SW CASC Researcher Named USU College of Science Dean

Michelle Baker, a principal investigator with the SW CASC, was recently named Dean of the Utah State University (USU) College of Science. Michelle has been serving as the interim dean since 2021. 

At USU, Michelle is a professor in the Department of Biology and the Ecology Center. Her expertise is in Aquatic and Ecosystem Ecology, and her current research concentrates primarily on excess nutrients and invasive species in aquatic ecosystems. She joined USU in 1999 and became a full professor in 2011. 

As a researcher with the SW CASC, Michelle has collaborated with resource management groups, served as a mentor to the 2019-2020 cohort of 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. This cohort of postdoctoral researchers from across the CASC network will explore topics related to how climate change is changing aquatic flows and in what ways climate can be considered in aquatic ecosystem management. The CAP Fellow from the SW CASC will work on the cohort project titled, “Endangered streams: building strong and authentic bridges between science and practice to understand impacts of future water flows on aquatic ecosystems.” Michelle will advise the SW CASC postdoctoral fellow.  

The SW CASC extends congratulations to Michelle on her new position and wishes her the best of luck!