Rabia Billoo, CSUN BUILD PODER
Biological & Life Sciences
?Characterization of the Mitotic Arrest Deficient-like 1 Binding Protein Promoter?
Mitotic Arrest Deficient-like 1 Binding Protein is a gene that encodes the MAD2L1-binding protein. MAD2L1BP is vital for proper cellular development and may be a component of the spindle-assembly checkpoint that prevents the initiation of anaphase until all chromosomes are correctly aligned during metaphase. Accurate regulation of the MAD2L1BP gene is essential for proper cellular development. Promoter characterization will identify the regulatory elements driving transcription of MAD2L1BP. The putative promoter region was isolated, PCR amplified and sub-cloned into a luciferase reporter vector. Sequential 5? deletions were constructed based on bioinformatics data identifying consensus transcription factor binding sites. The deletion constructs were transiently transfected into HEK293T cells and luciferase assays were performed. We identified the proximal promoter region of the MAD2L1BP gene from the high promoter activity found within approximately 500 base pairs of the GenBank-assigned transcription start site. We found a conservation of sequences for SP-1 consensus transcription factor binding sites across several species within this 500 bp defined MAD2L1BP gene proximal promoter through bioinformatics analysis via multiple sequence alignment. Transient transfections of these deletion constructs is currently underway. We hypothesize that at least one of the SP-1 sites will be important for activity of the MAD2L1BP gene proximal promoter. Future experiments using chromatin immunoprecipitation and/or EMSA will confirm if SP-1 transcription factors bind to the sites that we determined were important for activity of the MAD2L1BP gene proximal promoter. Ultimately, characterization of this gene?s promoter region and the regulatory elements driving transcription will help us understand how the MAD2L1BP gene can become dysregulated.

Jonathan Lacanlale CSUN BUILD PODER
Computer Science
?Automated quantification of mosquito behavior through object detection?
The analysis of mosquito behavior can help determine what a mosquito may be attracted to. For this, object detection and object counting provides the capability to perform quantitative and qualitative analysis. We have created an automated computer vision system which has been built to help quantify those behaviors. Our system is able to accurately identify mosquitoes captured in a region-of-interest. Additionally, we demonstrate the efficiency of our Python system compared to our previous version made in MATLAB. With Python, we are able to achieve better results in classification finding that Python is more accurate. We also analyzed other metrics which include common computation factors where we found that Python achieved accurate frame-by-frame classification and better post-processing results. Overall, we achieve high success in varying factors, finding that we can accurately identify mosquitoes and quantify their total on a frame-by-frame basis.

Gail Anne Manalastas, CSULB BUILD
Social Sciences
?Interplay of Distress Tolerance and Physiological Reactivity in Comorbidity of Anxiety and Depression Symptoms?
INTRODUCTION: Anxiety and depression co-occur often. Previous research indicates that individuals with anxiety have increased physiological reactivity, while depressed individuals have blunted reactivity. The link between physiological reactivity and comorbid anxiety/depression symptoms is less clear. Distress tolerance (DT; the perceived ability to experience and withstand negative emotional states) may influence this association. While research has linked poor DT to anxiety and depressive symptomatology, research examining the interplay of DT and physiological reactivity, a putative risk factor for these disorders, is lacking. This study will examine whether DT and physiological arousal interact to predict patterns of anxiety/depression comorbidity in emerging adults, who are at high risk for these disorders. METHOD: N = 136 college students completed the Trier Social Stress Task (TSST; 5-minute speech task and 5-minute math task meant to elicit a social stress response) while providing physiological data [skin conductance level (SCL) and heart rate variability (HRV)]. Participants completed the STAI?Trait scale and the BDI-II to assess anxiety and depression symptoms, respectively. The Distress Tolerance scale (DTS; Simon & Gaher, 2005) measured self-reported DT. To assess comorbidity patterns, three symptom groups were formed based on levels of anxiety and depression: (1) low anxiety/low depression; (2) high anxiety/high depression; and (3) high anxiety/low depression. A score 43 and above on the STAI-Trait scale was classified as high anxiety, and 20 and above on the BDI-II was high depression. Multinomial logistic regression analyses were performed to assess the likelihood of falling into one of the three symptom groups. RESULTS: Poor distress tolerance was associated with greater risk for higher levels of both anxiety and depression comorbidity (OR = 0.21, 95% CI: .001, 349). Reduced HRV was associated with increased risk for anxiety only grouping (OR = 1.009, 95% CI: 1.002, 1.017). Distress tolerance did not interact with either HRV or SCL to influence risk of symptoms group. DISCUSSION: Anxiety and depression are among the most prevalent psychological disorders affecting the U.S. today, with high comorbidity. There is a strong need to examine and identify risk factors so that better-suited preventative measures may be implemented. Results suggest distress tolerance skills as an important intervention target. Study limitations and future directions will be discussed.

Gabriella Mendoza, CSUN BUILD PODER
Social Sciences
?I Belong Here: Instrumentality and Exclusion Predict a Sense of Belonging for Underrepresented Students in Research Teams?
Why are female students and students of color more likely to leave STEM fields? Some research suggests the answer is in the group dynamics within project teams. Female engineering students are more likely to be assigned roles that are not instrumental to group task completion (Seron, et al., 2016). Taking our lead from this idea, we proposed that playing an instrumental role in a task group promotes a sense of belonging to the group. To test this idea, we surveyed 59 undergraduate and graduate students from underrepresented groups working in research teams in social science and STEM fields at a large Midwestern university. Those who felt that their contributions to the research team were instrumental (e.g., important and essential for the team's productivity and performance) reported a higher sense of belonging to the team. Also, experiencing exclusion behaviors from other research team members predicted a lower sense of belonging to the team. These relationships held while controlling for work interdependence/independence and team composition (gender and race). Predicting a sense of belonging is important because it is a foundational psychological need that promotes well-being and a feeling that life is meaningful. It may be the key to understanding why students from underrepresented groups choose to stay or leave their research teams and fields of study.

Yareli Cornejo Torres, PSU BUILD EXITO
Health Sciences
?Improving Latina Participation in Research at the Oregon Health and Science University?
BACKGROUND: The Women?s Health Research Unit (WHRU) within the Department of OB/Gyn at OHSU conducts clinical trials focused on a broad variety of women?s health topics. The WHRU recognizes that the generalizability of its research could be improved if more non-English speaking women, particularly Latinas, participated in studies. The objective of this study is to understand current practice for translation services at OHSU (clinical and research), identify supply and demand-side barriers to increasing recruitment of Spanish-speaking women, and propose strategies for improvement. METHODS: This project combines synthesis of available information (published and on-line), key informant interviews, and surveys with community-dwelling Latinas. We have begun the synthesis and key informant interview phase to evaluate the supply side. We have also developed a survey focused on barriers to participation in research on the demand side and have included an option for participants to be part of a focus group that further discusses best-practices, why women choose to participate or not to participate in health research. Next, we will work with our partners at the Consulate of Mexico to recruit women of reproductive age (18-49) for this survey beginning summer of 2019. Lastly, we will triangulate these data sources to develop strategies to improve recruitment. RESULTS: Our sample was 500 women who ranged in age from 18-24 (12%), 25-34 (25%), 35-44 (41%) to over 45 (21%). Over half (62%) of the sample spoke only Spanish at home and 50% were uninsured. A substantial minority (17%) said they had heard about women?s health research at OHSU prior to the survey, and 37% said they would consider participating. Knowledge of health research at OHSU was significantly associated with willingness to participate (p = 0.03). Top reasons women would participate in research were if it would improve healthcare for women in the future (94%), free medical care (89%), and availability of materials in Spanish (82%). Barriers to participation included accessibility of the location (53%)and language barriers (51%); 40% cited not understanding what it means to participate inhealth research and 32% cited mistrust in doctors, hospitals, or universities. Public Health Significance: Improving recruitment of Latinas will improve the generalizability of our research and promote equity and inclusion.

Steven Lomeli Gonzalez, SF STATE BUILD
Biological & Life Sciences
?The Role of MARCH1 in an Experimental Model of Multiple Sclerosis.?
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neuro-inflammatory disease where hyper-active immune cells attack and damage the nerve-insulating myelin sheath in the central nervous system. The damage in the myelin sheath compromises transmittal of electrical impulses from nerve cell to target, resulting in various neurological symptoms such as muscle weakness, impaired vision and speech, dysfunctional bladder, and tremors. One of the hyper-active immune cells in MS is CD4+ T helper cells that produce the inflammatory cytokines interlukin-17A (IL-17A), interferon-gamma (IFN-g), and granulocyte-macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF). However, the molecular mechanism by which these inflammatory CD4+ T helper cells develop and exert pathologic effects is not clearly understood. We hypothesized that MARCH1 (membrane-associated RING-CH1), a protein expressed in antigen-presenting cells (APCs) and controlling T cell-activating ability of the APCs, significantly contributes to MS by promoting development and/or expansion of the inflammatory CD4+ T helper cells. To test this hypothesis, we examined whether the mice lacking the expression of MARCH1 (MARCH1-knockout (KO) mice) are defective in developing experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), a well-established mouse model of MS, in comparison to wild type (WT) mice. Both KO and WT mice were injected with myelin peptide with adjuvant and pertussis toxin. Development of EAE in these mice was examined by monitoring neurological symptoms such as dragging of the tail or limp. Scoring the symptoms through an established clinical scoring system scaled from 0 to 5. We found that four out of five WT mice exhibited paralysis in the tail or hind limb on average day 13 post- injection reaching the average maximum clinical score of 3. In contrast, only one out of five KO mice exhibited neurological symptoms on day 33 post-injection reaching the maximum clinical score of 2.75. Supporting the hypothesis that MARCH1 contributes to EAE. Next, we examined whether MARCH1 contributes to EAE by promoting the development of cytokine-producing CD4+ T helper cells. For this analysis, CD4+ T cells were isolated from the draining lymph node of mice on day 6 post-myelin injection, and the frequency of cytokine-producing cells was determined by flow cytometry. Interestingly, CD4+ T cells capable of producing IL-17A, IFN-g, or GM-CSF were found to similar frequencies in WT and MARCH1 KO mice. This finding suggests that MARCH1 is indispensable for the initial development of cytokine-producing CD4+ T helper cells. In conclusion, MARCH1 plays a significant role in the development of EAE although it is not required for the development of inflammatory CD4+ T helper cells. We speculate MARCH1 may contribute to EAE by supporting expansion of inflammatory CD4+ T helper cells in the brain and spinal cord by its ability to support T cell-activating function of tissue-resident APCs.

Kostantina Orselli, CSUN BUILD PODER
Biological & Life Sciences
?Do Male C. elegans Sleep??
The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) is a model organism ideal for the study of conserved behaviors, including sleep. Human sleep is regulated by circadian cues (sleep timing) and by homeostatic control (need-based regulation); however, sleep in C. elegans is not under circadian control, and thus ideal for the study of sleep need. Interestingly, these worms sleep following exposure to damaging conditions, a phenomenon known as stress-induced sleep (SIS), indicating damage causes sleep need. Populations of these animals consist mainly of hermaphrodites, with males arising rarely that are capable of mating with hermaphrodites. As a result, previous studies have overlooked male sleep behavior. To determine if sleep is sexually dimorphic in C. elegans we used a special male-enriched population to examine SIS. We found that males were sleepless. To determine if this sleeplessness was due to a competing drive to mate, we examined sleep in males that had been isolated from hermaphrodites, and we found that males were still sleepless. Our genetic analyses have narrowed down the possible mechanisms by which this difference arises. Our results have broader implications for the emerging understanding of behavioral plasticity in sleep regulation across species.

Edelmy Marin Bernardez, XULA Project Pathways
Physical Sciences
?High Voltage Manganese Oxyfluoride Electrode for Application in Lithium-ion Batteries?
The state-of-the art lithium ion battery is based on the intercalation and deintercalation mechanisms where one electron is involved in the reaction process. Therefore, the materials that can be used as cathodes are limited and un-lithiated cathode could not be used. This constraint has slowed down the search for positive electrode with high energy density. Recently, it has been demonstrated that the use of un-lithiated metal oxides and with lithium fluoride composite can deliver approximately twice the capacity of lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO2). However, the metal oxyfluorides undergo a series of complex reactions upon initial cycling. Here we described our efforts to understand the electrochemical properties of manganese oxyfluoride (MnOF). We will discuss the ball mill preparation method and the electrochemical properties of the composite which was evaluated by mixing 70:20:10 ratio of MnOxFx-1: PVDF/NMP: Carbon super C-65 respectively. Coin-cell type (2016) cells were assembled in the glovebox using 1M LiPF6 in EC:DMC using Celgard as the separator. Electrochemical tests were performed at room temperature in an Arbin battery tester at constant current in the voltage ranged of 1.5-4.5 V.

Kim Paulin Jr., PSU BUILD EXITO
Physical Sciences
?Design & Synthesis of Oxidation-Resistant Nickel Nanoparticles?
Nickel nanoparticles have recently gained wide popularity notably due to its proven use in chemical catalysis and electroanalysis. Their nano-metallic properties of small size and shape tunability, conductivity, and magneticity all in tandem with relative low-cost has given the nanoparticles an edge over their more REDOX-stable transition metals. Commonly, gold or silver are alternatives to nickel as these metals are able to more-readily maintain an uncharged surface state, an essential component of many catalytic and electrochemical assays. In biomedical applications, this proves a serious issue as surface oxidation may lead to nickel metal ion leeching, resulting in the introduction of toxins to the body. While the use of silver and gold are satisfactory substitutes, these metals are significantly more costly and consequentially increase treatment costs. Hence, a gap in knowledge exists in synthesizing stable, oxidation-resistant nickel nanoparticles. Currently, most synthesis methods utilize high temperatures, specific atmospheric conditions, non-aqueous solvents, or harsh reducing reagents. Here, we have designed a strategy for synthesizing robust nickel nanoparticles capable of withstanding surface oxidation at room temperature and in aqueous solution. By utilizing a variety of coatings, we are able to shield the colloidal nickel from oxidizing conditions yielding water-soluble nickel nanoparticles. The robustness of each coating is verified using UV-Vis spectroscopy and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), while size and shape of the particles are confirmed via and transmission electron microscopy (TEM).

Brittney Brito, UTEP BUILDing SCHOLARS
Biological & Life Sciences
?The Role of VMAT in the Development and Expression of Amphetamine-Induced Behavioral Sensitization?
The incessant craving in stimulant drug addiction is mediated by neural changes in mesotelencephalic dopamine (DA) pathways that subserve cognition (Leyton, 2007), psychomotor behavior (Robinson & Becker, 1986) and motivation (Robinson & Berridge, 2003). These behaviors demonstrate a sensitization, or strengthening, of drug-evoked responses, and other research shows that sensitization of conditioned responses to drug-related cues (discriminant cues, sDr) also occurs. Moreover, DA release is evoked by the presence of sDr?s (Duvauchelle et al., 2000). Since it is known that total levels of brain DA do not increase, we hypothesize that a redistribution of intracellular pools of DA facilitates exocytosis in response to sDr?s. We predict that the protein Vesicular Monoamine Transporter (VMAT), responsible for shunting intracellular DA in the cytoplasm into storage vesicles may play a role in making more DA available for exocytosis and thus contributes to sensitization of behaviors mediated by exocytosis. To test this hypothesis, we will stereotaxically implant bipolar electrodes, aimed at the nigrostrial bundle (NSB), which are DAergic axons projecting from the substantial nigra toward caudate nucleus. Unilateral stimulation of the NSB produces electrically stimulated rotational behavior (ESRB). We predict that ESRB will be sensitized in rats with a history of amphetamine (AMPH) treatment but that blocking access of AMPH to VMAT, by pretreating with the VMAT blocker tetrabenazine (TBZ) during a sensitizing phase, will attenuate sensitization of ESRB. The scientific merit of this project is the potential to identify a key target for pharmacotherapeutic interventions to treat stimulant drug addiction.

Joel Reyes, UTEP BUILDing SCHOLARS
Biological & Life Sciences
?Hcfc1a regulates neural precursor cell proliferation and asxl1 expression in the developing brain?
Neural precursor cells (NPCs) are important for the generation of all the differentiated cells in the central nervous system, and defects in their development or function can cause a variety neural developmental disorders. The HCFC1 gene encodes a transcriptional co-factor that regulates the expression of over 5,000 unique target genes, and is essential for several cellular processes such as cell proliferation. Previous studies have suggested that HCFC1 also regulates NPC function. However, the exact molecular mechanism underlying this NPC regulation by HCFC1 has not been completely elucidated. Therefore, to understand the function of HCFC1 in neural development, we developed a germline mutation in the hcfc1a ortholog gene of the zebrafish using CRISPR/Cas9 technology, resulting in a heterozygous hcfc1a allele (hcfc1aco60/+). Using immunohistochemistry and RNA-sequencing, we analyzed the consequences of the hcfc1aco60/+ allele in NPC proliferation and changes in RNA expression. The hcfc1aco60/+ allele resulted in an increased number of NPCs as well as an increase in the expression of genes associated with differentiation of neurons and radial glial cells. These deficits are also accompanied by hypomotility in hcfc1aco60/+ larvae and abnormal RNA expression of asxl1, one downstream target gene. Inhibition of asxl1 activity and/or expression completely restored NPCs to normal levels in hcfc1aco60/+ larvae. Taken together, our results demonstrate a mechanism by which hcfc1a regulates NPCs, motor behavior, and brain development.

Mehrnaz Siavoshi, CSUN BUILD PODER
Biological & Life Sciences
?Understanding the cell-cycle dependence of Mus81-Mms4 recruitment and its reliance on Slx4?
DNA damage repair pathways are a key element in maintaining genomic stability and preventing cancer and other diseases, particularly given the prevalence of DNA damaging agents. One form of DNA damage is double-strand breaks (DSBs), the repair of which utilizes numerous repair proteins regardless of which subpathway is implemented. One such repair protein in S. cerevisiae is Mus81, which forms a complex with Mms4, that functions as a structure-specific endonuclease that cleaves flapped DNA structures present in intertwined chromosomes that have undergone DSB repair in late S and G2 phases. Here, we seek to understand the cell cycle dependence of Mus81- recruitment to DSBs and determine if this recruitment is Slx4-dependent. This exploration requires yeast cell cycle synchronization followed by fluorescence microscopy to monitor RFP labeled Mus81 throughout the cell cycle. A yeast strain has been constructed that incorporates an ADH1 promoter in front of the Mus81-yEmRFP gene to enable overexpression of the labeled protein. The use of this modified strain will allow for experimental correlation of Mus81-Mms4 activity with a specific stage of the cell cycle.

Joseph Wingate, UTEP BUILDing SCHOLARS
Biological & Life Sciences
?Pre-clinical Evaluation of Gemcitabine's efficacy in treating Breast Cancer Brain Metastases?
Breast cancer is the second most diagnosed cancer worldwide and as it advances, or metastasizes, a reported 10-30% of patients diagnosed experience breast cancer brain metastases (BCBM). Human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER) 2+, a subtype of breast cancer with an overamplification of the HER2 protein, leads to BCBM in approximately one in three patients. This subtype metastasizes aggressively and has an overall median survival rate for BCBM of 10-18 months. The continued advances in targeted therapy for the treatment of HER2+ breast cancer have increased the incidences of BCBM as patients diagnosed with this subtype are living longer than they previously were. A limitation with studying this subtype of breast cancer in preclinical models is the reported 99% of FDA approved drugs that cannot cross the blood brain barrier (BBB). To study HER2+ BCBM, biomarker tagged cells were injected directly into the brain of severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice utilizing stereotaxic surgery and randomized into groups of control and treatment (n=3) after the mice display two consecutive positive readings for cancer. Gemcitabine is a commonly used FDA approved drug for metastatic disease and was used as the treatment for this experiment. Our hypothesis is that the use of luciferase-tagged cells will allow for tissue distribution analysis of a tumor within the host and of relative tumor burden, facilitating the measurement of tumor response to therapies.