May 20, 2016 Mary Gates Hall

of mammal evolution through the K-Pg and onward into the POSTER SESSION 1 Cenozoic. Commons East, Easel 79 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM SESSION 1P New Mammalian Teeth Fossils from the Mid-Cretaceous (Albian-Cenomanian) Wayan Formation of Eastern PAST,PRESENT, AND FUTURE: Idaho with Implications for Early Mammalian Evolution Kayla Maureen (Kayla) Mc Laughlin, Senior, Earth & Space MEASUREMENTSTO UNDERSTAND Sciences (Biology) EVOLUTIONAND CLIMATE CHANGE Mentor: Gregory Wilson, Biology Session Moderator: Bonnie Becker, Academic Affairs Little is known about mammalian diversity in North Amer- (Tacoma) ica during the mid-Cretaceous (Albian-Cenomanian, 120- JHN 111 90 mya). This was an important interval in mammalian 12:30 PM to 2:15 PM evolutionary history, during which metatherian (including * Note: Titles in order of presentation. marsupials) and eutherian (including placentals) mammals first appeared in North America and multituberculates (a Bite for Your Life: A Comparison of Mandibular now-extinct group of mammals) began to radiate. Unfor- Bending Strength between Extinct and Extant tunately, our understanding of this period is poor because Metatherian Mammals mid-Cretaceous mammal-bearing fossil localities are sparse Nicole Rebecca (Nicole) Aqua, Senior, Anthropology: in North America. Accordingly, each newly discovered spec- Archaeological Sciences imen from this interval could provide important insights into Mary Gates Scholar therian and multituberculate diversity and their early stages Mentor: Gregory Wilson, Biology of evolution. Recent paleontological fieldwork in the mid- Mentor: Brody Hovatter, Biology Cretaceous (ca. 100 mya) Wayan Formation of eastern Idaho In order to understand the paleoecology of extinct animals, has led to the recovery of 30 mammalian specimens, includ- it is useful to look at extant species for comparison. Due to ing 15 metatherians and 13 multituberculates. These speci- the shared ancestry between the modern opossum, Didelphis in situ mens, all isolated teeth, were discovered and in the lab. virginiana, and the extinct marsupialiform, Didelphodon vo- Previous work by myself and other members of the Wilson rax, the opossum is often used as an analog for understand- Lab has focused on describing three metatherian species from ing the life history of D. vorax. Didelphodon vorax, which this sample, as well as documenting a new occurrence of the was the largest mammal from the latest Cretaceous of North genus Targheedelphys. Here, I focus on describing the multi- America (˜66 million years ago), is thought to have had an tuberculates and analyzing their taxonomic diversity, as well ovivorous (egg eating) or durophagous (hard-shelled eating) as comparing them to those from a larger, contemporaneous diet; however, little is known about its ontogenetic patterns sample from the Mussentuchit member of the Cedar Moun- and ecology. Therefore, we aim to construct an age series tain formation of central Utah. Some of the Wayan speci- of D. vorax to gain insight into diet changes throughout its mens are attributed to new species and others are referred to life. A mandibular bending strength analysis investigates the previously known species. Current results indicate that multi- level of force the mandible is capable of withstanding during tuberculate and metatherian diversity is approximately equal, biting in both dorsoventral and labiolingual directions. Ad- with three species observed in each group, and each occu- ditionally, we can use it to determine variation in bending pying close to fifty percent of the local fauna. The similari- strength along the body of the jaw, which allows us to further ties and differences in taxonomic composition and diversity explore feeding behavior. Here, we illuminate cranial onto- between these two localities will give us important insight genetic patterns in D. vorax by examining different develop- about mid-Cretaceous mammalian evolution in North Amer- ment stages to determine diet variation based on mandibu- ica. Additionally, this information fills a gap in the timeline lar strength profiles. We analyzed mandibular cross-sectional of mammalian evolution that will further our understanding

Undergraduate Research Program 1 www.uw.edu/undergradresearch properties and applied beam theory to 15 D. virginiana and mals. Previous research has demonstrated a correlation be- seven D. vorax specimens. Each individual used in the study tween RFI and diet in extant mammals; high RFI values cor- resulted with a relative force greater than one, which is in- respond to herbivory and insectivory, while low RFI values dicative of an adaptation toward exerting forces directly on correspond to omnivory and frugivory. Our preliminary re- prey, whereas a ratio less than one would indicate an adap- sults suggest an increase in dietary diversity and an overall tation toward withstanding struggling motions or transverse decrease in RFI during the biotic recovery. This reduction stresses. Finally, we find similar patterns of ontogeny for both in RFI reflects a trend in “archaic ungulate” dietary prefer- species at different tooth positions, which supports the notion ence from insectivory in the Puercan NALMA to omnivory that diet changes throughout ontogeny of these marsupials. and frugivory in the Torrejonian NALMA. The results of our Thus, comparison of mandibular bending strength between study will help scientists understand how ecosystems recover extinct and extant mammals has the ability to gain insight from catastrophic events, such as mass extinctions, on large into their feeding behavior and morphological adaptations. timescales.

SESSION 1P POSTER SESSION 2 MGH 241, Easel 140 PAST,PRESENT, AND FUTURE: 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM MEASUREMENTSTO UNDERSTAND Preliminary Investigation of Vertebrate Faunas across the Cretaceous-Paleogene Boundary in India EVOLUTIONAND CLIMATE CHANGE Aneesha Nausheen Usman, Senior, Biology (General) Session Moderator: Bonnie Becker, Academic Affairs Parth Bhavin Patel, Junior, Extended Pre-Major (Tacoma) Mentor: Gregory Wilson, Biology JHN 111 12:30 PM to 2:15 PM The Cretaceous-Paleogene (K/Pg) mass extinction event (˜66 * Note: Titles in order of presentation. million years ago) was a seminal episode in Earth’s his- tory. This event resulted in the extinction of up to 76% Quantitative Dental Ecomorphology of Arctocyonid and of all species and led to new evolutionary opportunities for Periptychid ”Archaic Ungulates” from the Earliest the survivors (e.g., mammals). Accordingly, study of fos- Paleogene of North America sils spanning the K/Pg boundary is critical to understanding Gianni Russell Aranoff, Senior, Biology (Ecology, Evolution the dynamics of the extinction and resulting biotic recovery. & Conservation) However, K/Pg sections with vertebrate faunas are presently Mary Gates Scholar, UW Honors Program known only in North America. The Indian subcontinent was Mentor: Stephanie Smith, Biology geographically isolated from approximately 88 MYA until Mentor: Gregory Wilson, Biology 55-50 MYA, during which time massive volcanic eruptions (the Deccan Traps) occurred in western India during a four The Cretaceous-Paleogene (K-Pg) mass extinction and result- million year span across the K-Pg boundary. These eruptions ing biotic recovery mark a pivotal moment in mammal evo- and their effects have been implicated as causal mechanisms lution. The recovery period, which spanned about 1 mil- of the K-Pg mass extinction, but few studies have directly lion years from the Puercan North American Land Mam- tested this hypothesis. Numerous vertebrate fossil localities mal Age (NALMA) to the Torrejonian NALMA, represents have been found in India in the sedimentary rocks below (in- a transition from species-poor “disaster” faunas directly fol- fratrappean) and between (intertrappean) the volcanic basalt lowing the extinction event to species-rich “recovery” faunas. flows. Historically, these fossil localities have been consid- Though previous research has broadly studied the faunal dy- ered latest Cretaceous in age, but recent work has refined the namics of the early Paleogene, the exact mode and tempo of stratigraphic and temporal relationships of the fossil locali- the biotic recovery has not been well examined. To inves- ties. This allows us to track species diversity through time tigate the ecological trends of the “disaster” to “recovery” during the volcanic eruptions and leading up to and across faunal transition, specifically changes in diet, we analyzed the K-Pg boundary. In turn, these data can be compiled to dental evolution within the periptychid and arctocyonid “ar- determine the timing and magnitude of the extinctions within chaic ungulate” lineages over a time period that spans from the context of Deccan volcanism and the mass extinction it- the Puercan NALMA to the Torrejonian NALMA. We mea- self. We have compiled published records of over 1,653 fossil sured relief index (RFI), a metric that determines the ratio specimens from infra- and intertrappean localities throughout between the 2D and 3D area of mammal teeth, on both the India. From the literature, we recorded demographic and lo- “archaic ungulates” and a set of ecologically diverse extant cality information for our database. We will then use this mammals to identify the dietary ecologies of the extinct mam- database to characterize vertebrate faunal changes during the

2 volcanic eruptions and across the K-Pg boundary in India, as well as compare the effects of the mass extinction in India POSTER SESSION 3 with other parts of the world. MGH 241, Easel 128 2:30 PM to 4:00 PM

POSTER SESSION 2 Compliance Sensing for Biomedical Wearable Devices MGH 241, Easel 139 Courtney Chan (Courtney) Chheng, Senior, Electrical 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM Engineering Mentor: Denise Wilson, Electrical Engineering New Mammalian Fossils from the Early Paleocene (Puercan 1) of Montana with Implications of Early A sizable obstacle to the success of wearable devices in sup- Mammalian Evolution Following the porting good health, independent living, and workplace safety Cretaceous-Paleogene (K-Pg) Mass Extinction Event is compliance: is the user wearing the device and wearing it as Hannah Lauren (Hannah) Burson, Senior, Biology (General) it was designed? According to the United States Department Mentor: Gregory Wilson, Biology of Labor, thousands of people are blinded each year from work-related eye injuries; this costs the industry more than The Cretaceous-Paleogene (K-Pg) mass extinction event was $300 million in lost production time, medical expenses, and a pivotal episode in the evolution of mammals. It is widely worker compensation (“Safety and Health Topics — Eye and held that the extinction of non-avian dinosaurs allowed mam- Face Protection,” n.d.). This loss easily could be prevented by mals to evolve rapidly into ecological niches previously occu- the usage of protective eyewear; thus is it imperative to know pied by dinosaurs. Studies of successive mammalian faunas whether workers are complying with safety standards. Occu- from northeastern Montana have detailed this pattern, show- pational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires ing that (1) the earliest Paleogene (Puercan 1) ‘survival’ fauna that all protective equipment, including personal protective from within 80,000 years of the K-Pg boundary was species equipment for eyes, face, head and extremities be provided poor and included many immigrant taxa and (2) full recov- (“General requirements. - 1910.132,” n.d.). Therefore, any ery and expansion of mammalian diversity only occurred 600 manual laborer worker is required comply with safety stan- to 700 thousand years after the K-Pg event. To better re- dards, including wearing protective eyewear. This research solve our view of the immediate aftermath following this investigated inexpensive sensors to monitor compliance with mass extinction event, previous studies by myself and the regard to safety goggles and workplace safety. To ensure high Wilson Lab have analyzed a mammalian fossil assemblage fidelity and accurate data, it is paramount to understand user from the Constenius locality (UWBM C1665), which docu- behavior in the wearing and use of these devices. Specif- ments a ‘survival’ fauna. The Constenius locality is brack- ically, detailed knowledge regarding the subject’s usage of eted to within 20,000 years after the K-Pg boundary, thus protective eyewear, including the orientation and location on providing a time-constrained view into which mammals sur- the head directly to inform the quality of compliance to safety vived the mass extinction and how quickly immigrant taxa standards. However, the addition of compliance monitoring invaded this area. Here, I add to our understanding of this functionality is limited by size, power consumption, cost, and fossil assemblage by identifying and describing 23 newly re- form factor constraints inherent to the wearable device of in- covered mammalian specimens from the Constenius locality. terest. These limitations restrict the types of sensors that can These specimens, which include isolated teeth and jaw frag- be used to achieve compliance monitoring. After literature ments, were discovered in situ in the field and in the lab after review and feasibility study of compliance monitoring tech- screen washing more than 100 kg of bulk sediment. I com- niques and existing biomedical wearables, including assess- pared the taxonomic composition and species richness of the ing electrostatic field sensing, magnetic sensing, and various Constenius mammalian assemblage to those from the Worm approaches to eye tracking, we have decided to pursue mag- Coulee 1 locality (UWBM C1369), which is bracketed to netic sensors as the most viable option for compliance sens- within 80,000 years of the K/Pg boundary and likely repre- ing. We are optimistic that magnetic sensing may offer a low sents a slightly younger assemblage. The results so far in- cost and low energy solution for the detection of direction and dicate that species richness and relative abundance is highest orientation of protective eyewear. Therefore, with magnetic in archaic ungulates and lowest in multituberculates which sensing we will determine if the protective eyewear is being is consistent and further strengthens previous research done worn on the bridge of the nose, on top of the head, or com- at the Worm Coulee 1 locality within 80,000 years after the pletely off of the body to determine compliance with safety extinction event. standards. A preliminary design has been modeled and simu- lated to be evaluated for feasibility.

3 The Last Five Years: A Musical Exploring the POSTER SESSION 4 Challenges Faced by Artists of Color MGH 241, Easel 126 Dominic Francesco (Dominic) Racelis, Senior, Bus Admin (Oper & Supply Chain Mgmt), Informatics 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM Mary Gates Scholar Quality Improvement Study on a Veterans Health Mentor: Wilson Mendieta, Musical Theater Program Administration (VHA) Teledermatology Program in the This project is a modern adaptation of Jason Robert Brown’s Pacific Northwest musical The Last Five Years, with a specific focus on racial James L. (James) Gendreau, Senior, Public Health-Global diversity. Diversity in the arts is essential for artistic progres- Health sion and innovation, and for maintaining sociocultural health; Dana Louise Ponio Capulong, Sophomore, Pre-Sciences however, the lack of racial diversity in the performing arts has Jordan Constantinos (Jordan) Gemelas, Senior, Public been a persistent, pressing issue. Artists from marginalized Health-Global Health groups are grossly underrepresented in all aspects of mod- UW Honors Program ern theatre and performance; this prevents new stories and Clayton Lau, Sophomore, Pre-Major (Arts & Sciences) experiences from being developed and shared in the commu- Mentor: Gregory Raugi, Medicine nity. Our production has been specifically cast with UW stu- The Veterans Health Administration teledermatology pro- dents of color; the play chronicles the relationship between gram is designed to expand access to dermatological care for two young artists as they tackle the many challenges they veterans. This study seeks to evaluate the quality of the store- face from society, one another, and themselves. Through- and-forward teledermatology (SFTD) care provided to veter- out the rehearsal process, we will inform the original script ans in the VISN 20 (Pacific Northwest) region. SFTD incor- (which will remain unchanged) with the experiences and per- porates imaging technology to remotely and asynchronously spectives of young artists of colors. We will also explore how provide dermatology for patients who experience barriers to the challenges in the play are compounded by factors includ- care. When a patient sees their primary care provider (PCP) ing gender, class, self-identity, and more; we want this pro- with a suspicious skin lesion, they may initiate a SFTD con- duction to address the unique obstacles faced by people from sult. PCPs are trained to evaluate and treat many skin condi- marginalized groups, especially in the arts. This process will tions, but a suspicious lesion may require consultation. The culminate in a series of performances at UW’s Ethnic Cul- suspicious lesion is photographed by a trained imager and the tural Theatre from May 20th through the 22nd. Additionally, pictures are sent via secure communication to a consulting all proceeds from the show will be donated to arts education dermatologist. Within days, the dermatologist assesses the le- in the Seattle area, with a specific focus on underrepresented sion and provides a differential diagnosis and treatment plan. communities. Melanoma, a serious form of skin cancer, was used as an indi- cator for quality of care. Melanomas found in regional SFTD patients between 2009 and 2011 were extracted from exist- ing datasets. Chart reviews were conducted of these cases to understand how melanomas were handled. Melanomas that were mishandled by SFTD were classified as misdiagnosed, mismanaged, incidental, or a combination. If ”melanoma” or ”lentigo maligna” was not in the SFTD differential diagno- sis, then it was classified as misdiagnosed. If the melanoma was not biopsied on the first encounter, it was classified as mismanaged. If the melanoma was not imaged as a suspi- cious lesion by the PCP, it was classified as incidental. Of the 7964 patients seen by SFTD between 2009 and 2011, there were 69 diagnosable melanomas. 6 of these were classified as incidental, 16 were classified as misdiagnosed, and 4 were considered mismanaged. These results are far below those predicted by previous studies about the quality of SFTD care.

POSTER SESSION 4 Commons West, Easel 32 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM

4