Since 1892, the Natural History Building has been a landmark at the University of Illinois. Designed by the renowned Nathan Ricker—Illinois alumnus and first architectural graduate in the U.S.—the building underwent a $70 million renovation in 2014 to transform the interior into a modern learning environment while preserving the architectural details that led to its place on the National...
The 2019 SESE graduating class assemble before the May 11th Convocation Ceremony. Also in attendance, Dean Isabel Molina-Guzman, Director Bob Rauber, and Heads and faculty from Atmospheric Science, Geography and Geographic Information Science, and Geology. A wonderful event honoring the achievements of our wonderful students. Congratulations graduates!
Nineteen Illinois students experienced a unique spring break this year with help from donors to the College of LAS: They traveled deep into the communities and landscape of Costa Rica and came back with knowledge that can only come from a special kind of immersion in the everyday dealings of the environment and the people who sustain it......
The class spent three days at the Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colorado, examining the geomorphology and sedimentology of a range of environments, from hillslopes and debris flows to shallow braided rivers to eolian dunes and playa lakes, and the sedimentary structures present in each. The group were lucky to gain an overview of the park from Park geologist, Dr Andrew Valdez, and then have the...
The department's Eryops Skeleton replica is being repaired in preparation for its return to NHB. Christa Deacy-Quinn from the Spurlock museum is generously helping this effort, supplying essential expertise in plaster preservation and repair. Click here for blog posts as the project proceeds.
Hurricane forecasting depends heavily on government-funded satellites, allowing the communities in their path to prepare and evacuate. Those satellites, monitored and maintained by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and NASA, require constant upkeep and frequent replacement. News Bureau physical sciences editor Lois Yoksoulian spoke with...
Watch a news report featuring the refurbished Natural History Building
Today, prominent scientists throughout the country released a new research article on global patterns of drought recovery. Illinois atmospheric scientist Atul Jain was among the experts who contributed to the report. Jain talked about the study’s findings with News Bureau physical sciences editor Lois Yoksoulian. What factors are involved in drought recovery? Does...
Illinois to lead $30 million atmospheric study in Argentina Scientists know a lot about weather. However, there is still one aspect that isn’t totally understood: the initiation and development of thunderstorms. That’s why atmospheric scientists at Illinois are soon heading to a small, geographical area in western Argentina to study what are considered the most intense thunderstorms on the...
Geologists create model with potential to predict earthquakes, volcanoes, and other tectonic activity Contrary to posters you may have seen hanging on the walls in science class, Lijun Liu, professor of geology at Illinois, knows that Earth’s interior is not like an onion. While most textbooks demonstrate the outer surface of the...
Grants, strong sales, and an educational mission prompt decision by Bruce Fouke “The Art of Yellowstone Science,” the recently published book by Bruce Fouke, professor of geology, affiliate professor of microbiology, and active member of the Carl R. Woese Institute...
Young alumna balanced motherhood and class to graduate on time It was summer 2015, and the upcoming fall semester of college was heavy on Emma Woods’ mind. She would be a senior, and she wanted to both excel in class and find a job after graduation. She had no idea that a regular visit to the doctor’s office one day would turn her life upside down. The doctor had unexpected news: Woods was...