Showcase

Degradation of bone and increased incidence of blood disorders in the aging population often occur together, leading to various health outcomes and imposing a significant economic burden. The decline in osteogenic and hematopoietic function within th ... e bone marrow (BM) of aging populations is associated with reduced bone mineral density, impaired healing, heightened risks of hematological malignancies, and worsening conditions such as anemia, neutropenia, and thrombocytopenia. The BM niche is managed by an intricate regulatory network which include mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), cytokine/growth factors, hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs), mature immune cells, and the extracellular matrix (ECM). The ECM is essential for the regulation of hematopoiesis (the process by which blood cells are formed). With aging, the equilibrium of the regulatory network shifts. The transition in aged MSCs from bone-forming (osteogenic) to fat-forming (adipogenic) development is associated with the tendency of HSPCs– responsible for generating blood and immune cells – to shift towards the myeloid lineage. However, the biological mechanism through which the aging BM niche, particularly the interactions between HSPCs, MSCs, and the ECM, contributes to hematopoietic dysfunction with age remains unclear. Building on advancements in ECM biology, this study sought to clarify how age-related changes in the ECM and to MSC regulatory cues affect HSPC function. Using specialized biofabricated plates, which had wells coated with microphysiological analogues of young (≤ 25 years old) or aged (≥ 60 years old) BM ECMs, created by human MSCs, I explored how the ECM influences HSPC development. Utilizing HSPCs isolated from cord blood units, I evaluated HSPC function using colony-forming unit assays and characterized them immunophenotypically through flow cytometry at input and following 7 days of culture on either tissue culture-treated (TCP), young ECM (yECM), or aged ECM (aECM) wells. I demonstrated that all conditions resulted in increased nucleated cell number compared to input after expansion. By phenotype, we saw: 1) significant increases of HSCs and Multipotent Progenitors (MPPs) compared to input only when cultured on aECM, 2) significant increases in Multi-lymphoid Progenitors (MLPs) in all culture conditions when compared to input, 3) significant increases in Common Myeloid Progenitors (CMPs) when cultured on either ECM condition, and 4) no changes to Granulocyte-Monocyte Progenitor (GMP) numbers in any condition. There were no functional differences demonstrated by colony formation other than those associated with an increased proportion of those cells in culture. This suggests that perhaps different culture conditions favor the expansion of different cell populations within less ‘mature’ cord blood HSPCs. In the future, we wish to examine the effect of ECM on 1) a more ‘mature’ HSPC population (isolated from BM), and 2) a co-culture system of HSPCs and MSCs on our ECM plates to examine the crosstalk between these two populations. Read more

This is an ePortfolio I created as part of a final project in Foundations of Leadership SPEA-L 377.

Brooks Insurance Professionals Recommendation Report on Social Media Implementation and Gen Z Engagement

My name is Leah VanMeter and I'm currently a senior at Indiana University Indianapolis studying to get a Bachelors in Sociology. My passions include early childhood education, studying economic disparities and focusing on mental health among students ... dents. My hope is to use my sociology degree to become a director of a childcare facility or a preschool and eventually go to grad school to pursue a master's in early childhood education. In my free time, I enjoy reading, crocheting, going on hikes, being with friends and family and researching various sociological topics. When I'm not at school, I work part-time at a daycare to gain more experience in my desired field. I also spent time in Haiti in 2016 volunteering to build houses alongside One Mission Society and have also partnered with the Midwest Food Bank in the past to assist with packaging food for those who are underprivileged throughout Indiana. I'm always excited and eager to learn more about any subject! Read more

I am earning my Honors Research Microcredential to recognize my dedication to research throughout my undergraduate career formally. Since my sophomore year of college, I have been actively engaged in research across multiple disciplines, including pa ... thology, forensic science, and biology. My work has ranged from analyzing AI-based pathology databases to investigating genetic markers in sarcoma patients. Additionally, I conducted a study addressing the issue of sexual assault on college campuses, collaborating with a team to analyze data and present our findings to raise awareness. Through these experiences, I have developed essential skills in data analysis, scientific communication, and critical thinking. The microcredential serves as a testament to my commitment to research and my continuous efforts to contribute to the scientific community. Read more

This ePortfolio is a showcase that does a broad overview of my experiences and projects at IU Indianapolis. You can find highlights from both my communication studies coursework and public health coursework, along with content from internship and pro ... fessional experiences. Read more

ePortfolio display various projects accomplished throughout my time at IUI

Records an Honors Project from spring of 2024 where I illustrated and assembled of book of botanical illustrations. Includes a Sea Hibiscus, Rattlesnake Plant, Common Lantana, Metallica Palm, and Crown of Thornes with their scientific names and facts ... about the plants. Read more

My experience as a CEA at the IU Student Outreach Clinic in the Social Work Department!

Hi! I'm Jess, a returning undergraduate student with a background in retail management and hospitality pursing new service opportunities, specifically working in libraries or museums after graduating from IU Indianapolis in December 2025. I am a retu ... returning college student, so this is an overview of my professional career as well as the coursework towards my major. Read more