May 3, 2024 | Digital Showcase | Humboldt Library
All Presenters & Abstracts
Elucidating the Relationship Between Water Quality and Antibiotic Resistance of Rainwater Microbes Across Western Humboldt County
Presentation Year: 2025
Theo
Murphy
Biological Sciences
This study serves to address the question: Is there a correlation between water quality and antibiotic resistance in microbes isolated from rainwater throughout varying coastal environments? We hypothesize that there is a correlation between water quality and incidence of antibiotic resistance in rainwater isolates, measured by directly comparing fecal coliform concentration to the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of each rainwater isolate. We additionally expect to see higher concentrations of fecal coliforms in the rainwater than is safe to ingest as established by the United States Environmental Protection Agency drinking water standards.
Enzyme Kinetics to Determine How Sugar Interferes with Alcohol Metabolsim
Presentation Year: 2025
Dylan
Harrison
Chemistry
Northern Kentucky University conducted a study in which alcoholic drinks mixed with soda & diet soda were drunk, then participants had their BAC measured with a breathalyzer. When the diet soda mixer was used, a higher BAC was measured, indicating faster metabolism. The enzyme, alcohol dehydrogenase, breaks down ethanol, turning it into acetaldehyde with the use of NAD+. If biochemical pathways such as glycolysis are active, the NAD+/NADH ratio will be offset and will limit the process. Since sugar substitutes don't activate glycolysis like sugar, they are essentially inert. I am in the process of determining if the sugar interacts directly with the enzyme to cause this inhibition.
Equitable Self-Assessment and Intervention Practices in Supplemental Instruction
Presentation Year: 2025
Isabella
Donato
Biological Sciences
To promote equitable learning and assessment practices in Supplemental Instruction classrooms, weekly surveys were conducted in a BIOL 198 SI course linked to a Genetics (BIOL 340) core class. These weekly surveys provided opportunities for students to reflect on the effectiveness of their learning strategies. The Supplemental Instruction Leader then implemented activities during class to focus on reading comprehension and test preparation, the two areas indicated by students as their areas of least confidence. Quantitative and qualitative data demonstrated improvement in SI student reflections of self-efficacy throughout a non-consecutive six-week period.
Eschscholzia Californica Shows Evidence of Fitness Based Local and Home-site Advantage Regardless of Morphological Patterns
Presentation Year: 2025
Sage
Brislen
Forestry, Fire & Rangeland Management
California poppy (Eschscholzia californica), the state flower, varies in lifespan and phenotype across its range. It's widely used in restoration, yet local adaptation is poorly understood. We conducted two common garden studies in coastal and inland California using seeds from seven locations. After greenhouse germination, plants were grown in Santa Cruz and Davis. We measured survival, growth, reproduction, and leaf traits. Results show evidence of local adaptation in fitness (survival and seed production), though not always in morphology. This suggests local seed sourcing is crucial for maintaining genetic diversity in restoration amid climate change.
Evaluating Approaches to changing visitor behavior with the B.A.R.K. Ranger Program
Presentation Year: 2025
Nizhoni
Kears
College Corp
Headwaters Forest Reserve, located in Southern Eureka, protects over 7,400 acres of old-growth and second-growth redwood forest, sensitive riparian habitat, and threatened species. As recreation use increases, managing the impacts of pets — especially dogs — has become a growing challenge for both resource protection and visitor experience. In partnership with the College Corps program, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) launched the B.A.R.K. Ranger Program at Headwaters following a successful student pitch that won funding. This national visitor education initiative promotes responsible pet recreation through positive messaging and public engagement.
Evaluating Samsung SmartTags as a Low-Cost Wildlife Tracking Tool
Presentation Year: 2025
Daniel
Meng
Wildlife
Samsung smart tags are used as a tool for tracking the location of mule deer and assessing their use in different environments with levels of urbanisation.
Examining Foraging Patterns Between Great and Snowy Egrets
Presentation Year: 2025
Riyanna
De La Rosa
Wildlife
Examining foraging behavior of Great and Snowy Egrets in wetland environments. Two study sites, the Arcata Bay and the Salt Marsh, were examined in the Arcata Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary. Comparisons were made examining their strike rates, success, rates, movement patterns, and location preferences while taking into consideration the wetland composition of the two study sites.
Exercise is Medicine On Campus
Presentation Year: 2025
Young
Kwon
School of Applied Health
Exercise is Medicine® (EIM), led by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), promotes physical activity as a key part of healthcare. Its campus initiative, Exercise is Medicine On Campus (EIM-OC), encourages colleges to make movement a daily part of student life. Cal Poly Humboldt is one of only 149 institutions worldwide recognized by EIM® with a Gold Level designation for its efforts, including the Daily 5K and other activities that promote campus wellness and student well-being.
Exploring Public Engagement with the Arcata Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary as a Third Place
Presentation Year: 2025
Emry
Yount
Geography, Environment & Spatial Analysis
This project examines how the Arcata Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary in Arcata, CA, serves as a "third place" for the local community. A "third place" refers to social spaces where people gather outside their homes and workplaces, fostering community interaction and well-being. This study uses semi-structured interviews and observational surveys to assess who uses the Marsh and how the site facilitates this role. The free, outdoor nature of the sanctuary makes it particularly accessible to a wide range of individuals, encouraging community engagement. The project highlights the significance of the Arcata Marsh as a welcoming, open space where people connect, relax, and engage in recreation.
Facilitation and Spatial Association of Common Murres and Brandt’s Cormorants in Northern California
Presentation Year: 2025
Nathan
Simpson
Wildlife
This project set out to examine the hypothesis that Brandt's Cormorant act as a facilitator species to Common Murre. Drone images were taken of the study system during the breeding season of each year to accurately represent the space used by each species. Spatial analysis was conducted on both species to determine if non-random spatial associated occurred at several scales. Additionally an analysis was conducted to examine how the number of Murres associated with Cormorants changed over time.
Facility Needs Assessment At Prasch Hall Community Center
Presentation Year: 2025
Matthew
Cherovsky
Other
My senior project is a facility needs assessment of Prasch Hall Community Center in Blue Lake, California. It gathers feedback from community members and facility users regarding their overall satisfaction with the facility, and its programs. The surveys were given out to the public both physically and digitally to ensure accessibility. I then summarized the results in a report with charts, summaries for each of the questions, and both short-term (1-year) and long-term (5+ year) improvement plans. The goal is to help inform the City of Blue Lake’s Parks and Recreation Master Plan while strengthening community engagement and facility operations.
Factors Influencing Extended Periods of Inactivity in Barred Owls
Presentation Year: 2025
Emily
Mora
Wildlife
This study aimed to understand the factors influencing extended periods of inactivity in barred owls. We analyzed environmental factors, such as temperature and seasonal variations, along with individual characteristics like sex, to better understand their activity patterns. The findings could aid in developing more effective management strategies for barred owls through targeted removal programs, ultimately improving conservation efforts for the threatened northern spotted owl.
Factors Influencing River Otter Diel Activity in Areas of Varying Human Activity
Presentation Year: 2025
Marley
Vulker
Wildlife
This research investigates the factors influencing river otter (Lontra canadensis) diel activity along two contrasting study sites. Using camera traps from summer to fall 2023, I compare otter activity in two locations: the Eel River Estuary Reserve, an area of low human activity, and the Arcata Marsh, an area of high human activity. I explore whether otters exhibit different activity patterns depending on tidal phase and lunar phase. By comparing otter behavior in these contrasting environments, this study aims to understand how human activity and environmental conditions shape otter behavior, overall contributing to more effective conservation and habitat management strategies.
Fantastic Fiber Production at Brunner Family Farm
Presentation Year: 2025
Malcolm
Ridings
College Corp
This project showcases Brunner Family Farm and the fantastic fiber production we do there. Discover the process of yarn production with our friendly Angora goats. We are able to shear, spin, and dye our yarn all within 200 miles.
Fawn Awareness - A Health Education Initiative
Presentation Year: 2025
Jessica
de Laguna
Other
"Fawn Awareness" is a year-long health education initiative highlighting the often-overlooked fourth stress response: Fawn, or the “Submit” response. Seen across the animal kingdom, submission can be just as vital for survival as fight, flight, or freeze. In humans, Fawn often develops in childhood as a way to maintain a sense of security with inconsistent caregivers, later manifesting as difficulty setting boundaries and chronic people-pleasing. This project includes a YouTube video, news article, and research paper featuring expert insight and real-life anecdotes to raise awareness and promote mental health through understanding this misidentified trauma response.
Following the Menstrual Tide: A Counter Culture’s Conception of the Womb
Presentation Year: 2025
Stella Rose
Gallagher
Geography, Environment & Spatial Analysis
Menstrual practices sanction how menstruators engage with public and private spaces. Informed by the sociocultural factors of menstrual health today, I conducted several ethnographic interviews to further explore how menstruators mediate their own personal needs and the demands of their community throughout menses. Finally, I will integrate these interviews within the broader discourse of Critical Menstrual Studies.
Forage Site Selection of Woodpecker in Relation to Tree Species and Stage of Decay
Presentation Year: 2025
Jeffrey
Soltero
Wildlife
The main objectives of this study are to determine the variation in forage habitat selection of each of these species located in the Arcata Community Forest, and to see what might influence their forage site selection. I hypothesize that forage site selection for woodpeckers will be influenced by their prey choosing certain tree species and trees in moderate to high stages of decay. The data collected and used to complete my objectives as gathered by surveying multiple trails throughout the Arcata Community Forest, taking note of any woodpeckers engaging in foraging activity along with the species of woodpecker, the species of tree, and the stage of decay the tree was in.
Forest Edge Effects on Insects in Coastal Redwoods
Presentation Year: 2025
Sebastian
Mendoza
Wildlife
When it comes to coastal redwood forests, there aren’t many studies that focus on insect abundance being affected by edge effects. The focus of this study is to see what species of insects are being affected by the forest edge. I will assess this question using pitfalls and sticky traps to trap ground insects and flying insects, respectively. I hypothesize that the closer distance from the edge habitat will positively influence insect diversity. This study will allow future researchers to see if there’s a correlation between insect abundance and other species that use insects as a food source.
Gender, Colonialism, and the Epistemology of Mycology
Presentation Year: 2025
Toni
Sardelis
Biological Sciences
This paper critically examines the exclusion of Indigenous women and early women scientists from the field of mycology. It highlights how their ecological, medicinal, and ceremonial knowledge was appropriated by men who received institutional credit, authorship, and economic gain. Case studies include María Sabina, Mary Elizabeth Banning, Mapuche women, and more, whose work has been essential yet erased. It also critiques how contemporary myco-capitalism and tourism commodify their knowledge and cultural practices without consent, often disrupting local economies and ecosystems. The paper calls for accountability in attribution, citation, representation, and benefit-sharing.
Genome Compartmentalization of Effector Genes in Phytophthora
Presentation Year: 2025
Charlie
Deible
Biological Sciences
Plants and their pathogens are often described as being in an "evolutionary arms race" that allows them to continue their survival. Effector molecules, which are what pathogens use to combat plant defenses, are encoded by genes that have often been observed to be located in more dense parts of the genome, providing a potential mechanism to accumulate more mutations than other genes. In this project, I used several statistical models to quantify the compartmentalization of effector genes. Understanding the genomes of some of the world's most devastating pathogens can inform the development of mitigation strategies that target stable characters which will not evolve rapidly.