In the last two years, Gerlis had been working as a post-doctoral researcher at the International Centre for Northern Governance and Development (ICNGD) at the University of Saskatchewan in Canada. She completed her PhD in Geography in 2011 at the Department of Geography of the Justus Liebig University Giessen in Germany. Her research focused on projects in the Canadian Arctic and Sub-Arctic as well as Northern Scandinavia, addressing questions of comparative economic development, entrepreneurship, tourism, resource development and Northern engagement and participation in innovation and the knowledge economy.

Gerlis has been very actively involved in the APECS leadership for several years, helping to shape and manage many of the projects, events and resources made available through APECS. She served as an Executive Committee member between 2009 and 2011 and since then has mentored and advised the Executive Committee in an ex-officio role. During the 2009 - 2010 term, Gerlis also served as the elected APECS President. 

Gerlis is a strong advocate of early career scientists participation, recognizing the importance of networking, professional development, and extra-curricular training in the polar and cryosphere communities. We are very excited to have her lead the APECS Directorate in the next few years and are confident that she will be helping to shape the development of the organization into new heights. You can reach Gerlis any time at gerlis.fugmann(at)apecs.is
 
Please also see the official announcement on the APECS website