Marine Vanlandeghem Gillespie

What’s the work that you do?

I am a Project Manager for UIC Science LLC. in Utqiaġvik, Alaska. I lead Arctic science projects that support the National Science Foundation and Battelle ARO program. My work focuses on coordinating research in remote environments, managing logistics, budgets, staffing, permits, and field operations. I collaborate with scientists, agencies, and international partners, while ensuring research respects environmental responsibilities and local Indigenous knowledge. Previously, I worked with the Alaska Center for UAS Integration and the Geophysical Institute at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. I am a bilingual scientist and educator with a background in environmental archaeology, experienced in project management, STEM outreach, drones, and cross-cultural collaboration.

What keeps you going?

What keeps me going is the chance to support local Native communities and place-based science in one of the most unique and fast-changing regions on Earth, the Arctic. I value working alongside community members and making sure research respects Indigenous knowledge and the land, air, and water people depend on. I also enjoy helping researchers succeed in the field, tackling tough logistical challenges, and turning ideas into real projects. Mentoring students and sharing science through outreach and education is another important part of my vocation. Knowing that my efforts help deepen understanding of the Arctic while connecting people, cultures, stories, and science gives my work real purpose.

What’s your message to the world?

The Arctic is not empty, it is a home that is alive and rich with knowledge, history, life and community. My message to the world is simple: listen. Listen to the land, to the environment, and to the people who have lived in these places for generations. The future of the Arctic matters to everyone, and the choices we make today will shape it for decades to come. When science, local knowledge, and respect for culture work together, we create stronger solutions. Curiosity, respect, humility, and collaboration are powerful tools. If we approach the world with those values, we can protect fragile places while still learning from them.