Pacific purple sea urchins (Strongylocentrotus purpuratus) have seemingly slow movement. I asked if it was possible for them to travel to uninhabited pools that neighbor their inhabited sites within a 6-week period occurring February through March of 2024. I used manual counting methods to determine sea urchin abundance in each pool. I utilized a divided quadrat to assess the percent of red algae cover of targeted sites to analyze whether adult urchin movement was correlated with food abundance. Overall, there was no evidence that sea urchin movement correlates with the algae cover percentage. Although, there was evidence that occasional colonization of pools occurred.

I looked at habitat selection of crows within the city of Eureka. I conducted point count surveys to compare the number of crows within residential/commercial areas (urban) and park areas to see which habitat type crows prefer.

Rickettsia bacteria cause several human diseases. Ixodes pacificus, a common human biting tick, vectors Rickettsia species phylotype G022 (G022) and Rickettsia tillamookensis. Both species shares an evolutionary lineage with known rickettsial pathogens and have a low prevalence in I. pacificus. Recently the incidence of rickettsial diseases has increased, along with vector borne diseases (VBD). Between 2004-2016 a total of 491,671 cases of tick-borne diseases were reported in the United States (76% of all VBD). The pathogenicity of G022 and R. tillamookensis has never been documented. Here we report that G022 and R. tillamookensis have the capacity to be horizontally transmitted to mammals.

The relationship between macroinvertebrate communities and waterfowl is still an understudied topic. I wanted to know how macroinvertebrate richness could influence waterfowl species and their abundance. I conducted my study at the Arcata Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary, setting up random systematic sites 100 meters from each other. Each site was sampled for waterfowl point counts within a 50 meter radius and invertebrates were collected via D-net sweeps and a core sample. Invertebrates collected were then euthanized in 70% ethanol and identified to family in the lab. My results showed a negative correlation between macroinvertebrate abundance compared to waterfowl diversity.

Our research investigates the role of microglia, the resident immune cells of the central nervous system (CNS), in the progression of Alzheimer's Disease (AD) using an agent-based model (ABM). Microglia cells, which typically act almost as neuronal guardians in the CNS can, under certain conditions, inadvertently contribute to AD progression if they become dysfunctional. By simulating microglia, neurons, and their interactions with signaling proteins, our ABM sheds light on the complex dynamics underlying the progression of AD, and has a the potential to inform therapeutic targets in AD treatment down the line.

Despite closing the gender gap for women scientists in some STEM careers, field-based research remains heavily dominated by men. We investigated if women scientists encounter challenges while conducting fieldwork that our male colleagues do not. Results indicated challenges exist around parity, recruitment, retention, and workplace dynamics.

This project is an Honors Thesis conducted on Richard Brown with the CPH Wildlife Department. This project assessed the use of the short and long alarm calls used by American pikas. This project took place in Lassen National Forest NW of Susanville, CA.

The Dungeness crab (Metacarcinus magister) is a pivotal decapod species along the Pacific coast, playing a significant role both economically and ecologically. This study aimed to investigate the influence of common eelgrass (Zostera marina) beds on juvenile Dungeness crab populations within Humboldt Bay, California. Utilizing crab hoop traps deployed across 30 sites at four distinct beach locations, the research sought to identify habitat preferences and better understand the ecological dynamics shaping juvenile Dungeness crab distributions.

This project aimed to answer whether or not bears frequented homes more often on trash pickup day. I placed 20 trail cameras around Humboldt County and was able to capture thousands of photos. Through the collaborative efforts with homeowners and myself, I was able to capture seventy photos of bears, of which 42 were independent events and 48% of the bears were actively foraging on trash.

In the Arcata Community Forest, many moles (Talpidae) and shrews (Soricidae) have been found dead along walkways. I investigated starvation, cold temperatures, age and toxin exposure as possible causes for these mortalities. I performed necropsies on 12 specimens including Trowbridge’s shrew (Sorex trowbridgii), shrew mole (Neurotrichus gibbsii) and coast mole (Scapanus orarius). and sent tissues as well as 3 additional specimens to UC Davis for toxicological screening. Body condition, cold temperatures and age did not appear to be linked to mortalities. The toxicological screens were negative for tested organic chemical compounds. The mortalities of these insectivores is still a mystery.