When appliances fail, life comes to a halt in many modern-day households. Food can't be prepared or cooked, laundry can't be washed or dried, and leftovers spoil because they aren't refrigerated. Due to the complex nature of home appliances, repairing them yourself isn't a good idea. It takes a professional appliance repair technician to get the job done safely. And that's where Appliance Service Plus comes in - to give hardworking folks quick, effective appliance repair services at prices that won't break the bank.
Unlike other appliance repair companies in Hickman, our customer's needs come first before everything. We strive to keep affordability and high-quality appliance repair at the forefront of our work. We stack that with factory-trained technicians and protective warranties to provide the very best appliance repair in town.
Appliance Service Plus has provided high-quality appliance repair in Hickman for over 50 years. With such extensive experience, there are few appliance issues we haven't seen and fixed. From basic repairs to more complicated diagnostics, our team is here to give your appliance new life, so you can get back to living yours.
Attempting to fix an appliance on your own can be costly, time-consuming, and damaging. In the end, DIY fixes are often more expensive and less effective than working with a pro. Appliance Service Plus is here to help you save time, money, and stress that come with DIY solutions. Our customers choose us because they know we'll get the job done right the first time around. At the end of the day, we want to resolve your issue quickly and effectively, saving you time, hassle, and worry.
When you hire the Appliance Service Plus team, our technicians come prepared to diagnose and repair your appliance in a professional and timely manner. We're happy to answer questions about your problem and won't quit until the problem is fixed. Our appliance repair techs are constantly learning and refining their skills. That way, they can fix any appliance you need with confidence and quality. And when it comes to customer service, we're the best in town. You can always count on your technician arriving on time and ready to work.
If you have questions or need to make an appointment, a friendly, helpful voice will always be on the other end of the phone, waiting to assist.
When we say we put our customer's needs first, we mean it. That's why we offer a 30-day warranty on labor and a 90-day warranty on parts, giving our customers peace of mind with every appliance repair we complete.
Our Services
- Dishwasher Repair in Hickman, CA
- Keep Dishes Fresh & Clean with Dishwasher Repair in Hickman, CA
- Common Signs You Need Dishwasher Repair in Hickman, CA
- Keep Food Cool and Crisp with Refrigerator Repair in Hickman, CA
- Common Signs You Need Refrigerator Repair in Hickman, CA
- Keep on Cooking with Stove Repair in Hickman, CA
- Common Signs You Need Range or Stove Repair in Hickman, CA
- Your Top Choice for Expert Appliance Repair in Hickman, CA
Services Area
At Appliance Service Plus, we're passionate about providing personalized services and helpful advice with a friendly smile. We believe our commitment to quality distinguishes us from the crowd. When your appliances fail, we're here when you need us the most.
Whether you need washer repair, stove repair, or anything in between, our process is simple and streamlined:

Schedule your service call
We work with your busy schedule to get you the service you need.

Technician Diagnoses
Your factory-trained technician will travel to your location and diagnose your appliance problem.

Quote & Repair
We'll itemize the time and parts necessary to get your appliance back in action and get it repaired ASAP.
We support all major brands and appliances, handling extended service warranty agreements for Lowe's, Home Depot, and other major brands. When you contact us, we strive to provide an engaging, positive experience. It all begins with a friendly smile from our office staff and hard work from our licensed and insured technicians.
Here are just a few of the most common appliance problems we solve every day:
Keep Dishes Fresh & Clean with Dishwasher Repair in Hickman, CA
If you've got a gray hair or two, you may remember when washing dishes by hand was the only option. It was a long, involved process that took lots of time. Today, most families use their dishwasher to do the cleaning for them. Dishwashers are a huge boon for working families and save us all time that we can dedicate to our loved ones. Despite improvements in technology, it's common for dishwashers to break down or fail without notice.
When your dishwasher is on the fritz, it becomes a huge inconvenience, causing you to carve out time to handwash and dry your family's dishes. Because of their finicky nature, there could be several reasons why your dishwasher isn't performing, from leaks to unusually long wash cycles.
Regardless of the problem you have, our dishwasher repair technicians will diagnose your issue quickly and give you a fair estimate on repairs. That way, you don't have to waste time handwashing dishes when you already have a lot on your plate.
With years of factory training on many mainstream brands, makes, and models, there's no dishwasher repair situation we can't handle.

Common Signs You Need Dishwasher Repair in Hickman, CA
Curious when you might need to call Appliance Service Plus to diagnose your dishwasher malfunction? Keep an eye out for the following signs:

Clean Dishes Are Cool to Touch After Removing: For dishes to be germ-free and clean, you need hot, soapy water for washing. The FDA recommends using water that is approximately 110 degrees Fahrenheit, which can be uncomfortable for handwashing but perfect for dishwashers. If you find that your dishes come out cold and clammy instead of hot and steamy, your dishwasher might need a new heating coil.

Dishwasher Isn't Draining Correctly: You'll know quickly if your dishwasher isn't draining properly because there will be a pool of water under your machine. If you're dealing with drainage problems, it could be due to a clogged drainage system or non-functioning pump.

Your Dishwasher is Leaking: This common problem can be caused by a damaged door gasket, loose valve, leaky dishwasher tub, or another issue. If you notice or hear signs of leaking, call our office ASAP.
Keep Food Cool and Crisp with Refrigerator Repair in Hickman, CA
Your refrigerator is easily one of the most important appliances in your kitchen - not just for convenience but for food safety as well. Without it, our food would spoil, and we would have to spend much more money on groceries.
At Appliance Service Plus, we know how crucial it is to have a fully-functioning refrigerator for day-to-day life. When your fridge decides to quit working, you need a trustworthy appliance repair company in Hickman for a quick fix. We know that a refrigerator or freezer breakdown is never convenient. For most families, it is the epitome of stress and hassle.
Fortunately, our team of expert fridge repair technicians is here to step in so you can get back to a normal life. Like all our appliance repair services, it's our goal to give you A++ service. We will offer you an honest, fair estimate on your dishwasher repair. Once we know the scope of repair work, your technician will get to work with laser focus, making for a quick yet effective fix.

Like dishwashers, refrigerator repairs are one of our most-requested repair services. If you're unsure if your refrigerator needs repairs, keep an eye out for these warning signs:
Common Signs You Need Refrigerator Repair in Hickman, CA

Spoiled Food: The whole point of putting your food in the refrigerator is so it doesn't spoil. So, if you notice your food spoiling prematurely, it's a telltale sign you need appliance repair for your refrigerator. Due to the nature of these repairs, it's important to hire a licensed repair technician from Appliance Service Plus to repair the root cause of your problem.

Loud Humming and Vibrating Noises: Low-level vibrating and humming sounds are not uncommon for refrigerators. Despite popular belief, these noises are a normal part of its operation. However, these noises should not be very loud. If you hear unusually noisy knocking, vibrating, or humming, you could have a problem on your hands. Whether it's a faulty compressor or a blocked condenser fan, our team will diagnose the problem and get to work on a long-term fix.

Water on Floor Underneath Fridge: Finding a pool of water under your fridge is a big problem. Not just for the health of your appliance, but for water leaking into your home. Typically, leaks are caused by trapped condensation due to clogged hoses or pipes. You'll need an experienced refrigerator repair tech in Hickman to clear blockages and ultimately solve your leaky fridge issue.
Keep on Cooking with Stove Repair in Hickman, CA
Like your dishwasher and refrigerator, your stove and range are appliances you need to work, every day. From home-cooked meals on weeknights to large holiday feasts, family bonding time at the dinner table begins and ends with your stove. But just like with any home appliances, stoves aren't exempt from wear and tear. At some point, your stove will show signs of damage and will eventually break down. When ranges and stoves are out of order, it can create chaos in your household, making you resort to unhealthy takeout or fast food.
And while you might be tempted to try a DIY fix on your stove, these devices can be dangerous to fix without training. To make matters more difficult, doing the research and ordering the parts can be time-intensive. If you don't know the correct part or how to install it, you could end up with more damage than you expected. That's where our factory-trained stove repair technicians jump in to help.
If your gas or electric stove needs repairing, give us a call. Let us help you replace those oven coils, burners, and sensors, so you don't end up in the hospital. Before you know it, you'll have a normal, fully-functional kitchen back in place.

Not sure if you need to call in the pros? Check regularly for these red flags.
Common Signs You Need Range or Stove Repair in Hickman, CA

Stove Door Won't Close: It might seem minor on the surface, but when your stove door doesn't close, you can't cook your food. Chances are you need a licensed stove repair technician to refit or replace the hinges on the door, so you can keep churning out casseroles.Unusual Cooking Times

Unusual Cooking Times: Are your grandma's time-tested recipes coming out undercooked? Have you had to change cooking times because your stove is acting up? Unusual differences in cooking times are signs that your stove needs professional appliance repair.Electrical Problems

Electrical Problems: If you have an electric stove and notice that it cuts off during cooking or won't turn on at all, it's probably due for repair. Like gas, electrical problems are best remedied by professionals, like those you'll find at Appliance Service Plus.nine
Your Top Choice for Expert Appliance Repair in Hickman, CA
Whatever appliance repair issue you're stressed over, there's no problem too big or small for our team to handle. At Appliance Service Plus, we offer a total package of quality service, fair prices, friendly customer service, and effective fixes. Unlike some appliance companies in Hickman, our technicians are trained rigorously and undergo extensive background checks. We work with all major appliances and are capable of GE appliance repair, Maytag appliance repair, Frigidaire appliance repair, and more.
New and repeat customers choose Appliance Repair Plus because we offer:
- Over 50 Years of Combined Appliance Repair Experience
- Quick Service and Effective Results
- Warranties on Parts and Labor
- Friendly, Helpful Customer Service
- Licensed & Insured Work
- Vetted, Tested, Factory Trained Technicians
- Contact Us
- Mobile Service. We Come Right to Your Front Door!
Whether you need an emergency repair for your clothes washer or need routine maintenance for your dishwasher, we're here to exceed your expectations - no if's, and's, or but's.

Contact Us
Latest News in Hickman, CA
The Los Angeles Times Festival Of Books of 2022 presents, The Exasperated Clock
EIN Newshttps://www.einnews.com/pr_news/567770951/the-los-angeles-times-festival-of-books-of-2022-presents-the-exasperated-clock
What happens when the Numbers on the Clock can Work and Talk?The 12 numbers on the clock are silly and irresponsible. So, the clock decides to throw each number off.”— Debbie HickmanLOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, USA, April 7, 2022 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Debbie Hickman’s The Exasperated Clock is a great read-aloud book with lots of opportunities for funny voices and emotions. Children and adults alike will get to explore mo...
What happens when the Numbers on the Clock can Work and Talk?
The 12 numbers on the clock are silly and irresponsible. So, the clock decides to throw each number off.”
— Debbie Hickman
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, USA, April 7, 2022 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Debbie Hickman’s The Exasperated Clock is a great read-aloud book with lots of opportunities for funny voices and emotions. Children and adults alike will get to explore more about numbers and other activities for their individual interests. This makes for a good discussion of what can bring fun and chaos into a Kids will especially enjoy the number adventures present in the book.
The Exasperated Clock is the story of the 12 numbers on the clock that are silly, noisy, and irresponsible. Consequently, the clock gets fed up and decides to throw each of the numbers off which becomes quite a problem because the numbers are on their own and clueless. Eventually, each number are able to find a better job than working on the clock. This book will make kids giggle their way through this book laughing at the funny antics of the numbers and their gainful, whimsical, and surreal employment.
PRESS RELEASE | LA BOOK FAIR 2022
“Cousin to the lunatic stories of Lewis Carroll is Debbie Hickman’s The Exasperated Clock. This sweet maniac of a story tells life from the view of a clock and her hyper rascally numbers. Each follows his or her destiny to places few could imagine. Read this charmer and find out what theyare. Hickman’s imagination is luminous.” — David Greenberg, children’s book author and director of the OREGON COAST CHILDREN’S BOOK WRITERS WORKSHOP, SUMMER 2013
“. . . the characters are believable and delightfully expressive through their dialogue, inner thoughts and actions. Second graders LOVE when things are mixed up and not going well. So their little minds start working immediately on how this is all going to get sorted out. I was enchanted.” — Malia McLaughlin, Second grade teacher at Mon’t Kiara International School, Malaysia.
Debbie Hickman was born in Vancouver, Washington and grew up in Idaho. She is now living in Sierra Vista, Arizona with her family. In between, she has lived and taught in Arizona, Bahrain, Kuwait, India, Turkey, Kazakhstan, and Malaysia. She was inspired to write this story when learning that serious mathematicians like Albert Einstein often referred to numbers as their “friends”. Of course, the positive responses to her stories from her numerous imaginative young students over the years drove her more to keep sharing and writing more stories for children to read. Other books by Debbie will be forthcoming about how each number evolved in their life beyond the clock.The Exasperated ClockWritten By: Debbie HickmanPaperback |
Book copies are available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other online book resellers.
Dana Reyes Authors Press +1 (925) 255-0098 email us here Visit us on social media: Facebook Twitter Other
You season 4: Who are the cast members?
Sabrina Picouhttps://www.the-sun.com/entertainment/5067108/you-season-4-who-are-the-cast-members/
NETFLIX'S drama series You first hit the streaming platform on September 9, 2018.Since its initial release on Netflix, You has been keeping fans on the edge of their seat.Who is in the cast of You season 4?Season 3 of You on Netflix starred ...
NETFLIX'S drama series You first hit the streaming platform on September 9, 2018.
Since its initial release on Netflix, You has been keeping fans on the edge of their seat.
Who is in the cast of You season 4?
Season 3 of You on Netflix starred Gossip Girl's Penn Badgley and Victoria Pedretti as an unhinged couple.
However, You's fourth season will see a set of new faces as Joe moves to a new city.
Below are the following actors that will appear in season 4 of You according to HITC.
Tilly Keeper, 24, is set to play the character Lady Phoebe in You this upcoming season.
Many might recognize Keeper from the series EastEnders where she played Louise Mitchell.
Amy Leigh Hickman, 24, is also set to be in the fourth season of the thriller series.
Hickman will portray the character Nadia, Deadline reports.
The actress has appeared in other series such as the CBBC series Tracy Beaker Returns, a role she reprised in the sequel series The Dumping Ground.
Charlotte Ritchie, 32, is another English actress set to star in You's upcoming season.
Ritchie also appears on Netflix's series Feel Good alongside Mae Martin who plays her love interest.
She also stars in other British TV series such as Ghosts and Fresh Meat.
Ed Speleers, 33, is an English actor who will play the character Rhys on You season 4.
He is widely known for his appearance in the 2006 film Eragon as well as for playing Stephen Bonnet in the TV series Outlander.
Speleers also plays James "Jimmy" Kent in the TV series Downton Abbey.
Lukas Gage, 26, is an actor from California who has appeared in the hit HBO shows like Euphoria and The White Lotus.
He is set to play the character Adam in You season 4.
Gage previously starred alongside Sydney Sweeney in The White Lotus and also played Tyler Clarkson in Euphoria.
When does You season 4 premiere?
Netflix has yet to announce an official release date for the show's fourth season.
On April 1, 2022, Netflix teased the location for season four with a photo of Penn Badgley on set.
"cheerio... you. while changing his behavior may not be joe's forte, he's never afraid to switch up his address. if his reading list is any indication, our boy seems to be across the pond," Netflix wrote on Instagram.
It appears that season 4 of You will take place in London, England.
How can I watch You?
The thriller series You is available to stream on Netflix.
There are currently three seasons available on the platform.
Season three took place in a fictional suburb of Northern California called Madre Linda.
Each season in the series has 10 episodes and season 4 will likely follow the same.
Calcium-silicon Alloy Market Size, Growth Drivers And Forecast | Leading Players – Bozel, Globe Specialty Metals, Rima, Electrometalurgica Andina, Hickman, Williams & Company, Shenghua Metallurgical, KETONGYEJIN, JinLi Group, Tongsheng Alloy
Scott Edwardshttps://www.bloomingprairieonline.com/calcium-silicon-alloy-market-size-growth-drivers-and-forecast/
New Jersey, United States – The research study on the Calcium-silicon Alloy Market offers you detailed and accurate analyzes to strengthen your position in the market. It provides the latest updates and powerful insights into the Calcium-silicon Alloy industry to help you improve your business tactics and ensure strong revenue growth for years to come. It sheds light on current and future market scenarios and helps you understand the competitive dynamics of the Calcium-silicon Alloy market. The market ...
New Jersey, United States – The research study on the Calcium-silicon Alloy Market offers you detailed and accurate analyzes to strengthen your position in the market. It provides the latest updates and powerful insights into the Calcium-silicon Alloy industry to help you improve your business tactics and ensure strong revenue growth for years to come. It sheds light on current and future market scenarios and helps you understand the competitive dynamics of the Calcium-silicon Alloy market. The market segmentation analysis offered in the research study demonstrates how different product segments, applications, and regions are performing in the Calcium-silicon Alloy market.
The report includes verified and revalidated market figures such as CAGR, gross margin, revenue, price, production growth rate, volume, value, market share, and Y-o-Y growth. We have used the latest primary and secondary research techniques to compile this comprehensive Calcium-silicon Alloy market report. As part of the regional analysis, we explored key markets such as North America, Europe, India, China, Japan, MEA, and others. Leading companies are profiled based on various factors including markets served, production, revenue, market share, recent developments, and gross margin. There is a dedicated section on market dynamics that thoroughly analyzes the drivers, restraints, opportunities, influencers, challenges, and trends.
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The report provides an excellent overview of the main macroeconomic factors having a significant impact on the growth of the Calcium-silicon Alloy market. It also provides the absolute dollar opportunity analysis which can be crucial in identifying revenue generation and sales increasing opportunities in the Calcium-silicon Alloy market. Market players can use the qualitative and quantitative analysis provided in the report to get a good understanding of the Calcium-silicon Alloy market and make strong strides in the industry in terms of growth. The overall Calcium-silicon Alloy market size and that of each segment studied in the report are accurately calculated based on various factors.
Key Players Mentioned in the Calcium-silicon Alloy Market Research Report:
Bozel, Globe Specialty Metals, Rima, Electrometalurgica Andina, Hickman, Williams & Company, Shenghua Metallurgical, KETONGYEJIN, JinLi Group, Tongsheng Alloy, Mingrui Silicon Industry, Inner Mongolia Yaokui Special Ferroalloy, Anyang Chunyang Metallurgy Refractories, AnYang XinYi Alloy, Baotou Lead Injection Alloys, Anyang Jinding Metallurgy Refractories, Xingchuang Metallurgy Material
Calcium-silicon Alloy Market Segmentation:
By the product type, the market is primarily split into:
• SiCa31 • SiCa24 • SiCa15 • SiCa28
By the application, this report covers the following segments:
• Steel Industry • Cast Iron Industry
In this report, researchers focused on social media sentiment analysis and consumer sentiment analysis. For the social media sentiment analysis, they focused on trending topics, mentions on social media platforms including the percentage of mentions, trending brands, and consumer perception of products on social media platforms including negative and positive mentions. As part of the consumer sentiment analysis, they examined the impact of certifications, claims, and labels, factors influencing consumer preferences, key trends, consumer preferences including the futuristic approach and historical scenarios, influential social and economic factors, specification development, and consumers. buying habits.
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Calcium-silicon Alloy Market Report Scope
ESTIMATED YEAR | 2022 |
BASE YEAR | 2021 |
FORECAST YEAR | 2029 |
HISTORICAL YEAR | 2020 |
UNIT | Value (USD Million/Billion) |
SEGMENTS COVERED | Types, Applications, End-Users, and more. |
REPORT COVERAGE | Revenue Forecast, Company Ranking, Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors, and Trends |
BY REGION | North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, Middle East and Africa |
CUSTOMIZATION SCOPE | Free report customization (equivalent up to 4 analysts working days) with purchase. Addition or alteration to country, regional & segment scope. |
Geographic Segment Covered in the Report:
The Calcium-silicon Alloy report provides information about the market area, which is further subdivided into sub-regions and countries/regions. In addition to the market share in each country and sub-region, this chapter of this report also contains information on profit opportunities. This chapter of the report mentions the market share and growth rate of each region, country, and sub-region during the estimated period.
• North America (USA and Canada) • Europe (UK, Germany, France and the rest of Europe) • Asia Pacific (China, Japan, India, and the rest of the Asia Pacific region) • Latin America (Brazil, Mexico, and the rest of Latin America) • Middle East and Africa (GCC and rest of the Middle East and Africa)
Key questions answered in the report:
1. Which are the five top players in the Calcium-silicon Alloy market?
2. How will the Calcium-silicon Alloy market change in the next five years?
3. Which product and application will take a lion’s share of the Calcium-silicon Alloy market?
4. What are the drivers and restraints of the Calcium-silicon Alloy market?
5. Which regional market will show the highest growth?
6. What will be the CAGR and size of the Calcium-silicon Alloy market throughout the forecast period?
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Lisa Croen: Autism’s first dedicated epidemiologist
Rachel Nuwerhttps://www.spectrumnews.org/news/profiles/lisa-croen-autisms-first-dedicated-epidemiologist/
Lisa Croen’s career took a sharp left turn toward autism research about 30 years ago, when she was working as an epidemiologist at the California Birth Defects Monitoring Program. Until then, she had largely studied the prevalence of physical birth defects, such as spina bifida and cleft palate. But in the 1990s, her boss asked her to examine figures on cerebral palsy.Studying a condition that affects both brain and behavior intrigued Croen...
Lisa Croen’s career took a sharp left turn toward autism research about 30 years ago, when she was working as an epidemiologist at the California Birth Defects Monitoring Program. Until then, she had largely studied the prevalence of physical birth defects, such as spina bifida and cleft palate. But in the 1990s, her boss asked her to examine figures on cerebral palsy.
Studying a condition that affects both brain and behavior intrigued Croen. So when the cerebral palsy study was finished, she and a colleague drummed up a new plan to examine intellectual disability from an epidemiological point of view. Before launching the project, they sought input from Mary Lu Hickman, a pediatrician specializing in children with special needs, who worked at the state’s Department of Developmental Services.
“Yeah, you could do that,” Croen recalls Hickman saying. “But what you should really look into is pervasive developmental disorder” — then an umbrella term for a suite of conditions that included autism. One of Croen’s nephews had been diagnosed with autism a few years earlier, so the suggestion hit home.
Ever since then, Croen, 62, has focused almost exclusively on autism research — a subject she says she finds “incredibly fascinating and motivating. Every aspect of life that we encounter is concentrated in the study of autism — everything from behavior, biology, physiology and hardcore science to politics and ethics.”
Croen, who now directs autism research at Kaiser Permanente’s Northern California Division of Research in Oakland, was one of the first scientists to bring an “epidemiology tool box to autism research,” says Eric Fombonne, professor of psychiatry at Oregon Health and Science University in Portland. “Environmental research was lagging behind, and she has been a pioneer in realigning etiological enquiries in the last 20 years.”
Croen led one of the first large-scale studies to try to unravel potential environmental contributors to autism, and how genetics may modify their influence. She helped connect activation of the immune system during pregnancy to increased odds of having an autistic child. “This is important for our field, since this may direct strategies that can reduce risk during pregnancy,” says Daniele Fallin, chair of the mental health department at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
And Croen went on to document a significant gap in health outcomes between autistic and non-autistic adults. The work was a “tour de force” and a crucial wake-up call that prompted other labs to investigate such health disparities and find solutions, says Elizabeth Weir, a research associate at the Autism Research Centre at the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom.
In recognition of Croen’s many contributions to the autism field, in May 2021 the International Society for Autism Research (INSAR) named her a fellow — the highest honor that INSAR gives.
“Lisa is an absolutely outstanding epidemiologist,” Fallin says. “Due to her careful choices about what to study, her rigorous approach to research and her ability to communicate findings in meaningful ways, her results have helped shaped the field of autism epidemiology.”
Croen is driven, Fallin says, “by a deep desire to improve people’s lives.”
Croen grew up in Palo Alto, California, the daughter of a neurologist and a social worker. Inspired by her parents, she considered becoming either a specialist in primate behavior or a teacher. A precocious violin player, she also thought about a career in music. At the University of California, Berkeley, though, she ended up majoring in environmental science because, she says, “I got to do all sorts of science and also continued taking anthropology, political science, philosophy and music.”
Croen found her calling after graduation when her brother, a physician, introduced her to an epidemiologist. Talking with her brother’s colleague reminded her of lessons that had fascinated her as an undergraduate — how major development projects, such as the Aswan Dam in Egypt, can lead to unexpected infectious disease outbreaks, or how a hospital building’s features, such as having many windows, can improve patient outcomes. “Oh my God,” she recalls thinking at the time, “this field allows you to study all these different things, and it’s health related.”
Croen enrolled in a master’s program at Berkeley’s School of Public Health and then, in 1986, took a job at the California Birth Defects Monitoring Program. After her pivot to focus on autism a decade later, she was energized by the fact that so little was known about the condition at the time. “I saw quickly that there were very few people studying autism — and what an incredible opportunity!” she says. In 1996, the same year she began her work in autism, she earned a doctorate in epidemiology from the University of California, Berkeley.
From the beginning, Croen wanted to look for biological signatures that could be measured at birth to predict an eventual autism diagnosis — an interest that led to the first study to look for such markers among newborns. Croen and her colleagues tested infant blood samples for eight molecules involved in brain development and found a specific signature that distinguished those who were later diagnosed with intellectual disability or autism. The results, published in 2001, provided some of the field’s first clues about the condition’s underlying mechanisms.
The long-term goal of that study and many that have followed, Croen says, is to identify markers that enable clinicians and families to intervene as early as possible and improve a child’s outcomes. “I am a scientist, but I’m not just this bench scientist,” she says. “I really like the application.”
In 2001, Croen moved to Kaiser Permanente to oversee a range of research on children admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit, but within two years she again chose to focus on autism. “Quickly it became my sole focus,” she says.
Croen launched a landmark population-based effort to dig up clues to the condition’s environmental and genetic drivers, the Early Markers for Autism (EMA) study. The team analyzed nearly 1,500 blood samples from pregnant women and newborns for immune markers, hormones, chemicals and genetic factors, and connected them to child outcomes.
The results have spawned more than 20 papers, linking autism to prenatal exposure to certain endocrine disruptors, such as PCBs, and weakening its association with vitamin D levels in a woman or her child. Several analyses showed that immune markers in a woman can influence the chances of autism in her baby. One published in 2019 used health records to link infection and fever during pregnancy to elevated odds of having a child with autism.
“It’s funny, because people now are like, ‘Oh, well, we know autism and the immune system have things to do with each other,’” says Judith Van de Water, an immunologist at the University of California, Davis and Croen’s frequent collaborator. “I think the work we’ve done has really helped remove that barrier.”
One summer Friday afternoon in 2015, Croen joined Van de Water at her cluttered office in Davis, with views overlooking Mount Diablo. Their goal: to brainstorm a new study that would build upon the EMA findings and more thoroughly untangle the relationship between a child’s outcomes and a woman’s immune or cardiometabolic profile during pregnancy. Three hours later, the two had “worked through the bones of what we thought the study should be,” Van de Water says.
The grant proposal they submitted spelled out how they would draw data from Kaiser’s patient population, giving them access to detailed medical records. Unlike the EMA data they had collected, the Kaiser records contain rich information about clinical diagnoses a woman may have received during pregnancy, as well as blood samples collected during her first and second trimester.
The study, launched in 2019, is now well underway, and Croen, Van de Water and their colleagues have finished genotyping maternal DNA samples and are conducting an array of immune and metabolic laboratory assays.
“I’m always seeking different people to collaborate with, from all these different points of view,” Croen says. “I like to learn new things, I like to talk to people, and I really like to work together.”
This multidisciplinary approach has been particularly useful for studying autism because of the condition’s astounding diversity, she says. “It’s not just one thing.”
For her nephew, who has been her inspiration from the start, autism has meant declining health with age, including challenges with seizures, anxiety, sleep and gastrointestinal problems, among other issues. Not only is there a lack of services for autistic adults like him, Croen says, scientists seem to ignore them, too.
“All those people diagnosed as kids are becoming adults,” she says. “No one was really paying attention to that.”
So a few years ago, Croen set out to investigate the health of autistic adults on a large scale and confirmed that there is a glaring gap. The work has had a significant impact, says Christina Nicolaidis, professor of social work at Portland State University in Oregon. “[It] has allowed us to say, with greater confidence, that autistic young adults experience increased rates of co-occurring health conditions, greater overall health expenses and lower rates of preventative services such as Pap smears.”
Croen is working with clinicians on one solution: a pediatric-to-adult-care transition protocol for doctors and their autistic patients, which provides evidence-based guidelines and creates an open line of communication between pediatric and adult care providers. “[Croen] is a huge advocate for autistic people and sees this work as a way to provide insights that can help maximize health and abilities during child development,” Fallin says.
Croen continues to draw inspiration from her nephew, a talented piano player now in his 30s who holds a part-time job hosting sing-alongs for children and is active in the Special Olympics. “I have a perspective that’s larger than just a scientific one,” she says. “I had a personal connection, and that’s really fueled my passion for what I do.”
Cite this article: https://doi.org/10.53053/DTPL2278
Downtown L.A’s $1.6 billion Angels Landing advances after winning key city approval
Matt Hickmanhttps://www.archpaper.com/2022/03/downtown-l-as-1-6-billion-angels-landing-development-advances-after-winning-key-city-approval/
A $1.6 billion mixed-use development set to transform a vacant lot in the Bunker Hill section of Downtown Los Angeles has passed a major hurdle towards realization with news that its developers, the Peebles Corporation and ...
A $1.6 billion mixed-use development set to transform a vacant lot in the Bunker Hill section of Downtown Los Angeles has passed a major hurdle towards realization with news that its developers, the Peebles Corporation and MacFarlane Partners, have secured entitlements from city officials. In other words, construction is a go although several crucial steps still remain ahead. As noted by the Los Angeles Times, the clock is very much ticking given that the massive project is scheduled for completion ahead of the 2028 Summer Olympics in L.A.
Despite the taller of the development’s two Handel Architects-designed towers being stripped of its “supertall” status after being scaled back from just over 1,000-feet (88 stories) to 854-feet-tall (64 stories), Bunker Hill’s so-called Angels Landing project can still claim a couple a handful of notable superlatives as the tallest development project to be led by a Black development team and as L.A.’s fourth-tallest building (if built today) behind the Wilshire Grand Center, U.S. Bank Tower, and Charles Luckman’s Aon Center. The shorter of Angels Landing’s two high-rises has grown since the project’s initial design was first unveiled from 24 stories to 42 stories.
Between the two towers, the development is set to include a pair of luxury hotels (one in each building), 180 condominiums, 252 rental apartments (with a small number earmarked as affordable), 72,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space, and a sprawling, multilevel public plaza and park named Angels Terrace. OLIN is overseeing the landscape plan for the sloping downtown site.
As for the 2.26-acre Bunker Hill site, it’s a prominent one. Located opposite Downtown L.A.’s landmark Grand Central Market and next to the National Register of Historic Places-listed Angels Flight funicular railway (in its non-original location), the development zone at 4th and Hill Streets was formerly home to a temporary city park dubbed Angels Knoll and is directly adjacent to an entrance to the Pershing Square subway station, which would be incorporated into the development via Angels Terrace.
The OLIN-designed Angels Terrace will also establish a direct pedestrian link to California Plaza, a hilltop commercial complex fronting Grand Street that was developed in the 1980s and 90s and is anchored by two Arthur Erickson-designed office skyscrapers. California Plaza is also home to the Los Angeles County Museum of Contemporary Art, the Colburn School of Performing Arts, and a high-rise hotel.
The Peebles Corporation and MacFarlane Partners first secured development rights for Bunker Hill’s so-called Y-1 parcel in 2017 via a competitive bid process. The parcel, now known as Angels Landing, was originally to be the site of a third California Plaza skyscraper although that project never came to fruition.
“We are focused on bringing increased diversity and equity to L.A. through Affirmative Development, and the transformative impact of empowerment and economic inclusion from Angels Landing will be felt by an array of businesses including African American, Latino- and Asian-owned,” said R. Donahue “Don” Peebles, chairman and CEO of the Peebles Corporation, in a statement shared by the Los Angeles Daily News.
“We have committed to a goal of 30 percent minority and women-owned business contracting across the board for our project in excess of over $480 million, and we*re raising the bar for economic inclusion for development projects in L.A.,” Peebles added.
In total, the project is set to generate 8,300 temporary jobs during its construction and hundreds of permanent jobs following its completion, most of them within the two hotels, as the Times pointed out.
While only 13 of Angels Landing’s 252 apartment units will be subsidized for low- and moderate-income residents, the developers have agreed to generate 65 additional affordable rentals at another, yet-to-be-determined location in Central L.A., bringing the total number of affordable units for the project to 78 per the Times.
Located on the western edge of Downtown L.A., Bunker Hill has a long and complicated history. Originally a wealthy residential district populated by grand Victorian mansions, the hilltop neighborhood experienced a significant shift during the 1920s and 30s when its well-heeled residents decamped for other monied residential enclaves further away from downtown and their grand homes were converted into tenement houses populated largely by working-class families. In 1955, the city launched the Bunker Hill Urban Renewal Project, which displaced thousands of residents as part of a sweeping effort to clear away the “blight” that the city believed had come to define the district and reinvent the area. It is the longest redevelopment project in L.A. history.
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