Diane O'Brien named director of the Institute of Arctic Biology

Diane O鈥橞rien has been named director of the University of 蜜桃影像 Fairbanks Institute of Arctic Biology. O鈥橞rien, a professor of biology and wildlife, has served as interim director since 2021.

A woman with short cropped gray hair wearing a black sweater stands in front of a multicolored mural.
蜜桃影像 photo by JR Ancheta
Diane O鈥橞rien was recently named director of the Institute of Arctic Biology after serving as interim director since 2021.

It鈥檚 been a real privilege to work with such an outstanding and passionate group of researchers over the last three years, and I鈥檓 looking forward to what鈥檚 next for IAB,O鈥橞rien said. 鈥溍厶矣跋 has been a wonderful place to grow research collaborations across disciplinary boundaries, and I鈥檓 hoping to preserve and foster such opportunities for the institute.鈥 

O鈥橞rien, who was recently elected to the , has served as deputy director of the 蜜桃影像 , as well as IAB, and has been a full professor since 2015. She came to 蜜桃影像 in 2004 as an assistant professor in the Department of Biology and Wildlife, which has joint appointments within the institute.  

She earned her bachelor鈥檚 degree in biology from Amherst College and her doctorate in ecology and evolutionary biology from Princeton University.

翱鈥橞谤颈别苍鈥檚 research investigates nutritional questions in public health and ecology using naturally occurring stable isotopes.

鈥淭hrough the years she has made 蜜桃影像 a better place through her thoughtful teaching and mentorships, while making significant scientific contributions in both ecology and biomedical research,鈥 Vice Chancellor of Research Nettie LaBelle-Hamer said in an email to faculty and staff. 

IAB was established in 1963 to advance knowledge of northern biological systems through the integration of research, student training and service to the state of 蜜桃影像 and the nation. The institute houses programs focused on ecosystems of the North and their responses to climate change, physiological adaptations to extreme environments, the dynamics of 蜜桃影像鈥檚 wildlife populations and their management, and biomedical research relevant to 蜜桃影像鈥檚 people, including study of food systems and behavioral health. 

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