The Journalism Program commenced at the Toolik Field Station, offering participants a comprehensive, immersive experience during the initial two-week period. Six distinguished journalists are currently engaged in evaluating various facets of EVOME scientific research through both field work and laboratory analysis. These participants collaborate directly with researchers across multiple disciplines and academic levels, gaining a practical understanding of how interdisciplinary methodologies are applied to complex environmental research. Furthermore, the program has established a substantive mentorship exchange, enabling young researchers to acquire professional insights into media engagement and interview protocols while discussing the broader impacts of effective science communication.
Concurrently, research personnel in small, multi-level teams have been working on extended overnight expeditions throughout the Arctic region. These field operations are designed to monitor various biological and environmental parameters at EVOME’s field sites. Each expeditionary group is structured to include either a Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) participant and mentee, thereby ensuring the continued development of the project’s tiered mentoring framework.
Grad student Maddy Frey with Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Students Medina Lam and Ellis Timmer at Nugget Creek (NUGG) field site collecting insects. Photo: Jeff Lozier.
Research Assistant Harrison DuBois explains how the stream dataloggers function to the Journalism Program individuals Barbara Moran, Gloria Dickie, Seth Borenstein, and Denise Hruby, accompanied by ACES Fellow Francesca LoPresti. Photo: Heather Goldstone.
Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Student James McCulla holds a White-crowned Sparrow to show the Journalist Program participants how bird surveys are conducted, safe handling techniques, and explains what data is collected and how it supports EVOME’s research goals. Photo: Heather Goldstone.
Journalism Program participants Gloria Dickie and Barbara Moran process algal samples to measure benthic chlorophyll from rocks in study site streams. Photo: Heather Goldstone.