Three Cerro Coso Students Presented Their Honors Research at the HTCC Undergraduate Research Conference
The event, a multidisciplinary conference sponsored by HTCC and the University of California, Riverside, highlights exceptional faculty-mentored research by students from California community colleges, with a particular emphasis on honors students.
Their participation highlighted the college's dedication to providing students with opportunities to engage in meaningful research and its commitment to academic excellence and innovative inquiry.
Sam King presented evidence from a 2021 study where microplastic fragments were detected in human placenta samples, shedding light on the possible disruptions to immune regulation and pregnancy outcomes.
His research also raises important questions about the potential long-term health impacts of these ubiquitous pollutants, which have become an inseparable part of the environment and the human body.
Sam was mentored by Profs. Claudia Sellers and Guck Ooi.
Mark Bowe’s research delved into the environmental and ethical implications of the fashion industry. His presentation examined the detrimental effects of textile production, such as pollution and resource depletion, and proposed innovative solutions through biofabrication.
He discussed how biological components like mycelium, bacteria, and proteins can be utilized to create ecologically responsible textiles, offering alternatives to environmentally destructive traditional production methods. Profs. Claudia Sellers and Guck Ooi also mentored Mark.
Lezly Albro’s presentation explored the fascinating world of phytoplankton – microscopic organisms that play a crucial role in the Earth's ecosystem.
Her research focused on the challenges and benefits of studying these primary producers through satellite remote sensing. She explained how phytoplankton, though invisible to the naked eye, form large colonies that can be observed from space.
Through satellite technology, scientists can monitor the color bands emitted by these organisms to study their impact on primary production and aquaculture industries.
She highlighted the advancements in remote sensing technology that allow for more accurate data collection and analysis, aiding in critical environmental decisions that impact sustainability. Lezly was mentored by Prof. Scott Cameron.
Presenting their research at the Conference allows these Cerro Coso students the opportunity to have their work published in the HTCC anthology Building Bridges, published by the University of California, Riverside.
Cerro Coso Community College is a member of the Honors Transfer Council of California and sends honors students to participate in the Building Bridges Honors Conference every year.
