Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences

Konrad "Koni" Steffen, CIRES Director, 2005-2012
Konrad Steffen joined CIRES in 1986, spending two years as a Visiting Fellow after completing his doctoral research and a five-year lectureship at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich. He returned to Boulder, Colo., in 1991 as an associate professor in the University of Colorado Boulder Geography Department and, shortly thereafter, was named a CIRES Fellow. Steffen is a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, has served on National Academy of Sciences boards, chairs the World Climate Research Program Climate and Cryosphere program, and is a scientific advisor to other national and international programs. During Steffen’s directorship, CIRES grew steadily in research funding and number of employees. He left CIRES in 2012 to serve as Director of the Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL. There, he continues research on polar and alpine climates with a focus on the interplay among ice sheets, global warming, and sea level rise. Steffen is a dual citizen of Switzerland and the United States.

Susan K. Avery, CIRES Director, 1994-2004
Susan Avery joined CIRES in 1982 as a Visiting Fellow, having received her Ph.D. from the University of Illinois in 1978. She is the first woman, and the first engineer to be CIRES' Director. She is a Fellow of IEEE and AMS and the recipient of the prestigious Margaret Willard Award, the Elizabeth Gee Award, and the Robert L. Stearns Award from the University. During Susan's tenure, CIRES has established a thriving K-12 Outreach program and the Center for Science and Technology Policy Research [ About the Center ] , both efforts to make CIRES research more applicable, understandable and accessible to the public. Susan spearheaded CIRES reorganization of the institute into six themes that reflect its diverse science. She is also responsible for the popular and unique Innovative Research Program and establishment of the "Western Water Assessment" initiative. Susan's husband Jim, like Susan, is a Professor of Electrical Engineering, and a former Fellow, so they keep CIRES all in their family. Susan was named Interim Dean of the University of Colorado at Boulder's Graduate School and Vice Chancellor for Research in September 2004.

Robert E. Sievers, CIRES Director, 1980-1993
CIRES' third director received his Ph.D. from the University of Illinois, and came to CU in 1975 as a Professor of Chemistry. He became director of CIRES in 1980, a position he held until 1993. Robert E. Sievers' years at the helm were marked by significant growth, a permanent testament to which is the CIRES building, completed in 1988. His interests are varied within science and beyond. His numerous professional awards include the Tswett Medal and the Dimick Award in chromatography for his research on atmospheric aerosols. His entrepreneurial spirit has led him to found two local companies and his skill as a sculptor is recognized by the 2001 Thomas Jefferson Award for contributions in science, the arts, and public service. Bob has served as Regent of the University since 1991. He and his wife Nancy have been an active part of CIRES for over two decades.

Carl Kisslinger, CIRES Director, 1972-1979
Carl has been a part of CIRES for 30 of its 35 years. He received his Ph.D. from St. Louis University, and was on the faculty there before he came to CU to lead CIRES through adolescence. The casual, respectful, and mutually supportive atmosphere among the institute's scientists and staff was established by his example, as was its dedication to excellence in all endeavors. "Adak" was the office nickname for the Aleutian Islands Seismic Network, a prominent project in Carl's research for many of his CIRES years. In 1994, Carl again led the institute as interim director before Susan Avery took office. He retired from active teaching in 1995, but the history book published for this occasion bears witness to his continuing and active involvement in the institute. One of his last official acts was to establish the title of "Fellow Emeritus" of which he, appropriately, is the first. He and his wife Penny are enjoying the opportunity retirement presents to spend more time with children and grandchildren.

J. C. "Chris" Harrison, CIRES Director, 1969-1972
Chris has been a part of CIRES from its earliest conception in 1966. He became the founding director of CIRES in the fall of 1967, a position he held until 1972. Chris' received his Ph.D. from Cambridge, and his broad interests in the geophysical sciences were centered on gravity and geodesy. He is recognized as the person most responsible for the birth and early nurturing of a prominent program in geophysics at CU. His research on crustal deformation remained an important component of the global CU effort. In 1976 he proceeded to develop and deploy borehole tiltmeters. Chris left the University of Colorado in 1982 to accept a position in the private sector in California. He lives today in Santa Barbara with his wife Elaine.