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The people behind the science

Science is a team sport! We are a group of scientists at the University of Colorado at Boulder who are seeking to understand how global change is affecting the structure and function of lakes. We primarily do fieldwork in the southern Rocky Mountains and use publicly available data, remote sensing imagery, and process models to apply our understanding of lake ecology at regional to continental scales.

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Faculty lead, Mountain limnology lab

Isabella A. Oleksy, Ph.D.

I'm an ecosystem scientist, biogeochemist, and life-long learner. I use mountain lakes as a natural laboratory to better understand how lakes more broadly "work." I'm passionate about open science and open data! When I'm not doing science, you can find me riding my bike, gardening, playing in the mountains, or seeing live music.

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Lab manager

Adeline Kelly

I am a limnologist and biogeochemist, with an interest in mountain lakes as well as the impacts of fire on water quality. I have previously worked with ponds and reservoirs in both grassland and prairie systems. Outside of science, I love rock climbing, running, biking, and skiing.

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PhD student

Katie Gannon

I am studying how greenhouse gases (carbon dioxide and methane) are produced, stored, and emitted from alpine lakes. I am particularly interested in how these processes are impacted by glacial inputs and changes in winter ice cover. When I am not doing science, you can find me trail running, reading books, and saying hello to every dog I see. 

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Undergraduate research student

Julia Pop

I'm an undergratuate senior studying ecology and evolutionary biology. I transferred from the University of Washington, where I first became interested in phycology, and I'm currently working on an honors thesis about the relationship between beetle-kill and lake-greening in the San Juan mountains of southern CO. Outside of science, I enjoy reading, road biking, rock-climbing and other general scampering.

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Programmer

Alex Gustafson

I'm a computer programmer and ecologist interested in using computational techniques to understand long-term trends. I am particularly interested in how rising temperatures and pollution affect aquatic species in high alpine environments. In my free time, I'm typically skiing, fly fishing remote creeks, or watching Below Deck. 

https://pygoose.com/ 

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Postdoctoral researcher

MJ Farruggia, Ph.D.

I am an aquatic global change ecologist interested in learning how freshwater ecosystems work and how they are changing. I have previously worked on questions about wildfire, warming, and invasive species in systems ranging from mountain lakes and ponds to tidal wetlands and estuaries. Outside of work, I like hiking, sewing, and watching reality TV. 

https://www.mjfarruggia.com/

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Postdoctoral researcher

Chase Rakowski

I use theory, experiments, and data analysis to understand the consequences of species interactions for ecosystem functions and services. I love studying freshwater critters and mixing some applied environmental science into basic ecology. I also love natural history, food and beverages, and music.

https://www.chaserakowski.com/ 

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PhD student

Abby Ross

I’m a biogeochemist and microbiologist interested in nutrient cycles and microbial community dynamics in alpine lakes. My previous work centered around the distribution and regulation of harmful algal bloom toxins in lakes. If I’m not in the lab or doing fieldwork, you can probably find me hiking, cooking, or reading!

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Lead aquatic technician at the Niwot Ridge LTER

Bryan Gager

I recently earned my bachelor’s degree within the Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and Geography programs at CU Boulder, and am publishing my honors thesis on a novel method for predicting ice presence on lakes, using The Loch in Rocky Mountain National Park as a test case. I am passionate about open and inclusive science, science communication, and diversity within science.

Lab alumni:

Bryan Gager, EBIO Honors Student. Now lead aquatic technician at the Niwot Ridget LTER

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