Science & Technology

After Pandemic Delay, Former USU Science Dean Signs National Academy of Sciences Registry

Physicist Maura Hagan is formally recognized with one of the world's highest science honors

By Mary-Ann Muffoletto |

After a two-year delay, former USU Science Dean Maura Hagan steps to the National Academy of Sciences podium to sign the academy's prestigious registry of membership during a 2022 ceremony held April 26, in Washington, D.C.

After a two-year delay, former Utah State University Science Dean Maura Hagan stepped to the National Academy of Sciences induction ceremony podium and penned her name into the academy’s prestigious Registry of Membership on April 26, during the organization’s 2022 annual meeting in Washington, D.C.

Hagan, who retired from her USU post in December 2020, was named to the NAS in 2019 — among just 125 scientists worldwide appointed that year to NAS membership.

“The program, created before the pandemic, still listed me as ‘USU Science Dean,’” says Hagan, USU professor emeritus of physics, who currently resides in Colorado. “But I was very proud to represent Utah State University at the ceremony.”

The New England native joined USU as dean in 2015, after serving as interim director of the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, Colorado. She began her career at NCAR as a scientist in 1992 and was promoted to senior scientist, the NCAR equivalent of a full university professor appointment, in 2003.

Elected to the National Academy of Sciences in 2019, Hagan is recognized for her groundbreaking contributions to atmospheric and space research, which focuses on downward penetration of space weather effects in the Earth’s atmosphere, as well as the impact of meteorological weather on the near-Earth space environment.

During her tenure at Utah State, Hagan successfully oversaw fundraising and construction of the university’s $45 million, 103,000-square-foot Life Sciences Building, which opened in January 2019. The facility provides classroom, laboratory, research and collaborative space to students and faculty pursuing more than 30 majors throughout the university. In addition, Hagan was part of the USU team overseeing renovation of the more than 60-year-old S.J. and Jessie E. Quinney Biology-Natural Resources Building.

Hagan continues to serve on several national scientific boards.

“It was a joy to travel to Washington, D.C. and see colleagues in person after a two-plus-year hiatus,” she says.

Biology Professor Michelle Baker serves as interim dean of the College of Science, which includes the academic departments of Biology, Chemistry and Biochemistry, Computer Sciences, Geosciences, Mathematics and Statistics, and Physics. A dean’s search is underway.

Science Dean's Office staff and department heads treat Dean Maura Hagan, seated center, to a surprise party in 2019, following her NAS election. Dean from 2015-2020, Hagan was among just 125 scientists worldwide appointed that year to NAS membership.

WRITER

Mary-Ann Muffoletto
Public Relations Specialist
College of Science
435-797-3517
maryann.muffoletto@usu.edu

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