News | People Community

People Spotlights are news stories centered on an INSTAAR member or group, rather than a science result or a community event. In many cases, the spotlight will focus on a person's latest award or special accomplishment.

Photo of Jim White

Dean Jim White to leave ֱ Boulder for position in North Carolina (ֱ Boulder Today)

May 19, 2022

Jim White, acting dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and INSTAAR researcher, has accepted the position of dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. White will remain at ֱ Boulder through June 30.

Seedlings sprouting

Lovenduski, Rahman, and Suding garner seed grants from ֱ Research & Innovation Office

April 18, 2022

Algae in the ocean, water on Mars, and supercharged apple orchards are research topics for three INSTAAR scientists awarded RIO seed grants. The grants are designed to foster new areas of research with high impact and future funding potential.

Logo for the For Pete's Sake podcast

Permafrost peatlands and mental health with Dr. Merritt Turetsky (For Peat's Sake podcast)

March 18, 2022

Merritt Turetsky joins the For Peat's Sake podcast on Spotify to talk about permafrost peatlands. We talk about the unique qualities of permafrost peatlands and the sad reality that many of them are disappearing due to anthropogenic (aka human-caused) climate change. Merritt explains the state of the science and we also chat about mental health, the importance of self-care, and setting boundaries.

Skier on a half pipe

Q&A with an expert: Winter Olympics in a warming world (ֱ Boulder Today)

Feb. 1, 2022

When the 2022 Winter Olympics kick off in and around Beijing, China, this Friday it will mark the first time in the history of the Winter Games that outdoor events rely almost entirely on artificial snow. Noah Molotch speaks to the science of human-made snow, its use at the Olympics, and how climate change may impact the future of snow sports around the world and here in ֱ.

Seastedt (third from left) and Wildland Restoration Volunteers build erosion control structures to enhance sage grouse habitat and re-wet meadows in North Park area, CO.

Retired “free-range ecologist” helps students become green ambassadors (ֱ Arts & Sciences Magazine)

Jan. 27, 2022

Professor emeritus Tim Seastedt has studied prairie grasslands and alpine tundra for more than 40 years. Since retiring, Seastedt has devoted his time to hands-on Front Range ecological conservation and restoration efforts, in tandem with students and youth from underrepresented groups and volunteer organizations.

Julio Sepúlveda

2022 Research & Innovation Office Faculty Fellows cohort unveiled (RIO)

Nov. 19, 2021

Biogeochemist Julio Sepúlveda (INSTAAR & GEOL) is one 17 ֱ Boulder faculty members selected by the Research and Innovation Office as their 2022 RIO Faculty Fellows cohort. The program supports faculty in achieving their research/innovation goals and promotes collaboration, all through tailored training, experiential learning and leadership development opportunities. Sepúlveda and his cohort kick off 2022 with an intensive three-day retreat in January, followed by several more focused retreats and a variety of informal networking activities.

ֱ Boulder campus in fall colors with flatirons behind

New class of ֱ Distinguished Professors: Leaders in research, education, service (ֱ Connections)

Nov. 11, 2021

University’s highest faculty honor awarded to 11 professors for 2021, including INSTAARs Diane McKnight and Giff Miller.

Photo of Julio Sepulveda

Earth scientist to use NSF award to dive deep into oceanic change (ֱ Arts & Sciences Magazine)

Nov. 2, 2021

The health of the ocean is fundamental to life on the planet—yet much remains unknown about how the ocean and marine life will cope with a rapidly changing climate. An award from the National Science Foundation (NSF) will help Julio Sepúlveda start solving that crucial puzzle.

Residents gather in a community workshop hosted by the Center for Sustainable Landscapes and Communities (CSLC) at ֱ Boulder.

Persistent places: A new project pulls together diverse groups to define and map climate change

Oct. 15, 2021

A project that unites land managers, citizens, and scientists to jointly understand how ֱ Front Range ecosystems and public lands are responding to pressures from people and climate change has been funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF).

While kneeling in the snow, Bruce Vaughn displays an ice core segment, northeast Greenland

Faces of the Front Range: Bruce Vaughn and Bradley Markle look to save the world by understanding it (Denver Post)

Oct. 11, 2021

Denver Post profile of a visit to the Stable Isotope Lab, where Bruce Vaughn and Brad Markle shared ice cores, knowledge, and what keeps them going while researching the climate past and present. To read this article, you may need to enter your email address.

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