SW CASC Researcher Receives 2022-23 USU Diversity Award

Southwest Climate Adaptation Science Center co-principal investigator, Michelle Baker, is one of six recipients of the 2022-23 Utah State University Diversity Awards! The award winners, announced in late March, 2023, are campus and/or community individuals or organizations that “have made significant contributions to inclusive excellence practices.”

Michelle was chosen for this award based on her role as the dean for the College of Science and her commitment to equity in establishing Utah State University’s Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (JEDI-STEM) Collaboratory. She was also a supporter of the Native American Summer Mentorship Program (NASMP), and has mentored and supported diverse student populations throughout her time as a faculty member and administrator. 

As a researcher with the SW CASC, Michelle has collaborated with resource management groups, serves as a mentor to the Natural Resource Workforce Development (NRWD) Fellows, and has explored mitigation and climate adaptation efforts for the Logan River in Utah. Currently, Michelle is serving as the SW CASC research PI for the Climate Adaptation Science Centers’ 2022-2024 Climate Adaptation Postdoctoral (CAP) Fellows program: Future of Aquatic Flows. 

The SW CASC congratulates Michelle on being chosen as a 2022-23 Utah State University Diversity Award recipient!