Donald K. Perovich

Donald K. Perovich is a Professor of Engineering at Dartmouth College's Thayer School of Engineering. His research focuses on Arctic geophysics, sea ice dynamics, and climate change impacts. He has conducted extensive fieldwork, including leadership roles in the SHEBA and MOSAiC expeditions, and pioneered studies on sea ice-albedo feedback mechanisms.

Education: BS in Physics (Michigan State University, 1972), MS and PhD in Geophysics (University of Washington, 1979/1983). He has held visiting and adjunct roles, including Chief Scientist for the SHEBA project (1996–1999) and Co-Chief Scientist for NASA's ICESCAPES mission (2010–2012).

Research emphasizes sunlight-ice interactions, meltwater dynamics, and Arctic system responses to global warming. His work integrates field observations, satellite data, and modeling to understand climate feedbacks and environmental changes.

Notable awards include AGU Fellow (2013), CRREL Gallery of Distinguished Employees (2021), and multiple Department of Defense recognitions. He actively contributes to international committees, including the Arctic Sea Ice Working Group and the Year of Polar Prediction Steering Committee.

Perovich has led major grants and collaborations, including NOAA-funded Arctic monitoring projects. His lab focuses on advancing technologies for autonomous data collection in extreme environments. Current research explores how thinner Arctic ice affects heat transfer and ecosystem dynamics.