Plastic insulation like Styrofoam is commonplace in seafood packaging and buildings.
But plastics never completely disappear, instead they break up into ever smaller particles
or microplastic. These tiny particles are harmful to the soils, marine environment
and wildlife, and may affect human health.
Researchers with the Biomaterials Lab seek to better understand the effects of these
stray plastic bits. The team is working to solve the global plastic pollution problem
by developing insulation that is recyclable, reusable, and biodegradable. Researchers
combine design-thinking, microbiology, and physics to dream-up scalable biological
materials that store carbon and provide a sustainable vital barrier from the elements.
Their key ingredients to de-carbonizing industries include beetle-kill spruce trees
and renewable cellulose that is literally grown in a lab. The Biomaterials Lab is an active innovation platform for new bio-based
materials and circular bio-economy solutions in the Circumpolar North. The lab uses
norm-critical design thinking as a framework to tackle some of the most pressing environmental
and public health problems facing the Arctic today.
Students at the statewide HOSA - Future Health Professionals Leadership Conference participated in competitions showcasing their instructional knowledge in physical therapy, dental science, nurse assistant, sports medicine, forensics, vet science, and phlebotomy.
College of Health students (Master of Social Work graduate Autumn Merrill, School of Nursing graduate Artie Gorash, Radiologic Technology graduate Agnes Brown, and dental program graduates) take part in Sunday’s ceremony.
The UAA dental hygiene program provided free preventative dental care for youth ages 3-17 on Oct. 27 during its annual UAA Cares for Kids Day (formerly UAA Children's Day).
The School of Allied Health celebrates its summer graduates with a memorable pinning ceremony on July 27, 2023, at the Edward & Cathryn Rasmuson Hall of the University of Alaska Anchorage.
The Remote Area Medical (RAM) nonprofit clinic recently made its first visit to Alaska, setting up pop-up clinics in Anchorage and Fairbanks to provide free dental, vision, and medical services to those in need. However, RAM faced a challenge when it came to staffing the clinics with dental hygiene volunteers.