For my project I conducted a literature review on the efficacy of blood flow restriction training (BFRT) on muscle growth and pain management among the population of post-operative ACL patients. BFRT is a proposed therapy for combatting quadriceps atrophy following ACLR. This therapy consists of placing cuffs that act as a tourniquet on the proximal part of the lower limbs and inflating them to a pressure that partially restricts blood flow to the lower limbs. Through this review, I found that BFRT is a promising therapy for ACLR patients.

This research project introduces a quality improvement initiative aimed at reducing or eliminating the risks associated with peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) dislodgement. While PICCs are a valuable and useful tool at providing safe and effective intravenous medication administration, they do have the vulnerability of dislodgement which can have catastrophic consequences resulting in patient harm or death. Nurse-led implementation of the subcutaneously anchored securement system and interventions at the patient, department, and policy level can reduce or eliminate PICC dislodgement and the risk associated with inadequate PICC securement.

Drawing from stages of behavioral change framework, the goal of this research study is to examine changes in importance and confidence ratings for health behavior change associated with the course ‘Health Psychology.’ We hypothesize that self-efficacy for behavioral change will be associated with greater importance ratings. We further hypothesize that ratings of importance and confidence for diet and exercise change will increase from the beginning to end of the semester. A survey was administered to 227 undergraduate students in Health Psychology during the first and last two weeks of class. Results suggest that health curriculum may be associated with health behavior attitude change.

Did you know that most protein bars are gendered? DeFrancisco, V. L., & Palczewski, C. H. wrote that “communication creates gender, gender does not create communication,” and this is especially evident when looking at the difference in protein bars. Protein bars like the Clif bar and Luna bar are socially constructed to appear feminine or masculine. This is done by playing to cultural feminine ideals, by the packaging of the product itself, and by the rhetoric associated with each product.

Gene editing with CRISPR/Cas9 and AAVs has been a modern technology that has greatly influenced biological sciences. Coupling the editing technology of CRISPR and AAVs could lead to treating the underlying causes of pulmonary arterial hypertension(PAH). PAH is a progressive disease in your lungs that causes vasoconstriction and decreased blood flow, which can lead to heart failure. Placing a stent in the pulmonary artery, with endothelial cells engrafted on it, that overexpresses the important regulatory factors eNOS and VEGF, may lead to an increase in reendothelialization and vasodilation of the pulmonary artery.

My research project is about whether ice for acute injuries is effective. Evidence of how the body naturally heals damaged tissue doesn't line up with why we use ice on injuries. Ice helps with pain and swelling. Ice limits blood flow known as vasoconstriction which the body already naturally does. Staying in extended time in vasoconstriction may affect the healing of the injury. Ice has more negative effects that no one thinks of. PEACE & LOVE injury management is new and more people should know about it. Research should be done for the effectiveness of all elements.

This year I was able to work with Centro del Pueblo. A non-profit organization which helps its community members through providing a space for the community to garden. Centro del Pueblo also supports its latino community by advocating and providing any type of support. During my time at Centro del pueblo I was able to meet many new people. I was excited to be able to work alongside other latinos. This especially meant a lot to me being the change of environment I experienced coming from Los Angeles. As a part of the organization helping out in the garden became essential to being fully involved with the people.

The complexity of the Child Welfare System has left Humboldt County Correctional Facility (HCCF) incarcerated parents voicing their confusion of the system specifically regarding how to reach case plan objectives in an institution that offers limited family reunification services. The collective project, Parents Before Prisoners: Maintaining Connection Throughout Separation, aimed to address this matter by creating a resource guide for HCCF parents, that not only explains the child welfare system, but also contains a curriculum that can be used to reach case plan objectives.

Utilizing Photovoice, my project supported youth exploration of the causes creating problems faced locally, as well as the ways in which the youth feel we can come together to help find solutions as a community. Through a series of focus groups, photography, and photo analysis, the youth chose a contemporary challenge that either affected them personally, or their community, and took photos of what they felt are possible causes and solutions to these social problems. This method allowed the youth to bridge connections with their community and was a form of empowerment research that supported building their self-esteem, relationship with their community, and their problem-solving skills.

This Creative Project compiles the different avenues of research I have studied concerning cultural survival and activism in Northwest California. The sacred spaces in the High Country and the communities that joined together to preserve Native Spirituality and sacred spaces. It also, highlights my work in Special Collections documenting the Lyng v NICPA's case archival materials for online public viewing.