SNRAS senior Kirsten Woodard (pictured at right) has been awarded the Brina Kessel Medal for Excellence in Science.
Woodard grew up in Hatcher Pass surrounded by farm animals but discovered that she was unfortunately allergic to many of them. Nevertheless, her major emphasis of study is high latitude agriculture. “I’m interested in plants,” she explained.
Her reaction to earning the Kessel award? “I’m honored and surprised,” she said. The award comes with a $500 check and a medal.
For the past two summers, Woodard worked in fisheries for the Alaska Department of Fish and Game in Emmonak. This summer she will concentrate on her senior thesis research, which is temperature dependent bending capabilities of Alaska willow populations: a potential advantage for biofuel crops. She will be determining which populations of willows have the best potential for biofuels.
Woodard isn’t sure about her career goals yet and will likely continue with graduate work in the future. She enjoys running, cross-country skiing, and biking. Woodard’s grade point average is 3.97.
Her mentors at UAF are Associate Professor David Valentine, Professor Stephen Sparrow, and Dr. Syndonia Bret-Harte. She describes all three as “fantastic.”
The science medal is named for Dr. Brina Kessel to recognize her contributions to her discipline, to Alaska, and the University of Alaska. As a professor at the university for more than forty years, she devoted her life to the study of ornithology, emphasizing the birds of arctic and subarctic Alaska. Seniors studying natural sciences, either basic or applied, are eligible for the award. If applied, the student must be well-grounded in the basic sciences and use these sciences and their methods toward solutions of applied science. The award is presented by the College of Natural Science and Mathematics.
In the nomination letter, Dave Valentine said that Woodard demonstrates excellence in all her classes and has an outstanding academic record.
No comments:
Post a Comment