Effects of cleft lip and palate on visual scanning and neural processing of infant faces

Nathan Boone, Psychology Graduate Student

College of Professional Studies

Infant faces rapidly capture our attention and elicit enhanced neural processing compared to adult faces, likely due to their evolutionary significance. Cleft lip/palate is estimated to affect 1 in 700 live births worldwide and is associated with difficulties in early caregiver interactions. Behavioral studies have shown that cleft lip/palate reduces perceptions of cuteness; however, the underlying neural and perceptual mechanisms governing responses to cleft lip/palate remain relatively understudied. The current study uses eye tracking and electroencephalography (EEG) to explore visual scanning patterns and neural responses to infants with and without cleft lip/palate.

Effects of Freshwater on Purple Sea Urchin and Bull Kelp Dynamicx at the Mouths of Rivers Along the Mendocino Coast

Marina Storey , Biological Sciences Graduate Student

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

Urchins are voracious herbivores that mow down kelp forests turning them into urchin barrens. This regime shift from kelp forests to urchin barrens has led to the closer of the red abalone fishery which had an estimated value of $44 million dollars. In Mendocino CA, bull kelp has been observed persisting at the river mouths in making an interest to local and scientific communities. Urchins are known to not do well with lower salinities possibly leading to this phenomenon.

Effects of Participation in a Deliberative Democracy Initiative on Sense of Community

Marissa Morales, Psychology Undergraduate Student

College of Professional Studies

This poster examines the effects of participation in a deliberative democracy on neighborhood and city sense of community (SOC). The study consisted of 15 qualitative interviews of panelists, focusing on how their neighborhood and city SOC changed by taking part in the citizens' assembly. Interviews were coded and resulted in six primary themes: Pride in neighborhood; Knowledge of community; Working as a representative of the community on the panel; Social connectivity within neighborhood; Multiple perspective-taking; and Community advocacy. This study adds to the literature by highlighting ways citizens’ assemblies improve participants' sense of community more broadly.

Efficacy of Blood Flow Restriction Training on Muscle Growth and Pain Management Post-ACL Reconstructive Surgery

Abby Borg, School of Applied Health Undergraduate Student

College of Professional Studies

For my project I conducted a literature review on the efficacy of blood flow restriction training (BFRT) on muscle growth and pain management among the population of post-operative ACL patients. BFRT is a proposed therapy for combatting quadriceps atrophy following ACLR. This therapy consists of placing cuffs that act as a tourniquet on the proximal part of the lower limbs and inflating them to a pressure that partially restricts blood flow to the lower limbs. Through this review, I found that BFRT is a promising therapy for ACLR patients.

Environmental Storytelling for a Hopeful Planet

Deidre Pike, Journalism & Mass Communication Faculty

College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

Environmental Storytelling for a Hopeful Planet is a website collaboration with original content -- from videos to slideshows -- created by students in journalism and environmental studies. Students met in Spring 2024 to practice a mix of environmental journalism and science communication, devising innovative storytelling modes to communicate verifiable ecological truths -- curated and presented with a healthy dose of hope. Students crafted stories about the removal of the Klamath Dam, the Arcata Marsh as wastewater treatment, Humboldt's Birding Club, composting, foraging for edible native plants, and the bliss of living near the world's tallest carbon sequestering trees.

Envisioning a Better Future for the Tijuana River Using an Anthropological Approach

Kimberly Cramer, Anthropology Undergraduate Student

College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

The Tijuana River is currently polluted by sewage leaks and other waste which impacts water quality, ecosystems, and human health. The river bisects the U.S.-Mexico border and is controlled by differing policies between the two nations. The poor wastewater infrastructure and binational context of the issue creates concern for environmental and public health. In this poster, I analyze conservation methods to explore the causes and potential solutions for water pollution in the Tijuana River. My findings prioritize a solution focused on community involvement, Indigenous perspectives, and collaboration between national governments to address root problems and advocate for structural change.

Ethics in forensic anthropology: Racial profiles and the obstruction of finding missing persons

Nicolette Svitenko, Anthropology Undergraduate Student

College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

The use of racial biometrics in forensic anthropology poses significant harm in identifying the deceased. Despite the absence of a valid biological basis for race, its persistence in forensic analysis raises ethical concerns. Societal structures perpetuate racial categories, affecting individuals' experiences and access to resources. My research delves into this tension, questioning the ethical implications and consequences for accuracy and equity in forensic investigations, especially for marginalized communities. By advocating for more ethical and evidence-based practices, this inquiry aims to ensure integrity and equitable outcomes in forensic work. Keywords: Forensics, racism, ethics.

Evening Bike Ride Extravaganza

ernesto roide, School of Applied Health Undergraduate Student

College of Professional Studies

I put on an event as my senior project for my recreation administration degree. It is an evening community bike ride in McKinleyville at Roger’s Market! There will be backyard games, music, snacks, drinks, and a whole lot of fun. Everyone will meet at Roger’s, which is right next to the Hammond Trail. Participants can ride their bikes along the trail, play backyard games, and purchase refreshments at the market. I will be tabling the event and making sure every attendee gets a stamp! This stamp will mean they signed the necessary waiver and know the risks involved during the event. I’ll have a first aid kit and bike repair kit at my table just in case.

Examining the potential interference of Scandium on Iron Uptake Mechanisms in Phytoplankton, through the lens of Nutrient Consumption

Isabel Perez-Zoghbi, Chemistry Undergraduate Student

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

Iron is an essential micronutrient for phytoplankton growth, however oceanic concentrations of iron are very low and little is understood about it's chemical cycling. In this study, we examine how scandium (which is similar to iron in size but has simpler redox chemistry) effects the uptake of macronutrients in hopes to further understand the uptake and usage of iron by marine microorganisms, and eventually better understand iron cycling in the ocean.

Examining the potential interference of Scandium on Iron Uptake Mechanisms in Phytoplankton, through the lens of Nutrient Consumption

Isabel Perez-Zoghbi, Chemistry Undergraduate Student

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

Iron is an essential micronutrient for phytoplankton growth, however oceanic concentrations of iron are very low and little is understood about it's chemical cycling. In this study, we examine how scandium (which is similar to iron in size but has simpler redox chemistry) effects the uptake of macronutrients in hopes to further understand the uptake and usage of iron by marine microorganisms, and eventually better understand iron cycling in the ocean.