People
Researchers and technical partners spanning chemical oceanography, laboratory operations, environmental analysis, and scientific data systems.
Research Assistant Professor · IARC
Laura Whitmore
Laura is a chemical oceanographer who studies Arctic Ocean circulation and biogeochemical processes using trace elements and nutrients. She leads the NSF-supported Element XR acquisition and helps run NABOS hydrochemistry efforts.
- Climate change, oceanography, and sea ice
- Trace elements and water-mass mixing
- Element XR principal investigator
lmwhitmore@alaska.edu
IARC faculty profile · Research website
Professor and Associate Dean · CFOS
Ana M. Aguilar-Islas
Ana is a chemical oceanographer whose research examines trace-metal biogeochemistry, particularly in high-latitude marine systems. She combines field and laboratory studies and develops analytical methods for trace metals in seawater.
- Marine chemistry and trace-metal cycling
- Aguilar-Islas Laboratory
- Nutrient Analytical Facility and Element XR co-investigator
amaguilarislas@alaska.edu · 907‑474‑1524
CFOS faculty profile
Research Technician · IARC
Mette R. Kaufman
Mette supports environmental sample collection and analysis across IARC programs. She is a primary contact for the Nutrient Analytical Facility and a co-investigator on the Element XR acquisition.
- Nutrient analysis and laboratory operations
- Marine and sea-ice field programs
- Sample submission and analytical coordination
Founder · Icy Seas Co-Laboratory
Thomas Bryce Kelly
Thomas is an oceanographer and IARC affiliate professor. Through Icy Seas, he supports scientific software, laboratory infrastructure, data stewardship, training, and reproducible workflows around The TAG’s analytical work.
- Marine biogeochemistry and particle dynamics
- Scientific software and data systems
- Smart-laboratory pilot support
Marine Geochemist · IARC
Eleanor Bates
Eleanor studies iron and other trace-metal cycles in the upper ocean. Her doctoral research developed a multi-year time series at Station ALOHA to investigate metal sources, seasonal variability, biological cycling, and particle export.
- Iron and trace-metal biogeochemistry
- Ocean time-series observations
- Dissolved and particulate metal cycling
Former group members
Alumni
Student
Sierra Lloyd
Sierra studied dissolved aluminum and manganese variability in the Gulf of Alaska with Ana Aguilar-Islas. She earned a UAF B.S. in fisheries and marine sciences, with an oceanography concentration, in 2024.