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Past projects
Past projects
Predicting the Likelihood of Heart Disease Through Logistic Regression Models
Predicting the Likelihood of Heart Disease Through Logistic Regression Models
Predicting the Likelihood of Heart Disease through Logistic Regression Models
My Introduction to Statistics class at UW Bothell was not what I expected. I entered this junior-year class prepared for math, but quickly realized that it was focused on coding in R. As a field biologist, this was completely outside my comfort zone.
For my final project, I coded a logistic regression model to predict the likelihood of having heart disease based on age, sex, resting heart rate, max heart rate, cholesterol, and resting ECG. We spent the entire quarter working on this code. I taught myself through trial and error and by troubleshooting with my peers.
Doing this project, I learned that I can understand, code, and use statistical models. I plan to collect field data in the future and will be able to apply my new R skills to analyze it.
Dataset used for the project and an example scenario for a hypothetical patient
Figure 2. Pileated Woodpecker Abundance between the East and West of the Cascades
Figure 4: RBSS Abundance from 2010 to 2012
Woodpecker Population Dynamics in Washington State: A Spatial and Temporal Analysis Using eBird Data (2010-2012)
Woodpecker Population Dynamics in Washington State: A Spatial and Temporal Analysis Using eBird Data (2010-2012)
Woodpecker Population Dynamics in Washington State
The study I examined focused on woodpecker dynamics across Washington State from 2010 to 2012 using eBird citizen-science data and U.S. Census population data. My group and I focused on four species: the Pileated Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Red-breasted Sapsucker, and Northern Flicker. Our goal was to analyze how woodpecker abundance varied across time, space, and human population. Washington was divided into eastern and western sections using the Cascade Mountains as a center point because each side of the mountain changed greatly in climate, forest type, and urbanization. We used statistical analyses like t-tests, ANOVA, and regression to compare species abundance between regions, years, and counties. The study found that Pileated Woodpecker and Downy Woodpecker populations stayed relatively stable over time and area, while the Red-breasted Sapsucker abundance varies significantly between counties. And the Northern Flickers showed a weak negative relationship with human population density.
Our research showed that habitat differences, forest composition, and observation effort was likely to influence woodpecker abundance more than short-term changes in time or human population. Although some results were statistically significant. While many relationships were weak, suggesting that there was additional ecological factors like climate, habitat quality, and food availability that played a large role in shaping woodpecker populations. The study also showed limitations of citizen science data. There was uneven sample sizes and reporting bias in the dataset, more so in more populated counties, where bird observation would be more common. The study overall showed how important long-term monitoring and spatial analysis are in understanding trends in bird populations, and emphasized the value of these citizen-science databases like eBird for conservation research and ecological studies.
Derelict Vessels in Washington State and Snohomish County
Derelict Vessels in Washington State and Snohomish County
I greatly enjoyed my biodiversity and conservation class. We spent the majority of the quarter preparing and working on a project to connect ecological science with environmental problems that are continuously happening. I researched abandoned and derelict vessels, which are boats or ships that have been abandoned, left for neglect or deterioration, and become a threat to the environment, navigation, or safety, in Snohomish County, Washington. It was during this project that I learned how complicated restoration work can be. Derelict vessel restoration work involves a lot of different agencies, organizations, funding, and thinking about cultural impacts. I was intrigued by how hard it can be to remove derelict or abandoned vessels (ADVs). Depending on their size and their risk factor, some boats stay in waterways for decades, while others have a large impact on the ecosystems around them, which usually includes shellfish and eelgrass habitats.
With the feedback I received throughout the quarter, I was able to strengthen the organization and clarity of my paper by understanding the ecological, social, and policy impacts that derelict vessels have. This project also made me think more about how environmental issues have more impacts than just the obvious ones. Most issues that people hear about are focused on species populations, but more environmental issues are specifically human-caused. Like how derelict vessels cause damage to the land beneath them, but also impact the water quality and the biodiversity that relies on clean water. These kinds of issues highly involve policy and cultural aspects. When vessels are abandoned on tribal reserves, it can affect resources and protected areas. This has continued to influence my work and how I view things by making me think about multiple stakeholders in restoration ecology. I also was able to feel more confident in writing long research papers and using multiple sources.
An example of an abandoned or derelict vessel that is falling apart
Future Projects
Future Projects
Figure 1: Image of the Washington State outer coast. Showing sperm whale migration route, D13 coastal and offshore fairways, traffic separation schemes in the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and where the hydrophones will be deployed.
Understanding Sperm Whales through Migration Patterns and Acoustic Monitoring
Understanding Sperm Whales through Migration Patterns and Acoustic Monitoring
Understanding Sperm Whales through Migration Patterns and Acoustic Monitoring
My future project (currently in development) focuses on understanding sperm whales and how they use the waters off the Washington Coast through acoustic monitoring and tracking migration patterns. This project will study where sperm whales travel during each season, how they communicate with one another, and how climate change and human activity influence their behaviors. To do this, I will start using underwater hydrophones and place them along the outer Washington coastline and in deep ocean canyon regions. The hydrophones will record the whales' vocalizations, and I will be able to compare them to factors like vessel disturbance, prey availability, and rising temperatures. I will also be able to map out important whale habitats and migration routes so that people can have a better understanding of how sperm whales use Washington's offshore waters.
This research is important because sperm whales are one of the least studied whale species in Washington and along the West Coast. Washington’s offshore canyons and upwelling systems are likely important feeding grounds for sperm whales and other species that have access to those deep regions. But, with increasing vessel disturbance and climate change, it may be affecting how sperm whales communicate with each other and their behavior. Projects like the ‘Dominica Sperm Whale Project’ and research work of Hal Whitehead have inspired this study, aiming to create a better understanding of sperm whale ecology while still supporting conservation efforts. The findings from this project could greatly help create marine protection areas for sperm whales, as well as reduce noise pollution and improve long-term monitoring in Washington State.
Important Marine Turtle Areas (IMTAs)
Important Marine Turtle Areas (IMTAs)
This future project starts spring 2026. Important Marine Turtle Areas (IMTAs) are designed to create a standardized, globally consistent framework for identifying and protecting important habitats for sea turtles based on ecological and movement tracking. This project focuses on applying the IMTA framework in the Mediterranean Sea by synthesizing literature, satellite tracking data, nesting areas, and foraging information to understand where key habitats are that are used by sea turtles for migration, feeding, and reproduction. By creating a master database of information from the Mediterranean sea turtle ecology, this is able to highlight and understand gaps in current protected areas and improve where they are actually needed for conservation planning. Making sure that important offshore migration routes and foraging areas are recognized and protected.
This project is important because sea turtles are a highly migratory species that face a lot of threats, like habitat loss, pollution, bycatch, and climate change (Hays et al.). Even though the Mediterranean Sea is an important area for loggerhead and green sea turtle species, current conservation efforts only focus on nesting beaches and ignore migration routes and feeding grounds (IUCN Marine Turtle Specialist Group). By using ecological theory like island biogeography and research on migration from Animal Migration: A Synthesis and No Way Home, we can aim to improve conservation efforts through identifying highly used turtle areas that currently have no protection. The IMTA framework could help guide better conservation planning and protection for sea turtle populations globally.
Figure 1: Timeline of the IMTA process. Literature review, data collection, data analysis, gap analysis, ID candidate IMTA’s, framework development, and communication impact. All in the span of about 1.5 years.
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