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
Co-principal investigators Tracey Burke, Ph.D., professor in the School of Social Work, and Holly Martinson, Ph.D., associate professor in the WWAMI School of Medical Education, hope the program empowers more Alaskans to pursue an advanced biomedical, research-focused degree and contribute to the research community.
Local pharmacy manager supports University of Alaska Anchorage/Idaho State University
Updates about research studies, projects and community partnerships across the College of Health.
UAA students have launched the Health Professionals Student Organization to support each other and share resources as they prepare for health careers and graduate programs.
For many Alaskans, getting reliable access to quality health care is a dream, not reality. What can be done to change that? One piece of the puzzle: Helping students in health care programs go on to be successful professionals across our state. On Alaska Public Media's "Talk of Alaska" radio show, we hear from Gloria Burnett on the innovative ways the College of Health is preparing future health care professionals in a range of fields, from clinical practice to population health.
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Phone: 907-786-6574
Email: nbbeckage@alaska.edu
