Hub For Earth System Sciences Amplifies Impact

October 20, 2025

Gannet Hallar

In mid-September of this year, even before thunderstorms over the Pacific Ocean began to significantly build, experimental forecasts at the U.S. National Science Foundation National Center for Atmospheric Research (NSF NCAR) showed the emerging weather system intensifying into Super Typhoon Ragasa. With 165-mile-per-hour winds it was the most powerful storm on Earth so far this year.

The innovative computer modeling approach scientists used last month to detect Ragasa is just one example of how federally funded research helps save lives and property by improving predictions of hurricanes. And NSF NCAR, managed by the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR), is at the center of that public impact.

“UCAR allows for the atmospheric science community to speak with one voice, with expertise across the nation,” says Gannet Hallar, U professor and associate chair in the Department of Atmospheric Sciences who is one of two new trustees of the UCAR board announced October 13. The consortium of universities nationwide, she continues, “helps shape the U.S. weather research enterprise. It also provides the university community the opportunity to collaborate and shape our national center (NCAR).” She has served as the member representative for Utah since 2017.

Relatively far from the observations in emerging fine-scale resolution simulations of super typhoons is Storm Peak Laboratory where, for nearly two decades, Hallar has been the director. At this high elevation facility, located in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, she and her team collect high quality measurements of trace gases, aerosol physical and chemical properties, and cloud microphysics to understand connections between the biosphere, atmosphere, and climate, along with the impact of anthropogenic emissions on these connections.

The lab, staffed at different times with students (both undergraduate and graduate) as well as post-doctoral researchers, has been recognized by the NSF as a Community Instruments and Facilities (CIF) for the atmospheric sciences. Hallar’s connection to NCAR and UCAR started 25 years ago as a graduate student conducting research aboard the Lockheed C-130 Hercules aircraft in weather-related missions.

Over the course of several years she served in many different UCAR roles, most recently as a member and chair of the UCAR’s nominating committee and before that as program director for Physical and Dynamic Meteorology (PDM) within the Division of Atmospheric & Geospace Sciences at the NSF. Currently, she serves on the leadership team of the U’s Wilkes Center for Climate Science & Policy and as an affiliate scientist at NCAR.

Founded in 1959, UCAR is a collection of 129 North American colleges and universities focused on research and training in Earth system science. It’s a critical institutional nexus for what is not only global phenomena but a dynamic system in constant flux. In partnership with the NSF, UCAR established the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) in 1960 as a federally funded research and development center.

UCAR does more than field trusted administrators of the financial, human resources, facilities and information technology functions essential to the science. It also facilitates community programs. These initiatives extend and enhance the world-class research done at the national center by encouraging students to pursue science careers and providing online professional training, data delivery, and other valued services.

Says Hallar, “It is an honor to be elected by my peers and I look forward to the service. NCAR has provided extensive value to my research career, and I admire others serving on the board currently and those that have served previously."

As a new board trustee, Gannet Hallar is joined by Daniel Cziczo, Purdue University.

By David Pace

You can learn more about UCAR in the video below.

Looming Emergency over dust storms, health risks and a dying lake

September 16, 2025

Looming Emergency Over Dust Storms, Health Risks & a dying Great Salt Lake

January 21, 2025
Above: Dust on the Great Salt Lake. Credit: PBSUtah

The shrinking shorelines of the Great Salt Lake are exposing a huge community problem: Dust storms that create concerns ranging from bad air quality and poor health to negative impacts on snowmelt and agriculture. Who and where is most at risk?

A University of Utah research team may have the answer, andthey’ve invented a tool to predict what could be coming down the line. Utah Insight host Lauren Steinbrecher explores the emerging research and search for solutions; plus, how we can protect ourselves as the state finds ways to move forward.

by Lauren Steinbrecher
Utah Insight, PBSUtah

_____

Transcript:

On the edge of Syracuse, Utah, Dr. Kevin Perry unfurled a chain that clanked as it released its grip from a metal pole, opening a locked gate that guarded a non-descript dirt road.

The University of Utah Atmospheric Sciences professor embarked on his weekly research-gathering ritual that involves driving until the dirt road ends, then loading up a bicycle trailer and taking off toward his open-air lab—only accessible by bike, two and a half miles away.

Perry’s piece of Great Salt Lake research done by the University of Utah looks much different than that of his colleagues.

“Yes, I'm the one who gets to enjoy Mother Nature,” he said, with a smile.

Riding deep into the Great Salt Lake playa, Perry stopped after a quarter mile at a spot once only reachable by boat in Farmington Bay, and perfect for the day’s project.

Over the course of the last 30-plus years, the withering lake shoreline has turned the bay into a barren expanse.

“Farmington Bay is basically dried up, with the exception of the Jordan River that flows through,” Perry said.

“It's not being caused by drought. It's not being caused by climate change. It's being [caused] by overuse of water,” he explained.“We use 30% more water than what is sustainable for the lake.”

That overuse, he said, has exposed 800 square miles of lakebed.

Perry described the problem it creates: “When the wind gets strong and the playa is dry, it can create dust storms that go into the surrounding communities.”

Standing in an area visibly lighter than the ground around it, Perry categorized it as a “dust hotspot.”

“That indicates that it’s drier than the surroundings, and it has a thin crust on it,” he explained, kicking the ground and demonstrating how easily dust rose into the air.

Perry has painstakingly mapped out nearly 700 dust hot spots around the whole lake, and he’s conducted soil tests that revealed cancer-causing carcinogens in the lakebed.

“The one that we're most concerned about is arsenic,” the professor noted. “Every single measurement that I took over the 800 square miles of lakebed had higher arsenic concentrations in it than the EPA would deem healthy.”

How much higher?

“More than a factor of ten,” he answered.

Watch the entire story from PBSUtah Above or click here.

Wilkes Center Announces Top Three Finalists for Climate Launch Prize

September 15, 2025

On Wednesday, September 24, the Wilkes Center for Climate Science & Policy at the University of Utah will host a public reception to announce the winner and runners up of its $250,000 Climate Launch Prize.

Representatives for the top three finalists – Björn Söderberg, co-founder of Build up Nepal; Jean Louwrens, CEO and co-founder of De Novo Foodlabs; and Margaret Lumley, founder & CEO of Roca Water – will be recognized.

The announcement and reception is open to all. Please RSVP here.

The annual Wilkes Climate Launch Prize highlights top global ideas for combating climate change by elevating and honoring innovative climate solutions. The U prize aims to accelerate worldwide progress and encourage technological advances to develop effective climate change solutions quickly for the benefit of people and ecosystems worldwide.

The 2025 Wilkes Climate Launch Prize received over 1,100 submissions, compared with just 215 submissions in 2024. (See an interactive map of applicant locations)

Read more about the three top finalists:

Build up Nepal

Location: Kathmandu, Nepal

Build up Nepal is transforming the construction industry in South Asia by replacing polluting coal-fired bricks with our climate-friendly eco-brick technology. Compared to traditional fired bricks, our solution reduces CO2 emissions by 75%, air pollution by 90%, cuts construction costs by up to 40%, and importantly, is disaster-resilient. Our model supports entrepreneurs to start micro-enterprises that construct affordable, safe homes and create local jobs, helping build resilient communities. By empowering 200 local entrepreneurs, the solution has already built 11,000 homes, avoided 111,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions, and created 1,600 green jobs, demonstrating its scalability and transformative potential.

De Novo Foodlabs

Location: Raleigh, North Carolina

De Novo Foodlabs is revolutionizing food protein production by using precision fermentation (PF) to create essential proteins with engineered microorganisms—no animals required. Our first focus is milk proteins, with high-yield yeast strains already developed for our launch product. Now, we’re taking the next leap: expanding our PF platform to not just lower emissions, but to actively capture and remove CO2 from the atmosphere. This breakthrough would make our process net carbon negative, enabling protein production that helps reverse climate change. Our technology also paves the way for the broader PF industry to become a powerful tool for carbon capture.

Roca

Location: Alameda, California

Roca is transforming wastewater treatment and nitrogen management through a novel electrochemical process that selectively recovers ammonia from wastewater as nitrogen fertilizer. Our technology addresses two major climate challenges: (1) reducing nitrogen pollution that leads to eutrophication and nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions, and (2) decarbonizing fertilizer production by replacing energy-intensive Haber-Bosch ammonia synthesis with ammonia produced from wastewater. Our mission is to create a new standard for wastewater management to move beyond “dilute and dispose,” to embrace “recover and reuse,” unlocking both environmental and economic value without compromise.

About the Wilkes Center for Climate Science & Policy

The Wilkes Center leverages the University of Utah’s unique position and environment to drive world-class research on climate change forecasting, impacts, and solutions and places this science in the hands of decision-makers. Drawing on multidisciplinary centers of excellence at the U, the Wilkes Center strives for practical, integrative, and solutions-oriented research that can translate into policy around climate extremes, including wildfire and drought, air quality, natural ecosystems, carbon and water cycling, human environment, and health. The center is fostering educational and research training programs that support climate innovation and developing a new generation of solution-oriented leaders.

Prize Announcement Information:

DATE: Wednesday, September 24
TIME: 5:00 PM reception, 5:30 PM announcement
LOCATION: L.S. Skaggs Applied Science Building, Suite W1204, 275 S University Street Salt Lake City, Utah 84112
FOOD: Hors d’oeuvres and refreshments provided.
PARKING: Free parking will be available on President Circle and Lot 2, southeast of the L.S. Skaggs Applied Science Building. (see map below)
RSVP: The event is open to all, but please RSVP.

Kinetic art in the new L. S. Skaggs Building

August 25, 2025

Featured in the atrium and foyer of the building are the art pieces Three Medusae and Sisyphus, both created by artist Bruce Shapiro.

"I believe that motion control is a new art medium." says Shapiro, reflecting on his work.

Three Medusae are 15-foot suspended ball-chain fixtures. (Watch video below.) Each is driven by a motor that propels the chains outward through centrifugal force. Unique patterns can be created by programming the motors — via Raspberry Pi computers — to rotate at different speeds at precisely defined intervals. For synchronization, one Medusa is designated as the “conductor,” relaying instructions to the other two.

The Medusae also feature an illumination system that uses digital multiplex controllers to highlight the chains in the evening. This was developed in coordination with Michael Hore jsi, an assistant professor clinical in the Department of Theatre. Horejsi provided critical advice and personally programmed the lightning fixtures. Moreover, it presents a natural opportunity for theatre students to learn about lighting systems.

Video credit: David Kale

Sisyphus, named after the mythological King of Ephyra and his eternal struggle with a boulder, is a kinetic sand display. The piece was inspired by the idea of a robotic Zen garden. A steel ball, moved by a two-motor robot with a magnetic attachment, carves intricate patterns on a bed of sand. Like Three Medusae, Sisyphus can be programmed to create custom patterns.

Through this programming, “there’s essentially an infinite number of possibilities,” said Shapiro. The only limit is human creativity, and a bit of patience in finding the ultimate design. (Watch video of Sysyphus below.)

Video credit: David Kale

Both machines operate using a control system akin to a music player, as described by Shapiro: a Medusa “track” defines speed variations and loops repeatedly. When switching between tracks, a “fade transition” creates a blended progression. The Raspberry Pi stores track plays and transition behaviors. Sisyphus uses a similar track-based system, with the option to activate “shuffle mode” for its playlists.

The control systems are governed by Node.js programs and support user interfaces on both mobile and desktop platforms. This allows users to upload their own tracks, design playlists, and set behaviors for different times of day.

Meet the Artist

Bruce Shapiro

Shapiro grew up with interests in science, music, electronics. He initially pursued a career in medicine, participating in hospital research. It was in this role that he was introduced to IBM-compatible computers. Their modularity and accessibility gave him a platform to experiment with voltage timings, stepper motors, and BASIC programming. This led to his first creation: the EggBot—a stepper motor-driven apparatus that draws intricate patterns on eggs. From that point on, he realized his passion for the scientific and design challenges found in the intersection of art and technology. He retired from medicine and began working with DIY CNC machines, eventually establishing a career in motion control art. His work has since been featured around the world.

Bruce Shapiro's work is the newest addition to the Utah Public Art Collection, which was established in 1985 through the Percent-For-Art Act. This program utilizes 1% of legislative appropriations for Capital Development projects to commission, install, and maintain public artwork across the State of Utah. The Utah Public Art Program is managed through the Utah Division of Arts and Museums (est.1899), which holds the distinction of being our nation's first state arts and culture agency.

All artworks commissioned through the Utah Public Art Program are selected by a unique Committee, comprising State Project Managers, Architects, Community members, leaders, visual arts specialists, and primary users associated with the artwork location. The stated goal is to provide and maintain artwork that represents Utah's many vibrant communities and interests.

Wildfire smoke exacerbates ozone pollution

August 13, 2025

New research led by the University of Utah documents how smoke from the West’s wildfires substantially increases ozone concentrations, often above federal health standards, even in remote places with few human emission sources of ozone’s precursor pollutants, such as nitric oxides, or NOx.

“The question I wanted to ask was, if we don’t have urban emissions, let’s say that we zero out all emissions, will we still have an ozone problem?” said lead author Derek Mallia, a research assistant professor of atmospheric sciences. “This study suggests that we could remove all of the regional emissions from anthropogenic sources of NOx, but fires can still produce a large amount of ozone.”

Published last month in the journal Atmospheric Environment, this research highlights the double dose of air pollution in areas downwind from the flames, with high levels of both fine particulate matter and ozone. It is estimated that smoke exposure results in 6,300 deaths a year in the United States.

Complicating this picture is the fact that ozone is not released directly into the air; rather it forms in the atmosphere when oxygen atoms from other pollutants recombine in a photochemical process involving sunlight.

The main drivers are NOx and volatile organic compounds, or VOCs; the latter is a major component of wildfire smoke. NOx, on the other hand, is more associated with anthropogenic emission sources, such as vehicle tailpipes and industrial smokestacks.

Ozone levels are very difficult to model because the pollutant is controlled by so many factors, including wind speed and direction, temperature, cloud cover and time of day.

To better understand the complicated relationship between smoke and ozone, Mallia’s team applied coupled computer models, known as WRF-Sfire and WRF-Chem, to a record-setting smoke event in 2020 that affected much of the Western United States. The period of Aug. 15-26 was among the West’s worst fire episodes in the modern era. California’s August Complex fire burned more than 1 million acres across seven northern counties, causing $12 billion in damage. Dozens of fires raged elsewhere, such as Utah’s 90,000-acre East Fork fire and Oregon’s Lionshead and Beachie Creek fires that burned a combined 400,000 acres.

Carbon ‘offsets’ aren’t working

July 30, 2025

A lot of the climate-altering carbon pollution we humans release into the atmosphere by burning fossil fuels gets drawn into Earth’s oceans and landscapes through natural processes, mostly through photosynthesis as plants turn atmospheric carbon dioxide into biomass.

Efforts to slow the climate crisis have long sought to harness nature, often through carbon “offsets,” aimed at bolstering forests, wetlands, and agriculture, but have generally had only marginal success so far.

A new approach: contributions vs. credits

New research led by the University of Utah’s Wilkes Center for Climate Science & Policy offers a “roadmap” for accelerating climate solutions. To be published Thursday in the journal Nature, the paper analyses various strategies for improving such nature-based climate solutions, or NbCS, specifically exploring the role of the world’s forests in pulling carbon out of the atmosphere and storing it in long-lived trees and even in the ground.

“Nature-based climate solutions are human actions that leverage natural processes to either take carbon out of the atmosphere or stop the emissions of carbon to the atmosphere,” said lead author and forest ecologist William Anderegg, a professor of biology and past Wilkes Center director. “Those are the two main broad categories. There are the avoided emissions, and that’s activities like stopping deforestation. Then there’s the greenhouse gas-removal pathways. That’s things like reforestation where you plant trees, and as those trees grow, they suck up CO₂ out of the atmosphere.”

The U-led study, which includes leading scientists from nine other universities as part of a Wilkes Center Working Group effort, identifies four components where nature-based climate actions have not lived up to their billing and proposes reforms to improve their performance and scalability.

Forests are the focus because of trees’ ability to store vast amounts of carbon that would otherwise be in the atmosphere exacerbating the climate crises. Conversely, deforestation, especially in the Amazon rainforest, is releasing carbon at an alarming rate.

About half the emissions associated with human activity are absorbed into plants, through photosynthesis, and oceans, with the rest building up in the atmosphere where these gases trap heat. Terrestrial ecosystems pull 31% of anthropogenic emissions out of the atmosphere, according to the study. While forests are seen as Earth’s most vital carbon sponge, current rates of deforestation release 1.9 gigatons of carbon a year, on par with Russia’s annual emissions. Thus, “actions to halt and reverse deforestation are a critical part of climate stabilization pathways,” the authors write.

Where inquiry meets impact

July 22, 2025

Utah Governor Spencer Cox. Credit: Todd Anderson

The L. S. Skaggs Applied Science Building and the renovated historic William Stewart Building complete the $97 million Applied Science Project. Together with the Crocker Science Center, the structures along University Street comprise the Crocker Science Complex, a 275,000-square-foot engine of discovery fueling Utah’s booming STEM economy.

At the ribbon-cutting ceremony on July 16, 2025, donors, policymakers, university leaders and business luminaries praised the complex as a visionary investment in scientific research and a launchpad for future innovators.

“It’s an interesting time for science and technology and research in our country. And I want to just make it clear that the state of Utah is doubling down on research, doubling down on science,” said Utah Governor Spencer Cox to a packed room in the building’s atrium. “At a time when the federal government is cutting back on funding for scientific initiatives, which I think is a mistake, Utah is saying the exact opposite…We’re not just solving Utah’s problems anymore, we’re solving the world’s problems, and we’re doing it right here.”

The U educates more than half of all STEM undergraduates and 75% of graduate students among the Utah System of Higher Education institutions. The new 140,000-square-foot-facilities help meet unprecedented STEM enrollment, a feat made possible by the Utah state legislature’s $67.5 million appropriation and significant donations from Gary and Ann Crocker and the ALSAM Foundation, founded by L. S. and Aline W. Skaggs.

Peter Trapa addressing the gathering. Credit: Todd Anderson

“It’s the prosperity generated by public and private investment, which in turn makes future investment possible, that fuels a cycle that benefits the citizens of Utah many times over. That is a manifestation of the Utah Way,” said Peter Trapa, vice provost and senior dean of the Colleges of Liberal Arts and Sciences. “In many ways, it’s the investment of the past and the fruits of that cycle that allow us to be here celebrating today.”

Courses in the Crocker Science Complex serve nearly 5,000 students annually via pre-prerequisite courses for 37 different degree programs and nine pre-professional programs. With a 56% increase in experimental and computer physics labs, the new spaces will give every College of Science student the opportunity to do hands-on research, even in their first year on campus, through the Science Research Initiative.

“This building is going to ripple through the lives of tens of thousands of students each year—not over decades, but each year—and they will become our future physicians and our future nurses, our future scientists, our future pharmacists and astronomers, environmental scientists,” said Gary Crocker, for whom the Crocker Science Complex is named. “The completion of this new and integrated science complex makes us extraordinarily well-positioned to be a leader not only in science-based research and education, but also in science-based commercial innovation.”

Max Seawright gives a tour of the Wilkes Center. Credit: Todd Anderson

The Applied Science Project, designed by EDA Architects and built by Okland Construction, will house the Departments of Physics & Astronomy and Atmospheric Sciences and the Wilkes Center for Climate Science & Policy. Its rooftops host monitors for tracking dust, aerosols and particulate matter, which scientists use to help communities protect their health. Entire classrooms can now use state-of-the-art telescopes to practice gathering and analyzing data used for real research. Members from the Wilkes Center were integral to high-impact initiatives, such as the Great Salt Lake Strike Team, and continue to address growing challenges gripping the American Southwest.

“The full impact of the investment in this space, in world-class research and teaching facilities can’t be known at this moment, but as you look around, it’s easy to see that the technical infrastructure alone is transformational,” said Pearl Sandick, interim dean for the College of Science. “The impact is felt often through the application, whether it’s technology that grew out of research done on our campus, or data provided by the Wilkes Center to decision makers in the government and in the industry, as well as the trajectories of the students who pass through these halls.”

Aside from research and education, the spaces are an asset for all Utahns to enjoy. The west entrance has a new, outdoor gathering space for connection and well-being. Astronomers host public stargazing parties for free—every week, they invite the community into the majesty of the universe through state-of-the-art telescopes. The Wilkes Center displays real-time air quality data on monitors outside its offices, which anyone can access virtually. Inside are two major public art pieces by artist Bruce Shapiro, commissioned by the Utah Division of Arts and Museums: the “Sisyphus” sand sculpture table in the Stewart Building entrance and the “Three Medusae” kinetic artwork hanging from the ceiling in the Applied Science Building atrium. The new facilities are designed with energy efficiency in mind, with leaders working toward Gold LEED certification.

President Randall flashes the U with Matt Johnson, atmospheric science alum and meteorologist with KSL who reported the weather from the building’s rooftop. Credit: Todd Anderson

Amid the cutting-edge features are details rooted in Utah’s past, with preserved architectural elements including original staircases and fireplaces. The historic Stewart Building is itself a Utah legacy through which hundreds of thousands of Salt Lake City residents experienced elementary school until the 1960s. William M. Stewart founded the school on the U campus as an experimental model that emphasized hands-on learning.

With the opening of the final stage of the Crocker Science Complex, Stewart alums may see their grandchildren get real-world experience while pursuing their degree. President Taylor Randall noted a few well-known alums of the University of Utah’s College of Science—Bill Gore, the creator of Core-Tex, who graduated with a degree in chemistry. And Adobe founder John Warnock, who graduated in mathematics.

“All of those individuals came through here with dreams to create something new,” Randall said. “This is actually a place where students’ dreams will happen. Whether they’re undergraduates or graduate students, they will happen here.”

During a turbulent time for U.S. research, the event was a celebration of science and our shared belief in a better future.

“[The Skaggs family] loves this university. We believe in this university…and I am actually afraid of where we’re headed,” said Mark Skaggs, who represented the ALSAM Foundation at the ceremony. Noting federal budget cuts to the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation and top U.S. universities, Skaggs said his family’s investment in the Applied Science Building represents renewed support for science and university research.

“Thank you for believing in what we believe in and what we’ve always believed in, and what hopefully would be a right future in this country, as far as research for all of these people.”

by Lisa Potter

This story originally appeared in @TheU.
Read more about the event in the Deseret News.

Wilkes Center names leadership team for expanded climate mission

June 19, 2025

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.”

Wilkes Center Leadership Transition

June 19, 2025

After three years as the founding director of the Wilkes Center for Climate Science & Policy at the University of Utah, William Anderegg, professor in the School of Biological Sciences, will step down as the center’s director on June 30th.

Fielding Norton, a venture investor with a climate background, will lead the center’s overall strategy and operations as managing director, while John Lin, a University of Utah atmospheric sciences professor, will oversee the center’s research initiatives and academic programs.

“It has been an incredible privilege to launch the Wilkes Center and guide it through these foundational years,” said Anderegg. “I remain deeply optimistic about addressing climate challenges, and that optimism is fueled by the remarkable work of our faculty, students, and team. They continue to inspire me with their innovative research and commitment to developing real-world climate solutions.”

A solid foundation for climate innovation

Under Anderegg’s leadership, the Wilkes Center positioned the U as a state, national and international leader in science-based climate solutions. Created in 2022 and founded by Clay and Marie Wilkes, the center was designed to promote research, inform public policy and support entrepreneurial solutions to the challenges that climate change poses to society and ecosystems.

Among its major accomplishments, the center launched the annual international Wilkes Climate Prize and several annual events including the Climate Solutions Hackathon for students, the Wilkes Climate Summit and a public speaker series. The center also supported the hires of new climate-focused faculty across campus as well as the creation of the Great Salt Lake Strike Team, a task force designed to inform strategies to increase the lake’s water level, extending its influence beyond the U campus.

Anderegg’s deep expertise in climate change impacts on forests and society in the western U.S. and around the world helped steer the center’s focus during its initial years. He oversaw nation-wide collaborations to develop policy recommendations for nature-based climate solutions, which included partnerships with Microsoft, among others.

“I’m excited to continue and expand our research at the science-policy interface, particularly around the climate risks to forests and society of wildfire, drought, and other disturbances,” Anderegg said.

“It has been an incredible privilege to launch the Wilkes Center and guide it through these foundational years. I remain deeply optimistic about addressing climate challenges, and that optimism is fueled by the remarkable work of our faculty, students, and team. They continue to inspire me with their innovative research and commitment to developing real-world climate solutions.”
~ William Anderegg

Anderegg’s tenure as director solidified his reputation as a world-renowned climate scientist. In 2023, he was awarded both the National Science Foundation’s Alan T. Waterman Award and the Blavatnik Foundation’s National Laureate in Life Sciences award for his work on forest ecosystems and climate change. Anderegg was also recognized as one of the world’s most highly cited researchers by Clarivate.

Anderegg will be remembered not only for his own research and his expert convening of climate innovators but his skill at communicating science to a wide variety of audiences. He demonstrated this routinely, whether as a moderator of a panel on Utah’s energy future, crafting the messaging of center publications or, each year, insightfully framing the annual Wilkes Summit as a forum for thoughtful, real-life, real-time solutions to one of the defining issues of our time. In his final Summit appearance, for example, he memorably summarized the “three pillars of urgency” related to climate change: “it’s here, it’s us, it’s damaging.”

Anderegg’s signature of conveying data-driven science in a concise and clear way continually resonated with academics, industry leaders and policy makers alike.

“Bill’s leadership of the Wilkes Center has inspired so many young science scholars and future innovators across the University of Utah,” said Pearl Sandick, dean of the College of Science. “We are grateful for his leadership for helping launch the center and we’re excited to see what new research projects and partnerships will emerge in the coming years.”

This story originally appeared on the Wilkes Center website here.

Trailblazing with Earth & Environmental Science

June 5, 2025

The program fuses principles from atmospheric science, geology, and ecology to address key questions about the environment — including freshwater availability, the effects of extreme weather, and ecosystem resilience, among other topics. Students in the program join a faculty research stream — studying in a campus lab or out in the field — to acquire valuable experience.

Utah is known worldwide for its geological attributes and abundance of outdoor recreational opportunities. From the Wasatch Mountains to Zion National Park, the state serves as a natural classroom for EES students to study a variety of research topics, including snowfall dynamics, watershed health, aerosol chemistry and much more.

EES students study together in small cohorts, supported by faculty mentors, to develop practical skills for fruitful careers like environmental consulting, resource management, policy, among others. Students can also supplement their studies with a Sustainability Certificate.

Among the first graduating EES students are Ryker Ray and Tucker Hastings.

Ryker Ray

Ryker Ray

"I have thoroughly enjoyed my experience these past two years in the EES major,” says Ray, reflecting on his experience. “A brand-new major can be a little rough around the edges at times, but overall my classes were interesting and challenging."

One of the biggest draws for Ray to study EES was its interdisciplinary focus, reflected in the variety of his research work in the Science Research Initiative. He initially investigated the links between air quality and wildfires in atmospheric scientist Gannet Hallar’s Aerosol Research Lab. Later, he transitioned to biologist Austin Green’s Wildlife-Human Interaction Lab to engage in fieldwork and ecological data analysis. It was there that Ray developed a particular interest in studying carnivores.

"I am evaluating how certain extreme climate variables, which mirror future climate change conditions, are affecting the spatial and temporal behavior of small to large carnivores," says Ray. He focused on developing a framework for wildlife and land management, with the hope of influencing policy.

"We still lack an understanding of the degree to which our urban development affects the behaviors and populations of carnivores across the world," he adds.

Through his research, Ray benefited from a strong mentorship bond with Green. "I have never had such a compassionate and helpful mentor. Austin has always made time for me and the other students in the lab, even when working across two different organizations and caring for a new baby," says Ray.

Beyond the classroom, Ray, who hails from Park City, Utah, co-founded and served as Vice President of the Utah Students for Conservation Club, inspired by his studies and a reforestation internship in Costa Rica. Additionally, he contributed writing and photography to the environment-focused Wasatch Magazine.

Looking ahead, Ray hopes to work in fire ecology. "I want to begin repairing and building a bridge to work with the many Native American tribes and nations who have been using fire to maintain the health of the Western U.S." He hopes to pursue this ambition by founding his own company dedicated to public education and environmental awareness on the issue.

Tucker Hastings

Tucker Hastings

Originally from Santa Fe, New Mexico, William "Tucker" Hastings graduated with a double major in EES and Spanish, along with a minor in atmospheric sciences. As a member of the inaugural EES cohort, he valued the program’s interdisciplinary collaboration. "I enjoyed being able to connect with professors and students in the three different disciplines,” says Hastings. “The major’s emphasis on holistic perspectives and practical experience were also highlights." His EES studies were a particular highlight of his undergraduate career, and he eagerly engaged in research, labs and cross-disciplinary connections.

Hastings’ research focused on Utah's landscapes, stemming from his childhood adventures exploring the state’s wild places. His interest was sparked by a pivotal Science Research Initiative field trip to Costa Rica, where he met with biologists and conservationists. This led to his work in the Şekercioğlu Lab, assisting with trail camera image identification and conducting biodiversity surveys in the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument.

For this project, he collaborated with the Aparecido Lab in the School of Biological Sciences to study the impact of invasive species. He compared areas invaded by Russian olive trees to non-invaded sites to build a model of biogeographic trends. Hastings highlighted a significant knowledge gap: "Despite its long history in Utah, Russian olive has gone largely unstudied in the United States. The work of my lab [was] some of the first to investigate its impacts."

Following graduation, Hastings plans to continue his studies in ecology by pursuing a Ph.D., ideally in desert ecology. His core aspiration is "to use science to promote conservation, as well as community engagement in science and ecology."

by Ethan Hood

Students interested in the Earth & Environmental Science major at the University of Utah can learn more here.

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