People

Dr. Erik Schoen

Research Assistant Professor, International Arctic Research Center at UAF

Collaborating Faculty, Biology & Wildlife and Natural Resources & Environment Depts. | Associated Faculty, Fisheries Dept.

Erik is a lifelong Alaskan who is always excited to get out on the water and learn more about fish and aquatic ecosystems. When he's not at work, you can find him out on the trails, making ice cream, or trying to keep up with his kids.

eschoen[at]alaska.edu | 907-474-7735 | Office: Akasofu Building room 407A | Google Scholar | Research Gate | CV

Maggie Harings

M.S. student (Fisheries), College of Ocean and Fisheries Science at UAF

Co-advised by Dr. Andrés López, University of Alaska Museum of the North and UAF Fisheries Department

Maggie’s research explores the use of environmental DNA (eDNA) to estimate Chinook and chum salmon escapement in Yukon River tributaries (learn more via this podcast!). She is also interested in monitoring ecologically important waterbodies—especially those with high use or vulnerability to climate change—that support critical spawning habitat for anadromous fish. In her free time, you'll find her splitboarding, teaching packrafting, serving on a committee for the American Canoe Association, and telling visual stories of Alaska life.

maharings[at]alaska.edu | Google Scholar | Research Gate

Dr. Brandi Kamermans (Cron)

Research Associate, International Arctic Research Center at UAF

Brandi is Diné (Nihoobáanii nishłį). Brandi is a mother, a wife, and a scientist. Brandi is aspiring to teach others about the use of genetics for natural resource management. 

brkamermans[at]alaska.edu | 505-870-7989 | Website| Google Scholar | Research Gate 

Will Samuel

Research Professional, International Arctic Research Center at UAF

Will Samuel studies a wide variety of topics related to fish and freshwater ecology. His research projects range from temperature effects on fish to stream restorations to understanding wildfire impacts on aquatic systems. His primary interests lie in species interactions, including multiple ongoing studies to understand how beavers impact fish resources in Alaska. Other research interests include using remote sensing techniques to monitor and manage aquatic ecosystems. 

wtsamuel[at]alaska.edu | Google Scholar | Research Gate 

Kristen Reece

M.S. student in Earth System Science with a concentration in Sustainability at UAF
Co-advised by Dr. Andrés López, University of Alaska Museum of the North and UAF Fisheries Department

Kristen, whose Iñupiaq name is Atluk, traces her family roots to the Selawik region in Alaska’s Northwest Arctic Borough. While her heritage is grounded in the far north, her family spent much of their time on the ancestral lands of the Dene' people along the Lower Tanana River in Fairbanks. A proud Iḷisaġvik College graduate, Kristen earned her A.S. in Allied Health in 2022 from Alaska’s only tribal college. In May 2025, she completed her B.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies with minors in Fisheries and Environmental Change at the University of Alaska Fairbanks-Troth Yeddha' Campus.
Kristen’s passion for Indigenous-led science and environmental stewardship shines through her work in the Ichthyology and Molecular Genetics Laboratory at the Museum of the North, where she contributes to CASC-related research. As a Caleb Scholars Program fellow, she actively engages in Inuit-led conservation advocacy.
Kristen and her husband are raising their two teenage daughters in North Pole, where they nurture strong family ties and cultural connections.
kereece[at]alaska.edu

Raven Dawson

M.S. student (Fisheries), College of Ocean and Fisheries Science at UAF

Co-advised by Peter Westley, UAF Fisheries Department

Raven's research focuses on understanding habitat use by Northern Pike and Chinook Salmon. The project aims to determine whether overlap in habitat use may limit or exclude Chinook and Chum Salmon, and to use these findings to predict how changing river conditions could affect critical habitats. Outside of work, Raven enjoys outdoor activities such as climbing, hiking, and boating. 

lrdawson[at]alaska.edu

Matt Zimmerman

Ph.D. student (Biology and Wildlife), College of Natural Sciences & Mathematics at UAF

Co-advised by Dr. Matt Gilbert, Department of Biology and Wildlife

Matt is interested in the use of ecology and physiology to inform the conservation and management of freshwater vertebrates. For his Ph.D. studies, Matt is a member of the Evolving Meta-Ecosystems (EvoME) Institute, where he investigates the ecological and physiological responses of arctic grayling to rapid changes occurring in river tundra environments. Before starting at UAF, Matt earned his M.S. in Biology at Western Carolina University studying seal salamander coloration and stress physiology and his B.S. degrees in Ecology and Chemistry at Augusta University, in his hometown of Augusta, Georgia. In his free time, he enjoys hiking, kayaking, and crocheting.

mjzimmerman[at]alaska.edu