Foresight - Fall/Winter 2023

UW COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND PHYSICAL SCIENCES

Fall/Winter 2023 | Volume 48, No. 2

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K-14 STEM EDUCATION

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The University of Wyoming College of Engineering and Physical Sciences looks forward to the opportunity to engage students and teachers in hands-on learning to build knowledge and understanding in the field of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Strength in K-14 education can enhance the quality and quantity of students who pursue STEM programs at the University of Wyoming and ultimately pursue high-impact careers in Wyoming and beyond.

MATHCOUNTS COMPETITION SERIES Registration now open: mathcounts.org/programs/competition-series ENGINEERS WEEK

February 18 - 24, 2024

LAND SURVEYOR & GIS OUTREACH

CLASSROOM VISITS

March 17 - 23, 2024

FIELD TRIPS TO CEPS

Our team of CEPS Student Ambassadors can visit classrooms, virtually or in person, to encourage the exploration of the engineering design process.

Led by current engineering students to provide an introduction to our programs. Enjoy tours of the engineering buildings, interactive learning in our makerspaces, hands-on activities, world-class drilling simulator demonstration, and much more!

CONTACT US FOR MORE INFORMATION! Cindy Jones, Ph.D. (307) 766-6433 | cynthia.jones@uwyo.edu

UWYO.EDU/CEAS

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Features

Departments

4 / Lassoing an Out-Of-This-World Opportunity UW students land NASA internships.

02 / Message from the Dean

8 / Exploring Earth’s Layers UW Professor Barbara John is part of team that recovered section of Earth’s mantle.

06 / News & Notes 10 / Faculty in Action 12 / Alumni in Action 19 / Students in Action 20 / News & Notes

14 / Historic Preservation Scan-to-BIM: An innovative technique for documenting the Old Faithful Inn.

26 / CEPS Highlight

22 / A Scientifically Good Time UW STEM Carnival provides hands-on experiences for students.

On the Cover

24 / Fossil Evidence UW researchers study plant recovery following mass extinction of dinosaurs.

28 / Alumni In Memoriam

A UW CEPS research team aims to harness advanced technologies to create 3D models and virtual environments of Old Faithful Inn for various stakeholders including researchers, preservationists, educators and the public.

Fall/Winter 2023 • 1

Message from the Dean

UNIVERSITY OF WYOMING COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND PHYSICAL SCIENCES Carrell Family Dean Cameron Wright Associate Dean, Undergraduate Education David Mukai Associate Dean, Graduate Education and Research David Bagley Associate Professor, Reorganization Physical Sciences Daniel Dale Director, Business Operations Mēgan Barber Departments: Atmospheric Science Jeff French, Head 307-766-3245 | uwyo.edu/atsc Chemical and Biomedical Engineering Saman Aryana, Head 307-766-2500 | uwyo.edu/chemical Chemistry Brian Leonard, Head 307-766-4363 | uwyo.edu/chemistry Civil and Architectural Engineering and Construction Management Tony Denzer, Head 307-766-2390 | uwyo.edu/civil Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Bryan Shader, Interim Head 307-766-2279| uwyo.edu/EECS Energy and Petroleum Engineering Vamegh Rasouli, Head 307-766-4258 | uwyo.edu/petroleum Geology and Geophysics Dario Grana, Interim Head 307-766-3386 | uwyo.edu/geolgeophys Mathematics and Statistics Jason Williford, Head 307-766-4221 | uwyo.edu/mathstats Mechanical and Energy Systems Engineering Ray Fertig, Interim Head 307-766-2122 | uwyo.edu/mechanical Physics and Astronomy Jinke Tang, Head 307-766-6150 | uwyo.edu/physics Editors Caitlyn Spradley, Micaela Myers and Chad Baldwin Graphic Design Michelle Eberle, Emily Edgar, Fernando Lechuga and Brittny Wroblewski Photography Ted Brummond and Andrew Wee unless noted *Thank you to all contributing writers for creating a dynamic and diverse collection of content.

Foresight is created twice per year as a collaboration between CEPS and UW Institutional Marketing. For extra copies, contact caitlyn.spradley@uwyo.edu. For address changes, please email fdn-bio-update@uwyo.edu.

The University is committed to equal opportunity for all persons in all facets of the University’s operations.

All qualified applicants for employment and educational programs, benefits, and services will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability or protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law and University policy.

STEM EXPLORATION Welcome to the fall/winter 2023 first ever digital-only edition of the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences Foresight magazine!

Moving forward, the fall/winter edition of Foresight magazine will be digital-only, making it easier for our college to provide you with more immediately accessible news and human-interest stories, while also economizing cost and better serving the environment. Like so many things, publishing costs have risen sharply!

Join us as we dive into this edition of Foresight, and explore the challenges and triumphs our students, faculty, staff and alumni are tackling in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

Discover how at the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences, student success is of utmost importance to us. We continually strive to provide our students with an educational experience, both inside and outside the classroom, that prepares STEM majors for a career in competitive STEM fields and provide non-majors with a firm foundation in science and mathematics to enable them to succeed in their chosen majors.

Learn how our faculty are empowered educators focused on sparking students’ STEM curiosity and building the next generation of solution-seekers.

Read how by giving back to their alma mater, one alumni family is demonstrating their support in how a STEM education from UW can make all the difference in leading the next generation of great engineers and scientists.

Whether you are a current student, prospective student, parent, alumnus or friend, I hope that you will enjoy learning more about our college as you explore our first digital-only edition of Foresight, and I invite you to visit us on campus to see and experience first-hand what the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences has to offer.

Sincerely,

Cameron H.G. Wright Carrell Family Dean College of Engineering and Physical Sciences

TOTAL AMOUNT RAISED

DONORS

SCAN TO GET INVOLVED!

Lassoing An Out-Of-ThisWorld Opportunity UW students land NASA internships.

Garrett Post and Abigail Hobbs pose in flight suits during their internship with NASA.

This past summer, senior engineering students Abigail Hobbs and Garrett Post had an out-of-this-world internship experience. They were selected to be interns at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s Langley Research Center in Hampton, Va. “I’ve wanted to work at NASA since I was a kid, so getting an interview was surreal,” Post says. “The moment I received an offer, I accepted it without a second thought.”

With a deep fascination with space and stars and a curiosity to know how things work, Hobbs found the NASA internship to be a perfect fit.

“NASA was my first choice for an internship, so I was thrilled to receive an interview, which then became an internship opportunity that offered the chance to gain realworld and hands-on experiences beyond what is taught in the classroom from a textbook full of theory and equations, gain a better understanding of what I’d like to do in the future, and network with other interns and employees at NASA’s Langley Research Center,” Hobbs says.

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Hobbs and Post’s 10-week paid summer internship focused on two projects, “Advanced Deployment Mechanisms Design for Deployable Composite Booms” and “Characterization of a Composite Foldable Antenna Reflector for Spacecraft.”

In the first project, Hobbs and Post designed components in the computer-aided design (CAD) program Creo and 3D printed, assembled and tested their designs for the deployment and retraction of a deployable composite boom – a long, rollable tube made of a carbon fiber composite that could be used to deploy solar sails or solar arrays and could be used to make deployable lunar structures for future Artemis missions.

In the second project, Hobbs and Post again designed components in Creo, the 3D CAD solution that uses a modelbased approach to take individuals from the earliest phases of product design to manufacturing. They integrated mechanical components sourced from various suppliers to redesign an existing fixture to test the bending moment characteristics of a shape memory composite hinge and the snap-back behavior

Garrett Post smiles for the camera at Langley Research Center.

ALL IMAGES ARE COURTESY PHOTOS

students, but Post decided to leave the decision up to chance and choose his major by the flip of a coin.

“Mechanical engineering was interesting to me because of its wide application and diverse set of classes, but computer engineering was also interesting to me at the time,” Post says.

“I flipped a coin that I got from the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum, and it landed on Neil Armstrong, signifying that mechanical engineering was my density.”

For Hobbs, whose father is a mechanical engineer and rocket scientist, the aerospace field has always been in her blood.

“There is an opportunity for everyone,” Hobbs says. “You do not need to be in STEM to work for NASA. Grades aren’t everything – find something that you’re passionate about, and be curious!”

To explore NASA internship opportunities, visit www. nasa.gov/learning-resources/internship-programs/.

Abigail Hobbs holds the Lunar Lasso.

of hinge deployment. The hinges could be used in various applications including foldable, stacked reflectors.

“I think the most challenging part of the internship was trusting myself to make engineering decisions and finding the right balance between autonomy and seeking help or clarification from our mentors and colleagues,” Hobbs says.

Post agrees.

“I found it challenging to overcome the ‘impostor syndrome’ feeling toward the beginning of the internship,” Post says. “However, as the summer progressed, I became much more confident in my engineering abilities and was able to recognize all the hard work and determination that got me to that internship.”

The spark of interest in STEM for Post came in part due to the television shows “Mythbusters” and “Doctor Who.” “I learned that science and engineering can be fun and exciting, and that there is so much to learn,” Post says.

“Additionally, learning about the Apollo era of space flight was inspiring and began my interest in working for NASA.” Post’s advice to students interested in getting an internship with NASA is to not give up.

“NASA internships can be competitive, so don’t feel bad if you aren’t selected right away,” Post says. “It took me a total of 28 applications to secure an internship with NASA, and all that time and effort was well worth it.”

Choosing a major in the STEM field may be daunting to

Abigail Hobbs and Garrett Post in front of the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory (NBL).

Fall/Winter 2023 • 5

News & Notes

Daniel McCoy Receives $1M DOE Grant to Study Global Environment

By Ron Podell Understanding and predicting the global environment are critical to inform decisions across infrastructure, energy and agriculture. To understand and predict the global environment, global models are needed.

To better tackle this issue, Daniel McCoy, a University of Wyoming assistant professor of atmospheric science, is looking at Earth system models (ESMs) as the foundation of how to predict what Earth will look like in future decades.

McCoy received a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) grant worth $998,587 over two years for his project titled “Creating the Framework for the NextGeneration Energy Exascale Earth System Model (E3SM) at PROCEED (Perturbed Physics Ensemble Regression Optimization Center for ESM Evaluation and Development).” The grant started Sept. 1 and ends Aug. 31, 2025.

His is one of 14 clean-energy research projects that received $33 million in total funding from a DOE announcement.

This funding — provided through DOE’s Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) program — is intended to improve geographic distribution of federal research and development funds and strengthen research capabilities in underserved regions of the country.

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The funded projects will cover a range of topics, including grid integration, renewable solar and wind energy, and advanced manufacturing.

McCoy explains that ESMs solve equations to predict winds, rain, clouds and temperature, among other quantities, in grid boxes all over the world. ESMs have been created by numerous different national and international laboratories, including DOE, with the goal of offering actionable projections of Earth system variability and change. Additionally, he says scientists are constantly developing, improving and challenging ESMs by comparing what they predict to what is seen from the surface, aircraft and satellites to make sure they can provide reliable predictions of the future.

“ESMs have a tough job. They need to be able to calculate how storm systems a thousand miles wide will deluge us with rain or batter us with wind. At the same time, droplets in clouds less than a millimeter in size form on little pieces of dust and grit,” McCoy says. “The way that droplets form in clouds affects the way that these storms develop. ESMs have to tackle both problems at the same time.”

McCoy is the principal investigator (PI) on the project and will collaborate with Jennifer Griswold, an associate professor of atmospheric sciences and department chair at the University of

Hawaii-Mānoa. Gabrielle Allen, director of the UW School of Computing, and Dana Caulton, a UW assistant professor of atmospheric science, will serve as coPIs on the grant.

The group will work with scientists at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. Additionally, the grant will have an external advisory panel, including scientists at the U.K. Meteorological Office, Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California-San Diego, NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies and Delft University of Technology.

“The National Science Foundationfunded Derecho supercomputer at the NCAR-Wyoming Supercomputing Center that the state of Wyoming has significantly invested in is making this kind of computational work possible,” McCoy says. “One of the main components of this work is using artificial intelligence and machinelearning techniques to make the way that we develop new ESMs more efficient and reliable. At the University of Wyoming, the scientists who are participating in PROCEED are drawn from the Department of Atmospheric Science and the School of Computing.”

PROCEED will develop new approaches to improve the way processes on the scale of dust and cloud droplets in ESMs are represented and to better understand how they imprint on our planet, he says.

“America’s next big energy breakthrough can come from anywhere in the nation, and that’s why federal research and development investments should reach and benefit all parts of the country,” Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm says. “The funding we’re announcing today will spur innovation and create energy jobs around the nation.”

First Step Toward UW Nuclear Chemistry Core Facility Achieved

By Christine Reed The University of Wyoming will receive a $300,000 award from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to support the establishment of a nuclear chemistry core facility on campus.

The award is part of $6.3 million in funding from DOE to bolster infrastructure and upgrade research reactors at universities as part of its Nuclear Energy University Program.

Led by Caleb Hill, the UW project will launch a nuclear chemistry core facility that will enable the first practical nuclear chemistry research and educational programs in Wyoming. Hill is UW’s J.E. Warren Chair, Nielson Faculty Fellow, an associate professor of chemistry and co-director of the Nuclear Energy Research Center (NERC) in the School of Energy Resources (SER).

“This award is a critical first step in advancing the integration of nuclearrelated education into the curriculum at UW,” Hill says. “While we have made significant progress in our efforts through NERC to build capacity and interest in nuclear energy at UW, the ultimate success of these initiatives will depend on advancing the laboratory infrastructure to enhance nuclearfocused research and teaching activities moving forward.”

The core facility will be used to enable wet chemistry and analytical work involving radioactive materials to be carried out by UW researchers and students. Work toward this goal will include the installation of necessary safety and analytical equipment, as well as the establishment of appropriate protocols for use of the core facility.

“Safety is obviously a critical development of impactful research concern when it comes to nuclearprograms at UW, which could be focused research,” Hill says. “Standing competitive for future funding up a new nuclear facility on UW’s opportunities. campus from the ground up is a great “When SER stands up a faculty-led opportunity because it will give us the Center of Excellence such as NERC, it opportunity to be strategic and is with the expectation that the initial to develop it going forward in a way that will best serve students, faculty and the state.”

Once fully established, the lab will facilitate nuclear-focused educational opportunities for UW students such as the development of a nuclear energy certificate program, which will prepare students to pursue nuclearfocused research at UW and provide them the background needed to meaningfully engage with nuclear topics.

The DOE award came only a few months after NERC was named a recipient of a Faculty Development Advancement Award as part of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s Office of Nuclear Regulatory Caleb Hill is UW’s J.E. Warren Chair, Nielson Faculty Fellow, an associate professor of chemistry and co-director Research University Nuclear of the Nuclear Energy Research Center in the School of Leadership Program.

Energy Resources.

“Between these two awards, we are really driving the development of physical and human support will lead to new, external infrastructure needed to support sources of funding investment and nuclear-focused research at UW,” growth,” says Scott Quillinan, SER Hill says. “The announcement of senior director of research. “Under the TerraPower’s Natrium nuclear power leadership of Caleb and Tara Righetti, plant has generated a great deal of our other co-director of NERC, the excitement across the state for nuclear center has completely flourished and is energy and, now, UW is one step closer accomplishing everything it set out to to supporting that new industry.” do. We are delighted to see their efforts Another important feature of result in such levels of success.” the award is that it will allow for the To learn more about NERC, go here.

Fall/Winter 2023 • 7

UW Professor Barbara John is part of team that recovered section of Earth’s mantle.

By Ron Podell In the early 1960s, geologists conceived of an idea to reach Earth’s mantle via Project MoHole, an effort to drill through Earth’s crust to obtain samples of the Mohorovičić discontinuity, or Moho — the boundary between the crust and the mantle. At the time, it was seen as exciting as the possibility of American astronauts eventually walking on the moon.

Fast forward over 60 years, and the achievement of recovering a long section of Earth’s mantle has finally been accomplished. And a University of Wyoming researcher was part of the International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP) Expedition 399 research team that contributed to this historic achievement. While the team did not actually drill across the Moho, it did obtain peridotite that originally came from the mantle brought to the surface by later faulting.

“We’ve finally recovered a long section of Earth’s mantle, and I am excited to be part of the team that did that,” says Barbara John, a professor in the UW Department of Geology and Geophysics, who was part of a research team aboard the JOIDES Resolution that drilled into mantle rocks this past summer. “I’m elated. This is a true moment of history in the field of geology.”

Although this is not the first time the scientific community has recovered Earth’s mantle via drilling, these new cores provide the longest section of mantle ever recovered in situ from planet Earth, John adds.

The mantle makes up the bulk of Earth’s interior and lies between Earth’s dense, super-heated core and its thin outer layer, the crust. The mantle is about 2,900 kilometers — or 1,802 miles thick — and makes up 82 percent of Earth’s total volume, John says. The mantle is the source of magma for volcanoes and facilitates plate tectonics, the driving force for most earthquakes on Earth.

The mantle is made of a rock called peridotite, itself made of various proportions of the magnesium and iron-rich minerals

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PHOTO BY ALEX ROTH/IODP JOIDES

Barbara John, left, and researchers from the U.S., U.K., China and Japan aboard the JOIDES Resolution point to a significant moment in ocean drilling, showing the rig floor information monitor and the drill depth of 1,000 meters below the seafloor.

olivine, orthopyroxene, clinopyroxene and spinel, forming what are called lherzolite (olivine, orthopyroxene and clinopyroxene), harzburgite (olivine and orthopyroxene) and dunite (olivine and spinel), John says. Mantle peridotite is what melts to produce the magma that fuels volcanoes such as those found on Hawaii and Iceland.

John says most of the mantle is buried beneath the crust and, therefore, almost inaccessible, both on the continents and in the oceans. The deepest core the research group recovered from the bottom of the hole was 4,157 feet below the seafloor.

“Recovery of mantle rocks at Atlantis Massif is truly exciting.

We drilled rocks from Earth’s mantle, called peridotite, brought to the seafloor by large faults,” John says. “Imagine frosting — Earth’s crust — covering a cake — the mantle. Now, cut a slice and lift it out, and the cake — the mantle beneath — is exposed.”

The Atlantis Massif, approximately the size of Mount Rainier, is an underwater mountain in the Atlantic Ocean. It is located at 30 degrees N. latitude on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge halfway between Morocco and Florida.

John was part of a three-person structural geology team — with colleagues Rebecca Kuehn, a postdoctoral researcher at Martin Luther University of Halle-Wittenberg in Halle,

Germany, and Andy Parsons, a postdoctoral research fellow in marine geoscience at the University of Plymouth in Plymouth, England.

They documented the character of deformation in the core.

This includes all features from fractures and faults to older ductile structures that are sheared out much like taffy. Together, these features tell the story of how the mantle is brought to Earth’s surface and how the spreading of Earth’s tectonic plates is accommodated at this location on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, John says.

“I will be looking at all of the structural data to better understand the processes that lead to the emplacement of the mantle to the seafloor and will be using a rare mineral zircon, present in the rocks, to determine the age of the intrusive, frozen magma found in the core,” John explains. “It’s clear, from looking at the rocks, that there is a complicated history of injection of magma into the mantle. I will try to decipher that sequence to better understand the history of our drilled section of rocks.”

John says microbiologists will analyze samples from the recovered core to recognize how deep microbes can live below Earth’s surface and for clues about how, before life originated on Earth, small organic molecules might have formed as rocks reacted with seawater.

“This could be a way that you go from just having basically water and rock that produces hydrogen molecules that can then combine with other organic molecules and lead to early life,” says Susan Lang, co-chief scientist of the expedition and a biogeochemist at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.

“If organic molecules are found, it could help confirm that serpentinization of peridotite leads to their creation and may, therefore, contribute to our understanding of the origin of life on Earth.”

The JOIDES Resolution left Ponta Delgada in the Azores Islands, which is part of Portugal. The expedition lasted 56 days.

John applied to participate in this expedition based on her previous involvement as a co-chief scientist at Atlantis Massif

PHOTO BY LESLEY ANDERSON/ U.S. ANTARCTIC PROGRAM AND IODP JOIDES

Barbara John, left, a professor in the UW Department of Geology and Geophysics, and Frieder Klein, from Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, describe core hosting some of the mantle rocks recovered by the JOIDES Resolution. John was one of 24 scientists who took part in the 56-day expedition to the Atlantis Massif, an underwater mountain in the Atlantic Ocean.

with IODP in 2004-05 and, again, with on-bottom drilling to the same area in 2015.

“I was one of 10 U.S. scientists chosen to go on this expedition,” she says. “The research team onboard included 24 scientists, which was made up of geologists, geochemists, hydrologists and microbiologists from the U.S., Australia, China, France, Germany, India, Japan, Spain and the United Kingdom working together.”

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Faculty in Action

Understanding Water Stress in the Rocky Mountain West and Wyoming

By Ron Podell

Shawna McBride

We are very excited about the GROWS project, as it will leverage existing NASA remote sensing technologies and address key concerns — water scarcity and precipitation modeling — that are important to NASA, the Rocky Mountain West and Wyoming.

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The global atmospheric circulation carries moisture from warm, tropical regions and deposits it as precipitation far from its sources. Changes in evaporative fluxes and atmospheric circulation can bring either deluges or drought. The amount of water availability and stress can have profound regional consequences to Wyoming’s outlook for agriculture, tourism and quality of life.

To tackle this issue, a team of University of Wyoming researchers, led by Shawna McBride, is looking at using Earth system models (ESMs) to understand how moisture gets into the Rocky Mountain West and Wyoming.

The end goal: understand how this moisture affects the state’s water resources to predict how moisture fluxes will change on the scale, ranging anywhere from decades to centuries.

McBride, director of the Wyoming NASA Space Grant Consortium and NASA EPSCoR (Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research), received a three-year, $750,000 NASA grant for her project titled “Global to Regional: Origins of Water Stress (GROWS).” The grant will end May 31, 2026. The project is among 15 funded through a NASA-EPSCoR grant program.

“The NASA-EPSCoR research grants are intended to further NASA research goals, as well as strengthen research capabilities within the state,” McBride says. “We are very excited about the GROWS project, as it will leverage existing NASA remote sensing technologies and address key concerns — water scarcity and precipitation

modeling — that are important to NASA, the Rocky Mountain West and Wyoming.”

McBride is the administrative principal investigator (PI) on the grant project. She will focus on grant management, reporting and administration. Daniel McCoy and Dana Caulton, both UW assistant professors of atmospheric science, serve as science PIs on the grant and will lead the research efforts. The group is collaborating with NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab, Goddard Space Flight Center and Goddard Institute for Space Studies.

“Water availability and stress can have profound regional consequences for agriculture, tourism and quality of life. Even though the impacts are regional, the global atmosphere and ocean dictate how moisture converges and precipitates,” McCoy says. “To be able to provide accurate predictions of water stress and availability on the time scale of years to decades, we need global Earth system models that are accurate and reliable. To do this, we need to explore many possible ESM configurations and evaluate these configurations with our best observations.”

McCoy will fund Dani Jones, a UW junior from Gillette majoring in environmental systems science, to help with the project. Caulton will advise Samuel Ajibade, a UW Ph.D. student from Nigeria. The group hired Travis Aerenson, a Ph.D. student from the University of Washington, who will start in spring 2024.

“Observations are key to benchmarking model output. However, there is a large mismatch between

UW’S BARRETT HONORED BY NATIONAL ENGINEERING COUNCIL

By Chad Baldwin

Daniel McCoy

Dana Caulton

the scales at which observations are made and global models that produce output,” Caulton says. “We can use the historical record of aircraft and ground observations, along with new observations, to understand how much natural variability exists. This can allow us to understand how much difference between models and observations is acceptable and eliminate future projects that do not conform to reality.”

According to the grant abstract, the research will create a framework for NASA and UW to offer predictions of future moisture convergence for the western U.S. The framework will be designed in a flexible way so that it can be applied to other regions around the globe. This will place UW, in collaboration with NASA, as a center of hydroclimate modeling with global impact.

The National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) has honored Steve Barrett, the University of Wyoming’s vice provost for undergraduate education and a professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.

Barrett received the NCEES Distinguished Examination Service Award for his dedicated service to NCEES and the engineering profession.

He has been serving NCEES as an exam volunteer for over 20 years.

In 2002, Barrett joined the Principles and Practice of Engineering Electrical and Computer Engineering Exam Development Committee and has since served in a variety of leadership roles as chair and vice chair of several subcommittees.

In 2011, he earned a certificate of appreciation for his 10 years of service to exam development. He also served as the NCEES representative to the Engineering Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology from 2018-2023.

In addition to his NCEES exam development service, Barrett served as a member of the Professional Activities and Knowledge Study committees in both 2005 and 2011. In 2004, he served as a member COURTESY IMAGE of the Calculator Selection Committee. Barrett has Steve Barrett received the NCEES Distinguished served as a consultant to the Examination Service Award for his dedicated service to NCEES and the engineering profession.

Committee on Education since 2017.

A member of the Wyoming Board of Professional Engineers and Professional Land Surveyors since 2016, Barrett currently chairs the board’s ethics committee.

NCEES is a nonprofit organization made up of engineering and surveying licensing boards from all U.S. states, the District of Columbia, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Since its founding in 1920, NCEES has been committed to advancing licensure for engineers and surveyors to safeguard the health, safety and welfare of the U.S. public. It develops and administers the exams used for engineering and surveying licensure throughout the country.

Fall/Winter 2023 • 11

Alumni in Action

An Educational Impact Major Gift to UW Civil Engineering Supports Department Head.

By Tamara Linse A gift from retired Shell engineer and executive Tom Botts and his wife, Shelley, to the University of Wyoming supports the head of the Department of Civil and Architectural Engineering and Construction Management in the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences. This gift was matched by the UW Foundation.

“Shelley and I are very proud of our Wyoming roots and what the University of Wyoming has given us,” Botts says. “My civil engineering education at UW enabled me to succeed in a very competitive industry and have the confidence to succeed in whatever job I was in. We are pleased to give back to UW.” This gift establishes the Thomas and Shelley Botts Department Head in Civil Engineering. The purpose of this endowed position is to recruit and retain a strong department head by garnering the attention of nationally recognized scholars or industry leaders. It provides a flexible source of funding that can be used to foster excellence in the department and provide support for departmental needs and special initiatives.

“The university is deeply honored by Tom and Shelley’s generous and transformational gift,” UW President Ed Seidel says. “The Thomas and Shelley Botts Department Head in Civil Engineering will enable UW to attract the best and brightest to lead the department, ultimately enhancing our students’ success and ability to serve the state of Wyoming.”

“Tom and Shelly have been steadfast supporters of UW for many years and in many dimensions,” UW Provost Kevin Carman says. “Their extraordinary gift in support of the Department of Civil and Architectural Engineering and Construction Management is a wonderful capstone 12 • Foresight

to their generosity. It will assure that the department has strong leadership and critical resources to fulfill its mission.

I’m hopeful that Tom and Shelley’s gift will inspire other successful alumni to make similar investments into the future of UW.” UW’s Department of Civil and Architectural Engineering and Construction Management teaches future engineers and construction managers the theoretical and practical expertise they need in their fields.

“What a tremendous show of support,” says Anthony Denzer, head of the Department of Civil and Architectural Engineering and Construction Management. “This gift is a ringing endorsement of the outstanding programs we offer, and it reflects the great work of my team. Civil engineering is central to the quality of life we enjoy and the challenges we face in the future — thank you to Tom and Shelley for recognizing that and investing in our vision.”

The department teaches civil engineering students about infrastructure and urban and rural land development in preparation to become professional engineers, and department faculty members work on cutting-edge subjects such as intelligent transportation systems and carbon capture and storage.

Civil engineers work in rural and urban areas designing roads and bridges, municipal water systems, sewer systems, wastewater treatment plants, dams, irrigation channels, excavations, slope-stability projects and much more.

Within the department, the architectural engineering program prepares students to design building systems in preparation to become professional engineers — although

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this is not an architecture degree.

The program has a strong reputation for building information modeling, which is the 3D computer modeling of building systems and simulated building performance.

Faculty strengths include structural engineering and heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) with a focus on energy-efficient systems. The program also offers a summer study-abroad program in Europe.

Finally, the department’s construction management program is a new program, with its first graduating class in 2022. Construction management is an up-and-coming occupation that is growing at a faster rate than any other occupation in the United States.

Demand for construction managers comes from the increasing complexity of new buildings and industrial construction, as well as a projected increase in retirements of current construction managers. This program prepares a future workforce capable of competing in and driving technological advancements in construction industries.

“Part of the calculus about the gift is our confidence in the leadership and the direction of the university and the university foundation,” Botts says. “That’s an important aspect — especially in the last five years, there have been just tremendous things happening at the university that we want to be involved in.”

Tom and Shelley both grew up in Wyoming — Tom on his family’s ranch near Riverton. Living and working throughout the world, they raised three children and now have four grandchildren. They have now returned to the state, retiring to Jackson.

Both Tom and Shelley went to UW. “I have a soft spot in my heart for the education and the professors I had back in civil engineering,” he says. “They all prepared me very well.”

Tom earned his civil engineering degree from UW in 1977 and, two weeks later, he and Shelley married. Shelley later earned her law degree. Together, they embarked on careers in the energy industry in California, Texas, England, Scotland and the Netherlands. Right out of college, Shell hired Tom as a production engineer, and he stayed with the company his entire 36-year career.

Botts served as division operations manager responsible for onshore upstream operations in the western half of the U.S., and later he assumed responsibility for both engineering and operations as division production manager.

Then he was appointed treasurer of Shell Oil Co. The Bottses moved to London and then on to Scotland,

360 degree Facilities Tour

where Tom held positions as the first American U.K. gas director, U.K. oil director and U.K. managing director. They then moved to the Netherlands, and he became executive vice president for exploration and production Europe. He was named executive vice president of Global Manufacturing Royal Dutch Shell in 2009. In that role, Botts led a team of 30,000 employees and contractors at 30 refineries and petrochemical sites around the world. He retired in 2012.

Botts’ career moved from engineer to team leader to treasurer to managing director to executive vice president — from engineering to operations to management.

“You can ask me whatever you want done, and I’ll go figure it out,” Botts says. “Where did all that come from? I think it came, in large part, from the University of Wyoming civil engineering department.”

Throughout, Botts has stayed very involved with the state and its university. He is a member of the UW Foundation Board of Directors, formerly serving as chair, and, in 2012, he was appointed by Gov. Matt Mead to the Wyoming Governor’s Energy, Engineering and STEM Integration Task Force and co-chaired the Tier-1 Engineering Initiative. He also has served as director of the Energy Resources Council for UW’s School of Energy Resources.

Previously, the Bottses established the Thomas and Shelley Botts Endowed Chair in Unconventional Reservoirs, which supports faculty who work on domestic and international research in the area of petroleum reservoirs from shale, coal, tight-sand and oil-sand. That research takes place in the stateof-the-art High Bay Research Facility.

“We’ve stayed really involved,” Botts says. “I think that my involvement with the foundation has helped me see where the needs are.”

He asks himself and others: “How do you want to pay it forward? How do you want to get involved — not just passively.”

“Tom and Shelley have made invaluable contributions to our UW community,” says John Stark, UW Foundation president and CEO. “Their philanthropy has supported engineering faculty in so many ways, and we are so fortunate to be able to incorporate Tom’s extensive professional expertise into the future direction of engineering and the university.”

This gift is part of a major institutional fundraising priority of UW — faculty excellence, as faculty are the bedrock of the institution and student success. Institutional fundraising priorities guide UW private giving on those things that are most important to Wyoming’s university and allow UW’s supporters to connect with those areas they are most passionate about.

Fall/Winter 2023 • 13

H I ST OR IC PR E S E RVAT ION Scan-to-BIM: An innovative technique for documenting the Old Faithful Inn. When a devastating fire broke out in April 2019 in the roof space of NotreDame de Paris, a medieval Catholic cathedral in Paris, the world was shocked by the flames destroying one of the most historic landmarks in Europe. By the time the fire was extinguished in less than a few hours, the cathedral’s iconic Gothic spire had collapsed along with invaluable artworks and religious relics.

The loss could have been worse if not for the foresight of Andrew Tallon, a Belgian art historian pioneer in the study of Gothic architecture and expert in three-dimensional (3D) laser scanning, who had accurately documented the entire building some years before the fire.

These 3D images were considered crucial to rebuilding the 850-year-old cathedral and its unique details.

While the vast majority of historical structures still do not have such accurate documentation, the event in Paris has inspired many to utilize this rising technology for historical preservation across the world – including a group of University of Wyoming Department of Civil and 14 • Foresight

Architectural Engineering and Construction Management researchers on a mission to digitally map Old Faithful Inn in Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming.

“The significance of historical building preservation lies in the irreplaceable nature of original materials, which may no longer be available for accurate rebuilding or restoration efforts,” says Chengyi “Charlie” Zhang, an associate professor of civil and architectural engineering and construction management and co-principal investigator on the project. “This absence of authentic materials poses a formidable challenge, making it tremendously difficult, if not impossible, to recreate historical and cultural sites. The potential loss resulting from this challenge is not merely physical but extends to the irreparable erosion of our cultural heritage, emphasizing the urgent need to safeguard these structures for future generations.”

Inspired by the tragic fire at Notre Dame and the importance of innovative techniques such as laser scanning to document and preserve historical buildings, Zhang’s team aims to harness these advanced technologies to create 3D models and virtual environments of Old Faithful Inn for various stakeholders including researchers, preservationists, educators and the public.

“Our primary goal is to leverage these tools for the multifaceted purposes of restoration, conservation, education and efficient facilities management, contributing to the safeguarding of our invaluable cultural heritage,” says Zhang.

“Additionally, the significance of the Old Faithful Inn, as one of the historic hotels in the United States, is deeply intertwined with the cultural attachment of the people of Wyoming, further emphasizing the project’s inspiration and relevance.”

According to the National Park Service, the Old Faithful Inn opened in 1904, after the only hotel in the Upper Geyser Basin burned down in 1894, and park officials pressured the Yellowstone Park Association, which held the lease on the property, to replace it with something more substantial.

Inset images from left: Chengyi “Charlie” Zhang and Francois Jacobs work with Alexander Howison (left), the Regional Manager-Operations at the Old Faithful Inn in discussing the project’s logistics.

Srikar Pilla, graduate student, calibrates Insta 360 Pro Camera. Zhang and Ayoola Olorunnishola, graduate student, analyze data collected from Matterport Pro 3.

“For Xanterra Travel Collection® the Old Faithful Inn is a source of great pride and immense responsibility. This iconic lodge, being a primary inspiration for rustic national park architecture, still inspires visitors and employees today at a variety of emotional levels,” says Rick Hoeninghausen, director, sales and marketing of Yellowstone National Park Lodges. “It’s our job as Yellowstone’s largest concessioner to provide the best possible care for the building. Our dedicated Historic Preservation Crew is very protective of the Inn and dedicated to using the materials and maintenance techniques that are as close as possible to those of its original construction. They want to ensure that any work they do is not noticeable, keeping the Inn in a condition that provides today’s guests with experiences much like the experiences of early guests. It is our most popular lodge in Yellowstone, and we intend to do all we can to preserve it for many generations to come.”

The Old Faithful Historic District, which includes the inn and many of the surrounding buildings, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. Like the inn, the district is historically significant because of its rustic architecture and its role in the development of concessions, including restaurants, to accommodate growing tourism in the early 1900s. The Old Faithful Inn was designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1987. A major renovation program of the Old House was launched in 2004 to meet current building codes and

restore the lobby so that it more closely replicates architect Robert Reamer’s original design.

“We’re thrilled to partner with the National Park Service to create a ‘digital twin’ of the Old Faithful Inn,” says Anthony ‘Tony’ Denzer, professor and department head of Civil and Architectural Engineering Construction Management. “From my point of view as an architectural historian, it’s important to have highquality documentation of our most important historic buildings. The Old Faithful Inn is certainly at the top of that list. It’s a unique treasure, and we’re grateful to have this opportunity to document this data and preserve it.”

The two-year research grant for Fall/Winter 2023 • 15

the project titled “Scan-to-BIM: An innovative technique for documenting the Old Faithful Inn” is funded by the U.S. Department of the Interior by the National Park Service under National Center for Preservation Technology and Training. The grant began September 2022 and runs through August 2024.

Project team members include Matt Mankowski, National Park Service concessions management specialist; Jaclyn McIlwain, National Park Service research coordinator, Yellowstone Center for Resources; Todd Wilson, financial assistance officer, National Park Service; Tobin Roop, chief of cultural resources, Yellowstone National Park, chief in the branch of Cultural Resources at Yellowstone; Linda Kiisk (co-principal investigator), an architect with Wyoming State Historic Preservation Office; Anthony Denzer (co-principal investigator), department head and professor of civil and architectural engineering and construction management at UW; Francois Jacobs, professor of civil and architectural engineering and construction management at UW; and Howie Howison, regional manager, operations at Old Faithful, Yellowstone National Park Lodges.

Additionally, the project has involved several UW College of Engineering and Physical Sciences graduate and undergraduate students, including Danish Kumar, master’s student in civil engineering, Hyderabad, Pakistan; Ayoola Olorunnishola, master’s student in civil engineering, Lagos, Nigeria; Peng Liu, Ph.D. student in civil engineering, Jiaozhou, Shandong Province, China; and Srikar Pilli, master’s student in civil engineering, Suryapet, India.

The selection of Old Faithful Inn for scanning was driven by its pivotal role in historic preservation for future generations.

16 • Foresight

Project team members in the Old Faithful Inn lobby.

“As an iconic structure within Yellowstone National Park, the inn holds immense cultural and historical significance, contributing to the rich tapestry of the national heritage,” says Zhang. “By choosing this building, the project seeks to safeguard and document a key piece of American history, ensuring that its architectural intricacies and cultural value are preserved for the benefit of future generations.”

Moreover, the inn plays a crucial role in the Yellowstone tourist ecosystem.

“Being a renowned historic hotel, it enhances the overall visitor experience and serves as a living testament to the historical development of the park,” says Zhang.

“The preservation of such landmarks not only contributes to the authenticity of the tourist experience, but also underscores the importance of responsible tourism and the role of historic sites in sustaining the national heritage.”

The research group conducted a comprehensive scan of the inn in two phases.

In order to allow the research group to efficiently capture all required data while minimizing disruption to normal hotel operations, the exterior scan took place over the course of four days, Sept. 23-26, 2023. The more complex interior scan occurred from Oct. 15-20, after the hotel was closed, which allowed the team six days to carefully scan all 329 guest rooms, lobbies, basements and one of the largest commercial kitchens in the United States. The team had to scan for 12 hours each day to finish the work.

For the comprehensive scanning of the Old Faithful Inn, a strategic combination of three laser scanners was employed to capture a diverse range of data. Each scanner—Topcon GLS-2000, Matterport Pro 3 and Leica BLK 360 G1—were selected based on their unique balance of speed and data quality.

“The Topcon GLS-2000, recognized for its exceptional accuracy, was utilized for

Right: Danish Kumar, graduate student, uses the Fluke Ti32 thermal imager to analyze energy leaks in the building. Below: Zhang and Peng Liu, graduate student, set up the tripod for BLK 360 to scan the interior of the building.

precise data capture. However, its setup and scanning process were time-intensive, reflecting a trade-off between accuracy and efficiency,” says Zhang. “On the other hand, the Matterport Pro 3 offered a quicker scanning experience, taking a mere fifteen seconds to capture an area, albeit with a slightly lower point cloud density.

While the Leica BLK 360 G1, known for its ease of setup, provided flexibility in choosing the point cloud density, where its scanning duration ranged from three to six minutes, depending on the desired density (low, medium or high).”

Despite their differences, all three laser scanners operate on a common principle: emitting rays throughout space and accurately collecting points in return. This comprehensive approach allowed for the efficient and detailed capture of both the exterior and interior elements of the Old Faithful Inn. According to Zhang, the research group also utilized Insta360 Pro for a 360-degree recording and plans to collaborate with the UW School of Energy Resources (SER) Shell 3D Visualization Center to create a virtual reality and augmented reality environment of Old Faithful Inn. “Utilizing the scanning equipment, especially the Topcon GLS-2000, demands a foundational understanding of surveying techniques due to its intricate setup and operation. Basic technical knowledge is crucial for effective use,” says Zhang.

“In contrast, the Matterport Pro 3 and Leica BLK 360 G1 are more accessible, requiring an iPad for configuration and adjustment.”

Despite their relative user-friendliness, all three scanners necessitate the placement of targets in the scan area. These targets play a pivotal role in the connection and registration of different scans, ensuring the development of a comprehensive and accurately aligned model.

In addition to acquiring the physical scanners, obtaining specific licenses is imperative to access, export and use the scanned data in a particular format.

“Once the scans are completed, the acquired data undergoes a meticulous transfer process, facilitating its transition for subsequent analysis,” says Zhang. “This subsequent step involves the export of data from one format to another, ensuring compatibility and ease of use for analytical purposes.”

Following data export, an essential aspect of the project involves the identification and naming of targets strategically placed within the scan area, as these targets play a pivotal role in the subsequent registration process, enabling the seamless connection of different scans.

“The registration step is a critical phase where all scans are aligned, ensuring a coherent and accurate representation of the Old Faithful Inn,” says Zhang. “To guarantee precision, an accuracy assessment of the registration is conducted, further refining the quality of the scanned data and laying the foundation for the creation of a comprehensive 3D model.”

This project has multifaceted impacts, both locally and globally.

“At the state level, it stands as a cornerstone for Wyoming’s cultural and economic landscape by preserving the iconic Old Faithful Inn. Beyond its architectural significance, the project fosters tourism and heritage-based economic development, showcasing the state’s commitment to preserving its rich cultural heritage,” says Zhang.

“Additionally, it establishes a pioneering model for digitally documenting historic buildings, serving as a blueprint for preservation efforts across Wyoming.”

“By engaging students in data collection and processing, the project not only imparts valuable experiences, but also contributes to the development of specialized data repositories, such as Fall/Winter 2023 • 17

the proposed LiDAR Data Hub at the University of Wyoming. The project’s ripple effect on the state encompasses educational, economic and technological dimensions.”

On a global scale, this undertaking echoes far beyond Wyoming’s borders, presenting an innovative Scan-to-BIM workflow for digitally preserving historic buildings that could be replicated worldwide. The detailed 3D data of the Old Faithful Inn will be accessible for research and education globally, positioning it as a global heritage resource.

“This ambitious project, led by the University of Wyoming Department of Civil and Architectural Engineering and Construction Management, stands as a testament of our commitment to excellence and innovation,” says Zhang.

“Spearheading the comprehensive scanning and preservation of the Old Faithful Inn, the department showcases its dedication to advancing cutting-edge technologies in historic preservation.

By engaging students in hands-on data collection and processing, the project not only enriches their educational experiences, but also underscores the department’s emphasis on practical, real-world learning.”

“The focus on digitally preserving an iconic Wyoming historic site aligns seamlessly with the department’s commitment to serving state needs and priorities, emphasizing its role as a key contributor to Wyoming’s cultural and economic development.”

Furthermore, the project’s potential impact on the state is substantial, fostering tourism and heritagebased economic growth through the preservation of this iconic historical landmark.

18 • Foresight

Danish Kumar, graduate student, uses the Topcon GLS terrestrial laser scanner outside the Old Faithful Inn.

“The innovative Scan-to-BIM workflow and the envisioned LiDAR Data Hub exemplify our department’s forward-thinking approach to technology and its application in the preservation of cultural heritage,” says Zhang. “This flagship endeavor not only showcases the department’s expertise in construction engineering and historic preservation, but also positions the University of Wyoming as a hub for cutting-edge research and practical contributions, solidifying its role in serving Wyoming’s unique cultural and economic vitality.”

The project is entering an exciting phase with a clear roadmap for its future endeavors.

“The team envisions expanding data collection efforts to encompass additional historic buildings across Wyoming,” says Zhang. “Collaborations with state agencies and community colleges are set to enhance the project’s scope, gathering more 3D scan data and broadening the impact on preserving the state’s cultural heritage.”

Simultaneously, the project will delve into advanced applications by developing machine learning algorithms for the automatic identification and classification of architectural elements within the 3D scan data.

“This metadata will prove invaluable for in-depth analysis and effective facilities management and structural analysis,” says Zhang. “Additionally, the project aims to create a digital twin energy assessment, utilizing highly detailed scan data to analyze factors such as heat loss and air flows. This novel approach will inform preservation strategies and contribute to meticulous maintenance planning.”

The incorporation of interactive educational applications and virtual reality tours tailored for class field trips and tourists will serve as a dynamic means to engage the public and students, fostering a deeper understanding of historic architecture through innovative visualization methods.

“This technology can be beneficial to any historical building and infrastructure that needs protection,” says Zhang.

“Traditionally our curriculum has been focused on new construction,” says Denzer. “But we recognize that, for our graduates, a great deal of future work will involve managing and renovating existing buildings. Any such project begins with documenting the existing building and its systems. So it’s increasingly important that our students have this kind of hands-on experience.”

For more information on the project, email Charlie Zhang at Chengyi.zhang@ uwyo.edu.

Unraveling New Pathways of Rare Earth Elements Department of Geology and Geophysics student receives DOE graduate student research program award.

By Ron Podell A University of Wyoming graduate student will continue her research on rare earth elements, and she will do it at a renowned national laboratory.

Ellen Polites, a fifth-year Ph.D. geology student from York, Pa., is the recipient of a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science Graduate Student Research (SCGSR) Program Award. She will conduct her research fellowship at Pacific Northwest National PHOTO BY ERIN PHILLIPS Laboratory in Richland, Wash., from January through June on the topic of “Unraveling new reactive transport pathways of multi-phase REE (rare earth element) cycling in low temperature basins.”

“The main goal of this project is to understand how rare earth elements are moving in sedimentary basins during the migration of water and oil from source rock to reservoir,” Polites explains. “I plan to do this by utilizing data I have collected here in Wyoming and using a reactive transport modeling software created by Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.”

Through world-class training and access to state-of-theart facilities and resources at DOE national laboratories, SCGSR prepares graduate students to enter jobs of critical importance to DOE’s mission and secures America’s national position at the forefront of discovery and innovation.

SCGSR awardees work on research projects of significant importance to the Office of Science mission that address critical energy, environmental and nuclear challenges at national and international scales. Projects in this cohort span seven Office of Science research programs. In all, 60 students from 49 universities in 26 different states received SCGRS awards this year.

The award period for the proposed research project at DOE laboratories/facilities may range from three to 12 consecutive months. Polites says her award offers her a $3,600 monthly stipend for general living expenses, plus up to $2,000 for moving expenses. The DOE Office of Science provides the funding for this program.

“This opportunity will allow me to broaden my geochemical skill set and connect me with some of the leading scientists in my field,” Polites says. “This is my second extended research opportunity with a national laboratory through the Department of Energy, and I couldn’t be more excited to strengthen those connections and my research skills.”

In 2020, Polites was a recipient of DOE’s Mickey Leland Energy Fellowship. She worked remotely with Pacific Northwest National Laboratory researchers and published a study titled “Exotic Carbonate Mineralization Recovered From a Deep Basalt Carbon Storage Demonstration” in the journal Environmental Science & Technology. That research was part of the UW School of Energy Resources’ Wyoming CarbonSAFE Project, which is working to develop carbon capture, storage and utilization technologies.

Polites credits her adviser, John Kaszuba, a professor in the UW Department of Geology and Geophysics, for being “an incredible mentor during my time at UW and encouraging me to pursue the SCGSR Program.”

“He has had two other students successfully complete the program and knows the benefits that come with working at a national laboratory,” she adds.

“This is an incredible experience for students. Being able to conduct research at a national laboratory will have farreaching impacts,” says Asmeret Berhe, director of the DOE Office of Science. “We hope that these students will continue their path in science, and I look forward to seeing what they do in the future.”

Fall/Winter 2023 • 19

News & Notes

UW Data Science Center Fellowships Awarded to Faculty Members

By Cody Schofield The University of Wyoming’s School of Computing has selected Camellia Okpodu, a professor in the Department of Botany, and Tim Robinson, a professor in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, as Data Science Center Faculty Fellows for the 2023-24 academic year.

The selection committee recognized the applicants’ continued pursuit of excellence in data science through research, teaching and engagement, and their commitment to contributing to building a data science community at UW. Okpodu’s research focuses on developing cuttingedge tools to study leafy spurge, a troublesome weed with significant economic impact in Wyoming. Her work showcases the intersection of data science, Wyoming’s

UW faculty fellows, Camellia Okpodu (above), a professor in the Department of Botany, and Tim Robinson (left), a professor in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, will engage with the Data Science Center that recently moved to the School of Computing, where it will work to energize curriculum development, student opportunities and interdisciplinary research in data science.

20 • Foresight

environmental challenges and computing. By using data science techniques to understand the spread and containment of leafy spurge, Okpodu’s research contributes to knowledge of weed physiology; supports environmental and agricultural needs; and demonstrates the application of data science in solving real-world problems within the state.

Robinson’s innovative work in sports analytics aligns with Wyoming and computing interests. He recognizes the benefits of data science in supporting the health of UW’s student-athletes, improving team performance metrics and enhancing strategic decision-making in athletics.

Collaborating with Jimmy Edel, UW men’s basketball strength coach, Robinson is developing an easy-to-use app that integrates various basketball training data sources, along with smart device data. The app aims to predict player performance; align training activities with competition metrics; monitor injury recovery; and assist in strategic athletic recruiting.

Supported by the Trent and Mary McDonald Data Science Center Excellence Fund, these fellowships embody the commitment of Trent and Mary McDonald to the importance and relevance of applied data science. These fellowships enable faculty and students at UW to advance their work and contribute to the ever-evolving field of data science. The faculty fellowships include a financial support package of $5,000 for fellows to advance their research, teaching and engagement endeavors in data science.

As faculty fellows, Okpodu and Robinson will engage with the Data Science Center that recently moved to the School of Computing, where it will work to energize curriculum development, student opportunities and interdisciplinary research in data science.

“Congratulations to Dr. Okpodu and Dr. Robinson for their well-deserved recognition,” says Jeff Hamerlinck, acting director of the Data Science Center. “Their ongoing contributions will undoubtedly enhance the research landscape at the University of Wyoming. Further, we appreciate the generous support of Trent and Mary McDonald, which makes this work possible.”

For more information on the School of Computing, the Data Science Center and faculty fellowships, visit www.uwyo.edu/soc/.

Closeup from Jifa Tian’s lab.

THE RACE TO UNDERSTAND TOPOLOGICAL SUPERCONDUCTIVITY

By Ron Podell In recent years, researchers globally have been racing to create breakthroughs in quantum information science by using the quantum properties of innovative materials for advanced computing and data transmission. One promising approach involves topological superconductors, which are believed to be a practical approach for handling information in future fault-tolerant quantum computers.

Jifa Tian, a University of Wyoming assistant professor of physics and astronomy, is one such researcher tackling this subject.

“The crux of this research on topological superconductivity — by manipulating topology and superconductivity — is to harness and control the unique properties of twodimensional (2D) topological materials in combination with superconductivity,” Tian says. “This could pave the way for more robust and error-resistant quantum computing. In simpler terms, it is like tweaking the fabric of a material to make it exhibit special features that are perfect for future advanced computing tasks.”

To aid his research efforts, Tian received a three-year, $561,835 U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) grant for his project titled “Manipulating the topology and superconductivity in 2M-phase WX2 (X = S and Se).”

The grant ends July 31, 2026.

This funding is provided through DOE’s Office of Science.

The office has a continuing interest in receiving grant applications for support of work in the following program areas: advanced scientific computing research; basic energy sciences; biological and environmental research; fusion energy science; high energy physics; nuclear physics; isotope research and development, and production; and accelerator research and development, and production.

Tian is the principal investigator on the project and will collaborate with Brian Leonard, a UW professor of chemistry, who will serve as co-investigator. The grant will support two graduate students and offers research opportunities for two undergraduates and two high school students, Tian says.

Topological superconductivity refers to a special type of superconducting phase, in which the material exhibits p-wave paring symmetry with unique topological properties, most notably the existence of exotic quasiparticles called Majorana zero modes (MZMs).

Given their resilience to noise, these MZMs could serve as foundational elements — quantum bits, or “qubits” — in the next-generation quantum computers.

“Imagine a library with regular books and special, indestructible books representing MZMs. While normal books can easily tear or get damaged, the special books are immune to coffee spills, tears or any damage,” Leonard says. “In the quantum world, we are trying to read and store delicate information. Topological superconductors offer us the ‘indestructible books’ that are more resistant to disturbances, making information encoding, storage and retrieval much more reliable.”

Tian says the goals of this research are: • Tailoring material properties by doping the 2D material with other elements, with the aim to control and modify its physical properties precisely.

• Studying how to control phase transitions between states — for example, transitioning from metallic/superconducting to semiconducting. The goal is to gain a deeper understanding of the material’s behavior.

• Unlocking quantum potential by exploring novel quantum effects such as topological Josephson coupling in topological superconducting quantum devices. This could reveal unprecedented behaviors and capabilities of the 2D topological materials for applications in quantum science and technology.

This project possesses scientific and technical merits that align well with DOE’s mission to advance quantum information science for the United States’ national and economic security needs, according to the grant abstract.

“The expected outcomes of this project will fill the fundamental knowledge gap in the field of 2D topological superconductors and potentially create new research directions,” Leonard says. “Scientific conclusions will set the scientific and technical foundations for designing and fabricating future scalable topological quantum computers.”

Techniques developed and the knowledge gained through this research might attract tech companies to Wyoming, providing an opportunity for a state known for its natural resources to diversify and become competitive in the hightech industry, Tian adds.

Fall/Winter 2023 • 21

UW’s annual STEM Carnival features a wide range of engaging demonstrations and hands-on activities from UW STEM faculty, students, programs and local businesses. Attendees get the chance to explore facilities such as UW’s makerspaces, drilling rig simulator, cybersecurity lab, driving simulator and much more. The event is open to everyone but geared toward K-12 students who travel in from around the state of Wyoming.

y l l a c i f i t n e i c AS e m i T d o o G r ov ide s . p l a v i n ts E M C a r e s fo r st uden T S W U nc exp e rie n o s d han

UW faculty, student and staff representatives from the participating units across campus contributed handsMore than 40 University of Wyoming units participated on activities and demonstrations, Brummond says. in the second annual STEM Carnival this past year to More than 1,150 people — 650 were K-12 students — celebrate and highlight science facilities and units at attended the STEM Carnival. Students were from Beitel, UW with hands-on experiences for students.

Harmony and Indian Paintbrush elementary schools, The event also forges opportunities for UW students, UW’s Lab School and Laramie Montessori School, all faculty, communities and K-12 groups to learn about the from Laramie; Hanna, Elk Mountain and Medicine cutting-edge programs and research in STEM (science, Bow schools; Rock River School; Southeast Schools in technology, engineering and math) at UW. The STEM Goshen County; and Wyoming Connections Academy.

Carnival is an annual event hosted by UW’s Top-Tier “In addition to the 40-plus hands-on STEM tables Science Initiative, in partnership with the Office of the from a variety of science units on campus, we had President. additional activities for attendees — mostly K-12 “Each year, we rotate to a students — focused on the research new facility on campus and facilities of the Engineering “The second annual UW ST EM Carnival hosted Education and Research Building,” and invite the statewide community to join us for Brummond says. by the Science Initiative was a tremendous a day to highlight Those included the driving success that could not have been possible the amazing simulator, cybersecurity without the amazing ST EM units on campus, STEM research lab, artificial Intelligence researchers and support staff in the EERB.” and programs at the lab, drilling simulator, University of Wyoming,” produced water lab, -Karagh Brummond says Karagh Brummond, hydrocarbon lab and the director of the UW Innovation Wyrkshop. The Science Initiative’s Engagement and Outreach Program.

Harry C. Vaughan Planetarium also hosted a program The latest STEM Carnival highlighted UW’s throughout the day, and physics and astronomy Engineering Education and Research Building (EERB).

Professor Chip Kobulnicky led a physics demonstration The facility provides spaces for modern instruction with a watermelon drop off the roof of the EERB. Tours and research, including a new shop and student project of the facility also were provided. areas; teaching and computer labs in an active-learning Atmospheric science representatives also launched two configuration; reconfigurable research labs with weather balloons throughout the day. UW President Ed associated offices and collaborative spaces; meeting/ Seidel and Gabrielle Allen, director of the UW School conference rooms; and an expanded drilling simulator of Computing, were on-site at the carnival to provide facility. The EERB is designed to be student oriented, students with an interactive black holes session. with a variety of learning spaces and collaborative “We could not be more thankful and appreciative workstations. of our STEM units offering tables and these labs for To celebrate STEM, UW’s science departments opening their spaces for students to explore,” and programs on campus provide information tables Brummond says. “The second annual UW STEM that offer hands-on activities and demonstrations for Carnival hosted by the Science Initiative was a the participants during the four-hour tremendous success that could not have been possible STEM Carnival. In organizing the without the amazing STEM units on campus, large-scale in reach event, the Science researchers and support staff in the EERB.” WATCH A VIDEO President Initiative hopes to increase awareness For a list of the UW STEM Carnival Ed Seidel of the science research on campus, participating units, click here and scroll on Science at the UW. connect UW with statewide partners to the bottom of the page. and increase campus connections, A third STEM Carnival is planned Brummond adds. for Sept. 2024.

By Milton Ontiveroz

Fall/Winter 2023 • 23

UW researchers study plant recovery following mass extinction of dinosaurs.

Using clues from the fossil record, researchers at the University of Wyoming are traveling back in time to study a mass extinction event that occurred 66 million years ago. Their goal is to better understand how and when life rebounded after a meteor wiped out 75 percent of species on Earth.

The five-year study is part of a multidisciplinary effort led by the Denver Museum of Nature & Science and funded by a nearly $3 million grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF). Seven collaborating research institutions, including multiple universities and the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, are involved in the project.

As research findings become available, they will be shared with the public through museum exhibits, classroom presentations and other outreach events.

The study will focus primarily on the collection and analysis of plant fossils from the Denver Basin and Williston Basin, says Ellen Currano, a UW professor and paleobotanist.

“We have a really good understanding of how old the rocks are in these basins, which will allow us to understand the amount of time that different phases of recovery took,” she says.

Why plants, not dinosaurs?

“Plants form the base of terrestrial ecosystems, and everything else relies on plants for food and habitat,” Currano explains. “If we are going to understand how life on land recovered after the bolide impact that killed off the dinosaurs and approximately 75 percent of all species, we need to understand what was going on with the plants.”

In addition to offering clues about the evolution of modern plants and animals, studying past extinctions can provide insight into extinctions occurring today.

“In the larger scheme of things, my research agenda is to understand how ancient forests responded to abrupt environmental changes, with the hope that we can apply what we learn to the present day,” Currano says.

When the NSF project concludes, she hopes to expand her research to new sites in Wyoming.

To learn more, email Currano at ecurrano@uwyo.edu.

24 • Foresight

PHOTO BY REGAN DUNN

By Brooke Ortel

UW Professor Ellen Currano touches the Cretaceous-Paleogene boundary in the Denver Basin, where plant fossils are being collected as part of a project to better understand how and when life rebounded after a meteor wiped out 75 percent of species on Earth 66 million years ago.

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To learn more about our services and how we connect students and alumni with employers, contact us at CEASCareerServices@uwyo.edu The University of Wyoming College of Engineering and Physical Sciences Career Services Office has had a significant impact on my academic experience. During the career trek to Seattle, Washington, I was able to connect with companies in my degree field and discover my passion for nuclear energy. Since then, CEPS Career Services has been instrumental in helping me pursue my interest in the nuclear energy field. First, in obtaining a related research position on campus and now in interviewing for an internship at a nuclear research laboratory.

The advice, feedback, and support I have received from CEPS Career Services in tailoring my résumé, interacting with employers, and finding interesting opportunities has positively shaped the trajectory of my academic career. I am grateful for the valuable assistance and guidance provided by the CEPS Career Services Office.

-TEAGAN R. MECHANICAL ENGINEERING ‘25

TOUR THE UNIVERSITY OF WYOMING COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND PHYSICAL SCIENCES

As part of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains, the University of Wyoming offers one of the most beautiful campuses in the nation.

Our region’s natural beauty is matched with cutting-edge learning facilities that make for an unbeatable student experience. Our UW virtual tour offers 360-degree panoramas of classrooms, residence halls, University of Wyoming facilities, outdoor spaces, and more!

Connect with the UW College of Engineering and Physical Sciences today at stem@uwyo.edu.

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WHAT WERE THE OCCUPATIONS OF YOUR PARENTS/GRANDPARENTS? My dad was a construction worker and worked overseas for more than 20 years, then started his own construction company when I was in middle school.

My mom is a homemaker.

YOU WERE A FIRST-GENERATION HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE GRADUATE, HOW DID YOUR FAMILY SUPPORT OR INSPIRE YOU TO PURSUE YOUR EDUCATION? Coming from a family where education beyond elementary school (fifth grade) was unfamiliar territory, the support I received was rooted in emotional encouragement rather than academic guidance. My parents, though not literate themselves, recognized the value of education and provided me with unwavering moral support, especially my mom since she wanted me to become financially independent. Their belief in me was constant, despite not fully understanding the academic path I was on. Additionally, my cousins, who had broken the family mold by pursuing a college education to get their law degree, had shown me the possibility of higher education. They showed me higher education was attainable despite our family’s traditional background.

This mixture of emotional support from my parents and the inspirational examples set by my cousins fueled my determination to pursue my education.

WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO GO TO COLLEGE? HOW DID YOUR FAMILY FEEL ABOUT YOUR DECISION? I decided to go to college driven by a desire to break the traditional boundaries of my family’s educational history and to fulfill my own aspirations for a professional career. I did not dream of becoming a civil engineer. My parents wanted me to become an architect, more women vs. men job, but by the time that I graduated from high school, I realized that I was in love with math, 26 • Foresight

There is great risk that comes with being the first. To separate from the crowd and traverse a new path requires immense courage to start and uncompromising resolve to finish. For College of Engineering and Physical Sciences Assistant Professor Ayşegül (Aysha) Demir Dilsiz becoming a first-generation high school and college graduate wasn’t easy, but it was worth it.

Read on to discover how Demir Dilsiz’s journey was both a unique challenge and a shared experience.

so civil engineering was a better match than architecture since my dad had his own construction company. I was also trying to prove myself to my extended family as a woman by choosing a field scarcely populated by women (back in my country the ratio of female students was 8% in civil engineering program).

I saw college as a gateway to personal growth and a means to challenge and change the gender stereotypes in my chosen field. As for my family, they were proud, no doubt, of my academic achievements and my ambition.

WHAT WAS THE HARDEST PART OF BEING A FIRST-GENERATION GRADUATE? Being a first-generation graduate meant I often had to find my way through the academic world with little guidance.

Lacking a family background in higher education meant facing many challenges independently. Despite this, I was fortunate to have pivotal support during my high school years.

My chemistry teacher, Belgin, was instrumental in guiding me. She opened my eyes to opportunities I never knew existed and helped shape my path in ways I could not have imagined on my own. So, while I put in a lot of hard work, I also recognize that life presented me with incredible opportunities, and I was alert enough to seize them. I was also privileged to have free education, which relieved a significant burden. My parents, though they could not contribute academically, supported me financially throughout college, for which I am immensely grateful. However, I often struggled with internal pressure to succeed, driven not just by personal ambition but also by a desire to honor my family’s sacrifices and trust. This self-imposed expectation to not just succeed but excel was a constant weight. It was this balance—between managing the high expectations I set for myself and adjusting to a demanding and new academic world— that posed the greatest challenge in my journey as a first-generation graduate.

WHAT WAS THE ADVANTAGE OR STRENGTH OF BEING A FIRST-GENERATION GRADUATE? Being a first-generation graduate came with its unique set of strengths and advantages. One significant strength was the development of a powerful sense of independence and self-reliance.

Since I had to navigate the academic and professional pathways on my own,

COURTESY IMAGES

WHAT CAREER-RELATED ADVICE WOULD YOU LIKE TO PASS ON TO OTHER FIRST-GENERATION STUDENTS?

I learned to be resourceful, to seek out information, and to not shy away from asking for help when needed. This independence has been invaluable in my career, especially in challenging environments. Additionally, as a firstgeneration graduate, I developed a deep sense of empathy and understanding for others who are navigating similar paths. This has shaped my approach as a professor, where I strive to be an accessible and supportive mentor to students who may be facing challenges like those I once faced.

WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR OTHER CURRENT OR POTENTIAL FIRST-GENERATION STUDENTS? Don’t hesitate to reach out for help.

Look for mentors who can offer advice and guidance in navigating your academic and career paths. Also, it’s OK to move at your own pace and define success in your own terms. We should always remind ourselves that we have earned our place through hard work and dedication.

HOW DID BEING A FIRST-GENERATION STUDENT SHAPE YOUR CAREER JOURNEY? Understanding the hurdles that firstgeneration students face, I am so driven to support and guide others who are embarking on similar paths, hoping to make their journey a bit smoother or journey that they never thought of.

In this way, my experience has not only shaped my career but also my purpose within my profession.

WHY DO YOU BELIEVE FIRST-GENERATION STUDENTS ARE ASSETS IN THE WORKPLACE? Many first-generation students develop a strong work ethic in their pursuit of education. They are often self-motivated and driven, qualities that are highly beneficial in any professional setting.

Also because of their experience, they possess a high degree of empathy and a deep understanding of diversity.

As a first-generation student, I was extremely ambitious and successful, especially during my undergraduate years. Completing a double major and earning two degrees in just four years was remarkable. However, my path took an unexpected turn during my Ph.D. program at UT, Austin. The birth of my daughter during my Ph.D. brought new challenges, extending my educational timeline and altering my perception of success, giving me a great perspective: It’s essential to recognize that embracing risk and being open to failure are critical aspects of a successful career journey. The pressure to succeed, especially given our backgrounds, can be overwhelming. We strive for excellence in our education, viewing it as a pathway to a better life. But it’s equally important to realize that education is not just about academic success; it’s also about learning to navigate the complexities of the real world. The professional world is full of uncertainties and opportunities that often require stepping out of our comfort zones. As firstgeneration students entering the professional world, we should balance our inner caution with a willingness to embrace new challenges.

Ayşegül “Aysha” Demir holds her daughter, outside the UW Solar Decathlon Build Challenge house in Lander, WY.

WHAT WERE THE RESOURCES YOU FOUND MOST HELPFUL AS A FIRST-GENERATION STUDENT? Building a support network was the cornerstone of my voyage. Engaging with individuals in my field, reaching out for advice from my teachers/ professors, and sharing experiences enriched my understanding and expanded my horizons. In an era where Google or artificial intelligence can offer a wealth of information, the human element of firsthand experiences and mentorship still are irreplaceable. These interactions often supplied insights and perspectives that were beyond the reach of online resources.

WHAT DO YOU WISH FIRST-GENERATION STUDENTS KNEW WHEN THEY COME TO THE UNIVERSITY OF WYOMING? I want them to know we offer different resources including academic, financial

and social support. The journey of a first-generation college student is both a unique challenge and a shared experience. If I were a student again, I would look into sources that university offers to us, demographics that represent us. 30-40% of our students are first-generation. This statistic is not just a number; it stands for a community of individuals who, despite their backgrounds, share similar struggles, victories, and aspirations. My realization of this shared experience was supported during a meeting with faculty from various disciplines, where I discovered that at least 5 of us out of 10 faculty were firstgeneration students. This revelation was a testament to the inclusivity and diversity of experiences at the university. As a first-generation faculty member, myself, I find this aspect of the university particularly inspiring.

Fall/Winter 2023 • 27

Alumni in Memoriam

We regret to announce the passing of the following alumni.

Ethan Allen

Stanwill Grad

Joseph McClenahan

William Smith

BSEE ’44 – Yucca Valley, CA

BSPE ’71 – Calgary, AB

MS ’12 Geophysics – Bellingham, WA

BS ’49 Physics – Seattle, WA

Raymond Agee

Jeffrey Houston

Malcolm McGawn

Gregory Sneesby

BS ’58 Physics – Dallas, OR

BA ’70 Geology – Niwot, CO

MA ’72 Mathematics – Valparaiso, IN

BSME ’70 – Carpenter, WY

Eugene Allen

Robert Howard

David McPherson

Lewis Spasoff

BS ’64 General Engineering – Columbia, SC

BS ’64 Physics – Jersey City, NJ

BSME ’62 / MS ’63 Electrical Engineering – Brentwood, TN

BA ’53 Geology – Roscommon, MI

Allyson Anderson

BSCE ’59 – Maryville, TN

Peter Michelson

Carl Huntzinger

MA ’58 Geology – Boulder, CO

BS ’67 Biomedical Electronics – Alameda, CA

BSCE ’51 – San Ramon, CA

Kenneth Moore

Herbert Stover

Donald Huston

BSCE ’60 – Anchorage, AK

BSCH ’68 – Green River, WY

BSEE ’70 – Goose Creek, SC

George Moses

Judith Stroh

Stewart Ingham

BSPE ’60 / Ph.D. ’66 Chemistry – Glendora, CA

BA ’58 Mathematics – Centennial, CO

Otto Nakano

Loyd Tanner

BSEE ’56 – Los Angeles, CA

BS ’50 Geology – Casper, WY

Gerald O’Kelly

Donald Tech

BA 1972 Geology – Freeland, WA

BSCE ’54 – Rapid City, SD

Kenneth Olson

Nicholas Tsiouvaras

BSEE ’53 – Oro Valley, AZ

BSCE ’55 – Broomfield, CO

MS ’58 Physics – Louisville, CO

Jan Paul

Theodore Twiford

Roy Johnson

BSCE ’65 – Cheyenne, WY

BS ’58 Geology – Casper, WY

BS ’71 Mathematics / MA ’75 Mathematics – Fond Du Lac, WI

Douglas Pepper

John Ulteig

BSME ’88 – Gaston, OR

MS ’63 Geology – Plano, TX

Forrest Kepler

Donald Polson

John Valko

BA ’57 Geology – Littleton, CO

BS ’57 Geology / MS ’60 Civil Engineering – Laramie, WY

BSCE ’76 / MS ’77 Civil Engineering – Laramie, WY

BSME ’62 / MS ’66 Mechanical Engineering – Mercer Island, WA

Richard Davis

Harry Kessner

John Pulley

Richard Vetter

BS ’57 Geology / MA ’59 Geology – Meridian, ID

BSCE ’72 – Billings, MT

BSPE ’67 – Klamath Falls, OR

BSCE ’50 – Chesapeake, VA

Clinton Ferris, Jr

David Kintigh

Edward Reid

Randall Walters

BSEE ’64 – Satellite Beach, FL

BS ’52 Geology – Sheridan, WY

BS ’65 Mathematics – Elkhorn, NE

Burl Kornegay

Erik Rundberg

David Westling

BS ’19 Geology – Laramie, WY

BSCE ’80 / MS ’83 – Green River, WY

BSME ’68 – Exeter, NH

BS ’75 Physics / MS ’86 Geophysics – Cheyenne, WY

Allan Fulton

Richard Mabie

Lawrence Sailer

James Willard

BS ’70 Geology – Katy, TX

BSEE ’48 – Fort Collins, CO

BS ’54 Statistics / MS ’56 Statistics – Bow Mar, CO

BS ’55 General Engineering / MS ’61 Electrical Engineering – Cheyenne, WY

Robert Schoen

Eva Withers

MS ’53 Geology – Williston, VT

BA ’46 Mathematics – West Chester, PA

BS ’91 Mathematics / MS ’94 Computer Science – Cheyenne, WY

Cris Angelos Ph.D. ’88 Chemical Engineering – Pueblo, CO

Earl Armstrong BS ’57 Geology – Aurora, CO

Linda Bowman BA ’63 Mathematics – Henderson, NV

Robert Bray BSPE ’80 – Anchorage, AK

Janet Bunger BA ’67 Mathematics – Morrisville, NC

Russell Coombs BSEE ’89 – Fort Wayne, IN

Glen Cox BSCS ’08 – Aurora, CO

James Daley

Ph.D. ’65 Geology – Douglas, WY

Ronald Freeze

Dwight Giorgis

Thomas Howard

BSEE ’56 – Albuquerque, NM

Michael Jablin BS ’62 Physical Science – Billings, MT

George Jackson BS ’63 Mineral Engineering – Reno, NV

Charles Jacobson

BS ’72 Physics – Cheyenne, WY

Pamela Mathewson

Brian Goodrich

BS ’94 Computer Science – Laramie, WY

BSAR ’95 / MS ’99 Civil Engineering – Cheyenne, WY

Earl Guthrie BSME ’60 – Loveland, CO

Tim McGary

BSCE ’54 – Campbell, CA

Bruce Yates

Charles Smith

BSCE ’70 Civil Engineering – Dayton, WY

BA ’61 Mathematics – Bellevue, WA

BSCE ’74 – Laramie, WY

Duane McCarrel BSEE ’78 – Sugar Land, TX

28 • Foresight

Bill Shinmori

James Sprecher, III

Our greatest sympathy is extended to the families of these valued friends.

Name: Address: City: State:

Zip:

Phone Number: Email: Update your information online at www.uwyo.edu/updateinfo

MY GIFT IS: ❏ $2,500

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Steamboat Society

MY GIFT IS FOR: College of Engineering and Physical Sciences (600304) Engineering Scholarship Fund (630223) Atmospheric Science (500046) Chemical and Biomedical Engineering (500131) Chemistry (500072) Civil and Architectural Engineering and Construction Management (500074) ❏ Electrical Engineering and Computer Science ❏ ❏ ❏ ❏ ❏ ❏

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WAYS TO GIVE: ONLINE: www.uwyo.edu/giveonline CALL:

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Fill out and return mail with your gift to the University of Wyoming Foundation, 222 South 22nd Street, Laramie, WY 82070 Make checks payable to the University of Wyoming Foundation.

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Saman Aryana

Lars Kothoff

Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering Professor

Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Associate Professor

Kui Chen

Department of Civil and Architectural Engineering and Construction Management Professor

Department of Chemistry Associate Lecturer

Kam Weng Ng

RECOGNIZING OUR RECENTLY PROMOTED FACULTY Jennifer Tanner Eisenhauer

Reza Taheri

Department of Civil and Architectural Engineering and Construction Management Professor

Department of Energy and Petroleum Engineering Associate Instructional Professor

Ray Fertig

Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering Associate Professor

Department of Mechanical and Energy Systems Engineering Professor

Francois Jacobs

Department of Civil and Architectural Engineering and Construction Management Professor

CONGRATULATIONS!

Karen Wawrousek

Haibo Zhai

Department of Civil and Architectural Engineering and Construction Management Professor

Chengyi Zhang

Department of Civil and Architectural Engineering and Construction Management Associate Professor