UW in the News

State, national and international media frequently feature the University of Wyoming and members of its community in stories. Here is a summary of some of the recent coverage:

UW research scientist Jane Zelikova was among several researchers interviewed by BuzzFeed News for an article focusing on what a Joe Biden presidency means. They say that, after four years of relentless attacks on science, researchers and doctors are hopeful that Biden will fight the pandemic and climate change.

Forbes highlighted UW’s new Center for Blockchain and Digital Innovation. The new technology will change the way businesses and consumers operate in the future, says Steven Lupien, a UW adjunct professor of finance and director of the new UW center. CoinList, Bitcoin Lifestyle, Laramie Live and Crowdfund Insider published UW’s announcement.

Archaeologists recently discovered the bones of a 9,000-year-old human in a burial pit high in the Andes along with 20 stone projectile points and blades stacked neatly by the person’s side, according to an article in Science Magazine. UW archaeology Professor Robert Kelly commented on researchers discovering that the bones were of a female, challenging the long-standing “man the hunter” hypothesis. Smithsonian Magazine also published a similar article.

Medical Xpress published UW’s release on Assistant Professor Shawn McClean’s research with colleagues. Their published study focused on the disruption of workers’ morning routines that can cause them to be less focused and less productive throughout the day.

Christine Porter, UW’s Wyoming Excellence Chair in Community and Public Health, told WyoFile last week that she disagreed with university officials allowing the Cowboys to host football games this fall with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Other health officials noted that Albany County is the state’s hotspot for the virus.

Wyoming Public Radio interviewed Emily Monago, UW’s chief diversity officer, about the university’s efforts to recruit a diverse faculty and to promote diversity on the university’s campus.

In a UW Wyoming Survey and Analysis Center (WYSAC) survey, the majority of Wyoming residents would support an indoor mask mandate, reported Oil City News and Cowboy State Daily. In another WYSAC survey published by The Laramie Boomerang and Wyo4News, Wyoming residents are again reporting more anxiety about the spread of COVID-19 in the state.

The Casper Star-Tribune (CS-T) noted UW’s School of Energy Resources Center for Economic Geology Research officially launched Phase 3 of the CarbonSAFE project last month. The project’s ultimate goal is to ensure carbon storage complexes will be ready for integrated carbon capture, utilization and storage system deployment.

UW is seeking public comment on recommendations regarding student tuition for the 2021-22 academic year. Wyo4News and KGAB Radio published UW’s release noting that the UW Board of Trustees is expected to act on recommendations from the university administration at its board meeting this week.

Wyoming Public Radio interviewed Jerry Fowler, a UW assistant professor of law, about Wyoming being the only state not to participate in a refugee resettlement program, meaning those seeking a new home cannot be directly settled within the state’s borders.

Before last week’s presidential election, UW economist Rob Godby spoke with S&P Global about how the coal industry saw a diminished role in the presidential race. Godby discussed the slim odds for new coal-fired plants being built in the near future.

Wyoming Public Radio interviewed UW researcher Ahmed Farid about his work studying the safety of gravel roads in the state.

UW’s School of Energy Resources is collaborating with Black Hills Energy to test new technology -- flameless, pressurized oxy-fuel -- to help lower emissions when processing coal, The CS-T reported.

Laramie Live published UW’s release announcing that the university will hold a virtual ceremony in place of its traditional winter commencement next month because of the ongoing pandemic.

UW’s College of Health Sciences will offer three online courses in community and public health in the spring 2021 semester. The courses are open to graduate students, advanced undergraduates, practitioners and community members interested in improving community health, according to a UW release published by The Rocket Miner.

Wyoming Public Radio published UW’s release noting that the university supports the mask order that went into effect last Friday in Albany County.

Three small businesses won this year’s Sheridan Start-Up Challenge, noted Wyoming Public Radio. IMPACT 307, with business incubators in Casper, Laramie and Sheridan, is a business development program of UW and hosts the annual entrepreneur challenge.

Laramie Live published UW’s release noting that the American Heritage Center has launched a new website to support Wyoming History Day for the state’s middle and high school students.