Research Team
Principal Investigator
Dr. Alia L. Khan, PhD
Associate Professor, Aerospace Engineering Sciences
Dr. Khan has spent over a decade quantifying the impacts of light-absorbing particles on the cryosphere. Her research combines UAV and satellite remote sensing with ground-based biogeochemical analysis to document snow and ice melt across polar and high-mountain regions.
Current Openings: Dr. Khan is currently recruiting PhD students. Students and staff have the opportunity to engage with active NSF and NASA-funded research. Jump to Open Positions.
Current Team
Colby Rand, MS (2025) | Research Associate
Since graduating in August 2025, Colby has served as a Research Associate for the CU CryoBioGeosensing group. As an alumnus of the group, he focuses on mapping snow and ice algae in polar and alpine regions—including Greenland and Antarctica—via drone and satellite remote sensing.
Molly Adshead, BS (2023) | Research Associate
An undergraduate alumna of the group and a "wet lab wizard," Molly quantifies algae and dust concentrations in snow samples. She has participated in field campaigns in Greenland, Antarctica, and the North Cascades.
Ella Hall, MS (WWU) - 2026
's thesis entitled,investigated global aerosol modeled smoke deposition across the Greenland Ice Sheet. Her thesis results has resulted in two lead-author publications that are currently in review/prep. She participated in a field campaign at the Pituffik Space Base in NW Greenland with Dr. Khan in 2024, as well as campaigns to Mt. Baker, WA.
Ellie Ryan, MS (WWU) - 2026
's thesis research entitled, “” has recently been submitted for publication. For this work she collected and analyzed snow samples from the North Cascades and Antarctica in 2024 and 2025. Starting in Summer 2026, Ellie will begin a ‘Scientist in the Park’ fellowship with the National Park Service based in Fairbanks, AK.
Research Group Alumni
Colby Rand, MS (WWU) - 2025
has authored two lead-author papers derived from his thesis research entitled, "" specifically and .
Sally Vaux, MS (WWU) - 2024
's thesis entitled, “” has resulted in two lead-author publications (one still currently in review). Her work in the . Sally has been working as an Air Quality specialist for the Swinomish Tribe since February 2025. Sally started as an undergraduate research student before pursuing her MS. She has assisted with field and lab work in Antarctica, Alaska, and the North Cascades.
Shannon Healy, MS (WWU) - 2022
was funded through a Northwest Climate Adaptation Science Center Fellowship (NW-CASC). Her thesis entitled, “” resulted in two lead-author publications related to using UAVs to and . After graduation, Shannon worked as a Regulatory Specialist (Biologist) for the US Army Corp of Engineers before moving to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission where she has been working as an Environmental Scientist since 2024.
Molly Peek, MS (WWU) - 2022
's thesis entitled, “The role of photodegradation of dissolved black carbon signatures in North Cascades snow,” set up many of the lab methods utilized by Sally Vaux and subsequent analyses. Molly has been working as the Senior Lab Manager for the A.J. Drexel Nanomaterials Institute since 2023.
Alumni have moved on to impactful roles in federal agencies, tribal government, and specialized research institutes.
Undergraduate & Post-baccalaureate Assistants
We are grateful to the students who have contributed to our field and lab work.
Post-baccalaureate Researchers: Molly Adshead • Rachel de Sobrino • Audrey Malloy
Undergraduate Assistants:
| Years | Name |
|---|---|
| 2025 – 2026 | Natalie La Turner, Kyla Wynn |
| 2025 | Ian Fisher, Erik Aagard, Edison Twyman, Morgan Ramsey, Ashley Reek, Elena Korch, Elsa Lindenmeyer |
| 2024 – 2025 | Joel Rink, Emi Neal |
| 2024 | Valerye Perez, Sascha Knight, Emily Panteleef, Sarah Olson, Mikayla Kushter, Chloe Lindstrom, Jayden Lehner, Payton Bovee, Nathan Hoang |
| 2023 | Elliott Sciborski, Hannah Wagner, Elizabeth Bridge, Molly Adshead, Lucy Gaslin, Spencer Parr |
| 2022 | Ash Encina, Kevin Nolasco, Audrey Malloy |
| 2019 – 2021 | Sally Vaux, Michael Cecil, Eion Atkins |
Join the Team
Interested in joining the CryoBioGeosensing group?
We are always looking for motivated undergraduate and graduate students.
How to Apply:
- Review: Read our recent publications to understand our current research scope.
- Prepare: A detailed resume and a statement of interest.
- Connect: Email Dr. Khan highlighting how your experience and enthusiasm align with our work.