Latest Achievements

The HSU River Institute has received research funding from Friends of the Eel River. The project will develop recommendations for blockwater releases from the Potter Valley Project to assist rearing and migration for anadromous salmonids in the Eel River.

Two Humboldt State University students spent the summer of 2014 working on research projects in Woods Hole as part of the multi-institutional Partnership Education Program (PEP). They were among 15 students from around the U.S. who participated in the 10-week program. Calvin Fok is a senior majoring in marine biology, and Dion Kucera graduated in May 2014 with a degree in environmental science and is now at Indiana University pursuing double master's degrees.

Students Tristan Merlaud and Rudy Directo placed fifth in the FLW College Fishing bass tournament Sept. 6 on New Melones Lake. They will now represent HSU in an FLW College Fishing Invitational. The top 10 teams from the Invitational advance to the 2015 FLW College Fishing National Championship.

FLW College Fishing is a national competitive bass-fishing program open to full-time students at four-year colleges and universities. For more information, visit collegefishing.com

Humboldt State University has received $443,614 through the Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs, which helps at-risk students prepare for college and receive the support they need to achieve success in postsecondary education.

Administered by the U.S. Department of Education, the six or seven-year competitive grants target entire grades of students, partner with local organizations and businesses, and include matching local contributions and in-kind services. Grantees serve an entire group of students, usually beginning no later than seventh-grade, and follow them throughout high school.

This year, applicants were encouraged to address how they plan to increase postsecondary success, implement college- and career-ready standards, and work in conjunction with Promise Zones – places where the federal government has partnered with local communities and businesses to create jobs, increase economic security, improve educational opportunities, and reduce violent crime.

The Oregon Zoo Foundation has awarded Humboldt State's Wildlife Department $3,984 to investigate the den-attendance of fishers and the potential impacts of timber harvest on fisher den ecology. The grant is part of the Future for Wildlife program, which protects threatened and endangered species and their ecosystems.

Social Work Professors Marissa O’Neill and Debbie Gonzalez presented their co-authored research project, "Tribal and Non-tribal Agencies: A Comparison of how Social Work with Families is Conceptualized in the United States," at the Joint World Conference on Social Work, Education and Social Development (http://www.swsd2014.org) held in Melbourne, Australia this July. The conference attracted over 1500 social work and social development practitioners, researchers, and educators from all over the world.

Professor O’Neill and Gonzalez’ scholarship was presented alongside the work of members from the ‘University of the Arctic- Thematic Network on Social Work' (http://www.uarctic.org/organization/thematic-networks/social-work/), an international research collaborative consisting of 18 nations with a focus on social work with families.

Physics and Astronomy majors Crystal Cardenas, Andrew C. Harter ('14), and Michael P. Ross published a peer-reviewed paper titled "Experimental Progress on Tests of Gravity at 20 microns" in the Proceedings of the National Conference of Undergraduate Research 2014. The paper describes research done in the Gravitational Research Laboratory, led by Professor C.D. Hoyle.

Sociology Professor Emeritus Sing C. Chew recently published an article, "The Southeast Asian Connection in the First Eurasian World Economy 200BC-AD500," in the "Journal of Globalization Studies," Vol. 5 #1 2014:82-109. A book chapter will also appear in Michael Pearson (ed.), Trade, Circulation and Flows in the Indian Ocean World, New York: Palgrave -Macmillan (in press)

Former graduate student Luke Eberhart-Phillips, Brian Hudgens (adjunct faculty) and Mark Colwell co-authored a paper on the dynamics of the Snowy Plover population that breeds along the U.S. Pacific coast. The plover is listed as threatened under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. Colwell has been studying the local population with his students for 15 years.

John Hokman, a retired staff member who served as an engineer on HSU's research vessel, was awarded the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services Larry Peabody award for his 46 years of volunteer services with local search and rescue efforts. Hokman has assisted on more than 1,500 missions.

English instructor Cyndy Phillips and her fiancé, Peter Jain ('89) have published a collection of photography and poetry titled "Let the Dance Begin: Greetings From Humboldt." The book will be released at Northtown Books during the Sept. 12 Arts! Arcata event.

Professor William Wood made a Science Café presentation “Why are Mushrooms Toxic?” at this month’s “Science on Tap” night at Blondie’s. Science Cafés are events that take place in casual settings such as pubs and coffeehouses, are open to everyone, and feature an engaging conversation with a scientist about a particular topic, according to organizers. Chris Harmon (Chemistry Department) is the organizer for this year's Science On Tap presentations.

Lori Dengler is the co-editor and contributor to the 2nd edition of UNESCO's International Tsunami Survey Team (ITST) Post-Tsunami Survey Field Guide. For more, visit http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0022/002294/229456E.pdf

Environmental Science & Management Professor Steve Martin and Emeritus Math Professor Rob Van Kirk, along with their graduate students Mark Douglas and Kai Ross, have published a paper in the ‘Journal of Park and Recreation Administration’ titled “Computer Simulation Modeling to Determine Trailhead Quotas for Overnight Wilderness Visitor Use.” The paper presents the results of a study done for the National Park Service in Yosemite National Park. Both Douglas and Ross have gone on to Ph.D. programs.

Biological sciences faculty member Jianmin Zhong and students recently published a paper in the scientific journal PLOS ONE examining Rickettsia, antibiotics and ticks. Andre H. Kurlovs, Jinze Li and Du Cheng were co-authors. The paper is titled "Ixodes pacificus Ticks Maintain Embryogenesis and Egg Hatching after Antibiotic Treatment of Rickettsia Endosymbiont."

Humboldt State was recently made "Sierra" magazine's list of most environmentally responsible schools in the country. The eighth annual ranking, compiled by the Sierra Club's magazine, includes schools that lead the way in green programs and initiatives.

Humboldt State recently made "Sierra" magazine's list of most environmentally responsible schools in the country. The eighth annual ranking, compiled by the Sierra Club's magazine, includes schools that lead the way in green programs and initiatives.

Wildlife faculty member Barbara Clucas has published a paper in the academic journal "Urban Ecosystems" titled "How much is that birdie in my backyard? A cross-continental economic valuation of native urban songbirds." The study presents the first attempt at estimating the economic value of enjoying common native urban songbirds in Seattle, Wash. and Berlin, Germany.

Former Humboldt State University President Rollin Richmond has received the title of President Emeritus by the California State University Board of Trustees. The designation, which commends Richmond’s years of distinguished service, came during the Trustee’s July 22 board meeting.

Text of the resolution is available at the California State University website: http://calstate.edu/bot/agendas/jul14/Plenary.pdf

Molly Shea ('16, Wildlife) recently represented HSU at the Collegiate Sports Sustainability Conference in Boulder, Colorado, where the Waste Reduction and Resource Awareness Program was presented with an award for its high diversion rate in the 2013 Game Day Challenge. The Game Day Challenge is a national competition to promote waste reduction at university and college football games. Shea is coordinator for R.O.S.E., the Reusable Office Supply Exchange on campus.

Professor William Wood was recently interviewed in an _Outside_ magazine article on skunk spray. Wood specializes in chemical ecology, or the way plants and animals use chemicals to convey messages in nature. He is an Emeritus Professor in Chemistry. For the full "article":http://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-adventure/nature/On-the-Very-Smell….

Psychology Professor William Reynolds has received a lifetime achievement award from the American Psychological Association. The award is granted to those who demonstrate a sustained program of scholarship of exceptional quality throughout their career. For the past 32 years, Reynolds' research has focused in part on developing methods and procedures to assist school psychologists in catching students before they fall in life-threatening ways.

Communication Professor Michael S. Bruner has been appointed to the Editorial Board of the journal, "Argumentation and Advocacy." Bruner joins a group of scholars from across the nation in support of one of the leading communication journals on advocacy, argumentation, debate, public discourse, and public deliberation.

Humberto Montano (Art) has been accepted to the summer 2014 Career Discovery Program at Harvard University, with a full tuition scholarship. His studies will focus on Urban Design. Students spend their time in a stimulating studio environment at the Harvard Graduate School of Design that mirrors a graduate level studio experience. They learn to analyze any challenge from multiple angles, pursuing new ways of thinking and seeking out creative solutions. Humberto will have a chance to work directly with faculty from Harvard's Graduate School of Design and the Rhode Island School of Design as well as notable professionals from the fields of urban design, architecture and planning.

Geology Professor Lori Dengler has been named Chair of the California Integrated Seismic Network (CISN) Advisory Committee. CISN is the system that integrates the data inputs from the USGS, California Berkeley Seismological Laboratory, Caltech Seismo Lab, and the California Geological Survey into a seamless interface for rapid dissemination of earthquake information to a broad spectrum of users. CISN software packages are designed for first responders, emergency managers, and critical lifeline organizations. In the next decade, CISN will be taking the lead in implementation of California's Earthquake Early Warning System. More information about CISN is at http://www.cisn.org/

On May 8th, the team received the Honorable Mention (2nd place) award for innovative system design and excellent analysis in the Hydrogen Education Foundation’s 2014 Hydrogen Student Design Contest. The team designed a modular, drop-in hydrogen fueling station that can be installed in under a 7 days, and dispense 5 kg of high pressure hydrogen fuel in under 5 minutes. See http://hydrogencontest.org/ for more details.

Sixteen geography students, along with two faculty members (Chris Haynes and Matthew Derrick), attended the 68th annual meeting of the California Geographical Society, held May 2-4 at Los Angeles City College. Eight of the HSU student geographers, along with Professor Derrick, presented research papers; another five students presented cartography projects or research posters. Marlyn Montgomery was awarded first place in the digital cartography competition for her project titled “Community Cartography in California,” and Will Firch was awarded third place in the research poster competition for his project titled “Urban Geography of a Gold Rush Town: Weaverville, California in 1860.”

Dr. Armeda Reitzel, professor of Communication, will present her paper "Connections in the Co-creation of Identity in Internationally Adopted Youth" at the International Communication Association conference in Seattle, WA May 22-26, 2014. This paper combines Dr. Reitzel's research areas of intercultural communication and adolescent communication.

Bruce A. O'Gara, Professor of Zoology and Chair of the Department of Biological Sciences, was recently profiled in the Member Spotlight section of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) website. Read the full text here: "http://membercentral.aaas.org/blogs/member-spotlight/bruce-o-gara-teach…":http://membercentral.aaas.org/blogs/member-spotlight/bruce-o-gara-teach….

The AAAS is the world's largest general scientific society and publisher of the prestigious scientific journal, Science. The profile entitled "Bruce O’Gara teaches his students how to find an answer" details how Prof. O'Gara works with students in his research laboratory to provide practical training to help them advance in their scientific careers. Featured in the profile is the research of senior Cellular and Molecular Biology major Araik Sinanyan on the endocrine disrupting chemical bisphenol A (BPA) and its effects on the regeneration of lost body parts of an annelid worm. Also featured in the profile are quotes from HSU graduate Michael Smeaton, who attributes his experiences in O'Gara's laboratory as being an important factor in giving him the confidence to earn a Ph.D. from Johns Hopkins and perform postdoctoral work at Cal-Tech and Stanford.

Reggie Blackwell ('14) has landed an NSF Graduate Fellowship to pursue a PhD at Scripps Institute beginning in fall 2014. His project is titled "Invasions within Humboldt Bay California by cryptic species of bryozoans (watersipora spp.) spatial and temporal dominance by three clades."

Holly Leopardi ('14, Physics) recently took second place in the Physical and Mathematical Sciences Division at the CSU Research Competition May 2 and 3 at CSU East Bay. Leopardi's project was titled "Tests of Gravity Below Fifty Microns." Her faculty advisor was C.D. Hoyle, Associate Professor of Physics & Astronomy.

Leopardi was recently named 2013-14 Outstanding Student of the Year for Outstanding Co-Curricular Contributions. She plans to enter the University of Colorado, Boulder's Ph.D. program in Physics this fall.

Three HSU student teams advised by Kamila Larripa were honored for their performance in the Consortium for Mathematics and its Applications Annual Mathematical Contest in Modeling.
More information can be found here: http://www.comap.com/undergraduate/contests/mcm/.

Communication Lecturer James Floss brought the acclaimed novella "Fup" by Jim Dodge to stage in a word-for-word production over the last two weekends. The current Book of the Year adaptation featured alumni of the Chamber Readers and was presented in classic readers theatre style.

Wildlife Professor Tim Bean has received $15 thousand from Save the Redwoods League to develop a landscape-level map of habitat suitability for white-footed voles. His research wil provide an understanding of the white-footed vole habitat requirements in redwood systems at the landscape and home range scale and knowledge of occupied areas to aid further research.

Psychology Professor Tasha Howe recently received a 2014-15 Fulbright scholarship to Croatia. Her project is titled "Child Abuse Prevention in Post-Conflict Communities."

This is Howe's second Fulbright award. In 2008, she worked on domestic violence in Cyprus, another post-conflict country.

Sam Sonntag has a forthcoming article entitled “Depoliticizing Hindi in India,” in a volume edited by Dr. Agnieszka Kuczkiewicz-Fras of Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Poland and Dr. Rahul Peter Das from the Martin-Luther University in Halle, Germany. The title of the volume is Defining the Indefinable: Delimiting Hindi, to be published by Peter Lang.

Joanna Murphy was recently selected as one of the recipients of the 2014 North American Membrane Society (NAMS) Elias Klein Travel Supplement. At the NAMS meeting, she will present her and her co-author's paper "A Two-Dimensional Modeling of Direct Contact Membrane Distillation with Bench Scale Experimental Validation."

Jennifer Warmack has been selected to receive a 2014 CSUPERB Presidents’ Commission Scholar Award in the amount of $8,000 to fund the project titled “Preventing Psedo-Nitzschia Blooms through Forward Osmosis Treatment of Wastwater." She will conduct her summer research project in the laboratory of ERE Assistant Professor Andrea Achilli.

Armeda Reitzel, professor of Communication, presented her paper on "The colorful trends of tie-dye as fashion, subcultural artifact, and metaphor" at the Popular Culture Association Conference in Chicago, IL on April 18, 2014. Her paper was part of a panel session on "Fashion, Style, Appearance, Consumption and Design I: Global Subcultural Style."

Three graduate students from Professor Monica Stephens’ advanced cartography class earned the “Most Unique Poster honor for their service learning presentation at the California Geographic Society’s (CalGIS) Conference in Monterey, Calif. on April 14-16.

Marlyn Montgomery, Erin Degenstein and Conor Morison earned the award for a poster illustrating the value of data mapping for visualization of vital community information.

Their poster represents a project that is a cooperative effort between Humboldt State’s California Center for Rural Policy (CCRP) and advanced cartography students at HSU. The project demonstrates the value of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to increase accessibility to data that will enhance community understanding of wellbeing and health of the community.

Business student B.J. Malekzadeh recently took second place in the Business Future Four Regional Competition in Chico, Calif. April 11. The other schools competing were Chico State, Sonoma State and Sacramento State. Malekzadeh from won for his innovative idea that proposes a better tourniquet than what is currently available for civilian and military use. He got this idea while serving in the military.

Geology Professor Lori Dengler will present the Berkeley Lawson Lecture at the University of California, Wednesday April 16 5:30 p.m. in the Banatao Auditorium of Sutardja Dai Hall (CITRIS). More information at
https://seismo.berkeley.edu/news/lawson_lecture.html

Jesse Hoskins and Jennifer Alejo were named the first- and second-place recipients, respectively, of the Kalb-Haston Awards, whose cash prizes totaled $1,250. These awards are funded by HSU alumnus David Kalb and Bruce Haston, a former HSU political science professor. They recognize students who have demonstrated personal commitment and leadership by taking an active role in student government, particularly through the Office of Associated Students.

History major Stephanie Buck is the 2014 recipient of the $500 William R. Tanner History Scholarship. The scholarship was established in memory of William R. Tanner, professor of history at Humboldt State University from 1970 to 1999, founder of History Day and author of “A View from the Hill,” a history of Humboldt State University.

History major Sydney Hinton was selected by History Department faculty as the 2014 recipient of the Dr. John Hennessey Award, which honors a graduating history major who has demonstrated academic excellence in the study of history. The award was established in memory of Dr. John Hennessey, a professor of History and department chair at Humboldt State University who, after his retirement from the History Department, provided many years of service to the university.

History majors James Garrison and Echo Aloe were awarded first and second place, respectively, in the 2014 Charles R. Barnum History Contest, with their combined cash prizes totaling $1,750. The Barnum History Awards celebrate original historical research of Humboldt County. The awards were established in 1952 by a grant from Charles Barnum, a realtor and insurance broker in Eureka who was a member of the Humboldt State College Advisory Board from 1946 to his death in 1953.

History major Garrett Highland is the 2014 recipient of the $1,000 Johnston-Aronoff History Scholarship, which is awarded to a History major with an emphasis in the study of California and/or the western United States. The award was established by Guy Aronoff, a lecturer in the HSU History Department, and his wife, Judy Johnston, in memory of Guy’s father, David Aronoff, and Judy’s mother, Aldy Johnston.

Cheryl Bondi, former HSU Biology grad student (Advisor, Dr. Sharyn Marks, HSU Zoology) just won the Best Student Paper recently won an award for her thesis research in the 2013 volume of Copeia. The paper is titled "Differences in flow regime influence the seasonal migrations, body size, and body condition of Western Pond Turtles (Actinemys marmorata) that inhabit perennial and intermittent riverine sites in northern California." Copeia 2013:142-153.