B.S., University of Alaska Fairbanks, 1996

Thesis: Nitrogen Transformations and Retention During a Deciduous to Coniferous Successional Transition
The availability of soil nitrogen often limits plant productivity in the boreal forest. I examined the release and retention of soil nitrogen in stands of balsam poplar and white spruce. Both stand types were found to be sensitive to nitrogen inputs which quickly resulted in nitrogen leaching below the main rooting zone.

Major Professor: Dr. Richard D. Boone

B.S., Oregon State University, 1998
B.S., Oregon State University, 1998
M.S., University of Alaska Fairbanks, 2001

Thesis: Petrologic and Experimental Constraints on Magma Mingling and Ascent: Examples From Japan and Alaska
In between volcanic eruptions, magma is stored in shallow chambers that are sustained by episodic intrusions of hotter magma from depth. Magma is further modified via crystallization and degassing during eruption in response to changes in confining pressure as it rises to the surface. What eventually erupts at the surface then, are hybrid magmas with complex mineral assemblages and textures that record valuable information about the magma's history.

Major Professor: Dr. John C. Eichelberger

B.S., Metropolitan State College (Colorado) 1996
M.S., University of Alaska Anchorage, 2001

Thesis: Expression and Function of the ATP Dependent Chromatin Remodeler Imitation Switch in Xenopus Laevis
Human cells contain two meters of DNA, which must be compacted to fit into the nucleus. Gene expression requires access to compacted DNA. I have been studying how the chromatic remodeler imitation switch functions during development to control gene expression and normal development of the eye and nervous system.

Major Professor: Dr. Jocelyn E. Krebs

B.A., University of Colorado Boulder, 1997
M.S., Lancaster University (United Kingdom), 2000

Thesis: Quantifying Variability in the Alaskan Black Spruce Ecosystem: Linking Vegetation, Carbon and Fire History
In Interior Alaska, black spruce is the predominant tree species and spans a wide range of habitats. This research uses a combination of site description and analysis both locally and from across a large region to answer questions about the regional variability, ecosystem parameters and biodiversity of this forest type.

Major Professors: Dr. F. Stuart Terry Chapin III and Dr. Marilyn Walker

B.S., University of Iceland, 1997
M.S., University of Iceland, 1999

Thesis: Coseismic Deformation of the 2001 El Salvador and 2002 Denali Fault Earthquakes from GPS Geodetic Measurements
GPS geodetic measurements are used to study two major earthquakes. For the 2001 Mw7.7 El Salvador earthquake, six continuous operating GPS stations in Central America are used to constrain earthquake parameters. For the 2002 Mw7.9 Denali Fault earthquake, 232 GPS sites in Alaska and Canada are used to reveal a detailed slip distribution.

Major Professor: Dr. Jeffrey T. Freymueller

B.S., Unversity of Bombay (India), 1998
M.S., University of Bombay (India), 1999

Thesis: Structure-Function Studies of the Serotonin Type-3 Receptor Ligand-Binding Domain
The 5-HT3R, an ion channel, mediates physiological processes in nervous, cardiovascular and digestive systems. Our studies explored the contribution of binding site loops B and E to the mechanism of channel gating in the 5-HT3R. These studies show that loops B and E play a critical role in ligand specificity and mechanisms of channel opening and desensitization.

Major Professor: Dr. Marvin K. Schulte

B.S., Evergreen State College (Washington), 1990
M.S., University of Alaska Fairbanks, 1994

Thesis: Cloud Detection and Trace Gas Retrieval From the Next Generation Satellite Remote Sensing Instruments
A cloud detection algorithm for the future National Polar Orbiting Environmental Satellite System (NPOESS) Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) sensor has been developed, and methods for atmospheric trace gas retrieval for future satellite remote sensing instruments. These methods of trace gas retrieval improve current techniques for the retrieval of atmospheric water vapor and methane.

Major Professor: Dr. Knut Henrick Stamnes

B.S., University of Wisconsin, 1997
M.S., University of Wisconsin, 1999

Thesis: Carboniferous Lisburne Group Carbonates of the Porcupine Lake Valley: Implications for Surface to Subsurface Sequence Stratigraphy, Paleogeography, and Paleoclimatology
This study utilizes high-resolution stratigraphy and sequence stratigraphy to document the response of the Carboniferous Lisburne Group carbonate platform during a change from greenhouse to icehouse conditions. I identified six depositional sequences and corresponding systems tracts within the Lisburne Group based on bounding surfaces, cycle stacking patterns and lateral lithofacies relationships.

Major Professor: Dr. Michael T. Whalen

B.A., Hampshire College (Massachusetts), 1993

Thesis: Export of Carbon, Nitrogen and Major Solutes from a Boreal Forest Watershed: The Influence of Fire and Permafrost
Detailed chemistry observations were used to determine the role of fire, permafrost and snowmelt processes on element fluxes from interior Alaskan catchments. Fire had a short term effect on stream chemistry, and hydrochemical differences were found between watersheds due to permafrost, suggesting that Alaskan watersheds may be fundamentally different from their boreal and temperate counterparts.

Major Professors: Dr. Richard Boone and Dr. Jeremy Jones

B.S., La Universidad Caldas (Colombia),1996
M.S., University of Alaska Fairbanks, 2000

Thesis: Volcano Seismology from Around the World: Case Studies from Mount Pinatubo (Philippines), Galeras (Colombia), Mount Wrangell and Mount Veniaminof (Alaska)
We study volcanoes investigating b-values, velocities, complex frequencies and earthquake interactions. Results show complicated structures. Dikes and shallow hydrothermal system may exist under Mount Veniaminof. Responses of Wrangell and Veniaminof volcanoes following the Denali earthquake suggest long-lasting effects. We conclude that simple methods allow studying volcanoes regardless of logistics limitations.

Major Professor: Dr. Stephen Russell McNutt

B.S., Tsinghua University (China), 1989
M.S., Tsinghua University (China), 1992

Thesis: Tribological Comparison of Materials
The performance of materials for Total Replacement Artificial Joint and cell growth was studied from both a tissue engineering and tribological perspective in order to improve artificial joint devices. Results showed some materials had good characteristics as joint implant coatings and substrates for preparing total joint implants via tissue engineering.

Major Professor: Dr. Lawrence K. Duffy

B.P., University of Mumbai (India), 1997

Thesis: Analysis of Structure and Function of the Serotonin Type-3 Receptor Using Site Directed Mutagenesis, Structure Activity Relationship and Chimeric Constructs
The serotonin type-3 receptor (5-HT3R) is a ligand-gated ion channel that is important in several physiological and pathophysiological processes. Here, interactions of both agonists and antagonists with the 5-HT3R were studied using site-directed mutagenesis, SAR and chimeric constructs. These studies reveal an emerging picture of ligand interactions with the 5-HT3R.

Major Professor: Dr. Marvin K. Schulte

B.S., Standford University (California), 1994
M.S., Stanford University (California), 1995

Thesis: Vegetation-Climate Interactions Along a Transition From Tundra to Boreal Forest in Alaska
The climate of the Alaska Arctic is warming more rapidly than at any time in recent history. We examined the interactions between climate and ecosystem structure and function across a gradient of vegetation types from arctic tundra to boreal forest in Alaska using a combination of field studies and modeling.

Major Professor: Dr. David McGuire

B.S., Peking University (China), 1996
M.S., Peking University (China), 1999

Thesis: Midlatitude Cirrus Cloud Structural Properties Analyzed from the Extended Facility for Atmospheric Remote Sensing Dataset
The cirrus inhomogeneous properties have been evaluated by lidar dataset. The means to analyze lidar data using wavelet analysis has been developed. And then, typical cirrus structures including Kelvin-Helmholtz instabilities, mammata, and uncinus cells and a climatology of cirrus inhomogeneous properties are analyzed from lidar backscattered power.

Major Professor: Dr. Kenneth Sassen

B.S., California State University, 1987
M. S., University of Alaska Fairbanks, 1999

Thesis: Identification and Function of Male Moose Urinary Phermones
During rut, urine of adult male moose is a chemical signal that relays information to female moose. To aid in the identification and function of male moose urinary pheromones, behavioral bioassays were conducted. Putative pheromone(s) were characterized; evidence that females utilize the main olfactory system to detect chemosignals was provided.

Major Professor: Dr. Thomas P. Clausen

B.S., Georgia Institute of Technology, 1989
M.S., Georgia Institute of Technology, 1992

Thesis: Building Blocks of Self-Organized Criticality
Why are we having difficulty developing economical nuclear fusion? How can a squirrel cause a statewide power blackout? How do correlations arise in a random complex system? How are these questions related? This research breaks new ground in addressing these questions through a study of self-organized criticality.

Major Professor: Dr. David E. Newman