Gannet Hallar has spent nearly two decades with her head in the clouds—literally. As director of Storm Peak Laboratory, the premier high-elevation atmospheric science research station in the Western United States, perched atop Steamboat Springs Ski Resort in Colorado at 10,500 feet, she has built one of the most productive field research programs in the discipline.

Now, the University of Utah professor brings that same energy and vision to her new role as Chair of the Department of Atmospheric Sciences in the College of Science, effective July 1, succeeding outgoing chair Brenda Bowen.

Sampling clouds

"The laboratory sits in the clouds about 40% of the time in the winter," Hallar says of Storm Peak. "That allows us to sample clouds and the particles that make clouds at the same time. And from that, the lab has produced about 160 peer-reviewed publications."

That record reflects the sweep of her research program and a nod to her reputation as an exceptional teacher and mentor. The 3,500-square-foot facility, funded by the National Science Foundation and operated under a U.S. Forest Service permit, allows her team to collect high-quality measurements of trace gases, aerosol physical and chemical properties, and cloud microphysics to understand connections between the biosphere, atmosphere, and climate. The NSF has formally recognized Storm Peak as a Community Instruments and Facilities (CIF) site for the atmospheric sciences. More recently, Hallar’s research group has installed aerosol measurements across ski resorts in Utah including Snowbird, Snowbasin and Powder Mountain.  Hallar also runs the Hallar Aerosol Research Team (HART) at the U's William Browning Building, where students study urban air quality. The site gives the team a rare dual perspective on regional and urban atmospheric composition simultaneously.

Dean of the College of Science Pearl Sandick said, “I am grateful to have Gannet in this role, as an accomplished scientist, mentor and leader in the field. I’m excited to work with her as we prioritize student success while advancing the impactful research for which the department is known and fostering its continued growth.”

Research leadership

With her expertise and broad-ranging field experience, Hallar will bring cachet to a scientific sector known for its study of fluid dynamics, thermodynamics and radiative transfer to understand and predict weather and climate. Says Sandick, “It’s an exciting science in part because it is so relevant to our everyday lives. Gannet epitomizes that excitement.” 

Hallar’s research leadership extends to major collaborative projects. She is a co-investigator on both the S2noCliME Field Campaign, a $4.8 million NSF-funded project, and the recent SNOWSCAPE Field campaign funded by the state of Utah to examine how mountainous terrain affects snowfall processes in the Intermountain West. "These campaigns give us a rare opportunity to integrate specialized radars, balloon measurements, surface instrumentation and more into one cohesive study of snowfall formation processes over mountains," she has said in earlier reports. "The impacts of declining snowpack are far-reaching for the economy and way of life in the West."

Beyond her research and teaching, Hallar serves as an affiliate scientist at the National Center for Atmospheric Research and on the leadership team of the U's Wilkes Center for Climate Science and Policy.

Says Hallar, “I am delighted to take on this position in a world-class department whose students, staff and faculty support and advance atmospheric science through exceptional research and teaching. The department’s work serves society with far-reaching impact, and I am honored to be part of that effort.”

By David Pace
   Bianca Lyon contributed to this story