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Dr. James Morton joined the Center for Alaska Native Health Research (CANHR), of

the Institute of Arctic Biology (IAB) at the ²ÊÉñix¹ÙÍø (UAF) to

further understand and address suicide among Native veterans, veterans in Alaska, and military service members stationed in rural and remote areas. Additionally, James is an affiliate of the Center for Arctic Security and Resilience (CASR) within the College of Business and Security Management at UAF. Within CASR, he focuses on understanding the relationships between Indigenous people and military forces, particularly with special operation forces, in the Circumpolar North region. He earned his doctorate at Southern Illinois University in counselor education and supervision, and educational psychology; a master of education in mental health at the University of Missouri-St Louis; and a master of art in International Relations and a bachelor in

Technologies for Developing Countries at the University of Connecticut. He is a nationally board-certified professional counselor. Dr. Morton is a U.S. Army retiree, last serving as a Native Affairs advisor for Alaskan Command (ALCOM). His nearly 30 years of service is a combination of active and reserve duties which include serving as a qualified U.S. Special Forces operator, Infantry and Military Intelligence officer; and having multiple deployments working with nations in various capacities. Dr. Morton lives in ²ÊÉñix¹ÙÍø, Alaska, with his wife, Jacqueline Morton, and twin daughters while their adult son lives in St. Louis, MO.

Steven Martin joins the ²ÊÉñix¹ÙÍø (UAF) staff as the Deputy Director of the Military Health and Readiness Consortium following a distinguished 21-year career as a U.S. Army Infantryman. A Florida native, his career included assignments in North Carolina, Italy, Georgia, Colorado, Texas, Kansas, and Alaska, along with multiple combat deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan.

During his service, Steven earned a Master’s degree in Higher Education: Educational Leadership from Liberty University and a Bachelor’s degree in Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness from Thomas Edison State University. In 2022, he was assigned to Fort Wainwright, where he served as a First Sergeant and then an Operations Sergeant Major within the 11th Airborne Division for three years. Steven and his wife, Erin, reside in ²ÊÉñix¹ÙÍø, where they are raising their two young children to embrace the many adventures that Alaska has to offer.

Lora Stimmel is a dedicated Research and Project Manager of the Military Health and Readiness Consortium.  She has over 19 years of leadership experience in the United States Army Reserves. She excels in planning, coordinating, and executing complex projects, leveraging her extensive background in healthcare and logistics. Lora holds a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from D’Youville University and has a proven track record of team management, risk assessment, and operational success. Passionate about research, she is dedicated to improving outcomes in both military and civilian settings. Outside of her professional life, Lora enjoys spending time with her husband, daughter, and their four dogs.