FROM THE DIRECTOR

GREETINGS FRIENDS & ALUMNI!

This annual publication highlights a fraction of the groundbreaking research happening in Geology and Geophysics at the University of Utah. We acknowledge award winners like graduate student Kevin Mendoza, who is using magnetotellurics, a specific subfield of geophysics, to measure water entrained in the geologic water cycle and has important consequences for plate tectonics. Recipient of the 2023 University of Utah Teaching Assistantship Award, Kevin has developed python programming-based core curriculum for undergraduates.

We’re also highlighting a faculty member (Fan-Chi Lin) who’s analyzing ambient seismic noise measurements to elucidate groundwater storage of snowpack melt in the Great Salt Lake basin and aid water resource management as well as his work on what’s been termed a “thumping thermometer” in Yellowstone National Park (on the cover). Keith Koper (Director of Seismograph Stations) is diving into the interactions between human activity and induced earthquakes. Other faculty research is also featured in this issue.

Some of our professors are involved in ambitious interdisciplinary collaborations as well. One group is investigating the role of groundwater in sustaining the Great Salt Lake in the face of drought, while another is piecing together the story of the last ice age glaciers in the American West. A team focused on critical minerals is even searching in Utah's coal for rare earth elements needed for technology and renewable energy.

We're also proud that Brenda Bowen was awarded a National Science Foundation ADVANCE grant to promote women faculty in STEM fields. She leads by example through her outstanding environmental geology program as well as her new position as chair of the Department of Atmospheric Sciences. Brenda has also been awarded a Geological Society of America (GSA) Fellowship, joining a cadre of GSA Fellows within our department (Cari Johnson, Marjorie Chan, Gabe Bowen, Thure Cerling, Jeff Moore, Kip Solomon, among others).

Beyond research, we have students getting invaluable field experience during summer trips exploring iconic Utah destinations like the Courthouse Towers rock formation near Moab. Scenes from their expeditions frequently grace the cover of our alumni magazine and our website.

Finally, we are awaiting the final results of the NSF Regional Innovation Engines competition that could bring a major research hub to our department and state. Wish us luck!

There are too many research, teaching and outreach efforts to recount here. All of this requires your help, and I want to thank our generous donors who support scholarships, field work, graduate fellowships, and other essential programs. We earnestly request your continued support this year to enrich our next generation of earth science leaders.

Sincerely,

William (Bill) Johnson