News | People | Postdocs

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.

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.

Peyton Thomas at the microscope

A passion for science and the outdoors fuels one woman’s drive to combat climate change (Rocky Mountain PBS)

July 21, 2022

INSTAAR postdoctoral scholar Peyton Thomas loves being in nature, but as a scientist she is well-aware of the threat climate change poses to our environment. She also hopes to inspire the next generation of Black women scientists.

Photo of Mette Bendixen

Mette Bendixen receives the AGU Science for Solutions Award

Nov. 11, 2020

The American Geophysical Union has announced that INSTAAR postdoctoral scholar Mette Bendixen is the recipient of their 2020 Science for Solutions Award. The award follows Bendixen’s out-of-the-box work on an overlooked global challenge: the scarcity of sand resources.