Oct 7, 2021

UW Environment student selected for the UCAR Next Generation fellowship

To-Nhu “Leslie” Nguyen, student in the School of Marine and Environmental Affairs (SMEA), has been selected by the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR) for the Next Generation Fellowship, an opportunity that gives financial and academic support to Earth system science students from historically underrepresented groups. Nguyen was selected as the program’s public policy fellow. “I am pleased to welcome this year’s cohort of fellows,” said UCAR President Antonio Busalacchi.

How ‘ice needles’ weave patterns of stones in frozen landscapes

Circles of stones in Svalbard, Norway. Each circle measures roughly 10 feet, or 3 meters, across. A mountain range is in the background behind the stone field.

Nature is full of repeating patterns that are part of the beauty of our world. An international team, including a researcher from the University of Washington, used modern tools to explain repeating patterns of stones that form in cold landscapes. The new study, published Oct. 5 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, uses experimental tools to show how needles of ice growing randomly on frozen ground can gradually move rocks into regular, repeating patterns.

UW oceanographer Parker MacCready elected fellow of the AGU

University of Washington oceanographer Parker MacCready is one of 59 new fellows elected this year by the American Geophysical Union. The scientific organization recognizes only 1 in 1,000 of its members as global leaders and experts who have propelled our understanding of the geosciences. MacCready, a professor in the UW School of Oceanography, was recognized for his work to advance fundamental understanding of ocean coasts and estuaries, or marine environments where freshwater and saltwater mix.

Bigleaf maple decline tied to hotter, drier summers in Washington

A bigleaf maple in decline in Washington’s Central Cascades region

As its name suggests, the bigleaf maple tree’s massive leaves are perhaps its most distinctive quality. A native to the Pacific Northwest’s wet westside forests, these towering trees can grow leaves up to 1.5 feet across — the largest of any maple. But since 2011, scientists, concerned hikers and residents have observed more stressed and dying bigleaf maples across urban and suburban neighborhoods as well as in forested areas.

DEI at the School of Oceanography

“Our community acknowledges that we must work to address the culture of white supremacy in our department and in the geosciences as a whole. We must ensure that racial and gender microaggressions, exclusion, bullying, and discriminatory remarks are addressed as pervasive, systemic issues.” The School of Oceanography’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Statement of Acknowledgement recognizes the lack of racial diversity in the geosciences, citing a study that found little to no progress on that front over the past four decades.