The 2019 cohort investigated how climate change is transforming hydrologic, ecological, and biogeochemical processes in Arctic systems, using Greenland as a primary field site. Research focused on the impacts of ice sheet retreat on water quality, nutrient cycling, ecosystem dynamics, and landscape evolution.
The cohort was anchored by the NSF-funded Significance of Ice-loss to Landscapes in the Arctic (SILA) project, which integrates ecology, hydrology, microbiology, geology, and chemistry to understand feedbacks across glacial and post-glacial landscapes. Through hypothesis-driven research, the team examined controls on stream chemistry and landscape processes to better understand how environments evolved following ice sheet retreat and how they may respond to continued Arctic warming.
The program also incorporated an Environmental Civics component, emphasizing science communication, public engagement, and the societal relevance of Arctic change.
Cohort Composition
- Geological Sciences, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Faculty: Dr. Jonathan Martin; Dr. Ellen Martin
Graduate Students: Megan Black; Tatiana Salinas - Biology, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Faculty: Dr. Stuart McDaniel
Graduate Student: Izuchukwu Ezukanma - Microbiology and Cell Science, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences
Faculty: Dr. Brent Christner
Graduate Students: Quincy Faber; Justin Ellena; Chelsey Bomar - Soil and Water Sciences, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences
Faculty: Dr. Jim Jawitz
Graduate Student: Jaehyeon Lee - School of Natural Resources and Environment
Faculty: Dr. Matt Cohen
Graduate Student: Yuseung Shin - Journalism and Communications, College of Journalism and Communications
Faculty: Cynthia Barnett
Graduate Student: Michael Munroe - Environmental Engineering Sciences (ESSIE), College of Engineering
Faculty: Dr. Arnoldo Valle-Levinson
Graduate Student: Fernanda Gastelu
Funding: the cohort received $2.2M from the NSF Arctic System Science (ARCSS) award, with approximately $850,000 in additional logistical support for Arctic field operations for the project Significance of Ice-loss to Landscapes in the Arctic (SILA).
Outputs and Contributions: The cohort produced 20+ peer-reviewed publications, datasets, and dissertations, advancing understanding of hydrologic and biogeochemical processes in Arctic systems, including glacial meltwater chemistry, nutrient cycling, and microbial dynamics.
A distinguishing feature of this cohort was its Environmental Civics focus, which included science communication training, public engagement through museum events and outreach programs, and the development of educational materials and media products. These efforts strengthened connections between science and society while expanding the impact of Arctic research beyond academia.