Biology Commons^™

Role Of The Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor (Ahr) In Cellular Response To Novel Chemotherapeutic Compounds, Alexis Fagg '28, Jacoba Hensley '27, Emma Krsak '28

Annual Student Research Poster Session

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of death in women in the United States and around the world, with approximately 320,000 new cases estimated to be diagnosed, and over 40,000 cancer-related deaths estimated in 2026 (American Cancer Society, Key Statistics for Breast Cancer). While cancer treatments have improved significantly in the past decade, particularly in the area of immunotherapy, these therapies are not effective in solid tumors like breast cancer. There are many therapeutic options for early-stage breast cancer, but new therapeutic options continue to be necessary, particularly to prevent progression of cancers and to treat advanced, metastatic tumors. …

An Exploration Of Plasticity In Apocynum Cannabinum, Mia Moore 28, Rose Keith

Annual Student Research Poster Session

Hemp Dogbane (Apocynum Cannabinum) is a perennial plant native to the United States known for being extremely plastic, meaning its morphological traits adapt to its environment. This study explores how dogbane adapts to microgeographic variance and how its morphological traits are influenced by its genetics vs. the environment. We conducted various experiments over the summer. The first was a large census at the beginning of the summer where we measured several morphological traits of dogbane from the quarry bottom of the DePauw Nature Park (DNP) and various other locations in or adjacent to the DNP. We repeated this census at …

Recreational Fishing Location Guide, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Fisheries Occasional Publications

Please note: this version (6th edition) published in 2026 replaces the version published in 2023.

This guide has been developed to help you identify the fishing locations that you may visit. The purpose of this guide is to enhance consistent and accurate identification of fishing locations and block numbers within each Bioregion. If you are unsure about a particular location, please discuss it with a representative of the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Western Australia.

Cell Cycle Inhibition: Illudin S And Its Effects On Cdk2 In Ewing Sarcoma, Stephanie Diez, Natalie Flores, Alexandria Hernandez, Viviana Palacios, Terry Jo Shackleford

Cell and Molecular Methods

Ewing Sarcomas are aggressive round cell mesenchymal neoplasmas that have a high occurrence in children and young adults. CDK2 is a protein that is involved in the G1 phase of the cell cycle, which promotes the transition to the S phase. CDK2 kinase activation is mainly observed in the G1/S-phase transition.3 CDK2 binds to Cyclin proteins is responsible for entry and progression, thereby leading to maximal apoptosis activity in the S-phase. Illudin S is a drug that has been known to target cancer-specific cells, such as leukemia. Illudin S, in general are a cytotoxic metabolite that comes from plants, specifically …

Yap1 Knockdown And Panobinostat Treatment Increase Apoptotic Response And Decrease Gene Expression In Ewing Sarcoma Cells, Luna Collazo-Garcia, Alejandra Favela Santos, Madeline Torres-Salazar, Isabella Toscano, Terry Jo Shackleford

Cell and Molecular Methods

Ewing sarcoma (EWS) is considered to be one of the most aggressive pediatric malignancies, often characterized by its dysregulated gene expression driven by oncogenic fusion proteins. The Hippo signaling effector Yes-associated protein 1 (YAP1) has been known in promoting cell proliferation, survival, and therapeutic resistance in multiple cancers. However, its role in Ewing sarcoma response to treatment remains unclear. This study investigated whether YAP1 knockdown enhances the sensitivity of Ewing sarcoma cells to the histone deacetylase inhibitor Panobinostat. Ewing sarcoma, ES8, cells were transfected with a YAP1-targeting siRNA (siYAP1) or a non-targeting control (siControl) and treated with DMSO, 0.1 μM, …

Everolimus Treatment Combined With Akt1 Knockdown Increased Apoptosis And Decreased Cell Proliferation In Ewing Sarcoma Cells, Arisha Arif, Alfie Barcenez, Sophia Ruter, Nicole Vanegas-Riddick, Terry Jo Shackleford

Cell and Molecular Methods

The purpose of this study is to use the gene AKT1, due to the interest in AKT1’s role in cancer cell proliferation, and the drug Everolimus, to determine if combined targeted therapy works as a more efficient therapeutic approach. Ewing Sarcoma has been connected to chromosomal translocations and is most common in pediatric patients. It is most often treated with chemotherapy and local treatments. It may be connected to the gene AKT1 due to how it regulates cell metabolism, growth, and proliferation. The gene mTOR is similarly connected to cell metabolism and proliferation, and is inhibited by the drug Everolimus. …

Sirna Knockdown Of Rptor Reduces Rptor Expression, Increases Brd4 Expression, And Alters Proliferation And Apoptosis In Ewing's Sarcoma Cells, Sergio Cipriano, David Leavitt, Michael Olivia, Liam Valdez, Terry Jo Shackleford

Cell and Molecular Methods

Ewing sarcoma is a highly aggressive cancer that primarily affects children and young adults. Although treatment options exist, many patients do not respond effectively, showing the need for improved targeted therapies. RPTOR is a key in mTORC1 complex which regulates cell growth, proliferation, and survival. LY2874455 is a selective pan-FGFR inhibitor that targets growth factor signaling pathways involved in tumor progression, and FGFR signaling interacts with pathways such as mTOR, making it a potential target for combination therapies. We hypothesized that silencing RPTOR in Ewing sarcoma cells would disrupt mTOR signaling and alter expression of genes linked to cell survival …

Everolimus And Sirna-Mediated Mtor Inhibition Reduces Proliferation And Promotes Apoptosis In Ewing Sarcoma Cells, Dylan Calvert, Malorie Martinez, Alexa Miner, Ellis Quiroga, Terry Jo Shackleford

Cell and Molecular Methods

Ewing Sarcoma (ES) is an aggressive pediatric bone cancer characterized by rapid cell proliferation and poor prognosis, making the identification of therapeutic targets critical. One of  the mechanistic targets is rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway, which is critical for regulating cell growth, proliferation, and survival. Abnormal activation of the mTOR signaling pathway has been linked to the progression of ES, as it drives uncontrolled cell growth and apoptosis resistance. Because mTOR represents a promising therapeutic target for ES treatment, we hypothesized that inhibiting mTOR activity through an siRNA-mediated knockdown or through Everolimus drug treatment, would reduce cell proliferation and promote ES …

From Sunshine To Sight Lost: Amd In North Dakota, Sidney J. Leciejewski, Diane Darland

Arts & Sciences Undergraduate Showcase

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a progressive eye disease that directly harms the macula, which could eventually cause vision loss. The macula is an area on the back of the eye that contains cone cells, which allow for our color vision. Its location also allows us to have our central vision. There are two kinds: the dry and wet form, where the wet form is more extreme. The disease, itself, is highly prevalent in North Dakota, which is why it is important to note its causes and prevention methods. Some causes of AMD include genetic risks,  health risks, and metabolic …

Skeletal Muscle Characteristics Long-Living Dwarf Mice In Response To High Fat Diet, Landon Schumacher, Matthew Johnston, Jaspreet Osan, Holly Brown-Borg

Arts & Sciences Undergraduate Showcase

Introduction: The effects of high fat diet (HFD; 60% kcal: fat) on skeletal muscle in mice with postnatal growth hormone deficiency is relatively unknown. We compared the tibialis anterior (TA) muscle from middle aged female Ames Dwarf and Wildtype mice fed HFD for 16 weeks and standard diet (STD; 10%: fat) to see the impacts of a HFD on inflammation and fibrotic formation in the musculature.   Methodology: Mice were euthanized after diet duration (age 10-12 months), and TAs were collected and frozen in OCT for cross-sectional cryosection. Ten um thick muscle was fixed to slides and stained with Oil Red-O …

Ai×Life 2026: Advances In Computational Biology Across Scales For Life & Health Sciences, Suma Mohan S., Devika N. T., Pranavathiyani G.

Conference Proceedings

Book of Abstracts of the International Conference, AIxLife 2026: Advances in Computational Biology Across Scales for Life & Health Sciences, held on 17–18 April 2026, SASTRA Deemed to be University, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, INDIA 

About the Conference

Conventional computational biology laid the foundation for biological data analysis through statistical models, algorithms, and curated databases, enabling insights into genes, proteins, and pathways. Today, the integration of artificial intelligence, spanning machine learning, deep learning, and large language models (LLMs) is driving a transformative shift across biological scales, from atomic and molecular interactions to pathways, cellular systems, organisms, and populations.

AI-powered approaches …

College Of Natural Sciences Spring Newsletter, College Of Natural Sciences

College of Natural Sciences Newsletters and Reports

[Page 1] Dean's Message
[Page] 2 Awards & Recognitions // Student Spotlights
[Page] 3 Zhang Named to Landsat Science Team // The Power of Teaching
[Page] 4 “Science as Art” Competition Welcomes High School Artists
[Page] 5 Testing for “Forever Chemicals” in Surface Water // New Faculty Spotlight
[Page] 6 Ambassador Initiated Outreach
[Page] 7 57th Annual Geography Convention
[Page] 8 Twice the Impact on On Call with the Prairie Doc
[Page] 9 Making Staple Foods Healthier // Halaweish & Cole-Dai Retire
[Page] 10 Drone Day 2026
[Page] 11 Student Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity Day (SRSCAD)
[Page] 12 Ceremony …

Does Shape Matter?: How Salamander Head Morphology Shifts Based On Environment, Caitlyn Pinaga, Naomi Ramirez, Sonia Cerrillo

Posters - 2026

Groundwater salamanders of the genus Eurycea represent a diverse group of amphibians inhabiting the aquifer systems of central Texas, where both surface-dwelling and fully subterranean species coexist. Subterranean habitats impose extreme selective pressures, including complete darkness, limited nutrient availability, and stable environmental conditions, which drive convergent morphological traits such as eye reduction or loss, decreased pigmentation, and elongation of appendages. A key evolutionary pattern seen in these systems is sensory compensation, in which the reduction of one sensory modality, in this case vision, is accompanied by the enhancement of others. In aquatic salamanders, this often involves expansion of the lateral …

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 …

Analysis Of Mitochondrial Dna Haplotype Groups For South Texas Canids, Canis Rufus, After Past Hybridization Events, Isabella Lopez

Presentations - 2026

mtDNA: mitochondrial DNA; passed from maternal parent to offspring (Haplotype)

Haplotype:  a group of genes or genetic markers inherited together from a single parent (Haplotype)

Mitochondrial DNA haplotypes specific sequences of mtDNA that is passed exclusively from maternal parent to offspring (Giles et al. 1980)

Pro's:

It is passed unchanged from mother to offspring, meaning it is fairly stable (Giles et al. 1980)

Each cell has multiple mitochondria vs one nucleus , which means mtDNA it is more likely to be recoverable from degraded samples like scat (Templeton et al. 2013)

Bird Population Response To Abiotic And Biotic Stresses In Urban & Restored Oak Savannah Habitat, Annabelle Ball

Posters - 2026

Birds are heavily impacted by urban development. Many experience habitat fragmentation and removal of food sources. However, other species can adapt to and even thrive in urban environments, thanks to certain tree species, bird feeders, and buildings. In North America, the house sparrow and the European starling are invasive species that benefit from urban environments (Bartelt, 2011; Fitzwater, 2014). Meanwhile, many habitats across the continent are experiencing restoration/rewilding efforts for the benefit of birds. One such habitat is the oak-savannah, which is characterized by 10-30% canopy cover and a mixture of prairie & woodland vegetation, supporting a high diversity of …

Fisheries Occasional Publication No. 151 - Response To 2025 External Review Of Integrated Stock Assessments For Key Wa Demersal Indicator Stocks, Brett Crisafulli, Emily A. Fisher, Matias Braccini, Rubie Evans-Powell, Fabian I. Trinnie, Ainslie Denham, S. A. Hesp

Fisheries Occasional Publications

Consistent with national trends, the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) is transitioning to the globally recognised Stock Synthesis (SS) platform to support more robust, transparent, and internationally aligned assessments. To ensure this transition remains scientifically sound, DPIRD commissioned an independent expert review in 2025, following a previous review in 2024. The 2025 review was conducted by Professor André Punt and focused on integrated models for three key WA fish stocks: red emperor in the Kimberley, WA dhufish in the southern West Coast Bioregion, and sandbar shark at the statewide level. This publication summarises the findings and recommendations …

College Of Natural Sciences 2025 Year-End Publication, College Of Natural Sciences

College of Natural Sciences Newsletters and Reports

Page 2 Dean's Message 
Page 3 Department Highlights 
Page 4 One Day for State 
Page 5 Ice cores reveal volcanic eruptions in 13th century 
Page 5 How do our cells interpret stress 
Page 6-7 Faculty Excellence
Page 8 New chemical biology consortium will accelerate cancer research
Page 9 SDSU to combat crop disease, biofilms in new NSF-back project 
Page 9 Science as Art Competition 
Page 10-11 Student Excellence  
Page 12 SDSU researcher developing natural alternative to synthetic dyes
Page 12 Browning Retired
Page 13 Quantum technologies through NSF-backed project
Page 13 NASA Funds CNS Development of Model
Page 14 GGS …

Fisheries Occasional Publication No. 150 - Response To 2024 External Review Of Integrated Stock Assessments For Key Wa Demersal Indicator Stocks, Rubie Evans-Powell, S. A. Hesp, Ainslie Denham, Emily A. Fisher, Rachel Marks, Fabian I. Trinnie, Brett Crisafulli

Fisheries Occasional Publications

In Western Australia (WA), stock assessments for key demersal species, including snapper and red emperor, have traditionally used bespoke integrated models developed in-house by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD). In line with other Australian jurisdictions, DPIRD is transitioning to Stock Synthesis (SS) as its primary platform for integrated stock assessments of WA finfish. To support this transition, DPIRD commissioned an independent expert review of recent integrated models applied to three demersal stocks. This publication responds to recommendations from Professor André Punt (University of Washington and CSIRO) in his 2024 review, which examined assessments for Pilbara red …

Bioprinted Scaffolds For Investigating Fibroblast Alignment, Lillian Thro, Daeha Joung Ph.D.

UROP Posters

Fibroblasts play a vital role in tissue repair, ECM remodeling, and maintaining structural integrity in human tissues. However, their behavior in engineered 3D microenvironments remains poorly understood. Traditional 2D cultures fail to capture the complex cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions that govern fibroblast alignment, migration, and proliferation in vivo. To address this gap, this project uses bioprinted scaffolds that mimic native ECM structures and provide a platform for studying fibroblast behavior in controlled microenvironments. The project focuses on varying scaffold channel properties—such as width, depth, and geometry—to investigate how physical cues influence fibroblast organization and collective migration. A biodegradable gelatin-based ECM …

The Gendered Heart: Closing The Gender Gap In Heart Disease Diagnosis And Treatment, Aiden Varghese

UROP Posters

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) continues to be the primary cause of death for both men and women in the United States, being characterized and treated in a historically male-centric manner. This research paper will address the disparities in risk factors for heart disease between genders, gender differences in diagnosis, and gender differences in management/treatment, thereby demonstrating the critical importance of incorporating sex specific factors into the field of cardiology. It has been demonstrated that lifestyle changes such as physical activity and smoking cessation can reduce CVD risk universally. This signifies a necessary shift toward being proactive in the prevention of CVD. …

Assessing Aerobic And Anaerobic Exercise As Therapies For Sarcopenia, Ella B. Farrer

Student Research Poster Presentations 2026

Sarcopenia is an age-related condition represented by progressive changes in muscle physiology that results in the loss of muscle mass and strength. The onset varies amongst individuals and can be influenced by various factors. On the cellular level, mitochondrial dysfunction and disruptions at neuromuscular junctions have been associated with the progression of sarcopenia. The condition ultimately reduces mobility, increases mortality, and hinders quality of life in older populations, necessitating an understanding of effective therapies.

Exercise was linked to symptom reduction of sarcopenia. Evidence indicated aerobic exercise and anaerobic exercise influence distinct molecular pathways involved in muscle physiology. Literature assessed the …

Microplastics Effect On Gut Microbiota, Victoria Rae Pellew

Student Research Poster Presentations 2026

Microplastics Effect on Gut Microbiota 

PELLEW, V, Misericordia University, 301 Lake Street, Dallas, PA, United States, 18612

Microplastics (MPs) are small plastic particles less than 5mm in size that are present throughout the environment and are commonly found in both food and water, making human exposure unavoidable. Ingestion occurs through consuming contaminated food, inhalation by breathing airborne particles, and dermal contact via phone cases or skin care products. Once absorbed into the body, MPs may influence human health by altering the gut microbiome.

Results from human fecal studies and in vitro models have shown that MPs can alter pathways associated …

Analysis Of The Pervasiveness Of Per- And Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (Pfas) And Their Relationship With The Incidence Of Neurological Health Disorders, Emma Waters

2026 Research Poster Competition

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a contaminant of emerging concern due to their chemical structure that afford a plethora of issues with regards to degradation on environmental and metabolic fronts. PFAS are amphiphilic and contain a carbon-fluorine bond, which complicates their movement through the environment and ensures their longevity in biological systems. Their persistence in biological systems has led them to be marked as “forever chemicals” and have emphasized them as a priority area for research in recent years. Current work on PFAS relationships to human health have pointed to some causes for concern. Much of the research on …

Satisfaction With Physician Communication, Joyce Ho

2026 Research Poster Competition

Problem. Provider-patient communication can be sorted into two approaches: patient-centered communication (PCC) and doctor-centered communication (DCC). PCC is characterized by a patient focus, in which patients are encouraged to participate in decisions regarding their care, while DCC is characterized by a doctor focus, in which the physician acts as an informational source for patients (Bientzle et al. 2017). Physician communication style is known to be influenced by gender. Female physicians are more likely to utilize PCC than their male counterparts (Roter 2004). Female patients are more likely to have higher measures of PCC in interactions with their physicians (Bertakis et …

Long Biogeographic Separation Limits Arthropod Associations On Eastern Asian Plants Introduced To Eastern North America, Robert J. Warren

Biology Faculty Datasets

No abstract provided.

Bees Carry More Exposed Pollen Than Flies And On Body Regions Well Placed For Floral Contact, Robert Warren

Biology Faculty Datasets

Pollination studies generally emphasize bees, although flies are abundant flower visitors and may remain active under conditions in which bees do not forage. Pollination success depends not only on how much pollen is carried but also if the pollen is carried on body surfaces likely to contact flower stigmas. We compared exposed pollen load and its body placement on 527 bee (Hymenoptera) and fly (Diptera) specimens collected in a commercial apple orchard. Pollen was quantified by direct microscope counts for 376 specimens and hemocytometer wash counts for an additional 151 specimens. Pollen concentrated within scopae and corbiculae, which is less …

Data And Code From: Migration Speed, Timing, And Long-Term Shifts In Age Structure In North American Passerines During Fall Migration, Dylan M. Osterhaus, Martha J. Desmond, Timothy F. Wright

Biology: Datasets

No abstract provided.

Insight Into School-Based Tobacco Prevention Education In Arkansas School Districts, Faisal Khan

2026 Research Poster Competition

Insight into School-Based Tobacco Prevention Education in Arkansas School Districts [PD1] Henry Obajaja, Ashley Clawson, Kara Lasater, Victor Kwaku Akakpo, Kolade Olatunde, Luke Larsen, Faisal Khan, Page D Dobbs Characters: 2,500/2,500Select Category: Public Health Study Type: Cross-sectionalPresentation Type – Paper or Poster Funding – select University (College of Education and Health Professions WE CARE Initiative) Significance. Despite national declines in youth tobacco use, Arkansas, a Tobacco Nation state, continues to report disproportionately high rates of tobacco use among adolescents. Prior research found Arkansas school professionals identified student tobacco use as a top health concern; however, it is unclear what tobacco …

Adolescent Development Of Pubertal Hormones, Reward Neurocircuitry, And Externalizing Behaviors And Internalizing Behaviors, Amber Jared

2026 Research Poster Competition

Title: Adolescent development of pubertal hormones, reward neurocircuitry, and externalizing behaviors and internalizing behaviors Authors: Amber Jared & Josiah K. Leong  Background: Adolescence is a period of rapid biological and brain development during which changes in pubertal hormones and neural reward systems may increase vulnerability to emotional and behavioral difficulties. Although prior research has documented widespread brain maturation during adolescence, less is known about how specific subcortical reward pathways develop and how these changes relate to hormones and behavior.  Methods:         Using longitudinal data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) study, this project examines developmental changes in two key brain …