Biological Profiles: An analysis on the applicability and implications of traditional and new methods in forensic anthropology

Jazmin Borrayo, Anthropology Undergraduate Student

College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

In forensics, commonly used when conducting an assessment of skeletal remains is the implementation of a biological profile. The key elements that typically form the basic biological profile are age, ancestry, sex, and stature. These components consist of further methods that comprise the estimation process and are essential in identification. Within recent years, there has been a rise in attention to the use and application of certain methods. This project analyzes the applicability and implications of traditional methods commonly used in forensic anthropology when conducting biological profiles as well as examines the emergence of new methods in the field.

Bisexuality, Intersectionality, and the Bechdel Test in Jane the Virgin

College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

I did my project on the telenovela "Jane The Virgin" and looking at the stereotypes that the show portrays about Latino culture. I discuss bisexuality within the latino culture, intersectionality, the Bechdel Test, and apply all of this to the show and telenovelas in general. I did this project for my Comm 309B class.

Bitches Been Mad

College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

Society shies away from emotions like rage, because it is scary and uncomfortable, however rage is and always has been a part of the human experience. Especially women, queer and BIPOC women, do not have safety in society to be anything but gentle. All people deserve a safe space to see that we are not crazy, we are just like everyone else, and express our rage through art. Through art we can experience, release and heal. While all identities should be welcome, it is important to center the feminine, as society has less space for this. I believe there is opportunity to collaborate between departments like counseling and gender studies to create a safe, healing, educational, and FUN space.

BLACK HUMBOLDT An Impactful Mission

Nauselle Gleglaud, Business Undergraduate Student

College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

As a College Corps Fellow, I supported Black Humboldt, a nonprofit uplifting Black and Brown communities in Humboldt County. I focused on behind-the-scenes work designing flyers, managing outreach, organizing files, and tracking expenses which gave me insight into the thoughtful planning behind inclusive, community-rooted spaces. This experience showed me that even administrative tasks can meaningfully support grassroots work. Black Humboldt’s mission highlights how intentional care fosters belonging, amplifies underrepresented voices, and redefines solidarity in rural areas.

Black Lives Matter: The Digital Mobilization of Citizen Journalists

College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

Osprey magazine reporter and photographer Julie Navarro won the prestigious Society of Professional Journalists Feature Photography award for her story, “Black Lives Matter: The digital mobilization of citizen journalists.” Navarro is a critical race and gender studies major and this was her first time working on student journalism Osprey magazine. “I really wanted to share something that would be meaningful for all to see,” Navarro said. “It means a lot to me being part of documenting history.”

Black to the Kitchen: A Genealogical Cookbook

Dillon Harp, Other Graduate Student

College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

"Black To The Kitchen: A Genealogical Cookbook" intertwines culinary exploration with genealogical research to illuminate Afro-cultural foodways. From traditional family recipes rooted in West African heritage to adaptations born out of diasporic experiences, the book celebrates the richness and diversity of Afro-descendant cuisines. Moreover, the book explores the concept of the Black Kitchen as an "under commons," highlighting its historical significance as a site of resistance, resilience, and community organization, where cultural practices were preserved, solidarity was forged, and resistance movements were incubated.

Blockburger v. United States

Mason Gardner, Politics Undergraduate Student

College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

One day, you decide to use a firearm to rob a convenience store. You are caught, and are charged with first degree robbery and brandishing a deadly weapon. These two charges came from the same crime; would this be considered double jeopardy? Blockburger v. United States, a landmark supreme court case, settled this legal question in 1932. The case established the "Blockburger test", which states that the government can only prosecute an individual for violating two different statutes in a single crime/act if each statute requires an element/fact for the government to prove that is independent of the other statute.

Bones Grow, but Do They Shrink: A Taphonomic Study on Postmortem Bone Shrinkage

College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

An important aspect in biological anthropology and forensic cases is determining an individual’s stature in life. Stature estimation involves the use of formulas that have been derived from measurements taken from an individual’s bones. Bones, in life, are encased in the body, which is a wet environment. Our research looks at the postmortem taphonomic processes which may lead to the bone shrinking after death, in the relatively dryer outside environment. Bone shrinkage could have an impact on stature estimations in forensic and other anthropological cases. Our preliminary findings indicate that environment and time affect bone shrinkage rates.

Boundaries in Death: Deviant Burials and Mortuary Practices of Slavic Cultural Origin

Rowan Vespia, Anthropology Undergraduate Student

College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

The goal of this presentation is to analyze the ways in which beliefs surrounding death and mortuary practices were changed in the Medieval period by the introduction of Christianity to Slavic cultures– focusing primarily on Poland and atypical burials. I have a poster and power point recorded presentation available.

Breath of Life: Revitalizing California’s Native Languages Through Archives

College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

The Advocates for Indigenous California Language Survival held its first Breath of Life Workshop in 1996. The Breath of Life Workshop connects tribal participants with Native American language archival collections at the University of California at Berkeley for the purpose of bringing back into use languages with no living fluent speakers. During Breath of Life, participants use archives to complete a research project that can be completed in a week. Participants finish the workshop prepared to conduct archival research independently at any archive, including Humboldt State University's Humboldt Room, home of the Center for Indian Community Development Collection.