Laura Condon Named Interim Director of Biosphere 2

From the University of Arizona Research & Partnerships News Desk - The original article appeared here.

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TUCSON, Ariz. — The University of Arizona has appointed (HAS Professor) Laura Condon as the interim director of Biosphere 2, effective July 6. She succeeds Joaquin Ruiz, who retired June 30 after a transformative tenure building the iconic facility into a global hub for climate, environmental and earth systems science.

Condon is a professor in the Department of Hydrology and Atmospheric Sciences at the College of Science. Her research focuses on groundwater sustainability and the intersection of water availability with climate change.

She earned a PhD in Hydrologic Science and Engineering from the Colorado School of Mines and has worked at the U of A since 2018.

In her new role, Condon will oversee the strategic vision and daily operations of the facility, ensuring the continuity of its groundbreaking research initiatives, public education programs and collaborative partnerships.

"Biosphere 2 is one of our university’s most vital assets for understanding the future of our planet," said Tomás Díaz de la Rubia, senior vice president for research and partnerships at the U of A. "As I welcome Dr. Condon, whose innovative work in hydrology is critical to addressing future climate challenges, I also extend my gratitude to Dr. Joaquin Ruiz. Joaquin’s visionary leadership rescued, redefined, and elevated Biosphere 2 into a world-class scientific marvel. His impact on this institution is immeasurable."

Condon received the 2025 James B. Macelwane Medal for her pioneering work in understanding and simulating groundwater-surface water interactions under human influence. She has contributed to the National Climate Assessment and advised the White House President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology on groundwater issues. 

Her research has reshaped how scientists view groundwater’s role in the hydrologic cycle and its critical connection to climate, ecosystems and human water use.

“I am honored to step into this role and build upon the foundation that Joaquin has built," Condon said. "Biosphere 2 offers a vast scale of experimentation that bridges the gap between small laboratory experiments and the real world. I look forward to working with the facility's talented team to advance our understanding of resilient Earth systems and to inspire the next generation of scientists."

Biosphere 2 carries a rich history as the world's largest controlled environment dedicated to Earth science. Under the U of A’s stewardship, the facility has pioneered major research into coral reef resilience, rainforest responses to drought, and the Landscape Evolution Observatory, or LEO, which tracks how water moves through landscapes.

Ruiz’s retirement marks the conclusion of a prosperous career at the U of A, where he previously served as the dean of the College of Science and executive director of the France-Arizona Institute for Global Grand Challenges. He was instrumental in securing the long-term future of Biosphere 2 for the university, transforming it into a vital, living laboratory that hosts tens of thousands of researchers, students and visitors annually.

Congratulations, Laura!