UAF College of Engineering and Mines

INE Researchers Represent Alaska at UArctic Congress 2026

INE Faculty Melissa Ward Jones, Anna Costa and INE Proposal Manager Mariam Ubilava (also a Ph.D. student at UAF) all travelled to the Faroe Islands to present their research at the UArctic (University of the Arctic) Congress this week.

Presentations were:

Cultivating Future Arctic Leaders: A Student-Led Policy Brief on Community Resilience to Permafrost Thaw in Point Lay, Alaska presented by Anna Costa

Runoff Ramp-up in Arctic Alaska: Decoupling Snowmelt and Rainfall Contributions Across Coastal and Mountain Gradients presented by Anna Costa

The Influence of Rising Temperature on the Political Economy of Arctic Shipping, Marine Ecosystems, and Alaska Local Communities presented by Mariam Ubilava

Understanding permafrost-agriculture interactions through farmer-researcher co-production to support sustainable high-latitude agroecosystems presented by Melissa Ward Jones.

We are proud to see INE researchers sharing Alaska-focused research on an international stage.

Congratulations, Col. Vander Lugt! We look forward to working together with you and the rest of the UAF community to forge a bright future for our university.

University of Alaska has selected Col. Russell Vander Lugt, Ph.D., to serve as next University of Alaska Fairbanks chancellor.

A 20-year Alaska resident and UAF alumnus, Col. Vander Lugt holds an interdisciplinary Ph.D. in Arctic and Northern History from UAF and a master's degree in Arctic and Northern Studies, also from the University of Alaska Fairbanks. He currently serves as Commander of the 11th Airborne Division's Arctic Aviation Command at Fort Wainwright and will join UAF on September 8, 2026.

Dr. Larry Hinzman, former UAF vice chancellor of research and current director of the UA Arctic Leadership Initiative, will serve as interim chancellor through the summer.

Full details: https://www.alaska.edu/opa/enews/2026/0527/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_content=ap_y3w5dud3t5

This week, Phillip Wilson and Benjamin M. Jones will be sharing stories and insights from their latest Arctic tea project.

Tomorrow Tuesday, May 19, at 10 a.m., they’ll join Lori Townsend on Talk of Alaska to discuss the COAST-X Traverse and the realities of Arctic travel, field science, and environmental change across Alaska’s western and northern coasts.

Then on Wednesday, May 20, at 11 a.m., they’ll present the Alaska Center for Climate Assessment and Preparedness (ACCAP) webinar:

“COAST-X 2026: A 2,000-Mile Snowmachine Traverse Connecting Communities, Coastal Change, and Knowledge from Bethel to Utqiaġvik.”

The webinar will feature photos, field stories, and reflections from the 19-day traverse, including discussions on coastal erosion, permafrost thaw, sea ice conditions, changing travel routes, and lessons learned from long-distance winter field logistics.

Both events are open to the public and offer a chance to hear directly from the field about the rapidly changing Arctic.

At the Arctic Research Open House, student researchers from the Institute of Northern Engineering’s Automated Construction and Advanced Materials (ACAM) Lab shared with former UA President Pat Pitney how they are developing smarter, more resilient ways to build for Alaska's realities.

Meanwhile, inside the inflatable Arctic engineering dome, future engineers crafted snow goggles, built cardboard snowshoes, and built marshmallow igloos and towers. Part engineering lab, part sugar-fueled experiment.

Throwback Thursday to T3 Alaska 2023 Summer Program energy strand. Students and staff spent nine days in Kotzebue and Noatak, meeting with locals, community partners, and experts, to experience life and challenges facing these communities. From extreme transportation and energy costs, to changing permafrost and a limited workforce, students learned how these factors impact the communities and how experts are developing solutions.

Education changes lives. That’s why programs like Alaska 529 matter. They help students and their families prepare for college, workforce training, certifications, and the next chapter.

We’re proud to help connect students and families to those opportunities through events like our Engineering Open House and outreach across Alaska. Because building Alaska’s future starts with investing in its people.

Read more about the great work being done by Alaska 529 and their 25 years of helping families prepare for the future:
https://digital.akbizmag.com/issue/may-2026/saving-for-tomorrow/

Congratulations to all our graduates!

Enginews: May 2026 -

Enginews: May 2026 60+ CEM graduates are preparing to enter Alaska’s workforce and beyond. They carry with them not just degrees, but the ability to work in complex systems where infrastructure meets environment, and theory meets reality.

Recognizing Excellence Across CEM!

Alexander Armstrong – Aerospace Engineering
Alex pairs strong academics with real industry experience—interning with Bombardier, working in flight test instrumentation, and gaining hands-on experience across the aviation pipeline. A leader in AIAA and committed to outreach, he’s taking his next step with Boeing.

Andrew Zachry – Civil Engineering
Andrew’s path is defined by growth. From lab support to advanced work in materials, modeling, and robotics, he’s built both technical depth and reliability. His work has already reached an international stage, presenting to Arctic leaders across six countries.

Janae Matson – Computer Science
Janae combines precision and creativity. With seventeen A+ grades, she’s also improved how research data is structured and used through her work with ACEP—while building projects that bring engineering ideas to life.

Nadezhda Finley – Electrical Engineering
Nadia operates at a high level across academics, leadership, and research. Her work in space weather, tied to HAARP and near-Earth modeling, reflects both technical strength and initiative.

Brandon Kallenback – Computer Engineering
Brandon’s growth tells the story. Starting with no background in lidar, he’s now publishing and presenting internationally. His work—supported by a URSA award—shows what persistence and curiosity can build.

Katherine Cecil – Geological Engineering
Katherine brings range and consistency—leadership, research, service, and academic excellence. Graduating as a Climate Scholar with Distinction, with minors in German and Mathematics, she represents the full scope of what a CEM student can be.

Wyatt Richards – Mechanical Engineering
Wyatt blends strong academics with real engagement—Aerospace Club, outreach, and a senior design project focused on a low-cost satellite receiver. He continues into a 4+1 BS/MS, building on that momentum.

Undrakhbayar Boldaatar – Petroleum Engineering
Undrakhbayar represents consistency in a demanding field. Petroleum engineering requires sustained effort—and standing out here reflects long-term discipline and commitment.

Nick Gray – Mining Engineering
Nick moves fast and delivers. Completing his degree in roughly two years with a 3.75 GPA while staying engaged in SME, he pairs speed with substance.

Alongside celebrating our outstanding students, we also recognize those who passed the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam, an early but critical milestone on the path to becoming a licensed professional engineer.

Enginews: February 2026 -

Enginews: February 2026 February kicks off Engineers Week season, and CEM/INE is gearing up to welcome campus and community into the Usibelli Building for hands-on demos, student showcases, and industry connection. It’s also a good reminder of what we see every day: students thrive when they feel connected to each other,...