Ecologist Goes to Washington

The Many Faces of Interdisciplinary Science

Many scientists are engaged in finding solutions to society’s challenges, but implementing these solutions often requires input from a variety of other disciplines and stakeholders. Dr. Jason Neff has devoted a great deal of his career to interdisciplinary work, not only within the sciences—as a faculty member at the University of Colorado Boulder, he bridges the geology and environmental science programs—but also through collaborations with other departments, universities, citizen groups, and government agencies. Here he discusses some of his recent projects, which range from promoting environmental and economic development in rural Colorado to teaching students about the carbon cycle through dance.