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Optical readout and control of correlated electron phases in 2D semiconductor moiré superlattices
No full textThesis (Ph.D.)--University of Washington, 2025Ever since the isolation of the first single layer of a van der Waals material in 2004, the field of2D materials has been continuously accelerating. The ever-growing list of correlated electronic
phenomena observed in 2D materials, and in particular 2D moiré systems, has created a sandbox
for fundamental condensed matter research. Combined with the unique optoelectronic properties
of the transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), we now have unprecedented access to correlated
electronic phases with optical probes and optical controls. In this dissertation two main projects
will be presented. First, Raman scattering experiments on WS2/WSe2 moiré heterobilayers have
revealed two emergent scattering modes that are as of now unidentified. These Raman modes
show evidence of coupling with the underlying correlated physics in the moiré system in addition
numerous unusual and uncommon Raman signatures, including an anti-symmetric Raman tensor
and a distinct excitation power dependence for the scattering cross section of the modes. Second,
optical probes, and more importantly optical control, of the integer and fractional Chern insulator
states in tMoTe2 will be presented. By leveraging the unique spin-valley-polarization coupling of
the TMDs, we demonstrate the ability to deterministically choose the magnetization direction and
thus sign of the Chern number for a domain encompassed by our optical pump. This represents the
first step in optically controlling correlated electron phases in 2D materials rather than just optically
probing them
MASTER OF SCIENCE
No full textThesis (Master's)--University of Washington, 2025Abstract The use of antibiotics in dairy farming plays a crucial role in maintaining animal health and productivity. However, growing concerns over antimicrobial resistance (AMR) have driven regulatory reforms and shifts in on‑farm antibiotic management in recent years. This study assessed current antibiotic usage patterns, animal health management practices, and antimicrobial stewardship among Washington State dairy farms. A structured questionnaire was emailed to 190 licensed dairy farms in Washington State (WSDA list), with reminder calls to boost participation. 24 farms (12.6%) responded, representing herd sizes from fewer than 25 animals to more than 1,000. Data were analyzed in R using descriptive statistics to quantify practices and Chi‑square tests to explore associations between producer roles and antibiotic awareness.
Therapeutic use of cephalosporins (e.g., ceftiofur) and penicillins dominates, with non‑therapeutic applications (medicated milk replacers, feed top‑dressing) now nearly eliminated. Routine health checks (88 %), glove use (75 %), and handwashing (67 %) are widespread. One‑third of farms employ daily cleaning, grooming, and footbaths; 25 % test colostrum immunoglobulins (up from 8 % in 2003).
Although 86 % screen new purchases for diseases (BVD, Johne’s, etc.), only 29 % quarantine arrivals for the recommended 14–28 days. On AMR Awareness, fifty‑eight percent report high knowledge of antibiotic resistance and 62.5 % correctly define it (vs. < 40 % in 2005). Seventy‑five percent see resistant infections as a herd threat; 59 % recognize human‑health impacts. Yet 29 % fear higher mortality without prophylactic antibiotics. Forty‑five percent rely on internet resources; 33 % attend extension meetings; others use journals or newsletters, indicating a hybrid digital/traditional outreach landscape.
The findings of this study underscore a notable evolution in antibiotic management and preventive health strategies among dairy farms in Washington State. The adoption of targeted therapeutic antibiotic use—especially cephalosporins and penicillins for conditions like mastitis and respiratory disease—signals a clear departure from non-therapeutic applications such as medicated milk replacers and feed top-dressing. These results support a theoretical framework in which informed attitudes, producer roles, and farm resources collectively shape antibiotic stewardship behavior. Notably, producers demonstrating higher awareness of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) also exhibited more rigorous hygiene practices and narrower antibiotic use, reinforcing behavior-change models that link knowledge acquisition with practical decision-making.
In conclusion, Washington State dairy farms have made notable progress toward responsible antibiotic stewardship embracing precision therapy, strengthening hygiene, and increasing AMR awareness. Remaining gaps in quarantine practices and persistent reliance on prophylactic antibiotics highlight areas for targeted extension and research. A blended outreach model, combining digital and in‑person methods, alongside practical tools (e.g. quarantine guidelines, colostrum‑testing protocols), will be key to sustaining improvements in animal health, farm productivity, and public health protection
Evaluating School-Based Deworming Coverage of Soil-Transmitted Helminths Programs for Children Living in Benin, India, and Malawi
No full textThesis (Master's)--University of Washington, 2025Soil Transmitted Helminths (STH) are a group of intestinal parasitic worms infecting over 1.5 billion people, disproportionately affecting the health outcomes of women and children in marginalized communities. Most countries reduce STH-associated morbidities in children through school-based deworming (SBD) programs. Our objective was to calculate school-based STH deworming coverage and identify school-level correlates of coverage across areas participating in a cluster randomized trial in Benin, Malawi, and India. We conducted a secondary analysis of DeWorm3’s repeat cross-sectional longitudinal school survey over three years, including 308 observations of school-level deworming in Benin, 1,713 in India, and 164 in Malawi. SBD coverage was calculated and compared across time and sites using Kruskal-Wallis tests. A multivariate analysis using generalized linear mixed effects models with clustering by school and time determined correlates of coverage at the 0.05 significance level. SBD coverage was 100% in India (95% confidence interval [CI]: 97.2%, 140%), 87% in Benin (CI: 72.5%, 97.4%), and 46% in Malawi (CI: 33.6%, 62.7%). High attendance rates were significantly associated with increased (Benin) and decreased (Malawi) coverage. High student-to-faculty ratios (Benin, India) and a higher percentage of female teachers (India), were associated with reduced coverage. Exploring these correlates of coverage could assist in identifying schools unable to meet the WHO thresholds for preventing STH-associated morbidities in children
Malnutrition Among People Who Inject Drugs (PWID) Living with HIV in Kenya: A Cross-sectional Analysis
No full textThesis (Master's)--University of Washington, 2025Background: People who inject drugs (PWID) living with HIV face heightened vulnerability to malnutrition and food insecurity, both of which can compromise immune function and antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence. Although these issues are well documented globally, there is limited research in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in Kenya, where HIV prevalence among PWID is over four times the national average. This study aimed to examine the prevalence and predictors of abnormal weight status among PWID living with HIV in Kenya to inform targeted, integrated interventions. Methods: This cross-sectional study analyzed secondary data from PWID living with HIV in Nairobi and Kenya’s coastal region. Abnormal weight was defined as either underweight (BMI <18.5) or overweight/obese (BMI ≥25), with normal weight as the reference category. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to identify sociodemographic, behavioral, and clinical factors associated with abnormal weight status. Results: Among 223 participants, 34.1% were underweight and 10.3% overweight/obese. In multivariate analysis, male sex was significantly associated with underweight status. While marital status and alcohol use were not independently significant in the multivariate analysis, they were both positively associated with BMI in univariate analyses. Conclusion: Findings highlight the coexistence of undernutrition and emerging trends of overnutrition among PWID living with HIV in Kenya, two distinct but important challenges. Nutritional vulnerability in this population is shaped by multiple factors, including substance use patterns, gender, and lack of social support. Integrating tailored nutrition interventions into HIV care and harm reduction services are critical to address these intersecting needs
Beyond Prediction: Climate Change Adaptation, Science & Technology Studies (STS), and Transformational Change
Get PDFThesis (Master's)--University of Washington, 2025Climate change adaptation is a priority for researchers, policymakers, and the public. Adaptation practices, however, have largely failed to keep pace with climate change risks and deliver the
systemic changes required to reduce vulnerability. Critical scholarship has focused on
conventional planning and decision-making processes to explain the inadequate and inequitable
outcomes of adaptation. This thesis applies Science and Technology Studies (STS) theories as a
complementary means of explaining such outcomes. Chapter 1 introduces the stakes of adaptation,
the concerns brought by critical adaptation scholars, and the potential benefits of STS for
advancing adaptation practice. Chapter 2 identifies four themes in STS through a literature review:
representations, boundaries, politics and participation, and the future. These demonstrate how STS
can enrich adaptation studies' explanations for why insufficient adaptation persists. Chapter 3
presents a case study that applies STS concepts to explain the structure and outcomes of a
participatory adaptation planning initiative in Washington State's North Olympic Peninsula
region. Key findings, drawn from twenty-six interviews with planning organizers and participants
and an analysis of planning documents, illustrate how adaptation's meaning in practice was tied to
its creation in broader social and institutional settings. The thesis synthesizes how STS can both
benefit critical adaptation studies and advance the broader mission of effective adaptation
An Analysis of Veteran Homelessness in King County
Get PDFVeteran homelessness is an epidemic that exists all throughout America and while many politicians agree on the need for a solution, doing so is much more complicated than it sounds. This report examines many different existing models and programs to envision a solution for homeless veterans in King County. This includes breaking down an array of causes that create homelessness as well as those that perpetuate it. This research combined with a firsthand interview led to the qualitative coding of five key themes, those being: Seattle Culture, Financial barriers, the King County Veterans Seniors and Human Services levy being too big, Band Aid Fixes and the Rhode Island Model. The multitude of causes and the fact that the King County Veterans Seniors and Human Services Levy has existed for 20 years with minimal substantive progress expresses the need for amending existing policy. These being Fix the Seattle culture, Target the economic factors that keep people in homelessness, Target the Levy on Veterans, Work on band aid fixes and finally the Rhode Island Model
Ecology and Conservation of Marine Birds and Mammals
Get PDFPigeon Guillemots (Cepphus columba) are widespread in the northern Pacific, occupying both natural and urban coastal habitats in the Salish Sea. Little research has addressed how abundance and behavior vary with habitat type, time-of-day, and tide height. For one week, we conducted systematic behavioral observations at a natural site and an urban site on San Juan Island. Abundance was consistently higher and more clumped at the natural site, indicating the higher-quality habitat. On the other hand, distributions of behavior were similar between sites, underlining the species’ ability to adapt to environmental changes. Foraging activity peaked in the early morning at high tide at both sites, while other behaviors were found to have no correlation with time-of-day or tide height. Our findings confirm patterns in abundance and behavior that were previously demonstrated in other regions, and emphasize the importance of preserving natural habitat and continued monitoring for a prevalent species
Examining the Impact of Neural Education-Focused Professional Development on Educators: An Open Letter
Get PDFDoctor of Educational Leadership (EdD)This dissertation presented as an open letter, explores the transformational impact of neuroscience-informed professional development. Specifically, the Neural Education Institutes and ongoing monthly professional learning communities (PLCs) focus on educators' professional practice and personal well-being. Through qualitative, in-depth interviews with educators who have engaged in Neural Education, the research examines shifts in grading practices, classroom environments, discipline strategies, relational dynamics, and self-perception. The central research question guiding this exploration is: How does participation in Neural Education Institutes and related Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) influence educators' approaches to students, teaching, and beliefs? Findings reveal that such training can foster greater empathy, equity-driven pedagogical shifts, and a more profound sense of connection between educators and learners. The series of letters serves as both a reflective narrative and a call to reimagine teacher development through the lens of neuroscience, advocating for systemic change that prioritizes the well-being and growth of both students and educators
CARE - Clinician Augmented Reality Environment: Developing an Apple Vision Pro Framework for Image-guided Surgeries
Get PDFThesis (Master's)--University of Washington, 2025In the evolving landscape of surgical specialties, the shift toward minimally invasive procedures has become increasingly prominent, with most surgeries now being guided by imaging techniques such as laparoscopy, endoscopy, and fluoroscopy. Monitors have become essential for these procedures, yet their placement and visibility present significant challenges in terms of user experience and ergonomics, contributing to musculoskeletal disorders affecting 50-85% of practicing surgeons. Operating room staff continually seek innovations that simplify the environment, improve the surgical experience, and improve patient outcomes. Augmented Reality (AR) tools offer a promising solution by allowing optimal placement of virtual monitors, reducing the physical constraints and ergonomic challenges of traditional monitor placement. We are developing the Clinician Augmented Reality Environment (CARE) platform, a wireless streaming platform paired with an Apple Vision Pro AR headset software application, to enable wireless casting of any video source directly into the surgeon's field of view. Our implementation achieved streaming latencies under 71 milliseconds for 1080p video, meeting established requirements for real-time surgical applications. This thesis establishes a user-centered design methodology grounded in comprehensive interviews with 23 clinical and engineering stakeholders, analyzes the technical performance of our platform in surgical contexts, and evaluates the potential for clinical deployment and commercialization of AR-based surgical technologies
Reasons and Consequences of Teacher Burnout
Get PDFMaster of Education (MEd)This research explores the consequences and reasons behind teacher burnout as well as teacher turnover. It provides the answers to the question: What causes the teacher to burnout? To answer this question, there are three themes identified in this research: [1] Mistreatment of principals, [2] The impact of teacher stress on students, and [3] The heavy workload on teachers. The paper goes on to examine how teachers end up quitting their careers and how work-related stress vastly affects their performance in class as well as their overall mental health. There are many reasons behind teacher burnout and stress. This paper will explore the biggest ones behind this problem that affects not just one district but across districts nationwide as well as in other countries