This dissertation explores the phenomenon of what I call "threshold care" through the lens of death doula practices in the United States. "Threshold care" refers to the holistic support provided to both transitioning individuals, people nearing the end of life moving through the final stages of life toward death, and families at the juncture between medical treatment and social needs during end-of-life. Death doulas, also known as end-of-life doulas or death midwives, facilitate this care by employing various practices. While these practices have existed in various forms across cultures and throughout history, with deep-rooted traditions worldwide, they experienced a decline in the U.S. with the advancement of modern medical care, only to find a resurgence in popularity over the past two decades as a counter response to the medicalization of dying. This dissertation investigates the roles of death doulas in redefining end-of-life care, their efforts toward professionalization, and their adaptation to online platforms, particularly amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Abstract available upon request.

Nadia, a doctorate candidate in Musical Arts, will defend her dissertation on the restoration of Melesio Morales's opera Romeo e Giulietta, composed in 1863, and its impact on a newly independent Mexico in the XIX century.

PhD Chemistry Spectroscopic Studies of Manganese Oxides: Direct Comparisons of Structure, Symmetry, and Magnetic Properties This defense presents work that analyzed the 55Mn nucleus directly via SSNMR by taking advantage of the antiferromagnetic properties that manganese oxides are well known for. This dissertation also presents projects on deuterated MnO2 and water's interaction with the structure, and how heavy dopants like tellurium incorporate into the MnO2 structure.

Bladder dysfunction and pathophysiology often stem from compromised bladder function, leading to lower urinary tract symptoms such as overactive bladder (OAB) and interstitial cystitis (IC). These debilitating conditions significantly impair quality of life and disproportionately affect older adults. While pharmacological treatments exist, they often provide only symptomatic relief, exhibit limited long-term efficacy, and have high discontinuation rates due to adverse side effects. Current clinical approaches fail to address the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms, highlighting a critical gap in our mechanistic understanding of bladder function, particularly in aging. This dissertation aims to bridge these gaps by developing a novel methodology for concurrent functional assessment of bladder urodynamics and pelvic sensitivity in aged mice, followed by an investigation into the peripheral neural encoding of bladder function. By establishing a novel anesthesia protocol in both mature and aged mice with continuous urethane infusion (0.15–0.23 g/kg/hr), I established a robust and repeatable approach for evaluating bladder urodynamics via cystometric recordings and pelvic sensitivity to urinary bladder distension (UBD) via electromyographic (EMG) recordings of visceromotor responses (VMR). This methodological advancement enables a more comprehensive assessment compared to existing approaches by simultaneously evaluating urodynamics and bladder-related pelvic pain. Applying this in vivo, I systematically examined the effects of intravesical pharmacological infusions on bladder function in both mature and aged mice. The findings revealed that aged bladders exhibit hyposensitivity to distension but can develop pelvic hypersensitivity following urothelial irritant exposure. Additionally, I investigated the neuromodulatory effects of pharmacological compounds targeting hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated (HCN) cation channels by performing single-fiber recordings from bladder afferent axons with direct detrusor smooth muscle drug applications. By systematically characterizing bladder urodynamics, pelvic sensitivity, and afferent neural encoding, this dissertation advances our understanding of aging-related bladder dysfunctions. Furthermore, it establishes a novel and powerful research platform for future mechanistic studies of bladder pathophysiology in aging.

This dissertation defense will center the efforts of Indigenous chefs, educators, activists, and restaurant industry employees working to revitalize food systems in their own ways. It also discusses the challenges of trying to decolonize "businesses" that still must work within colonial and capitalist systems.

Pre-Analytic Specimen Error Reduction Through Standardized Specimen Management Nursing Practice in the Interventional Radiology Setting

Title: On higher regulators of Picard modular surfaces Doctoral Field of Study: Mathematics

A State of Unrest: Tracing Metabolic Instability Through Oxygen, Nitrogen, and Carbon Isotopes. This dissertation out of the Anthropology Department uses stable isotopes to investigate three distinct cases of altered or extreme metabolism: 1) Antler growth in Mesopotamian fallow deer (Dama mesopotamica), 2) Chronic immune responses in the bone, teeth, and visceral tissue of wood smoke–exposed rats, and 3) Malignant tissue growth in an otherwise healthy animal.

Assessing and Mitigating Structural Inequalities in Natural Hazard-Induced Power Outages Field of Study: Civil Engineering Area of Concentration: Transportation and Urban Engineering This dissertation advances hazard risk reduction by addressing the unequal impacts of severe weather-induced power outages on communities and infrastructure. It employs innovative analytical frameworks and agent-based modeling to examine spatial disparities, socioeconomic inequalities, and the mitigating role of electric vehicles in residential power disruptions. The findings offer actionable insights for developing resilient, equitable, and sustainable energy and transportation systems.

Thesis Title: Mothers' and Fathers' Alcohol Use and Family Dynamics Discipline: Human Development and Family Sciences

Dissertation Title: 'Far-Right Women and Moral Responsibility' Ph.D. Candidate Hybrid event, online link will be available soon.

Navigating the Shift to Standards-Based Grading: Teacher Perspectives on Grading Effort Field of Study: Education This dissertation examines teacher perspectives on grading effort in a school moving to a standards-based model. It examines the extent to which teachers maintain the principles of standards-based grading.

THE IMPACT OF AN EVIDENCE-BASED EDUCATIONAL INTERVENTION ON SHARENTING PRACTICES AMONG PARENTS

This event will be held both in person and via WebEx. If you would like to participate virtually, please see the link below.

Improving physical activity self-efficacy with the use of motivational interviewing in people with diabetes type 2