December 14, 2016

Table of Contents

CLIMATE AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH

Doing the Dew Point: The Next Generation of Gridded Humidity

University of Montana researchers develop one of the first high-resolution humidity datasets built directly from weather-station observations, improving climate, hydrology, and agricultural research across the United States.

Key topics include:

• Humidity mapping
• Dew point data
• Climate science
• Weather observations
• Hydrology
• Agricultural applications
• Environmental modeling

WATER AND ECOSYSTEM SCIENCE

Institute on Ecosystems and Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Partner on Upper Clark Fork River Restoration

Researchers investigate nutrient pollution, algal blooms, aquatic insects, and water quality challenges affecting trout populations in one of the nation’s largest Superfund restoration areas.

Research areas include:

• River restoration
• Water quality
• Trout habitat
• Aquatic ecology
• Nutrient pollution
• Clark Fork River

Montana Water Center Supports Faculty and Graduate Student Research

New grants support projects examining:

• Natural water storage
• Beaver-based restoration
• Salmon fly ecology
• Glacial nitrogen cycling
• Snowpack and forest nutrients
• Water contaminants
• Stream and floodplain dynamics
• Microbial water quality

GLOBAL CHANGE AND ECOLOGY

Graduate Research Links Climate Change to Mosquito Control Effectiveness

Research published by a Montana State University alumna shows that rising temperatures may reduce the effectiveness of insecticides used to control disease-carrying mosquitoes.

Key themes:

• Climate change impacts
• Mosquito-borne disease
• Public health
• Insect ecology
• Global warming research

AAAS Names Ben Poulter Climate Engagement Fellow

Montana State University ecologist Ben Poulter joins a national cohort of scientists advancing climate communication, public engagement, and carbon-cycle research.

Topics include:

• Climate communication
• Carbon cycle science
• Public engagement
• Ecosystem dynamics
• Climate leadership

INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH

Fulbright Award Supports Forest Restoration Research in Chile

University of Montana professor Cara Nelson studies forest restoration across South America while strengthening international research and educational partnerships.

Focus areas include:

• Forest restoration
• Ecological restoration
• Biodiversity conservation
• South American ecosystems
• International collaboration

National Geographic Funds Amazon Disease Ecology Research

Researchers travel to the Peruvian Amazon to investigate how bacterial communities within mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas influence the spread of infectious diseases.

Research topics include:

• Disease ecology
• Amazon biodiversity
• Mosquito research
• Microbial communities
• DNA sequencing
• Global health

PEOPLE AND RECOGNITION

Ragan Callaway Named One of the World’s Most Influential Scientific Minds

Montana NSF EPSCoR director and University of Montana ecologist earns international recognition for highly cited research on plant ecology, invasive species, and ecosystem interactions.

Cathy Whitlock Serves as Visiting Scholar in Switzerland

The Institute on Ecosystems director collaborates with leading climate and environmental researchers while advancing studies of fire history, paleoecology, and environmental change.

Remembering EPSCoR Champion Bob Swenson

A tribute to the scientist, educator, and advocate whose leadership helped establish Montana NSF EPSCoR and strengthen science and technology across the state.