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Presenters & Abstracts: College of Natural Resources & Sciences
Effects of Supplemental Feeding on Migratory and Resident Hummingbirds
- Hunter C PerezWildlifeUndergraduate Student
This is my Senior project where I analyzed which feeding preference hummingbirds preferred in relation to hummingbird feeders and natural flowers given equal access to the two variables. Supplemental feeding has a massive effect on foraging behavior of all species, and research on how this effects populations is needed to inform citizens on how to safely and properly partake in this popular pastime.
Effects of tidal conditions on egret foraging behavior in Arcata Marsh
Tania Estrada Rodriguez, Wildlife Undergraduate Student
College of Natural Resources & SciencesThis study examines how tidal levels impact egret foraging behavior in the Arcata Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary (AMWS) in Humboldt County, California. This study aims to expand upon the limited existing research on the relationship between tidal conditions and egret foraging and to determine the effects of tide levels on egret foraging behavior. Additionally, the study assesses the influence of temperature, overcast, tide, and waterfowl presence on egret foraging behavior and measures egret strike rate and success as parameters for assessing the overall impact of high and low tides on their foraging behavior.
Efficacy of Variable Density Thinning at Redwood National Park.
- Kevin SolandForestryUndergraduate Student
- Meagan BurgerForestryUndergraduate Student
- Sonnette RussellForestryUndergraduate Student
- Tyler DunlapForestryUndergraduate Student
Our group’s senior thesis investigated the physiological and water potential responses of redwood and tanoak trees to various thinning treatments that occurred during the Summer of 2017 in Redwood National Park. We selected 47 individual study trees among five different thinning intensities (No cut, 25%, 40%, 55%, and 75%) across three 1-hectare fixed-area plots. Our initial findings indicate a certain sweet spot which the trees seem to favor. Stop by our booth to learn more!
Electrified Transit Infrastructure Planning for Humboldt County
- Alejandro CervantesSchatz Energy Research Center / Graduate student in Environmental Resources EngineeringGraduate Student
- Chih-Wei HsuSchatz Energy Research Center / Graduate student in Energy, Technology, and Policy (2019)Graduate Student
- Jerome CarmanSchatz Energy Research CenterStaff
- Peter LehmanSchatz Energy Research Center / Environmental Resources EngineeringFaculty
The California Air Resources Board has set goals for all public transit fleets in the state to be zero-emission by 2040. To meet that target, transit agencies are required to begin shifting to battery electric and fuel cell buses now. In 2019, the Schatz Center developed a model for the system-wide electrification of Humboldt County's public transit. This Battery Electric Bus Optimization (BEBOP) model cost-optimizes a one-to-one replacement of all buses on existing routes, generates recommendations for charging infrastructure, and calculates the electricity consumption profiles for each station. This model significantly expands the available development tools for rural planning agencies.
Electroporation of E. coli and Agar Gel Electrophoresis of FB5⍺
- Tyler NagleBiologyUndergraduate Student
- Noah GlickChemistryUndergraduate Student
- Nick ZunigaBiologyUndergraduate Student
Chitin is the second-most abundant polysaccharide after cellulose, and a rich source of nitrogen and reduced carbons which is currently underutilized. Chitinases have the potential to put this sustainable resource to use. In this experiment a plasmid purported to contain the ChiA endochitinase gene was extracted from FB5-alpha E. coli and transformed into BL21(DE3) E. coli. The plasmid was analyzed by agar gel electrophoresis to determine that the gene was not present in the plasmid. To confirm the lack of the gene, protein isolation will be attempted, and samples will be analyzed by SDS-PAGE
Endoparasite Comparison Between Two Herds of Roosevelt Elk
- Scarlett Arlene StromerWildlifeUndergraduate Student
Research is presented on the comparison of endoparasite abundance and diversity between two herds of Roosevelt Elk; Sinkyone and Gold Bluff Beach. These groups were once part of the same herd and 17 individuals were translocated in 1984 and now are suffering from poor health. Research hypothesis is that the sick herd (Sinkyone) will have a higher diversity or abundance of endoparasite eggs that I have identified from fecal samples. Through this research, we hope to identify the health issue within the sick population and help treat the issue.
Energy Production and Profiling of Arizona, California, New Mexico, & Texas
- Kassandra WeberPhysics and AstronomyUndergraduate Student
- Jacqueline GomezMathematicsUndergraduate Student
- Christina AlvarezCellular Molecular BiologyUndergraduate Student
The states bordering the US and Mexico are very diverse. California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas each have different factors influencing the way they continue to advance. The past 50 years have experienced a large shift in technology as well as accessibility to renewable energy. In this project, we constructed energy profiles for each state, along with analysis based off of their unique aspects. Based on this analysis, we determined the state with the best quality profile and provided predictions for their energy usage in the years 2025 and 2050.
Engineering Endothelial Cells to Treat Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
Heather Jackson-Pease, Biological Sciences Undergraduate Student
College of Natural Resources & SciencesGene editing with CRISPR/Cas9 and AAVs has been a modern technology that has greatly influenced biological sciences. Coupling the editing technology of CRISPR and AAVs could lead to treating the underlying causes of pulmonary arterial hypertension(PAH). PAH is a progressive disease in your lungs that causes vasoconstriction and decreased blood flow, which can lead to heart failure. Placing a stent in the pulmonary artery, with endothelial cells engrafted on it, that overexpresses the important regulatory factors eNOS and VEGF, may lead to an increase in reendothelialization and vasodilation of the pulmonary artery.
Engineering the S-Layer Protein RsaA in Caulobacter vibrioides for Heavy Metal Bioremediation
- Jenny A CappuccioDepartment of ChemistryFaculty
- Skye Merrick-StammersBiologyUndergraduate Student
- Christopher De AlbaBiologyUndergraduate Student
- Michael OlveraBiologyUndergraduate Student
- Azariah CoblentzChemistryUndergraduate Student
One major contemporary environmental issues is the pollution of heavy metals into waterways. However, removal of heavy metal ions via bioremediation may be a possible solution. Using modified C. vibrioides paracrystalline RsaA surface layer proteins (S-layer proteins), our team hopes to bind lead, and other metal ions for decontamination through use of a filtration system. It is known that modified S-layers can be displayed on the microbial surface. Our initial target sequence (TNTLSNN) was chosen for its ability to bind Pb. Our future goals are the observation of heavy metal binding efficiency of each engineered RsaA surface, and the generation of prototype binding cartridges.
Enhanced Learning in Biochemistry Using the Protein Data Bank and 3D Molecular Modeling in ChimeraX
Frank Cappuccio, Chemistry Faculty
- JennyCappuccioChemistryFaculty
- ChristopherAriasBiological SciencesUndergraduate Student
- EzekielBuchertChemistryUndergraduate Student
- JohanaCruz LopezBiological SciencesUndergraduate Student
- CesarFernandezChemistryUndergraduate Student
- ElizabethKowalskiBiological SciencesUndergraduate Student
- ElisabetTesla NicholasTheatre, Film & DanceUndergraduate Student
- GabrielleOnnengaChemistryUndergraduate Student
- KelliePiersonBiological SciencesUndergraduate Student
The Protein Data Bank (PDB) is a repository of atomic level resolution biological structures determined by researchers around the world. Protein macromolecular structures have become an essential tool for biotechnology fields. They are used to understand the chemical and biological processes in living systems and disease, and for precise drug design. Here students utilized the molecular modeling software UCSF ChimeraX to visualize 3D PDB protein structures of their choice. Students produced Quad Chart presentations and printed 3D models to allow for deep learning in protein structure.