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:

ScienceDaily published UW’s release on new research that shows COVID-19 testing programs may increase risky behavior. Based on a false sense of security, students who participated in frequent COVID-19 testing at two universities engaged in more behavior known to increase the risk of spreading the virus than they might have otherwise. UW’s Chian Jones Ritten, Linda Thunstrom and Todd Cherry led the study.

Jacob Hochard, an assistant professor, and Nino Abashidze, a postdoctoral research associate, both in UW’s Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources, along with a colleague, conducted a study that examined over 700,000 births in the path of Hurricane Irene and found that exposure was associated with impaired birth outcomes. Nature Communications published the study, which cited data indicating that experiencing a disaster during pregnancy can impair birth outcomes and disrupt access to health care services, which may have long-term impacts.

UW psychology Professor Sean McCrea was co-author of a paper titled “The vaccination rift effect provides evidence that source vaccination status determines the rejection of calls to get vaccinated” that was published in Scientific Reports.

WyoFile reported that a legislative committee advanced a bill on rare earth element permitting. Surveys to better define Wyoming’s rare earth mineral resources are underway at UW’s School of Energy Resources and the Wyoming State Geological Survey.

The Laramie Boomerang reported on Alzheimer’s disease research being led by UW’s Yun Li, an assistant professor in the Department of Zoology and Physiology.

Sheridan Media published UW’s release about UW School of Pharmacy Associate Professor Guanglong He’s research on the dangers of e-cigarettes.

Bryant Smalley, the Wyoming Excellence Chair in Rural Health in UW’s College of Health Sciences, is UW’s new associate vice president for research. The Techregister UK published UW’s announcement.

Wyoming Business Report published a Laramie Boomerang article noting three new startup companies will receive seed funding for their business proposals presented during the recent Wyoming Blockchain Stampede at UW. The university’s IMPACT 307 program coordinated the competition. Wyoming Business Report also reported that UW’s Wyoming Community Navigator Program hosted a Small Business Saturday webinar last week.

UW’s Powell Research and Extension Center is donating some of its dried, edible beans and peas to needy families in the region, according to an article published by The Powell Tribune.

The Jackson Hole News & Guide reported that Eric Nigh, an assistant lecturer and director of UW’s Arabic and Middle East Studies Program, and UW students will take part in a Model United Nations program for high school students from across Wyoming and Idaho this week in Jackson. High school students will have the opportunity to participate in UW’s High School Model Arab League Competition in February.