The SEEC building glows in afternoon sunlight.

From interim to permanent: Lovenduski named INSTAAR director (RIO)

May 28, 2024

The University of Colorado Boulder has named Associate Professor of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences (ATOC) Nikki Lovenduski director of the Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research (INSTAAR), effective July 1.

A mountain stream in the upper Mancos river basin, displaying a rusty red bed, flows toward the viewer. Mountain slopes covered with pine trees are in the background. Photo by Andrew Manning.

Colorado's streams are being loaded with toxic heavy metals (Newsweek)

May 22, 2024

Colorado's mountain streams are facing a "real challenge" from a rising concentration of heavy metal levels. These rising levels are only worsening with climate change, a new study found.

Natalie Aranda and Jed Lenetsky

2024 INSTAAR Summer Scholars

May 17, 2024

INSTAAR has announced its Summer Scholars for 2024: Natalie Aranda and Jed Lenetsky. They will each be awarded a stipend for the summer months to continue their research projects.

This enhanced-color image shows a 45-meter-diameter crater on the surface of Mars, appearing as a glistening sphere on a rusty red background. Glistening material is interpreted as water ice slowly subliming. Photo credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/University of Arizona

Modeling ice and snow on planets

May 16, 2024

A new model makes better predictions of the behavior of ice on Mars—and any other rocky planet with an atmosphere.

INSTAAR celebration luncheon May 8th 2024: A large room full of round tables packed with dozens of seated people having lunch and listening to opening remarks from Interim Director Nikki Lovenduski and Assistant Director of JEDI Julio Sepúlveda

INSTAAR Celebration Luncheon

May 9, 2024

On May 8th, we came together as a community to eat, present awards, and recognize our MS and PhD graduates. Many INSTAARs attended, along with the families of our graduates and award winners. Congratulations to all!

Millie Spencer stands on the sunny summit of Cerro El Plomo (17,795 feet) in Central Chile.  Behind the rocky summit is a prominent glacier, with a background of mountain peaks with more glaciers and snowfields.  She is wearing a green jacket, blue knit hat, and mirrored glacier glasses

5 CU Boulder students, alumni receive 2024–25 Fulbright awards (CU Boulder Today)

May 7, 2024

PhD student Millie Spencer is 1 of 5 Fulbright awardees from CU Boulder. She will use her award to expand her work with Mapuche-Pehuenche communities in Chile: mapping glaciers, gathering oral histories of glacier retreat and hydrological change, and illuminating water insecurity.

Katie Gannon

Q&A with Katie Gannon, Sarah Crump Graduate Fellowship winner

May 6, 2024

Incoming PhD student Katie Gannon (Ecology and Evolutionary Biology) has garnered this year’s Sarah Crump Graduate Fellowship. She will investigate greenhouse gas emissions from seasonally ice-covered lakes, working with advisor Bella Oleksy.

Piles of white trash bags collected from the Everest region, with labels in multiple languages

Climbers have turned Mount Everest into a high-altitude garbage dump, but sustainable solutions are within reach (The Conversation)

May 1, 2024

Mountain tourism brings revenues to Nepal but leaves a mess behind. Local and international groups are offering new cleanup strategies. INSTAAR research scientist Alton Byers and his colleague Suzanne OConnell discuss the scope of the problem, pollution from the waste, and solutions for sustainable tourism.

Overhead view of three smiling Antarctic researchers wearing red coats, hats, and sunglasses.  Michael Dyonisius grips a powered ice auger with two hands.  Right next to him are Sarah Shackleton and Bernhard Bereiter.  Photo taken in austral summer of 2015-2016.  Photo overlain with text saying: Meet Michael Dyonisius, INSTAAR postdoc and expert in greenhouse gases, radiocarbon, and ice cores.

Take 5 with Michael Dyonisius

April 30, 2024

Five questions and answers with Michael Dyonisius, a postdoc with INSTAAR’s Laboratory for AMS Radiocarbon Preparation and Research, a keen investigator of greenhouse gas fluxes, and an occasional ukulele-playing indie pop fan. Read on to learn about Michael’s work, inspirations, and life.

Joe Constancia leans on a railing, smiling.

Joe Constancia - Entrep, Strat’24 (Leeds School of Business)

April 29, 2024

As a student assistant in INSTAAR's front office, Joe has been a beacon: his creative problem-solving and hard work are matched only by his kindness and generosity of spirit. Turns out his degree program (Leeds School of Business) was equally impressed.

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