2008-2009 APPLICATION PROCESS NOW COMPLETE

2009-2010 research competition deadlines will be announced in September 2009.

Ten of the top undergraduate researchers at the University of Alaska Fairbanks will present their work to a panel of judges Wednesday, April 15, at 4 p.m. in the University of Alaska Museum of the North auditorium. The five-minute presentations will include everything from surging glaciers and lichen to microfluidic devices. The student researchers will compete for one of three top prizes of monetary credit for University of Alaska Fairbanks campus books, tuition or fees.

Each of the ten students were awarded between $1500 and $2500 in October of 2008 to conduct a research project from any science discipline. The award money was used to support the research with equipment, software, chemicals or other supplies. Projects included topics in arctic biology, engineering, geology and geophysics.

The 2008/09 winners and presenters include:

Eric Olson, Arctic Biology/ Plant Genetics: $2400, mentor: Diana Wolf

Samuel Herreld, Geophysical Institute/ Glaciology: $1500, mentor: Regine Hock

Cole Kingsbury, Geology and Geophysics: $2500, mentor: James Beget

Duke Green, Mechanical Engineering: $2500, mentor: Cheng-fu Chen

John Sommerfield, Geology and Geophysics: $2500, mentor: Paul Layer

Todd Jacobus, Geology and Geophysics: $2400, mentor: Matt Olson

Celia J.H. Miller, UA Museum: $1684, mentor: Steffi Ickert-Bond

Ann Michelle Austin, Biology and Wildlife: $2500, mentor: Michael B. Harris

Kristen L. Shake, SFOS/ Oceanography: $2300, mentor: Jeremy Mathis

Zachary Carlson, IAB: $2500, mentor: Kelly Drew

“This is an exciting way to stimulate young scholars to understand research and participate in the process,” said vice-chancellor for research Buck Sharpton.  “We’re looking forward to seeing what these students have accomplished over the last several months.”

Graduate students from across campus will add to this year’s symposium event by presenting their own research posters during the reception and judging following the undergraduate student presentations.

For more information contact Jenn Wagaman, UAF Center for Research Services outreach coordinator, at (907) 474-5082 or jenn@alaska.edu.