Microplastics Research and Education Center

Research & Education with a One Health Approach

Our Alaska & Arctic Waterways Analytics (AAWA) lab is outfitted with the state of the art instrumentation for microplastics research.

We conduct research in many ecosystems: mountain watersheds, ocean dives along Alaskan coastlines, summit mountains, kayak rivers, and trek to Arctic regions of northern Alaska. We aspire to take a One Health approach to research, respecting the land and the peoples who live traditionally in and on the land, braiding Indigenous Knowledge and Western Science into our research practices. We welcome undergraduate and graduate students to work and study at the Microplastics Research and Education Center! Find out about research opportunities and student awards!

Phone: (907) 564-8883
Email: dbarker@alaskapacific.edu

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The microplastics laboratory with a view of the Chugach Mountains out of the windows.

Our Partners

The Microplastics Research and Education Center is supported by a collaborative agreement with NASA: ~$5M, 5-year award for research, student internships, tuition and housing.

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We are partnering with the Moore Institute for Plastic Pollution Research in California. The Moore Institute lab is one of two labs in the USA accredited by the California Water Board for detecting microplastics in drinking water.

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We are partnering with the lead scientists in the NASA SWOT (Surface Water Ocean Topography) Satellite Mission to track microplastics movement on the ocean.

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Our Team

Dee Barker headshot

Dee Barker, PhD

Principle Investigator for the award with NASA, Associate Professor of Chemistry & Environmental Science

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A person in a purple jacket and life vest taking a selfie while kayaking on a lake with trees in the background.

Lauren Oschak, MAT

Microplastics Research & Education Center Administrator, AAWA lab manager

A man with a beard and short hair smiling in front of a fountain, wearing a plaid shirt.

Nathan Anderson, MS

Co-PI in the Microplastics Research & Education Center Project, Assistant Professor of Marine & Environmental Science