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Check out our scholars research presentations at the SOURCE Conference.
Akrem DawedPrototype for an indoor aeroponic cubic greenhouseAbstract: The goal of this project is to create a automated cubic greenhouse where the base and sides contain receptacles for plants which supply nutrients aeroponically. The greenhouse will supply at least 45 receptacles for plants within a 17x17x20 cubic inch area. The cube design will allow more plants to be grown within a compact space then if the base was exclusively utilized. A microcontroller (Funduino Mega 2560) will utilize a temperature sensor, timer, humidity sensor and a ph sensor to facilitate desired changes to the growing space. If the desired conditions for the growing space are not satisfied, then the environment will be manipulated via heat lamp, pump, light strips and/or fans to restore the environment to its desired state. The variables that the user can manipulate via touch screen UI (which determine the desired state of the greenhouse) are area temperature, light duration for a 24-hour cycle, root humidity and nutrient ph. |
Sean DawsonSynthesis of Boron-Containing Structural Building Blocks For Use in Potential Protease Enzyme InhibitorsAbstract: 1,3-Azaborines have good potential to function as dual-mode, both associative and competitive, inhibitors of protease enzymes, which are involved in the development of several disease states, including the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), malaria, Alzheimer’s, and some forms of cancer. In our syntheses boron-modified amino acids (including boronated phenylalanine and isoleucine) are being developed as chemical precursors, which are then incorporated into larger boronates in order to obtain the biologically relevant 1,3-azaborines. The target 1,3-azaborines were designed to complement the structure of the enzyme’s chiral active site. In our synthetic schemes pinacol and (1R,2R)-1,2-dicyclohexyl-1,2-ethanediol are both used as protecting groups, while (1R,2R)-1,2-dicyclohexyl-1,2-ethanediol is also used as a chiral director. The target boronates have the potential for greater affinity towards protease enzymes, dual-mode of action, increased bioavailability, and fewer adverse side effects. Many studies have shown that boron-modified inhibitors have a higher inhibitory affinity for protease enzymes than the corresponding non-boron analogs. The non-boron analogs are experiencing high resistance rates, low bioavailability, and patient noncompliance due to adverse side effects. As a result, there is a higher demand for the development of new compounds to combat these diseases. |
Alex HarringtonSolidarity between the Israeli Black Panther Party and the Palestine Liberation OrganizationAbstract: The Black Panther Party in America had a far reaching impact internationally due to the importance they placed on intersectional solidarity between various movements. A notable example of this solidarity was between the American Panthers and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO). One group that was impacted profoundly by the American Panthers was formed by young Mizrahi Jews (Jews from Arab and North African countries) a generation after the foundation of the State of Israel. They took on the name Ha’Panterim Ha’Shchorim (‘Black Panthers’ in Hebrew). This research analyzes the solidarity between the Israeli Panthers and the PLO, comparing it to the solidarity between the American Panthers and the PLO. The research utilizes the established literature on the American Black Panthers and the Israeli Black Panthers, as well as historical archives and interviews with subjects familiar with the Israeli Black Panthers and their activities. |
Hannah HuberSynthesis of Boron-Containing Structural Building Blocks For Use in Potential Protease Enzyme InhibitorsAbstract: 1,3-Azaborines have good potential to function as dual-mode, both associative and competitive, inhibitors of protease enzymes, which are involved in the development of several disease states, including the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), malaria, Alzheimer’s, and some forms of cancer. In our syntheses boron-modified amino acids (including boronated phenylalanine and isoleucine) are being developed as chemical precursors, which are then incorporated into larger boronates in order to obtain the biologically relevant 1,3-azaborines. The target 1,3-azaborines were designed to complement the structure of the enzyme’s chiral active site. In our synthetic schemes pinacol and (1R,2R)-1,2-dicyclohexyl-1,2-ethanediol are both used as protecting groups, while (1R,2R)-1,2-dicyclohexyl-1,2-ethanediol is also used as a chiral director. The target boronates have the potential for greater affinity towards protease enzymes, dual-mode of action, increased bioavailability, and fewer adverse side effects. Many studies have shown that boron-modified inhibitors have a higher inhibitory affinity for protease enzymes than the corresponding non-boron analogs. The non-boron analogs are experiencing high resistance rates, low bioavailability, and patient noncompliance due to adverse side effects. As a result, there is a higher demand for the development of new compounds to combat these diseases. |
Guadalupe MartinezCrime by Race by PunishmentAbstract: It is difficult to deny that race or the color of someone’s skin does not affect the way people may judge them. Ideally, the criminal justice system in the U.S. would judge people not according to their race, but by their actions. We explore the question, do white males get different sentencing than males of color in the U.S criminal justice system? The research took place in Ellensburg WA where the findings from this observational research indicate that although there may not be a substantial difference in sentencing between white males and males of color, there is a substantial difference in the number of charges each person carried when receiving their sentencing. This suggests that white males with more charges received a similar sentence to males of color with fewer charges of the same severity. This research, in the end, shows the importance to continue future research looking into a larger sample of courts and judgment across the country. |
SaFyre ReeseMicrobiome of Transgenic Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug Activated Gene 1 MiceAbstract: Recent research has shown that the composition of the gut microbiome influences obesity. A transgenic mouse model with the human non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) activated gene 1 (known as NAG-1) has demonstrated an increased metabolism and obesity resistance when compared to the original strain of mice, C57BL/6, termed wild type (WT). The sequencing of the gut microbiome of the WT and the NAG-1 mice is important to further understand metabolic diseases. In this study, we are examining the microbiome of NAG-1 mice to better understand their resistance to diet-induced obesity and increased metabolism. The NAG-1 mice were compared to their WT littermates and gender differences will be examined. Preliminary comparisons were conducted to analyze metabolism and include measurements of body weight, glucose tolerance and residual organic matter in feces (a measure of energy extraction from food). The WT males were observed to have the largest change in weight and a higher mean weight than the other groups. The NAG-1 males and females were the leanest. Glucose tolerance was observed to be greatest in the NAG-1 mice. Within the combusted fecal sample data there was no significance between any of the groups, though the average remaining organic matter was consistently higher in the NAG-1 mice. At the conclusion of the experiment, caecal and colonic microbial DNA was extracted and subject to 16S rRNA sequencing. Alpha and Beta diversity analysis revealed significant differences between the microbiome of the NAG-1 and WT mice. Microbial community differences between male and female mice are significant. |
Kollin TrujilloInvestigation into the Structure and Function of l-Mgm1 in inner mitochondrial membrane fusionAbstract: Mitochondria are key components of the cell as they provide energy in the form of ATP through cellular respiration. A balance of fission and fusion maintains a dynamic, inter-connected mitochondrial network, which is important for overall function. When fusion is disrupted, the mitochondrial network becomes fragmented, mitochondrial genomes are lost, and respiration ceases. Mitochondrial inner membrane fusion is mediated by the GTP hydrolase Mgm1 (Mitochondrial Genome Maintenance 1) in yeast. Yeast make an excellent model system to study mitochondrial physiology since they are not dependent on respiration for growth. Mgm1 exists as a membrane embedded long isoform (l-Mgm1) and a soluble short isoform (s-Mgm1). Both l-Mgm1 and s-Mgm1 are required for inner membrane fusion, but the role of l-Mgm1 remains unclear. Our goal is to determine the regions of l-Mgm1 that are important for fusion activity. To do this, we employed a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) splicing by overlapping extension (SOE) technique to make versions of l-Mgm1 with regions removed. Once constructed, we will test the mutated l-Mgm1 proteins with yeast physiology assays to determine effects on mitochondrial fusion, mitochondrial genome maintenance, and respiration. Construction of the l-Mgm1 mutants has proven challenging. I am currently optimizing the PCR conditions to complete this phase of the project. In the meantime, I am becoming familiar with yeast culturing techniques and physiological assays. |
Katie PacciaDefying Gravity: Experiences of Students with ChallengesAbstract: The current investigation explores the influences and attitudes associated with university students with disabilities and those students studying abroad in the United States. Thirty students from two Pacific Northwestern universities were recruited from disability service and international program offices. Respondents self-identified as being served by the one office, or the other, or both. An anonymous, online Qualtrics survey consisted of ten statements in each of six broad categories related to the transition to university (specifically, seeking help, family dynamics, interpersonal issues, teacher relations, grades, and studying). Categories consisted of ten questions: five positively and five negatively worded statements to encourage the full use of the Likert scale. Participants rated their degree of agreement/disagreement on a 1-6 scale. |
Jasmin WashingtonStrength Under PressureAbstract: Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is a prominent public health issue in the U.S., and evidence suggests that IPV disproportionately affects Black women. Additionally, Black women who are victimized may be reluctant to report and/or seek supportive services. Given these disparities, it is important to understand the context of IPV in the Black community. Although the Superwomen Schema (SWS) conceptual framework’s utility for explaining other health-related outcomes, such as mental health issues, among Black women is emerging, its use to understand the experiences of Black women and IPV in the Black community is limited. In this paper, we provide an overview of SWS and IPV to find intersectionality between the two among Black women, including risk factors for victimization, barriers to the usage of mental health services, strength used as a coping mechanism, religious and spiritual concerns and interventions needed for Black survivors. We argue that there is great need for more research using the SWS to understand IPV among Black women, how SWS must be integrated into cultural competency training for counselors, and policies that keep Black women who report IPV safe from incarceration. |
McNair Scholars News
Congratulations to our CWU McNair Scholar, Victoria Shearer on her 2nd publication with Dr. Timothy
McNair Scholars Present Research At SOURCECheck out our scholars research presentations at the SOURCE Conference.
Learn About CWU McNair Scholars Program In Central Today!!!The McNair Scholars Program owes much of its success to the support and encouragement from the CWU c
