Environmental Science, Resources & Studies
A Natural Laboratory Perfect for Study
Part of the UAS Environmental Science, Resources & Studies, the interdisciplinary curriculum in the BS in Environmental Science and BS in Environmental Resources degrees is designed to prepare students for science-based careers in environmental research, management, and consulting. Students completing either of the degrees will have opportunities for hands-on field experience in the glacial and rainforest environments of Southeast Alaska.
Faculty in these fields of study instruct in a variety of disciplines including: the earth sciences, chemistry, physics, biology, math, and spatial analysis. Students learn biological principles and skills in lecture, laboratory, and field courses. A particular emphasis of the program is student involvement in research projects, and undergraduates in Environmental Science regularly present their research results at regional and national scientific meetings.
Our faculty are actively engaged in research programs in areas including: landscape ecology, hydrology, sensor development, geology, environmental chemistry, geochemistry, remote sensing, glaciology, and biogeochemistry.
Blog
Amazing opportunity for a FREE scientific field course in Sitka! May 12-17 (soon!)
Students, This is short notice, but I just learned about an excellent opportunity for you if you are available between May 12-17th: There are a few more spots available for students to take part in an all-expense paid trip to Sitka to work with the Sitka Sound Science Center, focusing on the ecology of the region. This will be a 5-day long field course during which you'll hike the coastal rainforest, explore the intertidal and subtidal Sitka Sound, and snorkel in the aquatic ecosystems around Sitka. This is for full-time students in good standing. Again, this whole trip is FREE if you are selected!
Don't miss this opportunity!
Please see the flyer attached here, and contact either Sarah Tobey (stobey@sitkascience.org) at the Sitka Sound Science Center for any questions and to apply.
The funding comes from BLaST-- Biomedical Learning and Student Training.
Undergraduate workshop in mathematical biology
Hi All,
Please see attached for information regarding upcoming online and in-person workshops for undergraduates interested in Mathematical Biology.
Contact Chris Hay-Jahans (cnhayjahans@alaska.edu) with questions.
Cheers,
Eran
CURE 2025 Poster
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Paid summer innovation internships in Alaska
Hi All,
See below for infomation on paid summer internships with Alaska startups. The application deadline is April 7.
Eran
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I am working with the UAF Center for Innovation, Commercialization, and Entrepreneurship (Center ICE), where I'm looking to link UA students with meaningful paid summer internships.
Center ICE is hosting internships starting mid-May and ending early-August through our 12-week Students2Startups (S2S) program (www.uaf.edu/centerice/students2startups/index.php), where we pay students to work with Alaskastartups:
- Students earn $18/hr (or their departmental rate for grad students)
- Students can choose to work between 20 - 40 hours a week
- Students can choose to work remote, in-person, or hybrid
- Students can apply to up to three startups using one application
- Students spend 80% of their time working with the company, and 20% of their time being paid to work on their own professional development in their S2S cohort
Students can read about Foraged & Found, Ostrea Marine, Circle SeaFoods, Sea Quester Farms, the Pacific Kelp Company and 16 other unique startups (www.uaf.edu/centerice/students2startups/index.php). Students can start their application here:
careers.alaska.edu/jobs/vcr-arc-epscor-student-assistant-fairbanks-alaska-united-states-c682ff75-2e1f-42af-bd29-20e1a20ad1c5
We've extended the deadline from March 31st, to April 7th. Any questions may be sent to me at mwmartins@alaska.edu.
I hope you're able to share these opportunities amongst students in your realm. I'd really like to include UAS for these opportunities.
Excitedly,
Michael
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Michael Martins
Innovation Fellow @ UAF Center ICE
Fellow w/ Alaska Fellows Program

Meet with Geology candidate Scott Braddock on **Wednesday** or **Thursday**
The third and final candidate for the geology faculty position, Scott Braddock, will be on campus tomorrow and Thursday. As with the previous candidates, there are two opportunities to meet with Scott.
1. We will have coffee and tea in the Áak'w Tá Hít commons tomorrow from 10:00-10:30 am.
2. Scott will present a research seminar from 2:00-3:00 pm on Thursday in Áak'w Tá Hít 102. The title of his seminar is From Antarctica to Alaska: What glaciers and geology reveal about Earth's changing climate.
I hope to see you there!
-Jason
Alaska Space Grant Program and NASA EPSCoR annual symposium
The Alaska Space Grant Program and NASA EPSCoR annual symposium will be at UAS this Friday, March 28, in the Egan Library and Egan Wing. The program supports undergraduate and graduate research in STEM fields (not just space!). Students supported by the program will be presenting talks and posters at the symposium (see schedule).
Come check out the presentations and learn more about how the programs can support your research!
-Jason
Meet with Geology candidate Nicole Abib on **Tuesday**
Hi all,
The second candidate for the geology faculty position, Nicole Abib, will be on campus on Monday and Tuesday. There are a couple of opportunities to meet Nicole and learn about her interests:
1. We will have a coffee and tea break on Tuesday from 10:45-11:30 am in the Áak'w Tá Hít commons.
2. Nicole will present a seminar on her research from 2:00-3:00 pm in Áak'w Tá Hít 102. The seminar is titled Linking tidewater glacier evolution to the global ocean: Insights from field observations and remote sensing.
Please join us if you can. We value any and all feedback we get on the candidates. The last candidate will be on campus on Wednesday and Thursday.
You can provide feedback on any of the candidates using this google form.
-Jason
Meet with Geology candidate Aaron Chesler **tomorrow**
Hi all,
Many of you may be aware that we are interviewing candidates for a geology faculty position at UAS. The first candidate, Aaron Chesler, will be on campus tomorrow and Friday. There are two opportunities to meet Aaron and learn about his interests:
1. We will have a coffee and tea break tomorrow from 10:30-11:00 am in the Áak'w Tá Hít commons.
2. Aaron will present a seminar on his research from 2:00-3:00 pm in Áak'w Tá Hít 102. His seminar is titled Dust in the wind: clues to atmospheric variability via paleo- and modern climate records.
Please join us if you can. We value any and all feedback we get on the candidates.
Two additional candidates will be at UAS next week. I will send additional details when we get closer to their visits.
-Jason
Meet with National Renewable Energy Lab ***TODAY***
Hi All,
Representatives from the National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL) in Fairbanks will be in the Aak'w Ta Hit building today from 11:30-1:30 to meet with students who are interested in learning more about job opportunites and internships with NREL. Please see attached flyer for details.
Eran
NREL_Flyer-CollegeofNaturalSciences
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Meet with Forest Ecology candidate Logan Berner **tomorrow**
Hi All,
Logan Berner is on campus interviewing for a Forest Ecology faculty position at UAS. There are two opportunities for students to interact with Logan:
1. Tomorrow at noon we will have a pizza lunch in ATH 102 (downstairs classroom). This is a great opportunity to meet Logan and get some free food.
2. Logan will give a talk on his research tomorrow at 2:30 pm in ATH 102.
Please join us for one or both events if you are able. Your opinion matters - there will be an opportunity for all students to give feedback on Logan to the department. Thanks,
Eran

Southeast Land Trust environmental connections coordinator position
In partnership with JVC Northwest / AmeriCorps, The Southeast Alaska Land Trust is recruiting for an "Environmental Connections Coordinator" who will conduct an inventory of plants on land trust properties with beneficial uses (subsistence, cultural, medicinal, etc.) as well as inventory invasive species. There is also a budding partnership with Juneau Audubon to add in monitoring of birds at a couple of locations in Juneau. Position does not require a degree in science (or a degree at all) as SEAL Trust can provide all of the training needed, although a successful applicant will have an affinity for science, natural history, the outdoors, etc.
There is info at www.sealt.org, but interested students should send their application directly to JVC here:
Margaret Custer, Executive Director at SEAL Trust can also answer questions: margaret@sealt.org |

Faculty
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.
View profile and contact infoEran Hood, Ph.D.

Professor of Environmental Science, Natural Sciences Department Chair
View profile and contact infoJason B. Fellman, Ph.D.

Director - Alaska Coastal Rainforest Center & Research Associate Professor of Environmental Science
View profile and contact infoSonia A. Nagorski, Ph.D. (she/her)

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.
Emeritus Faculty
Roman Motyka, Ph.D.

Research Professor Emeritus, Geophysical Institute, UAF
View profile and contact info