Hybrid membrane processes for water reuse

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

A paradigm shift that utilizes water reuse strategies such as sewer mining is necessary as water resources become more stringent. Sewer mining is the beneficial reuse of wastewater before it is conventionally treated and discharged. This novel hybrid sewer mining system is a unique combination of proven unit processes: forward osmosis (FO), direct contact membrane distillation (DCMD), anaerobic membrane bioreactors (AnMBR), Sharon, Annamox, and struvite precipitation arranged in an innovative way. This poster will present the experimental results from a bench-scale automated FO-DCMD system to produce a high quality potable effluent under different operating conditions.

I Cannot Believe It’s Not Gluten

College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

Celiac Disease is defined by intolerance to gluten, similar to that of an allergic reaction. The only published treatment is abstaining from gluten, in any form. Gluten-free products became widely offered in grocery stores and restaurants soon followed suit. The FDA has ruled that after August 5, 2014 that food that is gluten-free can have up to 20 parts per million (ppm) of “unavoidable” gluten contamination. This project tests for the occurrence of gluten contamination found within restaurants that serve food labeled as gluten –free, in Arcata, Ca. The study focuses on three local restaurants: Luke’s Joint, Smug’s Pizza, and Hey Juan's.

Identification of a Type 1 Regulatory T Cell Master Regulator

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

Type 1 regulatory T cells (Tr1s) are critical for regulation of autoimmunity and acceptance of hematopoietic stem cell transplants. One major limitation of Tr1 research is the lack of known master regulator, which is a transcription factor that has essential roles in both differentiation and function of the cell type. My research leverages CRISPR-Ca9-induced knockouts and in vitro Tr1 differentiation to screen potential Tr1 master regulators.

Identification of Structure and Bio-Activity of Myxobacteria Fractions

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

Myxobacteria are a large family of bacteria, of which some have proven to contain antibacterial and antineoplasticity secondary metabolites. These bioactive secondary metabolites have been the basis for new analog drugs approved by the FDA in the treatment of different cancers. This research focuses on finding and isolating myxobacteria strains from local soil samples, fractionating these isolated samples, then determining structure and bioactivity through Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy and bio-assays, respectively. This is to gain a better understanding of the conditions that spawn wild myxobacteria colonies and any possibly new bio-active compounds.

Identifying Bus Stop Locations: Isolating Flow from Entering Creeks and Parks

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

Municipal solid waste (MSW) aka. trash , is one of many stressors on global climate change. An estimated 19,832,501 metric tons generated within a year alone in California. Accumulation of trash can spread into creeks and parks.Trash flow can be mitigated through the use of waste and recycling receptacles.This study observers bus stops that are in proximity to selected creeks and parks based on 100, 200, and 300 meter zones of the Arcata Red and Gold Bus Routes.The Red Route buffer zones intersecting greatly with nearby creeks and parks.Community members and stake holders can provide further input where receptacles are most beneficiary for local green-space and city planning cost.

Identifying Optimal Temperature Ranges that Support Juvenile Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) Growth within the Klamath Basin

Isabelle Shirah, Wildlife Undergraduate Student

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

This project looks at yearly temperature ranges and growth metrics for fish sampled at three sites along the klamath basin.

Identifying Pleistocene Ursus fossils from dental morphology analyses of American black bear (Ursus americanus) and brown bear (Ursus arctos) specimens

Tananya Alberts, Wildlife Undergraduate Student

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

This project aimed to use black and brown bear teeth measurements in order to see if species identifications can be made for fossil bears. Using specimens across four Californian natural history museums, we found that one tooth measurement was sufficient to identify between the two species.

Identifying Resources to Strengthen Pathways to Higher Education for Native Foster Youth in Humboldt County

College of Professional Studies

This project partnered with the Indian Tribal and Educational Personnel Program (ITEPP) to gather qualitative data regarding the strengths and challenges in the existing resources and services offered to Native foster youth (NFY) in Humboldt County. The intended goals were to use Indigenous research methods to 1. Build connections between community agencies serving NFY in order to create a stronger network of support; 2. Strengthen support for NFY that can carry on throughout their collegiate experience and facilitate their eventual degree completion; 3. Provide a model of practice for other campuses seeking to strengthen resources and pathways to higher education success for NFY.

Impacts of the edge effect on avian species distribution in the Arcata Community Forest

Christy Wheatley, Environmental Science & Management Undergraduate Student

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

Our study aimed to discover the impacts of the edge effect on bird species distributions within the secondary redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) Arcata Community Forest (ACF). We used the Merlin Bird ID app to record the number of species present at three edge and three interior sampling sites to determine if there was a statistically significant difference between the number of species present. We found that edge sites averaged 7.3 species while interior sites averaged 5.5 species. Our results indicate that the edge effect is being represented in bird habitat selection.

Implementing the Classroom Assistant Position to Humboldt State University

College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

Through extensive on-campus research and personal experience my research attests to the fact that the classroom assistant position, while not widely adopted in many university settings including HSU, has proven to be an effective on-campus support mechanism. By performing functions such as assisting in classroom flow, facilitating in-class group exercises, and checking in on students’ progress on work outside of class, classroom assistants are an understated, invaluable resource that develops students’ work capacities as well as their level of comfort and integration into on-campus resources and events.