BRIGHT IDEAS FROM THE BOX CANYON

A monthly newsletter that includes a collection of important news and updates from Telluride Science.

IN THE NEWS

Wendy Brooks, Telluride Legend

June 23, 1939 — March 26, 2024

The impact of Wendy Brooks on Telluride can't be overstated, and Telluride Science is just one of many organizations with Wendy to thank for support in its nascent stages.

When R. Stephen Berry and Peter Salamon heard about an Apple computer lab located at the Telluride school, their idea of hosting a high-level scientific workshop in Telluride seemed like it might just be possible. It was Wendy Brooks who they found running Telluride Academy at the school in the summer of 1984, and it was Brooks who helped them turn their idea into reality.

Brooks supported Berry and Salamon as the first administrator of what was then the Telluride Summer Research Center and is now known around the world as Telluride Science.

With great appreciation, Salamon said, “Wendy Brooks was a remarkable individual whose contributions to the success of Telluride Science have left an indelible mark. Her visionary leadership and unwavering dedication were instrumental in establishing Telluride Science as a cornerstone of Telluride's summer activities. She provided Telluride Science with local representation as a vitally needed liaison to town institutions and housing providers. But it was her contagious enthusiasm for having fun in educational mountain settings that will forever be a beacon of inspiration to us all."

Brooks was a doer, full of energy and passion. In her VW bus, she drove into Telluride in the summer of 1976 and went on to spend decades helping to shape the town we know and love today. She was a remarkable woman who was instrumental in the creation of many local organizations including the Telluride Regional Medical Center, the freestyle ski team, and the widely beloved Telluride Academy. Surrounded by her family, Brooks passed away at the age of 84 on March 26 at her home in Troncones, Mexico. Her energy, adventurous spirit and can-do attitude will be truly missed.

Learn more about this Telluride icon in this tribute on KOTO.

THE DEPOT CAMPAIGN

We have built some positive momentum in our fundraising efforts this winter and now have $2.6M left to raise. We are very grateful to our newest supporters and the two donors who supported our Dig Deep for the Depot Matching Campaign which just concluded and generated $31,000.

Progress is happening rapidly. Check out the recent changes in this video.

Naming opportunities are available for the entire facility, individual rooms in the building, as well as the deck and patio.

If you would like to take a tour of the Depot or have friends or colleagues who might be interested in supporting the Telluride Science & Innovation Center, please email Annie Carlson .

The Depot will be available to rent for holiday parties, weddings, rehearsal dinners, nonprofit meetings and more starting July 2024. Reserve the Depot.

DONATE

SPOTLIGHT ON SCIENCE

Dr. Aylin Rodan (second from left) met Ro Subramanya (fourth from right) at a Telluride Science workshop and later collaborated on research that led to a published paper. Both labs recently met to discuss science and, in Telluride-style, had an outdoor brainstorm session in Big Cottonwood Canyon, Utah.

Dr. Aylin Rodan

MD, PhD and FASN

Division Chief of Nephrology & Hypertension, University of Utah

Congratulations to Dr. Aylin Rodan, who will be promoted to Chief for the Division of Nephrology and Hypertension at the University of Utah on July 1, 2024.

Dr. Rodan is a physician-scientist specializing in disorders of the kidney, electrolytes, and high blood pressure. Dr. Rodan’s laboratory is researching ion transporters, channels, and their regulation in greater mechanistic detail.

She is focused on how our kidneys function and control the movement of ions (like salt) and fluids. This is important for maintaining the balance of ions and water, for example to prevent high blood pressure or dehydration. Her research has been published extensively, including the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, Cell, Current Biology, and Molecular Biology of the Cell. She is also currently the Principal Investigator (PI), Multiple Principal Investigator (MPI), or Co-Investigator (Co-I) on four National Institute of Health grants.

Telluride Science has positively impacted Dr. Rodan’s career. “Telluride Science has introduced me to important role models and mentors and sparked ongoing collaborations which have resulted in a high impact paper and NIH funding. It has further reinforced the value of the people and the relationships that drive science by bringing together different ideas and viewpoints in a synergistic way. This is also fundamental to how I am thinking about leading my division, and I think was part of the message that made me an attractive candidate for the position.”

LEARN MORE

WHAT'S PLAYING

Dr. Aylin Rodan explains why Telluride Science workshops are so impactful.

WATCH

HOST A SCIENTIST

Finding affordable lodging for our scientists is a growing challenge. If you are interested in hosting a scientist for five or six nights at an affordable rate in your guest house, condo, or home this summer or fall, email Annie Carlson.

A SPECIAL THANKS

We are so grateful to the following people for offering to host a scientist:

Andi Alexander
Vadim Backman & Luisa Marcelino
Meg & Jay Bodnar
Miles & Nicole Cook
Sally Puff Courtney & Jim Harley
John & Sueanne Kim
Scott Pearson & Diana Farrell
Lori & Tony Petosa
Matt Porteus
Tom & Josie Preston
Jim & Joanne Steinback
Tom & Donna Stone

WHAT'S HAPPENING

SUMMER 2024 AIR SCHEDULE

The summer 2024 air schedule is now available. Highlights include larger jets from Montrose to Denver, Houston and Chicago flights will start before Memorial Day, larger mainline jets from Dallas (DFW) and the addition of Dallas Love-Field with Southwest on Saturdays. View for details, maps, & schedules HERE.

Take Advantage of a spring travel sale on Denver Air Connection with fares starting at $129 from Telluride to Denver and Phoenix. The special fares are available in April and May with blackout dates and subject to change. Book at DenverAirConnection.com

MARK SHAMBAUGH'S NEW BOOK

Mark Shambaugh, retired CEO of the third largest specialty contractor in the US, has been instrumental in keeping the Depot Project on schedule and budget. He's dedicated countless hours of his time to guide us through the challenging process of restoring a historic building. Mark is not only a fantastic engineer on construction sites but also has a knack for engineering words on a page. Mark just published his second book called "Turns I Have Made" which highlights some of his most epic, cold smoke days of powder skiing across the globe and chronicles his search in the majestic mountains for the secret to life, a.k.a.,the "One Thing”. He also ranks the top 10 best ski towns. It will be no surprise as to which ski town is included at the top of his list. The book is not yet available locally at Between the Covers but you can pick up a copy on Amazon.

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