Take 5 with Wendy Roth

    When I can learn something new, that's a good day.

Close up of Wendy Roth working in the lab

Five questions & answers

INSTAARs know Wendy Roth as the manager of several shared laboratories and spaces. With a wealth of expertise and connections, she bridges between multiple analytical areas and research programs.

She joined INSTAAR in 1995, so along with Kathy Welch, she is one of the research staff with the longest tenures here. She is known as a mentor for students learning to operate in laboratory spaces. We caught up with Wendy for a few moments to get to know a little about her and her work beyond the basics.

1. How would you describe your role at INSTAAR?

Which one? [laughs] I manage three labs: the Sediment/Plant Processing Lab, Sediment/Plant Analysis Lab, and the XRD/Sediment Prep Lab. I also keep an eye on Anne鈥檚 Micropaleo Lab鈥攁nd on SEEL in general, for INSTAAR. I organize conferences, including the Arctic Workshop. I鈥檓 only part time, so I move around a lot.

I just really like helping people. I try to help whoever has a question. Even if I don't know the answer, I can figure out who does. I like learning new things, too. When I can learn something new, that's a good day.

 

2. How did you come to follow this path?

I started working for John Andrews as an undergraduate student. So I worked in the Sedimentology Lab when Rolf Kihl was running it. He said, "You should run this lab when I retire." When I finished my master's degree, Rolf was retiring; and John suggested I apply, so I did!

I work with several PIs. We have some new faculty coming in: is coming in the fall, and Melisa and Shaily are setting up their groups. I鈥檓 looking forward to that.

Rolf Kihl, with thick glasses, works in the INSTAAR Sed Lab while wearing his cherished CU Buffs sweater.

Rolf Kihl works in the INSTAAR Sed Lab in RL-1 while wearing his cherished CU Buffs sweater. Click to zoom.

Wendy at work

Sampling sediment cores

Setting up equipment

Freeze drying sediment

3. What鈥檚 something that has remained constant at INSTAAR during your time here?

I think in general INSTAAR is very family oriented鈥攑eople care about each other. It's not a normal nine to five job. I have a kid with special needs, and people understood when I had to take some time. People are glad to support each other.

 

4. What鈥檚 something that has changed?

The newSTAAR mentoring program has been good for new people. I've been a mentor for several people in the front office. Even just giving them a tour of where things are in the building can be really helpful and not something people get otherwise. So it's great we have that now.

 

5. What do you like to do when you're not science-ing?

I quilt! And I love mid-century furniture, and gardening. I walk a lot. Traveling, camping. Thrift shopping--I love going to thrift stores and estate sales sometimes.

Click to zoom

Lab photos of Wendy by Ethan Welty.