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:

Field & Stream reported that new research by UW graduate student Jaron Kolek suggests that backcountry skiers may be pushing endangered bighorn sheep from their winter habitat in California’s Sierra Nevada Mountains. Kolek, who examines human-wildlife interactions, presented his research at The Wildlife Society’s annual conference last fall.

UW molecular biologist Thomas Boothby was interviewed by Discover on his ongoing research on tardigrades and how the microscopic creatures can live in outer space and other extreme environments -- thanks to their death-defying resilience and a metabolic superpower. Big Think published another Boothby-related article titled “How the nearly indestructible tardigrade can bring vaccines and medicine to Africa.”

The Casper Star-Tribune reported that UW’s School of Energy Resources is assuming control of the Integrated Test Center at Basin Electric Power Cooperative’s Dry Fork Station near Gillette. The carbon capture test site opened in 2018. UW’s original release on the announcement can be found here.

A New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) ecologist is collaborating with UW researchers to study how the Medicine Bow National Forest is recovering since the Mullen fire burned more than 176,000 acres in 2020. The team will collect microclimate, vegetation and hydrological measurements over the next three years. NJIT reported on the project.

UW will collaborate with seven other universities and the National Tribal Energy Association on a $2 million U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)-funded project that will work with communities interested in DOE’s community-centered approach to storing and disposing of spent nuclear fuel. DOE will provide a total of $26 million for 13 project teams.

Personnel from the UW Department of Zoology and Physiology and the Wyoming State Veterinary Laboratory provided data assistance for a research paper that focused on behavioral responses of terrestrial mammals to COVID-19 lockdowns. Science published the article.

WyoFile interviewed UW doctoral student Tayler LaSharr for an article on the future of the Wyoming Range mule deer herd, which was decimated by harsh winter conditions.

The Cheyenne Post reported that UW alumnus Michael Amundson will discuss his latest book, “The Art and Life of Merritt Dana Houghton in the Northern Rockies, 1878-1919,” as part of the Wyoming State Archives’ monthly evening speaker series later this month. Amundson’s book is the first book published by the University of Wyoming Press.

The UW Alumni Association’s annual Buck-a-Roo Bash will be at David Street Station in downtown Casper Wednesday. The event will feature games, activities and appearances by UW athletes and cheerleaders, according to Oil City News.

Buckrail reported that a large cattle drive in Jackson was planned over the weekend and that drivers needed to be aware of cattle on the road. UW Extension tips were cited in the article recommending that drivers keep speeds under 10 mph when encountering a cattle drive since cows have less traction on roads and are unable to move quickly to dodge a vehicle.

A “UW in Your Community” gathering is planned in Kemmerer Thursday. UW President Ed Seidel, some UW faculty members and current UW students from Lincoln County are scheduled to speak. The Star Valley Independent published UW’s release.

Digital Wealth News published UW’s release noting that the university will host the sixth annual Wyoming Blockchain Stampede and WyoHackathon Sept. 11-15 on campus.

Sheridan Media published UW’s release announcing that UW’s Center for Air Quality will help conduct research to accurately depict methane emissions from oil and gas supply chains in Wyoming and Colorado basins. Sheridan Media also published UW’s release noting that Wyoming Heritage Grains, Food Bank of Wyoming and UW Extension will bring Wyoming-grown whole grains to food pantries across the state.

WyoToday Media published UW’s release announcing that self-measured blood pressure monitoring kits are now available for checkout at libraries in Fremont County. The kits are offered through a collaborative pilot project involving UW’s Wyoming Center on Aging, the Wyoming Department of Health’s Chronic Disease Prevention Program and the Fremont County Library System.

UW’s Biodiversity Institute will host a free Summer Bat Walk in Sheridan June 29 for the first 20 participants who sign up. The Sheridan Press published UW’s release on the announcement.

The News Letter Journal published UW’s release noting that local students will compete in the National History Day competition after placing in the state event hosted by the university’s American Heritage Center.

Former UW quarterback Josh Allen, of the Buffalo Bills, was named as the cover athlete for the Madden NFL 24 video game, according to ESPN.

The Thermopolis Independent Record published UW’s release noting that hometown student-athlete Emme Norsworthy and her Cowgirl teammates will compete in this week’s College National Finals Rodeo in Casper.