Chiral molecule sensing has important biochemical applications for detection of disease, as well as cognitive and neurodegenerative disorders. Circular dichroism (CD) has emerged as a powerful spectroscopic tool for probing post-synthetic ligand exchanges of chiral molecules onto originally achiral quantum confined CdS morphologies, manifesting in chirality corresponding to the electronic transitions of the nanocrystals. In this work, we first describe making water soluble quantum dots (QDs) and nanorods (NRs) via ligand exchange with glycine. After this exchange, aqueous chiral thiol solutions are then titrated into glycine capped achiral CdS, and the optical properties are monitored via UV-vis, photo-luminescence (PL), and CD spectroscopies. Preliminary results show we can controllably produce measurable chirality equal to or exceeding previous literature values whilst using orders of magnitude less L-cysteine than previously reported. Moving forward, we intend to correlate growth in CD with changes in PL across a myriad of cysteine derivatives. Additionally, we plan to examine the impact of NR aspect ratio on normalized maximum CD absorption (g-factor).   

For biomass derived molecules to serve as precursors for biofuel and other related energy sources, more stable and efficient catalysts are needed. Drawing inspiration from enzymes, our group has recently shown that a bifunctional acid–base metal–organic framework (MOF) with co-localized acid and base sites outperforms a MOF with randomly dispersed acid and base sites as a catalyst for the aldol condensation of biomass-derived carbonyls. These active acid–base sites are composed of a primary amine and carboxylic acid. However, to further improve catalytic activity a templated framework with secondary amine and carboxylic acid active sites can be developed. Relative to primary amines, secondary amines should favor the formation of the key enamine intermediate and increase catalytic rates. Framework synthesis and characterization show success of incorporation of the secondary amine, and preliminary catalysis results indicate how successful this secondary amine has been. Overall, this work expands on the previous introduction of metal-organic framework catalysts as an alternative to common industrial catalysts in the biomass upcycling process by exploring the utility of a new templated secondary amine acid–base MOF. 

Malaria is one of the most prevalent diseases worldwide, with nearly half of the world residing in regions at risk of transmission. It is commonly spread to humans through the bite of a female Anopheles mosquito infected with Plasmodium spp. parasites. When feeding, mosquitoes ingest biogenic amines at concentrations found in the blood of the host. Adult patients with severe malaria have altered concentrations of serotonin and histamine in their blood compared to healthy individuals. Previous work showed the ingestion of serotonin and/or histamine concentrations associated with adult patients with severe malaria influenced key mosquito behaviors, such as the tendency to take a second blood meal, flight behavior, and visual object inspection—traits that are related to the transmission of malaria. However, the mechanisms by which serotonin and histamine modulate mosquito behavior remain unclear. Given the known involvement of these biogenic amines in physiological processes, we hypothesize that the ingestion of varying serotonin and histamine concentrations in Anopheles stephensi mosquitoes will alter their distribution across tissues. Mosquitoes are fed with deuterated serotonin and histamine at levels associated with patients with severe malaria versus healthy individuals. These deuterated compounds serve as tracers to distinguish endogenous (natural) from exogenous (ingested) serotonin and histamine in the tissue. The mosquitoes are dissected to retrieve the head as a proxy for the brain, the midgut, and sensory appendages including maxillary palps, antennae, legs, and proboscis. All tissue samples are extracted and analyzed via liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) to distinguish and quantify deuterated and non-deuterated serotonin and histamine. By viewing all aforementioned tissue regions and comparing endogenous versus exogenous biogenic amine levels in the samples, we hope to understand the modulation of biogenic amine distribution in An. stephensi tissue and offer insights into possible connections between neuromodulators and behavior in the mosquitoes.

Rising atmospheric carbon dioxide levels have driven research into efficient gas separation materials. Polymers of intrinsic microporosity (PIMs) is one promising solution due to their rigid, porous structures and processability, allowing them to be turned into thin films for membrane-based gas separations. My research focuses on enhancing the carbon dioxide selectivity of helicene-based PIMs through post-synthetic modification of these polymers. I have synthesized a small molecule model of the PIM to screen for amine substitution conditions and ensure the viability of post-synthetic modification on the larger helicene-based PIM. Characterization techniques, multinuclear NMR and mass spectrometry, have verified the synthesis and amination of my model system. By incorporating nucleophilic amines into PIMs, these polymers can feature enhanced binding to electrophilic carbon dioxide, thereby increasing the interactions with carbon dioxide over other mixed gases, leading to separation. In my future studies, I will extend these modifications to the helicene-base PIM, fabricate films and evaluate their properties. Surface area measurements using N₂ gas sorption methods and CO₂ absorption isotherms will quantify gas-binding affinity and separation performance.

Indium phosphide (InP) quantum dots are a high-performing semiconductor material used in optoelectronic applications due to their tunable electronic properties and low toxicity compared to cadmium-based quantum dots. However, InP quantum dots are currently synthesized at or above 180°C because of the high energy input required for nucleation and growth of the covalent nanocrystals. This study explores the synthesis of small InP clusters at lower temperatures by investigating reaction conditions that can produce InP with reduced energy consumption. Using the precursors indium carboxylate and P(SiMe₃)₃ in a nonpolar solvent toluene, we systematically investigate the evolution of InP clusters at room temperature and 60°C via UV-Vis absorbance spectroscopy. The formation of atomically precise InP clusters was observed at room temperature after 23 days. To speed up the reaction, we investigate adding a polar aprotic solvent or amines to promote the formation of InP at low temperatures. Including 20% of N-Methylpyrrolidone in the solvent mixture with toluene allows InP to be formed in 2 hours. Amine additives interact with the indium cations to modulate their reactivity, therefore we investigate adding varying equivalents both to the pre-formed atomically precise cluster, and to the indium and phosphorous precursors in toluene. We found that adding up to 100 equivalents of benzylamine per cluster did not promote the growth of InP clusters. Our findings contribute to the understanding of how InP forms at low temperatures for scalable, environmentally friendly production.

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.

Erbium(III) doped cerium oxide nanocrystals are promising candidates for spin qubits in quantum computing and information science applications. Our goal is to tune the synthesis and composition of Er-doped CeO2 nanocrystals for monodispersity and desirable optical properties, particularly the intensity and lifetime of near-infrared emission features unique to Er3+. We optimized previously reported methods for making Er-doped CeO2 by altering the concentration of erbium, presence of water, and the amount of time allowed for the reaction to progress. These nanocrystals were then analyzed using several techniques, including transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and photoluminescence spectroscopy. Our results indicated that by omitting water from the synthesis, the sizes of the nanoparticles decreased significantly. Additionally, smaller concentration of erbium(III) dopant in the nanoparticles correlated with a longer lifetime of photoluminescence intensity.

The ventral tegmental area (VTA) contains dopamine (DA) expressing neurons, which are critical for reward processing in the brain. DA neurons are tightly regulated by inhibitory GABA-expressing neurons; these GABA neurons have recently been found to be present in distinct subpopulations in the VTA. Opioids disrupt this regulation by inhibiting VTA GABA neurons via mu-opioid receptors (MORs), leading to increased DA activity and reinforcing drug-seeking behavior. However, the distribution of MORs across distinct VTA GABA subpopulations remains unclear. This study uses multiplexed in situ hybridization to map MOR (Oprm1) expression in genetically distinct GABA populations characterized by their expression of Pnoc, Crhbp, and Cbln4. Preliminary findings suggest differential Oprm1 expression, with Pnoc and Cbln4 populations showing high Oprm1 expression patterns, while Crhbp contains little Oprm1 expression. These results highlight the heterogeneity of VTA GABAergic neurons and provide insight into the mechanisms underlying opioid addiction, which may inform future therapeutic strategies.

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.

The heart's primary function is to pump blood to supply oxygen and nutrients to the body. The biomechanical principles of the heart are determined by specializations at the organ, tissue, cellular, and molecular levels. Little is known about how these specializations have adapted to sustain high heart rates in animals with extreme biology, as is the case of the hummingbird, whose heart rate above 1000 bpm makes it the endotherm with the highest heart rate observed in nature. We hypothesize that the hummingbird heart has evolved several adaptations at all the abovementioned levels to i) generate fast firing rates, ii) optimize electrical-contraction coupling, and iii) sustain fast contraction-relaxation cycles. Using different histological and imaging approaches, we have started to characterize the architecture of the hummingbird’s heart for the first time in a research lab. To describe the overall dimensions and structure of the hummingbird heart, we generated CT scans and 3D reconstructions of iodine-labeled Calypte anna hummingbird hearts. To characterize the organization of the tissue, we present data using hematoxylin-eosin and lectin stainings in fixed paraffin-embedded slices of the hummingbird heart. Our preliminary results showed that hummingbird ventricles have a cell density of 110 cells per 5000 µm2, around 7-fold larger than mouse ventricles. Ventricular cells in the hummingbird are 8-fold smaller with a cross-sectional area of 41 ± 4 µm2. Hummingbird hearts also have a higher capillary density with 18.0 ± 0.6 capillaries per 2500 µm2. Our results provide a foundation for structural and functional characterization of the hummingbird heart at an organ, tissue, and cellular level while opening avenues for further investigation of extreme cardiac physiology.

Plants' defense mechanism against herbivory is integral to both resistance in nature and the global food supply. Glycine max or soybean, is one of the most widely grown crops in the world, and suffers substantial losses from pests, including many Lepidopteran species. Related legumes, including cowpea, and common bean, can respond to Lepidopteran herbivory by detecting Inceptin-11 (In11), a short peptide found in larval oral secretions. The protein responsible for this ability, Inceptin Receptor (INR), is not found in soybean. The aims of this project are two fold, firstly introducing INR into soybean lines and testing for improved resistance to Lepidopteran herbivory, and secondly studying the effects of INR on defense gene expression in soybean, in order to better understand mechanisms of herbivory resistance. The first step in this project was to create soybean lines which consistently express INR. This was done by sending our INR construct to collaborators, who used it to inoculate multiple soybean lines, then breeding the corresponding lines until response to In11 was seen in all offspring. We will then test larval beet armyworms (Spodoptera exigua) on both INR- and INR+ lines. We expect the INR+ lines to have significantly lower S. exigua growth, indicating an improved immune response. We are also infiltrating INR- and INR+ lines with both In11 and flg22 (a well studied bacterial elicitor) for RNA sequencing of the early immune response. We expect genes involved specifically anti herbivory mechanisms being upregulated when compared to flg22. These two prongs allow us not just to demonstrate the viability of stable transgenic herbivory resistant lines, but to uncover the molecular mechanisms involved in that resistance, allowing for future scientists to better engineer the next wave of pest resistant crops.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

Organs maintain consistent shape, form, and volume through complex processes, one of which is cell-cell adhesion. E-Cadherin, a key cell-cell junction protein, is critical for cell shape, arrangement, and tissue structure. In this study, I investigate the role of E-Cadherin in the morphogenesis of the Drosophila Malpighian tubules, a model system where I can manipulate E-Cadherin expression and use fluorescence microscopy to observe the effects on organ growth. Previous work involved fixing and staining embryos to track E-Cadherin localization using fluorescent imaging to measure its intensity. I will further analyze E-Cadherin localization spatiotemporally by constructing a fluorescent fly line for live imaging during development. I expect E-Cadherin concentration to increase during elongation and to be enriched in looped regions of the tubules. To assess the requirement of E-Cadherin in organ formation, I will reduce its expression using RNAi and degradFP, expecting significant developmental defects due to the protein's vital role in morphogenesis. These defects will be quantified by comparing changes in cell and organ shape in control and E-Cadherin-reduced tubules. Additionally, I will help develop Python tools for 3D image analysis, including cell segmentation, creating a 3D model of E-Cadherin in tubular cells, and extracting protein intensity. Developing these tools not only enables our work in these tubular organs but also allows for comprehensive image analysis of other tubular 3D organ forms. Elucidating the precise mechanisms behind cell behavior, shape, and cell-cell interaction has important human health implications and will enable work in many other fields such as cancer, regenerative treatments, tissue growth, and organ synthesis. 

Flowering plants are important sources of agricultural crops and are diverse in flower and fruit structures. To study how this diversity has evolved, I am developing a new plant model system in the order Ranunculales, an underrepresented clade that will help bridge the knowledge gap within dicotyledonous plants, where most of the angiosperm diversity is found. A key tool in model system development is the ability to transform plants to study gene function, therefore, I aim to develop a method for genetic transformation. Specifically, I am implementing the tried and true  “floral dip” transformation method of Arabidopsis using Agrobacterium tumefaciens in Myosurus minimus, tiny mousetails. This is a small, fast-growing plant that produces many seeds, making it feasible to generate and propagate stable transformants. As proof of principle, I am expressing fluorescent proteins (GFP and YFP) and a visual reporter called RUBY, which causes transformed plants to produce red pigment. I found red color on the petals of treated plants, suggesting that transformation is working in Myosurus. I am currently validating this phenotype by planting the seeds on antibiotic selective media. I expect to see that certain individuals are resistant to antibiotics, while others die, which will allow me to identify the genetically transformed plants. By developing this transformation method, I will be able to test the function of candidate genes of interest in this new model plant species, which will further enable the investigation of gene network evolution in flowering plants. Increased understanding of gene function provides opportunities for engineering crop species to have beneficial traits for agricultural purposes. 

Carpels are invaluable floral organs that have undergone myriad innovations in flowering plant evolution, providing fruits and seeds. Carpels consist of a pollination site (stigma), pollen growth area (style), and a region containing ovules (ovary) which become the fruit after fertilization. Understanding carpel development and evolution is fundamental for efforts to increase food production. A decreased abundance of insect pollinators due to anthropogenic climate change has made this pursuit all the more urgent. The plant genus Thalictrum comprises perennial herbs in temperate regions that have repeatedly transitioned from insect to wind-pollination in their evolutionary history. Hence, they are ideal to investigate the adaptations and genetics that decrease reliance on insects for reproduction. A key feature of wind pollination is a longer stigmatic surface that increases pollen capture. I am taking a candidate gene approach, examining homologs of the stigma development gene families STYLISH (STY) and NGATHA (NGA). I am characterizing the role of NGA and two STYLISH gene copies in our model species, Thalictrum thalictroides. Previous work has found that silencing one of the STY gene copies results in the loss of stigma development, while the function of the other copy remains unknown. In other genera, altered NGA expression has been shown to alter stigma development. To characterize the function of both NGA and STY, I am implementing Virus-Induced gene Overexpression (VOX) by infiltrating tubers with Agrobacterium transformed with Tobacco Rattle Virus (TRV) carrying an overexpression construct. STY genes will be overexpressed, and NGA will be both overexpressed and silenced using Virus-Induced Gene Silencing (VIGS). I will characterize the phenotypes resulting from these treatments to determine the functionalization of STY and NGA. By dissecting the genetic basis of floral adaptations to wind-pollination in this system, I hope to contribute solutions to enhance crop production in the face of pollinator decline. 

Variations in floral structures influence how plants are pollinated, showier flowers are more attractive to pollinators, while wind-pollinated plants benefit from having smaller, inconspicuous flowers that produce increased amounts of pollen, and have the appropriate morphology to receive pollen from the wind. The genus Thalictrum contains species that range from insect-pollinated to wind-pollinated. Certain transcription factors are known to affect the stigma, the area of pollen reception that consists of papillae, and to increase stigmatic papillae length. By better understanding the genes that influence stigma morphology, this gene could be used in economically important crops to increase their stigmatic surfaces and consequently the likelihood of pollination. In this study, we use in situ hybridization to analyze gene expression of candidate genes for stigma development in the genus Thalictrum, which has had multiple transitions from insect to wind pollination in its evolutionary history. We selected three species representing the range of stigma morphologies found in Thalictrum. I will test the hypothesis that expression of my candidate genes will correlate with stigma morphology, such that the short (capitate) stigmas characteristic of insect-pollinated species will exhibit restricted areas of gene expression just prior to stigma development, while the more elongated stigmas of the wind-pollinated species will show an extended temporal and spatial domain of expression, with mixed-pollinated species lying in between. Thus, this work will provide a connection between developmental genetics and morphology to improve understanding of the wind pollination syndrome.

The transcription factor LEAFY (LFY) controls the development of flowers in angiosperms, but it is found in all lineages of land plants, including those that do not flower. In the non-vascular plants like moss, LFY promotes the first cell division in the zygote, and in early vascular plant representatives like ferns, LFY controls stem cell activity. Ferns are the sister lineage of seed plants, making them an ideal model to study the evolution of LFY. The model fern Ceratopteris richardii has two copies of the LFY gene, while most angiosperms have one, and the two genes are expressed at different levels across development, suggesting the possibility of sub- or neo-functionalization. In this study, we use transgenic C. richardii plants overexpressing one or both LFY genes to determine their function across development. Since LFY is expressed in sperm cells, I set up assays to observe C. richardii sperm cells during fertilization and determine the role that LFY may be playing in fern sperm development and reproduction. To test whether the two fern LFY proteins interact with each other, I perform yeast two-hybrid assays, which will provide insight into whether the genes play independent roles or share overlapping functions. Determining the function(s) of LFY in ferns will help uncover the evolutionary history of this important plant transcription factor and how it came to control the crucial role of initiating flower development.

The intricate interplay between different brain cell types is crucial to understanding neural pathophysiological states. This project aims to investigate the effects of the treatment of GHK on glial activity and inflammation using organotypic brain slice cultures. GHK improves tissue regeneration and exhibits anti-inflammatory effects, promoting neural protection. Slices taken from mice mirror the human-brain microenvironment, allowing a better understanding of neuronic health in pathological states. They also preserve the 3-D architecture of our brain, maintaining the intricacies between diverse cell types. First, the brain is collected from an euthanized mouse and rinsed in PBS, then sectioned into 100µm slices to culture, where they are exposed to different levels of GHK. Brain tissue samples are fixed in formalin to preserve cellular structure and stored in PBS. The tissue is embedded in paraffin to support stable sectioning using a microtome, allowing precise slicing into 4µm thick sections for analysis. By employing immunohistochemistry and histological techniques, insights into therapeutic strategies with the comparison of tissue cultures are shown. IHC looks at activated microglia(using IBA1), astrocytes(using GFAP), chronic inflammation(MCP1), and synaptic activity (synaptophysin) and characterizes neurons with cresyl violet staining. MCP1 levels are expected to decrease with GHK treatment. For microglia, there might be a reduction in their activated, proinflammatory state; astrocytes may show a shift towards reduced reactivity, shifting toward a homeostatic role in maintaining brain tissue stability and function. Synaptic activity is expected to improve. Neuronal health is predicted to be preserved, with enhanced structural stability and reduced signs of cellular stress. These results will help demonstrate the potential of GHK in mitigating chronic inflammation and promoting neuronal health. By revealing how GHK influences glial function and neuronal health, this research could pave the way for novel interventions targeting the improvement of neuronal health. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

Bias in Machine Learning (ML) can lead to unfair treatment of certain groups, particularly in areas like healthcare and finance, where disparate outcomes can have life-altering consequences. New training techniques aim to improve fairness while preserving privacy. Federated Learning (FL) is one such approach, allowing models to be trained on data from many devices without centralizing it. Instead of sharing raw data, each device trains a local model and sends model updates (adjustments based on its local data) to a central server, which aggregates them into a global model. This protects privacy while enabling large-scale training, but differences in data quality, representation, or access across devices can reinforce bias, leading to models that work well for some groups but poorly for others. This project tests whether a debiasing system can effectively mitigate bias in FL without sacrificing model performance. To tackle this, I'm adapting a Reinforcement Learning (RL) system, where an agent learns by interacting with an environment and receiving rewards for beneficial actions. The agent evaluates fairness using feedback from client devices and adjusts the central model’s weights before redistributing it for further training. Using fairness metrics and accuracy as its reward signal, the agent continuously refines its strategy, learning how to mitigate bias while preserving performance. I'm solely responsible for designing, building, testing, and analyzing this system, though I've benefited greatly from the guidance of my mentor, Dr. Afra Mashhadi, insights from her graduate students, and tools developed in prior research. Results from prior work suggest this method can reduce bias while maintaining strong model accuracy, highlighting its potential for improving fairness in FL systems. If successful, this approach could be applied in areas like medical diagnostics, risk assessment in insurance, and hiring algorithms, where biased models can lead to significant real-world harm.

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

Morphological control in nanocrystal synthesis is crucial for tailoring material properties in magnetic, thermoelectric, catalytic, and renewable energy applications. In this study, we explore the synthesis of anisotropic single-phase Cu2Se nanorods (NRs) via cation exchange from CdSe NRs. Transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction were employed to characterize the resulting nanocrystals. The synthesis of Cu2Se NRs remains challenging due to limited Se precursors suitable for shape control and identifying the kinetic conditions that lead to morphological selectivity. We have since shifted our focus to reaction conditions required to perform Cd-to-Cu cation exchange. Our work aims to refine synthetic parameters, including solvent compositions, hot injection temperatures, and concentration of Cd precursor to establish a reliable pathway for monodispersed nanorod formation and demonstrate precise morphological control. These insights will contribute to the Cossairt Lab’s broader efforts to advance nanoparticle synthesis for classical and quantum light emission, catalysis, renewable energy, and magnetooptical technologies.

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.

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. 

Resilience to aging is a critical biological process that precedes age-related declines in physiological function. Defined as an organism’s ability to respond to physical stress and return to equilibrium quickly despite increasing age, wound healing can help in the evaluation of resilience by indicating the efficiency of repairing physical tissue damage to the body by generating new tissue. Previous correlations between resilience to aging and wound healing suggest that mice with higher rates of wound closure have less cognitive impairment and increased grip strength. GHK-Cu, a peptide that has been shown to accelerate wound healing and skin repair, has been used in topical treatments. Current studies have shown that systemic administration of the GHK-Cu peptide improves cognitive performance in aging mice and lowers inflammation levels. Understanding this role in resilience mechanisms could provide valuable insight into more complex interventions such as multiplexing. A cohort of 20 male 18-month-old C57BL/6 mice was used. Ten randomly chosen mice received daily intraperitoneal doses of GHK-Cu, while ten controls received saline for 19 days. After 3 days, a 2 mm ear punch was taken from both ears. Wound closure was measured on day 3 and day 19 by photographing the biopsy area and analyzing images with ImageJ software. After final measurements, cognitive performance and correlation to wound healing was assessed via phenotypic assays. Tissues surrounding the wound were then stained using immunohistochemistry. TNF-α and VEGF antibodies evaluated inflammation and cell growth respectively and were quantified using QuPath. The GHK-Cu peptide during the experiment showed enhanced wound healing from the physical stressor, suggesting a promising therapeutic strategy to improve recovery from injuries and cognition abilities in aging populations. The findings from this study may inform translational strategies to enhance wound healing and quicker recovery from tissue injury in aging and age-related diseases.

Age-related cognitive decline (ARCD) is very common and increases the risk for severe neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer's disease. Treatment of ARCD can delay and lead to the cure of age-related diseases, but there is a lack of clinically proven drugs. One option is the naturally occurring peptide GHK (glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine), which readily forms a complex with copper (II). GHK is a key ingredient in anti-aging skin creams and regulates astrocytes through TGF-β and the SMAD pathway. As synaptic signaling decreases with age, this study investigates GHK-Cu's impact on synaptic function in middle-aged mice as a potential treatment for ARCD. Male and female C57BL/6 mice aged 20-22 months were treated with either the GHK-Cu peptide or saline as a control through intraperitoneal (IP) injection for five days. A spatial navigation learning task, the Box Maze, was utilized to analyze cognitive function by assessing the memory and learning of the mice on their last day of treatment. After the brain tissue samples were processed, synaptic function was assessed by performing immunohistochemistry (IHC) with Synaptophysin and PSD95 antibodies as molecular markers of pre- and post-synaptic integrity. The tissue slides were rehydrated, incubated with the antibodies overnight, and stained. After, the presence of antibodies was seen through microscopic examination and photographed for QuPath image analysis. Preliminary results of the Box Maze behavioral assay reveal the treated mice had increased cognitive function, memory, and learning capacity, which signals alleviated symptoms of ARCD. It is predicted that this increased resilience to ARCD will also be observed in the brain through the increased presence of Synaptophysin and PSD95 antibodies in the treated tissues compared to the control cohort. These results will show that short-term treatment of the GHK-Cu peptide will improve cognitive function and synaptic function, providing a potential treatment for ARCD and neurodegenerative diseases.

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

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

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

Robotic manipulation systems operating in diverse, dynamic environments must exhibit three critical abilities: generalization to unseen scenarios, multitask interaction, and spatial memory. While significant progress has been made in robotic manipulation, existing approaches often fall short in addressing memory-dependent tasks and generalization to complex environmental variations. To bridge this gap, we introduce SAM2Act, a multi-view robotic transformer that leverages multi-resolution upsampling and visual representations from large-scale foundation models. SAM2Act achieves a state-of-the-art average success rate of 86.8% across 18 tasks in the RLBench benchmark, and demonstrates robust generalization on The Colosseum benchmark, with only a 4.3% performance drop under diverse environmental perturbations. Building on this foundation, we propose SAM2Act+, a memory-augmented architecture inspired by SAM2, which incorporates a memory bank and attention mechanism for spatial memory. To address the need for evaluating memory-dependent tasks, we introduce MemoryBench, a novel benchmark designed to assess spatial memory and action recall in robotic manipulation. SAM2Act+ achieves competitive performance on MemoryBench, significantly outperforming existing approaches and pushing the boundaries of memory-enabled robotic systems. Project page: sam2act.github.io.

Bacterial metabolic engineering shows great promise for sustainable chemical production. Non-model microbes such as Pseudomonas putida, Rhodobacter sphaeroides, and Rhodopseudomonas palustris offer unique opportunities for metabolic engineering, given their tolerance to environmental stressors, their ability to grow on waste substrates, and their natural production of industrially relevant compounds. However, tools for engineering these bacteria are underdeveloped. Here we present genome engineering and gene regulation tools that are generalizable to multiple non-model microbes, offering improved versatility for metabolic engineering. Firstly, we employed a high-efficiency genome engineering tool using serine recombinases (SAGE) in R. sphaeroides and R. palustris. We evaluated integration efficiency for 10 different recombinases using a fluorescent reporter screen, revealing variation in recombinase performance across microbial hosts. We used BxbI, the top-performing recombinase, to integrate a heterologous metabolic pathway into the genome of R. palustris for the bioproduction of a biofuel precursor. In addition to genome engineering tools, we developed gene regulation tools using dCas13, a protein which regulates genes at the translational level. Genome-wide functional screens were conducted in P. putida using an inducible guide RNA system to study levels of gene regulation in native aromatic biosynthesis pathways. Overall, this work advances tools for genomic integrations and gene regulation in non-model microbes, offering new strategies for metabolic engineering and expanding the host range for synthetic biology applications. 

The horizontal plane of sound localization is dictated by interaural time difference and interaural level difference, vital for localizing low frequencies (<1.5kHz) and high frequencies (>1.5kHz), respectively. This function is compromised in individuals with unilateral and bilateral hearing loss; however, identical etiologies and severities of hearing loss can have profound differences in sound localization deficits. Head movements improve sound localization in individuals with normal hearing (NH) and hearing loss (HL), but current literature has yet to characterize the nature of these movements. For our experiment, we used virtual reality (VR) to evaluate head movement kinetics during sound localization tasks in individuals with NH and HL. Three 360^o VR environments were developed using MetaQuest and Unity to test an individual’s ability to identify 1) 8 visual targets, 2) 16 sound targets without visual targets, and 3) 32 sound targets with simultaneous visual targets in the horizontal plane. NH individuals (n=10) were administered the VR environments in the order listed above within an audio booth. We used MATLAB to conduct statistical analyses, head movement kinematic analyses and calculate root mean squared error (RMSE). Euler Y head movements in Environment 3 had mean standardized path distance=44.89, peak velocity=164.94^o/second, latency=6.89 second, number of head adjustments=1.78, head movement complexity (polynomial fit order with error <35)=1.95 (std = 20.93, 85.08^o/second, 3.19 seconds, 1.26, 1.14, respectively). The average RMSE of 11.5^o is comparable to similar studies and corroborates our findings. Our additional metrics on head movement establish VR as a viable tool to detect variations in movement patterns. This method quantifies head movements, identifies their potential role in sound localization, and develops accessible VR training for individuals with reduced localization ability.

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.

Impervious surfaces associated with urban development cause increased runoff intensity during precipitation events. Green stormwater infrastructure such as rain gardens and bioswales can increase retention capacity, slow down runoff, and reduce flooding. Understanding the hydrologic impacts of onsite factors can elucidate whether or not the green infrastructure mitigates flooding. This study aimed to quantify the hydrologic effects of these rain gardens and bioswales at a community garden in Kent to understand if the gardens helped mitigate flooding issues in this area using a combination of onsite data collection and high resolution stormwater modeling. To achieve this, we compared the current condition to the previous higher impervious surface coverage condition. Probes monitoring water depth, conductivity, and temperature inside three storm system sumps were deployed on site, as well as rain gauges to cross reference with rainfall data obtained through NOAA radars. The previous condition was modeled using publicly sourced LiDAR data produced before the construction of the rain garden to create predictive simulation models of the hydrologic characteristics of the site when it was covered with a larger proportion of impervious area. This comparison elucidates the impact of this community garden on the local urban hydrology and flooding issues of the area, which can inform future management and stormwater mitigation decisions. 

Anaerobic digestion is a biological method of treating wastewater. Waste, such as food scraps, oils, and manure, is converted to acetate among other biodegradable organic matter in the absence of oxygen. Acetate is converted to biogas later in the digestion process, which may be captured as a renewable energy source. This study aims to determine how different dosages of substrate affect biomethane generation of anaerobic archaic culture. To explore this hypothesis, six serum bottles are filled with 30 milliliters of material from anaerobic. They are then injected with different acetate dosages. To determine the methane generation rates, gas from the headspace of each bottle was injected into a Gas Chromatography Flame Ionization Detector (GC-FID) instrument that detected the concentration of methane. Three measurements for each bottle were taken at one-hour intervals for five runs and are averaged in the results. The GC-FID rendered a graph between time and methane concentration from these measurements. The results of this study will help improve the understanding of anaerobic digester activity in response to different acetate concentrations, which is critical in establishing stable, large-scale digestion operations. 

Alcohol and cannabis are associated with increased rates of sexual risk behaviors, especially unprotected sex, and decreased perception of the risk involved in unprotected sex. However, little research has explored the relationship between the context of substance use (e.g., partner presence, simultaneous alcohol and cannabis use) and sexual risk behaviors. Multilevel models tested if simultaneous alcohol and cannabis use with a romantic partner present was associated with a greater likelihood of sex, sex while intoxicated, or unprotected sex compared to using only alcohol with a romantic partner present. Young adults (n=409, ages 18-25) who reported using alcohol alone at least three times and alcohol and cannabis simultaneously at least once in the last month were recruited from the Seattle area. Participants completed six two-week periods of twice-daily surveys over two years. Items measured alcohol and cannabis use, presence of others during use, whether sexual intercourse occurred, condom use, and intoxication during intercourse. Analyses were conducted on 308 participants who reported the presence of a romantic partner during use at least once. Simultaneous alcohol and cannabis use with a partner present was associated with significantly higher rates of sex while intoxicated compared to days when only alcohol was used with a partner present. No other associations were found. Although there was no increase in the likelihood of sex or unprotected sex on simultaneous use days with a partner present (versus alcohol-only days with a partner present), there was an increased likelihood of sex while intoxicated. The increased likelihood of sex while intoxicated on simultaneous use days with a partner present could lead to issues with consent and harmful emotional/psychological outcomes (e.g., guilt, regret, lowered self-esteem, worse self-image). Future work could expand the definition of sexual risk behaviors to include these outcomes of sexual encounters rather than focusing exclusively on protection.

Microbial bioproduction supports the manufacturing of sustainable chemicals but requires accurate and easy-to-use tools for monitoring cell growth. A simple and effective tool for estimating cell concentration in aqueous systems is optical density (OD). However, commercially available OD measurement systems are expensive and require manual sampling, which is time-consuming and disrupts culture growth, particularly in anaerobic microbes. To address this, I developed a low-cost OD sensor for continuously monitoring anaerobic bacteria in culture tubes. The sensor design, based on Deutzmann et al. (2022), consists of a 3D-printed sample holder with an LED and a photosensor positioned on opposite sides. The photosensor generates a voltage, which a Python script processes to calculate optical density values for each bacterial species. Plotting these OD values provides researchers with insights into bacterial growth behavior and enables optimization of culture conditions. This device's advantage over commercial spectrophotometers is that it can measure optical density directly from sealed culture tubes, eliminating the need for manual sampling into cuvettes and saving researchers valuable time. It can be configured to run autonomously, further minimizing measurement time and disruptions to bacterial growth. Additionally, the design is fully open-source and customizable while costing less than $100 to reproduce, making it accessible for a wide variety of lab setups. Overall, this low-cost, open-source OD sensor offers a practical, efficient, and customizable solution for continuous monitoring of anaerobic bacterial growth, making it a valuable tool for research laboratories.

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.

This study explores the content and effectiveness of responses in suicide ideation subreddits, comparing human responses to those generated by Large Language Models (LLMs). Mental health discussions on online platforms such as Reddit provide crucial support for individuals in distress, and as AI tools like LLMs become more common, their role in these sensitive discussions needs to be evaluated. Using data from the r/SuicideWatch and r/depression subreddits from 2020, 2023, and 2024, I analyzed 150 human responses and 150 LLM-generated responses for emotional resonance, support styles, and contextual relevance. The findings revealed that human responses were more empathy-driven, often emphasizing emotional validation and shared experiences, while LLM-generated responses were more focused on providing practical advice. A semantic analysis showed that while LLMs aligned well with the contextual content of posts, they fell short in conveying the emotional depth and personal connection inherent in human interactions. This study highlights the strengths and limitations of AI-generated responses in mental health discussions, suggesting that while LLMs can assist in offering guidance, they are not yet capable of fully replicating the emotional complexity and personal understanding found in human responses. These findings will guide future research aimed at improving AI models to better simulate empathy in sensitive contexts such as mental health.

Anaerobic digestion is a biological process that converts waste into biomethane, a renewable energy source. Acetate conversion is the last step of anaerobic digestion and is the most likely to fail in methane production. Understanding the microorganisms responsible for this process, and the conditions they thrive in, can help to increase success of that final step. Previous studies have concluded that changing the acetate feeding conditions of a digester will select for different microbial species. Starting with established lab-scale acetate-fed digesters, this study aimed to identify the present species through DNA extraction and sequencing. Samples were extracted over the course of a week from digesters that varied in feeding schedule. Statistical analysis of the DNA sequences was then completed to determine the diversity in archaeal and bacterial species, and the richness of those species. The variance between digesters was visualized using Principal Coordinate Analysis (PCoA). This data confirmed that digesters operated under different feeding conditions establish different microbial communities. Next steps will include comparing the community composition to acetate consumption kinetics. These results will help advance the understanding of conditions required to ensure stabilized biomethane energy production from anaerobic digestion.

Turner Syndrome (TS) is a chromosomal disorder caused by the lack of the second sex chromosome, also known as monosomy-X. Individuals with TS are phenotypically female and are likely to exhibit defects of variable severity such as short stature, neurocognitive problems, congenital heart defects, and infertility. Over 95% of TS conceptions do not survive to birth. This fetal lethality and other developmental anomalies are thought to be caused by the reduced dosage of X-linked genes or the complete lack of Y-linked genes, but the exact mechanisms are unclear. Our lab has generated isogenic X0/XY or X0/XX human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC) lines from patients mosaic for TS to study the impact of the lack of a second sex chromosome on the same genetic background. My project is to investigate the effect of monosomy-X on early human development by differentiating our TS derived isogenic hiPSC line pairs into RA-Gastruloids, a stem cell-based embryo model corresponding to week 4 of human development. By performing morphological and gene expression analyses we aim to gain insight into the mechanistic causes of fetal lethality in TS. To date, I have optimized the differentiation conditions to successfully differentiate three pairs of isogenic lines and four independent lines (two X0, one XX, one XY) into RA-Gastruloids. Preliminary results showed no clear evidence of morphological differences among different genotypes. To investigate the cell composition of the gastruloids, I will use quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) to measure the expression of cell type-specific markers, as well as immunohistochemistry to detect morphological differences. Due to the severity of TS developmental phenotypes, I expect X0 RA-Gastruloids to have abnormal gene expression and/or cell compositions compared to their XX or XY counterpart. This work will help understand the molecular mechanisms of abnormal development in TS.

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that disrupts memory, thinking, and behavior. It is the most common type of dementia and occurs with increasing frequency with increasing age. Transgenic AD mouse models have not predicted clinical efficacy because neurodegeneration occurs rapidly at a young age, so an aging environment is not a factor. To address this, an adeno-associated viral vector model of AD (AAV-AD) containing a green fluorescent-induction marker (GFP) was created to deliver pathogenic proteins Aβ-42 and P301L tau to neurons of old mice. The AAV capsid was engineered to have an affinity for neurons. Analysis of the model demonstrated successful expression of Aβ-42 and P301L tau in neurons in the brains of old mice when the vector constructs were administered intravenously (IV). However, it has yet to be shown whether the AAV-AD vector has off-target effects in systemic organs like the liver. Characteristic AD pathology does not naturally occur outside the brain. Therefore, this project was designed to determine if the AAV-AD vector became established in hepatic cells. Paraffin-embedded tissues were obtained from 27-month-old C57BL/6 male and female mice infected with the AAV-AD or sham vector for 3 months. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was used to examine expression of GFP, Aβ-42, P301L tau, MCP-1 inflammatory cytokine, and yH2AX DNA-damage response. Images were taken using digital microscope software, and quantified through an open-source digital image software. Age-related histopathology lesion scores from H&E-stained brain and liver were compared with IHC stains. The expectation is there will be little evidence of AAV-AD proteins but incremental increases in inflammatory and DNA-damage proteins proportional to histopathology lesion scores. These observations would help validate translational efficacy of the AAV-AD mouse model for preclinical testing of pharmaceuticals to treat or prevent AD.

Organ slice cultures present a promising alternative to cell culture to study biological processes in-vitro by maintaining the integrity of interactions between different cell types. A need for a model that can be used to investigate cell interactions becomes apparent when studying the impact of stress, due to its effect on many pathways. Resilience, which decreases with aging, is defined as the ability to respond to stress. This project aims to investigate the impact of a chemical stressor to study resilience in aging C57BL/6 mice. Organ slice cultures were prepared from thin slices of the brain and the chemotherapy drug, cyclophosphamide (Cyp), was added to represent an immune response. After 2 weeks, tissues were fixed and embedded in wax blocks to make tissue slides. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) assays were performed to evaluate the impact of Cyp on microglia, astrocytes, and chronic inflammation. These particular markers were chosen for IHC analysis for their role in the immune response. It is anticipated that Cyp will induce a stress response in the brain slice cultures and increase chronic inflammation, and activated microglia and astrocyte counts compared to the control group. The results from this study will provide information about the ability to recover from a chemical stressor while improving the protocol for culturing brain organ slices to reduce the number of animals used in research. Developing stress tests is important to be able to identify at-risk individuals that may require early intervention to reduce the likelihood of cognitive decline with aging.

Exposure to air pollution, the fourth leading risk factor for global attributable deaths, has been linked to the development of several noncommunicable diseases. The incidence of thyroid diseases in the United States continues to increase yearly, estimating that over 12% of Americans will develop it during their lifetime. While thyroid disorders are not yet recognized as a noncommunicable disease, they promote the onset of other chronic diseases. Diesel exhaust (DE), an important source of particulate matter and other toxic compounds within traffic-related air pollution, generates reactive oxygen species (ROS) which can lead to oxidative stress in the body. Oxidative stress is the imbalance of ROS and antioxidants in the body and is associated with numerous diseases. The purpose of this study is to assess the effects of DE-induced oxidative stress in plasma and the thyroid, specifically examining how effects differ based on sex and a high-fat diet (HFD). We exposed male and female mice (low-density lipoprotein receptor knockout mice) to filtered air or DE for 18 weeks, while fed HFD or Chow. In plasma, we measured the activity of the antioxidant enzyme paraoxonase-1 (PON1) and the concentration of the acute-phase serum amyloid A (SAA) protein via ELISA. In thyroid tissue, we extracted RNA and used RNA-Seq to assess DE-induced transcriptional reprogramming. We expect that DE exposure will result in higher levels of inflammation (SAA) and lower levels of antioxidants (PON1). We expect that these effects will display sex differences and will be more pronounced in HFD-fed mice fed. Our transcriptomics analysis will help identify new genes and pathways affected by DE, diet, or both. Our results will improve our understanding of the link between air pollution and thyroid disorders, guiding future research and interventions to address the growing health concern of thyroid disorders and related noncommunicable 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.

Sleep deprivation (SD) is a pervasive issue linked to significant cognitive and neurological impairments, affecting billions of people. SD accelerates markers of aging, but some individuals exhibit resilience to its effects. SD response is indicative of resilience. Identifying factors that promote SD resilience may inform interventions to enhance resilience. Studies have shown that SD alters gene expression in rodents, yet it remains uncertain which changes are specific to homeostasis. Previous rodent studies examined the effects of single day SD. Our study increases the duration to five days and separates mice into high and low responders, providing a novel insight into SD responses. This establishes a valuable evaluation of resilience for aging interventions. Female mice in the treatment group were sleep deprived through continuously stirring them during sleep periods. Control and treated mice were then subjected to the box-maze assay to evaluate relative learning rates and cognitive impairment. High performance in the box maze was designated as a high responder, and vice versa. Mice were then euthanized, and the hippocampus was isolated. The transcriptomes of control and treated mice were analyzed via mRNA sequencing. Analyzing transcriptomes of control, high, and low responder mice showed distinct changes in expression of key physiological and biochemical phenotypes. Genes known to be associated with SD were isolated and examined separately regardless of difference. Overall, high degrees of similarity were observed in control and high responders to SD, while low responders had the greatest changes in comparison to the latter groups. These experiments provide an efficient, robust platform to study the biochemical effects of SD, offering attractive insights for frameworks to quickly evaluate therapeutic strategies aimed at enhancing resilience to aging,

Eelgrass is a foundational biome that provides critical habitat for numerous species, making its conservation vital. Specifically, sunflower stars (Pycnopodia helianthoides) use eelgrass as a nursery. In 2013, the sunflower star population crashed due to an unprecedented disease event creating a need to determine where the stars were historically to inform efforts in both eelgrass and sunflower star recovery. The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) monitors eelgrass trends in the Salish Sea through the Submerged Vegetation Monitoring Project (SVMP). The SVMP video archive is roughly 6000 hours of footage spanning the Salish Sea in Washington state and dates back to 2000, providing a resource to observe the correlations between the stars and eelgrass. I created this research project centered around this connection to gain insight into the abundance of sunflower stars before and after the disease outbreak. To identify stars within the video archive, I sorted the footage into high-quality clips for sunflower star detection and discarded lower-quality ones due to the difficulty of confirming sightings. A computer vision model using hierarchical criteria was developed to assist in my annotations of video clips based on quality. In the high-quality clips, I also identified and annotated various organisms to understand if there are any further correlations with the sunflower star abundance. When sunflower stars were detected, I recorded their location and timestamp, creating a historical dataset. Once the annotations were completed, I made a comprehensive map of the detected sunflower star abundance and location over the SVMP video archive's time span. This project showcases the value of cross-year pattern analysis and camera quality normalization techniques. My annotations will eventually support the development of an automated video-cleaning system and a sunflower star detection model, enhancing the SVMP archive’s effectiveness in future conservation efforts.

Sunflower stars (Pycnopodia helianthoides) are the world’s largest sea stars and critical predators for habitat health. Sunflower stars historically dominated west coast benthic ecosystems, but in the last decade lost over 90% of its global population due to an epidemic of wasting disease. The complete extirpation of Sunflower Stars in many regions of the west – notably Northern California – has exposed kelp forests to overgrazing by urchins, leading to a loss in critical habitats for many marine organisms, increased coastline erosion due to wave action, and decreased atmospheric carbon sequestration. The beginning of restoration efforts are underway to restore populations of these endangered stars, including the first-ever sunflower star captive breeding program at Friday Harbor Labs, where our work was conducted. Despite their clear ecological importance, the surprisingly complex behaviors of sunflower stars has very little documentation in literature. In this experiment, we used an emerging technique called Motion Sequencing to measure juvenile stars’ responses to basic abiotic factors of light and temperature. We found that Sunflower Stars exhibit the most movement during periods of changing light, supporting the dominant theory. We also found they move more in higher temperatures, potentially hinting at resilience to climate change. In doing so, we hope to expand our understanding of sunflower star behaviors – such as their diurnal activity levels, and how they respond to shifts in temperature and other stressors, thus informing both ongoing and future conservation efforts.

Aging is characterized by functional decline and increased disease susceptibility, making it essential to study its mechanisms for developing treatments. However, human-based research presents ethical, logistical, and financial challenges, leading to the use of animal models such as rodents and non-human primates. House crickets (Acheta domesticus) offer a promising alternative due to their short lifespan, well-defined organ systems, and ease of rearing. Based on lifespan and age-related decline, a 4-week-old cricket corresponds to a young adult mouse (~3 months) and a human in their 20s, while a 10-week-old cricket is comparable to a geriatric mouse (~24 months) and a human in their 70s. This study examines age-related cognitive decline in crickets using the Y-maze, a widely used cognitive assessment tool in rodents. The Y-maze measures spontaneous alternation, defined as the frequency of sequential entries into three different arms, divided by total arm entries. A higher alternation rate indicates better working memory and decision-making ability, while a lower rate suggests cognitive deficits. Previous experiments showed a significant age-related decline in alternation (p = 0.019), with geriatric crickets exhibiting lower rates than young adult crickets, suggesting age-related cognitive decline. However, the single 10-minute trial design may have introduced confounds such as fatigue or habituation, potentially skewing results.To improve data reliability, a refined Y-maze protocol will implement a two-phase trial. Crickets at 4, 6, 8, and 10 weeks (10 males, 10 females per group) will undergo a 5-minute test phase followed by a 5-minute main trial. One-way ANOVA will compare alternation percentages across age groups, while two-way ANOVA will assess sex-related differences. This study provides a clearer understanding of cognitive function across age groups, strengthening the validity of house crickets as a model for aging research and laying the groundwork for further translational studies.

The chemical compositions of rocks that go into subduction zones influence how these rocks break or deform at depth; thus it is crucial to understand the degree to which subducted rocks have been altered by fluid-rock interactions prior to subduction. When oceanic crustal rocks are changed by heat and pressure through a process called metamorphism, we refer to these rocks as metabasalts. Metabasalts often experience seafloor alteration via fluid-rock interactions before being subducted, which changes the chemical composition of the rock through the exchange of isotopes and other chemical constituents. Therefore, seafloor alteration plays a vital role in metamorphism and deformation within subduction zones due to how composition affects the reactions that occur as the rock undergoes different pressure and temperature conditions. In this study, we investigate the degree of seafloor alteration in the Catalina Schist metabasalts, which are ancient and understudied rocks resulting from the subduction of oceanic crust under the North American plate around 120 million years ago. Here, we use strontium isotope ratio analysis of 87Sr/86Sr of a representative sample size of metabasalts obtained in the field and observe how these ratios are shifted towards a value indicative of seawater and away from a value indicative of unaltered basalt, as well as quantify the degree of alteration and percent seawater. Mineral assemblages, i.e., glaucophane and epidote, and bulk-rock major-element compositions of the metabasalts which show deviations from normal mid-ocean ridge basalt compositions, indicate water-rock interactions. We anticipate the strontium isotope ratio analysis to corroborate these findings. Quantifying the degree of seafloor alteration allows us to constrain the initial hydration and alteration state of the metabasalts. Determining how the inputs of subduction affect metamorphism and deformation of rocks allows us to more fully understand subduction zone behavior, having major impacts on earthquake hazard preparedness and mitigation. 

The efficiency and reliability of solar energy systems depend on panel orientation and energy storage performance, especially in seasonal climates. This research focuses on optimizing solar panel angles and addressing energy storage inefficiencies to enhance the University of Washington Tacoma's Giving Garden solar energy system. By adjusting panel tilt based on seasonal variations, the system can maximize solar energy capture throughout the year. Furthermore, diagnosing and resolving storage inefficiencies—such as battery faults, voltage fluctuations, and improper charging cycles—can improve overall system performance and longevity. This study also examines fault protection mechanisms within the system, identifying current leakage points and implementing solutions to maintain battery health. Through experimental analysis, real-time data collection, and practical system adjustments, this research aims to develop a comprehensive strategy for improving energy output, minimizing losses, and ensuring a more resilient off-grid power solution for sustainable agricultural applications.

Climate change and anthropogenic pollution have led to a rise in coral bleaching events. These bleaching events cause the loss of corals’ symbiotic algae cells, depleting coral colonies’ energy and leaving them vulnerable to starvation and death. This study aimed to understand whether the sex of gonochoric corals (in which colonies are either male or female) has any correlation to corals’ growth and development, with implications for corals’ response to bleaching events. For the gonochoric species Porites compressa, preliminary results indicate that female colonies develop their gametes earlier in the year compared to males. Energy conserved to produce these lipid-rich eggs may limit the overall growth of female colonies. However, unlike male colonies, females might be able to resorb their eggs to better recover from bleaching events. In summer 2023, twenty-four P. compressa colonies from Kāne‘ohe Bay, HI were stained with an alizarin dye, sexed as male or female based on sperm/egg histology, and returned to the reef to measure one year of skeletal growth. Following their collection in the summer of 2024, eighteen surviving colonies were scanned using an Artec Spyder to produce 3D models revealing colony surface areas and volumes. We then cut cross-sections of each colony to reveal their alizarin growth bands from 2023, allowing us to determine the amount of growth from 2023-24. We anticipate that differences in growth rates will show that female colonies are saving energy by limiting their growth, leaving them less susceptible to bleaching compared to male colonies. 

Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Fatty Liver Disease (MAFLD) is an emerging global human health concern and a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases and atherosclerosis. While the pathogenesis of MAFLD is complex and multifactorial, scientific evidence suggests environmental factors play a role in the development of the disease. Prior studies indicate exposure to particulate matter (PM) leads to MAFLD. A major constituent of ambient PM is diesel exhaust particles (DEPs). This study aims to explore the association between exposure to DEPs and the development of MAFLD using a murine model vulnerable to MAFLD development. DEPs cause oxidative stress through the generation of reactive oxygen species within the body. Male and female low-density lipoprotein receptor knockout mice were exposed to filtered air or freshly generated DE for 18 weeks while fed a high-fat or Chow diet. Plasma and liver tissue were harvested for biochemical measurements. The levels of a panel of lipid markers (triglycerides, cholesterol, free fatty acids) and glucose were measured in plasma and liver via colorimetric assay kits. Liver oxidative stress (8-isoprostane; nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2, and 3-nitrotyrosine) was quantified via ELISA and Western blot (WB), respectively. Levels of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα) were assessed via WB. We found statistically significant increases in plasma glucose and plasma and liver cholesterol in DE HFD male mice, and plasma triglycerides in DE HFD female mice. We expect to find increased liver oxidative stress and decreased liver PPARα protein, providing insight into the metabolic pathways associated with MAFLD that are disrupted by DE. Our findings will lead to a better understanding of air pollution as a risk factor for MAFLD and inform targeted interventions for affected populations.

The cerebellar ventricular zone (VZ) is the primary source of progenitor cells that give rise to all cerebellar GABAergic neurons, including Purkinje cells (PCs) and interneurons (INs). While the VZ has been well studied in mice, much less is known about its role in human brain development. In this study, we investigated how progenitors and neurons form in the human cerebellar VZ, using in situ hybridization, immunohistochemistry, and single-cell RNAseq analysis. Our findings reveal several key differences from the mouse model. We found that Purkinje cells are generated during a brief two-week period, even before the cerebral cortex begins to develop. Interneurons, on the other hand, start differentiating a few weeks later and mature on a timescale of months to years. A unique feature of human cerebellar development is the presence of specialized inner and outer subventricular zones (SVZ), which are absent in mice. Most differentiation occurs in these regions, with the first wave taking place in the outer SVZ. Additionally, we observed variations in Purkinje cell arrangement and number, including a subset of Purkinje cells that continue expressing cell cycle genes, suggesting a more complex and prolonged developmental profile compared to mice. By characterizing these developmental processes, our study provides new insights into human cerebellar development, highlighting important structural and temporal differences from animal models. These findings may have implications for understanding neurodevelopmental disorders.