AAOKH Core Staff and Steering Group
Dr. Donna Hauser is AAOKH’s science lead and a marine scientist. Her interdisciplinary research focuses on changing Arctic marine ecosystems. Raised in Alaska, she is deeply connected to the state, its people, and its marine resources. Donna became Science Lead in 2018, following the leadership of Dr. Olivia Lee from 2015-2018 and the predecessor project (Seasonal Ice Zone Observing Network) led by Dr. Hajo Eicken (since 2006). Contact Donna
Roberta Tuurraq Glenn helps strategize AAOKH's core activities and supports observer and community connections. Roberta helps to maintain relationships with our community partners so that our data and observations can be as useful as possible. Roberta is Iñupiaq and was born and raised in Utqiaġvik. She graduated from UAF with her M.S. in Geography, with a focus on community-based monitoring and documenting change in support of local priorities. Contact Roberta
Krista Heeringa is a key staff member at AAOKH supporting project coordination and strategy. From Fairbanks, she is grateful for the opportunity to learn from the diverse Indigenous communities across Alaska, and looks forward to working with AAOKH observers. Krista's work will help determine how observations can be used to support local decision makers as they respond to challenges from climate change in their communities. Contact Krista
Julia McMahon supports AAOKH's goals by supporting project management, logistics coordination, and teams for special projects. Julia was raised in Alaska and is a UAF graduate with a MS in Fisheries; her past research focused on salmon in Prince William Sound. She deeply appreciates Arctic landscapes, learning from and supporting the AAOKH team and greater community, and the opportunity to support Indigenous-led science. Contact Julia
Josh Jones supports AAOKH’s field research coordination. His interests include coastal sea ice dynamics and local & traditional knowledge. He is also an avid fisherman, and is particularly passionate about ice fishing. Contact Josh
Elena Sparrow is the AAOKH education and outreach lead. She is a research professor in the Department of Natural Resources and Environment, and has been working with educators and community members for decades in engaging K-16 youth in earth/environmental science education and research, particularly through the Arctic and Earth SIGNs project. The Arctic and Earth STEM Integration of GLOBE and NASA Assets (SIGNs) project braids Indigenous and western science and ways of knowing in engaging educators, community members and youth in climate change learning and stewardship projects in their communities. Contact Elena
AAOKH Steering Group
AAOKH’s steering group guides AAOKH activities and priorities. Steering group members include representatives from both Indigenous and Western Science Knowledge systems that are actively engaged in bridging these two knowledge systems to better understand environmental change in Alaska.
Current Members
- Lee Kayotuk, Kaktovik (2016-current)
- Qaiyaan Harcharek, Utqiaġvik (2016-current)
- Kimberly Kivvaq Pikok, Utqiaġvik (2025-current)
- Alex Whiting, Kotzebue (2025-current)
- Claudine Hauri, UAF (2025-current)
- Margaret Anamaq Rudolph, UAF (2025-current)
- Vera Metcalf, Eskimo Walrus Commission (2026-current)
- Henry Huntington, Ocean Conservancy (2026- current)
- Jessica Black, UAF (2026 - current)
Former Members
- Austin Ahmasuk, Nome (2016 - 2025)
- Scott Rupp, UAF (2016 - 2025)
- Noah Naylor, Kotzebue (2016 - 2025)
- Todd Brinkman, UAF (2016 - 2025)
- Hajo Eicken, UAF (2016-2026)
- Sean Asikłuk Topkok, UAF (2016-2025)
- Terry Chapin, UAF (2016-2026)
