UAF announces 2021 Usibelli Award recipients

January 20, 2021

Jeff Richardson
907-474-6284

The University of Alaska Fairbanks has announced the winners of the 2021 Emil Usibelli Distinguished Teaching, Research and Service Awards.

The Distinguished Teaching Award will go to Denise Thorsen, a professor at the College of Engineering and Mines and director of Alaska Space Grant. The Distinguished Research Award will be presented to Donald “Skip” Walker, a professor at the Institute of Arctic Biology and College of Natural Science and Mathematics. Eduard Zilberkant, a professor at the Department of Music and conductor of the Fairbanks Symphony Orchestra, will receive the Distinguished Service Award.

The 2021 Usibelli Award recipients will be honored at UAF’s Blue and Gold Celebration on Feb. 27.

Denise Thorsen
Denise Thorsen


Thorsen came to UAF in 2001 after working in the private aerospace industry and as a university research scientist. As director of the Space Science Engineering Program, she has helped students create “cube” satellites, communication technologies and ideas for future space missions. In classes, she focuses on real-world applications, incorporates peer mentoring and devotes time to problem-solving. Her students give her high praise, and many have gone on to aerospace industry careers.

“She will take students under her wing and help them through the toughest parts of their lives,” wrote engineering student Morgan Pohlman in her nomination letter. “Her guidance inspires students to reach potential that they didn’t even know they had. Her mentorship and care help students find themselves in the world.”



Walker first came to Alaska’s North Slope as an oil field roustabout in 1969 before earning a biology degree. His subsequent graduate research included botanical field work near Barrow, and Walker has studied Arctic vegetation ever since. In 1999, he came to UAF and created the Alaska Geobotany Center, where he researches and maps Arctic vegetation and studies its relationship to permafrost, snow, sea ice and disturbances such as roads and petroleum development.

“Want to experience the Arctic? There is no better way than to accompany Skip Walker,” wrote Brian Barnes, the director at the Institute of Arctic Biology, in his nomination letter. “UAF’s Usibelli Awards are about true excellence; Dr. Skip Walker is an outstanding example of excellence in research at UAF.”

Eduard Zilberkant
Eduard Zilberkant


Zilberkant’s parents, both musicians, dared a dangerous emigration with their family from Russia to the United States in the 1970s. After earning his doctorate in piano performance, Zilberkant came to UAF in 1997. In addition to performing internationally and teaching, he serves as music director and conductor of the Fairbanks Symphony Orchestra and the Arctic Chamber Orchestra. He has twice brought an international e-piano competition to Fairbanks.

“He has reached out to young and old alike with his amazing talents and dedication,” wrote Fairbanks Symphony Orchestra President Charles Lemke in his nomination letter. “He has brought beautiful music to our local community, the state and the world. His professional reach has touched many of the world’s finest classical musicians.”

The Usibelli Awards are among the university’s most prestigious awards. They are funded annually from an endowment that Usibelli Coal Mine established in 1992. Each year, a committee that includes members from the faculty, the student body and the UA Foundation board evaluates the nominees. Each winner receives a cash award of $10,000.

Tickets and more information about the Blue and Gold Celebration are available at https://www.uaf.edu/blueandgold/.