A prestigious endowment established to fund projects that foster public engagement and the advancement of the Wisconsin Idea, the Baldwin Wisconsin Idea Endowment grant was awarded to Michael Notaro and Rose Pertzborn for their project titled, Advancing Climate Science Education, Inquiry, and Literacy Across Rural Wisconsin Communities. In essence, this funding will allow Notaro and Pertzborn to provide a number of educators across the Curtis Tension Zone with the equipment and training they need to collect data on climate variability and change and its impacts while also making climate research a part of their curriculum and community engagement efforts.

Steve Vavrus was interviewed for the LaCrosse Tribune in a story about recent climate trends in Wisconsin and Minnesota. 

Drs. Michael Notaro and Rose Pertzborn were awarded a three-year UW-Madison Baldwin grant to engage students, teachers, and citizen scientists and provide science education to rural communities along the Wisconsin Ice Age Trail.  The news was covered by Wisconsin State Journal.

Collin Tuttle has spent the last two years investigating how climate change is affecting known sea shipping routes through the Arctic, and whether or not the ice is responding to the changes in a way that makes travel through it more viable.

Erin Thomas recently defended her PhD study. Her research focuses on understanding the complex interactions between El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and numerous oceanic and atmospheric phenomena. These phenomena complicate our understanding of the mechanisms responsible for generating ENSO diversity and make it very difficult to predict ENSO events. Her research utilizes statistical and physical modeling to identify both observationally-grounded and physically meaningful mechanisms that influence the development of ENSO events.

Steve Vavrus’ research was featured in The New Yorker in a story about the relationship between a warming Arctic and extreme weather.

Steve Vavrus was interviewed for the PBS Newshour about the relationship between Arctic warming and cold, snowy winters in the United States.

Professor Tristan L’Ecuyer was selected by the Office for the Vice Chancellor for Research and Graduate Education as a 2018 Romnes Fellow.  The fellowship is named in honor of Haakon Ingolf (H.I.) Romnes, late Trustee and President of the WARF Board. A lifelong friend of the University, his entire career was characterized by integrity, self-discipline and the ability to accomplish monumental tasks while preserving the full support and admiration of all who came to know him. With this fellowship, the University recognizes Tristan’s academic success and provides an opportunity for continued development of an outstanding research program.