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 …

Vignette 12: The Blob, Nicholas Bond

Institute Publications

A marine heat wave of unprecedented severity, areal extent and duration occurred in the Northeast Pacific Ocean during 2014-2016. This event, known as the “Blob,” had a wide variety of far- ranging effects on physical, chemical, and biological ocean properties. Because the Blob was such a massive perturbation, it represents an attractively large signal for inquiry in the Salish Sea. It represents a dress rehearsal for typical conditions in future decades due to global climate change.

Vignette 16: Vulnerability And Climate Change Adaptation, Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission, Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe

Institute Publications

The 2013 Jamestown Climate Vulnerability Assessment and Adaptation Plan provides an assessment of vulnerabilities of tribal resources to the negative impacts of climate change. The plan also identifies adaptation measures that the tribe is working to complete. Sea level rise, ocean acidification and climate models show potential for increased risks to critical habitats, tribal infrastructure and tribal health. As one of the first tribes in western Washington to complete a climate adaptation plan and vulnerability assessment, the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe has identified and prioritized areas where changing climate conditions will leave tribal resources, infrastructure, economy and health most vulnerable, Climate …

Vignette 23: Indigenous Management Systems Can Promote More Sustainable Salmon Fisheries In The Salish Sea, William I. Atlas, Natalie C. Ban, Jonathan W. Moore, Adrian M. Tuohy, Spencer Greening, Andrea J. Reid, Nicole Morven, Elroy White, William G. Housty, Jess A. Housty, Christina N. Service, Larry Greba, Sam Harrison, Katherine Ir Butts, Elissa Sweeney-Bergen, Donna Macintyre, Matthew R. Sloat, Katrina Connors

Institute Publications

Indigenous peoples of the Northern Pacific Rim have harvested salmon for more than 10,000 years, and Pacific salmon (Oncorhynchus spp.) form the foundation of social-ecological systems encompassing communities from California to Kamchatka and Northern Japan. Through continuous placed-based interdependence with salmon, Indigenous societies formed deliberate and well-honed systems of salmon management. These systems promoted the sustained productivity of salmon fisheries. In Canada and the United States, Indigenous sovereignty and resource stewardship were forcibly disrupted by colonial government authority. Despite the destructive impacts of colonization, Indigenous culture and knowledge are resurgent in Canada and the United States. Indigenous fishing technologies and …

Vignette 01: The Salish Sea Estuary System, Bert Webber

Institute Publications

The Salish Sea is an estuarine ecosystem. Freshwater from land drainages mixes with the waters of the Pacific Ocean and results in water with a measurable, although sometimes small amount of freshwater. The Salish Sea is among the preeminent estuaries of North America. Estuarine circulation and flow are central to the high biological productivity in the Salish Sea.

Vignette 02: Lower Trophic Levels In The Salish Sea, Ian Perry

Institute Publications

Plankton form the base of the pelagic marine food web in the Salish Sea, and are eaten by fishes, marine mammals, and seabirds. Plankton include microscopic plants (phytoplankton) and very small animals (zooplankton). This vignette presents an overview of monitoring observations of phytoplankton and zooplankton distribution and biomass in the Strait of Georgia. Climate change may lead to unusual and unexpected patterns of phytoplankton and zooplankton in the future.

Vignette 03: Birds Of The Salish Sea, Rob Butler

Institute Publications

The significance of the Salish Sea comes into focus when we look at the diversity and abundance of its birds and mammals, some of which are globally, continentally, and nationally important. Of particular importance is the diversity and abundance of species on the Fraser River Delta. There are more species of birds on the delta than any comparable area in Canada, and nearly half of all 550 species of birds reported for British Columbia have been seen on the delta. Despite all that has been learned about marine birds and mammals, large areas of the Salish Sea in Canada have …

Vignette 06: Living Shorelines In Puget Sound, Jason Toft

Institute Publications

Nearly one third of Puget Sound’s shorelines are armored (e.g., seawall, bulkhead, riprap). Armoring has documented negative impacts on the flora and fauna that benefit from healthy intertidal beaches. Although shoreline armor may be necessary in some cases to protect people and property, there are often promising “living shoreline” options to restore natural features, also referred to as soft or green shorelines. These options can be applied to situations where complete restoration is either impractical or not feasible given human constraints. Living shoreline techniques often include a mix of design options, including armor removal, sediment nourishment of beaches, log placement, …

Vignette 07: Stormwater Effluent Exerts A Key Pressure On The Salish Sea, Emily Howe

Institute Publications

One of the primary terrestrial pressures on the Salish Sea estuarine and marine environment is urban stormwater runoff. When rainfall runs across hard, impervious surfaces, rather than soaking into the soil, it picks up and delivers toxic contaminants directly to nearby streams, rivers, and eventually the Salish Sea. In fact, for most toxic substances, surface runoff is the largest contributing source of loading to Puget Sound. Unfortunately, the Salish Sea’s relationship with stormwater effluent is no outlier; stormwater is the fastest growing cause of surface water impairment in the United States as urbanization transitions forested and other natural landscapes to …

Vignette 09: Derelict Fishing Gear, Jason Morgan

Institute Publications

Derelict fishing gear—nets, pots, and other gear lost during fishing operations or vessel transit—has been implicated in several aspects of degradation in the Salish Sea. Derelict gear can degrade marine habitats by scouring or preventing habitat access through accumulation of gear or by fundamentally altering habitats by trapping fine sediments and changing the substrate. Derelict gear has also been implicated in the deaths of countless fish, marine mammals, seabirds, and invertebrates in the Salish Sea. The issue of derelict fishing gear affects all reaches of the Salish Sea, albeit on different scales, and the Northwest Straits Initiative has provided its …

Vignette 10: Biological Repercussions From Microplastics In The Salish Sea, Ashley Bagley, Iris Kemp

Institute Publications

Microplastic (< 5 mm) consumption and the movement of microplastic through the marine food web is an emerging concern in the Salish Sea. Upon consumption, marine plastics can physically and chemically affect marine organisms. Effects from plastics may be unique among species, types of contaminants, and types and sizes of plastics. Existing research indicates that current microplastic concentrations within the Salish Sea are not a significant threat to marine organisms. However, factors such as increasing urbanization and climate change may create or exacerbate microplastics impacts on Salish Sea species.

Vignette 11: Ecological Consequences Of Built Shorelines In The Salish Sea, Stuart H. Munsch

Institute Publications

The world's population is disproportionately located near water. As a result, many nearshore ecosystems are highly modified. This is the case in the Salish Sea where many species rely on shoreline habitats. One of the major modifications to the Salish Sea's shoreline is armoring. Armored shorelines sever the connection between land and sea, preventing mutual exchange of nutrients and energy, influencing fish composition, and affecting photosynthetic species through overwater structures. By appreciating habitat impacts and how to mitigate them, we may steer toward a future that enables people and nearshore ecosystems to coexist. Restoring shorelines by removing armoring can recover …

Vignette 17: Salish Sea Jellyfish, Correigh Greene

Institute Publications

The Salish Sea is home to a diverse community of gelatinous zooplankton (or "jellies"). In their adult forms, jellies comprise a relatively large proportion of biomass in the Salish Sea. Questions regarding jellyfish abundance and climate variation in the Salish Sea have been difficult to address, in part because of a lack of consistent monitoring. Research presented in this vignette suggests that jellyfish are sensitive to climate signals like marine water temperatures, but do not appear to be systematically increasing in abundance over time. Due to advances in modeling, we may gain a better perspective on the roles jellies play …

Vignette 18: Bellingham Bay, Legacy Contamination Under Repair, Olivia Klein

Institute Publications

Bellingham Bay, home to twelve designated hazardous waste cleanup sites, illustrates the harm of past practices as well as the effectiveness of cleanup efforts. Since 2000, the Bellingham Bay cleanup has focused on the removal of contaminated sediment and soils introduced from a wide variety of sources, including construction and other industrial and municipal activities. Bellingham Bay cleanup is managed by the Washington State Department of Ecology (under the authority of Washington State’s Model Toxic Control Act) in coordination with a multi- agency Bellingham Bay Action Team.