Science and Technology

Crafting a Home Field Experience

September 6, 2024 — Bears, Brews and Bites tailgate to sell beer brewed by UNC students for the first time

Doctoral Candidate Tackles Social Issues Using Data Science

August 20, 2024 — A personal tragedy inspired graduate student Felix Junior Appiah Kubi to apply his passion for data science to explore how machine learning can improve testing protocols and health-related decision making.

Streaming binary data on a computer screen background.

Bridging the Gap Between High School and College: Frontiers of Science Institute

July 8, 2024 — Celebrating its 65th anniversary, FSI is reflecting on all the research its current students and alumni have conducted over the years. The six-week summer program, which runs through July 20 this year, fast tracks high school student's science, technology, engineering and mathematics exploration.

A Frontiers of Science Institute student titrates a solution into a test tube.

Industry-Funded Research Found CBD Beverage Neither Helped nor Hurt Healthy Adults

June 10, 2024 — Graduate student led research project to determine whether CBD-laced beverages affect physical or mental health in active, healthy adults.

graphic representation of a marijuana leaf splashing into a drinking glass containing liquid.

Faculty Members Visit the White House to Discuss Inequities in STEMM

June 7, 2024 — 2024 White House Summit on STEMM Equity and Excellence: Propelling Progress and Prosperity by 2050

Harmony and Chelsie standing in front of a conference sign

Audiology Student Researches Security Vulnerabilities in Hearing Aids

February 20, 2024 — Student combines her fascination with technology and research to uncover whether hearing aids that use Bluetooth technology can be hacked

Inspiring Others Through Science: New Audiologist and Cognitive Neuroscientist Plans to Make Big Impact

September 26, 2023 — By leveraging her expertise in audiology and cognitive neuroscience, Hannah Glick, Au.D., Ph.D., wants to help students discover their purpose and passion in science.

Alumna Receives NSF Graduate Fellowship for Avian Conservation Research

August 24, 2023 — For Leah Crenshaw, M.S. ‘23 an active biologist and nature lover, finding harmony between the natural and human worlds is her dream.

Leah Crenshaw holding a western meadowlark.

New Certificate Programs Support Increasing Demand for GIS and Drone Technologies

July 10, 2023 — To meet the increasing demand for new GIS and drone technologies, the Department of Geography, GIS and Sustainability is launching two new GIS certificates in fall 2023, GIS and Cartography and Drone Operations and Spatial Analytics.

Colorful digital elevation model of an urban area

Two New Degrees Prepare Students for Fast-Growing Fields of Statistics and Computer Science

June 22, 2023 — This fall, the University of Northern Colorado’s College of Natural and Health Sciences (NHS) is launching two new degree programs, a Bachelor of Science in Statistics and Computer Science.

Close up of hands on a computer keyboard with computer code superimposed over the image

Student's Research Reveals Risk of Noise Exposure at Hockey Games

April 19, 2023 — Sean Hoverson has attended hundreds of hockey games. Like most fans, he didn’t wear hearing protection, nor did he recognize the need. Conducted over a season of Colorado Eagles games, his doctoral scholarly project, “Spectator Noise Exposures During a Season of Minor League Hockey,” revealed the risk.

Student's Award-Winning Research Could Influence Future of Sports Marketing

April 13, 2023 — Alicia Romano combined her passions for sports, research and teaching in the University of Northern Colorado’s Sport and Exercise Science Ph.D. program. She chose a sport administration concentration and conducted novel research that could have major implications for sports marketing.

two people in silhouette watching a sporting event at a large arena

UNC Student Receives Top Award at National Honors Research Conference

December 5, 2022 — University of Northern Colorado honors student Madison Gremillion received national recognition for her research exploring the quality of conversations healthcare professionals have with patients receiving end-of-life care.

UNC GIS Students Co-lead Annual Mapathon in Support of Humanitarian Efforts

November 8, 2022 — GIS students and faculty at the University of Northern Colorado are putting their skills to work during their annual mapathon, spearheading a humanitarian effort that will impact communities across the globe.

New Chemistry Professor Sharing the Science of Solving Real World Problems

September 22, 2022 — The lure of exploring endless possibilities and the challenge of solving puzzles is what drew Bonnie Buss to the field of chemistry. That combination is something she hopes will also inspire and excite her students, both in the classroom and the lab, as she steps into her new role as assistant professor in UNC’s Chemistry and Biochemistry department this fall.

Cybercrime Expert Joins UNC’s Criminology and Criminal Justice Department

September 12, 2022 — Vivian Guetler’s research has taken her to some dark places. Specifically, the dark web, where she has spent considerable time analyzing communications on several forums commonly used by terrorist groups.

Vivian Guetler standing in Candelaria Hall

UNC Faculty Members Using Advanced Technology to Explore Consumer's Willingness to Spend Online

September 30, 2021 — It’s an easy habit to fall into. While watching TV or folding laundry, it’s almost second nature for many to pick up their phone, browse a retail site and before they know it, they’ve clicked ‘purchase’ multiple times. This became especially popular during the beginning of the pandemic when many were staying at home. Though online shopping is convenient, it can also be costly.

UNC Faculty Members Daniel Brannon, Ph.D., and Moe Manshad, Ph.D.

Meteorology Associate Professor Awarded Fulbright to Study Pollution in Italian Alps

May 26, 2021 — David Lerach, Ph.D., an associate professor of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences at UNC, has been awarded a Fulbright Scholar Award to study how pollution in the northern Italian Alps may impact precipitation patterns across the region, specifically how much precipitation falls, where it falls and whether it’s being shifted between different watersheds.

UNC Biological Education Doctoral Candidate Receives $20,000 Award

May 18, 2021 — Karina Sanchez, a Biological Education Ph.D. candidate at UNC, has been awarded a $20,000 American Dissertation Fellowship award from the American Association of University Women, an organization that promotes education and equity for women and girls.

Karin Sanchez holding a robin and a robin nest with blue eggs

U.S. Department of Agriculture Awards UNC Grant to Improve Pregnancy Outcomes in Dairy and Beef Cows

February 8, 2021 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture has awarded UNC a four-year, $500,000 grant to improve pregnancy outcomes in dairy and beef cows.

Patrick Burns working on research as part of the grant in his lab at UNC

Faculty Member Using 3D Printer to Make Face Shield Parts for Hospitals

March 30, 2020 — With a shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) for health care workers who are battling the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, UNC’s Chelsie Romulo is contributing to the effort to fill the gap.

3D-printed face shield parts with Chelsie Romulo

Augmented-Reality Sandbox to Help Students Learn About Earth Sciences

September 18, 2019 — UNC has created a sandbox for students, but it’s not your normal, everyday sandbox — it uses augmented reality with the use of an Xbox 360 Kinetic sensor, projector and software to bring the sand to life.

UNC Expert: Apple’s Noise App ‘Step in the Right Direction’

September 17, 2019 — University of Northern Colorado Professor Deanna Meinke, a leading researcher of noise-induced hearing loss and prevention, applauded Apple this week for developing a watch app that aims to help people avoid damage to their hearing.

Chasing Storms Over Seven States in 10 Days

July 11, 2019 — For the second year, a class of University of Northern Colorado students started summer by crisscrossing the Midwest in search of storms capable of producing tornadoes.

UNC students in front of a storm they chased in May 2019.

Cutting-Edge Hearing Testing Technology Allows for Easy, Low-Cost Testing

June 5, 2019 — Studies by the University of Northern Colorado show that a new portable device can detect hearing loss without the need of a sound booth.

Jen Ruths and Ashley Stumpf pose after graduating with their Au.D.s

Singer, Songwriter and Counselor-in-Training: Sofia Softas-Nall

May 20, 2019 — In this podcast, UNC graduate student Sofia Softas-Nall discusses how she’s using the award-winning study she produced as a graduate student at the National University of Ireland to help students with chronic physical and mental illness at UNC’s Psychological Services Clinic.

Observable Beehive Installed in UNC’s Ross Hall

May 14, 2019 — UNC has new tenants on campus — thousands of them! In Ross Hall, an observable bee hive was installed with hardworking honeybees fortifying their new home.

UNC members installing the beehive in Ross Hall

Up, Up and Away: UNC Students Launch 3D-Printed Vessel into the Atmosphere

May 10, 2019 — UNC Physics and Astronomy recent graduate Rydell Stottlemyer holds onto a payload, a box covered with aluminized mylar and filled with sensors, as it’s being connected to a huge weather balloon. This payload was developed by her and fellow, recent graduate Brian Smith.

Smith, Stottlemyer and Semak posing with the payload

UNC Receives Grant to Study Benefits of Kefir for Cancer Patients

February 26, 2019 — Earlier this year, uBiome awarded a $7,000 grant to researchers at UNC's Cancer Rehabilitation Institute to understand how kefir impacts the microbiome of cancer survivors who underwent chemotherapy and/or radiation treatment.

Peter Smoak outside UNCCRI holding a bottle of kefir.

Science Meets Communication: Understanding Differing Sides and Complex Issues

December 21, 2018 — A pair of Biological Sciences and Communication Studies professors are teaming up for a second year to deliver an interdisciplinary course whose aim is to clearly communicate science-based topics.

Physics Undergraduate Receives Grant to Study Nanotechnologies

December 3, 2018 — UNC student Jacob Fry received over $1,000 in grants from the Office of Undergraduate Research to compare the chemical make-up of shark teeth using two nanotechnologies as well as to develop lab curriculum on these technologies.

Jacob Fry UNC student granted funds to study nanotechnology

Volleyball Team Improves their Game with Biomechanics Technology

November 19, 2018 — The University of Northern Colorado’s volleyball team is gaining insights on how to improve their off-season training programs with the assistance of the Biomechanics Lab's three-dimensional motion-capture technology.

The University of Northern Colorado’s volleyball team is gaining insights on how to improve their off-season training programs with the assistance of three-dimensional motion-capture technology.

Three UNC Faculty Members Receive Awards from Colorado Association of Science Teachers

November 16, 2018 — The Colorado Association of Science Teachers presented their Distinguished Service Award to Rob Reinsvold and Lori Reinsvold, as well as their Excellence in Elementary Science Teaching Award to Neva Nardone. The three are faculty members at UNC.

Colorado Association of Science Teachers presented three awards to UNC faculty members

Investing in Watersheds to Prepare for Growing Urban Populations

October 31, 2018 — UNC Assistant Professor in the Environmental and Sustainability Studies program Chelsie Romulo, Ph.D., recently had her research on investments for watershed services published and discusses it in this podcast.

Investments for watershed services podcast

UNC Professor Selected for Antarctic Expedition

August 23, 2018 — Meteorology Professor Cindy Shellito, Ph.D., has been selected to join an international group of 80 female scientists on a three-week expedition to the Antarctic Peninsula. The expedition, departing from Ushuaia, Argentina, Dec. 31, is part of a global initiative called Homeward Bound. The project aims to elevate the status of women in science and empower them to take a leadership role in issues related to climate change and sustainability.

UNC Associate Professor's Research on Dust Influences on Thunderstorms Published

August 15, 2018 — UNC Associate Professor of Meteorology David Lerach, Ph.D., studies the influence that dust has on tornadic thunderstorms using a high-resolution computer model.

UNC Researchers Discover Toxins in Venom of Snake

August 1, 2018 — A study by University of Northern Colorado Professor Stephen P. Mackessy and his colleagues including graduate research assistants identified two toxins in the venom of a species of snake that affect prey differently.

Steve Anderson Answers Questions on Kilauea and Future Research

June 4, 2018 — Volcanologist Steve Anderson knows volcanoes and is especially familiar with the ongoing Kilauea eruption in Hawaii. He answers some questions about recent developments with Kilauea, his love of volcanoes and future volcano research plans.

Steven Anderson poses with his graduate student Davitia James over the Kilauea lava lake in Hawaii.

Professor Gives Update on Hawaii Volcano Eruption in Interview

May 16, 2018 — Last week, volcanologist Steve Anderson, a professor in the Department of Earth and Atmospheric Science at UNC, was interviewed by Discovery Channel's Daily Planet magazine about his research on the erupting Hawaii Kilauea volcano.

UNC Scientist: Female Birds Sing, Too; Help Her Record More Instances

March 14, 2018 — When North American ornithologists hear a bird singing, they’re likely to assume it’s a male. But in many species, the females sing too — and a new commentary co-authored by University of Northern Colorado’s Lauryn Benedict argues that a better understanding of these unappreciated female songs could lead to advances in many aspects of bird biology. Benedict and co-author Karan Odom of Cornell University urge their colleagues to spread the word that female birds sing, to share resources, and to disseminate their findings. You don’t need to be a professional ornithologist in order to help expand knowledge of female song, either — Odom has created a website where any birdwatcher can upload their observations.

UNC Researcher’s Winning Bat Photo Takes Internet by Storm

October 10, 2017 — A stunning image of a bat fetus produced by University of Northern Colorado Professor Rick Adams is circulating widely online after placing 15th out of 2,000 entries submitted from 88 countries in Nikon’s annual Small World contest.

Watch: UNC Student Detector Takes Flight During Eclipse

August 22, 2017 — A device created by UNC students to measure particles in the upper atmosphere went up in a NASA weather balloon during Monday's solar eclipse. Watch the launch, captured in video above by Assistant Professor Charles Kuehn, that took place in Camp Guernsey in southeastern Wyoming.

UNC Student Project Selected to be Aboard NASA Balloon During Solar Eclipse

August 14, 2017 — A unique project conceived and designed by UNC Physics and Astronomy students will be aboard a NASA high-altitude balloon that will be launched during the solar eclipse Aug. 21.

UNC Information About the Solar Eclipse Aug. 21

August 3, 2017 — In Greeley, a nearly three-hour partial eclipse is expected to take place between the hours of 10:23 a.m. and 1:14 p.m. (peak at 11:47 a.m.) on Monday, Aug. 21 — UNC's first day of fall classes. As the date approaches, here's important information about the eclipse and how to view the rare spectacle, weather permitting, on campus.

UNC Biology Class, BLM Partner to Protect Endangered Plants

July 25, 2017 — University of Northern Colorado students last week worked alongside Bureau of Land Management botanist Carol Dawson to collect data aimed at protecting two endangered plants: Osterhout's Milkvetch and Fenland's Beardtongue.

The Next Chapter of Moneyball

June 23, 2017 — UNC professor offers his sports-science research to Major League Baseball to help project the next great player

UNC Receives $1 Million Grant for Inclusive STEM Initiative

June 6, 2017 — June 6, 2017 — The Howard Hughes Medical Institute awarded the University of Northern Colorado a five-year, $1 million grant to develop a classroom model and establish a new center to engage more students, from all backgrounds, in the sciences.

Science and Technology News

Daniel Garza’s Journey from Platteville, Colorado, to Stellenbosch, South Africa