The SNRE blog will profile faculty and staff from the School of Natural Resources and Extension to make others aware of what their jobs and interests are. Professor Dave Valentine, the new director of academic programs, is the first in the series.
While earning his doctorate at Duke University, David Valentine
studied nutrient cycling in tundra soils, which planted the seeds for his
eventual move north.
studied nutrient cycling in tundra soils, which planted the seeds for his
eventual move north.
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| David Valentine |
Valentine joined the University of Alaska Fairbanks faculty in
1996 and, as a professor of forest soils, has taught a variety of classes for
the School of Natural Resources and Extension, including Soils and the
Environment, Nutrient Cycling and Soil Fertility, Perspectives in Natural
Resource Management, Resource Management Issues at High Latitudes,
Environmental Decision Making, and Environmental Ethics. He and Professor Peter
Fix toured the Interior and Southcentral this May with 19 students
participating in the annual NRM 290 field course.
1996 and, as a professor of forest soils, has taught a variety of classes for
the School of Natural Resources and Extension, including Soils and the
Environment, Nutrient Cycling and Soil Fertility, Perspectives in Natural
Resource Management, Resource Management Issues at High Latitudes,
Environmental Decision Making, and Environmental Ethics. He and Professor Peter
Fix toured the Interior and Southcentral this May with 19 students
participating in the annual NRM 290 field course.
Valentine’s chief research interest now centers around the
effects of climate change on soil respiration and carbon balance. He is looking
at how the reduced soil moisture affects roots, fungi and other below-ground
activity as reflected in soil respiration. To simulate expected climate change,
he measures how rapidly soil produces carbon dioxide in plots that have been
shielded from moisture.
effects of climate change on soil respiration and carbon balance. He is looking
at how the reduced soil moisture affects roots, fungi and other below-ground
activity as reflected in soil respiration. To simulate expected climate change,
he measures how rapidly soil produces carbon dioxide in plots that have been
shielded from moisture.
“We’re drying it now as a proxy for the future,” he said.
Valentine assumed a new role at the school July 1 as the
director of academic programs. He will direct and evaluate the school’s
academic offerings, work to increase the number of degree-seeking students and
institute a better assessment of what students are learning.
director of academic programs. He will direct and evaluate the school’s
academic offerings, work to increase the number of degree-seeking students and
institute a better assessment of what students are learning.
“And then we know what aspects of our program work well and
which ones we will need to focus on improving in the future,” he said.
which ones we will need to focus on improving in the future,” he said.
With the half-time administrative appointment, he is reducing
his teaching load to one class this fall, Environmental Decision Making, and
another TBA in the spring.
his teaching load to one class this fall, Environmental Decision Making, and
another TBA in the spring.
Valentine has also been active in faculty governance. He served
as UAF Faculty Senate president two years ago and as chair of the statewide
Faculty Alliance. He has been active in politics having served as a local
political party leader.
as UAF Faculty Senate president two years ago and as chair of the statewide
Faculty Alliance. He has been active in politics having served as a local
political party leader.
Other interests include canoeing and biking. He bikes to work
year-round and canoed a section of Birch Creek this summer with his wife and
two daughters, ages 8 and 28.
year-round and canoed a section of Birch Creek this summer with his wife and
two daughters, ages 8 and 28.
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