Reminder that curiosity never takes a break, but we do! Here's to coming back refreshed and revived to finish out Spring 2026 strong! Happy Spring Break!

Congratulations to Emily Peterson for passing her defense! She defended for her PhD in Environmental Chemistry. CNSM is so excited for you Emily!

Doctoral students process and record water samples

Join us for the 2026 Environmental Chemistry Symposium!
-Saturday, March 28
- 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
-BP Design Theater
1764 Tanana Loop, Room 401
Fairbanks, Alaska
Interested in presenting? Register for a poster or oral presentation by March 14.
Learn more and register:
www.uaf.edu/chem/about/e...

Congratulations to our 2026 Brina Kessel award recipient , Vivian Palmer! Each year, the Brina Kessel Award recognizes one outstanding student selected from a pool of nominees for excellence in Science. We are so proud of your dedication to scientific excellence. Congratulations, Vivian!

Nature is the best classroom! Students from the Geo Learning Community had a blast exploring Angel Creek Cabin this past weekend. Just one of the many ways Nanook Nation stays in motion.

We’re excited to introduce our new faculty member, Mykhaylo “Mike” Shumko, Assistant Professor of Physics. Welcome to the team!

Wishing you all cheer and new year's dreams that come true!

Cheers to a great year! Not included in this year's CNSM wrapped: countless smiles, successful research projects, and many nights under the dancing auroras! Let's carry this energy into the new year!!

A group photo with a 7 foot tall polar bear cut out posed in the middle. There are three rows of smiling faces over a blue carpet, holding a yellow "UAF" banner. Behind the group is a sign/panel on a small tower that says "UAF, University of Alaska Fairbanks, America's Arctic University."

A person in a black balzer smiling next to their research poster titled: Seismostraitgraphy Evidencce Across Northwind Ridge Prior to the Opening Amerasia Basin, Arctic Ocean

A foam board design of a world map in blue with push pins stuck in it corresponding with individuals who put a pin where they consider home.

Two women smiling in front of a research poster. The person on the left has curly shoulder length black hair and the girl of the right has brown hair with bangs and glasses.

Aaannnnddd, that's a wrap! #AGU25 was a success! We probably had thousands visit the UAF booth (~1500 people dropped a pin on our world map!) and met with researchers, communicators, vendors, students, and potential employees from all over the world.

We had a little visitor during morning set up at AGU 2025! It seems this pigeon wanted to check out the exhibits too😅! #AGUxUAF

A young man stands to the right of his research poster which details a collaborative project that uses art to create a visual representation of seismology. The main piece as seen on the poster is a large oil on canvas depicting the layering of earth with concepts from above and below ground and grid like patterns visualizing the modeling side of the research being done.

Bryant Chow with the Dept of Geosciences and the GI presented a poster outlining a multi-year collaboration between Fairbanks local artist Klara Maisch and Dr. Chow. Their partnership blends art and science, providing a creative visual representation of seismology research.

A young man stands to the right of his research poster which details a collaborative project that uses art to create a visual representation of seismology. The main piece as seen on the poster is a large oil on canvas depicting the layering of earth with concepts from above and below ground and grid like patterns visualizing the modeling side of the research being done.

Bryant Chow with the Dept of Geosciences and the GI presented a poster outlining a multi-year collaboration between Fairbanks local artist Klara Maisch and Dr. Chow. Their partnership blends art and science, providing a creative visual representation of seismology research.

Entrance to the Ernest Morial Convention Center in New Orleans featuring a modern entrance with large windows, dark tiles, and a red covering over the main steps and ramp. To the right of the entrance is a giant screen that says "Welcome to AGU24, Where Science COnnects Us"

A busy vendor booth in a large warehouse style convention center room. The booth is open layout with a blue and gold tower that says "UAF University of Alaska Fairbanks, America's Arctic University" at the top and surrounded by a counter with printmaterials. Several people are seen engaging with one another scattered across the booth area.

An aerial view of the UAF booth at a busy conference. People can be seen mingling and talking within the blue carpet square. There is a halo above the booth featuring UAF branding around the outside and images of the northern lights on the inside.

We may be a bit biased, but UAF has the sweetest booth! This year we have a giant polar bear cut out, awesome booth activities and prizes, and representatives from academic and resaerch units across UAF. Stay tuned for more updates and student highlights as we live our best lives at #AGU25 #AGUXUAF

Hibernating ground squirrel

Sending encouragement and peace just like how this hibernating ground squirrel is sending cuteness!!! Good luck on finals CNSM students! Finish strong!!

I think we all need more baby musk ox in life and definitely some more laughs. Good luck next week with finals and stay warm!

On Friday we got to see the artists behind the art! Once again, congrats to all who participated in the Geoscience art show. What a powerful way to see the intersection of art and science.

CNSM is happy to announce the roll out of Padlet! Padlet is a platform that connects student opportunities, job positions, club events and more in one easy to access place. The link is available in the bio and through the CNSM website. We are always adding new content to Padlet, so check back.

Photo show variety of student artwork including a raven, candles, and bear calendar.

Art piece of rocks in canisters created by Indie Talbot

Paining of Lava by Ozzy Schneider

Hand made rock basins

Take a look now at the amazing pieces created by the UAF geoscience student, staff, and faculty. As Indie Talbot, event organizer says, "The art show was inspired by my students and peers who use art as a way to look at their research, samples, and field of study from a different and creative angle"

A beautiful sun rises through a misty morning

Aurora with streaks of pink and green dance through sky

So many ways to enjoy UAF by day and by night! The temperature might be dropping, but the lights are getting brighter. Don't forget to take time to enjoy all of this beauty throughout the semester.

CNSM staff and faculty mingle in the Murie Building lobby after attending the CNSM Convocation

Join CNSM tomorrow for the annual convocation celebrating students, departments , and faculty! Event will take place in the Murie Lobby and rm 104 from 1-3pm!

Helium Balloon Erupts into Flames

Science meets spooky season! 👻🧪
Happy Halloween from UAF’s College of Natural Science and Mathematics—where even our experiments have a little boo-tiful chemistry.

Thermite + Jack-o-lantern = AWESOME! Happy Halloween everyone! Hope you all enjoy a safe and spooktacular Halloween! 👻

Three people smile for a photo in front of large windows with the sunrise peaking through the clouds and a table of swag in front of them.

A aeriel shot of the lobby of a building with tables around the border of the large room and visitors mingling

A man in a blue shirt talks to a small group in an office looking setting

Last Saturday was our 14th Annual AIMES event! We had a great group of attendees and vendors with panel talks from local medical professionals and a tour of the MRI Suite. Thanks to all our fantastic vendors for spending a wonderful Saturday showcasing their programs and careers!

A man in scrubs, glasses, and doctor's hat poses next to a kitten who is being given veterinary assistance selfie-style.

Dr. Gregory Pietsch and Veterinary Medicine student Samantha Johnson are joining Alaska Native Rural Veterinary, Inc. & Veterinarians Without Borders to offer vet services in rural Alaska. They will visit New Stuyahok, Illiamna, Newhalen, and possibly Igiugig and Nondalton. Photo by Gregory Pietsch.

Image shows UAF Vet Med students in a reindeer pen.

Reminder! Registration for Spring 2026 opens on October 27th. Be sure to meet with your advisors and get that course schedule planned out!

The ACS Chemistry Club is hosting an amazing National Chemistry Week this week! Today's festivities included Program in a Box where students learned about the spicy side of Chemistry. Check out more fun events this week including Find-the-mole and Bowling Night!

Chemistry week is on its way! Take a look at at the flyer above for some awesome Chemistry Club events. From exciting demos and a campus-wide Mole Scavenger Hunt to a bowling night with pizza and prizes, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

Image shows backpackers with glacier in background

It’s National Earth Science Week! 🌋🪨💧
This week celebrates the ways Earth science helps us understand our planet—from the ground beneath our feet to the atmosphere above. At UAF’s College of Natural Science and Mathematics, students and researchers explore Alaska’s unique landscapes, climate!

Today we honor the knowledge, resilience, and stewardship of Alaska’s Indigenous peoples. Their deep connection to the land continues to guide science, sustainability, and community here at UAF and beyond.

Flyer detailing the upcoming event with medical equipment in the background

The Alaska Interior Medical Education Summit (AIMES) is back for 2025! The event will take place Saturday, October 25th and is a must for anyone considering a medical career. Contact Amy Wald for more information at alwald@alaska.edu.