Alumni Updates

Alissa Sobo

Chemistry, 2010

After graduating from Humboldt State University, Alissa Sobo, Chemistry, 2010, stayed in the community and opened a restaurant called Naan of the Above. Alissa sold this business and moved to the bay area to teach science in after school programs. Alissa then had two children, and while staying at home with them, taught herself to code. She built a web application called Ample that was recently mentioned in the New York Times. She now works as a software engineer for Mozilla.

Kathryn Hedges

Biological Sciences, 2010

Kathryn Hedges, 2010 Biological Sciences, started a handcrafting business in Silicon Valley at TechShop in 2011. She creates jewelry, holiday decor, and souvenirs and sells locally and globally online.

Nathan Rasmussen

Physics & Astronomy, 2010

Going to HSU to study physics was the best decision I've made in my adult life. Not only did it give me confidence in my problem solving abilities, but the faculty is amazing. I was able to do research with Dr. Hoyle and not only publish a paper, but gave a conference talk and a few others about the research. I was hired to teach physics labs after graduation, and now I am about to start a PhD program at Washington State University. Studying at HSU has been an amazing experience!

Damien Adams

Mathematics, 2010

Damien Adams, 2010 Mathematics, earned a master’s degree in Mathematics from San Jose State University and acquired a full-time teaching position at Cabrillo College in Santa Cruz, Calif. Adams has also started a podcast, Women in Math: The Limit Does Not Exist promoting women in mathematics, and founded the college’s Math Club.

Micah Carnahan

Wildlife, 2010

I left school in the middle of my last semester, fall 2009, due to the birth of my son. He was born with a congenital heart disease known as Transposition of the Great Arteries or TGA. We (my wife, my newborn son and myself)were immediately flown to SF where my son would receive surgery. During our 3 month stay at UCSF I was able to keep in contact with my professors and they worked with me to finish my coursework during my stay. My son is 15 months now. He is healthy and doing great! I received my degree and quickly began interviewing for careers that could sustain my new family. Because of the skills and training I received from HSU, I was chosen from a number of candidates to be the new Environmental Scientist for the CA Department of Fish and Game's Lake and Streambed Alteration Program. I am so thankful, and proud, to have studied at HSU and to have had the privelage of learning from the best professors in the country. Thank you HSU!

Áki Jarl Láruson

Biological Sciences, General emphasis, minor in Chemistry., 2010

I am starting my second year as a doctorate student at the University of Hawaiʻi at Månoa. I am focusing on molecular ecology, population genetics and quantitative genetics in the shallow water urchin genus Tripneustes. Thanks to Professor Sean Craig of Humboldt State, I had my first publication as a lead author before finishing my first year of Grad school.

Stewart Wilson

Forestry & Wildland Resources, Wildland Soils, 2010

Research Assistant at UC Davis in Soils and Biogeochemistry. MS Student

Holly Edmundson

Physics & Astronomy, 2009

After graduating from HSU I went to grad school at University of Oregon where I got my Masters in Materials Science with an emphasis in Optics.

I got a job in the semiconductor industry. Humboldt's physics program gave me a major advantage when it came to E&M, electronics and lab experience all of which I used regularly in grad school and still use in my 'real job'.

Marshall R Ligare

Chemistry, 2009

Marshall R. Ligare, 2009 Chemistry, finished his PhD at University of California Santa Barbara and is starting a postdoctoral research position at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.

Sara Dykman

Wildlife, 2008

Dykman's first book 'Bicycling with Butterflies' has been published. She describes it as part science, part adventure, part love letter to nature. It tells the story of her 10,201 mile bicycle adventure following the monarchs from Mexico to Canada and back in 2017. Those interested can learn more about her book at https://www.workman.com/products/bicycling-with-butterflies. They can also learn more about her organization and tour at www.beyondabook.org. If anyone is interested in reading and reviewing, some Advanced Reader Copies will be available soon.