May 2, 2025
Reception & Presentations 2pm to 5pm
Cal Poly Humboldt Library
Search Presenters & Abstracts
Presenters & Abstracts: Search
Analysis of Language Surrounding Sexual Consent in College Human Sexuality Textbooks
Cameron Carpenter
Psychology
Undergraduate Student
Wendy Nuttelman
Savannah Aiello
Psychology
Undergraduate Student
Indiana Murillo
Psychology
Undergraduate Student
Heather Reynolds
Psychology
Undergraduate Student
Manuel Flores
Psychology
Undergraduate Student
Edith Gomez
Psychology
Undergraduate Student
Benjamin Graham
Psychology
Faculty
College of Professional Studies
Using corpus linguistics, we created an initial analysis on how consent is presented in undergraduate human sexuality textbooks. We investigated how consent was represented semantically, descriptively and contextually. These initial findings will inform future steps and provide us with a baseline to compare to grassroots initiatives.
Lineage Tracing of HoxB5 Cells of the Yolk Sac and their Contribution to the Adult Hematopoietic System
Joe Olage Pasillas
Biology
Undergraduate Student
College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences
Understanding the origins of hematopoietic stem cells has been a challenge due to the lack of a marker specific to this cell type. Recently, our lab has functionally proven that HoxB5 is a unique marker for long-term HSCs in adult murine models. Whether HoxB5 is also a marker for HSCs in development, has not been studied. Here, we are labeling HoxB5+ cells found in the yolk sac blood islands at E7.5 by using a genetic tool we generated. We will then analyze all marked cells at several time points during development and adulthood. This project will discover if HoxB5+ cells from the yolk sac contribute to the adult hematopoietic system and the LT-HSC pool.
Scavenging Efficiency in Turkey Vultures (Cathartes aura) at Forested Sites
Ephraim
Lowe
Wildlife
Undergraduate Student
College of Natural Resources & Sciences
Turkey vultures are well known for their incredible sense of smell due to their large olfactory bulbs, which are even larger than some mammals, such as rats. The study conducted compared the olfaction ability of turkey vultures to local mammals in the area by baiting sites in the Arcata Community Forest with carrion. It analyzed which species arrived to carrion sites first, and how weather, temperature, and humidity affected their ability to locate carrion efficiently.
Unraveling the Taxonomic Classification of the Tolowa wallflower (Brassicaceae: Erysimum), a dune endemic of the California North Coast
Cameron
Jones
Biological Sciences
Graduate Student
College of Natural Resources & Sciences
Found in Del Norte County, California, in the Tolowa Dunes State Park, there is an Erysimum population that does not fit the species boundaries of E.concinnum Eastw., its current assigned name. A closely related species, E. menziesi (Hook.) Wettst arguably better fits the morphology of the Tolowa Wallflower, with the caveat that it does not adequately depict the population. Because of the endemicity of the two aforementioned species and the Tolowa wallflower, correct taxonomic assessment and a clear definition of species boundaries are warranted. To evaluate the species boundaries and circumscription of the Tolowa wallflower, we would collect DNA samples from Erysimum found on the coast.
Reclaiming Turtle Island: Decolonizing Anthropological Narratives of Migration
Sadie
Neff
Anthropology
Undergraduate Student
College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences
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.
V.R. Gaming Could Break Our Sedentary Habits
Tyler
Voner
Other
Undergraduate Student
Other
My research is on Virtual Reality or "Active Gaming" and how it can indirectly have the potential to reduce Obesity and Heart Disease, by being a leisurely activity with some amount of activity rather than something sedentary.
Media Coverage of the Klamath Dam Removal
Jessie
Cretser-Hartenstein
Journalism & Mass Communication
Faculty
Oden
Taylor
Journalism & Mass Communication
Undergraduate Student
Jillian
Wells
Journalism & Mass Communication
Undergraduate Student
Emma
Wilson
Journalism & Mass Communication
Undergraduate Student
Gabriel
Zucker
Journalism & Mass Communication
Undergraduate Student
College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences
This study examines media representations of the removal of the Klamath Dam, a development in Northern California's Indigenous land restoration efforts. Recognizing the historical underrepresentation of Indigenous voices in mainstream media, this research analyzes local coverage of the Klamath dam removal project by Humboldt County's leading news organizations: North Coast Journal, Times-Standard, and Lost Coast Outpost.
Wheels of Change: Addressing Transportation Barriers for Native Youth in Eureka
Jessa
Gomez
College Corp
Undergraduate Student
Alyssa
Huynh
College Corp
Undergraduate Student
Library
The Northern California Indian Development Council (NCIDC), founded in 1976, is a nonprofit organization. They are dedicated to serving the needs of Native communities across Northern California, around 15,000 clients annually. Our youth-focused initiative aims to highlight the importance of transportation and accessibility in connecting Native youth to The Nest Youth Center and community events. We strive to improve engagement by offering culturally relevant activities that strengthen identity and connection to one another. By fostering leadership and providing essential tools and resources, we aim to empower Native youth to grow, thrive, and become strong leaders within their communities.
Bones Grow, but Do They Shrink: A Taphonomic Study on Postmortem Bone Shrinkage
Brianna Addington
Anthropology
Undergraduate Student
Molly Ballard
Anthropology
Undergraduate Student
Ryan Martis
Anthropology
Undergraduate Student
Sarah Mangham
Anthropology
Undergraduate Student
Yomayra Mora
Anthropology
Undergraduate Student
Thomas Matthews
Anthropology
Undergraduate Student
College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences
An important aspect in biological anthropology and forensic cases is determining an individual’s stature in life. Stature estimation involves the use of formulas that have been derived from measurements taken from an individual’s bones. Bones, in life, are encased in the body, which is a wet environment. Our research looks at the postmortem taphonomic processes which may lead to the bone shrinking after death, in the relatively dryer outside environment. Bone shrinkage could have an impact on stature estimations in forensic and other anthropological cases. Our preliminary findings indicate that environment and time affect bone shrinkage rates.
From Plants to Portola: Geovisualization of the Pre-Colonial California Coast, Derived from Paleobotanical Data and Spanish Journals
Ryan Reger
Geography
Undergraduate Student
Andrew Gibbs
Geography
Undergraduate Student
Dr. Chelsea Teale
Geography
Faculty
Nicholas Perdue
Geography
Faculty
College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences
This Geovisualization takes a broad look at the California Coast in a precolonial context including native plants, and land management practices used by the Ohlone tribe, in part by referencing Spanish journals from the Portola expedition, and in part by referencing existing Paleobotanical data. The location of primary interest is present day Pillar Point, just north of Half Moon Bay, from which Doctor Teale has previously collected Paleo-environmental data.