Michelle Werdann

Education & Public Service

Amidst the rubble, Turkey’s earthquake scars reveal important information

Earthquake geologists on the GEER research team gain greater understanding of the impacts of the February earthquake

The foreground shows where a block of earth collapsed on a ridge. The background shows a community on a hillside, and in the background are snow-capped mountains.
9/6/2023
Education & Public Service

Nevada Drought Update for September 2023

This report brings to a close a three-and-a-half year stretch of having at least one Nevada county under drought watch

A south-facing shot of the University Quad, with students lying against trees, walking along the Quad, and throwing a football.
9/18/2023
Research & Innovation

University faculty part of XPRIZE team that advances to finalist round in global competition

Team Waponi is one of six teams from around the world to advance to the finals

Two men crouch around a device that looks like a projector screen with a frame around it.
8/28/2023
Education & Public Service

Nevada Drought Update for August 2023

Drought still remains in southern Nevada, but has disappeared in most of the state

A rainstorm passes between a mountain range and a marshy area, with sagebrush and a road in the foreground.
8/9/2023
Education & Public Service

Quarterly Climate Report and Outlook – July through September

Nevada State Climatologist Steph McAfee shares a report on Nevada’s climate over the past few months, and what to expect in the next quarter

Overlooking Lake Tahoe on a fairly sunny day with several clouds in the sky.
7/25/2023
Impact & Student Success

Mackay student team takes second place in national competition

The competition is focused on carbon management

Four photos of students: at the top left, Alexia Carver, at the top right, Kamal Mousavi, at the bottom left, Trisha McLaughlin and at the bottom right, Ash Thompson.
7/17/2023
Education & Public Service

Nevada Drought Update for July 2023

Nevada reservoirs are in good condition across the state; Lake Mead's levels have been rising

A photo from a high vantage point of Lake Mead. The water levels are low as indicated by the bathtub rings around the lake.
7/14/2023
Science & Technology

What makes water an important molecule for life?

Water is widely thought to be critical to life. But why is that the case?

Canadian geese, mallard ducks and a swan swim in Manzanita Lake.
7/7/2023
Media & Society

American Geophysical Union’s Hydrology Section Fellows discuss the future of science

The session took a deep dive into the responsibilities of scientists to diversify the field

A screengrab from a video recording of a Zoom meeting. There are 7 participants in the Zoom meeting on 6 screens. Two men share a screen in the middle.
6/28/2023
Education & Public Service

How can people who are part of the LGBTQ+ community boost their resilience?

Those who identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community can use several techniques to boost their resilience in the face of discrimination

Students hold a banner that reads, "Nevada has Pack PRIDE!" at the annual Pride parade in downtown Reno. Many people are dressed in rainbow UNR t-shirts.
6/20/2023
Education & Public Service

Nevada Drought Update for June 2023

The wet spring across much of Nevada alleviated drought and may provide a buffer against a rapid return to drought

The back of the Mackay statue facing toward the Quad. The grass is green and the trees lining the Quad are fully leafed out. The sky is blue with some scattered clouds.
6/15/2023
Research & Innovation

Speaker discusses how to use renewable energy efficiently at Energy Solutions Forum

Renewable energy’s intermittent nature poses challenges to energy storage

Yet-Ming Chiang stands at a podium laughing. There is a window looking toward the Joe Crowley Student Union behind him, and a projected slide presentation next to him.
5/30/2023
Impact & Student Success

Faces of the Pack: Jim Hammond

Jim Hammond is an alumnus who graduated with a degree in physics

A man and woman set up a camera toward a cliff face.
5/30/2023
Research & Innovation

Psychology professor’s illusion in top ten for Best Illusion Contest

Vote for the illusion Gideon Caplovitz created with his two daughters by May 27

Several Poggendorff triangles in blue and purple on a gray background. The Poggendorff triangles are two triangles that appear to share an edge.
5/25/2023
Science & Technology

World’s largest freshwater fish tracking provides Wonders of the Mekong researchers with more information about the mysterious species

The giant freshwater stingray faces numerous threats, data gives insight into conservation needs

A giant freshwater stingray sits on a green tarp held by a group of people. The fish is over 13 feet long including its tail.
5/25/2023
Impact & Student Success

Westfall Scholars graduate at the top of their class

The spring 2023 graduates include future urban planners, doctors, physicists and more

A large group of people sit and stand for a photo outside of the Joe Crowley Student Union Ballrooms.
5/24/2023
Education & Public Service

Freshman recognizes his grandfather’s contributions to the University

Tristan Morrice uses the Edward Morrice Mineral Processing Laboratory

Tristan Morrice leans against a wall next to a plaque that reads, "The Edward Morrice Mineral Processing Laboratory."
5/22/2023
Impact & Student Success

Mackay Banquet celebrates excellence in Mackay community

The annual banquet was held on April 28

A table tent listing sponsors of the Mackay School. There is a fork and plate in the foreground.
5/16/2023
Research & Innovation

Using carbon dioxide to recover more critical minerals

Chu receives $3.3M DOE ARPA-E grant to study mineral processing of rare earth minerals

A group of around 30 people stand in a classroom with tables in front of them.
5/15/2023
Education & Public Service

Remembering Dr. Ilya Zaliapin

Dr. Ilya Zaliapin, a professor of mathematics, passed away on May 2, 2023

A portrait of Ilya Zaliapin smiling outside of the Davidson Mathematics and Science Center.
5/12/2023
Education & Public Service

Nevada Drought Update for May 2023

Only a small portion of the state is still in drought, and Lake Mead levels are forecasted to improve. Fire risk in northwestern Nevada is likely to be higher than normal by July.

Mackay Mines from a low angle showing off the spring blooms.
5/8/2023
Research & Innovation

University alumna and current administrator publishes Hirschsprung disease research

Director of Hispanic/Latinx Community Relations publishes research in developmental genetics

Karla Hernandez and Tom Kidd in the lab wearing lab coats and smiling. Kidd is holding a rack of tubes and syringes, and Hernandez is holding a lab notebook.
4/27/2023
Education & Public Service

Sci-On! International Film Festival returns to the Planetarium May 1 - 6

The annual science and science fiction film festival to feature a visit from time travel expert

An aerial shot of the Fleischmann Planetarium.
4/27/2023
Science & Technology

Explore science for free at Museum of Natural History, Keck Museum and Fleischmann Planetarium April 23-24

The museums are hosting guests as part of the Northern Nevada Science and Technology Festival

Audience in the Full-Dome Theater in 1963 watching the blue sky and clouds projected on the ceiling at the Fleischmann Planetarium.
4/21/2023
Science & Technology

Quarterly Climate Report and Outlook - April through June

Nevada State Climatologist Steph McAfee provides an outlook and report for climate and weather

A view of Manzanita Lake, with blooming trees in the foreground.
4/18/2023
Science & Technology

Former Smithsonian Institution Under Secretary for Science closes out 12th season of Discover Science

Eva Pell will share what she learned while serving in the role and how she became a children’s book author

A woman wearing blue scrubs and white gloves holds a leopard kitten.
4/13/2023
Science & Technology

Nevada Drought Update for April 2023

Drought was alleviated across much of Nevada

A brick building with a dogwood tree that is starting to bloom in front of it. The name of the building reads, "Effie Mona Mack"
4/10/2023
Science & Technology

Biology professor seeks to understand amphibian resilience

McMinn Research Professor Jamie Voyles works to bring diverse voices into pathogen science

Two women work side by side in a lab. The younger woman is looking at the other woman. Both are wearing lab coats.
3/31/2023
Science & Technology

Discussions on making solar energy efficient and accessible at Energy Solutions Forum

NREL Senior Research Fellow Joey Luther studies new types of semiconductors and their properties

A man stands in front of a crowded room pointing to a screen with two bar graphs on it.
3/24/2023
Science & Technology

Mackay School professor presents award to Senator Cortez Masto

Senator Cortez Masto received the AASG’s Pick and Gavel award

Jim Faulds hands Senator Catherine Cortez Masto an award. The award is a block of wood with a plaque and a piece of a gold-colored rock on it. They are both dressed formally and are smiling for the photo, being taken in an office.
3/16/2023
Science & Technology

Researchers work to identify new diagnostic tools for schizophrenia

All-female team of psychology researchers studying how low-cost biomarkers can be used in diagnostics

Five women stand at the base of a flight of stairs. Three women stand in the front, two in the back.
3/16/2023
Science & Technology

Nevada Drought Update for March 2023

State Climatologist shares a quarterly update about Nevada’s ongoing drought

A photo of the Truckee River reaching the tops of the riverbanks. There is snow on the ground all around the river.
3/14/2023
Science & Technology

Energy Solutions Forum speaker works on processes to take carbon out of the air

Christopher Jones says we need to transition to renewable energy as well as implement direct air capture

A man in front of a screen speaks to an audience.
3/9/2023
Science & Technology

For Interim Dean of the College of Science Katherine McCall, the people make the place

The interim dean has long worked to ensure everyone has access to STEM education

Six women stand at the end of a hallway smiling. A woman in the middle wearing a cardigan is looking to her right and smiling.
3/6/2023
Science & Technology

How many states of matter are there?

Physics professor shares his thoughts on a surprisingly difficult question

The sun takes up much of the left side of the image, but a large stream of plasma that looks like fire is extending out toward the right side of the photo.
3/3/2023
Science & Technology

Making autonomous mining safer

Researchers developing software to simulate autonomous mining operations

A large mining haul truck drives toward the left of the photo. There are large mountains in the background.
2/27/2023
Science & Technology

Nobel laureate physicist visits University on March 2

Discover Science Lecture Series brings renowned physicist to campus

A man sits in a laboratory next to a metal device.
2/23/2023
Science & Technology

Using massive lasers to understand planetary physics

Clemons-Magee Endowed Professor in Physics Thomas White seeks to understand the internal workings of planets beyond Earth

Thomas White, wearing a dark blue button-up collared shirt, smiles on the Quad.
2/23/2023
Science & Technology

BS-DMD student awarded scholarship for dental school

Caitleen Navarro’s standout experiences rewarded

Caitleen Navarro smiles in front of the Quad wearing a Circle K nametag.
2/23/2023
Science & Technology

Science Saves the World (and Santa's syrup recipe) in winning video for College of Science Video Competition

Lexi Timpone won first place for her science-themed video, three videos also recognized

A dog wearing a sweatshirt with a person's hand coming out of the sleeves looks as if it's writing in a notebook. There is a fireplace with stockings handing in the background.
2/14/2023
Science & Technology

How trees help a statistics professor understand rivers and earthquakes

McMinn Professor Ilya Zaliapin uses statistical methods for hierarchies to understand natural phenomena

A false-color satellite image shows a fractal-like coastal landmass with a river emptying into the ocean. The land is shown in red and the water is shown in blue.
1/31/2023
Science & Technology

Changes in lizards’ microbiomes attributed to drought

Recent study on Panamanian lizards generates more questions on role of the microbiome

A brown lizard sits on a rock covered in lichen with large green foliage in the background.
1/30/2023
Science & Technology

Making their MARC: Jesus Diaz Sanchez

First MARC Nevada cohort includes chemistry major Jesus Diaz Sanchez

Jesus Diaz Sanchez smiles outside of the Mackay Mines building.
1/26/2023
Science & Technology

New ecological methods elucidate relationships between ants and their host plants

Kenyan ants and the trees they live with threatened by invasive ant species

Ants swarm around a black device secured to an acacia tree. The tree has long, sharp spines and green leaves.
1/26/2023
Science & Technology

Assistant professor wins prestigious Seismology Society of America award

Daniel Trugman joined the University in 2022

Daniel Trugman smiles in a selfie on a mountaintop. He is wearing a green beanie.
1/25/2023
Science & Technology

New Keck Museum Exhibit opens to the public

New exhibit explores climate through art, utilizes previously closed space

Two colorful quilts hang on a wall. They depict mountainous Nevada landscapes at sunset.
1/25/2023
Science & Technology

The link between memory and motor systems

Researchers attempt to better understand our mental landscape and actions we take to interact with it

A person with a black cap with white electrodes and black cables running out of the cap sits in front of a computer. Her head is resting on a device meant to keep her head still, and she is looking at a computer screen with a blue background and a pink circle with vertical blue lines in it.
12/27/2022
Science & Technology

How lithium-rich ores are made

Philipp Ruprecht aims to identify how and when lithium deposits are enriched

An aerial view of the McDermitt Caldera shows a visible depression in the landscape in the shape of a lightbulb.
12/23/2022
Science & Technology

Mackay students shine at annual mining meeting

Three student posters won awards at the American Exploration & Mining Association Annual Meeting

Seven people stand in front of three Mackay School posters. There are three people in the front row and four in the back, all are smiling.
12/22/2022
Science & Technology

Nevada State Climatologist Steph McAfee provides some insight about our state of water

Nevada has been experiencing drought after drought

Water runs down a valley through a dam, where pelicans are sitting at the base.
12/21/2022
Science & Technology

Why is the most recent fusion breakthrough so exciting?

Experts from the University community weigh in on what makes the fusion news out of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory so groundbreaking

In a large room, a circular device three stories tall with wires and panels all over it sits with scaffolding around it to access various parts of the machine.
12/21/2022
Science & Technology

Making their MARC: Kimberly Giannantonio

First cohort of MARC Nevada students includes chemistry student Kimberly Giannantonio

Kimberly Giannantonio smiles, wearing a scarf, as she stands in front of the University Quad.
12/21/2022
Science & Technology

How can Reno become a greener city?

Reno faces challenges as a growing city in the era of climate change. Faculty in the College of Science are focused on solutions.

A photo of downtown Reno facing south with a clear sunset.
12/14/2022
Science & Technology

Pollinators endangered by pesticides interacting with nectar

Bees pollinating plants and consuming plant nectar impacted by neonicotinoids

A honeybee crawls on a long, tubular red flower on a stalk of flowers.
12/13/2022
Science & Technology

NSF CAREER Award will sponsor lifelike materials development

Ying Yang plans to design polymers that mimic living cells

Ying Yang wearing a patterned blazer smiles in her headshot.
12/5/2022
Science & Technology

EntoGEM identifies the gaps in insect decline data

Postdoc Eliza Grames works to aggregate data for insect decline synthesis

A butterfly with blue wings sits on a blue flower with a blurred background.
11/28/2022
Science & Technology

Making their MARC: Jonathan Taasan

First MARC Nevada cohort includes biomedical engineering major Jonathan Taasan

Jonathan Taasan smiles, wearing glasses and a black coat and standing in front of the Mackay School of Mines building.
11/28/2022