Our Lab
The Alaska Critical Minerals Hydrogeochemistry Lab is an integrated research group that draws upon expertise in geology, hydrology, geochemistry, remote sensing, and analytical chemistry
Our team includes faculty, post-docs, students and research professionals and technicians from diverse backgrounds and areas of expertise
We capitalize on extensive research collaborations across multiple academic institutions, industries and agencies
The Team
Dr. Lee Ann Munk
Geologist and Geochemist
Lab Co-Director and PI
Dr. Munk is the lead scientist of the AK CM Hydro Lab. She is a geologist and geochemist with 25 years of research experience focused on critical mineral resources and environmental geochemistry. She specializes in the origin of lithium deposits and conducts interdisciplinary research on other energy transition critical minerals such as Cu and REEs. She is currently a Professor in the Department of Geosciences at the University of Alaska Fairbanks and Director of the Alaska Critical Mineral Collaborative in the Geophysical Institute.
Dr. Jordan Jenckes
Hydrogeochemist and Data Slayer
Lab Co-Director and PI
Dr. Jenckes is a lead researcher in the AK CM Hydro Lab, pursuing a post doc in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Alaska Anchorage. Jordan specializes in the analysis, integration and interpretation of massive geologic, geochemical and environmental data sets to address watershed science and critical mineral exploration. His research is focused on terrestrial carbon export to the ocean and modeling geochemical weathering processes that generate solutes in high latitude watersheds impacted by cryoshpere degradation.
Core Team Members
The AHL is sustained by these amazing individuals
External Team Affliates
Faculty and Post-Doc Researchers