Josiah – U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)
Josiah is from Bethel, Alaska and this summer he interned with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) at the Alaska Volcano Observatory, where he worked in the Alaska Tephra Lab, processing volcanic ash and building a 3D model of Mount Spurr to help scientists better understand past eruptions.
Josiah’s ANSEP journey began in Acceleration Academy, where he earned 27 college credits before graduating high school. Now, he is pursuing a Geological Sciences degree at the University of Alaska Anchorage and gaining experience in the field!
Hear more about his internship in this AVO Radio feature: https://avo.alaska.edu/news/
Darian – Santos
Darian is from Wasilla and he first joined ANSEP in 2019 through the Middle School Academy! Then, in 2022, he enrolled in the ANSEP Acceleration Academy, where he accumulated 65 college credits before graduating high school. This summer, Darian completed his Summer Bridge internship with Santos, where he was able to gain valuable real-world experience working with both the operations and commercial teams!
At Santos, Darian supported the operations team by helping transition documents in their database systems through updating and organizing critical information. He also contributed to the commercial team by streamlining an economic model, writing code to automate data transfers between spreadsheets, and significantly improving speed and accuracy. At the end of his internship, Darian presented his final projects to Santos and ANSEP staff, showcasing the impact of his work and the skills he developed over the summer!
This fall, Darian will continue his academic journey as an ANSEP University Success student at the University of Alaska Anchorage where he will pursue a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering!
Kyra – Bristol Bay Native Association
Meet ANSEP Summer Bridge student, Kyra! She first joined ANSEP in 5th grade and later became an Acceleration Academy student, earning 53 college credits before graduating high school. This fall, she will continue her journey in ANSEP’s University Success component, working towards her biology degree at the University of Alaska Anchorage.
This summer, Kyra worked as a Summer Fisheries Intern with the Bristol Bay Native Association, gaining hands-on field experience across Alaska. On the Nushagak River, she helped conduct angler surveys and collected genetic samples from Chinook salmon. At Cape Peirce with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, she counted seabirds and their nests on cliffsides, serviced wildlife cameras for the Walrus Project, and collected pollinators for the Alaska Bee Atlas Project. She also worked with the National Park Service on Lake Clark, sampling otoliths (ear bones) from more than 400 sockeye salmon for age analysis and assisting with salmon escapement counts to help document fish returns in the Bristol Bay region!
Kyra’s work this summer provided her with valuable, hands-on experience in field biology, broadening her knowledge of fisheries science and wildlife conservation. Quyana to the Bristol Bay Native Association for supporting Kyra’s growth as a scientist and giving her the opportunity to explore biology in a hands-on, impactful way!
Kaylee – Qawalangin Tribe of Unalaska, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation
Kaylee is from Palmer, Alaska and this summer she interned with the Qawalangin Tribe of Unalaska! Her work included supporting the Iliuliuk Creek Weir project, conducting stream surveys, and gathering data on local fish populations. She also assisted with limnology research, collecting samples and recording environmental data such as temperature, dissolved oxygen, and light penetration at Unalaska Lake. This research helps scientists understand the freshwater ecosystem health and the carrying capacity of local spawning grounds!
This was Kaylee’s first experience with ANSEP, and this fall she will begin pursuing a Biological Sciences degree at the University of Alaska Fairbanks! Welcome to the ANSEP community Kaylee, we’re honored to be part of your academic journey and look forward to seeing your continued growth and success!
Quyana to the Qawalangin Tribe of Unalaska, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation for giving Kaylee the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in field biology and conservation. Through their mentorship and support, she was able to develop valuable skills and build a strong foundation for her future in biological science.
Ned – Boeing
Meet Summer Bridge student Ned Peters from Bethel! He first joined ANSEP in 2019 through the Acceleration Academy, where he earned 97 college credits while still in high school. This fall, Ned will continue his journey toward a degree in mechanical engineering at the University of Alaska Fairbanks!
For his internship this summer, Ned interned with Boeing in Seattle, where he worked on composite manufacturing and testing projects. He designed and analyzed models to study how material defects affect strength, developed layered composites with overlapping splices, and tested their performance under stress. He also contributed to the redesign of a winglet using CAD software and 3D printing, and analyzed the Falcon 10’s compact flap track design to inspire future innovations!
Quyana to Boeing for providing this incredible hands-on experience and giving Ned valuable insight into his future career in mechanical engineering!
Maelee – Cook Inlet Region, Inc. (CIRI) and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation
Summer Bridge student Maelee, Tlingit, first joined ANSEP in 2021 as a high school student in the Acceleration Academy, where she earned 94 college credits. This head start enabled her to graduate from high school with an Associate of Science in General Sciences degree!
This summer, Maelee interned with Cook Inlet Region, Inc. (CIRI) in the Human Resources Department. During her internship, she gained valuable experience in the hiring process, contributed to internal design projects, and conducted research to improve remote worker engagement. Maelee also participated in hands-on cultural activities such as sewing seal skin yo-yos, crafting Tlingit Tinaas at the Denełchin Lab, and more!
This fall, Maelee will attend the University of Alaska Anchorage, where she will pursue a double major in Psychology and Natural Sciences with a concentration in pre-health professions. We are incredibly proud of all that Maelee has accomplished and look forward to supporting her continued success through the ANSEP University Success component!
Ethan – Lynden Air Cargo
Ethan is from Eagle River and first joined ANSEP in his sophomore year of high school in 2022! He earned 66 college credits through the ANSEP Acceleration Academy and was able to graduate high school with an associate’s degree in general sciences. He is currently pursuing a degree in Aviation Technology with a concentration in Aeronautical Studies at the University of Alaska Anchorage!
This summer, for his Summer Bridge internship, Ethan worked with Lynden Air Cargo’s Technical Operations division. His primary responsibility was publishing and revising flight manuals, a detailed and highly regulated process that ensures compliance with FAA procedures and safety standards. Ethan also contributed to setting up equipment and supported various projects within flight operations, gaining valuable hands-on experience!
Thank you to Lynden Air Cargo for providing Ethan with this incredible internship and the opportunity to gain professional aviation experience!
Eli – National Park Service
Meet Eli from Anchorage! He first joined ANSEP in 2023 through the Acceleration Academy, where he earned 44 college credits toward his degree. He continued his journey in the ANSEP Summer Bridge component, and he’s now attending the University of Alaska Anchorage, pursuing a degree in Computer Science!
This summer, Eli worked for the National Park Service, where he improved the website for the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve. Over the course of the internship, he reviewed each web page, identified issues, and recommended improvements. To support the website redesign, Eli also traveled with his mentors to Wrangell-St. Elias to gather updated content and visuals. He then developed and partially implemented a website “dream layout” to improve the accessibility of the website!
Quyana to the National Park Service for supporting ANSEP student success through hands-on learning opportunities and providing Eli with incredible mentorship that helped him grow his skills in computer science!
Kennedy – Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Orutsararmiut Native Council, and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation
Meet Kennedy from Bethel! Kennedy first joined ANSEP in 2019 through the Middle School Academy and earned 22 college credits in the Acceleration Academy summer sessions. She is currently pursuing a degree in Natural Sciences with a concentration in Environmental Science at the University of Alaska Anchorage!
This summer, Kennedy completed her Summer Bridge internship with the Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge in Bethel, where she served as a Refuge Information Technician. As part of her role, she traveled along the Kuskokwim River conducting aerial surveys and had the opportunity to observe In-Season Salmon Management Consultations between the Kuskokwim River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. These meetings are essential for monitoring salmon escapement and guiding decisions about future fishing opportunities. Kennedy also worked with the Orutsararmiut Native Council to conduct boat harbor surveys where she collected detailed information on local fish harvests!
In addition to her work with salmon, Kennedy was also able to contribute to the tree swallow ecology project, where she helped monitor nesting activity, recorded data on lay, hatch, and fledge dates, and assisted with banding both chicks and adult birds!
Thank you to the Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Orutsararmiut Native Council, and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation for providing Kennedy with this incredible opportunity!
Kalani – Bureau of Ocean Energy Management
Kalani is from Palmer, Alaska and participated in the ANSEP Summer Bridge component this summer! He first became involved with ANSEP in 2019 through the Middle School Academy, and then joined the ANSEP Acceleration Academy for four years, where he was able to complete high school with 75 college credits and an Associate of Arts degree!
Currently a student at the University of Alaska Anchorage, Kalani is pursuing a B.S. in Natural Sciences with a concentration in Environmental Science and a minor in Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
For his Summer Bridge internship, Kalani worked with the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management in Sterling, Virginia at the Office of Environmental Programs. From researching ways to work with communities in American Samoa, to publishing a peer-reviewed paper, his internship projects had a national and global impact. Kalani was also able to learn about environmental law, reviewed landmark cases (including one involving Ahtna Land), and researched the Endangered Species Act and how it impacts tribal communities!
Thank you to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management for giving Kalani the opportunity to contribute to meaningful environmental and cultural research!
Stephen – U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation
This summer, Stephen completed his Summer Bridge internship with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) in Izembek, Alaska! From doing bird surveys and wildlife monitoring, to working on walrus camera stations and helping with environmental research, Stephen was able to gain hands-on experience in environmental conservation and wildlife management. He also collaborated with the Invasive Species Program, where he assisted with crab trapping, invasive plant surveys, dismantling radio telemetry towers, managing field gear, and duck banding!
In addition to his fieldwork in Izembek, Stephen contributed to outreach and education in Anchorage by teaching archery and fishing through the Chugach National Wildlife Refuge and continued his invasive species work with USFWS! Stephen first joined ANSEP through the Middle School Academy and later became an Acceleration Academy student, where he earned 23 college credits before graduating high school. Today, he’s pursuing a degree in Business with a focus in Aviation Administration at UAF! Thank you to USFWS and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation for giving Stephen this incredible opportunity to work alongside dedicated professionals, learn from mentors in the field, and build valuable skills through fieldwork and community engagement!
Lily Ann – Juneau Icefield Research Program (JIRP) and Appalachian State University
Lily Ann is Iñupiaq and first joined ANSEP in 2018 through the Middle School Academy! She continued her academic journey in ANSEP Summer Acceleration and she is now attending the University of Alaska Fairbanks, pursuing a degree in Wildlife Biology and Conservation!
This summer, Lily Ann completed her Summer Bridge internship with the Juneau Icefield Research Program (JIRP) through Appalachian State University, participating in an expedition across the glaciers in Juneau and Canada on Tlingit lands. During her time on the icefield, she assisted with research projects and studied glaciology, geology, climatology, physics, biology, and more. She also gained hands-on experience in mountaineering, skiing, wilderness survival, and scientific data collection in remote field conditions!
Surrounded by glacier guides, experienced skiers, professors from across the United States, and peers from universities around the world, Lily Ann gained valuable experience through hands-on collaboration with researchers, mentors, and fellow students!
Thank you to the Juneau Icefield Research Program (JIRP) and Appalachian State University for helping Lily Ann gain valuable experience toward her future career in wildlife biology and conservation!
Bella – Qawalangin Tribe of Unalaska, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation
Bella is from Chugiak and first joined ANSEP in the summer of 2018 through the Middle School Academy! As a high school student in the Acceleration Academy, she earned 83 college credits before graduating and she is now pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Biology and Conservation at the University of Alaska Fairbanks!
This summer, Bella completed her Summer Bridge internship with the Qawalangin Tribe of Unalaska and the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, gaining hands-on experience in field biology and environmental monitoring. She assisted technicians with monitoring the salmon weir on Iliuliuk Creek, conducting hourly checks to count and sample fish to better understand local salmon spawning behavior. Out in the field, she joined her mentor on water surveys throughout the Unalaska region, observing fish activity and assessing overall waterway health. Bella also conducted detailed limnology surveys of Unalaska Lake, collecting data on light penetration, temperature, pH levels, zooplankton populations, and other water quality indicators. The samples were then sent to the Kodiak Island Limnology Laboratory for further analysis!
Thank you to the Qawalangin Tribe of Unalaska, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation for providing Bella with this opportunity. The mentorship and support she received throughout her internship helped her grow as a scientist prepare for her future in biological sciences!
Samaria – Bristol Bay Native Association
Meet ANSEP Summer Bridge student, Samaria! She first joined the ANSEP Acceleration Academy during her freshman year and by the time she graduated high school, she had earned 75 college credits. Today, she is pursuing a degree in Psychology at the University of Alaska Fairbanks!
This summer, Samaria interned with the Bristol Bay Native Association as a Summer Fisheries Intern, gaining field experience across Alaska. While working with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at Cape Peirce, Samaria assisted in counting seabirds and their nests along cliffs, supported the Walrus Project by servicing remote camera stations, and participated in pollinator tracking for the Alaska Bee Atlas. She also assisted with surveying on the Nushagak River, counting active anglers and gathering genetic samples from chinook salmon.
In collaboration with the National Park Service, Samaria helped process over 400 otoliths (ear bones) from sockeye salmon in Lake Clark to determine their age. She also took part in salmon escapement monitoring, counting returning fish from towers positioned along riverbanks.
Thank you to the Bristol Bay Native Association for making this opportunity possible. It’s through experiences like these that students are able to build the foundation for successful careers while contributing to science and conservation through hands-on learning!
