STUDENT FEATURES
COMMENCEMENT 1997
Youngest UAF Graduate a Real Dog
This year's youngest graduate at the University of Alaska Fairbanks
doesn't paws- make that pause- for much as she makes her way doggedly
across campus to class, unless there is a doggie biscuit at stake.
For two years Jilli, a Labrador mix Seeing Eye dog, has led her
owner, graduate student Charles Hamby, across the Fairbanks campus
to attend classes and the numerous student activities that Hamby
is involved with.
On May 11 Jilli will guide Hamby, who is legally blind, across
the stage at commencement when he receives a master's degree in
anthropology. Jilli will also receive special recognition for
the many hours of classtime she's logged in while accompanying
Hamby through his college career.
Hamby and Jilli are familiar faces on campus and are well-known
to peers through Hamby's involvement with the student recreation
center governance board and student government. The duo have also
served several years as group leaders for Orientation UAF on Track,
giving tours of campus and mentoring new students.
Contact: Charles Hamby, (907) 488-2194.
Bethel Student on Fast Track
Some people say that a bachelor's degree is no longer just a four-year
process. Kuskokwim graduate Johnny Evan would probably agree.
Although some of his peers are taking five to 10 years to complete
their undergraduate degrees, Evan, a Yupik Eskimo from Bethel,
finished his bachelor's degree in small business development in
less than two years. He was able to translate prior work experience
into the degree, which he will be awarded after only six semesters
of coursework. Evan is currently employed with the Association
of Village Council Presidents in Bethel.
Contact: Johnny Evan, AVCP, (800) 478-3521.
Biochemistry Student Knows Nose Research
Yancy Bodenstein, a graduate chemistry student at the University
of Alaska Fairbanks, knows the yes'es and no's when it comes to
the nose and oxygenated fuels. Bodenstein, an Oglala Sioux receiving
a master's in biochemistry from UAF this spring, spent part of
his academic career doing research at the National Institute of
Deafness and Communication Diseases. He is the first member of
the NIDCD-UAF partnership to graduate with an advanced degree
from UAF.
Bodenstein's research centered on the effect of methyl tertiary
butyl ether, or MTBE, on nasal and lung cells. MTBE, the primary
petroleum compound in oxygenated fuels, allows fuel to burn cleaner
and produce less carbon monoxide.
Bodenstein surveyed a selected set of proteins called heat shock
proteins that indicate when a cell is under stress. His research
found that the epithelial cells which line the nasal passageways
and protect olfactory nerves are being affected by oxyfuel exposure.
Bodenstein's research was conducted in collaboration with UAF
chemistry professor Lawrence Duffy, whose 1994 oxyfuel study indicated
that residents in the Arctic and sub-arctic are more sensitive
to oxygas fumes than elsewhere in the United States.
Bodenstein is returning to the NIDCD after graduation to help
develop a vaccine for "otitis media," a painful, middle
ear infection.
Contact: Yancy Bodenstein, (907) 479-4074
First Doctoral Degree in Northern Studies Awarded
Ad Summum, or "To the Summit," is the motto of the University
of Alaska Fairbanks and a personal mantra graduate student Mike
Sfraga has taken to heart.
Sfraga, the first doctoral degree recipient in UAF's Northern
Studies program, completed his dissertation on Bradford Washburn,
noted photographer and cartographer who was the first person to
climb Mount McKinley three consecutive times. Washburn was also
the first to extensively document America's highest peek and produced
the first aerial photographs of the mountain in 1936. His wife,
Barbara, was the first woman to climb Mount McKinley.
Sfraga led a team of UAF students on an expedition to reach the
summit of Mount McKinley in 1994. The seven-man, one-woman team
conducted geological mapping and sampling on McKinley's upper
elevations. Only one team member made it to the summit. Sfraga
completed his degree at night while working as an administrator
in the Dean of Student Services office during the day.
UAF's Northern Studies program began six years ago to promote
research on issues facing residents of the Circumpolar North,
including economics, the environment and policy issues. More than
50 students are currently in the department.
Contact: Mike Sfraga, UAF Student Services, (907) 474-7317.
JS/DPD/5-5-97/97-079
Short Takes:97-079a
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