Laura Brown

Laura Brown is an Associate Professor and Chair in the Department of Geography, Geomatics and Environment at the University of Toronto Mississauga. She holds a PhD from the University of Waterloo and has expertise in cryosphere studies, remote sensing, and climate science.

Her research focuses on ice and snow dynamics, particularly lake ice responses to climate conditions in Arctic and temperate regions. She uses satellite data, field observations, and modeling to assess cryosphere changes. Active projects include monitoring lake ice phenology in Nunavut and Central Ontario, with fieldwork involving trail cameras and ice thickness sensors.

Dr. Brown participates in the Environmental Processes & Change in Natural Systems research cluster and actively recruits MSc/PhD students interested in freshwater ice and snow studies. She teaches courses like The Cryosphere and Arctic Climate.

Her lab, the Cryosphere Research Lab, collaborates on projects like Northern Hydrology studies and lake ice projections. Recent publications highlight pan-Arctic sea ice changes, snow-albedo interactions, and Arctic wetland dynamics.

Education: PhD (University of Waterloo), MSc (York University), HBSc (York University), GIS/Remote Sensing Certificate (York University).