Sam Herried is an undergraduate student in the Geology and Geophysics program at UAF. Sam’s research focuses on modeling glacial melting and the effect of debris-cover on melting. The aim of his research is "to develop and compare methods that could ultimately resolve the glacier melt regime under debris-cover on a regional scale." His team gathered data from on-site glacial sensors as a control for comparison with data collected using an unmanned aerial vehicle. The goals of the project were to devise a new method for monitoring surface temperature of glaciers, provide the first estimate for glacial melt for the Cantwell Glacier in the Delta Mountains, and to write a peer-reviewed journal publication on the findings. Sam and his team were able to develop a regional-scale model to solve for debris thickness and glacial melt suppression.

In the summer of 2013 Sam was invited to study and collaborate in Zurich, Switzerland, with Dr. Francesca Pellicciotti, one of few glaciologists who specializes in debris-covered glacial melt modeling.

Sam gave an oral presentation to the AGU (American Geophysical Union) in December 2013 in San Francisco, CA. In April 2014 hepresented his research poster at "Posters on the Hill" for the US Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. He was one of 60 presenters (chosen in a nation-wide competition of 600) at this annual event hosted by the Council on Undergraduate Research. Sam was the first UAF student to present.