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INSTAAR is pleased to announce that Wendy Roth has received its 2024 Outstanding PRA Award. The award recognizes a professional research assistant (PRA) who has demonstrated excellence both in their role and within the larger communities of INSTAAR and the University.

As her fellow PRA Sylvia Michel says, “Wendy helps everybody with everything! And she does it with grace and good humor.”

Roth first came to INSTAAR as an undergraduate student of John Andrews. She made such an impression working in the Sedimentology Lab that its manager at the time, Rolf Kihl, suggested she run the lab when he retired. After Roth earned her master’s degree, that’s exactly what she did.

Almost 30 years later, Roth bridges between multiple research programs and analytical areas. Roth manages three laboratories at INSTAAR: the Sediment/Plant Processing Lab, Sediment/Plant Analysis Lab, and the XRD/Sediment Prep Lab. She is responsible for the complex maintenance and organization needed to keep labs running smoothly. She coordinates schedules for instrument and resource sharing. She ensures that students using her labs are well trained in safety and science processes, giving them the tools to succeed in their future lab settings.

Roth also organizes conferences, most notably the Arctic Workshop.

A community builder, Roth pitches in to bring people together toward worthy goals. She has been a newSTAAR mentor for several incoming INSTAARs, ensuring that they find their footing within the institution. She participates in numerous JEDI activities. She has organized the open house for middle school students each year for decades. She has also frequently led or co-led an annual drive for food and necessities for those in need.

At the awards ceremony during the INSTAAR spring Celebration Luncheon, INSTAAR Fellow Bob Anderson said simply, "INSTAAR is indeed lucky to have Wendy!"