Biomaterials Lab
Plastic insulation like Styrofoam is commonplace in seafood packaging and buildings. But plastics never completely disappear, instead they break up into ever smaller particles or microplastic. These tiny particles are harmful to the soils, marine environment and wildlife, and may affect human health.
Researchers with the Biomaterials Lab seek to better understand the effects of these stray plastic bits. The team is working to solve the global plastic pollution problem by developing insulation that is recyclable, reusable, and biodegradable. Researchers combine design-thinking, microbiology, and physics to dream-up scalable biological materials that store carbon and provide a sustainable vital barrier from the elements.
Their key ingredients to de-carbonizing industries include beetle-kill spruce trees and renewable cellulose that is literally grown in a lab. The Biomaterials Lab is an active innovation platform for new bio-based materials and circular bio-economy solutions in the Circumpolar North. The lab uses norm-critical design thinking as a framework to tackle some of the most pressing environmental and public health problems facing the Arctic today.
NEWS & Stories
A College of Health alumna and current employee of the Alaska Justice Information Center, Rus’sel Sampson has had a rich educational and professional journey. Her story exemplifies how a sense of curiosity in higher education can open unexpected doors that lead to meaningful careers.
The UAA Justice Center celebrated its 50th anniversary with a special legislative citation presented by Alaska state legislators. The citation recognized decades of impactful research, education, and public service in Alaska.
Justice Center Assistant Professor Amy Doogan was recently recognized for her work with the Color of Justice program, which received the 2025 Sandra Day O’Connor Award for the Advancement of Civics Education.
Spring 2025 undergraduate commencement speaker Albiona Selimi is graduating summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in political science and minors in women’s studies and justice—on her way to practicing law at a civil rights organization.
UAA Justice Center alumna Melanie Osborne has been inducted into the Anchorage ATHENA Society, recognizing her professional excellence, community contributions, and commitment to empowering women.
Upcoming Events
Contact Us:
Phone: 907-786-6574
Email: nbbeckage@alaska.edu
