Humboldt Students Win at CSU Research Competition

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A photo of a person standing in line with a tote bag that displays the 39th annual CSU Research Competition logo.
Cal Poly Humboldt student Mariah Kirkpatrick designed a custom logo to be featured on tote bags and various swag distributed at the event.
Three Cal Poly Humboldt students represented the University with extraordinary distinction at this year’s CSU Research Competition in April, each earning awards in their respective categories.

Cal Poly Humboldt proudly hosted the 39th Annual CSU Student Research Competition, marking a historic first for the campus. The University welcomed over 200 exceptional student researchers from all 23 CSU campuses and served as a vibrant hub for innovation, inquiry, and academic excellence. 

The CSU Student Research Competition is an annual celebration of scholarly achievement, bringing together undergraduate and graduate students, as well as recent alumni, to present original research and creative work across 10 diverse categories, from the Physical and Mathematical Sciences to Humanities and the Arts. Winners are selected by a panel of expert judges and receive recognition along with cash prizes.

Winners took home custom-designed Cal Poly Humboldt trophies created by students in the Engineering 205: Introduction to Design class, who devoted thousands of hours in the University’s makerspace. The students worked in close collaboration with the Cal Poly Humboldt Sponsored Programs Foundation, as well as faculty and peers, to develop the designs. 

A photo of the 1st Place Winner trophy for the 39th Annual CSU Research Competition. This trophy features a sea foam green thinking man figure mounted to a wooden base with gear-like detailing. A plaque on the front reads "1st Place Winner CSU Student Research Competition." Another identical trophy is visible in the background.

Humboldt’s winners, pictured with Interim President Michael Spagna, are below. 

A photo of Harmony Switzer-Tryon holding her 2nd place trophy standing next to Cal Poly Humboldt Interim President Michael Spagna
2nd Place, Behavioral, Social Sciences, and Public Administration

Harmony Switzer-Tryon, Psychology: Emotional Intelligence Scores of Adult Children of Narcissistic Mothers

A photo of David Schmitz holding his 2nd place trophy standing next to Cal Poly Humboldt Interim President Michael Spagna.
2nd Place, Interdisciplinary

David Schmitz, '24, Chemistry: Preparation and Evaluation of Polylactic Acid-Quinoa Composites

A photo of Garrett Kitchen holding his honorable mention award standing next to Cal Poly Humboldt Interim President Michael Spagna
Honorable Mention, Behavioral, Social Sciences and Public Administration

Garrett Kitchen, Sociology: First Responders: Strain, Coping, and Camaraderie in Municipal Firefighting

 

See photos of the research competition here