Awards
Excellence in Interdisciplinary Science
To an individual showing achievement in interdisciplinary science through contributions in research, teaching, and service in western Alaska.
Lawrence Duffy
Dr. Lawrence Duffy, with over 125 journal articles and 60 proceedings/books/chapters, has been a strong supporter of interdisciplinary science for more than 30 years linking bio-chemistry with biography and human and environmental health issues. In addition to teaching as a professor, he has been the Department Head of Chemistry and Biochemisry, Associate Dean then Dean of the Graduate School at University of Alaska Fairbanks. Since the Exxon Valdez oil spill, he has contributed to research activity in the area of wildlife and human environmental health. His work on mercury in subsistence food has been used by policy makers on the national level. Larry is involved in graduate and undergraduate research constantly urging students to maintain excellence. He is Executive Secretary of the Arctic Division of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). He serves on the Fairbanks Community Mental Health Center Board of Directors, received the Carol Feist Outstanding Advisor Award, the NIDCD Minority Mentoring Award, the UAF Award for Professional Achievement and the Usibelli Distinguished Research Award.
Leadership for Sustainable Communities
To an individual or organization to recognize their success on initiatives that promotes sustainable communities in western Alaska.
Susan Flensburg
Susan Flensburg is the Environmental Coordinator for BBNA and has over 20 years experience with environmental programs including the Bristol Bay Coastal Resource Service Area and the EPA IGAP Programs. She also was instrumental in the development of the original Nushagak-Mulchatna Rivers Recreation Management Plan, a Founder of the Nushagak-Mulchatna Watershed Council, and Incorporator of the Nushagak-Mulchatna/Wood-Tikchik Land Trust. She is a driving spirit behind and raised the money for the Nushagak River Watershed Traditional Use Area Conservation Plan. She originated the instream flow reservation on the Koktuli River. The environmental programs in many of Bristol Bay villages simply wouldn't exist without her tireless grant writing and dedication as the Environmental Program Manager at BBNA.
Educational Leadership
To an educator that has distinguished themselves as leaders in western Alaska institution through innovative educational programs and curriculum.
Todd Radenbaugh
Dr. Radenbaugh is an Assistant Professor in Environmental Science at UAF BBC. He developed a UAF Statewide Environmental Studies Certificate, planted the seed for an Occupational Endorsement in Sustainable Energy and is currently updating Renewable Resources/Environmental Studies A.A.S. program, all of which are very important academic programs for Alaska. He is the founder and Director of the Bristol Bay Environmental Science Lab, a lab with numerous educational, research, and citizen science activities. He has played a critical role in starting WAISC, organizing WAISC conferences and bringing AAAS Arctic Science conference to Dillingham—these conferences have a tremendous contribution to science education in western Alaska.
Distinguished Teaching Award
To a teacher in Western Alaska that have made extraordinary contributions to the field of science teaching.
Rich Seifert
Rich Seifert has been the Cooperative Extension Service Energy Specialist at UAF in Fairbanks for 28 years. He teaches courses on building science with high relevance to western Alaska. He is the author of "A Solar Design Manual for Alaska", which he uses as a text for a course to integrate solar design into Alaskan homes. He has authored numerous articles and two books on cold climate homebuilding.
Distinguished Contributions in Science—Special Award
Given to an individual selected by the WAISA organizing committee who has shown significant contributions in promoting science in western Alaska.
Ray Barnhardt
Dr. Barnhardt has made significant contributions build awareness of Native ways of knowing across Alaska and North America. With collaborator Oscar Kawagley, he created the Cultural Standards and established the Alaska Native Knowledge Network. This effort has provided Alaskan educators with enhanced tools to help educators deliver culturally responsive curriculum.
Student Awards
Interdisciplinary Science Student Award
Award for the best paper on interdisciplinary science
Jennifer Robinette
Paper Title: Anchorage's Influence on Invasive Species in Bristol Bay
Community Stewardship Award
Award to the best student paper that shows success and excellence in stewardship in a Western Alaska community.
Jody Doster and her students David Finny and Shaelene Holstrom
Paper Title: Inquiry-Based Learning: An Approach to Teaching Chemistry