May 2, 2025
Reception & Presentations 2pm to 5pm
Cal Poly Humboldt Library
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Presenters & Abstracts: Search
Activity of Novel Cellulases from Cow Rumen
Annie Jensen
Chemistry
Undergraduate Student
Tessa M. Balkow
Chemistry
Undergraduate Student
Vincent D. Calderon
Chemistry
Undergraduate Student
Aaron R. Darlington
Chemistry
Undergraduate Student
Madison E. Kishineff
Chemistry
Undergraduate Student
Jayden J. Losee
Chemistry
Undergraduate Student
David A. Morales
Chemistry
Undergraduate Student
Dr. Jenny A. Cappuccio
Chemistry
Faculty
College of Natural Resources & Sciences
Utilizing cellulase enzymes can enhance the production of biofuels. In this study, 14 cellulases identified through metagenomic analysis of cow rumen were expressed in E. Coli, purified using immobilized metal affinity chromatography (IMAC), and then assessed for enzymatic activity versus a control cellulase isolated from Aspergillus Niger. To do this, we evaluated the breakdown of carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) in a plate assay with Congo Red detection. 4 with high activity and 2 with low activity were selected for analyzing the effective pH on the enzymatic activity and expanding the research to kinetic analysis. Our results could inform new cellulase design and enhance biofuel production.
Exultate Jubilate
Raili Makela
Music
Undergraduate Student
College of Natural Resources & Sciences
I will be performing a mozart aria.
Wayfinding Pilot project
Liliana Amador
Kinesiology
Undergraduate Student
Lacey Bruh Jimenez
Kinesiology
Undergraduate Student
Walta Tadesse
Kinesiology
Undergraduate Student
Annika Slattery
Recreational
Undergraduate Student
Mandy Hackney
Recreational
Undergraduate Student
Whitney Ogle
Kinesiology
Faculty
Ara Pachmayer
Recreational
Faculty
College of Natural Resources & Sciences
Our research project focuses on encouraging HSU students to become more physically active, while immersing themselves in the Arcata community. Our Wayfinder project includes a map of trails that will be highlighted by semi-permanent signage, to increase walkability and integrate HSU students into the community. With the results from a previous survey, the trails in this project preview a variety of popular places in the Arcata community to promote Arcata-HSU relations and influence students to explore their new home. In our video, we will share the trails, how we created the trails, and our plans for future engagement.
Humboldt County Unmanned Aircraft Systems Youth Education Training Program
Felicity Cross
Environmental Resources Engineering
Undergraduate Student
College of Natural Resources & Sciences
This project is led by David Marshall and Tamara Barriquand with the help of HSU student facilitators. The project is a Native American youth outreach program designed to encourage STEM through the use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), known as drones. This four week summer program guides high school students through a ground pilot school that will earn them a FAA UAS Pilot's License, while also providing presentations, tutorials and activities related to aviation, environmental and applied sciences, and GIS. One goal of the program is to help underrepresented communities earn a pilot's license that can introduce them to new career opportunities in a variety of fields.
Cage Farm Fishing Restoration Project in South East Asia: Heavy Metals in the Surrounding Ecosystem
Shelsy Morales
Oceanography
Undergraduate Student
Shelby Bishop
Malcolm Edwards-Silva
Louise Parr
College of Natural Resources & Sciences
The proposal for the study is to restore ecosystems near fish farms. Surrounded ecosystems have shown to be harmed by heavy pollutant (lead, mercury, and arsenic). In the long run the research team plans to stop more input of heavy metals into the water with the help of the Philippines community. The outcome for the project is to educate, care for the health of the community, and have cleaner and drinkable water.
Anabaena Sensory Rhodopsin nanodisc assisted antifungal transport into Brewer's yeast
Joshua Chapman
Chemistry
Undergraduate Student
Parker Chapman
Chemistry
Undergraduate Student
Vini Buttino
Chemistry
Undergraduate Student
College of Natural Resources & Sciences
Our experiment hopes to answer the question of whether or not nanodiscs make an effective means of transporting medication, specifically in the treatment of fungal infections. We hope this adds to research that is currently examining its effectiveness in the transport of chemotherapy drugs to prevent collateral cell death; there is current evidence to support these assumptions. To do this, we are testing the transport of Terbinafine into Brewer's yeast in the hopes of inducing cell death.
Do Dabbling Ducks Forage More in the Morning or at Night?
Dylan Van Kampen
Wildlife
Undergraduate Student
College of Natural Resources & Sciences
My research project looked at if dabbling ducks forage more in the morning or afternoon. My hypothesis was that they would forage more in the morning than afternoon.
The Effect of Grazing on Frog Abundance
Abigail Simon
Wildlife
Undergraduate Student
College of Natural Resources & Sciences
This study compares the abundance of frogs in landscapes that are grazed by livestock to lands that are non-grazed. This study found no influence of grazing activity on frog abundance. This information will be an important consideration for the conservation efforts of frog species as development of lands for urbanization and agriculture continue to increase as well as for conservation managers as they work to restore and maintain quality frog habitat by reverting agricultural lands back to native landscapes.
Raccoon use of Storm Drains on Cal Poly Humboldt’s Campus
Shannon Lamb
Wildlife
Undergraduate Student
College of Natural Resources & Sciences
I will be presenting a poster concerning raccoon use of the storm drains on Cal Poly Humboldt's campus. This study was conducted through the use of motion sensing camera traps, and did not involve any direct capturing or handling of animals.
Effects of Supplemental Feeding on Migratory and Resident Hummingbirds
Hunter C Perez
Wildlife
Undergraduate Student
College of Natural Resources & Sciences
This is my Senior project where I analyzed which feeding preference hummingbirds preferred in relation to hummingbird feeders and natural flowers given equal access to the two variables. Supplemental feeding has a massive effect on foraging behavior of all species, and research on how this effects populations is needed to inform citizens on how to safely and properly partake in this popular pastime.