Biological Profiles: An analysis on the applicability and implications of traditional and new methods in forensic anthropology

Jazmin Borrayo, Anthropology Undergraduate Student

College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

In forensics, commonly used when conducting an assessment of skeletal remains is the implementation of a biological profile. The key elements that typically form the basic biological profile are age, ancestry, sex, and stature. These components consist of further methods that comprise the estimation process and are essential in identification. Within recent years, there has been a rise in attention to the use and application of certain methods. This project analyzes the applicability and implications of traditional methods commonly used in forensic anthropology when conducting biological profiles as well as examines the emergence of new methods in the field.

Bird Diversity and Habitat Preferences: A Comparative Analysis of Humboldt Campus and Arcata Community Forest

Edwin Ramirez, Wildlife Undergraduate Student

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

This study will look at the abundance and richness of birds on the Cal Poly Humboldt campus and in the Arcata Community Forest. The primary objective is to understand how various environmental factors could influence bird population in these two locations. Studying the abundance and richness of birds in urban environments, forest edges, and forest interiors could provide important insights into conservation and management strategies.

Bird Diversity in Arcata, California: A Study on Urban Influence

Brittany Ocheltree, Wildlife Undergraduate Student

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

In this study, the primary goal was to observe the effects of urbanization on bird species diversity and composition of native and non-native species in Arcata, California. Methods include fixed radius 75-meter point counts for ten minutes, within thirty predetermined study sites, where I counted bird species and the abundance of birds, landscape features (e.g., building density), along with noting any human activity that may occur. I hypothesized that non-native species would increase with increasing building density. In conjunction with that species diversity would decrease with building density.

Bisexuality, Intersectionality, and the Bechdel Test in Jane the Virgin

College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

I did my project on the telenovela "Jane The Virgin" and looking at the stereotypes that the show portrays about Latino culture. I discuss bisexuality within the latino culture, intersectionality, the Bechdel Test, and apply all of this to the show and telenovelas in general. I did this project for my Comm 309B class.

Bitches Been Mad

College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

Society shies away from emotions like rage, because it is scary and uncomfortable, however rage is and always has been a part of the human experience. Especially women, queer and BIPOC women, do not have safety in society to be anything but gentle. All people deserve a safe space to see that we are not crazy, we are just like everyone else, and express our rage through art. Through art we can experience, release and heal. While all identities should be welcome, it is important to center the feminine, as society has less space for this. I believe there is opportunity to collaborate between departments like counseling and gender studies to create a safe, healing, educational, and FUN space.

Black bears in suburban areas consume more anthropogenic foods

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

Consumption of human food by black bears (Ursus americanus) is a common and challenging problem for wildlife managers dealing with the species, because bears will readily use human-associated foods as an easily attainable energy source, especially when natural food sources are scarce .The result of human expansion is increased rates of encounters between humans and bears, particularly if bears are being forced to search farther and wider outside their home ranges for food. In this study I assessed variation in anthropocentric foods in bear diets. To accomplish this, I compared scat samples collected in Humboldt, CA from suburban and rural areas.

Black Lives Matter: The Digital Mobilization of Citizen Journalists

College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

Osprey magazine reporter and photographer Julie Navarro won the prestigious Society of Professional Journalists Feature Photography award for her story, “Black Lives Matter: The digital mobilization of citizen journalists.” Navarro is a critical race and gender studies major and this was her first time working on student journalism Osprey magazine. “I really wanted to share something that would be meaningful for all to see,” Navarro said. “It means a lot to me being part of documenting history.”

Black Phoebe Forage Rates

blake hefner, Wildlife Undergraduate Student

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

An analysis of how foraging rates in Black phoebe differs in wetland environments vs urban environments

Black Phoebes Sing More Often in Noisier Anthropogenic Environments

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

My senior thesis research is about how anthropogenic noise, such as traffic noise influences bird communication is an important question to understand how increasing urbanization influences animal populations. A bird that might be affected by traffic noise is the Black Phoebe, a suboscine songbird that occurs in both rural and urban areas. In contrast to oscines, song in suboscines is innate and not learned, so it is thought to be less plastic. My objective was to investigate if Black Phoebes adjust their singing behavior in response to car traffic in urban and rural sites in Arcata, California.

Black to the Kitchen: A Genealogical Cookbook

Dillon Harp, Other Graduate Student

College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

"Black To The Kitchen: A Genealogical Cookbook" intertwines culinary exploration with genealogical research to illuminate Afro-cultural foodways. From traditional family recipes rooted in West African heritage to adaptations born out of diasporic experiences, the book celebrates the richness and diversity of Afro-descendant cuisines. Moreover, the book explores the concept of the Black Kitchen as an "under commons," highlighting its historical significance as a site of resistance, resilience, and community organization, where cultural practices were preserved, solidarity was forged, and resistance movements were incubated.