Sharpton named vice chancellor for research

Submitted by Carla Browning
Phone: (907) 474-7778
05/31/06

Fairbanks, Alaska--University of Alaska Fairbanks Chancellor Steve Jones has named Buck Sharpton as vice chancellor for research. Sharpton will be responsible for oversight and leadership of the university’s research activities.

"Elevating research administration to the vice chancellor level enables UAF to more effectively capitalize on opportunities to advance knowledge and serve the circumpolar North,"? Jones said.

Research brings more than $100 million to the university each year through UAF’s colleges, schools and research institutes. Sharpton will be responsible for identifying new research opportunities for UAF. In addition, he will oversee the Arctic Region Supercomputing Center, the Geophysical Institute, the Institute of Arctic Biology, the International Arctic Research Center and the Office of Electronic Miniaturization, as well as the Center for Research Services, which includes the Office of Research Integrity, the Office of Sponsored Programs and the Office of Tech Transfer.

"Research is the foundation of UAF’s reputation and the key to Alaska’s future,"? said Sharpton. "I am honored to serve our community as UAF’s vice chancellor for research."?

Sharpton will continue to serve as the director of the Geographic Information Network of Alaska and the International Observatory of the North. Sharpton chairs the university’s research working group and the steering committee for the International Polar Year, which will focus attention on the polar regions during 2007-2008.

Sharpton joined UAF in 1998 as a professor with the Geophysical Institute and the geology and geophysics department. In 2001, he was named a president’s professor in remote sensing. Prior to joining UAF, Sharpton was senior staff scientist at the Lunar and Planetary Institute, which is affiliated with NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas.

Since coming to Alaska, Sharpton has broadened his research interests and works closely with several government agencies in developing new uses for satellite remote sensing. He received his Ph.D. in geological sciences from Brown University in 1984.

Sharpton’s appointment to the $160,000-a-year position was effective May 29, 2006.

CONTACT: Buck Sharpton at (907) 474-5837 or e-mail buck.sharpton@alaska.edu for more information.