Life Sciences Commons^™

How And Why The Novel Personate Morphology Evolved In Penstemon Wildflowers, Trinity Hope Depatie

Theses and Dissertations

Adaptive radiations are characterized by the rapid evolution of novel traits making them excellent study systems to identify the genetic basis of adaptation. Floral adaptations often evolve rapidly as they are shaped by the strong selective pressures imposed by pollinators. The wildflower genus Penstemon is a recent radiation displaying a large amount of floral diversity including the repeated evolution of several floral traits. One novel floral trait displayed in Penstemon flowers is the personate morphology. Personate flowers are characterized by an upward bulge in the lower lobe of the corolla tube which seals off the floral passageway. This peculiar floral …

Dynamics Of Estuarine Optical Properties And Phytoplankton Communities In Winyah Bay, Sc, Camille Jolicoeur Michaud

Theses and Dissertations

Estuarine systems present complex light environments due to large amounts of colored dissolved organic matter (CDOM) and turbidity that absorb and scatter light, respectively. Optical properties influence phytoplankton communities because their photosynthetic efficiency depends greatly on light availability. This study examined the optical properties of the Winyah Bay estuary in South Carolina using mixing diagrams and related these factors to phytoplankton biomass and community composition across the salinity gradient. Results showed that the behavior of optical properties and their relationship to chlorophyll-a (chl-a) changed under various environmental conditions, particularly river discharge and flushing time. While chl-a was correlated with salinity …

Microbial Ecology Of Fungi And Prokaryotes In Marine Environments, Madeleine Ann Thompson

Theses and Dissertations

Microorganisms are the primary drivers of carbon and nitrogen cycling in marine ecosystems, yet the ecological roles of marine fungi and their interactions with prokaryotes remain poorly understood. This dissertation investigates the diversity, interactions, and functional contributions of fungal and prokaryotic communities across coastal and open ocean environments, with a focus on estuaries and oxygen minimum zones (OMZs). By integrating community-level, interaction-based, and functional analyses, this work addresses key gaps in understanding how fungi contribute to organic matter degradation and nutrient transformations in marine systems. Size-fractionated metabarcoding in the eastern tropical North Pacific OMZ reveals distinct free-living and particle-associated microbial …

Assessing The Impacts Of Wastewater In Occupational Health Risks And Monitoring Infectious Diseases Within Communities, Sarah Catherine Sellers

Theses and Dissertations

Wastewater and wastewater treatment plants can both positively and negatively influence public health, due to their central role in socio-ecological systems in many communities. This dissertation aimed to fill key gaps in understanding their roles: as possible sources of occupational exposure and as tools for community disease monitoring and control. The three projects in this work examined these roles, focusing on how WWTPs can impact and inform public health at both occupational and community levels. Specifically, the study investigated the effects of chronic low-dose exposure to ARGs on WWTP workers' resistomes, evaluated the potential of WBE for building-level surveillance as …

Exploring Genetic Causes And Perspectives Of Uninformative Snp- Based Cell-Free Dna Prenatal Screening Results, Teeya Mercer

Theses and Dissertations

Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)-based cell-free DNA (cfDNA) prenatal screening can yield uninformative results, including “atypical finding” and low fetal fraction results which can present challenges for clinical management. Limited data exists regarding the underlying causes, pregnancy outcomes, and patient experiences associated with these results. The purpose of this study was to explore the different potential underlying causes of these uninformative results while also exploring the pregnancy outcomes and the perspectives of patients who have received one. A mixed methods study was conducted consisting of a retrospective chart review on patients who had a documented appointment with a genetic counselor for …

The Effects Of Whole-Body Vibration On Countermovement Jump Kinetics And Performance, Garrett Reese Evans

Theses and Dissertations

PURPOSE: Whole-body vibration (WBV) is reported to be an effective training modality for increasing vertical jump height. However, the underlying mechanisms are unclear because limited studies have examined the effects of WBV on kinetic variables underling jump height. The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of WBV on jump height (JH), modified reactive strength index (RSImod), and eccentric rate of force development (eRFD) during the countermovement jumps (CMJ) in recreationally-active young adults.

METHODS: Fifteen participants (13 male, 2 female, 21.5±1.89yr, 1.78±0.10m, 80.2±15.0kg) completed three randomly-ordered WBV exposures (0s, 30s, or 60s: 35Hz, 2mm amplitude). Three CMJ were …

Sex Differences In Cardiac Autonomic Response To Physical Exertion Following Concussion In Adolescents, Kiersten Isabella Mangold

Theses and Dissertations

Concussions, or mild traumatic brain injuries, are common amongst adolescent populations. Despite the qualifier of “mild”, these injuries can have a lasting impact on quality of life and school function. It has long been suggested that females experience poorer outcomes following concussion compared to their male counterparts, yet much research focuses primarily on male populations. Various theories have been proposed to explain these reported sex differences in concussion outcomes, ranging from socio-cultural differences in symptom reporting to neuroanatomical differences and the influence of sex hormones. Cardiac autonomic function (C-ANS) has emerged as a potential contributing mechanism to post-concussive symptoms. Although …

Evaluating The Effectiveness Of The Genetic Cancer Prevention Clinic As A Tool For Managing Patients At Elevated Risk For Cancer, Sydney Marlene Price

Theses and Dissertations

People with an inherited cancer predisposition but have not been affected with cancer or tumors themselves are known as previvors. A previous study suggested the need for the establishment of a specialized management clinic for previvors in the Midlands of South Carolina. In 2022, the Genetic Cancer Prevention Clinic (GCPC) was established to serve this patient population. This study examined effectiveness of the GCPC in helping previvors manage their psychological and medical needs. A mixed methods design consisting of a chart review of patients enrolled in the GCPC (N=34) and a semi-structured phone interview (n=3) was …

Bias Effects Of Priming Towards Huntington’S Disease Among Second- Year Medical, Physician Assistant, And Genetic Counseling Students, Cameron Lynn Galley

Theses and Dissertations

Individuals with Huntington’s Disease (HD) have experienced bias in their interactions with the public and with health professionals. This study explored perceptions of HD and potential bias among students in interdisciplinary health professions. We hypothesized that the presence of symptoms in vignettes would reflect increased implicit bias, participants with exposure to HD would show less bias than those without, and genetic counseling students would exhibit lower bias towards HD than medical and physician assistant students.

Attitudes towards those with HD were assessed through one of four vignettes about a fictional character in which a presymptomatic diagnosis was present or absent, …

Parent & Provider Perspectives On Rehabilitative Therapies For Children With Mucopolysaccharidosis Type Iii, Laura Denise Ciccarelli

Theses and Dissertations

Mucopolysaccharidosis type III (MPS III) is a neurodegenerative lysosomal storage disorder characterized by autistic behaviors and skill regression. Although there is currently no cure for MPS III, various therapeutic approaches are recommended to manage the associated clinical manifestations. The aim of this exploratory study was to assess the perspectives of parents and providers on rehabilitative therapy for their children or patients with MPS III. Furthermore, it evaluated the potential benefit of an MPS III therapy resource developed by genetic counselors. Interview and survey responses were collected between September 2025 and January 2026. Eligible providers included certified speech, physical, occupational, and …

Evaluating Genetic Counseling Perspectives Around The Use Of Chat-Ai As A Standardized Patient, Mary Claire Sherman

Theses and Dissertations

Roleplays and standardized patients (SPs) are widely utilized and valued training tools in medical education. Artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a novel component of medical education, though its applications in genetic counseling remain underexplored. This study examined perceptions of genetic counseling students, recent graduates, and educators on chatbot artificial intelligence (chat-AI) as a SP in roleplay exercises. Eligible participants completed a survey requiring a roleplay interaction with ChatGPT. Standardized prompts included roleplay instructions and a framework based on the American Board of Genetic Counseling Practice-Based Competencies (PBCs) and the Reciprocal Engagement Model (REM) for chat-AI to provide feedback on …

Patient-Centered Insights Into The Triage And Diagnostic Experience Of Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome In Clinical Genetics Services., Rylan Makenzie Sweitzer

Theses and Dissertations

Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS) is the only form of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) without a known genetic etiology. One of the criteria for diagnosing hEDS is the exclusion of other possible causes. This often leads to referrals for a clinical diagnosis with a medical geneticist or genetic testing for other forms of EDS. This study aimed to investigate the education that individuals diagnosed with or suspected to have hEDS are receiving and what genetic providers include in their appointments with these patients. This study included two original online surveys. The first was sent to patients through providers at Indiana University and …

The Role Of Emerin In Myogenic Differentiation, Nicholas Marano

Theses and Dissertations

The nucleus harbors genetic material encapsulated by the nuclear envelope which is composed of an inner and outer nuclear membrane. The establishment and organization of chromatin at the INM is essential for cell fate during the differentiation program. Integral INM proteins are responsible for chromatin organization at the nuclear envelope. Emerin is a highly conserved type II integral INM protein with roles in chromatin organization, cell signaling, and nuclear structure. Mutations in the emerin gene cause Emery Dreifuss Muscular Dystrophy 1 (EDMD1). Emerin is ubiquitously expressed, but loss of emerin function affects specifically skeletal muscle and cardiac tissue. The precise …

Jackfruit Peel Valorization Through An Integrated Biorefinery Approach, Rohil Kumar K Mr

Theses and Dissertations

Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) peel (JFP), an abundantly available lignocellulosic biomass, remains largely underutilized despite being rich in cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, and pectin. In India, approximately 13,460 hectares are under jackfruit cultivation, with Panruti in Tamil Nadu as a major production zone. The discarded peel often contributes to environmental pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. The present study emphasizes sustainable valorization of JFP through an integrated biorefinery framework for generating value-added bioproducts.

Major biopolymers, cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, and pectin were extracted and fractionated, followed by detailed physicochemical characterization using FTIR, NMR, XRD, SEM, TGA, DSC, GPC, and BET analyses. Pectin extraction with …

Metagenomic Profiling Of Gut Microbiome Signatures Across Liver Disease Stages And Hcv-Related Hepatocellular Carcinoma In Egyptian Patients, Marwa A. Zahra

Theses and Dissertations

Dysbiosis in the gut microbiome, particularly concerning the synchronous crosstalk between the gut and the liver, has been associated with various diseases. This study profiles the gut microbiome in liver diseases among Egyptian patients, with a focus on the hepatitis C virus (HCV) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), both of which are highly prevalent in Egypt. Utilizing shotgun metagenomic sequencing, we analyzed microbial gene catalogs and taxonomic profiles from 46 Egyptian patients categorized into five groups: healthy individuals, liver disease patients of different etiologies, post-HCV, treated HCV, and HCV-HCC patients. Healthy and treated HCV patients exhibited distinct microbial profiles characterized by …

Mycobacteria Infection Induced Cascade Of Epigenetic Alterations Promote Training In Bystander Macrophages, Shah E. Jahan Gulzar Mr

Theses and Dissertations

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) remodels host cell functions to support its intracellular persistence. While the effects of Mtb infection on infected macrophages are well characterized, responses of uninfected bystander cells in the same microenvironment remain poorly understood. Here, we show that Mtb infection triggers widespread epigenetic reprogramming not only in infected macrophages but also in neighbouring bystander cells. These bystander macrophages acquire active chromatin marks, exhibit distinct transcriptional changes, and display enhanced immune responsiveness, thereby increasing resistance to both homologous and heterologous infections. We identify interleukin-1 beta secreted by infected cells as a key mediator of this process. Functionally, trained bystander …

Assessing The Effectiveness Of A Habit Recording Tool To Improve Mental Health Of University (Auc) Students, Noran Nounou

Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: According to previous research, the mental health of university students has become an alarming public health concern worldwide. Most of the mental disorders begin among young adults, attributed to the transition to university and increased financial and societal pressure. Despite the important effect of daily habits on mental health, there still remain research gaps in Egypt in exploring their effect among university students and exploring the potential opportunities to support their well-being. Objectives: To assess depression rates among AUC students and to evaluate the effectiveness of a newly designed habit recording board, Make an Impact (MAI) to improve depression …

Targeting The Cd47/Calreticulin Axis In Triple Negative Breast Cancer Using Ha Grafted Chitosan Nanoparticles Loaded With Doxorubicin And Polygodial, Hadir M. Emara

Theses and Dissertations

Background: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is considered the most aggressive subtype of breast cancer. Although progress in cancer treatment has led to better results for different types of breast cancer, TNBC remains particularly challenging due to persistent resistance to both chemotherapy and immunotherapy. This resistance ultimately renders chemotherapy less effective and is frequently associated with substantial side effects. Immunosurveillance significantly impacts the onset of cancer, the rise of resistance to therapies, and the likelihood of tumor recurrence. In this immunomodulatory process, Cluster of Differentiation 47 (CD47) and Calreticulin (CALR) are two key regulators. CD47 expression is strongly linked to anti-phagocytic …

Mechanical Characterization And Modeling Of Rat Myocardia Under The Influence Of Epirubicin, Abdallah Mahmoud Alkhaiyat

Theses and Dissertations

Cancer remains a predominant health challenge that is responsible for a significant portion of global morbidity and mortality. Epirubicin (EPI), a chemotherapeutic anti-cancer drug, has shown remarkable efficacy in combating various malignancies. However, it is known to have undesirable side effects on the heart, collectively referred to as cardiotoxicity. This research investigates the adverse effects of chemotherapy on cardiac contractility through an in vitro examination of the mechanics of healthy and infarcted animal heart tissues. Electrically stimulated slices of rat ventricular tissue were tested using an isometric force measurement tissue bath. The tissue slices were subjected to uniaxial stretching, allowing …

An Impact Assessment Of The Effectiveness Of Utilizing Informal Health Communication Interventions To Spread Health Recommendations And Change Public Perception, Lina Mohamed Ezzat Ahmed Abdel Mawgoud

Theses and Dissertations

Brain health is an increasingly urgent but critically under-addressed public health priority in Egypt and the wider MENA region. Despite its centrality to aging, productivity, and overall quality of life, public understanding of brain health remains limited, and stigma continues to shape responses to dementia and cognitive decline. This study evaluates the effectiveness of informal, culturally adapted health communication as a tool to shift perception, increase awareness, and promote behavior change among non-medically trained adults in Egypt.

Grounded in global evidence on cognitive reserve, neuroplasticity, and the life-course approach to brain health, the intervention translated expert-informed brain health recommendations into …

Comparative Evolution Of Caenorhabditis Hermaphrodites, James Francis Kennedy

Theses and Dissertations

The Caenorhabditis genus produced three independently-evolved hermaphroditic species, C. elegans, C. briggsae, and C. tropicalis. This convergence happened by the independent co-option of male programs for use in a female body. This required two distinct steps: (1) mutations in the sex-determination pathway that activated spermatogenesis in XX animals, and (2) mutations that expressed one of the redundant sperm activation signals in XX animals. My project focused on characterizing how sex-determination genes work in C. briggsae and C. tropicalis. Loss-of-function alleles were used to compare the core sex-determination pathway to that of C. elegans. I found that the somatic sex-determination pathway …

The Role Of Exotic Plants In The Diet Of Black-And-White Colobus Monkeys (Colobus Guereza) In Kibale National Park, Uganda, Michelle Gaykov

Theses and Dissertations

Exotic plants have both positive and negative impacts on their environment. They may act as additional food sources for the local fauna or as competition for local flora or leading to changes within a landscape or ecosystem. To considere the role of exotics in primate diet, this study focused on the dietary role of exotic plant species in the diet of a leaf-eating foregut fermenting monkey, the black-and-white colobus monkeys (Colobus guereza) in Kibale National Park, Uganda. Int this study, I followed individuals in two groups of black-and-white colobus monkeys for 21 days recording their food intake (0700-1900). I also …

Structural Characterization Of Peptide Nanoaggregates At Varying Concentrations And Their Impact On Cellular Responses, Malika Rozmetova

Theses and Dissertations

Peptide nano-assemblies can regulate cellular pathways in a structure-dependent manner. Here, we show that the enzyme-responsive peptide NapFFK(NBD)Yp forms distinct nanoscale assemblies at different concentrations, triggering differential ER stress and extracellular vesicle release in MDA-MB231 cells. These results highlight the importance of supramolecular organization in peptide–cell interactions.

Anticancer Efficacy Of Methyl-Cantharidimide (Mca) In Liver Cancer, Yidong Li

Theses and Dissertations

Cancer is still one of the major public health challenges worldwide to the present day. Multi-drug resistance (MDR) that occurs in cancer chemotherapies is a non-negligible cause of cancer treatment failure and tumor recurrence. Overexpression of ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters is one of the most frequent mechanisms of MDR occurrence. Therefore, the establishment of a chemotherapy agent whose anticancer efficacy would not be affected by the overexpression of ABC transporters is in demand. Methyl-cantharidimide (MCA), a cantharidin (CTD) analog, has been approved in China for clinical liver cancer treatment. This study revealed that MCA was efficacious in the ABCB1-, ABCG2-mediated …

Evaluation Of Pulmonary Toxicity To Inhaled Erbium Oxide Nanoparticles In Golden Syrian Hamsters, Randy Liang

Theses and Dissertations

Erbium oxide nanoparticles (Er2O3 NPs) are used in various products from simple pottery to semiconductors and such usage leads to an elevated risk of accidental occupational exposure. In the present study, the pulmonary toxicity of Er2O3 NPs was assessed by examining tissues and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) from the lungs of Golden Syrian Hamsters following inhalation exposure. The study’s goal was to determine the severity and mechanism of toxicity upon exposure to inhaled Er2O3 NPs. Animals were divided into 4 groups all being exposed for 4 hours a day for 8 days: Group-1: room air, Group-2: vehicle control (water), Group-3: …

Evaluation Of The Mechanism Of Cell Death After Exposure To Amorphous Silicon Dioxide Nanoparticles In Rat Pleural Mesothelial Cells And Golden Syrian Hamsters, Rachel P. Renda

Theses and Dissertations

Amorphous Silicon Dioxide Nanoparticles (SiO2 NPs) are widely used in the industrial processes, chemical, and cosmetics industries. Amorphous SiO2 NPs are abundant in the earth’s crust and can be released into the air through industrial and manufacturing activities. Such particles are overlooked and not as commonly studied when compared to their crystalline counterpart. Amorphous SiO2 NPs are pulmonary toxicants; however, the mechanism of toxicity is uncertain. In the current study, toxicity was assessed using both in vitro and in vivo systems to understand a possible mechanism of cell death. Rat Pleural Mesothelial Cells (RPMCs) were exposed to 50-800 μg/ml SiO2 …

Utilizing A Genetically Diverse Species To Investigate Gene-Drug Interactions And Drug Efficacy, Jerry Nawongbay Gbarlea

Theses and Dissertations

Gene-drug interactions are fundamental to understanding variability in drug response and therapeutic efficacy. In this project, we leverage the natural genetic divergence between ecotype morphs of the blind Mexican cavefish (Astyanax mexicanus) to investigate differential responses to neuroactive compounds—specifically, the convulsant pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) and the anxiolytic Buspirone Hydrochloride. Astyanax Mexicanus is a tetra species consisting of both surface-dwelling (ancestral) and cave-dwelling (mutant) populations that have highly variable genetic backgrounds. Independently evolved populations of cavefish exhibit a suite of convergent traits that can be functionally interrogated to discover new genetic functions and interactions. These attributes make A. mexicanus an ideal model …

The Yeast Checkpoint Kinase Mec1p Functions In Transcription Termination By Facilitating Recruitment Of Pcf11p And Regulating The Torpedo Exonuclease Rat1p, Riddhi Patel

Theses and Dissertations

My dissertation includes two projects, centered on transcription regulation by checkpoint kinases of the DNA damage response (DDR). The first project focused on the role of checkpoint kinase Mec1p in transcription termination and regulation of the torpedo exonuclease Rat1p. Termination, closely linked with pre-mRNA 3’ processing, dissociates RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) from DNA and releases the nascent RNA transcript. Efficient termination is required for maintaining a pool of RNAPII that is available for re-entry into new transcription cycle. Previous results showed that inactivation of Mec1p in the absence of exogenous genotoxic stress downregulates the efficiency of transcription termination. This study …

Reframing Sexual Assault And Intimate Partner Violence Through A Maternal And Child Health Lens: Implications For Integrated Prevention, Policy, And Practice, Daija C. Gibson

Theses and Dissertations

Sexual assault and intimate partner violence remain persistent public health concerns in the United States, with significant consequences for individual health, family stability, and population well-being. Although these forms of violence are frequently addressed through criminal justice and behavioral health frameworks, less attention has been given to their implications within maternal and child health, where relational dynamics, life course development, and intergenerational outcomes are central. This study reframed SA and IPV as core MCH issues to examine how integrated, systems-based approaches can strengthen prevention efforts. A structured literature review and systematic synthesis of peer-reviewed studies published between 2015 and 2026 …

Evaluation Of Valley Healthcare System Inc. School-Based Health Clinic/Center At Dorothy I. Heights Elementary School In Columbus, Georgia, Nakia Ford

Theses and Dissertations

School-Based Health Centers (SBHCs) are an important strategy for addressing health disparities and improving educational outcomes among underserved students. In Columbus, Georgia, barriers such as limited insurance, transportation challenges, and provider shortages contribute to unmet health needs, which are linked to increased absenteeism. To address these issues, Valley Healthcare System, Inc. (VHCS) implemented a School-Based Health Clinic (SBHC) at Dorothy I. Heights Elementary School. This study evaluates the effectiveness of the SBHC in improving student attendance outcomes. A quasi-experimental, difference-in-differences design compared Dorothy I. Heights Elementary School (treatment group) before and after SBHC implementation (2021–2022 and 2022–2023) with a similar …