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A researcher's hand gently clasps a mountain chickadee fledgling by its feet.

Students may learn ecology (and much else) in the wild (Colorado Arts and Sciences Magazine)

Feb. 29, 2024

CU Boulder’s Mountain Research Station is offering six field courses this summer, giving students the opportunity to study a wide range of disciplines in nature

Cassandra Brooks, in a warm puffy jacket, stands near the shore of cold ocean waters with glacier peaks behind

CU Boulder scientist shows expeditioners untamed Antarctica (Colorado Arts & Sciences Magazine)

Feb. 16, 2024

When she is in Antarctica, Cassandra Brooks (INSTAAR & ENVS) normally works to expand the frontiers of human knowledge. This month, she returned from a trip not focused on scientific research but on expanding the horizons of eco-tourists.

Peyton, a young Black woman wearing a t-shirt, shorts, and backpack, runs along the ridgeline of a mountain trail.

Scientist, Olympic hopeful runs with real purpose (Colorado Arts & Sciences Magazine)

Jan. 30, 2024

CU Boulder postdoctoral researcher Peyton Thomas, who fuses running with a commitment to environmental causes, to compete in U.S. Olympic women’s marathon trials in February.

Two workers hold the skull of a life-size Triceratops as they install its whole skeleton in the lobby of the SEEC building at CU Boulder. Photo by Casey Cass/University of Colorado.

Full Triceratops skeleton now calls Boulder home (CU Boulder Today)

Jan. 16, 2024

Thanks to the CU Museum of Natural History, the lobby of our SEEC building on East campus has a new guest: a full-sized skeletal reconstruction of a Triceratops dinosaur. The skeleton is a testament to the sheer size of Triceratops, an herbivore that roamed Colorado during the Cretaceous Period around 68 to 66 million years ago. Students, staff and members of the public can view the exhibit for free on weekdays from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (SEEC is closed on weekends and holidays).

Keith Musselman, in brick-colored hooded jacket, stands outside on an early fall day with yellowing leaves behind him

Research & Innovation Office announces 2024 Faculty Fellows class (RIO)

Dec. 19, 2023

Keith Musselman (INSTAAR & Geography) is one 16 CU Boulder faculty members selected by the Research and Innovation Office as their 2024 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. Musselman and his cohort will kick off 2024 with an intensive three-day retreat in January, followed by several more focused retreats and a variety of informal networking activities.

Scott Taylor while giving his TED-style talk at the Boulder Dairy Center

Contemplating evolution: Why making spaces to be curious was important for this gay scientist (RIO community talk on YouTube)

Dec. 15, 2023

Scott Taylor (INSTAAR Fellow, EBIO Associate Professor, MRS Director) gave a short TED-style talk at the Boulder Dairy Arts Center on October 18, 2023 as part of the 2023 Faculty Fellows program for CU Boulder's Research & Innovation Office (RIO). In his talk, Scott tells the story of his personal journey to a deeper understanding of his work as a scientist and his own place in the world.

Scott Taylor (center) and two students conduct field research on a snowy day at the Mountain Research Station.

Educating through an 'exceptional experience' (CU Boulder)

Dec. 13, 2023

For decades, the Mountain Research Station has been a stepping-off point for researchers studying plant and animal ecology, biogeochemistry, hydrology, geomorphology and atmospheric science. Much of that research takes place on rugged, nearby Niwot Ridge. Within that area lies every type of alpine and montane ecosystem that exists in the southern Rocky Mountains. That abundance has made Niwot Ridge a rare and important ‘living laboratory.’

Peyton Thomas points and talks to a crowd while holding a megaphone. She is helping kick off the inaugural Equitable Action Run Towards Health (EARTH) event at the Clear Springs Recreation Area in Mississippi’s Homochitto National Forest.

A matter of breathing (Patagonia)

Dec. 7, 2023

INSTAAR and ENVS Postdoc Peyton Thomas not only does great science, she's an activist runner sponsored by Patagonia. Earlier this year, she and a group of volunteers organized Patagonia's first EARTH running event (Equitable Action Run Towards Health) to help a Mississippi community discuss and address impacts of the wood pellet industry on health and environmental justice.

Alex Rose is interviewed by 9News.

Science Fair at Northglenn High School puts CU grad students to the test (9News)

Nov. 28, 2023

A “Reverse Science Fair” in Northglenn is flipping the traditional format, challenging University of Colorado Boulder grad students and postdocs to present their research to high school student evaluators. Organizer Alex Rose is interviewed, with cameos by INSTAAR postdocs Kristýna Kantnerová and Edgart Flores.

Katharine Suding

Katharine Suding recognized as Eminent Ecologist 2023 (Journal of Ecology)

Nov. 8, 2023

The Journal of Ecology has announced Katharine Suding as their Eminent Ecologist award recipient for 2023. Awards are given to those considered hugely influential within their fields of research and to have made outstanding contributions not just to Journal of Ecology, but to ecology in general. For the award, Suding assembled a virtual journal issue, wrote a blog post, and was interviewed.

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