Giardiasis is a disease caused by the protozoan parasite Giardia lamblia which affects approximately 20,000 people per year in the United States alone. To this day, there are few anti-Giardiasis drugs available so new therapeutics to address toxicity and resistance issues are needed. In previous studies, we have examined seven protein kinases in Giardia’s genome and these kinases share an unusual structural feature in their active site, which results from an atypically small gatekeeper residue (amino acid residue). This feature confers sensitivity to a class of compounds called bumped kinase inhibitors (BKIs); BKIs demonstrated minimal toxicity and positive pharmacological properties. We repeated the search for small gatekeeper kinases using an updated multisequence alignment program, which identified four new small gatekeeper kinases. We developed a cloning strategy to 3HA tag each of these kinases. Then, we evaluated the expression and cellular localization of the proteins using Western blot and immunofluorescence (IF) assays. With the tagged kinase lines, we utilized translation blocking morpholinos to test the importance of each kinase using cell growth. This data will be used to prioritize protein purification for screening against a BKI library using thermal shift assays. These results may identify lead compounds toward novel treatment options for giardiasis.

My research addresses the deficit of diversity in race, gender, and culture in the urban planning profession. Diversity and equity are extremely important, studies have shown that diverse groups are known to be better problem solvers and help build stronger communities. Due to the ever-growing concern for safety and equity in cities and the lack of racial diversity in the urban planning profession, evaluating the undergraduate entrance into the urban planning field is imperative to see how issues of racial equity can be addressed. Therefore, this project evaluates outreach and admissions processes of the undergraduate urban planning program at the University of Washington - Community, Environment, and Planning (CEP). The project includes a literature review assessing definitions of diversity, equality, equity and outreach best practices; a qualitative survey addressing the thoughts of stakeholders; a demographic study comparing the racial percentages of students in the program to that of the Masters of Urban Planning Program and the University of Washington at large; and a formal outreach and diversity plan that will be used by CEP as a major-wide commitment to diversity and equity. This plan will help ensure that issues of racial equity are addressed by the future urban planners that graduate from University of Washington. Without diversity, equity, and inclusion in the CEP education process, the graduating planners would be unable to work in collaboration with citizens and address the needs of their communities. It is the responsibility of all planners of the future to take control of their education and learn about racial equity issues elucidated by this study to ensure that they are truly able to plan cities for everyone.

Childhood sexual abuse (CSA) in males is a significant public health concern in the United States.  Male survivors of CSA are less studied than female survivors, despite current literature suggesting that the CSA experience may differ by gender.  Multiple studies have found that CSA is associated with a range of negative long-term outcomes in both genders, including increased sexual risk taking in adulthood.  Sexual risk taking is typically defined as behaviors which increase the likelihood of contracting a sexually transmitted infection (STI) or experiencing an unplanned pregnancy, having multiple sexual partners, using alcohol or other substances before sexual activity, and forgoing condom use.  Past literature has highlighted several potential pathways from CSA to sexual risk behavior, including mental health, emotional regulation, and sexual motives.  These factors are negatively impacted by CSA, and may in turn increase the likelihood of sexual risk behavior.  The present study aims to evaluate (a) whether CSA and sexual risk taking are associated in a community sample of 321 adult males, and (b) whether the association between CSA and sexual risk taking is mediated by mental health, emotional regulation, and sex motives.  Data was taken from self-report questionnaires.  A T-test will determine whether CSA is associated with sexual risk taking in this sample. Mediation analyses will assess significant mediating factors linking CSA and sexual risk behavior.  It is expected that CSA and sexual risk taking will be significantly associated, with survivors of CSA reporting more sexual partners and more unplanned pregnancies.  Mental health, emotional regulation, and sex motives are expected to be significant mediators of the relationship between CSA and sexual risk taking.  The present study has implications for practice and future research by indicating potential intervention and research targets for male survivors of sexual abuse.

European colonization has profound impacts on Native Americans; many of those impacts are nuanced and have become institutionalized within oppressive systems. European colonization introduced the notion of heteronormativity to native societies. Heteronormativity is inherently hegemonic and limits human ranges of identity and expression. When people experience this form of oppression, it is common for them to internalize the very notions that cause the most damage. They start to believe the erasure of their identity, and their culture is justified. Distancing themselves from their traditions and culture they seek safety in assimilation. In order to survive, native communities must break those cycles of hegemony that perpetuate their erasure. One instance in which that can be accomplished is through an analysis of the frameworks that native peoples currently operate within. From there insight can be gained with regards to the specific sites in which identity, or spirit, has become suppressed by colonialism. By partnering with the UW First Nations Club I will produce a report that may be used in future powwow planning efforts to explore and enact meaningful and decolonized methods of including two-spirit peoples. Similar to the term queer, two-spirit challenges western heteronormative standards of gender and sexuality. Powwows are unique cultural gathering spaces for indigenous peoples. Powwows are spaces in which culture is shared, passed on, and celebrated. In my report I identify the UW Spring Powwow as a space to work towards recognizing the need for healing in indigenous communities with specific regards to the inclusivity of two-spirit, gender variant, and queer individuals. In this powwow we can dance decolonized by transcending colonial identities. This represents an act of collective resistance; a move to protect sacred values. In this capacity indigenous people have unique positions to be leaders in a movement to create a transformative and empowering majority.