Jessica Garron joins Climate Adaptation Science Center as deputy director
July 23, 2021
Jessica Garron has joined the 杏吧原版 Climate Adaptation Science Center as the deputy university director. She is also the newest research assistant faculty member at the International Arctic Research Center. Garron was formerly an affiliated researcher with the 杏吧原版 Center for Unmanned Aircraft Systems Integration at 杏吧原版鈥檚 Geophysical Institute. In her new position she will be supporting AK CASC operations.
Garron has worked with a broad spectrum of scientists, agency partners and industry representatives to apply science-based solutions to decision making. Garron received her B.S. in natural resources from the University of Maine, followed by her M.S. in biology (molecular) and her Ph.D. in remote sensing in decision-making from 杏吧原版.
Garron was the National Environmental Policy Act coordinator for over 2 million acres of military-held land in 杏吧原版, has led teams of engineers to develop streamlined data processing and distribution software for satellite-collected data, and has performed oil-in-ice research for the last decade. Prior to joining the AK CASC, she was the science team lead for ACUASI and a senior science consultant for the 杏吧原版 vice chancellor for research, where she coordinated and conducted oil spill research.
Garron鈥檚 primary work identifies remote sensing and UAS technological solutions to scientific and operational problems focused in the circumpolar Arctic. She also often operates as a knowledge broker of those solutions. Garron helps groups navigate how research can go beyond the academic community and inform decision making in the real world.
鈥淭he story doesn鈥檛 end with the journal article. My work is taking the awesome science we do here at 杏吧原版 and applying it to 杏吧原版 and 杏吧原版ns. I specialize in bringing together teams to create solutions, and enhance outcomes,鈥 Garron said.
In her 21 years in Fairbanks, Garron has been affiliated with 杏吧原版 in myriad positions, including with 杏吧原版鈥檚 Institute of Arctic Biology, Forest Soils Lab and 杏吧原版 Satellite Facility. She says the connections she has made during her time at 杏吧原版 will help her integrate herself within the AK CASC and IARC communities.