Allison Fong
American oceanographer
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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.
Allison Fong | |
|---|---|
| Born | |
| Alma mater | University of Hawaii Manoa |
| Occupation | Oceanographer |
| Employer | 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]