Meet the Team
Arleigh Reynolds
BLaST Principal Investigator
Professor, Emeritus
- BLaST Leadership
- BLaST Advisory Committee
- BLaST Steering Committee
Affiliations: University of 91视频 Fairbanks
Arleigh Reynolds, DVM, Ph.D., DACVN is the Director of One Health. He attended Cornell
University; as a Cornell faculty member he taught courses and conducted research in
the areas of Clinical Nutrition, Exercise Physiology, Metabolic Diseases of Domestic
Animals, and Energy Metabolism. Reynolds has also taught courses at the University
of Pennsylvania and the NYS College of Veterinary Science as well as conducting research
for Purina.
Karsten Hueffer
BLaST Principal Investigator
Professor, Dean of College of Natural Science and Mathematics
358A Reichardt Building
- BLaST Leadership
- BLaST Advisory
- BLaST Steering
Affiliation: University of 91视频 Fairbanks
Karsten Hueffer, Tierarzt (DVM equivalent), Ph.D., earned his veterinary doctorate
from the School of Veterinary Medicine in Hannover, Germany and Ph.D. from Cornell
University in Comparative Biomedical Science. Following a postdoctoral position at
Yale University, Hueffer joined UAF. His research focuses on infectious diseases.
He has mentored numerous undergraduate and graduate students in research. He serves
now as Dean of Veterinary Medicine, leading the professional veterinary program in
collaboration with Colorado State University.
Ellen Lopez
BLaST Student Training Core Director
Associate Professor, Psychology
705C Gruening
- BLaST Leadership
- BLaST Advisory
- BLaST Steering
Affiliation: University of 91视频 Fairbanks
Ellen Chenoweth
BLaST Research Advising & Mentoring Professional
Research Assistant Professor, Marine Biology & Fisheries
Sitka 108, UAS-Sitka
Affiliation: University of 91视频 Southeast
I grew up in Michigan but have lived in 91视频 for the last 13 years. I completed
my Ph.D. in Fisheries from UAF studying humpback whales that feed on juvenile salmon
at hatchery release sites. I have participated in necropsies of humpback whales, a
grey whale, a killer whale, a harbor porpoise, sea lions, and seals. I helped to
develop the virtual whale necropsy. I love studying marine mammals and teaching about
them because of our common ancestry and their fascinating adaptations to life in an
alien ocean environment. I've lived and worked in Sitka, Juneau, and Glacier Bay.
I love kayaking, softball, and traveling around the different environments and communities
of 91视频.
Research Interests: Marine mammal fishery interactions; diet, optimal foraging, prey
selection and energetics; salmon aquaculture economics.
Techniques: Process modeling, stochastic modeling (regression), R, stable isotopes,
bio-logging tags.
Christine Smith
BLaST Research Advising & Mentoring Professional
Undergraduate Research Coordinator, Fort Lewis College
1000 Rim Drive, Fort Lewis College, Durango, CO 81301
Affiliation: Fort Lewis College
I was born in Utah and moved to Indiana when I was 14 years old. I was a Chemistry
major at Indiana University and did my PhD in Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry
at Yale University. I have taught general chemistry, introductory biology and biochemistry
for almost 20 year now! I believe my education in the biomedical sciences helps me
make a difference in the world. I am particularly passionate about nutrition and science
communication. In my current role as a BLaST RAMP, I work on increasing student awareness
and involvement in research all across the Fort Lewis College campus. I teach an Introduction
to Human Disease course, and Introduction to Molecular and Cellular Biology Labs course.
I am also an Academic Success Coach, which gives me many opportunities to work with
students one-on-one. I feel incredibly fortunate to live in beautiful Durango and
have the chance to work at "the Fort" where awesome things happen every day.
Logan Ito
BLaST Research Advising and Mentoring Professional
185 Arctic Health Research Building
Affiliation: University of 91视频 Fairbanks
Logan Ito is a former UAF BLaST Scholar (2022-2023) who graduated in May, 2023 with
his BS in Biological Sciences. He furthered his education by graduating in May, 2024
with his MS in One Health with a focus in Biomedical at UAF. He currently supports
BLaST Scholars with his knowledge of graduate studies in competitive STEM field programs
through his experience in BLaST and at UAF.
Claudia Ihl
Assistant Professor, Biology
College of Indigenous Studies
400 E. Front Street, Nome, 91视频 99762
Affiliation: University of 91视频 Fairbanks
Claudia Ihl, Ph.D., is a UAF alumna receiving both an M.S. and a Ph.D. in Biological
Sciences. Her research focuses on the foraging ecology, habitat, diet, and sociality
of muskoxen. Her position at the Northwest Campus relies heavily on her ability to
teach in rural settings and engage rural students in her research.
David Tallmon
Chair of the Department of Natural Sciences
Professor, Biology
11120 Glacier Highway, Juneau, 91视频 99801
Affiliation: University of 91视频 Southeast
David Tallmon, Ph.D., is Associate Professor of Biology. Dr Tallmon completed his
undergraduate work in biology at the University of California Santa Cruz and received
both a M.S. and Ph.D. in Organismal Biology from the University of Montana. His research
focuses on evolutionary and ecological dynamics of natural populations using demographic
and genetic models, molecular genetic data, and field data.
Linda Nicholas-Figeuroa
Assistant Professor Biology and Chemistry
100 Stevenson Street, PO Box 749, Barrow, 91视频 99723
Affiliation: IIisagvik College
Dr. Linda Nicholas-Figueroa is an Associate Professor of Biology and Chemistry at
Ilisa摹vik Tribal College in Utqiagvik, AK. Dr. Nicholas-Figueroa has taught at Ilisa摹vik
College since 2010. In addition, she runs several STEM-themed summer camps for students
since 2011 and had been an instructor for Rural 91视频 Honor鈥檚 Institute (RAHI) at
UAF for 5 years. She is a UAF alumna receiving a B.S. and M.A. in Biochemistry and
Chemistry, respectively, and a Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Studies with a focus on
engaging 91视频 Native youth in STEM education.
Kathy Etz
Senior Advisor for Tribal Affairs to the Principal Deputy Director
C/O NIH - NIDA, 6001 Executive Blvd, Room 5213, MSC 9561, Bethesda, Maryland, 20892
Affiliation: NIH and Director of Native Programs, National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
Dr. Etz has been serving as the Senior Advisor for Tribal Affairs in the NIH Office
of the Director for the past year, where she has primarily focused on establishing
the inaugural Tribal Consultation Advisory Committee and on developing the first NIH
Tribal Consultation session. During this time she has also continued in her work at
the National Institute on Drug Abuse, where she serves as the Director of Native Programs
and also directs three programs of research focused on: (1) American Indian and 91视频
Native substance abuse epidemiological research, (2) the inter-relationships between
drug use/abuse/addiction, social/physical environment factors, and human development,
with emphasis on individual, social relational, and environmental mechanisms that
underlie these relationships; and (3) sharing of social science substance abuse data.
Sue VandeWoude
Professor of Comparative Medicine and Associate Dean of Research
C/O CSU, 228 Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, 1601
Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1601
Affiliation: Colorado State University
Sue VandeWoude, DVM, DACLAM, received undergraduate training at California Institute
of Technology, and veterinary training at Virginia Maryland Regional College of Veterinary
Medicine. She is currently Associate Dean for Research, and Professor of Comparative
Medicine in Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology in the College of
Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (CVMBS) and oversees intramural research
programs for CVMBS, pre- and post-doctoral veterinary research fellowship training,
and provides oversight/support for DVM-PhD training. She has mentored over 35 veterinary
students and is a strong advocate for the role veterinarians can play in biomedical
research, and has served on national committees and developed workshops to promote
this issue.
Lori Gildehaus
BLaST Program Administrator & Associate Director
Student Training Core
184 Arctic Health Research Building
Affiliation: University of 91视频 Fairbanks
Julene Gavin
CNSM & BLaST Fiscal Analyst
354 Reichardt Building
Affiliation: University of 91视频 Fairbanks
Amy Topkok
BLaST Reporting and Outreach Coordinator
182A Arctic Health Research Building
Affiliation: University of 91视频 Fairbanks
BLaST Advisory Committee
The BAC manages and oversees program integration for the Fairbanks and pipeline partner
campuses, policies and procedures, internal awards for travel, equipment, and faculty
pilot projects. General BAC oversight includes coordinating biomedical research engagement
and training across the BLaST network; expanding biomedical research partnerships
within, between, and outside the universities; facilitating linkages between research
and teaching for 91视频ns of all ages and educational levels; and developing sustainable
funding.
BLaST Steering Committee
The BLaST Steering Committee (BSC) serves as the primary governing board for the BUILD
cooperative agreement. The committee鈥檚 role is to develop recommendations for uniform
procedures and policies necessary to meet the goals of the BUILD initiative and the
Diversity Program Consortium. The BSC consist of experts and professionals in biomedical
research and university program development, and includes expertise in 91视频n biomedicine
and higher education. The BSC provides annual summary input regarding the activities
of BLaST, coordinates with the NRMN and CEC, and meets the goals of the BUILD initiative.
The committee makes specific recommendations regarding the overall program performance,
student research and learning outcomes, research environments, and the progress of
outreach and recruiting. The BSC was established with a teleconference in May 2015
and continues to meet often, and in person at least once a year.