Bioculture Journal
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Breaking the Silence: Unveiling Microaggressions and Cultivating Support for Women’s Stigmatized Health Care
No full textThesis (Ph.D.)--University of Washington, 2025Stigma surrounding sexual and reproductive health often silences women, limiting their access to essential care. Fear of social judgment deters many from seeking treatment for conditions like sexually transmitted infections, or even non-sexually transmitted conditions such as cervical cancer, as discussing these topics remains taboo. In South Korea, despite government efforts to promote sexual and reproductive health (SRH) care and shifts in sociocultural beliefs to decouple female sexuality from marriage, cultural norms continue to discourage unmarried women from seeking SRH care. This has resulted in significantly higher cervical cancer rates among Korean women compared to other populations and put them at high risk for severe health complications, including pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancies, and infertility. Through my dissertation research, I aimed to empower and protect women seeking support on these culturally taboo topics while raising community awareness and building strategies to prevent the inadvertent perpetuation of harmful microaggressions. Ultimately, I sought to foster resilience and safety within these communities. In alignment with this goal, my research makes four contributions. First, I uncovered microaggressions as a primary barrier to accessing SRH care for unmarried Korean women, a contributor to health disparities that has received little attention in prior research. I identified how these microaggressions occur, who perpetrates them, and how emotional proximity shapes their harm. To explain these dynamics, I developed a framework illustrating how even well-meaning allies can become covert agents of stigma, reframing how microaggressions are understood in stigmatized healthcare contexts. Second, I introduced culturally sensitive strategies to counteract microaggressions, co-developed with unmarried Korean women. These strategies emphasized reflection, empathy, and education over punishment, aligning with cultural values such as emotional restraint and not burdening others, and offering a constructive alternative to punitive approaches. Third, I designed an anonymous online space using the Asynchronous Remote Communities (ARC) method that fostered mutual support and deep reflection among unmarried Korean women. This space enabled participants to safely discuss stigmatized health topics and reflect on in-group microaggressions, which are rarely addressed in existing research. Based on this study, I offer design insights for creating culturally sensitive and emotionally safe online spaces, emphasizing the importance of rapport-building, sequenced activities, and expanded evaluation criteria. These design choices supported meaningful engagement and led to real-world changes, including increased care-seeking and more open conversations. This work extends ARC beyond data collection to inform the design of empowering digital spaces for stigmatized communities. Finally, I examined the limitations and unintended harms of generative artificial intelligence in producing counterspeech for culturally stigmatized health contexts. Current AI-generated responses often fail to recognize cultural nuance, validate the experiences of those targeted, or challenge the structural context of stigma. In response, I proposed a culturally sensitive framework for improving counterspeech generation that embeds cultural sensitivity, affirms users’ perspectives, and accounts for social and structural factors shaping stigma. Together, these contributions offer new directions for designing inclusive technologies and support systems that reduce stigma, challenge harmful norms, and promote culturally sensitive care. By reimagining how communities and technologies can respond to microaggressions, this work helps create a future where individuals navigating stigmatized health concerns feel seen, supported, and empowered to seek the care they deserve
Shaping Civil Society: Media, Donors and Public Trust in Southeast Asian NGOs
No full textThesis (Ph.D.)--University of Washington, 2025This dissertation examines how perceptions of civil society are shaped by social media, organizational attributes, and elite media narratives. Empirically, I focus on perceptions of environmental non-governmental organizations (ENGOs) in Southeast Asia. Combining a cross-national survey, a conjoint experiment, and machine learning analysis, this three-paper dissertation investigates the following questions: (1) How does social media usage influence trust in NGOs compared to governmental institutions in hybrid and authoritarian regimes? (2) What organizational traits drive donor support for ENGOs? (3) How do elite media portrayals of ENGOs differ based on their service or advocacy orientations? Chapter 1 utilizes the Asian Barometer Data to explore if social media enhances trust in NGOs by creating civic spaces for political expression, while eroding confidence in governmental institutions due to public scrutiny of the state on these platforms. I determine that social media usage is associated with reduced trust in governmental institutions but enhances trust in NGOs. Chapter 2 uses a conjoint experiment in Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singapore to examine donor preferences for ENGOs. I find that individual donors favor organizations that prioritize regional issues, partner with regional organizations and promote gender inclusive leadership. Chapter 3 analyzes English-language media coverage of Greenpeace and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) using machine learning techniques. I find systematic biases against advocacy orientated organizations. Service-oriented ENGOs like WWF received positive, trust-laden portrayals while groups like Greenpeace are framed as disruptive and face negative sentiment. This dissertation advances debates on civil society's role under restrictive regimes and the potential future of environmental organizations in emerging donor markets. The findings highlight the importance of a locally rooted civil society, one that is funded and supported by domestic actors, as a foundation for greater legitimacy
Hack for the Future: Adolescent possible self identification in community-centered learning design
No full textThesis (Master's)--University of Washington, 2025Technology education consistently fails to serve non-dominant communities, contributing to inequities in the technology industry and reifying disparate social stratification. Addressing this issue requires creating opportunities for non-dominant communities to envision themselves within the discipline and develop future self-concepts in technology contexts. This research study investigates how community-centered learning design supports possible self identification in adolescents. Using a design-based research approach, the study examines the dimensions of community-centered learning design which foster identification of aspirational selves. Findings reveal that possible self identification is facilitated through navigation knowledge that bridges current self with a possible self, guided by community-centered design concepts. This work highlights the potential of technology curricula and learning spaces centered in community values to foster possible self identity development in non-dominant communities and promote more equitable participation in technology fields
A Qualitative Study Identifying Factors and Solutions to Increase Gender Equity in Soil-Transmitted Helminth Treatment for Children in India, Benin, and Malawi
No full textThesis (Master's)--University of Washington, 2025Background: Approximately 24% of the world’s population is infected with a soil-transmitted helminth (STH), a neglected tropical disease (NTD) where a parasitic worm lives in human intestine (1). STH infection disproportionally affects marginalized populations in low-and-middle income countries (LMIC) (2). Children are the most vulnerable population to STH infection and experience a disproportionate amount of STH morbidities causing cognitive delay, stunting, malnutrition, and increased school-absenteeism (3). Few studies have identified factors contributing to gender inequity in deworming treatment of children. We aim to identify factors and solutions to gender equitable deworming treatment of children in Benin, India, and Malawi. Methods: The Health Equity Implementation Framework (HEIF) was utilized to inform this study and develop our codebook. We conducted a secondary analysis of 40 focus group discussions from the DeWorm3 Project. A thematic analysis based on the HEIF and valence scoring of the HEIF domains were used to analyze the data.
Results: Seven themes were developed according to the HEIF in regard to factors and solutions that contribute to gender equitable deworming treatment of children. The themes are as follows: cMDA reaches out of school children, who are disproportionately female , parental engagement during cMDA contributes to gender equitable treatment in children, household gender norms can perpetuate both equities and inequities in children, CDD’s influence equitable treatment uptake, community fear can lead to treatment refusal and sensitization is imperative to overcome this barrier, migration outside of the community inhibits deworming treatment through cMDA, and providing children food during MDA can increase treatment uptake for all genders (4,5). Through scoring the HEIF domains, we found the Clinical Encounter domain of the HEIF had the strongest, positive influence on gender equitable treatment .
Conclusion: To achieve global benchmarks of reducing STH-associated morbidities in children, it is necessary to implement strategies to reach all children. To engage gender equitable treatment of children in deworming campaigns, we recommend implementing these three strategies: cMDA as the standard of care for deworming, tailoring sensitization of deworming to children to overcome their specific fears and providing food to children during deworming to promote gender equitable treatment of children
Satellite-based cultivation scheduling for Eucheuma sp. using landsat-8 imagery in coastal aquaculture systems
Full text linkBackground: Seaweed cultivation in Jeneponto Regency has been practiced for a long time and has become the main livelihood for most people in Mallasoro Bay. In cultivating seaweed, obstacles often arise in the form of failure experienced by seaweed farmers or the quality of the harvest is not good. Methods: This study aims to develop a calendar for planting seaweed Eucheuma sp. in Mallasoro Bay, Jeneponto Regency based on sea surface temperature and chlorophyll-a distribution obtained from Landsat-8 imagery. Findings: Processing of Sea Surface Temperature Imagery and Chlorophyll-a processed using ENVI 4.8 dan 5.3 software, satellite images used in clean conditions and no cloud disturbances. In this research, data analysis was carried out descriptively. The water temperature that is good for seaweed growth is 27-30°C, for the Mallasoro Bay Sea Surface Temperature, which is suitable for planting seaweed in April, May, June, July, August, September, October, and November. While the classification based on the criteria of chlorophyll-a trophic status in marine waters, namely the range < 1 mg/L is classified as Oligotrophic, 1-3 mg/L is classified as Mesotrophic, 3-5 mg/L is classified as Eutrophic, and > 5 mg/L is classified as hypertrophic. Conclusion: from the results of image analysis for the distribution of chlorophyll-a in Mallasoro Bay, it shows that Mallasoro Bay throughout the year is at the Mesotrophic level or the fertility level of the waters is quite fertile because it is in the range of 1-3 mg/L. so the seaweed planting calendar in Mallasoro Bay is obtained, namely in January, February, and December, equipment preparation such as cleaning and repair of seaweed planting equipment can be carried out, then at the end of March, May, July, and September, the procurement of seaweed seeds is carried out , in early of April, June, August, and October, Novelty/Originality of this article: it is possible to spread seaweed seeds, then in mid of May, July, September, and November, harvesting is carried out, so that seaweed cultivation in a year can be carried out 4 times cycle
The factors influence on consumers purchase intention and purchase decisions of organic food in Indonesia
No full textBackground: Organic products in Indonesia represent 0.03% of global demand. Health problems are one of the causes of increasing consumer awareness in the world to maintain health and reduce environmental impact. The organic market is growing, but obstacles awareness still prevents it. The purpose of this research is to examine the influence of health consciousness, perceived quality, and environmental awareness of organic food in Indonesia. Methods: A quantitative method was used and the data acquired through Google form. The research design method by conducting online questionnaires. The questionnaires were distributed online for those who intend to purchase organic food in Indonesia. The total respondents in this research are 180. The data analysis design used in this research is Partial Least Square-based Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) using Smart-PLS, starting from the measurement of outer model, inner model, and hypothesis testing. Result: This study has 7 hypotheses and the results showed that health consciousness, perceived quality, directly influencing purchase decision and indirectly mediated by purchase intention. Conclusion: However, environmental awareness has no direct and indirect influence on consumer purchase decisions of organic food in Indonesia. Novelty/Originality of this study: Using the PLS-SEM method, this study provides in-depth insights into how these factors influence purchase intention, while environmental awareness does not show a significant influence
Strategy for developing the utilization of organic waste as an alternative source of electricity in Indonesia
No full textBackground: Indonesia has pledged to reach its Net Zero Emission target by 2060, necessitating the shift to renewable energy sources. To achieve this, Indonesia must transition from its current reliance on fossil fuel power plants to renewable energy generators, ensuring the same or greater electricity capacity. One viable renewable energy source is organic waste. This study aims to explore strategies for developing organic waste as an alternative energy source to bolster Indonesia's energy resilience and environmental sustainability. Method: The research employs a qualitative approach, including literature reviews and qualitative descriptive analysis. Findings: Waste to Energy (WtE) processes convert waste into electricity and/or heat, aiding in greenhouse gas reduction, improving waste management efficiency, and supporting sustainable development. WtE technologies can utilize both thermochemical and biochemical methods to convert waste into energy. The Indonesian government is known to have 12 projects to accelerate the installation of Waste Processing into Electrical Energy, both the Waste Power Plants that have been in operation and under construction and using gasification as the method. The development of WtE faces various challenges ranging from completeness and consistency of regulations, high tipping fees, complex cooperation mechanisms and business models, problems with the characteristics and nature of Indonesian waste that need special handling, and rejection from residents. Conclusion: Strategies that can be implemented in developing WtE in Indonesia include drafting policies and regulations, increasing public awareness, collaboration with the private sector, choosing the right technology, developing infrastructure, increasing the efficiency of waste collection, and international partnerships. Novelty/Originality of this study: This research offers concrete strategies to develop Waste to Energy (WtE) technology in Indonesia, including policy formulation, increasing public awareness, and collaboration with the private sector to utilize organic waste as a renewable energy source to support the 2060 Net Zero Emission target
Symbiosis with Sponge: Differential Predator Response with Hermit Crab Shell Types
No full textHermit crabs are important marine detritivores, and characteristically use discarded
gastropod shells to cover their exoskeleton. However, some species use toxic symbiotic sponge
shells instead, where the sponge dissolves and replaces their gastropod shell. The impact these
mutualistic sponges have on hermit crab ecology remains poorly understood. In the present
study, the behavioral responses of gastropod-shelled (GSCs) and sponge-shelled (SSCs) hermit
crabs to two different predators was examined, with the goal of determining if the type of hermit
crab shell influences the duration of their predator avoidance response. GSCs and SSCs were
individually dropped into experimental tanks containing either a known hermit crab predator or a
sponge predator, and the time it took for crabs to emerge from their shells after being dropped
(refuge time) was recorded. It was found that hermit crabs of both shell types spent more time
refuging from the hermit crab predator (a red rock crab - Cancer productus) compared to the
sponge predator (lemon nudibranch - Doris montereyensis) or control treatments. However,
compared to GSCs, SSCs spent (non-significantly) less time refuging from the hermit crab
predator, relative to the control. The difference between SSC and GSC predator response could
indicate behavioral changes due to sponge protection, size, or hermit crab species, such as
increased protection due to sponge toxicity or less room to shelter in the sponge due to smaller
aperture size. Shorter refuge time in sponge shells could also result in less predation by hermit
crab predators if the SSCs escape faster or the sponge acts as a toxic barrier. Further research,
such as larger sample sizes or more species of hermit crabs, is needed to determine the
significance and mechanism behind this altered behavior
Rail to Where? Storytelling in Twin Cities Planning and Policy
No full textThesis (Master's)--University of Washington, 2024Southwest LRT is a light rail expansion project in Minneapolis, set to be completed in the late 2020’s. When deciding the alignment of the route, planners in Minneapolis had to decide whether to build the alignment near areas of the city that had already been developed, or those that could undergo transportation oriented development in response to the project. After long deliberation, they chose to build the alignment away from existing development, with access to recreation and potential transportation oriented development highlighted as reasons why. In this thesis, I ask if it is better for light rail transit to serve areas that have already been developed, or areas that have the potential for development, and how has this thought process changed over time for government officials and community members? Furthermore, if government agencies were to choose to build in developed areas, what measures should be taken to prevent displacement? To answer this, I used archival research such as government documents (environmental impact statements, policy suggestions) and news articles to paint a picture as to what planners were thinking at the time of project development. I also interviewed multiple stakeholders across Minneapolis, including those in surrounding neighborhoods of light rail projects as well as workers at various government entities in the area. Lastly, I conducted personal observations of numerous neighborhoods throughout the Twin Cities region, both where light rail had already been constructed or was currently being constructed. Through this research, I attempted to visualize a story from the beginning of light rail expansion in the Twin Cities to now to understand the thinking of planners in where they chose to build their alignments, how potential conflicts with community members may have shaped their choices, and if certain policies have been created to address potential conflicts. Through this analysis I found that differing priorities and lessons learned from past projects have led to differing outcomes in current projects. Projects such as 2014’s Central Corridor connecting Minneapolis and St. Paul had mixed results, with undeveloped areas growing into thriving communities, while already developed areas suffered from gentrification. Projects since the Central Corridor, including Southwest LRT and the Blue Line Extension, have focused on building transit in areas of least resistance, but displacement issues remained. Once the Blue Line Extension was rerouted through higher density areas though, anti-displacement policies began to be brainstormed with the help of community stakeholders, providing an example for other cities across the country in how to build transit without inducing gentrification
The neural dynamics and intrinsic properties of heterogeneous ventral tegmental area populations in motivated behavior
No full textThesis (Ph.D.)--University of Washington, 2024Ventral tegmental area (VTA) dopamine neurons regulate reward-related associative learning and reward-driven motivated behaviors, but how these processes are coordinated by distinct VTA neuronal subpopulations remains unresolved. Here we examine the neural correlates of reward-related prediction-error, action, cue, and outcome encoding as well as effort exertion and reward anticipation during reward-seeking behaviors. We compare the contribution of two primarily dopaminergic and largely non-overlapping VTA subpopulations, all VTA dopamine neurons, and VTA GABAergic neurons of the mouse midbrain to these processes. The dopamine subpopulation that projects to the nucleus accumbens (NAc) core preferentially encodes prediction-error and reward-predictive cues. In contrast, the dopamine subpopulation that projects to the NAc shell preferentially encodes goal-directed actions and reflects relative reward anticipation. VTA GABA neuron activity strongly contrasts VTA dopamine population activity and preferentially encodes reward outcome and retrieval. Electrophysiology, targeted optogenetics, and whole-brain input mapping reveal heterogeneity among VTA dopamine subpopulations. Our results demonstrate that VTA subpopulations carry distinct reward-related learning and motivation signals and reveal a striking pattern of functional heterogeneity among projection-defined VTA dopamine neuron populations