May 2, 2025
Reception & Presentations 2pm to 5pm
Cal Poly Humboldt Library
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Presenters & Abstracts: Search
Realities Edge " An untold story about the forefathers of documentary"
Tobias Worrall
Film
Undergraduate Student
College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences
Reality's Edge is a documentary film about Robert and Francis Flaherty (Nanook of the North) and their dramatic struggles with friend and nemesis John Grierson (who established the BBC). Their opposition with Grierson established the parameters and practice of all documentary filmmakers that followed. This film is a glimpse of the remarkable early days of cinema that examines how the Flaherty's timeless films were produced. And this is the first film to credit and appreciate Francis Flaherty as a key collaborator with Robert (who has historically been the only recognized member of their team). In layman's terms, Reality’s Edge is the “big bang”of ethnographic documentary filmmaking.
The Role of Lgl1 in Tumor Forming Properties of Mouse Neural/Progenitor cells
Hannah Y. Collins
Biological Science
Undergraduate Student
College of Natural Resources & Sciences
In the Sprowles lab we are interested in understanding the cellular mechanisms involved in development and disease. One of the main projects in our lab is understanding the stem cell origin of glioblastoma, an aggressive and highly malignant form of brain cancer. We are investigating the role of Lethal Giant Larvae homolog 1 (Lgl1), a cell polarity protein and its role in tumor initiation and maintenance. Through the use of transgenic Lgl1 knockout mice we have isolated and propagated neural stem/progenitor cells from different region of the adult mouse brain and are investigating the functional consequences of Lgl1 deletion on signaling pathways often see to be dysregulated in cancer.
Strategies to Lower Risk in the Management of Acute Aggression
Luz
Gomez
School of Applied Health
Undergraduate Student
College of Professional Studies
Acute aggression poses a risk of harm to patients and staff in acute care. On one hand, disparities in the management of aggression are well documented, with factors like race affecting the likelihood of restraint use. However, agitation is also a leading cause of staff injury, with the majority of such injuries occurring during the application of restraints. Using the Model for Evidence-Based Practice Change, this project aims to implement an aggression order set modeled after the Project BETA (Best Practices in the Evaluation and Treatment of Agitation) guidelines. With this approach, duration of restraint application and incidence of staff injury will decrease by 50% over the next year.
Post-Fire Seedling Recruitment by Burnt Trees at the 2017 Helena Fire
Buddhika Madurapperuma
Forestry and Wildland Resources/ Environmental Science and Management
Faculty
David Greene
Forestry and Wildland Resources
Faculty
College of Natural Resources & Sciences
A regeneration survey was conducted in Weaverville by the 2019 Forest Ecology class at the 2017 Helena Fire students looking at post-fire seedling recruitment. Forty five 10-meter radius plots were established. Within the plots, seedlings and fallen seed cones were counted. We assumed that the seeds were mature when this site burned (August 31) and that all seedlings came from burnt trees; i.e. the seeds within the cones survived the flames. Thus, we hypothesized there would be a positive relationship between seedling and seed cone density. The results showed a positive correlation (R2 = 0.82) between seedlings and seed cones per plot, thus sustaining our hypothesis.
Monitoring the Gonadal Maturation of Steelhead and Cutthroat Trout using Ultrasonic Imaging
Jasmine Iniguez
Department of Fisheries Biology
Undergraduate Student
College of Natural Resources & Sciences
Ultrasonography is a versatile and noninvasive method that can be used to examine the internal anatomy, gonadal maturation, and the reproductive status of various freshwater and marine fishes. The goal of our study is to examine the feasibility of using ultrasound images to sex and determine oocyte maturation for Steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and Cutthroat Trout (O. clarkii) at the Humboldt State University Fish Hatchery. The objectives were to: (1) determine the most applicable control setting, (2) differentiate between a male and female, and (3) monitor oocyte maturation using ultrasound images. We were able to successfully identify the sex and determine gonadal maturation of fish.
The Relationship Between T.E.K and Botany
Raul Barajas-Ramirez
Botany
Undergraduate Student
Harrison Kummer
Botany
Undergraduate Student
College of Natural Resources & Sciences
For our Idea Fest “Idea” we are planning on using native T.E.K within the field of Botany in terms of medicinal uses, identification and importance of plants the ecosystem in relation to native burnings. To better improve and drive the field of Botany. We will be focusing the the different types of T.E.K within the tribes surrounding humboldt county and seeing how we can incorporate it with general Botany and Ethnobotany practices such as surveying and identifying plants based on medicinal and overall characteristics of native plants around humboldt county. For this project we plan on obtaining our research through the library and hopefully the native tribes around Humboldt county.
Unlearning to Use the "N" Word
Mireille Roman
English Department
Undergraduate Student
College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences
I will analyze the way people in marginalized communities, specifically those who do not identify as Black, internalize the “N” word through the lyrics of music in hip hop. Although those in similar systems of oppression relate to the the word’s connotation, it does not entitle anyone who does not identify as Black to use the “N” word. Through ethnomusicology paired with metalinguistics, I conclude that hip hop should diversify the industry with artists from different social positions to represent other minorities, leaving room for marginalized groups to create artifacts that directly represent their day-to-day experiences in this oppressive society without having to use the “N” word.
The Indigenous Effort to Protect Eagles
Lilli LeVan
Wildlife
Undergraduate Student
Mary Lehman
Wildlife
Undergraduate Student
College of Natural Resources & Sciences
Native Tribes have been and continue to be an instrumental part in the protection of eagles throughout the United States. Due to their work with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and researchers, they have made substantial progress in furthering their conservation areas and techniques to protect the different species of eagles from extinction. These initiatives are depicted by the Eagle Summits that have been held, as well as eagle rehabilitation areas created on tribal land. Through my research, I will be educating attendees on the work of the tribes to conserve eagle populations and rehabilitate injured eagles while continuing their cultural traditions within the Midwest.
Stress and the Oral Microbiome
Jane Kuszmaul
Anthropology
Undergraduate Student
College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences
The microbiome is many single celled organisms, which play an essential role in protecting the body against pathogens. Studies show that stress decreases microbial diversity, and thus negatively impact the body’s immune defenses. This study explored relationships between stress, cortisol levels, and the oral microbiome. Daily questionnaires and biweekly salivary tests assessed stress levels and microbial diversity. Data collection was conducted the first and second week of December 2018. Stress plays a significant role in the experience of college students. Understanding how stress impacts what microbes are in the mouth could lead to the development of better stress management strategies.
Climate, Grasslands, and Policies; The Changing Livelihood of Tibetan Nomads
Maria Tonn
Geography
Undergraduate Student
College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences
The research interviews with nomads have shown that climate, grasslands and policies are changing the livelihood of Tibetan nomads. Tibetan nomads have established a way to graze their livestock and keep the grasslands healthy by moving based on the seasons. Climate change will decrease the grassland quality results in unhealthy livestock and decreases their resistance to winter storms. Herders express that policies that encourage or demand a sedentary livelihood have restricted mobility, decreased livestock conditions, and resulted in an increase in livestock loss. Today, Tibetan nomads are stuck between their traditional ways and the way the government has established for them.