CSUF Logo
 

Student Research

Depression

Students Present at the 2017 CA BD2K Workshop

The 2017 CA BD2K Workshop was hosted at the Hyatt Regency Resort and Spa in Hungtington Beach, CA on the 15th of September. The BD3 Scholars presented a poster on their research for over one-hundred attendees. The research topics are described below. Click to view the photo gallery, conference program or the poster presentations.

Depression

Depression

Shaina Sta. Cruz

Depression is a major health problem in the United States, impacting individuals in emotionally and physically damaging ways. Several studies have utilized large datasets to identify risk factors that contribute to the epidemic, as well as methods to alleviate depressive symptoms. Past studies have identified folate intake as a promising method of alleviating depressive symptoms, with reported associations between low levels of folate intake and severe depressive symptoms. While research has considered the role of physical activity in addressing depression, few studies have accounted for all three variables, namely physical activity levels, folate intake, and depressive symptoms.


Read More.
Science

The differential expression of genes in Mucolipidosis Type IV brain samples from mice

Amber Cornelius

Amber's research under the guide of Dr. Cuajungco focuses on using big data analytics to study the differential expression of genes in Mucolipidosis Type IV brain samples from mice. Mucolipidosis Type IV is a neurodegenerative disease that is caused by mutations in the mucolipin-1 gene which lead to deleterious affects such as mental and psychomotor retardation. There is currently no viable therapy for this rare disease, but research experiments hope to tackle various aspects of understanding the disease. For instance, my research centers on the use of RNA-seq analysis in order to obtain a more comprehensive understanding of the genetics behind the disease.


Read More.
depression

You Are What You Eat: Folate and Depression

Stephen Gonzalez

Depression is a major source of mental health problems in the U.S., effecting persons of all ages and cultures. Many studies have found associations between lower folate nutrition and high depressive symptoms. Additionally, an association have been shown between physical activity and depression, such that depression increases as physical activity decreases over time. The primary goal of this research is to provide further support for the above findings. The main question of this research is “what are predictors depressive symptoms?”. I hypothesize that depressive symptoms can be predicted from serum folate levels and about of physical activity.


Read More.

Differential gene expression analysis of Mucolipidosis IV (ML IV) using RNA-sequenced data

Silvia Orozco

Mucolipidosis type IV (MLIV) is a pediatric neurodegenerative disease. Patients with this disease are seen to have delayed mental development, psychomotor retardation, hypotonia, speech impairment and retinal degeneration which leads to blindness. MLIV is an autosomal recessive disorder, meaning both parents must carry the mutant allele for the child to have the disease. At a molecular level, the characteristics of this disease are enlarged and hyperacidic lysosomes. The gene that is mutated in MLIV is transient receptor potential mucolipin-1 (TRPML1). TRPML1 is a lysosomal protein that is expressed in tissues and organs and is believed to play a role in balancing the pH of the lysosome and lysosomal maturation.

RNA was extracted and sequenced from mice that were either wild-type (WT) or knock-out (KO) for TRPML1. Differential gene expression analysis of the WT and KO RNA can be performed using Linux-based R commands and computer software such as Tophat and Cufflinks. With the help of Dr. Cuajungco and Dr. Behseta, Silvia is working on creating a Linux-based R command to perform differential gene expression analysis.

Coffee

Analysis of caffeine metabolite AAMU alongside cases of depression

Galilea Patricio

In a fast-paced and driven society the need for energy and stimulation from an external source is often sought after through coffee and other caffeinated products. This is of growing concern as the long-term effects as well as the affected areas of the overconsumption of caffeine is uncertain. More importantly the long-term effects of caffeine can allow for the occurrence of certain conditions and/or diseases such as depression. For this research topic, caffeine as an unregulated psychoactive substance and its potential effects on mental health is analyzed. The stimulant properties of this substance, which affect the central nervous system, can aid in the development of dependency among its consumers.


Read More.
test tube with RNA sequence

Identifying Potential Biomarkers in a Mucolipidosis IV Mouse Model Using RNA-seq

Jonathan Chacon

Currently, Jonathan’s research is geared towards identifying potential biomarkers for Mucolipidosis Type IV (MLIV). MLIV is a genetic autosomal recessive neurodegenerative disease that is clinically diagnosed with characteristics such as retinal degeneration, motor retardation and cognitive deficits that present themselves during early stages of life. Previous studies with genetic sequencing have revealed an association between mutations or a deletion in the Mucolipin-1 ( MCOLN1) gene and the incidence of the disease. Studies indicate that the presence of specific mutations or a deletion in the MCOLN1 gene ultimately give rise to expression of nonfunctional transient receptor potential mucolipin protein-1 (TRPML1), which reveals itself with symptoms that are innate of MLIV. The prevalence of such mutations thus serve as a primary biomarker for determining the onset of the disease.


Read More.
Nutrition

The Mean Differences in Nutrition Quality Index (NQI) Among Different Types of Carbonated Beverage Drinkers by Weight Categories

Emma Navajas

Emma’s research topic for the BD3-REAP program involves the investigation of the mean differences in Nutrition Quality Index (NQI) among different types of carbonated beverage drinkers by weight categories. My hypothesis was that individuals who do not consume carbonated beverages would have higher NQIs than individuals who consumes carbonated beverages. The study used the data from two non-consecutive days of dietary intake using 24-hour recalls of 36,877 subjects from “What We Eat In America (WWEIA)” dataset from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2005 to 2012. Three types of carbonated drinkers were created: regular carbonated drinkers, diet-carbonated drinkers, and non-carbonated drinkers.


Read More.
Sugar

The Mean Differences in the Percentage of Added Sugar Intakes Among Different Types of Carbonated Beverage Drinkers by Weight Categories

Jennifer Que

Jennifer’s research topic for the BD3-REAP program involves the investigation of the mean differences in the percentage of added sugar intake among different types of carbonated beverage drinkers by weight categories. Added sugars mean more calories without more nutrients. Added sugars can lead to higher levels of fats in the blood, raising their risk of heart disease. The carbonated beverage drinkers are categorized into three groups: 1) regular carbonated drinkers, 2) diet carbonated drinkers and 3) non-carbonated drinkers.

Read More.

The Proportion Distribution Among Different Types of Carbonated Beverage Drinkers between Hispanic and Non-Hispanic Groups by Weight Categories

Michael Guzman

Michael’s research topic is looking at the proportion distribution among types of carbonated beverage drinkers between Hispanic and non-Hispanic Groups by weight categories. The carbonated beverage drinkers are categorized into three groups: 1) regular carbonated drinkers, 2) diet carbonated drinkers and 3) non-carbonated drinkers. Our hypothesis was that there is a difference in the proportion distribution among the three types of drinkers between Hispanic and non-Hispanic groups.


Read More.
Emergency Room

Risking Your Health: Delaying & Foregoing Necessary Medical Care

Ricardo Palafox

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 (ACA) has significantly improved medical health care coverage for the previously uninsured population In California through the introduction of the Covered California private market. Despite these great strides and increase in access, many members of the population who are most at risk lack the knowledge to navigate such systems. As previously uninsured residents, they lack the experience necessary to identify appropriate coverage and may select a plan which does not adequately meet their needs or their family’s needs.


Read More.
Mental Health

Evaluating Access and Utilization Among People with Mental Health Needs

Ahnika Ishikawa

Ahnika’s research topic is the Evaluating Access and Utilization Among People with Mental Health Needs. Recently, there have been strides in the area of mental health services and the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 (ACA) significantly expanded eligibility for the Medicaid program in California (called Medi-Cal). The ACA aimed towards improving access to care issues that has affected the welfare of people with mental health needs. The objective of this research is to evaluate the access and utilization of health services among people with mental health needs. The population that was studied was California’s population, ages 18-64. Populations, including those enrolled in job-based coverage, individual plans, Medicaid, Medi-Cal, and the uninsured.


Read More.

 

Big Data Discovery & Diversity

Program Director
Dr. Archana McEligot 
amceligot@fullerton.edu

 

Program Administrative Analyst
Mary Aboud
maboud@fullerton.edu 

About the Program:

About Us

Students

Curriculum

Faculty

Partners

Resources

Photo Gallery