Life Sciences Commons^™

A Field Test Of The Role Of Biofluorescence In Territorial Salamanders, Kasey Watterson, Cari-Ann M. Hickerson, Carl Anthony

2026 Faculty Bibliography

Biofluorescence is recognized as an important form of visual communication, yet its function remains largely untested in many terrestrial species. In Eastern Red-Backed Salamanders (Plethodon cinereus), fluorescence of the postcloacal gland is a sexually dimorphic trait most strongly expressed in males. Because fluorescence can be displayed during territorial contests, we hypothesized that fluorescence in male P. cinereus would be positively related to resource holding potential (RHP) of territorial residents in the field. To test this hypothesis, we examined the relationship between fluorescence and two separate variables: body condition (as a proxy for RHP) and territory quality (the expected payoff from …

Cross-Domain Antimicrobial Resistance In Poultry Farming: A One Health Assessment Of Antimicrobial Use And Multidrug Resistance In Kiambu County, Kenya, Ann Kangai Munene, Peter Muiruri Mwangi, Lilly Caroline Bebora, Christine Minoo Mbindyo, John Muthini Maingi

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Background and Aim: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has emerged as a major One Health threat driven by inappropriate antimicrobial use (AMU) in humans, animals, and the environment. Poultry production is recognized as a key reservoir of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria, yet few studies in Kenya examine AMU and AMR across interconnected human–animal–environment domains. This study assessed AMU patterns among poultry farmers in Kiambu County and characterized phenotypic resistance in Escherichia coli and Enterococcus spp. isolated from humans, chickens, and chicken environments. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from May to September 2024, involving 102 poultry farms. Farm demographics and AMU data …

Mapping Robusta Coffee (Coffea Canephora) Cropping Systems In Uganda: A Two-Step Pixel And Sub-Pixel Based Approach With Sentinel-2 Data, Getachew Kebede, Bester Tawona Mudereri, Onisimo Mutanga, Tobias Landmann, John Odindi, Natacha Motisi, Fabrice Pinard, Henri E.Z. Tonnang, Elfatih M. Abdel-Rahman

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Coffee is a highly valued commodity and a widely consumed beverage, playing an important role in global trade. However, coffee farming landscapes are increasing transitioning into smaller-scale agricultural setups. This transformation highlights the critical need for accurate classification and mapping of coffee cropping systems (CS), especially in countries like Uganda, where dense vegetation and complex terrain present substantial challenges to traditional land survey methods. Moreover, understanding the spatial distribution of Robusta coffee (Coffea canephora) CS is essential for developing site-specific management strategies, guiding extension services, and informing evidence-based policy decisions. To address this gap, the present study aimed to enhance …

A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis Of Mosquito Arboviral Infections Detected Through Xenosurveillance In Africa: A Focus On West Nile, Rift Valley Fever, And Chikungunya Virus Infections, Mxolisi Mgongoma, Armanda Bastos, Abel Ramoelo, David P. Tchouassi

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

This systematic review and meta-analysis comprehensively evaluated the mosquito arboviral infections with West Nile virus (WNV), Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV), and chikungunya virus (CHIV), detected through xenosurveillance, reported in mosquito vectors across Africa in the last 25 years (2000–2024). The study analysed xenosurveillance data from 45 studies conducted with over 115,000 mosquito specimens, and incorporated moderator analyses to assess the influence of trap type, seasonality, regional location, settlement type, and screening methods on virus detection rates. The estimated pooled prevalence of WNV was 1.18% (95% CI: 0.60–3.43%), with higher rates observed in Culex quinquefasciatus and Culex pipiens, particularly in …

Optimal Control Analysis Of Malaria Transmission In The Presence Of Insecticide Resistance And Climate Variability In Kenya, Lorna Chepkemoi, Titus Okello Orwa, Samuel Mwalili, Rachel Waema Mbogo, Steeven Belvinos Affognon, Daisy Salifu, Henri E.Z. Tonnang

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Malaria remains a major public health concern in Kenya, where changing climatic conditions, insecticide resistance, and mosquito behavioral adaptations continue to challenge control efforts. This study develops and analyzes a climate-sensitive malaria transmission model that incorporates mosquito behavior, insecticide resistance, and vector–human ecological dynamics to identify optimal control strategies for the Kenyan context. The model’s well-posedness was established, the basic reproduction number (R0) computed using the next-generation matrix method, and the stability of equilibrium points assessed. Spatial analysis of R0 was performed using temperature and rainfall raster data to map transmission risk across Kenya under varying insecticide use scenarios. Results …

Editorial: Sustainable Management Of Tuta Absoluta, Ahmad A. Omar, Inusa Jacob Ajene, Hafiz Muhammad Usman Aslam, Fathiya Mbarak Khamis

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

The tomato leafminer, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick), remains one of the most devastating global threats to tomato production. Its rapid invasion across continents, exceptional reproductive potential, cryptic foliar-mining behavior, and accelerated evolution of insecticide resistance have significantly complicated management efforts. The persistent failure of conventional chemical strategies underscores an urgent need for integrated solutions that combine molecular innovation, ecological engineering, and rigorous resistance monitoring. This editorial synthesizes key insights from recent contributions by Ullah et al., Bavithra et al., and Adams et al., which collectively outline a transformative, multi-dimensional framework for sustainable T. absoluta suppression.

Insect Farming Innovations: A Pathway To Self-Reliance In Agrifood Systems In Africa, Zewdu Abro, Menale Kassie, Dennis Beesigamukama, Shaphan Yong Chia, Ermias Engida Legesse, Subramanian Sevgan, Julius Ecuru, Chrysantus M. Tanga

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Insect farming as an innovative approach to transforming agrifood systems

Insect farming has emerged as a transformative and sustainable approach to addressing the interconnected challenges of food insecurity, environmental degradation, and economic vulnerability in Africa’s agrifood systems. By converting organic waste into high-value products (protein-rich feed, frass fertilizers, and bioactive compounds), insect farming offers an efficient circular economy solution that bridges nutrition, livelihoods, and ecological resilience (Lalander et al. 2025; Mei et al. 2024; Barragán-Fonseca et al. 2022; Xia et al. 2021; Van Huis 2020; Barragán-Fonseca et al. 2017; Van Huis and Oonincx 2017; Yi et al. 2014). Almost all …

Dietary Intake And Predictors Of Healthy Eating In Midwestern American College Students: An Observational Study †, Anna Peluso Simonson, Jacquelyn N. Zera, Gregory S. Farnell

2026 Faculty Bibliography

College students often maintain poor dietary habits, notably low fruit and vegetable intake. Commonbarriers include limited time, cost, and lack of nutritional knowledge. This study examined dietary behaviors, barriers, and factors influencing Healthy Eating Scores (HES) amongcollege students. Participants (N = 224; age = 20.3 ± 2.5 years, BMI = 23.9 ± 4.1 kg/m2, 78.9% female, and 91.3% white) completed an online survey. Results indicate meat overconsumption with underconsumption of water, fruits, and vegetables. Limited time and healthy options were the primary perceived barriers. Tests of between-subject effects identified gender (F = 4.38, p = 0.04) and living situation (F …

The Effect Of Sleep Environment On Sleep Quality And Behavior In Firefighters: A Cross-Sectional Study, Jacquelyn N. Zera, Erica Esper, Anna Peluso Simonson, Ashley N. Clausen, Serena Paterno

2026 Faculty Bibliography

Firefighters face high-stress occupational demands and irregular shift work that negatively impact sleep quality, which is intrinsically linked to long-term physical and psychological health. This cross-sectional study examines how the physical sleep environment (home vs. work) and station sleeping arrangements (bunk-style vs. individual dorm-style quarters) influence subjective sleep quality in this population. Sixty-six career firefighters (Age = 40.89 ± 11.05 years), completed the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) to assess their sleep in both home and fire station environments, with data analyzed using Wilcoxon Signed Ranks and Mann–Whitney U tests. The results reveal significant differences (p < 0.001), with sleep duration, efficiency, subjective quality, and global PSQI scores all performing significantly better at home than at work. Notably, no significant differences were found between bunk-style and dorm-style sleeping quarters at the station. These findings suggest that firefighters experience poorer sleep while on duty regardless of room design, indicating that operational stressors like call volume and nocturnal arousal may be more influential on sleep quality than the physical arrangement of sleeping quarters, and could inform organizational policies and wellness programs aimed at reducing occupational fatigue.

Independent And Interactive Effects Of Stack Height And Heel Width On Spatiotemporal Parameters, Knee Joint Kinetics, And Ground Reaction Forces During Running, Hao Cai

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

This study investigated the independent and interactive effects of stack height (SH) and heel width (HW) on lower-extremity biomechanics during running. Specifically, the study examined how variations in midsole geometry influenced spatiotemporal parameters, knee joint kinetics, and ground reaction forces (GRF). Twelve recreational runners (8 males, 4 females) completed treadmill running trials at 16 km/h under nine shoe conditions that systematically varied in SH (25, 45, and 65 mm) and HW (81, 93, and 105 mm). Lower-extremity kinematics were collected using a Theia3D markerless motion capture system, and GRF data were recorded using an instrumented treadmill. A two-way repeated-measures ANOVA …

Influence Of Footwear Geometry On Lower Limb Stiffness During Running, Hongjiao Duan

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

This study examined how footwear geometry, specifically stack height and heel width, influences lower-limb stiffness during treadmill running. Twelve recreationally active runners completed treadmill running trials at 4.44 m/s in nine prototype shoe conditions that differed in stack height (25, 45, and 65 mm) and heel width (81, 93, and 105 mm). Vertical stiffness, leg stiffness, and sagittal-plane hip, knee, and ankle joint stiffness were calculated from synchronized markerless motion capture and force data. A two-way repeated-measures ANOVA (stack height X heel width) was used to test footwear effects. Leg stiffness was not significantly affected by stack height or heel …

Assessing Climate-Driven Shifts In Floral Resource Availability For Bees On Barrier Islands In The Southeastern U.S., Hannah Brown

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Climate change can alter the timing of bee and angiosperm phenology, potentially reshaping the seasonal availability of floral resources for bee species. Although plant-pollinator phenology has been widely studied in temperate systems, less is known about these dynamics in subtropical coastal ecosystems, such as barrier islands in the southeastern United States. In this study, we examined climate-driven changes in bee activity and floral resource availability across 16 barrier-island sites spanning from Florida to Virginia. Using museum bee occurrence records, herbarium-derived flowering phenology models, site-specific floristic inventories, and published bee-plant interaction data, we estimated species-specific bee activity periods and daily floral …

Exploring The Impact Of Adverse Childhood Experiences On Preventive Healthcare Utilization In Rural Georgia, Ryan R. Traylor

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

This study examines the relationship between Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and preventive healthcare use among adults in Georgia, specifically within rural populations facing structural barriers. Using 2023 Georgia Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data, the research analyzes associations between ACE exposure, rural residence, and preventive care outcomes, including physical exams and flu vaccinations. Guided by an intersectionally adapted version of Andersen’s Behavioral Model of Health Services Use, the study evaluates how predisposing factors, enabling resources, and perceived barriers relate to healthcare engagement. Logistic regression analyses assess the correlation of ACE exposure, cost barriers, provider access, and sociodemographics with preventive …

Assessing The Diversity And Composition Of Crayfish Assemblages In The Ogeechee River Basin, Reginald Turner

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Crayfish assemblage composition in the southeastern United States is understudied relative to other aquatic taxa, such as aquatic insects and fishes, and the Coastal Plain watersheds of that region are particularly underrepresented in the contemporary literature on this topic. For example, although 38% of the crayfish species in Georgia are considered “species of greatest conservation need,” most of the distributional data used to make these designations are outdated, with some dating back over 50 years. This thesis sought to update our understanding of the contemporary distributions of crayfish species within the Ogeechee River Basin (ORB), a watershed in southeastern Georgia …

Examining Firefighter Perceptions Of Stress And Recovery Across A Shift And Engagement In Recovery Activities, Nathan T. Ebersole

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

The occupational demands of firefighting, such as fire suppression and rescue tasks, working in hazardous conditions, inconsistent sleep patterns, and exposure to traumatic events, can lead to work-related injuries, burnout, and feelings of isolation. To date, there is limited research on the impact of a single work-shift on firefighter perceptions of stress and recovery and the recovery activities that may influence these perceptions. Thus, the purpose of this study was to examine the effect of a single work-shift on firefighter perceptions of stress and recovery status as well as the recovery activities firefighters choose to engage in. Forty-three firefighters across …

The Influence Of Localized Water Quality On Eastern Oysters (Crassostrea Virginica) And Their Internal Microbiome Under Changing Environmental Conditions, Jessie Rivera Lafreniere

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Oysters are found ubiquitously in estuaries along the Georgia coast, where marsh morphology and large daily tidal fluctuations create dynamic and stressful conditions to which oysters may be locally adapted. Based on water quality data from the Sapelo Island National Estuarine Research Reserve, it is evident that changing climatic conditions are rapidly causing shifts in water quality that may be adversely affecting oyster health, especially as ocean acidification alters the carbonate buffering capacity, increasing the amplitude of daily pH variations. Importantly, the rate of change of conditions are not uniform within estuaries, varying on spatial and temporal scales. The symbiotic …

Evaluating Source Material And Seed Propagation Techniques For Spartina Alterniflora To Enhance Salt Marsh Restoration In Coastal Georgia, Maygan Palacios

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Salt marshes provide critical ecosystem services, including carbon sequestration, flood attenuation, and habitat for diverse aquatic and terrestrial species. Despite their ecological importance, these habitats are increasingly threatened by anthropogenic activities and rising sea levels. To protect and restore salt marshes and their ecosystem services, restoration efforts using living shorelines (LS) have become more common. Along the Eastern and Gulf coasts of the United States, the native grass Spartina alterniflora is commonly used in LS installations for its key role in salt marsh food webs, resilience to abiotic stress, and ability to stabilize and build sediment. Previous studies have documented …

Vibrio In Oysters: Exploring The Impact Of Harvesting Practices, Samin Yasar

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

The rapid growth of oyster aquaculture in the Southeastern United States necessitates the validation of post-harvest processing strategies to mitigate the risk of Vibrio spp. infection. This study investigated the efficiency of three cooling methods - Direct Ice Burial, Indirect Ice Cooling, and Ambient Control, on the prevalence and abundance of V. cholerae, V. parahaemolyticus, and V. vulnificus in cultured oysters (Crassostrea virginica) harvested in Georgia. Additionally, the study examined the safety of two different re-submersion periods for oyster safety.

Internal temperature profiles confirmed that while Direct Ice Burial achieved the most rapid cooling (< 10° C in 7.3 ± 1.2 min), the Indirect Ice Cooling protocol successfully reached the safety threshold in 73.7 ± 17.2 min, well within the 2-hour regulatory window. Microbiological analysis (N = 270) revealed that V. …