Novel Tests of Gravity Under 50 Microns

Abby Keltz, Physics & Astronomy Undergraduate Student

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

Attempts to unify the Standard Model and General Relativity often include features that violate the Weak Equivalence Principle (WEP) and/or the gravitational Inverse-Square Law (ISL). A violation would question our understanding of gravity. To further understand this, undergraduate researchers and faculty at Humboldt are experimenting to measure gravitational interactions below 50 microns. The experiment uses a composition dipole torsion pendulum next to an oscillating mass. This creates torque on the pendulum, the magnitude of which may provide evidence for deviations in the WEP or ISL.

Nowhere 2 Go Humboldt

Jasmine Guerra, Social Work Graduate Student

College of Professional Studies

Nowhere 2 Go Humboldt is a multi-media storytelling project which interviews and photographs people who are criminalized and displaced in Humboldt County.

Plant Traits Vary Across Microhabitats Under Solar Microgrids on Coastal Grasslands

Logan Holey, Forestry, Fire & Rangeland Management Undergraduate Student

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

The development of photovoltaic systems is increasing with growing demand for clean energy. Plant functional traits can be used to understand what plants are establishing in different microhabitats because traits respond to environmental constraints and fluctuations. We sampled three solar microgrids in coastal grasslands in Humboldt County for plant community composition and leaf traits. We found that plant traits varied by microhabitat indicating that microgrids apply an environmental filter in plant community assembly. Results from this study can be used to inform plant selection for habitat enhancement or restoration.

Plethodontid Salamander Microhabitat Selection

Freya Prissberg, Wildlife Undergraduate Student

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

My research is done on Ensatina and California slender salamander microhabitat selection in the Arcata Community Forest. Soil moisture, canopy cover, soil temperature, cover object length/width, foliage cover and salamander length and weight were all recorded. This data was used to determine if Ensatina and California slender salamanders show microhabitat selection for certain soil temperature, soil moisture, canopy cover or foliage cover.

Potawot Community Garden Combating Malnutrition

Mariyah Weldy, Biological Sciences Undergraduate Student

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

Research: The provision of organic produce to local community members via the Potawot garden

Potawot Community Garden: Moving Beyond Land Acknowledgements

Chrys Furrer, Other Undergraduate Student

College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

Potawot Community Garden serves as an exemplary model of the environmental and social health impacts of returning Indigenous land to Indigenous hands. The College Corps program, with Potawot as a community partner, gives student fellows the opportunities to serve in support of Potawot's mission of enhancing Indigenous food sovereignty while mitigating food insecurity, restoring the land, and supporting the cultural healing of Indigenous community members as well as the broader community. This project invites readers to take action through volunteer involvement with organizations such as Potawot, making monetary donations to the Wiyot tribe, and advocating for Indigenous land rematriation.

Precision Measurement of the Universal Gravitotional Constant

Frederick Kuster-Tabares, Physics & Astronomy Undergraduate Student

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

In cooperation with Indiana University (formerly IUPUI), the Cal Poly Humboldt (formerly Humboldt State University) Gravity Lab is undertaking a project to more accurately measure the value of the Universal Gravitational Constant in terms of SI base units. Gravitational modifications to the torque on the pendulum will be obtained via two methods through sequential experiments with a common apparatus, with the goal to provide a window into the cause of previous discrepancies between the two methods of measurement, resulting in a more accurate determined value for G.

Preliminary Lupinus Nipomensis Surveys Convey Varying Plant Vigor Across Grazing Treatments

Trinity Edwards, Forestry, Fire & Rangeland Management Undergraduate Student

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

Lupinus nipomensis (Nipomo Lupine) is an endangered endemic species to the Nipomo-Guadalupe Dunes in San Luis Obispo County, California. Scientists have been researching this species for many years to better understand it. Ehrharta calycina (Veldt Grass) is an introduced perennial grass species that outcompetes Nipomo Lupine. Various groups have tried to aid Nipomo Lupine in its survival by manual pulling and herbicide treatment of Veldt grass. We are beginning to investigate grazing as an alternative management tool, which will hopefully prove to better aid this species in its survival.

Preparation and Evaluation of Polylactic Acid-Quinoa Composite Films

Rafael Bernard, Chemistry Undergraduate Student

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

Biodegradable composites were developed by incorporating quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Wild.) into polylactic acid (PLA), with varying ratios. The resulting films were characterized using melting points, bomb calorimetry, infrared (IR) spectroscopy, water uptake, water permeability, water contact angle, antioxidant assay and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The incorporation of differing quantities of quinoa fiber affected the properties of the composites. hese initial studies show quinoa/PLA composites have potential in the development of bio-renewable and biodegradable materials for active food packaging.

Preventing Falls in Hospitalized Elderly Patients

Rory Boeck, School of Applied Health Undergraduate Student

College of Professional Studies

Falls among hospitalized elderly patients is a significant safety issue, with up to one million falls occurring annually in U.S. hospitals. With about 30% of the falls resulting in injury leading to increased hospital stays, and increased healthcare costs. This project is aimed to reduce fall rates on a medical-surgical unit by 25% over six months using individual interventions based on the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) framework.