Achievements

Pedro Peloso

Biological Sciences

Dr. Pedro Peloso, along with collaborators, recently published a research article in Diseases of Aquatic Organisms examining infection dynamics of the deadly amphibian pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) based on field studies conducted at multiple sites in Alabama, USA. The study integrates ecological, environmental, and host-specific factors to better understand patterns of disease prevalence and intensity, contributing to broader efforts in amphibian conservation. The paper highlights how temperature and host ecological traits influence Bd infection dynamics, advancing our understanding of host–pathogen interactions in a region of high amphibian diversity. This research is part of the PhD work of Camila Moser, conducted under Dr. Peloso’s supervision through his Adjunct Faculty appointment at the Universidade Federal do Pará (Brazil), reflecting ongoing international collaboration and mentorship connected to his research program at Cal Poly Humboldt. The paper is available from the publisher’s website: https://doi.org/10.3354/dao03911

Oscar Vargas

Biological Sciences

Dr. Oscar M. Vargas, along with collaborators, published a paper in the Journal of Biogeography about the geographical history of the Brazil Nut family of plants (Lecythidaceae) in the tropical Americas. The study was led by Diana Medellin, a collaborator of Dr. Vargas, from the University of Michigan. The paper can be freely downloaded from the following link: https://doi.org/10.1111/jbi.70225

Amy Sprowles

Biological Sciences

Dr. Amy Sprowles has received the prestigious CSU BIOTECH Andreoli Faculty Service Award, which honors a CSU faculty member who has made outstanding contributions to biotechnology programs across the California State University system. Dr. Sprowles was recognized for her exceptional leadership and impact on students through her role as Director of the CIRM Bridges Program, which provides Humboldt students with research experiences in regenerative medicine, and for her leadership in the design of Humboldt's PBLC first-year experience. She is continuing to grow biomedical research and education on our campus as the director of the new Humboldt-CIRM Shared Resources Laboratory.

Kaci Dodd, Natalie Swearingen, Isamar Lopez-Argueta, Allison Bronson

Biological Sciences

Students Natalie Swearingen and Kaci Dodd, alumnus Isamar Lopez-Argueta, and Assistant Professor Allison Bronson presented their research on the ear anatomy of cartilaginous fishes at the Northeast Pacific Shark Symposium in Newport, Oregon.

Catalina Cuellar-Gempeler

Biological Sciences

Professor Catalina Cuellar-Gempeler's BIOL 412 General Microbiology class has published another successful volume of the Humboldt Journal of Microbiology, accessible at https://digitalcommons.humboldt.edu/hjm/. Congratulations to student authors Natalie S. Kozlowski, Leighanna Jake, Theo P. Murphy, Eve Wendley, Justice Laskowski, Tyler Paredes, Quigley D. Espinola, Scarlet Renner, Curtis Cline, Sophia Lopez-Orenday, Alex Yasumatsu, Mariska M. Kessler, Jocelyn Wolfinger, Destiny S. Alcaraz, Isabella N. Cerrone, Brooke Pirkle, Danielle Williamson, Gianna Vendrell, Chloe Kraft, Ryan A. Solorzano, Justin Paulin, Grayson Prater, Michael Lanier, Noah S. Schuhmann, Andrew McLaughlin, and Julian Barreran.

Ismael Chowdhury & Dana Johnstun

Biological Sciences

Two graduate students from Dr. Sean Craig's lab in Biology have won awards at the International Bryozoology Association (IBA) meeting in Tokyo, Japan! Current student Dana Johnstun won an "outstanding presentation" award, while former student Ismael Chowdhury won a "travel award" to go to the meeting and give 2 presentations.  Both students will publish their work in the Conference Proceedings (along with 1 additional former student from Sean Craig's lab, Sheena Stephens-Norton)

Justin Harden

Biological Sciences

Justin Harden, a graduate student in the Chin Lab, has been named a USDA-ARS NextGen Fellow. 

Pedro Peloso

Biological Sciences

Biological Sciences faculty Dr. Pedro Peloso was a senior author on a new paper addressing long-standing confusion in the naming of a group of South American tree frogs (genus Boana, family Hylidae). The study was led by Gisele Cassundé, one of Peloso’s former students from Brazil. Using a combination of genetic and anatomical data, along with an extensive review of literature spanning two centuries, the authors resolved a complex taxonomic puzzle—clarifying species identities and providing a foundation for the description of several new species. The paper was published in the journal Zootaxa.

Reference: Cassundé, G. F., M. J. Sturaro, A. O. Maciel, G. R. Lima-Filho, M. L. Lyra, M. T. Rodrigues, C. F. B. Haddad, A. Aleixo, and P. Peloso. (2005) "Neotype Designations for Hyla geographica Spix, 1824 and Hyla geographica var. sive semilineata Spix, 1824, and Comments on the Phylogeny, Taxonomy, and Diversity of the Boana semilineata Species Group (Anura: Hylidae)." Zootaxa 5660, pp. 505–528. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5660.4.3.

Alyssa Semerdjian

Biological Sciences

Alyssa Semerdjian received a Ranges Imaging Mini-Award for a project that will use 3D models generated from MicroCT scans to study nasal turbinates - tiny bones inside the noses of mammals that help them maintain body temperatures and conserve water. The study will focus on rodents from the family Heteromyidae. Members of this family can be found across North and Central American from extremely dry deserts to wet tropical forests. This work will provide new insights into the adaptive significance of nasal turbinates, and how morphology and physiology can vary in closely related small mammal species that occupy different habitats.

Jordyn Neal, Sam Rodrigues, Allison Bronson

Biological Sciences

Undergraduate alumna Jordyn Neal (now an M.S. candidate at CSU Fullerton) & Assistant Professor Allison Bronson had their recent publication in the Anatomical Record featured as the journal's "Editor's Choice" article for May 2025. The publication described inner ear shape in four species of sharks, part of a team effort including undergraduate alumna Samantha Rodrigues and data scientist John Denton. The Editor's Choice interview with Neal & Bronson is available through the American Association for Anatomy website.