Emeriti Recognition

Mr. Leif E. Albertson

Professor of Extension, Emeritus

Mr. Leif E. Albertson served the �ֻ�ֱ�� with distinction in teaching and public service from 2008 to 2024.

Mr. Albertson taught numerous community-based, noncredit classes and workshops with many positive reviews. He developed programs on multiple topics, including food preservation and safety, safe water, pest control, gardening and emergency medical care.

Mr. Albertson, in particular, provided important information about lead contamination in wild meat, a topic of great interest in rural �ֻ�ֱ��, where consumption rates are quite high. He also developed and presented original work on indoor air quality issues, again a concern of particular concern in western �ֻ�ֱ��, where childhood respiratory disease is the highest in the nation.

Mr. Albertson served on multiple UAF committees. He started the Bethel community garden in 2008, and he served on the Bethel City Council, on several council committees and as a volunteer firefighter and paramedic for more than 20 years.

The �ֻ�ֱ�� expresses its deep appreciation to Mr. Leif E. Albertson for his extensive contributions to the state of �ֻ�ֱ�� and to the university.

Mr. Andreas P. Anger

Professor of Applied Business and Accounting, Emeritus

Mr. Andreas P. Anger has served the �ֻ�ֱ�� with distinction in teaching and public service from 2002 to 2025.

Mr. Anger developed and taught more than 20 business and accounting courses. He taught on nontraditional schedules to meet the needs of working students. His students praise his supportive, engaging and relevant teaching style, and he advised more than 50 students each semester.

Mr. Anger was one of the pioneers in online education at UAF, developing the first fully online course in 2002. He mentored fellow faculty members and others at UAF to advance online learning.

Mr. Anger participated in more than 50 university service committees at all levels. He served on the boards of Explore Fairbanks, the Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitor Center and the Yukon Quest International Sled Dog Race. He was inducted into the Fairbanks Tourism Hall of Fame in 2024 to recognize his contributions to the visitor industry.

The �ֻ�ֱ�� expresses its deep appreciation to Mr. Andreas P. Anger for his extensive contributions to the state of �ֻ�ֱ�� and to the university.

Dr. Brian M. Barnes

Professor of Biological Sciences, and Director of the Institute of Arctic Biology, Emeritus

Dr. Brian M. Barnes served the �ֻ�ֱ�� with distinction in teaching, research and public service from 1986 to 2024.

Dr. Barnes taught several undergraduate and graduate level courses, led graduate seminars and served as a prolific and popular guest lecturer; and he advised seven master’s and six doctoral students and four postdoctoral researchers.

Dr. Barnes is an internationally recognized leader in hibernation physiology. His interest in survival during long periods of cold, dark and lack of food led him to study such diverse animals as arctic ground squirrels, bears, frogs and even insects. He published more than 135 articles in peer-reviewed publications.

Dr. Barnes led the UAF Institute of Arctic Biology through a remarkable expansion from 2001 to 2021, building programs in physiology and biomedicine, creating two new research centers and growing existing programs. He served in leading roles in the expansion of IAB’s Toolik Field Station, an important component of UAF’s global leadership in Arctic research.

The �ֻ�ֱ�� expresses its deep appreciation to Dr. Brian M. Barnes for his extensive contributions to the state of �ֻ�ֱ�� and to the university.

Dr. Nancy Bigelow

Director of the �ֻ�ֱ�� Quaternary Center, Emeritus

Dr. Nancy Bigelow has served the �ֻ�ֱ�� with distinction in research and public service from 1998 to 2025.

Dr. Bigelow served as director of the �ֻ�ֱ�� Quaternary Center from 2005-2011 and from 2014- 2025, promoting interdisciplinary science at UAF related to the most recent two million years of Earth’s history. In this role she supported many visiting scientists and engaged countless students. Dr. Bigelow has taught or co-taught several courses, and she has served on the committees of 13 master’s and nine doctoral students.

Dr. Bigelow, an expert in vegetation reconstruction using pollen analysis, has worked with colleagues whose knowledge spanned paleoecology, archaeology, geomorphology, isotope geochemistry and ancient DNA. This collaborative research has expanded our understanding of northern ecosystems across the past 125,000 years. Dr. Bigelow has contributed to 43 peer-reviewed articles.

Dr. Bigelow has served as a reviewer to multiple prestigious publications, including Nature, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences and Quaternary Science Reviews.

The �ֻ�ֱ�� expresses its deep appreciation to Dr. Nancy Bigelow for her extensive contributions to the state of �ֻ�ֱ�� and to the university.

Ms. Julie M. Cascio

Associate Professor of Extension, Emeritus

Ms. Julie M. Cascio served the �ֻ�ֱ�� with distinction in teaching and public service from 2004 to 2024.

Ms. Cascio taught and provided information to thousands of �ֻ�ֱ��ns on a wide variety of topics, including food safety, emergency preparedness, nutrition and healthy living. Her food preservation series was exceptionally popular in the Palmer area. She produced dozens of publications, articles and videos.

Ms. Cascio’s web-based certified food protection manager instruction reached hundreds of participants across the state. She worked diligently to ensure her students passed the classes needed for employment in the commercial food industry.

Ms. Cascio helped to organize an annual family and community education conference, while also hosting monthly group meetings and supporting such work statewide. She held leadership positions in multiple local, state and national organizations, including the �ֻ�ֱ�� Food Protection Task Force, and she helped to plan educational events for the �ֻ�ֱ�� State Fair.

The �ֻ�ֱ�� expresses its deep appreciation to Ms. Julie M. Cascio for her extensive contributions to the state of �ֻ�ֱ�� and to the university.

Dr. Bernard J. Coakley

Professor of Geophysics, Emeritus

Dr. Bernard J. Coakley has served the �ֻ�ֱ�� with distinction in teaching, research and public service from 2002 to 2025.

Dr. Coakley has taught geoscience courses from the undergraduate to graduate level. His collegial efforts have contributed to the esprit de corps in the UAF geoscience community. He advised three master’s and two doctoral students.

Dr. Coakley is an internationally recognized leader in marine geophysics. He has participated in multiple scientific cruises to investigate geophysics in the North, including two stints as chief scientist aboard the UAF-operated research vessel Sikuliaq. His research into continental and basin structures has relevance to geopolitics, oil and gas exploration, and critical minerals.

Dr. Coakley has an exceptional record of professional service as a journal editor, organizer of scientific meetings and participant on advisory boards and coordinating committees. He has served the university twice as chair of the Department of Geosciences.

The �ֻ�ֱ�� expresses its deep appreciation to Dr. Bernard J. Coakley for his extensive contributions to the state of �ֻ�ֱ�� and to the university.

Dr. John Gimbel

Professor of Mathematics, Emeritus

Dr. John Gimbel has served the �ֻ�ֱ�� with distinction in teaching, research and service from 1987 to 2025.

Dr. Gimbel, during his 38 years at UAF, taught more than 3,000 students in 32 distinct courses at all math curriculum levels. He was recognized multiple times for his outstanding teaching.

Dr. Gimbel is an internationally recognized mathematician who has served as a visiting scholar at 10 universities across Europe and the U.S. He has published 58 mathematical papers with dozens of distinct co-authors from around the globe, reflecting a high degree of collaboration in the mathematics field. He is an extremely well-respected graph theorist, with his papers on various aspects of graph coloring being highly cited.

Dr. Gimbel served on multiple UAF committees, including the universitywide promotion and tenure committee and his department’s peer review committee.

The �ֻ�ֱ�� expresses its deep appreciation to Dr. John Gimbel for his extensive contributions to the state of �ֻ�ֱ�� and to the university.

Dr. Paul W. Layer

Professor of Geophysics, Emeritus

Dr. Paul W. Layer has served the University of �ֻ�ֱ�� and the University of �ֻ�ֱ�� Fairbanks with distinction in teaching, research and public service from 1989 to 2025.

Dr. Layer received high praise for his teaching of geoscience courses from the undergraduate to graduate level. He chaired thesis and dissertation committees for seven graduate students and served on a total of 32 such committees.

Dr. Layer’s research has done much to reveal the geology of �ֻ�ֱ��, as well as parts of Mexico, eastern Russia and southern Africa. He established the Geophysical Institute’s geochronology laboratory. He contributed to more than 180 peer-reviewed and refereed publications.

Dr. Layer’s calm and collegial leadership contributed greatly to the functioning of the university, where he served as department chair and dean before advancing to a statewide vice president position. Among many other accomplishments, he helped create UAF’s veterinary medicine program and worked carefully to lay the foundation for the faculty collective bargaining agreement.

The �ֻ�ֱ�� expresses its deep appreciation to Dr. Paul W. Layer for his extensive contributions to the state of �ֻ�ֱ�� and to the university.

Dr. Jenifer H. McBeath

Professor of Plant Pathology and Biotechnology, Emeritus

Dr. Jenifer H. McBeath has served the �ֻ�ֱ�� with distinction in teaching, research and public service from 1977 to 2025.

Dr. McBeath taught multiple courses in plant pathology and natural resources management during her more than four decades with the university. She chaired the committees of nine master’s and doctoral degree students.

Dr. McBeath is an internationally recognized expert in phytosanitary issues and international trade in agricultural products. The disease-free seed potato program she developed allowed exports from �ֻ�ֱ�� to Taiwan and China. The biological control system she developed provided �ֻ�ֱ��’s peony and rhodiola farmers with an environmentally benign way to protect their plants in wet and cold conditions.

Dr. McBeath served five years as a U.S. delegate in U.S.-China bilateral technical talks on agricultural products. She served as delegate to federal committees on plant pathogens. She served for decades in various roles in the American Phytopathological Society, and she held numerous UAF committee positions.

The �ֻ�ֱ�� expresses its deep appreciation to Dr. Jenifer H. McBeath for her extensive contributions to the state of �ֻ�ֱ�� and to the university.

Dr. Anupma Prakash

Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor, Emeritus

Dr. Anupma Prakash has served the �ֻ�ֱ�� with distinction in teaching, research and service from 2002 to 2025.

Dr. Prakash received multiple awards for her teaching of undergraduate and graduate courses in remote sensing and global positioning and geographic information systems. She mentored four postdoctoral fellows and more than 20 master’s and doctoral degree students.

Dr. Prakash is an internationally known expert in underground coal and peat fires. She established UAF’s Hyperspectral Imaging Laboratory. She published more than 70 journal articles, and research projects she worked on at UAF drew close to $60 million in funding.

Dr. Prakash served the university in multiple roles, including as co-chair of the UAF Department of Geosciences, interim dean of the College of Natural Science and Mathematics and, since 2018, provost and executive vice chancellor. Her steady, compassionate leadership as provost helped the university through disruptions caused by budget reductions and a global pandemic.

The �ֻ�ֱ�� expresses its deep appreciation to Dr. Anupma Prakash for her extensive contributions to the state of �ֻ�ֱ�� and to the university.

Dr. Anthony D. Rickard

Professor of Mathematics Education, Emeritus

Dr. Anthony D. Rickard has served the �ֻ�ֱ�� with distinction in teaching, research and public service from 2003 to 2025.

Dr. Rickard’s teaching, marked not only by his rigorous approach but also by his care for students, has been honored by several organizations. He served as committee chair for multiple graduate students.

Dr. Rickard helped implement and then researched the effectiveness of the Math in a Cultural Context program, a three-decade collaboration with �ֻ�ֱ��’s rural communities to understand how principles underlying everyday practical knowledge can inform teaching and learning in schools. His expertise in math education and teacher training has elevated teacher development within �ֻ�ֱ�� and beyond.

Dr. Rickard served many years as chair of his department, and he served in the Faculty Senate and on numerous UAF committees. He represented faculty in union negotiations. He served on the boards of the Interior AIDS Association and the �ֻ�ֱ�� Council of Teachers of Mathematics.

The �ֻ�ֱ�� expresses its deep appreciation to Dr. Anthony D. Rickard for his extensive contributions to the state of �ֻ�ֱ�� and to the university.

Dr. Howard C. Sparks

Professor of Accounting, Emeritus

Dr. Howard C. Sparks has served the �ֻ�ֱ�� with distinction in teaching, research and public service from 1994 to 2025.

Dr. Sparks taught highly technical and demanding courses, yet his patience and respect for his students made him a very popular teacher. UAF’s student accounting club presented him with multiple outstanding teacher and service awards. He regularly participated in many student professional development activities outside the classroom.

Dr. Sparks is recognized nationally for his expertise in accounting information systems, auditing and governmental and nonprofit accounting, and his publications have been cited extensively. He has conducted economic consulting on a number of �ֻ�ֱ�� projects.

Dr. Sparks served for 15 years as director of the accounting program and expanded its enrollment substantially, and he served on multiple UAF committees. He has served on the boards of Family Centered Services of �ֻ�ֱ�� and the Spirit of �ֻ�ֱ�� Credit Union.

The �ֻ�ֱ�� expresses its deep appreciation to Dr. Howard C. Sparks for his extensive contributions to the state of �ֻ�ֱ�� and to the university.

Dr. Horacio A. Toniolo

Professor of Civil Engineering, Emeritus

Dr. Horacio A. Toniolo has served the �ֻ�ֱ�� with distinction in teaching, research and public service from 2002 to 2025.

Dr. Toniolo is a passionate teacher who offered a broad range of courses both at the graduate and undergraduate level. He has taught fluid mechanics, a fundamental course in the engineering fields, nearly 30 times since 2004. He mentored 13 master’s degree students.

Dr. Toniolo has led and participated in major �ֻ�ֱ�� hydrological research projects for multiple government and private entities, including a decade-long study along the Sagavanirktok River with the �ֻ�ֱ�� Department of Transportation and Public Facilities. He has produced nearly 40 peer-reviewed journal articles, two book chapters, and numerous conference presentations and technical reports.

Dr. Toniolo has served on multiple university committees. He served as president of the American Water Resources Association’s �ֻ�ֱ�� Section and has been active in other organizations such as the American Society of Civil Engineers and the American Geophysical Union.

The �ֻ�ֱ�� expresses its deep appreciation to Dr. Horacio A. Toniolo for his extensive contributions to the state of �ֻ�ֱ�� and to the university.

Dr. Amy L. Vinlove

Dean of the School of Education, Emeritus

Dr. Amy L. Vinlove served the �ֻ�ֱ�� with distinction in teaching, research and public service from 1999 to 2025.

Dr. Vinlove’s innovative teaching has enriched the experiences of countless education students. She chaired the committees for four doctoral and 19 master’s degree candidates and served on the committees for 17 others.

Dr. Vinlove is a state and national leader in the field of teacher preparation. She has focused on developing effective place-based and culturally relevant teaching practices that incorporate insights from �ֻ�ֱ�� Native communities. She has worked with school districts across �ֻ�ֱ�� to recruit and prepare teachers from their communities.

Dr. Vinlove created a data-driven quality assurance system to sustain the School of Education’s accreditation. She led development of an education-focused Ph.D. program that advances UAF’s effort to be a top-rated research institution. She served on a policy board for a Fairbanks charter school and on the board of the Nordic Ski Club of Fairbanks.

The �ֻ�ֱ�� expresses its deep appreciation to Dr. Amy L. Vinlove for her extensive contributions to the state of �ֻ�ֱ�� and to the university.

Dr. Minchu Zhang

Professor of Natural Resources and Environmental Studies, Emeritus

Dr. Mingchu Zhang has served the �ֻ�ֱ�� with distinction in teaching, research and public service from 2003 to 2025.

Dr. Zhang has received excellent reviews from students, particularly for his course on sustainable agriculture, which has consistently been among the highest enrolled courses in the natural resources and environment program. He supervised 23 graduate students.

Dr. Zhang is a world-renowned expert in nutrient management, soil fertility and crop production in sub-Arctic regions. His research has advanced small-grain production and farm soil health in �ֻ�ֱ��, and he was part of the team that developed the Sunshine barley variety used by the �ֻ�ֱ�� Flour Co. He has published more than 70 peer-reviewed articles.

Dr. Zhang served in the UAF Faculty Senate. He has been a reviewer for several academic journals. He served on the �ֻ�ֱ�� Food Security and Independence Task Force, and he served for many years as vice chair of the Circumpolar Agriculture Association’s annual conference.

The �ֻ�ֱ�� expresses its deep appreciation to Dr. Mingchu Zhang for his extensive contributions to the state of �ֻ�ֱ�� and to the university.