Juneau Icefield Research Program

Title: Temporal Changes of Surface Elevation and Velocity of Taku Glacier, Juneau Icefield

Authors: Alexandra Kessler, Catherine Bartell, Joel Gonzalez-Santiago, Mackenzie McAdams, Brittany Ooman, Kreisten Rees

Methodology: Glaciers are retreating at unprecedented rates worldwide, but the Taku Glacier in Southeast Alaska underwent a recent advance. As part of the Juneau Icefield Research Program, glacier surface elevation and short-term velocity are measured annually during the summer season along longitudinal and transverse profiles using a real time kinematic global positioning system (GPS). We compared our survey results from 2016 to those of recent decades to determine changes in surface elevation and velocity over time. We will have generated a detailed surface model and measured the pattern of local surface flow to constrain the location of the Matthes-Llewellyn divide, and determine if it is migrating through time. The results will help us understand the evolving dynamics of Taku glacier. Preliminary data graphs show a rapid decline in elevation. Compared to previous years the pattern of melting is consistent. The largest amount of melting was observed on the Llewellyn side of the glacier.

Poster Presnetation at American Indian Science and Engineering Society, Orlando Florida 2014

Title: A Review of Two Major Routes of Ebola Transmission Include Fomitically via Surfaces On Aircraft Interiors and Zoonotically via Insects

Authors: Joel Uriel Gonzalez-Santiago (Elizabeth City State University), Brandon Moss (Elizabeth City State University), Dr. Lloyd Mitchell, Oneida (U.S. Department of Homeland Security, CREATE)

Hypothesis: Two Major Routes of Ebola Transmission Include Fomitically via Surfaces On Aircraft Interiors and Zoonotically via Insects

Methodology: This two part student directed research project focuses on the risk of the transmission of the Ebola virus via two different venues: 1) Fomites on the interiors of aircraft, and 2.)Via insect vectorsinfected after biting domesticated animals. A historical data review was conducted of all open source data available as well as the most current sources available to aviation, public health, and veterinary health student researchers worldwide. Both quantitative and qualitative data were derived and entered onto two separate Access data bases, one aircraft and one for zoonotic vectors. The data on the databases were stored and analyzed using distributions, correlations, and probabilities to determine risk levels. Initial results indicate that fomitic transmission of viable Ebola particulates is possible; however zoonotic transmissions to humans are not initially indicated but supposed. The most updated data,which may change prior knowledge, will be presented. Student researchers acknowledge the support provided by the United States Department of Homeland Security's National Center for Risk and Economic Analysis of Terror Events at the University of Southern California.