Mapping the Cellular Origins of Atherosclerotic Plaque

Hannah Cornwell, Biological Sciences Undergraduate Student

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease causing plaque formation in arteries, leading to morbidity and mortality. Smooth muscle cells may contribute to plaque formation, but the exact origin remains unknown. Researchers can analyze smooth muscle cell function using histology, spatial transcriptomic analysis, and CODEX protein visualization. Using lineage tracing models with Rainbow mouse reporter lines, they can study cell fate and phenotypic shifts, identifying possible targets for disease tracking and modification to improve disease progression.

Mapping the Northcoast Environmental Center Adopt-A-Beach Program "Clean Beaches, Clean Water"

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

For my internship I have been working with the Northcoast Environmental Center to use geospatial analysis and cartography to map their Adopt-A-Beach program. For my poster I would like to display the process and final outcome of the work I have been doing.

Math Modeling Competition: Drowning in Plastic

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

As participants of the 2020 Math Modeling Contest, we modeled the outcomes of a hypothetical plastic tax. We implemented this tax to help slow the world's plastic pollution problem.

Mathematical Modeling of Adaptive Sex Ratios in Sea Lamprey Populations

Jaxon Tuggle, Mathematics Undergraduate Student

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

An extension of our research conducted during the Mathematical Competition in Modeling (MCM), we examined the effect that species possessing adaptive sex ratios have on their local ecosystem. We constructed a model using computer software (NetLogo) allowing multiple simulations to be run of our digital ecosystem with various parameters. This allowed us to highlight adaptive nature of the gender ratio of the selected species, the sea lamprey, and the consequences on the broader ecosystem. This project included an examination on population dynamics as well as prey-predator relationships using implementations of applied mathematics and the field of ecology.

Mathematical Modeling of Tumor and T-Cell Dynamics

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

We propose and analyze a mathematical model for the interaction of T cells and tumor cells using a system of ordinary differential equations with the goal of understanding immune-mediated tumor rejection. We explore parameter sets which yield qualitatively different behavior. A major goal of this work is the determination of parameters which play a critical role in remission or clearance of the cancer in the model. In addition to our ODE model, we present an agent-based model to illustrate how naïve T cells are primed in the lymph node to fight cancer. This priming involves antigen presentation, cytokine signaling, and chemotaxis.

Measurements of Sub-Milliradian Angles Using a Modified Michelson Interferometer

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

At Humboldt State University, a group of undergraduate students and faculty have been investigating the effects of gravity at very short distances. Due to the need to measure very small amounts of motion during these experiments, a separate group of students and faculty have been designing an optical system to measure very small rotational movement, down to the sub-milliradian scale. This system, a modified Michelson interferometer, utilizes the optical path length difference of two branches of a split laser beam to measure almost imperceptible rotations of a mirror by observing constructive and destructive interference of the two branches.

Measuring a Nations Fragility in Relation to Climate Change

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

Concluding the 21st century, changing atmospheric processes will alter regional resource availability increasing a nation’s fragility. To examine the interconnected nature among socioeconomic structures and ecosystem services, a model was developed that measures a nation’s fragility in six categories: political, economic, social, agriculture, water resources, and culture. The model was then applied to the 10th most fragile nation, The Republic of Iraq, and the 158th most fragile nation, The United States of America. The United States will too experience great changes in the environment, but accessibility to mitigate greatly reduces their progression to a fragile state in contrast to Iraq.

Measuring Success of Adaptive Management of European Soaring Birds

Nick Salgado-Stanley, Wildlife Undergraduate Student

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

While there has been an expansion of investment into renewable energy sources, less research has emerged concerning how to balance the economic benefit and conservation costs of new developments. One of the most economically productive wind developments in Europe rests to the north of the Strait of Gibraltar, in Tarifa, Spain. This is also one of the largest annual migration points for migratory birds traveling between Africa and Europe. Using historical data of bird collisions and employee reports of turbine stops, this study investigates the success of human observers protocol in preventing avian fatalities across a decade of migration seasons.

Mesocarnivore Responses to Visual Lures In Freshwater, California

Adeline Tealle, Wildlife Undergraduate Student

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

This study sought to understand the effects of a visual lure on mesocarnivores at camera trapping stations. By fashioning a lure from fur, feathers, and tinsel, I placed the lure in front of 5 randomized cameras along with 5 cameras with no lure. The cameras were placed along a 150 meter long transect on an active game trail in Freshwater, CA. 9 species of mesocarnivore were detected, and 5 species with larger sample sizes were included in analysis of interest towards the lure, time spent at camera stations, and relationships between species in response to the lure.

Mesocarnivore Temporal Niche Partitioning in Response to Anthropogenic Presence in Northern California

Anna Schwecke, Wildlife Undergraduate Student

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

The study is aimed to determine (1) If mesocarnivores use temporal niche partitioning to reduce resource conflict, then interspecific species will have minimal activity overlap and (2) If anthropogenic presence alters temporal niche partitioning among mesocarnivores at my study site, then mesocarnivores will display circadian overlap where it typically does not occur.