Digital Commons Network^™

Using Molecular Evolution To Explore Alternative Receptors For Sars-Cov-2, Kayden Harris, Aemelia Price, Ruby Bentz

Linfield University Student Symposium: A Celebration of Scholarship and Creative Achievement

SARS-CoV-2, the virus which caused the Covid-19 pandemic, likely jumped from bats into humans, canonically uses the protein ACE2 to infect cells. Recent studies found 22 possible human alternative receptors. However, it is unknown if these receptors are biologically significant to SARS-CoV-2 in vivo. Selective pressure between viruses and hosts often steer nucleotide changes in proteins, including viral receptors. Virus-driven natural selection is often evident in receptor evolution across related species. A signature of natural selection at virus-bound residues of an alternative receptor may indicate use by a virus. To determine if alternative SARS-CoV-2 receptors underwent natural selection in bats, …

Isolation And Identification Of Airborne Bacteria Within The University Of Baghdad Campus, Iraq By Using 16s Rrna Gene Technique, Shahad Emad Muheisen, Israa Mohsin Jasim, Fouad K. Mashee Al-Ramahi

Baghdad Science Journal

This study aimed to identify and classify airborne bacteria in outdoor air within the campus of the University of Baghdad, Iraq, using the passive sampling technique. Air samples were collected from ten sites and analyzed by the 16S rRNA gene sequencing technique. The results revealed significant seasonal differences in both microbial and particulate matter concentrations. Bacterial concentrations were considerably higher during the wet season, with 3238.6 CFU/m³ compared to the dry season, with 1872.6 CFU/m³. PM2.5 levels averaged 47.58 μg/m³ in the wet season and declined to 11.33 μg/m³ in the dry season, while PM10 …

Evaluation Of Enolase1 And Il-9 As Biomarkers To Determine Stratifying Severity Of Vaginal Candidiasis In Iraqi Women, Shams I. Ali, Teeba H. Mohammad

Baghdad Science Journal

Vaginal candidiasis is an opportunistic fungal infection of the lower female reproductive tract caused by Candida species. This study aimed to investigate the roles of Enolase 1 and Interleukin-9 in the pathophysiology of vaginal candidiasis and examine their correlations with anthropometric and lipid profile parameters. A total of 120 participants were enrolled, including 80 patients with VC and 40 healthy controls. Patients were classified into Candida albicans and non-Candida albicans groups based on clinical and microbiological criteria. Serum and vaginal secretions levels of ENO-1 and IL-9 were measured using ELISA, while lipid profiles were assessed spectrophotometrically. Both ENO-1 and IL-9 …

Molecular Characterization And Virulence Factors Of Streptococcus Mutans Isolated From Dental Caries In Type 2 Diabetic Patients, Tiba Abed Maarij Al-Ogaidi, Shaymaa Ismael Kadhim Al-Juboori

Baghdad Science Journal

Individuals with type 2 diabetes are particularly susceptible to frequent and uncontrolled dental caries. Streptococcus mutans, a main cause of dental caries, impacts millions each year and presents significant oral health challenges. Although extensively studied, the bacterium's pathogenesis remains incompletely understood, underscoring the need for further research. This study aimed to isolate and analyze the molecular characteristics of Streptococcus mutans in patients with type 2 diabetes. It explored the bacterium's capacity to infect, survive, and endure acidic oral environments. Samples were taken from 50 individuals with both type 2 diabetes and dental caries, 50 with dental plaque, and 20 …

Maternal Genetic Structure Of Iraqi Faili Kurds Revealed Using Whole Mitochondrial Genome Sequencing, Mayyadah Khalid Ibrahim, Suhaili Abu Bakar, Cheah Yoke Kqueen, Majeed Arsheed Sabbah

Baghdad Science Journal

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is a commonly utilized genetic marker in determining maternal ancestry because of the hypervariable regions in it, as well as haplogroups, which enable scientists to establish ancestral links among populations. This research involved the analysis of the complete mitochondrial genome of 100 Faili Kurd women in different cities in Iraq using the Illumina system. The most common haplogroups were HV14 (53%), H14a (16%), M37e2 (16%), and HV2a1*1 (15%). The pair-wise AMOVA-FST analysis in terms of population revealed that there were various levels of genetic differentiation between Faili Kurds and other populations in Iraq, Iran, and surrounding areas. …

Cultivating Curiosity Across Academic Audiences: Biology And Evidence-Based Science Communication, Nathan D. Forbes

Whittier Scholars Program

Effective Science Communicators must speak to a variety of audiences, with varying quantities of prior interest and qualities of background knowledge. The purpose of this paper was to engage differing audiences in scientific learning. This was done through a hypothetical newsletter made up for four different segments exploring a variety of topics in biology. Each segment intends to speak to a different audience with a different level of interest and/or educational level. Simplifying or analogizing without sacrificing the statistical basis of this project was of paramount importance. In the two segments targeted towards younger audiences, the primary focus was on …

Tree Resin Effects On Environmental Microbial Growth In Tetramorium Ant Colonies, Abigail Peralta, Emma Crisman

Biology Student Scholarship

No abstract provided.

Trial Of Vaginal Microbiome Transplant To Prevent Recurrent Bacterial Vaginosis, Grace Pierson

Biology Student Scholarship

Comparative Inhibition Testing for Personalized Microbiota Selection

This case report evaluates a strategy for selecting optimal donor material for Cervicovaginal Secretion (CVS) transplantation. To identify a suitable match, CVS from four healthy, Lactobacillus-dominated donors was tested against a patient’s sample to observe microbial inhibition. Theoretically, effective donor material should produce a visible inhibition zone (halo), indicating suppressed growth of pathogenic bacteria. However, initial testing yielded unreadable results with no conclusive evidence of inhibition. Consequently, my study pivoted to analyze the direct effects of donor samples on the growth of specific pathogens, Gardnerella vaginalis and Prevotella bivia.

Altered Clock Genes Affect Fly Circadian Rhythms And Rhythms Of Cell Respiration In The Brain, Connor Enestvedt, Campbell Bridges, Anna Costello, Brenda Rodrigues, Jake Antosca

Biology Student Scholarship

Drosophila have circadian rhythms which are daily biological rhythms synchronized by an internal clock. These rhythms regulate behavioral and physiological systems within their bodies. The endogenous fly clock—made of an oscillating gene-protein feedback loop found in central pacemaker cells in the brain— sets endocrine, locomotor, and metabolic rhythms to the 24-hour Earth day The central clock signals to peripheral clocks, setting measurable rhythms. Mutations to these clock genes disrupts the oscillator, resulting in rhythm changes. In this project, we will study how flies’ circadian rhythms and cell respiration in the brain changes with mutations to clock genes. By measuring oxygen …

Wheel-Running As A Window Into The Pten-Ko Neurological Clock, Jake Antosca, Campbell Bridges, Elizabeth Burke, Chris Sama

Biology Student Scholarship

The phosphatase and tensin homolog protein (PTEN) is a critical regulator of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway, which governs cellular growth and metabolic balance. Mutations in the PTEN gene are strongly linked to macrocephaly and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in humans. While PTEN deficiency is known to cause neuronal hypertrophy and metabolic stress, its impact on the< endogenous circadian clock, the internal timing system that regulates daily physiological cycles, remains poorly understood. Proper circadian function is vital for metabolic homeostasis, which may be dysregulated in PTEN-deficient models.

In this poster, we compare PTEN conditional knockout mice with CRE controls to test whether PTEN-related cerebellar dysfunction alters entrainment to a light-dark cycle, free-running period in constant conditions, and food-anticipatory activity in age-matched animals between approximately 130 and …

Characterizing The Functional Diversity Of Rocky Intertidal Environments Of Southern New England, Hailey Arman

Biology Student Scholarship

Tidal pools are a diverse ecosystem that are home to a wide range of important species that support our environment and marine habitats. Tidal pools along the New England coastline have been greatly affected by human activity, through direct contact with humans, as well as the increasing effects of climate change. Adapting the protocols from UC Santa Cruz Multi-Agency Rocky Intertidal Network (MARINe) and the National Park Service Northeast Temperate Network’s (NETN), we set up multi-year plots to track abundances intertidal species throughout Rhode Island. Ultimately, by gaining a better understanding of how these systems change over time, we can …

Advancing Early Detection Of Diabetic Retinopathy At Clínica Esperanza/Hope Clinic, Rachel Burke

Biology Student Scholarship

No abstract provided.

Clec7a Deficiency Affects Cerebellar Microglia Development And Purkinje Cell Axon Myelination, Olivia Barbarini, Grace Belt, Lauren Bedford, Julia Carson, Kayla Fordyce, Michael Martinez, Lindsay Walsh

Neuroscience Program Student Scholarship

No abstract provided.

Exploring How Light Source Influences Bluegill Positioning And Behavior, Anthony Aldana Mendez

Biology Student Scholarship

No abstract provided.

Image Analysis Of Pupal Sex Ratio In Honey Bee Hives, Anna R. Tattelman, Grace E. O’Brien

Biology Student Scholarship

No abstract provided.

Wild Bee Foraging And Movement Behavior In Urban Gardens, Claire Crowther, Maggie Ritchie

Biology Student Scholarship

No abstract provided.

The Genetics Of Sex, Fortis Brown

The Agora

Sex is a complex biological process that begins in the womb and lasts into puberty and beyond. It is often presented to society as a binary, chromosome-based system where XX means female and XY means male. In reality, chromosomes are just the beginning of a lifelong process involving hormones that influence biological changes. This process becomes apparent with its errors, known as Differences in Sexual Development (DSDs). DSDs can be caused in two main ways: through changes in either meiosis or in gene expression. While many consider these changes as ‘errors’, the processes that cause them to have been intentionally …

Maintaining And Axenizing Live Cyanobacterial Cultures For Bacterial Genome Sequencing, Yufei Wang, Louisa Acquah

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

Harmful cyanobacterial blooms are an

increasing concern in western Kansas, yet the

bloom-forming species in this region remain

poorly characterized. In this study, we

established and maintained axenic

cyanobacterial cultures to support future

genomic and ecological investigations. By

ensuring low contamination levels and stable

growth conditions, this work provides a

foundation for downstream analyses of bloom-

forming cyanobacteria. It contributes to a better

understanding of freshwater ecosystem health

in western Kansas.

How To Effectively Trap Invasive Crayfish: A Discrete Life Stage Mathematical Model, Rini Pattison

Seaver College Research And Scholarly Achievement Symposium

The red swamp crayfish is an invasive species introduced into several streams within the Santa Monica Mountains (SMM). Crayfish predation decimates native aquatic species. The Mountains Restoration Trust (MRT) has worked to remove crayfish through regular trapping in Malibu Creek.

A prior student created a crayfish life cycle model with trapping, which we expand to better predict the efficacy of crayfish removal efforts in the SMM. We separate crayfish based upon life stages and sizes. We construct and parameterize this discrete crayfish population model with and without trapping. We use literature and crayfish removal data from MRT to fit the …

Life Line Spring 2026, Jonathan Atwood

Life Line - The Biology Department Newsletter

In This Issue:

Greetings and Farewell: Part Deux; Signs for Trees; Passing of Dr. Mary Gahbauer: a Beloved Friend and Colleague; Dr. Lisa Marr Retires; The Department Welcomes Dr. Ann Feke; Dr. Kevin Svitana Retires; Ms. Donna Rhodeback Retires; Tucker Adds Swan Specimen to Otterbein's Collection; An UnbeLEAFable Year for the Otterbein Chapter of Botanical Society of America; Field Geology Course Visits Death Valley and Beyond; Agar Art: An Unexpected Canvas; Dr. Kevin Svitana Wins the Anderson Award for Outstanding Contribution to Groundwater Research; Introducing Opi: A New Face for Zoo and Conservation Ambassador Work; Michael Hoggarth, Professor Emeritus, Wins …

Wooster Magazine: Spring 2026, Caitlin Paynich Stanowick

Wooster Magazine: 2021-2030

The spring 2026 issue of Wooster magazine showcases the enduring value of a liberal arts education in moments of change. Alumni Bill Colvin ’79, Scott Bloom ’94, and Hannah Samuell ’09 share how their Wooster education prepared them to navigate unexpected career paths and professional pivots. Additional features examine the College’s approach to artificial intelligence with an emphasis on learning and ethics, revisit a historic campus debate over teaching evolutionary theory and evidence-based scholarship, and there’s also a Q&A with President Anne McCall on the role of academic freedom in society. Oak Grove features “Why I Play” with baseball infielder …

Final Project: Nutrition And Human Disease, Sam Newberry Ph.D.

School of Arts & Sciences

This assignment is made up of a series of smaller assignments that were developed by SUNY Geneseo Professor Sam Newberry during the spring 2026 semester.

Learning Objectives

• Identify and demonstrate understanding of audience needs
• Identify nutritional issues associated with human disease
• Clear communication of information via an Infographic
• Proper utilization of scholarly sources of information

Biol 210: Nutrition (Syllabus), Sam Newberry Ph.D.

School of Arts & Sciences

This syllabus was developed by SUNY Geneseo Professor Sam Newberry during the spring 2026 semester.

Course Learning Objectives:

Students who are active participants and complete course requirements will be able to: 

1. Demonstrate familiarity with nutrients, their food sources, their functions, and signs and symptoms of deficiency or excess.
2. Demonstrate familiarity with biological, psychological, social and cultural factors that influence human diet and nutrition.
3. Describe and explain in class discussion and on exams the relationship between diet and health, particularly for selected public health issues.
4. Demonstrate familiarity with nutritional guidelines used in the United States, and the challenges of establishing such …

Career Readiness In Developmental Biology Module, Travis Bailey Ph.D.

School of Arts & Sciences

This set of activities were developed and modified by SUNY Geneseo Professor Travis Bailey in the spring 2026 semester.

Biol 454: Developmental Biology (Syllabus), Travis Bailey Ph.D.

School of Arts & Sciences

This syllabus was developed by SUNY Geneseo Professor Travis Bailey in the spring 2026 semester.

Learning Outcomes-Students will:

• Understand the methods scientist use to explore the genetic, cellular, and tissue control of development.
• Compare and contrast developmental strategies of model organisms.
• Read primary literature critically and explain strengths and weaknesses.
• Test hypotheses with self-designed experimentation, measurement and data collection, evaluation of evidence, and employment of mathematical analysis.
• Relate discoveries from model animals to human conditions.
• Communicate findings orally and in writing.
• Integrate multiple bodies of knowledge with their personal experience by asking meaningful questions about real-world problems
• Apply skills, theories, …

Muscle Transplants: Science Fiction Or Modern Medicine?, Erastus Evans, Mason Kephart, Benjamin Long, Jake Sorensen

Library/Life Sciences Undergraduate Poster Competition 2026

The loss of skeletal muscle from trauma or surgery results in limited regeneration and long-term dysfunction. Muscle transplants replenish lost cellular and structural tissue to improve healing and recovery of strength. Juvenile tissue offers a promising alternative to adult tissue due to the increased satellite cell and myofiber content.

Seasonal Variation And Spatial Distribution Of Heavy Metals In Groundwater: Implications For Water Quality And Health Risks, Muzhda Qasim Qader, Shevan Jamel Jirjees, Masoud H. Hameed, Chiyai Maroof Sharif

Baghdad Science Journal

Background: This study evaluated the seasonal and spatial distribution of twelve heavy metals in the groundwater samples collected in fifty wells with the aim of assessing the quality of water and health hazards associated with it. The data were analyzed to compare the wet and dry seasons were the analytical data using pollution indices, the Nemerow Pollution Index (NPI), and the Single-Factor Pollution Index (SFPI). The results revealed that the water quality was mainly excellent (NPI < 0.01) even though in some areas, lead, vanadium, and copper were contaminated. Arsenic (0.0008–0.0145 μg/L), chromium (0.0009–0.0096 μg/L), and nickel (

Modern Dna Detection Via Traditional Methods: Conforming Algal Species In Soran Independent Administration, Kurdistan Region Of Iraq, Balkes Haje Rasul, Farhad Hassan Aziz, Janan Jabbar Toma

Baghdad Science Journal

This investigation was conducted on five genetically identified algal species at five sites in the Soran administration, with sampling monthly from March 2024 to January 2025. Accurate species identification is essential for understanding biodiversity, assessing ecosystems, and managing water quality. Traditional morphological identification is standard practice for algal characterization, but these methods are time-consuming and error-prone, especially when dealing with similar-looking species or mixed populations. Modern DNA detection methods, including polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and DNA barcoding, improve specificity and sensitivity. This study compares the effectiveness of DNA detection methods with traditional morphological techniques to confirm the presence of five …

Diversity Of Sporous Plants (Bryophyta And Pteridophyta) And Lichens In The Pananjung Pangandaran Nature Reserve Area, West Java, Yusuf Ibrahim, Gurnita Gurnita, Elfina Karima, Iwan Setia Kurniawan

Baghdad Science Journal

The study aims to determine the diversity of terrestrial fern species (pteridophyta) and mosses (bryophyta) in the Pananjung Pangandaran Nature Reserve, West Java. The method used in this study is a qualitative description of the design of the transmission belt. Collected samples were conducted with a purposive sampling method. A lengthy transect line extends approximately 110 meters and comprises up to six quadrants, each measuring 10 by10 meters. The research identified eight types of terrestrial fern, including two in three orders and six families; seven species have been identified with a total of 437 individuals in the form of moss …

Nano Zinc As A Source To Stimulate Calendula Officinalis Callus To Produce The Active Triterpenoid Glycoside, Abdulwadood S.M. Alsoufi, Suha Maher Abed, Sara Q. Suliaman, Anna Szakiel

Baghdad Science Journal

Plants can synthesize a large number of different active compounds and ingredients, which can be influenced under stress conditions. The plant in vitro culture technique is considered a suitable and useful method to propagate and protect the medicinal and herbal plants, and to extract active natural compounds. The main target of this work was to obtain callus of Calendula officinalis explants stimulated by Nano zinc, and then to extract the natural glycosides from callus in vitro culture and apply them against certain bacterial and fungal isolates. The explant of C. officinalis was grown on media containing a mix of hormones, …