URSA - Undergraduate Research & Scholarly Activity

11/07/2023

Check out our new Student Spotlight on Fall 2023 Student Project Awardee, Nick Samuel!

Nick is currently mid-award on his research titled, Improving Hydrogen Production Efficiency from Electrode Surface Modifications, under the mentorship of Dr. Sun Woo Kim, Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering.

Nick's Spotlight: https://www.uaf.edu/ursa/community/spotlight-files/spotlight-articles/2023-samuel.php

11/06/2023

Now that it is getting cold, are you already thinking about your spring and summer plans? If you choose to complete an internship, be sure to consider URSA's Internship Funding!

This past summer, Kristal Bozeman, Psychology and Justice student, received an Internship Award to serve as the Mentor Coordinator for the Fairbanks Veterans Court.

When asked about her experience, Kristal shared "This experience greatly impacted my educational interests and goals. I am minoring in Justice, and restorative justice caught my attention early on in my classes. Participating with the court has helped me better understand the inner workings of restorative justice programs, which has been invaluable to my education.

"My advice [to fellow students] would be to pick something you’re interested in exploring, or already passionate about, and just go for it. The URSA Internship Award is a great opportunity to dive into something and gain new experiences."

Photo 1: Kristal in front of a Fairbanks courtroom.

Photo 2: Kristal pictured with her mentor, Amy Bollaert, Project Coordinator for the Fairbanks Veterans Court.

Undergraduate students with confirmed volunteer, unpaid or minimally paid internships off-campus are invited to apply for funding. We offer up to $3,000 of support for opportunities in the Fall or Spring, and up to $6,000 for the Summer. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

11/02/2023

We would like to congratulate Beatrice Turley, a Secondary Education and Music undergraduate student, who received an URSA 2023-2024 Community-Engaged Learning Award for their proposal titled: Understanding Introductory Geometry Through Music, Movement, and Listening.

Learn more about the project in yesterday's Cornerstone article! Congratulations, Beatrice!

Cornerstone Announcement: https://www.uaf.edu/news/ursa-announces-2023-2024-community-engaged-learning-awardee.php

More information on URSA's CEL Award can be found here: https://www.uaf.edu/ursa/funding/community-engaged-learnin/index.php

11/02/2023

Applications for URSA's Spring 2024 Student Project Awards and the Paul H. McCarthy Awards will close this Sunday, November 5th at 11:59pm. We hope to see your application in our queue! Award information and links to the online application can be found on the URSA website.

Spring 2024 Project Funding: https://www.uaf.edu/ursa/funding/student_project_awards/

Paul H. McCarthy (Archival Work) Funding: https://www.uaf.edu/ursa/funding/mccarthy/index.php

11/01/2023

URSA offers Travel Award funding on a rolling basis all year long! Do you have an opportunity to participate in an event this year? Whether you will be presenting at a conference, entering in a competition, performing for an audience, or pursuing an immersive program- let us help you get there!

T. Womack received URSA Travel Funding to attend and perform at this year's Valdez Theater Conference! When asked about their experience, T. shared: "Spending time with fellow creatives even outside of performances was valuable and meaningful. It was an honor to be a part of this process. I received useful and supportive feedback from all walks of life in attendance. Spending a week concentrating on skill building was a very valuable experience and being surrounded by others who share the passion in this discipline was a blessing I will always be grateful for."

This award was mentored by Carrie Baker, Professor of Theater & Film and Associate Dean of the College of Liberal Arts. Visit the URSA Travel Award page for more information: https://www.uaf.edu/ursa/funding/travel_awards/index.php

10/30/2023

URSA's Spring 2024 Student Project Awards are open for applications through November 5th for funding up to $3,000 for an individual or $6,000 for a group towards a project of your choice! Undergraduate Students from all disciplines and UAF-campuses are encouraged to apply.

Sierra Lloyd, Interdisciplinary Studies: Marine Chemistry, received a Spring 2023 Project Award, under the mentorship of Dr. Ana Aguilar-Islas, to analyze aluminum and manganese concentrations in water samples from the Gulf of Alaska to help better patterns of iron content in the water.

Sierra said about her experience, "My URSA project is the jumping-off point to begin a multi-year project, which will serve as a senior capstone project and potentially even span into a master's degree. It has also helped me cement my place as a recurring member of the Northern Gulf of Alaska Long Term Ecological Research Project. URSA is an amazing experience, and a great way to learn the science you want to do in a way that you simply cannot achieve in regular courses."

📷: JR Ancheta & Sierra Lloyd

10/25/2023

URSA's Spring 2024 Student Project Awards are open for applications through November 5th for funding up to $3,000 for an individual or $6,000 for a group towards a project of your choice! Undergraduate Students from all disciplines and UAF-campuses are encouraged to apply!

Shaylise Sylvester, Psychology, received a 2023 Spring Student Project Award, under the mentorship of Dr. Jen Peterson, to research the correlation between art materials (synthetic v. natural) and the impact on cortisol hormone levels after the process of art-making. To investigate the impact of art medium on stress reduction, Shaylise held two workshops where participant vitals and samples were taking before and after working with clay.

When asked about her project, she said: "Doing a research project helps cement the curriculum you have learned. Research can also help you choose a career or graduate program. I would encourage any student to apply for a URSA grant if they are looking to expand their education by doing a project they are interested in."

📷: JR Ancheta & Marina Barbosa Santos

10/24/2023

Meet our Student Ambassador!

Hi! My name is BreAnna. I grew up in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. I have an associate degree in Biology from Columbia State in Tennessee. I am currently working towards my bachelor's degree in Wildlife Biology and Conservation. I applied for and received Fall 2023 URSA Project Award funding to extract DNA from ancient spruce samples found on the North Slope under the mentorship of Dr. Diana Wolf.

My interests include traveling, hiking, baking, and hanging out with my two dogs, my cat, and my two bunnies! I've been in Alaska for over a year, and it has been an amazing journey so far! Feel free to contact me to learn more about the URSA Student Experience ([email protected])!

Welcome to the URSA team, BreAnna!

10/23/2023

URSA's Spring 2024 Student Project Awards are open for applications through November 5th for funding up to $3,000 for an individual or $6,000 for a group towards a project of your choice! Undergraduate Students from all disciplines and UAF-campuses are encouraged to apply!

Brooke Fisher, Anthropology, received a Spring 2023 Student Project Award to continue her previous research under Dr. Brian Hemphill's URSA Mentor Award. Brooke conducted a biodistance analysis based on tooth size of dental casts from the Brahmaputra valley in Arunachal Pradesh, India to investigate in the relationship between the Bodo and other ethnic groups in the region. Brooke received the College of Liberal Arts Dean's Choice Award at the 2023 Research and Creative Activity Day.

When asked about her experience, she shared "These awards have afforded me the opportunity to complete research in my field, work closely with professionals, attend conferences, and present my research. On top of this, URSA allowed me to cut back on my weekly work hours to focus on my research. To anyone considering applying for an URSA grant: absolutely do it, the skills you gain from working with a mentor are invaluable."

📷: JR Ancheta & Marina Barbosa Santos

10/20/2023

URSA's Spring 2024 Student Project Awards are open for applications through November 5th for funding up to $3,000 for an individual or $6,000 for a group towards a project of your choice! Undergraduate Students from all disciplines and UAF-campuses are encouraged to apply. See the URSA website for more information and to apply online.

Susan Glade, Natural Resource Management, received a Spring 2023 Student Project Award to investigate the potential of Denali alfalfa (Medicago sativa cv. Denali) as a forage supplement for the reindeer meat industry in Alaska.

When asked about her research, Susan shared "URSA has allowed me to meet experts within my desired career field and create connections within the industry. Presenting the poster allowed me to meet new people within both the University and Farming sectors who gave me advice on my future plans with both this project and in my professional career...[This award] helps you to pay for school and allows you to research something that you are interested in. It can help you to make connections and find your career-path while also giving you experience. It is a great opportunity." Susan's project was mentored by Dr. Mingchu Zhang.

📷: JR Ancheta

10/20/2023

Check out our second BLaST workshop for fall 2023! This Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2023 from 1-3pm, join the discussion on Decoding Draduate School with presenters Richard Collins of UAF Graduate School and Dr. Amy May, co-director of the Center for Graduate Studies and Communications. Event is at AHRB 174 or via Zoom. Please register at https://alaska.zoom.us/.../tZcufu2uqzsrHN1Klu6bSoghgC...
Any questions about either workshop, please contact Nikola Nikolic at [email protected] or Sarah Barcalow at [email protected].

10/19/2023

Just over two weeks left to round out your Spring 2024 Project Award and Paul H. McCarthy Award applications! Applications will be accepted online through Sunday, November 5, 2023 at 11:59pm.

If you are considering submitting an application for this round of funding, be sure to register for our Proposal Development seminar- TODAY 10/19 from 1:00-2:00pm via Zoom.

Find more information on how to apply on the URSA website and register here for the seminar!: https://alaska.zoom.us/j/84407806828?pwd=TGc2cGxvdithbXg5UzBYdW0wbXpQUT09

10/18/2023

If you are considering applying for our Spring 2024 Project Award you won't want to miss this seminar!

Join us this Thursday, October 19th from 1:00-2:00PM via zoom to discuss URSA Proposal Development. We will touch on: How to apply for URSA funding; How to find a project or mentor; and various tips & tricks.

Register for the zoom today!: https://alaska.zoom.us/j/84407806828?pwd=TGc2cGxvdithbXg5UzBYdW0wbXpQUT09

10/17/2023

We are at Major Mania TODAY 11am-3pm in the Wood Center Ballroom to talk to YOU about research and creative projects on campus! Stop by, snag some swag, and talk to us about what you want to do while you're at UAF!

10/17/2023

BLaST is excited to present its fall Research Mixer on Monday, Oct. 23, 2023 from 4-6pm held at IARC 501-UAF Campus. This in-person event will have researchers from many fields sharing their projects to find student researchers. Come and learn about these and enjoy light refreshments! Any questions, please contact Lori Gildehaus at [email protected].

10/11/2023

The Paul H. McCarthy award is open for another 3 weeks! Contact APRCA or URSA for more information!

Individual undergraduate & graduate students from all disciplines at the University of Alaska are eligible and invited to apply for an award of $2,500 to support their research using the Alaska and Polar Regions Collections & Archives (APRCA) at the Elmer E. Rasmuson Library.

Details at https://www.uaf.edu/ursa/funding/mccarthy

Deadline to apply is November 5, 2023 by 11:59pm.

10/10/2023

UAF BLAST is excited to present its fall Research Mixer on Monday, Oct. 23, 2023 from 4-6pm held at IARC 501-UAF Campus. This in-person event will have researchers from many fields sharing their projects to find student researchers. Come and learn about these and enjoy light refreshments!
WHAT: BLaST Research Mixer (in-person)
WHEN: Monday, Oct. 23, 2023
TIME: 4-6pm
WHERE: IARC 501, UAF Campus
WHO: All UAF researchers, students, staff, faculty interested in research
CONTACT: Lori Gildehaus, [email protected]
REGISTER: Click HERE or insert link: https://uafblast.wufoo.com/.../registration-for-blast.../ into your browser.

UAF BLAST is excited to present its fall Research Mixer on Monday, Oct. 23, 2023 from 4-6pm held at IARC 501-UAF Campus. This in-person event will have researchers from many fields sharing their projects to find student researchers. Come and learn about these and enjoy light refreshments!

WHAT: BLaST Research Mixer (in-person)
WHEN: Monday, Oct. 23, 2023
TIME: 4-6pm
WHERE: IARC 501, UAF Campus
WHO: All UAF researchers, students, staff, faculty interested in research
CONTACT: Lori Gildehaus, [email protected]
REGISTER: Click HERE or insert link: https://uafblast.wufoo.com/forms/registration-for-blast-research-mixer-2023/ into your browser.

10/09/2023

URSA's Spring 2024 Student Project Awards are open for applications through November 5th for funding up to $3,000 for an individual or $6,000 for a group towards a project of your choice! Undergraduate Students from all disciplines and UAF-campuses are encouraged to apply. See the URSA website for more information and to apply online.

Isabelle Nicolier, Biological Sciences, received a Spring 2023 Project Awards to research levels of genetic difference in herring from the Eastern Bering Sea to see if they could be determined as separate species.

When asked to reflect on her experience, Isabelle shared: ""URSA has really opened doors for me that I would not have been aware I was capable of pursuing. This was an awesome experience that I truly feel helped me compete in these fields. I think our university has a lot of great research happening and need lots of helping hands. It will definitely add to an graduate application.""

Isabelle was mentored by Sydney Almgren, CFOS Graduate Student, and Dr. Jessica Glass, and her poster received the Dean's Choice Awards at last year's Research and Creative Activity Day!

10/05/2023

We are in the Wood Center today from 12-2PM with the Library to talk with you about the Spring 2024 Project Awards and Paul H. McCarthy Award that opened this week! Come snag a bagel and talk with Erin and Rachel about your project ideas!

10/03/2023

The 2023 Paul H. McCarthy Award application is NOW OPEN!

Undergraduate and graduate students from all disciplines at the University of Alaska are eligible and invited to apply for an award of $2,500 for a research project using any collection at the Alaska and Polar Regions Collections & Archives (APRCA) at the Elmer E. Rasmuson Library.

Applications will be accepted online through Sunday, November 5, 2023 at 11:59pm.

Have Questions?
Join us in the Wood Center on Thursday, October 5th from 12:00-2:00pm to learn more about this RFP and talk about your prospective project or proposal!

Find more information on how to apply on the URSA website!: https://www.uaf.edu/ursa/funding/mccarthy/index.php

10/02/2023

URSA's Spring 2024 Student Project Awards are NOW OPEN for applications!

Apply by November 5th for funding up to $3,000 for an individual or $6,000 for a group towards a project of your choice! Degree-seeking undergraduate students from all disciplines and UAF-campuses are encouraged to apply.

Have Questions?
Join us in the Wood Center on Thursday, October 5th from 12:00-2:00pm to learn more about this RFP, talk about your prospective project or proposal, or for assistance finding a mentor!

See the URSA website for more information and to apply online: https://www.uaf.edu/ursa/funding/student_project_awards/

09/29/2023

Congrats to BLaST Scholar Julie-Anne Brown for being the BLaST Scientist of the Month for October, 2023! We are so proud of you and your work!

Julie-Anne Brown, a fourth-year BLaST Scholar, is from Roseville, California. She grew up in the military and has lived in Hawaii, Florida, and Alaska. Brown is a senior and will graduate May 2024 with her bachelor of science degree in biology with a concentration in physiology. She is also a third-year UAF Honors student and Climate Scholar. She is applying to PhD programs in cell and molecular biology with a concentration in animal genetics. Brown enjoys reading, going on trips with her family, and hanging out with her cat, Calypso, while watching TV.

09/28/2023

Join us TODAY Thursday, September 28th (1-2PM) for a zoom session focused on:
-What is Undergraduate Research and Scholarly Activity (URSA)?
-How to start/join projects as a first-time URSA student
-Current opportunities & funding at UAF

Are you looking for hands-on experience and skills development in the discipline you love? Contact the URSA Office for the link to join!

Photo: Shaylise Sylvester, Spring 2023 Project Awardee, 📷: JR Ancheta

09/26/2023

Undergraduate students with confirmed volunteer, unpaid or minimally paid internships external to UAF are invited to apply for award funding!

Grace Hopkins, Security and Emergency Management major, received a Summer 2023 Internship Award for her work as a Disaster Program Specialist Intern with the American Red Cross of Alaska. In her position, Grace responded as a member of a Disaster Action Team (DAT) to an emergency call, participated in community outreach opportunities, and even completed interviews for local news sources!

URSA offers up to $3,000 of support for opportunities in the Fall or Spring, and up to $6,000 for the Summer. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. See the URSA Internship Award page for more information: https://www.uaf.edu/ursa/funding/internship_awards/internship_awards.php

09/25/2023

Did you know that URSA offers Travel Award funding on a rolling basis all year long?

Meredith McMahon received a Spring 2023 Project Award to conduct a linguistic anthropological study on language, gender and power in a gentlemen’s club. Meredith's research, mentored by Dr. Robin Shoaps, not only received CLA's Honorable Mention at last year's RCA Day, but was also accepted for presentation and inclusion in the 2023 International Gender and Language Association Conference! Meredith received an URSA Travel award to attend the conference in person this summer in Brisbane, Australia.

When asked about the experience, Meredith shared, "I found that attending this conference felt like a debut into my field. I now have a network of people who I can discuss my research with and learn more about theirs."

Do you have an opportunity to participate in an event this year? Whether you will be presenting at a conference, entering in a competition, performing for an audience, or pursuing an immersive program- let us help you get there!

Visit the URSA Travel Award page for more information: https://www.uaf.edu/ursa/funding/travel_awards/index.php

09/19/2023

We update our "Current Opportunities" page throughout the year! If you are looking to join an existing project, this is a great place to start.

Check out the website for more information on recent additions like...

A body condition study on muskoxen!
STEM education opportunities in Rural Alaska!
Laboratory positions in Ecology/Paleoecology and Marine Biology fields!
Archival work converting video tapes of noctilucent clouds to digital files that can be shared publicly!

09/18/2023

Are you looking for hands-on experience and skills development in the discipline you love?

Join the URSA Staff on Thursday, September 28th (1-2PM) for a zoom session focused on:
-What is Undergraduate Research and Scholarly Activity (URSA)?
-How to start/join projects as a first-time URSA student
-Current opportunities & funding at UAF

Contact the URSA Office for the link to register!

Photo: Brooke Fisher, Spring 2023 Project Awardee. 📷: JR Ancheta

09/14/2023

As of today, URSA is officially moved over to the 3rd floor of the Eielson Building in Room 302E!

We will continue to be open for walk-ins Monday-Thursday during business hours and available online on Fridays. If you you like to meet at a specific time, please let us know so that we can make sure we are available.

Interested in talking about your URSA ideas? We will be tabling in the Wood Center TODAY 12-2pm. Stop by for swag, snag a danish, and let us help you make your URSA dreams a reality!

09/13/2023

URSA is pleased to formally announce our Fall 2023 Student Project Awardees!

Marina Barbosa Santos (Interdisciplinary Studies)
Wetherleigh Griffin (Linguistics)
Luke Lawson (Wildlife Biology and Conservation)
Nick Samuel (Mechanical Engineering)
BreAnna Smith (Wildlife Biology and Conservation)

URSA Student Project Awards are available for the fall, spring, and summer terms. These awards support undergraduates (individual and group applicants) in all academic disciplines and located at any UAF campus or online to pursue research and creative activity projects at UAF. Please visit the cornerstone article or URSA Award Recipients page included below for more information on our funded students' projects!

Cornerstone Announcement: https://www.uaf.edu/news/ursa-announces-2023-fall-student-project-award-recipients.php

URSA Awards Recipient Page: https://www.uaf.edu/ursa/awards_recipients/index.php

09/11/2023

Ethan Stone completed a Summer 2023 Internship Award to support their work as a Husbandry Internship with the Alaska Zoo in Anchorage. Ethan is an interdisciplinary student focusing on One Health Perspectives (the interconnected relationship of animal health, human health, and the health of our environment) and strives to be a Wildlife Veterinarian in the future.

When asked about his experience, Ethan shared:
"Over the course of my three month internship, I accumulated just over four hundred hours of animal care experience. Veterinary Medicine School applicants are required to have a certain amount of animal care experience to have their application considered. This internship provided me with a foundation of husbandry knowledge that I plan to build on in the coming years. I was able to work with over thirty species of animals in a short period of time, and consider my time spent at the Zoo to be priceless... I strongly recommend that every eligible undergraduate should apply for an URSA Internship Award. The application process is easy and the benefits will truly make a difference in your experience."

Undergraduate students with confirmed volunteer, unpaid or minimally paid internships with organizations external to UAF are invited to apply for funding. We offer up to $3,000 of support for opportunities in the Fall or Spring, and up to $6,000 for the Summer. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Contact us today to learn more!

09/07/2023

URSA is hiring! Join our Team!

If you have completed an URSA Award in the past, we would love for you to join our team to share your URSA experience with prospective student applicants.

If you have an interest, check out the position description here: https://careers.alaska.edu/en-us/job/525030/ursa-student-ambassador

OR come talk to me in person at UAF's Student Employee Job Fair TODAY 12-3PM in the Wood Center. See you there!

09/06/2023

URSA offers Travel Award funding on a rolling basis all year long! Do you have an opportunity to participate in an event this year? Whether you will be presenting at a conference, entering in a competition, performing for an audience, or pursuing an immersive program- let us help you get there!

Ariana Lopez and Olivia Buzby both received URSA Summer Travel Awards to attend and perform at the Interharmony Music Festival in Piedmont, Italy! This is the pre-concert picture with all of the students who attended this year. These awards were mentored by Dr. Jaunelle Celaire.

Visit the URSA Travel Award page for more information: https://www.uaf.edu/ursa/funding/travel_awards/index.php

09/05/2023

URSA's first round of Fall funding closes for application this week!

Apply by Sunday, September 10th to be considered for the following awards:
-Climate Change Project Awards
-Community-Engaged Learning Awards
-Mentor Awards
-Student Belonging and Community Awards

08/31/2023

We are tabling in the Wood Center 12-2PM today! Hope to see you there!

08/30/2023

Campus is buzzing with events geared toward connecting you with the resources, organizations, clubs, and funding to help you get involved in what you have an interest in. If you haven't run into the URSA team yet, check out this awesome intro video on what we do!

Want to get involved? We will be tabling in the Wood Center Lobby TOMORROW (Thursday 8/31) from 12-2pm! See you there!

Video by the talented JR Ancheta

08/29/2023

Find our table at Party in the Park (Constitution Park) TODAY now-2:00PM! We have swag and more information on how we can help you to get involved in research and creative projects on campus!

08/23/2023

Find us at the UAF Student Success Resource Fair TODAY in the Wood Center, 8:00-10:30 AM. We have flyers for our current opportunities and plenty of swag! Hope to see you here!

08/17/2023

URSA's Student Belonging and Community Awards are now open for applications through September 10th!

A strong sense of belonging has a significant impact on the student experience. Students who feel like they belong on campus are also more likely to use support resources like academic advising and financial aid. Belonging can also lead to academic success and motivation, self-efficacy, a greater sense of self-worth, and overall mental well-being.

This RFP welcomes projects focused on cultivating a culture of respect, connection, belonging, and community for undergraduate students at UAF and UAF-affiliated campuses. Priority will be given to proposals that align with UAF-wide initiatives for improving the experience for undergraduate students, promoting student success, and fostering a sense of belonging and community while advocating for fair treatment of students.

This opportunity is open to faculty, staff, researchers, graduate and undergraduate students from all disciplines and all UAF campuses. Awards fund up to $5,000- contact us today if you have any questions.

https://www.uaf.edu/ursa/funding/student_belonging_community/index_student_belonging_community.php

08/16/2023

URSA's Community-Engaged Learning (CEL) Award is now open for applications through September 10th! This year URSA has increased CEL award funding from $500 to $5000 in recognition of the effort needed to build meaningful and impactful community relationships.

During the 2021-2022 school year, the University of Alaska Fairbanks Opera Workshop program received CEL funding to complete an outreach opportunity with a collection of Musical Theater and Operetta pieces for local Elementary, Middle, and High Schools. where support for local music programs are being drastically reduced.

"URSA has helped me reach goals through their funding and ongoing support. We were able to reach out into a community of younger students, and a community of educators, in an effort to make connections and to share our art. That is always the goal of us as performers and to have had that chance is in itself, wonderful." - Grace Farrell

Are you looking to make a difference in the local community? Apply today!

https://www.uaf.edu/ursa/funding/community-engaged-learnin/index.php

08/15/2023

URSA's Climate Change Project Awards are now open for applications through September 10th!

This opportunity is open to UAF undergraduates from all disciplines and all UAF campuses who are interested in conducting scholarly work on various aspects of climate change, including but not limited to climate science, climate policy, visual or written communication of climate issues, and climate adaptation and mitigation strategies. We encourage interdisciplinary projects.

Awards fund up to $5,000- contact us today if you have any questions!