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Food Systems Transformation:Voices for Hunger
Full text linkVoices of Hunger WV (VoH) is committed to advancing the Right to Food (RtF) across West Virginia. RtF is: a fundamental human right that ensures everyone has access to adequate food, and to resources that allow individuals to produce, earn, or purchase sufficient nutritionally adequate and acceptable food.
Since 2020, VoH has supported the emergency of a movement for the RtF at the local, county and state in West Virginia through grassroots organizing and community empowerment. Spring 2025 research included accompanying VoH leadership fellows involved in strengthening support networks for individuals and families experiencing food insecurity. Their work has fostered deep connections with community members, elevated underrepresented voices, and supported a growing movement that is advocating for lasting change in the lives of West Virginians vulnerable to hunger. VoH is a collective effort that aims to build pathways toward a more equitable and resilient food system grounded in equity, justice, principles of democratic participation and shared leadership.
The research highlights key challenges, including the repeated rejection of the Campus Free Hunger Act by the West Virginia House of Delegates and ongoing cuts to hunger relief funding, which hinder support for vulnerable communities. Additionally, recent federal policy shifts have created funding uncertainty for many organizations and families, prompting major adjustments to research, programming, and outreach.
Despite setbacks, VoH remains dedicated to uplifting those impacted by food insecurity through personal storytelling, material support, research, and local partnerships. Ongoing community outreach events and food policy advocacy is central to VoH purpose and vision
The characterization of IL-27 production and its impact on T cell antigen-specificity and diversity in a neonatal BCG vaccination model
No full textTuberculosis (TB) is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), and it has plagued humans for most of recorded history. Despite strong efforts to prevent and treat TB, it remains the leading cause of death due to a pathogen and is most prevalent in certain regions of Asia and Africa. Currently, the only approved vaccine to prevent TB is the live-attenuated Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine. Most countries have a universal BCG vaccination policy, but the vaccine ultimately fails to be protective. The BCG vaccine is most effective in children and protects against disseminated TB, but protection wanes 10-15 years after vaccination causing adults to be unprotected against pulmonary TB. There are many hypotheses that attempt to explain the failure of the BCG vaccine, including the time of life it is administered. The BCG vaccine is administered during the neonatal period when the immune system is skewed towards Th2 responses. Our lab has specifically demonstrated that the immunosuppressive cytokine interleukin (IL)-27 is elevated during this time. We have also shown that BCG vaccination further elevates already heightened levels of IL-27, and that in the absence of IL-27 signaling there is improved control of Mtb following BCG vaccination. This suggests IL-27 interferes with protective immune responses induced by the BCG vaccine and that neutralization of IL-27 may improve vaccine responses. However, it is first important to fully understand the kinetics and phenotype of IL-27 producers following BCG vaccination. To explore this, we used IL-27p28eGFP mice in combination with our neonatal BCG vaccination model. We observed via flow cytometry that IL-27 continuously increases throughout the first five weeks post-vaccination in both the spleen and lung. Most IL-27 producers were CD11b+ and F4/80+ with a significant increase in MHC class II expression following BCG vaccination. Single cell RNA-sequencing and ATAC-sequencing analysis further confirmed that IL-27 producers have improved antigen processing and presentation capabilities following BCG vaccination. Overall, we learned that IL-27 producers following BCG vaccination are a heterogenous group of myeloid cells with diverse phenotypes. We then wanted to understand how IL-27 produced by these cells impacts the specificity and diversity of T cells following BCG vaccination. We previously demonstrated that IL-27 interferes with phagosome maturation, so we hypothesized that IL-27 reduces the diversity of antigens processed and presented via MHC class II, leading to a reduction in the abundance and diversity of antigen-specific T cells. To explore this, we vaccinated wildtype (WT) and IL-27RαKO mice with BCG and isolated CD3+ T cells. We demonstrated that there is a greater abundance of diverse antigen-specific T cells from the BCG-vaccinated IL-27RαKO mice. When the T cells were transferred to Mtb-infected WT mice, the IL-27RαKO T cells more consistently controlled Mtb infection when compared to the WT T cells. In conclusion, the results of this work suggest IL-27 interferes with protective immune responses induced by the BCG vaccine and informs the field of potential mechanisms to improve vaccination against TB
Development of Sexual Health Curriculum for West Virginia University’s Occupational Therapy Program
No full textSexual health is a fundamental aspect of well-being and quality of life and impacts everyone regardless of age, gender, or sexual orientation, and is relevant throughout an individual’s lifespan. Occupational therapists have a valuable role in addressing sex concepts with patients; however, a lack of education and comfort level have been identified as barriers to practitioners addressing the concepts in clinical practice. This Doctoral Capstone Experience aims to answer how the topic of sexual health can be integrated into a lifespan curriculum in formal occupational therapy education. A sexual health curriculum was created and integrated into seven different classes that were already a part of West Virginia University’s occupational therapy curriculum. The mixed methods approach consisted of an online focus group and a pre- and post-discussion survey with both Likert scales and open-ended questions. The focus group was completed by 6 respondents, and the survey was completed by 31. Findings from the focus group indicated that former West Virginia University occupational therapy alumni did not feel their formal education adequately prepared them to address sex concepts with patients. Results from the survey indicated that the discussion on dark occupations led them to become more open-minded and comfortable with patients participating in dark occupations. With a comprehensive sexual health curriculum built into their formal education and guided by the OTSAF, students can increase their knowledge and comfort level on the topic and ultimately be prepared to address it with patients
The Man, the Myth, the Mothman: Cryptid Folklore and West Virginian Identity Formation
Full text link“Cryptids” as a theme within Appalachian (more specifically West Virginian) folklore has gained increased interest in recent years, yet limited scholarly attention has been paid as to why. Along similar lines, many West Virginians have reclaimed the West Virginia regional identity. In this study, I collected and analyzed the opinions of West Virginians on the West Virginia identity and on cryptids to argue that the popularity of cryptids within folklore (a reclamation) has coincided with the reclamation of the West Virginian identity. I surveyed a demographic of mainly students through an online survey to analyze their perspectives, gathering demographic data and qualitative answers to long-response questions. The results indicated that the majority of respondents felt that the West Virginia identity has been reclaimed, and that cryptids resonate with them as a folkloric means of state identity expression. I was interested in respondents\u27 expressions of what outsiders thought of the state, and the reasons why the West Virginia identity needed to be reclaimed in the first place. The significance of the study is that it addresses gaps in anthropological literature in both the areas of regional identity formation and the folkloric study of cryptids, and allows a way for the recent popularity of cryptids in West Virginia folklore to be understood through an anthropological and identity-based lens
Artificial Intelligence: The Twilight Zone and Conclusion
Full text linkThis section concludes the exhibit with an exploration of the deepfake dilemma, existential risks and societal impacts, and takeaway inquiries
The Impact of West Virginia University Federal Research Grant Funding on the State’s Economy
Full text linkThis report evaluates the economic impact of federal research funding received by West Virginia University’s four campuses. In 2023, WVU secured 250.2 million to West Virginia’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), including 1.00 of federal research spending generates an additional 0.62 in labor income across the state. These findings underscore the vital role of federally funded university research in fostering economic development in West Virginia
All-Terrain Vehicle Injuries Among Youth: A Multidimensional Analysis of Injury Patterns in West Virginia and Safety Laws Across High-Fatality States
No full textAll-terrain vehicles (ATVs) pose significant injury risks, particularly among youth. These powerful machines are widely used across recreational and rural settings. West Virginia consistently ranks among the top five states for ATV-related deaths and injuries. Safety equipment and requirements are often not followed nor enforced, causing children and adolescents to be the most vulnerable group because they tend to not wear safety equipment such as helmets, ride on roadways, carry passengers, and operate oversized ATVS. This study examined ATV injury patterns from the WVU Medicine Trauma Registry and ATV laws across the five states with the highest reported fatalities. This multidimensional analysis is guided by two frameworks, Haddon’s Matrix (1979) and Rogers’ Diffusion of Innovations Theory (2003) to understand the multifaceted issue of youth ATV injuries and the adoption of safety-enhancing policies.
Consisting of two studies, study one utilized a quantitative analysis of WVU Medicine Trauma Registry data (N = 595) to identify injury patterns, helmet use, injury severity, and geographic trends among ATV-injured youth aged 1-21. Through statistical analysis, it was revealed that helmet use was significantly associated with reduced odds of sustaining head injuries and lower overall injury severity scores and GIS mapping demonstrated that most incidents occur close to home and during warmer months.
In study two, a directed content analysis followed by comparative case study was conducted to first individually examine the top five states in the nation with the highest reported ATV injuries and fatalities, Pennsylvania, California, West Virginia, Kentucky, and Florida before cross-case comparisons were made to identify regulatory similarities and differences along with policy gaps. Predefined categories were determined through literature, while allowing for the emergence of additional themes. All five states require helmets for minors, but only some extend that to mandate all riders to wear helmets or restrict passenger use according to manufacturer design. The protective impact of structured safety laws is supported in the literature, however enforcement and policy clarity limits effectiveness. The need for consistent regulation, enforcement, and public education is emphasized through the findings to reduce ATV-related injuries and fatalities.
Together, these studies demonstrate that ATV safety should be a multifaceted approach that includes behavioral interventions, policy reform, and targeted education. Rogers (2003) provides a model for improving diffusion through change agents, opinion leaders, and target audiences, while Haddon’s Matrix (1979) highlights the prevention points across all phases of injury. To promote safety among riders and reduce ATV-related injuries, the findings provide practical recommendations for policymakers, educators, and public health professionals
Implementing Noninvasive Capnography Monitoring to Enhance Early Recognition of Postoperative Respiratory Decline in High-Risk Patients: A Quality Improvement Project
No full textAbstract
Implementing Noninvasive Capnography Monitoring to Enhance Early Recognition of Postoperative Respiratory Decline in High-Risk Patients: A Quality Improvement Initiative
Trevor Messenger
Background: Those suffering from chronic respiratory disease, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), obesity, and other serious comorbidities are at an increased risk of respiratory decline after receiving general anesthesia. Respiratory decline leads to adverse outcomes, including increased hospital length of stay, intensive care unit (ICU) admissions, morbidity, and mortality.
Purpose: To improve the safety of postoperative patients at risk for OSA, and to reduce adverse events and airway interventions by enhancing the monitoring capabilities of bedside clinicians with waveform capnography. By providing a more comprehensive vital sign to monitor, clinicians can more rapidly and accurately identify adverse events, leading to more timely and appropriate interventions.
Intervention: Non-invasive capnography monitoring was applied to significantly improve clinicians’ ability to monitor the respiratory status of post-surgical patients and reduce the incidence of postoperative complications such as respiratory decline, hypoxemia, hypoventilation, and unplanned airway interventions.
Project Aims: Evaluate the impact of waveform capnography monitoring, in conjunction with standard vital sign monitoring, on the incidence of hypoventilation, hypoxemia, and airway interventions in the PACU for adult patients who received general anesthesia and have a diagnosis of OSA or a STOP-BANG score of 3 or greater.
Methods: Education of PACU staff on the use of non-invasive ETCO2 monitoring occurred, the implementation of non-invasive ETCO2 monitoring in the PACU was used to monitor identified patients, and data reports were collected from electronic health records to evaluate results. Pre- and post-intervention rates of hypoventilation, hypoxemia, and airway interventions were compared to assess efficacy of implementing non-invasive ETCO2 monitoring in the PACU.
Results: A two-proportion Z-test was conducted to assess differences between the pre- and post-intervention groups regarding incidences of hypopnea/apnea, hypoxemia, and airway interventions. When comparing the pre- and post-intervention groups, for hypopnea/apnea the z-test resulted in a value of 3.8 (p \u3c 0.05). For hypoxemia the z-test proportion was 6.87 (p \u3c 0.05). For airway interventions, the z-test proportion was 3.62 (p \u3c 0.05). These findings imply that applying ETCO2 monitoring to patients at risk for postoperative respiratory events in the PACU will, with a greater than 95% confidence interval, reduce incidences of hypopnea/apnea, hypoxemia, and airway interventions when compared to not applying the monitoring.
When evaluating the average incidence of adverse respiratory events per patient, a significant difference was found between the pre- and post-intervention groups. On average, patients not being monitored with ETCO2 in the PACU will likely experience 1.17 episodes of hypopnea/apnea per patient, 2.1 episodes of hypoxemia per patient, and 0.7 episodes requiring airway intervention per patient. In contrast, on average, patients in the post-intervention group experienced 0.43 episodes of hypopnea/apnea per patient, 1.17 episodes of hypoxemia per patient, and 0.18 episodes requiring an airway intervention per patient. The non-intervention group experienced episodes of hypopnea/apnea 2.72 times more, episodes of hypoxemia 1.79 times more, and episodes of airway interventions 3.89 times more than the ETCO2 group.
Conclusion: Non-invasive ETCO2 monitoring significantly improves the identification of respiratory compromise and thus reduces postoperative pulmonary complications in patients at risk or with a diagnosis of OSA. The use of non-invasive ETCO2 monitoring assists clinicians in more rapidly identifying adverse respiratory events, allowing for timely intervention and prevention of serious adverse outcomes
A Limb-Speed-Driven Locomotor Control System and Its Ability to Adapt
No full textDespite how simple walking may seem, the locomotor control system is structurally and functionally complex. Its hierarchical organization of supraspinal and spinal networks with forward and feedback pathways has many interactions at multiple levels that are dependent on the dynamics of a high-dimensional musculoskeletal system. Having a comprehensive understanding of sensorimotor integration within a healthy locomotor control system is crucial for understanding changes to the system due to age or neurologic disease and developing effective technologies to recover mobility in those populations. In this dissertation, we address persistent gaps in knowledge pertaining to how the nervous system controls locomotion.
In Chapter 2, the basis of the dissertation is built upon the idea that the locomotor control system is organized such that the production of basic walking rhythms and patterns is managed by spinal mechanisms such as the central pattern generator and reflexes, while high-level control processes (e.g., navigation, precise stepping, adaptation, etc.) are managed by supraspinal mechanisms. This hierarchical organization allows for efficient control of locomotion, with potentially distinct modalities of information being controlled at each level. Animal and computational studies have suggested that low-level control signals encode information regarding muscle group behavior, however, less is known about the information encoded in the high-level control signals. Computational modelling of the central pattern generator has indicated that limb speed is encoded in high-level control signals, suggesting that high-level processes modulate whole-limb behavior. Here, we investigate this idea further through assessing high-level control signals via human kinesthesia, or the awareness of the position and movement one’s limbs. Specifically, we evaluate the sensitivity to limb speed perception, the integration of low-level to high-level sensory information in the afferent pathway, and the progression of limb speed perception across the human lifespan. With each of these aspects, we aim to provide experimental evidence in humans that signals encoded with information on limb speed drive the locomotor control system.
In Chapter 3, the scope of the dissertation is expanded to included not only how the locomotor control system operates within its normal set of movements, but also how it adapts and learns new movements. Classic studies have established that sensorimotor adaptation is demonstrated with key periods of adaptation and de-adaptation. The functional mechanism underlying this behavior involves recalibration of the internal model of limb dynamics; however, how to intentionally trigger this mechanism is still not clearly understood. Here, we test our hypothesis that a threshold in sensory error exists to regulate the initiation of sensorimotor adaptation.
In Chapter 4, the scope of the dissertation is expanded once again to include a potential application of locomotor control knowledge into assistive technologies for rehabilitation. Specifically, the assistive technology of interest is a system for gamified gait assessment in virtual reality that has intuitive control of navigation and obstacle avoidance. Recently developed self- paced treadmill algorithms are a promising solution for translating limb speed control into navigation within the virtual environment; however, a solution for translating limb kinematics for obstacle avoidance is still needed. Here, we propose the utilization of off-the-shelf virtual reality motion trackers as an accurate and virtual-reality-compatible method for motion capture. Towards this effort, we evaluate the accuracy of the tracker-based method for calculating joint angles within a physiological range of motion.
Overall, these studies will provide insight into various aspects of our understanding of locomotor control and will inform future rehabilitation protocols and assistive technologies