Jessica Garron joins Climate Adaptation Science Center as deputy director

July 23, 2021

Jessica Garron has joined the Alaska 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 Alaska Center for Unmanned Aircraft Systems Integration at UAF’s 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 UAF.

Garron was the National Environmental Policy Act coordinator for over 2 million acres of military-held land in Alaska, 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 UAF vice chancellor for research, where she coordinated and conducted oil spill research.

Garron’s 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.

“The story doesn’t end with the journal article. My work is taking the awesome science we do here at UAF and applying it to Alaska and Alaskans. I specialize in bringing together teams to create solutions, and enhance outcomes,” Garron said.

In her 21 years in Fairbanks, Garron has been affiliated with UAF in myriad positions, including with UAF’s Institute of Arctic Biology, Forest Soils Lab and Alaska Satellite Facility. She says the connections she has made during her time at UAF will help her integrate herself within the AK CASC and IARC communities.