Improving Quality of Care for Advance Cancer Patients in Rural Communities

Robyn Jensen, Nursing Undergraduate Student

College of Professional Studies

Numerous obstacles prevent rural residents from accessing high-quality cancer treatment, such as long distances to treatment centers, a shortage of specialized medical professionals, and inadequate healthcare infrastructure. To address the challenge of advanced cancer care in rural areas, a comprehensive approach is required that includes improving access to specialized medical professionals, investing in healthcare technology, and prioritizing palliative care services. Palliative care is a critical element of cancer care that focuses on symptom management, enhancing quality of life, and providing support for patients and their loved ones.

Influence of Urban Land Use on Avian Diversity in Eureka, CA

Emma McGraw, Wildlife Undergraduate Student

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

The objective of my research is to test if there is any correlation between avian diversity and preserved green areas in Eureka, CA. Additionally, how does the vegetation composition of these parks compare to the avian diversity. I visited a total of 30 sites including 15 urban parks or green areas, and 15 urban sites paired with each of the green sites, to see how diversity compared in the surrounding urban habitat. Using avian abundance and species richness data I collected, I calculated the Shannon Diversity Index (H') of each site. Overall, I observed significantly higher avian diversity at green sites and found positive correlation between avian diversity and plant species richness.

Invasive Plant Species Removal: Volunteering with Sue-Meg State Park

Mason Gardner, Politics Undergraduate Student

College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

Non-native species come to Humboldt county when small patches are washed up on beaches, hitch rides on ships and cars, or escape from someone's garden. Some of these species are considered invasive, and rapidly take over the landscape. Once they establish, they starve native species of resources like light and water, and out-compete them for surface area on the ground. They also harm native animals by replacing their food sources, harming them, or changing the landscape in which they live. Volunteering with the Invasive Plant Removal Team at Sue-Meg State Park, I had firsthand experience examining and removing these species across Humboldt County.

Invertebrate Biomass Effects on Abundance and Foraging Behavior of Dabbling Ducks

Mary-Kate Reed, Wildlife Undergraduate Student

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

My study assessed how invertebrate biomass effects the abundance and foraging behavior of the American Green-winged Teal and the Mallard in the restored Tidal habitat of the Arcata Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary.

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).

Likelihood of agonistic behavior by gull species in Humboldt County based on relative body size

Conor Somerville, Wildlife Undergraduate Student

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

This project is a behavioral study on 4 gull species of Humboldt County. Their agonistic behavior was studied, comparing the frequency of agonistic behavior toward members of other species based on relative body-size. This value was compared with the number of birds of each relative size they had access to. I found that most gulls tended to target members of their own species disproportionately, but Western gulls disproportionately targeted members of other species that were larger and smaller in size. This may have implications on gull behavior and management.

Lost Luggage and Lost Memories: The Southwest Airlines Meltdown of December 2022

Ara Pachmayer, School of Applied Health Faculty

College of Professional Studies

In this joint project, students from REC 315 Travel Industry Management researched the Southwest Airlines (SWA) flight disruption that happened in December 2022. Considering both the causes and the outcomes of the event, a variety of issues are explored including lost luggage liability, antiquated technology used by SWA, airline structure, customer sentiment, economic impacts, human resources and steps to take to avoid in the future.

Lunar Illumination as an Indicator for Black-tailed Deer Activity

Austin Nolan, Wildlife Undergraduate Student

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

This is a study that aims to test a widespread local theory that Black-tailed deer are more active on nights with a full moon.

Mahanoy Area School District v. B.L.

Raul Roman, Politics Undergraduate Student

College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

My presentation is regarding the 1st Amendment, in which a student expressed her frustration on social media off campus regarding the selection of the varsity cheer team. She sued the school after the coach suspended her from the team for a year due to her post on social media. Case brief regarding the extend of the 1st amendment and regulation a school may do.

Managing Pain to Avoid Opioid Misuse

Nicholas Terrill, Nursing Undergraduate Student

College of Professional Studies

This Capstone research project dissects the complexities of chronic pain management and pushes for a system wide move aware from opiate dependency. This project proposes interventions such as CAM therapy, ERAS and PPACT to battle chronic pain, avoid opiate misuse and over prescription within the healthcare system.