QCNR | Science | Agriculture and Applied Science
Celebrating Martyn Caldwell: A Memorial Endowment for Future Ecologists at USU
The Ecology Center at Utah State University is a hub of scientific inquiry and innovation, with a mission to foster ecological research and graduate education at USU and provide relevant ecological knowledge to decision-makers. It is Utah’s center of excellence in ecology. United by a common goal, a group of USU faculty and former students decided to honor former Ecology Center Director Martyn Caldwell, who died in 2021, with a memorial endowment in his name.
A pioneer in ecological research and a beloved mentor, Martyn’s contributions to the Ecology Center were transformative. He was instrumental in shaping the center’s operations and its research culture.
“One of Martyn’s key innovations was revolutionizing our seminar series,” said Peter Adler, professor of Wildland Resources and current Ecology Center director. “Initially, these seminars were a venue for directors to invite speakers. Martyn proposed that graduate students should take charge of the selection process. This shift gave students a hands-on opportunity to learn how to identify quality research, understand the metrics of scientific inquiry, and actively participate in the academic community.”
Martyn was a strong advocate for graduate research funding and consistently supported students in securing resources for their projects. He focused on encouraging students to propose their own research ideas, thereby promoting independent research. This approach empowered students to pursue their passions and develop personal expertise, ultimately ensuring that funding was used effectively and creatively.
Under Martyn’s leadership, the Ecology Center adopted a cost-sharing model that benefited both the center and individual researchers. When a project received an award, a portion of the indirect costs returned to the Ecology Center, which was then distributed to colleges and departments. This system provided a financial cushion and funded additional research, reinforcing the cycle of innovation and discovery.
Rob Jackson, a prominent ecologist at Stanford University and a former student of Martyn, was one of the first to propose the endowment, along with his wife, Sally Graves Jackson, a USU master’s student also supported by the Ecology Center. Rob recognized the profound impact Martyn had on his career and the broader field of ecology. Jackson’s admiration for Martyn’s scientific rigor and kindness fueled his commitment to seeing the endowment come to fruition.
“Martyn was unusual in pioneering not one, but two branches of ecology: how plants interact in the soil, including root competition for water and nutrients, and how ecosystems respond to additional ultraviolet (UV) radiation related to the ozone hole,” said Jackson. “His enthusiasm for belowground ecology influenced my entire career. To honor Martyn’s legacy, I dedicated my new book on climate solutions, Into the Clear Blue Sky (Scribner/Penguin), to him.”
Nancy Huntly, a biology research professor and professor emerita, and her husband, Richard Inouye, also joined the effort. Although Nancy only came to Utah State in 2011 when she became the Ecology Center director, her connection with Martyn dates back much further. She first encountered Martyn’s influential research as a graduate student and later met him when she was a post-doctoral researcher. Martyn, who retired shortly before Nancy joined USU, was a friend and mentor to her. She admired him greatly, not only for his exceptional contributions to merging plant physiological ecology with ecosystem science, but also for his kindness, humility and generosity. Their shared commitment to creating opportunities for students is what motivated Nancy to support this endowment.
“Martyn’s dedication to curiosity-driven research set a standard for his peers and students,” Nancy said. “He was known for following his scientific instincts, often embarking on studies without a direct application in mind, yet his work invariably yielded valuable insights. His approach encouraged others to pursue their research interests passionately and fearlessly.”
The Martyn Caldwell Memorial Graduate Student Endowment will support graduate students in various ways, not limited to scholarships. It will fund research awards, professional development opportunities, and essential resources for students nearing the completion of their degrees. The goal is to provide comprehensive support, ensuring that students will be able to focus on their studies and research without financial burden.
As a researcher, Martyn’s influence extended far beyond Utah State. He collaborated with scientists across the globe and was recognized for his contributions to understanding plant physiology, UV radiation effects, and hydraulic lift. His work was groundbreaking, earning him accolades, including the Alexander von Humboldt Prize in 1981 from the Federal Republic of Germany, USU’s D. Wynne Thorne research award in 1985, an honorary membership of the German Ecological Society in 1993, and an appointment on the German National Academy of Sciences in 1999.
Despite his many achievements, Martyn was known for his humility and generosity. He mentored numerous students and post-docs, always offering decisive advice and broad, deep thinking. His commitment to supporting younger colleagues and fostering a collaborative environment left a lasting legacy.
The Ecology Center began as a collaboration among faculty from the departments that are currently organized as Plants, Soils and Climate, Biology, Geoscience, Wildland Resources, Watershed Sciences, and Environment and Society. The center has grown to become a vibrant hub of interdisciplinary research with addition of scholars from a broader range of disciplines, including applied economics, other social sciences, engineering, and mathematics. This expansion reflected the center’s evolving focus on ecological work across diverse fields. The current broad scope of study and the emphasis on climate change, which impacts all areas of research, are consistent with Martyn’s wide-ranging interests and his ability to connect different scientific disciplines.
As the initiative to establish the endowment gained momentum, the stories of Martyn’s kindness and scientific brilliance continued to inspire.
“Martyn’s legacy of excellence and compassion will live on through the support of future generations of ecologists, ensuring that his contributions to science and humanity will never be forgotten,” Nancy stated.
The endowment in Martyn Caldwell’s name not only honors his memory, but also perpetuates his values: curiosity, innovation, and a profound commitment to supporting the next generation of scientists. Through this fund, Martyn’s influence will continue to shape the future of ecological research at Utah State University and beyond.
The Utah State University Endowment Fund consists of endowed gifts that provide perpetual financial support for scholarships, fellowships, faculty chairs and professorships, and other important university programs and services. An endowed gift is intended to provide the university with a permanent source of funding by investing the principal amount of the gift and making available a portion of the income it generates. Create Your Aggie Impact by supporting the student-focused area that most inspires you to make a difference through the power of philanthropy at https://www.usu.edu/advancement/campaign/students.
Contact
Karah AltmanSenior Development Director
214-683-3632
Karah.altman@usu.edu