Research, workforce development and economic growth news stories and other feature
articles from the University of Alaska Anchorage, University of Alaska Fairbanks,
University of Alaska Southeast, University of Alaska System Office and the UA Foundation. Compiled by the University of Alaska System Office of Public Affairs.
Drew Johnson landed his dream job at NASA in 2023. He works on the umbilicals, anything
that connects to the rocket while it is on the launch pad. (UAA photo)
Seventy students earned their nursing degrees from the University of Alaska Anchorage
this week as the country recognizes National Nurse Week.
“It was definitely the most difficult academic program that I’ve ever had to get through,”
Marco Rivera said. “I’d say it was abundantly worthwhile. Very rewarding. I’m just
proud to be here.”
On the college scene, UAA track and field star Vivien Liessfeld continues to rack up accolades for her breakout
junior season. She was named the Great Northwest Athletic Conference Field Athlete
of the Year on Friday.
Happy birthday to Drini and Vjosa Pellumbi, two engineering students at UAA. Not only
did the twins celebrate another successful solar circumnavigation on April 18, but
that day was also when they won the top prize at the 2026 Arctic Innovation Competition
(AIC).
UAA engineering studentsDrini and Vjosa Pellumbi receive the $15,000 main prize at the 2026 AIC, one of four
prizes their Arctic Heat Recovery System earned. (Photo bySarah Lewis)
On May 11, theAlaska Volcano Observatory issued a formal noticecalling the activity a likely magmatic intrusion and raising alert levels. AVO characterized
the unrest as the first indication of magma moving toward the surface in the volcano’s
monitoring history.
Global warming is expected to shift crop suitability northward, but the role of permafrost
remains unclear. By the end of the century, newly emerging frontiers of climatically feasible agriculture
reach may remain unsuitable for cultivation due to persistent permafrost thaw disturbances.
Our results indicate that permafrost is a non-negligible constraint on the northward
shift of climatically feasible agricultural frontiers.
The agreement outlines a plan to deliver culturally grounded, for-credit learning
opportunities at UAS that reflect Indigenous Knowledge, values and approaches to wellness.
Drilling a tunnel into Suicide Basin would drain it from below. But how about draining it from the top?
Imagine the Basin is a 450-foot water town on a stand of rock. From the bottom of
the rock to the top edge of the tank is 1,368 feet high over the distance of about
a mile.
The first eaglet (Zip) was spotted out of its shell last Thursday morning, May 28,
and later that day, it was first seen feeding. The second eaglet (Loc) hatched Friday
afternoon May 29.
This Verkada PTZ camera can capture a large area with exceptional details using wide-angle
360-degree pan, 220-degree tilt, and up to 32x optical zoom.
Pat Pitney's last day as president of the University of Alaska was May 21. Her retirement
was celebrated by about 30 colleagues at the Áakʼw Tá Hít building on the Juneau campus
Wednesday evening.
The Board also approved budgets for the coming fiscal year, recognized student and
staff excellence, and received key updates on major university priorities.
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The University of Alaska is an equal opportunity/equal access employer and educational institution. The university is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination against individuals on the basis of any legally protected status.
