Dynamic Research of Arctic Cryospheric Organisms (DRACO)
The DRACO team is a group of faculty and student researchers studying polar environments at the nanoscale.
CT scan of permafrost from Greenland.
Led by Dr. Ross Lieblappen and Dr. Michelle Sama, the team analyzes the microstructure of a wide range of samples from the cryosphere. They recently received a $3.3M federal contract to image microbial communities in situ and understand their microenvironments in permafrost, sea ice, and snow.
This involves developing novel protocols for state-of-the-art instrumentation such as X-ray computed tomography (CT) imaging that can influence many areas of polar research. One of the DRACO team’s greatest missions is to inspire the next generation of polar scientists to understand this extreme environment to save it in a changing climate.
Air-Water Interface in Soils
Ice Lenses in Frozen Soils
Air Layers in Permafrost
Snow
Tephra
Permafrost
Sliding Surface on Snow
Ice Layer in Snowpack
Wood Pellets
Greenland Permafrost Core
Research Topics
Meet Associate Professor Ross Lieblappen and His Team
For any questions about DRACO and other research, see his contact information below.
Associate Professor
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Department
- Natural Sciences
Primary Office Location
Williston Campus
- Randolph
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Email Address
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Phone Number
Professor
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Department
- Natural Sciences
Primary Office Location
Randolph Campus
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Email Address
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Phone Number
Professor of Environmental Science and Chemistry
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Department
- Natural Sciences
Primary Office Location
Castleton Campus
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Email Address
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Phone Number
Research Scientist
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Department
- Natural Sciences
Primary Office Location
Randolph Campus
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Email Address
Student Researchers
Dominic Mazzilli
Academic Program:
Architectural Engineering Technology, ’26
Email Address:
drm00441@vsc.edu
Phone Number:
802.622.4991
Geo Cuciti
Academic Program:
Mechanical Engineering, ’28
Email Address:
iac00620@vsc.edu
Phone Number:
802.382.7741
Charlie Schwenker
Academic Program:
Atmospheric Science – Climate Change
Email Address:
crs00032@vsc.edu
Caleb Tilton
Academic Program:
Electromechanical Engineering, ’25
Email Address:
cat07081@vsc.edu
Phone Number:
802.585.9097
Ayden LaPoint
Academic Program:
Architectural Engineering Technology ’26
Email Address:
abl00651@vsc.edu
Phone Number:
802.477.2325
Nik Buonocore
Olivia Rutkowski
Ben Boggio
Academic Program:
Mechanical Engineering Technology
Email Address:
bcb02190@vsc.edu