Indigenous People and Tiger Conservation

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

My poster will be an examination of current tiger conservation efforts and how indigenous people have contributed to the recent growth in tiger populations. Traditional beliefs surrounding tigers shape the perspectives of Indigenous tribes living alongside these powerful cats. Understanding the indigenous perspective of coexistence with tigers offers conservationists new insights for promoting tiger conservation elsewhere. The poster will outline where tigers fit into the attitudes and beliefs of indigenous people living alongside them, how it affects conservation efforts today, and why it is important.

Indigenous People the First Biologists: use of TEK in Sustaining the Wilderness

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

A study on how using Traditional Ecological Knowledge can help sustain the wilderness and natural resources

Indigenous Peoples and Uses of Plants in Spirituality and Healing

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

Sophia and I will be creating our poster based around the ideas of Traditional Ecological Knowledge, as well as Indigenous plant-based medicines. We will take a look into how Indigenous peoples use plants to enrich their lives, heal, and further states of spirit and consciousness. The focus of the poster will be around common Indigenous plant-based medicines, some psychedelic allies, and we will finish it out by discussing how the gathering of these materials bring Indigenous peoples closer to their land.

Individual differences in the coordinated behavioral and physiological immune response to pathogenic threat

Povheng Yam, Psychology Graduate Student

College of Professional Studies

Infectious diseases pose a significant threat to an organism’s fitness and have been a strong selective pressure throughout human evolution. Although we have evolved a sophisticated biological response to pathogenic threat, it can be quite costly to engage the physiological immune system. The Behavioral Immune System encompasses a suite of psychological mechanisms that bias our cognitions and behaviors to facilitate pathogen avoidance. The potential link between the behavioral and physiological immune systems in relatively understudied. The current study aimed to replicate and extend previous work on this link by introducing an additional live pathogenic cue (a "sick" confederate).

Influence of Canopy Cover on Artificial Refugia Color Selection in Pacific Tree Frogs (Pseudacris regilla)

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

I studied Pacific Tree Frogs (Pseudacris regilla) at the Arcata Marsh to observe how canopy cover in the environment would influence how the frogs select microhabitats. Pacific Tree Frogs actively use color cues when selecting microhabitats and will use artificial refugia when it is available. Using PVC pipes painted either white or brown as artificial refugia, I set up one white and one brown PVC pipe sample at four sites around the Butcher Slough Log Pond. Two sites had no canopy cover while the other two had high canopy cover. I then tested whether Pacific Tree Frogs would select white or brown artificial refugia under the influence of low or high canopy cover in the environment.

Influence of Exercise on Mood States: Comparing Yoga to Low-Impact Aerobics

College of Professional Studies

This research focuses on the intersection between moderate exercise and mental well-being, comparing yoga and low impact aerobics college classes to determine which is most effective in their influence on moods. Profile of Mood States (POMS) and new General Self-efficacy (NGSE) scales are used to gather data over Fall semester 2020.

Influence of Human disturbance on the ranging patterns of wildlife on college campuses

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

In a world with increasing urban sprawl wildlife is finding habitat remnants of green spaces such as college campuses. These campuses provide many green spaces, anthropogenic food sources, and a unique set of challenges for wildlife to face. My study looked at how wildlife species on the campuses of Cal Poly Humboldt and College of the Redwood are responding to the human disturbance rates across the two campuses.

Influence of Running shoes on Running Economy, Injury Performance, and Biomechanical Efficiency

Sawyer Stoddard, School of Applied Health Undergraduate Student

College of Professional Studies

Delve into the effects of running shoes on athletic performance, biomechanical efficiency, and injury prevention. Examine the relationship between footwear selection, running economy, and influence it has when running. Assess various shoe characteristics, including design, weight, and midsole properties, to elucidate their impact on stride mechanics and energy usage. Allowing valuable insights to guide optimal shoe choices for maximizing performance and ensuring long-term well-being for all types of runners.

Influence of Urban Land Use on Avian Diversity in Eureka, CA

Emma McGraw, Wildlife Undergraduate Student

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

The objective of my research is to test if there is any correlation between avian diversity and preserved green areas in Eureka, CA. Additionally, how does the vegetation composition of these parks compare to the avian diversity. I visited a total of 30 sites including 15 urban parks or green areas, and 15 urban sites paired with each of the green sites, to see how diversity compared in the surrounding urban habitat. Using avian abundance and species richness data I collected, I calculated the Shannon Diversity Index (H') of each site. Overall, I observed significantly higher avian diversity at green sites and found positive correlation between avian diversity and plant species richness.

INRSEP + Diversity in STEM

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

HSU’s Indian Natural Resources, Science and Engineering Program (INRSEP) provides academic and research support services to historically underrepresented students in the Sciences, in order to support their academic success and degree completion, as well as connect them with the resources and opportunities to meet their career and graduate school goals.