May 3, 2024 | Digital Showcase | Humboldt Library
All Presenters & Abstracts
Orchid Micropropagation and the Potential for Conservation
Presentation Year: 2024
Rebecca
Bendzick
Biological Sciences
Orchidaceae is one of the most diverse flowering plant families. Despite the worldwide popularity of Phalaenopsis for floral aesthetics, many other ecologically important species are either endangered or threatened and require elaborate cultivation strategies. Currently one of the top conservation approaches utilizes clonal propagation techniques via tissue culture, resulting in vegetative propagation in mass numbers. We present successful sterile introduction, cultivation and maintenance of Phalaenopsis seedlings with the hope that this tissue culture method can be applied to native orchid species here in Humboldt County.
Pacific Purple Sea Urchin Movement Trends
Presentation Year: 2024
Holly
Elbert
Wildlife
Pacific purple sea urchins (Strongylocentrotus purpuratus) have seemingly slow movement. I asked if it was possible for them to travel to uninhabited pools that neighbor their inhabited sites within a 6-week period occurring February through March of 2024. I used manual counting methods to determine sea urchin abundance in each pool. I utilized a divided quadrat to assess the percent of red algae cover of targeted sites to analyze whether adult urchin movement was correlated with food abundance. Overall, there was no evidence that sea urchin movement correlates with the algae cover percentage. Although, there was evidence that occasional colonization of pools occurred.
Perching Height Preference in Raptors
Presentation Year: 2024
Jacob
Scholar
Wildlife
This research investigated the relationship between various raptor species and their preferred perching heights, employing a laser rangefinder and binoculars to determine these heights. My objective was to explore if different raptor species exhibit distinct perching height preferences, potentially impacting the diversity of raptors in an area, deal with various pest species using predators, and possible solutions to bring back extirpated raptor species.
Physical Education Teacher Burnout
Presentation Year: 2024
Nelson
Na
School of Applied Health
Physical Education aims to educate students in Physical Education. The understanding of physical competence will enable knowledge of safety and movement. Physical Education (PE) aims to develop students' understanding of PE as an active, healthy lifestyle. This will allow students to learn and cooperate with the instructor to develop their motor skills, gain knowledge, and understand their behavior and physical activity in class—the main reason this is so serious for
teachers is that it leads to burnout in PE. There is a lack of resources within the field of PE, and the school cannot provide enough money within the field.
Physiological and Psychological Differences Between 20% Grade Incline Walking and Level-Grade Jogging at Isocaloric Intensity
Presentation Year: 2024
Motoki
Sato
School of Applied Health
High-incline walking is a relatively new trend with little comparative information. This study aimed to compare physiological (indirect calorimetry, relative oxygen consumption, heart rate) and psychological (enjoyment, affective valence, rating of perceived exertion) differences between 20% incline-walking and level-grade jogging at isocaloric intensity in young adults. A secondary purpose of this study was to establish an isocaloric protocol to compare 20% incline walking with level-grade jogging using relative VO2 as the primary measure while maintaining constant duration and relative work intensity.
Plastic Ectotherm Plasticity
Presentation Year: 2024
Jacob
Mackenzie
Wildlife
Comparison of different anthropogenic materials as coverboards for ectotherm surveying, including two different kinds of plastics, Lexan and Acrylic, using temperature, humidity and occupancy status differences. The increased soil temperatures found from plastics compared to other materials may have further impacts on global warming and ectotherm ecosystems.
Pollinator Response to Ultraviolet Light Reflection in Flowers
Presentation Year: 2024
Carina
Trentini
Wildlife
This research project was a the capstone project for my Wildife degree, in which I researched the impact short-wave UV light reflection by flowers affects pollinator behavior. Insects can see into the ultraviolet light spectrum, and plants are known to reflect these light wavelengths for aiding pollinators. I studied the correlation between pollinator visitation frequency and the proportion of flower surface area that is reflective of UV light. I focused on 3 main pollinator groups: bumble bees, native bees and flower flies. I found that pollinators are significantly more likley to visit flowers with high UV light reflection than flowers with low amounts of UV light reflection.
Prevalence of Iridovirus in Terrestrial Isopod Colonies
Presentation Year: 2024
Aang
Younger
Wildlife
Presentation on a study conducted in Arcata, CA on the prevalence of an understudied virus in terrestrial isopods: Iridovirus. This study aimed to detect if there are associations among soil moisture level, density of potential isopod hosts, and/or temperature with the prevalence of Iridovirus. Across 7 study sites, a significant association was detected between soil moisture level and prevalence of Iridovirus, and density of potential isopod hosts and prevalence of Iridovirus.
Prevalence, Risk, and Treatment of Muscle Dysmorphia in Transgender Populations
Presentation Year: 2024
briseyda
Alvarado
School of Applied Health
The review overviews the prevalence, characteristics, risk factors, and possible treatment of transgender persons with MD symptomatology. Little is known about the prevalence and presentation of MD among gender minorities and far fewer is known on how to treat MD.
Recreational Beach Day
Presentation Year: 2024
Grace
Shanahan
School of Applied Health
My project took place in the form of an event. I organized a community event at Clam beach to get others outside and learn the importance of recreating. Various activities were offered, and this event was free for all participants. Different learning resources were provided to highlight the benefits and importance of recreating and spending time outside.
Redefining Career Prep for Environmental Studies
Presentation Year: 2024
Ashley
Keya
Environmental Studies
Previous studies have examined the outcomes of different career development strategies for Environmental Studies students across the country and have found that programs with strong career preparation also utilize the curriculum and community when advising their students. Cal Poly Humboldt’s ENST department has yet to contribute to this research and implement all of these strategies. We conducted research, funded by the LAEP Program (including student surveys, interviews, peer-reviewed journals, and comparative analysis) to determine best practices to support our students in achieving their career goals.
Resistance Training and Kinesiophobia Post Hip Replacement
Presentation Year: 2024
Ian
Blank
School of Applied Health
A research review looking into the role that progressive resistance training plays in improving kinesiophobia outcomes in post operative hip replacement patients.
Revisiting the Five Finger Discount: Shoplifting as a Reproductive Strategy
Presentation Year: 2024
Shairy
Jimenez Delgado
Psychology
Using social media to conduct human ethological research, this study seeks to replicate previous findings that online shoplifting displays are motivated by reproductive strategies to increase mate value. It involves the analysis of 150 Tumblr posts showcasing stolen items, which together feature 1,744 identifiable items. Items with the intended use of improving attraction by enhancing physical appearance, scent, or sexual allure include: personal care items, makeup, cosmetic applicators, and jewelry were categorized as mating relevant. The results of this study replicate previous work by showing a significant difference between mating relevant and non-mating relevant items.
Role of Recreational Trailways and Cover Objects in Relation to Terrestrial Salamanders
Presentation Year: 2024
Anthony
Gomez
Wildlife
Recreational trailways are becoming an ever-present component within community forests, nature reserves and national parks, with the effects on local wildlife just beginning to be understood. Prior research holds that regular trailway maintenance increases microhabitat availability for salamanders and results in increased densities. I conducted a 3-month study in a community forest in northwestern California, and used a standardized nighttime paired-field survey technique to assess for cover objects and salamander surface activity.
Scanning Electron Microscope Imaging of Nitropentaamminecobalt(III) Chloride ([Co(NH3)5NO2]Cl2) Crystal Structure
Presentation Year: 2024
David
Morales
Chemistry
Inorganic chemistry is the study of molecules that have properties and behaviors of inorganic compounds, such as metals, minerals, and organometallic compounds. Students in organic chemistry lab used knowledge of coordination compounds to synthesize nitropentaamminecobalt(III) chloride ([Co(NH3)5NO2]Cl2) crystals. Imaging of these crystals using a scanning electron microscope was performed to get a closer look at these crystals to characterize them further.
Sculpture Walk 2024
Presentation Year: 2024
Sondra
Schwetman
Art + Film
Sculpture walk 2024 will consist of student work completed in the last year. It will be on pedestals in the lobby of the library. There will be 2 tours: noon and 5:00 PM.
Sea Star Wasting Disease and Species Biodiversity
Presentation Year: 2024
Lily
Green
Wildlife
My project studied the effects of sea star wasting disease on sea star populations at Trinidad Beach and Baker's Beach. I surveyed sea stars with the disease and without the disease in approximately half-a-meter quadrant plots. In these plots, I centered the sea stars, counted the number of diseased and or healthy sea stars, and calculated the species biodiversity through point count and percent cover. My point count data results showed a positive correlation between species biodiversity and sea star wasting disease. On the other hand, I found that my percent count data supported a negative correlation between species biodiversity and sea star wasting disease.
Sea Stars and Wave Action
Presentation Year: 2024
Jackson
Gershanoff
Wildlife
Undergraduate research project for the Wildlife Department researching to see if being protected or exposed to wave action affects where sea stars are found
Seabirds and Their Effects on Plant Growth
Presentation Year: 2024
Hunter
Green
Wildlife
Seabirds play an important role in transporting nutrients such as nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) from sea to land that are vital for both plants and animals.
My study investigates how seabird guano effects plant growth using native wild strawberries. I conducted a two-month long study where I transplanted native strawberries to grow in soil that I mixed seabird guano in and soil without guano to compare its impact on plant growth. I found there was no significant difference between the plant growth in the soil with compared to without seabird guano. However, I believe a more extensive study is required to determine the precise impact of seabird guano on the growth of native plants.
Senior Speed Mixer
Presentation Year: 2024
Charlie
Gittings
School of Applied Health
Our creative project, the Senior Speed-Mixer, fights social isolation among older individuals while fostering community bonds. Inspired by past events, we've crafted a welcoming program promoting interactions among seniors in Humboldt. With help from local organizations, we secured a venue and gathered support from businesses for raffle prizes. The event will feature one-on-one discussions to cultivate new connections. With a goal of twenty participants, we aim to bring joy and companionship to Humboldt's seniors, showcasing Cal Poly Humboldt's commitment to social responsibility.