Life Sciences Commons^™

Transcriptional Signatures Of Rapid Protection From Sudan Virus Infection By A Single Dose Of A Vesicular Stomatitis Virus-Based Vaccine, Brianna M. Doratt, Sheridan B. Wagner, Delphine C. Malherbe, Gregory T. Smith, Andrea Marzi, Ilhem Messaoudi

Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics Faculty Publications

Sudan virus (SUDV) has caused multiple outbreaks of human disease with case fatality rates ranging from 41 to 100%. We have previously shown that a single vaccination with a recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus-based vaccine expressing the SUDV-Gulu glycoprotein (VSV-SUDV) prevented clinical and fatal disease from lethal SUDV challenge in cynomolgus macaques. With the high probability of future outbreaks, it is critical to determine the molecular mechanisms of VSV-SUDV-mediated protection and the ability to impart rapid protection against SUDV infection. In this study, RNA from whole blood samples obtained from nine cynomolgus macaques that were challenged with SUDV-Gulu post-vaccination with either …

Characterizing Immune Perturbations In Peripheral Blood Following The East Palestine, Ohio Train Derailment, Sheridan B. Wagner, Hami Hemati, Siva Gandhapudi, Timothy J. Hilbert, Candace J. Brancato, Erin N. Haynes, Ilhem Messaoudi

Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics Faculty Publications

Background: The East Palestine, Ohio, train derailment on February 3rd, 2023, resulted in the exposure of residents and the surrounding area to numerous hazardous chemicals, which included known acute irritants and human carcinogens. Despite evacuation and cleanup, both residents and responders reported high occurrences of symptoms associated with exposure in the months following, such as eye, skin, and respiratory irritation, headaches, and fatigue. The long-term health consequences for residents remain uncertain.

Objective: To assess the potential for immune perturbations resulting from the exposure, we performed a broad investigation of circulating immune cells and mediators from residents of East Palestine, OH, …

Combinatorial Immunotherapy Drives Exhaustion In Tumor Antigen–Specific Cd8+ T Cells Within The Mouse Renal Tumor Microenvironment, Holly R. Stephens, Elizabeth Elkins, Jing Li, Zoey N. Swalley, Henry Nnaemeka Ogbonna, Pia Muri, Zachary Roberts, Francesca R. Dempsey, Md Akkas Ali, Md Hasanul Banna Siam, Richard Kirkman, Jianqing Zhang, Sunil Sudarshan, Daniel J. Tyrrell, Hubert M. Tse, Daniel L. Smith Jr, Lyse A. Norian

Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics Faculty Publications

Immunotherapies have greatly improved outcomes for patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC), yet response rates remain suboptimal and the factors promoting therapy resistance versus sensitivity are incompletely understood. Currently, no preclinical model of orthotopic renal cancer exists that permits evaluation of tumor antigen–specific (TAS) CD8⁺ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs). To address this deficiency, we developed a mouse renal cancer model that permits tracking of adoptively transferred TAS CD8⁺ T cells. Renca-LUC tumor cells were transduced to express tumor ERK (tERK), a model antigen expressing a one-amino-acid change from wild-type ERK, resulting in recognition by tERK/H-2K^d-specific DUC Thy1.1 …

Evaluating Sampling Strategies To Monitor Southern Fox Squirrel (Sciurus Niger Niger) Populations, Casey Robin Hitchens

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Reliable population monitoring is essential for evaluating wildlife translocations and informing conservation management, yet traditional monitoring approaches are often labor intensive and require prolonged sampling. This study evaluated marking techniques, survey methods, and population estimation approaches for monitoring a translocated population of southern fox squirrels (Sciurus niger niger) at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina, USA (MCRDPI). From January-June 2023, I conducted six live trapping and camera trapping sessions across five survey sites. I compared the performance of color-coded collars and tail shaves for individual identification and the recapture probability between live traps and camera traps. Logistic mixed-effects …

Nanobubble-Enabled Foam Fractionation To Remove Freshwater Microalgae And Microcystin, Yihan Zhang, Lili Li, Shan Xue, Tsung-Ta David Hsu, Anne C. Hurley, Meiyin S Wu, Xuezhi Zhang, Wen Zhang

Department of Biology Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

Climate change and water pollution intensify algal blooms in natural lakes and reservoirs, leading to significant water quality challenges. Effectively removing excessive microalgae and algal toxins or micropollutants is essential for improving water quality, preserving aesthetic value, and protecting human health. This study evaluated the use of nanobubble-enabled foam fractionation for the removal of Microcystis aeruginosa and three microcystin congeners (MC-LR, MC-RR, and MC-YR). Foam was generated using air nanobubbles combined with surfactants—cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), and chitosan—to enhance foamability and stability. Among the tested surfactants, CTAB exhibited the highest foamability, yielding improved removal performance. When CTAB …

Znf16 Is A Nucleolar-Associated Protein That Regulates Expression Of Rdna And Cancer-Associated Genes, Chelsea L. George, Laura A. Espinoza Quevedo, Jason Paratore, Matthew J. Alcaraz, Arlene P. Levario, Yasir Rahmatallah, Galina V. Glazko, Nathan S. Reyna, Laura Diaz-Martinez

Biology Faculty Scholarship

ZNF16 (also known as HZF1 and KOX9) is a multi-C2H2 zinc finger protein first identified via its expression in human T-cells and shown to have a role in blood cell differentiation. ZNF16 was later shown to be ubiquitously expressed in a variety of fetal and adult tissues, suggesting a broader function. In this study, we confirm the ubiquitous expression of ZNF16 in a variety of cancer and non-cancer cell lines and show that ZNF16 depletion reduces cell viability in all cell lines tested. Furthermore, we show that ZNF16 localizes to the nucleolus in a transcription-dependent manner, interacts with the intergenic …

Impact Of Cross-Client Heterogeneity In Federated Learning For Real-World Plant Disease Classification, Ritesh Janga

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Deep learning applications are being adopted in agricultural image analysis that include challenges of data privacy and limited institutional data and heterogeneity of different types of architectures. However, Federated Learning is a model that allows collaborative training on data that does not have to be shared among parties. Therefore, Federated Learning is an effective method of collaborative training; however, its comparative effectiveness as compared to individual (local) training on diverse architectures has never been examined in an agricultural context. The objective of this study was to examine Federated Learning for the purpose of crop disease classification on extreme non-IID distributed …

Cordgrass (Spartina Alterniflora) In Bio-Restoration Integrated Coastal Substrate (Brics): Restoring The New England Coastline., Kaitlyn Frances Shelley

UNH URC Open (2026 and after)

The Engineering for Agri-Environment Laboratory (EAE) is dedicated to developing nature-based solutions that enhance the resilience of agricultural and coastal ecosystems. The study involves current work (trial 2) underway in Spring 2026 and Summer 2026, integrating principles of sustainable engineering and plant science. BRICS, our Bio-Restoration Integrated Coastal Substrate, proposes a new way to reduce erosion, stabilize root structures, provide a critical habitat for wildlife, and promote vegetation throughout the coast.

Evaluating The Healthfulness Of The University Of New Hampshire’S Food Environment Using The Healthy Campus Environmental Audit (Hcea), Margo Kamis

UNH URC Open (2026 and after)

Evaluating the Healthfulness of the University of New Hampshire’s Food Environment Using the Healthy Campus Environmental Audit (HCEA)

Interactions Between Red Foxes And Coyotes Across Urban And Wild Habitats, Caroline E. Savage, Taylor S. Readyhough, Remington J. Moll, Jonathon D. Cepek

UNH URC Open (2026 and after)

Dens are critical to the life history of many mammal species, particularly when raising young. Excavating a den is energetically costly, so several species can use existing dens, and multiple species may inhabit the same den complex simultaneously. However, the extent of den sharing among urban mammals is understudied. Between March 2021, and June 2023, we used camera traps to monitor a multi-species den site in Cleveland, Ohio, USA. We documented den visitation and use by at least 11 mammal species, including red fox, coyote, raccoon, woodchuck, and Virginia opossum. Coyotes and red foxes both exhibited scent-marking at the den …

Soil Organic Carbon And Soil Health Property Responses To Land Management Across Topographic Positions, Mia D. Makovsky

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

uring the last ice age, ice sheets advanced and retreated across the upper Midwest, leaving behind a landscape characterized by poorly drained hummocky topography. Well-aerated soils have formed on uplands and lowlands are dominated by hydric soils. These wetlands and hydric soils have potential to store large quantities of carbon, particularly compared to the well-aerated uplands, but many have been drained and cultivated for decades. Conservation agriculture methods have emerged to protect and conserve soil health from negative effects due to cultivation.The purpose of this study is to determine how agricultural management practices and landscape properties (e.g, topographic position) affect …

Analyzing The Impact Of Sunscreen Pollutants On The Development Of Lytechinus Variegatus, Christina M. Lillenas, Chesney J. Anderson, Ann M. Buchmann

Nebraska Academy of Sciences: Programs and Proceedings

Lytechinus variegatus or the variegated sea urchin is found in shallow, tropical waters. Lytechinus variegatus can be found in sandy reef beds, and sea grass, covered in algae and debris to protect itself from the UV rays and predators. Sea urchins play a crucial role in coral reef ecosystems. Sea urchins follow an omnivore diet, feeding on algae and phytoplankton. In coral reef ecosystems, sea urchins eat unwanted algae, allowing coral reefs to continue growing and thriving. Without the presence of sea urchins in coral reef communities, algae can negatively affect the growth and success of coral reefs. Sunscreen serves …

Inferring Genes And Biological Systems Under Selective Pressure In The Secondarily Temperate Cryonotothenioids, Esteban Cabrera

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

Notothenioid fishes represent one of the most compelling examples of adaptive radiation driven by extreme environmental change, having diversified in the chronically cold waters of the Southern Ocean. While most cryonotothenioids evolved highly specialized cold-adapted characteristics, several secondarily temperate species later re-invaded warmer environments. These lineages provide a rare opportunity to examine evolutionary reversibility and the genomic mechanisms enabling escape from extreme specialization. In this study, we investigate two secondarily temperate species, Dissostichus eleginoides and Champsocephalus esox, comparing their protein-coding orthogroups to background sets from Antarctic cryonotothenioids and basal temperate teleosts. Using phylogeny based evolutionary models (BUSTED, aBSREL, and RELAX) …

A Trajectory Of Zostera Marina (Eelgrass) Ecosystem Recovery: Pre- And Post-Hurricane Sandy Degradation In Barnegat Bay, New Jersey, Edgar A. Medina

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

Hurricane Sandy struck Barnegat Bay, New Jersey in 2012 and obliterated the benthic marine ecosystem with extensive damage to Zostera marina meadows. Previous genetic assessments of Barnegat Bay Z. marina in 2008 revealed low heterozygosity and low connectivity between populations. The great disruption caused by Hurricane Sandy motivated us to investigate the long-term effects of the storm on the genetic condition of the eelgrass populations in the year 2021. The investigation revealed improvements in heterozygosity, inbreeding, and connectivity. These findings drove us to investigate the genetics of Barnegat Bay eelgrass populations in the intervening years of 2013 and 2017 with …

Toward Interpretable Multi-Omics Multimodal Biomedical Artificial Intelligence, Yanjun Lyu

Computer Science and Engineering Dissertations

The complexity of human disease arises from biological processes that unfold across multiple scales, from molecular variation through cellular function, tissue organisation, brain phenotypes, each of which is associated with distinct measurement modalities, regularities, and characteristic. Contemporary biomedical artificial intelligence has brought the opportunity to reveal the complexity with in; however, its methodological default, in which models are trained on most readily available modality, does not adequately engage with the multi-scale connected structure by which biological meaning is constituted. The research area of multi-omics and multi-modal AI for biomedicine remains at an early exploratory stage, and the work presented in …

Influence Of Microbial Communities And Dilute Heavy Metals In Green Manure On Growth In Lactuca Sativa, Robert Lemay

Student Research Projects

This experiment investigated the effects of a green manure (Lemna minor, common duckweed) grown in varying levels of heavy metals and inoculated with local microbiomes on a crop (Lactuca sativa, volcana lettuce). The growth and health of the duckweeds were measured via root length and biomass, and the health of the lettuce crop was measured via head diameter and biomass.  Two levels of heavy metal concentrations were based on real-world stormwater runoff data to mimic an agricultural environment where accumulation of metals in local water bodies may be absorbed into green manure duckweeds. One microbial treatment and …

Limitations Of Reproductive Manipulation By Bacterial Endosymbionts In A Spider Host, Jordyn D. Proctor

Theses and Dissertations--Entomology

Maternally inherited bacterial endosymbionts are common in arthropods. Many of these bacteria manipulate host reproduction to favor the production of infected females, thereby increasing bacterial prevalence in the host population, even if cost is incurred to the host. However, there are also many factors that may inhibit symbionts’ ability to spread in host populations, including environmental constraints, symbiont-imposed costs on the host, interactions with co-infecting bacteria, or host biology. I explored two aspects of symbiont biology within a spider host, Mermessus fradeorum (Linyphiidae), which has varying combinations of up to five different bacterial endosymbionts in local populations: Rickettsiella, Tisiphia …

Impacts Of Livestock Dewormers On Dung Beetle Foraging Choices Across Spatial Scales, Madison L. Kluge

Theses and Dissertations--Entomology

Dung beetles provide ecosystem services in pasture systems but are vulnerable to chemical residues in livestock dung. Parasiticides containing macrocyclic lactones (MLs) are used to control parasites in livestock and are excreted unmetabolized in dung, exposing non-target organisms to these compounds. We used a multi-scale approach to examine whether ML residues alter dung beetle foraging ecology. At the field scale, we assessed dung beetle abundance and community composition using traps baited with dung from untreated cattle and cattle treated with ivermectin, moxidectin, or eprinomectin across eight farms and natural areas. At a smaller scale, we conducted behavioral assays to quantify …

Health Disparities In Cardiovascular Care: The Impact Of Diabetes Education And Post-Discharge Interventions For African American Adults At Risk For And After Myocardial Infarction, Trinity L. Billingsley

Nursing | Senior Theses

Background: Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, affecting African American adults at higher rates compared to other racial and ethnic groups. Diabetes as a comorbidity is one of the risk factors of experiencing a myocardial infarction, remaining one of the leading causes of death among individuals with diabetes. Objective: To examine the effectiveness of structured diabetes education tailored to African American adults who are at risk for and after a myocardial infarction. Additionally assessing the complications of a myocardial infarction, the outcomes associated with structured education will be compared to the outcomes of …

Forecasting Lung Cancer Burden Using Multicenter Real-World Data, Omer Aydin, Levent Korkmaz, Aybeyan Selim, Murat Kuzlu, Ferhat Ozgur Catak, Huseyin Kusetogullari, Umit Cali

Engineering Technology Faculty Publications

Background – Lung cancer continues to place a significant clinical and operational burden on healthcare infrastructure and systems. While essential epidemiological data can be obtained from population-based registries, these systems often fail to provide information on long-term follow-up and healthcare utilization dynamics. Real-world data collected from healthcare institutions offer valuable insights; however, in-depth and careful analysis is necessary to distinguish true diagnostic trends from changes in service utilization and access.

Objectives – The primary objective of this study is to characterize and forecast the prevalence of lung cancer diagnoses at the specified hospitals for future years. The study aims to …

Perinatal Inflammation And Oxidative Stress Alter Adult Rat (Rattus Norvegicus) Motor Behavior, Alexander Young

Honors College Theses

Recent evidence in comparative animal models suggests that early life exposure to elevated inflammation (via LPS exposure) and oxidative stress (via acetaminophen exposure) may synergistically interact to alter typical neurodevelopmental trajectories, resulting in lasting effects on both behavior and gut-brain neurochemistry. The current study observed emotional and motor behaviors and collected fecal-boli to measure Tyrosine (TE) levels in male and female Long-Evans (Rattus norvegicus) rats. Subjects were either treated with [1] saline [2] lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to introduce an inflammatory state, [3] acetaminophen (APAP) to introduce oxidative stress, or [4] a dual-hit of both LPS + APAP on postnatal day (PD) …

Development Of Tunable Rose Bengal Based-Nanogumbos As Potential Selective Chemotherapeutic Agents, William J.A. Russell

Honors College Theses

As cancer remains one of the greatest threats to the global population, the development of chemotherapeutic agents that are selective and tunable is of critical importance. Herein, a series of Rose Bengal (RB)-based GUMBOS, a group of uniform materials based on organic salts, were synthesized via counterion exchange between [Na]₂[RB] and three organic cations: tetrabutylphosphonium bromide [TBP][Br], tetraphenylphosphonium chloride [TPP][Cl], and 1-dodecyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride [C₁₂MIm][Cl]. The resulting GUMBOS were characterized through FT-IR, ESI-MS, NMR, and UV-Vis Spectroscopy. Partition coefficient studies indicated all GUMBOS exhibited hydrophobic physiochemical characteristics. These hydrophobic RB-based GUMBOS …

Preventing Coccus Longulus Infestation, Nicholas Wellls

Honors College Theses

In the Armstrong greenhouse, the Coccus longulus scale insect is a prevalent problem on a specific species of Begonia known as Begonia ‘Richmondensis’. Inside the greenhouse there are several types of begonias with very similar characteristics to the Richmondensis begonia. However, none of these other begonias are infested by C. longulus, despite similar leaf thickness and environmental conditions such as humidity and light. This project examined whether differences in the chemical composition of the Begonia leaves can explain this pattern. Results were not statistically significant, but they showed that the chemicals had a noticeable impact on the scale, and …

Common Census Methods Can Lead To Fundamentally Different Ecological Interpretations Of Coral Reef Fish Communities, Helen F. Yan, Samantha K. Crisp, David R. Bellwood, Alexandre C. Siqueira, Sterling B. Tebbett

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

In an era of large-scale stressors, scientists are racing to collate equally large datasets to answer macroecological questions. Coral reefs lie at the forefront of system-wide transformations and are thus the focus of many macroecological studies. A lack of standardised, global data across time, however, has resulted in the coalition of data from disparate sources, often comprising different survey methods. However, can we make the same ecological inferences from data collected using different survey protocols? Here, we employed two of the most common reef fish census techniques—point counts and belt transects—of varying survey effort (time and area) to assess whether …

Edible Coatings Application For Postharvest Fruits Preservation: Bibliometric Trends, Material Design, Physiological Mechanisms, And Safety Perspectives, Muslim Qadir, Navjot Kaur, Dali Vilma Francis, Abdelmoneim K. Abdalla, Zora Singh, Zienab F.R. Ahmed

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Fresh fruits play a vital role in ensuring food and nutritional security, while also making significant contributions to global trade. However, due to their highly perishable nature, they are susceptible to postharvest losses during storage, transportation, and marketing. Edible coatings (ECs) and edible films are effective postharvest preservation technologies for retarding senescence and preserving fruit quality. This review provides a comprehensive update on recent developments in ECs and films aimed at reducing postharvest losses in fresh fruits. These coatings are formulated using biopolymers, including polysaccharides, proteins, and lipids, along with food-grade additives. The review discusses how ECs modulate postharvest physiology …

Wuthuga (Dugong) Population Status In Gathaagudu (Shark Bay) Sea Country, Holly Raudino, Amanda Hodgson, Chris Cleguer, Kym Reeve, Molly Moustaka, Osmar Luiz, Simone Strydom, Kathy Murray, Neilisha Oakley, Tariq Mcdonald, Abby Leyendekkers, Jay Hayes, Marlee Hutton, Julian A. Tyne, Kelly Waples

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Introduction: Monitoring trends in wildlife populations and their response to pressures is integral but challenging for conservation managers. Wuthuga (dugongs (Dugong dugon)) are increasingly vulnerable as extreme climatic events, such as marine heatwaves and flooding, intensify with a warming climate and increasingly impact the seagrass they are dependent upon.

Methods: This study estimated wuthuga abundance using two methodologies: conventional observer aerial surveys, as part of a time-series of surveys, alongside aerial imagery, in Gathaagudu (Shark Bay), Western Australia in 2023. We compare the contemporary abundance estimates with long term monitoring data (1989 – 2018) to identify temporal trends in abundance …

Limited Site-Specific Blue Carbon Recovery Following Tropical Seagrass Restoration In Thailand, Ratchanee Kaewsrikhaw, Milica Stankovic, Pere Masqué, Mathew A. Vanderklift, Tipamat Upanoi, Anchana Prathep

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Seagrass restoration is gaining popularity as a nature-based method for climate change mitigation, owing to its effectiveness in capturing and storing organic carbon (Corg). However, demonstrating blue carbon additionality — defined as a measurable increase in carbon stocks directly attributable to restoration activities — remains challenging. This research assessed sedimentary Corg stocks and carbon accumulation rates in restored tropical seagrass meadows throughout Thailand. Despite successful restoration at multiple sites, sediment analysis showed little Corg accumulation, low Corg and organic matter content, with non-significant differences among restored seagrass areas, patchy natural meadows, and nearby bare sand areas. Limited sediment accumulation was …

Insights Into Site Fidelity Of A Low-Density Dugong Population Using Small-Drone Imagery And Photo-Identification, Roxana Newman, Ashwag Asseri, William David Paterson, Deni Porej, Harry Clark, Mishari Alghrair, Winston Cowie, David Charles Wells, Amanda Jane Hodgson

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The feasibility of using unoccupied aerial vehicles (UAVs, ‘drones’) to collect high-resolution still and video imagery of dugongs (Dugong dugon) for photo-identification (photo-ID) in the Sindalah Archipelago, NEOM (area ~ 84 km²), within the northeast Red Sea, Saudi Arabia, was evaluated during opportunistic marine megafauna searches. Drone searches were conducted whenever possible over one year (January 2024 to January 2025). A total of 48 dugong observations were made during 91 days of drone flights, covering a cumulative distance of 5,962 km of flying. Of these, 35 (72.9%) were repeat sightings (range = 2 to 8 resights) of nine …

Missing Planktivore Functions Drive Global Variation In Reef Fish Productivity, James Gahan, Helen F. Yan, David R. Bellwood, Graham J. Edgar, Leo T. Nankervis, Alexandre C. Siqueira, Rick D. Stuart-Smith, Sterling B. Tebbett

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The functioning of high-diversity ecosystems, such as coral reefs, is intrinsically tied to the integrity and efficiency of the trophic pathways within these systems. Coral reef productivity depends, in part, on the input of external nutrients, primarily zooplankton, that is assimilated by extraordinarily diverse fish communities. The plankton–planktivore trophic pathway is thus crucial for sustaining the productivity that exemplifies coral reef ecosystems; however, it remains poorly understood at large spatial scales. Here we explore global patterns in reef fish community structure, revealing a major discrepancy between the Indo-Pacific and Caribbean in the productivity and fisheries potential of planktivorous reef fishes. …

High Coral Thermal Tolerance At A Potentially Climate-Resistant Reef, Kate M. Quigley, C. Siqueira, Kira Brereton, Andrew H. Baird

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Ecosystems globally are under increasing pressure from warming caused by climate change. However, some locations appear resistant to impacts. Although rare, these locations might be able to better resist damage from thermal stress. In marine environments, coral bleaching is widely viewed as one of the most pervasive stress responses threatening reef health, structure, and function. Yet we still have a poor understanding of the drivers of spatial and temporal variation in the scale and severity of coral bleaching. Here, we characterize a prolonged, intense, and widespread marine heatwave event and uncover a conspicuous lack of bleaching at the southernmost coral …