Brian Barnes was born in 1953 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Today, he’s a scientist at the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF), where he studies how animals survive in the cold Arctic winter. He’s especially interested in animals that can hibernate, like squirrels and bears, because they have amazing ways of slowing down their bodies to save energy when it gets very cold. His research helps us understand how these animals can “sleep” through the winter without eating much food or moving around, and still wake up healthy in the spring.
One of the cool things Brian has discovered is how animals’ bodies can adjust their heart rates and breathing to survive extreme temperatures. By studying this, he’s also finding ways that humans might use similar ideas for things like keeping donated organs healthy longer or helping people who are very sick. Brian’s work is important for understanding the Arctic and all the unique creatures that live there, especially as the climate changes and impacts their environment.
At UAF, Brian also teaches students and helps them get excited about biology and the Arctic. He loves sharing his discoveries and inspiring young scientists to think about how animals and humans can adapt to the world around them.