CNSM Celebrating Excellence Awards 2023-2024

Biological Sciences: Christian Bolton

I am graduating with a Biological Sciences major with a concentration in Biomedicine and a minor in Psychology. Throughout my four years at UAF, I have been a part of the BLaST program where I was afforded the opportunity to work in research labs with some amazing mentors. I have worked with Dr. Andrej Podlutsky, Dr. Andrea Bersamin, and Dr. Kristin O’Brien. Working with Dr. O’Brien was the highlight of my college experience as I was able to do research in Antarctica. I have learned a lot from her and I am grateful I was able to work with her for 2 years. After graduation, I plan to apply to medical school in hopes of one day becoming a cardiologist. Outside of the classroom, I enjoy playing basketball and hanging out with friends. I am also a big fan of anime. I am truly thankful for the college experience I received at UAF.

Chemistry & Biochemistry: Cam Hughes

Cam Hughes was born and raised here in Fairbanks, Alaska. From a young age he had a deep interest in science, reading a wide variety of science books and participating in local science fairs. Over his academic career at UAF, Cam has accumulated accolades such as the ACS Undergraduate Award in Physical Chemistry and Outstanding Chemistry Student for 2022-2023. Cam hopes to begin earning a master’s degree in fall 2024, with the ultimate goal of applying his knowledge somewhere in the field of biopolymers. Outside of academia, Cam enjoys rock climbing, biking, cross-country skiing, and 3D printing.

Geoscience: Edward Blum

Edward Blum is a student in the Department of Geosciences, pursuing a major in Geoscience with a concentration in Geophysics.  He came to Alaska in order to study volcanoes, which Massachusetts famously does not have.  Academically, he is most proud of never failing, withdrawing from, or retaking a course.  Outside of academics, he is most proud of deciding to delay college and work full-time until he could decide on an area of study. 

Geoscience: Yeşim Goyette

My name is Yeşim Goyette, I am a graduating senior this semester, finishing a bachelors of science in Geoscience. Through URSA this last semester I have been able to continue my research on geologically derived Nitrogen and its relationship to stream nitrate levels in interior Alaska. I plan to continue working on this project through the summer to produce a manuscript and eventually continue on my masters fall of 2025. 

Mathematics: Kahryn Buchanan

Kahryn Buchanan is a graduating senior who is double majoring in Mechanical Engineering and Mathematics. She has interned for the NASA Glenn Research Center in their Space Communications and Navigation (SCaN) department for the past four summers, and has accepted an internship position for the Department of Defense (DoD) this upcoming summer. She plans to pursue a Master's of Science in Mechanical Engineering starting in the Fall, and has been awarded the DoD SMART scholarship to fully fund her graduate degree. For this scholarship, she will complete DoD internships over the summers until graduation and then transition to a full-time engineering position with the DoD in Fort Greely, Alaska. She plans to build a long-term career with the DoD and is excited to contribute in a meaningful way to her field of study.

NRE: Catherine Smith

This year, Catherine is graduating with a B.S. in Natural Resources and Environment, with a focus on the human dimensions of resource management. She is originally from Anchorage, Alaska and moved to Fairbanks in 2020 to attend UAF. In 2021, she began working for the Department of Natural Resources and Environment as a research assistant. During this time, she found a passion for the human dimensions of resource management. Catherine is actively involved in student life. She currently serves as the Vice President of the Resource Management Society, the student organization for the Department of Natural Resources and Environment. In her free time, Catherine enjoys gardening and hanging out with her friends. After graduation, she hopes to pursue a career with a natural resource agency in Alaska.

Physics: Hannah Fontecchio

For as long as I can remember, I have always been interested in learning about how things work in the world around me. I came to UAF in the fall of 2019 to study Engineering, but by the end of my first Physics class with Dr. Newman, I had decided to change my major. I am excited to graduate with my Bachelor of Science in Physics this spring. I plan to begin working toward my Masters in Applied Physics online through Johns Hopkins University this fall, while spending time with my family in Wasilla, Alaska. Outside of the classroom, I love playing the piano, hanging out with my friends, and spending time outdoors hiking, camping, fishing, and exploring Alaska.

Statistics: Isaac Parker

Isaac Parker is a graduating senior with two degrees in Mathematics/Statistics and Psychology. He has worked at the University of Alaska Fairbanks' Office of Student Success for 3 years to create the Academic Planner and Student Mobile App. These programs assist students in navigating key decisions: help plan, schedule, and register their courses, and support timely degree completion by building a visual map of their academic agenda. He intends on transferring the skills attained from UAF as a student and staff member to explore the field of Data Science.

Wildlife Biology & Conservation: BreAnna “Bree” Smith

Bree came to the University of Alaska Fairbanks from Nashville, Tennessee, and her hometown is Cedar Rapids, Iowa. She has a strong passion for wildlife management and conducting research. Since coming to UAF, she has been engaged and taken advantage of every opportunity that has come her way. She is an Honors Student, a Climate Scholar, and the Student Ambassador for our Undergraduate Research and Scholarly Activity (URSA) program. Some accomplishments since arriving at UAF include traveling to Washington D.C. with Climate Scholars to learn about climate policy, attending the Arctic Encounter Symposium in Anchorage to participate in a panel for building arctic leaders, interning on Prince of Wales Island for two summers to use camera traps to monitor large mammals across the island, and conducting undergraduate research to extract ancient DNA found on the North Slope of Alaska. She has been a strong leader for our Student Chapter of the Wildlife Society. She has displayed exemplary academic skills and takes pride in being a role model in the community. During her free time, she enjoys many outdoor activities including hiking, camping, kayaking, and berry picking.

Igor Polyakov

Dept. of Atmospheric Sciences

Diana Wolf

Dept. of Biology and Wildlife

Scott Jerome

Dept. of Chemistry & Biochemistry

Simon Zweiback

Dept. of Geosciences

Ed Bueler

Dept. of Mathematics & Statistics

Christi Buffington

Dept. of Natural Resources & Environment