$10,000 USIBELLI AWARD-WINNERS NAMED AT UAF

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 6, 2002

Fairbanks, Alaska — Recipients of the 2002 Emil Usibelli Distinguished Teaching, Research and Public Service awards were announced today at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. The awards are funded annually from a $600,000 endowment established by Usibelli Coal Mine, Inc. in 1992. Each of the winners recognized for their achievements and contributions to UAF will receive a check for $10,000. Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry Larry Duffy will be recognized for his research contributions; Instructor of Mathematics Marty Getz for teaching; and Cooperative Extension Service Agent Jim Douglas for public service.

Larry Duffy teaches in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry with a joint appointment with the Institute of Arctic Biology. He also serves as the associate dean for Graduate Programs and Outreach in the College of Science, Engineering and Mathematics. Duffy received his master’s degree in chemistry and Ph.D. in biochemistry from UAF in 1971 and 1977 respectively. After serving in two post-doctoral positions and on the faculty of Harvard Medical School, he joined the UAF faculty in the fall of 1987. He has guided 16 graduate students, including four Ph.D. candidates, to the successful completion of their degrees. His research has ranged across several disciplines including brain aging, toxicology and environmental science.

Duffy’s work in connection with Alzheimer’s disease has had a national and international impact. His work in the area of neuroprotection has taken hold in Alaska’s research community and resulted in a $7.5 million grant from the National Institutes of Health.

“Larry single-handedly initiated the graduate program in chemistry and biochemistry, and has now laid the groundwork for excellence in neurosciences at UAF,” said R. Terry Bowyer, IAB wildlife ecology professor.

After the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill, Duffy broadened his research into the area of wildlife related environmental health studies. Duffy developed blood-based determinations of animal stress levels or “biomarkers” to monitor and assess the health of wildlife populations focusing on a population of river otters in Prince William Sound. Prompted by community issues, Duffy expanded his research to include biomarkers for human exposure to mercury levels in fish consumed by Alaskans as well as exposure to chemicals like methyl tertiary butyl ether, or MTBE, the primary petroleum compound in oxygenated fuels which allows fuel to burn cleaner and produce less carbon.

The recipient of this year’s teaching award, Marty Getz, received his master’s degree from UAF in 1972 and has been with the faculty since 1981.

His students credit him with the unique ability to translate the complex and often intimidating equations of calculus into concepts that are understandable. Students consistently rank him as one of UAF’s best teachers, even though some of his courses are among the toughest students must tackle.

“Getz has developed a supportive style and has mentored hundreds of students to successful outcomes,” said CSEM Dean David Woodall.

His mathematics expertise for co-solving problems has been recognized nationally with five solutions published in “Mathematics Magazine.”

“Mr. Getz does more to benefit others in one semester than I will do in a lifetime,” said former calculus student Phillip Tusunemori. “I consider myself fortunate to have encountered this instructor in my sojourn through college.”

The recipient of this year’s service award, UAF Cooperative Extension Service agent Jim Douglas, is described as a “leader, role model and advocate for young people.” He has been an agent with CES since 1984 and currently serves as community resource development and horticulture agent of the northern half of the Southeast district, 4-H agent for the Southeast district, 4-H agent for the Kodiak district and state 4-H program chair.

Douglas organized the UAF for Youth Campaign, which seeks to educate 4-H stakeholders and the general public about the value of the program and it’s direct link to UAF’s land grant mission. It also provides a terrific educational opportunity for 4-H teens to be involved in the public policy process. In 2001, Douglas led 4-H youth to gather more than 6,000 signatures statewide in support of the UA budget. The following year Tanana 4-H members worked with the Alaska Legislature to write House Bill 111, Limited Livestock Liability, which would limit the liability of livestock programs similar to 4-H. The bill is currently in the Senate judiciary committee.

Douglas has worked extensively with non-profit groups to provide CES services in organizational training in volunteer and board management and worked with a group of Master Gardeners in Juneau to start a community garden, which now boasts more than 100 plots.

“Cooperative Extension Service is fortunate to have Jim Douglas on their team, and the university is blessed to have him share his passion about the university with the state,” said Ann Ringstad, the University of Alaska’s State Relations Director.

The Usibelli Awards, representing the tripartite mission of UAF, are considered one of the university’s most prestigious awards. Nominees are evaluated by a committee, which includes members from the faculty, the UAF student body and a member of the UA Foundation Board of Trustees.

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CONTACT: Carla Browning, UAF Public Information Officer, at (907) 474-7778 or e-mail: carla.browning@uaf.edu, or Hild Peters, Assistant to the Provost, at (907) 474-5178 or e-mail: fnhmp@uaf.edu.