FAIRBANKS, Alaska – On Thursday, former interim Chancellor Dr. Dana White, alongside Director of Athletics Dr. Gary Gray has named Dr. David Barnes, professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, as the next faculty athletics representative (FAR) for the University of Alaska Fairbanks athletics department.

Barnes will replace Dr. Dani Sheppard as the Nanooks' FAR starting the 2017-18 season. Barnes will work with all Alaska Nanooks student-athletes from each of its 10 varsity sports.

"I want to thank Dr. Dani Sheppard for her many years of service as our faculty athletics representative and now we welcome Dr. David Barnes as he begins his time as FAR," Gray said. "I am completely confident Dr. Barnes will continue the excellent service and support provided by Dr. Sheppard. The FAR provides an essential link between athletics and the academic community, as well as watching over many aspects of the student-athletes welfare. I'm looking forward to working alongside David."

As the FAR, Barnes will play a strategic role at the institution, which includes ensuring the academic integrity of the intercollegiate athletics program, acting as the liaison between the institution's faculty and athletics department, serving as a representative of the institution in the conference and in NCAA affairs and helping enhance the student-athlete experience at UAF.

"Over the last 18 years, I have watched our UAF student-athletes excel in the classes I teach and my family and I have thoroughly enjoyed supporting all of the different varsity sports UAF has to offer," Barnes said on Thursday. "I am so honored to be given the opportunity to work with our student-athletes and their coaches on making our student-athletes' time at UAF a positive academic and athletic experience."

Barnes first joined the UAF faculty in August of 1999, serving as an assistant professor within the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering before becoming an associate professor within the same department in July of 2004. Barnes is now a full-time professor in the same department and also acts as the Environmental Graduate Program Manager. His research interests include immiscible fluids in porous media, contaminants in freezing and frozen ground, movement and fate of radionuclides and heavy metals in the environment, contaminant hydrogeology, contaminated soil and groundwater restoration, water quality and waste management and treatment.

Barnes received his bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering from New Mexico State University in 1985 before earning his master's degree in the same discipline from his alma mater in 1987. In 1997, Barnes received his Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering from Colorado State, where he served as a research assistant.

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