Unlike most undergraduate students who go to the Colorado River during the summer to camp or enjoy whitewater rafting, Alexandra Gutierrez, a biology major at California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH), spent much of that time processing soil samples harvested in the shallows of the river in search of Archaea microorganisms. Funded by Cal Poly San Luis Obispo's Robert Noyce Scholars and the STEM Teacher and Research (STAR) programs, Gutierrez–an avid environmentalist–was tasked with searching for more diverse families of the microbe during her internship at the Stanford Linear Accelerator Laboratory (SLAC), along with working on campus at Stanford in the Green Earth Sciences ... Read More
Environmental Science
Labor, Social, and Environmental Justice Fair Connects Students with Activists
Students, faculty, labor and community organizations from across the greater Los Angeles area will come together to celebrate the Ninth Annual Labor, Social and Environmental Justice Fair hosted by the California State University Dominguez Hills Labor and Social Justice Club and Labor Studies Program from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesday, April 25. The day-long fair is designed to connect students and members of the community with local unions and community organizations that are doing social justice work, while enjoying art, music, dance and theater. “We're proud to be sponsored by unions, student government and individual donations. We're overjoyed to have the participation of over 40 ... Read More
Kathryn Theiss on Climate Change and the Evolution of Plants
Earth's biodiversity has been profoundly shaped by global climate change for eons, and researchers expect the current ongoing and rapid changes to have as great an effect, especially on the evolution of plants, says Kathryn Theiss, assistant professor of biology at California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH). Theiss is fascinated by the evolution of plant reproduction and how reproductive strategies are affected by conservation issues, especially global climate change. She tends to focus on rare plants, favoring moth-pollinated species such as Evening Primroses, the plant group she is currently studying. “Evening primroses are generally not considered rare yet, but could ... Read More
Water Wise & Life Friendly: Connie Vadheim Educates Community on Natives Plants
Following one of California's driest winters, South Bay gardeners will need to make some choices about their thirsty rose bushes and tomato plants. The good news is that appropriate regional water-wise landscapes are not all cactus and rock gardens, according to Constance M. Vadheim, a CSU Dominguez Hills adjunct professor of biology. “There are many drought-tolerant native shrubs that are evergreen or bloom with pretty flowers,” she said. “The lemonade berry, for example, has beautiful flowers, edible berries, and birds love it.” For more than 10 years, Vadheim has volunteered her extensive hands-on knowledge of California's native, water-wise plants with creative and practical ... Read More
West Basin Cuts Ribbon on Ocean Friendly Garden at University Housing
Officials from West Basin Municipal Water District, Surfrider Foundation and the university celebrated the unveiling of a West Basin Ocean Friendly Garden (OFG) on campus during a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, March 26. Located just outside the entrance gates to the University Housing complex, the garden replaces nearly 7,000 square-feet of grass with 250 water-saving, drought-tolerant trees and plants native to Southern California and will save up to 80 percent of the water previously required for landscaping. Additionally, it is designed to redirect and capture water from the street to allow for natural irrigation of the garden. The OFG program is part of West Basin's Water ... Read More
