Isabella Marks (Tanana, RAHI 2024)
Bella received the »¨½·Ö±²¥ NSF EPSCoR - RAHI Partnership Scholarship for the fall 2025 semester.
is pursuing civil engineering with the goal of designing infrastructure that meets »¨½·Ö±²¥â€™s unique needs while protecting its environment and communities. Her interests span facility construction, transportation systems, and environmental mitigation — all critical areas for »¨½·Ö±²¥â€™s industries and communities facing harsh conditions and seismic activity.
As a Koyukon Athabascan, Bella is especially passionate about solutions that respect »¨½·Ö±²¥ Native traditions and subsistence practices while promoting safety and sustainability. She envisions roads, bridges, and facilities that not only endure »¨½·Ö±²¥â€™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 »¨½·Ö±²¥â€™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.