Research

Researchers have described a new species of ancient shark that was collected in Arkansas 45 years ago and fills an important role in understanding an enigmatic and bizarre group of prehistoric fishes. The study is published in the journal Geodiversitas. 

Hundreds of feet above the ground in the canopy of the redwood forest is a rich ecosystem unlike any other on Earth.

Eastern north Pacific gray whales migrate annually from Mexico where they breed in the winter to the Arctic to feed in the summer, making one of the longest journeys of any mammal—but one small subgroup instead spends their summers along the Northern California to British Columbia coastline. Robyn Norman, a Biological Sciences graduate student, wants to know why.

A global study by scientists from throughout the world shows that the effects of extreme drought—which is expected to increase in frequency with climate change—has been greatly underestimated for grasslands and shrublands.

How does long-term exclusion of cattle grazing affect the ecological health of wetlands and rare plants?

One Cal Poly Humboldt graduate student is working with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS), California Native Plant Society (CNPS), and U.S. Forest Service (USFS) to help save an endangered plant species from possible extinction.

A Cal Poly Humboldt professor is partnering to research whether biochar can help tackle climate change by improving forest soils.

A groundbreaking project by Cal Poly Humboldt Biological Sciences Professor Pedro Peloso aims to resurrect the silent tales of frogs, salamanders and caecilians that have already vanished to raise awareness about the nearly 200 amphibian species at risk of disappearing forever.

While Bald Eagles are one of the best conservation success stories in the United States, Golden Eagle populations continue to struggle in the West.

To better understand how climate change might affect the marine ecosystem off the coast of California over the next century, Cal Poly Humboldt researchers are studying one of the ocean’s smaller inhabitants.

A Cal Poly Humboldt professor is leading an effort to increase resilience to climate change by developing a working group of Tribal, University, and government researchers that will help local Tribes increase their capacity for fisheries research and monitoring.

Cal Poly Humboldt students and faculty across various disciplines are embarking on an ambitious project to map out vegetation in the Klamath Mountains.

Through a historic partnership between the University of California and the state of California, research by two Cal Poly Humboldt professors is among dozens of projects awarded a total of $80 million in climate action grants.

Cal Poly Humboldt and CAL FIRE are joining forces to share expertise and resources in an effort to improve fire management and response, as well as forest health and land management practices in California and across the West.

Cal Poly Humboldt is partnering with several institutions including lead university, the  University of Oregon, on a new multi-institution earthquake research center, which will receive $15 million from the National Science Foundation over five years to study the Cascadia subduction zone and bolster earthquake preparedness in the Pacific Northwest and beyond.

As tick-borne illnesses continue to rise, Cal Poly Humboldt faculty and students are at the forefront of studying potential arachnid-transferred diseases.

Since 1964, Cal Poly Humboldt has honored outstanding faculty and in 1986, the University added the Scholar of the Year Award. Nominations are reviewed by the Faculty Awards Committee.

The Executive Committee of the Cal Poly Humboldt Emeritus and Retired Faculty and Staff Association (Humboldt ERFSA)  is pleased to announce the winners of this year’s awards.

What began 10 years ago as an idea turned into ideaFest. Cal Poly Humboldt’s annual extravaganza showcases hundreds of research and creative projects from students, staff, and faculty over the past year.

If you’ve walked around the physical sciences buildings at Cal Poly Humboldt, there’s a good chance you’ve seen the sperm whale skull that sits on the plaza in front of Science C.

The berries have long been hailed as a superfood—while they’re known for a plethora of health benefits, new research proves this superfruit could help burn fat during exercise. 

While Californians face increased fire risk, air pollution, and aging energy infrastructure, Tribal and rural communities remain especially vulnerable. The SAFE project—Smoke, Air, Fire, Energy—is a collaboration between Tribes and Schatz Energy Research Center to develop solutions to these challenges.

When wildfire strikes a community, it can leave a path of destruction, and a chance for renewal. During the fire and in the immediate aftermath, residents and officials focus on protection and stabilization efforts. However, the availability of resources to support community recovery and promote resilience to future fires over the longer-term is less certain. Three Cal Poly Humboldt professors are studying how communities recover from wildfires over time.

Cal Poly Humboldt researchers found that redwoods have varying sensitivity to drought, and that rising temperatures may affect tree performance in unexpected ways—results that are both concerning and hopeful.

A Cal Poly Humboldt professor and alumna have been awarded a California State University Agricultural Research Institute grant to study how a new eco-label being developed for cannabis farms can benefit wildlife.