May 3, 2024 | Digital Showcase | Humboldt Library
All Presenters & Abstracts
A Big Impact in Mentoring
Presentation Year: 2025
Miguel
Saavedra
College Corp
Big Brothers Big Sisters is a mentoring non-profit that fosters one-to-one relationships between local youth and adult volunteers, supporting academic success and emotional well-being. Drawing from our academic backgrounds in kinesiology and business, we contributed by organizing mentorship events and leading community outreach efforts, which strengthened youth-adult connections. This experience highlights the importance of consistent support and positive role models. Through kinesiology, we explored the vital role of physical and mental health in fostering well-rounded growth, while business principles illuminated ways to create sustainable and impactful programs that serve the community.
A Novel Interactive Web Map for Campus Accessibility
Presentation Year: 2025
Astra
Mattingly
Environmental Science & Management
Kyra Kranyak-Schwartz Geography, Environment & Spatial Analysis Undergraduate Student
Aster Espinosa Mathematics Undergraduate Student
Kalin Dyn School of Engineering Undergraduate Student
Mikayla Weinmann Environmental Science & Management
Individuals with physical disabilities have found that the Cal Poly Humboldt campus is difficult to navigate due to topography, aging infrastructure, and more. In order to make improvements to our campus, we need to have data on barriers that prevent physical accessibility. This map seeks to be a simple way to display physical accessibility data online to both aid navigation and promote physical and social change regarding accessibility.
A PICC Dislodgement and Securement Solution
Presentation Year: 2025
Judah
O'Shaughnessy
School of Applied Health
This research project introduces a quality improvement initiative aimed at reducing or eliminating the risks associated with peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) dislodgement. While PICCs are a valuable and useful tool at providing safe and effective intravenous medication administration, they do have the vulnerability of dislodgement which can have catastrophic consequences resulting in patient harm or death. Nurse-led implementation of the subcutaneously anchored securement system and interventions at the patient, department, and policy level can reduce or eliminate PICC dislodgement and the risk associated with inadequate PICC securement.
A Survey of Passerine Diversity on Cal Poly Humboldt Campus in Relation to Noise Pollution
Presentation Year: 2025
Dee
Naranjo
Wildlife
Point count survey of passerine birds on Cal Poly Humboldt campus. Sites revisited multiple times to create a site occupancy model and examine species diversity, abundance, in relation to anthropogenic noise pollution on a landscape. As well, examine detection efficacy of other covariate factors.
Adapting to Autism-Friendly Care in a Rural Hospital
Presentation Year: 2025
Kelly
Wheelock
School of Applied Health
This evidence-based quality improvement project reviews solutions for enhancing safety and outcomes in patients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) within rural hospital settings. Through the application of the Revised Iowa Model and systematically reviewing peer-reviewed articles and professional guidelines, the project aims at addressing key challenges and proposing evidence-based solutions. Solutions include patient-tailored care, staff training, and hospital-level policy actions. A SMART goal aims at measurable enhancement in patient safety and satisfaction through a systematic multi-level process for autism-informed care.
Addressing the Full Spectrum of ACL Injury
Presentation Year: 2025
Delilah
Kimble-Gray
School of Applied Health
Having torn my own ACL, I understand firsthand the physical, emotional, and psychological challenges athletes face in recovery. Through this research, I aim to shed light on the often-overlooked aspects of ACL treatment. This includes the need for gender-specific prevention programs and the mental resilience required for healing. While advances in surgery and rehabilitation offer hope, there is still much to be done, particularly in supporting non-elite athletes and integrating innovative technologies. In conclusion, my goal is to create a more holistic approach to ACL injury prevention and recovery, addressing both the body and the mind.
Agent-based Modeling of Microglia Metabolic Pathways: Implications in Alzheimer’s Disease
Presentation Year: 2025
Abigail
Penland
Computer Science
Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is a neurological disorder that destroys memory and other cognitive functions. Several scientific findings have connected dysfunctional microglia, a type of immune cell, to AD progression. We created an agent-based model to simulate the interactions between microglia and their environment, addressing dysfunctional microglia's effect on AD. Our model represents a two-dimensional slice of the hippocampus, depicting microglia's ability to move, metabolize glucose, and interact with the blood brain barrier and amyloid beta plaques. We applied treatments of metabolic boosting and exercise to our model to study how varying treatment intensities can impede AD progression.
Aiding in First Grade - My Experience at Union Street
Presentation Year: 2025
Kimberly
Duck
College Corp
Through Humboldt College Corps, I was allowed to work three days a week at a local charter elementary school. Once placed, I quickly connected with the principal, Rae, my host teacher, Katie May, and the 17 students who make up the first-grade classroom at Union Street. As an aspiring educator, I believe this quickly became an invaluable experience. I learned about classroom management, social emotional behavioral techniques, and I got hands-on experiences for the concepts I have been learning about in my classes as a Liberal Studies Elementary Education Major.
Alcohol Use Disorder Humboldt County
Presentation Year: 2025
Emily
Monahan
School of Applied Health
Residents of Humboldt County have a higher-than-average incidence of Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) when compared to the rest of California and the US. Local youth report drinking alcohol at a younger age, and more frequently than average. Alcohol related hospital admissions are frequent for those who have AUD. Addressing the problem starts at early intervention in adolescents and continues through adulthood. Humboldt county lacks resources for those suffering from AUD and a specialized detox facility would decrease the amount of hospital admissions for alcohol related diagnoses. Making these resources and facilities available to Humboldt County residents could help reduce Alcohol Use Disorder.
Alder Grove Charter School: Advancing Equity Through the CEI Community Schools Grant
Presentation Year: 2025
Ivory
Rose
College Corp
Connected to Alder Grove Charter School through the College Corps program, Fellow Ivory Rose B. serves as a secondary support specialist for high school students. As a hybrid homeschool, Alder Grove blends class support with personalized learning, empowering both families and students. Ivory’s role led her to join the Community Engagement Initiative (CEI), which aims to transform education from the inside out. Through CEI, Alder Grove involves leadership, students, and community members in shared decision-making. Ivory supports this work as both a chaperone and active community member, helping students raise their voices and shape their learning environment.
Analyzing Food Insecurity at Cal Poly Humboldt: Prevalence, Barriers, and Institutional Neglect
Presentation Year: 2025
Alex
Neel
Social Work
An analysis into the different aspects of food insecurity we face on campus, from privatization of our food systems, administrative apathy, and consequences of food insecurity for students.
Analyzing Soil Quality & Forage Potential of Solar Microhabitats in Coastal Grasslands
Presentation Year: 2025
Claudia
Alfaro Hernandez
Forestry, Fire & Rangeland Management
As the global population grows, ensuring sustainable food and energy systems becomes increasingly important. While solar panels support clean energy goals, they can displace prime agricultural land and critical habitat for native grazers in coastal grasslands. Agrovoltaics—integrating solar infrastructure with land used for agriculture or grazing—offers a promising compromise. However, research on solar microgrids in coastal grassland ecosystems remains limited. This study examines how solar microgrids impact soil quality and forage potential in these sensitive landscapes.
Anatidae Feeding Behavior During Different Tides in a Managed Marsh
Presentation Year: 2025
Javier Vizcardo
Vizcardo
Wildlife
My research was focused on observing dabbling ducks at the Arcata Marsh, My question was if tide height was a significant factor in determining feeding behavior.
Anthropogenic Noise and Song Variation in the American Robin
Presentation Year: 2025
Trent
Townsend
Wildlife
This project explores how American Robins change their songs in response to human-made noise. I recorded robin songs across urban and quiet areas in Humboldt County to see if louder environments caused them to sing at higher pitches or volumes. Using sound analysis tools, I compared changes in song frequency and amplitude with background noise levels. This research helps us understand how noise pollution affects bird communication and can guide efforts to make urban spaces more wildlife-friendly.
Arcata Elementary School - College Corps
Presentation Year: 2025
Kaya
Murillo
College Corp
My poster highlights my College Corps host site, Arcata Elementary. It outlines what I have learned since being there and why I encourage others to join College Corps to expand their experience to ready them for their future career.
Arcata High School FFA Chapter
Presentation Year: 2025
Leslie
Mendoza-Avila
College Corp
With my college corps worksite placement, I was placed in Arcata High School working with 2 AG teachers who are part of a national agricultural program called Future Farmers of America. They have heavy positive influences on the students in the chapter, where many pursue entrepreneurships or higher education opportunities to return home to contribute their knowledge in their former chapter or the Humboldt community. The chapter relies a lot on community support, as its resources are limited. The chapter continues to grow by giving back to the community whether it be helping with floral arrangements at events or even participating in community events.
Assessing the Tourism Potential of Orick, California
Presentation Year: 2025
Ara
Pachmayer
School of Applied Health
The purpose of this project is to better understand the current state and potential for growth in recreation and tourism in Orick, California with the ultimate goal of driving economic development, improving quality of life for residents, and ensuring sustainable stewardship of natural and cultural resources.
Assessing Uncertainties in a Flow Injection Analysis Method for Trace Concentrations of Iron in Seawater
Presentation Year: 2025
Elijah
Vestal
Geology
Iron is an essential nutrient in biological systems, and is the limiting nutrient in about ⅓ of the surface ocean. We investigate the flow injection method of Lohan et al., 2006, with modifications described in Biller et al., 2013 to analyze nanomolar concentrations of iron in seawater. In this work we focus on quantifying and understanding the uncertainties in the measurements and the signal of the blank by adjusting the method in four distinct ways.
Basque Cultural Exploration
Presentation Year: 2025
ADAM
IBARRA
Psychology
This project is a Cultural Exploration that I completed in 2024 as part of my Cultural Psychology class at the University of Alaska -Fairbanks. I wanted to immerse myself in Basque Culture as I am a Basque Diaspora born in the U.S. but have grown up largely disconnected from Basque Culture. I attended Palm Sunday at the Notre Dame Des Victoires in San Francisco, CA participating in the events preceding Easter. I also visited the Basque Cultural Center on Palm Sunday and interviewed Alain Camou the manager at the restaurant in the Cultural Center about Basque Culture. I hope that presenting this work at the Ideafest will help to share Basque Culture with others and help further this research.
Beyond The Five Finger Discount: Monetary Motivations Behind Shoplifting
Presentation Year: 2025
Emma
Frerichs
Psychology
Social media has been used to share individual hauls of shoplifted items. Research suggests an evolutionary perspective for this behavior, suggesting mate-relevance. Images were collected using Tumblr search tags to examine the cost of stolen mate-relevant verses non-mate-relevant items posted online. The results demonstrate that mating-relevant items are significantly more expensive than non-mating-relevant items. Although the average prices of the stolen items were not significantly high for either category, the differences suggest a mating-relevant strategy for displaying shoplifted items.