Biology Lightning Talks

Lilka Clocksin, “Ecology and Life History Evolution in Algae,” Faculty Mentor: Dr. Michael Zanis Solana Dicus, “Effects of CO2 and Nitrogen Levels on Liverwort Growth and Development,” Faculty Mentor: Dr. Michael Zanis Mackenzie Dierich, “Phenotypic Response to Sulfur Starvation in Arabidopsis Thaliana,” Faculty Mentor: Dr. Michael Zanis Sarah Mitchell, Tarini Rapelly, and Brynja Severtson, “Hanging Around with Bushtits: Analysis of Nest Composition,” Faculty Mentor: Dr. Rebecca Hartley Julieta Peralta, “Characterization of BrxC, a AAA+ ATPase of the BREX Bacterial Defense System,” Faculty Mentor: Dr. Brett Kaiser Rohan Sethi, “Impact of Exercise Training on Cardiovascular Disease in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis, ” Faculty Mentor: Dr. Stephen Luckey Laurel Shepherd, “Hopping around the Salish Sea: Investigating how shoreline modification affects the invertebrate community,” Faculty Mentor: Dr. Lindsay Whitlow Nicole Teola, “Genetic Variation and Cryptic Speciation in Green Algae,” Faculty Mentor: Dr. Michael Zani

Episodic and Responsibility Framing in Media Coverage of Harlan Crow’s “Donations” to Clarence Thomas

On April 7, 2023, ProPublica posted an article reporting on undisclosed “donations” or “gifts” that Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas received from billionaire and Republican political donor Harlan Crow, including thousands of dollars in tuition payments for his grandnephew and luxurious travel for himself (Marcus). In accepting these, Thomas has gained clear financial benefits from his seat on the court while also bringing scrutiny upon the Supreme Court’s code of conduct (Wagner and Barnes). This paper studies the use of episodic and attribution of responsibility framing in the media coverage of Justice Thomas’ donations from Harlan Crow through analysis of newspaper articles from The Wall Street Journal and The Washington Post

Student Hunger: Addressing Food Insceurity Among Community College Students in Washington State

On average, more than half of community college students in the United States struggle with food insecurity, which is significant considering that community colleges enroll nearly half of the student population that begins college (Cohen & Brawer, 2003; Goldrick-Rab et al., 2017). Food insecurity occurs when one experiences uncertain availability or limited access to adequate foods (Fincher et al., 2018). Community college students’ health, well-being, and academic success are at a greater risk than students at four-year institutions, especially considering the diverse demographic of community college students (Goldrick-Rab et al., 2017). As the impacts of food insecurity are being recognized as a national health issue within higher education, many institutions have established food pantries on campus as an effort to support students struggling with food insecurity. Food pantries are a crucial first step that can provide immediate relief to students in need. Yet, it is also critical for community colleges to have other services in conjunction with traditional pantries to provide more than just non- perishable foods, as well as give students the knowledge and skills that can serve as protective factors against food insecurity in the long run. This research brief will examine how five community colleges within Washington State operate their food pantries, as well as other resources or services that further support students at risk of food insecurity