In our poster, we want to discuss the importance that the lamprey has to Native Americans, and how they are/were an essential source of sustenance for these people. In addition, we would like to talk about how the populations of lamprey have changed over time, and the reasons for these changes. We believe that the lamprey is a species that often gets a bad reputation, when in reality they are an extremely important species that does not get enough attention.

Many trace metals are delivered to the ocean in the form of wind-blown sediments and by riverine input, some of which are essential micronutrients. Iron has been found to play a significant role in limiting biological productivity in many regions of the ocean such as in the California Current System. Investigating this distribution of trace metals provides insight into processes affecting surface ocean waters. In Fall 2018, the GEOTRACES GP-15 cruise traveled from Alaska to Tahiti along the 152°W meridian, a region yet to be well characterized for trace metals. Our group is interested in the distribution of scandium in surface waters as a proxy for understanding processes affecting iron.

Sophia and I will be creating our poster based around the ideas of Traditional Ecological Knowledge, as well as Indigenous plant-based medicines. We will take a look into how Indigenous peoples use plants to enrich their lives, heal, and further states of spirit and consciousness. The focus of the poster will be around common Indigenous plant-based medicines, some psychedelic allies, and we will finish it out by discussing how the gathering of these materials bring Indigenous peoples closer to their land.

This study focused on microplastic concentrations in and around Humboldt Bay, CA. Microplastics do not have a universal size class, but for the purpose of this study, microplastics were categorized as any plastic piece from 0.335 mm to 4.75 mm. Samples were taken on Humboldt State's research vessel "Coral Sea", and by foot on surrounding mudflats. Both water and sediment samples were collected and analyzed to find the amount of microplastic particles per mass sampled. Visual microscopy was utilized to create counts for each station.

Western thatching ant (Formica obscuripes) mounds are a conspicuous feature in the coastal beach pine forests of the local Lanphere and Ma-le’l Dunes. We explored the mounds’ size and spatial distributions, and tested whether their mound-forming behaviors could impact soil nutrient conditions. In a 3-km segment, we found 346 mounds generally situated along the sand–forest interface. Furthermore, from soil samples of seven of the mounds, we found that the ants significantly concentrated the soils with nutrients necessary for plant growth. These findings suggest that the ants could have important implications for supporting plant populations in this nutrient-poor environment.

Within our poster we will present the positives of the removal of the dams on the klamath and the effects that it will have on the water ways in that area. While doing this we will also inform about the history and importance of rivers like the Klamath that are being dammed. We will also cover the socio economic effects of the dam removal on indigenous groups that have thrived on salmonid populations. Scientists have speculated that the presence of the dams is responsible for the decline of salmonid in northern rivers. In conclusion we will make a hypothesis based on other dam removals to see what effect it will have on the area.

Over the past summer, I worked as an intern at UCSF where I grew cell lines of PC3s (androgen independent) and LnCaps (androgen dependent) prostate cancer and performed biochemical assays to see the metabolic change from an androgen dependent to androgen independent cell. Theoretically you could use imaging such as hyper-polarized C13 imaging (a type of nuclear imaging) to see when the metabolic change happens instead of taking a biopsy which is very invasive to patients. By using the skills I learned and cellular metabolic change I hope to be able to apply this to my major by conducting further research on metabolic changes in marine organisms to help illustrate our changing ecosystems.

Taking the names and meanings behind the certain plants that Indigenous groups gave and comparing them to what scientists have used them for, as well as what properties they posses. Looking at the name Indigenous peoples have given to the plants explains to others what they can do.

The poster will be about how Native American studies go hand in hand with the field of Zoology and natural resources and management as well as wildlife and game management. It will delve into the benefits of applying Traditional Ecological Knowledge to conservation-related issues as well as some of the social and economic issues that we are facing. In particular, This poster will address some of the issues regarding the environment today and how TEK can help to both resolves and benefit from the initial problems. In addition to the management benefits that Traditional Ecological Knowledge offers, I want to include how TEK can help bridge the gap between different communities.

Fire exclusion has led to mesophication in many eastern hardwood forests, or dominance of fire-sensitive mesophytes. Subsequently this has led to a reduction in pyrophytic litter, reducing the effectiveness of prescribed burns in sustaining ecosystems that need regular fire. Eight species of deciduous trees were examined for their max flame height, leaf pile heights, burn time, smolder time, and residual burned matter. This study will support the classification of tested species as either mesophytes, characterized by low flammability litter, or pyrophytes, characterized by high flammability litter. Greater understanding of these traits will lead to improved ecosystem and fire management.