PWSC’s Third Annual Environmental Sciences Symposium was a great success!
by V. Heisser |
Last Friday, we hosted the Third Annual PWSC Environmental Sciences Symposium, which
was an inspiring day!
The event showcased independent, student-led research projects developed throughout the academic year, focusing on vital environmental science topics rooted in our local ecosystems. Our students demonstrated scientific rigor, creativity, and a deep commitment to addressing ecological challenges affecting our region, from field sampling to data analysis.
This year’s symposium featured a keynote presentation by Dr. Davin Holen, an associate professor at UAF and Coastal Community Resilience Specialist at Alaska Sea Grant. He discussed the Alaska NSF EPSCoR (Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research) program, which supports long-term, collaborative research on Alaska's unique environments. The "Interface of Change" project examines how climate-driven changes transform ecosystems and human communities across coastal Alaska.
Interface of Change focuses on glacially influenced coastal ecosystems. As glaciers retreat due to warming temperatures, they significantly alter the quantity, temperature, and chemistry of freshwater entering marine environments. These changes impact:
- Fish populations (e.g., salmon life cycles)
- Invertebrates (e.g., zooplankton and benthic organisms)
- Seaweeds (especially kelp and other mariculture species)
The research studies physical and biological changes and integrates local and Indigenous knowledge, community engagement, and science co-production. The aim is to generate place-based solutions that support sustainable fisheries, mariculture, and community resilience.
The Three Key Regions:
1. Southeast Alaska – Juneau, Haines, Klukwan, and Sitka
Focuses on community-driven research related to glacial systems and marine resources, partnering with local tribes, schools, and agencies.
2. Prince William Sound – Cordova, Valdez
It encompasses research on eDNA, microplastics, phytoplankton, and kelp nurseries, with significant involvement from the PWSC and Prince William Sound Science Center.
3. Kachemak Bay – Homer, Seldovia
Emphasizes mariculture development, biofouling research, and climate impacts on marine productivity, which are closely linked to fishing communities.
The EPSCoR program promotes student training, community science, and data-sharing networks, highlighting the importance of responsive science in local contexts.
Our next presenter was Tommy Sheridan, the Alaska Blue Economy Center (ABEC) director at the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF).
In addition to his role at ABEC, Sheridan coordinates the Cordova Community Innovation Hub through the Alaska Regional Collaboration for Technology Innovation and Commercialization (ARCTIC) program. He focuses on community energy projects and the local blue economy, including fisheries and mariculture. ABEC participates in and contributes to the EPSCoR Interface of Change project.
Sheridan described ABEC's mission and goals:
Established in 2019, ABEC (Alaska Blue Economy Coalition) connects Alaskans with resources in blue economy sectors. Its main goals are:
1. Connecting Resources: Bringing together talent, technology, research, and funding to solve industry challenges.
2. Generating Funding: Writing proposals to secure money for projects that support Alaska's blue economy.
3. Community Engagement: Sharing stories and data about blue communities while promoting sustainability.
Interface of Change (IoC) Seed Awards
ABEC The EPSCoR Interface of Change project offers Seed Awards to support research and projects. These awards aim to:
- Support Research: Provide funding for studies on marine species and how coastal communities can be more resilient.
- Promote Education: Encourage projects that improve understanding of the blue economy.
- Foster Economic Development: Support efforts that turn research into solutions for communities.
The Seed Awards are open to faculty, researchers, students, and community members. The deadlines and award amounts change each year.
Student Research Spotlights: Exploring Environmental Challenges and Solutions
The students were at the heart of this year’s symposium—curious, committed, and passionate about environmental research. Their projects showcased months of dedication, creative problem-solving, and a drive to better understand and protect our local ecosystems.
Jane Churchill, a second-year researcher, studied phytoplankton communities at the PWSC Research and Experimental Mariculture site near Gold Creek. Her research examines how these communities, integral to oyster farming, differ temporally and bathymetrically and how they relate to water chemistry parameters, with support from the City of Valdez for transportation to research sites.
Timothy Derbidge presented his research on microplastics in Gold Creek using a custom-built filtration system. While his sediment sampler faced challenges, his project focused on refining sampling techniques for Alaska’s coastal environments, emphasizing the value of successes and failures in research.
Danielle Tryon analyzed environmental data using GIS and R statistical software with guidance from the Prince William Sound Science Center. She studied sea surface temperature trends and the impacts of climate change, aiming to create accessible visuals for educators, policymakers, and the public.
With her journalism background, Rosel Burt led the Valdez Mariculture Survey and a public outreach campaign to gather community insights on mariculture interests and promote future growth.
Rain Davis examined the effects of human activity on soil nutrients by comparing samples from high-traffic and low-traffic areas along Gold Creek. Her findings revealed challenges in field research and the need for refined testing methods.
Sydney Yazzie worked on environmental DNA (eDNA) preservation methods, discovering that freezing may not significantly improve eDNA yield. She later partnered with PlateWatch to monitor invasive species in Prince William Sound, using various sampling techniques to collect genetic material for analysis.
Madalyn Yazzie investigated the impact of human activity on macroinvertebrate biodiversity along Valdez’s Dock Point Trail in late 2024, studying invertebrate communities associated with rockweed across different sites.
Sean Mueller leads a project titled "Advancing Marine Biodiversity and Economic Resilience Through Kelp Farming in Valdez," focusing on establishing kelp farms in Prince William Sound. His research promotes spore release from kelp sorus and aims to enhance biodiversity and combat climate change. Mueller envisions job creation through kelp farming and processing.
We are proud of the work that Dr. Amanda Glazier, assistant professor of biology and environmental sciences, Martina Gerasch, lab and field work coordinator, and Dr. Melissa Usleman, program coordinator, are doing for our college, students, and communities. We could not achieve this without the incredible partners we have. These student-driven research efforts are made possible thanks to the generous sponsorship of Alaska EPSCoR, the Alaska Blue Economy Center, and the Alaska Mariculture Cluster.
The event showcased independent, student-led research projects developed throughout the academic year, focusing on vital environmental science topics rooted in our local ecosystems. Our students demonstrated scientific rigor, creativity, and a deep commitment to addressing ecological challenges affecting our region, from field sampling to data analysis.
This year’s symposium featured a keynote presentation by Dr. Davin Holen, an associate professor at UAF and Coastal Community Resilience Specialist at Alaska Sea Grant. He discussed the Alaska NSF EPSCoR (Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research) program, which supports long-term, collaborative research on Alaska's unique environments. The "Interface of Change" project examines how climate-driven changes transform ecosystems and human communities across coastal Alaska.
Interface of Change focuses on glacially influenced coastal ecosystems. As glaciers retreat due to warming temperatures, they significantly alter the quantity, temperature, and chemistry of freshwater entering marine environments. These changes impact:
- Fish populations (e.g., salmon life cycles)
- Invertebrates (e.g., zooplankton and benthic organisms)
- Seaweeds (especially kelp and other mariculture species)
The research studies physical and biological changes and integrates local and Indigenous knowledge, community engagement, and science co-production. The aim is to generate place-based solutions that support sustainable fisheries, mariculture, and community resilience.
The Three Key Regions:
1. Southeast Alaska – Juneau, Haines, Klukwan, and Sitka
Focuses on community-driven research related to glacial systems and marine resources, partnering with local tribes, schools, and agencies.
2. Prince William Sound – Cordova, Valdez
It encompasses research on eDNA, microplastics, phytoplankton, and kelp nurseries, with significant involvement from the PWSC and Prince William Sound Science Center.
3. Kachemak Bay – Homer, Seldovia
Emphasizes mariculture development, biofouling research, and climate impacts on marine productivity, which are closely linked to fishing communities.
The EPSCoR program promotes student training, community science, and data-sharing networks, highlighting the importance of responsive science in local contexts.
Our next presenter was Tommy Sheridan, the Alaska Blue Economy Center (ABEC) director at the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF).
In addition to his role at ABEC, Sheridan coordinates the Cordova Community Innovation Hub through the Alaska Regional Collaboration for Technology Innovation and Commercialization (ARCTIC) program. He focuses on community energy projects and the local blue economy, including fisheries and mariculture. ABEC participates in and contributes to the EPSCoR Interface of Change project.
Sheridan described ABEC's mission and goals:
Established in 2019, ABEC (Alaska Blue Economy Coalition) connects Alaskans with resources in blue economy sectors. Its main goals are:
1. Connecting Resources: Bringing together talent, technology, research, and funding to solve industry challenges.
2. Generating Funding: Writing proposals to secure money for projects that support Alaska's blue economy.
3. Community Engagement: Sharing stories and data about blue communities while promoting sustainability.
Interface of Change (IoC) Seed Awards
ABEC The EPSCoR Interface of Change project offers Seed Awards to support research and projects. These awards aim to:
- Support Research: Provide funding for studies on marine species and how coastal communities can be more resilient.
- Promote Education: Encourage projects that improve understanding of the blue economy.
- Foster Economic Development: Support efforts that turn research into solutions for communities.
The Seed Awards are open to faculty, researchers, students, and community members. The deadlines and award amounts change each year.
Student Research Spotlights: Exploring Environmental Challenges and Solutions
The students were at the heart of this year’s symposium—curious, committed, and passionate about environmental research. Their projects showcased months of dedication, creative problem-solving, and a drive to better understand and protect our local ecosystems.
Jane Churchill, a second-year researcher, studied phytoplankton communities at the PWSC Research and Experimental Mariculture site near Gold Creek. Her research examines how these communities, integral to oyster farming, differ temporally and bathymetrically and how they relate to water chemistry parameters, with support from the City of Valdez for transportation to research sites.
Timothy Derbidge presented his research on microplastics in Gold Creek using a custom-built filtration system. While his sediment sampler faced challenges, his project focused on refining sampling techniques for Alaska’s coastal environments, emphasizing the value of successes and failures in research.
Danielle Tryon analyzed environmental data using GIS and R statistical software with guidance from the Prince William Sound Science Center. She studied sea surface temperature trends and the impacts of climate change, aiming to create accessible visuals for educators, policymakers, and the public.
With her journalism background, Rosel Burt led the Valdez Mariculture Survey and a public outreach campaign to gather community insights on mariculture interests and promote future growth.
Rain Davis examined the effects of human activity on soil nutrients by comparing samples from high-traffic and low-traffic areas along Gold Creek. Her findings revealed challenges in field research and the need for refined testing methods.
Sydney Yazzie worked on environmental DNA (eDNA) preservation methods, discovering that freezing may not significantly improve eDNA yield. She later partnered with PlateWatch to monitor invasive species in Prince William Sound, using various sampling techniques to collect genetic material for analysis.
Madalyn Yazzie investigated the impact of human activity on macroinvertebrate biodiversity along Valdez’s Dock Point Trail in late 2024, studying invertebrate communities associated with rockweed across different sites.
Sean Mueller leads a project titled "Advancing Marine Biodiversity and Economic Resilience Through Kelp Farming in Valdez," focusing on establishing kelp farms in Prince William Sound. His research promotes spore release from kelp sorus and aims to enhance biodiversity and combat climate change. Mueller envisions job creation through kelp farming and processing.
We are proud of the work that Dr. Amanda Glazier, assistant professor of biology and environmental sciences, Martina Gerasch, lab and field work coordinator, and Dr. Melissa Usleman, program coordinator, are doing for our college, students, and communities. We could not achieve this without the incredible partners we have. These student-driven research efforts are made possible thanks to the generous sponsorship of Alaska EPSCoR, the Alaska Blue Economy Center, and the Alaska Mariculture Cluster.