Kinetic Evaluation of Putative Cellulase Enzymes for Cellulosic Biofuel

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

Cellulose composed of glucose monomers is the most abundant biopolymer on earth, as the primary component of the plant cell wall. The enzyme cellulase breaks down the polysaccharide through hydrolysis at the β-1,4-glycosidic linkages. As cellulose is the most ample renewable biological resource and has a low-cost energy source based on energy content. The objective of this study is to evaluate clones of putative cellulases for their activity compared to commercially available products and identify potential cellulase protein activity found in cow rumen in order to optimize biofuel production.

Kink Representation Outreach Project (KROP)

College of Professional Studies

Contemporary research does not support psychology’s historical framing of Bondage/discipline, dominance and submission, sadomasochism (BDSM) as a pathology. Multiple studies have suggested that supportive BDSM communities can play a positive role for people who practice BDSM. Drawing on these finding, this study consisted of a content analysis of top-selling human sexuality textbooks in the U.S. to determine the representation of BDSM. In particular, we explored how references to community experience were or were not represented. This poster reflects the importance of critically analyzing the influence of dominant narratives, social norms, and stigma in human sexuality textbooks.

Kiss Me Kate, Costume Design

College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

I was one of the costume designers for HSU's production of Kiss Me Kate; in charge of the costumes of the lead characters, Fred/Petruchio and Lilli/Kate. I'll be presenting Kate's final dress for the finale of the show. After researching many paintings, I designed a dress that harkened to the Renaissance time period. The dress was built by a team of costume technicians, including myself.

Klamath Dam Removal

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

Within our poster we will present the positives of the removal of the dams on the klamath and the effects that it will have on the water ways in that area. While doing this we will also inform about the history and importance of rivers like the Klamath that are being dammed. We will also cover the socio economic effects of the dam removal on indigenous groups that have thrived on salmonid populations. Scientists have speculated that the presence of the dams is responsible for the decline of salmonid in northern rivers. In conclusion we will make a hypothesis based on other dam removals to see what effect it will have on the area.

Kleptoplasty and Co-evolution in Humboldt Bay: A study of sea-slug, Alderia modesta, and Coenocytic Algae.

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

Alderia modesta is a sacoglossan sea-slug that is capable of of kleptoplasty, a process where the sea-slug steals the chloroplast from the algae that it eats , phagocytizes it, and uses it to photosynthesize. In this experiment, different groups of A. modesta were fed three different species of coenocytic algae, all of which are known to be eaten by sacoglossans. The cerata (anatomical structures) were then plucked off and the chloroplasts were counted under a fluorescence microscope to compare which alga the sea-slug ingested the most. The experiment has yet to conclude, however, the alga with the highest ratio of chloroplasts is considered to have co-evolved with the sea-slug.

Kombucha: A Chemical Investigation

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

Kombucha is a popular drink which has been consumed for centuries. Its chemical properties and usefulness have only recently been investigated by scientists. In our research, we aim to add valuable data to the kombucha fermentation reaction, and find novel uses for the various products of the fermentation.

Kriging Interpolation of Understory Light for Prediction Modeling of Stump Sprout Growth in Mixed Multiaged Stands in California

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

We studied conifer and hardwood regeneration response to experimental harvest treatments conducted ~100 years after the first harvest (clearcut). We examined relationships between understory light, varying overstory tree retention, and growth of coast redwood and tanoak stump sprouts arising after complete and partial harvest. First, we quantified understory light throughout this 30 ha experiment comparing four different retention treatments repeated at four sites. Then we related understory light to post-treatment stand density, treatment type, and regeneration. Redwood sprouts outperformed tanoak by different margins, and grew most rapidly in high light.

L.A. Sheriff’s “Our Mission, Creed, and Core Values”: a Subversive Standpoint

College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

The Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department has strategically created a message in hopes of persuading its population that they stand for justice. “Our Mission, Creed, and Core Values,” may be considered an honorable message to its preferred audience. But from a subversive standpoint, the message is considered to target and criminalize marginalized citizens. This study will demonstrate how the hegemony uses militarized rhetoric to support their war on our communities. Ultimately, this research seeks to educate its audience about the ways in which messages, those similar to the LASD’s, continue to instigate hostilities towards and among the marginalized population.

La vida en el Centro del Pueblo

Brigitte Vega, College Corp Undergraduate Student

Other

This year I was able to work with Centro del Pueblo. A non-profit organization which helps its community members through providing a space for the community to garden. Centro del Pueblo also supports its latino community by advocating and providing any type of support. During my time at Centro del pueblo I was able to meet many new people. I was excited to be able to work alongside other latinos. This especially meant a lot to me being the change of environment I experienced coming from Los Angeles. As a part of the organization helping out in the garden became essential to being fully involved with the people.

Land-Based Healing Toolkit

Sara Goodrich, Social Work Graduate Student

College of Professional Studies

The land-based healing toolkit contains 16 therapeutic interventions, written in service of Sorrel Leaf Healing Center’s vision of serving young people and their support people towards healing. The toolkit draws on ecotherapy, dialectical behavioral therapy and the Work that Reconnects. Its purpose is to connect young people and their support people to themselves, the earth, and each other. The project is space-specific, drawing on the ecosystems and seasons of Humboldt county. The toolkit is an open resource available to the community via Sorrel Leaf Healing Center (SLHC).