Legacies and Legends

At CU Boulder, our people have a long history of collaborating to move humanity forward. Our faculty, staff, students and alumni are an innovation ecosystem at work—thinking, questioning and solving problems—from the mountains to the oceans, from inside the atom to deep space, from our campus to communities across the world.

Ongoing impact on space exploration since the 1940s

A leader in space flight, CU Boulder has produced 18 university-affiliated astronauts. We have widely contributed to interstellar missions and dazzling discoveries in our planetary system.
 

Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics

The Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP) has been part of CU Boulder since its inception in 1948. LASP is the only research institute to design, build and launch instruments to all eight planets and Pluto. LASP educates the next generation of space scientists and actively influences the future of space exploration.

Ball Aerospace

Founded by CU physicists, including alumnus R.C. Mecure, Ball Aerospace plays a key role through all phases of science mission development. Ball has played an integral part in many scientific “firsts.” Whether confirming the ozone hole or discovering the first Earth-sized planet in the habitable zone of another star, Ball technology makes challenging science missions possible.

Far- ranging and world-changing research.

Our research has traced the evolution of the solar system, charted global changes on Earth, and transformed how energy is produced and used. The result of these efforts is evident in improved technology, dynamic student involvement and federal research support.
 

Michael Theodore: Merging art and technology

In 2011, Michael Theodore received a grant from CU’s Innovative Seed Grant Program that helped launch a new art and technology research group on campus. Inspired by bioluminescence and echolocation from the animal world, his latest large-scale piece is a technical and interactive installation of light and sound called Supraliminal that he reprograms every few days.

Zach Nies: Giving entrepreneurs a hand

Zach Nies, vice president of education at Techstars, is also a member of CU Boulder’s faculty and an executive advisory board member for the Silicon Flatirons Center and the College of Engineering and Applied Science. Techstars is a worldwide network where entrepreneurs can raise startup funding and gain insight to help launch their businesses through the company’s startup accelerator and development program.

Alumni Innovators

Establishing an ecosystem of innovation and entrepreneurial thinking

By focusing on risk-taking, curiosity and creative problem-solving, our students and alumni dare to improve the common good.

Sarah Kauss: Water bottles with style

Sarah Kauss (Acct’97) launched S’well in 2010 to make a sleek, chic line of more than 100 water bottle designs, avoiding the sporty or functional looks of bottles made by other companies. Hearing a talk on the global water crisis inspired her to create a product that merged style and function with environmental and social consciousness.

Allen Lim: Making sports food naturally  

Allen Lim (MKines’96, PhDIntPhys’04), one of the top sports physiologists in cycling, began his career by working for leading cycling teams in the Tour de France. Seeing a need for sports drinks and foods made from natural ingredients inspired Lin to launch Skratch Labs. Hydration mixes are sold in more than 2,000 stores across the country, from bike shops to running and outdoor stores.

Jake Burton Carpenter: Becoming a snowboarding world leader

Jake Burton Carpenter, an alumnus of CU, founded Burton Snowboards in 1977. It has since grown into one of the world’s largest snowboard and snowboarding equipment manufacturers. The Burton company has supported the best riders in the world and created snowboarding gear that sets industry standards. Burton played a pivotal role in growing snowboarding from a backyard hobby to a world-class sport.

Dismantling barriers to make way for innovative solutions

Students, alumni, faculty and staff are leveraging creative collaborations and critical thinking skills to solve society’s most vexing social problems.
 

A thriving entrepreneurial spirit at CU Boulder.

These talented students build on a foundation of critical thinking and problem-solving skills, mentorship and a broad understanding of the world that empowers them to build and grow a business.
 

 

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