May 3, 2024 | Digital Showcase | Humboldt Library
All Presenters & Abstracts
Identification of Structure and Bio-Activity of Myxobacteria Fractions
Presentation Year: 2020
Myxobacteria are a large family of bacteria, of which some have proven to contain antibacterial and antineoplasticity secondary metabolites. These bioactive secondary metabolites have been the basis for new analog drugs approved by the FDA in the treatment of different cancers. This research focuses on finding and isolating myxobacteria strains from local soil samples, fractionating these isolated samples, then determining structure and bioactivity through Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy and bio-assays, respectively. This is to gain a better understanding of the conditions that spawn wild myxobacteria colonies and any possibly new bio-active compounds.
Implementing the Classroom Assistant Position to Humboldt State University
Presentation Year: 2020
Through extensive on-campus research and personal experience my research attests to the fact that the classroom assistant position, while not widely adopted in many university settings including HSU, has proven to be an effective on-campus support mechanism. By performing functions such as assisting in classroom flow, facilitating in-class group exercises, and checking in on students’ progress on work outside of class, classroom assistants are an understated, invaluable resource that develops students’ work capacities as well as their level of comfort and integration into on-campus resources and events.
Influence of Exercise on Mood States: Comparing Yoga to Low-Impact Aerobics
Presentation Year: 2020
This research focuses on the intersection between moderate exercise and mental well-being, comparing yoga and low impact aerobics college classes to determine which is most effective in their influence on moods. Profile of Mood States (POMS) and new General Self-efficacy (NGSE) scales are used to gather data over Fall semester 2020.
Investigation of the Ubiquitin Proteosome’s Role in Tau Proteostasis and Tauopathy as Regulated by Cholesteryl Esters
Presentation Year: 2020
Many neurodegenerative diseases are characterized as cholesterol metabolism or storage disorders. Recently, the drug Efavirenz was implicated as a mediator of cholesterol-induced pathology in AD SC- based models. It restores function of MAP, tau, by mitigating cholesterol’s disruption of the UPS, which facilitates tau proteostasis. In this study, we are investigating the mechanistic target of cholesterol leading to UPS dysfunction. We are using human SC-derived neurons to model UPS dysfunction at different regulatory levels and determine which stages can be rescued with Efavirenz treatment. We will use this drug to aid in the complete characterization of cholesterol-mediated tauopathy.
Is the Customer Always Right? An Exploration of Customer-Cashier Interactions
Presentation Year: 2020
Interacting with cashiers is commonplace for most Americans. This study included exploration of the nature of customer-cashier interactions. The overarching finding was that social attitudes and expectations for cashiers create a climate in which cashiers are dehumanized and vulnerable. Ultimately, cashiers are expected to maintain a polite, enthusiastic, robotic persona while rules of conduct for customers are mostly unrestrictive. The results exhibit the importance of paying attention to one’s own attitudes and behaviors toward workers. Cashiers are human and attempting to look beyond their “customer service personas” is important to foster positive socialization and environments.
Lumbar Discectomy - Treatment - Recover- Rehabilitation Programing
Presentation Year: 2020
In the Department of Kinesiology we are required to complete a research project in our senior year about any topic in our field. I chose to research treatments for herniated discs and sciatic pain since back pain is highly prevalent in society. I was curious about the various treatment options, complementary and alternative medicine, and psychological factors that affect recovery outcomes. My aim was to present a well rounded perspective in treating back pain and gain knowledge around this topic as I pursue a graduate degree in physical therapy after I graduate.
Major-Based Peer Mentoring: A Process Evaluation of a 14 Department Program Scale Up
Presentation Year: 2020
This poster presents findings and recommendations based on a process evaluation of an AY 2019-20 CAHSS scale up of major-based peer mentoring. The evaluation is based on field notes and interviews with peer mentors, students, and department leaders. MB peer mentors serve as resource bridges, a source of street knowledge, and a conduit for major academic integration. This model is informed by: (1) research on socio-cultural capital in higher education; (2) student success research on the unique needs for academic and career integration in the middle years; and (3) critical theories of student integration that center minoritized students, first-generation students, and all students broadly.
Mapping Ancient Maya Ceramics in Belize
Presentation Year: 2020
A common form of relative dating in Mesoamerica is through ceramic chronology. This is due to the fact that ceramics preserve well, especially the humid environment. Through cross-dating across sites, different types of ceramics can be arranged with loose sets of dates. HSU’s Dos Hombres to Gran Cacao archaeology project in Belize has been collecting ceramic data since 2009, and the information has been placed into GIS to view and query visually. This focuses on one of the larger settlements studied by the project, N950. The initial GIS processing uses N950’s Structures 30, 32, and 36. The map produced represents when the ceramics were found and where they are relative to each other.
Math Modeling Competition: Drowning in Plastic
Presentation Year: 2020
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 Tumor and T-Cell Dynamics
Presentation Year: 2020
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.
Meta-Analysis of CSR Accounting Related Research
Presentation Year: 2020
The purpose of this meta-analysis was to examine the effect of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) disclosures on firm financial performance. Standard meta-analytical procedures determining inclusion criteria, literature searches in electronic databases, and coding procedures were used to identify and synthesize articles retained for this analysis. PRISMA guidelines were utilized as search strategies, as well as interpret effect sizes and quantify research findings. Moderator and outcome variables were assessed using coding procedures. A total of 136 studies were surveyed and categorized. Results from meta-analyses indicated an overall moderate effect for US companies.
Mindfulness at Coastal Grove Charter School
Presentation Year: 2020
Coastal Grove Charter school is a K - 8th Grade school in a rural area in Northern California located on traditional Wiyot Land. Studies find that youth benefit from learning Mindfulness in terms of improved cognitive outcomes, stress reduction, social-emotional skills, and well-being. These benefits may lead to long-term improvements in the life course development. For the Master’s project Eva assisted Coastal Grove Charter School in bringing ten weekly Mindfulness lessons into the second and sixth grade classroom during the 2019 – 2020 school year.
Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women
Presentation Year: 2020
When Oliphant v. Suquamish was passed it completely changed the paradigm in rape cases. It created a legal loophole for perpetrators to escape without punishment due to a jurisdictional power shift to federal governance. This allows more sexual assaults and abductions on reservations because there is not readily accessible or adequate repercussions for the behavior of rapists. The exploitation of mother earth’s resources can be related to the violation and objectification of Native American bodies as both were violated by the settler state.
Moving North
Presentation Year: 2020
Mathematically modeled herring and mackerel fish migrations in the North and Norwegian Seas, related it to global temperature rise and and how it will affect the small Scottish fishing industry. This project was for a mathematical modeling competition for HSU.
Offshore Wind Resource Assessment
Presentation Year: 2020
Offshore wind energy has enormous potential to help meet California’s 100% clean electricity target. The Schatz Energy Research Center at Humboldt State University is studying the feasibility of offshore wind farms in Northern California. One project, funded by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), models the power generation from different size offshore wind farms including 50, 150 and 1,800 MW, each located 20-30 miles offshore. The results show that the wind speeds in this region are some of the highest on the West Coast, producing up to 7,540 GWh/year for the largest MW wind farms. This represents 900% of Humboldt County’s electrical needs and 3.8% of California’s demand.
Outreach at CCAT: Evolving, Facilitating, and Encouraging Local Activism
Presentation Year: 2020
This ethnography focuses on how outreach is cultivated, idealized, and put into action by employees and volunteers at CCAT. The research takes place at Humboldt State University at the Campus Center for Appropriate Technology (CCAT). This project aims to ask how the outreach programs at this particular Associated Students organization are structured, interact, utilized, and overall encourage local activism. The methods conducted include participant observations, collected artifacts, naturally occurring conversations, surveys, formal and informal interviews. The findings of this research highlight the necessities for student run organizations and awareness-building communities.
Peers Offering Wisdom Education and Respect (P.O.W.E.R.)
Presentation Year: 2020
Rapid Cycle Evaluation of the Peers Offering Wisdom Education and Respect (P.O.W.E.R.) program. P.O.W.E.R. is a living community curriculum that provides culturally competent group-based behavioral health counseling services to Indigenous Youth ages 13-17 years old. This project was guided by Indigenous Research Methodology including spirit-based research amidst the Pandemic of 2020. Theoretical references including systems theory and relational theory influenced this research. Research concluded an emphasis on evaluating the presentation of the curriculum to guide youth awareness of identity and process of trauma healing through ceremony, reflection, and belonging activities.
Plastic Pollution and Effective Reduction Policies
Presentation Year: 2020
During the International Mathematical Contest in Modeling, our team tackled the problem of the destructive accumulation of plastic in the earth's land and waterways. We researched national and international policies attempting to curb the production and consumption of plastic, and constructed a simple model to predict plastic mass growth in the future, under various parameters and scenarios.
Poetic Persons Preventing Problematic Principles
Presentation Year: 2020
Artistic communities can be problematic, as any community can be. One aspect of activism is working from within, and poetry communities are a great way to do this. It allows for people to communicate in an artistic manner, and communication is the best way to resolve conflict/differences. By taking a stand against violence through poetry, the communities hearing these poems will be open to taking in this vital information because it’s within their own community.
Prostitution In Baja California: A Study Of How Prostitution Affected Gender Roles Along Border Cities In Baja California During The Mexican Revolution Era
Presentation Year: 2020
This study examines the role of prostitution during the Mexican Revolution Era (1910 – 1920) in the altering of gender roles for women along the border cities of Baja California. The significance of this research will deliver insight to the gender roles and contributions to society of this marginalized group. Historical source material (Documents, artifacts, paintings, etc.) offers limited biased information about prostitutes as individuals. The goal of this research is to provide information to alter the discourse of prostitution from being depicted as a duality of moral or immoral to how prostitution reflects a society’s views on sexuality.