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Presenters & Abstracts: 2020
Comparative Analyses of the Soil Microbiome of Phlox Hirsuta (Polemoniaceae), a Rare Serpentine Species
- Molly CribariBiologyUndergraduate Student
College of Natural Resources & Sciences
Phlox hirsuta, the Yreka Phlox, is a threatened species native to northern California. The species is restricted to five populations, all of which occur on serpentine soil. Given the small number of populations and the edaphic specialization of the species, the viability and longevity of the populations is an important area of study. Multiple factors influence the growth and germination of individual plants , and the amount of growth of an individual plant can fluctuate from year to year. One overlooked aspect of plant growth, in this species, is the soil microbiome, and examining this can shed light on the role of this underground component, in plant growth.
Computational Models of Galaxies in Kinetic Theory
- Eric MalekosMathematicsUndergraduate Student
College of Natural Resources & Sciences
In this research we model the distribution of mass in simulated galaxies by solving the Vlasov-Poisson system of equations. We've expanded our simulations to include multiple species of matter. This allows us to visualize the individual spatial density distributions of, for example, stars and dark matter as well as the joint gravitational potential. We have developed a library of computational tools to allow us to investigate a number of the physical properties of these galaxies. In future work we will use these tools to compare the characteristics of our model galaxies to those of observed galaxies.
Connecting Local Businesses and HSU
- Daisy BroseRecreation AdministrationUndergraduate Student
- Iris LightRecreation AdministrationUndergraduate Student
College of Professional Studies
We will be conducting a musical event held locally at Blondie's in Arcata that incorporates a canned food drive and an assortment of raffle prizes. One of our goals is to support local businesses and to show the community how much they give back to HSU by asking these local businesses for donations for our raffle. We wish to accomplish entertainment that is in a safe and including environment. We also hope to create opportunities for OhSnap to provide more food for students. To not only be able to give back to the HSU students in need, but to also bring attention to the community that a program like OhSnap exists. We will donate all of our canned goods back to the OhSnap program.
Cost-Efficient Methods for Scottish Fishing Industries Affected by Rising Ocean
- Jahaira ValenciaPhysicsUndergraduate Student
- Griffin KowashPhysicsUndergraduate Student
- Berlin Del AguilaPhysicsUndergraduate Student
College of Natural Resources & Sciences
In our paper, we hope to find solutions to the Scottish fishing industries affected by the migration of Herring and Mackerel fish. We acquired pre-existing data from the International Council for the Exploration of the Seas (ICES) and used it to develop a Python program that manipulates the temperature of water in the North Sea. We identified the range of temperatures preferred by both species and used it in the simulation of our model. Finally, we calculated the cost of fishing trips as these species steered father away from the original possible fishers modeled through our Python program and a threshold for cost impracticality.
Critical Education and the Future Educator
- Timothy RupiperLiberal Studies - Elementary EducationUndergraduate Student
- Raquel Perez-GranadosLiberal Studies - Elementary EducationUndergraduate Student
- Marissa CardenasLiberal Studies - Elementary EducationUndergraduate Student
- Alicia DaSilveiraLiberal Studies - Elementary EducationUndergraduate Student
- Jennifer LemonLiberal Studies - Elementary EducationUndergraduate Student
- Stari AndersonLiberal Studies - Elementary EducationUndergraduate Student
College of Professional Studies
Taking a deeper look at teacher preparation programs (including our own) and finding the amount of exposure teacher candidates are given in regards to multicultural education, culturally sustaining pedagogies, and critical frameworks, and finding better ways to serve the youth in our K-12 schools. By checking our own biases, and exploring deeper into the world of education, including its racists and heteronormative structures, we take a closer look, and find some solutions to better support the community, and most importantly, the whole child.
Cultural Starvation: Out of the Ashes We Rise
- Valetta MolofskySocial WorkGraduate Student
College of Professional Studies
The beginnings of the HC Black Music and Arts Association, a National Association of Negro Musician Humboldt County Chapter came from starvation for Black traditions, foods, values, and connections. Through open dialogue, I had the opportunity to listen to different narratives on people’s experience since moving to Humboldt County. Based on the assessment, I learned many people of color were experiencing feelings of cultural shock and isolation. Definition: Cultural starvation happens when there is no link to Black culture, traditions, or food. The lack of Black awareness, holidays, gathering, and spiritual settings can be mentally taxing on one’s soul.
Current Technology for Vaccine Development in Coronaviruses and Potential Strategies for COVID-19 Drug Discovery
- Sintra StewartChemistryUndergraduate Student
- Jenny A. Cappuccio, PhDChemistryFaculty
College of Natural Resources & Sciences
In late 2019 a novel coronavirus was identified in China, and over the next 2 months, had spread to over 20 countries; it was declared a global pandemic by the WHO on Feb. 11th. With over 3.2 million cases worldwide, there is tremendous need for a vaccine. This is a daunting task since there are still none commercially available for SARS or MERS. In this review, we analyze the current challenges facing researchers, the technologies for vaccine development which are emerging and promising, and the progress thus far. We found recombinant MHC assays based on SARS epitopes promising for drug development, and anticipate that nanoparticle technology will be the most efficient delivery system.
Deconstructing Intersectional Language: A TQPOC Analyzation on the White Supremacy Perpetuated Through Literacy
- Jayden YarbroughEnglishUndergraduate Student
College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences
In efforts to concretely display aspects of what bell hooks deems as a ‘White Supremacist Captialist Imperial Patriarchy’ this research aims to hold accountable the ‘normative’ and ‘professional’ requirements of discourse within any pedagogical space. To create a innovatively personal perspective on the ways with which we receive and are received by peers and mentors alike; challenging the perpetuation of the manifold affects within White Supremacy while instilling, hopefully, bravery with TQPOC to refute limitations set on their being.
Determination of Bioaccumulated Trace Metals in Marine Macroalgae
- Brittney MitchellChemistry and BiologyUndergraduate Student
- Maxwell PlunkettChemistryUndergraduate Student
- Claire TillChemistryFaculty
College of Natural Resources & Sciences
Trace metal bioaccumulation negatively impacts marine ecosystem health and increases the risk of human exposure to contaminants. Pollution trends can be investigated by measuring trace metal bioaccumulation in algae, but little is known about which algal groups are the most reliable bioindicators. The objectives of this study were to use dry ashing, wet digestive, and spectroscopic techniques to determine the concentrations Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn across major macroalgae groups in Humboldt Bay, and evaluate bioindicator ability using BSAF values. Our results indicate that Chlorophyta and Rhodophyta are the most sensitive and suitable bioindicators for trace metal pollution.
Development of Wilderness Therapy Programs Over Time
- Kacie HallahanKRAUndergraduate Student
College of Professional Studies
This project aims to illustrate the growth, development, and fundamental transformation of Wilderness Therapy programs over time. This research includes highlighting the health benefits of nature experiences, dissecting the historical background of Wilderness Therapy programs, and the shift towards Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare.