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

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

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.

Our brains have evolved to navigate survival and respond to danger, but trauma dysregulates these systems, causing the brain to misinterpret everyday experiences as threats. This dysregulation results in hypervigilance, which can manifest as panic attacks, dissociation, and other debilitating symptoms. Current treatment options for trauma often focus on symptom management, overlooking the physiological impacts of trauma. These treatments can be expensive, inaccessible, and may have side effects. This literature review examines holistic, non-pharmaceutical, neuroplasticity-based (NPNB) approaches, such as breathwork, nutrition, exercise, and sleep, to challenge traditional methods and advocate for integrating holistic interventions into mainstream trauma care, emphasizing accessibility and autonomy for trauma survivors. As we explore the increasing need for mental health care, we look at the interplay between psychological trauma and physical health by exploring the mind-body connection and trauma-induced inflammation. Additionally, this exploration aims to understand how these treatments can reshape neural pathways, improve emotional regulation, and enhance psychological and physiological well-being. It also examines potential paradigm shifts in trauma care and advocates for increased accessibility to alternative treatments, particularly for individuals who cannot access conventional therapies. We expect to find that NPNB treatments are underutilized in the treatment of trauma and, if expanded upon, would have the potential to improve accessibility, reduce or eliminate side effects, and help survivors regain a sense of autonomy.

Biodiesel fuel is a renewable and biodegradable fuel that is produced from a variety of sources, such as animal fats or vegetable oils. With its potential to replace petroleum diesel in engines, biodiesel can act as a cleaner and more environmentally friendly fuel. To create biodiesel fuel, a substance, like oil or fat, must react with a catalyst, which allows for a transesterification reaction, converting these substances into biodiesel fuel. Washington alone is home to over 4,000 coffee shops, and as a result, there is significant waste from discarding coffee grounds daily. Spent coffee grounds, the substance being used in this experiment, is a potential upcoming form of effective biodiesel fuel. In order to turn spent coffee grounds into biofuel, the oil within it must be extracted first. Oil is extracted using a method involving a solvent, Hexane, and following that, the oil is presented to two separate catalysts for comparison: KOH (potassium hydroxide) and NaOH (sodium hydroxide). Comparisons can then be made of what catalyst yielded the best fuel burn efficient level, depending on what catalyst the oil was presented to. This ultimately brings up the question of what catalyst is more efficient, in addition to how efficient spent coffee ground oil is as biofuel. Our goal is to answer these questions and contribute to the advancing research of using spent coffee grounds to produce biodiesel fuel. 

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

Caffeine is one of the most widely consumed stimulants globally, yet its effects on explicit memory remain an area of active research. This literature review examines how caffeine influences explicit memory, particularly in short-term recall and recognition memory in young adults ages 18-22. By synthesizing findings from recent peer-reviewed studies, we explore the neurochemical mechanisms, focusing on caffeine’s role in modulating adenosine receptors, enhancing neuronal activity, and affecting hippocampal-dependent memory functions. Some studies indicate that caffeine improves attention and alertness, which can indirectly support memory formation. However, other studies suggest that excessive intake or habitual use may lead to adverse effects, particularly if it disrupts sleep patterns or increases anxiety—both of which are known to impair memory. These conflicting findings highlight the complexity of caffeine’s effects and the challenge of drawing definitive conclusions. Beyond individual consumption patterns, methodological differences across studies like varying dosage intake and testing periods also contribute to conflicting findings. Variations in participant characteristics, experimental designs, and memory assessment methods make direct comparisons across studies challenging. Some studies focus on immediate recall, while others examine delayed retrieval or recognition memory, further adding to the variability in reported outcomes. By critically evaluating existing research, we aim to clarify the relationship between caffeine and explicit memory while identifying research gaps that future studies should address. Given the widespread use of caffeine among young adults, particularly for academic performance, a deeper understanding of its cognitive effects is essential. Investigating how caffeine influences memory under different conditions—such as varying levels of stress or sleep deprivation—could provide valuable insights. Future research should also refine methodologies to isolate caffeine’s specific effects on explicit memory in young adults.