Micah Hahn, Associate Professor of Environmental Health
Micah researches the health impacts of climate change and works with communities to develop locally and culturally relevant adaptation strategies. She received her PhD in Epidemiology / Environment and Resources from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and her MPH in Global Environmental Health from Emory University.
Theresa Vertigan, Research Associate
Theresa is working with state and community partners to develop an online tool to access wildfire, smoke, health, and health equity information to support climate adaptation. She also supports assessments of smoke and heat impacts on human health in Alaska. She received her MS in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology from the University of Alaska Fairbanks.
Muhammad Khan, Research Associate
Muhammad’s research interests are centered on the intersection of climate change and health, environmental justice, and healthcare accessibility. He is also passionate about improving access to healthcare services and strengthening healthcare systems in low- and middle-income countries. He received his MPH from Columbia University, specializing in Climate and Health. He is also a nationally certified health education specialist (CHES).
Melissa Bradley, Research Associate
Melissa has previous experience in maternal and child health epidemiology and behavioral pharmacology. She received her MPH in Population Health from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
Morrison Luke Smith, Postdoctoral Research Scientist
Luke is assessing the impacts of wildfire smoke exposure on adverse birth outcomes in Alaska. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota.

Alumni (and where they went after our group)

Postdoctoral Fellows

  • Taylor Van Doren, 2023-2025
  • Emily Maxwell, 2022-2025 (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

Research Staff

  • Nelsha Athauda, 2022-2025 (Environmental Protection Agency)

Student Research Staff

  • Kavitha George, 2025-2026. MS, University of Cophenhagen.
  • Amanda Hansen, 2020-2022. MPH, University of Alaska Anchorage (Alaska Native Tribal Health Consoritum).
  • Renate Schlaht, 2022-2022. DVM, University of Alaska Fairbanks.
  • Grace Kuiper, 2020-2022. MPH, Animals, People, and the Environment, Colorado State University (Environmental Protection Agency).
  • Mariah Seater, 2019-2020. MPH, University of Alaska Anchorage (Stone Soup Group).
  • Gale Disler, 2018-2022. MPH, University of Alaska Anchorage.
  • William George, 2018-2020. MS, Biology, University of Alaska Anchorage (State of Alaska Division of Public Health).
  • Chelsea Ward-Waller, 2018-2020. MPH, University of Alaska Anchorage (Municipality of Anchorage).
  • Kris Carroll, 2018-2019. BS, Computer Science, University of Alaska Anchorage.
  • Kori Blakely, 2018-2019. MS, Biology, University of Alaska Anchorage.
  • Tommy Folan, 2018-2019. MSc, Civil Engineering, University of Alaska Anchorage (State of Alaska Geologic Information Center).
  • Euan MacLeod, 2018-2019. MSc, Civil Engineering, University of Alaska Anchorage (DOWL Engineering).
  • Ali Marvin, 2018-2019. PhD, Clinical Psychology, University of Alaska Anchorage (Aleutian Pribilof Islands Association).

Prospective Research Staff

We host undergraduate, masters, and PhD students as well as postdoctoral scientists. See below for degree programs at UAA and UAF that may be of interest. We also hire part-time and full-time research staff to work on grant-funded projects. If you are interested in joining the Hahn Research Group, please send a letter of interest that describes your research background and career goals and a CV to Dr. Hahn at mbhahn@alaska.edu

University of Alaska Anchorage

Masters of Public Health Program – A distance based program that is designed for both full-time students and mid-career professionals who want to continue working while completing their degree

Interdisciplinary Masters Program – Designed for students that have a well-defined research question that bridges two or more disciplines

Institute for Circumpolar Health Studies – Research hub dedicated to applied research to improve the health of Alaskans.

Center for Community Engagement and Learning – A center on campus dedicated to connected students and faculty with the community we serve through project-based learning opportunities.

Alaska Center for Conservation Science – Research center that studies conservation, ecological monitoring, and natural resource planning in Alaska

Other centers on UAA campus…

University of Alaska Fairbanks

Interdisciplinary PhD  – Designed for students that have a well-defined research question that bridges two or more disciplines