Âé¶¹¹ÙÍø at UAF

Explore core research areas

 

Âé¶¹¹ÙÍø in the Arctic

UAF research encompasses the human and physical aspects of life in the North. Our work is highly collaborative and interdisciplinary, and many UAF researchers have appointments in two or more academic or research units. No part of the university is untouched by the quest for answers.

 

Âé¶¹¹ÙÍø funding

National Science Foundation (NSF)

$52.6M in 2024

Department of Defense (DoD)

$22.1M in 2024

NASA

$24.7M in 2024

 


Core research areas

UAF’s research excellence spans a wide array of disciplines, driving innovation and tackling global challenges. With over 17,000 journal publications, our world-class researchers are making impactful contributions across fields such as environmental science, engineering, and more. This impressive output underscores UAF's leadership in advancing knowledge and fostering groundbreaking discoveries.

Pie chart illustrating the breakdown of research at UAF among the areas of Earth and Planetary Sciences; Agricultural and Biological Science; Environmental Science; Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology; Physics and Astronomy; Engineering; Social Sciences; Other

*In order of frequency: medicine, chemistry, multidisciplinary, mathematics, materials science, energy, arts and humanities, immunology and microbiology, computer science, economics, econometrics and finance, chemical engineering, business, management and accounting, neuroscience, psychology, pharmacology, toxicology and pharmaceutics, other, veterinary, decision sciences, health professions, dentistry, undefined

Aerial view of a snow-covered volcano

Earth and planetary sciences

Arctic ground squirrel

Agricultural and biological science

Ice wedges

Environmental science

 


UAF research institutes

UAF leads research in northern and Arctic regions, leveraging our unique location, state-of-the-art facilities, and expertise to advance  knowledge of the Arctic and beyond. From geophysics to food security, UAF drives innovation and solutions in critical areas. Our core research domains include the following:

IANRE researcher Anna Drew harvests a batch of tomatoes from the UAF Experimental Farm.

Institute of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Extension

Institute of Arctic Biology Lab with Diane O'Brien, front, and Mackenzie Hawkins and Jessica Johnson, back, on the UAF campus

Institute of Arctic Biology

A student prepares a thin slice of ice for inspection of its crystal formation in the Elvey Building's ice lab.

International Arctic Âé¶¹¹ÙÍø Center

Wind turbines and solar panels are part of the Kotzebue Energy Association's renewable energy farm

Alaska Center for Energy and Power

A bridge over an icy river

Institute of Northern Engineering

The aurora dances over Poker Flats Âé¶¹¹ÙÍø Range while scientists and artists waited for ideal conditions to launch a research rocket.

Geophysical Institute

Hannah Myers collects her hydrophones after they've been sitting on the ocean floor recording Killer Whale calls for the last 12 months. She can use the calls to identify different pods of whales.

Institute of Marine Science

The illuminated mycology display at Andrew Forbes's table at the Alaska Center ICE and URSA Âé¶¹¹ÙÍø Showcase.

Undergraduate research

Âé¶¹¹ÙÍø within colleges

Humanities and society

Âé¶¹¹ÙÍø in the humanities and social sciences examines cultural, economic, and societal dynamics to inform policy and enrich human understanding.

The illuminated mycology display at Andrew Forbes's table at the Alaska Center ICE and URSA Âé¶¹¹ÙÍø Showcase.

College of Business and Security Management 

School of Education instructor Michael Angaiak leads the ED 411 English Language Arts methods class in the Alaska Future Teacher Space classroom in the Gruening Building Monday morning, October 20, 2025.

School of Education

Alaska Native dancers sit on stage

College of Indigenous Studies

Students from UAF and elsewhere work to find bones and artifacts during an archeaological field camp at the Mead dig site near Delta Junction.

College of Liberal Arts

STEM

Âé¶¹¹ÙÍø in STEM fields across the university’s colleges and schools drives innovation and technological advancements that address global challenges.

ACAM graduate research assistant Nishesh Chhetri talks about the the lab's research with 3D printed concrete as the Institute of Northern Engineering celebrates it's 40th Anniversary with the INE

College of Engineering and Mines

Dr. Jessica Glass labels a vial of samples taken from a starfish during a content refresh lab demonstration for the College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences Friday, April 26, 2024.

College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences

Bella Ranck, left, counts the number of willow branches that appear to have been browsed as CNSM professor Todd Brinkman's Wildlife Management (WLF 322) students take forestry measurements and moose browse surveys during an outdoor lab session Wednesday, November 12, 2025.

College of Natural Science and Mathematics

 

University Affiliated Âé¶¹¹ÙÍø Center

UAF hosts one of 14 UARCs nationwide. The core mission of the is to assist the Department of Defense (DoD) and the Interagency in achieving dominant capabilities through technical excellence and innovation in early detection and analysis of nuclear proliferation as it applies to geophysical phenomenology.

 

 
 

UAF at AGU 2025

December 15-19

Âé¶¹¹ÙÍø Fairbanks faculty, staff and students will soon attend the American Geophysical Union (AGU) Fall Meeting 2025 from Dec. 15-19 in New Orleans, LA, and virtually.

See the full schedule of UAF talks and posters. Please contact uaf-research@alaska.edu for any questions.

UAF at AGU 2025 schedule

 


Cover of Impact spring 2025 newsletter

Impact

Impact is our newly imagined, biannual research publication. The first edition serves as a testament to the transformative research and creative work flourishing at UAF—a reminder of the innovation and pursuit of knowledge taking place at America’s Arctic university. Future editions will spotlight impactful researchers at all stages of their careers, innovative projects, and new initiatives fueled by UAF research.