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FAA EAGLE Avgas Transition: Considerations for Impacts on Alaskan Supply Chains
Full text linkFederal bodies have called for a directed transition away from 100 octane low lead aviation gas (100LL avgas) due to public health concerns. Leaded avgas currently powers piston engine aircraft in general aviation and air taxi fleets, serving both recreational and commercial purposes. In considering the unleaded avgas transition, we must acknowledge that public policy frequently generates unintended consequences that reduce anticipated net benefits for subgroups of the population. Particular attention should be placed on regions which are heavily reliant on piston aircraft for core commercial services to remote environments, and where infrastructure adjustments are highly complex and costly. Alaska is one such key context. This brief outlines considerations for potential core supply chain impacts in this remote, aviation-dependent environment and which communities are particularly exposed.
While Alaska is 48th in total population, the state is 1st in total volume of intra-state air cargo delivery. Over 80% of the state's communities lie off the road system, and piston engine aircraft are an important component of that commercial fleet. Leveraging granularity in the Bureau of Transport Statistics (BTS) T-100 database, we find that over 50% of carriers reporting intra-Alaska flights had at least one piston engine aircraft in their fleet. In 2023, T-100 data recorded 130,850 commercial piston aircraft flights transporting 201,729 passengers and 30.6M lbs of cargo between Alaskan communities. For non-hub ‘bush’ communities, almost 50% of all commercial flights, 30% of passengers, and 20% of recorded cargo were delivered by piston aircraft. We map community reliance across the state, with particular importance found for off-road destinations in the Southeast, Southwest, and Kodiak. A complete tabular breakdown of piston-engine market shares is generated for all Alaskan destination communities.
We conclude by providing key economic questions for Alaska to address ahead of a fuel transition. Assuring the technical performance of unleaded fuel alternatives in Alaskan environments is foundational. Then, to most efficiently utilize the preparation window, policymakers and sector leadership should understand the impact of increased fuel expenses on overall linehaul cost per ton-mile, the share of cost increases borne by service communities, impacts on route viability, and the potentially complex process of staging any necessary support infrastructure such as fuel storage to off-road communities in Alaska's narrow barge season.This report was prepared by the Institute of Social and Economic Research (ISER), University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) through broader funding support from the State of Alaska via G00014956 "UAA Drone Program"
Bivalves in Jakolof Bay, Alaska occupy different positions in the food web
Full text linkMentor: Josianne Haag; While scallop farming is currently not widespread in Alaska, it holds the potential to garner interest in the coming years. For this project, I will characterize the food sources of seven bivalve species collected in May 2024 from Jakolof Bay, Alaska
Identifying bacterial infection in Alaskan small mammals
Full text linkMentor: Dr. Cristina Hansen; Through this project, I identified bacterial DNA in small mammals that could be common carriers for zoonotic disease. The bacterial species found could be used to understand what bacterial infections could spread to other animals and to people
Modeling salmon life histories through growth and development using integral projection models
Full text linkMentor: Dr. Lisa Crozier; I developed a temperature-dependent integral projection model to predict the growth and development of a population of Chinook salmon on the Snake River during their freshwater lifestage. Despite the simple set of parameters, I am able to get accurate predictions to the range of observed sizes. This model framework is widely applicable to modeling population variables spatially or temporally
Effects of Soil Characteristics on Invasive Species Seed Bank Development after Wildfire
Full text linkMentor: Dr. Katie Spellman; Invasive plants have been found colonizing burned areas in interior Alaska, such as Melilotus albus (white sweetclover), which has seeds that can stay viable for up to 80 years. Soil factors can determine how long seeds are stored in the soil, and how successful germination will be in the event of a new disturbance. This research seeks to determine which soil variables can affect nonnative plant seed bank storage. These results can help predict which burned ecosystems are most vulnerable to nonnative species invasions
Christine Heller's Legacy and the Potential for Integration of Traditional Knowledge Labels
Full text linkMentor: Dr. Stefanie Ickert-Bond; Christine Heller was a nutritionist whose work had an impact on Alaskan botany. Heller's work is relevant to discussions on the integration of Indigenous knowledge into memory institutions. For which the implementation of Traditional Knowledge Labels, which seek to safeguard Indigenous knowledge, may be useful
Curriculum Development: Teaching Genetics Through Hands-On, Field-Based Techniques for Youth
Full text linkMentor: Dr. J. Andrés López; Through our emerging project, “Sovereign Autonomy for Long-term Monitoring Of Non-human genes (SALMONg),” we aim to provide educational materials and technical support to interested communities and build local capacity for cost-effective monitoring of important species
Impacts of ocean acidification on the palatability of two Antarctic macroalgae and the consumption of a grazer
Full text linkIncreases in atmospheric CO2 have led to more CO2 entering the world’s oceans, decreasing the pH in a process called ’ocean acidification’. Low pH has been linked to impacts on macroalgal growth and stress, which can alter palatability to herbivores. Two common and ecologically important macroalgal species from the western Antarctic Peninsula, the unpalatable Desmarestia menziesii and the palatable Palmaria decipiens, were maintained under three pH treatments: ambient (pH 8.1), near future (7.7) and distant future (7.3) for 52 days and 18 days, respectively. Discs of P. decipiens or artificial foods containing extracts of D. menziesii from each treatment were presented to the amphipod Gondogeneia antarctica in feeding choice experiments. Additionally, G. antarctica exposed to the different treatments for 55 days were used in a feeding assay with untreated P. decipiens. For D. menziesii, extracts from the ambient treatment were eaten significantly more by weight than the other treatments. Similarly, P. decipiens discs from the ambient and pH 7.7 treatments were eaten more than those from the pH 7.3 treatment. There was no significant difference in the consumption by treated G. antarctica. These results suggest that ocean acidification may decrease the palatability of these macroalgae to consumers but not alter consumption by G. antarctica.National Science Foundation. Antarctic Organisms and Ecosystems Program.Abstract -- Keywords -- Introduction -- Materials and methods -- Results -- Discussion -- Supplementary material -- Details of data deposit -- Acknowledgements -- Financial support -- Competing interests -- Author contributions -- ReferencesYe
University Employee Recognition Event Guide
Full text linkA Project Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements
for the Degree of
MASTER OF SCIENCE
in
Project ManagementThis project developed a comprehensive and scalable event planning template for university employee recognition. Universities tend to struggle with employee engagement and retention, in part due to inconsistent or underdeveloped recognition events. The template was designed to celebrate employee milestones and contributions while simultaneously promoting morale, engagement, and a sense of belonging throughout the institution. As many universities encounter challenges related to employee retention and engagement, this plan offers a practical approach to recognizing employee achievements. Recognizing the longevity milestones and contributions of employees throughout the institution proved critical for improving job satisfaction and overall employee engagement retention. Key components of such an event typically feature a longevity and award ceremony, a keynote speaker session, catered meals, and professional development activities. The plan will also include guidelines for effectively engaging remote employees, emphasizing inclusiveness and support across various university settings. The project ran for 8 months (September 23, 2024 – May 1, 2025). As the plan focuses on developing a planning tool rather than executing an event, no budget was required. Ultimately, the final deliverable provides universities with a practical and adaptable resource to implement a meaningful and consistent employee recognition program.Table of Contents / List of Exhibits / Abstract / Needs Identification / Literature Review / Research Question / Hypothesis / Research and Analysis / Results and Analysis / Results and key Supporting Themes / Research Conclusions / Project and Product Deliverables / Project and Product Management / Personal Experience and Growth / Project Conclusions / Recommendations / Future Development / Appendices / Works Cite
Micronutrient Adequacy of Vegetarian and Vegan Diets Among Alaskan Adults
No full textA Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements
for the Degree of
MASTER OF SCIENCE
in
Dietetics and NutritionThe estimated number of vegetarians and/or vegans in the United States grew by 600% from nearly 4 million in 2014 to 20 million in 2017. The goal of this study is to assess the adequacy of vitamin B12, vitamin D, calcium, and iron intakes among adult Alaskan residents following vegetarian or vegan diets. A convenience sample of Alaskan adults following a vegetarian or vegan diet was recruited via social media and community posters to participate in this cross-sectional study. Respondents answered basic questions about their demographics and diet and were then directed to the National Institutes of Health’s Automated Self-Administered 24-hour Dietary Assessment Tool, a validated tool for estimating nutrient intakes using 24-hour dietary recall data. Respondents’ estimated vitamin B12, vitamin D, calcium and iron intakes were compared to Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) and Upper Tolerable Limit (UTL) for these nutrients. Eighteen eligible people agreed to participate in the survey, and 11 of those completed the 24-hour dietary recall. The average age of the same was 41.12 ± 15.91 years, and 83.3% (n=15) identified as female. A majority (61.1%, n=11) identified their dietary pattern in the last year as vegan, and 88.8% reported taking supplements. Of the 11 participants who completed the 24-hour recall, 72.7% (n=8), 50.0% (n=5), 63.6% (n=7), and 36.4% (n=4) of respondents met the RDA for calcium, iron, vitamin B12, and vitamin D, respectively, with intake from foods, beverages, and supplements. However, 50.0% (n=5) of respondents exceeded the UTL for iron. Without intake from supplements, 63.6% (n=7), 80.0% (n=8), 45.0% (n=5), and zero respondents met the RDA for calcium, iron, vitamin B12, and vitamin D, respectively. Supplement use among Alaskan adults following vegetarian and vegan diets is common; however, care and planning should be taken to avoid potentially toxic doses. Future research should further explore nutrient adequacy of vegetarian and vegan diets in Alaska year-round