Graduate Studentships
WHO THIS PROGRAM IS FOR
University of Alaska system prospective or current graduate students and postdocs with an interest in using the product of their research to build scaled and long lasting initiatives that benefit individuals and communities.
RISE-UP Program Commitments and Flow
This program offers two types of fellowships that come with financial support and programming to allow students and postdoctoral researchers to explore possible applications for their research and bring promising innovations to the hands of those who need them.
The RISE-UP program supports two forms of fellowships.
Entrepreneurial fellowship requirements
- Meet weekly with program leads and mentors:
- Report on project advancement
- Receive feedback and help when stuck
- Broaden professional network
- Select and complete a project-building milestone by the end of the semester
- Complete and deliver final report orally and in writing
Once your application is ready for the program, please submit it via the submission form below.
What the fellowships cover
During the academic year
Can be combined with ½ TA-ship
Over the summer
Can be combined with internship
RISE-UP Graduate Fellows
Master's Student, Mechanical Eng.
Advisor: Erin Trochim
Affiliation: Institute of Northern Engineering
Using drone imagery to assess river turbulence for rural Alaskan infrastructure, mapping power systems, and analyzing coastal erosion.
PhD Student, AI Bathymetry
Advisor: Erin Trochim
Affiliation: Institute of Northern Engineering
Enhancing Arctic decision-making by deploying interpretable AI bathymetry (water depth mapping) to model coastal sediment transport.
PhD Student, Chemistry
Advisor: Brandon Briggs
Affiliation: Geomicrobiology and Applied Microbiology Lab
Developing a neutral-pH biomining process using microbes to extract critical rare earth elements (like Thorium and Uranium) from US-sourced coal.
Master's Student, Biology
Advisors: Dr. K. Spellman & Dr. C. Mulder
Affiliation: TBD
Researching the optimal combination of plant species and growth media mixtures to restore permafrost damage in military training zones.
MBA Student, Business Analytics
Advisor: Kimberly McGinnis
Affiliation: TBD
Evaluating and testing affordable, durable housing alternatives using locally sourced substitutes for concrete.
Past Fellows
Noah Emerson
Developed standard testing procedures to evaluate pharmaceutical concentrations in Arctic-grown Rhodiola rosea. Built agricultural resources to help local Alaskan farmers successfully access the global medical supply market.
Su Chung
Tested new 3D-printed technologies for aquatic environmental DNA (eDNA) collection across lab and field spaces. Managed an interdisciplinary genetic and engineering initiative with the Department of Fisheries and Institute of Northern Engineering.
Josie Haag
Engineered an economical carbon dioxide and radon environmental sensor to replace discontinued tracking gear. Researched the ecological role of ocean-farmed kelp networks in counteracting coastal acidification risks.
Amelia Jansen
Curated an extensive digital imaging archive of rare mammalian historical specimens. Designed the open library tool to solve veterinary research issues and assist scientific documentary filmmakers.
Anne Moore
Directed regional outreach frameworks emphasizing inclusive health communication strategies. Focused on creating targeted resource campaigns to support and empower Indigenous women and girls across Alaska.
Jakki Padilla
Addressed modern operational gaps throughout the public school landscape. Researched and designed community development solutions targeting transitional hurdles faced by graduating high schoolers.