The invasion of Indo-Pacific lionfish (Pterois volitans) throughout the western Atlantic, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Caribbean has led to declines in the biodiversity, biomass, and abundance of native coral reef fishes. These ecological consequences have been thoroughly documented in shallow zones of the reef; however, little is currently known about how lionfish interact with deep-reef ecosystems, and which native fish are the most vulnerable to predation. Deep-reefs may serve as refuges for lionfish, as they would avoid being speared by SCUBA divers in the top 30 meters. Thus, deep lionfish populations could potentially serve as a near-infinite source of replenishment for shallow populations. The microchemistry of calcium carbonate fish otoliths has emerged as a powerful tool in examining fish ecology, including their vertical movement. The elemental compositions of these “ear stones” reflect the chemistry of the water in the fish’s environment, ultimately providing insight into natal origin and dispersal events. I am analyzing the oxygen isotopic signatures in a sample of 10 lionfish otoliths collected across the entire depth range of reefs in Curaçao using micromilling and isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS). Specifically, variations in δ18O from the core to the rim of the otolith indicate changes in water temperature, and presumably depth, from settlement to adulthood. This approach provides insight into whether lionfish migrate between deep and shallow reefs throughout their lives or remain in their deep refuge, how frequent and long these migrations are, and ultimately whether they are susceptible to surface removal by spearfishing. Effective management plans will require a holistic understanding of this invasive predator’s vertical migration patterns and where they are on the reef at various life history stages, and a deepened understanding of the connectivity between deep and shallow populations can inform future research to control mesophotic populations.

 Music is considered a therapeutic tool to improve physical, cognitive, and emotional health. The nature of music varies across cultures and backgrounds around the world. This research project explored the connections between music, aging, and ageism in older adults from Kenya and the therapeutic role of music in improving physical, cognitive, and emotional well-being. This project considers cultural similarities and differences between Kenya and the United States and examines the unique nature shaped by different cultures. In this study, we explore how music affects the perception of age in older adults from Kenya and their perceptions of ageism. This research project focuses on using interpretive research method where data is collected through interviews to gain a deeper understanding of the topic. The study involves three older adults from Kenya between the ages of 60 and 65. The interview questions focus on understanding the cultural influences of Swahili speakers in the context of music and ageism. Through research on the differences in aging between Kenyan and American older adults, this project seeks to identify cultural factors and explore ways that music can enhance well-being among older adults. This project provides valuable insight into cultural aspects that influence aging and the potential benefits of music-based interventions. The findings have the potential to improve our understanding of how cultural differences influence attitudes toward aging and the impact of music on the health and well-being of older adults.

Music interventions are gaining attention due to the evidence they improve health and cognition in elders. In the US, there is an increasing number of Mandarin-speaking elders whose cultural background affects their aging experience. After English and Spanish, Chinese is the third most spoken language in the US. Three and a half million households in the U.S speak Mandarin or Cantonese. However, there is little information regarding specific music choices or culturally-tailored music interventions for Mandarin-speaking elders to improve their health and aging experience. The purpose of this study was to gain insights into Mandarin-speaking elders’ views of aging, ageism, and the relationship between music and health. We conducted a qualitative study that involved interviewing Mandarin-speaking elders in Mandarin. The interview consisted of questions related to their cultural perspectives on aging, experience with ageism in the US, and the impact of music on their health. The participants selected music to play during the interview and discussed what the music meant to them and their thoughts on how music affects their health. Four interviews in Mandarin have been conducted to date. Initial findings reveal that filial piety and respect are recurring cultural themes that influence participants’ perspective and experience of aging. Internal ageism was identified in one of the interviews while the participant discussed their experience with ageism. Participants expressed that music benefits their health by providing emotional support and outlet, motivation, reminiscence of the past, brain activity, and stimulation through physical movement such as dance. The findings increase our understanding about the role of culture in the aging experience and music’s role in enhancing health for Mandarin-speaking elders. Future studies can use this information to develop music-based interventions tailored for Mandarin-speaking elders to improve their health.

Vocabulary acquisition in children involves many cognitive processes, with semantic descriptions playing a potentially crucial role in word learning. Broader literature points to a positive impact of metacognitive strategies early in children’s learning. Additionally, studies have highlighted semantic descriptors in facilitating word acquisition. However, there is a lack of literature regarding the direct correlation between children's productions of semantic descriptions and success in word learning, which is the current focus. We examined the number of semantic descriptions produced by children alongside their corresponding word-learning performance to determine whether a relationship exists. We analyzed data from 33 participants ages 2.7 - 6.7 years (mean = 4.6 years, SD = 1.2) with an average Expressive Vocabulary Test-3 standard score of 120. Our team coded a total of 165 word-learning assessments from videos of participants engaging in a storybook listening activity where participants were exposed to novel words paired with objects, assessing their receptive and expressive word learning. Participants were asked to look at the objects, imitate the novel words in real-time, and both point to and label the associated objects after a delay. We recorded the number of times children made semantic descriptions (ex. “The gek is spiky”), total correct identifications (receptive performance), and total phonemes correctly imitated and labeled (expressive performance). For analysis, we tested the correlation between semantic descriptions and both receptive and expressive word learning scores. I hypothesize that a positive correlation between these scores will indicate that children who produce semantic descriptions find more success in word learning. I anticipate that our study will contribute to a better understanding of how semantic descriptions play a role in receptive and expressive word learning outcomes. Also, study findings could serve as a foundation for future research on how parents and educators might better support children’s vocabulary acquisition.

Autism is a developmental disorder that involves differences in social communication skills and the presence of restricted or repetitive interests. One way children learn language is fast mapping: the process of forming associations between new words and their meanings. Growth in language production and comprehension is predictable by 2.5 years of age, and autistic children who learn more slowly during fast mapping tend to score lower in receptive language measures. However, there has not been extensive research on the differences in language learning during fast mapping between autistic and neurotypical children. Therefore, this study addresses fast mapping in one particular learning context and tests whether receptive language learning in a storybook-listening task differs between autistic and neurotypical children. There are 47 participants aged 2.7 to 11 years (mean age = 5.8 years, SD = 2.0), of which 17 are autistic (mean age = 7.8 years, SD = 1.6) and 30 are neurotypical (mean age = 4.7 years, SD = 1.2). I code videos of participants completing the storybook listening task for demonstrations of receptive language skills for novel vocabulary words — namely, the accuracy of participants' responses to prompts to look at named novel objects. I use t-tests to measure the statistical significance of the differences between the groups. Additionally, I conduct group matching based on participants' Growth Scale Value (GSV) scores on the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test-5 (PPVT), a standardized measure of receptive vocabulary (autistic participants’ mean PPVT GSV score = 488.1, SD = 18.5; neurotypical participants’ mean PPVT GSV score = 479.2, SD = 12.2). I hypothesize that the autistic group of participants has lower receptive language learning scores. I hope the findings of this study can provide insights to help professionals in the field of communication sciences and disorders in their work with autistic children.

In the US, our primary healthcare is mostly delivered via the fee-for-service model. Interactions between providers and patients under this model are mediated by insurance companies. In order to bypass health insurance companies, some primary care physicians have opened direct primary care clinics which charge a monthly fee for unlimited care. As part of my undergraduate thesis for the anthropology honors program, I investigated two clinics operating under this model in the Pacific Northwest using participant observation and semi-structured interviews with physicians. My aim was to determine how the direct primary care model affects the agency of physicians and influences the therapeutic process via the clinical encounter. I found that physicians in the US face a unique dilemma of role conflict between the competing identities of business owner and doctor. Additionally, I explored how the expectations of patients differ for male and female physicians and how direct primary care can play into this. My findings highlighted the inadequacies of our existing healthcare system in the United States. Further, I concluded that although direct primary care is a solution to this broken system for some patients and some physicians, systemic changes must be made in order to make primary care a more desirable field for physicians and to provide equitable and quality care for all patients.

Gender identity has become a central issue in ongoing political debates regarding cultural shifts in America. For many, nonbinary and other gender-variant identities seem new and confusing, but there is evidence of these identities stretching back to classical antiquity. The god of wine, madness, and theater, Dionysus, emerges as a consistently gender-variant figure in ancient literature and art. For this project, I examine the construction and performance of Dionysus' gender in antiquity by performing a close nonbinary reading of Euripides' tragic play, the Bacchae, in conversation with current scholarship on gender and sexuality in Ancient Greece and Rome. My research seeks to interrogate the appropriateness of applying modern gender-variant labels to antiquity, investigate the ways in which Dionysus both resists and subverts binary gender categorization, and consider what meaning modern nonbinary and gender-variant people can extract from ancient representation. I argue that applying modern gender labels to antiquity aligns with current practices in scholarship regarding binary gender identities. Through a nonbinary lens, I reveal the image of a clearly nonbinary Dionysus who cannot be contained by either ancient or modern gender binaries -- a force of gender chaos. With my critical analysis of the Bacchae, I shed light on new considerations of the motivations behind Dionysus' display of divine wrath and the cultural implications of gender construction and performance in the play. My project finds that nonbinary and gender-variant identities have long existed even in societies that seemingly embrace a gender binary.

This global change study examines the multiple-stressor impacts of heat and plastic leachates on a symbiotic clonal cnidarian, the aggregating anemone, Anthopleura elegantissima. Marine heatwaves and ocean plastics are two forms of anthropogenic pollution that are increasing and predicted to rise in future ocean conditions. In Puget Sound, intertidal marine organisms are most at risk of exposure to these combined stressors. In summer, low tides at noon leave intertidal organisms in stagnant warming water or fully exposed to desiccation. Marine heatwaves, like the one that occurred in June 2021, caused water temperatures to spike along Puget Sound coasts. Concurrently, road run-off and sewage likely expose intertidal organisms to higher concentrations of plastic leachates. Leachates are derived from machine-washed polyester clothing microplastics, polyvinyl chloride sewage pipes, and non-source point pollution that is swept through watersheds toward the coasts. Plastic pollution in the form of leachates is understudied in coastal ecosystems, compared to thermal stress. Plastic-derived leachates are the complex cocktail of chemicals that leach from plastics into the environment and are considered pollutants of emerging concern. We do not fully understand the impacts they have on the physiology of marine organisms, and even fewer studies address their impacts in the context of marine heatwaves. We will test physiological and photophysiological responses of aggregating anemones to thermal stress and plastic leachates, separately and combined. We will develop respirometry and light response curves for each of the treatment conditions and a control. We hypothesize that the cnidarian host will show increased metabolic activity indicating stress under both types of pollution, and that photosynthetic efficiency in the algal symbiont will increase with leachate exposure. We hope to use the results of this study to better understand how anemones and other cnidarians like corals are affected by the threats of plastic pollution and global warming.

Quantum computers represent data through qubits, as opposed to bits in classical computers. These qubits can be implemented using various physical systems, including trapped ions where they are represented by the internal energy levels of individual ions confined within electromagnetic fields. Trapped ions are an attractive choice for qubit implementation since this system has the potential to meet all the DiVincenzo criteria, which are a set of requirements needed to build a mainstream quantum computer. To facilitate the development of mega-qubit (MQb) trapped-ion quantum technologies, the Scalable Quantum Research Lab is conducting extensive research on the persistent issue of collisions with background gas molecules, an error immune to the standard quantum error correcting codes. My research focused on answering the question, 'Can error rates be controlled through trap design?'. To answer this question, there are 3 parameters to determine: (1) trap height: vertical location of the ions from the surface trap; (2) trap depth: how strong the trap is (i.e., how stable is the trapping potential); and (3) trap anharmonicities: the coefficients associated with polynomial potential. These anharmonic potentials can accelerate ions after collisions, thereby increasing collision errors. These results were found using Particle-in-Cells simulations and computational analysis for error minimization. Optimizing the trap design allowed greater control over the collision error rate for a long ion-chain trap. In short, finding a way to control anharmonicity and trap depth using trap geometric optimization can reduce the additional measured errors in the bigger experiments. The results presented are a model of trapped ion and graphs showing relationship between different trap paramters and the three variables mentioned above. 

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is currently being studied as a potential treatment for Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). At this time, little is known about how prospective users of such devices view this kind of surgical intervention. User-centered design recommends early input from potential users of devices to ensure that their needs and values are recognized in the design process. From February 2021 to January 2022, 34 qualitative interviews were conducted with individuals who are at risk for dementia due to factors including family history, genetic biomarkers, or mild cognitive impairment. Subjects were asked for their perspectives on the hypothetical use of DBS devices to assist individuals living with dementia. One focus for such a hypothetical device is the improvement of short-term memory. My research examines interviewees’ perspectives on the value of improved memory as well as the value of forgetting, and how their stance informs their perspective on and personal interests in the hypothetical use of DBS to treat AD. Using Atlas.ti for coding and qualitative analysis, I found that a small number of interviewees expressed complete enthusiasm for, or complete rejection of, the device. The majority of participants were intrigued while concerned. I show how these interviewees answered questions such as, “Do you think there are any downsides to having a better memory?” and/or, “Do you think there is value in forgetting” in ways that suggest nuanced perspectives on the value of memory and forgetting. They voice concerns regarding potential drawbacks of the hypothetical memory device in relation to risk, trauma, and caring relations. As clinical trials for DBS in AD continue, understanding the values and concerns of prospective users will be vital information in both the design process and successful clinical trials.

Artificial intelligence has made significant progress in image classification, an essential task for machine perception to achieve high-level image understanding. Despite recent advances in vision-language fields, image classification is still challenging because classes are inherently multimodal. Traditional approaches provide solely images or descriptions of a given class, but this does not properly encapsulate the entire concept. I aim to understand if utilizing multiple modalities when classifying images will allow for more robust and generalizable image classification. Here, I leverage Ensemble Learning to form a weighted sum of the embeddings produced by my classifiers. The ensemble consists of an image-to-text classifier that utilizes generated class descriptions and an image-to-image classifier that uses generated images for prediction. My results show that this improved conceptual representation from the multimodal approach directly results in higher classification accuracy. Additionally, this approach allows for these improvements without any additional context, training, or fine-tuning, meaning this method is completely zero-shot. Improved image classification directly impacts a myriad of fields, and enhances how humans use computing technology. Whether it be more accurate diagnoses in medical imaging or robust crop monitoring in agriculture, improvements in image classification extend across disciplines and aid the quality of life for all.

The Field of Cultural Mediation, along with Linguistic Mediation, has gained popularity in Italy as the country is increasingly a destination for immigration. As EU migration policies have become more selective, solidifying dangerous paths for “irregular migration” such as the Mediterranean and Balkan routes, reception systems become more complicated, borders become more violent, and public opinion polarizes (Lo Bianco, personal communication, 2023). In this context, it is increasingly important to ensure migrants have someone to facilitate communication between them and the various actors they encounter in an increasingly complicated and dispersed reception system built to dispel them. Thus, the Cultural Mediator, often a former migrant themselves, is increasingly employed by public institutions and social cooperatives to facilitate communication, integration, and to inform newcomers of their rights (Cuiban, 2019). There is inherent precariousness in being placed between these two often conflicting sides, requiring a high degree of social, emotional, and institutional expertise in addition to mere linguistic and cultural knowledge. Due to a lack of national regulation and decentralization, Cultural Mediators in Italy face social and emotional difficulties as well a lack of respect, proper regulation, payment, and support in their jobs. In this paper, I investigate the struggles Cultural Mediators in Italy face, which I argue is a product of the broader decentralization of the “Migration Industry”. By conducting surveys and Interviews regarding the Struggles Cultural Mediators in Italy face in comparison to existing primary and secondary resources, I aim to identify these struggles as well as their contexts.

In this research project, we delved into the realm of gate-based quantum computation with a focus on qudit-based quantum computation. In the era of Noisy Intermediate-Scale Quantum (NISQ) computation, there are many avenues for physical implementations of qudits, such as trapped ions, superconducting circuits, and photonic systems. We primarily studied trapped ion qudit-based computation, investigating the notion of universality and how arbitrary gate operations can be simulated by experimentally realizable transformations in such systems. More quantitatively, we analyzed the fidelity under the assumptions of rotation angle errors in trapped ion implementations of quantum gates. We proved several lower bounds for various connectivity graph designs applicable to the 5-level calcium ion under this model of assumptions. Our techniques also generalize to physical systems with more than 5 levels. Currently, our attention is directed toward understanding the impact of entanglement on the aforementioned dynamics and studying the notion of universality for multi-qudit systems. A related question we are trying to answer is how qubit circuits can be converted into qudit circuits to reduce a well-defined notion of "circuit complexity".

International students are an essential part of the UW community as they are able to bring in a unique set of lenses and perspectives to perceive, approach, and solve problems. The UW International Student Service (ISS) is a place that provides information and guidance for the international students to legally live and study in the U.S. After encountering difficulties using the ISS system as an international student and a design researcher, I started to wonder how the ISS might improve to create a better user experience of their website and services. I began exploring this question in HCDE 417 in Autumn 2023. This application supports the continuation of that work, motivated by the following two research questions: 1) How well does the UW ISS website navigation work in terms of guiding international students to complete the correct tasks? 2) How might we improve the ISS system to better support the needs of the international students? My research is a usability study focused on understanding three attributes of usability for the UW ISS system: the usefulness, discoverability, and satisfaction. By carrying out initial usability testing sessions in HCDE 417 with international students and analyzing the transcript data using open coding and axial coding methods, I was able to take a deep dive into the problems with virtual advising services. My initial research surfaced several insights including the inconvenient drop-in only advising services, unreasonable student-to-advisor ratio, and less discoverable content. The impact of this study is that I took my initial research findings to ISS UX intern to discuss potential changes that could be made to the ISS to improve students' experience. As part of the community, I would like to use my design background to advocate for international students to be receiving more attention and resources from the UW ISS.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex developmental condition that can affect an individual’s ability to communicate and interact with others. While individuals with ASD can perceive facial structures, they may struggle with remembering and recognizing faces. There is extensive evidence that individuals with ASD atypically process and perceive faces, which can directly impact their ability to understand complex social situations. In this study, we aim to investigate the relationship between facial memory and social responsiveness in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and those that are typically developing (TD). Participants included 399 children (ASD = 280), aged 6-11 from the Autism Biomarkers Consortium Clinical Trials (ABC-CT) study. Clinicians administered the NEPSY subtests for Memory for Faces delayed and Memory for Faces to measure facial memory, and parents completed the Social Responsiveness Scale-Second Edition (SRS-2), 65 question survey measuring social responsiveness. Correlations will be run for NEPSY scores (facial memory) and SRS-2 scores for both ASD and TD groups. We expect the ASD group to score lower on the NEPSY subtests (Memory for Faces and Memory for Faces Delayed) and on the SRS-2 than TD group, and that there will be a negative correlation between facial memory and social responsiveness scores in both groups based on previous research that has shown that children and adolescents with ASD have difficulties in recognizing and remembering faces, and that these difficulties are related to their social impairments. Facial memory impairments play a vital role in the social challenges faced by individuals with ASD, and that interventions aimed at enhancing facial memory skills may have beneficial effects on social functioning for autistic individuals.

Preliminary work has shown that long-term arsenic exposure affects the relative partition of bacterial species in freshwater lake microbiomes. Our current hypothesis is that arsenic acts as a selective pressure for tolerant and resistant bacteria in all compartments of the lake microbiome. I have attempted to confirm this hypothesis by taking a larger sample size of periphyton, water, sediment, and Chinese Mystery Snails (CMS) in summer of 2023 for Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) and arsenic quantification via ion-coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Samples were taken from non-contaminated to highly contaminated local lakes in the South Puget Sound area, all with open access to the public. I performed DNA extractions and processed the samples for ICP-MS. I have also cultivated lab-acclimated CMS for experimentation with the feeding of high-arsenic sourced periphyton vs. sterile algae wafers to observe whether the snail gut microbiota and their innate immune system are affected by direct arsenic consumption. Upon receiving NGS and ICP-MS results, I determined relative fractions of bacterial species across the various lakes in correlation to their respective arsenic contamination levels. Ongoing work involves the optimization of a quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assay of arsenic metabolizing genes aioA, arrA, arsC, and arsM. These genes are widespread across bacteria and confer resistance/tolerance to arsenic via respiratory arsenite oxidation, respiratory arsenate reduction, inorganic arsenic detoxification, and organic arsenic methylation, respectively. The overall goal of this project is to determine how arsenic exposure shapes interactions between microbes and their hosts in a complex aquatic ecosystem, and the implications of these changes for the total lake ecosystem including humans, fish, and birds. 

Children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), often experience co-occurring language impairments, including grammatical and lexical difficulties. Word segmentation, or the ability to identify word boundaries in continuous speech, is done through statistical learning and identification of speech cues. Recent studies in typically developing infants have shown a linear relationship between the ability to recognize words from continuous speech and the size of an individual's lexicon. The neural activity of the cerebral cortex, specifically the delta frequency band (1-4 Hz), contains the time scale of words and phrases. The delta band was found to track speech rhythm, along with semantic dissimilarity between successive words. Extracting acoustic features from sound signals and their linguistic representations (syllables, words, and phrases) is essential for speech comprehension. This study aims to look at the relationship between delta power recorded via scalp electroencephalogram (EEG) and communication skills in children with and without ASD. 193 participants (ASD = 96) from the NIH study on sex differences in autism were included in the sample. EEG recordings were collected while participants listened to phonemes that were statistically presented to result in 4 learned nonsense words. Parents completed a semi-structured interview on their child’s communication skills. EEG delta power was calculated over frontal, central and posterior regions of interest (ROIs). We expect children with ASD (compared to typically developing children) to have decreased delta power during nonsense word perception and lower delta power will be related to lower communication ability. This study will provide insight into the relation between neural perception of language and verbal communication in children with ASD.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is characterized by distinct social-communication differences and restricted and repetitive behaviors. There is heterogeneity in the presentation of social functioning in autistic individuals, which may be attributed to sleep quality, alexithymia, and anxiety. Insomnia, prevalent in autistic children, was linked to higher levels of autistic traits, specifically, difficulties in social skills and relationship formation. Alexithymia, difficulty in describing and identifying emotions, has been reported in 55% of autistic youth. Anxiety severity, specifically social anxiety, is also negatively correlated with social functioning for autistic youth. This study aims to investigate the relation between sleep quality, alexithymia, and anxiety to social functioning in autistic adults. In a sample of 131 adults (ages 18-26, 51% female), we conducted a multiple regression analysis, with social skills as the dependent variable and sleep quality, alexithymia, and anxiety as the independent predictor variables. Sleep quality was measured with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) questionnaire, alexithymia with the 20-Item Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20), anxiety with the Adult Behavior Checklist - Self Report (ASR), and social functioning with the Social Responsiveness Scale, 2nd Edition (SRS-2). We hypothesize that sleep quality, alexithymia, and anxiety will each independently impact social functioning. This study contributes to the understanding of factors that influence heterogeneity in social functioning amongst autistic adults. Findings on predictors of social impairment may inform targeted interventions for and benefit the lives of autistic adults.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects social and behavioral development. Although autism is most associated with social difficulties, it is also correlated with issues such as sleep disturbances. Previous literature suggests that 50-80% of autistic individuals experience sleep difficulties. One common feature of autism is differences in sensory processing compared to typically developing (TD) individuals. These differences may result in behaviors that are detrimental to sleep habits. This project aims to identify the relationship between sensory processing and sleep quality in autistic and TD adults and to identify a type of sensory concern that correlates to increased sleep disturbance. 150 participants (ASD = 94) ages 18-25 from the (National Institutes of Health) NIH funded multisite study on sex differences in autism were used in the analysis. Participants completed self-reports on sensory systems using the Sensory Profile, and on sleep quality using the Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). The Sensory Profile scores participants among 4 quadrants: low registration, sensation seeking, sensory sensitivity, and sensation avoiding. The scores reflect the participants sensory systems compared to their age range separated into five groups. The PSQI takes participant responses and assigns a score with “0” being no difficulty and “3” being severe difficulty across 7 components of sleep. Component scores are then summed for a global score. A t-test will be performed to compare the mean global PSQI score for the five groups across each quadrant on the Sensory Profile and for autistic and non-autistic populations. We expect to see higher mean global PSQI scores for those with autism and for those with higher Sensory profile scores within the ASD population. Increased differences in sensory processing in autistic individuals is important to investigate because studies have shown that filtering out sensory input is key to falling and remaining asleep which leads to improved quality of life.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) impacts many different aspects of the individual’s functioning, especially cognitive and social functioning. Previous research has found that social pragmatic problems were positively associated with problems with inhibition and emotional control. Additionally, research has shown a relationship between greater executive function challenges and more social challenges among 6-12 year old children, however, no significant sex differences were found between executive functioning (EF) and social challenges. This study leveraged a large sample of sex matched adolescents with and without autism to investigate the relationship between executive functioning and social functioning. 318 participants (ASD =163), ages 8-17 from the NIH funded multisite study on sex differences in autism were included. Parents of participants completed the Brief Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF), a 86-item questionnaire with eleven sub-scales that measures executive functioning ability. Parents also completed the Social Responsiveness Scale -2 (SRS-2), a 65-item questionnaire with five sub-scales that measures autistic traits. Correlations within ASD and TD groups will be conducted between BRIEF EF subdomains and SRS social communication index. In addition, sex differences will be analyzed for BRIEF and SRS scores within each diagnostic group. We expect that the ASD group will have elevated scores on BRIEF and SRS compared to the TD group, consistent with greater executive functioning challenges and more autistic social traits. Within the ASD group, greater executive functioning difficulties will be related to more autistic social behaviors. This research can help understand more about the variability between EF and social functioning in individuals with autism.

In this study, I investigated distinctive electroencephalogram (EEG) patterns associated with processing social and nonsocial information in both typically developing individuals and those with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). A total of 139 youth and young adults aged 10-24 years participated, including 63 individuals with ASD (23 females, 40 males, mean age = 17.57) and 76 typically developing youth (35 females, 41 males, mean age = 17.47). Data collection occurred across four sites as part of the multisite ACE Network GENDAAR Wave 2 study (R01 MH10028, Pelphrey). EEG data were collected using a 128-channel Geodesic sensor net, concurrently capturing live social and nonsocial attention responses. During the social condition, participants viewed videos featuring social stimuli (vignettes of women telling or singing nursery rhymes), while during the nonsocial condition, they viewed videos of objects (dynamic toys). Additionally, all participants underwent assessment using the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales-2 (VABS-2). I calculated power spectral density (PSD) values for 8 channels based on the 10-20 system across various frequency bands, and performed analysis using this data. The results indicated a main effect of condition (social vs. nonsocial) at several frequency bands and electrodes. Furthermore, a main effect of the group revealed higher alpha power in typically developing individuals compared to those with ASD. Notably, no significant relationships were observed between Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales-2 (VABS-2) subscores and neural responses. This study highlights a difference in neural activity during attention to social vs. nonsocial information in both groups of participants and underscores the importance of understanding these neural correlates in individuals with ASD.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by difficulties in social communication and interaction, and restricted or repetitive patterns of behavior or interests. ASD is associated with features beyond its core characteristics, including alexithymia and anxiety. Alexithymia is characterized by difficulty recognizing and describing one’s own emotions, it influences physical and mental health, and it is associated with symptoms of anxiety. Despite current research demonstrating the correlation between alexithymia and anxiety in both ASD and the general population, there remains a significant research gap in how alexithymia and autism traits individually and collectively influence anxiety levels among the participants. This study has two aims: 1) To explore the relationship between alexithymia and anxiety in participants with ASD and TD. 2) To analyze the role of alexithymia as a mediator of the relationship between autism traits and anxiety in adolescents and young adults. This sample includes 149 participants (93 ASD) ages 15-34, from the NIH funded study on sex differences in autism. Measures included alexithymia via the 20-Item Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20), anxiety via the Screen for Adult Anxiety Related Disorders (SCAARED), and autism traits via the Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS-2). We will first conduct regression analyses to examine the relationships between alexithymia, anxiety, and autism traits. Then, we will employ Preacher and Hayes’ INDIRECT Method to investigate the mediating role of alexithymia in the relationship between autism traits and anxiety. We expect to see a significant relationship between alexithymia and anxiety in both groups and the relationship between alexithymia and anxiety in the ASD group to be significantly different than TD group. Understanding the relationship between anxiety and alexithymia could aid in the development or improvement of interventions for anxiety in people with ASD.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurological and developmental disorder that affects around 1 in 6 children and 1 in 65 adults in the United States. Autistic individuals experience difficulties in social communication, interaction amongst peers, and language skills; any of the symptoms of ASD cause an influx of other problems that continue into adulthood; these differences may impact self-esteem and feelings of acceptance. Previous research has shown that a history of mental health concerns is related to worse Quality of Life (QoL) in individuals with autism as they transition into adulthood. This project aims to examine mental health comorbidities and self-reported QoL in adults with autism. 44 autistic adults from the NIH funded study on sex differences in autism were included. Participants completed a self history of current mental health diagnosis (anxiety, depression, OCD, ADHD etc.) and self reported QoL. Participants were grouped into 3 groups based on diagnosis: 1 (no diagnosis), 2 (1 diagnosis), and 3 (2+ diagnosis). QoL scores for each group will be calculated from the World Health Organization Quality-of-Life Scale (WHOQOL-BREF). I predict that individuals with more comorbid mental health diagnoses will have lower QoL scores. These data will inform us of how additional mental health struggles may impact quality of life in individuals with autism.

Sensory processing is a process in which the nervous system receives, processes, and integrates incoming sensory input from the environment to allow individuals to perceive and respond to their surroundings. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by deficits in social and behavioral skills. Many individuals with ASD experience hypersensitivity to sensory stimuli, thus individuals with ASD may experience more difficulty when navigating the world around us. These sensory challenges may result in increased anxiety symptoms. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between sensory processing and anxiety in autistic and typically developing (TD) adults. 256 participants (ASD = 149) ages 18-35 from a NIH funded study on sex differences in autism were included. Participants completed two self-report questionnaires: “Sensory Processing 3-Dimensions Scale” (SP3D) measuring sensory processing difficulties in auditory, visual, and tactile domains, and the “Screen for Adult Anxiety Related Disorders'' (SCAARED), measuring the intensity or frequency of anxiety symptoms and assessing four factors of anxiety (panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, separation anxiety disorder, and social phobis disorder). Correlations will be used to compare SP3D scores and SCAARED scores. Given the hypersensitivity to sensory stimuli in ASD, we hypothesize the effects of anxiety symptoms will be increased in the ASD group who experience more domains of hypersensitivity. The results of this study will contribute to a greater understanding of the effect sensory sensitivity has on anxiety in adults with ASD.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder that is characterized by difficulty in social cognition, communication, and behavior. Social cognition refers to mental processes related to how individuals perceive, process, and respond to social information. Elpers and Coyle (2021) found that there is a correlation between social cognition and general intelligence for adults with ASD. However, there is limited research on this relationship in younger age groups and for individuals without ASD. The goal of this study is to replicate the findings from Elpers and Coyle (2021) examining the relationship between social cognition and the intelligence quotient (IQ) in adolescents and young adults with and without autism. 193 participants (ASD = 96) from the NIH funded study on sex differences in autism were included in the sample. To measure social cognition, participants completed the Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test (RMET), a 36-item assessment measuring Theory of Mind or the individual's ability to recognize that others may have different mental states. Participants also completed the differential ability scale (DAS-2) as a measure of verbal IQ. We expect positive correlations for RMET scores and verbal score, in that as RMET scores increase, verbal IQ scores will also increase for adolescents and young adults with and without ASD. We will also explore how age impacts the scores, as we expect older children and young adults to have more verbal skills, hence performing better on the RMET measure. The results of this study will contribute to our understanding of the relationship between social cognition and intelligence from adolescents and young adults to the existing data that has been previously gathered. 

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurological disorder that affects social and behavioral development. Although there are no known biological markers of ASD, low birth weight and presence of an older sibling with an ASD diagnosis have been identified as elevating risk for ASD, such that between 7 to 15% of low-birth-weight infants and 20% of infant siblings will be diagnosed with ASD. One confounds to interpretation of outcome is use of clinician observational measures versus parent reports of behavior. For example, parent and clinician ratings showed strong correlation for motor skills but weak to moderate for communication skills. As altered communication skills are “red-flags'' for autism, understanding the relationship between sources of information is important. This project looks at the concordance between clinician administered and parent completed measures of communication in a longitudinal study of infants at elevated risk for ASD. Fourty-nine participants from an NIH funded longitudinal study of social and nonsocial development from 6 - 36 months were included. Infants were grouped as typical-likelihood for ASD (TL, n=24), or at elevated-risk for ASD, including, low birth weight (ER-LBW, n=17), and infant sibling of children with ASD (ER-Sib, n=8). At 12 and 24 months of age, parents completed the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales (VABS), a clinician administered parent interview that includes expressive language (EL) and receptive language (RL); and clinicians completed the Mullen Scales of Early Learning (MSEL) with the infant to assess EL and RL. We expect ER group to have the highest concordance between parent and clinician report and EL concordance to be higher than RL because it is easier for parents to assess their child’s spoken language compared to language understanding. If parent rating shows high concordance with clinician rating, this could inform the use of lower cost questionnaires for screening and diagnosis.

This project focuses on the redesign of a faculty research website with the objective of enhancing the site’s user experience. The project documents the history of Egyptology in the late 19th and early 20th century, through the lens of unpublished personal archives. The target audience includes scholars working in the discipline of Egyptology, students within the Middle Eastern Languages and Culture department at the University of Washington (UW), and the general public, for whom survey research will be conducted. The research methodology takes a multi-faceted approach, incorporating contextual inquiry-based interviews to observe user interactions with prototype designs. Additionally, in-depth interviews will be conducted with Middle Eastern Languages and Culture professors, and independent scholars, to gather insights on the presentation of the website. The survey research gathers feedback from UW students, gauging their preferences, expectations, and challenges when interacting with Egyptology-related online resources. Through contextual inquiry-based interviews, the project aims to identify user behaviors, allowing for the development of user-centric design solutions. The involvement of Middle Eastern Studies professors in interviews adds an academic perspective, enriching the redesign process with expert insights. The redesign process will address identified user needs and preferences, streamlining navigation, and optimizing content presentation. The redesign process will prioritize fulfilling the requirements and needs that we find through our user experience research. Iterative prototyping allows for user feedback to be continuously integrated, ensuring the final design aligns with the expectations and requirements of the target audience. By combining survey research, contextual inquiry-based interviews, and expert insights from Middle Eastern Studies professors, this project aspires to create a more engaging and user-friendly Egyptology website. The outcomes of this redesign endeavor aim to contribute significantly to the improvement of academic online resources, fostering a seamless and enriching learning experience for students in the Near and Middle Eastern Studies department at the University of Washington.

A keystone bacterium involved in the pathogenesis of chronic periodontitis, commonly known as gum disease, is Porphyromonas gingivalis. Two well-studied wild-type strains, 33277 and 381 have nearly identical genomes, however, they possess different immunostimulatory capacities. Experiments in our lab have compared the interbacterial interactions of these two strains, with a focus on outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) as mediators via abundance and cargo. We have characterized differences in the abundance of OMVs between the two strains, with 381 producing more. Through a peptide degradation assay, we have determined that 381 OMVs also exhibit more protease activity than the 33277 strain. Through biofilm assays, we observed a difference in biofilm morphology, in which 381 formed a dense biofilm aggregating in columnar structures, while 33277 formed an evenly distributed biofilm. Finally, by performing protein isolation and analysis through SDS-PAGE, 381 OMVs displayed a reduction in a specific band, compared to 33277 OMVs. Our ongoing work is to optimize an outer membrane protein isolation protocol to identify the differentially loaded protein in 33277 OMVs, and any other differences in protein composition between 33277 and 381. In our work to compare 33277 and 381 wild type strains, we can further understand the mechanism behind their difference in virulence and how this contributes to pathogenicity of P. gingivalis.
 

The Monte Carlo Physarum Machine (MCPM) is a modeling program constructed similarly to the more traditional Monte Carlo Markov Chain. The program is modeled after the Physarum slime mold, an organism which seeks out nutrients to absorb and consume. When applied to matter distribution in the universe, MCPM is designed to seek out the largest density objects, primarily in the form of galaxies and galactic clusters. Given previous applications of the program, I wanted to know whether it could be put into further use to produce accurate predictions of the current structure of matter in the universe. We call these large structures of matter that make up the universe Large Scale Structures (LSS). To determine the accuracy for LSS environment predictions via MCPM, I am cross comparing the results from the Value Added Catalog (VAC), obtained using MCPM, with the results from the most recent Mapping Nearby Galaxies at Apache Point Observatory (MaNGA) catalog. The VAC, which was the first catalog of matter dense galaxies obtained using MCPM, and MaNGA both possess matter density data that I have compared to determine if the same galactic structures were documented. The step that I am currently working on is seeing if I can replicate the VAC results with data compiled in the Hobby-Eberly Telescope Dark Energy Experiment (HETDEX) catalog. I am currently still working with and sorting through the data from HETDEX to produce the most accurate results. If I can determine with certainty MCPM produces the same results as other methods, its use as a primary data modeling process in cosmology would establish a concrete method for mapping the cosmos with unprecedented accuracy and reliability. Continued work with MCPM will allow for further advancements in its modeling and mapping procedures and push the boundaries of cosmological modeling and prediction.

The University of Washington Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) Extremely Preterm (EP) program aims to provide outstanding care to EP infants born at 22 0/7-24 6/7 weeks’ gestation. The objective of this study is to assess the feasibility of night telerounds in a level IV academic NICU for EP neonates to enhance the support for teams caring for EP patients. This was a retrospective cohort study. Through review and analysis of electronic medical records, the EP database, and telemedicine records from July 2022 to June 2023, the frequency and duration of telerounds during the night shift (8-11pm) were examined. Comparisons of EP outcomes were made between two epochs: 6 months pre- and 6 months post-telerounds implementation. Descriptive statistics, chi square and independent samples t-test were used to compare EP outcomes between epochs. There were a total of 195 telerounds encounters, with improvements noted in network connectivity over time (fewer dropped calls lasting <20 sec). In the pre-implementation period, 9 (36%) of EPs were transferred for subspecialty/surgical care, mortality before 36 weeks’ postmenstrual age (PMA) was 14 (56%) and median length of stay (LOS) for survivors to discharge was 182 days (SD 72). Post-implementation, 10 (50%) EPs were transferred with mortality before 36 weeks’ PMA of 7 (35%) and median LOS for survivors to discharge was 139 days (SD 24). In conclusion, there was a reduction in neonatal mortality before 36 weeks’ postmenstrual age and a trend towards decreased length of stay during the post-implementation period. The findings suggest that night telerounds are feasible in supporting bedside NICU teams caring for critically ill EP neonates and may facilitate care advancement. Additional chart review is in progress to characterize orders entered during night rounds in order to evaluate the impact of this intervention.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) causes significant sensorimotor deficits that negatively impact autonomy and quality-of-life. In a previous study, we determined that optogenetic spinal stimulation significantly enhanced forelimb recovery, axonal growth, and angiogenesis compared to sham controls. However, we have yet to determine the synaptic changes associated with optogenetic stimulation after SCI. The current project addresses this important detail by quantifying the synaptic changes that occur with and without optogenetic spinal stimulation in rats with cervical SCI.To investigate this, rats received a moderate hemicontusion of the 4th cervical segment (C4) and a spinal injection of an optogenetic viral vector (AAV2-hSyn-ChR2-YFP) to express light-sensitive proteins in the ipsilateral sixth segment (C6). Four weeks later, rats received a second surgery to receive a blue uLED implanted over ipsilateral C6 for optogenetic or sham stimulation. Rats were trained and scored regularly on a variety of forelimb behavioral tasks throughout the course of the study, while the rats in the stimulated group received stimulation 1x/week for 6 weeks beginning on the 6th week post-injury. After perfusion, the cervical spinal cord was sectioned and underwent immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining to examine synaptic density around motoneurons caudal to the lesion site where stimulation or sham stimulation occurred. Synaptic quantification has been completed using FIJI software. Our initial results reveal increased synaptic density around the motoneurons of rats that received optogenetic spinal stimulation, suggesting an increase in synaptic plasticity and connectivity. This indicates that stimulation not only enhances axonal growth but also supports the formation of new connections with downstream neurons partially disconnected by the injury. This study provides insight into the circuitry-related changes involved in SCI recovery. Identifying specific mechanisms of how optogenetic stimulation improves recovery can guide the development of more effective stimulation paradigms and treatment strategies in order to optimize functional recovery for people with spinal cord injury