Microorganisms in Antarctic Glacier Ice

Lindsay Knippenberg is a science teacher at South Lake High School north of Detroit, Michigan where one of her primary goals is to get her students involved in the community. She has bachelor’s degree in biological sciences from Michigan State University, and a master’s degree in environmental science from University of Michigan-Dearborn. As an undergraduate student Ms. Knippenberg participated in a research experience for undergraduates (REU) studying harbor seals in Glacier Bay, Alaska. Since that experience, glaciers and the organisms that live in cold climates have fascinated her.
Even though Ms. Knippenberg lives in the city, she loves to get away and reconnect with nature by hiking, camping, snowshoeing, and kayaking. She also enjoys photography, attending Detroit Tigers games, traveling with her husband, and taking her dog Yoda for walks. She hopes that through her experiences with PolarTREC, she will inspire her students to pursue careers within the field of science and also inspire them to step outside of their comfort zones and not be afraid to take risks and have new experiences.

Mark Skidmore is an assistant professor of geology at Montana State University. Dr. Skidmore’s field research takes him to glaciers in Antarctica, the Swiss Alps, Alaska, the Yukon, Iceland, and Washington. He also conducts low temperature laboratory studies of microbial activity at near freezing temperatures. His current research focuses on the biogeochemical cycling and geomicrobiology of glacier systems and biogeochemical processes associated with geologic carbon dioxide (CO2) sequestration.