Degree Program: PhD Biological Sciences

Project Title: Role of Cathepsins in Determining Immunodominance

PI: Thomas Kuhn

 

Degree Program: PhD Natural Resources and Sustainability

Project Title: The Influence of Organic, Wild Game versus Commercial Meat on Protein Synthesis in Humans

PI: Joshua Greenberg

 

Degree Program: PhD Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Project Title: Nutritional Intervention in The Metabolic Syndrome

PI: Thomas Kuhn

My interests are to study natural food and the ways they can benefit our bodies. Currently my research has taken me into the study of Alaskan botanicals, specifically blueberries. I am interested in the benefits Alaskan blueberries can present in preventing the metabolic syndrome (type 2 diabetes) or help restoring damages created by the metabolic syndrome (insulin resistance).

I plan to add studies of the gut microbiome and how it affect blueberry compounds as they pass through the gut.

In my free time, I love to be outdoors hiking or skiing, or playing with my dog.

Degree Program: PhD Biochemistry and Neuroscience

Project Title: Brain mechanisms regulating the onset of hibernation

PI: Kelly Drew

 

Degree Program: MS Fisheries

Project Title: Using Stable Isotope Analysis to Determine the Contribution of Hatchery Salmon to Humpback Whale Diet

PI: Megan McPhee

 

Degree Program: PhD Interdisciplinary

Project Title: Iliamna Lake Yup'ik Geographic Knowledge and Local Well-being, Southwest Alaska

PI: Gary Holton

I am originally from Tokyo, Japan, and have been studying anthropology, history, and ways of living in different cultures and places in Alaska since 2006. My Alaskan friends taught me how to respectfully harvest, prepare and share berries, tree roots, and fish in their regions. My personal cross-cultural background has provided me the opportunity to mentor multiple Alaska Native and international students. My goals are to continue to document and preserve Alaska Native cultural heritage, to apply Native knowledge to the management of natural and cultural resources and to teach students to conduct social science research ethically.

Degree Program: PhD Interdisciplinary

Project Title: Assessment of adverse health outcomes in Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus) associated with mercury

PI: Todd O'Hara

I'm a veterinarian from Norway who, after working in clinical practice, has been working with wildlife and One-Health research full time since 2013. My focus is improving wildlife capture and anesthesia, and investigating associations between environmental contaminants and physiologic adverse effects. It's exciting to work with students and share my excitement for veterinary and biomedical sciences. Mentoring gives me a unique perspective of my own research field, and it evolves me greatly as a researcher. My plan is to continue with One Health research in the north. When I'm not working I love to be outside ski-jouring, hiking and canoeing.

Degree Program: PhD Biochemistry and Neuroscience

Project Title: Differentiated SH-SY5Y cells for the study of HIV gp120 induced neurodegeneration

PI: Thomas Kuhn

I have served as a research mentor for a number of years and greatly appreciate the different perspectives and insights students bring to the lab. My research interests involve the role of host/pathogen interactions in infectious disease, and I am currently investigating the role of the HIV envelope protein gp120 in the induction of the early synaptic dysfunction underlying cognitive deficits associated with HIV infection. 

When not in the lab, I enjoy camping, baking, knitting and spending time with my dog. While Alaska has been home for the past twenty years, I do enjoy frequent escapes to places far away.

Degree Program: MS Biological Sciences

Project Title: Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids and Type 2 diabetes in Alaska Natives

PI: Andrej Podlutsky

I am a first generation, Alaska Native graduate student from Unalakleet, Alaska. I am motivated and shaped by my culture and strive to use my research to help understand and improve the health of Alaska Natives, specifically decreasing the rate of type 2 diabetes. I am interested in becoming a Medical Laboratory Scientist to continue to be a part of helping doctors help patients. In my free time I enjoy spending time with my husband and 10 and 2 year old boys.

Degree Program: PhD Biological Sciences

Project Title: Diet and movement of sperm whales in the Gulf of Alaska

PI: Franz Mueter

I was born and raised in Sitka, in Southeast Alaska. I have been working with the Southeast Alaska Sperm Whale Avoidance Project (SEASWAP), based in Sitka, since 2009, where I primarily study sperm whale interactions with sablefish fisheries in Alaska. I love being out on the water and working in collaborative groups with industry and managers. Mentoring is rewarding to me in that I get to help other students get excited about science and the opportunities we have in our own backyards here in Alaska. My goal is to never stop learning about the marine ecosystems in Alaska and beyond.

Degree Program: PhD Clinical-Community Psychology

Project Title: Examining Postpartum Depression Screening Behavior of Prenatal Care Providers

PI: Kendra Campbell