The University of Alaska Museum of the North (UAMN) serves as a vital hub for graduate students pursuing research in natural and cultural history. The museum not only houses an extensive collection of specimens but also provides essential support and resources for students at various academic levels, including undergraduates. This commitment to fostering academic growth is reflected in the museum’s significant role in research activities and community engagement.
UAMN features a diverse array of natural and cultural history collections that attract graduate students conducting master’s and doctoral research. Many students gain practical experience by volunteering in specimen preparation, outreach events, and curation while also working part-time in one of the museum’s ten discipline-specific collections departments. Among these students are three individuals working in the Earth Sciences Collection, which boasts a rich assortment of fossils from Alaskan history, including polar dinosaurs and ice age mammals like mammoths.
Benjamin Cragun, a master’s student, is employed as the Earth Sciences Collection Manager. In this capacity, he not only helps cover his tuition costs but also gains invaluable hands-on experience in an active research environment. Cragun is responsible for cataloguing fossil specimens into Arctos, a publicly accessible online repository that allows researchers and the public to search for information on museum specimens, including images and collection dates. His research focuses on ancient proteins preserved within fossils, particularly those from the last ice age.
“Preservation of Pleistocene fossils from Alaska permafrost is truly exceptional,” Cragun stated. “Sometimes a fossil is so well-preserved that soft tissue is still intact, like skin, and many Pleistocene fossils still retain their original collagen proteins.”
Another graduate student, Xochitl Muñoz, began her journey at UAMN as an undergraduate and recently transitioned into her master’s program. She credits the museum as a pivotal factor in her decision to attend the university. “The museum is a great place to learn and train, and the opportunity to work hands-on with specimens and conduct my own project has been incredibly valuable,” Muñoz explained.
Initially, she conducted undergraduate research on Late Cretaceous mammals that coexisted with dinosaurs in what is now the North Slope of Alaska. Now, her master’s research delves into small carnivorous dinosaurs from the North Slope, potentially identifying new species related to famous dinosaurs like Velociraptor. Muñoz utilizes fossils in the museum’s collection to compare with those from other dinosaur museums in lower latitude sites in Alberta, Canada, and Montana.
During her tenure at UAMN, Muñoz has developed essential paleontological skills, including participating in fieldwork in Denali National Park, where she searched for dinosaur tracks. She has also taken on leadership roles, mentoring fellow volunteers and coordinating outreach initiatives, including the museum’s Dinosaur Camp, aimed at spreading knowledge about paleontology.
Zakaria Hannebaum, a new PhD student in the Earth Sciences Collection, is drawn to UAMN for its unique fieldwork opportunities on the North Slope. His research focuses on herbivorous ornithischian dinosaurs from the Late Cretaceous. Hannebaum is particularly interested in the small-bodied ornithischian dinosaurs that thrived in this polar environment, exploring their survival strategies during Cretaceous winters. The museum is home to the largest collection of polar dinosaurs in North America, and Hannebaum dedicates significant time examining fossil bones for his studies.
Beyond its impressive collections, UAMN plays a crucial role in community outreach and education. Hannebaum invests considerable effort in mentoring undergraduate volunteers and engaging with the public during outreach events.
Graduate students like Cragun, Muñoz, and Hannebaum form the backbone of UAMN, benefiting from its unique environment that fosters research and academic growth. As Muñoz noted, “One thing I appreciate about being in the Museum of the North is that it’s not just fossils and dinosaurs. If I have mammal questions, for example, I can go to mammalogy.”
The museum offers a rich tapestry of research opportunities across various fields, including archaeology, ethnology, birds, mammals, fishes, insects, and plants. Currently, UAMN supports 23 active graduate students, each contributing to the institution’s mission.
Looking ahead, the museum is set to host several events. On December 12, 2023, an event called Early Explorers will cater to children aged five and younger, accompanied by their caregivers. The museum will also showcase a unique polar bear holiday tree in its lobby throughout December. Access to the lobby, store, and café is free. For those interested in musical performances, a flute student showcase is scheduled for December 14, 2023, near the holiday tree, while Homeschool Day will take place on December 15, 2023.
The museum operates seven days a week from 09:00 to 17:30. For more details about collections, programs, and upcoming events, visit the museum’s official website or contact them directly.
