Life Sciences Commons^™

Life Cycle Progression Of Chlainomonas Sp.: A Field Study, Honu Pata, Robin Kodner, Ag Camara, Clare Hanneman, Maya Matsumoto, Dan Van Hees

WWU Honors College Senior Projects

Every year, there are blooms of algae in snowy alpine environments during the summer snow melts. One environment in particular, the snow-on-lake habitat on Bagley Lake in Mt Baker, has been the subject of study by the Kodner lab for many years. In this habitat, we find the genus Chlainomonas which has bloomed in late spring and early summer annually. Our lab has proposed a life cycle for the genus (Matsumoto et al 2024), and there are many morphologically distinct cell stages found in field collected samples. This study has expanded our understanding the life cycle dynamics by examining the …

An Overview Of Background And Experimental Methods Used To Investigate A ~23-24 Nucleotide Small Rna Pathway And Its Links To Genome Stability, Abigail Ruddick

WWU Honors College Senior Projects

The world of RNA is vast and multifaceted. Messenger RNA is the most well understood of these molecules, however it is far from the only one. New classes of RNAs are of much interest to researchers due to both the functions that they play in organisms and the possibility of using them as research tools. Under the umbrella of RNA fall RNAs that are involved in RNA interference (RNAi) pathways. These RNAs are numerous, and some have already been shown to be deeply important to proper organismal function. A previously established ~23-24 nucleotide small RNA pathway in Tetrahymena thermophila has …

The Foreign Earth: An Exercise In Speculative Biology, Aidyn Ruf

WWU Honors College Senior Projects

Speculative Biology is the practice of examining hypothetical scenarios about the potential evolution of life. This project explores one such perspective timeline, utilizing scientific illustration, scientific information, and creative writing to estimate what the organisms of Earth might look like 250 million years into the future. Basic parameters were established, examining our current knowledge about geology and the environment to determine how the Earth itself might look. This included examining factors such as tectonic movement, adjusted ocean currents, and planetary heat cycles. Then, I studied mass extinctions and the animals which survived them, creating a baseline of ancestors the future …

On Research Ethics: A Proposal For An Undergraduate Ethics Course Using A Graduate Research Ethics Course As A Baseline, Jordan Sawyer

WWU Honors College Senior Projects

In the biology department at Western Washington University, there has been a lack of research ethics courses that students can take, with one of the first being taught in Spring Quarter of 2023. This paper goes through the co-development process of making a graduate-student level ethics course, using Responsible Conduct of Research as a guideline, as well as the schedule for the course. In addition, the paper offers a proposal on how the course could be altered to fit an undergraduate student audience, with the goal of accessibility in mind.

“Emotions And The Ocean”: Integrating Social-Emotional Learning Into A Fifth-Grade Science Curriculum, Madison Rossen

WWU Honors College Senior Projects

This paper provides a lesson plan for integrating Social Emotional Learning into a fifth-grade science lesson as well as an overview of the benefits of Social Emotional Learning. Social Emotional Learning, known as SEL, has recently been implemented in classrooms across the United States and research has shown that SEL improves behavior and academic performance. Integrating SEL into science curriculums is a new idea without much research done on it but from personal experience in science class and science labs, many of the SEL standards line up with skills necessary to work in the scientific fields. Embedded in the paper …

Examining Harbor Seal Predation Impacts On Bellingham Technical College's Salmon Smolt Release, Madison Gard, Alejandro Acevedo-Gutierrez

WWU Honors College Senior Projects

Each year, federal, state, and tribal agencies dedicate time, money and resources to the rearing of hatchery-raised Pacific salmon (Oncorhynchus spp.) populations in the Salish Sea. Yet, many of these populations continue to decline, with several causes being proposed for preventing their recovery. Among the hypothesized causes, the presence of predators, particularly harbor seals (Phoca vitulina), and the timing of release of hatchery salmon, which may attract various types of predators, appear to be important for the survival of Chinook salmon (O. tshawytscha). At Whatcom Creek, in downtown Bellingham, WA, the Bellingham Technical College manages a salmon hatchery from which …

Dine And Dash: Changing Harbor Seal Numbers And Habitat Use At The Developing Bellingham Waterfront, Holland Conwell

WWU Honors College Senior Projects

The lack of recovery of some Pacific salmon stocks (Oncorhynchus spp.) in the Pacific Northwest has been blamed in part on predation by pinnipeds, particularly the harbor seal (Phoca vitulina). A proposed non-lethal method aimed at managing seal predation on salmon is the removal of artificial haul-out sites. However, the effectiveness of this non-lethal management method has not been examined. To address this knowledge gap, I analyzed harbor seal numbers and habitat use at the developing downtown Waterfront in Bellingham, WA, USA. I examined harbor seal numbers from 2007-2023 throughout multiple log boom removal events at two known harbor seal …

Measuring Mtdna In Drosophila, Lola Demurger

WWU Honors College Senior Projects

Mitochondria have long been studied in relation to aging as they are critical to cell operation, and their dysfunction is linked to several age-related factors, such as shortened lifespan and increased innate immunity. In this study, we use a mitochondrially targeted nuclease called UL12.5 to artificially induce mitochondrial dysfunction by degrading the mitochondrial genome in Drosophila. Degraded mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) has many downstream effects, including mtDNA depletion, mtDNA leakage into the cytoplasm, chronically upregulated innate immune response, and shortened lifespan. We began the process of developing an assay that measured mtDNA depletion as a result of UL12.5-mediated mtDNA degradation in …

White Lies Matter: The Evolution, Persistence, And Impact Of Scientific Racism, Kim Keay

WWU Honors College Senior Projects

A dissection of the origins, history, persistence, and impacts of various threads of scientific racism. This paper traces scientific racism from its roots in evolutionary biology through Social Darwinism and eugenics. By exploring the historical connection between scientific racism and white supremacy, this research aims to reveal some of the ways in which contemporary science, racism, and society at large have been shaped by the past. Tracing these threads will follow scientific racism from its origins to the beginnings of Social Darwinism and eugenics, through American cultivation of eugenics and its connections to Nazi Germany, to ongoing eugenicist policies and …

The Effect Of Polyunsaturated Aldehydes On Zebrafish Larvae Heart Rate And Mortality, Soraya Jessa

WWU Honors College Senior Projects

This research provides insight on the effects that polyunsaturated aldehydes (PUAs) have on model species zebrafish heart rate and mortality. Zebrafish were used as an analog for forage fish, which are of both ecological and economic importance. Forage fish often interact with diatoms, some species of which have been known to emit allelopathic chemicals, PUAs. These chemicals can have a deleterious effect on invertebrates that cohabitate with or consume diatoms, but their effects on vertebrates was unknown. In the lab, zebrafish eggs were exposed to three different concentrations of PUAs plus two controls and observed to determine any effects on …

All Creatures Great And Small: The Impact Of The Covid-19 Pandemic On Veterinary Medicine, Amelia Schlemmer

WWU Honors College Senior Projects

The Covid-19 pandemic has presented many changes and challenges to veterinary medicine during the past two years. These challenges have created barriers to veterinary care that both veterinary professionals and pet owners have had to overcome. The goal of this project is to elucidate the impacts of the pandemic on veterinary medicine through the review of journal and research papers and interviews with veterinary professionals who have worked during the pandemic. The main challenges faced by veterinary professionals throughout the pandemic have been practice shutdowns, short staffing, increased caseloads, decreased work efficiency, and increased burnout as veterinarians work under increased …

Breeding Sweet Corn For Vitamin A, Sam Herr, Dan Pollard

WWU Honors College Senior Projects

Improvement of prediction accuracy in genomic selection models is important to increase the genetic gains in plant breeding. Here we will apply multi-kernel genomic selection models to the prediction of carotenoid levels in sweet corn and compare this type of model to others. As multi-kernel genomic selection techniques require some computational expertise, we have created a tutorial that will walk users through the theory and the code to perform genomic selection.

The Secret Life Of Diatoms: An Exploration Of The Fascinating World Of Diatoms Through The Art Of Printmaking, Zofia Danielson

WWU Honors College Senior Projects

Diatoms are a type of microscopic primary producer that fall within the group of phytoplankton. They are named for their two halves: two cell walls made of glass (silica). These glass walls have a variety of forms depending upon the species that allow diatoms to adapt to their marine environments. Diatoms also contribute to productive coastal ecosystems, global oxygen production, and nutrient cycles. This project explored the significance of diatoms to marine ecosystems and their beauty in form through relief linocut printmaking in a workshop setting. The final result of this project is a relief printmaking workshop curriculum about diatoms …

The Evil Genius Of The Brassica Genus: An Investigation Of The Chemical Cross-Talk Between Aspergillus Nidulans And Non-Host Seeds, Emma Smith

WWU Honors College Senior Projects

Aspergillus is a widespread saprophytic fungus that contaminates important grain and seed crops postharvest. Many different plants within the Brassicaceae family, and within the Brassica genus more specifically, are known to produce a variety of antimicrobial volatile defense chemicals. Three Brassica plants- Arabidopsis thaliana, Novantina (cultivar of Brassica rapa), and Tatsoi (cultivar of Brassica rapa)- were incubated with Aspergillus nidulans spores in an experimental test chamber. The test chambers were created by fitting together two GMM agar plates and sealing them with microporous surgical tape, so headspace gases were shared between the plates but gaseous exchange with the ambient environment …

Cupid’S Arrow: A Tale Of A Complex And Dynamic Protein, Nadine Tietz

WWU Honors College Senior Projects

My capstone project sought to investigate the degree to which ARO4 gene expression is influenced by local vs distant genetic variants. This involved engineering allele-swap strains of ARO4 tagged with a co-expressing fluorescent protein. I then compared protein expression between each strain's genotype which provided an estimate of the proportion of the overall phenotypic variation that can be explained by genetic variation between the underlying genomes.

From my experiment I was able to conclude that ARO4 protein expression was complex and dynamic as both strain background and allele had genetic influences on ARO4 protein expression. In addition, not only did …

Snow Algae Of Mt. Watson, Fiona Mcbride

WWU Honors College Senior Projects

The taxonomy and life history of all the organisms that belong to the category of “snow algae” is complicated and contentious. Though scientists publish studies every year investigating these questions, many gaps remain in our collective knowledge. We conducted a study over two years to investigate a newly described genus, Sanguina, in a subglacial habitat system on Mt. Watson. Using size and morphologic data we found yearly occurrences of cysts of both species and can conjecture about their life cycle changes according to microhabitat. Additional work will be done in sequencing and reviewing data before submission for publication.

Submission is …

Large Extrusion Bodies In Piwi Family Protein Knockout Strains In Tetrahymena Thermophila, Jason Sasser

WWU Honors College Senior Projects

The ciliate Tetrahymena thermophila encodes twelve distinct proteins of the PIWI family of small RNA binding proteins. Three of these Tetrahymena PIWI proteins (Twis) have previously been shown to be expressed in vegetative growth and bind predominantly to ~23-24 nucleotide (nt) small RNAs (sRNAs) (Couvillion et al., 2009). One of ~23-24 nt sRNA binding proteins, Twi2, is encoded by DNA sequence that has high sequence similarity to four other predicted Twi genes (Twis 3-6) which are normally not highly expressed. Using fluorescent microscopy imaging techniques, we examined mutant strains TWI8, TWI2-6Δ, TWI7Δ, TWI2-6/8Δ, and TWI7/8Δ for accumulation of large extrusion …

The Marine World: Its Misrepresentation In Popular Depictions, Ryan T. Brubaker

WWU Honors College Senior Projects

The underwater world is one of the least understood realms on our planet. It exists in our minds as a sort of alternative reality that has been shaped by underwater imaginaries such as Jacques Cousteau, Netflix, and Disney. These pop culture depictions of the ocean play off ideas such as a “stranger in this ecosystem” narrative and deceptions of the senses to present a more captivating version of the underwater world. Ones that’s purpose is not to inform, rather to entertain. Drawing on my own experience as a diver and marine biologist, I will explore these deceptions to provide a …

Catcher And The Fry: Ecology, Power, And My Life With Salmon, Olivia Mueller

WWU Honors College Senior Projects

Pacific salmon serve a unique role in their ecosystem as network connectors. From transferring nutrients from the aquatic environment to terrestrial habitats, to subverting trophic hierarchies by nourishing the roots of trees and the bellies of orcas, salmon manage to fulfill an interesting role in connecting networks of biological communities. This connecting nature of pacific salmon is mirrored in the role they play as human community connectors, as is reflected in their part in food and land justice issues in the Pacific Northwest. I will explore the role of salmon in preserving Indigenous people against the imposed hegemony of settler …

The Possible Presence Of Mycorrhizae In The Chuckanut Marsh Wetland And The Lamentable Absence Of Personality In Scientific Communication, Evangeline Schmitt

WWU Honors College Senior Projects

A surge in research about mycorrhizae over the past few decades has revealed mycorrhizal associations to be critical to plant ecosystems. They are present in over 90% of plant species and allow them to share nutrients and information through fungal mycelia. The question of how pervasive mycorrhizae are in different habitats receives ever-changing answers as research continues. In this literature review, I explore what mycorrhizal species are likely to be present in a local ecosystem with diverse plant communities: the Chuckanut marsh estuary. I explain how I cross-referenced a plant species list from a Chuckanut marsh characterization study with plant …

Spike Protein Antibody Interactions Elicited By The Sars-Cov-2 Vaccine, Meghan Quinlan

WWU Honors College Senior Projects

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) arose as a novel virus in Wuhan China in December 2019. Then, as it rapidly spread across the world, it was declared a global health emergency by the World Health Organization in March 2020. SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), has dramatically disrupted both normal life and the economy. In the past year and a half, there have been over 175 million cases globally1 (as of June 15, 2021). High death rates, disruption to education, and widespread job loss has necessitated the desperate need for a vaccine against SARS-CoV-2. A …

Tracking Our Progress Through The Covid-19 Pandemic, Alexandra Bogacz

WWU Honors College Senior Projects

This project goes into the progression of the pandemic, from start to today. It covers topics such as coronavirus biology, replication, country approaches to shutdowns, basic immunology, vaccinations, and future predictions.

The Graph Menagerie: An Exploration Of The Intersection Of Math, Biology, And Art, Maggie Barry

WWU Honors College Senior Projects

This project explores interdisciplinarity with a focus on how math and biology can interact with art. My main objective was to create art by graphing the silhouettes of animals. I selected ten animals from a variety of classes and habitats and used a collection of equation types such as linear, quadratic, trigonometric, and circular to draw an outline of each animal. I performed stretches, compressions, and shifts to control the size and position of each equation and set domains and ranges to determine how much of each line was visible on the graph. In the first section of this paper, …

Wonder Women, Zoe O. Johnson

WWU Honors College Senior Projects

This project seeks to explore the female microbiome through a series of artistic renderings of vaginal swab slides from female volunteers. The goal is to encourage a connection between people and their bodies through an understanding of their microflora and cultivate respect and curiosity about women's health.

Examining Perception Of Sti And Pregnancy Risk And Prevention Among A Sample Of College Students During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Emily Van Deinse

WWU Honors College Senior Projects

Introduction: College students tend to engage in higher risk sexual behaviors. However, contraception use varies by prevention focus (STI vs pregnancy prevention) and a person’s perception of themselves as a contraceptive user. Research questions pertained to three main topics: sexual behaviors, STI perception and prevention, and pregnancy perception and prevention. This study examined if college students’ gender identity, sexual orientation, and relationship status affected their perception of STI and/or pregnancy prevention efforts.

Methods: We recruited a convenience sample of college students (N=924) at a mid-sized Pacific Northwest university to take an online survey during the months of October to January …

Covid-19: Isolation And Vaccinations, Jesika Smith

WWU Honors College Senior Projects

A paper exploring the molecular characteristics of the virus SARS-CoV-2, how it relates to other viruses that have caused epidemics/pandemics, and a survey questioning people's experiences in isolation.

An Overview Of Hypotheses And Supporting Evidence Regarding Drivers Of Insect Gigantism In The Permo-Carboniferous, Ryssa Parks

WWU Honors College Senior Projects

Insects provide powerful examples of the responses of organisms to environmental change. For example, insect body size gives us insight into the consequences of climate change due to shifts in atmospheric composition, both in the present and in the past. Indeed, one common hypothesis behind the enormous sizes of insects during the late Carboniferous to early Permian (323.2 to 265.0 million years ago) is that such sizes were enabled by elevated oxygen levels (hyperoxia) during the Permo-Carboniferous, when atmospheric oxygen was as high as 60% greater than its present-day concentration. To examine whether the giant body sizes of insects were …

The Next Generation Science Standards: Saving K-12 Science Education, Kaitlin Caylor

WWU Honors College Senior Projects

The United States has been struggling to provide effective K-12 science education. In response, states began adopting the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) in 2013 with the hopes of improving science education in the United States. As the NGSS become more common throughout schools in the U.S. it is important to begin collecting data on how they are affecting science education. This study was designed to collect preliminary data on the effectiveness of the NGSS in preparing students for college-level biology. University students with varying levels of exposure to the NGSS were given a biology benchmark assessment that is aligned …

Protein Quality Control At The Endoplasmic Reticulum And Nucleus In Caenorhabditis Elegans, Daniel Hassell

WWU Honors College Senior Projects

Cells need proteins to carry out molecular functions, but proteins can become damaged or misfolded, which inhibits their function and can cause aggregation. Misfolded protein aggregation is associated with degenerative diseases in mammals. In Eukaryotic cells, chronically misfolded proteins can be destroyed by the Ubiquitin Proteasome System (UPS) as a way to prevent aggregation and disease. For my thesis work, I have investigated two pathways that participate in the UPS.

First, I investigate Endoplasmic Reticulum Associated Degradation (ERAD), a UPS pathway is active in the Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) of eukaryotic cells. ERAD is well characterized in Saccharomyces cerevisiae (yeast), but …

The Microbiome And Medicine: The Relationship Between Early-Life Colonization And Health Outcomes Such As Asthma And Allergies, Madeline May

WWU Honors College Senior Projects

Bacteria inhabit all surfaces of our bodies, and this symbiotic relationship is critical for our survival. The human gut, is colonized by bacteria who aide in digestion and other functions within our immune system. A healthy gut environment is characterized by a rich and diverse microbial ecosystem. The microbiome is fundamental in the proper functioning of our immune system and can influence many health outcomes. The gut microbiome has an essential role in infant health and development. In recent years, this long established relationship between beneficial bacteria and humans has been disrupted by environmental factors, antibiotics, maternal diet, delivery mode, …