Mckay Muhlestein

Mckay Muhlestein Receives the University of Utah 2022 Outstanding Undergraduate Researcher Award

Congratulations to Mckay Muhlestein who has been awarded the University of Utah 2022 Outstanding Undergraduate Researcher Award for the College of Humanities! Mckay is majoring in Russian and minoring in Urban Ecology.⁠⁠

"Last summer I got the chance to work with Dr. Natalya Kuznetsova and Dr. Jane Hacking researching urban shrinkage in a small mining town named Berezniki in Russia. We examined causes and possible urban planning strategies to better understand the loss of population in these types of cities. I got interested in this subject from my experience in both rural Russian culture and urban planning studies here at the University of Utah. Starting my research career early in my undergraduate studies really enriched my engagement and knowledge of what I'm passionate about. I think everyone should take control of their own education early and research what they care about, no matter what their field! "⁠