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Presenters & Abstracts: College of Natural Resources & Sciences
Examining Capabilities of Various Single Bacterial Strains on Peptide Degradation in Seawater
- Kerollos HalimOceanographyUndergraduate Student
The research aimed to compare the capabilities of two single strains of bacteria in their ability to hydrolyze a common peptide found in the seawater. The research is important in adding to knowledge of the carbon cycle, and how organic matter is processed on incredibly small scales. The data collected over the course of ten weeks turned out significant and more data is going to be added in the future to compile a database for the different bacteria strains which may one day help in environmental restoration projects.
Examining Litter Flammability from Eastern Hardwood Forests
- LouiseRangeland Resource ScienceUndergraduate Student
- Jeff KaneWildland ResourcesFaculty
Fire exclusion has led to mesophication in many eastern hardwood forests, or dominance of fire-sensitive mesophytes. Subsequently this has led to a reduction in pyrophytic litter, reducing the effectiveness of prescribed burns in sustaining ecosystems that need regular fire. Eight species of deciduous trees were examined for their max flame height, leaf pile heights, burn time, smolder time, and residual burned matter. This study will support the classification of tested species as either mesophytes, characterized by low flammability litter, or pyrophytes, characterized by high flammability litter. Greater understanding of these traits will lead to improved ecosystem and fire management.
Examining the potential interference of Scandium on Iron Uptake Mechanisms in Phytoplankton, through the lens of Nutrient Consumption
Isabel Perez-Zoghbi, Chemistry Undergraduate Student
- ClaireTillChemistryFaculty
Iron is an essential micronutrient for phytoplankton growth, however oceanic concentrations of iron are very low and little is understood about it's chemical cycling. In this study, we examine how scandium (which is similar to iron in size but has simpler redox chemistry) effects the uptake of macronutrients in hopes to further understand the uptake and usage of iron by marine microorganisms, and eventually better understand iron cycling in the ocean.
Examining the potential interference of Scandium on Iron Uptake Mechanisms in Phytoplankton, through the lens of Nutrient Consumption
Isabel Perez-Zoghbi, Chemistry Undergraduate Student
- ClaireTillChemistryFaculty
Iron is an essential micronutrient for phytoplankton growth, however oceanic concentrations of iron are very low and little is understood about it's chemical cycling. In this study, we examine how scandium (which is similar to iron in size but has simpler redox chemistry) effects the uptake of macronutrients in hopes to further understand the uptake and usage of iron by marine microorganisms, and eventually better understand iron cycling in the ocean.
Examining the potential interference of Scandium on Iron Uptake Mechanisms in Phytoplankton, through the lens of Nutrient Consumption
Isabel Perez-Zoghbi, Chemistry Undergraduate Student
- ClaireTillChemistryFaculty
Iron is an essential micronutrient for phytoplankton growth, however oceanic concentrations of iron are very low and little is understood about it's chemical cycling. In this study, we examine how scandium (which is similar to iron in size but has simpler redox chemistry) effects the uptake of macronutrients in hopes to further understand the uptake and usage of iron by marine microorganisms, and eventually better understand iron cycling in the ocean.
Examining the relationship between zooplankton abundance and piscivorous bird richness at the Arcata Mars
Aminah Aryan, Wildlife Undergraduate Student
College of Natural Resources & SciencesThis study examined the relationship between zooplankton abundance and piscivorous bird richness at the Arcata Marsh
Examining the role of the ADCY5 point mutation p.R418W on cellular cAMP levels and how cAMP affects neuronal differentiation of murine stem cells
- Elizabeth ZepedaBiological SciencesGraduate Student
ADCY5-related Dyskinesia is a rare movement disorder, with early onset in childhood and adolescence. Previous studies have linked this disease to various point mutations in the ADCY5 gene. One study has demonstrated two of these mutations cause an increase in cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP). However, the molecular basis of this disease phenotype has yet to be fully understood. Our study seeks to characterize the effects of one specific point mutation, p.R418W, on cellular cAMP levels using HEK293T cells, and to determine if increased cAMP levels affect neuronal differentiation using mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs).
Exoplanets: Using Photometry and Spectroscopy to Explore Alien Worlds
- Charlotte OlsenPhysics and AstronomyUndergraduate Student
- Paola Rodriguez HidalgoPhysics and AstronomyFaculty
- Christopher McIlraithPhysics and AstronomyUndergraduate Student
- Garrett BensonPhysics and AstronomyUndergraduate Student
- Kelsey CrossPhysics and AstronomyUndergraduate Student
- Troy MaloneyPhysics and AstronomyUndergraduate Student
Over the last 20 years, thousands of planets outside our solar system have been discovered orbiting other stars. The discovery of these extra-solar planets, or exoplanets as they are commonly known, has been made possible by the gathering of photometric and spectroscopic data of stars. We use public data from the Kepler and Hubble space telescopes to analyze photometric and spectroscopic data respectively on select objects of interest. Through analysis of this data, we are able to determine many properties of these exoplanets such as radius, density, temperature and atmospheric makeup. Our long term goal is to find ways to improve current atmospheric analysis methods.
Exploring the role of JNK/cJun Signaling in Apoptosis in Lgl -/- Tumor Promoting Neuronal Progenitor Cells
- Jacqueline TrzeciakBiological SciencesUndergraduate Student
- Abigail PetersenBiological SciencesUndergraduate Student
High grade gliomas are aggressive brain cancers that arise from tumor promoting neuronal progenitor cells. The WD40 protein Lethal Giant Larvae (LGL) may suppress brain tumor formation. Mice without LGL develop brain tumors and have a high level of apoptosis, or programmed cell death, which is a key feature of many cancers. cJun is an oncogene involved in cell division, organismal development and regulation of apoptosis through its role as a transcription factor. Apoptosis is mediated downstream by intracellular proteolytic enzymes called caspases. We aim to measure caspase activity in cells with and without LGL protein through observation of its effects on cJun expression.
Exploring the Ultrastructure of Rust Fungus Calyptospora columnaris
Michaela Regi, Biological Sciences Undergraduate Student
College of Natural Resources & SciencesRust fungi are obligate plant parasites that exhibit multiple life stages with drastically different physical features depending on the host it infects. While studies in the classification of rust fungi are actively debated, the ultrastructure of this particular rust fungus has been vastly understudied. Using SEM and TEM, images were taken of Calyptospora columnaris to elucidate the fine features of these different stages in an attempt to give this fungus a more comprehensive visual representation.