2021 Life Sciences Presentations

Trinity V Casaus, Biology
University of New Mexico
Mentor(s): Christopher Witt, University of New Mexico, Professor and AS Biology General Administrative
Program: NM AMP
Greater (Antigone canadensis tabida) & Lesser (Antigone canadensis canadensis) Sandhill Cranes mate assortatively on breeding grounds & winter in the Rio Grande Valley, New Mexico. Both subspecies exhibit tracheal elongation (TE) by intrasternal coiling. Previous research suggests that Lesser Sandhill Cranes have proportionally longer tracheas than Greater Sandhill Cranes, likely resulting from an interplay between sexual/social selection & body size constraints on migration. If sexual size dimorphism (SSD) is limited by migratory behavior's impact on body size, cryptic SSD may evolve. TE is hypothesized to increase the apparent body size of a calling bird. Sandhill Cranes exhibit moderate SSD (males ~ 13% larger). Both sexes exhibit TE & undertake long distance seasonal migrations. The relationship between TE & body size in Sandhill Cranes represents a unique system to examine scaling relationships of two traits linked to sexual & social selection but potentially constrained by migration. We found that males have disproportionately large tracheae compared to females suggesting sexual selection on trachea length. However, this relationship was substantially more pronounced in the non-migratory Greater Sandhill Cranes suggesting that generally females select for an auditory perception of large body size, but migratory constraints or social selection diminish SSD in migratory birds.

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Adriana Fuentes, Biology
University of New Mexico
Mentor(s): Dr. David Hanson, University of New Mexico, Professor of Biology
Program: NM AMP SCCORE
Wall-rocket plant's petiole and gasket were assessed by determining the effects humidity and temperature have on gas exchange and impedance. The data was collected from using a Li-cor and Multi-PIP by measuring the water loss in the plant at two different temperatures (25 °C and 30 °C). The petiole data determined that when water is being lost, impedance increases while the gasket suggest the leaf has hidden water maintaining. This is believed due to the data showing impedance remaining constant despite water being lost at 30 °C. Future work on impedance and gas exchange results in using different plant species leaves and changing the variables in order to discover what and where the water maintaining mechanism hidden in the leaf is.

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Christopher I Gallegos, Biology
University of New Mexico
Mentor(s): Diana Northup, University of New Mexico, Professor of Biology (ret.)
Program: NM AMP
White-nose syndrome (WNS) is a devastating disease to the bat populations in North America. The causative agent, a fungus, Pseudogymnoascus destructans, causes bats to come out of torpor early in the winter, expending crucial energy stores and resulting in the death of up to 99% of some bat species. A new method of UV-C treatment has been shown to be effective in killing Pseudogymnoascus destructans. However, caves are home to a wide range of microbial communities that may be harmed by UV-C. The aim of this experiment is to investigate if this treatment will have potential collateral damage to native cave bacterial species. Samples were taken from caves across three national parks, sub-cultured in the lab, and resulting isolates are being exposed to UV-C treatment. Initial cultures from Lava Beds National Monument, Oregon Caves National Monument, and Mammoth Caves National Park, have resulted in 2,721 subcultures currently under investigation. Sequencing of the 16S rDNA gene is being used to identify a maximum of 100 representative bacterial cultures per national park for UV-C testing in the lab. Understanding the potential negative implications of UV-C on native microbial cave ecosystems is crucial before this treatment can be considered for wider implementation.

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Henry Gatica-Gutierrez, Biochemistry
New Mexico State University
Mentor(s): Dr. Elba Serrano, New Mexico State University, Regents Professor of Biology
Program: NM AMP
Interest in deep space travel is increasing and the ability to grow, maintain, and harvest crops in space will be essential to expeditions farther from Earth. Our laboratory is investigating the effects of diverse gravitational forces (micro to 2000 g) on biological processes such as plant growth and gene expression on crop plants. We hypothesize that increasing the gravitational force would cause a decrease in seed germination and root extension. We are undertaking wet lab experiments that are evaluating the ability of readily available crops such as radishes to germinate and extend their roots under constant acceleration conditions with commercially available centrifuges (hypergravity; 10g ,1000g, and 2000g). We found that there is a decreasing trend in seed germination and root extension as you increase gravity ,however, that is at the extreme 2000g. Future projects will measure the roots and quantitatively compare the difference in size as well as using qPCR to identify any changes in gene expression.

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Jonte' Green, Biology
University of New Mexico
Mentor(s): Dr. David Hanson, University of New Mexico, Professor of Biology
Program: NM AMP SCCORE
In my study, I had measured the electrical impedance of a (Chardonnay) grape vine to inquire if the grape vine had prioritized the grape bunch of the plant the most important, and therefore distributed the most water and sugar into the grape bunch. Electrical impedance is the method of studying plant tissues based on the external electrical currents that pass through the plant cells and how plant tissue effects the electrical current.

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Jonte' Green, Biology
University of New Mexico
Mentor(s): Dr. David Hanson, University of New Mexico, Professor of Biology
Program: NM AMP SCCORE
In my presentation, I will discuss how the electrical impedance of a (Chardonnay) grape vine tends to favor the grape bunch in terms of water and sugar distribution. Electrical impedance is the method of studying plant tissues based on the external electrical currents that pass through the plant cells and how plant tissue effects the electrical current.

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Brittany L Griego, Earth and Planetary Sciences-Geology
University of New Mexico
Mentor(s): Laura Crossey, University of New Mexico, Distinguished Professor of Earth and Planetary Sciences
Program: NM AMP
Springs are an important water resource both for anthropogenic use and support of ecosystems in the arid Southwest. During times of drought, the sustainability of these groundwater systems is a major concern for effective water resource management. During 2017-2019, several springs were visited in the Sandia and Manzano Mountains to perform an inventory of the springs and the surrounding environment. This work is part of an ongoing collaboration between students and faculty at UNM and the US Forest Service (Cibola National Forest). We collected water samples for water quality analysis (major ions and stable isotopes), and field water quality parameters such as pH, total dissolved solids (TDS), dissolved oxygen (DO), and discharge. We analyzed monthly precipitation samples from a collection site near the springs in the Sandia Mountains. We also analyzed snowpack samples from 2019. Spring samples primarily consist of calcium bicarbonate and calcium magnesium chloride sulfate waters. Trends in solute distribution are interpreted to reflect different water-rock interactions on groundwater flow paths. Regional aquifers include the Madera Group (chiefly carbonates) as well as several sandstone aquifers. Fault structures also play a role in controlling spring occurrence. Our results show two distinct trends between spring waters that are interpreted to have undergone silicate weathering and those undergoing carbonate dissolution. Carbonate dissolution occurs in waters traveling through the Madera Group aquifer system while silicate weathering occurs as waters travel through faults within the Sandia granite. Stable isotope analyses show that winter snowpack is the primary recharge mechanism of the majority of these waters. In addition to data collection and analyses, we have made major efforts in compiling all datasets into a regional database (Springs Stewardship Database) to preserve valuable information, make the data accessible to others, and provide important baselines for future comparison.

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Sarah Lind, Genetics and Biotechnology
New Mexico State University
Mentor(s): Amanda Patterson, University of Missouri, Assistant Professor of Reproductive Biology
Program: NM AMP
Uterine fibroids are common tumors that affect between 25% and 89% of women and, when clinically significant, can cause symptoms such as excessive uterine bleeding, pelvic pain and discomfort, as well as anemia. Currently, the only definitive treatment is hysterectomy. Periostin is being studied as a potential druggable target for uterine fibroids because it is a regulator of fibrosis in other tissues, it has been shown to be upregulated in uterine fibroids, and it has been implicated in both TGFβ signaling and Collagen deposition, two hallmarks of fibroids. It was hypothesized that Periostin plays a role in the transition from myometrial to fibroid cells. qPCR was used to analyze expression of known fibroid biomarkers (CCND1, COL3A1, CTNNB1, ESR2, PGR, TGFβ1, and TGIF) and Periostin expression in POSTN-overexpressing cell lines compared to CTRL cell lines. Some fibroid biomarkers showed differences in expression between POSTN and CTRL cell lines, indicating that Periostin may be involved in the transition from myometrial to fibroid-like cells. Ongoing research is being conducted to further determine the effects of Periostin on uterine fibroid development and its potential as a druggable target to treat the disease.

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Nicholas B Luke, Environmental Science
Dona Ana Community College
Mentor(s): Dr. Nicole Pietrasiak, New Mexico State University, Assistant Professor for Environmental Soil Microbiology, Plant & Environmental Sciences Department
Program: NM AMP SCCORE
Cyanobacteria or blue-green algae are a special group of Bacteria capable of Photosynthesis. They can colonize almost any habitats on earth that receives sunlight including dryland soils. Cyanobacteria produce Extracellular Polysaccharides (EPS) which are a sticky protective layer surrounding their cells. The purpose of this experiment was to characterize the EPS sheath formation of selected filamentous cyanobacteria from permanent and ephemeral freshwater habitats as well as desert soil. Twelve subcultures were sampled and the grown on a Line Orbit Shaker MN 3850 table @ 50 rpm for 14 days.  Light was analyzed from different points on the table and the average light that was provided was 40µmol/m2s-1. Then each sample was observed through a Zeiss AxioImager Microscope to survey EPS presence or absence. There was a total of 10 images captured for each of the twelve selected samples. With these images, it was evaluated if the cyanobacteria did or did not produce EPS. Even though the results varied, they all had at least two occurrences of EPS on filaments in the assessed field of view. Quantifying the extend of EPS produced may offer deeper information about potential differences in EPS production of each species and how this may relate to the habitat they occur.

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Nathan P Martinez, Genetics and Biotechnology
New Mexico State University
Mentor(s): Immo Hansen, Ph.D.​ Associate Professor, Molecular Vector Biology​, New Mexico State University ​
Program: NM AMP
Nutrient sensing in mosquitoes is a source for targeting to disrupt egg laying and hatch rates. A cationic amino acid membrane transporter (CAT3) helps with activation for the transcription of yolk proteins. CAT3 is used in the metabolic nutrient-sensing pathway found in mosquitoes. Na-K ATPase beta subunit is thought to interact with CAT3. We hypothesize that the knockdown of the Na-K ATPase subunit beta-2 gene could lead to reduced amino acid transport, and reduced yolk protein production. We predict that lower levels of yolk protein will lead to smaller numbers of eggs laid and lower hatch rates in mosquitoes injected with Na-K ATPase subunit beta dsRNA. Injection of 73 mosquitoes with Na-K ATPase subunit beta (experimental treatment) and 67 mosquitoes with GFP (control treatment) was achieved. Every 24 hours mortality rates were measured in each group. The observed mortality difference between the two groups can be hypothesized that Na-K ATPase knockdown led to a higher rate of mosquito death due to Na-K ATPase significance in the central nervous system. We propose that the significant difference of observed egg numbers laid in our Na-K subunit beta-2 dsRNA group is due to the loss of vitellogenin gene transcription for yolk protein precursors.

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Mya M Martinez-Metzgar, Biomedical Sciences and Technology
New Mexico Tech
Mentor(s): Joel Sharbrough, New Mexico Tech, Assistant Professor of Biology
Program: NM AMP
Whole genome duplication events (WGDs) are among the most profound mutational changes cells and organisms can endure, and most eukaryotes (including humans) have experienced one or more such events during their evolutionary history. While much work has investigated the immediate and evolutionary consequences of WGD for the nuclear genome, virtually nothing is known about the effects for the mitochondria, the other genomic compartment within the cell. Mitochondria are essential to eukaryotic energy production, and as a result of a history of gene transfers from the mitochondrial genome to the nuclear genome, the proteins that carry out energy production inside the mitochondria are encoded by two distinct and separately inherited genomes: the nuclear and mitochondrial genomes. Successful molecular interactions between the proteins encoded by these two genomes are therefore essential to eukaryotic health and fitness, and changes to one genomic compartment can have dramatic consequences for the other genomic compartment(s) of the cell. Using a previously collected dataset comprised of whole genome sequencing from diploid, triploid, and tetraploid snails, this project will provide the first information collected in an animal about how mitochondrial-nuclear stoichiometry varies in tandem with WGDs in the nuclear genome.The cellular consequences of WGD tested will determine whether WGDs alter stoichiometric balance between the nuclear and mitochondrial genomes resulting in elevated mitochondrial genome copy numbers per cell. We used next-generation sequencing data to quantify the relative numbers of mitochondrial genomes in diploid vs. triploid. vs. tetraploid Potamopyrgus antipodarum, a New Zealand freshwater snail featuring extensive natural variation in nuclear genome copy number. This project provides the first information collected in an animal about how mitochondrial-nuclear stoichiometry varies in tandem with WGDs in the nuclear genome.

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Kenda L Pina, Biology
University of New Mexico
Mentor(s): Benjamin Clark, University of New Mexico, Associate Professor of Psychology
Program: NM AMP
In my research project I am further studying Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders in Prenatal Exposed Rats and the effects this exposure has on the spatial navigation of these rats. Depending on the level exposure I am trying to see whether the rats begin to use other "non-spatial," strategies in learning tasks such as the Morris Water Task which will be the focus of my entire project. The research collected is important because it has the possibility of showing how FASD affects people and the correlation it has with cognitive decline and possibly even the development of neurodegenerative diseases. The overall purpose of this experiment is to find that correlation early on by observing the behavior of these rats and their spatial navigation within the given testing environment. I learned that both exposed/non-exposed groups were able to complete the Morris Water Task in both the independent and control group and therefore more testing needs to be done regarding the prenatal alcohol exposed groups uses different navigational strategies.

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Brenda Prieto, Cell & Molecular Biology, Chemistry, and Mathematics
Western New Mexico University
Mentor(s): Nancy Livingston, Western New Mexico University, Professor of Math and Computer Science
Program: NM AMP
This research is about an overlooked phenomenon called dental anxiety. A survey posted on canvas was used to collect data from anonymous individuals who choose to participate. The main goal for this research was to understand dental anxiety more in college students at WNMU. This data was interpreted as part of a broader population from rural Hispanic Serving Institutions. As a future general dentist, I wanted to comprehend the level of anxiety and ways to cope from students who could be similar to my future patients. The knowledge from this research will hopefully aid the rural HSI population in understanding the phenomenon of dental anxiety and potentially encourage seeking improvement in oral health.

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Bryce Roberts, Biology
University of New Mexico
Mentor(s): Davorka Gulisija
Program: NM AMP
The central question of population biology is "What forces enable population persistence in the face of continuous environmental change?" While classic theory assumed that persistence occurs mostly through genetic adaptation via new beneficial mutations, recent studies propose that populations may persist via adaptation from balanced polymorphism under the storage effect. The theory on storage effects in populations, however, was only examined in models assuming either infinite or a constant population size, where population persistence could not be examined. Here, we extend a model of storage effects under spatially heterogeneous cyclic selection to a population of variable size to explore the effect of storage effects on the persistence of finite populations. Using mathematical modeling and forward-in-time computer simulations, we find that the balanced polymorphism under storage effects promotes population persistence under a wide set of selection regimes and population subdivision scenarios. Models of storage effects under logarithmic population growth, such as ours, are crucial for the understanding of the relevance of storage effects on natural population adaptation and persistence.

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Diego Ruiz, Biology and Microbiology
New Mexico State University
Mentor(s): Teri Orr, New Mexico State University, Assistant Professor of Biology
Program: NM AMP
Establishing a set of methods to determine reproductive stage as well as bat sperm storage is important to begin future research into immune mechanisms of bats. When organisms encounter foreign cells, an immune response protects the host against harm. In certain bat species where sperm can be stored for several months, this can communicate that the immune system is not actively attacking those sperm. Studying these immune mechanisms can have human reproductive health implications specifically in low sperm survival rates. To establish a foundation for these studies, methods to determine five key reproductive stages are needed (proestrus, estrus, metestrus, diestrus and female sperm storage). Vaginal lavages were conducted to obtain cells from the vaginal canal than were stained (using a Papanicolaou stain) to see different characteristics of the cells. Two stages were observed using the lavage and pap stain techniques meaning that the methods were reliable for determining different reproductive stages. To create greater contrast, changes in the lavage technique will be made to have a greater density of cells and the pap staining will slightly change to create a greater contrast of color between cells and more.

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Bianca M Soto, Biology
University of New Mexico
Mentor(s): Dr. David Hanson, University of New Mexico, Professor of Biology
Program: NM AMP SCCORE
Dr. Jacob Torres started a community science project that UNM collaborated on to figure out which Martinez Chimayo chile pepper is the spiciest. Chiles are specifically favorable for space because of their capsaicin content, which is the spice you feel when you consume them, and their health benefits. The zero gravity environment means astronauts have decreased sense of taste, so chiles would make the best food to consume in space. This project aimed to find if red or green Martinez chimayo peppers had a higher capsaicin content. The goal of this project was to find out who and how the hottest chile pepper was grown (the growth parameters). This project will help NASA collect data and figure out how to grow healthy and successful chiles in the zero gravity atmosphere at the space station.

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Karina Alyssa Tovar, Environmental Science
New Mexico State University
Mentor(s): Dr. Nicole Pietrasiak, New Mexico State University, Assistant Professor for Environmental Soil Microbiology, Plant & Environmental Sciences Department
Program: NM AMP
Our project goal is to enrich our knowledge of dryland soil microbiology by adding baseline information of how Chihuahuan Desert microhabitats structure soil microbial communities. We will conduct an observational study of Chihuahuan Desert soil microbial communities at the Jornada Experimental Range. Our specific objectives are to: 1) Investigate if the soil microbial communities differ across microhabitats including the soil under a desert shrub, a perennial grass, biological soil crusts, and the barren space in between desert plants, hereafter termed plant interspace. 2) Identify the types of microbes that grow particularly in surface soils. 3) Link the patterns we will observe to ecosystem processes important to support plant life in the desert, e.g., nutrient cycling and availability.

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