DNRE Graduate Students

Project Title: Evaluating Sustainability Policies by Measuring Well-being: Evidence from Mongolia

Current Research Projects: 
The Happy Planet Index(HPI) is considered a measure of wellbeing based on the calculation of life expectancy, experienced wellbeing, and ecological footprint (New Economics Foundation, 2021). According to the HPI, Mongolia was placed 56th in 2006, 106th in 2009, and 151st in 2021 out of 152 countries. HPI results show that Mongolia is becoming unhappier over time (New Economics Foundation, 2021). Therefore, the research that I would like to conduct is to find ways of improving sustainability policies that enhance the lives of Mongolians by measuring the effectiveness of sustainability policies based on identified wellbeing indicators. Effectiveness measurements offer a way for policymakers to measure how their efforts in promoting sustainable development and practices can translate into enhancing the sustainable wellbeing of citizens. Also, it helps to measure the productivity of public activities and find policy improvements. The benefit of my research will also be to determine how sustainability policies are better designed to promote sustainable well-being which will, in turn, make Mongolia an even happier and prosperous country. In addition, the information gained from obtaining a better understanding of how to promote sustainable wellbeing in Mongolia may be transferred to other nations thereby enhancing global, sustainable wellbeing. The research will provide contributions to the theory of sustainable development and measures of happiness by determining the wellbeing measurements’ reliability and validity as an indicator. Also, the research will provide practical results that may be used by both policymakers, researchers, and practitioners to enhance sustainable wellbeing.

Biography:
I am from Mongolia. I completed my undergraduate and graduate studies at the National University of Mongolia. In 2017 I started working as an intern at the German International Cooperation (GIZ-similar to USAID), then I started working as a research assistant at the GIZ - Integrated Mineral Resource Initiative Programme, where I had the opportunity to be involved in ongoing research and sustainable development projects on a daily basis. I worked as a junior expert and was responsible for public relations, communication, and governance. My research experience at GIZ has caused me to believe that it is possible to achieve sustainable development if governments undertake responsible approaches for implementing natural resource management on behalf of their citizens. In order to include citizens’ voices in the decision-making process GIZ supported initiatives such sustainable development partnership councils which GIZ established in the resource-rich provinces of Mongolia. The use of the development partnership council processes helped me to understand why it is so important to include citizens’ voices in political decisions in order to achieve sustainable development.

In 2021, I started my studies in the Natural Resources and Sustainability Program at UAF. After completing the program. I wish to undertake post-doctoral-level studies and research so that I may continue to pursue research in these and other important topics and make significant contributions to the field.

All the academic training and professional experience I have gained to date has allowed me to build my confidence in my chosen field and has further increased my interest in the field of community development study. I have a very keen interest in the analysis of public policy, community participation methods in design, planning, happiness-oriented state approaches, and community-based development. Therefore, I want to dedicate my education and research to the further understanding and use of various research paradigms, methods, and techniques.

Research Project:

Planning to research the effectiveness of the borough form of governement in adopting climate adaptation policies.

Biography:

In addition to my work with Fresh Eyes on Ice, I am the program coordinator for Inspiring Girls Expeditions, a wilderness science program for high school girls based in the International Arctic Research Center at UAF. I have long been interested in environmental and science education, and have lived and worked in Washington, Oregon and Colorado before moving to Alaska.

I began my scientific career at the University of Wyoming, where I obtained my bachelor's degree in biology. There, I joined the McNair Scholar's Program, and began working in a lab as an undergraduate researcher. My undergrad research project propelled me into the world of stable isotopes, where I later found a job as a senior laboratory technician in the Stable Isotope Facility. My interest in stable isotopes soon turned into a passion that could not be ignored, leading me to pursue a master's degree in botany and isotope ecology. My research lead to the development of a novel method for isotopically analyzing low concentration dissolved nitrate samples using anion-exchange resin and titanium chloride reduction. After spending so much time in the laboratory working on this, I decided I wasn't done yet, and I wanted to put my skills to use in a broader context. Recently, I found myself in Alaska, where I get to study soil and isotopes in some of the most beautiful scenery imaginable. Outside of science, I play tennis and volleyball, and I love to read books and quilt. I am a coffee enthusiast, with my own espresso machine and coffee bar at home. My favorite evenings are spent camping with my husband Keaton, and our two kids (Australian Shepard dogs).

Career Goals:
After obtaining my PhD from UAF, I am hoping to move back to Wyoming with my husband and work with local industries to protect soil health and incorporate sustainable natural resource utilization. I would love to work in soil health and reclamation, which is an underdeveloped industry in Wyoming, shadowed by the booming coal industry.

Topic Research Project:
I intend to investigate the attitudes and perceptions of Alaskan mayors and city managers as they pertain to sustainability in their communities, and how those elected and appointed individuals impact related policy and decision-making.

Current Research Projects:

I am studying strategies for control of invasive plants, with an emphasis on Prunus padus an invasive chokecherry tree, herbicide fate, and unintended impacts of management.

Biography:

I love to ski, boat, and any other activity that gets me into the outdoors. 

Currently employed with the Cooperative Extension Service with a job focusing  on invasive species and forest health issues in Alaska. In the next few years I see myself continuing work with the Cooperative Extension Service expanding our research and outreach into invasive species management and forest health issues.

Research Project Title:
Food Security and Sustainability in Alaska's Culinary Ecosystem

Professional Bio:
Jennifer Hoppough is the Chief of Faculty Affairs and Services at the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) Office of the Provost. Currently pursuing a PhD with a focus on Food Security and Sustainability within Alaska's Culinary Ecosystem. Jennifer possesses over 20 years of experience in academia and the workforce, and has served in various managerial roles at UA.

She holds an M.F.A. in English - Non-Fiction (2014), an M.A. in English (2012), a B.A. in English Literature (2002), and an A.A.S. in Paralegal Studies (2002) from UAF, as well as a certificate in Principles and Techniques of Fundraising from Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (2008). Jennifer's career highlights include directing the UA Foundation Statewide Stewardship program, and overseeing the publications of (CASE) award-winning annual reports,

Dissertation Project Title:

Teaching natural resource sustainability in K-12 education through place-based, interdisciplinary curriculum utilizing Alaska native plant species

Current Research:

I will conduct horticultural research on Alaska native plants commonly harvested for nutritional and herbal uses. I will also be developing place-based, interdisciplinary curriculum for teaching natural resource sustainability in K-12 education, utilizing Alaska native plant species, through a collaborative process with educators and students.

Biography:

I grew up on a family farm in the Midwest, harvesting gardens, milking cows, playing sports, writing, reading, drawing, and exploring the remnants of the forests along the Mississippi River corridor. I was inspired to explore careers in the natural resources after working on a trail crew at a local park as a teenager. I have worked as a civil servant in Alaska for most of my life, as a scientist and a graphic artist, for Alaska’s state and federal agencies. Throughout my life, I have been attracted to places that are mostly undeveloped and less populated, with a certain amount of wild left in the landscape and where the people living in those areas have an obvious connection to the land. By studying both the arts and the sciences, I have gained a unique understanding of the human and landscape environment that crosses the traditional boundaries of disciplines and I use the knowledge from one discipline to enhance the skills and knowledge of the other. As an artist, I have produced work in painting, drawing, photography, ceramics, and printmaking. An important element of my personal philosophy, for both the arts and the sciences, includes the development of a ‘sense of place’ for others and myself. I spend my free time baking, hiking, biking, bird watching, and canoeing with my husband.

Current Research Projects:

My doctoral research is guided by a central question, which builds upon the research completed in my Master’s:

How does the affordability of water services affect access to in-home water services in rural Alaska?

Consistent access to in-home water services, such as drinking water and sanitation, is key for healthy communities. However, the history of rural Alaska’s water systems is rooted in colonial policies, which aimed to eliminate Alaska Native culture. During the Assimilation Era, the federal Bureau of Education built schools in remote Alaskan areas and required that Alaska Native children attend them. Mandatory attendance meant that Alaska Native tribes were unable to continue their nomadic lifestyle, and had to settle, which created permanent settlements, requiring sanitation services. This aided the Bureau of Education’s mission to control Alaska Native people’s lives, including, as one administrator put it, ”[their activities] in the bathroom” (Berardi 1999).

Fast forward a century, and access to water services in rural Alaska is still problematic. While the federal and state government annually allocate funds to build water systems, no funds are appropriated to cover the operations and maintenance costs. The villages that house the water systems are expected to cover these costs, primarily via user fees. However, the small population, low availability of cash paying jobs, and high costs associated with operating systems in remote areas with harsh climates result in user rates of up to $250 a month per household. Currently, only 83.5% Alaskan households have in-home water services and 3,300 rural households are unconnected, while many more struggle to pay user rates of up to $200/month. Users are charged a flat rate, independent of the amount of water services they utilize. Hence, faced with high water bills and the need to pay for other necessities, some households stop paying their bills. Given the small size of the water system’s customer base, this can financially strain utilities. In fact, water systems are found to often drain village’s financial and human capacity, as much time must be spent managing the systems, ensuring state and federal regulations are met, and applying for grants to finance their continued operation and maintenance. My research aims to identify some factors that impact the affordability of customers’ user fees to better frame long-term planning for utility management.  

Reference: Berardi, Gigi. “Schools, settlement, and sanitation in Alaska Native villages.” Ethnohistory (1999): 329-359.

Biography:

I grew up in Italy, before moving to Montreal, Canada, where I obtained a BA in Environmental Studies with a minor in Parasitology from McGill University in 2011. After concluding my undergraduate degree, I completed an internship with the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health, where I re-discovered my interest in water economics. Following this, I applied to economics masters’ programs across the world, and I was elated when I was accepted in UAF’s (now defunct) MSc in Resource and Applied Economics. It would be hard to achieve a better master’s program experience. The faculty was extremely supportive and encouraging, and I had the opportunity to collaborate with the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation’s Village Safe Water (DEC-VSW) program on real-world issues. Before graduating in 2016, I worked on a thesis developing a framework to evaluate the affordability of water services’ user fees at the household level, which the DEC is currently using. Having fallen in love with Alaska, I decided in 2017 to stay and begin work on my PhD.

Research Project Title
The Future of Alaskan Tourism in the Arctic Circle

Research Project
My research will encompass the long-term growth and sustainability of tourism in Alaska, the Arctic, and the northern latitudes and the impact it has on the indigenous cultures, infrastructure, and natural resources in the local boroughs.

Professional Biography
Over the past 16 years I have worked for various organizations developing my management skills and leadership style. Currently, I work full time as the Manager of Financial Planning and Analysis at Huna Totem Corporation. I have also held previous roles such as Revenue Manager at SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, Commercial Senior Manager of Revenue Management at PepsiCo, Business Strategy Manager at Foundation Partners Group, and Financial Analyst at Universal Orlando Resort. Additionally, I am an Adjunct Instructor at Lake Sumter State College where I teach various business classes and have previously spent time as an adjunct at UCF's Rosen College. Lastly, I am a U.S. Army Veteran with over ten years of honorable service, with having reached the rank of Captain prior to transitioning to civilian life. The pinnacle of my military career that really developed me as an officer and leader was when I spent two years as a Company Commander up in Fort Knox, KY. Leading Soldiers in this capacity was truly instrumental for me.

Future Career Goals
To become an executive leader of an industry-leading hospitality and tourism organization and continue teaching as an adjunct instructor for a major university.

Dissertation Project Title:
Vegetation succession under a new climate: Case studies in changing equilibria from the northwest Alaskan arctic

Doctoral Research Project Description:
My PhD is focused on using remote sensing, integrated with groundtruth data, to understand vegetation dynamics in the arctic under a changing climate. Vegetation succession is a natural, dynamic process, the result of a complex interplay between plants, soil, hydrology, climate and other biological and physical factors. As climate change progresses—extended growing seasons, plants migrating, increased fire frequency, decreased permafrost—how will vegetation succession trajectories change? My thesis intends to look at case studies in the northwest Arctic to monitor landscape dynamics and help understand future change. My first chapter focusses on the Great Kobuk Sand Dunes, looking at dune migration, surface water dynamics, plant biomass, and tree growth to understand whether the dunes remain in equilibrium or are beginning to stabilize. Future chapters intend to investigate trajectories of drained lake revegetation and coastal plant succession.

Biography:
Originally from Chugiak, Alaska, I have been interested in botany since I was a teen. I worked at the University of Alaska Herbarium throughout my undergraduate at UAF, and have worked as a botanist with the National Park Service as a seasonal and then term employee since 2011. Working for the NPS has given the opportunity to study long-term vegetation change, coastal vegetation, remote sensing, and metals pollution. I also have a particular interest in the lichens of Alaska, and have collaborated on several papers documenting their diversity and distribution in the state, including the recent Compendium of the Lichens and Associated Fungi of Alaska, and routinely lead public lichen walks in Fairbanks. I live in Fairbanks with my husband and our four dogs. My non-scientific interests include reading, berrypicking, camping, printmaking, and singing.

Goals:
I hope to continue to work for the National Park Service or another federal agency to find creative ways to understand landscape-level change in Alaska.

Dissertation Project Title:

Scale-ability of cut flower marketing with specific implications for Alaska peony producers

Current Research Projects:

While peonies have been grown globally for centuries, Alaska is fairly new to the field. We have had many challenges, including scale marketing. I'm examining the marketing change points for floriculture/horticulture businesses in the USA that have been in business for 100 years or more to see if their strategies can be successfully applied to the Alaska peony markets.

Biography:

Lifelong Alaskan who has always been interested in promoting and growing the agricultural industry in our state. Recently retired university employee and part-time peony farmer/marketer. Husband and both sons work at Kinross Gold so everyone has strong ties to the land - both renewable and non-renewable resources.

Dissertation Project Title:

Remote Sensing for Forest Health

Biography:

I am from India, born in the eastern state of West Bengal and brought up in the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi. Growing up I was trained in Bharatanatyam (Indian Ballet). I did my undergraduate studies in civil engineering and worked as a highway engineer for quite some time before transforming my interests completely towards earth observation science. Education, profession and my dance performances took me to several towns and cities. I am here in Alaska because of my love for nature and interests in learning and developing ways of creating a sustainable environment.

Career Goals:

Research and development for sustainable environment using earth observation

Keywords (areas of Interest):

Remote sensing, Environment monitoring, Sustainability, Climate change, Earth Observation science, Geographic Information System (GIS)

I am originally from Tianjin, China, a coastal city by the Bohai Sea known for its welcoming and sustainable development. My journey to Alaska began with a high school exchange program, and I later returned to pursue my undergraduate degrees at the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA). After earning a master’s degree in Lincoln, Nebraska, I was drawn back to Alaska by the stunning scenery of mountains and water.

Currently, I am a graduate research assistant working with Dr. Peter Fix and am also part of the Effective Community Engagement Cohort. As a lifelong learner, I am always exploring new languages and practices. I enjoy summer activities such as hiking, berry picking, and fishing, while winter is a time for indoor pursuits like building my Lego collection. My career focus is on researching the health, social, cultural, and economic well-being of rural coastal communities in the Arctic and Sub-Arctic regions.

Project Title:

Healing Through Food and Culture: Using Indigenous Knowledge to Shape Solutions to Food Insecurity and Health Disparities

Current Research Projects:

My research project is titled “Healing Through Food and Culture” and explores the strength, resilience, survival and adaptation of rural communities in Alaska in regards to food sovereignty and security. Specifically, how have these communities used these factors to revitalize their food systems, relying on both traditional foods and agricultural adaptations? How has food, community and culture impacted their health? There is limited academic literature available speaking to the strength or resilience of Alaska Natives/American Indians. We often read about health disparities but researchers fail to consider holistic health or the seven dimensions of health: emotional, physical, spiritual, social, environmental, intellectual and occupational. The common thread across these dimensions is food and culture. To truly heal, one needs to reconnect with the lands, waters, plants and animals that define and sustain us. Our work involves both advocacy and adaptation to protect our traditional foods as well as embrace new concepts like Arctic agriculture. We will develop case studies for several rural communities in Alaska that are successfully revitalizing their local food systems with traditional foods and agricultural adaptations. We are capturing these stories with digital storytelling in the form of audio, video, fact sheets, posters and websites. Our working group will then travel to villages for education and outreach. We will present the stories and work with the communities to brainstorm potential opportunities for strengthening local food systems. We will dialogue about strength, resilience, survival and adaptation to encourage one another, build capacity and develop networks.

Biography:

Eva Dawn Burk grew up practicing her Dene’ Athabascan traditions of harvesting salmon, moose, waterfowl and berries and trapping with her family on their ancestral lands and waters. Eva Dawn earned a B.S. from UAF in Civil Engineering (2007) and worked as a Senior Project Engineer from 2007 to 2013. She worked on many projects involving pipelines, roads, broadband infrastructure, environmental studies, logistics, stakeholder engagement and renewable energy. She spent the last few years volunteering and working for her villages as a Wellness and Culture Camp Leader, Fisherwoman, Cook and Laborer. Currently, she is working on a Master of Science in Natural Resources and Environment with a focus on Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development. Her interests include Indigenous food sovereignty, security and health justice; traditional song, dance and language revitalization; and healing through food and culture. She leads several Indigenous food sovereignty and security working groups across the globe and is dedicated to improving food security in her community through maintaining traditional lifestyles and opening educational farms on ancestral lands. Eva Dawn is a community activist focused on developing resilience and capacity, fostering leadership and teamwork, and learning through doing. Eva Dawn envisions a future of culture, community and collaboration.

Future Career or Life Goals:

I am becoming a social entrepreneur and just opened my own business, Rock Crossing Consulting, to provide professional, scientific and technical services for a variety of projects across Alaska. Our areas of expertise include stakeholder engagement, scientific research support and community development. We focus on developing collaborative partnerships, community capacity, leadership, strategic business plans, conceptual designs, feasibility studies and front end engineering designs. Our work honors our Indigenous Knowledge and focuses on relationships, values and ways of knowing. Our projects are designed around community sustainability, helping people to plan for and adapt to climate change. We are committed to the health and resilience of our communities, carefully planning for a bright future for the upcoming seven generations.

Biography:
I was raised in Glennallen, Alaska, where I currently reside and am raising my three-and-a-half-year-old child. Having spent the majority of my life in the Copper River Basin, I feel deeply rooted in this region as an Ahtna Athabascan. I work for Ahtna Incorporated, a Native Corporation, where I serve as the Land and Natural Resource Team Lead. I take great pride in contributing to projects that promote sustainable and respectful use of our land and ecosystems. My passion for the outdoors drives me to spend as much time in nature as possible. I love activities like snowboarding, fishing, snowmachining, and hunting. It’s a joy to share these experiences with my child and foster a love for the great outdoors.

Research Focus: Moose Health Monitoring Project
Research Objectives: Conduct a toxicology assessment on moose samples collected in the Ahtna Region during the years of 2022, 2023, and 2024. Significance: The Ahtna people have harvested and depended on this natural resource to meet their subsistence needs. Our goal is to monitor the health of harvested moose due to their cultural, subsistence, and economic importance. This project aims to gain a greater understanding of moose health in this area and identify any concerns, whether it be moose reproduction, moose health, or human health. The information gathered from this project will be used to better inform the public and decision-makers on moose health in the Ahtna Region.

Project Focus:

Using modeling to try to analyze the risk of permafrost instability on uncleared land with agricultural potential. (Still in the early stages/undecided)

Biography:

Daniel is originally from Florida and got his first taste of Alaska while stationed at Fort Wainwright during his time in the Army. He made Alaska his permanent home after finishing his undergraduate studies at Kansas State University. He is currently a Soil Scientist for the USDA-NRCS as well as a Bike and Ski Technician at REI and enjoys spending his free time enjoying the outdoors with his five dogs. He hopes to continue his career in Alaska for as long as he can, and use his education and experience to encourage people to make progress towards sustainable Alaskan agriculture.

Career Goals:

Continuing to work as a Soil Scientist in Alaska

Keywords:

Sustainable Agriculture, Soil Science, Soil Management, Permafrost, GIS, Modeling, Land Use.