Virgil L. Sharpton
Encyclopedia
Virgil L. Sharpton was named Vice Chancellor for Research at the University of Alaska Fairbanks
(UAF) in May 2006. He joined the faculty at the UAF
in 1998 with a joint appointment between the Geophysical Institute
and the Department of Geology and Geophysics at the College of Natural Science and Mathematics and was awarded tenure in 2000. In 2001, he was awarded one of the six presidential professorships across the University of Alaska system and held the title of President’s Professor of Remote Sensing. In his current position as Vice Chancellor for Research, he assists the Chancellor in setting the research agenda at UAF
. He oversees the Center for Research Services, Geophysical Institute
, International Arctic Research Center
, Office of Electronic Miniaturization, Institute of Arctic Biology, and various research programs. Sharpton serves at the university representative to Arctic Research Consortium of the United States (ARCUS), Inland Northwest Research Alliance (INRA), and University Corporation for Atmospheric Research
(UCAR).
in 1979 and a M.S. and a Ph.D. in Geological Sciences at Brown University
in 1981 and 1984, respectively. He was a Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council Post Doctoral Fellow for the Geological Survey of Canada from 1984 to 1986. Prior to joining UAF
, Sharpton was Senior Staff Scientist at the Lunar and Planetary Institute
affiliated with the NASA
Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center
, where he served for 14 years.
Sharpton is the founder and director of the Geographic Information Network of Alaska (GINA) which provides access to university data and information services across the state. He currently works closely with several government agencies in developing new uses for satellite remote sensing and information management and he leads the data retrieval and management activities of the State Committee on Research (SCoR). Recently, Sharpton began working through the Governor’s Office to identify ways that the capabilities centered at the university can be utilized more effectively within state agencies. He became a member of Governor Palin
’s sub-cabinet on Climate Change
and sits on a variety of NASA
review panels as well as state and local advisory boards.
University of Alaska Fairbanks
The University of Alaska Fairbanks, located in Fairbanks, Alaska, USA, is the flagship campus of the University of Alaska System, and is abbreviated as Alaska or UAF....
(UAF) in May 2006. He joined the faculty at the UAF
University of Alaska Fairbanks
The University of Alaska Fairbanks, located in Fairbanks, Alaska, USA, is the flagship campus of the University of Alaska System, and is abbreviated as Alaska or UAF....
in 1998 with a joint appointment between the Geophysical Institute
Geophysical Institute
The Geophysical Institute of the University of Alaska Fairbanks conducts research into space physics and aeronomy; atmospheric sciences; snow, ice, and permafrost; seismology; volcanology; and tectonics and sedimentation. It was founded in 1946 by the United States Congress...
and the Department of Geology and Geophysics at the College of Natural Science and Mathematics and was awarded tenure in 2000. In 2001, he was awarded one of the six presidential professorships across the University of Alaska system and held the title of President’s Professor of Remote Sensing. In his current position as Vice Chancellor for Research, he assists the Chancellor in setting the research agenda at UAF
University of Alaska Fairbanks
The University of Alaska Fairbanks, located in Fairbanks, Alaska, USA, is the flagship campus of the University of Alaska System, and is abbreviated as Alaska or UAF....
. He oversees the Center for Research Services, Geophysical Institute
Geophysical Institute
The Geophysical Institute of the University of Alaska Fairbanks conducts research into space physics and aeronomy; atmospheric sciences; snow, ice, and permafrost; seismology; volcanology; and tectonics and sedimentation. It was founded in 1946 by the United States Congress...
, International Arctic Research Center
International Arctic Research Center
The International Arctic Research Center, or IARC, established in 1999, is a research institution focused on integrating and coordinating study of climate change in the Arctic. The primary partners in IARC are Japan and the United States...
, Office of Electronic Miniaturization, Institute of Arctic Biology, and various research programs. Sharpton serves at the university representative to Arctic Research Consortium of the United States (ARCUS), Inland Northwest Research Alliance (INRA), and University Corporation for Atmospheric Research
University Corporation for Atmospheric Research
The University Corporation for Atmospheric Research is a nonprofit consortium of more than 75 universities offering Ph.D.s in the atmospheric and related sciences. UCAR manages the National Center for Atmospheric Research and provides additional services to strengthen and support research and...
(UCAR).
Career
Sharpton earned a B.S. with high honors in Geology at Grand Valley State UniversityGrand Valley State University
Grand Valley State University is a public liberal arts university located in Allendale, Michigan, United States. The university was established in 1960, and its main campus is situated on approximately west of Grand Rapids...
in 1979 and a M.S. and a Ph.D. in Geological Sciences at Brown University
Brown University
Brown University is a private, Ivy League university located in Providence, Rhode Island, United States. Founded in 1764 prior to American independence from the British Empire as the College in the English Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations early in the reign of King George III ,...
in 1981 and 1984, respectively. He was a Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council Post Doctoral Fellow for the Geological Survey of Canada from 1984 to 1986. Prior to joining UAF
University of Alaska Fairbanks
The University of Alaska Fairbanks, located in Fairbanks, Alaska, USA, is the flagship campus of the University of Alaska System, and is abbreviated as Alaska or UAF....
, Sharpton was Senior Staff Scientist at the Lunar and Planetary Institute
Lunar and Planetary Institute
The Lunar and Planetary Institute is a scientific research institute dedicated to study of the solar system, its formation, evolution, and current state. The Institute is part of the Universities Space Research Association and is supported by the Science Mission Directorate of the National...
affiliated with the NASA
NASA
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is the agency of the United States government that is responsible for the nation's civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research...
Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center
Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center
The Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center is the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's center for human spaceflight training, research and flight control. The center consists of a complex of 100 buildings constructed on 1,620 acres in Houston, Texas, USA...
, where he served for 14 years.
Sharpton is the founder and director of the Geographic Information Network of Alaska (GINA) which provides access to university data and information services across the state. He currently works closely with several government agencies in developing new uses for satellite remote sensing and information management and he leads the data retrieval and management activities of the State Committee on Research (SCoR). Recently, Sharpton began working through the Governor’s Office to identify ways that the capabilities centered at the university can be utilized more effectively within state agencies. He became a member of Governor Palin
Sarah Palin
Sarah Louise Palin is an American politician, commentator and author. As the Republican Party nominee for Vice President in the 2008 presidential election, she was the first Alaskan on the national ticket of a major party and first Republican woman nominated for the vice-presidency.She was...
’s sub-cabinet on Climate Change
Climate change
Climate change is a significant and lasting change in the statistical distribution of weather patterns over periods ranging from decades to millions of years. It may be a change in average weather conditions or the distribution of events around that average...
and sits on a variety of NASA
NASA
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is the agency of the United States government that is responsible for the nation's civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research...
review panels as well as state and local advisory boards.
Awards and honors
In addition to being awarded the President’s Professorship, his honors include- Tulip City Rock and Mineral Club Award (1979).
- William F. Malar Scholarship (1981–1984),
- Government of Canada Group Achievement Award (1992),
- NASA Group Achievement Award (1992),
- Geophysical Institute Director’s Faculty Achievement Award (2001),
- AmericaView’s Legacy Award for leadership (2006),