UAF BLaST scientists of the month: October, November, December 2020

By Amy Topkok

Biomedical Learning and Student Training (BLaST) at the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) highlights scientists from all biomedical fields through Scientist of the Month articles. These articles are shared across all University of Alaska Fairbanks and University of Alaska Southeast rural campuses, Iļisaġvik College, and with BLaST’s partners: Fort Lewis College, Diné College, Salish Kootenai College, and Alaska Pacific University.

The following spotlights three UAF BLaST community members: Faculty pilot project awardee Maegan Weltzin, BLaST Senior director Michael Castellini, and BLaST Scholar Brianna Lu.

UAF BLaST October Scientist of the Month: Maegan Weltzin, faculty pilot project awardee

Maegan Weltzin is an assistant professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) and is a BLaST Faculty Pilot Project awardee. She earned both her Ph.D. in biochemistry and molecular biology and a B.S. in chemistry with an emphasis in biochemistry from UAF, and completed her postdoctoral training at the Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix, Arizona. Weltzin enjoys outdoor adventuring including skiing, hiking, camping, and canoeing. Read more about Maegan Weltzin.

UAF BLaST November Scientist of the Month: Scholar Brianna Lu

Brianna Lu is a fourth-year BLaST scholar and a senior at the University of Alaska Fairbanks campus. She is pursuing a bachelor’s of science degree in biological sciences with a concentration in physiology. Lu has interests in community and environmental health, and she would also like to volunteer to educate others about One Health. She plans to continue engaging with the research community after she graduates in May 2021. She was born and raised in Fairbanks and hopes to work there as a physician assistant someday. Some of her favorite hobbies include snowboarding, aerial silks, and running with her dogs. Read morea bout Brianna Lu.

UAF BLaST December Scientist of the Month: Senior director Michael Castellini

Michael Castellini’s life in scientific research spans five decades serving as a research faculty and in many leadership positions at UAF and other respected institutions. He received his bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of California – San Diego (UCSD); his doctorate in marine biology and his first postdoc at Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UCSD; and further postdoc work at the University of British Columbia-Vancouver. He arrived at UAF in 1989 and has served as the senior director of the BLaST Research Enrichment Core since 2016. Castellini is retiring this December after almost fifty years of tireless effort in research, authorship, and service. Read more about Michael Castellini.