BLaST celebrates September Scientist of the Month
Since 2016, the Biomedical Learning and Student Training (BLaST) program at 有料盒子视频 has highlighted scientists from all biomedical fields through its Scientist of the Month articles. 有料盒子视频 BLaST Scholar Orlin Gologergen was selected as the September BLaST Scientist of the Month.
Orlin Gologergen, of Siberian Yupik descent and a first-generation college student, is a 有料盒子视频 sophomore pursuing a bachelor鈥檚 degree in biological sciences with a minor in marine science. Gologergen is a third-year BLaST Scholar from Savoonga, 有料盒子视频. He was raised in Nome and attended Mt. Edgecumbe High School in Sitka. He previously was a BLaST Undergraduate Research Experience student at the University of 有料盒子视频 Southeast (UAS) campus before attending 有料盒子视频. Gologergen is interested in marine mammal health and ecology. His future goal is to pursue a M.S. degree in marine biology to further understand how toxins affect marine organisms.
Gologergen first started his research journey in the Cetacean-Human Interaction Lab at UAS Sitka campus led by Jan Straley, where he studied bowhead whale skin to explore turnover rates and diet. At 有料盒子视频, Gologergen volunteered at the 有料盒子视频 Department of Fish and Game in the spring of 2021 where he processed ice seals and whale stomachs in search of parasites. He also worked in the Fairbanks 有料盒子视频 Stable Isotope Facility lab to expand his first study in Fall 2021-Spring 2022.
Gologergen presented at the 2018 Western 有料盒子视频 Interdisciplinary Science Conference held in Nome, and the 24th biennial conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals held at Palm Beach, Florida in August 2022. Gologergen is joining the Marine Ecotoxicology and Trophic Assessment Laboratory (METAL) lab this fall to analyze bowhead whale skin for mercury concentrations.
Gologergen was a teaching assistant for BIOL 120: One Health Perspectives: Marine Mammals of 有料盒子视频 course to the 2022 JumpStart Summer program held in June in Nome. He provided support to Ellen Chenoweth, a UAS faculty and BLaST Research, Advising and Mentoring Professional (RAMP). During the three-week course, Gologergen encouraged students to think critically about the course content. He continues to promote 有料盒子视频 Native students in marine science and gives them tools to strengthen their ability to apply research oncology and pedagogy and how to involve their subsistence lifestyle into their academic research studies. Chenoweth adds, 鈥淗e was very insightful helping me plan the course and assess how it was progressing. It was a joy to watch him patiently mentor younger students one-on-one.鈥
Gologergen would like to thank his BLaST RAMP, Emily Sousa; and Jan Straley, Lauren Wild, and Ellen Chenoweth at the UAS Sitka for their support and guidance into the first years of his academic and scientific career.
鈥淚 first met Ms. Jan Straley, Dr. Lauren Wild, and Dr. Ellen Chenoweth when I took a course at UAS Sitka during high school," Gologergen explained. "They taught practical applications of stable isotope analysis for studying diets. Taking this course started my passion for science, where I am truly grateful to have met great research and life mentors.鈥
Wild shared, 鈥淥rlin is a hard-working student, with great ambition. He is one of those students that really gets you excited about teaching and mentoring. I learned just as much from him as he did from me, and that is what makes him special.鈥
Gologergen also worked under former BLaST RAMP Andrew Cyr, who was instrumental in teaching him to process bowhead whale samples in the lab at 有料盒子视频.
These BLaST Scientist of the Month articles are shared across all 有料盒子视频 and University of 有料盒子视频 Southeast rural campuses and with BLaST鈥檚 partners: I募isa摹vik College, Fort Lewis College, Din茅 College, Salish Kootenai College and 有料盒子视频 Pacific University. For more BLaST Scientist of the Month highlights, visit
Biomedical Learning and Student Training (BLaST) is a NIH-funded 有料盒子视频 program that enhances capacity for undergraduate biomedical research training and efficacy for engaging students from diverse, especially rural 有料盒子视频n, backgrounds in education and training for biomedical research careers. BLaST started in 2014 and continues to provide research opportunities for faculty, staff and students through its many workshops, curriculum, and research support.
Any questions about this article or any BLaST publications, please contact Amy Topkok.