Tag: Jessica Green

Access to Critical Oncological Support Systems For Newly Diagnosed Breast Cancer Patients

Presenter: Julie Reid, Planning, Public Policy and Management

Panel: Strategies for Support & Recovery

Mentor: Jessica Greene, Planning, Public Policy and Management

Time: 1:15pm – 2:15pm

Location: Century A

A woman newly diagnosed with breast cancer is required to have a team of doctors who work together to carry out the various phases of treatment. It is important to new patients that they trust their doctor, yet women rarely are given the choice about who that doctor will be. Women lack knowledge about local support groups and patient advocates, are confused about who may attend support groups, and unclear about where to go to find answers to basic questions. This is a qualitative study of thirteen breast cancer patients diagnosed within the last seven years in Eugene, Oregon. The study examines the knowledge and accessibility of critical support systems, such as a good doctor-patient relationship, a support group, and a patient advocate. Results suggest that doctor trust and support is more likely to develop when the patient receives a referral from a familiar source. Results also suggest that support groups are important sources of information and comfort for patients that medical professionals could utilize. The role of a patient advocate needs to be further defined and expanded to provide resources for patients seeking ways to fill the gaps of a fragmented medical system in Eugene, Oregon.

Architectural Design, Light Exposure, and Microbial Viability in the Built Environment

Presenter: Kyla Martichuski

Mentor: Jessica Green

Poster: 20

Major: Biology/Human Physiology

Researchers working at the intersection of biology and architecture have begun to investigate how building design structures the microbial communities of indoor environments. Given that we spend approximately 90% of our lives indoors, there is great potential to impact human health by incorporating biological understanding into building design. Ultraviolet light and direct daylight have well-known detrimental effects on the growth and viability of bacteria, but this relationship has not yet been applied to indoor environments. We designed an experiment to test how different architecturally relevant daylighting schemes impact the viability of microorganisms in the built environment. We constructed 3 sets of 1:32 scale models of a classroom with window glass panes transparent to either UV, visible, or no light. Bacteria were grown on media at 15 distinct locations throughout the model to reproduce the distribution of light exposure in a typical classroom. We measured bacterial viability after one day of exposure to the respective light treatments. Levels of both UV and visible light typically experienced in built environments were found to significantly impact the viability of Pseudomonas monteilii and Escherichia coli—two human-associated bacteria commonly found indoors. Most notably, viability was reduced in areas near windows with higher light exposure.

This evidence could inform future decisions about lighting schemes in hospitals and other healthcare facilities where biological insight is crucial. This study aims to demonstrate that integrating biological knowledge into architectural decisions can create a bioinformed perspective on buildings that promotes human health.

The Effect of Different Light Wavelengths on the Dust Microbiome

Presenter: Andy Siemens

Mentors: Jessica Green and Erica Hartmann, Biology

Poster: 59

Major: Biology 

Different light treatments affect the growth of certain bacterial strains in the built environment, however little is known about the effect of light on an entire bacterial community. The goal of this study is to investigate the impact of UV vs. visible light on the viability of the dust microbiome. We developed a method to quantify viable dust by treating samples with the DNA-binding agent propidium monoazide (PMA), which prevents the amplification of DNA from non-viable cells during polymerase chain reaction (PCR). This technique was used to determine the amount of DNA from live vs. dead cells by comparing amplified 16S gene copy numbers with and without PMA treatment using quantitative PCR (qPCR). As a pilot study, dust samples were treated with broad-spectrum light to determine the appropriate dosage for killing dust microbes. The built environment was simulated using light boxes designed by the Energy Studies in Buildings Laboratory. Experiments were performed in triplicate using identical box setups for each trial. In future experiments, the relationship between different wavelengths of light and bacterial viability will be tested by subjecting dust samples to sunlight with UV wavelengths removed, sunlight with visible and infrared wavelengths removed, and dark conditions. The results from these studies will influence the choice of light filtering in windows for buildings such as hospitals where the elimination of pathogens is extremely important.

Temporal Variation in Atmospheric Fungal Community Composition and Diversity

Presenter: Kyla Martichuski

Mentors: Jessica Green and Ann Womack, Biology

Oral Presentation

Majors: Biology and Human Physiology 

Characterizing the different types of fungi in the atmosphere and their abundance is of great importance when considering atmospheric processes and dispersal of organisms. Current research suggests that fungi can alter precipitation patterns by promoting the formation of ice crystals at warmer temperatures than the freezing point of pure water. Studying the flow of microbes from one place to another is particularly important because agricultural and human fungal pathogens are transported in the atmosphere. The purpose of my research is to measure the composition, diversity, and temporal patterns of fungal communities in the atmosphere in order to provide a better understanding about the dispersal patterns of fungal types. I am using advanced culture-independent, high- throughput DNA sequencing techniques to analyze fungal community composition in air samples collected at the Mt. Bachelor Observatory, a high-elevation research station. Previous research suggests that bacterial community composition on the summit of Mt. Bachelor varies diurnally and community diversity changes significantly across days, and these patterns could be similar in fungal communities. Diurnal variation is likely due to the influence of local sources on community assembly whereas variation across many days could be due to the influence of long distance sources. Understanding the dispersal patterns of fungi from source environments could provide insight about the importance of dispersal related to agricultural and human pathogens.

Dust Microbial Communities Have Dosage-Dependent Responses to Daylight

Presenter: Andrew Siemens

Faculty Mentor: Jessica Green, Erica Hartmann

Presentation Type: Oral

Primary Research Area: Science

Major: Biology

Funding Source: UO UnderGrEBES Research Grant, University of Oregon Institute of Ecology and Evolution, $500; UO Undergraduate Research Opportunity Grant, UO Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program, $1000

Different light treatments affect the growth of certain bacterial strains in the built environment, however little is known about the effect of light on an entire bacterial community. The goal of this study is to investigate the impact of daylighting, specifically UV vs. visible light, on the viability of the dust microbiome. We collected dust samples and treated them with varying doses of broad-spectrum light. Using a method we developed to quantify the viability of microbes in dust, we determined the amount of DNA from live vs. dead cells by comparing 16S ribosomal gene copy numbers in each sample. The results from broad-spectrum light exposure revealed a decrease in dust viability as the amount of total light exposure increases. Subsequently, the relationship between different wavelengths of light and bacterial viability was tested by subjecting dust samples to sunlight with UV wavelengths removed, sunlight with visible and infrared wavelengths removed, and dark conditions. We achieved a gradient of lighting conditions that will help us determine whether the effect of daylighting on viability is impacted by UV light as compared to visible light. The results from this research could influence the choice of light filtering in windows for buildings such as hospitals where the elimination of pathogens is extremely important.

Temporal Variation in Atmospheric Fungal Community Composition

Presenter: Kyla Martichuski

Faculty Mentor: Jessica Green, Ann Klein

Presentation Type: Oral

Primary Research Area: Science

Major: Biology

Funding Source: UO Scientific Mentorship and Research Training (SMART) in Biology Scholar, University of Oregon Biology Department, $1000; Undergraduate Summer Research Award, UOWGS, $500

Characterizing the different types of fungi in the atmosphere and their abundance is of great importance when considering atmospheric processes and dispersal of organisms. Studying the flow of microbes from one place
to another is particularly important because agricultural and human fungal pathogens are transported in the atmosphere. The purpose of my research is to determine the composition, diversity, and temporal patterns of fungal communities in the atmosphere in order to provide a better understanding about the dispersal patterns of fungal types. I am using advanced culture-independent, high-throughput DNA sequencing techniques to analyze fungal community composition in air samples collected at the Mt. Bachelor Observatory, a high-elevation research station. Previous research suggests that bacterial community composition on the summit of Mt. Bachelor varies diurnally and community diversity changes significantly across days. Bioinformatic analyses revealed that fungal community composition significantly varied by day and by time of day. Diurnal variation is likely due to the influence of local sources on community assembly whereas variation across many days could be due to the influence of long distance sources. Understanding the dispersal patterns of fungi from source environments could provide insight about the importance of dispersal related to agricultural and human pathogens.