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"Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) that infects cervid species, including moose, elk, deer, and reindeer. CWD is highly contagious, spread through contact with infected bodily fluids and results in neurological symptoms in infected cervids. This prion disease causes high mortality in both wild and captive cervid populations and has no current vaccines or treatments available. Kirstin and her team collected fecal samples from Colorado Rocky Mountain moose, deer, and elk to perform prion testing and to determine the distribution of CWD throughout the Rocky Mountains. The fecal samples were homogenized, and any prions present in the samples were amplified through protein misfolding cyclic amplification (PMCA). After amplification, the samples were used in Western Blotting to visualize prion presence. Through our initial testing, we found the potential for prion positives in some of the samples. More testing will be done to confirm the presence of prions in the samples, and more samples will need to be collected to better understand the distribution of CWD in Rocky Mountain cervid populations."


Kirstin Marshall & Dr. Mark Zabel
January 5, 2024

A short documentary produced by Nolan Earnest, this Honors thesis film explores climate change through the imaginative lens of fifth graders, highlighting the pressure placed on the younger generation to save the planet. Through 15 candid interviews, the documentary captures their unfiltered thoughts, balancing real-life footage with animation to amplify their voices. Structuring the narrative poetically rather than factually, it prioritizes the emotional truth of children’s perspectives over data-driven storytelling. By giving kids control of the narrative, the film reveals fresh, unexpected questions about the future, ultimately challenging audiences to rethink the burden placed on youth. The final film will be 13-15 minutes in length and designed for submission to film festivals, inviting a broader conversation on climate responsibility.


Nolan Earnest
April 2024

"The West Ridge Parking lot, denoted by the University of Alaska Fairbanks as 9S, has experienced thermokarst depressions and voids throughout its life. This has occurred due to the presence of permafrost and massive bodies of ice below the parking lot surface. Drainage into cracks on the surface accelerates the issues related to sinkhole formation and settlement. Haylie, Leighona, and Jenna investigated five alternative solutions to address the problems: regular maintenance, converting the lot to a landscaped area, massive excavation, installing insulation and thermosyphons, and conducting deep dynamic compaction."


Haylie Cortez
April 2024

This class serves as an introductory exploration of drawing as a basis for creative expression. Students will be exposed to a variety of principles, concepts and techniques that will increase their artistic abilities in both personal skill and appreciation. Focus will be on acquiring the simple tools for visual problem solving; observation (learning to see) and awareness (interpreting what is seen). This is a studio class with emphasis on producing work in a respectful and supportive atmosphere.

In the Honors section, all assignments and critiques will include an extra layer of depth, incorporating either a personal issue or concern or a research topic related to the student’s major. Before formal review, students will submit a brief narrative description for instructor approval. Whether through direct references or metaphor, this added dimension will enrich each student’s work, fostering deeper meaning, creative agency, and stronger personal connections to their art.

This course is an introduction to general chemistry and explores topics to a much greater depth than preparatory courses. Topics include: measurement, energy and matter, periodic trends, chemical composition, chemical reactions, solutions, bond theory, gases, thermodynamics, problem-solving (applied mathematics), and special topics.

Honors students will go beyond ALEKS assignments with five extra challenges to deepen their chemistry knowledge! Four written assignments (30 points each) will be submitted on Canvas, while a semester-long group project (130 points) will bring chemistry to life. Teams of 4–5 will tackle 1–2 chapters, creating engaging hallway displays with key concepts, visuals, interactive elements, study questions, and a news article. Get creative—displays rotate biweekly in the case outside Reichardt 172!

An introduction to the fundamentals of rock climbing. Topics will include basic climbing technique, equipment, knots, rope handling, belaying, lead climbing, anchor construction, rappelling as well as hazard evaluation and risk assessment.

Honors students will take their rock climbing knowledge to new heights by exploring a topic or skill beyond the standard curriculum. Each student will research and write an in-depth report on their chosen subject, diving into techniques, history, safety, or cutting-edge advancements in climbing. To share their discoveries, students will deliver an engaging class presentation, sparking discussion and expanding everyone’s expertise. This final challenge, due before finals week, is a chance to showcase curiosity, creativity, and passion for climbing!

"To earn honors credit for Art 464 History of Photography, I was tasked with researching three photographers throughout the medium's history and presenting an artistic analysis of some of their work. For those research papers, I selected the photographer Elbridge Warren Merrill, who had historical significance to Sitka, Alaska; the adventurer and cartographer turned photographer, Henry Bradford Washburn Junior; and Glen Ellis Friedman, a skateboarder who documented the rise of hip-hop and punk rock music in the 1970s and 1980s through his camera lens. Additionally, I was required to experiment with a historical alternative photographic process and develop at least five presentable prints."


David A. McCain
ART F464 History of Photograph
Summer 2024 Honors Contract

"I have chosen to research and present on this topic because I have a personal experience with trauma in literature. I have firsthand experience with the value that even poorly written trauma has, and I feel very strongly that it is our job as novelists to approach sensitive topics thoughtfully and with awareness."


Sarah Thomas
ENGL F470 Topics in Creative Writing
Fall 2024 Honors Contract

"Albatross species are large sea birds with a wide range in the Southern Ocean along with the North Pacific. This type of habitat is perfect for feeding, though their populations do experience some hardship out on the waters. The Black-footed albatross (Phoebastria nigripes), Laysan albatross (Phoebastria immutabilis), and the Short-tailed albatross (Phoebastria albatrus) are found in Alaska waters and reports show some inconsistencies in the data being reported. This is a concern due to them each being listed as some level of conservation concern on the IUCN Red List. The purpose of this study is to see how many P. nigripes, P. albatrus and P. immutabilis are being reported as bycatch annually, along with determining the approximate proportion for the unidentified albatross reported, and what can be done to improve any gaps in data."


Bree Smith
BIOL F426 Ornithology
Fall 2024 Honors Contract