The numerous different types of nanomaterials and paucity of reliable in vivo information on toxicity has resulted in enduring uncertainties associated with health and safety risks, thereby slowing progress in nanotherapeutic assessment and development. This dissertation explores how the embryonic zebrafish model can be applied to prioritize commonly used nanomaterial...
The ongoing worldwide loss of biodiversity has been described as a "biodiversity crisis," "the Anthropocene defaunation," and alternatively "an extinction spasm." More recently, many scientists have come to the conclusion that we are witnesses to Earth's sixth major mass extinction event, which has the potential to fundamentally alter basic ecological...
Studies on hydromineral balance in fishes frequently employ measurements of electrolytes following euthanasia. We tested the effects of fresh- or salt-water euthanasia baths of tricaine mesylate (MS-222) on plasma magnesium (Mg²⁺) and sodium (Na⁺) ions, cortisol and osmolality in fish exposed to saltwater challenges, and the ion and steroid hormone...
The current rate of global biodiversity loss and extinctions is unparalleled and a major concern. Freshwater organisms are facing particularly rapid rates of biodiversity loss. Amphibians, which require an aquatic environment for part of their life cycle, are one of the most vulnerable vertebrate groups. Amphibians are experiencing population declines,...
Healthcare discrimination is associated with various health-related attitudes, behaviors, intentions, and outcomes including provider avoidance, underutilization or increased use of healthcare services, use of alternative means of healthcare, delays in medical care, less satisfaction with care, poor health behaviors, and poorer health outcomes. Since 2001, Muslims and Arabs in the...
Environmental DNA (eDNA) is an emerging biological monitoring tool that can aid in assessing the effects of forestry and forest manufacturing activities on biota. Monitoring taxa across broad spatial and temporal scales is necessary to ensure forest management and forest manufacturing activities meet their environmental goals of maintaining biodiversity. Our...
Racial/ethnic discrimination and HIV/AIDS conspiracy beliefs may contribute to disparities in use and satisfaction with healthcare services and engaging in safer sex practices. Previous studies that examined racial/ethnic discrimination and HIV/AIDS conspiracy beliefs focused primarily on African Americans with few studies focusing on Latinos. This study used longitudinal data from...
Small molecule drugs have been instrumental in our fight against diseases, beginning when some of the earliest ancient cultures used plant remedies to treat illnesses. More recently, the skill of isolating and characterizing the active ingredients within bioactive plants and microbial extracts has led to the isolation and design of...
Marginalized groups in the United States are often diagnosed with hypertension at younger ages, contributing to their excess burden of cardiovascular disease. These disparities in blood pressure control do not appear to be fully accounted for by individual risk factors, such as health behaviors or genetic differences. Experiences of discrimination...
Anthropogenic climate change is threatening biodiversity as I currently understand it. There is now a large body of work highlighting species responses, globally, to this threat. Importantly, responses at the species level emerge from responses at lower levels of biological organization (individuals and populations) across a species’ geographic range. For...