Computer Support Specialist

Institute of Arctic Biology
311 Irving I
University of Alaska Fairbanks
Fairbanks, AK 99775-7000

office: 907-474-1176
fax: 907-474-6967
email:

Education

• Secondary Teaching Certificate, State of Alaska, 1998. Teachers for Alaska, UAF, December 1997.
• Ph.D. in Biology: December, 1993, University of Alaska Fairbanks. Dissertation Title: Latitudinal gradients in leaf litter decomposition in streams: effects of chemistry and temperature.
• M.S. in Biology: May, 1985, University of Alaska Fairbanks. Thesis Title: Life histories and community structure of the caddisflies (Trichoptera) of two Alaskan subarctic streams.
• B.A. in Northern Studies: May, 1977, Middlebury College, Middlebury VT. Thesis Title: The paleoecology of the Bering Land Bridge.

Teaching Experience

Adjunct Faculty/Instructor
University of Alaska Fairbanks

• Alaska Summer Research Academy, University of Alaska Fairbanks, June 2001, 2003.
• Principles of Evolution (Biology 481/681), Fall 1998.
• Freshwater Studies (Ed. 595), University of Alaska Fairbanks/Alaska Sea River Week. Fall 1990.
• Natural History of Alaska (Biology 104), University of Alaska Fairbanks. Spring 1990.
• Alaska Science Consortium, Summer 1988.

Center for Northern Studies, Wolcott, Vermont

• Winter Ecology. January, 1988-1998.

Teaching Assistant
University of Alaska Fairbanks, Department of Biology

• Ecology of Rivers and Streams - 1989
• Entomology - 1984
• Aquatic Entomology - 1984
• General Biology - 1983
• Limnology - 1982, 1983

UAF Graduate Committees Served On

• Robert MacLean, M.Sc. (co-chair): 1997
• Scott Smidt, M.Sc.: 1997
• Tom Simpson, M.A.T.: 1998
• Geoff York, M.Sc.: 2001
• Jeffrey Estensen, M.Sc.: 2001

Secondary Education
West Valley High School

Science and Mathematics Teacher (1998-2002)

• Biology I and II
• Alaska Zoology – Mammals
• Alaska Zoology – Birds and Fish
• Algebra I
• Biotechnology I and II
• Botany and Microbiology
• Earth Science I
• Environmental Science
• Introductory Physical Science

Student Teaching (1997), Dr. Gary A. Laursen, mentor teacher

• Human Anatomy and Physiology
• Botany and Microbiology
• Advanced Placement Biology

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Publications

• Oswood, M.W., J.B. Reynolds, J.G. Irons III, and A.M. Milner. 2000. Distributions of freshwater fishes in ecoregions and hydroregions of Alaska. J. N. Am. Benthol. Soc. 19: 405-418.
• MacLean, R.M., M.W. Oswood, J.G. Irons III., and W.H. McDowell. 1999. The effect of permafrost on stream biogeochemistry: a case study of two streams in the Alaskan (USA) taiga. Biogeochemistry, 47: 239-267.
• MacLean, R., J.G. Irons III, M.W. Oswood, and W.H. McDowell. 1997. The effect of permafrost on dissolved organic carbon exports from two subarctic streams. pp. 338-344 in Iskandar, I.K.,E.A. Wright, J.K. Radke, B.S. Sharratt, P.H. Goenevelt, and L.D. Hinzman (eds.). International Symposium on Physics, Chemistry, and Ecology of Seasonally Frozen Soils, Fairbanks, Alaska, 10-12 June 1997. U.S. Army Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory Special Report 97-10, Hanover, NH.  573 pp.
• Irons, J.G. III and M.W. Oswood. 1997. Organic matter dynamics in three subarctic streams of interior Alaska. Journal of the North American Benthological Society 16: 23-28.
• Milner, A.M., J.G. Irons III, and M.W. Oswood. 1997. The Alaskan landscape: an introduction for limnologists. pp. 1-44 in A.M. Milner and M.W. Oswood (eds.). Alaskan freshwaters. Springer-Verlag.
• Oswood, M.W., J.G. Irons III, and D.M. Schell. 1996. Dynamics of dissolved and particulate carbon in a tundra stream in arctic Alaska. pp. 275-289 in J.F. Reynolds and J.D. Tenhunen (eds.). Landscape function: implications for ecosystem response to disturbance. A case study in arctic tundra. Springer-Verlag.
• Oswood, M.W., J.G. Irons III, and A.M. Milner. 1995. River and stream ecosystems of Alaska. pp. 9-32 in C.E. Cushing, K.W. Cummins, and G.W. Minshall (eds.). River and stream ecosystems. (Vol. 22 of the Ecosystems of the World series). Elsevier Science, Amsterdam.
• Irons, J.G., III, M.W. Oswood, R.J. Stout, and C.R. Pringle. 1994. Latitudinal patterns in leaf litter decomposition: is temperature really important? Freshwater Biology 32: 401-412.
• Hartzmann, R.J., J.G. Irons III, and C.W. Slaughter. 1993. Comprehensive environmental database development: a subarctic watershed example. pp. 169-170 in T.D. Prowse (ed.). Proceedings of the ninth Northern Research Basins meeting, Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, Canada, 15-17 August 1992. abstract only.
• Irons, J.G., III. 1993. Latitudinal gradients in leaf litter decomposition in streams: effects of chemistry and temperature. Ph.D. dissertation, University of Alaska Fairbanks.
• Irons, J. G., III, L. K. Miller, and M. W. Oswood. 1993. Ecological adaptations of aquatic macroinvertebrates to overwintering in interior Alaska (U.S.A.) subarctic streams. Can. J. Zool. 71: 98-108.
• Irons, J.G., III, M.W. Oswood, and C.W. Slaughter. 1993. Carbon dynamics in permafrost-affected stream systems: implications of global change. pp. 199-215 in T.D. Prowse (ed.). Proceedings of the ninth Northern Research Basins meeting, Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, Canada, 15-17 August 1992.
• Irons, J.G., III and M.W. Oswood. 1992. Seasonal temperature patterns in an arctic and two subarctic Alaskan (USA) headwater streams. Hydrobiologia 237:147-157.
• Oswood, M.W., A.M. Milner, and J.G. Irons III. 1992. Climate change and Alaskan rivers and streams. pp. 192-210 in P. Firth and S. Fisher (eds.). Global climate change and freshwater ecosystems. Springer-Verlag, N.Y.
• Irons, J.G., III, J.P. Bryant, and M.W. Oswood. 1991. Effects of moose browsing on decomposition rates of birch leaf litter in a subarctic stream. Can. J. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 48: 442-444.
• Oswood, M.W., L.K. Miller, and J.G. Irons III. 1991. Overwintering of freshwater benthic macroinvertebrates. pp. 360-375 in R.E. Lee and D.L. Denlinger (eds.). Insects at low temperature. Chapman and Hall, N.Y.
• Irons, J.G., S.R. Ray, L.K. Miller, and M.W. Oswood. 1989. Spatial and seasonal patterns of streambed water temperature in an Alaskan subarctic stream. pp. 381-390 in W.W. Woessner and D.F. Potts. Proceedings of a Symposium on Headwaters Hydrology. Am. Wat. Res. Assoc., Bethesda, MD.
• Oswood, M.W., J.G. Irons III, J.W. Hilgert, and C.W. Slaughter. 1989. Effects of riparian vegetation removal on an Alaskan subarctic stream. pp. 3-13 in W.S. Ashton. Groundwater: Alaska's hidden resource. Rep. IWR-112. Wat. Res. Center, Inst. Northern Eng., Univ. Alaska Fairbanks.
• Irons, J.G., III. 1988. Life history patterns and trophic ecology of Trichoptera in two Alaskan (U.S.A.) subarctic streams. Can. J. Zool. 66: 1258-1265.
• Irons, J.G., III., M.W. Oswood and J.P. Bryant. 1988. Consumption of leaf detritus by a stream shredder: influence of tree species and nutrient status. Hydrobiologia 160: 53-61.
• Irons, J.G., III. 1985. The life histories and community structure of the caddisflies (Trichoptera) of two Alaskan subarctic streams. M.S. Thesis, University of Alaska, Fairbanks.

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Meeting Presentations

• MacLean, R., J.G. Irons III, M.W. Oswood, and W.H. McDowell. 1997. The influence of permafrost on the biogeochemistry of two subarctic streams in central Alaska. Presentation at the Seasonally Frozen Soils Symposium, Fairbanks, AK. June 1997. (presented by Irons).
• Smidt, S., J.G. Irons III, and M.W. Oswood. 1997. Macroinvertebrate community structure in two watersheds of differing permafrost coverage. Presentation at the North American Benthological Society Annual Meeting, San Marcos, Texas, May 26-30, 1997.
• Irons, J.G., III and R.J. Hartzmann. 1996. Use of streambed temperature patterns and hydrograph to infer subsurface hydrology. Presentation at the North American Benthological Society Annual Meeting, Kalispell, Montana, June 1996.
• Irons, J.G., III and W.H. McDowell. 1995. The effect of discontinuous permafrost on the carbon dynamics of two taiga forest headwater streams. Presentation at the American Water Resources Association, Alaska Chapter, meeting in Juneau, Alaska, April 1995, and at the North American Benthological Society Annual Meeting, Keystone, Colorado, May 1995.
• Irons, J.G., III, M.W. Oswood, J.P. Bryant, R.J. Stout, and C.M. Pringle. 1994. Phenology of leaf litter breakdown from native and exotic trees: leaf chemistry and shredder dynamics in an Alaskan subarctic stream. Presentation at the North American Benthological Society Annual Meeting, Orlando, Florida, May 1994.
• Irons, J.G., III, M.W. Oswood, R.J. Stout, and C.M. Pringle. 1993. Latitudinal patterns in leaf litter decomposition: is temperature really important? Presentation at the North American Benthological Society Annual Meeting, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, May 1993.
• Irons, J.G., III. 1992. Aquatic invertebrate ecology research at the Institute of Northern Forestry. Presentation at the Watershed/Wildlife/Hydrology/Fisheries meeting, Region 10, US Forest Service, Juneau, Alaska, April 1992.
• Irons, J.G., III, L.K. Miller, and M.W. Oswood. 1992. Ecological adaptations of aquatic macroinvertebrates to overwintering in interior Alaska (U.S.A.) subarctic streams. Presentation at the North American Benthological Society Annual Meeting, Louisville, KY, May 1992.
• Irons, J.G., III, M.W. Oswood, and C.W. Slaughter. 1992. Carbon dynamics in permafrost-affected stream systems: implications of global change. Presentation at the Ninth Northern Research Basins meeting, Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, Canada., August 1992.
• Oswood, M.W., J.G. Irons III, and A.M. Milner. 1992. Stream invertebrates. Presented at the Alaska Biodiversity Conference, Anchorage, Alaska. 24-26 March 1992. (Presented by Oswood).
• Oswood, M.W., J.G. Irons III and J.P. Bryant. 1991. Taiga forest processes and detrital food webs in subarctic streams. Presentation at the North American Benthological Society Annual Meeting, The College of Santa Fe, Santa Fe, NM, May 1991.
• Irons, J.G., III, J.P. Bryant, and M.W. Oswood. 1991. The influence of herbivory and nutrient fertilization on the quality of leaf litter as food for stream shredders. Presentation at the North American Benthological Society Annual Meeting, The College of Santa Fe, Santa Fe, NM, May 1991.
• Irons, J.G., III, and M.W. Oswood. 1990. Potential changes in leaf litter food quality in northern streams due to global climate change. Presentation at the North American Benthological Society Annual Meeting, Virginia Polytechnical Institute, Blacksburg, VA, May 1990.
• Oswood, M.W., A.M. Milner, and J.G. Irons, III. 1990. Climate change signals in high-latitude streams and rivers. Presentation at the North American Benthological Society Annual Meeting, Virginia Polytechnical Institute, Blacksburg, VA, May 1990.
• Irons, J.G., L.K. Miller, and M.W. Oswood. 1989. Seasonal temperature patterns in an arctic and two subarctic Alaskan headwater streams, with comparisons to temperate and tropical streams. Presentation at the North American Benthological Society Annual Meeting, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada, May 1989; and at Arctic Science Conference, UAF, September 1989.
• Oswood, M.W. and J.G. Irons III. 1989. Organic carbon dynamics of a tundra stream in arctic Alaska. Presentation at the North American Benthological Society Annual Meeting, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada, May 1989.
• Hilgert, J.W., J.G. Irons III, and C.E. Hornig. 1988. Comparison of benthic macroinvertebrates and sediment in streams draining placer gold mining areas to unmined streams in central Alaska. Poster presentation at the North American Benthological Society Annual Meeting, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, May 1988.
• Irons, J.G., III, L.K. Miller, M.W. Oswood, and S.R. Ray. 1988. Spatial and seasonal patterns of stream bed water temperatures in an Alaskan subarctic stream. Poster presentation at the North American Benthological Society Annual Meeting, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL., May 1988; and oral presentation at Headwaters Hydrology Symposium, Am. Water Res. Assoc. Meeting, Missoula MT, June 1989.
• Irons, J.G., III. 1985. Latitudinal gradients in taxonomic richness, community composition, density, and biomass of North American Trichoptera. Presentation at the North American Benthological Society Annual Meeting, Oregon State University, Corvallis OR, June, 1985.
• Irons, J.G., III. 1984. The ecology of caddisflies (Trichoptera) in two Alaskan subarctic streams. Presentation at the North American Benthological Society Annual Meeting, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, May 1984.
• Irons, J.G., III, M.W. Oswood and J.P. Bryant. 1984. Choices of leaf detritus by a shredding caddisfly: effects of species and tree fertilization. Presentation at the North American Benthological Society Annual Meeting, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, May 1984. (paper presented by M.W. Oswood)

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Reseach Work Experience

• Research Associate, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Institute of Arctic Biology. October 1995 - present.
• Liaison between the University of Alaska Fairbanks Long Term Ecological Research Program and the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District as part of the Schoolyard LTER program, funded by the National Science Foundation, 1998-1999.
• Affiliate Senior Research Associate, University of Alaska Anchorage, Environment and Natural Resources Institute. February 1996 - present.
• Research Aquatic Biologist, Institute of Northern Forestry (Ecosystem Processes Research Program), USDA Forest Service Pacific Northwest Research Station, Fairbanks, Alaska. GS-401-11. October 1994 - September 1995.
• Research Aquatic Biologist, Institute of Northern Forestry (Aquatic/Land Interactions Research Program), USDA Forest Service Pacific Northwest Research Station, Fairbanks, Alaska. GS-401-11. September 1991 - September 1994.
• Research Assistant, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Institute of Arctic Biology. Supervisor: Dr. Mark W. Oswood. September 1988 - September 1991.
• Research Associate, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Institute of Arctic Biology. Supervisor: Dr. Mark W. Oswood. May 1986 - August 1988.
• Biological Technician, Institute of Northern Forestry, University of Alaska Fairbanks, in conjunction with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Supervisor: Jerry Hilgert. May 1985 ‑ December 1985 and May - December 1984.
• Research Aide, Institute of Arctic Biology, University of Alaska Fairbanks. Supervisor: Dr. Mark W. Oswood. May 1985 ‑ December 1985.
• Research Assistant, Alaska Cooperative Fisheries Research Unit, University of Alaska Fairbanks. June 1981 - May 1985.
• Laboratory Assistant, Institute of Northern Forestry, University of Alaska Fairbanks. Supervisor: Jerry Hilgert. May 1981 - June 1981.

Other Research-related Experience

• Site Manager for Caribou-Poker Creeks Research Watershed, Chatanika, Alaska, part of the Bonanza Creek Long Term Ecological Research program. Fall 1994 - Fall 1997.
• Member of Center for Global Change (UAF) steering committee, UAF. Spring 1995 - Fall 1997.
• USFS and LTER representative to the Interagency Hydrology Committee for Alaska. Spring 1995 - Fall 1997.Member of Center for Global Change (UAF) steering committee. Spring 1995 - Fall 1997.
• Member of the Riparian Zone Forest Management Standards committee, organized by Les Fortune, Regional Forester, Alaska Department of Natural Resources, Division of Forestry. Chair of sub-committee on river classification and geomorphology. 1994, 1995.
• Co-Principal Investigator (with Dr. Charles Slaughter) for Earthwatch expedition entitled "Taiga River Life," held at the Caribou-Poker Creeks Research Watershed in Chatanika, Alaska, summer 1993, 1994.
• Representative for the Institute of Northern Forestry on the Civil Rights Action Group of the Pacific Northwest Research Station, USDA Forest Service. Fall 1992 -- Spring 1995.
• Representative for the Institute of Northern Forestry on the Education Action Group of the Pacific Northwest Research Station, USDA Forest Service. Fall 1992 -- Spring 1995.
• Member of organizing committee for Organic Matter Workshop at NABS 1993 meeting in Calgary, Alberta.
• Member of committee for Stream Ecology Research at Long-Term Ecological Research Sites, North American Benthological Society. 1992-1993.
• Graduate student representative to the search committee for a Quantitative Wildlife Biologist faculty position, University of Alaska Fairbanks, 1991.
• Consultant, Alaska Biological Research, Fairbanks. 1990.
• President, Biology and Wildlife Graduate Student Organization, University of Alaska Fairbanks, 1989-1991.
• Member of the organizing committee for the American Society of Mammalogists annual meeting, held in Fairbanks, 1989.
• Computer consultant for the Department of Biology and Wildlife, University of Alaska Fairbanks. 1988 - 1989.
• Consultant, Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Habitat Division, Fairbanks. 1986.
• Graduate student representative to the Research Advisory Committee, Institute of Arctic Biology, University of Alaska Fairbanks, 1984.