The Past in Pieces
Anthropology professor Terry Jones, (center) works with students to clean and catalog findings from a recent archaeological dig.
After an archaeological excavation last spring, anthropology students returned to their campus lab to clean and catalog hundreds of pottery fragments, metal parts, shells and fish bones they unearthed. A historical exhibition this spring will tell the story of the Yoshida family and other Japanese American families who farmed and lived on the Pecho Coast a century ago.
Bird Flu-ency
In December, Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency over bird flu, which not only affects birds and dairy cows but has been proven to impact cats as well. Animal science professor Kim Sprayberry, a veterinarian, shares some tips on how to keep you and your pets safe.
1. Avoid exposure. Stay away from infected animals, and don’t allow pets to roam or hunt near waterways where wild birds congregate.
2. Only consume eggs and poultry that have been fully cooked and milk that has been pasteurized. Do not feed raw milk or raw pet food to your animals.
3. If you notice your pets are sneezing, have runny eyes or are coughing, and you are concerned about bird flu exposure, contact your veterinarian for proper treatment.
4. Stay informed and don’t panic. The California Department of Food and Agriculture website and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website are the best places to check for up-to-date information.
A Very Fast First
In March, senior Aidan McCarthy ran the fastest 800-meter race by an American in collegiate history at the Last Chance National Qualifier hosted by Boston University. It also marks the first time in 52 years that Cal Poly has a qualifier for the NCAA Indoor Track & Field Championships on the men’s side.
Photo courtesy of Dan Mouton.
Welcome, Deans!
Cal Poly recently named three new deans
to lead half of its six colleges.
All three will start this summer.
BRIAN HORGAN
College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences
Horgan is currently a professor and associate dean for faculty affairs and development in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at Michigan State University. In his time at MSU, Horgan has led the development of new majors and minors and prioritized building community and promoting diversity of thought.
KATE MURPHY
College of
Liberal Arts
Murphy is a renowned historian known for her research on the history of science and the transatlantic slave trade. The interim dean of the college since August 2024, Murphy has served in a variety of educational and leadership roles since joining Cal Poly in 2007.
MARC SWACKHAMER
College of Architecture and Environmental Design
Swackhamer is currently the chair of the Architecture Department at the University of Colorado Denver. He has extensive experience in architectural education, digital fabrication and environmentally responsive design.
Under the Snakefluence
Biological sciences graduate student Owen Bachhuber is helping to lead a global study of snake perceptions to reduce the number of bites and deaths resulting from encounters with the reptiles.
The “Under the Snakefluence” study involves surveying of people in more than 20 countries to better understand public perceptions and fears of the creatures and to assess how best to educate people about serpents to promote safe coexistence. Around 5.4 million people are bitten by snakes each year, resulting in up to 138,000 deaths and 400,000 cases of permanent disability, according to the World Health Organization.
— Nick Wilson
Poly Canyon Revolutionized
Software engineering major Parker Jones testing out his app among the experimental structures of Poly Canyon.
When second-year software engineering major Parker Jones first set foot in Poly Canyon during Week of Welcome, he was captivated. He explored the canyon every chance he got but soon realized that most maps of the area were inaccurate. To remedy the problem, he decided to create an app.
“An app is a very low-barrier way to get technology into peopleʼs hands,” Jones said. He started developing the Poly Canyon app with the intention of people using it to navigate the canyon but quickly realized it could be so much more.
Working with the Kennedy Library and students from the College of Architecture and Environmental Design, Jones developed app features centered around Poly Canyon’s storied history as an experimental project lab for architecture students. The app now gives users the ability to track which sites theyʼve visited and take virtual tours.
— Evan Seed
Hall of Fame Journalism
Mustang News was recently inducted into the Associated Collegiate Press Hall of Fame, a national organization that recognizes and promotes excellence in student media. Mustang News qualified because the organization has earned 15 national Pacemaker and Pacemaker finalist awards since 1970 — otherwise known as the Pulitzer Prizes of student journalism.
Tasting the World
The International Center hosted their annual Taste of the World event in February, introducing participants to countries around the world through the universal language of food. This year, food science students prepared and provided the food. Here’s a breakdown of what they did.
Number of countries represented by the event’s dishes
Number of different entrees students created
Servings of each dish the student chefs prepared
Your Next Read
Follow the student cast and crew of Cal Poly’s production of “Clue: The Musical” as they put Learn by Doing on center stage.
A food science course challenges students to learn how to cook for a variety of diets and budgets — and make it all taste good.
