NRM student receives UAF Research Day award

Kirsten Williams, left, Zachary Goeden and Elizabeth Smith won overall honors at the UAF Research Day competition.

Graduating NRM senior Kirsten Williams won second-place overall in the UAF Research Day poster competition April 26 and also received the Dean’s Choice Award.

Her poster was titled, “Hydroelectricity in Alaska: Current and Potential Developments.” Williams will receive $1,000 for her second-place finish and $250 for the Dean’s Choice Award, which is given to the top student in each college or school. The School of Natural Resources and Extension award was selected by Professor Dave Valentine, with assistance from Professors Milan Shipka and Pete Fix.

UAF Research Day celebrates undergraduate research and is sponsored by the Office of Undergraduate Research and Scholarly Activity (URSA). The competition drew more than 100 posters from students in seven UAF schools and colleges. Zachary Goeden of the School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences placed first, and Elizabeth Smith of the School of Education placed third.

Williams received a spring project grant from URSA to study hydroelectric potential in Alaska as part of an Alaska Center for Energy and Power report for the Alaska Energy Authority.

Williams was also honored last weekend as the Outstanding Natural Resources Management Student. As Valentine said, in a note to students and faculty, “Way to finish your NRM degree in style, Kirsten!”