It is estimated that one in every five women experiences a mental health disorder like Postpartum Depression or Anxiety after giving birth. Humboldt County is one of the 35 out of 61 counties in CA that have recognized Perinatal Mental Health disorders as an issue. In order to improve postpartum care in Humboldt County a needs assessment was conducted of people who have given birth in Humboldt County over the last 10 years. Two Zoom storytelling focus groups of 6 people each and seven individual interviews were conducted. A thematic analysis of the data was conducted and presented in a report along with several recommendations.

Raccoons have been observed around the campus of Cal Poly Humboldt, particularly in the trash cans. In this study, I tested how distance from dining resources affects raccoon trash can use. I predicted that trash cans closer to dining resources would be visited more often than other trash cans. My results indicated that trash can location in relation to dining resources did not impact the number of visits.

This project consisted of two deliverables. The first is a digital Canva presentation that will educate Sorrel Leaf Healing Center non-clinical staff on the basic neuroscience behind trauma and how trauma connects to behavior and diagnosis, in addition to addressing cultural considerations and incorporating mental health first aid concepts. The second deliverable is a toolbox that provides coping skills interventions for staff to use with residents that assist with co-regulation.

This quality improvement project aims to reduce disparities in diabetes care by improving access to Tirzepatide through individual, community, and policy-level interventions. Set in a rural clinic, the project focuses on providing culturally tailored telehealth education, peer mentorship, and advocacy for expanded medication coverage. The goal is to improve patient outcomes by increasing diabetes knowledge, medication adherence, and access to evidence-based treatment. Guided by the Iowa Model of Evidence-Based Practice, this approach supports safe, equitable care and long-term sustainability through data-driven evaluation and community engagement.

Motion sickness is a condition that has no apparent evolutionary advantage, yet it persists in many species. Research has revealed the mechanisms that cause motion sickness, but there is no consensus or agreement in the scientific literature regarding its evolutionary origins. Some research suggests that motion sickness is an evolutionary byproduct of our biological response against neurotoxins. Others propose that it functions as some kind of defense mechanism against unfavorable motion and promotes visual-spatial stability. Exploring the evolutionary origins of motion sickness will provide a better understanding of how modern environments can cause physiological miscues.

The Western-centric focus on early habitation of Turtle Island (North America) has often disregarded Indigenous oral histories as myths. It is critical to question how migration theories can dismiss Indigenous credibility. This objectification of western science perpetuates oppression of Indigenous peoples and assists in validating settler-colonial narratives. Academia has historically denied, or labeled controversial, North American archaeological sites older than 12,000 years, silencing advocates in the process. My goal is to highlight these injustices and underscore the importance of honoring Indigenous oral histories. I advocate for an inclusive, decolonized approach to archaeology.

As college students progress through their academic career they begin to form an identity. Their identity then balances their intrapersonal, interpersonal, and cognitive abilities (Jones and Abes 2004). A college education has also been theorized to act as a protective factor from offending, or a factor that can promote desistance from crime (Hirschi 1969). Does the self-concept of college students influence their offending behavior? The purpose of this topic is to conduct a narrative study, to explore the life course development that college students have undergone before attending college, as well as what their current life course (life path) is, and their vision for post-college life.

The prevalence of developmental disabilities (DD) is about 17% in the United States, with rates higher in rural communities (Robinson et al., 2017). Children with DD (also known as "neurodiverse") have individual strengths and face unique challenges. Due to adversity in accessing specific and much-needed support, parent caregivers often experience clinical levels of parenting stress (Davis & Carter, 2008, as cited in Roberts et al., 2019). Parents in rural communities are particularly affected. Chronic, unaddressed stress can lead to worsened mental and physical health including depression, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease (Robinson et al., 2017). The goal is clear: to incr

Our group’s senior thesis investigated the physiological and water potential responses of redwood and tanoak trees to various thinning treatments that occurred during the Summer of 2017 in Redwood National Park. We selected 47 individual study trees among five different thinning intensities (No cut, 25%, 40%, 55%, and 75%) across three 1-hectare fixed-area plots. Our initial findings indicate a certain sweet spot which the trees seem to favor. Stop by our booth to learn more!

2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, commonly known as 2,4-D, is a widely utilized pesticide in weed control. 2,4-D is considered toxic, and may pose detrimental effects to wildlife if used recklessly. Here we sought to quantitatively analyze for the presence of 2,4-D on the fur of local fauna found in Humboldt county, namely Gray fox, Brush rabbit, and Deer mice. We used purification techniques such as washes, as well as extraction techniques including liquid-liquid extraction, and analysis through gas chromatography (GC) in order to visualize 2,4-D. Positive results could spell trouble for the local wildlife, and have severe consequences.