With the fall 2024 semester approaching, the University of Northern Colorado's College Natural and Health Sciences (NHS) is set to introduce several exciting updates that will enrich students' academic experience while addressing some of the most relevant issues that society is facing globally today. With a focus on climate change, health, and interdisciplinary research, NHS faculty members are taking significant steps in their respective fields and contributing to the college’s mission of fostering scientific inquiry and community engagement. 

Advancing Climate Change Research Through COOLER-CLImates 

Climate change remains one of the most pressing issues of our time, and NHS faculty are actively contributing to the global conversation.  

For NHS Dean Kamel Haddad, climate resiliency is an important topic due to the urgency required to stop and reverse the negative consequences of climate change. 

“There has been a decrease in enrollments across the nation in fields like geology, because they are perceived as not friendly to the planet,” said Haddad. “One of our priorities in NHS this semester is to help current and prospective students see how important these disciplines are in contributing to a global climate solution” 

Not only with some shifts on programing to make the degrees more appealing to students and more aligned with the global needs for a change in our approach to the environment, but also with research is how NHS will be helping in this complex situation.  

The COOLER Climate Leadership Institute (COOLER-CLImates) is a pioneering initiative within NHS, funded by the National Science Foundation, aimed at building a community where students and faculty collaborate on climate change resilience projects. This pilot program brings together participants from various disciplines to work alongside local organizations, fostering a collaborative environment that addresses regional climate-related challenges. 

COOLER-CLImates prepares students to engage with community organizations on climate-related initiatives, equipping them with the skills needed to make a tangible impact. Faculty members within NHS also benefit, as the program encourages them to apply their expertise to local climate challenges, thus bridging the gap between academic research and real-world applications. 

Haddad shared some of the research fields that NHS faculty will be working on this fall semester.  

Impactful and Interdisciplinary Research 

Cindy Shellito, Ph.D., professor of Meteorology and chair of  Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, is the principal investigator  for the  COOLER-CLImates grant. With this grant, UNC will partner with different constituents in the region such as high schools, community colleges and companies to increase awareness about climate resiliency. 

One of the projects already underway is called Voices of the Land, which helps to amplify the voice of underrepresented communities that traditionally have no representation in climate resiliency conversations. With the intention of creating environmental awareness at a grassroots level, Voices of the Land teaches permaculture to communities. That way, families can grow their own food in their backyards, not only helping to fight hunger and food insecurity but also to address the environmental impact of daily actions like our consumption decisions.  

Bonnie Buss, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and recipient of a National Science Foundation (NSF) grant, is leading groundbreaking research on new organic materials that have the same properties as plastic but are biodegradable. As an expert in polymers, she is also exploring new ways to break down plastic molecules so that they are not sitting on barges in the ocean, traveling across the seas and polluting the planet. Buss includes undergraduate students in her research, working with a small team in different laboratories each semester.   

In a similar vein, Tyler Engstrom, Ph.D., assistant professor and faculty associate to the dean from the Department of Physics and Astronomy, along with Andrea James, Ph.D., from the Department of Biological Sciences, have received a National Institutes of Health  (NIH) award to explore the effects of environmental stressors on marine fish. This interdisciplinary project combines expertise in physics and biology to examine how environmental changes, including pollution and climate shifts, impact the health of these organisms. James’ work aims to understand how pollutants like microplastics affect marine life, with a particular focus on zebrafish. Engstrom and James’ research is an Academic Research Enhancement Award R15 and has the potential to influence environmental policies and conservation efforts.  

In the public health field, Brian Dauenhauer, Ph.D., serves a dual role as both a faculty member and the director of UNC’s Active Schools Institute. His research on physical education and physical activity leadership is shaping national policies aimed at enhancing physical activity in schools. Dauenhauer’s work, particularly his studies on accessibility to physical activity spaces for marginalized groups, highlights NHS’s commitment to promoting health and wellness across diverse populations. Dauenhauer was recognized on September 6th as the 2024 with the 2024 Presidential Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition Award. 

Patricia Valverde, Ph.D., the new director of the Colorado School of Public Health at UNC who just joined the university this fall, is already making significant contributions. Her research focuses on community health education, particularly within Hispanic communities. Previously the director of the Latino Public Health Research Center in Anschutz, Valverde continues to engage in impactful research, supported by grants she brought to NHS. Her work is integral to the college’s mission of improving public health outcomes and addressing health disparities. 

The collaboration between these two departments exemplifies UNC’s commitment to interdisciplinary research to address complex global challenges. 

New Academic Programs 

According to Haddad, NHS is proposing several exciting changes to its academic programming this fall, reflecting the college's commitment to staying at the forefront of education and addressing emerging fields of study.  

The biggest change is the restructuring of degree programs in the Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences to meet the evolving needs of students and the broader community. 

The department previously offered an Earth Sciences major with three concentrations:  Meteorology, Geology, and Environmental Sciences. 

Under the proposed structure, the Earth Sciences major is to be replaced by two new majors —  Environmental Science, with a concentration in Geology and Climate Science with a concentration in Meteorology. 

Haddad said the changes position the university as a leader in the field of climate and environmental sciences and emphasized the uniqueness of the Climate Science program in our region. 

“This new academic arrangement reflects the priorities of our college in terms of the type of research that we are doing and the opportunities we can offer our students to acquire practical knowledge ,” said Haddad. “It is a differentiator, other universities in this region do not offer these degrees in the same way.” 

Looking Ahead: A Future of Excellence and Innovation 

NHS is poised for continued growth and excellence, with new faculty members like Patricia Valverde, Ph.D., and the ongoing success of initiatives like COOLER-CLImates. 

As NHS continues to attract top-tier faculty and students, it remains dedicated to its mission of promoting scientific inquiry, enhancing public health, and preparing the next generation of leaders to tackle the challenges of the future. Through its innovative research and community-focused initiatives, NHS is solidifying its role as a leader in addressing global challenges and making a lasting impact on society.