2026 Research and Creative Activity Day

Aeronautics Club

Mentor: Dr. Michael Hatfield

The University of Alaska Fairbanks Aeronautics Club will be participating in the 30th annual Design/Build/Fly competition in Wichita, KS. Teams are tasked with designing an electrically powered, remote controlled aircraft to perform a specified mission under specified constraints.

Magnaprobe Modernization

Mentor: Dr. Achille Capelli

The Magnaprobe Modernization project replaces a bulky backpack-mounted datalogger with fully integrated on-rod electronics, creating a self-contained Arctic snow-depth instrument. Using an ESP32 microcontroller, 24-bit ADC, 10 Hz GNSS, and 9-axis IMU, the redesigned system achieves 1 mm resolution and less than 5 mm accuracy while operating down to −40 °C.

Wi-Fi Based Object Detection

Mentor: Dr. Richard Wies

Portable Antenna Rotator

Mentor: Dr. Michael Hatfield

The project is a lightweight, portable antenna rotator designed for satellite tracking and terrestrial connections. The rotator, powered by a Raspberry Pi, integrates Gpredict software and Maidenhead coordinates. It will be tripod-mountable, weigh under 10 pounds, and be built to operate reliably in temperatures from -40°F to 120°F.

Higher Temperature & Low Chlorine Residuals are Associated with Increased Legionella Concentrations

Mentor: Dr. Theresa Miller

Using Genetic Analysis to Construct Phylogenies of Arctic Fish Species

Mentor: Dr. Jessica Glass

The goal of this project was to analyze evolutionary relationships among Arctic fish species by constructing phylogenetic trees. This was done by using DNA extraction, PCR amplification, sequencing, and data analysis. Understanding phylogenetic relationships is important because characterizing biodiversity and evolutionary patterns helps future conservation efforts for these species.

UAF Music: Costa Rica May 2025

Mentor: Dr. Jaunelle Celaire

Bridging generations, sharing stories: Common benefits and learning experiences across digital storytelling and mentorship programs in Alaska Native communities

Mentor: Dr. Inna Rivkin

We highlight findings of several partnerships with rural Alaska Native communities supporting youth wellness through intergenerational storytelling. Youth learned from Elders, connected with traditions, and created and shared digital stories. We discuss the value of opportunities for youth to celebrate culture, share narratives, and build identity, community support, and wellness.

Social Media and Gen Z

Mentor: Dr. Kristy Bowen

On going research of the possible effect social media has on empathy.

Finding Successful Interventions for Indigenous Students’ Transition from a Rural Setting to a University Setting

Mentor: Dr. Inna Rivkin

This project explored students' transition from a rural community to university, focusing on challenges students faced, what promotes student success, and benefits of Rural Student Services at UAF and Indigenous & Rural Student Center at UAA. The goal was to determine the best strategies to address rural and Indigenous student's needs.

Democracy at Work: A Qualitative Study of Organizational Culture in Worker Cooperatives

Mentor: Dr. Kevin Walters

Worker cooperatives are a rising form of organization which are employee-owned and democratically run. Despite this, research on these organizations is minimal. This project uses Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions Model as a framework to conduct thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews and to research the organizational culture within worker cooperatives.

Sustainable Glazing with Alaskan Fly Ash

Mentors: Dr. Teresa Shannon

Experimental testing of utilizing coal byproduct as a source of ceramic glaze material

Impacts of the Current Federal Administration on Social Service Agencies in Alaska

Mentor: Dr. Retchenda George-Bettisworth

A project aimed to explore potential current and long-lasting impacts health and social service agencies across the State of Alaska may be experiencing as a result of policies and actions implemented by the current federal administration.

Ice Box: Reviving the Undergraduate Club

Mentor:Dr. Joe Holt

Ice Box history and description of club activities over fall 2025

The Effects of Rising Temperatures on Trichobilharzia alaskensis Shedding in Freshwater Snails

Mentor: Dr. Don Larson

This project examines the impacts of rising temperatures on trichobilharzia alaskensis. T. alaskensis is a parasite that infects a snail and a duck. T. alaskensis causes the disease swimmer's itch, a pustulous rash. We found that the rate of parasite shedding from freshwater snails increases with temperature.

Effects of Common Drinking Water Cations on PFAS Removal Using Quaternary Ammonium Functionalized PolyHIPE Polymers

Mentor: Dr. Brian Rasley

This project evaluates quaternary amine–functionalized polyHIPEs for removing PFAS from drinking water. By varying common water ions and ionic strength, adsorption performance and pore morphology will be analyzed using LC-MS and SEM to understand ion competition and optimize PFAS removal under realistic water conditions.

Red Fox Diel Activity In and Around Fairbanks

Mentor: Dr. Ellen Candler

This project was completed along with Dr. Ellen Candler last summer, where we set up three grids of cameras in different human densities around Fairbanks. The cameras were out for one month, and when collected images were analyzed for species. I then used this data to compare red fox diel activity in correlation with human population density.

The Effect of Crystal Orientation on the Raman Spectra of K-Feldspar Polymorphs

Mentor: Dr. Marisa Acosta

There are three types of K-feldspar: microcline, orthoclase, and sanidine. These minerals share the same chemical composition (KAlSi3O8) but differ in crystalline structure. I compared multiple Raman spectra of single crystals to determine if Raman can be used to reliably differentiate between these chemically identical but structurally unique minerals.

Mapping the Severity of the Spruce Beetle Outbreak in the Alaska Range

Mentor: Dr. Katie Spellman

This project maps the expansion of Spruce Beetle outbreaks in the Alaska Range using Sentinel-2 and Maxar satellite imagery. By analyzing shortwave infrared reflectance to detect vegetation stress, a model produced an infestation severity map between Healy and Cantwell, providing stakeholders with baseline data to manage impacted forests.

Berries in the Burn

Mentor: Dr. Katie Spellman

This project looked at the relationship between Vaccinium fruit production and the insect damage caused by herbivory. Using an 18m transect, sampling every 2m. Blueberry production varied significantly by year of last wildfire burn, but damage to the leaves from insect herbivory did not.

Soil to Stream: Optical Signaling of Dissolved Organic Matter in Boreal Headwater Streams Across a Permafrost Gradient​ ​

Mentor: Dr. Zach Cureton-Hazard

An optical chemical analysis of chromophoric dissolved organic matter from headwater streams that fall across changing permafrost terrain.

Iron Export from Permafrost Influenced Streams in the Fairbanks Area

Mentor: Dr. Sarah Ellen Johnston

Due to globally increasing temperatures, water quality is changing in Arctic aquatic networks. Permafrost thaw is causing “rusting rivers” in the Interior due to the thaw discoloring waterbodies. My research focuses on gathering baseline data for iron concentrations and various water quality parameters, including pH, conductivity, and turbidity.

American marten (Martes americana) as Indicator for Alaskan Microplastic Contamination

Mentor: Dr. Marianne Lian

This project aims to investigate the relationship between microplastic particle concentrations in American marten and their proximity to human infrastructure (roads, cities, etc.)

Movement Ecology of Lynx Along the Dalton Highway in the Southcentral Brooks Range

Mentor: Dr. Knut Kielland

Through this project, I investigated lynx spatial ecology based on GPS collar data from the Brooks Range, Alaska. I used statistical analysis to examine patterns of movements of lynx in the Dalton Highway corridor in relation to vehicle traffic in an attempt to evaluate their attraction or avoidance of the road.

Reversal in Deformation Signal at Aniakchak Volcano in Alaska Following the 2021 Mw 8.2 Chignik Earthquake

Mentor: Dr. Revathy Parameswaran

Aniakchak volcano in the Aleutians experienced unrest and a ~80cm inflation in 2022-2023 following 2021 the Mw 8.2 Chignik earthquake, triggering a temporary yellow advisory alert for the volcano. This project monitors and quantifies the deformation at Aniakchak after the inflation episode.

Map-based Storytelling: Communicating the Risks of Landslides and Tsunamis Along Alaska's Southern Coast

Mentor: Dr. Elisabeth Nadin

This project reports the risks of unstable slopes and their associated tsunami hazards along Alaska’s southern coast. It outlines the ongoing landslide monitoring efforts by the Alaska Earthquake Center and other agencies to create an engaging ArcGIS story map that improves safety and awareness within communities.

Bidarkis Respond to Intertidal Algal Cover: Implications for a Changing Climate

Mentor: Dr. Simon Zwieback

This study examined how algal cover and substrate temperature affect Bidarki chiton (Katharina tunicata) abundance at two sites. At Jakolof Bay, chiton numbers declined as algal cover increased, possibly due to competition or sea otter predation. No significant relationship was found between abundance and temperature, suggesting some climate resilience.

Dating The Movements Of The Denali Fault

Mentor: Dr. Florian Hofmann

A poster presented by Lee Aeo and Alex Patton discussing the vertical fault movements of certain areas within the Denali Fault using thermochronology.

Spatiotemporal Variability in Seasonal Velocity Drivers at Sermeq Kujalleq, Greenland

Mentor: Dr. Amy Jenson

I analyzed open-source satellite imagery data to investigate how seasonal changes in terminus position, runoff, and glacier velocity interact at Sermeq Kujalleq, one of Greenland’s fastest-flowing tidewater glaciers. Understanding these dynamics will improve predictions of future ice loss and sea level rise from the Greenland Ice Sheet.

Antibiotic Resistance, Biofilm Formation, and Their Association with Medical Implants

Mentors: Dr. Mario Muscarella

An experiment conducted to understand what, if any, relationship there is between medical implant presence, how much resistance to antibiotics is developed, and how much biofilm is formed.

Quantifying Histone Methylation Changes In Response To Hypoxia In Antarctic and Cold-Temperate Fishes

Mentor: Dr. Kristin O'Brien

Quantifying histone methylation changes in response to hypoxia in antarctic and cold-temperate fishes using capillary based western blotting. Oxygen sensitive methylation sites like K4, K9, K27, and K36 where probed for in normoxic and hypoxic fish tissue samples and their amounts normalized to H3 levels.

The Seasonality of Juvenile Arctic Char (Salvelinus alpinus) Energetics in the Canadian Arctic

Mentor: Dr. Matthew Gilbert

This project analyzed the seasonality of juvenile and adult Arctic char energetics between summer and winter seasons. Comparisions of body masses and organ weights of juvenile and adult Arctic char expressed significant seasonal discrepancies in adults while minimal organ size differences in juveniles.

Dietary Analysis of Hoary Marmots Using High-Throughput Sequencing

Mentor: Dr. Diana Wolf

My poster details our comprehensive study of the diet of Alaskan Horay Marmots. This is the first study of its kind which aims to better develop our understanding of the diets of North America's largest ground squirrel in times of rapidly changing environments and depleting resources.

Liver Anaerobic Metabolic Capacity Does Not Increase in Response to Hypoxia in Antarctic and Related Cold-Temperate Fishes

Mentors: Dr. Kristin O'Brien

My project examines hypoxia tolerance in Antarctic fishes by comparing anaerobic metabolic capacity (Lactate dehydrogenase [LDH] activity) with their temperate relative, Eleginops maclovinus. The results show Antarctic species do not increase LDH activity under hypoxia and exhibit higher baseline activity, suggesting LDH does not explain their lower hypoxia tolerance.

Exploring the Neural Mechanisms of Hibernation in Arctic Ground Squirrels Through AAV Gene Delivery

Mentor: Dr. Kelly Drew

The Arctic ground squirrel survives extreme cold by hibernating from August to April. During torpor, body temperature can fall to −3 °C and metabolism slows dramatically. Periodic interbout arousals briefly restore physiological balance. This project develops AAV gene delivery tools to study the neural circuits controlling hibernation in this non-model species.

Sex-based Differences in Metabolic Proteins During Metabolic Suppression in a Human-sized Hibernator

Mentors: Dr. Sarah Rice

This poster presents preliminary results on sex-based differences in metabolic proteins from spring emergence black bear tissue samples, using data that has been collected over the past year, as well as a previously-unanalyzed proteomics dataset.

Establishing a Baseline for Post-Restoration Biomonitoring in Nome Creek

Mentors: Dakota Keller

This poster will present a comparison of macroinvertebrate communities in two unrestored stream reaches. I'll mention project goals, methods, and results for the samples processed so far. My discussion will highlight the significance of what's been completed so far, and plans for the rest of the project.

Opportunistic Mount Rainier and Baker Climb Pilot Study: Developing Methodological Framework for Monitoring Hydration Status in Acute Mountainous Environments

Mentors: Dr. Sarah Rice

This opportunistic Mount Rainier study aimed to understand hydration assessment and status of climbers on Mount Rainier. In-field hydration assessment methods including urine color, urine output and dehydration symptoms, were analyzed relative to classical measurements of hydration to understand their feasibility and accuracy.

Individual Variation in Moose (Alces alces) Movement in Response to Predator Densities

Mentors: Dr. Greg Breed

This project uses GPS collar data to investigate how individual moose respond to the presence of predators on the landscape. By focusing on movement patterns and variation of individuals, we're able to examine how some moose change behavior based on increasing or decreasing predator presence.

Liver Glycogen Metabolism Differs Among Antarctic and Cold Temperate Fishes in Response to Hypoxia.

Mentors: Dr. Kristin O'Brien

The goal was to measure liver glycogen levels in Antarctic fishes and a cold-temperate relative and compare differences between normoxic and hypoxic acclimated groups.

Thermal Acclimation Potential of Juvenile Alaska Chinook (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha)

Mentors: Dr. Matthew Gilbert

This study sought to assess the cardiac function and thermal sensitivity of juvenile Alaskan Chinook with acclimation temperature and the responding effects to cardiac function under acute thermal stress.

From Fresh to Salt: Tracking the Salinity Gradient in Kasitsna Bay's Intertidal Zone

Mentor: Dr. Katie Spellman

Salinity gradients along the Kasitsna Bay, Alaska intertidal zone are not affected by tide height, but shift significantly with the ebb and flow tides. Studying these freshwater-saltwater mixing zones can improve our understanding of salinity gradients and their impacts as freshwater inputs increase across Alaska.

Diverse Habitats Support Resilience in Rubus idaeus Pollination and Fruit Production

Mentor: Dr. Katie Spellman

This project investigates how habitat diversity influences pollination and fruit production in raspberries (Rubus idaeus) in Alaska. By comparing wild and cultivated patches, it explores how environmental variation affects flowering timing, pollinator activity, and overall productivity to better understand resilience in northern food systems.

Mysteries of the Museum: Backlog Investigation, Management, and Resolution

Mentor: Della Hall

My project will take viewers through the steps in managing museum backlog. Beginning with the initial question, research, evaluation, more research, and determining the best solution, whether it is to be added to the museum’s collection or sent to a more appropriate home and what both of those options entail.