Characterization of Photosynthetic Productivity and Growth in A.Thaliana Mutants

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

This project studies photosynthetic phenotypes of six Arabidopsis Thaliana mutants under fluctuating light intensity and flat light intensity chambers. Photosynthetic and biomass results from this study have possible implications for these mutants' mechanisms of light energy quenching and heat release. Further investigations into these implications could identify genes that are responsible for high photosynthetic productivity in A. Thaliana, leading to their implementation in important plants for biofuel and crop production.

Characterizing the genetic diversity of immune genes in a non-native population of American Bullfrogs in Humboldt County, California

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

The American Bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus) is a highly invasive species that has successfully colonized different habitats around the world. The level of genetic variability in a population may help determine how resistant a population is to pathogens and how persistent an invasive population may be over time. Our project’s objective was to isolate and characterize the genetic diversity of a rapidly evolving immune gene in an invasive bullfrog population near the Mad River in Humboldt County, CA. We isolated four genetically distinct alleles from 16 frogs. When included with alleles from related species, we detected positive selection acting on putative binding sites.

Characters Influencing Plethodontid Salamander Microhabitat Selection

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

Work was done studying mirohabitat selection of two local plethodontid salamander species, Batrachoseps attenuatus (California slender salamander), and Ensatina eschscholtzii (common ensatina). Results imply that the most significant factor is the relative humidity of the microhabitat.

Charity Over Corrections

College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

Youth programs like the Boys and Girls Club of America are important institutions that help the communities youth more rather than Governor Brown's proposal to increase the spending across the state’s youth correctional system.

Chemical Fingerprinting of Sanidine from Long Canyon Dome, Sierra Nevada, California

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

The Long Canyon Dome (LCD) is a 185 ka rhyolite dome in south-central Sierra Nevada, California. The rhyolite pumice from the pre-eruption contains less SiO2 and a different mineralogy, than the rhyolite magma erupted from LCD. This suggests the dome was tapping into two different rhyolite magma bodies during one eruption, or a hotter rhyolitic magma intruded into a cooler magma, triggering the eruption. The Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy’s (EDS) point and shoot method was used to measure the chemical signature of sanidine crystals in pre and post eruption sample. The rhyolite pumices’ at LCD represents similar but slightly different magmas compositions.

Chinese Governmentality: Emerging Greenhouses on Rural Tibetan Landscapes

College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

This study explores changing agricultural conditions and practices on the Tibetan Plateau. Through textual discourse supported by field observations, agricultural practices are assessed. I explore the works of Goldstein, Paltridge and past HSU field research to argue that the Chinese government addresses this nourishment problem through policy, an intricate display of governmentality. The rural Tibetan livelihood is marginalized and degraded through Chinese policies noted by Goldstein designed to bring the Tibetan population into a market-driven economy. While rural farmer adopt green revolution technologies and weigh the economic benefit of grain subsides I see greenhouses on the horizon.

Cho' Skuy Soo Hey We Chem': Deconstructing Seeking Safety Training Manual for PTSD and Substance Use

College of Professional Studies

Cho' Skuy Soo Hey We Chem': Deconstructing Seeking Safety Training Manual for PTSD and Substance Use is a pilot curriculum being developed in collaboration with Yurok leaders, elders, professionals, and myself in constructing a culturally appropriate curriculum to address PTSD and Substance use for Yurok families navigating the child welfare system. Post-colonial theory informs my practice while working indigenous communities. Colonization has stripped Native American communities from their land, resources, identity, sovereignty, and children. Western models do not work for indigenous communities, thus offering culturally appropriate services is critical for the healing process.

Choose to Reuse at Humboldt State University

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

The project is about plastic pollution in our oceans, the zero waste movement, and the new choose to reuse campaign on campus.

Chronic Cannabis Use in Emerging Adults: Relationships with Mental Health Factors

College of Professional Studies

The recent legalization of cannabis in multiple states, and the growth of cannabis use in recent years, underscores the importance of understanding the relationship between frequency of cannabis use and mental health outcomes. Risks for cannabis use and negative mental health outcomes (e.g., anxiety, depression) are highest in emerging adulthood, supporting the importance of examining cannabis use and mental health variables in this population. The current study examined differences in borderline personality disorder symptomatology, demoralization, burnout, loneliness, anxiety, and depression between groups of young adults: those who reported no/infrequent, moderate, or chronic cannabis use.

Climate Action in Humboldt County : College Corps

Indigo Thorson , College Corp Undergraduate Student

Other

This project delves into the role of College Corps in fostering community engagement and leadership development in climate action. Through collaborative partnerships with local nonprofit organizations, College Corps provides students with opportunities to address pressing social environmental challenges while deepening their connections within the community. This case study follows my journey as a College Corps fellow who, driven by a passion for environmental and social justice, has made significant contributions in waste reduction and community garden initiatives. My experiences illustrate the programs’ efficacy in empowering students to become catalysts for change.