News Article

iUTAH researcher James Ehleringer, distinguished professor of biology at the University of Utah (UU), is among 84 U.S. scientist-scholars and 21 foreign associates from 14 countries elected at the Academy’s Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C.  In a UU News statement, Ehleringer says he learned of his election when five of his colleagues, including UU geochemist and National Academy of Sciences member Thure Cerling, called Ehleringer at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 3 from Washington, D.C. to share the news. Ehleringer says he is “overwhelmed, elated and excited” by the recognition. Of his colleagues within the National Academy, he says, “It’s an honor to be considered among their ranks.”

In addition to this honor, Ehleringer was also awarded the Rosenblatt Prize for Excellence, the UU’s most prestigious faculty award. An excerpt from the award announcement recognizes Ehleringer as “one of the most influential scientists in the world in plant ecology and stable isotope ecology…. He was the first to initiate a cross-campus conversation about how to embrace and incorporate Red Butte Creek into the university’s academic agenda, and he spearheaded a National Science Foundation grant to provide scholarships to first-generation students to study in STEM fields. Through it all, he has impacted the lives of numerous students, mentoring them through their time at the U and beyond.”

“I am delighted that Jim’s accomplishments have been recognized by these prestigious awards,” said Michelle Baker iUTAH EPSCoR Project Director.  “iUTAH came about because of Jim’s vision and leadership in 2009 when Utah became eligible for EPSCoR.  He is an invaluable member of our team.”

Ehleringer has been recognized with the state of Utah Governor’s Medal for Science and Technology, received the Student’s Choice Award for Teaching, the U’s Distinguished Research Award, the Alexander von Humboldt Fellowship, was named an American Geophysical Union Fellow, an American Association for the Advancement of Science Fellow.

Press: UU News

James Ehleringer, UU distinguished professor of biology, elected to National Academy of Sciences.  Credit: University of Utah Marketing and Communications.