{"id":35697,"date":"2024-07-15T09:26:21","date_gmt":"2024-07-15T16:26:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/inside.ewu.edu\/mcnair\/?page_id=35697"},"modified":"2024-09-18T09:45:46","modified_gmt":"2024-09-18T16:45:46","slug":"ashley-destin","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/inside.ewu.edu\/mcnair\/cohorts-2\/2019-2020-cohort\/ashley-destin\/","title":{"rendered":"Ashley Destin"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Ashley Destin<\/h1>\n\n\n
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Ashley Destin<\/strong> graduated from Eastern Washington University in 2022 with a major in Biology. Her passion is animal care with a focus on domestic house cats. In the past, she volunteered in a small veterinarian clinic, working closely with surgeries and animal husbandry. Dr. Judd Case mentored Ashley for both of her Summer Research Internships with EWU McNair. Her summer 2020 research<\/a> explored the relationship between skull morphology and general body size among felids (house cat, lynx, puma), mustelids (minks, weasels, badgers), and canids (foxes, coyotes, wolves); with a focus on North American felids, as it relates to prey acquisition. In 2021 Ashley and Dr. Case made a significant potential discovery while comparing wild and domestic feline blood cell shape. They found that there seems to be a strong, but untested, correlation between RBC shape and the severity of cytauxzoonosis in felids. The bowl shape in domestic cats could provide more cell volume for the parasite to proliferate, which may lead to a higher population of the parasite in the host and a more severe infection.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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2020 McNair Faculty Research Mentor: Dr. Judd A. Case<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Research Title: <\/strong>Size Scaling in the Skull of North American Felids as Adaptations for Prey Acquisition<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Presentation Poster<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Abstract: <\/strong>This comparative study explores the relationship between skull morphology and general body size among felids (house cat, lynx, puma), mustelids (minks, weasels, badgers), and canids (foxes, coyotes, wolves); with a focus on North American felids, as it relates to prey acquisition. Previous studies have focused on the evolution of the carnivore skull shape, which include the species examined in this study. Using measurement methods laid out by Radinsky (1981a; 1984), the size of skull components are compared to overall body size to determine the rate of scaling of skull features with body size. Statistical evaluations of skull measurements within and between the three selected North American carnivore groups allowed it to be determined which features scaled with body size; skull length, jaw length, and tooth row length. Additionally, some of these skull features showed significant correlation with the body size of possible prey, indicating there are limitations on prey size based on skull parameters related to bite strength. When compared against body size, measurements relating to the temporalis muscle didn\u2019t fit the regression lines as well as other data, indicating that the temporalis doesn\u2019t scale directly with body size which is a major component in bite strength differences related to prey size that can be taken. Across all families, the moment arm of the temporalis and the zygomatic arch width showed significant differences between species within a family. In most comparisons, temporal fossa width differences were also significant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2021 McNair Faculty Research Mentor: Dr. Judd A. Case<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Research Title: <\/strong>Feline Red Blood Cell Shape and the Impacts of Cytauxzoonosis<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Presentation Poster<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Abstract:<\/strong> With a role as important as carrying oxygen to tissues everywhere in the body, red blood cells (RBCs) have been well-studied. Due to the higher oxygen needs of large animals like humans, RBCs are the most abundant and fastest produced cells in the body. To meet these oxygen needs, RBCs have several adaptations including deformability for movement, a biconcave disc shape to maximize the surface area to volume ratio for maximum gas transport, and lack many organelles. Further research has told us that these cells are filled with hemoglobin molecules each of which to can chemical bind to four oxygen molecules (Case, 2021). This shape and structure has been so effective that most mammals have evolved a similar shape. Despite a lack of documentation available, the felid family was no exception. Wild species of felids, such as pumas and lynx, maintained this discoid, red blood cell shape (Wikander, Anantatat, Kang, & Reif, 2020). Even snow leopards (Panthera uncia) have this shape to their RBCs despite living in higher altitudes, where most felids would have a difficult time breathing due to lower oxygen availability (Janecka et al., 2015). However, as we investigate domesticated felids, there is a clear change in shape. Rather than having a distinct central pallor as seen with the biconcave disc, the cell is concave on one side and convex on the other creating more of a bowl shape. This deviation in shape can have several impacts on health like lower gas transportation and exacerbated rouleaux stacking. The RBCs of cats are also more prone to oxidative damage and Heinz bodies (Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, 2014), whether this is connected to the shape mutation would need further research. This mutation hasn\u2019t been researched to know what caused it or all of its impacts. For example, Cytauxzoon felis, a protozoan parasite that uses the red and white blood cells of felines to proliferate, can be more detrimental to a domestic cat than to a bobcat with a disc shaped blood cell. Wild felids such as bobcats, pumas, and panthers experience asymptomatic or mild cases of cytauxzoonosis, surviving to become reservoirs while the infection in domestic cats is often severe to fatal (Wang et al., 2017). Since C. felis uses both red and white blood cells to support their proliferation, variations in these cells may impact the severity of disease experienced by the host (Byers, 2016). With the range of ticks expanding, the potential for cytauzoonosis also increases (Merck Veterinary Manual & Tarigo, 2015). Thus, there seems to be a strong, but untested, correlation between RBC shape and the severity of cytauxzoonosis in felids. When comparing the red blood cells of hosts that experience mild infections to domestic cats, there is a noticeable difference in shape. The bowl shape seen in domestic cats could provide more cell volume that the parasite could use to proliferate, which may lead to a higher population of the parasite in the host and a more severe infection. Additionally, there is no literature yet published that discusses the shape change of RBCs in wildcats and domestic cats or what mutations in subsurface, plasmalemma proteins which would alter the typical biconcave disc shape into the bowl-shaped RBC shape seen domestic cats and in European wildcats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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EWU McNair Scholar Alumni Ashley Destin Accepted to Washington State University Master of Science in Animal Science<\/a><\/h2>\n\n

Congratulations to EWU McNair Scholar Alumni\u00a0Ashley Destin! Ashley has been accepted to Washington State University’s Master of Science in Animal Science. Of their program, Washington State University states: Programs are flexible and designed to meet the needs and interests of the student and, as such, specific degree requirements are determined through individual consultation with an … Read more<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n
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13 McNair Scholars Present at EWU\u2019s 2022 Student Research & Creative Works Symposium<\/a><\/h2>\n\n

On May 11, EWU held the 2022 Student Research and Creative Works Symposium. The Symposium has been held virtually for the last two years, and being back in person allowed for a different level of engagement as scholars discussed their research (both proposed and completed) with fellow students, faculty, and the EWU community. Many scholars … Read more<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n
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EWU McNair Scholar Ashley Destin Completes Summer Research Internship<\/a><\/h2>\n\n

EWU McNair Scholar Ashley Destin has had the opportunity to participate in two research projects during her time with McNair, both with Dr. Judd Case. While each research project was very different from the other, both align with Ashley\u2019s passion for improving targeted care for cats. She notes that much of what we know about … Read more<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n
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12 EWU McNair Scholars Present at EWU Virtual Symposium<\/a><\/h2>\n\n

In June 2021, EWU held the\u00a0CSTEM and McNair Spring Research Symposium. This online event offered a chance for McNair scholars to present their research, as well as attend the Social Justice in Research Panel of EWU McNair alumni now working in academics and education.\u00a0 The mission of the federally-funded TRiO Ronald E. McNair Post-baccalaureate Achievement … Read more<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n
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EWU McNair Scholar Ashley Destin Awarded Marjorie Benedict-Holman Scholarship<\/a><\/h2>\n\n

Congratulations to EWU McNair Scholar Ashley Destin! Ashley has been awarded the Marjorie Benedict-Holman Scholarship. The scholarship benefits undergraduate single parents. Currently, Ashley is finishing a Biology major at Eastern Washington University. She recently completed research on Size Scaling in the Skull of North American Felids as Adaptations for Prey Acquisition with Dr. Judd A. Case. This … Read more<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n
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EWU McNair Scholars Present at Murdock College Science Research Conference 2020<\/a><\/h2>\n\n

Despite COVID-19, EWU McNair Scholars have persisted through their virtual research internships during the summer of 2020 and continued to present their research throughout the year. This last fall, two EWU McNair Scholars presented at the Murdock College Science Research Conference. This Northwest specific undergraduate conference focuses on sharing and advancing new knowledge in the … Read more<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n
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EWU McNair Scholar Ashley Destin Completes Summer Research Internship<\/a><\/h2>\n\n

Congratulations EWU McNair Scholar Ashley Destin for completing her EWU McNair Summer Research Internship! Ashley conducted her research on statistical evaluations of skull measurements within and between the three selected North American carnivore groups under the mentorship of Professor Dr. Judd Case in Department of Biology. She measured skulls and looked their size correlation with … Read more<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n
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Nine EWU McNair Scholars Present at Baylor McNair Research Conference<\/a><\/h2>\n\n

From looking at community perceptions of reentry barriers to formerly incarcerated people to the impact of chemical weathering from Mount St. Helen’s on streams, EWU McNair Scholars have been hard at work researching all summer under the guidance of their mentors. On October 1st and 2nd. Nine of these scholars presented at the 2020 Virtual … Read more<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n
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18 EWU McNair Scholars Present at EWU Virtual Symposium<\/a><\/h2>\n\n

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Ashley Destin Selected as an EWU McNair Scholar and Awarded Summer Research Internship<\/a><\/h2>\n\n

Congratulations Eastern Washington University student Ashley Destin! Ashley has been selected as an EWU McNair Scholar and awarded a summer research internship. McNair Scholars must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher, are first generation college students and low-income and\/or underrepresented students, and are selected for their promise as scholars and commitment to attaining a … Read more<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Ashley Destin Ashley Destin graduated from Eastern Washington University in 2022 with a major in Biology. Her passion is animal care with a focus on domestic house cats. In the past, she volunteered in a small veterinarian clinic, working closely with surgeries and animal husbandry. Dr. Judd Case mentored Ashley for both of her Summer Research Internships … Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9086,"featured_media":0,"parent":35686,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"wpo365_audiences":[],"wpo365_private":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-35697","page","type-page","status-publish"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/inside.ewu.edu\/mcnair\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/35697"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/inside.ewu.edu\/mcnair\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/inside.ewu.edu\/mcnair\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/inside.ewu.edu\/mcnair\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/9086"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/inside.ewu.edu\/mcnair\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=35697"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/inside.ewu.edu\/mcnair\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/35697\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":37056,"href":"https:\/\/inside.ewu.edu\/mcnair\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/35697\/revisions\/37056"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/inside.ewu.edu\/mcnair\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/35686"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/inside.ewu.edu\/mcnair\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=35697"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}