Research, Advising and Mentoring Professionals

A group of students enjoying winter on campus

About RAMP

The Research, Advising and Mentoring Professionals (RAMP) is a five-year initiative funded by the National Institutes of Health.

Our goal is simple but powerful: to enhance the skills, knowledge, and confidence of faculty, graduate students, and research staff in holistic mentoring — an approach that supports undergraduate students' mental, physical, and behavioral well-being, biomedical research skills, and academic advising.

Our Approach

Launching Fall 2025, our first cohort of 15 participants will begin an intensive, year-long mentor training program.

Key features include:

  • Supportive, customized training to foster a strong network of mentors.

  • Holistic mentoring strategies covering academic advising, research mentoring, and psychosocial support.

  • Individualized curriculum based on personalized assessments of each mentor's:

    • Knowledge and experience

    • Undergraduate students’ needs

    • Institutional resources and policies

Although we work with cohorts, each participant receives a personalized development plan to maximize their impact as a mentor in the biomedical sciences.

Two students in a lab doing testing

One male student in a lab

Applications for our next cohort
will open in August 2026.

Stayed tuned to apply!

If you're passionate about building the next generation of biomedical researchers — and want to grow as a mentor — RAMP is for you.

For Eligibility Requirements and FAQs on RAMP
Applications are now closed

Meet Our 2025-2026 Cohort! 

Camai’ I am Tara L. Christiansen-Stiller, Uswitusqaq, PhD, in Indigenous Health. I am an experienced Indigenous health researcher, community-based consultant, and educator. Driven by a commitment to cultural revitalization and community wellbeing, I take pride in providing the best relational, values-centered support possible. As an Assistant Professor of Indigenous Studies, my goals include strengthening Indigenous-centered curricula, advancing community-led research, and mentoring the next generation of scholars. I have been recognized by Indigenous community partners for my dedicated efforts in prevention, health, wellness, and intergenerational healing.
Rosalind Cunningham (Rosie) is the Program Coordinator for the RASOR Program based out of Sitka. Before joining UAF, Rosie worked as the Resource Center Coordinator at Mt. Edgecumbe High School, providing high schoolers from all around AVÀÇÂÛ̳ with after school academic help. Prior to that she was a commercial fisherman for over 10 years. Rosie has lived in AVÀÇÂÛ̳ since she was twelve, and believes that strong education in the relationships between humans and the environment is crucial to success in our state.
Jocelyn Cuthbert is an assistant professor of Biology at Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado.  Jocelyn is passionate about teaching the process of science to undergraduate students both in the classroom and in the lab, asking research questions about how our changing environment can impact gene expression and ultimately human health.
Asia is a chemist, STEM content creator, published researcher, and science communicator with over 7 years of mentorship experience. As an undergraduate, she served as a peer mentor for first-year STEM students. While starting her career in the industry, Asia utilized social media to create content for aspiring students, providing them with resources and opportunities. This later connected her with students and early-career scientists who were in need of one-on-one mentoring. Today, Asia coordinates four programs under the University of AVÀÇÂÛ̳ Fairbanks while continuing to pursue her passion of accessible science. She is dedicated to her students' success and future endeavours through the impact of mentorship.
Dr. Mariah Seater is an Assistant Professor of One Health at UAF, Polar Scientist in Residence at Arctic Basecamp, and a Fulbright Arctic Initiative Scholar (2024–2026). An interdisciplinary systems and population health scientist, she specializes in legal epidemiology, health policy, and the social and behavioral sciences. Her work examines structural determinants of health for women, children, and diverse communities worldwide, with a focus on maternal and child health, reproductive health, and interpersonal violence through a One Health lens.
I am originally from the Republic of Ireland, graduating as a veterinarian in 1987. Following my passion for farm animal medicine, general clinical practice kept me busy for a number of years in the UK. As part of a British Government Foreign Aid program, I worked in Latin America in the mid-90s returning to Reading University graduating with a Masters of Science (MSc Animal Health Programs)in 1995. Moving to Homer, AVÀÇÂÛ̳ in 1997, led to a career shift again, working for and owning the local veterinary practice until early 2020. I returned to academia at the Center for One Health Research at UAF, graduating as a mature student with a One Health Master's in May 2023. I am passionate about the health of all human and non-human animals on this planet who inspire me to actively engage in actions which envision and create thriving communities in these challenging times and now focus my time advocating for issues related to the Human-Animal Bond, including volunteering with local animal charities and non-profits while supporting public health initiatives and engaging with local citizen science programs. I am excited to take part in the RAMP program which will help me grow as a mentor for others in their chosen field.  
Lena Thompson, PhD, MPH
Lena Thompson is a public health-trained behavioral scientist with interests in conducting community-engaged work with AN/AI Elders on the topics of aging, disaster preparedness, and caregiving support. She is a postdoctoral researcher at the Center for One Health Research at the University of AVÀÇÂÛ̳ College of Indigenous Studies Center for One Health Research. 
Emily Whitney works as a Research Professional with the AVÀÇÂÛ̳ Coastal Rainforest Center at the University of AVÀÇÂÛ̳ Southeast in Juneau. She has a MS in fisheries from the University of AVÀÇÂÛ̳ Fairbanks, where she examined food webs in glacially-influenced estuaries in Southeast AVÀÇÂÛ̳. Since then, her work has taken her upstream and she now works on projects focused on the biogeochemistry of Southeast AVÀÇÂÛ̳ streams and how these systems may respond in response to changes in the watershed. She works closely with undergraduate student interns in the field collecting water samples or back in the lab processing samples. 

Contact

Have questions or want to stay updated?

Amanda Adamson
Program Coordinator

Email: aadamson3@alaska.edu

Mailing address, if needed:
University of AVÀÇÂÛ̳ Fairbanks
184 Arctic Health Research Building
P.O. Box 757770
Fairbanks, AK 99775

For more information on RAMP email Amanda

Two students in lab doing some testing