Welcome to my group's website. I am an Associate Professor in Oceanography at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. In this role, my responsibilities include teaching, research, and service. This website serves as a web-based outlet for these activities.

Research: My research focuses on the ocean's carbon cycle, especially the role that marine particles and plankton play in that process. To do this, I rely primarily on underwater camera systems, laser based optical systems, and direct collection methods to make observations of marine particle abundance, size, and type throughout the oceans. The ultimate goal of my research is to illuminate the patterns and mechanisms of the ocean's "biological carbon pump" in which particulate matter transports carbon and other elements into subsurface waters. My group studies these processes at regional to global scales, with a special focus on Alaska, the Arctic, and other high latitude marine environments. I also work with innovative sensors and autonomous vehicles, and moorings to monitor chemical conditions in the oceans.

Teaching: I teach several marine science classes at UAF at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Subjects include general oceanography, chemical oceanography, and the oceans and global change. I am particularly interested in the development and delivery of online courses in an effort to better serve our students, boost enrollments, expand access to higher education here in our uniquely rural state, and educate Alaskans about the oceans that we rely upon for many ecosystem services. I currently advise several graduate students in the Oceanography Department and mentor them in their research activities and professional development. I am particularly interested in supporting and expanding opportunities in science for underrepresented minorities including Alaska Natives.

Service: One important aspect of my job is service to the University, my profession, and especially the public. I am actively involved in research and education related committees and activities at the University and within my professional scientific community. In a broader sense, I am very interested in how humans activities are impacting the ocean, earth, climate, and biogeochemical systems, and what we might do to mitigate these impacts. For me, this means reaching out to the public, our elected officials, and community leaders about these issues in order to promote positive, practical actions that can make a difference.