The Wilkes Center for Climate Science & Policy at the University of Utah has selected Fielding Norton as its new managing director and John Lin as scientific director to lead the center’s increasing focus on translating climate research into real-world solutions. Norton, a climate scientist and startup investor and advisor, will head the center's overall strategy and operations, while Lin, a U atmospheric sciences professor, will oversee its research initiatives and academic programs.
The Wilkes Center, founded in 2022 by philanthropists Clay and Marie Wilkes, connects rigorous climate research with practical solutions to address environmental and human health challenges.
A vision for broader impact
Fielding Norton at Climate Roundtable
Norton began his career as a science and math educator, then earned his M.S. in applied physics and Ph.D. in earth and planetary sciences at Harvard University before working in the global insurance/reinsurance industry for more than 25 years. There, his teams used science and engineering-based models to manage and price the risk of extreme disasters including floods, hurricanes and wildfires. Norton’s most recent executive role was chief enterprise risk officer of XL Group, a Fortune 100 global insurer and reinsurer based in Bermuda. Now, Norton invests in and advises startups in the insurtech (insurance technology) and climatech (climate technology) space, and serves as senior fellow at the U’s College of Science.
As managing director, Norton’s ambition is to expand the Wilkes Center's benefits to society in several ways. For example, building on the success of the Wilkes Climate Prize, which has funded three promising climate solutions, Norton envisions the center supporting the innovation ecosystem more broadly.
“Now that the Climate Launch Prize attracts more than 1,000 applicants per year, we’re looking to partner with U students, faculty, and alumni, and with investors in Utah, the U.S., and worldwide to fund, incubate, and accelerate the growth of innovative startups that promote growth and energy abundance while decreasing the carbon intensity of our economy.”
Norton also sees opportunities for the Wilkes Center to support communities’ climate resiliency. As wildfires increasingly threaten homes and livelihoods across the West, Norton is working across the U and with external partners to pilot programs that help homeowners and businesses assess and cost-effectively mitigate their risk, both to protect their property and to be more insurable. This demonstrates how the center's research and partnerships can directly address the ways climate change impacts people's daily lives.
"A changing climate is not an abstract scientific challenge—it amplifies risk for communities and increases uncertainty about the future,” said Norton. “We bridge cutting-edge research with practical solutions that make a real difference in people's lives."
Expanding scientific leadership
John Lin. Credit: Todd Anderson
Having served as associate director for the past three years, John Lin brings deep expertise to his new role as scientific director. A Harvard University-trained atmospheric scientist, Lin has led innovative research projects on greenhouse gases and air pollution, including partnering with Google to equip their street view cars to measure air pollution street-by-street across Salt Lake County. His research group oversees greenhouse gas and air quality observations in the Salt Lake area and the Uinta Basin, and works regularly with satellite observations from NASA to determine carbon emissions from cities around the world.
As the Wilkes Center prepares to move into the new L. S. Skaggs Applied Science Building this fall, Lin sees the transition as more than just a change of address. Beyond providing more space and visibility on campus, the move will enable deeper collaboration with students, faculty and researchers across disciplines. This increased capacity arrives at a critical moment, as significant opportunities await the center's attention—like supporting efforts to improve air quality along the Wasatch Front ahead of the 2034 Winter Olympic Games.
Lin's expertise positions the Wilkes Center to play a leading role in developing solutions for the region's air quality challenges. As a trusted leader and collaborator on complex policy issues such as the receding Great Salt Lake, the Wilkes Center is well-positioned to bring together stakeholders and drive meaningful progress on air quality.
“I'm incredibly honored and excited to step into the scientific director role and help guide the center's research initiatives forward,” said Lin. “The Wilkes Center has incredible momentum. I will continue building on this foundation and work with the managing director to expand the center’s impact.”
The new positions come as founding director William Anderegg prepares to step down on June 30 after three years of establishing the center as a national leader in climate research and collaboration.
A unified vision
“With Fielding and John at the helm, we’re entering an exciting new chapter extending the Wilkes Center’s international prominence in bridging academic research with actionable solutions,” said Peter Trapa, vice provost and senior dean of the Colleges and Schools of Liberal Arts and Sciences at the U. “I’m confident their leadership will drive meaningful, lasting change.”
Pearl Sandick, interim dean of the U’s College of Science, also praised the center’s new direction. "John's scientific expertise paired with Fielding's vision for practical climate solutions creates an ideal leadership team for the Wilkes Center," said Sandick. "Their complementary strengths will help the organization continue its trajectory as a leader in climate research and innovation.”