Brian Barnes

Brian M. Barnes is a Professor of Zoophysiology at the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF), affiliated with the Institute of Arctic Biology and the Department of Biology and Wildlife. He has held roles including INBRE Director, Toolik Field Station Co-PI, and Interim Director of the Institute of Arctic Biology. His research focuses on physiological ecology, endocrinology of hibernation, and biological rhythms in Arctic animals.

Education: BS in Biology (UC Riverside, 1977); PhD in Zoology (University of Washington, 1983). Postdoctoral training at UC Berkeley and international collaborations in Norway and the Netherlands. Awards include NSF grants and leadership in Arctic research networks.

Research Interests:

• Hibernation physiology and mechanisms
• Circadian rhythms in polar vertebrates
• Overwintering strategies of Arctic mammals and insects
• Climate change impacts on animal phenology

Notable Contributions:

• Discovered freeze-avoidance mechanisms in Arctic ground squirrels
• Pioneered studies on hibernation energy conservation and metabolic suppression
• Co-developed tools for field studies at the Toolik Field Station

Lab/Teams: Leads research groups studying Arctic hibernators, including collaborations on black bear hibernation genomics and insect antifreeze proteins. Advises students in physiology, ecology, and comparative biology.