This qualitative study informed by a phenomenological approach explored the experiences of students when deciding to disclose bias-related incidents. Through an individual interview and follow-up focus group, eight participants shared their experience with bias-related incidents, decision to disclose or not to disclose, and perception of university resources. Five themes emerged...
Several plant hormones, including ethylene and jasmonates, are known to mediate responses against biotic and abiotic stress. The first and second objectives of this thesis were (i) to elucidate the role of ethylene in defense responses against Botrytis cinerea and specifically (ii) to determine the potential contribution of ethylene response...
The past decade of research has potentiated a revolution in our understanding of mammalian health and evolution by revealing that the gut microbiome plays a central role in mammalian physiology. Our ability to unlock this potential hinges upon the identification of specific groups of gut microbes that elicit effects on...
California and Steller sea lions (Zalophus californianus, Eumetopias jubatus, respectively) are considered sentinel species because they have long life spans, are long-term coastal residents, feed at high trophic levels, and have large blubber stores that serve as depots for anthropogenic toxicants. There are few studies on sea lion health and...
The chlamydospore is a survival spore produced by 35 of the 75 described species of Phytophthora. Phytophthora ramorum Werres, de Cock & Man in't Veld, the causal agent of Sudden Oak Death (SOD), produces abundant chlamydospores in artificial culture and plant tissue. The chlamydospore is likely the most important survival...
This dissertation describes the application and development of molecular tools that have great potential for use in studying variation in strawberry germplasm. The first study evaluated 91 microsatellite (simple sequence repeat, SSR) markers for transferability in 22 Fragaria species and their utility in fingerprinting octoploid strawberries. Out of the transferable...
In recent decades, there has been increased attention on human exposure to, and subsequently toxicity of, Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs). PAHs are widespread organic pollutants and some have been shown to be toxic, carcinogenic and mutagenic. This research was focused on understanding the link between global PAH emissions and lung...
Sudden oak death is caused by the clonally reproducing generalist oomycete Phytophthora ramorum. The pathogen can infect more than 130 different plant hosts including Quercus spp., Larix kaempferi, and Notholithocarpus densiflorus, as well as common nursery genera such as Rhododendron and Camelia, where it causes symptoms ranging from bleeding cankers...
Drug policies in the United States are rapidly changing at the state and national level paralleling a shift in drug culture from a societal perspective. This dissertation addresses current public health policy topics with a focus on three recent drug policies. As of 2015, medical cannabis is legal in 23...
Chlamydia is an obligate intracellular bacterial pathogen that causes a variety of disease in animals and humans worldwide. Veterinary chlamydial pathogens can lead to chronic infections and serious consequences that result in millions of dollars of losses in animals and resources in the agricultural industry in countries that rear ruminants....