Fairbanks, AK - As federal scientists see their research suffer as a result of the government shutdown, at least one group at the University of Alaska Fairbanks is feeling thankful. Last week, lead researcher Nicole Misarti announced a 1.7 million dollar grant from the National Science Foundation for the most extensive research on Pacific Walrus to date. She says the money was transferred two business days before the government shut down. “Yeah, we got the money just in time,” says Misarti.
Biologist Link Olson is part of the team. He’s the Curator of Mammals at the University’s Museum of the North. “That money doesn’t just disappear into our pockets, that money gets spent," says Link Olson. "A lot of that money gets spent right here in Fairbanks and throughout the state i local retailers, locals students. It all gets spent and people don’t realize it will have a ripple effect on the community,” he says.
The walrus project is funded for four years. Scientists will travel to coastal villages throughout Alaska that rely on walrus for subsistence. They will also invite four high school students and two graduate students to join the effort.