Provost's Award for Undergraduate Research/Creativity Mentoring
Madison Myers
Madison Myers, associate professor in the Department of Earth Sciences in the College of Letters and Science, has won the Provost’s Award for Undergraduate Research/Creativity Mentoring. The award, which carries a $2,000 honorarium, recognizes a faculty member who engages undergraduate students in valuable learning through research.
Myers fosters a vibrant research culture in her lab by offering opportunities for students to explore volcanic and magmatic systems, conduct field mapping in Yellowstone National Park, and engage in hands-on geochemical analysis, modeling and interpretation. She has directly mentored more than 25 undergraduate students in research, and more than half of them have co-authored peer-reviewed publications or conference presentations. Many former students who have pursued graduate study cite her mentorship as formative in their success.
Outside the lab, Myers regularly integrates research-based learning into her courses ranging from introductory mineralogy to upper-level volcanology and petrology, enabling hundreds of students to experience authentic scientific inquiry.
“What sets Dr. Myers apart is her emphasis on hands-on experience, intellectual independence for her students and cultivating skills that extend far beyond the project itself,” wrote William Thomas, dean of the College of Letters and Science, in a letter nominating Myers for the award. “She brings vision, practical mentorship, strong outcomes and a deep commitment to undergraduate student growth and success.”