U of U's College of Science

Wildfire smoke exacerbates ozone pollution - @theU U research modeled smoke produced in epic 2020 wildfire season to demonstrate how it drives ozone formation, further degrading air quality.

New research from @utah.edu finds wildfire smoke significantly increases ozone concentrations. The research concludes wildfire smoke increases ozone concentrations by 21 parts per billion, or by roughly 20 to 30% higher on average. attheu.utah.edu/research/wil...
@uofu-science.bsky.social

Utah scientists search deep space for traces of violent events Scientists with the University of Utah are using a thousand square miles of desert near Delta to scan for evidence of violent events in deep space.

Physics professor John Matthews is on the lookout for signs of violent cosmic events—possibly even black holes colliding. 60 telescopes spread across 1,000 square miles of Central Utah are investigating these mysterious events.

“They’re big, huge, violent objects with extreme electric fields."

‘The elephant in the room’ for SciComm | College of Science ‘The elephant in the room’ for sciComm August 5, 2025 Above:  Assuming the position for your daily dose of science communication Scientists are crucial voices in the public debate about wicked problem...

Science 🤝 Communication

Research from the U's Department of Communication found that humor in scientific communication can boost engagement, but can undermine trust if delivered incorrectly.

Globally, forests have the biggest potential to mitigate climate change. Trees absorb vast amounts of carbon that would otherwise be in the atmosphere exacerbating the climate crises.

Humans of the U | College of Science Humans of the U: Dalyana Guerra July 22, 2025 Above: Dalyanna Guerra My grandma was a teacher, and my mom studied teaching, so I grew up surrounded by educators. In high school, Math was my favorite s...

"When students tell me they used to be afraid of math but now enjoy it, that’s incredibly rewarding. I know many people carry bad math experiences, but I believe hard work matters more than innate talent. If you’re willing to put in effort—you’ll succeed."

Physics Pioneer Pierre Sokolsky, Yodh Prize | College of Science Physics Pioneer Pierre Sokolsky awarded the 2025 Yodh Prize July 23, 2025 Above: Pierre Sokolsky To many, the (literally) rarefied air of the field of ultra high energy cosmic ray physics can prove el...

Physics professor Pierre Sokolsky has won the Yodh Prize, recognizing his impact on the understanding of cosmic rays.

Sokolsky played an instrumental role in the development of the atmospheric fluorescence technique as a method for exploring the highest energy cosmic rays.

Our Astronomy observatory has a new home!

Thanks to KSL5TV and @utah.edu alum Matt Johnson for coming out to the ribbon cutting of our new L.S. Skaggs Applied Science and renovated William Stewart buildings which complete our state of the art Crocker Science Complex. #UofU #ImpactUniversity #GoUtah!

Aurora Clark Named New Chair of Chemistry - Department of Chemistry The University of Utah Department of Chemistry welcomes Aurora Clark as its new chair beginning July 1, replacing interim chair Peter Armentrout. She brings with...

We're so excited to welcome the new Chair of the Chemistry Department, Aurora Clark!

Read the full announcement:

chemistry.utah.edu/history/auro...

Celebrating science and curiosity: University of Utah completes its sprawling Applied Science Project. University's Crocker Science Complex is expected to be a scientific hub for inquiry, research and collaboration.

This is a place where students’ dreams will be inspired and come true. Where “live and industries will be improved by the research happening at the @utah.edu.”
www.deseret.com/utah/2025/07...

Where inquiry meets impact - @theU The new L. S. Skaggs Applied Science Building completes the 275,000-square-foot Crocker Science Complex, a celebration of science and our shared belief in a better...

Donors, policymakers, university leaders, and business luminaries praised the L. S. Skaggs Applied Science Building as a visionary investment in scientific research.

Read more about the new building and what the ribbon-cutting ceremony speakers had to say about the future of science in Utah:

Opinion: Why the University of Utah is seizing the opportunity to fund scientific research Investing in scientific innovation leads to commercialization, job creation and ultimately economic stability for thousands of Utahns and their families.

This week, the @utah.edu will open the L.S. Skaggs Applied Science Building — a new home for future physicists, astronomers and atmospheric scientists. #inspire #innovate #serve #ImpactUniversity
www.deseret.com/opinion/2025...

Great Salt Lake’s mystery islands | College of Science Great Salt Lake's mystery islands July 10, 2025 Above: Great Salt Lake   U geologists are investigating phragmites-covered mounds that reveal spots where ancient groundwater reaches daylight. A helico...

Utah geoscientists are investigating strange, phragmites-covered mounds emerging off the drying shores of Great Salt Lake.

It may be stinky and buggy, but Great Salt Lake is worth saving - @theU U scientists are helping guide Utah's Great Salt Lake Strike Team, formed three years ago at the urging of U President Taylor Randall.

Our scientists are helping guide Utah's Great Salt Lake Strike Team, formed three years ago at the urging of President Taylor Randall // @uofupresident.bsky.social

Savin is the Chief Scientific Officer at Redwire, a bioengineering company specializing in manufacturing protein crystals and human tissue in the microgravity environment of the International Space Station, in partnership with NASA and the ISS National Laboratory.

Top 100 List of Global Health Scientists | College of Science Top 100 List of Global Health Scientists June 19, 2025 Above: Kenneth Savin, Ph.D.'96 Chemistry alumnus Kenneth Savin has been recognized in TIME100 Health, a list of the 100 most influential people i...

@utahchemistry.bsky.social alumnus Kenneth Savin has been recognized as one of the 100 most influential people in global health as part of TIME100 Health.

From Toxin to Tonic | College of Science From Toxin to Tonic June 26, 2025 Could a toxin from one of the planet’s most venomous animals improve treatments for diabetes and hormone disorders? Quite possibly, according to a University of Utah-...

What if one of the ocean’s deadliest toxins could unlock safer, more precise treatments for diabetes and hormone disorders?

A venom from the predatory cone snail mimics the human hormone somatostatin, potentially paving the way for longer-lasting, targeted therapies with fewer side effects.

Evolutionary Biologist, Boundary Pusher, Occasional Lab Hazard | College of Science Biologist David Carrier Retires July 1, 2025 Above: In his lab, David Carrier: "If you're going to study fighting, sometimes you have to get punched in the face." An evolutionary biologist, boundary p...

Evolutionary biologist David Carrier is retiring after a career of chasing antelope and volunteering as a human punching bag, all in the name of science.

Read more about Ig Nobel Prize winner: science.utah.edu/faculty/davi...

University of Utah professors working with NASA to get fire crews real time information Thousands of acres of land, homes and structures are in jeopardy, as active fires continue to rage on throughout Utah. That's why wildfire prevention is top of mind for a research team at the Universi...

@utah.edu Professors Phil Dennison (Geography) and Derek Malia (Atmospheric Sciences) recently showed off new tech they’re developing to help combat wildfires
@ksl5tv.bsky.social #WildfireWorkingGroup

ksltv.com/local-news/u...

College of Science Welcomes New Associate Deans | College of Science COLLEGE OF SCIENCE WELCOMES NEW ASSOCIATE DEANS July 2, 2025 Above:  Crocker Science Center at night. Credit: Matt Crawley. Photo credits below: Todd Anderson Lauren Birgenheier, Akil Narayan and Matt...

The College of Science welcomes Lauren Birgenheier as associate dean for faculty affairs, Akil Narayan as associate dean for undergraduate and graduate studies, and Matt Sigman as associate dean for research.

FUN FACT: Bolg amondol was named for the goblin prince from J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Hobbit"

A Goblin prince among dinosaurs | College of Science a ‘goblin prince’ among dinosaurs June 25, 2025 Above: Artistic reconstruction of Bolg amondol, depicted raiding an oviraptorosaur dinosaur nest amidst the lush Kaiparowits Formation habitat. Credit: ...

Meet Bolg amondol!

This newly discovered monstersaurian reveals a surprising diversity of large lizards at the pinnacle of the age of dinosaurs.

What really excites co-author Randy Irmis, Geology & Geophysics, is "what it tells us about the unique 76-million-year-old ecosystem it lived in."

Congratulations to both Norton and Lin on their new roles!

As the center prepares to move into the new L. S. Skaggs Applied Science Building, this leadership team is perfectly positioned to expand the @wilkescenter.bsky.social's impact in translating climate research into real-world solutions.

William Anderegg Passes Wilkes Center Leadership Baton Forward - The Wilkes Center for Climate Science & Policy Anderegg has established a legacy of communicating science and convening innovators at The Wilkes Center for Climate Science & Policy After three years as the...

Wilkes Center founding director William Anderegg will step down on June 30 after three years of establishing the center as a national leader in climate research and collaboration.
wilkescenter.utah.edu/spotlight/wi...
@uofu-science.bsky.social
@utah.edu

Utah biologists discovered nematodes in Great Salt Lake last year. Now we can see what they look like up close!

Trailblazing with Earth & Environmental Science | College of Science Trailblazing with Earth & Environmental Science June 4, 2025 Above: Ryker Ray (left) and Hunter Hastings One of the newest majors available for undergraduate students at the University of Utah is Eart...

🌎 A milestone moment! The first graduates of our Earth & Environmental Science program—launched in Fall 2023—are already making waves. Meet Ryker Ray and Tucker Hastings, trailblazers of a new era in science at @utah.edu.

Zach Hammer (right) at the IFSC Climbing World Cup

Zach Hammer (left) competing at the IFSC Climbing World Cup

Congrats to olympian and Earth & Environmental Science student Zach Hammer on winning silver at the IFSC Climbing World Cup!

Not just a major. It’s a mission | College of Science not just A Major. It's A Mission. May 21, 2025 “When people ask us what it’s like to be a mining engineering student at the University of Utah, we tell them that it’s like being part of a family,” wro...

After hearing that Utah universities were asked to examine academic programs with 40 students or fewer, four Mining Engineering students decided to voice support for their department. In a Salt Lake Tribune opinion piece, they contend that the program provides value to the state and its students.

News | College of Science The latest from the University of Utah College of Science.

Hi Dani! We are the College of Science at the University of Utah and we'd love to share relevant research from our faculty, postdocs, and students with the science community here on Bluesky.

New data suggest need for revision of earthquake hazard models | College of Science earthquake hazard models June 4, 2025 Above: The 1896 Sears mansion in Salt Lake City’s Liberty Wells neighborhood sustained major damage in the Magna Earthquake and was later demolished. Photo credit...

The sediments underlying the Salt Lake Valley are thicker in places than previously thought, indicating that current seismic hazard models likely underestimate the amount of shaking Utah’s population center could experience in future earthquakes, according to new research led by U seismologists.