Tyler Jones

  • Assistant Research Professor

Geology • Stable isotopes • Drones

I study abrupt climate change through the lens of science and culture. My research focus areas are Alaska, Greenland, and Antarctica.

I have active projects funded through the National Science Foundation, the Office of Naval Research, and Sandia National Labs.

My research is based in the polar regions of both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, often in remote field camps, with a focus on Alaska, Greenland, and Antarctica.  I am one of five co-leads for the Stable Isotope Lab (SIL) at INSTAAR. The SIL has a long history of carbon cycle and hydrologic cycle research related to isotope biogeochemistry, and in recent years, our scientific footprint has been expanding.

In Alaska, I study the changing landscape and hotspot-methane emissions in permafrost-thaw regions. I work with Indigenous communities in the Yukon River Watershed to better understand how to 'navigate the new Arctic', or in other words, to be prepared for the future ahead. In Greenland and Antarctica, I recover ice cores from remote field camps to reconstruct past climates extending back 100s of thousands of years. I am actively involved in science communication through film, photography, art, and public speaking. I also pursue climate policy by taking appointments on task forces or environmental policy boards.

Stable Isotope Lab News about Tyler 

Education

  • PhD (Biogeochemistry): University of Colorado, 2015
  • MS (Environmental Studies): University of Colorado, 2010
  • BS (Civil Engineering - Hydrology): University of Colorado, 2006

Teaching

I am always excited to chat with prospective graduate students - please get in touch.

I am currently accepting students (M.Sc. or Ph.D.) who have their own funding source.

Current students

Outreach

I love to mix science with outreach.

I spent 10 years at an Emmy-award winning documentary film company learning the importance of storytelling. I feel like everything humanity is based on stems from storytelling, and science is no different. A good story can change the world. Recently, I have taken part in artist residency programs, given public lectures about "the entire climate history of Earth", and volunteered in climate-policy positions.

Publications

For additional publications, see Tyler's Publications page.