Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition characterized by challenges in communication, social interaction, and restricted repetitive behaviors and interests (RRBs). Studies have alluded that a relationship exists between RRBs and difficulties with emotional regulation in ASD individuals. However, a better understanding of this relationship is not only critical for improving therapeutic approaches for individuals with ASD, but also to understand the underlying mechanisms of the disorder. In this study, we aim to explore the relationship between emotional control and compulsive and ritualistic behaviors in youth aged 8–17 years with and without ASD as well as look at sex as a confounder. Emotional control will be assessed using Behavioral Rating Inventory Executive Functioning T-scores, and the presence of Compulsive and Ritualistic Behaviors were assessed from the Repetitive Behavior Scale-Revised subdomains. We will compare emotional control scores between participants with and without these behaviors (based on clinical cutoff). To do so, first, we will conduct an ANOVA to assess the impact of Group (ASD vs TD), Sex (M vs F), and Compulsive behavior (Above/Below Clinical Cutoff) and their interactions on Emotion Control (dependent variable). Second, we will conduct the same analyses with Ritualistic behaviors on Emotion Control.  We hypothesize that youth with compulsive and ritualistic behaviors will demonstrate lower emotional control than those without (main effect of RRBs). We also predict that males will have lower emotional control than females (main effect of sex) and that autistic youth will have lower emotional control than their typically developing peers (main effect of diagnosis). This research has the potential to reveal insights regarding the interaction between emotional regulation and RRBs in youth with ASD, highlighting the importance of interventions targeting emotional control. Such interventions can improve emotional regulation and also address compulsive and ritualistic behaviors.

Menopause is a significant life transition that is experienced differently across cultures, with each cultural background shaping unique beliefs, expectations, and responses to menopausal symptoms. Among Somali and Indonesian older adults with a uterus, cultural factors play a particularly influential role in shaping the menopause experience, potentially affecting symptom recognition, coping strategies, and interaction with healthcare providers. The purpose of this qualitative study is to 1) explore menopausal symptoms, perceptions, beliefs, and experiences of aging and menopause among Somali and Indonesian older adults, and 2) examine how cultural factors shape their understanding of menopause, as well as how they interpret and manage the symptoms associated with this stage of life. We conducted a cross-sectional qualitative study using semi-structured interviews with 5 participants with a uterus: 2 Somali and 3 Indonesian individuals. We recruited participants through community networks within Somali and Indonesian populations living in Washington state. We included individuals who are 1) 60 years or older and 2) undergoing or have gone through menopause. We chose older adults for their reflective perspective, offering holistic insight into the long-term impact of menopause and their ability to share cultural wisdom and experiences. Our findings will inform healthcare providers in delivering culturally sensitive care to support individuals going through menopause in these communities. Additionally, this knowledge can inform the development of targeted interventions and educational tools that help bridge cultural gaps in menopause understanding, thereby promoting holistic, culturally sensitive, and inclusive care for older adults with menopausal symptoms in these communities. Addressing these deficits can lead to improved care for Somali and Indonesian adults with a uterus while also benefiting women more broadly by promoting a more comprehensive and inclusive approach to menopause support.

Neuroethics explores the ethical paradigms surrounding neuroscience as it relates to new technologies, research and improved understanding of the brain and nervous system. A study within the Department of Neurosurgery includes human participants who have experienced a stroke. Participants get brain surgery to have intracranial electrodes implanted, have time for surgical recovery, then participate in follow up study sessions to gather neural and other data as they engage in rehabilitation therapy while being recorded and stimulated via the electrodes. From a neuroethics view, there is a limited understanding of why eligible people would choose to opt in or out of participating in this or similar studies. The neuroethics research group has done prior work to explore motivations for people who choose to participate in research and understand their experiences with implantable neural device research. However, few studies explore motivations surrounding a person’s decision to decline an invitation to participate in a research trial for which they are eligible. This project presents a literature review of potential  motivating factors in prospective participants’ decision to decline or participate in research. We will present how this literature review is used to construct a survey instrument to be administered to study decliners and a data analysis framework to interpret the survey results that we will gather. The results will have broad implications for understanding how people living with neurological conditions think about the potential risks and benefits of neurotechnologies that directly modify brain activity.

The University of Washington’s Center for Global Health Nursing (CGHN) promotes and advocates for the role of nursing in global health by expanding nursing research and providing educational opportunities to students that bridge global and local perspectives. The CGHN’s three research pillars encompass Global2Local, Innovative Methods, and HIV/AIDS. We aim to clarify the global health interests and priorities of UW School of Nursing (SoN) students and increase the visibility of the CGHN. By increasing the CGHN's visibility, our goal is to increase the number of students participating in study abroad, scholarship opportunities, related coursework, and research to further engagement upon graduation. We developed a 19-item survey through RedCAP to identify nursing students’ knowledge, attitudes, and experiences related to global health and the CGHN and administered it at baseline and end line (after six months). Students across all UW SoN programs participated. Baseline data allowed our team to identify areas of focus (study abroad, scholarships, research) and optimal modalities to deliver information (annual Go Global event with global health (GH) nursing speakers, new social media account to amplify opportunities, and pop-up events to bolster enthusiasm). The center’s targeted efforts to meet the dynamic interests of students and the impact of this were informed and documented by our surveys. Surveying the priorities of students and using that information to disseminate services and opportunities effectively helps contribute to a robust community of GH nursing students, researchers, and practitioners.

This project seeks to investigate the viability of a multi-channel grating coupler (GC) as an approach for individual ion addressing in ion-trap architectures. A multi-channel design is desirable because it allows for one GC to be used for controllable, individual addressing of many ions. Current approaches for ion addressing include bulky optical systems or single channel GCs which both have notable shortcomings. Optical arrays employing large lens and laser systems require complex, error-sensitive setups, challenging the scalability of those systems. Single channel GCs reduce the complexity and footprint of the optical setup, but they are unsuitable for individual addressing of ions within a chain. Single channel GCs provide the ability to globally address N ions using one integrated structure, or individually address N ions using N integrated structures. Both of these solutions are not optimal as global addressing lacks the specificity required for complex quantum operations, and using one grating structure per ion entails a massive footprint for large ion chains, much larger than the chain itself. A multi-channel GC allows many ions to be individually addressed by one compact integrated structure and, with optimization, multi-channel GCs can achieve high coupling efficiencies and low insertion losses, allowing for accurate and reliable addressing of ions. To design a multi-channel GC for this purpose, we first develop an idealized analytical model by deriving the relationship between the incident angle of guided light into a grating structure and the output angle of diffracted light into free space. Using this analytical model, a conceptual design for a multi-channel GC is formulated. Finally, the GC design is optimized using finite difference time domain (FDTD) simulation software. We will present the results of our idealized analytical model and results from optimization of a full FDTD simulation of our structure.

This study utilizes design research to explore how storytelling informs the design, usage, and knowledge production of a digital archive repository housing digitized memory objects. Ranging from ao dai to math booklets, these memory objects are grounded by narratives of Vietnamese diasporic identity and experiences shared by community researchers as part of Sarah Nguyen’s Sharing Stories, Sharing Trust (SSST) workshop series. To understand how story-driven approaches translate and transform digital archive design, I draw upon multiple methodologies such as case study analysis of existing community-based applications of digital archives and thematic analysis of SSST workshop discussions (formatted as observational memos). I also draw from user interviews with community researchers using a semi-structured, narrative-driven protocol. These analyses inform the design of a digital repository prototype that foregrounds story-driven design whilst exploring possibilities for the preservation and sharing of Vietnamese diasporic experiences.

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. 

Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by differences in social-communication and the presence of restricted and repetitive behaviors and interests. Many autistic individuals engage in “camouflaging” to hide or change their behaviors associated with autism to avoid social stigma. This study aims to explore neurophysiological characteristics underlying camouflaging. Electroencephalography (EEG) is a popular psychophysiological tool that measures brain activity through oscillatory patterns, reflecting various cognitive and emotional processes. Specifically, during “resting state” (when the brain is exposed to minimal external stimuli), theta waves have been shown to have increased activity during periods of increased cognitive load, attentional demands, and task difficulty – mental states that all relate to camouflaging based on qualitative research.  Participants included autistic (n=108) as well as non-autistic adults (n=85), between the ages of 15 and 31 years. Participants completed the Camouflaging Autistic Traits Questionnaire (CAT-Q) which measured three domains of camouflaging in autism: compensation, masking, and assimilation. EEG recordings were taken during resting state and oscillatory activity in the theta frequency band (4-8 Hz) will be analyzed. Our hypothesis is that camouflaging traits will be positively correlated with theta wave activity.  Camouflaging can lead to various challenges for autistic individuals, including depression and anxiety. Thus, identifying the proposed analyses could provide valuable insight into the cognitive and emotional processes of camouflaging, ultimately contributing to a better understanding and potential treatment for mental health challenges faced by the autistic community.

Background: Premature infants or those with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy are at high-risk for cerebral palsy (CP). Early detection of CP can significantly improve outcomes, however, inconsistent attendance at developmental follow-up after UW NICU discharge puts infants at risk of missed diagnoses. Objective: Implementing a process for early detection of CP in the NICU to increase high-risk infant follow-up (HRIF) rates at 3–4 months from 51% to 80% within 10 months. Design/methods: A single-center Quality Improvement initiative. Baseline data included patient characteristics, comorbidities, and CP risk factors. Process mapping and stakeholder meetings began June 2024, informing changes implemented beginning in August 2024. Process measures included % of eligible infants receiving a General Movements Assessment (GMA) and % of infants with a 3-4-month follow-up scheduled before NICU discharge. Outcome measures include % of infants seen at HRIF by 3-4 months corrected gestational age (cGA) and number diagnosed with High Risk for CP or CP before 12 months. Balancing measures addressed % of clinic No-Shows or appointment cancellations. Results: At baseline, 67 infants, discharged from UW NICU between Dec 2024 and July 2024 and met criteria for HRIF; 66 (99%) were very premature, GA ≤ 32 weeks and/or birthweight ≤1500g, 3(5%) were extremely premature, GA 22 to 24 weeks 6 days. 65(97%) infants had a GMA before discharge. No infants had cramped synchronized movements. 97% received referral for HRIF and none were scheduled for a 3–4-month appointment before NICU discharge. Monthly follow-up rate (number of infants seen at 3-4 months cGA / number of eligible infants discharged per month) was 51%. By January 2025, 57/62 (92%) eligible infants were scheduled for HRIF before NICU discharge. Process changes are ongoing. Conclusion: A standardized pathway for high-risk infants in the NICU can improve local follow-up rates, enabling earlier CP detection and intervention.

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.

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.

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.

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is being studied as a potential treatment for Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Currently, relatively little is known about prospective users’ attitudes toward the surgically invasive treatment. In 2021, our team conducted a qualitative interview study to explore the views of individuals considered at risk for dementia. Respondents were considered at risk for dementia due to factors including family history, genetic biomarkers, or mild cognitive impairment. They were asked for their perspectives on the hypothetical use of DBS devices to assist individuals living with dementia. Transcripts from 34 interviews were coded and analyzed using ATLAS.ti, with attention to users’ reported interest in the device as well as several main themes that emerged related to participant concerns. Of the 34 participants, one expressed low interest in the DBS device, four expressed a high level of interest, and the vast majority (29) expressed ambivalent interest (a combination of excitement about the treatment and nuanced concerns about various potential impacts). Five thematic areas of concern emerged: timing of implantation, skepticism, invasiveness of the surgery, impact of memory loss, and the value of forgetting. The responses revealed that prospective users have nuanced considerations that inform their interest in neural devices to treat memory loss. Though the majority felt positively about potential surgical treatments for memory loss, they raised concerns about complex issues that may arise related to consent, surgical complications, and losing the ability to forget. User-centered design recommends early input from potential users of devices to ensure that their needs and values are recognized in the design process. As clinical trials for DBS in AD continue, understanding the values and concerns of prospective users will be vital for both the design process and successful clinical trials.

Despite widespread drug abuse, treatment options for people in recovery are oftentimes ineffective, as current research fails to cover the full range of the ways in which opioid, stimulant, or other substance contribute to substance use disorders. The goal of our study is to model how polysubstance use disorders operate in the human brain utilizing a translational rat model of addiction. 64 rats were assigned into single or polysubstance cohorts. Each rat was implanted with a jugular catheter, allowing a controlled dose of methamphetamine or fentanyl to be self-administered through a lever press, along with a drug-associated cue light. The cohorts completed a 3 week period of self-administration, followed by extinction, modeling withdrawal and abstinence. After extinction, the animals went through cue-induced reinstatement, a model of relapse. No drugs are dispensed when the lever is pressed, however the light cue continues to be used as a stimulus signal. Within a large dataset following this model, we are looking to uncover patterns related to differences in drug-taking and reinstatement behavior between the different cohorts. Correlations between the rats’ sex, polysubstance use, and other measurements of their behaviors offers a crucial lens of the more nuanced ways in which methamphetamine and fentanyl influence addiction-related behaviors. Methamphetamine and fentanyl function through distinct neural circuits, thus affecting behavior in individual and synergistic manners. To complement the current work, future studies will investigate the neurocircuitry underlying polysubstance use disorders utilizing whole brain imaging. Gaining clarity into how the nervous system responds to the interaction of both drugs present would mean the ability to develop targeted treatments options. Assuming there’s one treatment that works to treat all polysubstance addictions minimizes individual experiences and ignores the reality that we need to better understand the neurobehavioral aspects of addiction so people can get accurate and effective help.

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.

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. 

In the Berndt lab, we develop genetically encoded fluorescent indicators (biosensors) by attaching a naturally occurring sensing domain to a fluorescent protein. When the ligand of interest, such as dopamine or calcium, interacts with the sensing domain, the protein will undergo a conformational change that induces a fluorescent response. The change in fluorescence can be measured and used to quantify biochemical activity. Applications of these biosensors span a wide range of research topics in neuroscience and behavior, providing insights into the neuronal network activity correlated with addiction, pain perception, emotion, and reward signaling. The current project that I am working on is optimizing the red dopamine sensor, GRABrDA2m. I developed a genetic library, mutating the linkers that connect the sensing domain and fluorescent protein. The behavior of proteins is highly dependent on structure and orientation, which is why I have chosen the linkers as a target region to explore. I have cloned in degenerate codons that randomize the nucleotides at specific positions on these linkers, with the linker locations having been recently identified in published literature. After sequencing the DNA to validate that the sites of interest were mutated appropriately and that the remainder of the sensor is intact, I will transfect these plasmids into human embryonic kidney 293 (HEK293) cells and screen for promising variants by employing OptoMASS, an cell array technique developed in the Berndt Lab that allows for the testing of hundreds of mutations simultaneously. I will pick out the cells whose sensors performed better than the parental variant, looking for improvements in baseline fluorescence and sensitivity to dopamine, then conduct reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reactions to extract the sequences of the high-performing sensors.

Substance use disorders are a devastating global issue and using multiple substances simultaneously has become common among drug users. Polysubstance use has been linked with higher rates of mortality, overdose, and relapse when compared to single substance use. There is currently little research on how using multiple substances simultaneously affects behavior and motivation to take drugs. Our goal is to better understand the motivations of drug seeking and consumption in rats with a history of polysubstance use compared to rats with a history of single substance use. Rats (n=18 male,18 female) were implanted with jugular catheters and trained to press a lever for an infusion of either 0.0015 mg/kg/infusion of fentanyl (fentanyl-only: FENT) or 0.1mg/kg/infusion of methamphetamine (methamphetamine-only: METH), or both (polysubstance: POLY). The rats then underwent a behavioral economics threshold test, in which the concentrations of fentanyl and methamphetamine were decreased over ten days in an attempt to determine the level of effort and motivation for the drug at each dose. The FENT and METH rats only underwent the behavior economics test for one drug and POLY rats were randomly assigned to either fentanyl or methamphetamine. Our preliminary results suggest that polysubstance use increases the motivation for consuming fentanyl but not methamphetamine; however, sample sizes are small right now and further analysis is needed. In future experiments, we will image the brains of these rats using light sheet microscopy to map the neurocircuit activation that may point to differences between polysubstance and single substance use. Understanding the differences between polysubstance and single-substance use is imperative for designing effective treatment plans that address the motivations behind drug use.

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.

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? 

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder characterized by impairments on socialization and communication skills. Research shows that socialization for neurotypical (NT) individuals can be exhausting- depending on personality traits, desire to conform to social settings, and similarly their social skills. When compared to neurotypical individuals, autistic individuals tend to experience socialization withdrawls to a higher degree leading to irritability and lethargy in behavior. This study aims to look at the relationship between socialization, irritability and lethargy. 399 participants (ASD 280) aged 6-11 years from the NIH funded Autism Biomarkers Consortium for Clinical Trials (ABCCT) were included in the analysis. Parents of participants completed questionnaires based on behaviors they observed in their child within the past 6 months using the Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS-2) and Aberrant Behavior Checklist (ABC) measure. Within the SRS-2, the t-scores from the Social Communication, Social Cognition, and Social Motivation scores will be used. We will divide these scores into high and low socialization, cognition, and motivation based on clinical cutoff. Scores on irritability and lethargy will be derived from ABC measure. Analysis of Variance (ANOVAs) will be run to look at the differences in lethargy and irritability scores based on high/low socialization. We expect to see individuals with higher communication, motivation and socialization skills to have lower scores of lethargy and irritability. We also expect to see scores within the SRS-2 and ABC measures to be lower for autistic individuals. This study will help us gain a better understanding of the emotional and autonomic effects socialization can have on autistic individuals. 

In the Puget Sound region, some lowland lake ecosystems have been contaminated with metals from the former ASARCO copper smelter located in Ruston, WA. Arsenic, a toxic metalloid, has accumulated in various parts of lake environments from this contamination. Chinese Mystery Snails (CMS) are a ubiquitous freshwater snail species that feed on periphyton, an environmental compartment found to hyperaccumulate arsenic (Hull et al., 2023). This feeding could be a key entry point of arsenic into our food chain. Our research has utilized CMS to test the hypothesis that trophic transfer of arsenic occurs through consuming periphyton and their gut microbiome is altered as a result. To test this hypothesis, our lab conducted a feeding-based arsenic exposure with lab acclimated reference lake CMS. These CMS were either fed algae wafers (control) or periphyton obtained from a high arsenic concentration lake. Trophic transfer of arsenic and gut microbiome alterations were not observed in the food-based arsenic exposure. This led us to hypothesize that waterborne arsenic exposure is an important route for bioaccumulation in CMS, with arsenic concentration correlating to gut microbiome changes. To test this, we conducted a comparative waterborne experiment, exposing CMS to arsenic concentrations of 0, 20ppb and 200ppb. At the end of the exposure, 16S amplicon sequencing was performed on CMS gut contents to assess how the varying arsenic concentrations affect microbiome composition. Whole-body arsenic quantification was conducted using ICP-MS to determine the degree of arsenic bioaccumulation that occurs at different concentrations. 

Porphyromonas gingivalis is a Gram-negative bacterium that is a major contributor to periodontal disease. It is also linked to the development of systemic inflammatory diseases like rheumatoid arthritis. Outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) modulate cell-cell interactions between P. gingivalis cells and export cargo to the cell’s surroundings, but their biogenesis mechanisms remain unclear. Peptidylarginine deiminase (PAD) is an OMV cargo protein that catalyzes the post-translational citrullination of many P. gingivalis proteins. Others have reported that inhibiting PAD in P. gingivalis decreases OMV production and increases biofilm density. A study from our lab found that the deletion of lpxF was also affecting biofilm formation and OMV production in a similar manner. The inclusion of the C4’ phosphatase on lipid A inhibited OMV production, reducing biofilm dispersal. This is presumably due to the reduced delivery of OMV cargos that drive dispersal. We hypothesized that strains with different lipid A structures will have different OM proteomes because of the differences in trafficking and stable interactions with membrane lipids. To begin investigating these potential interactions between outer membrane proteins and LPS, I optimized an outer membrane (OM) isolation protocol so that I can consistently isolate OM from P. gingivalis regardless of strain. I followed up the isolations with Western blots as a quality check so that the samples could be prepared for comparative proteomics analysis. OM, OMV, and whole cell fractions from strains 33277 WT/ΔlpxF and 381 WT/ΔlpxF were sent to a core facility for the comparative proteomics analysis by LC-MS-MS. Our preliminary results suggest that PAD activity is reduced in ΔlpxF because the citrullination of proteins decreased versus WT in whole cells. This led us to our hypothesis for future studies; that lipid A structure influences PAD activity.