Giardia and Cryptosporidium protozoans are resilient, zoonotic waterborne pathogens that can bypass water treatment and kill millions of people and animals annually. Giardia and Cryptosporidium cysts and oocysts, respectively, can spread through feces; poor sanitation and poverty can increase the risk for giardiasis and cryptosporidiosis diarrheal diseases. We are currently...
Nutrients play a large role in sustaining the symbiotic relationship between the algae and host sea anemone. The endosymbiotic algae provides the host with fixed nitrogen, sugars, and inorganic food sources, while the host provides the algae with shelter and nitrogenous waste. If the anemone does not receive the proper...
The rocky shores of the US West Coast are home to diverse ecological communities made up of species that are uniquely adapted for survival at the harsh boundary between land and sea. Even so, physical or environmental stressors regularly kill swaths of animals on the rocks. This is called disturbance....
My work in the Harper Nanotoxicology Lab focuses on science communication. The Harper Lab conducts research to address data gaps regarding the toxicity of micro and nanoplastic in the environment, specifically in aquatic habitats. It is important for the public to understand what the lab does, and how they can...
Literature-based review on designing an experimental project regarding placement and orientation of artificial nest boxes related to successful nest box adoption and chick survival in Barn owls within the Willamette Valley.
A 3-minute lightning talk was given by Victoria Keenan at the 2019 Summer Undergraduate Research Symposium on her role as a researcher for the Community Doula Project in Linn, Benton, and Lincoln counties. The presentation provided an insight into the emergent themes identified from the ongoing semi-structured, open-ended qualitative interviews...
Contaminants in stormwater such as heavy metals, PFASs, PCBs, and PAHs are an issue for public infrastructure and remediation practices. Biochar, granular activated carbon (GAC), OGSIR soil, and commercial adsorbent materials have been evaluated with the heavy metals Cu2+ and Zn2+. Copper and zinc as stormwater contaminants were treated with...