Degree candidates

College of Natural Science and Mathematics

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Laura Alvarez-Avilés *

Ph.D. Environmental Chemistry

B.S., Universidad de Puerto Rico, 2003

Thesis: Chemical Composition of Ice Surfaces: Implications for Springtime Bromine Chemistry

This research focused on the ionic composition of snow, aerosol particles and frost flowers to understand production of reactive halogens, ozone destruction and deposition of mercury in the Arctic.

Major Professor: Dr. William R. Simpson

Randy Lee Apodaca *

Ph.D. Environmental Chemistry

B.S., Texas Tech University, 1996. M.S., Texas Tech University, 2003

Thesis: Nocturnal Processing of Nitrogen Oxide Pollution at High Latitudes: Off-Axis Cavity Ring-Down Spectroscopy Method Development and Field Measurement Results

Nitrogen oxides play a central role in ozone and nitric acid pollution in the atmosphere. The results of this dissertation research indicate that reaction of dinitrogen pentoxide on ice surfaces is largely responsible for processing nitrogen oxides and forming nitric acid in high latitude pollution plumes.

Major Professor: Dr. William R. Simpson

Jason B. Fellman **

Ph.D. Biogeochemistry: Interdisciplinary Program

B.S., University of Scranton (Pennsylvania), 1995. M.S., Washington State University, 2000

Thesis: Dissolved Organic Matter in Wetland Soils and Streams of Southeast Alaska: Sources, Concentration and Chemical Quality

Dissolved organic matter exported from coastal temperate watersheds was examined to determine if wetland soils are a source of biodegradable dissolved organic carbon to aquatic ecosystems. Findings show that wetlands contribute substantial biodegradable dissolved organic matter to streams and the delivery changes seasonally, with soil type and during stormflows.

Major Professors: Dr. Richard D. Boone and Dr. Eran Hood

Thomas J. Fournier **

Ph.D. Geophysics

B.A., University of California Berkeley, 2001

Thesis: Analysis and Interpretation of Volcano Deformation in Alaska: Studies from Okmok and Mt. Veniaminof Volcanoes

Four studies focused on the deformation at Okmok Volcano, the Alaska Peninsula and Mt. Veniaminof. The main focus was an examination of the magma plumbing system at Okmok Volcano. An investigation of the subduction zone dynamics along the Alaska Peninsula sheds light on the earthquake potential of the region.

Major Professor: Dr. Jeffrey Freymueller

Madeline N. Grant-Hoffman

Ph.D. Biological Sciences: Biology

B.S., Florida Atlantic University, 2000. M.S., Colorado State University, 2003

Thesis: The Effects of Invasive Rats and Burrowing Seabirds on Seed and Seedling Communities on New Zealand Islands

Invasive rat consumption of plants and burrowing seabirds affects vegetation. Seabirds affect vegetation through allochthonous inputs and disturbance. This research examined seed and seedling communities on New Zealand islands with different rat histories and seabird densities. It was determined that invasive rats and burrowing seabirds affect species richness and diversity on islands.

Major Professor: Dr. Christa P. H. Mulder

Daniel L. Kirschner

Ph.D. Bioanalytical Chemistry: Interdisciplinary Program

B.S., University of Alaska Fairbanks, 2004

Thesis: Bioanalytical Development of Charged Cyclodextrin Capillary Electrokinetic Chromatography and Microperfusion Sampling to Study Endogenous D-serine and L-glutamate Efflux in Brain

This dissertation describes new sensitive bioanalytical capillary electrophoresis approaches for investigating excitotoxic neurochemicals D-serine and L-glutamate in the central nervous system. Charged cyclodextrins were developed for chiral bioanalysis of amino acids for the first time and approaches were coupled to microperfusion sampling to study modeled ischemia in a rat brain.

Major Professor: Dr. Thomas K. Green

Amanda M. Kolker **

Ph.D. Geology

B.A., Oberlin College (Ohio), 2000

Thesis: Geologic Setting of the Central Alaskan Hot Springs Belt: Implications for Geothermal Resource Capacity and Sustainable Energy Production

This study examined the geologic setting and geochemical characteristics of Chena and other hot springs in Central and Western Alaska in the context of geothermal energy production. The sustainability of energy extraction from this low-temperature geothermal resource was evaluated, using Chena Hot Springs as a model.

Major Professors: Dr. John C. Eichelberger and Dr. Rainer J. Newberry

Meagan Boltwood Krupa

Ph.D. Biological Sciences: Biology

B.A., Prescott College (Arizona), 1998. M.S., University of Montana, 2002

Thesis: Urban Stream Management: Interdisciplinary Assessment of an Alaskan Salmon Fishery

This interdisciplinary research on Anchorage's Ship Creek utilized the robustness framework to examine how socio-economic and ecological constraints influence the management of the creek's semi-engineered fishery. The research concluded that the Lower Ship Creek Fishery could benefit from a new cost structure, increased user and biophysical monitoring, and collective choice agreements.

Major Professor: Dr. Mark S. Wipfli

Jack W. McFarland **

Ph.D. Biological Sciences: Biology

B.A., University of Virginia, 1993

Thesis: Latitudinal Patterns of Amino Acid Cycling and Plant N Uptake Among North American Forest Ecosystems

Experimental additions of glycine and NH₄⁺ were traced in situ through fine root and soil nitrogen pools for six North American forest ecosystems in an effort to define patterns of plant and microbial N utilization among divergent forest types. Plants in all stands were able to utilize intact amino acids, but their relevance to plant nutrition varies as a function of microbial demand for C as well as N.

Major Professor: Dr. Roger W. Ruess

Matthew Miller **

Ph.D. Biological Sciences: Biology

B.A., Swarthmore College (Pennsylvania), 1996. M.S., University of Arizona, 2001

Thesis: Ecological Evolutionary Genetics of Some Neotropical Birds

The first step in biological diversification is the formation of genetically isolated populations. Using neotropical bird species as models, this study found that lineage diversity was promoted by repeated dispersal across the Andes, that mid-range populations had higher within-population genetic diversity than range-edge populations, and that insectivorous species maintained greater geographic isolation than species of frugivores and nectivores.

Major Professor: Dr. Kevin S. Winker

Joanna Mongrain *

Ph.D. Geophysics

M.S., Oxford University (United Kingdom), 1999. M.E., Heriot Watt University (United Kingdom), 2000

Thesis: Critical Parameters in Magmatic Degassing

This investigation of the parameters critical in determining the style of magmatic degassing used high pressure-high temperature experiments on volcanic samples which mimic the conditions felt by a magma as it ascends to the surface. Analysis of the bubbly products aids in predicting whether a volcano will erupt explosively.

Major Professor: Dr. Jessica Larsen

Steffen Oppel **

Ph.D. Biological Sciences: Wildlife Biology

M.S., Carl-von-Ossietzky University of Oldenburg (Germany), 2003

Thesis: King Eider Migration and Seasonal Interactions at the Individual Level

This dissertation explores how winter, spring and summer are linked in King Eiders (Somateria spectabilis). The research found individual variation in movement and breeding strategies, and little evidence for seasonal interactions. King Eiders are a flexible species that may be able to respond to challenges that will result from climate change.

Major Professor: Dr. Abby N. Powell

Debasish Pai Mazumder

Ph.D. Atmospheric Sciences

B.S., University of Calcutta (India), 2002

Thesis: A Concept to Assess the Performance of a Permafrost Model Run Fully Coupled with a Climate Model

Soil-temperatures simulated by the fully coupled Community Climate System Model version 3 were evaluated using gridded Russian soil-temperature climatologies. The performance of a permafrost/soil model fully coupled with a climate model depends partly on the permafrost/soil model itself, the accuracy of the forcing data and design of observational network.

Major Professor: Dr. Carmen Nicole Mölders

John Maunsel Pearce **

Ph.D. Biological Sciences: Biology

B.S., Lewis and Clark College (Oregon), 1990. M.S., University of Idaho, 1996

Thesis: Site Fidelity: Definition, Measurement and Implications for Population Structure Using Mark-Recapture, Genetic, and Comparative Data in the Hooded, Red-Breasted, and Common Mergansers

This dissertation examined the behavior of site fidelity: terminology, measurement and implications for population structure using mark-recapture, genetic, and comparative data in the Hooded, Red-breasted and Common Merganser (Anseriformes). Results suggest that multiple data types are needed to accurately quantify and assess the impact of site fidelity on population structure.

Major Professors: Dr. Mark S. Lindberg and Dr. Kevin G. McCracken

Valentina Radić *

Ph.D. Geophysics

M.S., University of Zagreb (Croatia), 2004

Thesis: Modeling Future Sea Level Rise from Melting Glaciers

The aim is to project 21st century volume changes of all mountain glaciers and ice caps outside Greenland and Antarctica and to provide systematic analysis of uncertainties originating from different sources in the calculation. Projected total volume loss is in the range from 0.039 to 0.150 m sea level equivalent.

Major Professor: Dr. Regine M. E. Hock

Martin D. Robards *

Ph.D. Biological Sciences: Wildlife Biology

B.S., University of Liverpool (United Kingdom), 1988. M.S., Memorial University of Newfoundland (Canada), 2000

Thesis: Perspectives on the Dynamic Human-Walrus Relationship

Changes in sea ice conditions have direct bearing on species such as walrus, which are an important component of subsistence for Alaska Natives in the Bering Sea. This research explored how government and Alaska Native co-management partners might foster resilience and adaptation of both walrus and the communities dependent on them.

Major Professors: Dr. F. Stuart Chapin III and Dr. Peter P. Schweitzer

Joshua H. Schmidt *

Ph.D. Biological Sciences: Wildlife Biology

B.S., Michigan State University, 1998. M.S., University of Alaska Fairbanks, 2004

Thesis: The Effects of a Changing Environment on the Population Dynamics of Trumpeter Swans in Alaska

This work rigorously analyzed trumpeter swan survey data collected in Alaska since 1968. Using advanced statistical methods, the researcher determined rates of population change, the effects of environmental change on habitat use, and the influences of habitat features on habitat occupancy throughout the state.

Major Professor: Dr. Mark S. Lindberg

Kunaljeet S. Tanwar **

Ph.D. Environmental Chemistry

B.T., Institute of Technology Banaras Hindu University (India), 2003. M.S., University of Alaska Fairbanks, 2004

Thesis: Surface Structure of Hydrated and Fe(II) Reacted Hematite (1102) and (0001)

A detailed experimental investigation of molecular scale structure of the hematite surfaces under hydrated conditions in absence and presence of aqueous Fe(II) is presented. The structural characterization will provide a basis to elucidate surface structure-reactivity relationships for hematite and will aid in developing models of mineral-water interfacial reactivity.

Major Professor: Dr. Thomas P. Trainor

Yiming Wang *

Ph.D. Geology

B.S., Beijing University (People's Republic of China), 1999. M.S., University of Alaska Fairbanks, 2004

Thesis: The Development and Application of Stable Oxygen and Hydrogen Isotope Analyses of Chironomidae (Diptera) as Indicators of Past Environmental Change

The researcher optimized a new method for analyzing the d¹⁸O and dD of chironomid chitin for paleoecology research; evaluated the degree to which water and diet influence d¹⁸O and dD of chironomids; and then applied this approach to a lake sediment core from southwest Alaska to reconstruct past environmental changes.

Major Professor: Dr. Matthew J. Wooller

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