Laura Conner
Vice Chancellor For Research
Laura Conner was appointed as UAF's vice chancellor for research in April, 2025, after serving as interim in that role for several months. Prior to this appointment, Conner served as associate director of the Geophysical Institute and as a faculty member, earning the rank of research professor in 2022. She holds a doctorate in ecology and evolutionary biology from the University of Arizona, master鈥檚 degrees from the University of Washington and Montana State University, and a bachelor鈥檚 degree from the University of Colorado, Boulder. Her work since earning her doctorate has focused on developing and studying new approaches to STEM teaching and learning. She has led or co-led ~$58 million in funding from a variety of federal agencies, including the National Science Foundation and NASA. She has held several other leadership roles at UAF, including faculty fellow for dual enrollment and the UArctic Assembly representative for UAF.