6
DOING CLIMATE N EW WI LKE S CE NTE R FO R CLI M AT E S C IE N C E & PO L ICY IS FO U N DE D BY DO N O RS WHO WAN T TO I NS PI R E M O R E T H A N JU ST TA L KIN G T H E TA L K.
“As I consider the difference I can
ecology, the state of Utah is a living
Science have invested heavily during
make for my grandchildren and
laboratory for the deleterious impacts
the past year in fields related to
so many other generations that
of climate change and the potential
climate science and policy. In addition
follow, there is no more important
for innovative solutions based in
to providing salary and research
cause,” said entrepreneur Clay
climate science. “Our ability to
support packages for the Wilkes
Wilkes of climate change at the
address these urgent and immediate
Center director and leadership team,
announcement of the Wilkes Center
problems, locally and internationally,”
the U hired two tenure-track faculty
for Climate Science & Policy in August
said Wilkes, “will serve as a model
members working in climate-related
2022. The Center is named for him
for governments and communities
areas of need. These researchers
and his wife Marie who, through their
throughout the world. With this
include experts on air quality and
foundation, gifted $20 million to the
new center, the University of Utah is
climate interactions and land surface
University of Utah.
leading by example, and we challenge
modeling.
every other university within the state Clay Wilkes, Founder of Galileo
and beyond to do likewise.”
Financial Technologies, a provider
This past spring, the U also extended tenure-track offers to four additional
of payments and financial services
Now approaching the end of its
climate-focused researchers.
technology, which was acquired by
inaugural year, the Wilkes Center
Negotiations for these roles will
SoFi in 2020, grew up in computer
has had an accelerated start, from
continue into the summer with the
labs at the start of the information
the establishment of prize money
hopes the candidates will accept
and technology age. He says the topic
for boots-on-the-ground solutions
and join the faculty either in January
of climate is “the computer science
based on scientific data to student
or July of next year. Since these
of our day” and that the U “can be to
scholarships and from new faculty to
appointments include ongoing salary
universities what Google and Apple
the Wilkes Center’s first annual summit
lines and research start-up packages,
are to the tech world.”
staged in May of this year.
the hires represent a substantial longterm commitment by the U to increase
The new Wilkes Center is auspiciously
As part of its support for the Wilkes
the institution’s capacity and impact
situated. By dint of its geography and
Center, the U and the College of
in climate research.
SYN TH ESI S
| College of Science