In the Sprowles lab we are interested in understanding the cellular mechanisms involved in development and disease. One of the main projects in our lab is understanding the stem cell origin of glioblastoma, an aggressive and highly malignant form of brain cancer. We are investigating the role of Lethal Giant Larvae homolog 1 (Lgl1), a cell polarity protein and its role in tumor initiation and maintenance. Through the use of transgenic Lgl1 knockout mice we have isolated and propagated neural stem/progenitor cells from different region of the adult mouse brain and are investigating the functional consequences of Lgl1 deletion on signaling pathways often see to be dysregulated in cancer.

This study examines a role for the JNK/c-Jun pathway in stem cell potency, differentiation, and Oct4 expression. Oct 4 is a transcription factor known to regulate genes involved in embryonic stem cell (ESC) self-renewal, pluripotency, and differentiation. cJun is a protein that regulates genes responsible for cell proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis. Its transcriptional activity is regulated in part by its activator, JUN amino-terminal kinase (JNK). In this study we modulated JNK/cJun signaling in murine embryonic stem cells through both chemical modulation of the JNK pathway and transient transfection of vectors expressing GFP cJUN, GFP L40/42A, GFP cJun R54A or GFP alone.

This project studies photosynthetic phenotypes of six Arabidopsis Thaliana mutants under fluctuating light intensity and flat light intensity chambers. Photosynthetic and biomass results from this study have possible implications for these mutants' mechanisms of light energy quenching and heat release. Further investigations into these implications could identify genes that are responsible for high photosynthetic productivity in A. Thaliana, leading to their implementation in important plants for biofuel and crop production.

Alderia modesta is a sacoglossan sea-slug that is capable of of kleptoplasty, a process where the sea-slug steals the chloroplast from the algae that it eats , phagocytizes it, and uses it to photosynthesize. In this experiment, different groups of A. modesta were fed three different species of coenocytic algae, all of which are known to be eaten by sacoglossans. The cerata (anatomical structures) were then plucked off and the chloroplasts were counted under a fluorescence microscope to compare which alga the sea-slug ingested the most. The experiment has yet to conclude, however, the alga with the highest ratio of chloroplasts is considered to have co-evolved with the sea-slug.

Lagoa Feia Lake Basin is located in Rio de Janeiro-Brazil, which historically experienced sedimentation impacts due to channel ditching to manage water resources for agricultural practices. This study models the significance of sedimentation in the lake basin intergraded with land-use, soil types, and DEM data using Remote Sensing and GIS techniques. The erosion model was built using the above input variables by applying weighted overlay methods, and the vulnerable areas were mapped. Landsat 8 images were utilized for remote sensing analysis, such as image enhancement indices to detect sedimentation changes over time. The results of the study are useful to implement best management practices

The nitrogen inventory of Humboldt Bay has not been quantified in the last 50 years. Our goal was to compare and contrast the nitrogen content of the surface, sediments, biomass, and water column between Arcata and South Bay. Not only was nitrate, nitrite, and ammonium in the water column and pore water tested, but many other factors including: CTD, biomass, grain size, chlorophyll-a, loss of ignition, CHN, and metals. We used past peer reviewed papers to determine differences between the two study areas, and coupled NOAA cencoos and Wiyot data, with our own testing to get the best picture we could of Humboldt Bay. Testing spanned for three months in 2015: March, April, and May.

We studied changes in physical activity among Hispanic and Non-Hispanic Whites (NHW) to examine the difference in colorectal cancer (CRC) related risk factors between these 2 groups across time. The UNM ColorectalDisease Prevention Study (M. Gonzales PI) surveyed the intensity of work and leisure physical activity at age 18, 30, 50 and/or year before diagnosis among 176 Hispanic and NHW CRC patients including additional risk factors which are known to differ between Hispanics and NHWs in New Mexico (Gonzales 2012). Due to racial ethnic differences in CRC related risk factors, the need to raise awareness about CRC prevention is essential for the Hispanic communities in New Mexico.

We studied conifer and hardwood regeneration response to experimental harvest treatments conducted ~100 years after the first harvest (clearcut). We examined relationships between understory light, varying overstory tree retention, and growth of coast redwood and tanoak stump sprouts arising after complete and partial harvest. First, we quantified understory light throughout this 30 ha experiment comparing four different retention treatments repeated at four sites. Then we related understory light to post-treatment stand density, treatment type, and regeneration. Redwood sprouts outperformed tanoak by different margins, and grew most rapidly in high light.

We are interested in describing the distribution and demography of otters on the coasts, wetlands, and watersheds in Humboldt, Del Norte, and surrounding counties. The river otter (Lontra canadensis) is a key bio-indicator of the health of our environment as they sit at the top of this water-based food chain. Unlike most otter habitats around the world, it is thought that the Pacific north coast still supports a thriving otter population. The initial goals of the study are to: establish a network of otter observers; assess spatial and temporal variation in otter distribution; conduct observational studies on otter foraging; assess diet, home range, and site faithfulness.

Microbially Induced Calcite Precipitation (MICP) is an environmentally-conscious bio-cementation ground improvement technology. In the process, microorganisms containing active urease enzymes are utilized to induce the precipitation of calcite on soil particle surfaces and contacts. MICP can be utilized for; strengthening soils to support structures, mitigation of earthquake-induced liquefaction, prevention of soil erosion, improvement of slope stability, and immobilization of divalent cation contaminants.