Isabella Marks (Tanana, RAHI 2024)
Bella received the ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ NSF EPSCoR - RAHI Partnership Scholarship for the fall 2025 semester.
is pursuing civil engineering with the goal of designing infrastructure that meets ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ’s unique needs while protecting its environment and communities. Her interests span facility construction, transportation systems, and environmental mitigation — all critical areas for ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ’s industries and communities facing harsh conditions and seismic activity.
As a Koyukon Athabascan, Bella is especially passionate about solutions that respect ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ Native traditions and subsistence practices while promoting safety and sustainability. She envisions roads, bridges, and facilities that not only endure ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ’s climate but also minimize environmental harm and support the well-being of local people.
By combining engineering innovation with cultural values, Bella hopes to create infrastructure that strengthens ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ’s future while honoring the land and people she calls home.
To gain hands-on experience in the field, she completed an internship with the Department of Transportation this summer, which she's extended into the fall.