The NAU Review — Celebrating professional achievements, Mars mission, Global Advising Week and Devon Randall answers our questions

Did Mars capture an asteroid in its orbit and turn it into a moon? Or does Deimos have a different origin story? Planetary scientist Christopher Edwards is part of an international team examining the two Martian moons as part of the New Emirates Mars Mission; findings announced this week in Vienna, Austria, from the far side of the moon, which previously has not been investigated, tell a new story about Deimos.

On Tuesday, NAU honored dozens of faculty and staff for their work not only in the past year but throughout their entire careers. Faculty across all colleges and departments were recognized for excellence in research, teaching, creative activity and mentorship, as were faculty who earned promotions in the past year, including in the new teaching track. Six staff members also were honored with the President’s Achievement Awards for their exceptional work, to advance NAU’s mission. “I am grateful to count you all as Lumberjacks who are enriching our university community and empowering the next generation to reach their full potential so they can contribute to a more just, equitable, inclusive, prosperous and sustainable future,” President Cruz Rivera said.