Cornerstone: May 8, 2024

Julie Queen, vice chancellor for administrative services

Friday Focus: Enjoy summer activities on and around UAF

Although we are still awaiting the news of the final FY25 State of Alaska budget, there is plenty to do to pass the time. With all of the fun under the Midnight Sun, I hope you are out enjoying all that Fairbanks and UAF have to offer! A few of our family's favorite summer activities this year have been primarily connected to activities with the kids. The Queens are making a showing this year at the Rotary Golden Heart Kids Running Club. This has gotten both kids and adults outside, staying active, and participating in many of the local fun runs, which are often fund-raisers for important community programs. For those interested, don’t forget about the biggest one of all - the Midnight Sun Run - starting at the Patty Center next weekend in celebration of the summer solstice. You’ll never see anything like it so feel free to come out and participate as a runner, walker, volunteer, or spectator to cheer on the thousands that participate each year. Running may not be for everyone, so if that is the case, not to worry. UAF has a little something for everyone. Continue reading the Friday Focus.

New way to spot beetle-killed spruce can help forest, wildfire managers

A new machine-learning system developed at the University of Alaska Fairbanks can automatically produce detailed maps from satellite data to show locations of likely beetle-killed spruce trees in Alaska, even in forests of low and moderate infestation where identification is otherwise difficult. Learn more about the new method.

UAF in the News

Charlotte Lushin retires from UAF Campus Barbershop after 43 years (Fairbanks Daily News-Miner)

More than a Third of Coastal Alaska Structures May Be at Risk of Flooding by 2100 (Eos)

Pacific salmon move north to Arctic Canada from Alaska when ocean conditions allow (Alaska Beacon)

‘It’s a blessing’: Farmers welcome heavy rainfall, cooler weather (KUAC)

Listen: Bethel community members show their colors at annual Pride march (KYUK)

Event-packed summer underway for Georgeson Botanical Garden (Fairbanks Daily News-Miner)

UAF scientists heading to international permafrost conference

About 20 University of Alaska Fairbanks scientists will present research at the quadrennial International Conference on Permafrost, which opens Saturday in Whitehorse, Yukon. Read more about the conference.

What's happening

Deadlines and reminders

Head and shoulders portrait of a woman standing outdoors in front of birch trees.

UAF research scientist selected as Fulbright Scholar to Finland

Eugénie Euskirchen, associate professor of ecology at the University of Alaska Fairbanks Institute of Arctic Biology, has received a Fulbright U.S. Scholar award to Finland. During her time in Finland, Euskirchen will study how extreme weather events (e.g., rain on snow, excessive heat, drought) impact carbon cycling in high-latitude ecosystems. Read more about Euskirchen's research as part of the Fulbright Program.

Nanook Technology Service Desk moving

The Nanook Technology Service Desk will be moving to a new location on June 17. You can now find the team at Bunnell 319 in The Nook, just one floor up from its previous spot. Please visit the team at its new location for any assistance needed. For questions, contact the team at 907-450-8300.

A piece of equipment on a long pole sits above a light blue farm outbuilding next to a tree.

Lasers may keep birds out of local grain plots

The resonant, musical rattle of the sandhill crane in May signifies spring for many of us. But the birds can pose a problem for farms. This summer, a green laser beam has been flashing across the University of Alaska Fairbanks’ farm fields to scare off the cranes and other birds. Read more about the new crop protection method.

Introducing 'My Profile' and personal info management upgrades in UAOnline

The My Profile page is new to the upgraded UAOnline, anticipated to roll out on June 24, 2024. It will be accessible from the main menu either from the tabs at the top of the page or the menu links. One of the first changes available in the upgraded UAOnline is the ability to directly edit your personal info. Learn more on the new improvements.