Presentation on UW Science Initiative Jan. 29 in Buffalo

A University of Wyoming faculty member is scheduled to speak about UW’s Science Initiative Monday, Jan. 29, at the Buffalo Kiwanis Club’s regular weekly meeting.

The meeting is noon-1 p.m. at the Bozeman Trail Steakhouse, 675 E. Hart St.

Wyoming Research Scholars Program Director Jamie Crait will discuss the initiative that aims to revolutionize scientific education and discovery in Wyoming.

The Science Initiative, initiated by Gov. Matt Mead and the Legislature in 2014, is an effort to enable world-class research and education related to pillars of Wyoming’s present and future economy. Through life and data sciences research that impacts areas including mineral extraction, agriculture, tourism, resource management and high technology, the initiative will impact Wyoming’s economy and give UW students a leading-edge skill set.

Central to the Science Initiative is construction of a $100 million facility at the northwest end of the UW campus, featuring flexible laboratories for interdisciplinary science research; the Center for Advanced Scientific Instrumentation; state-of-the-art greenhouses for plant research; a 200-seat active-learning classroom; and student collaboration areas to foster science innovation.

Mead, who describes the facility as “a unique research and teaching environment that will transform interdisciplinary research and education,” has recommended that the 2018 Legislature release $100 million previously appropriated for the project.

The Wyoming Research Scholars Program, one of the components of the Science Initiative, provides scholarships for undergraduates to study and conduct research with top UW researchers.