Alumni Updates

Find classmates by name, major, or year of graduation

Albert Ochoa-Castillo, Chemistry, 2022

Submitted: June 17, 2024

Albert is currently in the second year of his PhD studies at Colorado State University, focusing on the fundamentals of plant cryopreservation. He recently received the prestigious NSF Graduate Research Fellowship, one of the country’s top STEM fellowship programs. Albert crafted a method to visualize sucrose in plant cells and proposed a technique for simultaneous imaging of two molecules in plant tissue. His research explores cryoprotectant-cell interactions using advanced microscopy methods. After graduating, Albert aims to teach chemistry at a primarily undergraduate institution, prioritizing research inclusion for first-generation and Hispanic students to enhance diversity in scientific fields.

Michelle Emily Nielsen, Biological Sciences, 2019

Submitted: June 1, 2024

Michelle is currently residing in Texas and is attending the Blinn Veterinary Technology Program. She will be graduating in May 2026 with an Associate of Veterinary Technology and will then take a test to receive her Registered Veterinary Technology License. 

Sandra L. Neumann, Psychology, 1995 (BA) and 1997 (MA)

Submitted: May 30, 2024

Sandra was recently awarded the University of Wisconsin system's P.B. Poorman Award for Outstanding Achievement on Behalf of LGBTQ+ People. She is currently an Associate Professor of Psychology at UW Stevens Point - Marshfield campus.

Rick Tholen, Forestry & Wildland Resources, 1976

Submitted: May 16, 2024

After graduating, Rick continued to work seasonally for the Shasta Trinity NF until he was hired on permanently with the FS in Potlatch, ID. From there he went to work for the BLM in Medford, OR. Transferred to a BLM office in Missoula, MT, and then to Boise, ID, where he worked for the Washington Office and then at the National Interagency Fire Center. In Boise, he earned a Master's from Idaho. He retired with 34 years of federal service in 2010. He still lives in Eagle, Idaho (31 years now) and stays active by hiking, backpacking, biking, and golfing.

Ira Goldstein, Geography, 1991

Submitted: April 21, 2024

Ira has been a watchmaker for 30 years in Idaho and loves his career although he says he will always be a Geographer at heart.  He resides in Boise, ID. with his wife Barbara (whom he met at Humboldt). He owns Timekeeper Watch Repair & Sales in Eagle, ID.

Harris Fogel, Art, 1982, 1984

Submitted: April 18, 2024

Harris Fogel is a staff writer and photographer for Copper Magazine in Boulder, CO. Fogel has authored a monograph called "The Wonder Years 1988–1991, Photographs by Harris Fogel," published in 2017 and revised in 2024, and "Helmut Remiorz, Color 1969–1974, Photographs by Helmut Remiorz,” released January 2023. He presented a lecture on the exhibition "About Who? Andy Warhol" at the Passagen Linköping Art Gallery in Sweden in March 2024. Additionally, he is the publisher of Mac Edition Radio and participated in "Plutonium & Silver - The Atomic Photographers Guild (APG)/Imaging The Nuclear Condition" in Vancouver, Canada, in April 2024.   

Dan Troxel, Fisheries Biology, 2007 (B.S.), 2010 (M.S.)

Submitted: April 8, 2024

Dan Troxel is an Environmental Scientist for the California Department of Fish & Wildlife based in Arcata, CA, working in the Klamath and Trinity Rivers Program. In the face of Klamath basin dam removal efforts, adaptability is key, but generally speaking, he is responsible for recreational fishery surveys and quota management. He is the lead coordinator for mid-Klamath spawning grounds surveys and is the Salmon Report Card lead, amongst other things. Dan appreciates hiring Cal Poly Humboldt students to give them early career opportunities in fisheries and fieldwork.

Albert Ochoa Castillo, Chemistry, 2022

Submitted: April 4, 2024

Albert researched organic and computational chemistry with Dr. Joshua R. Smith as a student at Cal Poly Humboldt. He focused on designing possible organic photovoltaic (OPV) compounds and using computational methods to characterize their electronic properties and assess their estimated efficiency. Now as a Ph.D. chemistry student at Colorado State University, Albert is enthusiastic to study the fundamentals of plant cryopreservation and the mobility of cryoprotectants within plant cells. He received the 2024 National Science Foundation Graduate Research fellowship. https://www.research.gov/grfp/AwardeeList.do?method=loadAwardeeList  

Kaelie Peña, Rangeland Resource Science, 2017

Submitted: March 22, 2024

Upon graduation in 2017, Kaelie worked as a Rangeland Management Specialist with the U.S. Forest Service, first in the Bridgeport Ranger District of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest and then in the Salmon-Cobalt Ranger District of the Salmon-Challis National Forest. In February of 2024, Kaelie accepted the position of Nevada State Coordinator with Pheasants Forever where she will coordinate partnerships amongst NGOs, State, and Federal Agencies across Nevada to accomplish habitat restoration and conservation work.

Sanford "Sandy" Wilbur, Wildlife, 1963

Submitted: March 6, 2024

Sanford "Sandy" Wilbur ('63, Wildlife) just published his second novel, "Vic and Greg: A Wildlife Refuge Romance." Set in southern Idaho in 1965-1966, he describes it as one-quarter birds and wildlife refuges, one-quarter sex, and one-half social commentary. Print copies aren't available yet, but a free full-length PDF can be had by sending a request to symbios@condortales.com

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