UW in the News

May 24, 2021

State, national and international media frequently feature the University of Wyoming and members of its community in stories. Here is a summary of some of the recent coverage:

Aerospace and Defence News reported that UW Assistant Professor Thomas Boothby is among participants in NASA’s briefing May 26 to discuss select science investigations launching on the next SpaceX commercial resupply flight to the International Space Station. Boothby’s project examines how tardigrades (water bears) adapt to conditions in low-Earth orbit, which could advance understanding of the stress factors affecting humans in space. Technology.org published a similar article.

A book by UW Professor Jeff Lockwood was cited in a Bloomberg article that focused on the return of the 17-year cicada hatch in the U.S. The story noted that, for those who have insect phobias, the arrival of Brood X promises a season of fear and anxiety, traits that Lockwood discusses in his book, titled “The Infested Mind: Why Humans Fear, Loathe and Love Insects.”

Niche, a website that connects colleges and schools with students and families, rated UW among the “Top Public Universities in America.” The designation is based on analysis of academic, admissions, financial and student life data from the U.S. Department of Education, along with reviews from students and alumni.

SweetwaterNOW interviewed UW President Ed Seidel about the Wyoming Innovation Network (WIN), Gov. Mark Gordon’s initiative for modernizing and refocusing Wyoming’s higher education system. WIN calls for closer collaboration between UW and the state’s community colleges to address the state’s economic needs.

For several years, industry analysts have warned there are too many Powder River Basin coal mines chasing a shrinking customer base. WyoFile interviewed UW economist Rob Godby about the future of Wyoming’s coal industry.

USA Today published an article that quoted UW anthropology Associate Professor Melissa Murphy about cone-shaped skulls found in Peru, which some say prove an extraterrestrial origin. Murphy, who specializes in the analysis of human remains, says they are human skulls. Chicago’s Daily Herald carried a similar article.

Matt Kauffman, unit leader for the U.S. Geological Survey’s Wyoming Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit at UW, is among panelists discussing the federal and state collaborations of mapping ungulate migrations. The Pew Charitable Trusts noted that several organizations are hosting a series of webinars on wildlife migration issues across the western U.S.

The Jackson Hole News & Guide interviewed UW Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources Assistant Professor Abby Sisneros-Kidd about a recreation and wildlife coexistence forum she moderated last week in Jackson.

UW Assistant Professor Karen Vaughan wants to bring awareness about one of the most important, but least-discussed natural resources -- soil -- by running 130 miles from the high alpine of Colorado to the red rocks of Moab, Utah, over six days. Runner’s World featured Vaughan and her two colleagues’ adventure that is planned later this summer.

The Billings Gazette reported that UW and other entities are publishing “Greater Yellowstone Climate Assessment: Past, Present and Future Climate Change in Greater Yellowstone Watersheds,” which is due out next month.

WyoFile interviewed UW alumna Caitlin Long and UW computer science Professor Jim Caldwell on how the recent collapse of cryptocurrency prices affects Wyoming. They say it is inaccurate to compare the volatility of cryptocurrencies to the state’s boom and bust cycles of fossil fuels.

The UW Board of Trustees recently approved designs for two new residence halls, a dining facility and a parking facility. Sheridan Media and Hits 106 published UW’s release announcing that the total cost of the projects is about $250 million.

The Greybull Standard featured UW student Jared Henderson, from Greybull, for his business plan that received seed money for placing high in both UW’s John P. Ellbogen $50K Entrepreneurship Competition and the Fisher Innovation Launchpad competition. He has developed a computer program to increase business efficiency.

Mohammed Ahsanul, a UW doctoral student from Bangladesh, discussed with Wyoming Public Radio the difficulties he had to endure for his parents to visit him in the U.S. during a pandemic, navigating health restrictions and the immigration system.

Wyoming News Now reported that Willimena Spoonhunter, a UW Extension Cent$ible Nutrition Program educator from the Wind River Indian Reservation, led an activity at St. Stephens Indian School. Students and parents painted with stencils to encourage cultural education and physical activity.

Casper’s John Jorgensen is the recipient of the 2020 Carol Mead Leaders in Literacy Award, reported The Casper Star-Tribune. The UW Literacy Research Center and Clinic’s Outreach Advisory Board sponsors the award.

Sheridan Media reported that the Sheridan County Conservation District collaborated with UW to build a historical profile of the site of the former Acme Power Plant in the county.

UW will host the Teton STEM Academy, a science camp for high school students, this summer. Chip Kobulnicky, a professor in the UW Department of Physics and Astronomy, and co-director of the academy, told Wyoming Public Radio that the camp will offer hands-on activities in the interdisciplinary sciences, all covered under the theme of planning a journey to Mars.

The Laramie Boomerang featured the UW Science Initiative Roadshow. Teams of UW students and instructors facilitate hands-on learning in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics) education in K-12 classrooms throughout Wyoming.

The Sublette Examiner noted that local students competed in two different competitions hosted by UW. Perri Meeks, from Big Piney, placed high in the annual John P. Ellbogen $50K Entrepreneurship Competition. Big Piney High School students did well in the TEAMS competition, which stands for tests of engineering aptitude, mathematics and science.

Wyoming News Now noted that six finalists would pitch their businesses during the Wind River Startup Challenge Pitch Day May 22.

The Uinta County Herald reported on UW’s “The World Needs More Cowboys” marketing campaign. UW personnel and students visited three communities in the county earlier this month.

The Wyoming Institute for Disabilities, a UW academic unit, is collaborating with the Federal Communications Commission to help build consumer awareness about the emergency broadband benefit. Sheridan Media and KGAB Radio published UW’s release on the announcement.