Institute of Arctic Biology

04/07/2026

We’re excited to see this incredible work in the spotlight! Last summer, Mario Muscarella partnered with scientists from SPUN and writer Max Levy on a field expedition across Alaska to study the hidden world beneath our feet. 🌱

Now featured in Quanta Magazine, this story highlights why Alaska may be a global hotspot for mycorrhizal diversity, and why these underground networks matter for the future of our planet.
Check it out! 👇

A vast meshwork of soil-bound fungi governs life aboveground. In Alaska, and at field sites around the world, researchers are racing to understand exactly how, with critical stores of carbon at stake.

12/05/2025

🎿 **IAB Ski Mass 2025!** ❄️

The Institute of Biology (IAB) held our annual **Ski Mass** today—a fun and spirited ski competition celebrating the holiday season! We’ll be sharing a few photos soon, so stay tuned!

And the fun isn’t over…

🎉 **IAB Holiday Party — Tonight!**
📍 *The Musher’s Hall on Farmers Loop*
⏰ *6:00–9:00 PM*

Bring your family and a dish to share as we celebrate the season together. **Ski Mass prizes will be awarded during the Holiday Party**, so don’t miss it!

Happy holidays, and we hope to see you tonight! ❄️✨

11/15/2025

Oh, what a night! 🎵
A huge thank you to everyone who came out for the BioCares fundraiser. Staff, grad students, and faculty had a blast cheering each other on and singing their hearts out.

Together, our community raised ~$2,400 for BioCares in just two weeks—amazing!

📸 Diane’s photo thanks to Mario
📸 Matt & Fred’s photo thanks to Shira

Already excited for next year!
—The BioCares Committee

11/14/2025

Sounds like success, U of A NSF center wins Innovator of the Year Award! IAB is proud to be a collaborative partner via Professor Falk Huettmann.

The U of A's New Frontiers of Sound Science and Technology Center research team has won the Governor’s “Innovator of the Year – Academia” award. The Arizona Technology Council and the Arizona Commerce Authority bestowed the honor at their annual event, the Governor’s Celebration of Innovat...

11/10/2025

11/06/2025

11/03/2025

Over the past 50 years, UAF’s Toolik Field Station matured into a world-renowned site for Arctic science, and it’s now drawing a new generation of researchers.

11/03/2025

https://share.google/JSuvZ4LDljgHRwkRa

Putting people into sleep mode is a sci-fi concept that's a lot closer to becoming real than you might think.

10/20/2025

A big shout-out to our own Mary Beth Leigh at the Institute of Arctic Biology for being featured in the recent New York Times article for her role in showcasing Alaska women’s leadership on climate change!

, Bonanza Creek LTER, National Science Foundation (NSF), Institute of Arctic Biology, University of Alaska Museum of the North, also Klara Maisch, Debbie Clarke Moderow Author, Becky Hewitt, Mary Beth Leigh

Paintings, poems and science are on display at the Museum of the North in Fairbanks, illustrating the shared impact when carbon is released from the permafrost.

10/13/2025

Congratulations to Andrea Bersamin and her team for securing a $3.26 million NIH grant to advance tribal heart health research — honoring tradition and empowering communities!

The National Institutes of Health has awarded the University of Alaska Fairbanks a $3.26 million grant for a new research project to address coronary heart disease among Yup’ik Alaska Native people in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta region.

10/01/2025

The Institute of Arctic Biology is looking for its next Executive Officer! We’re looking for someone who can think strategically and lead a strong team in a fast paced, collegial environment.

Join our awesome team - apply today!

The Institute of Arctic Biology (IAB) is seeking an experienced and strategic leader for its next Executive Officer. IAB supports over 150 faculty and staff conducting research throughout Alaska and the Arctic. As the Executive Officer, you will be responsible for leading a dedicated and professiona...