Allison Fong
Allison Fong | |
|---|---|
| Born | |
| Alma mater | University of Hawaii Manoa |
| Occupation | Oceanographer |
| Employer | Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research |
Allison Fong is an American oceanographer and polar biologist who is best known for her research into phytoplankton within the Arctic. She is currently a researcher for the Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research.
Early life and education
Fong grew up along the coast in Rhode Island.[1] She earned her graduate degree from the University of Hawaii Manoa.[2]
Career
From 2011 to 2014, Fong served on board of directors for Association for the Sciences of Limnology and Oceanography.[2] From 2016 to 2018, she was a member of the International Arctic Science Committee's marine working group.[2] She is currently a researcher for the Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research.[1]
Fong was the leader of the ecology team for the 2019-2020 MOSAiC Expedition to the central Arctic.[3][4] She studied phytoplankton and other algae to determine how they are able to survive in the absence of light under the polar ice.[5] The expedition and Fong's research was interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic when researchers were unable to return after the outbreak.[6] In total, Fong spent nine months at sea during the expedition.[7]
In 2026, Fong appeared in the National Geographic documentary Pole to Pole with Will Smith.[8] Smith dived below polar ice with Fong to assist in collecting microbial samples.[9] Fong cites the importance of studying sea ice algae as "fundamental to the habitability of Earth".[10]
Awards and honors
Fong was a finalist for the 2024 Frederik Paulsen Arctic Academic Action Award.[11]
References
- ^ a b Jacobo, Julia (April 22, 2021). "Meet some of the women who are fighting against climate change". abcnews.com. Retrieved March 1, 2026.
- ^ a b c Musorrafitibo, Dominique (March 14, 2023). "The Future of Polar Ecosystems: A Conversation with Allison Fong". china-underground.com. Retrieved March 1, 2026.
- ^ Henriques, Martha (October 23, 2019). "The problem of thinning Arctic sea ice". BBC. Retrieved March 1, 2026.
- ^ Fountain, Henry (September 19, 2019). "Scientists to Drift With Arctic Ice to Study Climate Change". The New York Times. Retrieved March 1, 2026.
- ^ Hall, Shannon (April 11, 2020). "Life in the Dark Arctic" (PDF). Science News. pp. 14–19. Retrieved March 1, 2026.
- ^ Hall, Shannon (April 24, 2020). "Coronavirus shutdown forces research ship to break out of Arctic ice". Nature. Retrieved March 1, 2026.
- ^ "The Unsung Heroes Beneath the Ice: Polar Ecologist Allison Fong on Will Smith, Arctic Microbes, and a Discovery Years in the Making". ScientificInquirer.com. February 6, 2026. Retrieved March 1, 2026.
- ^ Wise, Abigail (December 11, 2025). "EXCLUSIVE: Will Smith Goes to the Ends of the Earth in New Docuseries 'Pole to Pole'". Outside. Retrieved March 1, 2026.
- ^ Blake, Nzinga; Flores, Ruben (January 20, 2026). "From Curiosity to Culture: Will Smith and Nat Geo on the inspiration behind 'Pole to Pole'". abc7.com. Retrieved March 1, 2026.
- ^ Zaleski, Andrew (January 13, 2026). "Searching for life across the planet's frigid frontiers". National Geographic. Retrieved March 1, 2026.
- ^ "Introducing shortlisted nominees for the 2024 FP Award: Allison A. Fong and Amy Lauren". University of the Arctic. September 2024. Retrieved March 1, 2026.