Exploring New Frontiers.
Andrew Fountain’s research leads him to some of the most remote places on the planet. As a professor of geography and geology at Portland State University studying the science of glaciers, Fountain spends much of his time learning about glaciers in the American West and in the frozen deserts of Antarctica.
“There’s so much great science out there. AAAS brings it together so it’s accessible.”
Why here? Fountain explains that the American West is home to over 8,000 glaciers, and that unlike glaciers in many other parts of the world, many of these are near where people live and work. “There are people all around this area that are impacted by these glaciers, and yet there’s much we don’t know. I’m trying to change that,” he says.
In Antarctica, Professor Fountain studies the formation of cryoconite holes and the simple microbial ecosystems within. These holes develop inside glaciers when dirt and dust on the surface cause sunlight to be absorbed rather than reflected, melting ice inside the glacier, and learning about them helps scientists understand conditions that may be indicators for the presence of life on other planets.
When Dr. Fountain is in the field, AAAS and its work are never far away. He credits his time as an AAAS Fellow with raising his profile in the field and helping him develop peer relationships that expose him to ideas and opportunities critical to his work.
Conferring with colleagues to advance his research is important to Professor Fountain, and AAAS members play an important role.
“I may be in faraway places, but the work of my colleagues is always close at hand,” he says. “Scientific exploration works best when we collaborate.”
He credits his time as an AAAS Fellow with raising his profile in the field and helping him develop peer relationships that expose him to ideas and opportunities critical to his work.
And when he’s on campus, Fountain believes that good teaching shouldn’t be limited to classroom lectures. AAAS contributes here as well. “Science gives me ideas for discussions in small-group and one-on-one interactions that are the most productive--for me as well as my students,” he notes. “It’s where I’m able to foster discussion and inquiry that leads to appreciation of science and drives me to ask new questions.”
Arming himself with new information from across the scientific community gives him the tools he needs to continue moving forward in his research. “There’s so much great science out there. AAAS brings it together so it’s accessible.”
For Professor Fountain, wherever his research takes him, AAAS is there.