Mentor: Andrej Podlutsky
URE Award: Spring 2019

Mentor: S. Ryan Oliver
URE Award: Fall 2018-Spring 2019

I am Canadian born, but raised Alaskan. I love God, Family, Disc Golf, Music, and Science. I am excited to be a part of the BLaST program, and I am sure it will open even more opportunities in the future when I move on to dental school.

Mentor: Aline Collin
URE Award: Fall 2018-Spring 2019

Mentor: Barbara Johnson
URE Award: Fall 2018-Spring 2019

Mentor: Tynan Becker
URE Award: Fall 2018-Spring 2019

Mentor: Andrej Podlutsky
URE Award: Spring 2019

Mentors: Jennifer Guerard; Gunther Kletetschka
URE Award: Spring 2019

I am currently a senior in the Department of Geosciences. I am investigating Earth's carbon cycle and the impacts of climate change on periglacial landforms (permafrost). The permafrost regions contain the largest stored organic carbon deposits on Earth, which also include gas hydrates, located in the circumpolar Arctic. The vulnerability, future mobility, and dynamics the control carbon emissions is a my concern. My research will contribute to the understanding of health impact on lake ecosystems from permafrost vulnerability. In addition to field work in Alaska, I have spent four summers in Russia and Norway investigating these climate impacts on permafrost.

Mentor: Andrea Bersamin
URE Award: Fall 2018-Spring 2019

Courtney is interested in the intersection of public health and molecular biology. Particularly, how innovations in biomedical science can be applied to improve human health outcomes. In the future, she plans to seek a graduate degree in epidemiology and would like to study ways that molecular biology can be used in public health interventions. In her free time, Courtney enjoys reading, going on walks, playing with her cat, and cooking.

Mentor: Elaine Drew
URE Award: Spring 2019

Mentor: Carla Frare
URE Award: Fall 2018-Spring 2019

Mentors: Shannon Atkinson; Jenell Larsen
URE Award: Spring 2019

Mentor: Sheri Coker
URE Award: Fall 2018-Spring 2019

My name is Kaylee Ladd and I study Biological Sciences with a concentration in Physiology. I plan to attend medical school after receiving my bachelor's degree and hope to expand upon my interests in nutrition and metabolism to pursue a career in the medical field. 

I am fascinated with the role of nutrition and physical activity on the development and prevention of metabolic diseases, such as diabetes, sarcopenia, obesity, and alcohol abuse. 

I plan to focus my research on aspects of nutrition, lifestyle, and conservation, and how these things relate to subsistence living and the hunter/gatherer lifestyle.

Mentor: S. Ryan Oliver
URE Award: Fall 2018-Spring 2019

I am from Fairbanks, Alaska. I enjoy painting landscapes, drawing, hiking and downhill skiing. I am currently an undergraduate student in my second year of college, and I hope to eventually to become a pharmacist. Getting involved with research has always been a goal of mine, because it gives me the chance to expand my opportunities and understanding of the world surrounding me. I am excited to begin my research journey this year, and to be given the chance to work with Dr. Oliver's lab.

Mentor: Andrej Podlutsky
URE Award: Fall 2018-Spring 2019

Mentor: Maegan Weltzin
URE Award: Fall 2018-Spring 2019

Mentor: Greg Finstad
URE Award: Spring 2019

I am currently a senior at UAF, originally from Nenana, Alaska. Research is exciting for me because I enjoy investigating topics to learn more about the world around me. This specific project is exciting because I'm very interested in learning how climate change is potentially effecting wildlife. In the future, I plan on getting my master's and PhD in wildlife nutrition.

Mentor: Lara Horstmann
URE Award: Spring 2019

Mentor: Shawnee Kasanke
URE Award: Spring 2019

I am from Soldotna, AK. Research is ultimately trying to answer the why's and how's of any question you can think of which makes it one of my favorite things since I'm always asking why and how to almost everything that comes my way. I just want to know how the world works. My goal is to become a Research Biologist and study Alaskan mammals and ecology.

Mentor: Andrej Podlutsky
URE Award: Spring 2019

Mentor: Kelly Cates
URE Award: Spring 2019

Mentors: Aline Collin; Thomas Kuhn
URE Award: Spring 2019

Mentor: Maegan Weltzin
URE Award: Fall 2018-Spring 2019

Mentors: Jennifer Guerard; Lawrence Itela
URE Award: Spring 2019

Mentor: Courtney Hart
URE Award: Spring 2019

Mentor: Lauren Wild
URE Award: Fall 2018-Spring 2019

Mentor: Roman Dial
URE Award: Spring 2019

Mentor: Caroline Kulesza
URE Award: Spring 2019

Hello, my name is Sarah Ben and I am from a tiny, rural town called Fairfax, which is located in northeast Oklahoma. I was motivated to be involved in research when I came to FLC because they gave the confidence and tools to care about the environment and study it. 
In my free time, I enjoy ice climbing, skiing, fishing, camping, dancing, and going on adventures with my friends in family. 
I hope to become a PA one day, and use my passion for others and learning to help get me there.

Mentor: Heidi Steltzer
URE Award: Spring 2019

Mentor: Steven Fenster
URE Award: Spring 2019

Mentor: David Blake
URE Award: Spring 2019

My name is Austin Cheney and I grew up in South Dakota. I am an enrolled member of the Three Affiliated Tribes in North Dakota. As a biology student here at Fort Lewis I have always been motivated to be involved in research, especially if it involves biomedical research. My future goals are to apply to medical school and continue research in the medical field.

Mentors: Sherell Byrd; Alyssa Yocky
URE Award: Spring 2019

Mentor: Caroline Kulesza
URE Award: Spring 2019

My name is Reed Hodgson, and I am originally from Eaton, Colorado and I now live in Durango, Colorado. I am fascinated by biology particularly cellular and molecular microbiology, which drives my excitement and enthusiasm for research. My plans for the future are to graduate from Fort Lewis College and attend PA school to become a Physician's Assistant. In my free time I enjoy playing golf on the Fort Lewis Men's Golf team, spending time with friends, hiking, fishing, snowboarding, and playing a variety of sports.

Mentors: Rebecca Clausen; Gloria Begay
URE Award: Spring 2019

Mentor: Erin Lehmer
URE Award: Spring 2019

I am born and raised in the mountains of Colorado. Any time I have not spent studying is spent fly fishing local waters or camping with family and friends. In the future I plan to live in Colorado and continue the lifestyle I enjoy. Professionally, I aspire to be an emergency or primary care physician.

Mentor: Sherell Byrd
URE Award: Spring 2019

Mentor: Sherell Byrd
URE Award: Spring 2019

Originally, I am from Counselor, NM. However, for the majority of my life, I've lived in Farmington, NM to enroll in a better school off the reservation. From an early age, I've been high energy and curious about anything new. The idea of studying and learning something new is very exciting to me. My plans for the future are to study all I can and to enroll in a MSTP program. While I enjoy research I also have wanted to be more hands-on. I enjoy occupying my time with many activities such as sketching, listening to music and video games.

Mentor: Erin Lehmer
URE Award: Spring 2019

Mentor: Caroline Kulesza
URE Award: Spring 2019

I am from Boulder, Colorado. I enjoy biological research because new information on epigenetics and non coding DNA really interests me. My future plans are to continue my education after my undergraduate degree in an MD/PhD program. When not studying I like to hike 14ers when weather allows and ski when it does not.

Mentor: Caroline Kulesza
URE Award: Spring 2019

Mentor: Sherell Byrd
URE Award: Spring 2019

My name is Jennica and I am a Diné biologist and EMT-I living in Durango, CO. I am from Kirtland, NM, and in 2015, me and my dog moved to Durango so I could attend Fort Lewis. I love EMS, cellular biology, my dog, being outdoors, hand embroidery, and advocating for food justice. My goal is to become an Emergency M.D. and continue my research geared towards inflammatory diseases such as ulcerative colitis and sepsis.

Mentors: Heidi Steltzer
URE Award: Spring 2019

I am from Anchorage, Alaska and am an Inupiaq Alaska Native. I enjoy coffee, mountains, and symbiotic relationships in nature. What motivates me to do research is my passion for the natural world, it is where I can be to do work that does not feel like work. My plans and goals for the future is to move back to Alaska and perform research on forest or rivers related to climate change and join a traditional dance team. My culture and heritage is very important to me, my grandfather was Herbie Nayokpuk who was a famous Iditarod dog musher.

Mentor: Sherell Byrd
URE Award: Spring 2019

Hello! My name is Victoria and I am originally from Santa Fe, New Mexico. As an adopted child, I do not know my biological father and mother. This urge to know and to understand why I am the way I am has fueled my passion for research into exploring the inner workings of molecular genetics that define the characteristics of living organisms. I plan to continue my research into graduate school after I graduate from Fort Lewis. You can usually find me in the lab, on a morning hike, trail running or drinking a warm cup of coffee.

Mentors: Sherell Byrd
URE Award: Spring 2019

Hi my name is Nicole Shock and I am a freshman at Fort Lewis College. I am originally from Denver CO but moved with my mom when my parents divorced. I am motivated to do research because I feel this is a way that I can begin to help people. With the research we are doing hopefully it will be able to help people later on. I hope to get my PhD and my MD, I want to be a surgeon and do research for STEM cell regeneration. In my free time I enjoy reading and writing.

Mentors: Christie Chatterley; Bill Atkins
URE Award: Spring 2019

Mentor: Sherell Byrd
URE Award: Spring 2019

Mentor: Sherell Byrd
URE Award: Spring 2019

My name is Alyssa Yocky. I am from Albuquerque, New Mexico and moved to Durango, Colorado to play college basketball at Fort Lewis College. I am majoring in Cellular and Molecular Biology which has provided me with a passion for research and a curiosity to learn about the intricate details of the world around us. After I graduate, I plan to apply to medical school in hopes of becoming an orthopedic surgeon. In my free time when I am not on the court, in class, or in the lab, I enjoy painting and playing piano.

Mentor: Carol Baldwin
URE Award: Spring 2019

My name is Sasha Dee Bad Bear. I am an enrolled member of the Crow tribe in Montana. I am a senior in the Psychology program at SKC. I plan to graduate with my BA here at SKC, then move on to the University of Montana to pursue my Master's and perhaps Doctorate in Psychology. I would like to work on a reservation, either as a practicing mental health professional or teaching at a tribal college/university. I hope to help reduce the number of suicides and the prevalence of mental health issues that cause them in Native American communities.