The Graduate College and the Media Commons of the University Library recently announced the winners of the 2025 Image of Research competition. This annual competition underscores the extraordinary creativity and intellectual diversity of our graduate students.
3RD PRIZE
The Melting Arctic: A Fleeting Beauty
by Lijia Guo from Plant Biology
"As the world warms, the Arctic feels first, its ancient tundra slowly unraveling. Here, in Alaska’s polygonal landscape, thawing permafrost reshapes the landscape—collapsing paths, shifting waterways, and rewriting the patterns etched by ice over millennia. The photo captures a breathtaking aerial view of Alaska’s polygonal tundra, a fragile and extraordinary landscape sculpted by the processes of permafrost. During the summer, we ventured into this remote and pristine expanse, conducting field sampling and excavating deep into the permafrost to analyze its secrets.Our lone tent, dwarfed by the endless tundra, feels like a metaphor for humanity itself—tiny and fragile against the vastness of nature, yet carrying the weight of its future. The crystal-clear pools mirror the endless sky, as if the Earth gazes skyward, seeking solace. Nature is both exquisitely beautiful and alarmingly fragile, demanding the dedication of generations to preserve and protect it. "
This is an abbreviated article highlighting graduate student Lijia Guo's work.