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Alaska Native Earned Research (Ph.D. or Ed.D.) Graduates
The original list of 56 graduates was created by Dr. Jessica Bissett Perea,10/2013. Updates after 10/2013 maintained by Drs. Alberta Jones and Sean Asikłuk Topkok with input from many Alaska Native scholars! Research graduates listed are from accredited universities. This living list is a continuation of research work that focused on the PhD/EdD degrees. Most recent update: 7/01/2026
Bold = currently works in UA system or an Alaska university or college
^ = previously worked in UA system or an Alaska university or college
+ = May work/live outside of Alaska
× = May work/live in Alaska (not in UA system)
* = deceased (~13)
~ = Publications or contact information
Work location/residency may not be accurate since the list has grown substantially and tracking can be difficult.
Name (Cultural Affiliation) | Year: Degree, Institution | Degree Field |
1. *James Simpson (Ahtna Athabascan) ^ | 1970: Ed.D., University of Washington, WA | Education |
2. *Michael F. Tillman (Tlingit) + | 1972: Ph.D., University of Washington, WA | Fisheries Science |
3. *Raymond Carroll (Ahtna Athabascan) + | 1972: Ph.D., University of Michigan | Physics |
4. *William Demmert (Tlingit/Oglala Sioux) +^ | 1973: Ed.D., Harvard University, MA | Education |
5. *Louis Jacquot (Tlingit) ^ | 1973: Ph.D., University of Oregon | Education |
6. *Paul A Goodwin (Iñupiaq) ^ | 1979: Ph.D., University of Alaska Fairbanks | Physics |
7. *Marvin Charles McCallum (Aleut/Unangax̂)+ | 1980: Ph.D., University of New Mexico | Psychology |
8. Robert D Stearns (Alutiiq Sugpiaq) + | 1983: Ph.D., Stanford University, CA | Anthropology |
9. Elizabeth Parent (Athabascan) + | 1984: Ph.D., Stanford University, CA | Education |
10. Lora L Johnson (Alutiiq Sugpiaq) x | 1984: Ph.D., Brown University, RI | Classics |
11. Denis O’Hearn (Unangax̂ Aleut) + | 1988: Ph.D., University of Michigan | Sociology |
12. Larri Fredericks (Lower Tanana Athabascan) + | 1990: Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley | Medical Anthropology |
13. John Weise (Yup’ik) ^ | 1990: Ph.D., University of Oregon | Education |
14. Ted Wright (Tlingit) ^ | 1990: Ph.D., Pennsylvania State University | Education Theory and Policy |
15. Dorothy Pender (Iñupiaq) x | 1991: Ph.D., Stanford University, CA | Electrical Engineering |
16. Jeanmarie Crumb (Athabascan) x | 1992: Ed.D., University of Southern California | Education |
17. *Angayuqaq Oscar Kawagley (Yupiaq) ^ | 1993: Ph.D., University of British Columbia CAN | Education |
18. Brian Wescott (Athabascan/Yup’ik) + | 1993: Ph.D., Yale University, CT | American Studies |
19. Milo Adkison (Yup’ik) | 1994: Ph.D., University of Washington | Fisheries |
20. Donna A McGill-Cameron (Unangax̂ Aleut) | 1994: Ed.D., University of LaVerne, CA | Physical Chemistry |
21. Jeane Breinig (Haida) x^ | 1995: Ph.D., University of Washington | English |
22. Edna Ahgeak MacLean (Iñupiaq) x | 1995: Ph.D., Stanford University, CA | Linguistics |
23. Catherine Swan Reimer (Iñupiaq) + | 1995: Ed.D., George Washington University | Education (Counseling) |
24. Jay Corwin (Tlingit) + | 1995: Ph.D., Florida State University | Modern Languages |
25. Connie (Leask) Lambert (Tsimshian/Haida) + | 1995: Ph.D., University of Washington | Special Education |
26. Dolores Garza (Haida) ^+ | 1996: Ph.D., University of Delaware | Marine Science |
27. Shari Huhndorf (Yup’ik) + | 1996: Ph.D., New York University | Comparative Literature |
28. Maria Williams (Tlingit) | 1996: Ph.D., University of California, Los Angeles | Ethnomusicology |
29. *Gordon Pullar (Alutiiq Sugpiaq) ^x | 1997: Ph.D., The Union Institute, Ohio | Anthropology |
30. Denise Dillard (Iñupiaq) x | 1997: Ph.D., Colorado State University | Counseling Psychology |
31. Cheryl Ann Denesha Wilga (Dena’ina Athabascan) ^ | 1997: Ph.D., University of Southern Florida | Biological Sciences |
32. *Phyllis Fast (Koyukon Athabascan) ^+ | 1998: Ph.D., Harvard University, MA | Anthropology |
33. Mary Jean Longley (Iñupiaq) + | 1998: Ed.D., Portland State University | Education |
34. Joyce Shales (Tlingit) x | 1998: Ph.D., University of British Columbia CAN | Education |
35. *Bernice Tetpon (Iñupiaq) +^ | 1998: Ph.D., University of Alaska Fairbanks | Cultural Education |
36. Rosita Worl (Tlingit) x^ | 1998: Ph.D., Harvard University, MA | Anthropology |
37. *Deanna Paniataaq Kingston (Inupiaq) + | 1999: Ph.D., University of Alaska Fairbanks | Anthropology |
38. Stephanie LaRocque (Curyung) | 1999: Ph.D., University of North Dakota | Clinical Psychology |
39. Kanaqluk George Charles (Yup’ik) | 2000: Ph.D., University of California, Santa Barbara | Religious Studies |
40. Linda Crothers (Koyukon Athabascan) + | 2000: Ph.D., University of California, Santa Barbara | Psychology |
41. Sven Haakanson, Jr. (Alutiiq Sugpiaq) + | 2000: Ph.D., Harvard University, MA | Anthropology |
42. Steven Verney (Tsimshian) + | 2000: Ph.D., University of California, San Diego | Clinical Psychology |
43. *Karen L. Roberts (Tlingit) x | 2000: Ph.D., University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign | TBD |
44. Kamilla Venner (Chitina Athabascan) + | 2001: Ph.D., University of New Mexico | Psychology |
45. Christopher Caskey Russell (Tlingit) + | 2001: Ph.D., University of Oregon, Eugene | English |
46. Kyle Grant (Tlingit) x | 2001: Ph.D., University of Utah | Chemistry |
47. Dalee Sambo Dorough (Iñupiaq) ^ | 2002: Ph.D., University of British Columbia, CAN | Law |
48. *Steven Leask (Tshimshian/Haida) + | 2003: Ph.D., New Mexico State University | Educational Administration |
49. Lisa Rey Thomas (Tlingit) + | 2004: Ph.D., University of Washington, WA | Clinical Psychology |
50. Dian Millon (Lower Tanana Athabascan) + | 2004: Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley | Ethnic Studies |
51. Kathleen Graves (Alutiiq) + | 2004: Smith College | Clinical Social Work |
52. Christina L. Gilchrist (Tlingit) | 2004: Ph.D., Washington State University | Educational Psychology |
53. Jonathan Baines (Tlingit/Tsimshian)+ | 2004: Ph.D./MD., Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, MN | Tumor Biology |
54. *Mary Grantham Campbell (Iñupiaq) | 2005: Ph.D., Stanford University, CA | Anthropology and Education |
55. Alexis Bunten (Yup’ik/Unangax̂ Aleut) | 2006: Ph.D., University of California, Los Angeles | Anthropology |
56. Beth Ginondidoy Leonard (Deg Hit’an Athabascan) | 2007: Ph.D., University of Alaska Fairbanks | Cross-Cultural Studies |
57. Sarah (Hicks) Kastelic (Alutiiq Sugpiaq) + | 2008: Ph.D., Washington University in St. Louis | Social Work |
58. Eve Tuck (Unangax̂ Aleut)+ | 2008: Ph.D., City University of New York | Education |
59. Cayenne Nikoosh Carlo (Koyukon Athabascan/Tlingit) | 2008: Ph.D., University of California, San Diego | Neurosciences/ |
60. Charla Lambert (Tsimshian/Haida) + | 2008: Ph.D., University of Washington | Genome Sciences |
61. Jordan Paul Lewis (Unangax̂ Aleut) ^+ | 2009: Ph.D., University of Alaska Fairbanks | Cross-Cultural Community Psychology |
62. Kathryn Milligan-McClellan (Iñupiaq) ^+ | 2009: Ph.D., University of Wisconsin-Madison | Microbiology |
63. Malia Villegas (Alutiiq Sugpiaq) + | 2010: Ed.D., Harvard University, MA | Education |
64. Nancy Jean Furlow (Tlingit) x^ | 2010: Ph.D., University of California, Santa Barbara | Religious Studies |
65. Theresa Arevgaq John (Yup’ik) x^ | 2010: Ph.D., University of Alaska Fairbanks | Indigenous Studies |
66. Roy F. Roehl II (Unangax̂ Aleut) x^ | 2010: Ph.D., University of Alaska Fairbanks | Education & Mathematics |
67. April G. L. Counceller (Alutiiq Sugpiaq) x^ | 2010: Ph.D., University of Alaska Fairbanks | Interdisciplinary Studies |
68. Paul F. Trebian (Tlingit) + | 2010: Ed.D., University of Phoenix | Educational Leadership |
69. Walkie Kumaggaq Charles (Yup’ik) x^ | 2011: Ph.D., University of Alaska Fairbanks | Applied Linguistics |
70. Jessica Bissettt Perea (Dena’ina Athabascan) + | 2011: Ph.D., University of California, Los Angeles | Musicology |
71. Thomas Michael Swensen (Alutiiq Sugpiaq) + | 2011: Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley | Comparative Ethnic Studies |
72. Kutraluk J. D. Bolton (Iñupiaq) + | 2011: Ph.D., Stanford University, CA | Anthropology |
73. Kenneth Samuelson (Tsimshian/Tlingit/Yup’ik) + | 2011: Ed.D., East Tennessee State University, TN | School System Leadership |
74. Julia Parish-Morris (Tlingit) + | 2011: Ph.D., Temple University, Pennsylvania | Developmental Psychology |
75. Nadia Jackinsky-Sethi (Alutiiq Sugpiaq) x | 2012: Ph.D., University of Washington, WA | Art History |
76. Alisha Drabek (Alutiiq Sugpiaq) x^ | 2012: Ph.D., University of Alaska Fairbanks | Indigenous Studies |
77. Darin Woolpert (Alutiiq Sugpiaq) + | 2012: Ph.D., Loma Linda University, CA | Language & Communicative Disorders |
78. Ronnie Tooyak Tingook (Iñupiaq) × | 2012: Ph.D., University of Texas, Arlington | Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences |
79. Tina Woods (Unangax̂ Aleut) × | 2013: Ph.D., University of Alaska (Joint Anchorage-Fairbanks) | Clinical Community Psychology |
80. Adelheid Hermann (Dena’ina Athabascan) x | 2013: Ed.D., University of LaVerne, CA | Organizational Leadership |
81. Jeremy Gilbreath (Unangax̂ Aleut) + | 2013: Ph.D., Uniformed Services University, MD | Emerging Infectious Diseases |
82. Miranda Belardi-Lewis (Tliingit/Zuni) + | 2013: Ph.D., University of Washington, WA | Information Science |
83. Edgar Blatchford (Iñupiaq) ^ | 2013: Ph.D., University of Alaska Fairbanks | Interdisciplinary Studies |
84. Cara Burnidge (Unangax̂ Aleut) + | 2013: Ph.D., Florida State University | Religion |
85. Gail Cheney (Haida/Tlingit) ×^ | 2014: Ph.D., Antioch University, WA | Leadership and Change |
86. Barb GasuGlana Amarok (Iñupiaq) x^ | 2015: Ph.D., University of Alaska Fairbanks | Indigenous Studies |
87. Mique’l Dangeli (Tsimshian/Tlingit) +^ | 2015: Ph.D., University of British Columbia, CAN | Art History |
88. Norma Shorty (Tlingit) x | 2015: Ph.D., University of Alaska Fairbanks | Indigenous Studies |
89. Sean Asikłuk Topkok (Iñupiaq/ Sámi) x^ ~ | 2015: Ph.D., University of Alaska Fairbanks | Indigenous Studies |
90. Michele Yatchmeneff (Unangax̂ Aleut) | 2015: Ph.D., Purdue University, IN | Engineering Education |
91. Matt Calhoun (Deg Hit’an Athabascan) | 2015: Ph.D., University of Alaska Fairbanks | Civil Engineering |
92. Leilani Sabzalian (Alutiiq Sugpiaq) + | 2015: Ph.D., University of Oregon, Eugene | Education |
93. Kristen Barnett (Unangax̂ Aleut) + | 2015: Ph.D., University of Montana | Anthropology |
94. Wendy F. Smythe (Haida) + | 2015: Ph.D., Oregon Health and Science University | Oceanography/ |
95. Stephanie Russo Carroll (Ahtna Athabascan) + | 2015: DrPh., University of Arizona | Maternal & Child Health |
96. Michael Iqyax̂ Livingston (Unangax̂/Chugach and Eyak) | 2015: Ph.D. Idaho State University | Education |
97. * Carol Edelman Warrior (Alutiiq Sugpiaq/Dena’ina Athabascan/A’aniih-GrosVentr) + | 2015: [Ph.D.], University of Washington, WA | English Language & Literature |
98. Pearl Kiyawn Brower (Iñupiaq) ^ | 2016: Ph.D., University of Alaska Fairbanks | Indigenous Studies |
99. Sarah Aarons (Iñupiaq) + | 2016: Ph.D. University of Michigan | Earth & Environmental Science |
100. *Bernice Joseph (Koyukon Athabascan) ^ | 2017: Ph.D., University of Adelaide, Australia | Interdisciplinary Studies |
101. Heidi Aklaseaq Senungetuk (Iñupiaq) ^ | 2017: Ph.D., Wesleyan University, CT | Ethnomusicology |
102. Jacinda Mainord (Iñupiaq) + | 2017: Ph.D., Portland State University, OR | Earth, Environment, & Society |
103. LaVerne Demientieff (Deg Hit’an Athabascan) | 2017: Ph.D., University of Utah | Social Work |
104. Jessica Black (Gwich’in Athabascan) | 2017: Ph.D., Washington University in St. Louis | Social Work |
105. Charleen Fisher (Gwich’in and Upper Koyukon Athabascan) | 2018: Ph.D., University of Alaska Fairbanks | Indigenous Studies |
106. Alberta Jones (Alutiiq Sugpiaq/ Tsimshian) ^+ | 2018: Ph.D., University of Alaska Fairbanks | Indigenous Studies |
107. Polly Hyslop (Upper Tanana Dineh Athabascan) | 2018: Ph.D., University of Alaska Fairbanks | Indigenous Studies |
108. Charlene Stern (Gwich’in Athabascan) | 2018: Ph.D., University of Alaska Fairbanks | Indigenous Studies |
109. Panigkaq Agatha John-Shields (Yup’ik) | 2018: Ph.D., University of Alaska Fairbanks | Interdisciplinary Studies |
110. Holly Miowak Guise (Iñupiaq) + | 2018: Ph.D., Yale University | History |
111. Richard Hilleary (Kenaitze & Salamatoff Athabascan) + | 2018: Ph.D., University of Wisconsin Madison | Botany |
112. X’unei Lance Twitchell (Tlingit/Haida/Yup’ik/Sámi) | 2018: Ph.D., University of Hawaii, Hilo | Hawaiian & Indigenous Language |
113. Jerreed Ivanich (Tsimshian) + | 2018: Ph.D., University of Nebraska, Lincoln | Sociology |
114. Liza Mack (Unangax̂ Aleut) x | 2019: Ph.D., University of Alaska Fairbanks | Indigenous Studies |
115. Hishinlai’ Peter (Gwich’in Athabascan) x^ | 2019: Ph.D., University of Alaska Fairbanks | Interdisciplinary (Applied Linguistics) |
116. Sharon Guenther Lind (Unangax̂ Aleut) | 2019: Ph.D., University of Alaska Fairbanks | Indigenous Studies |
117. Jen Rose Smith (Eyak or dAXunhyuu) + ~ | 2019: Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley | Comparative Ethnic Studies |
118. Robert Guenther Snigaroff (Unangax̂ Aleut) | 2019: Ph.D., University of Alaska Fairbanks | Interdisciplinary Studies |
119. Alyssa Bader (Tsimshian) + | 2019: Ph.D., University of Illinois | Anthropology |
120. Heather Sauyaq Jean Gordon (Iñupiaq) + | 2019: Ph.D., University of Alaska Fairbanks | Indigenous Studies |
121. Paneen Petersen (Iñupiaq) + | 2019: Ph.D., University of Washington | Epidemiology |
122. Bridget Groat (Iñupiaq/Unangax̂ Aleut) + | 2019: Ph.D., Arizona State University, Tempe | History |
123. Jessica Saniġuq Ullrich (Iñupiaq) | 2020: Ph.D., University of Washington | Social Welfare |
124. Marcus Gho (Iñupiaq) + | 2020: Ph.D., University of Alaska Fairbanks | Fisheries |
125. Jordan Skan (Haida) + | 2020: Ph.D., University of Alaska Anchorage | Clinical Community Psychology |
126. Stanley Edwin (Gwich’in Athabascan) + | 2020: Ph.D., University of Alaska Fairbanks | Atmospheric Sciences |
127. Alicia Marvin (Tlingit) + | 2020: Ph.D., University of Alaska (Joint Anchorage-Fairbanks) | Clinical Community Psychology |
128. Dylan Suvlu (Iñupiaq) + ~ | 2020: Ph.D., University of Maine | Physical Chemistry |
129. Charlene Aqpik Apok (Iñupiaq) + | 2021: Ph.D., University of Alaska Fairbanks | Indigenous Studies |
130. Maria Crouch (Deg Hit'an Athabascan, Coahuiltecan) + | 2021: Ph.D., University of Alaska (Joint Anchorage-Fairbanks) | Clinical Community Psychology |
131. Cana Uluak Itchuaqiyaq (Iñupiaq) + | 2021: Ph.D., Utah State University | Technical Communication and Rhetoric |
132. Victoria Qutuuq Buschman (Iñupiaq) + | 2021: Ph.D., University of Washington | Conservation Biology |
1 133. Chantel Justice (Dena’ina Athabascan, Aleut) + | 2021: Ph.D., University of Alaska, Anchorage | Clinical Community Psychology |
134. Brandon Joseph + (Koyukon Ath Athabascan/Muscogee Creek) | 2021: Ph.D., University of Louisville | Counseling and Personnel Services |
111ff 135. Olga Skinner (Yup’ik) ^ | 2022: Ph.D., University of Alaska Fairbanks | Indigenous Studies |
13 136. Jacy Hutchinson (Koyukon ) x Athabascan) x | 2022: Ph.D., University of Alaska, Anchorage | Clinical Community Psychology |
13 137. Jorene Carr’er Volkheimer | 2022: Ph.D., Walden University, Texas | Psychology |
111\ 138. Catherine Rice (Alutiiq Sugpiaq) +
| 2022: Ed.D., University of Southern California | Organizational Change and Leadership |
139. Tracy Stewart (Unangax̂ Aleut) x | 2022: Ph.D.: University of Alaska, Anchorage | Clinical Community Psychology |
13 140. Angela Lunda (Tlingit) ^× | 2022: Ph.D., University of Alaska Fairbanks | Indigenous Studies |
141. Siri Gillespie (Unangax̂, Qawalangin) | 2022: Ph.D., Widener University, PA | Human Sexuality Studies |
142. Angass’aq Sally Samson (Yup’ik) ( × | 2023: Ph.D., University of Alaska Fairbanks | Interdisciplinary Studies |
136 143. Forest Haven (Tsimshian/Tlingit)+ | 2023: Ph.D., University of California, Irvine | Anthropology |
144. Catherine Moses (Yup’ik)
| 2023: Ph.D., University of Alaska Fairbanks | Interdisciplinary Studies |
145. Anamaq Margaret Cysewski Rudolf (Inupiaq)
| 2023: Ph.D., University of Alaska Fairbanks | Interdisciplinary Studies |
146. Haliehana Alaĝum Ayagaa Stepetin (Unangax̂, Qigiiĝun) ^ | 2023: Ph.D., University of California Davis | Native American Studies |
147. Buddy Boren North (Gwichyaa Zhee Gwich’in) | 2023: Ph.D., Columbia University | Philosophy and Education |
145 148. Tanya Lukin-Linklater (Alutiiq Sugpiaq) + | 2023: Ph.D., Queen’s University, Ontario, Canada | Cultural Studies |
145 149. Lauren Peters (Unangax̂) + | 2023: Ph.D., University of California Davis | Native American Studies |
150. Skyer Kern (Yup’ik) | 2023: Ph.D., University of Colorado Boulder | Mechanical Engineering |
151. Irene Anderson-Bare (Alutiiq Sugpiaq) + | 2024: Ed.D., University of Washington | Educational Leadership and Policy Studies |
152. Dominic W. Bush (Alutiiq Sugpiaq) + | 2024: Ph.D., East Carolina University | Coastal Resource Management |
153. Joel Isaak Łiq’a Yes (Dena’ina) | 2024: Ph.D., University of Alaska Fairbanks | Indigenous Studies |
154. Elisha Chi (Iñupiaq) + | 2024: Ph.D., Villanova University | Theology/Religious Studies |
155. Rebecca Ipiaqruk Young (Iñupiaq)×
| 2024: Ph.D., University of Alaska Anchorage | Clinical Community Psychology |
156. Spencer L. Lunda (Tlingit) × | 2025: Ph.D., Oregon State University, Corvallis | Microbiology |
157. Christina Laree Newhall (Unangax̂) | 2025: Ph.D., University of Arizona | Linguistics |
158. Lisa Dirks (Unangax̂) + | 2025: Ph.D., University of Washington | Information Science |
159. Tara Christiansen-Stiller (Sugpiaq/Unganan) | 2025: Ph.D., University of North Dakota | Indigenous Health |
160. Eldri Waid Westmoreland (Tlingit) | 2025: Ph.D., University of Alaska Fairbanks | Indigenous Studies |
161. Joseph Koodéik’ Mark (Tlingit) | 2026: Ph.D., University of Arizona | Joint Ph.D.: Anthropology and Linguistics |
162. Kristy Carpenter (Alutiiq Sugpiaq) | 2026: Ph.D., Stanford University | Biomedical Informatics |
163. Sonia (Lestenkof) Barry (Unangax̂/Alutiiq) | 2026: Ed.D., University of Washington Tacoma Muckleshoot | Educational Leadership |
164. Amy Gustafson (Athabascan & Iñupiaq) | 2026: Ed.D., University of Washington Tacoma | Educational Leadership |
165. Aandax̱joon Sabena Allen (Tlingit) | 2026: Ph.D., University of Chicago | Anthropology |
166. Sara M. London (Unangax̂/Aleut) | 2026: Ph.D., University of Washington | Higher Education |
Updated July 1, 2026
Add an Alaska Native Ph.D. or Ed.D.
Contact CXCS or email albertajones33@gmail.com to update