Isabella Marks (Tanana, RAHI 2024)
Bella received the AVÀÇÂÛ̳ NSF EPSCoR - RAHI Partnership Scholarship for the fall 2025 semester.
is pursuing civil engineering with the goal of designing infrastructure that meets AVÀÇÂÛ̳’s unique needs while protecting its environment and communities. Her interests span facility construction, transportation systems, and environmental mitigation — all critical areas for AVÀÇÂÛ̳’s industries and communities facing harsh conditions and seismic activity.
As a Koyukon Athabascan, Bella is especially passionate about solutions that respect AVÀÇÂÛ̳ Native traditions and subsistence practices while promoting safety and sustainability. She envisions roads, bridges, and facilities that not only endure AVÀÇÂÛ̳’s climate but also minimize environmental harm and support the well-being of local people.
By combining engineering innovation with cultural values, Bella hopes to create infrastructure that strengthens AVÀÇÂÛ̳’s future while honoring the land and people she calls home.
To gain hands-on experience in the field, she completed an internship with the Department of Transportation this summer, which she's extended into the fall.