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Otolith-based Determination of Rainbow Trout Life Histories in the Skagit River Basin
No full textIn 2007, the population of Rainbow Trout/Steelhead native to the Skagit River Basin was listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Since then, research has been conducted to assess population dynamics and migration history using trace elements in otoliths––the “ear stones” found in the inner ear of fish. Otoliths are mostly made up of calcium carbonate and are used for hearing and balance. They grow in proportion to the growth of the fish and incorporate elements from the ambient water and diet. Microchemical analyses were utilized to identify early life history stages, such as hatch and button-up of Rainbow Trout in the Skagit River basin. Juvenile Rainbow Trout were collected from five tributaries of the Skagit River and from the Marblemount State Fish Hatchery. Otoliths were extracted, mounted to glass coverslips, and polished. Elemental analysis was conducted using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS), where 23 isotopes of 22 elements were analyzed. Daily ring counts reflected differences in age at hatch and button-up between wild and hatchery fish. Additionally, nearly all wild fish showed an increase of 88Sr in the otolith core, indicating maternal anadromy. Results identify a means to potentially distinguish hatchery v wild origin, maternal anadromy, and point to fundamental early life history differences that may be reflected in later life stages. Ultimately, these results contribute to a deeper understanding of early development in Skagit River Rainbow Trout and emphasize the utility of otolith chemistry in informing management and conservation efforts
RIPK3 signaling and effects
No full textRIPK3 is known as a necroptosis inducing cell death protein, but in recent years has been shown to exhibit alternative pathways in the central nervous system. RIPK3 can cause pro inflammatory signaling in certain cells in the brain in a necroptosis-independent pathway. This is currently being studied in our lab in the context of brain metastatic breast cancer using murine and in vitro models, with focus on the phagocytic capabilities of microglia
A Competitive Edge: How Colorblind Modes Offer a Competitive Advantage in Video Games
No full textVideo games have become more accessible within the past decade with the more widespread use of colorblind accommodations. Past research has looked into how games can become more accessible but not if those colorblind modes can be used for a competitive advantage. This research proposal looks into how this can be accomplished, along with the expected results. It\u27s predicted that colorblind modes may offer a competitive advantage for those with normal color vision
The Monster Under My Bed: An insomniac\u27s poetry collection
No full textIn this collection of poetry, I share the thoughts and feelings that come to my mind as I lie awake, unable to sleep, and the inherent darkness that comes with being an insomniac. With Edgar Allan Poe as my greatest poetry inspiration, this collection explores fears and anxieties that feel never-ending. This collection contains a wide variety of poems inspired by betrayal, loss, and nighttime, among other things. While these poems acknowledge and relate to our darkest feelings, they also offer some hope that the darkness cannot always win and the sun will rise again
Validation of a SWAN Model for Maritime safety and Nearshore Conditions in American Samoa
No full textAmerican Samoa is located in the South-Central Pacific Ocean in the Samoan archipelago. Being more that 1,500 miles from any larger land mass means the islands can be subjected to high energy wave conditions that are able to build over hundreds of miles of ocean. American Samoa’s population heavily relies on the marine realm for a variety of cultural and socioeconomic factors. For a community such as American Samoa’s, that is centered both physically and culturally around the ocean, these conditions can be threatening as they often involve dangers such as high wave heights offshore of the islands. Because of this, it is prudent to understand the wave behaviors surrounding the island for the safety of the people inhabiting them, especially for those living coastally, which accounts for the majority of the population. A regional wave model was developed using Simulating Waves Nearshore (SWAN) to predict past wave events around Tutuila, American Samoa’s main island. This model was originally developed and validated to assist in characterizing the wave climate for energy resource evaluation. This work presents the validation of the regional SWAN wave model for maritime safety use around American Samoa. This validation uses measurements from three SOFAR spotter buoys, small wave buoys, deployed at difference sites around Tutuila. A well-validated SWAN model could be developed into a valuable resource to aid local decision-makers and mariners in day-to-day maritime safety decisions related to vessel operations and overall recreation
Exploring thermal occupancy between bull trout and brook trout in glacial headwaters
No full textCold, glacially influenced headwater streams are recognized as critical thermal refugia for cold-water fish species such as bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus), which are highly sensitive to warming temperatures and face significant threats from climate change and non-native species. The cold waters of glacial streams not only provide essential thermal conditions for bull trout but may also exclude non-native species like brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) that compete with or displace bull trout. My study assesses the distribution of bull and brook trout in two glacial headwater rivers within Mount Rainier National Park, an area that includes federally designated critical habitat for bull trout under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. Using environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling and spatial stream network modeling (SSNM), I examined the relationship between fish presence and water temperature to understand thermal occupancy within glacial headwaters. Results showed that bull trout were widely distributed across the study site and detected at temperatures as low as 3 °C. Brook trout were concentrated in the warmest areas of the study area, being most prevalent between 6 and 8 °C, with the probability of their presence increasing as temperatures increased. Brook trout were nonetheless observed at temperatures as low as 4.25°C, which indicates a lower thermal tolerance than previously documented and calls into question the idea that temperature is a limiting factor for their distribution. My findings present evidence that brook trout may be more tolerant of cold stream temperatures than previously thought, and low stream temperatures may not be as strong of a barrier to invasion. Greater understanding of thermal occupancy of bull trout and brook trout in glacial headwaters is necessary to inform management strategies to mitigate the risk of bull trout extirpation in these vulnerable ecosystems
Clark County Mosquito Control District Intern
No full textMy main responsibility of trap setting and collecting took 3-4 hours a day, including a 30-minute lunch break at the refuge. The rest was used to do a variety of tasks. I measured the depth of hundreds of catch basins, which was hot, boring, and labor intensive, but was crucial to operations at the CCMCD. Luckily most of my time spent at the office involved counting and identifying hundreds of samples comprised of up to19 different mosquito species capable of vectoring diseases. I got hours time under the microscope and gained plenty of microscopy knowledge. The species of most importance, specifically those potentially carrying West Nile Virus, were set aside for Rapid Analyte Measurement Platform (RAMP) testing
Birch Bay State Park Internship
No full textWhen it comes to the actual outcome, this internship experience allowed me to gain multiple skills, including but not limited to, groundwork and general maintenance, knowledge of estuary systems, and knowledge about the history of this state park. This allowed me to feel more confident in my general degree knowledge and helped me to properly educate the public on the do’s and don’t’s. This experience provided a strong foundation for me to continue along this path, working towards being a natural resource manager, and helping the parks stay functional
HNTB Corp Internship
No full textThis summer I had the opportunity to intern with the environmental and urban planning departments. While most of the work that I did was for the environmental team, I did help the urban planning team with a few small tasks. The environmental team provides a variety of services, including environmental planning, environmental sciences, and GIS support. Transportation projects must comply with various federal, state, and local environmental regulations, making environmental compliance a critical part of the planning and design process. The environmental team is involved early in the project, as many of the required permits take a long time to obtain. Environmental compliance stretches throughout the duration of the project, especially during construction
Mt. Rainier Forestry Technician Intern
No full textThe job I was hired for is a ripple to a centenarian year-old splash. Franklin D. Roosevelts Civilian Conservation Corp was active from 1933 to 1942, and my job largely is to maintain and spiritually parrot the work conducted then. During that time, three million men, mostly my age, were hired to build roads, construct infrastructure, and of course, cut trail. Shockingly, the techniques, tools, attitudes and culture still largely live on in today’s trail crews. With that many men, and such fallible communication due to the nature of being thrust into the wilderness, crews back then did just about anything they wanted. On one eight day long hitch up to Lake James, I came across a peculiar terraced looking waterfall. After inquiring to my crew leader, Alix, she told me that it had been blown up with dynamite for aesthetic reasons by the CCC. Not much further along, I’d found the camp they’d presumably worked out with nails in a tree for hanging repulsive clothes, stumps for sitting, and tent pads no doubt carved out with pulaskis and shovels