Assessing Uncertainties in a Flow Injection Analysis Method for Trace Concentrations of Iron in Seawater

Elijah Vestal, Geology Undergraduate Student

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

Iron is an essential nutrient in biological systems, and is the limiting nutrient in about ⅓ of the surface ocean. We investigate the flow injection method of Lohan et al., 2006, with modifications described in Biller et al., 2013 to analyze nanomolar concentrations of iron in seawater. In this work we focus on quantifying and understanding the uncertainties in the measurements and the signal of the blank by adjusting the method in four distinct ways.

Astronomy Education Research

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

The basis of our research is to assess why learning gains are low within introductory astronomy courses and how scores can be improved. Examining pre and post scores from an Astronomical Diagnostics Test we were able to examine learning gains of fifty-six students. We used Hake’s normalized gain formula to quantify learning gains. The average learning gain found was 0.20 and the highest gains fell among questions such as phases and position of the moon, eclipses, and seasons on Earth, with gains between 0.5-.64. Because Hake’s normalized gain formula is biased, we are looking into other methods of quantifying our data.

Attitudes of Recognizable and Unrecognizable Disabilities in Various Contexts

Mari Sanchez, Psychology Faculty

College of Professional Studies

Some disabilities are apparent (i.e., recognizable), while other disabilities are not (i.e., unrecognizable). Different situational contexts (i.e. dating, marriage, work, classroom) and the type of disability being judged (recognizable or unrecognizable) may impact one’s attitudes towards those with disabilities. In addition, one’s own personal characteristics (e.g. gender, sexual orientation, and disability status) may also impact one’s disability attitudes.

Attitudes of Recognizable and Unrecognizable Disabilities in Various Contexts

Alicia Martin, Psychology Staff

College of Professional Studies

Some disabilities are apparent (i.e., recognizable), while other disabilities are not (i.e., unrecognizable). Different situational contexts (i.e. dating, marriage, work, classroom) and the type of disability being judged (recognizable or unrecognizable) may impact one’s attitudes towards those with disabilities. In addition, one’s own personal characteristics (e.g. gender, sexual orientation, and disability status) may also impact one’s disability attitudes.

Autonomy Support Promotes College Student Engagement Through Mastery-Approach Goals and Self-Esteem

College of Professional Studies

COVID-19 brought about unprecedented difficulties for college students. Challenges associated with online learning, such as one-way interactions, presented obstacles to college engagement. We explored the role that instructors play in fostering greater academic involvement. Specifically, we examined the effects of autonomy support. Autonomy support involves encouraging students to explore their own interests and self-regulate. We posited that autonomy support would predict, respectively, greater self-esteem and mastery-approach goals for students. In turn, we expected that these effects would predict greater engagement. Our findings highlight the importance of autonomy support.

Availability of Perch Structures Correlates with the Abundance and Richness of Raptors in Humboldt County

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

Perches are necessary for raptor species in both their foraging and roosting behavior. The distribution of foraging and roosting raptors is influenced by the availability of perches and prey. However, little is known about the influence of different available perch types, within a habitat, has on raptors. My research aimed to address the question of whether local raptor abundance and richness correlates with the availability of a variety of perch types in a habitat.

Avian Occurrence Data Extraction Using Python Programming

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

Bird detection data helps inform management on how species might be shifting their distributions due to changes in the environment. This project uses a Python program to create a graphical user interface (GUI) that assists in gathering avian species occurrence data from a number of biological information websites such as Biodiversity Information Serving Our Nation (BISON), eBird, and Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF). Data is extracted to contain location coordinates of the detection along with the species name. The final data is exported as a comma separated values (CSV) file into a created desktop folder that can be imported into a geographical information system.

Aviary

College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

Aviary is a short film, made during the fall of 2020, in a film three production class. The story is about a woman dealing with agoraphobia (the fear of leaving one’s house), who must conquer her anxieties when her grocery delivery is placed too far from her comfort zone of reach.

Bacterial expression of G-protein coupled receptor CB2 fusion protein

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

The G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR), CB2, is part of a widespread neuromodulatory system found in all animals and is suspected to play a role in both CNS and immune system functions, yet it is a relatively understudied. We demonstrated a successful method for the expression and purification of the GPCR CB2 protein from BL21(DE3) pLysS competent cells. This method involves the culturing of an E. coli BL21(DE3) pLysS MBP-CB2-6xHis cell line, induction of CB2 receptor expression via IPTG, and the harvest and isolation of expressed CB2 proteins via Ni-NTA Immobilized Metal Affinity Chromatography. This method was proven to be successful based on SDS-page and spectrophotometric analyses.

Bake the World a Better Place: 501(c)3 Development

College of Professional Studies

Bake the World a Better Place is a non-profit organization based out of Denver, Colorado that aims to holistically improve the community. Presently, the organization engages in job training and job placement of marginalized populations such as those experiencing homelessness. Additionally, continuing collaborations are being made with local hotels to assist with housing individuals during the job training process. Products made during the classes are shared with individuals living on the streets. Through building community partnerships between business, social service agencies, and vulnerable populations, each entity is taking an active role in helping improve their community.