Sharpton picked for research commission

FAIRBANKS - The vice chancellor for research at the University of Alaska Fairbanks has been named to the U.S. Arctic Research Commission.

Buck Sharpton is one of three new members of the commission appointed by President Bush.

The commission develops national Arctic research policy and works directly with the administration, Congress, the National Science Foundation and other institutions.

The commission includes four representatives from academic or research institutions, two from private industry with Arctic commercial interests and one member from among the indigenous residents of the U.S. Arctic.

Sharpton is responsible for setting the research agenda at UAF. He has been at the school since 1998.