Welcome to Alaska EPSCoR
Alaska EPSCoR improves Alaska's scientific capacity by engaging in research projects supported through National Science Foundation and state funds. The organization is engaged in a 5-year project entitled "Alaska Adapting to Changing Environments," which examines the mechanisms by which communities adapt to environmental and social change. For more information please see the project's info sheet and Strategic Plan. Alaska EPSCoR also administers a cyberconnectivity grant at the University of Alaska (UA).
GHEA video now available
EPSCoR has produced a short video about a February workshop that brought together EPSCoR leaders and members of the Global Human Ecodynamics Alliance (GHEA), an NSF-funded group that studies resilience and adaptation of human populations throughout history.
The video also marks the debut of Alaska EPSCoR's YouTube channel, which will feature videos detailing the organization's research and outreach efforts.
Myers takes over as Principal Investigator
University of Alaska Fairbanks Vice-Chancellor for Research Mark Myers is now Principal Investigator of the Alaska Adapting to Changing Environments research program. Myers is also co-Project Director of ACE alongside Lilian Alessa of UAA. Myers replaces Peter Schweitzer, who resigned from his position as PI to accept a faculty position out of the UA. Schweitzer will continue to be involved with Alaska EPSCOR as a co-PI.
Reports point to importance of EPSCoR, science funding
Two recent documents underscore the importance of Alaska EPSCoR research and Arctic science funding to the economy and quality of life in Alaska and nationwide:
Alaska EPSCoR Principal Investigator Mark Myers delivered a powerpoint in Washington, D.C. in February entitled "Research in Action: Overview of UAF Research and Creative Activities," which breaks down the significance of UAF's science endeavors.
The National Science and Technology Council's new Arctic Research Plan, released in February, prioritizes the development of adaptive strategies and tools for Arctic communities, echoing Alaska EPSCoR' research focus.
OneTree makes national NSF site
The OneTree program, which uses local trees as the basis for K-12 science and art projects, was recently featured on the NSF's Science, Engineering, and Education Innovation website. OneTree received substantial financial support from Alaska EPSCoR in 2011 and '12.
State issues S&T Plan
The Alaska State Committee on Research (SCoR) has released its Science and Technology Plan, a blueprint for state research. Multiple facets of Alaska EPSCoR research are reflected in the plan, especially the program's focus on community adaptive capacity.
"Whistled Speech" documentary now online
A documentary on the "Whistled Speech" communications of Mexico's Chinantec Indians is now available for viewing online. The documentary, which is currently airing as a segment of the public television series "In the Americas," was made possible in part by Alaska EPSCoR funding to Mark Sicoli, a former UAF faculty members who is now an assistant professor at Georgetown University.
EPSCoR highlight on national NSF page
The thesis work of former EPSCoR-supported graduate student Jordan Lewis is currently featured on Research.gov, a web site operated by the National Science Foundation. Lewis' thesis deals with defining sucessful aging in rural Alaska.
EPSCoR events available on Mediasite
Three different Alaska EPSCoR-sponsored events are now available fore viewing on EPSCoR's Mediasite page. Mediasite software enables simultaneous, searchable viewing of a presentation and its accompanying powerpoint.
Currently available are Alaska EPSCoR Education Outreach Director Elena Sparrow speaking on "Outreach Education: To Do or Not to Do;" a presentation by EPSCoR Outreach Director Tania Clucas on “Funding Opportunities for Science Education Programs;” and a lecture by Colin Murrell, director of the Earth and Life Systems Alliance at the University of East Anglia, on "Fighting Climate Change with Microbiology.”
Microsoft Silverlight is required to view Mediasite files.
EPSCoR students graduate en masse
Congratulations to all Alaska EPSCoR students who graduated from UAF, UAA and UAS this month! And a special congratulations to former EPSCoR undergraduate grantees Forest Haven and Eric Keller: Haven was UAS' undergraduate commencement speaker as well as the school's Outstanding Graduate in Social Science, while Keller was UAS' Outstanding Graduate in Mathematics and its co-Outstanding Graduate in Marine Biology.
EPSCoR-affiliated students who finished their degree programs in May include:
Robin Bronen, Ph.D., Interdisciplinary, UAF
Jeff Bue, B.B.A., Business, UAF
Jonathan D. Cason, B.A. Philosophy, UAA
Kevin Colson, M.S., Wildlife Biology and Conservation, UAF
Matt Dillon, M.S., Civil Engineering, UAF
Mark Ferrell, B.S., Natural Sciences, UAA
Rachel Garcia, M.S., Natural Resources Management, UAF
Winslow Hansen, M.S., Natural Resources Management, UAF
Forest Haven, B.A., Social Sciences, UAS
Tammy Hoem Neher, Ph.D., Fisheries, UAF
Heather Hopkins, B.S., Civil Engineering & Biological Sciences, UAF
Eric Keller, B.S., Marine Biology, UAS
Ryan Kovach, Ph.D., Biological Sciences, UAF
Liz Kunibe, M.A., Cross-Cultural Studies, UAF
Kimberley Maher, Ph.D., Interdisciplinary, UAF
Zach Meyers, M.S., Biology, UAF
Kyoko Okano, B.S., Biological Sciences, UAF
Amanda Robertson, Ph.D., Biological Sciences, UAF
Rebecca Sawyer, M.S., Biological Sciences, UAA
Isaac Thompson, B.S., Electrical Engineering, UAF
Jack Withrow, M.S., Biological Sciences, UAF
Brian Young, Ph.D., Natural Resources and Sustainability, UAF
Xiaoyu Zhang, B.S., Civil Engineering, UAA
For More Information
For more information on Alaska EPSCoR, please see the below documents:
The Alaska ACE Strategic Plan outlines Alaska EPSCoR's plans and procedures for its current research project, which runs from 2012-17.
The Phase III Final Report describes the Phase III research program, which ran from 2007-12. The 2012 External Evaluators' Report summarizes EPSCoR's progress in Phase III.
Members of the Alaska State Committee on Research provide oversight and direction to Alaska EPSCOR efforts. The committee recently produced the Alaska Science and Technology Plan, which prioritizes the state's S&T activities.
EPSCoR Acknowledgement
By our grant terms, any person receiving benefit from Alaska EPSCoR must acknowledge it in any publications, presentations, websites, newsletters, dissertations, theses, etc.
Please use the following language: "Acknowledgement to (or "Support from") Alaska EPSCoR NSF award #OIA-1208927 and the state of Alaska."