Dr. Alex Isern

Dr. Alexandra Isern (pronounced “ice-earn”) is currently the Assistant Director for Geosciences at the National Science Foundation (NSF). Previously she was Head of the Antarctic Sciences Section in NSF’s Office of Polar Programs. Dr. Isern has been at NSF for over twenty-two years, eleven of which were in Polar Programs. Dr. Isern was also Section Head for Surface Earth Processes within NSF’s Division of Earth Sciences. Dr. Isern received a Bachelor of Science in Geology from the University of Florida, a Master of Science in Oceanography from the University of Rhode Island, and her PhD. In geochemistry from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Zurich. After her PhD, Dr. Isern was a Lecturer in Marine Science and Geology at the University of Sydney, Australia. Her research primarily focused on the evolution of carbonate platforms and reefs as a result of climate change and resulted in many months at sea and in the field.

Where the wild science is

Join Alexandra Isern on an interactive journey through planet Earth. She’ll talk about what it’s like to stand on an ice sheet in Antarctica surrounded by waddling penguins, how best to connect with students on topics like dinosaurs and climate change, and where you can catch captivating auroras in the night sky. In addition to showing off the latest fashion from Antarctica, she’ll also have stickers, posters, and trading cards for the classroom.

Location

Rm. 165 (Gianforte Auditorium)