stronger adaptation plans; (3) Democratic cities implement stronger mitigation and adaptation plans than Republican cities; and (4) Larger cities focus more on mitigation, while smaller cities create more targeted adaptation strategies. I am creating an original dataset of city Climate Action Plans by drawing on city websites, census reports, risk projection maps, and the political affiliation of city mayors. I am also creating an index to reflect the relative strength of cities’ mitigation and adaptation plans. With this, I am comparing each city’s scores and identifying common variables that may influence the strength of these plans. Preliminary findings suggest that political orientation plays a significant role in the existence and strength of mitigation and adaptation plans. Conversely, population size appears to play a less significant role than anticipated. This paper provides insights into how municipalities in Colorado, an economically, geographically, and politically diverse state, are addressing climate change. This work contributes to the ongoing climate conversation by highlighting the varied approaches cities take in planning for climate change and calls to attention what factors may be creating weaker climate preparedness.

Are human rights non-governmental organizations (HRNGOs) incorporating climate-based rhetoric and actions in their overall agenda, to what extent, and what is driving any shift in that direction? I focus on three main explanations. First, protectionary theory suggests that given the global democracy recession, NGOs have incentives to market themselves as environmental organizations to protect against the persecution faced by human rights groups. Second, financial theory suggests that NGOs could be motivated to incorporate the climate agenda to appeal to larger donor pools for funding. Third, need-based theory suggests that NGOs must solve quality of life challenges (of which climate change is an integral part) before human rights challenges. I hypothesize the transition over to climate rhetoric and action is negatively associated with NGOs’ revenue, and more likely among NGOs working in countries that restrict human rights work. To test my hypotheses, I utilize the Charity Navigator Data set to randomly select a sample of NGOs, both advocacy and service delivery, across four levels of revenue. I then create an original dataset where I code the mission and activities of these organizations as published on their websites using the Wayback Machine for 2010, 2015, 2020, and 2025.  Finally, I test whether this transition is more likely among NGOs working in poor countries with serious quality of life challenges. My preliminary findings provide some evidence in support of my hypotheses, with variation in climate rhetoric uptake based in part on organization size and region of action.

Amidst an aggressively partisan political environment in the U.S., research has shown that a small but significant proportion of Americans find themselves isolated in co-partisan media environments (Fletcher et al., 2018; Cinelli et al, 2021). Few issues are as contentious and oft-covered within these environments as immigration, particularly during the 2024 presidential campaign. Coverage changes on immigration, down to word choice, have been shown to influence opinions in prior scholarship (Djourelova 2023; Abrajano et al., 2017). A literature gap exists on how and to what extent media coverage differs between outlets. My research thus seeks to answer, how do partisan news media differ in their immigration coverage? I focus my research on two key aspects of coverage: the use of frames, which Gamson and Modigliani define as “central organizing idea[s] or story line[s]” in the article, and sources, on which Watts and Maddison found that “publication outlet had a significant effect on proportion of” (2014 p.113), a certain source type. My content analysis will test expectations that: Broadcast outlets will have articles with a stronger general sentiment and source individual figures, Conservative outlets will use episodic frames, like Immigrant Crime, the most, and Liberal outlets will use thematic frames, such as Function of immigration System, the most. I used content analysis to categorize articles on source and data point usage, arguments made, article frame (Gamson & Modigliani 1987), and more. I investigated an article population (N=193) of two major broadcast, (including Fox News (N=57) and MSNBC (N=26)) and two major print outlets (The New York Times (N=62) and the Wall Street Journal (N=48)). Results from this research should establish a modern baseline on whether differences exist in specific details of articles, like sources and frames, representing a key contribution to the literature on partisan media and media framing.

In the developing brain of a fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster), neural stem cells, called neuroblasts, divide to produce new cells that will become neurons. These divisions follow strict biological rules, but because many factors influence how and when neuroblasts divide, predicting their behavior is challenging. While lab experiments provide crucial insights, they are often limited in how many conditions can be tested at once (genetic, physical, or otherwise). To address these limitations, we developed an agent-based computer model that simulates neuroblast divisions and their interactions with neighboring cells. Our model allows exploration of different conditions to predict how neuroblasts behave in complex environments. This work focuses on three key hypotheses about neuroblast behavior: (1) post stem cell division, the larger cells are more likely to remain as stem cells, (2) the cell positioned on top during division will keep its stem cell identity, and (3) clustering of differentiated neural cells on the membrane of a neuroblast suppresses their division. To investigate these hypotheses, we examine emergent behaviors in our model through size-based, location-based, and clustering-based differentiation rules. By adjusting parameters such as cell placement, division timing, and proximity to other neuroblasts, we analyze how these factors influence neuroblast fate. We validate model predictions against experimental data by comparing division patterns observed in simulations to those seen in Drosophila brains through live imaging. By combining computational modeling with experimental data, this work provides a framework for understanding the factors responsible for neural development. Our findings will refine existing models of neural stem cell behavior and help guide future experiments, making it easier to uncover the fundamental rules of brain development.

In what way does the TikTok trend "corecore" reify the specific malaise that characterizes the zeitgeist of Gen-Z and the 2020s more broadly? Yannis Varoufakis’s framework of technofeudalism and Derrida’s concept of hauntology provide insight into the relationship between corecore’s digital aesthetics and the retention time-driven algorithms which control the avenues of digital (and increasingly, all) culture. This research argues that total corporate ownership of our digital existence informs the nostalgic sentiments of Generation Z and the ways in which those conceptions of nostalgia continue to shape young people’s ability to imagine a digital existence different than our own. As our digital existences are increasingly marked by a longing for the past and a pessimism toward the present and future, it is worth looking into both the causes and manifestations of this psychosocial trend.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a rod-shaped, Gram-negative bacteria, can cause various opportunistic infections, and it is a common pathogen in hospitals because of its antibiotic resistance and virulence. In P. aeruginosa, virulence is primarily regulated by cyclic adenosine monophosphate(cAMP), which binds to two effector proteins: virulence factor regulator(Vfr) and cAMP-binding protein A(CbpA). As cAMP binds to Vfr, this secondary signal promotes transcription of genes involved in virulence, such as the type IV pili system, which mediates twitching motility, and the Type III secretion system, which releases toxins into the host cell cytoplasm. However, regarding CbpA, all that is known so far is that its expression is strongly regulated by cAMP-Vfr signaling, and cAMP-CbpA binding localizes this protein to the P.aeruginosa cell pole. My project aims to determine the function of CbpA and how this effector protein regulates the cAMP-related processes of P.aeruginosa. To meet these goals, I have generated a construct that overproduces CbpA and am making mutant strains lacking cbpA. Using these constructs, I will evaluate how CbpA influences cAMP levels using a fluorescence reporter and assess its function in twitching and swimming motility using macroscopic assays.  Given that cbpA is regulated by cAMP-Vfr signaling, I will perform these experiments in strains of the wild-type (normal cAMP levels), ∆cyaAB(lacking cAMP synthesis, low cAMP levels), and ctx::araBAD-cyaB(inducible cAMP synthesis, high cAMP levels).  These experiments will provide insights into the roles of CbpA in P.aeruginosa virulence and motility. A deeper understanding of cAMP signaling and its effectors will enhance our understanding of the pathogenesis of P. aeruginosa, facilitating the development of therapeutic strategies against its infections.

In Escherichia coli, the Cpx system is understood to be a two-component cell envelope stress response system. In Pseudomonas aeruginosa however, the Cpx system is largely unstudied. Based on predictive modeling, the Cpx two-component system in P. aeruginosa is thought to involve interactions with two novel accessory proteins, PA3203 and PA3207. Previous genetic analysis in our lab has indicated that PA3207 acts as a negative regulator of Cpx signaling, while PA3203 promotes activity of the system. I evaluated biochemical interactions between these two proteins using the Bacterial Two-Hybrid assay. I generated N- and C-terminal fusions to two functional domains (T18 and T25) of an adenylate cyclase enzymatic reporter. Adenylate cyclase activity, occurring when T18 and T25 were brought into proximity by fusion protein interactions, was measured by a qualitative color assay on MacConkey agar. By this method, I confirmed functional interactions between PA3207 and cytoplasmic signaling domains of both CpxS and CpxR. Interactions between PA3203 and CpxSR were also detected, but were more dependent on the orientation of protein fusions. These findings indicate that CpxSR signaling is regulated through protein-protein interactions with multiple accessory proteins, a unique mechanism among bacterial two-component systems.

The project aims to design a multi-modal sensor network with VLF antennas will be implemented to model the ionospheric D-region in real-time. In consideration of not having ground truth data, such a network will address the ill-posed problem of inverting with robust regularization techniques. High-data-rate acquisition, high-data-rate processing, and dynamically adaptable auto-tuning will be included in our design. Drawing on experience with the NeSSI, modularity and a digital bus for centrally processed, real-time processing will be part of a standardized, modular sensor network that will be designed. The D-region, an upper atmospheric dusty plasma, controls radio wave propagation via fluctuations in charge. Numerical simulations in our work simulate such occurrences as HF to UHF range radar echoes, validated through experiments in radar labs. Ionospheric instabilities in occurrences such as SAPS events generated through space weather result in GPS and Starlink communications outages. 3D electrostatic fluid and gyrokinetic equations are included in our model, which is significant for describing such instabilities. Real-time observation, predictive maintenance, and reliability in communications networks are enhanced through such studies.

Pediatric sleep disorders, such as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), impact 5-10% of children. Children are diagnosed with sleep-disordered breathing through polysomnography (PSG), which requires hours of sleep and physiology data including EEG tracings, cardiograms, pulse-oximetry, and airflow monitoring. PSG data can be used to create individualized therapy and advance the care of children with sleep disorders. To facilitate novel diagnostic and validation studies using data collected on PSG and patient questionnaires, we created a data bank of PSG and patient data. Through creating a patient database in R, we can analyze sleep behaviors and medical diagnosis of pediatric patients and support future investigations. We aimed to create a pediatric sleep disorder research database to analyze sleep behaviors of pediatric patients, hypothesizing that chronotype classification would differ with age. We created a custom R script to analyze the raw data bank for medical diagnosis, age, sex, PSG diagnosis, chronotype, patient symptom scales and reported summary statistics including count, range, and standard deviation. Dplyr and tidyverse packages were used to create data summaries and ggplot2 for graphical presentation. An initial cohort of 111 participants were analyzed for correlation of chronotype and age range (>11, <=11). Initial analysis revealed a cohort of 111 participants with an age range of 6 months to 18 years (median: 7), medical history of 15 prematurity, 16 allergic rhinitis, and 3 congenital heart disease patients, PSG diagnosis of 44 normal and 8 severe, chronotype scoring of 8 evening to 34 morning patients, OSA-18 scores ranging from 34 to 102 (median: 61). Correlation analysis revealed that chronotype distribution is statistically different between age groups. We have created a custom analysis tool to create a summary report of a new sleep data bank repository. Future studies will use the tool to inform preliminary summaries of available demographic and data. 

Neuroscientists have conventionally used enriched preparations of synaptosomes, or isolated nerve terminals containing particles such as synaptic vesicles and synaptic mRNAs, to study biochemistry in the brain and the physiological features of the synapses. However, the molecular diversity of the brain limits the ability to study specific types of synapses with conventional preparations. Here we present a synthetic protein “TAG”, comprised of PSD95Δ1.2, part of the postsynaptic scaffolding protein, guides the TAG construct to be recruited at the targeted synapse; an extracellular binding site that binds to a CD4 antibody to allow us to sort synaptosomes that express TAG, and intracellular mVenus green fluorescent protein for easy visualization. TAGed synapses provide a tool for scientists to more robustly investigate the biochemical properties of synapses by increasing signal over noise. My work was done to optimize a novel preparation method by isolating rare TAGed synaptosomes in the TAGxCAGGCre-ER mouse model. I induced conditional TAG gene expression by injecting tamoxifen into a TAG-crossed transgenic double-floxed inverted open-reading frame Cre mouse. I also optimized a new preparation method using a high-salt buffer, filtration system, bead conjugation, and magnetic separation to isolate TAGed synaptosomes. The product was the input of a series of Western Blots to assess the enrichment of TAG in sorted and pre-sorted samples. From my latest results, the CD4-sorted lysate showed significant enrichment in the GFP band, meaning the TAGed synaptosome has been purified. By replacing the CAG promoter in the TAGxCAGGCre-ER model, scientists can also use this method to target region-specific neuron subtypes and isolate rare synaptosomes. The precision and flexibility of the TAG construct allow scientists to observe subcellular connections with more specificity and allow for the discovery of biological mechanisms underlying neuronal diseases.

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.

Interfacility transport (IFT) is essential when a patient's care needs exceed the capabilities of their current hospital. However, pediatric patients face a disproportionately high demand for IFT due to the specialized nature of pediatric care. Pediatric IFT is a complicated and risky process with adverse events occurring in up to 70% of critical care ambulance transports even with a highly trained team. This project aims to explore pediatric transport stakeholder workflows, decision making, technology, and communication to identify potential areas for improvement. In this phase of the project, we conducted semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders, including Medical Control Physicians (MCPs), Referring Providers (RPs), and Pediatric Critical Care Transport Teams (PCCT). Participants were asked to describe their roles, tasks, decision-making processes, and communication strategies throughout the transport process. The goal of the study is to qualitatively analyze these interviews to uncover key themes and insights. For methods, we employed NVivo qualitative analysis software to analyze data from 16 interviews. Participants were contacted and voluntarily agreed to take part in the study. Through this research, we aim to gain a deeper understanding of stakeholder experiences in the IFT process, which will inform future efforts to improve pediatric transport practices.

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.

As modern electronics shrink rapidly, DNA stands out as a promising material for future technology due to its atomic scale and durability. Scientists worldwide are studying DNA’s electronic behavior in various conditions. This work simulates the quantum charge transport within a uniform DNA strand consisting of the cytosine-guanine (C-G) base pairs to understand its non-symmetric current-voltage characteristic curve. I used known quantum calculation methods such as the Density Functional Theory (DFT) along with Green’s function to calculate the transmission of the system at different energy levels. I also used Schrodinger’s equation to determine the energy profile of the system. In the strand for this study, the electron wavefunction at the Lowest Unoccupied Molecular Orbital (LUMO) energy level is concentrated in the second half of the DNA strand, pointing to an asymmetry of the system. This asymmetry spans for various lengths of the C-G strand. My work brings light to new technologies that are available for us to use and facilitates our knowledge of bioelectronic systems. With more understanding of DNA and its electronic properties, we can engineer faster and smaller devices.

The last decade has seen unprecedented legislative attacks on Sexual and Reproductive Health(care) and Rights (SRHR). In the US, barriers to women’s reproductive healthcare access, particularly for termination of pregnancy, are increasing at the local, regional, and national level through numerous institutional and legislative sanctions; the construction of such changes reverberating on a global scale via policies such as the Global Gag Rule (GGR). Reinstated by the Trump administration, the rule (also known as the Mexico City Policy), is a regressive, inimical policy, restricting American foreign assistance to organizations providing legal abortion services—regardless of the organization's adherence to local laws. This represents a significant setback for global health and human rights efforts, particularly for vulnerable communities who already face social stigmatization and systemic barriers to accessing critical healthcare. In the case of Kenya, a substantial recipient of American aid, US regulations stand in direct contradiction to the country’s own constitution, thus forcing local organizations to choose between complying with the policy or providing care at the expense of funding. Through exploring Kenya’s structural and organizational reconfiguration in the face of interventionist policies such as GGR, this project aims to explore the manner in which foreign aid influences— and often, stifles— the progression of developing nation’s SRHR and impedes local organizations from facilitating care; thereby exacerbating existing gender inequities that trickle beyond the healthcare sector. The methodology employed involves examining the formation of foreign funding from International Development agencies, placing such data in cross-examination with US Congressional changes while tracking foreign funding influence on domestic developmental institutions in Kenya. In considering Kenya as a case study, this research seeks to illuminate the gendered inequities prevalent in SRHR interventionist policies and how they take shape, simultaneously attesting to the implications of the paradox of "development" and its disparities globally.

Cerebellar development relies on the coordinated proliferation and differentiation of progenitors from the ventricular zone (VZ) and rhombic lip (RL). To systematically map their spatiotemporal dynamics, we performed EdU pulse labeling by injecting pregnant mice with EdU and collecting embryonic cerebella at daily intervals over five consecutive days as well as an acute half-an-hour post EdU injection. EdU labeling identifies actively dividing progenitor cells at the time of injection. As development progresses, EdU+ cells can be tracked to study their differentiation and migration, revealing the temporal dynamics of VZ and RL progenitor-derived neurons in the cerebellum. Using multiplex immunohistochemistry with VZ- and RL-derived cell-type specific markers, we tracked the spatial distribution and differentiation of EdU-labeled cells, distinguishing VZ- and RL-derived progenitor lineages. Additionally, we outline a strategy to isolate EdU+ cells for single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and ATAC sequencing (ATAC-seq), enabling a comprehensive molecular characterization of progenitor fate transitions. This approach provides a high-resolution developmental trajectory of cerebellar progenitors, offering new insights into the regulatory mechanisms driving cerebellar neurogenesis and their disruptions in neurodevelopmental disorders.

The Hedgehog signaling pathway is essential for embryonic development. Errors in the Hedgehog pathway can cause limb, heart, and left-right patterning defects. However, Hedgehog signaling also plays a crucial role in the regeneration and maintenance of adult tissues and cells. Mutations in key components can lead to the constitutive activation of the pathway, leading to uncontrolled cell proliferation and cancer. Dysregulated Hedgehog signaling is associated with two major cancer types: basal cell carcinoma (skin cancer) and medulloblastoma (a pediatric brain tumor). To counteract this, small molecule inhibitors like Vismodegib have been developed to directly bind to and suppress the activity of the Hedgehog transducer, Smoothened (SMO). While Vismodegib is a potent inhibitor of Hedgehog signaling, mutations in SMO eventually lead to drug resistance and tumor relapse.The mechanisms underlying Vismodegib drug resistance and how the Hedgehog signaling pathway is reactivated in its presence remains unknown. To investigate these mechanisms, a constitutively active fluorescent Hedgehog reporter was knocked into the mouse skin cells, and a genome-wide CRISPR knockout (KO) library approach was used to generate a pool of gene-edited cells. Following treatment with the Hedgehog ligand Sonic Hedgehog (SHH) to activate the pathway and Vismodegib to inhibit it, fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) was performed to sort the cells with high fluorescence to identify the KO cells that retained Hedgehog pathway activity after treatment with the Hedgehog inhibitor. This screen identified 10 novel genes associated with Vismodegib resistance. For further studies, I used a dual guide approach to generate knockouts of each gene respectively and clone them into CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing vectors. My goal is to evaluate the expression of different Hedgehog genes using biochemical approaches. This would allow us to understand how each gene affects downstream pathway activity and identify the mechanism through which these genes could potentially impart drug resistance.

In HIV-1 vaccine research, “sieve analysis” evaluates the genetic differences in breakthrough viruses between vaccine and placebo recipients during efficacy trials. The HIV-1 envelope (Env) protein, comprising over 850 amino acids, poses a challenge due to its high dimensionality, increasing the likelihood of false positives when using standard statistical methods. Multiplicity adjustments lower the p-value threshold, making it difficult to identify sieve effects unless they exhibit strong signals. Our approach is a data-driven method to address this challenge, comparing the amino acid (AAs) distributions at Env sites from clinical trial breakthrough cases (“study sequences”) with publicly available Env sequences (“reference sequences”) from the Los Alamos HIV Sequence Database. I parsed the sequences using Biopython, a suite of tools for biological sequence analysis written in Python. Building on this, I developed software with Pandas, an open-source data analysis and manipulation package, to subset the viral sequences by subtype, geographic location, and time. With these subsetting functions, it allows me to generate a set of reference sequences which are of prior clinical trials (USMHRP RV144). From these prior clinical trials, I compared the Shannon entropy and Hellinger distance of the AAs at each site between the reference sequences and the study sequences from those trials. This method aims to refine establishing threshold for feature selection to identify sieve effect sites that may have been overlooked due to multiplicity adjustments. These thresholds could enhance the sensitivity of sieve analyses in ongoing and future trials (e.g., HVTN 702 and 706). Improving the identification of minor amino acid variations linked to immune evasion contributes to understanding the mechanisms viruses use to escape immune responses. These insights could inform the design of new vaccines by identifying immunogens or epitopes that elicit more effective immune responses, ultimately advancing HIV vaccine development.

Diabetes is characterized by hyperglycemia, which is exacerbated by the inappropriate storage and mobilization of hepatic glycogen. Incretin drugs, specifically GIP and GLP1 agonists, have been clinically successful. In the islet, GIP stimulates insulin and glucagon, while GLP1 stimulates insulin and inhibits glucagon production. Incretin receptors are not in the liver, suggesting that any effect of incretins on liver metabolism is through indirect islet hormone effects. Preclinical studies show the benefits of increasing hepatic glycogen storage in diabetes models, yet no drugs currently target this important source of carbohydrate metabolism. Therefore, my study aims to investigate how incretin drugs interact with hepatic glycogen stores to modulate islet hormone action. I hypothesized that increased hepatic glycogen will amplify islet hormone action and GIPR agonism will increase glycogen metabolism, while GLP1R agonism will have little effect on hepatic glycogen. I used hepatocyte-specific AAVs to overexpress the PPP1r3b protein in mice (PPP1r3bOE), resulting in a significant increase in hepatic glycogen compared to the control. Post-incretin injection (GIPR agonist, D-Ala2-GIP or GLP1R agonist, Ex4), I measured blood glucose and collected plasma to quantify circulating insulin and glucagon by ELISA. I collected liver to measure glycogen by glucose oxidase reaction and glycogen signaling intermediates by western blot. My results have indicated that GIP is less effective at glucose lowering in PPP1r3bOE compared to controls, while there is no effect on GLP1R-mediated glucose-lowering. This supports that elevated hepatic glycogen is likely altering glucagon action in response to GIP, with no effect on GLP1 action. I am currently analyzing plasma insulin and glucagon and will be assessing post-receptor insulin and glucagon signaling in the liver in response to GIP. This study will provide a better understanding of hepatic glycogen regulation, and offer an opportunity to investigate how incretin action can be optimized as a diabetes treatment.

CdCr₂X₄ and ZnCr₂X₄ (X = S, Se) spinels are ferromagnetic semiconductors, with reported bandgaps between 1.3-2.5 eV. With the advent of spintronic devices, a renewed technological interest in materials with coupled magnetic and optical properties has caused a resurgence in the study of these magneto-optically active spinels. Despite prevailing interest in their magnetic structure, the semiconductor luminescence of these materials is not well studied. We have prepared these materials in-house to study the magneto-optical coupling of this bandgap transition. We are also beginning to prepare these materials as nanocrystals for the first time as a way of accessing alloyed and shelled varieties. We started by synthesizing the non-magnetic In³⁺-based analogous sulfide and selenide spinels as nanocrystals, establishing a starting point to prepare the Cr³⁺-based spinels. We then introduced Cr³⁺ ions, which occupy the In³⁺ sites, into the lattice during the solution-phase synthesis. We aim to make the pure chromium-based nanocrystal spinels, along with a concentration range of Cr³⁺ ions in the In³⁺-based lattice. Our goal is to explore the relationship between the Cr³⁺ concentration gradient and the magneto-optical properties of these materials. We have characterized the composition and optical bandgap energies of these spinels with X-ray diffraction, photoluminescence, and UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy. We have begun tuning the bandgap energy of the nanocrystals by preparing mixed anion alloys with different ratios of Se and S ions (i.e. CdCr₂(Se_1-xS_x)₄; ZnCr₂(Se_1-xS_x)₄) and examining the bandgap shift with photoluminescence excitation spectroscopy. Future work includes utilizing magnetic circularly polarized luminescence (MCPL) to probe the magnetization of the lattice emission, letting us conclude how the optical properties of the semiconductor are coupled to its magnetism.

The Pools Lab is investigating whether reducing tau expression can decrease seizure frequency in temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). Tau is a microtubule-associated protein that stabilizes neuronal cytoskeletons, but its dysregulation has been implicated in neurodegenerative diseases and epilepsy. Tau dysregulation has been observed in epileptic brain tissue, and previous studies in genetic seizure models in mice suggest that reducing tau expression may decrease seizure susceptibility. However, this hypothesis has not been evaluated in the context of chronic TLE, which our study aims to explore using the pilocarpine rat model of TLE, which mimics chronic seizures in humans. To test this, we administered a CRISPR/Cas9 construct (AAV5-saCas9-sgTau) targeted at tau, injected unilaterally into the left hippocampus for tau knockdown. To assess knockdown efficiency, I performed western blot analysis on hippocampal tissue, comparing tau expression between the CRISPR/Cas9-tau knockdown and contralateral (control) hippocampus. This method allows for quantitative assessment of protein expression using tau-specific antibodies to detect site-specific changes. I then conducted densitometric analysis to quantify band intensities as a measure of tau levels and performed statistical comparisons, including a two-tailed t-test, to determine significant differences. Tissue collection of the CRISPR/Cas9 treated hippocampus versus the contralateral (control) hippocampus at 4 weeks post-injection showed a modest decrease in tau levels. Given tau’s estimated half-life of 23 days, we extended the timeline to 8 weeks to allow for further degradation of pre-existing tau. We predict that reducing tau expression will correlate with decreased seizure frequency, providing insight into tau’s role in epileptogenesis and seizure propagation. Given the heightened risk of neurological and cognitive impairments in epilepsy patients, this research has important implications for understanding tau’s contribution to disease progression and identifying potential therapeutic targets for chronic epilepsy.

Spinal cord injuries (SCI) affect over 1.2 million people in the United States, resulting in severe motor impairments due to disrupted communication between the brain and muscles. While physical therapy is the standard treatment of rehabilitation, its effect on recovery is limited. The pairing of spinal cord stimulation (SCS) and physical therapy is a promising new improvement for rehabilitation. SCS is thought to work by increasing spinal excitability, allowing more neural input to generate voluntary movement. However, preliminary data have shown that training on one task may interfere with progress in another, raising questions about the mechanisms underlying motor recovery after SCI and how to optimize rehabilitation strategies. In this project, we explore how multichannel, targeted, activity-based spinal stimulation (mTADSS) can enhance functional recovery in a rodent model of SCI. Using intraspinal stimulation, we examine whether training multiple tasks during a therapy period will interfere with the effect of recovery. Our experimental design consists of five groups of rats that first undergo baseline motor assessments, including training to evaluate grabbing ability and measure both grip force and range. Following these assessments, the rats receive a moderate cervical contusion injury, after which they undergo retraining with or without TADSS to assess its effects on motor recovery. I am responsible for operating the stimulation system and ensuring precise stimulation timing during physical training. I also collect and analyze behavioral and stimulation data to assess the impact of different rehabilitation approaches. Based on our preliminary data, we expect to find interference between tasks highlighting the need to develop better task training protocols to induce greater motor generalization. This research aims to contribute to the development of more effective rehabilitation strategies for individuals with SCI, potentially improving their mobility and quality of life.

Chronic pain is a public health crisis that has been clinically demonstrated to disrupt reward learning and motivation in affected individuals. Previous literature has indicated that Calca neurons in the parabrachial nucleus (PBN) play a key role in the sensory and emotional processing of pain and become hyperactive in chronic pain models. Despite this, how PBN Calca signalling impacts adaptive decision-making in a positive-reinforcement context remains unclear. This study aims to explore how chronic PBN Calca hyperactivity impacts learning and motivation. Using chemogenetics, a technique that selectively modulates neuronal activity, we chronically activated PBN Calca neurons in transgenic mice. These mice were then tested in a two-phase positive-reinforcement operant conditioning paradigm to assess how chronic PBN Calca activation altered learning rates and motivation compared to controlled animals. In phase one, mice underwent a fixed ratio schedule in which they learned to press a lever during a distinct cue to obtain a food reward. In phase two, mice underwent a progressive ratio schedule in which they had to press a lever an increasing number of times to obtain a food reward. We hypothesized that chronic activation of PBN Calca neurons would impair both learning rate and motivation. With this work, we hope to clarify the impact of centrally-mediated chronic pain on motivational and cognitive processes, which could inform the development of future therapeutic strategies.

Malaria, caused by the Plasmodium parasite, remains a relentless and destructive infectious disease, disproportionately affecting children in Sub-Saharan Africa, due in part to the absence of a highly effective, widely deployable malaria vaccine. Lipid nanoparticle (LNP) vaccines are a promising approach for vaccine development, especially against pathogens such as Plasmodium, which have proven historically difficult to vaccinate against. When coupled with the glycolipid adjuvant 7DW8-5 at a 5ug LNP to 0.5ug adjuvant ratio, malaria-targeting LNP formulations confer protection in mouse models. However, the optimal vaccine-to-adjuvant ratio and the mechanisms underlying 7DW8-5-mediated protection remain unclear. Here, we present a study that aims to refine dosing strategies and elucidate the role of CD8+ T and NKT cells in adjuvant-induced protection in a human-translatable mouse model. Different groups of mice will be vaccinated with varying LNP-to-adjuvant ratios, and immune response will be assessed via ELISPOT 28 and 56 days post-vaccination. Furthermore, we will use ELISA to reveal variations in innate immune response between groups 3 hours after vaccine administration. In parallel, we will investigate the necessity of CD8+ T cells and/or NKT cells in protecting from malaria challenge. Mice will be vaccinated using the standardized LNP-to-adjuvant ratio and treated with depletion antibodies targeting CD8+T or NKT cells 24 hours before challenge with Plasmodium sporozoites. Protection will be assessed via blood smear analysis. Our findings will reveal optimal dosing strategies for malaria-specific LNP vaccines and provide insight into the immunological mechanisms behind 7DW8-5-driven protection. This research will contribute to the development of effective nanoparticle-based malaria vaccines — a necessary innovation to help relieve the global malaria burden.

Decision-making is important for quality of life. Adaptive decision-making can improve one’s quality of life, while maladaptive decision-making may be detrimental. Here, we investigate the effect of Cannabidiol (CBD) on neuroeconomic decision-making in rats, specifically cognitive flexibility, and inflexibility. Rats were trained in a concurrent choice task, where a set number of lever presses resulted in a high reward (HR, 4 food pellets) and a low reward (LR, 1 food pellet). The first treatment level consisted of two behavioral treatment groups, where one group had the HR lever alternating between the left and right side of the operant chamber (flexible group), and the other group (inflexible group) had the HR lever stay on the same side for 20 sessions, where each session had forced trials (one lever accessible) and choice trials (both levers accessible). The metric used for assessing flexible and inflexible choice behavior was the number of choice trials needed to reach the criterion, criterion defined as 10 choice trials within a 12-choice trial sliding window being assigned to the HR lever, which is considered significant bias according to the binomial statistics. The next treatment level is the vehicle vs CBD, where the flexible or inflexible groups receive 20 vapes of vehicle or CBD. As a control experiment, we tested for any effect of vehicle (vegetable-glycerin/propylene-glycol, 20/80) between or within flexible and inflexible groups by administering vehicle vape or no vape in the vape chambers. Preliminarily, we found no statistical effect of vehicle exposure to either behavioral group no main effect in a three-way ANOVA (F1, 20 = 1.753, p=0.2005), however more subjects need to be added as there is a small trend towards vehicle affecting the development of inflexibility. After the control experiment, we will compare the effects of CBD in this behavioral paradigm.

Tattooing is an ancient practice with many different significances and cultural meanings across time and space. However, there has been a lack of research on the relatively common themes of transformation and healing that emerge from the ritual of tattooing. This presentation is part of an ongoing research project investigating how tattoos are part of transformative healing processes. By conducting literature review and qualitative analysis of semi-structured interviews with participants who had tattoos they identified as healing, I identified three (3) frameworks of tattoos that commonly hold healing significance: 1) biomedical tattoos, (such as those used for radiology treatment), 2) paramedical tattoos, including scar camouflage and decoration (for example those after mastectomies), and 3) those that promote abstract healing, focusing on mental health and grief. This research thus shows how tattoos contribute to a transformative healing journey, and how these frameworks of tattoos differ in their symbolism and healing significance. I argue that tattoos of all types are inherently transformative, though the subjective dimensions of such transformation varied immensely. I also found that each recipient’s healing journey is personal, specific, and complex. Furthermore, the process of receiving, healing, and wearing a tattoo indexes healing cosmologies and practices, demanding self-reflection, agency over one’s body and life, undergoing physical pain, self-care, and ultimately, transformation. 

Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) is the most common cyanotic congenital heart defect and consists of four structural defects that prevent babies’ hearts from delivering oxygenated blood to their body. When life saving surgeries correct these defects, the resulting scar changes the way the heart conducts electrical impulses, causing abnormal heart beats later in life. These abnormal heart beats, arrhythmias, often present as sudden cardiac arrest. Due to the high risk of arrhythmias in patients with repaired TOF, it is clinically important to understand the exact mechanisms causing them. These mechanisms provide insight that is essential to developing personalized methods for preventing arrhythmias. In our lab, we use late gadolinium enhanced MRI scans from TOF patients to create personalized computational models of their heart and particular scar distribution. We then attempt to induce arrhythmias in our models, which are individualized and represent subcellular and cell-scale electrophysiological phenomena. These models are useful because they allow us to study arrhythmia mechanisms noninvasively. We expect that patients whose computational models are susceptible to arrhythmias will also be more likely to experience arrhythmias in real life. We also aim to use the mechanistic insights from these simulations to determine new ways of predicting arrhythmia risk in this vulnerable patient population. Our results should predict what subset of patients would benefit from invasive preventative procedures, and help give patients with TOF a better understanding of their personal risk with or without those procedures. We hope to use our methods and results to create a simple and accessible arrhythmia risk stratification tool.

Individuals vary in their bias toward visual or verbal information when perceiving and making decisions. These differences in information processing style are not all-or-nothing; people vary not only in the direction of attentional bias, but also in its strength. If forced to choose between competing visual and verbal stimuli, people exhibit differing degrees of bias when selecting information. The Card Sorting Task measures this bias by asking people to select either the visual (shape) or verbal (word) representation of a card suit. On 75% of trials, the word and shape match, however, 25% of trials contain inconsistent information, which is used to show visual/verbal bias. My prior research found that people more biased toward visual or verbal information had faster response times than more neutral people and showed more bias during consistent and inconsistent information trials, suggesting biased attenders are less sensitive to conflicting information than more neutral attenders. This study seeks to follow up on my previous work; exploring whether a preference for picture/word stimuli (Relative Skill) or sensitivity to evidence needed to make a decision (Decision Sensitivity) drives the individual differences in conflicting stimulus responses. 100 participants will complete the Card Sorting Task, followed by subsequent trials modified to instruct participants to select the visual or verbal information. This creates “correct” and “incorrect” ways to sort the stimuli, allowing the use of Drift Diffusion Modeling to measure evidence accumulated before decision making. If the Relative Skill hypothesis is true, we expect a higher drift rate when participants sort according to their preferred modality, meaning that they have faster response times. If the Decision Sensitivity hypothesis reigns true, biased attenders will have higher drift rates, not needing as much evidence to make a decision, while neutral attenders will have a lower drift rate, taking their time responding.

Natural growth factors like fibroblast growth factor (FGF) are essential for maintaining pluripotency in induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). However, current limitations of native growth factors include signal instability, off-target pathway activation, and dependence of xenogenic components for production. To address these issues, we developed a synthetic protein, C6-79C, which consists of six scaffolded subunits of a de novo designed FGFR1/2c binder, mb7. While mb7 functions as an FGF pathway inhibitor, the hexameric C6-79C acts as a receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) agonist, providing more isoform-specific and prolonged signaling compared to native FGF. We formulated SynGrow, replacing FGF with C6-79C in minimal E8 media, and compared its performance against commercial media. Our study focused on three objectives: (1) comparing the expression of pluripotency markers (Oct4, NANOG, SOX2, and TRA1-60) in cells grown in SynGrow versus commercial media, and (2) evaluating morphology and viability under different media change regimens (daily, every other day, or no change). iPSCs grown in SynGrow exhibited superior morphology compared to those in mTeSR (commercial media). Pluripotency markers (Oct4, NANOG, and SOX2) were expressed at similar levels in both media, with SynGrow also showing higher expression of TRA1-60 across passages, confirmed by flow cytometry. Future evaluations will assess germ layer marker expression following directed differentiation. Our findings demonstrate that synthetic protein-based media formulations, like SynGrow, can effectively replace native growth factor-based media. This approach offers stable, prolonged, and xeno-free alternatives for stem cell culture, with broad implications for improving reproducibility and safety in regenerative medicine and cell-based therapies. 

Spinal cord injury (SCI) affects millions of people around the world, often leading to severe physical, psychological, and social consequences. Understanding how the brain and spinal cord react to injury is important for finding ways to help people recover lost movement. Previous research has investigated c-Fos expression, a protein that shows when nerve cells in the spinal cord are active, as a marker of neuronal activity in response to SCI; however, further investigation is needed to identify new pathways and technologies that could aid in the recovery of SCI patients. I am investigating how c-Fos behaves in the spinal cord of rats through Steve Perlmutter’s lab, part of the Department of Neurobiology and Biophysics at the University of Washington, which focuses on developing neuroprosthetic therapies - therapeutic interventions that restore lost neural function by electrical stimulation of sensory or motor pathways. These prosthetics enhance the nervous system’s ability to promote reorganization of brain and spinal cord connections, which can support improved motor recovery in conditions like stroke, traumatic brain injury, and SCI. In this study, I am investigating how c-Fos behaves in the spinal cord of rats before and after they are injured, and how different types of stimulation affect it. I use a technique called immunofluorescence to look closely at c-Fos activity in the lumbar and cervical areas of the spine, which are critical for motor control. The goal of this project is to further investigate which pathways in the spinal cord help recovery and how stimulation can affect c-Fos expression. Since the research is still ongoing, the study aims to contribute to the broader goal of improving SCI rehabilitation by providing insights into neuronal plasticity and supporting the development of new neuroprosthetic therapies to enhance motor function in SCI patients.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in children is linked to early life viral infections and increased severity of viral respiratory illnesses. As respiratory viral infections occur in airway epithelial cells, we investigated differences in viral responses using an organotypic epithelial cell model in children with OSA as compared to children without. We hypothesized that gene expression in response to rhinovirus (RV16) infection would differ between healthy children and children with OSA. Primary airway epithelial cells (AECS), from both healthy pediatric donors and children diagnosed with OSA by polysomnography, cultured at an air-liquid interface, were infected with RV16 on the apical surface at a multiplicity of infection of 0.5. RNA-sequencing quantified gene expression at baseline and after RV16 infection. Limma was used to identify genes with differential expression post-infection in healthy AECs as compared to AECs from donors with OSA. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was able to organize the identified genes into groups of interest. Using Enrichr, the primary biological functions of the gene groupings were analyzed. Following infection, 122 genes were found to have differing gene expression responses to RV16 in OSA when compared to healthy cell lines. WGCNA identified two modules of gene expression with opposite expression patterns following infection in OSA compared to healthy. One module consists of 43 genes enriched for glycogen metabolism which are downregulated in healthy but upregulated in OSA following infection. A second module consists of 23 genes enriched for DNA repair and replication which are upregulated in healthy but downregulated in OSA after infection. Epithelial cell gene expression differs in response to RV16 in healthy AECs as compared to AECs from children with OSA. Given the small sample size, further studies are needed to investigate the relationship of OSA severity and clinical phenotypes of OSA with epithelial responses to viral infection. 

Nepali migrants play a significant role in India’s workforce, facilitated by the open-border policy established under the 1950 Indo-Nepali Treaty of Peace and Friendship. However, they face numerous challenges in accessing healthcare, particularly those employed in informal sectors. This research paper examines the healthcare barriers experienced by Nepali migrants in both North and South India, including overcrowded public hospitals, legal restrictions, language barriers, and work-related health concerns. Using a literature review and qualitative exploratory research based on interviews with Nepali migrant adults aged 20-45, the study highlights how, in North India, the high concentration of Nepali migrants places additional strain on healthcare infrastructure, while seasonal migration disrupts continuity of care. In South India, key challenges include social isolation, language difficulties, and dependence on costly private healthcare. Findings reveal significant policy gaps, such as the absence of a bilateral healthcare agreement between India and Nepal and the exclusion of Nepali migrants from India’s national health insurance programs. To address these issues, this paper proposes solutions, including employer-provided health insurance, mobile clinics, language-inclusive healthcare services, and cross-border cooperation modelled on successful approaches from Thailand and Germany.

The future of clinical research is expanding towards sampling that can be completed from the comfort of a participant's home. Blood samples allow for the collection of ribonucleic acid (RNA), which is relevant for gene sequencing that can track the progression of a disease. However, venous blood draws require trained phlebotomists at a healthcare facility, which may not be readily accessible in some areas. Dried blood spots are an existing remote sampling method, but rapid degradation of RNA and low blood volume can limit the scope of analyses that are possible. Previously, our lab developed homeRNA, which interfaces with the Tasso-SST (Tasso Inc.), a lancet-based device that draws blood from the upper arm. The addition of the engineered, spill-resistant container creates a channel through which participants can draw their own blood, stabilize the blood with RNAlater (Thermo Fisher Scientific), and ship the sample to a laboratory for analysis. The homeRNA+ project improves upon the original homeRNA by integrating a commercially available blood collection tube for better compatibility and doubling the maximum blood collection volume. Feedback from study participants over the United States across all age and race demographics generally find the blood collection process painless and the stabilization easy to perform. We expect samples to also have sufficient RNA integrity and yield for downstream analysis. The project serves a number of nationwide and global collaborators, including academic institutions like New York University and Boston University. I assist in receiving and processing biological samples from remote collection, ensuring proper handling by safely unpackaging, logging, and preserving returned samples in cold storage for future analysis. Additionally, I serve as a study coordinator by meeting with collaborators, manufacturing high volumes of kits in a timely manner, and managing inventories.

Liposomes are synthetic vesicles composed of phospholipids that are used as both a model biological membrane and drug-delivery system. Doxil® is a widely used liposome-based chemotherapy drug used to treat ovarian cancer, multiple myeloma, and Kaposi’s sarcoma. Liposome stability affects drug-delivery efficacy. Cholesterol is a key component of membranes that has been shown to regulate membrane fluidity, permeability, and overall structure. Electrostatic interactions between phospholipid headgroups also can impact liposome stability and are impacted by buffer conditions. While it is known that inclusion of cholesterol and electrostatic interactions can impact liposome stability, how these changes influence membrane structure and stability is poorly understood. Cryo-electron tomography (CryoET) is an electron microscopy technique that produces high resolution 3-dimensional images of macromolecular structures, allowing detailed visualization of lipid bilayers and membranes. Cryo-ET can be used to preserve native hydration of membranes in order to maintain lipid organization. Using Cryo-ET, we plan to study how inclusion of different cholesterol concentrations and phospholipid compositions can influence membrane architecture and stability. We hypothesize that we will be able to directly visualize and analyze structural changes in membrane leaflets and membrane fine structure, which will enhance our understanding of lipid membrane architecture. An in-depth understanding of how cholesterol concentrations in liposomes under various buffer conditions influences membrane architecture will provide insight into how these factors directly impact membrane architecture and thus liposome stability. This knowledge is crucial for optimizing liposomes as drug delivery systems, improving their stability and efficiency, and enhancing their use as model membranes for studying biological processes.

The King County Brightwater Treatment Plant includes two twin outfall pipes that were installed in 2012, and discharge approximately 36 million gallons of highly treated effluent into Puget Sound daily. After observing colonization of the pipes by marine organisms, King County biologists launched a ten-year study examining the impact of effluent discharge on motile and sessile species on and near the outfall over time. They placed plates of the pipe material, high-density polyethylene (HDPE), on the seafloor, with replicates near the effluent discharge diffusers and approximately 300 ft away. King County retrieved the replicate plates after 2, 5, and 10 years and, photographed each plate for subsequent image analysis. In this study, we analyzed the photos to investigate whether there was a measurable effect of effluent discharge on the abundance, identity, and size of organisms colonizing the plates. We concluded that effluent discharge likely does not affect percent live cover, number of taxa, or the identities of taxa present. However, some motile species may be more abundant in the absence of effluent discharge, and there may be some effect of effluent on the size of some species. These abundance and size differences are worth further investigation as they may indicate that, although highly treated, effluent discharge from the Brightwater Treatment Plant impacts some species' demographic rates, like survival and growth rates, and the water quality of the Puget Sound. Our results indicate that even highly treated effluent impacts the surrounding water and the species that depend on it and that further research is needed to fully investigate the impacts of wastewater discharge in the Puget Sound ecosystem.

The collection of underwater sounds for anomaly detection can contain white noise, making it challenging to analyze data. This project’s goal was to improve the process of analyzing data and detection in the presence of white noise. The project focused on the detection of the fin whale’s twenty hertz down sweep call. The call is visually recognizable on the spectrogram, a tool that visualizes audio using shape and color over time as a static image. The project used detection output from the publicly available WhaleTracks software as a comparison to the method presented herein. I focused on tuning a part of the detection process to better detect fin whale calls in a noisy environment. We focused on studying changes in the Python script find_peaks function’s prominence parameter in a normalized signal. The prominence parameter is a variable responsible for characterizing the sensitivity of the detector. Lower values of the prominence parameter increase the sensitivity of the detector and higher numbers lower the sensitivity. My research analyzed how changes in the prominence parameter would affect the detection of fin whale calls. Using a Google Colab notebook, I modified a set of code that took in data, processed the data into a readable form for the machine, detected peaks in the twenty hertz range, and then printed the data in the form of several graphs readable for the human eye. Based on the time frames used for evaluation, we concluded that the best value for the prominence parameter for all environmental conditions was three. In the future, this prominence parameter should instead be made dynamic, changing depending on the amount of sound energy present in the audio data.

The increasing rise in allergy prevalence has led to a growing demand for portable allergen testing devices. Food allergens, which can lead to fatal immune reactions, are especially complicated to avoid due to cross contamination and food mislabeling, as seen with many types of seafood. Instances of seafood mislabeling and inauthenticity also impacts consumers financially when cheaper options are passed off as more rare and expensive fish. Atlantic salmon is one of the most commonly used fish for this type of fraud. Devices to detect allergens and/or authenticity must be easy-to-use, quick, and require little to no dangerous reagents for the regular consumer. While there are some commercial devices on the market for peanut and gluten detection, they are costly and do not appear to be very accurate or sensitive. Our prior work showed a proof of concept for a one-pot amplification-detection method with recombinase polymerase amplification that allowed for a reaction to occur at a fixed temperature and with no expensive laboratory equipment. Currently, I am developing fluorescence-based polymerase chain reaction and recombinase polymerase amplification assays that can differentiate Atlantic salmon from other types of salmon. To further develop this technology into a consumer-friendly allergen detection and seafood authentication device, I plan on adapting the assay into an electrochemical format, allowing for simplified readouts of the results. The results from this assay would be able to be displayed on easily accessible electronic devices, such as a smartphone or laptop. In its final form, this project will demonstrate a portable heating device with a classification assay that would be able to detect the presence of Atlantic salmon without laboratory equipment.

Dehydration is a silent but pervasive health risk, particularly for older adults in assisted living home settings, where prevalence rates can reach up to 60%. Medications that increase fluid loss place seniors at a heightened risk, leading to severe complications including urinary tract infections, falls, cognitive decline and hospitalisations. Caregivers continue to struggle to monitor fluid intake effectively, with less than 10% maintaining consistent hydration logs. Existing hydration monitoring solutions are often invasive, expensive and poorly suited for non-medical care settings. To address this critical issue, we developed a novel, non-invasive hydration monitoring system designed for elderly care environments. Unlike existing methods that rely on highly variable sweat salt concentrations, our approach leverages ultrasound-based elasticity measurements to assess hydration status. Changes in hydration levels alter the biomechanical properties of skin and muscle, affecting the speed at which ultrasound waves travel through tissue. By using a dual-transducer system to induce and measure shear wave propagation, we can quantify hydration status in real-time. The device provides both quantitative readouts for longitudinal tracking and intuitive qualitative feedback, similar to a blood pressure monitor's high-normal-low classification, ensuring ease of use without specialised training. Initial testing demonstrates promising accuracy and usability, positioning our solution as a practical solution to improve hydration management, prevent dehydration-related complications, and enhance quality of life for elderly residents. By empowering caregivers with a reliable, accessible hydration monitoring tool, our solution has the potential to significantly reduce healthcare costs, improve patient outcomes, and transform hydration care in aging populations. 

Online proctoring uses intrusive features many students aren't aware of such as lockdown browsers, video monitoring, and video or audio recording during the exam process. These intrusive features oftentimes have especially negative impacts on students with disabilities. Our goal is to determine how students with disabilities view data privacy and online proctoring. We conduct semi-structured interviews with students with DRS accommodations to understand how their circumstances affect them during test taking and how they view tracking and surveillance during the testing process. We use grounded theory qualitative analysis to find common themes and patterns in how students see their mental models of privacy, potential misrepresentation of academic integrity, justification for proctoring, definitions of intellectual and educational privacy, and the future of online proctoring. We will provide design solutions that will help students understand and feel more comfortable with their online test-taking process. Students with disabilities make up a large number of the student population; focusing and accommodating their needs in regards to online test taking is a foundation for test-taking improvements for everyone. 

Treatment-related cardiomyopathy is a significant cardiotoxic complication for cancer patients treated with chemotherapy or radiotherapy and a leading cause of premature morbidity in childhood cancer survivors. Predicting a patient’s cardiomyopathy risk could help clinicians intervene early but is not possible with standard echocardiogram analysis methods. Preliminary research at the CardSS lab demonstrated that a deep convolutional neural network has modest success at predicting a pediatric patient’s risk for developing CM but is significantly limited by insufficient pre-diagnosis data for training, impairing its ability to learn generalizable disease progression patterns. This research aims to develop a generative AI model that generates synthetic echocardiogram data for training to improve the prediction model’s ability to learn distinctive patterns representing cardiomyopathy risk. By training on a longitudinal dataset containing echocardiograms from several cardiomyopathy stages before diagnosis, we aim to produce synthetic echocardiograms conditioned on specific classes: 0-1 years before diagnosis, 1-3 years before diagnosis, cardiomyopathy present, and control. Thus far, I have preprocessed echocardiogram data and implemented three experimental diffusion model architectures to investigate how the addition of a cross-attention layer to the encoder, bottleneck, and decoder regions of the model affects its ability to produce echocardiograms of different classes. I also implemented an analysis pipeline that calculates the Fréchet Video Distance (FVD), Structural Similarity Index Measure (SSIM), and Peak Signal-to-Noise Ratio (PSNR) between two sets of echocardiograms, which provide measures of image/video similarity. Using this pipeline, I am evaluating two key standards for synthetic data—intraclass fidelity and interclass separability—to quantify each model’s ability to generate data that is (1) representative of its class and (2) distinct from data produced for another class, and how these metrics change as training progresses. Preliminary data has shown that these models are producing synthetic echocardiograms that closely resemble real echocardiograms, but inconsistently.

I aim to uncover the impact of mass graves on indigenous populations, particularly focusing on how such atrocities contributes to the dehumanization and cultural erasure of these communities. Throughout history, colonization, genocide, and systemic violence have led to the forced removal and killing of indigenous people. When examining these sites, I hope to illuminate how the existence of mass graves strips indigenous populations of their humanity, undermines their grief and cultural practices, and perpetuates cycles of trauma. This research also integrates the concepts of necropower and necropolitics to further understand the dynamics surrounding mass graves and their implications. Necropower refers to the ways in which political power determines who is allowed to live and who must die, thereby shaping life through the control of death. Within this framework, mass graves are not merely sites of death; they symbolize a historical and ongoing exertion of power over indigenous bodies, reflecting systemic oppressions that dictate the value of life within these communities. Similarly, the concept of necropolitics will be explored to analyze the ramifications of governmental and societal decisions regarding the recognition, treatment, and memorialization of mass graves. Necropolitics involves the regulation of populations and life through the lens of death, revealing how political authorities often manipulate narratives around mortality to control and marginalize indigenous peoples. By investigating the political implications of mass grave sites, this research will illuminate the struggles for justice and recognition faced by indigenous communities. Questions that will be explored: How is the relationship between state policies and indigenous rights reflected in the treatment and acknowledgment of mass graves, and what are the potential paths toward justice? How do indigenous communities respond to the existence of mass graves? What strategies do they employ to resist the narratives of dehumanization and cultural loss? 

Vibrio parahaemolyticus is a gram-negative marine bacterium that causes acute gastroenteritis in humans generally following the consumption of raw or undercooked shellfish. Mice are highly resistant to many human gut pathogens, including Vibrio, Salmonella, and Shigella spp., which has hindered our understanding of bacterial pathogenesis, immunity, and the development of therapeutics. Inflammasomes are cytosolic innate immune complexes that assemble in response to pathogen infection or harmful stimuli. Once the inflammasome is assembled, inflammatory caspases like caspase 1 are activated, driving a lytic cell death termed pyroptosis and the maturation and release of pro-inflammatory cytokines (i.e., IL-1β, IL-18). Inflammasomes have recently emerged as a necessary mediator of mouse resistance to Shigella and Salmonella, suggesting that inflammasomes may also be the cause of mouse resistance to V. parahaemolyticus. Consistent with that possibility, our preliminary data suggest that inflammasomes prevent intestinal inflammation in mice infected with V. parahaemolyticus, although the mechanism of protection is unknown. To identify the inflammasome(s) responsible for mouse resistance, I reconstitute specific murine inflammasomes in HEK293T cells, which lack most components of the inflammasome pathway. Then, I assess their activation in response to V. parahaemolyticus infection. Our previous findings demonstrated that V. parahaemolyticus robustly activates the mouse NAIP-NLRC4 inflammasome. However, we unexpectedly observed that V. parahaemolyticus infection also induces inflammasome activation in HEK293T cells even in the absence of NAIP-NLRC4 inflammasome reconstitution. This suggests the presence of an inflammasome-sensor in 293T cells that is responsive to V. parahaemolyticus infection. I am currently using inflammasome inhibitors and gene knockouts to identify this unknown inflammasome, which will ultimately aid in our understanding of host factors that mediate host defense against V. parahaemolyticus.

The bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) is an opportunistic pathogen that regulates certain virulence traits via quorum sensing (QS). In PA the QS signaling molecules are acyl-homoserine lactones (AHL). In the well-studied laboratory strain PAO1, there are two complete QS systems: Las and Rhl. Here we study the Rhl system, which has two QS genes that have coevolved and regulate QS activity— rhlI, which codes for an enzyme that produces the signaling molecule N-butyryl-L-homoserine lactone (C4-HSL) and rhlR, which codes for the C4-HSL receptor. In clinical isolates of PA, there are variant rhlR genes, which we hypothesize are important for receptor specificity to C4-HSL and therefore QS activity. We created rhlR genes coding for single amino acid variants of PAO1 RhlR to replicate genotypes found in the clinical isolates. To measure how each variant affects QS activity, we we will use rhlA-gfp as a reporter. The rhlA gene is directly activated by RhlR, and we will compare GFP fluorescence of variants to wild type PAO1 rhlR. QS is a tightly regulated system in PA, and receptor specificity is vital for ensuring this metabolically taxing system is turned on at the right time and properly regulates subsequent protein activity.

The auditory brainstem response (ABR) tests are used to objectively evaluate the clinical hearing threshold of infants and young patients. However, the ABR testing process can be time and resource-consuming, as audiologists have to test multiple frequencies. For each frequency, an ABR threshold (the lowest level at which a discernable ABR response is detected) must be determined by repeating the test for a multitude of levels. The efficiency of these tests depends on clinical expertise. Audiologists can expedite this process by utilizing their experience to quickly analyze the ABR waveform and jump to the next test, skipping redundant intermediary steps. Clinicians with this expertise might not be widely available. To address this issue, the long-term goal of this study is to create an automated system that can mimic the efficient testing procedure of experienced audiologists using machine learning. A set of clinical ABR data was leveraged for model development. Our baseline models operate by analyzing one waveform at a time and predicting the next stimulus a clinician would choose based on individual waveforms. We hypothesize that a neural network that treats ABR waveforms collected in a single session as a time series would outperform baseline models. We are comparing these baseline models with neural networks that hold memory, meaning they treat ABR waveforms collected in a single session as a sequence. Multiple models were built and evaluated, including multiple time series neural networks (e.g., Long-Short Term Memory model). Initial testing indicates that including sequential data ordered as time series results in better performance. The outcome of this research is likely to improve the efficiency of ABR testing without requiring real-time supervision of expert clinicians.

Mitochondrial fusion is essential for cellular function, metabolism, apoptosis, and stress responses. Mitochondrial outer membrane fusion is mediated by two mitofusin paralogs, Mfn1 andMfn2, which are large GTPases that remodel cellular membranes. Membrane fusion likely proceeds through two distinct steps, first tethering two organelles and second lipid mixing; however, much of the mechanism is poorly defined. Previous studies have solved crystal structures of a partial construct of the mitofusins, revealing a GTP dependent conformational change ; however, this is not a complete analysis as at least two states in the catalytic cycle are missing. Our project aims to quantify the conformational changes of Mfn2 throughout the entire mechanism of GTP hydrolysis. To achieve this, we are utilizing a novel transition metal Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (tmFRET) developed by Dr. Gordon and Dr. Zagotta. This system utilizes a noncanonical amino acid as the donor and a transition metal as the acceptor to measure changes as small as 3Å. Currently, we’re mutating the cystines to develop a single donor-acceptor pair, while keeping the stability and GTPase function of Mfn2. Our main approach is to introduce targeted mutations in key cysteine residues and analyze their effects on the protein’s enzymatic activity. Using molecular biology, we design DNA plasmids encoding the mutations,and express and purify the mutant proteins.  Finally we measure the GTPase activity using malachite green assays. Our current findings suggest some mutations have trivial impact on MFN2’s GTP hydrolysis, suggesting that it’s viable. The further goal of our project is to keep only one solvent accessible cysteine while maintaining protein function. This research will further elucidate the mechanism of mitochondrial fusion and its role in disease pathogenesis. Explanding the biophysical understanding of membrane remodeling.

Students often face academic pressure, interpersonal issues, and employment challenges during the transition into college. While 48.9% of undergraduate students face depressive symptoms (Luo et. al, 2024) and 52% of students report anxiety significantly inhibiting their academic performance (Crosswell et al), only 15% of students with mental illness utilize college mental health resources (Jaisoorya, 2021). To overcome conflicting schedules, stigma, and limited accessibility, we investigate whether self-regulated mindfulness practices would reduce anxiety and depression symptoms in college students. Participants were instructed to practice guided meditation videos daily. Depression and anxiety were measured through Qualtrics using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) (Beck et al., 1996) and Generalized Anxiety Questionnaire (APA) (Spitzer, et al., 2006) before and after a 2-week meditation practice. We hypothesize that regular mindfulness meditation practices moderately reduce anxiety and depression in college students. 

Washington state has one of the lowest cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality rates in the nation, yet significant disparities in CVD burden and access to high-quality cardiovascular care persist and little is known about the effect of socioeconomic and cardiovascular care access factors on CVD burden and outcomes disparity. Here we investigate how the distribution and accessibility of comprehensive cardiovascular care impacts cardiovascular outcomes and burden across the Washington State counties. To assess cardiovascular healthcare accessibility, we catalogued hospitals offering cardiovascular services, determined physician density, and calculated the distance of care types to the county population center. The strength and relationships between these accessibility metrics, selected socioeconomic, and behavioral risk factors were compared against select cardiovascular disease outcomes. Data was obtained from public health records and healthcare datasets and were assessed using linear, logarithmic, and logistic regression models. Area Deprivation Index (ADI), Median Income, and College Education were the top socioeconomic (SES) predictors that positively correlated with improved cardiovascular disease outcomes and burden across counties. While proximity of cath lab and emergency services were not strongly correlated with improved cardiovascular outcomes and mortality, proximity of coronary intervention and cardiothoracic surgery were moderately predictive of cardiovascular disease outcomes and mortality. Surprisingly, the density of primary care, emergency services, critical care, and cardiology physicians was weakly correlated with improved cardiovascular outcomes, while the density of neurologists was moderately correlated with improved cerebrovascular outcomes and the density of cardiothoracic surgeons was moderately correlated with improved cardiovascular outcomes. Cardiovascular outcomes, burden, and healthcare resources vary widely across Washington state counties. Overall, higher SES and immediate accessibility, availability, and proximity of specialized cardiovascular care were most highly associated with improved cardiovascular outcomes and higher median ADI percentiles across counties, highlighting the critical need for targeted and specialized cardiovascular care and expansion of accessible interventional services.

Since 1950, there has been an exponential increase in the production of plastic from 2 million to 460 million metric tons produced per year. With this production also comes the exacerbated effects on climate change and health: 2.24 billion metric tons of carbon emitted annually, pollution of ecosystems, and degradation of plastics to microplastics that enter living organisms. There is a clear need to develop eco-friendly plastic alternatives. The Roumeli Research Group has previously observed the ability to form biodegradable plastics (bioplastics) from unprocessed biological matter (biomatter). More specifically, use of whole cells of microalgae spirulina can be processed using conventional plastic manufacturing techniques like hot pressing. My project focuses on understanding the changes in chemical and molecular properties of spirulina that occur during the biomatter to bioplastic transition as a function of processing conditions. I fabricated hundreds of dime-sized samples by hot pressing spirulina powder in customized molds under various temperatures, pressures, and periods of time. I also characterized these samples using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) to inspect the relationship between chemical bonds and spirulina morphology. I analyze these FTIR results in conjunction with creating and pressing samples of biomatter analogues to better understand spirulina’s complex structure. My efforts, along with other characterization techniques like hardness testing and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), will inform modifications of the processing design to obtain desired mechanical properties of the resulting spirulina bioplastic. These findings can be integrated into a machine learning model that concurrently analyzes multiple characterization results to identify trends in the data and further contribute to our understanding of structure as it relates to pressing conditions. 

Malaria is a mosquito-borne infectious disease caused by Plasmodium parasites and in 2023 caused an estimated 597,000 deaths. Although two currently approved malaria vaccines are available, they offer insufficient protection in endemic populations, which prompts the need for new vaccines. Here we tested several lipid nanoparticle (LNP) vaccines and quantified the number of surviving parasites in vaccinated mice challenged with Plasmodium yoelii sporozoites. To quantify surviving parasites, we utilized the Plasmodium 18S rRNA reverse transcription PCR assay, which is a highly sensitive assay that can quantify the amount of Plasmodium parasites in liver or blood samples. The assay works by amplifying and detecting parasite 18S rRNA in a sample through specific primers, probes and quenchers for mouse GAPDH mRNA and pan-Plasmodium 18S rRNA and can be used to quantify the burden of Plasmodium in a sample. Through the 18S assay, we identified LNP formulations that most effectively protected against rodent malaria. Notably, these LNPs required the adjuvant 7DW85 to be protective.  In the absence of the adjuvant, fewer mice vaccinated with LNPs were protected against rodent malaria. Together, we identified our leading LNP vaccines, which we continue to optimize with the goal of attaining sterile protection against rodent malaria. 

Alterations to sleep structure have been observed in healthy aging humans as well as those diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). To gain further insight into how sleep is affected by age and neurodegenerative diseases we will analyze sleep in healthy aged rats and in a transgenic rat model of AD. We collected neural data from the hippocampus of aged  (30-32 months old) and adult rats (4-9 months old) during 30-60 minute sleep sessions before and after the performance of a spatial navigation task. We have collected similar sleep data from transgenic F344AD rats (12 months old; a model of AD) and their wildtype littermates. First, we will combine movement tracking and measures of hippocampal local field potential (LFP) activity in the hippocampus to distinguish periods of awake activity, quiet wakefulness, slow-wave sleep, and REM sleep. Specifically, we will use an established measure, the theta-delta ratio, to distinguish slow-wave sleep from REM sleep. Using this approach, we will characterize the sleep structure of the young and old rats and the AD/control rats to determine if there are any differences in, for example, the amount of time spent in a particular sleep stage or the average length of each stage. In addition, we will investigate whether there are any differences in sleep patterns between shorter (30-60 minute) sleep sessions and longer (4 hour) sleep sessions. These analyses will determine whether our rat models of aging and AD recapitulate the sleep changes seen in aged humans with and without AD.

All organisms develop from a single, symmetrical cell. That symmetry must be broken at several points during embryogenesis to develop into a complex, intricate form of life. The earliest symmetry breaking event in vertebrates is the formation of the dorsal organizer, a signaling center that establishes dorsal-ventral and anterior-posterior axes. β-catenin signaling is highly conserved in the dorsal organizer and utilized during cancer proliferation. However, the mechanisms employed in selective β-catenin stabilization are still not fully understood, due in part to limited vertebrate embryological models. Established model organisms for development, like fish and frogs, pre-pattern their dorsal organizer through maternal determinants, which is lacking in mammalian model organisms who break symmetry with self-organization. Remarkably, the African Turquoise Killifish, Nothobranchius furzeri, lack a pre-pattern. This presents a strong model organism, N. furzeri, to investigate mechanisms of self-organization. In this work, I explore the metabolic shifts and mechanical forces as two potential drivers of selective β-catenin stabilization. To investigate whether fluctuations in intracellular pH (pHi) stabilize β-catenin, I created a Tol-2 mediated transgenic pHi reporter line. Using light sheet microscopy, I observed that pHi fluctuations occur after β-catenin is stabilized in the incipient dorsal organizer. This ruled out pHi as the initializing factor of β-catenin stabilization. Next, I will explore whether mechanical forces drive embryonic symmetry breaking. This model posits that local microtubules-generated forces are transduced by focal adhesions into biochemical signals, enabling selective β-catenin stabilization. To evaluate this model, I will develop a transgenic toolkit to visualize microtubules polymerization and focal adhesion signaling with pharmacological and dominant negative approaches. These experiments will elucidate the mechanism responsible for symmetry breaking in N. furzeri and potentially conserved regulators of Β-catenin signaling, foundational to our understanding of development and cancer research.

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States. Among the many contributing factors, mishandling of intracellular calcium (Ca2+) dynamics plays a crucial role in the etiology of cardiac diseases including heart failure, and arrhythmogenic disorders. Cardiac ryanodine receptor 2 (RyR2) channels play a central role in excitation-contraction coupling by regulating Ca2+ release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR). Abnormal activity of the RyR2 by impairing Ca2+ release from the SR results in sudden death in many cardiac disorders. Thus, regulators of RyR2 could provide a novel therapeutic target in several heart diseases. Our initial studies implicate the role of the chloride intracellular channel, CLIC4 in modulating the activity of RyR2. We identified CLIC4 as a mitochondrial-associated endoplasmic reticulum membrane protein. The absence of CLIC4 induced faster Ca2+ release from SR, indicating abnormal RyR2 activity. Further, co-immunoprecipitation studies indicated an interaction between RyR2 and CLIC4. Moreover, we found that the absence of CLIC4 increased myocardial infarction upon ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury in mice. Thus, based on our findings we hypothesize that CLIC4 by either stabilizing RyR2 in a closed state or by regulating the anionic gradient across SR modulates the  RyR2 activity. In this study, we will map the domain in CLIC4 specific to interaction with RyR2 and modulate its activity. We will systematically clone and express various N- and C-terminal truncated CLIC4 constructs to investigate their interaction with RyR2. Further, we will determine the effects of these constructs in modulating calcium release from RyR2. Our studies could aid in the development of a peptide-based therapeutic approach to modulate RyR2 activity in cardiac diseases.

Chloramphenicol (CAP) is a synthetic antibiotic used to treat various bacterial infections in animals and humans. However, case studies and clinical trials have revealed that CAP can induce severe blood disorders, genotoxicity, and carcinogenic effects. Consequently, in 1997, the United States and several other countries prohibited its use in food-producing animals and imposed strict regulations on its application in human healthcare. Despite regulations, CAP remains prevalent in food, especially in imported seafood like shrimp, posing a risk to human health. To address this issue, we aim to develop a CAP contamination-detection assay using two engineered DNA strands: a CAP-specific aptamer and a blocker. Using NUPACK, a Python package for thermodynamic analysis of nucleic acids, we created scripts to design, select, and evaluate candidate DNA strands from our sequence library. We are developing a two-phase assay to assess their specificity and sensitivity to CAP. In the first phase, blockers are tagged with a fluorophore, and aptamers are conjugated with biotin and a corresponding quencher. These sequences are incubated in streptavidin-coated wells, and the aptamer-blocker separation is measured via fluorescence when aptamers more favorably bind to CAP. In the second phase, the released blockers are collected, amplified, and detected using recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) with exonuclease III and target-specific probes. Unlike the first phase, the aptamers remain biotinylated with no fluorophore-quencher conjugation, as target-specific probes have their fluorescence mechanism. In the future, this assay will be streamlined and used in conjunction with point-of-care applications to detect other small molecules.

Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease characterized by airway inflammation and remodeling. One key feature of airway remodeling is the thickening of the subepithelial basement membrane zone (BMZ) beneath the airway epithelium, which has been identified in severe asthma relative to milder severity asthma and other airway diseases. We aim to characterize the relationship between BMZ thickness, airway physiology, and airway immune cell populations. I am utilizing design-based stereology to precisely measure BMZ thickness in endobronchial biopsies obtained from 30 individuals with asthma and 10 healthy individuals. These individuals underwent extensive characterization for asthma airway physiology, profiling of airway immune cell populations, and airway inflammatory gene expression. Stereology provides unbiased thickness estimates that have greater reproducibility and overcome the limitations of two-dimensional measurements. I am measuring BMZ thickness using the orthogonal intercept method, which involves averaging the lengths of lines extended perpendicularly from the epithelial surface across the thickness of the BMZ at systematically sampled points. I am correlating BMZ thickness with clinical characteristics (allergic sensitization), airway physiology (baseline lung function, measurements of airway hyperresponsiveness), densities of both mast cells and eosinophils in the airway wall, and gene expression profiles obtained from airway epithelial brushings. I hypothesize that individuals with asthma patients will have more BMZ thickening in comparison to healthy controls. I also anticipate that there will be a positive correlation between the thickness of the BMZ and the expression of type-2 (T2) inflammatory genes (IL4, IL5, IL13). Finally, I hypothesize that there will be a positive correlation between BMZ thickness and the density of mast cells in the airway epithelial compartment. This research study provides new insights into the potential mechanisms responsible for airway remodeling in individuals with asthma and how they connect with airway inflammatory endotypes, which may guide further development of targeted therapeutics. 

During neonatal inter-facility transport there is a critical need to accurately measure heart rate. The electrocardiogram (ECG)  signals are particularly noisy during transport due to factors such as road noise and infant movement. This inaccuracy leads to false alarms from patient monitors when the measured heart rate values fall out of range. The Pan-Tompkins algorithm is commonly used to measure heart rate from ECG signals but frequently fails under these conditions. This project introduces a novel variation of the Pan-Tompkins algorithm, using the derivative of the ECG signal with additional filters specifically designed to target transport-related noise in neonatal ECGs. We test this modified Pan-Tompkins against the traditional Pan-Tompkins on neonatal transport data to determine if it is more effective for neonatal transport. Each algorithm is applied to a common set of ECG signal patterns taken from a real neonatal transport. The different patterns are classified as clean, somewhat noisy, or very noisy. Each algorithm will be evaluated on Sensitivity and Positive Predictability for each pattern. This research will help save the lives of neonates by reducing false alarms, which will in turn reduce alarm fatigue for providers and draw their attention only when it is truly necessary.