Meet the Scientists

Karen Beard - Professor, Utah State University

My research focuses on how changing landscapes influence species interactions and ecosystem functioning. My research is often done in the context of non-native species and/or climate change. I am researching how non-native frogs influence the communities and ecosystems where they invade on the Hawaiian islands. I have also conducted research in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta in western Alaska on how the timing of seasonal events, including bird migration, influences species interactions and ecosystem processes.

Kathy Kelsey – Assistant Professor, University of Colorado Denver

Kathy studies the effects of climate change on the landscape. Her current study focuses on researching the effects of climate change in the Yukon Kuskokwim River Delta in western Alaska. Specifically, she is investigating how the flood caused by the remnants of Typhoon Murbock in fall 2022 impacts the local ecosystem, including plant growth, flowering patterns, and greenhouse gas emissions. She is tracking plants such as salmonberries, dwarf birch, and Labrador tea to understand how flooding affects their growth and distribution.

Josh Leffler – Associate Professor, South Dakota State University

My background is in plant physiological ecology and ecosystem ecology with a research focus on arid lands, grasslands, and arctic systems. In my work, I pay special attention to the impacts of climate change and land management on plant communities and greenhouse gas emissions. My research currently addresses two broad questions:

1. Do interacting components of climate change, such as warming and altered precipitation patterns, amplify or dampen the consequences of climate change? 

2. What are the consequences of different grazing technologies and schemes for carbon and nitrogen processes on rangelands?

Matteo Petit Bon – Postdoctoral Researcher, Utah State University

I am a researcher studying the impacts of climate change on tundra ecosystems, with a specific focus on how climate warming affects plant communities. My research utilizes open-top chambers to examine changes in species composition, ecosystem processes, and how individual plant species may respond to warming conditions. I'm particularly interested in how shrub abundance, leaf size, and nutrient cycling might change due to climate change.

Briana Barr – Masters student, University of Colorado Denver

Bri is a Master's student in environmental science at CU Denver, is currently working in the YK Delta, near Old Chevak, conducting experiments and training others in the field. She was surprised by the beauty of the river and the connections made with fellow researchers. 

Jenna Ross – Masters student, South Dakota State University

Jenna is studying ecosystem ecology in the Yukon Delta with Dr. Josh Leffler. Her research focuses on the impact of the recent typhoon Murbock on salmon berries and Labrador tea, particularly on their phenological stages (budding, flowering, and fruiting). She measures these stages weekly and examines the effects of the flood on plant communities and soil composition. Jenna also studies gas fluxes, including carbon dioxide and methane, to understand interactions between the flood and plant growth. Her observations suggest reduced plant growth in flooded areas due to moss removal.

Tyler Williams – Masters student, Utah State University

Cristina Chirvasa – Undergraduate researcher- Field Technician

Christina Kirvasa, a Romanian-born undergraduate at Utah State University, is working as a technician and conducting her own research project at the university. She is studying the impact of warming, flooding, and herbivory on the functional traits of Carex flora in a mesocosm experiment. Christina's interest in ecology was sparked by her childhood fascination with nature and her exposure to Animal Planet. Her daily routine involves fieldwork, lab work, and data processing, often lasting 4-12 hours. She finds Alaska's natural beauty and unique experiences, like witnessing a double rainbow followed by heavy rain and mosquitoes, particularly memorable. 

Trevor Hoffman – Undergraduate Researcher

Trevor Hoffman is a graduate from Utah State with a degree in wildlife ecology and management. He is currently working as a research technician in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, near Chevak, Alaska. His role involves boat knowledge, data collection for his own undergraduate research project, and assisting with other team members' projects.

Forrest Lambert – Research technician

Forrest Lambert is a recent college graduate from Wisconsin. He is currently in Alaska working on a research project studying the effects of Typhoon Murdoch on debris lines and plant growth. His major was in ecosystem restoration and management, but he is exploring other career paths.

Nathaniel Abrahams – Research technician

I'm Nathaniel Abrams, but everyone calls me Natty. I'm originally from Northern Virginia, about 20 miles outside of Washington, DC. I'm currently working as a field technician on a climate change research project in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, Alaska. I've always been interested in working on the tundra, particularly because of my love for birds and fascination with the unique ecological landscape. This is my first summer on the project, and I'm passionate about studying how climate change impacts plant communities, carbon flux, and the overall ecosystem of the tundra. I have a background in hydrology and I'm particularly interested in understanding how warming and flooding are changing this sensitive environment.

Mia DiCianna, Graduate Research Assistant, South Dakota State University

I am a graduate research assistant at South Dakota State University studying Natural Resource Management with a focus on Biological Sciences. Since I was a little girl, I have always been fascinated by science and passionate about the environment. Learning that I could combine these two interests into a career was a dream come true!

Camryn Bricker- Master's Student, University of Colorado Denver