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Jim Ehleringer is a Distinguished Professor on phased retirement in the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Utah. He established and previously directed the Stable Isotope Ratio Facility for Environmental Research (1984-2024) and maintained a research program in the environmental sciences. He served as founding director of Utah’s Global Change and Sustainability Center from 2009-2015. He led the the F1 Office of the Global Change and Terrestrial Ecosystems program of the International Geosphere-Biosphere Program from 1997-2003.
His research has spanned from ecophysiological and ecological studies of natural and urban systems through atmospheric trace gas studies and forensic science. Throughout his academic career, Jim has also focused on creating the facilities and organizational structures to advance interdisciplinary science and provide new opportunities for others. Jim's recent research projects have melded stable isotope analyses with process studies to investigate carbon and water cycles, air quality in urban zones, humans and our diets and foods, and biomarkers in climate studies. Jim has been recognized for his research and teaching. He is a member of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences, a winner of The Rosenblatt Prize for Excellence, and a recipient of the Utah Governor's Medal for Science and Technology. Jim is an elected Fellow of the American Geophysical Union, of the Ecological Society of America, of the Max Plank Society, and of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. He received the University's students-choice undergraduate teaching award. Jim has a passion for teaching at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. He and his colleague Thure Cerling created IsoCamp, which successfully trained 900+ graduate students and was recognized with The Outstanding Education Program in Earth and |
Space Award by the American Geophysical Union. IsoCamp has now moved to the University of New Mexico, where it contrinues to thrive. His popular senior class, Plant Ecology in a Changing World, is available as a textbook. Jim loves teaching the freshman the core biology class on Evolution and Diversity of Life., where he can excite students on topics ranging from the origins of life to the ecological challenges and nature-based solutions available today.
Jim and his wife Edna moved to Utah in the late 1970’s, where they put down roots, established educational careers, and raised a family. Edna retired from a distinguished 40-year career as a teacher and administrator in the Jordan, Granite, and Salt Lake City School Districts. Together they enjoy gardening, traveling, fishing, glamping, and most of all, spending time with their children and grandchildren in Idaho and Oregon. Curriculum vitae
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