In this episode of Energy Frontier: The Wyoming Landscape, Dr. Erin Phillips, Acting Senior Director of Research at the School of Energy Resources, sits down with long-time SER employee and Acting Executive Director, Scott Quillinan to talk about his journey from research to leadership at the School of Energy Resources.

This episode of Energy Frontier: The Wyoming Landscape introduces Dr. Erin Phillips, Director of Cross-Cutting Programs and Acting Senior Director of Research, at the UW School of Energy Resources as the new host of the podcast. For Dr. Phillips' debut, she sits down with the outgoing Executive Director, Dr. Holly Krutka, for a reflective and insightful conversation as Dr. Krutka steps away from her role at SER. Join us as we honor Dr. Krutka's tremendous impact and officially pass the torch to Dr. Phillips, who will now guide the conversation on the ever-changing Wyoming energy landscape.

In this episode of Energy Frontier: The Wyoming Landscape, we sit down with Anthony Nickens, Division Director of Materials & Manufacturing at Idaho National Laboratory. We explore how INL is advancing critical minerals research, bridging the gap between lab and industry, and enabling resilient supply chains for energy and minerals security. Anthony shares lessons from national lab–university–industry collaborations, the technological frontiers in mineral separations and processing, and how Wyoming might play a pivotal role in the nation’s mineral future. Along the way, we talk workforce development, pilot scale challenges, policy needs, and what it takes to turn scientific promise into impact on the ground.

In this episode of Energy Frontier: The Wyoming Landscape, we sit down with Dave Emery, former Chairman and CEO of Black Hills Energy and member of the Energy Resources Council, to talk about his journey from a University of Wyoming engineering student to leading one of the region’s most influential energy companies. Emery shares insights on leadership, the evolving role of electric utilities, and why Wyoming’s commitment to innovation—through the School of Energy Resources (SER) and statewide collaboration—matters more than ever. His reflections on teamwork, mentorship, and vision provide a powerful lens on what it means to lead through change in today’s energy landscape.

In this episode of Energy Frontier: The Wyoming Landscape, we sit down with Joe Leimkuhler, Chief Operating Officer of Beacon Offshore Energy and a proud University of Wyoming alum. Joe's career started in Laramie classrooms and took him to the forefront of offshore oil and gas development in the Gulf of America. He now oversees complex deepwater projects and operational leadership at Beacon.

As chair of the UW Department of Energy and Petroleum Engineering Industry Advisory Committee, Joe also plays a vital role in shaping the next generation of energy leaders. He shares his perspective on the value of a UW education, the lessons learned over decades in industry, and his views on leadership in high-stakes environments.

Finally, we explore why Joe gives generously of both his time and resources to the University of Wyoming — and why he believes alumni involvement is key to preparing students for the challenges and opportunities of tomorrow’s energy landscape.

Hyperspectral imaging—a technology that captures hundreds of wavelengths beyond what the human eye can see—is transforming how we understand the Earth’s surface. From satellites and drones to field and lab studies, this approach provides insights that traditional mapping and sampling can’t match. At the University of Wyoming School of Energy Resources, researchers are beginning to apply hyperspectral imaging to Wyoming’s unique geology and energy resources, opening doors for smarter exploration, environmental monitoring, and resource management. In this episode of Energy Frontier: The Wyoming Landscape, we talk with James Amato from SER and Dr. Friederike Körting, a hyperspectral imaging specialist from industry, about how the technology works, why it matters for Wyoming’s economy and environment, and what opportunities it creates for students, communities, and industry.

Navajo Transitional Energy Company (NTEC) plays an important role in Wyoming as a coal producer—but the company is also investing in Wyoming’s future. In this episode of Energy Frontier: The Wyoming Landscape, we sit down with Matt Babcock, NTEC’s Chief Commercial Officer, to learn about the company’s operations in Wyoming, its approach to reclamation and safety, and its vision for future opportunities in energy and energy innovation

Hydrogen energy is emerging as an exciting, yet extremely challenging, energy frontier—and researchers at the University of Wyoming School of Energy Resources are working hard to ensure the state is on the cutting edge and ready to embrace the potential of hydrogen. In this episode of Energy Frontier: The Wyoming Landscape, we sit down with Charles Nye and Sarah Buckhold from SER’s Hydrogen Energy Research Center to explore innovative projects underway in the state. From producing hydrogen using produced water, to investigating naturally occurring geologic hydrogen, to creating hydrogen from iron-rich rocks beneath the surface, Wyoming researchers are at the cutting edge of discovery. We also discuss what these technologies could mean for Wyoming’s future economy and its position as a leader in next-generation energy.

For more information on the Hydrogen Energy Research Center, please visit: www.uwyo.edu/ser/research/centers-of-excellence/hydrogen-energy-research/index.html