Great Salt Lake Institute at Westminster University

10/06/2026

🌊 Student Research Spotlight: Meet Jenny, our GSLI Outreach & Education Intern!

Jenny Huynh works with students, schools, and community members to share knowledge and spark curiosity about the Great Salt Lake. Through hands-on activities and presentations, she helps others discover why this unique ecosystem matters.

📚 Teacher Resources: https://westminsteru.edu/student-life/great-salt-lake-institute/great-salt-lake-teacher-resources.html

10/06/2026

🌊 Great Salt Lake in the Spotlight at Geo Week 2027!

Geo Week has announced “A Lake in Crisis: Mapping Utah’s Great Salt Lake.” We’re excited to see Dr. Bonnie Baxter, Director of the Great Salt Lake Institute, featured on the panel! 🌿🔬

📍 Salt Palace Convention Center, Salt Lake City
📅 February 23–25, 2027

10/02/2026

GSLI at FUN-EX in Spain! 🇪🇸

The Great Salt Lake Institute joined researchers from around the world at the FUN-EX International Conference on Extremophilic Fungi in Jaén, Spain!
🔭 Dr. David Parrot gave a talk about fungi found in the dust from the exposed bed of the Great Salt Lake.
🔎 Dr. Bonnie Baxter gave a keynote address about fungi across the lake’s different sub-ecosystems.

Together with colleagues from around the world, they explored how fungi live and thrive in extreme environments. 🌎🔬

It was a great opportunity to share research on the Great Salt Lake and connect with scientists studying fungi in some of Earth’s most challenging environments.

09/30/2026

📘 The 2026 Report on the State of Great Salt Lake Social Science is officially published!

This report brings together social science research exploring the relationship between people, communities, and Great Salt Lake.

Great Salt Lake Institute is proud to be part of the GSL-SSN community and this collaborative effort to better understand the human dimensions of Great Salt Lake.

📖 Read the full report: https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1011&context=canri_publications

09/29/2026

🎥 Student Research Spotlight: Studying Trace Elements in Great Salt Lake Dust

Ella Cockayne is focusing on trace elements in dust from the dried Great Salt Lake lakebed, helping us better understand how these elements impact the health of surrounding communities.

09/21/2026

🎥 Student Research Spotlight: Studying Microorganisms in Great Salt Lake Dust 🦠🌫️

Matthew Payne is studying microorganisms found in dust and soil around the Great Salt Lake to better understand how these organisms can survive and be transported in extreme environments.

His research explores microorganisms, soil, and dust around the lake, helping us better understand the connections between the Great Salt Lake and the surrounding environment.

09/15/2026

🎥 Student Research Spotlight: Studying Cyanobacteria 🦠

Lauren Rothman is studying cyanobacteria at Great Salt Lake to better understand these microorganisms and their ability to thrive in extreme environments.

This research can provide insight into the capabilities of life on Earth and help us explore the limits of where life can survive.

🌊 Tiny organisms, big questions!

09/03/2026

Excited that GSLI could be a part of this important publication on saline lakes and the ecosystem services they provide! https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-026-76684-0?fbclid=IwRlRTSAUGnMNwZG9mBWZkaWQWUNuL81ByTfTt31P6817FgsoGDBQxPGV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkCjY2Mjg1NjgzNzkAAR77r4zSquJIq2Pg6s7eaU9w4CpG0l1fnkyeD342MciK-gqEGufgUw3ts-0bRw_aem_VQnyMB1LYIBci3McC3dTcg

Saline lakes are highly threatened ecosystems, yet they receive little attention from both the conservation community and the general public. This study demonstrates why these systems are important biodiversity refuges and highlight the ecosystem services they provide.

05/29/2026