Alaska EPSCoR Research Infrastructure

University Of Alaska Fairbanks Campus, Fairbanks AK

Investigators

Abstract

The Alaska EPSCoR Research Infrastructure Improvement Project (Phase II) will build capability and capacity in the research areas of engineering, integrative physiology, population genetics, and arctic social sciences. A bioinformatics core will refine computational tools associated with the physiology and genetics research areas. Engineering design issues are barriers to development in the state. Infrastructure and systems for cold regions will involve research activities with heat transfer in permafrost soils that underlie roads, building, and other structures and are subject to seasonal melting. Integrative aspects of environmental physiology will focus on collaborative research applying molecular technologies to physiological problems. Researchers will study hibernating ground squirrels and black bears which offer unique opportunities to explore the modulation of gene expression to endure stress . Researchers in population genetics of adaptation to arctic and alpine environments will use technologies already developed with EPSCoR assistance to mine organisms for genes that allow existence in cold regions. In addition to faculty hiring and acquisition of equipment in the research areas, a number of education and outreach activities for K-12, undergraduates, graduates, and faculty will also be supported in Phase II, including the Alaska Rural Systemic Initiative, the GLOBE program for K-12 student and teachers, Phase 0 SBIR assistance, and Young First Investigator Awards for faculty. Institutions participating include the University of Alaska-Fairbanks (UAF), University of Alaska-Anchorage (UM), University of Alaska-Southern (UAS) as well as K-12 schools.