All Presenters & Abstracts
Queering Poetry Workshops
Presentation Year:2026
Dobby
Morse,
Graduate Student,
English
To what extent do participants report that a poetry workshop builds connections between poets and strengthen their confidence in writing? What do participants want or expect from a poetry workshop? Through this project I hope to attend and host poetry workshops with an emphasis on the queer community. I will collaborate with campus and community organizations like Queer Humboldt and other organizations that are interested in exploring queer experiences through writing, connection, and meditation. This project will serve as a how-to guide for those seeking to conduct their own workshops.
Raccoon Anthropogenic Foraging Habits
Presentation Year:2026
Jackson
Butts,
Undergraduate Student,
Wildlife
Raccoon foraging on the Cal Poly Humboldt campus will be examined using 30 motion‑activated cameras mounted on standardized trash receptacles. The study measures how time of day, human activity, and distance to residence halls and food vendors influence raccoon presence. Images will quantify raccoon detections, human activity, and environmental covariates. Results will be analyzed with mixed‑effects models to understand how urban disturbance shapes raccoon foraging behavior and to inform campus waste‑management strategies.
Rainfall Effects on Trash Accumulation in the San Diego River
Presentation Year:2026
Charlie
Bruhn,
Undergraduate Student,
Environmental Science & Management
My project examines the relationship between rainfall and trash accumulation in the San Diego River using survey data collected by the San Diego River Park Foundation and precipitation data from NOAA. Data were compiled, cleaned, and analyzed using Python and Excel to examine correlations and patterns. Results indicate a weak direct relationship between rainfall and trash accumulation, with evidence suggesting a potential lagged effect.
Raven Foraging and Locomotive Behavior with Fog in Northwestern California
Presentation Year:2026
Amber
Fiedler,
Undergraduate Student,
Wildlife
Along the dunes and beaches of California, common ravens are continuously being studied as one of the main predators of the endangered western snowy plover. Fog is a typical weather condition surrounding the shorelines of California. With 2023 and 2024 behavioral survey data, this project examines fog in relation to the foraging and locomotive behaviors of ravens.
Reading the Rings, Studying Otoliths of Juvenile Rockfish (Sebastes) and What They Can Tell Fisheries Biologists
Presentation Year:2026
Tyler
Brewster,
Undergraduate Student,
Fisheries Biology
Otoliths or fish ear bones allow us to estimate the age, birth/hatch date and growth of fishes. Juvenile rockfish were collected from Standard Monitoring Units for the Recruitment of Fishes in Trinidad Bay in collaboration with the Trinidad Rancheria. ~14,000 juvenile rockfish were caught and 19 were retained for this study. These fish were 41-65cm and collected between May and September. These otoliths will show growth rates and birth dates to better understand early life history of local rockfish populations.
Reading the Rings, Studying Otoliths of Juvenile Rockfish (Sebastes) and What They Can Tell Fisheries Biologists
Presentation Year:2026
Tyler
Brewster,
Undergraduate Student,
Fisheries Biology
Otoliths or fish ear bones allow us to estimate the age, birth/hatch date and growth of fishes. Juvenile rockfish were collected from Standard Monitoring Units for the Recruitment of Fishes in Trinidad Bay in collaboration with the Trinidad Rancheria. ~14,000 juvenile rockfish were caught and 19 were retained for this study. These fish were 41-65cm and collected between May and September. These otoliths will show growth rates and birth dates to better understand early life history of local rockfish populations.
Reducing Door-to-EKG Time in the Emergency Department
Presentation Year:2026
Halie
DeArman,
Undergraduate Student,
School of Applied Health
Delayed electrocardiogram (EKG) acquisition in emergency departments (ED) represents a preventable patient safety crisis disproportionately affecting women, Black patients, older adults, and non-English-speaking patients. Using the Iowa Model of Evidence-Based Practice, this quality improvement project addresses door-to-EKG (D2E) times exceeding the ACC/AHA 10-minute benchmark in a rural northern California ED. Three evidence-based interventions are proposed: culturally tailored community education on atypical acute coronary syndrome symptoms, a standardized nurse-driven triage EKG protocol with dedicated equipment, and institutional adoption of D2E time as a formal quality metric. Evaluation includes EHR timestamp audits, demographic disparity analysis, and longitudinal mortality review. Timely EKG acquisition saves lives.
Reducing Postpartum Hemorrhage Through Active Management of the Third Stage of Labor
Presentation Year:2026
Delilah
Pusch,
Undergraduate Student,
School of Applied Health
Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) remains a leading cause of maternal morbidity and mortality and is often preventable with timely, evidence-based care. This quality improvement project focuses on reducing PPH through active management of the third stage of labor and use of standardized hemorrhage protocols. Guided by the Johns Hopkins Nursing Evidence-Based Practice model, current evidence supports interventions such as oxytocin administration, controlled cord traction, and uterine massage. Planned strategies include staff education, protocol implementation, and improved clinical readiness. Expected outcomes include reduced PPH rates, fewer transfusions, and improved maternal safety.
Reducing Surgical Site Infections Through Implementation of an Evidence-Based SSI Prevention Bundle
Presentation Year:2026
Diana
Meraz,
Undergraduate Student,
Nursing
Surgical site infections (SSIs) continue to be one of the most common healthcare- associated infections and contribute to increased morbidity, prolonged hospitalizations, and increased healthcare costs. A rural community hospital identified an increase in SSIs, especially in patients undergoing open abdominal surgeries. The purpose of this project is to reduce SSI rates through the implementation of a standardized SSI prevention bundle. The intervention includes preoperative chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) bathing, proper skin preparation, timely antibiotic administration, use of wound protection devices, and clean closure techniques. Implementation strategies require collaboration between multiple levels including at the individual (patient), unit (surgical unit), and policy (leadership). This will require patient education, staff in-service training, and policy development to promote consistency. Evaluation of the project will include process, impact, and outcome measures. The expected outcome is a decrease in SSIs, improved patient safety, shorter hospital stays, and reduced healthcare costs. Preventing SSI can help improve outcomes in a rural community.
Redwood National and State Parks Interpretation and Outdoor Recreation Volunteer
Presentation Year:2026
Erin
Bechtold ,
Undergraduate Student,
College Corp
Through College Corps, I served at Redwood National and State Parks. My role within the park was primarily centered on visitor services, working mainly at Kuchel Visitor Center near Orick, California. At the visitor center, I provided a wide range of information about the park, including trail options and conditions, environmental interpretation, and directions to different areas. Additionally, my role included roving the trails in the southern area of the park daily. The purpose of roves is to provide a uniformed presence on trail systems to improve visitor safety and satisfaction. Roves are also valuable for reporting on trail conditions and for familiarizing workers with the trails and the park itself, helping to improve recommendations and information given to visitors.
This program was a valuable experience in a federal workplace, helping me develop my professional skills. Through this experience, I became more adept at scientific communication, customer service, workplace communication, and problem solving. Working in a national park also exposes you to interactions with visitors from around the world, which is highly valuable for gaining experience in providing information to diverse audiences with different backgrounds, languages, and interests.
My service at the park was valuable to the community and the park itself by providing supplemental staffing, which improves visitor satisfaction and safety. Additionally, it creates connections and therefore fosters stewardship by linking the local community to the park system.
Relative Abundance of Pacific Chorus Frogs (Pseudacris regilla) in Urban and Managed Wetland Systems
Presentation Year:2026
Finn
Otero,
Undergraduate Student,
Wildlife
Urban development is shrinking wetland habitat used by many species. I am investigating how Pacific chorus frogs (Pseudacris regilla) are distributed across the different urban, agricultural, and managed wetlands in the coastal portion of Humboldt, County, CA. In addition to that, I am investigating what may be leading the frogs to select for one habitat over others, such as vegetation cover in the area and landscape around the wetland. This can be used to understand Pacific chorus frog prevalence in urban areas and how the landscape may influence their choice of habitat. This can also be used to demonstrate how areas should be more managed for amphibian usage promoting other species to inhabit the wetland.
Repurposing Malls for the Sake of Leisure
Presentation Year:2026
Nancy
Nazario,
Undergraduate Student,
School of Applied Health
American malls have seen a dramatic decrease in their presence over the past several decades. Once a staple of American culture, malls have turned from retail social hubs to struggling commercial centers, with consumers taking to other avenues when it comes to shopping, entertainment, socialization and leisure. Since they were first introduced in 1956, the United States saw the construction of over 800 malls throughout the country – where they then took on a role of serving as a “third place” for people, a space for individuals to congregate outside of work or school. However, that number has been in decline ever since and with the decline comes the question of what to do with these struggling or abandoned buildings. Here, we explore the decline of the American mall, its role as a third place, and whether malls can be repurposed to promote informal social gatherings that expand equitable access to recreation and leisure without relying on retail consumption.
Runner's High or Running High
Presentation Year:2026
Whitney
Ogle,
Faculty,
School of Applied Health
Cannabis use has been associated colloquially with laziness, but inactivity in cannabis users has not been supported by research. In fact, more research is showing people are pairing cannabis with physical activity for a variety of reasons. The purpose of this study was to understand the prevalence of and cannabis use behaviors among distance runners who participated in the Avenue of the Giants 10k, 1/2 Marathon, and Full Marathon in Spring 2025. 42% of the sample of 151 participants reported consuming cannabis and 95% of the total sample reported they don't think athletes who test positive should be banned from competition. Edibles and smoking were the primary methods of administration, use a combination of THC and CBD, and their cannabis consumption was not related to training. Future research will investigate whether cannabis use played a role in race performance and race experience within this sample.
Safer Pediatric Asthma Telephone Triage in a Rural Tribal-Serving Primary Care Network
Presentation Year:2026
Wayne
Barton,
Undergraduate Student,
Nursing
In a rural primary care clinic, pediatric asthma telephone triage is a high-risk process because nurses must make rapid decisions based on caregiver report alone. Inconsistent assessment, documentation, disposition, and follow-up may delay escalation, increase avoidable urgent care use, and worsen inequities, including for American Indian/Alaska Native children. This theoretical quality improvement project proposes caregiver asthma action plans with teach-back, a standardized RN triage workflow with EHR prompts and training, and a closed-loop follow-up protocol to improve safety, consistency, and timely follow-up.
SDOH Screening to Advance Breast Cancer Equity
Presentation Year:2026
Elizabeth
Root,
Undergraduate Student,
Nursing
This quality improvement initiative aims to increase the number of breast cancer patients who receive treatment within 90 days of diagnosis by implementing standardized social determinants of health (SDOH) screening during intake at a cancer navigation community-based setting. Patient navigators will identify health-related social needs and coordinate referrals to community resources to mitigate barriers to care. Process measures include screening and referral rates, and outcome measures include time to treatment initiation and patient satisfaction with the screening and referral process. This intervention seeks to reduce disparities in breast cancer outcomes and improve health equity.
Seeking Sofrito: Food Loss and Reconnection in the Puerto Rican Diaspora
Presentation Year:2026
Lisa
Montalvo,
Undergraduate Student,
Anthropology
This is an autoethnography about the impact of diaspora on cultural identity using foodways as a method of determination. I used embodied cooking, informal interviews and digital ethnography to survey the availability of puerto rican food sources in Northern California and explored methods of reconnecting to my Puerto Rican community and identity in the absence of those resources.
Sex-Based Behavioral Differences in Mallards (Anas platyrhynchos)
Presentation Year:2026
Melissa
Flores,
Undergraduate Student,
Wildlife
I have done research on sex-based behaviors in male and female Mallards. I was curious on how they allocate their time foraging, preening, resting and being vigilant leading up to the breeding season.
She's Built Different (Literally)
Presentation Year:2026
Emma
Wilson,
Undergraduate Student,
School of Applied Health
This literature review examines how anatomical sex differences and menstrual cycle–related hormonal fluctuations interact to influence performance, fatigue, and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury risk in female athletes. While females experience higher rates of ACL injuries and unique physiological changes across the menstrual cycle, existing research often studies these factors in isolation or relies on male-based models. This review synthesizes current findings on structural characteristics such as joint alignment and ligament laxity alongside hormonal variations in estrogen, progesterone, and relaxin. It highlights how these factors may collectively affect neuromuscular control, tissue integrity, and performance variability, particularly in sports involving cutting and pivoting. The goal is to identify gaps in the literature and emphasize the need for individualized, female-specific training and injury prevention strategies.
Shoe-Surface Interaction and Lower Extremity Injury Risk in Sports: Balancing Performance and Safety
Presentation Year:2026
Jack
Rice,
Undergraduate Student,
School of Applied Health
Looking at the difference in shoe and cleat design on shoe-surface interactions and the role that plays on athlete performance and injury risk.
Skin Tone Inclusive Assessment to Reduce Missed Pressure Injuries
Presentation Year:2026
Sheena May
Viste,
Undergraduate Student,
Nursing
Patients with high‑melanin skin are at increased risk of developing pressure injuries and experiencing more severe progression because early signs are frequently missed. This disparity is attributed to delayed PI recognition because standard visual skin assessments are biased toward light skin and fail to identify early tissue damage (Black et al., 2023; LaFond et al., 2025). Implementing the Skin Assessment for Dark Skin (SADS) technique—use of halogen light and multisensory palpation—during assessments helps nurses identify early pressure injury indicators. The overarching goal is to reduce diagnostic delays by using tools such as Skin Assessment for Dark Skin (SADS) to support more equitable, safe, and timely care.