BRIGHT IDEAS FROM THE BOX CANYON

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

IN THE NEWS

As we share the latest updates from Telluride Science, our hearts are with the thousands affected by the devastating fires in Southern California. We extend our sympathy and support to everyone who has lost their home, community, and livelihood.

Here in Telluride, the Innovation Center continues to bustle with activity, serving as a vibrant hub for community gatherings and nonprofit collaborations.

We are looking forward to hosting three winter workshops focused on cutting-edge research: physical genomics and transcriptional engineering, electrocatalysts, and electrochemical separations. These last two workshops, in particular, have the potential to significantly advance solutions to climate change.

We’re also proud to announce a new partnership with Original Thinkers to present a thought-provoking, four-part documentary film series. After a successful first event last month, our second film of the series, Join or Die, will screen at the Innovation Center on Tuesday, January 21, from 5:30 to 7:30 PM. This event is free and open to the public—don’t miss it!

If you are in town, please stop by and take a tour of the Center. Our walls now feature incredible art. We are immensely grateful to Aela Morgan, a generous donor and talented artist, whose stunning pieces are showcased upstairs. Additional pieces by Morgan are on display at Slate Gray . Downstairs, we feature Matt Steen’s large-scale black-and-white photography on the walls and Ryan Bonneau’s breathtaking landscapes on our digital displays to bring even more beauty to the space.

SPOTLIGHT ON SCIENCE

Sue van den Heever

Atmospheric Science Professor

Colorado State University

Even as a three-year-old child, Sue van den Heever would gaze curiously up at the sky in South Africa and wonder why the clouds didn’t fall to the ground. She has been captivated by the power of storms and the natural world her entire life—a passion that has shaped her journey as one of the leading atmospheric scientists in the world.

In 2021, van den Heever was tapped to lead the $177M INCUS mission through NASA's Earth Venture Program. Her team includes scientists and engineers from 12 universities, 3 NASA laboratories, 2 industry partners, and 7 other meteorological centers, institutes and organizations. They are working together to study the behavior of tropical storms in order to better represent these storms in weather and climate models.

The INCUS mission will provide the first tropics-wide investigation of the evolution of the vertical transport of air and water by convective storms. Their work will help us understand why, when and where tropical convective storms form, and why only some storms produce extreme weather. More accurate storm modeling is imperative as climate change increases the intensity and severity of storms and other major weather events putting lives and livelihood’s at risk. In 2024 alone, extreme weather events caused billions of dollars in damages, disrupting communities and economies on an unprecedented scale.

Learn more about van den Heever’s work on INCUS and observing storms from outer space in the Science Straight Up podcast.

MORE INFO

Q & A with Sue van den Heever

How long have you been involved with Telluride Science?

I started attending Telluride Science workshops in 2010, so it’s been 14 years. My daughter Nikki has joined me for five of them—it’s become a special retreat for us. I attend workshops during the day, and we spend quality time together in the evenings.

What makes Telluride Science workshops special?

For me, it’s the best meeting of the year. The atmosphere is intimate, and the fewer but longer talks allow for deep dives into topics. You’re surrounded by experts, and you don’t often get the chance to connect with the top people in your field on both a professional and social level. It’s like Science Camp—you hike, eat, and work together. My colleagues and I agree it’s a unique and invaluable experience.

How has Telluride Science impacted your career?

It’s been pivotal in building professional connections. I first attended as an early-career faculty member and was able to connect with European researchers, which led to several collaborations. The workshops also help early-career scientists gain exposure and leadership opportunities, which strengthens their professional networks.

What is your scientific focus?

My career has focused on severe storms, including thunderstorms, hailstorms and tornadoes. I started as a model developer, and my research group still develops storm models. Over time, I’ve broadened my research approach to participating in field campaigns with localized measurements and working with satellites for global observations, both of which are critical for improving storm understanding and forecasting.

Can you tell us about your background?

I’m originally from Johannesburg, South Africa, where I majored in math and taught high school math before pursuing research. I came to Fort Collins to complete my PhD in atmospheric science. My love for storms and math naturally led me into wanting to better understand cloud physics and to numerically model storms, which has been my career focus ever since.

WHAT'S PLAYING

Life on Earth is fundamentally impacted by thunderstorms, from the life-sustaining fresh water they supply, to the life-threatening severe weather they produce. In spite of the critical role of thunderstorms in our weather and climate system, we've fallen short in predicting how they'll behave. Dr. Susan van den Heever's team and NASA plan to observe these storms from space, helping to construct better models for predicting severe weather, something that could save many lives.

LISTEN

THE INNOVATION CENTER

Hold your next corporate meeting, event, or board retreat at the Innovation Center. The building offers 7,000 square feet of event space, A/V technology and support, full hybrid meeting capabilities, a catering kitchen, and services including discounted lodging and registration support. The beautiful rooms and peaceful outdoor space at this fully renovated national historic train depot inspire creativity and facilitate communication and collaboration across teams. All revenues generated through meetings and events support Telluride Science’s mission to advance scientific knowledge and bring together global thought leaders to find solutions to societal and planetary challenges. Reserve the Center

With $2.1M left to reach our capital campaign goal, we are focused on closing our fundraising efforts as soon as possible to minimize interest payments on our loan. If you have friends or colleagues who might be interested in supporting Telluride Science, please email Annie Carlson.

DONATE

WHAT'S HAPPENING

SPECIAL SCREENING

January 21, 5:30-7:30 pm

Telluride Innovation Center

Join or Die, looks at the work of famed social scientist Robert Putnam whose seminal book, Bowling Alone argued that Americans were becoming increasingly isolated from one another. This alarming trend affects everything from our health to our democracy, something this fun, smart film explores.

After the film, representatives from the Wilkinson Public Library will share information about the wide range of clubs currently available and explain how you can start a new club. This event is free and open to the public.

UPCOMING EVENTS

JANUARY

21 Join or Die Screening

25 KOTO Lip Sync

26 Advancing HIV Prevention: Insights on Prep & Vaccines

FEBRUARY

6 Telluride Art Walk

18 Original Thinkers/Telluride Science present 3rd screening (film TBD)

20-22 TAB Fashion Show

Telluride Inside & Out has a robust event calendar with an abundance of information on events and things to do in Telluride and Mountain Village.

NEW BOOK BY

DAVID EVANS SHAW

Special Advisor to Telluride Science, David Evans Shaw has relased a new book Wave Making, which offers insights from a lifetime of wide-ranging experience in business and social entrepreneurship, impact investing, public service, activism and exploration.

BUY NOW

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