UA Spotlight

Research conducted by �ֻ�ֱ��ns, for �ֻ�ֱ��

UA researchers work to combat challenges �ֻ�ֱ��ns face on a daily basis. We are helping �ֻ�ֱ��ns live more comfortably and safely with a secure future by bringing research dollars into the state.

More than 80% of the university’s research is directly related to �ֻ�ֱ��. Here is a peek at the positive impact UA research has on �ֻ�ֱ��ns like us.

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ARCTIC Research Highlights

OIL AND GAS — Working for the �ֻ�ֱ�� Gasline Development Corporation, Petroleum Engineering students are developing a user-friendly database to provide evidence validating the potential of North Slope undiscovered natural gas.

HEALTH AND SAFETY — Nutrition is a key component of disease prevention. UA researchers are evaluating a new suite of technologies to measure the amount of sugar-sweetened beverages, meat, and fish in �ֻ�ֱ��ns' diet. Expansion of this research area is supported by new funding from the Murdock Charitable Trust to acquire additional state-of-the-art equipment.

PERMAFROST — Permafrost underlying Point Lay was characterized using advanced technologies combined with traditional drilling techniques. From these data, recommendations for better housing and safer water were made to the community.

INTERIOR Research Highlights

MINING — UA researchers assisted the �ֻ�ֱ�� Division of Geological and Geophysical Surveys and Royal Gold-Contango Ore-Tetlin Native Corporation with understanding the mineralization system on Tetlin Native land, and neighboring state land, through advanced technologies and university expertise. The current recoverable resource on Tetlin Native Corporation is estimated at 1.1 million ounces of gold and 1.1 million ounces of silver.

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT — UA research contributes to our workforce:

Safety training for remote �ֻ�ֱ�� villages to promote local workforce for construction
Medical training for �ֻ�ֱ��n students in collaboration with medical facilities and clinics throughout �ֻ�ֱ��
Veterinary training for �ֻ�ֱ��n students in collaboration with Colorado State University

TOURISM — UA research performed a federal lands use survey for �ֻ�ֱ��. In addition to highlighting transportation-related conditions that need attention, results will serve as the basis for performance metrics in the �ֻ�ֱ�� Federal Lands Long-Range Transportation Plan.

SOUTHWEST Research Highlights

ENERGY — Renewable energy integrated into microgrids gives communities a chance to keep their money in the community. In the village of Kongiganak, five 95kW wind turbines provide enough electricity to power the community, plus extra electricity to power 50 electric heaters in homes, stretching their dollars spent on energy and food. Local wind technicians have been trained to maintain and operate the turbines keeping the local residents employed.

ASSISTING LOCAL COMMUNITIES —UA researchers worked with the �ֻ�ֱ�� Native Tribal Health Consortium and the Bristol Bay Native Association to complete an adaptation plan for the community of Port Heiden. This plan identifies public health needs, as well as ways to improve community well-being and resilience through increased infrastructure to support a larger economic base. We are continuing to explore ways to provide resources and tools to Port Heiden as they continue building their plan.

FOOD SECURITY — UA's One Health approach brings all aspects of health together. This approach considers the health of animals, what they can tell us about the health of the environment, and the health of humans who share these resources. One project at UA measures mercury concentrations in Steller sea lions, harbor seals, and northern fur seals, as well as the prey they depend on in the Aleutian Islands.

SOUTHCENTRAL Research Highlights

TRANSPORTATION — Many UA research projects invest in transportation:

Mapping snow avalanche hazards in transportation corridors to increase public safety
Evaluating visibility conditions at airports to better inform aviation forecasts and aircraft operations
Using real-time data for winter operations in Kenai, Anchorage, MatSu and the Arctic

AGRICULTURE — Driven by �ֻ�ֱ��ns' food security and food safety concerns, UA is developing a wheat to be grown in �ֻ�ֱ��'s short spring season. Preliminary results are promising. If successful, �ֻ�ֱ�� could supply locally-grown food to �ֻ�ֱ��ns and perhaps become a major wheat producer for the U.S.

HEALTH AND SAFETY — UA researchers are improving volcano eruption forecasting and detection to mitigate
volcanic disasters. Research on ash clouds and sulfur dioxide produced by volcanic eruptions are used to create geological hazard maps used by the Federal Aviation Administration, �ֻ�ֱ�� Department of Transportation and emergency responders.

SOUTHEAST Research Highlights

SEAFOOD — UA researchers are partnering with the North Pacific Research Board, �ֻ�ֱ�� Ocean Observing System, NOAA, and other universities to investigate the natural variability and long-term trend of chemical conditions in �ֻ�ֱ��'s oceans. Ocean acidification threatens marine resources and we need more data for a better understanding. For �ֻ�ֱ��’s fishing industry, a better understanding will help us prepare for a sustainable future.

ASSISTING COMMUNITIES — A new National Science Foundation grant has funded a collaboration between UA and the University of Calgary to model food, energy, and water resources in rural �ֻ�ֱ��. Case study communities include Tanana, Kongiganak, Cordova and Igiugig. This project examines the impact of renewable energy generation on food and water systems, including optimization to increase overall community wellness.

ENERGY — Hydropower energy projects need to be engineered to account for precipitation patterns and low water flows over the full lifespan of the structure. In Southeast �ֻ�ֱ�� this information is scarce and dramatic shifts to precipitation and temperature mean that even when historic data are present they may not represent future conditions. �ֻ�ֱ�� Climate Adaptation Science Center is generating freshwater discharge models to help infrastructure planning, including hydropower design.

Photo credits

ARCTIC: UAF photo by Todd Paris; Rawpixel; North Slope Borough & Billy Connor.

INTERIOR: UAF photo by Todd Paris; UAF photo by JR Ancheta; P. Calamari, NPS

SOUTHWEST: Amanda Byrd; Paula Dobbyn

SOUTHCENTRAL: Gillfo; Jeff Fay; Cyrus Read, AVO/USGS

SOUTHEAST: Deborah Mercy/pxhere.com/Brian Himmelbloom; Seamistcd | Wikimedia.org

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