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Biological Sciences: Michelle Ramirez

I am graduating with a B.S. in Biological Sciences with a concentration in physiology. I moved from Texas and have lived in ������appfor 10 years. Throughout UAF, I’ve been part of the Honors College, Climate Scholars, and have been an active officer in multiple clubs: UAF Veterinary Association president and UAF Student Chapter of the Wildlife Society secretary. In the Biomedical Learning and Student Training Scholars (BLaST) program, I researched over the past 4 years with Dr. Scott Jerome and Dr. Mario Muscarella. With the Muscarella lab, I analyzed the gut microbiome of Icelandic rock ptarmigan and the microbial response to permafrost thaw and coalescence. One of my most rewarding experiences has been with the Arctic Youth Ambassadors program, speaking on a panel about promoting youth leadership in Arctic policy at the Arctic Circle Assembly in Iceland. My passion for animals and wildlife leads me to further my education at Michigan State University's Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program in the upcoming fall. In my downtime, I love being outdoors, playing volleyball, and watching movies.

Chemistry & Biochemistry: Sydney Wade

Sydney is a junior at UAF who transferred to UAF from Los Angeles Harbor College after her freshman year. She is pursuing an Environmental Chemistry degree with minors in Mathematics and Biological Sciences and is a part of the Honors College and Climate Scholars Program. She is the president of two campus clubs- the ACS Chemistry Club and the Honors Student Advisory Council (HSAC). Sydney has also been involved in several research projects that have allowed her to collect and analyze water samples on the R/V Tiĝlax̂ and, most recently, started to develop a research project on identifying microplastics in Arctic martens through chemical analysis. This academic year, she has worked as an Orientation Leader in the fall and spring as well as a General Chemistry TA. Outside of school, Sydney loves playing intramural volleyball with her friends, shopping, and trying new restaurants!

Geoscience: Xochitl Munoz

Xochitl Muñoz is a graduating senior majoring in Geoscience with a concentration in Paleontology. They came to ������appfrom Southern California, and have been volunteering in the UA Museum of the North under the mentorship of Dr. Patrick Druckenmiller since they arrived their freshman year. Xochitl's research has primarily been on the mammals that lived on the North Slope of ������appalongside dinosaurs, and they are very grateful to URSA for several grants to fund this research and to present at the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology conference twice. They have done fieldwork in Denali National Park looking at dinosaur footprints and helped study the Bering Land Bridge and Bering Sea on the R/V Sikuliaq with Dr. Sarah Fowell and Dr. Beth Caissie. This fall, they will continue researching paleontology at UAF with Dr. Druckenmiller for a master's degree, and they were awarded the NSF GRFP to fund their graduate studies. 

Mathematics: Torin Hooge

I am in my fourth year at UAF, where I am working on an integrated BS/MS in Mathematics. I grew up in the small town of Gustavus, 40 miles west of Juneau. I was drawn to mathematics at a young age, as it came naturally to me. However, it wasn't until I came to UAF where I learned that there was far more to enjoy about math beyond just being good at it. The excellent professors here at the university unlocked my love for the subject, which is what led me to also pursue a masters here. Beyond academics, I am also grateful that UAF opened me to the world of outdoor recreation, and I now spend a significant amount of my free time climbing, camping, and exploring through Alaska's bountiful wilderness. 

NRE: Teddy Krauss

My name is Teddy, I am a lifelong resident of Alaska, and I will be graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences this spring. Growing up in Juneau, I have always held a strong appreciation for the outdoors and outdoor recreation of all sorts, and it is this appreciation that first led me to study here at UAF. Since then, I have been able to take classes under a number of great professors that have reinforced my enthusiasm for both the outdoors and the study of our diverse natural resources. I hope to continue to live and work in ������appin a capacity that will help to maintain its wild character and improve its recreation opportunities.

Physics: Vivian Palmer

Vivian Palmer is an undergraduate majoring in Physics, with a particular interest in Space Physics. Originally from rural Pennsylvania, they moved to ������appin 2022 with the intent of studying physics under the aurora borealis. Currently, they hold a student research position at the Geophysical Institute researching the presence of Field Line Resonances in Jupiter’s magnetosphere using Juno spacecraft data under Dr. Peter Damiano and Dr. Peter Delamere. When they are not studying physics, they also study Yup’ik Language and Culture, as well as other associated ������appNative Studies. They are involved in AISES, Yugtun Egmilta (Yup’ik Club), and the Iñu-Yupiaq Dance Group. They are also known by their Yup’ik name, “Mayuraq”. Outside of the university, they enjoy beading, fur-sewing, and being outdoors.

Statistics: Rosie Fordham

Rosie is a student in the BS/MS program for Statistics. She comes from Sydney, Australia and skis and runs on the UAF teams and also skis for Australia internationally. When not studying, skiing or running, Rosie enjoys riding bikes and backcountry skiing. While at UAF she worked on a project with the Space Grant Lab studying Atmospheric Gravity Waves from radiosonde data collected during the 2023 and 2024 eclipses in Texas by a team of UAF students. 

Wildlife Biology & Conservation: Monica Casner

This spring, Monica Casner is graduating with her B.S. in Wildlife Biology and Conservation. She moved to ������appfrom Brooklyn, NY. She is passionate about field research, education, ornithology, mammals, and botany. She is an Honors Student, Climate Scholar, and URISE (Undergraduate Research Training Initiative for Student Enhancement) Scholar. She has been on the Chancellor’s and Dean’s list for her entire undergraduate program. During her time at UAF she became an AAUS (American Academy of Underwater Sciences) Scientific Diver. She has excelled in the Climate Scholars intensive programs on Sea Ice Dynamics (with Drs. Kristin Timm and Marc Oggier) and Indigenous Knowledge & Western Science (with Drs. Katie Spellman, Elena Sparrow, and Malinda Chase). She conducts her URISE research in Dr. Diana Wolf’s lab, investigating the ecological knowledge gap on the diet of hoary marmots, including comparing diet at sea level with alpine forage. She is beginning her graduate education in the fall as a M.S. in Wildlife Biology and Conservation student in Dr. Diana Wolf’s lab, continuing research on determining diet in order to understand hoary marmots’ ability to thrive on a changing landscape. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her spouse and dogs, biking, foraging, fishing, dancing, and climbing. She is also a published author of poetry and speculative fiction short stories. 

 Ellen Chandler

Dept. of Biology and Wildlife

Sarah Ellen Johnston

Dept. of Chemistry & Biochemistry

Paul McCarthy

Dept. of Geosciences

David Maxwell

Dept. of Mathematics & Statistics

Mingchu Zhang

Dept. of Natural Resources & Environment

Lynnette Dunn

Geosciences Department &

Atmospheric Sciences Department Office Manager

Gracie Banister

CNSM Recruitment & Communications Specialist