May 3, 2024 | Digital Showcase | Humboldt Library
All Presenters & Abstracts
Precision Measurement of the Universal Gravitotional Constant
Presentation Year: 2025
Frederick
Kuster-Tabares
Physics & Astronomy
In cooperation with Indiana University (formerly IUPUI), the Cal Poly Humboldt (formerly Humboldt State University) Gravity Lab is undertaking a project to more accurately measure the value of the Universal Gravitational Constant in terms of SI base units. Gravitational modifications to the torque on the pendulum will be obtained via two methods through sequential experiments with a common apparatus, with the goal to provide a window into the cause of previous discrepancies between the two methods of measurement, resulting in a more accurate determined value for G.
Preliminary Lupinus Nipomensis Surveys Convey Varying Plant Vigor Across Grazing Treatments
Presentation Year: 2025
Trinity
Edwards
Forestry, Fire & Rangeland Management
Lupinus nipomensis (Nipomo Lupine) is an endangered endemic species to the Nipomo-Guadalupe Dunes in San Luis Obispo County, California. Scientists have been researching this species for many years to better understand it. Ehrharta calycina (Veldt Grass) is an introduced perennial grass species that outcompetes Nipomo Lupine. Various groups have tried to aid Nipomo Lupine in its survival by manual pulling and herbicide treatment of Veldt grass. We are beginning to investigate grazing as an alternative management tool, which will hopefully prove to better aid this species in its survival.
Preparation and Evaluation of Polylactic Acid-Quinoa Composite Films
Presentation Year: 2025
Rafael
Bernard
Chemistry
Biodegradable composites were developed by incorporating quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Wild.) into polylactic acid (PLA), with varying ratios. The resulting films were characterized using melting points, bomb calorimetry, infrared (IR) spectroscopy, water uptake, water permeability, water contact angle, antioxidant assay and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The incorporation of differing quantities of quinoa fiber affected the properties of the composites. hese initial studies show quinoa/PLA composites have potential in the development of bio-renewable and biodegradable materials for active food packaging.
Preventing Falls in Hospitalized Elderly Patients
Presentation Year: 2025
Rory
Boeck
School of Applied Health
Falls among hospitalized elderly patients is a significant safety issue, with up to one million falls occurring annually in U.S. hospitals. With about 30% of the falls resulting in injury leading to increased hospital stays, and increased healthcare costs. This project is aimed to reduce fall rates on a medical-surgical unit by 25% over six months using individual interventions based on the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) framework.
Pyromania From a Forensic Psychology Perspective
Presentation Year: 2025
Claudia
Cress
Psychology
Our research project is about pyromania from the perspective of forensic psychology. Ranging from the diagnosis to what could lead to diagnosis. We also talk about there needs to be early intervention programs and can prevent those who suffer from pyromania, ending up in prisons or other facilities.
Recess Club: Fostering Student Connection Through Physical Activity and Social Emotional Learning
Presentation Year: 2025
Sydney
Tabbert
Education
This year I've interned at Alder Grove Charter School, an independent study school that provides homeschooled students with individualized education. Although, due to the limited on-campus presence and the absence of shared recreational spaces, students have found it more difficult to connect with their peers. Recognizing the lack of opportunities for physical play and social interaction, I developed The Recess Club: a program designed to engage students in physical activity, social-emotional learning, and community building. Informed by surveys and student interest, my goal was to create a consistent, inclusive space where students and their families could connect while staying active.
Recreation Administration Alumni Spotlight
Presentation Year: 2025
Keegan
Henry
Other
This project aims to highlight several alumni of the Recreation Administration program at Cal Poly Humboldt. These interviews will introduce the alumni along with their history at Cal Poly Humboldt and their career experience. The interviews will be made into short form videos with use of AI for the imagery. The videos are targeted at prospective students along with current students and members of the community. The alumni careers range in order to showcase the variety in the field of Recreation. Once complete, these videos will be found on the Recreation Admin YouTube channel.
Redwood Community Action Agency
Presentation Year: 2025
Hannah
Siemer
College Corp
Our idea poster is about our College Corps site. We volunteered with three other fellows to maintain the garden. We have been giving our time here since August and have helped hundreds since then. Some of the things we learned about are the many gardening and carpentry tools. This has helped us to remove a plethora of invasive species. We have also built fences and done trail maintenance work. We partnered up with local businesses to obtain hundreds of seeds to donate. This helped our community start more gardens around town. Overall, our site's main mission is to give back to the community one seed at a time.
Remote Sensing for Forest Health and Wildfire Mitigation
Presentation Year: 2025
Jonathan
Juarez
Environmental Science & Management
Forest ecosystems are vital for maintaining biodiversity, stabilizing soil, and regulating water cycles. However, frequent wildfires, extended droughts, and declining vegetation health are placing these ecosystems at risk. This research will explore how remote sensing tools and available data such as soil moisture, vegetation indices, and phenology can be used to assess forest health and mitigate wildfire risks.
Resistance Training on Self-Concept to Improve Gender Affirmation and Community Belonging LGBTQ+ Individuals
Presentation Year: 2025
Lauren
Bankerd
School of Applied Health
Determining the effects of resistance training tailored to LGBTQ+ individuals with the purpose of increasing gender congruence, self-concept, and community belonging.
Revisiting the Fishes of the Beartooth Butte Formation
Presentation Year: 2025
Patience
Brennan
Wildlife
This research aims to address the species composition of Devonian fossil fish species from a formation in Wyoming called the Beartooth Butte. This location has not received much if any attention from paleoichthyologists since the fossils within the formation were originally described in 1932. These fishes were overlooked for botanical fossils, and historically yielded fragmentary material. However, specimens from a Cal Poly Humboldt excavation in 2017, not only include the second articulated fossil from the formation, but also the first 3D fossil recorded.
Scavenger Interactions with Marine Mammal Carcasses along Humboldt County Coast
Presentation Year: 2025
Keith
Erickson
Wildlife
My research looked into how scavengers are using marine mammal carcasses and what is affecting this relationship. I worked with the Marine Mammal Education and Research Program to obtain carcasses ranging from Crescent City down to Cape Mendocino. I used game cameras placed on the beaches to monitor scavenging activity, responding to a total of 9 California Sea Lion and 2 Harbor Seal carcasses from October to April.
Sculpture Walk 2025
Presentation Year: 2025
Sondra
Schwetman
Art + Film
This is our annual Sculpture Walk which will display work form the Sculpture Department. We expect to have about 11 or 12 pieces of different types of sculpture. Some will be on pedestals, some will be on the floor.
Selective Logging and Mammal Diversity: Evidence of Ecological Stability
Presentation Year: 2025
Zach
Case
Wildlife
This study aimed to investigate the impact of selective harvest logging on mammal diversity and abundance in the Jacoby Creek Forest Tract in Humboldt County, California. The study compared two forest stands: one managed with selective harvest (recently harvested in October 2024) and one unmanaged (a 40-year-old even-aged forest). The goal was to assess how the recent selective harvest affects mammal diversity and abundance, and whether mammals are selective for certain habitat characteristics such as cover availability, understory vegetation, and forest structure.
Senior Project, Wildflower Rave: Spring Into the Arts
Presentation Year: 2025
Lavender
Deng
School of Applied Health
This event organized in collaboration with the Student Activity Center brought a platform for student and community members to share their passion and craft. DJs coming from the community and students played 5 hours of electronic music on a 360 stage, student artists showcased their painting skills live, clubs, and organizations from both on and off campus shared helpful harm reduction resources, as well as tips for safety to spread awareness within the rave culture, and merchandise. This event being free and on campus made it accessible for students who enjoy electronic music, art, or are looking for a leisurely activity to participate in on a Thursday evening.
Shorebird Displacement in Response to Recreational Human Disturbance along the Humboldt County Coastline
Presentation Year: 2025
Cindy
Chavez
Wildlife
This project focuses on the interaction between recreational use of local coastal beaches and shorebird disturbance patterns. Flight initiation distances and alert behaviors in relation to the proximity of humans, dogs, or other natural disturbances are observed to approximate recreational impact on shorebird foraging.
Shorebird Vigilance from Biological Influences
Presentation Year: 2025
Ryan
Abdilla
Wildlife
My research project involves researching two different species of wild shorebirds, Marbled Godwits and Eurasian Whimbrels, and studying which biological factors like predator abundance, tide height, foraging rates, and time of day play a role in vigilant behavior in these two shorebird species. We are looking to see how these rates and their factors differ between 5 different areas across the Arcata Marsh and if there are noteworthy changes in any of the listed factors between the two species and which ones play the biggest role in shorebird vigilance and which do not.
Should MDMA Be Used as Treatment for Psychological Disorders
Presentation Year: 2025
Ashley
Erbeck
Psychology
Our presentation is on whether or not MDMA should be used as a therapeutic tool in psychological disorders. If so are they beneficial? Are they dangerous and pose potential risks, etc. We compiled 15 separate articles to produce our findings and conclusions.
Silent Struggles: Addressing Postpartum Depression in Rural Public Health
Presentation Year: 2025
Jamie
Gormly
School of Applied Health
Postpartum depression (PPD) is the most common mental health condition affecting birthing persons and is more prevalent in rural communities with limited behavioral health services. This quality improvement project uses the Iowa Model of Evidence-Based Practice to reduce the impact of PPD in rural public health communities. Interventions include integrating social support into treatment plans, expanding home visiting programs, and implementing universal screening. Evaluation measures include increased service engagement and overall symptom reduction. Target goals include a ≥20% decrease in depressive symptoms and a ≥25% increase in screenings among Medicaid-insured individuals.
Stream Flow Rate on the Jolly Giant creek and the Strawberry creek
Presentation Year: 2025
Arthur
Frye
Geography, Environment & Spatial Analysis
I decided to do scientific studies on the stream flow rate as well as water depth, width, and terrace height on two separate creeks in Humboldt county. The first creek is called the Jolly Giant creek which is located directly behind founders hall on campus, and the second creek that I decided to do my research on is the Strawberry creek, which is located directly behind my house. I used a measuring road, and measuring tape for my measurements, as well as three distinct objects to float down the creek which was a lemon, a kiwi, and a lacrosse ball.