Dr. John Erich Christian - PI, Assistant professor

I am a glaciologist and assistant professor of Geography at the University of Oregon. I grew up on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula, a magnificent spot to start thinking about the Earth System. I was introduced to glacier research while studying physics at St. Olaf college (MN), which inspired me to pursue my PhD in Earth and Space Sciences at University of Washington. I conducted postdoctoral research through Georgia Tech’s School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, and the University of Texas Institute for Geophysics.

I enjoy researching ice and climate for the blend of scientific tools we apply and the captivating geographic settings we study. I also find it a compelling way to try to understand human impacts on the Earth System.

Dr. Schmitty Thompson (They/Them) - Postdoctoral Scholar

I am a geologist and climate scientist, currently a Postdoctoral Scholar in Geography at the University of Oregon. My research uses numerical models to study interconnected earth systems such as the oceans, atmosphere, and cryosphere and ask questions about what our planet looked like during ice age cycles. I’ve previously been a research associate at Oregon State University, where I also received my PhD. Originally from the Midwest, I grew up in Minnesota and studied Geology and Math at Northland College in the northwoods of Wisconsin. Outside of work I am also an avid reader and knitter, and get easily distracted looking at cool rocks.

  • email: schbt {at} uoregon {dot} edu

Alma Diaz - PhD Student, Geography

I am a PhD student in Geography at the University of Oregon. I grew up in southern GA, conspicuously lacking in ice, where I earned my undergraduate degree in Geoscience at Valdosta State. My cryosphere research journey began north with an REU at Georgia Tech’s Ice and Climate lab and has since made it even further northwest in pursuit of glaciers.

My current research uses numerical models to explore ice-sediment feedbacks in tidewater glaciers but I am also broadly interested in glacial geomorphology, ice-climate dynamics, and climate change in the cryosphere. After hours, I read a lot of spy novels and spend time with cats.

Bella Ebner - Undergraduate researcher

I am a fourth-year undergraduate student majoring in Geography and Planning, Public Policy, & Management with minors in Climate Studies and Global Service. My research examines the pre-industrial extent of glaciers in the Dungeness Watershed of the Olympic Mountains. I have been exploring how to quantify loss through mapping and modeling melt. I generally enjoy studying the “why of where,” and think geography brings a unique perspective to glaciers.

Former/Affiliated Members

Isabelle Below - Undergraduate researcher

UO Computer Science / Earth Sci. ‘26

Harper Rich - Undergraduate researcher

UO Earth Sci.

Mia Schumann - Undergraduate honors thesis (co-advised with Dave Sutherland)

UO Env. Sci., Spatial Data Sci.

Henry Axon - Undergraduate researcher

UO Physics ‘26