Marianne Lian

Originally from Norway, I graduated from the School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of Copenhagen in 2012, and worked for 1.5 years in clinical practice, before focusing full time on wildlife health and research. After completing a Fulbright Fellowship at Alaska Dept. of Fish and Game developing a new anesthesia protocol for caribou, I started a PhD at University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF), which I completed in 2020. 

My research has improved wildlife anesthesia for several species. Additionally, my research focuses on ecotoxicology, specifically environmental contaminants in wildlife and their implications for ecosystem and human health. I especially enjoy working in the remote wilderness in the Arctic and Sub-Arctic Circumpolar North doing research with communities and students.  

In addition to wildlife health, I also work with sled dogs. As the Director of Drug testing for the Iditarod Sled Dog Race, I review canine specimens for illegal doping. 

I joined the faculty of the Dept. of Veterinary Medicine, UAF as an Assistant Professor in 2023, where I am the course coordinator for Veterinary Clinical Toxicology, Pharmacology and Principles of Anesthesia. I also founded and lead the One Health Wildlife Lab with graduate students, undergraduates and veterinary students. 

Mentee: Tiffany Lee