Welcome Dulcinea!

"This position supports my long-term career goals in academic research in paleoclimatology and paleoecology, to use past environmental change in sensitive ecosystems to place ongoing rapid climate and ecosystem change in context. I am especially excited to integrate the tools developed in this project with my past experience in high latitude prehistoric global change, to address knowledge gaps about past climate and ecosystem change of coastal grasslands of the Falklands and coastal moss peat banks of the West Antarctic Peninsula." 

Currently a postdoctoral researcher at Lehigh University, Dulcinea is ready to take on a new postdoc adventure at the University of Wyoming.  She plans to use prior research experience to promote the development of a new proxy using microbes.  Dulcinea completed her Ph.D. in Ecology and Environmental Science in 2018 from the University of Maine.  It was there that she began exploring multi-proxy ecosystem reconstructions.  Dulcinea also looks forward to bringing her past experience working in alpine lakes throughout Maine, Sierra Nevada, and Cordillera Blanca (Peru) to UW's laboratories.  

It is clear that Dulcinea has a passion for her work and area of expertise.  She explores a very specific aspect of the science field and is proud to demonstrate her knowledge on the topic.  When asked to describe herself, she explains,

"I am a broadly trained, interdisciplinary paleoecologist with expertise in abrupt climate change impacts, paleoclimate proxy development, and ecosystem ecology in extreme environments."  

Being well trained in her field, Dulcinea plans to utilize her time in the university's labs to conduct a modern calibration study of branched GDGTs in microbes from lake waters, riparian soils, and lake sediment cores to support paleoclimate reconstructions from alpine lakes in Wyoming.  She plans to utilize a multiproxy approach to build on this proposed project by combining paleoclimate reconstructions with additional paleoclimate proxies.  All in all, her project seems to be a phenomenal addition to the work of UW's postdoctoral candidates for this upcoming year.

Dulcinea is wildly passionate about her work and we are thrilled to have her enthusiasm in the lab at UW!  We look forward to seeing her project develop during her time at the university.  

Welcome Lorelei!

Lorelei Curtin comes to us from Columbia University in New York where she studies Earth and Environmental Science.  Clearly passionate about her work, Lorelei introduces us to her work explaining, "I provide critical context for potential future climate change scenarios by examining past periods in Earth’s recent history, particularly the Holocene and Last Interglacial periods. I reconstruct past changes in hydrology and temperature, which are poorly understood during these important intervals."  

Lorelei's passion for the Earth seems to stem from her undergraduate career.  She achieved a Bachelor of Arts in Geology with a minor in Environmental Analysis from Pomona College in Claremont, CA.  She continued her scientific journey by branching out and attending the University of Otago in

 

Dunedin, New Zealand.  It was there that she completed her M.Sc. with Distinction in Geology before returning to the states.  Once back in New York, she completed her M.A., M.Phil., and Ph.D. in Earth and Environmental Science.  

If that isn't enough to demonstrate a strong passion for her field, Lorelei has continually held teaching assistantships and pedagogical training positions to broaden and enhance her science experiences.  Her teaching experiences range from tectonics in 2012 to paleoceanography in 2018.  Being active in the classroom as both a student and teacher has afforded Lorelei the opportunity to experience earth sciences on varying levels.  This is sure to broaden her knowledge base and open her mind to new opportunities as she seeks to join the Post-Doctoral team at the University of Wyoming.  She clearly demonstrates these prospects noting,

"I am excited to build an ecosystem-scale understanding of Holocene climate and ecological changes in Wyoming through the use of additional lipid biomarkers, including leaf wax isotopes, alkenones, and mammalian and algal sterols. Furthermore, I am enthusiastic about participating in the Shuman lab as a mentor for graduate and undergraduate student researchers. This research and mentoring experience will help me attain my professional goal of becoming a professor at a small liberal arts college."

With 7 publications (3 published, 1 in review, 3 in preparation) under her belt, numerous honors, awards, and fellowships, and just over $28,000 in grants it is clear that Lorelei is a smart choice for the university's Post-Doctoral program.  Aside from her practical experience, Lorelei is passionate about her work and field of study.  She is not afraid to branch out for new experiences and is willing to tackle any challenges to pursue new opportunities.  We are thrilled to welcome Lorelei to our Post-Doctoral Team at the University of Wyoming!  We cannot wait to see all that she accomplishes during her time on campus.

Science Loves Art: Beating the Quarantine Blues

Quarantine got you down?  Struggling to keep your kiddos entertained while working from home?  Wishing there were more educational activities available for your family?  You are not alone.  And, luckily for you, Science Loves Art (SLA) has the perfect solution!

Based out of 4th Street Studios in Laramie, Science Loves Art is a 501(c)3 non-profit with a goal to merge art and science.  They tackle this goal through experience and discovery using their Science Loves Art Kits.  There are a variety of kits that master the perfect combo of science and art.  You can

choose from a bookmaking kit, paint pour kit, beeswax wrap kit, or the Suminagashi - Japanese

marbling kit.  With several options to choose from, you and your family can spend hours creating art projects for the refrigerator while learning a little something along the way!

While the SLA Kits are a great way to beat the quarantine blues, this family-owned business is taking extra precautions when it comes to saving summer.  If you drove by the shop last Thursday or Friday, you may have noticed the bright sidewalk chalk art, big white tent, and flourishing greenery. To help welcome the summer season, SLA decided to host a socially-distant Pollinator Week Celebration where they took their traditional shop outdoors.  Laramie community members trickled into the outdoor shop throughout the afternoons, seeking their own form of a creative outlet during these unprecedented times.  Some

 

purchased tomato and basil plants for their gardens.  Others sought out the beeswax kits and fabric squares to create their own plant sleeves.  I walked away with a bright pink succulent and some decorative stickers to add pops of color to my home office space.  It was a wonderful way to spread the word about Pollinator Week and bring the community together despite everything going on in our world today.

Bummed that you missed this awesome event?  No need to fret, there are plans in the works for a block party later this year!  To stay up-to-date on that plan or just to keep in touch, you can subscribe to their newsletter here.  If you are looking to get your hands on some SLA kits or other creative projects in the meantime, check out the Science Loves Art website.  Here you can browse a plethora of products, downloadable projects for your kiddos, and upcoming events.  

Welcome Nathan!

"Microbial communities are some of the most taxonomically, phylogenetically, and functionally diverse biological systems on the planet...My research uses fieldwork and simulation modeling to understand the relative importance of these ecological processes for maintaining biodiversity in dynamic ecosystems."

Nathan Wisnoski is one of the newest Post-Doctoral candidates at the University of Wyoming.  He holds a historic passion for biology having received his B.S. in Biology - Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior from the University of Texas at Austin as well as his Ph.D. in Biology - Evolution, Ecology, and Behavior from the Indiana University in Bloomington.  His most recent position at Indiana University afforded Nathan the experience of studying microbial ecology in the Lennon Lab, making him the perfect addition to our community.  

Nathan's past research endeavors included topics such as Dormancy in Metacommunities, Metacommunities in Stream Networks, Dispersal and Dormancy in Bacterioplankton Communities, LTER Metacommunities, and Dormancy, and Host-Phage Dynamics.  With such a broad spectrum of research interests, it's no wonder he holds authorship recognition in 10 publications, four of which are currently being reviewed, and is preparing drafts for 3 more.  To help fund this research, Nathan has 7 fellowships and awards under his belt alongside 2 substantial grants which, in total, add up to just over $81,000.

If that wasn't enough to impress you, Nathan has demonstrated his professionalism and dedication to his projects through numerous talks, posters, workshops, and teaching positions.  Mentorship and service have been a part of his life since the summer of 2015 as well.  These opportunities have continued to be a part of Nathan's life as he climbed the ladder of academic success.

With his higher education journey beginning in 2009, Nathan has been in the field for just over a decade.  He is highly respected in the academic community but boasts a plethora of hobbies outside of academia.  Nathan explains on his website that he enjoys playing guitar, listening to music, reading, hiking, and nature photography when he isn't in the lab, classroom, or writing a paper.  

Nathan is an all-around wonderful person.  He is bright, creative, and genuine.  We are thrilled to welcome him to the University of Wyoming!  

Change STEMs From Within

“Recent events remind us of the need for acceptance, equity, and diversity in our communities.  We cannot challenge our racial filters if we do not see them for what they are.  We are aware that what we do is insufficient in itself in the face of violence against Black and Brown bodies and oppression of Black and 

Brown opportunities.”

You may have seen Wyoming EPSCoR’s solidarity statement upon its release a few weeks ago.  You may have seen similar statements released by campus and community partners.  These statements of support are great, but what happens when the dust settles?  What happens when your Facebook newsfeed returns to videos of tasty recipes, your best friend's wedding, and 5-minute crafts? 

The first steps toward a real change begin happening.

Wyoming EPSCoR seeks to demonstrate a sincere commitment to increasing equity, acceptance, and diversity in our community.  We may not fully understand the depth of the social justice movement happening across the U.S., but we are dedicated to standing as an ally with those who have been affected and walk in those shoes daily.  We wish to stand as a resource for those looking to become an ally themselves.  

If you read our solidarity statement, you know that “Wyoming NSF EPSCoR stands with our students, faculty, staff, and colleagues to bear witness to the legacies of historical injustices and inequities of racism…”

Science goes far beyond the stereotypical lab coat.  Wyoming EPSCoR plans to illustrate this by highlighting our researchers, faculty, staff, and students of color.  They are an integral part of our STEM programs on and off-campus, and we want to share their stories, experiences, and research with our community.  

While this is only the first step toward the finish line of true equity in STEM, we stand strong with our science family and look forward to recognizing their accomplishments in the field.  They have risen to the occasion to create a strong foundation for the future of STEM in Wyoming.  We support them and we will always stand with them.  

Stay tuned here, and on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, for more highlights and details on how Wyoming EPSCoR is taking a stand against racial inequity in STEM.

Wyoming NSF EPSCoR Solidarity Statement

Wyoming NSF EPSCoR stands with our students, faculty, staff, and colleagues to bear witness to the legacies of historical injustices and inequities of racism that have led to violence and death toward Black and Brown members of the human race. 

Recent events remind us of the need for acceptance, equity, and diversity in our communities. We cannot challenge our racial filters if we do not see them for what they are. We are aware that what we do is insufficient in itself in the face of violence against Black and Brown bodies and oppression of Black and Brown opportunities.

Wyoming NSF EPSCoR is committed to seeing our filters and dismantling them. We acknowledge that science has been used to perpetuate racism throughout history and it has wrongfully mistreated Black and Brown bodies ​and minds in the name of research. We will work to increase equitable access to STEM education and careers for all individuals especially Black and Native American​ ​and Hispanic, through research and science outreach, service and economic programs, and STEM economic enfranchisement.

Researchers Persevere Despite COVID-19 Changes

"UW researchers shall pause field research starting now and extending at least until July 30, 2020.  Approaching that time, a reassessment will be made based on the evolution of our understanding of the COVID-19 situation."

Research never truly stops.  New findings are published each day, scientists are working in the field and running samples in the lab, and discoveries are being made.  The University of Wyoming released an email several weeks ago announcing their postponement of field research through the end of July.  But how can any scientist truly just stop?

The answer?  They can't.

Field research may be on hold, but students, faculty, and community scientists alike are continuing to press forward with their research in any manner possible.  Showing true grit, and a passion for their diverse STEM fields, individuals are beginning to crunch data and work on samples that were collected prior to the pandemic.  According to the email received from UW,

"Evaluation of a detailed plan that addresses how the CDC guidelines on social distancing and disinfection will be applied to ensure the safety of students 

and faculty."

The community is working together to ensure proper safety guidelines are in place as students and faculty alike continue to muddle through the re-writes of their original research proposals.  All the while, they are continuing to fight for time in the lab to work on their samples and run their data.  

Wyoming EPSCoR is doing their part to come up with a plan to move much of their summer research ventures online to maintain connection with their community.  Working together with the university, a plan will come together to ensure scientists, researchers, students, and community members are supported during this crazy time.  Summer research plans may be put on hold, but no one is giving up.

The future is wildly uncertain, but one thing is unchanging.  

Research doesn't stop.  Neither will we.