BLaST Scholars
BLaST Research Scholarships (Scholars) pays tuition + course fees up to 15 credits and a monthly stipend at 性欲社 (性欲社 ONLY). Awardees must be enrolled full-time in academic degree programs in biomedical science 铿乪lds, and must be U.S. citizens, U.S. non-citizen nationals, or permanent residents. BLaST Scholars are guided through participation in:
*Personally relevant, mentored, biomedical research experiences as part of an undergraduate curriculum that emphasizes active, connected, and experiential learning, and
*A cohesive learning community that o铿ers numerous student support services.
Baysinger, (Owens) Spencer
Degree: BS Computer Science
Faculty Mentor: Buechler, Brian
Project Title: Explorative: SAFE Processing Optimization with Serverless Technology for GIS
Award Year: 2024-2025
Faculty Mentor: Buechler, Brian
Project Title: Explorative: SAFE Processing Optimization with Serverless Technology for GIS
Award Year: 2024-2025
Gologergen, Orlin
Degree: BS Biological Sciences
Faculty Mentor: Wild, Lauren
Project Title: Stable isotope and mercury analysis of bowhead whale skin and blubber
Award Year: 2024-2025
Faculty Mentor: Wild, Lauren
Project Title: Stable isotope and mercury analysis of bowhead whale skin and blubber
Award Year: 2024-2025
Loggins, Rhayne
Degree: BS Biological Sciences
Faculty Mentor: Glass, Jessica
Project Title: Validating the use of eDNA for Identifying Humpback Whale Prey Species
Award Year: 2024-2025
Faculty Mentor: Glass, Jessica
Project Title: Validating the use of eDNA for Identifying Humpback Whale Prey Species
Award Year: 2024-2025
Ramirez, Michelle
Degree: BS Biological Sciences
Faculty Mentor: Muscarella, Mario
Project Title: Microbial Response to Permafrost Thaw and Coalescence
Award Year: 2024-2025
Faculty Mentor: Muscarella, Mario
Project Title: Microbial Response to Permafrost Thaw and Coalescence
Award Year: 2024-2025
Reece, Kristen
Degree: BS Interdisciplinary Studies
Faculty Mentor: Lopez, Andres
Project Title: Assessing Kuskokwim salmon with environmental DNA
Award Year: 2024-2025
Faculty Mentor: Lopez, Andres
Project Title: Assessing Kuskokwim salmon with environmental DNA
Award Year: 2024-2025
Scotton, Sable
Degree: BS Biological Sciences
Faculty Mentor: Lian, Marianne
Project Title: Martens and Mink as Indicators for Alaskan one health - MMIA
Award Year: 2024-2025
Faculty Mentor: Lian, Marianne
Project Title: Martens and Mink as Indicators for Alaskan one health - MMIA
Award Year: 2024-2025
Smith, (Bob) Steven
Degree: BS Biological Sciences
Faculty Mentor: Health impacts of volcanic ash from Pavlof Volcano
Project Title: Drew, Kelly
Award Year: 2024-2025
Faculty Mentor: Health impacts of volcanic ash from Pavlof Volcano
Project Title: Drew, Kelly
Award Year: 2024-2025
Veenstra, Grace
Degree: BS Biology & Computer Science w/Math minor
Faculty Mentor: Buffington, Christi
Project Title: Cripple Creek Restoration Communication
Award Year: 2024-2025
Faculty Mentor: Buffington, Christi
Project Title: Cripple Creek Restoration Communication
Award Year: 2024-2025
Past Scholars
| AY24 GY10 | Degree | Faculty Mentor | Project Title | Award Year |
| Baysinger (Owens), Spencer | BS Computer Science | Lawler, Orion | Autonomous Pathing for Lunar Fuel Source Extraction | 2023-2024 |
| Bolton, Christian | BS Biological Sciences | O'Brien, Kristen | Evaluating enzyme activity in different tissues of Antarctic fish to determine their ability generate ATP by glycolysis | 2023-2024 |
| Brown, Julie-Anne | BS Biological Sciences | Drew, Kelly | Hibernation biology | 2023-2024 |
| Carlin, Ashley | BS Chemistry | Johnston, Sarah Ellen | Metal Analysis of Alaska Water Samples | 2023-2024 |
| Dempsey, Sarah | BS Wildlife Biology & Conservation | Crimmins, Shawn | Resource Selection Function on Moose in Togiak National Wildlife Refuge | 2023-2024 |
| Gologergen, Orlin | BS Biological Science | Wild, Lauren | Stable isotope and mercury analysis of bowhead whale skin and blubber | 2023-2024 |
| House, Maggie | BS Natural Resources | Buffington, Christi | Biomonitoring Cripple Creek鈥檚 Water Quality After a Reconstruction Through Macro-Invertebrate Diversity | 2023-2024 |
| Loggins, Rhayne | BS Biological Sciences | Glass, Jessica | Validating the use of eDNA For Identifying Humpback Whale Prey Species | 2023-2024 |
| Martins, Michael | BS Mathematics | Conde, Mark | Using HAARP to Measure Temperatures and Winds in the Ionosphere as a Function of Height | 2023-2024 |
| Masterman, Robin | BS Biological Sciences | Drew, Kelly | Hibernation biology | 2023-2024 |
| Miller, Gabriel | BS Biological Sciences | Weltzin, Maegan | Functional potency of rabies glycoprotein in dog alpha 7 nicotinic receptors | 2023-2024 |
| Ramirez, Michelle | BS Biological Sciences | Muscarella, Mario | Permafrost and Topsoil Gas Analysis and Bacterial Microbiome work. Microbial response to permafrost thaw and coalescence | 2023-2024 |
| Reece, Kristen | BS Interdisciplinary Studies | Lopez, J. Andres | Assessing Kuskokwim salmon with environmental DNA | 2023-2024 |
| Scotton, Sable | BS Biological Sciences | Lian, Marianne | Martens and Mink as Indicators for Alaskan one health - MMIA | 2023-2024 |
| Smith, (Bob) Steven | BS Biological Sciences | Drew, Kelly | Health impacts of volcanic ash from Pavlof Volcano | 2023-2024 |
| Veenstra, Grace | BS Biology & Science Communications W/Minor in Math | Buffington, Christi | Cripple Creek Restoration Communication | 2023-2024 |
| Victorino, Kaia (SPRING 2024 ONLY) | BS Biological Sciences | Olson, Link | Evaluating eye lens weight as a tool for age classification in Marmota sp; Challenging the theory of indeterminate mammalian growth in Marmota sp. and related Alaskan squirrels | 2023-2024 |
| White, (Lucy) James | BS Fisheries and Marine Science and Computer Science | Sikes, Derek | Biodiversity assessment using DNA Barcoding: Saint Paul Island endemic nonmarine macroinvertebrates | 2023-2024 |
| AY23 GY9 | Degree | Faculty Mentor | Project Title | Award Year |
| Addington, Maximus (Max) | BS Biological Sciences | Drew, Kelly | 2022-2023 | |
| Baker-Chapman, Tyler | BS Biological Sciences | Muscarella, Mario | Effects of bacteriophage on antibiotic resistance | 2022-2023 |
| Bennett, Keren (Shookasholik) | BA Psychology | 2022-2023 | ||
| Bolton, Christian | BS Biological Sciences | O'Brien, Kristen | Evaluating enzyme activity in different tissues of Antarctic fish to determine their ability generate ATP by glycolysis | 2022-2023 |
| Brown, Julie-Anne | BS Biological Sciences | Drew, Kelly | Hibernation biology (title in progress) | 2022-2023 |
| Bryant, Tirzah | BS Wildlife Biology & Conservation | Kielland, Knut | Behavioral patterns of snowshoe hares at salt licks | 2022-2023 |
| Carlin, Ashley | BS Chemistry | Johnston, Sarah | Metal Analysis of Alaska Water Samples | 2022-2023 |
| Dempsey, Sarah | BS Wildlife Biology & Conservation | Crimmins, Shawn | Resource Selection Function on Moose in Togiak National Wildife refuge | 2022-2023 |
| Ekada, Laura | BS Biological Sciences | Phillipe, Jacques | Getting through a Pandemic: The Role of Culture and Traditions in a Rural Alaska Native Community | 2022-2023 |
| Gologergen, Orlin | BS Biological Sciences | Wild, Lauren | Stable isotope and mercury analysis of bowhead whale skin and blubber | 2022-2023 |
| House, Maggie | BS Natural Resources | Buffington, Christi | Biomonitoring Cripple Creek鈥檚 Water Quality After a Reconstruction Through Macro-Invertebrate Diversity | 2022-2023 |
| Ito, Logan | BS Biological Sciences | Lopez, Andres | Comparative Genetic Analysis of Herring | 2022-2023 |
| Loggins, Rhayne | BS Biological Sciences | Winker, Kevin | Curating ornithology multiple tissue specimens for 性欲社 Museum of the North. | 2022-2023 |
| Martins, Michael | BS Biological Sciences | Conde, Mark | Using HAARP to Measure Temperatures and Winds in the Ionosphere as a Function of Height | 2022-2023 |
| Masterman, Robin | BS Biological Sciences | Drew, Kelly | Hibernation biology (will add more details later) | 2022-2023 |
| Miller, Gabriel | BS Biological Sciences | Badiei, Alireza | The affects of siRNA silencing on VDR production in microglia | 2022-2023 |
| Mueller, Daphne | BS Biological Sciences | Lopez, Andres | Merganser diet project | 2022-2023 |
| Owens, Spencer | BS Computer Science | Drown, Devin | Comparative Performance of Embedded Systems for Genomic Analysis | 2022-2023 |
| Pfeffer, Helen (Nicia) | BS Electrical Engineering | Thorsen, Denise | Building a prototype hearing aid | 2022-2023 |
| Ramirez, Michelle | BS Biological Sciences | Muscarella, Mario | The role of the ceca microbiome in the health and population dynamics of Icelandic Rock Ptarmigan (Lagopus muta) | 2022-2023 |
| Reece, Kristen | BS Biological Sciences | Lopez, Andres, Harrings, Maggie | Dolly Varden and Arctic Grayling abundance in relation to the Chinook/Chum salmon runs via eDNA and qPCR techniques. | 2022-2023 |
| Scotton, Sable | BS Biological Sciences | Brinkman, Todd | Testing a formula: Calculating how fast caribou are moving via angles and camera placement | 2022-2023 |
| Smith, Steven (Bob) | BS Biological Sciences | Drew, Kelly, Harvey, David | Health impacts of volcanic ash from Pavlof Volcano | 2022-2023 |
| Stitz, Shadrach | BS Chemistry | Howard, Bill | Investigation into the role of zirconocene in mediating or catalyzing peptide bond formation | 2022-2023 |
| Veenstra, Grace | BS Biology & Science Communications w/minor in Mathematics | Buffington, Christi | Cripple Creek Restoration Communication | 2022-2023 |
| Victorino, Kaia | BS Biological Sciences | Kitaysky, Alexander | Carry-over effects of altered reproductive effort on subsequent breeding season condition in a long-lived seabird | 2022-2023 |
| White, Lucy | BS Fisheries and Marine Science and Computer Science | Sikes, Derek | Biodiversity assessment using DNA Barcoding: Saint Paul Island endemic nonmarine macroinvertebrates |
2022-2023 |
| AY22 GY8 | Degree | Mentors | Project Title | Award Year |
| Addington, (Max) Maximus | BA Sciences | Emily Sousa | TBD | 2021-2022 |
| Asplund, Sydney | BA Psychology | Theresa Vertigan, Carie Green | Take me to your happy place: Evaluation of natural places and measure of well-being in college students of Interior Alaska | 2021-2022 |
| Baker-Chapman, Tyler | BS Biological Science | Theresa Vertigan, Mario Muscarella | Phage therapy against multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli forces trade-offs between antibiotic resistance and phage resistance leading to drug susceptibility | 2021-2022 |
| Bolton, Christian | BS Biological Sciences | Hannah Robinson, Andrea Bersamin | Veggie Meter and Veggie Texts - We read a person's veggie intake with a veggie meter and conduct an experiment using text messages to see if their veggie score improves | 2021-2022 |
| Brown, Jeramiah | BS Biological Science | Hannah Robinson, Devin Drown | DNA Repair Efficiency in Lung Cancer Cell Lines | 2021-2022 |
| Brown, Julie-Anne | BS Biological Science | Theresa Vertigan, Kelly Drew | Hibernation biology | 2021-2022 |
| Bryant, Tirzah | BS Wildlife Biology & Conservation | Emily Sousa, Knut Kielland | Behavioral patterns of snowshoe hares at salt licks | 2021-2022 |
| Dempsey, Sarah | BS Wildlife Biology & Conservation | Emily Sousa, Sebastian Zavoico, Shawn Crimmins | Moose habitat selection in the changing environment of Southwest Alaska | 2021-2022 |
| Dykes, Daniel | BS Biological Science | Theresa Vertigan, Abel Bult-Ito, Thomas Kuhn | Trait specific modulatory effects of caffeine exposure on compulsive-like behaviors in a spontaneous mouse model of OCD | 2021-2022 |
| Ekada, Laura | BS Biological Science | Emily Sousa, Jacques Phillip | Getting through a Pandemic: The Role of Culture and Traditions in a Rural Alaska Native Community | 2021-2022 |
| Gologergen, Orlin | BS Biological Science | Emily Sousa, Lauren Wild | Stable isotope analysis of bowhead whale skin and blubber | 2021-2022 |
| House, Thomas | BS Fisheries and Ocean Sciences | Theresa Vertigan, Donald Arthur | Stable isotope signatures in rockfish across the Gulf of Alaska | 2021-2022 |
| Jacobs, Jill | BS Chemistry | Hannah Robinson, Kelly Drew | Pharmacodynamic and Prototype Refinement of BCP-191 | 2021-2022 |
| Kokrine, Justin | BS Biological Science | Theresa Vertigan, Jacques Phillip | Getting through a Pandemic: The Role of Culture and Traditions in a Rural Alaska Native Community | 2021-2022 |
| Larson, Paul | BS Wildlife Biology and Conservation | Hannah Robinson, Diane O'Brien | Lead (Pb) contaminants in Common Eiders | 2021-2022 |
| Matson, Shayle | BS Biological Science | Theresa Vertigan, Don Larson | "Effects of temperature on shedding rates of Trichobilharzia alaskensis" | 2021-2022 |
| Mahoney, Josephine Dropped for Spring Semester 1/4/22 | BS Biological Science | Emily Sousa, Devin Drown | Microbial communities of marl sediments from polygonal ponds on the Arctic Coastal Plain | 2021-2022 |
| Mari, (Edie) Edith | BA Interdisciplinary | Emily Sousa, Amanda Kelley | Evaluation of the Alaska Ocean Acidification Network's community sampling program | 2021-2022 |
| Martins, Michael | BS Biological Science | Emily Sousa, Mark Conde | establishing new methods to measure winds and temperatures in the atmosphere | 2021-2022 |
| Masterman, Robin | BS Biological Sciences | Emily Sousa, Ellen Chennoweth, Kelly Drew | Hibernation biology (will add more details later) | 2021-2022 |
| Matson, Shayna | BS Biological Science | Theresa Vertigan, Devin Drown | DNA analysis of biofilms in 性欲社 water sources | 2021-2022 |
| Mueller, Daphne | BS Biological Science | Theresa Vertigan, Andres Lopez | Microbial community diversity in sediment and water from the Chena River | 2021-2022 |
| Pfeffer, (Nicia) Helen | BS Electrical Engineering | Theresa Vertigan, Denise Thorsen | Building a prototype hearing aid | 2021-2022 |
| Ramirez, Michelle | BS Biological Science | Emily Sousa, Scott Jerome | White and Grey matter in aging dogs using MRI | 2021-2022 |
| Smith, (Bob) Steven | BS Biological Science | Emily Sousa | Health Hazards of Volcanic Ash on Neighboring Environments and Communities | 2021-2022 |
| Stitz, Shadrach | BS Chemistry | Emily Sousa, Bill Howard | Investigation into the role of zirconocene in mediating or catalyzing peptide bond formation | 2021-2022 |
| Tindall, Jordan | BS Chemistry | Theresa Vertigan, Jessica Black, LaVerne Demientieff | Reawakening the Spirit | 2021-2022 |
| Veenstra, Grace | BA Psychology/Physics | Theresa Vertigan, Kristin Timm | Analysis of audience responses to the #ClimateNight | 2021-2022 |
| Wade, Samantha | BS Biological Science | Theresa Vertigan, Mary Beth Leigh | Evaluating the Effectiveness of Micro-Blaze in Bioremediating Diesel Contaminated Soil Collected in Rural Alaska | 2021-2022 |
| AY 21 GY7 | Degree | Mentor(s) | Project Title | Award Year |
| Asplund, Sydney | BA Psychology | Peterson, Jen | Take me to your happy place: Evaluation of natural places and measure of well-being in college students of Interior Alaska | 2020-2021 |
| Baker, Hailey | BS Biological Sciences | Drew, Kelly | EGG Analysis of Arctic Ground Squirrels Throughout Hibernation | 2020-2021 |
| Bolton, Christian | BS Biological Sciences | Podlutsky, Andrej | DNA damage and repair in mammalian cells culture | 2020-2021 |
| Brown, Jeramiah | BS Biological Science | Podlutsky, Andrej | DNA repair efficiency in lung cancer cell lines | 2020-2021 |
| Bryant, Tirzah | BS Wildlife Biology & Conservation | Kielland, Knut | Salt lick usage patterns of Snowshoe Hare | 2020-2021 |
| Chythlook, Craig | BBA, Business Adminstration, Minor Rural Development | Lopez, Ellen | Rural Water Services Impact on Subsistence | 2020-2021 |
| Dorvall, Anastacia (Cia) | BS Biological Science | Oliver, Ryan (Scott) | Mechanisms of Muscle and Adipose Tissue Regulation and Remodeling in Response to Cold and Exercise | 2020-2021 |
| Dykes, Daniel | BS Biological Science | Thomas Kuhn (2nd Mentor), Abel Bult-Ito | Trait specific modulatory effects of caffeine exposure on compulsive-like behaviors in a spontaneous mouse model of OCD | 2020-2021 |
| Ekada, Laura | BS Biological Science | Phillipe, Jacques | Getting through a Pandemic: The role of culture and traditions in a Rural Alaska Native Community | 2020-2021 |
| Fisher, Mollie | BA Biological Science | Larson, Don | Effects of temperature on shedding rates of Trichobilharzia alaskensis | 2020-2021 |
| Gologergen, Orlin | BA Biological Science | Quakenbush, Lori | Marine mammal health | 2020-2021 |
| Harvey, David | BS Geoscience | Maio, Chris | Reconstructing plant communities through sediment cores in Kodiak, AK | 2020-2021 |
| Hobgood, Olivia | BS Biological Science | Durrett, Mel | Mining With Plants: Investigating Phytoextraction on Local Mine Waste | 2020-2021 |
| House, Thomas | BS Fisheries and Ocean Sciences | Arthur, Donald | Stable isotope signatures in rockfish across the Gulf of Alaska | 2020-2021 |
| Larson, Paul | BS Wildlife Biology and Conservation | Cyr, Andrew | Lead (Pb) contaminants in Common Eiders | 2020-2021 |
| Lekanof, Hayley | BS Biological Science | O'Brien, Kristen | Do Antarctic fish draw from their glycogen reserves when warm-treated? | 2020-2021 |
| Lliaban, Shayle | BS Biological Science | Larson, Don | Effects of temperature on shedding rates of Trichobilharzia alaskensis | 2020-2021 |
| Lu, Brianna | BS Biological Science | Podlutsky, Andrej | Acetylcholine receptors response to rabies virus glycoprotein | 2020-2021 |
| Martins, Michael | BS Biological Science | Conde, Mark | Establishing new methods to measure winds and temperatures in the atmosphere | 2020-2021 |
| Masterman, Robin | BS Biological Sciences | O'Brien, Diane | Stable isotopes and human diet | 2020-2021 |
| Matson, Shayna | BS Biological Science | Drown, Devin | DNA analysis of biofilms in 性欲社 water sources | 2020-2021 |
| McMillan, Casey | BS Psychology | Bult-Ito, Abel | Grooming behavior in a non-induced mouse model of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder | 2020-2021 |
| Mueller, Daphne | BS Biological Science | Lopez, Andres | Merganser diet project | 2020-2021 |
| Peterson, Margaret | BS Fisheries and Ocean Sciences | Rea, Lorrie | The Mercury content versus Stable Isotopes in a pacific cod tail vertebrate | 2020-2021 |
| Quillin, Michelle | BS Wildlife Biology & Conservation | Brinkman, Todd | Utilizing satellite imagery to assess climate change impacts on river navigability and subsistence food security around Hughes, Alaska | 2020-2021 |
| Schafer, Cheyenna | BS Biological Science | O'Brien, Diane | Nutrition and Traditional Food Use in Rural Alaska | 2020-2021 |
| Thompson, Anthony (Tony) | BS Wildlife | Lopez, Andres | Development and testing of environmental DNA assay for Arctic Lamprey Lethenteron camtschaticum | 2020-2021 |
| Tindall, Jordan | BS Chemistry | Laverne Demientieff, Jessica Black | Reawakening the Spirit | 2020-2021 |
| Wade, Samantha | BS Biological Science | Leigh, Mary Beth | Sequencing the genome of an oil-degrading bacterium from the Arctic Ocean | 2020-2021 |
| AY 20 GY6 | Degree | Mentor(s) | Project Title | Award Year |
| Bagoyo, (Editha) Angela (Angie) | BS Biological Science | Drew, Kelly | Day and Night Comparison to Maximize Learning in Sprague Dawley Rats: Circadian rhythms and animal behavior | 2019-2020 |
| Bennett, Shane | BS Chemical Engineering | Weltzin, Meagan | Marine toxins, PSP, Environmental impacts of toxins on subsistence foods | 2019-2020 |
| Brown, Jeramiah | BS Biological Science | Podlutsky, Andrej | DNA Repair Efficiency in Lung Cancer Cell Lines | 2019-2020 |
| Chythlook, Craig | BBA, Business Adminstration, Minor Rural Development | Lopez, Ellen | Rural Water Services Impact on Subsistence | 2019-2020 |
| Dorvall, Anastacia (Cia) | BS Biological Science | Oliver, Ryan (Scott) | Mechanisms of Muscle and Adipose Tissue Regulation and Remodeling in Response to Cold and Exercise | 2019-2020 |
| Dykes, Daniel | BS Biological Science | Kuhn, Thomas; Bult-Ito, Abel | Trait specific modulatory effects of caffeine exposure on compulsive-like behaviors in a spontaneous mouse model of OCD | 2019-2020 |
| Fisher, Mollie | BA Biological Science | Larson, Don | Effects of temperature on shedding rates of Trichobilharzia alaskensis | 2019-2020 |
| Harvey, David | BS Geoscience | Larsen, Jessica | A One Health investigation of volcanic ash from Pavlof Volcano | 2019-2020 |
| Hobgood, Olivia | BS Biological Science | Hansen, Cristina (Nina) | Surveillance for and characterization of Leptospirosis in Alaskan caribou and reindeer | 2019-2020 |
| Humphrey, Jennie | BS Wildlife Biology and Conservation | Bersamin, Andrea | Food security and sovereignty in Klukwan, Alaska | 2019-2020 |
| Khalsa, Noah | BS Fisheries and Ocean Science | Kelley, Amanda | Resilience and sensitivity of coastal ichthyofauna to Arctic change | 2019-2020 |
| Lekanof, Hayley | BS Biological Science | O'Brien, Kristen | Do Antarctic fish draw from their glycogen reserves when warm-treated? | 2019-2020 |
| Lliaban, Shayle | BS Biological Science | Larson, Don | Effects of temperature on shedding rates of Trichobilharzia alaskensis | 2019-2020 |
| Lu, Brianna | BS Biological Science | Podlutsky, Andrej | Acetylcholine receptors response to rabies virus glycoprotein | 2019-2020 |
| Matson, Shayna | BS Biological Science | Drown, Devin | Exploring the kinetics and cleavage sites of cysteine cathepsins for vaccine design | 2019-2020 |
| McCahon, Shelby | BS Wildlife Bio and Conservation | Todd Brinkman, Marianne Lian, Corey Williams | Assessing Creamer's Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge Winter Trail Use | 2019-2020 |
| McMillan, Casey | BS Psychology | Bult-Ito, Abel | Grooming behavior in a non-induced mouse model of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder | 2019-2020 |
| Mueller, Daphne | BS Biological Science | Podlutsky, Andrej | Omega-3 Intake in Alaska Native Diet and Type 2 Diabetes; Arctic microbes & tracking population changes with a warming Baseline Study | 2019-2020 |
| Parrish, Ava | BA Elementary Education | Healy, Joanne | Social Scaffolding Between Milo the Robot and Individuals with ASD | 2019-2020 |
| Polanco, Jonilee | BS Biological Science | Leigh, Mary Beth | Phytoremediation of Diesel Contaminated Soils in a Rural Alaskan Community | 2019-2020 |
| Quillin, Michelle | BS Wildlife Biology & Conservation | Rea, Lorrie | Bioaccumulation of mercury in northern fur seals relative to rookery fidelity at St. Paul Island, Alaska | 2019-2020 |
| Schafer, Cheyenna | BS Biological Science | O'Brien, Diane | Nutrition and Traditional Food Use in Rural Alaska | 2019-2020 |
| Taylor, Garrett | BS Biological Science | Vertigan, Theresa | Arctic Microbes: Tracking population changes with a warming climate baseline study | 2019-2020 |
| Thao, Shelly | BS Biochemistry | Weltzin, Megan | Rabies Virus glycorprotein peptide and neuronal nicotinic receptors | 2019-2020 |
| Thompson, Anthony (Tony) | BS Wildlife | Hansen, Cristina (Nina) | PCR surveillance for Leptospira in red-backed vole kidneys in Fairbanks, Alaska | 2019-2020 |
| Wade, Samantha | BS Biological Science | Leigh, Mary Beth | Sequencing the genome of an oil-degrading bacterium from the Arctic Ocean | 2019-2020 |
| Moore, Harrison | BS Computer Engineering | Klobucar, Deanna | VR Bike project: Virtual Reality Exercise in Rural Alaska | 2019-2020 |
| Sato, Kailer (Kai) | BS Biological Science | O'Brien, Diane | n/a | 2019-2020 |
| Rivera, Kristian | BS Biological Science | Kuhn, Thomas | Immune system proteases: Kinetics and cleavage sites of cathepsin S in the context of vaccine development | 2019-2020 |
| AY 19 GY5 | Degree | Mentor(s) | Project Title | Award Year |
| Bagoyo, (Editha) Angela (Angie) | BS Biological Science | Dilliplaine, Kyle | Spring 2019: Veggie-Meter's Influence on Food and Beverage Choices; Summer 2019: Core Lab Apprenticeship Program | 2018-2019 |
| Carrasco, (Ana) Fiorella | BS Biological Science | Chen, Jack | Performance of 5th generation HIV screening assays and their effect on current HIV Algorithms; and Dec 2018: BioPlex HIV Ag-Ab assay: Incidence of false positivity in a low-prevalence population and its effects on the current HIV testing algorithm | 2018-2019 |
| Clark, Melissa | BS Biological Science | Hansen, Cristina (Nina) | PCR Surveillance for Leptospira interrogans in Alaskan caribou (rangifer tarandus granti) and Reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus) | 2018-2019 |
| Dorvall, Anastacia (Cia) | BS Biological Science | Oliver, Scott (Ryan) | Creation of a rodent treadmill to test exercise training during extreme cold exposure | 2018-2019 |
| Dykes, Daniel | BS Biological Science | Kuhn, Thomas | Effects of Social Isolation in OCD Mice | 2018-2019 |
| Erhart, Gladys | BS Biological Science | Reynolds, Arleigh | Comparing vitamin D levels in sled dogs who eat wild game/fish diet vs sled dogs eating commercial dry dog food | 2018-2019 |
| Fisher, Mollie | BS Biological Science | Larson, Don | Effects of temperature on shedding rates of Trichobilharzia alaskensis | 2018-2019 |
| Hautala, Kendrick | BS Natural Resource Management | Courtney Carothers, Andrea Bersamin | Tundra to Table: Instruments and Education Pilot Testing (Fa2018); Indigenizing Salmon Management (Sp2019) | 2018-2019 |
| Humphrey, Jennie | BS Wildlife Biology and Conservation | Drown, Devin | Mobilizing Alaskan Genomics-- exploring Alaska's soil microbiome/ Prevalence of PQQ producing bacteria in Alaskan soil | 2018-2019 |
| Khalsa, Noah | BS Fisheries and Ocean Science | Kelley, Amanda | Using western blotting to quantify the expression of carbonic anhydrase and heat shock proteins 70 & 90 in clams raised in ocean acidification levels | 2018-2019 |
| Kim, Jimin (Josh) | BS Biological Science | Coker, Robert (Trey) | Nutrient Formulation for Liver Health | 2018-2019 |
| Kromrey, Laura | BS Biological Science | Lopez, Ellen | Gaining Parents鈥 Perspective on the Hands-on Therapy Intensive Treatment Model | 2018-2019 |
| Lekanof, Hayley | BS Biological Science | Cyr, Andrew | Selenium deficiency in freshwater fish (pike): Is mercury poisioning the result of selenium deficiency? | 2018-2019 |
| Lliaban, Shayle | BS Biological Science | Green, Carie | Emotional and Behavioral Processes of Environmental Identity Development among Rural and Non-Rural Alaskan Children; and Effects of temperature on shedding rates of Trichobilharzia alaskensis (Swimmer's itch) | 2018-2019 |
| Lu, Brianna | BS Biological Science | Podlutsky, Andrej | Effects of Alaska Botanicals (specifically Bog Blueberries and Low Bush Cranberries) as more of a naturopathic therapy for Parkinson's Disease expressed in C. Elegans and mice | 2018-2019 |
| Marth, Tandi | BA Psychology | Bult-Ito, Abel | Effects of CB1 receptor agonist and antagonist exposure on compulsive-like behaviors in a spontaneouse mouse model of OCD | 2018-2019 |
| Maupin, Sarah | BA Ak Native Studies | Stern, Charlene | QPR suicide prevention Alaska Native perspective | 2018-2019 |
| McCahon, Shelby | BS Biological Science | Williams, Corey | Effects of Photoperiod and Dopamine Disruption on Sleep and Mass Gain (Sp2019, Su2019-under Shankar); and Different methods for measuring plasma protein concentration produce different results: a study comparing the Bradford assay and refractometry in three Alaska species (Su2019-under Lian) | 2018-2019 |
| McMillan, Casey | BS Psychology | Bult-Ito, Abel | Grooming behavior in a non-induced mouse model of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder | 2018-2019 |
| Mikes, Monica | BS Biological Science | Drew, Kelly | Analysis of experimental feed on fatty acid profile and body temperature of Arctic ground squirrels | 2018-2019 |
| Moore, Harrison | BS Computer Engineering | Lupinek, Josh | Virtual Reality Exercise in Rural AlaskaVR bike project | 2018-2019 |
| Mueller, Daphne | BS Biological Science | Podlutsky, Andrej | Omega-3 Intake in Alaska Native Diet and Type 2 Diabetes/Arctic Microbes: Tracking Population Changes with a Warming Climate Baseline Study | 2018-2019 |
| Newman, Janessa | BA Biological Science | Phillipe, Jacques | 1-Stories and Images of Community Strength from a Youth Dog Mushing Program in Rural Alaska. 2-Intergenerational Dialogue Exchange and Action to Facilitate Youth Wellness | 2018-2019 |
| Parrish, Ava | BA Elementary Education | Healy, Joanne | Social Scaffolding Between Milo the Robot and Individuals with ASD | 2018-2019 |
| Polanco, Jonilee | BS Biological Science | Kuhn, Thomas | Nanondisc technology for studying membrane proteins. | 2018-2019 |
| Quigley, Gwendolyn | BS Natural Resources Management | Brinkman, Todd | Behavioral Response of Caribou to Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Traffic | 2018-2019 |
| Quillin, Michelle | BS Wildlife Biol & Conservation | Rea, Lorrie | Do adult female northern fur seal's dietary preferences correlate to their total mercury burden? | 2018-2019 |
| Ratky, Savanna | BS Biological Science | Chen, Jack | Demographics of Mumps Outbreak in Alaska | 2018-2019 |
| Rivera, Kristian | BS Biological Science | Kuhn, Thomas | Lipid Composition Impacts MHCII Assembly in Nanodiscs | 2018-2019 |
| Wade, Samantha | BS Biological Science | Kuhn, Thomas | Sequencing the genome of an oil degrading bacterium from the Arctic ocean | 2018-2019 |
| Wing, Hannah | BS Biological Science | Campbell, Kendra | Examining postpartum depression screening behavior of prenatal care providers and support providers in Alaska and Hawaii | 2018-2019 |
| AY 18 GY4 | Degree | Mentor(s) | Project Title | Award Year |
| Carrasco, (Ana) Fiorella | BS Biological Science | Chen, Jack | Performance of 5th generation HIV screening assays and their effect on current HIV Algorithms | 2017-2018 |
| Clark, Melissa | BS Biological Science | Kuhn, Thomas | Binding of hemagglutinin to Major Histocompatibility Complex II (MHC Class II) | 2017-2018 |
| Edwin, Christina | BA Rural Dev | Stern, Charlene | Tl'eegho baabe' in Maneelghaadze T'oh (Native foods in Koyukuk Alaska): A personal journey of reclaiming identity through the making of moose head soup | 2017-2018 |
| Erickson, Diloola | BA Rural Dev | Kelley, Amanda | Building sensors to assess ocean acidification of nearshore environments | 2017-2018 |
| Fisher, Mollie | BS Biological Science | Seed, Vaughn | Skeletal measurements as indicators of environmental change in brown and polar bears | 2017-2018 |
| Hautala, Kendrick | BS Natural Resource Management | Hansen, Cristina (Nina) | Surveillance for and characterization of Leptospirosis in Alaskan caribou and reindeer | 2017-2018 |
| Humphrey, Jennie | BS Wildlife | Drown, Devin | Mobilizing Alaskan Genomics-- exploring Alaska's soil microbiome/ Prevalence of PQQ producing bacteria in Alaskan soil |
2017-2018 |
| Khalsa, Noah | BS Fisheries | Kelley, Amanda | Using western blotting to quantify the expression of carbonic anhydrase and heat shock proteins 70 & 90 in clams raised in ocean acidification levels | 2017-2018 |
| Kim, Jimin (Josh) | BS Biological Science | Coker, Robert (Trey) | Nutrient Formulation for Liver Health | 2017-2018 |
| Llewelyn, KaCee | BS Biological Science | Seed, Vaughn | Assessing if an Physical and Interactive Anatomy and Physiology Model Enhances and Enriches Student Learning | 2017-2018 |
| Lliaban, Shayle | BS Psychology | Green, Carie | Measuring Emotions in Children's Environmental Identity Development | 2017-2018 |
| Lu, Brianna | BS Biological Science | Bult-Ito, Abel | Effects of Alaska Botanicals (specifically Bog Blueberries and Low Bush Cranberries) as more of a naturopathic therapy for Parkinson's Disease expressed in C. Elegans and mice | 2017-2018 |
| Marth, Tandi | BS Psychology, Bio | Bult-Ito, Abel | Effects of CB1 receptor agonist and antagonist exposure on compulsive-like behavior in spontaneous mouse model of OCD | 2017-2018 |
| Maupin, Sarah | BA AK Native studies | Lopez, Ellen | Healing in Alaska Native Communities through traditional beading | 2017-2018 |
| Mikes, Monica | BS Biological Science | Drew, Kelly | Analysis of experimental feed on fatty acid profile and body temperature of Arctic Ground Squirrels | 2017-2018 |
| Parrish, Ava | BA Education/Biology | Green, Carie | Measuring Emotions in Children's Environmental Identity Development | 2017-2018 |
| Podlutskaya, Viktorija | BS Biological Science | Podlutsky, Andrej | DNA repair in virally infected cells | 2017-2018 |
| Polanco, Jonilee | BS Biological Science | Podlutsky, Andrej | Measuring DNA repair rates for HeLa and HDFa cell lines | 2017-2018 |
| Quigley, Gwendolyn | BS Natural Resource Management | Vertigan, Theresa | The Influence of Red Meat (Reindeer versus Beef) on Human Protein Synthesis | 2017-2018 |
| Ratky, Savanna | BS Biological Science | Bult-Ito, Abel | Studying on the chronic effects of DfBr on Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Mice model | 2017-2018 |
| Rivera, Kristian | BS Biological Science | Podlutsky, Andrej | Genetic repair dynamics and geen expression in cancerous (HeLa)and healthy (HDFa) cells | 2017-2018 |
| Shaw, Raven | BA General Studies | Coker, Melynda (Sheri) | The Influence of Red Meat (Reindeer versus Beef) on Human Protein Synthesis | 2017-2018 |
| Tyadalma, Sequoia S | BS Biological Science | Drew, Kelly | Hallucinogen plants and how they affect brain recovery and brain activity in sheep and goats | 2017-2018 |
| Velasco, Mark Anthony E | BS Biological Science | Podlutsky, Andrej | The effects of hibernation on the rates of DNA repair in Arctic Ground Squirrels following DNA damage | 2017-2018 |
| Wing, Hannah F | BS Biological Science | Greenberg, Joshua | The Influence of Red Meat (Reindeer versus Beef) on Human Protein Synthesis | 2017-2018 |
| AY17 GY3 | Degree | Mentor(s) | Project Title | Award Year |
| Cartagena, Gabriel | BS Psychology | Kuhn, Thomas | Cross-Cultural Comparison of HIV/AIDS Survivorship | 2016-2017 |
| Chingliak, Miyah | BS Biological Sciences | Frare, Carla | Parkinsons-like Behavior in C. elegans and OCD mice | 2016-2017 |
| Edwin, Christina | BA Rural Development | Coker, Melynda (Sheri) | The Effect of Organic, Range-fed, Dietary Meat on Human Protein Synthesis | 2016-2017 |
| Feller, Janelle | BS Biological Sciences | Bult-Ito, Abel | Muscle Synthesis: Game Meat vs. Red Meat | 2016-2017 |
| Hautala, Kendrick | BS Biological Sciences | Murphy, Molly | Marten Liver analysis/Humpback whale muktuk analysis | 2016-2017 |
| Himschoot, Elizabeth | BS Biological Sciences | Murphy, Molly | Alaskan Bat Viral Metagenomics | 2016-2017 |
| Kim, Josh (Jimin) | BS Biological Sciences | Murphy, Molly | Functional Benefits of Weight Loss in Overweight/Obese Elderl | 2016-2017 |
| Kleijka, Jesse | BS Biological Sciences | Ferrante, Andrea | Tumor Neoantigens Novel Pathogen on Alaska's North Slope | 2016-2017 |
| Kowolski, Brandon | BS Biological Sciences | Leigh, Mary Beth | Diesel biodegradation potential of birch and spruce rhizospheres | 2016-2017 |
| Kromrey, Laura | BS Biological Sciences | Dunlap, Kriya | Monitoring Brown Adipose Tissue in Sled Dogs | 2016-2017 |
| Marth, Tandi | BA Psychology | Built-Ito, Abel | Bidirectional modulation of CB1 receptors influences compulsive-like and social interaction behaviors in a non-induced model | 2016-2017 |
| Moran, Abigail | BS Biological Sciences | Chen, Jack | Assessing the strengths and needs of our Alaska informal caregivers and Hepatitis C and G | 2016-2017 |
| Parrish, Ava | BS Biological Sciences | Healy, Joanne | Social Scaffolding Between Milo the Robot and Individuals with ASD | 2016-2017 |
| Podlutskaya, Viktorija | BS Biological Sciences | Podlutsky, Andrej | DNA repair in virally infected cells | 2016-2017 |
| Rhines, Olivia | BS Chemistry (Biochemistry) | Kuhn, Thomas | Click chemistry: Probing interactions of ursolic acid with proteins | 2016-2017 |
| Santana-Miranda, Vanessa | BS Biological Sciences | Bult-Ito, Abel | Effects of Caffeine on Anxiety | 2016-2017 |
| Varier, Thorne | BS Biological Sciences | Harris, Michael | Respiration in Amphibians | 2016-2017 |
| Watson, Katrina J | BS Biological Sciences | Hueffer, Karsten | Effect of HIV envelope protein gp120 neurotropism on lipid raft coalescence in SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells | 2016-2017 |
| Blevins, Ethan | Biological Sciences | Vertigan, Theresa | Behavioral modifications through viral interactions with nicotinic receptors | 2016-2017 |
| Price, Charlette | BS Biological Sciences | Hueffer, Karsten | Francisella Tularensis sub species | 2016-2017 |
| AY16 GY2 | Degree | Mentor(s) | Project Title | Award Year |
| Cartagena, Gabriel | BA Psychology | Lopez, Ellen | Cross-Cultural Comparison of HIV/AIDS Survivorship in Alaska and Africa | 2015-2016 |
| Feller, Janelle | BS Biological Sciences | Built-Ito, Abel | Muscle Synthesis-Game Meat vs. Red Meat | 2015-2016 |
| Trinkle (Franklin), Samantha | Wildlife Biology and Conservation | Hueffer, Karsten | Red and Arctic Fox microbiology | 2015-2016 |
| Hautala, Kendrick | BS Wildlife Biology | Murphy, Molly | Marten Liver analysis; Humpback whale muktuk analysis; and MARTIN-mercury analysis, Leptospirosis in Alaska caribou and reindeer; and Indigenizing Salmon Management | 2015-2016 |
| Himschoot, Elizabeth | BS Wildlife Biology and Conservation | Murphy, Molly | Alaska bat viral metagenomics | 2015-2016 |
| Knight,Dallon | BS Chemistry | Hayes, Sarah | Bioaccessibility of metal(oids) in road dust | 2015-2016 |
| Kowalski, Brandon P | BS Biological Sciences | Leigh, Mary Beth | Diesel biodegradation potential of various birch and spruce rhizospheres | 2015-2016 |
| Krepel, Stacey A | BS Biological Sciences | Kuhn, Thomas; Dunlap, Kriya | Inflamatory stress induces a biphasic Nrf2 activation in neuronal cells; and Effects of CRAMP on expression of formylpeptide receptors | 2015-2016 |
| Marth, Tandi E | BA Psychology | Built-Ito, Abel | Bidirectional modulation of CB1 receptors influences compulsive-like and social interaction behaviors in a non-induced model | 2015-2016 |
| Moran, Abigail M | BS Biological Sciences | Lopez, Ellen | Assessing the strengths and needs of our Alaska informal caregivers and Hepatitis C and G | 2015-2016 |
| Paskvan, Adam B | BS chemistry | Dunlap, Kriya; Reynolds, Arleigh | Inflammation markers in human subjects comparing to sedentary subjects | 2015-2016 |
| Rhode (Flowers), Kristen | BS Wildlife Biology and Conservation | Harris, Mike | Brown adipose thermogenesis in sled dog puppies | 2015-2016 |
| Ruerup, Ronin | BS Chemistry | Vertigan, Theresa | Effects of methylmercury on adipocytes | 2015-2016 |
| Santana-Miranda, Vanessa | BA Physiology | Bult-Ito, Abel | Effects of caffeine on anxiety-like and compulsive-like behaviors in a non-induced OCD mouse model | 2015-2016 |
| Varier, Thorne | BS Biology & Psychology | Drew, Kelly; Harris, Michael | Hallucinogen plants and how they affect brain recorvery and brain activity in sheep and goats involved in dysphagia; The UVI-AES Horticulture and Aquaculture program production systems: To provide farmers with economically viable technologies | 2015-2016 |
| Watson, Katrina J | BS Biological Sciences | Drew, Kelly | Effect of HIV envelope protein gp120 neurotropism on lipid raft coalescence in SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells | 2015-2016 |
| Weaver, Alyssa N | BS Biological Sciences | Podlutsky, Andrej; Coker, Melynda (Sheri) | The effect of a high protein nutritional supplement on weight loss and reten | 2015-2016 |
| Monrean (White), Billyann | BS Biological Sciences | Hueffer, Karsten; Coker, Melynda (Sheri) | Pathophysiology of the rabies virus; and Screening Bioactivity of Virus Surface Glycoprotein Peptides using C. Elegans Electropharyn giogram | 2015-2016 |