Name: Hilary Anderson
Title: President Organization: Leeward Concepts LLC Background: When in high school there was no such thing as the personal computer, the internet, the mouse or the app. So in college I majored in Business (i.e. I had no clue what I wanted to do, just knew that I needed to get a college degree). When I graduated in 1988, the country was in a recession and jobs were hard to find. So I went into Real Estate (told you I had no clue). When that didn't pan out, I ended up doing office admin/management work. Part of this work included using a computer which I took an interest in. One thing led to another and I ended up going back to college at night and getting my Computer Science degree. I have been a software developer for over 20 years and there has never been a time when I was bored or found myself unemployed for long (2 weeks once). The world of technology is growing in leaps and bounds, so you are constantly learning. If you are a person who likes to solve puzzles and needs an outlet for your creativity...this might be the world for you. Each year there are more and more women in the field, but we need more! Name: Stefanie Shea
Title: PhD Student Organization: Colorado School of Mines Background: Stefanie Shea is a second year PhD student at Colorado School of Mines. She studies how toxic chemicals travel and transform when they are released to the environment. Prior to beginning her graduate level studies, Stefanie was an environmental engineer and worked to design and execute clean-up strategies for contaminated land. Name: Vanessa Bentley
Title: PhD Student Organization: Colorado State University Background: Growing up I knew I wanted an interpersonal career that allowed me to give back to others and with that I wanted to pursue a pre-med track that ultimately would lead me to become a pediatric orthopedic doctor. During my undergraduate degree at very small liberal arts school (Aurora University in Illinois), where research opportunities were not existent, while simultaneously working in retail and pursuing a certificate as a nursing assistant I discovered that my passion was working with organisms. During my third and last year of my undergraduate degree, I was asked to collaborate on a research project working with breast cancer cells and an ethology project with snakes at a local zoo. Summer of 2017 I then went to North Dakota and worked alongside NDSU and the USDA to work on a research project with bee development. Those experiences projected my current status as a graduate student at CSU studying molt regulation in crabs. Name: Cydney Helms
Title: Undergraduate Student Organization: Colorado School of Mines Background: Cydney is a first year student at Colorado School of Mines from Plano, Texas. She plans on majoring in Computer Science and obtaining a minor in Humanitarian Engineering. Cydney is actively involved with the Society of Women Engineers, Mines Green Team, and her sorority on campus. Name: Alex Sutherland
Title: Organization: Background: I grew up in Seattle and recently moved to Colorado to study materials science and engineering after doing an undergraduate degree in physics at UT Austin. I love learning how the world works and understanding why things are the way they are - especially for objects we see and use everyday. If I’m not at school, I’ll be rock climbing, hiking with my dog or planning my next adventure. Name: Courtney Smoljan
Title: Organization: Colorado School of Mines Background: I am a junior a Colorado School of Mines, where I study chemical engineering. Before my second year at Mines, I became involved as an undergraduate researcher in the chemical engineering department. I was selected to participate in a Research Experience for Undergraduates to develop catalysts for the conversion of biomass to biofuels. I have continued this research throughout my time at Mines. I have also worked at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory as a materials science research intern. These experiences have reinforced my passion for STEM fields and have inspired me to pursue my Ph.D. upon my graduation. Name: Rachel Oidtman
Title: PhD Candidate Organization: University of Notre Dame Background: Rachel is a PhD Candidate in Infectious Disease Modeling at the University of Notre Dame and a visiting scholar at Colorado State University. Her research focuses on disentangling the ecological drivers of disease outbreaks. She also develops mathematical models to be used in response to emerging epidemics. During her PhD, she has collaborated closely with UNICEF and ministries of health to implement these forecasting models. Name: Ann Raiho
Title: Postdoctoral researcher Organization: Colorado State University Background: Ann is a postdoctoral researcher at Colorado State University researching plant sensitivity to climate in Alaska with the National Park Service. Her works uses statistical models and field data collected over the entire state of Alaska to determine what ecosystems might be at risk from changing climate. Name: Amy Northcutt
Title: Senior Education Program Manager Organization: Trimble Background: Amy began her career in California as a Structural Engineer. After working for a few years, she realized she wanted to branch out and decided to join the world of software, initially as a technical salesperson, working with the software she'd used as a practicing engineer. Having spent the last 5 years providing technical demonstrations, support and training, she's now joined the Trimble Education team working to get the latest and greatest technology into the hands of young structural and mechanical engineers, contractors, detailers and tradespeople. Name: Dr. Sharon Bywater-Reyes
Title: Assistant Professor of Environmental Geoscience Organization: University of Northern Colorado Background: I grew up in southern Oregon in a tectonically active region. I loved being outside and found geology the perfect science for me. I received a bachelor’s of science in geology at Southern Oregon University and went on to receive a master’s degree at University of Wyoming. I became increasingly interested in how geological and environmental processes interact and therefore studied rivers for my PhD at the University of Montana. Currently, I study how humans, geology, and ecological processes interact in watersheds and like to use my science to solve real-world environmental problems. I started at UNC a few years ago and love passing on my knowledge to students and learning from them as well! Name: Dr. Chelsie Romulo
Title: Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies & Sustainability Organization: University of Northern Colorado Background: I’m from California originally, but lived in Washington D.C. for about 10 years while I was in graduate school. I study how people use natural resources, and specifically ways that we can manage resources sustainably. I use tools such as economics and social science to explain decision making and find solutions for resource management problems. When I was a kid I spent a lot of time outdoors playing in the creeks and streams by my house and observing a lot of wildlife. I decided I wanted to study ecology in school and especially how we can sustainably manage our natural resources. Colorado is a really great place to study the environment because we have a lot of complex systems and are connected to many neighboring states through our waterways. I’ve been here about 3 years and love teaching at UNC because we have really awesome students. Name: Kelsea Holloway
Title: Private Lands Wildlife Biologist Organization: Bird Conservancy of the Rockies Background: Kelsea, a native to Idaho, received her Bachelor’s Degree in Wildlife Resources from the University of Idaho in 2013. During her years as an undergrad she assisted with prairie song bird studies and pygmy rabbit habitat studies. In 2014 she moved to Minnesota to assist the Natural Resources Conservation Service with the Wetland Reserve Program (WRP). After almost 2 years in Minnesota, Kelsea joined the Bird Conservancy team in Colorado. For four years she has assisted multiple counties in northeast Colorado with wetland and riparian area projects and management of conservation easements. Name: Sarah Doxon
Title: Organization: Bird Conservancy of the Rockies Background: Growing up as a free-range child in the wilds of rural Iowa, Sarah’s love of nature was fostered from an early age. This fascination prompted her to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Animal Ecology from Iowa State University and then a Master’s Degree in Conservation Biology from Miami University. Realizing that many children no longer have the opportunity to connect with nature in safe, meaningful ways as she did, and that these early experiences help to shape conservation-minded adults, she has made it her mission to innovate ways to bring children and nature back together. This is exactly what she gets to do in her role as Environmental Educator at Bird Conservancy of the Rockies. Whether leading field trips around Barr Lake State Park or bringing environmental lessons into classrooms, Sarah is proud to be part of the environmental education field. Name: Hannah Montoya
Title: Regional Director of STEM Recruitment Organization: Western Colorado University Background: I am the Regional Director of STEM Recruitment at Western Colorado University (Western) in Gunnison, CO. I am originally from Boulder, I graduated from Western two years ago, and I have been working in Admissions ever since. In my position, I help students interested in studying STEM apply to college, find the right major, and help guide them on things to consider when trying to decide what school to go to. I’m a huge advocate for girls in STEM, no matter what path they choose to get there! Name: Dr. Andy Aghaian
Title: Veterinarian and PhD student Organization: Colorado State University Background: From a very early age, I had a fondness toward animals and knew I wanted to be a veterinarian. After completing my undergraduate degree at Cal Poly Pomona in 2014 with a BS in animal science, I began my DVM studies at the University of California, Davis. In veterinary school, I quickly became interested in disease pathophysiology and decided to pursue an anatomic pathology residency. While at UC Davis, I also cultivated a passion for infectious disease research through various small projects studying lymphocryptovirus in macaques, influenza in marine mammals and rickettsial diseases in dogs from rural communities in Nicaragua. Upon completing my veterinary degree in 2018, I began working and training at CSU as an anatomic pathology residency at the veterinary school, in addition to beginning my PhD in the department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology. I have a particular interest in wildlife infectious disease and am currently studying a gammaherpes virus in mountain lions and bobcats, and will likely being work on a project exploring retroviruses in bats this summer. Name: Annie Greenaway
Title: Postdoctoral Researcher Organization: National Renewable Energy Laboratory Background: I grew up in Westminster and always loved science, but had a hard time seeing it as a viable career because I wanted to work in public service. That changed when I interned at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) during college and learned about the whole national laboratory system. When I found out that scientific and technological advances were being pursued in the public interest, I realized that this was where I could contribute to the public good. During graduate school at the University of Oregon I worked on low-cost, green routes to making the most efficient solar cell materials. Now I work on the discovery of new semiconductors, made of earth-abundant and non-toxic elements, for LEDs and solar cells. Name: Kristen Eller
Title: Undergraduate Student Organization: University of Colorado Boulder Background: My name is Kristen Eller and I am currently a 4th year graduate student at the University of Colorado Boulder in the Chemical Engineering Department. As a child I moved around like a military child from Maryland to Germany and finally to Colorado, which I call my home. I discovered my love for math and science when I was in middle school and found myself preferentially doing my math homework and fell in love with chemistry when I learned everything is made up of what’s on the period table. I obtained my undergraduate degree in Chemical Engineering at MIT and immediately afterwards came to CU for graduate school. I enjoy the intersection of chemistry and biology which is seen in my research on developing new antibiotics. In my spare time I’m also a chapter leader for Eye to Eye at CU and am an advocate for students with learning disabilities or ADHD as I have ADHD and an auditory processing disability myself. Name: Margaret Hollingsworth
Title: Molecular Biology Organization: University at Buffalo (retired) Background: Although I have retired from being a professor in the Biological Sciences Department at the University of Buffalo, I am continuing to share my enthusiasm for science. In addition to being a volunteer tutor for high school biology and a judge at local science fairs and poster sessions, I am involved in two science outreach groups. The first is the Conference on World Affairs (CWA). CWA is a week-long festival of ideas, held in Boulder, Colorado each April (April 6-10 this year). It is free of charge and open to the public. Topics discussed in past conferences have included everything from music and dance to space exploration. A hallmark of CWA is that the discussions are not lectures. Participants give a brief introduction about their ideas on the topic at hand, followed by lively discussion prompted from audience questions. I currently serve as the Program Chair for CWA. My second science-outreach group is 500 Women Scientists.This organization was formed in late 2016 in response to a sense that the US was becoming increasingly anti-science. Its mission is to serve society by making science open, inclusive, and accessible. The group, originally started by four women from the University of Colorado, has hundreds of chapters (pods) all over the world. I am one of the coordinators for the Boulder pod Name: Christine Shields
Title: Associate Scientist Organization: National Center for Atmospheric Research Background: Although my work at NCAR (National Center for Atmospheric Research) is centered around understanding climate change, I am a weather geek at heart. When I was a kid, I would stare up at the clear blue sky and take pictures. My father, a photographer, would ask me why I was taking a picture with nothing in it. My response was that the picture was NOT of nothing, it was a picture of an amazing blue sky! For as long as I can remember, I wanted to know “why” … Why was the sky blue? Why were the clouds moving in that direction? Why did we just get 2 feet of snow?! Why is it hot in the summer and cold in the winter? Asking these questions ultimately led me to the field of atmospheric science. Now, I study global weather patterns, Earth’s water cycle, and how different they look as our climate warms. Name: Liisa Schmoele
Title: Assistant Field Supervisor Organization: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Background: Liisa manages and works with a small team that is focused on recovery of threatened and endangered species in Colorado’s Front Range, like Preble’s meadow jumping mouse and greenback cutthroat trout. Her background is in wildlife ecology and she has a soft spot for small mammals, such as the ground squirrels she studied in graduate school. Liisa has worked in wildlife management for her entire 10-year career, much of it working with private landowners on voluntary habitat restoration projects in Missouri and California. Liisa received her bachelor’s degree from Michigan Technological University in 2007 and her master’s degree from University of Central Missouri in 2010. She is a mother, a yogi, passionate about sustainably, and loves spending time in the wild outdoors. Name: May Merkle-TanTitle: Senior Researcher | Machine Learning
Organization: AI, Discovery & Technology @ Comcast Corporation Biography: May trained as a neuroimaging scientist and studied brain functions in health and disease. She earned her Ph.D. (Cognitive Neuroimaging) and M.A. (Experimental Psychology) from the University of Edinburgh, Scotland, and received her M.Sc. (Behavioral and Neural Sciences) from the International Max Planck Research School at the University of Tübingen, Germany. Her love for the interdisciplinary process of discovery and translating findings into data stories paved a natural transition to applying data science in a broader context. Throughout her experience working with different kinds of data (e.g. brain signals, human behavior, geo- spatial, or unstructured text), May finds joy weaving her research experience in integrating multi-dimensional information analysis with machine learning and statistical tools to discover insights. As a Senior Applied-AI Researcher at Comcast, she is contributing to the development, integration, and deployment of data-driven products and services that transform how people are entertained and informed. May’s interests in using technology, data, and science in meaningful ways has seen her participating in community events such as the #GivingTuesday DataDive (a collaboration involving DataKind and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation), as well as the BBC 100 Women Challenge. May grew up in Singapore, is educated in the UK and Germany, and now lives with her husband in Colorado. When not coding, styling pixels, or catching up on the arts and sciences, you can find her hillwalking, riding her vintage bicycle, or discovering new places to enjoy a cuppa. Name: Nicole Oester
Title: Engineering Geologist Organization: Colorado DOT Background: Nicole has worked as an Engineering Geologist for the Colorado Department of Transportation for 6 years. She initially became interested in geohazards when in 2013, her evening commute was interrupted by a road closure due to a significant post fire debris flow. Suddenly, she found herself looking for information on working for the DOT to help minimize the impact of these types of events to the traveling public . Nicole is currently part of CDOT's Geohazards Program and is working on developing methods to manage geohazards in a measurable and meaningful way within a constrained budget. On the weekends, you can find her hiking in the mountains with her partner and puppy, or responding to the latest rockfall emergency. Name: Emily Freed
Title: Senior Research Associate Organization: University of Colorado Boulder Background: I am a senior scientist and lab manager at the University of Colorado Boulder. My research focuses on engineering bacteria to make gasoline and other sustainable products. I have a BS in Biology and a PhD in Genetics. When I'm not in lab, I love to go rock climbing, skiing, hiking with my two dogs, or stay at home with a good book. Name: Dr. Allison Watson
Title: Veterinary Anatomic Pathologist and Instructor Organization: Colorado State University Background: Like many veterinarians, from a very young age I knew that my dream was to attend veterinary school. I grew up in Broomfield, CO and completed both my undergraduate degree and veterinary school at Colorado State University. Early on in my veterinary education, I realized the many career options veterinarians have and discovered a passion for pathology (the study of disease). As a pathologist, I am able to not only help individual animals, but have the potential to help large populations of animals by providing diagnoses to veterinarians, pet owners, and livestock producers and furthering our understanding of disease in domestic animals. Following veterinary school, I completed a 3-year anatomic pathology residency program at the University of Tennessee and now work as an instructor and diagnostic pathologist at Colorado State University’s Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. While working as a pathologist, I teach veterinary students during their clinical pathology rotation and instruct and train future pathologists during their residency. I am so excited to help with this event and to meet all of you, the world needs more women in STEM Name: Katie DeRose
Title: PhD Student Organization: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Colorado State University Background: I am third year Mechanical Engineering PhD Student studying the economics and environmental impacts of new technologies for fuel production. Before starting at CSU, I worked as Process Engineer for Invista and SGC Energia, where I worked on optimizing processes and improving safety for the production nylon and fuels. |
Name: Anna Spiers
Title: Ph.D. Student Organization: Dept. of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology University of Colorado | Boulder Background: I am an ecologist studying how species respond to human disturbance, like when we break habitats into smaller pieces by building a highway through a grassland or clearing a forest for farming. I work in Australia and study both insects and Eucalyptus trees. Name: Pacifica Sommers
Title: Postdoctoral Research Associate Organization: University of Colorado Boulder Background: I am a researcher at the University of Colorado Boulder's Alpine Microbial Observatory. Although I earned my PhD in ecology by studying the effects of grass invasions in national parks outside Tucson, Arizona, I now study invasions in microscopic ecosystems on Antarctic glaciers. These microscopic ecosystems are like natural petri dishes, allowing me to study the factors that control biological diversity - which is important because microbes cycle nutrients in every ecosystem on earth - and even in our own guts. I have visited Antarctica three times, each time for about three months. While I am there, I camp in a tent next to the glacier where I work. When I am back in Colorado, I stay busy in the laboratory extracting and sequencing DNA from the Antarctic samples, and analyzing and writing about the data. But I also love to get outdoors on adventures on ice, rock, and snow, and to encourage other people to get out and to be curious about the world around them. Name: Allison Fortman
Title: Director Product Management, North America Organization: Trimble MEP Background: When I was five my mom bought a computer game for my brother that was for 8+, and I was determined to beat it. A few days later, I had achieved the goal proving that girls could be just as great at computers as boys (at a much younger age). In high school I competed in super computing competitions at a regional and national level, as well as taught younger students in the elementary school how to use computers (as the internet and personal computers were relatively new at the time). High school paved the way for me to attend Colorado School of Mines, graduating in 2000 with a Mathematics and Computer Science degree, and after college I joined a consulting team to help integrate customer systems by writing scripts and implementing the products the company built and sold. I found a love working alongside customers leading me down the road of business analysis and to Product Management, a field that bridges the gap between customer need and software development. My 20 years in the field has taken me to small and big software companies, from start-up to well established, and I recently graduated Beta Gamma Sigma from ASU WP Carey's MBA program. I'm passionate about growing the participation of females in STEM fields, and love discussing the many possibilities today's youth have available. Name: Jamie Pomeroy
Title: Geotechnical Engineer Organization: Colorado Department of Transportation Background: I didn’t know what an engineer was till I was in high school but there were a lot of things pointing to the fact that it would be for me. I really enjoyed math and the challenge of using different materials to make something cool (I was a big fan of Legos growing up). I was drawn to geotechnical engineering because nothing seemed more unpredictable and challenging than working with natural materials like soil and rock. I also really liked the idea of working outside. As an engineer for CDOT I get to travel and explore all of Colorado designing for and solving problems concerning Colorado’s interesting and complex geology. I especially appreciate that I get to play a part in the construction of foundations for bridges, walls, and embankments that hundreds of people drive past or on every day. Name: Maddy Keck
Title: Undergraduate student Organization: Colorado School of Mines Background: I am a sophomore chemistry major and statistics minor from Gunnison Colorado. As part of my extracurricular activities, I'm one of the logistics directors for the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) and participate in various volunteer events through SWE. After I graduate, I hope to go to grad school to study soil science, then work in sustainable agriculture. When I'm not busy with school and SWE, I love to read science fiction and fantasy and spend time with dogs. Name: Kate Spencer
Title: Undergrad Student Organization: Colorado School of Mines (SWE) Background: I am currently a sophomore attending Mines and majoring in Geophysical Engineering. Although I am still exploring all the different fields within geophysics, I am very interested in hydrology, environmental, and planetary geophysics. Name: Taryn Tucker
Title: Undergraduate Student Organization: Colorado School of Mines Background: Hello! My name is Taryn, and I am a junior at Colorado School of Mines studying mechanical engineering. I plan to go into the aerospace industry with this degree, and hope to work on the vehicles which take us to the stars. Currently, I have the honor of working on Sierra Nevada Corporation's Dream Chaser Program. Outside of academics, I am heavily involved in the Society of Women Engineers, this year heading all outreach for the club, and next year I will be the president of our section. I love working with young women interested in STEM because you are all so incredibly creative and intelligent it blows my mind! I look forward to another fun time at Go STEM this year. Name: Samantha Weintraub
Title: Research Scientist Organization: National Ecological Observatory Network, Battelle Background: I have always loved playing outside and getting dirty. In college, I took a course on soils and became hooked. I went to graduate school so that I could study soil dynamics in tropical forests. Now I work for a nationwide ecological monitoring program researching plants and soils across the US. My job is to design the collection of data in order to track how the cycling of important elements like carbon and nitrogen through ecosystems are changing over time. When I am not analyzing data or visiting field sites, I enjoying skiing and hiking in our beautiful Colorado mountains. Name: Dr. Jenna Reno
Title: Research Instructor; PhD Organization: Department of Family Medicine at the University of Colorado School Background: I am a faculty member in the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. In 2015, I earned a PhD in Communication with an emphasis on health campaign and message design at the University of Kentucky. I also completed a master's degree in communication at Baylor University and a bachelor's in community health at Bethel University in Minnesota--where I grew up. My research aims to investigate the role of an evolving media and technology environment on health promotion. Specifically, I'm focusing on developing and evaluating social media-based communication and dissemination strategies to promote positive healthcare decisions and health outcomes.I'm also currently a member of the #HPVFreeCO team where I work with public health departments across the state to promote HPV vaccination and reduce the burden of HPV-related disease and cancers among Coloradans. [email protected] Name: Sarah Miller
Title: Product Marketing Manager Organization: Trimble MEP North America Background: Hi, my name is Sarah Miller, and I work for Trimble MEP serving the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing contractors market under the Building Construction Division within Trimble. The PMM (product marketing manager) team is in charge of the GTM (go-to-market) strategy, VOC (voice-of-customer), sales enablement and messaging for our estimating and CAD detailing products in North America. My group works as a liaison between sales, MarCom (marketing communications) and product management. I have been in the software industry for 15 years in total. Trimble (Westminster) going on 6 years and was in the Auto Collision Industry with Mitchell International (San Diego) for 7 years prior to this. I did, however, work for one of the acquisitions long before Trimble purchased them in 2006 (Trade Service purchased in 2013). I have worked in sales (12 years), moved into sales operations (2 years) and have been in my current role for a little over a year and a half. I graduated from Northglenn High School in 2000, Colorado State University in 2004 (Liberal Arts Emphasis in Spanish) and completed my Executive MBA in 2019. Name: Carley McAlister
Title: Microbiology Master’s Student Organization: Colorado State University Background: Hi, my name is Carley McAlister and I am currently a master’s student at CSU studying Dengue infection in regard to cellular lipid metabolism. In the study of virology, everything is changing constantly and there is something new to learn every day. I moved to Colorado 4 years ago from South Carolina to attend CSU as an undergraduate. Before attending CSU, I was studying microbiology but did not know where I was going from there. CSU taught me about the world of infectious disease and the opportunities in industry, academia, and through the government. I currently study Dengue and Zika viruses which are two of the most prevalent diseases carried by mosquitos. Now that I am in my Master’s, I am applying to PhD programs all over the country to continue my pursuit in virology. My email is [email protected].edu Name: Elissa Himes
Title: Undergraduate Student Organization: Colorado School of Mines Background: I am a junior in Mechanical Engineering at Colorado School of Mines. I chose Mechanical Engineering because I enjoy math and building things hands-on. I recently started a position as an undergraduate research assistant in a robotics lab, and it has inspired me to pursue a master's degree in robotics after I graduate. I love mountain biking on all the pretty trails here in Colorado. Name: Mia Smith
Title: Instructor Organization: University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus Background: After graduation from undergraduate school in Texas with degrees in mathematics and philosophy, I was unsure of my future career path. I moved to Colorado with my future husband and decided I wanted to be a veterinarian. I returned to school to take all of the prerequisite science classes required for application to veterinary school. During this time I was exposed to the field of immunology and fell in love. I began working in two different immunology labs at National Jewish Health. From this experience, I decided I wanted to pursue a PhD in immunology, in addition to a doctor of veterinary medicine (DVM) degree. I applied and was accepted to a DVM/PhD combined program at Colorado State University. After graduation I decided my passion was in research and that I did not want to practice veterinary medicine. I took a position at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus to start my own laboratory focused on understanding the role of B cells in human autoimmune diseases, such as type 1 diabetes. Name: Carolina (Caro) Bañuelos
Title: Program Manager and Sociology PhD Student Organization: School of Advanced Materials Discovery at Colorado State University Background: Caro is the current program manager for Materials Science and Engineering graduate programs at Colorado State University (CSU). As the program manager, Caro focuses on recruiting a diverse population of students and advises current students through their degrees. For the last 4 years, Caro has been a part-time PhD student in sociology and is the co-principal investigator of a 4-year study on social network analysis. Caro is a first generation student (neither parent went to college) and this inspired her to research first generation college student networks. Caro has a BA in Sociology with a minor in Ethnic Studies, and a MS in Criminology with an emphasis on transnational crime. Name: Sheryl Zajdowicz, Ph.D.
Title: Professor of Biology Organization: Metropolitan State University of Denver (MSU Denver) Background: I have always been fascinated by infectious diseases. Specifically, I’m passionate about understanding disease-causing microbes (pathogens), how they cause disease, their evolution, how they’re transmitted, how their spread can be controlled and prevented, and how the body responds to microbial attack. As a pathogenic microbiologist (a person who studies host-pathogen interactions), I love to share details about these remarkable microscopic organisms and to impress upon my students just how mighty these microbes can be. I absolutely love everything about microbes! I hope that you’ll join me in my workshops and will leave with a newly found appreciation and desire to learn more about not only pathogens, but also microbiology as a whole. Name: Rachel Blomberg
Title: Project Manager Organization: Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) Background: Rachel Blomberg, E.I., is a hydrologist and project manager for the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) in the Hazardous Materials and Waste Management Division Remediation Program. She has been employed by CDPHE since 2017, and worked for the USGS in the Colorado Water Science Center before joining the State. Rachel’s primary duties range from asbestos mitigation to contaminated groundwater remediation on active military bases and formerly used defense sites. Rachel also addresses emerging contaminants and was involved in drafting the site specific groundwater standard for PFOA and PFOS. Rachel earned a BS in natural resources policy and management from Cornell University and a MS in hydrologic sciences and engineering from Colorado School of Mines. Originally from Northern California, she has lived in NY, AK, ME, Denmark and finally Colorado Name: Sophia Becker
Title: President Organization: Colorado School of Mines SWE Background: I am a senior in Chemical Engineering at Colorado School of Mines. My dream is to go into the renewable energy industry, which is something I have made some progress towards, since I was a participant in the Department of Energy's Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internship program at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory this past summer. I am the President of the Colorado School of Mines Society of Women Engineers section. In this position I have worked hard to connect members to one another, particularly in regard to mentorship. I am looking forward to meeting you all and finding out more about your aspirations! Name: Allison MP Swain, PhD
Title: Postdoctoral Fellow Organization: University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus Background: I have always been interested in nature and how life works. This led me to study molecular biology – or how the molecules in our cells like DNA, RNA, and proteins interact to create and regulate living organisms. I am currently researching how a specific RNA molecule called HOTAIR turns off other genes in breast cancer to help the cancer spread. I am hoping to start my own research lab in the long-run to study mechanisms of gene regulation in organisms ranging from yeast to humans. Name: Maggie Jacoby
Title: Graduate Research Assistant - Department of Architectural Engineering Organization: University of Colorado, Boulder Background: Maggie is a third year PhD student at the University of Colorado, Boulder. She is originally from Santa Cruz, California, and holds a bachelor's degree in Mathematics from the University of California, Davis. After graduating in 2010, she tried a variety of different careers (Operations Manager for an organic produce company, Accounting Administrator for a bay area non-profit, and Administrator for a landscaping company). In 2017, she began a graduate program in Architectural Engineering. Focusing on energy management, she has an interest in software design and data science, and uses these skills to manage energy use in buildings. Name: Rutendo F. Sigauke, MSc
Title: Ph.D. Student Organization: University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus Background: Rutendo is a Computational Biology Ph.D. student at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. Her research combines knowledge from biology and computer science to model gene regulation. She uses genomic data and algorithms to better understand how various transcriptional processes are regulated. In her free time she enjoys hiking and exploring Colorado. Name: Jo Zhou
Title: Organizational Change Management Architect Organization: National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) Background: Jo studied Mechanical and Aerospace engineering in college, and worked in the Space industry for five years after graduation. One of the programs she supported was a Japanese Space Agency (JAXA) mission to launch a spacecraft called Hayabusa2 onto an asteroid. This 6-year mission, which will be complete by the end of 2020, is expected to reveal new knowledge on the origin of the inner planets of the Solar System. After obtaining her MBA in 2018, Jo switched careers from engineering to a non-technical discipline – Organizational Change Management (OCM) – leveraging which she’s able to help organizations transition through large-scale changes more smoothly and effectively. She’s now in charge of OCM at NREL, helping the lab’s impactful efforts to develop sciences and technologies that are reducing our reliance on fossil fuels. Name: Katie Nuessly
Title: Ecologist Organization: National Park Service Background: I work as an Ecologist with the NPS Natural Sounds and Night Skies Team. I use computer models to study how noise pollution affects national park visitors and wildlife. Noise models generate complex results that include multiple metrics, making it difficult to directly apply to land management actions. Therefore, I also develop science communication products, like infographics, to effectively communicate the important results relevant to management alternatives. Name: Katerina Yared
Title: Sr. Petrophysicist Organization: SM Energy Background: Katerina Yared holds the position as a Senior Petrophysicist at SM Energy in Denver. Her oil field career started as a field engineer focusing on formation evaluation with Baker Hughes after she received her master’ degree in geology from the RWTH Aachen University in Aachen, Germany. She advanced through various roles at Baker Hughes, ranging from applications engineer in the BHI Houston Technology Center to geoscience manager for the US Western Region. Katerina broadened her experience by working for NEOS GeoSolutions (Lakewood, CO) and later as petrophysicist at Apache Corporation as well as QEP Resources, before joining SM Energy. Growing up in a family speaking three languages, Katerina, considers languages an enjoyable hobby and currently speaks five fluently. Through her career of embracing diverse cultures, she has been involved in many non-profit global and local organizations as well as involved in volunteer roles within her work organizations. While at Baker Hughes, Katerina was the president of the BHI Women’s Network Group for the Rockies region, focusing on spreading gender diversity awareness and helping teams achievsile maximum potential. Katerina is also an active member and officer of the Society of Petrophysicist and Well Log Analysts (SPWLA), holding currently the position of VP of Education. She is also a lifetime member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE). Finally, she is the co-CEO of the Yared household enjoying raising three kids in beautiful Colorado. With a family to raise consisting of three young boys, life is never boring, but she also believes the foundation of one’s belief systems form at an early age and she is determined to broaden social perspectives of social awareness towards various groups to ultimately increase the success of all people at work and in life. |