This month, researchers at Northern Arizona University (NAU) have garnered attention for their impactful studies across various fields, including climate science, space research, and clean water accessibility on the Navajo Nation.
Climate Research on Arctic Permafrost
Ted Schuur, a Regents’ professor in the Department of Biological Sciences and the Center for Ecosystem Science and Society, has been conducting important research on the climate implications of thawing permafrost in Arctic Alaska. His findings were highlighted in a recent article by AP News.
NASA’s DART Mission Insights
Cristina Thomas, an associate professor in the Department of Astronomy and Planetary Science, led a team involved in NASA’s 2022 DART mission.
Documenting Wukoki Pueblo
A collaboration between NAU’s Department of Anthropology and the National Park Service is underway to digitally map and document Wukoki Pueblo. This initiative aims to enhance accessibility to the historic site for audiences worldwide, as reported by KJZZ.
Research on Alien Life
Chris Doughty, a professor in ecoinformatics, has been studying the potential for advanced life on other planets. His research has been featured in Popular Science and Universe Today, contributing to the ongoing exploration of extraterrestrial life possibilities.
Mapping Safe Drinking Water
Jani Ingram, a Regents’ professor of chemistry, led a team that developed a map indicating which wells on the Navajo Nation are safe for drinking. This project, which addresses the contamination of groundwater due to uranium mining, has received coverage from the Arizona Republic and MSN.
Trans-Neptunian Objects Study
Doctoral student Anastasia Morgan conducted a pioneering study on Trans-Neptunian Objects, utilizing both NASA’s Hubble and Webb telescopes.
Carbon Storage in Temperate Forests
Research led by doctoral student Darby Bergl, which was reported by MSN, indicates that temperate forests may be losing their ability to absorb and store carbon as effectively as they have in the past. This study analyzed two decades of data from a New Hampshire forest.
Reintroduction of the Narrow-Headed Gartersnake
In an effort to reintroduce the narrow-headed gartersnake to Oak Creek after the 2014 Slide Fire, doctoral student Bryan Carlin has been leading a project despite interruptions caused by the recent Pocket Fire. His work has attracted media attention from the Arizona Daily Sun.
Biomechatronics Fellowship
Sam Hopkins, a doctoral student in Zach Lerner’s Biomechatronics Lab, has been featured in an interview on KJZZ regarding his development of an ankle orthotic designed to aid mobility and independence. Recently, he received a fellowship from the National Institutes of Health to further his research.
Source: Northern Arizona University
