From Glacier to Graduation: Aubrey Palmer’s Path in Environmental Science

Long before graduation day, Aubrey Palmer was already out on the ice when biking to the Eklutna River and taking helicopter rides to the Eklutna Glacier, stepping onto its surface, and collecting the kind of data that helps shape the future of Anchorage’s water systems.

Originally from Marquette in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, Aubrey came to Alaska Pacific University through the EcoLeague exchange program while attending Northland College. When her original school announced it was closing, she made the decision to stay in Alaska.

Now graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Marine and Environmental Science and a Minor in Outdoor Studies, Aubrey has turned her passion for the outdoors into hands-on scientific research. An avid climber, backpacker, runner, and all-around adventurer, she’s expanded her interests far beyond climbing to embrace everything from splitboarding to ice skating.

That love for the outdoors translated seamlessly into her academic work. After connecting with Professor Jason Geck, Aubrey found her niche in hydrology and glaciology. Through her coursework and senior project, she began conducting extensive fieldwork in the Eklutna watershed. She ventured out to the glacier more than a dozen times, often biking in to collect river discharge data and flying out to gather snowpack measurements.

Her senior project focuses on evaluating the hydrology of the East Fork of the Eklutna River, which is a watershed that plays a critical role in Anchorage’s water supply and energy production with 12% of electricity and 80% of water supply coming from Eklutna Lake. By collecting and modeling real-world data, Aubrey’s research contributes to a larger, ongoing effort to better understand how glacier melt impacts water availability. With most of Anchorage’s drinking water and a portion of its electricity tied to this watershed, her work carries meaningful, real-world implications.

For Aubrey, the most rewarding part of the experience has been the fieldwork itself. She first connected with Jason Geck during APU’s survey methods course in which students create research projects and then conduct data collection in places like Kachemak Bay and McCarthy. During the course, they started talking about hydrology and glaciology, which led her to senior project and picking the marine and environmental science tract.

“Getting to work with Jason has been the highlight of my experience. He opened the door to so many opportunities—from building weather stations on glaciers to flying out and collecting field data firsthand. I’ve been able to do real, hands-on science, not just learn about it in a classroom,” she says. “He’s also been incredibly supportive of my senior project, which has grown into something quite large. Being out in the field gathering data and getting to adventure while doing it has been really great. I don’t think I would have gotten to do something like this anywhere else, so I’m stoked about that.”

She also found meaning in the strong sense of community that supported her along the way. Each time she headed out to collect hydrology data, she borrowed a friend’s bike and invited someone new to join her. Over the course of about 13 trips—biking 12 miles each way—those shared efforts became a reminder of how many people were willing to show up and help her succeed.

After graduation, she plans to continue exploring Alaska but this time as a guide with Alaska Alpine Adventures, leading backpacking trips across the state’s national parks. She’s also considering returning to APU to pursue a master’s degree and continue her research.

Reflecting on her time at APU, Aubrey credits the opportunities she’s had, both in the classroom and in the field, as defining moments. From mountaineering in the Alaska Range to teaching winter wilderness courses, she’s built a college experience rooted in curiosity, hands-on learning, and connection to place.

Her advice to future students: be open to new opportunities, try things you didn’t expect, and commit fully to whatever path you choose. You never know where it might lead!