Discover - December 2020

R e se arc h Re p o r t o f t h e U n ive r s i t y o f U t a h C o l l e ge o f S c i e n c e 2 0 2 0

RISING TO THE CHALLENGE

T H E

C O L L E G E

A T

A

1 x MacArthur Genius Grant

658 SCIENCE

Established 1970

75 PhD

Physics & Astronomy

graduates

2 x Willards Gibbs Awards

92

Centers: Center for Science & Mathematics Education, Center for Cell & Genome Science, Global Change & Sustainability Center, Materials Research, Science, & Engineering Center, Center for Quantitative Biology Degrees of Study Bachelor of Arts, B.A.,

49% 51%

student parity

STUDENT Scholarships

1x Nobel Prize

166 TENURED

491

BACHELOR graduates

Master of Philosophy, M.Phil.,

science faculty

$602 M

university research

Doctor of Philosophy, Ph.D.

For more information visit science.utah.edu.

$830,000

graduates

Master of Arts, M.A., Master of Science, M.S.,

8 x NAS M

MASTER

Bachelor of Science, B.S.,

Master of Statistics, M. Stat.,

1 x Breakthrough prize

graduates

Departments: Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics,

G L A N C E

3 x National Medals of Science

FUNDING

4 x Churchill Scholarships

Members

2 x Priestly Medals

Rese arch R e p o r t o f t h e U n ive r s i t y o f U t ah Co lle ge o f Scie n ce 2020

3

Message from Dean Peter Trapa

5

Research Statistics

7

Research Roundup - Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics & Astronomy

15 Year One of the Science Research Initiative - SRI 19 Connecting During COVID 21 Frontiers of Science 23 Crimson Laureate Society 25 U.S. News & World Report College Rankings

Discover Magazine is published by the University of Utah College of Science - email: events@science.utah.edu Editor: Matt Crawley Layout: Randall Royter royter-snow.com Printing: seagullprinting.com On the cover: College of Science Ambassador Sophia Schuman. Photo: Matt Crawley

1

D E A N ’ S

M E S S A G E

Dear Alumni and Friends,

If 2020 has taught us anything, it is that science is critical to solving the world’s challenges. The recent discovery

of effective COVID-19 vaccines, developed so swiftly and safely, will rank among the great scientific triumphs of the century, and the new mRNA technologies underlying them will usher in a new era of fighting disease.

We still have a very difficult time ahead of us. I am incredibly proud of our students, faculty, staff and alumni

who are meeting the challenges and uncertainties posed by the pandemic. We continue to deliver innovative online content, virtual symposia, remote experiments and, when possible, in-person laboratories. Our exceptional faculty are finding new ways to advance their research priorities. What they learn today will make our world both safer and healthier in the years to come.

Unfortunately, the pandemic has led to serious economic hardship for some of our students. Recognizing the

need, we created an emergency student support fund so that College of Science alumni and supporters can assist our students facing difficulties. Please consider donating to this worthy cause and making a lasting difference in the lives of our remarkable students. The first $50,000 in donations will be matched by generous science supporters! We believe in our students and their ability to change the world for the better.

My best wishes for a safe and healthy 2021.

Peter Trapa Dean, College of Science Dean Peter Trapa at the east entrance to the Crocker Science Center.

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Research Funding Tops $ 602 Million

Two years after achieving a $500 million funding milestone and with the

61% of federal research dollars.

added boost of funding for research related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the

The milestone was achieved due to a proliferation of research related to the

University of Utah reports $603 million in research funding for fiscal year 2020.

medical, economic and social aspects of COVID-19. Following seed grants totaling

$1.3 million, U researchers in various disciplines secured additional external

The 2020 fiscal year saw the U invited to join the prestigious Association of

American Universities, a group of 65 top-tier research universities in the U.S. and

funding, which contributed to passing the $600 million mark.

Canada. Together, AAU universities receive $25.6 billion in research funding, and

2018

$515M State Gov’t 3%

2019

$547M

Industry 19%

2020

Total STEM Degrees

Other 17%

Federal Gov’t 61%

79%

Graduate STEM Degrees

49%

$602M GROWTH

SOURCES

DEGREES

For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2020, the

Extramural funding comes mostly from federal

The University of Utah produces 49% of total STEM

University of Utah received $602,596,946 in new

agencies such as the National Science Foundation

degrees from Utah System of Higher Education

awards for sponsored activities.

and National Institutes of Health.

schools and 72% of STEM graduate degrees.

This surpasses the previous record for sponsored

The U’s increase in federal funding builds on the

projects, recorded in 2019, by approximately

remarkable achievement of Max Wintrobe in 1945

$54.4 million.

who received the very first grant from NIH to study muscular dystrophy.

$36.2 $602 Million In Million In Research Funding Science - 2020 Research Awards FY

$517

Million In Local Economic Impact - FY2020

- FY2019

56

U.S. Patents - FY2019

5

C O L L E G E

H I G H L I G H T

Biology

B Y

PAU L

G A B R I E L S O N

William Anderegg FOREST FUTURES

This paper, part of that roadmap, calls attention to the risks

oxide from the atmosphere, some governments are counting on

forests face from myriad consequences of rising global tem-

planted forests as offsets for greenhouse gas emissions—a sort of

peratures, including fire, drought, insect damage and human

climate investment. But as with any investment, it’s important to

disturbance—a call to action, Anderegg says, to bridge the divide

understand the risks. If a forest goes bust, researchers say, much

between the data and models produced by scientists and the

of that stored carbon could go up in smoke.

actions taken by policymakers.

6

Given the tremendous ability of forests to absorb carbon di-

In a paper published in Science, University of Utah biologist

William Anderegg and his colleagues say that forests can be

ACCUMULATING RISK

best deployed in the fight against climate change with a proper

understanding of the risks to that forest that climate change

that’s emitted into the atmosphere—just under a third, Anderegg

itself imposes. “As long as this is done wisely and based on the

says. “And this sponge for CO2 is incredibly valuable to us.”

best available science, that’s fantastic,” Anderegg says. “But there

hasn’t been adequate attention to the risks of climate change to

to “forest-based natural climate solutions” that include prevent-

forests right now.”

ing deforestation, managing natural forests and reforesting.

In 2019, Anderegg, a recipient of the Packard Fellowship

Forests could be some of the more cost-effective climate mitiga-

for Science and Engineering from the David and Lucile Packard

tion strategies, with co-benefits for biodiversity, conservation and

Foundation, convened a workshop in Salt Lake City to gather

local communities.

some of the foremost experts on climate change risks to forests.

The diverse group represented various disciplines: law, econom-

store carbon relatively “permanently,” or on the time scales of 50

ics, science and public policy, among others. “This was designed

to 100 years—or longer. Such permanence is not always a given.

to bring some of the people who had thought about this the

“There’s a very real chance that many of those forest projects

most together and to start talking and come up with a roadmap,”

could go up in flames or to bugs or drought stress or hurricanes

Anderegg says.

in the coming decades,” Anderegg says.

Forests absorb a significant amount of the carbon dioxide

Because of this, governments in many countries are looking

But built into this strategy is the idea that forests are able to

“Without good science we’re flying blind and not making the best policy decisions.”

Forests have long been vulnerable to all of those fac-

tors, and have been able to recover from them when they

detailed and cutting-edge, but aren’t widely used outside the scientific community. So, policy decisions can rely on

are episodic or come one at a time. But the risks

science that may be decades old.

connected with climate change, includ-

ing drought and fire, increase over

“There are at least two key things you can do with this

time. Multiple threats at once,

information,” Anderegg says.

or insufficient time for

The first is to optimize

forests to recover from

investment in forests

those threats, can kill

and minimize risks.

the trees, release the

“Science can guide

carbon, and un-

and inform where

dermine the entire

we ought to be

premise of forest-

investing to achieve

based natural climate

different climate

solutions.

aims and avoid risks.”

“Without good

The second, he says, is

science to tell us what

to mitigate risks through

those risks are,” Anderegg

forest management. “If we’re

says, “we’re flying blind and not

worried about fire as a major

making the best policy decisions.”

risk in a certain area, we can start to think about what are the management tools

MITIGATING RISK

In the paper, Anderegg and his colleagues encourage

that make a forest more resilient to that disturbance.”

More research, he says, is needed in this field, and he and his

scientists to focus increased attention on assessing forest

colleagues plan to work toward answering those questions.

climate risks and share the best of their data and predictive

models with policymakers so that climate strategies includ-

and the scientific community,” Anderegg says, “to study this

ing forests can have the best long-term impact. For example,

more, and improve in sharing tools and information across

he says, the climate risk computer models scientists use are

different groups.” Read the full paper @ sciencemag.org

“We view this paper as an urgent call to both policymakers

7

C O L L E G E

H I G H L I G H T

Chemistry

B Y

TAKING SYNTHETIC ORGANIC ELECTROCHEMISTRY MAINSTREAM

8

The Center for Synthetic Organic

adapting approaches and hardware from the

Electrochemistry received a $20 Million grant from

electrochemistry lab.” He further noted that “the

the National Science Foundation this past summer

CSOE team has already expanded the realm of

that will fund their mission over the next five

the possible, and going forward, the impacts are

years to make synthetic organic electrochemistry

expected to be far-reaching, from simplifying

mainstream. “The CSOE has brought together

sophisticated syntheses to retooling large scale

a unique multi-disciplinary team to develop

industrial processes, and could help revolutionize

next-generation chemical transformations for

industries of the future.”

chemical synthesis,” said Shelley Minteer, professor

of chemistry and CSOE director. Research

in the chemical manufacturing process which

groups here on campus are working with peers

involve toxic or dangerous substances. The

and colleagues from The Scripps Research

CSOE is committed to improve the safety and

Institute, Brown University, California Institute of

sustainability of chemical production. Minteer

Technology, University of Michigan, and many

and her colleagues recognized that

other reputable programs to pioneer green,

“neither synthetic organic chemists

safe, and economic new reactions as well as to

nor electrochemists can solve

demystify fundamental electrochemical reactivity.

[these problems] by themselves.”

In 2017, Phase I was launched

When Dave Berkowitz, division director for

There are many problems to be solved

the NSF Division of Chemistry, announced the

as they built a multidisciplinary

award of the $20 Million grant, he celebrated

team of synthetic organic

the mission and vision of such a “internationally

chemists, electrochemists,

recognized team of chemists [who are] rewriting

material scientists, computational

the methods for modern synthetic chemistry by

scientists, and surface scientists. With

C.S.O.E. Home of The Synthetic Organic Electrochemistry Revolution

Tommy Primo

A N N E

M A R I E

V I V I E N N E

“CSOE has brought a very unique aspect to my research career as it allowed me to work on several projects and collaborate with six different research groups within and outside the U.”

each new phase, collaborations

backgrounds to contribute to and significantly

in order to engage audiences of all ages and

expand and diversify, allowing the

impact the future of science. Through the

backgrounds. They’ve also partnered with the ACCESS

center to continue to make significant

Science Research Initiative Program, Tommy was

Program here at the University of Utah to perform an

introduced to the Center for Synthetic Organic

electrochemistry experiment with incoming freshman

Electrochemistry. As an undergrad, he was able to

where they built galvanic cells to power LEDs.

join a research group there where he is learning

stable electrodes.

electrochemical and analytical techniques, and,

creates a space for scientists of many backgrounds

yes, synthesizing molecules. This opportunity firmly

to come together to solve problems in a way that

well-positioned toward their vision “to revolutionize

orients Tommy on the path to achieve his dreams

amplifies their expertise and creates pioneering

the practice and education of organic synthesis

to create genomes, design proteins, and engage in

pathways for generations to come. Discussions

at the nexus of fundamental and translational

other facets of building artificial biology.

between the different disciplines are often

research, such that green electrosynthetic

lively and challenge each scientist to consider

techniques play an essential role in the daily

faculty as well as by postdoctoral scholar Christian

perspectives previously unconsidered. This diversity

lives of a diverse array of academic, government,

Malapit. Malapit came to the U to integrate his

at the heart of the CSOE’s mission and vision is

and industrial chemists creating society-shaping

organic synthesis expertise with electrochemistry

producing science that will continue to not only

applications spanning medicine and materials, to

in the Minteer lab as well as with distinguished

garner well-deserved awards, but

agrochemicals and beyond.”

professor Matt Sigman. “CSOE has brought a very

will lead the chemistry

unique aspect to my research career as it allowed

scientific community

EDUCATION, OUTREACH, AND

me to work on several projects and collaborate with

to safer, greener,

DIVERSITY

six different research groups within and outside the

and more

U,” said Malapit.

innovative

a research group to learn how to create molecules.

applications that

As a member from a Sudanese community, he

campus, the CSOE has developed fun and educational

have far-reaching

knew that he could influence others with similar

electrochemistry kits using easily obtainable items

impact.

advances. Recently, CSOE scientists Angus Wu

used the same designs that made lithium ion batteries safer and more stable to build

With its Phase II funding secure, the CSOE is

Undergraduate Tommy Primo wanted to join

Primo has been mentored by his peers and

In addition to its core research and education on

The center’s multi-disciplinary approach

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Mathematics

C O L L E G E

H I G H L I G H T

Imagine a surface that looks like a hollow doughnut. The “skin” of the doughnut has no thickness and is

made of stretchy, flexible material. “Some of my favorite mathematical problems deal with objects like this— surfaces and curves or loops on such surfaces,” said Priyam Patel, assistant professor of mathematics, who joined the Math Department in 2019. “I like how artistic and creative my work feels, and it’s also very tangible since I can draw pictures representing different parts of a problem I’m working on.”

Patel works in geometry and topology. The two areas differ in that geometry focuses on rigid

objects where there is a notion of distance, while topological objects are much more fluid. Patel likes studying a geometrical or topological object extensively so that she’s able to get to know the space, how it behaves, and what sort of phenomena it exhibits. In her research, Patel’s goals are to study and understand curves on surfaces, symmetries of surfaces, and objects called hyperbolic manifolds and their finite covering spaces. Topology and geometry are used in a variety of fields, including data analysis, neuroscience, and facial recognition technology. Patel’s research doesn’t focus on these applications directly since she works in pure mathematics.

CHALLENGES AS A MINORITY

Patel became fascinated with mathematics in high school while learning to do

proofs. She was fortunate to have excellent high school math teachers, who encouraged her to consider majoring in math in college. “When I was an undergraduate at New York University (NYU), I had a female professor for multivariable calculus who spent a lot of time with me in office hours and gave me challenging problems to work on,” said Patel. “She was very encouraging and had a huge impact on me.”

As a woman of color, Patel often felt out of place in many of her classes at NYU. Later, she was

one of a handful of women accepted into a Ph.D. program at Rutgers University. Unfortunately, these experiences led to strong feelings of “impostor syndrome” for her as a graduate student. Eventually, she overcame them and learned to celebrate her successes, focusing on the joy that mathematics brings 10

Priyam Patel

Visualizing the

B Y

M I C H E L E

S WA N E R

Topology of Surf aces to her life. She has also worked to find a community of mathematicians to help support her through the tough times. “I’ve received a lot of encouragement from friends and mentors both in and outside of my math community,” she said. “I feel especially fortunate to have connected with strong women mentors in recent years.”

MENTORS AND OUTSIDE INTERESTS

Feng Luo, professor of mathematics at Rutgers, was Patel’s Ph.D. advisor, and he played an active role in the early years of her math career. “Talking about math with Dr. Luo is always a positive experience, and his encouragement has been pivotal to my success as a mathematician,” said Patel.

Another mentor is Alan Reid, chair and professor of the Department of Mathematics at Rice University. Patel notes that there are many aspects to being a mathematician outside of math itself, and these mentors have helped her navigate her career and offered support, encouragement, and advice.

Patel loves mathematics but makes time for other things in life. She enjoys rock

“I like how artistic and creative my work feels, and it’s also very tangible since I can draw pictures representing different parts of a problem I’m working on.”

climbing, yoga, dancing, and painting. Music is also a huge part of her life, and she sings and plays the guitar.

FUTURE RESEARCH

Patel is currently working on problems concerning groups of symmetries of certain

surfaces. Specifically, she has been studying the mapping class groups of infinite-type surfaces, which is a new and quickly growing field of topology. “It’s quite exciting to be at the forefront of it. I would like to tackle some of the biggest open problems in this area in the next few years, such as producing a Nielsen-Thurston type classification for infinite-type surfaces,” she said. She is also interested in the work of Ian Agol, professor of mathematics at Berkeley, who won a Breakthrough Prize in 2012 for solving an open problem in low-dimensional topology. Patel would like to build on Agol’s work in proving a quantitative version of his results. Other areas she’d like to explore are the combinatorics of 3-manifolds and the theory of translation surfaces.

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C O L L E G E

H I G H L I G H T

Physics & Astronomy Anil Seth Tiny Galaxies, Massive Black Holes

On his office wall is a photograph that shows in

B Y M I C H E L E S WA N E R

low-mass dwarf galaxies have black holes.”

research paid off with a big discovery. In 2014, he and his

detail an area of the Andromeda Galaxy, a spiral galaxy

collaborators found the first black hole at the center of an

located approximately 2.5 million light-years from Earth,

cutting-edge telescopes to monitor the effect of gravity

“ultra-compact dwarf” galaxy.

Hemisphere, you can see them with the naked eye. What

on the motions of the stars that surround it. Seth had

I’m trying to find out through my work is whether these

been studying black holes for nearly a decade when his

“Once we were able to track the speed of the stars orbiting

Finding a black hole requires observations with

and the nearest major galaxy to our own Milky Way. Anil Seth, associate professor of Physics & Astronomy, fell in love with astronomy in high school in Lincoln, Nebraska. Now, when he isn’t teaching classes at the U, or mentoring students, he spends his time searching for black holes at the centers of low-mass galaxies.

For every large galaxy like the Milky Way there

are many smaller galaxies. Some of these smaller galaxies are satellites that orbit around the larger galaxies, and they can be torn apart by the bigger galaxy’s gravity. This process takes millions of years.

DWARF GALAXIES HOLD SECRETS

“These are the galaxies that I study,” says

Seth. “For example, orbiting around our Milky Way galaxy are companion dwarf galaxies called the Magellanic Clouds. If you go to the Southern “It was pretty exciting for my team and me,” says Seth.

in the galaxy, we were able to prove the presence of a black

galaxies also hints at a solution to an even bigger mystery

chose astronomy.” He completed his Ph.D. at the University

hole. This particular one is 21 million times the mass of our

— how the giant black holes at the centers of galaxies

of Washington. Seth has received a number of awards from

sun, or 15 percent of the total mass of the galaxy itself.”

form. His groups observations suggest that they may have

the U—he was given an Early Career Teaching Award in

formed from the remnants of the first stars in the universe

2018 and was named a Presidential Scholar in 2019.

Since then, Seth’s research has progressed. He and

his group have found black holes in nine additional dwarf

galaxies. This work has shown for the first time that black

Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut. At

DARK SKIES AND OUTREACH

holes with masses less than 1 million solar masses exist

Wesleyan, he played cello, in addition to his work in

at the centers of galaxies. Furthermore, they have found

astronomy. “I began playing cello as a young child,” he

people see the Milky Way for the first time from a dark place,

that black holes are common even at the centers of smaller

said. “My mother is a pianist, and she encouraged my

it’s an amazing opportunity to get people excited about

Seth received his undergraduate degree from

Utah’s dark skies made a big impact on Seth. “When

science.” Seth has been involved in the Physics & Astronomy Department’s community outreach program since his arrival. These activities include traveling to dark sky spots, including national parks, as well as weekly Wednesday night star parties at the Physics & Astronomy department’s on-campus

“I still get excited by the fact that we can look through a telescope and find things in the universe that can tell us how and why we got here.”

observatory. As part of an NSF funded grant, Seth started an astronomy outreach summer internship at Bryce Canyon National Park, now in its 6th year (https://www.physics.utah.edu/~aseth/Bryce_ Internship.html). This program has also received funding from the Sorenson Legacy Foundation and the Willard L. Eccles Foundation.

More recently, Seth has been involved in starting the University of Utah’s unique and interdisciplinary dark sky minor program. In this program, students learn about light pollution and its impacts on humans and ecosystems from

galaxies with roughly ten times fewer stars than the Milky

musical abilities, so I continued to play through college. I

a wide range of perspectives, including the sciences, urban

Way. The presence of black holes in these low- mass

considered pursuing a career in music, but I’m happy that I

design, and the arts.

13

S C I E N C E

R E S E A R C H

I N I T I A T I V E

A CATALYST FOR SAFETY In June 2019, a chemical spill in a Department of Chemistry laboratory led to a full department shutdown until a comprehensive safety assessment could be completed.

Within days, most laboratories re-opened. Within weeks, the department had put into motion an unprecedented safety makeover in partnership with the Office of Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) and the College of Science. Since then, the college and EHS have enacted creative solutions to rebuild a culture of lab safety from the ground up—and it has paid dividends in implementing safeguards related to COVID-19.

14

Angus Wu

“Everyone from the department level up to the President’s Office has made significant changes to how the U regulates laboratory safety, by the time COVID-19 hit, we had the right infrastructure, the right coordination between EHS and our own folks, so that we could quickly lead out in the COVID era.”

COMMITTED COMMITTEES

addressed. They’ve also expanded their scope to include postdocs

and graduate students who can make suggestions for outdated

At the time of the spill, the U’s laboratory safety culture had

been through a series of internal and external audits, including one

practices or areas that need attention. In the coming weeks, safety

by the Utah State Legislature. The reports identified crucial gaps

committees will be required in all university colleges.

in safety and made recommendations for improvement. The U has

made significant progress addressing these recommendations,

it has to be a grassroots effort,” said Matthew Sigman, Peter J. Christine

including establishing and expanding the number and authority

S. Stang Presidential Endowed Chair of Chemistry. “This is a success be-

of college and departmental-level safety committees. Within the

cause it’s collaborative, it’s conversational, and it’s pragmatic. It’s about

College of Science, the Departments of Chemistry, Mathematics,

building relationships and getting buy-in from the top down.”

Physics & Astronomy and the School of Biological Sciences all have

committees made up of staff and faculty who performed routine

Morris-Benavides as the first associate director of safety for the

lab inspections and reported violations. The previous safety system’s

College. Morris-Benavides facilitates communication between

structure allowed some violations to remain unresolved. Now, the

researchers, and helps translate regulatory protocols between the

committees are empowered to recommend how violations get

college and EHS. She also heads the College of Science’s safety

“To change the safety culture, there has to be the motivation, and

In January, EHS and the College of Science jointly hired Sarah

committee that is made up of the department committee chairs. She and the committees have worked closely to ensure that classes and research are conducted safely in light of the coronavirus restrictions.

“I can’t tell you how valuable they’ve been,” said Morris-Benavides of the Matthew Sigman

Sarah Morris-Benavides

Shelley Minteer

response to COVID-19. “We 15

had a great benefit that these committees were already established and in place.”

of 20 new refrigerator/freezers rated for storage of flammable chemicals to

Every month, the college safety committee meets to discuss each

Working with the College of Science, the VPR Office facilitated the purchase

department’s safety protocols. “We have the ability to say, ‘Well, here’s something

replace units that failed to meet regulatory requirements, sharing the cost 50/50

that they’re doing in biology. Does that make sense for physics?” she said.

with the PIs. These initiatives demonstrated the administration’s commitment to

“Chemistry learned a lot from their amazing safety turnaround, and they’ve

promoting a culture of safety across the university.

shared their best practices. It all benefits every department.”

FROM THE GROUND UP PRECIPITATING SOLUTIONS

aims to incorporate safety in all aspects of academic life. Every speaker, seminar

The U overhauled the previous laboratory safety system by restructuring

As another example of a changed safety culture, the Department of Chemistry

EHS directly under the Vice President for Research Office, and Frederick Monette

and many group meetings now incorporate a ‘safety moment,’ with each presenter

became its new director. This helped rebuild trust between the EHS and

asked to share an example of a safety incident and how they addressed it.

researchers, who had historically been at odds.

moments. They’ll walk through that experience, then walk through the lab

“Fred Monette was all in right away. His willingness to sit down with people,

“We have upwards of 30 or 40 external visitors a year. That’s a lot of safety

listen to their concerns, and back it up financially meant a lot to the people in the

procedures to fix the problem,” Sigman said. “It’s a lessons learned, but also it’s an

department,” said Holly Sebahar, professor of chemistry who was the chair of the

open conversation. We want to have the lowest risk, but we know when you sign

chemistry safety committee at the time of the shutdown.

up to be a chemist, you have the danger. Even when you cross the t’s, dot the i’s,

something can happen.”

Safety violations can be complicated; some are easy fixes, such as ensuring

lab members wear proper PPE, but other issues are expensive, such as electrical

or ventilation upgrades within older buildings. Traditionally, the burden of

Science and the College of Mines and Earth Sciences co-hosted a two-day lab

arranging infrastructure upgrades and their cost often fell solely on the principal

safety symposium with speakers and training sessions that addressed all types

investigator (PI) of the laboratory in question.

of issues, from chemical storage to creating effective safety committees. More

than 400 staff, students and faculty attended the mandatory event to emphasize

To change that, EHS and the College of Science lobbied for an infrastructure

The collaborations go beyond the science—last year, EHS, the College of

improvement project to fund overdue, expensive safety upgrades in College

that every individual is responsible to making their environment safe. The U is

of Science buildings, many of which were identified as deficiencies during the

applying that same philosophy for COVID-19.

chemistry shutdown. The resulting $1 million capital improvement project will

address electrical upgrades, seismic bracing, and ventilation improvements in

that students or post docs or faculty won’t follow safety protocols, they will, if they

several buildings, beginning in January 2021. Addressing these deficiencies in one

know where they are, if they can find the paperwork,” said Shelley Minteer, associate

comprehensive project will be much quicker, more economical, and result in less

chair for faculty for the Department of Chemistry and COVID-19 coordinator for the

disruption to laboratory operations compared with the past approach of fixing each

department. “We learned a lot from the safety ramp up. We need clear guidelines and

issues one by one at the request of individual laboratories.

good communication. We’ve been applying those same principles to COVID.”

“As we started going through the safety culture changes, we realized that it’s not

Tanner Stone

“We want to have the lowest risk, but we know when you sign up to be a chemist, you have the danger. “

Selma Kadic and Ryan Smith 17

Connecting during COVID C RISING TO THE CHALLENGE

talented first-year student scientists the opportunity to

normally saw about 200 guests. In contrast, the virtual

showcase their research, in spite of social distancing.

symposium reeled in nearly 6,000-page views in three

Science is about preparing the next generation

of innovators, explorers, and

days and 260 guests attended the live

connoisseurs of curiosity. For the last

zoom presentations.

29 years the College of Science ACCESS program has been the “first step” on

THINKING DIFFERENTLY

this journey of discovery. The ACCESS

COVID-19 upended and reshaped

program runs from June to August

our everyday lives and challenged

and is open only to first-year students

everyone to find new approaches to

(freshmen and transfers).

routine activities and novel fixes for

nascent problems, much like scientists

A cornerstone of the ACCESS

experience is the opportunity for the

do on a regular basis.

student cohort to share their work with

When the on-campus student

faculty and peers during a research

research experience was cut short

poster symposium. The symposium is

in March, it didn’t mark the end of learning for the 2019-2020 ACCESS

a powerful learning experience that mirrors professional

With just six weeks until the event we decided

cohort. Research faculty agreed to continue mentoring

to design, build, and launch a novel virtual research

remotely, which included helping the students report

in the field, and plays a key role

symposium platform. The sudden shift and short

their research in a scientific poster they would present

in the program.

time-frame presented a real challenge, but it was

virtually. Unfortunately, the technology for a virtual

When COVID-19 hit the U.S.,

also an opportunity to pursue and explore innovative

research poster presentation did not exist.

the longstanding tradition of

approaches to current standards that, if not for COVID-19,

the Spring Research Symposium

would have been stagnant.

creating the Virtual Symposium platform, as it’s now

was in jeopardy. As the director

known. I started with identifying the critical elements of

science conferences and a career

of ACCESS, I was driven to find a way to continue the capstone symposium, and provide

It’s been six months since the Virtual Symposium,

That’s when I began the process of envisioning and

and we are still surprised by its success. The merits and

an in-person research symposium and considering how

results of the virtual platform challenged the notion

to transpose them to a virtual model. My experience

that in-person is best. The in-person symposium

teaching and using Canvas (used to deliver course

B Y TA N YA

V I C K E R S

REATING A VIRTUAL SYMPOSIUM content) shaped the content, and with the collaboration

board, or the 30-minute Zoom live session scheduled on

outreach platform SCIENCE NOW—engaging students,

and support of Micah Murdock, Associate Director

the last day—to ask questions or comment.

presenters, and elite scientists from across the U.S. and

of Teaching and Learning

around the world.

Technologists (TLT), a novel

virtual research symposium

scientists, we always look

was fully realized.

forward to new ideas and what

As a species and as

can be done. In our darkest

EMBRACING

hours, we find a space for new

TECHNOLOGY

forms of unity and growth,

and can challenge ourselves

The platform was a lofty

goal that required three

to create and expand. COVID

defining features: a webpage

has been undeniably difficult,

for students to introduce their

but the development of new

project, a message board for

platforms and technologies, like

peers, guests, and mentors

the Virtual Research Symposium,

to pose questions, and a

show that sometimes, when

live Zoom presentation with

we are forced to make changes

question and answer.

to long held traditions, the

Each student had a personal webpage that included

BUILDING

FOR THE FUTURE

their research poster, a 3-minute video summary of

their research project, and a short personal bio. These

tool with the future, as well as other disciplines and

elements provided guests with an introduction and

applications, in mind. We are proud to announce that the

Manager, Samantha Shaw, and to the ACCESS students

interactions analogous to an in-person symposium.

platform has already seen use for the School of Biological

and mentors for believing in the vision of a Virtual

Sciences Virtual Retreat, ACCESS Alumni Career Panel,

Research Symposium.

platform offered the advantage of providing guests more

and a number of campus-wide projects. Most recently,

time to preview projects on their own, before using one,

the Virtual Symposium was chosen to serve as the

platform contact: tanya.vickers@utah.edu, or visit

or both, forum tools—the student scientist’s discussion

cornerstone of the new College of Science high school

science.utah.edu/access.

In-person symposia can feel rushed, but the virtual

Throughout this process, we wanted to build a

outcome goes beyond finding an equivalent, making what we thought was “best” even better.

Special thanks to Dean Peter Trapa, ACCESS Program

For more information on the Virtual Symposium

19

Frontiers of Science

FA C I L I T Y

F E AT U R E

The Frontiers of Science lecture series was established in 1967 by University of Utah alumnus and Physics Professor Peter Gibbs. By 1970, the University had hosted 10 Nobel laureates for public Frontiers lectures. By 1993, when Gibbs retired, the Frontiers organizers had hosted another 20 laureates. Today, Frontiers of Science is the longest continuously-running lecture series at the University of Utah.

For 2020/21 all Frontiers of Science lectures have moved to a virtual format.

Visit science.utah.edu/frontiers for more information.

20

Nature is the Future of Chemistry.

The Future of Western Forests in a Changing Climate.

Dr. Shelley Minteer, professor of Analytical, bio-

Assistant Professor, Dr. William “Bill” Anderegg’s

logical & materials chemistry, uses nature as an

research centers on the intersection of ecosys-

inspiration and solution to chemistry problems.

tems and climate change. In particular, he strives

Her group focuses on improving the abiotic-biotic

to understand the future of the Earth’s forests

interface between biocatalysts and electrode

in a changing climate. Massive mortality events

surfaces for enhanced bioelectrocatalysis and

of many tree species in the last decade prompt

designs electrode structures for enhanced flux

concerns that drought, insects, and wildfire may

at electrode surfaces for biosensor and biofuel

devastate forests in the coming decades. Widely

cell applications. In addition to holding the Dale

published, most recently in Science and PNAS, An-

and Susan Poulter Chair in Biological Chemistry,

deregg studies how drought and climate change

Dr. Minteer is the Director of the U’s Center for

affect forest ecosystems, including tree physiol-

Synthetic Organic Electrochemistry which was

ogy, species interactions, carbon cycling, and

just awarded a $20 Million NSF grant.

biosphere-atmosphere feedbacks.

Schedule Thursday, October 22, 2020 Shelley Minteer Nature is the Future of Chemistry

Thursday, November 19, 2020 Bill Anderegg

On Thinning Ice - Modeling sea ice in a warming climate.

The Center of the Galaxy.

Precipitous declines of sea ice are writing a new narra-

Dr. Anil Seth, associate professor of Physics & As-

tive for the polar marine environment. Earth’s sea ice

tronomy at the U, studies the formation and evolu-

covers can tell us a lot about climate change—they are

tion of nearby galaxies by detecting individual stars

canaries in the coal mine. Predicting what may happen

and clusters of stars whose ages, composition, and

Thursday, February 18, 2021 Ken Golden

to sea ice and the ecosystems it supports over the next

motions can be measured. His research focuses on

On Thinning Ice

ten, fifty, or one hundred years requires extensive math-

understanding the centers of galaxies and the black

ematical modeling of key physical and biological pro-

holes and massive star clusters found there. He

cesses, and the role that sea ice plays in global climate.

also studies the large surveys of our nearest spiral

Ken Golden, Distinguished Professor of Mathematics,

neighbors, Andromeda and Triangulum, and is in-

will discuss his research, his Arctic and Antarctic ad-

volved with the Sloan Digital Sky Survey’s APOGEE

ventures, and how mathematics is currently playing an

project. He was named a Presidential Scholar by the

important role in addressing these fundamental issues

U and has been awarded several National Science

and will likely play an even greater role in the future.

Foundation grants.

Forest Futures

Thursday, March 18, 2021 Anil Seth The Center of the Galaxy science.utah.edu/frontiers 21

CRIMSON

CRIMSON LAUREATE SOCIETY UPDATE COLLEGE OF SCIENCE STUDENT EMERGENCY FUND The recent pandemic has created serious economic disruptions worldwide. These changes have been especially hard on some of our students. For these students, family support has dwindled and many of the sectors that traditionally hired working students have been severely hit. Recognizing the need, we launched an emergency student support fund before the fall semester and found the demand was enormous. As one recipient that received help from the initiative wrote: “My household went from having three incomes to just one. I tried to help my family financially, but I was limited in what I could do. It was really hard having to worry about family finances while still trying to pay for school. The student emergency funds I received allowed me to continue my education at the U. I am forever grateful to the donors who made this possible.�

As we close 2020, we are reaching out to alumni and supporters of the College of Science and inviting you to assist our students facing difficulties. Generous supporters will match the first $10,000 in donations to the College and each department, for a total of $50,000 in matching grants. Please help us make a lasting difference in the lives of our remarkable students.

22

WAYS TO GIVE COLLEGE OF SCIENCE $10,000 Matching Grant by Don & Rebecca Reese. giving.utah.edu/science BIOLOGY $10,000 Matching donation is given from an anonymous donor. giving.utah.edu/biology CHEMISTRY $10,000 Matching Grant by Tom & Kathy Thatcher. giving.utah.edu/chemistry MATHEMATICS $10,000 Matching Grant by various department champions. giving.utah.edu/mathematics PHYSICS & ASTRONOMY $10,000 Matching Grant by Nicholas & Courtney Gibbs and other department champions. giving.utah.edu/physics Double your impact! The first $10,000 in donations to each department will be matched

LAWRENCE THATCHER

Friend of the Department of Chemistry, Lawrence Everett Thatcher 96, passed away on October 9, 2020.

Lawrence graduated from the University of Utah in 1945 with

a degree in Chemical Engineering. He started Thatcher Chemical Company with his brother Winston in 1967. He remained active in the company for 50 years and came to the office every day until he formally retired at age 93.

In 2017, Lawrence received the prestigious Utah

Governor’s Medal for Science and Technology from Governor Gary R. Herbert. And in February 2020, Lawrence was inducted into the University of Utah College of Science Hall of Fame.

Henry White, former Dean of the University of Utah,

stated: “Lawrence was committed to enriching the scientific, business, and educational community of the University of Utah. The Thatcher family, led by Lawrence and Helen, have been steadfast supporters of chemistry research and education. It was an absolute pleasure to work with him, and he will be missed.”

23

U.S. News College Rankings

46

# U.S. News & World Report has

University Rankings. The University of Utah is now ranked No. 1 in Utah, No. 104 nationally, and No. 44 nationally among public universities.

The College of Science fared even

better. National rankings for science

Astronomy at No. 37. An aggregate of these rankings puts the College of Science at No. 46 nationally and No. 27 nationally among public universities.

There are many factors used to

determine a school’s final ranking in the U.S. News & World Report but

#46 #54

50K

#57

40K #62

30K 20K

one factor that is not considered is

few universities that challenge the University of Utah.

$9,498 Utah in-state tuition

Utah

cost. When cost is factored, there are

#51

#49 University of Southern California - $58,195

Mathematics at No. 16 and Physics &

60K

Dartmouth College $57,204

Biology at No. 27, Chemistry at No. 18,

Oregon $31,314

departments at public universities put

National Ranking

Notre Dame $55,553

The College of Science in-state tuition is 1/5 the average tutition of other AAU schools.

BEST Science College

released their 2019-2020 National

UC Santa Cruz $43,046

AAU Comparison

Utah In-State Tuition $37,992

Association of American Universities Average out-of-state Tuition $200,000

27

#

BEST Public Science College

Annual Tuition

* U.S. News & World Report does not rank Science Colleges. The rankings published here are an aggregate of the national department rankings.

16

#

18 37

BEST Public Chemistry

#

#

#

BEST Public Physics

BEST Public Mathematics

27

BEST Public Biology

T U I T I O N A S L OW A S $ 9 4 9 8 / Y E A R

25

1430 Presidents Circle Rm 220 Salt Lake City, UT 84112-0140

Angus Wu and Tommy Primo.

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