Commander-in-Clown: An Analysis of Political Rhetoric in Relation to Saturday Night Live

College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

Saturday Night Live is a major cultural touchstone and a reactive satire which parodies the same politics it influences. Though whether this influence is descriptive or prescriptive remains to be seen. During the 2016 election, the show changed its portrayal of Donald Trump when Alec Baldwin took over the role. Trump was portrayed as ultimately stupid and unlikely to win. The show helped to normalize his campaign, repudiating Trump’s mannerisms but not his policies. By lavishing so much faith on Clinton and treating Trump like a throwaway joke, Saturday Night Live may have inadvertently helped him win the election.

Community Brochure for Open Door Community Health Centers

Andrea Jones, Social Work Graduate Student

College of Professional Studies

My research focuses on community access to cultural and crisis resources, through networking with community health centers. My brochure will help reach a boarder population throughout Humboldt and Del Norte counties on educating and advocating for families about health services offered at their local clinic site. While Open Door struggles to retain staff, and providers, its important for the community to have additional access to other resources that are not quite at capacity. This will support small organizations that focus on cultural and diverse practices, as well as acknowledge Indigenous people by having others support and give back through their honor tax.

Community Connection: Becoming a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) and the Relation to Political Science

College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

This project highlights my experience volunteering with CASA of Humboldt and how it relates to a political science degree. Often CASA is marketed to the child development and social work majors; however, I will demonstrate how it is equally connected to political science majors. An internship with CASA applies several aspects of political science including: social advocacy and understanding the judicial system. CASA’s gain extensive legal experience through writing court reports, collaborating with attorneys, learning child welfare laws, and advocating in court. My ultimate hope is that my project will spark your interest in becoming an advocate, so you can make a difference for a child!

Community Currency for Humboldt

College of Professional Studies

I will conducting a feasibility study for the implementation of a local community currency in Humboldt County, in conjunction with the impacts (positive or negative) of starting a community currency. This study will be based off of examples of current successful community currencies.

Community Needs Assessment for the Bear River Band of Rhonerville Rancheria

College of Professional Studies

My project is a community needs assessment for the Bear River Band of Rhonerville Rancheria, who are my community partners. I am working with Liana Whiteley, Director of Social Services. This needs assessment is needed to effectively assess and address the educational needs of the youth in their community. It is also a way to assess how the local school districts can better support the education of the tribes youth, their families, and their community. With this needs assessment, I hope to be able to capture the necessary information to demonstrate Bear River Rancheria’s need for an educational system that is supportive and inclusive of their community and culture.

Community Youth Center Capacity Building

John Evans, Social Work Graduate Student

College of Professional Studies

Dream Quest (DQ) is a youth center in Willow Creek, CA that provides positive youth development opportunities to the communities of Eastern Humboldt County and Western Trinity County. DQ is currently planning for an expansion into a new purpose built building which will extend DQ’s capacity to positively impact the community. Along with facilities expansion, DQ is planning to expand the capacity of its staff and programming, including the continual improvement of youth outcomes. DQ requested my assistance to collaborate in an effort to uncover knowledge around program evaluation and the experience of families involved with DQ.

Comparative Analyses of the Soil Microbiome of Phlox Hirsuta (Polemoniaceae), a Rare Serpentine Species

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

Phlox hirsuta, the Yreka Phlox, is a threatened species native to northern California. The species is restricted to five populations, all of which occur on serpentine soil. Given the small number of populations and the edaphic specialization of the species, the viability and longevity of the populations is an important area of study. Multiple factors influence the growth and germination of individual plants , and the amount of growth of an individual plant can fluctuate from year to year. One overlooked aspect of plant growth, in this species, is the soil microbiome, and examining this can shed light on the role of this underground component, in plant growth.

Comparative Analysis of Anabaena Sensory Rhodopsin in Nanodiscs Containing Various Lipids.

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

Membrane proteins (MP) are crucial for cell pathways, but are difficult to study due to hydrophobicity. Nanodiscs (ND) provide a lipid bilayer mimetic enabling MP studies. To improve efficiency, we compared two ND assembly methods for detergent removal, and evaluated how lipid affects the MP, Anabaena Sensory Rhodopsin. ND were assembled with purified ASR, various lipids, Sodium Cholate and Apolipoprotein AI. Electrophoresis was utilized to evaluate complex formation. ASR was successfully isolated and assembled into ND. We found that the biobead method was faster and had less risk of loss, showing it to be the better method. ND provide a promising approach to therapeutics affecting MP.

Comparative Analysis of Planktonic Productivity in Trinidad Bay and Nearshore Environments in Northern California During the 2017 Upwelling Season

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

This study investigated how biological productivity in the shallow waters of Trinidad Bay, located adjacent to Trinidad Head, differed from the productivity in exposed nearshore environments before and after the onset of seasonal upwelling in 2017. Biological and hydrographic measurements were collected prior to the onset of seasonal upwelling (March) as well as after (May and June) to determine if the associated hydrodynamics affected the spatial distribution of planktonic productivity. Measurements suggest that Trinidad Bay exhibited enhanced secondary productivity relative to nearby exposed environments during relaxation events following strong upwelling periods.

Comparative Analysis of Wildlife Abundance and Diversity in Humboldt County: Historical Baselines vs Modern Observations

Nathaniel Davidson, Wildlife Undergraduate Student

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

This study compares historical and modern records of wildlife abundance and diversity in Humboldt County to evaluate long-term ecological change. Using a standardized scoring system based on historical quotes, field surveys, and species data, I’ve quantified shifts in species richness, abundance, and ecosystem services. Results highlight significant declines in native species abundance and diversity, revealing patterns of biodiversity loss and degradation since precolonial times.