This qualitative study examines the role of a graduate level multicultural teacher education course in disrupting preservice teachers' beliefs and assumptions about teaching culturally and linguistically diverse learners. This study is motivated by the following research question: What are the actions that take place in a funds of knowledge course...
Farmers and migrant and seasonal farmworkers (F/MSFW) dedicate their livelihoods to the production of food for consumers, yet they may struggle to access food to feed themselves. Rural residents, immigrants, and Hispanic/Latinx individuals all have higher risk for food insecurity, yet little is known about the unique contexts through which...
The DNA mismatch repair (MMR) pathway maintains genomic stability and
reduces cancer risk (colorectal and other internal cancers) by correcting polymerase
errors and activating cell cycle checkpoints and apoptosis in response to DNA damage.
Few studies have examined the influence of commonly encountered environmental
mutagens/carcinogens on the etiology of MMR-deficient...
The purpose of this study was to explore the issues involved with implementing and using pedagogies of engagement in community college STEM courses. The rationale for this study was based on current and emerging STEM education policy directives calling for an updated approach to teaching undergraduates, focused on student engagement,...
Household food availability is comprised of both food purchases and foods obtained from alternative sources, like social networks, community services, and household food production. While the food available at home is associated with eating behaviors, diet quality, and health outcomes of children and adults, the literature on food acquisition of...
Emerging infectious diseases are increasing globally and are a threat to human, wildlife, and ecosystem health. The emerging fungal pathogen, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), or amphibian chytrid fungus, is associated with worldwide amphibian population declines and extinctions. Bd has been found on every continent where amphibians exist and has been documented...
The objectives of this thesis were to examine the links between soil microbial community composition and function using the nitrogen (N) cycle as a model for these interactions and to assess the impact of environmental factors such as microclimate, vegetation type, and nutrient availability on microbial diversity and N transformations...
Managing rangelands with livestock grazing is a tool that can be applied to obtain vegetation management objectives. Animals utilize available resources, which vary in quantity and quality, across the landscape. Their movements are adjusted to the spatial and temporal heterogeneity of resource distribution. Controlling livestock distribution is fundamental to economically...
Marine mammals are top predators that are essential for the health and function of our oceans. These top predators are often affected by various factors that can be detrimental to their populations. Therefore, there is a need to evaluate undetermined causes of deaths and to better understand known diseases in...
Cell-based biosensors are function-based detectors that use the physiological response of a living cell to sense biologically stimulating agents. This emerging technology extends the application of current detection methods by reporting on the toxicity of a sample and the potential to cause disease. Previously, Betta splendens erythrophores have been described...