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Abstract or Project Description

Abstract or Project Description

To support the Ignite! Reading Literacy Acceleration at Korematsu Discovery Academy.

Abstract or Project Description

How do immune responses of the intestinal lining contribute to inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD)? The goals of this project are to determine how cells of the intestinal epithelium are “hardwired” to respond to immune stimuli and how stable changes to these responses are related to IBD. It is known that multiple inflammatory factors produced by the immune system are present in the intestinal tissue during IBD flares, and neutralization the inflammatory molecule TNF is among the most successful current treatment strategies. However, TNF neutralization is frequently insufficient to ameliorate disease. Studies from our lab and others have established that other immune signals called interferons can cooperate with TNF to promote epithelial cell damage. Additionally, there is evidence that interferon response may be amplified in diseased epithelial cells. We will use cutting edge genomic approaches and organoid cultures to determine how the inflammatory “wiring” of response genes in epithelial stem cells of IBD patients differ from healthy controls. Additionally, we will compare the amount of damage in response to inflammatory signals and determine the efficacy of novel inhibitors in preventing toxicity. These studies have the potential to reveal new targets that complement existing TNF therapeutics.

Abstract or Project Description

To support the Sea Walls Emeryville mural project.

Abstract or Project Description

People’s Kitchen Collective (PKC) operates in Oakland, California, blending art and activism through food-centered political education, drawing on the diverse backgrounds and migration stories of its members. They use immersive experiences rooted in family recipes to honor shared struggles and advocate for radical hospitality as a means to address pressing social issues.

Abstract or Project Description

To support PTA supplies for teachers and children at Proctor Elementary.

Abstract or Project Description

Intestinal Bowel Diseases (IBD) affect millions of lives worldwide. However, therapeutic options for IBD treatment are limited. In this proposal, building upon our previous findings, we propose to examine an important protein called ARTS, which has never-before been studied in connection to IBD. We have found that ARTS is able to coordinate the cellular suicide of intestinal stem cells; cells that are critical for maintaining and replenishing the intestinal barrier. Strikingly, in mice lacking ARTS, the induction of ulcerative colitis was blocked and mice were able to exhibit enhanced stem cell-dependent repair. In light of these exciting findings, we have established a unique synergistic team that will identify and develop novel compound inhibitors of ARTS, to promote appropriate cellular and molecular signaling and prevent excessive stem cell death. It is our hope that the results obtained from this study will be translatable for the treatment of IBD in the clinic.

Abstract or Project Description

Rogers & Rosewater Soup Kitchen brings hot homemade meals to those facing homelessness and hunger in the streets of Oakland every Wednesday night. They give over 200 meals to our unhoused neighbors as well as try to provide hygiene kits each week.

Abstract or Project Description

Support to provide artistic and creative pottery spaces and classes to Bay Area artists.

Abstract or Project Description

Runway for Recovery offers comprehensive support to families navigating breast cancer, addressing emotional, financial and practical needs through services like wellness retreats, therapy and family grants. Founded by Olivia Achtmeyer Boger in honor of her mother, the organization’s commitment to holistic family health distinguishes it from traditional support models, providing vital lifelines for survivors and bereaved families alike.

Abstract or Project Description

Recently there has been increased evidence that patients with Crohn’s disease (CD) commonly have disrupted sleep, and disrupted sleep correlates with the risk of disease flare. The sleep/wake cycle, immune function, and multiple biological processes are orchestrated by the circadian clock. The central circadian clock in the brain entrains these processes to the environment by light exposure, and CD subjects have evidence of misaligned circadian rhythms that correlate with subclinical inflammation. The long-term goal of this research proposal is to show that bright light therapy in CD improves barrier integrity, reduces markers of subclinical inflammation, and modifies the microbial structure/function to an anti-inflammatory state. To test this hypothesis, we will conduct a randomized crossover trial of morning bright light therapy (60 min) given by a wearable device (Re-timer™). We will do three assessments in inactive CD subjects at: 1) baseline; 2) after four weeks of wearable glasses with bright light therapy; and 3) after four weeks of wearable glasses without bright light therapy. The results of this innovative proposal will improve quality of life in CD subjects, reduce the risk of disease flare, and identify novel circadian regulated targets for the treatment of CD.

Abstract or Project Description

The Catholic Church of Saint Anne in Union City has a rich history dating back to 1862, marked by diverse parishioners and steady growth. Through community collaboration and generosity, the church has expanded its facilities and ministries, embodying the spirit of service and worship. Today, Saint Anne continues to thrive as a vibrant, Christ-centered Catholic community, welcoming all to participate in its mission of faith and fellowship.

Abstract or Project Description

A arts festival that represents the global community in the Bay Area and celebrates new works centering Black, Indigenous and people of color and LGBTQ+ voices. The festival will feature work by San Francisco Bay Area Theatre Company, Crowded Fire Theatre Company, The Lorraine Hansberry Theatre, San Francisco Recovery Theatre, African Art Academy and Dimensions Dance.

Abstract or Project Description

The San Francisco Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SF SPCA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to animal welfare, offering a range of services including adoptions, veterinary care, education and advocacy.

Abstract or Project Description

ScholarCHIPS empowers youth with incarcerated parents by providing college scholarships, mentorship and mental health support to help them complete their education and build a stable future. Founded in 2010 by Yasmine Arrington during her own college journey, ScholarCHIPS fills a critical gap by offering scholarships tailored to these students’ needs and inspiring them to overcome systemic barriers to success.

Abstract or Project Description

The Legacy Film Festival on Aging, which celebrates resilience and the meaningfulness of life, faced challenges including the COVID-19 pandemic and its executive director’s stroke but has triumphantly returned for its 10th edition, offering 38 films exploring the wonders and challenges of aging in a virtual format from May 24 to May 31. With themes ranging from caregiving to civil rights, the festival, founded and led by Sheila Malkind, aims to engage audiences of all ages in discussions about living meaningful lives as they grow older.

Abstract or Project Description

Support for Shambhala Boston.

Abstract or Project Description

A feminist thriller by playwright Anna Moench about that moment when girls realize the male gaze has been watching all along, and decide they are going to do something about it. Inspired by a real-life incident at a Christian mission in Southeast Asia, the play delves into the lives of four young Korean American women faced with a choice.

Abstract or Project Description

Sogorea TeÕ Land Trust is an urban Indigenous women-led land trust based in the San Francisco Bay Area that facilitates the return of Indigenous land to Indigenous people. Through the practices of rematriation, cultural revitalization and land restoration, Sogorea TeÕ calls on Native and non-native peoples to heal and transform the legacies of colonization, genocide and patriarchy and to do the work our ancestors and future generations are calling us to do.

Abstract or Project Description

An interdisciplinary ecofeminist theatrical production for vocalists and dancers celebrating the beauty of Black American women while acknowledging the limits of human resilience. The work is built upon previously published poetry of Black American women to create a loose, thematic story arc that will honor ancestral wisdom and invite women to claim agency over their own bodies