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Department

Natural Sciences

The UAS Department of Natural Sciences facilitates student learning of mathematics, scientific, and analytical methods of thinking as a means to understand the world.

Study natural science with access to the ultimate natural laboratory

Biology & Marine Biology

Program coordinator: David Tallmon

An Interdisciplinary Approach to Studying the Environment

Environmental Science & Environmental Resources

Program coordinator: Sonia Nagorski

Part of the Program on the Environment, Departments of Humanities and Natural Sciences

Study natural science with access to the ultimate natural laboratory

Fisheries & Ocean Sciences, Fisheries Science

Program coordinator: Dr. Heidi Pearson

An Interdisciplinary Approach to Studying the Environment

Environmental Studies and Outdoor Studies

Program coordinator: Dr. Kevin Maier

Part of the Program on the Environment, Departments of Humanities and Natural Sciences

Open the door to a range of possibilities

Mathematics

Program coordinator: Dr. Megan Buzby

Research at UAS

UAS is at the center of Alaskan research, with unparalleled access to ocean, freshwater, glacial, and rainforest environments. UAS faculty conduct research and creative activities across a range of disciplines, providing excellent real-world opportunities to undergraduate students for hands-on learning.

Staff

Sara Caldwell

Sara Caldwell

Biology Lab Technician

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Honalee H. Elkan, B.S.

Honalee H. Elkan, B.S.

Chemistry Lab Technician

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Heather Skaggs (she/her)

Heather Skaggs

Administrative Operations Coordinator

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Biology & Marine Biology Faculty

Carolyn A. Bergstrom, Ph.D.

Carolyn A. Bergstrom, Ph.D.

Professor of Marine Biology

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Marnie Chapman, M.A., M.S.

Marnie Chapman, M.A., M.S.

Professor of Biology

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Kitty LaBounty, B.S., M.S. (she/her)

Kitty LaBounty, B.S., M.S.

Associate Professor of Biology

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Jon Martin

Jon Martin

Assistant Professor of Biology

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Michael O. Navarro, Ph.D.

Michael O. Navarro, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Marine Fisheries

Dr. Michael Navarro is a biological and fisheries oceanographer, and studies chemical, physical, geological and human effects on coastal fishery species and food webs.

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Heidi Pearson, Ph.D.

Heidi Pearson, Ph.D.

Professor of Marine Biology

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Julie Schram, Ph.D.

Julie Schram, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Animal Physiology

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David Tallmon, Ph.D. (he/him)

David Tallmon, Ph.D.

Professor of Biology

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Charmaine Lewis, Ph.D.

Charmaine Lewis, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Science

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Brian Barth, Ph.D.

Brian Barth, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Chemistry

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Megan Behnke, Ph.D. (she/her)

Megan Behnke, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Chemistry

In addition to research, Megan spends her time paddling, skiing, climbing, gardening, reading (particularly science fiction) and bushwhacking around the forest trying to find her dog.

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Jason Kuhn

Jason Kuhn

Term Assistant Professor of Chemistry

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Environmental Science & Environmental Resources Faculty & Staff

Jason M. Amundson, Ph.D.

Jason M. Amundson, Ph.D.

Professor of Geophysics

I have a background in glaciology and geophysics. My research focuses on tidewater glaciers and glacier-ocean interactions, and I am especially interested in the ways that glaciers interact with other Earth system components. I teach the introductory physics courses as well as upper division courses in Earth's climate and glaciology.

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Jason B. Fellman, Ph.D.

Jason B. Fellman, Ph.D.

Director - Alaska Coastal Rainforest Center & Research Associate Professor of Environmental Science

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Eran Hood, Ph.D.

Eran Hood, Ph.D.

Professor of Environmental Science, Natural Sciences Department Chair

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Sonia A. Nagorski, Ph.D. (she/her)

Sonia A. Nagorski, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Geology

My background is in environmental geochemistry, and my research has focused primarily on a variety of contaminants in aquatic systems. I teach classes on Earth's geologic history, physical geology, natural hazards, geomorphology, and mineral and energy resources and environmental impacts. At UAS I devote my efforts to training and inspiring undergraduates to work creatively and effectively in the environmental sciences, preparing them for meaningful careers that benefit the Earth and society.

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Sanjay Pyare, Ph.D.

Sanjay Pyare, Ph.D.

Professor of Environmental Science

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Wendy K. Todd (she/her)

Wendy K. Todd

Professor of Indigenous Studies & Occupational Endorsement

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Fisheries & Ocean Sciences, Fisheries Science

Michael O. Navarro, Ph.D.

Michael O. Navarro, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Marine Fisheries

Dr. Michael Navarro is a biological and fisheries oceanographer, and studies chemical, physical, geological and human effects on coastal fishery species and food webs.

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Hekia Bodwitch, Ph.D. (she/her)

Hekia Bodwitch, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Marine Policy

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Mathematics

Brian Blitz

Brian Blitz

Professor of Mathematics, Faculty Senate President

He enjoys teaching all levels of mathematics courses. His areas of interest include geometry, graph theory and algebra.

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Megan Buzby, Ph.D.

Megan Buzby, Ph.D.

Professor of Mathematics, Program Coordinator

She enjoys teaching a wide range of mathematics, probability, and statistics courses.  Her areas of interest include probability modeling, error analysis, and interdisciplinary applications.

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Jill Dumesnil, Ph.D.

Jill Dumesnil, Ph.D.

Professor of Mathematics

She particularly enjoys the opportunity to interact with students both in and out of the classroom. Her areas of interest include algebra and number theory.

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Chris Hay-Jahans

Chris Hay-Jahans

Professor of Mathematics

He enjoys teaching any mathematics or statistics course. His areas of interest include applications of differential equations to geophysical fluid dynamics and other areas within the natural sciences.

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Colleen Ianuzzi (she/her)

Colleen Ianuzzi

Professor of Mathematics

Colleen has been teaching mathematics and statistics courses for the UAS Ketchikan Campus since 2006. She enjoys helping students succeed and gain confidence in math, and teaches a variety of courses up through first semester Calculus and elementary statistics.

Outside of academics, Colleen enjoys hiking, beachcombing, reading and trying new recipes.

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Joe Liddle

Joe Liddle

Professor of Mathematics

He covers the majority of the UAS distance mathematics and statistics courses.

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Andrzej Piotrowski

Andrzej Piotrowski

Professor of Mathematics

Andrzej has been at UAS since 2008. He enjoys teaching all levels of mathematics courses. His areas of interest include real and complex analysis, theory of equations, and distribution of zeros of entire functions.

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Professors Emeriti

Lewis Haldorson, Ph.D.

Professor of Fisheries, Emeritus

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Cathy L. Connor, Ph.D.

Cathy L. Connor, Ph.D.

Professor of Geology, Emerita

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Michael Stekoll, Ph.D.

Michael Stekoll, Ph.D.

Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Emeritus

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Sherry Tamone, Ph.D.

Sherry Tamone, Ph.D.

Professor of Biology, Emerita

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Roman Motyka, Ph.D.

Roman Motyka, Ph.D.

Research Professor Emeritus, Geophysical Institute, UAF

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Affiliate Faculty

Arielle Halpern, Ph.D. (she/her)

Arielle Halpern, Ph.D.

Affiliate Professor of Environmental Science

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Logan Berner, Ph.D.

Logan Berner, Ph.D.

Affiliate Professor of Environmental Science

Logan is passionate about science outreach and communication, including data visualization, cartography, and photography.
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