PhD student Sam Kreling’s research cited in Washington Post article, “Why we celebrate black squirrels, but think of gray ones as pests”

In a Washington Post article published this October, Sam Kreling, a SEFS PhD student, discusses why humans are so fascinated by oddly colored animals. Kreling is one of the lead researchers on a new paper published in Human Ecology entitled, “Of Rarity and Symbolism: Understanding Human Perceptions of Charismatic Color Morphs.” The research was co-led by Kreling and Tyus D. 

Autumn quarter SEFS student funding opportunities are now open

The following funding opportunities are accepting applications through Monday October 21, 2024 until 11:59PM PST. Please note that the deadline is a hard deadline. 

Student Field Experience Support Fund

This fund is for field experiences of all kinds only in a variety of ways including course fees, equipment, transportation, etc. 

SEFS ushers in Autumn with annual salmon BBQ

SEFS students, faculty, alumni and friends gathered in the Anderson Hall courtyard in early October for the annual and much anticipated salmon BBQ. There were many familiar faces in the crowd and some new ones too – SEFS welcomed three new faculty members to its cohort this fall – Julie Larson, Gaj Sivandran and Mutian Hua. 

SEFS alumna and glacier research technician Kendall Becker is studying insulated rock glaciers in Utah’s Wasatch Range offering climate hope amidst wide-spread ice decline in the Western U.S.

NPR’s Nell Greenfieldboyce recently covered rock glacier research out of Utah’s Wasatch Range for All Things Considered. SEFS alumna Kendall Becker, a research technician, and mountain ecologist Scott Hotaling are on a mission to collect glacial ice samples from natural cravases on a rock glacier upslope of White Pine Lake.  

New research out of UW’s Prugh Lab, led by PhD student Katie Breen, uses time-lapse imagery and a deep learning model to extract snow depth quickly and affordably

Researchers worldwide set up “snow depth poles,” whereby they put a measuring pole in front of a camera, in places that lack a weather station or when the use of LiDAR may be cost prohibitive. 

New research led by Assistant Professor Claire Willing sheds light on how mycorrhizal fungi shape plant community structure and diversity

A new study led by Assistant Professor Claire Willing, published in Nature Ecology and Evolution, explores how root-associated mycorrhizal fungi influence plant competition, coexistence, and the diversity of plant communities. The research focused on two widespread types of fungi,  Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) and Ectomycorrhizal Fungi (EMF), which associate with nearly all tree species and profoundly affect forest health, influencing nutrient cycling, carbon storage, and pathogen resistance. 

SEFS Assistant Professor Sameer Shah’s new research looks at coastal communities and what can make them more resilient to climate change

New research co-led by Professor Shah and published in the journal Nature looks at whether or not building sustainable settlements on the water is a feasible option for climate adaptation. From houseboats and floating markets to reclaimed land and amphibious houses, living on the water is a way of life for many communities around the world. 

A Message From Clare Ryan, SEFS Acting Director: Fall 2024

Autumn quarter is moving into view and I’d like to extend a warm welcome to SEFS students, staff, and faculty. Welcome back! As you may know, I am filling in through the end of December 2024 as Acting Director for Dan Brown while he takes a brief and well-deserved sabbatical. 

SEFS field station, the ONRC, and its research scientists featured in The Seattle Times: UW program works with tribes to fight toxins behind shellfish harvesting closures

The Olympic Natural Resources Center (ONRC) out on the Olympic Peninsula in Forks, Washington is working with four tribes in the region to test for potentially deadly shellfish toxins. The Quinault Indian Nation, Hoh, Quileute and Makah tribal members have been trained by Anthony Odell, an ONRC Research Analyst, to collect and sample razor clams for algal species and toxins, specifically domoic acid.  

SEFS in the News: June – August 2024

Browse recent mentions of SEFS researchers in the news. Have news to share? Send your updates to sefscomm@uw.edu.

Assistant Professor Greg Bratman interviewed on Oregon Public Radio. Bratman’s research on how the smells of nature can affect human well-being are discussed.