Lara Horstmann

Lara Horstmann is a Professor and Chair of the Department of Marine Biology at the University of Alaska Fairbanks (College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences). Her research focuses on Arctic marine mammal ecology, particularly feeding dynamics, adaptation to environmental changes, and contaminant impacts on subsistence resources. She holds a Ph.D. in Biology (2005, UAF) and an M.S. in Zoology (1997, University of Kiel).

Key research areas include microplastics in marine mammals, mercury in sea lion bones, genetic resilience in walruses, and dietary shifts in bowhead whales. Her work bridges ecological, physiological, and anthropogenic perspectives, addressing climate change and resource management challenges. Notable projects include studies on subsistence-harvested species and parasite impacts in Chinook salmon.

She advises eight graduate students and collaborates on initiatives like the Walrus Adaptability and Long-term Responses project. Her publications span 20 years, emphasizing trophic interactions, trace elements, and ancient DNA analyses. She has no listed scientific awards but maintains active fieldwork in Alaska’s Arctic regions.

Labs/Teams: Engaged in interdisciplinary Arctic marine studies, involving collaborations with NOAA, Alaska Native communities, and international institutions.