May 3, 2024 | Digital Showcase | Humboldt Library
All Presenters & Abstracts
Analysis of Post Mortem Human Muscle Proteome via Gel Electrophoresis
Presentation Year: 2020
The changes in proteome human muscle tissue were analyzed using protein extraction and quantification techniques, SDS-PAGE, and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Muscle tissue samples were collected at defined postmortem intervals from a single body at the Forensic Investigation Research Station (FIRS) in Grand Junction, CO. These techniques were used to identify decomposition products of the rectus femoris muscle proteins that occur post mortem. The ultimate goal of this research is to correlate protein decomposition product masses (via mass spectrometry analysis) to distinctive postmortem intervals measured in accumulated degree days (ADD).
Ancient Costa Rican Incense Burners
Presentation Year: 2020
Ceramics and incense are used in cultures all around the world for ritual purposes. In Costa Rica, Potosi Variety ceramics used hollow jaguar and crocodile effigies to diffuse incense smoke as an offering. Potosi Variety vessels have not been subject to much research within the field of archaeology; throughout my project, I will be studying these vessels through experimental archaeology and ethnoarchaeology. In my recreation, I will be using similar materials, methods of ceramic shaping that are or have been used in Costa Rica, and photos of Potosi Variety vessels to inform my process. My methodology will then be compared and contrasted with other possible methods of production.
ANTH 352 Experimental Archaeology - Experiments in Ancient Technologies
Presentation Year: 2020
This presentation looks at the many ways that archaeologists and students in ANTH 352 - Experimental Archaeology try to gain a better understanding of past technologies by recreating those technologies. Students research, design and implement experimental projects that help them to understand how peoples of the past used the environment and materials available to them. Projects include the creation of lithic tools, re-creating ancient ceramics and make-up, experimenting with wattle and daub construction, and ancient textile production technology.
Arcata Marsh Fun Run/5K
Presentation Year: 2020
Arcata Fun Run/5K benefiting the Center Activities Outdoor Access Fund
Avian Occurrence Data Extraction Using Python Programming
Presentation Year: 2020
Bird detection data helps inform management on how species might be shifting their distributions due to changes in the environment. This project uses a Python program to create a graphical user interface (GUI) that assists in gathering avian species occurrence data from a number of biological information websites such as Biodiversity Information Serving Our Nation (BISON), eBird, and Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF). Data is extracted to contain location coordinates of the detection along with the species name. The final data is exported as a comma separated values (CSV) file into a created desktop folder that can be imported into a geographical information system.
Barn owl nest box selection on a pistachio farm in the Central Valley
Presentation Year: 2020
Overabundant populations of rodents in agricultural areas cost California farmers 5.3% to 8.8% in profits annually. Installing nest boxes to encourage the presence of rodent predators such as barn owls (Tyto alba) is a form of biocontrol that has the potential to limit rodent activity in agricultural settings. Previous works identified the spatial scales of nest box selection on vineyards in Napa and Sonoma Counties which are rather heterogenous agricultural landscapes. Determining at which spatial scale barn owls select nest boxes in the Central Valley can inform how nest boxes should be constructed and where they are best placed to encourage occupancy in homogenous agricultural landscapes.
Bisexuality, Intersectionality, and the Bechdel Test in Jane the Virgin
Presentation Year: 2020
I did my project on the telenovela "Jane The Virgin" and looking at the stereotypes that the show portrays about Latino culture. I discuss bisexuality within the latino culture, intersectionality, the Bechdel Test, and apply all of this to the show and telenovelas in general. I did this project for my Comm 309B class.
Blue Lake Roller Rink Practicum
Presentation Year: 2020
This project showcases the practicum I completed this semester at Blue Lake Roller Rink and what I gained from this experience.
Bringing ADA Compliance to CAPS in the Era of COVID-19
Presentation Year: 2020
HSU’s Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) promotes student well-being by making individual counseling and support groups free and easily accessible to students, which combats the widespread stigma associated with mental health services. As part of the campaign to improve student mental health, CAPS maintains an expansive website with a variety of self-help resources. Our team of Abnormal Psychology students collaborated with CAPS to increase website accessibility by updating slideshow presentations to comply with the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The ADA enforces access to civil life for people living with disabilities and, as relevant to this case, requires slideshow
Building Support for Study Abroad at HSU
Presentation Year: 2020
This project will investigate the current support mechanisms for students intending to study abroad and how HSU could both better prepare students for their experience and help re-acclimatize them on their return. This work would involve interviews with those working with students as faculty and staff as well as student interviews about what they would find valuable in terms of support. The aim for this work would be a set of practical proposals for the marketing and outreach to encourage more students to study abroad as well as more aware pre-departure preparation and return programming.
Cham, The Sacred Dance of Tibet
Presentation Year: 2020
During the summer of 2019, I was given the opportunity to participate in the HSU Tibet program under the direction of Anthony Rossi. The program is set up to allow each student a chance to conduct field observations of various topics. My focus, as a Religious Studies major, was set to learn about the various ritualistic practices unique to Tibet Buddhist. The ritual that I have chosen to focus on is the Tibetan Buddhist Cham, a festival dance that we observed in Drigung on June 30. My goal is that my project gives a comprehensive understanding of the religious goals of this ritual through an analysis of the dance formation, history, and meanings to its community.
Cloning and Purification of Anabaena Sensory Rhodopsin Transducer
Presentation Year: 2020
ASR is a cyanobacterial light-detecting transmembrane protein, which communicates to the cell through its soluble transducer ASRT. In this study, we describe a method for cloning ASRT using PCR, vector construction, and transformation for protein expression. We have made progress in cloning and continuing work on purification protocols. We will use immobilized metal affinity chromatography to purify ASRT, and use this protein in subsequent studies on its interaction with ASR. Characterization of ASR’s signal transduction through ASRT has revealed thus far a striking similarity to GPCRs and has potential for use in more cost-effective and precise expression induction in bacterial systems.
Comparative Analyses of the Soil Microbiome of Phlox Hirsuta (Polemoniaceae), a Rare Serpentine Species
Presentation Year: 2020
Phlox hirsuta, the Yreka Phlox, is a threatened species native to northern California. The species is restricted to five populations, all of which occur on serpentine soil. Given the small number of populations and the edaphic specialization of the species, the viability and longevity of the populations is an important area of study. Multiple factors influence the growth and germination of individual plants , and the amount of growth of an individual plant can fluctuate from year to year. One overlooked aspect of plant growth, in this species, is the soil microbiome, and examining this can shed light on the role of this underground component, in plant growth.
Computational Models of Galaxies in Kinetic Theory
Presentation Year: 2020
In this research we model the distribution of mass in simulated galaxies by solving the Vlasov-Poisson system of equations. We've expanded our simulations to include multiple species of matter. This allows us to visualize the individual spatial density distributions of, for example, stars and dark matter as well as the
joint gravitational potential. We have developed a library of computational tools to allow us to investigate a number of the physical properties of these galaxies. In future work we will use these tools to compare the characteristics of our model galaxies to those of observed galaxies.
Connecting Local Businesses and HSU
Presentation Year: 2020
We will be conducting a musical event held locally at Blondie's in Arcata that incorporates a canned food drive and an assortment of raffle prizes. One of our goals is to support local businesses and to show the community how much they give back to HSU by asking these local businesses for donations for our raffle. We wish to accomplish entertainment that is in a safe and including environment. We also hope to create opportunities for OhSnap to provide more food for students. To not only be able to give back to the HSU students in need, but to also bring attention to the community that a program like OhSnap exists. We will donate all of our canned goods back to the OhSnap program.
Cost-Efficient Methods for Scottish Fishing Industries Affected by Rising Ocean
Presentation Year: 2020
In our paper, we hope to find solutions to the Scottish fishing industries affected by the migration of Herring and Mackerel fish. We acquired pre-existing
data from the International Council for the Exploration of the Seas (ICES) and used it to develop a Python program that manipulates the temperature of water
in the North Sea. We identified the range of temperatures preferred by both species and used it in the simulation of our model. Finally, we calculated the cost of fishing trips as these species steered father away from the original possible fishers modeled through our Python program and a threshold for cost impracticality.
Critical Education and the Future Educator
Presentation Year: 2020
Taking a deeper look at teacher preparation programs (including our own) and finding the amount of exposure teacher candidates are given in regards to multicultural education, culturally sustaining pedagogies, and critical frameworks, and finding better ways to serve the youth in our K-12 schools. By checking our own biases, and exploring deeper into the world of education, including its racists and heteronormative structures, we take a closer look, and find some solutions to better support the community, and most importantly, the whole child.
Cultural Starvation: Out of the Ashes We Rise
Presentation Year: 2020
The beginnings of the HC Black Music and Arts Association, a National Association of Negro Musician Humboldt County Chapter came from starvation for Black traditions, foods, values, and connections. Through open dialogue, I had the opportunity to listen to different narratives on people’s experience since moving to Humboldt County. Based on the assessment, I learned many people of color were experiencing feelings of cultural shock and isolation.
Definition: Cultural starvation happens when there is no link to Black culture, traditions, or food. The lack of Black awareness, holidays, gathering, and spiritual settings can be mentally taxing on one’s soul.
Cultural Starvation: Out of the Ashes We Rise
Presentation Year: 2020
The beginnings of the HC Black Music and Arts Association, a National Association of Negro Musician Humboldt County Chapter came from starvation for Black traditions, foods, values, and connections. Through open dialogue, I had the opportunity to listen to different narratives on people’s experience since moving to Humboldt County. Based on the assessment, I learned many people of color were experiencing feelings of cultural shock and isolation.
Definition: Cultural starvation happens when there is no link to Black culture, traditions, or food. The lack of Black awareness, holidays, gathering, and spiritual settings can be mentally taxing on one’s soul.
Current Technology for Vaccine Development in Coronaviruses and Potential Strategies for COVID-19 Drug Discovery
Presentation Year: 2020
In late 2019 a novel coronavirus was identified in China, and over the next 2 months, had spread to over 20 countries; it was declared a global pandemic by the WHO on Feb. 11th. With over 3.2 million cases worldwide, there is tremendous need for a vaccine. This is a daunting task since there are still none commercially available for SARS or MERS. In this review, we analyze the current challenges facing researchers, the technologies for vaccine development which are emerging and promising, and the progress thus far. We found recombinant MHC assays based on SARS epitopes promising for drug development, and anticipate that nanoparticle technology will be the most efficient delivery system.