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:

The Medicine Maker interviewed Silvia Sanchez-Martinez, a UW molecular biology senior research scientist, on the “superpowers” of tardigrades. Sanchez-Martinez and Thomas Boothby, a UW molecular biology associate professor, have extensively studied the resilience of the microscopic species that is now being studied for new approaches to cancer treatments, according to the article.

Jeff Covin, Wyoming Excellence Chair in the UW Department of Management and Marketing, is among three authors of an article that introduces a novel impression management tactic known as “compensation,” which enhances financing outcomes for early-stage entrepreneurs. New research unveils effective strategies for entrepreneurs to disclose risk without losing investor confidence first appeared in EurekAlert!. MSN also published the article.

Cowboy State Daily published an article titled “Trump Promises Comeback For U.S. Coal, To Reopen ‘Hundreds’ Of Coal-Fired Plants,” and added comments from UW economist Rob Godby. Wyoming experts caution this will probably not happen as long as coal costs more than gas and renewables.

UW economist Charles Mason was interviewed for a Market Place article focusing on how crude oil production in Alaska is expected to increase, which will be the biggest jump in decades. Mason noted that production from older wells was productive, but they tapered off, and the only way “to arrest that” is by having more wells drilled. Mason said that has been happening less lately in Alaska, in part because of conservation measures.

According to a UW media release, the university and two other communities are hosting memorial services for former U.S. senator and UW alumnus Alan Simpson. The UW event will take place at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 29, at in the Arena-Auditorium. Among media outlets reporting the news were Wyoming Public Radio, WyoToday Media, Cody Enterprise and Wyoming Tribune Eagle.

Comments from Davin Bagdonas, a UW School of Energy Resources research professional III, have been included in a widely published article, including Interesting Engineering, which focuses on the work from University of Texas at Austin researchers who have identified $8.4 billion worth of rare earth elements locked within the country’s coal ash deposits. The discovery was published in related articles by MSN and Coal Zoom.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit cited UW Firearms Research Center (FRC) Director George Mocsary, Senior Fellow Dave Kopel and FRC contributor Joseph Greenlee in its opinion on NRA v. Bondi. The opinion referenced Mocsary’s 2023 article, Treating Young Adults as Citizens, published by the Texas Review of Law and Politics, which argues that the Second Amendment protects the right of 18- to 20-year-olds to keep and bear arms. The citation highlights FRC’s role in shaping legal discourse on firearms law and constitutional rights.

The Jackson Hole News and Guide reported that the Jackson Hole Travel and Tourism Board and UW personnel have developed a survey asking residents about their feelings toward tourism and visitor management in Jackson Hole. The two groups will analyze the data later for a report to the community.

Jess Dooley, UW food security coordinator, discussed the Pokes Center for Community Resources with The Laramie Boomerang. The center offers a free food and clothing pantry to UW students, faculty and staff.

Buckrail reported that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is reopening the public comment period for a proposed rule to list the monarch butterfly as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. The article mentioned that community members are encouraged to submit monarch observations to iNaturalist to assist with UW’s citizen scientist campaign to collect more data on the species.

UW Extension is sponsoring Rancher’$ E.D.G.E. (Excellence in Development, Grazing and Economics) -- a three-session program offered throughout the year. Sheridan Media noted that the program is a multi-season perspective on the ranching production cycle.

WyoToday Media published UW’s release on its coverage of UW’s Nordic ski teams’ successful United States Collegiate Ski and Snowboard Association Collegiate Championships title run. The Fremont County media outlet highlighted three Lander skiers who competed for the Cowboys’ national champions and the Cowgirls’ national runners-up team.

UW assistant professor Katelyn Kotlarek, who teaches in the Division of Communication Disorders, was recently selected as a President’s Distinguished Scholar. County 17 published UW’s release, noting that Kotlarek is an accomplished scholar in cleft palate and craniofacial disorders.

Chad Baldwin, UW associate vice president for communications and marketing, discussed with SVI Radio a variety of subjects, including nuclear research at UW; President Ed Seidel being appointed as the chair of the Mountain West Conference Board of Directors; an upcoming outdoor recreation summit; and memorial services for Simpson.

Wyoming Business Report published UW’s release noting that Kem Krueger, dean and professor of UW’s School of Pharmacy, and Sherrill Smith, dean and professor of UW’s Fay W. Whitney School of Nursing, have been invited to join the Ivinson Memorial Hospital Board of Directors.

UW Extension is hosting a free Caring for Caregivers Retreat this week in Basin. According to a Powell Tribune article, the program is to offer caregivers a chance to refresh, learn and connect, and to provide valuable information while giving caregivers a well-deserved break to focus on their well-being.

Northern Ag Network published UW’s release announcing that applications are now being taken for UW Extension’s fifth annual Wyoming Ranch Camp Monday-Friday, June 9-13, at the Ladder Ranch in Carbon County.

Peter Gottfried, president of Natural Systems Analysts Inc. in Dubois, was among four individuals appointed to the UW School of Energy Resources’ (SER) Energy Resources Council (ERC). The ERC plays a vital role in advising SER on its research priorities, educational programs and outreach initiatives, according to a UW media release published by WyoToday Media.

Cowboy Sandbox and Dome After Dark, an audiovisual/musical performance, will close out this month’s schedule at the UW Harry C. Vaughan Planetarium this Saturday, according to a UW media release published by The Laramie Boomerang.