About Ari

Ari Koeppel is a remote sensing scientist and educator with a passion for exploring the complexities of planetary surfaces. With expertise in GIS mapping and data processing, imaging spectroscopy, Mars mission science, thermodynamic numerical modeling, and drone/field-based data collection, Ari works to advance our understanding of environmental change and habitability on our planet and others. His recent research focuses on rapidly thawing permafrost in the Arctic, shedding light on the future we can expect for this vulnerable and geopolitically important region. As an educator, Ari seeks to spark scientific curiosity in students at various levels—graduate, undergraduate, and high school—through courses in astronomy, geology, engineering, and physics. He has also taken a proactive role in spreading science literacy outside the classroom through outreach events and as an experiential educator leading wilderness excursions. Ari believes that creative exploration, whether in space or in Earth's wild places, is a powerful way to cultivate a deeper connection with our natural world.

Some of Ari's favorite activities outside of science include outdoor activities like whitewater kayaking, mountaineering, gardening, and walking his dog Gwynnie, as well as creative pursuits like sculpting and ceramics. He also is a regular in pickup hockey at the local ice rink and loves old movies.