Robert McCoy, Ph.D.
Executive Director, GDNP UARC
Director, Geophysical Institute
University of Alaska Fairbanks A.B., Physics, Cornell University M.S., Physics, Texas A&M University Ph.D., Astro-Geophysics, University of Colorado Boulder
McCoy became the Director of the GI in 2011 and assumed leadership of the GDNP UARC in 2023. The GI is home to more than 460 faculty, staff and students who do research in geophysical disciplines in Alaska ranging from volcanology to space physics. The GI has nine major operational facilities including a rocket range, 12 downlink satellite dishes, HAARP, a large drone program and centers to monitor volcanoes and earthquakes in Alaska. In 2018 the GI became a DoD University Affiliated Research Center (UARC) for Geophysical Detection of Nuclear Proliferation (GDNP).
Prior to coming to Alaska, he worked for the Naval Research Lab (NRL) and the Office of Naval Research (ONR) as a space scientist. He served as the Technical Director of the DoD’s Operationally Responsive Space (ORS) Office at Kirtland AFB while managing ONR’s Tactical Space Innovative Naval Prototype program. He is a fellow of the American Meteorological Society.
Glenda Findlay Senior Program Manager B.A., Education and Business, University of Alaska MBA, Business Management, University of Alaska
Attracted by the opportunity to combine geophysics with DoD business opportunities, Glenda joined the University of Alaska GDNP UARC in February 2024.
Findlay’s career started at the University of Alaska in 1996 and has served as the K-12 Outreach Director and various Program Manager positions. She has worked with numerous stakeholders (legislators, native corporations, school districts and boards), and led strategic initiatives along with crafting educational policy.
Maren Savage Contracting Officer B.A., Business Administration with a Minor in Leadership, University of Alaska Fairbanks Masters Certificate, Government Contracting, ESI International, George Washington School of Business Certified Research Administrator
Maren has 24 years working in Research Administration at UAF, primarily with federal contract funds. She has focused her specialty in Government Contracting both incoming and outgoing funds. In August 2022 Maren joined the UARC as the Fiscal Manager and has recently been named the UARC Contracting Officer.
Doug Aydelott Program Manager A.A., German, The Congress of the United States of America B.A., History, Southern Illinois University M.ED., Education Leadership, William Carey University
In 2020, Doug retired from the US Army after 32 years of service as a Lieutenant Colonel of Cavalry.
Doug joined the University of Alaska GDNP UARC in February 2022 as a means to continue serving in the defense of our nation.