Andy is a wildlife biologist at the North Slope Borough Department of Wildlife Management in Barrow, Alaska. His Bachelor’s degree is from Purdue University, where he studied mechanical design & biology. Early on, Andy designed everything from medical products to toys, and he has 15 patents. Jumping at a chance to winter-over at Palmer Station, Antarctica, Andy wore many hats (e.g., carpenter, electrician, welder); but found marine science the most gratifying. After his time on the ice, Andy earned a Master’s in conservation biology from the University of Minnesota. He has worked with wolves, moose, waterbirds, and shorebirds; has taught several college courses; and mentors wildlife biology undergrads. Currently, Andy leads ice-seal and polar bear research at the NSB-DWM. His research investigates the spatial ecology of ringed-, spotted-, and bearded-seals. He also studies non-invasive genetic sampling methods for polar bears and seals; and is deeply involved in polar bear policy. Andy is a member of the ESA Polar Bear Recovery Team, the Scientific Working Group of the US-Russia Bilateral Commission, and the Polar Bear Technical Committee. He was also a US delegate to the Polar Bear Range States and US-Russia Bilateral meetings. In his free time, Andy plays guitar, dogsleds, and enjoys outdoors. January, 2018

Andrew's activities in Sitka