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POPULATION GENETICS OF SHALLOW AND MESOPHOTIC CORALS AND SPONGES IN THE GULF OF MEXICO AND FLORIDA
Full text linkPopulation genetic analyses provide critical insights into biodiversity and resilience on coral reefs. This dissertation investigated the genetic connectivity and cryptic diversity of multiple foundational reef species, the corals Stephanocoenia intersepta, Orbicella faveolata, Montastraea cavernosa, and the sponge Xestospongia muta, across shallow and mesophotic reefs in the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary (FGBNMS) and across marine protected areas on the Florida Reef Tract. Using a reduced representation genotyping approach, 2bRAD-seq, we generated genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) datasets for each species to assess patterns of population structure across regions and depth zones. Analyses uncovered cryptic lineages within all species, with some species exhibiting distinct depth and regional distributions. Notably, there was strong regional genetic differentiation between FGBNMS and Florida populations in both Stephanocoenia intersepta and Xestospongia muta, suggesting limited contemporary gene flow among these regions. Within regions, depth-associated genetic structure was also detected, particularly among S. intersepta in Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary as well as O. faveolata and X. muta in FGBNMS. These results highlight that patterns of connectivity and lineage diversity are complex and variable by species and region, and that mesophotic populations do not uniformly serve as refugia for shallow reefs in these areas. Together, these findings emphasize the need to incorporate depth and cryptic genetic diversity into reef management and conservation planning. This work contributes to a growing understanding of how environmental gradients and historical processes influence the genetic structure of coral reef species populations, with important implications for their future persistence under climate change
APPRECIATIVE PEER ADVISING: THE INFUSION OF APPRECIATIVE EDUCATION INTO THE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OF PEER ADVISORS
No full textThis qualitative case study examined the professional development of peer advisors trained using the Appreciative Education theory-to-practice framework. Peer advisors are typically undergraduate students who help fulfill various academic advising roles (Gordon et al., 2008). Appreciative Education’s theory-to-practice framework focuses on uncovering individual and organizational strengths to deliver high-quality education (Bloom et al., 2013a). To date, there is no research on the potential of Appreciative Education being applied to the design and delivery of peer advisor professional development training or how peer advisors are influenced by and apply it in their peer-to-peer relationships (Stephanes, 2017).
The purpose of this qualitative case study was to understand how peer advisors are influenced by the peer advisor professional development training at the University of Snowfall and how peer advisors apply the Appreciative Education framework in their peer-to-peer relationships. In addition, this study investigated how Appreciative Education has been applied to the design and delivery of the peer advisor professional development training. This case study included 15 interviews, direct observations, and document analysis. Each participant took part in one 60-minute semi-structured interview either in person or through the Zoom virtual platform. Notes about observations and analyzed documents were captured using observations and document analysis guides. Participants were asked to member check their interview transcripts following their interview. Data was analyzed using Saldaña’s (2016) two coding cycles of descriptive coding and in vivo coding.
Four findings with 12 total themes emerged from the analysis that described how peer advisors are influenced by the training, how they apply the framework in their peer advising relationships, and how Appreciative Education has been applied to the design and delivery of the training. Findings from this case study expand on the understanding of peer advising and Appreciative Education while also addressing the gap in the research literature about the impact of Appreciative Education as an adaptable theory-to-practice framework for training and developing peer advisors. This study may also inform higher education institutions, administrators, peer advising programs, and researchers on how to infuse Appreciative Education into training peer advisors and other student leaders and provide them with impactful professional development opportunities
STEWARDS OF HISPANIC-SERVING INSTITUTION (HSI) IDENTITY: A QUALITATIVE NARRATIVE STUDY ON HISPANIC/LATIN* STUDENT AFFAIRS PERSONNEL AT FOUR-YEAR PUBLIC HSIS
No full textDue to the increase in the Hispanic/Latin* demographics and the number of Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs), HSIs have to better serve Hispanic/Latin* students (U.S. Census Bureau, 2020; Dayton et al., 2004). Hispanic/Latin* SAP are institutional agents impacting organizational structures that affect Hispanic/Latin* student success (e.g., Torres, 2015). Yet, as dependence on Hispanic/Latin* professionals to assist with HSI identity development increases, Hispanic/Latin* Student Affairs Personnel (SAP) are 8% of the profession (Espino & Ariza, 2022). Thus, the purpose of this study was to describe the lived experiences of Hispanic/Latin* SAP as they enacted an HSI identity at four-year public HSIs. The research questions for this study focused on capturing actions, role perceptions, and racial and ethnic impact on their practices; they were: How do Hispanic/Latin* SAP enact an HSI identity at their four-year public HSI? How do Hispanic/Latin* SAP perceive their role at their four-year public HSI? How does SAP’s race and ethnicity impact their ability to enact an HSI identity at a four-year public HSI? In this qualitative narrative study, 12 participants completed two in-depth, semistructured virtual interviews and provided a written artifact. For validity, participants reviewed the data for accuracy, and thick, rich descriptions were used to construct their narratives. The collected data was organized via Microsoft Excel and Taguette software, then analyzed using dramaturgical, InVivo, and versus coding. The frameworks informing this study were the Multidimensional Conceptual Framework for Understanding “Servingness” in HSIs (Garcia, Núñez et al., 2019) and Racialized Organization Theory (Ray, 2019). There are four findings of this study: Finding one discussed the participants’ reliance on their personal definitions of servingness and lived experiences to enact an HSI identity. Finding two explained how the participants used their locus of control to enact an HSI identity. Finding three revealed the participants felt demoralization and pain in enacting an HSI identity since they perceived role exploitation. Finding four detailed the participants’ ill-treatment and validation in enacting an HSI identity as they experienced cultural taxation, tokenization, racism, and horizontal bias. In the discussion, policymakers, practitioners, and researchers are informed on how to better serve Hispanic/Latin* SAP at four-year public HSIs
LONGITUDINAL CHANGES IN VERBAL AND NONVERBAL MEMORY AMONG OLDER ADULTS: THE RELEVANCE OF DEMOGRAPHIC VARIABLES
Full text linkThe study investigated longitudinal changes in verbal and nonverbal memory among older adults, examining the influence of demographic variables (age, sex, and education), memory associations with cognitive screening performance over time, and short-term practice effects. Linear mixed-effects models and repeated measures ANCOVAs were used to evaluate memory change over time and determine which memory tests were more susceptible to practice effects. Memory was assessed using subscales from the Loewenstein-Acevedo Scales for Semantic Interference and Learning (LASSI-L), Craft Story 21 (CS), and the Benson Complex Figure Test (BCFT). Results showed that age and sex were significant predictors of verbal memory, with women outperforming men; education had limited influence. Nonverbal memory outcomes showed weaker associations with demographic variables. Changes in cognitive screening scores (MoCA) were strongly associated with changes in both verbal and nonverbal memory. Practice effects were minimal, with meaningful performance gains observed only on one verbal memory subscales
EXAMINING THE RELATIONSHIPS AMONG LAND SURFACE TEMPERATURE, SURFACE URBAN HEAT ISLANDS, LAND COVER, AND SOCIETAL IMPACTS IN THE MIAMI METROPOLITAN STATISTICAL AREA
Full text linkSurface Urban Heat Islands (SUHI) and Land Surface Temperature (LST) are important to study because they can have large impacts on human and environmental health and well-being. The research described in this dissertation includes three separate but related studies of SUHI and LST. The first study evaluates historic LST trends in a multiscalar view and examines the impact of environmental and socioeconomic explanatory variables on LST. Results show that NDVI and impervious surfaces are significant explanatory variables for the dependent variable LST. The rate of change (RoC) of each of the regression models ranges between 0.29oC/decade and 1.56oC/decade. The second study predicts LST trends using data at multiple scales from 2025 to 2055 using an Artificial Neural Network (ANN). Potential policies involving managed changes in Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) are examined to assess the impacts on LST of adding or reducing NDVI. The second study also evaluates the urban simulation of land use land cover change (LULC) from 2025 until 2055 using the CA-Markov model. The results show that increasing NDVI can be an effective policy tool to regulate LST and to reduce SUHI impacts. Conversely, decreasing NDVI can exacerbate increases in LST. The LULC results show that built-up areas are growing rapidly and encroaching on rural wetland areas and 147 km2 in built-up area land cover were added during the past 20 years. The third and last study investigates preterm births (PTB) using environmental and socio-economic variables to determine the correlation and expected location of PTB. Ordinary Least Squares Regression and Geographically Weighted Regression are applied to determine how the explanatory variables relate to PTB. The results show that LST and Below Poverty are the most significant variables and have positive correlations with PTB. Understanding historical and future LST trends and their relationship with human health and well-being, is important for urban planners, emergency responders, and residents. The research described in the dissertation pioneers a multi-scale approach to assess the correlation between LST and SUHI and demonstrates the importance of greenery as measured by NDVI as a policy tool in regulating LST and SUHI
XENOTYPICAL: A LYRICAL MEMOIR
No full textXenotypical is a memoir about my experience as a cross-cultural adoptee written in a series of nonfiction essays. I combine scientific research with lyrical prose to explain how being transracially adopted is a complicated experience in every way imaginable
UNKNOWN COSTS
No full textLast year there were 43 million Americans in need of addiction treatment and of the mere 1-5% who got it, up to 75% relapsed within six months. But despite 95% of outcomes being unsuccessful, over 90% of addiction memoirs (and podcasts, testimonials, sober-fluencers) tell a success story. Families believe their addicted loved ones will be healed by entering treatment programs, but many families are being misled. Without widespread awareness of what’s wrong with the addiction treatment system and knowledge of how to improve it, things won’t change.
My narrative collection of essays, Unknown Costs, aims to incite such change by embedding research, analysis, and reportage inside of a personal narrative. Like the proverbial Trojan horse, contained within the belly of my own dramatic story is both a critique of the current system and concrete information and suggestions for readers concerned with addiction
POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION AND THE RELATION TO MATERNAL SENSITIVITY IN THE CONTEXT OF INFANT FEAR
Full text linkThe goal of this research was to examine if postpartum depression and maternal sensitivity are related, and how this relation manifests in mothers’ responses to their infants during unfamiliar mother-child interaction tasks compared to a routine interaction task. Participants included 55 mother-infant dyads. Dyads participated at one of three university sites across the United States. PPD data was collected from mothers when infants were 6 and 12 months old, while sensitivity data was taken when the infant was 12 months old. Results indicate that postpartum depression at 6 and 12 months is not predictive of maternal sensitivity within a non-clinical sample. Results also suggest that mothers are less responsive, specifically in their physical and facial expressions/vocalizations, in unfamiliar contexts than in routine interaction contexts. This relationship does not depend on depressive symptoms. Findings suggest that mothers, regardless of depression, may be hesitant to intervene via physical/facial/vocal responses during unfamiliar situations
EXTRACTING THE FUTURE: AN ANALYSIS OF PETROCULTURE IN APOCALYPTIC WORKS
Full text linkThis thesis explores the critique of petroculture seen in mid- and post-apocalyptic literature. Chapter One, “Parable of the Sower: A Pre-Apocalyptic World Planting Petrocultures Destiny” argues Octavia E. Butler’s Parable of the Sower critiques American petroculture by demonstrating the destruction and devastation society is heading for under current societal structures. Chapter Two, “The Road: The Crumbling Remains of Petroculture” argues Cormac McCarthy’s The Road critiques American petroculture through its infrastructural collapse. Chapter Three, “‘Covehithe’: A Weird, Post-Apocalyptic Story Birthing the Future of Petroculture” explores how China Miéville’s “Covehithe” employs magical realism to communicate a different view of global petroculture, one that utilizes horror to install fear in its readers. This thesis explains the start to petroleum oil’s long reign on society. I argue these pieces of literature critique petroculture through mid- and post-apocalyptic imagery and dramatize the imminent destruction of our most precious social structures