Faculty Spotlight: New NRC Co-Director, Vanessa Hiratsuka

Vanessa Hiratsuka posing by water

Vanessa Hiratsuka from CHD and Britteny Howell from DPHS are the new Co-Directors for UAA’s National Resource Center on Alaska Native Elders. Vanessa Hiratsuka shares her hopes for the center’s future.

Faculty Spotlight: New NRC Co-Director, Britteny Howell

Brittney Howell pointing to hot air balloon being inflated

Vanessa Hiratsuka from CHD and Britteny Howell from DPHS are the new Co-Directors for UAA’s National Resource Center on Alaska Native Elders. Britteny Howell shares her journey into geriatrics.

Faculty Spotlight: Megan Bennett

Megan Bennett

Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) term assistant professor Megan Bennett discusses her excitement about teaching courses for the AAS in Speech-Language Pathology Assistant, a new degree option within the SLP program, and being a new faculty member at UAA.

Slideshow: School of Allied Health Pinning Ceremony

Medical laboratory science students standing together on stage

The School of Allied Health celebrates its summer graduates with a memorable pinning ceremony on July 27, 2023, at the Edward & Cathryn Rasmuson Hall of the University of Alaska Anchorage.

Alumni Spotlight: Serena Nesteby

Serena Nesteby

Alumni Serena Nesteby was recognized with Alaska's 2023 40 under 40 award. She's currently an Advancement Officer at Iḷisaġvik College and said UAA's School of Social Work set the foundation for her career. "I’ve always wanted to be in a profession that helps others. I knew during the Introduction to Social Work course that it was the right field for me."

Alumni Spotlight: Megan Piper

Megan Piper holding Top 40 Under 40 award

School of Nursing alumna Megan Piper discusses her journey after graduating from UAA and being named Alaska's 2023 Top 40 Under 40.

Researchers identify new tick species Alaska

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Historically, there aren’t many ticks in Alaska and there’s no evidence that the six native species carry harmful pathogens. But factors like climate change and increased travel have created a more hospitable environment for ticks. Micah Hahn with UAA’s Institute for Circumpolar Health Studies is researching the population. “People are always sending ticks to us,” Hahn said. “Anyone in the State who finds a tick on themselves, on their animals, their personal luggage, or on wildlife, can pull it off, put it in a vial and ship it to our state vet. Then we'll take it out, have an entomologist identify it, and enter it into our database.”

Interview with Evan Clupper, an outdoor leadership student, about his capstone trip to Denali National Park

Denali Mountain, Mount McKinley

Department of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation graduate Rafael Alfaro and current student Evan Clupper recently led a capstone trip to Denali National Park with Dr. Benjamin Rush, assistant professor of outdoor leadership. For Evan, the experience surpassed his expectations.

Alumni Spotlight: UAA grad shares his journey to becoming an Epidemiologist

Fabrice Evengue smiling

Fabrice Evengue is an epidemiologist with the Department of Defence. “I investigate patterns and causes of disease and injury.”. He got his start in public health at UAA, graduating in 2015 with a Master of Public Health in Health Practice.

Alaskan innovators awarded $2.5M grant to bring fungus-based insulation solution to global communities

Philippe researching fungus

As the demand for sustainable and organic insulation solutions continues to grow Philippe Amstislavski, Ph.D. and professor of Public Health is working on an innovative multidisciplinary project that could solve Arctic communities building insulation issues.

College of Health News Archive